China opposes dangerous U.S. practice of inventing enemies out of thin air: defense ministry

Xinhua) 09:30, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The owners of this home in southwest Oklahoma City were able to prevent its theft after another woman claimed it had been sold to her boyfriend, officials said Thursday.

It is just a modest house built 70 years ago in a neighborhood on the southwest side of Oklahoma City.

But to its owner, the 600-square-foot home is filled with priceless memories.

And were it not for a chance visit to the house where she was raised on SW 49 near Independence Avenue, Saina Monhatwa says she might have lost those memories forever.

Unbeknownst to her and her family's attorney, another Oklahoma City woman had filed a quitclaim deed on the property Feb. 23, declaring that Saina's grandfather, Harvey James Monhatwa, had agreed to sell the little house to her boyfriend for $5,000.

Until November 2023 when she died, Saina's mother had lived inside the home  painted gray, trimmed in white and dressed up with red shutters and stars.

Saina's grandfather, meanwhile, had passed away just a month before that, county records show.

"I pulled up to the house in January, and this lady was there, trying to claim it was her house," Saina said during a news conference Thursday held inside the county clerk's office.

"She was breaking in, claiming it was her home, when we hadn't even had a chance to go through my mother's stuff," Saina said.

After overcoming what had to have been a shock, Saina reviewed paperwork her grandfather previously had filed with Oklahoma County's clerk in September 2023.

Then, Harvey J. Monhatwa had moved the home's ownership from himself as an individual to a revocable trust he had created for his family.

The alleged fraudster didn't realize the home's ownership had been transferred to a trust.

"I just wanted to make people aware it could happen to them and to do something about it," Saina said.

Earlier ownership change catches officials' attention

The Oklahoman is not naming the woman who attempted to illegally obtain the home because she has not been officially charged.

But her appearance at the property prompted Saina's family to notify the Oklahoma County assessor, saying they believed a fraudulent deed had been filed.

After viewing Monhatwa's September filing and checking with his attorney, the county corrected the property's ownership information.

In turn, that prompted the woman who filed the fraudulent deed to contact the assessor's office as well, asking why her name had been removed from the property's ownership record.

More: Here's what you need to know before dealing with a home stuffed with stuff

She was told it had been changed because her first deed transfer was not correct, and that she would need to file an amended one. The assessor's office notified the Oklahoma County clerk's office that she probably would appear there to do so.

When the woman showed up with an amended deed transfer, Oklahoma County sheriff's office deputies were summoned.

While questioning the woman, deputies reviewed copies of the woman's February deed transfer and the amended one she had brought with her and the deed transfer Monhatwa had filed the previous September that placed the home into his trust.

Deputies noticed Monhatwa's signatures didn't match. The woman was arrested.

The woman told the deputies during questioning that Monhatwa had agreed to sell the home to her boyfriend, who she said had done some work for the man. The alleged sale price? Just $5,000.

The assessor's office estimated the home's 2024 market value at $66,500.

Can Oklahoma County property owners protect themselves? Alert program helps

Oklahoma County Clerk Maressa Treat said Thursday that property thefts obtained through title changes are a national problem that also is being seen in Oklahoma County.

Through training efforts involving her office, the assessor and sheriff, they are working to identify and stop unauthorized people from obtaining property ownerships illegally, Treat said.

But Treat and other Oklahoma County officials on Thursday also used Saina's experience to remind property owners they can minimize the threat posed by title stealers by using a free notification program offered by the county that alerts them when something like that happens.

A registered user is alerted whenever a document related to a specific property he or she designates with the account is filed at the Oklahoma County clerk's office.

A user whose property is filed upon is notified with either an email, text message or phone call whenever that happens.

If the filing was not initiated by the user, he or she is encouraged to email property.alert@oklahomacounty.org to obtain more information.

Property owners can visit https://alert.okcc.online/ to sign up for the service.

"We hear from all over the country" about situations where people who think they own a property suddenly discover it has been stolen through an illegal deed change, Treat said.

"It seems like I just made that up, right? But its true," Treat said Thursday. "We were able to collaborate and take somebody down that was trying to steal somebody's home."

"

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC woman arrested, accused of trying to steal family's home
Eyeing career and technical education, Rockport-Fulton ISD has sought and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funds.

This week, the Texas Workforce Commission presented the district with about $315,500 to support its welding career and technical education program through the commission's Jobs & Education for Texans grant. The grant will help the district serve over 125 students.

This comes a year after the district received about $658,000 through the JET grant program to train students as water vessel pilots in its growing maritime program.

For the next grant cycle, the district is considering ways to support its nursing program.

"We've taken care of maritime and now we've taken care of welding," Rockport-Fulton High School principal Ashleigh Bible said. "We're hoping to make our nursing program more robust."

The recent welding JET grant will be used to upgrade the school's welding lab, Bible said.

"In order to make our welding shop as industry-ready as possible, we need a new ventilation system," Bible said. "They're also creating more welding booths for our students and the last piece is we need some electrical work."

A Rockport-Fulton High School student welds in the school's welding lab, which is set to be renovated with funds from a Texas Workforce Commission grant program.

This project is necessary as the school prepares to partner with Del Mar College for an early college high school program focused on welding and nursing pathways, Bible said.

The district also recently received a $100,000 grant to launch the Pathways in Technology Early College High School program.

Current seventh graders will have the opportunity to go through the full P-TECH program, earning credit and potentially a degree from Del Mar College by the time they complete high school.

Bible said when considering career and technical education programs, the district considers local job opportunities.

"We look at the workforce needs around Aransas County whenever we're making these types of decisions," Bible said. "One of the big workforce needs that we have is the welding component. We will also having a nursing program that we partner with Del Mar on because that is another high-need area around the county."

The district worked with Del Mar College to review the grant proposal, according to a news release from the college.

"Rockport-Fulton has long been one of the many high schools in the area that offers dual enrollment courses in partnership with Del Mar College, so, we are very familiar with their excellent welding program," Del Mar College Executive Vice President and chief operating officer Lenora Keas said in the release. "This JET grant will put at students fingertips the instruction and equipment they need to be professionally trained and career-ready."

Gov. Greg Abbott also shared a news release about the Rockport-Fulton ISD grant award.

"We are proud to invest in the next generation of hardworking Texans to further expand the Texas economy," Abbott said in the release. "This job training grant will provide Rockport Fulton ISD students with the skills they need to succeed in their careers as welders and thrive in our great state."

Texas researchers gather in Corpus Christi for Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium

Meet the Gregory-Portland ISD student chosen for the 2024 National Youth Orchestra

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here's how Rockport-Fulton ISD is growing career and technical program
When it opened 47 years and six days ago on a spectacularly clear March morning, the steel-arched Francis Scott Key Bridge was hailed as an engineering wonder offering some of the most spectacular vistas in Maryland.

You could almost see forever, read an editorial in The Evening Sun newspaper, noting the breathtaking sights of Baltimores skyline, the bustling harbor, historic Fort McHenry and the old Bethlehem Steel mill in Sparrows Point.

Despite construction delays and massive cost overruns, the editorial said you can see it as a proud completing buckle in the Baltimore belt, referring to the final link in the heavily traveled route that runs around the city.

About 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, under a nearly full moon and clear skies, large sections of a bridge that took five years to build disappeared in seconds when a 213-million-pound loaded cargo vessel nearly the length of the Eiffel Tower struck a crucial support column the Key Bridge could not stand without.

The iconic span named for the author of the American national anthem snapped under the night sky and hurtled into the cold and murky waters of the Patapsco River, killing six overnight immigrant laborers fixing potholes on the bridge. Two people were pulled out alive from the water.

Every single day I would see the bridge. And I go out there  and the bridge is gone, said Jayme Krause, 32, who was working at a nearby Amazon factory that shook when the ship hit the bridge. You dont want to think about  people who are dying literally hundreds of feet from you. Its one of the most heartbreaking things.

On Wednesday, two bridge workers were found trapped underwater in a red pickup, according to the Maryland State Police. For now search efforts have ended for four additional workers  who are presumed dead  because other submerged vehicles sit under concrete and other debris, making it unsafe for divers.

The collapse, captured in dramatic live-stream video, has reverberated beyond the Port of Baltimore  one of the nations largest for international cargo and a major hub for vehicles, containers and commodities.

It is an international disaster that has touched lives throughout the world: the Latin American bridge workers who made their home around Baltimore; more than 20 crew members, who are safe, are from India; the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Dali, which was docked in Baltimore for two days and chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk to carry the cargo for its customers.

Their stories all intersect on an old bridge over a river in Baltimore.

This is just more than a bridge to Baltimoreans, said City Council President Nick Mosby, noting that working-class neighborhoods and shipping-related industries that sprouted up nearby all rely on the port.

A total blackout on the ship

The day before the 984-foot-long vessel departed the Port of Baltimore, the director of Apostleship of the Sea Catholic ministry took the ships captain shopping in preparation for a 28-day journey to Sri Lanka.

Ive been in this ministry for 15 years now, and if theres one thing  that you learn working with seafarers, is that theyre deeply, deeply caring people, said Andy Middleton, a former Baltimore police officer who now heads the volunteer nonprofit that ministers to mariners.

On the way to a Walmart the captain told Middleton the ship was taking a more circuitous route around the tip of South Africa to avoid the coast of Yemen, where Houthis have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea.

It was a safer way to go, said Middleton, who described the ministry as a friendly face to seafarers passing through the port. A volunteer took several of the Indian crew members shopping on Sunday.

At 12:39 a.m. Tuesday, the Dali unmoored from the port for the start of its long journey, according to Marcel Muise, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge, citing information gleaned from the ships voyage data recorder (VDR).

In the middle of the night a pair of tugboats initially towed the Dali away from the Seagirt Marine Terminal, where 20-story cranes dominate the ports skyline. Two Chesapeake Bay pilots on board provided navigational commands to help guide the gigantic vessel away from the unfamiliar port.

It pulled away from the dock with tugs into the turning basin, said Scott Cowan, president of the Longshoremens Association Local 333 in Baltimore  whose members secure loads on and off the deck, operate cranes and run the boxes throughout the yard.

Once it was in the channel, the tugboats were cut loose.

In the main shipping channel, the Dali headed southeast toward the Key Bridge before it began veering to the right. At 1:24 a.m. the ships lights flickered, according to the video.

Around the same time, numerous audible alarms were recorded on the ships bridge audio. Then the VDR stopped recording ship system data but continued to record audio using a redundant power source, according to Muise.

At 1:26 a.m., the VDR resumed recording ship data. Steering commands and rudder orders were recorded on the audio.

The ships pilot made a very high frequency (VHF) radio call for tugs in the area to assist. A pilot association dispatcher phoned the Maryland Transportation Authority duty officer about the blackout.

The Dali was moving toward one of the support pilings under the Key Bridge, according to a CNN analysis of data from MarineTraffic, which tracks the position of ships throughout the world. Its lights continued to flicker.

Just minutes before the bridge, there was a total blackout on the ship. Meaning that the ship lost engine power and electrical power, said Clay Diamond, executive director and general counsel of the American Pilots Association, who was in contact with people familiar with what happened moments before the crash.

Just make sure no one is on the bridge

At 1:27 a.m., the pilot ordered the Dali to drop anchor. He gave additional steering commands, Muise said.

The pilot also made a VHF radio call around the same time, reporting the Dali had lost all power as it approached the bridge. The Maryland Transportation Authority duty officer radioed two police units that were already on scene because of bridge construction and ordered them to close traffic. All lanes were shut down.

The mayday call provided a few precious moments to close the bridge and likely prevented more cars from being on the span, averting the loss of many more lives.

The moments between when the crew called for a mayday and the moments that the bridge actually collapsed, were talking seconds, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on CNN.

The pilot did everything that he could have done to both slow the ship and keep it from drifting to the right, toward the bridge support column, according to Diamond. The ships engine never got started again.

Those were all the appropriate steps, but it happened so quickly and with so little lead time  neither one of those maneuvers were enough, Diamond said.

The ships over ground speed was recorded at just under 8 mph, Muise said Wednesday evening. At 1:29 a.m. and 33 seconds, the VDR audio recorded sounds consistent with a collision. Transportation authority cameras showed the bridge lights extinguishing.

The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge. - Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Transportation Authority police radio captured responders moving to evacuate and halt traffic on the bridge after a dispatcher said a ship had lost its steering, according to Broadcastify.

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. Theres a ship approaching that just lost their steering. So until we get that under control, weve got to stop all traffic.

Im en route to the south side, an officer said.

Im holding traffic now. I was driving but we stopped prior to the bridge. So Ill have all outer loop traffic stopped, another officer said moments later.

Is there a crew working on the bridge right now?  If we can stop traffic, just make sure no one is on the bridge right now If theres a crew up there you might want to notify whoever the foreman is to see if we can get them off the bridge temporarily, the dispatcher said.

Once you get here, Ill go grab the workers on the Key Bridge and then stop the outer loop, an officer said.

It was too late.

The whole bridge just collapsed

At 1:29 a.m. and 39 seconds, the pilot radioed the US Coast Guard: The bridge was down.

Dispatch, the whole bridge just fell down!  Whoever, everybody, the whole bridge just collapsed, an officer said on the transportation authority radio channel.

Another officer said: I cant get to the other side, sir, the bridge is down.

Minutes before impact, the video showed thick black smoke rising from the ship. Then successive sections of the 1.6-mile bridge  once considered a source of civic pride and a milestone in transportation planning  crumpled into the river.

When the Key Bridge was built decades ago, container ships were a fraction of the size and weight they are today. The structure was not designed to protect against collisions with ships as big as the Dali.

This is not like a car. They dont have brakes, said Cowan, the president of the Longshoremens Association Local 333. When they dont have any power, they dont have any propulsion. They cant reverse the engines  to slow it down or stop it once its underway. And these things weigh a lot, thousands of tons. They just dont stop on a dime.

Police recovery crews work near the collapsed bridge on Wednesday. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Early Tuesday, after hearing of the bridge collapse, Middleton, the director of the nonprofit that ministers to sailors, sent a message to a crew member aboard the Dali.

That crew member responded within just a few minutes advising that the crew was safe, he said.

Starr Smith, a Baltimore native who has worked as an Uber driver for nine years and used to cross the bridge at least seven times a day, got a call from her mother Tuesday morning.

She was like, Hey, I want to catch you before you leave because the bridge collapsed,  Smith recalled. And my heart just dropped, honestly.

Like so many Baltimoreans, so many Americans, Smith thought about the randomness of life.

The cars that were still coming across when it was happening, that could have been any one of us, Smith said. My brain still cannot fathom it actually happened.

John Zimmerman, 83, an iron worker who helped build the Key Bridge in the 1970s, learned about the disaster on the TV news Tuesday morning.

I didnt think that bridge would ever come down, he said.

Theyre going to build the bridge again

High above the Patapsco River early Tuesday, a group of men fixed potholes on the bridge used by 30,000 motorists every day.

They were fathers, husbands and sons who had traveled far from poor, dust-choked villages in Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala.

Now they were the centerpiece of a global disaster, with loved ones left wondering what they must have felt in those terrifying final moments before tumbling several stories into the cold river.

They included Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, who came from Santa Barbara in Honduras and spent the last 18 years of his life in America. He was married and a father to an 18-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. Family members had until Wednesday hoped for a miracle. Now they werent sure how to break the news of his death to his 72-year-old mother in Honduras.

Miguel Luna, a native of El Salvador, was also working on the Key Bridge. He left home for work at 6:30 p.m. Monday and never returned. He was a husband and a father of three who called Maryland home for more than 19 years, according to a statement from CASA, a non-profit that provides services to working-class and immigrant families.

And Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, a 26-year-old from Guatemala, who had been working for Brawner Builders at least three years. He loved his job, said Pima Castillo, his sister-in-law.

Another worker was identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a 35-year-old from Mexico, whose body was found in the submerged pickup with Castillo. A relative of Alejandro Hernandez, 24-year-old Carlos Hernandez, was among three Mexican workers killed in the collapse.

Carlos Hernandezs girlfriend, Jazmin Alvarez, who lives in Mexico, shared with CNN affiliate Univision a voice message he had sent her minutes before the collapse.

Yes, my love, we just poured the cement and were just waiting for it to dry, Hernandez said in the voice note.

At the Owls Corner Cafe in Dundalk, the owner said the husband of employee Isabel Franco has been missing since the bridge collapse. His name is Jose Mynor Lopez and hes a native of Guatemala. The business has started a GoFundMe page for Franco and her family, writing that Lopezs family now faces an uncertain future without its main provider and pillar of strength.

The cafe owner, Lilly Ordonez, said Franco barely sleeps or eats and waits by the phone for news about her husband. CNN has sought confirmation from local authorities that Lopez is among the missing.

One of the people pulled out alive from the water was a worker from the Mexican state of Michoacan, which said in a statement the three Mexican bridge workers were related.

Authorities have told the families they havent given up on recovering their loved ones from the twisted wreckage in the waters of the Patapsco, but they arent sure when that process will begin. Debris must be removed from the water before more bodies can be recovered.

On Friday, a massive crane  the largest on the East Coast  was docked near the scene of the collapse as state and federal officials talked about reopening the port and eventually rebuilding the bridge. The floating crane will be part of the massive effort to clear up to 4,000 tons of debris that has hampered search crews.

We know our people are involved, Rafael Laveaga, chief of the Mexican Embassy in Washingtons consular section, said of the immigrants who died working for a living.

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.

CNNs Holly Yan, Maria Santana, Melissa Alonso, Allison Gordon, Emma Tucker, Tina Burnside, Alex Stambaugh, Abel Alvarado, Aditi Sangal, Danny Freeman, Caroll Alvarado, Amy Simonson, Mary Kay Mallonee, Yahya Abou-Ghazal, Sabrina Souza, AnneClaire Stapleton, Antoinette Radford, Dakin Andone, Curt Devine, Casey Tolan, Isabelle Chapman, Elizabeth Wolfe, Lauren Mascarenhas, Elise Hammond, Gloria Pazmino and Alex Medeiros contributed to this report.

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Hezbollah fighters are reported to be among the dead (file image) [Getty Images]

At least 42 people have been killed in air strikes in north-west Syria, reports say.

Syria's defence ministry said Israeli planes targeted several sites in the Aleppo countryside at 01:45 on Friday (22:45 GMT Thursday).

A UK-based monitoring group said Hezbollah militants and Syrian soldiers died as a Hezbollah arms store was hit.

Hours later, Israel's military said it had killed a senior Hezbollah figure in an air strike in Lebanon.

Ali Abed Akhsan Naim was a deputy commander of the group's missiles and rockets unit, the Israel Defense Forces said, and was responsible for conducting and planning attacks on Israeli civilians.

Video released online by Israel showed a moving vehicle, which he was said to be travelling in, exploding after being struck by a missile.

The strike was in the Bazuriyeh area, east of the port of Tyre, the IDF added.

Hezbollah has not yet commented on the reports.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) - which monitors events in Syria from the UK - said the Aleppo attack had led to the highest number of dead (36) among Syrian forces in a single such "Israeli attack". It also said six Hezbollah fighters were killed.

Citing two security sources, Reuters news agency said five Hezbollah fighters were among the dead, putting the death toll at 38.

Syria's defence ministry said civilians and Syrian military personnel had been killed. It said the air strikes were carried out "in conjunction with" drone attacks by "terrorist organisations" against Aleppo city and the surrounding area, though it did not give any further information.

Israel's military told the BBC it would not comment on foreign media reports.

The SOHR, which uses an extensive network of contacts in Syria, said the alleged Israeli strikes also caused multiple injuries, some serious.

It said that the strikes hit the weapons warehouse in Jabrin area, near Aleppo international airport, and targeted Syrian air defence forces facilities in Al-Saferah, about 20km (12.5 miles), south-east of Aleppo city. It also said explosions were heard in the Kafr Joum area of western Aleppo.

In recent years, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on Syria against Hezbollah or Iranian assets there. It has vowed to prevent Iran - Hezbollah's most important backer - from transferring advanced weaponry to the Lebanese group or from building up its own military presence in Syria.

Both Iran and Hezbollah - Syrian allies - oppose Israel's existence. Alleged Israeli strikes on Syria have increased since Hamas, which is also supported by Iran and Hezbollah, carried out the 7 October attacks on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.

Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel have also escalated. On Wednesday, Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon killed 16 people, including Hezbollah fighters and other militants, marking the deadliest attacks of their kind since Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel in support of Hamas on 8 October.

Hours after the first Israeli strike, a Hezbollah rocket barrage killed a 25-year-old man in northern Israel.

Additional reporting by Christy Cooney and Robert Greenall
EVANSVILLE  Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and officials in more than a dozen states petitioned congressional leaders on Friday to set the record straight on Delta 8 THC and other popular hemp-based products, which have occupied a legal gray area in much of Indiana due to a legal opinion Rokita issued last year.

Rokita's petition to Congress comes amid an ongoing lawsuit that challenges his ruling that Delta 8 THC is illegal under Indiana law, a claim that has for months upended a lucrative industry in a state that had become a hub for hemp producers, processors and sellers.

On Tuesday, one of the plaintiffs in that suit, The Midwest Hemp Council, drafted their own letter to congressional leaders urging them to keep federal laws and regulations that permit the production and sale of Delta 8 THC on the books.

"Eighty percent of licensed acres for hemp production in 2022 and 2023 were dedicated to cannabinoid production to meet the increasing consumer demand for these hemp products," Justin Swanson, an attorney and the Midwest Hemp Council's president, wrote in the letter.

Business owners in Evansville had to pull Delta 8 THC products from store shelves under threat of prosecution in June, according to Courier & Press interviews, as did stores in many other Indiana counties that received instructions from police and prosecutors who relied on Rokita's opinion to issue do-not-sell orders.

The dispute between Rokita and the region's rapidly growing hemp industry could shape state and federal law as cases drag on in court and an array of lobbyists urge officials to reign in, or expand, hemp production in Indiana and beyond.

A variety of CBD and Delta-8-THC products are offered at Walls Organic in Evansville, Indiana. In 2018 Congress passed the farm bill allowing hemp producers to extract and synthetically produce a plethora of psychoactive compounds from the plant, such as CBD and Delta-8-THC.

Background: What is Delta 8 THC? Therein lies part of the dispute over Rokita's 2023 opinion

First discovered in 1965, Delta 8 THC is similar to the primary intoxicating compound found in marijuana, Delta 9 THC  though it is thought to be substantially less potent, according to research that surveyed users' subjective experience when taking the drug.

Delta 8 THC is commonly manufactured in the United States by modifying a compound found in hemp plants: CBD, which remains legal both federally and in Indiana.

Also known by its more formal name, cannabidiol, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in both hemp and marijuana plants and it has seen use in medical settings.

Keith Johnson, a chemist and formulator at The Home Town Apothecary in Indianapolis, told the Courier & Press that Indiana's Delta 8 THC is most often manufactured in "pristine" laboratories by skilled chemists wearing "white gowns, masks, gloves, the whole 9 yards."

As the industry boomed in recent years, some chemists fetched more than $10,000 for a high-quality "Standard Operating Procedure": a set of instructions detailing step-by-step how to produce Delta 8 THC from hemp-derived CBD at scale.

"With hemp-based THC, it is organic," Johnson said. "It's just sped up in a laboratory environment instead of it happening naturally, like in a field or in the (hemp) plant itself. We're just accelerating the degradation of CBD into Delta 8."

But Rokita's official opinion, issued in June, found that current state law outlaws products that contain Delta 8 THC and other intoxicating compounds that can be derived from the hemp plant, in part, because these cannabinoids are "synthetic," he claimed.

The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council drafted a letter that local prosecutors could distribute to businesses last year informing owners of Rokita's finding.

According to court records, the lawsuit against Rokita now lists Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers and EPD Sgt. Nathan Hassler as codefendants for their role in implementing Rokita's ruling on Delta 8 THC in Evansville.

An Evansville-based business, Wall's Organics, joined The Midwest Hemp Council and 3Chi LLC, a hemp extract product supplier, as plaintiffs.

They and others claim Rokita's office erred when it published the attorney general's official opinion, a document rich with scientific jargon. While a process of synthesis is required to efficiently produce cannabinoids like Delta 8 THC, the base ingredient for that process is CBD  an organic compound derived from hemp.

Johnson argues that Delta 8 THC, as it is produced in Indiana, is not a synthetic compound, as Rokita contends.

"In the lab with CBD, we're just changing a few molecules, or a few atoms in the molecule of CBD, and converting it into Delta 8," said Johnson, who for a time operated his own Delta 8 THC production facility. "In order to be successful at it, and to get the conversion in the first place, you really have to know what you're doing."

That distinction could prove central to the ongoing suit against Rokita. 3Chi LLC, The Midwest Hemp Council and Wall's Organics believe current state and federal laws are on their side.

Rokita, others urge Congress to reform Farm Bill that legalized hemp, Delta 8 THC

In a news release, Rokita's office on March 22 characterized the nation's current legal framework for regulating the hemp industry as "hazy."

Rokita and a bipartisan coalition of officials in 18 states and the District of Columbia are now pressing Congress to modify the Farm Bill after a 2018 update legalized the commercial production of hemp, which led to a boom in the CBD industry and the proliferation of products like Delta 8 THC, particularly in states that still outlaw marijuana  such as Indiana.

The 2018 Farm Bill greatly expanded the legal definition of "hemp" to include "all derivates," "extracts" and compounds found or derived from the plant so long as the products contain less than 0.3% of Delta 9 THC.

Businesses took that to mean they could legally produce products that contained hemp-derived Delta 8 THC, since the compound is manufactured using hemp-derived CBD and contains less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC.

Rokita argues that those products are still illegal in Indiana.

"This legislation was supposed to boost industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity," Rokita said of the 2018 Farm Bill. "Thats a goal that Hoosiers support without reservation. Were talking about a plant that can be used to make auto parts, biodegradable plastic, biofuel, paper, textiles and other useful products.

"But now we have a $28 billion grey market flooding our communities with unregulated, highly potent products that are confusing to Hoosier businesses and dangerous to consumers of all ages."

Rokita and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin are urging Congress to rewrite the Farm Bill to ban "dangerous intoxicants" while still leaving room for the industrial hemp market to flourish.

The Midwest Hemp Council and the industry are pressing Congress to take a wholly different approach.

"The Midwest Hemp Council urges Congress to protect the definition of hemp found in the 2018 Farm Bill so American farmers can enjoy heightened legal certainty and consumers can continue to enjoy broad market access to hemp products that provide functional relief for millions of Americans," the council wrote in its letter to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Rokita's interpretation of the 2018 Farm Bill and Indiana's own hemp statutes constitutes much of the basis for 3Chi LLC's ongoing lawsuit. The business and its co-plaintiffs assert that both federal law and Indiana statute ensure their right to sell hemp-derived products like Delta 8 THC.

3Chi's attorneys cite Senate-Enrolled Act 52, which Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law in 2018, as evidence the company's Delta 8 THC products are legal to manufacture, sell and possess in Indiana.

The law shields an array of hemp products from being classified as controlled substances under the state's narcotic statutes.

"S.E.A. 52 encourages the manufacturing, distribution, retail sale and possession of low-THC hemp extracts that meet certain quality control standards by, in part, exempting 'low-THC hemp extract' from the definition of 'marijuana,' 'hashish,' 'hashish oil,' 'controlled substance' and 'controlled substance analog,'" the plaintiffs' attorneys wrote in the civil complaint.

Despite those exemptions, police in Indiana can cite or arrest persons who sell or possess hemp extract products like Delta 8 THC under Rokita's opinion if local prosecutors are willing to put its conclusions into force.

Evansville business owner submits testimony to lawsuit

Matt Wall, of Wall's Organics in Evansville, said his Delta 8 THC products complied with state and federal law. Still, he had to cease selling the products last year or face legal consequences, which led him to join 3Chi and the Midwest Hemp Council in a civil suit seeking to overturn Rokita's ruling.

Besides Rokita, Moers and Hassler, two other local law enforcement officials who carried Rokita's legal opinion into force are named as defendants: Huntington County Prosecutor Jeremy Nix and Huntington Police Department Sgt. Darius Hillman.

In written testimony filed in August, Wall said Hassler entered his shop on Aug. 4 and informed him that all low-THC hemp extract products had to be removed from store shelves, an instruction Hassler attributed to Rokita's opinion.

"Sergeant Hassler informed me that he would return to Wall's Organics and that he did not want to see any Delta 8 THC or other low THC hemp extract products on the shelves when he returned, or arrests would be made," Wall wrote.

"I tried to explain to Sergeant Hassler that all of Wall's Organics' products were compliant with the law because they contained less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC (and I had paperwork to prove it)," Wall added. "But he told me that it did not matter and that Wall's Organics could no longer sell these products in Evansville."

Other local shops got paid similar visits by Evansville police, according to business owners who spoke to the Courier & Press last year. In each case, the officer bore a letter from the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office that cited Rokita's official opinion.

Moers told the Courier & Press at the time that the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council drafted language for all local prosecutors to distribute, and pursuing the matter was not, she said, "an independent decision."

Swanson, who is listed as an attorney in the suit against Rokita, told the Courier & Press that some, but not all, local prosecutors distributed such letters. That in turn has led to a hodgepodge of Delta 8 THC enforcement across the state, he contends.

"I think we maybe had 10 or 15 county prosecutor letters go out targeting small business owners," Swanson said. "It tended to be some of the more rural areas, though Evansville obviously is not."

Swanson, Johnson and some of Indiana's hemp producers say the industry supports sensible regulations targeting safety, quality control and restrictions that would make it more difficult for minors to obtain hemp extract products.

If Rokita's opinion is allowed to stand, and if Congress updates the Farm Bill to ban hemp-derived compounds that could be considered "intoxicating," some predict that Indiana's burgeoning hemp industry could collapse, triggering a cascade of business closures as processors and retail shops struggle to survive in a constrained market.

"I've talked to friends of mine that have stores,and I asked, 'How much of your sales come from Delta 8 THC and things like that?'" Johnson said. "And it's anywhere from 60% to 80% of their business. ... All these mom-and-pop stores would shut down, the farms will shut down and the labs that are making (Delta 8 THC) products will be shut down."

Rokita and other officials who have lobbied Congress to reign in the hemp industry by outlawing intoxicating hemp-derived compounds argue that doing so would allow for farmers and the industrial hemp sector to take up the slack.

On March 18, the parties to the suit met by counsel to discuss the "state of discovery and readiness for a settlement conference," according to filings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District.

The next status conference in the case is scheduled for July 2.

Congressional watchdogs have noted that hemp continues to be a front-and-center issue in Congress as representatives weigh competing visions for how best to regulate hemp products as they shape the 2023-2024 Farm Bill.

Houston can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Todd Rokita pushes nationwide Delta 8 ban amid hemp lawsuit
"Under the Radar" hosts Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman celebrate with the staff of Waco Kitchen during a recent visit to Battle Creek.

BATTLE CREEK  "Under the Radar Michigan" hosts Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman are returning to Battle Creek next week.

The longtime friends and authors will share how their Michigan travel program started and what keeps them going during a visit to W.K. Kellogg Auditorium at 6 p.m. April 4.

"Daldin and Edelman are hilarious, and their program is fast-paced and even a little zany, explained Michael McCullough, Willard Librarys community engagement and local collections librarian. "But the program is just as much about people as the places they visit, so the overall vibe is authentic Michigan.

"Under the Radar" was created after Daldin and Edelman found themselves out of jobs in the advertising industry. The two hosts have been traveling the state for more than 13 years now, building a large and enthusiastic fanbase.

Both were out of work in an industry that was shedding jobs by the thousands, so UTR is a story of redemption and renewal," McCullough said.

"Under the Radar host Tom Daldin interviews Jackson and Tristan Bredehoft inside their business, Cafe Rica. Daldin and "Under the Radar" co-host Jim Edelman are returning to Battle Creek April 4.

The pair filmed a recent episode of "Under the Radar" in Battle Creek, which aired on PBS last fall. The episode featured Daldin and Edelman visiting local businesses Cafe Rica, WACO Kitchen, and Horrocks Farm Market, as well as Kids n Stuff Museum in Albion.

At a special screening of the episode hosted by Willard Library and the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, more than 50 community members came together to celebrate Battle Creek.

A lot of people in Michigan can identify with Daldin and Edelmans story," McCullough said. "People in Battle Creek, no strangers to the economic headwinds of the past decade or so, will find their story inspiring. Its also a great opportunity to show off what makes our city great  we have a lot to be proud of here.

Willard Library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit willardlibrary.org.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: 'Under the Radar' hosts are returning to Battle Creek next week
The Biden administration's "SAVE" plan has been making headlines since its summer 2023 launch and following relief rollouts.

The president has been looking to forgive targeted groups loans in a piecemeal fashion, in an alternative strategy to cancel student debt after the Supreme Court struck down his first attempt. SAVE itself, an income-driven plan, was created to replace other plans offered by the government, making more borrowers eligible for relief, certain protections and reduced monthly payments. Anyone can apply now.

Wednesday, one University of Delaware associate professor was invited to the White House to help celebrate just that.

Dominique Baker served on a panel at the White House last Wednesday, adding to the kickoff event for the "SAVE Day of Action Plan." Working in both the College of Education and Human Development and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, Baker's research focuses on how education policy affects access and success of minoritized students in higher education, according to UD. She brought that focus to brief comments in the nation's capital.

Focusing on income, she noted, means protecting more of that money coming into the home.

"Unfortunately, due to interlocking systems of oppression in our country, the people who are more likely to have smaller incomes are also people of color, which means that they will disproportionately benefit," Baker said to the panel and audience assembled at the White House. "Which is a good thing, because we want them to be able to eat and do things like be able to travel to their job."

Dominique Baker is an associate professor in the College of Education and Human Developments School of Education and the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. She is also a UD Cochran Scholar.

Baker highlighted SAVE's automatic renewals, as well as its impact on "ballooning balances," or interest fueling debt to outweigh what a borrower took out in the start. Basically, if a SAVE-plan borrower's monthly payment doesn't cover the interest, the government will cover it.

"This matters a ton for racial equity," Baker explained.

"Just to give you an example, in the most recent nationally representative data, looking at students who earned a bachelor's degree in 2015-2016, we see that for the typical student  Black students, Native American and Alaskan Native students, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander students  they actually owe more than they originally borrowed, four years after earning a bachelor's degree. That matters."

The UD expert is looking ahead to SAVE's total implementation by this summer, when more impact will be felt.

Student debt canceled: Biden's student loan forgiveness for SAVE borrowers is win but not home run for advocates

So how do I apply for this student debt assistance?

Applying to the SAVE plan is the same as other such federal programs.

You log into StudentAid.gov account with your username and password, FSA ID, and complete the IDR application. That application will ask for employment, proof of income or confirmation of any unemployment benefits, as well as family size and marital status.

"Once you complete the application, youll be able to review the repayment plans you qualify for and select the best plan for you," according to the Federal Student Aid website.

Student loan debt relief: Biden announced $1.2 billion in new student debt forgiveness. How much did Delaware get?

Has there even been any student loan forgiveness?

President Joe Biden takes the podium to deliver remarks on student debt relief, part of his Lowering Costs for American Families initiative, during a visit to Delaware State University in Dover, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.

Yes, there has.

Biden announced $1.2 billion in student loan forgiveness for certain borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan, in late February, wherein Delaware saw $5.3 million in relief. These former students borrowed $12,000 or less, have been paying their student loans for at least 10 years.

By Thursday, March 21, the administration added another round of student loan cancelation, to the tune of $5.8 billion for 78,000 public service workers, through Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Both join some $144 billion in debt relief for nearly four million people, according to administration figures, through different, tweaks, actions and programs.

Several conservative commentators and politicians have "balked" at the news of canceling student debt, USA TODAY previously reported, citing unfairness to those who have had to work to pay back loans. Others say there hasn't been enough.

Under SAVE, if someone borrowed $12,000 or less, they'd have received loan forgiveness after making the equivalent of 10 years of payments. For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, according to the Federal Student Aid website, a borrower can receive forgiveness after an additional year of payments. All borrowers on SAVE receive forgiveness after 20 or 25 years, depending on whether they have loans for graduate school.

And July should see another update.

Payments for borrowers with only undergraduate student loans will be cut in half in July, according to the Federal Student Aid website. Currently, such monthly payment amounts are about 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. That number would dip to 5%.

The U.S. Department of Education cautions borrowers should do their research to determine which payment plan best fits their needs. Relatedly, the department set an April 30 deadline for borrowers to consolidate federal student loans and get a one-time payment adjustment this summer, as reported by USA TODAY last week.

Hurry borrowers: Only five weeks left to consolidate student loan debt for a shot at forgiveness

Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or follow her on X @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: UD professor talks student debt forgiveness at the White House
The U.S. is near a deal with the Palestinian Authority to end its contentious martyr payments for people who commit acts of violence against Israel, two Biden administration officials said.

That would be a key win for the multifaceted U.S. push to reform the PA  from instituting anti-corruption measures to improving basic services  so that it can take over governance of the Gaza Strip whenever the Israel-Hamas war ends.

The PA oversees parts of the West Bank, and it is seen by the Biden administration as the best option for governing Gaza in the future. But the PA is reviled by many Palestinians, as well as Israelis and Arab leaders, who see it as corrupt, inefficient and out of touch.

The martyr payments program financially supports Palestinians and their families if they are wounded, imprisoned or killed while carrying out acts of violence against Israel. It has long infuriated Israelis who say it incentivizes terrorism and call it pay for slay. Many Palestinians say it provides crucial support for people standing up to an oppressive Israeli occupation.

Drafts of the PA payments reform plans seen by U.S. officials indicate that Palestinian leaders will replace the current scheme with a general welfare program. Further specifics were not immediately available.

Theres been a great deal of work on this behind the scenes, and the progress is encouraging, a senior Biden administration official said. Another administration official confirmed changes to the system were expected soon. That said, as with all things involving Israel and the Palestinians, new roadblocks could emerge.

The officials, and others in this story, were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive topics candidly.

The White House and the State Department declined to comment. A spokesperson for the PA did not respond to a request for comment.



The push for specific reforms has been complicated by the question of whether the leadership of the Palestinian Authority is willing or capable of making changes. The PAs overall leader, 88-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas, seems unwilling to exit the scene and has not held elections in nearly two decades, frustrating many Palestinians.

But Abbas is taking some steps that have encouraged U.S. negotiators. He recently tapped a new prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa, partly in response to U.S. demands for fresh leadership.

On Thursday, Abbas unveiled a new Cabinet. Most of the incoming names are little-known figures, though some are believed to have ties to Gaza.

The broader U.S. reform plan for the PA consists of roughly two dozen proposals, according to a person familiar with the issue.

Some are long-standing requests, such as creating a new anti-corruption mechanism. Others are more mundane but still important, such as changes to how retirees are paid and ways to save money on their health care referral system. The U.S. also intends to help train Palestinian security forces to operate in Gaza as part of a longer-term stabilization effort.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the Middle East file confirmed the existence of the broader plan and some of the details. The plan is not static, nor is it a diktat to the Palestinians, the person familiar with the issue said. In many ways, its proposals are the result of years of thinking and conversations.

Although in the immediate aftermath of the war, which broke out on Oct. 7, Abbas dismissed the notion of PA rule in Gaza, he appears more open to the idea now. The PA previously governed in Gaza until being pushed out by Hamas militants in 2007.

Still, some of Abbas decisions so far arent bold enough for some American officials.

The new prime minister, Mustafa, is U.S.-educated, has worked at the World Bank and is considered a technocrat. But hes also seen as close to Abbas, and there are questions about his role in past alleged PA corruption.

Some members of the Biden administration, particularly in the State Department, expressed reservations about the choice, as did some former U.S. officials.

Mohammad Mustafa is not someone who sends a message of reform, said Dennis Ross, a former U.S. diplomat who spent years negotiating various Middle East peace deals.

But others at State, as well as top Middle East hands at the White House National Security Council, said it wasnt worth having a dust-up with Abbas over Mustafa. They also argued that the U.S. should avoid looking as if it is imposing a leader on the Palestinians.



We do think Mustafa is a serious technocrat. Hes not ideal, but he can be a big upgrade over the prime minister who recently resigned, Mohammad Shtayyeh, one of the U.S. officials familiar with the Middle East file said.

U.S. leverage over the PA is limited, not least because Americas financial support for the institution is far less than it once was.

But the war in Gaza has damaged the West Banks economy, partly because Israel has tried to curb the PAs access to funds, and that added weakness may be making the PA more open to Washingtons ideas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes a PA role in Gaza, despite U.S. insistence that theres no other institution that could take on the job if Israel doesnt want to occupy the densely populated territory.

Netanyahu has often said the PA is little different from Hamas, and that it fosters hate against Israelis. But Netanyahus own political future is cloudy given Israeli fury over the security failure that allowed Hamas militants to attack Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others.

Another factor Abbas, Mustafa and others in the PA are weighing is the support of Arab states. Many Arab leaders agree with ordinary Palestinians that the PA doesnt represent the desires of the people it supposedly serves and is poorly run.

The powers that be in the region cant see themselves engaging in a serious way absent Palestinian Authority reform, a third U.S. official familiar with Middle East issues said.
Sunshine is increasingly becoming a desirable commercial commodity in Wayne County, with solar farm applications increasing. A state permit is pending for a 19-acre solar farm near Lake Ariel. A hearing is set in April for another one in Cherry Ridge Township.

A large-scale commercial solar array project in Damascus and Lebanon townships was approved in 2023 by both boards of supervisors, but is yet to start construction.

Salem Township

The Wayne County commissioners received correspondence March 21 from ARM Group LLC notifying them of the intent of Twilight Renewable to file for a state permit in advance of the applicant's Lake Ariel Solar Farm Project. Twilight is planning a 4.4-megawatt (MW) AC solar farm, using 19 acres.

A 5-MW system can potentially power as many as a thousand homes.

The property extends on either side of Route 191, Lake Ariel Highway, between the villages of Lake Ariel and Hamlin, within Salem Township and just south of Advent Road. The western edge of the property fronts Route 196. Google Maps' satellite view shows the parcels to be largely wooded.

ARM Group LLC is the engineering firm for Twilight Renewables. Jared Hockenbury, professional engineer for ARM Group, said that Twilight intends to apply for the Individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, authorizing the discharge of stormwater during construction activities. The permit application goes to the Wayne Conservation District, which administers Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulations.

Brett Nolt, CEO of Twilight Renewables, is the applicant. The firm is based in Manheim, Lancaster County. According to its website, the company sells, designs, installs and helps to maintain solar panel systems for Pennsylvania clients.

Wayne County Planning/GIS Department records list Brett M. Nolt, of Lititz, as the owner. The deed for the 33.68-acre property was filed last December.

A view of the solar farm called Whitetail Solar 2, which generates electricity for Penn State University.

Salem Township enacted an ordinance governing large-scale solar farm electric utilities at the Feb. 13 supervisors' meeting. The listed purposes are to adopt reasonable building, operational, and decommissioning requirements of all large-scale solar electric facilities, and to establish safety standards, all of which are intended to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of Salem Township residents, and property owners within the township.

Applicants must receive a township permit and conform with the township Subdivision Land Development Ordinance. Among the regulations, there is a prohibition on artificial lighting except that required for safety and other authorities. A fence is required at least seven feet high, or other barriers. A vegetative buffer might be required. On-site transmission and power lines, where practical, must be underground.

Jennifer Wargo, Salen Township secretary, said that they were waiting for the land development plan from Twilight Renewables. No hearing is necessary, she said, unless they request a waiver to their solar ordinance.

She said there was a previous submittal from another company to erect a utility-scale solar farm in western Salem Township. The supervisors denied the request for lack of a subdivision plan. Wargo said the firm can always try again.

Cherry Ridge Township

A conditional use hearing has been announced in Cherry Ridge Township for a 30-acre solar farm on a section of land along Cadjaw Pond Road. Township officials scheduled the hearing for Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m., at the municipal building on Route 191.

This request was filed by Ridgetop Angus Farm LLC, owner, and Honesdale Energy Initiative LLC, applicant/developer. The site is located west of Cadjaw Pond Road and northwest of Millers Farm Lane, totaling 39 acres. Approximately 11 acres are dedicated to the proposed solar facility. The overall property is partly field, partly wooded.

Damascus/Lebanon townships

A five-MW commercial solar farm was approved in February 2023 by Damascus and Lebanon townships on a privately owned field off Route 371. Most of the project is in Damascus Township.

New Leaf Energy, a division of Borrego Solar Systems, Inc., Lowell, Massachusetts, is planning to build an array of 11,040 solar panels. The long rows of panels will be tilted at approximately 60 degrees. They begin approximately 700 feet from the roadway and will cover about 21 acres.

Over a year since obtaining township approval, New Leaf Energy's project has not yet broken ground. Damascus Township Secretary Melissa Haviland said that an interconnective agreement is still pending to tap into PPL's electrical grid.

More from Damascus Twp.: Damascus School students become township supervisors for a day, run meeting

Damascus supervisors set a moratorium in 2023 on new solar farms until they were able to upgrade their ordinance. Haviland stated that the supervisors extended that moratorium at their March meeting.

Their proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance is the subject of a public hearing set for April 22 at 6 p.m., prior to the 7 p.m. Damascus supervisors' regular meeting. Haviland said that there are other solar farm companies waiting to apply.

Townships ordinances

The Wayne County commissioners, working with Penn State Extension, organized an online seminar in September for municipal officials to learn about amendments they may need to strengthen their ability to regulate commercial solar farms. A second webinar was held in November to educate landowners who may be approached by companies wanting to lease land for commercial solar arrays.

As reported in the Wayne County Planning Commission Annual Report for 2023, adopted by the commissioners this March, many municipalities have been adopting solar energy regulations in the past two years or so, a trend that was expected to continue.

Solar Energy Industries Association has a map showing locations of large-scale solar arrays. It shows none in the Poconos, save for the 2.7-MW Pocono Solar Project at Pocono Raceway. An 80-MW project, Swiftwater Solar, is being developed in Pocono Township.

The Wayne County Planning Commission last year reviewed a proposed zoning amendment regarding solar farms for Damascus Township and amendments to the subdivision and land development (SALDO) ordinances for Preston, Mount Pleasant and Lake townships. The latter three municipalities are not zoned. Preston Township passed its SALDO amendment on Aug. 6, 2023, Mount Pleasant Township on Dec. 4, and Lake Township on Feb. 6.

ECA Solar was given zoning approval by Palmyra Township in December 2021 for a 50-acre, 3.7-MW project, but later backed out when their desired consumer, Wallenpaupack Area School District, decided not to pursue an agreement.

For more information from Penn State Extension about leasing property for commercial solar farms, see extension.psu.edu/landowner-leasing-for-utility-scale-solar-farms.

View the map showing large-scale solar farms identified by Solar Energy Industries Association at seia.org/research-resources/major-solar-projects-list.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Developers pursuing solar farms in Salem, Cherry Ridge townships
The Riviera Beach City Council on Wednesday will consider yet again who should chair its meetings, a role that's usually held for a year.

On March 20, Glen Spiritis was elected chairman by his new colleagues on the council  much to his surprise. Not even an hour had passed since he had been sworn in as the council's newest member when he was handed the gavel, a fall-back choice after the fractious five-person council failed to back any of the three members who nominated themselves for the position.

Two days later, however, one of those council members  former chairman Douglas Lawson  wanted the government equivalent of takesies-backsies.

Glenn Spiritis

"While he's a well-accomplished previous city manager and has been involved in New York politics for over 30 years, I want to offer him the grace required to familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of being a council member of Riviera Beach," Lawson said of Spiritis. "In hindsight, I realize I rushed to appoint a new board chair without considering Mr. Spiritis' inexperience. It may not have been the best course of action."

The ensuing debate, which took place during a March 22 special meeting many believed had been called to begin the process of firing City Manager Jonathan Evans for a second time, was a baptism by fire for Spiritis in the acrimony that has typified the council. It also underscored the tenuous hold Evans has on his position, despite the long list of infrastructure projects the city has moved forward on after years of inaction.

Lawson and another council member, Tradrick McCoy, sniped at each other, an echo of the physical altercation the men had after a meeting in January.

RIVIERA BEACH NEWS: City Council member says she was told a colleague offered to barter his vote

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office determined that there was probable cause to seek a charge of simple battery against each man but declined to move forward after both decided not to pursue that course.

That doesn't mean they're on each other's Christmas card list.

McCoy, who has long questioned Evans' pay and actions as manager, sought the special meeting to call attention to what he described as problems with the city's bid solicitation process. Those problems, he argued, are illustrative of a city administration that doesn't have its act together.

A previous council fired Evans in 2017 after he had been on the job for only seven months. Two years later, a new board re-hired Evans, who, in recent years, had the backing of council members KaShamba Miller-Anderson, Julia Botel and Shirley Lanier.

Botel, however, was unable to mount a bid for re-election after an appellate court determined she did not follow state law in becoming a qualified candidate. That left the seat to Spiritis, a former city manager in Long Beach, N.Y., who now works as a developer of affordable housing.

Where does the council now stand with a new chairman?

Riviera Beach Council member Douglas Lawson speaks to an audience gathered during the grand opening of Riviera Beach's newest fire station, Station 88, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Riviera Beach, Fla. Featuring state-of-the-art facilities, the 31,000 square foot, $20 million building houses Riviera Beach Fire Rescue trucks, decontamination facilities, a memorial honoring fallen firefighters from 9/11 and more.

Spiritis has not said if he wants Evans replaced. His backing could be key for Evans, particularly if Lawson decides the city needs a new manager.

Lawson was sharply critical of Evans for an absence of security on the night of the physical altercation. He has also blasted Evans for failing to keep the board informed about ongoing issues with the city's drinking water.

The votes of Spiritis, Lawson and McCoy would be enough to fire Evans a second time.

After McCoy moved to have that March 22 special meeting called, many of Evans' supporters thought his firing could be imminent.

Botel was among the city residents who pointed out the many projects underway during Evans' tenure in urging council members not to fire him.

After McCoy laid out his complaints, the council took no action. Indeed, several council members questioned whether the special meeting was necessary.

RIVIERA BEACH NEWS: City's estimated date for new water treatment facility has residents frustrated

But with the meeting hastily scheduled, Lawson decided to add another item for discussion  whether the council should reconsider having Spiritis as chairman.

Spiritis and McCoy said Robert's Rules of Order, the ground rules that govern city meetings, do not permit a reconsideration. City Attorney Dawn Wynn, however, said the city's charter spells out that council chairs serve at the pleasure of the council, meaning a majority of its members could change the chair.

Wynn did advise that the council wait until a regularly scheduled meeting to consider such a change.

Lawson said he was OK with that.

McCoy, however, argued for getting on with the decision, likening Lawson to a drum major who always wants to be out front.

"Mr. Lawson, this isn't about anybody else but your desire," McCoy said in personal terms that are atypical for council discussion in other cities but not in Riviera Beach. "Doug Lawson, I think you should just be direct and say you don't want him to be the chair. You can disguise it any way you like, but this is glad-handling at its best. Let's go ahead and cut this short and save everyone else the rest of the evening."

RIVIERA BEACH NEWS: Voters approve $115 million in bond money for new facilities

Lawson fired back.

"This is a special meeting," he said. "If my attorney is saying wait until the meeting in April at our first regular meeting, I have no problem with that. I'm not going to rush the process, and I'm not going to bully anyone as you're trying to do tonight, councilman."

McCoy, whose colleagues have sought his suspension or removal by Gov. Ron DeSantis, responded: "It doesn't matter. Shows how much you don't know, Mr. Lawson."

Before temperatures could rise higher, Lanier moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded and approved, sending council members on their separate ways.

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lawson, McCoy spar as Riviera Beach considers chairmanship position
Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films as well as Predator, The Mandalorian and Happy Gilmore, has died at 76.
A former Virginia House of Delegates representative from Campbell County received bond Thursday morning after his arrest over the weekend.

Matt Fariss, 55, who represented Virginias 59th House District for a 12-year stint and left office in January after losing a re-election bid for a redistricted seat, was arrested Sunday and booked into the Amherst County Adult Detention Center, according to jail records.

Fariss, who was present in court Thursday standing next to his attorney Chuck Felmlee in an orange jumpsuit with family in attendance, is charged with one felony count each of possession of a Schedule I or II drug and possession of a gun on person with a Schedule I or II drug; and one misdemeanor count of violating a protective order.

He also faces three traffic infractions: improper taillights, failure to display license plates and failure to obey highway marking.

Felmlee said his client has no prior criminal record and is a cattle farmer. The charges, the attorney said, stem from a traffic stop in Campbell County, where Fariss was driving his truck and towing a trailer with farm supplies.

Fariss was pulled over because the lights were not working on his trailer, Felmlee said.

In court, Felmlee said officers found a hunting rifle in the passenger side of the truck and in his back pocket, there was a small rag found with suspected drugs.

Nelson County Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Erik Laub, specially appointed to work the case, said a field test was conducted and the drugs tested positive as methamphetamine.

Fariss was found not guilty March 5 of felony malicious wounding and hit and run during a day-long trial in Campbell Circuit Court. A protective order was filed against Fariss from that incident by Julie Miles, which Felmlee said was in the process of being dissolved but wasnt at the time of the traffic stop.

A protective order in Virginia prohibits the subject from being in possession of a firearm.

Felmlee said it sounds worse than it is. Laub said the circumstances surrounding Farisss arrest did not involve any violence.

Judge Stephanie Maddox granted Fariss a $5,000 secured bond. Fariss is ordered to pay $500 for release and be subject to random alcohol and drug screenings.

His next court date is set for 9 a.m. June 4, according to court records.
A World War II-era ship tested in harrowing Navy and Coast Guard missions by the dozens looks to have a better future than the scrap heap.

Mark Doc Avraham is spearheading efforts to care for the decommissioned boat  named the USS Shackle while in the Navy and Acushnet during its Coast Guard service  at a marina in Tacoma, Washington. He envisions it being a place for homeless veterans to live and train for jobs, and a museum with a cafe.

And who knows  perhaps the Shackle/Acushnet could return to Napa County, California. Eight decades ago, Basalt built ships for the Navy at the site of today's Napa Pipe.

I wonder if Napa has a place for a group like ours? Avraham asked recently.

A long list of honors

Acushnet is 213 feet long and powered by four diesel engines and twin propellers. It has a maximum speed of 14.6 knots, or 17 mph, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

As the USS Shackle, it served the Navy as a rescue and salvage ship during World War II in such places as Iwo Jima, Midway and Okinawa. Between April and September of 1945, it completed 55 salvage and rescue missions in the western Pacific Ocean for ships damaged in Japanese kamikaze air attacks.

The Shackle became the Coast Guard cutter Acushnet in 1946. In 1952, it helped rescue crews when two tankers split in half off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In 1978, it covered 18,000 miles in 82 days gathering data for the Global Weather Experiment.

Its honors are many  Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, four National Defense Service Medals, six Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, Transportation 9-11 Ribbon and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, to name a few.

The Coast Guard retired Acushnet in 2011, and the federal government declared it surplus property. A man bought it for $600,825 in March of that year, according to a Coast Guard historian.

Various reports, including one in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, said the buyer duped a widow out of money for the purchase. Initial attempts to find a new use for the ship failed.

Acushnet's glory days had ended, at least for a time.

Avraham and his son were looking for a ship about two years ago. They had a boat that they used to take veterans, at-risk youth and others fishing and crabbing, but they wanted something bigger.

"One day my son and I were driving and saw a homeless vet," Avraham said. "We stopped to help, made a call to get him emergency shelter and while driving it hit us  we could do more. So we started looking for a ship that would allow us more latitude on what we could do."

They found Acushnet for sale. The asking price was too high at $230,000, but the owner sold it for $90,000.

The ship is structurally sound and seaworthy, Avraham said. The inside is about 93% in good condition, with such flaws as a hood for a range that doesnt work.

Avraham has already run a veterans' program on the ship. He talked of serving people who are looking for direction after leaving the military. The ship is a place to learn skills ranging from electronics to cooking in the galley.

We have four massive engines they can work on to get a maritime ticket for working on a boat, he said.

'A time capsule'

Volunteers help maintain Acushnet. Dan DeVaul is among them, taking on such jobs as working on electrical panels.

In 1978 and 1979, DeVaul served in the Coast Guard on the cutter Yocona, a sister ship of Acushnet that Basalt launched into the Napa River in 1944 as the USS Seize. The Navy sank Yocona in October 2005 as part of a training exercise.

When DeVaul helps with electrical work and other chores on Acushnet, he is reminded of his youth serving on Yocona. The two ships were nearly identical, he said.

Its kind of like going back in a time capsule when youre aboard, said DeVaul.

Hes taken another look at the past. In 2015, he was living in Sacramento, California, and went to what remained of the Basalt shipyard in Napa. He saw such remnants as the four concrete drydocks and took photographs.

That was the most incredible feeling  you couldnt believe it was still there, he said.

Avraham is a San Diego native and went to high school in Sacramento.

"Im very familiar with Napa. A great place, he said.

But Avraham hasn't been to what's left of the old Basalt shipyard. He said he'd like to see the place where Acushnet was born.

Before Acushnet could be born, however, Basalt Rock Co. had to be born.

Where it all started

The attraction was the hills where today's Syar quarry is located. Basalt and rhyolite formed there from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago that sent flows down the Napa Valley.

Leo J. Alexander, the son of a pioneer, formed a company to mine the hills in 1914. By 1926, the company was called Basalt Rock Co., had 50 workers and provided crushed rock for paving and reinforced concrete.

Rock had to get from the hills to construction sites. The Napa River provided the transportation. Basalt built a cable tram system that carried buckets of rock for nearly two miles to the riverbank.

The cable crosses the state highway and frequently excites the interest and curiosity of travelers on the highway, said the 1926 book History of Solano and Napa Counties.

Albert Streblow soon joined Alexander in the quarrying operation and eventually became the companys first president. Today, his name graces Streblow Drive leading to Napa Valley College and Kennedy Park.

Basalt needed barges to move stones to projects in the San Francisco Bay area. In 1938, it opened its own shipyard along the Napa River to build steel barges.

Then came World War II. During that era, 15 emergency shipyards were created in the state, 11 of them in the Bay area. The Basalt yard became part of the war effort.

In August 1940, Streblow announced that Basalt had been awarded a Navy contract to build eight steel barges. That was only the start, with the company in 1941 constructing four dry docks to help with the undertaking. It went on to build minelayers and salvage ships for the Navy.

Here Acushnet was built as the USS Shackle. Its launching along with two other ships on April 1, 1943, made local headlines. According to the Navy, this marked the first one-day triple ship christening in the Bay area since World War I a quarter-century earlier.

The Basalt site has been home to other industries over the years, such as Kaiser Steel and Napa Pipe. Today, RiverSound is being built as a community of homes, businesses and a Costco. The industrial past is being traded for a slice of suburbia.

Still, that past isn't being wiped clean. The four drydocks remain at RiverSound as reminders of another age, when ships such as the Shackle/Acushnet were built there.

Meanwhile, Acushnet is at The Marina at Brown Point in Tacoma. Avraham said there are such problems as providing the ship with enough electricity.

My ultimate goal is to find a city or a place where we could park the boat, work on it, possibly go to drydock, start the program, do the museum work, do the homeless program, he said.

He's not limiting the search to Washington.

Were open to going back home to Napa. That would be great, Avraham said.

In Detroit, a building is transformed into permanent housing for veterans experiencing homelessness In Detroit, a building is transformed into permanent housing for veterans experiencing homelessness 'It takes a lot of work'
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 state's 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 governor's 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 governor's 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 Youngkin's top legislative priority. Ted Leonsis, owner of the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's 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.
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.
TOKYO, Mar 29 (News On Japan) - LINE Corporation, in response to a major data breach affecting its users, has decided to reconsider its business outsourcing to the Korean company responsible for the leak.

The Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which administered guidance to the company this month, had requested a review of the relationship between the two companies.

The breach is believed to have compromised approximately 519,000 users' data. The Ministry criticized LINE Corporation for inadequate oversight and management of the Korean IT company, Naver, which was targeted by a cyberattack that led to the leak.

Although the Ministry has set April 1 as the deadline for a report on measures to prevent recurrence, sources indicate that LINE Corporation has resolved to review its outsourcing of IT infrastructure-related tasks to Naver.

The company plans to proceed with a phased reduction in the scope of its outsourced work to Naver, while assessing the impact on LINE's services and its users.

Naver has maintained a relationship with LINE Corporation since it provided technical support at the launch of the LINE service in 2011, as the parent company of the operator at that time.

The Ministry has also urged a review of the current capital relationship, where Naver holds a 50% stake in LINE Corporation. In conjunction with SoftBank, which also holds a 50% stake, the company is moving forward with discussions with Naver on this matter.

Source: NHK
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 hospital's 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 hospital's 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 hospital's president and CEO, said Monday's 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 Edmundson's 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 there's 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 Jennie's 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 won't have to send someone running when he needs something.

"We're going to have access to a lot of tools, a lot of equipment," he said. "We're going to move fast."

Burd, the hospital's 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 community's needs for many years to come." Burd said.
The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month for the Grand Venue located at 4040 S. Expressway in Council Bluffs.

The business describes self as "the perfect place for every event," according to an email from the chamber. The venue is easily accessible from the rest of the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area via Interstate 80, and it features a large gathering room seating up to 300 people.
Danny Michael, the curator of the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, will appear Thursday, April 4, at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum.

Michael will present Firearms of the West: From the Well-known to Whered it Come From discussing the most recognizable frontier guns to the oddities used by outlaws, lawmen and others, according to a news release.

As part of his talk, Michael also will be drawing upon the Union Pacific Railroad Museums expansive historic firearm collection.

This event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Guests are asked to RSVP to reserve seating.

Michaels appearance is an excellent opportunity for visitors to view the newest temporary exhibit at the Union Pacific Museum. The exhibit, "Law and Order on the Railroad," dives into the evolution and impact of railroad law enforcement from the beginning of the transcontinental railroad to modern special agents.

By the 1860s there were more than 30,000 miles of railroad track connecting boom towns and drawing settlers and adventure seekers to the west. As the population grew, so did problems such as robberies, labor disputes and trespassing. Often local law enforcement agencies did not have the resources to respond to this criminal activity and the railroads were left to handle them.

Michael holds a masters degree in public history from the University of Louisville and serves on the editorial board of Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms.
The FBI Omaha Field Office is asking for the publics assistance in locating William Jack Berg of Waukee.

Berg is wanted for allegedly defrauding more than a dozen client investors in a scheme that resulted in the loss of over $1.5 million.

It is alleged that victim investors provided Berg, a financial adviser in Waukee and Urbandale, with funds for investment. However, rather than investing, Berg allegedly used the funds for his personal benefit.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Berg on March 19 after he was charged with wire fraud and money laundering.

Berg is a 51-year-old 195-pound white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet, 11 inches tall. The released photo of him is from 2021.

Berg most recently resided in the Waukee and Adel areas and is suspected to have been in the Des Moines area as recently as March 25.

Anyone with information on Berg is asked to call the FBI Omaha field office at 402-493-8688.
France says it has asked 46 countries if they would be willing to supply more than 2,000 police officers to help secure the Paris Olympics this summer, as organizers finalize security planning for the French capital's first Games in a century while on heightened alert against potential attacks.
King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid and Prince Moulay Ismail, chaired, on Thursday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, the fourth religious lecture of the holy month of Ramadan 1445 AH.

The lecture was given by El Khammar El Bakkali, member of the Moroccan Council of Ulema for Europe, on the theme The legal foundations for building modes of human coexistence.

The lecturer first explained that coexistence refers to the bonds formed among all components of society based on benevolence and respect, taking into account the interests of individuals and communities. This notion, he said, is now referred to by the concept of shared citizenship, which requires respect for cultural, religious, and ethnic specificities as essential prerequisites for peace and cooperation.

The coexistence advocated by the wise is one that stems from the shared resolve to uphold common Islamic values that serve all humanity, he emphasized, noting that coexistence revolves around the general interest that narrow personal calculations tend to obscure, either out of ignorance or tyranny.

Therefore, within the Moroccan Council of Ulema for Europe, we have always considered our first duty to be explaining to Muslims the principles of coexistence in Islam and encouraging them to follow them, he noted.

Regarding tyranny, including the denial of truth and the avoidance thereof, it is among the great political issues for which humans always seek to find the necessary balance. Since those facing this dilemma seek to establish universal rules of rights, it is beneficial for them to promote mutual understanding among peoples of different religions on this issue, the speaker observed.

In the same vein, he noted that regardless of the differences between the peoples or countries of the world, it is important to manage them by focusing on the commonalities that unite them in all areas, no matter how numerous they may be. These similarities consider commonly held beliefs within the circle of freedom, which are sacred in all religions. That is why Islam has prohibited coercion and allowed discussion in the best possible manner, that is, appropriately, in suitable circumstances and with the appropriate interlocutor.

Within this framework, the speaker identified seven legal foundations for constructing aspects of coexistence, namely fraternity, mutual understanding, communication, mutual consideration, tolerance, virtue, and justice.

From this perspective, El Bekkali clarified that the values of coexistence are reflected in the field of international relations through peace and good conduct, as well as in commercial relations between individuals, states, and peoples, and in family relationships. He pointed out that the areas of agreement and cooperation are much broader than those who, out of ignorance of the purposes of Sharia, confine themselves to truncated readings, believe.

He also indicated that while coexistence is required and encompasses vast domains, Muslims must observe a series of prescriptions in this regard so that this value magnified by Islam does not become synonymous with absurdity, perversion, and decay. Among these prescriptions, he noted that coexistence must not harm any of the foundations of faith or any of the rituals imposed by categorical texts.

This coexistence must not permit what is unlawful or is contrary to the clear texts of Sharia and the unanimous categorical opinions of Muslims at all times and in all places, and must not be harmful to the Muslim community, he said.

On another note, the speaker highlighted the primordial role of the Moroccan Council of Scholars for Europe, emphasizing the efforts it makes to make Moroccans settled in Europe an example of the values of their religion and the principles of their country, in accordance with the norms and laws in force in their host countries.

The Council is committed to promoting practical and realistic awareness by disseminating common human values and strengthening the religious guidance of the Moroccan community residing abroad, while promoting a good understanding of religion for all age groups, men, and women alike.

The speaker also emphasized the tangible successes of the Council in this area, particularly among the younger generations, who are engaged in memorizing the Holy Quran, understanding Islamic sciences, and promoting religious values. He likewise emphasized the role of Moroccan mosques in Europe, which not only focus on prayer but also aim to encourage active participation in education and guidance toward good conduct.

El Bekkali highlighted the Councils good relations with local authorities, based on cooperation in the service of the general interest and mutual respect, thus offering many necessary benefits to the life and religious practice of members of the Moroccan community. Regarding religious guidance, the speaker stressed the Councils commitment to promoting authentic Moroccan religious model and establishing cooperative relations with other Muslim communities.

He concluded that the Council also strives to strengthen communication and cooperation with representatives of other religions by organizing intellectual meetings and debates in a framework of mutual respect and collaboration with civil society actors.

At the end of this fourth lecture, the King, Commander of the Faithful, was greeted by Prof. Koutoub Sano, Secretary-General of the International Academy of Islamic Jurisprudence (Guinea), Mohamed Koraichi Niass, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Senegal, Sheikh Aziz Hasanovic, Grand Mufti of Zagreb and President of the Islamic Community in Croatia, Sheikh Boubacar Doukoure, Honorary President of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema in Burkina Faso and Advisor to the President of the Republic for Cultural and Islamic Affairs, Mohammed Ridawi Ben Mohamed Ibrahim, President of the Association of Scholars of Sri Lanka, and Prof. Amine Safieddine Charif, a scholar from Libya.

The Sovereign was also greeted by Prof. Ismail Ibrahim Kroma, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Sierra Leone, Prof. Abdoulhakim Mohamed Chakir, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in the Comoros Islands, Prof. Tani Abderrahim Chit, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Benin, Prof. Issa Ntabola, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Burundi, Prof. Mohamed Ilias Maroual, president of the Association of Graduates of Moroccan Universities in Indonesia, and Prof. Salih Ibrahim, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Uganda.

The Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq afterwards presented to the Sovereign an electronic support comprising recordings of the religious lectures delivered before the Sovereign from 1420 AH (1999 AD) to 1444 AH (2023 AD).
Political unrest is brewing in Togo as opposition leaders and activists have called on citizens to protest against a new constitutional reform that could potentially see the incumbent President Faure Gnassingbes rule indefinitely.

This call to action comes after the countrys lawmakers passed the controversial bill earlier this week, which now awaits Gnassingbes signature to become law. The calls for protests issued on Wednesday (27 March) were intended to stop the new constitution to come into effect amid growing concerns that it would scrap future presidential elections and thus extend the incumbent presidents rule. The proposed constitution introduces significant changes to Togos political landscape, notably by eliminating future presidential elections and granting the parliament the authority to select the president.

But some legal experts downplay these concerns, saying the proposed constitution actually restricts the power of future presidents as it introduces a one-term limit and hands over greater power to a figure similar to a prime minister, officially called the president of the council of ministers. The new constitution also increases presidential terms from five to six years. The almost 20-years that Gnassingbe has served in office, after taking over from his father, would not count toward that tally. In response to the impending changes, also the Togolese Catholic Church has voiced opposition, calling for broader consultation and a more inclusive national debate.
A French criminal court has handed former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara a 30-year prison sentence for violence against civilians and complicity in crimes against humanity between 1993 and 1994 during Liberias first civil war.

The 49-year-old had been sentenced to life in prison during a first trial in Paris in 2022. In the appeals trial that lasted three weeks, the Paris court upheld a guilty verdict against Kamara for acts of torture and inhuman barbarity against civilians, including a teacher whose heart he reportedly ate. During the proceedings, the judges heard 22 witnesses, 9 civil parties, and 5 experts, according to Civitas Maxima, a group that coordinates a network of national and international lawyers and investigators who work for the interest of victims of international crimes.

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 former President Charles Taylor.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.
Moroccos efforts to combat racial discrimination and strengthen international cooperation in this field were highlighted in Budapest at a ceremony to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

In a statement, the High Commission for former members of the Resistance and the Liberation Army (HCARAMAL) said that this celebration, held from March 19 to 23 by the World Veterans Federation (WVF), was also an opportunity to highlight the Kingdoms pioneering roles in the protection of human rights, the fight against the proliferation of weapons and cross-border crime, criminal justice, as well as in the economic, social, security, cultural and environmental fields.

The ceremony was marked by a tribute to the winners of the Radnoti Miklos prize and by the awarding of the title of Ambassador of Humanity to the High Commissioner for former members of the Resistance and the Liberation Army, president of the WVF, Mustapha El Ktiri, the statement added.

During the ceremony, El Ktiri paid tribute to the role of the Hungarian poet Radnoti Miklos in defending freedom and equality, stressing the importance of celebrating this International Day and making it a renewed opportunity to fight racial discrimination under all its forms.

He also highlighted the role of veterans as guardians of peace, and emphasized their constant commitment to combating racial discrimination, enshrining the principles of peace, security, freedom, justice and human dignity, and strengthening tolerance and openness.

The 2024 International Day was held under the these A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

Racial discrimination and the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to destroy lives and curtail opportunities, preventing billions of people from enjoying their full human rights and freedoms, the United Nations said.

This years theme is linked to the International Decade for People of African Descent, which spans the timeframe from 2015 to 2024. In proclaiming this Decade, the international community is recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group, whose human rights must be promoted and protected.

Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent.
Burkina Faso announced an extension of the emergency measures for another year as the war against terrorist groups seems yet to be won.

The measures include summoning people aged 18 to fight and entailed curbing freedoms and forming local defense groups.

Terrorist activity worsened under-development in the poor country and pushed 2 million people out of their homes.

As Jihadist group continue to wreak havoc in the wider Sahel, Burkina Faso suffered the most, accounting for almost a quarter of people killed in terrorist attacks globally in 2023, according to Sydney-based Institute for Economics & Peace.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso judicial authorities said an attack on a village in Yatenga province left 170 people, including women and children, dead.

The attack came as the military authorities in the country warned against increased risk of attacks by extremist groups, including on urban centers.

The countrys army seized power in 2022, but more than a third of Burkina Faso is controlled by insurgents.
As Tunisia braces for presidential elections in December 2024, a fog of repression looms over the country that was once the Arab Springs success story before it backpedaled to autocracy under a president intent on staying in power.

President Kais Saied destroyed the democracy ladder that brought him to power starting a gradual power grab that undermined checks and balances, while pursuing a ruthless oppression against critics and journalists.

In 2023, 30 journalists were arrested in Tunisia, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

President Kais Saieds latest wave of repression appears to be intricately linked to the upcoming presidential elections in Tunisia, Marwa Murad, spokesperson of the Swiss human rights organization Committee for Justice, told DW.

This week, Mohamed Boughalleb was the latest journalist to be jailed in the country for criticizing the ministry of religious affairs.

Many analysts see that in the absence of tangible economic gains, Kais Saied will resort to repression to maintain his power grab on the cash-strapped country.

The Algerian early elections on September and Tebbounes quest for a second term will also embolden Saied to follow suit.
Chinas BTR New Material Group, a global EV battery component maker, signed a deal with the Moroccan government to build a 300 million dollar-plant in the country to produce cathode.

The plant will produce cathode, a critical material in battery manufacturing, in Mohammed VI Tanger Tech City, the investment ministry said in a statement.

Cathode materials are key ingredients for determining the battery capacity and life of electric vehicles.

BTR New Material Groups investment marks the first EV ecosystem in Morocco, which plans to build on availability of raw material to attract global manufacturers.

The 15-hectare factory will employ 2500 people and produce 25,000 tons of cathode by September 2026, before reaching full capacity at 50,000 tons, the ministry in charge of investment said.

This investment in the electric vehicle sector is not isolated. It is the first in an upcoming series of large-scale projects, which would position the Kingdom as an attractive hub for EV battery manufacturing, minister in charge of investments Jazouli was quoted as saying.

Morocco is determined, under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VIto strengthen its foothold as a continental and regional hub in the automotive industry, by playing a key role in the revolution of green mobility, he said.
The Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf surprisingly said an expropriation case of unused buildings owned by Algeria in Morocco was closed, few days only after vowing to retaliate using harsh words in a foreign ministry statement.

Speaking to Algerian reporters, Attaf said Algeria found Moroccos response appropriate and closed the case.

Algeria has said it will complain to the UN and described the expropriation as a confiscation, while accusing Morocco of escalation and hostile acts.

Soon After, a Moroccan diplomatic source spoke to different media outlets explaining that Algeria was well-aware of the procedure and that Algerian authorities were the first to expropriate the residence of the Moroccan ambassador in Algiers.

Attafs reaction shows the extent of amateurism within an Algerian diplomacy steered by men in uniform.

Prior to the expropriation procedure, Morocco has been expressing to the Algerian consul in Casablanca in 8 correspondences its intent to reach an agreement regarding the villa amicably since 2022.

In one of the responses, and before even Morocco launched its expropriation procedure, the Algerian consulate in Casablanca informed the foreign ministry that Algeria will expropriate the residence of the Moroccan ambassador in Algiers due to its proximity to the Peoples Palace for public utility purposes.
With their last regular meeting canceled due to a snowstorm, Lincoln County commissioners Monday will take up most of the items they couldnt consider this week.

But theyll have to try again later to move forward on plans to repave several streets inside the Hillcrest and Indian Hills subdivisions outside North Platte.

The County Boards weekly meeting will start at 9 a.m. in the commissioners room in the North Platte courthouse, 301 N. Jeffers St., and will be livestreamed on the countys YouTube channel. For online access to the livestream, visit youtube.com/channel/UCHdGjLPMx3O-wSu3T3aMWlg.

Lincoln County Board catches up with claims in special Tuesday meeting Lincoln County commissioners canceled their regular Monday meeting late Sunday due to the snowstorm that iced up roads and streets ahead of snow and strong winds.

Blizzard warnings for March 25 led commissioners to call off this weeks Monday meeting. They met in emergency session a day later to act on the countys weekly claims, actions theyll be asked to ratify Monday.

County Board members had been scheduled at their last meeting to accept bids for resurfacing work in Hillcrest and Indian Hills. Mondays agenda now calls for them to set a new date and time to receive bids and decide whether to award one.

Lincoln County Board to review bids for Hillcrest, Indian Hills repaving The weekly County Board meeting will start at 9 a.m. in the commissioners room in the North Platte courthouse and will be livestreamed on the countys YouTube channel.

In other carryover business from the March 25 agenda, commissioners will:

Consider the 2023-24 budget for the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson Extension Office at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns West Central Research, Extension and Education Center at North Platte.

Decide whether to sign concrete flatware documents related to the Region 51 Emergency Management storage building project.

Consider whether to appoint a County Board committee to review regulations for the countys general and medical assistance program. Commissioner Micaela Wuehler first will provide feedback on the countys assistance program for cemetery services.

Hear the annual report from Visit North Platte, the city and county tourism agency.

New business that wasnt on last Mondays agenda includes reviewing a liquor license manager application by Shayne Younghans for Fast Stop, the former Ozzies I-80 convenience store at Exit 158 south of Sutherland. Commissioners will decide whether to recommend approval by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.
North Platte City Council members Tuesday will consider hiring a Los Angeles firm to oversee the $650,000 relocation of the citys skate park under a 2022 voter-approved plan.

Theyll also consider microTIF incentives to start rehabilitating the old Elms Lodge property during the 5:30 p.m. meeting in the City Hall council chamber, 211 W. Third St.

The session will be broadcast on Allo Communications channel 1 and livestreamed on the citys YouTube channel. To watch online and access Tuesdays agenda book, visit ci.north-platte.ne.us/government/city-council/agendas-minutes.

Relocation and reconstruction of the skate park south of the North Platte Recreation Complex was the smallest of three recreation projects voters endorsed by approving a temporary half-cent city sales tax increase in November 2022.

The largest portion of the $52.5 million package will expand the Rec Center south into the skate parks current location. Renovation and expansion of Cody Pool is the third project to be funded by the half-cent tax.

City officials recommended hiring Spohn Ranch Inc. of Los Angeles for the skate-park project after reviewing three firms proposals, Parks and Recreation Director Lyle Minshull said in a council memorandum.

Council members will be asked to authorize Mayor Brandon Kelliher to sign a design-build delivery contract, under which Spohn would provide conceptual designs, assist in determining an optimal location and provide the best construction methods, Minshull wrote.

Later in the meeting, the council will hold a public hearing before voting whether to adopt the citys first microblight study. It would declare the Elms Lodge and Sherbeck Apartments block near East Fourth Street and Bryan Avenue substandard and blighted.

Approval of the study would be followed by another vote on North Platte Complex LLCs microTIF application tied to a $650,000 project to begin rehabilitating aging buildings on the blocks north half.

The citys Planning Commission March 26 unanimously endorsed the microblight study. It would render the entire block bounded by East Fourth and Fifth streets and Bryan and Belmont avenues eligible for both regular tax increment financing and microTIF.

The blocks aging single-family homes, duplexes and apartment buildings stand condemned by the city. It removed a home there a couple of years ago that stood at the northeast corner of East Fourth and Bryan.

North Platte Complex partner Elijah Erdei, an Omaha renovator, told Planning Commission members that he believes the apartments and apartment-converted homes can be successfully renovated for livable housing.

Like regular TIF, microTIF  which may only be sought one lot at a time  taps the increase in property taxes generated by a redevelopment project to gradually offset some of its costs.

The microTIF application says North Platte Complex and the city have agreed upon $650,000 in redevelopment costs for the north half. The work should boost that sections current $327,770 taxable value by $1.1 million, the application adds.

In another TIF-related item, council members will be asked to refer a study to the Planning Commission recommending extremely blighted status for a single block east of the North Platte Federal Building.

The council Jan. 3 approved the citys initial extremely blighted designation for 370.21 acres in southeast North Platte, including the site of a mixed-use development with 607 housing units that was cleared for TIF March 5.

In the latest case, Planning Administrator Judy Clark said, only the block bounded by East Second and Third streets and North Chestnut and Walnut avenues is being recommended for the extremely blighted label. A new multifamily structure is envisioned there, she said.

In other business Tuesday, the City Council will:

Consider a $77,011 contract with Weathercraft Cos. to partly replace the roof at the citys Public Safety Building, 701 S. Jeffers St. City Administrator Layne Groseth said significant leaking is damaging the former Memorial Hospital building and equipment inside it. It houses the Police Department and Fire Station No. 1.

Decide whether to approve an emergency medical services telehealth pilot program agreement between the Fire Department and Avel eCare of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services asked the city to take part, with DHHS paying for the first years costs, Fire Chief Dennis Thompson said.

Consider a lease-purchase agreement through NebraskaLand Bank for a new $1.21 million aerial unit for the Fire Department.

Discuss whether to continue to allow two mobile homes to sit at 2803 and 2803 W. Sixth St. as a nonconforming use under city zoning regulations.

Consider a seven-item consent agenda that includes the replat of Centennial Park Medical Plaza, across East Leota Street from Great Plains Health, and Kellihers nomination of Sonja Voycheske as an alternate Board of Adjustment member.
Photo: Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

A Texas woman who was sentenced to five years in prison for voting while on probation had her conviction overturned by an appeals court on Thursday. Crystal Mason, a 49-year-old Black mother of three, has long maintained that she was unaware she was ineligible to vote when she cast a provisional ballot in November 2016. Mason was on supervised release after serving time for federal-tax fraud. Although sentenced, Mason was out on bond pending her appeal.

At the end of a long legal battle, the Second Court of Appeals in Tarrant County ruled in her favor after previously upholding her sentence years earlier after an initial appeal. We conclude that the quantum of the evidence presented in this case is insufficient to support the conclusion that Mason actually realized that she voted knowing that she was ineligible to do so and, therefore, insufficient to support her conviction for illegal voting, the decision read.

In a statement provided by the Texas ACLU, Mason said she was overjoyed by the news of her acquittal. I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no one else has to face what Ive endured for over six years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack. Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman. I thank everyone whose dedication and support carried me through this time and look forward to celebrating this moment with my family and friends.

In 2012, Mason, who operated a tax-preparer business with her then-husband, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. She was sentenced to five years in federal prison and three years of supervised release, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. While out on supervision, Mason said she went to vote, only to discover that she wasnt on the voter rolls. She said a poll worker helped her fill out the ballot, but she later received a letter stating that her vote wasnt counted. Mason didnt learn the reason why until she was arrested a few months later after a meeting with her probation officer.

Under Texas law, Mason was not allowed to vote while on supervised release. According to the Texas Tribune, prosecutors alleged that Mason knowingly signed an affidavit that read, If a felon, I have completed all my punishment including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or I have been pardoned. She claims that she was never told upon her release from prison or by her probation officer that she wasnt allowed to cast a ballot.

You think I would jeopardize my freedom? Mason said at the time of her conviction, per the Star-Telegram. You honestly think I would ever want to leave my babies again? That was the hardest thing in my life to deal with. Who would  as a mother, as a provider  leave their kids over voting?

Mason first filed an appeal in 2019, backed by the ACLU and its Texas branch as well as the Texas Civil Rights Project. After the state appellate court upheld her conviction, Masons team took her case to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. In 2022, the court ruled that the lower court must reconsider Masons sentence, saying the panel wrongly concluded that Masons lack of knowledge of her eligibility to vote was irrelevant to her conviction.

From the moment it became public, Masons conviction received national attention, the stiff sentence handed down standing in stark contrast with the lighter penalties others were given for more serious offenses. In 2021, Bruce Bartman, a Pennsylvania man, pleaded guilty to intentionally mailing an absentee ballot for his deceased mother in order to vote for Donald Trump and signing an official document claiming she was alive. Bartman, who is white, was sentenced to five years of probation. Terri Lynn Rote, a white Iowa woman, was ordered to serve two years of probation and pay a $750 fine in 2017 after pleading guilty to attempting to vote twice for Trump.
Photo: Mike Catalini/AP

New Jerseyans will likely see a new ballot design  one thats more like the other 49 states  when they head to the voting booth for a June 4 primary.

On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Zahid N. Quraishi ruled in favor of a lawsuit challenging the states longstanding, unique, and divisive county line ballot system. Plaintiffs have put forth credible evidence not only that their constitutional rights are violated by the present ballot design used in New Jersey, which is used in no other state in the country  he wrote in his 49-page ruling, but that Defendants would suffer minimal harm in implementing the ballot design requested by Plaintiffs.

In 19 of New Jerseys 21 counties, candidates are positioned on the ballot according to party endorsements, which allows powerful regional political leaders to give more favorable positioning to the candidates they support. In a 2023 study, Rutgers University professor Julia Sass Rubin found that candidates who ran on at least one county line performed an average of 38 percent better in their races.

Quraishis order mandates that the state begin using whats known as an office-block ballot, which organizes candidates by the office theyre running for and employs a randomized system to determine the order of the names.

The lawsuit was first brought in February by Congressman Andy Kim, who is currently pursuing a bid for Bob Menendezs seat in the U.S. Senate. At the time, Kim was locked in a tough primary battle with New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, who had received the support of the majority of the states congressional delegation. Kim argued that the county-line system heavily favored more politically connected candidates, while Murphys team called the lawsuit a hypocritical stunt. After Murphy suspended her campaign last week, Kims campaign indicated that he intended to continue his lawsuit even as he stood to benefit from Murphys exit and newly surrendered ballot lines.

On Friday, Kim praised the ruling. Todays decision is a victory for a fairer, more democratic politics in New Jersey. Its a victory built from the incredible grassroots work of activists across our state who saw an undemocratic system marginalizing the voices of voters, and worked tirelessly to fix it, he said in a statement.

Though Kim will be far less affected by the ruling than he would have been if Murphy hadnt dropped out, the design change might shake up other races. The New Jersey Globe reports that it may eliminate an advantage for candidates like Democratic congressman Rob Menendez, the son of Senator Menendez, as well as Republican U.S. Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw, who both had won several county lines already. Those gains are expected to vanish as the new ballots go into effect.
Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The political firecracker known as SB-4  a Texas law that would give state-level officials the power to enforce U.S. immigration law  is, ultimately, doomed. I make this bold prediction based on years of legal training and experience combined with deep scholarly study of the Constitution and relevant precedent.

Also: It just cant be.

Sometimes, legal analysis need go no further than that. In most cases, pretty much any lawyer or judge can take a desired outcome and then backfill some case law or statutory interpretation to justify the result. Theres rarely some undeniably correct legal outcome to be discovered.

But on some issues, theres only one practical answer. We saw this recently when the Supreme Court unanimously (and predictably) rejected the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling disqualifying Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot under the 14th Amendment. While experienced scholars compiled wishful tomes articulating a contrary constitutional rationale, in the end there was simply no way the justices would countenance a system in which each individual state could decide whether, and how, to disqualify a presidential candidate. That outcome would create political chaos, and it was never seriously in play, in my view. Sometimes you can see the future simply by asking, Is there really some world where this is the result?

A similarly pragmatic analytical approach (you can call it dumbed-down, if you please, but Im telling you it works) applies to SB-4. The Texas law  signed with performative, self-congratulatory gusto by Governor Greg Abbott in December 2023  purports to empower state law-enforcement officials to arrest people who are in the United States illegally, to prosecute and potentially fine and imprison them, and to deport them. Those functions are traditionally (and, as well discuss in a moment, constitutionally) reserved exclusively to the federal government.

Just as Abbott surely intended, SB-4 has generated a political firestorm. Indeed, the Texas governor has emerged as the modern maestro of border-based spectacle. First, he sends busloads of migrants  actual human beings, many of them in distress  to liberal-leaning cities in the Northeast and elsewhere: Oh, so you bleeding hearts want to cry about how we treat migrants  howd you like a couple hundred of your own? Not so sensitive now, are you? It was a cruel, dehumanizing stunt, but as political theater, it worked. Witness, for example, Democratic New York City mayor Eric Adams, who declared that the influx of migrants will destroy New York City and blamed the federal government for failing to address the citys needs. Abbotts fellow Republicans seized on Adamss remarks and used them to cudgel President Joe Biden on border policy.

Then Abbott ushered in SB-4. The political message around it was as unsubtle and devastatingly effective as a Nolan Ryan heater: Joe Biden and his liberal bureaucrats in D.C. wont protect the border? Well, I will. Dont mess with Texas  and all that. Keep in mind: Abbotts a lawyer, a former practitioner and state judge. He knows what hes doing, and hes sharp enough to understand that SB-4 is legally dubious and likely worse than that. Maybe he doesnt care. Or perhaps thats precisely the point, to play the renegade border enforcer who went down in a Bon Joviesque blaze of glory before those robed elitists in D.C.

Over the past few months, SB-4 has endured quite the procedural roller-coaster. Bidens Justice Department challenged the law, and just days before it was to go into effect, a Reagan-nominated federal district-court judge put it on hold pending further appeal. But the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily reversed the district court, permitting the law to go into effect  until the Supreme Court stepped in and put the law back on hold.

Believe it or not, thats the (relatively) sane part. As the Supreme Court expert Steve Vladeck noted, in a wild two-day stretch last week, the law went from not in effect at 4 p.m. on Monday; to in effect for four minutes, until 4:04 p.m.; to not in effect for the next 21 hours, until around 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday; to in effect for eight hours and change; and then, at around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, back to not in effect. As we live and breathe at this very moment, SB-4 is not in effect  but then again, it took me three and a half seconds to type that sentence, so it mightve changed again in the meantime.

At the most fundamental level, if the federal courts ultimately allow SB-4 to stand, then theyd invite mass confusion and conflict across our southern border and beyond. If Texas can empower its state and local officials to enforce immigration law, then whats to stop Arizona or New Mexico from adopting their own unique enforcement regimes? How about Michigan or New York or Washington along the northern border, for that matter? Or even non-border states, where law enforcement officers often encounter people without legal status? How would our massive, entrenched federal immigration-enforcement agencies co-exist with a smorgasbord of varied state regimes? Do state-level cops have the proper training and expertise to patrol the border and enforce immigration laws? How would we deal with foreign nations on issues of immigration if we couldnt speak with one unified federal voice? Wed end up with the same fundamental problem that ultimately sank the 14th Amendment challenges: It would create untenable chaos to leave this issue to individual, state-by-state determinations.

Fortunately, the precedent here is Con Law, chapter-one-type stuff. Under the Constitutions Supremacy Clause, federal laws generally are the supreme Law of the Land and pre-empt any effort by states to enforce their own laws in a given field. The Supreme Court has long held that the authority to control immigration  to admit or exclude [noncitizens]  is vested solely in the Federal government. Way back in 1875, the Court recognized that if it be otherwise, a single State [could], at her pleasure, embroil us in disastrous quarrels with other nations. (Sometimes you just have to let the old-timey language do its thing.) More recently, the Court in 2012 reaffirmed the long-maintained, uncontroversial proposition that the Feds hold broad, undoubted power over the subject of immigration and the status of noncitizens. We dont often see law as overwhelmingly clear-cut and firmly entrenched as this.

Texass response, as noted above, is essentially that the Feds arent getting the job done, so well do it ourselves. Thats a cool political tagline, and it might even be true, but its hokum as a matter of law.

As untenable as this all seems, SB-4 will ultimately come before the U.S. Supreme Court and its 6-3 conservative majority. You never know what the Court might do, and its engaged in some impressive acrobatics to justify partisan, policy-motivated outcomes. But Im confident that two or more of the reasonable conservatives  Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett  will see SB-4 for what it is: a flagrantly, almost intentionally unconstitutional stunt that would create unworkable, state-by-state mayhem. SB-4 simply cant, and wont, stand.

Listen to this article. And for more analysis of law and politics with Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, and other contributors, sign up for the free CAFE newsletter or become a member of CAFE Insider.
Photo-sharing method: Unlimited cloud storage | Storage: No onboard storage | Screen size and resolution: 9-inch screen, 1200p resolution | Photo orientation: Landscape or portrait | Video and sound: Yes

No frame Ive tested has as straightforward a setup as Auras. In just a few minutes, I managed to sync an album of about 200 photos straight to my new frame, plus adding my sister, mom, and dad, so they can add photos as well. Doing so is as simple as tapping a link that opens right in Auras dedicated app. The companys frames are the ones my family and several Strategist writers and editors all swear by.

From the frames app, you can set the frequency at which photos alternate, the order photos are played in (shuffled or chronological), the speaker volume for video playback, and whether you want the photo borders to be black or white. You can even scan printed photos straight from inside the app, no additional hardware necessary. It lets you upload photos remotely, and you can invite multiple people to add photos to the same frame (users can even add comments and likes in the app). The frame also supports video and Apple Live Photos (something no other frame we tested offered) and has a built-in speaker for sound. The frame itself is attractive and minimalist with a sculptural ridged design, and its available in two colors, graphite or white quartz.

The Mason doesnt have built-in storage, but you can upload unlimited photos using its dedicated app. You can also link the frame to a Google Photos or Apple iCloud account, send photos to the frames unique email address, or use Auras web uploader. (Unlike the Loop, it doesnt support photo uploads via text message.) This means youll need to keep your frame on a strong Wi-Fi connection, but that shouldnt be a problem in most households. When the frame is synced with iCloud Photos or Google Photos, you can sync entire albums, so all you have to do is add select shots to that album, rather than syncing directly within Auras app.

The Mason has a resolution of 1600p x 1200p and can show images in landscape or portrait orientation; its nine-inch screen has a 4:3 aspect ratio that is perfectly proportioned for smartphone-camera photos, while the frame will automatically adjust photos when you rotate it from one orientation to the other. A discreet touch bar on the edge of the frame lets you swipe through photos and videos. It also has an ambient sensor that can adjust the brightness of the display or put it to sleep depending on the light levels in the surrounding area. And if youre planning to give the frame as a gift, Aura makes it super-simple to preload with photos so all your recipient has to do is plug it in and connect it to Wi-Fi.

Lauren Ragan, director of ad operations at Vox Media, gifted a Mason to her in-laws and says the simplicity and convenience are a huge plus. Its funny because theyre the opposite of tech savvy. They still used paper maps until a few years ago, but they figured out the frame right away, she says.

The one major downside to the Aura Mason (and Aura frames in general) is in setting up additional frames. I had hoped Id be able to transfer all the photos my mom, sister, and I have curated on my other frame (my sister is a diligent uploader to all our family frames), but theres no such option; frames cant be synced. You can email Auras support and theyll do a one-time transfer, but even then, going forward, thats another frame everyone will have to send photos to separately, instead of having a centralized account for multiple frames that everyone can feed photos to. One possible workaround is to have everyone add photos to a shared Google or iCloud album that is then synced with the frames. You may even prefer to be able to show different collections of photos on each frame in your home; I just wish it werent the sole option.
Photo: Marcus McDonald

While I tend to be the type to pour myself a glass of wine in whatever clean vessel I have lying around, whether it be a Mason jar, a drinking glass, or even a mug, I must admit that everyone should have a set of proper, stemmed glasses on hand. For one, they feel nice to drink out of. For another, they actually make the wine taste like its supposed to.

Technically, proper wineglasses have a bell-shaped bowl that allows wine to oxidize or interact with air. This process actually starts the moment you open up your bottle; youre just helping it along when you pour the wine into a decanter or glass. Sounds like science, which it is, but all you need to know is that oxidation changes a wines aroma and taste  in a good, this is supposed to happen kind of way. If youve ever taken a sip of a funky-tasting wine, waited a bit, and then tried it again to better success, you know what Im talking about. Stemmed wineglasses also mean you dont need to grasp the bowl itself and risk warming up your drink.

Classifications can get really nitty-gritty for those who care (were talking ultraspecialized designs for specific varietals). But for the average person (even the average wine-loving person), a universal glass  one that is stemmed and of medium size  will do the trick. Its nice to be able to smell the wine as youre drinking, says Chris Leon, owner and wine director of Leon & Son in Brooklyn. But ultimately, when youre talking about cracking open a bottle on a Tuesday night, you dont need to be precious.

With that in mind, I asked Leon and ten other sommeliers and beverage directors to share their favorite wineglasses, whether youre looking for a durable set or a couple of splurge-worthy standouts to add to your glassware collection, and added in a few from my personal collection.

What were looking for Shape While universal wineglasses typically are designed with a traditional bell shape, there can be some small differences among them. For example, a slightly more narrow bell shape is better if you tend to reach for white wines, while those with a wider, decanter-esque shape are better for reds. Weve noted the difference (and what they mean) below. Set number Choosing the right number of glasses will depend on your budget and entertaining needs. A set of two is great for just you and your partner, whereas wineglasses sold in singles are ideal if youre the type who likes to sip a glass of wine solo in the bathtub. And if you find yourself often playing host, there are also sets of four or more below. Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only Due to the delicate nature of the crystal and the shape of the glasses, many brands recommend handwashing to prevent shattering and cloudiness. However, we did source a few options that are designed to hold up to the dishwasher (if youre lucky enough to have one in your apartment).

Best universal wineglass overall

Zalto Handblown Universal Wineglass From $78 Shape: Traditional bell shape | Set number: Set of 1 | Dishwasher safe versus hand-wash only: Hand-wash only Zalto, for the most part, makes the most beloved wineglasses in the industry. Several of the experts we consulted compared other brands  even ones they fully endorse  to the the Olympic gymnasts of wineglasses, as wine columnist Marissa A. Ross once referred to Zalto. Indeed, these wineglasses are top of the line, which is why just one will cost you more than $75. While they are expensive, I love that they are a true universal glass that works for every single style of wine Ive ever poured into it from Beaujolais to Champagne. It is also a great investment if youre just starting to build your glassware collection out because of its versatility. Its extremely elegant, lightweight, and thin, says Thomas Pastuszak, wine director at NoMad and founder of VINNY Wines. All of that amounts to you experiencing the wine itself more than the physical glass as you smell and drink, he says, adding that if he had to pick just one glass to enjoy every single wine in the world, this would be it. Jill Bernheimer, owner of Domaine in Los Angeles, calls it her ideal glass, and Leon is a big fan, too. While the most common criticism is that the thinness (which is almost disarming at first, Leon says) means its easily broken, Ive put Zaltos in the dishwasher before without a problem. Weve cracked ours from sheer excitement of clinking the glasses too hard, Leon says, but never from cleaning them. However, the brand does recommend handwashing only. From $78 at Wine Enthusiast Buy

Best (less-expensive) universal wineglass

Glasvin The Universal $79 for 2 $79 for 2 Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2, 4, 6, or 8 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe If youre looking for a universal glass that doesnt run almost three figures, Glasvin is a well-loved glass known for its quality-to-affordability ratio. Many wine enthusiasts I know keep a set of Glasvins on hand for hosting. Lily Peachin, the owner of Dandelion Wine in Brooklyn, says that Glasvins Universal glasses really hold their own against Zalto. At $79 for a pair, you can get two Glasvins for the price of a single Zalto, so theyre definitely less expensive  handmade glassware without the handmade price tag, as Peachin puts it. And while theyre not as finely made as Zaltos, they are still quite delicate and feel expensive in your hand. $79 for 2 at Glasvin Buy

Best sturdy universal wineglass

Schott Zwiesel Tritan Cabernet Glass $93 for 6 $93 for 6 Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 1 or 6 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe If you want an all-purpose wineglass that isnt quite as delicate as the options above (a.k.a. its less likely to shatter in the sink), I recommend these Cabernet glasses from Schott Zweisel. The crystal is mixed with a trace amount of titanium  the brands signature  which gives their glassware added strength and durability. $93 for 6 at Amazon Buy $16 at Williams Sonoma Buy

Best universal wineglass for white wines

Sophienwald White-Wine Glass $360 for 6 $360 for 6 Shape: Narrow bell-shape | Set number: Set of 6 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe Yes, I did say that a universal glass refers to one you can use for any type of wine, but if you really are a white versus red person, you can get a little more particular (while still knowing that if you pour something outside of your usual, itll be just fine). If you tend more toward acid-forward whites, try Sophienwalds white-wine glasses, which feature a narrow mouth for less air contact, thus preserving the wines bright flavor. The price is similar to that of Zalto, but the glass has a thin, sleek frame with just a touch more angles. It also holds up well in a dishwasher  be it a commercial one in my restaurants or the one in my house, says master sommelier June Rodil, a partner at Houstons Goodnight Hospitality. $360 for 6 at The Perfect Glass Buy

Best universal wineglass for red wines

Zalto Glassware Crystal DenkArt Burgundy Wineglass From $85 Shape: Wide bell-shape | Set number: Set of 1, 2, 4 or 6 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only While were on the slightly more-specialized kick, if you tend to favor deep, earthy reds, your best best is Zaltos massive Burgundy glass, which is just as delicate as the brands universal wineglass but with a decanterlike, bell-shaped design that lets the wine breathe. Nothing beats drinking Burgundy out of their massive, ten-ounce red Burgundy glasses, says bar consultant Frank Cisneros. Theyre a bit pricey, but perfect. From $85 at Wine Enthusiast Buy

Best universal wineglass for sparkling wines

Riedel Winewings Champagne Wineglass $45 $50 now 10% off $45 Shape: Winged bell-shape | Set number: Set of 1 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe Okay, okay  this also isnt technically a universal wineglass, but it is a Champagne glass that is more akin to a wineglass than a flute, meaning youd be wise to drink any and every type of sparkling wine from it. It lets you incorporate more air and smell, explains New York Magazines Underground Gourmet columnist Tammie Teclemariam. It enhances the minerality of all sorts of sparkling wines, from Vouvray to Vilmart. It can also handle a typical red or white, in a pinch. $45 at Amazon Buy

Best wine glass for aromatics

Conterno Sensory Wine Glass $175 for 2 Shape: Tapered bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only Restaurateur and beverage director Annie Shi told me about Conterno glasses when I interviewed her about everything she put on her wedding registry. Designed by winemaker Roberto Conterno, the glasses are hand blown and stunningly thin, she says. They also feature a very wide bowl that tapers up, which is what allows you to really get the aromatics of the wine as youre drinking. Aesthetics aside, this glass has enhanced every wine I have ever poured into it. And although its a burgundy bowl, Shi says she has used them for tasting and drinking all different types of wine. $175 for 2 at Rare Wine Co. Buy

Best universal stemless wineglass

Riedel O Cabernet and Merlot Stemless Wine Glasses $39 for 2 Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Dishwasher-safe As stated above, stemmed wine glasses are ideal because they both aerate the wine and keep your hand from warming it up. However, sometimes a stemless glass is simply more practical, especially if youre short on storage space. Austrian glassware company Riedels O series of stemless glasses were the favorite in our roundup of the best stemless glasses with around half of the pros surveyed raving about them. Cedric Nicaise, wine director at Eleven Madison Park, recommends them because they can hold their own when compared with a traditional stemmed style. They still provide great aromatics, and the glass is very thin so smelling and drinking wine are great experiences, Nicaise says. $39 for 2 at Bloomingdale's Buy $39 for 2 at Wayfair Buy

Best design-y wineglass

Estelle Colored Glass Stem Wineglasses $85 $85 Shape: Traditional bell-shape | Set number: Set of 2 | Dishwasher-safe versus handwash only: Handwash only If you care more about tablescaping than tasting notes, I also highly recommend Estelle Colored Glass. Founded in 2019 by Stephanie Hall, the brand is known for their hand-blown stemware that is offered in a range of colors. Theyre just really fun to drink out of and offer a little bit of visual intrigue to my table when I host dinner parties. And I appreciate that I dont have to be overly precious with them: While the brand recommends only handwashing, they have always survived a cycle in my dishwasher. $85 at Bloomingdale's Buy

Our experts

 Jill Bernheimer, owner of Domaine in Los Angeles

 Frank Cisneros, bar consultant

 Chris Leon, owner and wine director of Leon & Son in Brooklyn

Cedric Nicaise, wine director at Eleven Madison Park

Thomas Pastuszak, wine director at NoMad and founder of Vinny wines

Lily Peachin, the owner of Dandelion Wine in Brooklyn

June Rodil, master sommelier and partner of Houstons Goodnight Hospitality

Annie Shi, beverage director at King and Jupiter

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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.
ExxonMobil and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) have merged their arbitration claims against Chevrons takeover of Hesss stake in the most prolific oil block offshore Guyana.

Last autumn Chevron and Hess reached an agreement under which the supermajor would buy Hess Corporation, including its assets in Guyana, where Hess, Exxon, and CNOOC as co-owners have made huge oil discoveries in the Stabroek block.

However, Exxon claims it has the right to first refusal to acquire the stake of Hess Corp in the Stabroek block, from which Exxon and its current partners pump more than 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude from several projects.

Earlier this month, Exxon filed for arbitration on the issue of its rights to first refusal to acquire the stake of Hess in an update in what seems like escalating problems between Exxon, the majority stakeholder in the Stabroek Block, and Chevron, which last year struck a deal to acquire Hess Corp. mostly because of its Guyana stake.

Were absolutely confident that within this contract, we have pre-emption rights, and we have filed for arbitration to make sure that we can secure those pre-emption rights, Exxon senior VP Neil Chapman said at the time.

A week later, an affiliate of CNOOC commenced parallel arbitration proceedings regarding the applicability of the right of first refusal (ROFR) for Stabroek to the proposed merger between Chevron and Hess.

Exxon and CNOOC applied jointly for the arbitration and the authority administering the arbitration consolidated the arbitration proceedings, Chevron said in an SEC filing.

Chevron claims the ROFR doesnt apply to mergers and to this case.

Chevron and Hess believe that ExxonMobils and CNOOCs asserted claims are without merit, Chevron said in the filing, which cites a letter to shareholders by Hess.

If the arbitration does not result in a confirmation that the Stabroek ROFR is inapplicable to the merger, and if Chevron, Hess, Exxon and/or CNOOC do not otherwise agree upon an acceptable resolution, then there would be a failure of a closing condition under the merger agreement, in which case the merger would not close, the filing says.

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Coal exports from the United States may decline as a result of the suspension of marine traffic from the port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Energy Information Administration has warned.

"An attractive feature of the Port of Baltimore is its proximity to the northern Appalachia coal fields in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia," the EIA said.

"Other nearby ports, most notably Hampton Roads, have additional capacity to export coal, although factors including coal quality, pricing, and scheduling will affect how easily companies can switch to exporting from another port," the authority added.

Last year, the port of Baltimore handled about 28% of total U.S. coal exports, a share that rose from less than 25% a year earlier. The average annual volume of coal exports departing from that port over the three of the last five years has been around 20 million short tons, according to the EIA. There was a slump in 2020 because of the lockdowns and last year, the annual total jumped to 28 million short tons driven by stronger demand from Asia.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has limited the export options for some coal miners, notably the owner of an export terminal at the port of Baltimore, Consol Energy. Following the accident, the terminal has been shut down like the port, leaving Consol Energy with no quick substitute as an export venue.

The port could remain closed for more than a month, Bloomberg reported, adding that one analysis says this could wipe out some 2 million tons in coal exports from Consol Energys terminal.

Other coal producers may also find it hard to get their coal abroad with alternative export terminals having limited storage capacity available to keep the coal until the port reopens and traffic normalizes.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The solar manufacturing boom in China and the domestic competition for market share are prompting some manufacturers of solar components to sacrifice quality for the sake of higher profits, an executive at the worlds largest solar manufacturer has said.

Weve noticed that people have started to sacrifice quality to cut costs, which is a dangerous signal, Zhong Baoshen, chairman of Longi Green Energy Technology Co., the worlds top manufacturer of solar modules and solar PV solutions, said at an event in China on Friday, as quoted by Bloomberg.

Some Chinese manufacturers are saving on costs as the price of Chinese solar panels has crumbled amid overcapacity. Companies are looking to survive in the race to the bottom in Chinas solar component market and some are skimping on quality and testing.

When people are slashing costs or skimping on raw materials, there comes a risk, said Longis Zhong.

Longi said earlier this month it would lay off about 5% of its workforce amid a complex and very competitive solar PV market in China.

China leads globally in solar components manufacturing and holds an 80?95% share of the supply chains in the industry, depending on the manufacturing segment.

Faced with cheap imports from China, the U.S. and the EU are looking to support their own supply chains and manufacturers, whose panels are more expensive, and often, with higher quality than the Chinese ones.

Despite the struggles of the EU solar manufacturing industry faced with cheap Chinese panels, the bloc cannot close its borders to cheap solar imports, according to European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson.

There are different proposals how we can support our industry, but clearly we cannot close our borders because we need solar panels, Simson said earlier this month.

We have to support our industry, but we need all the products to meet our very ambitious targets, Simson said, as carried by Reuters.

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In the United States, solar component manufacturers need more government support and stricter enforcement of trade laws if America wants to create its own solar supply chain and cut dependence on cheap imports from China and Southeast Asia, a report commissioned by the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition showed last week.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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The board of directors of Hess Corp. unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the merger with Chevron.

Thats according to a regulatory filing the company made this week as Exxons challenge of the $53-billion deal continues.

Chevron and Hess struck the merger deal late last year but soon after Exxon said its partnership terms with Hess Corp. give itand their third partner, Chinese CNOOCthe right of first refusal to the acquisition of Hess Corp.'s stake in the Stabroek Block.

This is the patch of offshore acreage where the consortium has made a string of more than a dozen discoveries, tapping an estimated 11 billion barrels and counting. It is also a central reason for Chevron to acquire Hess Corp., with the company admitting that without this stake the merger basically wouldnt be worth the effort.

The move sparked speculation that Exxon might try to take over Hess Corp. itself. Exxon has denied that. In response to the Hess Corp. filing this week it issued a statement that supported the merger.

We look forward to continuing our successful operations in the Stabroek block with Chevron, pending the deal closing, the statement said, according to Hess.

Even so, Exxon is moving forward with its arbitration case regarding the merger, seeking to assert its rights in the Stabroek Block, per CEO Darren Woods.

"We're basically standing up for what we believe is a fundamental right," Woods told Reuters on the sidelines of CERAWeek. The company, he said was seeking to "secure and confirm the rights in that contract gives the existing partners."

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Despite its stated support for the merger, Exxon might still derail it: the Reuters report citing Woods also said that Exxon has not ruled out buying out Hess from the Guyana project. Hess has a 30% interest in the Stabroek Block.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Indonesia plans to boost its nickel production despite falling prices resulting from ample supply that are forcing some miners to shut down mines.

Per plans, battery-grade nickel production in Indonesia should increase fourfold by 2030, to 1 million tons, the Financial Times reported today, citing a senior government official from Jakarta.

Output of the sort of nickel used in stainless steel production is seen rising by 15% from the current 1.9 million tons annually, deputy coordinating minister for investment and mining Septian Hario Seto told the FT.

We dont see any reason why we should not expand production of nickel for battery materials, the official told the publication. What we want to achieve is price equilibrium. The responsibility for us as the biggest nickel producer is to supply enough nickel so that the EV [electric vehicle] transition can progress smoothly.

Indonesia is the worlds largest nickel producer and, with Chinese financial help, a growing supplier of battery-grade nickel that the EV industry needs to scale production. However, with Indonesias continued ramp-up of production, EV sales growth slowing and the outlook losing some of its brightness, nickel prices have declined substantially over the past 12 months.

This has forced some miners to shrink their operations, with Australian miners especially vulnerable, it appears. One mining company in Australia, Wyloo Metals, is already shutting down mines while industry heavyweight BHP is considering the shutdown of some of its nickel business, after taking a hit from a massive writeoff on these operations last year.

The CEO of French miner Eramet earlier this year warned that if Indonesia stays the course of nickel production ramp-up it would wipe out most of its competitors globally.

It has really made a big part of the old traditional players structurally non-competitive for the future, Christel Bories told the FT in February. This part of the industry will either disappear or be subsidised by governments.

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Russias government doesnt plan to ban diesel exports again, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday, after Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russian refining capacity.

Currently, Russia produces twice the volume of diesel than domestic consumption, Novak told reporters, as quoted by Russian news agency TASS.

If we ban exports, we wont have anywhere to put the diesel, Novak said, adding that the Russian fuel market is stable, both in supply and prices.

All the measures the government has recently taken ensure stable supply and stable prices, the official noted.

In the autumn of 2023, Russia banned exports of diesel and gasoline in an effort to stabilize domestic fuel prices in the face of soaring prices and shortages as crude oil rallied and the Russian ruble weakened. Prior to implementing the ban, Russia had raised mandatory supply volumes for motor gasoline and diesel fuel to deal with a supply crunch.

The ban on diesel and gasoline exports lasted only a few weeks.

But now Russia suspended gasoline exports from March 1 until August 31, 2024 to ensure supply for the domestic market in peak demand season.

Russia has seen its refining capacity diminished in recent weeks, due to seasonal maintenance, but most of all due to drone attacks from Ukraine, which have damaged several refineries that have shut down for repairs.

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. Calculations show that 900,000 barrels per day of refining capacity have been taken offline by drone strikes, Reuters reported earlier this week.

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.

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The United States has repeatedly urged Ukraine to halt its drone attacks on Russian oil refineries due to Washingtons assessment that the strikes could lead to Russian retaliation and push up global oil prices, the Financial Times reported last week, citing sources familiar with the exchange.

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Russia vetoed on Thursday a UN Security Council proposal to extend the mandate of a UN panel that monitors the implementation of the sanctions against North Korea, as Moscow and the West continue to grow apart in international affairs.

The proposal of the UN Security Council doesnt change the existing sanctions against North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons program and tests, but it doesnt extend the monitoring of these sanctions beyond the end of April, when the current mandate expires, either.

In the 15-member council, Russia voted against the extension of the mandate of the monitoring panel, China abstained, while all others voted in favor.

The West accused Russia of looking to avoid monitoring as it is engaged in arms deals with North Korea, which supplies weapons for the Russian war in Ukraine.

Todays vote was nothing more than the attempt by one Council member to silence the independent, objective investigations into DPRK Security Council violations. There is simply no other honest way to view this, said Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs for the U.S. at the UN.

The Panel began reporting in the last year on Russias blatant violations of the UN Security Council resolutions, in addition to the DPRKs persistent sanctions evasion efforts within Russias jurisdiction, Wood added.

But let me be clear: Russia, you silenced the Panel of Experts today, but you will never silence those of us who stand in support of the global nonproliferation regime.

Russia is said to have supplied oil directly to North Korea this year as both regimes are openly defying UN sanctions on sales of petroleum to Pyongyang.

Satellite images, which UK think-tank Royal United Services Institute has shared with the Financial Times, have shown that in March alone, at least five tankers of North Korea have traveled to load petroleum products from the Vostochny Port, the biggest port in Russias Far East.

With a suspected oil-for-weapons deal with North Korea, Russia appears to have boosted its oil deliveries to Kim Jong-Un in exchange for munitions and other military equipment from North Korea to use in its war in Ukraine.

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South Sudan is struggling to get any money in its budget as its oil exports, on which it depends for 90% of state revenues, are stalled by a ruptured pipeline in neighboring Sudan that is the only outlet for South Sudan to sell its crude.

Earlier this month, Sudan declared force majeure on crude oil exports from its landlocked neighbor South Sudan, following a major rupture in the pipeline carrying crude from South Sudan to a port in Sudan in an area with active military activity.

Many of South Sudans oilfields cannot send their oil north via the pipeline in Sudan and revenues for South Sudan are plummeting, South Sudanese Finance Minister Awow Daniel Chuang said, as carried by Bloomberg.

We know that the situation has been exacerbated by the situation in Sudan, the minister told reporters.

As all of you know, South Sudan depends on oil for 90% or more of its revenues, and the oil is not flowing from some of the fields that are so critical for South Sudan.

Due to the plummeting revenues, South Sudan hasnt been able to pay the salaries of state workers for months.

The latest conflict in Sudan erupted in April last year, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, took up arms against the Sudanese army in the capital Khartoum.

Sudan is the only conduit for crude oil exports out of landlocked South Sudan.

South Sudan broke from Sudan in 2011 and took with it around 350,000 bpd in oil production. However, the only export oil pipeline out of landlocked South Sudan passes through its neighbor to the north, Sudan.

The two countries export primarily the Nile and Dar blends to markets in Asia from Port Sudan via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. While most of the oil belongs to South Sudan, the two countries together exported some 132,000 bpd of crude oil in 2021.

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Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr. will run for mayor of Omaha.

Ewing plans to formally announce his candidacy next Thursday.

He said he decided to seek the seat because he sees a lot of divisiveness around the nation and a lot of people wanting to force their values or their thoughts on other people.

I am a person that looks at being respectful and inclusive of everyone and unifying people, rather than focusing on things that divide, Ewing said. I believe that what this city needs is a leader who is respectful of all the people of this community.

Ewing will challenge Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican and the three-term incumbent who announced Tuesday that she will seek reelection. City Council President Pete Festersen and State Sen. Mike McDonnell have said they are deliberating making a run for mayor.

The nonpartisan city elections will take place in 2025. The mayoral primary is in April of that year, with the top two finishers advancing to the general election in May.

A Democrat, Ewing was first elected as county treasurer in 2006. He has been reelected five times since then, most recently in 2022.

Ewing worked for more than 24 years in the Omaha Police Department, attaining the rank of deputy chief. He retired from the police department after he was elected county treasurer.

Ewing ran for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He won the Democratic Party primary before losing to then-U.S. Rep. Lee Terry by less than 2% of the vote in the general election.

As a longtime officeholder, Ewing will have a record to run on and a record to defend. He said he surveyed people about what they wanted when he was first elected. That led to implementing and expanding online services and initiatives like an automobile dealer center for licensing that took dealers out of regular customer service lines, thus shortening wait times, he said.

I believe I have something to offer the citizens of Omaha, especially when it comes to leadership and getting people together to get things done, as well as doing what the citizens want, Ewing said.

Photos: Nebraska goes to the polls in 2022 general election
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert raised the ante Thursday in the citys dispute with Douglas County over its hiring of retired Deputy Chief Greg Gonzalez as deputy director of Douglas County 911.

Stothert said in a statement, also signed by Police Chief Todd Schmaderer and Fire Chief Kathy Bossman, that the city will reach out to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney for assistance. She did not elaborate what type of assistance would be sought. An email from the mayors deputy chief of staff accompanying the statement said there would be no further comment.

Gonzalez referred questions to his attorney, Tom White.

On behalf of Greg Gonzalez, we appreciate and look forward to the Department of Justices and FBIs involvement, White said. It will once and for all reveal the citys retaliatory purposes and make clear that Greg Gonzalez has done nothing wrong or illegal.

City Attorney Matt Kuhse has said the city wont participate in 911 meetings with Gonzalez present and said the city will consider other options for 911 service than Douglas County 911, which provides emergency communications service to Omaha, Ralston, Valley, Bennington and the rest of Douglas County. On Wednesday, the city did not send anyone to a 911 board meeting so the board could not conduct business.

Gonzalez is married to Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez, who sued the city and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer on claims that she was passed up for a promotion out of retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint. In 2022, a federal jury agreed.

In Thursdays statement the city leaders said: It is inappropriate for the City to publicly explain the reasons for our concerns regarding Mr. Gonzalez. Those concerns can only come out during the course of a thorough background check which was not part of Douglas Countys hiring process. We have pleaded with Douglas County to include the City as part of the background process. The County has refused.

Kuhse had said earlier that city officials concern was with the process, not personality.

Douglas County Administrator Patrick Bloomingdale said the county had a background check done on Gonzalez through the Nebraska State Patrol before hiring him. Kuhse and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, who narrowly defeated Gonzalez for sheriff in 2022, said that background check was not extensive enough.

Bloomingdale declined to comment on the mayors statement.

Stothert said the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office had recently led the public corruption investigation in the City of Omaha, which resulted in federal indictments. It was a reference to an investigation that has led to convictions of former City Council member Vinny Palermo; former Omaha Police Capt. Rich Gonzalez, who is Gonzalezs brother; and former Omaha Police Officer Johnny Palermo. A fourth person, fundraiser Jack Olson, is awaiting trial.

No charges were filed against Gonzalez in that two-year investigation. He retired in good standing from OPD in 2022 after a 27-year-career.

Stotherts statement said: The real issue is public safety and first responder safety, which includes Omaha Police and Omaha Fire. We ask that all involved in this process keep that as the primary focus.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
One person was killed Friday in a single-vehicle crash north of Waterloo, Nebraska, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Sheriff's Office and the Waterloo Fire Department responded to the crash near North 230th Street about a mile south of Edgewater Road, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office.

A white Chevrolet Impala was found approximately 20 feet from the west side of 230th Street, with the front of the vehicle resting against a tree, the release stated. The car had been traveling southbound on the street when it left the roadway and hit a tree, according to the release.

The driver and sole occupant of the car was found unresponsive and first responders had to break the rear passenger's side window to unlock the driver's door.

After pulling the driver from the car and attempting CPR, first responders declared the driver deceased at the scene, according to the release.

The identity of the driver has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The crash remains under investigation.
WASHINGTON  Americans are more worried about legal immigrants committing crimes in the U.S. than they were a few years ago, a change driven largely by increased concern among Republicans, while Democrats continue to see a broad range of benefits from immigration, a new poll shows.

The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that substantial shares of U.S. adults believe that immigrants contribute to the country's economic growth, and offer important contributions to American culture. But when it comes to legal immigrants, U.S. adults see fewer major benefits than they did in the past, and more major risks.

About 4 in 10 Americans say that when immigrants come to the U.S. legally, it's a major benefit for American companies to get the expertise of skilled workers in fields like science and technology. A similar share (38%) also say that legal immigrants contribute a major benefit by enriching American culture and values.

Both those figures were down compared with 2017, when 59% of Americans said skilled immigrant workers who enter the country legally were a major benefit, and half said legal immigrants contribute a major benefit by enriching American culture.

Meanwhile, the share of Americans who say that there's a major risk that legal immigrants will commit crimes in the U.S. has increased, going from 19% in 2017 to 32% in the new poll.

Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say that immigration is an important issue for them, and 41% now say it's a major risk that legal immigrants will commit crimes in the U.S., up from 20% in 2017.

Overall, Republicans are more likely to believe in major risks  and fewer benefits  from immigrants who enter the country legally and illegally, although they tend to be most concerned about people who come to the country illegally.

Bob Saunders is a 64-year-old independent from Voorhees, New Jersey. He disapproves of President Joe Biden's performance when it comes to immigration and border security and is particularly worried about the number of immigrants coming to the southern border who are eventually released into the country.

Saunders said it's important to know the background of the immigrants coming to the U.S. and said legal immigration contributes to the economy. He also noted the immigrants in his own family.

"It's not anti-immigration," Saunders said. "It's anti-illegal immigration."

Many Republicans, 71%, say there's a risk of people in the country illegally coming to the U.S. and committing crimes, though studies found immigrants are less drawn to violent crime than native-born citizens.

Even more, 80%, think there's a major risk that people in the country without permission will burden public service programs, while about 6 in 10 Republicans are concerned that there's a major risk of them taking American jobs, that their population growth will weaken American identity or that they will vote illegally  though only a small number of noncitizen voters have been uncovered.

Amber Pierce, a 43-year-old Republican from Milam, Texas, says she understands that a lot of migrants are seeking a better life for their children, but she's also concerned migrants will become a drain on government services.

"I believe that a lot of them come over here and get free health care and take away from the people who have worked here and are citizens," Pierce said. "They get a free ride. I don't think that's fair."

Democrats, on the other hand, are more likely to see benefits from immigration, though the poll found only half of Democrats now think that legal immigrants are making important contributions to American companies, a decrease of more than 20 percentage points from 2017.

They're more likely than Republicans to say that the ability of people to come from other places in the world to escape violence or find economic opportunities is extremely or very important to the U.S's identity as a nation.

"People who are coming, are coming for good reason. It's how many of us got here," said Amy Wozniak, a Democrat from Greenwood, Indiana. Wozniak said previous waves of immigrants came from European countries. Now immigrants are coming from different countries but that doesn't meant they're not fleeing for justifiable reasons, she said: "They're not all drugs and thugs."

There's also a divide among partisans about the value of diversity, with 83% of Democrats saying that the country's diverse population makes it at least moderately stronger, compared with 43% of Republicans and Independents.

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say that a shared American culture and set of values is extremely or very important to the United States' identity as a nation, though about half of Democrats also see this as important.

U.S. adults  and especially Republicans  are more likely to say that the country has been significantly changed by immigrants in the past five years than they are to say that immigrants have changed their own community or their state.

About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say immigrants have had a major impact on their local community while about 6 in 10 say they've had a major impact on the country as a whole. The gap between perceptions of community impact and effects on the country as a whole is particularly wide among Republicans.

Donald Trump falsely claims migrants are displacing NYC students in spite of empty seats in city schools Donald Trump falsely claims migrants are displacing NYC students in spite of empty seats in city schools
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel will return to the table for cease-fire talks with Hamas.

The announcement marks yet another attempt to reach a deal to pause Israel's devastating war in Gaza against Hamas militants in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.

Efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a cease-fire appear stalled as the war grinds through its sixth month.

Hamas is believed to be holding roughly 100 hostages, as well as the remains of about 30 people killed in the group's Oct. 7 attack or who died in captivity. Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the surprise attack, which triggered the current conflict.

Hamas previously suggested a phased release of all remaining hostages in return for an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the opening of its borders for aid and reconstruction, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants serving life sentences.

Netanyahu has called these conditions delusional, and says that after any hostage release, Israel will keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

Israel's war in Gaza has killed more than 32,000 people and wounded 74,000, according to the the territory's Health Ministry. The ministry doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

The U.N. has reported that 100% of Gaza's 2.3 million people are at severe levels of food insecurity. Aid deliveries are impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order, according to the U.N. and international aid groups.

Police break up protest

Israeli police violently dispersed a small group of anti-war protesters Friday in Jerusalem.

Friday's gathering of about 50 demonstrators holding signs calling for a cease-fire quickly devolved into scuffles between demonstrators and officers as police attempted to wrestle megaphones and posters out of demonstrators' grasp.

Amateur video showed police punching at least one protester while kneeling on his legs.

Officers arrested five people, including a journalist, the police said. It said protesters did not register the gathering with the authorities and ignored calls to disband.

Since the war in Gaza began, tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to demand the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as for Netanyahu's ouster.

Smaller Israeli protests calling the Israeli campaign in Gaza a genocide of Palestinians have been met with a forceful police response.

Strike in Rafah

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 Gaza's 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.

More than half of Gaza's population has sought refuge in Rafah, many in makeshift tent camps, United Nations shelters and crowded apartments. The U.S. says it shares Israel's goal of defeating Hamas but a major assault on the city would be a mistake.

Flyover canceled

The Israeli military said it canceled the traditional jet aircraft flyovers on independence day as its forces concentrate on the war in Gaza.

In Fridays statement, the military said a naval flotilla in the Red Sea port of Eilat was also canceled, but a flight honoring soldiers killed in the 1948 war on Israeli memorial day, which takes place ahead of independence day, would go ahead as scheduled.

Each year, Israeli jets streak through the nations skies as part of independence day celebrations. The holiday is marked on the Hebrew calendar and this year falls on May 14  coinciding with the date on the Western calendar in 1948 that Israel signed its declaration of independence.

Palestinians mark the period as the Nakba, or catastrophe, when an estimated 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israels creation.
Now we know what Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who predicts whether an early spring will arrive each Feb. 2, does on the other 364 days.

The Pennsylvania group that handles Phil, and his groundhog wife, Phyllis, says the couple have become parents.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club said in a Facebook post Wednesday that Phyllis recently gave birth to two healthy babies. It did not specify their sex or give names for either one.

Were pleased to announce that Punxsutawney Phil has had his first children; we believe there are two baby groundhogs and that Phil and Phyllis have started a family, Thomas Dunkel, president of a tuxedo-clad group called The Inner Circle that carries on the groundhog tradition each year, said Wednesday. Were pleased about it, and I talked to Phil with my cane, which lets me speak Groundhogese, and Phil could not be more excited that he started a family.

Dunkel said a club member discovered the babies Saturday when he came to feed their parents fruit and vegetables.

Phil emerges from his burrow each year the morning of Feb. 2. If he sees his shadow, tradition holds, there will be six more weeks of winter. This year, he did not see his shadow, heralding an early spring.

Although the best known, Phil is far from the only groundhog to try his hand at meteorology. There have been weather-predicting groundhogs in at least 28 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and less formal celebrations far and wide.

Phil and Phyllis live in climate-controlled quarters at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.

But like most growing families, they now need larger digs. The club plans to move them to a larger home on the library's grounds.

Like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, Punxsutawney Phil comes with his own mythology, including the claim that he will live forever, due to imbibing some magic juice called The Elixir Of Life. (His wife is not allowed to partake of the elixir, and thus, is not immortal. Where are groundhog suffragettes when they're truly needed?)

Given that the annual Groundhog Day ritual has been performed since 1887, that would place Phil in his late 130s, a procreational feat that puts Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Mick Jagger to shame.

And what about the kids? Will they someday inherit the responsibility of predicting whether there will be six more weeks of winter? Will they have to spend their lives waiting for dad to shuffle off to that big burrow in the sky before they can inherit the throne?

Alas, no, Dunkel says. Because their father is immortal, there will always be only one of him.
A 25-year-old man died after the pickup truck he was driving rolled into a small river in southwest Iowa, according to the Page County Sheriff's Office.

Chay David Potts, 25, of rural Braddyville, Iowa, was pronounced dead at the scene east of Shambaugh shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday.

According to Chief Deputy Charles McCalla from the Sheriffs Office, the crash happened when Potts, who was driving a 2005 Subaru Baja Sport pickup truck, left the road on Teak Avenue and went into a deep ditch. The pickup went into the East Nodaway River. Deputies and other emergency personnel found the pickup upside down in the river.

McCalla said Potts body has been sent for an autopsy. He added that investigators do not know the circumstances leading up to the crash.

Clarinda EMS, the Clarinda Fire Department, the Braddyville Fire Department, New Market Fire and Rescue, the Midwest Regional Dive Team and the Page County Emergency Management Agency also responded to the crash.
File Photo

Nigerias premier university, the University of Ibadan, is enmeshed in alleged corruption scandal bordering on misappropriation of varsity funds totalling over N1.98 billion.

It was learnt that the sum is substantially internally generated annually from school fees and other levies charged by the university for postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma, and distance learning programmes.

A group of students and varsity dons who levelled the allegation were already spoiling for a showdown with the authorities.

Some of the agitators claim that they were putting together a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

They have also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to beam the anti-corruption searchlight on the institution. But Dr. Michael Alatise, the University Bursar, said those complaining should come out bold with facts. He said emphatically that he could beat his chest for the University of Ibadan when it comes to transparency.

The agitators regretted that despite huge revenue generated by the institution, learning facilities such as laboratories, libraries, and materials for research had continued to elude key centres and departments of the institution.

They also pointed out that petitions filed against the immediate past and present management of the institution had been ignored or bypassed. One of the petitioners disclosed that the postgraduate school of the institution, in particular, was the bedrock of the alleged corruption crippling the institution.

According to her, the postgraduate school is run on collegiate system, allowing it to enjoy a quasi-semi-autonomous status.

As a result, she claimed, accounts of the postgraduate school were not subjected to scrutiny by the varsity authorities even though the provost of the postgraduate college reports directly to the vice chancellor, and the finance office headed by a deputy bursar also reports to the office of the vice chancellor.

She lamented that though the University of Ibadan, as the countrys premier university, was generating huge revenue compared to her peers, amounting close to N1.98 billion annually, it sadly has little to show for it in terms of modern teaching and research infrastructure and facilities.

Documentary evidence gleaned by this newspaper revealed that the postgraduate output of the University of Ibadan, including diplomas in 2016 alone totalled 4,169, and the Masters programme having the highest chunk of 3,611 in all disciplines.

A total of 449 and 109, respectively, enrolled for PhD and diploma programmes in that year.

Similarly, the graduate output, according to pocket statistics released by the institution in the same year, is put at 10,064.

The number includes graduates from UI campus, Distance Learning Centre, and affiliated institutions.

In terms of chargeable fees, our findings revealed that for post graduate students admission, the university made an estimated N133.3 million annually from N35, 000 paid as acceptance fees and raked in about N471, 200,000 from postgraduate students as tuition fees of N124, 000 for science, law, social science, and humanities.

According to our source, only 40% of the sum per student gets to the teaching department.

The remaining, over N100,000 or so per student, was retained in the Postgraduate College for administration of programmes, and it is between the provost of the college and the vice chancellor of the university.

Despite the reasonable sums generated, it was learnt that quite a little is ploughed into the system in terms of equipment.

It was further gathered that the last time teaching and research equipment were upgraded in the institution, especially for science students/courses, was in the era of Professor Olufemi Bamiro that lapsed in 2010.

Said another source, Regrettably, most of that equipment are now outdated, some are not functioning, or completely damaged or in disuse because of poor maintenance by the present and immediate past management of the varsity.

How can we compete favourably with the rest of the world or expect any development as a nation if we continue to produce students that are not up to date with facilities and equipment in their course of study?

How can we raise our heads high in the committee of dons in the world and say we have produced the best if even we, as teachers, are not availed the latest equipment in our field of practice? It is garbage in, garbage out for us and that is the sad truth.

According to her, TETFUND was supporting varsities with construction of buildings and the university was also heavily subsidised by the Federal Government which pays the salaries of all the staff of the institution, which is over one billion naira per month.

She alleged that little scrutiny was given to the almost N2 billion being generated by the university. More worrisome to the agitators are the threats by the varsity management against perceived critics of the administration.

She said at least two of those who are bold to speak out against the alleged corruption and maladministration in the university have been coerced into submission through phony staff disciplinary actions.

Some have been suspended or dismissed by the authority and that is why we are asking the anti-graft agencies and most especially President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the visitor to the university, to look into this matter so as to salvage not only the premier university but also the entire education sector, she added.

Dr. Alatise, who debunked the allegations, said the university was not only transparent in deployment of funds, it was also prudent in the utilisation of fees paid by students of the university.

To the best of my knowledge, student fees is the prerogative of the university to utilise. It is not as if it is targeted at any particular project.

Where any fund is targeted at any particular project, such fund is labelled. Im not sure there is any student that got receipt for developmental fee for specific project.

What do students pay for? Students pay for tuition, they pay for accommodation, they pay for medical, they pay for sports, and these are specific fee items. So, what they are talking about, I dont know, I dont know where that is coming from.

Development of infrastructure in the university normally should be funded by government through series of interventions, and it is a continuous process.

For instance, the seed fund of N98 million, we are yet to deploy for various projects it is meant for. This Friday, the universitys tenders board will be meeting to decide for which projects the fund will be used.

And it cannot be for only postgraduate programmes. We have postgraduate programmes, we have undergraduate programmes.

It can only be for facilities that need updating, and then we deploy the funds to those projects.

You see, if it is University of Ibadan, I can beat my chest for transparency. No funds can be used for any project it was not earmarked.

You know, in UI, everybody can speak, everybody writes. If those making the allegations say they are victimised, then they should give more information. What they are talking about is strange. In fact, I have no idea, he said.
The enemies of Nigeria are at work this morning. It appears some people want INEC to stagger the elections at all cost and violence is the easiest way out for such characters. Could this be what is happening?



A series of explosions have rocked the northeast A series of explosions have rocked the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Saturday morning, just hours before the start of elections in presidential and parliamentary elections.

Multiple blasts were heard at about 6:00 am (0500 GMT), residents told AFP. There was no immediate indication of the cause but the city has been repeatedly attacked by Boko Haram Islamists.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has warned the army against declaring suspects wanted over the killings of soldiers in the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Falana was reacting to the decision of the Defence headquarters to declare wanted eight persons in connection with the killing of the soldiers.

The decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal. Let the federal government direct the defence headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers.

It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the defence headquarters. If the federal government fails to call the defence headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.

It would be recalled that 17 military personnel comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in the Okuama community on March 14.

Commenting on the wanted lists published by the Nigerian army, Falana warned the military not to bungle the case of the slain soldiers.

READ ALSO: Tell Nigerians if fuel subsidy has been restored, Falana challenges FG

He said: The authorities of the armed forces should be made to realise that the military cannot arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any offence whatsoever.

In Dr Issa Perry Brimah v Nigerian Army, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held that It must be stated here without equivocation that the defendant [Nigerian Army] has no right to declare the plaintiff wanted without following the appropriate procedure.

The Judge further said that the defendant cannot arrest the plaintiff arbitrarily without making a formal report to the law enforcement agency with the mandate to enforce law and order. Otherwise, it would transmute to self-help. The duty of the defendant is to make a formal report to the appropriate authority like the police and await the outcome.

In Miss Grace Anita Paul v. The Chief of Army Staff, the Army, Inspector General of Police & the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal High Court held that the Nigerian Army lacks the power to arrest, investigate and hold in custody, anyone who is not subject to the Armed Forces Act or any other military law. Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Wednesday, warned the military not to usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police under Sections 4 and 84 of the Police Act which empowers the police to detect and investigate crime.

We have also read the 8 people alleged to be involved in the cruel murder of the soldiers have been declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters. It is trite law that the police and security agencies lack the power to declare any suspect wanted without a court order. In Benedit Peters v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a high court in Abuja ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacks the powers to declare anyone wanted without obtaining a court order or charging the suspect with an offence.

The presiding judge, Justice Othman Musa ruled that though the EFCC could declare as wanted persons who fail to honour its invitation for investigation, it could only do so if it obtains a court order for that purpose. So, the decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal, he said.
Industry analysts have expressed their satisfaction with the directives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) increasing the minimum capital base requirements for all Banks operating in the country.

The CBN on Thursday raised the minimum capital requirements for banks, pegging the minimum capital base for commercial banks with international authorisation at 500 billion, in measures to put the banks in good stead for the envisioned N1 trillion economies.

In the new dispensation expected from April 1, 2026, the new minimum capital base for commercial banks with national authorisation is now 200 billion, while the new requirement for those with regional authorisation is 50 billion.

Merchant banks would be expected to raise their capital to 50 billion, while the new requirements for non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations are 20 billion and 10 billion, respectively.

Reacting to banking sector recapitalisation, Nigerias first professor of capital market, Prof. Uche Uwaleke welcomed the banking sector recapitalisation move by the apex bank, stressing that capital is needed to finance big-ticket projects especially when the government is targeting a $1 trillion economy in a few years.

Uwaleke, who is also the President of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, however, expressed, I think the strategy should be somewhat different from the approach adopted in 2005. It should be more about incentives than coercion.

READ ALSO: CBN unveils new minimum capital requirements for banks

He said some Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), especially FBN Holdings Plc, Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Plc, and UBA are already making efforts to increase their capital base.

The apex bank can also use differential cash reserve requirements as well as preferential participation in the forex market for well-capitalised banks as some of the incentives.

For whatever it is worth, smaller banks playing at the regional level should not be regulated out of existence.

Capital market analyst and stockbroker, Charles Fakrogha, also welcomed the banking sector recapitalisation, stressing that the exercise is long overdue.

He, however, expressed that rather than CBN recapitalising the sector, the apex banking regulating body could have strengthened the sectors corporate governance.

Fakrogha in his words said, The financial sector, most especially banks have always dominated the stock market. Most Tier-1 and Tier-2 banks have exceeded whatever considerations the CBN may be considering right now. N25 billion is now N2.5 billion looking at the exchange rate. Having a direct impact on the stock market is what we cannot say right now.

READ ALSO: CBN FX intervention responsible for Naira appreciation at parallel, official marketanalysts

The last exercise 2015-2016 when we witnessed the emergency of merger banks but at the end of the day, some banks went down. It is a corporate governance issue that CBN should be looking at right now. Lets have professionals running our financial institutions and let the apex bank be up and running with their operations.

The last time the CBN increased the capital base for banks was in 2005, when the current Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, as the apex bank chief ordered the capital base of banks to go up to 25 billion from N2 billion.

Checks revealed that Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), and Access Holdings Plc have over N1 trillion in total equity as of September 30, 2023.

The only financial institution with a deficit in total equity is Unity Bank Plc. The retail bank reported N190.22 billion as of September 30, 2023, from N274.95 billion deficit in 2022.

As of September 30, 2023, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc, Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc and Wema Bank Plc are listed below the N500 billion mark.
Abraham Ogbodo, an Urhobo leader and former Editor of Guardian Newspaper, has said that the recent killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama, Delta State, is likely tied to crude oil, as with many conflicts in the Niger Delta.

In an appearance on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Thursday, Ogbodo stated, Its very true, nothing so grave happens in Niger Delta without oil underlining it.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the deployment of the officers and soldiers to Okuama, questioning if the community or local government invited them for the peace mission.

Regarding the incident, where four officers and 13 soldiers were gruesomely murdered, Ogbodo emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation before drawing conclusions.

He highlighted the complexity of the situation, doubting that community youths alone could carry out such an attack, especially considering the reported mutilation of the victims bodies.

Ogbodo called for a deeper examination of the incident beyond a single narrative provided by the military, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive investigation to unveil the truth.

The former editor emphasized that while theres no justification for the killing of the officers and soldiers, an independent investigation is crucial to uncover the truth behind the incident.

He advocated for the investigation to be conducted by independent institutions like the police, the Department for State Services (DSS), among others, suggesting that involvement of the military might impede transparency.

Ogbodo stressed the importance of collaboration among these agencies but cautioned against the militarys direct involvement, noting challenges in accessing the affected area, even by the governor.

He underscored the need to avoid punishing the innocent while ensuring the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators in accordance with the law.
The traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, who surrendered himself to police over the killing of 17 Soldiers in the Okuama Community, has denied involvement in their death.

Oghenerukevwe, taken into custody by the Delta State Police Command after being declared wanted by the military high command, addressed journalists at a press conference before surrendering.

He stated, I am very surprised that my name as the monarch of the kingdom will appear in the list of wanted persons. I have no hand in the killings. I have no hand in encouraging anybody to kill anybody. It is against my philosophy as a human being and my faith as a Catholic.



He emphasized, It is a serious crime against humanity, and they need to look at the appropriate places and do a thorough investigation to know all those who have committed this and bring them to book and let justice prevail.

Oghenerukevwe further explained, I am not a party to this, and like I have said earlier, the state government is aware of the turbulence I have been going through, and as I speak, an arrangement was made by the government to invite the opponents recently just before these happenings.

He added, To invite those who are fighting me in the kingdom to reconcile the differences and allow me to go into the kingdom and start to rule as the monarch of the place.

Oghenerukevwe stressed, I have not been able to set up anything. I have not been able to set up my traditional council. I have done nothing in the kingdom. So I barely know anything right now. I have no information. I know nothing; I am only just in the process of setting up a structure to enable me to rule in the kingdom.
The Minister of Interior and chairman of the Board, Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, said the new date was in line with the Boards reviewed timeline for the conduct of employment in the paramilitary Services under its purview.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has made a new announcement.

The CDCFIB announced that it will conclude the ongoing recruitment process into the Federal Fire Service (FFS) on June 15, 2024.

The Minister of Interior and chairman of the Board, Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, said the new date was in line with the Boards reviewed timeline for the conduct of employment in the paramilitary Services under its purview.

Tunji-Ojo who spoke through the secretary of the CDCFIB, Jaafaru Ahmed, at the end of its quarterly review meeting with heads of the four paramilitary agencies under its supervision, said shortlisted candidates would be requested to visit the Boards portal via messages to their emails and mobile phone numbers.

The minister urged the public to ignore messages on social media inviting them to pay some amount for placement, adding that they were from fraudsters.

He also said the Board considered 118 cases of erring officers of the four Services under its purview and took appropriate disciplinary measures.

The summary of cases and resolution of the Board made available to Daily Trust after the meeting indicated that 48 officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, 21 officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, 12 officers of the Federal Fire Service and 37 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were involved.

The breakdown shows that 30 officers were dismissed from the service while five others were to be dismissed and prosecuted.

Also, 9 were recommended for retirement and 17 were to be de-ranked and punished while 14 others were recommended to be discharged, acquitted and issued commendation letters.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has permitted the personal doctor of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, to visit and conduct a medical examination on him.

Kanus Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, made this known via X on Thursday, adding that the struggle to get this done started last year.

Ejimakor added that the legal team also met with the IPOB leader, with an assuring message that they would not relent.

He wrote, The jinx is finally broken. Today, a very competent doctor, personally chosen by Onyendu #MNK, met and examined him.

It wasnt easy, counting from last year when this shouldve happened. The indomitable #MnkLegalTeam also met with MNK today. Its tough but we must not relent.

The jinx is finally broken. Today, a very competent Doctor, personally chosen by Onyendu #MNK, met & examined him. It wasnt easy, counting from last year when this shouldve happened. The indomitable #MnkLegalTeam also met with MNK today. Its tough but we must not relent.  aloy ejimakor (@AloyEjimakor) March 28, 2024

In the past, Ejimakor had criticised DSS operatives over their refusal to allow Kanu access to an independent medical practitioner.

During his last court outing, the IPOB leader said he was suffering from congestive cancer, adding that the DSS was not taking his health condition seriously.

Meanwhile, in another post on Friday, Ejimakor berated the Nigerian army for releasing more than 300 Boko Haram suspects.

The lawyer said it was ironic for the security agencies to detain a person demanding a sovereign state, and free terrorists.

Recall that on Tuesday, the Defence Headquarters said it released 313 Boko Haram suspects to the Borno State government on the orders of the Federal High Court.

Reacting to the development, Ejimakor wrote, Its an oxymoron for the Army to declare someone wanted for seeking a separate State and turn around to free HUNDREDS of terrorists, all in the same week.

Its another stark evidence of the horrendous injustice that is responsible for the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The students, identified as Hauwau Sani-Barda, Rabiatu Sani-Barda and Hafsat Sani-Barda, got admission into the university in 2018/2019 and graduated in 2022 and 2023.

Three students from Al-Qalam University Katsina (AUK) have initiated legal action against the institution, claiming that it has declined to facilitate their participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The students, identified as Hauwau Sani-Barda, Rabiatu Sani-Barda and Hafsat Sani-Barda, got admission into the university in 2018/2019 and graduated in 2022 and 2023.

According to NAN, the students filed a lawsuit before a high court in Katsina.

They claimed that the university had refused to mobilise them for the mandatory youth service.

This, they argued, was because they had not settled all their fees due to the institution.

During the proceedings on Friday, Muhammad Mukhtar-Lawal, the students counsel, told the court that the students filed an ex parte motion in pursuance to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

He said the application sought the leave of the court to apply for judicial review.

After the counsels submission, Abbas Bawale, the presiding judge, said the applicants should have filed a motion on notice.

Bawale, however, granted a leave order to the applicants to apply for judicial review by way of mandamus.

The judge said after that, processes would be served on the university to enable the court to hear the case.
A source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) stated that without this intervention, each of the intending pilgrims would have been requested to add at least N3.5 million to the initial fare which was pegged at N4.9 million.

The Tinubu-led Federal Government have allegedly released the sum of N90 billion to subsidise the 2024 pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A source at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) told Daily Trust that without this intervention, each of the intending pilgrims would have been requested to add at least N3.5 million to the initial fare which was pegged at N4.9 million.

The source told the publication;



The forex crisis has caused a lot of problems. That is why the Hajj Commission has asked intending pilgrims to pay the extra amount of N1.9 million each. The commission actually needed N230 billion to sort out the fare differential caused by the forex crisis.

The N90 billion support which was provided by the government was announced in the presence of reporters during the inauguration of the board and management of the Hajj Commission which was held at the Office of the Vice Presidency on February 28, 2024. But they (reporters) were asked not to report it. That was why no newspaper carried the report. Or did you see it in any reports? If the intending pilgrims pay 1.9 million, it is then it can be balanced.

He added that NAHCON had also contacted state governors to subsidise the hajj fare for the intending pilgrims in their respective states. Kano has responded by subsiding it by N500,000 for each pilgrim.



By the previous calculation, the N90 billion given by the federal government can only subsidise 19,000 intending pilgrims by 3.5 million. But by spreading it on 50,000 pilgrims, it reduces it to N1.9 million; meaning that the federal government has subsidised each pilgrim by 1.6 million before each intending pilgrim was asked to add the remaining N1.9 million.

A top official at the Presidency also confirmed that the federal government actually provided some financial support for the hajj exercise. The official said;

Of course, the federal government has offered support for the pilgrims because the pilgrims have been lamenting.

Normally, any support that the government is giving to any faith, whether the Christian faith or the Muslim faith, the government does not like to announce it openly so that it will not appear as if the government is favouring on faith.
The President of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Chief Ademola Odunade has dissolved a four-year-old marriage between one Olanrewaju Osibanjo and Adedolapo over constant nagging attitude.

Odunade dissolved the marriage on Friday, saying any union that might bring about disorder and termination of life does not worth it.

Olanrewaju, a building Engineer and resident of Oluyole Industrial Estate in Ibadan, had informed the court that his unproductive wife was making his marriage an irritation through her unrepentant nagging and troublesomeness. He said:

My lord, aside from the fact that Adedolapo has refused to be productive by getting pregnant, she has also refused to give me a peaceful marital life through her constant nagging attitude. To say the least, there is nothing I have not given to Adedolapo to make her comfortable, but she keeps embarrassing me not only at home and public places, but also in the Church. Sometimes during Church service, she could start to rage at me. I have reported her to her relatives, but she has refused to turn a new leaf and I dont want to resolve to self-help which might be tragic, Olanrewaju said.

However, the respondent opposed the suit, but could not clear herself of the allegations levelled against her from the way she spoke.

Adedolapo, a businesswoman, submitted that one prophetess was responsible for her husbands decision to turn against her. She said:

My lord, Olanrewaju and I never had any fight except a minor problem that took place on Jan. 1, this year. One day, I checked through Olanrewajus mobile phone and I saw a certain prophetess number, who later came to tell my husband that I was a bad omen to him. The prophetess misinformed him that I was not the right wife for Olanrewaju. I still love him, please help me save my marriage, Adedolapo begged.

The court president, Chief Ademola Odunade said In the interest of peaceful living, the union between Olanrewaju and Adedolapo has ceased to be especially because there is no child in the union, NAN reports.

However, the plaintiff shall pay N5, 000 to the respondent to enable her pack her belongings, the Arbitrator said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the respondent had ignored the courts judgment by entering the car which her husband brought with the intention of going back home with him.

Again, it took the intervention of the courts president before Adedolapo could get out of the car.
Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, has dismissed the reports that a snake disrupted the plenary of the state house of assembly.

Addressing reporters when he visited the assembly this weekend, Akeredolu accused the lawmakers of attempting to blackmail him and his government.

He asked the lawmakers the efforts they made to maintain the complex and make it inhabitable.

All I have come to do is to verify what happened and I have seen is that theres an attempt to blackmail this government. We wont take it, he said.

I made sure that the speaker and most of the principal officers were here and I have heard from them in order to know what exactly happened. They have told us that no snake fell here. They were not sitting when the ceiling came down, they only met the ceiling down.

Theres an attempt to blackmail the government and I dont believe that is the best approach. This (legislature) is an arm of government; they have their votes and the ones they are entitled to is the ones we give them. This place is termite-infested and certainly the termites have been dwelling here for several years.

We just spent two years and there is no way termite infestation in less than two years can cause such destruction. Something is wrong, this place has not been maintained. Members of the house have always been here, what have they done about maintenance of this place? If they have not been concerned about this place, we all have to sit down and work things out.

The governor, however, assured the lawmakers that the government will start the renovation of the complex in due course.

Bamidele Oloyelogun, speaker of the assembly, had told reporters that a snake crept into the parliament.

I thank God that the snake did not bite any of my honorable colleagues yesterday, he had told journalists.
Heath Edward Bumpous, a 36-year-old man from Texas who wanted to make his fiance, family and friends happy ended up robbing a bank just a day before their wedding to pay for the ring and venue for the event.

He was, however, arrested after his fiancee saw a social media post of him robbing a bank the day before their wedding.

Bumpous robbed Citizens State Bank in Texas on Friday around 11.30am, in an attempt to pay for his wedding the following day, Saturday.

Trinity County Sheriff, Woody Wallace quoted the suspect as telling the bank tellers that he had a gun and that he needed the cash to pay for a wedding venue and wedding rings the next day.

Armed with the cash, Bumpous fled by car. But was later called by his fiancee who had seen his photo the police had shared on Facebook.

After some discussion, Wallace said the fiancee was able to persuade Bumpous to turn himself in to the police, which he did. Wallace said:

He basically stated that he was getting married tomorrow so he didnt have enough money for a wedding ring that he wanted to buy and he needed to pay for the wedding venue, Sheriff Woody Wallace said in a statement via Facebook Live. His fiancee, who he was supposed to marry, was able to get in touch with him on the phone when she saw our post on Facebook. She knew it was him. She contacted him and asked him if he robbed a bank () she convinced him that she knew it was him.

Bumpous was arrested and remains in police custody. He has been charged with aggravated robbery.

Sheriff Wallace said most of the money stolen in the incident was recovered.

Its not clear when the couple will get married as their wedding plans were disrupted.

Meanwhile, a man has lost his wife to the pastor who presided over his wedding 25-years ago.

The mans wife, had reportedly fled with the pastor, abandoning their 26-year union that produced five children.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man is being detained on attempted murder charges after two men were injured in a March 2023 shooting in Normal.

Colin S. Simpson, 18, appeared in court Thursday, charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery by firearm, and two counts of aggravated battery, plus aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He was indicted and arrested on the charges Wednesday.

Charging documents stated that Simpson, or someone whose conduct he was personally responsible for, fired a gun with the intent to kill two people. The affidavits stated one man was shot in the back, and the other was shot in the leg.

In statements at the time, the Normal Police Department said officers were called at 6:09 p.m. March 6, 2023, to the 700 block of Orlando Avenue in Normal for a report of shots fired. Initial statements to police indicated that gunfire had erupted from a vehicle as it drove through the parking lot of the Orlando Northbrook Estates apartment complex.

Two nights after the shooting, NPD said two victims who had been taken to a hospital were in stable but critical condition.

NPD could not be immediately reached Thursday afternoon for comment.

In an emailed statement to The Pantagraph, McLean County State's Attorney Erika Reynolds confirmed that Simpson's arrest and charges were linked to the March 2023 shooting investigation.

Representing Simpson was Assistant Public Defender Mackenzie Frizzell, who asked that Thursday's hearing be continued so she could finish reviewing 500 pages of discovery and hold a meaningful conversation with her client. Judge William Yoder granted the continuance.

Simpson is expected to return for another court hearing Friday to determine his custodial status.

Today in history: March 14 1794: Eli Whitney 1879: Albert Einstein 1951: Korean War 1962: Edward M. Kennedy 1964: Jack Ruby 1967: President John F. Kennedy 1990: Mikhail S. Gorbachev 2011: Neil Diamond 2012: British Prime Minister David Cameron 2015: Robert Durst 2017: Mitch Seavey 2017: Robert Neller 2018: Stephen Hawking 2021: Brian Sicknick 2021: Drew Brees
I saw an ad in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, March 24, that the EPA's electric vehicle mandate could cause the next farm crisis. The ad said the ruling will force car manufacturers to create an unrealistic number of electric vehicles over the next decade and limit our choices as consumers. There are a lot of jobs on my farm that would be nearly impossible with today's electric vehicles.
On learning about the recently introduced SB 3499, the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, I went to the Illinois Legislatures website to learn more about it. I am not terminally ill, but I have been a caregiver and a friend to people who received this prognosis. One of them would have chosen this path and the other would not. If this bill passes, it will be possible for people to make either of those decisions.

Thats why I find the use of the word options compelling. Peoples values surrounding medical care may differ, but terminally ill adults should be allowed to initiate discussions about this most personal of decisions with their loved ones, their doctor, and their faith or spiritual leader, if they have one.

I am impressed with the number of safeguards against misuse included in the bill. Among them is the need for two medical doctors to agree that a patient has less than six months to live, is not under duress, is mentally competent, and is able to self-administer the medication. Doctors can decline to participate and they can also require a separate evaluation by a mental health professional.

SB 3499 makes it possible for terminally ill people to advocate for their own desires at this critical time in their lives. I hope that anyone who agrees that end-of-life options are an important aspect of medical treatment will take a moment to let their representatives know.

Meg Miner, Mansfield
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Undergraduate students from the Enhancing and Nurturing Careers in Astronomy with New Training Opportunities (ENCANTO) program are one group that has conducted research using the Arecibo Observatorys 12-meter telescope and its new cooled receiver. Credit: Anish Roshi

Constructed within a natural sinkhole in Puerto Rico, the 305-meter-wide Arecibo Telescope played a part in numerous discoveries, including the first detection of an exoplanet. It was the largest radio telescope in the United States from 1963 until it collapsed in 2020.

However, since 2011, the Arecibo Observatory has also been home to a second, smaller radio telescope. In a new Radio Science paper, researchers describe how recent updates to this 12-meter telescope expand possibilities for future discoveries.

The 12-meter telescope originally operated at a relatively narrow bandwidth of radio frequencies, limiting its applications. In addition, its receivers operated at room temperature, which resulted in noisier signals and lower sensitivity compared with telescopes with receivers cooled to cryogenic temperatures.

Now, the researchers have outfitted the 12-meter telescope with a new receiver system that operates at a significantly wider bandwidth (2.514 gigahertz) and is cooled to 15K (-432F).

In summer 2023, the newly outfitted telescope demonstrated its capabilities by making a number of space observations. These included detecting methylidyne emission from dark molecular clouds toward the center of our galaxy, observing a previously discovered pulsar, and capturing an image of a region of magnetic activity on the sun that produces intense solar flares.

With additional improvements planned, the 12-meter telescope at Arecibo could soon contribute to a wide range of future research and educational projects.

More information: D. Anish Roshi et al, A Cryogenic Wideband (2.514 GHz) Receiver System for the Arecibo Observatory 12 m Telescope, Radio Science (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023RS007839
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The map of showing countries included in the study. Credit: Climate Services (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cliser.2024.100450

With global South countries already bearing the devastating consequences of climate change, adaptation research needs to have immediate on-the-ground impact, while still being scientifically rigorous, say climate action specialists in a review published in Climate Services.

"With the climate crisis before us, we don't have time to sit back and do a conventional research program of two, or five, or 10 years, and then use the research itself," says Jesse DeMaria-Kinney, head of secretariat of the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA).

The effects of climate change, fueled by the greenhouse gases humans are pumping into the atmosphere, are being felt acutely in the global South as temperatures rise, seasons shift, and extreme weather events, such as floods and storms, become more frequent and intense.

Adaptation, which involves changing ecological, social or economic systems to make them better able to weather the risks of climate change, "is a critical component of the long-term global response to climate change to protect people, livelihoods and ecosystems," according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

But the difficulty is that research, as it is traditionally undertaken, has long lead times and that model is not fit for a rapidly changing climate.

"Decisions and actions have to be made now and they need to be made on the best available evidence," says DeMaria-Kinney. "But we need to build flexibility into research and that flexibility has to be informed by a continual research and iterative process that runs parallel to implementation."

Action-oriented research

Last year, at the UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai, ARA announced that it had mobilized more than 3 million (US$3.8 million) in investments for action-oriented research that addresses pressing adaptation needs of those most vulnerable to climate impacts.

Formally launched in 2021, the ARA is a global coalition of organizations committed to action-orientated research for adaptation. Its 250 members range from intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations Environmental Program to small community-based organizations.

"Action-orientated research is a paradigm shift in the way that the ARA sees research being done on climate change adaptation," DeMaria-Kinney says.

"This kind of research really focuses on ensuring impact for those on the frontlines of climate change, building capacity throughout the research processes, and the research actually being done with the end users."

Action-orientated research is different from traditional research because it happens alongside the implementation of findings on the ground, DeMaria-Kinney explains, adding that it focuses on "learning while doing."

He stresses that it should be driven by the needs of affected communities, working with those communities to co-design projects and find solutions that will have genuine societal impact.

One of the major investments announced by ARA was for the new Research 4 Impact (R4I) Hub, set up as part of the Climate Adaptation and REsilience (CLARE) research program, jointly designed and run by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Canada's International Development Research Center (IDRC).

"We're in a decisive decade," says Bruce Currie-Alder, who leads the climate team at the IDRC. "We often know enough to act" and with action-oriented research, "you use research as a learning tool in real-time," implementing and testing findings immediately to determine what worked and what didn't, he explains.

As an example he points to flood preparedness in communities in West Africa and the research that can be done ahead of an actual flood event to determine the most effective action. In October 2022, more than 3.4 million people were displaced following floods in Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cameroon.

"What's the tailoring that needs to be done at a community level?" Currie-Alder asks. If a community were flooded, would its residents be able to receive cash transfers to tide them over during the flood and in its aftermath? "What types of measures are needed 72 hours before the water starts rising? These are researchable questions," he says.

Research findings could be implemented immediately to prepare the community for the next flood, he explains, and scientists could then research whether the interventions made a difference and how they could be improved.

Research for impact

The R4I Hub's new Opportunities Fund aims to translate research and existing knowledge into practical applications for communities in the global South. Project funding ranges from C$15,000 (US$11,00) to C$60,000 (US$44,000), and interventions need to be completed within a year, Currie-Alder says. It is open to governments and quasi-government agencies, and non-governmental and civil society organizations that want to put evidence into action.

"Over the years, I've heard people say things like, 'I don't have time to wait for a new research project to get up and running and develop answersI only have three months to get something in front of the minister and influence this particular investment,"' he adds. "This is the responsive need we're hoping that the hub will be able to address."

There are many funding opportunities available, from large international funds such as the Green Climate Fund to more modest national efforts, but small interventions which need evidence can fall through the cracks, says Currie-Alder.

For example, perhaps "there's a community investing its local funds and trying to think about the best bet in terms of local infrastructure, whether it's a drainage channel or a new road," he explains.

"These are things that sometimes go under the radar of a big research agenda. You don't go to a university and say, 'I want a Ph.D. student to do this.'" But the R4I Opportunity Fund could be able to mobilize existing expertise and research to assist.

The fund is looking for organizations that already have a clear sense of the project they need guidance on and the sort of support they need. This support could, for example, be the help of a soil scientist, an energy and water systems optimization specialist, or understanding the research around adaptation decisions.

"We're keen to learn from the hub's activities over 2024 and 2025 and then see whether its funding needs to be bigger, and if it needs to offer a greater spectrum of funding options," Currie-Alder says.

Collaboration on the ground

Jenny Frankel-Reed, a senior program officer with the agricultural development team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tells SciDev.Net, "We need to increase the relevance of scientific inquiry around climate action." The research should also be run by the affected regions, she says, adding, "In Sub-Saharan Africa, there's inequity both in terms of the impacts of climate and also who is generating the solutions."

The foundation has pledged 300,000 (US$380,000) to facilitate "co-creation" workshops for small-scale farmers in two African countries to identify research opportunities collaboratively. It is still deciding where the workshops will be based.

"It's always worth the time and the expense to do that [collaborative co-design] work well because the results are more durable, the buy-in is stronger, the questions are clearerthere are many advantages," says Frankel-Reed. This is one of the fundamental principles of action-oriented adaptation research.

About 70 percent of smallholder farmers in Africa rely on rainfed farming systems and this type of agriculture is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with its shifting seasons, variable temperatures, and extreme weather events.

"There's an urgency to climate adaptation that requires our research to be shaped by the people who are affected and really collaborate with the people who will use it," says Frankel-Reed. "It also needs to be done in a way that is going to build capacity around the world so that people are able to solve their own challenges around climate adaptation as well."

"There's a demand for this kind of research," adds DeMaria-Kinney. "That demand is seen by the ARA going from 33 when we launched at COP26 [in 2021] to having 250 members."

Action-oriented adaptation research is "flipping" the traditional research model around, says Currie-Alder. "As opposed to saying, 'What's your interesting idea and how does that influence the real work?', you're saying, 'What is the opportunity for impact, and what is the knowledge that is needed for that?'"

More information: Rejoice S. Nyoni et al, Targeting smallholder farmers for climate information services adoption in Africa: A systematic literature review, Climate Services (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cliser.2024.100450

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Parameter space and kinetic energy contours for the eight different DM IND processes arising in mesogenesis. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.081002

A researcher at Colorado State University has developed a potential approach for identifying and understanding dark matter using the soon-to-be-built gigantic particle detectors at the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).

A newly published paper in Physics Review Letters by Assistant Professor Joshua Berger and a partner at the University of Texas at Austin describes unique signals that could be produced if a certain class of particles interacts with atomic nuclei. Specifically, they are looking for the largeby particle physics standardsamount of energy released when dark matter hits a proton and destroys it.

That release of energy could be visible with the set of large-scale, highly sensitive DUNE detectors that are set to become operational in 2028. If their approach can help identify those interactions, the findings would inform the nature of dark matterthe as-yet-undiscovered missing component in the universe.

Berger said dark matter is a substance that appears to make up most of the universe's mass and energy. While researchers have not yet been able to see this matter or its interactions, they know it exists due to its gravitational pull, which seems to be instrumental in the ways galaxies form, organize, and expand. Berger said he is hopeful that the detectors at DUNE will be able to pick up evidence of dark matter in a way that was not previously possible using his theory.

"Everything we know about the physics of the universe points to roughly 85% of matter being dark. However, no light bounces off it, so you can't 'see' it, and none of the known particles seem to make up this matternothing is sufficiently dark," Berger said. "We want to know what makes this dark matter different from the matter that makes up you, me, and everything we can see in the universe. We are talking about building a better understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe."

While Berger is interested in dark matter, the DUNE experiment should help answer many other decidedly huge cosmic questions.

Run by the Department of Energy's Fermilab, the project primarily seeks to unlock the mysteries of neutrinos, which are present everywhere. When completed, the facility will track the progress of neutrinos being beamed from Illinois through the Earth to an underground detection facility in South Dakota about 800 miles away.

Credit: Fermilab

Understanding and tracking the progress of those harmless particles from one point to another through matter will help researchers realize Albert Einstein's dream of the unification of forces, watch for neutrinos emerging from an exploding star, or better understand the formation of stars or black holes.

The DUNE collaboration includes more than 1,400 scientists and engineers from over 200 institutions in 36 countries. Mass production of its components has begun, and testing of the technologies underlying both detectors is underway.

More information: Joshua Berger et al, Dark-Matter-Induced Nucleon Decay Signals in Mesogenesis, Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.081002 Journal information: Physical Review Letters
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Minh Ha, assistive technology manager at the Perkins School for the Blind tries a LightSound device for the first time at the school's library in Watertown, Mass., on March 2, 2024. As eclipse watchers look to the skies in April 2024, new technology will allow people who are blind or visually impaired to hear and feel the celestial event. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

While eclipse watchers look to the skies, people who are blind or visually impaired will be able to hear and feel the celestial event.

Sound and touch devices will be available at public gatherings on April 8, when a total solar eclipse crosses North America, the moon blotting out the sun for a few minutes.

"Eclipses are very beautiful things, and everyone should be able to experience it once in their lifetime," said Yuki Hatch, a high school senior in Austin, Texas.

Hatch is a visually impaired student and a space enthusiast who hopes to one day become a computer scientist for NASA. On eclipse day, she and her classmates at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired plan to sit outside in the school's grassy quad and listen to a small device called a LightSound box that translates changing light into sounds.

When the sun is bright, there will be high, delicate flute notes. As the moon begins to cover the sun, the mid-range notes are those of a clarinet. Darkness is rendered by a low clicking sound.

"I'm looking forward to being able to actually hear the eclipse instead of seeing it," said Hatch.

The LightSound device is the result of a collaboration between Wanda Diaz-Merced, an astronomer who is blind, and Harvard astronomer Allyson Bieryla. Diaz-Merced regularly translates her data into audio to analyze patterns for her research.

A workshop participant solders components for a LightSound device at the New England Sci-Tech education center in Natick, Mass., on March 2, 2024. The device is the result of a collaboration between Wanda Diaz-Merced, an astronomer who is blind, and Harvard astronomer Allyson Bieryla. Diaz-Merced regularly translates her data into audio to analyze patterns for her research. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

A prototype was first used during the 2017 total solar eclipse that crossed the U.S., and the handheld device has been used at other eclipses.

This year, they are working with other institutions with the goal of distributing at least 750 devices to locations hosting eclipse events in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. They held workshops at universities and museums to construct the devices, and provide DIY instructions on the group's website.

"The sky belongs to everyone. And if this event is available to the rest of the world, it has to be available for the blind, too," said Diaz-Merced. "I want students to be able to hear the eclipse, to hear the stars."

The Perkins Libraryassociated with the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusettsplans to broadcast the changing tones of the LightSound device over Zoom for members to listen online and by telephone, said outreach manager Erin Fragola.

Workshop participants assemble LightSound devices at the New England Sci-Tech education center in Natick, Mass., on March 2, 2024. The creators of the device are working with other institutions with the goal of distributing at least 750 devices to locations hosting eclipse events in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

In addition to students, many of the library's senior patrons have age-related vision loss, he said.

"We try to find ways to make things more accessible for everyone," he said.

Others will experience the solar event through the sense of touch, with the Cadence tablet from Indiana's Tactile Engineering. The tablet is about the size of a cellphone with rows of dots that pop up and down. It can be used for a variety of purposes: reading Braille, feeling graphics and movie clips, playing video games.

For the eclipse, "A student can put their hand over the device and feel the moon slowly move over the sun," said Tactile Engineering's Wunji Lau.

The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired started incorporating the tablet into its curriculum last year. Some of the school's students experienced last October's "ring of fire" eclipse with the tablet.

3D printed cases for LightSound devices are stacked together at the New England Sci-Tech education center in Natick, Mass., on March 2, 2024. A prototype was first used during the 2017 total solar eclipse in North America, and the handheld device has been at other eclipses in increasing numbers. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

Katherine Tso tests components of a LightSound device at the New England Sci-Tech education center in Natick, Mass., on March 2, 2024. When the sun is bright, the device plays high flute notes. As the moon begins to cover the sun, the mid-range notes are those of a clarinet. Darkness is rendered by a low clicking sound. Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

Minh Ha, assistive technology manager at the Perkins School for the Blind uses a flashlight to try a LightSound device, attached to an external speaker, for the first time at the school's library in Watertown, Mass., on March 2, 2024. Wanda Diaz-Merced, an astronomer who is blind, a co-creator of the device, says, The sky belongs to everyone. And if this event is available to the rest of the world, it has to be available for the blind, too. ... I want students to be able to hear the eclipse, to hear the stars." Credit: AP Photo/Mary Conlon

Sophomore Jazmine Nelson is looking forward to joining the crowd expected at NASA's big eclipse-watching event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the tablet will be available.

With the tablet, "You can feel like you're a part of something," she said.

Added her classmate Minerva Pineda-Allen, a junior. "This is a very rare opportunity, I might not get this opportunity again."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Foxtail millet field in Aohan, Inner Mongolia. The location is close to Xinglonggou, one of the archaeological localities providing evidence of millet cultivation 8,000 years ago. 2023 was the International Year of Millets, as declared by the United Nations. Credit: Xinyi Liu

Archaeologist Xinyi Liu at Washington University in St. Louis teamed up with Martin Jones of the University of Cambridge to write a new paper for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that explains how recent research is connecting the science of biological domestication to early food globalization.

Liu, an associate professor of archaeology and associate chair of the Department of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences, proposes a new conceptual framework to understand domestication, which is relevant not only to anthropology but other fields such as biology and ecology.

In this Q&A, he also offers his perspective on how understanding the past conditions can help us to forge a vision for the future.

The domestication of plants and animals is among the most significant transitions in human history. How has our understanding of domestication changed recently?

Our new article focuses on how we conceptualize domestication. A considerable intellectual legacy has depicted domestication as a series of short-lived, localized and episodic events. Some of the literature, particularly those pieces dating back to the early 20th century, envisioned the process as a transition from humans within nature to humans controlling nature in a revolutionary fashion.

The metaphor there is "revolution." So, as people described it, there was a "Neolithic Revolution" that functioned in a similar way as the "Industrial Revolution" or the "scientific revolution"a rapid technological shift followed by changes in societies, according to some narratives.

It is time to reconsider all this. Newly emergent evidence from the last 15 years challenges the idea of rapid domestication. This evidence shows unambiguously that plant and animal domestication in a range of species entailed a more gradual transition spanning a few thousand years across extensive geographies.

How has archaeology contributed to this line of inquiry?

Much of this evidence was brought to light by archaeological and scientific investigations. For example, it took about 5,000 years for the domestication traits of wheat to be fully developed from its wild morphology, according to archaeobotanical work in the Near East.

In the lower Yangtze Valley in China, research informed a similar process that ancient communities had cultivated rice for a few millennia before the plant reached domesticated states, in the biological sense.

Prehistoric food globalization spanned three millennia, according to an international study led by anthropologists at Washington University. This animation illustrates how four of the ancient worlds most important domesticated grain crops spread across the Old World between 7,000 and 3,500 years ago. Credit: Xinyi Liu; animation by Javier Ventura/Washington University

So domestication has extended in time. But you also argue that it has extended in space. What does that mean?

Over the last 15 years we've also seen an improvement in the understanding of how people have moved domesticated plants and animals over continents. In some cases, people moved crops and stocks before the genetic changes associated with domestication were fully fixed within the species. This raises questions about the role translocations played in the domestication process.

Central to our inquiry is the relationship between domesticated crops and stocks and their free-living ancestors, or progenitors. Newer genetic evidence suggests that long-term gene flow between wild and domestic species was much more common than previously appreciated.

It makes sense: At the so-called domestication center, where ancestral varieties were dominant, such gene flow would have been very strong. No meaningful mechanism could have stopped the introgression.

But if farmers took their crops, or herders their stocks, and moved to a new environment beyond the natural distribution of the ancestors, then selection pressures would have changed dramatically. Eventually, you are domesticating in a single pathway, with no return. Such a process has been documented genetically and archaeologically in a number of domesticated species, such as maize and wheat.

How do human preferences or traditions factor in?

If crop or stock movements were entangled with the domestication process, the newly introduced species would have to adapt to the new physical environment encountered. But they would have also been adapted to align with new cultural habits. We envision both the physical and cultural adaptation played roles in the fixation of some domestication traits.

Does this research have any implications for modern agriculture?

Understanding the past conditions can help us to forge visions about the future. In that sense, archaeology plays a key role in establishing the historical and community roots of a range of contemporary challenges, such as food security, planetary health and sustainability, providing solutions drawing from humanity at the deepest level.

One such example is the positive impact that archaeogenetic research about millet made on the livelihoods of farmers across the globe. At its 75th session, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 the International Year of Millets to raise awareness of the crop's deep community roots and future potential.

There has been considerable recent momentum in understanding the biodiversity and historical geography of millets, which are a diverse group of cereals originating from several continents, including pearl, proso (or broomcorn), foxtail, barnyard, little, kodo, browntop, finger and fonio millets.

Millets can grow on arid lands with minimal inputs and are resilient to changes in climate. They are, therefore, an ideal solution for communities to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported cereal grains.

These grains once sustained ancient populations by large. Archaeology played a key role in establishing the original biogeography, domestication and early dispersals of millets. The knowledge we have gained consequently has profoundly impacted food security and conservation in areas where millets are culturally relevant.

More information: Xinyi Liu et al, Needs for a conceptual bridge between biological domestication and early food globalization, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219055121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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An orchard in Rutesheim-Perouse, southern Germany. Credit: Klaus Henle. CC-BY4.0

A study spearheaded by researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research and Macquarie University has highlighted the important ecological role of traditional orchard meadows, calling for political and public support and incentives for farmers to protect these landscapes.

The paper, published in Nature Conservation, reviews the effects of management, habitat and landscape characteristics on the biodiversity of orchard meadows in Central Europe.

Orchard meadows, characterized by the combination of cultivated grasslands and scattered fruit trees, exhibit high flora and fauna biodiversity. Despite their ecological value, these habitats have been in decline since the mid-19th century due their decreasing economic worth. They now face threats from land abandonment and intensification of agriculture.

The study emphasizes the importance of moderate management intensity, connectivity to neighboring habitats, and the preservation of structural diversity to maintain and enhance the conservation value of orchard meadows.

The findings also advocate for a nuanced understanding of management impacts across taxonomic groups and points out the limitation of available studies on orchard meadows in Central Europe.

Currently loose in definition, the research team advocated for a clear definition of orchard meadows to create a common term in Europe, which would make their assessment and protection more straightforward.

They suggest orchard meadows should be listed in the Habitats Directive of the Council of the European Union and farmers should get incentives for their maintenance. Finally, the research team calls for political and public support to prevent the loss and abandonment of these biodiverse landscapes.

Schematic figure illustrating the effects of management intensification on species richness. Credit: Sattler et al. CC-BY4.0

"One way the public support the protection of these habitats is through consumer behavior, specifically by purchasing local products from orchard meadows. However, it is crucial to subsidize these local products and prioritize them at local markets," says lead author Cornelia Sattler.

"As long as fruits from orchard meadows are treated as 'by-products' in the market, it will be challenging to convince people to buy local products. This change is necessary to close the economic gap between intensified fruit production and extensive orchard meadows," she concludes.

More information: Cornelia Sattler et al, Effects of management, habitat and landscape characteristics on biodiversity of orchard meadows in Central Europe: A brief review, Nature Conservation (2024). DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.55.108688 Journal information: Nature Conservation
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A close-up of the whorls, and an image of full stalks of Oberonia japonica, an orchid species native to Japan. Credit: Sunakawa et al 2024

Researchers Yuta Sunakawa, Ko Mochizuki, and Atsushi Kawakita of the University of Tokyo have discovered the first orchid species pollinated by gall midges, a tiny fly species. This is the first documented case of an orchid species found to be pollinated by gall midges, and it makes the orchids the eleventh such plant family. The findings were published in the journal Ecology.

The family of orchids is rich both in numbers and variety. Their range of shapes and sizes is due to having evolved to attract different animal pollinators. However, scientists have only mapped the pollination biology of only about 10% of all orchid species.

The trio of researchers set out to investigate the possible pollinator of Oberonia japonica, a species native to Japan and a member of the Oberonia genus, one of the genera with the smallest known flowers in the orchid family. This plant's orange flowers are about the size of the tip of a mechanical pencil and are arranged in whorls of five to six. Full flower stalks can contain upwards of a hundred whorls. The team went to Aichi Prefecture to observe and collect "visitors" stuck to the flowers to see what species they were and if they were in fact, pollinating the plants.

"We conducted a field observation of flower visitors on May 1112 and 14, 2022, in their natural habitat in Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture," says Sunakawa.

"Interestingly, these flower visitors were observed exclusively during the night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. As both the flowers and midges were exceptionally small, initially we could only discern the presence of 'small insects.' It was only after capturing an image with a macro lens that we discovered they were gall midges. Photographing a gall midge carrying the orchid's pollinaria, a lump of pollen and accessory structures, was a thrilling experience."

Gall midges on a stalk of Oberonia japonica, an orchid species native to Japan. Credit: Sunakawa et al 2024

However, as one mystery was solved, others popped up in its stead. The gall midges found on the flowers were mostly females with identical external morphologies.

Gall midges live in most habitats around the globe and similar orchid species can be found in the neotropical regions of Polynesia, Asia, and Africa. These two factors suggest that there might be other orchid species pollinated by gall midges waiting to be discovered. So, Sunakawa explains the next steps for research.

"The reason why only female gall midges are attracted to these flowers and why they act as if they were transferring pollinaria is still unknown. We are eager to solve this mystery through additional field observations, observations in other locations, and observations of other closely related species."

More information: Pollination of Oberonia japonica (Orchidaceae) by gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4293 Journal information: Ecology
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The US administration of President Joe Biden on Thursday announced further protections for endangered species and their habitats, restoring a set of regulations weakened by Donald Trump.

The new rules were touted as evidence of Biden's commitment to tackling climate change, though some environmental groups said the changes fell short of fully resurrecting necessary protections.

"These revisions underscore our commitment to using all of the tools available to help halt declines and stabilize populations of the species most at-risk," Martha Williams, director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a press release.

The changes include the reinstatement of a rule that classifications of endangered species and habitats should be made without reference to the possible economic impacts of that definition.

But some environmental groups complained that the Biden administration had failed to reverse all of the changes made by then-president Trump in 2019, setting the path for further harm to US wildlife.

"The Biden administration had the opportunity to fully reverse the damage inflicted upon the Endangered Species Act and the imperiled species it protects, but only got partway there," Drew Caputo, a lawyer for EarthJustice, said in a statement.

Ben Jealous, executive director for environmental group Sierra Club, also called on the US government to go further to "end the nightmare Donald Trump created for wildlife."

"At this moment, we should be listening to scientists and acting urgently to save biodiversity, not letting Donald Trump's gutting of environmental safeguards and sellouts to Big Business stand," Jealous said in a statement.

The US's main wildlife protections were supported by the 1973 Endangered Species Act, which was credited with saving many iconic American species, until Trump's administration weakened some measures in 2019.

The changes included modifications allowing companies to build roads, pipelines, mines, and other industrial projects in areas designated as "critical habitat" for a species.

The 1973 Act had been linked to the resurgence of the gray wolf, which saw its population decimated in the early 20th century, but staged a remarkable comeback thanks to the law and is now legally hunted in the Northern Rockies.

 2024 AFP
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ATLANTIC CITY  The same day that law enforcement served a search warrant at the home of Mayor Marty Small Sr., his 2021 slander lawsuit against political operative Craig Callaway began to move again in court.

Superior Court Judge Ralph Paolone on Thursday declined Callaways request for a stay in the case until federal criminal charges against him are adjudicated.

On Feb. 1, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey charged Callaway, 64, of Atlantic City, with procuring, casting and tabulating fraudulent mail-in ballots in the November 2022 general election.

Paolone also extended discovery in the case to June 17, with paper discovery to end May 1. All depositions must be done by June 17, and a case management conference will be held 9 a.m. June 19 via Zoom, Paolone ordered.

The deposition of defendant is hereby limited to the public statements he made on October 19, 2020, and October 26, 2020, and the support for the statements, Paolone wrote in his order.

Those are the dates Callaway is alleged to have said on local radio shows that Small and his wife, LaQuetta, allowed children to be raped in their home by LaQuettas cousin Kayan Frazier, now serving a prison sentence for child exploitation.

I wouldnt have said what I said if I didnt have proof, and I have proof, Callaway said at the time. Callaway opposes Small politically. I have truth, and I have proof.

Frazier, of Somers Point, is a former substitute teacher and state Department of Children and Families caseworker who was sentenced to 20 years and one month in federal prison in July 2021 after pleading guilty to the exploitation of a young boy in his care.

Atlantic City's Craig Callaway charged with mail-in ballot fraud Political operative Craig Callaway was arrested Thursday and charged with procuring, casting and tabulating fraudulent mail-in ballots in the November 2022 general election.

Frazier lived with the Smalls for a time but moved out in October 2015, according to court filings.

Callaway could not be reached for comment Friday, and the Smalls are referring all questions to their lawyer, Ed Jacobs.

In March 2021, the Smalls filed the slander suit against Callaway, who later countersued.

Paolone also dismissed that countersuit without prejudice Thursday for lack of participation by Callaway.

On Wednesday, Seth Grossman, a lawyer and founder of the conservative Liberty & Prosperity group, filed paperwork with the court to say he now represents Callaway in the Small slander lawsuit.

The court allowed Callaways prior attorneys with the Lento Law Group to exit the case in September 2023, after certifying that Callaway had not been in touch with them for more than a year and was not cooperating with them.

The child Frazier abused was identified in court papers as Minor Child 1, who was in Fraziers care between March 2017 and April 15, 2019.

According to Fraziers plea agreement, Frazier possessed and distributed child pornography  including images involving Minor Child 1  as far back as March 2015.

Frazier worked as a substitute teacher in Atlantic City schools, including at the Pennsylvania Avenue School, where LaQuetta Small was principal, between 2015 and 2017. He was dismissed for inappropriate behavior after LaQuetta Small found out Minor Child 1 had stayed overnight in his apartment.

LaQuetta Small later became the superintendent of the school district.

Defendant Callaway accused Mayor Small and Dr. (LaQuetta) Small of consenting to Fraziers rape of children in their home and covering it up, the suit said.

In fact the opposite is true, said Jacobs. Our complaint makes clear the moment Principal LaQuetta Small became aware of any misbehavior by her relative, she reported him, her own cousin, to multiple agencies. And that was two years after he had left the Small residence.

LaQuetta Small followed district policy in reporting Fraziers inappropriate conduct with a student, according to findings in an October memo from school board Solicitor Tracy Riley.

Rileys report said LaQuetta Small investigated and in an incident report said the mother of the child told her Frazier was helping her out and mentoring her son. But Fraziers conduct violated school policy, so he was dismissed.

The report also said LaQuetta Small reported the incident to the state agency that later hired Frazier, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Riley represented Small in Callaways countersuit, and her request to dismiss Callaways suit was granted Thursday by Paolone.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small files slander suit against Craig Callaway ATLANTIC CITY  Mayor Marty Small Sr. has filed a legal complaint against Atlantic City poli

Known for working for both political parties on get-out-the-vote efforts, Callaway is a former Democratic City Council president who was convicted of taking bribes and pleaded guilty to conspiracy for helping blackmail a fellow councilmember. He spent about three years in prison, getting out in 2010.
A Stockton University student died Thursday morning in a crash on the Black Horse Pike in Collings Lakes, State Police said.

Yolanda Pacheco, 22, of Mount Holly, Burlington County, was driving a Ford SUV west on the pike near milepost 37.2 when her vehicle was hit from behind by a Toyota sedan at 12:25 a.m., State Police said.

The impact caused Pacheco's vehicle to flip and strike three parked cars, State Police said.

Pacheco was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in her vehicle and the driver of the Toyota were taken to a local hospital with injuries State Police described as moderate.

The road was closed for several hours while the accident was investigated, State Police said.

Christopher Catching, vice president of student affairs at Stockton, said Pacheco was a psychology student and that her sister works for the university.

"It is with sadness that I share the news that Yolanda Pacheco, a student in the Psychology program, has passed away," an email sent to students Thursday read. "On behalf of the Stockton University administration, I offer my deepest condolences to Yolandas friends and family, which includes her sister Yesenia Pacheco, Coordinator of Student Transitions Access & Retention."

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, State Police said.
ATLANTIC CITY  The lone Republican on City Council is calling for the governing body to take more of an oversight role in the city, after law enforcement officials served a search warrant on the mayors home Thursday and the high school principal was charged with misconduct for failing to report child abuse.

We are an oversight body. We need to ask more oversight questions, 6th Ward Councilman Jesse Kurtz said Thursday night.

Kurtz, the only council member to respond to requests for comment as of Friday afternoon, said he would like to call in the states school district monitor to answer questions for council about staff training regarding child abuse, for example.

The public will have to wait until 9:30 a.m. Monday for more information from Mayor Marty Small Sr. about his legal situation, said his attorney, Ed Jacobs. The mayor is expected to hold a news conference then.

The authorities have not said whether there is a connection between the search warrant and the charges filed against Atlantic City High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman.

The school district is overseen by a state monitor, and the citys operations are overseen by the state Department of Community Affairs, which declined comment Friday.

The school district has declined comment on the Days-Chapman charges.

With certain types of allegations there is no option whether to notify authorities, Kurtz said of the school district case. Why have state oversight at all if no one reviews policies and procedures? Id like to see documented proof there is adequate training, Kurtz said. Im sensing between whats happening with the Atlantic City Housing Authority and mandatory reporting, there needs to be more pressure on the council to take a more investigative role.

Atlantic City principal charged with official misconduct, asked to step down from Dem committee The Atlantic City High School principal is facing official misconduct charges after she allegedly failed to report child abuse, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Housing Authority residents have repeatedly asked council to hold hearings on how the authority board operates, and why it has been unable to provide basics like heat and hot water and a healthy environment to its residents.

Since the search warrants were issued, Small has directed all questions to Jacobs, and has been uncharacteristically silent on social media. His latest posts were Wednesday, about city and school district planned tax decreases.

Days-Chapman was charged Thursday with official misconduct, hindering apprehension of another, obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

Days-Chapman, who ran Smalls 2021 reelection campaign and is chair of the citys Democratic Committee, was asked to take a leave of absence from that position by Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman after the charges were announced.

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.

According to the Prosecutors Office, 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 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.

Atlantic City mayor announces tax cuts, raises for some employees Atlantic City taxpayers will see a reduction in both their school and municipal tax rates, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said Wednesday.

Witnesses of the conversation between the staff member and Days-Chapman left with the impression she was going to report the abuse.

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 to protect the juveniles parents from being investigated.

The juveniles identity is being protected by law enforcement.

Days-Chapman is due in court at 10 a.m. April 24.
ATLANTIC CITY  The Atlantic City Housing Authority board passed a resolution to award a new $150,000 contract to Jerry Volpes Governance & Fiscal Affairs LLC, after tabling the resolution at its February meeting.

Volpes contract was not on the agenda for Thursday nights meeting, but it was voted on and passed after executive session.

In February, the board tabled Volpes new contract after City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz expressed concern about reports of workers not being able to get the supplies they need to make repairs through the purchasing and procurement process.

Shabazz, who could not be reached for comment Thursday night, also sent the authority a letter asking it not to rehire Volpe, but to instead hire a full-time staff procurement professional.

Executive Director Tom Sahlin said after the meeting that the authority has been unable to find a qualified full-time staff member, but that is the goal.

The ultimate goal is to be self sustainable, Sahlin said, with staff able to handle all aspects of day-to-day operations. Until we identify an individual and get them the necessary training, we do have to rely on third parties and vendors.

Governance & Fiscal Affairs has been paid more than $500,000 for handling procurement and purchasing for the authority since August 2022. During that time, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development found the agency was improperly using emergency procurement methods and ordered all work started under emergency contracts stopped.

Last week, Robert Campbell, 69, sued the Housing Authority and two of its leaders, alleging he was fired in December as retaliation for complaining about unlawful contracting and procurement practices there.

Atlantic City Housing Authority now to hold special meeting Monday The Atlantic City Housing Authority has called a special online meeting for 1:30 p.m. Friday but has not posted details on agenda items.

Campbell also named board Chair Stephanie Marshall, also a city councilwoman, and Sahlin as defendants in the suit.

Campbell was hired to handle procurement by former Executive Director Matt Doherty in July 2023 and fired by the Housing Authority board about three months after the board fired Doherty.

The board had named Volpe the qualified purchasing agent for the authority and continued to keep him in that position after Campbell started work.

Volpe is the interim executive director of the Linden Housing Authority in Union County, where he spends much of his time.

The Atlantic City Housing Authority was designated troubled by HUD last year after missing deadlines for submitting financial audits.

Superior Court Judge John C. Porto has ordered the authority to install a system to provide reliable heat and hot water to Stanley Holmes Village off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard by Oct. 1, but the board has yet to decide what type of heating system it will use.

The board also is facing a March 31 deadline with HUD to show it has improved specific aspects of its performance to the departments standards.

Marshall asked Sahlin at Thursdays meeting to prepare a presentation for the April board meeting on what is submitted to HUD by March 31.

Atlantic City Housing Authority hires architectural and engineering firm The Atlantic City Housing Authority voted to hire Thriven Design as its architectural and engineering firm at a special online meeting Monday night.

In December, the authority passed a recovery and action plan that was negotiated with HUD, after a federal review found the authority has not followed federal rules for years in most of its operations, including how public housing residents are chosen, how their rent is calculated and collected, and how public health and security issues are handled.

By March 31, the authority must show HUD accurate information about the number of households on its waiting list, review inspection results and address cited deficiencies, adhere to federal procurement regulations, update payment standards and more.

The majority of action items are due June 30, including developing an operating budget, submitting all overdue audit info to HUD and establishing a bank reconciliation procedure.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Welcome to New Jersey, known around the world for Tony Soprano, Turnpike tolls, chemical plants, and ... maple syrup?

If a university in the southern part of the state has its way, the sticky sweet brown stuff you put on your pancakes might one day come from New Jersey.

It's part of an effort to use a species of maple tree common to southern New Jersey that has only half as much sugar as the maples of Vermont, the nation's maple syrup capital. The idea is to see if a viable syrup industry can be created in a part of the state better known for casinos and its vast forest of pine trees.

Backed by $1 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stockton University is in its fourth year of producing syrup from the 300 acres (120 hectares) of maples surrounding it.

You should never tell a New Jerseyan, It cant be done, because we live for the challenge," said Judith Vogel, a mathematics professor and director of the Stockton Maple Project. There were a lot of obstacles to be overcome in bringing maple syrup production to south Jersey, but the work has been fun, and the results have been very sweet.

The key to the project is utilizing some underdog trees that are not in the same class as the sugar maples typical of Vermont. Although there are some sugar maples in the northern part of New Jersey, Stockton is located in southern New Jersey, about 16 miles (26 kilometers) northwest of Atlantic City, where red maples are more common.

Although maple syrup has been made in New Jersey since the state was populated mainly by Native Americans, who shared their knowledge with settlers, no large-scale industry took hold, particularly in the state's south.

Red maples like those in Stockton are not highly sought-after because the sugar content is significantly lower, about 1% coming from a red maple versus about 2% for a sugar maple, said Ryan Hegarty, assistant director of the Maple Project.

The general rule of thumb is that it takes about 40 gallons (150 liters) of sap from sugar maples of the Vermont variety to make one gallon (3.8 liters) of syrup, Hegarty said. For red maples, you need at least 60 gallons (more than 225 liters) of sap because more water needs to be removed in the process of making syrup.

That is accomplished by using a high-pressure membrane to separate sugar and water molecules. That enables sap that came out of the tree at 1% sugar to enter the cooking process at 4%, an important efficiency if a new industry is to be established using sub-optimal trees.

Charlize Katzenbach has been making maple syrup for 35 years at her Sweet Sourland Farms in Hopewell, New Jersey, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Stockton. When she first started making syrup in the 1980s, New Jersey was a hard sell.

No one would buy it, said Katzenbach, who advised Stockton on setting up its program. They'd say, I get my syrup from Vermont; this cant be any good at all.'

But years of perseverance, and a growing desire for locally produced food, helped carve out a small niche for New Jersey maple syrup.

In 2022, New Jersey produced 1,817 gallons (6,878 liters) of it, worth $88,000, according to the state agriculture department. By contrast, Vermont produces half of the nearly 6 million gallons (22.7 million liters) of maple syrup sold each year in the United States, worth about $105 million, according to the federal agriculture department.

Allison Hope, executive director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, said those federal figures are believed to be an undercount, with the real total somewhat higher.

Another challenge is the climate in southern New Jersey, which tends to be warmer than that of New England. That affects when and how the sap flows.

You need below-freezing nights, then you need above-freezing daytime temperatures to ensure a good flow of sap, Hegarty said.

At Stockton, that usually begins around the second week of January, when participants use cordless drills to bore tiny holes into the trees and place metal taps into which the sap flows. A vacuum-powered hose system helps the sap along and carries the liquid to collection buckets at twice the rate of just letting it drip out without assistance.

The trees are not harmed by the tapping. Hegarty likens the process to a human giving blood, which is replenished and the entry wound quickly heals.

Coming straight out of the tree, the sap tastes like water. Only after it is cooked in a wood-fired device called an evaporator does the sugar content soar. Then the color turns brown, in the same way that a white marshmallow turns brown near the heat of a campfire.

So far this year Stockton has collected more than 4,000 gallons of sap from 400 trees and expects to produce 55 gallons of syrup, which would be a great year for us down here in south Jersey," Hegarty said.

Stockton's syrup is darker and richer than commercially sold syrup, and has an oh-so-slightly smoky taste from the cooking process. The university is already using the syrup in its food service program to create new flavors of salad dressing and barbecue sauce, and also sells it at farmers' markets.

In the project's next round of funding, Stockton will seek partnerships with the food industry and regional schools to introduce its syrup more widely.

Our syrup in New Jersey is as good as anybody's anywhere in the world," Katzenbach said. It's good, it's local and it tastes great.
New Jersey must scrap its unique primary ballot design, widely criticized as boosting the prospects of party-backed candidates, a federal judge ruled Friday, saying the integrity of the democratic practice was at stake.

The ruling shakes a foundational component of New Jerseys primary election ballots, which tend to group candidates with party support in a single column. That means the names of those running without establishment backing could be left in places on the ballot that are difficult to find.

Here is what some officials and other people had to say about the ruling:

"This is a political earthquake that can change NJ political landscape forever. This is big victory for Democracy and the People. To get injunction it means you have a good chance of winning and that there will be irreparable harm. This decision will move NJ forward in reforming our corrupt political system. This has been a long battle against the bosses and good government. Today the Good Guys Won." - Jeff Tittel, former director of the New Jersey Sierra Club

Today's decision is a victory for a fairer, more democratic politics in New Jersey. It's a victory built from the incredible grassroots work of activists across our state who saw an undemocratic system marginalizing the voices of voters, and worked tirelessly to fix it. While fixing this unfair ballot system is a massive step forward towards perfecting our democracy, there is still work to be done. Both in New Jersey and nationwide, we need to regain the trust of the voters we serve. I will continue to work tirelessly to restore and protect voting rights, address the scourge of big money in our politics, and make our government more accessible and accountable to everyday New Jerseyans. - U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd

Thanks to todays ruling, when New Jersey voters go to the polls this primary season, they will be casting ballots that fairly reflect their political preferences  not the preferences of party insiders. As the ACLU of New Jersey highlighted in its amicus brief, the state has an obligation to serve as a neutral referee in administering elections, but it defies this obligation when it manipulates election outcomes by giving preferential ballot positions to candidates endorsed by county political parties. Through this county line design, county clerks engage in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and undermine voters power at the polls." - ACLU of New Jersey Staff Attorney Liza Weisberg

The preliminary injunction issued in this case is a temporary form of relief, and litigation will continue in the district court. The preliminary injunction may also face an appeal to the Third Circuit. Todays decision is a first  but momentous  step toward permanently overturning New Jerseys unconstitutional primary ballot design laws and practices. - Sarah Schoengood, Democratic candidate for New Jerseys 3rd Congressional District

This is a major win for the people of New Jersey and all those who have been fighting to unrig the system. The grassroots are taking on the machine and the grassroots are winning. New Jersey politics is forever changing for the better. Were proud to support Congressman Kim both in his campaign and in this lawsuitand we look forward to fighting alongside him in the Senate to unrig our politics and put our government back on the side of the people. - Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United/Let America Vote

The Courts decision is the start of a new day for democracy in New Jersey. The county line has been a scourge on New Jerseys democracy for decades, diluting our votes and disempowering the voices of our Black and other residents of color. Our ballots will finally be free of the line in this coming primary election, and once final disposition is reached in the case, permanently  putting the power back in the hands of the people, where it belongs. - Henal Patel, law and policy director at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

Fair ballot design is a core part of a functional democracy. Ballot design impacts voters, not just candidates for office  and an unfair ballot design disproportionately silences voters of color and lower-income communities. This victory means a more fair election, which leads to better policy outcomes because elected officials will be truly accountable to the voters they were elected to serve. - Kevin Hancock, director of strategic litigation for the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center

"It's a new dawn for democracy in New Jersey. Power is finally shifting to voters, where it belongs. This decision is years in the making and wouldn't be possible without the efforts of so many in our state working to chip away at the undemocratic and unconstitutional line." - Jesse Burns, executive director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey

We are pleased with the Courts decision and celebrate todays victory alongside voters and all defenders of democracy in this state. We are looking forward to the final disposition making this change permanent and putting an end to the power structures that for too long have hindered New Jersey residents from realizing the potential of this states democratic principles. - Racquel Romans-Henry, policy director of Salvation and Social Justice

Today, the court affirmed what advocates have been saying for years: the power of elections belongs to voters, not politicians and party insiders. This is a historic case that will have ramifications across New Jersey politics for generations to come, but this decision would not have been possible without the decades of tireless advocacy and organizing that preceded it. Now that this voter suppression relic is behind us, it's time to move New Jersey from worst to first on democracy and election transparency. The line was just the first step in continuing to fight for greater access at the polls, same day voter registration, campaign finance transparency, and the New Jersey Voting Rights Act. Today's win belongs to the movement, and though the case may be finished, we aren't done fighting yet." - Amy Torres, executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice

This is a huge win for democracy that will change New Jersey politics forever. The line on our primary ballots concentrates enormous power in the hands of a select few party insiders, and now voters will finally be able to choose their own representatives. This will not only bring fair elections to New Jersey but also result in better policy outcomes now that elected officials will actually be accountable to voters. It took a movement to get us here, and all of the good government advocates, academics, attorneys and candidates working on this deserve an enormous amount of credit for their courage and persistence. - Louis Di Paolo, vice president of New Jersey Policy Perspective

"The decision tramples on the rights of Americans to associate for political activities. This is the highest form of our freedom of association as Americans and is protected by the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The federal court tells us that we may not associate as a political party on the ballot at election time. This is an outrageous destruction of our freedom of association." - Michael J. Donohue, Cape May County Regular Republican Organization chairman

"The decision today, made by an activist judge, will weaken vital Constitutional rights, make elections more expensive, and could empower dark money special interests and Super PACs, leaving yet another stain of this Murphy legacy on New Jersey. Any changes to our election statute should be made legislatively by our elected representatives, not from an appointed judge who's intent on legislating from the bench." - Curtis Bashaw, Republican U.S. Senate candidate

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A proposed tax on highly profitable businesses is not meant to be a permanent solution to NJ Transits funding woes, and the taxs long-term fate would be left up to a future administration, Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday.

The proposed tax  a 2.5% surtax on businesses with more than $10 million in profits  is intended to remain until NJ Transit ultimately gets back on its feet again, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will, Murphy said during a panel about high-growth states hosted by the Volcker Alliance.

But that will be after were gone, added Murphy, whose term ends in January 2026.

The surtax is expected to generate $818 million annually, with most of the money going to NJ Transit. The tax, which would apply retroactively to the first six months of 2024, is meant to fill a $766.8 million deficit in the agencys fiscal year 2026 budget that wont be bridged by 15% fare hikes its board is expected to approve at an April 10 meeting.

While agency officials have found some cost savings that reduced NJ Transits projected deficits as they prepared to meet fiscal cliffs in the next two budgetary years, ridership has struggled to recover to prepandemic levels. Meanwhile, federal funds that kept the agency afloat throughout the COVID-19 crisis will run dry partway through the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Its unclear whether NJ Transit can fill its funding gaps in future years absent revenue from the proposed surtax or a similarly large levy. The agencys budget remains a patchwork filled by fare revenue, diversions, and state subsidies.

During his talk with the Volcker Alliance, a nonpartisan group that aims to improve the efficiency of government, Murphy also addressed the structural deficits present in the current state budget and the budget plan Murphy presented for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The current years budget calls for the state to spend $1.6 billion more than it brings in, and sagging revenue expanded that deficit to roughly $2.2 billion. The governor has proposed a $1.8 billion deficit for the next budget, though that number could rise or fall as budget talks wear on.

The one challenge that we have right now  and its conscious, but we have to make sure that when we walk out of here in a year-and-a-half-plus weve addressed it  and that is we are deliberately running a structural deficit, Murphy told the Volcker panel.

Unlike the federal government, virtually all American states are required to balance their budgets  meaning expenses must equal revenue. When states like New Jersey run structural deficits, they balance budgets by spending down surplus or, in more dire circumstances, by borrowing.

You keep kicking the can down in Washington, indebtedness keeps going up. That cant happen at the state level. It certainly cant happen in Jersey, Murphy said. In the budget context, thats the one to-solve-for challenge before us over the next year-and-a-half-plus.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Steve Gustafson, representing Partners of Scott County Watersheds; Brittany McCall, professor of biology at Augustana who specializes in studying fish in freshwater systems; and Amy Kay, City of Davenport clean water manager.

The event is sponsored by Augustanas Upper Mississippi Center and will be held at 7 p.m. in the Olin Auditorium, 820 38th St., Rock Island. The screening and discussion are both open to the public.

"Moved by Waters" was created by Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle. It depicts projects by organizations, students, teachers, artists, farmers and volunteers of all ages aimed at improving water quality in the Quad-Cities region and the Upper Mississippi Watershed, the release said.

The Moved by Waters story is the opposite of the national narrative, Kelly Rundle said on the website for Fourth Wall Films, the Moline-based production company behind the movie. The national narrative tells us that Americans are too divided politically to work together on anything. The people we met and talked to while making this film showed us the opposite.

The film has previously been screened at the Putnam Museum in Davenport.
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. 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.
A Quad-City Illinois woman with a history of retail theft convictions is facing theft charges in Scott County after she allegedly stole numerous items from five Iowa Quad-City Hy-Vee stores and used her juvenile daughter to help in at least one of the thefts, authorities said.

Linaya Michelle Bennett, 40, whom court records indicate as living in either East Moline or Silvis, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of using a juvenile to commit certain offenses. The charge is a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

Bennett also is charged with one count of second-degree theft, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years, and two counts of third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Scott County Sheriffs Department Reserve Deputy Pamela Robertson, Bennett would fill her cart with items and then at the self-checkout she would scan only a few of the items while pretending to scan each item. She then would pay for those items she truly scanned. Authorities call the ploy skip scanning.

From Dec. 15, 2023, until Feb. 20, 2024, Bennett went to the Hy-Vee stores on West Locust Street, East Kimberly Road and East 53rd Street, West Kimberly Road and on Devils Glen in Bettendorf on 13 dates. During those times she put items totaling $1,699.88 into her cart but paid only a total of $244.15, according to the affidavit.

For instance, according to the affidavits, on Jan. 30 at the East Kimberly Road Hy-Vee, she had $162.97 worth of items in her cart but scanned only a few and paid $18.54. On Feb. 3 at the same Hy-Vee, she had items worth $117.99 in her cart but scanned only a few and paid $9.35.

On Feb. 4 at the Hy-Vee on East 53rd Street, she had items totaling $72.75 in her cart but paid only $1.99.

On Feb. 8 at the East Kimberly Road Hy-Vee, she had items totaling $118.37 in her cart but scanned only a few and paid $7.98.

On Feb. 10 at the Hy-Vee on West Kimberly Road, she put items worth $42.16 into her cart but paid only 99 cents at the self-checkout.

She would then leave the store as though she had paid for each of the items in her cart.

On March 14 at the Hy-Vee on Devils Glenn Road in Bettendorf, Bennett and her daughter conspired to skip scan multiple items and left the store without paying, according to the affidavit.

Bennett was arrested Thursday and booked into the Scott County Jail.

During a first appearance on the charges in Scott County District Court, Bennett waived her right to a preliminary hearing and Magistrate Ryan Beckenbaugh scheduled arraignment for April 18.

Bennett was released from the Scott County Jail after posting a cash-only bond of $5,200.

According to Rock Island County Circuit Court electronic records, Bennett was convicted of two felony counts of theft. She also has Class A misdemeanor convictions on three charges of retail theft and one charge of using a forged credit card.
Rock Island County Democrats say they are ready to fight for democracy and win big this November.

At the forefront of the Democrats argument is that numerous rights  human and civil rights  are on the line again this election cycle. The biggest right on the ballot, Democrats said Thursday night, is women's right to reproductive health.

The sixth Annual Unity Dinner Thursday evening, hosted by the RICo Democrats, featured Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch as the keynote speaker in front of a fired-up crowd saying Illinois is ready unite, organize and win.

"It takes us working together to make big things happen ... we are getting these big things done," Welch said. "We are lifting up middle class families ... helping them cut the cost of prescription drugs ... cut the cost of groceries ... cut millions of dollars in junk fees."

The crowd roared to life numerous times, clapping for Welch and everything he said Illinois had accomplished, from replenishing the rainy-day fund to the nine credit upgrades Illinois has received. To win big this November, he said, Democrats need to reelect Congressional Rep. Eric Sorensen as part of gaining the majority in the U.S. House and reelect State Rep. Gregg Johnson.

"We need to keep building up Democratic majorities in Washington and Springfield for communities all across (the state)," Welch said.

Welch's speech also took digs at Republicans and the former president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, painting a picture of how things will go south if Trump is reelected to the Oval Office. Specifically, Welch emphasized women's reproductive health and the right to choose are on the line.

A women's reproductive health, he said, is between a women and her doctor.

Numerous bills relating to reproductive rights have been signed into law in the state.

"Everyone now looks to Illinois as a beacon of reproductive freedom," Welch said.

Welch also spoke about when Johnson took a moment on House floor in 2023 to share his story regarding his mother, who died because of a medical condition in a pregnancy she was not legally able to terminate. The story, Welch said, moved people to tears.

Johnson's mother, Shirley Hunter Johnson, was pregnant with her fourth child but passed away in 1972 because of severe preeclampsia. The condition made it risky to carry to term and because of the lack of abortion access in pre-Roe v. Wade, she was not able to terminate the pregnancy.

Johnson is being challenged in the November election by Republican Charlie Helmick.

Johnson, who also spoke at the Unity Dinner, said he would continue to fight for women's reproductive rights, workers right to unionize, voting rights, affordable housing and more.

"I love being apart of the great 78," Johnson said, referring to Democrats supermajority in the Illinois House. "I think 81 would be better."

Democrats also took stabs at Iowa elected officials, saying the Iowans were failing their own citizens and taking away basic human rights. Asking to see if Iowa residents from across the river where in the crowd, Johnson told the few in attendance to not give up hope and that there are people who are fighting for their rights.

He said he personally knew one of the candidates running for the Iowa Statehouse: Tracy Jones, his sister. Jones is running for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 94, which includes parts of Scott County.

Sorensen also spoke, emphasizing the importance of retaking control of the House in Congress along with ensuring President Joe Biden is reelected.

Sorensen said everything from women's reproductive rights to workers right and beyond were on the ballot this November.

"It's about being outspoken on living wages ... making sure everybody has a right to organize in a union ... that a child's success is never predetermined (by) the ZIP code they grow up in," Sorensen said. "It's defending a woman's right to choose their own health care ... the right and availability of IVF."

Retired judge Joe McGraw from Winnebago County is challenging Sorensen for his Congress.

The Illinois 17th Congressional District is one of the top districts Republicans are hoping to flip. Sorensen defeated Esther Joy King by just a little more than 5,000 votes in November 2022.

Sen. Mike Halpin, chair of the RICo Democrats, also emphasized the importance of getting out and voting blue. He fired up the crowd early on in the evening, asking to the room full of people, "Who do you want to protect reproductive freedom. ... Who do you want standing by with striking UAW workers for a fair contract?" with the crowd shouting back "JOE".

The threat to unity and the United States democracy was a message Democrats emphasized repeatedly through the night.

"It is up to the people in this room to keep Illinois moving forward," Welch said.

Other guest speakers included Pam Davidson, state central committeewoman for Illinois 17, and Rep. Maurice West who also is a committeeman for Illinois 17.
Being the keeper of thousands of pieces of evidence involves lots of organization and scanning.

Sarah Smith began her career with the city in 1988-1989 and has been with the city ever since, but will bring it to a close on Friday when she retires after more than three decades.

In an interview with the Dispatch-Argus/Quad-City Times, Smith said she has been in her current position as the evidence custodian  or as Smith refers to the job  the "keeper of crap" since 2001.

She was looking for a job, Smith said, and Kathy Witmer, who used to work in the radio room, told her to fill out an application. So, Smith got her foot in the door and worked in the radio room for a little bit.

After that, she worked at the receptionist desk for nine months. She then worked in bookings in the police department for 10 years but she would find herself working as an evidence custodian.

"Kathy told me, 'It'll get in your blood'," Smith said.

On Friday, she is retiring, with Melissa Moody stepping into the role. Moody has been Smith's backup for 10 years, stepping in when extra help is needed and covering for Smith when she is out.

On the same property as the police station but in her own building, Smith oversees a warehouse that has about 25,000 pieces of evidence  all stored in brown paper bags, plastic tubs and locked safes. A few pieces of evidence not bagged on Thursday included a few bikes, a gumball machine and a bunch of backpacks.

Everything, she said, is scanned in when brought over to the evidence warehouse and put in a specific area. Scanning the evidence and organizing it ensures that it is easy to find if needed. A barcode is on all the bags and boxes of evidence.

"There is a method to this madness," Smith said.

About 24 years ago, she said, everything was still being logged by hand before it switched to a digital approach.

The evidence custodian is in charge of keeping track of evidence that comes in and out and organizing it. Most evidence that comes into the warehouse is put into manila envelopes or brown papers bags. One of the first things Smith does is retrieve any evidence in the police station where it has been left for her, already bagged and/or boxed, and hauls it to the evidence building using a metal wagon.

Then, once she gets back into the warehouse she will start organizing the evidence, scan it and eventually put it where it needs to go in the warehouse. Items that have been lost in the city, such as wallets or bikes, are also stored in the evidence warehouse.

One item she recalls receiving and eventually returning to its owner was an urn filled with ashes of their loved one. Someone happened to find it in the cemetery and turned it over to the police station.

She was glad to be able to return it to the rightful owner, knowing the urn meant a lot to them.

Another moment in her career she recalled was when every single piece of evidence had to be moved from the old police station to the new one. Tackling that was no easy task. The new station opened in January 2016 but it took about three months to bring all the evidence over to the new station, Smith said.

Smith spent those three months purging things they were able to get rid of and organizing it to make it easy to unpack as it was being brought over to the new station, she said. Once it was brought over to the new station, everything had to be rescanned to make sure they didn't leave anything behind. But the move was worth it, she said, when she saw how large the evidence warehouse was compared to the seven different rooms being utilized in the old station.

"I saw the storage area and it was like I died and gone to heaven," she said.

While being an evidence custodian comes with its difficulty, Smith said the job has been rewarding  especially when she gets her own building that is away from constant ringing phones. She will be leaving the position in good hands with Moody, she said.

Smith also works with Lt. Tim Muehler. All three just finished working on an audit, which required combing through all of the evidence in the warehouse. The three shook their heads, recalling having about two weeks to finish the audit in which all 20,000-plus pieces of evidence had to be rescanned and matched to their paperwork. Smith looked like a "deer caught in the headlights," Muehler said, when they learned they would have to scan every single barcode on every evidence packet or bag.

The audit, Muehler said, had to be done since Moody will be moving into the position. Moody will be starting Monday, April 1.

"(Smith) is a wealth of knowledge and has done a fantastic job," Muehler said. "She is always here when you needed her."

Moody said she's ready for this new position and knows Smith is only a phone call away if or when she may need some extra help.

Looking over at her two colleagues, Smith said she's "retiring with a dream team", saying the two have always been there for her when and as needed.

As for what is next for Smith  a whole bunch of traveling.

Her first trip includes visiting family in Colorado and help them move to Minnesota. Eventually, she wants to travel to Australia and New Zealand with a group of friends she travels with a lot. Smith said she has been to about 17-18 countries already.

But she isn't totally shutting the warehouse door, as she said she still plans to pop in and help. Becoming the "keeper of crap", she said with a laugh, did get in her blood and she has enjoyed every minute of it.
DES MOINES  Iowa state law enforcement officers and National Guard troops are being sent to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas to assist authorities there with immigration enforcement, Gov. Kim Reynolds office announced.

Eight Iowa State Patrol troopers and two sergeants from the Iowa Department of Public Safety will deploy Sunday for 28 days.

The Iowa National Guard will conduct two missions in Texas: 110 Guard members will support the Texas Military Departments security objectives, deploying April 1 until May 3; another five Guard members will provide ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support, deploying April 1 through Sept. 30.

It will be the third time Reynolds has deployed Iowans to assist Texas authorities with border security. In 2021, she dispatched 30 Iowa State Patrol officers. Last year, Reynolds sent 31 Iowa State Patrol officers and 109 Iowa National Guard troops for separate one-month deployments.

President Biden and his administration have failed to protect the sovereignty of our borders and the safety of the American people. What Texas faces is nothing short of an invasion with historic levels of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs entering our country, Reynolds said in a statement. Now, every state is a border state and with that comes a duty to protect the people of Iowa.

As with previous deployments of Iowa personnel, according to the governors office, all costs related to the latest deployments will be covered by federal pandemic relief funding, from the American Rescue Plan that President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021 and Reynolds opposed.

Last years deployment cost $2 million, according to the governors office.

These deployments will help Texas on the front lines of this crisis, Reynolds said in her 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.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SET SPENDING TARGETS

Iowa House and Senate Republicans are $83 million apart on a proposed state budget of just under $9 billion as the two Republican majority chambers begin the process of setting the next years state spending plan.

Republican leaders in the two chambers announced their respective budget targets Thursday.

Iowas next state budget year begins July 1.

In the current state budget year, the state is projected to spend more than $8.55 billion, according to the states nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

Iowa House Republicans announced a state general fund budget target of $8.95 billion for the next state fiscal year. Iowa Senate Republicans set a target of $8.87 billion.

Gov. Kim Reynolds in January proposed an $8.91 billion state budget.

Every year Senate Republicans have stuck with their budget principles, and this budget target continues that commitment, Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said in a statement. It provides sustainable, responsible funding increases for education, law enforcement and health care while respecting every Iowan who pays taxes to support those services.

Statements from Senate and House Republican leaders indicated further reductions of state taxes can be expected in the final weeks of the current session of the Iowa Legislature.

Iowa House Republicans have once again proposed a responsible funding plan for the state, Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf and chairman of the House budget committee, said in a statement. Our caucus has built a reputation for being responsible with taxpayer money, funding Iowans priorities and returning dollars to Iowans through tax cuts. Iowans expect this of House Republicans, and once again we are prepared to deliver.

House Republicans also published targets for departmental budgets. The Senate announced only its overall spending target.

Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo and the top Democrat on the House budget committee, in a statement criticized legislative Republicans for producing the state budget behind closed doors.

In the closing days of session, House Democrats will be focused on making sure the state budget reflects the priorities of Iowans, not the special interests, Brown-Powers said in the statement. That means putting people over politics to raise wages, lower costs, and invest in public schools.

IOWA HISTORICAL SOCIETY NAMES NEW LEADER

Valerie Van Kooten of Pella has been named the new administrator of the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Van Kooten succeeds Susan Kloewer, who last October was named chief advancement officer for The United Way of Central Iowa.

Van Kooten is owner and founder of Van Kooten Grant Consulting and has served as the executive director of Pella Historical Museums. In the latter, she oversaw a $2.7 million capital fundraising campaign and the renovation of Wyatt Earps boyhood home, according to the state.

I am immensely humbled to take the reins of the State Historical Society of Iowa, as I have loved this institution since I was a little girl, Van Kooten said in a news release.

I am grateful for growing up in a very history-oriented family, which gave me a love for our state and the knowledge that Iowas history must be preserved and promoted. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff at the museum, archives and library, and historic sites.

Van Kooten holds a bachelors degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University and holds one of only 475 Grant Professional Certifications in the country, according to the state.
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
Traveling across South Dakota could have been very different if the Chicago and North Western railroads grand plans had become reality. The little-known renaissance man who led a team of railroad surveyors across the state is the focus of a newly released book, We Suffered Much.

Award-winning author Cindy Wilson chronicles the true story of surveyor Charles Wood Irish and the creation of the railroad from Tracy, Minn., to Pierre, S.D., as well as the survey west of the Missouri River for the Chicago and North Western Railroad. By gleaning material from diaries, personal letters and contemporary newspapers, Wilson pieced together and tells of Irishs experiences leading the survey.

This was such an amazing project, said Wilson, who lives near Mankato, Minn., and frequently visits South Dakota. Theres so much about that set of years in the entire South Dakota history that has been lost, that has relevance still. Im really excited for people to read these stories.

From 1879 to early 1881, Irish and his team surveyed for a possible railroad. Irish was the lead surveyor, and he was the conduit between officials with Chicago and North Western and the men on the survey team.

He did an excellent job of it, Wilson said. He was professional and competent.

The surveyors explored across the Great Sioux Reservation, looking for a way to get a railroad line from Fort Pierre to the Forks, where the Belle Fourche empties into the Cheyenne, and on to Deadwood, Wilson said.

Wilson describes the surveyors journey as one of work, extraordinary adventures, sickness, hardiness and extreme circumstances. Over the course of their expedition, the surveyors sometimes endured heat of more than 100 degrees in the summer and mosquitoes by the millions night and day, according to Irishs diaries, Wilson said.

The surveyors also weathered an October blizzard in canvas tents while camped north of Wall. The survey expedition ended during the harsh winter of 1880-1881  famously chronicled in Laura Ingalls Wilders book The Long Winter.

I cant even imagine what it was like for them to experience that blizzard, Wilson said. The plan had been to continue surveying all winter, but the winter was so awful the survey got called to a halt. They were about halfway between Fort Pierre and the modern town of Philip when the survey was called off.

In the 1800s, Wilson said Chicago and North Western railroad company had envisioned a railway system across South Dakota. According to Wilsons research, Chicago and North Western imagined Sturgis would become the hub in the Black Hills.

Instead, over time Rapid City became the major city in the Black Hills. In her research, Wilson found articles written by reporters who spoke with Chicago and North Western executives about the railroads big plans to expand west that ultimately never happened.

There had been a negotiation that took place with the Lakota that allowed the (railroad) survey to happen west of the Missouri in 1880. That agreement only covered a survey. Chicago and North Western didnt have permission to actually build any tracks, and Congress was really slow in ratifying anything, Wilson said. That was a really hard time for the Lakota.

Chicago and North Western was not anxious to push for access to lay tracks but they still wanted to expand into the Black Hills. The railroad finally came north out of Nebraska instead of crossing western South Dakota.

Rick Mills, curator and historian at the South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City, describes We Suffered Much as a masterful look at a more-often-than-not overlooked time in the development of the northern plains.

Retracing the surveyors path

To research We Suffered Much, Wilson retraced Irishs journey. She sleuthed out camp locations, explored sites with modern landowners, gained access to rare maps, and more.

Wilson is an avid hiker and bicyclist who particularly enjoys the Mickelson Trail and hiking near Hill City. As she read Irishs diaries and descriptions of where the surveyors traveled and camped, she set out to explore more of South Dakota to find the locations.

I became really curious about where that campsite was (where they spent the October blizzard) and what it was like and what they experienced, and theres a whole odyssey, Wilson said.

Some locations described in Irishs diaries are now on privately owned land. Wilson said she traveled all the way across South Dakota.

I scoured the entire route, and some places I wasnt sure where he was. (I did) lots of wandering because the descriptions (in Irishs diaries) werent clear enough, Wilson said.

I did a lot of on the ground walking around camp locations where the men were all along the route. I was meeting homeowners and being invited onto property. Theres a couple of research moments where we were hoping to see where (a campsite or location was) and I ended up in a ranch owners pickup being taken to the foundations of a building, Wilson said, describing her own efforts to follow the surveyors path.

William Anderson, author and historian, praised We Suffered Much as a latter-day Lewis and Clark expedition narrative.

Renaissance man

Wilson spent four years researching and writing We Suffered Much, and as she did, Wilson gained great admiration for Irish. She describes him as a Renaissance man of varied talents and interests.

He was smart and articulate and curious. He loved the sciences, Wilson said. If he learned about something, he would go and explore more and he wanted to understand it. Hes fascinating and wonderful.

She first discovered Irish while researching her first book about the winter of 1880-1881, and she came across Irishs diaries in a library in Iowa City, Iowa. His collection of diaries cover a couple of decades, Wilson said. She focused on reading about two years worth of diaries that cover the era of the survey expedition.

They were so fascinating. He seems to run into a lot of the whos who of the early pioneer era, Wilson said. The story was just so good. I wanted to flesh it out more.  Those diary entries are so fascinating and intriguing to me. Thats where this whole book bloomed from.

Irish was also a devoted family man who had a wife and two daughters Wilson describes as adventurous and capable.

He had two daughters who were in their early 20s. They are almost as fascinating as he is. They had strong personalities and were independent and were every bit as comfortable in society as they were riding horseback on the Dakota plains, she said.

He was not your typical Victorian-era father, said Wilson, noting a letter in which he counseled one of his daughters not to saddle yourself with a husband for the sake of a husband.

We Suffered Much can be purchased through ItascaBooks.com and other online retailers. Go to cindywilson-author.com for more information. Readers can meet Wilson at the 2024 History Conference of the South Dakota State Historical Society on April 5 and 6 at the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre.

Wilson is working on her next book, which will document the history of the Stockman House in Mason City, Iowa, where she works as a tour guide. The 1908 structure was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is considered a prime example of his Prairie School Style. She is also the author of The Beautiful Snow: The Ingalls Family, the Railroads and the Hard Winter of 1880-81, which documents the true story of the winter described in The Long Winter.
A tribal councilman representing the Medicine Root District on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation appeared Friday at the federal courthouse in Rapid City to face rape charges.

A federal grand jury charged Howard Rooks on March 21 with aggravated sexual assault and sexual abuse. Rooks allegedly assaulted a 13-year-old girl on Aug. 13, 2023. Both charges carry the potential of a life sentence.

Rooks pleaded not guilty when he appeared in custody before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann. Assistant Federal Public Defender David Barari accompanied him. Barari stood in for Jenn Albertson, the assistant federal public defender appointed to the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox asked the judge to keep Rooks detained as his case is pending. She said there would be no way to ensure the community's safety and the victim's safety if Rooks is released in Kyle, and several children live at one of the locations the defense suggested for his release. The other location lacks electricity.

Barari said there is no risk Rooks would flee. He highlighted his past military service and his position as a councilman, which Barari said "speaks to the respect and establishment he has in the community."

He said Rooks has family support, and his wife and daughter attended the hearing. The family has worked on getting electricity in the second location option, Barari said.

Wollmann released Rooks to Community Alternative of the Black Hills, a halfway house in Rapid City. She said the facility is an option when a defendant cannot be released into the community. Wollmann said she could not release Rooks where there are children.

The alleged victim's mother told the Journal after the hearing she felt the judge was lenient, and there is evidence against him.

"I just want [her] to be heard, and I don't want her hurt," she said. "... and if there's any other girls, they don't have to be scared to come up and say something against him."

Susan Shangreaux, director of the Oglala Sioux Tribe's Victim Services program, told the Journal Rooks was suspended from the tribal council on Tuesday in a closed-door hearing.

Rooks appeared and voted on agenda items at the council's Tuesday meeting, but he was absent from the Wednesday meeting.

The Journal reached out to Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out, Vice President Alicia Mousseau and Secretary Stacy Two Lance on Friday to confirm the suspension, but did not receive a response.
Prosecutors want to file an additional felony sex charge against a man accused of raping a 7-year-old girl in Butte, alleging he also showed her pornographic videos that she said included other girls and boys.

Public defenders for 56-year-old Raul Beltran have filed new motions in the case, too, one seeking a change-of-venue because of media coverage and another claiming police did not read Beltran his Miranda rights soon enough.

The media coverage cited includes Montana Standard stories about Beltrans case, his prior prison time for statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in Helena, and Facebook postings from readers that defense attorneys say are inflammatory and include death threats.

The postings include murdochs is having a spring sale on wood chippers, time for a tall tree and a short rope and he should die for his actions, defense lawyers say, claiming that and other pretrial publicity will make it hard to field an impartial jury here.

Prosecutors have not formally responded to the defense claims but District Judge Robert Whelan gets final say on motions from both sides, including the states request to add an additional charge of sexual abuse of children.

As of mid-day Friday, Whelan had not ruled on the motions or his rulings had not yet been filed.

Ann Shea, the lead prosecutor in the case, has not filed formal, legal responses to the defense requests but did say change-of-venue motions are rarely filed and she knows of none granted in Butte-Silver Bow during her 15 years as a prosecutor here.

As it stands, Beltran has been charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent, or in the alternative, sexual assault. He was arrested on Jan. 30, pleaded not guilty on Feb. 28 and remained jailed Friday with bail set at $500,000.

Sexual intercourse without consent, with the ages involved in this case, carries a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison with no possibility of parole for the first 25 years. Sexual assault in this case is punishable by up to life in prison or 100 years.

Beltran was previously convicted of incest involving a 13-year-old girl in Helena in 2005. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with 20 of them suspended, and was paroled in late 2020.

According to prosecutors, Beltran performed oral sex on a 7-year-old girl in Butte and had her do sex acts to him at his apartment. The girls parents found a video the girl had taken of her vaginal area on Jan. 15 to see what it looked like and she told them about the incidents.

Prosecutors are now seeking authorization from Judge Whelan to add a charge of sexual abuse of children, which carries a minimum sentence of four years and maximum of 100. The charge typically involves child sex acts and photos or videos.

In a forensic interview, the girl told police that Beltran showed her cellphone videos of two naked people doing private stuff and there are other girls and boys in the videos. State investigators have since obtained the videos and corroborated the girls statements, prosecutors say, justifying the additional charge.

Angie Rolando, a public defender representing Beltran, says some statements he made to police should be suppressed as evidence because officers had not yet read him his Miranda rights.

She also says a change-of-venue is justified.

Due to Silver Bow Countys small population, news of Mr. Beltrans charges and previous conviction has spread throughout the community, and it is unlikely that jurors will be able to be selected from the community who are not already aware of Mr. Beltrans charges and who have not already formed their opinions of the case, Rolandos motion states.

She says the Facebook postings are inflammatory pretrial publicity that have already prejudiced the community against him.

Even if Beltran is able to post the $500,000 bail or a reduced amount, the Montana Department of Corrections has a hold on him because of possible parole violations and he would remain in DOC custody pending further proceedings.
A Richmond man this week pleaded guilty to firearm and drug trafficking charges after Richmond police and Virginia State Police detectives seized thousands of dollars worth of cocaine from his home.

According to court documents, Errez Tekel Perry, 30, was arrested by authorities on Sept. 19 after detectives who were surveilling his residence observed a suspected drug transaction.

Immediately following the reported drug deal, detectives serving a search warrant breached Perrys home after he did not respond when they announced their presence, according to court records. Perry fled into the bedroom of the residence, but was quickly detained.

Inside the home, investigators found ammunition and multiple guns, as well as 64 grams of cocaine, packages of Suboxone, baggies of marijuana, numerous pills, digital scales and a cash counter.

Police also seized over $18,000 in cash from the residence, court records show.

Perry was charged with possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, according to an indictment filed in December. He pleaded guilty to the charges on Wednesday.

He is scheduled for sentencing on July 30 and faces up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Perry in 2012 was convicted of distributing cocaine, possession with intent to distribute heroin and illegal possession of a firearm. He was sentenced in 2015 to 10 years in prison with 9 years and 4 months suspended.

Easter in Richmond over the years
China's internet audio, video convention focuses on new technologies

Xinhua) 09:49, March 29, 2024

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)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Last year, 10 police recruits arrived in Richmond as strangers. After eight months of grueling training, they became family as graduating members of the Richmond Police Departments 127th Basic Recruit Class.

Despite different backgrounds in this class, we were able to become a highly capable team with a common goal of service to this city and country, class president Officer Randolph Reynolds III said during his address. It has been a pleasure watching each of my peers growing in knowledge and ability through the duration of this training program.

RPD held the graduation at its training academy Thursday, celebrating a diverse group of recruits-turned-officers who followed their own unique paths.

Officer Oswald Brown, 36, was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, before immigrating to the U.S. in 2010. Before moving to Richmond with his family, he worked as a postal carrier in New Jersey for three years.

Brown looked into becoming a postal police officer, but found that he wanted to do a different type of policing. He discovered RPD through an officer friend and was eventually accepted into the academy.

Its a great feeling, Brown said about graduating. Being an officer, knowing the laws that we have to abide by and what weve got to enforce to serve this great city, I cant wait to get out there to make it a reality.

After being sworn in, the officers received their badges and had them pinned on their uniforms by loved ones and mentors. The graduating class also recited the law enforcement code of ethics before being dismissed.

Officer Olivia Manning, 23, of Mathews, was the lone woman among the new graduates. While she found it hard not having another woman in the locker room to speak with, she said her fellow recruits were very welcoming and that RPD treated everyone as family.

I dont think I ever felt like I had to live up to something, Manning said. They treated me as their equal, and Ive experienced that this whole time.

As RPD and other departments across the country deal with police shortages, the new crop of officers provides a needed boost to the citys ranks.

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards credited the officers family members for their support.

There will be long and hard days ahead, so today is the start of it, Edwards said. Theyve chosen a difficult but noble profession and, with your help, theyll be successful.

The officers were put through the ringer during training: running for miles, making their way through obstacle courses, dealing with uncomfortable scenarios such as being gassed or interacting with hostile people.

Its just a mental thing, officer Jermaine Alvis said. You have to motivate yourself every day knowing that you are doing this for a purpose, and you have a reason behind it. Our class always pulled together, trying to encourage each other never to give up.

Alvis, 44, a former sergeant with the Va. Department of Corrections, came to the U.S. from Spanish Town, Jamaica. He was visiting Richmond when he met his wife, Keya, and decided to stay in town. Alvis visited RPD after being invited by a friend in the department and came away impressed by the experience. Soon, Alvis applied to the academy and completed his training.

I feel accomplished because its been a long, hard road, Alvis said. I love it.

The newly minted officers have been assigned to their precincts and will undergo eight weeks of field training. After finally getting past the training academy, they are excited to patrol Richmond as they work to protect and serve the city.

Im most looking forward to interacting with the community, Manning said. Meeting the different people that live out there and trying to help them in any way I can.

Collection: RPD 127th Basic Recruit Class Graduation
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship originally scheduled to arrive in Baltimore will now be heading to Norfolk following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Vision of the Seas, a 2,500-passenger vessel, was scheduled to return to Baltimore on April 4, but will instead debark its guests in Norfolk, cruise ship terminal Nauticus said in a statement. Many passengers will take buses back to their vehicles in Baltimore.

The ship will depart for two additional cruises from Norfolk on April 4 and April 12, returning a final time April 19.

The bridge collapsed Tuesday, killing six people on a construction crew working on the span, after the cargo ship Dali hit one of its supports.

As cruise ships reroute to Nauticus, the Port of Virginia is ready to receive diverted cargo traffic from the Port of Baltimore. The collapsed bridge blocks the only channel in and out of the port on the Patapsco River. The port will be unable to receive shipping traffic until the channel is cleared, and stands to lose an estimated $15 million per day in economic activity.
The Virginia Board of Education on Thursday voted 7-1 to change the school accreditation model that will now publicly rank each Virginia school in a system with at least four performance categories.

The new system could develop into a school rating score signified by a number of stars or different category labels for schools.

Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration has long criticized Virginias current accreditation system, saying that it is confusing for parents and lacks transparency. The governor announced in 2022 that he would overhaul the states accreditation system.

Virginias current accreditation system designates schools as accredited, accredited with conditions or not accredited. This school year, 89% of Virginia schools are fully accredited and 11% are accredited with conditions.

We need to be clear that what the (Youngkin) administration is proposing here is an A through F grading system for schools, said board member Anne Holton, who was appointed in 2017 by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe and again in 2021 by Gov. Ralph Northam, both Democrats.

Holton, a former state secretary of education in McAuliffes administration, is the only remaining member of the nine-person board who was not appointed by Youngkin, a Republican.

That may not be entirely obvious, since crucial provisions are buried in 60 pages of regulations that were only shared publicly a few days ago, and they havent been highlighted in the presentations, but thats what this is, Holton said. It may get labeled with stars or something else instead of letter grades in an attempt to soften the blow.

Board members last fall said they did not prefer an A-F system, but the regulation the panel approved Thursday does not preclude the board from making that decision in the future.

On Thursday, board member Andy Rotherham, a Youngkin appointee who also served on the board from 2005 to 2009 as an appointee of Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, pushed back on Holtons criticisms of the adopted system.

He said the grade does not have to be an A to F system, and that talking about it as such is a way to get everybody spun out and create a  big political storm.

You can call it a blow, but Ms. Holton, respectfully, telling the truth is not a blow. It is our obligation, and its an obligation we have failed for far, far too long, said Rotherham, who is a co-founder of the national nonprofit Bellwether.

The A-F school rating system is used in at least 10 other states including Florida and North Carolina, but is generally not viewed favorably in Virginia and has been voted down by the state legislature.

Holton cites school segregation

Holton, at Thursdays meeting, said the system will likely exacerbate school segregation, and nearly every other board member at the meeting pushed back on her statements.

Holton said, Its not hard to understand how that works  when you label some schools as C, D or F schools, families  and teachers  who can afford to will be incentivized to move away from those schools, leaving behind the neediest students  mostly Black and brown students  and the least experienced teachers. Those schools will then spiral further behind.

Rotherham said that while residential segregation is a problem, the remedy is not to lie to the public about school performance.

A wave of states implemented rating systems between 2012 and 2015 toward the end of the No Child Left Behind Act. The federal law that President George W. Bush signed in 2002 and was replaced in 2015 significantly increased the federal role in holding schools responsible for students academic progress. Experimental studies are just now coming out, as about 10 years have passed since the states implemented the new rating systems.

New research that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology released Thursday says most school rating systems reflect the race of the student body and not quality.

Simple measures of school quality, which are based on the average statistics for the school, are invariably highly correlated with race, and those measures tend to be a misleading guide of what you can expect by sending your child to that school, wrote MIT economist Josh Angrist.

Rotherham said school choice  allowing families to decide where they want to attend school  is a more logical way to address school segregation.

We can start there if you want to address segregation. We can stop treating school district boundaries as international borders and only allow mostly affluent kids  to move across them  (and) trap poor kids in other districts, Rotherham said.

Youngkin has long criticized the states current accreditation system, asserting that it does not reflect the learning loss and achievement gaps Virginias students face, and that it fails to provide a clear picture of the academic achievement of Virginias schools for parents, teachers and local school divisions.

Under the current system, more than half of the students in schools that are not fully accredited are Black, although Black students make up only about 20% of Virginias student enrollment overall.

Critics of the new system say they fear that moving back toward a higher weight on proficiency could revert the state to where it was in 2014-2016, when the accreditation system was more racialized than it is now.

Virginia spends less on a per-student basis, on average, in schools that do not have full accreditation compared to schools that do, according to the most recent school finance data.

During Thursdays meeting, Virginia Education Association President James Fedderman asked the board not to adopt a system that would place schools into such performance categories.

A summative score such as star ratings or letter grades would not provide the level of nuance parents need to make informed decisions, Fedderman said during the public comment period. Parents could easily be misguided by a summative score based mostly on mastery to enroll their students in a school with high pass rates but low growth.

As weve seen in other states, this type of summative score may also contribute to worsening racial segregation in our schools.

Board member Bill Hansen called Holtons comments about school segregation offensive and said there is no better leveling agent than school choice.

The changes adopted Thursday are now posted for a 60-day public comment period.

Mastery, or growth?

The new model that the board approved weighs proficiency scores more heavily than it weighs student growth for elementary school students in the accreditation scores.

Critics say the move does not take into consideration that young students enter school with achievement gaps that have nothing to do with the school.

On Wednesday  the first day of the boards two-day meeting  Youngkin appointee Amber Northern, the senior vice president for research at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, pushed for higher growth weightings and floated the idea of weighing growth at 40% for elementary school.

The board has not yet defined measurements for growth and proficiency, so the debate around which aspects to weigh more heavily is largely theoretical.

We can have a rigorous growth bar and then a mastery bar thats dirt low, Northern said Wednesday. Just by saying mastery is going to be 70% in no way guarantees that were holding anybodys foot to the fire, because we havent even set the mastery score bar yet.

Last fall, the board held listening tours across the state, and the summary of that feedback says there was general agreement growth should be, at least, weighted equally to achievement if not more.

During the boards lunch break on Wednesday, Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera urged the board to adopt a system with a higher emphasis on mastery.

Although the debate on growth versus proficiency was contested, the board ultimately voted 7-1 on Thursday to adopt a system that weighs content mastery at 65%, growth at 25% and readiness at 10% for elementary school students.

There was less debate around middle school and high school because there is widespread agreement that at those stages students should be evaluated on whether they have mastered the content.

PHOTOS: Fishing around Mayo Island
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday announced he has vetoed seven more bills, including measures to set up a legal market to sell cannabis and to increase the state's minimum wage.

In 2021, Virginia 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 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."

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."

Chelsea Higgs Wise, who oversees a group called Marijuana Justice, said she was not surprised to see Youngkin veto the bills.

The legislation had the chance to repair the harm done by old marijuana laws, she said, adding that the bill to create a legal market would have brought needed tax revenue to the state.

Wise called Youngkins position on the effects of legal sales on health and safety a list of misinformation that continues the drug war. Wise said research indicates marijuana becomes safer once under a legal and regulated market.

The bill would have created a framework in which marijuana would have been tested, packaged and clearly labeled. These days, buyers cannot always be assured what is in the cannabis products they purchase.

Demand for marijuana has been strong since the state legalized possession in 2021. There is a $2 billion market for cannabis products in Virginia, and it is all illegal and untaxed. Twenty-three states have legalized recreational cannabis sales, Wise said.

As for Senate Bill 696, which could have freed people imprisoned for marijuana charges, Youngkin said the bill could have reduced sentences of people convicted of violent offenses or selling other illegal drugs, such as fentanyl.

Wise pointed out that the bill did not guarantee any prisoners release. It only guaranteed a hearing, in which a judge would determine if the imprisoned person deserved a suspended sentence. Judges should be trusted to consider the totality of a persons charges, Wise said.

The vetoes continue the targeted war on drugs with a war on Black and brown communities, she said.

Rouse, who sponsored the Senate bill to legalize sales, said Youngkin is neglecting the problem of illegal marijuana sales in the state and cherry-picking which problems to address.

Krizek, who sponsored the House bill, said the veto will exacerbate the proliferation of illicit products, posing a greater risk to schools and public safety.

Minimum wage hike vetoed

The governor's 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.

More than 400 bishops, clergy and religious leaders from across the state recently urged Youngkin to accept the legislation to raise the minimum wage. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy said the hikes would mean a pay increase for 611,000 Virginians.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce said in a statement Thursday: "The Governors action to veto this wage increase helps to protect Virginias overall economic competitiveness and business climate."

Record-breaking veto pace

Youngkin is plowing through hundreds of bills that the legislature passed in the session that ended March 9. The governor said Thursday that he had signed 100 more measures, which means he has now signed 230 of this year's bills to date.

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.

The governor faces an April 8 deadline to sign, veto or seek to amend legislation. Virginia lawmakers return to Richmond on April 17 to take up the governor's 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 Youngkin's top legislative priority. Ted Leonsis, owner of the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's 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 precede their efforts to reach agreement on the two-year budget for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
Air and sea search launched after report of floating body off coast of Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  UPDATED: Local authorities began an air and sea search after the report of a floating body. Area fishermen made the discovery late Friday morning off the coast of Puerto Morelos.

It was around 11:00 a.m. when a navy vessel was deployed in choppy waters with assistance from private boats in search of the body. A state helicopter was also used to help in the rescue mission.

Local fishermen reported the sighting Friday morning after coming across a naked adult body floating face down. Due to strong winds, the search and recovery continues to take a significant amount of time.

As of the time of reporting, authorities had still not reported finding the body seen by Puerto Morelos fishermen.

In a brief social media post, the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) said SSC carries out search and rescue work following reports of a drowning. The Secretariat of Citizen Security, in coordination with the Secretariat of the Navy, carried out an air and sea operation following the report of a body floating in the sea in the municipality of Puerto Morelos.

Area fishermen videoed the body they saw floating near Puerto Morelos. Photo: March 29, 2024.

With the support of private vessels, the location where the body was found is being monitored and the Attorney Generals Office of the State of Quintana Roo was notified.

A naval vessel is assisted by a private boat in search of the floating body.

Photo: SSC March 29, 2024.

Visitors and residents are recommended to respect the instructions of the Quintana Roo State Civil Protection Coordination as well as the marking of the flags on the sandy beaches.

Authorities search by air for the body off Puerto Morelos. Photo: SSC March 29, 2024.

A majority of local beaches have red (danger) flags posted in the sand due to the strong winds. The SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) has not said if they believe the deceased to be someone reported missing-drowned from a local beach of if it is a separate type of incident.

UPDATE: Local authorities have recovered the body of a woman reported floating off the coast of Puerto Morelos.

The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Ana Victoria A from Argentina. According to Argentina newspaper Clarin, the woman was a photographer and had arrived in Playa del Carmen in December of 2023.
BLACKSBURG  Dick Arnold has been helping to start churches in eastern Europe for over 25 years.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2021, he and fellow members of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church started working to keep one going.

The Blacksburg church has partnered with Spring of Life United Methodist Church in Kyiv since 1997, largely through the efforts and connections of Arnold. Before 2021, the pastors and members of both churches would make regular visits.

Their pastor Vladimir Khabryko, and his wife Mila have visited us four times, and teams from here have visited Kyiv five times, Arnold said during remarks at United Methodist. Each time we go, we are in awe of their own outreach ministries, which includes; a local autistic center, a cystic fibrosis center, and with women in a nearby jail.

In the sanctuary of the Blacksburg church, gifts from the church in Kyiv are prominently displayed. On the altar is a wooden Ukrainian egg, and on the wall is a quilt. More recently, a framed Ukrainian flag has been added to the sanctuary display.

When war broke out, members of the church in Kyiv fled the city. The pastor and his wife escaped to Poland, and others went the Czech Republic or other parts of Ukraine, but the churches have stayed in contact, and Blacksburg United Methodist has continued to provide support.

Since the invasion, weve contributed somewhere around $140,000, Arnold said. Not all of that is from members of our church, but from members of the whole community.

Those contributions have, according to Arnold, kept the Ukrainian church and its ministries going through the war, and even helped members of the church conduct their own outreach there.

Brad Dulaney, the head pastor at Blacksburg United Methodist, said that while his church has remained in contact with Spring of Life, hes been more impressed with how the members of the Ukrainian church have stayed connected.

Despite the fact that the church was dispersed, they were getting together on Zoom for conversation, for prayer, for worship together even, Dulaney said.

Money from the church in Blacksburg has gone toward more than keeping the church in Kyiv alive. According to Dulaney, the money has gone toward keeping people alive and paying for necessities.

The financial support has primarily just been used to assist their families, Dulaney said. Helping them with food or, for some families that lost homes, helping them with housing.

One church member in Kyiv, who could not leave the country, used some of the funds sent from Blacksburg to open a refugee camp in western Ukraine.

Local authorities basically gave him full-use of this empty school, Dulaney said. And its housed hundreds of people, so we assisted with that.

In the run-up to Easter, Blacksburg United Methodist has placed Ukrainian flags outside their building, and given out Ukrainian flag decals to members to announce their support, and their Ukraine ministry. They are also requesting more donations, and hope to send $15,000 to the church in Kyiv after the Easter holiday, according to Arnold.

Arnold was instrumental in getting the Spring of Life Methodist Church started in Kyiv, and the relationship between the churches started well before Dulaneys tenure as pastor. When the war began, Arnold said that they asked the church for a list of what they needed, which the Blacksburg church provided.

Dulaney said hes been amazed to see the perseverance of the members of the Spring of Life church.

I told them during our last Zoom call, Ive experienced and seen Christ in you all in such beautiful ways, Dulaney said. Ive witnessed their continued faith and sort of, almost an irrational sense of hope that theyve had through all of this. When I see that, its a gift for all of us.
The story of Callery pear trees, more commonly known as Bradford pear trees, has sprouted over the years.

They are now blooming now throughout the commonwealth, with the their fishy aroma.

And there are a lot more of these trees than there used to be.

That is because the Callery pear is an invasive species  one of the worst in the Southeast  and its rapidly spreading from Virginias urban landscapes to disturbed areas such as roadsides and even into forests, according to a Virginia Tech news release.

In areas without active vegetation control, such as roadsides and road interchanges, you see a proliferation of Callery pear. There are some areas along roads that are now 100 percent Callery pear trees, said Eric Wiseman, associate professor of urban forestry and arboriculture and Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.

They are also very hard to control. If you cut the stem back at ground level, it will still grow from the root, so all youve done is cut the plant back, not kill it, he said.

The Virginia Department of Forestry now offers an exchange program through which landowners can remove a Callery pear and receive a native tree replacement. More about the program can be found at dof.virginia.gov.

Pear trees have widely used as ornamental landscape trees since the 1970s.

Unfortunately, pear trees produce fertile seeds that are readily spread by birds. These wild-growing seedlings are tolerant of harsh growing conditions and thrive in poor soil, which means they can pop up practically anywhere, according to the release.

Callery pears spread easily and can form dense thickets. These thickets leaf out early and outcompete native plant species growing around them, reducing biodiversity. The sharp thorns that grow on wild-growing Callery pear seedlings make them difficult  and painful  to manage.

A few native alternatives to Bradford or other Callery pear cultivars, according to the release, include the following: flowering dogwood, serviceberry, green hawthorn, chokecherry and white fringe tree.

A few nonnative alternatives to Bradford or other Callery pear cultivars, according to the release: katsuratree, paperbark maple, Japanese snowbell and smoketree.

- The Roanoke Times
Roanoke Councilman Luke Priddy announced Friday that he will not run for reelection.

Priddy, a Democrat, was elected in 2022 to fill an unexpired term on the City Council.

Please be assured, I will continue to dedicate myself to develop, advance, and promote a legislative program setting forth the needs of the city and its school system, Priddy said. And I remain committed to all of the duties incumbent upon me as a council member for the city of Roanoke.

Priddy has become increasingly outspoken about the way the current city council conducts its business. During a phone call last week, Priddy said his top priority is promoting good government.

I get the perception that this council kind of already has its decisions made before things are brought forward, Priddy said. I dont think that thats good at building public trust.

On social media last week, he posted frustrations about recent decisions, which include split council votes on zoning reform, as well as land plans for Evans Spring in the citys northwest.

If youve seen many of the recent decisions, then you should know: the goose is cooked and the fix is in, Priddy wrote. If youve enjoyed the politicization of recent events, strap yourself in, its about to get a lot worse.

Priddys two years on city council, ending Dec. 31, filled out the remainder of former councilman Robert Jeffreys term. Jeffrey served prison time for a series of fraud convictions.

Priddy chairs the councils legislative committee. He works as a staffer in state legislature, including this year with Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax County, who chaired the transportation committee.

Previously, Priddy was chief of staff for former state Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke.

He entered the Democratic Party primary election for Virginias 4th Senate District last year, in a contest that fellow Councilwoman Trish White-Boyd won. Republican Sen. David Suetterlein won reelection in the general election.

Three city council seats and the office of mayor are up for election in Roanoke this year.

Priddy was the fourth and final council member to announce candidacy status for 2024 elections, before the filing deadline next week. In addition to Priddy, White-Boyd and Lea are also not seeking reelection.

The only current city council member seeking reelection is Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds, who is running as an independent candidate for mayor. Vice Mayor Joe Cobb, a Democrat, is also running for mayor, though his current council term does not expire until the end of 2026.

Former Mayor David Bowers is also running to return to the city council as mayor, this time as a Republican.

For city council, two Republicans, Nick Hagen and Jim Garrett, are in the process of filling out their candidate paperwork ahead of the April 4 deadline, according to the Roanoke registrars office on Friday.

Also in the process of filing as a Democratic candidate is Jamaal Jackson.

Already announced as Democratic candidates for city council are Phazhon Nash, Terry McGuire and Benjamin Woods.

A Democratic primary election is scheduled for June 18. After that, Election Day is Nov. 5.
ROCKY MOUNT  Veterans were honored at a special ceremony held on Friday as part of Vietnam War Veterans Day.

More than a dozen Vietnam era veterans were in attendance for the event held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10840 of Penhook. The group has held the ceremony nearly every year since 2017 when March 29 was officially recognized as Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The date, March 29, holds special significance in the Vietnam War. On that day in 1973, the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. It is also the date the last prisoners of war held in Vietnam were released.

Today were are here to honor the men and women who served this great nation, said Ken Barron, commander of VFW Post 10840, who led the ceremony.

Unlike previous wars, Barron said Vietnam veterans did not receive the same welcome of those veterans who returned from previous wars. He said they returned to a country that did not honor or respect them at the time.

According to the Pew Research Center, there are 5.6 million living veterans who served during the Vietnam War era. Barron said those veterans currently make up the majority of all veteran organizations in the United States including local VFW posts.

So today, the true band of brothers is still fighting for each other to protect the rights they have earned as American warriors, Barron said.

Following the presentation by Barron, the Martinsville-Henry County Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute and played taps while veterans in attendance stood at attention. A Missing Man Table ceremony was also held to honor prisoners of war and those soldiers still missing in action.

Vietnam Veteran Ronnie Haskins of Penhook said he appreciated the creation of Vietnam War Veterans Day and honoring those veterans who served. He joined the U.S. Army in 1965.

Attitudes on the war have slowly changed over the years, Haskins said. Vietnam veterans who faced abuse when they came home are finally being honored.

President Barack Obama first proclaimed March 29 for the remembrance in 2012. President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act in 2017 officially recognizing March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Its very overdue, Haskins said.
The Santa Maria Police Department in conjunction with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District will be hosting a fentanyl awareness presentation Tuesday, March 26, at Allan Hancock College Boyd Concert Hall located in building F, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Say you work at a fast food restaurant or coffee shop that bears the name of a national chain. Under California law, youre entitled to be paid at least $20 an hour starting Monday.
The Biden administration has restored rules to protect imperiled plants and animals that had been rolled back under former President Donald Trump
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
While they're still a nascent phenomenon in the U.S., virtual influencers are already a major marketing tool in Asian countries. In addition to Rozy, there's also Lucy, a virtual influencer created by Korean retail brand Lotte Home Shopping. In China, research has found that nearly two-thirds of Chinese internet users follow computer-generated celebrities, according to a 2021 article in business publication Jing Daily.

"The space has evolved in both form (medium) and popularity reach," explains Christopher Travers. He's the founder and editor-in-chief of VirtualHumans.org, a website that reports upon and analyzes the virtual influencer industry.

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"Virtual influencers started primarily in the cartoon medium, then expanded as creative technologies lowered the barrier to entry to generate compelling art (sometimes referred to as content)," Travers says via email. "Now, as the tools to generate compelling virtual media continue to evolve and facilitate more varied and advanced forms of creation, the nature of the media we consume evolves with it. That being said, all signs point to continued advancements on the virtual creator tools front, indicating an increased supply of virtual, gaming and avatar media. This matches a growing demand for the same media driven by the aging up of generations raised on this content (e.g., kids raised on iPads or playing video games)."

In their brief existence, virtual influencers already have evolved significantly.

"Early virtual influencers were more hand-crafted  CGI was used to make the form, and motion capture of real human actors was used to produce realistic motion," explains Peter J. Bentley via email. He's an honorary professor and teaching fellow in the department of computer science, University College London, who has held positions at several other institutions in the U.K. and Asia, and has published more than 300 scientific papers and several books on computing.

"Today we can use generative machine learning (AI) to create photorealistic artificial bodies, faces and voices automatically and so-called 'deepfake' technology to substitute the face and/or bodies of anyone in a video," Bentley continues. "This means the creation of virtual influencers becomes considerably easier. Eventually AI will be able to generate bodies and behaviors without human actors; however, getting them to say and do the right thing at all times may still need the help of humans for a while."
FLORENCE, S.C.  Francis Marion Universitys School of Business honored Cherry Drulis with the 2024 Morgan B. Coker Outstanding Alumni award at its annual alumni reception held at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence Tuesday night.

Drulis serves as the director of Healthcare Mobile B2B for Samsung Electronics America. As a registered nurse in multiple states with experience in frontline care, medical product development, and hospital management, Drulis is well-positioned to help connect health care challenges to Samsungs digital ecosystem.

Prior to working for Samsung, Drulis led the Healthcare Industry Vertical for T-Mobile, served as an executive clinical consultant for IBM Watson Health, was vice president of clinical practice for Stoltenberg Consulting, and worked as a chief nursing officer.

Drulis received her MBA from FMU in 2008. She also holds a BSN from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband reside in Johnsonville.

The Morgan B. Coker Outstanding Alumni Award is named for Morgan Coker, the first dean of FMUs School of Business. This award is one of the top honors that can be bestowed upon a graduate of the school.
A man had bit into the mini taro ball at Beans Factory and found a sharp object in it. (Photos: Facebook/Jenn Chan)

SINGAPORE  A couple were having dessert at Beans.Factory's 100 AM mall outlet on 26 March, when one of them discovered a sharp needle-like object embedded in a taro ball he had just put into his mouth.

Facebook user Jenn Chan shared her and her husbands experience on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on 27 March, writing, The dessert was good until my hubby found a sharp needle in one of the mini taro balls.

Her close-up shot showed a pointy needle-like object going through the mini taro ball. While her post did not directly mention the outlet, only the name of the mall, one of the photos included included part of Beans.Factory's signage.

Luckily he didnt swallow it, or we would have been in big trouble, she wrote

She said that the staff at the oulet did offer them another bowl, but they asked for takeout instead as they were too freaked out.

Beans.Factory reviewing matter with supplier, SFA aware of incident

On Thursday (28 March), Beans.Factory posted an apology about the incident on their Facebook page and shared that they have taken immediate action.

They said that they have suspended the use of the contaminated ingredient in their stores and are reviewing the matter with their supplier.

In addition, we will enhance our quality control protocols and implement supplementary procedures in our food preparation processes, said the dessert brand, adding, Ensuring a safe dining experience for our customers is paramount to us.

Beans.Factory also shared that they had attempted to contact the Facebook user.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) confirmed with Yahoo Southeast Asia that it is aware of the incident and is looking into the matter. The agency added that it would not hesitate to take enforcement action if there is sufficient evidence.

SFA takes a serious view towards food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices, the agency said, adding that food operators should adhere to good food hygiene and preparation practices, as well as ensure that their premises are clean and well maintained.

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Beans.Factory first started in Malaysia in 2021, and currently has 18 outlets there. It opened its first outlet in Singapore at Tanjong Pagar's 100 AM mall in 2023, and current has two outlets in Singapore.

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.
Hundreds gathered in villages around San Fernando city, north of Manila, to watch men punish themselves in a bid to atone for their sins or seek miracles from God (JAM STA ROSA)

Catholic zealots in the Philippines re-enacting the last moments of Jesus Christ were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped themselves bloody in extreme displays of religious devotion on Good Friday.

While most Filipinos went to church or spent the holiday with family, thousands gathered in villages around San Fernando city, north of Manila, to watch men punish themselves in a bid to atone for their sins or seek miracles from God.

Dozens of bare-chested flagellants wearing black shrouds and crowns made of vines walked barefoot through dusty, narrow streets, rhythmically flogging their backs with strips of bamboo tied to ropes, their blood soaking the top of their trousers and spattering onlookers.

Some lay face down on the ground to be whipped and beaten by others, razor blades sometimes used to draw blood.

"This is for my son, an epileptic," said Joel Yutoc, who has his 13-year-old son's name tattooed across his chest.

Yutoc, 31, said his son had not had seizures in the eight years since he began taking part in the Good Friday floggings.

The whippings are the opening act of street plays performed by devout residents.

In San Juan village, a short, wiry man with wild, white hair playing the role of Jesus Christ and two others were dragged by neighbours dressed as Roman centurions to a raised mound where wooden crosses lay on the ground.

As spectators filmed on their mobile phones, three-inch nails were driven into the men's palms and the crosses were hoisted upright.

Several minutes later the crosses were lowered to the ground and the nails pulled out.

"I will keep doing this while I'm alive, for as long as my body is able to do it. That is my vow," said retired fisherman Wilfredo Salvador, 67, who began playing the role of Jesus Christ in the mock crucifixions 16 years ago following a mental breakdown.

"This is nothing. Sometimes it heals after a day and I am able to wash dishes and bathe," Salvador said of his wounds.

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San Juan homemaker Marilyn Lovite, 41, said she watches the gruesome re-enactment every year to "learn about the suffering of Christ".

"If you were to merely read it in the Bible you would not really understand. In action it is clearer for us to see how he suffered for us," the mother-of-four said.

- 'My body feels sore' -

Ten people were nailed or strung up on crosses at three crucifixion sites, San Fernando city councillor Reginaldo David told reporters.

At the biggest event, veteran performer Ruben Enaje, 63, had his hands and feet nailed to a cross for the 35th time in his role as Jesus Christ.

Enaje remained nailed up for more than 10 minutes as storm clouds gathered overhead. It began to rain as he was carried on a stretcher to a medical tent where his wounds were bandaged.

"I feel no pain in my hands but my body as a whole feels sore," Enaje said.

"The Passion Play was longer this year because we lengthened the script. Maybe that was why my body feels sore."

Enaje said this year might be his last appearance as Jesus.

"I can't say if I will still be able to do it again next year because my body feels like it is about to give in," he said.

- 'It's for my mother' -

The extreme acts are frowned upon by the Catholic Church in the Philippines and health experts.

The Philippine health department urged the public this week to "avoid acts or rites that lead to physical wounds and injuries".

"We join the pastoral guidance of our faith leaders, guiding all towards religious practices that are safe and healthy," it said in a statement.

But for devotees like 23-year-old Ian Bautista, who has been taking part in the floggings since he was 15 and is one of four flagellants in his family, the suffering was for a good cause.

"It's for my mother," Bautista said, explaining that she had surgery for an ovarian cyst on Monday and that he believed taking part would help her recovery.

"It's painful but I will do this until my body gives up."

cgm/amj/pbt
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with US counterpart Joe Biden at the White House on May 9 (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with US counterpart Joe Biden at the White House on May 9, a Turkish official told AFP on Friday.

It would be the first White House meeting between the two leaders, who last met on the margins of the NATO summit in Lithuania in July.

The NATO allies are seeking to rebuild ties strained over disputes including Turkey's delayed approval of Sweden's accession to the alliance.

"I think this is quite a significant trip. Erdogan has now been in charge of running Turkey for 21 years and Biden is the first president until this moment to not have invited him to the White House," Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Program at The Washington Institute, told AFP.

"It's a pretty big deal that Erdogan has finally secured an invitation just before the end of Biden's term," he said.

Turkey's resistance to Sweden's NATO bid after Russia's war on Ukraine in 2022 was one of the sticking issues in ties. The move reflected Erdogan's more nuanced stance toward Russia.

Turkey has profited from maintaining trade with Moscow while at the same time supplying Ukraine with drones and other essential arms.

Erdogan has also been one of the few Western leaders to hold regular meetings and phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was initially expected to visit Turkey in February.

Ankara refused to join the West in imposing sanctions on Russia as concerns were raised over Turkey becoming a transit route for goods supporting Moscow's wartime defence industry.

"We have no intention to harm legitimate trade between Turkey and Russia but we are very serious when it comes to illegal trade," a Western diplomat told AFP.

-'Played well'-

The Biden administration in January approved $23 billion in F-16 warplanes for Turkey swiftly after it ratified Sweden's stalled NATO membership bid.

Turkey will get 40 new F-16s and upgrades to 79 jets in its existing fleet.

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Washington did not green light the transaction until Turkey's instruments of ratification of Sweden's membership had arrived in Washington, a US official said then, highlighting the highly sensitive nature of the negotiations.

"Turkey played its hand quite well over the F-16s and deal with Sweden and leveraged its position in the alliance," Cagaptay said.

Turkey's ageing air force would benefit from new F-16s, as it has suffered from Ankara's expulsion from the US-led F-35 joint strike fighter programme in 2019 over Erdogan's decision to acquire an advanced Russian missile defence system.

Erdogan has become one one of the Muslim world's harshest critics of Israel's devastating response to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

He is angry at Washington for its support of how Israel is pursuing its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Turkish leader has compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and accused the United States of sponsoring the "genocide" of Palestinians.

He has also rebuffed US pressure to cut off the suspected flow of funding to Hamas through Turkey, and defended the group as legitimately elected "liberators" fighting for their land.

Erdogan met with Biden predecessor Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in 2019.

In 2017, his trip to Washington was marred by scuffles between protesters against the Turkish leader's government and members of Erdogan's security detail.

That attack occurred shortly after Erdogan's first official meeting with Trump at the White House.

Turkey's spy agency chief Ibrahim Kalin is to meet with members of the US House of Representatives in Ankara on Friday.

Local media reported that they were to discuss Erdogan's coming visit, the fight against Islamic State jihadists after the Moscow attack concert hall attack on March 22 in which more than 140 people died, as well as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

fo-ach/tw
ELK POINT, S.D.  A Sioux City man has been indicted in the robbery of a North Sioux City bank.

Dennis Manchester, 44, was indicted Thursday in Union County Circuit Court on charges of first-degree robbery, aggravated assault, grand theft and driving under suspension. His arraignment has yet to be scheduled.

Manchester is charged with walking into Liberty National Bank, 113 Military Road, on the afternoon of March 12, handing a teller a note that demanded money or someone would be hurt and displaying a knife. According to court documents, Manchester left the bank with $3,508 in cash and fled in a car that had been parked in a nearby parking lot.

Manchester was stopped shortly after the robbery near West 19th and John streets in Sioux City and taken into custody without incident. The money taken from the bank and a knife were recovered from the car.

During an interview with police after his arrest, Manchester admitted robbing the bank, court documents said.

No bank employees were injured in the robbery.
SIOUX CITY  A man suspected of robbing a downtown Sioux City bank has now been charged in federal court.

A complaint filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City charges Jonathan Birdnecklace, 31, of Sioux City, with bank robbery. No court hearings have yet been scheduled.

Birdnecklace is accused of entering Great Southern Bank, 329 Pierce St., on Jan. 23 and handing the teller a check that had a note on it saying, "Push the alarm and I will know I will shoot you. Pretend to chash (sic). 15,000 No games I will know and I will shoot you."

According to court documents, the teller gave the robber $2,405 and he left the business. Court documents do not say if the suspect possessed or displayed a weapon during the robbery.

The complaint said a fingerprint was taken from the robbery note and identified as Birdnecklace's. Police reviewed downtown surveillance cameras and identified Birdnecklace changing his clothing in an alley near the bank. After the robbery, the complaint said, Birdnecklace ran from the bank back to the alley and changed back into the clothes he was wearing before the robbery.

Birdnecklace was arrested later in the day at his brother's home with approximately $1,900 in his possession.

He was charged in Woodbury County District Court with second-degree robbery and pleaded not guilty. That case will be dismissed now that Birdnecklace has been charged in federal court.

Birdnecklace had been released from prison less than two weeks before the robbery after completing his sentence for robbing the same bank in 2014.
SIOUX CITY  The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that statements made by a stabbing suspect during a police interrogation may be suppressed because investigators denied his request to call his father or a lawyer.

The court unanimously ruled a detective's denial of Faron Starr's request did not fall under an exception that gives police the ability to make such denials in cases in which public safety is a concern.

"The delay -- objectively viewed under all the circumstances -- occurred in the context of an overall investigation of Starr's criminal spree rather than as a quick postponement to permit resolution of a paramount public safety matter," Justice Edward Mansfield wrote in the unanimous opinion upholding District Judge Jeffrey Neary's April ruling suppressing Starr's statements and evidence gathered as a result from the time he was denied a phone call to his father until the end of his interrogation.

Starr, 39, of Sioux City, is charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend in her right thigh with a knife on Nov. 7, 2022, at her home in the 4500 block of Garfield Street and then stealing two guns from a nearby house and hiding them.

He has pleaded not guilty in Woodbury County District Court of willful injury, second-degree burglary, going armed with intent, third-offense domestic abuse assault and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

After being taken into custody, police questioned Starr, who was read his Miranda rights but did not sign an acknowledgement after the detective said he could not call his father to get a lawyer. Starr continued to speak, and 35 minutes into the interview admitted to the stabbing and later showed police where the stolen guns were located before returning to the police station and admitting more details.

Iowa law says police must permit a person who is at a place of detention to call, consult or see a family member, lawyer or both without unnecessary delay. In Starr's case, the state argued the denial fell under the public safety exemption because of the urgency in locating the stolen guns.

The Supreme Court ruled against the exemption, noting police did not begin questioning Starr about the guns until nearly two hours after his arrival at the police station and after first questioning him about the stabbing.

The case will be returned to Woodbury County for further proceedings.

In an unrelated case, Starr is charged with first-degree murder for the Dec. 3 shooting death of Nathaniel Parker III. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 22 in Woodbury County District Court. He remains in custody in the Woodbury County Jail in lieu of $1.1 million bond.
Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Randy Feenstra are asking the Social Security Administration to investigate the Sioux City field office after receiving a tip about long delays in claims processing at the office.

Ernst and Feenstra, both Republicans, sent a letter to SSA Inspector General Gail Ennis asking the agency to review complaints at the field office in Sioux City. Feenstras district includes Sioux City.

In the letter provided by Ernst's office, Ernst and Feenstra said the field office's response to routine requests often takes "weeks to months," and the office is "dismissive or provides no substantive updates" when presented with concerns.

The letter included an email that Ernst's office received from an organizational payee  an organization that manages social security payments  with concerns about wait times on intake forms.

feenstra-randy U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, listens to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speak during a fundraising picnic May 13 in Sioux Center.

The payee said in an email to a manager at the office that they had sent 12 intake forms to the office, some dating back to December, 2023, and had not received responses on them.

The Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While Ernst did not provide any evidence that the delays were caused by remote work at the office, she tied the complaints to her long-running push for federal workers to return to the office. The letter pointed to the low number of workers in the agency's D.C. headquarters and said the field office delays are "no surprise."

Iowans deserve a Social Security Administration that actually works for them. Im horrified by reports of the Sioux City Field Offices habit of ignoring Iowans, and Im fighting to get to the bottom of it, Ernst said in a provided statement. Whether its the UDSA, the VA, or the Social Security Administration, I want to see federal employees show up for taxpayers. Enough is enough.

In a statement provided by Ernst's office, Feenstra echoed the remote work concerns and said the office should be doing more to get benefits to people on time.

"However, the SSA office in Sioux City has failed to uphold its responsibility to taxpayers, with reports of serious delays and indifference to the needs and requests of Iowans," Feenstra said. "Its my concern that these delays are due, in large part, to the increase of remote work within federal agencies."

A June 2023 report on disability claim wait times in the agency pointed to telework during the pandemic as one of several causes of increased wait times. Other factors included the agency hiring new staff and losing experienced staff, and changes in policy and procedures.

Last August, Ernst asked the inspectors general at the 24 major federal agencies to investigate their remote work practices.

In a response to Ernst's August letter, Ennis said management of staff, including the loss of experienced workers, is contributing to the agency's challenges. She said some staff have left the agency to pursue jobs with a more flexible workload and remote work options.

The SSA "had challenges recruiting and retaining employees because its positions are complex and require more training compared to similar positions in private industry," Ennis wrote.

Most workers at the SSA, including field office workers, are required to work in person at least three days per week, Ennis said in the letter. She said the agency is reviewing the impact of remote work on productivity.

Ernst has previously raised concerns about remote work at federal offices. In December, she released a list showing that most of the major federal agencies were using less than 20% of their office space. The SSA, along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, were using the least space, at 7%.
The FBI Omaha Field Office is asking for the publics assistance in locating William Jack Berg of Waukee, Iowa.

Berg is wanted for allegedly defrauding more than a dozen client investors in a scheme that resulted in the loss of over $1.5 million.

It is alleged that victim investors provided Berg, a financial advisor in Waukee and Urbandale, Iowa, with funds for investment. However, rather than investing, Berg allegedly used the funds for his personal benefit.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Berg on March 19 after he was charged with wire fraud and money laundering.

Berg is a 51-year-old 195-pound white male with brown hair and blue eyes. He is 5 feet and 11 inches tall. The provided photo of him is from 2021.

Berg most recently resided in the Waukee and Adel areas and is suspected to have been in the Des Moines area as recently as March 25.

Anyone with information on Berg is asked to call the FBI Omaha field office at 402-493-8688.
Imagine youre taking your trusty battleship on a trip around Omaha.

You may begin your journey with a bite to eat at a Runza. Later, you may decide to stop by the Durham Museum on your way to other city icons like Charles Schwab Field and the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

While on your trip, you may decide you have the cash to buy up neighborhoods like Benson and Dundee in pursuit of building your own Cottonwood Hotel. You also may decide to buy a utility like the Omaha Public Power District or a railroad like Union Pacific.

After a while, you can laugh as you drive your fellow citizens into bankruptcy when they unfortunately land and pay the exorbitant rents on your developed properties.

Those are among the many possibilities that could be included in an Omaha-specific edition of Monopoly that is expected to be available for purchase at local retailers and online retailers including Amazon in early November.

In a press conference on March 22 at Omaha City Hall, Sarah Bowman, a sales executive with Top Trumps USA, said members of the public are invited to share their submissions on which Omaha-specific attractions should be represented in the board game published by Hasbro. People and businesses can submit their suggestions until early May through email at omaha@toptrumps.com.

Where do you take your kids on the weekend? Where do you go on date night? Bowman said. We want to hear from you guys.

The Omaha edition of Monopoly will be the latest in a series of editions based on cities around the world. It will join only a handful of cities in the United States that have received their own editions of Monopoly, Bowman said.

We look for those places that have a ton of community pride (and) personality like being the first inventor of the Reuben sandwich. Ive heard Nebraska nice so much, Bowman said. Those are the kind of places we look forward to honor your special city.

Mayor Jean Stothert noted that a Dallas mayor gave her a version of Monopoly honoring the Texas city.

Ours is going to be better, she said with a laugh.

Stothert said it came as a surprise to her that an Omaha version of Monopoly was in the works.

We were really happy and thrilled about it, she said. We have so many unique things here from people to new event spaces. Things (are) going on all over Omaha. We thought, Boy, this could be really fun.

Bowman said developers are so spoiled for choice on all the local possibilities that could be included. Bowman said some things will remain consistent from the original game, including the corner squares of Go, Free Parking, Jail and Go to Jail.

Stothert jokingly quipped that Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer could provide his likeness for the police officer on the Go to Jail square.

There are so many amazing things in Omaha, and there are only 22 property squares, Bowman said. Thats why we need your submissions.

Photos: Board game company announces plans for Omaha-specific Monopoly game
Judy Bornstein is the most joyful person Ive ever met despite the sad fact she was profoundly unhappy, lonely and abused for the first 68 years of her life.

I love being old! she exclaimed at the dining room table of her home in Valparaiso, Indiana. And now that you know my backstory, you know why I feel this way.

Her troublesome backstory is what gives meaning to her current life at 87 years old. After an oppressive childhood and then two marriages filled with abuse, victimization and five decades of manipulative brainwashing, Bornstein finally found her way in life  and her purpose  at 70.

Ive had two lives, she said. I didnt begin to live until I was 70 years old.

Her life dramatically changed during a devastating strike of four separate hurricanes in 2004. While living in a little town in Florida, the 170-miles-per-hour ferocity of Hurricane Charley forced Bornstein into her bathroom, where she oddly experienced the eye of serenity.

God didnt take my life. He gave me my soul, she recalled. After I survived that hurricane, I found the courage to tell my second husband that he had to leave.

Her life began at 70: 'I was brainwashed, but look at me now' Visiting Nurse Association volunteer Judy Bornstein talks to Life Care Center resident Ruth Dommer during a visit to her bedside in 2011.

She had no money, no car, no plans and no experience at making decisions of any kind. She had lived in survival mode for nearly seven decades, victimized by two men who were drunken on the power of controlling her every move.

On the night before I was married to my first husband, who was a minister, my grandmother who raised me said, Judy, there is only one thing you have to remember after the wedding. Your main purpose is to please Jack in whatever room he wants. You should be so grateful that you are marrying a man of God.

Her life began at 70: 'I was brainwashed, but look at me now' Judy Bornstein looks through her old book of gospel hymns that she brings with her to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and the VNA Ho

He ended up manipulating and controlling her, to the point she wasnt allowed to leave home without his permission, she said. Her second husband turned out to be just as abusive as her first.

I didnt know that men could be , Bornstein said, pausing to find the right word.

Kind? I asked.

Yes, kind, she replied. I had no idea until I was 70 that men could be kind.

Her life began at 70: 'I was brainwashed, but look at me now' Judy Bornstein shows greeting cards she creates and sells, based from her artwork that adorns the walls in her Valparaiso home.

It took a natural catastrophe to unearth her natural disposition.

Life was sucked out of me like what that hurricane did to my home, Bornstein said with a sigh.

Her life dramatically changed two years later after moving back to Northwest Indiana to be closer to one of her children. The moment occurred while singing the gospel hymn, Amazing Grace to a dying woman named Mary in a nursing home.

Amaaaaaaaazing Graaaaaaace, Bornstein began singing. How sweet the sound 

The old woman cut off Bornstein just seconds into singing that old hymn.

No! the woman barked in a gruff voice.

Bornstein apologized and suggested she could sing another hymn. The woman mustered every ounce of energy in her frail body to say in a whisper, How sweet He is.

Bornstein sang the hymn again, this time with the altered lyric. The woman nodded in peaceful contentment. Bornstein experienced a spiritual epiphany while singing it that new way. In that singular moment, she found her salvation and her purpose in life, at 70.

She softly held the womans hand and thanked her for sharing those powerful new lyrics. The woman quietly smiled and gently squeezed Bornsteins hand. Five minutes after returning home, Bornstein got a call from the nursing home. The woman had died. Her last words were to Bornstein, How sweet He is.

Marys life was ending. Mine was just beginning, Bornstein wrote in her 2017 book, Hold My Hand: All About the Blessings of Volunteering. Its introduction is titled, How sweet He is. (For more info, email her at jbornstein36@gmail.com.)

Since that day, Bornstein began a life of volunteering, providing a cushion of calmness to patients in hospitals, residents in nursing homes, and dying people in hospice situations. I met her at the annual meeting and dinner for VNA Hospice Northwest Indiana, which depends on volunteers.

Most people think of hospice as the end of life. But, to me, hospice was the beginning of my life, she told me. I am so blessed to have been a VNA hospice volunteer for the past 16 years.

Bornstein has sung dozens of old hymnals to hundreds of patients who clung to her joyful kindness as they clung to their last gasps of life. Shes held the hands of strangers who desperately yearn for human contact. She has touched the lives of people in their most fragile or vulnerable moments.

Its been a true blessing for me, Bornstein said as she looked through her old book of gospel hymns, its pages tabbed with current patients' favorite hymnals. To see her exuberance in action, watch my videos at NWI.com or on my Facebook page @JerDavich. More photos also are shared at both websites.

After her new life started, Bornstein also began painting and creating artwork that adorns her home's walls. She also creates greeting cards based on her artwork that she sells to cover the expenses of driving to nursing homes and the hospice center.

You see, youre never too old to start again in life, she said as I left her home. Im living proof.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
To be a home cook is to be in a constant state of exasperation. Mincing garlic is a pain, so is blitzing a soup, ladleful by ladleful, in a blender, and nobody on earth enjoys peeling carrots. (Do not get me started on the arthritis-inducing process of forging a roux from a chalky mixture of flour and butter.) But honestly, when I search for a new recipe, nothingnothingtakes the wind out of my sails quite like a marinade.

Yes, the method is low-impact and impossible to botchyou combine a cut of meat with a frothy meld of flavors and leave them to mingle in the refrigeratorbut the end result, and the onerous time commitment, has been forever dubious to me. When I read a mandate to marinate the chicken thighs, or flank steaks, or pork belly for at least six hours or ideally overnight, I fall back on my base assumptions: There is simply no way a liquid nap makes that much of a difference.

And so, for years now, Ive been something of a marination truther. My seasonings are applied to my future dinner about 10 minutes before it hits the oventhe oils, herbs, and sugars are given almost no time to integrate deep into the muscle fibersand it always tastes pretty good. Would the Sichuan chicken I made last week possess greater complexities if I left it to rest in its milieu of fish sauce, Shaoxing wine, and chili-bean paste for several hours before roasting? Perhaps, but I guarantee the difference would be minor to the point of fabricationthe implicit bias to prefer a $20 bottle of wine over the $14 alternative.

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I know Im not making any allies with this opinion. Marination, in some form or fashion, is a fixture of dozens of different proud epicurean traditions (Jamaican jerk, Indian tandoori, Frances poulet de Provencal), and I would never question the wisdom of those who have dedicated their lives to perfecting a precise blend of spice and richness. What I will argue is that for our purposesbumbling amateurs in a home kitchen, winding back an Alison Roman video on our phoneswe likely dont need to be worrying about the marination process at all.

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Of course, when I called up Dan Souza, editor in chief of Cooks Illustrated, and cast member on Americas Test Kitchen, I was expecting to be told that I was flatly incorrect about all of these assumptions, and that my skepticism about marination was simply the symptom of my own pigheadedness and lack of dedication to the craft. But let me tell you: I am more right than you think I am.

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Souza told me that all flavor molecules are not created equal, and therefore, not all marinades are created equal. Some of those molecules, like the ingredients that prod our basic taste sensessweet, salty, sour, umamican dissolve in water. A cut of meat, like the rest of the human race, is mostly made up of water, so a marinade containing those ingredients can work its way to the bone if given enough time. Souza asks us to think of corned beef, which is soaked in sodium for days before its prepared, and clearly carries that flavor profile. Something is clearly happening there, he told me.

However, Souza notes that some of the basic fixtures that come to mind when we think about a marinadegarlic, paprika, dried oregano, and so onare made up of flavor molecules that dissolve into fat much more easily than they dissolve into water. (Thats why you and I can whip up a quick chili oil on the stovetop whenever we want.) But a chicken thigh, or a pork shoulder, or any other hunk of animal protein, does not contain nearly the same fat content as, say, a saucepan sizzling with brown butter. Furthermore, the fat that is present in those cuts of meat is solid, not liquid. What that means is the awesome 30-part marinade you concoctedfeaturing, like, cocoa imported directly from the Cook Islandswill mostly stick to the surface of whatever youre cooking, not melt into the meat. Yes, it might still taste great, but youre not going to harvest that fully permeated richness that most of us fantasize about. (I hate to say I told you so!)

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If youre marinating something for 12 hours, and you expect the center of your meat to taste like the smoked paprika and cumin you put into the mixture, youre going to be like, This doesnt taste like those spices, this is a joke,  said Souza.

Greg Brockman, who works at the vaunted Prospect Butcher Co. in Brooklyn, echoes Souzas point. Marinating is of dubious benefit, he told me. A highly striated muscle, like a skirt, has lots of nooks and crannies for a marinade to get in there, more so than a tenderloin. But with a whole muscle, youre not going to get a lot of flavor penetration. The short answer with whether or not marination works is a yes with an and, and the long answer is a no with a but. 

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That isnt necessarily a problem. Seasoned protein tastes good, even if its only slathered on the exterior. You get a ton of surface area on every bite, Souza said. For what its worth, Cooks Illustrated typically prints recipes that call for a marination process that lasts between 30 minutes and an hour. There are a million variables in the marginsthe size of the meat, the acidity of the mixture, your preferred level of saltinessbut, generally speaking, Souza is of the belief that you can get a lot done in that time frame.

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Souza is also aware that many of the orthodoxies around cooking, including the two-day marinades that could be truncated down into something much more sensible, are intractable. Are you really going to tell your aunt and uncle that all of that garlic powder isnt going to sink past the skin? No! And also, thats not the point Souza wants to make.

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Eating is such a complex experience. You have the taste, the smell, and all of your memories, he said. At the end of the day, does it give you pleasure? And is part of that pleasure doing it the way your mom did it?

My mom is a great cook, and I cannot wait for the next time she plates a delicious coq au vin in front of me, even if the sprigs of thyme werent doing what she thought they were doing. In my kitchen, however, I will continue to pioneer my own tradition: preparing an impeccably seasoned rack of chicken thighs roughly 45 minutes before I intend to serve them.
On the issue of kids, smartphones, and social media, a vibe shift is happening, and its happening on the left, right, and in the center. Heres a survey of recent anti-phone discourse on the topic in politics and culture in recent weeks and months: The TikTok ban (dont call it that) garnered bipartisan support in the House, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill making it illegal for people under 14 to have social media accounts in Florida. People are so unwilling to blame iPhones as one of the main culprits in a variety of social ills but graphs like [these] are revealing. Its obviously the phones, zillennial writer Magdalene Taylor tweeted, semi-virally, attaching that infamous teens today arent hanging out graph. Hosts of two podcasts enjoyed by Very Online left-ish millennials, TrueAnon and Time to Say Goodbye, devoted episodes to making freewheeling arguments against the use of social media by kids. (Tyler Austin Harper, a professor at Bates who has written for Slate, even suggested on the latter show that smartphones should be made illegal for use by people under 18. Tyler! A take!) A trend piece in the Daily Beast uncovered interviewees from Gen Z who said that when they had kids, they certainly wouldnt be letting them be raised by iPads. Get offline. It is not alcohol, it is not porn, it is not weed, it is not blah blah, it is being online. Get offline, wrote a Reddit user on r/GenZ.

Not so long ago, the default position, if one were an internet-savvy older person beginning to feel queasy when noticing groups of kids bent over their phones, was to say to oneself, Well, thats life; once, Socrates feared prints effect on memory, and now, I fear this. One definitely didnt say out loud, online, The kids shouldnt have phones, unless one were writing for the Atlantic. A weary it has always been thus pose toward the topic was in ordertelevision, Walkmans, rock music, the youths are always up to something the adults think is stupid. Some of the resistance to wagging a finger at kids and phones was a totally fair allergy to generational analysis; another part of it was probably self-defense. Some of us really dont like our screen time habits criticized, Taylor wrote in a follow-up Substack analyzing the replies to her recent its the phones provocation on X. Others may think they appear smarter by highlighting other issues, that they can see above the fray and observe the macro trends that are really shaping our lives, not that stupid anti-phone rhetoric we hear from the Boomers. Its not the phones; its the lack of third spaces, the omnipresent car culture, the inequality. That defensive pose? I know it well, because I was adept at itin 2019 I described concern over teens and social media as alarmist.

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Things are different in 2024. Yes, we have new data on the shape of the mental-health crisis among teens, and especially teenage girls, and how its worsened since phones got front-facing cameras and platforms became dominant. But the biggest shift doesnt come from looking at new data; its from experience. More and more people have a boomer relative who was radicalized on Facebook, a grandma who wont look up from her phone during family visits, or a Gen X partner adept at the art of phubbing. We, who are supposed to enjoy grown-adult levels of impulse control, have had trouble sleeping due to doomscrolling, spent Zoom meetings looking at Instagram, or gotten into weird fights with strangers on Reddit that derailed us emotionally for far too long. We, ourselves, with our developed brains, have felt like flies on sticky paper when it comes to social media; of course children, still forming their selves and navigating the pitfalls of pre-adulthood, may be affected by it too. Kids probably shouldnt have smartphones has lost its generational sting. It has come to look more and more like common sense.

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Into this apparently promising moment comes social psychologist Jonathan Haidts new book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Its compact thesis: Weve overprotected kids IRL and underprotected them online. In the books first chapters, Haidt rearticulates a very familiar set of arguments about American kids lack of physical freedom. Playgrounds used to be more dangerous! Kids used to roam the woods! Why is everyone always at scheduled activities run by adults?! The kids never get a bruise or bump, and how will they learn to self-regulate this way? None of this will be new to anyone whos kept up with popular parenting books in the past few decades. Haidts innovation lies in connecting this now-well-articulated picture of overprotected childhood with what happens when those same kids get on phones. The Anxious Generation, he hopes, will be part of a larger collective movement, one he is actively trying to incite by publishing a companion website full of evidence, discussion guides, and sample petitions, and funding billboards and public art in major cities. On his Substack, he wrote recently: By the end of 2025, we will roll back the phone-based childhood.

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Kids, Haidt writes in prescriptive mode, need four things: more unsupervised play in childhood. No smartphones before freshman year in high school (flip or dumb phones and smartwatches are OK). No having a social media account of ones own before the age of 16. (Haidt allows for the idea that kids will look at social media pages on a browser before then, which he argues is deeply different from having apps accessible 24/7 in your pocket and enmeshing yourself in the algorithm.) And no phones in schools. As in, locked up and turned off during school hours.

Haidt works his way around some of the most popular its not the phones! counterarguments. Why would an economic crisis in 2008, he asks, have hurt girls more than boys? (The data on girls mental health problems shows that they are doing worse than boys.) Why would Gen Z have reacted to the crisis of climate change by getting depressed, when, Haidt writes, impending threats to a nation or generation do not historically cause rates of mental illness to rise?

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Some reviewers have reiterated these long-standing critiques. They call Haidt a digital absolutist and posit that demands for abstinence from smartphones will inevitably backfire (Tracy Dennis-Tiwary in the New York Times). They say that Haidt too casually dismisses the idea that our many rolling world crises could be a source of teen depression (Judith Warner in the Washington Post). From the conservative side, they say that maybe its actually increased awareness of mental health and access to therapy thats causing the mental-health crisis (Carolyn D. Gorman in City Journal). Many venues, however, have been receptive to Haidts message.

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I am now in the its the phones camp. I have been convinced. I am the mother of an elementary-aged non-phone-haver. I have every intention of putting off her phone-having using the framework Haidt identifies, if its at all possible to do. My husband, who would postpone her smartphone-and-social-media era until age 18 if he could, will go along. But I am still skeptical that, even given this overall shift toward worrying about phones, Haidts movement will really take hold.

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One argument that Haidt makes is that we should practice letting our (appropriately aged) kids be away from us without knowing where they are, or having an easy way to contact them. He writes about his experience allowing his 13-year-old son to go to a nighttime U.S. Open game, traveling both ways alone on the subway. But on the way home, his son found out that a train he needed wasnt running. The boy left the station to hail a cab, and got home fineat 1 a.m.!

From that day on, Haidt writes, he was a different person, with more confidence, and from that day on we treated him differently and gave him still more independence. This, Haidt thought, was only possible because they had started off small, by letting him walk to school years before, and started to trust him without tracking his blue dot at every moment.

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I told some colleagues with older kids about this story, and they quailed in shock. Tracking their kids iPhones, they said, was a source of solace to them. In Haidts view, the whole experience was proof that his kid can overcome challenges on his own, even get dis-routed and remain safe. But for many parents, a child, even a 13-year-old, making it home past midnight isnt an argument for more freedomits an example of why they keep tabs on their kids. Sure, theres distance between banning your kid from a smartphone and going to the U.S. Open alone. But for the parents I did a gut check with, if the ability to call up an app during the school day and see that their children were right where they were supposed to beor to check texts, or a childs social media, for proof of life and safetywas available? They wanted it.

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I get that concern. The minds of these parents are going to be hard to change. And a phone-free childhood is, as Haidt points out, a collective action problem. Just as kids may find it hard to be phone free if their friends arent, if every parent in a social group can follow their kid online this way, it can be hard to imagine giving up the ability to do so on purpose.

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Yet, there is a reservoir of childhood and teenage experiences inside me, and inside many people who grew up pre-phone, that feels distant and beautiful, and that I do think helped me emerge into adulthood as a grounded, confident person. Days at the lake where we lost track of the time; long weekend afternoons wandering around Harvard Square with friends; nights my sister and I made snap decisions, after our shifts at Friendlys ended, to go drive by the Dunkin Donuts and see if our pals were loitering in the parking lot across the street per usual. (They always were.)

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I dont know, of course, what it is like to worry about a middle schooler who isnt home at the time they said theyd be. I know many parentsevery parent?wants their child to be able to explore the world on their terms, not spend their time jonesing for likes or working an algorithm. I am not sure if the new tide of concern about phones will be enough to defeat the feeling of closeness that they offer, the illusory sense of safety they have come to provide. But I hope Haidt succeeds in his movement to roll back the phone-free childhood by 2025. My own child turns 10 in 2027.
President Joe Biden has earned more than enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination for presidentbut the grassroots uncommitted campaign against Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war has also earned enough votes to have a presence at the Democratic National Convention this summer, with at least 25 delegates so far.

More than 30 states have held Democratic primary elections so far and more than 500,000 voters across the country selected uncommitted on their ballots, many to signal discontent with Bidens Israel policy in the wake of Israels war against Hamas. According to the DNCs own rules, any candidate who receives at least 15 percent of the vote in any single congressional district is eligible for a delegate. As of now, uncommitted has earned delegates in Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, Hawaii, and Missouri. And more could be coming as uncommitted is currently organizing voters in the battleground state of Wisconsin for Tuesday and in Pennsylvania for April 23.

Biden has safely secured 2,597 pledged delegates, more than the 1,968 needed. And its a common occurrence in most Democratic primaries for dozens of uncommitted delegates to head to the conventionthere were also 56 uncommitted delegates at the DNC in 2016. But this year, uncommitted will represent something entirely different: voters who are willing to withhold their vote from the president because of his unequivocal support for Israel despite the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians.

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Given that this campaign sprang up relatively late in the primaryin Michigan, uncommitted was created only about three weeks before the states primary and with a mere $200,000even the activists behind it have been surprised by its success. More than 100,000 voters selected uncommitted in Michigans primaryabout 13 percent of the states electorate and 10 times more than what organizers had publicly projected.

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Michigan is home to one of the countrys largest concentrations of Arab and Muslim Americans, many of whom immigrated to the U.S. from Palestine. Many still have family and friends living there, making the current war a deeply personal matter. Life seems heavily veiled in a haze of shared grief, fear, helplessness and even guilt, wrote Abdullah H. Hammoud, mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, in a New York Times op-ed, as we try to understand how our tax dollars could be used by those we elected to slaughter our relatives overseas.

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Hammoud is one of the faces of the uncommitted campaign, and is urging people to use the power of their vote to register their dissatisfaction with the presidents Israel policy. Biden has thus far continued to sign off on military aid for Israel, even as Democratic senators have insisted it should be contingent on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu changing his tactics to limit the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and despite evidence suggesting the war in Gaza has been this centurys most destructive. One of the central points of concern for activists: Biden has refused to call for a cease-fire.

Related From Slate Why Biden Should Be Worried About the 100,000 Uncommitted Voters in Michigan Read More

At a time when only 36 percent of Americans approve of Israeli military action in Gazaa drop from 50 percent back in Novemberthese delegates represent a growing discontent that has clearly rattled the Biden campaign, which has taken steps to limit events the president attends in an effort to avoid pro-Palestinian protests. When interrupted by one such protest at a recent campaign event, Biden said: They have a point.

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While the uncommitted campaign was created as an avenue for voters to register their dissatisfaction with Biden at the ballot box, its also getting a presence at the Democratic Partys largest nationally televised meeting. States that earned uncommitted delegates are already preparing for the DNC, deciding who will represent them while navigating their respective states party rules.

Back in 2016 when Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ran for president, he earned 1,831 delegates, 389 shy of Hillary Clinton, and the DNC turned into a massive protest movement against the Democratic Party establishment. While the uncommitted campaign hasnt come close to that scale of support, it will be interesting to see what the delegates do at the national convention in August.
The real estate market is continuing to boom, and with it comes the need for home inspection business owners.

The best home inspectors have a blend of characteristics. They must have an entrepreneurial spirit, technical skills, expansive knowledge of house systems and construction, and meticulous attention to detail.

The home inspector is a key component of the real estate sales system. It plays a pivotal role in communications between real estate agents, and in assisting buyers in making informed decisions about the purchase of a property, and its price.

Starting Your Own Home Inspection Business: Key Steps

These are the key steps you should take in starting your own home inspection company. Well tell you everything you need to know, from crafting a business plan and handling startup costs to marketing and growing the business.

What Do Home Inspectors Do?

Home inspectors play a crucial role in the real estate process, offering services that provide potential buyers, sellers, and property owners with essential information about a propertys condition. Their tasks typically involve a detailed examination of various aspects of a property to ensure its safety, functionality, and overall condition. Heres a more in-depth look at what home inspectors do:

Assess Structural Integrity : Inspect the foundation, walls, floors, roof, and other structural components to identify signs of damage, deterioration, or potential failures that might affect the propertys safety and value.

: Inspect the foundation, walls, floors, roof, and other structural components to identify signs of damage, deterioration, or potential failures that might affect the propertys safety and value. Evaluate Systems and Components : Examine the propertys essential systems including electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure they are installed correctly and functioning as intended.

: Examine the propertys essential systems including electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure they are installed correctly and functioning as intended. Inspect Exterior Elements : Check the exterior of the property, including siding, windows, doors, decks, balconies, and other attached or detached structures to identify any issues that could lead to problems or require maintenance.

: Check the exterior of the property, including siding, windows, doors, decks, balconies, and other attached or detached structures to identify any issues that could lead to problems or require maintenance. Review Interior Conditions : Evaluate the condition of interior elements such as ceilings, walls, floors, stairs, and installed fixtures to detect any signs of water damage, mold, pests, or other interior deficiencies.

: Evaluate the condition of interior elements such as ceilings, walls, floors, stairs, and installed fixtures to detect any signs of water damage, mold, pests, or other interior deficiencies. Examine Insulation and Ventilation : Inspect insulation quality and ventilation efficiency in attics, crawl spaces, and other areas to ensure proper temperature regulation and moisture control within the property.

: Inspect insulation quality and ventilation efficiency in attics, crawl spaces, and other areas to ensure proper temperature regulation and moisture control within the property. Create Detailed Inspection Reports : After conducting a thorough inspection, home inspectors must compile their findings into comprehensive reports. These reports should include: Descriptions of Deficiencies : Clearly describe any issues found during the inspection, specifying the location and nature of each problem. Photographic Evidence : Include photographs of noted deficiencies to provide a visual reference that supports the findings in the report. Recommendations for Repairs or Further Evaluation : Suggest necessary repairs or recommend further evaluation by specialists (like a structural engineer or a licensed electrician) for more complex issues.

: After conducting a thorough inspection, home inspectors must compile their findings into comprehensive reports. These reports should include: Provide Maintenance Advice: Offer guidance on regular maintenance practices that can help prevent future issues and ensure the property remains in good condition.

Home inspectors must navigate a fine balance between thoroughness and practicality, ensuring they provide valuable, actionable information without unnecessarily alarming clients. Their reports can significantly influence buying decisions, making their role critical in the real estate transaction process.

Obtaining Certifications and Training

Acquire relevant certifications and training from recognized organizations to ensure credibility and competence in the field of home inspection. For instance, the components of a home include electrical, plumbing, foundation, roof, heating/cooling systems and more.

The standard for home inspector certification is with the ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) program. The ASHI certification program establishes a minimum and uniform standard of practice for home inspectors practicing in the United States and Canada. Home Inspections performed to ASHI Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with objective information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the home inspection.

You may also require business certifications to operate in your area. For example, you may incorporate a business or look into creating a business entity like an LLC. Then research business licenses and permits specific to your state and community.

Home Inspection Business Plan

Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, target market, services offered, pricing strategy, and marketing approach to guide your business operations. You should also choose a business structure, which typically is the Limited Liability Corporation, or LLC.

Home Inspection Business Startup Costs

Starting a home inspection business involves various initial costs that are essential for setting up a professional, reliable service. So how much does it cost to start a business in this industry? These costs can vary widely depending on the region, the scale of the business, and the specific services offered. Heres a breakdown of the potential startup costs you might encounter:

Equipment : Quality inspection equipment is fundamental to providing thorough and accurate home inspections. Initial equipment costs may include: Inspection Tools : Moisture meters, infrared cameras, electrical testers, gas leak detectors, flashlights, and ladders. Safety Gear : Protective clothing, respirators, gloves, and safety glasses to ensure safety while inspecting potentially hazardous areas. Software : Inspection reporting software to create professional reports for clients.

: Quality inspection equipment is fundamental to providing thorough and accurate home inspections. Initial equipment costs may include: Insurance : Carrying insurance is crucial for protecting your business and meeting regulatory requirements. Types of insurance to consider include: General Liability Insurance : Protects against claims for property damage or injury that occur as a result of your inspection services. Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance : Covers legal fees and damages if a client claims a missed or inaccurate inspection report led to financial loss.

: Carrying insurance is crucial for protecting your business and meeting regulatory requirements. Types of insurance to consider include: Marketing Materials : Effective marketing is essential for attracting clients and establishing your brand. Marketing expenses might include: Branding : Costs for logo design, business cards, and branded clothing. Website : Development and hosting costs for a professional website to showcase your services and contact information. Advertising : Online and traditional advertising costs, including social media, local newspapers, and real estate publications.

: Effective marketing is essential for attracting clients and establishing your brand. Marketing expenses might include: Licensing Fees : Most regions require home inspectors to be licensed, which involves: Education and Training : Costs for courses and exams necessary to meet licensing requirements. License Application Fees : Fees associated with applying for and renewing your home inspection license.

: Most regions require home inspectors to be licensed, which involves: Vehicle Expenses : Reliable transportation is necessary to travel between inspection sites. Consider the cost of: Vehicle Purchase or Lease : If you dont already have a suitable vehicle, youll need to acquire one that can transport your equipment and present a professional image. Maintenance and Fuel : Regular maintenance and fuel costs to ensure your vehicle remains reliable.

: Reliable transportation is necessary to travel between inspection sites. Consider the cost of: Professional Memberships and Continuing Education : Joining professional organizations can enhance credibility and provide networking opportunities. Costs may include: Membership Fees : Annual fees for memberships in professional home inspector associations. Continuing Education : Costs for ongoing education to maintain your license and stay updated on industry standards and practices.

: Joining professional organizations can enhance credibility and provide networking opportunities. Costs may include:

When planning your startup budget, its essential to account for these costs to ensure you have the financial resources needed to launch and sustain your home inspection business successfully. Its also wise to set aside some contingency funds to cover unexpected expenses as you get your business off the ground.

Cost Category Details Equipment - Inspection tools: Moisture meters, infrared cameras, electrical testers, etc. - Safety gear: Protective clothing, respirators, gloves, safety glasses. - Software: Inspection reporting software. Insurance - General Liability Insurance: Coverage for property damage or injuries. - Errors and Omissions Insurance: Protection against claims of inaccurate inspections. Marketing Materials - Branding: Logo design, business cards, branded clothing. - Website: Development and hosting for a professional website. - Advertising: Costs for online and traditional advertising, including social media and local publications. Licensing Fees - Education and Training: Courses and exams for licensing requirements. - License Application Fees: Fees for applying for and renewing home inspection licenses. Vehicle Expenses - Vehicle Purchase or Lease: If needed, for reliable transportation. - Maintenance and Fuel: Regular vehicle upkeep and fuel costs. Professional Memberships and Continuing Education - Membership Fees: Annual fees for joining professional home inspector associations. - Continuing Education: Costs for courses to maintain licenses and stay updated on industry practices.

Setting Up a Business Bank Account for Your Home Inspection Business

Establish a separate business bank account to manage your finances effectively and maintain clear separation between personal and business expenses. Your local financial institution or chamber of commerce should be able to walk you through how to open a business bank account.

Navigating Self-Employment Taxes

Unless you are hired by a company to work as a home inspector, if you work for yourself you must pay self employment taxes. Familiarize yourself with the tax obligations and responsibilities associated with being self-employed, including income tax, self-employment tax, and potential deductions.

How to Market a Home Inspection Business

Marketing is an essential part of learning how to start a business in this industry. Develop a marketing strategy to promote your services, utilizing online platforms, networking, referrals, and targeted advertising to reach potential clients.

Building Your Client Base for a Successful Home Inspection Business

Building a client base is crucial for the success of a home inspection business. Establishing strong relationships with real estate agents, offering exceptional service to create word-of-mouth referrals, and leveraging online marketing strategies are key steps to attract and retain clients. Providing thorough, reliable inspections and clear, detailed reports can set the foundation for a positive reputation in the industry.

To effectively build a client base, consider the following strategies:

Network with Real Estate Professionals : Attend local real estate events and meetings. Offer to give presentations or workshops on home inspection topics.

: Deliver Exceptional Customer Service : Be punctual, professional, and thorough in every inspection. Follow up with clients to ensure their satisfaction and address any concerns.

: Leverage Online Marketing : Develop a professional website showcasing your services, qualifications, and customer testimonials. Utilize social media platforms to engage with potential clients and share useful content related to home maintenance and inspections.

: Offer Referral Incentives : Encourage satisfied customers to refer others by offering discounts or other incentives.

: Join Local Business Groups and Associations : Become an active member of local business associations and chambers of commerce to increase your visibility in the community.

: Invest in Continuing Education : Stay updated with the latest inspection techniques and regulations to enhance your expertise and credibility.

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By implementing these strategies, you can steadily grow your client base, enhancing the longevity and success of your home inspection business.

Home Inspection Business Cards

Create professional business cards that include your contact information, services offered, and branding to leave a lasting impression on potential clients.

Home Inspection Business Names

Choose a memorable and descriptive name for your home inspection business that reflects your brand identity and resonates with your target market.

Scaling and Growing Your Business

Explore opportunities for expansion and growth, such as hiring additional inspectors, offering specialized services, or expanding into new geographic areas.

Building Your Home Inspection Business

Scaling a home inspection business involves expanding its capacity and reach to serve more clients and increase revenue. This expansion requires strategic planning, investment in resources, and the implementation of systems to ensure quality and efficiency as the business grows. Key steps include diversifying services, hiring additional inspectors, leveraging technology for efficiency, and enhancing marketing efforts to reach a wider audience.

To successfully scale your home inspection business, consider these strategies:

Hire Qualified Inspectors : Recruit and train additional inspectors to increase your businesss capacity to take on more inspections.

: Diversify Services : Expand your service offerings to include specialized inspections, such as radon, mold, or thermal imaging, to cater to a broader market.

: Implement Technology Solutions : Invest in advanced inspection software and tools to improve the efficiency and quality of your inspections. Use customer relationship management (CRM) software to manage client interactions and streamline operations.

: Enhance Marketing Efforts : Develop targeted marketing campaigns to reach new customer segments. Increase your online presence through SEO, content marketing, and social media engagement.

: Establish Partnerships : Form strategic partnerships with real estate agencies, lenders, and insurance companies to generate referrals and expand your network.

: Focus on Branding and Customer Experience : Strengthen your brand identity and ensure a consistent, high-quality customer experience across all touchpoints.

: Invest in Professional Development : Encourage continuous learning and professional development for yourself and your team to stay ahead of industry trends and standards.

:

By carefully executing these strategies, you can effectively scale your home inspection business, leading to increased profitability and a more substantial market presence.

Launching Your Home Inspection Business

Officially launch your home inspection business by implementing your marketing strategies, securing clients, and delivering high-quality inspections to establish your reputation in the industry.

FAQs: Home Inspection Business

How much do home inspectors make?

Is a home inspection business profitable? Yes. Inspector salaries vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the number of inspections conducted. On average, home inspectors in the United States earn between $50,000 to $80,000 per year.

What are the pros and cons of being a home inspector?

Pros:

Flexible schedule: Home inspectors often have the flexibility to set their own hours and work independently.

High demand: With the real estate market constantly active, there is a consistent demand for home inspection services.

Opportunities for growth: As you gain experience and build your reputation, there are opportunities to expand your business and increase your income.

Cons:

Physical demands: Home inspection work can be physically demanding, requiring crawling into tight spaces and climbing ladders.

Liability: Home inspectors may face liability risks if they miss significant issues during inspections, leading to potential legal challenges.

Irregular income: Income as a home inspector can be variable, especially during slow periods in the real estate market.

Aspect Pros Cons Schedule Flexible schedule: Ability to set your own hours and work independently. - Market Demand High demand: Consistent need for home inspection services due to an active real estate market. Irregular income: Variable income, particularly during slow real estate periods. Growth Opportunities for growth: Potential to expand business and increase income with experience and reputation. - Physical Work - Physical demands: Requires crawling into tight spaces and climbing ladders. Liability - Liability risks: Potential legal challenges if significant issues are missed during inspections.

Why do some home inspection businesses fail?

Many home inspection businesses fail due to lack of marketing and networking. Failure to effectively market services and build a client base can result in a lack of business.

Here are the other main reasons:

Inadequate training and qualifications: Insufficient knowledge or certifications may lead to subpar inspections and damage the businesss reputation.

Poor customer service: Failing to provide excellent customer service and address client concerns can lead to negative reviews and loss of business.

Financial mismanagement: Mismanaging finances, underestimating startup costs, or failing to plan for slow periods can lead to financial difficulties and business failure.

What are the key factors in building a successful business in home inspection?

A successful home inspection business is known for its exceptional service: Providing thorough and high-quality inspections, accompanied by excellent customer service, is crucial for building a positive reputation and securing repeat business.

Here are other factors for success:

Marketing and networking: Effective marketing strategies, including online presence, networking with real estate professionals, and word-of-mouth referrals, are essential for attracting clients.

Continuous learning: Staying updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices through ongoing education and training helps maintain credibility and competence.

Strong business management: Proper financial management, including budgeting, pricing strategies, and maintaining professional standards, is essential for long-term success. Create these systems on your own, or consider a home inspection franchise that will provide these tools as you get started.
Elinore M. Fortney, 89, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on March 22, 2024. She was a devout Catholic and a pillar of her community, known for her unwavering faith, generous spirit, and wit.



Born in 1934, to the late Henry and Blanche Stepp, and she is the sister of the late Jean Utterson and is survived by Robert Stepp, Sr, Edward Stepp, and Grace LaChance. Ellie was a loving widow, having lost her beloved Charles Robert Fortney, Sr whom she married February 10, 1950. Despite the profound loss, she carried his memory in her heart, finding strength in their enduring love and the cherished memories they shared together. In addition, Ellie was a devoted mother of 4 children, survived by, Charles R. Fortney, Jr. of Burlington, NC, Daniel R. Fortney, Sr. of Centreville, VA, David R. Fortney of Warrenton, VA, and Terri Beinert of Waldorf, MD; grandmother of Christian, Heather, Daniel, Leanne, Caley and, Julie and great grandmother of Brittany, Elijah, Jacob, Genesis, Ruby, Lincoln and Penelope. Great-great-grandmother to James. She cherished her family above all else. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and wisdom that will continue to live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives she touched.



Ellie was the proud owner of Ellie's Paperback Shack, in Waldorf, MD, where she fostered a love of literature in countless individuals throughout her lifetime. Her bookstore wasn't just a place to buy and trade books; it was a sanctuary for knowledge, adventure, and connection, where people from all walks of life found solace and inspiration.



Her faith was the guiding light of her life, and she exemplified the teachings of the Catholic Church through her compassion and selflessness. Ellie will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the community she served with such dedication and devotion.



The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 5 pm to 7 pm, at Brinsfield Funeral Home (Charlotte Hall), where Prayers will be said at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 10 am, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Morganza, MD, followed by interment at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD. Pallbearers will be: Rob Beinert, Cody Sindy, Adam Trader, Dan Fortney, Jr, Steve Gregory and Jeremy Harrell. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love of God and all those who have gone before her.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ellie's name to foster children's literature. Please make your donations payable to:

The Imagination Library of Charles County Public Library

C/O Shannon Bland

2 Garrett Avenue LaPlata, MD 20646



Please write Ellie Fortney in the note section.
A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

The grave of Marina Pauliny at Brookwood Cemetery in England. (Source: Facebook/Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans)

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Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.

Commemorating Stefanik in a skirt

March 28 marks the anniversary of the birth of a remarkable woman.

Marina Pauliny was born on March 28, 1897 in Slovenske Pravno, a village in Zilina Region, but later moved to the United States with her parents.

Marina Pauliny (Source: Facebook/Slovak Embassy in UK)

The Slovak diplomat, journalist, humanitarian and translator rose to prominence during World War II when she was active in the Czechoslovak wartime resistance in exile. She became deputy head of the Czechoslovak Red Cross, and secured help for thousands of soldiers.

She also promoted the country abroad, gave interviews to media and built rich contacts. For the work she did for Slovaks, she was dubbed [Milan Rastislav] Stefanik in a skirt.

Pauliny died on October 5, 1945 in a plane crash at Blackbushe Airport, England, on her way back to Czechoslovakia after the war. The accident claimed the lives of other Czechoslovaks too. Pauliny is buried at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey, England, where there is also a Czechoslovak war memorial.

Related article

Related article Britain showed her how to honour veterans. Now shes spreading the word Read more

Back in 2020, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of her tragic death, the Slovak Embassy in London restored her memorial.

In 2024, President Zuzana Caputova awarded Pauliny the Milan Rastislav Stefanik Cross 2nd class in memoriam, for extraordinary merit in the field of humanitarian aid.

A revolutionary surgery to fight liver cancer

A unique surgery to treat liver cancer. (Source: Facebook/Fakultna nemocnica s poliklinikou F.D.Roosevelta Banska Bystrica)

Interventional radiologists from the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica have introduced a revolutionary, minimally-invasive surgery that should bring hope to patients suffering from liver cancer.

This unique method, which includes two sophisticated techniques, has already saved the lives of several patients who are now considered fully cured, the hospital wrote in a Facebook post.

During the surgery, two treatment techniques are used that support each other and thereby improve the result.

This method represents a significant advance in treating liver cancer, as it combines the effectiveness of targeted chemotherapy and local thermal ablation, which significantly increases the chances of a complete recovery, the hospital wrote. Still, it stressed that the surgery is not suitable for all patients, and proper consultation with the hospital's team of specialists is necessary.

Young girls crocheting to help young patients

Some of the crochet octopuses at Martin hospital. (Source: Woollnies)

Students from a secondary vocational school in Namestovo, in northern Slovakia, are crocheting toys to give to children who undergo hospital surgery, in order to help make their time as inpatients less stressful; they are also organising workshops to teach others how to spend their free time more effectively.

Girls from the third grade at the Secondary Vocational School of Business and Services, with a specialisation in business and information services  international business relations, created a student company, Woollnies, under the auspices of the Junior Achievement Slovensko non-governmental organisation.

A crochet workshop for both old and young people. (Source: Woollnies)

One of their activities includes crocheting for charitable purposes. They have already crocheted the toy octopuses that are now used at the childrens Department of Anaesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Medicine of the hospital in Martin. They are given to small children when they wake up from anaesthesia.

Our relations unexpectedly strengthened and deepened, said Eva Rusnakova, president of Woollnies, as quoted by the regional newspaper MY Orava.

In the future, they want to address the staff of other hospitals in order to extend their charitable activities.

Four feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:

Political meme of the week

Campaign Easter (Source: Hej, ty!  Gyore)

This Hej,Ty caricature, alluding to the Slovak Easter custom of dousing people in water and spraying them with perfume, implies that the final days of the presidential election campaign, which include the Easter holiday, will involve less fragrant exchanges than water and perfume between the two candidates who made it to the April 6 run-off: Ivan Korcok and Peter Pellegrini.

You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you!
Slovakia marks 20 years in the Alliance.

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Slovak governments declared their ambition to become a member of NATO from the very beginning of the republic. However, Slovakia didnt join the Alliance until March 29, 2004.

It was the second attempt.

Slovakias entry into the North Atlantic Alliance was preceded by the NATO summit in Madrid in 1997. The Alliance offered membership to only three states of the Visegrad Group - the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. Slovakia didnt receive the invitation.

Slovakia was excluded from NATO expansion due to Vladimir Meciars undemocratic governments. Thus, Slovakia entered the Alliance only in the company of Bulgaria, Romania and the three Baltic states.

After the Alliance was expanded to include three of our neighbours in 1999, many of our foreign partners questioned whether further expansion was even necessary. Explaining and convincing them of the opposite required persistence and also a fair amount of stubbornness and stamina, said President Zuzana Caputova in her speech on March 27.

She thanked the then prime minister Mikulas Dzurinda, then deputy ministers Rastislav Kacer and Ivan Korcok, then defence minister Jozef Stank and then foreign minister Eduard Kukan, who led the accession negotiations.

The security situation in Europe has changed significantly since then. The turning point was the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is the first war of conquest in Europe since the Second World War.

And in, from my point of view, the most serious security situation since our establishment in 1993, Slovakia lacks agreement on where it actually belongs, said the president.

She blamed disinformation, propaganda, but also some Slovak politicians.

Part of the relevant political parties started exploiting the topic of NATO for political fights, said the president, The rhetoric of not only the political extreme, but also some people who sit in the government today, is slowly making our key Alliance ally, the USA, a bigger enemy than the country that attacked our neighbour, and that itself put us on the list of enemies.

Four experts - former foreign minister and ambassador Rastislav Kacer, former premier and foreign minister Mikulas Dzurinda (1998-2006), Globsec expert and former defence minister Martin Sklenar, and former foreign minister and ambassador Miroslav Wlachovsky - answer three questions related to the 20th anniversary of joining NATO.

Questions Where would Slovakia be today if it werent a NATO member? How would Slovakia have to behave, and what would its security situation be?

What was the image of Slovakia in 1997, when the Madrid summit decided to accept the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, and what is it like today?

What security challenges face Slovakia today in the context of the war in Ukraine and the possible withdrawal of the US from Europe?

1) Where would Slovakia be today if it werent a NATO member? How would Slovakia have to behave, and what would its security situation be?
In most NATO member states, this support is higher.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Slovakia's entry into NATO, President Zuzana Caputova visited the liaison team for the integration of NATO forces in Bratislava's Vajnory on March 28, 2024. (Source: TASR)

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Most people in Slovakia think that NATO is a guarantee of Slovakia remaining a safe country during Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The latest How Are You, Slovakia? poll, carried out in mid-March by the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the MNFORCE poll agency, shows that 47 percent of people hold this opinion, compared to 30 percent thinking the opposite, and 23 percent being undecided on this matter.

It's the second-highest support for NATO since the start of the invasion, the TASR news agency writes.

We are NATO and thanks to NATO we are safe today, President Zuzana Caputova said in her speech on March 27. No other alternative would protect us today the way the Alliance protects us, where it really is about one for all, all for one.

Yet, support for NATO membership in Slovakia remains low compared to other countries. According to the NATOs annual report for 2023, the average support for NATO membership among member states stands at 66 percent. In Slovakia, the support is as high as 60 percent, which is a similar number mentioned in last years Globsec survey. Slovaks trust in NATO as an alliance protecting them against threats from outside is slightly higher than the NATO average of 61 percent. Its 62 percent in Slovakia, the NATO report shows.

In 1999, only 28 percent of Slovak people supported the idea of Slovakia joining NATO. In 2004, when the country joined the Alliance, it was 52 percent.

(Source: NATO's 2023 annual report )

Geopolitical neutrality favoured

Sociologist Robert Klobucky of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, explains that Slovaks believe that the best geopolitical position for the country is balanced. Its a paradox because two-thirds of Slovak people consider Russia to be a threat, he adds. In his opinion, fear is also a factor when it comes to Slovakias perception of NATO.

Although we dont support Russia, and we fear it, we believe that the best strategy today is geopolitical neutrality, the sociologist notes, as quoted by TASR.

The positions of political elites also play an important role. The communist party was questioning NATO at the time Slovakia was about to join the Alliance. Even the undemocratic prime minister Vladimir Meciar held anti-NATO views after he was ousted from power in the late nineties. Today, the sociologist adds, it is the Smer ruling party that questions NATO in a way, citing the situation before the war. Smer had then doubted that Russia would invade Ukraine, despite information from NATO allies showing the opposite. Smer also criticises Slovakias defence cooperation agreement signed with the USA. However, the ruling party hasnt mentioned any plans to leave NATO.

On March 26, Fico met with US General Christopher Cavoli in Bratislava. He commands the US army in Europe.

According to the latest SAV findings, 8 percent of Smer voters are pro-Western and 19 percent support Russia. Up to 45 percent want Slovakia to leave NATO. Twenty-seven percent dont.

An evening celebrating the 20th anniversary of Slovakia's accession to NATO in Bratislava on March 27, 2024. (Source: TASR - Pavol Zachar)

Underestimated factor

In my opinion, the often overestimated factor is the history of the Slovak fight for national rights, when especially in the 19th century, there was a belief that Russia, as the strongest Slavic nation, would save and unite the non-free Slavic nations in Europe, said Klobucky.

On the other hand, he adds that the success of communism in Slovakia is often underestimated in this regard. The expert draws attention to the transformation of rural Slovakia into an industrialised country under communism, and an increase in the living standards in those decades.

This is also why the sentiment for the former regime in Slovakia is higher than in neighbouring countries, and this fact can also affect geopolitical orientations, he notes.

Slovakia joined NATO 20 years ago - on March 29, 2004. However, it was only last year that Slovakia joined a minority of the member states in fulfilling the commitment of spending 2 percent of its GDP on defence.

On Friday, the Presidential Office will put up the NATO flag outside the palace to mark the anniversary.
Like the Czech operator, the Slovak carrier also runs trains to Ukraine.

Passengers get on the train to Chop, western Ukraine, in Kosice, on March 28, 2024. (Source: TASR)

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The Czech private rail carrier RegioJet has launched a new train connection between Prague and the western Ukrainian city of Chop via the Cierna nad Tisou border crossing, eastern Slovakia, as of today, March 28.

The direct overnight rail service runs daily on the Prague-Cadca-Zilina-Poprad-Kosice-Chop route and back.

Trains leave Prague main station at 21:52 and arrive in Chop at 10.35. The return service leaves Chop at 17:35 and arrives in Prague at 5:46.

Ticket pricing starts from 18.90 for a seat and 29.90 for a berth.

The Railtarget website writes that the launching of the new service comes on the heels of RegioJets success on the Prague-Premysl line, which saw over 230,000 passengers in 2023, marking a 60-percent increase from the previous year.

RegioJet does not have a licence to operate trains in Ukraine. Therefore, the service is operated in cooperation with Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia). The Ukrainian company is said to introduce a transfer train that would connect Chernivtsi, Chop, and Uzhhorod with the new Prague-Chop international route, writes eTurboNews.

The Slovak national carrier ZSSK runs a twice-day service to Chop and Mukachevo.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russia-cannot-rule-out-ukraine-benefiting-from-crocus-terrorist-attack---lavrov-1117623639.html

Russia Cannot Rule Out Ukraine Benefiting From Crocus Terrorist Attack - Lavrov

Russia Cannot Rule Out Ukraine Benefiting From Crocus Terrorist Attack - Lavrov

Sputnik International

Moscow cannot rule out Ukraine possibly receiving benefits from the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

2024-03-28T21:33+0000

2024-03-28T21:33+0000

2024-03-29T05:12+0000

world

sergey lavrov

ukraine crisis

ukraine

russia

anti-russian bias

anti-russian policy

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"The West is suspiciously actively convincing us, not only publicly, but also in contacts through our diplomatic missions, that Ukraine should not be suspected. Without explaining why. Although from the point of view of general logic, answering the question of who benefits from this, we cannot rule out Ukraine," Lavrov told Russias Izvestia newspaper. The West is actively trying to convince everyone that this is the work of the Islamic State* and no one else should be suspected, the minister added. Macron's Provocative StatementsFrench President Emmanuel Macron is creating a distraction with his statements about sending troops to Ukraine because domestic issues seem to be unimportant for him and it is necessary to divert attention from existing problems, Lavrov said. The top diplomat recalled that France was one of the parties that guaranteed an agreement between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition in 2014. "The morning after, it [the agreement] was trampled on. All administrative buildings were seized and, contrary to the creation of a government of national unity to prepare for snap elections a 'government of winners' was announced. This is when a 'wedge' was driven into Ukrainian society," Lavrov said. The foreign minister said Paris had previously promoted many agreements on conflict resolution, "which at that time no one was going to implement." Plan to Isolate Russia FailedLavrov commented on the plan for Russia's isolation in the post-Soviet space published in Politico with a proverb: it doesn't hurt to dream". During an interview with the newspaper Izvestia the minister was presented with Politicos article exploring possible options for action against Russia, including the isolation of the country within its borders and the alienation of the post-Soviet republics. Such an option of action is considered "generous," said the minister, and in general the West has many scenarios for the "decolonization" of Russia.Previously Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that ill-wishers who seek to isolate the Russian Federation have not achieved their goal.Consequences of Undiplomatic BehaviorRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that after the refusal of European ambassadors to meet with him ahead of the Russian presidential election, every request of communication from European diplomatic representatives in Moscow with Russian authorities will be coordinated by the Russian Foreign Ministry. In early March Lavrov said he invited EU countries' ambassadors for a conversation ahead of that month's upcoming presidential election, but they refused two days before the planned meeting.Meeting With Countries of Global MajorityThe foreign minister said that he will hold a meeting with the ambassadors of the countries of the Global Majority in April and will voice Moscow's position on the current situation in Ukraine. Solution to Transnistrian ProblemRussia does not rule out that Chisinau is counting on a military solution to the Transnistrian problem, as the Moldovan authorities refused proposals for negotiations in the 5+2 format, the minister pointed out. Dialogue on Strategic StabilityRussia told the United States that it would be ready to resume dialogue on strategic stability only if equality and the search for a balance of interests were ensured, Lavrov emphasized. Any current discussions about negotiating on such sensitive topics when "war has been declared on Russia," and the US is helping Ukraine "to point modern types of long-range weapons at our civilian and infrastructure facilities" are absurd, the top diplomat concluded.Support Ceasefire or Israel?The United States did not oppose the UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in order to save its reputation, but the Washington still extended Israel's carte blanche for actions in Gaza, declaring the resolution non-binding, Lavrov clarified.On Monday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for an immediate Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza that leads to a lasting and sustainable ceasefire. The motion was sponsored by the 10 non-permanent members of the council. Fourteen countries voted in favor, while the United States abstained. Failed Black Sea Navigation ProposalsThe minister said proposals from the United Nations and Turkiye related to shipping issues in the Black Sea have so far led to nothing.He said the memorandum guarantees that the Secretary General will seek from the West the lifting of sanctions on Russian exports of fertilizers and grain.United Nations Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told Sputnik that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in February sent letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea.Earlier, Erdogan spoke about the idea of new regulations for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, jointly with Turkiye and the UN. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said issues of developing the new regulations are being considered, but it cannot be said yet that it will be possible to agree on them.The Turkiye- and UN-mediated Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in July 2022, which provided for a humanitarian corridor to allow safe sea exports of Ukrainian and Russian agricultural products and fertilizers, expired July 18, 2023, after Russia refused to extend its participation, citing persistent violation of the package deal's component to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports.The grain deal was an integral part of a package agreement. The second part - the Russia-UN memorandum, designed for three years - envisioned the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers, the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to SWIFT, the resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery, spare parts and services, the restoration of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and a number of other measures. Moscow repeatedly said this part of the package agreement was not being implemented.Last August, the Ukrainian navy announced the opening of temporary corridors for merchant ships sailing towards or from the ports of Chernomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny. Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk admitted that it is currently impossible to guarantee the complete safety of ships passing through temporary corridors in the Black Sea.Russia, West Now Have Almost No Areas With Real Contacts, CooperationThere are now almost no areas where Russia and the West would have some kind of cooperation and real contacts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.Contacts between security services are usually not made public, he said.Lavrov said the current relations between Russia and the West are aimed at maintaining the operation of embassies.Now all diplomacy with the West is as follows: we still have embassies there, they have embassies in Russia, these embassies and consulates general need to function. Issues of financing the activities of diplomatic missions, purchasing items necessary for their activities, cars, equipment are being discussed. These issues now constitute the main content of our contacts, in particular with the Americans, he said.Lavrov said the West has no desire to resume dialogue with Moscow because its goal is to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.* ISIS (also known as Daesh/ISIL/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/usaid-us-imperialisms-most-cynical-regime-change-tool-1117622413.html

USAID: US Imperialisms Most Cynical Regime Change Tool - Analyst

USAID: US Imperialisms Most Cynical Regime Change Tool - Analyst

Sputnik International

Under the guise of foreign assistance the US Agency for International Development has been used to promote US foreign policy and regime change throughout the world.

2024-03-28T23:54+0000

2024-03-28T23:54+0000

2024-03-29T01:20+0000

us

alan macleod

joseph mccarthy

russia

washington

us agency for international development (usaid)

atlantic council

bellingcat

atlantic council

nato

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A recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request surfaced a 97-page disinformation primer authored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The extensive document reveals Washingtons priorities in instituting online censorship and combating so-called fake news in the post-Trump, post-Brexit era.But much of the organizations focus appears to be on preventing individuals from finding information online that challenges official narratives and leads to increased questioning of the system more generally, says journalist Alan MacLeod in an analysis published by MintPress News.Anthropologist Adrienne Pine joined Sputniks Political Misfits program Thursday to discuss the article and shed light on one of the United States most underhanded tools of global subversion."USAIDs focus relates to misinformation, disinformation and mal-information, notes host Michelle Witte, referring to terms which are employed frequently by so-called experts in the field. Malinformation has proven to be perhaps the most controversial among the three, referring to factually true information presented in a way to allegedly harm or manipulate.Malinformation may lead people towards inconvenient narratives for those in power such as the conclusion that Israeli ethnic cleansing is bad or the Iraq War wasn't about "spreading democracy."Experts have described this phenomenon as an information disorder, a condition in which the truth and facts coexist in a milieu of misinformation and disinformation  like conspiracy theories, lies, propaganda and half-truths, explained Witte. Which I will stop and say describes every press briefing by a White House press secretary or John Kirby for the State Department or whoever.The tactic was recently employed by establishment mouthpiece The New York Times in an article about the anti-war group Code Pink that was widely slammed as McCarthyist in its tone. McCarthyism refers to disgraced former US Senator Joseph McCarthys Cold War tactic of smearing opponents by accusing them of association with communism or Soviet Russia.Pine explained the Cold War origins of USAID as a tool of US soft power. The organization was created around the same time as other government agencies such as the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress, a US imperialist program aimed at preventing revolutions in Latin America, she noted.USAID operates by funding civil society groups purportedly focused on democracy promotion, labor rights, strengthening independent media, and other anodyne causes. But covert influence, as well as such groups desire to maintain US funding, transforms them into tools of US foreign policy.Such non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can play a role in strengthening opposition to movements and figures perceived to work against US interests. In more extreme cases these groups promote civil unrest that creates a fertile environment for US-backed regime change. These efforts are known as color revolutions and have taken place in such countries as Bolivia in 2019 and Ukraine in 2004 and 2014.Witte slammed the hypocrisy of the tactic given the US fixation on the conspiracy theory that Russia altered the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The host called USAIDs efforts profoundly anti-democratic, because it's the notion that the United States can fund organizations that are against governments that the United States doesn't like, in lieu of the democratic processes that those governments and those people would like to set up.Pine noted the USAID document, in addition to smearing alternative news outlets like the Ron Paul Institute, Black Agenda Report and Truthout, also attempts to promote US intelligence-linked sources like the Atlantic Council and Bellingcat.The Atlantic Council is a NATO offshoot created by the US defense department, MacLeods article notes, with seven former CIA chiefs on its board. Bellingcat, which presents itself as an independent open source intelligence operation, receives grants from the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and other Western government agencies.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/most-americans-disapprove-of-israels-military-actions-in-gaza-poll-reveals-1117606027.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/how-usaid-spends-american-tax-dollars-in-ukraine---gop-senator-demands-accountability-1114995782.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210621/bellingcat-nailed-in-russia-spoof-1083200044.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/china-strongly-opposes-canadas-groundless-accusations-smear-against-beijing--embassy-1117627899.html

China Strongly Opposes Canadas Groundless Accusations, Smear Against Beijing  Embassy

China Strongly Opposes Canadas Groundless Accusations, Smear Against Beijing  Embassy

Sputnik International

China strongly opposes the groundless accusations and smear against Beijing made by Canada over its alleged involvement in a series of cyberattacks, the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa told Sputnik.

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The embassy shared the remarks with Sputnik in the wake of accusations made by Canadas Communications Security Establishment (CSE) alleging that the country was also targeted by cyberattacks from the Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31). China not only firmly opposes but also fights all sorts of cyberattacks, the embassy stressed. The Chinese Government is committed to strengthening cooperation with all countries to deal with cyber threats through various means, such as bilateral dialogue and judicial assistance, it added. However, all cooperation must be done on the basis of equality, as well as mutual respect and benefit. As the origin of the alleged cyberattacks is highly complex and sensitive, states must properly investigate and only present adequate evidence, the embassy said. Moreover, when proof is absent, parties should desist from engaging in smearing, it added. Being part of the so-called Five Eyes alliance, Canada just like the US has a long record of violating international law and basic norms of international relations, the embassy said as it pointed out their involvement in large-scale, organized, and nondiscriminatory cyber theft, wiretap and surveillance on foreign governments, enterprises, and individuals. The Chinese mission suggested that if Canada does indeed believe it fell prey to cyberattacks, it might want to take a closer look at where they are coming from. On Monday, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on two Chinese individuals and the Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company, allegedly affiliated with Advanced Persistent Threat Group 31 (APT31), which London accuses of conducting cyberattacks. US President Joe Biden's administration sanctioned the same individuals and the entity but also announced hacking charges against seven other Chinese nationals. On top of that on Tuesday, New Zealand's Government Communications Security Bureau (GSCB) blamed Chinese hackers for an alleged cyberattack on New Zealand parliamentary services in 2021.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220905/beijing-demands-explanations-from-us-over-nsa-cyberattacks-on-chinese-sites-1100403004.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/how-ukraine-morphed-into-isis-terrorist-safe-haven-1117640571.html

How Ukraine Morphed Into ISIS Terrorist Safe Haven

How Ukraine Morphed Into ISIS Terrorist Safe Haven

Sputnik International

The West has long been aware of hundreds of ISIS* militants operating in Ukraine, which has transformed into nothing short of a safe haven for terrorists over the recent decades.

2024-03-29T17:32+0000

2024-03-29T17:32+0000

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Back in July 2015, Italian MEP Matteo Salvini raised the issue of Islamists activities in Ukraine in an official request to Federica Mogherini, then the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.The request came on the heels of the New York Times' report about the presence of a Chechen volunteer force made up of ISIS* sympathizers in Donbass who fought against the Donetsk and Lugansk republics."It appears that they have openly sided with Ukraine in a bid to weaken Russia and compel it to concentrate its forces on that country, drawing resources away from other fronts on which it is pitted against various Islamic terrorist groups," Salvini wrote on July 27, 2015, adding that the Ukrainian authorities had neither denied the reports, nor expelled ISIS combatants from Ukraine."Given the serious danger posed by ISIS and Islamic terrorism in general, as confirmed recently by the tragic attacks in France and Tunisia, does the Vice-President/High Representative not consider it appropriate to rethink her stance regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and engage in closer dialogue with Russia with a view to containing this fundamentalist threat?" the Italian MEP asked.ISIS Militants Living in Ukraine Untouched by SBUFour years later, The Independent reported about Georgian-born ISIS militant Cezar Tokhosashvili, also known as Al Bara Shishani, who managed to live quietly in the Ukrainian city of Belaya Tserkov for more than a year. He was eventually detained at the CIA's request.For some unknown reason, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), infamous for chasing after and cracking down on pro-Russian activists and political dissidents, had turned a blind eye to Tokhosashvili's presence in the country.In December 2020, Polish investigative journalist Pawel Pieniazek and his Ukrainian colleague Alyona Savchuk raised concerns that the Eastern European state was turning into nothing short of a safe haven for ISIS terrorists.It was revealed that Tokhosashvili had apparently worked as an unlicensed taxi driver or had a trading post at a market while living in Ukraine. According to journalists, the SBU claimed that he was an active member of ISIS during this time, recruiting new members, planning attacks, and coordinating the group's "security service." The reporters commented that if the CIA and the Georgian Interior Ministry had not sought his arrest, no one would have pursued the terrorist in Ukraine. Pieniazek and Savchuk also shared the story of "Musa," a Ukrainian man who had been radicalized, joined ISIS, fought in the Middle East, and then returned to Ukraine. They interviewed him in Kiev, which shows that the SBU had not taken any action to apprehend him as well.Ukraine: a Transit Point for ISIS TerroristsThe journalists noted that Ukraine, for years, has served as a key transit hub for terrorists travelling to and from Syria. ISIS militants were transported from the North and South Caucasus and Central Asian countries through Ukraine to Turkiye and then on to Syria and Iraq. The intensification of the flow of terrorists coincided with the Maidan coup d'etat of February 2014 and the new Kiev regime's war on Donbass. As a result, the Ukrainian security services paid little or no attention to the movement of ISIS fighters.Facing obstacles upon returning to their countries of origin, these jihadists opted to settle in Ukraine. The Independent pointed out that Ukraine has long had gaps in its legal and law enforcement systems, much to the benefit of terrorists and organized crime. Obtaining fake passports, including biometric ones, doesn't seem to be a big problem in Ukraine if one could pay for it in cold hard cash. A former British intelligence agent cited by the newspaper said at the time, that "it is a vulnerability that Kiev does not seem entirely interested in addressing."According to Pieniazek and Savchuk, ISIS fighters either flew by plane and went through passport control with real or forged documents or crossed the Black Sea illegally by ferry. "If a militant is not included in the Interpol database, he can easily enter Ukraine," the journalists wrote.As of 2020, the SBU claimed it had blocked 443 people linked to ISIS from entering Ukraine. However, the number of those who snuck into the Eastern European state could amount to several hundreds, the journalists said, echoing Mironova's figures.Unholy Alliance of Neo-Nazis and JihadistsThere is more to the story than meets the eye. An unholy alliance of Islamists and Ukrainian nationalists existed long before the Syrian Civil War or Ukraine's war against Donbass broke out.Ukrainian mercenaries were spotted fighting in the First (1994-1996) and Second Chechen (1999-2009) wars on the side of the Chechen jihadi insurgents. According to the memoirs of Colonel General Gennady Troshev, who commanded a group of Russian federal forces in the North Caucasus, in December 1999, there were roughly 300 Ukrainian mercenaries in the Chechen city of Grozny.The Ukrainian National Assembly - Ukrainian People's Self-Defense** (UNA-UNSO) is believed to be the first organization of Ukrainian nationalists which prepare hirelings for "export". Since the 1990s, they took part in hostilities against Russian forces in Transnistria, South Ossetia, and Chechnya, and during the 2008 operation to force Georgia to peace.After completing their involvement in combat in the Caucasus, numerous Ukrainian mercs returned to their native country without facing any legal consequences. However, some of them eventually ended up arrested while in the Chechen Republic. In 2016, the Supreme Court of Chechnya sentenced two Ukrainian citizens, Nikolai Karpyuk and Stanislav Klykh, to lengthy prison terms of 22.5 and 20 years, respectively. These mercenaries had fought alongside insurgent groups led by Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev during the first Chechen war. Their actions resulted in the deaths of both civilians and members of the military and security forces.Since the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine has gradually transformed into a sanctuary state for various gangs and mercenaries. Therefore, it is not shocking that the jihadists apprehended in the Crocus City Hall terror massacre were on their way to Ukraine, with ties to individuals on the Ukrainian side, according to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The Russian Investigative Committee declared on Thursday that they have acquired proof linking the terrorists involved in the carnage with Ukrainian nationalists. Additionally, it was revealed that the terrorists received substantial sums of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine."The investigation has confirmed that significant amounts of money and cryptocurrencies were received from Ukraine by the perpetrators of the terrorist attack, which were then used in plotting the crime," the Russian detectives emphasized.*terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries. **extremist group banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/russian-intelligence-services-kept-eye-on-wests-effort-to-weaponize-isis--1117565239.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240325/how-did-notorious-isis-terrorist-manage-to-live-quietly-in-ukraine-for-months-1117540485.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/20220304/why-is-the-west-silent-about-ukrainian-neo-nazi-movements-azov-battalion--bandera-legacy-1093561142.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/russian-investigators-say-crocus-city-hall-terrorists-planned-to-travel-to-kiev-to-claim-reward-1117641608.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/israel-seized-strategic-assets-of-hamas-prepares-to-enter-rafah---netanyahu-1117625171.html

Israel Seized Strategic Assets of Hamas, Prepares to Enter Rafah - Netanyahu

Israel Seized Strategic Assets of Hamas, Prepares to Enter Rafah - Netanyahu

Sputnik International

The Israeli army has seized strategic assets of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip and is preparing to enter Rafah in the south of the enclave, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday at a meeting with the families of kidnapped soldiers.

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The prime minister said he is personally involved in the efforts to release all hostages from the Gaza Strip, adding that this process is ongoing around the clock. Netanyahu recalled that 123 hostages out of about 250 abducted on October 7, 2023 have already been released. "Only the continuation of the powerful military pressure that we have exerted and will continue to exert has brought back our abductees and will return everyone. In addition, we have seized Hamas' strategic assets. This is another key to the release of our sons and daughters. We control the north of the sector and Khan Yunis, We have cut through the sector and are preparing to enter Rafah, he said. Earlier this week, another round of talks through mediators ended unsuccessfully in Qatar. The sides were unable to reach a compromise on the terms of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip and in the ensuing fighting killed 1,100 Israelis, both military and civilians, and abducted some 240 others. Israel launched a massive strikes on Gaza, fully blockaded the Palestinian enclave, and then invaded it with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas and rescuing the hostages. Over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military operations and more than 74,000 have been wounded, according to the local authorities. On November 24, 2023, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and hostages taken by Hamas, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1, 2023. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/israeli-defense-minister-proposes-multi-national-security-force-for-gaza---reports-1117643974.html

Israeli Defense Minister Proposes Multi-National Security Force for Gaza - Reports

Israeli Defense Minister Proposes Multi-National Security Force for Gaza - Reports

Sputnik International

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant suggested forming a multi-national military unit with Arab troops to bolster Gaza's law and order and ensure safe humanitarian aid delivery, Axios reported on Friday, citing two senior Israeli officials.

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According to the report, Gallant requested US political and material support for the initiative during his meetings with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington this week. Gallant did not ask for US troops to take part in the force, the report said. The proposal would see an Arab force secure a US-built temporary pier off Gaza's coast and escort humanitarian convoys during a limited transition period, ensuring aid delivery without looting or Hamas control, the report said. On Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said in a press release that Israel must ensure the unhindered access of humanitarian aid and all necessary services to the Gaza Strip. Earlier this week, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for Ramadan. The motion was sponsored by the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC. Fourteen countries voted in favor, while the United States abstained.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/most-americans-disapprove-of-israels-military-actions-in-gaza-poll-reveals-1117606027.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/kill-as-many-as-possible-israel-reportedly-devising-plan-to-occupy-gaza-following-genocide-1117624238.html

'Kill as Many as Possible': Israel Reportedly Devising Plan to Occupy Gaza Following Genocide

'Kill as Many as Possible': Israel Reportedly Devising Plan to Occupy Gaza Following Genocide

Sputnik International

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that it is Israels policy to allow as much humanitarian aid into Gaza as necessary, which aid agencies have said is false.

2024-03-29T07:37+0000

2024-03-29T07:37+0000

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that it is Israels policy to allow as much humanitarian aid into Gaza as necessary, which aid agencies have said is false. And yesterday, the prime minister said that he wanted to allow food convoys into Gaza at the Rafah crossing, but that convoys were being raided and taken over by Hamas.This week, Israel also abandoned talks with Hamas in Qatar in response to the US' decision to abstain from the UN Security Council's resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Just a day later, after the US stated that the resolution was non-binding, the US State Department said that Israel had agreed to reschedule the meeting on military plans for Gazas southern city of Rafah.Esteban Carrillo, a Beirut-based Ecuadorian journalist and head of news for The Cradle, spoke to Sputniks Political Misfits on Thursday about Israels continued fight against Hamas. When asked by Sputniks John Kiriakou whether Israels war is for public consumption, or if it is to depopulate Gaza and settle it with Israelis, Carrillo suggested that it is not possible to stomp out ideas with violence.The history of the world tells us that its impossible to stomp out resistance. You cannot stomp out ideas with violence. So it's really just for foreign consumption, said Carrillo. It's the same thing as, when, George W. Bush stood in front of the banner with mission accomplished. Like, we defeated terrorism, and then to this day the wars are still raging.Sputniks Kiriakou said the Political Misfits team has seen advertisements and fliers across synagogues in North America telling those in the Jewish community that they can buy land in Israel, which suggests that the Gaza Strip is under the process of being occupied by the Israelis. Where, exactly, the land is being sold was unconfirmed at the time of this article's publication. It's happening, Carrillo responded. It's happening completely. We at The Cradle have seen these reports about these meetings happening in the US, you know, in which land is offered up for sale, like auctions. And what are they selling? They're selling property in Gaza because at the end of the day, this is what the zionist project is about now. It's a homeland for Jewish people, but in which the homeland is put ahead of the people.They canceled this delegation to Washington. They walk out of Qatar, leaving a small Mossad team. And now they're walking it back. They're walking it back because they know that with no US support these things fall apart in a matter of days. They haven't been able to defeat Hamas, which is a militia with about 35,000 strong in six months, dropping everything on them, killing thousands and thousands of civilians and Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other groups, they're still there, they're still battling.Kiriakou noted that the Israeli governments stance on rescuing hostages has changed over the course of the war, adding that Netanyahu has been accused of abandoning hostages, as he continues to walk away from hostage swap deals. He also notes that there have been reports of Israeli soldiers killing two unarmed doctors who refused to abandon their patients, while Israel claimed to have killed 200 terrorists at the al-Shifa hospital complex in the last two days.Just ask Netanyahu what he is doing to rescue all the captives who remain in Gaza. Nothing, said Carrillo. He walked away from all the talks. Every time Hamas offers a comprehensive ceasefirea lasting ceasefire that includes a prisoner exchange, Netanyahu and his entire band of misfits comes out and says, 'this is ridiculous. This is absurd. We cannot accept that this would be a total defeat.' So it's right there, they don't even try to hide it.This is the end goal here, to make it so that, even if there's a lasting ceasefire and even if there's humanitarian aid and attempts for reconstruction, what is there going to be to reconstruct? At this point, these places are like the surface of the moon, said Carrillo. There's nothing that anyone can do.We have seen the level of brutality that has been unleashed. And we talk about the invasion of Rafah as if it's something that is going to happen, when in reality Rafah has already been under heavy fire, under heavy airstrikes for weeks at this point, he added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/international-court-of-justice-orders-israel-to-take-all-measures-to-prevent-genocide-in-gaza-strip-1116407062.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231018/gaza-hospital-missile-blast-leaves-trail-of-blood--tears-1114278410.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/most-americans-disapprove-of-israels-military-actions-in-gaza-poll-reveals-1117606027.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/lack-of-council-of-europe-reaction-to-terror-at-crocus-brings-impartiality-into-question---moscow-1117626236.html

Lack of Council of Europe Reaction to Terror at Crocus Brings Impartiality Into Question - Moscow

Lack of Council of Europe Reaction to Terror at Crocus Brings Impartiality Into Question - Moscow

Sputnik International

The lack of reaction from the leadership of the Council of Europe to the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall near Moscow that killed 143 people on March 22 questions the impartiality of its legal and expert mechanism, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik.

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The lack of a principled reaction to the barbaric attack on civilians raises reasonable questions about the ability of the leadership of the Council of Europe to contribute to ensuring international stability, countering terrorism, extremism and other challenges of our time, protecting human rights. It calls into question the impartiality... of the CoE's specialized legal and expert mechanism," Zakharova said. Russia noted a lack of reaction from the leadership of the Council of Europe to the March 22 terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall near Moscow that killed 143 people, Maria Zakharova said.Russia officially withdrew from the Council of Europe on March 15, 2022. Moscow said it would implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights if they do not contradict the Russian Constitution.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 that at least 143 people were killed and 360 were injured as a result of the attack. The four main suspects in the case  all citizens of Tajikistan  were detained and charged with terrorism.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russia-adds-crocus-city-hall-attackers-to-list-of-terrorists-1117611869.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/natos-encirclement-of-russia-went-into-high-gear-under-20-year-game-plan-1117632683.html

NATO's Encirclement of Russia Went Into High Gear Under 20-Year Game Plan

NATO's Encirclement of Russia Went Into High Gear Under 20-Year Game Plan

Sputnik International

Twenty years ago NATO absorbed Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia into a post-Cold War sweeping round of expansion. Now, the US-led bloc's activities in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region directly threaten Russia.

2024-03-29T12:40+0000

2024-03-29T12:40+0000

2024-03-29T12:40+0000

george szamuely

viktor yushchenko

russia

black sea

ukraine

nato

russian foreign ministry

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NATOs activities in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region are part of preparations for a possible conflict with Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Thursday.The military bloc's buildup in Romania, Poland and the Baltic States is provocative and exacerbates military tension along the perimeter of the Russian borders and creates threats to the countrys security, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.NATO's militarization of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea coast started intensifying since 2014, following the Maidan coup and the start of the war in Donbass, according to Dr. George Szamuely, senior research fellow at the Global Policy Institute and author of "Bombs for Peace: NATOs Humanitarian War on Yugoslavia."NATO's Decades-Long Eastward MarchThe US-led military bloc embarked on its march eastward by inducting Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic as NATO members in 1999. In the next round of expansion  the fifth since the bloc's foundation  Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the alliance in 2004. The admission of the Western Balkan countries occurred between 2009 and 2020, while Finland and Sweden were absorbed by the alliance in 2023 and 2024, respectively, cementing NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea.In 2008, then NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer made a promise to Ukraine's pro-Western government led by Viktor Yushchenko that the Eastern European state would be admitted to the alliance. However, Ukraine found itself divided on the issue. The eastern regions of Ukraine were more inclined to maintain ties with Russia, which was strongly opposed to NATO's eastward enlargement. Russia viewed this expansion as a violation of the West's commitment to not move any closer to its borders following the end of the Cold War.The US-backed coup d'etat of February 2014 changed everything, with the Kiev regime seizing power, silencing pro-Russian dissenters and unleashing a war on Donbass. Since then, NATO member states have cranked up their support for Ukrainian forces by providing training and weapons. In addition, a colossal number of CIA covert bases, 12 in all according to reports, were set up across the eastern European state.NATO also sought to ensure seamless movements of its forces across Europe including to its eastern flanks, peddling the creation of a so-called "military Schengen" zone in 2017. The bloc advocated dismantling physical, legal and regulatory/administrative obstacles within the EU to streamline the transportation of weapons and troops. This concept gained traction during the Ukraine conflict.Moscow's special military operation, which began in response to NATO's continuous enlargement and militarization of the regions bordering Russia, was used by the transatlantic military bloc as a pretext for further expansion.Since February 2022, NATO has reinforced the existing four battlegroups on its eastern flank and established four more multinational battalions in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, doubling the number of troops on the ground. As of February 2024, the number of NATO boots on the eastern flank's ground amounted to 150,000, according to Foreign Policy magazine.The US-led Transatlantic military bloc also beefed up its naval and air forces from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south, in close proximity to Russia's borders.NATOs Missile Defense in Europe Threatens RussiaSince 2014, the bloc has been focusing on enhancing its air and missile defense system in Eastern Europe, which is based on the US-made Aegis Weapon System (AWS). On May 12, 2016, the Aegis Ashore missile defense site in Deveselu, Romania was declared operational. A similar site in Redzikowo, Poland, was accepted into service by the US Navy on December 15, 2023. It is due to become operational under NATO command by the summer of 2024. The Redzikowo Air Base is located just 93 miles from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Besides the Romanian and Polish sites, NATO's European air defense shield relies on mobile Aegis systems on five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers stationed by the US Navy in Rota, Spain.Since October 2022, Germany has spearheaded the creation of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), an integrated air-defense and anti-missile system, with a clear reference to Russia as a "threat". While 19 European NATO members jumped on Berlin's bandwagon, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Turkiye have so far refrained from joining. The system would include Germany's IRIS-T, America's Patriot, and Israel's Arrow-3 systems and be integrated with NATO's existing defense shield. The Western press admits that the Arrow 3 poses a direct challenge to Russia due to the system's extended range and hypersonic capabilities.NATO Expanding Presence in the Black and Baltic SeasHaving admitted Finland and Sweden, NATO has turned the Baltic Sea into the alliance's "lake." In addition, the military bloc has started to expand the Romanian Air Force 57th Air Base Mihail Kogalniceanu which would accommodate up to 10,000 NATO soldiers, new runways and weapons platforms. Located near the Black Sea port of Constanta, the expanded base would be located around 80.1 miles from Ukraine's border and around 186 miles from the port city of Odessa.Once the base is built, Crimea, the Sea of Azov and its coast as well as Russia's Krasnodar region would be within its striking range, Leonid Reshetnikov, a retired lieutenant general of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) warned Sputnik earlier this month."And that was the goal of Victoria Nuland, that [the US] want[s] Crimea. That's why Russia's move in 2014 to ensure the reincorporation of Crimea into the Russian Federation was a major blow for NATO because that was always the prize," the researcher continued.NATO's End Game: What is it?Make no mistake, NATO's eastward expansion has never been an "answer" to Russia's "behavior" as the military bloc claims, but the alliance's long-term strategy which was implemented step-by-step starting from the end of the Cold War, according to Szamuely."Now, of course, it's a little different because after the war they know that whatever the final outcome will be, Russia will extend its control of the Black Sea coastline. Now, they already have some of that because they control the southeast of Ukraine. () If [Russia] take[s] Odessa and they build a kind of a landline through to Transnistria, then, of course, the plan to control the Black Sea will have been destroyed," the expert said.Russia Has No Incentive to Attack NATODespite the Biden administration and NATO leaders claiming that Moscow is eager to attack the alliance's member states if it is "allowed" to win in Ukraine, Russia clearly does not harbor any plans of that kind, according to the scholar.The West's outlandish assertion is "the only way that they can persuade the public to support a foreign policy that the public obviously doesn't support," Szamuely explained, adding that "it hasn't been very successful so far."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/nato-activity-in-eastern-europe-aimed-at-preparing-possible-clash-with-russia---moscow-1117598205.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240317/ukraine-conflict-natos-going-to-suffer-defeat-in-proxy-war-with-russia--analyst-1117387302.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221015/us-designed-european-sky-shield-initiative-to-escalate-tension-with-russia-analyst-says-1101880792.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240318/how-natos-new-romanian-base-motivates-russia-to-win-in-ukraine-1117412386.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/crocus-city-hall-terror-attack-wont-avert-russias-victory-in-ukraine-1117563055.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/a-nato-lake-not-so-fast-why-russia-wont-cede-baltic-sea-positions-1117492366.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/claims-about-russias-alleged-plan-to-attack-europe-after-ukraine-are-nonsense---putin-1117592612.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/russian-joker-drones-force-company-of-ukrainian-troops-to-surrender-1117626385.html

Russian 'Joker' Drones Force Company of Ukrainian Troops to Surrender

Russian 'Joker' Drones Force Company of Ukrainian Troops to Surrender

Sputnik International

Russian FPV drones Joker forced a company of the Ukrainian fighters to surrender, Dmitry Kuzyakin, general director of the enterprise-developer "Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions," told Sputnik.

2024-03-29T05:36+0000

2024-03-29T05:36+0000

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Russian "Joker" FPV drones have forced a company of the Ukrainian fighters to surrender, Dmitry Kuzyakin, general director of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions developer, told Sputnik.Kuzyakin explained that currently, the Ukrainian military is in a classic line of defense, expecting "conventional warfare."The bureau provides a full cycle of FPV system combat applications: it produces drones, trains operators how to fly them, and how to use them effectively.Over the years, the company has created a line of Joker FPV combat drones. The latest model, the Joker-10, carries a payload of up to five kilograms and reaches a speed of 100 kilometers per hour (up to 200 kilometers per hour without payload).

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240317/what-more-russian-drones-on-battlefield-will-mean-to-ukrainian-soldiers-1117384796.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/state-department-official-resigns-over-bidens-gaza-policy-1117621699.html

State Department Official Resigns Over Bidens Gaza Policy

State Department Official Resigns Over Bidens Gaza Policy

Sputnik International

On Wednesday, Annelle Sheline, 38, resigned from job as a foreign affairs officer in the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, saying her job had become impossible".

2024-03-29T07:43+0000

2024-03-29T07:43+0000

2024-03-29T07:43+0000

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On Wednesday, Annelle Sheline, 38, resigned from job as a foreign affairs officer in the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, saying her job had become impossible as the Biden administration continues to send a steady stream of weapons to Israel."I wasn't able to really do my job anymore," Sheline added, during an interview. "Trying to advocate for human rights just became impossible."She said in the interview that she tried to raise concerns internally with dissent cables and at staff forums but came to the conclusion that the Biden administrations Israel policy had made her efforts pointless. The former official also questioned why the Biden administration was prioritizing blank checks for Israel over economic relations with China, human rights, or climate change.My question was: Why is this support for Israel seen as more important than all of these other, arguably very significant priorities? she said. I still dont feel like I have a great answer as to why.Shelines resignation follows that of Josh Paul who was a senior State Department official involved in arms transfers to foreign governments. Paul resigned from his role ten days after Hamas first launched its attack on Israel, citing the allyship between Israel and the US.Paul recently commended Sheline for her decision to resign, and criticized the Biden administration for their disregard of the law.Despite dissent among their own government employees and protests by US citizens, the Biden Administration has maintained their support for Israel in their war against Hamas. Since the war began, more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.In response to Shelines resignation, State Department spokesman Matt Miller told reporters that Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants to hear about the dissent within the department.On Monday, the Biden administration chose not to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire during the remaining weeks of the holy month of Ramadan. The resolution also called for the release of all hostages. Since then, the US has called the resolution non-binding, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned trip of top aides to Washington.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/absolve-themselves-of-genocide-israel-us-divide-grows-following-un-vote-1117591078.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/un-experts-report-accuses-israel-of-committing-genocide-in-gaza-1117568880.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/thumbelina-with-a-camera-female-war-correspondent-resists-nato-pressure-in-donbass-1117603300.html

Thumbelina With a Camera: Female War Correspondent Resists NATO Pressure in Donbass

Thumbelina With a Camera: Female War Correspondent Resists NATO Pressure in Donbass

Sputnik International

A courageous and joyful Thumbelina serves as a war correspondent with the Pyatnashka International Brigade. The Donbass native believes that her land will soon be completely liberated by Russian forces.

2024-03-29T07:00+0000

2024-03-29T07:00+0000

2024-03-29T07:00+0000

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Elena Sokolova, a war correspondent with the Pyatnashka International Brigade, joined the unit in 2015 at the age of 18, after finishing her first year as a journalism student. One might wonder how this Thumbelina  the small, delicate girl appears to be no taller than 5 feet and 3 inches  could withstand wartime pressure.After that, Elena started to make frontline reports, film the events, and improve her professional skills.For nine long years, she has remained in the ranks of the Pyatnashka Brigade. Together with her comrades-in-arms, she has endured hardships, hid in trenches during enemy strikes, and risked her life.There is another reason why women shouldn't participate in hostilities, according to Elena: men are particularly vulnerable to female soldiers' suffering on the battlefield:She thinks it's equally hard for men and women to fight at the front line. It's hard for everyone, regardless of gender, age, and health status, according to her: "A man walks through the exact same mud in a trench as a woman. Therefore, we endure all difficulties equally," she said.What helps endure hardships is a sense of humor, Elena remarked. A good joke is worth its weight in gold at the front.The conflict has unmasked a lot of inconvenient truths about the West and its support for the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev, according to Elena. Those in the West who still believe Russia is waging a "war of aggression" against Ukraine should learn history and visit the houses and trenches left by the enemy, she insisted.Having liberated Avdeyevka, units of the brigade conducted a mop-up operation and found swastikas and all sorts of fascist symbols that were written on the walls by Ukrainian troops in numerous houses, according to Elena. "We also see inscriptions in the dugouts in Polish, Georgian, and English," she added, referring to foreign mercenaries fighting on the side of Ukraine.Make no mistake, this is not a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it is a confrontation in which Russia is solely withstanding the pressure from the entire North Atlantic Alliance, which is fueling the criminal Kiev regime, sending mercenaries and weapons, and still sustaining defeat, Sokolova emphasized."Maybe you should think twice before poking the Russian Bear again? The bear can wake up. It takes a long time for Russians to harness, but we ride fast," the girl said, referring to a Russian proverb. "We've already harnessed it, and now, after Avdeyevka, the guys are very inspired to go farther. And I think our lands will soon be liberated, because this fortified area, which the Ukrainians reinforced with concrete for nine years, has finally fallen. And they have no more such serious fortifications. Their morale is at zero. So everything will be fine for Russia."Elena thought a lot about what she would do when the fighting is over. She doesn't rule out continuing to work as a journalist or becoming a TV host.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240322/in-the-footsteps-of-soviet-lady-death-decorated-female-sniper-hits-frontline-bulls-eye--1117484019.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240308/russian-valkyrie-how-blue-eyed-ballet-dancer-turned-into-military-commander-1117193413.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240313/do-your-duty-come-what-may-why-do-russian-women-join-volunteer-battalions-1117267245.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/ukraine-loses-over-305-soldiers-around-avdeyevka-in-past-day---mod-1117637761.html

Ukraine Loses Over 305 Soldiers Around Avdeyevka in Past Day - MoD

Ukraine Loses Over 305 Soldiers Around Avdeyevka in Past Day - MoD

Sputnik International

Ukraine has lost more than 305 soldiers in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours, the Russia Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Friday.

2024-03-29T11:41+0000

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2024-03-29T11:41+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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avdeyevka

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Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repelled eight Ukrainian counterattacks in the Avdeyevka region and four attacks near Kupyansk. Ukraine has also lost more than 300 soldiers in the Donetsk area, the ministry added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/russian-forces-hit-decision-making-centers-in-ukraine---mod-1117556024.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/ukraines-scramble-to-build-defense-lines-exposes-jarring-internal-discord-1117626913.html

Ukraines Scramble to Build Defense Lines Exposes Jarring Internal Discord

Ukraines Scramble to Build Defense Lines Exposes Jarring Internal Discord

Sputnik International

Ukraine is in a frantic scramble to make up for lost time and dig enough defense fortifications and trenches, stated Politico.

2024-03-29T08:39+0000

2024-03-29T08:39+0000

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Long gone are the days when US media reports were all bluster about the impending Ukrainian counteroffensive. That was last summer, and it fizzled out into huge manpower and hardware losses. Now that the tables have been turned, a different tune has been struck up.As Russias Armed Forces press forward relentlessly, Ukraine is in a frantic scramble to make up for lost time and dig enough trenches, Politico has stated. By all accounts, Kiev has landed in this unenviable position because "warnings" from both Western analysts and Ukraines own opposition lawmakers about the need to dig in fell on deaf ears. The latter is apparently understandable, given that President Volodymyr Zelensky and his circle were much too busy tooting their own horn at the time.The outlet rustled up a batch of interviews with Ukrainian opposition lawmakers, instead of the usual choice of Ukrainian soldiers or active military commanders. This time, the interlocutors cited their concerns over the lack of adequate defense fortifications in the face of an anticipated Russian offensive, seemingly laying the blame with the Kiev leadership, which has been mired in reshuffles and dismissals.We were warning since last summer that you have to construct defensive fortifications on an industrial scale, bringing together the appropriate ministers and local military administrations to build defensive lines fast and make them extremely strong, a lawmaker by the name of Rostyslav Pavlenko told the outlet.He added that the pace and the materials being used for such construction were a disappointment.Yet another Ukrainian opposition politician cited fears that there was now far too little time for Kiev to construct the much-needed defenses in earnest.They started building them finally. But this is late. They started really last month, said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a former deputy prime minister in the administration of ex-President Petro Poroshenko.Of course, unheeded Western warnings are also being suggested as an excuse for the calamitous situation. Apparently, more of the same counsel came from military analysts at Britains Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Before the counteroffensive, they stated in a May 2023 report that engineering has proven to be one of the strongest branches of the Russian military. The defenses now constructed, consisting of complex obstacles and field fortifications, will pose a major tactical challenge to Ukrainian offensive operations.Furthermore, one former senior field commander revealed that Ukraine lacks both the mines required for the new fortifications and the mobilized soldiers to adequately man them.In the aftermath of the failed, but much-heralded, summer counteroffensive, Volodymyr Zelensky and his Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal acknowledged the need for boosted fortifications, particularly after their own forces had come up against Russias formidable three lines of well-designed defenses. In fact, Shmyhal stated at a press briefing on January 24, after a meeting with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico in Uzhgorod, that Ukraine was going to build a three-tiered defense line. He said that Ukraine was being sent armored excavators and demining equipment, and announced $524 million in funding for the construction, with other sources reportedly providing an additional $280 million.We started building and overhauling defense fortifications only on March 1. The fortifications have a complex purpose and will consist of barriers able to stop armor and minefields, Oleh Syniehubov, governor of the Kharkov region, was cited as saying.Pundits told Sputnik earlier that the timing of Shmyhal's announcement was linked to the fact that the Kiev regime urgently needs money, as Western financial aid has almost run out. However, Kiev's announcement does not necessarily mean that the proposed sophisticated defenses will in fact be built. After Volodymyr Zelensky told the US press that he wants to build defensive structures all the way from Donbass to Western Ukraine, some Russian military observers calculated the costs. A multi-layered defensive line of at least 2,800 km (1,700 miles), according to their estimates, would cost at least $10 billion.As for Russia, even the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, DC think tank, has characterized its defensive positions in Donbass, Kherson, and Zaporozhye as "the most extensivein Europe since the Second World War." Whether using its defensive tactics or state-of-the-art sophisticated weaponry, in 2023 Russia proved it is more than capable of fending off and destroying hundreds of modern Western military vehicles, tanks, and artillery systems.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231201/who-will-pay-for-zelenskys-defense-line-west-seems-uninterested--expert-1115331278.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240125/russia-managed-to-break-though-ukraine-defensive-line-once-will-do-this-again--retired-colonel-1116389209.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/wash-your-mouth-russian-foreign-ministry-rebukes-kirby-for-odd-comment-on-terrorist-attack-1117630778.html

'Wash Your Mouth': Russian Foreign Ministry Rebukes Kirby for Odd Comment on Terrorist Attack

'Wash Your Mouth': Russian Foreign Ministry Rebukes Kirby for Odd Comment on Terrorist Attack

Sputnik International

After the White House's insulting statement on the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall, it became clear why the expression "wash your mouth out with soap" is common in the United States, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel.

2024-03-29T10:56+0000

2024-03-29T10:56+0000

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After the White House's insulting statement on the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, it has become clear why the expression "wash your mouth out with soap" is common in the United States, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel.On March 22, a shooting occurred at a 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 said that a number of gunmen dressed in camouflage broke into the music hall, shooting people at close range and throwing incendiary bombs. Russia's Investigative Committee said that at least 143 people were killed and 360 injured, making the attack the deadliest in Russia in nearly 20 years. The four main suspects in the case, all citizens of Tajikistan, have been arrested and charged with terrorism.However, even before the suspects were found, Washington rushed to claim that the attack had nothing to do with Ukraine and blamed jihadists for it. However, the US failed to provide any evidence for its claim and ignored questions from the Russian side on their knowledge about the details of the incident.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russia-adds-crocus-city-hall-attackers-to-list-of-terrorists-1117611869.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/worse--worse-abusive-us-prison-systems-and-assanges-denial-of-due-process--1117625379.html

'Worse & Worse': Abusive US Prison Systems and Assange's Denial of Due Process

'Worse & Worse': Abusive US Prison Systems and Assange's Denial of Due Process

Sputnik International

The US must provide assurances that neither of these instances will happen, and therefore the trial can move to another phase where Assanges legal team may debate the validity of those assurances.

2024-03-29T07:49+0000

2024-03-29T07:49+0000

2024-03-29T07:50+0000

analysis

assange

wikileaks founder julian assange case

julian assange

julian assange arrest

united kingdom (uk)

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wikileaks

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freedom of the press

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The US must provide assurances that neither of these instances will happen, and therefore the trial can move to another phase where Assanges legal team may debate the validity of those assurances. If they do not, then the limited appeal will move forward. One journalist noted that this will continue to obstruct Assanges due process and therefore his most basic legal rightswhich has been going on for more than a decade.Sputniks John Kiriakou, a co-host of Political Misfits, is a former CIA counterterrorism officer and a former senior investigator with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He became the sixth whistleblower indicted by the Obama administration under the Espionage Act and served 23 months in prison as a result of his attempt to oppose the Bush administrations torture program.Kiriakou recently wrote in an article Assange and the Sickness of US Prisons, that the US prison medical system is utterly broke, and described a prisoner he personally knew who was given Tylenol for stage 4 cancer in his spine and who would later die in prison. Kiriakou sat down with The Critical Hour on Thursday to discuss Assanges predicament.People forget Julian Assange spent so many years in what amounted to solitary confinement in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. And so, you tend to go crazy, not having access to the outside world. There's almost nothing you can do about it, says Kiriakou. Now, we know from a multitude of studies that have been done in prison systems here in the United States, both at the federal and state levels that 85% of incarcerated people in the United States have some form of diagnosable mental illness.Even if they didn't go into prison with mental illness, they develop it in prison, and it's because of solitary confinement, Kiriakou adds.Kirakou wrote in his piece about a report from the Washington Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights in Urban Affairs which exposed such abuses at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which is the same entity that would be responsible for Assanges health.Sputniks Wilmer Leon noted that while in prison, a prisoner does not only have to fear harm from their fellow cellmates, but are also subjected to trauma inflicted by prison guards. That's right. In many cases, guards are worse, says Kiriakou. There's a case in California right now, at the federal level. It's a Federal Bureau of Prisons women's prison, called FCI Dublin in Dublin, California. And, that prison was known as the 'rape club.' So far, six officials at the prison, including the warden, the prison doctor, three guards and the chaplain, if you can imagine this, raped dozens of female prisoners, would beat them if they would not submit to the rape and are just now working their ways through the legal system.Sputniks Wilmer Leon noted that there has been a dramatic shift in the philosophy of incarceration in the US, which can most likely be attributed to the mid to late 1970s as well as the war on drugs---first inaugurated by President Richard Nixon in the early 1970swhich shifted the philosophy from a rehabilitation model to an incarceration model.So true, so true, Kiriakou agreed. You know, things began to change in the late 1970s. They changed very much in the mid-1980s. But you're exactly right. Before the Reagan presidency, if you were incarcerated, you could learn a skill. You could get your GED. If you didn't have a high school diploma, then you could learn small engine repair, plumbing, electrical work, any number of different things. Now, you can't do any of that.Where they do teach you a skill, where they do give you medical care and mental health care. And instead of over-stuffing people in bleak prison cells, put them in what looked like apartments so that they can transition back into normal society when their prison sentences are up. We just don't understand that.Leon noted that rehabilitating criminals has been abolished and that prisons have now come under an aspect of privatization.Furniture making is a good example, Kiriakou explained. At the prison where I was incarcerated, FCI Laredo in central Pennsylvania, there was a Prison Industries factory where they manufactured fiber optic cables for the US Navy. Well, when you're paying people $0.25 an hour and forcing them to work 40 hours a week for that quarter an hour and putting outside businesses out of business because they can't pay their workers $0.25 an hour. You know, you're actually doing damage to the community.It just gets worse and worse and worse, said Kiriakou. And again, we find ourselves just shocked that we have these problems. And so, the idea is, if these prisoners do their sentences and then they become repeat offenders and the recidivism rate is high, that must mean that our sentences aren't long enough, and, in fact, our sentences are the longest of any industrialized country.And I wrote a separate piece, not too long ago, saying that in the last 10 years, Congress has created 500 new crimes, not 500 new laws, 500 new crimes, things that were perfectly legal 10 years ago that are now felonies, he added. And so, the bottom line is, if they want to get you, they're going to get you.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/is-biden-administration-slow-rolling-assange-case-to-keep-journalist-in-limbo-1117573772.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/uk-court-ruling-grants-assange-reprieve-and-strong-chance-to-appeal-extradition-1117567387.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/moscow-on-london-courts-decision-on-assange-uk-justice-system-becomes-laughing-stock-1117566511.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240329/zionists-have-hold-on-us-executive-branch--ex-cia-analyst-1117625611.html

Zionists Have Hold on US Executive Branch  Ex-CIA Analyst

Zionists Have Hold on US Executive Branch  Ex-CIA Analyst

Sputnik International

CIA veteran Ray McGovern offered an overview of Israels historical influence in US politics.

2024-03-29T04:53+0000

2024-03-29T04:53+0000

2024-03-29T05:46+0000

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ray mcgovern

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There is a hold on the US executive branch led by self-proclaimed Zionists, said former CIA analyst Ray McGovern Thursday. The 27-year veteran of the US intelligence agency made the startling claim on Sputniks The Critical Hour program where he discussed the latest developments in Israels ongoing US-backed assault on the Gaza Strip.There's a new poll from Gallup that's found that the majority of Americans disapprove of the military actions in Gaza, which have killed over 32,000 Palestinians, including over 13,000 children, noted host Wilmer Leon. The poll showed only 36% of Americans now approve of Israels operation in the enclave, a substantial decline versus four months ago. Just 18% of self-identified Democrats approve of the countrys conduct while 29% of political independents do.McGovern noted he has difficulty breaking down the politics of the operation given the harrowing humanitarian impact; I can't get away from the fact that 90 to 95 children are killed each day, the analyst lamented.Founded in 1963, AIPAC is among the most aggressive funders of political causes in the United States. The groups largesse  allowing them to effectively make or break lawmakers careers  makes them a feared presence in the US where effective campaign finance regulation has been all but eliminated.People who are in Congress, both the House and the Senate, can be easily dislodged, removed, if they thwart what Israel wants to do, said McGovern. Israel, their lobby, has the money to do that. They've shown that in several cases, even recently, even in primaries.It's not enough to be against genocide, he concluded. We have to be against the enablers of genocide. That first and foremost is Joe Biden and his coterie of sophomore advisers and the Congress.McGovern recounted the influence of the Zionist lobby going back to 2003 and the disastrous US invasion of Iraq. A recent study by Brown University found that at least 3.6 million people died as a result of the Iraq War and other conflicts emerging from the so-called War on Terror.Why did we go into Iraq? he asked. There were three reasons... One was oil, obviously. One was permanent military bases, obviously. And the other one was Israel.He stated that Israeli influence on the US government went as far back as 1967, when Israel occupied Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank.On November 22, 1967, a unanimous [United Nations] Security Council resolution signed on to by the United States of America and everybody else on the Security Council demanded that Israel withdraw from occupied territories, he recounted. What did the Israelis do? They thumbed their nose So that's the kind of hold that the Israelis have had on us since '67.Israel has frequently criticized the UN in the years since, often claiming the organization and its administrators are in thrall of a vast anti-Semitic conspiracy. The country has maintained significant influence in each US presidential administration, with former President Barack Obama lavishing the country with its largest aid package in US history despite open hostility from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.What we're dealing with here is a situation where Israelis are running this particular foreign policy of Joe Biden, said McGovern.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/with-us-backing-israel-is-starving-22-million-palestinians-in-gaza-1117237324.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/insanity-on-steroids-ex-us-official-describes-israel-neocon-nexus-driving-foreign-policy-1116423242.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/un-vote-unlikely-to-signal-change-in-us-policy-towards-israel-1117551594.html

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Spring wildfire season has fueled response from firefighters around Virginia and the country, including in Culpeper County and in Shenandoah National Park.

Park officials reported the Rocky Branch Fire as 80 percent contained as of Thursday having burned 1,031 acres in Luray, just north of Shenandoah National Park headquarters.

The fire followed a major wind event early afternoon on March 20, according to daily reports from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

Initial responders included Luray Fire Department and National Park Service as the blaze spread into the park. Total personnel of 40 have worked to fight the fire, which rains this week have helped to extinguish.

Shenandoah lifted its parkwide burn ban Wednesday, allowing campers to again have open air fires. All closed trails were reopened mid-week.

Also on March 20, volunteer crews from around Culpeper County responded to a wildfire in the Boston area. More than a dozen homes were evacuated in the fire which initially burned 60 acres. The fire actually, in total, burned 235 acres in the Slate Mills area, according to an update this week from volunteer fire and rescue association president Junior Perryman.

Page County, in addition, contacted Perryman last weekend seeking additional brush trucks to fight the fire on the mountain, he said. Culpeper County did send one brush truck and two firefighters from Reva to fight the fire. They were there for a 12-hour assignment, Perryman said.

The Culpeper Police Department Drone Team responded to the Boston area fire March 20, providing firefighters with a live aerial overview of the brush fire, wind shifts, and threatened areas so that fire command could best direct resources and operations.

Our Drone Team is always ready to help protect our community, according to a Culpeper PD post.

In a related story, Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department was honored last Saturday at the Madison County Volunteer Fire annual banquet for providing assistance during the Quaker Run Fire that burned nearly 4,000 acres last fall.

Brandy Station Firefighter Corey Burke and Firefighter R.T. gave up their time and a weekend to spend helping out on the fire grounds, according to a BSVFD post.

This is what firefighting is about. Helping the surrounding jurisdictions without a second thought, stated the post from Brandy Station.
Community members are invited to attend the 21st Annual Bluebell Walk along Cedar Run, a free, family-friendly walk through a beautiful streamside field of Virginias iconic blue flowers.

The outdoor program is hosted by Margrete and Mike Stevens at their conserved property, Bonny Brook Farm in Catlett, Fauquier County. The offering is part of Piedmont Environmental Councils Julian W. Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund. Rain or shine, the walk takes place this year starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 7. No pets, please.

Along the flat, one-mile walk, local naturalists will discuss topics such as beavers, invasive plant species, and habitat restoration for birds, butterflies and other critters.

Bonny Brook Farm serves as an example of how landowners can make incremental efforts to steward their property with guidance from a host of conservation partners, said Maggi Blomstrom, PEC Rappahannock-Rapidan conservation initiative coordinator.

These partners include The Clifton Institute, Blue Ridge PRISM, Virginia Working Landscapes, John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District, and PEC, she said.

Land management practices in place at the Stevens farm include invasive species removal, native meadow management, and planting trees along Cedar Run to help with water quality, Blomstrom said.

Guests of the Bluebell Walk are asked to arrive on time for the group field walk, and encouraged to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes that can get dirty. Those wishing to wade across Cedar Run (a fan-favorite part of the walk) should bring along tall boots or waders.

Donations are welcome in support of the Julian W. Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund for continued land and water conservation efforts in Fauquier County. Learn more and register at: pecva.org/bluebells.
T-Mobile announced the opening of its first store in Locust Grove on March 22.

According to a business release citing T-Mobile spokesman Roni Singleton, customers and wireless shoppers living in eastern Orange County now have access to a local T-Mobile store where they can choose service plans, smartphones, tablets and accessories.

Singleton also said that the new Locust Grove location is part of T-Mobiles efforts to expand its retail footprint with the addition of new stores in small towns and rural communities across the country. Prior to the opening of the newest location, the nearest T-Mobile store was in Culpeper.

Opening our first store in Locust Grove is a great way for T-Mobile to build better relationships with our customers in this area, said John Stevens, Vice President for T-Mobiles Small Markets & Rural Areas.

The move to increase our retail presence in smaller and more rural communities goes way beyond enhancing wireless connectivity. It also gives us an invaluable opportunity to provide in-person information and training on T-Mobile products and services, and it helps us establish closer connections and contribute to the local economy.

Along with expanding its local presence in Virginia, T-Mobile also announced a focus on donations to nonprofits in the commonwealth. In November, the company gave $50,000 total in donations through its Difference Maker Award to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, the Childrens Hospital Foundation of Richmond at VCU, Help and Emergency Response, The Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia and the United Service Organization.

The T-Mobile Hometown Grants program provides funding to small towns each year to use towards city beautification projects, public improvements and more. Since launching the five-year program in 2021, Bristol, Luray, New Castle, Smithfield, Stuart and Staunton have received grants totaling more than $300,000, according to the release. Towns with populations less than 50,000 are eligible and encouraged to apply.

The Locust Grove T-Mobile shop is located at 2222 A & K Blvd., off of State Route 3 next to the Locust Grove Walmart. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 on Sunday.
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.

What western Nebraska senators said on LB 388 State Sens. Steve Erdman of Bayard and Mike Jacobson of North Platte were among Unicameral speakers during Wednesday's start of first-round debate on Legislative Bill 388 on property tax reform.

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.
The Statesville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEAs National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

The SPD will be at Walgreens at 951 Davie Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27 to collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications  those that are old, unwanted, or expired  that too often become a gateway to addiction.

Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at close to 5,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.

Please note that liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. Additionally, the Statesville Police Department site will be accepting syringes and sharps, although other drop-off locations may not accept these items.

In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed 8,950 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.

For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
Kelso's Sons of Norway Lodge plans to hold its regular meeting and a breakfast next week.

The group, which aims to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, plans to meet at 6 p.m. April 5 at the lodge, 224 West Catlin St., for the meeting. A potluck and social time starts an hour earlier.

The next day, from 8:30-10:30 a.m., the group plans to sell breakfasts comprised of Norwegian waffles, Swedish pancakes, scrambled eggs, baked ham, lingonberry jam, syrup, coffee, tea, and juice for $12 for adults and $6 for ages 8 and under.
Youre driving along, and without warning, the roadway drops from beneath you.

There are a few seconds of falling, with thoughts possibly racing about family or loved ones, followed by a jarring impact, and most likely injury.

Tuesdays collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore following a ship strike brought back jarring memories of their own ordeals to people who survived previous bridge collapses.

There was definitely something wrong

Linda Paul, 72, survived a bridge collapse in Minneapolis on Aug. 1, 2007. The Interstate 35W bridge collapsed without warning into the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis during the evening rush hour.

Paul was 55 then, working as a shop-at-home designer for a local company and driving home in a minivan that doubled as a store on wheels, loaded with fabrics and sample books. Traffic was at a total standstill, leaving her stuck on the bridge around 6 p.m.

I remember looking around and thinking that there was definitely something wrong, Paul said. I looked ahead and realized that the center section of the bridge was going down, and knew at that point that there was a good chance I would go down with it. And that is exactly what happened.

Police later told her that she plunged down a 50-foot (15-meter) slope as the concrete deck of the bridge collapsed. She was still inside the minivan as it fell onto wreckage on the riverbank.

Chunks of concrete hit her, fracturing five of her vertebrae and crushing her left cheekbone, as the collapse killed 13 people and injured 145.

IT WAS KIND OF, LIKE, JOLTY

Jessie Shelton, now a 35-year-old Broadway actor and voiceover artist in New York, was 18 when she survived the Minnesota bridge collapse. She had been driving from work to a production she was part of at Childrens Theater in Minneapolis.

I started to slide backwards. And it was kind of, like, jolty, she said. I felt like I was on some sort of amusement park ride. And I remember thinking at 18 years of age, Well, well see what happens.

Then she was knocked unconscious, suffering a concussion and injuries that broke her back in four spots.

I just remember that sort of final moment before I got a concussion, Shelton said. I dont recall what came after. I woke up at North Memorial Hospital with either my mom or my best friend standing over me.

I had a big cement block in the backseat of my car, she recalled. It narrowly missed me. It came off of one of the signs, I think, up above. So it really was pretty miraculous that I made it because I couldnt have navigated out of that situation, because I was out cold.

ESCAPED THROUGH A HAND-CRANKED WINDOW

Gustavo Morales Jr. was driving a truck over the Queen Isabella Causeway in Port Isabel, Texas and fell into an abyss after a tugboat struck a pillar, sending part of the bridge into the water on Sept. 15, 2001.

Morales was on his way home from a late night managing a restaurant on South Padre Island at the time. He remembers it feeling like a rumble or explosion  and then his pickup truck flew over the collapsed roadway for a few seconds before crashing into the water. Thoughts of his wife, who was expecting their third child, flooded his mind.

Everything comes into your mind a thousand miles an hour, he said. It was my wife, my girls, my son who was on his way.

Morales believes wearing his seatbelt and being able to manually roll down the window helped him stay conscious and escape the truck. He spent about ten minutes in the water before some young men nearby who witnessed the tugboat hit the pier helped him and others safely out. Eight people died that day. Morales was among three survivors.

MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND TRAUMA

Garrett Ebling, another survivor of the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse, was numb when he learned that six people who were on the bridge in Baltimore remained missing and were presumed dead.

As Minneapolis bridge collapse survivors, one of the things we hold onto is that we went through this in the hopes that people wouldnt have to go through something like this in the future, Ebling said.

Ebling, 49, of New Ulm, Minnesota, endured multiple surgeries, including facial reconstruction, as well as emotional trauma.

We dont know what happened in Baltimore, Ebling said. But I dont want to see somebody have to go through that, especially unnecessarily. If it ends up being a preventable accident then I really feel bad. In my estimation, what happened in Minneapolis was a preventable bridge collapse. And if that also happened in Baltimore, then I think that makes it even more disappointing.

<&rule>

Ahmed reported from Minneapolis and Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas. Associated Press writers Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia, and Wayne Parry in Atlantic City, New Jersey, also contributed to this story.
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The Indian IT sector may be set to soar globally with AI, experts assert. In another development, the US Federal agencies are mandated to test AI for bias and oversight. Additionally, the US government has also implemented safeguards against AI, ensuring transparency. All this, and more in our daily roundup. Let us take a look.

1. Indian IT sector set to soar globally with AI, experts assert

AI is poised to elevate Indian IT sector globally, asserts Prakash Jain, Executive Chairman of Inspira Enterprise India Ltd. With India exporting $270 billion IT services last year, Jain credits government support for easing business hurdles. He highlights India's skilled workforce and predicts AI's pervasive impact, dismissing job loss fears. Vishal Chordia sees AI empowering workers and touts India's global awareness for healthy food, according to a PTI report.

Also read: Indians staying in UAE can now make UPI payments using PhonePe app

2. US Federal agencies mandated to test AI for bias and oversight

The White House mandates US federal agencies to conduct bias testing on AI tools, appoint Chief AI Officers for oversight. Measures aim to mitigate risks like discrimination and privacy violations. Agencies must implement safeguards by Dec. 1, including opt-out options for TSA facial recognition and ensuring fairness in healthcare. VP Kamala Harris aims for global AI policy model, according to a report by Bloomberg.

3. US government implements AI safeguards for transparency

US mandates AI safeguards for government use, and prioritises transparency. Agencies must implement measures by Dec. 1 to protect rights and safety, combat algorithmic discrimination, and disclose AI usage details. President Biden's executive order invokes safety tests for AI systems, ensuring public safety. Concerns over generative AI's impact on jobs, elections, and human autonomy persist, according to a Reuters report.

Also read: Leaked Google Pixel Watch 3 specs hint at improved battery life, more customization options

4. Hon Hai hits record high amid AI hype

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Apple's iPhone maker, achieves record high amidst AI excitement, outweighing smartphone sector concerns. Despite previous lag in Taiwan, fourth-quarter earnings optimism boosts shares by 46% year-to-date. AI revenue could contribute half of server revenue, per JPMorgan analysts, though overall AI exposure remains lower than competitors. Hon Hai now overbought on Taiwan index, Bloomberg reported.

Also read: LinkedIn rolls out TikTok-like video feed for professionals; Know all about it

5. Japanese AI offers personalised relief for chronic back pain

NEC Corporation and Tokyo Medical and Dental University introduce AI tools for chronic lower back pain. Utilizing 2D/3D human pose estimation, it evaluates skeletal structure and joint conditions. Abductive reasoning technology swiftly identifies pain causes, recommending personalized exercise videos. With Japan's ageing population, addressing CLBP becomes crucial. Ministry of Health study highlights CLBP's prevalence in Japan, Mobile health news reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting with Bill Gates shared how India took the lead in adopting new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence. During a candid conversation at the prime minister's residence, Bill Gates praised Indians for proactively embracing technology to improve lifestyle.

In a video shared by news agency ANI, PM Modi said, During the G20 Summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed their curiosity about the digital revolution in the country. I explained to them that we have democratised technology to prevent monopoly. It is by the people and for the people.."

Bill Gates said, In here, it is like Digital Government. India is not only adapting technology but it is actually leading the way...

Also read: PM Narendra Modi gives AI warning, calls deepfakes "problematic"

India has been one of the fastest-growing countries in terms of adopting emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. From Bill Gates to other tech giants, everybody is taking note of India's digital revolution. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates talked about women-led development and harnessing artificial intelligence (AI). Yet again, PM Modi and Bill Gates shared a fruitful discussion on how India is leading the digital revolution and how the country is combating the problems related to AI.

PM Modi and Bill Gates discuss India's big tech leap

On Friday, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and PM Modi held discussions over several topics such as India's AI take, adopting new technologies, women-led development, AI risks and more.

Also read: PM Narendra Modi meets Bill Gates, discussion on AI for public good takes centre stage

Apart from India's technological front, PM Modi also highlighted how women's contribution has been integral in adopting new technology in India. Additionally, the conversion also continued with risks of AI and deepakes. With growing concerns about deep fakes, PM Modi acknowledged how necessary it is to train AI systems properly and the need to add a watermark to AI-generated content.

The prime minister said, Our priority is to enhance the quality of life rather than merely focusing on services. Lastly, the meeting also highlighted the need for digital public infrastructure in rural areas to avoid the digital divide in the country.

Also read: Apple Set to Unveil AI Strategy at June 10 Developers Conference



He also spoke about the advancement in other sectors such as health, agriculture, and education.

One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp Channels! Follow us there so you never miss any updates from the world of technology. To follow the HT Tech channel on WhatsApp, click here to join now!
March 29, 2024 12:15

Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder and former head of the FTX crypto exchange, was sentenced to 25 years in prison with the confiscation of assets worth more than $11 billion. He pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges, including fraud and embezzlement.

At the court session held on March 28, it was found that due to Bankman-Fried's actions, FTX customers lost $8 billion, and the damage to investors and creditors was estimated at $1.7 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. Three people committed suicide as a result.

According to Judge Lewis Kaplan, Bankman-Fried committed perjury at least three times. Despite this, the judge did not side with the prosecution, which requested a 40-year sentence, or the defense, which, citing Bankman-Fried's mental health problems, insisted that he be imprisoned for 6.5 years.

Summarizing the trial, the judge noted that Bankman-Fried was well aware that the clients' funds did not belong to him, that he was doing wrong and putting the stock exchange in a very risky position. The defendant himself said that he hoped to avoid justice and remain unpunished.

The US Probation Service has insisted that he be sentenced to 100 years in prison, which, according to Bankman-Fried's lawyers, would be no less "grotesque" than the 150 years of 71-year-old Bernie Madoff, the mastermind of the fraud scheme.

Bankman-Fried was one of the founders of the FTX crypto exchange launched in 2019, which quickly became one of the largest in the world. During the trial, his co-conspirators confirmed that they had nipulated the numbers to make the stock market appear safer than it actually was.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Every year, billions of people board planes that are built by one of two manufacturersBoeing, an American manufacturer, and Airbus, a European corporation.

Air travel has never been safer, data suggests. In the U.S., only five people have died on commercial flights since 2009, while the number of fatal commercial aviation accidents worldwide in 2023 decreased to sixthe fewest on record.

But it's been a very bad year for Boeing.

In January, an Alaska Airlines flight lost a door plug mid-flight. Later that month, loose parts were found on grounded 737 Max 9 planes. Inspections, audits and investigations followedand so did tumbling consumer confidence.

Can Boeing be trusted again?

The most recent incidents have set the company back five yearswhen two fatal crashes of 737 MAX 8 planes killed 346 people.

"They're right back where they wereunder the microscopeand with people wondering whether they can move things forward," says Peter Mancusi, a lawyer, crisis manager and assistant teaching professor at Northeastern University.

Crisis management is about helping companies facing public scrutiny manage their reputation. In the case of Boeing, Mancusi says, the company needs to first convince the Federal Aviation Administrationthe U.S. federal government agency that regulates civil aviationthat it has fixed all the issues and made safety the top priority.

Repairing its public reputation can only happen after Boeing satisfies regulators, Mancusi says.

"You wouldn't want to say anything that would get challenged by the FAA," he says.

Boeing had long been considered the most trusted name in aviation. In the aftermath of World War II, the company was known for going the extra mile and spending extra money to keep passengers safe, says Simon Pitts, program director of Northeastern's Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership and former senior executive at Ford Motor Co.

"That has all disappeared over the decades," Pitts says.

The recent incidents with Boeing planes, he says, reflect poor design, manufacturing and quality control.

The company has put profits ahead of everything else, Pitts says.

"They are reaping the rewards of focusing on only one of the targets," he says. "And that's the financial target."

Boeing's shift away from "superb" engineering to satisfying shareholders happened in the late 1990s, Pitts says. That's when the company merged with McDonnell Douglas, an American aerospace manufacturing corporation and defense contractor that produced commercial and military aircrafts.

Boeing began to build more low-cost planes using the fewest number of workers.

Pitts says the FAA should share the blame in Boeing's downfall. After all, he says, the FAA allows too much self-certification, and management flows freely between Boeing and the FAA.

"It really means that the FAA is blind to some of the things that are going on," Pitts says. "And that's both from a manufacturing perspective and also from a design and development and verification perspective."

The issue, however, is not transparency, Pitts says, but competency.

Pitts sees the recent removal of Boeing's CEO, chairman and head of commercial airplanes as a step in the right direction. CEO David Calhoun was not an engineera hiring mistake in Pitts's opinion. Boeing needs people in leadership who are either engineers or are engineering savvy, he says, and rely on this knowledge to make their decisions and lead the company.

"I've seen a number of companies almost cycle between having technical engineering leaders and finance-based leaders, and you can almost watch the performance of the companies improve and get worse again," he says.

The company's challenge now, he says, is to put the right people in charge with the resources to design and develop quality aircraft.

"I'm confident that given the right structure of the board, given the right leadership team, who then allocate the correct resources to the engineers, and manufacturing engineers, and the suppliers, they can in fact do a good job," Pitts says.

Boeing's new leadership team will also need to boost the morale of its employees, says Paula Caligiuri, distinguished professor of international business and strategy at Northeastern.

Senior executives should begin to provide regular updates about findings and actions taken, she says.

"This includes meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements, exceeding industry standards for safety and quality, and making tangible improvements in the company's culture," Caligiuri says.

The company should establish an environment where speaking up about safety and quality concerns is not only welcomed but rewarded.

"Psychological bravery is the inner strength that fuels individuals to face fears and make tough decisions, anchored by a steadfast adherence to ethical principles," Caligiuri says.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Gov. Ron DeSantis' office quietly helped write a bill to curtail wind energy in the state of Florida, email records provided to the Tampa Bay Times show.

A version of that bill is now awaiting DeSantis' signature to become law, which will ban offshore wind turbines in state waters. It also proposes to delete the majority of references to climate change found in state law, the Times previously reported.

Florida lawmakers passed the bills, Senate Bill 1624 and House Bill 1645, in early March, even though the state has no operational wind farms because Florida generally has slower wind speeds. Still, the ban on offshore turbines in state waters puzzled and frustrated opponents, who pointed to the fact that wind energy technology is rapidly improving and offshore wind energy could become more feasible in the near future. The bills' sponsors, including Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, said if that happens, they'd repeal the ban.

While debate over the bill continued in the halls of the Legislature, DeSantis' office weighed in via email. Cody Farrill, a deputy chief of staff in the governor's office, sent wording related to the wind ban multiple times to Collins and his staff in late January and early February. Some of the emails include Rep. Thad Altman, R-Indialantic, who, along with Collins in the Senate, sponsored a standalone ban on wind energy. That bill received no hearings, which by February meant it was in danger of dying.

"As discussed with Rep. Altman and Senator Collins, this is the preferred alternative for" the bills banning wind energy, wrote Farrill in one email addressed to the two lawmakers. It included an attachment with proposed bill language that would prohibit "the construction, operation, or expansion of a wind energy facility or an offshore wind energy facility in this state."

That ban on all wind energy in the state is more expansive than the offshore-specific language eventually passed by lawmakers. In mid-February, similar language curbing wind energy was tacked on to a larger energy omnibus bill that had momentum in the Legislature, and was eventually passed by lawmakers.

The emails were first reported by independent journalist Jason Garcia of the Seeking Rents newsletter. They were provided to the Tampa Bay Times by the Energy and Policy Institute, a utilities watchdog group, which obtained them through a public records request.

The governor's office did not respond to emails asking about his staff's involvement and why the governor was interested in banning wind energy. Collins and Altman did not respond to voicemails seeking comment. Neither did Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, who sponsored the House version of the energy omnibus bill.

It's unclear whether the governor's office authored the original language that appeared in the first version of the wind energy ban, filed in early January. The first email included in the records request showing Farrill suggesting language tweaks was from Jan. 30.

In some of the suggestions, the governor's office focused on banning wind energy facilities near "critical infrastructure." At one point, a draft borrowed language from a separate law that limits land purchases by residents of certain foreign adversariesincluding China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Venezuelanear similar infrastructure.

"The close involvement of the governor's office in the wind energy ban really seems to indicate that this is another DeSantis culture war in an attempt to win political points as opposed to addressing any serious issues that Floridians are actually concerned about," said Alissa Jean Schafer, a research and communications manager at the Energy and Policy Institute. She said that the attempts to ban wind turbines near critical infrastructure could "lay a foundation for anti-renewables fear-mongering."

During the legislative session, rumors spread that DeSantis was backing the offshore wind ban. A Times/Herald reporter in late February asked Florida House Speaker Paul Renner whether it was something the governor wanted.

"I don't know who wanted it," Renner said at the time, adding that the prohibition made sense for the state. "It's very similar to offshore drilling: Floridians don't want to sit on the beach and look at oil derricks and they don't want to sit on the beach and look at big windmills right off the beach."

DeSantis' office referenced the energy bill in a news release touting victories from the legislative session, under the section title of "Stopping the Woke." The changes ensure "Florida's energy policy focuses on the viability and availability of energy resources in the state, without subjecting the reliability of Florida's grid to the pressures of the global Green New Deal regime," his office wrote.

Other states, including Texas and those in the Midwest, have embraced wind as a clean source of energy. The power produced by the rotations of wind turbines helps the United States avoid 336 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to the federal government, reducing the pollution that contributes to climate change.

A 2021 report from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found that most Americans77%support expanding wind energy. But pollsters found that a wedge was starting to form, as backing among Republicans and conservative independents had dropped 13 percentage points just since the previous year.

It was the widest partisan gap since Pew started asking about wind power in 2016.

2024 Tampa Bay Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Apple is one of the Big Tech companies under investigation by the EU. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

U.S. officials could learn a thing for two from their friends in Europe as they assume a bigger role in taking on Big Tech, says a Northeastern University antitrust expert.

This week, the European Commission announced it was launching non-compliance investigations into Alphabet, Apple and Meta to determine whether they have failed to comply with the Digital Markets Act, which went into effect March 7. The antitrust law mandates that major technology companies deemed as "gatekeepers" must set up their products to be more open and interoperable. The act prohibits companies from giving preference to their own services over others.

The news comes just a week after the U.S. Department of Justice brought a lawsuit against Apple alleging anticompetitive behavior. The DOJ has also brought anticompetitive suits against Google, and the Federal Trade Commission has brought a case against Amazon.

But Europe has the advantage, according to John Kwoka, Northeastern Neal F. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Economics, because its regulations explicitly lay out its rules. That's not the case in the U.S., since officials are taking these companies to task through the court system.

"The European regulations answer certain questions," Kwoka says. "In the U.S., we don't have a law or regulation that says you can't do self preferencing. That has to be established in every court with regards to every practice of every company. That's a laborious process of having to deal with it over and over again in the context of a particular case or company proceeding."

So what role could the EU's regulations have on consumers who use these companies' products outside Europe?

What does this mean for you?

We've already seen one scenario in which legislation on Big Tech in the EU has had a ripple effect globally. Last September, in response to legislation to the EU's common charger directive, Apple abandoned its priority lighting cables in favor of USB-C charging ports on its latest batch of iPhones, Kwoka explains.

Many see that change as a win for consumers across the board, Kwoka says.

"The world didn't come to an end for Apple when they had to do that," he says. "It's hard to conceive of any way in which a consumer is worse off."

But that was low-hanging fruit for the company, Kwoka says. In other ways, the changes the EU is mandating these companies comply with may hurt their bottom line.

Sticking with Apple for a bit: In January, the company announced that it would begin to allow alternative app marketplaces on iPhones to comply with the Digital Markets Act. That means developers can start developing apps and services for the iPhone that don't have to comply with the terms of service agreement written in Apple's App Store.

The catch?

Those app stores will only be accessible in the EU, causing fragmentation in the services Apple provides globally.

Apple likely made that decision because of the profits it has gained by taking about a 15% to 30% cut of all proceeds made in its own App Store, Kwoka says.

Moreover, third party developers have called out Apple for adhering to the EU's rules through bad faith compliance. They argue the company has made it unnecessarily difficult for developers to create third party app stores, defeating the purpose of the regulation.

That controversy is part of what the EU's investigations will touch on.

What the EU is investigating

On Apple and Alphabet, EU investigators will look into whether the tech giants' app stores are in breach of the DMA's steering rules that mandate that they allow developers to let consumers know of payment methods outside their app stores.

Alphabet will also be investigated to determine if the company is giving self-preferential treatment in Google searches and promoting its Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels services.

On its own, Apple will be investigated on three fronts. First, it will be investigating if the company is allowing users to easily uninstall software applications on iOS. Secondly, it will look into whether customers are adequately given the choice to change default settings on iOS. Lastly, the EU will look into whether the company presents users with an easy-to-use interface on iOS that allows them to change their default browser or search engine.

Meta is also being investigated for its new "pay or consent" model, which calls for users of Facebook and Instagram in the EU to pay to use these services in place of ads.

Companies that are found to be infringing on the act could be subject to pay fines up to 10% of their worldwide turnover and 20% in cases of repeated infringements.

Kwoka isn't sure if those fines won't be more than just a slap on the wrist for these large tech companies as they make billions of dollars in annual profits.

Additionally, these companies have so many resources and technology at their disposal to skirt and circumvent these rules.

Enforcing rules on these companies might not be as effective as structural mandates that could reduce the power these companies wield, Kwoka says.

"That doesn't mean you fully break up the company, but it does mean you create divisions that operate within some of their operations that prevent them from evading the intent of the regulation."
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Researchers Shin Young Jeong and Zhiwen Ma examine the prototype device that uses superheated sand for long-duration energy storage. Credit: Joe DelNero, NREL

Anyone who has ever hot-footed it barefoot across the beach on a sunny day walks away with a greater understanding of just how much heat sand can retain. That ability is expected to play a vital role in the future, as technology involving heated sand becomes part of the answer to energy storage needs.

Batteries are likely what most people think about in terms of storing energy for later use, but other technologies exist. Pumped storage hydropower is one common method, albeit one that requires reservoirs at different elevations and is limited by geography. Another approach relies on what is known as thermal energy storage, or TES, which uses molten salt or even superheated rocks.

TES shows promise as a low-cost alternative to existing storage technologies, and storing energy in solid particles such as sand provides a ready answer, without geological restrictions.

After all, sand, like air and water, is everywhere.

"Sand is easy to access. It is environmentally friendly. It is stable, quite stable, in a wide temperature range. It is also low cost," said Zhiwen Ma, a mechanical engineer in the laboratory's Thermal Energy Systems Group.

The need for long-term storage

Patented technology developed and prototyped at NREL reveals how heaters powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar can raise the temperature of sand particles to the desired temperature. The sand is then deposited into a silo for storage and use later, either to generate electricity or for process heat in industrial applications. A laboratory-scale prototype validated the technology and allowed researchers to create a computer model that shows a commercial-scale device would retain more than 95% of its heat for at least five days.

"Lithium-ion batteries have really cornered the market at two to four hours of storage, but if we want to achieve our carbon reduction goals, we will need long-duration energy storage devicesthings that can store energy for days," said Jeffrey Gifford, a postdoctoral researcher at NREL.

Gifford, who already shares two patents with Ma on heat exchangers that convert stored thermal energy to electricity, said the use of sand or other particles to store thermal energy has another advantage over batteries. "Particle thermal energy storage doesn't rely on rare-earth materials or materials that have complex and unsustainable supply chains. For example, in lithium-ion batteries, there are a lot of stories about the challenge of mining cobalt more ethically."

In addition to TES, Gifford's expertise is in computational fluid dynamics. That knowledge is important because the sand needs to flow through the storage device. Other TES media includes concrete and rocks, which can easily retain heat but remain solidly in place. "Your heat transfer is much higher and much quicker and much more effective if you're moving your media," Gifford said.

TES also has another key advantage: the cost. Ma has calculated sand is the cheapest option for energy storage when compared to four rival technologies, including compressed air energy storage (CAES), pumped hydropower, and two types of batteries. CAES and pumped hydropower can only store energy for tens of hours.

The cost per kilowatt-hour for CAES ranges from $150 to $300, while for pumped hydropower it is about $60. A lithium-ion battery would cost $300 a kilowatt-hour and only have a capacity to store energy from one to four hours. With a duration lasting hundreds of hours, sand as a storage medium would cost from $4 to $10 a kilowatt-hour. To ensure low cost, the heat would be generated using off-peak, low-price electricity.

Ma, who holds a handful of patents on the technology, previously served as the principal investigator on an ARPA-E funded project known as ENDURING, for Economic Long-Duration Electricity Storage by Using Low-Cost Thermal Energy Storage and High-Efficiency Power Cycle. The prototype came from this project.

Next up is the groundbreaking in 2025 on an electric thermal energy storage (ETES) system at NREL's Flatirons Campus outside Boulder, Colorado, that will be designed to store energy for between 10 and 100 hours. The stand-alone system is free from any siting restrictions that limit where CAES or pumped storage hydropower can be established.

The DOE-funded demonstration project, Ma said, is intended to show the commercial potential of sand for TES.

Molten salts are already in use to temporarily store energy, but they freeze at about 220C (428F) and start to decompose at 600C. The sand Ma intends to use comes out of the ground in the Midwest of the United States, does not need to be kept from "freezing," and can retain considerably more heat, in the range of 1,100C (2,012F) that can store heat for power generation or to replace burning fossil fuels for industrial heat.

"This represents a new generation of storage beyond molten salt," Ma said.

Deciding what will store the heat

But will just any old sand do? Not according to NREL researchers, who examined various solid particles for their ability to flow and to retain heat. In a paper published last fall in Solar Energy, Ma and others experimented on eight solid particle candidates. Among the particles considered were man-made ceramic materials used in fracking, calcined flint clay, brown fused alumina, and silica sand. The clay and fused alumina were rejected because of thermal instability at the target temperature of 1,200C (2,192F).

The ceramic materials outperformed the sand in all categories, but the marginal performance gains were considered insufficient to justify the higher cost. While the sand costs from $30 to $80 a ton, the prices of the ceramic materials were about two magnitudes higher. The sand is in the ultra-pure form of alpha quartz and readily available in the Midwest.

Expanding the amount of energy that can be stored in sand is as simple as adding more sand, said Craig Turchi, manager of the Thermal Energy Science and Technologies Research Group at NREL.

"That's a marginal cost to add additional storage capacity," he said. "We need storage ranging from minutes to months. Batteries worked really well in the minutes to hours space in terms of how they scale. And when you get into months of storage, you're usually looking at making a fuel like hydrogen to provide that long-term storage. But in the period between multiple hours and two weeks, there's not a good fit right now. Hydrogen is too expensive for that. Batteries are too expensive for that."

The components needed to convert the superheated sand back to electricity does require an upfront cost. "But once you've paid for that," Turchi said, "if you just want to have more duration for your power it's much, much cheaper to add more sand than the alternative, which is to keep adding batteries."

More information: Patrick Davenport et al, Characterization of solid particle candidates for application in thermal energy storage and concentrating solar power systems, Solar Energy (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2023.111908 Journal information: Solar Energy
After complaints and concerns surrounding large trucks parking on city streets, College Station on Thursday night approved an ordinance banning commercial truck parking within city limits.

During a Nov. 9 College Station city council meeting, city staff discussed solutions to increased commercial truck parking around the city. Traffic engineers had received complaints from citizens about trucks or trailers parking on streets for weeks or months, blocking roads and creating serious safety concerns.

At this meeting, council members recommended that staff draft an ordinance that would prohibit truck parking within the city limits and research ways to communicate the change to the public. Due to comments from truck drivers at the meeting, a six-month period where the ordinance would not be enforced was suggested, as it would allow truck drivers time to prepare for the change.

Council members voted 4-3 to approve the new ordinance during the March 28 meeting with councilor Linda Harvell, councilor Elizabeth Cunha and Mayor John Nichols voting against the motion. A follow up 6-1 vote removed references of commercial vehicle parking for specific locations from the citys ordinances with Harvell voting against the motion.

Emily Fisher presented discussion on the history of the truck parking conflicts, current enforcement and other information gathered to come to the ordinance decision.

The item for consideration tonight is actually two ordinances. The first part is amending Chapter 38, Article II and adding a new section to that ordinance which is the actual provision for commercial vehicles and trailer parking, Fisher said. The second part of this item is an ordinance also amending Chapter 38 [to repeal Article VI].

To clear up some questions, Fisher said there are some trucks that would be exempt from the ordinance.

A typical semi, 18-wheeler would definitely have a weight rating over 26,000 pounds, so that would be prohibited, she said. The vehicle that is shown here [in the presentation] is I believe a Ram 3500 and its got a flatbed. That truck by itself would be allowed to park. When you hook it up to a gooseneck trailer, that would be prohibited from parking.  You could not detach the trailer and leave it. That is prohibited as well.

The definition of a commercial vehicle [also known as an 18-wheeler or semi-truck], according to the city, means a motor vehicle or combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight or a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or has a gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds.

According to Fisher, from Jan. 1, 2022 to March 1, 2024, there were 37 complaints on SeeClickFix, 44 warnings and 12 citations related to commercial truck parking in the city.

Four of those complaints were from Birmingham [Road]. If you recall, Birmingham is a place where we have a lot of commercial vehicle parking and we have removed parking from certain sections [of the street], she said. Five of those complaints were from Ponderosa [Drive].

Previously, commercial truck parking on specific streets like Ponderosa was banned. This decision was made July 13, 2023, and, during the November meeting, was said to reduce overall complaints.

According to the city, staff plan to use the following to notify and educate the public about the ordinance: social media posts, a PSA on Channel 19, website posting, temporary signs at high traffic locations, windshield fliers, dynamic message board notifications and communication with the trucking community.

Through this whole process, we have gained a lot of contacts with operators in our community so we can directly reach out to them and see if they can help, Fisher said. Weve also had lots of success with the signs and flyers this time so we would continue to do that.

There are some current truck stops available in the town, including the Big Gas Truck Stop, Highway 21 Truck Stop, Circle T or Aggieland Truck Stop and the Chevron on Barron Road off the Texas 6 frontage road.

Councilor Harvell, who voted against the ordinance, said she would prefer a response that is more truck-friendly, like finding resources for truckers instead of fully banning their ability to park on streets.

I just wonder how we can be proactive and try to find a place for these long-haul truckers to have a place to sleep when theyre coming through town instead of saying No, youve got to keep on going, she said. I dont think I can support saying no truck parking period. I just dont know how fair that is.

Councilor Dennis Maloney, who voted in favor of the ordinance, said he believes starting now is the next best step to making sure truck parking does not become a bigger issue in the future.

We are bookended by cities that do provide overnight parking at reasonable costs for long-haul truckers, he said. Our job, as I see it, is to look into the future. Someday very soon, were going to have driverless vehicles and I can just imagine my common streets just queuing up with trucks to get ready to deliver to Bryan.
Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 0.670-0.710 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 0.680. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Amcor Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE AMCR opened at $9.51 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $9.28 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.27. The company has a market capitalization of $13.74 billion, a PE ratio of 21.60, a P/E/G ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. Amcor has a 12 month low of $8.45 and a 12 month high of $11.39.

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Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.01. Amcor had a return on equity of 24.28% and a net margin of 4.59%. The firm had revenue of $3.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.29 billion. Research analysts forecast that Amcor will post 0.68 EPS for the current year.

Amcor Announces Dividend

Institutional Trading of Amcor

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 28th were issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.26%. Amcors payout ratio is presently 113.64%.

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in Amcor by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 48,176 shares of the companys stock worth $517,000 after purchasing an additional 857 shares during the last quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Amcor by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,704 shares of the companys stock worth $197,000 after purchasing an additional 1,064 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in Amcor by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 25,609 shares of the companys stock worth $256,000 after purchasing an additional 1,098 shares during the last quarter. Utah Retirement Systems increased its stake in Amcor by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 80,500 shares of the companys stock worth $959,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. increased its stake in Amcor by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 14,433 shares of the companys stock worth $155,000 after acquiring an additional 1,292 shares during the period. 45.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Amcor Company Profile

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Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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Auckland International Airport Limited (OTCMKTS:AUKNY  Get Free Report) traded up 1.6% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $24.70 and last traded at $24.70. 1,000 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 200% from the average session volume of 333 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.32.

Auckland International Airport Price Performance

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $24.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.16.

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Auckland International Airport Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be given a $0.1883 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 19th. This is a positive change from Auckland International Airports previous dividend of $0.02. Auckland International Airports payout ratio is currently 60.72%.

Auckland International Airport Company Profile

Auckland International Airport Limited provides airport facilities, supporting infrastructure, and aeronautical services in Auckland and New Zealand. The company operates through three segments: Aeronautical, Retail, and Property. The Aeronautical segment provides services that facilitate the movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo, as well as utility services, which support the airport; and leases space for facilities, such as terminals.

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AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) Chairman William C. Rhodes III sold 6,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,190.22, for a total transaction of $21,374,474.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 15,357 shares of the companys stock, valued at $48,992,208.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

AutoZone Trading Down 1.3 %

NYSE AZO opened at $3,152.07 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $2,912.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $2,699.29. The stock has a market cap of $54.53 billion, a PE ratio of 22.19, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,277.88 and a 12 month high of $3,256.37.

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AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $28.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $26.08 by $2.81. The business had revenue of $3.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.70% and a negative return on equity of 56.06%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $24.64 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 151.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of AutoZone

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp boosted its stake in AutoZone by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 809,113 shares of the companys stock worth $2,017,410,000 after purchasing an additional 11,438 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in AutoZone by 232,194.6% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 731,728 shares of the companys stock worth $1,891,963,000 after purchasing an additional 731,413 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in AutoZone by 107,977.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 699,260 shares of the companys stock worth $1,724,500,000 after purchasing an additional 698,613 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in AutoZone by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 441,566 shares of the companys stock worth $1,121,572,000 after purchasing an additional 5,650 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in AutoZone by 111.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 335,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $851,379,000 after acquiring an additional 176,623 shares during the period. 92.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,375.00 to $3,400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,000.00 to $3,070.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,779.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $3,100.00 to $3,425.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Five research analysts have 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, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $3,080.72.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AZO

AutoZone Company Profile

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AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

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The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

BNP Paribas Price Performance

BNP Paribas stock opened at $35.74 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. BNP Paribas has a 52-week low of $28.24 and a 52-week high of $35.76. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $31.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $31.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.62, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 1.46.

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BNP Paribas Company Profile

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Further Reading

BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services.

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Shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the seven analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $203.17.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $205.00 to $214.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and set a $230.00 price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Tuesday. StockNews.com lowered Broadridge Financial Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $212.00 to $239.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Robert N. Duelks sold 830 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.58, for a total transaction of $167,311.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,097,603.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, insider Douglas Richard Deschutter sold 22,722 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.00, for a total transaction of $4,521,678.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 44,680 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,891,320. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, Director Robert N. Duelks sold 830 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.58, for a total transaction of $167,311.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,445 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,097,603.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 48,483 shares of company stock valued at $9,745,637. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 10.7% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 8,155 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,270,000 after acquiring an additional 788 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 15,625 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,433,000 after purchasing an additional 992 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 126.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,384 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $527,000 after purchasing an additional 1,888 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1,851.9% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 527 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $82,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 13.2% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 12,722 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,981,000 after purchasing an additional 1,487 shares during the period. 90.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Stock Up 0.5 %

BR stock opened at $204.86 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $201.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $192.28. The company has a market cap of $24.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.69 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.40. Broadridge Financial Solutions has a fifty-two week low of $139.35 and a fifty-two week high of $210.24.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The business services provider reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.03. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 10.82%. The company had revenue of $1.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.91 earnings per share. Broadridge Financial Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Broadridge Financial Solutions will post 7.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is 55.75%.

About Broadridge Financial Solutions

(Get Free Report

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

Further Reading

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Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:CQP  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the five analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $49.80.

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Cheniere Energy Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on Cheniere Energy Partners

Cheniere Energy Partners Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CQP opened at $49.40 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $23.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.11 and a beta of 0.68. Cheniere Energy Partners has a 12-month low of $43.42 and a 12-month high of $62.34. The stocks fifty day moving average is $49.87.

Cheniere Energy Partners (NYSE:CQP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.25. Cheniere Energy Partners had a negative return on equity of 292.30% and a net margin of 44.02%. The business had revenue of $2.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.60 billion. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy Partners will post 3.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Partners Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th were paid a $0.775 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 6th. This is an increase from Cheniere Energy Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.28%. Cheniere Energy Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.60%.

Institutional Trading of Cheniere Energy Partners

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CQP. Alps Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy Partners by 13.1% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 6,952,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $376,776,000 after buying an additional 802,824 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 26.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,913,342 shares of the companys stock valued at $103,684,000 after purchasing an additional 401,548 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 170.2% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 391,808 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,232,000 after purchasing an additional 246,808 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 24.1% during the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 949,727 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,527,000 after purchasing an additional 184,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy Partners by 37.4% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 615,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,624,000 after purchasing an additional 167,567 shares during the last quarter. 46.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Cheniere Energy Partners

(Get Free Report

Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P., through its subsidiaries, provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) to integrated energy companies, utilities, and energy trading companies worldwide. The company owns and operates natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

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Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 3.770-4.060 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 3.970. The company issued revenue guidance of $5.2 billion-$5.3 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $5.3 billion.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

EHC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays upped their target price on Encompass Health from $95.00 to $101.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $85.00 price objective on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $83.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Friday, February 9th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $82.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $77.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $83.22.

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Encompass Health Stock Up 6.3 %

Shares of NYSE EHC opened at $82.60 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $74.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Encompass Health has a 1 year low of $52.56 and a 1 year high of $83.73. The company has a market cap of $8.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.80, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.93.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.24 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 7.33% and a return on equity of 17.69%. Research analysts anticipate that Encompass Health will post 3.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 1st will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. Encompass Healths dividend payout ratio is presently 17.29%.

Institutional Trading of Encompass Health

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Encompass Health during the 1st quarter worth $42,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Encompass Health by 88.2% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 781 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its stake in Encompass Health by 89.0% in the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 1,087 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Encompass Health by 18.8% in the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,415 shares of the companys stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 224 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the companys stock.

About Encompass Health

(Get Free Report)

Encompass Health Corporation provides post-acute healthcare services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It owns and operates inpatient rehabilitation hospitals that provide medical, nursing, therapy, and ancillary services. The company provides specialized rehabilitative treatment on an inpatient basis to patients who have experienced physical or cognitive disabilities or injuries due to medical conditions, such as strokes, hip fractures, and various debilitating neurological conditions.

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Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP  Free Report) had its price target raised by Evercore ISI from $74.00 to $83.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an in-line rating on the stock.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Advance Auto Parts from $47.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Advance Auto Parts from $53.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. TheStreet upgraded Advance Auto Parts from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Advance Auto Parts from $55.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Mizuho initiated coverage on Advance Auto Parts in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. They set a neutral rating and a $78.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.88.

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Advance Auto Parts Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AAP opened at $85.09 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $70.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.32. The company has a market cap of $5.07 billion, a PE ratio of 114.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Advance Auto Parts has a twelve month low of $47.73 and a twelve month high of $129.90.

Advance Auto Parts (NYSE:AAP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.59) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by ($0.83). The business had revenue of $2.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.47 billion. Advance Auto Parts had a return on equity of 1.68% and a net margin of 0.39%. Advance Auto Partss quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.88 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Advance Auto Parts will post 3.95 EPS for the current year.

Advance Auto Parts Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.18%. Advance Auto Partss payout ratio is 135.14%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Advance Auto Parts news, Director Brent Windom purchased 4,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $85.34 per share, for a total transaction of $401,098.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $853,400. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, EVP Herman L. Word, Jr. sold 1,858 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.08, for a total transaction of $159,936.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 10,448 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $899,363.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Brent Windom acquired 4,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $85.34 per share, for a total transaction of $401,098.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at $853,400. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.63% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Advance Auto Parts

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in Advance Auto Parts by 190.0% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 406 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Dagco Inc. bought a new position in Advance Auto Parts in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Clear Street Markets LLC lifted its position in Advance Auto Parts by 245.9% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 211 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of Advance Auto Parts during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, UniSuper Management Pty Ltd bought a new position in shares of Advance Auto Parts during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors own 88.75% of the companys stock.

Advance Auto Parts Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Advance Auto Parts, Inc provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts.

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Chilton Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 12.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 9,292 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 1,019 shares during the quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLCs holdings in General Electric were worth $1,186,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in General Electric by 122,242.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,438,063 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $878,644,000 after purchasing an additional 13,427,079 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric during the 4th quarter worth approximately $635,274,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of General Electric by 17.3% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 48,490,012 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $4,639,533,000 after acquiring an additional 7,157,356 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. boosted its stake in shares of General Electric by 265.7% during the 3rd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 3,008,425 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $332,581,000 after acquiring an additional 2,185,793 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Electric by 12,475.5% during the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,632,677 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $163,268,000 after acquiring an additional 1,619,694 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.77% of the companys stock.

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General Electric Stock Down 2.5 %

Shares of GE stock traded down $4.59 on Friday, hitting $175.53. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,674,578 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,425,167. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.85. General Electric has a fifty-two week low of $93.47 and a fifty-two week high of $180.36. The firms fifty day moving average price is $151.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $129.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $191.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.28.

Insider Activity at General Electric

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $19.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.27 billion. General Electric had a net margin of 13.95% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The businesss revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that General Electric will post 4.57 EPS for the current year.

In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at $8,153,863.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,339 shares in the company, valued at $6,552,351.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at $8,153,863.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised General Electric from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $166.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, March 8th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on General Electric in a report on Thursday. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays upped their price objective on General Electric from $153.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. TheStreet raised shares of General Electric from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Oppenheimer reissued a market perform rating on shares of General Electric in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $150.54.

View Our Latest Report on GE

General Electric Company Profile

(Free Report)

General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers.

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Team, Inc. (NYSE:TISI  Get Free Report) major shareholder Corre Partners Management, Llc purchased 4,580 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 25th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $6.90 per share, for a total transaction of $31,602.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 1,519,417 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,483,977.30. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Major shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

Corre Partners Management, Llc also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, March 21st, Corre Partners Management, Llc purchased 5,250 shares of Team stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $6.26 per share, for a total transaction of $32,865.00.

On Tuesday, March 19th, Corre Partners Management, Llc bought 20,342 shares of Team stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $5.71 per share, for a total transaction of $116,152.82.

Team Price Performance

Shares of TISI opened at $7.21 on Friday. Team, Inc. has a 1-year low of $3.53 and a 1-year high of $11.25. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $7.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.72.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Team in a research note on Wednesday. They set a buy rating on the stock.

View Our Latest Stock Report on TISI

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Team

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Team in the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Team in the first quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Team in the second quarter valued at approximately $61,000. Two Sigma Investments LP acquired a new position in shares of Team in the third quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Team by 401.8% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 90,471 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 72,442 shares in the last quarter. 46.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Team

(Get Free Report)

Team, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a suite of conventional, specialized, and proprietary mechanical, heat-treating, and inspection services in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Inspection and Heat Treating (IHT) and Mechanical Services (MS) segments.

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Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:JMHLY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $36.79 and last traded at $36.92, with a volume of 28958 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $37.04.

Jardine Matheson Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.13. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $40.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $41.39.

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Jardine Matheson Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be issued a dividend of $1.60 per share. This is a positive change from Jardine Mathesons previous dividend of $0.55. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 21st.

Jardine Matheson Company Profile

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates in motor vehicles and related operations, property investment and development, food retailing, health and beauty, home furnishings, engineering and construction, and transportation businesses in China, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and internationally.

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Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the ten research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $71.30.

Several research firms have issued reports on MTDR. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and issued a $66.00 target price on shares of Matador Resources in a research note on Monday. Benchmark cut their target price on Matador Resources from $71.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. StockNews.com upgraded Matador Resources from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Mizuho boosted their price target on Matador Resources from $67.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price target on Matador Resources from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 8th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Matador Resources

Matador Resources Stock Performance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Matador Resources by 2.7% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,783,424 shares of the energy companys stock worth $721,149,000 after purchasing an additional 366,773 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Matador Resources by 4.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,422,915 shares of the energy companys stock worth $658,165,000 after purchasing an additional 567,557 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Matador Resources by 7.0% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,777,669 shares of the energy companys stock worth $306,101,000 after purchasing an additional 377,853 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Matador Resources by 82.9% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,367,715 shares of the energy companys stock worth $231,403,000 after purchasing an additional 1,979,904 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in Matador Resources by 3.2% in the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,326,071 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $201,552,000 after acquiring an additional 135,179 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.98% of the companys stock.

MTDR stock opened at $66.78 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $60.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.06. Matador Resources has a 1-year low of $42.04 and a 1-year high of $69.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The company has a market capitalization of $7.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.47 and a beta of 3.33.

Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The energy company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.04 by ($0.05). Matador Resources had a net margin of 30.14% and a return on equity of 21.54%. The company had revenue of $836.13 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $842.96 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.08 EPS. Matador Resourcess revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Matador Resources will post 6.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Matador Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.20%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. Matador Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.35%.

Matador Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

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Piper Sandler reaffirmed their neutral rating on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. Piper Sandler currently has a $140.00 price objective on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on MAA. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $136.00 price objective on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities in a report on Friday, February 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $149.00 price objective on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Scotiabank upgraded Mid-America Apartment Communities from a sector underperform rating to a sector perform rating and raised their target price for the company from $133.00 to $147.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating and set a $136.00 target price (down from $140.00) on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial upgraded Mid-America Apartment Communities from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $154.00 to $158.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mid-America Apartment Communities currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $143.76.

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View Our Latest Research Report on MAA

Mid-America Apartment Communities Stock Performance

Shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities stock opened at $131.58 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $15.36 billion, a PE ratio of 27.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.12 and a beta of 0.80. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $129.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $129.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 0.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Mid-America Apartment Communities has a 12 month low of $115.56 and a 12 month high of $158.46.

Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.30 by ($0.93). Mid-America Apartment Communities had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 25.73%. The firm had revenue of $542.25 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $542.64 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.32 earnings per share. Mid-America Apartment Communitiess revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Mid-America Apartment Communities will post 8.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mid-America Apartment Communities Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.47%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. Mid-America Apartment Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 124.84%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. sold 4,028 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $524,485.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 304,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,651,939.83. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Melanie Carpenter sold 371 shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.33, for a total transaction of $48,723.43. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,067 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,504,069.11. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. sold 4,028 shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $524,485.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 304,523 shares in the company, valued at $39,651,939.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.33% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mid-America Apartment Communities

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Murphy Middleton Hinkle & Parker Inc. lifted its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Murphy Middleton Hinkle & Parker Inc. now owns 1,910 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $300,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 3,425 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $531,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank lifted its stake in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank now owns 3,339 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $507,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Glenmede Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 1,463 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Finally, Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 463 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. 93.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mid-America Apartment Communities Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

MAA, an S&P 500 company, is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on delivering full-cycle and superior investment performance for shareholders through the ownership, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of quality apartment communities primarily in the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

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Minera Alamos Inc. (CVE:MAI  Get Free Report) was down 1.7% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.30 and last traded at C$0.30. Approximately 197,108 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 19% from the average daily volume of 243,243 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.30.

Minera Alamos Trading Up 5.1 %

The company has a current ratio of 5.86, a quick ratio of 3.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The companys fifty day moving average is C$0.30 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.31. The firm has a market capitalization of C$143.54 million, a P/E ratio of -31.00 and a beta of 1.26.

Minera Alamos Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Minera Alamos Inc, a junior mining and exploration company, acquires, explores for, and develops mineral properties in Mexico. The company explores for gold, silver, molybdenum, and copper deposits. Its property portfolio includes the 100% owned Santana project consisting of 9 mining claims with an area of approximately 3,100 hectares located in the east-southeast of Hermosillo, Sonora; 100% owned Cerro de Oro project covering an area of 6,500 hectares situated in Zacatecas, Mexico; and 100% owned La Fortuna project covering an area of 6,100 hectares located in Durango State, Mexico.

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Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH  Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating and a $21.00 price target on the stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on NCLH. Tigress Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating and set a $32.00 target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Friday, December 15th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $19.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and issued a $18.00 price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Friday, January 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Norwegian Cruise Line presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $20.93.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Price Performance

Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line stock opened at $20.93 on Tuesday. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 12 month low of $12.41 and a 12 month high of $22.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.94. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $18.31 and a 200 day moving average of $17.06. The firm has a market cap of $8.91 billion, a PE ratio of 74.75, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 2.59.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by ($0.05). Norwegian Cruise Line had a net margin of 1.94% and a return on equity of 108.69%. The company had revenue of $1.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($1.10) earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 0.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Norwegian Cruise Line

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 93,310 shares of the companys stock worth $1,870,000 after buying an additional 7,708 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 201,150 shares of the companys stock worth $4,031,000 after buying an additional 10,174 shares during the last quarter. American International Group Inc. raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 117,510 shares of the companys stock worth $2,355,000 after buying an additional 4,052 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 179,126 shares of the companys stock worth $3,590,000 after buying an additional 3,834 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 71.2% during the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 20,134 shares of the companys stock worth $403,000 after buying an additional 8,375 shares during the last quarter. 69.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

(Get Free Report)

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean.

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Uncommon Cents Investing LLC reduced its stake in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 3.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 30,765 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 1,000 shares during the quarter. Oracle accounts for 1.1% of Uncommon Cents Investing LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Uncommon Cents Investing LLCs holdings in Oracle were worth $3,244,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Evanson Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Oracle by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Evanson Asset Management LLC now owns 4,513 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $476,000 after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,331,000. Successful Portfolios LLC purchased a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth approximately $204,000. Buckley Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Oracle by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Buckley Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,589 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $484,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the period. Finally, WASHINGTON TRUST Co increased its stake in Oracle by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 17,972 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,895,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the period. 42.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. HSBC increased their price objective on shares of Oracle from $144.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Argus raised shares of Oracle from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. William Blair raised shares of Oracle from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 12th. Erste Group Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of Oracle in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Oracle from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $130.76.

Oracle Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE ORCL opened at $125.56 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.34. Oracle Co. has a 52 week low of $89.71 and a 52 week high of $132.77. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $116.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $111.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $345.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.00.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, March 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.04. Oracle had a net margin of 20.27% and a return on equity of 336.11%. The firm had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.29 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.96 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Oracle Co. will post 4.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 9th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.27%. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.22%.

Insider Transactions at Oracle

In related news, CEO Safra Catz sold 790,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.54, for a total value of $99,966,600.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,118,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at $141,546,631.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 42.80% of the companys stock.

Oracle Company Profile

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Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 5,627 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $277,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Traynor Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 29.7% in the 4th quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,059 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $544,000 after acquiring an additional 2,533 shares in the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 6.9% during the 4th quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 31,824 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,589,000 after purchasing an additional 2,050 shares in the last quarter. Saxon Interests Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $238,000. Transform Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $220,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 45,135 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,222,000 after acquiring an additional 1,426 shares during the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. HSBC increased their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Raymond James raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Odeon Capital Group lowered Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $48.80 target price on the stock. in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $55.85.

Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE:WFC traded up $0.35 on Friday, reaching $57.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 14,618,982 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,896,764. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $36.27 and a 1-year high of $58.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market cap of $205.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.02, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.19. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $53.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $47.01.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.30). Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 12.40%. The firm had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.30 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 2nd were given a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is 29.05%.

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Savers Value Village, Inc. (NYSE:SVV  Get Free Report) CEO Mark T. Walsh sold 17,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.45, for a total value of $313,650.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Mark T. Walsh also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, March 21st, Mark T. Walsh sold 2,793 shares of Savers Value Village stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.01, for a total transaction of $50,301.93.

On Monday, March 18th, Mark T. Walsh sold 4,512 shares of Savers Value Village stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.05, for a total value of $81,441.60.

Savers Value Village Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of Savers Value Village stock opened at $19.28 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $19.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.07. Savers Value Village, Inc. has a 52 week low of $10.16 and a 52 week high of $26.88.

Institutional Trading of Savers Value Village

About Savers Value Village

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SVV. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $118,500,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Savers Value Village by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,263,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,340,000 after buying an additional 12,560 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Savers Value Village by 47.1% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,057,213 shares of the companys stock worth $38,408,000 after acquiring an additional 658,599 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. purchased a new position in Savers Value Village during the 2nd quarter worth $39,482,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Savers Value Village during the second quarter valued at $36,815,000. Institutional investors own 98.78% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Savers Value Village, Inc sells second-hand merchandise in retail stores in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It operates stores under the Savers, Value Village, Value Village Boutique, Village des Valeurs, Unique, and 2nd Avenue brands. The company purchases secondhand textiles, including clothing, bedding, and bath items; shoes; accessories; housewares; books; and other goods from non-profit partners and then processes, selects, prices, merchandises, and sells them in its stores.

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Tsuruha Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS:TSUSF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,600 shares, a decrease of 91.3% from the February 29th total of 64,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Tsuruha Stock Performance

Tsuruha stock remained flat at $76.12 during trading hours on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $77.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.01. Tsuruha has a one year low of $76.12 and a one year high of $91.80.

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About Tsuruha

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Tsuruha Holdings Inc operates drugstores in Japan. It sells pharmaceutical, cosmetic, miscellaneous goods and food products. The company was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Sapporo, Japan.

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Investment analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of 3M (NYSE:MMM  Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Wednesday. The firm set a buy rating on the conglomerates stock.

MMM has been the subject of several other reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of 3M from $112.00 to $105.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of 3M from $120.00 to $105.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of 3M from $117.00 to $104.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Barclays upgraded shares of 3M from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $111.00 to $126.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underperform rating and set a $84.00 price objective on shares of 3M in a report on Wednesday, March 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $107.60.

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3M Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of MMM stock opened at $106.05 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $58.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.40, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.00. 3M has a one year low of $85.35 and a one year high of $113.14. The companys fifty day moving average price is $96.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.69, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

3M (NYSE:MMM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $2.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $8.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.69 billion. 3M had a negative net margin of 21.40% and a positive return on equity of 62.45%. 3Ms quarterly revenue was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.28 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that 3M will post 9.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at 3M

In related news, insider Rodriguez Beatriz Karin Chavez sold 426 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.32, for a total transaction of $39,328.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,966 shares in the company, valued at approximately $366,141.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in 3M by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 49,033,679 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $4,590,533,000 after purchasing an additional 317,483 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in 3M by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 33,311,747 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,334,173,000 after purchasing an additional 196,238 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in 3M by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,080,578 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,320,649,000 after purchasing an additional 43,732 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in 3M by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,474,791 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,203,635,000 after purchasing an additional 619,370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its stake in 3M by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,769,973 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,291,535,000 after purchasing an additional 825,223 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.25% of the companys stock.

3M Company Profile

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3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles.

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Ovintiv (NYSE:OVV  Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by The Goldman Sachs Group from $47.00 to $56.00 in a report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

OVV has been the subject of a number of other reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Ovintiv from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. National Bankshares dropped their target price on shares of Ovintiv from $69.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Ovintiv from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Ovintiv from $59.00 to $58.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, Scotiabank lowered their price target on shares of Ovintiv from $53.00 to $50.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $53.94.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on OVV

Ovintiv Stock Performance

OVV stock opened at $51.90 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.60. The stock has a market cap of $13.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.58 and a beta of 2.66. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.12 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.64. Ovintiv has a 52 week low of $32.07 and a 52 week high of $52.09.

Ovintiv (NYSE:OVV  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported $2.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $3.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.75 billion. Ovintiv had a net margin of 19.16% and a return on equity of 19.50%. Research analysts anticipate that Ovintiv will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ovintiv Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.31%. Ovintivs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.21%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Ovintiv news, EVP Rachel Maureen Moore sold 9,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.65, for a total transaction of $471,045.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 52,557 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,662,012.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Ovintiv news, EVP Rachel Maureen Moore sold 9,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.65, for a total transaction of $471,045.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 52,557 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,662,012.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Howard John Mayson sold 6,000 shares of Ovintiv stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.56, for a total transaction of $303,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 36,840 shares in the company, valued at $1,862,630.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 91,564 shares of company stock worth $4,660,818. Company insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ovintiv

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Ovintiv by 5.0% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,582,668 shares of the companys stock worth $136,170,000 after purchasing an additional 170,088 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ovintiv by 10.7% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 528,836 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,157,000 after acquiring an additional 51,261 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its stake in Ovintiv by 15.5% during the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 761,303 shares of the companys stock worth $36,215,000 after buying an additional 101,978 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Ovintiv by 10.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,029,983 shares of the companys stock worth $1,285,816,000 after buying an additional 2,484,554 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Ovintiv by 52.6% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 26,756,052 shares of the companys stock worth $1,018,603,000 after buying an additional 9,221,114 shares during the last quarter. 83.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Ovintiv

(Get Free Report)

Ovintiv Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores, develops, produces, and markets natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids in the United States and Canada. The company operates through USA Operations, Canadian Operations, and Market Optimization segments. Its principal assets include Permian in west Texas and Anadarko in west-central Oklahoma; and Montney in northeast British Columbia and northwest Alberta.

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Traynor Capital Management Inc. trimmed its stake in Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT  Free Report) by 2.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 1,077 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 31 shares during the period. Traynor Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Information Technology ETF were worth $521,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of VGT. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $84,000. AMI Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 47,612 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $19,829,000 after purchasing an additional 2,662 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 40.4% during the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 650 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $271,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 24.8% during the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 180,462 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $75,159,000 after acquiring an additional 35,906 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 5,085 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,118,000 after acquiring an additional 283 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard Information Technology ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of VGT stock traded down $0.74 on Friday, reaching $524.34. 252,739 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 489,226. Vanguard Information Technology ETF has a 52 week low of $368.39 and a 52 week high of $536.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.62 billion, a PE ratio of 24.70 and a beta of 1.16. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $514.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $470.19.

Vanguard Information Technology ETF Profile

Vanguard Information Technology ETF seeks to track the investment performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index, a benchmark of large-, mid-, and small-cap United States stocks in the information technology sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).

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Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, March 29th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.059 per share on Thursday, May 2nd. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. This is an increase from Utz Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.06.

Utz Brands has raised its dividend by an average of 31.6% annually over the last three years. Utz Brands has a dividend payout ratio of 29.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Utz Brands to earn $0.78 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.23 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 29.5%.

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Utz Brands Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of UTZ stock traded up $0.13 on Friday, hitting $18.44. The company had a trading volume of 551,186 shares, compared to its average volume of 922,420. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $18.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.42. Utz Brands has a twelve month low of $11.17 and a twelve month high of $19.21.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Utz Brands ( NYSE:UTZ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by ($0.01). Utz Brands had a negative net margin of 1.73% and a positive return on equity of 6.08%. The business had revenue of $352.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $354.63 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.15 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Utz Brands will post 0.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on UTZ shares. Mizuho started coverage on Utz Brands in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America raised Utz Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $19.00 to $22.00 in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price target on Utz Brands from $20.00 to $20.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Utz Brands from $13.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Utz Brands from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $18.42.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on UTZ

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Roger K. Deromedi sold 3,785 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.13, for a total transaction of $72,407.05. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,399,470 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $65,031,861.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Utz Brands news, major shareholder Chinh Chu sold 92,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.80, for a total value of $1,641,622.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,556,154 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,299,541.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Roger K. Deromedi sold 3,785 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.13, for a total transaction of $72,407.05. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,399,470 shares in the company, valued at approximately $65,031,861.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 609,181 shares of company stock valued at $10,754,925 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 17.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Utz Brands

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Utz Brands by 7.7% during the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 10,808 shares of the companys stock worth $160,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC acquired a new stake in Utz Brands during the third quarter worth about $159,000. Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in Utz Brands during the first quarter worth about $149,000. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in Utz Brands during the third quarter worth about $146,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Utz Brands by 5,176.0% in the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,914 shares of the companys stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 7,764 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.97% of the companys stock.

About Utz Brands

(Get Free Report)

Utz Brands, Inc engages in manufacture, marketing, and distribution of snack foods. It offers a range of salty snacks, including salty snacks, including potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, cheese snacks, pork skins, veggie snacks, pub/party mixes, tortilla chips, salsa and dips, ready-to-eat popcorn, and other snacks under the Utz, Zapp's, ON THE BORDER, Golden Flake, Boulder Canyon, Hawaiian, TORTIYAHS!, etc.

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WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $4.80-4.90 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $4.87. WEC Energy Group also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 4.800-4.900 EPS.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on WEC shares. KeyCorp boosted their target price on WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $88.00 to $86.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their target price for the stock from $90.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on WEC Energy Group from $93.00 to $91.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $86.17.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on WEC Energy Group

WEC Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of WEC opened at $82.12 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $79.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $81.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. WEC Energy Group has a 52 week low of $75.13 and a 52 week high of $99.26. The stock has a market cap of $25.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.46, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.40.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The companys revenue was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.80 EPS. On average, analysts expect that WEC Energy Group will post 4.88 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at WEC Energy Group

In related news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total value of $223,258.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 43,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,402,131.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other WEC Energy Group news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total transaction of $223,258.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 43,125 shares in the company, valued at $3,402,131.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Gale E. Klappa sold 37,180 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.69, for a total value of $2,925,694.20. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 274,782 shares in the company, valued at $21,622,595.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WEC Energy Group

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Quilter Plc acquired a new position in WEC Energy Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $234,348,000. Achmea Investment Management B.V. purchased a new position in shares of WEC Energy Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. First Manhattan Co. boosted its stake in WEC Energy Group by 102.0% in the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 303 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in WEC Energy Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 373.3% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 549 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 433 shares during the last quarter. 77.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WEC Energy Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments.

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HASTINGS  Presbyterian preachers, alumni preachers, local pastors, Christian Ministry students and seminary students are invited to attend a Compelling Preaching Conference June 16-21 on the campus of Hastings College.

The cross-generational conference is focused on engaging young adults through digital media and contemporary culture.

Registration, accommodations and meals provided at no cost for the first 25 who register. Details can be found at hastings.edu/preaching.

The deadline to register is May 24.

Topics for the conference change daily, with presenters covering the use of digital media and current culture to reach young adults and classes providing practical training for using technology and engaging in intergenerational dialogue. Activities are also planned, as well as peer-to-peer workshops, providing time for aspiring and active preachers to learn with and from each other.

The Compelling Preaching Conference is going to be a perfect time and place for pastors, preachers and students to gather and explore new ways to reach and engage with young people, said the Rev. Doodle Harris, Hastings College chaplain and director of ASPIRE (Academy of Student Preachers Inspiring Religious Engagement).

Through the conference, we hope to build confidence and creativity among attendees, as well as friendships and support systems for preachers to reach out when they are looking for new and engaging ideas.

The conference begins on Sunday, June 16, with registration at 5 p.m. followed by a gathering event and dinner. It wraps up at 10 a.m. Friday, June 21.

Presenters and topics are included below.

The Rev. Doodle Harris, The Bible and Harry Potter

The Rev. Dr. Laura Mariko Cheifetz, Self-Differentiation and Reintegration: The Challenges and Wisdom of Community vis-a-vis Reservation Dogs and Never Have I Ever

The Rev. Ben Hanne, The Bible and Star Wars

Kathleen Turner, Pastors Should Be Seen and Heard: Principles of Lighting and Sound Reinforcement, Part 1

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, The Complexity of Community and the Possibilities for Proclamation

Te Rev. Terrance Klein, The Alpha & Omega of Preaching: Using Anything from Lord of the Rings to Star Trek

Bruce Batterson, Pastors Should Be Seen and Heard: Principles of Lighting and Sound Reinforcement, Part 2

The Rev. Dr. Karla Cooper, Rare, Visions, Called

Jarod Rogers, Digital Content Creation in the Church

Michelle Morganflash, Talking with Your Congregation About Trauma

the Rev. Dr. Casey T. Sigmon, Stitches, Duets and Flips: A Model for the 21st Century Preacher as Host

The Rev. Brian D. Ellison, Pronouns and Beyond: Words and Identity When We Preach to Gods People
Macao int'l environmental cooperation forum opens

Xinhua) 09:52, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Genocide in Gaza

The International Court of Justice ruled on Jan. 26 that it is plausible that genocide is actively being carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza, as charged by the government of South Africa.

A legal case was also made against Joe Biden in which the Center for Constitutional Rights charged Biden with failure to prevent  and complicity in  the Israeli governments unfolding genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The Genocide Convention binds the United States to a duty to prevent genocide which is ignored when the president decides to send weapons and other assistance to Israel for acts which can result in genocide.

Mass killings consist mostly of at least 70% of whom are women and children. Some UN chiefs have called Gaza a graveyard for children.

On Nov. 3 the CCR and others delivered a Notice and Demand Letter to all U.S. senators and congressman warning them of their possible complicity in genocide if they support Bidens request for financial aid and weapons for Israel. The letter warned them that they risk facing criminal and civil liability for aiding and abetting genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity under International Law.

All governments around the world, all public officials are now on notice. Not only is it the case that they should have known what was happening in Gaza on their watch; they now know. And history and a likely coming Nuremburg Tribunal will judge them accordingly.

Every U.S. congressman and senator should be told they will thrown out of office if they do not publicly express their adherence to the Constitution of the United States and International Law to which our nation has subscribed.

Beverly Kemper

St. Edward

Honoring the Red Cross

Help cant wait when emergencies strike  not for the family displaced by a disaster, the patient in need of lifesaving blood, or the deployed service member alerted to a family crisis at home. Every day, when our neighbors cope with emergencies like these, they rely on local volunteers; blood, platelet and financial donors; and other supporters who deliver care and hope.

This March, we are proud to honor these community heroes during Red Cross Month  an annual, national celebration started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943 and continued by each U.S. president ever since. If youre looking for a way to give back, join us this month. Visit redcross.org to make a financial donation, schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets, become a Red Cross volunteer or take a class to learn lifesaving skills.

Thank you for helping the Red Cross provide comfort to those in need.

Carson Rowh

Board Chair

American Red Cross of Central & Western Nebraska

Kearney

Voting Rights Act under attack

On Sunday, Mar. 7, 1965, time stopped and blood spilled as brave and righteous Americans sought to cross a bridge named after a Klansman in Selma, Alabama, to reach the other side of justice. Led by the late John Lewis, they marched to secure their sacred right to vote. Their heroism was met by batons and tear gas. They were beaten, but not defeated. Their absolute courage forced America to look in the mirror and Congress to act. Soon after, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

But over time, the strength of that groundbreaking law has been weakened not only by brute force, but by insidious court decisions. Today, were seeing states across the country propose or enact laws that make it harder to vote and have that vote counted, an onslaught of deeply dangerous efforts to suppress the vote and subvert entire elections.

In Selma, the blood of John Lewis and so many other courageous Americans sacrificed a noble struggle. We are determined to honor that legacy by passing legislation to protect the right to vote and uphold the integrity of our elections, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.

The battle for the soul of America has many fronts. The right to vote is the most fundamental.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Florida

God is good

To say we are living in troubling and uncertain times is an understatement. We have an out-of-control, misguided, hurting, lost culture and society that is in disobedience and rebellion of our creator, Almighty God. Even in all this, there is good news and reason to rejoice. Not because of anything mankind or government programs have done. But solely out of Gods compassion, love and mercy for us, he sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified on a cross. He died, was buried and then raised from the dead for the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus is alive and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, in heaven interceding for us all. That is what Easter is all about  our risen Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He lives that we may have eternal life with him. One day he is coming back in all power and glory to gather to himself all those who believe and trust in him to be with him in eternity. What a reason to celebrate  our redeemer has risen, he has risen, indeed.

So may we all have a blessed Easter in Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior. Praise and thank Almighty God. He has risen; he is alive, alleluia, alleluia.

Don Scholz

Grand Island
Indonesia expands startups access to financing

By Vietnam News Agency Fri, March 29, 2024 | 10:29 am GMT+7

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 Wednesday.

He noted that expanding financing access is essential to assist startup companies in dealing with issues arising during their early days of operations.

Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki. Photo courtesy of antaranews.com.

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
Virtual Reality

Austin Peay State University College of Education Builds VR Training Studio for Pre-Service Teachers

Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, has opened a new EdTech Studio within its Eriksson College of Education. The space will offer technological training for pre-service teachers through the use of virtual reality. A gift from Furniture Connection provided the university with VR headsets, 3D printers, LEGO Education sets, coding devices, robotics, and other tools, according to a news release.

The VR equipment provides an immersive learning experience allowing university students to observe local K12 classrooms for lessons in classroom management, student engagement, technology integration, and lesson planning.

We are thrilled to introduce this groundbreaking space that will play a pivotal role in preparing our teacher candidates for the classrooms of the future, said Eriksson College of Education Dean Dr. Prentice Chandler. The Furniture Connection EdTech Studio will provide our students with invaluable opportunities to explore and master the latest educational technologies, ensuring they are well-equipped to engage and inspire the next generation of learners.

The project was the brainchild of Dr. Hanrui He, an assistant professor in the Eriksson College of Education, who brought it forward after observing the use of technology in local and regional schools. Its ultimate mission is to provide educators with practical and accessible resources, expertise, and support, the news release reports.

Educator preparation programs in Tennessee are required to provide training in virtual instruction strategies for teacher candidates. Teachers are expected to seamlessly integrate technology into the curriculum rather than treating it as an add-on or an afterthought. The role of EdTech is to make teaching more effective, learning more engaging, and professional learning more efficient. Our lab's various learning stations prepare teacher candidates for in-person and online teaching while also offering hands-on experience with emerging EdTech tools, ensuring that future educators are well-prepared for the demands of modern education, said He.
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COLUMBIA  The South Carolina House has passed a bill to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public colleges and universities over the objections of Black lawmakers who said they weren't included in crafting the proposal.

Education Vouchers South Carolina South Carolina state Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Blythewood, speaks during a debate on education vouchers, Wednesday, March, 20, 2024, in the Hous

The House's most conservative wing celebrated the bill passing 84-30 on Wednesday after Republicans voted to limit debate and prevent lawmakers from proposing any more changes.

Democrats said the initiatives commonly called DEI are necessary to make sure schools meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations  and they called the bill another stand-in for fears of a woke bogeyman. Republicans said DEI programs try to solve problems caused by discrimination with more discrimination.

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"Everyone can be treated equally regardless of their background or their beliefs in the state of South Carolina," said the primary sponsor of the bill Republican Rep. Tim McGinnis of Myrtle Beach.

But Black House members like Rep. Leon Howard said it's absurd to develop a bill that says everyone will be treated equally without including representation from the people it targets.

Pointer named SCSU director of alumni relations and engagement Orangeburg native Evangeline R. Angel Pointer has been named director of alumni affairs and engagement at South Carolina State University.

"We had no Black people involved in crafting this legislation so y'all don't know how we feel today. We feel some kind of way about that. We feel offended about that," said Howard, who has been in the House since 1995.

The Democrat owns his family's 70-year-old towing business and said he knows racism firsthand as bankers didn't mind financing a car but balked at signing loans for tow trucks because that could take money out of white businessmen's pockets.

Howard rose to speak after a speech from Republican Rep. Adam Morgan of Taylors, whose highly conservative Freedom Caucus of about 16 members pushed for the bill after failing to remove state funding for what his group said were DEI projects.

NAACP urges student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges Black student-athletes should reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida, the NAACP said in a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker on Monday.

"Discrimination was wrong in the past and it's wrong in the present," said Morgan, who is running for a U.S. House seat.

The bill bans colleges from considering DEI factors when deciding which students to accept or which people to hire. The bill does not define DEI.

The proposal allows universities to keep their DEI programs, but they will have to report to the General Assembly on how much they cost and how they resolved any complaints about them. It promises not to interfere with a school's applications for grants or accreditation, which sometimes require statements of compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.

But just the idea of this bill will likely stifle discussions of diverse viewpoints and the continuing discrimination that shapes life in the U.S. today, said Democratic Rep. Kambrell Garvin of Blythewood, who is a lawyer and a former teacher.

"What this bill does is strangle any concept of diversity. It strangles the freedom to learn and teach. We refuse to stand by and simply accept that," Garvin said.

The proposal faces an uncertain future in the Senate. There are only six weeks left in the General Assembly's session and two of them will be taken up debating the state's $13.2 billion budget.

In statehouses across the U.S., Republicans and Democrats have been pushing opposing definitions of fairness and opportunity in education and state workplaces.

Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are promoting more than 30 measures this year to require greater consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion. Republican state lawmakers have countered with more than 60 measures to prohibit or restrict it, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill tracking software Plural.
COLUMBIA  A wide-ranging bill backers say will ensure South Carolina has plenty of electric power passed a key vote Wednesday in the House, but opponents complained it would roll back billions of dollars in lessons learned after a proposed nuclear plant never generated a watt of power.

Energy Bill-South Carolina South Carolina Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, right, asks a question of Rep. Jay West, R-Belton, center, during a debate over an energy

The 88-21 vote was almost all along party lines. The bill faces one more routine vote before heading to the Senate. That chamber's leadership supports the idea of assuring future energy flows but is much more skeptical of removing oversight seven years after ratepayers lost billions when a pair of utilities were paid to build two nuclear reactors before they ever started working.

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The short term goal for supporters of the bill is to make sure private Dominion Energy and state-owned utility Santee Cooper can build a natural-gas fired power plant in the Lowcountry. It allows faster approval of gas pipelines needed for the project.

Those efforts got more urgent after an unusual cold snap on Christmas Eve in 2022 nearly tapped out the power grid and could have led to rolling blackouts.

Former SC Chamber CEO: States new energy bill isnt a repeat of V.C. Summer fiasco | Opinion Over a career that spanned more than 40 years, I learned a thing or two about what it takes to bring and keep job makers in South Carolina. As CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, when I sat across the table from companies looking to relocate or expand in our state they had two questions: Can you get me workers? Can you get me power? And not always in that order. The worker question ...

"The truth is the enviros lost," said Republican Rep. Jay West, who has led the bill through the House. "And they are trying to hold our energy security hostage."

The long term goal is to make sure a state that grew by more than 30% in the past two decades  adding more than 1.4 million people  can keep the lights on in houses and big manufacturers and data farms humming without having to buy power from out of state or depending too much on solar or other greener energy solutions that backers of the bill said are currently unreliable.

Santee Cooper, Dominion bill mirrors failed nuclear plant legislation Critics say South Carolinas new energy bill echoes the ill-fated Base Load Review Act of 2007, which left countless ratepayers on the hook for a failed multibillion dollar nuclear power project. The present bill parallels with the one that paved the way for the VC Summer construction debacle in four key ways. As lawmakers debate the merits and potential pitfalls of a massive, newly-proposed ...

Environmental groups said the bill points South Carolina toward energy production for decades through items like natural gas that may soon be surpassed by technological advances. They said it also relies on smaller nuclear plants that are not feasible now.

The Southern Environmental Law Center called it a wish list for the utility industry.

That thought causes some to pause. Nearly 20 years ago, South Carolina overhauled the way regulators look at utilities, allowing them recover costs of building two nuclear reactors at the V.C. Summer plant near Columbia before the work was done.

When construction fell behind, executives of South Carolina Electric & Gas  later bought by Dominion as it faced possible bankruptcy  lied about the progress to keep the money coming. Several were convicted of crimes after the project failed in 2017.

The Senate will carefully consider the bill, especially since it involves both Dominion and Santee Cooper. The bill has to pass that chamber before the session ends in six weeks to have a chance to become law.

"It deserves extra scrutiny. They both deserve that," Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said.

The only major sticking point in the House debate Wednesday was part of the bill which reduces the number of regulators on the Public Service Commission from seven to three.

West said reducing the number of commissioners means they can choose the most qualified from a statewide pool and pay them more.

Democratic House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford said reducing the number of commissioners and abandoning choosing who served by congressional districts for geographic diversity means lawmakers and citizens will have less power over the board.

"Just put one person in charge and they can tell us all what we are going to pay for electric rates," Rutherford said.

The bill also would allow utilities to directly appeal denials of their proposals before regulators to the state Supreme Court and give their testimony more weight than others in disputes before the commission.
COLUMBIA  Lawyers for Alex Murdaugh say an FBI agent conducting a polygraph test the agency says the convicted killer flunked had asked odd questions, throwing the test's results off. The lawyers say the agent confided to Murdaugh he had just examined the notorious Dutch killer of an Alabama teen. The name-check of Joran van der Sloot in court papers is just the latest strange twist in the case of Murdaugh, the disbarred lawyer who is serving a life sentence for murder in the deaths of his wife and son. Prosecutors say the failed polygraph means a plea deal should be revoked that would have Murdaugh serve a sentence for theft at the same time as his state prison sentences.
Donald Tusks first 100 days in power show that it is easier to defeat populists than to unravel the system they have built. From ECFR.

The main threat to Europe is populism, a top-level Polish politician told me recently when we discussed the upcoming European Parliament election and the future of Polands policy towards the European Union. In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and concerns about its possible spillover to Europe, focusing on populism might seem out of touch with reality. But in Poland, after eight years of the rule of the illiberal and anti-European Law and Justice party, it is not. Like his colleagues in the new ruling October 15 coalition  named after the date of the election  led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, my interlocutor has experienced the virulent symptoms of the populist disease and how difficult it is to cure.

One hundred days have passed since the Tusk government took office and set out to overcome its predecessors legacy. But despite the impressive electoral success of the liberal and pro-European forces last autumn, the legacy of the populist era will continue to constrain their policy changes on both the domestic and European level.

After eight years of Law and Justice rule, the Polish political system is reminiscent of a Gordian knot.

Tusks key success is unquestionable: his government has unblocked 57 billion euros from the EUs post-COVID recovery and resilience fund, which the European Commission had previously withheld for more than two years due to the Law and Justice governments violations of the EUs rule of law standards. Brussels decided to release the funds in February, recognizing the efforts by the October 15 coalition to reinstate judicial independence, respect EU law, and restore observance of the Polish constitution. The government has put an end to politically motivated disciplinary proceedings against judges and put forward new legislation to bring the judicial system back in line with EU law. It has declared that verdicts of the Court of Justice of the EU will be fully respected (the previous government had refused to implement those related to the rule of law). Poland has also joined the European Public Prosecutors Office in a sign of readiness to cooperate with EU institutions to fight corruption and the misuse of EU funds. However, as remarkable as these efforts are, President Andrzej Duda  a Law and Justice party loyalist  will almost certainly use his veto against any attempts to implement them through legislative changes throughout the remainder of his term, which runs until August 2025.

Andrzej Duda

After eight years of Law and Justice rule, the Polish political system is reminiscent of a Gordian knot. Key institutions such as the Constitutional Court, Media Council, National Council of the Judiciary, and the Supreme Court are no longer independent  packed with Law and Justice loyalists  and based on unconstitutional legal foundations. Respecting this status quo would be politically absurd for a government that was elected to change it. But passing reforms through formal procedures is both a tedious and very often impossible task.

Overcoming illiberalism requires Tusk to square the circle: restoring the rule of law is hardly possible without taking measures at which legal purists would scoff. Be it changes to the public media, the judiciary, or the Constitutional Court, the new government is testing the thin differences between legal and legitimate, carefully navigating the high seas of systemic change without yielding the full power to implement it. With legislative changes near impossible, it often has to rely on parliamentary declarations or ministerial orders to form the legal basis to move things forward. Take the liberalization of the anti-abortion law  one of the governments key promises, which likely mobilized large numbers of women and young voters to support the October 15 coalition. The health minister has issued a ministerial order about how to interpret the existing, highly restrictive legal provisions to allow abortions to be performed under certain circumstances. Any further liberalization would be blocked by the president.

Tusks government has been praised for bringing Poland back to the EUs mainstream. Indeed, recent meetings in the Weimar format revealed a striking feature of the new era: once a junior partner in the trio with France and Germany, Warsaw has now positioned itself as an intermediary between Paris and Berlin, which struggle to find common language on some of the most burning issues in the EU. For example, after weeks of disagreement between France and Germany following Emmanuel Macrons remarks about sending NATO soldiers to Ukraine, a trilateral meeting between Macron, Olaf Scholz, and Tusk in Berlin sent a signal of unity between the EUs main powers regarding enduring support for Ukraine.

Law and Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski at a press conference in Warsaw on 19 March, ahead of his partys first electoral test since losing the general election in October at local elections set for April. Photo by Jaap Arriens / NurPhoto via Reuters.

Meanwhile, Poland  in the past an orthodox transatlanticist country, which was highly skeptical about defense cooperation in the EU  has come out in support of more central funding and common production to ramp up European defense capabilities. However, it would be a mistake to qualify this change as a federalist turn or Poland as an avant-garde of deeper EU integration. Tusk is a Eurorealist, willing to work on solutions to EU problems (instead of instrumentalizing them for domestic policy purposes) but risk-averse when it comes to EU-level initiatives. Tusks more constructive approach does not involve a fundamental redefinition of Polands national interests. He has not abandoned the previous governments opposition to the migration pact, wants to protect the interests of Polish farmers above trade liberalization with Ukraine, rejects the extension of qualified majority voting in the EU as well as Franco-German proposals for EU reform, and is critical about the European Green Deal.

The fact that Tusk is not a European visionary  he resembles Merkel more than Macron  is nothing new. But his cautious approach to Polands EU policy ambitions is also a reflection of the difficult domestic political context. The Law and Justice partys years-long anti-European and sovereigntist propaganda has left its imprint on the society. Poles support their countrys EU membership but have grown more critical about the EUs goals and the benefits of integration. Both opposition parties  the Law and Justice party and the far-right Confederation  are euroskeptic and anti-EU. According to a new poll by More in Common, the majorities of their voters believe that Poland would fare better outside the EU. Poland will mark the 20th anniversary of its EU membership on 1 May, but the mood is not celebratory with regards to Europe.

After 100 days in power, the liberals feeling of strength is tainted by a sense of fragility. The More in Common poll shows that the societys general optimism about the future has risen significantly since spring 2023. But Poles are still divided in their assessment of the governments work, with 45 percent holding a positive opinion about the governments record so far and 41 percent a negative one. The legitimacy of the liberal restoration will ultimately depend not on the adopted procedures but on its tangible results; whether the new system will be able to deliver on public expectations regarding the independence of public media, efficiency of the judicial system, influence in Brussels, security, and sense of togetherness in the society. In October, Tusk proved that it was possible to turn the populists tide. He still has to escape their long shadow.



Piotr Buras is the head of the Warsaw office of the European Council on Foreign Relations and a senior policy fellow at ECFR. His topics of focus include Germanys EU and foreign policy, Poland in the EU, and EU politics.

This commentary originally appeared on the ECFR website. Republished by permission.
Rep. Harriet Hageman in March introduced a bill that seeks to enhance protections for pilots attempting off-airport landings.

House Resolution 7660, the Backcountry Aviation Protection Act, provides protection for certified pilots performing established training and FAA-recommended safety maneuvers to prepare for off-airport landings, according to a press release from Hagemans office.

The legislation would allow FAA regulations to allow qualified pilots conduct go-arounds, inspection passes and practice approaches.

Bush flying is a well-established industry that is vital to isolated communities across the American West, and bush pilots are responsible for safely operating their aircraft to protect their passengers and plane, Rep. Hageman in a press release. This bill prevents pilots from being penalized for ensuring the safety of their aircraft and passengers and corrects the FAAs absurd regulatory overreach that far exceeds the intent of current law.

A mirror bill was proposed in the Senate in July by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), but the bill is currently in committee.

The bill is a response to an FAA enforcement over a 2019 case out of Reno, Nevada, which suspended the license of a pilot who made an inspection pass over a 10-acre property of a friend in hopes of landing but ultimately chose to land at another location after determining it was not safe to land.

The FAA recommends that pilots landing off airport make at least one low pass to inspect the landing zone for potential obstructions and conditions, but FAA regulations only allow pilots to break minimum altitude restrictions for takeoff or landing, leaving pilots who abort landings for safety reasons at risk of legal enforcement action.

Local Wyoming pilot Scott Gordon says the current regulations are too vague and the current backcountry regulations are the same as any other airspace.

The decision from the Reno case found that the pilot was landing in an inappropriate location and that the pilot was too close to homes.

FAA regulations dont allow for planes within 500 feet of persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures, except for when landing.

Wyoming pilot Gordon says that the ability to land off-airport would have deep implications for Wyoming, which sees a lot of off-airport operations.

Groups that depend on off-airport operations include ranchers, mission pilots, and airstrip communities.

Airstrip communities are neighborhoods designed around an airstrip and homes are sometimes connected to a hangar with privately owned airplanes  Wyoming is home to a handful of these communities.

The ability to make inspection passes is also important.

Gordon told the Star-Tribune that inspection passes are always made when landing off airport and that it is common to find another airstrip if the initial landing site is not landable.

Some landing sites in Wyoming can have too much snow on the ground or be too muddy to safely land.

The bill introduced by Hageman was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The Casper Police Department is seeking help to find two men who went missing in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

A press release from the department called for the public to report any information about Paul Daniel Pedry, who was last seen on July 7, 2020, and Jose Alfredo Mendoza, who was reported missing in May 2019, to their tipline at 307-920-2862, to their email at PDtips@casperwy.gov or anonymously via CrimeStoppers.

Forty-seven year old Pedry is believed to have left his residence area in the 800 block of South Durbin Street on foot. He is 6'3" and has blue eyes and short red hair.

Forty-five year old Mendoza has brown eyes and black hair, is 5'7", weighs 200 pounds and has a tattoo of the sun on his back. His ties include Casper, Douglas, the Wind River Reservation and Scipio in Millard County, Utah.

According to the press release, Casper Police Department detectives have exhausted all leads at this time.

We hope that someone in our community might remember something, or have a piece of information that seemed insignificant at the time that might lead our investigation in a new direction," Investigations Lieutenant Jeff Bullard said in an email from the police department.
An iconic dude ranch north of Jackson listed for $58 million has sold  marking the sale of the most expensive home on the market in Wyoming.

The Grand View River Ranch, listed for sale in August, is a 118 acres along the Gros Ventre River.

The property lies between Grand Teton National Park and Bridger Teton National Forest, making it one of the few properties that lies within federal land.

The property has operated as a dude ranch for decades and includes pastures, a riding arena, hiking trails and fishing.

A dude ranch is a style of ranch oriented towards visitors.

GVRR is composed of 24 buildings  a mix of houses and lodges for staff and the owner and nine lodges for up to 50 guests.

The sale of the ranch was made through an undisclosed buyer and the final sale price of the ranch is not publicly available, as Wyoming is one of 12 states where publishing a propertys sale price is not public record.

The property was originally homesteaded by William Smith in 1910 and he was given the property deed five years later. The property was later sold to William Woodward in 1920, then to John Barnes of Washington, D.C., in 1932  who used the property as a hunting camp.

Claude Wham, a cowboy, won the property from Barnes in a card game in 1944 but sold the property to his employers, brothers Roy and Reese Chambers, in 1959.

The Chambers used the property to access their Turpin and Ditch creek grazing allotments. In the early 1960s, the road into the Gros Ventre area was improved and phone lines were constructed, allowing the Chambers to begin operating a dude ranch they called the Flying V.

The current owners of the property purchased the ranch in 1986 and expanded the dude ranch to accommodate more guests and to add amenities.
CHEYENNE (WNE)  All of Cheyennes outgoing mail will be sorted in Denver in the future amid sweeping, nationwide changes in the United States Postal Service.

While USPS says this change will result in no layoffs and will save taxpayers money, it does nothing to alleviate some concerns community members and postal workers raised at a forum on the subject in December.

USPS announced the decision Thursday morning.

The Cheyenne Processing and Distribution Center will be converted to a local processing center in an effort to modernize the USPS, according to a news release.

No timeframe for the change  which is under review  has been announced, said James Boxrud, a strategic communication officer with USPS.

He estimated that 10% of the mail that enters the USPS system in the Cheyenne area has a final destination in the same area. For that reason, sorting would be more efficient for the entire postal network if Cheyenne mail was sent to Denver first, Boxrud said.

While that might mean a slightly longer wait time to get local mail, he added, the USPS will still meet its goal of 95% on-time delivery.

In Thursdays news release, USPS also said there would be no career employee layoffs.

Boxrud was unable to comment on how many jobs would be shifted once the facility changes. He said Cheyenne employees will have priority consideration for reassignment when the changes solidify.

The USPS also announced that, once the conversion is implemented, business mail entry, post office, station, and branch retail services are not expected to change.

Im deeply concerned that processing Wyoming mail outside the state of Wyoming will delay the delivery of all mail, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray wrote in an email to the WTE. Gray said the shift will delay delivery of absentee ballots and thereby impede the integrity of elections.
Wyoming became one of the first states in the nation to ban red flag gun laws when Gov. Mark Gordon signed new legislation into law last week.

Senate File 109  Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act says no local government, agency or police department can implement or enforce any rule that keeps a Wyoming resident from firearms or ammunition unless that gun owner meets certain criteria.

It also bans using funds from Wyoming or the federal government to implement red-flag gun seizures.

What were doing is were prohibiting law-abiding citizens from having their guns taken away without due process, bill sponsor Sen. Bo Biteman (R-Ranchester) said on the Senate floor.

Nationally, 21 states have passed red flag laws, according to the White House. Those typically enable police  and sometimes family, colleagues or medical professionals  to ask a judge to temporarily remove someones access to firearms if that gun owner is believed to be a risk to themselves or others.

In Wyoming, there was extremely broad legislative support for banning red flag laws, but some representatives questioned the constitutionality of the bill language, attempting many times to amend it. Those attempts had mixed results.

Gov. Mark Gordon touted his fervent support for the Second Amendment in signing several laws this session, including SF 109. (He also vetoed a ban on most gun-free zones in Wyoming, citing state constitutional concerns.)

Coincidentally, the day after SF 109 went into law, the Biden administration announced more support for red flag legislation, including the launch of a National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center, which will support the effective implementation of state red flag laws.

Keeping students safe from gun violence in their school communities is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration, a White House press release stated.

Bill history and details

Senate File 109 flew through the Senate, passing the floor unanimously. Not a single person testified against the bill committee hearings, just asking for some changes here and there.

Those successful changes included adding exceptions to the gun seizure prohibition. That is, they wanted to add to the list of people whose guns can be taken away.

Right now, the list of who can have guns confiscated by the government includes people convicted of felonies, found legally incompetent, committed to a mental institution or involuntarily hospitalized, in the U.S. illegally, who used the firearm in a serious poaching crime, whove been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army, convicted of certain crimes (like assault, battery and child abuse), is a fugitive, is subject to a protection order, or cant have firearms and ammunition because of parole or probation conditions.

But when SF 109 got to the House floor, things got complicated. A key issue was the question of constitutionality.

Unlike Oklahomas ban on red flag laws  the first in the nation  Wyomings ban specifically says federal red flag laws cant be implemented or enforced by anyone. That includes the federal or state judiciary in Wyoming.

And lawmakers gave the ban teeth.

State agencies, political subdivisions or police departments that employ someone who knowingly violates the act and enforces a red flag gun seizure against a resident are liable for damages in a civil action before the district court in which county the red flag gun seizure was enforced.

Each violation can cost up to $50,000.

Beyond that, individuals can sue to enforce the provisions of this act.

Minority Floor Leader Mike Yin (D-Jackson) asked the House what would happen if judges, themselves, violated the statute.

Lets say the Supreme Court of Wyoming issued a finding saying that red flag seizure laws on the federal level were legal, Yin said. Who defunds the Supreme Court?

Some lawmakers were concerned that the rules applying to federal statutes and judges went too far.

That included Rep. Bob Nicholas (R-Cheyenne), who initially suggested six amendments to the bill. Only one passed, and didnt include his efforts to get federal statutes and judges out of the bill.

Never in my history of being in the Legislature have we taken any action that reverses or limits the power of our courts to make decisions and make findings based upon the facts presented in front of them. Never, he said. Were telling court judges how they have to rule on a particular case.

Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne) also stood to talk about the U.S. Constitution.

I appreciate Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution that [says] the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and then federal laws, and then state constitution and then state laws, he said.

But members of the Freedom Caucus said sometimes federal laws violate the U.S. Constitution first.

Federal law is not the Constitution, Rep. Jeanette Ward (R-Casper) said. They are not the same thing. Occasionally the federal government makes laws that are not constitutional and are later overturned by the courts.

Rep. Ben Hornok (R-Cheyenne) added that the state needs to draw the line somewhere in pushing back against the feds.

In Wyoming, are we going to stand up for ourselves when it comes to gun laws, or are we going to let the federal government figure out what theyre going to do for us and we abide by their statutes? he asked.

During Nicholas failed attempts to strip the judiciary and the federal government out of the bill, members of the Freedom Caucus repeatedly called for the ayes and noes, which identify which individuals voted for or against an amendment.

Usually, this doesnt happen for amendments: They just pass or dont.

Zwonitzer felt they were a form of intimidation to get Republicans to vote against amendments that were good-faith efforts at improving the bill. As such, he issued a protest of the House, something that has no force but is noted in the chambers journal.

We are now weaponizing the process by calling for the ayes and noes on each one of these amendments, right? he said. With three lobbyists up in the north gallery staring over us with clipboards taking photos of every vote: Its intimidation  I do think its important that we restore some civility to this institution and not weaponize it against our own members.

Ultimately, the bill passed the House 54-8.

The context

There have been no widely reported instances of law enforcement agencies or local governments enacting red flag gun seizure rules in Wyoming, so this new law likely wont change much in the state.

However, the discussion in Wyoming is part of a larger national conversation about how to prevent gun suicides  guns are the leading method for these deaths  and stop mass shootings.

Some research has shown that red flag laws  also known as risk-based firearm seizure laws  can reduce gun suicide rates.

Indianas firearm seizure law was associated with a 7.5% reduction in firearm suicides in the ten years following its enactment, an effect specific to suicides with firearms and larger than that seen in any comparison state by chance alone, researchers found. Enactment of Connecticuts law was associated with a 1.6% reduction in firearm suicides immediately after its passage and a 13.7% reduction in firearm suicides in the postVirginia Tech period, when enforcement of the law substantially increased.

Still, the researchers found that Connecticuts estimated reduction in gun suicides was offset by increased nonfirearm suicides.

Wyoming possesses one of the nations highest suicide rates.

Meanwhile, in Maine, leaders have had some of their own conversations about the states yellow flag law after an Army reservist shot and killed 18 people following warning signs of his mental illness.

That states law, crafted with help from a gun-rights group, was passed as a measure thats less strict than red flag laws while intended to prevent tragedies. There has been more use of the law since the shooting, according to ABCNews, but law enforcement argued the laws cumbersome and time-consuming processes hampered their abilities to prevent the shooting in Lewiston, Maine.

Wyomings new law does not list signs of severe mental distress as a reason to remove someones firearm. Officials could only remove their guns if that person is committed or involuntarily hospitalized.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
In recent years, DEI  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  has shifted from a worthy pursuit into a contentious political battleground. What started as an effort to better include historically marginalized groups has, unfortunately, devolved into a means to inject political and divisive ideologies into educational institutions.

I have watched with concern as DEI initiatives across the nation, and even within our own state, have strayed from their original mission, and I voiced my concerns to the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and administration over the proliferation of DEI bureaucracy at the University.

With an annual budget nearing $865,000 and one of only nine University Vice President-level positions, the DEI office is allocated resources that could be better utilized for longstanding systems of support already in place to benefit marginalized populations on campus, such as Multicultural Affairs, International Students and Scholars and Disability Services.

Every student on campus deserves to feel safe, welcome and includedno matter their race or background. My critique of DEI programs is not rooted in the rejection of diversity or inclusion, but rather, from a growing awareness that many of these programs promote a divisive and counterproductive narrative under the guise of inclusivity.

Our universities should not cloak political agendas in student services or programs. They should not presume the righteousness of only one side, promote a sense of guilt and division among students, neglect important context in order to obscure the whole story, or legitimize fringe ideas. And they most certainly should not use taxpayer dollars to do so.

What do we, as leaders in the government and education, need to do now? We cannot continue business as usual and respond by simply replacing the states stricken appropriation for DEI with non-public funds, particularly when the state is by far the largest funder of the University.

President Seidels plan to convene a working group is a good start, and I would respectfully add some additional direction to the work. First, the group should include members of the state legislature, business, and industry in addition to UW employees and students. Second, the group should create a list of divisive concepts that have no place at the University of Wyoming, or anywhere in America, but are commonly promoted by DEI programs such as:

America or the American education system is systemically racist.

A person by virtue of his or her race, skin color, ethnicity, sex, political beliefs, or faith is 1) racist, sexist, or oppressive; 2) should be discriminated against for these virtues; or 3) bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or virtues.

Merit, hard work, achievement, and other earned attributes or accolades are racist or sexist or were created by a particular race to oppress another race.

Those examples are present in DEI programming across the country and are counter to the Wyoming and U.S. Constitutions as well as federal and state civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. Once these concepts are explicitly called out, it should be the directive from the UW Board of Trustees to the administration that all colleges, offices, and programs should end any training, curriculum, materials, or any other practice that perpetuates these divisive lessons.

I often advocate for bringing patriotism back into our educational system. In doing so, I am not calling for a blind celebration of our nations history or a denial of our missteps. True patriotism acknowledges Americas flaws while also celebrating the incredible progress weve made towards becoming a more perfect union  a journey marked by the brilliance and foresight of our Founding Fathers.

I stand committed to ensuring that Wyomings educational system reflects the values of true inclusivity, merit, and patriotism. This means explicitly rejecting any doctrine that divides our students along racial or ideological lines and reaffirms our dedication to teaching the principles that have made both America and Wyoming strong. This is a call to action for not only the University to respond, but for the people of Wyoming to speak up about what they expect out of their states sole University.

My husband and I are both proud graduates of the University of Wyoming. More than anything, I want the University to be successful. We must work together to ensure that our education system is a place of learning, respect, and unity, where the next generation is equipped to preserve, protect, and enhance the ideals that have made our nation great.
CHEYENNE  During the final days of the recent budget session, an intriguing debate over science and religion took place in the senate.

At issue was an amendment to House Bill 166, the bill to support preschools for children from lower income families.

The bill by then had passed the house but it was laden with 31 amendments. It had been altered to such a degree that one of the sponsors, State Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, said he could not support it.

When the final vote came, he voted no. It passed and was signed into law after Gov. Mark Gordon first vetoed part of it.

While it was still before the senate, members chewed over an amendment offered by Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, that would have offered science as part of the school curriculum.

His purpose, Case said, was to be sure that the children were getting fact-based information about science and/or nature.

The schools would be free to also teach creationism.

According to online sources, science is regarded as one of the main courses for pre-school students along with math and language arts.

On his first try, Case withdrew the amendment to correct the language.

He brought it back the next day before the final vote on HB 166.

Over those two days the members touched on a myriad of topics including geology, Wyoming artifacts, fossils, carbon, climate change, the Bible, the big bang theory plus a pinch of home schooling.

The science instruction shall include study of the geological age of the earth, natural selection and related topics. The parent shall agree to these conditions prior to receipt of any funds, the Case amendment read.

The discussion showed the split in thinking between the Freedom Caucus members and the others. This divisiveness also permeated the debates and votes over the budget and state spending in general.

It was a major contributor to the chaos of the 2024 budget session labelled this most contentious legislative session, by Cheyenne City Council member Jeff White.

During the debate over Cases amendment, Sen. Tim Salazar, R-Riverton, said he and his wife homeschool their son. They also teach him the both theories on the beginning of civilization  evolution and creationist.

Many home schools parents, he said, believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible, rather than idea that the book features parables or stories with a moral purpose.

He said he is one of them.

Sen. Bo Batman, R-Sheridan, who opposed the amendment said he could accept not teaching unverifiable theories like science on climate change.

For some people this is a religion, he said, adding, Its not science.

At one point he also said the amendment was a poke in the eye of Christianity because it allowed teaching the ridiculous idea of climate science.

Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, said the two first verses of Genesis in the Bible could be taken as an analogy of the cause of the big bang theory.

Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, made a comment about the elites among us, but didnt name them.

He said the science versions are only theory or a hypothesis.

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, told of the process that eventually produced carbon, a product that when burned causes pollution and ultimately affects the weather.

I wish that were not true, said Rothfuss, a chemical engineer and consultant. But it is.

Rothfuss and Case both emphasized that the amendment is possible because these schools will be financed by public tax money.

The bill as passed allocates $6,000 for each child in a family with an income low enough to qualify.

The Senate voted down Cases amendment with only four members voting for it and went on to pass the bill 20-10.

Sen. Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston, who voted no, joined several others in declaring the bill unconstitutional.

That $20 million in there, were going to spend that on lawyers, Schuler predicted.

She may be close.
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.
holy kiss: Commissioner of Prisons Deopersad Ramoutar smiles as Archbishop Jason Gordon kisses his foot after washing it during the celebration of Holy Thursday Mass at the Port of Spain Prison, Frederick Street, yesterday.

According to Christian doctrine, Jesus washed the feet of

his disciples on Holy Thursday in a show of humble

servanthood. See Page 3. Photo: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK
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.
THE High Court has dismissed review applications filed by the relatives of three prisoners who went missing following a brawl between several inmates and prisons officers at the Port of Spain prison on Tuesday.

It turned out that after the incident, the three prisonersAyokie Charles, Ray Paul Julien and Kerry Valentinowere taken to hospital for treatment and then transferred to another facility.
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.
Humor has been around for at least dozens of years

Comedy wasnt invented when Sacha Baron Cohen uttered his first my wife! In fact, its been around for dozens, maybe even hundreds of years. Here are a few old jokes to prove it

14 Husbands Have Had Stink Breath for Centuries A husband with bad breath asks his wife, My dear, why do you hate me? She gives him an answer: Because you kiss me.

13 Oscar Wilde Said to Lean In When a confidant said Theres a conspiracy against me, what should I do? Oscar Wilde responded, Join it.

12 The OG Take My Wife Joke A wife-hater is attending the burial of his wife, who has just died. When someone asks, Who is it who rests in peace here?, he answers, Me, now that Im rid of her!

11 Printed in The Daily Milwaukee News in 1870 Two salesmen noticed a very peculiar chimney, unfinished, and it attracting their attention, they asked a flaxen-haired urchin standing near the house if it drawed well whereupon the aforementioned urchin gave them the stinging retort: 'Yes, it draws all the attention of all the d***** fools that pass this road. Advertisement Advertisement

10 Youd Think Thered Be Nothing Left to Pull A luckless eunuch got himself a hernia.

9 Printed in The Daily Phoenix in 1872 A man said to a preacher, That was an excellent sermon, but it was not original. The preacher was taken aback. The man said he had a book at home containing every word the preacher used. The next day the man brought the preacher a dictionary. Advertisement Advertisement

8 If You Give a Glutton a Daughter A glutton is marrying his daughter off to another glutton. Asked what hes giving her as a dowry, he responds, Shes getting a house with windows that look out onto the bakery.

7 Printed in Prescott, Arizonas Weekly Journal-Miner in 1888 There was a man whose last name was Rose. As a lark, he named his daughter Wild, with the happy conceit of having her called Wild Rose. But that sentiment was knocked out when the woman grew up to marry a man whose last name was Bull.  Advertisement Advertisement

6 Work Smarter, Not Harder Two lazy-bones are fast asleep. A thief comes in, pulls the blanket from the bed, and makes off with it. One of them is aware of what happened and says to the other, Get up! Go after the guy who stole our blanket! The other responds, Forget it. When he comes back to take the mattress, lets grab him then.

5 This Poem Printed in the Philadelphia Times in 1890 Whatever troubles Adam had / No man could make him sore / By saying when he told a jest / Ive heard that joke before. Advertisement Advertisement

4 This Bit Walked So That Whos on First Could Run An incompetent teacher is asked the name of Priams mother. At a loss, he says, Well, we call her Maam out of politeness.

3 Printed in The Cincinnati Enquirer in 1896 A fellow tells his ma that there are two holes in his trousers  and then tells her thats where he puts his feet through. Advertisement Advertisement

2 Socrates Version of Happy Wife, Happy Life My advice to you is get married: If you find a good wife youll be happy; if not, youll become a philosopher.
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

Related content Eight Tulsa area restaurants scheduled to open in the coming year

At Barons on 1st, the food came last.

Chandler Hospitality, the company behind Rib Crib and Society Burger, was wanting to do something new and unique with the space it owned at the corner of First Street and Detroit Avenue, that had formerly housed a Rib Crib restaurant.

When we started doing research for this project, said Danielle Palm, who co-owns the design firm RoseRock918 with Rocci Chandler that designed the Barons on 1st space, we came across that photograph of the Phillips brothers.

Palm pointed to a large black-and-white print hanging above a couple of the booths in the soon-to-open restaurant.

It shows a quintet of men including Oklahoma oil men Frank and L.E. Phillips, who would establish Phillips 66, and their brother Waite Phillips, best known to Tulsans as the man responsible for such city landmarks as the Philtower and Philcade buildings downtown, and the Philbrook Museum of Art.

We kind of fell in love with this photo and how it evoked that part of Oklahoma history  the days of the oil barons and the sort of places where they would gather to do business, or to relax, Palm said. And our design was built around that idea. It wasnt a planned-out-in-advance concept  it just kind of evolved.

Matt Thompson, the vice president of operations for Chandler Hospitality, said, The space took us a while to figure out, and once we saw how great the end result was, we knew we needed to bring in an expert who would be able to create a menu that would suit this space.

The expert brought in to oversee the kitchen at Barons on 1st is Justin Donaldson, whose career has included tenures at local high-end restaurants such as the Polo Grill, as well as at the Mansion at Turtle Creek in Dallas, Tru in Chicago, and two New York City restaurants, Gilt and Cafe Grey.

Donaldson has also owned his own high-end catering business and spent about a decade working in the food manufacturing sector, which gave me a greater understanding of how food ends up on a diners plate.

Barons on 1st, which bills itself as a Drinkery & Eatery, is scheduled to open in early April, at 302 E. First St.

Im about 90 percent confident that we will open sometime during the week of April 8, Thompson said.

Donaldson, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America before setting out on his career as a chef, said the menu for Barons on 1st will be high-end approachable cuisine.

We will have steaks, but this is not a steakhouse, Donaldson said. Ive been fortunate to travel all over the world and sample many different cuisines, and all that experience feeds into what we want to do here.

We are going to have very bold, even daring flavors, the sort of flavors that almost smack you in the mouth, he said. Its a reflection of the barons who inspired this concept. They were men willing to make bold moves and put everything on the line to achieve success.

And, in the culinary world, such boldness can take time. Donaldson said all stocks, bases, spice blends and sauces are made in-house, some of which take days to realize.

We have a sauce that will accompany a particular steak dish that takes five days to make, he said. Were going to have a braised short rib that is going to be tangy and spicy and rich, and that takes about three days to prepare. We will have what were calling crispy chicken shanks on the menu, and those take two days.

The real work in a kitchen is the preparation, Donaldson said. Even though a lot of time and techniques go into every aspect of a dish, when its set before the customer, it has to look effortless, like everything about the dish was meant to be.

Sheila Dills, owner of Patisserie by Sheila that opened in Jenks earlier this year, will be in charge of the dessert menu for Barons on 1st.

This will be quite different from what I do at my shop, Dills said. Chef Justin wanted desserts that were bold and multi-layered in flavors, and werent typically seen in Tulsa.

Dills said she has created several tarts that will be part of the dessert menu, including a raspberry pistachio tart topped with profiteroles, a lemon creme tart inspired by Dills time in France, and a coconut creme tart that has converted at least one coconut hater.

I dont like coconut at all, Thompson said, but I ate every bit of that coconut creme tart.

Nick Ernce, who is the restaurants general manager and resident sommelier, said the restaurants beverage program will focus on classic cocktails, made the way they are supposed to be made, he said, as well as a carefully curated wine list.

We will have about 70 labels to begin with, most of which will be a fairly accessible mix of Old World and New World vintages, he said. But were making sure we have room to grow our wine list, so we can bring in more eclectic vintages  things that may expand our diners world a bit. Theres nothing I enjoy more than introducing people to a new varietal, watching them take a sip and seeing their eyes go wide because its something new and delicious.

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A Rare Find in Midtown! This Home is situated in the prestigious Wildwood Community with close proximity to top private schools, the serene Woodward Park, artistic treasures at the Philbrook Museum, and within walking distance to coffee, shopping and dining at Utica Square. You will find both contemporary, and natural elegance in this 4-bed, 3.5-bath home with 3474 sq ft. Every detail has been meticulously designed for modern living. The updated interior features a harmonious blend of textures and nature that transcends the ordinary. Recent additions include a GAF Class 4 roof, gutters, electronic blinds downstairs, and two new HVAC units in 2023, ensuring both style and efficiency! The house is bathed in natural light, highlighting the beautiful lighting and flooring that grace the space. The downstairs unfolds with a wonderful flow of living space to relax or entertain, a modern kitchen, an inviting dining room, and an upscale front office. The kitchen sliding glass doors to the courtyard seamlessly extend the sleek custom kitchen, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating an expansive and inviting environment. This carefully curated layout offers not just a home but a lifestyle that effortlessly balances functionality and style. Upstairs, discover a haven with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a dedicated laundry room, creating an environment where comfort and convenience define the essence of modern living. The master ensuite is complete with a fireplace adorned with natural stone and rock elements, unveiling a lavish spa retreat. Immerse yourself in a huge circle tub or rejuvenate in the separate shower. The spacious fourth bedroom at the end of the hallway has an adjoining full bathroom with a large walk in closet. The spacious courtyard has unlimited possibilities; it is not just a feature but an integral part of a refined, yet a low-maintenance lifestyle. This House is definitely A Must See!

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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

What is it about Oklahoma and music?

Lets ask country music superstar Blake Shelton, who will be joined by an array of fellow Oklahoma music artists for an all-star concert event Saturday, March 30, at BOK Center.

Titled Oklahoma is All for the Hall, the concert will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the halls education programs.

Joining Shelton on the bill are Country Music Hall of Famers Vince Gill (who has won more Grammy Awards than any Oklahoman) and Ronnie Dunn, plus Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, ACM/CMA nominee Wade Hayes and the Swon Brothers. Storme Warren will host.

BOK Center announced last week that Bixby native Justin Adams will kick off the night. Also, a free rock the block party featuring a performance by Oklahoma music artist Kylie Morgan will take place outside BOK Center beginning at 5 p.m.

An Ada native, Shelton has headlined three past BOK Center shows. He fielded questions from the Tulsa World in advance of his return:

Geography aside, is it different for you, whether its the vibe or something else, when you perform a home-state show?

Im an Okie through and through, and theres just nothing like being home. People from Oklahoma just get it, and everybody shows up to have fun. So if its at the arena here in Tulsa or Oklahoma City, or Ole Red in my hometown of Tishomingo, we all know were in Gods country.

What made you want to be involved with an All for the Hall concert venture?

All I ever wanted to do was sing country music. I love the music, the people who write it, the musicians and everything about it. Country music is a way of life. And its a genre thats built on our predecessors, and its vital that we support and honor them.

They just announced the next inductees to the Hall of Fame, and it includes my friend and fellow Oklahoman Toby Keith. He made a huge impact on country music as a writer and artist, and Im so glad hes being recognized for that. John Anderson is also going into the Hall of Fame this year, and hes a living legend. Hes come out on tour with us over the last couple of years, and I just cant believe it  you know, theres John Anderson right there! So to be part of helping to preserve their legacy and all those before them, thats important to me. Theyve never done one of these All For The Hall shows in Oklahoma before, and its gonna be a historic night.

Im guessing the Country Music Hall of Fame is meaningful to you. How did you feel the first time you explored the Country Music Hall of Fame?

You know, I moved to Nashville in 1994, and at that time the hall of fame was in this little building on Music Row. That holds a lot of special memories. Since then, theyve built this incredible museum in downtown Nashville that I think is one of the most visited music museums in the United States. Its an overwhelming experience to walk in there and see the actual Cadillac that Elvis owned or hand-written lyrics from classic country songs. Even if youre not a country music fan, its a must-see museum.

Of course, Oklahoma has a strong presence at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Any thoughts on why Oklahoma produces so many music artists?

Ive said this before, but Oklahomans are just natural entertainers, so it makes a lot of sense to me that hall of fame has so many Oklahomans. Country music is all about storytelling and real life, and theres nothing more real than Oklahoma. Look at the list of Oklahomans who are already inducted, from Reba to Garth to Ronnie Dunn (and) Jean Shepard. I mean, they are icons of country music. Its a deep, deep well of artists that come from our state, and theres a lot of pride in that.

What should people know about the All for the Hall show? Will each of the artists do a solo set list or will there be some teaming up that takes place?

This is literally going to be a once-in-a-lifetime show. Its going to feature Country Music Hall of Famers, icons, newcomers and a Tony Award winner! Im probably going to kick it off with a couple of songs and then hand it over to one of these artists to do a few songs, and we might go all night. Ive been a country music fan as far back as I can remember, and the idea that Im gonna be standing there on the side of that stage watching Hall of Famers Ronnie Dunn and Vince Gill and all these talented Okies  man, Im just excited.

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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  As part of the districts required monthly presentation, TPS officials updated Oklahoma State Board of Education members Thursday about the recent decision to participate in the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program leading up to the Oklahoma State Testing Program window in mid-April and early May.

We want our students to step up and show what they know, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson said. I am looking at my schedule so that I can specifically go and see our sixth- and seventh-grade students.

TPS was approached by State Superintendent Ryan Walters after Feb. 23 about participating in the program, which provides additional one-time payments to up to 10% of a districts teachers in exchange for extra contract days and additional obligations. Eight days later, the application window closed for TPS teachers.

For the record, Im a little worried about that (speed) setting a precedent for future projects, joked TPS Executive Director of Data and Analytics Sean Berkstresser.

According to a copy of the application obtained by the Tulsa World, English language arts teachers and reading interventionists around the district whose students showed the most growth on the reading portion of the NWEA MAP test from either fall 2022 to spring 2023 or fall 2023 to winter 2024 were invited to apply.

Among the demands placed on TPS to retain its accreditation is that at least half of its students score at at least basic level on the English language arts portion of state tests this spring or increase the number of students meeting that threshold by at least 5%.

Of the 118 TPS teachers invited to apply for the program, 54 submitted an application and 45 were accepted. Those 45 teachers come from 24 sites across the district and have an average of 10 years of teaching experience.

With TPS own projections showing that the district needs to accelerate learning for 700 students, its involvement with the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program is expected to reach about 1,100 students in grades 3-8 through small group instruction.

As part of the districts participation in the program, OSDE pledged to send employees with teaching certificates to cover participating teachers classes.

Sixteen OSDE employees with current teaching certificates started covering classes at Cooper, Council Oak, Dolores Huerta, Eliot, Eugene Field, Lewis & Clark, Skelly and Wayman Tisdale elementary schools; Thoreau Demonstration Academy; and Memorial and Tulsa Met high schools after spring break. OSDE employees are also providing small group supports at Hale and Monroe middle schools.

Among the certification areas represented by those employees are early childhood education, grades 5-8 English language arts, elementary education and business education. Four have a special education certificate, and one has a speech language pathology certificate.

However, according to documents obtained via an open records request, the remaining classrooms are being covered by substitutes through Kelly Services, the staffing agency used by TPS to coordinate substitute teacher placements.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters was not made available to reporters after the meeting to answer questions, including whether his agency is paying for those additional substitutes.

During the meeting, both Walters and Tulsa-area board representative Don Burdick lauded Johnson and other TPS representatives for their efforts to launch the program. The districts presentation was moved up on Thursday afternoons agenda in an effort to get TPS leaders back to Tulsa quickly in light of a massive power outage that affected multiple campuses.

I just dont think that you can overstate how incredible their launching of the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program was, Walters said. For them to take, I mean its an incredibly innovative program, but to take dozens of the best teachers  and were able to navigate the logistics of figuring out who those teachers are, where they would go, taking our employees, plugging them in, then finding retired teachers, bringing them in, to get to their point, making this as seamless as possible so that the kids that need the instruction are getting that, but also that youre removing this teacher from the classroom so youre actually filling that classroom with a really great teacher, too.

To do that in eight days  I just dont think I can overstate it.

Although both Walters and Burdick lauded the districts participation, a representative from the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association took to the podium during public comments to express her concerns that the decision would have lasting negative consequences on TPS workforce.

This automatically leaves out a high percentage of high performing teachers because they dont teach language arts this year, TCTA Vice President LeeAnn Jimenez said. This also leaves out those educators who have subjective teacher evaluation scores.

The premise behind this program is that competition will bring out the best and the brightest in our educators. The reality is that we have educators who are looking to leave this year. Test scores might rise  eight sessions with a great teacher will do the trick, right? But what about next year?



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Felix Clary Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter Follow Felix Clary Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Last years National Book Award winner, Ned Blackhawk, is rewriting Native American history for high school and college history courses.

Most public schools do not adequately teach Native history, and I wrote this book as an alternative, Blackhawk said in a Tulsa World interview.

Blackhawk said he recognized misinformation and harmful stereotyping of Native history in public school textbooks. In his book The Rediscovery of America: Native People and the Unmaking of U.S. History, he takes a professional approach to studying history akin to the way historians look broadly at other subjects, with existing scholarship assessments and through researching archival materials.

Blackhawk will be in Tulsa on Monday, April 1 for a book signing and lecture at Magic City Books hosted by the University of Tulsas Oklahoma Center for the Humanities.

Blackhawk, member of a Western Shoshone tribe in Nevada, lives in Connecticut and has co-edited four volumes on Indigenous history. He is a professor of history and American studies at Yale University.

His book tells the history of America from the perspective of Indigenous people, whereas most history courses in America are told from a European focus, starting with colonization.

Although the book could be questioned by opponents of critical race theory, an academic concept arguing racisms inherent role in American society, Blackhawk said to his knowledge his work has not suffered from state scrutiny.

Oklahomas answer to critical race theory was House Bill 1775, which bans teaching concepts implying one race is inherently superior to another.

While the bill does not ban teaching Native history in the classroom, some have expressed concern it silences classroom discussions about persecution of minorities.

Blackhawk said some high schools are interested in his book as source material for history classes, and a small number of schools are using it at the collegiate level.

Registration for the event featuring Blackhawk closed after all spots were reserved. To join the wait list, email humanities@utulsa.edu.

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A political action committee tied to the husband of Tulsa Public Schools board candidate Maria Seidler is responsible for mailers attacking her opponent and two other board candidates, he confirmed Thursday.

Ken Malloy acknowledged the address listed for Support Tulsa OK Kids Education is his and Seidlers home but said Seidler had no knowledge of the mailers and that the retired guys behind the PAC planned to be involved in the election before Seidler became a candidate.

Coordination between candidates and PACs is prohibited by law.

A group of us have been meeting together for more than a year, Malloy told the Tulsa World. We run a nonprofit  dedicated to focusing on TPS K-12. We took donations to that PAC and put out that piece.

We did not involve Maria in this, he said. In fact, we did not involve Maria in anything (regarding) TPS.

Seidler told the World she does not understand PACs and dislikes the financial aspects of being a candidate.

His group, Malloy said, intended no deception.

If we wanted to be smart about it, we would have gotten a (post office) box and a burner phone, he said. We figured theres no reason to. That would make us look like we were trying to  pull one over.

Because the phone number listed for Support Tulsa OK Kids Education in Ethics Commission filings has a Virginia area code, some have assumed ties to Washington special interest groups.

Malloy said that is not the case. It is a number he brought with him when he moved to Tulsa in 2017.

One of those targeted by the ads, District 5 incumbent John Croisant, said he has difficulty believing Seidler did not know about the ads.

I am disappointed that someone running for office in another district would send out a dark money attack on candidates who are focused on improving students outcomes and fighting to keep local control of Tulsa Public Schools, Croisant said.

Sarah Smith, Seidlers District 6 opponent, was similarly doubtful.

This is the third group that my opponents daughter or husband is leading that targets me, other candidates, or public schools, Smith said in an email. Yet, my opponent claims no knowledge of or participation in these groups, despite her home address being included on this latest one.

I find this behavior ironic, given her vocal criticism of transparency by the school board she says she wants to be a part of, Smith said. I believe Tulsa voters are intelligent and will see through these manipulative and childish tactics. I have run my race with openness, honesty and transparency, and I am eager to serve District 6 in the same manner.

Support Tulsa OK Kids Education was registered with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on March 16. The commissions online database shows no further filings. Ethics rules require independent expenditures made within 15 days of an election be reported by the end of business on the day following the expenditure, but it is not clear whether this expenditure fell within that window.

It is also not clear how much was spent on the mailers, but Malloy indicated most or all of the money was contributed locally by people involved in a non-profit called NorthStar.

Malloy said NorthStar was created by a group that began meeting in early 2023. Its stated purpose is improvement of Tulsa-area schools. This month NorthStar issued a report based on what it calls the Responsible Education Progress Index, which the report says is derived from a formula worked out by Malloy.

Malloy and Seidler are energy attorneys, although Seidler is representing several clients in lawsuits against TPS and the board, through her group Legal Overwatch for Parents School Rights. According to NorthStar, Malloy formerly taught law as well as practiced it and has lived in Tulsa since 2017.

The ads in question target Croisant, Seidlers TPS District 6 opponent Sarah Smith and District 2 candidate Calvin Moniz. District 6 is a vacant seat.

The mailers feature a picture of handcuffed wrists with the caption Tulsas School Board is Failing Everyone and blames the board for Neighborhood Crime, School Violence, Unemployment and Plunging Property Values.

The reverse of the cards says the three candidates will continue the corrupt practices of the TPS board and lists bonuses paid without the boards knowledge, a dispute involving some support staff over contributions to the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System and the districts performance on standardized tests.
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  Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat on Thursday voiced his strong opposition to the possibility of the governors getting involved in legislative races this election cycle.

Its a very stupid move if he really is doing it, if the rumors are true, Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said during his weekly press availability in which he was asked about recent comments by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

During a March 8 press conference, Stitt said, Absolutely, if there are candidates that I think are going to line up with Oklahoma values and therere candidates who dont, 100%, Ill get involved and try to let Oklahomans know what I think.

Treat is opposed to this level of involvement from the governor and does not believe it will go over well with the Republican Caucus or the general public.

Treat clarified that he had heard that the governor might be trying to unseat some members of the caucus.

Its a very small community when it comes to the political world, he said. I know hes fairly new to it, but all of us talk. And its an even smaller group of people who fund these kinds of ventures. And weve heard from people whove been hit up by his operation to go after our members, and thats not well received.

I dont know why hed go after us. Theyre good, solid members. Weve ended abortion in Oklahoma. Weve cut taxes. We eliminated the grocery sales tax, said Treat. We have school choice. Weve hit all the highlights that the governor espouses are his beliefs.

A spokeswoman for Stitt said the Governors Office had no comment on Treats statements and that no decisions have been made on which candidates the governor might endorse.



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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

Former Tulsa mayor and civic leader Robert LaFortune died Wednesday, his family said.

He was 97.

A rosary service is set for 7 p.m. April 18 at Cascia Halls St. Rita Chapel. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. April 19 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Fitzgerald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A Tulsa native and independent oil operator, LaFortune was the citys mayor for four terms, from 1970 to 1978, before deciding not to run again. Prior to that, he served as city streets commissioner.

He served seven elected terms between the two offices.

LaFortunes political legacy has been carried on in Tulsa by succeeding generations of his family. Current Mayor G.T. Bynum is LaFortunes grandson, and former Tulsa mayor and current District Judge Bill LaFortune is a nephew.

He loved Tulsa so much, Bynum said of his grandfather. Hes just a wonderful example of what an impact one person can have if they devote themselves tirelessly in service to one community.

I cant remember a time in my life that he wasnt my hero. Everything I know about being a good husband, father and community member I learned from him.

A Republican, Robert J. LaFortune Sr.s tenure as mayor coincided with an era of rapid growth for Tulsa. The citys freeway system was largely completed during his time in office, and the Williams Center was built, including the Bank of Oklahoma Tower and the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

The latter, in fact, was a passion project of LaFortunes.

As mayor, he helped forge the then-innovative public-private partnership that funded construction of the PAC, going on to serve as a longtime member of its governing trust. He was honored at the PAC in 2017 with the unveiling of his portrait next to the entrance to the Robert J. LaFortune Studio.

Among his other achievements as mayor, LaFortune was proud of the passage of bond issues for streets and parks and a 1-cent sales tax increase in 1971 that helped get the city out of a tight financial bind.

There is no one else in the city who sees what the mayor sees, LaFortune said later, reflecting on his tenure. Theres just nothing else in Tulsa to compare with it. It has been a rare experience.

After he decided against seeking reelection, public opinion held that LaFortune probably would run for governor or senator. But while not ruling it out, he chose instead to focus on business and civic affairs.

Former Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage, who served from 1992-2002, described LaFortune as a gentleman and gentle man who came to be the standard-bearer for all Tulsa mayors.

By that I mean he was unequivocal in his positions at times. But he managed to bring people to consensus and not be disagreeable in the process.

Savage said she would sometimes receive notes from LaFortune while she was in office.

And I called and consulted him on several occasions that related to city policy issues, Savage said. He was gracious; he was accessible; and he was a good, good friend.

I think he was a friend of good government, and thats what he always wanted to see Tulsa achieve, she added. It didnt matter that I was a Democrat and he was a Republican. It didnt matter.

LaFortune had already left office by the time Bynum was a small child. So most of what he learned about his grandfathers public service was from what people in the community told him later.

They always said the same things: that he listened to all sides before making up his mind. And even if they disagreed with a decision, they knew he was doing what he thought was best for Tulsa. For my grandfather, the job was about public service, not politics. Thats been my model for public life.

While LaFortune never offered him unsolicited advice, Bynum didnt hesitate to reach out to him during his time as a city councilor or mayor.

I had a direct line to the man I considered the best public servant in the history of the United States of America. And you bet I used it.

LaFortunes civic, philanthropic and cultural interests were many.

He carried on his familys long association with St. John Medical Center, serving as chairman of the board. The St. John LaFortune Cancer Center is named in his honor.

He served on the boards of the Indian Nations Council of Boy Scouts, Cascia Hall, Philbrook Museum of Art, Downtown Tulsa YMCA and Childrens Medical Center.

LaFortune enjoyed a long relationship with the Tulsa Area United Way, helping lead successful fundraising campaigns. He was named an honorary life member of the organization.

He had served on the Tulsa City-County Library Trust and the Tulsa Chambers Cultural Affairs Committee and as chairman of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

He also served on the boards of the Bank of Oklahoma and the Williams Cos., as well as the advisory board of the University of Tulsas College of Engineering.

LaFortune was an honoree of both the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and was the recipient of a Governors Arts Award in 1990.

Kimberly Johnson, CEO of the Tulsa City-County Library System, said the library system will always remember LaFortunes tireless efforts in leading the capital campaign to renovate Central Library.

Because of his leadership and just how well respected he was, it really made it possible for us to raise the $30 million in private funds for this $55 million project, Johnson said. And that accomplishment alone is remarkable. And its only one of many achievements that his family can be proud of.

But theres no doubt in my mind that his influence turned a basic renovation of an aging, well-loved library building into a nationally known, award-winning system. So its a lasting gift and a legacy that he leaves to all Tulsa County residents.

Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal said LaFortunes passing was a reminder of how purposeful and impactful a life can be.

As a former Tulsa mayor and longtime philanthropist, Bob was a bedrock of community engagement and civic pride, attributes that live on through his grandson and current Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, Neal said. Mayor LaFortunes stamp on Tulsa is indelible.

LaFortune attended the University of Tulsa and Purdue University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in chemical engineering.

He served a year with the U.S. Merchant Marine and later 12 years as a captain in the Air Force Reserve.

LaFortune worked in chemical and pipeline coating sales and as a rotary drilling contractor before becoming an independent oil operator.

When he first ran for office in 1963, LaFortune had no political experience. Prodded by some Republican friends to run for mayor, he declined but then decided hed try for streets commissioner. The role felt like a better fit, given his engineering degree. He would hold the office from 1964 to 1970.

LaFortune experienced one of his few low points in office in 1973 when as mayor he led an unsuccessful effort to change the citys form of government.

Advocating for a charter revision, LaFortune hoped to switch from the city commission to a strong mayor-city council system.

The effort was defeated. However, many years later, as LaFortune predicted, the charter was revised.

Strong mayor-council remains the citys form of government today.

LaFortune was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannie LaFortune; parents, Joseph and Gertrude LaFortune; and siblings, Jeanne Henry, Mary Ann Wilcox and Buddy LaFortune.

Survivors include six children, Suzie Bynum, Kay Phoenix, Bob LaFortune Jr., Annette Murray, John LaFortune and Phil LaFortune; 16 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

World staff writer Kevin Canfield contributed to this story.



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Devastating, and embarrassing, too, is how Joy Block Wright describes receiving notification that past mistakes made her ineligible to sit for her real estate licensing exam.

Wright, an Oklahoma resident and entrepreneur, had several episodes of incarceration in the early 2000s due to substance abuse issues. Following her release from prison in 2006, she turned her life around. She was able to find work, but she wanted more  to work for herself and get involved in real estate.

In 2013 she enrolled in real estate school, working during the day and attending school at night.

She sacrificed money, sleep and time with her family to prepare for her licensing exam. She says it was only after applying to take the test that she learned that she was ineligible due to her criminal history.

The notice provided no guidelines for how she could regain eligibility, no venue for her or others to vouch for her character, and no process to appeal the decision. She was heartbroken.

That was 11 years ago. Today, Wright says shes hopeful about the reforms shes seeing in the Sooner state.

In 2022, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law that removed various barriers for people with criminal records to obtain occupational licenses. The law, among other things, prevents boards from denying licenses due to nonviolent convictions from more than five years ago, arrests that did not result in a conviction, and convictions that were sealed or expunged.

The law guarantees the right to appeal any denial and allows individuals to have a determination of whether their criminal history would disqualify them before they seek the required occupational education or training.

Wright helped pass the legislation by working with Prison Fellowship and engaging with lawmakers.

Opening access to work for people with criminal records is incredibly important, as enhanced economic opportunities can help prevent recidivism, or relapses into criminal behavior.

Between 1997 and 2007, the states with the heaviest occupational licensing burdens experienced, on average, a 9% increase in the three-year, new-crime recidivism rate, compared to a 2.5% decrease among states with the lowest burdens, according to an Arizona State University study.

Prior to reforms, Oklahoma was given a C in protections for former offenders pursuing occupational licenses in an analysis from the nonprofit Institute for Justice. After the new reforms, that grade jumped to an A-.

Oklahomas efforts to reduce burdens on professional licenses benefits more than just formerly incarcerated individuals.

In 2021, Stitt signed into law a measure enacting universal recognition for out-of-state licenses. Without this, workers moving to the state face unduly arduous barriers to continuing their professional activities.

Other efforts to reduce licensing requirements include the pending Senate Bill 1475. It would decrease the number of hours required to become a cosmetologist by 44% for basic courses and 32% for related courses. Applicants are currently required to take 1,000 hours of basic courses and 500 hours of courses on related subjects.

Licenses often come with unduly stringent requirements that take time and money away from workers and entrepreneurs. They can require fees, training and educational hours, and more.

The most common defense for widespread licensing requirements is that they are necessary for the health and safety of the public.

But this is rarely true, according to Shoshana Weissman, an occupational licensing policy fellow and social media manager at the R Street Institute, a free-market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Lawmakers ought to be trying to find less restrictive methods of regulation that continue to protect the public while increasing the ability of people to work, she said.

Wright continues with her advocacy work and plans to pursue a license to open up a car dealership.

Oklahoma has made great strides in reforming its occupational licensing regime, and the momentum in the states pipeline, as well as Stitts goal of making Oklahoma the most business friendly state, shows that theres appetite for even further reform.

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Chili prices have plummeted in central Vietnams Quang Ngai Province following Chinas suspension of Vietnamese chili shipments, according to local farmers and traders.

Nguyen Van Tri, a chili farmer from Nghia Ha Commune, Quang Ngai City, said chili prices fluctuated between VND50,000 (US$2) and VND80,000 ($3.2) per kilogram last year.

That number fell to VND12,000 ($0.5) earlier this year before dropping even further to VND10,000 ($0.4), then to VND8,000 ($0.3) per kilogram, and finally to its current floor of VND5,000 ($0.2) per kilogram as of Thursday.

Along the eight-kilometer Truong Sa Street in Quang Ngai Province, local residents have turned sidewalks into chili drying areas because they cannot sell fresh chilies.

In Nghia Dung, Nghia Ha, and Nghia Dong Communes, Quang Ngai City, chili farms span thousands of hectares, but local farmers arent hiring workers because they simply cant cover the costs.

Pham Thi Nhung, a resident of Nghia Ha Commune, said she was only able to pick five kilograms of chilies in a morning, making it nearly impossible to harvest her 2,000-square-meter chili farm. Still, the low chili prices mean she cant afford to hire help.

A farmer in Quang Ngai Province harvests chilies. Due to the low selling price, local farmers harvest chilies themselves instead of hiring employees. Photo: Tran Mai / Tuoi Tre

According to Huong, a chili trader, chili prices are in constant flux.

I mainly buy chilies to supply to chili sauce and dried chili businesses. Larger traders arent purchasing chilies anymore, Huong said.

Chien, a trader specializing in purchasing chilies for export to China, said his Chinese partners have ceased chili imports and his refrigerated warehouses are nearly full.

If China resumes the import of Vietnamese chilies, Chien can earn big. If not, he may incur huge losses as he has to pay electricity bills and employees at his warehouses but will have no income.

Nguyen Thi Loan, vice-chairwoman of the Peoples Committee of Nghia Ha Commune, said the chili price decline had put local residents in harms way considering they have already invested in fertilizers, seeds, and workers.

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Vietnam is an extremely important partner of Canada, Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng told Ho Chi Minh City Chairman Phan Van Mai on Thursday.

Minister Ng affirmed that the potential for the cooperation between Vietnam and Canada remains huge.

She is on a visit to Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of over 150 Canadian companies active in various fields such as agriculture, food processing, technology, and clean energy.

At the reception for the Canadian Minister, Chairman Mai underlined that the city attaches much significance to the economic, commercial and investment partnership.

He also expected her visit to help deepen the cooperation between Canada and Ho Chi Minh City.

Though two-way trade between the city and Canada has grown over the past few years, the figures remained modest, he said.

Meanwhile, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is bringing great benefits to Vietnam and Canada.

He also expressed his hope of boosting ties to increase bilateral trade in the coming time.

Besides, Mai called for cooperation between the city and Canada in the education and training aspect to contribute to improving the workforce during the global integration period.

Many students in Ho Chi Minh City have opted to study in Canada, so we hope that the city will have more Canadian schools and universities, Mai said.

Ng underscored that the Canadian government pledges US$2.3 billion for its further presence in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, in the next five years, asserting that Vietnam is a key trade partner of Canada.

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Sending people to areas under Vietnams sovereignty in the East Vietnam Sea without permission from Vietnam is an act of violating the nations sovereignty under international law, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday.

Deputy spokesman of the foreign ministry Nguyen Duc Thang made the announcement at a press meet when asked about Vietnams reaction to recent activities by China and the Philippines at Sandy Cay, which is part of Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea.

Such acts complicate the situation and go against the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Vietnam Sea, as well as the efforts of countries in negotiating for a South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC), he stated.

Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence to assert sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, the deputy spokesman affirmed.

Vietnam requests all concerned parties to respect its sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago, not take actions complicating the situation, comply with international law, seriously implement the DOC in the East Vietnam Sea, and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the waters, Thang said.

He emphasized that Vietnam commits to be ready to work with any relevant parties to resolve disputes over territorial sovereignty in the East Vietnam Sea, including Truong Sa, through peaceful means.

Earlier on March 22, Philippine media reported that a group of Filipino scientists arrived at Sandy Cay last week to research, but a Chinese helicopter later appeared and flew above the group, injuring several of its members.

Faced with the harassment by the Chinese force, the group left the area to ensure safety, according to Philippine newspaper Philstar.

At the Thursday press briefing, deputy spokesman Thang also reiterated Vietnams deep concern about the recent tensions in the East Vietnam Sea when being asked about the recent clash between Filipino and Chinese vessels in Bai Co May (Second Thomas Shoal).

Vietnam calls for the relevant parties to exercise self-restraint, strictly implement the Declaration on the DOC in the East Vietnam Sea, and to settle disputes through peaceful means, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the sea area, Thang said.

Claims and activities in the East Vietnam 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 complicating the situation or intensifying tensions, ensure the freedom of navigation and overflight, and not use force or threaten to use force, the diplomat stressed.

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Vietnam and Russia will cooperate closely to arrange an upcoming Vietnam visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nguyen Duc Thang, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, said at a press briefing on Thursday.

The Russian president accepted the invitation from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong to pay an official visit to Vietnam during a phone talk on Tuesday.

The two sides reached a consensus to jointly arrange a suitable time for the visit, Thang affirmed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said that the timing of Putins visit is being put on the table by the two sides.

During the two leaders talk, Party chief Trong underscored that Vietnam treasures the great support from Russia over the past decades.

Vietnam considers the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia one of the formers top priorities in its diplomatic strategies, he asserted.

President Putin affirmed that Vietnam is always a friend and a reliable partner of Russia.

The Russian president also expressed his pleasure to see enormous achievements from the bilateral ties.

The two leaders agreed to continue fostering multifaceted cooperation during their talk.

President Putin traveled to Vietnam four times, with his latest visit in 2017, when he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which was held in the central city of Da Nang.

Thang also announced at the press briefing that Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai will lead a delegation to the U.S. from March 30 to April 8 to attend the Vietnam Executive Leadership Program and other activities.

His working trip is aimed at deepening the Vietnam - U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnam and the U.S. announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to the highest level in the Southeast Asian country's international relations, following talks between Party chief Trong and U.S. President Joe Biden in Hanoi in September last year.

In addition, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will pay an official visit to China on April 3 and 4 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

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An additional 219 trees have been either been chopped down or uprooted to make space for a project to expand the An Phu Intersection in Thu Duc City, an administrative district of Ho Chi Minh City.

Over 1,300 trees on Mai Chi Tho Street were relocated in April last year to serve the project.

A representative of the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City said it was coordinating with relevant agencies to complete the tree clearance.

Of the 219 trees, the city would take 161 trees to an incubator before transplanting them along other streets and in parks.

The remaining 58 trees, mainly nacre trees, would be cut down as they are old and cannot be replanted.

The authority received a license for the cutting and relocation of the 219 trees, according to the representative.

Last April, authorities in Ho Chi Minh City began cutting down and moving more than 1,300 trees along Mai Chi Tho Boulevard to make room for the An Phu Intersection expansion project.

Most of the affected trees are nacre trees, Indian almond trees, padauk trees, and Erythrophleum fordii  all of which were planted about 20 years ago.

The Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City pledged to replant other trees in the area after the project is completed.

The An Phu Interchange expansion project carries a price tag of VND3.4 trillion (US$136 million).

The project includes 10-to-12 lane roads, three tunnels with four lanes each, and flyovers with two lanes each.

In addition, there will be footbridges, water supply and drainage systems, green spaces, and traffic lights.

The project will also include a traffic island with a tower, a fountain, and many green spaces connected to the surrounding parks.

The interchange project is expected to become Ho Chi Minh Citys largest intersection once it is completed.

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An 18-year-old student in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam has returned VND490 million (US$19,746) to its owner after it was mistakenly transferred to his bank account.

Nguyen Gia Hung, a 12th grader at Ngo Gia Tu High School in Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the money was transferred to his account on Monday but he did not realize until Tuesday.

At the time, I was anxious as I had never received such a large amount. I then told my parents what happened.

Due to bank transfer limits on his account, he could not immediately return the money, nor was he sure who it should have been returned to.

On Wednesday, Hung asked for his teachers permission to take two classes off so that he could visit the bank with his father and identify the owner.

At the bank, the teller helped him return the money to Nguyen Thi Huong, a resident in Hai Duong Province in northern Vietnam who had accidently entered the wrong account number during the transfer.

According to Nguyen Thi Yen, principal of Ngo Gia Tu High School, Hung is a sociable and determined student.

The school will grant a certificate of merit to Hung and commend him for his honesty, Yen said.

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A plan to establish a single ladies market in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam has drawn attention from the public and sparked controversy amongst local Internet users.

Many social media users are puzzled over what exactly the market is and what kinds of goods it sells.

Ha Vu Son, director of the Can Tho City Department of Industry and Trade, said on Thursday that it had received a dispatch from the office of the municipal Peoples Committee supporting the establishment of the Mekong single ladies market on Con Au Islet in Cai Rang District.

The department, which seems equally puzzled about the market, is contacting Nova Land Investment Group Corporation to see how the investor will run the market.

The company might only organize a night fair at Azerai Resort Can Tho to sell tourism products for visitors, the representative of the department said.

Or, the company may build the market for single ladies to sell goods during a promotional program.

Perhaps, the market is set to offer discounts to single ladies who are staying at the resort, Son said.

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The parents of students at a high school in Thua Thien-Hue Province were angry at the school following an announcement that teachers and students who do not participate in the schools field trip to a tourist site would have to scrape moss off the schools fence.

The Thua Thien-Hue Province Department of Education and Training said on Wednesday that it had requested that the administration of Dang Tran Con High School clarify the case.

The school had reportedly issued an announcement that it would organize a field trip on Thursday and Friday to celebrate the establishment of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26) to the Ve Nguon tourist site in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province.

The fee for attending the trip was VND350,000 (US$14.1) per student, including VND180,000 ($7.3) for the entrance ticket cost and VND170,000 ($6.8) to cover the cost of food for two days.

Some 100 students did not register to attend the trip, while 920 did.

The school announced that teachers and students who choose to not take part in the trip will have to clear moss from the schools fence on Thursday and Friday.

If the fence is not clean, students who do not go on the trip will be expected to continue cleaning the fence after Friday.

The school asked the head teachers of classes to inform parents of the announcement, saying this was an educational activity.

Many parents were angry, saying that the school had discriminated against students who do not take part in the field trip and had created an unfair educational environment.

Forcing these students to scrape moss is definitely a punishment for them, a parent told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Tuoi Tre has repeatedly contacted Nguyen Ngoc Hien, principal of Dang Tran Con High School, but its efforts were in vain.

Nguyen Tan, director of the Thua Thien-Hue Department of Education and Training, said the schools act was not in line with education objectives.

The department has criticized the schools administration, and required the school to review its policy and education plans, Tan said.

The department has also requested that the school to adjust its plan for the field trip. It also warned other education establishments to avoid making similar announcements.

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Vietnam is projected to experience a 32-percent surge in water demand by 2030, necessitating an estimated US$9 billion investment in water treatment and drainage infrastructure, as highlighted by experts during a climate change response conference held in Hanoi on Thursday.

Nguyen Ngoc Diep, chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, reported that approximately 80 wastewater treatment projects, each with a capacity exceeding two million cubic meters per day, are currently underway in Vietnam, based on a World Bank report.

However, the collection and treatment rates for wastewater stand at only 60 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Diep emphasized the absence of long-term solutions for urban inundations in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, despite their pressing nature.

The investment into drainage infrastructure has not been up to par, he said.

For 100 percent of the population to get clean water access, we need to make big investments.

The expert added that the World Bank report put that substantial investments at around $9 billion until 2030.

He, however, acknowledged that this financial burden poses a significant challenge given limited resources.

Currently, Vietnam boasts approximately 750 water treatment plants with a total capacity exceeding one million cubic meter per day, with over 92 percent of the urban population having access to clean water, far surpassing the national average of 17.5 percent.

Nguyen Viet Anh, head of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, cautioned that the $9 billion investment would merely cover basic needs, while international organizations estimate the requirement for completing water drainage infrastructure at $30 billion.

Therefore, authorities must accurately assess the value of water to devise appropriate policies, with privatization being crucial to mobilize resources for such investments.

Halla Maher Qaddumi, senior water economist at the World Bank, warned that Vietnam could face significant economic losses, with a potential six-percent annual reduction in gross domestic product (GDP) until 2035 due to escalating threats to water resources.

Qaddumi added that water pollution alone could lead to a 3.5-percent decrease in GDP.

She stressed the urgent need for attracting private sector investments to replace outdated infrastructure with modern ones, emphasizing the necessity of strong financial policies and legal frameworks from the government to facilitate this.

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The Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 kicked off at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday night, attracting crowds of local and international visitors.

The fest will last until Sunday.

Rechard is overjoyed at the festive atmosphere at the Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The festival kicked off on March 28, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Various specialties, gorgeous cultural spaces, and art performances are the highlights of the festival.

Everything is so wonderful, said Zora, a Hungarian national currently visiting Vietnam with a group of friends.

This is my second trip to Vietnam, but it is the first time I have immersed myself in such a vibrant atmosphere of the culinary festival in the country, said a foreigner named Rechard.

Fish soup, sun-dried beef, com lam (sticky rice cooked in bamboo tube), venison jerky, and pork grilled in bamboo tubes are some of the delicacies from the Central Highlands region on offer at the festival.

With over 40 booths, experienced chefs from Saigontourist Group and its subordinate hotels, restaurants, and resorts are introducing fest-goers to more than 400 dishes and drinks. The food space was divided into three pavilions representing the northern, central and southern regions of Vietnam.

A booth of mini Vietnamese pancakes and sizzling crepes attracts visitors at the Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Among dishes originating from Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan Provinces, south-central Vietnam served during the festival included stingray fried with egg, herring spring rolls, banh can (mini Vietnamese pancakes), banh xeo (sizzling crepes), and Ninh Chu fried squid paste.

The festival treated visitors to a slew of famous dishes from the southern region, including black chicken stewed with chili and coconut juice, sparrow deep-fried with coconut water, and Mo Cay Nam grilled pork sausage.

Chefs perform tuna filleting skills during the Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Shrimp curry, a signature dish of the central region. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Fest-goers are treated to numerous delicacies originating from many parts of Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Apart from savoring a wide array of dishes, many international travelers played folk games such as nhay sap (Cheraw dance), piggy bank smashing, ball throwing, and crossing a bamboo bridge.

The culinary festival is open to the public from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily until March 31.

First launched in 2022, the Saigontourist Food and Culture Festival was named 'Asia's Best Culinary Festival 2022' by the World Culinary Awards. The festival also received the title in 2023.

The annual festival won the World's Best Culinary Festival 2023 award in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates in October 2023.

Stilt artists perform at the culinary festival in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The festival also features a drum dance to delight visitors. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Fest-goers are excited at competing in a rice-cooking contest during the Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City also brings visitors to the cultural spaces of the countrys three main regions. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2024 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City will wrap up on March 31, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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Given recent world events its a bold move, I suppose, to produce a series set in Russia.

But 8 part series, A Gentleman in Moscow, is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Amor Towles and centres around Count Alexander Rostov, a nobleman who, in the aftermath of 1917 Russian Revolution finds his world turned upside down.

No longer the elite, or ruling class, Alexander (Ewan McGregor) faces a Soviet tribunal for a divisive poem attributed to him. Spared from execution, he is banished to a tiny attic room at

the Hotel Metropol, for the rest of his natural life.

Life for you and your kind is over in Moscow. You must never leave this hotel. If you do, Ill be waiting, warns one Russian overseer.

Thankfully the Metropol is quite the opulent building, resembling something like the Grand Budapest Hotel. It has fancy restaurants, bars, its own barber and then some. But denied the outdoors and a piece of Russian sky is harsh punishment for Alexander, who loves his mother land.

Despite being under constant house arrest, Alexander remains optimistic and welcoming, maintaining loose threads of a charmed life with top dinners, even if the staff begrudge a fallen Count in the new society of the people.

He strikes up an unexpected friendship with nine year old hotel guest Nina (Alexa Goodall) and toys with the idea of escaping with former prince-turned-violinist Niolai (Paul Ready). Another acquaintance becomes actress Anna (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).

There are also many flashbacks to a life of privilege, devotion to his sister Helene, and history with the man she loved, Mishka (Fehinti Balogun). The Russian authorities regularly trash his room looking for information to which he simply requests they clean the dust while they upturn his belongings.

Its hard not to think of the plight of Julian Assange who was given asylum at an Ecudaorian embassy for 7 years, but the author reportedly drew inspiration from permanent residents of Swiss hotels, giving the concept a lens via the Russian Revolution.

Ewan McGregor upholds the role of the Count with plenty of panache, gentle, agreeable, courteous to a tee.

The pacing of the episodes is somewhat uneven, at times turning a necessarily claustrophobic series into a slow-burn. The accents are almost universally clipped British, turning mainly to Russian for folk songs and supporting Boris-types.

But the bonus is the costumes and interiors (filmed in the UK) which the eye can drink in while engaging with Alexanders plight.

This gentleman is perfectly agreeable, if not especially demanding of the viewer, and is in good hands with its leading man.

A Gentleman in Moscow is screening weekly on Paramount+.
Screenwest have partnered with national skills development organisation Screen Careers to deliver Set Educated, a brand new one-day workshop that provides an introduction to the screen industry for Western Australians with transferable skills, particularly electricians, designers and accountants.

Screen Careers is a not-for-profit national skills development organisation focusing on the careers of people who work below the line  the crew.

Set Educated is heading west to help aspiring WA screen workers break into the industry while also showing professionals from a range of industries  including hospitality, events, accounting, electricians, hair & makeup artists, fashion and construction how they can transfer their skills into the booming WA Screen industry.

Set Educated will include an overview of the screen industry, insights from professional WA crew members, an overview of how to get your foot in the door, Meet the Employer industry round tables and networking opportunities.

Our hope is that opportunities like Set Educated will attract new practitioners into the screen industry and help the State keep up with current production demands as well as sustain long term growth. This one-day workshop is designed to equip aspiring screen professionals with the contacts and know how needed to take that leap into show business, said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.

We recognise that theres a huge pool of people who would love to work in the screen industries but have little or no idea about jobs beyond producers, directors and writers. The jobs are out there, working in allied industries, with highly sought after skills. Well be introducing participants to a world of possibilities and providing them the knowledge they need to take their places on productions, said Denise Eriksen, Screen Careers Head of Training and Education.

Open to all interested practitioners regardless of their previous experience in the screen industry.

Saturday 4 May in Perth Tickets are $29

screencareers.com.au/events/set-educated.

Regional WA practitioners are encouraged to contact Screenwest.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission.

What does rum mean to you? For a lot of folks its the charcoal-filtered column still stuff thats almost vodka-like in its light flavor. To others, its a barrel-aged rum with oaky notes reminiscent of a whiskey or a Cognac. And to hardcore aficionados, it can be a high-proof cane juice distillate with powerful earthy and vegetal notes and an aroma that fills the room as soon as the bottle is opened. Rum has, by far, the widest flavor profile of any spirit, and the variety of rums available is staggeringand often confusing. So we wanted to cut through the clutter to recommend the best rums out there, both sippers and mixers. You may not like all the wildly divergent styles featured here, but theres something here for every kind of rum drinker.

More from Robb Report

Our Best Rum Selections

Best Overall Rum

Jamaica is known for its funky, powerful, high-ester pot still rums, but its also known for Appleton, one of the worlds best known rum brands, which celebrates its 275th anniversary in 2024. Appleton is not a stereotypical Jamaican funk monsterrather, its pure elegance. Appleton tops off its rums, consolidating barrels from the same batch as liquid evaporates in the tropical heat, so the finished product isnt overly oaky even after decades of aging. The proof is in the drinking, a near-perfect melange of brown sugar, baking spices, orange peel, a touch of rancio and enough dry oak to balance everything out. Expertly crafted by legendary master blender Joy Spence, and bottled at 43 percent ABV, this may not be for thrill seekers, but its an undeniably great rum that can convert whiskey fans and bring a smile to the face of any rum connoisseur.

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Best White Rum

Most light or white rums are actually aged and then the color is filtered out. Wray & Nephew, on the other hand, has never seen the inside of a barrel. This is the unofficial national spirit of Jamaica and with good reason. At 126 proof and lacking barrel aging, it shouldnt be a great sipper, but ask any of the millions of satisfied customers whove enjoyed it with a couple of ice cubes and a twist of lime to make a sweltering tropical day a little more bearable. Dry grassiness gives way to sweet notes of vanilla, coconut, banana and molasses, with just a hint of vegetal funk. The flavor and its high proof make it a marvelous mixer, too. Use it in a Daiquiri, sub it out for gin in a Kingston Negroni, put it in a punch, or drink it the way Jamaicans do, with grapefruit soda.

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Best Spiced Rum

The only spice evident in most spiced rums is vanilla, which comes from vanilla beans and/or copious amounts of added sugar. But Canerock, made by Maison Ferrandwhich produces the Plantation Rum lineis quite unlike any other spiced rum, starting with the base spirit. A blend of aged Jamaican rums from the Long Pond and Clarendon distilleries finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks is quite flavorful even apart from the spices, which include coconut and Jamaican wild ginger. The entire melange is discernible, along with the funky, slightly fruity rum underpinning it. Weird and compelling.

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Best Flavored Rum

The knock on most flavored rums is that they taste artificial, like a food scientists idea of a specific flavor rather than the flavor itself. You wont find that problem with Arhumatics flavored expressions because you can literally see what goes into them. It starts out with rhum agricole from Guadeloupe and then infuse it with various fruits and herbsin this case passion fruit and vanillaand cane sugar syrup. Bottled at 29 percent ABV, the color and the flavor come entirely from the infused ingredients. And since its not strained you can actually see the pulp and the seeds in the bottle. It tastes about as good as it sounds, and while its a delight in cocktails, a more unadulterated approachin a highball with soda or on the rocksis even better.

Best World Rum

The Mhoba distillery, founded by a sugarcane farmer from Mpumalanga in South Africa, has been making waves globally, even though its been producing rum for less than a decade. This is the first Mhoba expressionand the first South African rum, periodto make it to the States, courtesy of Holmes Cay, a small independent bottler with a knack for finding excellent rums and bottling them at cask strength. This is a cane juice-based rum, aged for four years in African whisky casks. Unlike many rhums agricole, its quite approachable, with notes tropical fruit and fennel along with hints of mint and smoke. At 118 proof, this is a surprisingly easy and delightful sipper, either neat or on the rocks.

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Best Splurge Rum

Black Tot

Rum with a naval history chaser, this is the actual rum rationed out to British seamen in the Royal Navy until 1970, when the practice was sadly abolished. This is a unique blend, consisting ofwe thinkGuyanese and Trinidadian rums, with smaller amounts from Barbados and Australia, vatted together in industrial-sized quantities for a couple of years and then bottled in barrels or stone flagons. Since the vats were never emptied completely, theres some pretty old rum in the blend, of unknown provenance. But the important thing is that it tastes deliciousnot exactly refined, but strong and powerful, with dark chocolate, molasses, caramel and a meatiness particular to Guyanese rum. Its not cheap, but its a small miracle that it still exists at all, and its a perfect splurge for a special occasionyou can even get your bottle engraved.

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Best Aged Agricole Rum

J.M rhums (spelled with the h added to signify that its distilled from pressed sugarcane juice rather than its by-product, molasses) have been around for more than 150 years, but while its highly regarded, it often seems like its taken for granted next to other, higher-profile brands. Which is a shame, because this is a gorgeous, near-perfect rumer, rhum. Aged at least six years in ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 45 percent ABV, it lacks the intensity of some agricoles, but makes up for it with a beautiful balance of mellow dark fruit and chocolate notes along with spices like cinnamon and clove, and of course the herbal and grassy notes for which chums agricole are known. A great introduction to the category for newbies, and a most enjoyable sipper for everyone else.

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Best Un-Aged Agricole Rum

Clairin Sajous

Haitis un-aged agricole-style rums are likely the closest well come to knowing what rum tasted like 200 years ago. There are literally hundreds of distillers making rum in minuscule batches, using locally sourced sugarcane, spontaneous fermentation with wild yeast, and distillation in homemade pot stills. And until the last decade or so, they were barely known outside Haiti. That is, until Luca Gargano of La Maison & Velier toured Haiti and sampled hundreds of clairins, tapping a few favorites to ramp up production enough to bring them to a wider market. You wont find a clairin thats not worth trying, but Sajous, named for distiller Michel Sajous, is a delight, with grassy, herbaceous notes accompanied by an almost savory brininess, along with citrus and mineral notes. Not for everyone, but everyone should try it at least once.

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Best Rum Under $50

Smith & Cross rum

Most of the rums on the cheaper end of the spectrum are spiced concoctions or weak, 80-proof bottlings that often taste closer to vodka than rum. This is a glorious exception. A blend of rums from several different (mostly unnamed) distilleries, this 114-proof behemoth is a great starting point for Jamaican pot still rum in all its funky, vegetal, earthy glorythink of it as the rum equivalent of smoky and peaty Islay whiskies. Connoisseurs will wax rhapsodic about other pot still expressions from Jamaica, but there are no better bargains in the category, and this has the added advantage of being fairly easy to find.

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Best Overproof Rum

The Diamond distillery in Guyana is a wild and unique place, with a collection of stills that includes the last operational double wooden pot still anywhere in the world. That still was used, in part, to make this extraordinary rum. 151s have generally been used for flambeing or to add some alcoholic whomp to cocktails, but Diamond Reserve adds quite a refined flavor, thanks to one to two years of aging in ex-bourbon barrels and the addition of caramel coloring, which gives it both a dark amber hue and rounds off the sharper boozy edges. Dark chocolate, baking spices and dried berry notes add an extra dimension of flavor to classic tiki cocktails of all stripes.

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Best 80-Proof Rum

The vast majority of 80-proof (40 percent ABV) rums are either flavor-deficient and watered down or adulterated with so many additives that theyre more science experiments than proper rums. Fortunately, there are exceptions to the rule, most notably this expression from St. Lucia. Its column distilledtraditionally a way to produce lighter rumsbut method of distillation and nine to 12 years of aging in ex-bourbon barrels makes for a robust, flavorful melange of cocoa, honey, vanilla and baking spices, with a dry, oaky finish reminiscent of a bourbon. A perfect after-dinner sipper that wont lay you low after a dram or two.

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Best Cask-Finished Rum

The Master Blender Collection launched in 2018 as a limited-edition annual release which allowed Mount Gays master blender (the now-retired Allan Smith at the time; today its the renowned Trudiann Branker) to mess around with the classic blends of pot and column stills, as well as experiment with various cask finishes. The fifth release in the series finds Branker using 100 percent column still rum finished in Madeira wine casks for six years. The lighter-flavored rum really helps the Madeira flavorstart citrus, bright grape, an almost savory touch of honeyreally shine.

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Best White Rum for Cocktails

This blend walks a fine linestraightforward enough for imbibers just looking for something to throw in a mojito, but interesting enough to appeal to sophisticates who enjoy more complexity in their cocktails. White doesnt necessarily mean un-aged in this caseits a blend of Dominican column still rum and Jamaican pot still rum which seems to be aged in ex-bourbon barrels and then filtered to remove the color. The blend is light and easy to drink, (some might call it smooth), with dominant notes of tropical fruits like banana and pineapple, but the Jamaican rum brings a light earthy funk to the mix. Bottled at a healthy 45 percent ABV, the blend makes a terrific Daiquiri, which is really the litmus test for a rumbut it goes well with everything from coconut water to elaborate tiki-style mixers.

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Best Aged Rum for Cocktails

RL_Seales_12_Year_Old_Rum

Richard Seale runs the Foursquare distillery in Barbados, whose Exceptional Cask Series includes some of the most critically lauded and sought-after rums of the last decade. Those bottles are pricey and rare enough that youd never consider using them in a cocktail, but Seales 12 Year Old is a more utilitarian, slightly lower proof (46 percent ABV), but also terrific Foursquare expression. Aged entirely in ex-bourbon barrels, its a classic, straightforward Barbados rum with notes of oak, tropical fruit, walnuts and coconut. Its a nifty sipper, but its versatile enoughand affordable enoughto shine in cocktails from rum Old Fashioneds to Mai Tais.

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FAQs

What are the different styles of rum?

The cliche is that rum is the wild West of spirits because there are so few rules regulating how its made. To a certain extent, thats true, although there can be quite stringent rules depending on the country. Regardless of where or how its made, rum must be distilled from sugarcaneeither the juice extracted from the pressed sugarcane stalks; cane syrup, which is the juice boiled down to remove some of the water; or molasses, a sugarcane by-product. The vast majority of rums are distilled from molasses. Rum can be aged or un-aged, and theres a seemingly endless variety of flavor profiles to explore.

Why are some rums spelled rhum?

Rhum generally refers to rhum agricole, rums distilled from cane juice that are only allowed to be made in authorized areas of the French islands, notably Martinique and Guadeloupe. These rums require an AOC (Appellation dOrigine Controlee) to be designated a rhum agricole. There are many agricole-style rums distilled from cane juice made all over the world, but they lack the AOC designation.

How should you drink rum?

Rum is often thought of as something to put into sugary or frozen cocktails, and of course there are plenty of rums out there that are made for mixing. But a good rumespecially a good aged rumcan be sipped in the same way as a whisky or a Cognac, using the same glassware. Some aged rums can also be subbed out for whiskey in cocktails like Manhattans or Old Fashioneds. Un-aged rums can be more rough-hewn and challenging, but they can also be worthy sippers. That said, the best way to drink rum is any way you enjoy it. Neat, on the rocks, in a rum & cola or a Daiquiri, theres no wrong way to drink rum, unless youre pouring it into your nose instead of your mouth.

Why are some rums sweeter than others?

The sweetness of a rum can depend on how its distilled and aged. Rum aged in a charred ex-bourbon barrel, for instance, can pick up a lot of flavor from the sugars naturally occurring in the barrel. This can also apply to light rums, which are barrel-aged and then filtered to remove the color (and some of the flavor). Other rums, however, namely those produced in Latin America, traditionally have sugar added after distillation, as well as artificial coloring and/or flavoring. There are no rules against this practice in most countries, and artificially sweetened rums are also some of the most popular and widely enjoyed. But if you have a rum with unusually prominent vanilla notes and a viscous mouthfeel, that sweetness may not be natural.

How did we choose the rums on this list?

Several factors went into making this list, including availabilityplenty of incredible rums are, sadly, virtually impossible to procure. We also wanted to include a wide array of styles and flavor profiles. But in the end, what mattered most was, do we think each rum is worthy of being called the best in its specific category? Aroma, mouthfeel, flavor profile and finish were all considered in making these choices. Lists like this inevitably provoke discussion and disagreement, and thats a good thing. But each choice made is one we can stand behind.

Why should you trust us?

Tony Sachs has been writing about rum and other spirits since 2007, visiting distilleries and meeting the people who distill and blend rum to learn the techniques and the stories behind each one. He is a judge for several spirits competitions including the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and in addition to close to a decade of writing for Robb Report, hes written for numerous other publications, including Forbes, HuffPost, Whisky Advocate and Esquire.

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The African Union on Friday congratulated anti-establishment opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his victory in Senegal's presidential election and hailed the "unanimous acceptance of the results".

In a statement, African Union Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat said he "warmly congratulates" Faye on the official declaration of his first-round win, while wishing him "full success in his weighty and noble charge".

According to provisional results, Faye won the first round of the vote outright with 54.3 percent, far ahead of incumbent Macky Sall's hand-picked candidate, former prime minister Amadou Ba.

Senegal's Constitutional Court could declare Faye the official winner before the weekend, which would make a handover possible before April 2, the official end of Sall's term.

Faye, 44, was only freed from prison 10 days before the election, along with his mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running following a criminal conviction he says was politically motivated.

(AFP)



Read more on FRANCE 24 English



Read also:

Senegal's Sall holds 'courteous' meeting with president-elect Faye

Provisional results confirm large win for Senegals Faye in presidential vote

Bassirou Diomaye Faye: From prison to Senegals presidential spotlight
By Amanda Ferguson

BELFAST (Reuters) -Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, stepped down on Friday, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said, after he was charged over historical sex offences.

Donaldson, 61, is one of the British region's best-known politicians and is Northern Ireland's longest-serving lawmaker in the British parliament, to which he was first elected in 1997. He is also a former member of the Northern Irish Assembly.

"The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with "allegations of an historical nature" and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect," the DUP said in a statement.

"In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said earlier on Friday that detectives had arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for "non-recent sexual offences".

A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time "for aiding and abetting additional offences". Both are due to appear in court on April 24, police said.

In response to questions from Reuters, the DUP and the police gave no details about the identities of either individual, or the victim. They also declined to disclose what the charges were and what triggered the arrests.

A source close to the case told Reuters that the male suspect was Donaldson, as other media organizations also reported. Reuters was unable to directly verify that.

Donaldson did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

DUP lawmaker Gavin Robinson, who was appointed interim party leader, said the DUP became aware of the allegations late on Thursday after reports that "an individual and another had been charged and it became clear to us who that individual was".

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"It's been a devastating revelation and has caused tremendous shock not just for myself personally or my colleagues within the DUP, but for the community right across Northern Ireland," Robinson told Sky News in an interview.

DUP DIVISIONS

As a member of the British parliament, Donaldson does not hold a position in the Northern Irish power-sharing government, a key part of the region's 1998 peace settlement that only resumed last month following a two-year suspension.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, whose Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party is obliged to share power with the DUP under the peace deal, said the power-sharing government was focused on delivering its policy objectives.

"My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future," O'Neill said in a statement.

The DUP's Robinson said his party's focus would also be on making sure power-sharing works in the coming months and years.

Donaldson's resignation comes amid a tumultuous period for the DUP and with elections to the British parliament expected later this year.

Sinn Fein overtook the DUP for the first time at elections to the Northern Irish assembly in 2022, paving the way for O'Neill to become the region's first Irish nationalist First Minister.

Donaldson was the third person to lead the DUP in a matter of weeks when he took over in 2021 after the party in effect dumped both his predecessors.

He also had to face down some opposition from within the party last month when the DUP decided to end its boycott of the power-sharing government over post-Brexit trade rules.

Donaldson brokered a deal with the British government that eased some of the trade barriers with the rest of the United Kingdom that the DUP and many unionist voters said undermined Northern Ireland's place in the union.

All the lawmaker's social media accounts appeared to have been deleted, with Donaldson's handle on the social network X showing the message "This account doesn't exist".

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson, writing by Padraic Halpin; editing by Michael Holden, Angus MacSwan and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common species of bacteria found in our bodies  and may even be lurking in your gut, mouth or nose right now. But its also a notoriously harmful bacteria that can make us very ill.

Its the most common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the US and the second most frequent cause of urinary tract infections worldwide, after Escherichia coli (E coli). If it infects wounds or enters the bloodstream, K pneumoniae can cause bloodstream infections and sepsis.

So how can K pneumoniae live harmlessly among the rest of the microbiome in some of us, yet cause disease in others? Understanding this may hold the key to preventing infections.

Scientists arent entirely sure what proportion of the population carries K pneumoniae as part of their normal gut microbiome. Past attempts have had highly variable results.

For example, one survey of healthy people detected K pneumoniae in almost 4% of stool samples. Yet other studies show K pneumoniae is noticeably more common among certain groups  including hospital patients, people living in lower income countries and, in particular, among people who had travelled to Asia.

K pneumoniae is whats known as an opportunistic pathogen. This means that when carried in the gut, nose or mouth as part of the normal microbiota, K pneumoniae should not cause any health problems unless a persons immune system becomes compromised due to an infection or disease. So our microbiome can act as a reservoir of K pneumoniae, from which it can spread to other parts of the body and cause infection.

One study of 498 intensive care patients at a hospital in Australia found that half of K pneumoniae infections were caused by the patients own K pneumoniae strain that had already been living in their gut or throat.

Its thought that K pneumoniae can spread from the gut to other parts of the body via medical devices such as ventilators. This type of gut-to-lung translocation has recently been observed in other pneumonia-causing species of bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Surgeries can also make possible the spread of K pneumoniae to sites where it can cause infection.

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Stopping the spread

Unfortunately, some K pneumoniae strains have developed high levels of drug resistance. This means that some drugs once used to treat K pneumoniae infections now no longer work.

Its particularly concerning that some strains of K pneumoniae are developing resistance to the group of antibiotics called carbapenems, which are generally only used as a last resort treatment when other antibiotics havent worked. And, this resistance is becoming more widespread among the population.

Theres an urgent need to develop alternatives to antibiotics so that cases of drug-resistant K pneumoniae can be prevented or treated. Our laboratorys research focuses on harnessing the gut microbiome as a potential solution.

Since carrying K pneumoniae in the gut is a known risk factor for subsequent infection, one route to avoiding this could be to manipulate the microbiome. This could be done by using probiotics containing beneficial species of bacteria to limit K pneumoniae in the gut. Such a solution could be especially important for people in hospitals or care homes, where K pneumoniae is more prevalent and infection risk is highest.

The microbiome has long been known to provide a host with a degree of natural protection against infection via a property known as colonisation resistance. This is when resident gut bacteria outcompete incoming species, including potential pathogens, and prevent them from establishing in the gut.

But microbiomes vary greatly  and some people carry more protective microbial communities than others.

Read more: Diverse gut microbiomes give better protection against harmful bugs  now we know why

My colleagues and I wanted to understand why some gut communities can resist the growth of harmful bacteria while others cannot. In the lab, we combined human gut bacteria into communities containing different diversities and compositions of bacterial species. We then challenged these communities with K pneumoniae (as well as other harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella).

We found that diverse gut microbiomes were more protective against K pneumoniae colonisation. We showed that this protection was due to the resident gut bacteria using up the nutrients needed in order for invading microbes to grow. This led us to develop a way of predicting combinations of gut bacteria that can resist growth of unwanted species of bacteria such as K pneumoniae.

We are still only just beginning to understand the role that microbes play when it comes to our health. Some of these microbes, such as K pneumoniae, can even be harmful and harmless at the same time. Studying the interactions between the members of the gut microbiota is a critical area of research for microbiome scientists because it could lead to new ways of preventing or treating infections.

This article is part of Meet Your Gut Microbes, a series about the rich constellation of bacteria, viruses, archaea and fungi that live in peoples digestive tracts. Scientists are increasingly realising their importance in shaping our health  both physical and mental. Each week we will look at a different microbe and bring you the most up-to-date research on them.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Frances Spragge receives funding from The Wellcome Trust.
Not a lot has changed in the five years since Rambo: Last Blood hit theaters in 2019. What should have been a grand finale for Stallone's famed anti-hero, this fourth sequel proved to be a bit of a dud. The final act picked up the slaughter energy, but it's a tonal mismatch from the previous films feeling more like a film that was adapted into a Rambo film rather than starting out as a new entry. While a decidedly different adventure for our PTSD-riddled Nam vet, my biggest issue with this Theatrical Cut is how poorly it's edited. At less than 90-minutes long (with credits no less), it's chopped up into a frenetic mess. At 11 minutes longer, the Extended Cut is the far superior experience giving a whole new opening to the film, letting the characters set up, and giving more weight when John exacts his brutal revenge. To date, that longer better cut can only be imported out of Germany and some other territories. The bummer of this solo 4K SteelBook release is that Lionsgate skipped the chance to give fans a real reason to upgrade.

Here's Mr. E.'s review 4K UHD Blu-ray of Rambo: Last Blood from 2019

Nearly forty years since becoming a cultural icon and three sequels later earning him a permanent place in action film history, Sylvester Stallone's darkly troubled war vet John Rambo returns to the battlefield in Rambo: Last Blood. Only, in this purported final fight, the beloved anti-hero is forced into turning his family's horse ranch seen at the end of 2008's fourth entry as the combat zone. And as the supposed concluding chapter to the series, the fourth sequel is pretty much what would be expected of the franchise  a grisly, blood-soaked spectacle of violence largely driven by topical anxieties, racial tropes and various other sweeping generalizations. It may not be a strong finish, arguably failing to provide any new surprises, but the four-decade-long journey of a soldier's return home ends similarly to its predecessors and at least, goes out on a reflective note.

From a script co-written by Stallone, the fight takes a more deeply personal turn as Rambo safeguards his adopted family and legacy against a Mexican cartel, who send their best criminals, rapists and drug dealers. Whereas previous entries saw the conflicted Vietnam vet fighting the maltreatment of soldiers in smalltown U.S.A. or defending American values abroad  a fantasized catharsis of the country's past failures  Rambo, this time around, battles to preserve any semblance of normalcy and for Gabriela (Yvette Monreal), the teenager he's raised as his own. The girl and her grandmother Maria (Adriana Barraza) are a major detail that mostly goes unexplained outside of a few verbal hints, and the filmmakers don't make much effort either, using both women as little more than plot devices for justifying the gory, blood-splattered retribution. They're essentially the story's MacGuffin.

Instilling drama into the fiery fray, director Adrian Grunberg's (Get the Gringo) sophomoric effort shows the decorated war hero continues to be haunted by the demons of his past, a deeply wounded man battling himself as much as those threatening himself. Again, it's nothing new and even feels somewhat obligatory at this point, but Last Blood has its moments worth admiring. The one-man killing machine spends much of his free time digging underground tunnels that aimlessly go nowhere and don't seem to serve any purpose, other than serving as Chekhov's gun foreshadowing the climactic showdown while also being a subtle metaphor for our hero's internals struggles. Arguably, the movie's highlight is the montage sequence, a comical but entertaining clash of vintage Rambo meets Home Alone. And at a brisk 89 minutes, thanks to Stallone's tightly-written script, Rambo's final hooah doesn't overextend its welcome while nicely wrapping up an action legacy. 2.5/5

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Rambo: Last Blood aims for a solo 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook release from Lionsgate. Essentially, this is the exact same SteelBook case that came with the out-of-print five-film franchise set from Best Buy. Only now the SteelBook comes with a plastic slipcover accenting the artwork. Even the side spines are the same with "5" printed at the top. Inside the same BD-66 and BD-50 discs return only for our review copy they were actually the standard black retail versions not the red and blue versions from the Best Buy set. A digital copy is included but nothing about it indicates that it offers the Extended Edition digital like what came in the Best Buy collection. At a guess, it's the Theatrical Cut version again.
HOA BINH  The northern province of Hoa Binhs Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 28 coordinated with Tien Ngan Trading and Investment Co., Ltd, Tomas Trade Co., Ltd and ASIA Ocean company to export the first lot of 7.5 tonnes of pickled chili peppers to the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Hoa Binh farmers harvest two crops of chili peppers each year with an output of 30-40 tonnes per hectare thanks to favourable conditions in climate and soil for chili pepper farming.

According to the Plant Protection Sub-Department of Hoa Binh, RoK firms have said that they need 4,000 tonnes of pickled chili peppers each year. Therefore, the locality plans to expand its chili pepper farming area to about 50 hectares for export, mostly in Luong Son, Lac Thuy and Kim Boi districts as well as Hoa Binh City.

Director of the Hoa Binh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Huy Nhuan said that the export of the first lot of pickled chili peppers to the RoK opens up new hopes for the locality in promoting the export of major agricultural products, while enhancing the confidence of farmers in producing products for international orders.

Hoa Binh has encouraged local businesses to invest in deep processing technologies and supply chains to increase export volume and value, he said.

Nguyen Le Diep, director of Tien Ngan Trading and Investment Co., Ltd, said that the RoK is a potential market with high demand for pickled chili peppers, which is a strength of Hoa Binh.

In 2024, the firm plans to export 150 tonnes of pickled chili peppers to the RoK, Diep revealed.  VNS
HA NOI  The International Exhibition for Smart Office Solutions, Office Equipment and Stationery in Viet Nam (VietOffice 2024) will be held for the first time. The exhibition marks an important step forward in connecting the business community with new and modern working environments.

VietOffice 2024, held by the Viet Nam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (Vinexad) and Viet Nam Office Machinery Association (VOMA), will take place from May 22 to 24, 2024 at Ha Noi International Exhibition Center (ICE) at 91 Tran Hung ao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi.

As a platform to connect businesses in the industry, the exhibition is expected to open up opportunities to promote co-operation, build relationships and expand global business networks.

The exhibition will offer a diverse and creative exhibition space with various product lines, such as office machinery, office furniture; smart office solutions; office accessories and decorations, and stationery.

Infrastructure development in Viet Nam has raised the prospects for many businesses building offices in the country, along with the increasing number of schools, commercial buildings, and small and medium enterprises. Therefore, the Vietnamese office equipment and stationery market is witnessing significant growth.

According to research from BlueWeave Consulting, Viet Nam's stationery and office equipment market will reach a value of US$487.1 million in 2022 and is expected to continue growing to reach $512.4 million in 2027. Many new and high-tech office products have been developed and promoted.  VNS
ROME  Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung and Vice President of the Basilicata Confederation of Industry (Confindustria) Antonio Braia on March 28 co-chaired a meeting with businesses from Italys regions of Puglia and Basilicata to outline a roadmap for the establishment of relations among Vietnamese and Italian localities.

At the event, the Vietnamese ambassador introduced Viet Nams strategy to attract investors to representatives of more than 20 businesses from the two regions.

He affirmed that Viet Nam always listens to partners and investors' opinions, towards building an environment of peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

He said Viet Nam hopes foreign investors, including those from Italy, to boost cooperation, share experience, provide policy consultations, especially those in priority areas such as green transition, and digitalisation, and give financial and technical support and human resources training.

For his part, Braia said that the participation of Italian businesses and investors at the meeting showed the interest of Italian businesses in Viet Nam.

He valued the role of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy in connecting businesses of the two countries and asked for support to organise business delegations from the two regions to visit Viet Nam this November.

At the meeting, participants showed their interest in promoting cooperation with Viet Nam in the fields of agriculture, food distribution, especially wine, olive oil, pasta, cereals and dried fruits, machine and automobile manufacturing, as well as cooperation in education and cultural exchange.

They wanted to learn about import policies and distribution channels in Viet Nam, while wishing to know which products and technologies that Viet Nam can export to Italy, opening up two-way cooperation opportunities.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy has paid many visits to localities in the country to promote cooperation in areas including trade, investment, culture, and education. It plans to arrange similar visits and meetings with businesses in regions across Italy in the coming time. - VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on March 29 emphasised the important role of banks and financial mechanisms in green energy transition projects when he received Managing Director of the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) Tanimoto Masayuki in Ha Noi.

During the reception, Ha said that Viet Nam and Japan have promoted cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks related to just energy transition. In particular, the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Initiative includes many directions and contents of cooperation that the two sides have set out, deployed, and achieved many positive results.

Ha said that the AZEC and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) are initiatives to realise the agreement reached at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

"Now, countries around the world including the most developed are in the testing phase of reducing gas emissions and using 100% renewable energy sources. For a just energy transition, developed and developing countries should increase support for each other in terms of financial mechanisms and technology," Ha noted.

Emphasising some common goals of AZEC and JETP, the Deputy PM appreciated the feasibility of the AZEC mechanism with many specific solutions.

For his part, Tanimoto Masayuki said that JBIC has cooperated and provided loans for partners in Viet Nam. It has also been supporting many Japanese businesses in implementing investment and cooperation activities abroad, including Viet Nam.

He said that JBIC will further support Vietnam in green energy development, for example, bringing Japanese and European technology to help Vietnamese businesses reduce carbon emissions and save energy.

He said JBIC hopes that Viet Nam can both implement a carbon-neutral strategy and ensure socio-economic development and energy security.

Viet Nam is the first partner that Japan supports in the AZEC initiative, he said, adding that key international partners strongly back Japan's cooperation with Viet Nam. He hoped that Japan - Vietnam cooperation in AZEC will become a model in the world. - VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is a key location for production centre establishment, according to the co-chairs of the Viet Nam-Japan Economic Committee at a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue on Thursday.

Fujimoto Masayoshi and Hyodo Masayuki, heads of the committee, were leading a business delegation from the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) to attend a summit launching the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative in the New Era.

The project consists of five major groups of issues: promoting the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC); green transition, innovation and digital transformation; strengthening the supply chain; high-quality human resources training (in IT, artificial intelligence and semiconductors); and mechanism reforms to improve the business climate.

Speaking with the Vietnamese top legislator, Japanese representatives agreed that Viet Nam is a developing country with a large population, a hardworking labour force and a high-potential consumer market.

Many Japanese businesses are looking to contribute to bilateral ties and expand their operations in Viet Nam, especially in human resources training for software development, supporting industries and clean energy production, they said.

Keidanren members hoped that in the near future, the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) and government will further accelerate administrative reforms to improve the business-investment climate and attract more Japanese companies.

NA Chairman Hue gave high regard to the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative, which has been executed successfully for the past 20 years.

Viet Nam always attaches great importance to and welcomes Japanese investment in Viet Nam, as well as their recommendation for legal and administrative reforms for a better business environment, he reiterated.

He also agreed that the five areas of focus in the initiative are emerging and crucial sectors, and expects that Keidanren, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, and other government agencies would devise a specific, practical and effective action plan.

They should also work to clarify the cooperation mechanism, nature of operations, financial resources and stakeholder responsibilities, while also evaluating the unsuccessful cooperation in the six focus industries in the 2013 Industrialisation Strategy, for lessons learnt.

As part of the legislation for plan implementation, the Vietnamese NA is looking into related bills such as the Law on Defence, Security Industries and Industry Mobilisation, in addition to administrative and educational reforms.

NA Chairman Hue also asked the Viet Nam-Japan Economic Committee and Keidanren to continue working with Vietnamese departments to increase dialogues on policies as well as information and experience exchange to improve the Vietnamese business-investment climate.

Keidanren is also encouraged to promote Viet Nams image and investment opportunities and environment to major Japanese corporations, especially in the five key sectors of the joint initiative.

A new era

A meeting was held in Ha Noi on Wednesday to launch the first phase of the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative in the New Era.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the initiative, which began in April 2003, is a special cooperation between the two governments.

Via the establishment of a policy dialogue forum between Japanese investors and related Vietnamese ministries and sectors, it has contributed to building a transparent and conducive business climate in the Southeast Asian country, and offered policy recommendations as reference for law and policy refinement processes by local agencies.

Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Yamada Takio said after two decades, the initiative completed eight phases, with 84 per cent of the workload finished on time, boosting foreign capital inflows in Viet Nam, particularly from Japan.

Participating Vietnamese and Japanese delegates agreed that the first phase would last for 19 months, with a mid-term review meeting slated for December this year and a summit to assess the entire process in October 2025.

The two sides pledged cooperative efforts and active implementation of commitments in the action plan to meet the set goals, for the mutual prosperity of the Vietnamese and Japanese business communities and to enhance the two countries relations.

As of February 20, Japanese investors had channelled US$74.3 billion into 5,288 projects in Viet Nam.

In the first two months of 2024, their registered investment amounted to $422.4 million, soaring by 290 per cent year-on-year.  VNS
SYDNEY  The revised Land Law, which was passed by the Vietnamese National Assembly in January 2024, is expected to attract capital from overseas Vietnamese (OV), said Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia (VBAA) Tran Ba Phuc.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agencys resident correspondents in Australia, Phuc hailed the amended law for providing greater assurance for OVs by explicitly guaranteeing their rights. This serves as a motivation to encourage them to return to the home country and invest more boldly.

Phuc, who is also Vice Chairman of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese (BAOOV), said that the law has been revised towards greater transparency and more beneficial to OVs.

It is a step in the right direction he said, adding that it is relevant to the current situation of the country as well as the Vietnamese community abroad, aim to stimulate economic breakthroughs and create favourable conditions for domestic enterprises and OVs.

Phuc viewed these changes as a reflection of the Vietnamese Government's open policy in attracting capital and resources from abroad, as well as fostering connections between OVs and the homeland.

Many OVs want to contribute to the development of the homeland through remittances and reinvestment. Real estate offers a particularly attractive avenue for them to do so.

The revision also underscores the Vietnamese Party and States consistent policy of considering OVs an inseparable part of the nation, he stressed.

Phuc suggested that the Vietnamese Government should intensify the dissemination of information about the revised Land Law and show its earnest and active implementation of the law in line with the outlined spirit to instil motivation and confidence among residents as well as the Vietnamese community and foreign businesses abroad who will prepare plans and encourage their involvement.

He predicted that the real estate market in Viet Nam will recover positively, becoming more vibrant in the coming years, thereby bringing benefits to the people and domestic businesses as well as OVs who are living and working in countries and territories around the world. VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will pay an official visit to China April 3-4, 2024, at the invitation of Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

According to the foreign ministry, the visit takes place in the context of the continued positive development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China, with many significant outcomes achieved.

The leaders of both parties and countries maintain regular exchanges, consolidating political trust.

Particularly noteworthy are the visits of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China in October 2022, followed by the state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in December 2023.

Both sides have issued a joint statement on continuing to deepen and elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, building a future-oriented Viet Nam-China community of shared future, and opening up a new phase of cooperation between the two parties and countries.

Economic, trade, investment, and tourism cooperation between the two countries continue to enjoy new developments with increasing substances.

Foreign Son's official visit to China is of great significance, demonstrating the importance both countries attach to the friendly relations between Viet Nam and China.

The visit aims to further concretise the high-level shared perception of maintaining the positive development momentum of the Viet Nam-China relationship. It is also an opportunity for both sides to review and identify focal points of bilateral relations for 2024 and the following years, contributing to deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building a future-oriented community of shared significance.

During the visit, the Vietnamese top diplomat is expected to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, meet with leaders of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, visit the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House in Guangxi, and participate in other important activities.  VNS
Nguyen Khanh Chi

HA NOI ang Ngoc Vu may have enjoyed decent income, but deep down he dreamt of something more, with aspirations of establishing a permanent home in a bustling metropolis in Viet Nam.

However, his life took an unexpected turn after the passing of his father in 2018, so his big plans had to be put on ice.

Despite his efforts to convince his mother to relocate from Binh inh Province in the central coast, to HCM City, Vu ultimately made the decision to return to his hometown in Tay Son District a year later. He chose to settle there and assume the responsibility of caring for his aging mother, who was living alone at the time.

Many people told me that it was really challenging to sustain a livelihood in our hometown due to limited job opportunities, recalled Vu, 33, who had opened the fast food chain KVLs Hot Dog in HCM City with his friends.

Start from scratch

At first, to make ends meet, Vu set up a small grocery store for his wife while he sold lubricant oil and manufactured strings for farmers to tie hay after harvesting.

At the same time, he embarked on a remarkable journey that eventually led him to establish a business making vegetable dried noodles.

I went to different craft villages in Binh inh to seek for opportunities that would not only generate a job for me but also for the locals, said Vu, who has a bachelors degree in business management from University of Economics HCM City.

Jobs for the people, thats what I wanted most, he said.

He spent months visiting Tuy Phuoc, An Nhon and Tay Son districts and many other places famed for fresh noodles and rice paper to learn from the best.

I realised that Binh inh is renowned for banh canh (fresh noodles) and banh hoi (thin, fresh rice noodles woven into flat, rectangular bundles), but nobody had established a brand for these types of noodles, Vu said.

Also, I found locally-grown vegetables and fruits were abundant, left unprocessed or used as food for livestock and poultry. I told myself that I needed to do something to incorporate local vegetables and fruits into the dishes.

As he looked for doing something different in the locality, he mastered the basic techniques of making traditional fresh noodles from rice and cassava flour. And then he managed to make dried noodles, improve their quality and use vegetables and fruits to add natural colour and protein.

He said: It is essential that I mastered the basic techniques, then I studied, created and experimented my own products.

Fortunately, I met many people with 20 or 30 years of experience who provided me with guidance and shared many trade secrets.

After he equipped himself with sufficient theoretical knowledge, Vu bought various types of noodles, both fresh and dried from the the market to start experimenting with his ideas.

He said: "I tried again and again. At first, there were no machines, so I tried manually. I dried the noodles in the sun, but they were damaged and didn't meet the desired quality and colour. I threw away tonnes of materials.

I felt extremely heartbroken wasting tonnes of rice and vegetables and fruits like that. I felt more pressure, even worse than being crushed by stones, because my wife was pregnant with our second child.

However, nothing could weaken Vus determination and will, especially as his ultimate goal was to provide jobs in his community.

I kept trying continuously, and finally, I was able to produce the desired product," said the young entrepreneur.

Each of his 'successful' batches of dried banh canh and banh hoi, was given to people in the community for their feedback. Little did he know, these were his first real customers.

But, as the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. And Vu worked tirelessly for the next 18 months, a period packed with blood, sweet and tears.

Practice eventually made his noodles perfect and in late 2021, he finally got his business up and running.

Next he needed a name. A brand that amplified his desire to help those around home. VIDATA was born.

The name comes from the phrase "VI DAN TA" which means, for our own people.

Vus start-up project received the Second Prize at the Binh inh Provinces Innovation Contest 2021 and in December 2022, VIDATA noodles were granted the ONE COMMUNE ONE PRODUCT (OCOP) of Viet Nam by the Binh inh provincial Peoples Committee, the first in Binh Nghi Commune.

And last year, he received a letter of encouragement from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for his contributions to the local community.

Think global

Vu started his production manually in his family's 25sq.m kitchen workshop. Since then, he has expanded the into a 200sq.m facility and plans to double the production area this year.

Because nobody made dried banh canh and banh hoi before, Vu ordered local manufacturers to customise machines for his own business. The machinery also needed to be gradually improved to meet his requirements.

Currently, with four workers, Vus facility produces about three tonnes each month. The capacity is quite small as compared to a facility that makes fresh noodles but with added values and quality, the products bring higher returns, he said, adding that the demand for green, organic and nature-based foodstuff is on the rise.

Successful trial with dried veggie banh canh and banh hoi has enabled him to produce dried veggie noodles and vermicelli including my, pho, hu tieu, nui, and mien. The products are mostly sold on e-commerce channels and in some supermarkets.

He said the products have gone far and wide, partly thanks to the support of the Binh inh Provinces authorities for the local starts-up through trade promotion and trade connection events and word of mouth.

Going from zero to where I am now is the first humble step," Vu told Viet Nam News.

"It may not be a big step, but having overcome the most difficult phase, I now feel confident enough to take next steps. Now I need more ideas and manpower to help me build something bigger.

I want this local taste to be enjoyed on a global scale, Vu said with confidence after his VIDATA noodles have been HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certified.

Next month Vu will have the first chances to promote his products abroad when he joins a provincial business delegation to a trade event in Laos on the occasion of the Lao New Year.

Entering the third year of production, Vu said the revenue is just enough to cover the costs, but he believes its the right way forward.

Rich at heart

Having experienced the challenges of starting a business from scratch, Vu recognised the importance of mentorship in helping aspiring young people. He is ready to share his experiences and provide valuable guidance. By empowering others, he not only gives back to his own community but also creates a network full of support and inspiration.

He said: Since I started this workshop, many young people from the commune and district have come to visit and learn. I want to inspire young people who want to do something, who want to produce something locally to come here.

Now I have enough machinery, unlike when I first started with nothing. Whatever experiments they want to try, I will experiment with them, guide and support them wholeheartedly."

As Vu's business grew, so did his commitment to philanthropy.

He spent all the award money from the provincial Innovation Contest 2021 buying books for the children in Binh Nghi Commune.

The young entrepreneur said he feels so lucky that he received assistance from many people, he wants to share and give something back to the community.

And for the past three years, Vu has regularly contributed to a Fund for Cchildren.

And each year, on the anniversary of his father's death,Vu presents gifts to the lonely older people in the community.

He also visits and presents gifts to those that helped him master the craft during each Tet (Lunar New Year).

Vu's story demonstrates a true success story of a young man with skills, determination and a strong desire to give back, and help out those he can, through donations and inspiration. VNS
HA NOI  Experts say the lack of integration between industrial and urban growth and water source security has resulted in declining water quantity and quality, jeopardising water security.

Despite efforts, challenges persist in safeguarding water sources and reservoir safety.

Weak and ineffective water resource management heightens the challenge, compounded by insufficient awareness and responsibility among stakeholders. Water pollution also continues to worsen.

Associate Professor Nguyen ang Tinh, Deputy Director of the branch of the Water Resources University in HCM City, said that safety issues concerning water reservoirs built in the 1970s-1980s are a significant concern.

Urgent research is needed to enhance dam waterproofing and establish emergency protocols.

He also stressed the necessity of an integrated monitoring system for smart reservoir management and safety assessments, alongside digital transformation for infrastructure improvements.

Professor Tang uc Thang, former Deputy Director of the Viet Nam Institute of Water Resources Science, underscored the Mekong Delta's vulnerability to climate change, sea-level rise and land subsidence, advocating adaptive strategies to ensure a rational water regime and mitigate risks, especially in agriculture.

Additionally, it is vital to integrate water security, flood prevention, and delta conservation into regional and national socio-economic planning.

This includes long-term strategies for water security, flood prevention across the Mekong Delta, coastal erosion protection and combatting saline intrusion.

Moreover, proactive measures are needed to address freshwater scarcity, including feasibility studies for new reservoirs within the Vam Co River system.

Lastly, research and forecasting of coastal water regimes are essential for aquaculture development in the Mekong Delta.

The Viet Nam Institute of Water Resources Science reported significant progress in water resource management from 2013 to 2023.

Various advanced technologies, including water extraction, treatment, and distribution systems for highlands and water-scarce regions, have been adopted nationwide.

Monitoring and flood control infrastructures are now operational in key river basins, such as the Huong and Vu Gia - Thu Bon rivers, aiding the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control in its decision-making.

Coastal protection efforts, such as planting wave-resistant trees, have been implemented in several provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Nam inh, Quang Ninh, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Kien Giang.

Innovative embankment technologies and sediment replenishment are being utilised in construction projects in Ca Mau Province.

Additionally, comprehensive flood risk maps and mitigation strategies have been developed for densely populated areas and urban, mountainous regions in the North, as well as downstream and storm surge-prone zones in coastal provinces like Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Thua Thien - Hue and the Mekong Delta.

Advanced technologies like pile-supported dams, barrage dams and modular culverts have undergone extensive research and improvement, applied across various river control projects nationwide, including flood prevention in HCM City and freshwater-saltwater barriers in the Mekong Delta such as the Cai Lon - Cai Be project.

Integration of scientific and technological advancements has resulted in a 20 per cent reduction in irrigation water usage, yield increases of 5 to 11 per cent, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Tailored flood prevention solutions, including devices and specialised pumping equipment, address specific regional challenges like flooding, drought and water scarcity.

Ongoing research focuses on adopting innovative technologies, particularly in digital water resource management, dam safety monitoring and improving irrigation infrastructure efficiency. Advancements in surveying, design, materials, and construction techniques aim to ensure the safety of reservoirs, dams, river dikes, coastal dikes and disaster mitigation infrastructure, promoting rural development.

Policies and strategies for water security and dam safety are continually refined.

According to Professor Nguyen Van Tinh, head of the National Science and Technology Programme until 2030, the programme focuses on providing scientific evidence and practical support to enhance state management effectiveness, ensure water security, and ensure dam safety. It prioritises developing, applying, and transferring advanced technologies for efficient water resource management, socio-economic development, and climate change adaptation.

The programme has specific targets: 60 per cent of tasks yielding results applied or tested successfully, 30 per cent having intellectual property protection applications accepted, with 10 per cent obtaining exclusive patents or recognised solutions, and 20 per cent involving business cooperation.

Implementation of the programme will comprehensively address scientific and technological challenges related to water security and dam safety. This includes advanced solutions for water resource augmentation, efficient management, circulation and waste reduction, alongside proposals for smart, modern and innovative technologies linked with digital transformation to enhance dam and reservoir safety and utilisation efficiency.

Viet Nam is assessed as a country with relatively abundant water resources, with an average annual surface water volume of approximately 840 billion cubic metres. The country's water infrastructure includes over 7,500 dams and reservoirs, capable of storing more than 70 billion cubic metres of water.  VNS
HA NOI  Existing staff working in the oil sector, and those who work building construction on the sea, electricity plants and marine industry can move to work in various technical positions in the offshore wind sector.

Thats the opinion shared by many experts at a workshop on Thursday titled "Career Opportunities in the Offshore Wind Industry" hosted by the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), one of the world's largest offshore wind developers from Denmark, and the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering under Ha Noi University of Science and Technology.

With reference to the Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), which was approved on 15th May 2023, Viet Nam plans to increase the capacity of offshore wind from zero at the present to 6GW by 2030 and a vision of 70 - 91.5 GW by 2050 to contribute to net zero targets established at COP26.

To achieve this goal, developers and contractors need to have an available and appropriately skilled workforce for each phase of renewable energy projects, and with offshore wind, the scale and variety of this workforce has huge potential.

Stuart Livesey, who presented at the workshop, said: CIP will need a qualified workforce for our portfolio of future projects. La Gan as an example if built out to its full 3.5GW capacity, will require over 45,000 FTE employees throughout its lifetime (FTE = 1 full time employee for a year). CIP seeks to support Viet Nam and its people in benefiting from the employment aspects of the high-tech offshore wind industry, and also to allow Viet Nam to become a major renewable energy export hub for the future to APAC and beyond.

Throughout the life cycle of an offshore wind farm (about 35-45 years), a number of positions are needed in all three main phases including Development, Construction & Operation, while some other positions will only be involved for one or two phases of the project. The Construction phase has the highest demand for human resources (accounting for 49 per cent of total jobs created throughout the project life cycle), followed by the Operations & Maintenance phase (35 per cent), the Development phase (10 per cent), and the Decommissioning phase (6 per cent).

Among these positions, some are completely new and have never existed in Viet Nam yet, such as the positions in charge of analysing wind output, manufacturing monopile foundations, installing offshore wind turbines, maintaining offshore turbine blades, and operating & maintaining offshore wind turbines.

While offshore wind is a completely new industry in Viet Nam, many roles within this industry can be undertaken by people from other industries who can transition relatively easily, such as oil and gas exploration and production, nearshore and onshore wind projects, and onshore construction, which share similar engineering, safety, and working practices. However, this experience is by no means a must.

Key training

There are many different certifications or other training requirements that may be needed to work on offshore wind projects.

Currently in Viet Nam, some long-term programmes can already support offshore wind projects of the future, such as Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Oil & Gas, Construction Engineering, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Maritime Navigation, Mechanical Engineering, Power Management, Ship Control, Ship Machinery, Renewable Energy, Geological engineering, and Environmental engineering. This training can be completed in several Vietnamese universities, including (but not exclusive to) University of Science and Technology, Electric Power University, University of Civil Engineering and Maritime University.

Alternatively, some short-term programs, including Basic Safety, Rescue Training, Enhanced First Aid, and Basic Technical Training, also provide necessary skills for some technical offshore wind jobs.

Supporting PDP8 goals

Offshore wind power projects bring many socio-economic benefits through job creation for Vietnamese people and the development of the local supply chain.

During the early stages of the industry, clear and encouraging policies will help investors have the necessary certainty to make long-term commitments and decide on billions of dollars in investments, while local contractors can proactively plan their production and recruitment activities and the universities can proactively update and adjust curriculum to better prepare graduates for the future workplace.

It usually takes at least six years for an offshore wind project to move from survey licensing to commercial operation, said Stuart. Therefore, to achieve the target of 6GW of offshore wind power by 2030 which can contribute to realising Viet Nams net zero commitment by 2050, it is essential to issue the pilot mechanism for offshore wind development in 2024, and in the meantime, gradually complete the related policies and regulations. We are ready and committed to delivering this in Viet Nam, and the legacy of studies and preparation undertaken on the La Gan project means this is ideally placed to function as a pilot project under such a fast-track pilot mechanism. Our willingness to work transparently with state-owned enterprises and local developers, means CIP can contribute to sharing knowledge and skills with Viet Nams industry, and also learning directly more about the needs and nuances to deliver mega-scale power projects in Viet Nam."

At the same event, the publication titled "Offshore wind workforce" compiled by CIP was launched in both English and Vietnamese.

The guide provides an overview of the workforce demand throughout the Development, Construction, and Operation phases of an offshore wind farm, a list of typical jobs, and detailed job descriptions of over 70 different positions. It also shows the necessary skills and qualifications, and available training programmes in Viet Nam that can support entrance in this industry.

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) today is the worlds largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X (batteries, ammonia, green hydrogen).

CIP manages 12 funds and has raised approximately US$30 billion for energy investments and has established a market-leading renewables pipeline of approximately 120GW of energy projects across technologies and geographies. Almost half of this renewable energy portfolio (over 60GW) constitutes offshore wind.  VNS
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UNHCR, partners seek new funding to help 2.3 mln South Sudanese refugees in 2024

Xinhua) 09:58, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Deputy President of the United Malays National Organization and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan in Malaysia, March 29, 2024. Liu led a CPC delegation on a visit to Malaysia from Thursday to Friday. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a CPC delegation on a visit to Malaysia from Thursday to Friday.

During the visit, Liu met and exchanged views with President of the People's Justice Party (PKR) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, President of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy President of UMNO and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan, Secretary-General of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Malaysian Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, Secretary-General of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Hamzah Zainudin.

Liu also attended the Silk Road and Asian Civilization Forum.

The two sides agreed to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations to promote closer inter-party exchanges, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, facilitate mutual understanding between the two peoples, and jointly build a China-Malaysia community with a shared future. 

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with President of the United Malays National Organization, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Malaysia, March 28, 2024. Liu led a CPC delegation on a visit to Malaysia from Thursday to Friday. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Secretary-General of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Hamzah Zainudin in Malaysia, March 29, 2024. Liu led a CPC delegation on a visit to Malaysia from Thursday to Friday. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with President of the People's Justice Party (PKR) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, March 29, 2024. Liu led a CPC delegation on a visit to Malaysia from Thursday to Friday. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, speaks at the Silk Road and Asian Civilization Forum in Malaysia, March 28, 2024. Liu led a CPC delegation on a visit to Malaysia from Thursday to Friday. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)
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Does your T7 have a check engine light lit up? No need to take it to the dealer! With this adaptor cable, you can check and clear engine codes at home using a standard automotive OBD-II scanner*. Don't have an OBD-II scanner (On-Board Diagnostics 2)? No problem, they can be purchased at countless online stores (, A

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Long Son petrochemical complex in Ba Ria - Vung Tau

Ba Ria - Vung Tau has posted positive results in investment attraction for Q1/2024. The total registered capital amount for Q1/2024 surpassed the entire figure for last year.

Specifically, total newly registered investment capital and adjusted capital reached VND62.35 trillion ($2.5 billion) with 23 foreign-invested and locally invested projects in Q1.

This figure fulfils 91 per cent of the 2024 plan, an on-year increase of almost seven times. Although the number of projects is not large, the high investment value reflects the province's seriousness in selecting high-quality projects.

Among them, there are 13 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth $1.5 billion and 10 locally invested projects valued at nearly VND25 trillion ($1 billion). As of the end of Q1/2024, the province is home to 1,156 valid projects, including 456 foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of over $33 billion and around 690 domestic projects valued at VND397 trillion ($16 billion).

These results underscore the value of the province's planning and vision as well as the proper organisation of its available space, which has created a positive impact on investment attraction and received the interest of both local and foreign investors.

20 years ago, all economic activities in the southeast region revolved around Tan Son Nhat International Airport and the port of Ho Chi Minh City. Today, but today, the two new emerging centres are Long Thanh International Airport in the neighbouring province of Dong Nai and Cai Mep Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Thanks to its geographical location, Ba Ria-Vung Tau enjoys enormous benefits from new infrastructure.

Moreover, Ba Ria-Vung Tau converges the factors of 'favourable weather, favourable terrain, and harmonious people' to become an investment destination for logistics, high-tech industries, and tourism in the southeast region.

Regarding 'favourable weather', Ba Ria-Vung Tau has a 305km-long coastline with several beautiful beaches and is regarded as a tourism hub in the region. To the west of the province, there are large rivers suitable for the development of a deep seaport system.

In terms of 'favourable terrain', the national infrastructure development strategy has unlocked the province's economic potential and opened up new development space for the region and the locality alike. Over the past few years, transport infrastructure has been increasingly connected with port systems and other important routes, like the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster, National Highway 51, and the economic coastal corridor.

Phuoc An Bridge connects Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Dong Nai

Furthermore, Ba Ria-Vung Tau is joining forces with Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Long An, and Ho Chi Minh City to invest in Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road 4. The road will connect the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster with Long Thanh International Airport and industrial and urban areas of the localities. Ba Ria-Vung Tau is also accelerating investment in traffic projects connecting the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster, such as the 991B Road, the road behind My Xuan Port, and Long Son-Cai Mep Road, to improve the efficiency of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai transshipment port.

On the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau railway line, priority is being given to develop the section at Cai Mep Port with multimodal transportation. The province is researching and implementing the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport.

When it comes to 'harmonious people', the provincial authorities are dedicated to mobilising all local and foreign resources to make investments and put the projects into efficient operation.

"We will continue to improve the investment climate, implement policies in a timely and comprehensive manner, roll out red carpets for investors, and organise dialogues for investors and local leaders to remove problems for the projects," said Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau is taking a human-centric approach, regarding its people as its most important resource and stakeholders. The driving force for development is mainly based on sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation and the province is improving labour productivity by taking advantage of the opportunities brought about by 'Industrial Revolution 4.0'.

According to the socioeconomic development plan for the next five years, Ba Ria - Vung Tau will focus on developing industries and becoming a model of industrial development without compromising environmental protection.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau's priority projects are environmentally friendly without being labour-intensive, and the province promotes the development of supporting industries, specialised industries, and industries associated with its seaport.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau announces 92 projects: - 21 projects on developing infrastructure for industrial parks (IPs) and clusters and initiatives in the energy industry (outside IPs); - Six projects on developing seaports and logistics; - 23 tourism development projects; - 36 projects on developing urban and housing areas, projects in the service, commerce, healthcare, education, sci-tech, and culture sectors; - Four traffic infrastructure projects with regional and national connectivity; - Two high-tech agriculture projects; and Source: Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Planning and Investment

Australian fund helps Ba Ria-Vung Tau improve quality of refraction service The Fred Hollows Vietnam (FHFVN, Australia) has provided a 3.6-billion-VND (nearly 150,000 USD) aid package for the Eye Hospital of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau to improve the quality of refraction services in the locality.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau advocates for protection of seas and islands The communication programme on environmental protection and sustainable development of seas and islands, organised by the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, is a practical activity to call on residents and tourists to raise awareness.

Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port affirms Vietnams maritime position The Cai Mep - Thi Vai International Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province plays a crucial role as a gateway connecting maritime trade routes among southern provinces of Vietnam. It also serves as a major international transshipment port, significantly reducing the transportation time between Vietnam and other countries.
Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng at the press conference on March 28 in Ho Chi Minh City

The minister made the comment during a working visit to Vietnam on March 28 accompanied by a Canadian trade delegation of around 170 companies operating in the fields of agriculture, processed food, clean technology, green technology, information and communications, and digitalisation.

Canada is keen on cooperating in a number of areas with similar values and resonance between Canada and Vietnam, such as food security and energy," she said.

Canada is currently the 14th largest foreign investor in Vietnam with 247 projects, worth more than $4.82 billion.

Besides investment, Canada is Vietnam's third largest trading partner in the Americas. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Canada's largest trading partner in ASEAN and the country's seventh largest import partner after the United States, Mainland China, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong.

In 2023, Canada-Vietnam merchandise trade totalled $14 billion, with Canada exporting $776 million to Vietnam.

Canada had strengths in high-tech machinery, energy technology, telecommunications technology, biomedicine, and input products for industries such as minerals, plastics, wood, oil and gas, grain, and fertilisers.

In return, Vietnam can provide home appliances, furniture, and garments to the Canadian market, thanks to preferential tariffs under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Also on March 28, Ng witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement extension between Vietnam Airlines Flight Training Centre and CAE, a Canadian manufacturer of simulation equipment and aviation human resources training.

"The middle class in Vietnam is growing and is expected to account for about 26 per cent of the population by 2026. This is a great market for Canadian investors and businesses," Ng said.

According to the minister, Canada appreciates the role of Vietnam and ASEAN in the country's Indo-Pacific Strategy, and hopes that both sides will promote negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

ASEAN is Canada's largest trading partner, and we want to replicate the successful model of Canada and Vietnam in the region because Vietnam is a fast-growing, large-scale economy, an important door to help Canada move deeper into ASEAN, she added.

At a meeting with Ng on March 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam supports Canada as the rotating chairman of the CPTPP in 2024, and will promote ASEAN-Canada FTA negotiations and act as a bridge for Canadian goods to penetrate deeper into the region.

At the same time, the PM said the two countries will continue to effectively take advantage of cooperation mechanisms within the CPTPP framework as well as other agreed mechanisms to promote trade and investment capital flows and create conditions for Vietnamese export goods to increase their market share in Canada.

Minister Ng witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement extension between Vietnam Airlines Flight Training Centre and CAE on March 28

Canada eager to hike interest across Vietnam Vietnam has been extensively expanding its trade and investment ties with Canada while taking the advantage of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as a big leverage.
Ericsson cuts 1,200 jobs in Sweden in 'challenging' market, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

The company said it "expects a challenging mobile networks market in 2024, with further volume contraction as customers remain cautious."

"In line with managing lower volumes, Ericsson today announces proposed staff reductions in Sweden," it said in a statement.

Ericsson said the measure was part of global initiatives to reduce costs, including staff reductions, streamlining processes and reducing consultants, "while maintaining investments critical to Ericsson's technology leadership."

It said it had initiated negotiations with unions for a "headcount reduction of approximately 1,200 in Sweden."

According to Ericsson, the company's Swedish organisation employs around 14,000 people across all business areas.

Globally, Ericsson has around 100,000 staff.

Ericsson posted a sizeable loss in 2023 as a result of write-downs and restructuring costs, warning in January that it was expecting further market decline.

Ericsson said it was 26.1 billion kronor ($2.5 billion) in the red last year after making a 19-billion-kronor profit in 2022.

The company, which is in a fierce competition over 5G networks with Finland's Nokia and Chinese high-tech firm Huawei, in February 2023 also launched a cost-cutting programme that included eliminating 8,500 jobs.

Nokia said last year it could cut its workforce by up to 14,000 people, reducing costs by up to 1.2 billion euros by 2026.

Ericsson committed to digital transformation with 5G With Vietnams plan to commercialise 5G in 2024, Ericsson continues to deliver on its commitment to support Vietnams accelerated digital economy journey. Rita Mokbel, head of Ericsson Vietnam, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about the plans to make this happen.

Ericsson sees 'further' market decline after 2023 loss Swedish telecoms equipment giant Ericsson warned Tuesday that it expected further market decline outside China this year after booking a sizeable loss in 2023 due to a write-down and restructuring costs.

Vietnam, Ericsson enhance cooperation in digital infrastructure Vietnam and Ericsson will strengthen cooperation in developing digital infrastructure, applications, platforms, and promoting digital economy development.
Hanoi voted as Best Food Destination for 2024 by TripAdvisor readers

Hanoi - Vietnams capital city of Hanoi has topped the list of the Best Food Destination 2024 voted by readers of the world's largest travel guidance platform TripAdvisor.

The city has successfully surpassed several other famous food destinations across the world such as Rome of Italy, Paris of France, and New Delhi of India to win the prize.

Along with plenty of sightseeing spots, the capital is also known for its rich and diverse range of culinary culture. For most of visitors to Hanoi, their trip cant be completed without sampling some of its famous dishes, such as pho (noodle soup), bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli), and banh mi (baguettes). Other renowned dishes of Hanoi include egg coffee, cha ca La Vong (charcoaled grilled fish), and bun dau mam tom (vermicelli with fried tofu and shrimp paste).

In the list, the top 10 Best Food Destinations also includes Rome (Italy) Crete (Greece), Cusco (Peru), Florence (Italy), New Delhi (India), Barcelona (Spain), New Orleans (the US), Lisbon (Portugal), and Phuket (Thailand).

The Travelers Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. Its awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone, Tripadvisor wrote on its website.

Hanois food and drinks have been presented in different reality shows of late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdin, who visited Hanoi four times to film season 2 (Episode 12) of A Cooks Tour, season 1 (Episode 3) and season 6 (Episode 1) of No Reservations, and season 8 (Episode 1) of Parts Unknown.

The famous chef tasted several famous street food and drink of the city including bun cha, bun oc rice vermicelli soup with snails), bun suon chan gio (rice vermicelli soup with pork rib and taro stems), banh cuon (steamed rice rolls), and bia hoi (draught beer).

Hanoi in the top 100 cities in the world 2024 The capital Hanoi ranked 96th and is the only representative in Vietnam mentioned in the World's Best Cities ranking.

Vietnamese 5-star hotels voted among worlds best Forbes Travel Guide recognised two Vietnamese 5-star hotels as the worlds leading hotels in 2024 at the Star Awards ceremony in February.
The event was hosted by WeHub, in collaboration with Savills Hotels and KOHLER, and in partnership with Life Fitness and more than 30 other industry-leading partners.

MTE is a bi-annual conference that provides a valuable platform for investors, hotel owners, management companies, design firms, and consultancies to stay updated on market information and trends, and brings together local and regional investors to invigorate hospitality real estate.

Last year, hospitality in many countries seemed to have recovered, with 85 per cent of global markets reporting higher Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar)than in 2019. However, Asia-Pacific markets continue to trail, with tourist arrivals still 35 per cent lower than in 2019. Globally, tourist numbers are only 12 per cent lower compared to 2019.

In Southeast Asia, Singapore leads with improving daily rates and international tourist numbers. By contrast, Vietnam is recovering slowly, with RevPar 20 per cent lower than 2019 levels, primarily due to low occupancy.

According to Mauro Gasparotti, director of Savills Hotels and MTE founder, cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are recovering faster than beach destinations, with their Average Daily Rate closely approaching 2019 levels.

Ho Chi Minh City has shown faster occupancy recovery than others, but beach destinations are slowly regaining momentum. Danang has recovered well thanks to a strong rebound in South Korean tourists. The city welcomes approximately 25 flights a day from major South Korean cities. This accounts for over half of the total international flights arriving in Danang, while Nha Trang and Cam Ranh continue to struggle to fill rooms due to their historical reliance on Chinese travellers, said Gasparotti.

"Although Vietnam has undeniable potential to be one of the premier global destinations, important improvements are needed," he continued.

"This year is anticipated to be the year of tourism in Southeast Asia, with the return of Chinese tourists in a big way. In addition to this, the Indian market is expected to become a driving force for tourism in the next few years, and Vietnam will have a good chance of capturing that market as well," Mauro added.

At MTE, senior representatives from Accor Hotels Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Vinpearl, Sovico Hospitality Group, TIA Wellness Resort, SonKim Land, Indochina Capital, and VinHMS delved into where the focus of Vietnams tourism should be  whether on international demand or the burgeoning local market. International demand brings in higher revenues per visitor, but may be subject to external factors such as global economic conditions and travel restrictions.

On the other hand, the local market provides a steady stream of visitors, often more resilient to global economic fluctuations, but may not generate the same revenue per visitor.

The discussion raised the importance of finding a balance between these two factors, and also emphasised the need for flexibility in marketing strategies, adjusting to the changing landscape of travel patterns post-pandemic.

Major hotel brands have expanded in Vietnam, as numbers rose from less than 50 branded hotels in 2013 to nearly 200 today. Speakers discussed the competitive advantages brands deliver, but also the perks independent properties hold.

According to Gasparotti, depending on the owners vision and strategy, independent or branded strategies can be beneficial.

Operating an independent property gives an owner a sense of autonomy. On another note, effective cooperation between developers and hotel operators can be highly beneficial when facilitated and executed properly, he said.

"Brands offer valuable expertise," continued Gasparotti, "Along with a strong reputation, access to extensive marketing, and distribution networks, among other benefits."

They also come with specific requirements that must be met, thereby pushing developers towards higher quality standards, which is good for the market but also more costly. Since this partnership typically extends over the long term, developers should thoroughly understand their business model and expectations before engaging with hotel management companies. This understanding ensures a smoother collaboration and maximises the potential benefits for all parties, he added.

Environmental, social, and governance was a key topic at MTE, along with sustainability, with speakers from Six Senses and Seibu Prince Hotel Worldwide Inc. presenting keynote speeches on achieving zero waste in ultra-luxury resort operations.

Representatives from Eurocham, and Greenview also shared key elements for embracing regenerative real estate, the future of green buildings in Vietnam and how to integrate and explore business opportunities arising from wellness and sustainability factors.

Senior professionals from Savills, Mapletree, Kepple Ltd., Kohler, Lodgis Hospitality, and Filmore Development shared their insights on real estate dynamics, how they perceived bottlenecks, and proposed initiatives to support market recovery.

CEO Panel Discussion at the 2024 Meet The Experts Conference

There was an exploration of Ho Chi Minh Citys readiness for urban branded residences, sparking a debate on the city's infrastructure and potential for such developments.

Looking ahead, travellers will prioritise experiences that resonate with their values. Projects that can communicate their dedication to sustainability, wellness, and authenticity will gain a competitive edge.

With the growing emphasis on integrating sustainable principles into built environments, Ishan Kala, general manager of Kohler, Vietnam and Philippines, added that it was increasingly vital for manufacturers to collaborate more comprehensively with developers, operators, and architects.

Kohler provides valuable insights into designing environmentally friendly products that assist customers in reducing their environmental impact through water stewardship and sustainable operations, he said.

Embracing development of hospitality and real estate in Vietnam At Vietnams largest hospitality and real estate conference titled Meet the Experts 2022 on November 10, analysts and businesses exchanged crucial information and openly discussed the evolution of and barriers to the countrys real estate and hospitality markets.

Hospitality industry looks to level up Savills Hotels, in partnership with WeHub, hosted a Meet The Experts event in Ho Chi Minh City on March 30. More than 40 speakers held lively discussions with international developers, hotel owners, and professionals while the industry's performance was reviewed and market prospects were discussed.
Seminar on "Career Opportunities in Offshore Wind Power Industry"

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), one of the world's largest offshore wind power developers from Denmark, collaborated with the School of Electrical Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, to hold a seminar on "Career Opportunities in Offshore Wind Power Industry" on March 28. As part of the programme, CIP also officially launched the publication "Human Resources in the Offshore Wind Power Industry".

For the first time in Vietnam, both domestic and international experts had the opportunity to comprehensively share insights into the career development potential of Vietnamese personnel in the offshore wind power industry, a relatively new field that is still in its early stages in Vietnam.

The offshore wind power industry has the potential to create thousands of high-quality job opportunities for Vietnamese personnel.

"CIP will need a highly skilled workforce for the group's projects. For example, the La Gan offshore wind project, when fully operational at 3.5GW capacity, will require the participation of 45,000 FTEs, where an FTE is defined as a full-time equivalent staff member working for one year," Stuart Livesey, a representative of CIP in Vietnam and general director of La Gan Offshore Wind Project, said at the seminar. "CIP hopes Vietnamese personnel have access to quality and diverse career opportunities in the offshore wind industry, while also supporting Vietnam to become a hub for exporting items serving offshore wind projects in the Asia-Pacific region in the future."

Stuart Livesey, a representative of CIP in Vietnam, general director of La Gan Offshore Wind Project

Throughout the lifecycle of an offshore wind farm (approximately 35-45 years), some job positions will accompany the project through all three main stages of development, construction, and operation, while others may only be involved in one or two stages of the project.

The construction stage has the highest demand for personnel (accounting for 49 per cent of total employment generated during the project's lifecycle), followed by the operation and maintenance stage (35 per cent), then the development stage (10 per cent) and decommissioning (6 per cent).

Vietnamese personnel have great potential and strengths to join the offshore wind power industry. Although this is a completely new industry in Vietnam, many technical positions in the offshore wind power industry can be filled by personnel currently working in other sectors with similar working environments, deployment methods, technical standards, quality requirements, and safety standards, such as the oil and gas industry, marine construction, power plants, nearshore and onshore wind power, and maritime sectors.

It is important to note that personnel working in these mentioned fields will have advantages, but it is not a mandatory requirement to enter the offshore wind power industry.

Moreover, personnel responsible for administrative or project support positions may come from various other sectors if they possess appropriate qualifications, experience, knowledge, and soft skills. Fresh graduates or those with limited experience can also start their careers in the offshore wind power industry with apprenticeships, internships, and trainee programmes.

Training is the key to enabling Vietnamese personnel to quickly meet job requirements in the offshore wind power industry. Different job positions in offshore wind projects will require personnel to complete various training certifications.

Currently in Vietnam, some long-term programmes already support offshore wind projects of the future, such as coastal and offshore engineering, oil and gas, construction engineering, logistics and supply chain management, maritime navigation, mechanical engineering, power management, ship control, ship machinery, renewable energy, geological engineering, and environmental engineering.

Alternatively, some short-term programmes including basic safety, rescue training, enhanced first aid, and basic technical training also provide necessary skills for technical offshore wind jobs.

Offshore wind power, hydrogen, and gas power awaiting policies The expeditious execution of gas power, offshore wind power, and hydrogen projects is contingent upon the competent authorities formulating policies pertaining to these domains.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and PetroVietnam collaborate on green energy On March 7, Danish renewables investor Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its Growth Market Funds, signed an MoU with PetroVietnam, Vietnams national oil, gas, and renewable energy group.

South Korea's CS Wind inaugurates a $80 million offshore wind tower plant CS Wind Vietnam, a subsidiary of South Korea's CS Wind Corporation, inaugurated an $80 million offshore wind tower facility in Phu My 1 Industrial Park, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, on March 13.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and World Bank (WB) Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - 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 Vietnams Doi 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 Vietnam.

According to the PM, during Turk's tenure, the WB supported Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam, 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 Vietnam soon, contributing to promoting the partnership between the WB and Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

She affirmed that the WB stands ready to continue supporting Vietnam to achieve its development targets.

World Bank to support Ho Chi Minh City on carbon credits The opportunities and challenges presented by operating a carbon credit market in Ho Chi Minh City in line with the World Bank were the main talking points of a meeting on January 24 between Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai and World Bank experts at an investment conference centred around green growth on January 24.
GARISSA, Kenya, March 29 (Xinhua) -- At least six Kenyans were killed Friday when al-Shabab terrorists raided a border town, police and government officials said.

The police reported that one person sustained a serious bullet wound when the militants launched the attack in Dhobley town in Garissa County near the Kenya-Somalia border.

The victims, Kenyans from the Meru region, were targeted because of their perceived religious affiliations during the morning attack, said Ali Manduku, a local county commissioner.

"All six are Kenyans who have been doing business along the borderline," Manduku said on the phone.

Witnesses said they were all shot at close range.

The al-Shabab group sought to assert its authority along the border region between Kenya and Somalia. Police have increased their operations in the area, thwarting dozens of planned attacks. 
PM Pham Minh Chinh and delegates at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Vietnam 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 March 28.

He also highlighted Japan as Vietnam'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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam'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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

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.

Prime Minister officially opens NIC Hoa Lac The National Innovation Centre (NIC) in Hoa Lac High-Tech Park was inaugurated with the participation of PM Pham Minh Chinh on October 28.
Mir has become one of the only card systems available to Russians after the two Western giants pulled out of the country in 2022 over its assault on Ukraine.

Samsung Pay to drop support for Russia's Mir card, Source: themoscowtimes.com//Andrei Nikerichev / Moskva News Agency

"Starting April 3, 2024, adding and using Mir cards in Samsung Pay will no longer be available," Samsung said in a statement on its website.

It did not say why it took the decision and Samsung did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Samsung is the third tech giant to pull Mir from its digital wallet service, after Apple and Google cut ties in 2022.

The move comes a month after the United States Treasury announced sanctions on Russia's National Payment Card System, the Central Bank-owned entity that operates Mir.

Outside of Russia, the card is accepted by a handful of post-Soviet states and several countries in South America and Asia, although the Kremlin says this number is increasing.

Some banks in Turkey pulled support for the card in 2022 due to Western sanctions, causing problems for Russians staying in the popular tourist destination.

Vietnam wants to cooperate with Samsung in semiconductor development: official Vietnam hopes Samsung become a strategic investor in the context that the country is building a strategy to develop the semiconductor industry and promote innovation, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc has told General Director of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho.
Thailand to set up new SEZ for clean energy, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Bangkok - Thailand will establish a special economic zone (SEZ) in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok, to support clean energy development, including battery plants, to serve electric vehicle (EV) production, according to Director of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office Chula Sukmanop.

He said the new SEZ will resemble an industrial estate, focusing on accommodating investments in batteries, clean energy, and electricity.

Thailands burgeoning EV industry was given another boost recently when Toyota announced plans to produce Hilux pickup trucks at two factories in the country.

Domestic sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) soared by 603% last year to 73,568 units, driven by government subsidies for purchasers of 70,000 to 150,000 THB (1,900-4,160 USD). The EV adoption trend is expected to continue to increase despite the fact that the government subsidy for buyers this year has been reduced to 50,000-100,000 THB.

Thailands Policy Committee will define the boundaries of the zone as well as investment privileges for businesses that set up operations there.

Previously, Thailand has offered investment privileges for investors at the EEC, which is home to several SEZs, including the high-speed rail promotion zone to connect three airports, EECd for digital industry, EECi for innovation, a medical innovation zone, the aviation city zone, a genomics medical zone, and a digital innovation and advanced technology centre in Ban Chang.

VinFast expands into Thailand VinFast has signed an MoU with 15 Thai dealers at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show, taking place from March 27 to April 7.
The delegation of 170 companies and organisations is being led by Mary Ng, Canadas Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development, from March 27-29.

CPTTP in Action  Dialogue with Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department held on March 28 in Ho Chi Minh City

According to Ng, since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) took effect, two-way trade between the two countries has increased by 170 per cent.

Cooperation between Canada and Vietnam is a bright star in the picture of international cooperation. If we look at the number of businesses participating in this forum, we see that the majority are medium- and small-sized businesses, but they are contributing to trade growth between the two countries. Today's meeting between state agencies and businesses is a great chance to promote trade between the two sides, Ng said.

ASEAN is Canada's largest trading partner and we want to replicate the successful model of Canada and Vietnam in the region because Vietnam's economy is a fast-growing, large-scale economy, an important door to help Canada move deeper into ASEAN, she added.

Nguyen Huu Nghiep, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Customs, said Vietnam's economy is growing very quickly and the goal of the customs agency is to effectively support businesses and trade between the two countries.

In the reality of trade between the two countries, we see that raw materials for one industry can be finished products from another, or a product has multiple functions, thus leading to differences in fixing the product code. That's why our customs agencies need to work together to find consensus on taxation, Nghiep said.

Businesses also need to carefully review their import-export lists to be able to clearly identify their products and contact customs agencies immediately for further guidelines.

Tirkko Penttila, an expert on trade policies at Canadas ministry of foreign affairs said that the CPTTP is based on non-discrimination, ensuring fairness between foreign and domestic countries, transparency, predictable new regulations according to international rules, and preferential access.

The CPTTP is becoming the gold standard for international trade. Vietnam is a major trading partner and a target for Canadian investors, Penttila said.

In 2023, Canada-Vietnam two-way merchandise trade totalled $14 billion, with Canadian exports to Vietnam hitting $776 milion.

Canada's exports to Vietnam include strawberries, prepared mussels, cosmetics, sanitary and household paper, and frozen french fries.

Quynh Tran, commercial counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Ofice in Canada, said that Vietnam and Canada have spent more than 30 years establishing trade agencies, and the trade value between the two countries has increased rapidly, especially after implementing the CPTPP.

About 10 years ago, the trade value between the two countries was $2.5 billion. In 2023, two-way trade turnover reached more than $10 billion, excluding $4 billion transported via the United States, Quynh said.

In implementing the CPTPP, Quynh recommend businesses from the two countries focus on the principles of origin and transshipment, and cumulative rules of origin.

With FTAs, we exploit taxes and need to think about more open factors such as opportunities in market access and diversifying investment strategies for foreign markets, Quynh said.

This is also true for foreign businesses investing in Vietnam. Thanks to the FTA, they have great access from Vietnam market to other markets it has trade deals with, It also contributes additional elements to businesses interested in procurement and bidding as well as optimal logistics strategies. This is because the transit terms in the CPTPP are much more open than other FTAs, she added.

Quynh suggested that Vietnam and Canada promote trade in agricultural products to meet both sides' potential.

Canada eager to hike interest across Vietnam Vietnam has been extensively expanding its trade and investment ties with Canada while taking the advantage of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as a big leverage.

Canada favours Vietnam market A delegation of nearly 200 Canadian businesses is visiting Vietnam from March 26 to 29 to boost trade and investment.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (right) hosts a reception for Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski on March 28 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski and leaders of Corio Generation of Australias Macquarie Group in Hanoi 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 Vietnam and Australia, and helps Vietnam realise the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the Deputy PM suggested Corio Generation focus on technology support and transfer and persify partners in the country during the process of investment in Vietnam.

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 Vietnam in recent times.

Some Australian businesses are very interested in building offshore wind farms because Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

Offshore developers frustrated at lack of pilot policy There is still currently no legal avenue for foreign or domestic investors to take on offshore wind power pilots in Vietnam.

Answers sought for offshore wind gains Vietnamese authorities are being urged to contemplate strategies to advance offshore wind energy development.

Offshore wind power, hydrogen, and gas power awaiting policies The expeditious execution of gas power, offshore wind power, and hydrogen projects is contingent upon the competent authorities formulating policies pertaining to these domains.
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  An Orlando city commissioner was arrested Thursday on charges of elderly exploitation, identity fraud and mortgage fraud following accusations that she had spent a constituent's money on herself after getting power of attorney over the 96-year-old woman.

Regina Hill, 63, pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts following her arrest by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. She didn't say anything to reporters after bonding out of jail a short time later.

Hill got to know the elderly woman three years ago when she helped clean up the woman's home, which was in deplorable condition. But within a month, the city commissioner had obtained power of attorney over the victim, the FDLE said in a news release.

Hill allegedly purchased a home with the victim as the co-signer, without the victims knowledge or consent, for a cost of more than $400,000. She moved into a second home that the victim owned, and spent more than $15,000 of the victim's money on renovations without the victim knowing, the law enforcement agency said.

After gaining access to the woman's personal checking, savings, and credit card accounts, Hill spent over $100,000 of the victims money on herself, the FDLE said.

Among the items Hill purchased were home renovations, expensive perfumes, clothing, a facelift and a hotel room in Miami, according to court papers that were filed as part of an injunction issued by a judge against the city commissioner last week.

If convicted, Hill faces a maximum sentence of 180 years in prison.
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP)  After hearing the news of the impending closure of Alabama's Birmingham-Southern College, Mississippi University of Women said it welcomes affected students and will provide scholarship offers to those who qualify.

I am saddened by the closure of Birmingham-Southern College, a liberal arts college with 168 years of history. Its a sad day for their students, faculty, staff, alumni and the city of Birmingham, Mississippi University of Women President Nora Miller said in a news release Thursday.

On Friday, Mississippi College said it was offering a scholarship to those who transfer to the school, based in Clinton, at the end of the spring term.

In an open letter to students at the private Alabama university that will close its doors May 31, President Blake Thompson extended an invitation for qualified students to apply for a $13,500 transfer scholarship for each eligible year of study to attend Mississippi College.

Similar institutions whose primary purpose is to serve students feel the weight of your circumstances, and we want to help, Thompson wrote.

Tuition at Mississippi College, the second-oldest Baptist-affiliated college or university in the United States and the oldest college or university in Mississippi, is about $18,000 a year.

Full-time undergraduate student tuition at Mississippi University of Women, which is known as The W, is currently $4,046 per semester. Applications are free.

The Office of Admissions at The W is ready to assist and meet the needs of all Birmingham-Southern College students. We understand that this is a difficult time, and we are committed to making the transition as easy as possible so that the students can continue to pursue their dreams in higher education, said Dr. David Brooking, executive director of enrollment management.

Birmingham-Southern College's campus west of downtown Birmingham is scheduled to close at the end of May after running into financial difficulties and being unable to secure a financial lifeline from the state, officials announced Tuesday. The announcement came after legislation aimed at securing a taxpayer-backed loan for the college recently stalled in the Alabama Legislature.

The college has about 1,000 students.

Miller's office said four scholarships through The W are available to eligible students based on the transfer's GPA:

 Presidential Scholarship (3.8-4.0 transferable GPA): $5,500 per year

 Whitfield Scholarship (3.6-3.79 GPA): $4,500 per year

 Franklin Scholarship (3.3-3.59 GPA): $3,000 per year

 Kincannon Scholarship (2.75-3.29 GPA): $2,000 per year

The W, based in Columbus, is home to more than 2,000 students and has 70 majors and concentrations.
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.
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
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BOAO, Hainan, March 29 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Thursday met separately with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the Supreme Privy Council to the King of Cambodia, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk in Boao on south China's island province of Hainan, who are here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024.

When meeting with Tokayev, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China-Kazakhstan relations have entered a new "golden 30 years," adding that building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future was a strategic decision made by the two heads of state and a fundamental guideline for the future development of bilateral relations.

The two sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other, deepen cooperation in key areas, promote closer people-to-people ties, and strengthen strategic coordination, so that the two countries can achieve the strategic goal of common development and prosperity, Zhao said.

China's NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Kazakh parliament at various levels and in various forms, deepen exchanges in governance, and provide legal guarantee for bilateral practical cooperation, he added.

Tokayev said Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, including between the legislatures, to push for new development of bilateral relations.

When meeting with Hun Sen, Zhao said the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era of high quality, high level and high standard under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries.

China stands ready to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, maintain strategic communication with Cambodia, deepen cooperation in economy, culture, youth and other fields, work together on the journey of national modernization, and promote the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future, Zhao said.

The legislatures of the two countries should continue the tradition of friendly exchanges, continue to build multi-level and wide-ranging cooperative relations, and provide policy support and legal guarantee for promoting the rule of law in their respective countries and deepening practical cooperation, he added.

Cambodia attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with China, Hun Sen said, adding that the Cambodian side is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields and further promote the building of Cambodia-China community of shared future.

When meeting with Overchuk, Zhao said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained sound, stable and in-depth development.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, Zhao said, calling on the two sides to continue to advance cooperation in various fields in the spirit of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit, and enrich the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era with fruitful cooperation results.

China's NPC will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, learn from each other's successful experience in legislation and other fields, and provide complete legal guarantee for bilateral cooperation, he said.

For his part, Overchuk said that Russia-China cooperation has shown sound development momentum, and that Russia is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and elevate the Russia-China relations to a higher level. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the Supreme Privy Council to the King of Cambodia, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the Supreme Privy Council to the King of Cambodia, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, who is here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
WATERLOO  An Illinois man convicted of scrawling hate graffiti on a black teens car in Waterloo in 2020 said he has been targeted because of the allegations.

Through this whole ordeal, Ive lost quite a bit, Gary Eugene Shelton, 56, of Bloomington, told the court March 21 during a hearing in Black Hawk County District Court.

I lost my career over this. I live in a chicken shack because thats all I could get, he said.

Shelton  who denies he was behind the graffiti despite the fact a jury found him guilty of criminal mischief in violation of individual rights  said he continues to lose employment, has been assaulted and is living separately from his wife for her protection.

We have lost our homes. She has been threatened at work, he said.

Judge Andrea Dryer was unfazed, calling the crime flat out repulsive as she sentenced Shelton to five years in prison suspended to two to five years of probation.

I actually find it appropriate that the community would condemn such a crime, Dryer said.

She noted that in addition to the emotional toll, the teen wasnt in a financial situation to afford removing the letters KKK scrawled on her vehicle. She had to drive around with the damage on display until she eventually sold the car.

Dryer said Shelton was free to have his personal beliefs, but he couldnt use his personal beliefs to harm others.

Shelton will be able to transfer his probation to Illinois. The sentencing also extends a restraining order keeping him from contacting the victim for five years.

The victim didnt attend the sentencing hearing.

According to testimony in court, the teen had parked her Ford 500 at the Waterloo Baymont Inn on LaPorte Road in June 2020 to celebrate a friends high school graduation.

The incident coincided with racial justice protests following the death of George Floyd and her vehicle had a Black Lives Matter message written in the back window.

The morning the teen left the hotel, she found the letters KKK smeared on her passenger-side door with an unknown waxy substance.

Soapy water couldnt remove the letters, nor did buffing, according to testimony.

The crime was investigated by the Waterloo Police Department and the FBI.

Shelton was traveling for work and stayed at the hotel at the time of the incident. Authorities said surveillance video from the hotel showed his work truck pulling up next to the Ford. The trucks passenger side door was opened for a few minutes, shielding what was happening behind it before the truck pulled away, police said.

Shelton denied doing anything to the Ford when interviewed by investigators and claimed the vehicle also had anti-white and anti-law enforcement messages on it.

During trial, the defense noted the hotel cameras were motion activated and werent recording around the clock.
Drug overdoses are skyrocketing across the U.S., prompting multiple states and the Department of Health and Human Services to issue emergency declarations. Provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimate that drug overdoses are now responsible for at least 66,000 deaths annually (more than three times higher than in 1999) and are the leading cause of death among Americans under age 50. Drugs now kill more people in the U.S. each year than either car accidents or guns.

Its well understood that this increase in overdose deaths is being driven up by surges in opioid abuse, including both prescription opioids and heroin. Over 65% of drug overdose deaths today involve an opioid. To make matters worse, the recent uptick in synthetic opioids such as fentanyl  a man-made opioid that is 50x more potent than heroin  is pushing the death toll even higher.

A new CDC Vitalsigns study based on emergency room visits between July 2017 and September 2017 shows the trend isnt slowing down either. ER visits for opioid overdoses rose another 30% nationally during that time. That said, certain states have been hit substantially harder than others according to an analysis by Branch Publishing.

Using CDC Cause of Death data from 2016, the above heatmap shows that East Coast states  specifically, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Ohio, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Maryland  are experiencing the highest death rates. East Coast states also show the largest increases in death rates when comparing 2006 to 2016 as shown in the map below. For example, in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the fatal opioid overdose rate increased by over 400% between 2006 and 2016; compare that with Oregon and Washington, which actually saw decreases over the same time period.

One trend to highlight is that the most recent CDC Vitalsigns study, mentioned above, reported the largest overdose increases in the Midwest, which is different from whats been seen historically, suggesting the epidemic could be spreading to regions previously less impacted. So, regardless of location, its clear that the opioid crisis is an issue deserving immediate attention. For more information, the below list (ordered by age-adjusted opioid drug overdose rates) shows how all 50 states and the District of Columbia are being impacted and how each compares to the national average.

Branch Publishing

Methodology

The information used for this analysis was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Data is from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2016, released December, 2017, and accessed on Mar 7, 2018. Opioid overdose deaths were determined using the ICD-10 underlying cause of death codes. Among deaths where the underlying cause was Poisoning by Narcotics and Psychodysleptics, the following codes were included in the analysis: T40.0 (Opium), T40.1 (Heroin), T40.2 (Other opioids), T40.3 (Methadone), T40.4 (Other synthetic narcotics), and T40.6 (Other and unspecified narcotics). All death rates reported are age-adjusted per 100,000 people. For each state, the 10-year percent change in death rate was determine by comparing the opioid overdose death rate in 2016 to that in 2006. The most impacted age group for each state was determined by selecting the age group in that state with the highest absolute opioid overdose death rate. The most impacted county for each state was determined by selecting the county with the highest age-adjusted opioid overdose death rate. Unknown is reported when there is not enough data to be reliable.
CEDAR FALLS  Nationally-known author, artist and sexual assault survivor Chanel Miller will be keynote speaker at the Riverview Centers fifth annual Luncheon of Light April 19 at Bien VenU Event Center.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, available at riverviewcenter.org/events/. Space is limited.

There also will be an auction of items donated by local businesses, and Riverview staff will share stories about the impact of center services.

On June 2, 2016, Stanford University athlete Brock Turner was found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman outside of a fraternity house. When Miller, known as Emily Doe read her victim impact statement, the 7,000-word description of the assaults effect on her life went viral.

My damage was internal, unseen, I carry it with me. You took away my worth, my privacy, my energy, my time, my safety, my intimacy, my confidence, my own voice, until today, she said that day in court.

Turner was found guilty of three felony counts of sexual assault with a maximum sentence of 14 years. But Judge Aaron Persky sentenced Turner to six months in jail; he served three months.

Miller went public with her real name in 2019 and wrote a memoir, Know My Name.

National events come to feel local in our work. Ive read her book and her victim statement, and Im impressed by the amazing grace and resilience she has shown. Im impressed that she has used her experience as a platform to move forward and inform others, said Gwen Bramlet-Hecker, Riverview Center executive director.

Riverview Center provides sexual assault services.

We offer help to victims so they can heal and thrive beyond the trauma and provide an adequate amount of support as they move forward, Bramlet-Hecker said.

Services are free and include 24-hour crisis hotlines, legal, medical and social service advocacy, counseling, therapy, transition and basic needs assistance.

Riverview Center was founded in 1992 by Vickie Gratton, a Galena (Illinois) Police Department nurse, and Faye Clark, a mental health therapist, after witnessing gaps in services available to sexual assault survivors in Jo Daviess County. Riverview Center provides sexual and domestic violence services in two Ilinois counties and services have expanded to encompass counties in northeast Iowa, including Black Hawk, Benton, Bremer, Clayton, Fayette, Chickasaw, Howard, Jones, Linn, Allamakee and Winneskiek counties.

We are the only agency in 14 counties of northeast Iowa that provides sexual assault services and providing crisis and emergency services, Bramlet-Hecker said. I think weve all been taught stranger danger, but we have to come to terms with the fact that people usually are victims of sexual assault and violence at the hands of someone they know, love and trust.

"Sixty percent of adults know and trust the person who sexually assaults them, while statistically, 90% of children know their abusers. Sexual assault and violence is about power and control," she said.

Millers victim impact statement was read on the floor of Congress. It also spurred changes in California law, including the recall of the judge in the case. She received an outpouring of support from the public, including praise for her courage in sharing her story.

In her best-selling memoir, Miller told her story and reclaimed her identity. She was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 and a Time Next 100 honoree. A writer and artist, she received her bachelors degree in literature from the University of California-Santa Barbara.

There will be a short question-answer period following Millers presentation at the Riverview Center luncheon.

Small businesses in these industries have massive potential for women entrepreneurs in 2024 Small businesses in these industries have massive potential for women entrepreneurs in 2024
Dr. Ted Vlahos has been performing amputations on horses for 24 years. As one of just three veterinarians in the country who 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, Montana, after flying from Alabama via FedEx.

After getting his leg stuck in barbed wire fencing, he was treated at Auburn University in Alabama 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, the prosthesis requires daily care on the part of the owner. It must be removed every day for cleaning and replaced every 1-3 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? Dr. Vlahos said. A horse named Cheyenne, who had an amputation performed 16 years ago by Dr. Vlahos, is still 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.

Photos: Horse flies FedEx to get new leg Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody Horse flies FedEx from Alabama to Billings to get prosthetic leg in Cody
 The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia held an operational meeting and heard a report from the investigative team on the progress of the investigation into the criminal case of a terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall.

Investigators reported on the ongoing active work to reconstruct the full picture of the crime committed, both at the stages of preparation and planning, and the commission of a terrorist attack on unarmed citizens.

The initial results of the investigation fully confirm the planned nature of the terrorists actions, careful preparation and financial support from the organizers of the crime.

As a result of 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 investigation has at its disposal confirmed data that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack received significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, which were used in preparing the crime.

Another suspect involved in a terrorist financing scheme has been identified and detained. The investigation will petition the court to select a preventive measure in the form of detention in relation to him.

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Hmm

Always whining and crying, yet they need to actually think. That as they act stupid! Missiles are not stupid and definately can find them easily. Very very easily

Moldova said that Russian missiles crossed the countrys airspace during a night attack on targets in Ukraine.

Poland also scrambled fighter jets in anticipation of Russian missiles.
 The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia heard the report of the investigative team on the investigation of the terrorist attack

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia A.I. Bastrykin held an operational meeting with the investigative team, as well as the leadership of the Main Directorate of Criminalistics (Forensic Center) and the Forensic Expert Center of the Investigative Committee of Russia. A report from the investigative team on the criminal investigation into the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall was heard.

The head of the department was reported on the activities being carried out in accordance with the detailed plan for the investigation of the criminal case. Currently, investigative actions are ongoing with the accused in order to obtain information that is significant for the investigation about the preparation and commission of this terrorist attack, as well as to identify other accomplices in the crime, including the organizers. As part of the criminal case, including the seized material evidence, complex forensic forensic examinations are ordered and carried out, the results of which will allow us to restore the full picture of what happened.

The investigative team has been instructed to continue questioning witnesses, including from among Crocus City Hall employees, as well as a detailed analysis of documents and other data that will establish how the emergency warning systems were organized and functioned, whether people had the opportunity to quickly leave building using emergency exits.

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 As part of the criminal case regarding the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall, the investigation is requesting the arrest of several more defendants

As part of the investigation into the criminal case of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, the Investigative Committee established the roles of a number of other defendants.

According to the investigation, in order to commit a terrorist act, Shamsidin Fariduni recruited Aminchon Islomov into the organized group no later than January 2024, and Dilovar Islomov no later than March 11, 2024.

The investigation is petitioning the court to arrest Aminchon Islomov, Dilovar Islomov and another suspect in the criminal case.

 The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia held an operational meeting with the investigative team on the investigation of the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia A.I. Bastrykin held an operational meeting with the investigative team, as well as the leadership of the Main Directorate of Criminalistics (Forensic Center) and the Forensic Expert Center of the Investigative Committee of Russia. The head of the department heard an up-to-date report from his subordinates on the implementation of the plan to investigate the criminal case of a terrorist act that claimed the lives of more than 100 people.

The head of the department was informed that the inspection of the scene of the incident and the seizure of items relevant to the investigation are ongoing. The operation of fire safety systems in the building is studied and the necessary examinations are carried out. It is determined whether safety requirements were violated. Discussing the prospects and timing of other investigative actions, the investigators reported on the stages of production and other examinations.

A separate block of the meeting was devoted to the work of investigators with victims and witnesses.

After hearing the report of the investigative team, A.I. Bastrykin identified a number of areas of investigation.

The head of the department also demanded to continue to identify all those involved in the tragedy, emphasizing that investigators must check all information received from citizens, paying attention to every detail. A comprehensive and objective investigation depends on this, as well as the implementation of the principle of inevitability of punishment and measures to prevent such tragedies.

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia exercises personal control over the progress of the investigation of this criminal case.

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A survivor of six heart attacks and a brain tumor, a grumpy bear of a man, whom has declared Russia as his new and wonderful home. His wife is a true Russian Sweet Pea of a girl and she puts up with this bear of a guy and keeps him in line. Thank God for my Sweet Pea and Russia.
Winona Area Public Schools' graduation rate continued an upward trend over the 2022-23 school year, according to a press release from the district.

Data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Education showed that 86.34% of WAPS students graduated in four years in 2023. The graduation rate at Winona Senior High School also rose to 93.12%, the high school's highest mark since 2017.

The graduation rate at the Winona Area Learning Center dropped from 60.8% to 52.63%, but the district says that number is still higher than before the implementation of the WALC's three-year improvement plan.

There is a lot to celebrate in these numbers, superintendent Brad Berzinski said in the release. This is a testament to the hard work of not just our teachers and staff, but also our students and families. As a district, we are committed to making systemic changes to support individual needs, and this is one data point that shows our collaborative work is paying off.

Winona's district-wide rate exceeds the state average of 83.3%, as does its rate for students receiving special education services (73.7% to 65.6%).

The district had set goals of 89.1% district-wide, 95.3% at the high school and 65.8% at the WALC.

We are moving in the right direction, but there is still work to be done, Berzinski said.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the global landscape of education continues to evolve, offering students unprecedented opportunities to study abroad. This trend is evident in the number of students transferring between countries with distinct educational systems, such as Cuba and the United States. These transfers not only represent a quest for academic excellence but also a desire to immerse oneself in diverse cultural experiences. Understanding the key differences and similarities between Cuban and American schools is crucial for students navigating this transition. This guide aims to provide an insightful comparison to help students prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Cuban Educational System

Cubas educational system is renowned for its strong emphasis on free access to education at all levels, from primary school to higher education. Governed by the state, the system is designed to be universally accessible, eliminating tuition fees entirely. However, this accessibility comes with a particular focus on political ideology, integrating it into the curriculum across all subjects. This approach aims to foster a sense of collective identity and social responsibility among students.

From an early age, students are introduced to a standardized curriculum that emphasizes science, mathematics, humanities, and political education. As students progress, they encounter an increasingly specialized curriculum, preparing them for higher education or vocational training. The phrase do my paper for me is seldom heard in Cuban classrooms, as the educational ethos encourages self-reliance and the development of a strong work ethic from a young age. Despite limited resources, Cuban schools strive to maintain high educational standards, focusing on developing well-rounded individuals committed to societal values.

American Educational System

The American educational system is characterized by its diversity and flexibility, offering a range of options from public and private schools to charter and homeschooling programs. This variety allows for a more personalized educational experience, accommodating students unique needs, interests, and learning styles. Unlike the uniform approach seen in Cuba, American schools emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and individual achievement, preparing students for a competitive and dynamic global economy.

From elementary to high school, American students enjoy a broad curriculum that includes a mix of core subjects and electives, allowing for exploration and specialization in areas of interest. Extracurricular activities play a significant role in the educational experience, offering students opportunities for personal growth and social engagement outside the classroom. The systems flexibility extends to higher education, where students can choose from a wide array of majors and minors, tailoring their academic path to their career goals.

Cultural Differences in Educational Philosophies

The educational philosophies of Cuban and American schools reflect deeper cultural values and societal goals. In Cuba, education is seen as a collective endeavor, with a focus on fostering a communal spirit and a strong sense of social responsibility. The curriculum prioritizes memorization and the mastery of material, reflecting a belief in the importance of a shared foundational knowledge base.

In contrast, American education values individualism, encouraging students to pursue personal interests and develop their unique potential. Critical thinking and problem-solving are emphasized, with teaching methods that encourage questioning and exploration. This difference in educational philosophy extends to student-teacher relationships and classroom dynamics, where American students often experience a more informal and interactive learning environment, in contrast to the structured and teacher-centered approach prevalent in Cuban schools.

Continuing with the detailed exploration of the differences between Cuban and American schools, lets delve into the day-to-day student experiences, challenges, and opportunities and conclude with valuable advice for navigating the transition successfully.

Practical Differences for Students

The practical day-to-day experiences of students in Cuban and American schools differ significantly. In Cuba, the school day is highly structured, with students wearing uniforms and following a set curriculum. Classrooms tend to focus on lecture-based instruction, with a strong emphasis on memorization and recitation. Assessments are predominantly written exams, reflecting a preference for formal evaluation methods.

Conversely, American schools offer a more varied daily experience, with a significant portion of learning occurring through interactive and project-based activities. The environment is less formal, with no uniform requirements in most schools and a greater emphasis on continuous assessment that includes a mix of tests, presentations, and group work. This diversity in teaching and assessment methods caters to different learning styles, fostering a more inclusive educational atmosphere.

Challenges and Opportunities for Transfer Students

Transfer students between Cuban and American educational systems may face several challenges, including adjusting to different teaching styles, language barriers, and understanding new assessment methods. The shift from a highly structured, uniform curriculum to one that offers a wide range of choices and learning approaches can be overwhelming. Additionally, social integration in a new educational and cultural environment presents its own set of challenges.

However, these challenges also present unique opportunities for growth. Transfer students gain the ability to navigate diverse educational landscapes, developing adaptability and resilience. The experience of studying in another country broadens their perspectives, enhancing cultural awareness and fostering a global mindset. Embracing these differences can enrich students educational journeys, providing them with a competitive edge in an increasingly globalized world.

Navigating the Transition: Tips for Success

For students transitioning between Cuban and American educational systems, success lies in preparation and adaptability. Here are some tips to navigate the transition smoothly:

Research and prepare: Before the transfer, research the new educational system thoroughly to understand the academic expectations and cultural nuances. Seek academic support: Utilize resources such as tutoring centers, language courses, and study groups to bridge any academic gaps and enhance language proficiency. Embrace new learning styles: Be open to different teaching methods and assessment formats, actively participating in class discussions and projects. Cultivate social connections: Engage in extracurricular activities and community events to build a support network and integrate socially. Maintain an open mind: Approach the new experiences with curiosity and resilience, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Final Thoughts

The journey of a transfer student between Cuban and American schools is filled with both challenges and opportunities. Understanding the key differences in educational systems, philosophies, and day-to-day practices is essential for a smooth transition and successful integration. Students embarking on this journey have much to gain, from academic growth to enhanced cultural awareness and adaptability.

As transfer students navigate this transition, they may seek various resources to support their academic and personal growth. For those looking to strengthen their writing skills or need assistance with academic papers, finding the best essay writing service can be a valuable part of their support system. These services can provide guidance in articulating thoughts clearly and effectively, an essential skill in both Cuban and American educational contexts.

Ultimately, the experience of studying in a foreign educational system offers transfer students a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons, develop new skills, and prepare for a successful future in an increasingly interconnected world. By embracing the differences and leveraging available resources, students can turn the challenges of transition into stepping stones for their academic and personal development.
YANGON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar hosted a reception to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in its capital Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday evening.

Speaking at the event, Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe said that since the launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, countries have respected each other and treated each other as equals, promoting the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to achieve fruitful results.

He also expressed gratitude to China for setting up a special fund for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to provide support to Mekong countries. The 106 projects carried out with the special fund have made positive contributions to Myanmar's economic and social development, he said.

He added that Myanmar has conscientiously performed its duties as co-chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and will continue to work with member states to deepen Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in the future.

Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said in his speech that since the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation was launched eight years ago, it has injected vitality into the development of member countries, built a strong shield for regional security and tightened the emotional bonds among peoples.

He added that the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has produced fruitful results in Myanmar and has truly benefited the local people.

Chinese modernization will bring new benefits to the development of Mekong countries and will also add greater momentum to Lancang-Mekong cooperation, the ambassador said.

China will further implement the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy, work with Myanmar and other Mekong countries to build a community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries and continue to enhance the well-being of people in the region, he added.

About 200 people including diplomats from China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to Myanmar and representatives of relevant Myanmar departments attended the event.

Traditional songs and dances from the six Lancang-Mekong countries were also performed during the reception.

Lancang-Mekong Cooperation is a new sub-regional cooperation mechanism launched by China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam on March 23, 2016. 
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People lay flowers and light candles standing next to the Crocus City Hall, on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Russia's top state investigative agency says the death toll in the Moscow concert hall attack has risen to over 133. The attack Friday on Crocus City Hall, a sprawling mall and concert venue on Moscow's western edge, also left many wounded and left the building a smoldering ruin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
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North Beach was smack in the middle of its rough-and-tumble Barbary Coast days when Fior DItalia opened its doors.

In 1886, Italian cuisine didnt yet exist and restaurants in the working-class immigrant neighborhood catered towards provincial specialties. At Fior, that meant Northern Italian dishes that nodded to its founders Ligurian and Tuscan origins: veal scaloppine, risotto with clams, tortellini Bologna, each sold for less than 15 cents a pop.

Fior DItalia was one of several regional Italian restaurants that cropped up in North Beach at the end of the 19th century. For Genoese food like cioppin (now cioppino), there was Bazzuros. Campi served Italian-Swiss cuisine, Sanguinettis food from Southern Italy. To Coppas, artists and bohemians flocked for the Turinese food of chef Giuseppe Coppa.

But over the last 138 years, those pioneers have shuttered one by oneall, that is, except Fior DItalia. The North Beach fixture is now considered the oldest Italian restaurant in the entire United States.

A peak inside the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S. (Courtesy of @angieruff)

Fior DItalias Mason Street storefront is not the restaurants original location. The first one, a favorite of the patrons who made use of the bordello upstairs, burned down in 1893. The seconda more elegant, high-society-attracting version on the same block as the originalwas destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. Within a week, Fior had been reborn again in the rubble, this time as a tent with a false-front wooden facade.

Three more moves in the neighborhoodthe last of which was a 2005 fire that drove it from the Washington Square space it had occupied for more than 50 yearslanded Fior DItalia here on the ground floor of the historic San Remo Hotel, which was built when Fior was still operating out of its emergency tent. On the Sunday afternoon I visit, the sun streams through its picture windows and glints from the antique pressed-tin tiles that line the ceiling.

It may not be its original digs, but Fior DItalias atmosphere is thick with old school hospitality. The tables are draped in white tablecloths, the green rug patterned in red leaves. Black-and-white photos, ancient newspaper clippings, and faded menus cover the salmon-pink walls. There are a handful of red-leather banqueted coves where I imagine mustachioed Victorian men once sat hashing out business deals in three-piece suits, and a vintage wood bar lined with spirits. At the front of the dining room, the six-piece North Beach Rhythm Jazz Band sets up for their weekly appearance.

In the century-and-a-half since Fior DItalia opened, its Northern Italian menu has come to look a lot like what we now consider Italian-American food. Theres a lot of crossover here with, say, Original Joes: Big tangles of housemade pasta bathed in cream, veal cutlets dripping with wine sauce, chicken breast sauteed in prosciutto and fontina. Calamari in cesta (lightly breaded and fried squid) and gamberoni allo spiedo in pancetta (pancetta-wrapped shrimp) are perennial favorites, says the server, whose uniform includes a crisp black waistcoat and tie.

Fior D'Italia's menu is made up of hearty Northern Italian dishes. (Courtesy of @fior_sf)

For the last 40 years, Milanese chef Gianfranco Gianni Audieri has steered the ship at Fior dItalia, buying the restaurant with his wife in 2012. His passing last July surely rocked the restaurant as intensely as any fire ever did. But here they still are, going strong, witnesses to yet another century of change.

People trickle in as the band starts to play Jazz Age standards, a mix of neighbors and locals from farther afield. Despite its pedigree, I see no telltale sign of the wide-eyed Little Italy tourist.

At the tables, wine flows freely. The clarinetist stands to sing, his voice melodic and jovial. The other musicians echo his words in a chorus of whoops and hollers. They are unbelievably good. When the fish of the day, a petrale sole crusted with almonds, and a bowl of linguine studded with fat, pearlescent clams, arrive at the table, we chew to the bands rhythm, smiling and laughing and sipping Chianti between bites. After each number, the whole restaurant erupts in raucous applause.

It would be disingenuous to say that Fior dItalia feels like stepping back in time but it does have a beautifully anachronistic quality. When our plates are clean and our wine glasses empty, I linger in the dining room surveying the ephemera of its past

The North Beach Rhythm Jazz Band plays at Fior D'Italia every Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy of @sunnyssfpix)

There arent many places left in San Francisco where you can get a snapshot of how things used to be when the city was young and the possibilities were endless. In this place of constant transformation, Fior DItalia is more than just a reminder of how it all began.

After 138 years, Americas oldest Italian restaurant is still here to welcome us home.

// Fior DItalia is open 4pm to 9pm weekdays and noon to 9pm weekend. The North Beach Rhythm Jazz Band plays :30pm to 4:30pm Sundays. Thursday and Friday nights from 6pm to 9pm, Mack Trout is at the piano; 2237 Mason St. (North Beach), fior.com
After scammers posing as federal agents convinced Alaina Weisman that her bank accounts had been compromised, she found herself feeding more than $11,000 in hundred-dollar bills into a cryptocurrency ATM inside a cannabis dispensary last October in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I remember the sound of the machine sucking up my money  whoosh, ping! says Weisman, 77, an actor and writer.

Dispensary staffers gave her a chair, so she could sit down for the long transaction. I was so upset I forgot about my sick dog in the car, she says. The criminals said the money would help the government protect her bank accounts. Before she fed in the cash, the ATM flashed warnings about scams. But I was instructed to lie, says Weisman, who had scanned a QR code provided by the scammers into the ATM. That code sent her money directly to their cryptocurrency wallet.

It was the nightmare start of a series of schemes pulled off by the same criminals that ultimately cost Weisman $159,000.

For years, gift cards, bank transfers and payment apps were the preferred way for scammers to get victims money, as each has been widely accessible and the transactions mostly untraceable. But consumers, law enforcement and the businesses behind these services have caught on to this, and protections are growing. The scammers solution: increasingly directing their victims to pay up the way Weisman did  at a crypto ATM.

What are crypto ATMs?

You may have noticed these often-colorful kiosks that are popping up in supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, liquor stores and even laundromats across the U.S. There are more than 49,000 crypto ATMs in the United States, up from only about 1,200 at the end of 2017.

Though crypto ATMs are a legitimate way to convert real dollars into cryptodollars  and most are licensed and used for their intended and legal purposes  they are also a favorite payment method for scammers. Theyre frequently used in government impostor scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, fraudulent online sales, employment scams, lottery scams and other schemes, law enforcement officials say.

Criminals enticed people to feed $22 million into the machines for government impostor scams alone in 2021, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And they were used in at least $35 million in fraudulent transactions in 2022, the Federal Reserve reports.

Crypto kiosks look like traditional bank ATMs  a similarity scammers exploit. Scammers often just tell victims, Go to the ATM at the convenience store  the victim doesnt even realize its a crypto machine, says Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
Last December, Pat Holden, 76, of El Cajon, California, received what appeared to be an email from Amazon, offering a three-month free membership to the Amazon Prime service, which provides free shipping on eligible items, among other perks.

Holden, a former official with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), normally is wary of such unsolicited pitches. But the high-quality graphics in the email looked authentic, and the offer was attractive.

I had just thought about getting Prime, Holden recalls. So I jumped on it, which you should never do.

She filled out and submitted the application, including her credit card number, but when she didnt receive an email acknowledgment, she became suspicious. When she pulled up the original offer, she saw that it hadnt come from an Amazon address.

Many of us might begin to panic, but Holden kept her cool. She called Amazon, and confirmed that the offer hadnt come from the company. Youve been scammed, they told me, Holden recalls.  Call your bank. And thats exactly what I did.

Bank officials agreed to put a hold on any suspicious transactions on her credit card.

Thanks to Holdens immediate action, she didnt lose any money to the criminals. Online safety and anti-scam experts wish more Americans would respond to scams just as quickly, as fraud has become an epidemic  increasingly sophisticated and financially devastating.

As soon as you realize youve experienced a scam, its crucial to take certain steps to prevent money loss and identity theft in its aftermath.

And note that at any point you can contact the free AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, where trained fraud specialists provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future.
LONDON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Jeffrey Donaldson is stepping down as leader of Britain's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) with immediate effect, the party said on Friday.

"The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of a historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect," the DUP said in a statement,

"In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr. Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process," said the statement.

According to the statement, Gavin Robinson has been appointed as the interim party leader.

Donaldson, who has been an MP (Member of Parliament) since 1997, has led the DUP since 2021. As the longest-serving MP in Northern Ireland, he recently led his party back into government in Northern Ireland after a two-year boycott of the Stormont institutions.

The DUP had walked out of government, claiming that the Northern Ireland Protocol, the post-Brexit arrangements, had undermined the region's position in Britain. 
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday congratulated Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as Senegalese president.

Since China and Senegal established diplomatic ties, the two countries have embraced ever-stronger mutual political trust, fruitful achievements in practical cooperation, as well as close coordination on international affairs, Xi said.

As co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the two countries will jointly host a FOCAC summit in China this year, he said.

Noting that he attaches great importance to developing China-Senegal ties, Xi said he stands ready to work with Faye to support each other, enhance unity and coordination, hold a successful FOCAC summit together, and advance the continuous development of China-Senegal and China-Africa ties, so as to better benefit the people of both sides. 
The brand is the first international addition to Lenskarts umbrella and strengthens Lenskarts positioning in the premium eyewear segment. Lenskart has launched the upcoming French eyewear brand, Le Petit Lunetier, as an exclusive partner in the India market. The launch marks the first international addition to Lenskarts umbrella and follows an equity investment in September 2023 by Neso Brands, a Singapore-based house of brands specialising in eyewear and part of the Lenskart Group.

Founded in 2015 by former Google executive Jeremie Encaoua and optician Elie Attias, Le Petit Lunetier is an upcoming Paris-based, omni-channel eyewear brand that offers fashionable and iconic designs in high-quality. The brand has experienced strong growth in recent years thanks to successful store network expansion and a robust social media following (e.g., over 200,000 followers on Instagram). Given Indian consumers evolving desires towards global on-trend fashion, the launch reflects Lenskart's ongoing commitment to catering to these growing needs by providing consumers access to emerging international brands and designs, straight to their doorstep.

Le Petit Lunetier promises sophistication in every frame, with statement designs crafted out of material ranging from glossy acetates, sleek stainless steel to innovative hybrid materials. With a captivating array of elegant colours ranging from clear crystal to deep blacks and chic demis, there's something to suit every style preference.

The brands frames are designed in Paris and meticulously crafted to the highest standards, ensuring both durability and comfort with every wear. Whether you're navigating the bustling streets of Mumbai or lounging in a quaint cafe in Paris, they will be your faithful companion, effortlessly blending style and luxury.

"We are excited to be the exclusive partner for Le Petit Lunetier in India. This launch represents a significant step ahead in offering unparalleled choices to consumers in the eyewear industry," said Peyush Bansal, CEO and Co-Founder of Lenskart. "Le Petit Lunetier's up-and-coming brand status and design expertise, coupled with Lenskart's extensive distribution network and deep understanding of the Indian consumer, together create a powerful synergy for us to cater to a fashion-forward audience seeking globally-inspired eyewear."

Jeremie Encaoua, co-founder of Le Petit Lunetier, commented: We are very excited to enter the Indian market with Lenskart as a strategic partner and introduce our brand to the Indian consumer. This launch will move us one step closer to achieving our global expansion goals beyond our core markets. Le Petit Lunetier is now available across 50 Lenskart stores in India as well as online via the Lenskart website.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the following senior management appointment effective as of April 1, 2024:

Dr. Lavanya Wadgaonkar, currently Vice President, Nissan Global Communications, will be promoted to Corporate Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. In this role, she will oversee all of Nissans communications activities in Japan and globally, elevating trust and reputation at a critical juncture as Nissan launches The Arc, its new business plan to drive value and strengthen competitiveness. She will also continue in her role as the global champion for DEI responsible for actively promoting a diverse, supportive, and inclusive workplace.

She will report to Makoto Uchida, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Dr. Wadgaonkar has over 28 years of international experience in strategic communications, public affairs, brand management, marketing, and sustainability. She previously led and developed the communications and external and government affairs functions for Nissan Asia & Oceania. Prior to joining Nissan in 2012 in India, Dr Wadgaonkar worked at printing company Lexmark, petrochemical conglomerate Reliance, and diversified power management company Eaton in various leadership roles in communications and marketing. Originally from Hyderabad in India, Dr Wadgaonkar holds a PhD, an MPhil, and a Masters degree from Osmania University.
United States President Joe Bidens administration has approved USD 60 million in emergency funds to support cleanup and reconstruction efforts in the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster in Marylands Baltimore, Al Jazeera reported on Friday. The Federal Highway Administration said on Thursday it provided the quick release funds to rebuild the collapsed bridge within hours of receiving a request from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The swift disbursement of the funds came after Biden earlier this week said he had directed the government to move heaven and earth to quickly rebuild the bridge, which collapsed on Tuesday after being struck by a cargo ship. No one will ever forget the shocking images of a container vessel striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and the tragic loss of six people, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The federal emergency funds were releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress. President Biden has been clear: The federal government will do everything it takes to help rebuild the bridge and get the Port of Baltimore back open. The announcements of the funds came as Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned of a very long road ahead to recover from the disaster as experts considered how to remove the Singapore-flagged Dali from the mangled wreckage of the bridge.

The Dali is almost as long as the Eiffel Tower, and the Dali has the Key Bridge on top of it. Were talking 3,000 or 4,000 tonnes of steel thats sitting on top of that ship, Moore said. Authorities have said they need clear wreckage from the ocean floor to reach the bodies of four missing workers believed to be trapped in their vehicles in a superstructure of concrete and other debris.

Divers on Wednesday, divers recovered the bodies of two workers from a pick-up truck near the bridges middle span. Federal officials have told Maryland lawmakers the final cost of reconstructing the bridge could reach USD 2 billion, Roll Call reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

Moreover, three days after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasised that the rebuilding of the bridge would not take days or weeks, adding that we have a very long road ahead of us. Maryland Governor Wes Moore assured that they would take care of people, and emphasised the need to rebuild the bridge.

One of the things we were taught is, that you always take care of your people. We are going to make sure that in this moment we take care of our people, and fourth, we need to rebuild the Francis Scott Key BridgeI want to be clear. 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 preparing, he said while addressing a Maryland Transportation Authority briefing. Governor Moore further highlighted that this is about the nations economy and not just about Maryland.

He added that the port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in America. I have said it before, I will say it again and I will keep on saying it. This is not just about Maryland. This is about the nations economy. The port handles more cars and farm equipment than any other port in America and at least 8,000 workers on the docks have jobs that have been directly affected by this collapse, he said.
JERUSALEM, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel is ready to send delegations to Qatar and Egypt for negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Friday.

After speaking with David Barnea, head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency, and Ronen Bar, chief of the internal security agency Shin Bet, Netanyahu approved the next round of talks "with guidelines for moving forward in the negotiations," according to the statement.

The new round of talks will be held in Doha and Cairo in the coming days, it added.

Israel withdrew most of its negotiating team from Doha on Tuesday after Hamas rejected the latest offer, while a small, mid-ranking Mossad team remained in Qatar for negotiations, Israeli media reported. 
This is an opinion column.

If Alabama were a country all its own, it would have a higher incarceration rate than any democracy on earth.

Its easy to go to prison here. And to stay there for a long, long time.

The states prison system has been rebuked as a constitutional and human rights nightmare by Republican and Democratic justice departments alike, by both the Trump and Biden administrations. Alabamas parole system has been decried as broken by two former chief justices of the Alabama Supreme Court: Roy Moore on the right and Sue Bell Cobb on the left.

These are people who cant look out a window and see eye to eye on the weather. But they can agree this is not how justice is supposed to work.

The parole system these days releases only a fraction of those eligible, only a fraction of those recommended by its own staff, only a fraction of those who should be given a second chance. Thats according to the agencys own guidelines, which the parole board ignores.

So prisons already devoid of hope become even more overcrowded, and hopeless, and expensive. Well spend a billion dollars on a new prison, another billion dollars for a prison health contract, and ignore federal warnings that Alabama prisons are havens for drugs, extortion, gang rape, murder and profiteering by staff and prisoners alike.

While the state does next to nothing to fix it.

The federal government notified the governor, prison officials, and AG Steve Marshall of those findings in 2019, and sued two years later when little had been done.

The United States engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations with the State beginning in the spring of 2019, the Justice Department wrote. Since the spring of 2019, the State of Alabama has failed or refused to correct the unconstitutional conditions in Alabamas prisons for men.

Unconstitutional, the feds say, because they are unusually cruel.

But Marshall has been clear. He has defended the prison system and authorized millions of dollars to defend the indefensible. He has opposed almost all paroles, arguing that most of our current prison population ought to stay locked up and that reforms arent needed because there is simply nobody else to reform.

After months of reporting on people up for parole, my colleague Ivana Hrynkiw again called Marshalls office. She asked if the AG had anything more to say on the subject. She got this response.

We do not have anything further to add, Marshalls spokesperson said, as we disagree with the premise of every article you have written on the topic.

For months now, AL.com has written story after story about prisons, and paroles. The premise, if I may be so bold, is that not everyone who is in Alabama prisons needs to be there forever. Not everyone should be written off as unredeemable.

If there is something unique about Alabama that puts all our inmates beyond hope for reform, then we as a state must be doing something wrong.

Marshall disagrees with that premise, it seems.

Despite across-the-aisle condemnations of both the prison and parole systems. Despite billions of dollars spent on objectively failing systems. Despite questions of constitution, and of conscience.

Justice, to Marshall, is a one-way street. That means punishment. Harsh, unbending, unquestioning, never-ending punishment.

No second chances, ever. No second looks at convictions. No possibility that redemption can be achieved, or that courts can get it wrong  even in a state that has seen through history that people are sometimes jailed or even killed by bad evidence, or decisions from a judge or jury.

Weve seen the innocent locked up as the guilty go free.

We see punishment for punishments sake. So 68-year-old Leon Hotchkiss remains in prison for decades for growing five pounds of pot. So Kenny McCroskey goes back to prison for decades  over the objection of his parole officer  for missing an appointment with that officer. So Leola Harris, in her 70s now, spends life in a wheelchair, on dialysis, in Alabama prisons, without a hope. Or the possibility, in Marshalls eyes, of reform.

This is not a political story. The Jeff Sessions and Merrick Garland justice departments both saw Alabamas sins. It is not about opening prison doors to let the violent loose on the world. It is about reasonable application of existing laws and established standards of parole.

It is not about good guys and bad guys. But when the state of Alabama becomes the party that willfully violates the rights of people, the bad guys are harder to identify.

Whats worse? Condoning a torturous, unconstitutional system filled with rape, assault and murder  and fighting to keep people in it forever  or growing five pounds of weed in your back yard?

John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner at AL.com.
Two Birmingham man were arrested, and third person sought, in a drug-fueled shooting at a Panama City Beach home.

Patrick Underwood, 21, and Kendrique Wesley, 19, are charged with armed robbery. One of them was shot during the holdup.

Authorities are still searching for 19-year-old Christopher Hardeyn Baitey of Fultondale.

Bay County Sheriffs Office officials said more charges are pending.

Deputies were dispatched at 3 a.m. Thursday to a shooting at 8407 Thomas Drive.

The resident told deputies he had been contacted earlier in the day to sell marijuana to several visitors from the Birmingham area.

He met them at his home and conducted the sale with two men, one wearing a ski mask.

The men bought the marijuana and left, only to return a short time later.

The two were agitated and accused the resident of the home of not giving them enough marijuana in exchange for the money they paid, according to a news release.

One of the two men went out to their vehicle and brought a third man into the home who also wore a ski mask.

The victim, concerned about the anger of the three men, agreed to return the money for the marijuana.

One of the men wearing a mask had a handgun and another carried a rifle.

The three men got their money back. As the men wearing ski masks left, they grabbed the marijuana on their way out the door.

The victim shut and locked the door, with the third man still inside the residence.

The victim ran upstairs to get his own firearm and warn the others who lived in the home.

Once he got his gun, he stopped at the top of the stairs, realizing the two armed men in masks had been allowed back into the home by the third one.

It is unclear at the time who began shooting first, authorities said, but the resident of the home stated that the two men wearing masks began shooting at him and he returned fire.

The resident of the home shot one of the masked men in the abdomen. No one else was injured.

The three men fled the scene and the resident of the home called 911.

Using the technology of BayROC, the real-time crime center, investigators were able to identify and then locate the suspects vehicle.

The suspects were found at a condo on Front Beach Road.

Bay County deputies and Panama City Beach police made a tactical entry into the unit.

Both suspects  one of them with a gunshot wound  were found inside, as well as several other people staying there. Authorities did not say which suspect was shot but said he was taken to a hospital where he is in stable condition.

Bay County Jail records show Underwood as being an inmate at the jail.

Investigators detained five of the people inside the condo and got interviews and statements.

Law enforcement believe this was a shooting related only to the drug deal, according to the press release, and not random.

Anyone with information on Baiteys whereabouts is asked to call the Bay County Sheriffs Office at 850-747-4700 or Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.
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. Vlahoss 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, its 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.

___

(c)2024 the Billings Gazette (Billings, Mont.)

Visit the Billings Gazette (Billings, Mont.) at www.billingsgazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The 10-year-old son of a Florida deputy is accused of selling his dead fathers gun to a classmate for $300.

Both 10-year-olds were arrested and face gun charges.

The sale was discovered when deputies received a call of a suspicious incident at Country Oaks Elementary School in LaBelle the morning of March 27, according to a news release from the Hendry County Sheriffs Office.

The school was briefly placed on lockdown until officials determined there was no danger to students or staff.

This is an isolated incident and I want to assure everyone that at no time were the students, staff and school administration in danger, Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden said in the release.

Deputies said they found ammunition in the backpack of a student who is now accused of buying the gun. They learned another student sold it to him in February for $300, according to investigators.

Authorities found the gun under a shed in the backyard of the home of the student accused of buying it, deputies said. He was charged with sale/purchase of a firearm by a minor, unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of a firearm on school property.

His classmate 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 deputies.

They were both taken into custody and booked with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The child accused of selling the gun is the son of a deputy with the sheriffs office, and the gun had previously belonged to the childs father, authorities said.

The deputy has been placed on administrative leave as the department investigates.

LaBelle is in southwest Florida, about a 30-mile drive northeast from downtown Fort Myers.

2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The attorney representing the Autauga-Prattville Librarys Board of Trustees said Tuesday she would not apologize for or withdraw any statements made about the dismissal of the librarys director.

In a letter to Christopher Weller, an attorney for former director Andrew Foster, Laura Clark, general counsel for the board, wrote that allegations that she defamed Foster were baseless in law and fact and suggested further action.

Although I have no desire to sue Mr. Foster, if you sue me, then I will be forced to bring a compulsory counterclaim concerning his defamatory statements about me, the letter said.

Foster declined comment on Tuesday.

Foster was terminated by the Board on March 14 after members alleged that he released confidential information to the press and for violating criminal law. The board provided no evidence that Foster had violated the law.

More from Alabama Reflector

The allegation that Foster released confidential information was part of a records request that a news organization filed that sought emails between Foster, the Board and Clark discussing how best to implement the new policies that board members adopted during the Feb. 8 meeting.

Weller sent Clark and Board of Trustees Chair Ray Boles several letters on Friday demanding that Foster be reinstated as director of the library and that Boles and Clark retract statements they made in public about him, along with a correction and subsequent apology.

After a news outlet filed a records request for emails between Foster and the board, Boles requested Foster publish a notice that the Board was convening a special meeting to discuss a library employee. The employee was Foster and the meeting was to discuss his termination.

Immediately after starting the meeting, the members went into executive session for 20 minutes before coming back into open session and announced Fosters termination. Boles told the media who attended that no one would talk to the press, but produced a written statement that outlined the reasons for Fosters termination.

Weller said Clark made defamatory statements about Foster committing a criminal act when he recorded the conversations that took place during the executive session, and that he revealed confidential information to the press when he fulfilled the records request from the media outlet. Weller said Alabama is a one-party consent recording state.

Clark said almost all the statements she made were to the library and that they amount to privileged communications between herself and her clients, the members of the library board.

One party consent is enough unless the law provides otherwise, Clark said. In this case, the Open Meetings Act provides that government meetings may openly be recorded except while in executive session. Thus, this provision provides an exception to the general rule that recording is allowed if one party consents.

Clark also said there would be a high bar to prove malice.

You will have to prove by clear and convincing evidence that I made the statements in question either (1) knowing they were false or (2) with a reckless disregard for the truth, Clark wrote in her response. Clark said her statements were truthful, but even if they were not true, there is no way under the circumstances of this case that you can meet the burden of proof.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center said Friday that a recently concluded investigation sparked by a parents social media post complaining about the presence of a transgender employee found no evidence of inappropriate behavior or malfeasance between any Space Camp staff and student campers.

However, the employee in question has been transferred to another job at the center, according to a statement.

It was not clear where the employee was transferred or why.

Other policy violations, the statement read, have been addressed as an internal personnel matter.

The center declined to state why the employee was transferred because it relates to a personnel matter.

Earlier this month, federal and state lawmakers reacted on social media after a parent complained on Facebook about the gender identity of a U.S. Space and Rocket Center employee.

The topic was also picked up by the Libs of TikTok account. An Alabama state lawmaker proposed adding Space Camp to a proposed expansion of the states so-called Dont Say Gay law.

The employee referenced by critics has in the past declined to comment.

The center has said staff members received some general, and some very specific threats which had been turned over to law enforcement.

In its statement on Friday, the center said it approached this situation with grave concern and extreme diligence.

According to the center, the investigation found that staff members were never present in campers bathrooms.

The center also found conflicting stories about whether an employee had spoken to campers on prohibited subjects, such as disclosing personal details, religious or political views.

As part of its policy, the camp also does not allow physical contact between staff and students beyond a fist bump or high five and no staff member is allowed to be alone with a student behind a closed door. There is supposed to be no sharing of personal details, including personal phone numbers, email addresses or social media information. Discussion of religion, sexual topics, politics, or sharing of opinions and beliefs that may be controversial is also prohibited.

As a result of the investigation, the center said it has added a section to camper and parent evaluations to address any potential violations quickly.

About 26,000 students attend Space Camp annually.

The Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition said in an earlier statement that the goal of these social media posts is to pressure the Space and Rocket Center to fire the employee in question simply for being transgender.

Attempts to contact ALTRAC for comment on Friday were not immediately successful.

The centers full statement on the investigation follows:

After a thorough review of allegations made recently over social media against a Space Camp employee, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center has concluded its investigation and taken necessary steps to move forward. We approached this situation with grave concern and extreme diligence. The results of our investigation revealed the following:

There is no evidence of inappropriate behavior or malfeasance between any Space Camp staff and student campers.

At no time were staff present in campers bathrooms. Our policies and our facilities are designed to create spaces where campers may dress, shower, and use the restroom in private.

We have received differing accounts on whether an employee spoke to campers on subjects that are prohibited, such as disclosing personal details, religious, or political points of view. We have added a section to our camper and parent evaluations to better capture and address any potential violations quickly.

All other policy violations that were the subject of the investigation have been addressed as an internal personnel matter and include transferring the employee in question to another job at the Center.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center adheres to all state and federal laws regulating hiring practices. Our camp staff undergo extensive nationwide criminal background checks which include state, county, and municipal court-level information, Department of Corrections data, state sex offender registries from across the country, and multi-panel drug tests. We are an apolitical organization with no social agenda. Our singular mission is to inspire and educate.

Under our employee code of conduct, it is the expectation that Space Camp staff act as ambassadors for the Space & Rocket Center, both on and off site. Campers also commit to a code of conduct while they are at Space Camp. Together, camper and staff codes of conduct work in concert to ensure a safe learning environment with clear boundaries where camper privacy is respected, and the camp experience focuses on our mission.

We are recommitting to ensuring all our policies are understood and enforced so that we can continue to provide a safe and friendly environment for campers who come from all 50 states and more than 70 countries each year. We remain focused on our mission and strive to maintain our position as the global leader for STEM education.
Tuskegee University will introduce a new flight school program in the fall, allowing students to train on the field used by the Tuskegee Airmen, thanks to $6.7 million in federal funding.

This program will create opportunities for young aviators who dream of spending their lives soaring through the skies  here and around the world,said Charlotte P. Morris, the president of Tuskegee University, in a news release on Wednesday.

Morris credited Sen. Katie Britt with securing the funding. The senator visited the Tuskegee campus yesterday where she reviewed plans for the program and met with school officials.

The program will offer a bachelors degree in aviation science, pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, according to the news release.

The degree program will have two components  one that focuses on aviation sciences like aerodynamics, aircraft structures and meteorology, while the other will provide flight training, giving students the skills to earn their private and commercial pilot certificates.

The school hopes to not only continue the tradition of excellence in aviation set by the Tuskegee Airmen - the first Black flying unit in the United States military who fought in World War II and were one of the most highly decorated units in the Air Force - but to also help with the nations worsening pilot shortage.

Our Strategic Plan has specific objectives to identify academic programs in high demand for industry and for the workforce,said Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Provost and Senior Vice President. Some estimates say there is an annual demand for about 10,000 to 15,000 pilots annually for the next decade.

The university said it will start the aviation program with about 25 students and expects to grow to more than 200 in the future.

The most exciting part is the opportunity to train our students to become pilots, said Hargrove. In the tradition of General Chappie James and the Tuskegee Airmen, we will continue the tradition of excellence in Aviation.
Investigators found malnourished and diseased dogs at an animal testing facility in Alabama, prompting the federal government to issue dozens of citations in recent years.

And now state police are also investigating Blue Ridge Kennel, a laboratory that conducts research for the pet food industry at a facility north of Montgomery in Wetumpka.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited Blue Ridge for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, mostly for failing to use appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of its dogs, agency records state.

In 2023, the USDA noted 25 violations and leveled $80,000 in fines against Blue Ridge, according to the agencys inspection reports.

A consent decision issued by the USDA this month stated that Blue Ridge agreed to pay $48,000 and to stop any violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Unless the USDA finds additional violations at the lab, Blue Ridge can avoid paying an additional $32,000, according to the decision.

John Plessner, the CEO of Blue Ridge, did not respond to a request for comment.

In reports dating back to 2022, the federal agency observed malnourished dogs, dogs so overweight that it was difficult for them to stand, dogs suffering from disease without treatment, and dogs that came from unlicensed and unknown sources.

An animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, raised concerns that dogs from unlicensed sources may have been stolen, and said in a press release that the kennel has received 83 citations since 2020.

Dogs at Blue Ridge Kennel are plagued by untreated injuries and infections, are suffering from open wounds, and are just skin and bones, PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a press release this week. PETA is urging law enforcement to prosecute those responsible and finally end this vicious neglect and mistreatment.

PETA on March 12 sent a letter to CJ Robinson, the district attorney of Elmore County, asking him to investigate Blue Ridge.

Robinson and the Elmore County Sheriffs office told AL.com that they referred the case to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency after receiving reports from PETA. The state police took up the investigation last week, according to Robinson.

I have contacted local law enforcement, state law enforcement and the feds to make sure that the appropriate agency was doing the investigation. At this point in time ALEA is the contact point for conducting the investigation so everything will go to them until they complete their investigation, Robinson said.

A spokesperson for the state police told AL.com that they are assisting the USDA, the lead agency in this case.

An April 2023 USDA inspection report details multiple dogs who had severe dental disease. An 11-year-old lab named Showboat and a 12-year-old golden retriever named Thor had hard, dark brown substances covering their teeth, swollen gums and broken canines, the report states.

A 9-year-old lab named Sunny had similar dental issues, according to the report, as well as a narrowed left ear canal and a right ear canal that was filled with a large amount of brown black material that was odorous. In all three cases, according to the USDA, their dental issues were not listed in medical records and they were not scheduled for a veterinary exam other than their regular annual exams that were due in May.

In some instances, the USDA found that dogs were never given medications prescribed by a vet. In one case a dog was not given a collar after being spayed so she scratched and licked the surgery site, causing it to become infected, the report states.

Another report states that a redbone hound was so thin it had protruding bones and abdominal tuck. A vet recommended that the dog be retired, but the kennel continued to use it for studies, the records state.

The reports also detail worms found in dogs and facilities in disrepairrusted and jagged fences, exposed screws in structures where the dogs exercise, cracked floors, and clogged floor drains that left standing water.

An October 2023 inspection report also said the facility knowingly obtained a dog  a female cocker spaniel, golden retriever mix  from an unlicensed source who would not verify where the dog came from.

In January, the ASPCA put out a statement specifically addressing this practice, saying: On three separate occasions in 2023, inspectors cited Blue Ridge Kennel for acquiring dogs under false pretenses, not informing those who sold dogs to the facility that the dogs would be used for research and testing, or for acquiring dogs used for research from unlicensed sources. These requirements are at the core of the Animal Welfare Act and aim to protect stolen pets from being used for research.

The national animal protection organization also urged the USDA to hold Blue Ridge Kennel accountable by revoking their license. The group filed a formal complaint with the federal agency in December.

Robinson, the district attorney in Elmore County, said that the investigation could wind up in one of three places. They can either bring it locally to my office, they could take it to the AGs office or they may determine that there is some federal stuff involved.
Marilyn Lands victory in an Alabama statehouse race in North Alabama on Tuesday followed a similar script for Alabama Democrats on the rare occasions they topple a Republican within the ruby red state.

That includes winning a special election, receiving a boost from national media exposure, and generating support from Republicans.

It happened for Doug Jones in his special election win to the U.S. Senate in 2017. And 16 years ago, James Fields received national media exposure for becoming the first Black politician to win an Alabama state House seat in predominantly white Cullman County.

Republicans hope the follow-up election for Lands mirrors Jones and Fields, who both lost when they appeared on the next general election ballot.

One low turnout special election does not define success for the Democrat Party, said John Wahl, the chairman of the Alabama GOP, who is already targeting Lands seat in 2026 when turnout will be greater than Tuesdays 14.5%.

But some observers believe that Republicans will not have it easy winning back the legislative seat in a fast-growing district, especially if there isnt a more moderate approach toward abortion rights and reproductive freedom for women.

Said Jonathan Gray, a Republican Party strategist, I dont think there was a lot of anticipation that the Republican was going to run away with this race, but it was definitely a surprise in the margin and I think its a result of IVF, professional women (motivated to vote), and outside money.

Few believe the Lands victory represents a political watershed in Alabama politics. Her win was buoyed by a campaign focused on abortion rights in the aftermath of the Alabama State Supreme Courts decision in February that frozen embryos used during in vitro fertilization are children under state law.

Is this a trend or watershed? Not really, said Wayne Flynt, a political historian who has analyzed Alabama politics and culture for over 50 years. Just a reminder that many chunks of Alabama, especially those with high incomes and more education think differently from areas where men think they have a right to tell women to stay home, pregnant and quiet.

Alabama House District 10, which includes southern portions of Madison County including Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville International Airport, is experiencing rapid growth, a changing demographic and is considered moderate politically.

Democrats have generally been doing better in the suburbs so that may be part of what is going on too, just the general trend of those kinds of districts trending more favorably for Democrats, said Regina Wagner, a political science professor at the University of Alabama. But I think it is hard to argue against the IVF/abortion rights issue playing a pretty crucial role here.

House District 10 has been described as a politically purple district  meaning it is a more of a political toss-up during a general election contest between a Republican and Democrat. Some pundits say the district is a slight lean toward Republicans given former President Donald Trumps 1 percentage point victory within the district in 2020.

Gray said the district is a +5 advantage for the Democratic Party in area of Madison County with a tremendous amount of military, technological and science professionals and a large number of professional women who are always more likely to vote in special elections, and were even more motivated given the issue of reproductive rights that Lands was running on.

Huntsville obviously is a high-tech city in a low-tech state, said Flynt, an observer of state political history and culture for over 50 years. Because of changes in Huntsville during my lifetime, notably the (Tennessee Valley Authority) and the space program, its politics have become more like mainstream American politics than parochial Alabama politics  i.e., a two-party system, womens rights, and womens control of their own bodies.

He added, Its a continuation of pockets that resemble the rest of America in numerous socio-economic patterns voting like similar women do in similar areas of America. And lots of husbands married to such women are furious that traditional Alabama politics ignores them.

Growing district

Chris Horn, a former Republican candidate for Alabama Secretary of State who is also chairman of the Tennessee Valley Republican Club, said that since 2022, the House district has seen an explosion of new development and apartment complexes that is bringing in a different population who are moving here temporarily. They are younger, and their political leanings veer to the left, he said.

Lands lost to Republican David Cole during the 2022 election. Cole was removed from office last year after he was found guilty of voter fraud, creating a vacancy that led to Tuesdays special election.

Its just a moderate area, Horn said. It does not have the discord of hot button issues and were likely to see more middle-of-the road and independent voters who are making their voices heard.

He said if Republicans want to win back the seat, they will need to recruit independent voters and be moderate on some of their issues.

Hes not the only one with that opinion.

Jess Brown, a retired political science professor at Athens State University and a longtime observer of Alabama politics, said on the issue of abortion rights and reproductive freedom, the GOP is increasingly viewed as out-of-touch from mainstream America especially in the aftermath of the Alabama State Supreme Courts ruling that temporarily upended IVF treatments at the states largest health providers.

The IVF decision sort of jolted the arena of abortion politics, Brown said. The Republican legislature responded quickly and attempted to fix the problem (by granting immunity to IVF providers). But, still, I think the IVF decision and the publicity surrounding it really did inject a new element into the thinking of abortion policies and politics both in Alabama and nationally.

He added, It started to make the Republican Party look like something other than simply the defenders of a fetus in the late stages of gestation and not as the party that wants to move the government into family planning and contraception.

Gray said the IVF issue is proving hard for Republicans to find the right message to communicate to the general public following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in 2022, that overturned abortion protections granted under Roe v. Wade.

Everybody knows that Republicans oppose abortion because they protect life, he said. IVF is the creation of life, so when you create laws that indirectly impact that, it becomes very hard to explain. Why are we opposed to IVF? We are not. But when you have to start explaining something, you already lost.

Related content: Very dangerous issue for them: How Republicans regroup after Alabama courts IVF ruling

GOP reaction

John Wahl, chairman of the Alabama State Republican Party, speaks during a luncheon hosted by the Eastern Shore Republican Women on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the Fairhope Yacht Club in Fairhope, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Wahl, in his remarks after the special election, did not bring up the issue of abortion and reproductive rights that Democrats have effectively utilized to a political advantage nationwide since the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

That decision upended a right to abortion long protected under Roe v. Wade. Since then, 21 states  including Alabama  have banned abortion or restricted the procedure.

National Democrats are trying to say that House District 10 is a bellwether decision, not just for Alabama but for the entire country, he said. What they forget to report is that this is a purple district where Democrats always had a chance. Pretending that this reflects the entire state of Alabama is disingenuous and shows either a lack of understanding of the political process or an attempt to mislead voters.

Wahl said hes not sure a moderate approach is the right path in the fast-growing Tennessee Valley area.

He noted that Republican Teddy Powell, a member of the Madison City Council, held onto a middle-of-the-road strategy in hopes of bringing out swing voters.

It didnt work, he said.

That was the candidates decision, and we respected it, though unfortunately (it) didnt have the desired outcome, Wahl said. The Alabama Republican Party has been extremely successful in swing districts across the state highlighting bold, conservative messaging that pushes back on the Democrat Party and its flawed policies.

Abortion politics

About 300 people gathered to protest in support of abortion access Saturday, June 25, 2022 in Linn Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Sarah Swetlik/AL.com

Democratic activists nationally, though, say that abortion politics cannot be ignored. The Lands victory follows post-Dobbs initiatives in Kansas and Kentucky  two red states  in which voters rejected efforts to restrict abortion access. Voters in Ohio, which also leans right, approved a ballot initiative in November that puts protections for reproductive health decisions into the state constitution.

Following the Alabama Supreme Courts IVF ruling, the National Republican Senatorial Committee urged candidates to distance themselves from the ruling. A NRSC memo to candidates in February cited polling by former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway that showed 85% of respondents support access to fertility-related procedures including a broad group that includes pro-life advocates and evangelicals. Another whopping 85% say they would back candidates who prioritize increasing the availability of contraceptives and fertility-related treatments, according to reports.

Focusing on this issue worked for Marilyn Lands in a Republican-leaning district, so its obviously salient, said Kylie Murdock, policy advisor of the left-leaning The Third Way, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Democrats should continue hitting Republicans for their extremism, on abortion and other issues, and show that were the party for freedom and real solutions.

Gray said Republicans are going to continue to be confronted with IVF questions even after the GOP supermajority Legislature voted to grant immunity to health providers to administer IVF treatments following the Alabama State Supreme Courts ruling.

Some people want to say the Legislature fixed the problem, he said. The Legislature fixed the problem for doctors and hospitals but for women and families, they will still have to deal with questions -- like what do I do if I want my embryos destroyed? This is not going to go away before November.

Gray said with Roe v. Wade overturned, hes uncertain why Republicans continue to push for personhood legislation in states and in Congress.

Do we really need to define when life begins anymore? he said. Its a very complicated problem for Republicans and one that is difficult to explain even for those in leadership.

Few pundits believe the Lands win represents a future shift of Republican dominance in the Legislature, where it has long held a supermajority advantage. Gray said he doesnt see a similar result occurring in red, and growing legislative districts in counties like Blount, Shelby or Baldwin.

But Brown says that Lands 25-point margin of victory is something that cannot be ignored.

Supermajorities, by their very nature, tend to start to abuse their power, Brown said. Thats virtually with anything. The Democrats did it. I watched them in the Alabama Legislature. They eventually lost it altogether.

He added, Im not saying were waking up in an election cycle or two and Alabama will be a blue state. But the Alabama Legislature and its leadership better understand that if youre a supermajority and you abuse it, you might just lose it. Eventually your own partisans will say, this is not an image I have in my head about good government.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management opened a new, 15,000 square foot office in Mobile Thursday.

This new facility is the result of 13 years of collaboration by a number of parties who united behind the mission of protecting Alabamas coastal areas, ADEM Director Lance LeFleur said in a news release after the event. It really was an earnest team effort, and we are grateful that many of our partners could be with us today in celebrating this important milestone.
JAKARTA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Ngurah Rai International Airport in Indonesia's Bali island has added a flight route to and from India via Bengaluru in Karnataka State, said the airport's General Manager Handy Heryudhitiawan.

The first landing of the IndiGo airline arrived in Bali on Friday at 9:30 a.m. local time, carrying 183 passengers, and took off again for Bengaluru at 11:20 a.m. local time with 162 passengers.

"For us, India is an emerging market, and we hope that the addition of this route will make it easier for Indians who want to visit Bali," said Heryudhitiawan.

From January to February, 67,979 Indian tourists traveled to Bali, ranking the third place after Australia and China.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry noted that 606,000 Indian tourists had visited Indonesia in 2023. The country hopes to raise the figure to 679,000 in 2024. 
The news story reads like a classic land dispute between government and business interests against the claims of Indian tribes. Two massive projects are about to be started near a vast reservation in Arizona. The first is a power line that runs through an ancestral valley, and the second is a copper mine that sits atop a sacred mountain.

Some local tribal members, not all, claim the projects will destroy these sacred lands and want the projects stopped. The government claims the projects are needed to provide energy to neighboring cities and even the nearby Indian reservations.

On the part of the Indians, the press collects individual testimonies of the old ways that the new developments will destroy. As usual, the liberal media always sides with those Native Americans who have embraced leftist causes.

A Postmodern Twist Where Facts Dont Matter

However, this particular story is different from past ones. It has been updated to reflect postmodern times. It contains contradictions and imaginings where facts dont seem to matter. The script no longer follows the old logic of territorial claims and greedy developers.

Anything can be affirmed in these dramatic new narratives. And everything will be believed by woke activists eager to find causes to support. Moreover, the same liberals who would do anything to keep Christianity out of the public square and policy do everything to defend Native American spirits "inhabiting" public lands.

In this new legal wasteland, it does not take much to stake a claim. A few artifacts or pottery chards suffice. Based on these shallow claims, multi-billion dollar projects can grind to a halt to the detriment of everyone, including nearby Native American tribes.

Claims to Non-Tribal Lands

The two projects are examples of such wild claims. Some left-allied tribal members object to the 550-mile power line that will go through the valley, bringing electricity from massive wind farms in northern New Mexico to faraway cities. In the case of the copper mine, some left-allied tribal members claim Indian spirits occupy the mountain.

However, the problem is that the local tribes have made no territorial claims to the valley or the copper mountain. The cactus-studded San Pedro Valley is not part of their lands, and the power line will not cross through any tribal territory. The valley has long been occupied by public and private properties. The copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains never figured as part of any nearby reservation; it lies inside a national forest. Nevertheless, these tribal activists claim the land is theirs.

Power Line Story Shift

The demand to stop the power line case mystified electric power officials who suddenly saw claims appear in the courts and media this last year. Over the years, the company visited the area to consult with the tribes and other residents about the best course for the power line path. The results were finalized in 2015. Officials at Pattern Energy say claims about the sacredness of the whole valley only started appearing last year just as construction was set to begin.

The proofs for the claims could not be more tenuous. Tribal activists now claim that the centuries-old pottery shards, burial grounds, and other artifacts found in some parts of the valley established their presence and, therefore, some kind of sovereignty over the area.

However, the valley already has several power lines running through it. It is unclear how yet another line on non-tribal lands will endanger anything. Other non-indigenous cemeteries in the area are certainly respected.

Liberal Short Curcuit

Indeed, the whole power line debate is confusing liberal activists and the present administration since it causes a clash between defending indigenous peoples and the environment.

The big wind farms in the North are heralded as a success story supporting the green agenda. However, it depends upon the power line to deliver clean, renewable energy to hundreds of thousandsincluding the Native American communities along the way.

A few pottery shards might stop the SunZia power line if these tribal activists have their way.

Massive Copper Deposit Endangered

The mountain project is even more problematic. The mountain contains the largest deposit of copper in North America -- the third largest in the world. The eco-agenda calls for a lot of copper if the U.S. is to reach a net zero carbon emission goal by 2050. Activists must decide which causes to embrace, realizing they cannot support both.

Some tribe members claim spirits inhabit certain mountains; thus, the copper mountain is not the only one they use for their rituals.

Resolution Copper, the mining company that will develop the site, has offered to preserve large areas of cultural significance, even at the cost of not mining half a billion tons of copper ore. It has published an impressive list of answers to the tribal objections to the project. However, that is not enough for the liberal or tribal activists who have taken up this cause. It must be the whole mountain or nothing.

The Apache primitive beliefs hold that powerful spirits inhabit animals, plants, rocks and mountains through which they communicate with magic and rituals. Based on such pantheistic superstitions, just about any place can serve as a location for spirits to gather -- and for staking a claim to sacred lands.

Tribal Life in the Modern World

Yet another bizarre element to the debate is that liberals assume the Native Americans in this area are still somehow frozen in time in an idyllic tribal life in harmony with nature, reminiscent of Rousseaus noble savage. They assume that all follow the old tribal rituals of times past.

However, the Indians themselves are divided over the issue of the power line and the mountain. To many, stopping the projects does not make sense.

Many tribal members have been Christians for generations. They do not believe in and have renounced the pagan gods of their ancestors. Many reservations have adopted Christian morals to the point that such tribal lands are the only parts of American territory that still ban same-sex marriage, much to the chagrin of liberals.

For the most part, tribal members have adopted modern ways. They are engaged in agriculture and business. Many see the new projects as a way of improving lives on their reservations, providing plenty of good jobs for the area. They resent the vocal minority of tribal activists who, by their protests, keep food off their tables. The notion that the whole tribe is united over this issue is absurd.

All that does not matter in the postmodern world, where reality is whatever one wants it to be. It is a surreal world where the least claim takes on enormous proportions. This is a battle of narratives that must be soundly rejected.
Good Friday this year is an important opportunity to reflect not just on what Jesus Christ accomplished at Calvary, but the many sacrifices that enabled Americans to enjoy the benefits of U.S. citizenship and the exceptionalism that non-canceled history and the founding documents of the nation display clearly.

For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of humanitys savior. Good Friday commemorates the central event in the history of Christianity and Western civilization: the fulfillment of Gods redemptive plan for humanity, when that baby savior grew to manhood and was publicly misjudged, tortured, and crucified, and then rose again. This horrific tragedy had a silver, awe-inspiring Good News lining: Christ conquered not just physical death, but also human sin.

The New Woke Religion

Christ-hating atheists who place their faith in laughable real science embrace a fantastical alternative faith in unseen and never scientifically proven Big Bangs and spontaneous incarnation of life from not an omnipotent Designer, but a lifeless mud puddle. C.S. Lewis observed that believing in the Bible may be crazy, but it is much crazier to embrace this alternative faith  and it most certainly is not based in scientific fact. It is theoretical, like Critical Race Theory, Gender Theory, Queer Theory, and Climate Warming Theory. These poor souls believe in things unseen  just not in the human soul.

This New Age deluded religion has usurped all others, in direct derogation of the First Amendment. Social/climate justice unjustly prohibits alternative views as misinformation because it cannot survive the light of truth and critical analysis. This intolerant, demonic cult parades as loving while crushing all individual liberties that dare cross its path.

This directly offends the First Amendment, as well as most state constitutions safeguarding religious liberty. It is now the Established Church of the Christ-Hating Age, swapping equality for racist equity, free speech for compelled pronouns and stifling of dissent, equal protections for regressive equity, and love of country with hate for everything.

The cross of Christ, celebrated joyfully this day, is the path to rescue the Bill Gateses and Klaus Schwabs of the world  and the nation  from their cognitive dissonance. They hiss at Christian nationalism because it is such an obvious fact, and because it dares to claim that men are men and women are women  assigned chromosomally by God (ACBG) at birth. It claims that abortion of viable human babies, to be left screaming on a gleaming, sterilized table, is a barbaric abomination (an inconvenient truth clearly acknowledged even by the vaunted unholy scrolls of Roe v. Wade). It questions the morality of same-sex unions. It is anathema to the Establishment of Woke Theocracy.

Real Christian Nationalism

Today, Americans are told the greatest threat to their nation is Christian nationalism. Yet these lies can never for a moment tarnish the truth of what transpired at the center of history: God became man, to die for man. This radical atonement is taken for granted by those who slander Christ yet enjoy the exceptional benefits of equality and human liberty that were achieved through His death...on Good Friday.

This nation is covenantal, a unique pact between God and the young American nation: the fact of Christian nationalism. It infused the faith of Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King, Jr. It championed the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

This Declaration is itself a direct consequence of Good Friday, that radical intersectionality of Christ the man-god on a rugged cross  justice tempered by grace.

The Threat of Anti-Christ

Writer and philosopher Oz Guinness describes the fundamental tenets embraced by Americas founders as a triangle, or three-legged stool, constructed upon freedom, faith, and virtue. Without freedom of faith, there can be no virtue, without which there can be no freedom, and so on.

All three of these foundational legs are being kicked at, viciously, by those who must be forgiven, for they know not what they do. (Thats Jesuss appeal to the Father on behalf of those who had crucified Him  Luke 23:34). Should they succeed in their anti-Christian crusade, Americas anarchists and history-cancelers will devour themselves and the nation in the demonic bargain.

GK Chesterton was amazed when he visited U.S. shores, proclaiming in What I Saw in America:

The Declaration of Independence dogmatically bases all rights on the fact that God created all men equal; and it is right; for if they were not created equal, they were certainly evolved unequal. There is no basis for democracy except in a dogma about the divine origin of man. That is a perfectly simple fact which the modern world will find out more and more to be a fact. Every other basis is a sort of sentimental confusion, full of merely verbal echoes of the older creeds. Those verbal associations are always vain for the vital purpose of constraining the tyrant.

Chesterton predicted that if America ever abandoned this creed, it would dissolve the covenantal cement that had bound it together. As Christians celebrate this Good Friday of gratitude and humility before their Creator, they do well to reflect not only upon their own sin, paid for by Christ at the cross, but the collective sin of their increasingly unstable and violent nation. Chesterton warned boldly in 1922:

It would be the worst sort of insincerity ... to conclude even so hazy an outline of so great and majestic a matter as the American democratic experiment, without testifying my belief that to this also the same ultimate test will come. So far as that democracy becomes or remains Catholic and Christian, that democracy will remain democratic. In so far as it does not, it will become wildly and wickedly undemocratic. Its rich will riot with a brutal indifference far beyond the feeble feudalism which retains some shadow of responsibility or at least of patronage. Its wage-slaves will either sink into heathen slavery, or seek relief in theories that are destructive not merely in method but in aim; since they are but the negations of the human appetite of property and personality.

Let Us Pray

Let us pray that Chestertons prophecy may be avoided, that the pre-eminence and truth of Christian nationalism will prevail, and that America will spare itself from the consequences of rejecting so noble and great a heritage in favor of lies, hatred, and endless retribution. Social justice is not biblical justice. It contains no mercy.

Attorney-farmer John Klar hosts the Small Farm Republic Substack and podcast from his Vermont farm. His recent book is Small Farm Republic: Why Conservatives Must Embrace Local Agriculture, Reject Climate Alarmism, and Lead an Environmental Revival.

Image via Pexels.
Hamas patron Qatar has given more than $5.6 billion to 61 American schools since 2007, including Ivy Leaguers such as Harvard University, Yale University, Cornell University, and Stanford University, according to a Feb. 9, 2024 report.

Qatar is not the only nation to be supportive of learning in the West while simultaneously having deep ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations  not to mention exhibiting a very anti-liberal stance and unenlightened mind at home.

According to another report from 2023,

China, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Turkey have poured millions of dollars into the University of Delaware since the school launched the Biden Institute, President Joe Bidens domestic policy think tank led by his sister. ... Since the Biden Institute was established in 2017, the University of Delaware has received $6,704,250 in funding from China, $23,610,996 from Saudi Arabia, $2,513,646 from Oman and $1,673,847 from Turkey, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Every one of these generous donors is either explicitly or implicitly hostile to Western civilization and everything it stands for, prompting a simple question:

Why are nations that are notoriously hostile to freedom, diversity, womens rights  basically all Western values  donating many billions of dollars to fund, of all things, liberal American universities? The answer seems clear enough: elite universities produce American leaders, and foreign money  donations  buys power and influence over those very same future leaders, not least by ensuring that what they learn  or are indoctrinated into believing  is beneficial to them, the donors, while also detrimental to the U.S.

All of this was made abundantly clear by a blockbuster report published by the Department of Education under the Trump administration in 2020. It thoroughly documented the purchased influence foreign nations have on Americas most prestigious universities and, as a result, on what Americas current and upcoming generations of analysts and policymakers will think and believe.

As seen, among those gifts has been a whopping $5.6 billion from the Muslim Brotherhoods number-one state backer, Qatar, which also runs the Arabic propaganda network Al Jazeera. Another $1.1 billion came from the chief disseminator of radical Islamic ideology, Saudi Arabia, and nearly $1.5 billion came from China.

As the 2020 Dept. of Ed. report explained,

at least some of these foreign sources are hostile to the United States and are targeting their investments (i.e., gifts and contracts) to project soft power, steal sensitive and proprietary research, and spread propaganda.

As one example of how these hostile donations work, in March 2019, an event described as a Three-Day Anti-Israel Hate-Fest was sponsored by the University of North Carolinas Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies and the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies  both recipients of big bucks from Islamic nations that hate Israel.

Following this event, the Dept. of Ed. warned the Consortium, in a letter dated August 29, 2019, to stop misusing federal grants by advancing ideological priorities. According to the letter:

The Duke-UNC CMES appears to lack balance as it offers very few, if any, programs focused on the historic discrimination faced by, and current circumstances of, religious minorities in the Middle East, including Christians, Jews, Bahais, Yadizis, Kurds, Druze, and others. Also, in your activities for elementary and secondary students and teachers, there is a considerable emphasis placed on the understanding the positive aspects of Islam, while there is an absolute absence of any similar focus on the positive aspects of Christianity, Judaism, or any other religion or belief system in the Middle East. This lack of balance of perspectives is troubling.

Similarly, a 2018 report found that elite U.S. universities took more than half a billion dollars from Saudi Arabia in gifts and donations between 2011 and 2017. As far back as 2005, Georgetown and Harvard each received $20 million to support Islamic studies on their respective campuses.

Here again, the question arises: why would a nation such as Saudi Arabia  which treats women like chattel, insists that all Muslims are obligated to hate all non-Muslims, and arrests and tortures Christians for plotting to celebrate Christmas  become a leading financial supporter of Americas liberal arts?

The answer should be clear: to influence what students are taught about the Middle East and Islam.

The Dept. of Ed.s 2020 expose (section E.5) on Georgetown Universitys Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding exemplifies how foreign money can advance a particular countrys worldview within U.S. academic institutions. As such, it is worth quoting at length:

[T]he Center could advance Islamic ideology in a fashion that belittles opposition, threatens academic integrity, and improperly influences future civil servants. The Center also received criticism for deceptively labeling itself as pluralistic; according to critics, the Christian studies portion of the Center was a misnomer as there was no Christian representation. ... This donation empowered the Saudi Arabian government to advance a particular narrative about Islamic society to the West via a legitimate Western institution like Georgetown University. ... The Saudi Arabian government had successfully impacted American foreign policy thinking through money alone. The Saudi Arabian government invested significantly into the dissemination of its favored ideological views at Georgetown University and several other U.S. academic institutions.

The report further adds that, while raking in and failing to report on these billions in foreign gifts, these same universities depend on direct and indirect subsidies from U.S. taxpayers, including through Federal student loans that have encumbered Americans with staggering debt loads, to operate. Even so, the evidence suggests institutional decision-making is generally divorced from any sense of obligation to our taxpayers or concern for our American national interests, security, or values.

In all spheres of life, education is an indicator of the potential for success. Its opposite, ignorance  or worse, indoctrination in falsehoods  is an indicator of potential failure. As such, clearly, one of the reasons U.S. foreign policy, from China to the Middle East, has been a disaster is because policymakers and the advisers and analysts on whom they depend upon are products of academic indoctrination financed by those who are hostile to the United States.

Image via Max Pixel.
Is there anything Joe Biden can't do?

Get a load of what he funded in his latest bloated budget spending bill passed last week, according to Breitbart News, which opened the hood of that jalopy:

Slipped into a $1.2 trillion budget signed by Biden last weekend is about $380 million for enhanced border security projects in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, and Tunisia  about $150 million of which must go to border security in Jordan. Meanwhile, the budget puts strict limitations on the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) ability to construct physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter illegal immigration. The Biden administration wants nothing more than the ability to manage an invasion here at home, all while helping nations abroad build walls, RJ Hauman with the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) told Breitbart News. Make it make sense.

Why, exactly are we paying for some place like Tunisia's enhanced border security, which is a cost they can bear themselves, while failing to build a border wall amid millions of foreign invaders rolling into the U.S. from some of those very same countries?

The irony is incredible here. Biden knows that border security works, which is why he's taking cash from the U.S. taxpayer and handing it over to foreign countries to ensure that their borders stay secure from terrorists and other foreign invaders.

Meanwhile, he spends tremendous time, money and energy to ensure that our border wall is open as can be. He's fighting Texas through the courts all the way up to the Supreme Court to ensure that they can't defend their border from crime and terrorism from "newcomers" from more than 100 countries still rolling on in without papers.

The latest news is that he has a master plan for amnesty and free green cards for those who slipped through the border earlier, and plans to issue an executive order, making illegal immigration nothing more than stop on the express subway to U.S. citizenship and Democrat votes.

According to the Daily Caller:

President Joe Biden is currently considering granting amnesty to illegal migrants in a bid to act on the worsening immigration crisis, according to Politico. Biden and his administration are weighing several ideas to take a tougher stance on the southern border crisis and illegal immigration amid criticisms he has thus far failed to act on either. The administration could start dolling out green cards to illegal immigrants who have long stayed inside the United States, thereby giving them amnesty to stay in the country, three people familiar with the planning told Politico.

It's insane, given how unpopular the idea is, and it comes on the heels of this fund-everyone-else's border security buried within the budget, except for ours. Didn't we just get through a failed border bill that came about because of the public's demand for border security before handing Ukraine $60 billion for its border security? Joe doesn't care. He's not doing things to be popular anymore, he's doing things to reward big-money campaign donors and special interest groups with an interest in open borders.

It may go to show that he knows he's losing, so he's blowing up the border as much as he can on the way out. It's hard to see what the logic of his terrible moves and their terrible optics really are.

Image: Screen shot from ABC News video, via YouTube
Canadas Royal Canadian Mounted Police are warning that Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus policies have been so disastrous that its citizens may soon engage in a violent, populist revolt. When you pair this news with a recent video of Chrystia Freeland, Canadas powerful Minister of Everything twitching and smirking at a political event, its enough to suggest that we really need to start worrying about our northern neighbor.

According to the Daily Mail:

Police have warned Canada's leaders they will struggle to contain the fury at its deteriorating economy and a generational revolt by young people unable to ever buy a home. The secret report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police paints an apocalyptical picture of the future for America's northern neighbor, predicting it will be riven by economic crisis, ecological meltdown and territorial disintegration. The report has caused a sensation in the Great White North after a heavily redacted version was released following a long-running access to information request by a Canadian academic.

The report is a bit of futurism, but it is predicated upon the schisms revealed by the truckers revolt and the disastrous decline in living standards for young Canadians thanks to the countrys failing economy. Do not expect the Canadian government to pull back from its policies to help repair the societal breakdown or improve the economy. Instead, the same mindset that created the damage is the mindset that will double down on increased government control to fix the problem.

Image: Chrystia Freeland. YouTube screen grab.

One of the most powerful people behind Canadas retreat from liberty is Chrystia Freeland. Her bio is interesting. Canadian-born, Freeland is the product of a Canadian father and a Ukrainian mother. Beginning while at Harvard, she has focused obsessively on Soviet-era and Russian depredations against Ukraine.

After working as a journalist and author, Freeland entered politics in 2013. She was deeply involved in events in Ukraine in 2014 when Western countries (guided by Obama) essentially installed an anti-Russian government in Kiev.

Freelands personal Ukrainian past is a bitum, mucky. Her mothers father was a Nazi collaborator during World War II. When his work with the Nazis was exposed, Freeland insisted that the claims against him were Nazi propaganda. However, Canadas The Globe and Mail revealed that Freeland had long known about her grandfathers ties to the Nazis.

As Canadas foreign minister, Freeland did take principled stands for liberty overseas. She opposed Chinas ethnic cleansing of and human rights violations against the Uyghurs, condemned Venezuelas Maduro for his undemocratic seizure of power and subsequent conduct, supported the Hong Kong protests, and opposed Turkeys invasion into Kurdish areas of Syria.

However, even while she was agitating for freedom overseas, once Freeland became Deputy Prime Minister, then Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and then Minister of Finance, she was a powerful ally to Trudeau in pushing to limit Canadians liberty. She went all-in on climate change (and he who controls CO2 emissions controls everything), seized Canadians arms, and bowed down before DEI. As Minister of Finance, she worked with banks to freeze the assets of those people who participated in the truckers revolt against Canadas exceptionally draconian COVID rules.

It seems very strange that someone who hates the Soviet Union because of its repression against Ukraine would be such a committed, totalitarian leftist in her own country. Or maybe, on second thought, its not so strange.

America is really the only country in the world that truly has (or had) the concept of individual liberty. Thus, America understands liberty to mean a small government with individuals having maximum freedom. All other countries measure liberty by whether its their party or tribe in control of the government. If their allies are in power, theyre free. That attitude may be why Freeland isnt troubled by totalitarianism but is, instead, troubled only when it's the Soviets (and, now, the Russians) imposing their totalitarianism against Ukrainians.

Speaking of strange, that brings us to a very strange video of Freeland at a recent press conference. While the speaker is doing the lefts usual, vomitous land acknowledgment, abasing itself before people who happily stole land from each other for centuries, Freeland is bizarrely twitching and smirking. Her behavior can only be described as abnormal:

The comments on the video suggest Freeland is taking drugs, and that seems as good an explanation as any. Or maybe she's just high on smugness.

America has always worried about her neighbors to the South. For over a century, these were and are unstable nations that might have invaded America or might have served as springboards for Spanish, German, or Soviet invasions. By contrast, since the War of 1812, Americans have assumed that Canada is the safe neighbor. However, whether one is looking at a possible revolution in Canada or at its itchy, twitchy Minister of Everything, that assumption may no longer be a good one.
I well remember when a youngish (26-ish) friend of mine told me, ecstatically, I was just on a conference call with Barack Obama. (This was during Obamas first race for president.) Upon query, she said there were thousands on the call. I thought this ridiculousa conference call for thousands? (I didnt realize then that Obama would do all of the talking.) It was a little sad: those poor kids really thought Obama (youngish too, even for a first race) gave one tiny damn about themall thousands.

Well times change and plus ca change, as well.

Blue Collar Joe appeared in New York last night at a first of its kind Democrat fundraiser; here are the details, via NBC:

In an interview, Biden Victory Fund national finance chair Chris Korge laid out specifics of the March 28 soiree at Radio City Music Hall in New York featuring President Joe Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Korge said Conde Nast Editorial Director Anna Wintour is among those who have handled some of the behind-the-scenes planning. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Biden campaign fundraisers Michael Pratt and Colleen Coffey and Biden campaign finance chair Rufus Gifford have all been instrumental, he said.

The trio raked in $25 million, but couldnt catch a break: pro-Palestinian rioters descended upon the environs of the ritzy, to-be-envied eventfor a good old shout-out to terrorism.

We can bet the coverage hurt our elderly pols of the liberal persuasion.

Meanwhile, President Trump was in town as well, on a far different errand. He was attending the sad ceremonies for a slain NYC policeman, a young family man. The media couldnt completely ignore the difference between Trumps appearance and that of the three stooges:

Trumps team took issue with the Democrats remarks and noted that Biden has faced splintering on the left with voters who backed uncommitted on the ballot in Michigan. The uncommitted represented a protest vote for Bidens handling of the Israel-Gaza war. Its no surprise the three Democrat stooges who have brought untold destruction to America are united by that misery, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said. President Trump and Republicans are firmly united in the fight to beat Crooked Joe Biden.

Have our esteemed Democrat presidential figureheads lost the plot? Not reallythe plot itself has lost them. They need to, in future, beware the fury of many wronged radicals.

Bidens intolerable, fumbling reversal of his so-called commitment to the war against Hamas, was seemingly meant to court the Democrat left. (Some say though, this is just how Biden does thingsone step forward, three more backward.) Yet, this strategy has not worked for him. Is he electable this year (if he ever was)?

And it gets more interesting. This past week, the inimitable RFK, Jr. (truly revealing the radical stripes of his father) announced his VP candidate for the 2024 racean uber-rich, very left female from, yes, California. Oh, dear. Off this news bat, the DNC held an emergency meetingnow for starters, thats not a good look for the DNC but the media grabbed onto it anyway.

So, whither now, for the likes of the three stooges? Focus groups, perhaps? Or maybe Biden can take another leaf (one of gazillions) from Obamas wearisome instructions, and hold a conference call repeat with the youth? Maybe Mr. Biden can call upon his million(s) of 2020 voters to put him on their speaker phones?

But wait, maybe not nobody on staff would have a clue what Biden might start hollering into the mic. And who would show for the call? I mean, would it be like the Biden rallies?

Donald Trump and Joe Biden Both held rallies in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania this week.



Here is what they looked like back to back.



Incredible. pic.twitter.com/Xe7cWQzrQO  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 4, 2022

Image: Public domain.
Massachusetts Democrats passed a ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products in 2019. California followed suit in 2022, though despite the law, these products remain available online throughout the Golden State.

Now, as the Biden Administration weighs the electoral drawbacks of a nationwide ban on menthol cigarettes, the Vermont legislature and several other states are considering following California and Massachusetts lead. During the 2023 legislative sessions, Vermont, Oregon, Maryland, Hawaii, New Mexico, New York, and Indiana introduced bills to ban flavored tobacco product sales. New Jersey likewise proposed bans on menthol cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) products.

Though lawmakers intentions in passing these bans may be noble, prohibition is a backward policy and will not mitigate health concerns.

States considering bans certainly have worthy goals. Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of avoidable death in the United States, and it has a devastating impact on families and businesses. It costs the United States more than $184 billion in lost productivity and over $241 billion in medical expenses. Alarmingly, almost 13% of all high school students are current tobacco users. But a ban wont work to curb this youth epidemic.

In Massachusetts, the persistence of tobacco smuggling despite a ban on its sale highlights the inefficiency of prohibition measures in curbing consumption. Despite stringent regulations, smuggling rates have surged, while tobacco usage has remained relatively stable. Rather than deterring usage, such bans often inadvertently foster underground markets, exacerbating associated harms and undermining regulatory goals. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue records a 22.6 percent decline in tobacco tax collection since implementing its flavor ban, partly attributed to the suspected smuggling. These burdens reflect the continued usage of banned products at the expense of the states revenue share.

Likewise in California, the law had negligible effects. The states ban significantly increased the number of unregulated products, with most e-vapor packs still flavored and only 45% of tobacco products containing a California state tax stamp. Citizens Against Government Waste, a non-profit organization battling government mismanagement, found that the flavor ban had no effect on Californians access or demand for flavored e-vapor products. Despite states utter failure to enforce already burdensome laws, expanding government and bureaucracy to limit consumer choices has become fashionable in these jurisdictions.

The current trend of banning flavored tobacco products is a misguided approach to addressing underage smoking. Prohibiting flavored tobacco products only restrains the legal ability of responsible adults who use flavored tobacco to quit smoking cigarettes or otherwise more addictive products. We must pursue strategies that empower individuals and communities to make healthier lifestyle decisions. Instead of doubling down on ineffective bans, policymakers must focus on feasible initiatives to reduce tobacco use among minors.

Rather than blanket bans, policymakers should consider targeted regulations that balance public health objectives and individual freedoms. Plausible alternatives include investing in comprehensive education and prevention programs in schools, increasing funding for smoking cessation programs, and implementing stricter penalties for retailers who sell tobacco products to minors.

Oregon, Maine, Connecticut, Maryland, and Oklahoma have already rightfully increased their funding for tobacco prevention programs, while most prohibition-friendly states havent. By addressing the root causes of underage smoking and empowering individuals with the resources they need to quit, we can achieve meaningful progress in reducing tobacco use across all demographics.

Utahs remarkably low youth tobacco rate is a testament to the states multifaceted approach toward tobacco. A combination of robust public anti-vaping campaigns and community engagement has fostered a culture that actively discourages tobacco use. Moreover, Utahs unique cultural factors -- including a strong emphasis on healthy lifestyles -- contribute to the success of its tobacco prevention efforts. By prioritizing education and advocacy, Utah has created an environment where youth can make informed choices about their health and well-being. Policymakers must act and replicate this model elsewhere.

Voting against proposed bans alone will not extinguish the corresponding health concerns. It is now time for conservatives, key advocates of personal responsibility and public health, to combat the plague of tobacco addiction and usage. Proposing alternative, individualist solutions to lessen tobacco harm would be a great place to start.

Brett Patrick is a Young Voices contributor studying political science at Binghamton University. He is a member of the university's research and honors programs. His political commentary has appeared in the Washington Examiner and The DC Journal.

Image: Ecig Click
CHANGSHA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- An independently developed tunnel-boring machine rolled off the production line on Thursday in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province, marking the sixth such machine produced by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (CRCHI) for export to Italy.

Measuring 9.28 meters in diameter, the machine will be used in the construction of a high-speed railway tunnel linking Sicily's regional capital Palermo, and Catania, another city in Sicily island.

The machine adopted several new technologies to better operate under the local geological and hydrological conditions, which would improve the working environment for workers and make it more energy efficient, according to CRCHI.

CRCHI is one of China's major heavy machinery producers dedicated to the research, design and manufacturing of underground engineering and rail transit equipment. The company's products have been exported to over 30 countries and regions, including Italy, Turkiye and the Republic of Korea. 
In the arts these days, they insist that context is everything.

So what is one to make of this vile picture, of Hamas terrorists from the October 7 massacre proudly posing with their 'kill' on the bed of a pickup truck, the mangled, mutilated, body of a 22-year old woman, proudly preening and posing for their trusted photographer from the Associated Press?

Shame on @RJI for awarding @AP 'Picture of the Year' award, of this image, which their Hamas-embedded photographer took of Shani Louk, as she was murdered, violated and thrown on back of pick-up truck!



You must be so proud? pic.twitter.com/A9IuDx912g  Arsen Ostrovsky  (@Ostrov_A) March 28, 2024

I thought lefties didn't like photographs of big-game hunters posing with their gratuitous kills. Seems there's an exception now, if the 'trophy' is a woman and a Jew.

According to the New York Post:

A sickening image of Hamas terrorists parading a slain womans nearly naked body through the streets of Gaza has been awarded a prestigious photo-of-the-year prize  sparking fierce outrage from those who slammed the win as an outrageous desecration of Jewish life. The grim photo featuring Shani Louks body was among a collection of 20 images that helped the Associated Press secure first place in one of the Pictures of the Year International award categories earlier this month. The awards, which are run by the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, are self-described as the worlds oldest photojournalism competition.

So much for 'say her name' as the lefties like to say. Neither AP nor the University of Missouri did that to the helpless murder and probable rape victim.

It's not just that the picture is vile and ensured that a lot of us turned in favor of Israel completely destroying Hamas.

It's that the photographer could get that close to the scene of the violence.

Can any old photographer come visit Hamas in Gaza and take pictures like that?

I don't think so.

Only the most trusted and vetted ones can do that.

Hamas is basically are cartel-like criminal gang that commits heinous crimes, and as a result, trusts no one. I've been around people like this, in Indonesia years ago, and they are scary in their distrust of free-press reporters. Russian and Chechen gangsters, too; there's a kind of electricity around them in everything they say and do that threatens one to 'stay away.'

How it was that Hamas could come to trust this AP photographer who took the photo unless he was basically one of them? How was it that he could 'embed' with this group before the went on their murder spree on October 7 to photograph the carnage? He would have had to have had foreknowledge of it before it happened. That leaves a lot of open questions as to what his motives were and who his friends were. Was he there to create the terrorist pornoviolence, to use the term Tom Wolfe used for playing over and over scenes of gratuitous violence for its own sake? We know that Osama bin Laden got his rocks off watching pornoviolence of his own atrocities, as do many dictators. If he knew about this, he'd probably be upset he didn't think it up himself.

Had Osama bin Laden invited along an Associated Press photographer to photograph up his atrocities, too, would his pals have gotten prestigious journalism awards, too?

We know that Mexican cartels will often carry along trusted photographers for their acts -- there used to be websites that I knew about where I'd see videos of graphic violence I never knew could exist - of terrified victims in blindfolds with guns shoved at their temples, of a pickup truck running its tire back and forth over a guy's head as the brains gushed out. Since those are historic pictures, too, should those photographers, too, get prestigious journalism awards?

And hasn't the press been most critical of reporters with unorthodox methods, such as James O'Keefe, with his undercover reporting, which is truthful and significant? Like the up-close AP photograph, such things are obtained by unorthodox methods, but they're certainly something the press won't give him recognition as a journalist for. Double standards, anyone? And another for the unorthodox pile, Julian Assange, whose claim to journalism is the wholesale publication of stolen secrets? Sure, it's historical. But it's not exactly journalism, any more than having a participant in the Hamas attacks get called a journalist and get awards for his 'output.'

To obtain such a photo, one must be vetted and trusted by some of the world's worst terrorists:

It is a hugely historically significant photograph, but the photographer was a participant in a terrorist attack.



He was embedded with a unit of jihadists who were slaughtering civilians.



He should win no awards.https://t.co/OS3Aas73L2 pic.twitter.com/hO1oho523B  John Aziz (@aziz0nomics) March 28, 2024

And Israel has charged that members of the press were actual Hamas members. AP has been accused of sharing office space with Hamas in 2021, too.

AT managing editor Andrea Widburg pointed out the problem with the entire context of this photo:

It's the difference between awarding a prize to someone who smuggled an important photo out of Auschwitz and to one of the guards in Auschwitz who proudly photographed a day at work.

It can't be better said than that. Let's reserve journalism rewards for real journalism.

Image: Twitter screen shot / fair use
At the Harold Washington Library in Chicago is a new art installation called Above and Beyond featuring over 58,000 replica dog tags  one for each American soldier killed in the Vietnam War. The dog tags, each hung one inch apart, are suspended from the ceiling from a 410-square-foot rectangle. Each dog tag lists the soldiers name, military branch and date of death. Nearby is a touch panel display that allows visitors to look up a veteran's name and find generally where the soldier's dog tag is hanging. It is the only memorial other than The Wall in Washington, D.C., that lists every individual killed in Vietnam.

Photo credit: CNN

Above and Beyond was created by artists Ned Broderick, Rick Steinbock, Joe Fornelli, and Mike Helbing, back in 2001 and originally hung at the National Veterans Art Museum, in Chicago. When the art museum moved to Portage Park in 2012, the installation stayed behind in the South Loop building until renovation at the building forced the installation to come down in May 2013. For the next four years the dog tags remain boxed because the museum couldnt find an appropriate location where the display could go up again.

The search for a spot for "Above and Beyond" was complicated by the size and weight of the piece, not to mention it is viewed best in natural light so the sun can play off the tags, wrote Annie Sweeney on Chicago Tribune. Viewing it from all sides also enhances the experience.

Locations that were considered included the city airports, Navy Pier and the South Shore Cultural Center. Finally the Harold Washington Library was chosen. The art piece now hangs from the ceiling above the main escalator. There is a wall of windows and viewing space from all sides on the third floor.

"Above and Beyond" will stay at the Library Center until 2020.

Photo credit: news.artnet.com

Photo credit: news.medill.northwestern.edu

Photo credit: Pinterest

Photo credit: www.polkcounty.org

Photo credit: news.artnet.com

Photo credit: www.legion.org
Google and Meta restricted ads, information, and promotional awareness campaigns on reproductive health claims a report. Compiled by MSI Reproductive Choices and the Center for Countering Digital Hate, the report adds these companies are responsible for the limited access to local abortion providers ads.

Two of the biggest online companies have allowed misinformation campaigns on access to female healthcare. The report accuses Meta and Google of stifling information about pregnancies, birth control, and abortion rights. This allowed propaganda material to spread in developing countries, alleges the report.

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Did Google and Meta restrict access to reproductive health awareness campaigns?

A new report claims Google and Meta werent allowing the flow of information about female reproductive health. It is compiled by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) and MSI Reproductive Choices.

The report allegedly documents Meta and Googles track record of arbitrarily restricting ads. It claims these tech giants hindered consistent efforts by multiple agencies to offer and promote information about abortion and reproductive rights.

Essentially, the ad-serving mechanisms of Google and Meta are under scrutiny. Incidentally, access to information about abortion rights, birth control, and reproductive health in general, is quite easy in developed countries.

The report accuses Google and Meta of malpractice, and allowing misinformation campaigns, in developing countries. Specifically speaking, the report claims women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America do not have adequate access to such direly needed information because of these companies.

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 This is an utterly shocking report. Meta & Google are taking $$$ for disinformation about sexual and reproductive health in the Global South While suppressing good health information. Disgusting from companies that claim to support human rights. https://t.co/b8vyPAskJM  Imran Ahmed (@Imi_Ahmed) March 27, 2024

How did Google and Meta allow misinformation to spread?

According to the report, researchers gathered evidence through correspondence and interviews with MSIs teams in select locations. Additional information flowed in from an analysis of Metas Ad Library.

Metas ad-serving mechanisms displayed and profited from false or misleading anti-abortion ads in Ghana and Mexico, claims the report. Analysts discovered that between 2019 and 2024, ads with incorrect and false information had amassed over a million impressions.

One of the ad campaigns that was shown to the local population claimed that global powers and international companies paid for decriminalizing abortion movements to eliminate the Mexican population.

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Anti-social elements also used Meta-owned WhatsApp to push propaganda. Conspiracies such as family planning being a method to depopulate Africa, were circulated. MSI workers were branded as Satans workers who were introducing satanic sexual education in schools to destroy the youth.

Easy access to reproductive health has been a challenge, especially in third-world countries and developing nations. MSI has claimed Meta has banned the organizations ads in Nepal and Vietnam, with no clear justification. Meanwhile, MSIs team in Ghana claimed Google blocked their ads with the phrase pregnancy options.

As expected Meta and Google have strongly denied these allegations. Meta spokesperson, Ryan Daniels, has reportedly stated the company, allows posts and ads promoting healthcare services, as well as discussion and debate around them.

Google has reportedly assured the company does not prohibit or limit ads targeting the term pregnancy options. The companys spokesperson added, the report does not include a single example of policy-violating content on Googles platform, nor any examples of inconsistent enforcement.
Aside from showing Chrome users a popup to switch to Microsoft Edge, it turns out that the company is also striving to fix known bugs and security flaws of the browser, and the system associated with it. The tech giant has just fixed a prior glitchy update to its Edge browser, which was causing numerous problems for users. However, it turns out that theres more and this particular one could be severe.

A recently patched bug in Microsoft Edge allowed potential attackers to install extensions on the users system. And it could happen without any interaction from the user. Notably, it could be exploited for financial gain or other purposes.

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Tracked as CVE-2024-21388, this vulnerability was at first revealed by Guardio Labs security researcher Oleg Zaytsev, who highlighted its potential for malicious exploitation.

Attackers could have used the Microsoft Edge bug to install an extension by exploiting a private API

Researchers addressed the security flaw in Microsoft Edge stable version 121.0.2277.83 released on January 25, 2024. Bad actors could have exploited the flaw to leverage a private API originally intended for marketing purposes. This API could enable attackers to install browser extensions with broad permissions, which could lead to a browser sandbox escape.

The vulnerability, if successfully exploited, could have allowed attackers to gain the privileges needed to install extensions on users systems without their consent. An attacker could make it happen by exploiting a private API in the Chromium-based Edge browser. It reportedly granted privileged access to a list of websites, including Bing and Microsoft.

By running JavaScript on these pages, attackers could install extensions from the Edge Add-ons store. It wont require any interaction from the user. The bug in Microsoft Edge essentially stemmed from insufficient validation. It could allow attackers to provide any extension identifier from the storefront and stealthily install it.

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The potential impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it could have facilitated the installation of additional malicious extensions. In a hypothetical attack scenario, threat actors could not only publish seemingly harmless extensions to the add-on store but also leverage them to inject malicious JavaScript code into legitimate sites. Subsequently, users visiting these sites would unknowingly have the targeted extensions installed on their browsers without their consent.

Thankfully, theres no record of a successful exploitation

Thankfully, theres no evidence of a successful exploitation of this security flaw. Browser customizations aim to uplift the user experience. However, they can inadvertently introduce new attack vectors and this recorded security flaw is a perfect example of that. As Guardio Labs Oleg Zaytsev emphasized, attackers can easily trick users into installing seemingly harmless extensions, which could serve as the initial step in a more complex attack.
Samsung has reportedly pulled out from supplying displays for the upcoming iPhone SE 4, hence making room for BOEs partnership deal with Apple. Even though Samsung Display initially proposed the lowest price for display panels, it struggled to meet Apples price terms, thus dissolving the partnership.

No Samsung Screens: Apples main supplier for iPhone SE 4 displays bows out

Earlier, three companies namely BOE, Samsung Display, and Tianma appeared in a bid to supply display panels for the iPhone SE 4. At $30 per unit, Samsung Display had the lowest price proposal with BOE at $35 followed by Tianma at $40. However, Apple had a budget of $20 per unit for the display panels which was much lower than all the proposed prices.

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Apples budgetary constraints proved insurmountable for Samsung Display leading to its exit from the negotiations as the company could not tolerate price adjustments. So Apple turned to BOE as an alternate supplier and the second largest among those bidding suppliers as far as iPhone SE 4 screen requirements are concerned. Reports indicate that BOE has agreed to provide each panel $25 thereby securing this deal with Apple.

BOEs higher initial price compared to that of Samsung Display makes the shift in supplier dynamics intriguing. In other words, BOE demonstrated flexibility and adaptability by reducing its price below that of Samsung Display in line with Apples demands.

Samsung may have left the field for iPhone SE 4, but iPhone 16 series is still in the running for Samsung displays

Samsung Display may have decided to withdraw from negotiations, but their overall strategy change aims at focusing on more lucrative opportunities like supplying displays for the iPhone 16 series. By refocusing efforts on higher-margin ventures, Samsung Display aims to maximize profitability rather than pursuing deals with slim profit margins.

This time, Samsung Displays absence from the iPhone SE 4 supply contract is a loss on its part, but it also indicates the competitive nature and strict specifications that Apple has. The departure of Samsung Display and subsequent replacement by BOE was intended to maintain the flow of supplies for Apples new iPhone SE 4 due to be released soon.
URUMQI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Construction of a natural gas pipeline project kicked off in Kuqa City in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Friday.

The project, spanning 2,108 km, will be executed in three phases, with the ongoing first phase covering 616 km.

Upon its completion in 2025, the natural gas pipeline network will interconnect nine counties and cities spanning Kashgar, Aksu Prefecture, the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bayingolin, and other prefectures. This will elevate the maximum daily gas supply capacity in southern Xinjiang from the current 27 million cubic meters to 58 million cubic meters, according to Chang Guichuan, an official with PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company.

With the continuous expansion of the gas supply network in Tarim Oilfield, the gas supply capacity has been continuously improved. At present, more than 4,700 km of natural gas pipelines have been built, covering all major cities and towns in the five prefectures of southern Xinjiang.

The annual gas supply capacity of these pipelines has gradually risen to 6 billion cubic meters, and the cumulative gas supply to southern Xinjiang has exceeded 59 billion cubic meters, benefiting more than 8 million people of different ethnic groups.

This entire natural gas pipeline project is expected to encircle the Tarim Basin, and it will provide strong support for the livelihoods of people and the production activities of enterprises in southern Xinjiang. 
Director Taylor Hackford and actors Richard Gere and LeVar Burton are among those who have remembered Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr as one of the best to ever do it following his death aged 87.

The American actors death was confirmed to the AP news agency by his first cousin Neal L Gossett who said he had died in Santa Monica, California. A statement from the family said he had died on Friday morning.

Gossett Jr became the first black man to win a supporting actor Oscar after he secured the gong for his role in An Officer And A Gentleman, where he starred opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger.

Louis Gossett Jr with his Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in An Officer And A Gentleman (AP)

Gere described his former co-star Gossett Jr as a sweetheart and recalled how he took his job very seriously.

The Pretty Woman star added: He did his research. He stayed in character the whole time  I dont think we ever saw him socially.

He was the drill sergeant 24-hours-a-day, and it showed clearly in his performance. He drove every scene he was in.

A tough guy with a heart of gold. We were all so proud of him when he won his Oscar. Condolences to his family.

One of the best to ever do it! Thank you, Lou for everything! pic.twitter.com/p6YjIo3WMx  LeVar Burton (@levarburton) March 29, 2024

US filmmaker Hackford, who directed the 1982 romantic drama, recalled hiring Gossett Jr on the spot as he paid tribute to the late actor.

He explained that his role of Master Sergeant Foley was originally written as a white man, but he changed the casting profile after visiting the Navy Officers Flight Training Centre in Florida and discovered that many of the drill instructors were black men.

Hackford added: Lou Gossett came to see me  I knew and admired his stage work. He told me that hed served in the US army as a ranger, so in addition to being an accomplished actor, he knew military life  I hired him on the spot.

Lou Gossetts Sergeant Foley may have been the first black character in American cinema to have absolute authority over white characters.

The Academy recognised his consummate performance by voting him an Oscar for best supporting actor. He definitely deserved it.

Gossett Jr also won an Emmy for his role in the 1977 US series Roots, which depicted the horrors of slavery, as the musician Fiddler.

His Roots co-star Burton shared a photo of the pair on social media as he hailed him as one of the best to ever do it.

Thank you, Lou  for everything! he added.

Gossett Jrs last role was in the 2023 remake of The Color Purple, which is a reimagining of Alice Walkers 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.

The actor played Ol Mister Johnson, who is father of Albert Mister Johnson, portrayed by Colman Domingo, and father-in-law to the main character Celie Harris, played by Fantasia Barrino.

Domingo posted a photo of him with Gossett Jr on set to Instagram as he praised his late co-star as a true legend.

We lost a true great. A true legend. What an honour to have been able to give him his flowers on his last day of his final film The Color Purple where he played my father, he wrote.

Fantasia sang it best He ran his race for us. We are forever indebted. May we stand firmly on his shoulders. Lift him up today. RIP.

Barrino also described Gossett Jr as an awesome man and said she would never forget the stories he told.

You left behind so many tokens for us and paved the way for black actors and actresses. You will be missed, but man did you live a blessed life, she added.

The new film was produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, who starred and directed the 1985 version, respectively, as well as Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.

Gossett Jr also appeared in TV movies including The Story Of Satchel Paige, Backstairs At The White House, The Josephine Baker Story, for which he won a Golden Globe, and Roots Revisited.

He was also known for the 2019 show of superhero drama Watchmen, where he played Hooded Justice/Will Reeves, and series Sadat, where he played the former president of Egypt, Anwar Sadat.
A woman on the internet is being commended for going the extra mile for a dog in need. Maggie is the founder of Ruby and Laurel Animal Rescue Inc., so she knew exactly what to do when she came across a dog who needed a hand.

Maggie spotted the dog in a ditch on March 25 at around 7:11 pm.

The dog was all skin and bones when she found her. The skin was sagged and the poor pup looked seriously unwell.

"Hey baby! You're all right," Maggie said to the dog as she got closer. Luckily this little girl was a sweetie because it only took a little coaxing to get her to walk over to the dog rescuer.

"As soon as I crouched down I could smell her poor mangey skin," Maggie explained in the caption. The dog was so calm when Maggie pet her. She ultimately brought her home and vowed to get her some help.

"This baby has seen the worst of humans, but still belly crawled out of the ditch and into my arms," Maggie wrote in the caption. "She goes in first thing tomorrow for medical treatment and vaccines."

Maggie also asked for help naming the pup and people in the comments section had suggestions. "PENNY should be her name. She's a lucky girl," wrote one person. "Name her Faith because even after humans had failed her she still had faith and came to you for help!" someone else suggested. "Call her Phoenix. She has risen stronger than ever after her downfall. Such a beauty," someone else praised.

In an update to the post, Maggie gave more details on the dog's condition  and her new name.

The dog actually "chose" her name herself. Maggie placed her favorite options on pieces of paper and allowed the pooch to "pick" her new moniker. And the winner was...Slurpee. Slurpee because she was found at 7:11  get it?

In another update video Maggie shared that Slurpee was a 3-year-old puppy who was thankfully heartworm free.

The dog was clearly in good spirits because she was all over Maggie as she spoke to the camera. Unfortunately Slurpee does have several other medical ailments  all of them treatable, but it will take some time.

The organization is taking donations to support Slurpee's medical treatment at care. You can visit the Ruby and Laurel Animal Rescue Inc. website or their Linktree page for ways to donate. Thankfully for now it seems like she's in good hands.

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German dog lovers are up in arms over a draft law from the German Agricultural Ministry, which might ban breeding dogs with "skeletal anomalies." One breed in particular has Germans concerned  "sausage dogs," aka, Dachshunds.

The German government is currently considering the law, which could possibly put an end to the beloved breed within the country's borders.

According to a new report by CNN, the German Agricultural Ministry is in charge of animal protection and intends the law to help end what they call "torture breeding."

Some of the abnormalities that officials are worried about are very long spines and very long legs. Hence the concern for Dachshunds.

BBC News reports that the German Kennels Association (VDH) has since launched a petition against the draft law. They saw that other breeds like Bulldogs or Pugs could also be impacted by the law if it passes because of their breathing problems.

The ministry itself has tried to assure German citizens that it will not ban the breeding of Dachshunds, nor any other breeds that people hold dear.

"No dog breeds will be banned," a spokesman for the agriculture ministry told BBC. "We want to prevent breeders from deforming dogs so much, that they suffer."

The government agency has said the draft law is focused on breeds that are at risk for having these extreme characteristics. They want to prevent the breeding of dogs with these "abnormalities" that can lead to suffering, poor health, or shorter life expectancy.

"Just because people find something new or aesthetically pleasing, animals shouldn't be tormented," said the ministry's spokesman added.

This isn't the first time that German officials have tried to put an end to "torture breeding." There have been laws banning the practice in effect for the last 30 years. This latest effort, however, would be clearer and less open to interpretation.

There would be a precise scientific criteria about the types of breeding that would define torture breeding. Existing animals would be permitted to be kept with their owners, but would not be allowed to breed or be exhibited in dog shows.

"There will always be sausage dogs," the spokesman added. "We will just never see any with legs one centimeter long."

People in the comments section had strong opinions about the draft law. "There definitely needs to be more legislation and harsher penalties for backyard breeders,

wrote one person. "I love dogs especially pugs but I somehow agree to this. Don't breed dogs who only live with health issues that only hurt them," someone else chimed in. "The Germans are right," a third person agreed.

It'll have to be seen what specific measures the draft law entails and if it'll pass. But here's hoping that the law will make for healthier, happier sausage dogs.

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Kung Fu Panda star Jack Black can be seen telling young viewers he is very excited to read them a tale about a panda finding his talents for CBeebies Bedtime Stories in a first-look clip.

The US actor is kicking off the bank holiday weekend special line-up on Friday evening by paying homage to his panda protagonist film character Po as he reads a story about a panda named Pom Pom by author Sophy Henn.

The picture book, titled Pom Pom Is Super, follows Pom Pom as he discovers what his talents are with the help of his friends.

In a teaser clip from the episode, Black can be seen sat in an armchair while a panda wearing a superhero crown is perched beside him.

He says: Hello, my name is Jack and Im very excited because Ive been asked to read you guys a bedtime story  alright.

Its about a panda who was very excited too because his friends are coming round, and what could be better than that?

The actor continues: Its going to be so much fun. Its called Pom Pom Is Super and its by Sophy Henn.

Are you ready to read? Then lets read.

Black voices the title character in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, which saw the latest fourth instalment released this year.

The new action-comedy, Kung Fu Panda 4, also stars Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Ke Huy Quan, as well as screen veteran James Hong, Breaking Bads Bryan Cranston, and Golden Globe winner Awkwafina.

Downton Abbey actress Joanne Froggatt who will read Like A Girl from author Lori Degman on CBeebies Bedtime Stories (BBC/PA)

Downton Abbey actress Joanne Froggatt will next read Like A Girl from author Lori Degman, illustrated by Mara Penny, on Saturday.

The story follows 24 women who took risks, broke barriers and transformed the world  from civil rights activist Rosa Parks to astronaut Sally Ride.

British actress Froggatt said: Storytelling has always been my passion and I couldnt be more excited to be reading for CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

The story is so beautiful and empowering and would be a lovely way to spend a little of the Easter weekend. I hope you enjoy it.

Meanwhile CBeebies star Justin Fletcher will read a rendition of Bunnies In A Boat by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Ben Mantle on Sunday.

Tom Hardy who will read I Am A Tiger from Karl Newson on CBeebies Bedtime Stories (BBC/PA)

British actor Tom Hardy will return to CBeebies Bedtime Stories to complete the weekend line-up on Monday, reading I Am A Tiger from Karl Newson and illustrated by Ross Collins.

It is a tale for April Fools Day, telling the story of a mouse with a big attitude, who tries to convince his friends he is a tiger.

Over the years, the programme has seen a number of famous faces read bedtime stories, including Harry Styles, Sir Elton John, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Winslet and the Princess of Wales  all of which are available on a newly launched CBeebies Bedtime Stories library on BBC iPlayer.

CBeebies Bedtime Stories is on each weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
The village of Aboyne, Aberdeenshire. Photograph: Iain Masterton/Alamy

Parents have complained their children were being erased from history after a version of their schools class photos excluded children with additional support needs.

A photographer working for Tempest Photography took separate pictures of the P5 class at Aboyne primary school in Aberdeenshire, with the children with additional needs reportedly removed from one set. Parents were then sent a link with both versions to choose from.

It was reported that a set of twins was split up so that the child who uses a wheelchair was excluded from one version.

Natalie Pinnell, whose daughter Erin was among those excluded from a set of photographs, told the Press and Journal: I am absolutely heartbroken. Furious. A lot of the other parents have decided not to purchase their school photos in support. That means a lot.

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.

Pinnell said the school was not aware of the decision to take two sets of photos and investigated immediately once it was alerted by parents.

A second parent, Lisa Boyd, told the newspaper her daughter Lily  who is a wheelchair user  was removed from an alternative photo, leaving the nine-year-olds twin sister devastated.

Parents have received an apology from the local council, which said the decision had not been taken by the school, and that the link to the photos has been removed.

The Cornwall-based photography company, which employs local photographers to take school photos across the UK, said it had launched an investigation. It said: We are currently investigating the situation with the school and have no further comment.

Aberdeenshire council 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.

The council added: Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences.

Scotlands first minister, Humza Yousaf, said that omitting children who have complex needs from some school photographs was shameful.

He told PA Media: It should never have happened at all. I dont want to see another single example of that anywhere in Scotland. Its not acceptable, not right. And Im pleased the council responsible has apologised.
Joe Biden in Raleigh, North Carolina, on 26 March. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

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.

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 late-night talk show 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 has moral clarity on the Israel issue and is 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.
Palestinian families displaced from their homes make preparations for the iftar dinner in temporary tents in Rafah on Thursday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

The international court of justice has ordered Israel to allow unimpeded access of food aid into Gaza, where sections of the population are facing imminent starvation, in a significant legal rebuke to Israels claim it is not blocking aid deliveries.

A panel of judges at the UNs top court, which is already considering a complaint from South Africa that Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory, issued the ruling after an emergency measure in January obliging Israel to admit emergency aid.

The judges, who were unanimous in their decision, said Palestinians in Gaza were facing worsening conditions of life, and famine and starvation were 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.

In its legally binding order, the court told Israel to 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 including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.

The ICJ 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.

Israel denies it is committing genocide and says its military campaign is self-defence.

Related: Man-made starvation: the obstacles to Gaza aid deliveries  visual guide

The judges also called for the immediate release of all hostages being held by Hamas, echoing the demand of a UN security council resolution that was passed on Monday.

While Israel has claimed it is allowing aid into Gaza, senior UN, US and other international officials, as well as NGOs, have accused the country of obstructing life-saving aid to Gazas population of 2.3 million.

Israel says it needs to inspect every shipment to make sure no cargo can be used to the benefit of its Hamas enemies. Even trucks travelling from Egypt, which has a peace treaty with Israel, are inspected by Israeli forces. Aid officials criticise the slow and often arbitrary inspection process, which in practice blocks aid, with trucks waiting weeks for approvals.

Israeli officials did not issue a direct response to the ICJs order.

According to media reports, Benjamin Netanyahus domestic issues are nearing crisis levels. The Israeli prime minister is facing the most serious threat yet to his administration as he struggles to bridge a major split in the shaky national-unity government, caused by Israels supreme court on Saturday ordering an end to government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who are historically exempt from conscription.

In his coalition, the powerful bloc of ultra-Orthodox parties demands that religious men be exempted, while the centrist members of his war cabinet insist all sectors of Israeli society must share the burden of the war in Gaza.

The ruling follows warnings from the UNs top rights official that Israel may be committing a war crime by obstructing aid, and despite Israels urging of the court in The Hague not to issue new measures.

The new measures were requested by South Africa as part of its case that accuses Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza as well as incitement to genocide in statements by top Israeli officials.

Under international law, using starvation as a weapon of war is explicitly prohibited, while occupying forces are also legally obliged to ensure those in areas they control are supplied with the means of life.

The UN said on Wednesday that famine was ever closer to becoming a reality in northern Gaza and that the health system was collapsing owing to the continuing hostilities and access constraints.

Heavy fighting took place around two key hospitals in Gaza on Thursday, while a third was reportedly under Israeli siege.

The most intense fighting once again appeared to be focused on the al-Shifa complex, Gaza Citys main hospital before the war, where the Israeli army said it continued to operate around the site after storming it more than a week ago.

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles had also massed around Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the Gaza health ministry said. Shots were fired but no raid had been launched, it said. The Red Crescent said thousands of people were trapped inside.

Israeli forces were also blockading al-Amal hospital in Khan Younis, and several other areas in the city had come under Israeli fire, local people said.

The Israel Defense Forces claim to have killed about 200 gunmen in the area of al-Shifa hospital since the start of the operation there, while preventing harm to civilians, patients, medical teams and medical equipment.

Early on Thursday, the Israeli army said militants had fired on troops from within and outside the hospitals emergency ward.

The Gaza 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, adding that five patients had died since the Israeli raid because of shortages of food, water and medical care.

Unverified footage on social media showed al-Shifas surgery unit blackened by flames and nearby buildings on fire or destroyed.

The armed wings of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups said in a statement they had bombed, with a barrage of mortar shells, gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the al-Shifa complex in a joint operation. The claims of neither side could be independently verified.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said seven people working for the organisation who were arrested in a raid on al-Amal hospital on 9 February had been released after 47 days in Israeli prisons.

The World Health Organization said al-Amal hospital had ceased to function as a result of the fighting, leaving only 10 of 36 hospitals in Gaza partly operational.

The WHOs director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, wrote on X on Thursday: Once more, WHO demands an immediate end to attacks on hospitals in Gaza, and calls for protection of health staff, patients, and civilians.

With only 10 out of 36 hospitals partially functioning, the health system in #Gaza is barely surviving.



On 26 March, @PalestineRCS Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis ceased functioning as a result of sustained hostilities in and around the facility.



Once more, @WHO demands an  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 28, 2024

A series of harrowing witness reports from international medical teams who visited healthcare facilities have emerged in recent days. On Thursday, a team of doctors who visited al-Aqsa hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza told the Associated Press that a toddler there had died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike that fractured his skull, while his infant cousin is fighting for her life with part of her face blown off by the same strike.

The team said a 10-year-old boy, who was not related, screamed out in pain for his parents, not knowing that they had been killed in the strike; he did not recognise his sister beside him because burns covered almost her entire body, they said.

I spend most of my time here resuscitating children, said Tanya Haj-Hassan, a paediatric intensive-care doctor from Jordan who has extensive experience in Gaza and often speaks out about the wars devastating effects. What does that tell you about every other hospital in the Gaza Strip?

On Thursday, the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa, formed a new cabinet in which he will also serve as foreign minister, making an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza a top priority.

Mustafa, an ally to the president, Mahmoud Abbas, and a leading business figure, was appointed premier this month with a mandate to help reform the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The authoritys forces were driven from Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007, and it has no power there. The US has called for a revitalised authority to administer postwar Gaza before eventual statehood. Israel has rejected that idea, saying it would maintain open-ended security control over Gaza.

On the diplomatic front, the White House said it was working to rearrange a visit by an Israeli delegation to Washington that was abruptly cancelled by Benjamin Netanyahu after the US decision not to veto Mondays UN security council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by militants.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, confirmed reports that the Israeli prime minister had climbed down over the visit and agreed to reschedule it. Were now working with them to find a convenient date thats obviously going to work for both sides, she said.

On Tuesday 30 April, 7-8.15pm GMT, join Devika Bhat, Peter Beaumont, Emma Graham-Harrison and Ghaith Abdul-Ahad as they discuss the fast-developing crisis in the Middle East.

Book tickets here or at theguardian.live
Confucius Institute launches new teaching center to enhance Chinese learning in Ghana

Xinhua) 10:00, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
ADEN, Yemen, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A Houthi attack involving drone strikes and a ground offensive in Yemen's southern Al-Dhalea province on Friday killed at least four pro-government soldiers, a military official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "the Houthis first deployed drones to bombard sites controlled by pro-government forces in the northern fronts of Al-Dhalea province. The drone strikes killed four soldiers."

In a subsequent ground offensive against the pro-government positions, the Houthis wounded six soldiers, the official said.

Despite sustaining casualties from the drone attack, the pro-government troops managed to repel the Houthi ground assault after intense clashes, and forced the rebel fighters to withdraw from the area, according to the military source.

The escalation of hostilities comes after UN appeals for all parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to safeguard tentative progress toward a negotiated end to Yemen's nine-year civil war.

During a UN Security Council session earlier this month, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged the warring factions to exercise maximum restraint and work toward de-escalation.

Yemen has been embroiled in a protracted civil conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa. In 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in an attempt to restore the government.

Despite diplomatic endeavors over the years, neither side has demonstrated the will to revive negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict which, according to UN estimates, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and pushed millions more to the brink of famine. 
Increased raw sewage in rivers increases the likelihood of people contracting infections, campaigners argue. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Waterborne diseases such as dysentery and Weils disease have risen by 60% since 2010 in England, new figures reveal.

Analysis of NHS hospital admissions by the Labour party has found that the number of people admitted to hospital with diseases transmitted via waterborne infection has increased from 2,085 in 2010-11 to 3,286 in 2022-23.

The analysis follows widespread anger after record sewage spills were revealed this week. Environment Agency data showed that raw sewage was discharged for more than 3.6m hours into rivers and seas last year  a 129% increase on the previous 12 months.

Increased raw sewage in rivers means there is a higher risk of infections, campaigners argue, as people are more likely to come into contact with the bacteria in human waste.

Over the last year, for example, 122 people were diagnosed with leptospirosis (Weils disease), double the number in 2010. The disease, which can lead to liver damage and kidney failure, is spread through polluted water. Infected urine enters the mouth, eyes or a cut, usually during activities such as kayaking, outdoor swimming or fishing. Cases of typhoid, which is also spread through polluted water, rose from 445 to 603.

Labours shadow environment secretary, Steve Reed, said: It is sickening that this Conservative government has turned a blind eye to illegal sewage dumping that has put thousands of people in hospital. To make matters worse, consumers face higher water bills while water bosses pocket millions in bonuses.

Labour will put the water companies under special measures to clean up water. We will strengthen regulation so that law-breaking water bosses face criminal charges, and give the regulator new powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth.

The analysis comes as the Oxford and Cambridge boat race organisers issued new safety guidance for the race on Saturday, warning rowers not to enter the water and to cover any open wounds, after high levels of E coli bacteria were found on the River Thames course.

Instead of the traditional celebration in which members of the winning team often jump into the river, the crews will be encouraged to wash themselves down at a dedicated cleansing station at the finish. Some rowers have reported becoming seriously unwell after dirty water has entered the blisters they get from holding the oars.

Alastair Chisholm, director of policy at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, said: Our research shows 86% of the public want water reformed under the next government. Our river crisis is not only impacting the health of nature, but its making people sick too. That has to change. We need urgent reform.

Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: Pollution and nature loss are a public health disaster. Billions could be saved every year for the NHS by cleaning up filthy rivers, curbing air pollution and bringing nature back to life. All parties should make big polluters pay and ensure water companies invest in nature recovery for the sake of public health.

Richard Walker, businessman and former Chair of Surfers Against Sewage, who was a Tory donor before switching in January to support Labour, said: The way the Tories have allowed our coasts, rivers, and streams to become engorged with excrement is the perfect metaphor for the way theyve treated the country these past 14 years. Labours plan will take the tough action required to get our vital utilities back to serving the public interest.

Everyone deserves to enjoy our beautiful coastline and rivers without the fear of getting sick because some fat cat has been shovelling out dividends rather than investing in vital improvements.

A government spokesperson said: We have been clear the volume of sewage discharged into our waters is completely unacceptable and water companies need to clean up their act fast.

We are already taking tough action to hold them to account, including demanding record levels of fast-tracked investment, ensuring a 100% monitoring of storm overflows and a quadrupling of water company inspections, and are currently consulting on a ban on water bosses bonuses, when criminal breaches have occurred.

This is in addition to the stringent targets in place for water companies to reduce sewage spills  front-loading action at designated bathing waters to make the biggest difference to these sites as quickly as possible.
The King at Buckingham Palace recording an audio message played at the Royal Maundy service - BBC/Sky/ITV News/PA

The King will go to church on Easter Sunday but will not host lunch afterwards as part of a tweaked schedule to allow him to greet the public for the first time since his cancer diagnosis.

The King hopes to walk to and from St Georges Chapel, in Windsor, after agreeing modifications to the Royal familys traditional Easter diary to protect his health.

It will be his first outside appearance since embarking on treatment for cancer nearly two months ago, in what has been described as gentle steps towards returning to some of his public duties in summer.

The Royal family has agreed to send a smaller than usual contingent to the chapel, with the Kings seat, which is next to the Queens and set apart from the rest of the congregation, considered an acceptable environment at this stage of his illness.

He is expected to be seen walking to church with the Queen, entering through the Galilee Porch. Weather permitting, he will be able to wave and greet from a distance a small crowd, made up of members of the congregation and those who live on the Windsor estate.

He is not expected to attend a post-service reception or host a private family lunch, in an approach described as Easter Lite.

A palace source called the Kings planned attendance a sign of things heading in the right direction.

Sources describe the plans as turning the dial toward resuming his ordinary programme, including a gradual increase in hosting guests for engagements at the palace as summer approaches.

The King and Queen attend the 2023 Matins service accompanied by Princess Anne and Prince Andrew - Yui Mok/Getty Images

Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed which members of the Royal family will attend. The contingent will be smaller than usual, in part to shield the King from infection risk and in part because of the absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children.

The Telegraph also understands that the Royal family aims to reassemble for a full show of support for Britains veterans at the 80th anniversary of D-Day, as the King begins to take gentle steps back towards his normal public duties.

The King and Prince of Wales will honour the sacrifices of the Second World War generation on the June 6 anniversary, with plans for senior members of the family to travel to Normandy.

The King is now building back to key engagements towards the summer, sources say, with plans underway for some in-person events once he receives medical clearance.

He has this week undertaken his largest engagement since he was diagnosed with cancer, hosting a dozen religious leaders for an interfaith roundtable at Buckingham Palace.

Aides have said the Kings attendance at any event is to be hoped for and planned for rather than assumed, dependent on his health.

His diary is being sketched out around two key events: Trooping the Colour, which celebrates his official birthday and falls on June 15 this year, and the D-Day event on June 6.

The Prince of Wales also plans to take part in events to honour D-Day veterans, with the recognition of their service said to be very important to him.

The Prince, whose wife has also been undergoing treatment for cancer, will resume his programme of engagements in mid-April after he and the Princess have spent the Easter school holidays with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Princess will not attend any public engagements until her own medical team rule that she is well enough.

On Good Friday, the Duchess of Edinburgh was photographed enjoying a solo carriage ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle. She and her husband have taken on additional Royal duties since the Kings illness was announced, with the Duke visiting Scotland this week alongside the Princess Royal.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was seen riding her carriage around Windsor Castle on Good Friday - Bruce Bennett/Bruce Bennett

The full D-Day event schedule, organised by the Ministry of Defence, has not yet been confirmed, but will include a ceremony at the new British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy.

The King unveiled the memorial via video in 2021, during lockdown, saying the permanent tribute to such remarkable individuals had been long overdue. Then, veterans were unable to be in Normandy in person due to travel restrictions.

This year, organisers are well aware that the 80 year anniversary will be one of the last chances to celebrate such a milestone while those who served are still here to see it.

It is not yet known whether the King will be able to join them in France, subject to his health and the perceived infection risk.

He also hopes to make an appearance at Trooping the Colour, where the Royal family traditionally gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony for a flypast. He may choose to use a carriage rather than travel through London on horseback.

On Thursday the Ambassador of Moldova, Ruslan Bolbocean, presented his credentials to King Charles during a private audience at Buckingham Palace - Victoria Jones/Getty Images

It is likely to be some time before he can participate in large-scale engagements such as investitures or full public walkabouts.

This week, the King has been represented by the Queen at the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral, where she deputised to hand out Maundy money to pensioners for the first time.

The Queen, who also recently travelled to the Isle of Man and Belfast for solo trips, has continued her programme of engagements throughout the Kings treatment.

She has received a noticeably warm welcome by crowds, with many sending their well wishes to the King. One palace source noted that the Queens determination to carry on with her duties seemed to have cemented her role at the heart of national life.

Following the church service, the King and Queen will take an Easter break.
Brazilian army tanks stand in front of Laranjeiras Palace, on 1 April 1964 in Rio de Janeiro during the military putsch that led to the overthrow of President Joao Goulart by members of the Brazilian armed forces. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Relatives of the victims of Brazils brutal two-decade dictatorship have voiced anger and dismay over President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas reported decision to block official remembrance events marking the 60th anniversary of the 1964 military coup detat.

Activists had hoped the leftists government would mark the 31 March 2024 anniversary of that power-grab with a series of memorials honouring the thousands who were killed, disappeared or tortured by the 1964-85 regime.

The human rights minister, Silvio Almeida, had planned a ceremony and an awareness campaign with the slogan: Without remembrance there is no future.

But Lula reportedly scuppered those plans by giving explicit orders against such commemorations. The decision was seemingly intended to avoid irking military chiefs at a time when several senior military figures are facing jail for allegedly conspiring to stop Lula taking power after his 2022 election. That alleged plot culminated in the failed 8 January 2023 uprising, when Bolsonaro backers stormed the presidential palace, congress and supreme court in Brasilia.

In early March, Lula reportedly told his cabinet he wanted to avoid inflaming the political atmosphere. Defense chiefs were also told the armed forces should not celebrate an event some in the military consider a revolution that saved Brazil from communist rule.

In a recent interview, Lula said: Im more worried about the January 2023 coup than the 1964 one, when I was 17. This belongs to history now. Its already caused the suffering it caused. The people won the right to democratize the country, and the generals in power today were children back then.

Im not going to keep dwelling on this, Lula added, vowing to move this country forward.

Lulas decision and that declaration have horrified those whose loved ones died at the hands of the US-backed dictatorship.

How did it begin?

Brazils leftist president, Joao Goulart, was toppled in a coup in April 1964. General Humberto Castelo Branco became leader, political parties were banned, and the country was plunged into 21 years of military rule.

The repression intensified under Castelo Brancos hardline successor, Artur da Costa e Silva, who took power in 1967. He was responsible for a notorious decree called AI-5 that gave him wide ranging dictatorial powers and kicked off the so-called anos de chumbo (years of lead), a bleak period of tyranny and violence which would last until 1974.

What happened during the dictatorship?

Supporters of Brazils 1964-1985 military regime - including Jair Bolsonaro - credit it with bringing security and stability to the South American country and masterminding a decade-long economic miracle.

It also pushed ahead with several pharaonic infrastructure projects including the still unfinished Trans-Amazonian highway and the eight-mile bridge across Rios Guanabara bay.

But the regime, while less notoriously violent than those in Argentina and Chile, was also responsible for murdering or killing hundreds of its opponents and imprisoning thousands more. Among those jailed and tortured were Brazils first female president, Dilma Rousseff, then a leftwing rebel.

It was also a period of severe censorship. Some of Brazils best-loved musicians - including Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso - went into exile in Europe, writing songs about their enforced departures.

How did it end?

Political exiles began returning to Brazil in 1979 after an amnesty law was passed that began to pave the way for the return of democracy.

But the pro-democracy Diretas Ja (Direct elections now!) movement only hit its stride in 1984 with a series of vast and historic street rallies in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.

Civilian rule returned the following year and a new constitution was introduced in 1988. The following year Brazil held its first direct presidential election in nearly three decades.

Much more than disappointment, I feel outrage, said Suzana Lisboa, whose partner, Luiz Eurico Tejera Lisboa, was disappeared in 1972 aged 24 and is believed to have been tortured to death. His remains were found seven years later, buried in a Sao Paulo graveyard under another name.

As head of state it is [Lulas] duty to assume the responsibility for investigating crimes committed by the state. You cannot just rub everything out as if nothing ever happened  The state tortured, murdered and disappeared people  this cannot go unanswered, added Lisboa, a former member of the special commission on political deaths and disappearances, which Bolsonaro shut down shortly before leaving power.

Lulas failure to reactivate that investigatory commission has further angered the families of victims.

We feel somewhat betrayed, said Marcelo Rubens Paiva, a celebrated author whose politician father, Rubens Paiva, was snatched off the streets of Rio in 1971 never to be seen again. His murder was only confirmed in 2014.

Paiva said he had been surprised by Lulas decision since the former unionist had always been a great ally of the dictatorships victims and had been a victim himself. Lulas brother, Frei Chico, suffered horrific torture sessions during the 1970s.

Even Lula allies have voiced anger. Rui Falcao, the former president of Lulas Workers party (PT), recently challenged the defense minister over the absurd scrapping of official memorial events. People have the right to remember their dead, Falcao told the minister according to the news website Metropoles.

Historian Joao Roberto Martins Filho suspected Lulas stance was connected to the possibility that senior military figures who were part of Bolsonaros administration would soon face arrest for their suspected role in plotting to overturn Lulas 2022 election.

Those figures include Gen Augusto Heleno, who was Bolsonaros institutional security chief; Adm Almir Garnier, the former commander of the navy; and Gen Walter Braga Netto, Bolsonaros former defense minister and chief of staff. Last week Reuters reported that federal police believed Gen Braga Netto had secretly plotted to bring special forces troops trained in counter-insurgency techniques to Brasilia to provoke chaos that would justify a military intervention keeping Bolsonaro in power. All three men have denied wrongdoing, as has Bolsonaro.

[Lulas] calculation appears to be that this isnt the time to create more areas of friction [with the military], Martins Filho said.

The historian said the decision had caused unanimous dissatisfaction in academic circles. Theres nobody who agrees with Lulas claim that the 1964 coup and the military regime belong to the past and should stay there.

Paiva believed Lulas order was the result of misplaced fears that another coup might be attempted if the military was provoked. But the alleged plot to topple Lulas government failed precisely because it had received insufficient backing from the top brass, Paiva argued.

Sixty years after army tanks rolled into Rio and forced the leftist president Joao Goulart from power, much remains a mystery about the dictatorships crimes. Rubens Valente, the author of a book about the dictatorships impact on Indigenous communities, said that was particularly true when it came to the descendants of Brazils original inhabitants.

A 2014 Truth Commission report found that at least 8,350 Indigenous people lost their lives after the regime launched a huge campaign to develop the Amazon by bulldozing highways through its jungles. Those roads devastated uncontacted Indigenous groups, bringing violence and disease. The direct consequence of the military dictatorships policy towards the Amazon was the near extermination of numerous ethnic groups, said Valente.

But censorship and the dearth of journalists in the backlands of the Amazon meant there was little written record of such crimes, Valente said. Research and remembrance were essential if similar tragedies were to be avoided in the future.

Despite the governments decision not to mark Sundays anniversary, activists will hold memorials all across Brazil.

Lisboa, who will attend one in Porto Alegre, said she was perplexed that Lula recently travelled to Argentina to support the mothers and grandmothers of victims of its 1976-83 dictatorship, but had not done the same in Brazil.

Weve done our bit [for democracy]  and unfortunately Ive never seen us receive this kind of recognition from him, Lisboa said.
Police Service of Northern Ireland logo

A man in Northern Ireland has been charged with non-recent sex offences, police have said.

The 61-year-old man, and a 57-year-old woman who is charged with aiding and abetting additional offences, are to appear in court next month.

A police spokesman said: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences. A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

Both are due to appear before Newry magistrates court on April 24.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
The study drew on data on more than 21,600 children with obesity and more than 100,000 children without. Photograph: PeopleImages/Getty Images

Children who are obese may face more than double the risk of developing multiple sclerosis as adults, a study suggests.

MS can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a range of potential symptoms including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. It is a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability.

The findings from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm are to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice in May.

Related: Doctors encouraged by early-stage trial of MS stem cell therapy

Previous evidence has suggested a link between high body mass index (BMI) in adolescence and an increased risk of MS. But most of these studies were retrospective in design and used self-reported data.

Researchers involved with the new study sought to prospectively evaluate the risk of developing MS in a large cohort of obese children compared with the general population.

Academics analysed data from the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register. The database, known as Boris, is one of the worlds largest registries for treatment of childhood obesity.

The research team looked at data on children aged two to 19 who joined the registry between 1995 and 2020, and compared their information with that of children in the general population.

The study included data on more than 21,600 children with obesity, who started treatment for obesity when they were an average age of 11, and more than 100,000 children without obesity.

Children involved in the study were tracked for an average of six years. During the follow-up period, MS was diagnosed in 28 of those with obesity (0.13% of the group) and 58 in the group without obesity (0.06%).

The average age of MS diagnosis was comparable between groups, with patients diagnosed on average when they were 23.

The authors acknowledged limitations to their study but said: Despite the limited follow-up time, our findings highlight that obesity in childhood increases the susceptibility of early-onset MS more than twofold.

The studys authors, Emilia Hagman, an associate professor, and Prof Claude Marcus, said: One of the effects of obesity in childhood is that it causes a low-grade but chronic inflammation, and most probably this inflammation increases the risk to develop several diseases such as MS.

It is also believed that chronic low-grade inflammation increases the risk for other such diseases as asthma, arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and some forms of cancers. However, we know that weight loss reduces the inflammation and most likely the risk to develop such diseases.
Erin Pinnell, nine, was one of the children excluded from the photographs. Her mother Natalie said it felt as if her daughter was "erased from history"

A photography firm has sincerely apologised to parents after they were offered primary school class pictures that omitted pupils with special needs.

Parents whose children attend Aboyne Primary in Aberdeenshire were horrified after being sent a link from Tempest Photography offering them a choice of pictures, with or without children with additional support needs.

One of the pupils removed from the photographs was a wheelchair user whose twin sister was distraught to learn she had been omitted from an image that was offered to their parents for purchase.

Tempest Photography, which is based in Cornwall but employs local photographers to take school photos across the UK, said it deeply regrets the hurt caused.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, it said: Recently, after capturing a class group photograph, one of our photographers took additional images of the class group which omitted some members of the class from the photograph.

We deeply regret any upset this has caused and would like to sincerely apologise to the parents and children affected.

We are a family-run business and photograph at schools across the UK and would like to reassure our customers that this is not standard procedure for our company and we are taking this matter very seriously.

We are committed to implementing meaningful changes to prevent such an occurrence in the future.

It is understood some class photographs were taken before the pupils with additional support needs were brought in.

Natalie Pinnell said the decision to omit Erin from her class photo had 'devastated' their family

Following the complaints, the company 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.

But Natalie Pinnell, whose daughter Erin was among those excluded from the photographs, told the Press and Journal it felt like her child was erased from history.

The heartbroken mother told the newspaper: 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.

A second parent, Lisa Boyd, also told the newspaper her daughter Lily, a wheelchair user, was removed from an alternative photo, with the nine-year-olds twin sister devastated.

What the hell happened

The photo company was holding meetings to establish what the hell happened, according to one of its bosses who denied any knowledge of the situation and said he felt families deserved an apology.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Terence Tempest, 70, said: Were heartbroken. We have released a statement but at the moment Im just trying to find out what stimulated this and what the hell happened.

Its just unacceptable, I dont know whats happened. Its certainly not a policy of ours. We had a crisis meeting this morning, we are having another one this afternoon. Of course I understand how upset the families must be, I would be too.

If I was in that position, I would want an apology. I dont run the company and Im in touch with the managing director at the moment and they will decide what to do.

Humza Yousaf, Scotlands First Minister, tweeted: Outrageous and shameful. I struggled to believe this was true when I first saw the headlines.

Natalie has every right to be upset, as will all parents at this sorry episode. I am pleased an apology has been given, but this must never happen again in any school in the country.

Katie Price, the model and TV personality, said she was upset by their experience. Her son, Harvey, 22, has Prader-Willi syndrome, autism and is partially-sighted.

She told BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour: Things like that upset me because, at the end of the day, were all different. Just because you have a disability doesnt mean you should be treated differently.

I always tell people, Just remember, you might think your life is perfect but one day, one of your family could have an accident or something and become disabled and you have to become their full-time carer.

So always remember, never judge anything, because it could happen to you. And lets see if you take the mickey then or you exclude them out of photos. I just feel really strongly. I think we should all be treated the same.

Aberdeenshire Council has called the decision totally unacceptable and emphasised it was not a decision taken by the school. However, the local authority said it was sincerely sorry.

A spokesman said: Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences.

Patrick Roach, the general secretary of the NASUWT union, which represents teachers across the UK, called the incident shocking and crass.

Speaking at the unions annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Dr Roach said: Its a sign of, frankly, a lack of understanding about the importance of inclusion and diversity. Its also potentially evidence of discrimination.

It creates that sense of a hostile environment for disabled kids, but also for disabled people generally. Its shocking and needs to be dealt with.
Roscoe has been returned to have its bullets removed - Massachusetts State Police

A police force has paid tribute to its robotic dog which was shot three times during an armed raid.

Roscoe, part of a Massachusetts state police bomb squad, was sent into a house to find an armed suspect during a seven-hour stand-off on March 6.

Justin Moreira, 30, had allegedly held his mother at knifepoint, Barnstable Police Department said.

The mother and two other people in the home were able to barricade themselves in before escaping from a window but the armed suspect remained inside.

After the Swat team arrived the suspect allegedly began shooting at their vehicle with a handgun and rifle.

Roscoe, which is controlled remotely, was then sent in with two other robots used for bomb disposal in a further attempt to locate and convince Moreira to come out of the home.

Roscoe is understood to have found Moriera armed with a rifle in the basement. Roscoe was shot three times, disabling its communication.

Boston Dynamics said it was the first time one of its devices had been shot - Massachusetts State Police

The gunman also shot at one of the other robots and an outdoor swimming pool before officers deployed tear gas and a demolition tool to coax him out of the house.

He was charged with attempted murder and firearms offences, police said.

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 force said.

In addition to providing critically important room clearance and situational awareness capabilities, the insertion of Roscoe prevented the need, at that stage, for human operators and may have prevented a police officer from being involved in an exchange of gunfire.

Boston Dynamics, the company that made the dog known as a Spot robot, said it was the first time one of its devices had been shot.

We are relieved that the only casualty that day was our robot, the company said. Its a great example of how mobile robots like Spot can be used to save lives.

Roscoe was returned to Boston Dynamics where it will have surgery to remove the bullets while a new robotic dog unit will be sent to state police.
Daniel Fletcher's new race lookbook is a break from tradition - Becky Hetherington

Racegoers at Royal Ascot have been told to follow the dress code they feel most comfortable with in new guidance marking a break with tradition for the 300-year-old sporting fixture.

While a smart dress code still applies to guests in the Royal Enclosure, the most exclusive area of the summer racecourse, new wording has been implemented.

In an apparent change to the code for this year, a note on the Ascot website states: Members and their guests must adhere to the guidance outlined on this page, choosing to follow in full a dress code they feel most comfortable with.

It comes after a new lookbook for 2024 racegoers suggested ways to bend the sartorial rules and embrace a more gender-fluid approach, such as women wearing ties with dresses.

Ascot is famed for its formal dress code and for many women the occasion automatically conjures the image of the traditional ensemble: a dress, heels and a hat.

Earlier this month, Daniel Fletcher, the fashion designer, unveiled his new race lookbook as the first Royal Ascot creative director.

The Cheshire-born designer, who was until last year the creative director of Italian fashion house Fiorucci, is known for his experimental style and for dressing celebrities such as Harry Styles and Emma Corrin.

Unveiling the new lookbook for Junes races, he said: I wanted to bring a fresh take on fashion at the races Be it flamboyant or understated, Royal Ascot gives us the chance to embrace the famous dress codes and dress up, encouraging freedom of expression through dressing.

The lookbook includes edits titled Best of British and New Guard - Becky Hetherington

Among his inspirational looks in the official racegoer fashion bible, he featured a series of edits titled Best of British, New Guard, Conscious, Luxury and Tailoring. These included frilled shirts for men and dresses matched with neck ties for women.

I want to  inspire racegoers to push the boundaries with their own unique style, and to embrace their own creativity, the 33-year-old said.

Alexandra Bertram, brand and creative lead for Ascot, echoed the designers call for dressing up in a way that brings out individuality.

Royal Ascot transcends simply dressing for the races and the array of looks Fletcher has curated brings an authentic aesthetic which perfectly mirrors Ascots passion for individuality and personal style, she said.

Theres a look that speaks to every style generation across every enclosure.

The push for comfortable and expressive attire comes after last years call for racegoers to be a little more unconventional and inventive with their outfits.

Luke Jefferson Day, the co-director and stylist of the 2023 Ascot Lookbook, encouraged female racegoers to wear suits this year in a drive for less conventional outfits.
Sally Phillips with two of her children, Olly (right) and Tom. Photograph: Ian West/PA

Parents of children with special needs are being put under an unbearable strain to enable their kids to be able to do normal things, the actor Sally Phillips has said.

Phillips, known for creating and starring in the sketch show Smack The Pony, made the comments after her son, who has Downs syndrome, was denied access to a trampoline park.

The actor, who also played the journalist Shazza in Bridget Joness Diary, said she was so upset when her son Olly was denied access to Oxygen Activeplay in Acton, west London. She said the company refused him entrance and told her someone with Downs syndrome needs a letter from the GP.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Friday, Phillips said her son had gone with his younger brother and the younger brothers friend to the trampoline park, and had been many times before. The lady on the desk says, Oh, sorry, can I have a word? and called the manager over ... I was so, so upset for Olly to be prevented.

She added that theyre weeding out people with visible disabilities and if you have an invisible disability, youre not required to bring in a doctors letter.

Oxygen Activeplay said it was deeply sorry Olly could not take part and was left disappointed, and said it was following safety guidance from British Gymnastics.

Related: The Guardian view on the special needs crisis: children dont deserve this chaos | Editorial

Phillips, who is a patron of the Downs Syndrome Association, said this advice was out of date.

She said Olly, as a member of the British Gymnastics association, had previously had an X-ray to test for neck instability issues. But she added that neck instability issues can only be detected once symptoms are being experienced, so if there are no symptoms you can participate like anyone else.

She added: It would be fine if there was a sort of genuine issue but it strikes me that the issues are, the neck thing is just misinformed and the insurers had found something they can ask for so they asked for it, without it actually being helpful.

This meant parents were having to use NHS resources or pay for a doctors letter to satisfy the needs of a private company and their insurance, she said, adding that parents had to spend significant amounts of time just filling in forms for our children to be able to do very, very normal things.

She said: This sort of admin burden on special needs parents, just to be part of the community  to do a normal thing, to take normal risks that everyone is allowed to take is just unbearable.

In a statement, Oxygen Activeplay said: The only reason a company like ours exists is to help everyone, but particularly children, enjoy active play.

We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the relevant parties to review the current guidance and enable as much active play as we can, safely.

Responding, Phillips said she would talk to the company but felt it was not fair for the onus to be on parents to help make the changes.

They will allow us to do the work for them to change, whereas actually, I think they need to educate themselves, she said. Wed really appreciate it if we didnt have to and we could just get on with having a normal life.
Researchers at Lund University in Sweden said a blood test combined with a personalised risk model has the potential to save lives. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Doctors say combining a simple blood test with artificial intelligence could help diagnose sepsis faster and identify patients at the highest risk of severe complications.

Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body fails to respond properly to infection. It can progress to septic shock, which can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death, with an estimated 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide each year.

A new dual approach using a blood test and AI could spot the condition earlier and save lives, according to experts who combined the unique molecular signature of sepsis with AI tools to predict someones risk of organ failure and death.

Their findings will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona next month.

Related: Sepsis killing too many as lessons not learned, warns NHS watchdog

Dr Lisa Mellhammar, of Lund University in Sweden, said: Its vital that patients with suspected sepsis are identified prior to the onset of organ failure. Given the challenges associated with timely diagnosis and the fact that sepsis kills millions of people around the world every year, there is an urgent demand for an alternative approach.

She said a blood test combined with a personalised risk model has the potential to save lives by providing more accurate sepsis diagnosis and determining who may go on to develop more severe clinical manifestations.

Researchers studied 1,364 plasma samples of adults admitted to the emergency department at Skane University hospital with suspected sepsis between September 2016 and March 2023. Of the 1,073 patients with an infection, 913 had sepsis.

The team then analysed proteins associated with the bodys immune response to sepsis to see if there was a pattern. They created molecular signatures from their analysis, which was used to train an AI model to predict who was likely to go into septic shock.

Patients were classified as low, medium and high risk of developing septic shock, with the technology able to show how increasing risk was associated with a higher rate of death.

Researchers also identified panels of proteins that predicted dysfunction in six different organ types, including the heart, liver and kidneys. They then classified patients into five risk categories based on the probability of them having organ dysfunction and infection, and their risk of dying.

Mellhammar added: A fast test that provides more accurate sepsis diagnosis and could also predict who is at greater risk of poorer outcomes now seems a genuine possibility. Any research like this needs clinical validation and many hurdles must be cleared before these biomarkers are used in the clinic. But we envision this as a tool that could be deployed worldwide as the future of early detection of sepsis.

Dr Ron Daniels, the founder and joint chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: Its critically important that we speed the recognition of sepsis and identify sooner which patients need the most immediate attention, ensuring that we can save more lives whilst using antimicrobials more wisely.

This research has huge potential to refine our understanding of sepsis and may in time help us to redesign clinical systems. As the authors acknowledge, sepsis is a complex syndrome and this technology is not yet street-ready, but it is a significant step in the right direction.

It comes as NHS England prepares to introduce the first phase of Marthas rule from next month. Patients whose health is failing and their loved ones will be granted the right to obtain an urgent second opinion about their care, as the initiative is initially adopted in 100 English hospitals from April at the start of being introduced nationally.

The rollout is the direct result of pressure put on politicians, NHS bosses and doctors by Merope Mills, a senior editor at the Guardian, and her husband, Paul Laity, telling the story of how their 13-year-old daughter, Martha, died of sepsis at Kings College hospital London in 2021.
ADDIS ABABA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- When Melaku Mulualem first arrived in China in 2011 to study at the China Foreign Affairs University, little did he know that this journey would be the beginning of a transformative experience, leading him to become a cultural ambassador between two nations thousands of kilometers apart.

Reflecting on his initial impressions of a "completely different China," Mulualem, now a senior researcher in international relations and diplomacy at the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged that his time in China not only broadened his academic horizons but also deepened his understanding of Chinese culture and its people.

"Before studying in China, my knowledge of the Chinese people and government was limited. But now, I am proud to be one of the few scholars who have published a book on Ethiopia-China relations," Mulualem said.

The book, "Africa-China Relations - Ethiopia as a Case Study," was published recently with support from the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia. It highlights the diverse and historic ties between China and Ethiopia, as well as the broader China-Africa relations, exploring various aspects of engagement between the two sides.

Since his initial educational journey to China, Mulualem has returned to the Asian country seven times, participating in international seminars, training programs and other events. Through these experiences and engagements with Chinese counterparts, he has developed a profound understanding of China and its people, fueling his desire to bridge the cultural gap between Ethiopia and China.

Mulualem believes that Ethiopian and Chinese scholars, particularly those familiar with each other's cultures, have a dual responsibility to serve as bridges and shape the narrative of the mutually beneficial relationship between both sides.

In his quest for cultural harmony and an authentic portrayal of Ethiopia-China relations, Mulualem meticulously examined years of friendly exchanges between the two countries, including political exchanges, trade development and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

With the ever-expanding political, economic and social engagements between China and Ethiopia, Mulualem highlights the bright prospects for their comprehensive relations, built on a foundation of past and present win-win cooperation.

"The future relations between China and Ethiopia will improve more than ever before. This is because the relations are more and more incremental over time," he said.

In October of last year, Ethiopia and China elevated their relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership.

Asnake Getie Asmare, an Ethiopian alumnus of Beijing Normal University, shares a similar journey to Mulualem's.

Now working in large-scale telecommunication infrastructure development projects in Ethiopia with the Chinese tech giant Huawei, Asmare holds a PhD in economics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China.

Asmare said that his time in China helped him understand the unique socio-cultural, economic and governance attributes of China, inspiring him to promote all-round Ethiopia-China relations.

"My years of study in China provided a valuable opportunity to truly understand the Chinese people and culture, the country's rapid economic progress, the Chinese government's successful development policies, as well as the country's focus on innovation and advanced technologies," he said.

Asmare said that his deep understanding of the broader Ethiopia-China relationship has revealed how China seeks to share its recent socio-economic achievements with countries like Ethiopia.

China-proposed global development initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), serve as crucial platforms for mutually beneficial collaboration, allowing countries like Ethiopia to tap into China's remarkable development expertise, he said.

By 2023, China had sent 22 batches of more than 500 teachers to various agricultural vocational colleges in Ethiopia to cultivate local talents for agricultural development. China has also sent 24 batches of medical teams to help Ethiopia's efforts in public health. According to data from the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, Chinese investment in Ethiopia has created 560,000 local jobs.

Joining Mulualem and Asmare in their mission to foster understanding and cooperation between the two nations is Tesfaye Messele, another Ethiopian alumnus of Beijing Normal University. Inspired by his experience of Chinese culture and the country's rapid socio-economic development, Messele envisions a future where the people of Ethiopia and China thrive together.

"Understanding Chinese culture and teaching it to Ethiopians while also teaching Ethiopian culture to our Chinese friends play a crucial role in enhancing communication and people-to-people exchanges. This, in turn, increases the chance of effectively working together to achieve common goals in any cooperation fields," Messele said.

Messele said that the complementary development interests of both countries, combined with his knowledge of China and its people, along with his deep understanding of Ethiopia's development policies and potential, uniquely position him to better serve as a bridge for promoting bilateral cooperation.

As one of the manifestations of the blossoming China-Ethiopia ties, the Chinese government provides abundant scholarship opportunities benefiting thousands of Ethiopian students as part of the wider knowledge and skill transfer cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, China has been sending experts to Ethiopia to assist the country's development efforts across various areas.

"The role of alumni of Chinese universities is of paramount importance in cementing the two countries' relationship," Messele said.

"As we gained ample knowledge and experiences in areas of emerging economies, regional economic integration and the essence and content of mutual development initiatives during our study in China, we can apply it properly in the practical world by bridging win-win cooperation between Ethiopia and China," he said. 
Penguins watch the Noosfera, Ukraines Antarctic research vessel, which keeps the Ukrainian and Polish bases supplied. Photograph: Sergey Glotov

When Ukraines Antarctic research and supply vessel Noosfera left Odesa on its maiden voyage on 28 January 2022, it passed Russian warships in the Black Sea. A month later, Vladimir Putin launched Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Noosfera has not been back since.

A few weeks later, and Noosfera would have been an important symbolic target for Russia, said Vadym Tkachenko, a biologist who recently completed his second Antarctic winter at Ukraines Vernadsky base. The ship now supplies both Ukrainian and Polish Antarctic bases from Chile and South Africa twice a year, at the start and end of the winter.

Last week it crossed Drake Passage into the Southern Ocean and arrived with the 29th team of Ukrainian Antarctic scientists to be stationed at Vernadsky.

The ice is melting faster than ever before, and it rains when it used to snow Bogdan Gavrylyuk, Vernadsky base commander

The base commander, Bogdan Gavrylyuk, has just completed his 18th tour and 10th winter in the Antarctic. He trained first as a soldier, then as a mechanic at Vernadsky. He then retrained as a geophysicist at the Institute of Radio Astronomy in Kharkiv and conducts research on electro-magnetism.

In three weeks, he will see his family for two days before returning to the frontline as a captain in the border guard. He has not been home for three years, but he is proud of his two jobs. I was on the border in trenches and dugouts. Here, Im on the border between what we know and what were learning. This is a very special place.

***

The bases origins lie in the breakup of the USSR in 1991, when Russia kept the 12 Soviet Antarctic bases. But a third of the 12,000 specialist Antarctic scientists were from Ukraine, and they had nowhere to go.

Shortly afterwards, the British Antarctic Survey decided it no longer needed its Faraday base, on a rocky island on the Antarctic peninsula, 700 miles south of Tierra del Fuego. It was sold to Ukraine for a symbolic 1 in 1996 and renamed after the Ukrainian scientist Vladimir Vernadsky.

The only condition attached to the Vernadsky base was that the Ukrainians continued to monitor the weather, which has been recorded every three hours at the site since 1947. This is the longest continuous meteorological study in the Antarctic and has demonstrated unequivocally the increase in average temperatures, which now rarely fall below -20C (-4F).

The ice is melting faster than ever before, and it rains when it used to snow, says Gavrylyuk. Last year for the first time ever there was no ice around the island. The average temperature has risen by 3.5C (6.3F).

Weddell seals need sea ice and no longer breed around the base; and invasive bacteria and algae have been found in the sea. The view from Gavrylyuks office is a colony of Gentoo penguins that previously nested farther north, the air filled with their fishy smell and shrieks.

This years chicks stand still as their fluffy feathers moult; others dash around, chasing each other for food, leaping in and out of the water like a Disney cartoon. The first breeding pair came in 2008, we now have 1,500 pairs of adults and over 2,000 chicks, he says.

***

The war may be geographically distant but for those on the base it is never far away. When news of the Russian invasion reached Vernadsky, the marine biologist Andrii Zotov hitched a lift on a yacht to Argentina, took a bus to Chile, flew to Poland and within two weeks was with an army unit on the frontline in Ukraine.

He took five bullets and was too heavily injured to fight more, says Tkachenko. He returned to work on phytoplankton at the National Antarctic Scientific Centre in Kyiv. He will be back here for the handover.

Tkachenko, meanwhile, is looking forward to meeting his first baby, born two months ago. In 2019, his wife, Oksana Savenko, an expert on humpback whales, became one of the first women in more than 20 years to live on the base. While women have historically been heavily under-represented on Antarctic research stations, in this expedition team there will be four women: three scientists and a doctor.

The base is a working complex of corrugated-iron housing and laboratories, machinery, tanks and radio masts. A wooden church, with the dimensions and bright colours of a beach hut, overlooks the generator building.

Inside, a school desk acts as the altar, a dried-milk tin holds holy water, and posters of Jesus and Saint Vladimir adorn the chipboard walls. Unlike the Russian base on King George Island, 300 miles north in the South Shetlands, there is no priest here, only scientists, engineers and a cook.

Below a round trap door in the lab blocks roof sits Virginia, as the Dobson spectrophotometer, which measures the ozone layer, was christened by British scientists. It was here in 1985 that a hole in the ozone was first identified by its predecessor, Daphne. Since the banning of CFC chemical aerosols and fridges, the hole has stabilised, but monitoring it remains essential.

***

In the long, dark Antarctic winters between March and October, the team socialise in the Faraday bar, a replica of an English village pub, complete with pool table and dartboard. Gavrylyuk is a talented musician who every winter writes songs about whales, seals and even plankton.

But now his guitar sits idly in the corner. People might think this is a part of Ukraine that is at peace. The war is here too, for us and our families. Since the invasion of my home, I cannot play or sing, he says sadly. Only when we have peace again can I sing.

Very few visitors and no tourists have been permitted to land at Vernadsky base since the pandemic. We have too much work to do, says Gavrylyuk. But he has welcomed Dr John Shears, a polar geographer, environmental scientist and recipient of the Polar Medal.

Shears worked here in 1991 and last visited Vernadsky as an Antarctic Treaty inspector in 2015. Not much has changed since I was last here, but its definitely warmer, says Shears.

Biosecurity is strict: no organic matter, food or drink can be carried by visitors to the bases or beaches. Avian flu arrived on the Antarctic mainland last month. Initially found in scavenging skua birds, it has killed penguins and seals.

Related: Bird flu: access to Ernest Shackletons grave blocked by dead seals

Since 1996, Ukraine has added more research into water quality, seals, whales, krill and phytoplankton  the building blocks of all sea life, and essential for global oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. All are affected by global warming and pollution.

Some Ukrainians believe government funds would be better spent on the war in Ukraine. But its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, appreciates that the Vernadsky base reminds the world that Ukraine is a global player in science, which contributes to our understanding of the climate crisis, and not just a victim of Russias invasion.
Cyclone Gamane was initially expected to skim the coast of Madagascar. Photograph: Cyclocane

Madagascar was unexpectedly hit by Cyclone Gamane as it veered into the island countrys northern district of Vohemar during the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in at least 11 deaths.

The storm was expected to skim the coast, but it changed course and went into the island causing disruption to 7,000 people with hundreds of homes destroyed. The slow-moving nature of the storm exacerbated its impact, with persistent rainfall and prolonged strong winds causing devastation to infrastructure and significant flooding. The cyclone moved across the island with an average wind speed of 93mph (150km/h) while gusts of up to 130mph were recorded, making it a category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Cyclone Gamane has since weakened to a tropical storm and is expected to clear the island on Friday.

In the same week, significant flash floods and a landslide in Indonesia left at least 19 people dead with seven others missing. Mud, rocks and uprooted trees crashed down a mountainside on the island of Sumatra, engulfing villages in the western Pesisier Selatan district late last Friday after torrential rains. Rescue operations were disrupted by power cuts as more than 80,000 people fled to temporary government shelters.

The Iberian peninsula experienced unseasonably high temperatures last week caused by hot southerly winds, known as the Calima, which also brought up a significant amount of dust from the Sahara. This resulted in orange-coloured skies and degraded air quality on 21 March. Nasas Terra satellite captured images of dust across the peninsula the next day, as snowy slopes at a ski resort near Granada were tinged brown, while other areas experienced murky rain. Fresher, maritime air has since moved in across the peninsula clearing the dust farther east across the Mediterranean into Greece.

People in Athens woke up to a thick haze on Thursday. The persistent strong southerly winds moved east across the Mediterranean, bringing dust from the Sahara across Greece. These winds also resulted in unusually high temperatures: Wednesday recorded the highest March temperature since 2009 in central Athens with a high of 25.3C. Temperatures at Heraklion airport, Crete, soared to 30C on the same day, the hottest March temperature there since 2008.
It's a happy day at the Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania. Officials announced that they have a new addition to their zoo family  a sweet little baby gibbon.

The good news was shared on the Philadelphia Zoo's Instagram account.

View the original article to see embedded media.

The zoo made the announcement with a video of the new little one  Eros.

Related: Philadelphia Zoo Hippos Chowing Down on Whole Pumpkins Have Visitors Captivated

"We are SO excited to introduce you to Eros, the newest member of our white-handed gibbon family," the caption reads. "This little boy, born just before keepers arrived on March 14, is healthy and continues to nurse from mom whos showing all the right behaviors caring for him. You can see him and his entire family at PECO Primate Reserve."

In the footage, the gibbon can be seen nursing from its mama and having a cuddle. Don't worry, little one. Mom will always be around to make sure you're safe.

All About Gibbons

You might not be familiar with gibbons, but there's no time like the present to dig in to these adorable primates. As the Philadelphia Zoo noted, "White-handed gibbons are found in Southeast Asia and are considered to be one of the most acrobatic animals on the planet!"

Gibbons are distinguishable from other primates because of their lack of tail and long, thick fur. They are also very social animals that can form life-long bonds and mate for life, unlike other primates.

Another fun fact about these cute little guys? Gibbons are born with a throat sac called a symphalangus syndactyly, which allows them to modulate their vocalizations  aka, they can sing. Gibbons start their day singing and throughout the day can be heard singing both alone and with their families.

In Chinese culture, gibbons are a symbol of good fortune. In Doaist lore, gibbons are considered a "superior life spirit" and are believed to be noble wanderers and poets with an elevated spirit of solitude.

Sadly, gibbons are teetering on the verge of becoming an endangered species. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they range from being vulnerable to being critical endangered, depending on the species.

White-handed gibbons like Eros are unfortunately categorized as being endangered. In their post, the Philadelphia Zoo explained that Eros' birth was "part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program to ensure the survival of this species and maintain a genetically diverse population."

Which probably makes Eros' birth important to a lot of people. Welcome to the world, little one! You're so very much wanted.

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.
Sam Bankman-Fried on Thursday was sentenced to 25 years in prison, a year and a half after his crypto startup, FTX, imploded practically overnight and set off a massive a federal investigation.

The outcome was not a huge surprise  a prison sentence was all but guaranteed after a jury found Bankman-Fried guilty on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy in November. The only unknown going into court this morning was just how long his sentence would be, a decision that was in the hands of Judge Lewis Kaplan.

Here are the key takeaways from Thursdays hearing.

25 years  with caveats

Bankman-Frieds 25-year sentence is about half of the 40 to 50 years prosecutors had sought. Judge Kaplan said he weighed a number of factors, including the brazenness of the crimes and Bankman-Frieds potential to commit crimes in the future.

There was a risk that this man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future, Kaplan said. And its not a trivial risk.

Kaplan recommended that the Bureau of Prisons place Bankman-Fried in a medium-security or lower facility, ideally in the San Francisco area so that his family may visit.

While there is no parole in federal cases, inmates can still shave time off their sentences for good behavior. Bankman-Fried could end up serving as little as 12.5 years, if he gets all of the jailhouse credit available to him, Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor, told CNN.

It haunts me every day

Bankman-Fried addressed the court before his sentence was revealed, offering an at times meandering statement about the mistakes he made as CEO of FTX.

He commended his former business partners, including co-founder Gary Wang and his ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison, both of whom testified against him in trial in compliance with their plea agreements.

Together, they all built something beautiful, Bankman-Fried said.

And I threw it all away, he added. It haunts me every day.

Judge Kaplan appeared unmoved by parts of Bankman-Frieds apology about customers being hurt. Kaplan later acknowledged Bankman-Frieds apology but added Bankman-Fried said never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes.

$11 billion forfeiture

Kaplan also ordered Bankman-Fried to forfeit $11 billion, including properties and other assets acquired with stolen customer funds.

The forfeiture is intended to be paid over time, and Bankman-Fried will likely be required to hand over all of his available assets, plus a nominal sum every month.

The forfeiture will follow him for the rest of his life, Epner said. It would take the vast majority of what he makes after he gets out of jail.

He ruled Bankman-Frieds forfeited assets can be used to help fund the repayment of victims of the FTX collapse.

FTX victims are waiting

Judge Kaplan roundly rejected Bankman-Frieds argument that there was no loss to former customers of FTX because the bankruptcy estate indicated those victims are poised to recoup most of their funds.

To say that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading, it is logically flawed, it is speculative, Kaplan said.

FTX is now in the hands of corporate restructuring expert John J. Ray III, who oversaw the liquidation of Enron in the early 2000s. Ray has stated in a letter to the court that the company Bankman-Fried left behind was neither solvent nor safe, and that any recovered assets would be thanks to the diligence of his teams work over the past 18 months.

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Five people were wounded early Friday morning in a shooting outside a bar in west Detroit following an argument over a parking spot, police said.

The confrontation had occurred outside the blues club and became physical before a male suspect left the area and returned with a gun, the Detroit Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY.

"When he came back he brought a gun, as most cowards do, and he opened fire on the crowd" Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald told reporters. "Senseless, it's just ridiculous."

The five people who were wounded ranged in ages between 33-49, Fitzgerald said. All the victims were transported to one of two different area hospitals for treatment and are expected to survive their injuries, he added.

A man can be seen in the bottom right of this image from security footage appearing to hold a gun as he fires at a group of people early Friday morning in the parking lot of a bar in Detroit following an argument over a parking spot, Detroit police said.

Kidnapper thwarted: Doorbell video shows mom fighting off man who snatched teen from her apartment door in NYC

Surveillance video shows shooter flee scene in dark SUV

Detroit police were dispatch at 2:45 p.m. to the parking lot of a blues bar after the shooting occurred.

Surveillance footage released by police shows the suspect firing what appears to be a handgun before fleeing the scene in a dark-colored sports-utility vehicle. Police believe the vehicle is a Hyundai, said Fitzgerald, who briefed the media Friday morning at the location, video of which police provided to USA TODAY.

Detectives interviewed witnesses to determine that the shooting stemmed from an argument and fight that had taken place outside the bar over a parking spot, Fitzgerald said.

Though the investigation is still ongoing, police believe at least one of the victims may have been involved in the fight, while the other four were bystanders, Fitzgerald said. The shooter acted alone and officers found seven or eight casings in the parking lot.

"For five people to get shot over a parking spot is silly," Fitzgerald said.

Detroit blues club was not supposed to be open

The blues club does not have a permit for extended hours and should not have been open, according to police.

Fitzgerald said police plan to investigate why the club was open.

"Obviously this blues club should not have been open at 2:45 where they're arguing for a parking spot," Fitzgerald said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 shot in Detroit over parking spot dispute outside bar, police say
Voters reacts to the passage of Ohio Issue 1, a ballot measure to amend the state constitution and establish a right to abortion at an election night party hosted by the Hamilton County Democratic Party, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Knox Joseph Distillery in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.

A new lawsuit seeks to block Ohios requirement that patients wait 24 hours before obtaining an abortion.

The legal challenge, filed Friday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, is the first new lawsuit since Ohio voters enshrined reproductive rights in the state constitution in November. Other laws were already being challenged, such as the states ban on most abortions.

The new lawsuit challenges state laws that require doctors to inform patients of the medical risks of abortions, the probable gestational age of the embryo or fetus and the medical risks associated with carrying the pregnancy to term during an in-person visit at least 24 hours before the abortions via medicine or a procedure.

Doctors must also provide state-produced literature about family planning and alternatives to abortions. Patients facing an emergency procedure can forgo these requirements, but those scenarios are rare.

If doctors dont comply, the state medical board can revoke their license and face lawsuits from patients.

More: OnPolitics: Supreme Court set to take on major abortion rights case

The lawsuit also seeks to block a requirement for doctors to test for embryonic or fetal cardiac activity. If doctors dont perform that test, they could face a fifth-degree felony.

These laws are now in clear violation of the newly amended Ohio Constitution, which enshrines the explicit and fundamental right to abortion and forbids the state from burdening, prohibiting, penalizing, and interfering with access to abortion, and discriminating against abortion patients and providers, attorney Jessie Hill said in a statement.

These laws lead to delays, more expensive visits and logistical barriers, according to the lawsuit. They also single out abortion compared to other medical procedures.

Mainstream medical consensus dictates that the best medical practice is to provide patients with timely abortion care without any unnecessary delays and that mandatory waiting periods for abortion do not improve patient health, according to the complaint.

More: Will abortion advocates continue their winning streak? Here's which states will be key.

Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost would defend the common-sense law.

These health and safety regulations protect women, Gonidakis said. It is unconscionable that the abortion industry thinks that womens health standards should be callously disregarded in order to promote a political agenda.

In the lawsuit, attorneys contend that legal abortion is extremely safe and leads to fewer health complications than carrying a pregnancy to term.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the law firm Covington & Burling LLP filed the lawsuit on behalf of Preterm-Cleveland, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Womens Med Group Professional Corporation, Northeast Ohio Womens Center and Dr. Catherine Romanos.

Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Jessie Balmert on Scribd

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: ACLU sues Ohio over 24-hour waiting period for abortions
What is a babymoon? This pregnancy vacation can provide parents with much-needed relaxation and enjoyment before a babys grand debut.

Its the perfect way for parents to reset before beginning their parenthood journey.

What is a babymoon?

A babymoon is a combination of baby and honeymoon, first coined in the 1990s to describe the time parents spend alone with their newborn after birth.

Thirty years later, the definition has shifted to mean a honeymoon-like experience for expecting parents. No longer just for celebrities like Keke Palmer and the wealthy, now more and more expectant parents are opting for a bit of rejuvenation before their new infants arrival and the hectic adjustments that come with it.

Ideas for babymoons

Babymoons come in all shapes and sizes, with something for everyones tastes.

Jennifer Hattersley of New Jerseys Modern Family Travel LLC says, A babymoon offers a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing you to focus on each other and cherish the precious moments before parenthood.

Babymoon locations often include nature escapes, beach vacations, and international adventures. If you are on a budget, there is always a babymoon to fit your situation closer to home.

Young man and woman laughing in speedboat (Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images)

When should you go on a babymoon?

Morning sickness, nausea, heartburn, and other symptoms can plague women in the first trimester as the body adjusts to the development of new life.

So you want to travel when you are feeling your best, which usually means the second trimester. Many airlines and cruise lines have policies for pregnant passengers, which the CDC recommends women check. Airlines usually let women travel before 36 weeks, while cruise lines let women travel between 24 and 28 weeks.

Dr. Nicole Rankins, OB-GYN and host of the All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast, suggests, The second trimester is a great time (roughly 13-26 weeks). Generally, nausea and vomiting are done by then, and youre not so big that moving around is challenging.

Although pregnant women do not need prior approval for travel, Dr. Rankins recommends that if youre planning any physical activities, check with your doctor or midwife.

What to do on a babymoon?

There are endless possibilities for babymoon travel. Parents can tailor plans to what brings them joy, invokes curiosity and provides comfort and peace.

Some parents, like mom and travel expert Tomika Anderson from Woodbridge, Virginia, opt for a getaway abroad, I traveled to Bahia, Brazil, with two friends as an impending single mom, and rented an Airbnb for a week, connecting with other friends in the country, and had a blast!" she says. "I intended to spend time by the beach, enjoy with friends, and ultimately do nothing.

If you choose not to go abroad, there are other options. Anderson, who runs a travel-enthusiast group for single moms, say other expecting parents might opt for a bed and breakfast in a nearby town. Anderson, who runs a travel service for single parents, advised looking for pregnancy-friendly spa accommodations and someone to cook for and dote on them, providing the mom-to-be and even their partner a much-needed break and getaway.

Spending time together by creating new memories, taking a class together, going for a hike, or exploring cultural venues like museums, art galleries, and historical sites are fun things everyone could enjoy on a babymoon regardless of location. The most important thing is focusing on self-care and connecting with your partner on a babymoon.

Anderson advises, Go wherever your heart tells you! Go where it makes sense to spend a little time loving on yourself (or being loved on) and doing some mental pre-nesting and self-care before the baby arrives.

For babymoon travel inspiration, here are 15 Babymoon destinations for expecting couples.

Walk around the city (Getty Images)

Babymoon travel tips

Before you begin your babymoon adventures, Johns Hopkins Medical would like you to consider the following for smooth traveling:

Research medical facilities near your travel destination just in case of an emergency.

Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

Get out and stretch your legs during the car ride or walk the aisles during the flight to keep blood circulating.

Prepare a health kit with all essential medications.

Arrange travel at the time you feel the best.

Shoot for an aisle seat on the plane for more space.

Hattersley added the following tips:

Consult with your healthcare provider before planning your babymoon to ensure its safe for you and your baby.

Pack comfortable clothing and essentials for relaxation, and remember your prenatal vitamins.

Take it slow and prioritize rest  listen to your body and dont overexert yourself.

Consider travel insurance to provide peace of mind.

A babymoon is all about creating lasting memories and relaxing. By consulting with your healthcare provider, choosing the right babymoon destination, and taking safety precautions, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
President Joe Biden, top lawmakers and administration officials are condemning Russia's wrongful detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich and reiterating their commitment to bringing him home.

Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has now spent one year in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison on espionage charges his newspaper and the U.S. government have denounced as false. Earlier this week, his pre-trial detention was extended for another three months.

Gershkovich's family, in an interview with ABC News, expressed optimism and said they know the U.S. government is taking his case seriously.

MORE: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich marks 1 year in Russian prison

President Biden reiterated that position in a statement Friday, in which he emphasized to all Americans abroad: "We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring you home."

"As I have told Evan's parents, I will never give up hope either. We will continue working every day to secure his release," Biden said. "We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russia's appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips. And we will continue to stand strong against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists -- the pillars of free society."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

PHOTO: U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, stands inside a defendants' cage before a hearing to consider an appeal on his arrest at the Moscow City Court, April 18, 2023, in Moscow. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken similarly stressed in a statement Friday that "journalism is not a crime" as he criticized Russia for going after its critics.

"To date, Russia has provided no evidence of wrongdoing for a simple reason: Evan did nothing wrong," Blinken said, adding, "In the year since Evan's wrongful detention, Russia's already restrictive media landscape has become more oppressive, with a continued assault against independent voices targeting any form of dissent."

Blinken and Biden also called for the release of Paul Whelan, a businessman and former U.S. Marine who was convicted of espionage in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Like Gershkovich, the U.S. government considers Whelan unjustly detained by the Russian government.

"Russia should end its practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals for political leverage and should immediately release Evan and Paul," Blinken said.

PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the U.S. State Department, MArch 25, 2024, in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOTO: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson listen during during remarks at a Capitol Menorah lighting ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Building, Dec. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In a rare joint statement, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said they continue to condemn Gershkovich's "baseless arrest, fabricated charges, and unjust imprisonment."

"Forty-five years ago, Evan's parents, Ella and Mikhail Gershkovich, found refuge in the United States after fleeing the Soviet Union," they said. "Today, Putin is restoring Soviet-style control through repression at home and aggression abroad."

MORE: Parents of reporter Evan Gershkovich speak out 1 year into his Russian detainment: Exclusive

In December, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Russia rejected a "new and significant proposal" to secure the release of Gershkovich and Whelan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during an interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, suggested he could be open to a prisoner swap involving Gershkovich.

"We repeat our call for the Russian government to release Evan, Paul Whelan, and others it has wrongfully detained without further delay," the U.S. congressional leaders said Friday.

Biden, top lawmakers denounce Russia's yearlong detention of Evan Gershkovich originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
LOS ANGELES  The family of Cesar Chavez wants independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop referencing the late labor and civil rights leader on the campaign trail.

We respectfully call upon you and your campaign to cease using images of our father to associate yourself with him and suggest your campaigns goals are compatible, said the letter signed by Chavezs eldest son, Fernando Chavez.

It is our sincere conviction that this association is untrue and deceptive, he added.

The letter said that the family would pursue all legal action available if Kennedy failed to halt his campaigns use of the United Farm Workers co-founders name and imagery.

Cesar Chavez Speaks At Rally (Cathy Murphy / Getty Images file)

When reached for comment, Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said: RFK Jr.s father, Robert F. Kennedy, was a good friend of Cesar Chavez and a staunch supporter of farmworkers throughout his life. RFK Jr. has carried on that legacy and has spent more than 40 years fighting against the poisoning of workers and consumers.

On Friday, ahead of Cesar Chavez Day, the Chavez family formally endorsed President Joe Bidens re-election campaign. One of Cesar Chavezs granddaughters, Julie Rodriguez Chavez, serves as Bidens 2024 campaign manager.

Dolores Huerta, Chavezs partner in founding the UFW, has also remained a Biden ally.

In 1968, Kennedys father, former Attorney General Robert Kennedy Sr., flew to California to join Chavez after he had engaged in a water-only fast for 25 days. Kennedy Sr., at the time running for the Democratic presidential nomination, lent considerable political backing to the farm labor movements nonviolent efforts, which included a multiyear strike of the California grape industry. His relationship with Chavez was a key marker for the Democratic Partys embrace of the farmworkers labor rights movement. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968.

Kennedy Jr. is holding an event this weekend in Los Angeles that his campaign said will celebrate the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, a good friend of RFK and RFK, Jr. The invitation for the event includes a photo of Kennedy Sr. and Chavez.

In July 2023, at a conference for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Kennedy commented on his familys relationship with Chavez.

My fathers close, and probably most important political alliance, which was Cesar Chavez, who helped him win the California primary during the last day of his life and remained a very, very close friend of mine for most of my adult life, Kennedy said.
"The most recent false and baseless accusations by Daphne Joy are clearly in response to my decision to seek sole custody of my son," a representative for the rapper shared with PEOPLE

Marcus Ingram/Getty; John Salangsang/Variety/Penske Media via Getty 50 Cent and Daphne Joy

Daphne Joy has accused her ex, 50 Cent, of physically and sexually assaulting her.

In an Instagram posted Thursday, Joy, 37 directly addressed her ex 50 Cent, 48, by putting his full legal name  Curtis James Jackson  at the top of the post. They share a 12-year-old son, Sire, together.

"Let's put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping me and physically abusing me. You are no longer my oppressor and my God will handle you from this point on," she wrote. Jackson has denied the claims.



"You have permanently damaged the last hope I had for you as a father to preserve our family with these last and final false claims made against me. You have broken our hearts for the last and final time."

Joys claims have come following 50 Cent's decision to pursue sole custody of their son, Sire. According to the rapper's representative, 50 Cent is doing so because of the allegations in Rodney Jones lawsuit against Diddy that Joy worked as a sex worker.

A representative for the rapper shared the below statement with PEOPLE:

"The disturbing allegations in the sworn pleadings recently filed in a court case related to Daphne Joy, the mother of my twelve year old child, has required me to take all necessary legal actions to protect my son Sire. 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."

In response, Joy posted on Instagram, "Family court, great!"

"He lacks a father figure in his life and needs male guidance. You're finally catching on," she added.



Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson on January 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Related: Why Diddy's Former Backup Dancer Tanika Ray Says She 'Knew to Avoid Him at All Costs'

In addition to accusing 50 Cent of rape and abuse, Joy also called out her ex for his jokes about the ongoing allegations of rape and sex trafficking against Diddy.

"Everything is a joke to you until our safety is compromised, which is happening now. You are wreaking real havoc, frenzy, and chaos onto people's lives. How would u feel if Sire was the one in handcuffs? For nothing," she wrote.

The actress continued to discuss the rapper's relationship with their son, Sire. "We moved to New York to give you the opportunity to be a father to your son and you saw him 10 times out of the 2 years that we lived 1 mile away from you," alleged Joy. "I am tired of upholding and protecting an image to our son that you have never even earned."

Back in 2013, 50 Cent was charged with domestic violence against Joy and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor vandalism stemming from an incident where he allegedly kicked Joy in the stomach and destroyed her property during an argument. The rapper struck a deal with Los Angeles prosecutors for three years' probation and 30 days of community service.

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Daphne Joy on August 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

In a separate Instagram post on Thursday, Joy refuted allegations made by producer Rodney Jones' in a sex trafficking lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs that she a sex worker.

"I am deeply hurt by the lies in Rodney Jones' lawsuit. The claim that I am sex worker is 100% false and character assassination," she wrote. "I am retaining an attorney to explore all legal remedies against both Rodney and his attorney."

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.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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A commercial flight of Turkish Airlines arrives at the Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya, on March 28, 2024. The Turkish Airlines on Thursday resumed commercial flights to the Mitiga International Airport in the Libyan capital Tripoli, after a hiatus of 10 years, Mohamed al-Shohobi, the Libyan minister of transportation, announced in a press conference. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Airlines on Thursday resumed commercial flights to the Mitiga International Airport in the Libyan capital Tripoli, after a hiatus of 10 years, Mohamed al-Shohobi, the Libyan minister of transportation, announced in a press conference.

"The arrival of the Turkish Airlines flight in the Mitiga International Airport today is a message of guarantee to all international aviation agencies. This step confirms the stabilization of the security situation (in Libya) and supports our commitment to applying standards of civil aviation safety and security," al-Shohobi told the press conference.

"We also encourage other airlines that may not have sufficient information about the security situation in Libya (to resume flights from Libya)," the minister said.

Al-Shohobi also praised the Turkish Airlines as a perfect partner for cooperation, training, maintenance services, and investments.

In 2014, violent clashes erupted between rival armed factions in and around Tripoli, forcing many foreign companies and airlines to flee the country. 

People attend a press conference to announce the resumption of commercial flights by Turkish Airlines in Tripoli, Libya, on March 28, 2024. The Turkish Airlines on Thursday resumed commercial flights to the Mitiga International Airport in the Libyan capital Tripoli, after a hiatus of 10 years, Mohamed al-Shohobi, the Libyan minister of transportation, announced in a press conference. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)
Courtesy of TikTok/Abby and Brittany Hensel

Conjoined twins Abby Hensel and Brittany Hensels family got a little bigger when Abby tied the knot with husband Josh Bowling two years ago.

Abby wed Bowling, a United States Army veteran, in a private ceremony in November 2021. At the time, the newlyweds  along with their extended family  shared a series of photos and videos of the wedding, including snapshots from what appeared to be the couples first dance.

Since the nuptials, the Hensels and Bowling have made a life for themselves in Minnesota, where the twins work as fifth-grade teachers, according to Today. Bowlings Facebook page also features happy images of him with the twins enjoying ice cream and traveling together.

Abby and Brittany have long since been candid about their desire to find love and expand their family.

Celebrity Weddings of 2024: See Which Stars Got Married This Year

Yeah, were going to be moms, Abby said in Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16 in 2006. We havent thought about how being moms is going to work yet.

Keep scrolling for what you need to know about Abby Hensel:

Who Is Abby Hensel?

Abby is the left-side conjoined twin to Brittany. After their birth in 1990, their parents, Mike and Patty Hensel, opted against a separation surgery as they were told that it was unlikely both sisters would survive.

The twosome are dicephalous conjoined twins, a rare form of partial twinning with two heads side by side on one torso. They share a bloodstream and all organs below the waist. Abby controls their right arm and leg, while Brittany controls the left.

How Did Abby Hensel Become a Reality TV Star?

Abby and Brittany first appeared on TV in 1996. They landed the documentary Joined for Life, which followed them over the course of one year, in 2006, before appearing on the TV series Extraordinary People in 2007.

In 2008, they starred in the documentary Joined for Life: Abby and Brittany Turn 16 before appearing in their own reality series with TLC, titled Abby & Brittany, in 2012. The show followed them as they prepared to graduate from Minnesotas Bethel College and later traveled to Europe.

Does Abby Want to Be a Mom?

Both Abby and Brittany have been open about wanting to be mothers over the years, but have preferred to keep their private lives out of the spotlight in the decade since their reality show wrapped.

The whole world doesnt need to know who we are seeing, what we are doing and when we are going to do it, Brittany said during an interview, per the Daily Mail. But Believe me, we are totally different people.

Abby is currently a stepmom to 8-year-old Isabella, Bowlings daughter from a previous relationship.

Bye, Bye Tent! Matt Lucas Announces Great British Baking Show Exit

What Does Abby Do for a Living?

Both Abby and Brittany are currently working as fifth-grade teachers in Brighton, Minnesota, according to public records. The twins began working in the educational field shortly after graduating college.

Math and science is kind of my strong point, Abby explained on an episode of Abby & Brittany. Where Brittany is more focused on the language arts, readingstuff like that.
A Florida law is prompting backlash from professors, students and advocates across university campuses in the state who say the measure could keep Chinese grad students out of their schools.

The measure, State Bill 846, restricts the states public universities from hiring graduate students for positions such as researchers and lab assistants, from countries of concern, including China, the largest contributor of international students in the state.

While the measure went into effect last July, schools typically issue offer letters in the spring, prompting the recent protests.

While Gov. Ron DeSantis has said that the legislation is part of an attempt to counter Chinas malign influence in the state, critics say itll do more harm than good. From taking legal action to participating in rallies this week, students, faculty and others are calling for the measure to be reversed, arguing that the law could pose a threat to the states academics and impede scientific advancements and freedoms.

Its discriminatory, Chenglong Li, a professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, told NBC News. Individuals, they cannot decide where they are born. Theyre only thinking of their educational opportunities.

I think this kind of approach actually harms national security. A lot of people are actually STEM talents. They actively come here to do research and contribute to this country, he added.

The state Education Department declined to comment. And representatives for DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment. But the governor announced the bill last May as part of his efforts to combat corporate espionage and higher education subterfuge carried out by the CCP and its agents. In addition to this education measure, he also signed a controversial law that, in part, banned some Chinese citizens from owning homes or land in the state. The land law, also implemented last July, was blocked by a U.S. appeals court in February.

Zichen Wang, a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, a nongovernmental think tank in Beijing, called the university-related measure unconstitutional, comparing it to the Chinese Exclusion Act, which instituted a 10-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration to the United States.

It harms Florida as it stigmatizes individuals from China who would otherwise make significant contributions to the Sunshine State, he said in an email.

Under SB 846, state universities and colleges are prohibited from accepting grants or partnering with those domiciled, in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela or Syria. The term domicile, criticized by many as being vague and confusing, is defined as a physical presence in a foreign country of concern with an intent to return thereto. The law does not apply to student enrollment, so those who are self-funded would not be impacted.

Exceptions to these restrictions, however, can be made with the approval from the state university Board of Governors, a 17-member organization that oversees the management of Floridas public university institutions. And individuals in these cases need to be deemed valuable to students and the school, and declared not a threat to the safety or security of the United States or its residents.

Two students, Zhipeng Yin and Zhen Guo, and a professor, Zhengfei Guan, filed a lawsuit Monday, arguing that the measure codifies discrimination against those of Asian descent. The students, both of whom are from China and attend Florida International University, had been working as graduate assistants in labs for their supervising professors when they were terminated from their jobs because of the measure, according to the lawsuit. And the professor, an agricultural economist who teaches at the University of Florida, had been trying to hire a postdoctoral candidate from China. But because of a four-month delay related to SB 846, the candidate decided to go elsewhere.

Gov. DeSantis has argued that this law is necessary to protect Florida from the Chinese Communist Party and its activities, said a press release on the lawsuit, backed in part by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. But this misguided rationale unfairly equates Chinese students with the actions of their government, and there is no evidence of national security harm resulting from international students from China studying in Florida.

Neither the University of Florida nor Florida International University responded to requests for comment. The state university Board of Governors declined to comment, saying its pending litigation.

Other scholars and students attended a rally at the University of Florida hosted by more than two dozen organizations, including ACLU Florida, and led by the nonprofit Asian American Scholar Forum, to protest against the measure. Many said they hoped the law would be reversed eventually but are demanding transparency from the board of governors on their approval process in the meantime.

Li, who was among those at the rally, said that many faculty members began dealing with the fallout from the law in December when assessing applications. His own department has been dealing with some of the similar struggles with hiring two Chinese applicants, as those named in the lawsuit. And the acceptance letters to the two students have yet to be sent out. He added that In his department, Chinese applicants, as well as those from Iran, make up roughly one-third of all applicants.

If this law persists, you can imagine, year after year, graduate talents from China or some countries of concern will dry out, Li said.

Ming Fang, an associate teaching professor at FIUs English department, who also attended the rally, said that similar frustrations plagued her university.

There appears to be some confusion among the faculty members about the specific procedure and criteria to follow, she said. For instance, the regulation excludes hiring individuals domiciled in countries of concern but how do we define and interpret domicile?  How about applicants who are currently living in another country but originated from the countries of concern?

Fang said that already, the faculty has been generally advised against considering candidates from those countries of concern because of the murkiness in the approval process. Additionally, Fang said that faculty members want to be mindful of applicants timelines.

Its not just for fear of the legislation, she said. We dont know how long the process will take and its not doing applicants a benefit. What if they have other choices that might be better for them?

Ultimately, the legislation puts the faculty in a difficult position, placing the burden of national security in their hands, Li said.

These people who come here to study  its their personal choice. Theres nothing political here, Li said. National security issues should be dealt with professionally by federal agencies.
The U.S., Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are on a mission to restructure the global chip supply chain. The proposed Chip 4 Alliance wants to internalize all parts of the semiconductor businessresearch and development, design, manufacturing, packaging, sales and consumptionin-house. This chip clique will only reach outside the circle in strictly controlled circumstances.

These four economies constitute almost the entire global semiconductor industry, accounting for 82% of the global market share, and 74% of the semiconductor global value chain with 84% of chip design. They collectively occupy a 77% share in the market for manufacturing equipment and as high as 99% for memory chips. Thus, the Alliance is more than just cooperation and coordination: What these four governments determine will shape the global market.

But the Chip 4 Alliance raises a critical and complicated question: Can countries control production and manage trade for a product defined by innovation and competition?

If they can, were looking at something very new: an OPEC-style cartel for the digital age.

To the extent that participating members in the Chip 4 Alliance promise to regulate their respective domestic semiconductor industries in a coordinated way, and orient their businesses in a certain direction, this endeavor may introduce something akin to a state-owned enterprise, operated collectively and managed multinationally.

Put bluntly, the four Alliance members can lay out, in the long run, which companies do what, who produces parts and materials, how they are sourced, and where chips are distributed and sold. They will also align their R&D, financial support, and incentives. The chip sector will feature government-arranged financial support, on-going governmental influence, public-private joint business planning, and public mandate fulfilment.

This is none other than a well-known recipe for SOEs, a topic which took center stage in recent trade agreements such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) or the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Economists have long argued that enterprises under the direction or indirect control of the government sap economic efficiency and hamper market competition.

It's thus ironic that a new scheme for the global semiconductor industry could create a new type of SOE: the "multinational SOE," distinct from the national SOEs targeted by by recent regulations and investment agreements.

If key decisions of the semiconductor businesses of the four members are made at the request (if not direction) of respective government agencies, those businesses are presumably set to be a new breed of state enterprise for the digital age.

Whats more, if their business decisions are coordinated and orchestrated by the pool of governmentswhether an alliance, network or any other titlethey will be virtually under the collective control of the participating governments.

Consider, for example, TSMCs decision to build fabs in Phoenix, Arizona and Kumamoto, Japan, or Samsungs new fab in Taylor, Texas. These locations dont offer the same benefits as TSMCs home of Taiwan, or Samsungs home of Korea: less expertise, higher costs and more troublesome regulations. Why, then, did these chip giants decide to invest in the U.S. and Japan? Geopolitics is one obvious possibility.

Granted, the Chinese chip industry has also received a massive amount of financial support from both central and local governments. Beijing raised a semiconductor fund in the amount of $19 billion in 2014 and $27 billion in 2019, respectively. It is now planning to raise a new fund of $41 billion. Clearly a number of Chinese chipmakers can be called SOEs.

Yet endeavors like the Chip 4 Alliance risk creating a behemoth to fight a behemoth. One side may win against the otherthen may wither because of stifled innovation and competition.

For chip companies, this whole plan is a Catch-22. In the course of restructuring the global supply chain, chipmakers are encouraged, if not forced, to discuss coordinating business activities with their counterparts. This line of close consultation reveals the Achilles heel of global corporations: the web of competition rules and antitrust sanctions in various states.

Members of the Chip 4 Alliance might downplay their competition rules, but non-participating governments, like the European Union, China, or others, might think otherwise when they feel short-changed from a new supply chain.

Semiconductors are just the most high-profile area where countries are using friendshoring to shift away from "countries of concern." Yet if these policies become the norm, then the global system could end up with much less competition and much less innovationdominated by a new breed of state-owned enterprise.

Jaemin Lee is currently Professor of Law at School of Law, Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. His major areas of teaching and research are international economic law and international dispute settlement.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The lobby of the U.S. headquarters of UBS, in Manhattan, is adorned this spring with dozens of original paintings by Lucian Freud, the English portraitist. But a few privileged visitors can get an invitation to the 14th floor, where an oak-paneled corridor leads to private rooms bedecked with still more artfrom 20th-century giants like Cy Twombly and Roy Lichtenstein, and rising stars like Julie Mehretu and Jeffrey Gibson, among many others.

The Swiss bank presides over a global collection of more than 30,000 works and, along with an exclusive tier of other financial institutions, is a major force in the art world. The banks flex their influence at swank global fairs like Art Basel and Frieze, where they are sponsors and host exhibitions, and in local communities where they are patrons of up-and-coming artists and the galleries that display them.

These endeavors reflect a centuries-long tradition of banks as benefactors of the arts, but they also reflect a calculated business decision. At a time when financial institutions are betting on their wealth management practices as a source of growth, a high-profile presence in the art world can help attract and keep the ultra-high-net-worth clients who are their VIPs. And UBS can offer advice and guidance to those who are, or aspire to be, collectors.

The wealth services offered by UBS and others provide a window into the lives of the very affluent. And in the case of art, they show how banks can help the wealthy navigate a world with few rulesand where passion and emotion can trump the cold calculus of traditional financial transactions.

A famously opaque and unregulated place

The Florentine clan known as the House of Medici, who took in a teenage artist named Michelangelo and had Leonardo da Vinci play the lute at their garden parties, were the first high-profile bankers to put their name on the art world. Junius Morgan, the founder of what is today JPMorgan Chase, continued that tradition in the New World as he amassed a collection that included Old Masters, da Vincis notebooks, and the jewelry of his Medici predecessors. (Much of this can be viewed by the public today at the splendid Morgan Library & Museum on Madison Avenue.)

The closest modern-day heir to Morgan and the Medicis may be the late Don Marron, founder of investment bank PaineWebber (which UBS acquired in 2000). Marron cut a larger-than-life figure in the New York art world. An avid Andy Warhol collector, he was both a leading banker and the president of MOMAs board, and could often be found prowling the galleries of SoHo on any given Saturday during the 1980s.

The banking world today lacks an art-obsessed CEObut it does have Mary Rozell, global head of the UBS art collection. Stylish in black with flowing white hair, Rozell is the Anna Wintour of the New York art scene, according to one art-world admirer, who added that every gallery girl would die to work for her.

Strolling into UBSs 14th-floor showroom, Rozell pauses before a favorite new addition to the banks collection. Its a painting that depicts a bright, whimsical scene of Black children frolicking with an inflatable swan in a swimming pool. She explains its part of a series by Brooklyn artist Derrick Adams, who uses his art to depict Black joy and whose work UBS has been acquiring as part of a broader initiative to make its collection more contemporary.

An art lawyer who previously taught classes in collecting as a director at the Sothebys Institute of Art, Rozell is tasked with exhibiting and acquiring worksand, on occasion, deaccessioning, the art worlds term for donating or selling a piece. Some of her colleagues will also play the role of emissary for UBS clients, lending their influence to bring them before the right dealers.

Its very much of an insider world, and theres a lot of rules to play by that no one talks about, Rozell explains. You just cant go into a gallery and buy arttheres certain protocols and a certain stature that you need to have.

_R000915 The UBS Art Gallery is located in their New York City headquarters lobby and is open to the public. An exhibit of of Lucian Freud's work from their collection is shown here.

Gaining access to the right galleries is just the first step for aspiring art buyers. They must also beware of unscrupulous dealers passing off one artists paintings for another, or of a carefully disguised water stain that dramatically reduces the value of the work. Of getting ripped off, in other words.

For select UBS clients, the bank will furnish the services of advisor Matthew Newton, a dapper figure who favors round glasses and brown blazers. Newton got his start in the art world after leaving rural Georgia, where he grew up, to become a painter in New York, and then a fixture in the citys gallery scene. At UBS, Newton helps clients navigate an art world he describes as a famously opaque and unregulated place. In addition to steering them away from charlatans, Newton will also provide advice on how to build and take care of a growing art collection.

In most cases, Newton says, art buyers will purchase works until their home (or homes) are full and declare the process complete. Sometimes, though, they get the collectors bug and art becomes something closer to an obsession.

Top-tier collectors tend to be a mix of entrepreneurs or very successful financial executives or hedge fund owners, says Newton. They relate to the world of successful artists. Theyre decisive risk-takers who look at the world differently.

Newton identified Steve Cohen, the mercurial founder of hedge fund Point72, as one of the countrys top private collectors. He also pointed to Walmart heiress Alice Walton, who has built an acclaimed museum in Bentonville, Ark., and to medical device tycoon Mitchell Rales, who, alongside his wife, Emily, has done the same outside Washington, D.C.

For the great collectors, art is very much a passion. But for the banks that help them build and care for their collections, it is very much a businessone that is very hard to value.

Priceless  or just expensive?

If you have $1 million, you can expect discounts on bank services and perhaps a personal holiday card from the branch manager. If you have $100 million, your bank will offer something else entirely: an on-call concierge service equipped with every sort of professional and fixer imaginable, designed for the ultra-high-net-worth set. This might include attorneys familiar with offshore real estate deals, psychologists who can reconcile you with your ungrateful grandchildren, or art advisors like Newton, who sits on UBSs family office team.

These on-staff experts represent the top tier of the teams that make up most banks wealth management divisionsunits that nearly every financial institution has described to shareholders on recent earnings calls as a future area of growth.

In the case of art-related wealth management services, its easy to state the business casea wealthy client wants their banker to know about artbut its almost impossible to quantify. Tom Burroughes, who edits Family Wealth Report, describes the service as very niche, noting that only a handful of banks offer it. At the same time, an intrinsic quality of fine art is that people dont want to sell, which means the total market is not very big. In 2023, global art transactions amounted to $65 billion, according to a March report by Art Basel and UBS. Thats a large number, but one that is tiny compared with other sectorsincluding banking, where JPMorgan Chase alone made nearly that amount in profits last year.

As for how much banks earn from their art-related services, its hard to say precisely. The value of these activities is not broken out in earnings reports, but is instead lumped into a broader category like wealth management. Even the banks famous collections areperhaps appropriately for the shadowy art worldtotally opaque from an accounting perspective. Though they are presumably worth billions of dollars, they arent broken out on the firms balance sheets or annual reports, and are instead chucked in alongside buildings and desks under property, plant, and equipment.

Still, in some cases, it is easy to see how banks art expertise can tie into their business services. Art collecting and trading overlaps with tax and philanthropy advisories, and serves as an anchor for a surprisingly robust lending practice. According to John Arena, head of art lending at Deutsche Bank, clients turn to him to convert artworks into collateral to finance everything from commercial real estate to investments to (of course) further art purchases.

Art collections are also a brisk source of business for banks estate planning units. That topic can be particularly fraught, as Rozell observes: One of the things that collectors dont like to think about is the long term, because in most cases the kids arent going to want [the art].

Finally, staying immersed in the art world provides banks an intangible benefit in the form of an opportunity to retain well-heeled clients who are not going to be swayed by checking account promotions or free box seats to the Knicks.

Its an emotional thing, says Burroughes, the editor. Thats one reason banks get involved in artto find out about their clients psychology.

The future of corporate art

Banks are not the only companies that own art. Companies as diverse as Microsoft and Ford have assembled highly regarded collections, as have some white-shoe law firms. Most collections began with the simple need to hang something on the walls. But as companies grow in wealth and influence, the desire of many owners and CEOs is to express a distinct corporate personality and, ideally, to use art as a means to connect with their communities.

While all sorts of companies take part in the art world, the reality is that its banks that are at the forefront. This includes UBS and Deutsche Bank, but also the likes of JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and HSBC. A 2020 Bloomberg story even anointed the banks the New Medici, triggering a cry of dismay from a columnist for the site Artnet, who noted that banks expanding presence coincided with a decline in funding for public museums and galleries.

The concern is a valid oneafter all, how valuable is a private art collection no one can see? But it is also one that banks can have a direct role in mitigating by staging public exhibitions, like the Lucian Freud on display in the UBS lobby, and by donating and lending works to public museums.

And at a time of ongoing anxiety over a return to the office and finding a social life outside our phones, the example of famous finance CEO and art patron Don Marron offers inspiration. As Rozell recalls, the 1980s were an era of watercooler chatter when the physical aspects of the office mattered a lotand art was an important part of that.

Especially before the internet, everything was about the physical office space, she says. In Don Marrons case, he liked to use art to provokeand I like it, too.

Indeed, UBSs collection can catalyze the kinds of chats that build deeper relationships with clients. People will come into my office and say, I really dont understand that piece in the lobby, Rozell says. And its then you have a great conversation.

A version of this article appears in the April/May 2024 issue of Fortune with the headline, The art of banking.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
After weeks of waiting, House Republicans say they will send two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate next month in a move that GOP strategists say will put vulnerable Democrats such as Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio) on the defensive.

Republicans acknowledge the impeachment charges against Mayorkas arent going anywhere in the Senate, but they say votes by vulnerable Democrats to dismiss them will incur political damage  raising the question of whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) may try to protect his colleagues by postponing a vote until after Election Day.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote a letter to Schumer on Thursday informing him the House will send the impeachment articles to the Senate on April 10.

I would say its the biggest threat to Sherrod Brown and Jon Tester, specifically. Its a really, really bad issue for them, a Senate Republican strategist said of the vulnerability Republicans think the two Democrats have on border security and immigration issues.

Theyre caught between their base and what the majority of their state wants, the strategist said.

Trump carried Ohio with 51.3 percent of the vote in 2016 and 53 percent in 2020. And he won Montana with 55.6 percent in 2016 and 56.9 percent in 2020.

Republican strategists are already taking shots at House Democrats in competitive Senate races who voted against impeaching Mayorkas.

The impeachment is both good policy and good politics, said Constantin Querard, a Republican strategist based in Arizona, where Democrats are trying to keep control of the seat now held by retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).

He noted that the likely Democratic nominee for Senate, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), voted twice in the House against impeaching Mayorkas.

Gallego is very much a Mayorkas fan. Whoever the Republican nominee is not, Querard added. Its just another piece in that larger battle over illegal immigration that obviously is a big issue here.

Schumer earlier this month dismissed the impeachment articles as absurd, indicating little willingness to let the House impeachment managers consume days of Senate floor time presenting their case against Mayorkas.

I think there is no evidence that hes committed any impeachable activities or actions, and I think its absurd, he said.

Schumers office said Thursday that once the House managers bring the articles of impeachment to the Senate, senators will be sworn in as jurors for a trial the next day, and Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will preside over the chamber.

The Speaker tried Thursday to ramp up pressure on Schumer to allow a full trial to proceed.

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 after sending Schumer a letter notifying him that House impeachment managers will formally bring their accusations to the Senate after the Easter recess.

Senators expect Schumer to hold a quick vote to dismiss the matter  but that could expose his vulnerable Democratic colleagues to new immigration related attacks.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg pointed out that three House Republicans voted against the impeachment charges and accused the Speaker and impeachment managers of trampling on the Constitution for political gain.

House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country, Ehrenberg said.

The first attempt to impeach Mayorkas failed in the House by a 214-216 vote on Feb. 6. It passed the following week by a 214-213 vote.

Vulnerable Democratic senators are already taking heavy fire for voting against a series of immigration-related amendments to the $1 trillion spending package the Senate passed last week.

Senior Trump domestic policy adviser Stephen Miller went on conservative talk radio in Montana this week to attack Tester over immigration issues.

Jon Tester  voted to kill the Laken Riley Act, he said on Montana Talks, referring to an amendment sponsored by Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) to the spending package.

The amendment would have required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest people who illegally entered the country who commit theft, burglary or larceny, and detain them until they are removed from the United States. It passed as a stand-alone bill in the House earlier this month.

How did Jon Tester vote? To keep the criminal migrants here in America, Miller said.

Budds amendment failed by party-line vote of 47-51, with all Democrats voting against it.

Senate Republicans forced Democrats to take tough votes on several other immigration-related amendments to the spending package, including one sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to bar federal money for cities that refuse to comply with Department of Homeland Security requests to notify federal authorities when people in the country illegally are released from custody.

Democrats also voted en bloc against an amendment sponsored by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) to prohibit the federal funding of flights to bring migrants into the country.

The proposal was offered in response to a Biden policy enacted at the start of 2023 allowing migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter the country for a period of two years if they have a financial sponsor and arrive at designated airport.

It is going to be impossible for Senate Democrats to campaign on securing the border when they unanimously oppose commonsense measures like the Laken Riley Act, which would force ICE to arrest illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes, National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director Mike Berg said.

They also unanimously voted to continue funding sanctuary cities and Joe Bidens secret migrant flights into our country. Democrats created this crisis and are refusing to fix it, he said.

An Associated Press fact check of Republican claims that the Biden administration has secretly flown migrants into the country found Biden has parole authority under a 1952 law to admit refugees into the country on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons.

Senate Democrats tried to flip the script on Republicans last month after all but four GOP senators voted against a bipartisan border security deal that had the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Wall Street Journal.

It would have given the president emergency power to limit the flow of migrants, reformed the nations asylum process and increased funding for Customs and Border Patrol and ICE.

Democrats argued that Republican opposition to the deal showed they want to keep border security alive as a political issue heading into November instead of taking steps to fix the problem.

They are now deploying that argument to give political cover to endangered Democratic senators ahead of the battle over Mayorkass impeachment.

Republican Senate candidates lost their message on the border the minute they opposed the border security bill that was written by their own party. Democrats will hammer these GOP Senate candidates for refusing to crack down on Chinese fentanyl, refusing to keep Americans safe, and failing to stand with border patrol agents who backed this proposal  the ads write themselves, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director David Bergstein said.

The Senate Democrats campaign arm has launched a new ad calling out Senate Republicans for opposing the border security bill.

And in Ohio, where Brown is squaring off against businessman Bernie Moreno, the state Democratic Party has launched a digital ad highlighting Morenos opposition to the bipartisan Senate border deal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the government to stop funding religious schools whose students defy the countrys mandatory military service, posing one of the most serious threats to date for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have long held a privileged position in Israel, with their schools receiving generous government subsidies. The young men of the Haredim, as they are known in Hebrew, are in all practical terms exempt from mandatory military services  an issue that has bedeviled Israeli society since the countrys founding.

The debate has grown more fierce since Israel launched its invasion of Gaza in response to Hamas October 7 terror attack, which has put the country on a war footing for nearly six months with the prospect of more to come.

Netanyahu relies on two Ultra-Orthodox parties  Shas and United Torah Judaism  to maintain a governing coalition. His wartime cabinet partners  Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, of the National Unity Party  have been heavily critical of Netanyahus approach to the issue of Ultra-Orthodox conscription.

The judges of the High Court of Justice want to saw off the branch of existence of the Jewish people, Ariyeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, said in a statement on X. The people of Israel are engaged in a war of existence on several fronts and the High Court of Justice judges did everything tonight to create a fratricidal war as well.

In Israels nascent days, its first prime minister David Ben-Gurion agreed with Haredi rabbis to exempt from military service 400 men studying in religious schools, known as yeshivas.

The exemption, made in 1948, came when there were few Haredim in Israel  as many were and remain opposed to the state on religious grounds  and so had little practical impact. But the Haredi community has since swelled, now comprising 24% of recruitment-aged Israelis, making the issue of exemption thornier.

The exemption was never enshrined in a law that the Supreme Court views as equitable. In 1998, it ripped up the longstanding exemption on the grounds that it violated equal protection principles. In the years since it has only been upheld by patch-work government mandates.

The most recent mandate, signed in 2018, is set to expire on March 31, despite Netanyahus attempts this week to delay the Supreme Courts deadline to pass a law that would make the exemption official.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, March 17, 2024. - Leo Correa/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

But his efforts were unsuccessful. After decades of rulings on the subject, the Supreme Court told the government that it was illegal for the government to both fund yeshivas and exempt their students from conscription. In a ruling late Thursday, the Supreme Court said that starting on April 1, the government could no longer transfer funds to yeshivas whose students did not receive legitimate deferments.

Yitzhak Goldknopf, leader of the United Torah Judaism party, called the ruling a sign of disgrace and contempt.

The State of Israel arose to be a home for the Jewish people whose Torah is true Torah, and there is no power in the world that can do it, he said. Without the Torah, we have no right to exist.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews view religious study as fundamental to the preservation of Judaism. For many of those who live in Israel, that means study is just as important to Israels defense as the military.

Before the Supreme Courts decision Thursday, Yohanan Plesner, head of the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), told CNN the exemption issue has the biggest potential of bringing down the coalition.

Gantz, of the National Unity Party, said that the court ruled the obvious today. The time has come for the government to do the obvious. Its time for action.

Gantz has in recent months emerged as Netanyahus most formidable political opponent, and earlier this month made an unsanctioned trip to Washington, DC  to Netanyahus immense ire  to meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The top Biden administration officials told Gantz the situation in Gaza was unacceptable and unsustainable and demanded more be done to allow aid to enter the enclave, which is edging closer to famine.

This is story has been updated with further developments.

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Hala Fayyad is proud of her handmade kite, decorated in the colors of the Palestinian flag. The four pieces of colored plastic -- red, white, green and black -- are held simply by white plastic sticks and a few strings.

"We fly kites instead of warplanes," the 13-year-old told ABC News as she held her kite, moments before setting it free to ride the wind.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a religious non-governmental organization, hosted a kite festival at a school in Rafah this week. Hundreds of children of different ages participated in the day of games and activities, which culminated in the children flying their kites, carefully crafted in the past few days, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

PHOTO: AFSC volunteers help children make kites for the festival in Rafah. (American Friends Service Committee)

Of the more than 32,000 Palestinians killed in the military response from Israeli forces since October, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, 45% have been children, they have said. Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage, according to Israeli officials, who say roughly 100 hostages may remain alive inside Gaza. Israel maintains that their goal is to free the hostages and eliminate Hamas, ensuring it no longer remains a threat to Israel.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that children are the majority of the over 70,000 injured, too. UNICEF estimates that 1 million children in the Gaza Strip have been affected by the conflict.

PHOTO: AFSC volunteers help children make kites for the festival in Rafah. (American Friends Service Committee)

UNICEF, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), Save the Children and other international organizations have warned of the disproportionate cost that children in Gaza are bearing in this conflict in terms of food insecurity and starvation, thirst, displacement and lack of basic healthcare.

"We saw the change in the behavior of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip as a result of displacement, living in tents and shelters," Firas Ramlawi, the director of AFSC in Gaza, told ABC News. "So we wanted to alleviate this, through games and recreational activities."

The kite activity, in particular, provides more than that, the organizers told ABC News. Gazans have a long history of kite-making and flying, connected with symbolic calls for freedom among Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, they have said.

Gazans even set a Guinness World Record in 2011 for most kites flown simultaneously, flying over 12,000 kites in one day. Ramlawi said the kites they made this time bore the names of children who were killed in the war.

PHOTO: Palestinian children attend a kite festival organized by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in which they attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest number of kites flown simultaneously, July 28, 2011. (Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images)

On March 30, the AFSC says it will host a parallel kite festival in Washington, D.C., aimed at raising awareness about the price that Palestinian children are paying in this war and calling for a cease-fire in the war.

MORE: US hasn't ruled out consequences for Israel over looming Rafah operation: What would that look like?

This will happen as a part of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival and will have a tribute to the late Palestinian professor and poet Refaat Alareer, who wrote the viral poem "If I Must Die" around the kite symbolism. "Refaat said, 'let the kite be a symbol of hope,' which is exactly what we need at this moment: hope to keep our people safe," Jennifer Bing, the organizer of the parallel festival in D.C. and a friend of Alareer, told ABC News ahead of the event.

PHOTO: AFSC volunteers help children make kites for the festival in Rafah. (American Friends Service Committee)

Alareer was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in early December, according to human rights monitor Euro-Med.

"He was 44, so we are having 44 white kites, and a multitude of Palestine-themed others," Bing said, adding that they hope to send a pacifist message to the powerful decision-makers in the United States.

"We fly kites in order to rest our souls from the occupation planes, even for one day," said Basil Ayman, a child who participated in the festival in Rafah. "Why do wars happen anyway? I hope the war stops."

-ABC News' Samy Zyara contributed to this report.

Kite festival in Gaza offers children rare break from ongoing war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Former Rep. George Santos and Rep. Lauren Boebert before the State of the Union earlier this month. Shawn Thew/Getty Images

Former Rep. Ken Buck recently sounded off against Lauren Boebert, who's now running for his seat.

He said the congresswoman and her various controversies "makes George Santos look like a saint."

Boebert has accused Buck of resigning early in order to make it harder for her to win his seat.

According to audio that recently aired on a Colorado talk radio station, former Rep. Ken Buck doesn't think all that highly of Rep. Lauren Boebert.

"She makes George Santos look like a saint," Buck can be heard saying on the audio heard on the "Dan Caplis Show." Buck was referring to the recently expelled New York Republican who's known for his myriad lies; Santos has been indicted on 23 charges, including wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty.

According to Politico, which first reported on the existence of the audio, Buck made those comments at a Rotary Club event after being asked about the controversial congresswoman.

"I've been asked about her moving across the mountains to run in the 4th congressional district, and I have not said anything," Buck can be heard saying before he references controversies surrounding her ex-husband and son, as well as her infamous "Beetlejuice" incident.

On Friday, Buck told Politico: "I went through a list of issues that I have not responded to that the press has asked me about."

Boebert, appearing on the show to respond to Buck's comments, fired back: "Ken Buck is so irrelevant and such an embarrassment to Colorado I really don't care what he's asked about me."

The two Colorado Republicans have been at loggerheads recently over Buck's decision to suddenly resign, which has triggered a special election in Colorado's 4th district.

Boebert, facing the prospect of an expensive reelection campaign and a potential loss to a Democrat in her old district, opted to move across the state and run in the 4th district in December after Buck announced that he would retire.

She had already faced accusations of "carpetbagging" and a potentially tough fight to stay in Congress.

But Buck's decision to leave even sooner than the end of his term  which also shaved down the House GOP majority upon his departure last Friday  makes her path to staying in office even harder.

She's already sworn off seeking the GOP nomination for the special election, given that she would trigger another special election in her old seat if she won. Later on Thursday, local GOP officials are set to choose another candidate, possibly one of her current primary opponents.

That means Boebert may have to run against someone who has been anointed by the local party to serve for at least 6 months in Congress, putting her at a greater disadvantage.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Anna Puzatykh / iStock / Getty Images Plus - Getty Images

From juicy strawberries and tomatoes in the summer to crisp apples in the fall, nothing beats fresh produce. Problem is, fruits and veggies spoil much faster than a can of beans or box of cereal. But with the proper storage, you can maximize the longevity of your produce and prevent your greens from getting slimy.

To minimize food waste and maximize your dollarfarmers markets are expensivewere covering everything you need to know about how to store your produce, with the help of Albert Nguyen, chef instructor of culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education .

Before we get into the specifics on how to store different items, there are a few things you should know. Youve probably read articles about washing and cutting fruits and veggies as soon as you get home so that youre more likely to actually eat them. But Nguyen recommends that you don't wash your produce until you're ready to use it.

One of the biggest mistakes is washing produce and putting them back into the fridge wet, said Nguyen. Any excess moisture found or left on produce will be a vector for bacteria or mold to easily grow, thus allowing for the item to spoil quickly.

Another mistake is stuffing all your produce into the crisper drawer. Most fridges have two crispers. I usually use the lowest one to store more of the denser and tougher produce, whilst the top crisper is for softer, more delicate leafy items that need to be kept spacious and breathable.

When it comes to deciding what produce to put together, a key factor is ethylene. Many fruits and veggies release ethylene gas as they ripen. This helps them ripen, but the gas will speed up the ripening of any produce that's placed near it, especially if it's sensitive to ethylene. In general, you'll want to store ethylene producers away from produce that is sensitive to it. Here are some to keep in mind, and more can be found on the UC San Diego Center for Community Health's website.

Ethylene Producers: Apples, bananas, avocados, kiwi, cantaloupe, peaches, pears, tomatoes, peppers

Ethylene Sensitive: Sweet potatoes, broccoli, apples, bananas, cucumbers, lemons, limes, onions, squash, lettuce, peaches, pears

Greens & Herbs

Leafy greens and herbs often come damp from being misted at the grocery store. Nguyen recommends storing them in a plastic bag with a paper towel to keep them dry. Make sure to keep the bag open to allow air to flow.

Potatoes, Onions, Garlic, & Hard Squashes

To avoid sprouting, store these items in a cool, dark, and dry space. Sweet potatoes, squash, and onions are sensitive to ethylene, so make sure to store them away from produce that releases a lot of ethylene.

Tomatoes

Nguyen recommends leaving tomatoes out with their stem faced down to avoid moisture loss. The only time you want to store them in the fridge, he added, is if you won't be using them within a week.

Bananas

Keep bananas away from sunlight and heat, which will cause them to ripen faster. If you're really trying to keep your bananas from turning brown, you can also wrap a bit of plastic wrap around the stems, which is where they release ethylene. Don't put them in the fridge unless they've already ripened.

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By Jeff Mason

NEW YORK (Reuters) -President Joe Biden and his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, headlined a star-studded fundraiser with former President Bill Clinton on Thursday that organizers said raised more than $25 million for Biden's U.S. reelection campaign.

Biden, who arrived with Obama on Air Force One on Thursday afternoon, and Clinton took part in a discussion moderated by "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in front of thousands of guests.

But the fundraiser was punctuated by protests inside the massive auditorium, as attendees rose at several different moments to shout over the discussion, referencing Biden's backing of Israel in the Hamas war that has killed over 30,000 in Gaza.

"Shame on you, Joe Biden" one yelled.

Obama said Biden has "moral clarity" on the Israel issue and is willing to listen to all sides in this debate and find common ground.

When a protestor inside the theater interrupted Obama, the former president snapped back: You cant just talk and not listen...Thats what the other side does"

Obama said Biden's re-election campaign is not just about making a case against Trump, but a positive case for Biden, who expanded healthcare, capped insulin prices and made a record setting transition in energy.

Clinton said Biden's economic numbers have significantly outpaced Trump's administration.

I believe in keeping score, Clinton said. Hes been good for America and deserves another term.

ISRAEL PROTESTS

Before the event, the three leaders' motorcade passed hundreds of protesters demonstrating against Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Some young voters and other progressives who voted for Biden in 2020 are furious about his staunch backing of Israel in its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

The protests interrupted a carefully planned event with musicians Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele performing. Some high-paying attendees had their pictures with the three presidents taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Mindy Kaling, an actress and comedian, offered some comic relief early in the event. She joked it was nice to in a room with so many rich people, adding that she loved the wealthy attendees were supporting a president who openly promises to raise your taxes.

She also noted she was getting older but when compared to Biden, Obama, and Clinton, she looks like a cast member on Euphoria, a popular HBO series that chronicles the lives of high school students.

Former President Donald Trump, Biden's Republican challenger in November's election, was in the New York area on Thursday as well, attending a wake for a slain New York City policeman.

Biden, 81, has faced concerns about his age and fitness for a second four-year term. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polls show his approval rating at 40% and in a tight race with Trump, 77, ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

The show of support from Biden's predecessors was meant to demonstrate party unity and project fundraising strength.

In contrast, a Trump campaign adviser said on Thursday the candidate won't be able to match Biden's totals, blaming the disparity on the Democrat's "billionaire" supporters and painting a picture of a Trump campaign fueled by grassroots, working-class supporters

Tickets for Thursday's Biden event, expected to bring some buzz to his reelection effort, cost between $250 and $500,000, according to a Democrat familiar with the planning. The campaign said it raised more than $25 million.

More than 5,000 people were expected to attend. The event will not be televised, but the campaign plans to post clips on social media.

Small-dollar donors paid $25 to take part in a separate virtual event with Obama, Biden and Clinton. Biden's high-profile allies are seeking to shore up his support despite opinion polls showing tepid enthusiasm for the president and in contrast to a Republican Party where many major figures oppose Trump.

CASH HAUL

Earlier on Long Island, east of New York, Trump attended a wake for Jonathan Diller, the policeman who was gunned down during a routine traffic stop earlier this week in the city.

"These things can't happen. We need law and order," Trump, surrounded by mourning uniformed officers, told reporters gathered outside a funeral home in Massapequa.

Trump has sought to make supporting police a focal point of his campaign, while criticizing law enforcement that targets him.

He faces four criminal trials for his efforts to undermine the 2020 election, his mishandling of classified documents and his involvement in a hush money scheme involving a porn star. He was fined hundreds of millions of dollars for overstating his net worth to lenders. He says he is innocent.

Obama has voiced concerns to Biden that Trump could win, ahead of a shakeup of Biden's team that sent two top White House aides to the Wilmington, Delaware-based campaign.

Biden's reelection effort raised more than $53 million in February and $10 million in the 24 hours following his March 7 address to Congress. Biden has been routinely outraising Trump and is taking in more money than his rival in big donations and small donations under $200.

Trump aims to raise $33 million in an April 6 fundraiser, a source familiar with the Republican's plans told Reuters.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Nathan Layne and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler, Jonathan Oatis and Lincoln Feast.)
KAMPALA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Ministry of Health said Friday that international donors have significantly cut funding to malaria projects in the country over global crises including conflicts and climate change.

Jimmy Opigo, head of the National Malaria Control Division at the Ministry of Health, told reporters in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, that the withdrawal of external funding will have adverse effects on malaria control and treatment costs in the East African country.

"The cost of malaria control in public health has been 95 percent donor-dependent. The funding has been allocated to mosquito nets for prevention, residual indoor spraying, test kits for malaria, and first and second-line malaria treatment in both the private and public sectors, which the donors have been subsidizing," said Opigo.

Minister of Health Ruth Aceng told a parliamentary committee Wednesday that the donors are turning their focus on global issues like conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as well as climate change activities.

Aceng also raised concerns about Uganda's heavy reliance on donor funding for the health sector, revealing that 85 percent of the country's health budget for the financial year 2024/2025 is externally funded.

According to the World Health Organization, Uganda has one of the highest malaria incidence rates in the world, accounting for about 5 percent of all cases worldwide.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, out of every 10 sick people in Uganda, three have malaria. Among children under five years of age admitted to hospitals, six out of 10 have malaria and face the risk of death. Additionally, out of every 100 pregnant women, 20 have malaria, putting both their lives and the lives of their babies at risk. 
An eight-year-old child emerged as the sole survivor after a bus carrying worshippers to an Easter festival, plunged off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people on Thursday.

The bus lost control on the Mmamatlakala bridge in the northern province of Limpopo and plunged 50m (164ft) into a ravine before bursting into flames. The driver was among the 45 dead.

The bus was transporting passengers from neighbouring Botswana to the town of Moria for an Easter pilgrimage, according to Limpopo authorities.

An 8-year-old girl, who was the only survivor, was receiving medical attention after sustaining severe injuries, authorities said.

Firefighters were working to hose down a fire and search operations ongoing until late night on Thursday, the provincial government said.

Firefighters hose down a bus after it crashed off the R518, killing a few dozen, in Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa (via REUTERS)

Many bodies still remained trapped inside the vehicle. However, rescuers were facing many challenges in identifying the bodies which were burned beyond recognition.

Minister of transport, 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 underway into the cause of the crash and offered her condolences to the families of the victims.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa also sent his condolences to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement.

#BREAKING: 45 people killed, 1 child hospitalized following bus accident in Limpopo,South Africa.



#Limpopo | #SouthAfrica



According to reports, the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge. The bus plunged into a ravine and caught fire.#SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/jBjrqhkTw6  Victor Kenani (@victor_kenani) March 28, 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 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 last year.

Additional reporting by agencies
By Idrees Ali and Ben Blanchard

WASHINGTON/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's navy chief, Tang Hua, will visit the United States from next week to attend a military ceremony and discuss how to boost bilateral naval cooperation as China raises threats toward the island, six people briefed on the trip said.

While Taiwan and the United States have a close relationship, it is unofficial, as Washington formally recognises China, not the democratically governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. Taiwan rejects China's territorial claims.

The six security sources said Tang would visit Hawaii, home of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, for a Pacific Fleet change-of-command ceremony. Three of them said Tang was then expected to attend the April 8-10 Sea-Air-Space conference near Washington and that talks were under way to arrange a meeting with the U.S. chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

The sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity given the trip's sensitivity.

Taiwan's navy and the Pentagon declined to comment.

China's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. China's foreign ministry said it firmly opposed "military collusion" between the United States and Taiwan and that Washington should "refrain from sending out any erroneous signal to the forces of secession for the independence of Taiwan".

Unlike visits to the U.S. by senior officials from allies like Japan and Britain, conducted openly, those of Taiwanese officials, especially military, are kept low key and often not officially confirmed.

Washington and Taipei have had no official diplomatic or military relationship since 1979, when the U.S. switched recognition to Beijing, though the United States is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

China has not renounced the use of force to take Taiwan, where the defeated Republic of China government fled in 1949 after it lost China's civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists, who established the People's Republic of China.

Taiwan's navy is dwarfed by that of China, which is adding nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. Under a modernisation effort President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen, Taiwan is developing its own submarines, the first unveiled last year.

Without fanfare Taiwan and the U.S. have expanded their military cooperation since Tsai took office in 2016, especially since China began ramping up military pressure over the past four years. Beijing now regularly sends fighter jets over the median line of the Taiwan Strait that once served as an unofficial barrier.

Previous U.S. trips by senior Taiwan officers to the United States have included then-navy chief Lee Hsi-ming in 2015 and Deputy Defence Minister Hsu Yen-pu, who last year attended a Taiwan-U.S. defence industry conference in Virginia.

Taiwan typically holds annual security talks in the United States, which neither government officially confirms and which last year were attended by Taiwan's foreign minister and the head of its National Security Council, according to Taiwanese media.

Tang's visit, two sources said, is part of a U.S. effort, called the Joint Island Defence Concept, to coordinate with Taiwan, Japan and others to counter China's armed forces within the "first island chain" - a string enclosing China's coastal seas that connects Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo, an island split between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan and the U.S. are trying to line up a Tang-Franchetti meeting, which has not been confirmed, said one source, a U.S. official.

Tang on Tuesday accompanied Tsai to a navy base on Taiwan's east coast for a handover ceremony for two new Tuo Chiang-class corvette warships, which Taiwan's navy calls "carrier killers" for their high manoeuvrability, stealthiness and anti-ship missiles.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by William Mallard and Miral Fahmy)
ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia's Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would require local jailers to check the immigration status of inmates and work with federal immigration officials instead of sheltering people who are in the country illegally.

The House voted 99-75 to accept changes to House Bill 1105, which was backed by Republicans and now goes to the governor for his signature. It previously passed the state Senate.

Under the measure, local law enforcement agencies would risk losing state funding for failing to work with immigration officials. Local officials could also face misdemeanor charges.

The measure gained traction after police accused a Venezuelan man of beating a nursing student to death on the University of Georgia campus.

Jose Ibarra was arrested last month on murder and assault charges in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. Immigration authorities say Ibarra, 26, unlawfully crossed into the United States in 2022. It is unclear whether he has applied for asylum.

Democrats raised concerns it would turn local law enforcement into immigration police, making communities less willing to report crime and work with them. They have also pointed to studies showing immigrants are less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes.

House Republican Jesse Petrea said on the floor Thursday that the bill was asking law enforcement only to work with immigration officials when someone has committed a crime and is in the country illegally.

"I dont believe anyone in law enforcement believes thats too much to ask, he said.
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's reelection campaign is appealing directly to supporters of former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who was the last major opponent to Donald Trump before she withdrew from the race earlier this month.

"Nikki Haley voters, Donald Trump doesn't want your vote," Biden said in a social media post on Friday that included a link to a new ad from his campaign. "I want to be clear: There is a place for you in my campaign."

The ad shows video clips of Trump blasting Haley as "birdbrain" and dismissing her candidacy.

"She's gone crazy, she's a very angry person," Trump said in one video clip of his former ambassador to the United Nations.

A source close to Haley said neither the Biden nor Trump campaigns had reached out to her about gaining the support of the people who voted for her.

A Trump representative did not respond to a request for comment.

Haley stuck with her presidential race when other Trump challengers had dropped out, promising policies that appealed to Republicans who had rejected Trump.

Almost 570,000 voters in three key battleground states - Nevada, North Carolina, and Michigan - voted for Haley in the Republican nominating contest, a small but potentially significant group in races that have been decided by tiny margins in recent elections.

Many Haley voters have wondered if they still have a place in the Republican Party, which has coalesced around Trump, despite his repeated lies about having won the 2020 election against Biden, and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Biden, 81, will need as much support as he can muster. He has faced concerns about his age and fitness for a second four-year term. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polls show his approval rating at 40% and in a tight race with Trump, 77, ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Tim Reid; Editing by Heather Timmons and Bill Berkrot)
Last weeks Islamic State attack that killed at least 143 Russian concertgoers confirms what the groups January bombing of an Iranian memorial service suggested: It is capable of and committed to launching mass-casualty terrorism from its Afghan sanctuary. Some may be tempted to coldly dismiss these murderous attacks only because they befell Americas adversaries, even though the victims were innocent civilians. That is wrong on the merits, but also ignores that the United States is vulnerable to similar attacks. We cant afford to forget the hard lessons learned from campaigns against both al-Qaeda and the Islamic States Iraq-and-Syria wing.

Between 1998 and 2001, the U.S. paid insufficient attention to a growing drumbeat of al-Qaeda activity emanating from Taliban-controlled Afghanistanbombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, a plot against Los Angeles International Airport, a failed attack on USS The Sullivans and a successful attack on USS Cole in Yemen. President Bill Clinton struck Afghanistan with cruise missiles, and he and President George W. Bush began an armed Predator drone program while CIA contacts resumed with the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, all in unsuccessful efforts to kill al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

But understandably distracted by an Asian financial crisis, an impeachment, the Y2K scare and a contested presidential election, policymakers missed the al-Qaeda plot that began in Afghanistan in the late 1990s; developed in Germany, Malaysia and the Gulf States; entered the U.S. and came to awful fruition on a bright September morning. We risk making such mistakes of omission now.

Thanks to policy decisions by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden that may now be objectively described as bad, we once again lack Afghan bases from which to hunt our enemies in Islamic States Khorasan branch. We face divisive domestic political problems to which those of the Millennium era pale in comparison. The danger of attack may be more acute than circa 2000 due to our insecure southwest border, and the skyrocketing number of special interest aliens and even known or suspected terrorists caught crossing over.

In the 90s most U.S. officials saw the threat al-Qaeda presented only through a glass, darkly, and they failed to imagine them attacking the homelanduntil they did. But the Islamic State made its intentions and capabilities very clear from 2015 to 2017: In San Bernardino, Orlando, Columbus, and Manhattan, ISIS-inspired terrorists killed 72 Americans.

ISIS has twice now murdered hundreds at a stroke in Europe, right under the noses first of the famously good French internal security servicethe DGSIand now Russias infamously brutal one, the FSB. The Islamic States external attacks are often simple and involve firearms (which are far too available to bad actors in this country) or even just knives or trucks. This gives these conspiracies a smaller signature, making them more difficult for Western law enforcement and intelligence services to foil than al-Qaedas complex plots from about 1998 to 2009. Those often sought to turn boats, planes, and trains into weapons to strike multiple symbolic targets at the same time, in what the enemy sickeningly dubbed spectacular attacks.

Frances government is now reportedly on its highest counterterror alert as the Paris Olympic Games approach this summer. This is wise. What can American leaders usefully do to prevent ISIS attacks on the U.S., for which long-term planning may already be underway? Counterterrorism is a multifaceted problem involving subjects as disparate and politically sensitive as immigration, surveillance, social media, gun control, the military and law enforcement. Several initiatives, seemingly unrelated, can work in concert to offer some level of protection.

First, is the bipartisan border bill sponsored by Sen. James Lankford that stalled in the Senate. The perfect is the enemy of the good, and waiting until 2025 to begin to secure the border is unacceptable for any reason, much less for the sake of preserving a Republican talking point for the upcoming election. The fact that 736 individuals whose identities are in terrorist screening databases were encountered by Customs and Border Protection at or between U.S. ports of entry in 2023 alone should give Congress reason enough to pass this legislation. (Indeed, a self-proclaimed Hezbollah bombmaker was detained in Texas just this month.) By the same token, it is incumbent upon Democratic-led states and cities that have bragged about being sanctuaries to cooperate with Homeland Securityto remove individuals who are here illegally and who also present violent criminal or national security risks.

Next is the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, currently before Congress. This provision is set to expire, and was abused during the Obama administration, yet FISA provides the lions share of our counterterror intelligence. Similarly, Congress should decline to pursue bills such as the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act, which would prevent law enforcement from buying commercially available data to track mobile phones, a crucial tool in the previous fight against ISIS inside this country.

Then there is the bipartisan bill seeking to sever TikTok from the influence of hostile foreign powers. TikToks promotion last year of Osama bin Ladens infamous 2002 letter to the American people is a prime example of how social media can radicalize the impressionable and vulnerable. So is the avalanche of ghastly pro-Hamas and antisemitic propaganda trending on this platform since October 7precisely because of and not despite that attackeven as TikTok weakly attempts to disclaim responsibility for the popularity of this content. Even given the First Amendment considerations and TikToks popularity with young voterswhich recently led Bidens reelection campaign to post a video on itought to be subordinate to counterterror concerns.

The defense budget generally has been shrinking as a share of GDP since 2010including during the Trump administrationwhich is a problem on several fronts but particularly here. But its not just that we need to be spending more. This threat calls for more of the longer-range, higher-payload types of drones needed to persistently surveil and then strike ISIS targets in Afghanistan now that we lack Bagram and Kandahar airbases from which to stage our airpower. Also, proposed cuts to special operations forces need to be shelved, as these kinds of units are needed for raids into Afghanistan to capture terror leaders for interrogation, and to seize and exploit their electronic and paper records, to uncover the identities of their operatives and the targets of their evil plots.

Both federal and state governments should consider my former boss Rep. Peter Kings no fly, no buy bill, which he annually co-sponsored across party lines with the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. No plausible reading of the Second Amendment demands that we allow the purchase of powerful firearms by those on terror watch lists, especially when the worst of ISISs past attacks in the U.S. made use of such weapons.

There is also a role for states and cities to play, by restoring robust funding and authorities for police counterterror units. After 2001 the New York and Los Angeles police departments, for example, established significant counterterror capabilities. Brave local cops were the first responders to ISIS domestic attacks; indeed, uniformed patrolmen were the targets of some attacks. With deep cuts to law enforcement budgets since 2020, police counterterror programssome of which became controversial, including the NYPDsoften got curtailed. Unfortunately, they may soon again be needed.

Islamic State attacks from Afghanistan into Iran and now Russia should be wake-up calls to us. Remember how you felt the morning of September 12? And when missed opportunities by our government to thwart the hijackings were revealed in the days, weeks, and months that followed? The political ephemera of summer 2001 seemed so shamefully trivial in retrospect. We ought to respond to ISIS now, in a bipartisan manner, and in the constructive way Americans later wished our country had responded to al-Qaedas attacks before 9/11.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Hundreds of Christians participated in a customary Good Friday procession through the limestone walls of Jerusalem's Old City, commemorating one of the faith's most sacred days with noticeably thinner crowds amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The procession, which normally draws thousands of foreign visitors, was unusually local  mostly Palestinian Christians, joined by some foreigners living in Jerusalem and a few undeterred tourists.

The procession passes along the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, the route believed to have been walked by Jesus to his crucifixion. Squads of Israeli police set up barricades along the path, rerouting shoppers in the Old Citys bustling Muslim quarter to make way for hundreds of pilgrims.

A young group of Palestinian Arab scouts led the days procession, past the 14 stations, each marking an event that befell Jesus on his final journey. Hundreds of Palestinian Christians walked in their wake. Behind them was a small parade of the Franciscan religious order, composed mainly of foreigners who live in Jerusalem.

We wait for this every year, said Munira Kamar, a Palestinian Christian from the Old City, who waved to the cross-bearers who stopped to give her young daughter a kiss on the cheek. Of course, this year we are unhappy because of the situation with the ongoing war.

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israels ongoing offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas Oct. 7 killings and hostage-taking in Israel.

The impact of the war was clear at the processions final stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and laid to rest before his resurrection on Easter. There, instead of the crowds who normally queue for hours in the church courtyard, entrance to the site was easy.

The city's streets were noticeably devoid of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, who normally flock to the Holy City for Easter. Since Oct. 7, Palestinian worshippers have needed special permission to cross checkpoints into Jerusalem.

Despite the thinned crowds, shopkeepers, whose heavy metal doors are usually closed on Fridays, threw them open for tourists seeking Catholic memorabilia. But shoppers were few and far between.

Comparing last years Easter festivities with this year is like light and day, said Fayaz Dakkak, a Palestinian storeowner whose family first opened the shop in 1942. His shop stood empty.

Usually people are joyful today and kids are excited," he said. "But when you compare children here who have water and food and a family to whats happening in Gaza, how can you be happy?

An estimated 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in the West Bank and Jerusalem, according to the U.S. State Departments international religious freedom report for 2022. Approximately 1,300 Christians lived in Gaza, it said. Some Christians are also citizens of Israel. Many Palestinian Christians live in diaspora communities.

A few tourists braved the day. Carmen Ros, a lawyer who lives in Jerusalem, had managed to corral a group of pilgrims from Spain to visit the country for a religious tour. The group rested in the shade outside the church.

They were afraid of the situation at first, she said, but I told them here in Jerusalem, its safe, we dont have violence. We are close to Gaza, but the Christian people are not the target of terrorism.

The celebrations coincided with the third Friday in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with worshippers once again flocking to the revered Al-Aqsa mosque for prayer. Despite fears the ongoing war would spark clashes at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque, Ramadan has so far been peaceful, under tight Israeli security.

Sister Harriet Kabaije, a pilgrim from Uganda who moved to Jerusalem three weeks ago to live in a monastery, said she was holding the people of Gaza in her prayers. She said she believed that peace could be achieved in the region.

Many people think that the war here is natural," she said. "But when Jesus was in Bethlehem, it was peaceful. We know that people are suffering in Gaza so we carry them in our prayers and pray that peace can return to this land.

Elsewhere, Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome, the Vatican said, to conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday.

It was the second time Francis had skipped the traditional procession in his 11-year papacy, an event that St. John Paul II famously skipped just before he died in 2005. Francis had also skipped the event in 2023 because he was recovering from bronchitis and it was a particularly cold night.

In Spain, several Good Friday street processions were canceled due to storms that provided some much-needed rain to areas battling a prolonged drought. Sevilles brotherhoods were forced to call off the processions of their giant floats bearing sculptures of Jesus of the Virgin for the first time in over a decade due to bad weather.

In Chicago, hundreds of spectators flocked to the citys Pilsen neighborhood to witness a Good Friday tradition  the 47th Via Crucis procession reenacting scenes from Jesus final days.

Its the story that we all know from when we were little kids, said Jason Rodriguez, a Pilsen resident and event volunteer. "This reenactment drives home the suffering, the strength and the passion that our Lord had.

___

Associated Press writers Teresa Crawford in Chicago, Nicole Winfield in Rome and Joseph Wilson in Madrid contributed to this report.

___

This story corrects that this is the second time that Francis skipped the procession.
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Kirkland Police arrested five men accused of orchestrating 17 burglaries specifically targeting Indian American and other South Asian residents in Kirkland and its surrounding areas.

The investigation began when members of the Eastside Indian American / South Asian community raised concerns about an increase in burglaries that appeared to be targeted.

In late February, surveillance cameras captured images of three suspects and a license plate of a rental vehicle associated with a burglary in the North Rose Hill neighborhood.

One of the suspects was identified as a man from Palmdale, California, who had a lengthy criminal history and was a convicted felon.

Investigators say the suspects traveled frequently between California and Washington, utilizing short-term rental properties to change locations. They also swapped out vehicle license plates with stolen ones, according to police.

With the information gathered over a two-month investigation, police served a search warrant at a short-term residential rental in Redmond. There, police arrested five men from Southern California, charging them with numerous burglaries committed in Kirkland, King and Snohomish Counties.

The five men include:

Lamar E. Curtis (7 counts of residential burglary, first-degree possession of stolen property)

Londra D. Jackson (7 counts of residential burglary, first-degree possession of stolen property)

Kenji Christopher Crutchfield (2 counts of residential burglary, first-degree possession of stolen property)

Eric Darnell Netterville Jr. (2 counts of residential burglary, first-degree possession of stolen property)

Aramis Davae Williams (2 counts of residential burglary, first-degree possession of stolen property)

Police say they found evidence of the burglaries inside the rental, along with technical equipment used to bypass home security features.

Police recovered several suspected stolen items, over $17,000 in cash and multiple high-end bags.

"This is an impactful and successful outcome for our community," said Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris. "Thank you to our community members for trusting law enforcement with your story and for all our community members assistance along the way. And I also want to send a big thank you to the Lynnwood, Bothell, and Bellevue Police Departments for their critical assistance and collaboration in this multi-jurisdictional investigation."
Update: Gary Michael Berger was located safe, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Police issued a Silver Alert for a 78-year-old man who may be on his way to the Kansas City airport, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Wednesday.

Gary Michael Berger was last seen Wednesday morning in Wood Heights, Missouri. He left his residence and may be traveling on foot to Kansas City International Airport in an attempt to get home to Michigan, police said.

Berger has dementia, difficulty with speech and wears braces on both knees, the Ray County Sheriffs Department said.

Berger is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs around 235 pounds. He has brown and gray hair, blue eyes and a gray goatee. He was last seen wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt with tan flowers on it, tan shorts and black shoes, according to the alert. He was carrying a black travel case.

Berger also has a large tattoo on his right forearm of a snake and a sword, police said.
NEW YORK - A large pro-Palestinian rally was held Saturday in Times Square in honor of "Land Day."

The "Shut it Down 4 Palestine" rally commemorates the Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinian resistance 42 years ago to the day.

Each year, "Land Day" helps amplify the call for justice for Palestinian people, according to The Peoples Forum of NYC.

They say this year is especially urgent as the war in Israel rages on. Nationwide protests are expected Saturday afternoon calling for a ceasefire.

The march began around 5 p.m. on 42nd Street and Broadway.

 MARCH WITH PALESTINE FOR LAND & LIBERATION ON LAND DAY!#ShutItDown4Palestine



 March 30

 5 pm

Times Square, 42 & Broadway



 Land Day commemorates the Palestinian peoples steadfast resistance against the illegal and forced displacement and confiscation of their pic.twitter.com/ffO0Nv14mY  The People's Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) March 10, 2024

"This years Land Day is especially urgent as the Israeli occupations violent and genocidal actions continue," they posted on X.

This comes as the top United Nations court, in a legally binding order, said that Israel must open more land crossings into Gaza for food and supplies.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2022/03/30: Pro and against Palestinian rallies held on 42nd street in Manhattan on Yawm al-Ard known as Land Day. Pro-Palestinian protesters were joined by Ultra Orthodox Jews from Neturei Karta community who opposed existence of Israel as state. Police separated groups of pro and against Palestinian for their own safety. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Tensions in the West Bank have surged since the start of the war, which has killed more than 2,000 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.

The U.N. has reported that 100% of Gazas 2.3 million people are at severe levels of food insecurity.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2023/10/13: A pro-Palestinian demonstrator cries during an "International Day of Action for Palestine", United States. On October 7 the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack from Gaza, launching thousands of missiles and sending at least 1,500 fighters by land, sea, and air into Israel. At least 1,300 Israelis have been confirmed killed and 150 kidnapped. 1,203 Palestinians in Gaza are also confirmed killed. The attack is prompting retaliatory strikes by Israel on Gaza and a declaration of war by the Israeli prime minister. (Photo by Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Nationwide demonstrations

There are ceasefire demonstrations planned around the country Saturday in honor of "Land Day."

New York City (Times Square at 5 p.m. ET)

Los Angeles (City Hall at 1 p.m. PT)

Chicago (1 p.m.CT),

Washington, D.C. (Dupont Circle at 4 p.m. ET)

Dallas (The Grassy Knoll at 4 p.m. CT)

Philadelphia (7th & Walnut St. at 5 p.m. ET)

Atlanta (Consulate of Israel Atlanta at 2 p.m. ET)

Detroit (Rouge Park - Stone Bridge Trail at 11 a.m. ET)

Phoenix (Civic Space Park at 1 p.m.)

Seattle (Lake Union Park at 2 p.m. PT)

Minneapolis (2707 West Lake St. at 2 p.m. CT)

Orlando (City Hall)

Recent strikes

An Israeli airstrike killed at least 12 people (AP reports) when it slammed into a residential building late Thursday in the city of Rafah, which is made up of majority displaced civilians, according to health officials.

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.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2023/10/13: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather in support of the Palestinian people during an "International Day of Action for Palestine". On October 7 the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack from Gaza, launching thousands of missiles and sending at least 1,500 fighters by land, sea and air into Israel. At least 1,300 Israelis have been confirmed killed and 150 kidnapped. 1,203 Palestinians in Gaza are also confirmed killed. The attack is prompting retaliatory strikes by Israel on Gaza and a declaration of war by the Israeli prime minister. (Photo by Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

U.S. Aid

The top U.S. general says the Biden administration has not given Israel all 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.

Recent NYC protests

Earlier this month, pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after swarming the New York Times's printing plant in Queens.

The demonstrators blocked both entrances of the building in College Point around 1 a.m. to stop trucks from delivering newspapers.

Police say approximately 100 people were on the scene.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Asia-Pacific's prosperity lies in peaceful co-existence not harmful bloc politics as championed by some seeking to use the region as part of a confrontational strategy, a Russian official said here on Friday.

Citing the need for close cooperation across the region to ensure the smooth functioning of international trade and to ensure peace and stability, Russia seeks close cooperation with partners in the region, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said in a lecture "Russia's Policy in the Asia-Pacific Region" delivered at the Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) of Universiti Malaya.

"The pace of Asia-Pacific development depends on all participants involved in the processes that take place in this part of the world. However, viewing Asia as our common home and space of harmonious growth, peace and prosperity, we know exactly what kind of region we do not want it to be," he said.

"We definitely would not want the Asia-Pacific to move beyond the zone of tolerance and cooperation evolving into a fragmented area, divided into blocs, where the key principles of international communication such as multilateralism, consensus, openness and equality would be abandoned," he added.

Rudenko also cautioned against efforts by some countries that seek to introduce instability and bloc confrontation into the area such as the so-called U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and AUKUS nuclear submarine deal between Australia, Britain, and the United States. "Moreover, we would not want to witness further creeping expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the region," he added.

For his part, economics professor Rajah Rasiah at the AEI said Malaysia along with its partners among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has followed a successful non-confrontational, non-aligned policy, cultivating strong economic partnerships with countries like China, whose peaceful economic rise has benefited the region.

He also said that through cooperation, ASEAN can increase its connectivity in building a common space for co-development, growth and prosperity across Eurasia, while adhering to the principles of Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality which the grouping declared in 1971, to pursue cooperation instead of confrontation. 
Black lawmakers, students and alumni of Tennessee State University are outraged that Gov. Bill Lee, in an unprecedented move, signed into law legislation that dismantled the storied historically Black colleges board of trustees.

Calls for a new board began in 2023, after multiple audit reports highlighted concerns around the mishandling of finances, housing and scholarships. A bill was then crafted that would replace three board members, before being amended to remove all of them.

A new forensic audit spanning from July 2019 through June 2023 was released Wednesday. It offered dozens of recommendations and pointed to deficient processes but did not uncover fraud or malfeasance. The following day, the Republican-controlled and majority-white Tennessee House voted in favor of the bill dismantling the board, 66-25. Lee quickly signed it into law.

Lee said he was pleased with the appointments for a new board  all of whom are Black and distinguished members of the Nashville business and political community.

TSU president Glenda Glover is stepping down in June, and a search is underway for her replacement.

Not everyone is happy with the goings-on.

Democratic Rep. Harold Love, who is a TSU alum, said vacating the whole board leaves the school in flux at a time when the president is a lame duck.

We are deeply concerned about the effect it will have upon the administration, the students and the direction the school is trying to go into to rectify some of the concerns raised in the audits, Love said.

Harold Love, Jr., speaks from the House floor against a bill to vacate the entire Tennessee State University board of trustees, in Nashville, Tenn. (George Walker IV / AP)

He added, We had an amendment in Government Operations (Committee) that vacated three board members, and that was the amendment we thought was going to be on the bill. In the conversations, things did not go the way I guess some of the members wanted to have happen, so as a result they chose that route.

Many students at Tennessee State are in an uproar, and they believe the changes are too dramatic, making the school vulnerable to more issues, Nashvilles WTVF reported. Additionally, students told the outlet that their opinions were not considered before the law was passed.

Tennessee State University supporters watch from the gallery as the House votes to vacate the school's board of trustees in Nashville, Tenn. (George Walker IV / AP)

Many students protested at the state Capitol in Nashville on Thursday, holding a banner that read: TSU Take Over.

After the vote, House Majority Leader William Lamberth tried to downplay the new law.

All were talking about is the board, he said. Its vacating some personalities and bringing others in. The goal is to make TSU successful.

While vacating the board, the Tennessee Assembly members did not seem to take into account that TSU has been underfunded for years, to the tune of $2.1 billion, according to The Washington Post, which analyzed data from the National Center for Education Statistics between 1987 and 2020.

The audit showed that Tennessee State was owed $544 million in land-grant funding over five decades; $250 million were allocated in April 2022.

Lee and Glover did not immediately respond to NBC News request for comment.

This is unprecedented, unfortunate, and uncharted waters for any public university in the state, a statement from Tennessee State University read, according to The Tennessean. 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. The statement also defended the universitys use of taxpayer dollars.

Last September, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack sent a letter to Lee, highlighting data from the National Center for Education Statistics that showed white land-grant universities were funded significantly more than historically Black land-grant institutions.

The result was a severe financial gap in funding between the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a land-grant institution established in 1862, and Tennessee State, which in the last 30 years alone should have had access to an additional $2.1 billion.

The Post also reported that Black land-grant universities nationwide suffered a $12.6 billion disparity of funds, with the worst cases at TSU and North Carolina A&T in Greensboro.

Its all disheartening, said Ramona Willis, a retired school teacher who graduated from Tennessee State in the 1970s. They hold back billions of dollars from the school, but yet they want to remove the board? Could some issues be because we just didnt have enough money, money that is just sitting out there that should be ours? Its hard to accept that they can know this and yet ignore it and put our school in disarray.
NEW YORK (AP)  A Texas federal judge on Thursday accused the major banking industry groups and U.S. Chamber of Commerce of venue shopping in their lawsuit against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a major win for the federal regulator.

The bureau had argued the only reason banks filed their lawsuit in Texas was to increase their chance of a favorable ruling. Judge Mark Pittman ruled that the lawsuit should be transferred to Washington, where the banking lobby has armies of lawyers able to handle this case.

Venue is not a continental breakfast; you cannot pick and choose on a Plaintiffs whim where and how a lawsuit is filed," Pittman wrote.

The lawsuit deals with the CFPB's new regulations over credit card late fees, where the average late fee of a customer would be capped at $8, down from the average late fee of $32. The major banking groups had filed their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas. Industry and interest groups have often filed lawsuits against the Biden administration there, due to its historically conservative judges.

The banks have been pushing hard to stop the late fee rule, due to the potential billions the banks would lose in revenue. The bureau estimated when it issued the proposal that banks brought in roughly $14 billion in credit card late fees a year.

In his ruling, Pittman found little reason why the major industry groups  the American Bankers Association, Consumer Bankers Association, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others  had filed their lawsuit there. The only banking industry connection to the district was the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, which only recently acquired a major bank as a member.

The CFPB had argued that Texas was an irrelevant place to file a banking industry regulation lawsuit, saying that Washington, with its location closer to regulators and expertise in industry regulation law, was more appropriate.

Pittman agreed with the Biden administration.

"In fact, as far as this Court can discern, not one of the banks or credit card companies directly affected by the future (CFPB regulations) is located in the Fort Worth Division, he said.

The American Bankers Association and the Consumer Bankers Association did not immediately return a request for comment.
By Ece Toksabay, Humeyra Pamuk and Tuvan Gumrukcu

ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on May 9 in the Turkish leader's first bilateral visit to Washington since Donald Trump was president, U.S. and Turkish officials said on Friday.

Ties between the NATO allies, long strained by differences on a range of issues, have thawed since Ankara ratified Sweden's NATO membership bid in January, following a 20-month delay that had caused frustration in Washington.

Yet strains persist, including over northern Syria, where U.S. forces are allied with Kurdish militants that Ankara deems terrorists and against whom it has conducted cross-border military operations.

Washington meanwhile has pressed Ankara to do more to ensure its sanctions on Russia are not circumvented in Turkey, a littoral Black Sea state along with both Russia and Ukraine.

A U.S. official said Washington sees the meeting as an opportunity for Erdogan to agree a full ban on the transshipment via Turkey of dual-use goods that it says Russia uses in its war effort in Ukraine.

Since Biden was elected in 2020, he and Erdogan have met a few times on the sidelines of international summits and spoken by phone. Turkey has pressed for a meeting at the White House, where in 2019 Erdogan visited Trump, with whom he enjoyed good personal ties.

One of the two Turkish officials who confirmed the planned May visit said the visit was taking place during "a window of opportunity" for bilateral ties.

"We hope the visit will also be an opportunity to deepen cooperation in various areas and consolidate the spirit of alliance, including on counter-terrorism," the person said, requesting anonymity.

Ankara has complained for years of its deep discomfort with U.S. support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which it deems a terrorist organisation linked with Kurdish militants waging a decades-old insurgency against the Turkish state. But Washington says the YPG are key allies against Islamic State in Syria.

Despite discord over the U.S. military presence in Syria and U.S. support for Israel in its war with Hamas, Washington and Ankara recently sealed a long-delayed deal for Turkey to purchase U.S. F-16 fighter jets.

The Biden administration is looking to see if it can secure a commitment from Ankara during the visit to impose a ban on designated "dual-use" goods, like chemicals and microchips, to Russia and other countries known as entry points, the U.S. official said.

Washington has already sanctioned several Turkish individuals and companies, including in shipping, for contravening santions. Turkey supports Ukraine but opposes the Western sanctions on Russia, with which it also maintains good ties, but says they will not be circumvented on Turkish soil.

"The U.S. inter-agency remains unconvinced about Turkey's enforcement," the official said. "There is stuff they're turning a blind eye to...they need to go to the companies proactively, and tell them to stop doing business with people that will get them sanctioned."

The United States and Turkey set up a sanctions working group just before meetings between delegations in Washington earlier this month, during which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan got together.

The second Turkish source, a security official, said Turkey's top intelligence official Ibrahim Kalin was to meet with members of the U.S. House of Representatives for talks on the planned visit and other bilateral issues.

On Thursday and Friday, Fidan and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler also met the U.S. delegation.

(Additional reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Gareth Jones and Angus MacSwan)
In-vitro fertilization is one of the most common infertility treatments, but less than 50 years ago, researchers and the women among them were still working to create and develop the procedure that now accounts for thousands of births in the U.S. each year.

IVF is a medical procedure in which an egg is fertilized by sperm in a lab or elsewhere outside of the body, and the fertilized eggs, or embryos, are then placed into the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

In February 2024, IVF was at the center of much discussion when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF were considered children under state law. This halted IVF procedures around the state until a law was passed to protect IVF providers in March. It shined a light on the legacy of this procedure and the women involved in its creation who have given families a pathway to having children when there was none.

Many women scientists played a role in the development of IVF, from Miriam Menkin in the 30s to Georgeanna Seegar Jones in the late 70s and 80s, Margaret Marsh, a historian of reproductive medicine and reproductive sexuality at Rutgers University, and Dr. Wanda Ronner, a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania, tell TODAY.com.

Howard and Georgeanna Jones (Bettmann Archive)

"They were all pioneers in in this area, along with the people they worked with," Marsh says. As research partners to the men developing IVF at the time, the women involved in the formation of IVF were instrumental to the treatment so many people rely on today. "These men could not have been successful without these women," Ronner notes.

Jones' work, for example, led to the birth of the first baby born in the U.S. from IVF, Elizabeth Carr. Carr tells TODAY.com she considers Jones to be "the brains" behind the Jones Institute, the IVF clinic in Norfolk, Virginia, where she was born.

"She's really the one (who) figured out all the hormone protocols that we all know so well now that are involved in IVF," Carr says. "Throughout her career, she never gave up on this idea of trying to solve this problem of infertility. So, I'm forever eternally grateful to her for that."

In honor of Women's History Month, read on to learn about some of the women who helped make IVF possible.

Miriam Menkin

Menkin started working with Harvard gynecologist Dr. John Rock from the late 1930s to 1950s. Together they determined exactly how fertilization occurs in women  something unknown at the time, Marsh and Ronner, who have co-authored several books about the history of reproductive health, said.

Rock, along with embryologist Arthur Hertig, conducted two pioneering studies focused on IVF, Marsh said, the first of which determined exactly when the human embryo forms during conception. (Rock also played a major role in the development of the birth control pill.)

The second part of Rock's research agenda "could not have been done without the assistance of Miriam Menkin, who was his lab tech," Marsh said. Menkin's role in the experiment was to retrieve eggs from women who were undergoing surgical procedures, Marsh said.

"She would be the one standing outside of the operating room, waiting to receive this egg," Marsh said. Then, using sperm donated from fellows or medical students, Menkin would go to a nearby lab and try to fertilize the egg  "an egg you can't even see," Marsh points out.

Menkin began her attempts to fertilize an egg in 1938, using 138 eggs that resulted in 47 inseminations over the course of six years, Marsh said. Menkin and Rock eventually became the first people to fertilize an egg in vitro, or outside of the body, in 1944.

"Menkin was absolutely imperative to Rock's success. Without her, Rock would not have been able to achieve this. He was the surgeon, he was taking out the tissue, but she was the person in the lab, trying to get these eggs fertilized," Marsh said.

"Menkin was one of probably hundreds of unsung women scientists," Marsh points out. Some had doctorate degrees and others, like Menkin, didn't. But, she stands out in history because she was recognized early-on. Rock made it a point to recognize her work, something which wasn't common at the time.

Because of her ground-breaking work, Menkin was listed as first author on their research article.

Jean Purdy

After Rock and Menkin's article was published in Science, a medical journal, in 1944, showcasing the results of their IVF experiment, British researchers Robert Edwards, a biologist, and Patrick Steptoe, a gynecologist, began working on using IVF to conceive a baby.

Edwards' research assistant and technician, Jean Purdy, would go on to play a vital role in this work in 1968. Purdy, who was trained as a nurse, began teaching herself embryology as she worked with the pair, Marsh says, and the three combined their research in 1973.

Purdy was responsible for combining the egg with the sperm and fertilizing the embryo, which was a tough task. "(Purdy and the team) tried many different mechanisms to get a pregnancy through IVF, but they were not succeeding," Marsh said.

But, by 1978, Louise Brown became the first baby in the world who was born through IVF on July 25, thanks to Edwards, Steptoe and Purdy's work.

"In England, there was a lot of skepticism about (IVF). They said they weren't sure that it could be done," Marsh explained. The public feared those born via IVF would somehow be different than those who weren't.

Steptoe, Edwards and Purdy went on to found an IVF clinic in 1980, when Purdy was about 35 years old. But she died shortly thereafter from melanoma, just before she turned 40.

"She was very young and extremely talented," Marsh notes.

Edwards, one of Purdy's two research partners, was later awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine for his work developing IVF in 2010, by then both Purdy and Steptoe had died.

"I think that the situation is that today theres a lot of behind-the-scenes folks in medicine and science that really dont get recognition at all," Marsh said. "I think that was the case then, and that was the case now."

"She made an incredibly important contribution," Marsh said of Purdy. "Edwards and Steptoe always told everybody that she was an equal partner."

Georgeanna Jones

Georgeanna Jones had her first major discovery in medical school and became a distinguished reproductive endocrinologist who would play a vital role in the development of IVF in the U.S., Marsh said.

Jones worked alongside her husband Howard Jones at Johns Hopkins University, where they shared an office and even a desk at times, until they were forced into mandatory retirement by the university when they turned 65.

According to Marsh's research, the pair were not ready to retire and were offered positions at a brand new medical school, Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. The day the couple drove down to Virginia for their new jobs was the same day the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born.

Coincidentally, Marsh said, the couple had mentored Robert Edwards, the British biologist who worked with Purdy and Steptoe in the U.K., when he was trying to learn how to fertilize eggs.

When a reporter asked Howard Jones if a baby could be born from IVF in the U.S., he and his wife began working on accomplishing an IVF birth in 1978, though they did have opposition from the anti-abortion movement concerned with the morality of IVF.

The pair had the backing from their medical school and opened an IVF clinic, which resulted in the first baby born in the U.S. from IVF on Dec. 28, 1981  Elizabeth Carr.

"There were very few women in reproductive endocrinology in this time  very few women who were IVF pioneers  and she was one," Marsh said of Georgeanna Jones.

During this time was a number of other women IVF pioneers working throughout the 1980s like Jones, Marsh says. There was Anne Colston Wentz, whose team at Vanderbilt University was the fourth program in the U.S. that had a successful IVF birth in 1983.

PonJola Coney was a fellow at Pennsylvania Hospital, which had its first IVF birth in 1984. Coney was one of the only Black American IVF pioneers at the time, according to Marsh's research, and she went on to direct the first IVF program in Oklahoma at the University of Oklahoma.

Elizabeth Carr

Carr was the first baby born via IVF in the U.S.

Now, 42-year-old patient advocate living in Massachusetts, she tells TODAY.com that she's known about IVF for as long as she can remember  and even before then, as she notes she attended her first press conference when she was just three days old.

Carr's mother experienced three ectopic pregnancies while trying to have children, and after going to a check up, her OBGYN slipped her a copy of a paper talking about IVF and said, while it had only been done in England, it could be something for her to consider, Carr says.

"Both of my parents figured, what did they have to lose? They didn't have a child as it was, so they figured this could be another shot," Carr says. "So they figured it was worth taking a step."

Carr was born in December 1981 with armed guards outside of her hospital room and nursery due to the controversy of her birth, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Medical providers and members of the media filming a documentary about Carr's birth stand in an operating room. (Courtesy Elizabeth Carr)

Elizabeth Carr, the first baby born in the U.S. through IVF, was born on Dec. 28, 1981. (Courtesy Elizabeth Carr)

"I truly don't remember when I first heard somebody speak out against IVF. Obviously, I feel like that's always been there as well, and my parents had me under pretty tight security because of the controversy back then," Carr says. "I guess there's always been the naysayers, but I just don't put too much stock into their argument because I think there's probably nothing more natural than people wanting to build the family of their dreams."

For the first few years of Carr's life, she says she attended IVF baby reunions in Norfolk, Virginia, at the clinic where she was born.

"For a while it was just the first, you know, handful of IVF babies," she says. "I think the last one we had was when I was maybe 10 or 11. And I just remember holding babies 1000 and 1001 that were twins from our specific clinic. And at that point, the reunions had to stop because there was too many of us."

And by 2021, 86, 146 infants born, or 2.3% of all infants born in the U.S., were conceived through the use of assisted reproductive technology, which includes procedures like IVF, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Carr attended President Joe Biden's state of the union address in March 2024 following the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, which she says was "really, really tough."

"I read the ruling and immediately was just devastated and heartbroken, not just for how it made me feel personally, which was kind of like a personal attack, but also for all of those people who wanted to be able to access this treatment," she says.

"IVF is currently the single most effective treatment for infertility, and it has a lot of implications outside of infertility," she continues. "If you're a same sex couple looking to build a family, or you're going through cancer treatments and you want to preserve your fertility, or if you want to have genetic testing to screen out for really terrible diseases in your family history. Things like that."

Carr, a mother of a 13-year-old son, says she would love to see IVF protected nationally, greater insurance coverage and greater care coverage and access in the U.S. in her lifetime.

Courtesy Elizabeth Carr

"The thing about infertility in particular is that it doesn't care if you're a Democrat or Republican," she says. "It does not discriminate. So, there are people clearly on both sides of the aisle, with one in six people impacted by infertility, that probably need to access IVF."

"I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll we'll get it done," she adds.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  An Oklahoma judge ruled Thursday that a death row inmate is not competent to be executed for his role in the 1999 slayings of a mother and son.

Pittsburg County Judge Michael Hogan issued an order in the case involving 61-year-old James Ryder in that county.

The court could go on ad nauseum discussing the irrational thought processes of Mr. Ryder, but this is not needed, Hogan wrote in his order. To be clear, the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence, Mr. Ryder is not competent to be executed" under state law.

Hogans decision followed a competency hearing this week in which two experts for Ryder's defense testified that he suffers from a psychotic disorder diagnosed as schizophrenia.

James has suffered from schizophrenia for nearly 40 years and has little connection to objective reality, Ryder's attorney, Emma Rolls, said in an email to The Associated Press. "His condition has deteriorated significantly over the years and will only continue to worsen.

As the court concluded, executing James would be unconstitutional. We urge the State to cease any further efforts to execute him, Rolls continued.

Under Oklahoma law, an inmate is mentally incompetent to be executed if they are unable to have a rational understanding of the reason they are being executed or that their execution is imminent.

An expert for the state testified he believes Ryder is competent to sufficiently and rationally understand why he is being executed and that this execution is imminent.

Ryder was sentenced to die for the 1999 beating death of Daisy Hallum, 70, and to life without parole for the shotgun slaying of her son, Sam Hallum, 38.

Court records show Ryder lived on the Hallums property in Pittsburg County for several months in 1998 and took care of their home and horses when they were out of town. He had a dispute with the family over some of his property after he had moved out.

Under state law, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services are now tasked with determining the best place for Ryder to be held in safe confinement until his competency is restored.

Attorney General Drummond respects the courts decision, but is disappointed that James Ryder is now ineligible to be executed for the horrific slaying of Daisy Hallum and her son, Sam Hallum, Drummond spokesperson Phil Bacharach said in a statement. The state will continue working to restore competency so justice can be served.
A Pennsylvania man attacked and killed his neighbor this week using a knife and a chain saw while wearing a mask and costume like the one from the movie "Scream," officials said.

The man then returned home and watched a movie until police came, according to a criminal complaint from the Pennsylvania State Police.

Police said Zak Moyer, 30, surrendered after the attack and was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with criminal homicide and is being held at the Carbon County Correctional Facility.

Lehighton Borough police and later state police responded to an active assault incident Monday in Carbon County, in which a man attacked another man using a knife and a chain saw.

Officials found Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, who lived at the home, had been "struck" in the head with the weapons by a man who was "wearing a mask and a black costume-like garment, consistent with the 'Scream' movie character," according to the criminal complaint.

Whitehead was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries, state police said. He had cuts on his right arm and on the right side of his head above his eyebrow, wounds on his hands that were "consistent with defensive wounds," and "a large bleeding wound to the right side of the head," the complaint said.

Security video showed the suspect leaving Whitehead's home through the back door and entering the rear door of a home next door, where neighbors said Moyer lived, the complaint said.

Police established a perimeter around Moyer's home and communicated with him through a notebook, the complaint said.

Moyer's sister told police Monday that her brother told her a week ago that he wanted to kill Whitehead, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, Moyer told police that he had gone to the family's house Monday with a knife and a chain saw while wearing the "Scream" costume to scare them. Asked about the costume and the weapons, police said, Moyer admitted he had planned to kill Whitehead.

Moyer also admitted to stabbing Whitehead in the head, returning to his home to watch a movie until police arrived, and hiding the chain saw in the attic and the knife in his desk drawer, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said in a news release that the investigation is active and there is no threat to the surrounding community.
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
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.
A Texas appeals court tossed out a woman's five-year prison sentence for voting illegally Thursday, ending a yearslong saga that garnered national attention.

Crystal Mason was sentenced in 2018 to five years in prison after she testified she did not know that she was ineligible to vote because she was convicted of tax fraud in 2011. She cast a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election with the help of a poll worker.

In Thursday's ruling to overturn Mason's sentence, Second District Appeals Court Justice Wade Birdwell wrote that "finding Mason to be not credible  and disbelieving her protestation of actual knowledge  does not suffice as proof of guilt."

Mason had testified that when she was in prison, she was not informed that she could not vote upon her release, Birdwell detailed. She also "emphatically denied" having read the provisional ballot's affirmations detailing felon voting restrictions, testifying that she did not know she was not allowed to cast a ballot because she was on supervised release from prison, according to Birdwell.

Mason's ballot was not counted when officials determined that she was ineligible to vote because of her 2011 conviction, the ruling said.

"In the end, the States primary evidence was that Mason read the words on the affidavit," Birdwell said.

"But even if she had read them, they are not sufficient  even in the context of the rest of the evidence in this case  to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew that being on supervised release after having served her entire federal sentence of incarceration made her ineligible to vote by casting a provisional ballot when she did so," he added.

The Court of Criminal Appeals announced in 2021 that it would consider an appeal from Mason, who was out of prison on an appeal bond.

Her 2018 sentence drew national attention, and critics have rallied against the lower court's decision.
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.
BISHKEK, March 28 (Xinhua) -- An emergency situation declared on Thursday in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, due to strong winds. The corresponding resolution was signed by Bishkek Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev.

The capital city's press service said that according to the resolution, when a wind gust exceeds 25 meters per second, an emergency situation is declared.

A squally wind in Bishkek and the Chui region on Thursday evening knocked down trees and demolished the roofs of some buildings, including social facilities. In addition, power lines and trolleybus lines were damaged in the capital city.

According to preliminary data, two people were injured - a teenager and a woman.

In this connection, under the chairmanship of Mayor Dzhunushaliev, a visiting meeting of the emergency headquarters was held on the territory of school No. 62 in Bishkek, which was damaged by heavy winds.

Mobile groups from among district administrations, municipal inspectorates and utility services have been organized to inspect the territories and identify the consequences, as well as potentially dangerous areas - hanging fragments of roofs, air conditioners and large branches, the report said.

At the moment, all city services have switched to enhanced mode. 
Credit - @kendalllllllll888, @malous228, @pikapikanab/TikTok

Kendall Lieberman was walking to lunch with her coworkers down 7th Ave. in New York CIty on Tuesday when a man rammed his elbow in the side of her head near Times Square.

I was just in full shock and I'm sure if I were alone, I probably would have reacted differently, but in the moment I just immediately held my head where he hit meand my mind immediately went to all the other girls that I have seen all my TikTok getting hit, Lieberman tells TIME. After the assault, the 24-year-old posted her own video about the incident on TIkTok, adding to the chorus of several young women who have taken to the social media platform to share similar tales in recent days.

The trend started after a video of Halley Kate, a New York City-based TikToker who was punched in the face on Monday, went viral online. Now, at least 12 women have shared videos about getting randomly punched on the street in New York. It's unclear whether the reports are part of a broader coordinated attack on women, or how many people have been perpetrating the assaults. (Most women said a man initiated the attack, though others said a woman had.)

In response to a list of questions about the TikTok videos, whether the New York Police Department (NYPD) is investigating the assaults, and crime rates in NYC, the NYPD told TIME on Wednesday it had a report on file for assault and arrested and charged 40-year-old Skiboky Stora. Late Wednesday night, the NYPD posted on X that detectives were aware of a viral video circulating online of a woman who was randomly assaulted, and were able to identify Stora after he was previously arrested for similar attacks.

Kate said Stora was her attacker in a TikTok video Wednesday evening. Stora previously ran for the District 9 seat on the New York City Council, and started a GoFundMe to run for mayor in 2025. An attorney representing Stora declined to comment.

Lieberman also says she has filed a police report about her assault.

There are certain patterns that have emerged from the initial series of TikTok videos: some victims have shared similar details about being on the phone when the assault happened. At least two users said they were attacked near Times Squarethough those assaults happened on different days, and Lieberman says that her attacker did not look like the one she saw in a video captured by a separate user. Others said the attacks were in neighborhoods including Noho, the East Village, and Brooklyn. All the women say they were punched, or the perpetrator attempted to punch them, on the street in broad daylight. Not all of the attacks happened this week, but many women have been emboldened to share previous assaults.

I was just walking down the street today at like 5, so kind of midday, and this woman walks past me and out of nowhere I feel someone grab the back of my head, pulling my hair, trying to pull me to the ground, said Desiree Brady in a TikTok video posted on Tuesday night. Brady said she was then punched in the face.

The emerging number of videos of young women sharing their stories are the latest high-profile incidents that have stirred conversations about safety in New York City. On Wednesday, a young man died after being pushed onto the subway track. On March 14, a subway shooting on the A train made national headlines. In early March, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her plan to deploy 1,000 personnel, including 750 National Guard troops, to protect New Yorkers on the subways. Another 800 officers were deployed after the subway shooting.

Despite online chatter about increasing crime in the city, Christopher Herrmann, a professor at the CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice who was a former crime analyst supervisor with the New York Police Department, says that notion is not quite true. If you're looking at the numbers, overall, total crime is down a little over 2% this year, he says. Robbery is down 80% since the 90s and assault is down 26% since the 90s. So we're nowhere close to when crime was really kind of rampant in New York City.

Still, a collection of year-to-date statistics by the NYPD found that felony assault and robbery have increased by 3% and 4.1% so far in 2024, respectively. These are the high volume, violent crimes that a lot of people care about and that a lot of people hear about. When it goes up a percent or two, you know, we're talking about dozens of more victims every week now, says Herrmann. More serious crimes like murder have decreased by 17.8%. Rape has gone done by 1.2%.

Herrmann says he isnt sure whether the alarming number of videos about women getting hit in the street is part of a social media trend highlighting a crime rate that already existed, or whether this specific street crime rate is rising in NYC. Many crimes go unreported; a Pew Research Center report found that only 40.9% of violent crimes were reported in 2019.

This is one of the problems with crime statistics in general. Someone posts something on TikTok and all of a sudden, it's like, Oh, hey, that happened to me too, says Herrmann. Referencing the number of videos posted online after Kates initial post, he adds, You get that snowball effect.

For Lieberman, who says she does not normally post on TikTok, sharing her story felt like a way to prevent others from being attacked. I just wanted it on the record that it had happened, she says, and that it was happening to more people.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By Jonathan Allen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City will begin testing gun-detecting technology in a pilot program at several subway stations, Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday.

The announcement comes after several shootings on the subway system, one of the biggest and busiest in the world, including an argument on a train in March that ended with a man being shot in the head with his own gun.

After a 90-day notice period under city law for new surveillance technology, the New York Police Department will begin testing portable scanning machines at several stations, though Adams did not say which ones.

In Thursday's event at the Fulton Street subway station in lower Manhattan, Adams showed a scanner made by Evolv, a Massachusetts company that makes security technology.

"Today's announcement is the next step in our ongoing efforts to keep dangerous weapons out of our transit system and to provide greater mental health services for New Yorkers in crisis," said Adams, a Democrat who used to patrol the subway as a police officer.

The Legal Aid Society, which defends the rights of New Yorkers who cannot afford lawyers, called the plan misguided and an invasion of New Yorkers' privacy.

"Simply put, gun detection systems are flawed and frequently trigger false alarms, which induces panic and creates situations that could result in the loss of life," Jerome Greco, an attorney in Legal Aid's Digital Forensics Unit, said in a statement. "New York City should not serve as a testing ground for surveillance corporations."

New York state banned people from having guns in what it designates as "sensitive locations," including public transportation, in 2022. The law is being challenged by gun owners' rights groups, which say it conflicts with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier in 2022 that found people have a constitutional right to carry weapons in public.

Nearly 4 million trips are made on the city's subway on a typical weekday, and crime remains relatively rare: The city said felony crimes, such as thefts and assaults, were down 15% in March compared with the same month last year.

Police have seized 19 guns from people in the transit system so far this year, compared with nine guns in the same period in 2023.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have established a legal market for the sale of recreational marijuana in the Old Dominion state.

The proposed law, which would have created a state-regulated marketplace for recreational marijuana, endangers Virginians health and safety, Youngkin argued in his veto statement.

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, he said.

Youngkin argued the law would not have eliminated the illegal black-market sale of cannabis or guarantee product safety.

The legislation, passed by the Virginia House and Senate last month, would have allowed the state to begin accepting applications on Sept. 1 for cultivation, testing and selling marijuana for the market to open on May 1, 2025, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The law came nearly three years after Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana through a policy change that permitted adults 21 and older to possess and cultivate the drug.

Disagreement over policy has stalled retail sales from the beginning in Virginia, which critics argue is helping continue illicit sales in the state, the news wire added.

Youngkin did not previously indicate how he would act on the legislation and repeatedly said the policy issue was something he did not have an interest in.

I want us to work on areas where we can find a meeting of the mind and press forward to the betterment of Virginia, and there are so many of them, he told reporters in January, per the AP.

The bill was among seven pieces of legislation Youngkin chose to veto on Thursday. His office said these bills would legalize the sale of drugs, weaken public safety and arbitrarily set labor prices.

He signed 100 other bills on Thursday, his office confirmed.

Earlier this week, Youngkin vetoed an assault weapons ban and a series of other gun control bills as part of a 30-bill veto session on Tuesday.

I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of Virginia, and that absolutely includes protecting the right of law-abiding Virginians to keep and bear arms, Youngkin said in a statement Tuesday.

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YEREVAN, 29 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. On March 28, in Yerevan, the 5th political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Korea were held, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Mnatsakan Safaryan and Chung Byung-won, Deputy Foreign Minister For Political Affairs of Korea.

The parties discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation, expressing readiness to strengthen the political dialogue and economic ties.

A wide range of issues of bilateral agenda were discussed during the meeting, in particular, possible cooperation in the sphere of nuclear energy, further expansion of the legal framework, promotion of educational and cultural exchanges. The sides touched upon the opportunities for cooperation in the fields of information technology, digitalization, artificial intelligence and innovations, exchange of expertise in public administration, as well as programs implemented in Armenia through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

During the consultations, the parties also touched upon the existing cooperation within international organizations and other multilateral platforms, the efforts aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, the protection of human rights and strengthening democratic values.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan provided to his counterpart a detailed overview of the security situation in the region and Armenia's efforts towards establishing lasting peace. He also briefed on the measures taken by the Government of Armenia to address the humanitarian issues of the Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan, highlighting the importance of the support from international partners.

Within the framework of the visit, the delegation was received by Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan. During the meeting a range of issues of bilateral and multilateral agenda of Armenian-Korean relations as well as the regional developments were touched upon.
YEREVAN, 29 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 29 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.25 drams to 394.46 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.93 drams to 425.62 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 4.27 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.91 drams to 497.65 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 146.08 drams to 27808.22 drams. Silver price down by 4.13 drams to 310.90 drams.
Aerial photo taken on June 23, 2022 shows a cargo train, which marks the 10,000th trip made by China-Europe freight trains operated by the China-Europe Railway Express (Chongqing), leaving Tuanjie Village Central Railway Station in Chongqing, southwest China. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

The China-Europe Express Rail allows cargo to be delivered from China to Europe within 14 days, a fast transportation solution costing slightly more than sea freight, but significantly less than air freight.

BRATISLAVA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Metrans, a major player in seaport container traffic in Europe, has expanded its rail services linking the growing markets of Asia and Europe, thanks to rapid cargo transport connections from the China-Europe Express Rail project.

Martin Koubek, director of Silk Road and the CIS division of Metrans, made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua at its Dunajska Streda hub, not far from the Slovak capital Bratislava. Situated in the so-called European "golden triangle," the city is strategically connected to Vienna and Budapest and Bratislava.

The company, established in 1991 in Prague, now belongs to the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) group based in Hamburg, Germany.

Staff members pose for photos with the first "Shanghai Express" in Hamburg, Germany, on Oct. 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Qing)

Speaking about their CEO's decision to explore the business potential of this express China rail link, Koubek noted that "the origin of the cargo going to Europe" through the seaports is mainly from China, a phenomenon they have observed "for 32 years."

According to Koubek, spare parts for cars is "the best example" of the type of cargo transported from China to Europe. "We can see it in the ports, we can see it on our trains," he added.

The China-Europe Express Rail allows cargo to be delivered from China to Europe within 14 days, a fast transportation solution costing only slightly more than sea freight, but significantly lower than air freight.

Chinese-made Volvo XC60 vehicles exported to Europe via China Railway Express (Chang'an) are seen at the Port of Ghent in Belgium on July 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Metrans possesses 20 container terminals across Europe, with two more under construction. They operate some 650 trains per week and delivered 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) last year.

Metrans launched its first China-Europe train service in 2017, delivering goods from central China's Zhengzhou city to Hamburg. This busy connection is still in service today. Later, it launched connections from eastern China's Yiwu city to Prague. Currently, its most frequent service is from western China's Xi'an city to locations in Czechia, Slovakia and Austria.

"We see the significant importance of cargo going from China by rail, that is why we bought the terminal in Malaszewicze, Poland in January 2022, which is very much connected to the Silk Road and we started to boost the connection to China via Malaszewicze," he said.

In another development, cargo going to Hungary from China continues to develop and will be much stronger due to large amounts of investment from Chinese companies in Hungary, Koubek said.

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 7, 2023 shows a Chang'an China-Europe freight train departing from Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

From Dunajska Streda, located a few kilometers from the northern Hungarian border, Metrans' network is connected to southeast Europe, home to several European countries which will soon be developed further. Moreover, two new Metrans terminals are under construction, namely in Zalaegersteg and Szeged, located near the western and southern borders of Hungary. They are expected to be opened in 2026.

"Our long-term goal is to make our network on the Silk Road more stable and reliable for the clients," Koubek said.

The Metrans' official is also planning a trip to China in June this year to attend a logistics meeting in Shanghai and to meet with the company's Chinese partners and clients about possible developments in the future. 
University of California San Diego

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Teaching Professor of Dance

Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $88,600-$111,200.

The posted UC Academic salary scales set the minimum pay as determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position here: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/oct-2023-acad-salary-scales/t1-l.pdf. Please refer to the 10/1/2023 salary scale for Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment. The base salary range, from the salary table, for this position is $74,600-$97,200.

Off-scale salaries and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. Additional UCSD salary information can be found here: https://aps.ucsd.edu/compensation/apo-salary.html

Application Window

Open date: March 26, 2024

Next review date: Thursday, Apr 25, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Theatre & Dance at UC San Diego (http://theatre.ucsd.edu), located on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay nation invites active and forward-thinking dance artists, choreographers, and dance scholar-practitioners with demonstrated expertise in African and African Diasporic forms. This position is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position within the Teaching Professor Series. The academic appointment for this position will be for a LPSOE in the area of Dance. An LPSOE (Lecturer with Potential for Security of Employment) is equivalent in level to Assistant Teaching Professor of Dance, effective July 1, 2024 and instruction beginning September 2024 (Fall Quarter).

The Department of Theatre & Dance at UC San Diego invites exceptional dance educators and dance makers who emphasize interdisciplinary methodologies and whose research is rooted in African and Afro-Diasporic experiences and practices that are varyingly multiracial, trans-geographic and intersectional. The ideal candidate is an educator, dance maker and/or scholar-practitioner with an emphasis on dance pedagogy, who is cutting-edge in the profession, a risk-taker and a fearless collaborator. Candidates should have a clearly established, unique artistic vision, identity, voice, and praxis in relation to African and Afro-Diasporic experiences and should be ready and excited to develop educational programs in the Dance area through this lens. We welcome applicants whose practice might engage with areas of research such as: the hybridization and fusion of culturally, geographically, and historically diverse dance forms; somatic approaches (i.e., dance training, movement research, improvisation, performance, choreography, somatic practices and other forms with significant connection to the cultural production of Africa and its Diaspora); 21st-century interdisciplinary performance and aesthetics as they intersect with critical theory, social justice, and cultural, ethnic, religious and gender studies. We invite candidates whose research and teaching in dance would complement and amplify other areas of our department such as acting, directing, and design.

Faculty hired will be expected to design and teach undergraduate dance courses in the T&D Department that support and collaborate with the vision of the department curriculum, and will be expected to mentor dance students in the T&D Department. We especially welcome candidates whose professional experience, community engagement, and personal background have facilitated their understanding of and ability to better serve students from traditionally underrepresented communities in higher education. Additionally, the appointee will be expected to participate as a member of the campus community on committees at both departmental and university levels.

Position includes an expectation to participate in all facets of the undergraduate dance program. Duties include teaching, recruitment, casting, curriculum, periodic directing of department productions, university service, and a desire to invest in continuing to build and grow within the dance area.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants should possess an MFA/MA or 3-5 years of professional experience and/or relevant training.

Applicants should demonstrate expertise and experience in African and African Diasporic dance forms.

Applicants should demonstrate 1 to 3 years of evidence of teaching effectiveness and mentorship, preferably in a higher education setting but will consider other comparable settings such as: artist residencies, seminars, creative workshops, and participatory performances. Examples of teaching effectiveness and mentorship include but are not limited to: positive teaching/mentoring evaluations, student support letters, peer/professional reviews, and applicable awards/honors/nominations.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae  Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Statement of Research (Optional)

Statement of Teaching

Statement of Contributions to Diversity  Applicants should summarize their past or potential contributions to diversity. See our /shortcuts/contributions_to_diversity site for more information.

Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements

2-3 letters of reference required

Please provide the contact information for 3 references and upload at least 2 letters of reference.

Apply link: https://apptrkr.com/5136720

Help contact: m1craig@ucsd.edu

About UC San Diego

The University of California, San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, covered veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California prohibits https://smokefree.ucsd.edu/ use at all University controlled properties.

The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statement & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.

Job location

La Jolla, CA

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/5136720

Copyright 2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University

Executive Director

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU School of the Arts (VCUarts) invite nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director of the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA).

The ICA has become a focal point of Richmonds energetic arts district, serving as a nexus for creativity and inclusion, where innovative thinking and transformational ideas are drawn from a spectrum of disciplines. In a striking building designed by Stephen Holl, the ICA is positioned minutes away from the highly regarded Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with easy access to museums, galleries, and institutions up and down the East Coast. Unlike museums that house permanent collections, the ICAs responsive exhibitions and performances invite audience engagement and challenge visitors to experience and examine art in unexpected ways.

The ICA seeks a visionary leader who will provide the creative vision, leadership and strategic direction to further shape its role as an outstanding arts institution and part of the highly-ranked VCUarts. The executive director will be a convener of extraordinary ideas and a curious, inspiring, innovative, entrepreneurial, and experienced collaborator who brings to the role a record of achievement reflective of the ICAs standards of excellence.

Reporting directly to the Dean of VCUarts, who also serves as the Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar, the executive director has a secondary reporting relationship to the University Provost. This position is an Executive and Senior Leader Staff position; however, candidates may be eligible for a term (non-tenure eligible) faculty appointment depending upon their qualifications and experience. The executive director could teach in a discipline that aligns with their area of expertise. Within the context of VCUarts mission, the executive director will leverage the ICAs unique positioning in an arts and design school, within an R1 research university, at the intersection of Richmonds rich and diverse community.

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree in a relevant discipline and will have proven experience in administration and a strong track record in fundraising, development and budgeting, supplementing their capacity for driving dynamic, innovative and experimental programing. This individual will closely collaborate with the faculty, key volunteer leaders, staff, students, and community to incorporate the ICA into VCUarts strategic plan that aligns with the universitys strategic plan, Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform.

Additional Information can be found here: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20844-vcu-executive-director-institute-for-contemporary-art

Minimum starting salary of $200,000 is expected. Final salary based on credentials and experience of the hire.

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications (including letter of interest, diversity statement, CV, and references) by May 3, 2024 to:

Susan VanGilder, Global Managing Partner and Practice Leader

Susan Kart, Senior Search Associate

Lareese Hall, Senior Search Associate

VCUICA2024@storbecksearch.com

For more information, please visit the ICA home page at https://icavcu.org/

Virginia Commonwealth University does not discriminate in admissions, treatment, employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin (including ethnicity), age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), parenting status, marital status, political affiliation, military status (including veteran status), genetic information (including family medical history), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; the Virginia Human Rights Act; the Virginia Personnel Act; and other state or federal laws and university policies. VCU prohibits sexual harassment and sex-based misconduct, including sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence. VCU also prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants for employment because they have inquired about, discussed or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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ED said Kejriwal giving evasive replies during interrogation

Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Admi Party, or Common Man's Party, left, leaves in a car after a court extended his custody for four more days, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP)

New Delhi: Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorates custody of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Mr 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 went on to add that it was apparent that the ED was going all out to destroy the AAP.

The Delhi high court also observed that there was no legal bar in running the government from jail. While dismissing a PIL seeking the removal of Mr Kejriwal from the CMs post, the high court said there was no scope of judicial interference on this aspect.

Mr 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?

Mr Kejriwal alleged that Sarath Chandra Reddy donated Rs 55 crores to the BJP. I have evidence of this. The money trail is established as he donated funds after being arrested.

Mr Reddy is the director of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd and one of the co-accused-turned-approvers in the case.

The ED had sought seven more days custody of the AAP chief, but special judge Kaveri Baweja said he has to be produced before the court on April 1 at 11 am. The AAP national convener was arrested by the agency in the excise matter on March 21, and was subsequently remanded to ED custody till March 28 by the court.

In its fresh remand plea, the ED said during Mr Kejriwal's custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded over five days but he was giving evasive replies. It said that the statements of three other persons relevant to the case have also been recorded during the remand period.

During his custody, the ED said Mr Kejriwal was confronted with C. Arvind, 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.

The investigating agency said the statement of one of the AAP candidates in the 2022 Goa elections was also recorded during Mr Kejriwal's custody. It revealed that the candidate did not have any money and his election expenditure was taken care of by the AAP office in Delhi only through their associates.

The remand plea said during 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 Mr Kejriwals premises on March 21 are yet to be extracted as the arrestee has sought time in providing the password and login credentials after consulting with his lawyers.

The application said the movable and immovable property details, income-tax returns, and other financial details sought from Mr Kejriwal were yet to be provided by the chief minister or his family members.

The ED said it had sought details regarding appointments made with the chief minister in the online portal in his office.

It said 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 probe agency said when the demand for bribes was not fulfilled, these officials either shut down their factories or did not allow the wholesalers to dispatch their goods to Punjab. The plea said the officials sought time on the summonses,

citing the hooch tragedy in Sangrur.

The plea said: 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

Delhi CMs wife Sunita Kejriwal claimed he was not keeping well and was being harassed a lot. Ms Kejriwal, who had come for her husbands court hearing, told reporters: His sugar levels are fluctuating. He is being harassed a lot. This tyranny won't last and people will give a reply.

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 Mr 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 Mr 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 Mr Kejriwal was holding the post of chief minister, and sought his removal from the post.

Mr 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.
The CPI was also served a notice for payment of "dues" of Rs 11 crore

New Delhi: The Income-Tax department slapped the Congress with a new demand notice for payment of Rs 1,823.08 crore. The CPI was also served a notice for payment of "dues" of Rs 11 crore.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi warned the officials involved that there will be repercussions once the government changes hands. When the government changes, action will definitely be taken against those who are destroying democracy, he asserted.

The I-T notices sparked an uproar among Opposition parties. The Congress termed it as "tax terrorism" orchestrated by the BJP to weaken the Opposition financially just before the General Elections.

At a press conference, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken accused the Income-Tax Department of selectively targeting Opposition parties. He dubbed it as a "frontal organisation" of the BJP. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to Twitter, questioning the disparate treatment between penalties imposed on the BJP and the Congress, seeking impartiality in tax proceedings.

Maken sought attention to alleged income-tax law violations by the ruling party, urging tax authorities to demand over? 4,600 crore from the BJP. "We have analysed all violations of the BJP using the same parameters they used to analyse our violations," Maken declared.

Jairam Ramesh, handling communications for the Congress, accused the BJP of amassing funds through the "electoral bonds scam" and asserted the party's resilience in the face of financial pressure. "Efforts are being made to financially cripple the Congress, but we are not going to be cowed down," Ramesh affirmed.

Amidst legal battles, the Congress plans to mobilise public protests against what they term the Modi government's "tax terrorism." Jairam Ramesh announced that Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) across states will hold demonstrations to denounce the alleged targeting of the party by tax authorities.

Meanwhile, the CPI received a notice from the Income-Tax Department demanding "dues" of Rs 11 crore for purported discrepancies in using an old PAN card while filing tax returns. The party is consulting legal experts to challenge the notice, highlighting growing tensions between Opposition parties and tax authorities ahead of the elections.
In his words: "I am just a professional writer, which means I don't do blogs and try and get money for whatever I write."

TikTok Ban Controversy Sparks Debate Over Free Speech and Foreign Ownership

Dogs in our alley

Are treated like kings by all

No thief dare come near

The cats who live here

Dont bother the rats or mice

Truce has been declared

The blind man who sits

All day under the neem tree

Singing the same song

From Kaiku Haiku, by Bachchoo

For many decades of my short and happy life, gentle reader, I believed that TikTok was the infantile representation of the sound that clocks make. And now i am disabused of this notion as I discover that it is in fact, according to some American and British media, a sinister social-exchange platform owned indirectly by the Communist Party of China to subvert the minds of millions of Western youngsters and even gullible oldies.

A recent American poll concludes that the majority of teenagers and young people get their news and comments on current affairs from TikTok. I must admit I am, in regard to the social media, what another generation calls a dinosaur (my favourite species name, when I acknowledge being such, would be Ithinkeesaurus) -- like Britains foreign secretary David Cameron who is reputed to have concluded that LOL meant Lots of Love.

Following the statistic alleging that young people in America get their news and views from TikTok, there has been a move in the Senate and the House of Representatives to ban the platform. The move has met with divided opinion. Those in favour of a ban argue that the CPC could brainwash the countrys youth and that would be detrimental, dangerous and disastrous. Others argue against the ban, saying it would be an assault on free-speech -- but those are the liberals. Donald Trump and the fellow Vivek Ramaswamy who had stood as a Republican candidate for the presidency are against the ban. Why? Surprise, surprise!

Because Jeff Yaas, a donor of millions of dollars to the Republican Party and to Donald Trumps campaigns, owns 15 per cent shares in ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok.

This is actually a bit of a surprise-surprise as Mr Trump, when he was President, proposed banning TikTok as his government alleged that it posed a security risk. But donors of course speak louder than the CIA?

As I confessed to start with, I have never accessed TikTok -- or for that matter any other of these platforms. In fact, the editor of my about-to-be-published novel, Deccan Queen -- Take Two, had asked for my handles on the social media. I dont know what these are and have told him so. But if TikTok is telling American and European younger generations that the genocide in Gaza is wrong, I am myself against the ban -- even though Jeff Yaas hasnt donated a dollar to forward my campaign to be Baron Dhondy of Sachapir.

But perhaps TikTok is for the invasion of Ukraine by Russia -- as Mr Trump has hinted that he may be. In which case I am for banning the platform from the UK and India too.

The ownership of media by foreigners is something that is at present occupying the British media and Hedgie Soongones government.

The particular case involves two newspaper titles, The Daily Telegraph and the weekly magazine The Spectator. They are at present owned by the billionaire Barclay family, whose billionaire status has run into some trouble as they owe Lloyds Bank a fair proportion of what they own. They propose to sell the two publications and the highest bidder who has declared an intention to buy them is an American media conglomerate financed by the United Arab Emirates, and specifically Abu Dhabi.

Horror of horrors! Arabs, Muslims, possibly-anti-Israeli-genocide-wallas owning the ultra-right titles?

Surely the Soongone government has, as every columnist and cry-baby hypocrite of the Torygraph and pathetically and dishonestly right-focused Spectator demands, should move to ban these potentially subversive foreigners from owning a UK media outlet?

Never mind the fact that the same government is very happy to allow Middle Eastern despots to invest billions in the UK and to sell them armaments? Hey, business is business?

And how are they going to manage such a ban. A law saying foreigners cant own newspapers, TV channels and social media platforms in the UK? Great! So, what happens to Rupert Murdoch, and the Australian-Americans newspapers and TV channels he owns? Banned?

And the other right-wing rag The Daily Mail owned by Lord Rothermere who has chosen to live in France to dodge UK taxes?

Of course, X, Facebook, TikTok and Linked-in are owned by solid UK citizens -- John Smith of Basingstoke, arent they? (Dont be silly yaar! --Ed)

If the government moves to ban the sale of the two papers to Abu Dhabi, they will have to discriminate between one foreign owner and the other. How? On what basis? Religion, nationality, race...?

If Abu Dhabis royals do buy the Spectator, I shall look forward to a change of editor and editorial preoccupations. One of their booby columnists is against the exposure or historical criticism of people and institutions who or which profited from the slave trade. Another claims that some idiots at universities wanting to neutralise gender pronouns means the end of civilisation. A female columnist of theirs writes every week about quarrels or exchanges with her English country, and now Irish, neighbours or about feeding her horses. I am sure there is a readership for this sort of writing and opinion. I am equally sure such readership is dwindling.

Err how does one get onto TikTok?
Tejas Mk1A boasts enhanced electronic RADAR, warfare, communication systems, additional combat capability, and improved maintenance features

The first Aircraft LA5033 of the Tejas Mk1A Aircraft series after taking off from HAL facility in Bengaluru, Thursday, March 2024. It was a successful sortie with a flying time of 18 minutes. (PTI)

New Delhi:The state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) conducted the maiden flight of the Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft on Thursday. This advanced version of the LCA Mk-1, already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), is a significant milestone for the HAL.

HAL announced that the Tejas Mk1A's successful first flight, undertaken by Aircraft LA5033, took off from their facility in Bengaluru and lasted 18 minutes. Chief Test Pilot, Gp Capt K.K. Venugopal (retd), piloted the aircraft.

The Tejas Mk1A boasts enhanced electronic RADAR, warfare, communication systems, additional combat capability, and improved maintenance features. Despite facing global supply chain challenges, HAL managed concurrent design and development to meet production milestones, said HAL chairman and managing director C.B. Ananthakrishnan.

The IAF had ordered 83 LCA Mark1A fighter planes in 2021, with deliveries initially scheduled for February-March 2024. However, delays are anticipated. Moreover, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the acquisition of an additional 97 Tejas Mark 1A aircraft, bringing the total to 180, indicating the aircraft's crucial role in the Indian Air Force's future fleet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier flew on a Tejas fighter aircraft during his visit to HAL in Bengaluru last year. Named Tejas in 2003, the aircraft fulfils various roles, including air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions. With two operational IAF squadrons currently in service, the Tejas remains a cornerstone of India's indigenous defence capabilities.
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.
by Dario Salvi

The Custos of the Holy Land speaks to AsiaNews: the Palestinian issue is a long unresolved problem that must be addressed "with realism". The UN vote on the truce has a "moral value", but we need the "courage" to recognise and legitimise ourselves. The Roman centurion "an example of mature faith". The Collection is a "special communion" and fundamental resource today, with a thought for all persecuted Christians in the world.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - The "Palestinian question" seemed "forgotten", overshadowed by other global emergencies or relegated to the margins of the international agenda, and the "Abraham Accords" themselves signed by Israel with part of the Arab world appeared as "a strategy to remove it."

However, the news events of recent months [from the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October to the war launched by the Jewish state in Gaza] show that "it cannot be removed, but must be resolved". This is what the Custodian of the Holy Land, Friar Francesco Patton, underlines to AsiaNews on the occasion of Good Friday. He maintains it is useless, as well as impossible, "to pretend that the problem doesn't exist: on the contrary, it must be faced with realism, it requires a solution of a political nature, with recognition of the full dignity and right to existence of the Palestinian people."

On the level of international diplomacy, a significant, although not decisive, step was recorded in recent days at the UN Security Council with the US abstention which allowed the approval (14 votes in favour) of the resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza.

The decision, explains the Custodian, is only inportant as long as it is "not only on paper" despite knowing that "many resolutions do not have much practical follow-up" but have a "moral value" in line with the directives of the international community which is pushing for a truce.

And after the truce, peace - he continues - to facilitate a political solution to the conflict which leads to the birth of a State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel: both - he states - must have the courage to recognize the other as legitimate and with the right to exist."

Meanwhile, the Christians of the Holy Land live the "unique" experience of Easter in the "places" where Christ was born, experiencing firsthand "the various mysteries: we don't need imagination - says Fr. Patton - for Palm Sunday, Monday in Bethany where Mary sprinkles oil on the feet of Jesus, then the Cenacle on Thursday and the Via Crucis" today.

Experiencing Easter in Jerusalem - he continues - is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the historical dimension of Christianity and to affirm that our faith is not based on a myth, but on the testimony of those who met him resurrected. For us this is a unique opportunity to renew our faith, which is the only and greatest hope we have: if he has risen, evil is not the last word."

The Custodian of the Holy Land continues that too often teh ressurrection is understood as "resuscitation, but it would be a going back while, on the contrary, it means moving forward and bringing our humanity to God".

He adds, this "takes us away from the miseries of history" and is more relevant today than ever in a world plagued by violence, conflicts and devastation. The time that separates from the resurrection of Jesus to the birth of the Church, until his return "is a time of struggle and trial, we cannot delude ourselves that it is a paradise on earth", during which "we experience plagues, wars, pandemics, crises ecological and economic".

Today becomes "an opportunity to put ourselves in the shoes of the only man who makes a mature profession of faith, the Roman centurion, who, seeing Jesus die on the cross as noted in the Gospel of Mark - explains the Custos - affirms that he is truly a son of God". And he recognizes him, he adds, "not because he sees him resurrected, but because of how he sees him dying, taking upon himself human solitude and transforming it into an act of abandonment".

Good Friday is also an opportunity to remember the "Collecta pro Locis Sanctis", born from the desire of the pontiffs to maintain a strong bond between Christians in the world and the holy places.

It is important - he confirms - because it is not a collection based on an emergency, for an earthquake or a flood, but expresses, as established by Paul VI in 1974, the communion between the universal Church and the Church of Jerusalem through the Custody of the Holy Land . It represents a "special communion" through the economic aspect and is "even more important in this phase in which there is a lack of pilgrims for the war".

They are fundamental resources, says Fr. Patton, "to carry out social activities and schools in a phase in which families have no money due to lack of work" due to the crisis in religious tourism. The collection is a concrete and orderly tool, because it allows for annual reporting of projects and works from a perspective of transparency.

Finally, the Custos returns to the theme of the pilgrims who "are not totally absent, some also showed up for Palm Sunday but it remains a sad Easter. Our brothers in Gaza are experiencing a prolonged Good Friday - he explains - and are reduced to hunger, they can only cook something hot once or twice a week: an unbelievable situation.justifiable, but who manage to live with a faith that puts us all to shame, publicly declaring that their home is the Church and their only certainty is Jesus."

On the other hand, their testimony encourages us to be more coherent, to experience a difficult Easter for everyone, especially in the West Bank, in Bethlehem, without tourists and without work, but with a participation that is stronger than usual, as we have already seen at Christmas . It is as if they felt - he underlines - that in a tragic context faith must make a leap in quality and we cling to Christ".

He asks Christians in the West to "look to the Holy Land" where there is a "Mother Church in difficulty. What we experience - he concludes - is what the majority of Christians in the world experience, from Africa to Asia passing through Latin America: they are suffering, they do not live on privileges, with the only difference that we are under the spotlight of information.
In the region nestled in the Himalayas on the borders with China and Pakistan, the local population is demanding the creation of a local administration, after the Delhi government revoked autonomy for Kashmir in 2019, dividing the region into two. Activists fear the melting of glaciers, the launch of large industrial projects and the militarisation of the territory, including by Beijing.

Leh (AsiaNews) - Activist Sonam Wangchuk put an end to a 21-day hunger strike this week, but, she specified on social media, the protest for the autonomy of Ladakh and the protection of the environment is not over: " Tomorrow, after me, the women will begin a 10-day fast. The young people will follow and then the Buddhist monks. Then the women could start again or I could go back to fasting. This cycle will continue, the activist said in a video.

For weeks, thousands of people have been protesting demanding the application of a section of the Indian Constitution, called the Sixth Schedule, which guarantees indigenous tribes control of their territories.

In August 2019, when the Delhi government, led by the ultranationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, revoked Kashmir's autonomy, it divided the region into two, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, both administered by the central government.

Nestled in the Himalayas between China, Pakistan and India, Ladakh has often been at the center of territorial disputes and has long suffered the effects of climate change. Wangchuk himself is an engineer working at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh.

We are already facing climate disaster and the glaciers in the mountains will be destroyed if there is no control over unbridled industrial development and military maneuvers, the activist had previously declared. In fact, in June 2020, the region was the scene of a clash between Chinese and Indian troops. Although the two Asian powers have not reached open conflict, in recent years they have continued to mass soldiers along the border, with consequences also for the local population.

In some cases, the Chinese army has taken control of border lands, preventing herders from grazing their herds, or Nomads have been forced to abandon their lands due to the creation of new Indian industrial projects, Wangchuk explained.

Furthermore, in Ladakh, 97% of the population is tribal and practices Buddhism (in the Leh district) or Islam (especially in the Kargil district). The fact that since 2019 the Indian government has not guaranteed a legislative assembly to Ladakh has fueled the population's concerns about the management of the territories also at a political level.

If in neighboring Kashmir Delhi preferred to implement harsh repression, towards Ladakh the Indian government had expressed its willingness to examine the possibility of applying the Sixth Schedule.

The implementation of the provision would allow the creation of autonomous councils for land management, public health and agriculture. Ten such councils already exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, states where several tribal groups are present. At the moment, however, Ladakh is administered by a governor appointed by the Indian president.

On March 6, Ladakh representatives held yet another round of talks with some Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, but to no avail. So, even with temperatures below zero, hundreds of people continued to take to the streets to demonstrate, especially in Leh.

But also the inhabitants of the Kargil district, who have always asked to join Muslim Kashmir and in the past had accused the Leh government of discrimination, joined the protests, a historic event, according to some analysts.

We are trying to remember and awaken the conscience of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to safeguard the fragile ecosystems of Ladakh and the unique indigenous tribal cultures that thrive here, Wangchuk said at the end of the fast, adding: We don't want to think of Modi ji and Amit Shah ji as mere politicians. We would prefer to think of them as statesmen. But for this they will have to demonstrate character and foresight."

The next Indian elections will be held from April to June and Wangchuk, in his latest statements, recalled the importance of the democratic process also for Ladakh: "We can force a government to change its behavior, or change the government", he said . So let us remember to choose our voting power very carefully this time in the interest of the nation.

INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY, CLICK HERE.
Today's news: dozens dead in an Israeli raid near Damascus, while the Netanyahu government risks a crisis over the recruitment of the ultra-Orthodox; One of those arrested for the Krokus Hall massacre in Moscow attended the Fatikh mosque in Istanbul; Bangkok wants to legalise casinos; A Filipino in Pampanga gets himself crucified for the thirty-fifth time on Good Friday.

RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA

At the UN Security Council, Russia used its veto power to block the renewal of the mandate of a group of United Nations experts who had been monitoring sanctions against North Korea for 14 years. Last week the group said it was investigating reports that Russia had violated rules by buying North Korean weapons for use in Ukraine. 13 of the other 14 member states of the Council voted in favor of renewing the mandate of the expert group. China, Pyongyang's closest ally, abstained.

ISRAEL-SYRIA

According to sources in Damascus, an Israeli air strike on the northern Syrian province of Aleppo killed at least 38 people this night, including soldiers and civilians. The victims include five members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Several areas of the Aleppo countryside were targeted. The raid follows Hezbollah's missile launches on northern Israel which caused the death of an Israeli worker in recent days.

ISRAEL

The Israeli Supreme Court has decreed that from April 1 the State will no longer be able to pay subsidies to ultra-Orthodox Jewish students in yeshivas - rabbinical schools - who refuse to join the army to continue their Torah studies. The decision is linked to the lack of agreement with the Jewish religious parties on the law which until now has exempted around 60 thousand young Haredim from military service, but is now strongly opposed by Israeli public opinion. The affair puts at great risk the stability of the Netanyahu government, in which the votes of the religious parties are decisive.

PHILIPPINES

Not wanting to see the controversial Lenten tradition end in his village, sixty-seven-year-old Ruben Enaje allowed himself to be crucified for the 35th time on Good Friday in the street performance that commemorates the Via Crucis in the barangay of San Pedro Cutud. After the death of his fellow penitentiary, Bob Velez, who died of COVID-19 in 2022 at the age of 72, Enaje is now considered the dean among the "papaku", men and women who climb the cross to be nailed in the municipality of Pampanga.

THAILAND

The Thai government is considering legalizing casinos. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the move, claiming that the measure would bring benefits in terms of employment. Casinos are illegal in Thailand and the only gambling allowed is on state-controlled horse racing and the lottery, although underground gambling is widespread.

RUSSIA-TURKEY

One of those arrested for the Krokus Hall massacre, Samsiddin Fariduni, presented himself on social networks with the name Abdullokh, the servant of Allah, including his Telegram account where a preacher's assistant had connected with him  who proposed a compensation of 5 thousand dollars for the terrorist act. In the previous days, photographs of Fariduni were seen in Istanbul, in front of the Fatikh mosque, considered one of the most fundamentalist in all of Turkey.

KAZAKHSTAN-KYRGIZISTAN

The president of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zaparov, paid an official visit to Astana to sign an agreement with his counterpart Kasym-Zomart Tokaev to expand cooperation relations with Kazakhstan, strengthening the defensive alliance which excludes contacts with third countries which could threaten the security of one of the two, in a regional agreement to also be proposed to the other Central Asian countries.
Police in Nigeria on Friday (March 22) arrested the leader of an arson attack on a Catholic Church building in September that left a seminary student dead, sources said.

Police in Kaduna state said Saidu Yakubu confessed to leading the attack on St. Raphaels Catholic Church in Fadan Kamanta, Kafanchan Diocese, Jemaah County, on Sept. 7. Seminary student Stephen Naaman Danladi died when the rectory was burned down.

Mansir Hassan, spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, said in a statement on Saturday (March 23) that officers had apprehended Saidu, known as Ismail M, who was involved in banditry, culpable homicide and mischief by fire.

On Sept. 7, at approximately 2030hrs, the Officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack, Hassan said. Due to diligence and the tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on March 22, one Yakubu Saidu, the alleged mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended, and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.

An area bishop previously said assailants unable to enter the home of the parish priest they sought to kidnap instead set it on fire. The priest, the Rev. Emmanuel Okolo, and his assistant managed to escape, but the fire killed Danladi, 25.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.
SUV

Toyota USA flaunted all five generations on social media and included a quick capture of the sixth-generation 4Runner's rear end in the attached gallery. For now, the details are scarce, but we know that it's not going to be the only teaser if we judge the situation by what happened with the 2024 Tacoma mid-size pickup truck sibling.Everyone and their mother is also fully expecting the all-new 4Runner to share more than a trait or two with the N400 fourth-generation Taco, including the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, design traits, many of the interior goodies, as well as the 2.4-liter T24A-FTS turbo inline-four gasoline engine  with or without the hybrid option.The first to arrive will most likely be the base 228-hp variant and the higher 278-horsepower tune, complete with the six-speed manual transmission and the eight-speed automatic gearbox. Don't count on the 326-hp hybrid to appear during the first model year of the new iteration  Toyota has the 2024 Tacoma with the gasoline-only versions up for grabs, but the Tacoma i-Force Max doesn't even show up in the 'upcoming vehicles' tab alongside the 2025 Camry and 2025 Crown Signia of the online portal anymore.Anyway, that's something to ruminate a little bit later because now we have to deal with the impatient and imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Immediately after the teaser dropped, some of the pixel masters hurried to present their take on the matter  including Vince Burlapp (aka 'vburlapp' on social media or burlappcar.com) and the resident CGI expert from the AutoYa info channel on YouTube. Vince's design project , frankly, looks more prepared to envision a rugged and more adventurous next-generation RAV4, but the best-selling compact crossovermay not receive an all-new generation this year  or at least Toyota will reserve it for the second part of the year to allow the five minutes of glory under the red carpet's spotlight to the 4Runner this spring.Moving on to the good folks at AutoYa, their vision is a lot more detailed and compelling. The unofficial design project of the 2025 Toyota 4Runner includes all of their ideas and renderings they have cooked up every time, so there's a fair share of POVs  from the rear with the doors open to see the interior, directly from the cockpit, and  of course  the front-three quarters. Naturally, they didn't forget about the traditional color reel, and every POV is associated with a bundle of shades. So, which is your favorite, and do you think the 4Runner will look like this?
Apple Maps was already an essential part of Apple's long-term strategy, but the demise of the Apple Car turned it into a first-class citizen of the company's automotive expansion.

Photo: USPTO

Photo: USPTO

Photo: USPTO

Apple Maps and CarPlay now spearhead Apple's push beyond the technology world , so the technology giant has become very committed to new features and innovative functionality that will give its products a major lead over rivals.Apple Maps will receive new features with the release of iOS 18, albeit their purpose is to bring Apple's mapping service closer to Google Maps from a functionality perspective. This doesn't mean that Apple isn't already thinking of ways to make Apple Maps a more revolutionary product.A patent called "user interfaces for customized navigation routes" provides a closer look at how Apple wants to make Maps integral to the driving experience.As with other Apple patents, this idea is divided into two components that can eventually be combined for more advanced functionality.The first part involves the vehicle type. Apple describes how Apple Maps can offer customized routing based on your engine profile  a feature already available in cars with Apple Maps integrated into the infotainment system, with the app reading range information to suggest charging or refueling stops.Apple explains that Apple Maps would look at how much fuel or battery range you have when beginning navigation and look for routes within the available range. If you can't reach a destination without refueling or recharging, Apple Maps looks for gas stations or charging stations. The application can estimate how much extra fuel or charging time is needed to arrive at the destination, and it can display how much fuel or battery level is left after navigation is complete.Apple Maps aims to get you to the destination regardless of the engine type under the hood. It can offer customized routes with automatic stops for fuel or charging, letting you choose if you want to follow the suggestion or continue navigation.The second component concerns driving to a destination in a zone with access restricted based on the license plate. Apple Maps would require users to define the license plate to determine if the vehicle is subject to license plate restrictions when setting up navigation. The application can look for special routes that avoid these restrictions, allowing you to choose how you want to navigate based on full vehicle data.Eventually, Apple Maps can combine these two components for advanced navigation, taking into account more vehicle information, including the engine under the hood and the license plate number. Apple explained that Apple Maps would search for routes that meet all criteria, suggest refueling or charging stops, and scan for possible license plate restrictions. Users will get notifications within the app and on the iPhone lock screen when navigation is enabled.Similar capabilities would make their way to CarPlay.Apple Maps is getting more and more improvements, and it all started with the detailed city experience , whose rollout has yet to be completed. The detailed city experience was announced three years ago, but the global availability phase hasn't been reached. It includes Apple's in-house maps, with rich details like medians, crosswalks, sidewalks, and 3D buildings. The detailed city experience also expands the availability of Look Around, Apple's alternative to Street View, and brings Waze-inspired incident reporting to users where the feature is life.The debut of iOS 17 last year provided Apple Maps with one of the most requested features. The offline maps allow users to navigate to a destination without an Internet connection, albeit users must download the data before they begin driving. The feature works similarly to its sibling in Google Maps, albeit Apple has added support for more travel modes without an Internet connection.Google is also working non-stop on improving Google Maps, and this week, the company teased a new mobile app refresh that would simplify the tab bar at the bottom of the screen. Furthermore, Google Maps recently received a controversial interface update that brought new colors for forests, lakes, and roads. The new color palette was received with mixed reactions by users worldwide, with some launching petitions to convince Google to restore the old look. Everybody eventually got used to the new interface, and now Google is focusing on other features for Google Maps.One of the latest updates for Google Maps is Gemini integration . The ChatGPT-inspired assistant can now look for route information to a user-defined destination and launch Google Maps for navigation. In the future, Gemini could make it easier for users to find places to go based on custom and more complex requests.If you want to read Apple's full patent, you can find the document in the box after the jump, but keep in mind that the technology is still on the drawing board. A patent isn't a sign that a new feature could reach the production stage.
A dispute between the resident and the apartment building administration took a very wrong turn. In the morning, the owner of a BMW had to hammer his car out of the wall built around it overnight by the administration that he had been having a long-term feud with.

@telemadridoficial Un vecino de Marques de Lema numero 7, en Chamberi, se ha encontrado su coche emparedado  sonido original - TelemadridOficial

Living in apartment blocks is tricky. Someone always plays loud music when they're supposed to keep quiet, someone else makes fried fish, and the smell goes everywhere around, or some driver parks in the wrong spot that another one pays for. And things sometimes go way too far. But being a resident and fighting with the administration of the building is a whole different kind of battle.One such dispute ended up with a BMW enclosed in a makeshift wall. It happened in an apartment building in the Chamber neighborhood of Madrid, Spain. Things escalated quickly, and, in the morning, Fernando Prieto had to hammer down a wall to free his BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe trapped behind it.A video showing the man demolishing the wall, which seems made of a light material, not actual concrete, has been uploaded to TikTok by TeleMadrid. He shows up patiently hammering the wall down bit by bit to release his white BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.There is no exact confirmation of the facts that took the resident, Fernando, and the administration of the building so far. What we do know is that Fernando kept parking his BMW there, and the administrator hated it. So he decided to teach him a lesson.He brought a construction team and the necessary construction materials to the underground garage where the car was parked and made sure it would not be going anywhere any time soon. Hours later, the garage had a totally different floor plan. The task was performed during a single night, which is faster than most workers out there being paid by hour would usually do it.That night, the construction team brought by the vengeful administrator even had time to paint the wall to match the aesthetics of the garage. They must be pro construction workers, some of the best in the country to be able to complete the job so fast without getting the attention of everyone in the building in the process.The wall that entrapped the BMW was not perfectly straight, but somewhat curved, a shape which had to be adapted to the rear end of the BMW 4 Series. When the owner of the vehicle arrived in the underground parking to retrieve it, he probably could not believed his eyes. He could not see it anywhere. But there was a wall where he had parked his car the night before.He somehow figured out that his car was beyond the new wall. So, the only thing for him left to do was pick up a hammer to take down the wall and recover his BMW.This is apparently not the first time this has happened. Fernando found his car trapped behind a wall before. While he says that the parking spot is his, the administration claims it is of public use.According to the Spanish media, this apartment building in Madrid seems somewhat of a battlefield. The disputes between neighbors are just an episode of the war saga. Fights over a 400,000 euro bill with the owner of the building and a court trial with the administrator charged with trying to benefit "friendly companies" in the renovation process are part of the lives of the residents.
Emirates confirms its status as one of the most prominent supporters and promoters of green jet fuel with another successful initiative aimed at integrating SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) into regular commercial operations.

Starting this month, Schiphol Airport's fueling system will be supplied with SAF all throughout 2024. In line with the current regulations, this won't be pure, 100% SAF, but a mix of conventional fuel and alternative fuel known as blended SAF . The total amount that will be fed into the Airport's system will contain up to 700,000 gallons of neat SAF.The initiative is the result of Emirates' partnership with Neste, unofficially the world's biggest SAF producer at the moment. The agreement was officially confirmed in 2023 and represents one of the biggest SAF purchases in terms of volume to date.This isn't the first location where Emirates is implementing alternative fuel, and it won't be the last. Emirates was one of the pioneers in the airline industry, having conducted its first flight powered by blended SAF back in 2017 in Chicago. Now, the airline is using this green jet fuel to power flights from several locations, including Paris, Oslo, and Dubai.In November 2023, an Emirates aircraft officially became the largest airliner to take to the sky powered by SAF. It was an Airbus A380, and it completed a demonstration flight with one of its four engines running on 100% SAF. Such demonstrations are vital for pushing the boundaries of what's possible and reflecting new realities in current legislation.Prior to taking off from Dubai International Airport (DXB), the Emirates airliner had to undergo multiple tests, as well as its Engine Alliance GP7200 engine and the PW980 auxiliary power unit (APU) from Pratt & Whitney.While advancing the use of SAF in commercial aviation, Emirates also aims to support a domestic SAF industry in the UAE. Like most operators, it currently needs to rely on external suppliers such as Neste and Shell Aviation. Just like Australia is making efforts to develop its own sustainable fuel industry, the UAE also wants to become a regional hub and has devised a clear strategy targeting a production capacity of up to 700 million liters of SAF before the end of this decade.For major operators like Emirates, being able to rely on a steady, affordable supply of green jet fuel is essential for gradually increasing the use of blended SAF. Right now, this alternative fuel is still too expensive compared to conventional fuel and is still a scarce resource because there aren't enough producers to satisfy market demands.As for its own SAF-powered operations, Emirates is ready to move on to the next location of its sustainable fuel project, the Singapore Changi Airport. Just a few months from now, this airport will also start pumping the Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Based in Bangkok, Thailand, K-Speed is one of those bike-modding firms that requires very little introduction, if any at all. Their work has captivated custom motorcycle aficionados all over the world, but they never slowed down to get a breather or rest on their laurels. What were about to look at is one of K-Speed's latest endeavors and among the first modded specimens of its kind.

Photo: K-Speed via Pipeburn

Photo: K-Speed via Pipeburn

Still fresh out of the oven, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X already found itself in the shops crosshairs and the bar has been set very high right from the get-go. The build was commissioned by Triumphs Thai branch, and much of the hardware used here will soon become available in K-Speed's aftermarket catalog. Right off the bat, we can say this thing looks a lot meaner than a stock 400 X.One of Triumphs main goals with this budget-friendly Scrambler, as well as the Speed 400, is to grow the marques presence on Asian markets. Collaborations with top-tier custom bike shops are a great promotional tool, so it made perfect sense for them to jump on the bandwagon along with brands like Royal Enfield. Dubbed the Diabolus Scrambler, K-Speed's reinterpretation knocks it straight out of the park and into the stratosphere.The specimen will be present at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show between March 27th and April 7th, along with another K-Speed build based on the Speed 400. You should definitely check out the event if you happen to be in the area, but let us admire the reworked 400 X digitally for the time being. To their genuine delight, the guys were given carte blanche on this project from start to finish.Any modifications they had in mind were thus fair game, even if they would alter the donors anatomy irreversibly. First things first, the K-Speed crew got the ball rolling with some clever structural changes at the back, aiming to reduce visual clutter as much as possible. They ditched the grab bar and proceeded to loop the subframe, before attaching a handmade mudguard underneath.It seems like the OEM side covers have been retained, but the Scrambler lost its two-up seating arrangement. Instead, it now carries an elegant solo saddle upholstered in black leather. The whole rear-end setup looks the part, and the custom party continues up front with another, high-mounted fender. Choosing to retain the stock fuel tank, our protagonists simply revised its top section with a bespoke strap of sorts.They kept the standard ten-spoke hoops from Triumph but cloaked their rims in chunky dual-purpose rubber. Items like the suspension and brakes were left unchanged, as they are extremely capable straight out of the box. The motorcycles single-cylinder engine also stayed the same on the inside, only receiving some finned covers and a new, high-mounted exhaust system.This handmade pipework comes with accompanying heat shields to keep temperatures in check, and we find it a lot more intriguing than the stock plumbing. Along with the replacement fenders and beefy tires, it certainly makes the budget Triumph a lot worthier of its scrambler designation. The projects authors still had a few aces up their sleeves, though  an assortment of smaller touches that really make the whole thing come together.Among them, the most notable has to be the updated headlight assembly found at twelve oclock. The headlamp itself is an aftermarket LED module placed nice and close to the forks, with small but bright turn signals flanking it nearby. However, the real star of the show in that area is a rugged custom grill, which gives the 400 X a much tougher appearance.Up in the cockpit, the K-Speed treatment was about subtraction rather than addition. Items such as the hand guards, central pad, and standard mirrors have all been discarded to tidy things up in that area. Minute bar-end mirrors offer a view of whats behind the rider, and the instrumentation is now located downlow on the left-hand side of the fuel tank.But of course, an appropriate color scheme was needed before the lads could call it a day. To suit the Diabolus Scramblers menacing aesthetic, they cloaked it in a mixture of dark grey and black mostly done in a matte finish. The black detailing on the gas tank consists of horizontal stripes and stylish Triumph logos  subtle and low-key, but great at creating visual depth and continuity.Once again, the custom bike gurus over at K-Speed managed to build a fantastic machine by putting all their skills and knowledge to good use. As much as we love the Scrambler 400 X in its stock incarnation, this reworked head-turner from Thailand is definitely the one wed pick if given the choice. Not only does it look more imposing, but it is also better suited to rides on unpaved roads.
It's called the McCandless Collection and it's managed by Mike McCandless, the son of Herb McCandless. If you haven't heard of Herb, he was a successful NHRA racer and became a respected engine builder after he retired.Stashed in a museum in North Carolina, the McCandless Collection is the perfect place to visit if you're into "Forward Look" Chryslers . And you'll find some of the rarest and well-maintained rigs from the era in this place.The footage kicks off with a very special 1955 Chrysler C-300. Sporting serial number 0001, this C-300 is the first of its kind. It's also the first American production car with 300 horsepower on tap. Essentially a prototype, this C-300 was raced at the 1955 NASCAR Speed Week, and it's probably the most significant iteration of the Chrysler 300 "letter series."But this C-300 isn't the only 0001-serial rig parked in the museum. The family also owns the very-first 1957 300C . Used in advertising back in the day, it's the only 300C that left the factory with front bucket seats. Mike says they also own the first 1958 300D, but the car is currently undergoing restoration.Next up, you'll see a rare and low-mileage 1958 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible. One of 666 units made, this gorgeous drop-top shows only 5,500 miles (8,851 km) on the odometer. The 1961 300G Convertible parked next to it is even rarer. Chrysler made only 337 examples.Things become even more interesting if you're a fan of DeSoto, one of Chrysler's orphan brands. This collection includes a 1959 Firedome Convertible. One of only 299 units built, this finely-restored gem flexes a stunning color combo.Not rare enough for you? Well, the family also owns a one-of-97 1959 Adventurer drop-top. Featuring a gold-flake carpet and a gold interior, this flamboyant ride is one of only 12 cars in existence. It may seem like Mike has a thing for cabriolets, but h also owns a 1959 Fireflite wagon. One of the fanciest grocery-getters available at the time, this Fireflite featured the "Adventurer Powered" one-year option, and it's probably the finest example around.Moving back into 300 "letter series" territory, the museum is home to one of only two 1958 Chrysler 300D stick cars. Unlike most Mopars seen here, this one's unrestored. It still looks the part and has three land speed records to its name.If you're more into vintage dragsters than "Forward Look" street cars, then you'd be happy to know that Mike's collection includes one of 17 1967 Plymouth Belvedere R023 homologation specials equipped with the 426 HEMI V8 and four-speed manual. The mini HEMI lot includes a 'Cuda dragster and a 1968 Dodge Dart L023. The latter is the only Dart fitted with the mighty 426, and only 80 units were built.In addition to all these spectacular cars, the museum is decorated with an impressive amount of vintage sings. Most of them are from the pre-Pentastar era. Chrysler adopted the said logo in 1962.If you want to check it out for yourself, the McCandless Collection Museum is in Burlington, North Carolina. Meanwhile, you can get a pretty good preview in the video below.
The team that built the fabulously looking 50th Millionth Gold Car replica has not stopped research to trace back the original. They have just dug out a rusty piece of the original Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe with 24-carat gold plating from 1954 in the backyard where it burned in 1996.

Photo: Snodgrass Chevy Restoration | Facebook

The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe looks every inch like the original car

Heavily involved in the build, Joe Whitaker posted on Facebook a photo of a rusty component, which had been buried in the backyard where one of the three gold cars that GM manufactured burned to a crisp almost three decades ago."Since all of you seem to be like me (somewhat), and you enjoy looking at rusty junk, we'll show you another recovered piece of the Golden Car #1," he wrote on social media. He went on to explain that the team had to physically dig it out of the ground along with some other pieces of the car.What they found is a section of the A-pillar, which Joe Whitaker refers to as one more piece of the giant 'puzzle' that fits together with all the other bits and pieces that they have recovered over the years.The Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe with gold plating came to celebrate a major milestone: it was General Motors' 50 millionth car. GM paraded one of the three they built on a huge celebration that took place on November 23, 1954, in Flint, Michigan, the heart of the automotive company.It was a day-long street party with dancers, music bands, clowns, and mascots, turning what used to be a quiet little town where nothing ever happened upside down.GM paraded milestone cars, all culminating with number 50 million: a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe with 24-carat gold elements. The gold replaced all the chrome trim of the standard car. It was a glorious automobile, shining in direct sunlight and getting that "wow" reaction from the crowd that GM was counting on.After the event, the model joined a private collection. It remained in storage for decades. It changed hands several times, but not much was known about those years. A car virtually dipped in gold had just vanished from the car world like it did not even exist.Information surfaced about the vehicle having burned to the ground somewhere in North Carolina in a fire that melted an entire private collection. Not much was saved from the gold car from 1954.

Photo: Snodgrass Chevy Restoration | Facebook

The team worked around the clock to get it ready on time for the 2024 Detroit Autorama

Photo: Snodgrass Chevy Restoration | Facebook

The gold-plated car wows the crowd everywhere it goes

A restoration shop from Melbourne, Florida, Snodgrass Chevy Restoration, just could not accept that the car was lost and gone forever. So, they started on a mission that seemed next to impossible, considering the limited amount of information. However, they ended up building a replica to perfection.They stopped at nothing. They invested money, with over $100,000 going just into the gold plating, on top of the purchase of the Bel Air. They invested time, with the team working around 1,800 hours over six to seven months. And making their replica look like the real deal was not exactly a walk in the park.Most photos from the mid-1950s were in black and white. Therefore, taking a wild guess in terms of trims and colors was not an option for the people at Snodgrass Chevy Restoration. They called on an automotive historian from Kentucky, Steve Blades. It was he who excavated information out of GM's archives in order to find the exact trims and colors that the 1955 Chevy had.That is how the 2024 replica looks every inch the car that paraded in Flint, Michigan, exactly 70 years ago. There are over 600 pieces covered in gold . The buttons on board the model, all switches, the circular frame of the speedometer, the dashboard are all gold-plated.The precious metal also covers the window frames, the badges at the front and rear, the wheel hubs, and everything that used to be chrome on a standard Chevy Bel Air.Coming up with paintwork identical to the one from 1954 was also a gigantic challenge. How do you find the exact same paint when there is no paint code? But they nailed this one, too. They used five and a half gallons of Axalta gold paint to make the Chevy shine brighter than the brightest sun.Looking like the real deal from bumper to bumper, the Chevy Bel Air gold-plated replica made its public debut at the 2024 Detroit Autorama seven decades after the original car paraded in Flint, Michigan. The model wowed the crowd. Everyone wanted a piece of it. Everyone wanted to snap a photo and upload it on social media. There were people who traveled across the country just to see the gold Chevy.The piece of automotive history on wheels will be on display at several automotive events throughout the year. And we already know the reaction of people seeing it.
Many of today's active adults were not even alive, or they were very young at best, back when the absolute speed record for a crewed aircraft flying in Earth's atmosphere was set.

Photo: Hermeus

Photo: Hermeus

That happened back in 1976, when an American SR-71 Blackbird spy plane shot through the sky at Mach 3.3, which in numbers we all understand translates into 2,193.2 mph (3,529.6 kph). It's a record that has endured for decades, but it will soon become the target of a new generation of aircraft: hypersonics.Technically speaking, for something to be considered hypersonic it would have to travel at speeds of over Mach 5 (3,800 mph/6,100 kph). It is something space rockets can easily do (in fact, they easily reach Mach 25), but not a feat aircraft, especially crewed ones, can easily achieve.And yet that's exactly what a number of aviation startups are working on, in the hopes they will make travel, both military or civilian, a lot easier and faster. Among them is a company called Hermeus.Born back in 2018, the Georgia-based group is dreaming no more no less of a hypersonic airliner capable of transporting people at insane Mach 5 speeds. That would be enough to take humans from New York to London in under 90 minutes!The aircraft is called Halcyon, and it is a project so radical that it doesn't even have an exact launch date. To some observers it even kind of seems to have gotten sidetracked over the past few years.That's because ever since its birth the company has gotten on the American military's radar, which it is now anxiously waiting for something called the Darkhorse. That would be a "multi-mission hypersonic UAS (uncrewed aerial system) designed for defense and national security missions," but also the "worlds only purpose-built high-Mach drone."Because of the military's interest, but also because it's easier to design a drone before a crewed aircraft, it is the Darkhorse that will probably arrive into the world ahead of the airliner. And it seems Hermeus is making giant leaps toward getting the Darkhorse ready sooner than expected.Back in January Hermeus introduced us to something called the Quarterhorse Mk 0. It was described as a fully integrated vehicle, the first in the Quarterhorse family that would precede the hypersonic Darkhorse and, in essence, the forefather of the Halcyon.Mk 0 was a testbed to see how all major aircraft subsystems work in a real-world environment, and it was never meant to fly. It did, however, demonstrate the remote-controlled and communications systems, taxiing, and pilot-in-the-loop steering and controls.The machine was put through its paces at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and the images provided by the company showed something that was nothing more than a jet engine on wheels.Not the same can be said about the Quarterhorse Mk 1 which was presented this week. As Hermeus' second fully-integrated aircraft to be presented over the past year, this one is the real deal, as it's meant to actually take to the sky and put both the Darkhorse and the Halcyon on track to becoming a reality.Put together in just seven months, the aircraft kind of looks like the experimental planes of the 1950s, minus the space for a pilot: long and pointy like a missile, with relatively small wings, and completely unpainted (you can see it in the main photo of this piece).Just like the MK 0 , Mk 1 will be remote-controlled, and it will use a General Electric J85 jet engine  the same powerplant deployed on several other past experimental machines, but also on the T-38 Talon trainer.Hermeus does not say anything about the capabilities of the powerplant in this configuration, nor are we given any other details about the plane.We do know it will now enter a series of ground tests in preparation for it taking to the sky later in the year. The main mission of the Mk 1 is to "demonstrate high-speed takeoff and landing," and it will do so at Edwards Air Force Base in California.If all goes well with this one, Hermeus will launch Quarterhorse Mk 2. That test aircraft will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, the same one deployed on the world-famous fighter jets F-15 and F-16. The Mk 2 will be the one actually to try and go supersonic, in a flight test currently scheduled for next year.It's unclear just how many Quarterhorses we'll get to see before the hypersonic drone can evolve from them, but Hermeus promises "each aircraft in the Quarterhorse program progressively increases in complexity."We will, of course, keep an eye on further developments and report back once we learn more. After all, it's not every day we get to witness aviation history being written.
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A government agency, the Television and Radio Broadcasting Network, said the daily programs have systematically violated a 2020 Russian-Armenian agreement that allowed the Russia-1 channel to retain its slot in Armenias national digital package accessible to viewers across the country. It cited provisions of the agreement banning offensive content against peoples and national values and interference in domestic political life.

The government earlier sent a protest note to Moscow over comments made by Solovyov and another Russian media figure, Margarita Simonyan, during a February 25 talk show. They said that Armenian leaders should be mindful of what they called disastrous consequences of Western intervention in other ex-Soviet states.

Solovyov continued to attack Yerevans increasingly pro-Western foreign policy after that complaint. He warned that Armenians risk losing their statehood because of it.

Minister of High-Technology Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetian announced on March 18 that Armenian and Russian officials will meet in Moscow soon to discuss Armenian proposals regarding the content of retransmitted Russian programs. Hayrapetians press office declined to clarify on Friday whether the talks took place and, if so, resulted in any agreements.

Solovyov, who was known for his pro-Armenian views on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, did not immediately comment on the ban. But Simonyan was quick to condemn it and accuse Pashinian of stifling free speech.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry already summoned the Russian ambassador in Yerevan last October to condemn Channel One, the other Russian broadcaster accessible in Armenia, for disparaging Pashinian during an hour-long program.

The Armenian charge daffaires in Moscow was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry the following day. Ministry officials protested against what they called anti-Russian propaganda spread by Armenias government-controlled media.

Pashinians government blocked Solovyovs programs amid its deepening rift with Moscow and growing cooperation with the West. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Thursday of the impending collapse of Russian-Armenian relations.
Fulani herdsmen accompanied by other terrorists on March 19 and 20 killed seven Christians in attacks on villages in central Nigeria, sources said.

In Benue states Logo County, the assailants slaughtered seven Christians in the Yongia Ukambie Tiev and Ukembrergya-Tswarev communities, said the Rev. Jonathan Adagbe, chairman of the Logo Local Government Council.

The attacks were carried out by the herdsmen who were accompanied by a group of terrorists, Pastor Adagbe told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. These herdsmen act brazenly and attack Christians at will and with impunity. No one dares challenge their terrorist acts; not even the military or other security agents are able to curtail their activities against Christian communities.

The pastor said he visited the areas for assessment in order to file reports with the Benue state government and saw armed, Muslim Fulani herdsmen still moving freely in the communities they had attacked.

Community leader Joseph Anawah said the terrorists attacked without any resistance from Nigerias military or security agents.

The herdsmen, whom we believe are working alongside terrorists, attacked our villages for two days, beginning on Tuesday, 19 March, Anawah told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. The terrorists started attacking our villages at about 4 p.m. and continued on Wednesday, 20 March. So far, we know that seven Christians were killed during the invasion on our villages.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
29 March 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

In recent years, the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor for transportation in Eurasia has increased dramatically. Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of North-South and East-West transport routes, implements numerous measures.

These views were voiced by Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - head of the foreign policy affairs department of the Presidential Administration, in an interview with China's "Phoenix" TV channel.

"Azerbaijan is becoming an important transport and logistics center in the South Caucasus with the expansion of commercial seaports, increasing the number of manufactured ships, modernization of railways, and the continuous increase in the volume of sea and land cargo transportation," H. Hajiyev said.

Recalling that Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to support the "One Belt, One Road" initiative put forward by the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, the assistant to the President said that this project had a positive effect on the general well-being of the countries located along the route, strengthened cooperation between them, and also promoted inter-civilizational dialogue; and thanks to this, the international community benefited from the ancient Chinese civilization.

"We see this project as a cooperation, partnership and mutual prosperity that can bring prosperity to the countries along the route. Azerbaijan, located between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, is a natural bridge connecting Central Asia and Europe," the Azerbaijani official noted.

Touching on the recent arrival of the train from Xi'an, China, passing through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea and reaching Azerbaijan in just 11 days, the Presidential Assistant stressed that this route proved once again that it is very important, competitive and possible from the point of view of transport. At the same time, this route is safe and reliable. We are working hard with our Chinese friends to further improve the efficiency and competitiveness of this trade route.

It was brought to attention that Azerbaijan is also making efforts to increase the transmission capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Because goods are transported not only from East to West, but also in the opposite direction. European companies and the continent's trade institutions can use this route to enter the Chinese and Central Asian markets. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is developing the North-South route along with the East-West route. Due to all this, Azerbaijan is considered a transport and logistics center on the Eurasian continent.

Noting that in recent years, Azerbaijan has paid attention to the development of the non-oil economy and is trying to achieve economic diversification, the foreign policy department head drew attention to the solar power plants created in our country. He said that this is an important stage in cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the field of green energy.

COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan this year, was also touched upon in the interview, and it was noted that the issue of climate financing, which did not make progress at the previous conference, will become the main topic at the Baku conference.

At the same time, it was stated that Azerbaijan is the guarantor of European energy security, and exports oil and natural gas to many European countries. It was noted that there is close cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the field of energy, and Chinese companies participate in oil and natural gas projects. Besides, in his interview H.Hajiyev emphasized that Chinese companies are good partners in the diversification of our country's economy, as the green transition has become a priority area for Azerbaijan.

It was pointed out that in Azerbaijan they are very happy to see China taking the lead in the field of global green transformation. Also, China has actually proven the possibility of a green transition.

"Transition to green energy is one of our priorities. We look forward to actively working with our Chinese friends at COP29 and beyond," added Hikmat Hajiyev.

Saying that COP29 demonstrated Azerbaijan's determination as a country that has fossil fuels, as well as its diplomatic and political courage, the President's assistant emphasized that it also shows Azerbaijan's strong and firm will.

"Azerbaijan has shown that we are determined, we want to be a supporter of green energy in addition to hydrocarbon resources, and we are ready to contribute to this concept," he said.

In the interview, it was also mentioned that China and Azerbaijan have always cooperated closely in the international world, firmly support multilateralism and protect the interests of developing countries.

In the end, China-US relations were touched upon, and it was emphasized that unfair competition against official Beijing does not contribute to globalization and the well-being of world citizens.

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29 March 2024 12:13 (UTC+04:00)

Fatime Letifova Read more

Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus have become strategic in recent years, Azernews reports, citing the Belarusian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Andrey Ravkov, as he told journalists at the meeting.

"During the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, 10 mutual visits by our presidents have been carried out. Our legislative base includes 130 agreements in various fields. Recently, a cooperation roadmap for 2025-2026 was signed between Belarus and Azerbaijan," he said.

According to him, trade and economic relations between Baku and Minsk are developing dynamically.

"Belarus highly values friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with Azerbaijan. In addition, inter-parliamentary relations are currently deepening," the ambassador added.

Recall that on March 28, the ambassador of Belarus held a meeting with representatives of a number of leading mass media operating in Azerbaijan and presented awards to Azerbaijani journalists.

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29 March 2024 16:17 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

In January-February, 2024, China exported approximately 113,600 smartphones to Azerbaijan, which is 3.3 times higher than the corresponding period of 2023, Azernews reports, citing the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.

The export value increased by 3.6 times, reaching $12.9 million.

According to the information from the General Administration of Customs, in 2023, China exported approximately 291,100 smartphones worth approximately $32.5 million to Azerbaijan.

The transaction highlights the economic relationship between China and Azerbaijan, showcasing their engagement in trade activities. It suggests a demand for Chinese smartphones in the Azerbaijani market, which could be due to various factors such as affordability, technological features, or brand popularity.

Smartphones fall under the category of telecommunications and electronic devices. The trade of smartphones indicates the importance of this sector in both countries' economies. It suggests that Azerbaijan relies on imports from China to meet its domestic demand for smartphones.

The export of smartphones worth $13 million reflects market trends and consumer preferences in Azerbaijan. It indicates that Azerbaijani consumers are inclined towards purchasing Chinese smartphones, either due to their competitive pricing, advanced features, or other factors.

The substantial value of smartphone exports suggests the potential for further growth in bilateral trade between China and Azerbaijan, particularly in the telecommunications sector. Both countries may explore opportunities to expand their trade relations and capitalize on emerging market demands.

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29 March 2024 11:10 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The National Carpet Museum invites you to join the lecture on textiles and jewellery of the XIXXX centuries of Central Asia on March 30.

The lecture is organised as part of the exhibition "Culture of Clothing and Jewellery Art of the Turkic Peoples", Azernews reports.

The exhibition featured a range of materials, from colourful silks to intricate embroidery, each piece telling a story of craftsmanship and artistry. The ornate patterns and designs of the costumes offer viewers a glimpse into the intricate traditions and customs of the Turkic peoples.

The project is timed to the Novruz holiday and the 15th anniversary of its inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Please register in advance to participate in the lecture led by Virginia Morgan-Hayat in Russian.

Founded in 1967, the National Carpet Museum holds more than 14,000 exhibits of the finest Azerbaijani carpets.

Initiated by eminent carpet artist Latif Karimov, the museum is beautiful inside and out.

The museum's new building is designed in the form of a rolled carpet. Now, the museum hosts multiple events, including international symposiums, conferences, and various exhibitions.

In 2019, the museum received national status for its significant contribution to popularising and promoting Azerbaijani carpet weaving art.

In 2020, the Carpet Museum enriched its collection with a beautiful pile of carpets purchased by the Culture Ministry at the Sartirana Textile Show in Italy.

The 19th-century Guba carpet "Ugakh" was donated to the Carpet Museum, while the Garabagh carpet "Chelebi" enriched the collection of the museum's Shusha branch.

Moreover, the Carpet Museum won the Travellers' Choice Awards for the fourth time in a row last year.

The award proves once again that the professional activity of the National Carpet Museum is highly appreciated by visitors from all over the world.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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29 March 2024 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan Film Agency is expected to collaborate with the Turkish filmmakers. The Film Agency will produce a historical film production "Golden Train", Azernews reports.

Orkhan Fikratoglu, representing the Film Agency, signed the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding, outlining collaborative efforts towards the film's production.

The historical film revolves around the early 20th-century relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The film tells about Nuru Pasha's assistance to Azerbaijan.

With financial support from Turkish producers, this innovative endeavor represents the first-ever investment by Turkish enterprises in the film industry of Azerbaijan. The memorandum also emphasizes the support of TURKSOY member nations.

Note that Azerbaijan and Turkiye reached an agreement on cooperation in the film industry in 2021.

The sides also exchanged views on holding joint film festivals, cooperation between the public and private film organizations and cinematographers of the two countries.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
29 March 2024 16:50 (UTC+04:00)

Baku Contemporary Music Society and the Baku Museum Center invites you to project "Musical Evenings at the Museum".

The fourth concert within the series of the portrait concerts will take place on April 1 at 19:00 in the Baku Museum Center (III floor, assembly hall), Azernews reports. The concert is dedicated to the work of composer Ismail Hajibayov (19492006),

Ismail Hajibayov is an Azerbaijani composer who turned neoclassicism into one of the integral components of his work.

As a result of the internal processing of Ashug music, as well as the synthesis of polyphonic styles and techniques characteristic of Western European music (perfectly mastered by the composer), "neoclassicism" in his work manifested itself with its inherent clarity and clarity of forms.

Hajibayov, who received his composition education in the class of Gara Garayev, taught composition at the Baku Music Academy named after U. Hajibayli from 1974 until the end of his life.

Ismail Hajibayov is the author of "Pages from an Album", "Three Idylls", "Concertino", "Patterns" for a symphony orchestra and several other works that have become an important part of our musical heritage.

A striking example of national neoclassicism is the piano rhapsody "Dzhangi". In the portrait-concert will be performed the composer's chamber works.

The main goal of the "Musical Evenings at the Museum" project is to organize portraits and concerts of Azerbaijani composers and highlight the features of their work.

Most of the time is devoted to the presentation of original music, which contributes to the process of forming a permanent audience of quality music in our country.

As part of the project, portrait concerts of such Azerbaijani composers as Tahir Ibishov, Rahilia Hasanova and Khayyam Mirzazade were held.

Moderator: musicologist Shafagat Mammadova. Free entry.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

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29 March 2024 10:01 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Following the instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored city of Fuzuli continues, Azernews reports.

Another group of former IDPs, consisting of 35 families or 138 people, left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in Garadagh for Lachin on February 28.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt based on instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 666 families, or 2517 people.

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29 March 2024 13:55 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, who has been appointed as the president of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), travelled to Saudi Arabia, where he met with the leaders of the Arab companies "KAUST", Saudi Power Procurement Company, and "ACWAPower", Azernews reports, citing the official "X" account of COP29.

It was reported that within the framework of the visit, meetings were held with high-ranking officials of "KAUST" and "ACWAPower".

The parties discussed innovative approaches to renewable technology, emission management technologies, water desalination, and the progress made in addressing Azerbaijan's water scarcity issue.

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Today, @COP29_AZ President Designate Mukhtar Babayev and senior officials visited @KAUST_News, Saudi Power Procurement Company and @ACWAPower during a bilaterial visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Together the parties discussed innovative approaches to renewable technology and pic.twitter.com/1chF2KFDli  COP29 AZ (@COP29_AZ) March 29, 2024

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29 March 2024 11:28 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

Azerbaijani Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva has issued a statement on March 31- Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis.

Azernews presents the statement.

presents the statement: Throughout history, Azerbaijanis have been repeatedly and intentionally subjected to ethnic cleansing, genocide, and deportation by Armenia.

One of the horrific genocidal acts committed against our people was perpetrated in March and April of 1918, and this bloody event is engraved in the history of Azerbaijan as 31 March Genocide.

During genocidal acts, 110 villages in Shamakhi County, more than 150 villages in Karabakh, 115 villages in Zangezur County, 98 villages in Kars Province, and 167 villages in Guba County were burned and plundered, and the inhabitants were brutally murdered. 35 of these villages were wiped off the face of the Earth. Iravan city, which is an ancient land of Azerbaijan, and 199 villages around it were destroyed, 132, 000 Azerbaijanis were killed.

Only in Guba County were nearly 16, 000 people murdered. In 2007, the existence of numerous facts of physical violence on human remains in mass graves found as a result of construction excavations in Guba City clearly prove the inhuman acts committed by Armenians against our people in 1918.

It must be noted that the facts of crimes of genocide committed against Azerbaijanis in different periods of history, including 31 March Genocide, are substantiated as time passes. A while ago, the discovery of the human remains in mass graves of people, who were subjected to torture and murdered in various forms in the village of Edilli in the Khojavend district, in Aghdam and Shusha cities, as well as in Khojaly and other liberated territories, can be cited as an example.

The crimes of genocide are based on centuries-long vehement hatred toward Azerbaijanis and unlawful territorial claims. These claims had intensified even further towards the end of the last century, as a result of which hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis had been deported from the present territories of Armenia, and 20 percent of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan were occupied by this country.

As a result of the Second Karabakh War, which started on 27 September 2020, and lasted 44 days, as well as local anti-terror operations carried out in September 2023, the territory of Azerbaijan, which had been kept under the occupation of Armenia for nearly thirty years, was liberated and sovereignty was fully restored.

In the early years of the past century, the conveyance of the truths about these brutal acts of genocide committed by Armenian nationalists against Azerbaijanis to the world community and the establishment of political and legal evaluation of this incident became possible only after the return of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of our people, to power.

By the Decree On the Genocide of Azerbaijanis dated 26 March, 1998, issued by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, 31 March is declared the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis, and investigations and endeavors to uncover the truth have been encouraged in order to assess the political and legal evaluation of crimes of genocide.

Unfortunately, a fair position regarding the acts of genocide against Azerbaijanis committed with special cruelty, which have been pursued over time in history, has not yet been declared on an international level.

The world community and international organizations should recognize this horrific act of genocide against Azerbaijanis committed in 1918 as a crime of genocide on an international scale and not remain indifferent to the crimes committed against our compatriots throughout history to avoid the reocurrence of such incidents.

The Statement is addressed to the UN Secretary-General, UN Security Council, UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Office of High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Human Rights Council, the United Nations Childrens Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, European Union, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, International and European Ombudsman Institutions, Asian Ombudsman Association, Turkic states Ombudsman Association, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Ombudsman Association of its member states, Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, European Network of Ombudspersons for Children, International Peace Bureau, foreign ombudsmen and national human rights institutions, embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the foreign embassies in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Diasporas, as well as to various religious communities and confessions.

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29 March 2024 17:34 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The 6th edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, themed "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity," is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 1 to 3, 2024. This gathering will witness the participation of high-ranking officials, international delegations, and representatives from various international organisations, Azernews reports, citing ICESCO.

This Forum, an integral part of the "Baku Process" initiated by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008, will be jointly organised by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), in collaboration with prominent international entities like the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), UNESCO, and UN Tourism.

During the event's plenary sessions and panel discussions, participants will address various urgent global challenges pertaining to civilizational dialogue and cooperation, aiming to combat hatred and foster values of coexistence and peace.

Furthermore, the Forum will feature a range of cultural activities, including concerts, festivals, and artistic performances, aimed at showcasing and celebrating cultural diversity while promoting a sense of cooperation and mutual understanding.

The primary aim of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is to strengthen the position of the "Baku Process" as a significant international platform for advancing intercultural cooperation and dialogue. In the UN Secretary-General's annual report to the UN General Assembly on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue in 2017, the "Baku Process" was commended as a pioneering initiative advocating for intercultural dialogue.

It is noteworthy that the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recognising the "Baku Process" as a pivotal global platform for promoting intercultural dialogue.

Previous editions of the forum have featured over 250 activities and attracted nearly 10,000 participants from 180 countries and 30 international organisations.

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29 March 2024 17:47 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

Azerbaijan's Economy Minister, Mikayil Jabbarov, highlighted discussions on initiatives targeting enhanced investments in energy efficiency with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Azernews reports, citing the post shared by the minister on X social account.

The minister shared insights on the talks held with Alessandra Roccasalvo, the UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan, emphasising the agenda of collaboration between the organisation and Azerbaijan. The discussions encompassed the exploration of financial mechanisms conducive to sustainable development, the potential of initiatives aimed at bolstering investments in energy efficiency, and the avenues for forging partnerships within the framework of COP29.

UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958. UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1966 by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the leading development agencies globally, operating in over 170 countries and territories.

UNDP plays a crucial role in addressing climate change challenges by supporting countries in implementing climate resilience and adaptation measures. It also promotes sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and the adoption of clean energy technologies.

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29 March 2024 22:40 (UTC+04:00)

Seyyed Abbas Mousavi, Ambassador of Iran to Baku, will continue his work until the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tehran resumes its activities.

According to Azernews, an Iranian diplomatic source reported this in response to local media.

The mission of ambassador Seyyed Abbas Mousavi ended at the end of last summer, but he was ordered to continue his work until relations are normalized and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tehran resumes its activities, the statement said.

02:35

Iran's ambassador to Baku Abbas Mousavi will be replaced by a new envoy, Azernews informs, citing foreign media as reported by Iran's Foreign Ministry.

Thus, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry, ambassador to Baku Abbas Mousavi will be replaced by a new envoy. The foreign Ministry announced on Friday, after hardline media called for his resignation over a photo that showed an Azerbaijani reporter interviewing him at the Islamic Republic's embassy without hijab.

Iran's ambassador to Baku Abbas Mousavi will be replaced by a new envoy, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on Friday, after hardline media called for his resignation over a photo that showed an Azerbaijani reporter interviewing him at the Islamic Republic's embassy without hijab. pic.twitter.com/RcbPubA4y7  Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 29, 2024

Note that Abbas Mousavi is an Iranian career diplomat. He was spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran from 2019 to 2020. In August 2020, he was appointed as an ambassador of Iran to Azerbaijan.

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29 March 2024 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

China imported 15,700 tonnes of petroleum products from Azerbaijan in January-February 2024, Azernews reports, citing data from the General Customs Administration of the People's Republic of China.

The entire volume of products was delivered in February.

Supplies are estimated at approximately $6.8 million in value terms.

The administration has not provided data for the same period last year.

Meantime, the administration said that China exported around 2,600 tonnes of jet fuel to Azerbaijan in January-February 2024, an increase of 10.9% year-on-year by approximately $2.4 million, growth of 1.7 %.

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29 March 2024 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

Fatime Letifova Read more

A meeting of Armenia, USA and the European Union (EU) scheduled to be held on April 5 in the trilateral format in Brussels has already caused some concern for a number of states and officials in the South Caucasus. In particular, Russia's unique approach to the issue has captured headlines in the media recently. It can be noted that the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Maria Zakharova, made statements touching on a number of points in this regard.

At a time when the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia are ongoing, the implementation of the Brussels meeting seems to be the next step to increase the tension in the region. If we look at the statement of the Russian MFA official, we would not be wrong to say that Armenia is involved in a dangerous game with the help of the West.

What are the consequences of this meeting?

Speaking to Azernews, Turab Rzayev, a political analyst who commented on the issue, said that after the Brussels meeting, the West can completely take Armenia under its influence. According to him, Armenia's candidacy proposal for the European Union could also be a matter of discussion in the upcoming meeting.

"Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia expressing concern about this meeting shows that very serious decisions regarding Armenia will be made on April 5.

"The West may try to bring Armenia under the security umbrella, and the issue of Armenia's candidacy to the European Union may come up," the expert said.

T. Rzayev said that if Armenia is deceived by these proposals, its relations with Russia will become even worse.

"If Armenia joins some political, economic and military alliance of the West, it will lead to the reset of all relations between Russia and Armenia. Relations are already strained enough. "Armenia has frozen its participation in the CSTO and is trying to expel Russian soldiers from its airport," the political scientist said.

Turab Rzayev reminded that the official Moscow had previously severely reprimanded Yerevan on this topic.

"Sergey Lavrov and Maria Zakharova previously warned Pashinyan's government about closeness with the West. Even recently, Dmitry Peskov openly spoke about billions of funds sent to Armenia, Armenians living in Russia and Russia's influence on the Armenian economy, in a word, he blackmailed Armenia."

However, despite the Kremlin's reprimands, Armenia is trying to show itself to be more stable. In other words, through its maneuvers, Armenia is trying to show that it will not leave Russia's pressure unanswered.

The expert, who agrees with this issue, noted that Armenia will not be helpless in front of Russia. He said that any step taken by Russia against Armenia will put official Moscow under more pressure.

"It is clear that if Russia sends troops to Armenia, that is, if the Ukrainian scenario is repeated, Armenians will make hubbub all over the world that a nation that was subjected to "genocide" is being invaded by Russia again. This will further increase the pressure on Russia both in politics and in the media by concentrating all attentions on it," said the political analyst.

In addition, Turab Rzayev spoke about the impact of the tripartite meeting planned for April 5 on Azerbaijan. The political scientist said that the West views issues in the South Caucasus from a religious perspective.

"The West treats Azerbaijan differently. Because the European Union looks at the Caucasus from the perspective of a certain Christian solidarity. Therefore, none of those countries reacted when their territory of Azerbaijan was invaded."

The expert recalled that during the occupation of Karabakh by Armenia, the West did not take any decisive steps for peace, but when Azerbaijan freed its lands from occupation, official Baku was branded as an invader by the West.

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29 March 2024 17:07 (UTC+04:00)

Fatime Letifova Read more

Chairman of the Defence Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Hulusi Akar, discussed the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia with a delegation led by the chair of the House Armed Services Committee of the US Congress, Mike Rogers, in Ankara, Azernews reports.

He informed the US congressmen about the role of Turkiye in the normalisation process and the steps taken by Ankara in this direction.

"We informed that Armenia should hold the extended hand of peace. Our discussion took place in a constructive environment. The other side also stated its position. We agreed that the discussions should continue," he added.

The parties also discussed the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye.

"There is no problem in this matter. The necessary approvals have been obtained. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about this. The process continues," said Akar.

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29 March 2024 23:59 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

By 2033, the Japanese government plans to introduce a network of special lanes on expressways designed for the movement of unmanned trucks, Azernews reports, citing the Nikkei newspaper.

Thanks to this, cargo drones will be able to move between the northeastern Tohoku region and the southwestern island of Kyushu. To do this, in particular, special sensors will be installed along the routes that will track both the cars themselves and possible foreign objects that interfere with movement.

Work will begin this year in the area of Ibaraki Prefecture, as well as on certain sections of the Shin-Tomei expressway leading from Tokyo to the southwest of the country.

In addition, it is planned to develop a route system for aerial cargo drones that will run over riverbeds.

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29 March 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Ibrahim Abdurakhmanov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Uzbekistan Tilo Klinner, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

The meeting discussed cooperation in agriculture and future plans of the German Organization for International Cooperation (GIZ) in this area. Special attention was paid to the Eco-Aral project, which is aimed at supporting the environmentally sustainable development of the Aral Sea region.

At the meeting, an additional agreement was signed to the contract for the implementation of the Eco-Aral project, extending the deadline for its implementation until the end of 2025. The goal of the GIZ project is to improve regional planning through the development of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and improve the living conditions of local residents of the Aral Sea region.

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29 March 2024 22:25 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Officers of the Japanese Navy conducted a military drill on the combat use of American Tomahawk cruise missiles, which Tokyo decided to purchase in the United States to obtain the potential for a long-range strike on the territory of a potential enemy, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

The drill took place on board the destroyer McCampbell, which is part of the 7th Fleet of the United States, based in Japan. During the drill, the methods of missile guidance and firing a volley at ground targets were worked out.

In January 2024, Japan and the United States signed an agreement to supply Tokyo with 400 American-made Tomahawk missiles from 2025 to 2027. The transaction price is estimated at 254 billion yen (about $1.7 billion). As part of the agreement, Japan will receive 200 missiles of the latest Block V modification and another 200 of the previous Block IV version. Their range is estimated at 1.6 thousand km, although the exact figures are kept secret.

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29 March 2024 21:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Turkish Airlines has resumed its flights to Libya after a 10-year hiatus due to the security situation, Azernews reports, citing the Libyan information portal Al Wasat.

According to the portal, the airline's first plane landed at the Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli. The Minister of Transport of the Government of National Unity of Libya, Mohammed al-Shaabi, speaking at a ceremony on this occasion, said that the resumption of flights by Turkish Airlines is "an encouraging step for other international airlines."

According to Al Wasat, the Turkish company also intends to resume flights to other Libyan cities - Misrata and Benghazi.

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29 March 2024 21:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

There has been little rain in Catalonia for three years, prompting the authorities to declare: "The drought! Help save water", "Save water! "There will be no more rain from the sky," encourages them to spread warning messages, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets.

A few weeks ago the Catalan government declared a state of emergency due to drought. Tourists are now informed about the alarming situation at the airport, including in the subway and in hotel rooms, where special brochures with tips on saving water are posted.

Catalan residents believe that sooner than expected, water will become the oil of the future, a scarce and expensive commodity. Farmers already have to save a lot of water, trees and flowers can no longer be watered with drinking water. Both the showers on the beach and the fountains in the squares are inactive. In many hotels, there are no traffic jams in the bathrooms, preventing guests from entering the bath, and it is forbidden to fill the pools. The owners of the hotels in Lloret de Mar Municipality purchased a desalination plant for the hotel's swimming pools for 1.5 million euros.

The Spanish Meteorological Service has not yet provided a definitive explanation for the ongoing drought. One thing is clear; most of Barcelona has not had enough wind to bring clouds and humidity for three years now. Desalination plants are continuously operating throughout the city, turning seawater into drinking water.

The price of water has already increased by 30 percent. Citizens are paying for the damage caused by the crisis. This can lead to social conflicts.

In September-October, Barcelona will host an important sporting event  the 37th America's Cup, the world's largest sailing race. It is expected that there will be more tourists in the city than usual. Environmentalists are wondering where the water will come from in such conditions.

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Slice of pizza helps build China-Italy exchanges bridge

Xinhua) 10:58, March 29, 2024

NANNING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- As lunch time approaches, a pizza store named Call Me Pizza in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, sees a steady stream of customers and deliverymen. Kneading, sprinkling and baking are among the required tasks as store owner Maurice and his wife find themselves busy making Italian pizzas.

Maurice, from Rome, Italy, has been living in China for nearly a decade. He was invited to Nanning by Chinese friends purely by chance. Later, when he met his wife in Nanning, Maurice decided to settle down there.

"I started my business in China by accident. Every time I held a party, my friends loved my pizza and encouraged me to start a business. Their trust and encouragement enlightened me to open a pizza shop," he said.

Guangxi, where Maurice lives, has a good relationship with Italy. In 2017, Nanning and Italy's Crema established sister city relations, and the two sides have carried out extensive cooperation in various fields. Relying on the platform of the China-ASEAN Expo, bilateral exchanges between Guangxi and Italy have become increasingly close.

"I witnessed the increasingly close cultural, economic and trade exchanges between China and Italy since my arrival in China, which laid a foundation for my confidence in starting a business," said Maurice. He believes China's large population and strong consumption vitality combine to create good entrepreneurial prospects for the catering industry.

After efforts including market research, store selection, and product publicity, Maurice and his wife turned their idea into action and opened Call Me Pizza. "I think the name is interesting, simple and easy for consumers to remember," said Maurice.

However, at the beginning, they rented a small shop and only a few people came to the store each day. Maurice found it difficult to make ends meet at that stage. "Then we found a way to introduce our products through social media," said Maurice.

He and his wife chose to advertise their products on online social platforms such as Xiaohongshu, or Little Red Book, which is highly popular among young people in China, attracting many consumers to the store, while some online consumers also recommended the store to more potential consumers.

"In order to better expand our influence and visibility, we have also entered online food takeout platforms. Now, there are more and more customers, both foreign tourists and Chinese friends, in our store. Every time I see new and old faces, I feel happy," said Maurice.

With the consumer groups steadily becoming more diversified, Maurice constantly innovates styles and categories on the basis of traditional Roman-style pizza. "Many Chinese customers like durian or Orleans flavor. After market research, we have innovated durian pizza and Orleans Pizza on the basis of retaining the tradition, and now our business is booming," he said.

"I used to study in Italy and now I can eat Italian-style pizza in Nanning. I feel very close to Italy now. Now people can taste the exotic flavor without going abroad," said Li Han, a customer.

"Pizza has become a bond, which can enable me to make a lot of Chinese and foreign friends. Through the pizza store, more Chinese friends know about Italy and I also learn more about Chinese culture," said Maurice.

Maurice believes that food culture is the best way for people to get to know a foreign country or place. He hopes the store will become bigger in the future, so he can introduce more Italian culture to Chinese consumers.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
29 March 2024 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Moody's said Friday there is a debt risk for NATO countries if the race to rearm is triggered by Russian threats in the Ukraine war with Italy and Spain particularly exposed, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

The race towards rearmament in NATO countries triggered by Moscow's threats "will complicate debt reduction efforts and could weaken their credit profile", exacerbating social conflict, said the US ratings agency.

"Spain and Italy are particularly vulnerable", having "the largest gaps in defence spending (compared to the NATO target of 2% of GDP, ed.) and the lowest levels of popular support for further increases in military spending".

In the base scenario, Moody's said, Italy's debt would rise to 144% of GDP in 2030, but would reach 147% if the 2% target is reached.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday threatened to strike NATO bases if F-16s used in Ukraine fly from them.

NATO has long denied Kyiv's demand for the fighters but is now expected to grant the request some time soon.

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New Parking at N. Oregon Coast's Cape Kiwanda Opens After Main Lot Shut Down

Published 3/28/24 at 5:35 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Pacific City, Oregon)  The parking situation at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City is going to greatly improve, after construction and refurbishing of the main parking lot next to the north Oregon coast attraction causes it to mostly shut down for a few months. Businesses and local tourism officials made a limited announcement Friday  right as spring break was starting  that they were adding a large amount of parking areas that were a quick walk to the cape's beach access. (Photo Pilar French)

In late February, Tillamook County announced the main parking would be closed most of the time through at least June as it underwent some remodeling and restructuring. About 30 spots were pointed out a few minutes away at the skate park in Pacific City, but all other options at the time were a half mile to two miles away. Those are still options, but more, closer possibilities are now offered.

Now, according to Tillamook County officials and some local business partners  including Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA)  some 86 new spots are opening in the lot next to Doryland Pizza. Also arriving over spring break was some amount of street parking on Cape Kiwanda Dr., which is temporary during the closure.

Also opening are some parking areas behind Inn at Cape Kiwanda and about half a mile away at the Kiawanda Community Center.

These recent were options were slowly decided upon throughout March, according to Nestucca Ridge Development, but only announced to a handful of social media accounts just as spring break started.

You can see the new parking additions here.

As the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area lot closure continues, TVCA said the newly-opened lot offers a central location to various attractions.

With the closure of the Cape Kiwanda parking lot for reconstruction until July, this new parking lot serves as a vital solution to mitigate parking challenges in the area, TCVA said. The construction is part of the overall Kiwanda Corridor Project, which aims to enhance the safety, and overall community and visitor experience along Cape Kiwanda Drive.

Boat launch access on the beach will still be maintained, TCVA told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.





There is still some limited parking availability at the Cape Kiwanda lot.

TCVA said there will be a shuttle trolley starting Memorial Weekend in May, which will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week through September.

The trolley operates all day and takes passengers as far north as Sitka Sedge State Park and Whalen Island County Park, and as far south and east as Brooten Road, where many shops and restaurants are located, the agency said.

The Wave, the bus transit system operated by Tillamook County Transportation District, will also be available for travel to other points in Tillamook County. It also operates a route from Portland to Tillamook County. Check schedules here.



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A Louisiana physician was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for prescription drug fraud, ABC affiliate KTBS reported March 28.

Jeffrey Evans, MD, who worked at Mansfield, La.-based DeSoto Health System, was indicted in 2022 for obtaining and distributing prescription drugs. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to one count of the 20-count indictment.

Dr. Evans admitted to obtaining prescriptions illegally and without a legitimate medical purpose through an agreement with his nurse and medical assistant.

He must also pay a $100,000 fine.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill that would have permitted certain nurse practitioners to prescribe medicine without physician supervision, according to a March 29 report by CBS affiliate news9.com.

Senate Bill 458 aimed to expand access to healthcare throughout Oklahoma, particularly in areas with a shortage of physicians.

The bill would allow advanced practice registered nurses who meet certain criteria to apply for the authority to prescribe without a physician.

Gov. Stitt acknowledged the issues that rural healthcare facilities are facing, but asked the legislature to explore other options.

"I'd also ask that the Legislature explore other ways to attract frontline healthcare workers to rural communities across the state," he said in his veto letter. "A tax credit for qualifying practitioners in rural areas of the state is one such idea. For these reasons, I have vetoed SB 458."

Diane Heaton, MD, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, also dismissed the bill, claiming that it could cause more rural nurses to relocate to urban areas.
Tenet Healthcare, parent company of ASC chain United Surgical Partners International, finalized an agreement March 29 to sell two hospitals to Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health.

Dallas-based Tenet sold the two California hospitals for around $550 million, or after-tax proceeds of approximately $450 million, according to a news release shared with Becker's.

The two hospitals are Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton. According to the release, the acquisition will not affect patient care or appointments, and Adventist Health will accept all insurance plans.

The deal comes on the heels of another sale of four hospitals and two ASCs in Southern California to UCI Health by Tenet.
Lisa Knetsche, practice manager of The Spine Center of Central Kentucky in Danville, joined Becker's to discuss Stark law issues and declining reimbursements.

Editor's note: This interview was edited lightly for clarity and length.

Question: What Stark law issues are keeping an eye on?

Lisa Knetsche: I have noticed that there are more and more arrests for Stark law violations. It seems that they are targeting physicians. The systems are reducing pay, obstructing prior authorizations and then interfering in ways that physicians can earn money. It is simply another assault on physicians, as the Stark laws do not require intent. I think it is another factor running doctors toward no longer working in the medical field.

Q: What's the biggest danger of declining spine and orthopedic reimbursements?

LK: The biggest danger of declining reimbursements is the loss of physician independence, which means the loss of physicians. Many physicians are near retirement, and the fight to stay in business will push many to just quit practicing medicine. This will lead to less access for patients and longer waits to be treated. As a business, I am most concerned about not just the reduced reimbursements, but the continued rise of expenses and the relentless [recovery audit contractors] by Medicare looking for any small technicality to recoup funds, regardless of the medical need of the patient.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay is creating a new program to train a new position in dental practices, according to a March 28 report by NBC26.

The position, expanded function dental auxiliary, or EFDA, holds more responsibilities than a dental assistant.

By adding EDFAs, dental practices will be able to treat more patients, potentially alleviating schedule backlogs.

Enrollment in the program will start this fall, the report said.
Since the start of the year, at least ten hospitals have unveiled plans to invest millions into emergency department expansion efforts. The projects come as emergency department overcrowding and related capacity issues have intensified over the past few months in some regions of the country.

Here are ten large ED expansion projects Becker's has covered since the start of the year, starting with the most recent:

North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, Tenn., has opened a $68 million four-story patient tower and emergency department. The expanded ED includes a new results waiting area, a fast track area and two new behavioral health suites.

Legacy Health in Portland, Ore., has completed the first phase of a $37 million expansion project at its Legacy Silverton (Ore.) Medical Center, which involved the opening of an expanded ED. The newly renovated space has 20 patient rooms and is part of a larger project to add 21,000 square feet to the existing facility.

On March 11, USA Health Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile, Ala., opened a $19 million pediatric emergency center. The 19,000-square-foot facility more than doubles its former ED and includes more than 30 treatment areas.

In early March, King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services unveiled plans to build a freestanding ED on the Fletcher-Johnson Campus in Washington, D.C.'s Ward 7 district. The project is part of a larger agreement between the health system and the district to invest $75 million in the area.

Charleston, S.C.-based Trident Health, which is part of HCA, plans to build a $15 million freestanding ED on the campus of its proposed hospital on Johns Island, S.C. Plans for the new ED include 11 patient rooms, in-house diagnostic labs, advanced imaging, as well as stroke and behavioral health telemedicine services. Construction is set to begin later this year.

HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, part of Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, plans to open a $15 million freestanding emergency room in March. HCA Florida Casselberry Emergency will have 11 beds and provide a range of emergency services where staff will treat conditions ranging from chest pain to infections.

HCA Florida Osceola Hospital in Kissimmee has opened a $15.5 million freestanding emergency room. HCA Florida Osceola East emergency is an 11,000-square-foot freestanding ER facility with 11 exam rooms and equipment for digital X-rays, CT scans, lab services, ultrasound and pediatrics. It is staffed by 22 full-time workers.

As part of their plans to build a $5 billion pediatric health campus in Dallas' Southwestern Medical District, Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center are expanding ED space by 15%. The 2 million-square-foot hospital will replace the existing Children's Medical Center Dallas and is set to be one of the largest children's hospitals in the U.S. It's slated to open in six to seven years.

Irving, Texas-based Christus Health plans to begin construction on a new emergency hospital campus with a freestanding ED and inpatient beds within the next few months. The campus will be located on the existing Christus Magnolia Medical Plaza Campus in Palestine, Texas. The 20,000-square-foot facility is expected to be complete in the summer of 2025 and will create 40 full-time jobs.

Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami broke ground on a $300 million project that, when complete, will be one of the largest EDs in the nation, spanning 178,000 square feet with more than 200 patient rooms. The first phase is slated to be completed by fall 2025, with the full project expected to wrap in early 2027. Read more about how the hospital is preparing staff to move into a bigger space here.
The obstetrics, labor and delivery program at Nacogdoches (Texas) Memorial Hospital remains suspended as hospital operations transition from a private company back to the local hospital district, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Becker's.

The suspension was originally put in place by Lion Star, the group that ran the hospital, and that decision is being upheld by Nacogdoches County Hospital District. After filing for bankruptcy in November, Lion Star reached an agreement with the Nacogdoches County Hospital District to transition hospital operations to the district.

"Department services remain suspended and the elected board members of the Nacogdoches County Hospital District are continuing to evaluate options," the hospital spokesperson said. "Board members are holding true to their publicly stated mission, vision and values to provide exemplary patient-centered service with the highest standards of excellence while demonstrating sound financial stewardship of all resources."

Hospital officials attributed the suspension to a lack of physicians and a lack of funding for the Women's and Children's Center, according to a March 28 report from ABC affiliate KTRE.

Employees in the unit will transition to other areas within NMH, hospital officials said, according to the TV station.






Certain schools make quite a difference to graduates' earnings, even if the chosen career and number of years in the field are the same.

The Wall Street Journal set out to measure the difference in average salaries for the median graduate in technology, consulting and finance and rank public and private schools by their annual salary premiums. Data was sourced by a third-party analysis of data from Lightcast and Glassdoor.

"The effect can be huge," the Journal concludes, with the top-ranked colleges for technology tied to more than $45,000 to $32,000 a year in salary more than the median college graduate in the field.

Below are the top 10 private and public colleges for salaries in technology, as ranked by the Journal, with the complete listing of 20 schools for each category found here.

Top 10 private colleges for technology salaries

1. Harvard University

Annual salary premium: $45,019

2. Princeton University

Annual salary premium: $43,405

3. Stanford University

Annual salary premium: $42,637

4. California Institute of Technology

Annual salary premium: $40,868

5. Yale University

Annual salary premium: $39,064

6. Brown University

Annual salary premium: $37,253

7. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

Annual salary premium: $33,848

8. University of Pennsylvania

Annual salary premium: $32,479

9. Duke University

Annual salary premium: $31,888

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Annual salary premium: $31,869

Top 10 public colleges for technology salaries

1. University of California-Berkeley

Annual salary premium: $32,781

2. U.S. Naval Academy

Annual salary premium: $23,378

3. University of California-Los Angeles

Annual salary premium: $22,640

4. University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Annual salary premium: $20,511

5. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Annual salary premium: $18,567

6. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Annual salary premium: $18,383

7. San Jose State University

Annual salary premium: $16,729

8. University of California-San Diego

Annual salary premium: $16,335

9. University of California-Davis

Annual salary premium: $15,928

10. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Annual salary premium: $15,741
The Department of Veterans Affairs' Oracle Health implementation at one of its Chicago-area facilities is exceeding early expectations, Nextgov reported March 27.

The March 9 Oracle Health EHR implementation at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Ill., is one of the most successful deployments of the new EHR system, Shereef Elnahal, MD, VA's undersecretary for health, said at a department meeting March 26.

"We'll be very transparent when problems arise and we'll jump on any issue to fix it," Dr. Elnahal said. "But so far, I think, in part because of the incredible teamwork between VA and DOD, but also the learnings  we've had significant learnings over the last several years  we think the deployment's going quite well so far."

The news of the implementation's success at the Lovell facility comes shortly after the VA's Office of Inspector General released three reports indicating that the new EHR system had issues at the five VA medical facilities where the software had been deployed prior to the rollout at Lovell.

The VA stated that it will continue to monitor the EHR deployment at Lovell to ensure that no issues arise.

The VA is looking to resume the Oracle Health rollout at additional VA medical centers after the deployment was paused in April 2023 due to ongoing problems.
Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health's physician group Saltzer Health in Nampa, Idaho, closed at the end of the day March 29.

Saltzer Health comprised 10 locations, a spokesperson for the group confirmed with Becker's.

It filed two WARN notices Jan. 22: 216 layoffs at its Meridian, Idaho, location and 162 layoffs at its Nampa location. Those who were eligible for severance received it, the spokesperson confirmed.

The group is still in talks with other organizations to purchase some of its health services, the spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker's.

Plans to sell or close the group were shared in January.

Erik Richardson, DO, a family medicine physician at Saltzer Health's South Meridian (Idaho) clinic, told Becker's he received a termination statement from human resources that said his last day was March 29.

"As former physicians of Saltzer Health, we are saddened at the closure of our clinics," Dr. Richardson said. "This is a group that has a long legacy of providing excellent care in the Treasure Valley. We are disappointed that we weren't given an opportunity to work together to find a better solution. We are committed, though, to continue to move forward providing care in the community and giving the same excellent care that our patients have come to expect."

Dr. Richardson and a colleague are opening an independent practice on April 15.














East Meadow, N.Y.-based Nassau University Medical Center has responded to a letter from the state health commissioner that stated that NUMC must improve its financial picture to receive $83 million in emergency state funding to stay open.

Nassau Health Care Corp., which operates the 530-bed tertiary care teaching hospital, submitted the response to state Health Commissioner James McDonald, MD, on March 25.

In a letter to Dr. McDonald, which was shared with Becker's, NHCC says it "agrees that over the past two decades there have been many shortcomings particularly regarding the NHCC's financial management. However, as outlined below, the NEW NHCC leadership has been taking swift and immediate action to turn around the decades of financial mismanagement."

The letter comes after a March 1 letter from Dr. McDonald informed the hospital it would have to agree to state terms, such as conducting a professional and public search for its next CEO and submitting a detailed five-year plan for improving operations and reducing losses, to receive $83 million in emergency state funding to stay open. Dr. McDonald also pointed to "a distinct lack of transparency and clear communications" between NHCC and state officials. Following the letter, some Nassau County Democratic legislators and community stakeholders called for an overhaul and oversight to save NUMC.

In its response, NHHC pointed to the expertise of NHCC and NUMC Chair Matthew Bruderman as well as new C-suite management who took the helm in January.

The term for Anthony Boutin, MD, as the hospital's president and CEO expired in October 2023. In January, the board voted not to renew his contract and to begin searching for a permanent CEO, along with a chief medical officer and chief nursing officer. Megan Ryan, NHCC's general counsel, was selected as interim president and CEO.

"Our new management team is led by me, our interim CEO and president, which includes many dedicated leaders  all of whom conduct themselves as stewards of public funds and who take their fiduciary duties very seriously," Ms. Ryan told Dr. McDonald. "As outlined below, NHCC has already implemented most of your requests. That being said, NHCC asks DOH to reconsider certain items. For example, additional funding from the state to help close NHCC's funding gap does not need to be exclusively [Vital Access Provider Assurance Program] funding. Instead, some funding could be provided by a payment to cover NHCC's non-federal share for [Intergovernmental Transfer] programs."

Regarding a five-year plan for NUMC, Ms. Ryan said NHCC submitted its financial sustainability plan to state officials last fall and has since worked with NHCC CFO Perry Sham and Mr. Bruderman to update and further refine the plan.

"As stated, implementation of performance enhancing initiatives has already begun, and our goal is to rely on less and less government subsidies year after year," Ms. Ryan said. "We have been in contact with [state officials] and continue to provide all requested documents and have been promoting continued transparency with" the state department of health and the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority.

The five-year plan is in a presentation that was given to legislators, the state and the local control board and points to more than $100 million in revenue-enhancing and cost-saving initiatives that are being executed, including the hiring of a highly qualified CFO  Mr. Sham, who was hired in December  and new timely monthly financial statements.

Regarding the CEO search, NHCC retained executive search firm Korn Ferry late last year, and the NHCC board will select a new CEO subject to the approval of the Nassau County executive.

The state department of public health confirmed to Becker's that it received NUMC's letter and is reviewing it.






Two top executives are exiting the Boston-based Tufts Medical Center March 29: President Diana Richardson and Chief Physician Executive Mike Tarnoff, MD.

Michael Dandorph, president and CEO of Tufts Medicine, confirmed the departures March 28 in an internal announcement shared with employees and obtained by Becker's.

"At times, leaders may decide after years of dedication that it is the right time for them professionally and personally to hand their roles over to other leaders," Mr. Dandorph wrote. "After thoughtful conversations with our leadership team, Chief Physician Executive Mike Tarnoff, MD and Tufts Medical Center President Diana Richardson have decided that now is the right time for them to make a change and depart Tufts Medicine."

Becker's inquired about the reason for the exits, but the hospital's media relations manager declined to comment further.

Phil Okala, COO of Tufts Medicine, will take over for Ms. Richardson as interim president of Tufts Medical Center. The health system will provide "in person opportunities to connect in the coming days and moving forward," so employees can meet Mr. Okala and discuss the progress of important initiatives, per the announcement.

Mr. Dandorph said he is working with Helen Boucher, MD  chief academic officer and the hospital's physicians organization board chair  to choose new leadership for the faculty practice. He will also be convening a committee of physicians to give "input on the Chief Physician Executive role and how to best ensure we elevate the voice of our physicians in major system-wide decisions."

"I remain confident that with teamwork, creativity and the expertise across Tufts Medicine, we will address the challenges we and our industry face while remaining steadfast in our commitment to our academic mission and to advance as a learning health system to deliver world-class, safe and evidence-based care," Mr. Dandorph said.
Cleveland Clinic has named Tommaso Falcone, MD, executive vice president and president of international and emerging markets.

Dr. Falcone, who will be the first to hold the position, begins the role April 1, according to a March 29 Cleveland Clinic news release.

He will be responsible for leading and executing the health system's strategic initiatives in international markets. This will include global patient services, international operations, Cleveland Clinic Canada and Cleveland Clinic Nevada. He will also work closely with leaders at Cleveland Clinic London and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Falcone most recently served as interim president of Cleveland Clinic London, the release said. He joined the health system in 1995 as a staff gynecologist.
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is reorganizing its hospital portfolio through various strategic transactions.

In the last two months, the for-profit company has chalked up more than $3.9 billion after completing the sales of nine hospitals to three different health systems in California and South Carolina.

Tenet sold three South Carolina hospitals to Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health for $2.4 billion, effective Feb. 1. The hospitals include East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Hilton Head Hospital and Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville.

On March 28, Tenet completed the $975 million sale of four Southern California hospitals to Orange, Calif.-based UCI Health. Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Los Alamitos Medical Center and Placentia-Linda Hospital are now part of UCI Health, which has added 858 inpatient beds as a result of the transaction.

On March 29, Tenet sold two more hospitals in the state to Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health. The $550 million sale saw Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton move to Adventist.

CHS sold 11 hospitals in 2023, compared to one hospital sale in 2022, as it extended its divestiture plan to help control its losses and reduce debt.

"We're focused on long-term sustainability and reducing our debt leverage and getting our balance sheet on more solid footing," CFO Kevim Hammons told Becker's. "We've made significant progress in recent years, taking our debt down to about $1.5 billion and extending our maturity to give ourselves more flexibility."

Mr. Hammons said CHS "is making a lot of progress" improving its margins and reducing leverage and expects the company to be "back acquiring hospitals" in the near future if there are opportunities that make sense.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is accusing Danville, Ky.-based Ephraim McDowell Health of denying an employee a promotion because of her sex and retaliating against her after she reported discrimination.

In a lawsuit filed March 27 in federal court, the EEOC alleges EMH's CEO told the employee, Shannon Long, she would not be selected for an administrator position at Stanford, Ky.-based Fort Logan Hospital "because of her sex, based on his belief that men do better with men and that it was best to have a man in the administrator position."

Ms. Long met all qualifications for the administrator role, including the educational requirements, but was appointed to a lower-paying position that reported to the newly promoted position. The male employee who was promoted to the administrator position did not meet existing education requirements, according to the EEOC.

The EEOC also alleges that after Ms. Long complained to the federal agency, EMH retaliated against her and ultimately fired her.

EMH shared the following statement with Becker's: "Ephraim McDowell Health is aware of the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Ephraim McDowell has retained counsel to defend the lawsuit and will be filing a response denying the allegations. Ephraim McDowell Health is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against employees based on any protected class."

The lawsuit, filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, seeks back pay, front pay, and compensatory and punitive damages for Ms. Long.














Oak Point University will shut down April 19. The school, which offers nursing and health science degrees, shared the news in an internal email to students and staff March 28, according to NBC Chicago. Oak Point has campuses in Oak Brook, Ill., and Chicago.

April 19 marks the end of the semester, and students who graduate will receive their diplomas. Meanwhile, hundreds of students who are still completing coursework are determining their next steps.

The decision to close came in response to "a series of factors" that have affected the university, the school's president, Therese Scanlan, EdD, wrote in the email to students and staff, according to NBC. "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."

Oak Point officials said that Lewis University, which is about 23 miles south of its Oak Brook campus, has agreed to accept all of its current students. Lewis told NBC it expects about 300 students to transfer later this year.

Oak Point was formerly known as Resurrection University and had long been an educator of nurses in the region. It offered a BSN program as well as advanced degree programs.

Becker's has reached out to Oak Point and will update the report if more information becomes available.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on March 29 vetoed a bill that would allow advanced practice registered nurses to prescribe certain medications without the supervision of a physician.

Senate Bill 458 would have enabled nurse practitioners who meet certain criteria  such as having completed at least 2,000 hours of practice with prescriptive authority under the supervision of a physician  to apply for independent prescriptive authority for Schedule III through V medications. The legislation had previously passed the Oklahoma House and Senate.

"Although I am aware of the state's healthcare access and workforce challenges, especially in rural communities, SB 458 is not a prudent solution," Mr. Stitt said in his veto message, as reported by local news outlets.

"SB 458 would do one primary thing: enable Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who meet certain criteria to apply for authority to prescribe independent of physician supervision," the governor said. "And that's my biggest concern. While APRNS already have the ability to set up clinics in rural Oklahoma and practice in primary care settings, I don't believe APRNs should be able to prescribe Schedules III through V controlled substances without physician supervision. Further, this bill would allow APRNs to have full practice and prescriptive authority in all specialty categories absent supervision."

The governor pointed to certain elements of the bill that he said were "good" and should be explored further, including governing supervision requirements and imposing a reasonable limit on the amount a physician may charge for supervision.

The bill's authors and other advocates had said it was meant to increase access to healthcare, particularly in rural parts of the state where there are few physicians. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma State Medical Association had opposed the bill, arguing it may do the opposite.

"In other states where we've tried this, the nurse practitioners in rural areas actually leave those areas and to go the urban areas, unfortunately," Diane Heaton, MD, president of the state's medical association, told CBS affiliate KOTV-DT

Twenty-seven states and Washington, D.C, grant nurse practitioners full practice authority, according to a map that tracks state practice regulations from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Another 12 states limit the ability of NPs to perform at least one practice element independently and require they have a career-long regulated collaboration with another healthcare provider.
Patients and staff at AdventHealth Celebration (Fla.) enjoy farm-fresh produce everyday at the hospital's cafe and physician lounge. It all comes from a farm operating right on campus, but you probably won't spot it by simply walking around.

Inside a 320-square-foot repurposed shipping container is a hydroponic operation capable of matching a 3-acre farm's produce yield, a first of its kind initiative on a hospital campus.

"We produce about 700 to 850 heads of lettuce or any type of produce every week," said Sean Toor, operations manager at AdventHealth Celebration and the one-man team responsible for everything from planting to harvesting vegetables five days a week.

"That includes bok choy, cilantro, basil, radishes, and five different types of lettuce," he said. "We also grow all different types of leafy greens."

Dubbed the Freight Farm, the vertical space sitting in the parking lot of a physician training center only uses a maximum of eight gallons of water per day, which it pulls directly from the air outside, along with condensation inside the container. No pesticides are needed for that reason, and any leftover, nutrient-rich water goes to supporting the hospital's landscaping.

"Celebration wanted to have greenhouses to produce food and bring more nutrition to everybody on our campus," Mr. Toor said. "This is a way that we are able to produce a lot of food in a small area that is also more sanitary and safe."

First established in August 2021 for about $150,000, the farm is creating a direct return on investment for the hospital's employees and local community. In the first year of introducing the on-site produce at the cafe, transactions increased 85% and revenue went up 238%. The hospital noted that it extended its salad bar hours during that time because of growing demand for what was coming out of the shipping container.

The produce being grown is also donated to a nearby school, and the Freight Farm offers tours to local school groups and older adults, along with any hospital staff interested in helping to grow the produce.

Later this year, two more farm containers will be delivered to Celebration so that AdventHealth's campuses in East Orlando and Kissimmee will also begin to receive fresh produce.

"There's more nutrition in the produce we grow too because the longer it takes for produce to leave the farm and get to the table, the less supplements and minerals are available," Mr. Toor said. "Food as medicine is bringing healthier produce to our community and our employees."
Workplace violence is front and center in healthcare, with clinicians increasingly saying the issue has led them to change or leave a job. As hospitals look to establish and strengthen a culture of safety, some have invested heavily into weapons detection systems.

Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine  which includes the University of Pennsylvania Health System  has put more than $28 million toward the installment of weapons detection systems across entrances to its hospitals and outpatient facilities. The investment is part of the system's larger strategy to prevent incidents of workplace violence, Kevin Mahoney, CEO of UPHS, and James Ballinghoff, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive of the system and chief nursing officer of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, wrote in a February commentary published in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

In the same month, Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health said it invested in a weapons detection system as part of a $3 million package to improve security in its emergency department and to entrances at various hospitals.

Hospital leaders have underscored that addressing workplace violence commands a multipronged approach, and weapons detections systems are just one component to their strategy, albeit an important one and among the more costly efforts. In addition to weapons screening, many hospitals have increased investments in de-escalation training for staff, provided employees with duress buttons and adopted patient codes of conduct.

Becker's recently examined trends related to weapons detection systems as hospitals ramp up spending on this measure.

What the data shows

Survey data and results from health systems that have widely adopted enhanced weapons screening stand in contrast to a longstanding sentiment in healthcare that certain visible security measures such as metal detectors could hinder the welcoming and friendly environment hospitals aim to create.

"We have seen no problems at all," Chris Comer, director of security and emergency management at Cone Health, said in a February news release. "Most people walk through them without giving it a second thought. And when we do detect something, they have been very good about putting the items in their car."

Meanwhile, survey results dating to 1997 indicate visible security measures such as metal detectors make most people  including hospital patrons and employees  feel safer. In a survey of 176 patriots and 95 employees, fewer than 1% of patrons said they were less likely to return to a hospital ED because of a metal detector, while nearly 39% said it would make them more likely to return. More recently, a study published in 2021 found hospitals with metal detectors were more than five times as likely to confiscate weapons. The research was based on a survey of security directors at U.S. hospitals, with researchers concluding the intervention "is effective."

In 2023 alone, Cleveland Clinic confiscated 30,000 weapons from patients and visitors  more than four times the amount the Transportation Security Administration confiscated at airport security checkpoints in the same time frame, the health system's president and CEO Tomislav Mihaljevic, MD, said during the system's annual State of the Clinic address in January. Cleveland Clinic has a six-point workplace safety plan in place that, outside of weapons screening, involves police presence in every emergency department and updated panic alarms.

Calls from healthcare workers for federal action to be taken on workplace violence have also escalated in recent months. On March 22, the presidents of the American Nurses Association, American College of Emergency Physicians and Emergency Nurses Associations urged lawmakers to pass two bills aimed at strengthening safety protections for workers in the industry  where the rate of serious injuries tied to workplace violence is six times higher compared to all other private sector employees in the U.S.






Emporia, Kan.-based Newman Regional Health has significantly improved its staffing and is looking to go agency-free by late summer or early spring in an attempt to continue improving local patient experience.

In 2021 and 2022, the hospital was at 40% agency for its registered nurses. That number is now below 5% with plans to hire more employees to get to an agency-free status, Steven Bazan, executive director of strategy and development for Newman Regional Health, told Becker's.

From strong relationships with Emporia-based Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University for recruitment purposes to starting a nursing residency program a year and a half ago, the hospital has been able to drastically change its nursing turnover rate.

"It's establishing recruitment pathways with our local people and then when they're here, developing programs to sustain their interest, but also our leadership, our directors' leadership, just really being attentive to the generational needs of the workforce," Mr. Bazan said.

The hospital has also heavily invested in a culture of safety and quality leadership, with directors from 40 departments across the hospital having been through cultural emphasis training that teaches them how to establish a well functioning healthcare team.

While labor agencies are important in ensuring patient care can be properly provided, having a local connection with your care provider can go a long way.

"What our citizens, our residents like about it is they know the nurses in our hospital," Mr. Bazan said. "They know the people. To foster that, of course we have to keep them there."
Providing the best care for patients and the increasing demands being placed on physicians are some of the top worries for surgeons today.

Two surgeons recently spoke with Becker's to discuss what worries them most in their fields today.

Editor's note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: What worries you most as a surgeon today?

Patrick Hitchon, MD. Neurosurgeon at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City): I always need to give my patients the best care possible, as I would for myself and loved ones. To achieve that, I need to always come up with the right diagnosis. As physicians, we never want to make light of a patients complaints even if he/she is the 21st patient who comes in with back pain. The source of pain is not always musculo-ligamentous but could be due to a tumor (primary or metastatic) or infection. Diagnoses can sometimes be evasive. To help avoid such an occurrence, a multidisciplinary approach is advised. I never hesitate to consult with a radiologist, an oncologist or radiation therapist in a case that is challenging. Not only do I not want to miss a serious diagnosis, but I owe it to the patient who is entrusting his care to me. Some of our patients come from two or more hours away. The last thing they would want to do is come back to see another physician or get another test that can be done today. Having been involved in the care of family members, trying to get as much out of a single visit is much appreciated. That may take a call or two to an MD or scheduler, but I appreciated it and my patients will too.

In short, treat others as you would wish for yourself and family, and you will never go wrong.

Blaine Bafus, MD. Orthopedic surgeon at MetroHealth (Cleveland, Ohio): The ever increasing crisis of physician burnout. While not an exhaustive list, I see burnout from increasing administrative and documentation demands, constant fear of declining reimbursement and the need to brand and commercialize medical practices seemingly ruining medicine for many of our colleagues in all medical disciplines.
In May, San Antonio Poker Palace was locked out of its space in the Brook Hollow Shopping Center after failing to pay rent. This week, Poker Palace lost a court battle with its former landlord. Google Earth CPRK-II LP, the landlord of the Brook Hollow Shopping Center, accused San Antonio Poker Palace representatives of breaking into the former card room space and removing equipment. This photo was included as part of a court document to show Poker Palace representatives had allegedly accessed the space after the issuance of a temporary restraining order preventing them from entering the premises. Court document

Maybe the San Antonio Poker Palace should have known when to fold em.

Almost a year since Poker Palace went out of business after being locked out of its leased premises at Brook Hollow Shopping Center for failing to pay rent, a judge has dealt the one-time private card club and its principals another blow.

After a recently concluded bench trial, state District Court Judge Christine Hortick ruled Thursday that San Antonio Poker Palace LLC and principals Richard Florestan and Christopher Aarons must pay landlord CPRK-II LP about $660,000 in unpaid and remaining rent, repair and cleaning costs, sanctions and attorney fees.

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In her written ruling, Hortick also ordered the defendants to return all equipment and other items removed from the premises after the lockout.

The judge also denied Poker Palaces counterclaims for wrongful eviction and breach of contract. It had asked for an award of $2.8 million in damages.

CPRK-II, LP is pleased with the result and glad that justice has been served, the shopping center landlord said in a statement from one if its lawyers, Amanda Crouch. CPRK is affiliated with Caprock Investments.

Florestan and Nestor Lopez-Garcia, the attorney for Poker Palace and Florestan, didnt respond to a request for comment, so it couldnt be determined whether they intend to appeal.

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Security interest

Poker Palace launched in 2020, about three years after establishments such as Rounders Card Club and SA Card House debuted. Poker Palace signed a five-year lease for the 4,649-square-foot space at 15058 San Pedro Ave.

Florestan and Aarons were personal guarantors on the lease. The lease agreement gave CPRK a security interest in all the equipment, fixtures, furniture and goods.

While Florestan had said Poker Palace generated $50,000 in monthly profit, Aarons  who was not represented by counsel and did not present a defense  testified that the business was not financially healthy while he was involved.

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CPRK alleged that Poker Palace defaulted under the terms of the lease by failing to pay the rent. The landlord had other issues, including that Poker Palace operated outside the agreed-upon business hours. The business was permitted to operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday under the lease terms, but it operated 24 hours a day.

Poker Palace did most of its business after 9 p.m., according to testimony during the trial.

Mr. Florestan doesnt want to follow the rules of the relationship, Jeffrey House, a lawyer for the landlord, said during closing arguments March 22. Hes the type of person that asks for forgiveness rather than permission.

The landlord alleged that Poker Palace hadnt paid its rent on time and failed to pay May rent, leading to the lockout and CPRKs lawsuit in June. Poker Palace countered, saying it was current on its rent when it was wrongfully evicted.

Breaking in

In an amended version of its lawsuit, the landlord alleged that on July 8 Florestan picked the lock, trespassed into the premises and removed equipment including poker tables, televisions and liquor.

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Hortick ordered Florestans arrest and that he be brought into court to show why he shouldnt be held in contempt for allegedly violating a temporary restraining order. He wasnt held in contempt, but the judge ruled that the defendants should be assessed $4,475 in sanctions. The money was never paid, however, and was included in the amount Hortick awarded to CPRK on Thursday.

CPRK said it learned that Florestan had attempted to sell equipment from the premises that it said rightly belongs to the landlord.

Paul Butler Jr., who worked as a dealer at Poker Palace, testified that he helped Florestan remove some of the equipment but added he had no knowledge that they werent permitted to take the property.

Butler also said that he bought some of the tables and chairs, which he is using to start his own poker room  called the White Rabbit  that hes planning to open alongside a restaurant in Stone Oak at 20626 Stone Oak Parkway.

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Author Julia Stagg on cosy crime and country settings: I do see in people the goodness of what we can be
Donaldson believed to have left NI for LondonGavin Robinson named interim leaderEmergency meeting of party officers held on FridayPSNI says 61-year-old man charged with non-recent sexual offencesSinn Fein say focus on Executive

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old is due to appear in court in Newry next month in relation to non-recent allegations.

Sir Jeffrey had said he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

They were both arrested early on Thursday by PSNI detectives and questioned before being charged on Thursday night.

Sources said Sir Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment.

He has been suspended by the Orange Order.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: Jeffrey Donaldsons membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made."

The DUP confirmed Sir Jeffreys resignation shortly before 1pm.

Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

His departure will have implications for the political institutions in Northern Ireland. Sir Jeffrey agreed a deal to restore power-sharing just weeks ago.

Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill said her priority is ensuring the Executive delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP said: "The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

According to the BBC, the letter from Sir Jeffrey states he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

There had been mounting speculation about Sir Jeffreys future on Friday morning with reports of an unscheduled DUP party officers meeting.

Sources believe only a tiny number of officials knew what was going on.

His social media accounts had also disappeared overnight.

It is further understood that Sir Jeffrey also withdrew from a number of scheduled appearances at late notice yesterday.

Pictures of Sir Jeffrey and other statements from him have been removed from the DUP website.

Earlier, a PSNI spokesperson said: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences. A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

"Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on April 24.

"As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after Sir Jeffrey made the decision to bring the party back to power-sharing at Stormont.

Sir Jeffrey, who has been DUP leader since 2021, has been MP for Lagan Valley since 1997.

It is likely he will stand aside as MP, potentially triggering a by-election.

A spokesperson for the House of Commons said: We are aware of the announcement by the police, but will not be commenting on individual cases.

Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences

Read more Its been a whirlwind 24 hours for both the DUP and its former leader Jeffrey Donaldson

First Minister Michelle ONeill said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences.

This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.

UUP leader Doug Beattie said: The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

"Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

"In all matters of this nature, we must first and foremost consider the victims and what impact media and public attention will have on them.

Sir Jeffrey's leadership saw him steer the party's two-year boycott of the political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal and a series assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Sir Jeffrey, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Assembly.

Sir Jeffreys relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners. He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

Sir Jeffrey was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.

The interim leader, Mr Robinson, served as the Lord Mayor of Belfast from June 2012 until June 2013.

He was elected as MP for East Belfast in 2015 and has since been re-elected in 2017 and 2019. He was elected as the deputy leader of the DUP last June.
Experts warn the impact of the seemingly endless wet weather is endangering our supply of clean Lough Neagh drinking water

Our supply of clean Lough Neagh drinking water is under threat

Parts of Newry were hit by severe flooding after the city's canal burst its banks last October. Picture: Pacemaker

We may be deep into spring, but the weather remains miserably wet.

And now experts are warning of longer-term damage from day after day of rain.

A series of Met Office alerts about downpours have been issued this week.

And as Easter approaches, the outlook remains unsettled, with showers, some heavy, expected through to Sunday.

While the school holidays face being a washout, there are more serious concerns.

The increase in warmer, frequent precipitation could lead to further algae blooms, which can have a devastating impact on our drinking water.

Last summer we had the wettest July since records began in 1836 with 185.4mm of rainfall.

And 2023 overall had the highest amount of rainfall in 21 years (1,399 mm).

In October homes and businesses in Downpatrick and Newry were badly impacted by flooding.

The Met Office confirmed this month has seen over a third more rain than average.

So, what is causing it?

The Met Office explained: The rainfall amounts have chiefly been influenced by a succession of weather fronts and low-pressure systems influencing the UKs weather from the west, with Northern Ireland often seeing higher totals as rain moves in.

Dr Marc Sarzi, head of research at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, said with increasing sea and air temperatures, climate scientists predict stronger storms with larger volumes of rain.

Dr Marc Sarzi, head of research at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

He added: Several factors contribute to the formation of large ocean storms, and one of this is sea water temperature.

As the oceans warm up, we can therefore expect more powerful storms to form.

Since warmer air can take on more water, increasing air temperatures are also bound to lead to heavier rains during such storms and an increased risk of flooding.

Climate models can only capture global trend, however, so it is hard to pinpoint the reasons behind individual and local events.

Dr Sarzi said while their records have shown an increase in air temperature over the past 20 years or more, there is no strong evidence at the moment to indicate that we have been experiencing stronger or more frequent rainfall events compared to recent years.

An environmental scientist also warned that, with warmer sea temperatures leading to increased precipitation in more regular storms, there is a greater risk of phosphorus being washed out of soil and into our water supply.

Dr Leslie Gornall has examined how algal blooms develop in our waterways, particularly Lough Neagh.

It has suffered from a combination of agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and climate change, all which have contributed to a decline in water quality.

That has caused an increase in algae, exposure to which can carry health risks for humans and animals, ranging from skin irritation to potentially fatal neurological damage.

Algae can also be an indicator of phosphorus.

Dr Gornall said the chemical is present in the lough for a number of reasons  including the very noticeable increase in rainfall.

He explained: Algae is directly related to the soluble reactive chemical, and too much phosphorus can cause increased growth of algae and these large aquatic plants, which can result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen, a process called eutrophication.

High levels of phosphorus can lead to algae blooms that produce algal toxins which can be harmful.

He speculated that for every one-degree increase in the temperature in the seas surrounding Ireland, there is a seven per cent increase in rainfall.

He said: What happens is the hot water from the sea rises, and then when it rains it gets steamy, the steam settles, cools and condenses on the mountains and land surrounding Lough Neagh, and then flows into the water.

Because of this you may also find a relationship between the mass of chemicals like phosphorous and nitrogen washed off fields caused by the likes of cattle manure and slurry, which may be related to the increase in water temperature, which may in turn be related to climate change.

But with more precipitation overall in Northern Ireland, we will therefore see more phosphorus running off into the lough, and in effect a higher likelihood of a blue-green algae bloom.

About 40% of Northern Irelands water supply comes from Lough Neagh.

And the increase in this chemical essentially means you cant use it anymore, and the process to make the water clean becomes very expensive.

Our supply of clean Lough Neagh drinking water is under threat

He added: It is also a high-risk process trying to extract clean drinking water from cattle manure and sewage, as well as dead bodies of algae that are lying in the lake.

He pointed out that 450 tons of phosphorus already comes off Lough Neagh each year from a legacy of pollution, sewage and manure built up on its bed.

And he warned: We are past the tipping point at this stage  and no one survives without water.

You lose water supply, you lose the city; its monstrous.

Something desperately needs done to rectify the situation at Lough Neagh or this will just continue to happen.
Signs posted along promenade on towns East Strand

Visitors to Portrushs East Strand have been advised to avoid the water because of its low quality ahead of one of the north coasts busiest weekends.

We were notified of this incident late on Wednesday night, as a precaution we decided to put up signs yesterday morning, Richard Gillen, the Causeway Coast and Glens Coat and Countryside Manager told BBC NIs Good Morning Ulster.

Signs have been posted along the promenade alerting the public to the dangers.

"These are very standard signs that we would use during bathing water season on occasion when there has been a pollution incident and we put them up to advise the public its not suitable to go in the water at presence because of a potential pollution risk, Mr Gillen said.

Visitors will flock to the area over the next few days for the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Its never good, I dont like have to put up these notices anytime of the year, todays weather has vastly improved so Id say we will have people looking to get out," Mr Gillen said.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs have taken a sample of the water and Mr Gillen said they are expecting to hear about the safety of the water by Friday evening.

Mr Gillen hopes the water at East Strand will be safe for bathing over the Easter weekend.

However he reassured visitors that other beaches in the area are safe to bath in.

Figures obtained by this newspaper showed there were 396 substantiated water pollution incidents in the Causeway, Coast and Glens council area from 2018 to 2022.

NI Water releases more than 1.2m tonnes of untreated sewage into water courses along the north coast every year.

The utilities company has claimed this is necessary to avoid flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey has called for the setting up of an independent arms-length body to ensure the law is followed.
The Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill has said her priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve following the announcement of Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons resignation.

The DUP confirmed Sir Jeffrey has resigned as leader after being charged with historical sex offences.

Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

In response, the Sinn Fein leader said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP Leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences.

This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.

The appointment of Mr Robinson as interim leader of the DUP following the resignation of Sir Jeffrey has been welcomed as a very positive decision by a former Northern Ireland Secretary of State.

Julian Smith  who served as NI Secretary between 2019 and 2020, helping to broker the Stormont House agreement which restored power sharing to the Assembly  highlighted the role Mr Robinson and current deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly had played in the restoration of Stormont.

"The selection of @GRobinsonDUP as @duponline interim leader is a very positive decision, he posted on X.

"He & @little_pengelly played a key role in a tough negotiation to restore powersharing & along with other DUP colleagues will chart a positive course for the future.

Reacting to the resignation of Sir Jeffrey, UUP leader Doug Beattie said: The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

"Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

"In all matters of this nature, we must first and foremost consider the victims and what impact media and public attention will have on them.

"The Ulster Unionist Party will be making no further comment.

Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences

In a statement an Alliance Party spokesperson said: Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who have been victim to any kind of abuse, and for whom these reports may be incredibly distressing.

Given that there is now an active criminal investigation underway, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment any further at this time.

Former Westminster political special advisor Peter Cardwell served in the Government for three and a half years, including working for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).

Speaking on TalkTV he said: It is certainly fragile [the Northern Ireland Assembly] it only got back after two years of being suspended a short time ago. For the DUP itself, it will be very interesting to see where they go politically with this.
A woman has been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences

The PSNI have charged the man (61) and woman (57).

A man has been charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old and 57-year-old woman, who is charged with aiding and abetting additional offences, are due in court in Newry over the non-recent incidents next month.

The PSNI confirmed the news on Friday morning.

A PSNI spokesperson said: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on April 24.

As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Michelle ONeills priority is to provide leadership and continue the work of the Executive, after the shock resignation of DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

Politicians have been reacting to the departure of Sir Jeffrey, which came after he was charged with historical sex offences.

Ms ONeill, Northern Ireland First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president, said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.

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In a statement, UUP leader Doug Beattie said: The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

TUV leader Jim Allister said Sir Jeffreys resignation has very wide ramifications for unionism.

He said: The damage is not limited to his party but impacts unionism as a whole.

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Unionism was already divided by the Donaldson deal. This needs to be a cathartic moment for unionism.

Unionism must steady itself and cut adrift the Donaldson folly of accepting an Irish Sea border and rule by EU law.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said: We note the appointment of an interim leader of the DUP.

We will continue to work with all parties to ensure the full and effective functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions.

An Alliance party spokesman said: Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who have been victim to any kind of abuse, and for whom these reports may be incredibly distressing.

Given that there is now an active criminal investigation underway, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment any further at this time.

Julian Smith, secretary of state for Northern Ireland from 2019 to 2020, said Sir Jeffreys resignation was a big shock to everybody.

He told BBC Radio 4s World at One: Im not concerned in any way that this shocking news today will lead to any change in the momentum behind powersharing, and the stability that has now brought as it was returned a couple of months ago.

In this leadership role he has played a critical part over the last few months.

He led the negotiations with the Government, and he worked with his own party to move them from their position of staying out of the executive on the basis that they didnt agree with the Northern Ireland protocol to returning.

On X, formerly Twitter, he also said the selection of new DUP interim leader Gavin Robinson was a very positive decision.

Mr Smith said Mr Robinson and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly played a key role in restoring powersharing and will chart a positive course for the future.

Meanwhile, a trade union which represents Parliament workers said current policies on when MPs face charges are not fit for purpose.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: Parliament cannot be exempt from the kind of harm reduction policies MPs are seeking to bring in for other organisations like the Met.

The behaviour of a small minority of MPs needs to be treated the same as in any other workplace.

Parliament must bring forward a vote on precautionary exclusion from the Estate and it must reinstate the threshold as the point of arrest.

MPs should be leading the way on this kind of thing not lagging behind the rest of the country.
Police have seized a significant amount of counterfeit Apple and other electronic high street brand products during searches.

The police operation took place earlier today.

Over 20,000 items, namely iPhones, other mobile phones, AirPods, Apple chargers, phone cases, cables and vapes, were seized during searches of two premises in Belfast and Portadown.

A sum of cash was also seized. Collectively the products represent an estimated brand loss of 600,000 to Apple and other High Street brands.

Detectives from the PSNIs Organised Crime Branchs searches were carried out with assistance from colleagues in the local district support teams.

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 continued: 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.

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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.
A former long-standing DUP MLA has said the resignation of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson could impact the stability of Stormont with opponents of the deal to restore power-sharing likely to become more vocal.

Donaldson has been charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old is due to appear in court in Newry next month in relation to non-recent allegations.

He has said he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

Speaking to Times Radio Jim Wells said he has known Sir Jeffrey for 40 years.

Mr Wells had been an MLA for South Down since 1998 before quitting in 2022 after he was not reselected to stand in the election that year.

He described the news regarding the now former DUP leader as shocking and disturbing, saying it had come as a real bolt from the blue for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Mr Wells said we all knew something was happening last night when Sir Jeffreys social media account disappeared.

Hes a giant amongst the politics of Northern Ireland, Mr Wells said, indeed recently there has been a return to government at Stormont and theres absolutely no doubt that the reason that happened was that Jeffrey Donaldson was able to take the DUP with him, to bring them back in to Stormont.

There was a huge degree of concern amongst some of the party elders and indeed Lords and the party chairman, but he put his own career on the line as it were and said, back me on this one, trust me, and many against their better judgment did.

Now that hes no longer in the field, as it were, I do think that that brings into question the stability of the Stormont Executive.

An agreement to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland was reached at the end of January after the DUP endorsed a deal to restore power sharing.

Mr Wells claimed that all of the news since Stormont was restored has been one way, adding that Europe still has a huge degree of control over the affairs of Northern Ireland.

He said over 140m is being spent on customs posts when theres not meant to be any border.

There will be a new DUP leadership election, Mr Wells said, and individuals could stand who are totally opposed to the current deal.

Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences

Read more It took Donaldson 20 years to become DUP leader  and the party only minutes to wipe any trace of him

Now that Sir Jeffrey isnt the leader, Mr Wells suggested those who oppose the deal will be free to express those views and voice their belief that this deal is causing huge problems.

In his view voters could shift from the DUP to the TUV.

He described interim leader Gavin Robinson as being on the liberal wing of the party, who was very much in the Jeffrey Donaldson camp.

Mr Wells stated: I think there would be quite a bit of unhappiness about him being the leader permanently because he does not portray that cynical view about what happened in February (when an agreement was made to return to Stormont).

Looking to future elections, Wells said unionism has to agree an electoral pact to ensure there is an agreed candidate in vulnerable seats.

He agreed that the DUP is currently in crisis but believes it can regroup.
With about 3,000 employees on Port San Antonios South Side campus, The Boeing Co. is one of the biggest employers in the city. The local workforce is among about 5,700 employees across the state.

The giant aerospace company opened the worlds largest military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities at the former Kelly AFB in 1998. By early 2023, the company had spent more than $240 million on its facilities at Port San Antonio, according to data from Boeing and the Texas Comptrollers Office.
New interim leader of the DUP Gavin Robinson has said his party is focused on making Northern Ireland work after devastating revelations which led to the resignation of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

Mr Robinson also criticised individuals for attempting to score cheap political points, for engaging in conspiracy theories and manipulating such devastating news.

Sir Jeffrey has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old is due to appear in court in Newry next month in relation to non-recent allegations.

Sir Jeffrey had said he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

They were both arrested early on Thursday by PSNI detectives and questioned before being charged on Thursday night.

Sources said Sir Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment.

Speaking on Sky News, the new interim leader of the DUP said it has been a devastating revelation and caused tremendous shock, not just for DUP politicians, but the community right across Northern Ireland.

The East Belfast MP said the party is one that believes in justice and has faith in the criminal justice system.

Mr Robinson said in the coming weeks and months it is important for us not to say anything or act in any way that would seek to prejudice what is now an ongoing criminal investigation.

The party first became aware of the allegations very late on Thursday night, he said, when it went public that two individuals had been charged.

He added: In the early hours of this morning we took steps to bring colleagues together to discuss what it was we had learned and take the appropriate steps that we could.

Sir Jeffrey has stepped down as party leader and steps were taken to suspend him from party membership until the conclusion of a live criminal investigation.

There was unanimity that he should step forward to act as the interim leader.

He said: It is a huge responsibility, not just because of the shocking news we have had, but that will take its course and run its course.

But for us, recognising the significance of steps forward in Northern Ireland over the last number of weeks, focusing on the importance of making Northern Ireland work and instilling a sense of positivity in devolution, and making sure devolution works for our people.

That is the important task at hand, that is the important task that I and my colleagues share and thats the important task that we will focus on in the months and years to come.

In terms of this being a test for Stormont, he insisted the party will continue to show the positive benefits of devolution and that Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom is secure.

Asked about a byelection in Lagan Valley where Sir Jeffrey was MP, he didnt answer directly, but simply said what happens in the days and months ahead are outside the partys control.

Mr Robinson then criticised individuals for attempting to score cheap political points, for engaging in conspiracy theories and manipulating such devastating news.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson spent more than two decades in the DUP, working his way into the position of leader and one of the most influential roles in Northern Ireland politics.

But within minutes of his resignation today, his name, photos and recent statements vanished from the party website.

It marked an extraordinary and sudden end to a life at the forefront of local politics.

In a three-line statement, emailed just before 1pm, the party announced Sir Jeffrey had resigned from the top job with immediate effect after being charged with historical sex offences.

He has also been suspended by the party.

Early career

It was a different era  and a different party  in which Sir Jeffrey started out in politics.

The former UUP members political career began when he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in October 1985 aged just 22, making him the youngest representative at that time.

He won a large majority in a by-election triggered by the death of Raymond McCullough in the South Down constituency, after spending two years serving as an election agent for the controversial MP Enoch Powell.

Having joined the Orange Order at 16, he was a prominent figure in the Drumcree dispute in Portadown in 1996 while serving as Assistant Grand Master.

The ex-UDR man was elected UUP MP for Lagan Valley in 1997 and has held the seat since.

However, he resigned the party whip in 2003 due to his opposition to then leader David Trimble. He defected to the DUP along with Arlene Foster, who went on to become party leader and First Minister.

From 2003 to 2010, he also represented his constituency in Stormont.

DUP leadership

Sir Jeffreys first bid to lead the DUP began on May 3, 2021, after Mrs Foster quit, but he was defeated by Edwin Poots, by 19 votes to 17.

However, the former agriculture ministers time in charge was short-lived: he resigned after just 21 days.

Sir Jeffrey resurrected his leadership bid on June 21 and vowed to make the Northern Ireland Protocol his top priority.

The partys electoral college met five days later to endorse the sole candidate as leader-designate.

In July 2021, Sir Jeffrey confirmed he intended to resign his seat in Westminster to become First Minister before the 2022 Assembly election.

However, the move did not materialise.

Stormont collapse

Under Sir Jeffreys leadership, Paul Givan resigned as First Minister in February 2022 as part of the DUPs protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The move brought down power-sharing and led to a two-year hiatus at Stormont.

Sir Jeffrey accused the UK Government of failing to protect Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market, which, he said, was the basis for the partys return to power-sharing in 2020.

I warned that, as leader of the DUP, I was not prepared to lend my hand to a protocol which so fundamentally undermines the Union and the economic integrity of the United Kingdom and Northern Irelands position in it, he said.

He listed seven tests aimed at scrapping the Irish Sea border and restoring trade links in line with the Act of Union.

Opposition to NI Protocol/return to Stormont

Last October, Sir Jeffrey was described as a friend by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson, who staged a series of protests against the Irish Sea border and opposed the Windsor Framework deal agreed between Rishi Sunak and the EU to resolve unionist concerns.

But by the end of January this year, it was obvious the bromance with Bryson was in tatters. The loyalist blogger posted a live commentary thread on social media of Sir Jeffreys speech advocating a return to devolution. It was reported that a senior DUP executive member was wearing a wire to relay live audio to Bryson.

Details of the 76-page deal, which followed months of negotiations with the Government, were published within hours of the leaks.

Sir Jeffrey embraced the agreement, which, he said, secure the necessary changes to the way Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain to alleviate concerns over post-Brexit rules and the Irish Sea border.

Opposition

Lord Dodds, Lord Morrow, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart were among vehement opponents of Sir Jeffreys deal to get Stormont back up and running.

Speaking in the Commons before the deal was agreed, Donaldson revealed he was threatened as a result of the stirring up that is going on within unionist factions.

He criticised those behind the intimidation as he vowed not to be deflected.

The MP said they had never put on a uniform and are people who havent served our country, adding that one individual didnt even vote at the last election.

Sir Jeffrey faced down criticism insisting that a unionism that turns in on itself is not the way to go.

As Stormont began to bed down and normal politics resumed, it seemed that any internal threat to Sir Jeffreys position was fading away.

But now he is gone  and in circumstances no one could have predicted.
An osprey which became an online star during the first lockdown has surprised fans by returning to his nest early this year.

Louis touched down at his nest at Loch Arkaig in the Highlands at 3.18pm on Thursday, with his arrival captured on livestream.

His return marks his eighth nesting season at the site, at which he has arrived between April 2 and April 11 in previous years.

It is hoped he will soon be joined by his mate Dorcha, who normally returns between around April 9 and April 11.

Woodland Trust Scotland has been operating a live nest camera at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber since 2017 and it became a hit during the first lockdown, clocking up 400,000 views worldwide in 2020.

George Anderson, of Woodland Trust Scotland, said: Louis has caught us all on the hop.

I reckon some peoples holiday weekend plans are now up in the air as they will be glued to their screens.

Woodland Trust Scotland and Arkaig Community Forest bought the woodland site in 2016 from Forest Enterprise Scotland under the national forest land scheme.

Their aim is to restore native woodland habitats, reconnect local people with the management and stewardship of the site, and use the woods to underpin sustainable rural development in the nearby communities of Achnacarry, Bunarkaig and Clunes.

Woodland Trust Scotland has been operating the live nest camera with support from players of Peoples Postcode Lottery.

Laura Chow, head of charities at Peoples Postcode Lottery, said: What a thrill to see Louis back at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest for season eight of this remarkable wild soap opera. Heres hoping for another glorious summer of action from the nest.

We are delighted that support from our players allows people far and wide to enjoy this wild slice of Highland forest life for so many years.

Huge amounts of non-native timber are being removed from the forest in order to let the native pines repopulate the site with their offspring.

A unique modular barge has been transporting logs across the loch over the winter.

The trust said it is one of the most significant areas of remaining Caledonian pine forest and that this will be the largest ancient woodland restoration undertaken by the Woodland Trust on land directly under its care.

The livecam can be viewed at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/
Mayday call saved lives as officials were able to halt traffic, says Governor of Maryland

Cargo ship Dali is stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Picture: AP

Federal investigators have put together a timeline of the harrowing moments just before the Dali container ship collided with Baltimores Key Bridge, causing it to dramatically collapse and propelling members of a construction crew into the cold water below.

Eight members of the construction crew were believed to have fallen into the Patapsco River, officials said.

Two survivors were pulled from the river shortly after the disaster struck on Tuesday.

After nearly a 17-hour search for the missing men, the Coast Guard announced it was suspending search operations, presuming that the six unaccounted-for workers were dead at that point.

The search team later found two bodies in a submerged red pickup truck on the morning of March 27. So far, four of the six missing men have been publicly identified.

The cause of the collision is still unknown  but a recovered black box has provided insights into the final moments before the bridges demise.

The newly constructed timeline also includes the mayday call, prompting officials to stop traffic on the bridge.

The Maryland governor hailed the warning call, saying it saved lives.

Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval were named by family members as being among the workers on the bridge who went missing after it collapsed.

On Wednesday officials announced that they had recovered two bodies  Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera  after they were found inside a submerged vehicle.

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 was not married and did not have any children, she 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 said.

The missing men are hard-working, humble men, according to a fellow employee of Brawner Builders, which had hired the construction workers to refill potholes when the tragic incident occurred.

Brawner Builders does not believe that the other workers could have survived.

Were presuming that they are not alive, because they were thrown into the bay in an area thats 50 feet deep, with 46-degree temperature, probably buried under tons of steel, Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, told The Baltimore Banner.

The company is in mourning and its a terrible, unanticipated tragedy.

One of Miguel 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.

The brother of Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, Martin Suazo, who lives in Honduras, told CNN that his family in Baltimore had 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 over 18 years.

He is married, and has an 18-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter.

His brother said that Sandoval was an entrepreneur who had started his own maintenance company, venturing to the US in search of a better life.

Mr Suazo said his family were holding onto hope that his brother could be found alive, but now hope at least his body will be recovered so they can give him a proper goodbye.

One of eight siblings, the construction worker was described by another 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.

 The Independent
Rohingya Muslim activists representing fellow refugees forced out of Myanmar and into prison-like camps in Bangladesh said in Washington on Thursday that foreign aid to the camps would go further if some of it was given directly to refugee-run groups.

But a representative of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, said little money was left over after aid cuts that currently see the refugees provided with only $10 worth of food a month.

About 90% of the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh struggled to have acceptable food consumption late last year, according to the World Food Programme, when their monthly ration of food was bumped up from about $8 to about $10 per person.

Speaking at an event on Capitol Hill to mark two years since the United States labelled Myanmars atrocities in 2017 against the Rohingya a genocide, the activists said aid was not always spent in ways most helpful for the Rohingya refugees living in Coxs Bazar.

There are ways to do it effectively, said Yasmin Ullah, a Canada-based rights activist born in Myanmars Rakhine state and the director of the Rohingya Maiyafuinor Collaborative Network.

Yasmin Ullah of the Rohingya community is interviewed outside the International Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Jan. 23, 2020. [Peter Dejong/AP]

The activist said her group had raised $20,000 through crowdfunding to be disbursed by refugee-run groups in the camp to improve livelihoods there. But she noted global aid flows were far larger.

We know our issues. We know how and where to put this money. We can run with $10,000 farther than any other humanitarian groups can, she said. We are asking for aid to be utilized and to directly go to refugee-led initiatives and refugee-led organizations.

Unsolved problems

Aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh has dwindled, with less than two-thirds of the approximately $850 million in annual aid requested by aid agencies in the country being fulfilled, according to a U.N. report.

Lucky Karim, a Rohingya refugee who resettled in the U.S. state of Illinois in 2022 and now works with the International Campaign for the Rohingya, said that any international aid sent to help people in the camps means a lot to us as refugees and was appreciated.

But she questioned why the hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into the camps each year were not improving conditions.

Its not about how many years the U.S. has been supporting Rohingya, Karim said. What are you guys able to solve?

Did you solve the labor issue? Did you solve the sexual and domestic and the other violence in the camps? Did you solve the human trafficking issue? Did you figure out the security risks at the camp? Did you figure out and identify the gangs and the nonstate actors in the camp at night? she said. Those are the only questions we have.

Requests for more help, she added, were not just about increasing funding, with many Rohingyas understanding funds are limited.

When it comes to the funding issue, when I talked to USAID, for example, they're like, Oh no Lucky, we have other places in war, like Gaza, for example, and Ukraine, for example, Karim recounted, noting there were many other cases coming up every few years.

Like Ullah, she said some aid could be spent more effectively.

The amount of funding you're sending to Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and elsewhere should go to the right people at the right time to the needed situations, she said. How do you ensure it without Rohingyas involvement in the decision making process?

Limited funds

Peter Young, the USAID director for South and Central Asia, told the event that the United States had sent more than $1.9 billion in aid to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh since the 2017 genocide.

But he acknowledged the global aid being made available is not sufficient to meet the needs of people in the refugee camps. What was once a $12 monthly food ration to the refugees, he explained, was cut to just $8 last year before the eventual bump back to $10.

Brothers Mohammed Akter, 8, and Mohammed Harun, 10, pose for a photograph on the floor of their burned shelter after a fire damaged thousands of shelters at the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, March 25, 2021. [Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters]

At the end of the day, he said, aid groups were left grappling with the fact they have few funds left after disbursing those meager rations.

We certainly agree with  as Lucky said  the importance of working with and through the Rohingya community, Young said. We do make sure our projects that are implemented there are staffed by Rohingya there [or] developed in consultation with community leaders.

At the same time, if you do the math, $10 a month for a million people consumes our entire budget pretty quickly, he said. So the bandwidth that we have to do other programming besides food is limited.

One of the first priorities for the refugee camps outside of food would be durable shelters, Young said, due to both the propensity of the camps to be hit by devastating disasters and the understanding that there will be a lot of people there for some time into the future.

But for the Rohingya activists, thats only a start.

Karim, the Illinois-based refugee, said little will change in the camps until Rohingyas are given some decision-making powers  and not just coming to D.C. every six months for forums on Capitol Hill.

You take a bunch of notes, you leave us, you forget us, the activist said. We want a specific seat at the table.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) greets Lt. Gen. Jing Jianfeng, Chinas deputy chief of the Central Military Commissions Joint Staff Department, on his arrival to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus in Jakarta, Nov. 16, 2023.

Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China next week at the invitation of President Xi Jinping for what will be his first official overseas visit since his election last month, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

By inviting Prabowo  currently Indonesias defense minister  Beijing is trying to gain an edge over Washington and strike first in wooing the future leader of Southeast Asias largest economy, analysts in Jakarta said.

During Prabowos three-day visit starting Sunday, Xi will hold talks with the Indonesian president-elect on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, Lin Jian, Chinas foreign ministry spokesman, told a regular daily press conference in Beijing on Friday.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Indonesias President-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China from March 31 to April 2, Lin said, according to a transcript posted on the ministrys website.

Mr. Prabowos visit to China will be his first overseas visit as president-elect. It fully demonstrates the robustness of China-Indonesia ties.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman also confirmed Prabowos China visit, saying its aim was to strengthen bilateral relations and increase cooperation in the defense sector.

This visit is part of the two countries ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic dialogue and cooperation, which is vital for regional security and stability, Brig. Gen. Edwin Adrian Sumantha told BenarNews.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo (second from right) walks with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left), military chief Gen. Agus Subianto (second from left), and police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit after a meeting with high-ranking military and police officers at military headquarters in Jakarta, Feb. 28, 2024. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

Regional political observers see Prabowos upcoming visit to China mostly in the context of Sino-U.S. competition for influence in Southeast Asia, and Beijings investment of billions of dollars in Indonesia.

During the nearly decade-long presidency of outgoing leader Joko Jokowi Widodo, Indonesia and China drew closer, many analysts said.

Al Azhar University Defense Analyst Raden Mokhamad Luthfi cited Chinas big projects in Indonesia.

One example is the Belt and Road Initiative project in the form of the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train and the nickel downstreaming industry, Raden told BenarNews.

He was referring to Chinas flagship Belt and Road Initiative project, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, which began commercial operations in October 2023.

Nickel downstreaming refers to domestic processing of nickel ore, that is, to refine commodities at home to make exports more valuable. Chinese-linked companies dominate the nickel smelter industry in Indonesia.

Another reason for Chinas invitation to Prabowo was that Beijing wanted to ensure that under Prabowo, Indonesia does not move closer to the United States and the West.

I suspect that China wants to ensure that Prabowo continues the foreign policy that Jokowi previously carried out, he said.

China is invested in the Prabowo presidency because it wants its projects in Indonesia to stay on track, Raden said.

However, he doesnt approve of China being Prabowos first stop as president-elect.

Prabowos visit to China is too soon. It would have been better if he had waited until he was inaugurated first, then visited a foreign country, Raden said.

Visits to foreign countries by the newly inaugurated Indonesian president should first be to neighboring ASEAN member countries such as Malaysia, considering that Indonesias interests are much greater in ASEAN than in other countries, Raden said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) talks with Indonesian President Joko Joko Widodo after the 29th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2022 in Bangkok, Nov. 18, 2022. [Rungroj Yongrit/Pool/via Reuters]

Prabowo has bucked tradition in another way as well with his overseas trip, according to Zulfikar Rahmat, director of the China-Indonesia Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios).

This is the first time that a president-elect  one who has not been sworn in  has accepted a foreign governments invitation to visit, Zulfikar told BenarNews. Prabowo is to be inaugurated as president in October.

There are two reasons for this. The first is, of course, that Prabowo sees China as a partner in the economic sector. We know that in recent years, China has been Indonesias number one trading partner, he said.

Second, I see that Prabowo wants to continue Jokowis legacy, which is [being] close to China.

Like Jokowi, Prabowo puts Indonesias economy front and center, which brings it closer to China, Zulfikar said.

Muradi, a politics and security analyst at University of Padjadjaran in Bandung, said Prabowo had an interest in seeing how China carries out its defense modernization, which is expected to be completed in 2027.

[Thats] because China devotes almost 12% of GDP to their defense budget. So, China is one of the countries on the continent that has modern ships other than India, Muradi, who goes by one name, told BenarNews.

Why did Prabowo go straight to China instead of ASEAN countries first?  Because Southeast Asian nations were not seen as very strategic by Prabowo. Instead, assume China is the current strategic power, Muradi said.

Why didnt Prabowo go to the U.S. first? Because until now, it is not clear who will win the November election  Biden or Trump.  Prabowo didnt want to go to [meet] Biden, [if] Biden lost. Or to Trump, if it turned out Trump lost, he said.

Muradi predicted that after China, Prabowos next overseas stop would be in Russia, because its election, as it were, has concluded with Vladimir Putin being re-elected.

Maybe Prabowo will only go to the U.S. in January or February 2025, Muradi said.
UPDATED at 7:53 a.m. ET on 2024-03-30

Authorities in Kuala Lumpur arrested an Israeli suspect with a cache of handguns and ammunition at a local hotel earlier this week and were probing whether he could be an operative for Israels spy agency, Malaysias police chief said Friday.

In connection with the case, the authorities on Friday arrested three Malaysians, including a couple suspected of selling the firearms to the 36-year-old man, who they said was an Israeli national carrying two passports.

The foreigners arrest, which took place on Wednesday, occurred amid Malaysias staunch support for Palestinians in the ongoing battle with Israel in Gaza.

In light of the arrest, police tightened security for the prime minister, the king and others following the arrest on Wednesday, Police Inspector-General Razarudin Husain said.

He entered Malaysia on March 12 using a French passport, was arrested on March 27 and will be remanded until March 31 for further investigation, Razarudin told reporters without naming the suspect. During the probe, he handed us his Israeli passport.

Razarudin said the suspect apparently did not bring the handguns into the country.

He told us the firearms were meant to kill another Israeli national and were bought in Malaysia using crypto currency, Razarudin said, adding that police were investigating the mans statement.

We cannot take all his words as truth. He could have another agenda, Razarudin said, adding police were trying to determine if the man was a member of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency.

On Saturday, Razarudin told BenarNews that a Malaysian couple was arrested on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on suspicion of supplying the foreigner with the weapons. Police also confiscated a firearm from them, he said.

They were detained at the Ramadan Bazaar. The initial investigation showed that the couple had smuggled in the firearms from a neighboring country and the payment was made in crypto currency, the national police chief said.

Earlier on Friday, Razarudin said, police arrested a local man in Cameron Highlands, in Pahang state who was believed to have worked as a driver for the foreign suspect.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the Times of Israel newspaper reported that several Hebrew news outlets had identified the man as an associate of the Musli brothers, an Israeli mobster family. The Times cited the Mako news site as reporting that the suspect was en route to assassinate Eran Haya, head of a rival crime family.

Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Israeli nationals are barred from visiting Malaysia unless they obtain special permission from the Home Affairs ministry. In December, the Southeast Asian country imposed a docking ban on Israeli-owned ships from entering Malaysia following the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spoken out against Israel since it began retaliating for an Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish state by Hamas militants that left at least 1,100 Israelis dead. Since then, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israels retaliatory airstrikes and military operations in the Gaza Strip.

During his recent visit to Germany, Anwar criticized the hypocrisy of Western countries in dealing with the conflict in the Middle East. The criticism follows comments the Malaysian leader made just weeks after the original attack.

In late October 2023, Anwar refused to label Hamas as a terrorist group despite U.S. demands that Malaysia change its stance.

Because of our reluctance to label Hamas a terrorist organization and consider Hamas as terrorists, I have received information that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a demarche, or diplomatic protest, from the U.S. Embassy twice, first on Oct. 13 and second on Oct. 30, Anwar told Parliament a day after the second diplomatic protest.

Malaysia will not change its stance, particularly our reluctance to consider Hamas as a terrorist group.  Malaysia maintains its independent position.

Participants in the 10K Solidarity with Palestine Gathering march from the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center Mosque to the U.S. Embassy, Oct.28, 2023. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Anwar said the stance was based on humanitarian grounds because Malaysia views Israels occupation of Gaza as illegal under international law and norms.

This conflict did not start just a month ago; it has been ongoing for decades, since 1998, he said at the time.

Loaded weapons

On Friday, Razarudin said police did not think the suspect was working alone. The nations police chief noted that three of the handguns were loaded and ready to fire.

He probably has his network and contact here who we have yet to identify, Razarudin said at the time, adding he likely did not bring the handguns with him because he traveled from the United Arab Emirates where security is tight.

Malaysian police are investigating the man under the Passport Act of 1966 and Section 7 of Firearms Act for unauthorized possession of weapons. If charged and found guilty, he could be sentenced to death.

Mossad link



Muhammad Danial Azman, senior lecturer from the International Institute of Public Policy and Management, University of Malaya, said the potential spy allegation could not be discounted.

Simply assuming that the police are jumping to a conclusion is somewhat inaccurate. The security enforcement authority is acting not without reason, but mostly likely functioning after successive intelligence information, he told BenarNews.



The current press release is instead updating the public based on what they have gathered so far, and this will eventually be followed by more eventual legal and security measures within the parameters of the constitution and security policy.

He added that a link between the suspects activity and Malaysias support for the Palestinian cause is plausible.

After all, we have to consider past incidents of alleged involvement of Israeli intelligence agents in the extrajudicial killing of Fadi Mohammad, he told BenarNews.

Six years ago, a Palestinian engineer residing in Malaysia, Fadi Mohammad al-Batsh, was shot dead by Europeans with links to foreign intelligence agency riding a motorcycle near a local mosque in Kuala Lumpur. His family has blamed Mossad for his killing.

This report has been updated to include information about the arrests of Malaysians connected to the case and details from Israeli news reports.
A former Whataburger employee has filed a potential class-action lawsuit, alleging it breached its fiduciary duty in the management of its 401(k) retirement plan. Eric Gay/Associated Press

Whataburger has joined the list of San Antonio businesses hit by potential class-action lawsuits over losses in their employee retirement plans.

A former San Antonio employee of the burger chain alleges in a complaint filed Wednesday that its plan has suffered millions of dollars in losses due to Defendants fiduciary breaches and remains vulnerable to continuing harm.

Whataburger disagrees with the allegations.

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The company takes seriously its duties and obligations to the plan participants and will vigorously defend itself in this litigation, a spokesperson said.

The suit is similar to ones filed in recent years against H-E-B, Zachry Group and Southwest Research Institute. Theyre among numerous employers around the country that have been sued for alleged breaches under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Whataburgers 401(k) retirement plan had more than 36,000 participants and about $215 million in assets at the end of 2022, the restaurant chain said in a federal filing in October.

According to the lawsuit filed by Manuel Esquivel in federal court in San Antonio, Whataburgers plan ranks among the top 0.9% of all U.S. defined contribution plans by total assets. In a defined contribution plan, employees contribute to their retirement and, generally, a portion of their contribution is matched by the employer.

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The Whataburger on East Commerce Street. The burger chain was named in a class-action lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in San Antonio. Mike Sutter /Staff

Esquivel accuses Whataburger Restaurants LLC, its board, the committee that administers the 401(k), and various unnamed members of the board and committee of failing to appropriately monitor the plans investments, resulting in the retention of unsuitable investments in the Plan instead of prudent alternative investments that were readily available at all times.

A Whataburger representative didnt respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The class period may cover about the past six years. The plans assets were held in trust by trustee Charles Schwab Bank through Jan. 2, 2022, when it was replaced by Fidelity Management Trust Co.

Esquivels lawsuit singles out two mutual funds he alleges trailed their benchmarks  the MainStay Winslow Large Cap Growth Fund Class R1 and the Janus Henderson Triton Fund Class T.

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At the end of the first quarter of 2019, MainStays five-year results trailed the Russell 1000 Growth Index by 0.2%, while the Janus funds five-year results trailed the Russell 2500 Growth Index by 0.58% at the end of the first quarter of 2020, according to the lawsuit.

Those funds consistently poor results caused investors to recognize the red flags and withdraw their assets over the years, Esquivels suit says. MainStays assets under management fell from about $20 billion at the end of 2014 to about $11 billion at the end of 2022, the suit adds. The Janus funds assets tumbled from $12 billion at the end of 2019 to about $7 billion at the end of 2022.

Financial services firm Morningstar Inc., which conducts investment research and rates fund performance on a five-star scale, currently has four-star ratings for MainStay and the Janus fund.

The suit says Whataburger failed to monitor the funds and neglected to replace the underachieving investment option (s) in a severe breach of fiduciary duty.

A lawyer for Esquivel didnt respond to an email seeking comment.

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Of the other notable local retirement plan lawsuits, two have been settled and one against H-E-B is pending.

This month, SwRI entered into a preliminary settlement that calls for it to pay $500,000 to resolve the suit against it. Assuming the plaintiff lawyers receive one-third of the settlement amount, the 7,840 class members will pocket less than $43 each. A longtime SwRI employee of the science and technology research institution filed the complaint in June.

In 2022, engineering and construction company Zachry Group agreed to pay nearly $1.9 million to settle a lawsuit brought by four participants in its retirement plan. Attorneys for the plaintiffs received $625,000, or a third of the settlement. Thus, each member of the class  almost 33,700 participants  stood to receive about $37.
Hong Kongs skyline and harbor are seen from Victoria Peak, Sept. 1, 2019.

Radio Free Asia on Friday announced it has closed its Hong Kong bureau, saying the citys recently enacted national security law, also known as Article 23, has raised safety concerns for its reporters and staff members.

RFA will no longer have full-time personnel in Hong Kong but will retain its official media registration there, the organizations president and chief executive, Bay Fang, said in a statement.

We recognize RFAs frontline status  as it is among the last independent news organizations reporting on events happening in Hong Kong in Cantonese and Mandarin, she said.

For our audiences in Hong Kong and mainland China, who rely on RFAs timely, uncensored journalism: Rest assured, our programming and content will continue without disruption, Fang said.

Hong Kong was once a bastion of free media and expression in Asia, qualities that helped make it an international financial center and a regional hub for journalism.

But demonstrations in 2019 led to the passage of a national security law in 2020 that stifled dissent. Soon after, The New York Times announced it would relocate its digital news operations to Seoul.

In 2021, the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was forced to shut down amid an investigation conducted under the 2020 law.

Sweeping new powers

Last weeks enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, also referred to as Article 23 based on a clause in Hong Kongs mini-constitution, the Basic Law, has intensified uncertainties among Hong Kong journalists.

It has created new offenses, increased punishment for offenders and granted the government sweeping new powers to crack down on all forms of dissent.

It includes a reference to external threats and uses Chinas expansive definition of national security, which journalists and critics say is vague.

In February, Hong Kong security chief Chris Tang accused RFA of reporting what he described as false criticism that the new law would target media organizations. He called the media outlet a foreign force that was misleading the people of Hong Kong.

Actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to RFA as a foreign force, raise serious questions about our ability to operate in safety with the enactment of Article 23, Fang said in Fridays statement.

Opened in 1996

RFA opened its Hong Kong office  its first overseas bureau  in 1996. The organization is funded by the U.S. Congress but operates as an editorially independent private news organization. Its mission is to provide news in languages and regions where authorities censor news and stymie the freedom of expression and the press.

BenarNews is a news service affiliated with RFA.

The ranking Democratic member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, said he was deeply concerned by the decision, calling RFA a longstanding beacon of independent journalism in Hong Kong.

Since the passage of Hong Kongs National Security Law in 2020, RFA has been a rare source of independent news coming out of Hong Kong despite facing unrelenting pressure and harassment, he said in a statement.

The closure of RFAs bureau in Hong Kong, after 28 years, is a stark reminder of how brazenly Beijing has extinguished Hong Kongs autonomy.

RFAs restructuring of its on-the-ground operations means that staff members will be relocated to the United States, Taiwan and elsewhere amid the closure of the physical bureau, the organization said.

RFA will shift to using a different journalistic model reserved for closed media environments, Fang said. I commend RFAs journalists and staff for making this difficult transition possible.
Cars travel on Interstate 35 north of downtown in this 2022 photo. The Texas Department of Transportation is testing and using AI in several areas, including incident detection to more quickly deploy crews and machine learning for video analytics on traffic cameras. Those video analytics help identify traffic disruptions, from crashes and debris to pedestrians on highways, and measure things like vehicle counts and speeds. William Luther/Staff photographer A collision earlier this year slows traffic during the morning commute along Loop 1604 at Valero Way. The Texas Department of Transportation is testing and using AI in several areas, including incident detection to more quickly deploy crews and machine learning for video analytics on traffic cameras. Those video analytics help identify traffic disruptions, from crashes and debris to pedestrians on highways, and measure things like vehicle counts and speeds. TxDOT

In the brave new world of artificial intelligence, the new Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council is finding surprising ways Texas state agencies already are using advanced computing to increase efficiency. Created by the Legislature during last years session to explore the role of AI in government, the council has been meeting for less than a month, but their findings so far already are creating buzz.

Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan appointed members to the council, which has wasted no time getting the ball rolling on investigating potential places for legislation. This week, the council co-chairs, state Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, and state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, sat on a panel at the Texas Public Policy Foundations Policy Summit addressing the future of AI as it relates to state government mere hours after the advisory council held its first substantive meeting.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a highly influential conservative think tank based in Austin, recently announced AI as one of its top legislative priorities for 2025. However, at the time they announced the priority policy areas, they had few specifics. But panelists indicated that a few ideas might be coming together.

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Theyre probably no less than seven to eight, at least  maybe 10, or more  bill ideas that came out of the conversation this morning already, Parker said afterward.

Capriglione pushed that benchmark to 10 or a dozen bills.

We heard from one agency who is already using it on their backend processing to do invoices, he said. Theyve gone from two to three weeks to do invoices to 13 seconds. Its more accurate. Its faster.

Before attending the panel, advisory council members held a wide-ranging three-hour session in which members heard testimony from the Department of Information Resources, the Department of Transportation, the Workforce Commission and the Teacher Retirement System. Department of Information Resources privacy attorney Jennie Hoelscher told the council that theres a broad mix of how state agencies are approaching AI, including generative AI, like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot.

There are some agencies that have very restrictive rules about the use of AI within their agencies, Hoelscher said. There are other agencies that are very open to employees using generative AI in particular, so there is a broad spectrum.

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Agencies mostly have been using AI to increase efficiency and productivity, added John Hoffman, who doubles as the Department of Information Resources chief technology officer and the deputy chief information officer for Texas. Yes, agencies are using chatbots, he said, but its more than that.

The resources are limited. The requirements are high. Its how are we using AI to best provide that,  Hoffman told the council.

TxDOT said it is testing and using AI in incident detection to more quickly deploy crews, user access management, automated invoicing and machine learning for video analytics on traffic cameras. Those video analytics help identify traffic disruptions, from crashes and debris to pedestrians on highways, and measure things like vehicle counts and speeds. In the future, TxDOT is exploring using AI for chatbots, fleet assessment and running analyses on where crashes are likely to occur.

The council will publish its final report sometime in November or December. Policy proposals could include legislation designating an agency to write state AI policy, the potential creation of a separate AI policymaking office and measures related to data privacy and cybersecurity.
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BENNINGTON  Area residents will have a chance Monday to learn about a planned new nursing home facility at the former Bennington Health and Rehabilitation building on Blackberry Lane off Dewey Street.

The facility will serve Vermonters with what are described as challenging and complex care needs.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Bennington Firehouse meeting room.

There will be a presentation by the new facility operators, iCare Health Network, a skilled nursing and long-term care provider based in Connecticut.

Rep. Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington, who had pushed for a public information session on planned changes at the nursing facility, said representatives from iCare Health Network and from the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, are expected to attend.

She said her hope is that the facility operators and state officials will have a chance to explain details of the operation and residents have a chance to ask questions.

Critical of rollout

Morrissey had been critical of what she described as the little to no prior information provided to Bennington residents by the state, after officials selected iCare Health last fall to create a new facility offering a higher level of long-term care. The company was selected by the state from among several health care vendors submitting proposals.

The facility is intended for Vermonters from around the state living in out-of-state facilities where they may not be receiving care to meet their challenging needs. More than 100 people were identified as requiring more intensive care but not currently receiving it.

Morrissey said she has received a number of calls from constituents with concerns and seeking answers.

Hopefully, fears, if there are fears out there, can be resolved, she said earlier this month, adding, I also wanted an opportunity for [the state and the care provider] to be heard.

The 93-bed capacity nursing home on Blackberry Lane has in recent years been operated by the Genesis healthcare network, from which the iCare Health Network intends to purchase the property.

iCare Network Vice President of Business Development and Communications David Skoczulek and Chris Oldham, community relations director for MissionCare at Bennington, said residents also can contact Skoczulek with questions at 860-250-3075, or via email at info@icarehn.com.
Currently featured on the town webiste is information on two energy-related issues up for public consideration, and a public hearing on one of them, a proposed Enhanced Energy Plan, will be held on Wednesday. The hearing on the plan will be held at 6 p.m. at Cole Hall, 61 Buck Hill Road and on Zoom.
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
FILE - Recent snowfall coats crosses at one of several memorials for the victims of last month's mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Maine lawmakers racing toward adjournment are going to consider a so-called red flag law allowing family members to petition a judge for removal of guns thanks to an a 11th-hour bill introduced by the house speaker.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed off on the repeal of Memphis police traffic stop reforms set in place after the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by officers just over a year ago
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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
A lawyer for former President Donald Trump has argued that the charges against Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case seek to criminalize political speech that the First Amendment protects
Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman's lifelong friendship and collaboration is apparent on the walls of The Red Lion Inns second-floor hallway, where Ride The Thunder, an exhibition, featuring works from Steadmans entire career, is on display through Oct. 31.
PITTSFIELD  A man accused of stabbing his wife to death in her North Adams apartment in 2022 has asked the judge to give him another attorney.

Luis Rosado, 51, said Thursday he wasn't satisfied with his lawyer, Jeffrey Brown, arguing that the two weren't seeing "eye to eye."

"I'm just not feeling comfortable with him at the moment, Rosado said during a Zoom hearing at from the Berkshire County House of Correction, where he's being held without the right to bail.

Rosado has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the May 2022 slaying of Jillian Tatro in her apartment at 46 Charles St. Prosecutors are awaiting the results of forensic testing on a knife found at the scene.

During the hearing, Judge John Agostini said discomfort alone isn't grounds for dismissing an attorney. Indicating he'd seen no evidence that Brown wasn't adequately representing Rosado, Agostini referred to Brown as one of the county's better trial lawyers.

Brown didn't oppose Rosado's request, saying "there is certainly a strain in the relationship between myself and the defendant."

But Agostini said appointing a new defense lawyer would set the case back another year, further delaying a trial in the death of a mother whose friends and family said was the victim of abuse at the hands of Rosado. The judge listened to Rosado's request and will issue a decision about it later.

Assistant District Attorney Heather Valentine gave Agostini an update on the posture of the case. She said DNA testing on certain evidence hasn't been completed. Investigators still need to collect a sample of genetic material from Rosado to compare to that which was found at the scene.

Among that evidence was a knife, whose handle and blade were bloody, that was found on the living room floor next to Tatro's body, according to court documents.

Rosado allegedly stabbed Tatro in the torso several times before fleeing. He was arrested five days later by officers from multiple agencies, including the state police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, in an apartment on Fenn Street in Pittsfield.

Tatro was killed as she was trying to extract herself from a relationship that had grown abusive, according to former District Attorney Andrea Harrington and several people close to Tatro.

Her mother told The Eagle that the day before the homicide, Rosado explicitly threatened to kill her if she ever tried to leave him. Tatro had also received a protection order from the court against Rosado, to whom she had been married to just months before her death.

A trial date hasn't yet been set in the case.

Rosado has a history of domestic violence offenses. He pleaded guilty in 2020 to strangulation and other charges related to the domestic assault of another victim. Prosecutors said he also intimidated the victim in an attempt to prevent her from testifying against him.

For those offenses, he was sentenced to one year in jail.
Jim Shulman, a Pittsfield native and retired Psychologist living in Ohio, is the author of "Berkshire Memories: A Baby Boomer Looks Back at Growing Up in Pittsfield." If you have a comment about this story, please write the Berkshire Eagle at letters@berkshireeagle.com and if you have a memory of a Berkshire baby-boom landmark, business or event you'd like to see in a column, write Jim at jesjmskali@aol.com.
Rest of River cleanup

The first stretch of PCB cleanup in Pittsfield will look much different than the work done 20 years ago, the EPA says
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NORTH ADAMS  North Adams Regional Hospital closed 10 years ago to the day.

On Thursday, it was revived.

Berkshire Health Systems CEO Darlene Rodowicz said she had a smile on her face all day, but she recognized the gravity of the moment.

"Exactly 10 years ago today, this hospital, under previous ownership, closed its doors," Rodowicz told the more than 100 people gathered under a tent for a ribbon-cutting event on the hospital's campus. "It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire Community, about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone: access to health care."

The hospital had its first inpatient admission on Thursday.

With the 10-year anniversary of the hospitals closing, what wouldve otherwise been a mournful occasion became cause for celebration, as local, state and federal dignitaries gathered at the hospital.

"I'm honored to stand here today ... as a lifelong resident of Berkshire County, I'm as thrilled as you are that the new North Adams Regional Hospital will again be here to provide residents with the care they deserve close to home," Rodowicz added.

News last summer that NARH could reopen as a critical access hospital brought joy and relief to northern Berkshire County, as residents, medical professionals, municipal, state and federal officials rejoiced. They have said in the months since how much safer, and convenient, it will be to have a hospital closer to the area, as residents often are stuck between driving to Bennington, Vt., or Pittsfield.

But a long, bureaucratic process to secure state and federal approvals remained. That nearly 10-month process is almost finished; the health system has cleared all the hurdles necessary to begin serving patients; though it cannot pay for patients through the Medicare and Medicaid refund that comes with being a critical access hospital until the state Department of Public Health, acting on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, conducts an unannounced survey.

Massachusetts Health & Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh stressed the importance of "swing" or "flex" beds at critical access hospitals, which allow patients to recover from acute care in the hospital, rather than a nursing home, before heading home.

"Critical access hospitals can respond to the needs of the community, and they can flex the beds in the way that makes the most sense for the patients they serve," Walsh said. "That flexibility is why this hospital will be here many years from now."

A critical access hospital designation also triggers increased cost-based reimbursement for provided services, which Rodowicz has said would prevent a reopened North Adams Regional Hospital from operating at a loss.

When the hospital closed in 2014, not only did residents lose nearby access to health care: About 530 people lost their jobs in a matter of days. The effects were widely felt.

In the years since, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and others have since tried to find a way for NARH to gain critical access hospital designation. Finally, the CMS proposed a regulatory change in June of last year, finalizing it in November.

"[Rodowicz] said, 'If you could just get this language shifted,'" Neal said, pausing for laughter. "I'm from Springfield; I was up to the task. She indicated to me this is going to be a bit of a geographic challenge, so we were able to convince the administration. ... We were able to change the language."

Under the previous parameters, North Adams was too close to hospitals in Pittsfield and Bennington to be designated a critical access hospital. But the change effectively narrowed the required radius, allowing North Adams to qualify for that designation.

Neal also spoke of health equity for rural areas Thursday.

"Most of the stories, overwhelmingly, across America, are about hospital closures," he said. "Americas got a real challenge with rural health care. Today we celebrate this opening against all odds; this return is for all of you in Berkshire County."

State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, recalled his late wife worked at the former NARH, in speaking about how important local hospitals are as community institutions. Barrett was mayor of the city years prior to the hospital's closure. He gave credit to Neal for inpatient care returning to North Adams.

"A lot of people made this work, but the one person who put it all together, and I suggest they name the lobby after him  Congressman Richard Neal," he said. "He got it done. He pulled off something that no one ever thought would happen."

Berkshire Health Systems purchased the hospital just months after the closure. As the North Adams Campus of Berkshire Medical Center, it has since opened an emergency department, a cardiac rehabilitation unit and resumed providing numerous outpatient services.

Reopening involved a $2.85 million renovation to the existing facilities to prepare 18 inpatient beds. Rodowicz has said the hospital will slowly ramp up its care  the plan is to start with three or four patients, and work up to 10. Filling 18 beds is a longer-term goal.

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who lives near the hospital and moved into her home about the same time as its initial closure, discussed the importance to the city of a reopened NARH.

"I always hoped and dreamt there'd be life back in this campus," Macksey said. "People didn't realize at the time how much of an impact the closing of this hospital had, not only on health care, but the economic dynamic of the city of North Adams and our surrounding communities."

Macksey added that the new hospital "is not only an important investment in our community, but the well-being and medical standards we need here in Berkshire County, especially in North Adams."
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GREAT BARRINGTON  A boarding house in a former bed and breakfast will be ready for tenants this spring and a waitlist is now open online for applications to live there.

The Thornewood, which received its permit from the Select Board in a unanimous vote on Monday, will immediately have 14 rooms of varying sizes and prices available to those who live and work in town, according to the developer, Community Development Corp. of South Berkshire.

Four more rooms will soon be added to the existing property at 453 Stockbridge Road, the former Thornewood Inn.

Longtime inn owners David and Terry Thorne are selling the 2.5-acre property at a discount to the Community Development Corp. so that it can develop it for a workforce housing solution. The cost is $1.365 million.

Renovations to the 11,000-square-foot building are still ongoing, and include some changes to the communal kitchen and laundry room.

Depending on the room, prices will range from $1,050 to $1,450 per month. This includes all utilities as well as high-speed internet. Every room has its own bathroom.

Some board members had concerns that the rent is too high for the rooms and that those who work low-level service jobs won't be able to afford it. The Community Development Corp., however, can be flexible about pricing should that be the case, Treasurer Philip Orenstein told the board.

The Community Development Corp. has developed two low-income and affordable housing projects in town. But it has also sought to create housing in existing buildings and, using different models, to solve a crisis of both housing scarcity and affordability in South County.

Its the second such project in town. The first was the conversion into a boarding house of The Windflower Inn by affordable housing nonprofit Construct Inc.

The boarding house model is meant to be self-sustaining, Orenstein said during a tour of the property in December.

Rent money from the month-to-month leases will be plunged back into covering costs. Tenants have to have income eligibility to live there: People or households earning no more than 100 percent of the area median income  which in 2022 was $74,205, according to the U.S. Census.

As long as they meet the income requirements, tenants can stay as long as they like, Orenstein told the board Monday.

Board Vice Chair Leigh Davis, who works for Construct, said she is concerned that the rent was quite high to have a room and not an apartment. Since she works for Construct, Davis had, before the Community Development Corp.'s special permit hearing, filed notice with the Town Clerk of an appearance of a conflict of interest.

Orenstein said the rooms are actually fairly large, and they're actually quite nice  very nice ensuite bathrooms  the only thing they dont have is their own kitchen.

He also said the Community Development Corp. is trying to accommodate the demand thats out there. There is a fair amount of flexibility to kind of restructure the pricing, should the demand not be there, he added.

Again, I think we are very much at the mindset that we need to accommodate the demand where it is, Orenstein said.

Conditions on the permit are that the building have no more than 20 rooms; be rented to people or households earning no more than 100 percent of the area median income; and that 60 percent of rooms are reserved for Great Barrington workers, with evidence of this provided to the town every six months.
File photo: Dairy cows are milked at the Meadow Creek Dairy Farm on October 5, 2022, in Galax, Virginia. Texas authorities have reported cases of bird flu in local dairy cow. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

Federal and state organizations are investigating the first-ever case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, found in U.S. dairy cattle.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller reported Monday that bird flu was found in three dairies in the Texas Panhandle. It has also been found in Kansas.

"It's never happened before," Miller said. "That's why it baffled us. We never really thought to test for bird flu."

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Authorities such as the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission started hearing about cattle production dropping about three to four weeks ago. Symptoms for these cattle included decreased lactation, fever and smaller appetites.

Texas Animal Health Commission Director of Field Operations Brian Bohl said the cows went off the feed and their milk production dropped. Their symptoms would go away in about 10 to 14 days, Bohl said, with most of the cattle returning to normal milk consistency after that time frame.

Bohl said the problem was only seen in mid-lactation cows. No other type of cattle, from beef cattle to baby calves, dealt with the symptoms.

COW HUG: Hundreds of visitors go to this Waller farm each month to hug the cows that live there

As people continued searching for answers and tests kept coming back negative, dead birds were found on dairies and it was decided to test for bird flu.

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Bohl added that while the bird flu tests came back positive, there are still some unknowns surrounding the situation. These include how the outbreak started and whether there are any other diseases that could be involved.

"We haven't 100% determined cause and effect," Bohl said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a news release this week the flu appears to have been introduced by wild birds. It also had yet to find any mutations that "would make it more transmissible to humans."

Dr. Brandon Dominguez, the Veterinary Services Section Head of Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, said long-term concerns for cattle who catch the disease are unknown without more testing.

"We haven't seen this flu virus in cattle before so how it might progress is a little bit of an unknown," Dominguez said. "It doesn't seem to kill them. It seems to work like flu in people were they have symptoms for a week or so and apparently get over it and get almost back to normal."

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No cows have died from the disease. Miller said there are no plans to depopulate the farms either.

Miller said the situation hasn't had a major impact on the dairy market. Texas is the fourth-largest milk-producing state in the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said there are no concerns this outbreak will impact the health of milk consumers.

"None of this got into the food chain," Miller said. "Even if it did, the pasteurization process would have killed the virus, the pathogens. And it's not enough drop in milk production to affect the prices of milk."

The timeline for what is next is unknown. Miller said it is the end of the waterfowl season so authorities think the birds have moved on from the area, but more questions remain.

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Bohl made it clear learning more is a top priority for the groups involved responding to the situation.
STOCKBRIDGE  Speeding in town is an ongoing concern, according to Town Administrator Michael Canales.

In fact, its the top complaint voiced by the public to local law enforcement, Police Chief Darrell Fennelly told The Eagle on Thursday.

Help may be on the way  if local voters agree.

Heres why: State law allows towns to adopt a 25 mph speed limit on all roads  except state highways (such as Routes 7, 102 and 183 in Stockbridge), or other roads that already have a posted speed limit resulting from a speed study, Canales told the Select Board at a recent meeting.

It would be up to registered voters to approve or reject the proposed townwide speed restrictions. So the board members voted 3-0 to add the proposal to the warrant for the May 20 annual town meeting.

Our department is fully supportive of the towns efforts to make our roadways safer, Fennelly said. This change would enhance our ability to enforce safe driving practices. Since speeding is our No. 1 complaint, I am hopeful that the voters will pass this proposal.

Statewide, 78 cities and towns out of 351 have opted-in to the state law allowing a 25 mph limit in thickly settled areas or business districts. The state law defines thickly settled as any road with houses separated by less than 200 feet, on average, for a distance of one-quarter mile or more.

In Berkshire County, only Pittsfield has chosen a 25 mph restriction, which is in effect citywide, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Among the Stockbridge roads already posted with speed restrictions are some of the most heavily traveled: Prospect Hill, Glendale Middle, West Hawthorne, Mahkeenac, Yale Hill and Lee roads.

But, as Canales pointed out, many other local roads currently have no posted speed regulations, making them eligible for a 25 mph limit.

If residents vote in favor of the proposal, the townwide limit would not take effect immediately, Canales pointed out. Signs would have to be prepared and put up, including at the entrances to town jurisdiction from Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox and West Stockbridge.

A six-month public information campaign also would be needed prior to enforcement, he said, so ticketing would not begin until next Jan. 1. But warnings would be issued ahead of the official enforcement date.

The town already has mobile radar units that can monitor and track real-time motorist speeds and store the data for potential use in a local speed study.

What the state law says

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 17C defines a thickly settled or business district as "the territory contiguous to any way which is built up with structures devoted to business, or the territory contiguous to any way where dwelling houses are situated at such distances as will average less than two hundred feet between them for a distance of a quarter of a mile or over."

In 2016, legislation was passed to create two new sections to state law Chapter 90, Section 17C.

 Section 193 allows a municipality to opt-in, thereby reducing the statutory speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on any or all city- or town-owned roadways within a thickly settled or business district. The legislation also requires cities and towns to notify MassDOT of these changes.

 If a municipality opts-in, it will not supersede any existing posted speed limit. The legislation only affects streets that are currently governed by a statutory speed limit. If an existing special speed regulation is in place, it will continue to govern.

 MassDOT recommends that if a municipality opts-in, that it does so on a city- or town-wide basis to avoid potential confusion for drivers. However, cities and towns do have the option to opt-in on a street-by-street basis. Once a municipality has opted-in, it is required to notify MassDOT.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Transportation
North Adams Regional Hospital is poised to open this month. The public just got a glimpse of the renovated inpatient unit Berkshire Health Systems announced in June plans to reopen the former North Adams Regional Hospital. After successfully navigating through a web of regulations and required steps, the health system is on the verge of doing just that.

A decade ago to the day, a community hospital closed its doors. Its demise was painful for so many in Northern Berkshire County, and the wound of its absence lingered for too long. But today, the dream of healing back stronger is finally a reality in North Adams.

With North Adams Regional Hospital staffing up to reopen soon, more than 100 would-be workers answered the call at a job fair By 4 p.m., more than 100 applicants had visited and 22 job offers for 47 available positions had been made on the spot, according to Berkshire Health System spokesman Mike Leary.

The long-hoped for reopening of the North Adams Regional Hospital promises considerable material benefits to the regions quality of life, from closer and expanded access to life-giving and life-saving medical care for residents to an infusion of high-caliber jobs in an area hungry for growth.

Yet it means so much more. This reinvestment in and revitalization of a vital institution of community infrastructure is a big symbolic victory for this corner of the county. Its a sure-footed step forward on a path where many Northern Berkshire community members understandably felt they were forced to go backward in 2014 when their community hospital abruptly shuttered. Soon after, Berkshire Health Systems stepped in to turn the hospitals footprint into the North Adams Campus of Berkshire Medical Center.

Over the years, it expanded services like an emergency department, cardiac rehab and outpatient services, but Northern Berkshire residents requiring inpatient procedures and other crucial care services still had to trek upward of 20 miles or more to BMC or elsewhere.

Now, the greater North Adams community has its hospital back, including 18 inpatient beds (which could grow up to 25) and a medical/surgical floor. Restoring the hospital and its care offerings was made possible by being designated a critical access hospital. That designation allows hospitals in far-flung and less-populous areas serving would-be health care deserts to avoid operating at a loss by providing cost-based reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. NARH was ineligible for that designation under federal regulations, which previously excluded hospitals if they were located within 35 miles of another hospital along the same federal highway. (NARHs campus is 25 miles from BMC, in Pittsfield, via Route 7.)

Fortunately, those regulations have been relaxed in recent years  and rightly so. We should be making it easier, not harder, for rural residents  who are disproportionately older  to access quality health care. We appreciate the efforts of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal in personally pushing for those changes in federal regs that now allow a full-fledged hospital to operate in North Adams once again with a sustainable model.

As is often required for the critical changes we want to see in our communities, this was a team effort: Rep. Neal, who advocated for smarter and more nuanced CMS rules that wont leave rural communities stranded in care deserts; BHS leadership, including CEO Darlene Rodowicz and vice president of facilities planning and construction management Joe LaRoche, who moved quickly to pursue the critical access designation and develop a reopening plan once it was possible; the greater North Adams community advocates, who never let die the dream of getting their hospital back.

All of those stakeholders should be proud of this big win for Northern Berkshire. It is because of them that we can happily welcome back North Adams Regional Hospital, whose presence alone brings a special kind of healing.
Snow and ice blanketed the summit of Mount Greylock in Adams as seen from the Greylock Glen on Monday. The forecast for next week indicates there could be a repeat of a wintry mix on Tuesday and Wednesday as April, the most fickle and often cruel month, begins.
Un chef, une recette: la selle d'agneau rotie de l'Auberge du Cep

A l'occasion de Paques, BFM Lyon vous propose de preparer une selle d'agneau rotie du chef Aurelien Merot, de l'Auberge du Cep.
06:27:42 AM

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 62F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 37F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High 67F. Winds light and variable.
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Urologist Ashley Winter, 39, won't be attending a national conference in San Antonio this year due to Texas' abortion ban. Courtesy Ashley Winter

A urologist with 150,000 followers on X says she'll skip a national conference in San Antonio, fearing what could happen if she had complications with a pregnancy while in Texas.

Ashley Winter, 39, of California, announced Wednesday that she would not attend the American Urological Association Annual Meeting, which takes place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center this year.

"My husband (and) I are trying for our (second) child," Winter said on X. "I have a high risk of miscarriage (and) I don't want to go somewhere my healthcare options are limited should I have an emergency."

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Texas' abortion ban allows termination of a pregnancy only when the woman "has a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy that places the female at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function."

One Texas woman left the state for an abortion after Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened legal recourse for her healthcare providers, despite a court order allowing the abortion due to her fetus' terminal condition.

Winter miscarried in January and knows other women who have recently terminated wanted pregnancies, she said on X.

"This is VERY common stuff," she wrote.

An open letter penned by urologist Casey Seideman asked the American Board of Urology to reconsider attendance at the conference, according to Texas Public Radio. The organization responded saying it recognized their concerns.

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By using her online platform to speak on the issue, Winter hopes to prompt conferences to evaluate access to reproductive healthcare when choosing locations.

"This is not a statement against the people of Texas  just the bull(expletive) laws of Texas," Winter wrote.
Somalia hosts over 38,600 refugees, asylum-seekers: UNHCR

Xinhua) 11:01, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Grounded Boeing 737 Max 8 planes are seen Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019 on the tarmac at Port San Antonio. They are among the new, undeliverable aircraft Boeing has manufactured since the FAA grounded the planes. William Luther/Staff In this National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) handout, an opening is seen in the fuselage of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX on Jan. 7, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. A door-sized section near the rear of the Boeing 737-9 MAX plane blew off 10 minutes after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 took off from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5 on its way to Ontario, California. (NTSB/Getty Images/TNS) Handout/TNS Boeing 737 Max planes are seen on the tarmac at Kelly Field, Monday, April 5, 20201. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News 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

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an investigation into possible manufacturing defects made by a parts supplier for Boeing  as well as whether the suppliers diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are compromising the companys manufacturing processes.

Spirit AeroSystems, which describes itself as one of the worlds largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes on its website, produces the fuselages for Boeings 737 jets, which have been under scrutiny since a door panel fell off one of the planes midflight.

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The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans, Paxton, a third-term Republican, said in a statement. I will hold any company responsible if they fail to maintain the standards required by the law and will do everything in my power to ensure manufacturers take passenger safety seriously.

Spirit AeroSystems is headquartered in Wichita, Kan., which is where it has its primary, 12.7 million-square-foot manufacturing operations, including the production of fuselages for commercial and military aircraft, according to regulatory filings. The company has a 199,000-square-foot facility in Dallas, where it has roughly 100 employees  among its more than 20,600 workers companywide  and focuses on manufacturing aftermarket parts.

Spirit AeroSystems did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The attorney generals office has requested by April 17 a plethora of documents from the company, including investigative reports; complaints and communications with investors and Boeing about defects; and documents showing how the companys inspection team in 2022 changed its procedures for documenting defects.

In 2023, Spirit shareholders filed a possible class-action suit against the company, alleging the company made materially false and misleading statements about the companys manufacturing capabilities. The case is still pending in federal court in New York.

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Paxtons investigation also seeks documents related to the companys initiatives to improve diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI, in the workplace. Republicans in Texas and nationally have attacked DEI as identity-based discrimination and have taken steps to restrict its use.

Paxton asked Spirit AeroSystems to produce documents proving their efforts to diversify the workforce have enhanced performance or improved product quality. He also asked for data showing Spirit employees race, national origin, sexual orientation and age before and after its DEI policy was enacted.

Supporters of DEI say it helps combat entrenched discrimination and fosters a welcoming workplace for people whove historically been underrepresented.

In a statement on the companys website on a page about its commitment to DEI, the director of the program, Amy Williams, says: Spirit actively works to build an inclusive work environment where all employees diverse skills and talents are not only valued, but leveraged to drive enhanced business performance.

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We invest in our employees to create a culture of belonging, which amplifies engagement and enables them to thrive in our organization.

The companys president is Patrick Shanahan who briefly served as the deputy secretary of defense under former President Donald Trump and was previously a longtime Boeing senior leader.
The deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland hinged on the backing of Jeffrey Donaldson and the shock resignation of the DUP leader is sure to prompt questions over the future of that arrangement.

Much will depend on who ultimately replaces him.

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East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, who has stepped up to become interim leader, has been a long-time ally of Mr Donaldson and a firm backer of the return to Stormont.

Mr Robinson would be an early favourite to become the permanent successor and his elevation would be unlikely to prompt a change in the partys recent enthusiastic backing for the devolved institutions.

Gavin Robinson is DUP interim leader (Liam McBurney/PA)

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However, his election as leader is not a foregone conclusion, and it remains to be seen if other candidates, potentially more sceptical of the return to powersharing, will emerge.

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The identity of the new leader could have ramifications for DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly as she was very much a Donaldson pick as the partys nominee to jointly lead the Stormont coalition.

Ms Little Pengelly and Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill have received significant praise for their leadership of the administration since taking charge of the resurrected executive in February.

Question marks will also now hang over the DUPs grip on the Lagan Valley parliamentary constituency, given the possibility of an imminent by-election.

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His majority was significantly cut in the last general election amid a surge by the cross-community Alliance Party and the DUP will likely face a tough fight to hold the seat whenever voters next go to the polls.

Appointed leader in the summer of 2021, he made the call early the following year to withdraw then DUP first minister Paul Givan from the Stormont Executive, thus collapsing powersharing, as part of the partys protest strategy against post-Brexit economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

First Minister Michelle ONeill (left) and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (Liam McBurney/PA)

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Almost two years later, after protracted negotiations with the Northern Ireland Office and Downing Street, he signed up to a Government package of proposals, outlined in its Strengthening the Union command paper, that were aimed at reducing red tape on Irish Sea trade and providing assurances over Northern Irelands place in the Union.

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He championed the partys return to the Executive and Assembly on the back of the deal, hailing what he said were significant concessions.

Mr Donaldson insisted a large majority of the party supported his decision to end the Stormont boycott and recent opinion polling suggests a majority of DUP voters are also supportive of the return to devolution.

However, a significant minority of DUP elected representatives remain opposed to the deal, insisting it does not go far enough to remove the contentious Irish Sea border and several senior figures have been vocal in articulating their criticism.

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Former deputy leader Lord Dodds, party chairman Lord Morrow and East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson are among those who have made no secret of their opposition.

It will become apparent in the days and weeks ahead whether Mr Donaldson's resignation, and the manner of it, injects fresh momentum to those inside and outside the party campaigning against the return of powersharing, or whether it will continue to be business as usual at Stormont when a new leader takes the helm.
Almost 10,000 hospital patients have gone without a bed so far in March, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Figures from the nursing union's Trolley Watch reveal that a total of 9,856 patients went without a hospital bed this month.

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The most overcrowded hospital in the Republic was University Hospital Limerick, with 1,961 patients waiting for beds during March.

That was followed by 1,079 patients at Cork University Hospital and 685 at University Hospital Galway.

INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said March was an "extremely busy month" in Irish hospitals.

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"We are still continuing to see a worrying number of patients on trolleys in hospitals across the western seaboard and in the midwest," she said.

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INMO members who are rostered to work this bank holiday weekend are more and more concerned about the ever-increasing risks associated with the provision of services in constantly overcrowded and a progressively under-staffed service.

The fact is that nurses and midwives will be working short in wards that have significant vacancies due to the HSE recruitment moratorium.

It comes as the HSE said hospitals were already "extremely busy" ahead of the Easter weekend, and it wants people to stay away unless absolutely necessary.

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Anyone who is injured or feeling unwell is being urged to consider a pharmacy, out of hours GP or injury clinic as their first port-of-call.

However, the HSE is stressing that anyone who presents to an emergency department over Easter will be seen and treated, with those most ill and urgent cases being prioritised for care.

Sinn Fein health spokesperson David Cullinane said more money for healthcare, and an end to the HSE recruitment freeze, are urgently needed.

Mr Cullinane told Newstalk radio: "The funding is not there. The Minister for Health of course has to take responsibility, so too does the entire Cabinet.

"If Simon Harris really wants a change of direction in relation to health services, and really wants a spec change, well then the first course of action he should take is to reverse that disastrous decision that was put in place by him and his Cabinet colleagues, to put in place this recruitment embargo."
A man is facing a court prosecution on an animal cruelty charge for endangering the life of a "small black kitten" in Dublin.

Gheorghe Negoita, 44, of Belgard Road, Tallaght, appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggans on Friday.

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Bridewell Garda Aine McQuillan told the judge she had charged him earlier this month with an offence under section 12 of the Animal, Health and Welfare Act.

The charge alleges that an incident took place on October 11th, 2022, at central Dublin's North King Street and that he endangered "the life of a small black kitten".

The waste collection worker has yet to indicate a plea and will be granted legal aid once he provides a statement of his means.

Garda McQuillan told Dublin District Court that the defendant, who listened to the proceedings with the help of a Romanian interpreter, "was given a true copy of the charge sheet and made no reply to charge".

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The officer applied to the court to impose a bail term that required him not to have "any protected animal in his care."

But his solicitor objected because the accused had already been allowed bail without conditions when he was charged at a Garda station earlier this month.

Judge Coggans agreed that he was on "station bail" and she did not impose additional conditions but ordered the accused to appear again in April.

No facts relating to the alleged incident were outlined during the brief hearing.

A conviction under the animal cruelty laws at the District Court level can attract a maximum six-month sentence and a 5,000 fine. The Circuit Court can impose harsher penalties.

Prosecution for the offence can also result in an individual being banned from having an animal in their care.
The number of Ukrainians relying on State-provided housing in Ireland is decreasing, with more now leaving State accommodation each day rather than arriving in the country.

An average of 25 Ukrainians seeking temporary protection arrived in Ireland per day last month, a drop of nearly 65 per cent when compared to the 70 daily arrivals in December 2023. Meanwhile, an average of 37 Ukrainians a day left State accommodation last month.

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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.

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While there remains a significant demand for State-provided accommodation, the portfolio needed by the Government to support Ukrainians is now decreasing.

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Department of Justice data now shows the average daily arrivals dropped from 74 in November to 47 in January, before falling to 25 last month. This compares to May 2023 when an average 88 Ukrainians were arriving each day. An average of 33 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland per day so far this month.

Meanwhile, the number of Ukrainians leaving State-provided accommodation is slowly rising. Last November an average of 39 left State housing each day, rising to 42 in December. So far this month an average of 54 Ukrainians have left State accommodation each day, according to data from housing providers.

The Government spends approximately 100 million 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.

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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 subsistence allowance per week and an additional 29.80 per child.

Arrivals had been entitled to a jobseekers allowance of 220 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 per cent 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.  Additional reporting: PA
Michelle ONeills priority is to provide leadership and continue the work of the Northern Executive, after the shock resignation of DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

Politicians have been reacting to the departure of Mr Donaldson, which came after he was charged with historical sex offences.

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Ms ONeill, Northern Ireland First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president, said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.

In a statement, UUP leader Doug Beattie said: The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

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Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons departure in these very inauspicious and concerning circumstances, after he has done the damage of surrendering his party to the Protocol, has very wide ramifications for unionism.



Like any individual he must be afforded the protection of innocent until  Jim Allister (@JimAllister) March 29, 2024

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Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

TUV leader Jim Allister said Mr Donaldsons resignation has very wide ramifications for unionism.

He said: The damage is not limited to his party but impacts unionism as a whole.

Unionism was already divided by the Donaldson deal. This needs to be a cathartic moment for unionism.

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Unionism must steady itself and cut adrift the Donaldson folly of accepting an Irish Sea border and rule by EU law.

An Alliance party spokesman said: Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who have been victim to any kind of abuse, and for whom these reports may be incredibly distressing.

Given that there is now an active criminal investigation underway, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment any further at this time.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said: We note the appointment of an interim leader of the DUP.

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The selection of @GRobinsonDUP as @duponline interim leader is a very positive decision. He & @little_pengelly played a key role in a tough negotiation to restore powersharing & along with other DUP colleagues will chart a positive course for the future.  Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) March 29, 2024

We will continue to work with all parties to ensure the full and effective functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions.

Julian Smith, secretary of state for Northern Ireland from 2019 to 2020, said Mr Donaldsons resignation was a big shock to everybody.

He told BBC Radio 4s World at One: Im not concerned in any way that this shocking news today will lead to any change in the momentum behind powersharing, and the stability that has now brought as it was returned a couple of months ago.

In this leadership role he has played a critical part over the last few months.

Ireland Jeffrey Donaldson resigns as DUP leader after bein... Read More

He led the negotiations with the [British] government, and he worked with his own party to move them from their position of staying out of the executive on the basis that they didnt agree with the Northern Ireland protocol to returning.

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On X, formerly Twitter, he also said the selection of new DUP interim leader Gavin Robinson was a very positive decision.

Mr Smith said Mr Robinson and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly played a key role in restoring powersharing and will chart a positive course for the future.
The White House is currently looking into an emergency funding package for the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the Port of Baltimore.

Some estimates are that Congress will appropriate as much as $1 billion to help rebuild the bridge and aid the Port of Baltimore, which is already suffering the economic impact of the Dali freighter crash.

The port, according to Bloomberg News, could be closed for up to six weeks.

Why is the Port of Baltimore So Important?

Federal and state officials have highlighted the urgent need to rebuild the bridge and ensure that the normal operations of the Port of Baltimore resume.

The port is one of the busiest in the country. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg believes it is "likely" that the administration will ask Congress to add to some emergency funds. "Infrastructure is, or at least ought to be a bipartisan priority," Buttigieg declared.

The Biden administration reportedly can tap into multiple emergency funds that can be quickly administered but that would likely require congressional action.

"Right now at the federal level, we're actively exploring the use of 'quick release' emergency relief funds in partnership with Secretary Buttigieg and the urgent deployment of congressionally approved funding," said Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), who sits on the Appropriations Committee.

One such fund is controlled by the Federal Highway Administration.

The Transportation Secretary stated on Wednesday that the bipartisan infrastructure law authorized funds for the emergency relief fund which currently sits at around $950 million.

But as Buttigieg also said, the fund is used for projects nationwide. The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, which is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is the other fund.

These funds can be used when the president declares a disaster in state or local jurisdictions.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The top United Nations court ordered Israel to take measures to allow more supplies into Gaza.

The ruling orders Israel to open more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into Gaza to tackle crippling shortages in the war-ravaged enclave.

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The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures in a case brought by South Africa.

The UN has ordered Israel to open corridors to allow aid to enter Gaza by land instead of just by air (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

The case accuses Israel of acts of genocide in its military campaign, which was launched after the October 7th attacks by Hamas.

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Israel stringently denies it is committing genocide and says its military campaign is self defence.

Thursdays 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.

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.

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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 United Nations earlier passed a motion calling for a ceasefire (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

The court told Israel to report back in a month on its implementation of the orders.

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Israel declared war in response to a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7th in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage.

Israel responded with a campaign of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities. The fighting also displaced over 80% of Gazas population and caused widespread damage.

The UN and international aid agencies say virtually the entire Gaza population is struggling to get enough food, with hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine, especially in hard-hit northern Gaza.

South Africa welcomed Thursdays decision, calling it significant.

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The fact that Palestinian deaths are not solely caused by bombardment and ground attacks, but also by disease and starvation, indicates a need to protect the groups right to exist, the South African president said in a statement.

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Hamas said in an online statement that the ruling must be enforced by the international community.

It must be implemented immediately, so that this decision does not remain a dead letter, the militant group said.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry thanked South Africa, calling the case a vital step in the global effort to hold Israel accountable for perpetrating genocide.

Israels Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the order.

In a written response earlier this month to South Africas request for more measures, Israel said the claims by South Africa were wholly unfounded, morally repugnant and an abuse both of the Genocide Convention and of the Court itself.
A dress worn by Marilyn Monroe has sold for eight times the estimated auction price.

The pink Pucci long-sleeved gown of silk jersey, which has a rope and crystal tassel belt, was bought for more than $325,000 (291,000) at an event hosted by Juliens Auctions in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday evening.

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It had been listed, along with other items owned by the Hollywood star and artefacts from the Playboy archives and Hugh M Hefner Foundation, at $40,000 (37,000) to $60,000 (55,000) and sold for $325,000.

The label says it was made for the US department store Saks Fifth Avenue in New York by Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci.

Auctioneer Kody Frederick presented Hugh Hefners smoking jacket and Marilyn Monroes pink Pucci dress at the sale in Los Angeles (Juliens Auctions/PA)

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Monroe died aged 36 in 1962 after starring in films including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch, with her final performance in The Misfits.

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A previous Jean Louis-designed illusion gown, worn by Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to the then-president John F Kennedy, was sold by Juliens Auctions for more than $4.8 million in 2016.

The Thursday auction saw a burgundy smoking jacket with black silk pyjamas and slippers, owned by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, sell for more than 15 times the estimate.

The set went for $35,750 following an original auctioneer value being placed at between $2,000 to $3,000.

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Hefner was known for wearing his black satin pyjamas and a red smoking jacket at all times of the day in his Beverly Hills Playboy Mansion, and for his admiration of Monroe.

The first edition of Playboy featured a centrefold image of Marilyn Monroe, which was originally shot by her for a 1949 nude calendar.

Hefner was known for wearing black satin pyjamas and a red smoking jacket at all times of the day in his Beverly Hills Playboy Mansion (Juliens Auctions/PA)

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This 1953 magazine was sold at $6,500, more than the estimate of $2,000 to $4,000.

Hefner died in 2017 aged 91.

Other items sold included LeRoy Neimans Romanoffs oil painting, which appeared in a June 1959 issue of Playboy magazine, at $76,200 and the artists Femlin character images, one of which sold for $6,500.

A black satin one-piece bunny costume designed by Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and worn at Palms Casino by Michelle Garlick had an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000. It was auctioned for $4,445.

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The auction for Property From The Playboy Archives And Hugh M Hefner Foundation And Property From The Life And Career Of Marilyn Monroe, continues over the weekend.

All sale prices included the buyers premium.
At the tender age of two, Rachel Rileys youngest daughter is too young to share her maths whizz mums love of numbers.

But its a different story when it comes to books, and the excited youngster happily chatters about one of her favourite books, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, babbling: Big mouthful! Yuuum!when her laughing mum asks what the tiger does when he eats all his sandwiches.

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Its just as well the toddler is so enthusiastic about books, as her Countdown presenter mum is the new ambassador for Oscars Book Club and the childrens picture book award Oscars Book Prize, which aims to champion early-years reading.

When theyre really little, aged before five, its the key stage for setting good habits, explains Riley, 38. Reading and a love of books is beneficial, and will obviously help them with their reading confidence, getting them a head start before they go to proper school.

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Breaking off to warn: I can hear my two-year-old coming up!, she adds: As a parent, reading with your children does bring you a lot of joy. I really enjoy it, its one of the highlights of the day when we get into bed and cuddle up together and read books. And my little one Noa just cuddles in and tells me exactly what she wants to read.

Riley, who has daughters Noa and Maven, aged four, with husband Pasha Kovalev, who she met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, is on the judging panel for this years Oscars Book Prize, which is seeking the best new illustrated book for young children. The prize was founded by the parents of Oscar Ashton, who loved storytelling but died from a heart condition at the age of three-and-a-half in 2012.

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I dont think you can spoil a kid with enough books, says Riley. I remember when I was younger, the school used to give out book tokens if you did well, and going to the bookshop and choosing one for yourself. Its really important to get kids at a young age engaged and interested in reading, and theres some lovely books out there.

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Reading with children is such a nice thing  its just family time, and it calms them.

(Alan Strutt/PA)

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Riley and Kovalev read to their girls every night, and she explains: Theyre not too far apart in age, so they do enjoy some of the same books, and if were both at home, we can do them separately and they can get their own books, and otherwise, in one bed and reading the books together before we go to sleep. It just calms them, and Noa repeats a lot of the words  they can almost recite them off by heart, its really sweet.

Such family time is a precious thing for Riley, who juggles bringing up her two daughters with travelling from her home in London to film Countdown in Manchester. Riley explains that five shows a day are filmed over three days, every couple of weeks. So I just go up to Manchester for a few days, and then come back down for a week or two weeks, and go up and down, she says.

The children dont go to Manchester with her, although they have done in the past, she explains. They used to because I was breastfeeding for the best part of four years  until Noa was nearly two. So all that time, they were coming up, and I could feed after work or during shows and all that kind of juggle. But Noas two-and-a-half now, so thankfully those days are just a memory and I can get a bit more independence back.

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(Alamy/PA)

Its definitely a juggle. Pasha and I are lucky that because were both freelance, we can try to share, and if we have a job or a call or something, we can try to do it when the kids are at preschool or when the other ones around.

She says family organisation changes all the time, and because Noa started preschool in January, the couple have found themselves with a small window of free time during the day. Its the first time in four years where we have a couple of hours to ourselves in the day, which is novel, she reflects.

The time just whizzes past though. Its like any parents  everythings a juggle and sometimes you cant get everything done. So Ive got a million emails stacked up, and the house is a mess most of the time  but the kids are happy. You cant do everything, and youve just got to prioritise.

Something that can help a little with the juggle sometimes, she says, are the four Ukrainian refugees the couple have staying in their home while war rages in their country. The couple have been welcoming the refugees for nearly two years.

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Its like having an extended family in the house, says Riley. Theres always three women and a little boy, so theres always extra hands with the kids, and my little girls think theyve got a big brother  its actually pretty nice.

She says having the family staying with them has been rewarding, and is particularly poignant for her because the Jewish side of her family came to England more than a century ago to flee violence in Europe.

So we wanted to be able to help people, we had the space, and we can look back and say that we did something  we didnt like what we saw, and we tried to help.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachel Riley (@rachelrileyrr)



Their guests speak Ukrainian and Russian, and as Kovalev is Russian, Maven and Noa are learning Russian as well as English. The girls get a bit of Russian speaking, so its all been mutually beneficial, explains Riley. I think they say when you volunteer, you get more out of it yourself  and weve been lucky with such a lovely family.

Obviously we all hope that they can go home and get safety, because thats what they want to do. Theyve said we have to go and stay with them when everythings fine, so the girls are really excited to go to Ukraine at some stage  everyone hopes thatll be sooner rather than later.

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Rachel Riley is an ambassador for Oscars Book Club and the childrens picture book award Oscars Book Prize, which aims to encourage reading with young children. Amazon is donating Oscars Book Prize shortlisted books to schools and nurseries in areas where children have less engagement with books.
MP Andrew Bridgen has been ordered to pay former UK health secretary Matt Hancock more than 40,000 (46,000) in legal fees after an early stage of their libel battle.

Mr Bridgen wants to clear his name after allegedly being accused of antisemitism in a malicious social media post by Mr Hancock, the High Court in London previously heard.

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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 was ordered to pay 44,300 to the MP for West Suffolk in a court order on Thursday.

Andrew Bridgen has been ordered to pay Matt Hancocks legal fees (PA)

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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 11th, and stated: As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.

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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 Hancocks 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.

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In a ruling last week, Mrs Justice Steyn struck out certain parts of Mr Bridgens case but did not dismiss the whole claim, instead giving the Independent MP a chance to make amendments and remedy the deficiencies.

In Thursdays 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.

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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 Bridgens ridiculous claims at the time.



Mr Bridgen should stop wasting the court's time and drop this case now. Advertisement  Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 28, 2024

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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 Bridgens ridiculous claims at the time.

Mr Bridgen should stop wasting the courts time and drop this case now.

Later on Thursday evening, Mr Bridgen posted a crowdfunding link on X, saying: My case against Matt Hancock is on the cusp of exposing his unlawful behaviour.

He added: However there is a costs order of 44,300 to pay by next week and the crowd fund is running low. If anyone can help please let me know.
Emergency workers in South Africa are searching for the bodies of victims after a bus carrying pilgrims to an Easter gathering plunged off a bridge and caught fire.

An eight-year-old child was the only survivor of the crash that killed at least 45 people.

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Hours after the Thursday afternoon crash, smoke seeped from the mangled wreck underneath the concrete bridge.

Authorities said it appeared that the driver lost control and the bus ploughed into the barriers along the side of the bridge and then over the edge. The driver was among the dead.

The crash happened in a mountainous region near the town of Mokopane, which is about 125 miles north of the South African capital, Pretoria.



Rescuers on the bridge in an image taken from video provided by eNCA (eNCA/AP)

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The Limpopo provincial government said the bus, which was carrying pilgrims from Botswana, veered off the Mmamatlakala bridge and plunged 50 metres into a ravine.

We were at the scene, said local resident Simone Mayema, who said he was one of the first to arrive. We tried to help (but) there was nothing we could do because there was flames.

Forensic investigators worked through the wreckage early on Friday, but while some bodies had been recovered, others were believed to be still inside what was left of the bus, which was almost crushed flat.

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There was no new information on the status of the child who somehow survived the horrific crash. Officials at the hospital where the child was taken declined to give an update. Government officials were expected to hold a press conference later on Friday.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the victims appeared to be all from Botswana and had been on their way to the town of Moria in Limpopo for a popular Easter weekend pilgrimage that attracts hundreds of thousands of worshippers from South Africa and neighbouring countries who follow the Zion Christian Church.

Mr Ramaphosa had phoned Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi to offer his condolences and said the South African government would do all it can to help, according to a statement from Mr Ramaphosas office.

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An image taken from video provided by eNCA shows the remains of the bus (eNCA/AP)

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Provincial authorities said the bus had a Botswana number plate.

South African Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga was in Limpopo province for a road safety campaign and changed her plans in order to visit the crash scene on Thursday after hearing the devastating news, the national Department of Transport said.

Ms Chikunga said there was an investigation under way into the cause of the crash and offered her condolences to the families of the victims.

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The South African government often warns motorists to be cautious during the Easter holidays, which is a particularly busy and dangerous time for road travel as millions of South Africans travel from cities back to their rural family homes or make religious trips.

Foreigners also make long road journeys back to their neighbouring home countries as Easter Friday and Easter Monday are both national holidays, giving people four days off.

More than 200 people died in road crashes during the Easter weekend last year. Just a day before this crash, the South African government called on people to be extra careful on Thursday and Friday because of the expected high volumes travelling by road, including around Moria.
Oppenheimer has finally premiered in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film.

Japanese filmgoers reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.

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Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima when he was three, said he has been fascinated by the story of J Robert Oppenheimer, often called the father of the atomic bomb for leading the Manhattan Project.

What were the Japanese thinking, carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbour, starting a war they could never hope to win, he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

He is now chairperson of a group of bomb victims called the Japan Confederation of A and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisation and he saw Oppenheimer at a preview event.

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Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas arrive for the UK premiere of Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA)

During the whole movie, I was waiting and waiting for the Hiroshima bombing scene to come on, but it never did, Mr Mimaki said.

Oppenheimer does not directly depict what happened on the ground when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, turning some 100,000 people instantly into ashes, and killed thousands more in the days that followed, mostly civilians.

The film instead focuses on Oppenheimer as a person and his internal conflicts.

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The films release in Japan, more than eight months after it opened in the US, had been watched with trepidation because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

Former Hiroshima mayor Takashi Hiraoka, who spoke at a preview event for the film in the south-western city, was more critical of what was omitted.

From Hiroshimas standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted, he was quoted as saying by Japanese media.

The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans.

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Some moviegoers offered praise. One man emerging from a Tokyo theatre said the movie was great, stressing that the topic was of great interest to Japanese, although emotionally volatile as well.

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Another said he got choked up over the films scenes depicting Oppenheimers inner turmoil. Neither man would give his name to an Associated Press journalist.

Cillian Murphy won several awards for his role (Ian West/PA)

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In a sign of the historical controversy, a backlash flared last year over the Barbenheimer marketing phenomenon that merged pink-and-fun Barbie with seriously intense Oppenheimer.

Warner Bros Japan, which distributed Barbie in the country, apologised after some memes depicted the Mattel doll with atomic blast imagery.

Kazuhiro Maeshima, professor at Sophia University, who specialises in US politics, called the film an expression of an American conscience.

Those who expect an anti-war movie may be disappointed. But the telling of Oppenheimers story in a Hollywood blockbuster would have been unthinkable several decades ago, when justification of nuclear weapons dominated American sentiments, Mr Maeshima said.

The work shows an America that has changed dramatically, he said in a telephone interview.

Others suggested the world might be ready for a Japanese response to that story.

Takashi Yamazaki, director of Godzilla Minus One  which won the Oscar for visual effects and is a powerful statement on nuclear catastrophe in its own way, suggested he might be the man for that job.

I feel there needs to an answer from Japan to Oppenheimer. Someday, I would like to make that movie, he said in an online dialogue with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan.

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Nolan heartily agreed.

Hiroyuki Shinju, a lawyer, noted Japan and Germany also carried out wartime atrocities, even as the nuclear threat grows around the world.

Historians say Japan was also working on nuclear weapons during the Second World War and would have almost certainly used them against other nations, Mr Shinju said.

This movie can serve as the starting point for addressing the legitimacy of the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as humanitys, and Japans, reflections on nuclear weapons and war, he wrote in his commentary on Oppenheimer published by the Tokyo Bar Association.
Bank profit margins will continue to dwindle in the first half of this financial year according to analysts who point to customers shifting their savings into higher-interest offerings, as well as robust mortgage and deposit competition.

National Australia Bank, Westpac and ANZ Bank will rule off the first half of their financial year at the end of this month, capping off a six-month period in which competition for deposits and loans has squeezed returns while share prices have surged.

Morningstar senior equity analyst Nathan Zaia said the next set of bank results would see margins coming down for the big four banks. Credit: Paul Rovere

As banks jostle for position in the mortgage market, figures this week from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority also showed ANZ continued to expand its mortgage book faster than rivals in February, while maverick competitor Macquarie also lifted its share in home loans.

UBS head of Australian bank research John Storey said while the degree of competition in home loans had lessened there would likely be a continued decline in bank margins, especially as larger swathes of customers moved their money into higher interest rate products such as term deposits.
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 Las Vegas is only a couple of hours flying time from the unglamorous street in Olympia, Washington, that gave Sleater-Kinney their name. It just feels like further. I would not be in Vegas if we werent playing here, Carrie Brownstein declares as she paces backstage corridors, looking for the sweet spot between soundcheck noise and phone reception. I guess were one of the many distractions and spectacles taking place in the city on this Thursday night, she says with more stoicism than enthusiasm. Well see if there are any dedicated fans or if well just be part of the hubbub. Her mixed feelings about the rocknroll road are on the record. The guitarists memoir, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl, began with her scheming to slam her fingers in a door to blow up the band and go home. That was in 2006. Shed soon forge a brilliant new career as a comedy writer and actor in the HBO series Portlandia, but back then, spiralling with illness, panic attacks and exhaustion, she wasnt joking. Brownstein with long-time friend and band member Corin Tucker. Credit: Chris Hornbecker The band shed formed with fellow riot grrrl pioneer Corin Tucker in 1994 split directly after that fraught European tour. I have no desire to play music unless I need music, she wrote for the National Public Broadcaster. The pair reunited in 2014 (first with, then without drummer Janet Weiss) but their new album, Little Rope, was shaped by a greater need than ever. Recording was under way in 2022 when Brownsteins mother and stepfather were tragically killed in a road accident while holidaying in Europe. In a sombre reflection of the two friends closely intertwined relationship, it was Tucker who relayed the news. The album in progress naturally took an intense turn. What we liked about Little Rope as a title is that it possessed a duality wherein it could signify a very dire moment in someones life, or it could also be what saves you from that very predicament, Brownstein says. I think the album holds that tension of light, dark and joy and grief very strongly.

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Grief, she says, was a very new feeling for me. I really relied on the choreography of playing music and writing music. I understood what to do with a song whereas I didnt quite comprehend what to do with a day in this nascent reality. In some ways, Sleater-Kinney has always operated as a form of rescue and respite. Mostly because its been such a constant in my life, a container for all of the outsized emotions, and given me a voice when otherwise I might feel incoherent or unable to express myself. Its 30 years since Brownstein and Tucker made the first Sleater-Kinney album in a single night while holidaying together, as it happened, in Melbourne. Their respective earlier bands  Heavens To Betsy, Excuse 17  are cited today as torchbearers in the American feminist punk wave of the early 90s. But Brownsteins outsized emotions have always chafed against categorisation. Sleater-Kinney has always been a container for all of the outsized emotions, says Brownstein. Credit: Getty One of the tasks  or I suppose you could call it a burden  that Sleater-Kinney had early on was to be considered as just a rock band without the modifiers of female band or riot grrrl band or any other descriptor, she says. Like millions of pre-teen eighties girls, her first crush was Madonna. More recently, she reveals with amusement, Spotify congratulated her for being in the top 1 per cent of Dire Straits fans. I was 19 when we started this band. When youre young, and youre playing a version of punk music, youre not thinking far ahead. In fact, I think that genre actually requires a reckoning with the present. And you dont really look too far beyond that.

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More than retrospective considerations of political or cultural clout, she says, what is a marvel to me is just the length of time Corin and I have been friends and collaborators. Its literally my longest relationship. And it is for her too. That consistency and loyalty becomes more striking with every year. Weve seen each other through so many iterations and changes, and yet we return to this language that we built together. The other thing you dont necessarily consider when youre just starting out is what it takes to maintain a friendship or a creative partnership. Weve learned how to communicate and how to be constructively critical, how to give feedback and how to set boundaries. And how to apologise. Brownstein, right, with Fred Armisen in Portlandia. You know, these are things that are helpful in other parts of life as well. Its a real testing ground, Sleater-Kinney. Its been a long learning process and its pretty miraculous to me. Beyond the alternative rock margins where Sleater-Kinney steadfastly resides, Brownsteins creative relationship with Saturday Night Live alumnus Fred Armisen is another miracle of sorts. The pair met after a taping of the show in New York in the early 2000s and went on to create eight seasons of Portlandia.

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The shows lampooning of privileged liberal urbanites managed to nail the more facile aspects of wokeness before that thing copped its lamentable name. From feminist bookshop politics to virtue-signalling greenies and vapid middle-class activists, Brownstein and Armisen pulled the rug from under their own audience in a way that seems bolder now, looking back on these few, hyper-sensitised years. I think if youre tuning in to certain discourse, then it can feel that weve become humourless or that weve become oversensitive, she responds. Brownstein, left, with Tucker performing earlier this month in Chicago. Credit: Getty But in the offline world, and the sections of our lives that arent mediated by online discourse, I think people are very much willing to laugh at themselves and laugh at their communities in a way that is well-intentioned and not mean-spirited. I think humour is a lens through which we can make sense of some of the atrocities and the concurrent absurdities of our lives  people dont want to see others punching down, but I think if its a well-formed skewering of something, theres plenty of laughter to be had. I think we still see people being bold and taking risks in their comedy. What about their music? Brownstein says shes heartened to see new generations adopting and reconfiguring the tenets of riot grrrl, transforming it into their own, [with] greater sophistication to it and thoughtfulness.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size I had to hit a friend of mine with a dead fish on stage, Genevieve Trace laughs. So he then threw me down through the trap door and sat on it and I screamed for about six minutes for him to let me out. Trace is recalling her first experience at Metro Arts, as a QUT theatre student in 2008, performing in a friends experimental show. It was the start of a 16-year journey that would include performing, pulling coffees in the cafe and selling tickets, to now leading the organisation as executive director. I think that gives me a pretty good understanding of the multifaceted nature of our organisation, she says. Metro Arts has nurtured artists and performers in Brisbane since 1981 but its federal funding has been axed. Credit: Metro Arts The thing thats really made me stay with Metro Arts is that idea of the development of new work.

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Metro Arts  essentially two gallery spaces, two studios, a 117-person capacity theatre, a theatre bar and a laneway in West End  has been a launch pad for artists for more than 40 years. In 2023 alone, Metro Arts supported more than 400 visual artists and performers, developed 32 new Australian works and had more than 32,000 patrons through its doors. Over the decades visual artists such as Vernon Ah Kee, Gemma Smith, Warraba Weatherall and Meagan Streader have had their start or a major boost with Metro Arts. Theatre luminaries such as Wesley Enoch, Dead Puppet Society, Daniel Evans, Roxanne McDonald and Lafe Charlton all staged early works there, to name a few. I probably wouldnt even have a company if Metro didnt exist, says Ipswich-based theatre maker Timothy Wynn (THAT Production Company). Metro Arts provided a venue, logistical support and advice on applying for Arts Queensland funding for Wynns 2023 show Every Brilliant Thing, which would go on to win two Matilda Awards. I probably wouldnt even have a company if Metro didnt exist. Theatremaker Timothy Wynn I did a residency with Metro Arts back when I first graduated in 2013, and for one year, they gave me a free studio, says Brisbane artist Elizabeth Willing.

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Willing has a major installation, Kitchen Studio, at Metro Arts in September  a food-based artwork that she describes as her dream project. What sets them apart is that they support things that are very experimental. Metro Arts have always been there at crucial moments for me. Independent producers struggle to afford a space to put on a show, and Metro has always been that space. Timothy Wynn is one of hundreds of theatre practitioners helped by Metro Arts. But, at the end of 2023, Metro Arts suffered a major blow when Creative Australia (formerly the Australia Council) declined to award multi-year funding for 2025-28, representing the loss of $270,000 a year from its budget. Were working with the board on how we move through this, Trace says. But it will be a trimmer program. After graduating from QUT, Trace worked at both the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries and Metro Arts while being mentored by former chief executive Liz Burcham.

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Then, while pregnant and working at Metro Arts as a receptionist, she took another slight pivot and studied law. Another former chief executive, Jo Thomas, suggested she look at development and fundraising. Loading I just sunk my teeth into that under the guidance of Jo and our development manager at the time, Celestine Doyle. Metro really didnt have a strategy around donor engagement or sponsors around 2016. Eight years later we have great and growing relationships with sponsors and donors. Upon completing her law degree, she was made Metro Arts general manager. Everything that I learned from my law degree, I use pretty much every day except for criminal law, she notes. The funding blow came just weeks into Traces appointment as ED, replacing Thomas. There are a couple of things that weve taken on board from Creative Australia and we completely understand. But the one thing that we did take issue with was that they couldnt see the impact of Metro Arts. And were like, OK, well, were gonna show you.

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They responded with an open letter and over 400 statements from artists about the vital influence Metro Arts has had on their careers. Creative Australias chief executive Adrian Colette and chair Robert Morgan sent an acknowledgement letter, which was nice to get. Were being really upfront with our team, that its going to hurt us, says Trace, but we are very cognisant that for other organisations that were defunded, its a make-or-break situation. Trace notes that Melbournes iconic La Mama theatre company has announced it wont be producing shows at all in 2025. Luckily, Metro Arts is not without a safety net. Metro Arts original home at 109 Edward Street was built in 1889. Metro Arts sold the building in 2020. Credit: Ruth McCosker Opened in July 1981 as the Brisbane Community Arts Centre, the organisation, renamed Metro Arts in 1988, occupied a heritage five-storey building at 109 Edward Street until 2020. The old building was beautiful, but plagued with upkeep problems: rotting floorboards, flooding, and a perennially broken-down lift. So in 2020 the venue was sold and the organisation moved into a sparkling rented premises in West Village.

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At first, Elisabeth Goh thought her anxiety, insomnia and short temper were about everything except what they were really about. She couldnt sleep because her bed was too hard. She found herself unable to concentrate in meetings or skipping them altogether because she knew shed lose her cool at someone. Her closest relationships were becoming fraught.

A woman of many hats: PTSD does not define Elisabeth Goh. Credit: Nick Moir

So she started drinking more alcohol and working constantly. It meant there was less space to think. But the pressure was rising and, in June last year, at an event for the rural fire service where she volunteered, everything exploded.

Goh recalls feeling an incredible anxiety and saying she needed to go. Then, the 32-year-old recalls: I completely blanked out.

A concerned friend followed her to the bathroom and realised Goh was in trouble. The friend later told her she kept asking the same question: Am I safe?
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.
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

Since 2021, the NSW Building Commission, led by David Chandler, has issued almost 100 building rectification orders around the state.

This year already, dozens of developers have been ordered to fix defects ranging from hollow fire doors, to faulty waterproofing to serious slab damage.

As development continues apace to address Sydneys housing crisis, the Herald has mapped each location with a summary of the defects. You can read the commissions orders in full by clicking on the link at the end of each summary.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the attempted kidnapping of a child in a suburb in Melbournes inner west earlier this week.

Police have released this image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

A five-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy were walking along Eldridge Street, in Footscray, on Monday when a man approached them and attempted to pick up the child.

The teenager tried to intervene, but the man punched him in the face and knocked him to the ground.

The man put the young boy down only after a bystander, who witnessed the incident, yelled out to him. The alleged assailant is reported to have then walked away towards Kinnear Street in Footscray.
The government says it is legal to keep someone locked in immigration detention if they resist deportation to a country where they fear persecution, in its submission to a pivotal High Court challenge.

In a sequel to last years landmark High Court decision that outlawed indefinite detention, the government will argue it isnt against the Constitution to hold people if they refuse to co-operate with moves to deport them. The outcome of the case could bring the release of dozens more detainees into the community.

Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil has foreshadowed years of legal upheaval following the High Courts NZYQ decision. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Such detention cannot properly be characterised as punitive, because the alien could bring it to an end at any time, court documents published by the High Court say. That is true even if the aliens non-co-operation is the result of a genuine subjective fear of harm in the place to which the alien is to be taken.

It follows a week in which Labor suffered a humiliating defeat after the Senate blocked the passage of legislation that included a measure to ensure people who do not co-operate with moves to deport them face criminal punishment.
Upset over offset I had two Jetstar fare credits from cancelled flights but was only able to use one of them to offset the cost of a domestic Jetstar booking; the remainder of the flight cost had to be paid by credit card. I would have liked to put the second fare credit towards the cost of the flight but could not find a way on the payment screen to use the second fare credit. I feel that this is unfair as it could not be assumed that I would be taking another flight to use it.

Beverley Hannah, Macleod, Vic Not making the grade In response to the letter by John Verhelst (Traveller Letters, March 9), I can understand why he was disappointed to see vacant business class seats on the flight from Sydney to Santiago after requesting an upgrade. The reason for this is that LATAM airlines buys seats on Qantas aircraft on these sectors, and due to this agreement, if LATAM doesnt sell those seats, Qantas is forbidden to use them.

Terry Elliott, Mosman, NSW

Seeing red My travel plans had to be changed due to a cancellation of a repositioning cruise through the Red Sea this April; with flights already purchased I decided to fill the gap and visit extra countries. I informed Australian Seniors insurance of the change of itinerary and I needed to add two more countries. Thinking it wouldnt be a drama, I couldnt have been more wrong. I was told the itinerary couldnt be changed. I would have to cancel and take out a new policy with the cancellation fee being nearly $700. The policy was $1666; I was floored. I thought the airlines were bad but theyve got nothing on travel insurance companies.

Dave Cliff, Coopers Gully, NSW Name games My first experience of Istanbul (Traveller, March 2) came on an Athena Airlines flight from Athens. Immediately after our landing I expected to hear that we had landed at Ataturk International Airport and the local time is  Instead what I heard was Welcome to Constantinople, and this was October, 2009.

Michael Hayden, Kiama Downs, NSW Monumental as anything

Pachisi Courtyard in Fatehpur Sikri, India. Credit: Getty Images The Seven wonders within the Taj Mahal guide (Traveller, March 9) by Brian Johnston brought back memories of my own visit to the monument and its incredible story. Thirty-two kilometres away from the Taj is Fatehpur Sikri (pictured), a one time Mughal capital and birthplace of Jahangir (father of Taj Mahal creator Shah Jahan). It is worth visiting in any case and also to learn more about the Taj Mahal. We also visited Humayuns Tomb in Delhi, which predates the Taj Mahal and is part of the story. Visitors should see these three amazing UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are great monuments to one of the worlds most enduring love stories.

Martin Artenstein, Camberwell, Vic Good timing I just read about the unfortunate experience of your reader Michele Pont (Traveller Letters, March 16) and I believe all is not lost. Exactly the same situation happened to my wife who left her watch in the security basket at Dubai Airport. When back in Sydney we contacted Dubai Airport lost property who were very helpful and after we sent a photo of my wife wearing the watch for identity purposes they agreed they had the watch at their lost property. Luckily we had a friend holidaying in Dubai who after jumping through a few identity hoops managed to collect the watch and return it to us.

Martin Rees, Glebe, NSW Tip of the week: Whaler of a time

I never thought Id jump off a boat into the ocean hoping to see a shark, but I did just that. Lord Howe Island is the only place in Australia to see the Galapagos whaler shark  but wait theres more. Lord Howe Island. Credit: Getty Images While waiting for these creatures to become curious and swim up from the depths of the ocean, I looked around to discover we were surrounded by fluorescent plankton. It was spellbinding, like tiny aquatic stars, and I found myself reaching out to touch them. But then, the main event soon sobered me up as a school of sharks inquisitively swam my way. Wild.

Roxanne Le Blanc, Croydon Vic A yack up the back After five hours sleep on a 10-hour return flight to Sydney, I walked to the back of the aircraft. Three flight attendants were happy to chat. I stayed for over half an hour. Just before landing, one of the attendants came and gave me a small gift pack, as a thank you for talking with them. They commented that it broke their long journey, and they enjoyed the conversation. An idea for all air travellers.

Judith Bond, Campbelltown, NSW

Melting moments I recently travelled throughout the outback, going on a camping adventure. In several national parks where I camped there was no fresh water. As it was midsummer, I also had the challenge of keeping food fresh. Thankfully, I had a car and travelled with an Esky. The solution to both problems was ice. Each time I bought petrol for the car I also purchased ice for the Esky. By day, the ice kept the food fresh and by the following morning I had cold drinking water, which was needed when the temperature hit 40 degrees.

Mark Thomas, Haberfield, NSW Dont discount this advice When purchasing tickets online from third party sites (Tripologist, March 17), be careful to check the fees added before you pay. Compare them with the appropriate Japan Rail site, such as JRWest and JREast, the latter offering return Narita Express airport rail train tickets at a discount with a 14-day validity period. Both sites have good English pages.

David Peters, Warranwood, Vic Siena and not fry
The reason for misrepresenting the numbers  which neither the Australian government nor shipping company Vroon would confirm  could have been related to fears about Indonesia potentially turning the boat and its roughly 2300 live animals away, she said. Such a move would have created a debacle at sea good for no one, especially the cattle. Loading [The empty ship] has probably scurried away, Simpson said. Then maybe Australia phoned the Indonesians later to say, Oh gee, really sorry about that. It was unclear when Australia notified the Indonesians about the 151 deaths. Logs showed the ship left the Indonesian port of Medan about 24 hours after its arrival, and before news emerged of the deaths.

The live cattle trade is a sensitive issue in both Australia and Indonesia. Activists want the trade banned, citing the suffering of the animals, and Indonesia takes its biosecurity seriously. The head of Indonesias national food agency, Arief Prasetyo Adi, told local media on Wednesday that he did not have the details, but the cattle should not be able to enter Indonesia if they have a disease. A spokesman for Indonesias quarantine agency told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday that the Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) passed on the true casualty figures, not the crew. The ships captain wrote a mortality report. It is like that for every ship docking in Indonesia, they must write a mortality statement, he said. Whats written on that document was that eight died. We said that to Australia at the meeting [on Wednesday] and we demanded an investigation.

The Brahman Express arrived in Medan on March 23  nine days after leaving Darwin and three days after its first stop in Bandar Lampung. Australian laws required an exporter to inform the government within 12 hours if there had been three or more onboard cattle deaths. While the precise timing of the third of the 151 deaths was unclear, the crew had time to discard almost all the carcasses overboard, a task Simpson said was common practice, but also difficult and protracted. It appeared that the crew misrepresented the numbers  by mistake or design  in its log. This masthead asked both DAFF and Vroon if either of them kept the true figure secret from the Indonesians. Neither addressed the question.

Im guessing this is going to blow up to be quite a big diplomatic and trade debacle, Simpson said. Indonesia has suspended live cattle exports from a Darwin export yard. Credit: Glenn Campbell I mean, they just f---ed up. The background at this point in time is that the cattle trade is trying to stay really quiet. The sheep trade is in the firing line, and the cattle guys are just sort of skulking around the back saying, Dont look at us. Mark Harvey-Sutton, chief executive of the Australian Livestock Exporters Association, said the organisation didnt yet have all the facts, but was of the view this sort of detail can be worked through by both governments. The Indonesian government has already officially indicated it would only suspend one facility where the cattle were held prior to export, and I understand they are satisfied the cause of the cattle deaths was botulism, he said.

Loading This has been our key concern, and we are grateful for the work of Indonesian and Australian officials to reach this resolution. The best practice for the disposal of dead cattle, Simpson said, was to cut the animal into eight pieces and haul them to the upper level of the ship with gaffer hooks. But with that many [deaths], I imagine these guys were trying to run a crane into the guts of the ship and take the entire carcass out and dump it over the edge that way, she said. With a full carcass, you run a much bigger risk of them ending up on beaches. They sort of become floaters. People might see cattle bobbing about in the water. All you need is one yachtsman or something to take photos of it bloated  and its into the press. And then the trade cops an extra hammering.

She said the Brahman Express would not have had a vet because, despite years of lobbying, there was no legal requirement to have one onboard for relatively short trips like Darwin to Indonesia. Some of these short-haul voyages are taking 20,000 cattle  and with not one vet, she said. Had there been a vet on the Brahman Express, Simpson said they would have identified the symptoms of botulism and advised euthanizing the sick cattle to avoid suffering. Stockies [stockmen] often wait in case things get better because they dont have the training to be more certain, she said. In addition, a vet would have been a credible contact point to smooth things over with the Indonesians in Medan. Indonesia might not have had to be bullshitted to, she said. The vet couldve said, We know its botulism. Its a non-contagious condition. Its not going to spread. We need to get the surviving animals off the ship immediately for health and welfare reasons.
The UN Security Council voted this week to demand an immediate ceasefire by Israel and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas. The United States abstained from, but did not veto, the first to vote to order a ceasefire since the start of the war on October 7. Destroyed buildings stand in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel on Thursday. Credit: AP There was no immediate comment from Israels Foreign Ministry on the 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 attack on Israel. 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 groups 10 most senior members. Loading Shortages of food, water and medicine 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 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 said. Loading 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. 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. Despite the UN ceasefire demand, 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 US 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 Amal on February 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 Amal area and discovered explosives and dozens of Kalashnikov-type weapons. The World Health Organisation said Al-Amal Hospital had ceased to function due to fighting, leaving just 10 of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip partially operational. At least 32,552 Palestinians have been killed and 74,980 wounded in Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip, the territorys Health Ministry said on Thursday. Thousands more dead are believed to be buried under rubble and more than 80 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million population is displaced, many at risk of famine.
45 Easter Worshippers Perish in Fiery Bus Crash, 8-Year-Old Sole Survivor (Photo: Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety/Facebook)

A bus carrying worshippers veered off a bridge in South Africa's Limpopo province, resulting in the loss of 45 lives, with a lone 8-year-old girl emerging as the sole survivor. The accident, which took place on the Mma Matlakala Bridge between Marken and Mokopane, approximately 200 miles north of Johannesburg, has plunged families and nations into mourning.

The bus, originating from Gaborone, Botswana, was en route to Moira, Limpopo Province, for an Easter congregation, a journey marked by faith that ended in catastrophe. Authorities from the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, upon arriving at the scene, were met with a grim sight: the vehicle had plummeted nearly 164 feet onto a rocky terrain below the bridge and was engulfed in flames.

Rescue operations were swiftly launched, revealing the extent of the devastation. The Limpopo Department shared on social media that some of the deceased were "burned beyond recognition," with others trapped amidst the wreckage or scattered across the crash site. The young survivor, seriously injured in the ordeal, was promptly transported to a hospital where she is currently receiving care.

South African Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved families, acknowledging the profound loss felt by the communities and the government of Botswana. "We want really to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families but also to the government of Botswana and to the people of Botswana. As South Africa, we will try everything to assist so that they go back to their country and families to be buried with dignity," Minister Chikunga expressed, underscoring the shared grief and solidarity in the face of such a tragedy.

The incident has cast a somber shadow over the Easter festivities, prompting calls for heightened caution and responsible driving during the holiday weekend. Minister Chikunga's words, "We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend," reflect a plea for vigilance to prevent further loss.

As the community reels from the impact of this tragedy, the focus now turns to supporting the survivor's recovery and ensuring the respectful repatriation of those who perished. The crash not only raises questions about road safety but also highlights the unpredictable nature of life, underscoring the importance of cherishing every moment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in Vladivostok, Russia April 25, 2019. (Photo: Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.)

Russia has blocked the annual renewal of a United Nations panel of experts tasked with monitoring enforcement of longstanding sanctions against North Korea, accusing the United States and its allies of ratcheting up military tensions in Asia and seeking to "strangle" the reclusive state. The move, which strikes a blow at the enforcement of a myriad of UN sanctions imposed after Pyongyang carried out its first nuclear test in 2006, underscores the dividend that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has earned by moving closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In a statement released on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that major powers needed a new approach to North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). She argued that the UN Security Council could no longer use "old templates" in relation to the problems of the Korean Peninsula, and accused the United States of stoking military tensions while international restrictions had failed to improve the security situation, leading to severe humanitarian consequences for the North Korean population.

"The United States and its allies have clearly demonstrated that their interest does not extend beyond the task of 'strangling' the DPRK by all available means, and a peaceful settlement is not on the agenda at all," Zakharova said.

Russia's veto, which came during a Security Council vote on Thursday, is seen as a major turning point in the international sanctions regime against North Korea. The panel of experts, which has been renewed annually by the UN Security Council for 14 years, was set up to monitor violations of the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang since 2006 in response to its nuclear weapons program.

Zakharova claimed that the panel had lost all standards of objectivity and impartiality, turning into an "obedient tool" of North Korea's geopolitical opponents. "There is no point in saving it in this form," she added.

The veto illustrates just how far the Ukraine war, which triggered the deepest crisis in Russia's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, has undermined big-power cooperation on other major global issues. Since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has gone out of its way to parade a renaissance of its relationship - including military ties - with Pyongyang.

Washington has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with missiles for use against Ukraine, assertions which have been dismissed by both the Kremlin and Pyongyang. For Putin, courting Kim allows him to needle Washington and its Asian allies while securing a deep supply of artillery for the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, for Kim, who has pledged to accelerate production of nuclear weapons to deter what he casts as U.S. provocations, Russia is a big power ally with deep stores of advanced missile, military, space, and nuclear technology.

The veto triggered a wave of condemnation from the U.S., U.K., South Korea, and other Western allies, who accused Russia of silencing the watchdog because it had begun to report on Moscow's own violations of the rules, specifically purchasing weapons from North Korea for use in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media that Russia's veto was tantamount to "a guilty plea" that it was using North Korean weapons in the war, while South Korea's representative at the UN criticized Russia's "blind self-centeredness" and said it had no justification "for disbanding the guardians" of the sanctions regime.

Russia has consistently denied using North Korean weapons, and its UN representative, Vasily Nebenzia, dismissed the accusations on Thursday, arguing that the panel of experts had no added value and had continued to focus on "trivial matters" not commensurate with the problems facing the peninsula.

Despite the impact of sanctions on its economy, North Korea has largely ignored the restrictions, with Kim Jong Un rapidly continuing nuclear weapons development and pursuing a more aggressive and dangerous military strategy in recent years. The UN experts say North Korea continues to flout sanctions through increased missile test launches, developing nuclear weapons, and engaging in a campaign of cyber attacks.
FILE PHOTO: Israeli Air Force F-35 flies during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel December 26, 2018. (Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo)

Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Aleppo province early Friday morning killed more than 40 people, including members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and a large number of Syrian soldiers, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The strikes, which hit missile depots near Aleppo's international airport and a nearby town housing a military facility, represent the deadliest Israeli raids on Syria in months and a significant escalation in Israel's campaign against Iran's proxies in the region.

Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has an extensive network of sources in Syria, indicate that at least 36 Syrian soldiers and six Hezbollah fighters were among those killed in the strikes, with dozens more wounded. "It is worth noting that this is the highest death toll ever among regime forces in a single Israeli attack in Syrian territory," the group stated.

Syria's defense ministry confirmed the strikes, saying they hit several areas in the southeastern part of Aleppo province at about 1:45 a.m. local time (22:45 GMT on Thursday) and killed a number of civilians and military personnel. The ministry added that the airstrikes coincided with drone attacks carried out from Idlib and western rural Aleppo by "terrorist organisations" against civilians in Aleppo and its surroundings.

While the Israeli military declined to comment on the reports, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on targets in Syria since the civil war began there in 2011, seeking to cut off Hezbollah supply routes to Lebanon. The frequency of these strikes has increased since Israel's war in Gaza began after the October 7 Hamas attacks, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, and the taking of about 250 hostages.

Israel and Hezbollah have also been trading fire across Lebanon's southern border in the biggest escalation since they fought a month-long war in 2006. More than 270 Hezbollah fighters and 50 civilians, including medics and journalists, have been killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, while about a dozen Israeli troops and half as many civilians have been killed in northern Israel.

In addition to the airstrikes in Syria, Israel said it killed Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, the deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missiles unit, in an airstrike in the area of Bazouriye in Lebanon. The Israeli military described Naim as one of the Iranian-backed militia's leaders in heavy-warhead rocket fire and said he was responsible for conducting and planning attacks against Israeli civilians.

Tehran and its proxies have entrenched themselves across Syria, including around Aleppo and the capital Damascus. Israel has repeatedly struck international airports in both cities over the years to disrupt weapons flows to Iran's allies in the region, but strikes since October 7 have been deadlier and prompted Iran to withdraw some of its top officers from Syria.

Three security sources told Reuters that 33 Syrians and five Hezbollah fighters had been killed in the strikes, with one of the Hezbollah fighters being a local field commander whose brother had been killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon in November.

As the conflict in Gaza continues, Israeli Air Force pilots have stepped up practicing long-range strikes across the northern border, focusing on increasing readiness for war in the northern arena and other areas during prolonged combat. The drills include rehearsing for "massive, long-range strikes, flying deep into enemy territory," according to a military statement.
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.
Byju Raveendran, founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Byjus, has offered its disgruntled investors the option to invest in the rights issue of the edtech company so that their shareholding is not diluted.

Cash-strapped Byjus parent company, Think & Learn, is raising $200 million through the rights issue to all its equity shareholders at a 99 per cent discount to the firms peak valuation of $22 billion in 2022. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel

In a letter sent early on Friday, Raveendran informed shareholders that the company had secured more than 50 per cent of the vote through postal ballot -- first announced on March 7 -- to increase authorised share capital to account for the $200 million rights issue.

Despite the animosity shown by some of the investors in pursuing uncalled for legal actions, we continue to show good faith towards all our shareholders and would like all of you to be part of our turnaround story, Raveendran said in the letter, which Business Standard has reviewed.

In good faith, the board is considering making an offer of renounced shares to existing shareholders to ensure that there is no more dilution to their shareholding. We will share more details with you shortly.

Raveendran said while the firm had received significant interest from third parties, its priorities remained with the existing shareholders.

Even my critics know that I have invested my everything, and even more, in this company. I hope you will see value in continuing with Byjus in the same spirit with which you first joined our journey. I look forward to your response and to our continued partnership to transform the global educational landscape, said Raveendran.

Byjus held its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to increase authorised share capital on Friday. The shareholders raised no objection to this.

The meeting started at 10 am with approximately 20 investor representatives in attendance, along with the Byjus Think & Learn management.

A company source said: Contrary to media reports, none of the miffed investors attended the EGM personally. They sent their legal representatives.

A source on the investor side said authorised representatives of all shareholders were there.

Nobody boycotted it (unlike the management did with the last EGM), the person said.

The results of the voting, including the postal ballot, will be announced after the formal process is over. It is expected to be closed on April 6.

Byjus and its investors are fighting at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) over the companys rights issue of $200 million in a petition alleging oppression and mismanagement.

The four investors  Prosus, General Atlantic, Sofina, and Peak XV (formerly Sequoia)  had sought a stay on the rights issue at less than 99 per cent enterprise valuation compared to Byjus peak valuation of $22 billion. They fear the rights issue would wipe out the value of their investment.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Bengaluru, on Thursday, refused to stay the EGM.

Once new shares are issued, the process cannot be reversed, and this is why the investors wanted to obtain a stay on the EGM.
The central government has asked traders, major retailers, and food processors to declare wheat stocks every Friday from April 1 to prevent hoarding and price spikes, an official statement said on Friday.

Traders said the directive issued just when the peak wheat procurement season was set to start in major growing states from April 1 was also to shore up government purchases for the central pool. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel

As of March 1, 2024, wheat stocks in the central pool had fallen to a seven-year low of 9.7 million tonnes due to procurement being below par.





Last year, stocks on March 1, 2023, stood at around 11.67 million tonnes. Wheat stocks as on April 1 of each year should be around 7.5 million tonnes, according to the buffer and strategic reserve norms.

The stock-holding limit on wheat is set to expire on March 31, 2024. After this traders have to give details of their inventories on a regular basis.

In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent hoarding and unscrupulous speculation, the Government of India has decided that traders or wholesalers, and retailers, big chain retailers and processors in all States and Union Territories have to declare their stock position of wheat on the portal (https://evegoils.nic.in/wheat/login.html) from April 1 and then, on every Friday till further orders, the official said.

The statement said the rice stock declaration by all categories of entities was in place.

Any entity which is not registered on the portal may register themselves and start disclosing the wheat and rice stock on every Friday. Now, all legal entities have to declare their wheat and rice stock on the portal regularly, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the government has targeted procuring 30-32 million tonnes of wheat in 2024-25, up from the 26 million tonnes in 2023-24.

The last time wheat stocks were below the current levels on March 1 was back in 2017. It had then dropped to 9.42 million tonnes.

The government is keen to replenish stocks by increasing wheat procurement this year and to do this effectively, it wants to monitor private buying, said a trader.

If needed, the government can again impose the stock limit to facilitate procurement, he added.

In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, wheat procurement will be good because farmers are getting a bonus there while in UP purchases could be a problem because most private entities are keen to buy from the state instead of MP or Rajasthan as the price is relatively cheap in that state.



That is why to me the central government is keen to keep a tab on private stocks, a leading commodity analyst said.
The Haryana Police has arrested farmer activist Navdeep Singh Jalbera in connection with an FIR lodged during the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' stir in February.

The arrest comes ahead of a gathering by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mukti Morcha on March 31 to pay homage to Shubhkaran Singh, a 21-year-old farmer from Bathinda, who was killed in a clash at Punjab-Haryana border on February 21.

The Ambala Police Thursday arrested Jalbera from Mohali.

He was later produced in court for a two-day remand by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Haryana Police.

Police said Jalbera was arrested in connection with a case registered here on February 13 under various IPC Sections, including 307 (attempt to murder) and assault on policemen.

Jalbera, a native of the eponymous village near Ambala, became famous as the "water cannon man" for climbing on top of a police water cannon in November 2020 during the farmers' movement against the now-repealed farm laws.

In 2020, thousands of farmers marched towards Delhi and held agitation for several months at the national capital's Singhu and Tikri border despite heavy police barricading.

Rohit Jain, counsel for Jalbera, said police have arrested three people, including him, in connection with the February case.

The FIR names 20 farmers including several top leaders.

Jain said the farmers have denied the police charges.

Police pleaded in the court that Jalbera's remand was required to recover his car and other weapons used in the agitation.

Farmers camping at the two border points of Punjab and Haryana had recently said they would continue their agitation until their demands are met.

The SKM (non-political) and the Kisan Mukti Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price.

The farmers from Punjab have been camping since February 13 at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

Both border points have a police deployment and a total barricading.

Shubhkaran Singh was killed during a clash with police at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border. Twelve police personnel were also injured in the clashes



The clash occurred when some farmers rushed to the barricades to breach them and were stopped by security personnel.
At a time when Nepal is facing a power crisis, India on Friday renewed the agreement to export electricity to Nepal for the next three months.

Under the agreement, which was to expire on March 31, Nepal can import a total of 554 MW electricity from India between 6 am and 6 pm.

Nepal's domestic electricity production currently stands at around 1,200 MW while the country's demand for electricity is 1,800 MW to 2,000 MW during this period.

Nepal is experiencing a shortage of electricity as most of the domestic power plants in the country are based on a run-of-the-river system and during winter, there is less water in the rivers.

We have received the notification about the renewal of the agreement to export electricity to Nepal until June end, Chandan Ghosh, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) spokesperson, told PTI.

The Himalayan nation can import 500 MW of electricity from the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line and 54 MW through Tanakpur, Ghosh added.

After mid-June, Ghosh said, Nepal will be in a position to export electricity to India.

The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported that the NEA had sought permission to import 650MW through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line but with permission only for 500 MW import, Nepal may face 10-hour-long load shedding.

Quoting the officials, the report said Nepal is still lobbying with India for power supply during additional hours.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addresses the Summit for Democracy, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

The procurement of goods and services through government's portal GeM has crossed Rs 4 trillion so far this fiscal due to higher buying activities by various ministries and departments, a senior government official said on Friday.

The Government e-Market (GeM) portal was launched on August 9, 2016, for online purchases of goods and services by all central government ministries and departments.

"As of March 28, the procurement has crossed Rs 4 trillion. It is historic," GeM CEO P K Singh told reporters here.

In 2021-22 the procurement value stood at Rs 1.06 trillion and it crossed Rs 2 trillion last financial year.

He said that procurement of services from the portal has jumped from Rs 66,000 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 2.05 trillion so far this fiscal.

Similarly, goods worth Rs 1.95 trillion have been bought from the platform till March 28 this fiscal.

GeM has over 63,000 government buyer organisations and over 6.2 million sellers and service providers offering a wide range of products and services.

Currently, government departments, ministries, public sector units, state governments, and central armed police forces are allowed to carry out transactions through this portal.

The portal provides a wide range of products from office stationery to vehicles. Automobiles, computers and office furniture are some of the major product categories.

Services, including transportation, logistics, waste management, webcasting and analytical, are listed on the portal.

South Korea's KONEPS is the largest such platform in the world. GeM stands at the third position after Singapore's GeBIZ.

States/Union Territories such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, and Uttarakhand have placed significant procurement orders in the current fiscal.
ATV Projects India Ltd

ATV Projects India Limited was incorporated in Feb.'87 to take over Anand Tanks & Vessels (P) Ltd engaged in the business of executing turnkey projects. The amalgamation was effective from Sep.'87. Presently the company is engaged in execution of turnkey projects and supply of equipment for several industries such as Sugar Fertilizer Chemical Petrochemicals Steel Power Nuclear Power etc. by manufacturing the part of the equipments and components at its plant at Mathura. During 1988-89 an agreement was signed with Ishiwakajima Harima Heavy Industries Company Japan for the expansion and modernisation of the company's Mathura works. In 1994-95 the Mathura works were modernised. Technical and technological excellence reinforced by recognition from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for quality control has enabled this division to book and execute orders from companies like HPCL IOCL Mathura Refinery Bindal Agro and so on. The project and construction division has commissioned projects like Indian Oil Corporation's Khandla Bhatinda pipeline for Jaipur and Sidhpur LPG Horton spheres at Karnal and Jamshedpur NTPC Farraka and Jai Kissan SSK's sugar plant at Yavatmal Maharashtra.In 1988-89 an agreement was signed with SEMT-Pielstick France to produce generating sets. In the following year ATV signed a technical collaboration agreement with Dadini Metallurgica Brazil to manufacture bagasse-based boilers used in sugar plants. Production commenced in 1990-91. In 1991-92 ATV entered into an agreement with a Dutch organisation Stock Industrial Engineering to manufacture roller mills used in sugar plants. In the same year ATV entered into a joint venture with two leading industrialists of Malaysia to set up an integrated sugar complex. In 1990-91 the company entered into a technical know-how agreement with Filex Corporation US to manufacture thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The project was implemented in Mar.'95 at Nagothane Maharashtra. Two Italian companies -- API and Softer - will import 200 tpm and 300 tpm of TPE respectively. ATV went in for forward integration in 1995 with the commissioning of compounding lines to cater primarily to the footwear market which mainly depends on imports for TPE/SBS compounds used for soling materials. It has promoted another company - ATV Petrochem - a Rs 3800-mln project to manufacture purified terephthalic acid (PTA).During 1996-97 the company commissioned and handed over a 2500 TCD Sugar Plant of M/s Akola Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd at Akola. 100 MW Power plant project and utilities of Kerala State Electricity Board for Centrales Diesel Export France is mechanically completed and the first unit was commissioned. The company is still executing some valuable projects for the state owned oil company Indian oil Corporation namely ARU in Panipat Refinery LPG Sphere and Bottling Plant in Manmad and Gandhar.During the year 1997-98 the company was referred to the BIFR because the losses were exceeding its networth. The company's rehabilitation proposal is yet to be finalised by the IDBI the OA and BIFR.In 2016 Company Division at Mathura was put to operation and undertaking works for Power Cement Sugar and other industrial sectors; a heavy duty plate Bending Machine was added to augment the capacity of the Mathura Unit. The Mathura Plant became fully equipped to undertake fabrication of critical equipments required in Hydrocarbon Cement Hydro Power Steel Sugar & Power sectors. It rocured new machines such as welding machine to enhance fabrication facility of Steam Distribution Duct required for air conditioning system of Power Plants during the year 2019-20. In 2022-23 it installed some additional new machines and replaced the old machines with new modern machines such as welding drilling Grinding Cutting machines etc; it installed a VTL (Vertical Turret Lathe) which is already in operations.
Cosmo First Ltd

Cosmo First Ltd (formerly Cosmo Films Ltd) promoted by Ashok Jaipuria(son of the late Sitaram Jaipuria former CMD of SWadeshi Polytex) is the pioneer in the manufacture of Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Films (BOPP) which is widely used in the consumer product industry for packaging. The Company is engaged in production of flexible packaging films. Company's products majorly comprise of BOPP Films Thermal Films and Coated Films. In India it is presently having manufacturing facilities at Aurangabad and Shendra in Maharashtra and at Karjan in Gujarat. It has subsidiaries operating in different countries.The company went public four years after its incorporation in 1976.CFL the first ISO 9002 certified BOPP manufacturing company operates two plants at Chikalthana and Waluj both in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra with an combined production capacity of 23100 MTPA of BOPP and Synthetic paper. The company has taken up an another expansion project of 10000 MTPA at existing location at Waluj. CFT start exporting its products from 1994. The company is continuously scaling up its capacity in line with the demand and it has set up a second plant(with an installed capacity of 2000-tpa ) for manufacture of BOPP film at the Waluj Industrial Area in the Aurangabad district. Later the combined installed capacity was increased to 10800 mtpa through an expansion plan. In 1996-97 CFL has undertaken an debottlenecking programme(revamping of Line III) thus increasing the installed capacity to 13200 MTPA. And again in 1997-98 the installed capacity was increased to 14100 MT.The company is in the process of acquiring land at Nashik Maharashtra for setting up a new unit with an installed capacity of 17000 MTPA of BOPP film. The company has plans to manufacture electrical-grade BOPP film in collaboration with General Electric US. The company has won the Best BOPP Exporter Award from PLEXCONCIL for the year 1998-99.The company acquired 76.51% stake in Gujarat Propack (GPP) at a price of Rs 29.25 per share. The deal translates into an Enterprise Valuation of around Rs 87 crore. In line with the take over Cosmo Films shall make an oppen offer to acquire a further 20% shareholding from public at the acquisition price of Rs 29.25 per share. GPP was established in 1986 and is the second largest player in the Indian BOPP films industry with over 27% market share. GPP has an excellent track record in developing specialized products for high-end packaging applications and has an impressive customer profile which includes Hindustan Lever Nestle India ITC Britania and Godfrey Philips India among others. GPP has total of three manufacturing lines and two plants located at Baroda with a capacity of 13000 MTPA.During the year 2002 Gujarat Propack Ltd merged with the company in the ratio of 2:1 equity shares held.The company had issued Bonus Shares in the ratio of 1:1 to its shareholders and the allotment was completed on 28.03.2003.The company has increased BOPP's installed capacity by 25500 MT and consequently the total capacity has now stood at 48600 MT.During the year 2002-03 the Company merged its subsidiary Gujarat Propack Ltd. effective from September 20 2002. In terms of the said Merger the Company issued 242051 Equity Shares to the remaining share holders of Gujarat Propack Ltd. in the ratio of one new share of Cosmo Films Ltd for every two shares of Gujarat Propack held. The allotment of shares to the share holders of erstwhile Gujarat Propack Ltd was done on 27lh November 2002. Similarly the Company capitalized its reserve by issue of fully paid bonus shares to existing share holders of the company in the ratio of one new Equity share for each share held. The allotment of the Bonus shares was completed on 28th March 2003.The Company commissioned expansion project at Waluj with a capacity of 10000 TPA on 6th March 2003. In 2004 it further commissioned expansion project atWaluj with a capacity of 14000 TPA on 8th March 2004. It commissioned on 28th Sept 2003 Captive power plant of 8 MW capacity at Waluj plant ; also commissioned Extrusion coating plant on 18 March 2004. In 2005 it commissioned second Extrusion Coating Line. In 2005-06 it established Extrusion Coated Thermal Lamination films in international markets. It commissioned two extrusion coated film lines with a capacity of 3000 MT each in 2007-08. It expanded its capacity by commissioning a BOPP line of 35000 TPA and one extrusion coated film line of 3000 TPA at Karjan (Vadodara) during year 2008-09. The Company acquired GBC's Commercial Print Finishing Business from ACCO Brands Corporation of USA for a purchase consideration of USD 17.1 million on 11th June 2009. It commissioned production from its new plant located at Shendra SEZ Aurangabad during 2013-14. CF Global Holdings Limited the Company's wholly owned subsidiary acquired the entire holding of minority shareholders in its step down subsidiary resulting into all its step down subsidiaries becoming wholly owned and after that it acquired a step down subsidiary namely CF Investment Holding Private (Thailand) Company Limited Thailand during the year 2014-15.With effect from March 18 2016 CF (Mauritius) Holding Ltd Mauritius a step down wholly owned subsidiary of CF Global Holdings Ltd Mauritius (the wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmo Films Limited) was amalgamated with its immediate holding Company.The Company launched many new products during the financial year 2016-17. Under packaging films category high moisture barrier films aroma barrier films aroma and oxygen barrier films were launched. Under lamination category black velvet lamination films scuff free matte lamination films were introduced. Under industrial film category low noise tape was launched.Company launched many new products during the financial year 2017-18. Under Packaging films category BOPP Conduction Sealing Film High Metal Bond CPP Film BOPP Film for SOAP Wrapping were launched. Under Label category Metalized Label Film was introduced. Under Industrial film category Cosmo Synthetic Paper and Tape Release Film was launched. Besides these in the Lamination Category Universal PET Lidding Film and Black and Metalised Velvet Film was launched. CF (Netherland) Holding Limited B.V. a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company setup a wholly owned step down subsidiary in Poland namely Cosmo Films Poland SP. Z.O.O. for the purpose of sale and distribution of its products manufactured by Company and/or its subsidiaries in 2018.Company launched several new products during the financial year 2018-19 including High Barrier Heat Resistant Film High Metal Bond CPP Film under Packaging Category Universal Lidding film Metalized Velvet film under lamination category. Under Label category Company has launched High Gloss Metalized Film and under Industrial Film Category High Tear resistant Synthetic paper and Tape Resistant Film. Cosmo Speciality Chemicals Private Limited was incorporated as wholly-owned subsidiary on March 2nd 2020.Company launched several new products during the financial year 2019-20 including Teplor Heat Resistant Film High Barrier CPP Film Antifog Transparent Film BOPP Fragranced Packaging Film Metalized Velvet Film Universal PET Lidding Film Digitally Printable Synthetic Paper and High Tear Resistance Synthetic Paper. Antimicrobial Thermal Lamination Film Enhanced Barrier Metalized BOPP Film High Gloss Metalized Label Film Direct Thermal Printable Film High Scratch Resistant Metalized Film Laser Printable (Dry Toner) both side Coated White Synthetic Paper and 100% Opaque Synthetic Paper were launched in 2021-22. Company had made a foray into the Pet Care business with the launch of 'ZIGLY in 2022.In 2022-23 the Company started commercial production of specialized BOPET Line which has a total installed capacity of 30000 MT per annum. PVC Free Media HP Indigo Printable Media for Photo Album Application Glossy CSP For Tag Application Ozge synthetic paper for home & office laser printers Scratch-free coated metallized film for low-migratory inks PET G Shrink Label Grade Film Low SIT High Heat Seal Strength Extrusion Grade Barrier Metallized CPP Film etc. launched in 2023.
Duke Offshore Ltd

Duke Offshore was promoted by George A Duke Komal G Duke and Avik G Duke as a private limited company in Dec.'85 and was converted into a public limited company in Sep.'94. The Company is engaged in the business of providing vessels for crew transfer and marine survey.The company started as a diving and underwater engineering company offering specialised underwater inspection services to the offshore oil industry. It expanded its operations into hook-up and commissioning of offshore oil fields installations construction and fabrication of small offshore structures. It operate from the workshop at Tarapur Maharashtra. The company has entered into an agreement with Merpro Process Technology UK a hi-tech process company to jointly market and manufacture its products in India and abroad. In 1995-96 the company proposed to expand its activities through a major expansion programme. The company which was hiring equipments from outside sources till then proposed to own the equipments and machinery to reduce the cost of operations. To part-finance its expansion and modernisation programme it came out with a public issue in Dec.'95.Reputed client list includes ONGC Mazagaon Dock Bombay Port Trust Shipping Corporation of India BPCL Refinery HPCL Essar Oil Tata Power House NKK Japan Hyundai Corporation South Korea etcIn 2011-12 the Company acquired 3 Marine Vessels on contracts. In 2016-17 it acquired crew/patrol vessel from Singapore.
Euphoria Infotech (India) Ltd

Euphoria Infotech (India) Ltd was originally incorporated on May 28 2001 as a Private Limited Company with the name Euphoria Infotech (India) Private Limited with the Registrar of Companies West Bengal. Subsequently Company got converted from a Private Limited to Public Limited and consequently the name of Company was changed to ` Euphoria Infotech (India) Limited' through a Fresh Certificate of Incorporation on May 22 2023 issued by the Registrar of Companies Kolkata West Bengal.The Company is a a full-stack IT and ITes solution based out at Kolkata West Bengal. The Company was kick started in 2001 by Founder Mr. Shamba Bhanja to encourage multiple aspects of networking software design quality assurance and internet technology. As of today the Company provide high-end IT and ITeS solution in the field of Citizen Centric Application Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) E-Commerce Application Programming Interface (API) Internet of Things (IoT) Cloud based Tools and Application Data Management etc. using standard software practices or through customised software development model which is backed by advanced technology and efficient team of software developers by undergoing continuous R&D activity.The offerings have been classified into five broad categories viz. customized software e-commerce IoT Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Presently the Company is into the business of customized web application development for industry and general citizens. The applications range from Online Recruitment Online Application Urban Local Body Services University Management System Online Ticket Booking Systems E-commerce and IoT-based dashboards for Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and specific requirements. Besides they are developing different products for education domain and citizen-centric services. The Company provide consultation to clients from multiple-spectrum to develop implement and maintain different customized software to enhance their efficiency and growth into Company.The Company started journey in Bangladesh back in 2018 through formation of a Joint Venture Company Euphoria Infotech (Bangladesh) Private Limited of enabling a self-reliant software development house through technology transfer. At present it hold 49% stake in the JV Company and balance 51% is held by JV partners who are resident of Bangladesh. The Company has become a technology partner to different government and financial organizations including more than 100 municipalities in West Bengal. Thus their objective lies in the development and maintenance of software solutions for enterprises in various sectors such as E-commerce Education Fintech Healthcare IoT and other industries to enable ease of doing business and customer-centric solutions.The Company is proposing a Public Offer of issuing 960000 Equity Shares through Fresh Issue.
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."

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Geojit Financial Services Ltd

Geojit Financial Services Limited originated in year 1987 as a Partnership Firm of Mr. C. J. George and his Associates. Later on the Firm was converted into a Company and got incorporated in November 24 1994 as 'Geojit Securities Ltd'. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd became a co-promoter of Geojit by acquiring 24% stake in the company. In the year 1995 the Company became a Member of National Stock Exchange and installed their first trading terminal in Cochin Kerala. Through subsidiaries joint ventures and partnerships with local banks and financial institutions the Company has a strong expanding presence in the Middle East region. The Company's distribution network consists of 473 offices spread over 19 states and 2 union territories in India and 4 Middle Eastern nations. The Company offers stock and currency derivatives portfolio management services margin trading mutual fund and insurance product distribution online financial planning and commodity derivatives. It has operations outside the country through subsidiaries an associate and joint ventures in Oman Kuwait UAE and Saudi Arabia. In the year 1997 the company became a Depository Participant under National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and began to provide Depository Services through their branches. In the year 1999 they became a member of Bombay Stock Exchange and activate Bombay Online Terminals (BOLT) in different branches. The company offered online trading which was inaugurated on February 1 2000. In the same year they commenced Derivative Trading and also established the first Bank Gateway in the country for Internet Trading. In the year 2001 the company became the first Indian Depository Participant to launch depository transactions through Internet. Also they launched a joint venture company in UAE for serving NRI clients.In the year 2002 the company made a tie up with MetLife for the marketing and distribution of insurance products across the country. Also they became the first online brokerage house to launch integrated internet trading system for both cash and derivatives segments.During the year 2003-04 the company added 38 branches which includes12 in Kerala 6 in Karnataka 10 in Tamil Nadu 1 in Andhra Pradesh and 9 in Mumbai. The company changed their name from Geojit Securities Ltd to Geojit Financial Services Ltd. Geojit Commodities Ltd a wholly owned subsidiary company launched Commodity Futures Trading in rubber pepper gold wheat and rice and also they launched Online Futures Trading in multiple commodities namely agri-commodities precious metals like gold and silver other metals like steel aluminium etc. and energy futures namely crude oil and furnace oil. During the year 2004-05 the company entered into the distribution business of insurance and financial products by incorporating three subsidiary companies through their wholly owned subsidiary Geojit Commodities Ltd.During the year 2006-07 the company promoted a joint venture company namely Aloula Geojit Brokerage Company Al Johar Group in Saudi Arabia. During the year 2007-08 Geojit Financial Management Services Private Ltd which was a subsidiary of Geojit Commodities Ltd now became a direct subsidiary of the company. They formed a joint venture company namely Barjeel Geojit Securities LLC Dubai with Al Saud Group which is having diversified interests in the area of equity markets real estates and trading. In September 2007 the company through their NRI Business entered into an exclusive agreement with Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait which is one of the largest retail banks in Bahrain & Kuwait.The company is in the process of forming a joint venture company in the Sultanate of Oman with The Financial Corporation Co SAOG to offer brokerage financial products distribution and related services at an estimated investment of 255000 Oman Riyals. Also they are in the process of starting the real estate and mortgage distribution services.The wholly owned subsidiary Geojit Commodities Limited has discontinued the commodity brokerage business effective from 31stDecember 2008. Since the main business of the Company was discontinued name was changed to Geojit Investment Services Ltd. w.e.f. 2nd April 2009. A Scheme of Amalgamation of Geojit Investment Services Limited with Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Limited was approved by the Board of Directors of respective companies and consequently Company increased its stake in Geojit Credits Private Limited.During the period 2012-13 the Company entered in to an agreement to sell its entire stake in BNP Paribas Securities India Pvt. Ltd (BNPPSI) held through its wholly owned subsidiary for an amount costing Rs. 41.24 crores. About 84% of stake was sold during the year for a consideration costing Rs 34.3 crore and the balance holding was sold in April 2013 costing Rs. 6.94 crore. On account of said sale of stake Company hasn't considered the financials of BNPPSI for consolidated from April 01 2012.In year 2022 the Company had filed a Scheme of Merger by Absorption of Geojit Investment Services Limited with Geojit Financial Services Limited with Kochi Bench of Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal. Hon'ble Tribunal approved the said Scheme vide its Order dated March 16 2022 and as a result Geojit Investment Services Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of Geojit Financial Services Limited.
Honda India Power Products Ltd

Honda India Power Products Limited (Formerly known as Honda Siel Power Products Limited) was incorporated in Sep.'85 as a Joint Venture earlier it is called Shriram Honda Power promoted by Honda Motor Co Japan and Shriram Industrial Enterprises. Honda Motor Japan holds a 66.67% stake in the company. The Company is primarily engaged in manufacturing and marketing the portable gensets water pumps general purpose engines lawn mowers brush cutters tillers and marine engines.In 1998-99 it changed its name to Honda Siel Power Products. Its works is situated in Rudrapur (Uttaranchal) Pondicherry and at Greater Noida.The company manufactures and markets portable generating (PG) sets (inst. cap.: 175000 pa) general purpose engines and water pumps at its plant in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It also has set up a plant at Pondicherry commercial production at which commenced in Sep.'95. In 1991-92 the company took up a major indigenisation programme to set up in-house machining facilities for crankshafts rotorshafts.In Jul.'93 it received the ISO 9001 certification from RWTUV Germany for quality assurance systems in the design manufacture installation and after-sales service of its products. It achieved the Export House status in Sep.'94. The company sells its products to customers and institutions through regional offices and dealers. At present it exports to over 25 countries in Africa Europe South America and Asia. In June 2000 the company commenced the in-house manufacture of flywheel required for Gensets GP Engines and water pumping sets. The Company has set up a Pressure Die-Casting plant in Greater Noida U.P at a capital outlay of 7.80 crores. The Commercial production commenced in December 2000. The Company has drawn plans to take up ERP (IT Project) for all its functions across the company in a phased manner. During the year 2003-04 the Company implemented the ERP project for the business cycles like Purchase to Pay Order to Cash Accounts Payable (AP) Accounts Receivable (AR) and General Ledger (GL) effective 1st April 2003.The Company localized critical and high technology Engine parts such as Connecting Rod Castings Ring Gear for flywheel Ignition Coil Assy (2 types) and Spark Plugs (5 types) during the year 2008-09. EU65is (5.5 KVA) rating generator was launched in the year 2008-09. It commissioned the upgradation of Oracle Application Project from the earlier desupported version (11.5.4) to the latest supported version (11.5.10.2) effective on February 10 2009. After commissioning of the Oracle Application Project Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) was made operational during the year 2009-10. The Company localized 80 parts of Generator Model during the year 2012. The Company launched a new 3.0 KVA 'Inverter in 2011-12. Besides this it introduced a New Tiller model in the 5.5 HP category for the domestic market in 2013-14. Diesel Water Pump and new Gasoline Water Pump were introduced during the year 2015-16. Petrol Run Mini Tiller and 2HP Petrol Engine was introduced in 2016-17. 1HP Brush Cutter targeted for light duty users was introduced during the year 2017-18. The Company was renamed from Honda Siel Power Products Ltd. to Honda India Power Products Limited during the year 2019-20. The Company further strengthened its presence into the Honda Brush Cutters category by launching the country's first 4 stroke powered heavy-duty Brush cutter with revolutionary GX50 engine for the Indian farmer. The new Honda Tillers was launched in 2021-22Petrol Fueled Engine and Water Pump business transition from kerosene-powered products was commissioned in FY 2021-22. Two new Water Pump models a 2 inch high head-self priming pump and a 3 inch high discharge self-priming pump-taking were launched in FY 2021-22.
India Gelatine & Chemicals Ltd

India Gelatine & Chemicals Limited incorporated in April 1973 was promoted by the Mirani family Nichimen Corporation and Konica Gelatine both of Japan. The Promoters primarily produced Ossein (the raw material for Gelatine) from crushed bones and exported it to Japan with technical collaboration from M/s. Konica Gelatin Corporation of Japan. Success of this venture spurred the Company to expand its product line and in 1997 it began producing Gelatin from Ossein which was compliant to the highest international standards.IGCL's superior product line is fit for consumption in halal and international markets which has paved a way for export to USA the EU Japan Korea Middle Eastern countries and Indonesia amongst others. The Company has been publicly recognized with numerous awards and is poised to grow and meet the market demand with consummate ease. Its mantra for success is innovation and involvement of all major stakeholders in the Company for an integrated system with refined controls. The Company is engaged in manufacturing of Ossein Di-Calcium Phosphate (DCP) & Gelatine. The Captive Power Plant was commissioned in mid of May 2004. Since FY 2007-08 the Company had embarked on the usage of Natural Gas as its energy source. The Hot Air Generator (HAG) for the drying of Ossein and Di Calcium Phosphate (DCP) was commissioned in February 2023. The Company installed 2400 kW AC / 3000 kW DC Solar Plant in Bharuch during March 2023.
Kerala Ayurveda Ltd

Kerala Ayurveda Ltd was established on 6th July 1992. The Company is engaged in manufacture of Ayurveda products Ayurveda Research Academies Clinics Hospitals Ayurvedic Wellness Resorts and Services cultivation of herbs and maintaining herbarium of medicinal plants. The Company emerged as a frontline manufacturer of speciality patent ayurvedic medicines - tussnil liposem and mathrukalpam. The company came out with a public issue in Feb.'95 to part-finance its 7-cr expansion-cum-diversification programme which involve expansion of its existing facilities; to develop a fully integrated health care system cultivate medicinal plants and market ayurvedic medicines. It also envisions setting up a hospital. A modern facility to manufacture patent medicines tablets capsules and syrups is to be set up at Athani near Alwaye. The company is in the midst of enhancing the installed capacity at its Athani plant to produce traditional ayurvedic medicines. Moreover the company proposes to organise and relocate its twelve clinics to cover all the principal districts in Kerala and augment facilities at its clinics in Bombay Madras Bangalore and Mangalore. In addition it is increasing the bed strength of its hospital in Alwaye.Kerala Ayurvedic has won the approval of the Karnataka Toursim Development Department to open a health resort at Bangalore catering exclusively to the high income segments tourists and NRIs.The company has a well-entrenched presence in several states due to its 75 franchisees and 400 stockists. During the year 1999-2000 the company exported medicines worth Rs. 56.43 lacs to USA UK Italy Malaysia Holland and Japan. Four new products have been developed during the year and intial reports are quite encouraging. Clinical studies conducted for patent products have established their efficiency and has also been affirmed by ayurvedic doctors for prescription.In Bangalore a new Ayurvedic Health resort has started its operation in March 2001 and the trial run had a good response.The company is planning to develop new methods for rare medicinal plants using biofertilizers.Katra Healthcare Pvt Ltd was merged with Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd in 2006 by way of amalgamation and through the said Scheme the assets and liabilities of Katra Healthcare Pvt Ltd were transferred to and vested in the Company with effect from 1st April 2005. As per Scheme on 24th Feb 06 the Company allotted 4000000 equity shares amounting to Rs.4 Crores to shareholders of Katra Healthcare Pvt Ltd (KHPL). In the ratio of 4 shares for each shares held by them in 'KHPL'. During year 2007 the Company increased its stake in AyurvedaGram Heritage Wellness Centre Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore from its holding of 15.55% to 74 % by acquiring an additional 58.45% from the erstwhile promoters. Consequently AyurvedaGram Heritage Wellness Centre Pvt. Ltd (AHWCP) was made subsidiary of the Company. Apart from this it launched new medicines such as Ostoact for Osteo Arthritis Menovin for Menopausal syndrome Laxinol H as Laxative Ajax for Male Infertility Pilogest for Piles and Winsoria for Psoriasis. It renovated the Treatment Centre and Kuroor Mana Heritage Building in order to provide better standards and additional amenities. It acquired 3 wholly owned subsidiaries in USA namely AYU Inc. AYU Natural Medicine Clinics PS and Ayurvedic Academy Inc. During May 2007 the Company set up a wholly owned overseas subsidiary in Germany named as KatraSoft Europe Gmbh in order to tap the healthcare related software business opportunities in Europe.'The newly incorporated subsidiary CMS Katra Holdings LLC USA had picked up a 51% equity stake in US based CMS Katra Nursing LLC with an objective of acquiring the entire business and assets of CMS Inc. a leading healthcare staffing company based in Florida USA during 2007-08. The Company during 2008 set up wo more subsidiaries to provide focus on healthcare services namely CMS Katra Holdings LLC and KatraSoft Europe GmbH. With this the total no of overseas Subsidiaries increased to five of which four in USA and one in Germany.During 2008-09 the Company opened new franchise wellness centers at Gurgaon Jaipur Noida and Dehradun. In June 2009 a new subsidiary named M/s. NUTRAVEDA Pte. Ltd. was incorporated in Singapore for marketing natural and herbal value added products globally and thereby deliver wellness and nutritional benefits to the global markets. Modern dosage forms of classical formulations were introduced such as Kashaya to Kashayam Tablets medicated oils to creams etc. New formulations were introduced for treating diabetes viz. Trikantika Thailam Kathakhadiradi Kashayam etc. The Company acquired land near Cochin International Airport to setup a new wellness resort.In 2011-12 the Company started a Panchakarma Center and Pharmacy at Banaras Hindu University under the Private Public Partnership model at the S S Hospital Varanasi. During 2012-13 it started a Wellness Resort by the side of River Periyar at Aluva under the name Kerala Ayurveda River Retreat to provide authentic ayurveda treatments. It established a new Treatment Centre at Mangalore to improve the presence in Karnataka. A new Kerala Ayurveda Academy and Wellness Center was started at Fremont in California . A state-of-the-art Ayurveda teaching facility and treatment center was set up to propogate Ayurveda in the USA.
Lakshmi Electrical Control Systems Ltd

Incorporated in Dec.'81 and promoted by G K Devarajulu and D Jayavarthanavelu (both of Lakshmi Machine Works) Lakshmi Electrical Control Systems Limited (LECSL) commenced commercial production in Nov.'84. The Company is engaged in the manufacturing and selling of control panels and plastic components. It manufactures contactors thermal overload relays control relays electrical control panels and industrial plastic components. The company has entered into a technical collaboration with Sprecher & Schuh Switzerland one of the leading manufacturers of low-tension switchgear items in the world. The Company is headquartered in Coimbatore. The Company was in collaboration with Sprecher+Schuh Switzerland for manufacture of Control gear. In 1984 it started manufacturing of Control Panels Engineering Plastic Components and Commercial Tool room moulds. It made a Public Issue in Jan.'84 to part-finance the original project to manufacture 180000 switchgears pa 2000 control panels pa and 400 tpa of plastic components. LECSL has received the ISO 9001 and the ISO 9002 certifications for all its four product groups. Apart from these control panel production became a major part of the Company's operation and it made constant efforts in increasing the productivity levels and introduced new customers. Whereas in the Plastics Division it is making efforts to add new customers / products and thereby increasing the share in overall business.
Morganite Crucible (India) Ltd

Morganite Crucible (India) Limited (Formerly known Greaves Morganite Crucible Ltd.) jointly promoted by Morganite Crucible Limited and Morgan Terrassan BV was incorporated in January 13 1986. The Company is primarily engaged in the manufacture and selling of silicon carbide and clay graphite crucibles and its accessories.The Company was marketing Morganite's crucibles in India when it started manufacturing 600 tpa silicon carbide crucibles using resin bonded technology at Waluj Aurangabad in 1987. It went public in Aug.'87. The British collaborator holds a 28% stake in the company.The company's collaborator Morganite Crucibles is engaged in this business for the past 100 years. Crucibles are used as containers for melting and holding molten metal. The company which manufactures resin-bonded silicon carbide crucibles caters to the non-ferrous metal industry.In Oct.'94 the company obtained ISO 9002 certification from Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI). It exports to Egypt Srilanka and Nepal through its concessionaires.Expansion programme for manufacturing of Clay Graphite Crucibles had been completed and commercial production started on February 2001 and export of products had also commenced. In 2001-02 the company had manufactured 80.15 MT of Clay Graphite Crucibles.During 2010 the Company completed and capitalized in its books the expansion/modernisation of its plant to Rs. 172.28 Lacs for increasing the production capacity and initiated the proceedings for expansion of production capacity to the tune of 6500 MT PA.During 2011 the Company completed and capitalized in its books the expansion/modernisation of its plant to Rs. 284.18 Lacs. It started diversifying activities such as trading and manufacturing of Foundry Consumables and refractory materials for which company has started first phase of testing and development foundry lubricant i.e. Die lube.During 2012 the Company completed and capitalized in its books the expansion/modernisation of its plant to Rs. 173.28 Lacs.During 2013 the Company completed and capitalized in its books the expansion/modernisation of its plant to Rs. 388.48 lacs.During the year 2017-18 the company purchased 49% stake of Diamond Crucible Company Limited (DCCL) from Terrassen Holdings Limited in the month of July 2017 resulting in DCCL became wholly owned subsidiary of Company. Accordingly the Company approved from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Mumbai bench the Scheme Amalgamation between Diamond Crucible Company Limited and Morganite Crucible (India) Limited of both the Companies on February 22 2018 from an appointed date of October 1 2017.During the year 2018 the Board of Directors of Company approved expansion of clay graphite products at Aurangabad site. In year 2020 the Company discontinued the operations of Mehsana Plant w.e.f. February 1 2020 and relocated the Mehsana Plant to Aurangabad. Further as part of Project Avatar Phase II and considering synergy cost optimization and further focus on product development the members of the Company December 02 2019 approved transfer of Mehsana Unit business by way of shifting of plant and machineries to Aurangabad Unit Maharashtra.In 2020-21 the Company completed installation of high temperature Kiln shifting of LPG yard to new location replacement of fire hydrant system installation of sprinklers in the factory premises administration building construction and shifting of remaining plant and machineries from Mehsana to Aurangabad site. It signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Amplus Solar for installation of 835 kWp at Aurangabad site and completed Phase-I installation of 540 kWp. It also signed Net Metering Agreement with MSEDCL for getting continuous benefit of subsidy from MSEDCL.The Board of Directors in their meeting held on February 10 2021 approved sale of the company's land and building assets in Mehsana Gujarat to M/s Manmohan Steel Traders at a consideration of Rs. 900/- lakhs. As of December 31 2021 Company completed therelocation of entire plant and machineries from Mehsana to Aurangabad and disposal of the land and building assets. It made significant progress in completing the remaining expansion activity at the Aurangabad site including installation of required machineries transferred from Mehsana construction of new logistics & warehouse building.
MRO-TEK Realty Ltd

MRO-TEK Ltd incorporated in February 1984 is mainly engaged in providing Solutions and Services for Access to the Internet backbone Data communications and Networking etc. Net access and Networking are among the fastest growing areas of business worldwide. MRO-TEK's manufacturing facility is located at Electronics City Bangalore. In June 1998 a Joint Venture company viz RAD-MRO Manufacturing Pvt Ltd with 51% equity participation by RAD Data Communications Ltd and 49% by the company was formed and operations were started on the same year itself.In 2001 the Company launched itself into the IPOby issuing 2509000 fresh Equity Shares of Rs.5 each to the Public. The IPO was completed during October 2000. These proceeds were utilised for setting up the additional Marketing & Corporate Office at a cost of Rs.74 million.The Company has recognised the Middle East & SAARC countries which offers the biggest growth potential in networking market due to rapid advancements in wireless and Internet technologies.It is also focusing on specific set of technologies which is identified on the basis of core competencies and value-added service opportunities.The company is planning to acquire 49% stake in a Kuala Lumper based company for setting up a marketing and service outlet and negotiations are going on for the same.The company was adjudged as the Best Global Partner 2002 for the Asia-Pacific region by RAD CommunicationsIsrael. The company has contributed 21% of RAD's revenues from Asia-Pacific in 2002 as against 10% in the previous year. The company also has the distinction of having received this Award for the second timethe first being in the year 2000.The company has inaugurated its new International Headquarters in Bangalore during February 2005.The new facility is in line with the growth plan of the company that includes a New BrandingFocus on R&D activities to bring out indigenous products and strengthening of activities in Malaysia and the USA.The new facility has come into effect with an investment of about Rs.18 crores and the total area is spread over 60000 Sq.ft.The Company got into Development Agreement on January 1 2016 for real estate development at Hebbal in Bangalore and sought the approval from shareholders to include the real estate development as one of the main objects of the Company. With this the Company has two primary business segments i.e Access and networking equipment & Solutions and Real estate development. And resulting this the name of the Company was changed from MRO-TEK Limited to MRO-TEK Realty Limited with effect from May 11 2016.In 2017 the Company made a generational leap from TDM/CWDM technology to 4G/LTE wireless/DWDM and IP products with ultra-high bandwidth speeds to match demands of today's hyper converged communications age. manufacturing capabilities have expanded to electronic manufacturing services with special emphasis in IoT sensors Customer Premises Equipment Industrial and medical application products smart devices and other products. Their designs and solutions in association with technology partners find applications in data center/disaster recovery deployments campus/industrial security solutions active infrastructure management using a single dashboard enterprise high speed and secure network deployments and content delivery networks. During 2021 the property development at Hebbal was completed and the Company was intimated by Messers Umiya Builders and Developers on 25th June 2021. The Company launched Switches / routers in the products line to increase the product base and augment the business. The Company incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary MRO-TEK Technologies Private Limited (MTTPL) on December 26 2022 with an initial equity investment of Rs. 100000 with Authorised capital of Rs. 1500000 to step into a diversified business.
Orosil Smiths India Ltd

Incorporated in Jun.'94 Orosil Smiths India Limited (Formerly known Silver Smith India Ltd.) was promoted by B K Narula C L Narula and Rita Narula. The Company is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of Silver Jewellery and trading of Silver Articles. It offers customers precious yet affordable jewellery.Orosil's innovative designs and high class manufacturing facilities bring the elusive gold and silver jewelry within the reach of the common man. It has two distinct jewellery brands under it Sincere & Kuhjohl. Sincere has fashioned fine quality 14k gold jewellery made with Swarovski Zirconia (Signity) and 18k gold jewellery studded with diamonds and gemstones for its customers. Kuhjohl's jewellery collection on the other hand is crafted in sterling silver with Swarovski elements - a distinct fusion of both tradition as well as modern. The company set up a fully automated and integrated manufacturing facilities for processing raw silver and gold into value-added jewellery items with an installed capacity of 15000 kg of silver jewellery and 3000 kg of gold jewellery. The project is located at Noida Uttar Pradesh. The company proposes to import the bulk of its equipment from Italy Germany and Japan. The Company enjoys huge intellectual support from the premier institution Jewellery Design & Technology Institute (JDTI) which is in turn supported by World Gold Council and promoted by the Indo-German export promotion project.In Feb.'96 the company issued 2989800 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at par aggregating Rs 298.98 lac to part-finance its project. It opened a retail showroom with the brand name NICHE at New Delhi in 2005.
Patspin India Ltd

Incorporated in 1991 Patspin India Limited was promoted by GTN Textiles under the leadership of B K Patodia and Umang Patodia. The Company is engaged in manufacture and Export of cotton yarn. Patspin India set up a 100% EOU to manufacture medium and fine counts combed or gassed yarn with financial assistance from Itochu Corporation Japan and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation. The company tapped the capital market in Nov.'93 to part-finance the project.Patspin has undertaken a two-phase expansion project which includes diversification into twisting knitting and other value-added products with the available infrastructure. In 1996 the second phase of expansion of 2016 spindles was fully implemented. It also completed the expansion of capacity in Unit B by 16128 spindles in Dec'96. This expansion with 100% combing capacity is being set up at the cost of Rs 50 cr. The company exports to Japan Italy Israel the UK Mauritius etc. It has made applications for recognition as an Export House. In 1996 the company received the coveted ISO 9002 (IS-14002) certification from Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI).During 1999-2000 the textile ministry has launched Textile Upgradation Fund which provides 5% interest susbsidy on the loans eligible and hence the company has undertaken the project at a cost of Rs.1065 lacs for both modernisation and upgradation of technology.Compact Spinning Technology a new technology which was introduced during the last year has been well received in International Markets due to this the Company continues to expand its capacity in the current year (2001) also.The Company in 2006-07 undertook projects for substantial expansion-cum-modernization under Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme with a total outlay costing Rs.273 crores including 4 Wind Mills with a total capacity of 5.8 MW at a cost of Rs.34.22 crores. Besides the Company's new Plant at Ponneri was commissioned in February 2008. Again the new unit at Ponneri Udumalpet was expanded to its full capacity of 62400 spindles by June 2008 and resultantly all the projects were almost completed during the year 2009. Later on the Company implemented the remaining project in respect of modernization upgradation and marginal expansion plans at Kanjikode Unit and addition of balancing equipment to enhance the output at Ponneri Unit at a project costing Rs.42.41 crores as on 31st March 2015.
PB Global Ltd

PB Global Ltd was incorporated in October 28th 1960 as Pesticides Limited a leading producer of Pesticides & Agrochemicals in Thane India. The Company is engaged in the business of buying/ selling and trading of Industrial chemicals Salt and Electronic items and acting as agent for chemical business. The Company is also engaged in providing Warehousing services.The Company has expanded exponentially to become a fast-growing diversified business conglomerate with a presence across sectors such as Chemicals Distribution Consumer Electronics and General Trading. PB Global is a customer focused organization with a view to serve the dynamic needs of its diverse customer base. The Company has a network of offices across India to provide customers with ground level assistance and timely support.Headquartered in Mumbai India PB Global's network spans the globe to include suppliers from all continents. To serve customers Company created a pan-India network of offices and warehouses. The Company is present in all major Indian cities and industrial regions to provide ground-level assistance to customers. Apart from this It maintains stocks of all products across the warehouses to provide just-in-time deliveries to industrial consumers.The PB Group has earned a reputation for being a leading supplier of chemicals across globe. In Attention to detail along each step in supply chain from sourcing and purchase to logistics management gives the Company a competitive edge. Initially sourcing chemicals from CIS countries the Company presently expanded global supplier network and has successfully entered into supply agreements with manufacturers from China Taiwan Japan Turkey Romania Belgium and Chile.As far as volume of growth is concerned the Company has created an in-house logistics team to provide fastest and economical service to customers. The dedicated logistics team enables the Company to closely coordinate and economize its deliveries from global suppliers.P.B. International and PB Global is an authorized distributor for several leading OEMs. P.B. International a Division of PB Global Ltd. was established in 2010 as the electronics and telecom distribution arm of the Company. It leverages the Company's pan-India presence to provide distribution services across India. The reputation in international markets as well as at home enabled it to enter into successful partnerships with leading multinational manufacturers of consumer electronics. The Company is also a distributor of products in Mobile Phones Smartphones Mobile Accessories DSLR Cameras AVCAMs Camera Accessories Memory Cards and Home Appliances.Despite having a diverse business portfolio spread across multiple regions the PB Group can ensure the efficiency and high quality of its deliverables to customers. This is made possible by the importance the Company places on developing talent across its network. While headquartered in Mumbai India the Company has ensured that it hire and train the best workforce across office networks. The teams spread across continents comprises of professionals with decades of experience in their respective fields.
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.

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PG Foils Ltd

PG Foils Ltd (PGFL) was incorporated in Nov.'79. The Company was promoted in the joint sector by the Prem Group of Industries and Rajasthan Industrial and Investment Corporation to set up an aluminium foil manufacturing plant. The Company is a leading manufacturer of Aluminium Foil in the various form. It manufactures foils of various qualities and thicknesses from its Pipalia facility in Rajasthan. The company with the third largest aluminium foil rolling capacity in India and whose product are used in various industries ranging from pharmaceutical food & beverages communications air conditioning and health products etc.Aluminium foils find a wide range of applications in packaging products like tea coffee chocolates confectionery medical tablets tobacco etc. PG Foils exports its products to Bangladesh Thailand and Nepal. In the domestic market the company's customers include all the leading companies in the pharmaceutical industry such as Hoechst (India) Glaxo Pfizer the Cadila group Nicholas Piramal Panjon the Torrent group etc. Besides the company caters to the Sivakasi market which consumes 30-40 tpa of paper laminated foil for packing fireworks. It also supplies casserole foil to the Indian Railways and pharma foils to IDPL under an annual contract.PGFL setup an aluminium foil manufacturing plant with an installed Rolling capacity of 5000 MT per annum by importing a second hand plant from ALCOA (GB) Ltd. London costing Rs. 11 Cr. (approx). PG Foils the third-largest aluminium-foil maker in the country after Indal and India Foils embarked upon a modernisation-cum-expansion project to reduce the scrap generation power consumption and increase production capacity. It was the first group company to mobilise funds for its project through a public issue in Dec.'94. The project commenced commercial operation during 1996-97.In 2002-03 Windmill of 0.6 MW capacity was installed at Jaisailmer. Thereafter another new 1.50 MW windmill at Jaisailmer was installed in 2010-11.
Shree Hari Chemicals Export Ltd

Shree Hari Chemicals Exports Ltd is an India-based company. The Company operates in the chemicals industry. The Company is engaged in the manufacture of dye intermediate such as 1-Amino 8-Napthol and 3-6 Disulphonic Acid. The Companys product is an intermediate for the dyestuff mainly reactive dyes which is being used in cotton textiles. The Companys products include H-acid Koch-acid dye intermediates acid dyes reactive dyes and direct dyes. Shree Hari Chemicals Exports Ltd was established in the year 1987. The factory of Shree Hari Chemicals Export Ltd. (SHCEL) is located at Mahad Raigad District of Maharashtra state India one of the Largest Manufacturing unit of H-Acid in India. In 1993 the company was converted in to a public Limited company and listed on Bombay Stock Exchange i.e. Now 45 % of Companys shares are with Public & Financial Institution. During the fiscal year ended March 31 2010 (fiscal 2010) it produced and sold 3457.453 and 3453.779 tones of H-acid respectively. The Company exports its products to Singapore Korea Malaysia Thailand Turkey Taiwan Bangladesh United States Canada Australia New Zealand Italy Dubai United Kingdom and France.
On Thursday, Syrian state media reported airstrikes near the capital Damascus saying it wounded two civilians | File image | (Photo: PTI)

The Syrian army says Israeli airstrikes early Friday near the northern city of Aleppo have killed and wounded several people and caused material damage.

Syrian state media quoted an unnamed military official as saying that the Israeli strikes coincided with drone attacks by Syrian insurgent groups on civilians targets in Aleppo and its suburbs. It did not give an exact numbers for the casualties.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said Israeli strikes hit missile depots for Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group in Aleppo's southern suburb of Jibreen near the Aleppo International Airport. It added that dozens of soldiers were killed or wounded in the strikes.

The Observatory said explosions were still heard two hours after the strikes.

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.

On Thursday, Syrian state media reported airstrikes near the capital Damascus saying it wounded two civilians.

Hezbollah has had an armed presence in Syria since it joined the country's conflict fighting alongside government forces.

Aleppo, Syria's largest city and once its commercial centre, has come under such attacks in the past that led to the closure of its international airport. Friday's strike did not affect the airport.

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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz on March 21 signalled that the new IMF programme was likely to be continued for three years | Photo: Unsplash

Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday said the government will hold a meeting with the IMF on April 14 and 15 in Washington to discuss the features of the new bailout programme which the cash-strapped country is seeking, according to a media report.

The minister for finance and revenue in the Shehbaz Sharif government, while addressing journalists during his visit to the Pakistan Stock Exchange here, reiterated that the government plans to enter a major programme with the International Monetary Fund which will ensure microeconomic stability, Geo News reported.

Aurangzeb said the features of the new programme would be discussed during the meeting, while detailed talks would be held in Pakistan, the report said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz on March 21 signalled that the new IMF programme was likely to be continued for three years.

Shehbaz, while addressing a session of the Special Investment Facilitation Council's apex committee attended by civil-military leadership, said the new tranche of loan was likely to be received from the IMF in a few days.

However, we would need another programme, he added.

He also said the country's current account was better and the exchange rate was also stable, the report said.

Aurangzeb said the inflation rate has also decreased and credited the accomplishments to the stand-by arrangement (SBA) agreement during PM Shehbaz's last tenure.

"The caretaker government did better work to restore the economy. The economy will stabilise soon owing to better economic policies, the minister was quoted as saying.

Washington-based IMF's global team reached a staff-level agreement with the Pakistani authorities last week on the second and final review of Pakistan's stabilisation programme supported by the global lender's USD 3 billion standby arrangement approved in July last year.
(Photo : ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)

People view the solar eclipse in Mexico City in October 2023. Experts warn not to view the celestial show next month without glasses or with knock-off ones because it could cause severe eye injuries. There are also fears of flight delays and cancellations and traffic jams as the eclipse crosses over the United States on April 8.

Excitement is building for the solar eclipse next month  along with dread of snarled traffic, canceled or delayed flights and the dangers of donning fake eclipse glasses to view the celestial spectacle.

The solar eclipse, when the moon's shadow blots out the sun, will pass over much of the United States on April 8, meaning millions will be gazing into the sky and people will be traveling to a narrow track of the country between Texas and Maine where totality will be most visible.

Watching the eclipse without protecive glasses, or with fake ones, can cause "severe eye injury, ranging from temporarily impaired vision to permanent blindness," USA Today reported, citing the American Astronomical Society.

People are advised to buy the glasses from a trusted vendor and test them before the eclipse.

To test them for safety, the American Astronomical Society suggests trying them inside first.

"You shouldn't be able to see anything through them, except perhaps very bright lights," it says.

The next step is taking them outside on a sunny day. Only the sun's reflection should be visible.

The third stage is taking a glimpse of the sun for "less than a second."

"You should see a sharp-edged, round disk (the Sun's visible "face") that's comfortably bright," it said.

If the glasses pass all three tests, they're likely safe.

Experts also warn about the traffic jams that could occur when all of the people watching the eclipse hop in their cars and leave once the show is over - especially in those areas of the country where it will be most visible.

The Texas Department of Transportation will put up signs warning: "NO STOPPING ON HIGHWAY TO VIEW ECLIPSE" and "NO PARKING ON SHOULDER, KEEP MOVING," USA Today reported.

Highway crews in Texas are also pausing road construction and maintenance work.

The Federal Aviation Administration has said that airports in states in the path - Texas, Vermont, Maine, Canada, New Hampshire, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri - will be affected.

"Due to the high volume of traffic along the eclipse path, (airport) arrivals can expect lengthy delays during peak traffic periods," the FAA said.

"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. EST) through April 10, 2024, (midnight EST)," the FAA said.

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March 29, 2024 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, has concluded her visit to Vietnam as part of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Malaysia and Vietnam. As a key initiative under Canadas Indo-Pacific Strategy, these missions provide opportunities for companies, both Canadian and local, to establish valuable connections with key players.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Minister Ng highlighted the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Vietnam. As a result of the agreement, bilateral trade has increased between the 2 countries and doors have opened for Canadian businesses in Vietnam. The Minister also encouraged the trade mission delegates to learn more about CPTPP-related customs requirements to help increase Canadian exports to Vietnam. She also discussed Canadas commitment to strengthening commercial relations with Vietnam by building on the momentum of the trade mission, including through advancing negotiations towards an ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement.

During her visit, Minister Ng observed the meaningful contribution made by Canadian companies operating on the Vietnamese market. From promoting the economic empowerment of women and girls through Code Like a Girl tournaments, to providing technology that stabilizes electricity distribution across Vietnams largest city, Canadian companies are making a lasting impact.

The Minister also witnessed the extension of the partnership between CAE Inc., a Canadian aerospace company taking part in the mission, and Vietnam Airlines. The agreement extends the partnership for an extra five years allowing for CAEs flight simulators to continue to be used for pilot training by Vietnam Airlines.

Minister Ng heard how Canadian companies are seizing growing opportunities in Vietnams energy sector to support the transition to clean energy and the countrys net-zero goals. The launch of a collaborative relationship between four Canadian companies taking part in the mission and one of Vietnams largest energy companies is a great example of how the mission targets priority sectors in Vietnam, such as clean technologies, for Canadian businesses to grow.

The Minister also announced the opening of Export Development Canadas first office in Vietnam. The new office will help Canadian exporters and investors navigate and benefit from the fast-growing Indo-Pacific market.

While in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Minister Ng took part in a series of bilateral meetings. The conversational topics included the CPTPP, trade diversification, the ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement negotiations and the unlocking of untapped potential for Canadian businesses in Vietnam.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) and House Republican impeachment managers have informed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) via letter that they will send two impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10.

House Republicans are accusing the Homeland Security Secretary of "high crimes and misdemeanors" that include willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust.

The charges will arrive in the upper chamber after senators return to Washington following a two-week Easter recess. This forces the Senate to take up the matter formally.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer must then decide whether or not to hold a full trial on the Senate floor, vote to dismiss the charges immediately, or 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 House's solemn act to impeach the first sitting Cabinet official in American history demands timely action by the Senate," they wrote.

Charges require a vote of two-thirds of the Senate to convict Mayorkas and remove him from his post.

"If he cares about the Constitution and ending the devastation caused by Biden's 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.

On February 13, the House voted to impeach Mayorkas on two charges by a one-vote margin, 214-213 a week after an earlier vote 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.).

The Department of Homeland Security (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."

Schumer has refused to say how he will handle the impeachment articles.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
PPC's success in Zimbabwe is contrasted by surrounding regions

ICR Newsroom By 29 March 2024

South Africa-based cement manufacturer PPC Cement SA (PTY) Ltd has announced that its operations in Zimbabwe are now debt free, with EBITDA improving 13.6 per cent, for the 10-month period ending January 2024).

However, in contrast, sales volumes for its South Africa and Botswana operations fell by four per cent when compared to the equivalent period in the previous year. A spokesperson for PPC said, Sales volumes in the coastal region experienced a sharper decline than in the inland region, mainly due to a weaker retail market and a lack of infrastructure projects in the area.

This comes after the company unloaded its 51 per cent equity holding in Rwandan cement manufacturer Cimerwa Plc. The majority stake was sold for ZAR804.5m (US$42.5m). The company is currently waiting on approval of the purchase from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Competition Commission, following its payment of US$474,000 in capital gains tax to the Rwandan government.

PPC imposed price increases in these markets, which helped to offset the low sales volume. This led to a six per cent growth in revenue in the South Africa and Botswana, over the 10-month period. However, since the end of this period, performance in the South Africa and Botswana cement market has deteriorated, according to PPC. This came after EBITDA margins initially rose slightly from 10.7 to 11.4 per cent, compared to the 12.6 per cent level reported at the half-year period.

Zimbabwe growth

The strong growth experienced by PPCs Zimbabwean operations increased the companys overall revenues by 27.6 per cent, for the period ending 31 January 2024. Shares in PPC rose by 4.3 per cent to ZAR3.42 (US$0.17) on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), as of 27 March. Despite this improved revenue performance, the company has delayed the expansion of its Zimbabwe operation (which declared dividends of US$4m in July 2023 and US$7m in November 2023) by a full year.

Zimbabwe operations saw a 41 per cent growth in cement sales volumes over the 10M period. This was slightly lower than the 44 per cent expansion seen over the 1H period. This growth has been attributed to an uptick in residential construction and government funded infrastructure projects as well as a reduction in cement imports to the region.

PPC stated that, Zimbabwe continues to remain debt free and held ZAR95m in unencumbered cash at 31 January 2024. The groups targeted gross leverage of 1.3-1.5 times the South African and Botswana operations EBITDA including dividends from Zimbabwe remains unchanged. It was announced in January that the companys executive committee would review PPCs operations to better address the difficulties in the South African and Botswana markets.

South African adjustment

South African companies have been affected by rising inflation and interest rates, which have impacted consumers purchasing power. This has been accompanied by a slowing in construction projects in the region, according to market analysts. In response to these market conditions, PPC is prioritising structural optimisation and enhancing contribution margins by evaluating its South African businesss commercial footprint. Furthermore, the executive committee aims to decrease fixed operational and overhead costs, necessitating improvements to internal management and reporting systems. The board has targeted achieving a sustainable return on capital for its South African and Botswana business in the medium-term, the company said in its trading update.

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(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.

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(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.
Foundation House Ministries has been awarded a $790,000 Tennessee Strong Families Grant.



In 2023, Governor Bill Lee dedicated $20 million towards improving access to maternal healthcare and boosting critical resources for families by supporting local nonprofits across the state, including pregnancy centers.

"Foundation House Ministries is the only maternity home for 150 miles serving mothers exiting a crisis lifestyle. The grant will be paid out over three years. Foundation House Ministries also just celebrated a record-breaking spring banquet fundraiser," officials said.



In a statement regarding the grant program, Governor Lee said, Strong families are central to strong communities, and were proud to partner with the General Assembly to prioritize resources for local partners that serve Tennesseans in need.



Foundation House Executive Director Suzanne Burns said, We are so grateful.

This huge state grant will double our efforts and allow us to serve even more mothers in crisis throughout our region. It is truly amazing. And our donors just helped us raise the most money ever at our Celebration Banquet. So much to be thankful for.Ms. Burns said the grant does have restrictions, so fundraising for the nonprofit that provides a safe home, life skills workshops and on-the-job training to mothers seeking to break the chains of addiction and generational poverty is still a top priority.Officials said, "Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Foundation House has served over 120 mothers through housing and over 600 mothers through non-residential support services. Roughly 70 percent of Foundation House clients arrive with no GED or high school diploma and most of them have little job experience. Eighty-nine percent are former drug addicts and 85 percent were raised in chronic poverty. Foundation House prepares their clients for sustainable independent living physically, emotionally and spiritually."The nonprofit also runs a thrift store, Good Foundations, at 258 Broad St. NW in Cleveland. Foundation House has many volunteer opportunities. If interested in this or making a donation, visit FoundationHouseMinistries.org for sign up opportunities and a donation link.
The UT-Chattanooga community is invited to be part of the quest to help local hospital patients as the university and Blood Assurance host the semi-annual Bloodanooga blood drive. The theme for this event is Super Mario.The two-day blood drive will take place Monday and Tuesday of next week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. inside the University Center Tennessee Room. Its open to all university students, faculty, staff and the general public.Each time we return to campus, we are filled with gratitude, said Dr.Liz Culler, chief executive officer for Blood Assurance. The support and generous spirit embraced by the students and staff helps fuel our mission to save lives. It is crucial for healthy students to answer the call to give blood, especially knowing their donation is directly impacting people right here in Chattanooga.Since Bloodanooga was first held in 2011, nearly 8,000 units of blood have been collected. The goal for this event is to see at least 150 donors each day, officials said.Blood Assurance will be awarding each blood donor on Monday and Tuesday a commemorative Super Mario Bloodanooga t-shirt. Donors will also be entered to win a Nintendo Switch. Free food and drinks will also be available."You dont need to make an appointment, just walk in at your convenience," organizers said.To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids and eat a hearty meal prior to donating.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett issued a new warning to businesses across the state today about a deceptive mail scam related to the filing of annual business renewals from a company known as Tennessee Business Filing Center.

As part of this scheme, businesses receive an official-looking mailer from the company threatening additional fees and business dissolution if an entity does not file within 60 days of the April 1 deadline.

Our Division of Businesses and Charitable Organizations and I have recently received multiple complaints regarding a misleading mailer requesting hundreds of dollars in fees from businesses to complete their annual renewal process, said Secretary Hargett. We have seen similar situations in recent years targeting the good faith of our business community, and we want to remind all entities that our office provides these same services at substantially lower costs.

Businesses are required to complete their annual filings with the state by April 1 each year. These reports update or confirm an entitys records with the Department of State, and they are required to maintain active status so a business can legally operate in the state.

To file an annual report, please visit https://tnbear.tn.gov/ Ecommerce/AnnualReportID.aspx .

All Tennessee business owners should be wary of any mailing they receive from third parties offering services provided by our office, Secretary Hargett said. These parties are not affiliated with us in any way, and we encourage businesses to report any suspicious activity related to this situation.

To report suspicious activity to the Division of Business and Charitable Organizations, email TNSOS.CERT@tn.gov . You can also call 615 741-2286.

To file a complaint with the Attorney Generals office, call 615 741-3491 or visit Attorney General & Reporter (tn.gov)
More Tennesseans started the second month of 2024 on the job as employment improved across the state in February. According to newly-released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), every county recorded lower unemployment rates for the month.



All 95 counties showed an improved unemployment situation when compared to their revised January numbers. The decrease in unemployment across the state led each county to post rates under 5% in February.



Moore County had the lowest unemployment in Tennessee with a remarkable rate of 1.9%. That represented a 0.8 of a percentage point drop from its January number.



Williamson County had the states second-lowest rate of the month at 2.1%, a 0.4 of a percentage point drop, followed by Rutherford County, which decreased from 2.7% to 2.2% in February.

While Cocke County had the highest jobless number in February at 4.7%, the countys rate was down 1 percentage point when compared to Januarys rate. Bledsoe County recorded the states next highest unemployment rate at 4.5%, which was down 0.8 of a percentage point from the previous month. Lauderdale County followed with a rate of 4.4% but also had one of the biggest decreases for the month, with a 1.2 percentage point drop.



More detailed information about each countys unemployment data, as well as statistics for cities and metropolitan and micropolitan areas, can be found here.



As reported on March 21, the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 3.3%, down from 3.5% in January.



Nationally, unemployment increased by 0.2 of a percentage point during the month to 3.9%.



Unlike the statewide unemployment rate, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted to take into account factors such as holidays or weather events.



Tennesseans looking for a job or a career change can work one-on-one, at no cost, with a career specialist at one of Tennessees American Job Centers. A list of locations is available here.



The state of Tennessee will release the unemployment data for March on Thursday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. CDT.
CLEVELAND, Tenn.  Both teams knocked out four hits, but Cleveland made the most of its Thursday evening, at Bill Talley Stadium.





Playing the second of three games in as many days, the Blue Raiders posted a 4-1 victory over Ooltewah.





Cleveland (8-6) will turn around to host crosstown rival Bradley Central Friday evening, while Ooltewah (1-11) will trek up I-75 to Athens to take on McMinn County at noon.





After a scoreless opening inning, Ooltewah put the first score on the board when sophomore Caleb Henson drew a walk to start the second, stole second, moved to third on a single by Cade Richardson.





The Owl baserunners then pulled off a double steal, which brought Henson sliding across the plate, beating the return throw.





After being held scoreless in their first three at bats, the Raiders evened the score in the bottom of the fourth.





Senior Nolan Copeland opened the at bat by "walking the line," swiped second and came around to score on a single by classmate Andrew Wenger.





After a scoreless fifth, the hosts put up a 3-spot in the sixth.





Virginia Tech signee Mycah Jordan and Copeland started the rally with back-to-back doubles to plate the first score.





After a walk to senior Jack McBrayer and Copeland stealing third, Wenger deliver his second RBI hit of the night.





A fielder's choice then notched the first out, before Wegner swipes third and sophomore Collin Stuart goes to second and 10th-grader Caden Tippens lifted a sac fly to bring in the final run.





Brock Smallen went 2-for-3 for the Owls, while Drew Wood had the other hit for the visitors.





While sophomore Owen Goglio tossed the first five frames for Cleveland, striking out 10 and walking just two, he gave way to junior Tyler Gardner, who notched 4 Ks in a pair of no-hit innings to earn the pitching victory.





Ooltewah starter James Trent also went five frames, with seven strikeouts and a trio of free passes in taking the loss before Smallen tossed the final three outs.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - R H E OOLTEWAH 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 4 0 CLEVELAND 0 0 0 1 0 3 X - 4 4 0
Students and employees from Southern Adventist Universitys automotive program will be providing free vehicle inspections for the community on Sunday, April 14, from 1-4 p.m. in the Samaritan Center parking lot in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Technicians will check fluids, belts, hoses, and other maintenance items on vehicles. While the team will not be doing any repairs on site, following each inspection they will explain to the owner anything that should be fixed. Donations to benefit the Samaritan Center are welcomed but not required.

Southerns automotive program is ranked fourth in the nation by College Choice. This hands-on program was introduced at Southern nearly 30 years ago and has grown to include bachelors and associate degrees as well as a one-year certificate.

For more information, contact Southerns Applied Technology team, housed in the School of Business, at 423.236.2863 or by emailing technology@southern.edu.

What: Free Vehicle Inspections

When: Sunday, April 14, 1-4 p.m.

Where: The Samaritan Center

9231 Lee Highway
Lee University School of Music will present pianist Dr. Muen Vanessa Wei in a faculty recital on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Squires Recital Hall.

Dr. Weis recital will be the third in a series of eight recitals titled Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas Concert Series, which will showcase all 32 of Ludwig van Beethovens piano sonatas over the next four semesters. She will perform four of Beethovens sonatas, including Op. 10, No. 3 in D Major; Op. 22 in B Flat Major; Op. 14, No. 1 in E Major; and Op. 109 in E Major.

According to Dr. Wei, the first two sonatas are very similar in terms of their structures. They follow the compositional style of Beethovens teacher, Joseph Haydn, with some of Beethovens personal touches. The final sonata in the program is much more intimate, with many harmonic and structural innovations.

Dr. Wei joined Lees School of Music in 2021 as an assistant professor of piano and teaches courses such as applied piano, collaborative piano, and chamber music. Prior to Lee, she served as a guest professor at China West Normal University and piano faculty at New Tampa Piano and Pedagogy Academy. She has collaborated with many great musicians including Lynn Harrell, Ian Hobson, Peter Lloyd, and Joel Smirnoff. Wei also has a debut album, Im 3/4 Takt, which has been considered one of Centaurs finest releases to date by Fanfare.

She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from the China Conservatory of Music.

The recital is free, non-ticketed, and open to the public.

For more information about the concert, contact the Lee University School of Music at music@leeuniversity.edu or call 614-8240.
Thriving flower industry boosts tourism in SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 11:12, March 29, 2024

"Flower viewing" has become a tourism buzzword in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Chinese social media, as the provinces fresh-cut flower industry has continued to flourish in recent years.

Tourists buy fresh flowers at the Dounan Flower Market in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yunnan produces 18 billion stems of fresh-cut flowers annually, with the output value exceeding 100 billion yuan (about $13.84 billion).

Representative fresh flower cultivation bases and trading venues in the province, including the Dounan Flower Market in Kunming and the edible rose base in Bajie subdistrict, An'ning, a county-level city overseen by Kunming, have become popular photo spots, attracting crowds of tourists.

The fresh-cut flower industry in Yunnan has expanded, while the integration of flowers and tourism has become a new highlight of the province's tourism sector.

Cai Jianhua, a florist who has been selling flowers at the Dounan Flower Market for over 20 years, said visitors from across the country and foreign tourists accompanied by interpreters purchase flowers at the market.

"An increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists has been coming to the flower market to buy flowers these years," Cai said.

The Dounan Flower Market is the largest fresh-cut flower trading market in Asia and the second largest worldwide. It sells over 1,600 varieties of fresh-cut flowers under 117 categories.

A tourist surnamed Xu from Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, was enchanted by the myriads of flowers on offer and their competitive prices at the flower market.

"The scene in the flower market is stunning and the flowers are so appealing. I want to take them all home," she said.

When traveling to Yunnan in the past, Xu usually treated Kunming as a transfer station. This time, she made the Dounan Flower Market the final stop of her trip, which turned out to be a surprising and amazing experience. She bought fresh flowers such as big-leaf hydrangea flowers, roses, and lilies, bringing the essence of spring from Yunnan back home.

The Dounan Flower Market was selected as one of the second batch of national-level night culture and tourism consumption clusters in July 2022, according to Qian Chongjun, executive president of Yunnan Dounan Flower Industry Group. In 2023, the Kunming Dounan International Flowers Industrial Park received over 4 million tourist visits, with tourism revenue exceeding 200 million yuan.

Over the past years, Yunnan has been working to build a complete flower industry chain and promote the integrated development of flowers and tourism.

Photo shows edible rose fields in Bajie subdistrict, An'ning, a county-level city overseen by Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China An'ning municipal committee)

The Dounan Flower Market organizes themed tourism activities and exhibitions to attract more visitors' attention on festivals such as International Women's Day, Mother's Day, and Valentine's Day,, as well as special days including May 20, as "520" is pronounced like "I love you" in Chinese, said Guo Zhaochuan, head of the Dounan flower industry comprehensive service center.

On May 20, 2023, over 9 million fresh flower stems were auctioned at the flower market, and 1,500 drones created a breathtaking spectacle of roses and other flowers in the night sky, drawing crowds of tourists and residents into a romantic atmosphere.

Tourists can also savor edible flowers. According to Jiang Zhenghong, a grower of edible roses in Xianglian village, Bajie subdistrict, An'ning city, flocks of tourists view roses and go flower-picking in the village during the blooming season. Over the past two years, the village has provided ovens near rose fields, allowing tourists to bake flower cakes immediately after harvesting roses.

Li Zhenghai, Party chief of the village, said the planting area of edible roses in the village has reached about 1,400 mu (about 93.33 hectares).

Since 2019, Xianglian village has built and improved supporting facilities such as parking lots, public toilets, and sightseeing platforms, and worked with companies to develop creative tourism projects. Today, tourists can experience the daily lives of flower farmers in the village, and buy souvenirs such as flower cakes, rose-flavored sugar and handmade floral soaps.

"With more tourists flocking to our village, our local specialties are selling better. My wife and I can earn 10,000 yuan in just over 10 days by selling eggs and hand-woven garlands," Jiang said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The Biden administration restored rules to protect endangered plants and animals on Thursday (Mar. 28) after it was rolled back under former President Donald Trump in 2019.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service would reinstate the 1973 Endangered Species Act, a decades-old regulation mandating blanket protections for species newly classified as threatened. This meant that officials would not have to create specific, time-intensive plans to shield each individual species while protections were pending.

The Associated Press obtained details on the rules that were to be reinstated.

Wildlife advocates perceived the White House's move as incomplete as they said several potentially harmful changes under Trump were left untouched.

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 restored essential protections for wildlife but left in place some of the changes made in 2019 under Trump. The environmental group added that the retained provisions would open the door to destroying habitat critical for some species to survive.

On the other hand, Republicans criticized the restoration of the regulations, saying that the law was being wielded too broadly and to the detriment of economic growth.

"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," House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) said.

Read Also: California Mountain Lion Attack Leaves Man Dead, Teen Brother Injured; First of Its Kind in Decades

Another rule from the wildlife service and the National Marine Fisheries Service announced on Thursday said that officials would not consider economic impacts when deciding if animals and plants needed protection. This would make it easier to designate areas as critical for a species' survival, even if it is no longer found in those locations.

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.

Many energy companies, ranchers, developers, and representatives of other industries have long viewed the Endangered Species Act as an impediment. Under Trump, they successfully lobbied to weaken the law's regulations as part of a broad dismantling of environmental safeguards.

Related Article: Scientists Turn Fly Products Into Plastic, Breaks Down Naturally

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Central Church of Christ will host a free rabies vaccination clinic and pet care event at 400 Vine Steet on Saturday, April 6, from 12-4 p.m.

Pet owners are warmly encouraged to bring their beloved companions to the Central Church of Christ for a complimentary rabies vaccine. The vaccine will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Additionally, attendees will have access to free nail trimmings for their pets, generously provided by our skilled veterinarian, Ashley King. Weather permitting, pets will also have the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary bath.

Central Church of Christ is also partnering with Street Quesadilla, a local food truck, so attendees can savor delicious food offerings while taking advantage of the pet care services provided.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, April 6

Time: 12-4 p.m.

Location: Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN

Admission: Free

Since 1909, Central Church of Christ has been operating in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. The congregation is known for its welcoming atmosphere and its focus on living out the gospel in the community. Central Church of Christ offers a variety of programs and ministries for people of all ages, including worship services, Bible studies, and community outreach initiatives.



For further inquiries or media coverage requests, please contact Parker Allison, Communication Director, at pallison@centralchurchchatt.org or visit www.centralchurchchatt.org for additional information.
Many prospective and current homeowners covet gas stoves, preferring them over electric options. But are they really safe?

A new study from Purdue University has highlighted concerning findings: cooking on a gas stove could emit up to 100 times more harmful particles than an exhaust pipe in a car.

The research uncovered that gas stoves actually discharge nano-sized particles, potentially elevating the risk of asthma and other respiratory conditions.

These super tiny nano-particles are so small that youre not able to see them. Theyre not like dust particles you would see floating in the air, explained Brandon Boor, an associate professor at Purdues Lyles School of Civil Engineering.

After observing such high concentrations of nano-cluster aerosol during gas cooking, we cant ignore these nano-sized particles anymore.

Just last year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul even introduced a controversial proposal to ban gas stoves in the state. She pointed to their harmful impacts on both individual health and the greater environment. This research has paralleled her concerns.

For the study, the team employed advanced air quality monitoring equipment from GRIMM Aerosol Technik, a German company.

This technology enabled them to detect extremely small particles, as small as one nano-meter, while cooking on a gas stove inside a small, lab-based tiny house.

This tiny house was equipped with all the usual amenities found in a standard living space and was further outfitted with sensors designed to meticulously track how daily activities affect the air quality within a home.

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In China, a cemetery containing dozens of tombs and cultural artifacts was discovered by archaeologists from the Xiangyang Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology last summer.

The Baizhuang Cemetery is located in Xiangyang, a city in the northwestern Hubei province. It was uncovered amidst excavations for an infrastructure project. Archaeologists identified a total of 176 tombs after they cleaned up the site.

All of them, except for two, were pit tombs from Chinas Warring States period, beginning in the 5th century B.C. and ending in 221 B.C. The other two date back to the Han dynasty, which lasted from 206 B.C. to A.D. 220.

During the Warring States period, many small Chinese kingdoms fought for power and territories. Eventually, two states, Qin and Chu, remained standing. In the end, Qin emerged victorious and established the first unified Chinese empire.

Discoveries of Warring States sites provide incredible insight into a period that is both seminal but poorly understood, Justin Winslett, a lecturer in Chinese studies at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, told Newsweek. He was not involved in the recent excavations of the cemetery.

The Warring States [era] represents part of a classical period within Chinese and larger East Asian history from whence many of the cornerstones, such as philosophy, myth, and text, that are today thought of as part of East Asian civilization are meant to have emerged.

Previously, experts knew very little about what life was like for people during the Warring States period, but in the past 50 years, new discoveries of tombs, workshops, and small villages have helped provide more information.

These findings are due to the increased rate of building works, which has led to numerous archaeological sites being uncovered during excavations.

Among the tombs dating back to the Warring States period, archaeologists found nine medium-sized sloped passageways. The largest of them were more than 30 feet long and 16 feet wide. The tombs from the Han dynasty did not feature passages.

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Home News Al Jazeera removes fake story about Israeli soldiers raping women in Gaza hospital

A Qatari state-run news organization quietly retracted a story that accused Israeli soldiers of raping women and burning families alive at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, an allegation that went viral despite the lack of evidence.

Al Jazeera is a news organization funded in part by the Qatari government, which supports Hamas, the terrorist group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. Israel launched an offensive in Gaza after Hamas invasion on Oct. 7 that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, including 31 Americans, and the abduction of more than 240 others.

As The Jerusalem Post reported last Sunday, Al Jazeera's report accusing Israeli soldiers of rape remained on the news site for 24 hours before it was taken down. At the time of the JP's report, Al Jazeera hadn't yet issued an official retraction.

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The now-deleted article featured testimony from Jamila Al-Hessi, a Gazan woman, who claimed to have witnessed IDF soldiers raping women then killing them and burning entire families alive after Hamas terrorists barricaded themselves inside of the Al-Shifa Hospital.

Al Jazeera did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's inquiry about the article's publication and subsequent removal.

In a post on X Sunday, Al Jazeera columnist and former managing director Yasser Abuhilalah admitted that the story was a fabrication; however, he still accused Israel of committing genocide.

It was revealed through Hamas investigations that the story of the rape of women in Al-Shifa Hospital was fabricated   Abuhilalah wrote. The woman who spoke about rape justified her exaggeration and incorrect talk by saying that the goal was to arouse the nations fervor and brotherhood!

As if more than thirty thousand martyrs, ninety thousand wounded, about a million displaced people, and comprehensive destruction were not enough! he added.

Israel launched an offensive in Gaza to eliminate Hamas after the terror groups Oct. 7 invasion, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of more than 240 others.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has claimed that over 32,000 people in Gaza have been killed since the war started; however, the number is difficult to verify because the data provided by the health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, and Hamas has been accused of using civilians as human shields. Similarly, many have expressed skepticism concerning the authenticity of figures provided by Hamas.

The IDF has repeatedly reported that Hamas has used Al-Shifa hospital as a base to conduct its terrorist operations and hide behind civilians.

As The Times of Israel reported Thursday, Israeli forces killed a senior Hamas commander, and IDF soldiers have detained more than 900 terror suspects during its ongoing raid at the hospital. According to IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, 513 of the suspects are confirmed to be members of terror groups.

Following Hamas Oct. 7 attacks, multiple reports have surfaced that the terror group subjected women to widespread sexual violence during its onslaught.

One of the reports of Hamas sexual crimes came from a woman known as Shari, who works with IDF's Rabbinate corps, and was responsible for preparing victims' bodies for burial. In October, Shari told The Daily Mail that there is evidence of Hamas mass rape of women, children and the elderly, with the violence being so extreme that many victims had their pelvis broken.

We wash the bodies and prepare them for burial. We try to bring them dignity in death, the Rabbinate corps member said. I heard stories about Auschwitz as a child growing up in New Jersey. But what I have seen here with my own eyes is worse than the Holocaust.

Over 50 days after Hamas Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, the United Nations entity UN Women finally released a statement in December condemning the terror groups assault against Israeli civilians and foreigners.

We unequivocally condemn the brutal attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October. We are alarmed by the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities and sexual violence during those attacks, the statement read.
Home News 45 Christians killed in bus crash en route to Easter gathering in South Africa

Political leaders throughout Africa are offering prayers and condolences after nearly four dozen Christians were killed en route to an annual Easter gathering.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that 45 people lost their lives when a bus transporting them from Botswana to the city of Moria in the South African Province of Limpopo crashed while traveling on the R518 road near Mokopane, Limpopo Thursday.

The South Africa Department of Transport said in a statement on X Thursday that the bus was transporting 46 people, with all but one of them losing their lives.

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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 department noted. South Africa Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash, adding, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

A statement released by the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety elaborated on the impact of the crash, identifying the lone survivor as an 8-year-old girl, noting that some bodies were burned beyond recognition, others trapped inside the debris and others scattered on the scene. The bus fell 50 meters, equivalent to 164 feet, off a bridge before catching on fire.

The Easter weekend church service the passengers were traveling to is the largest Christian gathering in the country during Easter, according to the South African publication The Daily Vox. The event is held at Zion City Moria, which is the seat of the Africa-based Zion Christian Church. According to the news outlet, Rough calculations estimate that between 3 million and 5 million pilgrims visit Moria for the Easter pilgrimage.

The Botswana Democratic Party released a statement on behalf of Mokgweetsi E.K. Maswisi, the president of Botswana and party leader, offering deepest condolences to the [Zion Christian Church] members and their families affected by the heartbreaking bus accident.

The South African Police Service INTERPOL National Central Bureau office confirmed Friday that all the passengers on the bus were citizens of Botswana.

The police agency also reported that as of Friday, bodies belonging to 34 of the 46 passengers had been recovered, but only nine were identifiable. The 8-year-old girl who survived the accident is receiving treatment for her injuries at a hospital.

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha released a statement vowing to prioritize safety and responsible driving practices to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future. He maintained that Limpopos scenic routes should be pathways of joy and connection, not sites of tragedy and loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims, both in Botswana and South Africa, as they navigate through this unimaginable loss and grief, he added. I extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by this tragedy. May they find strength, comfort, and solace in this difficult time.
(Photo : Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

The Oxford men's crew (l) lead the Cambrdige men's crew (r) during Cancer Research UK Boat Race on April 2, 2017 in London, England.



May the best team ... not get violently ill.

British boaters are being warned of alarmingly high levels of E. coli from sewage in the River Thames in London ahead of the historic Gemini Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities on March 30.

The environmental group River Action said regular testing along the race course between Feb. 28 and March 26 showed E. coli levels up to 10 times higher than what the U.K.'s Environment Agency allows for designated bathing waters graded "poor," the lowest of four categories. The government advises against bathing in waters graded poor.

"The testing locations suggest that the source of pollution is from Thames Water discharging sewage directly into the river and its tributaries," River Action said.

Thames Water, a regional utility, has long faced controversy over pollution, but told the Financial Thames that heavy rains are responsible for the water quality readings reported by River Action.

"We are in a tragic situation when elite athletes are issued with health guidance ahead of a historic race on the capital's river. Our water quality results show what happens after decades of neglect by an unregulated water company, Thames Water," said River Action CEO James Wallace.

"Recently we heard from Thames Water how they will not contribute to a 180 million ($227.2 million) industry-wide scheme to fast-track efforts to reduce pollution in England's waterways. But they do want to increase customer bills and increase dividends to shareholders as well as position to get a massive taxpayer bailout to clear debts including a 190 million ($239.8 million) loan due in April," said river champion and naturalist Steve Backshall MBE.

"From where I am standing, Thames Water is one flush from disappearing down its broken sewage pipe."

The Environmental Agency on Tuesday opened a portal for water company whistleblowers to safely report serious environmental wrongdoing. The move comes as the agency is conducting "the largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies at thousands of sewage treatment works."

"The more evidence we have to identify potential criminality, then the more actions we can take to make lasting improvements to our environment," said Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency.

River Action said it worked with The Rivers Trust and British Rowing to develop guidelines for boater safety in poor quality water, and those guidelines were issued to rowing clubs across the country to minimize the risk of illness. The guidelines were also included in the briefing packs for Oxford and Cambridge rowers participating in the Gemini Boat Race this weekend.

The recommendations include covering cuts, grazes, and blisters with waterproof dressings; taking care not to swallow river water that splashes close to the mouth; wearing suitable footwear when launching or recovering a boat; and cleaning all equipment thoroughly.

"As a rower, the water I row on is my field of play, and the results of the E.coli testing show that rowers are putting their health at risk to do the sport they love. Thousands of people rely on our rivers for work and recreation, and they are being choked with sewage and pollution," said Imogen Grant, triple Boat Race winner with Cambridge, double World and European champion rower.

"Over 30 rowing clubs sit along the Boat Race course, with thousands of rowers taking to the Thames every day," said British Rowing CEO Alastair Marks.

"Our recently launched Environmental Sustainability Strategy outlines the steps rowers can take to row safely, so we can keep rowing and keep inspiring a love and care for our waters in our community."

The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race has been held annually since 1829. The 2024 Gemini Boat Race will be the 169th men's race and the 78th women's race, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the banks of the River Thames.

 with reporting by TMX

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Home News Theologian: Claim that Christ is King violates Ten Commandments is a curious complaint Debate over Christian declaration erupts after Daily Wire links phrase to 'antisemitic crowd'

Is the phrase "Christ is King," a name which is not only bestowed on Jesus in the Scriptures but is also part of the name of countless American churches, hospitals and other institutions, "antisemitic"?

The debate kicked off last week as the phrase Christ is King began trending on X ahead of Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week for Christians worldwide. Two leading figures at the conservative news site The Daily Wire criticized how the phrase was being used in the run-up to Holy Week.

Andrew Klavan, a podcast host at The Daily Wire  which parted ways with host Candace Owens following months of disagreements between her and Ben Shapiro and a controversial interview with a rabbi and her re-tweeting posts on social media that many deemed antisemitic  said the phrase Christ is King is being used as an antisemitic attack.

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Klavan, who identifies as a Christian, added that while he believes Christ is King and Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior, the phrase is being misused by an antisemitic crowd who are misquoting Scripture. He doesn't disagree with its substance  only its intent.

Christ is the King, said Klavan in a March 22 segment. And one day every knee will bow to recognize that Hes not just my King, but the King of the universe."

But when you use that phrase to mean God has abandoned His chosen people, the Jews, through whom He came into this world incarnate and that He's broken His promises, His covenant with the Jews, you are quoting Scripture like Satan does in the Bible. You are quoting Scripture to your purposes, and that to me is specifically wicked.

Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing appeared to stand with Klavan on his views, adding that he believes saying Christ is King could actually be seen as a violation of one of the Ten Commandments.

Darrell L. Bock, the executive director of Cultural Engagement and senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, told CP he doesn't consider Boreings claim equating Christ is King with taking the Lords name in vain to be theologically credible.

This is a curious complaint, Bock told CP via email Tuesday. Christ means King as the Messiah (which is what Christ means, anointed one) is king of Gods kingdom.

It may be redundant, but that is because many people think Christ is a name and not the title that it is.

Boreing tweeted, Additionally, saying Christ is King for an evil purpose  like using it as a weapon to express your hatred or disdain for the Jews  is a grave sin. It plainly violates the Third Commandment Thou shall not carry forth the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Bock rejected Boreings application of the Commandant to the phrase, adding that it simply is acknowledging who Christ is and what He is called to do with divine sanction.

When asked whether followers of Christ might be sinning by declaring Christ is King  as several Christian influencers have alleged  Bock said, Not at all.

They are recognizing Jesus is Lord and Christ (i.e. king), he added, citing Acts 2:36, which reads: Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

In addition to being the traditional namesake of a Catholic feast as well as the names of various denominational churches, hospitals, and other institutions across the country, both the title and notion of Christ the King appears throughout the Bible.

The phrase appears in the Gospel of Mark by the chief priests and scribes who mocked Jesus: So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe. (Mark 15:31-32)

Pointing to a rise in the hatred of Jews, Klavan rejected the notion that the Jewish religion is based on rejecting Christ.

Thats crap, he said. The Jews were around for a long time before they were prepared to bring Christ into the world. That is not what defines the Jewish religion.

Comparing The Daily Wire's decision to sever its ties with Owens with being just the same as if someone supported abortion, Klavan also tied the phrase Christ is King to Owens departure.

No matter what they call us, and theyre going to call us everything, he explained, if Candace wants to say those things about the Jews, about Hitler, no matter how much she dodges and weaves, she has to leave The Daily Wire.

She has to leave for one reason above every other. There are lots of reasons, but the one reason above every other is because Christ is King.

After comparing the phrase to saying Eat some cornbread  which, Boreing said, could be seen as racist if he said it to black commentators I dont like  he argued the phrase Christ is King may be antisemitic in connotation while not in denotation when it's being used to express antisemitism.

Boreing, who also identifies as a Christian and the lower-case god king of The Daily Wire, argued that wrongly using the phrase Christ is King could be a grave sin.

Boreing later clarified that while he has no problem specifically with the phrase, it all depends on what is meant by saying it: Christ is King, as I said in my post. Say it loud, say it proud  if what you mean is that Jesus Christ is King. If you have other motives  if you are trying to express your hate or disdain for someone, or promote yourself or your gang, or justify some evil  try not taking the Lords Name in vain instead.

Last Friday, Boreing announced Owens was no longer with DW.

Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship.  Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) March 22, 2024

Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship, Boreing tweeted on March 22.

That announcement set off a wave of backlash against the conservative outlet, which was founded in 2015 by political commentator Ben Shapiro, an orthodox Jew, and Boreing, a film director.

Owens herself responded to the controversy by tweeting, The reason why some people believe that with enough insistence they can convince American Christians that the basic truth, Christ is King is actually antisemitic, is because they have been successfully spiking the ball on Christianity for the past 60 years.

Inch by inch, by pretending to be our friends and making us fearful of having the media project us as overzealous is how they have scored so many wins.

Ironically, Owens was criticized for using the same phrase last November during a public spat with Shapiro, when she proclaimed Christ is King after Shapiro called her response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel disgraceful.
Home News Geraldo tells Rachel Maddow, MSNBC hosts: God didn't make you 'arbiters of right and wrong'

A longtime TV personality is criticizing prominent MSNBC opinion hosts who pushed for the termination of NBC's contract with former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as an on-air contributor, insisting that God did not anoint them arbiters of right or wrong.

Geraldo Rivera, the former Fox News host whose career has spanned several decades, took to X on Monday to weigh in on the news that NBC had terminated its contract with McDaniel just days after they hired her. Rivera, a liberal who frequently clashed with his more conservative colleagues at Fox News, lamented that Ronna McDaniel is getting washed away by a tsunami of pretentious bull sh-- in a post on X Monday night.

Rivera attributed MSNBC personalities demands to fire McDaniel to the fact that they hate [former President Donald] Trump. A video compiled by the media watchdog NewsBusters shows examples of what Rivera was talking about, with multiple on-air personalities at NBC's cable news arm MSNBC expressing vehement opposition to its decision to hire McDaniel. MSNBC host Joy Reid cited McDaniels hiring as an example of the normalization of the dangerous, damned lies from the Republican Party.

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The chyron at the bottom of the screen during Mondays edition of Deadline: White House read hiring of fmr. GOP chair raises questions about platforming election deniers.

MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski derided McDaniel as an anti-democracy election denier while her husband and co-host on Morning Joe Joe Scarborough expressed disappointment that we werent asked our opinion of the hiring, adding, If we were, we would have strongly objected to it.

We hope NBC will reconsider its decision, Brzezinski said. Longtime MSNBC host Rachel Maddow also told viewers, I hope they will reverse their decision. Maddow also likened the network's hiring of McDaniel to hiring a mobster to work at a [district attorneys] office and joined other MSNBC hosts in vowing that the former RNC chair would never appear on their programs.

Rivera offered an additional analysis of McDaniels ouster in a subsequent X post on Tuesday: What many progressives like Maddow apparently do not understand is that God did not anoint them arbiters of right or wrong. Millions of Americans dont see the world the way either Maddow or Ronna McDaniel see it.

NBCs audience deserved to hear Ronna McDaniels point of view. She is the closest Trump insider ever to go public, he added. Maddow and her snobby, self-righteous crowd made sure Ronna would not be heard, at least not on NBC. Thats not only inexplicable, it is indefensible.

At the same time, Rivera stressed that he shared the MSNBC hosts disagreement with McDaniels point of view: 75 Million Americans voted for Trump. Half of them still believe he got robbed. I reject the notion of election denial. It is patently false. I refuse to support Trump because of that reckless, bellicose falsehood. Thats my point of view, and I dont hesitate to share it.

NBC News reported Tuesday that NBCUniversal Group, the parent company of NBC News and MSNBC, agreed to comply with the requests of its on-air talent. In an email Tuesday, NBCUniversal Group Chairman Cesar Conde told staffers that after listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.

Conde also said he wanted to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down.

He added, While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I take full responsibility for it.

Conde, however, also defended his initial hiring of McDaniel as part of the networks deep commitment to presenting our audiences with a widely diverse set of viewpoints and experiences, particularly during these consequential times. He stressed that we continue to be committed to the principle that we must have diverse viewpoints on our programs, and to that end, we will redouble our efforts to seek voices that represent different parts of the political spectrum.

McDaniel was first elected to lead the RNC in 2017, shortly after Trump took office. While she remained on good terms with the former president for the most part, she had become a target for criticism among some in the Republican Party in light of the partys lackluster performance in recent elections.

At one of the Republican presidential primary debates last year, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy criticized her results as RNC chair: Since Ronna McDaniel took over as chairwoman of the RNC in 2017, we have lost 2018, 2020 [and] 2022 and got trounced in 2023. He called on the then-RNC Chairwoman to come on stage tonight and look GOP voters in the eye and tell them you resign.
Home News Hamas rejects US hostage deal after UN Security Council adopts ceasefire resolution

Hamas rejected a deal proposed by the United States to help secure the release of the remaining hostages amid ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and Israeli officials about how to best address the conflict.

Israel agreed Saturday to a U.S.-proposed compromise that involved releasing around 700 to 800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 40 hostages, The Jerusalem Post reported. According to an update Tuesday, Hamas reiterated its demands, which include the full withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from the Gaza Strip.

The Post shared a message Hamas posted on its Telegram channel in response to the deal, stating that the terror group is adhering to the demands presented in a March 14 press release, in which Hamas "deemed necessary for an agreement" withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza.

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"The occupation's response did not respond to any of the basic demands of our people and our resistance: (a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced, and a real exchange of prisoners)," Hamas wrote on Telegram.

"Accordingly, the movement reiterates that Netanyahu and his extremist government bear full responsibility for thwarting all negotiation efforts and obstructing reaching an agreement so far."

Israel has been at war with Hamas after the terrorist group's surprise attack on Oct. 7, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of over 240 Israelis and foreigners. Hamas released several hostages during a temporary ceasefire last year. However, over 130 individuals remain in captivity, and around 30 of the hostages are presumed dead.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says that over 32,000 people have been killed since the war began, figures that don't differentiate between civilians and combatants.

In a Tuesday statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the proposal's rejection is a consequence of a United Nations Security Council resolution.

Earlier this week, the Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all the hostages. The U.S. abstained from the vote.

Hamas has once again rejected an American compromise proposal and has repeated its extreme demands: An immediate halt to the war, the complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip and leaving in place its administration so that it can repeat, time and again, the massacre of October 7, as it has promised to do, Netanyahu stated.

"Israel will not address Hamas's delusional demands. Israel will pursue and achieve its just war objectives: Destroying Hamas's military and governmental capacities, release of all the hostages, and ensuring Gaza will not pose a threat to the people of Israel in the future."

Netanyahu intends to send a delegation to Washington, D.C., as early as next week to discuss a potential ground operation in Rafah, a strategy that the Biden administration opposes, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed Wednesday.

Netanyahu argues the operation is necessary to eliminate Hamas, while the Biden administration fears that Israel does not have a foolproof plan to prevent civilian casualties, Axios reported last week.

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.

Netanyahu previously canceled a delegation visit to D.C. after the U.S. failed to veto the ceasefire resolution.

According to a press release published Wednesday by the Israeli prime ministers office, Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with a U.S. congressional delegation organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Netanyahu discussed the war in Gaza, stating, "We have to win. There is no substitute for victory."

"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," he stated. "There are still Neo-Nazis around, but you destroyed that organization."
Home News Idaho bans public funds from paying for sex-change surgeries, puberty blockers for kids

Idaho has enacted a measure barring public funds and facilities from being used to perform or provide sex-change surgeries or hormonal interventions for children with gender dysphoria as concerns about their long-term impact persist.

Idaho's Republican Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 668 into law Wednesday.

The measure, approved by the state's Republican-controlled House of Representatives in a party-line 58-11 vote on March 11 and passed by the state's Republican-controlled Senate in a party-line 26-8 vote on March 22, declares that "public funds shall not be used, granted, paid, or distributed to any entity, organization, or individual for the provision or subsidy of any surgical operation" for gender transition procedures.

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All Democrats in both chambers opposed the bill, while all Republicans supported it.

Slated to take effect on July 1, the bill states that "the Idaho Medicaid program shall not reimburse or provide coverage for the use of the surgical operations or medical interventions" designed to alter "the appearance of an individual in order to affirm the individual's perception of the individual's sex in a way that is inconsistent with the individual's biological sex regardless of whether the surgical operation or medical intervention is administered to a minor or an adult."

The policy prohibits physicians or healthcare professionals who work for the state government as well as county and local governments from performing such surgeries. It also bans such interventions from taking place on state property or at state facilities.

Also, "any amount paid by an entity, organization, or individual during a taxable year for the provision of" gender transition procedures "shall not be tax-deductible."

Existing state law defines gender transition procedures as "surgeries that sterilize or mutilate, or artificially construct tissue with the appearance of genitalia that differs from the child's biological sex" as well as the administration of "puberty-blocking medication to stop or delay normal puberty" and cross-sex hormones.

House Bill 668 outlined concerns about the long-term effects of these procedures, specifically highlighting "irreversible physical alterations and, in some cases, sterility and lifelong sexual dysfunction" as "substantial risks."

The American College of Pediatricians has listed additional side effects of puberty blockers as "osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, [and] cognitive impairment" while warning that cross-sex hormones can cause "an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers."

Matt Sharp, senior counsel at the conservative legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, praised the enactment of House Bill 668 in a statement Wednesday.

"There are only two sexes  male and female  and public funds shouldn't be used to deny this basic truth. Now and always, our loved ones deserve the loving embrace of family members who guide them toward this reality, along with access to safe and effective counseling," he said.

"People should not be subjected to harmful  often irreversible  drugs and surgeries that block healthy development, alter hormonal balances, and remove healthy organs and body parts," he added. "This radical agenda has devastated countless lives, which is why some countriesincluding Sweden, England, and Finlandhave changed course."

Democrats have condemned House Bill 668.

In a statement following the bill's passage in the Idaho Senate, the ACLU of Idaho described the legislation as a "cave in to the hateful demands of far-right extremists at the expense of the safety, security, and health of Idaho's transgender community."

"This is a devastating outcome for the many trans people, their family members, doctors, counselors, advocacy groups, and community members who advocated against this bill during public hearings, as well as those who have advocated in personal meetings with lawmakers," the organization asserted. "This bill is clearly unconstitutional, as each law Idaho has passed that discriminates against transgender people before it is still being litigated and remains unenforceable."

Contending that "Idaho's legislators have chosen to waste taxpayer money funding their efforts to defend state-sanctioned discrimination in the courts rather than simply allowing transgender people in Idaho to make their own medical decisions in peace," the ACLU of Idaho vowed that it "will not permit such discrimination in our state" and that "the fight does not end here."

A former pediatric gender clinic employee elaborated on the adverse effects of cross-sex hormones in an op-ed for The Free Press last year. One case, she wrote, led to a girl's clitoris taking on the appearance of a "tiny penis" that "extended below her vulva" and "chafed and rubbed painfully in her jeans."

Another girl who was prescribed testosterone experienced severe bleeding that "soaked through an extra heavy pad, her jeans, and a towel she had wrapped around her waist" after her "vaginal canal had ripped open" while having intercourse due to the fact that "testosterone thins the vaginal tissues."

Chloe Cole, a detransitioner who received a double mastectomy at the age of 15, is suing the medical providers who performed the procedure, alleging it caused her to experience "deep physical and emotional wounds, severe regrets, and distrust of the medical system" as well as suicidal thoughts.

Concerns about the long-term impacts of gender transition procedures have led Idaho and 23 other states to prohibit minors with gender dysphoria from obtaining some or all of them. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming have passed similar laws.
Home News Immanuel Baptist Pastor Steven Smith to resign over handling of child abuse allegations

Pastor Steven Smith of Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas, will be resigning from his position in April amid criticism for failing to inform his church about child abuse charges against a former children's ministry staffer.

In a letter released Wednesday, Smith said he will step down effective April 7 to "diffuse the current situation and allow Immanuel to heal."

"Every family experiences tension, and our church family tension has been very real and very public in recent months," wrote Smith, as reported by The Arkansas Times.

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"To feel this tension as we walk through the halls and as we worship together has been disheartening. Unfortunately, at present we do not see this abating, but only increasing."

Regarding possible future plans, Smith said that he was "not stepping into another ministry, but stepping aside to allow this process of healing to begin."

According to Immanuel's website, Smith began serving at the church in 2017 and recently served as vice president of student services and professor of preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Smith garnered calls for his resignation in recent months as he failed to inform his congregation about former ministry employee Patrick Stephen Miller being accused of sexually abusing a child.

Miller, who served as Immanuel's assistant director of children's ministry from May 2014 to January 2016 and faced multiple accusations of abuse, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge in January 2022.

He was accused of sexually assaulting a child in a closet in 2015. He was arrested in December 2018 and initially charged with felony second-degree sexual assault.

Miller resigned before Smith became pastor of the church. Immanuel leaders were made aware of the allegations against Miller in March 2016. The child also shared details of the allegations with church leaders in 2018.

Last December, hours after The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published a story about Miller and the accusations, Smith apologized to his church for failing to inform them about the situation, saying, "I wish we would have told you about these crimes sooner."

"We recognize the importance of treating abuse behavior seriously. We intend to honor Christ in the way we care for anyone who's experienced past abuse," Smith added.

"If you have knowledge of any inappropriate behavior with children at Immanuel or anywhere else, please call the abuse hotline of the Little Rock Police Department."

Later in December, Smith expressed a willingness to step aside, stating that if "this church believes God's anointing or call upon my service at Immanuel has been lifted, I will not resist the will of the church."

In a vote of no confidence in February, Immanuel's deacons voted 26-18 to support Smith, with 17 deacons abstaining, meaning that less than half actively favored the pastor.
Home News King Charles confirms attendance at Easter Sunday service after missing Maundy Thursday

King Charles of the United Kingdom will join the Easter matins service at Windsor Castle, marking a significant return to public engagements after announcing cancer treatment in February.

This year's Easter celebration for the royal family will be notably subdued, with several members, including the prince and princess of Wales, opting for private observances.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the king's participation in the Easter service, according to The Times. This follows his absence from the Maundy Thursday event, reflecting a cautious approach to public appearances during his health recovery.

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King Charles will attend the traditional Easter service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside Queen Camilla and other royal family members. The decision follows his recent health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis and treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Buckingham Palace sources told The Times that weather conditions permitting, King Charles plans to arrive on foot.

The royal family's Easter celebrations are set to be more restrained this year, with the Prince and Princess of Wales William and Catherine absent, choosing to focus on family time as she undergoes chemotherapy treatment.

King Charles missed an appearance at a memorial service for King Constantine II at St. George's Chapel last month.

Despite these challenges, King Charles has maintained a visible presence through video messages and limited public appearances, such as his recent engagement with community and faith leaders at Buckingham Palace. He has made efforts to continue official duties, albeit in a modified capacity.

The contrast between this year's Easter observance and the previous year's vibrant celebrations is stark.

Last year, the royal family presented a united front, with a procession led by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

King Charles expressed regret over missing the Maundy Thursday service at Worcester Cathedral, a traditional royal engagement, the BBC reported.

In his absence, Queen Camilla participated, distributing Maundy money to community-serving individuals, aligning with the king's message of service and community support.

The Maundy service symbolizes the monarch's role in serving and supporting the community, a sentiment echoed in King Charles's recorded message for the event.

The king reiterated his coronation pledge "not to be served, but to serve" with "my whole heart."

"It is for me a great sadness that I cannot be with you today," he said.
Home News Mastermind of church fire that killed seminary student in Nigeria arrested

Police in Nigeria on March 22 arrested the leader of an arson attack on a Catholic Church building in September that left a seminary student dead, sources said.

Police in Kaduna state said Saidu Yakubu confessed to leading the attack on St. Raphaels Catholic Church in Fadan Kamanta, Kafanchan Diocese, Jemaah County, on Sept. 7. Seminary student Stephen Naaman Danladi died when the rectory was burned down.

Mansir Hassan, spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, said in a statement last Saturday that officers apprehended Saidu, known as Ismail M, who was involved in banditry, culpable homicide and mischief by fire.

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On Sept. 7, at approximately 2030hrs, the officer in charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack, Hassan said. Due to diligence and the tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on March 22, one Yakubu Saidu, the alleged mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended, and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.

An area bishop previously said assailants, unable to enter the home of the parish priest they sought to kidnap, instead set it on fire. The priest, the Rev. Emmanuel Okolo, and his assistant managed to escape, but the fire killed Danladi, 25.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings, such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

This article was originally published by Christian Daily International.
Home News Nicaragua convicts 11 pastors linked to US ministry on sham charges of money laundering

The Nicaraguan judiciary has convicted 11 Nicaraguan pastors linked to the U.S.-based Mountain Gateway ministry on charges of money laundering. The case, which has caused great controversy in the Central American country and 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 U.S. 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.

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On Jan. 17, Nicaraguan prosecutors charged three U.S. citizens and 11 Nicaraguans with money laundering. These individuals were allegedly part of a 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 U.S.

In January, Mountain Gateway spokesman Steve Lisby told Christian Daily International that we believe the basis of the charges are 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 Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., 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.
Home Opinion Hamas wears the smiling face of demonic evil

Less than three hours ago (at the time of this writing), I was sitting in the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., watching 47 minutes of footage from the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, together with a small group of specially invited Evangelical leaders. The images, as expected, were jarring, disturbing and horrific.

Little children in their pajamas, butchered in their own beds, covered in blood.

The corpses of young women, shot in their crotches.

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Victims with their hands tied behind their backs, now charred with fire.

Others burned beyond recognition.

Bloody image after bloody image for 47 minutes.

CCTV footage of a woman cowering on the floor, trying to hide from Hamas bullets. Then bodycam images from those same terrorists as they carry out her lifeless body.

Cell phone video footage of young, female Israeli soldiers, huddling together on the floor as they try to find refuge from the murderers who caught them unaware early in the morning. Are they safe here? Should they try to run somewhere else and hide? The next footage shows their bullet-ridden corpses as their murderers celebrate.

And on and on it goes, moving on to the Nova music festival, as the young partygoers flee for their lives. Then the corpses were shot and mutilated by explosives. Then the IDF drone shot later in the day with scores of cars lying destroyed on the side of the road. The young people were slaughtered before they could flee.

A woman lies dead on the ground, obviously raped before she was killed. The first responders talk with an Israeli mother on the phone. Is this her daughter? Can they find any tattoos on her? Does the victim have a name?

Then the body bags, one after another, each one butchered in cold blood.

In all, we saw videos and still images of 139 slaughtered Israelis, representing roughly 10% of those killed by the Hamas terrorists on October 7.

But there was something more disturbing still, something that ran through all the footage, which was compiled by the IDF from CCTV footage, body cams of the terrorists, social media posts of the terrorists, footage shot by first responders, and the cell phones of the victims.

It was the constant, incessant, exuberant shouts of Allahu Akbar, meaning, God is great, that rang out in virtually every segment of the footage.

Along with the sound of gunshots and the mutilated bodies, this was the one constant: Allahu Akbar!

A terrorist stands over the body of a slain Israeli soldier, then he takes out his knife and cuts off the soldier's head  I saw this with my own eyes  shouting praises to Allah as he does. This is worthy of celebration. Praise Allah!

The murderers gun down one family member after another as the unarmed civilians run for their lives on the kibbutz, shouting praises to Allah as they mow them down. What a glorious day!

Then, as the terrorists bring the bodies of the Israelis back into Gaza, dead or alive, they are thronged by massive crowds, all with cell phones in hand to record these victorious moments, all of them shouting Allahu akbar.

This is sick.

This is demonic.

This is twisted.

This is evil.

But there was something else that struck me. It was the smiling, even radiant faces of the butchers.

In another setting, you would think they looked friendly, even kind. What nice young men!

Instead, they were no different than the Nazi butchers who by day slaughtered whole families, including babies and little children, then by night returned home to care for their own wives and babies and little children.

This is depravity.

And when it is done in the name of religion and the name of God, it is even more demonically depraved, especially as a young terrorist tells his excited parents on the phone, I killed 10 Jews with my bare hands! God is great! Kill, kill, kill!

What made todays events all the more real was that outside the Israeli Embassy there was a non-stop, incredibly loud protest blanketing the streets all around the entry to the embassy. (I tried to talk with a few of the protesters, but they refused.)

The protests go on 24-7 and have been going on since an American soldier set himself on fire in front of the embassy one month ago in protest of the war on Gaza.

Outside, on the street, the Hamas butchers are the heroes and the IDF soldiers are the face of evil.

Outside, on the street, Hamas committed no atrocities, and the footage we saw was all fabricated.

The sound of sirens outside the embassy was almost deafening, so we heard it in our ears the entire time we watched the video inside the embassy, which was almost fitting.

This is Israels existential reality. In a fight for its very existence, the whole world condemns it, and now, even America stabbed Israel in the back by refusing to veto the latest UN Security Council edict.

Towards the end of the video, with the sound of the protester sirens blaring and while looking at a totally charred body that reminded me of a Jewish corpse being burned in a Nazi crematorium, I could feel the frustration my people live with every day. First, there were decades of Holocaust denial. Then, even while Israeli bodies still smoldered and fresh blood was caked on the walls, even as the demonic butchers smiled and celebrated and posted the evidence of their barbaric deeds on social media, the October 7 deniers began to raise their voices.

Together, as people of conscience and those who love and fear God, we must shout all the more loudly: Never forget! Never again!

And may God  the real God  deliver both the people of Israel and innocent Palestinians from the evil of Hamas.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Thursday (Mar. 28) that his country would receive advanced missile systems from the United States after lawmakers in Capitol Hill approved such a sale to a fellow NATO ally.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the deal would include the long-range AGM-158B JASSM-ER, the medium-range AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM, and the short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder for the Polish Air Force's warplanes.

Bardzo dobra wiadomosc dla naszego wojska. Kongres USA zaakceptowa sprzedaz Polsce lotniczych srodkow bojowych: JASSM-ER, AMRAAM oraz AIM-9X. To w znaczacy sposob wzmocni nasze zdolnosci odstraszania i obrony. March 28, 2024

"This is very good news for our military," Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also holds the defense portfolio in Prime Minister Donald Tusk's cabinet, wrote. "This will significantly strengthen our deterrence and capabilities."

The purchase of advanced American missile technology came as Poland is on its way to bolster its defenses to deter Russia and protect NATO's eastern flank, the Polish Press Agency reported.

Pentagon: Missile Deal with Poland a Deterrent vs. Russia

In mid-March, the US State Department agreed to sell Warsaw 821 JASSMs for a maximum price of $1.77 billion, 745 AMRAAMs for $1.7 billion, and 232 Sidewinders for $219 million.

Additionally, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that President Joe Biden intended to provide Poland with a $2 billion loan to purchase American weapons on top of the missile deal and offer the sale of 96 Apache attack helicopters, which the State Department formally approved last year.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) also said that the missile sale would "support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives" of both the US and Poland.

"This sale will further advance the already high level of Polish Air Force interoperability with US joint forces and other regional and NATO forces," the agency added.

Read Also: Biden Hosts Polish Leaders Amid Calls for NATO Defense Spending Increase

Polish Soldiers to Help Local Security Forces in Paris Olympics

Meanwhile, Polish public broadcaster TVP reported that a contingent of Polish military personnel would be sent to Paris to augment the security forces deployed in the French capital later this year.

Siy Zbrojne RP doacza do miedzynarodowej koalicji powoanej przez Francje w celu wsparcia przygotowan i zabezpieczenia Letnich Igrzysk Olimpijskich w 2024 roku. Do Paryza zostanie skierowana grupa zadaniowa naszych zonierzy, w tym przewodnikow z psami. Jej gownym celem March 28, 2024

"A task force of our soldiers, including dog handlers, will be sent to Paris," Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote in a separate X post on Thursday. "Its main goal will be to undertake activities related to detecting explosives and counteracting terrorist activities."

The announcement came after the French government raised the country's terrorist threat to its highest-ever level following last week's mass shooting incident at a music venue in Moscow, where over 140 people were gunned down.

Franco-Polish defense and security cooperation run deep into the histories of both nations. Aside from being members of NATO and the European Union, their diplomatic relations can be traced back to the Renaissance era, when King Henry III of France was first elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.

French and Polish royal houses have also intermarried into their families, culminating in the marriage of King Louis XV and his Polish wife, Queen Marie Leczinska, the parents of Louis XVI, the last King of France.

However, a more prominent alliance between France and Poland happened during the Napoleonic era, when exiled Polish troops joined Napoleon's army to regain their country after being partitioned three times in the 18th century.

Related Article: Poland to Demands Answers After Russian Missile Enters Its Airspace During Ukraine Strike

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Home News NJ giving 'bleeding control kits' to 6,400 houses of worship to bolster active shooter response

New Jersey officials are providing more than 7,000 "bleeding control kits" to the state's approximately 6,400 houses of worship as part of an effort to help churches respond to potential mass shootings and improve "active shooter incident survival."

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness announced this month the launch of the "Bleeding Control Kits" initiative. The first phase of the distribution plan is slated for completion within a year.

Each kit contains assorted items that are used to stop bleeding from severe injuries, including a combat application tourniquet, medical gloves, a four-inch emergency pressure bandage, two chest seals, gauze and sheers.

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"Our hope is that no one ever has to use these kits," said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. "A victim, depending on the wound's location and severity, may have five to eight minutes to slow blood loss."

"While many religious organizations have become more vigilant with mitigating risks and threat levels, the quick action of bystanders can drastically improve the survivability of the wounded as they wait for first responder's arrival. Equipping houses of worship and parishioners with vital training and lifesaving kits will better prepare them for an incident."

State officials received assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey, St. Joseph's Health in Paterson, the New Jersey Emergency Medical Service Task Force, Rutgers University and the Urban Area Security Initiative Executive Committee to implement the kit distribution program.

"We're not looking to essentially train doctors," said Indy Samra of the Homeland Security office's Interfaith Advisory Council, as reported by NJ.com. "We're providing everyday individuals with the means to provide first aid."

New Jersey State Police have been reaching out to Hindu and Sikh communities in an effort to help foster community and better responses to possible threats to their houses of worship, Samra noted.

"We're trying to actively bridge connections between our places of worship and local police forces, ensuring that they're acquainted with the spaces," he said. "We're hoping to get to a place where we're able to implement active shooter drills in these houses of worship."

Following several deadly mass shootings at houses of worship across the country in recent years, there has been a growing effort to improve security for churches and other houses of worship.

In January 2020, President Donald Trump signed legislation authorizing $375 million in federal grants to help houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations improve their security.

"We are committed to building a nation where every community is secure, every family is safe, and every child can grow up in dignity and in peace," stated Trump at the time.

Last December, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a guide to help houses of worship better enhance their campus security measures against any potential threats.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that his department is "committed to protecting every American's right to live, express, and worship their faith freely and in safety."

"The physical security performance goals we are releasing today provide churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based institutions with cost-effective, accessible, and readily implementable strategies to enhance their security and reduce the risk to their communities," Mayorkas said.

"I strongly urge all faith-based institutions to take advantage of this new resource and incorporate the security practices it outlines."
Home News Nonprofit law firm sponsors 19-foot cross for Easter celebration in downtown Chicago Event marks 17th annual Easter sunrise service in Daley Plaza

A nonprofit law firm that has fought many high-profile religious liberty cases is co-sponsoring this year's 17th annual "Jesus in Daley Plaza" celebration that marks Easter with a 19-foot cross in downtown Chicago.

Tom Brejcha, who serves as president and chief counsel at the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, noted in a statement the importance of exhibiting such symbols in the public square as religion is increasingly pushed out of it.

"The Easter celebration represents a constitutionally protected expression of religious faith by private citizens in a public forum," Brejcha said. "It is an appropriate response to the concerns raised over 39 years ago by the late Rev. Richard John Neuhaus in his book, The Naked Public Square."

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"Neuhaus lamented that America's public spaces had been stripped of any references to religion or religious practices  as if it were somehow 'undemocratic' or 'uncivil' to celebrate Christian holidays out in the open where others could bear witness," he continued.

"This is truer than ever in todays increasingly secular environment. But people still have worries, fears, and troubles. Christians believe that Jesus offers the hope that helps us all to address and answer those concerns," Brejcha added.

The display is also being sponsored by Tapestry Fellowship, City First Foundation, as well as Karl and Nancy Fritz, who designed and built this year's cross. It is scheduled to be raised Thursday night, and will remain in place for a week. An interdenominational Easter sunrise worship service will also be held at the cross on Sunday.

Because the display is privately funded without any government aid or endorsement, Brejcha noted that it is "clothed and armored with the full protection of the First Amendment of our United States Constitution."

"Indeed, in [1988], Chief U.S. District Judge James B. Parsons, entered a permanent injunction forbidding any discrimination against religion on Chicagos Daley Plaza," he added.

In November 1988, Parsons ruled that the Public Building Commission of Chicago must allow both a Nativity scene and a menorah in Daley Plaza, according to The Chicago Tribune.

In his ruling, he noted the U.S. Supreme Court "has consistently ruled that religious expression enjoys the same kind of protection as political expression."

Attorneys with the Thomas More Society also worked pro bono last Christmas season to protect the rights of anyone who wanted to sponsor a Nativity scene at their state Capitol under the First and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Echoing his recent statement on Easter displays, Brejcha told The Christian Post last December that he believes Nativity scenes at state Capitols are important "because it's an exercise of fundamental constitutional rights that, if not exercised, are going to be lost or forgotten about."
Home News White Evangelicals among the best religious groups at retaining members as 'nones' grow: study

Among faith groups in the United States, white Evangelical Christians are one of the best at retaining members even as the share of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated continues to grow, according to a new survey.

The nonprofit research organization Public Religion Research Institute released the report on Wednesday titled "Religious Change in America," which charted several trends among faith groups in the U.S.

Data for the report came from a survey PRRI conducted online of 5,627 adults in the U.S. from Nov. 16 to Dec. 7, 2023, with a margin of error of +/- 1.79 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

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While the report found that nearly one in five Americans (18%) left a religious tradition in 2023 and became religiously unaffiliated, white Evangelicals "have one of the highest retention rates of all religious groups," retaining 76% of their members in 2023.

This was an improvement compared to 2016, when white Evangelicals were only keeping 66% of their members in the fold, with the report noting that the "net loss of members among white evangelical Protestants has declined."

The religious groups that did the best at retaining members were black Protestants (82%) and Jewish Americans (77%), while white mainline Protestants "continue losing more members than they replace and at higher rates than other Protestants."

Catholics continue to lose more members than they gain, with the retention rate for Hispanic Catholics (68%) being slightly higher than white Catholics (62%).

PRRI also found that 26% of Americans identified as religiously unaffiliated in 2023, an increase from the 21% reported in 2013. The religiously unaffiliated was the "only major religious category experiencing growth," according to PRRI.

Among Americans who left a religious tradition to become unaffiliated, 35% were former Catholics; another 35% were mainline Protestants.

"After observing the growth of unaffiliated Americans for decades, our survey confirms that this trend is not slowing," PRRI CEO Melissa Deckman said in a statement. "While most Americans are still religious, the ranks of the unaffiliated will continue to swell with both Americans who leave their religion  increasingly because of religious teachings about LGBTQ people  as well as those who are now being raised in religiously unaffiliated households."

Sixty-seven percent of Americans who became religiously unaffiliated said they did so because they stopped believing their faith's teachings, while 47% cited "negative teaching about or treatment of gay and lesbian people as an important factor."

In recent years, there has been much debate over whether the decline in white Evangelical Americans was accelerating due to various factors, including media portrayals of white Evangelicals overwhelmingly supporting President Donald Trump.

In 2016, PRRI Executive Director Robert P. Jones released a book titled The End of White Christian America, in which he argued that white Christians in the U.S. "steadily lost influence, following declines within both its mainline and evangelical branches."

"Today, America is no longer demographically or culturally a majority white, Christian nation," noted the book's synopsis. "Looking ahead, Jones forecasts the ways that they might adjust to find their place in the new America  and the consequences for us all if they don't."

In 2021, the Pew Research Center released a report finding that the percentage of white Americans who identified as born-again or evangelical during the Trump administration increased.

Using Pew's American Trends Panel, the researchers found that the number of surveyed white adults who identified as Evangelical or born-again went from 25% in 2016 to 29% in 2020.

The 2021 survey also found that while 2% of surveyed white adults had stopped identifying as Evangelical from 2016 to 2020, 6% began identifying as Evangelical during the same period.
Home Opinion Yes, Christ is King  that is bad news for antisemites

We live in interesting times. Seems like no truth statement can stand on its own without being twisted into something nefarious.



A recent trend on X (formerly known as Twitter) has been a useful case-in-point. The phrase Christ is King has been making waves over the last week. This statement has apparently become a dog whistle and a rallying cry for antisemites. For some bizarre reason, even self-professing Muslims like Andrew Tate and SNEAKO, as well as notorious anti-Jewish activists like Nick Fuentes, have adopted this basic Christian truth not to really praise Jesus, but to spite Jewish people.



On the face of it, proclaiming Jesus as Lord is one of the oldest confessions of faith of historic Christianity. Why wouldnt we want Christs name proclaimed and exalted? Why shouldnt this be a cause for rejoicing? Well, because its 2024, and anything and everything nowadays is used as pretense for stirring hatred and division  even the Lordship of Christ. And no amount of feigned sincerity on the part of these individuals can hide their true motivations. This is not an act of worship; it is bigotry masquerading as religious devotion. They can pretend all they want, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV).



This is ultimately bad news for anyone who knowingly harbors gratuitous hatred for Jewish people. Why? Because if Christ is an enemy of the Jews, Hes their enemy as well.

'To the Jew first'

The Apostle Paul writes: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith (Romans 1:16-17).



Why isnt Paul ashamed of this Gospel? Because theres no greater promise than the one revealed in it.



Through it, we are counted righteous and forgiven in the sight of the Almighty.



Through it, we gain access to Gods presence.



Through it, Paradises gates are flung open.



This isnt just good news; its the best news. And yet, Paul says that Gods plan of salvation starts with the Jewish people. In His sovereign decree, God chose to reveal His Word and Gospel through them. This fact cant be overlooked. Even though God describes the Jews as stiff-necked people (Exodus 32:9; 33:3), He chooses them as His instrument and unworthy recipients of His grace. The Hebrew Bible records how time after time, despite Israels disobedience and sin, God continues to keep His promises to them. In Jeremiah we read, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings  and you shall be my people, and I will be your God (Jeremiah 30:18; 22).



Gods law is repeatedly broken, and God keeps blessing the lawbreakers. They deserve wrath, but they receive mercy. Why? Because of their outstanding moral uprightness? No. Because of His faithfulness and lovingkindness (Romans 3:34, Ezekiel 36:22).

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Now, this should give pause to people like Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes. Anyone who truly understands grace should be humbled by all of this. It should cause self-reflection. These blessings were extended to the Jews by Gods divine mercy. And it is His mercy alone that keeps all of us from falling under Gods wrath. If anything, confessing Christ's Lordship should humble us; not drive us towards malice.

At the end of the day, if Christ has cause to hate the Jews, He has equal cause to hate you too. Its only His mercy that keeps you from falling. And by indulging in ethnic hatred, youre merely storing up wrath for yourself. You can fool others, but you can't fool the omniscient Creator.

Here is the good news

Gods grace is extended to all nations; not just the Jews: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (Isaiah 56:6-7). Thats the New Covenant promise, and God never breaks His promises. Through Christ, the wall of hostility between Jews and gentiles has been brought down (Ephesians 2:14). No one is excluded; everyone is invited  including repentant antisemites.



Christ IS King! And one day everyone will bow and make that confession. Lets pray that people like Nick Fuentes do so sincerely. Theres still time.
What is good about Good Friday?

Good Friday is when Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. But what is good about Good Friday?

Good Friday holiday

Good Friday commemorates the day that Jesus was crucified, so it might seem strange that the day is called 'good', although for many people the day may be good because it is a public holiday. Good Friday and Christmas Day had long been public holidays in Great Britain, even before the institution of bank holidays in the 1870s. Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries across the world, but in the United States it is only a public holiday in a dozen states of the Union.

When is Good Friday?

In the Church calendar, Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter. Most years eastern Orthodox Easter and western Easter fall on different dates. In 2024, Good Friday is 29 March in the western tradition, but on 3 May in the eastern Orthodox tradition, where it is called Holy Friday.

Origin of the term Good Friday

In Old English, Good Friday was called Long Friday, or "langa frigedg" in Anglo-Saxon. Later it came to be Good Friday, and the earliest recorded reference of this name is from the thirteenth century. Other languages refer to it with names which mean things like Great Friday, Suffering Friday or Holy Friday. In Welsh it is called Dydd Gwener y Groglith.

The meaning of the word "good" in Good Friday

In English, the word "good" has different meanings depending upon context. For example, it can mean positive or desirable as in "it's good that he is well again"; or it can mean well-behaved as in "the children were good"; or it can infer quality as in "that was good work"; or it can mean enjoyable as in "we had a good time".

The word good, can also have a sense of righteous, pious or holy as in "he lived a good life" or calling the Bible "the good book". It is in this sense that the word "good" is used in "Good Friday". This sense of holiness is also seen in the Orthodox tradition, where Good Friday is called "Holy and Great Friday". In the Netherlands, the day is also called Good Friday as "Goede Vrijdag" in Dutch, and "Goedfreed" in Frisian.

Good Friday falls in the week before Easter known as Holy Week or Passiontide. In addition to Good Friday, the Wednesday before Easter, is also sometimes called Good Wednesday.

When was Good Friday?

We don't know for sure the actual day that Jesus was crucified on, but many people for various reasons reckon it to have been on 3 April AD 33, although some other people think it was 7 April AD 30, or even in AD 29 or AD 31 depending on which commentary you read. Whichever year it was, the two thousandth anniversary is soon.

Lectionary readings

The readings for Good Friday in the Revised Common Lectionary, are Isaiah 52:13-53:12, known as the suffering servant passages, which are read by Christians as messianic prophecies; Psalm 22, which Jesus quotes from the cross; Hebrews 10:16-25, or Hebrews 4.14-16 and 5.7-9, which unpack the theology of the cross; and John 18:1-19:42, which tells the story of the crucifixion.

What was good about Good Friday?

Christians do not claim that crucifixion is good. However, there is the idea that Good Friday was good, in the sense of holy. Good Friday commemorates that Jesus died, so that everyone could be forgiven. This means that it is what the crucifixion achieved which is good, rather than the execution itself. Good Friday can also be considered to be good, because it led to the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus's triumph over death and sin is a key part of the Christian message often called the gospel or the "good news".

Hot cross buns

A curious tradition is to eat warm 'hot cross buns' on Good Friday. These buns have sweet and fruity flavours. The custom involves serving the sweet buns with pieces of fruit in, seasoned with spices such as clove or nutmeg, and decorated on top with a pastry cross. The tradition is to eat them on Good Friday, when they are often cut or split, and then toasted and then buttered.

One suggestion is that the origin of the hot cross bun may stem from a 1592 decree issued by the London clerk of markets, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when there were regulations on the size, shape and price of bread, so that no bakers were allowed to 'make, utter, or sell' ... 'spice cakes, bus, biscuits, or other spice bread' except for funerals, Christmas and Good Friday.

The bread is a reminder of the bread eaten at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-29), and the spices are a reminder of the spices used to wrap the body in the tomb (John 19:39-40). Two pieces of pastry on top of the bun are made in the shape of a cross, which symbolises and reminds us of the cross that Jesus was crucified on.

Good Friday services

On Good Friday some Christians also take part in a Walk of Witness. These are often organised by local Churches Together groups. They typically start with a united service when Christians gather together, often from across local denominations, who then walk through the streets of their town together. They do this to remember that Jesus had to carry his cross publicly through the streets of Jerusalem.

The story of the crucifixion and death of Jesus is told in all four Gospel accounts in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19. In Mark 15:34 we read that Jesus died "at the ninth hour". In the Jewish reckoning, this meant the ninth hour since dawn, which we would call three o'clock. For this reason, many churches hold a special Good Friday afternoon service which either starts or finishes at 3 p.m.
The Biden administration approved the request submitted by Maryland Governor Wes Moore on Thursday (Mar. 28) to initiate clean-up operations on the remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, merely hours after making the request.

In a press release by the US Department of Transportation, Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that the $60 million funding would "serve as a down payment toward initial costs, and additional Emergency Relief program funding will be made available as work continues."

In response, Moore thanked Buttigieg for the swift approval.

"We are deeply grateful to President Biden, to Secretary Buttigieg, to our federal delegation, and all of our federal partners," he told a press conference.

Read Also: Bodies of 2 Construction Workers Killed During Baltimore Bridge Collapse Recovered From Submerged Pickup Truck

It was previously reported that the first two bodies recovered from the Patapsco River were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26. They were both found inside a pickup truck and allegedly drowned when the bridge collapsed.

Three other presumably deceased men were also identified as Miguel Luna, Maynor Suazo, and Jose Lopez. A fourth person is yet to be identified.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said that he was still hoping to recover the bodies of all four of them, who were yet to be pulled from the Patapsco, despite the US Coast Guard calling off the search operations.

Related Article: Cargo Ship Underwent Engine Maintenance Before Colliding With Baltimore Bridge, Officials Report

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Theres a reason things like this keep happening.

NBCs hiring of former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel earlier this week, followed by a very public staff revolt led by top on-air talentand, ultimately, a reversal of the hirewas one of the wildest plot arcs in the media-politics universe in recent years.

But theres been plenty of digital ink spilled on what happened and whos to blame. Whats most interesting to me is what it says about a broader struggle within journalism in the Trump era.

The NBC bosses stumbled into this lose-lose situation partly because of internal tensions that news outlets have long faced. Its been eight and a half years since Donald Trump descended that golden escalator and lodged himself at the center of US politicsand media organizations are still struggling with how to fairly cover him. How do you accurately report on a politician whose allegiance to democracy is as suspect as his track record with the truthwhile treating him, his team, and his supporters fairly? How do reporters call out alarming situations or point out falsehoods for what they are, without burning bridges with the sources who can actually reveal where those ideas are coming from? How do you find people who genuinely have insights into Trumps thinking and knowledge of his operations decision-making, without giving his false claims a bullhorn?

All the TV networks, and plenty of print and online publications, have struggled mightily with this. CNN famously scrambled to find any pro-Trump talking heads for its panels during the 2016 campaign. In 2019, they had to back off plans to bring on former Trump administration official Sarah Isgur, whod served as Jeff Sessionss spokeswoman at the Department of Justice, after an uproar both within and outside the company. (They ended up making her a political analyst instead of her original role as politics editor.) The New York Times publication of an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) that called for the National Guard to be deployed during the 2020 George Floyd protests led to a staff revoltand the forced resignation of opinion editor James Bennet.

These dilemmas are, frankly, a bit easier to handle in print journalism and straight news reporting. Text-based reporters interview various people from across the political spectrum, evaluate information, vet sources claims against one another, and only quote people who deserve to be quoted. Sure, reporters may pull their punches on particular verbiage to project neutrality or coddle sources. But if youre trying to stick to the facts, and are in sole control of what winds up in the final product, its a lot easier to negotiate that balance behind the scenesand to make sure your stories land in a place that fits with your publications mission.

It gets a lot murkier when you get into opinion and analysisespecially when you go live on air.

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On TV, especially on the live talking-heads panels and one-on-one interviews that make up the vast majority of the cable networks coverage, the best way to hear someones perspective is to let them speak. That hands over a lot of control. This is why people are still arguing over whether the networks should carry Trumps speeches live, and for how long.

This is always true in journalismreporters, even if they dont like to admit it, are constantly facing the challenge of balancing critical coverage with access, and politicians arent exactly known for their truthfulness. Its just become more true in the Trump era. And while McDaniel, who played a role in Trumps attempts to subvert the 2020 election and has a long history of false statements, is a rather extreme example, the question of who to allow a voice on the airwaves isnt getting easier.

There are two camps who represent the extremes of this debate. To oversimplify, one side has argued that Trump must be portrayed as a racist authoritarian demagogue in all coverage; the other side see it as their role to simply convey the views of everyone involved.

Both-sides-ism is a problem because it doesnt call out bullshit. But if youre actually trying to find out facts from people, it kind of matters to talk to them. If youre portraying them in ways they feel are unfair, it tends to make them not so eager to talk to you going forward.

And this isnt simply about not letting political operatives become media hosts. Plenty of flacks are now hacksand some are better than others. ABC News has George Stephanopoulos (a former communications director for Bill Clinton). Fox News has Dana Perino (a former press secretary for George W. Bush). MSNBC alone has a half-dozen former professional partisans with their own shows right now: Nicolle Wallace (a former Bush White House press secretary), Lawrence ODonnell (a former staffer for Democratic senator Daniel Moynihan), Joe Scarborough (a former Republican congressman), Symone Sanders Townsend (a former spokeswoman for President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders), Michael Steele (like McDaniel a former RNC chair), and Jen Psaki (a former Biden White House press secretary), whose 2022 hiring was met with its own discomfort and protest from some NBC reporters.

NBC has had a particularly brutal week. But as the 2024 election nears, its likely that the internal conflicts that brought about this chaos will trip up other reporters, publications, and networks. And the struggle to give Republicans a fair shake while not letting them off the hook will continue.

One solution for the cable networks would be to cut back on opinion- and analysis-driven panels and lean harder into produced, prerecorded pieces with fact-checking and more reporting. Getting the facts correct and taking time to examine exactly whats being said is important. But thats incredibly expensive to produce. Its a lot cheaper, in the short run, to line up a panel to riff on a topiceven if it increases the risk of reputational damage.

Other notable stories:

Today marks one year since Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in Russia. He remains behind bars. As Nieman Labs Sarah Scire reports, the Journal has worked tirelessly to keep Gershkovichs case in the spotlight; this week, the paper organized a twenty-four-hour Read-a-Thon of his work, while journalists around the world also went for a swim in solidarity. Today, the Journal has dedicated its print front page to Gershkovich, leaving much of it blank under the headline ONE YEAR STOLEN: HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE.

NPRs David Folkenflik and Floodlights Miranda Green report from Richmond, California, where Chevron is a huge storybut also owns the main local news outlet, the Richmond Standard. Markets where news outlets shut down are often called news deserts, the pair write. The Standard has created something of a news mirage: Stories are toldbut with an agenda. Facts displeasing to Chevron are omitted; hard truths softened. The company is seeking to get its point of view across and to convey that it can be trusted.

In France, Damien Leloup and Florian Reynaud, of Le Monde, dug into a series of scams that have used fake news articlespublished via realistic-looking copies of mainstream sites, including Le Monde and Liberationto ensnare potential victims. The articles consist of fake interviews in which celebrities, including at least one well-known journalist, extol a supposed investment tool. You can read more here (in French).

And the venture capitalist Josh Kushner and his wife, the entrepreneur and supermodel Karlie Kloss, are planning to resurrect Life, the iconic photography magazine. Kushner and Kloss will take on the publication rights to the title from their owner, Dotdash Meredith, with Kushner set to serve as publisher. Kloss said that she and Kushner see Life as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape.

Cameron Joseph is a freelance political reporter with recent work in The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, and Politico Magazine. A recipient of the 2023 National Press Foundation Dirksen Award for distinguished reporting of Congress and the 2020 National Press Club award for excellence in political journalism, he previously worked for VICE News, Talking Points Memo, the New York Daily News, The Hill and National Journal.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The offseason is flying by and were only about two weeks away from the Cleveland Browns beginning the voluntary portion of their offseason.

In this Friday episode of the Orange and Brown Talk Podcast. Mary Kay Cabot and Ashley Bastock go through the ins and outs of the offseason program that begin on April 15.

The two discuss each of the three phases and what teams can do during each as they work their way up to offense vs. defense drills

The two also discuss what they think will be the biggest story of the offseason for the Browns offense: How Deshaun Watson continues to progress post-shoulder surgery.

But its not just about their QB1. What will we see from new backups, Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley? How will Winston and Watson work together?

And what about the guys catching their passes? What will Jerry Jeudy look like, and how important is his relationship with Amari Cooper going to be? Mary Kay and Ashley discuss the receivers relationship that goes back to their native south Florida as well as their shared alma mater: Alabama.

Finally, what does Jeudys addition mean for returner Elijah Moore? Whats at stake for him in his second year in Cleveland?

We were voted best podcast by Cleveland Magazine readers!

Listen using the player below.

You can also listen using your preferred podcast app. Subscription information is below.

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
The fleeing felon did give police his real name as he was running across the street and into the woods -- with a couple of expletives thrown in. In a separate incident, police stopped a driver who had managed to get his "temps" suspended in Newton Falls.Village of Bentleyville
Tragedy struck in Pennsylvania on Tuesday when a devastating collision occurred, claiming the lives of five individuals.

The driver of their vehicle made a sudden maneuver, causing a collision with a massive tractor trailer, resulting in the loss of all lives in the car.

According to state police, the incident took place on New Meadow Run Drive in Warton Township at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The individuals who tragically lost their lives were Harold Nibert, 55, Bradley 'Scott' Thivener, 47, Krystal May, 36, Amanda Dawson, 33, and Amanda's young son Kullen Dawson, who was only 7 months old.

The driver of a black Honda Accord was identified as Nibert. The vehicle was traveling eastbound when it crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with a tractor trailer, as reported by the coroner's office.

The reasons behind his sudden change in direction towards the tractor trailer and the dynamics among the passengers are still uncertain.

"No one wants to see a child involved. Today was just one of the days I wish I didn't have to experience," as expressed by Farmington Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Brian VanSickle in an interview on Tuesday.

According to the corner, all the victims were from Delaware, Ohio and were traveling together in the same car at the time of the crash.

According to Robb Thivener, Scott was known as a bright light and a friend to everyone he met. He was known for his kindness and willingness to assist others whenever possible.

One of his brothers, Michael Thivener, told Daily Mail, "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."

He further added, "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."

Based on her LinkedIn profile, Dawson has experience in the food industry and held a position as a general manager at Barrio Tacos.

"The investigation is still underway, with the presence of collision analysis and reconstruction specialists," stated Trooper Kalee Barnhart of the Pennsylvania State Police.

According to sources, a witness informed the police that the driver of the Honda allegedly made an illegal pass prior to the accident, suggesting that speed could have played a role.

All five individuals tragically lost their lives at the scene. According to WBNS, two individuals in the other vehicle and the truck driver sustained minor injuries.

According to reports, Route 40 has been closed in both directions by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The closure extends from the intersection of Route 381 to the intersection of Dinner Bell 5 Forks Road and Dinner Bell Ohiopyle Road. The road is expected to remain closed until 7 p.m. due to a crash.

The family and friends of five individuals from central Ohio are grieving the loss of their loved ones following a tragic accident in Pennsylvania on Tuesday.



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LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Nearly three decades have passed since Lakewood native Jaime Chanter stared out of her high school classroom window to infinity and beyond.

While the 1995 Lakewood High School graduate didnt quite make it to outer space, the Lakewood High Math Department intervention specialist did recently get as close as she ever will.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- A pungent odor lingering for more than a week led to city officials releasing a statement yesterday (March 28):

The City of Lakewood has been made aware of a pungent odor that is most noticeable on the west end of the city.
BROOK PARK, Ohio 

Illegal possession of a weapon, drug possession: Brookpark Road

A Willoughby Hills man, 43, was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. March 15 after he trespassed on the property of Luxury Motors, 13501 Brookpark.
LORAIN, Ohio  A Lorain man has been charged with murder after he was accused of shooting a woman multiple times Tuesday.

Dale Cantu, 24, also has been charged with felonious assault, according to Lorain Municipal Court records. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges but is being held in jail without bond, records show.

Police say officers were called to the area of East 31st Street and Pearl Avenue late Tuesday evening after residents reported hearing gunshots. When officers arrived, they found people were near the road giving medical aid to Lupita Rivera-Lopez, 25, of Lorain, who had been shot multiple times.

Officers began giving Rivera-Lopez medical aid until she was taken by an ambulance to Lorain Mercy Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Shortly after arriving at the scene, police were told a vehicle with the suspect inside was spotted in the area of East 21st Street and Access Drive in Lorain. Police say that after officers stopped the vehicle, Cantu exited from the front passenger side and ran. He reportedly had a handgun.

Officers caught Cantu after a brief chase and a handgun was found on the ground nearby, police say.

No information was released on a possible motive for the shooting. Anyone with information can contact police at 440-204-2105.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The Ohio Highway Patrol and state police from five other states will join forces next week to crack down on distracted driving.

Ohios troopers will join those in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to kick off National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April.

Troopers will focus on writing drivers tickets for driving while texting, use of electronic devices by drivers under 18 and distracted driving. The enhanced enforcement will focus on both private and commercial vehicles.

The initiative starts Monday and ends April 8.

State lawmakers passed new distracted driving laws in October. In the last three months of 2023, troopers wrote 3,575 tickets for distracted driving violations, a 119% jump from 2022.

There were also 28 distracted-driving-related fatal crashes in 2023, the lowest total over the last five years.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Star Spangled Banner is at half mast in memoriam for the loss of six migrant road repair workers on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore when it collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship, and for the passing of former Senator Joe Lieberman in New York City. Sen. Lieberman was the first Jewish Vice President candidate on a major party ticket. Former Senator Lieberman, 82, also died after a fall from complications of sustained injuries.

In 2000, Sen. Lieberman was just 537 Florida votes and a U.S. Supreme Court decision away from becoming the first Jewish Vice President to a President Al Gore.

On Gore v. Bush, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded George W. Bush had won the contested Florida vote count and thus the Presidency.

Sen. Lieberman was an Orthodox Jew who declined to work on the sabbath with only one exception in 2009. To vote against Republicans attempt to cut Medicare spending, he walked 5 miles from his residence in Georgetown up to the Capitol.

Just 8 years after being on the Gore Presidential ticket, Lieberman was nearly named to the John McCain Presidential ticket. McCain later said he regretted not picking Lieberman over Sarah Palin, who had been Governor of Alaska. And Lieberman would go on to eulogize McCain at his funeral.

Lieberman was first elected as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Connecticut. But after losing a Democratic primary due to his strong support for the Iraq war, he became an Independent and still won reelection.

While Lieberman would continue to caucus with the Democrats, he always was truly an Independent and after retiring in 2013, would become one of the founders of the No Labels Group.

Gore chose Lieberman as his running mate even after Lieberman chastised President Clinton from the Senate floor for disgraceful behavior in the Monica Lewinsky sandal.

Liebermans Senate accomplishments include significant contributions to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Both President George W. Bush and Al Gore are among the significant leaders paying high respect for Sen. Joe Lieberman

President George W. Bush:

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 Joesprincipled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life. We also pray that Joes example of decency guides our Nations leaders now and into the future.

Former Vice President Al Gore:

" A truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trial.

In his 2013 Senate retirement speech, Lieberman delivered a message thats sadly even more relevant now:

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 fiscal solvency as a nation. We need bipartisan leadership to break the gridlock in Washington that will unleash all the potential that is in the American people.

Francis Scott Key Bridge Deaths:

Visa authorized immigrants and nationals from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are among the 6 road repair workers who fell to their deaths when a cargo ship struck one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge ramparts collapsing the entire bridge.

Some of those migrant men employed by Brawler Builders had been working in the U.S. for 19 and 20 years. At the time the cargo ship struck, they were reportedly on a scheduled break sitting in their construction trucks.

A total of 8 people fell into the water below the bridge. Two people were rescued. Two bodies were recovered. Four remain missing and are believed trapped in trucks entangled in the bridges collapsed framework under low visibility water.

The Singapore-flagged cargo ship, size of a New York sky scrapper and full of freight containers, suddenly lost all power and 5 minutes after sounding a mayday and dropping anchor, crashed into one of the bridges ramparts going the equivalent of 8 mph.

At the time, the ship was being steered by a local pilot which is regulation. Local harbor pilots steer all ships out of the harbor before turning control back over to the ships own pilots, because local pilots know how best to navigate the harbor. Initial investigation found the local pilot followed the proper protocol after losing power and time to avert collision with the bridge.

Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem, in Baltimore. When singing bombs bursting in air and hearing the political bombast about migrants and the current border crisis, it should be remembered that under those bombs bursting in air during the American Revolution were French soldiers led by General Marquise de Lafayette alongside General George Washington, pivotal to the founding of this nation.

And upon this nations founding with the help of France, it was built into the greatest nation it now is with the labor of migrants just like the 6 who died while filling potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

I salute those men from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras just like I salute my immigrant grandparents from Ireland, my immigrant great-great grandparents from Bohemia and my in-laws who fled Cuba under Castro, going on to help their fellow Americans as doctors and lawyers.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Perhaps youre aware there will be a total solar eclipse in Northeast Ohio on April 8.

Its a rare event. The last time there was a total solar eclipse in Ohio was in 1806, according to Ohios Emergency Management Agency website. And while there will be another total eclipse in the U.S. on Aug. 23, 2044, youll have to travel to see it because there wont be another one visible in Ohio until 2099.

That means there will be plenty of people in the U.S. traveling to regions where it will be visible on April 8, including to the Cleveland area. It also means cities, schools and parks are announcing closures and restrictions as they scramble to prepare.

Concerns about large number of visitors have resulted in the city of Cleveland closing some roads and setting up no-stopping zones on the day of the eclipse. There also will be parking restrictions throughout the city. The city is posting updates online on parking and traffic restrictions.

One mode of travel that will not be restricted is the Ohio Turnpike. Instead, road construction will be limited on April 8 in order to keep as many lanes open as possible.

The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that air traffic along the eclipse path could be impacted from April 7 to April 10 because of an increased volume of travel. Both Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Burke Lakefront Airport likely will be affected, according to the FAA.

Most school districts in Northeast Ohio have canceled classes for April 8, including Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Akron City Schools.

Heres who else is closing:

(This list will be updated regularly through April 8.)

Bay Village: Schools and municipal buildings are closed.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: CVNP locations likely will be popular among eclipse-watchers, but the park service announced it will close the following parking lots from 8 p.m. April 7 until 7 a.m. April 8: Boston Mill Visitor Center, Canal Exploration Center, Crow Foot Gully, Happy Days Lodge (south of Ohio 303), Hines Hill Center, Ledges Shelter, Little Meadow, Octagon Shelter, Pine Hollow, Station Road Bridge Trailhead and Kendall Lake.

These CVNP lots will close at 8 p.m. April 7 and wont re-open until 8 p.m. on April 8: Boston Trailhead, Boston Store limited mobility lot, and Brandywine Falls (parking lot only).

CVNP Superintendent Lisa Petit says area residents likely should remain home to see the eclipse.

If you live in the area, your home or neighborhood is where youll have the best seat in the house for eclipse viewing, Petit said. We are doing our best to be prepared and we are looking forward to welcoming unusually high numbers of visitors.

People who plan to go to CVNP locations should arrive early and plan on a long day, officials say, recommending that visitors consider going on a hike after the eclipse to avoid crowds leaving the area. Officials also recommend visitors carpool to CVNP.
WASHINGTON  The clock is ticking for roughly 940,000 U.S. taxpayers who may be owed money approaching $1,000 from the federal government.

The cash is part of more than $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds from the 2020 tax year (2021 filings). The Internal Revenue Service estimates the median refund is $932.

But for those taxpayers who did not file a tax return that year, time is running out. If youre one of them, you must file your return for 2020 taxes by May 17 to be able to get your refund.

Any money unclaimed by that date will go into the U.S. treasury.

Theres money remaining on the table for hundreds of thousands of people who havent filed 2020 tax returns, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out for people who may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds.

Related coverage

The Top 10 states for non-filers eligible for refunds among the states and the District of Columbia, according to the IRS, are Texas (93,400), California (88,200), Florida (53,200), New York (51,400), Pennsylvania (38,600), Georgia (36,400), Illinois (36,200), Michigan (34,900), Ohio (31,400) and North Carolina (27,500.

Typically, the IRS gives taxpayers up to three years to claim their refunds, with the deadline usually falling on April 15, the normal deadline for filing returns. The deadline for 2020 was extended because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

People faced extremely unusual situations during the pandemic, which may have led some people to forget about a potential refund on their 2020 tax returns, Werfel said. People may have just overlooked these, including students, part-time workers and others. Some people may not realize they may be owed a refund.

Werfel said people need to move quickly now -- May 17 isnt that far away.

We encourage people to review their files and start gathering records now, so they dont run the risk of missing the May deadline.

For many, theres an added incentive to check their records if theyre unsure whether they filed a return. Depending on their income, they could have much more to lose than just their refund on withheld taxes.

Many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. For 2020, the EITC was worth as much as $6,660 for taxpayers with qualifying children, the IRS said.

The amount of the credit varies based on household income and the number of children in the household. But the credit is refundable, so any left over after all tax obligations are met is pure refund.

Taxpayers who need to file a return should request their W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 from their employer or bank, the IRS suggests. They may also order a free wage and income transcript from the IRS using the Get Transcript Online tool.
CINCINNATI, Ohio  A 17-year-old student at a high school in Cincinnati has been arrested after he was accused of hiding his cellphone in a school bathroom and making secret recordings of classmates.

WXIX Channel 19 reports a student using the restroom at Anderson High School spotted a cellphone in a vent. The student grabbed the cellphone and left the restroom, but was stopped by a male student claiming the device belonged to him, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office tells WXIX.

WCPO Channel 9 reports the school district began investigating the incident Tuesday and the sheriffs office took over the investigation Wednesday. The sheriffs office announced the arrest Thursday.

The 17-year-old suspect has been charged with voyeurism, WLWT Channel 5 reports. The sheriffs office and the Forest Hills School District have not released additional details, according to reports.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Six people and organizations who provide abortions, including Preterm-Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Womens Center in Cuyahoga Falls, have sued the state over laws that together require abortion patients to wait a minimum of 24 hours, saying they conflict with the new abortion rights amendment in the states constitution.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas by the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and the law firm of Covington and Burling. It is the first new lawsuit challenging Ohio abortion laws since state voters overwhelmingly voted in November to guarantee a state constitutional right to an abortion.
Security in New York City is at an all-time high, and traffic jams brought the city to a standstill on Thursday (Mar. 28) as US President Joe Biden and three of his predecessors visited the Big Apple.

Former President and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump reportedly visited the wake of the fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller.

Meanwhile, current US President Joe Biden was joined by two of his Democrat predecessors - Bill Clinton and Barack Obama - in a campaign fundraiser at the Radio City Music Hall Thursday night, with the Associated Press reporting that the political event targeted to raise $25 million, and is set to become the largest fundraiser in US political history.

Obama was seen hitching a ride from Washington to New York aboard Air Force One with Biden, waving together as they descended the plane's steps at the John F. Kennedy International Airport before getting into a motorcade into Midtown Manhattan to meet with Clinton, who went ahead of them in the venue.

Star-Studded Show

The fundraiser - hosted by Stephen Colbert and Mindy Kaling and featuring musical acts from Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele - has different access tiers depending on a donor's generosity.

Thousands were expected to attend, with tickets costing a minimum of $225.

An after-party for 500 select guests would follow the main event, hosted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and DJ D-Nice.

"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," Biden campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg said. "Unlike our opponent (Trump), 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."

On the other hand, 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.

Read Also: Former President Donald Trump Attends Wake of Fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller

Pro-Palestine Protesters Poop Presidential Party

Outside the venue, hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters attempted to approach Radio City Music Hall ahead of the Biden campaign fundraiser as part of the "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" demonstration by the Abandon Biden protest group.

According to the New York Post, the demonstrators - waving Palestinian flags and other banners - stormed Sixth Avenue chanting slogans such as "Free, free Palestine," "Genocide Joe has got to go," and even "F*** Joe Biden."

Some of the signs protesters held denounced the president and the Democratic Party as "war criminals," while others read: "End all US aid to Israel."

The NYPD had arrested at least one demonstrator for disorderly conduct.

Biden's New York fundraiser took place ahead of the state's Democratic primary next week, with progressive Democrats calling on voters to "leave [their ballots] blank" during the November vote.

"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 obtained by The Hill. "We cannot idly sit by as our president aides and abets genocide in Gaza. The movement to Abandon Biden is only just beginning."

Related Article: President's Day II in New York: Trump, Biden, Clinton, Obama All Hit City Events Thursday

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Recognition of the sacrifice and valor of the more than 3 million Americans who served in Vietnam from the 1950s until 1973 -- including more than 58,000 who perished there, most in combat -- has been a long time coming. Many who served were snubbed, insulted, accused of atrocities when they first returned home from an unpopular war. For many, added to that was the burden of post-traumatic stress disorder, amplified among Vietnam veterans who often felt isolated, shunned, without anyone they could trust to talk to about their traumatic memories and flashbacks.

In the 1980s, that began to change, first with the official diagnostic recognition of PTSD, and then -- pressed in part by The Plain Dealers 1983 War Without End series exposing the then-Veterans Administrations overprescribing of drugs instead of the use of counseling -- recognition of the need for more appropriate and comprehensive treatment of veterans with PTSD.
Outdoor clothing and equipment brand LL Bean announced that business heiress Linda Bean has died at the age of 82 on March 23.

"Linda was known for her amazing work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit as well as her pride and dedication to her home state of Maine and L.L. Bean, the company her grandfather founded," LL Bean business manager Veronika Carlson said. "Our hearts go out to her family and friends."

Her cause of death has not been revealed, Fox News Digital reported.

Bean has been known for founding the Perfect Maine Lobster company in 2007, as well as owning several general stores, inns, and vacation rentals along Maine's rocky coast.

She was also known as a conservative Republican donor, twice campaigning unsuccessfully for Congress in 1988 and 1992.

She also participated in efforts for Maine to receive an industry certificate for sustainable lobster catching in 2013. The certificate was later revoked in 2022 due to her Republican affiliation, especially when she attended a Donald Trump rally in 2017, as well as concerns about harm to whales.

"It's bullying," Bean told FOX Business's Maria Bartiromo at the time. "They want to control how we spend our money, what we buy, where we buy it. That's wrong, it's un-American."

Read Also: Academy Award-Winning Writer for 'The King's Speech' David Seidler Dies at 86

Maine's GOP senator Susan Collins called Bean an "astute businesswoman" who was remembered for her love for the state.

"Linda Bean loved the State of Maine. Its coastal communities, islands, and art, particularly by the Wyeths, had a special place in her heart," she added. "Linda also was an astute businesswoman who promoted Maine lobster through her restaurants. Many a time while waiting for my plane in Portland, I had a cup of her famous lobster stew at her airport restaurant."

On the other hand, Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills shared that, despite their political differences, she found a common ground with Bean because of their "mutual love" for Maine.

"While her politics did not align with mine, Linda and I found common ground in our mutual love of our home state, of the coast of Maine and our working waterfronts, of Maine inspired art and of the perfect Maine lobster roll," she said. "I enjoyed her company and admired her business acumen. On behalf of the people of Maine, I extend deep condolences to Linda's family and loved ones and to the entire L.L. Bean community."

Related Article: Courtney Fannon Death: Pregnant NYC Teacher Dies After Collapsing in Classroom Just 1 Month Before Giving Birth to First Baby

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Pennsylvania authorities are currently dealing with a chilling and unsettling situation. A man named Zak Russel Moyer, 30, was taken into custody on March 25 following accusations that he committed a deadly assault on his neighbor, Edward Whitehead Jr.

The police affidavit, obtained by E! News, states that Moyer was wearing a mask and costume resembling the character from the Scream movie.

Victim Struck with Knife and Chainsaw

According to the criminal complaint filed March 26, Pennsylvania State Police responded to complaints of an ongoing assault on March 25 by showing up at a Lehighton Borough residence in the afternoon.

When state troopers arrived on the site, they discovered a 59-year-old male with potentially fatal injuries that seemed to be the result of a "piercing object." After being taken to the hospital, the victim who was eventually named as Whitehead Jr. was declared dead.

Trooper Anthony Petroski said that as the investigation went on, the police discovered that Whitehead Jr. had really been "struck multiple times with a knife and a battery-operated chainsaw."

Petroski made it clear to Lehigh Valley Live that they are "not looking into" the outrageous allegations.

After a while, Moyer turned himself in, switching from the "Scream" clothing he was purportedly wearing during the horrifying attack to a red hoodie.

Police records obtained by Lehigh Valley Live state that Moyer's sister informed officers that a week before the horrifying murder, he had discussed killing his neighbor. He then returned home to watch a movie while awaiting the arrival of the police, but the movie's title was withheld, according to New York Post.

Read Also: Bus Plunges Off Cliff in South Africa, Killing 45 Easter Worshippers

Suspect in Fatal Assault Faces Homicide Charges

According to police documents, he also hidden the battery-operated chainsaw and knives that were found by authorities with the outfit. The suspect said that Moyer's red wound and the remnants of a bandage under his eye were from being struck by his purported victim.

Whitehead's niece Megan Bernosky described the crime as "mind-numbing."

"I don't think anybody has truly had it all sink in at this point. She said WNEP, "What actually happened and what happened is horrible."

After being charged with homicide before District Judge Eric Schrantz, the defendant was taken to the Carbon County Jail and is currently being detained without bond. April 3 is the date of the preliminary hearing.

Police were called back to the area the day following the arrest because of complaints that Moyer's father, Francis, was intimidating the Whitehead family.

According to LehighValleylive.com and Times New Online, officials said in court filings that Moyer fled inside the home adjacent to Whitehead's following the murder.

He stayed inside the house for a short period before police surrounded it and demanded that he come out, according to the probable cause document that Times News Online referenced.

Then, based on a neighbor's video that WFMZ investigated, he reportedly started speaking with police outside while leaving "notes" on his window.

As stated in a police complaint cited by WFMZ, Moyer reportedly accused Whitehead of crimes in the notes. A report from LehighValleylive.com, the police are not looking into the crimes Moyer is purportedly attempting to link to Whitehead.

Moyer's sister stated in court documents that he had talked about killing Whitehead for a week before the murder, as reported by WFMZ and Lehighvalleylive.com.

Online court records indicate that Moyer's arraignment is scheduled for April. As of Wednesday afternoon, there was no counsel named for him in court documents, People reported.

Related Article: How 'Roscoe' the Robot Dog Saved the Day in Tense Massachusetts Standoff

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Russia has prevented the United Nations from monitoring international sanctions against North Korea. This action has raised concerns among the US and its allies, who believe that it is an attempt to avoid scrutiny of the increasing arms trade between Pyongyang and Moscow.

A proposal to prolong the mandate of an impartial team of specialists that tracks sanctions evasions against North Korea due to its nuclear and missile programs was rejected by Russia in the UN Security Council.

Russia's UN Veto Hampers North Korea Sanctions

According to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, "Russia's veto is nothing more than an attempt to silence independent, objective investigations into persistent violations of Security Council resolutions by the DPRK and by Russia itself."

Thomas-Greenfield used the official abbreviation for North Korea, which is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The so-called panel of experts was founded in 2009, and since then, it has conducted extensive evaluations that have addressed Pyongyang's attempts to evade sanctions through black market trade, cyber theft, and other tactics, as well as advancements in the country's nuclear and missile programs.

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, questioned the panel's relevance and maintained that Moscow would only agree to have the experts continue their work for as long as sanctions on North Korea were given a time limit since, in his opinion, they were no longer effective in easing tensions on the peninsula.

The panel "began reporting in the last year on Russia's blatant violations of the UN security council resolutions," according to US deputy ambassador Robert Wood, who also charged Russia of trying to stifle the panel's "independent objective investigations."

He stated that North Korea will be emboldened by Russia's veto to continue endangering global security with its development of "long-range ballistic missiles and efforts to evade sanctions."

Russian vetoes follow military sales between Russia and North Korea that violate UN sanctions, according to Britain's UN ambassador Barbara Woodward. These deals include "the transfer of ballistic missiles, which Russia has then used in its illegal invasion of Ukraine since the early part of this year," according to The Guardian.

Read Also: Ozempic Could be Made for Less Than $5 a Month; Novo Nordisk Charges $1,000: Study

Russia's Veto Hinders North Korea Sanctions

She said, "This veto does not show concern for the people of North Korea or the effectiveness of sanctions."

The issue is Russia's ability to elude and violate sanctions in order to get weaponry to deploy against Ukraine. Woodward said that Russia has suffered as a result of the panel's efforts to reveal sanctions violations.

"North Korea has been providing Russia with military material in support of its aggression against Ukraine, in violation of a number of resolutions which Russia voted in favor of," said France's ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Riviere.

Responding to these "unfounded insinuations," Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, said that they "only strengthened our conviction that we took the right decision to not support the extension of the panel of experts."

Following North Korea's first nuclear test explosion in 2006, the Security Council imposed sanctions and intensified them over time through ten resolutions that attempted, but ultimately failed, to cut off funding and restrict the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The council enacted its newest sanctions resolution in December 2017. In May 2022, a resolution presented by the United States that called for more penalties in response to a string of intercontinental ballistic missile tests was rejected by China and Russia.

The Security Council formed a committee to manage penalties, and until Thursday, the authority for its panel of experts to look into infractions had been extended for another 14 years.

The team of specialists is looking at 58 alleged North Korean cyberattacks between 2017 and 2023, which are estimated to have cost $3 billion. The money from these assaults is allegedly being used to assist fund North Korea's development of WMDs, according to their most recent report, which was made public last month.

According to the experts, North Korea persists in disobeying the sanctions, which includes building its nuclear weapons and manufacturing fissile materials, the essential components of these weapons. Additionally, it keeps importing refined petroleum products against council directives, AP News reported.

Related Article: Bus Plunges Off Cliff in South Africa, Killing 45 Easter Worshippers

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Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Core & Main's year-to-date stock performance.

Core & Main : "Core & Main is right at the heart of this infrastructure bull market I keep talking about because it does waste water. It is perfectly positioned. Believe it or not, even though it's just been a horse, it can go higher."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Pfizer's year-to-date stock performance.

Pfizer : "Let's give Pfizer a chance. They've got this really good acquisition that I like of Seagen. Let's give it some time here."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon SFL's year-to-date stock performance.

SFL : "People like these things, people like these bulk carriers right now...Do not overstay your welcome in this, it's been a big run. But it's going to go a little higher."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Leidos' year-to-date stock performance.

Leidos : "It's a defense contractor that's actually not struggling to get money out of Congress. I think it's a winner, I don't want to get off that horse yet."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon KLA's year-to-date stock performance.

KLA : "KLA is a very good company."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Chevron's year-to-date stock performance.

Chevron : "That's Mike Wirth's company, I'm not going to leave it here. It's got a 4% yield, it's doing pretty well."

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The Hess logo is seen in this photo illustration on 13 March, 2023.

Hess on Thursday said in a securities filing that its board unanimously recommended shareholders vote in favor of the company's sale to Chevron and that Exxon Mobil had initially supported the deal.

The $53 billion deal's closing has been delayed by a second request for information by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and by contract arbitration filings by Hess's partners in Guyana - Exxon Mobil and CNOOC Ltd - seeking to assert a right of first refusal on any sale of Hess's Guyana assets.

The merger is "fair to and in the best interests of the Hess stockholders," Hess's U.S. Securities and Exchange filing said.

Shortly after the proposed deal was announced and before the arbitration cases were filed, Exxon issued an statement indicating its support for the merger, Hess noted in its filing.

"We look forward to continuing our successful operations in the Stabroek block with Chevron, pending the deal closing," Exxon wrote in reference to the deal, Hess said.

Hess also said on Thursday an arbitration case filed by China's CNOOC also asserting a right of first refusal was consolidated on March 26 with its own and Exxon's arbitration cases.
U.S. President Joe Biden, former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participate in a discussion moderated by Stephen Colbert, host of CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert", during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York, U.S., March 28, 2024.

President Joe Biden was joined Thursday by two of his Democratic predecessors for a star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall that his campaign said brought in more than $26 million.

Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participated in the event in New York with more than 5,000 supporters in attendance  including several protesters who interrupted the program when the three presidents were speaking.

Actor and comedian Mindy Kaling hosted the program, which ended at around 10 p.m., and late night host Stephen Colbert moderated a conversation with Biden, Clinton and Obama. Special guests include celebrities like Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.

During the nearly hourlong moderated conversation, Colbert joked that the moment was historic because "three presidents have come to New York, and not one of them to appear in court," taking a jab at former President Donald Trump's criminal indictments and civil trials.

Clinton also took a swipe at Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, arguing that he "had a good couple of years because he stole them from Barack Obama."

But the discussion was interrupted at least five times by protesters. Colbert acknowledged one protester and asked Biden about the U.S. role in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Biden said more needed to be done to get relief into Gaza but added that Israel's very existence was at stake.

"There has to be a train for a two-state solution," Biden said. "It doesn't have to carry today. There has to be a progression. And I think we can do that."

His response was met with a standing ovation and chants of "four more years."

Obama sternly addressed a protester when he was interrupted, saying, "You can't just talk and not listen."

"That's part of democracy," Obama added. "Part of democracy is not just talking. It's listening. That's what the other side does, and it is important for us to understand that it is possible to have moral clarity and have deeply held beliefs but still recognize that the world is complicated and it is hard to solve these problems."

The crowd erupted in applause.

Biden's team has taken steps to minimize disruptions, including making events smaller and withholding exact locations longer than usual, after a speech in January when pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted him about a dozen times.

Outside the New York venue Thursday, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters chanted slogans like "Biden, Biden, you're a liar," and waved Palestinian flags and signs with anti-war messages.

The group Abandon Biden encouraged people to protest the president during his visit over the White House's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

"We cannot idly sit by as our president aides and abets genocide in Gaza," the group's New York co-chair Mosaab Sadia said in a statement. "The movement to Abandon Biden is only just beginning."

Inside Radio City Music Hall, the novelty of having three presidents in the same room was not lost on attendees.

Earlier in the program, Kaling joked about having Biden, Obama and Clinton in the same room, saying that when someone shouts "Mr. President," three people turn around.

Ticket prices started at $250, but the largest contributions shot up to half a million dollars. Some of the biggest donors were to have their pictures taken with all three presidents by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

First lady Jill Biden called the program "the fundraiser to end all fundraisers."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also delivered remarks.

For the three presidents, the fundraiser capped off a day of mobilization efforts that included sitting for an interview with the podcast "SmartLess," which the White House said would be available at a later, unspecified date.

They also sat for a discussion with Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, which was streamed to grassroots donors. The presidents talked about re-election efforts  both Clinton and Obama served two terms  as well as lighter topics, like favorite ice cream favors.

"You're all part of an incredible team we're building, and we're just getting started," Biden said in his closing message during the discussion. "So let's keep going. Let's win this November."

The trio arrived at Radio City Music Hall together in "The Beast"  the president's car in the motorcade.

Biden also invited Obama to ride in The Beast after he landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where they enjoyed catching up on their personal and professional lives, an aide to Obama told NBC News.

The show of unity among Biden, Clinton and Obama stands in stark contrast to Trump, who faces opposition from members of his own administration, including former Vice President Mike Pence, as he seeks a return to the White House in November.

Former President George W. Bush  the only other Republican former president  declined to support Trump in 2020.

The Trump campaign has not held a major event since March 16. Earlier Thursday, Trump attended the wake for a New York police officer who was shot and killed in Queens on Monday.

Biden and Trump are polling neck-and-neck, with 46% of voters supporting Trump and 45% supporting Biden, according to a March poll by CNBC. That poll, however, had Trump leading Biden by 30 percentage points when respondents were asked which candidate was the best on economic issues.

During Thursday's moderated discussion, Colbert asked Clinton what he would say to voters who do not feel like the economy is strong. Clinton answered that the 2008 recession and Covid are still affecting voters and that Trump did not sustain economic growth spurred by Obama. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have methodically "put Humpty Dumpty back together again," Clinton said.

"We should not make 2016's mistake again," he added, referring to when Trump defeated his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Best Buy offered to screen donations from its employee resource groups going to LGBTQ causes following pressure from a conservative think tank that holds shares in the company, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing made public this week.

The SEC filing contains a months-long email exchange between the National Center for Public Policy Research, which describes itself as a "nonpartisan, free-market conservative think tank," and Best Buy. The dialogue, which hasn't been previously reported, shows how the center said it would make "a splash" unless the consumer electronics giant moved in favor of its demands.

In some of the last correspondence in the filing, Best Buy noted that it allows its employee resource groups "some discretion to directly support organizations of their choosing" but added that "any such contributions would be screened to ensure they do not advocate or support the causes or agendas you have identified as concerning." One of the causes the NCPPR cited was transgender care for minors, which the group falsely described as an attempt to "mutilate the reproductive organs of children."

When asked for a request for comment regarding the filing, Carly Charlson, a spokesperson for Best Buy, stated in an email: "At Best Buy, we strongly believe in an inclusive work environment with a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. This commitment is evident through our longstanding and continuing support of organizations like HRC, which has recognized us as one of the best places to work for the LGBTQIA+ community for the past 18 years."

She then sent a followup email adding, "Nothing has changed in the ways we give to LGBTQIA+ organizations."

Human Rights Campaign, also commonly referred to as HRC, did not immediately return a request for comment.

The communication in the SEC filing began on Dec. 11. On that date, the NCPPR sent Best Buy a shareholder proposal asking the retailer to produce by June  and distribute at Best Buy's annual shareholder meeting that month  a report for investors analyzing how its partnerships with LGBTQ nonprofits are benefitting the company's business.

"Best Buy has partnerships with and contributes to organizations and activists that promote the practice of gender transition surgeries on minors and evangelize gender theory to minors. Why are Best Buy shareholders funding the proliferation of an ideology seeking to mutilate the reproductive organs of children before they finish puberty?" the proposal, signed by Ethan Peck, an associate at the NCPPR's Free Enterprise Institute, states. "This contentious and vast disagreement between radical gender theory activists and the general public has nothing to do with Best Buy selling electronics."

In an email dated Jan. 17, Peck told Best Buy's attorneys that his organization "will withdraw its proposal if Best Buy were to end its partnerships with and contributions to" eight different LGBTQ nonprofits and initiatives, which he refers to as "predatory butchers" in his email. These groups include The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization; SAGE, which advocates on behalf of LGBTQ elders; and GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy group.

Peck did, however, leave the Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest LGBTQ-rights group, off this list, stating in his email, "we understand that it's unrealistic for Best Buy to leave HRC in the near future because of their political clout."

"We hope you take this off-ramp for the sake of shareholders," Peck wrote in the Jan. 17 email. "Were Best Buy to agree to such a compromise with us, we will not make a splash about it."

In a Feb. 5 email, Marina Rizzo, a Best Buy attorney, told Peck that the company had reviewed his organization's concerns and informed him that the company hasn't donated in several years to two of the LGBTQ causes mentioned in the Jan. 17 email  the Trevor Project and Our Gay History in 50 States  and has never donated to the other six. She then says the company would screen certain donations the NCPPR may find concerning.

"As discussed during our call, we do allow our individual employee organizations, including our Military ERG, Conservative employee interest group, and our PRIDE group, among many other groups, some discretion to directly support organizations of their choosing," Rizzo wrote. "That said, any such contributions would be screened to ensure they do not advocate or support the causes or agendas you have identified as concerning. We hope this addresses the concerns." (In a letter included in the SEC filing, Best Buy notes that its employee resource groups "are provided with their own funding and have the capability to identify sponsorships to receive that funding, subject to internal guidelines and Company oversight.")

Later that day, Peck thanked Rizzo in an email "for looking into this" and added, "we're definitely delighted to hear all that." He then raised several follow-up questions, including why a page on the Best Buy website still indicates the company supports the Trevor Project and a book titled "Our Gay History in 50 States."

"We're going to need some kind of proof that that funding has ended," Peck wrote.

The link to the Best Buy LGBTQ page, which Peck included in his email, was no longer functioning as of Friday, though a version of it can still be viewed through the Internet Archive. A page on Best Buy's website about its support of "Our Gay History in 50 States" was also no longer available as of Friday but still viewable through the Internet Archive.

In an email on Feb. 9, Rizzo informed Peck that Best Buy would submit a letter to the SEC that afternoon asking that the regulator not take any action against the company for omitting NCPPR's proposal from shareholder materials. She also told him that the letter is a "standard part of the proposal process, and we intend to continue our dialogue." She ended the email by writing, "We remain ready to reach an understanding in conjunction with the withdrawal agreement you initially outlined."

No additional email correspondence is included in the SEC filing after Feb. 9, and it's unclear whether an agreement between Best Buy and NCPPR was ever reached. On March 22, NCPPR withdrew its Dec. 11 shareholder proposal. Then, on Tuesday of this week, Best Buy pulled its Feb. 9 "no action" request from the SEC, and the agency sent a letter on Wednesday confirming the matter was moot. This, in turn, ensures NCPPR's shareholder proposal regarding LGBTQ donations will not be presented at Best Buy's annual shareholder meeting in June.

In response to NBC News' request for comment, Peck declined to share any specifics regarding his communication with Best Buy, stating, "We don't discuss confidential discussions." He did, however, confirm that his organization has sent similar proposals to other public companies, though he did not name them.

When asked why he chose the eight LGBTQ causes mentioned in the Best Buy SEC filing, he wrote, "We used those groups as examples of groups that have adopted radical and divisive positions on LGBTQ issues, but we recognize that many more such groups exist."

The exchange between Best Buy and the NCPPR comes as many large companies face renewed pressure from conservatives to curb their public support for the LGBTQ community.

Major consumer brands, including Bud Light and Target, have faced heated criticism from conservative activists, prompting a rollback of LGBTQ-focused marketing campaigns and products as well as calls for boycotts. In Bud Light's case, sales declined and shares of its parent company, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, tumbled in the months following the beer brand's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney on April 1 of last year, though the stock has since rebounded.

In an email on Friday, GLAAD, one of the LGBTQ nonprofits mentioned in the SEC filing, expressed its displeasure with Best Buy.

"Executives at Best Buy ought to be ashamed of how they turned their backs on their LGBTQ and ally employees and consumers," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. "They know what they did was wrong, or they would not have tried to hide this cowardly, toxic corporate takeover inside an ordinary SEC filing."
Reservations for Italy's new "La Dolce Vita Orient Express" train open Tuesday.

Luxury train enthusiasts may want to lock in the current rate now  before it climbs any higher.

Starting rates for a one-night journey on the luxury train increased from 2,000 euros ($2,168) per person in December 2022 to 2,500 euros per person in November 2023. Both rates were set during a pre-sales reservation period, which required a refundable deposit.

But starting rates have now jumped to 3,500 euros per person per night, according to a press release published in March.

That's an eye-watering 75% price increase in a 16-month period.

The train is set to start running in the spring of 2025, according to Accor, the French multinational hospitality company that operates the train.
A view of the city during the blackout on March 25, 2024 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. On the morning of March 22, the Russian army attacked energy infrastructure facilities in Kharkiv and the region. As a result of the attack, the city was temporarily left without electricity. About 700,000 consumers were left without electricity.

Moscow launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure Friday, with a mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across the country, Ukraine's armed forces said.

Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 Ukrainian regions coming under fire, the country's interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the city's thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on March 22.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraine's defense industries.

Ukraine's state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, said Friday's attack deliberately targeted thermal and hydroelectric power plants across central and western regions.

In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine's Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power stations had come under attack and accused Moscow of risking an ecological disaster similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused the other of destroying the dam, but the various Russian allegations  that it was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives  fail to account for a blast so strong that it registered on seismic monitors in the region.

The dam's destruction led to deadly flooding, endangered crops, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an environmental catastrophe.

Zelenskyy also warned that other countries would be threatened if the dams were hit. Dnister Hydroelectric station, located near the city of Novodnistrovsk, Ukraine, is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Moldova.

"Not only is Ukraine under threat, but Moldova too," Zelenskyy said. "The water will not stop in front of the border."

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private electricity operator, also said that three of its thermal power plants had been damaged in the attacks. It announced emergency power shutdowns in the city of Odesa, leaving several neighborhoods without power.

Five people, including a 5-year-old girl, were wounded during the attack in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, said local Gov. Serhii Lysak.

He later said that another man had been killed and one more injured in a separate drone attack Friday.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian police said rescuers had recovered the body of a 66-year-old woman from a building in the Mykolaiv region that was hit by a Russian missile Thursday night.

The bombardment in the west of Ukraine caused the Polish Armed Forces to scramble its own aircraft, the country's operational command said on social media.

Last week, Warsaw demanded an explanation from Moscow after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting the NATO member to activate F-16 fighter jets.

Romania's defense ministry also said on Friday that an investigation has been launched after fragments that appeared to be from a drone were identified on its territory Thursday evening in an agricultural area of Braila county, close to the border with Ukraine.

It did not provide additional details, although since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, NATO member Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions.

Belgorod also came under fire Friday, Russia's Ministry of Defense wrote on social media. It said that it shot down 15 Ukrainian shells, with falling debris damaging a number of residential buildings. No casualties were reported.

Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov later said on social media that one man had died as the result of a separate drone attack which struck an apartment block.
(Photo : EUGENE HOSHIKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 28, 2024.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared his undying dedication on Thursday to pursue a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The objective of this summit would be to help with the return of Japanese citizens who were allegedly abducted by North Korean agents during the 1970s and 80s.

He told reporters, "I remain committed to realizing this for Japan," but he didn't say anything about North Korea's recent remarks that implied such a meeting would only take place if Japan gave up on pursuing the abductions issue.

Japan's Talks with North Korea Amid Nuclear Concerns

As concerns about neighboring North Korea's nuclear and missile programs deepen, Kishida emphasized at a press conference following the government budget's passage by parliament that he was actively engaged in high-level talks to resolve a number of bilateral issues.

The late Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il, informed then-prime minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2002 that its operatives had abducted thirteen Japanese people throughout the 1970s and 1980s, allowing five of them to return home.

As per the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim Yo Jong said in a statement that Kishida "conveyed his intention to personally meet the President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as soon as possible."

Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, made a suggestion last month that the Japanese prime minister may get an invitation to visit North Korea in the future.

The "history of the DPRK-Japan relations gives a lesson that it is impossible to improve the bilateral relations full of distrust and misunderstanding," she included, if Tokyo makes a significant shift in policy.

Kishida's wants for better ties would not come to pass if Japan remained to be "engrossed in the abduction issue that has no further settlement," she said.

On Monday, Kishida declared that high-level negotiations with North Korea were "important" but admitted that he was unaware of the KCNA report and abstained from commenting specifically on its contents.

"Top-level talks are important for Japan-North Korea relations to resolve issues like the abduction issue," Kishida remarked in parliament, alluding to the kidnappings that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.

"This is why we have been making various approaches to North Korea at the level directly under my control, as I have said in the past," according to France24.

Read Also: Italy Pays Tribute to 'Memory' of Mafia Victims in Holy Thursday Mass

Japan-North Korea Summit Talks Amid Nuclear Tensions

In 2002, North Korea acknowledged that it had dispatched operatives to abduct thirteen Japanese individuals throughout the 1970s and 1980s for the purpose of teaching spies about Japanese language and culture.

In Japan, kidnappings continue to be a sensitive and emotive topic, and there are persistent rumors that much more people were taken than have been publicly acknowledged.

North Korea admitted after years of denial that its operatives had kidnapped the 13 Japanese during an extraordinary 2002 meeting between then-Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and late Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il. Japan suspects that North Korea utilized their expertise in Japanese language and culture for training purposes.

At the last meeting between the two nations in 2004, Koizumi paid a second visit to North Korea and reconnected with Kim Jong Il.

A potential second summit is being discussed amid worries that North Korea would step up its weapons tests in this year's elections in South Korea and the United States. According to experts, North Korea's objective would be to leverage an expanded weapons arsenal in order to secure concessions from the US, such as the lifting of sanctions imposed due to Pyongyang's nuclear program.

North Korea may wait for South Korean and US elections before resuming diplomatic relations. If Japan normalizes relations, the poor North may want $500 million or more in economic aid.

Analyst Moon Seong Mook of the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy states that North Korea may demand the current worth of Japanese aid South Korea got in 1965 when they restored relations. Kishida is unlikely to violate Japanese public opinion on abduction or U.N. nuclear bans.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry is carefully discussing Tokyo-Pyongyang ties and North Korea's nuclear problem with Japan. North Korea's growing nuclear and missile arsenals threaten Japan, South Korea, and the US.

After the North's provocative missile tests in 2022, the three nations increased their trilateral military drills. North Korea's official media reported that Kim Jong Un watched a tank practice and urged his armed troops to prepare for war amid rising tensions with South Korea, AP News reported.

Related Article: Groundhog Day 2: Punxsutawney Phil and Phyllis Welcome Pair of Baby Woodchucks

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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.
"See You Again in China" | Each day in Guangxi reveals something new

People's Daily Online) 11:13, March 29, 2024

Thirteen foreign journalists from the "International Media Tour in China: the Practice of Chinese Modernization in Guangxi" visited south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Catherine Gulua, a seasoned journalist with 20 years of experience from Georgia, is also the founder and director of Media Center "MTAVARI" in her home country. This trip marks her second visit to China. She came to Guangxi to cover the industrial development and local traditions of Beihai, Liuzhou, and Guilin cities.

Joining her was Abubakar Harith, a young journalist and TV presenter from Tanzania. Catherine and Abubakar first met in China during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which took place in Beijing in October 2023. Their journey to Guangxi was their second rendezvous. They explored picturesque Miao villages, toured cutting-edge automotive manufacturing facilities, and wandered through the rain-freshened streets of Guilin, creating lasting memories of China.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Wu Chengliang)
The government of Israel was ordered by the Supreme Court on Thursday to cease providing funds to religious schools whose pupils refuse to serve in the military. This decision represents one of the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to date.

To keep his coalition in power, Netanyahu depends on two Ultra-Orthodox parties: Shas and United Torah Judaism. Benny Gantz of the National Unity Party and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, his wartime allies, have harshly criticized Netanyahu's stance on the subject of ultra-Orthodox conscription.

High Court Ruling Sparks Yeshiva Conscription Controversy

Ariyeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, expressed concern about the actions of the High Court of Justice in a recent statement. "The people of Israel are engaged in a war of existence on several fronts and the High Court of Justice judges did everything tonight to create a fratricidal war as well."

Since the country's foundation, young men enrolled in yeshivas have been excused from required military duty, thereby excluding all Ultra-Orthodox Israelis. However, the exception has long been implemented by sporadic government regulations and has never been codified in a statute that the Supreme Court finds to be fair.

This week, Netanyahu made an attempt to postpone the Supreme Court's deadline for enacting legislation formalizing the exception. The Supreme Court informed the administration that it was unlawful for the government to support yeshivas and exempt their students from conscription after decades of decisions on the issue.

The Supreme Court ruled late on Thursday that the government could no longer send money to yeshivas whose students did not get valid deferments as of April 1.

The head of the United Torah Judaism party, Yitzhak Goldknopf, called the ruling a "disgrace" and cited the Hebrew book, the Torah. "We have no right to exist if the Torah is not followed. We will not back down from our effort to ensure that every Jew has the opportunity to learn the Torah," he said.

Benny Gantz, a retired general who sided with Netanyahu's coalition in a unity government following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, applauded the court's ruling and encouraged the government to enact legislation requiring the Haredim to be conscripted, , according to Financial Times.

Read Also: New York Tries Out Gun Detection System in Subway Amid Violence: 'Bring on the Scanners'

High Court Sparks Haredi Military Exemption Debate

Nowadays, the High Court made the obvious decision. The obvious needs to be done by the government, he declared.

The 1948 agreement between David Ben-Gurion, the founder of Israel, and rabbis representing several hundred ultraorthodox households resulted in the exemption for religious students.

As a result, 400 young Haredi men who enrolled in a yeshiva, or religious school, were spared from military duty.

However, the arrangement and the state subsidies for yeshiva students that funded it had already become a source of great frustration for the rest of Jewish Israeli society, even before the war with Hamas. This was because the number of ultraorthodox exempted had skyrocketed, in part due to the Haredi population's rapid growth.

According to the ultra-Orthodox, their generations-old way of life will be threatened by enlisting in the army, and their pious way of life and commitment to keeping Jewish law defend Israel just as much as a powerful military. Religious leaders have promised to oppose any attempt to compel ultra-Orthodox males to enlist in the military and have previously organized large-scale demonstrations against such initiatives.

Shas party chair Aryeh Deri described the court's ruling as "unprecedented bullying of Torah students in the Jewish state."

Netanyahu said that more time is required for negotiations in his petition to the Supreme Court asking for the extension, citing historical evidence that "enlistment without an agreed-upon arrangement actually has the opposite effect," KTLA5 reported.

Related Article: White House 'Perplexed' by Netanyahu Scrapping DC Visit in Wake of UN's Gaza Cease-Fire Vote

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In many cultures, mental health remains a topic clouded by stigma and misunderstanding. However, various cultural concepts around the world offer unique perspectives that can help break down barriers and encourage open discussions about mental well-being.

Khyal cap

Khyal cap, prevalent in Cambodian culture, describes a condition similar to PTSD resulting from exposure to trauma during periods of conflict or persecution. It involves symptoms such as nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

Addressing khyal cap involves culturally sensitive approaches that acknowledge the collective trauma experienced by the Cambodian community. By integrating traditional healing practices with modern mental health interventions, people can find holistic support in their healing journey.

Kufungisisa

In Shona culture, kufungisisa translates to "thinking too much" and is associated with symptoms of anxiety and somatization. It reflects a cultural understanding of mental distress manifested through physical symptoms.

Recognizing Kufungisisa involves validating the somatic experiences while addressing the underlying psychological factors. Culturally adapted interventions that incorporate storytelling, community support, and indigenous healing practices can play a vital role in destigmatizing mental health.

Taijin kyofusho

Taijin kyofusho, prevalent in Japanese culture, involves a fear of offending or embarrassing others through one's actions or appearance. It reflects societal pressures and the importance placed on social harmony.

Destigmatizing mental health in Japan requires challenging cultural norms that prioritize conformity and perfectionism. Promoting self-compassion, acceptance, and seeking help when needed can help overcome the fear of judgment.

Nervios, ataque de nervios

Nervios and ataque de Nervios, common in Latino communities, describe states of emotional distress characterized by symptoms such as trembling, palpitations, and dissociation. These concepts highlight the intersection of culture, family dynamics, and stressors on mental health.

Embracing multiculturalism involves validating the experiences of Latinos and Latinas and recognizing the socio-cultural factors that contribute to mental health struggles. Creating culturally competent mental health services and fostering community support networks are essential steps in promoting mental health awareness and acceptance.
With today's demanding academic environment, the well-being of school-aged children includes more than just physical health. As the world continues to open itself toward healthy mental health discussions, parents are now more expressive about their concerns regarding their children's mental health.

A recent national poll conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital provides insight into the growing trend among parents who wish to consider mental health when making decisions about their children's school attendance.

Sick days beyond physical health

The decision to keep a child home from school due to illness is often accompanied by uncertainty for parents. While symptoms like vomiting or fever may be obvious reasons for a child to stay home instead of going to school, many situations are less clear-cut.

According to the Mott Poll, over half of parents err on the side of caution, opting to keep their children home when unsure of the severity of their illness. Academic concerns also weigh heavily in the decision-making process, with parents increasingly factoring in the potential impact on grades and social interactions. Approximately 19% of respondents expressed willingness to permit such breaks, signaling a recognition of the importance of mental well-being alongside physical health.

Co-director Sarah Clark emphasizes the need for parents to distinguish between typical social discomfort and genuine mental health concerns. While occasional discomfort is a natural part of life, parents must be attuned to signs of deeper emotional distress that may necessitate a day off from school.

School attendance policies

Despite the growing acknowledgment of mental health concerns, parents are aware of the importance of school attendance policies in maintaining consistency and academic performance. The majority of parents surveyed indicated that their child's school has an attendance policy in place, with many believing the policies to be reasonable. However, challenges arise for children with chronic medical conditions, whose absences are often unavoidable due to medical appointments or flare-ups of their condition.
Its that special time of year when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by stuffing their faces with mass-produced chocolate products supposedly laid by a magical bunny rabbit. Some folks, on the other hand, have opted to embrace an allegedly-blasphemous cinematic comedy as their go-to Easter weekend tradition. Were, of course, talking about Monty Pythons The Life of Brian.

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As weve mentioned before, The Life of Brian is one of the most controversial comedies ever made. It was banned in countries like Ireland and Norway, and blasted by evangelical Christians who claimed that it had been produced in Hell. And yet, in the 21st century, its become a spring holiday staple. In addition to Easter screenings in movie theaters, at least one actual reverend quoted the film in an Easter message on YouTube.

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But its hard to believe that the movie would have become the unimpeachable classic it is today if John Cleese had gotten his way. Before the shoot began, the future star of A Fish Called Wanda insisted that he, and not Graham Chapman, should play the lead role of Brian Cohen. Which, it should go without saying, would have been absolutely terrible and probably bankrupted George Harrison.

Cleese desperately wanted to take on the part, not because he thought hed be a good fit for Brian, but because hed never had the experience of playing a role the whole way through a film. As he later explained, I wanted to learn, because if Im learning Im happy. Which is a good reason to take an adult education class at your local community college, but not necessarily for making creative decisions behind a $4 million feature film.

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The other Pythons were understandably against the idea of giving the part of their fictional pseudo-Messiah to Cleese just so he could master a new skill. I couldnt see John playing Brian, Terry Jones recalled. I kind of felt we needed Grahams integrity. There wasnt anybody else in the Python group that had that integrity that shows up on the big screen.

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The rest of the group, minus Chapman, confronted Cleese, expressing their strong preference for Chapman to play Brian. It didnt go well. Cleese admits now that the others very kindly, made it clear to me that they thought that it was not a good idea. But at the time, he lashed out at his colleagues. As recounted in Michael Palins published diaries, Eric Idle buttered Cleese up, telling him that he would be wasted as Brian, while also pointing out that Chapman was quite good in the lead role of King Arthur in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and would be an appropriate Brian because he was Roman-looking. According to Palin, John erupted at this  far more vehemently than I would have expected. He hissed agitatedly that it would be a disaster.

Cleeses concerns about Chapman taking on the part werent solely informed by his own ego, his writing partners heavy drinking was also a major worry. As Palin noted, Cleese saw a possible danger that relying on Chapman could blow the whole film. But according to Chapmans partner David Sherlock, the actor had stopped drinking specifically to take on the part of Brian.

In the end, Cleese realized his mistake, and is thankful that the rest of the troupe wouldnt let him be Brian. They were right, because they said No, he eventually admitted. Sadly, none of the Pythons were able to convince him not to do that awkward Australian roast.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
Photo: @boy.room/TikTok

I would get rid of this fake plant, Rachel Coster tells me, pointing to a real plant. Then, noticing the Dusen Dusen Dash pillow on my bed, she groans. (Childish and very gay guy, she says.) Coster, 28, is the pantsuited host of the new series Boy Room, a quasinature documentary in which she tours and dissects the gross, often kind of insane bedrooms of 20-something men in New York City. She is also my good friend, so I invited her over to talk about the show and  as she has so many times in our relationship  insult my taste in interiors.

Boy Room premiered last week from Gymnasium, the production studio run by Adam Faze, who helped create other viral, New Yorkcentric shows such as Kareem Rahmas Keep the Meter Running (and is possibly the subject of Olivia Rodrigos Vampire). So we talked about that, why men live the way they do, and how a Supreme sticker is actually very of the people.

Describe Boy Room.

Boy Room is a show where we investigate the boy bedrooms of New York City. Generally, theyre gross. The nice ones are really boring, but obviously those exist in New York too.

What makes a boy room a Boy Room?

A Boy Room boy room has to have some Supreme stickers, empty beer cans, stuff on the floor. And moisturizer close to the bed.

How did you come up with it?

When I was dating, I loved going to peoples apartments. After a date, I would always say yes if they wanted me to come over, not even because I wanted to bang but because I loved seeing how people live. One time, a guy had a bedside table that was just a cardboard box with a Gatorade on top of it. He was a Republican. But once I started dating my boyfriend, I didnt get access to that kind of thing anymore so I had to create a whole show.

Blakes room in your first episode isnt just messy; theres a feral quality to it.

In New York, were all hustling. It is easy for your space to become a total mess. A lot of people I know, myself included, are basically never home unless they work from home. So it almost doesnt matter if your house looks like total chaos, because you get home, you knock out or maybe you smooch someone, and youre out of there. Also, most of the people we know are vagabonds and bohemians.

Coster inspects my boy room. Photo: Zach Schiffman

Youd call someone with a Supreme sticker bohemian?

Yeah, I think its of the people.

Whats the worst thing youve seen so far?

Yesterday, a boy had three Gandalf wigs in his sex-toy drawer. They looked like a dead dog.

How do you find the boy rooms you feature?

At first, we were just asking our friends who were disgusting, or I was texting people and being really vague and creepy about it and seeing if I could just come over and surprise them with a camera crew. Now, people are reaching out, and its making my life a lot easier.

Do you trust that people will leave their rooms in their authentic state?

That is something I am definitely concerned with, but I do hope most people will be honest. I think if its messy, whatever, as long as it feels true to them.

Coster is here to help. Photo: Zach Schiffman

Weve talked about my room before. I feel like you kind of hate it.

I think your room is for a child, a really adorable child but one whose mummy and daddy think hes the light of their life and got him a Joe Colombo art cart or something. Obviously, you dont have that, but it would fit here amazingly. Its very primary colors and symmetric. The

finger painting of Mindy Kaling over your bed is spooky. I hope one day you have to interview her for something and its in the background.

Mindy, if youre reading this, keep scrolling. What should I change?

I would put a carpet in where its just bare floor, and I would get rid of this strange chair. [Points to a black metal folding stool near my closet.]

Its a stool so I can reach the top of my closet.

I would get rid of your little short-guy stool.



So who do you make the show with?

I make it with Gymnasium, Adam Fazes production company. Hes awesome. We were making stuff under its first name, FazeWorld, but then they got a cease-and-desist from something. Hes the person. The team is Sky Saffar. SexyDamion directs it. Hes amazing. We have either Grace Pomilla or Ari Cagan on camera two. Its for online, but its real cameras, not iPhones, and we have mics and stuff.

Do you find yourself in competition with people like Caleb Simpson or other people on TikTok doing home tours?

Ive never been on TikTok, really, minus to look at makeup tutorials.

Whats your room like?

My room is a work-in-progress because Im not as rich as I intend to one day be. I have a bed. Its a mattress from Amazon, but its on a Floyd. Its so heavy and big and low, and Im not really sure I love it. But also if they wanted to sponsor Boy Room, then they are welcome to email us. I have Hue lightbulbs. I love being able to change the mood lighting and make it sexy. Its crucial.

Is there a path to redemption after being featured on Boy Room? Do you think guys can stop being disgusting?

Every boy whos living like that  theres no way that their spirit feels at peace. I think with some healing work and growth  realizing that you want better for yourself  theres hope. I think there are a lot of opportunities for men to just put stuff in drawers.

Its more like youre doing a nature documentary than a design show.

Im an explorer of the rooms in which guys must endure their own minds.

This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.
The launch of the Duchess of Sussex's new luxury lifestyle brand further exacerbates the ongoing tension within the Royal Family, as it appears that the palace has resigned itself to the fact that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will not adopt a more subdued and traditional approach.

American Riviera Orchard, Meghan Markle's new company, "soft launched" a few weeks ago.

Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard

The Duchess is rumored to be planning to offer everything from dog chow to yoga mats to makeup. Meghan Markle is anticipated to earn millions of dollars for her work, but according to a royal specialist, the Palace isn't too fond of this.

As a response to the health mystery surrounding Kate Middleton and King Charles' sickness, royal analyst and author Tom Quinn has disclosed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have created a new brand called American Riviera Orchard.

Meghan Markle might potentially profit from the heightened focus that has been directed upon the royal family, which has been receiving more attention than usual.

Kate Middleton has expressed her appreciation for the support and understanding she has gotten during her recovery from cancer. She is now in the beginning phases of her therapy because she has cancer. In addition, she disclosed that she and her husband, Prince William, have been exerting every effort to resolve and handle the problem for the sake of their small family.

The teaser trailer for American Riviera Orchard, which featured never-before-seen glimpses of Meghan Markle's opulent estate in Montecito, California, has fans buzzing, even though she hasn't disclosed the actual launch date, according to OK! Magazine.

Read Also: One of Conjoined Twins Abby and Brittany Hensel, Famous from TLC Show, is Now Married and Expanding Family

Royal Expert Critiques Meghan Markle's Brand

During the first week of procedure, it was anticipated that the brand would generate revenues equivalent to or greater than six figures.

On the other hand, royal expert Tom Quinn is of the view that Meghan Markle is using the legacy of her late mother-in-law to help her new enterprise, given that it was officially launched on an important day in her life.

Quinn thinks there are "groans" at Kensington Palace over Meghan Markle's new endeavor, but he also thinks the actress "just cannot understand" why it may not be appropriate for her to profit from her ties.

On the same day when Meghan Markle revealed American Riviera Orchard, the Diana Award event took place. During the ceremony, the two sons of the late Princess of Wales, who were at odds with one other, gave emotional remarks in honor of their mother.

Earlier this month, Prince William delivered a speech at the Science Museum in London in honor of the 25th anniversary of the charity. Harry waited until William had left the event before engaging in a video discussion with twenty people who had been awarded the Legacy Award from all around the world.

In addition to expressing his excitement and appreciation for the job that the 39-year-old had accomplished, he also stated his desire to be there with them, Mirror reported.

Related Article: Diddy At Center Of 'Creepy' Video With Young Justin Bieber, Following Human Trafficking Raid

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This article focuses primarily on the technical outlook for the yen. For a deeper understanding of the fundamental factors driving the Japanese currency's trajectory in the second quarter, feel free to download our comprehensive Q2 forecast. It's complimentary!

Recommended by Diego Colman Get Your Free JPY Forecast Get My Guide

USD/JPY TECHNICAL OUTLOOK

USD/JPY soared during the first three months of 2024, advancing more than 7% before the end of the first quarter. Following this upswing, the pair was trading slightly below its 2022 and 2023 highs, located near the psychological 152.00 level on March 22, an important resistance threshold that traders should keep on their radar in the near term.

In terms of potential scenarios, a push beyond 152.00 could theoretically reinforce upward momentum and give way to a rally towards 154.00. However, any bullish breakout may not hold for long, as the Japanese government may quickly step in to support the yen. For this reason, a rise above the 152.00 area could be viewed as an opportunity to fade strength. However, in the absence of FX intervention, bulls could feel emboldened to launch an attack on 158.50, followed by 160.00, the April 1990 high.

On the other hand, if USD/JPY is rejected from its current position and pivots to the downside, support emerges at 146.50 near the March swing low and the 200-day simple moving average. Below this, subsequent levels of support materialize at 145.00, 143.50, and 140.45, the latter marking the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement derived from the upward phase spanning 2021 to 2022. Additional losses beyond this juncture would shift focus towards 137.00 and subsequently to 133.25.

USD/JPY Weekly Chart

Source: TradingView, Prepared by Diego Colman

Interested in learning how retail positioning can offer clues about EUR/JPY's directional bias? Our sentiment guide contains valuable insights into market psychology as a trend indicator. Download it now!

EUR/JPY Bearish Data provided by of clients are net long. of clients are net short.

Change in Longs Shorts OI Daily -2% -4% -4% Weekly 21% 1% 5%

EUR/JPY TECHNICAL OUTLOOK

EUR/JPY also advanced sharply in the first quarter of the year, briefly topping the 165.00 threshold, and hitting its strongest mark in nearly 16 years. While bulls appear to be in control of the steering wheel, we are unlikely to see a sustained move above 165.00 because Japanese authorities, who seek to prevent substantial depreciation of the yen, may step in to contain the bleeding.

In the unexpected case that EUR/JPY manages to break past 165.00 decisively and Tokyo remains on the sidelines, buyers may feel emboldened to launch an attack on the upper boundary of a long-term ascending channel at 168.75. If euros momentum continues to build unchecked, the market could set its sights on the 2008 highs near the psychological 170.00 level.

Alternatively, if upward impetus starts fading and prices shift downwards over the coming weeks, sellers may muster the courage to challenge trendline support and the 200-day simple moving average near 159.70. The pair may attempt to bottom out in this area before rebounding, but should a breakdown materialize, bulls may head for the hills, paving the way for a retracement towards channel support at 153.10. Subsequent losses from this point could precipitate a drop towards 151.60, followed by 148.70.

EUR/JPY Weekly Chart

Source: TradingView, Prepared by Diego Colman

Discover out top 3 trading opportunities for the second quarter. Request the guide now!

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GBP/JPY TECHNICAL OUTLOOK

The British pound was no exception and also strengthened dramatically against the Japanese yen in the first quarter, with GBP/JPY rising above the 190.00 handle to levels not tested since August 2015. With traders positioning for a rate cut from the Bank of England in the second quarter and the Bank of Japan finally normalizing its stance, the path of least resistance may be lower for the pair in the medium term despite its constructive technical outlook.

In the event of a bearish reversal, GBP/JPY may encounter support around 189.00 and 184.75 thereafter, where the 200-day simple moving average meets a medium-term ascending trendline at the time of writing. Subsequent losses beyond the aforementioned thresholds could draw attention towards 178.00 - key swing lows of December and October last year. The pair may establish a foothold in the region; however, a drop below it could prompt a move towards 176.50, followed by 172.25.

On the other hand, if bulls maintain their grip on the market and propel the exchange higher, resistance emerges at 193.50, this years peak. Drawing from past patterns, bears may resist another bullish advance at this juncture. However, in the event of a clean and decisive breakout, a rally towards the 2015 highs near 196.00 could be on the horizon.

GBP/JPY Weekly Chart

Source: TradingView, Prepared by Diego Colman
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(Photo : Corpus Christi Police)

Caleb Harris, 21, vanished from his Corpus Christi, Texas, apartment, according to police.

As the search for U.S. college student Caleb Harris creeps toward the one month mark, police in Corpus Christi, Texas, have pieced together an extended timeline leading up to his mysterious disappearance.

Harris, a 21-year-old student at Texas A&M, was last seen by his roommates and a friend during the early morning hours of March 4. The group were at their off-campus apartment playing video games, according to police.

They briefly went to the parking lot, where they played with a puppy belonging to the girlfriend of one of Harris' friends, before returning to the apartment.

By 2:20 a.m., the last of Harris' roommates went to sleep. Harris informed them he was going to stay awake and place an UberEats order for his school lunch later that day, said police.

Twenty minutes later, Harris sent a Snapchat video to his sister appearing to show him walking the puppy through the apartment parking lot. Then, around 3 a.m., he sent a Snapchat photo of a bridge over a drainage ditch within a few hundred feet of the apartment entrance to a friend in San Antonio, according to police.

At 3:12 a.m., his cell phone was pinged by the nearest cell tower. Eight minutes later, Harris' UberEats order was delivered to his front door.

Around 11 a.m., Harris' roommates discovered the unopened order at their doorstep. His pickup truck was still in the parking lot, and his keys and wallet were located in the apartment.

Police said the roommates became concerned about Harris' whereabouts, noting he was a "homebody and a creature of habit," and reported him missing.

Throughout their investigation, police said there was no evidence of a struggle or foul play found within the apartment or in the immediate area.

The 31-year-old female UberEats driver has been ruled out as a suspect, as well as his roommates, friends and family, who have been "extremely cooperative," according to police.

Investigators continue to scour through surveillance footage from over two dozen nearby cameras. Police said they are still analyzing Harris' laptop and other electronic data for any clues leading to his disappearance.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Corpus Christi Police Department at (361) 826-2840, Crime Stoppers a 888-TIPS, or the family's tip line at (361) 826-2950.

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The New York state Assembly Chamber is seen during a legislative session after Gov. Kathy Hochul presented her 2025 executive state budget at the state Capitol on Jan. 16 in Albany. New York lawmakers are expected to miss the states budget deadline as negotiations over housing and education funding remain ongoing.
A 12-year-old boy from Alabama who was shot a week ago shared a message of strength and resilience on Thursday as he looks at the long road ahead.

Brandon Roller was dashing for cover from the gunfire last Friday when a bullet pierced straight through his back.

From his hospital bed Thursday, Brandon said, "I'm good. I'm alive, and I'm feeling better."

Brandon's resilience serves as a powerful reminder for his mother, Courtney Chestner, who remains in a state of disbelief following the traumatic shooting that disrupted their family's life.

"I thank God for giving me such a courageous son because he said it doesn't matter if I could walk off not because God, I'm alive," Chestner said.

Chestner told WVTM13, that Brandon was playing with friends Friday afternoon outside of their East Birmingham apartment complex when it suddenly turned violent.

"About 10 teenage boys walked up to them, like 10 of them, every last one of them had a gun, he said he doesn't know none of them," Chestner continued.

"They asked him if they knew a guy and my son said no, we don't know him."

Brandon then turned to go into his home when gunfire erupted.

'Ma, I've Been Shot'

"I seen the little holes and I ended up going down the steps," Chestner recalled.

"The neighbor that he was with outside ended up running past me out my front door and when I turned to my right, that's when I seen my son laying on the floor, and he said, 'Ma, I've been shot, I've been shot.'"

Birmingham police officers allegedly responded to the Carson Road apartment complex around 3:15 p.m. Friday.

Paramedics rushed Brandon to the hospital, only for his mother to receive news no parent wants to hear.

"It took about 10 minutes for them to tell me that he was paralyzed from the waist down and hearing that news, it devasted me because all of my boys are really, really close, but he's the outgoing child," Chestner said.

No arrests have been made in the shooting, but his mother hopes someone will step up to police with information.

And while he faces a long road to recovery, Brandon's message is to "stay strong."

Brandon's mother also had a stark message for the shooters, "I want to look in the eyes of the person who did it and I want to tell them I'm sorry you had to grow up the way you did,"

"I'm sorry your mom didn't show you enough love to where you feel like you got to be in these streets to prove yourself to people who don't even love you."

A GoFundMe has been made to help the family with medical expenses.

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A Canadian woman who has lived in the UK for the last seven years has revealed nine things British people do that are considered normal - but that she finds weird.

YouTuber Alana, who is in her 30s, and is known on the platform as Adventures and Naps, invited others to share their thoughts, before jumping straight into her list.

According to Alana, number one on her list is the prevalence of caterpillar cakes.

She said in her video: 'It is totally reasonable to buy a caterpillar cake - and everyone knows who it is...

'I just think it was so cute and funny and silly that as a population we all know who the caterpillar is.

She added: 'Everybody knows he's just part of the family until you eat him. Of course.'

YouTuber Alana, known on the platform as Adventures and Naps, invited others to share their thoughts, before jumping straight into her list

Moving on, she said: 'Number two, a weird thing that Brits do that they think is normal is consume some of the most creative sandwiches I've ever seen.

'Can I interest you in a chip butty? Yes, that is a sandwich where the inside are chips, just like the name implies. Now again, I do have to say I made one of these... and I get it.'

She added: 'There is something absurd about a chip butty. I think we can all agree but we can also agree that they're fabulous. You can also have a Pot Noodle sandwich.

'Or what about a fish finger sandwich. The Brits have just an unbelievable amount of sandwiches... I just think it's fabulous that you can put whatever you want between two slices of bread, and call it a day.'

According to Alana, number three on her list, is receiving 'pet names from strangers'.

She said: 'I remember very vividly when I first moved to the UK. I think I even talked about it in a video where it made me feel really uncomfortable when strangers would call me love or sweetheart or any of that kind of thing because I just inherently viewed that as condescending.

According to Alana, the weirdest thing about British culture is the prevalence of caterpillar cakes

Another unusual British habit for the YouTuber is the chip butty - she suggested she was a fan of the sandwich, but it was unfamiliar to her

'That's just if you heard that in North America, sometimes that's how it comes across. But, of course, here that is not what it's all about. So it is not uncommon to hear a whole variety of pet names from complete strangers and oftentimes people you will never see again.

'Love. Lovely, sweetheart...for a while it kind of threw me off... now I absolutely love it. I think it's very sweet.'

Continuing, Alana said that she first came across number four when she went to [her] first ever beer festival'.

It was in a video she shared online, asking viewers what the activity the people in the video were doing.

Alana said: 'Everybody in the comments was like, it's Morris dancing, obviously. So I had a little bit of a Google...and it is described as a form of English English folk dancing. Fascinating.

It was in a video she shared online, asking viewers what the activity the people in the video were doing

'I think it goes without saying that I never saw that in Canada or America. I've just never seen it. But saying that, though I have seen it multiple times here in the UK, especially at like festivals or events or like days out those types of things, and while it is kind of weird...I do really appreciate the fact that people still do it.'

Moving onto her next point Alana said: 'Number five I simply call "sun's out shirts off".

Top weirdest things that British people do according to Alana 1. Eating caterpillar cakes 2. Eat creative sandwiches 3. Pet names from strangers 4. Morris dancing 5. Taking your shirt off in the sun 6. Saying 'right we better be off' when leaving a party 7. Being polite to people you hate and mean to people you like 8. Bringing a cake to work on your birthday 9. Drawn out goodbyes Advertisement

'So here in the UK....how can I describe this?

'Well, quite simply, when the sun comes out, the men take their shirts off whether they should or not'.

She concluded: 'There is a portion of the British population that participates in sun's out, shirt's off the minute the sun is out, the minute that's even remotely nice out, men are taking a shirt off - and they're often like in the Town Centre.'

Number six was less contentious. As Alana explained, she has so many friends who do it, that has started doing it herself.

She said: 'When you're ready to go, when you're ready to leave some event, or a friend's house or whatever, you slap your knees and you say, "right, well we best be off".

'Or you slap your knees and you say, "well better be going", or you slap your knees and say "wow is that the time we should get a move on?".

'There's something about slapped knee that is so integral to British culture. And I know so many people do it without thinking. I do it now without thinking and to be fair, it is a really great visual cue.'

Her seventh was one she described as 'very confusing'.

Alana explained: 'Let me explain. Sometimes, you will find when a British person is very polite to somebody...they hate that person.

'On the other hand sometimes, when you hear a British person calling another person every name under the sun, it means that they love them.

'The banter in this country is unbelievable. And this banter among friends can be really confusing.

Number eight on our list was more straightforward, and simply that in the UK, when it is someone's birthday, they will often bring in cakes and treats.

Back home, she was used to people getting together and bringing in treats for the person celebrating their birthday.

Ninth and finally on the list was one that may seem familiar to many.

According to Alana: 'Number nine...it is in fact how [Brits] say goodbye - "All right. It was so nice talking to you. See you later. Bye bye bye bye bye. See ya. Bye. Bye. Bye bye bye. Bye bye. Bye bye".'

She added: 'I love how drawn out the goodbyes are...I love it. How many times do you say goodbye when you're trying to end a conversation?'
An American woman has discovered four tendencies that immediately enrage British people who witness them.

Ash Loren, who moved from North Carolina to London in early 2023, frequently compares and contrasts the two cultures on her popular TikTok account, where she boasts almost 20,000 followers.

Among the subjects she's tackled lately are things that rub Brits the wrong way, whether as an affront to their etiquette standards or a matter of personal space.

'Here's a list of things that make British people mad,' Ash began in the one-minute video.

Ash Loren, who moved from North Carolina to London in early 2023, frequently compares and contrasts the two cultures on her popular TikTok account

She recently decided to highlight four things that enrage Brits, which ranged from matters of etiquette to personal space

'The first thing is skipping the queue' - that is, in American-speak, cutting the line.

'British people are polite and they take their queue seriously,' she elaborated.

'And if you do not abide by the queue, I think it makes them really angry.'

'Big rule followers,' she emphasized. '[Which] brings me to my next point.'

Ash continued: 'When you mispronounce things, they get really really mad.'

She uses the word 'herbs' as an example, with Ash pronouncing it how Americans would with the silent 'h.'

'They (British people) call it "herbs,"' she explained, articulating the 'h' sound in line with the UK pronunciation.

'I did a Yorkshire Tea review. A lot of the comments were about how Americans always pronounce "Yorkshire" wrong,' Ash offered as another example.

Ash has revealed that she has been the target of British people's ire - such as when she's mispronounced 'Yorkshire' in a previous TikTok

Commenters, many of them British, appeared to largely agree with Ash's assessment

As for the third thing Brits 'hate,' 'loud people,' Ash said.

'Whether you're on the tube or in public or at work, you're not going to win a British person over by being obnoxiously loud or overly enthusiastic,' she explained.

She added she thought that was 'one reason why' Americans and Brits 'typically' didn't 'jive' that well.

Last but not least, Ash went on: 'British people don't like huggers.'

'I'm an American and when I meet people I give them a hug,' she admitted. 'I don't think that's allowed here. I think that they despise that. So yeah.'

Hundreds of viewers, many of them Brits, took to the comments to sound off on Ash's take on what gets them riled up.

There was a fast consensus on the importance of queuing.

'Queues are important to remind everyone that nobody's more important than anyone else. we're all here for the same reason,' one rhapsodized of the ethics of waiting in lines.

'Having more than 10 items and queueing in the 10 items or less quick till. We count the items in everyone's basket and silently fume,' a second pointed out.

Likewise, many pounced on the mere mention of mispronouncing a word like 'herbs.'

'Why would you say erbs when it's spelt herbs?' one huffed.

'Brit here. 'Erbs drives me bananas,' a second agreed.

As for keeping one's speaking volume down in public, there were two takes.

'No talking in public. It's that simple,' one espoused.

But another added a qualifier: 'So loud and enthusiastic can be pulled off you just also have to be funny and charming and I'll be honest the American accent doesn't typically lend itself to that last one.'

As for hugs?

'English people do hug frequently but it's about respecting personal space,' one argued.

'Hugs have become more of a thing but we're still very awkward with it,' another admitted.
Broadcaster Jess Davies makes the mental calculation swiftly: about once a month a stranger sends her an unsolicited, anonymous photo of his genitals. The revelation is abhorrent and shocking, but, she says, the practice is commonplace.

For the past 12 years, since I was 18, Ive received hundreds of images  on social media, by email  of mens penises in a state of arousal. Sometimes its just a photo. Other times, there is also text of a sexual nature.

It is happening on such a huge scale its frightening. Almost every young woman I know has received them. Its so prevalent.

Jess, 30, is speaking to me after convicted paedophile Nicholas Hawkes last week became the first person in England and Wales to be jailed for the crime of cyber-flashing.

Hawkes, 39, sent an unsolicited picture of his erect penis to a 15-year-old girl.

Jess Davies, 30, has received unsolicited, anonymous photos of men's penises in a state of arousal every month for the past 12 years

He also sent similar explicit photos to a woman who took screenshots of them and reported the offence to police.

Hawkes, who admitted two charges of cyber-flashing, has been sentenced to 66 weeks in jail for sending the images of his genitals with the intention of causing alarm, distress or humiliation.

He had been given a community order last year for exposure and sexual activity with a child under 16 and was also in breach of court orders.

The Online Safety Act, which came into effect on January 31 this year, made cyber-flashing a criminal offence. Jess, a TV and radio presenter and former model, welcomes the new law: Criminalising this gives off a message to men that cyber-flashing is a serious crime. It also shows women and girls they should not have to put up with it, thats its not just a joke, harmless banter. Its sinister and invasive.

However, she fears the laws remit does not go far enough: Hawkes was relatively easy to prosecute. He was a known sex offender. He admitted the crimes and targeted an under-age girl.

But I dont think it will always be as easy to secure convictions. Prosecutors have to prove the defendant intended to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.

Proving intent is a high threshold. Men will say it was a joke. The standard for criminalising obscene pictures should be consent, not intent. If they were sent without the recipients permission  if the receiver did not agree to them or ask for them  that should be enough. Women should not have to fight to prove the senders intentions.

Jess, a vivacious sociology graduate who co-presents a drive-time radio show in Cardiff, has become an impassioned campaigner on the subject.

She has lobbied Parliament and gives talks in schools; shes presented documentaries and is writing a book, No One Wants To See Your D**k, which charts her experience of online misogyny and gives tips on how young women can protect themselves.

The more I speak out, the worse the abuse I get online. Every day Im looking over my shoulder. What if someone finds me and breaks into my home? she asks, acknowledging the fact that as a single woman who lives alone, she is conscious of her vulnerability. But I feel so passionately about this. It is such a huge issue. A lot of men feel they can do or say whatever they want.

Convicted paedophile Nicholas Hawkes, 39, last week became the first person in England and Wales to be jailed for the crime of cyber-flashing

I wouldnt say most men are misogynistic, but I protect myself. I dont use dating apps and havent had a serious relationship for seven years.

Jess reports obscene photos to social media platforms. Weeks later she discovers the offenders account is still active. Even as she blocks senders, more spring up.

She is, of course, sharply aware that the threat is all-pervasive: potentially outside, on the street, as well as more insidiously, in the sanctuary of her home. In fact, it was while scrolling through her work emails in bed one morning in October 2021 that it struck her forcibly how intrusive and violating cyber-flashing was.

I opened my work email account at home and a man I did not know had sent me three images of his erect penis. I imagine he was in his mid to late 20s.

I was in bed  somewhere youre supposed to feel safe  and it felt really invasive. There was text as well; not too graphic, but still sexual.

When she condemned this grotesque invasion of her personal space on social media, she faced a slew of abuse: People said: There are real crimes out there. Why are you complaining? 

But she points out that such offences  often diminished as minor infringements  can lead to the most heinous crimes. PC Wayne Couzens was accused of indecent exposure six years before he murdered Sarah Everard, 33. Libby Squire, 21, was abducted and killed by Pawel Relowicz, who also had previous convictions for voyeurism and performing sex acts in public

So we have to ask why so many people think cyber-flashing is OK. Its seen as victimless, but it is a sexual crime. Its crazy that it has become normalised. If every time we went outside we saw a flasher, wed never leave home. Yet we log on online and there they are.

A survey three years ago by the online dating app Bumble suggested almost half of 18 to 24-year-olds in the UK had received an obscene photo they did not ask for or consent to. One in three had been sent one of these pictures while they were at work.

And the motivation is invariably sexual gratification and to cause distress, says Jess.

Forcing a woman to see a mans penis without her consent is also an exercise in power and control, and it is happening on such a huge scale it is terrifying.

These are everyday men we work and socialise with and, disturbing as it is, hundreds of thousands of people sign up for doxing forums in which personal information  social handles, names, addresses and phone numbers  are shared without peoples consent.

Every time I check my social media now Im on edge. I hope the new law will act as a deterrent, but the police do not have the resources to investigate every case. There are millions of men doing this across the world and they are not all going to be convicted and sentenced.

Jess has lobbied Parliament, given talks in schools. hosted documentaries and is writing a book, No One Wants To See Your D**k, which charts her experience of online misogyny

The key is education.

To this end, she visits schools, giving advice on how teenage girls should protect themselves against it.

I tell them to keep their social media profiles private, not to share their location and to report offences to social media platforms  and to the police, even if they cannot act on every single case.

Jess says, from her own anecdotal evidence, schoolgirls are being targeted by grown men, some as old as 50, as well as fellow pupils. And theyre often pressured into sending images back, which can then be on the internet for ever, she says.

She also urges parents to be aware: A lot are not involved with what their children do on social media. They should talk about it, know which sites their children are using and ensure their privacy controls are turned on.

So how did Jess  attractive and forthright with a river of platinum blonde hair  become such a fearless and impassioned national campaigner? I suspect her determination to protect young women is rooted in her own teenage naivety which led her to feel pressurised into making decisions she felt uneasy about.

The daughter of retired policeman Neil Davies, 57, and his childminder wife Angela, 53, she was raised, the middle of three children, in the coastal Mid Wales town of Aberystwyth.

I was protected from the big, wide world, Jess says. I was very trusting.

While studying for her degree at the University of South Wales, she began modelling and, against her better judgment, was persuaded to pose for topless shots in lads mags in her late teens.

Looking back, I think I was manipulated. I did my first shoot in a pink mesh swimsuit and I was horrified my nipples were visible, she says.

I had been assured that theyd be photo-shopped out, but when I looked online they hadnt been. I was crying hysterically. I hadnt chosen to do that.

My (then) agent said, You dont want to upset the client. Then it was: This is as far as youll go unless you do topless.

Youre promised the world and money. You look back and think: That wasnt OK. It wasnt what I thought it was. I was a naive teenager. I was pressurised.

The internet was exploding at the time. We didnt understand its power. Images from my website were being promoted on porn sites without my consent, and I could do nothing to stop it.

S he reflects: If someone asked me to do topless modelling now Id say no. But going through that experience has opened my eyes to this world. I might not be campaigning now if I hadnt had that early experience  and the campaigning is something Ill never regret.

Jess first encountered a cyber-flasher  an adult male  when, aged 16, she was in an internet chatroom with a group of female school friends: There was this sick sense of shock that a grown man was exposing his penis to a group of schoolgirls.

Added to this we felt guilty  as if it was us, rather than him, who had done something wrong  so we just blocked him and said nothing. Basically, we were children and there was this awful power imbalance.

Then, at university, she discovered online socialising was rife with similar abuse.

We played Chatroulette (an online chat website that pairs random users in webcam- based conversations).

Men would often have their penises out. Sometimes they would be masturbating. It became normalised, it happened so often.

Youd just block them, get rid of them, laugh it off as ridiculous.

Then, after she graduated and began broadcasting, her social media profile grew  she now has around 150,000 followers on Instagram and uses her account to communicate with listeners. But with this came the unwelcome attention of cyber-flashers.

Explicit images are routinely sent on social media and messaging apps, through Air Drop, WiFi networks or Bluetooth.

Home Office research reports that cyber-flashers often Air Drop obscene photos to women in public spaces  supermarkets, libraries, restaurants, museums, train stations and airports, as well as on public transport  because the technology is short range and people often forget to turn it off.

I havent had an image Air Dropped to me in public, but Ive heard of women who have, Jess says. Its horrific because the man could be sitting in the same train carriage as you and that makes women feel terrified and vulnerable as well as violated.

For Jess, the awareness of just how pernicious cyber-flashing is grew as she reached her 20s.

As you mature, your thought processes develop, you realise how disturbing it is when you open a message and it is a d**k pic. You ask yourself: are these men going to see me on the street? Do they know where I live?

In 2017, Jess was sexually assaulted by two men while waiting for food at an all-night takeaway in Cardiff.

They put their hands down my top and squeezed my bare breasts, she recalls. They thought it was funny. I was upset, crying.

What strikes me now is their sense of entitlement. I think this has ramped up with online abuse. Men think that they have the right to exert power over women in this way.

I managed to push them off and ran to the taxi where my friends were waiting for me. I wonder what would have happened if I hadnt been with my friends.

Encouraged by her parents, Jess reported the assault to the police: As my dad was a policeman, I grew up thinking you could go to the police for support and help.

She was then pushed from pillar to post. Finally, after her father intervened, a sympathetic female officer took a statement from Jess three days after the assault.

But a week later I heard that the case had been closed through lack of evidence, she says.

She felt powerless. Which is another reason why she stands up for young women.

Jess abhors the growing prevalence of deep fake porn in which the faces of non-consenting individuals are transposed over those of actresses, as well as the dark world in which men plague women with obscene, unwanted photos.

Before the internet if a depraved man wanted to get a kick out of exposing himself to a stranger he would have to go out and commit the physical act of flashing. Now, all he has to do is send a photo of his penis from his phone.

Chillingly, despite the prominence Jess has gained as a campaigner, she still receives obscene photos.

The last one was a month ago, she says. It was from someone calling himself Coke Can Greg because, supposedly, his penis was the shape of a Coke can. I reported it to Instagram, but they said there was nothing they could do about it.

I felt no less disturbed by it than I always do. This man might have targeted me specifically. He may even be someone I know. Or he may be a stranger who has sent the photo to millions of women. Theres no way of knowing.

It all ties into safety. I feel vulnerable when I go out.

She hammers home her lessons in self-protection: check your social media settings so you can receive private messages only from your followers. Report offences to social media platforms. Tell the police.

I view the world a bit differently now, admits Jess. Im more reserved, and I would never date anyone whose views did not align with my own. I do hope to marry one day, but Im more cynical and mistrustful than I was.

Obviously there are a lot of good men out there  and Im aware not all of them are cyber-flashers  but in the back of your mind, especially on dating apps, youre always asking: Who are these men? What is their motivation? 
The Duchess of Sussex has launched a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard and I am here for it.

Quince bark coffee, tomato leaf soap, taster pack of salmon sperm injections, hand-embossed make-your-own voodoo doll kits, moonbeam gummies  whatever the heck Meghan is selling, the first merch drop can't come quickly enough for me.

And the only question to ask is this: what took her so long?

The Duchess is one of those women who was born to tell other women what to buy and think and do. She walks among mere mortals simply itching to enlighten us all on how to be, where to shop, who to adore and why greige is the new taupe  whether invited to or not.

Since Meghan's influencer days on The Tig, where she posted recipes, beauty tips and style hints from her Toronto base, it was clear that sooner or later she'd return to this lucrative world of clicks and likes; that she would be back among her merchant-class kinfolk quicker than you can say 'add to basket'.

The Duchess of Sussex has launched a lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard which sells items including: Quince bark coffee, tomato leaf soap, taster pack of salmon sperm injections, hand-embossed make-your-own voodoo doll kits and moonbeam gummies

All she had to do to maximise her online profile and boost any future profits was to somehow  somehow!  elevate herself from B-list television actress to becoming a significant figure on the global stage; a somebody that everybody had heard of, a person who went from not knowing Oprah Winfrey neither personally nor professionally, to inviting the all-powerful media star to her wedding. Anybody got any ideas?

Whatever you might think about the former Miss Markle, you must agree that it was mission accomplished on that front at least.

And how! From first date to locking the Frogmore door for the last time took just over three years, less time than the gestation period of a salamander or certain kinds of shark.

Of course, Meghan didn't marry Harry purely to winkle him out of the Royal Family, like extracting a sulky whelk from a pearly shell, just so that she could go on to use her royal title to launch a commercial lifestyle website selling cosmetics, jams, nut butters and organic birdseed in California.

Be serious! No wacky conspiracy theories on this page if you don't mind.

Yet one still must admire the clarity of thought, the audacity, the sheer drive and twin peaks of mutual ambition it took the Sussexes to get where they are today. I admire the energy, if not the approach, simply because far too many people were kicked to the kerb on their fast lane to liberty.

However, surely even Harry and Meghan must be exhausted by the industrial grievance complex that has funded their own lifestyle thus far?

That's one reason why I hope that this American Riviera Orchard venture will usher in brighter times for them both.

So, bring on the five-wick candles and the youth-dew elixirs, make haste with the seven-ply cashmere lounge pants and the overpriced jars of honey.

Let's all dig deep and online shop till we drop to keep this young couple in the luxury to which they have become accustomed and feel that they deserve.

To this end, here is Meghan; back in California arranging white roses in a vase, cooking something virtuous for lunch, launching herself as a tastemaker and a mompreneur who leads by example.

Someone who imposes her terrifying sense of style upon the dreary, civilian she-turnips in the real world by wearing 1,500 Roland Mouret day dresses and no end of delicious designer gowns to pick up her latest humanitarian award. So inspirational!

Yet, just like all those other lifestyle gurus  including Martha Stewart and, of course, Gwyneth and her mighty Goop  one can't help but feel that sometimes their online sisterly solidarity is as manufactured as their signature scents.

And  whisper it  also that it is avarice rather than the giving of advice that really floats their boats. Out there in brand-land there are certainly millions of dollars to be made, but it is difficult to see where American Riviera Orchard fits into this crowded marketplace.

In the U.S., brands such as The Pioneer Woman started off as a farm-girl blog and turned into a multi-million-pound business, today boasting a hotel, a pizzeria, a cooking-utensil range and a TV cooking show that's run for 37 seasons and made founder Ree Drummond a very rich woman.

This week, Ree is raving about a new milk frother and wondering if you can feed carrots to dogs, while her wildly glamorous rival, Hannah from Ballerina Farm, is selling sourdough kits and 'mountain raised meat' on the Utah ranch where she lives with her husband and eight children.

Closer to home, even Kate Moss is giving e-commerce a whirl with her Cosmoss company, a new line of beauty and self-care products sold online and in-store. The range features a facial oil made from something called Mythical Tears of Chios  a resin native to the Greek island of the same name  that sells for around 105 for 30ml, making it almost as expensive as scorpion anti-venom. Has everyone gone completely mad?

Cowgirl, party girl, Goop girl  but what is Meghan's USP going to be? Surely she wouldn't dare to play on her royal connections? She promised not to, after all.

The Duchess has said that she wants her brand to be more 'accessible' than Goop, but is impressed by the polished elitism of Flamingo Estate, another California brand that sells organic soaps and an exclusive lifestyle.

Apparently Martha Stewart is her main inspiration; solid, dependable Martha who is known for her practical advice on everything from skimming gravy to running a home and keeping it clean. Recent Martha posts included 'how to grow a tapestry lawn' and how to 'clean a broom'  indicative of her attention to detail.

I'd listen to Martha's advice on anything, but what does Meghan know about brooms, except perhaps  as her enemies naughtily claim  how to fly one?

'I am flattered,' said Martha, when told that she inspired the Duchess of Sussex. She advised her to 'produce good products that work and will help the homemaker have a nice life. That's what it's all about.'

American Riviera Orchard seems to be rooted in a sense of place rather than a person. Meghan is selling the California dream, one jar of jam at a time. It is Montecito that is the major sell, but even still, there is the faint air of unearned emplacement; the feeling that she wouldn't be living in this upmarket millionaire's paradise were she not married to a prince of the British realm.

Indeed, some are convinced that American Riviera Orchard will taint the monarchy with an unsavoury strain of commercialism, but not anyone who has perused the Highgrove website recently.

You won't believe the stuff that King Charles is flogging under the auspices of his beloved country home in Gloucestershire.

Everything from 375 corduroy gilets for country gents to 150 silk scarves, triple-milled soaps, Prince of Wales check washbags and a 9 teabag tidy. Yes, you might not be surprised to hear that a member of the Windsor family is selling Yakhak Milky Rock Crystal Quartz Charms for 39 apiece  but it is Charles and not Meghan who is the culprit here.

If Gwyneth's Goop famously 'nourishes the inner aspect', what will Meghan's Orchard do? Give everyone the pip?

To launch a brand such as this, you must be popular and admired, you need a roaring army of fans to build your brand, you need to have the pulling power of someone like Jeremy Clarkson.

I've seen with my own eyes how hundreds of people will queue for two hours just to buy a bag of Jeremy's potatoes from Jeremy's farm because Jeremy grew them.

Can Meghan inspire the same devotion in her public? We will find our next month when the site launches at last. In the meantime, here's what I imagine we are in for 

The Candle of Grievance (86)

Beautifully housed in a reclaimed jar, this soy wax candle is impregnated with crystal petals which make a sobbing sound when they burn. Light it for a frenemy, light it for yourself, lighten up for God's sake.

With top notes of prickly thorn and a dry down of sour grapes, this will fill your space with a keen sense of injustice that lingers long. Burn time: three years and counting.

This soy wax candle is impregnated with crystal petals which make a sobbing sound when they burn

Shearling Noise Cancellation Headphones (256)

A sophisticated solution to plugging your fingers in your ears and shouting, 'la la la, not listening'. Instead, pop on these fluffy beauties and marinate longer in your own thoughts, be they petty or ever so grand. Lined with hand-milked muskrat silk to keep your lobes toasty. Accessorised with opals for emotional amplification.

Dog Bowl Padded Ruff (99.99)

Have you ever worried that someone might burst into your kitchen and throw you on the dog bowl without a by-your-leave? If so, this is the gadget for you. Simply clip this velvet padded ruff around your dog bowl, ready to cushion your fall in any emergency. Made from a repurposed ceremonial robe no longer needed. Available with sustainably farmed ermine trim, apply for details.

Mood Bracelet (799)

Multi-strand quartz bracelet that will help align your chakras and promote calm. Featuring rose quartz for unconditional love, malachite for pure odium, cellulite for self-acceptance and compassion and cherry quartz for cherry picking fights.

The mood bracelet - rose quartz for unconditional love, malachite for pure odium, cellulite for self-acceptance and compassion and cherry quartz for cherry picking fights

Ohm Alert Portable Meditation Set (small 55, med 75, large 95)

Featuring a pre-loved cardboard box inscribed with the words Meditation In Progress, Do Not Disturb. Using her formidable calligraphy skills, the Duchess of Sussex personally inscribed each box herself, turning this practical aid to meditation on the move into a valuable collector's item.

Wherever you are, simply pop the box on your head to create a safe space for chanting personal development mantras, manifesting, lucid dreaming and grounding the ego. (Limited edition autographed version, 100 extra.)

Silent Not Silenced Revenge Diaries (125 each)

Set of thick-lined diary notebooks for journalling, collecting evidence, settling scores and keeping secret lists of potential royal racists. Each volume comes with a special 'unconscious bias' section and an enemy index.

A set of thick-lined diary notebooks for journalling, collecting evidence, settling scores and keeping secret lists of potential royal racists

Hummingbird Sage Dishwash Soap (38)

In honour of the moment when 11-year-old Meghan changed the world by writing to Procter & Gamble about a sexist dishwashing liquid ad. Has she mentioned this before? 5p off orders of 12 bottles or more. Discounts for the unwaged.

Merrie Olde England Gourmet Section

The Duchess of Sussex is thrilled to introduce her own recipes and culinary ideas to entertain and delight. Included is Marry Me Roast Chicken, featuring the exact roast chicken and sacred herbs Meghan was cooking when Harry proposed.

Look out, too, for a family favourite called the Frozen Wieners Supper and a spectacular Japanese Puffer Fish dish that Meghan liked to serve to her in-laws, followed by Hard Cheese and Simply Crackers.
Once considered to be one of the most hated women in Britain, many have been won over by Queen Camilla's warmth, humour and strong sense of duty.

Not least the youngest generation, who appear to have been some of the royal's biggest fans in recent weeks as the King's wife takes on more duties amid Charles and the Princess of Wales' cancer diagnoses.

Thanks to her natural warmth and ability to connect with families, Kate is often referred to as the 'Children's Princess' by royal enthusiasts.

But while the mother-of-three undergoes cancer treatment, Camilla seems to have taken on the role of a grandmotherly figure for the youngsters lining the streets, all eager to meet the Queen on her public engagements.

The King's wife, who has five grandchildren of her own, has even said yes to selfies with children - despite the Royal Family previously shying away from being snapped with members of the public.

Britain's youngest generation appear to have been some of the royal's biggest fans in recent weeks as the King's wife takes on more duties amid Charles and Kate's cancer diagnoses. Pictured, Camilla on Thursday in Worcester

For her visit to Shrewsbury in Shropshire, on Wednesday, one adorable little girl held up a handmade poster which read: 'I [love] Queen Camilla.'

In another heartwarming moment, 11-year-old Charlie Davies asked Camilla for a selfie while she greeted well-wishers who had gathered in the town centre.

Charlie was stood amongst the crowd with his mother Lucy, his grandmother and his aunties when his parent 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'.

Speaking to MailOnline about the day, Lucy said: '[Charlie] 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.'

On Thursday, Camilla stood in for the King at the ancient Royal Maundy service in Worcester, marking the first time a consort has performed the duty on behalf of the monarch.

Her Majesty, 76, was greeted by beaming young well-wishers as she arrived at Worcester Cathedral for the traditional Easter ceremony, in which she handed out ceremonial coins to people recognised for their community service.

Earlier this month, Camilla shared another adorable moment with a young schoolgirl, who asked the Queen: 'Will you be my best friend?'

Queen Camilla meets members of the public during a visit to Douglas Borough Council on the Isle of Man on Wednesday March 20, 2024

Queen Camilla gets a hug from Rebecca Tessinari, 3, during a visit to the newly opened Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge on February 2, 2024

For her visit to Shrewsbury in Shropshire, on Wednesday, one adorable little girl (pictured) held up a handmade poster which read: 'I [love] Queen Camilla'

In another heartwarming moment, 11-year-old Charlie Davies asked Camilla for a selfie while she greeted well-wishers who had gathered in the town centre

A Cheltenham Festival racegoer took a selfie with the Queen during the March event this year. The King's wife, who has five grandchildren of her own, has even said yes to selfies with children - despite the Royal Family previously shying away from being snapped with members of the public

The royal was representing King Charles on an official visit to the Isle of Man. The monarch had been planning to travel prior to his diagnosis to present the Letters Patent conferring City status on the Borough of Douglas.

As the Queen shook hands with well-wishers of all ages, eight-year-old Ella Ramshaw smiled and asked: 'Will you be my best friend?'

Camilla then nodded her head, speaking to the schoolgirl before moving on to greet her classmates.

READ MORE King Charles looks cheerful as cancer-battling monarch meets climate campaigner at Buckingham Palace Advertisement

The youngster then continued waving her flag as could be heard excitedly chatting to others after the interaction, appearing to say: '[That's] my best friend!'

Afterwards, Ella said: 'She said "yes, of course I can" and I just burst out with excitement. I'm a big fan of her and I am sad the King could not be here.'

The Queen is known to be a 'hands-on' grandmother, with her former daughter-in-law revealing last year that Camilla is an 'amazing granny'.

London-based fashion editor Sara Parker Bowles, who shares teenager Lola and 14-year-old Freddy with the Queen's son Tom, who she split from in 2018, told ITV's Lorraine that Camilla is engaged in her role as grandmother.

'She's an amazing granny. She's really hands on, and she's you know, she's really into it. She wants to know everything that they're into,' said Sara.

The 'hands-on' grandmother even tells her grandchildren to put their 'flipping' phones away as she strives to have family time at the dinner table together.

A schoolboy bows to Queen Camilla as she arrives at Bath Abbey to celebrate the 850th Anniversary of St John's Foundation in February

Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers after attending the Royal Maundy Service

Queen Camilla meets well-wishers after visiting Knotts bakery on March 21, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Queen Camilla greets children after standing in for the King at the ancient Royal Maundy service in Worcester, marking the first time a consort has performed the duty on behalf of the monarch

Camilla smiles as she meets young well-wishers with Union Jack flags during her visit to the Farmers' Market, in Shrewsbury

In an interview to mark her 75th birthday, Camilla told Mail+: 'Families don't sit down any longer, do they, and have dinner. Because I am ancient, in the old days we all sat down [to eat]. Now everyone is on their devices. It just makes me quite cross!'

Camilla's commitment to family values comes after a royal expert claimed she was 'instrumental' in bringing Charles closer with his eldest son Prince William.

Royal commentator Katie Nicholl told 9Honey in 2022 that Camilla encouraged her husband to 'put family high on the agenda'.

Ms Nicholl said: 'I think certainly William is very grateful to Camilla for that because Charles is now making a lot more time in his life for his grandchildren.'

Her Majesty continues to carry out engagements as King Charles and the Princess of Wales undergo cancer treatment.

Camilla has become the most senior royal to return to public-facing duties since the monarchy's double cancer scare.

This week, Buckingham Palace 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 King, 75, will join the Queen and other members of the royal family at the annual Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle this weekend.

Camilla (pictured on the Isle of Man) seems to have taken on the role of a grandmotherly figure for the youngsters lining the streets, all eager to meet the Queen on her public engagements

Camilla holds a toddler's hand as she meets well-wishers during her visit to the Farmers' Market, in Shrewsbury

Queen Camilla meeting members of the public ahead of attending a Service of Celebration at Bath Abbey on February 1, 2024

Confirmation of the King's appearance came just four days after Kate released an emotional video message revealing she has started a course of preventative chemotherapy.

It will be seen as the King making a move to reassure the public following the shock news.

But the service will be a smaller version of the annual gathering, with less members of the royal family as the King has paused public-facing duties while he continues treatment for cancer himself.

The head of state was described by the Palace as being 'so proud' of the princess for her courage in speaking out, and is said to be in 'the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law'.

Kate, the Prince of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will miss the service on Sunday.

The family are spending the Easter holidays together as they adjust to Kate's diagnosis, which was discovered in post-operative tests following her major abdominal surgery.

The King's own treatment for cancer was announced at the start of February, but he has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls.

Although the Easter service is within the grounds of the castle, the King and Queen will be seen arriving by the media.

Royal arrivals at the chapel's Galilee Porch are often watched by staff living at Windsor, who usually gather on a grassy bank nearby or look on from their doorsteps.
Saoirse Ruane's mother has paid tribute to her daughter with a heartbreaking post three weeks after her tragic death from bone cancer aged 12.

The Late Late Toy Show star, from Kiltullagh, Galway in Ireland, was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma tumour in 2019.

Her family revealed in a statement on Instagram that she had passed away on Tuesday, March 5.

Three weeks on, Saoirse's bereaved mother Roseanna posted a lengthy tribute to her 'gorgeous girl', adding that the family is 'completely broken' by her loss.

In a post titled 'Remembering Saoirse' on Wednesday, she wrote: 'Theres no written rules about how long one should stay absent from the world of social media when they experience the loss of a loved one.

Saoirse Ruane's mother Roseanna (pictured together) has paid tribute to her daughter with a heartbreaking post three weeks after her death

Saoirse Ruane captured hearts when she appeared on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020 (pictured with then-host Ryan Tubridy)

'I know theres no expectation whatsoever, and Im by no means ready to come on stories and have the chats or talk about anything else right now and I feel I wont be able too for some time.

'But theres a part of me that wants to give a little nod to Saoirse, especially on the anniversary of her passing each week, which is today!'

She continued: 'I dont know the way forward from here, as parents were completely broken, as a mother Im completely lost!

'But what I do know is, I will keep Saoirses memory alive as long as Im alive!

'So every Tuesday, Ill share a picture in remembrance of our gorgeous girl so everyone else will remember her too.'

In 2020 the young girl appeared on the Late Late Toy Show with then host Ryan Tubridy, winning hearts across the country and inspiring a huge toy appeal in her name.

Then just eight years old, Saoirse bravely spoke about her battle with cancer and showed the live audience her new prosthetic leg with a unicorn on it.

She said she'd had three dreams: to appear on the Late Late Show, to be walking again by Christmas and to go on a family holiday.

The funeral cortege of 12-year-old Saoirse Ruane makes its way to Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway for her funeral on March 10

Three weeks on, Saoirse's bereaved mother Roseanna posted a lengthy tribute to her 'gorgeous girl', alongside a photo of her daughter

The young campaigner was cheered on by the TV audience as she showed she could walk again - and the show then showed the heartwarming moment host Ryan surprised her and her family with a trip to Disneyworld.

Her mother Roseanna later described her appearance on the show as the 'biggest reward she could ever receive for enduring such a cruel illness'.

It also led to the founding of the Toy Show Appeal, which supports children's charities across Ireland and raised 3 million euros last year.

Earlier this month Saoirse's family revealed in a statement that she passed away at home, and tributes to the 'selfless, humble and kind' young campaigner have poured in.

Announcing her death on Instagram, they wrote: 'It is with broken hearts the Ruane family announces the passing of their beautiful daughter and sister, Saoirse, who passed away peacefully at home, after a long illness bravely borne, in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna, on Tuesday, 5th March 2024.

'Saoirse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoirse in their hearts.

'In Saoirse's short life, she inspired and influenced so many. If you would like to make a donation in Saoirse's memory, please donate to the Galway Hospice using the following link in memory of Saoirse.'

As part of Saoirse's treatment she had her leg amputated and she underwent chemotherapy.

Ryan Tubridy comforting classmates of 12-year-old Saoirse Ruane during her funeral at Saints Peter and Paul Church

The funeral cortege of 12-year-old Saoirse Ruane makes its way to Saints Peter and Paul Church, Kiltullagh, Co Galway for her funera

Floral tributes left to the young girl, with one reading 'forever young, forever loved'

The young girl, from Kiltullagh, Galway in Ireland, was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma tumour in 2019, which is a form of bone cancer (pictured in 2021)

Saoirse leaves behind her parents Ollie and Roseanna (pictured together), sister Farrah Rose, half-sister Rebecca, and grandparents Anne Ruane, Tony and Ann Brehony

Saoirse showed the live studio audience on the Late Late Toy Show how she had managed to walk again with her prosthetic leg (pictured)

Saoirse leaves behind her parents Ollie and Roseanna, sister Farrah Rose, half-sister Rebecca, and grandparents Anne Ruane, Tony and Ann Brehony.

Her illness first began in 2019 with a tumour in her leg. In June 2022, she was told that she needed an operation to remove a tumour from her lung.

In November 2023, her mother revealed the cancer had spread to her other lung on their joint Instagram account @saoirseandmamma.

Host Ryan paid tribute to Saoirse on Instagram, writing: 'It is with the greatest sadness imaginable that I've heard the news of my dear young friend, Saoirse Ruane's passing.

'We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.'

Host Ryan paid tribute to Saoirse on Instagram, where he described her as his 'dear young friend'

Saoirse Ruane with her mother Roseanna when she launched the Variety Children's Charity 'Recycle Mobility Campaign' in 2021

WHAT IS OSTEOSARCOMA? Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, usually diagnosed in teenagers and young adults. It occurs when the cells that grow new bone form a cancerous tumor. The cause of the cancer is unknown but it is thought to be related to rapid bone growth, such as adolescence. Most tumors usually develop around the knee, either in the lower part of the thighbone or the upper part of the shinbone. If the cancer has not spread, the long-term survival rate is between 70 and 75 percent. If osteosarcoma has already spread, such as to the lungs or other bones at diagnosis, the long-term survival rate is about 30 percent. Symptoms: Bone pain (in motion, at rest, or when lifting objects)

Bone fractures

Swelling

Redness

Limping

Limitation of motion of joints There are a few treatment options for osteosarcoma. Chemotherapy: Often administered before surgery, chemotherapy uses drugs that help shrink and kill cancerous cells. The length of treatment varies and may depend on whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Surgery: In most cases, surgeons can save the cancerous limb. The tumor and surrounding bone are removed and the missing bone is replaced with an artificial one. Rotationplasty: A rotationplasty is a procedure in which the bottom of the femur, the knee, and the upper tibia are surgically removed. The lower leg is then rotated 180 degrees and attached to the femur. Sources: Macmillan and Healthline Advertisement

He continued: 'A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child. She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.

'The world is a poorer place without Saoirse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.'

President Higgins of Ireland also took to social media to express his condolences, writing that her 'strength and warmth was an inspiration to all'.
The pair met at University College London (UCL) in their halls of residence

They're one of the most prominent couples in the film industry, working collaboratively on the likes of Tenet, Oppenheimer, and The Prestige.

And after winning a string of awards, Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas can now add knighthood and damehood to their list of achievements.

But away from their lucrative Hollywood careers, the pair share a love story that could make a feature film in itself.

The British-American director, 53, who is now predominantly based in Los Angeles, married his university sweetheart Emma Thomas in 1997, and the couple share four children.

The director-producer power duo have gone from spending their teenage years together to winning big at the BAFTAs last month when Oppenheimer scooped six awards, scoring them knighthood and damehood for their services to the industry.

Despite Hollywood stardom, the pair remain true to one another, and in his touching speech at the BAFTAs, Christopher paid tribute to his 'incredible producer' wife - who has worked on all his major productions - and gushed: 'I love you.'

Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan have established themselves as stars in the film industry. But behind all of the glamour is a humble love story (seen together in 2002)

Born in London to a British father and American mother, Nolan read English Literature at University College London (UCL), choosing the school because of its filmmaking facilities.

Little did he know that UCL would lead him to the love of his life - Emma Thomas, who was born in London but spent time living in the Middle East as a child as a result of her father's work in the Civil Service.

Despite being on different courses (Emma studied Ancient History) it was at their halls of residence that set the scene for their romance.

They were placed in the same halls of residence in 1989 and went on to arrange movie screenings as part of their work with UCL's Film Society.

In 2017, the director was granted an honorary doctorate and told graduating students: 'We have four children. We have a body of work that we have made together.

'So the moral of the story is: pay a lot of attention to who you meet on your first night at your halls of residence.'

During his Desert Island Discs interview in 2008, Christopher said: 'Ive come to believe in the concept of love at first sight because I realise it actually happened to me.'

Their journey into filmmaking commenced in 1998 when Nolan developed the idea for his first feature film, Following, after a burglary took place in his London flat.

It was at their University College London halls of residence that the pair first met (seen in 2005)

With a shared passion for filmmaking, the couple quickly set up film screenings together at university (seen in 2016)

Together, the pair have gone on to achieve an incredible amount on top of parenting four children (seen in 2024)

The film features a young writer trailing through London following strangers for material inspiration but who enters the city's criminal underbelly when he he comes to meets a thief.

Christopher wrote, directed, photographed, and edited Following, while Emma co-produced it. The duo made the film on the weekends over the course of a year.

Despite only having a 2,000 budget and hiring friends to act in the feature, the couple scooped a plethora of awards for Following and before long, Nolan was established in the industry as a director to watch.

'As British filmgoers reel under the onslaught of sub-par homegrown movies brought into being by the flood of funding currently available, it's a relief when a genuine original comes along,' wrote The Guardian at the time.

The pair's success with Following led them to develop the next big hit and Nolan's breakout film - Memento.

The pair notoriously keep their lives out of the public eye but one thing has remained obvious - their love for one another

Co-produced by Emma, the film followed a man with short-term memory loss as he attempted to track down his wife's murderer.

It managed a budget of $9million (approximately 7.1million) and raked in an impressive $40 million (approximately 31 million), according to MovieWeb - it was the start of a great career for the couple.

In 2001, the couple welcomed their daughter Flora together - just one year before the critically acclaimed film Insomnia, starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, hit screens.

The same year they became parents, the couple opened their own production company, Syncopy Films.

In 2003, a conversation with Warner Bros, led Nolan and Thomas to create Batman Begins - catapulting the pair from small-time indie film creators to some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

It was a project that determined the rest of their lives and the film created a launchpad for them develop movies with their own creative license.

It led to some of the most revered films of the 2000s, including Interstellar and Inception.

The couple are pictured at the Batman Begins premiere in Los Angeles Premiere with from L to R Gary Oldman, Charles Roven, producer, Jeff Robinov of Warner Bros, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Katie Holms, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Christopher Nolan, director and Emma Thomas

Although the couple are fiercely private, they have shed light on their relationship in previous interviews.

They shared four children together - Flora, Magnus, Rory, and Oliver, and they've all starred in the films.

In an interview with Variety, Emma gushed about her husband's most 'underrated' quality.

She replied: 'Hes funny! People think hes dead serious, they accuse his films of also being so serious.

'Even in Oppenheimer there are moments I find funny, even in the actors expressions. There is humour in his movies, and I dont think he gets enough credit for it.'

In an interview with Screen Daily in 2018, Emma shed light on their creative partnership and detailed how she'll often give her husband books she thinks could be adapted on screen.

Christopher sweetly kissed his wife's cheek during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California

Christopher and Emma shared four children together, including Rory (far left), Oliver (left), and Flora (right) (seen at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party)

She joked: 'Yes, Ill continue to give him books and hell continue to not be excited by some.'

In 2018, Christopher said he enjoys working with Emma and writing scripts with his brother because their 'only agenda is making the best film possible'.

During his appearance on Desert Island Discs, the director - who was promoting Dunkirk at the time - said the key to his success was 'surrounding yourself with the people who understand and support what it is youre trying to do, but are unafraid to criticise Youre looking for honest feedback without an agenda.'

What's more, Christopher has also previously credited his wife for coming out with the 'correct answer' regarding the end of the 2010 movie Inception.

Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Christopher explained how he was constantly being asked if Leonardo DiCaprio's character Cobb was still dreaming at the end when the movie first came out.

Praising his wife's interpretation, Christopher said: 'I think it was Emma who pointed out the correct answer, really, is that the character, Leos character - the point of the shot is the character doesnt care at that point. Its not a question I comfortably answer.'
The Illinois man accused of embarking on a 20-minute stabbing spree that left four people dead and several others injured allegedly told police he may have smoked "laced" drugs prior to the deadly rampage.

Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of home invasion, in connection with the incident in a Rockford, Illinois, neighborhood, earlier this week.

It's unclear if he entered a plea to the charges. Lawyer information for Soto wasn't immediately available.

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara identified the deceased as Jacob Schupbach, 23, Ramona Schupbach, 63, Jay Larson, 49, and Jenna Newcomb,15, according to USA TODAY.

"Our community has experienced such unthinkable tragedies this week," McNamara told reporters during a press conference Thursday, according to the outlet. "The trauma of this magnitude impacts all of us. These are dark days, but we as Rockfordians - we'll get through this."

Soto allegedly told investigators he was at the Schupbach's home Wednesday afternoon, smoking marijuana he believed was "laced with an unknown narcotic" before committing the alleged killings and attacks, Winnebago County Prosecutor J. Hanley said, according to NBC News.

"Soto said he became paranoid after the drug usage. He said he retrieved a knife from the kitchen at Jacob's house and proceeded to stab Jacob and Ramona to death," Hanley alleged.

Hanley said Soto allegedly told police he then hopped in his car and "recalled taking out the mailman," identified as Larson.

While on his mail route, Larson was allegedly stabbed several times and then ran over by Soto, authorities said.

The rampage continued when Soto  allegedly armed with a "katana-style knife"  proceeded to attack three people at a nearby home, inflicting non-life-threatening injuries on the victims.

He then allegedly broke into another home where three girls on spring break were watching a movie in the basement. Authorities said he beat them  one of them fatally  with a softball bat.

"Jenna's mom wants the community to know that Jenna died saving her sister and her friend and protecting them from further harm," McNamara said, NBC reported.

Soto allegedly went on to stab two others at another location before he was arrested.

"He's a loving person and he has never hurt anybody before," Soto's unidentified mother told the outlet. "We don't know what happened. He's not an aggressive person. This is all shocking to us... we never felt threatened with him."

Soto was denied bond. He is due back in court Tuesday.

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A millionaire who once flipped burgers in McDonald's has said earning his fortune wasn't 'that hard' - despite not having a university degree.

Joe Davies from Birmingham spent years working in dead-end jobs, but now he is now the chief executive of a multi-million pound company.

With a desire to leave McDonald's and the fast food industry behind, the 36-year-old took a 100-per-week job as an IT apprentice.

The work taught him new skills and eventually sparked an idea that would earn Joe and his best pal and childhood friend Joe Taylor millions.

In 2012 the duo launched their business, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) website FATJOE.com, and within two years they made their first million pounds. Twelve years after they started out, the company is now valued at 10million.

Joe Davies from Birmingham spent years working in dead-end jobs - but has now built a multi-million pound empire

Joe once flipped burgers in McDonald's but changed his life with best pal Joe Taylor (pictured together working in an agency)

Joe, who now splits his time between Birmingham and Barcelona, said: 'I got good grades in school but when I went onto sixth form, I lost interest completely.

'I didn't go to university like I had originally planned as I got fed up with learning and I only wanted to make money.

'[After leaving school], I worked mostly on building sites, delivering from factories to shops and flipping burgers in McDonald's.

'I hated it as I felt like I wasn't doing anything important. I wanted to create something but my motivation wasn't very high in these jobs.

'I had this burning desire to start something on my own and, at the very least, make a bit more of a difference.'

FatJoe.com is a service platform for agencies to outsource SEO services, which aim to improve website traffic.

Joe, who is an only child, looked up to his entrepreneur dad, Mick, 60, who owns a first aid training company and inspired him to go the extra mile to achieve his dreams.

He said: 'I was really interested in internet business. E-commerce was really booming at the time I left school  and I could sense an opportunity.

Joe now lives a very different life to that before founding his business FATjoe.com in 2012

He splits his time between Birmingham and Barcelona

Joe Davies (right) and Joe Taylor celebrate ten years since FatJoe launched

'At the company I was working for, I was asked to build a website and learned SEO on the job. This was the first time I had heard that word.

'I couldn't put my finger on it but it had elements of engineering, coupled with creativity and marketing, which really fed into my creative personality.'

Joe then started work at an SEO agency and learned the business side of how it operated.

A few years later, the company were looking for a salesperson to join the team - and they recruited his childhood best friend Joe.

'And the rest is history,' Joe said. 'As kids, we dreamed of being rich and famous, with our own rock band.

'One out of two isn't too bad.'

He even says that working his way up to his huge fortune wasn't 'that hard', adding: 'Building a 10million empire isnt hard you just need to identify a big enough problem and figure out how to solve it (at scale).'

After realising they made a great business duo, in 2013 the pair quit their jobs to give the business their all.

Joe's first 'team' Joe Davies (R), Joe Taylor and Emily, who was 'vital' to the company's initial success

Joe says the company is now worth 10million but that building it up 'wasn't that hard'

Joe said: 'We rented an office from day one to make it 'real' and at the start, we did everything ourselves.

'Me and Joe would be working up to 13 hours a day just to get everything done.'

In 2024, the company employs 100 people across the globe including 16 in office, and the client roster features 1,000 agencies.

Now, eager to help other people, Joe Davies shares his advice and top tips on how to succeed  including the key three traits to becoming an entrepreneur.

He added: 'Personal drive to become better is number one. Curiosity to poke around and try out different ways of making things work is second.

'But most importantly, a drive to make money. It's cliche, but just starting something  do and build.

'A lot of the problem for me was procrastinating and thinking about the right time to start, in which there never is one.

'There's no such thing as having a 'destiny' in life and it's all about working hard and seeing where this takes you.

'I don't like to think too far ahead, because even with grand plans, they can change. I spend a lot of time travelling around the world, at the gym  and still playing guitar.

'But I think my dream of selling out tours is one I'll keep under wraps for now.'
Sarah Ferguson has reminisced on her trip to Australasia earlier this month by sharing some snaps of an engagement in Samoa to mark International Women's Day.

The ex-wife of Prince Andrew, 64, yesterday took to Instagram to share photos from the Women of Waste event, which strives to create safe, inclusive and diverse livelihood opportunities and workplaces in the island in the South Pacific.

'Honoured to attend the launch of Women of Waste in Samoa and learning that plastic pollution is not just an environmental crisis; it is a threat to life itself,' Sarah wrote in the post caption.

One image showed the Duchess of York, wearing a purple printed dress and traditional garland necklace, speaking on stage at the event.

In further photographs, Sarah posed alongside other women and next to a promotional banner that highlighted how the initiative is breaking barriers.

Sarah Ferguson attends the launch of Women of Waste in Samoa on International Women's Day

'Pacific Islands, like Samoa, with their unique strengths and vulnerabilities can be the torchbearers of collaborative action towards a planet free of plastic waste,' the royal's Instagram post continued.

'What an inspirational morning with these incredible women and youth leaders.'

Waste has become a great concern for the country, with more than 140,000 tonnes of solid waste being disposed in Samoa every year.

Not all make it to landfill - an estimated 1,900 tonnes of plastic waste leak into the environment.

This uncontrolled waste threatens the health of Samoas ecosystems, which are vital for providing food, water and air.

The labour division often mirrors gender stereotypes, and this is evident in the waste management sector.

However, more women are emerging as leaders in this area and are taking action to defend their environment.

The Women of Waste taskforce is dedicated to establishing safe, inclusive and diverse employment opportunities and work environments in Samoa.

Sarah looked radiant as she posed with various women at the event

Sarah posed alongside a promotional banner that highlighted how the initiative is breaking barriers

The Duchess of York wore a purple printed dress and traditional garland necklace

Its goal is to identify and address biases and barriers to employment within the waste management sector.

It is the first formal initiative of its kind in the Pacific Islands.

Speaking at the launch of Women of Waste, which took place on International Women's Day, the Duchess said: 'The older generations that I am part of hold great responsibility in damaging our environment.

'It is our collective responsibility to take action for present and future generations.

'I wish to be a voice on the global stage to make people aware of Samoa, the expectations and needs of their people as well as their energy and actions for change.'

The launch gathered civil society organisations, private companies, entrepreneurs, government official, and development partners at the Taumeasina Island Resort.
The tragic story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard has captured the attention of the country - and the world - but this week, it took another painful turn as she revealed she and husband Ryan Anderson had split.

It's the latest heartbreak in the 32-year-old's rollercoaster love life after she was sentenced to eight years in prison for persuading her ex to kill her mom.

After spending the first 20 years of her life enduring needless medical procedures and being pumped full of drugs, Gypsy thought she had finally found a way out when she met Nicholas Godejohn through a dating app in 2012.

Disney-obsessed Gypsy was convinced that her Prince Charming was going to swoop in and rescue her from her evil mother - but what she believed would be her happily ever after was really just the beginning of a new dark chapter in her life.

The harrowing story is one that we all now know well: Gypsy was forced to spend her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after mom Claudine, known as 'Dee Dee,' convinced the world she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard was forced to spend her childhood posing as a wheelchair-bound invalid after mom Claudine, known as 'Dee Dee,' convinced the world she was sick

She desperately searched for love for years, but in 2022, it seemed as though she had finally found the one when she married a man named Ryan Anderson (seen)

After years of abuse, Gypsy burst free of her warped mom's control in 2015 by convincing her besotted internet boyfriend, Nick, to creep into their Springfield, Missouri, home and stab 48-year-old Dee Dee to death.

Gypsy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her involvement in the murder - but she was granted early parole last year after friends and family begged authorities to take into account the cruel trauma that she endured while being paraded at charity events and fundraisers.

But in the latest tragic twist to Gypsy's story, she announced this week that she and her husband were going their separate ways after less than two years of marriage

While behind bars, Gypsy continued to desperately search for her soulmate. She dated numerous men - many of whom she connected with after they sent her fan mail, and one who was 20 years her senior - but each one ended in heartbreak, leaving her convinced that she may never find the one.

During an interview from behind bars, the felon broke down in tears as she recalled a time that her mom put a 'hex' on her after she tried to sneak out in the middle of the night to see a guy she had met at a convention.

She said Dee Dee performed a bizarre ritual, taking some of her menstrual blood and a cow's tongue and burying them in a jar in their backyard while telling her: 'You will never find love. You will never be happy.'

'I just think it's true because like, every time I get close to someone, they leave me,' Gypsy said between sobs at the time.

'I always bring it back to that curse, I believe it's true. She never wanted me to find love or be happy, and I just kind of feel like that stuck.'

From the start, Gypsy's outlook on love was skewed thanks to her mother.

Dee Dee did everything in her power to keep Gypsy to herself; she would tell people that she had 'mentality of a child' even though there was nothing actually wrong with her brain, and she even went as far as to lie to Gypsy about how old she really was.

As Gypsy confirms the heartbreaking news, FEMAIL has recapped her rollercoaster ride love life from start to finish - from the boyfriend who killed her mother to her recent split

Gypsy had very little access to the outside world or the internet, and her mom would constantly put on kids movies and fairytales for her, causing a warped view on relationships and men.

But it seemed as though the Munchausen by proxy victim's dream of finding love had finally come true in 2022, when it was revealed that she had tied the knot with a special ed teacher named Ryan Anderson.

He stood fiercely by her side when she was released from prison in December of last year, and the two couldn't stop gushing over one another online and in interviews in the months that followed.

But in the latest heartbreaking twist to Gypsy's story, she announced this week that she and her husband were going their separate ways after less than two years of marriage.

As Gypsy confirms the heartbreaking news, FEMAIL has recapped her rollercoaster ride love life from start to finish - from her first romance, which resulted in Dee Dee chaining her to a bed for weeks and putting a curse on her that she still believes is affecting her now, and the boyfriend who killed her mother so they could be together to her numerous prison relationships and recent split.

Her haunting first experience with romance: Gypsy tried to run away with a man she had met at a convention, but her mother caught her, chained her to the bed for weeks, and put a 'voodoo hex' on her

Gypsy's first real experience with romance came in 2010 after she met an older man named Dan at a convention and attempted to run away with him. She's seen with her mom

Gypsy began to think about boys during her teenage years, but her mother did her best to shut those thoughts down.

Gypsy (seen with her mom) explained that at the time, her mom was telling her that she was only 15 years old, but after finding her Medicaid card and discovering her date of birth was listed as 1991 - which made her 19 - she became determined to escape

'She would show interest in different boys and try to ask me advice on how do you approach them, how to you kiss a boy,' her neighbor, Aleah Woodmansee, previously told ABC News.

'[But Dee Dee would say], "My daughter has the mentality of a child and you're talking to her about teenage girl things."'

Gypsy's first real experience with romance came in 2010 after she met an older man named Dan at a convention and attempted to run away with him.

Gypsy explained in the Lifetime docuseries The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard that she and Dan first crossed paths at VisionCon in Springfield, Missouri.

She later reached out to him on Facebook and the two struck up an online relationship.

Gypsy explained that at the time, her mom was telling her that she was only 15 years old, but after finding her Medicaid card and discovering her date of birth was listed as 1991 - which made her 19 - she became determined to escape.

She hitchhiked to Dan's house in the middle of the night with the hopes that they'd start a new life together - but she soon found out that he couldn't leave the state because he was on parole

Dee Dee eventually found Gypsy and took her back home, and Gypsy claimed that she chained her to the bed for two weeks as punishment

She then decided to run away in the middle of the night and hitchhiked to Dan's house, with the hopes that they'd start a new life together - but she soon found out that he couldn't leave the state because he was on parole.

She also said her mother put a 'voodoo hex' on her after the incident, which involved putting some of her menstrual blood, a cow's tongue, and photos of her and Dan into a mason jar and burying it in their backyard

Dee Dee eventually found Gypsy and took her back home, and Gypsy claimed that she chained her to the bed for two weeks as punishment.

She also said her mother put a 'voodoo hex' on her after the incident, which involved putting some of her menstrual blood, a cow's tongue, and photos of her and Dan into a mason jar and burying it in their backyard.

'You will never find love. You will never be happy,' Gypsy recalled Dee Dee telling her.

The convicted felon added in the docuseries, which premiered back in January, 'I just think it's true because like, every time I get close to someone, they leave me.

'I always bring it back to that curse, I believe it's true. She never wanted me to find love or be happy, and I just kind of feel like that stuck.'

Meeting her Prince Charming: Gypsy connected with Nick through an online Christian dating site and they started planning their wedding almost immediately

Gypsy (seen during her childhood) met Wisconsin-native Nick through an online Christian dating site in October 2012, when she was 21 and he was 23

The two bonded immediately, with Nick telling ABC in 2018, 'It was almost like love at first sight. I just connected instantly with [her].' Gypsy is seen with her mom

Gypsy met Wisconsin-native Nick through an online Christian dating site in October 2012, when she was 21 and he was 23.

According to reports, Nick was diagnosed with autism as a child and struggled with mental health issues.

In March 2015, Nick traveled over 600 miles across the country so that they could meet in person for the first time. They created a lengthy plan in the hopes that he could impress Dee Dee and win her over. Gypsy is seen with Dee Dee

Even so, the two bonded immediately, with Nick telling ABC in 2018, 'It was almost like love at first sight. I just connected instantly with [her].'

They were soon constantly messaging on Gypsy's secret Facebook account, unbeknownst to Dee Dee, and from pretty early on, she was open about her situation.

'I need to tell you something. I'm no model I have a medical condition so I can't walk, I have a chair I use, is that a issue?' one of her early messages to him read.

'Why would that be a problem? You are an angel in my eyes. It will never make any difference in how I see you from the inside out,' he responded.

By 2014, Gypsy was already thinking about marriage and having kids with Nick, as her neighbor, Aleah, recalled, 'She said she was in love with and that they were already planning on their children.'

A love story that turned tragic: The pair eventually hatched the plan to kill her mother so that they could be together - and he stabbed Dee Dee to death in 2015

After the movie run-in, Dee Dee discovered that Gypsy and Nick had been talking online and erupted

Soon after, they formulated the plan to kill her mother. While discussing the murder, Gypsy (seen as a kid) said, 'It was not because I hated her. It was because I wanted to escape her'

While at first, Disney-obsessed Gypsy thought she had found her Prince Charming, who would rescue her from her mother, the relationship soon went from innocent to X-rated as it began to revolve heavily around sex - and Nick's BDSM kink.

'As [the relationship] progressed, things got weird,' Gypsy said in a 2017 HBO documentary, called Mommy Dead Dearest.

On June 9, 2015, Nick (seen in his mugshot) arrived in the middle of the night and stabbed Dee Dee to death while Gypsy waited in the bathroom

He also reportedly told her that he had 'multiple personalities,' so she began creating personas of her own and dressing in various wigs to appease him.

In March 2015, Nick traveled more than 600 miles across the country so that they could meet in person for the first time.

They created a lengthy plan in the hopes that he could impress Dee Dee and win her over.

They arranged it so that they would cross paths at the movie theater when Dee Dee took Gypsy to see the new Cinderella movie.

And while the scheme ultimately didn't work, they were able to sneak off and have sex for the first time in the bathroom.

After the movie run-in, Dee Dee discovered that Gypsy and Nick had been talking online and erupted.

'[It was] awful. She got jealous because I was spending a little too much attention on him, and she ordered me to stay away from him,' Gypsy told ABC.

'That was a very long argument that lasted a couple weeks... Yelling, throwing things, calling me names like b***h, s**t, w***e.'

The couple then fled to Wisconsin to Nick's parents' home; five days later, they posted a slew of horrific messages to Dee Dee's Facebook. The house where Dee Dee was killed is seen

Law enforcement eventually tracked the posts to Nick's home and arrested them; during initial police interviews, Gypsy denied her involvement while Nick confessed

Soon after that incident, Gypsy and Nick formulated the plan to kill her mother.

Nick told ABC that it was Gypsy who had come up with the idea. He recalled her asking him, 'How badly do you want to be with me?'

'I said I would be willing to do anything for [her],' he added, claiming that she then replied, 'Even kill my mom?'

'At first, I freaked out. And she told me she was serious... because she wanted to be with me, and she said it was the only way to be with me,' he reflected.

'I asked her, "Are you willing to risk everything to have everything?"... And she said, "Yes. I want to marry you. I want to be with you. I want everything with you. I'm willing to risk everything if that means being with you for the rest of my life."'

While discussing the murder to ABC, Gypsy said, 'It was not because I hated her. It was because I wanted to escape her.'

Gypsy reported mailed Nick money to book a bus ticket and stole a knife from Walmart for him to use.

On June 9, 2015, Nick arrived in the middle of the night and stabbed Dee Dee to death while Gypsy waited in the bathroom.

'I heard her scream once and there was more screaming, but not like the kind in a horror film,' Gypsy recalled in the HBO doc.

'A startled scream she called out my name about three or four times, at that point I wanted to go help her so bad, but I was so afraid to get up. And then everything just went quiet.'

Gypsy eventually plead guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. She's seen during the trial

As for Nick, he was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

After the murder, Nick and Gypsy had sex, which he claimed was consensual and she claimed was not.

'I made a deal with him. I'd let him rape me and then he wouldn't do that to my mom,' she stated to HBO.

Reflecting on the events to ABC in 2018, Gypsy said she believed Nick had taken advantage of her. She said: 'He was very much like my mother in certain ways'

The couple then fled to Wisconsin to Nick's parents' home; five days later, they posted a slew of horrific messages to Gypsy and Dee Dee's joint Facebook account.

'That b***h is dead,' one read, which was followed up with, 'I slashed that fat pig and raped her sweet innocent daughter. Her scream was so loud LOL.'

It's been said that they posted the comments to ensure that the police discovered her body.

Law enforcement eventually tracked the posts to Nick's home and arrested them; during initial police interviews, Gypsy denied her involvement while Nick confessed.

Gypsy eventually plead guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

As for Nick, he was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Reflecting on the events to ABC in 2018, Gypsy said she believed Nick had taken advantage of her.

She added: 'I feel like I was trained my whole life to do as I was told, and I feel like he wanted that for a girlfriend'

'He was very much like my mother in certain ways. Both of them were very controlling,' she said.

'I feel like I was trained my whole life to do as I was told, and I feel like he wanted that for a girlfriend.'

He insisted to the publication, however, that Gypsy was the 'mastermind' behind the murder, and that he felt 'betrayed' by her.

'I truly believed that she was, like, my soulmate. [But] she was basically the mastermind behind it all [and] I was basically a hired hit man in its own weird sense,' he stated.

'All the planning, she did every bit of it. She pretty much willed the knife in my hand to commit the deed herself. She is the mastermind behind the entire thing.

'As far as I'm concerned, she's as guilty as I am. I guess you could say my feelings got the best of me. I ended up loving someone way too much.

'I feel as if she's betrayed me. I feel that she's abandoned me. There is a part of me that will probably always love her, but she's hurt me so badly.'

In the recent Lifetime doc, Gypsy said that she was still riddled with guilt over what happened even now, almost a decade later.

'I'd do anything to just go back to that moment in time,' she shared. 'There was still a point that she didn't have to die and I wish I could have stopped it.'

Looking for love while behind bars: Gypsy dated a few men throughout her prison sentence, and got engaged to one, named Ken, who ultimately left her after her story was featured in The Act

During her time behind bars, Gypsy continuously searched for her soulmate, with a family friend telling In Touch in 2021 that she had numerous relationships over the years

In 2018, she became engaged to a man named Ken (seen together) after they became 'pen pals' in prison

During her time behind bars, Gypsy continuously searched for her soulmate, with a family friend named Fancy Marcelli telling In Touch in 2021 that she had numerous relationships with different men over the years.

'They attached themselves to Gypsy, and a lot of them just want fame,' she said. 'One of the guys was 20 years older... Some of the guys have even gone to the prison to meet Gypsy.'

At the time, the friend said she was 'concerned' about Gypsy, and theorized that she 'just wanted somewhere to go once she gets out of prison.'

In her book Released: Conversations On The Eve Of Freedom, Gypsy recalled how one man named Ken - whose last name has not been revealed for privacy reasons - sent her a letter while she was in prison after he learned about what she had been through from the HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest.

She said they became pen pals and eventually started dating before he popped the question in October 2018.

'I thought he sounded like a cool guy, so I wrote him back,' she wrote in the memoir about receiving the first letter from Ken.

'We became pen pals and started talking on the phone. He was easy to talk to, and we had so much in common.'

he explained that it happened soon after they started talking during his first visit to her in prison - and was what lead to the start of their romance.





'He came and it was kind of a funny story, within the first 30 minutes he leaned over and gave me the most wonderful kiss of my whole life,' she said.



'The kiss he gave me was quite passionate. I looked at him and was like, "I didn't even know you liked me like that." And he said, "Yeah, I have for a while." And I'm like, "I have for a while too."' But after the Hulu show The Act (seen) premiered a few months later and put an immense spotlight on Gypsy's story, she admitted that Ken couldn't handle all the attention As for his proposal, she dished, 'This was something we had discussed for a while, so it wasn't out of the blue. 'We bounced around the idea, we have a pretty solid thing going and we're pretty sure this is what we want. 'So, he held my hands close and told me how much I meant to him and he's like, "I would really, really be honored if I could have your hand in marriage," and I said yes.' But after the Hulu show The Act - which starred Joey King as Gypsy and Patricia Arquette as her mother - premiered a few months later and put an immense spotlight on Gypsy's story, she admitted in her tome that Ken couldn't handle all the sudden attention. 'I was transformed into a pseudo-celebrity,' Gypsy reflected of its release. 'My personal life became public, which was really hard on Ken. 'Clickbait articles appeared mockingly announcing our engagement. Ken was a private person and didn't want the attention or the scrutiny. 'While I understood and shared in his sentiment, I took it hard when he ended our relationship.' The felon described their breakup as her 'first heartbreak,' and admitted that it made her fiercely 'miss her mom.' 'My first experience with real heartbreak - I didn't know what to do. The rite of passage of losing my first love happened alone in jail instead of in my bedroom surrounded by girlfriends playing me a breakup mix and eating pints of Ben & Jerry's like in the movies,' she continued. 'It was a time when I missed my mom, a time that should've been shared between the two of us, but never would be.' Family friend Fancy told InTouch about the romance, 'Ken wasn't in it for Gypsy - he saw her as a cash cow. 'She's had three more relationships with men [following her split from Ken]. We have a lot of concern for her because she doesn't know the real world. 'She wasn't raised in the real world. She doesn't know how to deal with her trauma.' Another failed attempt at love: Gypsy married her prison pen pal Ryan in 2022 and he was by her side when she was released last year, but now, she has announced that they are going their separate ways Gypsy bonded with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Ryan, after he wrote her a letter in 2020, and they spent 14 months writing each other back and forth before they finally met in person And on his third visit to her correctional facility, Ryan, who worked as a special ed teacher, popped the question. Gypsy said yes, and they wed in July 2022 - while she was still in prison Gypsy bonded with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Ryan, after he wrote her a letter in 2020. 'I had received hundreds of letters from supporters. A lot of it was male attention,' she explained to A&E last year. 'But I saw his envelope, and saw he was from Louisiana. And I was pretty much born and raised in Louisiana, so I thought, "Hey, I probably know where this guy grew up." 'I thought we would have a lot in common. At first it was more [of a] friendship. We spent tons of time talking on the phone. He would make me laugh any time I was sad. I loved that about him.' They spent 14 months writing each other back and forth and talking on the prison phone before they finally met in person. And on his third visit to her correctional facility, Ryan, who worked as a special ed teacher, popped the question. Gypsy said yes, and they wed in July 2022 - while she was still in prison. On the day of her release, Ryan was spotted by Gypsy's side (seen) - and the convict couldn't stop gushing over him during an interview with the Mirror days later She admitted that they were in the midst of planning a massive wedding celebration after their low-key nuptials behind bars The two briefly separated after the wedding, however, when Ryan found out that he had been in contact with her ex, Ken. They ultimately decided to go to marriage counseling and worked through it, and it seemed like she had finally found her happily ever. On the day of her release, Ryan was spotted by Gypsy's side - and the convict couldn't stop gushing over him during an interview with the Mirror days later. She admitted that they were in the midst of planning a massive wedding celebration after their low-key nuptials behind bars. 'A re-do wedding with all our family there would be amazing. I want the classy, fairytale wedding that I always dreamed of as a child,' she dished. 'I think that Ryan and I deserve that for each other. I want a white dress that's a bit form-fitting, that flares at the bottom and has capped sleeves.' When Ryan shared a selfie with her online days later, it sparked fierce backlash for the couple. The snap was flooded comments from people who called him 'creepy' and 'weird' - but Gypsy was quick to hit back at his haters, while professing that the couple were madly in love and bragging about their sex life. When Ryan shared a selfie with her online days later, it sparked fierce backlash for the couple - as the snap was flooded comments from people who called him 'creepy' and 'weird' But Gypsy was quick to hit back at his haters, while professing that the couple were madly in love and bragging about their sex life 'Ryan, don't listen to the haters. I love you, and you love me,' she wrote in a comment. The couple (seen in January) has now announced that they are going their separate ways after less than two years of marriage 'We do not owe anyone anything. Our family is who matters. If you get likes and good comments great, if you get hate then whatever because THEY DON'T MATTER.' 'I love you... besides, they're jealous because you are rocking my world every nightyeah I said it, the D is fire... happy wife happy life.' But the couple has now announced that they are going their separate ways after less than two years of marriage. She wrote on her private Facebook account, per People, 'People have been asking what is going on in my life. 'Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents' home down the bayou. 'I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find who I am.'

Gypsy opened up about kissing Ken for the first time to E! News , and s
After a busy schedule of public engagements in recent weeks, the Duchess of Edinburgh was seen enjoying one of her favourite pursuits as the Easter weekend begins.

The 59-year-old royal, who has increasingly been seen performing public duties as King Charles and the Princess of Wales both under go treatment for cancer, was spotted holding the reins of a single horse-drawn carriage in the grounds of Windsor Castle this morning.

Taking an aide along for the ride, the Duchess looked accomplished at the sport that her whole family enjoys, particularly her 20-year-old daughter Lady Louise.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, accompanied by an aide, is pictured at Windsor Castle on Friday taking a solo carriage ride

The Edinburgh's are accomplished riders, with Sophie and Lady Louise, 20, particularly enjoying the rural pursuit

The wife of Prince Edward was wearing a waxed riding coat as she negotiated the Windsor trail, with hopes of some Easter sunshine dashed by grey clouds over Berkshire.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are likely to be amongst the few royals joining the King and Queen on Easter Sunday at church in Windsor.

His Majesty will lead a smaller than normal family party for the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel given the absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family.

Last week, Kate revealed that cancer had been detected following her abdominal surgery in January, and that she's under going a course of chemotherapy.

In a pre-recorded address to those attending Thursday's annual Maundy Service, King Charles emphasised the importance of extending a hand of friendship to those in need, as a new portrait of the monarch was released

Every Thursday before Easter Sunday the sovereign hands out gifts of coins equivalent to their age to pensioners who have contributed to their church and community - this year, Queen Camilla carried out the role on behalf of her husband

READ MORE: Behind the scenes of Queen Elizabeth's last ever Buckingham Palace balcony appearance Advertisement

It will be the King's most significant public appearance since his cancer diagnosis in early February.

After being advised by doctors not to undertake public engagements with large numbers of people while under going treatment, His Majesty decided to record a special audio message to be played at Thursday's annual Maundy Service.

Held this year at Worcester Cathedral, it is one of the most significant set-piece events in the royal calendar each year and held huge spiritual significance for Queen Elizabeth.

In his address, King Charles emphasised the importance of extending the hand of friendship to others less fortunate.

His Majesty told the service the Lord Jesus set us an 'example of how we should serve and care for each other'.

Still working: King Charles appeared cheerful and chipper on Wednesday as carried on with his 'business as usual' outlook amid his battle with cancer. Pictured: Charles meeting Mohamed Nasheed, Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum

King Charles' daughter-in-law Kate Middleton is also battling cancer; his address for Thursday's annual Maundy Service urged people to 'extend the hand of friendship to those in need'

He went on to emphasise how, as a nation, 'we benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need'.

A new portrait was released to accompany the message, showing the King looking relaxed and in good spirits, with a posy of spring flowers next to him, despite his personal ordeal.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium cut a chic figure as she paid a visit to the Hotel School in Ghent earlier today.

Mathilde, 51, donned a lime green fit-and-flare dress, topped with a smart houndstooth coat for the Good Friday public engagement.

The hospitality school, which is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its bakery department, provides hands-on education to students through its bakery shop and four public restaurants.

During today's visit, the Queen received chatted to students and learned about the diverse array of courses available.

Queen Mathilde visited the Hotel School in Ghent, Belgium on Good Friday; the Belgian royal spent time meeting students working in the hospitality school's bakery

Queen Mathilde, who is married to King Philippe - who took to the Belgian throne in 2013, elevated her stylish attire with a pair of tan court shoes and a corresponding clutch bag.

The royal, who turned 51 in January, added layered bracelets and statement gold drop earrings featuring a leaf motif. The royal sported her signature voluminous hairstyle and glowing make-up.

The Belgian royals are expected to spend Easter at the Palace of Laeken, with their three children Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel and Prince Emmanuel.

Earlier this month, the Belgian Queen visited the Het Medisch Centrum Sint-Jozef hospital in Bilzen.

The royal sported her signature voluminous hairstyle and glamorous, glowing make-up

The royal appeared in high spirits as she engaged in conversations with various individuals at the school

Queen Mathilde elevated her stylish attire with a pair of tan court shoes and a corresponding clutch bag

The royal draped a smart houndstooth coat across her shoulders for the spring engagement

Mathilde's visit was part of the Week of Care, or Week van de zorg, which aims to raise awareness of the needs and developments in the Belgian healthcare and welfare sector.

The mother-of-four looked typically chic for the occasion, dressed in a baby pink wool coat, knitted polo neck and grey suit trousers.

In a sweet occurrence, the mother-of-four looked pleased to accept a bouquet of flowers from a little girl who patiently waited in the crowd to greet her, while also clutching onto a drawing of the Belgium flag.
Thrifty Aussie mums are sharing how they're doing Easter on a budget with many managing the holiday for under $20.

Parents are feeling the pinch as gifts are becoming customary for Easter but many are taking a 'less is more' approach as the cost of living continues to put pressure on Aussie families.

One mum said she shops the sales then celebrates Easter with her young kids a week late and another saves her cash by never buying 'anything in a box' and sticking to packets of chocolates which are much cheaper.

'Mums, can we talk Easter on a budget? What are your best budget hacks for kids at Easter? Where have you found the best bargains? Can you share some great ideas?' a woman asked on the Mums Who Budget and Save Facebook group.

The query drew in hundreds of helpful responses including from one mum who said she buys $1.70 chocolate bunnies from Aldi and Cadbury on sale.

Savvy Aussie mums are sharing how they're celebrating Easter without breaking the bank with some buying eggs and treats for the whole family for less than $20

'My kids don't need brand chocolate but I do. Few plastic eggs to add to the hunt. Can't find cheap chocolate in hollow eggs this year,' she said.

'Don't go overboard. I'm going to sound like an 'old person', but growing up in the 80s and 90s we were given chocolate eggs/bunnies on Easter Sunday. And that's it,' another saver said.

'No Easter boxes, Easter Eve boxes, baskets full of stuff. For me, all of that just adds money and stress. My kids get a pair of PJs each and I've got a chocolate bunny and a few medium and small eggs for an egg hunt.'

A budgeter shared her 'controversial' Easter plan.

'While my kids were young enough to not realise when Easter weekend was I would do Easter the week after and buy eggs for under half price,' she said.

'Also once the Easter bunny phase had passed, I would do the same thing. I'm not religious so obviously the actual holiday had no significance to me.'

'$6 Freddo Frog egg each from Big W and a packet of solids to share in a little hunt around the house. Under $20 for two kids,' another explained.

'Three kids, they are all getting a Humpty Dumpty and an egg hunt with some small hollow eggs and mini eggs. That's it. That's all they need,' a third answered.

One mum said they never buy any eggs that come in a box because of the inflated price while another plans ahead and buys clothing for presents when they are reduced.

'I don't buy anything in a box. My kids have buckets and I buy all the things on special in a packet of many and divide them up. I put one big bunny in each,' one suggested.

One mum shops the sales then celebrates Easter with her kids a week late while another never buys 'anything in a box' and sticks to packets of chocolates which are much cheaper

'When winter clothes come on sale (end of season when everything is $3-$5) I'll buy a set of PJs and a jumper and slippers usually under $15 a child then add a couple of eggs at the end,' a second wrote.

One woman said she only splashed her cash on treats for an Easter egg hunt which her kids love.

'We've only ever done an Easter egg hunt, they have so much fun. We give them baskets and tote bags and they run riot trying to find the eggs. We only spend about $10 on hunting eggs and another couple of dollars on bags,' she said.

We do a pair of PJs each, one big bunny and some small eggs. They don't need anymore in my opinion. My kids are more excited at the fact that Easter morning is the only day that they are allowed to eat chocolate for breakfast and all day without having to ask!' a second laughed.

One member said she usually 'goes overboard' on holidays so makes sure to buy treats on special.

'Woolies and Coles often have sales, as well as Big W. I always compare pricing before going shopping Also you don't have to buy strictly Easter eggs or Easter-themed chocolate,' she said.

'I buy my kids one egg each. I get the Humpty Dumpy which is $7 this week at Woolies. So it's $21. Done and dusted,' another mum replied.

'Kmart has small bunnies for $1 and they are yum!' someone added.
Bodies donated to the NHS are having their heads severed to teach medics how to safely administer Botox and fillers.

MailOnline found NHS trusts are giving cadavers away for use by private aesthetics course providers, who charge doctors, nurses and dentists up to 1,440 to practice cosmetic techniques on the bodies.

Aesthetics treatments, like wrinkle-defying injections of botulinum toxin (of which the most recognised brand is Botox), aren't available on the NHS.

It means medics are bolstering their private aesthetics careers with bodies donated by Brits whose last wishes were to help the next generation of medics and improve care for others.

Campaigners slammed the firms offering the courses and medics who take part for 'unethically' taking advantage of Brits' generosity.

One provider, called Cosmetic Courses runs multiple 'cadaver facial anatomy training course for aesthetic medicine injectable treatments' at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, with the next event scheduled for May 23

The firm says it has partnered with the Trust's National Repository Centre, to provide the heads for use in this 'hands on experience'

They also criticised the NHS for facilitating the 'lucrative' trade.

Cosmetic Courses runs several 'cadaver facial anatomy training course for aesthetic medicine injectable treatments' at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, with the next event scheduled for May 23.

The firm says it has partnered with the Trust's National Repository Centre, to provide the heads for use in this 'hands on experience'.

Info on its website states the course provides an examination of how filler placement interacts with a person's facial anatomy, allowing them to 'optimise treatments in the safest way possible'.

It describes the course as: 'A three-dimensional observation and dissection of human anatomy, an opportunity to consolidate and see first hand the different layers and structures of the face to optimise correct placement of our dermal filler products.'

'Practitioners will also gain confidence in managing complications should they arise in their future practice.'

The course also teaches medics how to use hyalase  a substance used to dissolve filler in places like the lips and cheeks, as well as the management of complications.

Advertising its programme online, the firm says: 'At Cosmetic Courses, we provide you with a hand to hold when you complete your Botox training.

'We are always on call to help with any queries as you go into business.'

A booklet handed out by the NHS Trust to people considering donating their bodies, or their families, makes no mention of their remains being used for aesthetics training.

Instead, it reads: 'Your gift will contribute to the education of the next generation of healthcare professionals and suitably qualified individuals as determined by the National Repository Centre and may also help with the development of life saving techniques or the creation of new surgical devices.'

While stating it is 'impossible' to tell what a body will be used for in advance, it lists several examples.

These include helping surgeons practice new techniques, paramedic training, and the development of treatments to help burn victims, none of which are aesthetic treatments.

Steven Gill, the Trust's clinical lead for the National Repository Centre, defended the supply of donated bodies for use by the aesthetic course providers.

'These bodies are highly valued and respected and are used for ethically-approved research and training of registered healthcare practitioners only,' he said.

He added that all use of the bodies was in accordance with UK regulations and said the Trust made no money from its arrangement with private companies.

Mr Gill added: 'All procedures are carried out by trained medical professionals, under strict guidance.

'This allows us to offer safe training to medics in a risk-free environment before embarking on clinical practice.

'We do not make money from the donated bodies; we only cover the costs of storage, preparation transport and ultimately a funeral.'

Cosmetic Courses didn't respond to requests for comment.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust isn't the only health service organisation with similar arrangements.

Another aesthetics-based cadaver course is held by company SkinViva Training at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust's West Midlands Surgical Training Centre

Another aesthetics-based cadaver course is held by SkinViva Training at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust's West Midlands Surgical Training Centre.

This course, which costs participants 1,350 each, is only open to registered medical professionals like doctors, nurses and dentists.

SkinViva Training's head of anatomy and clinic, James Ashton, defended the training and denied it was aesthetics-focused, despite the word appearing several times in the company's promotional material.

'It is not aesthetics focused at all, it's focused on complications management and anatomy,' he said.

'They are complications that can arise from somebody having an aesthetics treatment.'

Mr Ashton also insisted that the course was not about teaching people how to apply filler but improving safety when they do so.

'The course is about everything to do with how to avoid complications when applying filler, so we teach about human anatomy, so where you should and shouldn't be injecting,' he said.

'It teaches them how to do it safely and how to manage complications should they arise.'

Mr Ashton said he understood the 'emotional' reaction people might have to donated bodies being used for this purpose but added it provided a net benefit to the NHS.

'If we don't teach people how to deal with them then they (injured aesthetics patients) all enter the NHS anyway,' he said.

'A lot of the people who are having, and enjoying, an aesthetics career also still continue to work in the NHS and will now have a solid understanding on what to do should this present in A&E or a doctors' surgery,' he said.

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust even has its own aesthetics event which uses cadavers.

Its annual 'Face Eyes Nose dissection and lecture course' to be held in May this year will feature two events involving cadaver dissections.

The first uses a cadaver to demonstrate and discuss facial and oculoplastic procedures, such as cosmetic eyelid surgery and face lifts.

The second features a similar cadaver dissection on specific nose jobs techniques. such as how to reduce the size of the nostrils.

The Trust also promotes several hotels attendees can stay at during the four-day event, as well as tourist activities participants can enjoy during their downtime.

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Surgical Training Centre said: 'All of our courses, which we make no profit from, are designed to educate surgeons in procedures provided by the NHS to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

'Facial and aesthetics surgery is hugely complex, with specialist training designed to help attendees safely achieve optimal results, avoid complications and support those whove sustained varying injuries to enjoy an enhanced quality of life.

'We are fully compliant with guidelines set by the Human Tissue Authority, as our independent regulator, and all donors have provided their fully informed consent.'

The Trust also stated the Face, Eyes, Nose course is aimed at teaching NHS surgeons techniques they can use they can use to address trauma, burns, and oncology reconstruction for patients who have received major facial injuries.

No mention of this is made anywhere on the event's webpage or programme.

Instead, the latter features multiple lectures on running a cosmetic plastic surgery, covering aspects like business and marketing as well as the assessment of patients for cosmetic procedures.

Under UK rules, bodies donated for medical research and training can only be used for three purposes.

These are: teaching medical students, medical research such as testing new surgical techniques/tools, and for further training of registered healthcare professionals.

It is the last category that such aesthetics courses using cadavers in the UK technically fall under.

However, campaigners say this violates the spirit under which people and their families donated their bodies.

SkinViva Training's head of anatomy and clinic, James Ashton, defended the training and denied it was aesthetics-focused, despite the word appearing several times in the company's promotional material

Antonia Mariconda, founder of Safety and Beauty, an organisation dedicated to improved safety ethical standards in the beauty industry, said courses like those uncovered by MailOnline were 'unethical'.

'It is unethical to use a cadaver head for cosmetic training,' she said.

'A cadaver head in a room full of people who are learning where to inject cosmetic treatments safely is not a dignified way to treat and preserve materials that have been donated in the mind they would be used for medical or scientific research.'

She added while course providers will argue they are teaching people how to deliver injections more safely, potentially resulting in fewer accidents, this wouldn't wash with the public.

'The use of cadaver heads is only acceptable if they are used for a specific and recognised medical specialty, and beauty isn't a medical specialty,' she said.

'Aesthetics isn't medicine. There's a very big grey area that is being capitalised on lucratively.

'The general public isn't stupid, they know the difference between medicine and beauty.'

Ms Mariconda added that the families of those who donated bodies 'would be rightfully upset' to learn they were being used to further a medic's beauty career.

'The fundamental question is 'If you are a donor of any body part would you be happy to know that part of you that is most precious to you, your face, is being used to further someone else's skills in cosmetic treatments?'.'

'I think 99 per cent of the population would say "I'm not happy".'

NHS England were contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for the Royal College of Surgeons of England said: 'Donating bodies, brains, or human tissue to a medical school or for research is an incredible act of altruism which supports the advancement of healthcare for future generations.

'The Human Tissue Authority has strict rules governing the use of donated body parts and it is vital that the wishes of patients and their families are respected.'

A spokesperson for the Human Tissue Authority said: 'Donated human material can be used for a number of purposes, including teaching, research and professional training.

'Depending on the circumstances, the Human Tissue Authority licenses and inspects organisations that carry out these activities.

'Body donations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can only take place when consent is informed and written down by donors.'

Each body, and any subsequent parts, donated for training purposes in the UK comes with a unique ID number tracking its use across the system.

The body is typically, but not always, split into different segments relevant for the training or research required to allow different teams to work simultaneously.

When no longer usable, the parts are typically reunited and then cremated or otherwise handed back to the family for private funeral arrangements.
Experts have slammed America's obsession with incest porn, as data suggests inter-family-themed videos are becoming one of the most popular genres of adult material.

The country's largest pornographic website revealed that in 2023, videos that included step-relatives or MILFs  a vulgar slang word for a mother one finds sexually attractive  were among its most popular search terms.

Meanwhile, an analysis of porn habits by the Danish sex toy company BedBible said half of videos uploaded to porn websites were now incestuous.

Psychologists tell DailyMail.com that porn addiction is so rampant that people must watch increasingly taboo material to get the same excitement.

But it comes against a backdrop of rising concern about the frightening extent of incest in America - which estimates say could affect up to one in seven families.

The above is a snap of a thumbnail for a video on Pornhub. It claims to show a stepmother sleeping with her stepson in a hotel room. DailyMail.com found many videos in a similar vein after reviewing pornography sites

The three biggest US porn sites had designated categories for incest-related videos - sometimes known as 'step fantasy'

The above map shows the alleged incest hotspots, according to the World Population Review

DailyMail.com browsed the homepages of three popular adult websites and was immediately bombarded with disturbing videos like 'mom sleeps with son' and 'I had sex with my hot half-sister'.

All three sites had designated categories for incest-related videos  sometimes known as 'step fantasy'.

Dr Peter Kanaris, a psychologist and sex therapist in Long Island, told DailyMail.com: 'If something is forbidden, it is therefore much more exciting.

'The initial interest in incest porn is taboo so, therefore, that increases the excitation around it.

'America also has a less open society [when it comes to discussing sex] than other countries.

'That's because we are dealing with religion and a series of inhibitions there that only heighten the interest in the taboo.'

Therapist and sex and relationship expert Dr Ian Kerner also said incest-themed porn was rising due to its 'novelty'.

'It's an expression of our broad psychological need for novelty,' he said.

'Sex is about getting aroused. Arousal is excitation.

'So many sexual scenarios have become normalized that it only makes sense that we continue to seek out the forbidden fruit.

'Incest remains one of the few last taboos and so it makes sense that it's such a popular source of fantasy and psychological excitation.'

Incestuous behavior is nearly universally taboo across cultures around the world.

This is partially driven by disgust people feel around the topic, and also concerns over how it would disrupt family dynamics and the risks of genetic problems  with children born to closely-related parents at higher risk of genetic defects.

Incest has also often been linked to the sexual abuse of children, or of parents towards their offspring.

Incestuous behavior has also recently appeared in pop culture, with shows such as Game of Thrones having two main characters  Jamie and Cersei Lannister  who are twins but also in a sexual relationship.

This may have increased interest in the subject, according to the experts.

The above image depicts three members of the Whittakers, who are claimed to be America's most inbred family

A portrait of the 'blue' Fugate family depicted by artist Walt Spitzmiller for a 1982 edition of the Science journal. The family became blue after becoming inbred, reports suggest

Experts repeatedly say that many of the people watching these clips have no intention of carrying out incest in real life.

But studies suggest there is a frightening amount of incest in the US  with up to 15 percent of families having suffered from incestuous events.

Dr David Lawson, a therapist in Texas who works with sex abuse victims, told DailyMail.com the actual figure was 'likely higher'.

'They're probably conservative estimates,' he said, 'because these things are not things people tend to report'.

In a book on the subject, titled Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy, Dr Christine Courtois said prevalence among women put incest at as high as 20 percent of all American families  although this prediction is now 40 years old.

But a review of hundreds of studies by a sexual health company earlier this month estimated that 15 percent of US families have had an 'incest event.'

The results are from an analysis by the sexual health company BedBible, rather than a university or research team, and the methodology has not been made public.

There are no firm estimates for incest cases in the US because it often involves sexual abuse against a child and goes unreported.

But the new figure is not entirely out of sync with other estimates.

An estimated 32 million Americans are reported to have been the victims of incest as a child, yet just 20 percent of incest victims report the crime to law enforcement, according to the report.

Despite taboos, incest remains legal in 19 US states  where two first cousins are still permitted to marry. These mostly fall on the coasts and in the South.

One person who found out the disturbing truth about her family history was 39-year-old Victoria Hill, who at a high school reunion, got chatting about family trees with an ex-boyfriend with whom she was once intimate.

His family makeup was similar to hers and he said he would take the same test as her.

A text he sent later confirmed what both had feared, reading: 'You're my sister.' Ms Hill says she is still traumatized to this day.

Incestual relationships seem to be more common in areas that tend to be more remote from larger metropolises. Around half of adults who carry out incest have been found to be unemployed.
We're all after a guilt-free way of reaching for the biscuit tin.

Now scientists have suggested that swapping sugar for sweeteners in the treats could do the trick  and won't leave you feeling hungrier.

Consuming food laden with sweeteners caused a similar reduction in appetite as sugary foods, the study found. The findings debunk a claim peddled by critics of artificial sweeteners, who have said the substances may make people hungrier.

Other benefits included lowering blood sugar, which is particularly significant for people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, they suggest.

We're all after a guilt-free way of reaching for the biscuit tin. Now scientists have suggested that swapping sugar for sweeteners in the treats could do the trick  and won't leave you feeling hungrier

While other studies on sweeteners have typically focused on drinks, researchers at the University of Leeds wanted to focus on food.

They looked at the effects of eating biscuits with either sugar or two types of food sweetener: natural sugar substitute Stevia, or artificial sweetener Neotame, which is derived from aspartame.

The trial consisted of three, two-week periods.

Participants  who were all overweight or obese  ate biscuits with either fruit filling containing sugar, the natural sugar substitute or artificial sweetener.

Blood samples were taken to establish baseline levels of glucose, insulin and appetite-related hormones and they were also asked to rate their appetite and food preferences.

After eating the biscuits, they were asked to rate how full they felt over several hours.

Glucose and insulin levels were measured, as were ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and pancreatic polypeptide  hormones associated with the consumption of food.

The results from the two sweetener types showed no differences in appetite or endocrine responses compared to sugar.

But insulin levels measured over two hours after eating were reduced, as were blood sugar levels, according to the findings published in The Lancet eBioMedicine.

It is the latest study to be published by the SWEET consortium of 29 European research, consumer and industry partners which is working to develop and review evidence on long term benefits and potential risks involved in switching to artificial sweeteners.

Professor Graham Finlayson, principal investigator and of the University of Leeds' School of Psychology, said: 'The use of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers has received a lot of negative attention, including high profile publications linking their consumption with impaired glycaemic response, toxicological damage to DNA and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

'These reports contribute to the current befuddlement concerning the safety of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers among the general public and especially people at risk of metabolic diseases.

'Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the day-to-day use of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers for body weight and blood sugar control.'

SWEET project joint co-ordinator Professor Anne Raben, from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, said: 'The findings show that sweeteners are a helpful tool to reduce intake of added sugar without leading to a compensatory increase in appetite or energy intake, thereby supporting the usefulness of sweeteners for appetite, energy and weight management.'
The FDA is looking into whether a chemical used to make the majority of decaf coffee in the US should be banned.

Methylene chloride binds to and extracts caffeine from the beans and is used in major chains like Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.

But campaigners say the fact the chemical has been linked to cancer in rats makes it illegal, pointing to a little-known 1958 rule that outlaws food additives that animal studies show could cause cancer.

The FDA is currently considering a petition from campaigners at the Environmental Defense Fund to ban decaf coffee made using methylene chloride, with a response expected within a few months.

It could leave America's 10million decaf coffee drinkers without access to the brew or its claimed benefits, including boosts to heart health and longevity.

America could face a shortage of decaffeinated coffee (stock pic)

The 1958 law, known as the Delaney clause, states that 'no additive shall be deemed to be safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal'.

Campaigners successfully used the rule in 2018 to petition a ban on seven artificial food flavorings commonly used in ice cream and candy such as pulegone, which was used to imitate peppermint flavor.

They are now hoping to do the same with Methylene chloride. The chemical is found in decaf beans in trace amounts, with most washed out after the decaffeination or destroyed when beans are roasted.

Toxicologists claim the amount is so little that the boiling water to which the beans are added likely contains more of the chemical.

But studies have previously linked the chemical to cancers detected in both humans and animals  although via larger doses.

The above graphic shows how decaf coffee is made using the European method, the most common method for making decaf coffee. Tests show trace amounts of methylene chloride remain in the coffees even after treatment

This includes a study in mice, where the rodents developed tumors in the lungs and liver after being exposed to methylene chloride in the air.

And a 2013 meta-analysis in humans involving more than 3,000 adults that found participants exposed to the chemical had a higher risk of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

Campaigners say this is evidence enough based on the law to force the method to be outlawed in the US.

This worked in 2018, when the agency agreed to the ban based on the law despite saying it had 'reasonable certainty that the substances do not harm under the intended conditions of use'.

The petition has now closed to public comment, with a response from the FDA expected within 90 days.

As part of the process, the FDA will review data in the petition to ensure it agrees with the findings.

If so, it could then amend its regulations to no longer allow the use of methylene chloride in the manufacture of decaf.

In 2018  when the agency outlawed seven food additives following a petition  manufacturers were given 24 months to update their recipes.

The FDA said at the time: 'Although we are amending our food additive regulations for these synthetic flavoring substances in accordance with the Delaney Clause, the FDA's rigorous scientific analysis has determined that they do not pose a risk to public health under the conditions of their intended use.'

'The synthetic flavoring substances that are the subject of this petition are typically used in foods available in the US marketplace in very small amounts and their use results in very low levels of exposures and low risk.'

There are alternative methods to decaffeinate coffee, including washing beans using steam  termed the Swiss method.

But manufacturers insist this process is much more expensive and less effective than the method using the chemical  called the European method.

Bill Murray, the president of the National Coffee Association, told DailyMail.com: 'Decaf would certainly be in short supply if baseless bans are pushed through at federal and state levels.

'The majority of decaf is made using the European Method [using methyl chloride] and has been for more than 50 years.

'Unjustified bans would, in fact, deprive decaf drinkers of the significant health benefits evidence shows are associated with drinking coffee  European decaf method included.'

Several studies have linked exposure to the chemical in rodents to cancers, with papers going back to 1986 showing exposure to methylene chloride in the air led to tumors in the lungs and liver.

The EPA said in 2016 that animal studies have also shown increases in tumors in breasts following inhalation of the chemical.

A further assessment from the agency in 2022 said the chemical could cause nervous system and developmental problems.

There have also been studies in humans linking the chemical to cancers.

A meta-analysis published in 2013 involving more than 3,000 adults found participants had a higher risk of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, following exposure to the chemical.

Participants were adults who manufactured camera film  which contains the chemical  and were exposed to about 20 to 40ppm regularly via breathing in contaminated air.

A separate meta-analysis published in 2011 also pointed to a potential link between the chemical and brain, breast and liver cancer.

California is also considering its own separate ban on decaf coffee made using methylene chloride.

The EPA has previously banned the chemical from use in paint strippers as well, because of concerns over its effects on health.

It comes after California also became the first state in the US to ban four candy chemicals linked to cancers and hyperactivity in cancer.

The move has set off a chain reaction, with other states  including Illinois and Pennsylvania  considering a similar move.

The FDA has also announced that it will consider banning brominated vegetable oil, included in the California law, amid concerns over its impact on people's health.

DailyMail.com has approached the FDA for comment.
Police have ruled the deaths of an El Paso family of four a murder-suicide after police were dispatched to a house fire on March 8 on the 4400 block of Wrangler Run.

They found the charred remains of the Pescador family upon arrival- Alfredo, 44, Blanca, 40, Leslie, 19, and Freddy Pescador,13.

Alfredo Pescador's sister explained she found out about their deaths over the weekend, and immediately drove from El Paso when she heard.

"My brother was a good father and family man," Alfredo Pescandor's sister said in a statement at the time. "His wife was also a beautiful person and always put her children first. Just an overall loving family. I miss them dearly."

"It's a great loss," said East Central ISD teacher Elaine Juarez, who taught one of the younger victims.

Juarez says she taught a criminal justice pathway course taken by the 19-year-old Pescandor son, who is described as an honor student who recently enrolled in college.

"On our competitions out of town we got close," Juarez said through tears. "We bonded. Her fellow students that would practice with her every week miss her very much. She was just a great person to everybody."

Investigators suspected the fire was intentionally set from the beginning and eventually found evidence to back up that theory.

According to San Antonio police, Alfredo Pescador shot and killed his wife and their two kids before setting the home on fire and turning the gun on himself.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A first-time mother whose twins were astonishingly delivered three weeks apart  and at different hospitals  has told of her heartbreak after only one survived.

Kayleigh Doyle, from Manchester, was just 22-and-a-half weeks pregnant when her waters unexpectedly broke.

The 22-year-old spent five days under close observation at Royal Oldham Hospital before giving birth naturally.

Her son Arlo, however, did not survive.

Medics told Miss Doyle her second twin was expected 'in the next couple of hours', but were left baffled when her contractions stopped. They warned he would likely die.

Kayleigh Doyle, from Manchester, was just 22-and-a-half weeks pregnant when her waters unexpectedly broke. The 22-year-old spent five days under close observation at Royal Oldham Hospital before giving birth naturally. Pictured, Ms Doyle with her son Astro

Medics told Miss Doyle her second twin, Astro, was expected 'in the next couple of hours', but were left baffled when her contractions stopped. They warned he would likely die. Pictured, Astro now two-years-old

Incredibly, 22 days after Arlo's delivery, Astro was delivered via a C-section at the nearby St Mary's Hospital and survived against the odds. He weighed 2lbs, slightly less than a 1kg bag of sugar

After five days of no movement, Miss Doyle was sent home.

Incredibly, 22 days after Arlo's delivery, Astro was delivered via a C-section at the nearby St Mary's Hospital and survived against the odds. He weighed 2lbs, slightly less than a 1kg bag of sugar.

Miss Doyle, whose ordeal happened in 2021, now believes she claims the record for the longest time apart for twins to be born in England.

She said: 'After the trauma of giving birth to my first baby  I was gobsmacked when they said I could go home.

'To this day, I still can't find a woman in the UK who can beat 22 days.

'I was assigned a doctor by a different hospital, and we had daily check-ups between the two births.

WHAT IS PLACENTAL ABRUPTION? A placental abruption is when some, or all, of the placenta separates from the wall of the womb before a baby is born. It may lead to pregnancy complications. How serious these are will depend on how severe the abruption is and how far along the pregnancy is. Placental abruption increases the risk of a baby being born prematurely. It may also affect a baby's growth. In sever casesl, babies do not survive and may be stillborn. Placental abruption affects up to 1 in 100 pregnancies. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, stomach pain, contractions and lower back pain. Doctors do not always know why placental abruption occurred. But smoking, an abdomen injury and having high blood pressure raises the risk. Source: Tommy's Advertisement

'Every day that passed, he'd say he genuinely couldn't believe it.'

Miss Doyle added: 'When Astro arrived I couldn't believe he had survived all that time.'

Miss Doyle said she hadn't experienced any complications until she suffered labour pains on March 15.

'I was aware of all the risks that came with having twins,' she added. 'I even paid for private GP appointments because I was so worried about complications.

'When I hit 22-and-a-half weeks, literally, I was in bed and had the worst pain of my entire life.

'I wasn't sure what was going on, so I went to the toilet downstairs, and my waters broke.'

After delivering Arlo, who weighed just 1.1lb (0.5kg), doctors told Miss Doyle a blood clot in his placenta was the likely cause.

Such blockages can block the flow of blood being supplied to a foetus.

According to baby loss charity Tommy's, the risk of delivering prematurely spikes from seven to 57 per cent in pregnancies involving more than one foetus.

The chance of survival at 22 weeks  two weeks before the abortion time limit  stands at around just 10 per cent. Rates exceed 60 per cent at the 24-week mark.

The NHS says about one in eight pregnancies end in miscarriage, which is medically defined as the loss of pregnancy during the first 24 weeks.

Other estimates put this figure higher because many women in the very early stages of pregnancy may not realise they are expecting when a miscarriage occurs.

Stillbirths  when a baby is born dead after six months of being in the womb  occur in around one per 200 births in England.

Discussing Arlo, who was born on March 20, Miss Doyle said: 'He looked like a normal baby.

'They sat me down after I gave birth, and told me they weren't expecting "twin two" to survive and he'll probably be born in the next couple of hours.'

Under medical guidance, if contractions stop after the first birth, hormones are often added to a drip to restart them.

Case reports, however, have shown that medics on rare occasions will let the second foetus continue to gestate in the womb, if the first-delivered is extremely premature.

It is recommended that women should rest for the remainder of their pregnancy.

On April 11, medics discovered she had suffered a placental abruption  a rare, serious complication in which the placenta separates from the lining of the womb. They recommended delivering Astro (pictured) through a C-section

Two weeks later Miss Doyle and Astro, now two, were discharged and she held a funeral for Arlo. Since the ordeal she channeled her grief into supporting others and has now trained as a natal intensive care unit (NICU) volunteer

By March 25, Astro had still not arrived and medics discharged Miss Doyle.

She added: 'I started making appointments with another doctor at St Mary's Hospital and he couldn't believe how long the gap was beginning to get.

'I think we all just went into survival mode.

'But I still found it really triggering whenever one of my doctors would ask me where "twin one" is.

'We'd bought double everything for the babies  two cots, a pram with two seats. It was hard seeing the twin mums I followed on TikTok recording all their milestones.'

Then on April 11, medics discovered she had suffered a placental abruption  a rare, serious complication in which the placenta separates from the lining of the womb.

They recommended delivering Astro through a C-section.

He was born with a hole in his heart and sight problems.

Two weeks later Miss Doyle and Astro, now two, were discharged and she held a funeral for Arlo.

Since the ordeal she channeled her grief into supporting others and has now trained as a natal intensive care unit (NICU) volunteer.

Miss Doyle said: 'I heard an NICU charity was looking for volunteers in Manchester - looking for people to do stay-and-play sessions, and going to the cot side of premature babies.

Vicky Green (pictured), from Manchester, is thought to currently hold the record for the longest time apart for twins to be born in England. She gave birth first to Presley (pictured right), who weighed just 1lb 8oz, when she was 26 weeks pregnant and then Paisley (pictured left) 12 days later

'I went through a year of training and you've got to have had a premature baby to do it.

'I know what it's like to feel in-the-dark about it  especially with the gap in between the two babies.

'But I honestly can't think of anything more rewarding. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.'

Vicky Green, from Manchester, is thought to currently hold the record for the longest time apart for twins to be born in England.

In 2018, she gave birth first to Presley who weighed just 1lb 8oz, when she was just 26 weeks pregnant.

After her labour stopped, she delivered Paisley by caesarean 12 days later again at St Mary's Hospital. She weighed 2lb 8oz.

The twins stayed in hospital while they grew stronger and at five months were allowed home.

The world record  twins born 90 days apart  was set in Baltimore in US in 1996.
READ MORE: CDC issues warning against nasal rinsing with tap water

Health officials have warned doctors to be on the lookout for a rare bacterial infection that kills one in six sufferers.

The CDC issued an alert Thursday to doctors about increased cases of a type of meningitis-causing strain that is rising rapidly in the US.

The agency found that there have already been 143 infections caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis subgroup Y ST-1466 - 80 percent more than this time last year.

This form is different than more common types in many ways - it's deadlier, causes different symptoms and is striking much older patients than usual.

The CDC issued an alert Thursday to doctors about increased cases of a form of invasive meningococcal disease, which is caused a strain of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis known as ST-1466

Last year, 422 illnesses from Neisseria meningitidis were reported in the US, the highest since 2014. And in 2024 alone, 143 cases have been identified - 80 percent more than this time last year

The increasing strain leads to blood infections and stiff or achy joints. Typical symptoms of meningitis infections usually include fever, headache and a stiff neck.

The new cases are also unusual because they are striking middle-aged adults - typically, the infections strike babies or adolescents and young adults.

The CDC is concerned that cases may be overlooked because they don't fit the typical patient.

The agency warned that symptoms can escalate within hours, and quick treatment with antibiotics is essential.

Usually meningitis infections kill around 10 percent pf patients - but the increasing strain has killed around one in six.

Neisseria meningitidis can be spread from person to person through saliva and respiratory secretions, such as from kissing, coughing, sneezing, or living in close contact with others who are infected.

Last year, 422 illnesses from Neisseria meningitidis were reported in the US, the highest since 2014.

There are four subgroups of meningococcal bacteria that circulate in the US: B, C, W, and Y. The CDC said that ST-1466 is in subgroup Y.

About 65 percent of cases have been in adults ages 30 to 60, the majority of whom were black (63 percent).

Another 15 percent were patients with HIV, which has been shown to increase the risk of meningococcal disease.

The CDC said that at least 17 patients have died.

Meningococcal disease typically manifests as meningitis, an inflammation of protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is responsible for about 150 to 300 deaths per year in the US.

However, the CDC urged doctors to look out for unusual symptoms, such as blood infections and joint pain.





There are also vaccines to protect against meningococcal disease which are usually given to children aged 11.

Protection fades, so a booster is typically given at age 16.

Officials also urge people with compromised immune systems, such as HIV, to get a booster every three to five years.

The CDC's alert comes after five people in Virginia died from this form of meningococcal disease in September.
READ MORE: Women on birth control are getting pregnant after taking Ozempic

A Florida woman with fertility issues has given birth after falling pregnant within two weeks of taking blockbuster weight loss medication.

Marcela Romero had struggled to conceive for three years when she considered starting in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Before starting her IVF journey she wanted to give herself the best possible chance at life so started taking Mounjaro - made by Eli Lilly - to lose weight and keep her blood sugar down.

Just two weeks after starting the medication, she discovered she was pregnant. She is now a mother to a seven-month-old baby girl.

'She's very happy, very smiley all the time,' Ms Romero told Good Morning America.

Ms Romero is one of a growing number of women in the US who have gotten pregnant while taking weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

Marcela Romero of Florida told Good Morning America that she got pregnant two weeks after starting Mounjaro, despite struggling with infertility for three years

Mounjaro, which is approved for type 2 diabetes , uses the active ingredient tirzepatide, which targets GLP-1 and the hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)

Experts have said that this could be due to the drugs, which mimic satiety hormones in the brain, correcting hormonal imbalances caused by obesity and metabolic disorders.

In turn, this could improve fertility odds.

Blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy use the active ingredient semaglutide to suppress appetite and trigger weight loss.

The drugs to the GLP-1 receptor, a protein that triggers hormones in the brain that keep the stomach full and tell the body to stop eating and avoid cravings.

Mounjaro, which is approved for type 2 diabetes, uses the active ingredient tirzepatide, which targets GLP-1 and the hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

More and more women are reporting getting pregnant on these medications.

A Facebook group called 'I got pregnant on Ozempic' has over 450 members, while people on Reddit threads and TikTokers share notes on how they unexpectedly fell pregnant while taking Ozempic.

'I got pregnant on Ozempic & was on the pill! Baby boy is due in June,' one person commented on a TikTok video.

'My surprise Ozempic baby is almost 4 months old and thankfully very healthy!' someone else said.

One TikToker revealed how she fell pregnant while taking Ozempic. She said she stopped taking it as soon as she realized

Anna Parker, 38, of Georgia, started taking Mounjaro to lose weight before IVF. Her doctor told her she could stay on it throughout the treatment

Deb Oliviara, 32, began her course of Ozempic the day after Thanksgiving to shift extra weight that had been making her feel down.

She was taking a birth control pill, though not consistently, but was not worried because had a history of fertility issues.

Two months after she started taking Ozempic, and the same week she reached her goal weight, Ms Oliviara found out she was pregnant.

'We were open to the idea, but definitely not trying,' she told USA Today.

'It was very much a surprise and the only pregnancy, aside from my first, that didnt come after a loss.'

It is Ms Oliviara's sixth pregnancy with only two living children, after she loss one baby in the first trimester, another in the second and had a stillbirth.

She is currently ten weeks pregnant and both mother and baby are healthy.

Anna Parker, 38, from Georgia, has struggled for four years to have a second child and is currently undergoing IVF, which involves an egg being removed from a woman's ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab.

Before starting fertility treatments, she started taking Mounjaro in January to lose weight.

'I spoke to my gynecologist, and she agreed that I could take it and hopefully quickly lose weight,' she told Good Morning America.

'So far I've lost about 12 pounds, and I'm really looking forwardf to hopefully making a smooth transition to implanting the baby.'

Ms Romero, a food and travel influencer, told The New York Times that she feared Mounjaro could have caused side effects. 'My first thought was, well this is great and everything, but do we know, are there any complications with pregnancy? Are there any defects kids are born with?' she said

Some research suggests that medications like Mounjaro could regulate hormones in the body linked to fertility, such as estrogen.

For example, the drug has been prescribed for polcystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects one in 10 American women of childbearing age, according to the US Office on Women's Health.

It causes the ovaries to produce excessive amounts of the male sex hormone androgen due to cysts forming along the outer edges of the organ.

This leads to irregular menstrual cycles, abnormal hair growth, acne, obesity, and thinning fair.

It has also been linked to infertility, as polycystic ovaries have a large number of harmless follicles up to 0.3in in size.

They are underdeveloped sacs where eggs grow, but the sacs cannot release the egg, meaning ovulation does not occur.

Dr Utsavi Shah, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology specializing in obesity medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told USA Today there is nothing in particular about the medications that is making people more fertile, other than the way they interact with birth control pills.

She said: 'Its their effect on weight loss thats helping regulate their menstrual cycles, thereby increasing their chances of getting pregnant.'

Fat cells release estrogen, meaning the more fat a person gains, the more estrogen they'll have.

Additional estrogen can halt regular menstruation and ovulation, which then makes it more difficult to become pregnant.

Studies carried out in test tubes have found that tirzepatide, Mounjaro and Zepbound's active ingredient, lessens the effectiveness of oral contraception such as birth control pills, according to the drugs' labels.

Mounjaro and Zepbound make the stomach take longer to clear out, which can impact how oral medications are absorbed in the body.

Semaglutide does not have as big of an effect on stomach emptying, so it does not contain any warnings about oral contraceptives.

Reproductive and obesity medicine experts said they are seeing the trend of women getting pregnant after taking drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic, but warned that women should not use weight loss drugs to try and get pregnant.

Research done on rats, rabbits and monkeys, for example, shows that the weight loss medications can result in miscarriage and birth defects if taken while pregnant. No studies have been done on humans.

Women should stop taking the weight loss drugs at least two months before a planned pregnancy, Ozempic's drugmaker Novo Nordisk recommends.

Dr Allison Rodgers, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois, told USA Today: 'Its true that, from a scientific perspective, these medications may make it easier for people to get pregnant.

'But people need to be careful because there could be dangerous consequences if taken while pregnant given the drugs can linger in your system.'

Though Ms Romero's daughter was born healthy, she told The New York Times that she feared Mounjaro could have caused side effects.

'My first thought was, well this is great and everything, but do we know, are there any complications with pregnancy? Are there any defects kids are born with?' she said.

'Of course there's no information because it's so new.'
For me, as a neurosurgeon and a research scientist, dreams hold a particular fascination. Having spent my life immersed in the brain, I am not only infatuated by its infinite complexity but captivated to the point of obsession by what remains one of its greatest and most mysterious features  dreaming.

The source of dreams is the same as all mental activity, waves of electricity moving across the brain every moment were alive. Dreams are a product of normal brain function, and an extraordinary transformation that occurs in the brain each night when we sleep, following the circadian rhythms  the day-night cycles  that biologically govern all life.

Each night, our brains and bodies follow a repeating 90-minute cycle of light sleep followed by deep sleep, where the brainwaves are slow and rhythmic. The eyes start rolling under their lids and most of the muscles in the body become paralysed. When the eyes are fluttering under the eyelids, this is known as rapid eye movement or REM sleep.

REM sleep and dreaming are often described as synonymous, but this is inaccurate. We can dream in all stages of sleep. Dreaming is even possible without REM. But REM sleep is when the most intense and bizarre dreams occur.

Theres one way in which the dreaming life of men and women align - almost all of us cheat in our dreams

Dreams change as the night progresses. Early-night dreams tend to include more elements from our waking life. Dreams at the end of the night are more likely to be emotional and incorporate older autobiographical memories, and its these dreams just before we wake up that were most likely to remember.

The tenor of our dreams shifts, too. Dreams are more negative at the beginning of the night and become more positive as the night goes on.

Dreams affect us deeply because we experience them as real. The joy we experience in dreams is no different physiologically from waking joy, and so is the terror, frustration, sexual excitement, anger, and fear.

Run in our dreams and the motor cortex is activated, the same part of your brain that youd use if you were actually running. Feel a lovers touch in your dream, and the sensory cortex is stimulated, just as it would in your waking hours.

When were dreaming, the imagination is unfettered, free to find loose associations and connections in our memories

If were sleep deprived, the first thing we catch up on is dreaming. If weve had enough sleep but are dream deprived, we will immediately start dreaming as soon as we fall asleep. There is much focus these days on the need for sleep to be healthy, but it may be that its not the sleep we really need, but the dreams.

Erotic dreams are part of human nature. You couldnt stop them if you wanted to. Menopause does not extinguish them, nor does chemical castration. It doesnt matter whether you are sexually active, celibate, married, or single. Erotic dreams are universal.

In surveys, sexual dreams were reported by 90 per cent of Brits, 87 per cent of Germans, 77 per cent of Canadians, 70 per cent of Chinese, 68 per cent of Japanese, and 66 per cent of Americans. An estimated one in 12 of all dreams contains sexual imagery, the commonest being, in order, kissing, intercourse, sensual embrace, oral sex and masturbation.

They can leave us flushed with pleasure or filled with jealousy. They are often unsettling. What does it mean to have a sexual dream about an ex? What if your partner has an erotic dream about someone else? Do they reveal anything about our true desires?

Single men have a higher frequency of erotic dreams compared to men in stable partnerships. On the other hand, women report more sexual dreams when they miss their partners or at the height of a love affair, while men report no similar surge in erotic dreams in those scenarios.

But theres one way in which the dreaming life of men and women align  almost all of us cheat in our dreams.

What should we make of this? As creators of our dreams, we select the cast of our nocturnal dramas, the stage, and the action. The dreams we conjure are our own sensual productions. Wouldnt a dream where we cheat on a partner be a sign we are looking to be unfaithful, or at least open to it? Surely an erotic dream is our libido unfiltered and unleashed. If not, then what could it possibly be?

All dreams are the product of the Imagination Network in our brains, unbound by the rules and logic of our waking life. When were dreaming, the imagination is unfettered, free to find loose associations and connections in our memories. It can lead us to think about the people in our lives in surprising, disturbing and even erotic ways.

Because the logical Executive Network in our brains is shut down during dreaming, we cant stop these erotic flights of fancy before they take off. They are also free from judgment  even our own.

In erotic dreams we are liberated to imagine sexual encounters that would be taboo or inconceivable in our waking lives. They will probably not involve our current partner. Instead, we have much more of an inclination toward bisexuality and novel sexual interactions generally.

So, what do erotic dreams really mean? Researchers have conducted surveys on sexual activity, asking how happy people are in their romantic relationships, whether they have jealous personalities and how these personal characteristics impact on their dreams. They tried to provoke erotic dreams by asking participants to watch pornography.

Erotic dreams are part of human nature. You couldnt stop them if you wanted to

What they found was surprising. Erotic dreams are not tied to how much sex you are having in your waking life, nor to whether you masturbate. They are not even connected to how much pornography you consume. The best predictor of erotic dreaming seems to be how much of our waking life we spend day-dreaming about erotic fantasies. This makes us more open to erotic dreams at night.

However, theres one very important difference between daytime fantasies and erotic dreams. When were fantasising during the day, these erotic thoughts are reined in by the rational part of our brain, the Executive Network, which constrains sexual desires. This moderating influence is gone when we dream, allowing our erotic dreams to be wildly creative and exploratory.

From this I conclude that erotic dreams are more like thought experiments than a sign of the type of latent desires that Freud wrote about. We can switch genders or become bisexual, even if it never crosses our minds during the day or in our most liberated fantasy.

Erotic dreams are undeniably deeply pleasurable. In a survey of university students in China, they responded overwhelmingly to the following statements:

I hope to immerse myself in a sexual dream and never wake up.

I feel lucky to have sexual dreams.

I am sad after waking up from a sexual dream because I find it was just a dream.

How can it be that imagined sex carries such emotional, libidinal weight? These are, after all, solitary, imagined events outside of our conscious control. It seems implausible they could mean so much to us, but they do.

The answer is that erotic dreams have this kind of power because the brain is our most powerful sex organ.

Erotic dreams do more than reflect or release our emotions, imagination and libido. They can deliver the same intense pleasure as actual sex. They might even be better than the real thing.

In erotic dreams, the brain is not receiving any signals of touching or being touched. Erotic dreams occur in the brain alone. Even so, more than two-thirds of men and more than a third of women say theyve experienced orgasms simply as the result of a dream.

Consider what is happening in the brain during the physical act of sex. Sexual activity draws upon every bit of our central nervous system, which send signals to the brain during sex. The crucial thing is that the brain interprets them.

You can be touched in the same place, with the same pressure, in the same fashion, and your brain can neglect it as something insignificant. Or interpret it as a frisson or a caress.

In which case, it doesnt matter where youre touched. Touch can turn erotic anywhere on the body. The brain alone is what determines sexual significance, causes us to feel attraction (or not), our breathing to quicken (or not), our heart to race (or not), and for us to become aroused (or not).

In erotic dreams, however, the body is silent. The peripheral and autonomic nervous systems are not sending signals to the brain. During our most vivid dreams, our muscles for coordinated movement are essentially paralysed below the neck. The brain is not reacting to any signals from the body but acting out its own imagination.

As erotic dreams show us, the brain doesnt need the rest of the body at all. It can create its own stage, characters, and action. The mind is its own erogenous zone, and dreams can pursue the pleasures of the flesh without any flesh other than the brain itself.

If this all sounds impossible, think about other aspects of how we perceive and respond to the world. Consider sight, for example. The lens and cornea work together to focus light on the retina at the back of the eye but it is the brain that processes what is seen into a single, clear view of the world. Without the brain, we do not see.

Erotic dreams are the same. With no sensory inputs at all, the brain creates and perceives full-bodied pleasure. Sex and other erotic pleasures we experience in our dreams are not felt any differently because, as far as the brain is concerned, there is no difference. The brain does not experience real orgasms or fake ones; to the brain, they are all real.

And since our unrestrained emotional system when were dreaming can exceed levels we reach in waking life, its reasonable to conclude a dream orgasm can take us to heights waking sex cannot.

READ MORE: What happened when I confronted my husband for cheating... and the realisation it was all my fault Advertisement

What then do erotic dreams reveal about our relationships? The science suggests that dreams of infidelity are unlikely to be a signal we want to be unfaithful. They are much more likely to be the brains Imagination Network in action. Cheating on a partner in a dream may simply be a sign of curiosity and normal sexual arousal, rather than a desire to stray from the relationship.

Nor are dreams where we explore a different sexual orientation a sign of a secret or repressed desire. This, too, appears to be more curiosity, libido, and imagination at play.

Even so, erotic dreams have plenty to tell us about both the health of our current romantic relationships and how well we have got over former romantic partners, but perhaps not in the way we may expect.

Erotic dreams can elicit strong feelings of desire, jealousy, love, sadness, or joy powerful enough to affect how we feel about our partner the next day. Just like the sensations in the dream, the brain perceives the emotions as real. Researchers have found conflict with a partner in a dream tends to result in conflict the following day.

In unhealthy relationships, infidelity dreams are associated with decreased feelings of love and intimacy in the days that follow. In healthy relationships, infidelity dreams dont have much of an effect at all.

How we feel about a partner during our waking hours can also affect our dreams. Feelings of jealousy during the day can produce dreams of infidelity, which in turn affect a dreamers behaviour toward their partner. In these cases, dreams and reality appear to feed on each other in a negative loop.

Its likely that negative emotions in an erotic dream about a partner could serve as an important signal of how you feel about that person. But the emotions associated with erotic dreams are far more important than the dream narrative itself.

If you or your partner have a dream of being unfaithful, this is not a sign of anyones true desires. Even though you may wake up unsettled or upset, remember that dreams are designed to make us think divergently, including about our sex lives. What really counts is not our erotic dream narrative or our partners but how we react to these dreams.

Ex-partners can and do show up in dreams long after they have ceased being a part of our lives. While dreams of current partners often involve doing something together, dreams of ex-partners are more likely to be erotic.

You may be tempted to conclude this means were longing for an ex. But based on a number of studies, the opposite is usually true. These dreams appear to be helping us to get over our former partners. They may simply be a way of processing the emotions of a break-up.

There may, though, be a much more fundamental purpose to erotic dreams  as a way our brains have evolved to prepare and protect humanity for procreation.

My belief is that erotic dreams are a cognitive platform on which sexual fluidity and ingenuity are created, wildcards that could help our species to survive by giving us a plasticity and flexibility of desire so we have the means to reproduce ourselves even in the most extreme circumstances.

If, say, half our tribe was wiped out by disease, erotic dreams like these could have readied our ancestors for new engagements and entanglements within our tribe. This may also help explain why erotic dreams tend to stick close to home. The characters in our erotic dreams are rarely inventive but the interactions often are.

In this way, erotic dreams are more than our true desires: They are the embodiment of desire itself. They prime us for sexual exploration and a breadth of sexual impulses. This makes sense when we remember the essential biological imperative of life is to survive long enough to reproduce.

Our brains have developed so they are highly tuned to erotic thinking. Fantasy, erotic dreaming  and ultimately our sexuality  arose from the essential drive to procreate.

Adapted from This Is Why You Dream by Rahul Jandial (Cornerstone, 18.99).  Rahul Jandial 2024. To order a copy for 17.09 (offer valid to 11/05/24; UK P&P valid on orders over 25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.

Why so many dream of sleeping with Halle Berry

In dreams, we are free to be with anyone we want. Given this freedom, whom do we desire? This may surprise you, but we dont conjure the ideal sexual mate to participate in our erotic dreams, some idealised chimera blending desirable characteristics into the ultimate fantasy.

We typically imagine someone closer to home, often someone prosaic - possibly even repellent - from our waking life. Thats why erotic dreams tend to involve someone familiar: ex-partners, our bosses and co-workers, friends and neighbours, even family members when were younger.

Four out of five erotic dreams involve someone well-known to the dreamer, and these erotic encounters generally occur in a familiar place.

Scientific research has discovered that we have individual neurons in our brains dedicated to people and places most familiar to us. This can include famous people such as Halle Berry

Erotic dreams can also involve celebrities and other public or historical figures  for which we have something dubbed the Halle Berry neuron to thank. Scientific research has discovered that we have individual neurons in our brains dedicated to people and places most familiar to us. This includes famous people and places.

At Leicester University, a study of the brains of patients suffering epileptic seizures identified individual neurons that responded selectively to pictures of celebrities. One patient reacted to pictures of American actor Halle Berry; another patient had a similar response to Jennifer Aniston.

This is because celebrities have literally taken root in our neural architecture, as familiar to us as a long-time friend. Erotic dreams of sex with celebrities constitute dreaming of people we know.

What happens when we dream

To experience the wild, visual narratives of dreams, three things have to happen. The first is that the body becomes paralysed. Neurotransmitters switch off the motor neurons that activate our muscles, locking down the body and allowing us to dream safely. Otherwise, we would be acting out our dreams.

Unable to move, we are a captive audience, safely locked into the theatre of our dreams for a show weve created for an audience of one.

If you shine a bright light into a dreamers eyes, they are blind to it. When we dream, the brain is alive with electrical activity, even though it is largely shut off from the world around us. Its like a film playing in a dark cinema, a film in which we are more leading actors than directors.

The second prerequisite for dreaming is that the brains Executive Network  the structures responsible for logic, order, and reality testing - must turn off, enabling us to ignore the normal rules of time, space and reason and allowing us to accept our dreams improbable plots unquestioningly. This gives dreams both their power and their unique character.

The third thing that has to happen when we dream is that we activate widely those dispersed and disparate parts of the brain collectively called the Imagination Network. This creates something from nothing, fashioning stories from thin air, allowing us to see without receiving visual information from the outside world.

Free-flowing stories are created from nothing and yet are imbued with meaning. In our dreams, we produce compelling narratives from distant memories, recent and planned events, emotions, snippets of things weve seen online or read in a book, and other bits and pieces from our lives that we stitch together into a story.

Little is off limits as our dream selves act and react and the unfettered nature of dreaming is able to take us to places when were asleep that are impossible in our waking life. Its quite a production. We may respond in ways that are different from our waking self. We may be stronger or weaker, more assertive or more passive.

Yet, as wild and untamed as dreams are, with implausible situations and irrational jumps in time and place, there are limits. Even dreams have rules. As magical as dreaming seems to be, dreams hew to certain boundaries, existing within the framework of their neurobiological origins.

For example, you are unlikely to dream of a mobile phone riding a horse, and its extremely rare for objects to turn into people in our dreams, or for people to transform into animals.

When objects turn into other objects, they are likely to turn into something similar. A car turns into a bike, a house into a castle. Jumps follow the semantic maps in our memory, tending to stay in the same clusters. As far as we can tell, this is the way dreams have been for as long as humans have been recording them.

Which is why, despite massive changes in the way we live, the content of dreams has changed little through the ages. Many common dreams today are no different from those dreamed in Egypt in the time of the pharaohs or Rome in the time of Caesar.

Sleep disorders recorded in China more than 1,800 years ago include dream flying, dream falling, and night terrors. Sound familiar?

Dreams are also remarkably similar all over the world, regardless of where we live, what language we speak, our wealth or standing. A recent survey of Chinese students listed their five commonest dreams as: 1. Teachers; 2. Being chased; 3. Falling; 4. Arriving too late (eg, missing a train); 5. Failing an examination. For German students, it was virtually the same.

Given this continuity of dreams across time and place, it seems reasonable to conclude that the characteristics and contents of dreams are baked into our DNA, a function of our neurobiology and evolution, largely immune from differences in culture, geography, and language.
CLASSIFIED! THE ADVENTURES OF A MOLEHUNTE R

By Nigel West

(Biteback Publishing

25, 384pp)

Was the ultimate success of D-Day due, in large part, to a single man? A man whose real identity was unknown until the 1980s  and, even today, is hardly a household name?

It sounds just a bit too much like a hokey Hollywood movie to be true. And yet, this is the suggestion of the brilliant, even obsessive, molehunter and tracker of spies, Nigel West  a pseudonym for Rupert Allason, Conservative MP under Mrs Thatcher and John Major  in this book about his investigations into espionage over the past 50 years.

Consider the evidence. Surely the most important day in recent military history was June 6, 1944  D-Day  when the Allies finally landed in France, and began to push back against the Nazis from the beaches of Normandy. It was truly a race against time. Had these landings failed, another attempt that summer was deemed impossible, the element of surprise would have been lost and the war would have dragged on at least another two years.

By that time Hitler could well have perfected weaponry such as the Me262 jet fighter, the Henschel guided missile, and perhaps a dirty uranium warhead for the V-2 ballistic missile, says West, which might have changed the war completely.

Double agent Juan Pujol Garcia, codename Garbo, pictured outside Buckingham Palace on a visit to London

As the Duke of Wellington is alleged to have said about the Battle of Waterloo, D-Day was a damn close run thing.

Yet for all the dogged courage of the soldiers on the ground, the brilliance of the military planning, the engineering marvels such as floating Mulberry harbours and the technical genius of men like Alan Turing who cracked the Enigma code, there was another, more hidden force at work which helped to make D-Day  eventually, after months of hard and bloody fighting  a success: the work of military intelligence, especially in feeding the Germans fake information. The most crucial lie being that the Allies would try to invade the Pas-de-Calais, not Normandy.

To convince them of this, Germanys own spies were informed of mass troop build-ups in Kent, and warned that every other apparent Allied plan was a red herring: the opposite of the truth.

Even farm machinery in the South-East was converted so as to leave what looked like tank tracks for the Luftwaffe reconnaissance pilots to photograph.

It was a deadly, bewildering game of truth and lies, bluff and double-bluff, and a certain double agent called Garbo shouldered the lions share of the deception campaign.

Even a month after D-Day, German High Command still so trusted Garbos assurances that a second Allied attack might yet be launched near Calais, that valuable German regiments were directed there instead of Normandy. Brilliant!

But who was this agent with bags of chutzpah and nerves of steel? The official narrative claimed that Garbo died in Angola in 1949. But after much chasing, in 1984 West finally tracked down an elderly Spaniard called Juan Pujol Garcia, then living in Caracas in Venezuela, who admitted to being the brilliant double agent.

In June that year, Garcia visited the Normandy beaches in what must have been an emotional journey. He died in 1988.

Remarkably, when he first approached the British embassy with his offer to spy for them, Garcia was turned down. It was only when he ingratiated himself with the Germans that the British took up his offer to be a double agent.

There are many other fascinating tales here, from this shadowy world we know so well from the novels of John le Carre. Indeed, West even confronted the master of the espionage novel himself with his own secrets  something which Le Carre did not appreciate.

Royal Marines storm the beaches in June 1944. Forty years later, in June 1984, Garcia visited Normandy in what must have been an emotional journey. He died in 1988

After much chasing, in 1984 West finally tracked down Garcia, who is pictured here as a young man

Le Carre worked for MI6 until the mid-1960s, and had a tempestuous affair in Germany with the wife of an MI5 officer, which made him distinctly unpopular. But he actually started spying for MI5 as early as 1952  on his fellow students at Oxford.

Granted, many may have been naively Communist or pro-Soviet in sympathy, in their tweedy privileged way, but it must take a particular temperament to spy and report on ones fellow students and friends to cold officialdom. No wonder Le Carres novels are so haunted by various kinds of betrayal.

Many agents here, far from being the unobtrusive, George Smiley grey man, are positively flamboyant. Take Ronnie Seth, for instance, ominously codenamed Blunderhead by the Special Operations Executive. He parachuted into occupied Europe in 1942, was captured by the Gestapo, narrowly escaped execution and finally reappeared in Paris in 1944  wearing a Luftwaffe uniform! He later went into business selling his patented penis enlarger by mail order.

And what spy novelist in his wildest imaginings could have dreamed up a committed Soviet spy who ended up knighted and working as the Surveyor of the Queens Pictures? Im referring to Anthony Blunt, of course.

I felt almost physically unwell at his cold-blooded attitude to his treachery, writes West, which as he admitted had resulted in the death of at least one British source in Moscow.

Most bizarre of all, a top secret bunker to which the British wartime government could be safe from any amount of aerial bombing, turns out to be a rather hideous windowless building in Dollis Hill, in North-West London, that is still standing. Literally bomb-proof, demolishing it would be too expensive!

Finally, savour the moment in 1990, in the heady days of post-Soviet perestroika, when the historian John Costello boldly flew to Moscow, marched up to the old KGB headquarters in Dzerzhinsky Square, knocked on the door and asked to have a look through all the old KGB archives. Sure, they said in as many words. Come right on in.

Im not sure this would be quite so easy today.
Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money's specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence

Investors could get a boost of up to 2,000 for transferring a big Isa pot before the end of the tax year, while others can pick up free shares for opening accounts.

Fidelity is running an Isa transfer cashback deal with between 200 and 2,000 for investors who transfer an Isa, pension or investment account to its platform before 1 April 2024.

Trading 212 has a special offer for This is Money readers who can get a free fractional share worth up to 100 after signing up and depositing as little as 1.

Meanwhile, Freetrade is also running a free share offer for investors who transfer an Isa or Sipp to the platform. Investors could get up to 2,100 with the deal.

Rival giants Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive investor both ran bumper cashback deals earlier this year, worth up to 5,000, but these have now ended.

Transfer boost: Investors could give their Isas a boost of up to 2,100 for transferring to providers Freetrade or Fidelity

How much cashback can you get with Fidelity's deal

Fidelity is offering a cashback deal to investors that's best for those moving big pots but it ends soon. Its Isa has a 0.35 per cent annual charge, with free fund dealing and share dealing at 7.50.

Investors transferring an Isa worth between 25,000 to 49,999 could receive 200 in cashback, while those transferring Isas worth 50,000 to 99,999 will receive 500. Investors transferring 100,000 to 249,999 will receive 1,000 in cashback.

If you transfer an Isa worth 250,000 to 749,999 you will receive 1,250 in cashback and those transferring 750,000 to 999,999 will receive 1,500 in cashback.

Transfers of 1million and over will receive the maximum cashback of 2,000.

The cash will be paid directly into your Fidelity cash management account within 90 days of the offer ending on 1 April 2024.

If your Isa transfer hasnt been completed by then, Fidelity will pay the cashback within 90 days after the completion of your last eligible transfer.

Fidelity cashback deal Transfer value Cashback amount 25,000 - 49,999 200 50,000 - 99,999 500 100,000 - 249,999 1,000 250,000 - 749,999 1,250 750,000 - 999,999 1,500 1million+ 2,000

Trading 212's free fractional share and 1% cashback

Trading 212 offers investors a stocks and shares Isa with no account holding fee and no charge to buy or sell stocks.

Trading 212s special Isa offer gives investors 1 per cent cash back on all their deposits for the next tax year. This is worth a maximum 200 on a full 20,000 Isa allowance.

This is Money readers who open an Isa can also benefit from a special TiM exclusive Trading 212 deal where they will receive a free fractional share worth up to 100.

The investment platform pays customers 5.2 per cent interest on uninvested cash.

Want a cash Isa instead? Here are the top deals Those who prefer to save into a cash Isa aren't offered the same blockbuster deals to transfer as investors but they can get inflation-beating rates. Some savings platforms do offer sign-up bonuses though, which can effectively boost rates to beat best buys, such as Hargreaves Lansdown Active Savings 25 cashback offer. The top easy access and fixed rate cash Isas are paying more than 5 per cent, while inflation dipped at the last reading to 3.4 per cent. With easy access deals This is Money recommends that savers get a flexible Isa, which allows them to dip into their pot and then put the money back within the same tax year. With savings tax more of a threat due to the frozen personal savings allowance, this has become a very handy feature. Simon Lambert explains why a flexible Isa that accepts transfers can be a tax-beating essential. The top deal offering this is Zopa's 5.08 per cent paying cash Isa. Our savings expert Sylvia Morris reveals the cash Isas she recommends this year here. While our best cash Isa rates tables detail all the top deals and our Five of the best cash Isas round-up features our pick of the top accounts. Savers can also consider a savings platform

Freetrade's free share deal

Investors can earn up to 2,100 in free shares from investment app Freetrade* for transferring an Isa or Sipp to the platform before 5 April.

The amount they will get in free shares depends on the amount they transfer into a Freetrade Isa or Sipp.

The value starts at 100 in free shares for a 10,000 transfer, and goes up to 2,100 in free shares for a transfer of 500,000 or more.

Investors need to deposit at least 10,000 into a Freetrade Isa or Sipp to get the offer.

The way it works is that Freetrade will give investors a free share, or shares, worth the value of the award. These are set out in the table below.

Freetrade share offer Funding amount Free share value 10,000-19,999 100 20,000-39,999 200 40,000-79,999 400 80,000-159,999 800 160,000-249,999 1,200 250,000-499,999 1,800 500,000+ 2,100

The free shares will be put in a customer's general investment account rather than Isa or Sipp, as there are restrictions around crediting money or shares to tax wrappers.

Customers can sell the shares immediately and move the cash into their Isa or Sipp if they choose to.

New customers will need to download Freetrade's app and open either an Isa or Sipp account with an annual Standard or Plus subscription before they can get the offer.

Investors then need to top up their account or start a transfer for at least 10,000 into their Freetrade Isa or or Sipp on or before 5 April 2024.

If you make withdrawals or transfers out that cause the value of your Isa or Sipp transfer to fall before Freetrade awards the share, the value of your free share will be affected. If it falls below 10,000, you will not receive a free share.

The free share will land into your general investment account within 90 days.

Is it worth transferring for a cashback deal?

As with any big decision like transferring an Isa or pension, it is vital to do your due diligence.

Keep exit fees in mind. Your current pension provider may charge you exit fees if you look to leave or transfer your current pension. Fidelity will cover up to 500 if your current provider charges exit fees.

Fidelity does not charge a transfer fee if you decide to transfer to another provider after transferring to Fidelity, neither does Freetrade.

There is a caveat with Fidelity's deal. If you dont keep your investments in a Fidelity Isa for 18 months after you transfer them and jump ship to another provider, any cashback paid may be revoked.

Spread your Isa across banks ahead of new rules at Active Savings Savers will now be able to split their Isa allowance between different types of cash Isa and different providers. From today, Hargreaves Lansdown's cash platform Active Savings will allow savers to spread their Isa allowance across multiple banks, and easy-access, limited access and fixed rates. > Read more: Hargreaves Lansdown's savings platform's new Isa perk

Do also think about charges when it comes to your investment platform.

Fidelity share dealing has a flat 7.50 fee and this charge also applies to investment trusts and ETFs. There are no fund dealing charges for buying and selling.

Holding investment funds comes with a 0.35 per cent charge up to 250,000 and 0.20 per cent above that, falling to 0 per cent above 1million.

However, if you are investing small amounts the charging structure is slightly different.

Fidelity charges 7.50 per month (90 a year) for portfolios up to 25,000, or the 0.35 per cent rate applies if you have a regular savings scheme set up.

Freetrade has fee-free share dealing and offers a wide range of UK and US shares. It has some ETFs and some investment trusts, but nowhere near the range of the bigger platforms.

Freetrade's Basic plan for a general investment account has no charges, while its Standard plan for those who want an Isa and full range of stocks has a 4.99 per month fee and its Plus account is 9.99 per month, which investors need if they want a Sipp.

Some stocks, including many smaller companies, are only available on Freetrade Standard and above plans.

The Standard Plan gets customers 1 per cent interest on up to 2,000 of cash while the Plus plan gets them up to 5 per cent interest on up to 4,000. A foreign currency charge of 0.45 per cent applies for overseas stocks.

Annual charges are capped at 45 for holding shares, trusts and ETFs.

Trading 212 has no account fees and no charges to buy and sell but while deposits via bank transfer are free, those via cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay & other similar methods carry a 0.7 per cent charge above 2,000.

Bear in mind that it could take up to two months for the Isa transfer from your current provider to complete.

Once the transfer has begun, you won't be able to switch, top up, or sell the investments youre moving until the process is complete.
As the Easter bank holiday weekend rolls in, many of us will have plans which could require some last-minute shopping.

Whether you are buying the chocolate for the Easter egg hunt, getting a bottle of wine for a generous host, or grabbing some extra veg for your slap-up roast, the last thing you need is to be caught out by unusual opening hours.

While smaller shops can open whenever they like, even on Easter Sunday, stores over 280 square metres must obey different trading-hour requirements.

However, some exceptions could be in cases of railway, airport and service station stores.

To make sure you are not caught short, see the list of supermarket opening times below.

Big Tesco supermarkets will close on Easter Sunday in line with trading laws, as is the case for all supermarkets on this list

Asda have advised that on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday, most shops will open from 7am to 10pm, but some may open as early as 6am

While Aldi stores are mainly open as normal on Friday, they will be open for a reduced time on Monday

Supermarket Easter bank holiday weekend opening hours

Tesco

Many Tesco superstores will be open as early as normal on Good Friday, but those which usually open late will close earlier than normal, at 10pm.

Easter Saturday is unaffected for all stores on this list as no different trading rules apply.

All larger stores will then be closed on Easter Sunday, except in Scotland where they will remain open. Scottish stores will also close at normal times on Good Friday.

Some larger stores have also announced they will be operating on reduced hours, opening between 8am and 8pm on Easter Monday.

You can check your local store's specific times on Tesco's store locator.

Asda

Asda have advised that on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday, most shops will open from 7am to 10pm, but some may open as early as 6am.

They will be closed on Easter Sunday, except in Scotland where they will remain open.

Store times can be double-checked on Asda's store locator.

Aldi

Aldi supermarkets will be open as normal on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, opening from 8am to 10pm.

They will then be closed on Easter Sunday, before re-opening for a shortened 12 hours on Easter Monday from 8am to 8pm.

Shoppers can check their local Aldi opening times with their store finder.

Sainsbury's

Most Sainsbury's superstores will open from 7am to 10pm for the first half of the long weekend, but a few may open at 8am, or close at 11pm

Most Sainsbury's superstores will open from 7am to 10pm for the first half of the long weekend, but a few may open at 8am, or close at 11pm.

You can check you local Sainsbury's opening times on their store locator.

On Easter Sunday, all will be closed across the UK, besides Scotland.

Easter Monday will see the majority of shops open from 8am to 8pm and convenience 'Local' stores will open from 7am to 10pm.

Morrisons

Stores will be open on Good Friday from the usual 7am to 10pm.

All Morrisons supermarkets will be closed on Easter Sunday, except for those in Scotland where they will open as normal.

On Easter Monday, most outlets will be open form 7am to 8pm with some remaining open until 10pm.

Morrisons also have a store finder for customers to check if theirs is in that group.

Waitrose

Most Waitrose supermarkets will be open from 8am to 8pm on Good Friday, though these times will vary as some are set to close at 9pm.

Almost all Waitrose shops, including in Scotland, will be closed on Easter Sunday, with a few exceptions.

On Easter Monday, the majority will be open from 8am to 8pm, with some Little Waitrose stores opening from 6am to midnight.

Shoppers have been advised to check which of these different times their local store will operate under on the Waitrose store finder.

Lidl

Most Lidl stores will be open as usual on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, meaning opening from either 8am to 10pm or 7am to 9pm.

They will be closed on Easter Sunday and many will be open for reduced hours from 8am until 8pm on Monday.

However, this can vary, so you can use the Lidl store finder to check yours.

Co-op

With many Co-ops small enough to be exempt from the restrictions applying to their larger rivals, they can stay open as usual over the Easter weekend.

The few larger stores will still have to close - apart from in Scotland - on Easter Sunday, however.

Customers can verify whether their local is one of those open as usual with the Co-op store finder online.
Last week Donald Trump learned that he will stand trial on April 15 in the first of four criminal cases. And his supporters say they simply don't care whether or not he is convicted.

That is the result of a new Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll that found only five percent of his supporters would change their vote in November's election if were to be convicted before then.

Some 93 percent said they would still vote for the president.

Overall, the results of our poll of 1000 likely voters show Trump maintains his four-point lead over President Joe Biden despite his litany of legal woes.

If the election were tomorrow, 43 percent of respondents said they would vote for Trump, compared with 39 percent who said they would vote for Biden.

Only two percent of Trump supporters said they were very unlikely to vote for the former president if he were convicted of a crime before the election, in our poll of 1000 likely voters

Former President Donald Trump sat with a stony face in Manhattan criminal court on Monday morning. He was told he will go on trial on April 15, facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. His legal team had requested more time to prepare a defense

Pollster James Johnson, cofounder of J.L. Partners, said Trump was helped by the fact his likely first trialon charges related to hush money payments to a porn starwas seen as the most politically motivated of the four cases.

'Up until recently, polls tended to show Trumps vote diving when the possibility of him being convicted comes up. But in recent pollsand now oursthis has changed,' said Johnson.

'Here, 93 percent say they would stick with the president in such a scenario. This might alter if it actually happenspolling can't predict peoples responses if an event comes to passbut with the hush money case taking place first (the one that people feel is most likely to be a politically motivated charge), that only helps Donald Trump.

'So far in this race, indictments have only helped Trump. There are no signs yet that convictions are going to have a different effect.'

The four cases have kept Trump busy for months. He has limited his campaign travel to weekend rallies and instead delivered political speeches from courtroom steps or corridors.

His legal team has lodged multiple legal challenges to prosecutors in Georgia, New York and Florida. And at one point it seemed possible that voters would go to the polls on November 5 without any of the four cases being resolved.

But on Monday a judge in New York told Trump that his trial on charges of falsifying business records will begin in the middle of April.

It could be wrapped up before the end of May.

After leaving court, the former president railed against the prosecutions, claiming them to be a form of election of interference.

Trump has been in and out of court all year and has had to adjust his campaign, delivering political speeches from courtroom halls and holding rallies at weekends

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

The results show Donald Trump maintains his four-point lead over Joe Biden, with a little over seven months to the November 5 presidential election

But he also acknowledged how the New York case could actually help him.

'Well, it could also make me more popular,' he told reporters when asked if he was worried about how a conviction could affect the election, 'because the people know it's a scam.

'This is a Biden trial.'

Other polls have suggested that a conviction could cost Trump enough votes to change the outcome of the election.

An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll published in February found that Biden's one-point overall lead among registered voters extended to six points when respondents were asked for whether a conviction would change things.
Thames Water has been leaking raw sewage into a river in an idyllic Cotswolds village for 338 hours straight - and it is still spewing filth, MailOnline can reveal.

Locals fear untreated sewage pumped into Bledington Brook, near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire for two weeks is poisoning their dogs, killing bees and harming farmers' crops.

This comes after ministers yesterday warned 'arrogant' Thames Water bosses that taxpayers must not bail them out amid fears customers face a 40 per cent hike in bills.

Michael Gove said the firm must 'carry the can' for years of 'serial mismanagement' that left it 15billion in debt, after a bombshell report revealed water companies pumped record amounts of raw sewage into British rivers and seas last year.

Disgusted Bledington residents were not surprised Thames Water's own data showed the raw sewage at the site - less just 30 yards from a school playground - for two weeks, as they say the issue has been 'on and off' for about a year.

Does your village have a sewage leak? E-mail: Oliver.Price@mailonline.co.uk

Thames Water has been leaking raw sewage into a river in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Bledington for 338 hours straight (the water treatment station pictured)

'Disgusting': Ruth Gorton, assistant manager of the Kings Head pub on the village green

Locals fear the untreated sewage has been pumped in the brook in Bledington, near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire for two weeks is poisoning their dogs, killing bees and harming farmers' crops (pictured: the entrance to the sewage treatment site)

Thames Water said untreated discharges were 'unacceptable' but blamed high rainfall and groundwater conditions for the sewage spills.

But Environment Agency data shows the Bledington storm overflow spewed raw sewage 65 times over a total of 956 hours last year, meaning the ongoing two week leak is already more than a third of the total discharge time recorded last year.

The EA says the main cause of the high spill frequency at the sewage plant is due to issues with issue 'hydraulic capacity', effectively the amount of water flow the system can cope with.

Recent wet weather means the sewage spill from the company's Bledington Sewage Treatment Works was not visible yesterday due to flooding at the site, which is alongside a footpath near the village primary school.

Visitors to the charming community of about 500 people, complete with a shop, pub and post office, probably would not know about the sewage problem but locals are all too aware of it.

Ruth Gorton, assistant manager at the King's Head pub, said: 'It's really bad. Some villagers are testing the water.

'It's been going on for ages, on and off for the last year. Somebody's dog went into the river not far from here and got really ill.

'It's disgusting what they're doing. When they say they've got millions of pounds of profit, why aren't they doing something about it?'

She said that flooding was regular a problem in the village, causing drains to fill up, and that the smell of sewage mixed into the water could sometimes be smelled.

Bledlington in the Cotswolds, where the lengthy Thames Water leak is still continuing today

Manager of Bledington Community Shop and Cafe, Sarah Newton (pictured), said the sewage spill was 'horrible' and that she would not be letting her two dogs in the river anymore

Farmer Sophie Little said sewage discharge was an ongoing problem, with her farm suffering from a major incident a few months where 'tonnes' of waste water flooded the farm.

Mark Jarvis lives just a few hundred yards from the sewage treatment works

She said: 'We had tonnes and tonnes of it at the bottom of our farm. It killed all the bees. It's a nightmare.'

She added that she had an organic cider orchard but it had produced a 'pretty bad' crop that might have been due to the pollution.

'Thames Water told us that the Cotswolds is really bad for this. New houses get built but they don't put in the infrastructure,' she said.

The recent incident meant she had to move 100 sheep and left her with serious concerns about the quality of the water in the brook, which feeds into the River Evenlode.

She said: 'I would never swim in a river around here anymore. They're toxic.'

Bledington village green in Gloucestershire - the idyllic village which is suffering severe sewage overflows

The Bledington sewage treatment station which is spewing raw sewage into Bledington Brook

The leaking sewage treatment works are just 30 yards from Bledington Primary School

Bledington Primary School is jut a short walk away down a path from the sewage works

Sheep on the banks of the River Evenlode, next to the sewage treatment works which is currently spewing out untreated wastewater

Mark Jarvis, who lives just a few hundred yards from the sewage treatment works, said: 'It's disgusting. That (the long continuous leak) shouldn't be happening in this day and age.

'I've lived here all my life. I've never experienced this to that degree.'

Villagers said they prided themselves on caring for each other and fostering a strong community spirit.

Manager of Bledington Community Shop and Cafe, Sarah Newton, said the sewage spill was 'horrible'.

'I've got a Labrador but it won't be going in the river now,' she said.

Two villagers, who asked not to be named, said people were trying to work with various agencies, such as Thames Water and the Environment Agency, to solve the sewage discharge and flooding issues.

They said climate change and new housing development near to Bledington had contributed to the problem, with a key factor being that the sewage works in the village couldn't cope.

That was clear from regular discharges that Thames Water's own data had revealed had been taking place, they said.

The sewage is being dumped just five miles from Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm - and the other two nearby storm overflows are also leaking in the waterways, as of around 5pm on Thursday according to Thames Water's data.

Thames Water map shows ongoing (red) and recent (orange) sewage leaks in London and the Thames Valley as of around 5pm on March 28

A Lubetech branded 'spill response kit' situated at the Bledington water treatment station

A general view of Bledington village, which has suffered with untreated sewage spills

Environment Agency data shows the Bledington storm overflow spewed raw sewage 65 times over a total of 956 hours last year

A sign on Bledington village green which reads: 'NO PARKING ON THE GREEN - Thank You'

The beautiful Bledington village green is pictured here, the Kings Head Inn in the background

'Danger - Deep water and moving machinery. Keep out': The sign outside the sewage works

A Thames Water spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We regard any untreated discharges as unacceptable, and we're committed to stopping them from being necessary, with the assistance of our regulators.

'Storm discharges are closely linked to rainfall and groundwater conditions and our region experienced above average rainfall for most of 2023, which saw an increase in the frequency and duration of storm discharges from our sites compared to 2022.

'The overflows are designed to operate automatically when the sewer network is about to be overwhelmed which then releases diluted wastewater into rivers, rather than letting it back up into people's homes.

'We're currently increasing sewage treatment capacity at 250 of our sites across London and the Thames Valley. These upgrades will increase treatment capacity and reduce the need for overflows during wet weather.

'Taking action to improve the health of our rivers is a key focus for us and we are leading the way with our transparent approach to data. We remain the only company to provide live alerts for all untreated discharges and this "near real-time" data is available to customers as a map on our website and is also available through an open data platform for third parties, such as swimming and environmental groups to use.'
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

This is the moment hundreds of screaming children stormed a shopping centre and clashed with security.

Thames Valley Police in Milton Keynes issued a dispersal order following the 'antisocial' chaos before the Easter bank holiday.

Around 300 children, some of them in school uniform, were seen charging through a shopping centre before confronting security.

Footage of the mayhem showed a security guard 'bodyslam' a child to the floor before a crowd of youths encircled him.

Security guard and police had a stand-off with the youngsters before the crowd started pushing and shoving.

This is the moment hundreds of screaming children stormed a shopping centre and clashed with security

Footage of the mayhem showed a security guard 'bodyslam' a child to the floor before a crowd of youths encircled him

A crowd of youths surrounded security guards after one of the children was 'bodyslammed'

Security guard and police had a stand-off with the youngsters before the crowd started pushing and shoving

One of the yobs was later seen slouched on the floor surrounded by the shopping mall's security staff.

Thames Valley Police said: 'A dispersal order is in place in central Milton Keynes following an incident of antisocial behaviour involving around 300 children.

'The order is in place until midnight.'

The force added: 'Our officers continue to be out and about following the disorder earlier today.

'They will continue to be in the area this evening and we will be conducting high visibility patrols.'

It's not the first time schoolchildren have turned into violent mobs during the holidays.

In November, half term horror saw a gang of marauding kids running riot on shops on the Isle of Wight.

Thames Valley Police said: 'A dispersal order is in place in central Milton Keynes following an incident of antisocial behaviour involving around 300 children'

The force added: 'Our officers continue to be out and about following the disorder earlier today'

A group of up to 30 children terrorised second home owners by letting off fireworks in town centres, smashing children's Halloween pumpkins and ransacking shops.

Members of the public in Newport town centre were subjected to verbal and physical abuse, with some even having food chucked at them, according to police who warned the 'juvenile nuisances'.

The Isle of Wight Police said the chaos, which has seen school kids climb on roofs, force their way into properties and throw around stock from shops, was not just a 'holiday issue but sadly an ongoing daily occurrence' that officers are 'dealing with'.

The summer holidays have also seen children turn into raging yobs.

Rioting teens stormed an Aldi supermarket and wreaked havoc by throwing food and drinks on the floor and stealing other items in July 2019.

The crowd of youths rampaged through the store, in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday, damaging stock, fixtures and assaulting two members of staff.

CCTV footage showed the enormous group of teenagers rushing into the shop, before many leave with stolen items and others throw drinks and what appears to be a pot plant on the floor, sending soil scattering

CCTV footage showed the enormous group of teenagers rushing into the shop, before many leave with stolen items and others throw drinks and what appears to be a pot plant on the floor, sending soil scattering.

In a scene which was described by one viewer as being like something from a 'zombie horde' film, one girl can be seen amidst the carnage purposefully throwing a large yellow bottle at the window of the store.

Another male youth repeatedly kicks the side of the store before someone is seen gesturing with their arm through the window.

The marauding teens quickly dispense, leaving smashed bottles and produce strewn across the entrance.

Staff suffered minor injuries and the store was open for trading as normal on Wednesday and police at the time said they were probing the incident.
(Photo : Kansas City Police Department)

T'Montez Hurt, a 19-year-old student at Missouri Western University, last spoke to his grandmother, Tecona Donald-Sullivan, on Feb. 1.

A Missouri teen who vanished nearly two months ago may have consumed drugs that were "laced" prior to his disappearance, according to his grandmother.

T'Montez Hurt, a 19-year-old student at Missouri Western University, last spoke to his grandmother, Tecona Donald-Sullivan, on Feb. 1, during what she described as a distressing phone call at the home of a woman he had recently met.

"He just didn't sound like himself. He was rambling, not making sense. My grandson smokes marijuana," she told KSDK-TV. "I kept on hearing him ask the girl, 'What did you give me? What did you lace me with?' and I asked him who she was, and he just said, 'I don't know granny.'"

"I then sent him to a hospital because he was not himself," Donald-Sullivan recalled of her last conversation with her grandson.

Hurt reportedly went to the hospital, but was discharged a short time later. He was last captured on surveillance video trying to get inside a closed Kansas City Greyhound Bus Station.

"He hasn't been seen since," said Donald-Sullivan. "When I talked to the police, they told me traffic cameras in that area also caught him on video walking many blocks down the street. The police never let me see that traffic video because they said it was part of their investigation."

Now, nearly two months on, police are asking for the public's help in locating the missing college student.

"That's all I wanted in the beginning was to get him out there because Kansas City is very big," she said. "I don't know what it took for them to ask for the public's help, but I'm just glad they finally did, and I say thank you."

T'Montez is described as a Black male,approximately 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, with black and red hair, and brown eyes, according to police. He was last seen wearing a royal blue Price Chopper polo & green sweatpants. He has a tattoo on his right arm.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Kansas City police at 816-234-5043.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A man who is at the center of the Queens housing debacle is claiming he is the victim of a fraudulent business deal and will leave the property if he is paid for 'upgrades' he made to the residence.

Brian 'Jay' Rodriguez told the New York Post he is after an $18,000 to hand the house back to its rightful owner - Adele Andaloro - after his attempt to start a 'side hustle' went up in flames.

The housing saga that has garnered tabloid attention across the five boroughs began when Andaloro was dramatically handcuffed and led off the $1million property she inherited from her parents.

A handful of alleged squatters in the four-bedroom home then claimed they were legitimate residents of the property who had been paying rent to someone named 'Jay.'

Jay turned out to be Brian Rodriguez, who drives a Range Rover and just became the owner of a tiny Pomeranian named Larry.

Brian 'Jay' Rodriguez offered to leave the home along with his tenants, if Andaloro reimbursed him for work allegedly done on the house - an amount he says totals well over $18,000

The story began making headlines when, several days back, Andaloro entered her home, flanked by reporters, in an effort to regain control of her property

Rodriguez told the Post that he was scammed into 'renting' the home with a fake lease drawn up by a fraudulent realtor with whom he went into business in an attempt to cash in on what he thought was a city-run program that pays landlords $1,000 a month to take in illegal migrants.

But no such program exists.

Rodriguez, despite being scammed, wants Andaloro to pay him the $18,000 he put in on repairs for the plumbing, electric work, paint job, and cleaning of the house that he says he paid for.

'I told her that I cant just walk out; my money is there. I told her that she should let me figure it out or pay me my money. She was furious,' he told the outlet.

He maintains that if Andaloro pays him, he will immediately surrender the house, and even without the money, he will 'just give it back because it is the right thing to do,' but it might take him four-to-eight weeks to get all of his renters off the property.

'I feel horrible for being conned. That money is everything I have. Of course I feel bad for Ms. Adele,' he added.

'Now I got to pay for them to leave. need a month or two to get them out. I am ready to give the house back to Ms. Adele. Ill take the L on this one. The house really beat me up.'

In his telling of events, Rodriguez was scammed by a well-dressed man in a Flushing laundromat who he met last December and promptly agreed to go into business with on a house he could lease and rent out rooms in.

The man, 'Ronnie Ferg,' claimed to be a real estate broker and offered Rodriguez a lease for the four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,646 square foot home, to which Ferg had a key.

The property at the center of the dispute in Flushing, New York and is said to be worth about $1million

Andaloro was arrested for changing the locks, which is illegal under New York City's eviction law - she has promised to pursue legal action in court

Kevin Balletsy, who claims to have a lease for the basement, says he'll only leave when he gets his deposit back

One man, who is believed to be squatting in the home, walked past the property last week

Andaloro, whose parents left her the home, said she has no other options beyond the legal route

The lease was signed for an agreed upon $3,200 a month and Rodriguez subsequently began renting out rooms in the home.

'I rented the rooms to local people who need places to sleep. They work for Uber and Instacart and cant afford $2,000 a month for an apartment. Some pay $900; some pay $1,000,' he said.

When things went wrong in the house, leaky shower heads and the like, Rodriguez says Ferg instructed him to 'fix it myself because the owners are cheap.'

'He said he would make sure I got a break on my rent and told me to not pay February.'

He said he pumped somewhere in the region of $23,000 into the house and was surprised when, in late February, his tenants encountered a woman (Andaloro) who'd rocked up to the property, told them she owned it and wanted everybody out.

Rodriguez then called Ferg: 'He told me that she is probably a former tenant who wants to get back in the house. He told me to call the police.'

When the now-infamous encounter between Andaloro, the tenants, and the police took place, Rodriguez called Ferg again, who said; 'I told you what to do,' before his line went permanently dead.

Rodriguez says he attempted to stop authorities from cuffing Andaloro. 'Ms. Adele could attest to this,' he said.

At present, things between Andaloro, Rodriguez, and Ferg (who is nowhere to be found) have reached an impasse.

Rodriguez and his illegitimate tenants are not paying rent, but for the moment remain on the property as Andaloro continues to attempt to regain control of her house.

Andaloro has promised to take Rodriguez to court.
Racists have started using DEI as a put-down for any successful black person because they are too cowardly to use the N-word anymore, the Mayor of Baltimore has claimed.

Brandon Scott was elected to the city's top job in 2020 but has been routinely attacked by opponents online as a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) appointment, despite winning 70 percent of the vote.

The mayor, who has won plaudits for his handling of Tuesday's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, warned that the term is being weaponized by the far-right as just the latest racist euphemism.

'We know what they want to say but they don't have the courage to say the N-word,' he told Joy Reid on MSNBC's morning show.

'I know and you know that black men and young black men in particular have been the boogeymen and for those who are racist and think only straight wealthy white men should have a say in anything.'

X owner Elon Musk retweeted the spurious claim by one of his favorite far-right accounts helping it to 25 million views before undoing his retweet as the backlash gathered

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott was elected to his office with 70 per cent of the vote in 2020

DEI initiatives seek to increase the number of people from under-represented ethnic groups in the workforce.

But they have come under fire from states across the country who argue that they amount to reverse discrimination against better qualified candidates.

Some have labelled it an acronym for 'Didn't Earn It', but Mayor Scott said that in his case it stands for 'Duly Elected Incumbent'.

'The fact that I don't believe in their untrue and wrong ideology and the fact that I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from scares them,' he added.

'Because me being in my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life being comfortable while everyone else suffers is going to be at risk and they should be afraid because that is my purpose in life.'

One far-right account received 25 million views for a tweet labeling Scott 'Baltimore's DEI mayor' after it was retweeted by X owner Elon Musk.

'It's going to get so, so much worse. Prepare accordingly.' the poster wrote.

Musk later undid his retweet after a furious backlash from platform users, and a 'community note' was added, clarifying that: 'Brandon Scott was elected as Mayor of Baltimore in 2020 with > 70% of the vote. He did not come into office through any DEI practices, appointments, etc.'

Scott poses for a photo during the 2021 Preakness horse racing festival

National Transport Safety Bureau investigators were back on board the stricken Dali container ship on Wednesday as two more bodies were recovered in the search for the construction workers who were killed when the vessel collided on Tuesday

Scott told MSNBC host Joy Reid 'We have come a long way, and we have a long way to go'

Scott effectively won Baltimore's mayoral election in June 2020 when he secured the Democratic nomination for the role in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans ten to one.

He ran a campaign focused on youthful energy, progressive ideas and experience, and pledged to tackle longstanding challenges in the city such as gun violence and substance abuse.

A city councilman since 2011, he emerged victorious from a field that included more than 20 Democrats, including incumbent Mayor Bernard C. 'Jack' Young and former Mayor Sheila Dixon, leaving him at 36 one of the youngest city mayors in the US.

But during his term in office he has endured rape threats against his mother and graffiti on a city bus threatening to hang him.

His announcement last year that he was expecting a child with fiancee Hana Pugh prompted some to denounce him as 'just a thug', and creating 'one more Baltimore illegitimate black baby'.

The bridge tragedy which left six dead is thought to have unfolded when the 980 feet container ship suffered a 'complete blackout' as it approached the structure, leaving it impossible to steer.

But some Republicans laid blame for the bridge disaster at the door of DEI, including Utah state Rep Phil Lyman who suggested DEI considerations were behind the appointment Karenthia Barber, one of the Port of Baltimore's six commissioners.

'This is what happens when you have governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens,' gubernatorial candidate said in a post on X.

Prominent Republicans including Ron DeSantis, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have passed laws preventing state money being used on DEI initiatives with the Florida Governor branding them 'woke indoctrination'.

But some on the right leapt in to defend Scott against claims he is a beneficiary of the system.

'This is an ugly racist tweet,' posted former Republican congressman Joe Walsh.

Claims that Scott was a DEI appointment sparked a furious response online

'I have all sorts of problems with DEI ideology and DEI practice. But if these dumbasses are going to simply use DEI as a synonym for 'black' then count me out. This is so monstrously stupid and offensive, ' added Jonah Goldberg.

'Anyone who substitutes the word 'DEI' for 'Black' in order to engage in racist tropes is a racist,' tweeted New York Congressman Ritchie Torres.

'Anyone who substitutes the word 'Zionist' for 'Jew' in order to engage in anti-Semitic tropes is an anti-Semite.'

'Please be aware of why Black people cannot be convinced racism is a thing of the past. Exhibit 985,576,342' added Monique Pressley.
The mother of a man who desperately tried to save the lives of those killed in the Dreamworld raft disaster has been accused of stealing the majority of his $179,000 compensation payment.

Four people were killed as two rafts collided and partially flipped on the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the popular Gold Coast park on October 25, 2016.

Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi from Canberra, and Sydney mother-of-two Cindy Low, died after being thrown from the rafts into a mechanised conveyor.

Thomas William Hanson, who has since received a bravery award, was just 16 at the time and had visited the theme park with his family from Western Australia.

He'd boarded the ride just moments before the tragedy and sprang into action when disaster struck.

Mr Hanson was awarded a personal injury compensation settlement over the incident, a large part of which his mother, Michelle Lisa Hanson, is accused of stealing.

Michelle Lisa Hanson (pictured) is accused of stealing the majority of a compensation payout given to her son after he was involved in the Dreamworld raft disaster in 2016

Four people were killed as two rafts collided on the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the popular Gold Coast theme park on October 25, 2016

She was initially charged with fraud in May, 2021 before pleading not guilty. That charge has since been changed to stealing.

Her case has now been put down for a seven-day trial in Perth's District Court in March next year, with a mention set for January, the Courier Mail reported.

Ms Hanson's lawyers have said she intends to fight the charge.

Her son was this week handed a bravery award as part of the Group Bravery Citation from the Australian Governor-General.

Mr Hanson, now 24, had managed to grab a young baby off the raft in front of him and hand it back to his mother who'd been standing in the queue.

Kate Goodchild (pictured left) and her brother Luke Dorsett (right) were killed in the Dream World tragedy

He then jumped into the water to try and save the victims.

'I expected just to see people swimming in the water after being flung off the ride  not seeing the things that I did,' he told the ABC.

Mr Hanson has had to undergo years of therapy in the wake of the incident and says certain noises still trigger him.

'There's still one image  a constant image that keeps coming up,' he said.

One of the victims, Mr Dorsett, was also awarded a bravery award for his actions on the day.

'Mr Dorsett immediately placed his arm across his niece to prevent her falling from the raft,' the bravery citation said.

'Sadly however, Mr Dorsett fell from the raft himself, and tragically died at the scene after becoming caught in the ride.'

Roozbeh 'Roozi' Araghi, 38, (pictured) was killed when Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned in October 2016

Danny Haber was also recognised for his bravery. He was in line for a fun park ride when he heard screaming and ran towards the danger.

He credits a previous 21-year navy career for his response. 'We are trained to run to the noise as opposed to running away,' he told AAP.

It was a catastrophic sight that faced him, with bodies in the water and children screaming.

'We thought we were walking into the safest ride in one of the safest theme parks of the world and it turned out to be the scariest day of our life,' Mr Haber said.
Victoria's top prosecutor has refused to bow to pressure to appeal for a life sentence for the killer who stalked and murdered 23-year-old Celeste Manno.

Ms Manno's devastated family has campaigned for a life sentence for Luay Nader Sako, who earlier this month was given 30 years behind bars for breaking into Celeste's home in the middle of the night and murdering her while she slept.

But on Friday the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions refused to appeal the decision, leaving Ms Manno's mother to respond: 'I'm disgusted'.

'The state failed her then (for) not keeping her protected then. And now the courts decided to fail her all over again,' Aggie Di Mauro told Nine news.

'According to them, she did not deserve to get her justice through a life sentence for him.'

The decision comes after Ms Di Mauro and other family and supporters took to the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne last Sunday to rally in support for justice for Celeste.

Ms Manno was stabbed 23 times by Sako, an obsessed co-worker, who used a hammer to smash his way into her Mernda home in northeastern Melbourne in the early hours of November 16, 2020.

Luay Sako stabbed Celeste Manno 23 times in her own bed after obsessively stalking his co-worker, but Victoria's courts refuse to give him a life sentence

Sako had briefly worked with Ms Manno at a Serco call centre where she was team leader and had been kind to him when he was sacked for performance issues after only a few months.

He began harassing, stalking and professing his love for her, and despite Ms Manno turning him down romantically and taking out an intervention order, Sako sent 140 messages from various Instagram accounts over a 12-month period.

Four months before he killed her, Sako breached the intervention order and sent Ms Manno a three-and-a-half page letter which terrified her.

Sako was arrested but freed, buying a knife and hammer, and then appeared to have lost interest in Ms Manno, going to ground over the next few months.

However, in reality he had found the floor plans to Ms Manno's mother's home and began driving up and down her street looking for the right house.

On November 15, with just hours to live, Ms Manno felt comfortable enough to go public with her new boyfriend Chris Ridsdale, posting a smiling image of them together on Instagram.

Sako (pictured in handcuffs) avoided a life sentence on February 29 after it was determined he had significant mental disorders which had impaired his judgement

Sako appeared to have dropped off his obsessive stalking of Celeste Manno, but in reality he had bought this knife (above) and a hammer and became enraged when she started a new romance

An enraged Sako would later say he felt Mr Ridsdale's smile was a taunt and that he was 'laughing maniacally at him'.

What happened next would tear the lives of Ms Manno's family apart and now leaves them distraught that Sako - just 35 when he murdered Celeste - runs the real possibility of one day walking free from jail.

A grieving Aggie Di Mauro has said that her daughter had done everything she could to stop Luay Nader Sako from harassing her, but it wasn't enough.

Justice Jane Dixon sentenced Sako to a maximum 36 years behind bars for the 'appalling crime', but he will be eligible for parole in 2054, when he will be aged 69.

Last weekend an emotional Ms Di Mauro told the rally in central Melbourne that her daughter had 'entire life ahead of her' before her murder.

'My beautiful sweetie, 23 years old, god she had plans,' Ms Di Mauro said. 'She was so excited because we were just coming out of lockdown.

'My sweetie, this was her downfall, too kind. The amount of times she said dont contact her, she always said please.'

Ms Di Mauro slammed Victorias laws as 'pathetic'.

Celeste Manno's mother, Aggie Di Mauro (both pictured), has claimed the justice system failed her daughter after her killer avoided life in prison and is 'disgusted' the DPP won't appeal

Aggie Di Mauro (above with Celeste's father Tony Manno) says she is 'disgusted' that the Victorian DPP has refused to consider giving her daughter's killer a life sentence

'We dont sentence murderers to life in this state and in most of the states in this country because of the brutality of the crime or the premeditation,' she said.

'The only time a murderer gets life in this state is if and only if their prospects of rehabilitation are so poor then if they are released, they might do it again.

'The victim doesn't exist, all of it has been shocking and it's just wrong. There is nothing that is about the victim.'

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Celeste Manno's killer Luay Sako will be forever be haunted by the item her family brought into the courtroom as he was jailed Advertisement

Ms Di Mauro claimed the criminal justice system had failed her daughter a second time by showing her killer mercy in sentencing.

Justice Dixon had declined to sentence Sako to a life sentence on February 29 after finding he had significant mental disorders which had impaired his judgement.

Ms Di Mauro said Sako deserved to spend life in prison for brutally cutting her daughter's life so short.

After calling police in July 2020 out of fear for her safety when he dropped from sight in August, Ms Manno had thought Sako had 'learned his lesson' and 'got scared' to not contact her daughter again.

'Everything stops. He disappears. We literally thought it was over,' Ms Di Mauro said.

But then came the night when she told her daughter she loved her and Ms Manno had gone to bed.

Sako had tracked her to her mother's house, climbed through her bedroom window, and stabbed the young women to death.

Ms Di Mauro teared up as told the crowd last Sunday how she had run to her daughter's rooom, 'and she was gone'.

'Never, ever did it occur to me... ..that this beast would be capable of something like this,' she said.

Ms Di Mauro said the attention Celeste received from him was neither desired nor reciprocated.

She said Sako had made her daughter's life miserable, but police didn't initially take the young woman's complaints seriously.

Ms Manno, 23 (pictured), was murdered in her sleep by Luay Nader Sako, 35, who broke into her home with a knife after stalking her obsessively online

The grieving mother called for reform of stalking laws and the way in which police respond to alleged victims.

'I promised Celeste that I would get her justice one way or another,' Ms Di Mauro said.

The Victoria's Law Reform Commission launched an inquiry in the wake of Celeste's murder, with 45 recommendations from the report since being adopted.

But Ms Di Mauro said she's been left disappointed with the delays in the introduction of such reform since her daughter's death nearly four years ago.

'I was made commitments, promises and, silly me, I believed it all,' she said.

'And we know that, right now, if Celeste's situation was occurring - in the same way - it would happen again.'
Another Australian brewery is in serious financial difficulty, following on from a series of craft brewers entering voluntary administration - and they all blame the same reason for their troubles.

The latest casualty is the Gold Coast-based Black Hops Brewing, which has gone into voluntary administration due to mounting tax debts.

Like the many other small and medium-sized brewers in the same boat, Black Hops has laid the blame squarely at the door of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

'This decision has not been easy to make, however, the path the ATO has taken with the business has left the company in a position where there was no alternative,' the brewery said in a statement.

Black Hops Brewing was started in 2015 by friends Dan Norris, Eddie Oldfield and brewer Michael 'Govs' McGovern and has since become stocked across the country.

Another Australian brewery is in financial difficulty, following on from a series of craft brewers entering voluntary administration - and they all blame the same reason for their troubles. A man and woman drinking Black Hops Brewing beers are pictured

Black Hops Brewing was started in 2015 by friends Dan Norris, Eddie Oldfield and brewer Michael 'Govs' McGovern (pictured) and has since become stocked across the country

READ MORE: Golden West Brewing Co collapses - Award-winning brewery goes into voluntary administration Golden West Brewing Co has entered voluntary administration (beer cans pictured) Advertisement

Tony Sutherland, a Black Hops director, said what was happening with the ATO was 'an absolute tragedy'.

'Just when things are turning around, we've got bureaucracies like the ATO come and take it away  it's a tragedy,' he told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

In a letter to its investors, the company said its beer would still be made and sold while it was in the administration process, which is being overseen by Deloitte.

Its tap rooms will also remain open and serving food in this period.

'So please get around us at this point in time and support our taprooms and retail sales, we are thankful for you being a part of our continued journey,' the note said.

Since 2015, Black Hops grew from a 250 square metre building to a 600sqm brewhouse and then to a massive brewery and tap house in Biggera Waters after a crowd-funding campaign raised $400,000 from 545 investors.

It sells around a million litres of craft beer every year and has found success with national distribution, but financial difficulties has led it into voluntary administration.

The federal government's excise tax has been a major concern for independent brewers for some time.

'Excise tax is the biggest gripe we have as an industry. We pay the same amount of excise that Lion or CUB do,' Stef Constantoulas, co-founder of Sydney's Philter Brewing, told news.com.au.

Two weeks ago, the award-winning Deeds Brewing also went into voluntary administration in what is shaping as another terrible year for Australia's boutique brewers.

The jobs of 50 employees of the Glen Iris, Melbourne-based brewer are hanging in the balance, with Deloitte also overseeing its situation.

'It's very early days in this process as we take over management of the business and commence a review of its financial position,' Glen Kanevsky of Deloitte said in a statement.

'For now, it is a case of business as usual and continuing to trade while we explore urgent sale or recapitalisation options.'

Since the start of the year, small and medium breweries including Big Shed, Hawkers and Golden West have all entered administration.

They followed other outfits such as Ballistic, Parched, Wicked Elf and Running With Thieves which collapsed during 2023.

collapsed during 2023.

Black Hops Brewing's extra strong - 6.8 per cent - French Toast stout is pictured

A woman and man are pictured drinking Black Hops Brewing's pale ale from cans

The industry maintains that the biannual increase in excise tax has worsened financial difficulties on small and medium-sized breweries during a long running cost of living crisis.

David Mansfield and Tim Heenan of Deloitte are the administrators of Black Hops Brewing.

'For now, brewing and taphouse operations will continue to trade while we explore urgent sale options,' Mr Mansfield said.

'The East Brisbane taphouse will be closed over the Easter break.'
Pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed Radio City Music Hall Thursday night ahead of President Joe Biden's glitzy $25 million fundraiser alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Biden was called a 'war criminal' by those gathered, with one demonstrator holding up a sign that read, 'Joe Biden Retire B****,' a message aimed at the 81-year-old leader.

One video, shared by conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, shows a man getting shoved by members of the crowd and asking for police to assist.

'Democrats you can't hide, we charge you with genocide!' protesters shouted out, with drum beats helping them keep the time.

The trio of presidents have been at the venue for most of the afternoon - taping a podcast with comedians Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett for an episode of their SmartLess podcast.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump went to the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller and met with his grieving family after he was gunned down in the line of duty.

Pro-Palestine protesters swarmed Radio City Music Hall Thursday night ahead of President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton

One demonstrator held up a sign that said 'Joe Biden Retire B***,' a message aimed at the 81-year-old commander-in-chief

Protesters take part in a prayer to break their fast during Ramadan at a demonstration calling for ceasefire in Gaza, near Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan

Police officers clash with protesters ahead of President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall Thursday night in New York City

Pro-Palestinian protesters showed up in droves to call for a ceasefire in Gaza as President Joe Biden and a slew of celebrities raise money in New York toward his reelection effort

The former president, 77, called for respect for law and order and criticized the system that allowed the suspected gunmen to be free after 21 arrests.

Videos shared to social media by attendees show loud music playing as donors took their seats, with audience members seemingly unaware of the chaos happening outside.

Earlier Thursday, Biden arrived in New York with Obama in tow to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

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.

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.

Former President Barack Obama (left), President Joe Biden (center) and former President Bill Clinton (former) will appear onstage together Thursday night and be interviewed by Late Show host Stephen Colbert as part of the $25 million fundraiser for the Biden campaign

Comedians Jason Bateman (left), Will Arnett (third from left) and Sean Hayes (second from right) taped an interview of their SmartLess podcast Thursday with President Joe Biden (third from right), former Presidents Barack Obama (second from left) and Bill Clinton (right)

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.

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.

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'

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 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

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

'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.
Has YOUR school been affected? Please email john.james@mailonline.co.uk

Furious mothers say they are 'devastated' after a photography firm made the 'inhumane' offer to remove disabled children and those with additional support needs from class photos.

Three children at Aboyne Primary School in Scotland were removed from images sent via an internet link, giving parents the option to order a photo without them in it.

Businesswoman mother-of-two Natalie Pinnell, 38, told MailOnline the decision to omit her nine-year-old daughter Erin from her class photo had 'devastated' their family.

She described the decision taken by Cornwall-based Tempest Photography as 'inhumane' and said her child had been 'erased from history'. The company says it is investigating.

Tempest Photography is run by Terence Tempest, 70, who lives in a 3million riverside lodge in Cornwall.

Ms Pinnell said: 'You can't erase them because they're inconvenient. It's just not OK.

Has YOUR school been affected? Please email john.james@mailonline.co.uk

Mother-of-two Natalie Pinnell, 38, told MailOnline the decision to omit her nine-year-old daughter Erin (pictured together) from her class photo had 'devastated' their family

Erin's mother Natalie told MailOnline: 'You can't erase them because they're inconvenient. It's just not OK'

Lisa Boyd's nine-year-old daughter Lily Nicolson (pictured), who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was also omitted from one of the class photos, along with another boy

'It's devastating to have your child be erased from a photo or give parents a choice whether she should or should not be included.

'She is the most beautiful human being. Who could do this?

'I'm grateful that she's not aware of it because the damage that would do to her self-esteem would be devastating.

'But I'm having to tell my other daughter about what's happening to her sister. I'm not sure I'm going to sleep tonight.'

Natalie, who runs a business management and strategy company in Aboyne, said she was left fuming after she got an email from the school with two photo links - one that included her daughter and one that didn't.

Another class that had a disabled girl in a wheelchair also had two photos - one with the schoolgirl and one without.

Natalie added: 'I queried it with the school and they queried it with the photographer. He said ''yes, that's what we have done.''

'It's been the most traumatic experience as a family that we have felt.

'I really wanted to believe there was a different reason. I was trying to look for a reason why someone would have made that decision.

'We have mourned. We have hurt. I feel like I haven't even hit the bottom of my shock. It's been absolutely devastating.

'The worst part was when I was talking to a friend about what happened and she found that there were two links for her daughter.'

Natalie said the school, which has a dedicated additional needs hub, had vowed never to use the company again.

She added: 'It has been a hard thing to process as a family. As a mum I want to champion her, and to have people thinking she is erasable is just devastating beyond belief.

Natalie described the decision taken by Cornwall-based Tempest Photography as 'inhumane' and said her child had been 'erased from history'. Pictured: Nine-year-old Erin Pinnell

Three children at Aboyne Primary School (pictured) in Scotland were removed from images sent via an internet link, giving parents the option to order a photo without them in it

'To give parents a choice whether or not to include one individual child because she doesn't fit in with it all is beyond comprehension.'

The 38-year-old said it 'undermines' all the school's work.

Although the school apologised to Natalie, she was keen to emphasise 'it's not the school's fault' and also praised the 'outpouring of love and support' from the community.

She said parents had rallied around her and now there is only one version of the image available to buy.

Yet she worries whether the company will still send the version without her daughter to parents who have ordered it.

The 'painful' experience has left her feeling 'vulnerable' and she said she 'wholeheartedly supported' calls for schools to cut ties with Tempest.

She said: 'This company has a very big holding in running schools' photographs.

'I cannot allow another family to experience the pain that we experienced, that other parents can include or not include our daughter,

'A lot of parents in the community have decided not to buy the photographs.

'I would like some answers. It's very painful [and] upsetting. What are [Tempest] going to do to rectify it? What are the authorities going to do about the contract?'

Natalie wasn't the only mother outraged by the shocking decision.

Lisa Boyd's nine-year-old daughter Lily Nicolson, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was also omitted from one of the class photos, along with another boy.

She said: 'This is clear discrimination and shouldn't happen in a school or anywhere.

'It is the worst that Lily has been treated in her entire life. The school is so inclusive, Lily is included in everything the school does.

'Her twin sister, Iona, is in a different class and I only got one photo for that class but I got two for Lily's  one without my kid in it. It's horrendous.'

Ms Boyd said the reason the photographer gave to the school initially was that it can take time to get some children focused.

Aberdeenshire Council last night said it had taken the matter up with Tempest Photography, the company responsible.

The Council said the decision to offer images 'with and without complex needs provision pupils' was not taken by the school.

A spokesman said: '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.'

Tempest was contacted but it told BBC Scotland it was investigating the matter and there would be no comment at this stage.
The brand new empty house is now attracting squatters while the developer and Reynolds are in a legal battle

While she was in California during the pandemic she got a call from a realtor saying that he had sold a $500k home that was mistakenly built on her land

Anne Reynolds bought a plot of land in Hawaii's Paradise Park to start a women's wellness retreat for $22,500 in 2018

A woman who purchased a plot of land to set-up a dream business was shocked to discover a $500,000 house was mistakenly built on her lot.

Annaleine 'Anne' Reynolds purchased a one-acre lot in Hawaii's Paradise Park for around $22,500 in 2018.

Reynolds fell in love with the vacant space and was excited to transform it into the oasis for her business of hosting women's meditative healing resorts.

While she was spending time in California during the pandemic, waiting for the right moment to launch her business venture, Reynolds got a shocking phone call from a real estate broker.

The broker told Reynolds that he had sold a half-a-million dollar house that was mistakenly built on her plot of land.

Annaleine 'Anne' Reynolds purchased a one-acre lot in Hawaii's Paradise Park for around $22,500 in 2018

Reynolds fell in love with the lot and was excited to transform it into the oasis for her dream-business of hosting women's meditative healing resorts

While Reynolds was in California during the pandemic, a broker told her that he had sold a half-a-million dollar house that was mistakenly built on her plot of land

The mix-up happened when local developer Keaau Development Partnership hired PJ's Construction to build about a dozen homes on the land that the developer bought in the subdivision - but the company built one on Reynolds's lot

A local developer, Keaau Development Partnership, bought the land and hired PJ's Construction to build about a dozen homes on the site - but the company built one on Reynolds's lot.

Reynolds, along with the construction company, the architect and others, are now being sued by the developer.

'There's a lot of fingers being pointed between the developer and the contractor and some subs,' Reynolds' attorney James DiPasquale said.

Reynolds described the land she purchased as 'sacred' and said that she chose to buy it because that specific property had 'all the right qualities.'

She rejected the developer's offer for a neighboring lot of equal size and value, according to court documents.

Now Reynolds's attorney says she shouldn't be forced to pay.

'It would set a dangerous precedent, if you could go on to someone else's land, build anything you want, and then sue that individual for the value of it,' DiPasquale said.

Most of the lots in the Hawaiian Paradise Park are identical, Peter Olson, an attorney representing the developer claimed.

'My client believes she's trying to exploit PJ Construction's mistake in order to get money from my client and the other parties,' Olson, acknowledging an error, told The Associated Press Wednesday of her rejecting an offer for an identical lot.

Reynolds described the land she purchased as 'sacred' and said that she chose to buy it because that specific property had 'all the right qualities'

She rejected the developer's offer for a neighboring lot of equal size and value, according to court documents

The empty house has attracted squatters, according to neighbors who said the brand new vacant home is the perfect target for squatters

She has filed a counterclaim against the developer, saying she was unaware of the 'unauthorized construction.'

An attorney for PJ's Construction told Hawaii News Now the developer didn't want to hire surveyors.

The empty house has attracted squatters, according to neighbors who said the brand new vacant home is the perfect target for squatters.

'Before they put the fence on the property there were people coming, looking inside,' a neighbor said.

Reynolds, who repeatedly escribed the situation as 'awful,' said there has even been feces found inside the house.

'It was so disgusting,' she told Fox19.

Reynolds has had to pay for fencing to surround the empty new house, but that isn't the only expense she is covering. She is also paying several thousand dollars in property taxes.

The developer has pulled everyone involved into the lawsuit so that a judge can decide who is ultimately responsible for the drastic mistake.
Former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells was told directly about problems with the flawed Horizon IT system and was warned it would be 'dangerous' to cover it up, a new bombshell secret recording revealed last night.

During a taped meeting with independent investigators from Second Sight on July 2 2013, Ms Vennells was informed of the allegations that sub-postmaster branch accounts could be accessed remotely.

That's despite the former Post Office chief - who had her CBE formally stripped from her by the King last month - telling MPs in 2015 she was not aware of any miscarriage of justice.

More than 900 sub-postmasters were convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting between 1999 and 2015 due to faults in Fujitsu's Horizon system. For more than two decades, sub-postmasters complained the system was faulty.

The shocking injustice was thrown back into the spotlight in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, based on campaigner Alan Bates's bid for justice.

Ms Vennells ran the Post Office at the height of the scandal while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT system.

The Post Office continued to deny remote access was possible until 2019 - six years after the meeting. It later emerged Fujitsu staff could access the accounts from their Bracknell HQ.

Former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells (pictured) was told directly about problems with the flawed Horizon IT system and was warned it would be 'dangerous' to cover it up, a new bombshell secret recording revealed last night

Ms Vennells was informed of the allegations that sub-postmaster branch accounts could be accessed remotely

Two years after the meeting, Ms Vennells - who had had her CBE formally stripped from her by the King last month - told MPs in 2015 she was not aware of any miscarriage of justice

39 postmasters accused of theft by Post Office celebrate outside the High Court In London after they had their convictions overturned in 2019

In a recording obtained and aired by ITV News, Ms Vennells and several other Post Office executives were briefed by forensic accountants Ron Warmington and Ian Henderson from Second Sight, who were probing issues with Horizon.

The pair said: 'When you say they didn't have access to the Horizon system, but actually they were passing entries to live data...that is really dangerous ground.

'The last thing you want is a spot review response that says, categorically there was no access to live data from Bracknell.

'If in a week's time some bloody whistleblower pipes up to say, well, actually I was working on the second floor and we routinely did 'X'.

The pair raised concerns that the Post Office was not being transparent about possible remote access. They said: 'That sort of what might be interpreted in the press as weasel wording, um, is extremely dangerous.

'We're not just asking whether people in that basement had access to live systems, even if your answer is, they did have access to what they called the live system, but it wasn't live, which itself, you know, we're having to kind of word carefully to make it sound other than stupid...

'When you say they didn't have access to the Horizon system, but actually they were passing entries to live data. Um, but you didn't ask that, that that is really dangerous ground.'

The latest development comes after a senior MP called for police to investigate a series of covert recordings from 2013 which include Post Office executives discussing the Horizon IT scandal.

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

Pressure was mounting on the Post Office to face criminal action last night after secret recordings on Wednesday and Thursday proved its bosses covered up the Horizon IT scandal

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

Liam Byrne, chairman of the Commons Business and Trade Committee, said the recordings were 'the first evidence that people knew there was a problem'.

The recordings, uncovered on Wednesday by Channel 4 News, contained conversations between Post Office executives and two forensic accountants on May 22 2013.

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.

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'

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

The accountants can be heard strongly recommending that Ms Vennells is briefed on the failings of the system. They were later fired.

Mr 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 to the Channel 4 tape.

The Post Office also forced at least 4,000 branch managers to pay back cash based on the flawed data.

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

Some victims were sent to prison or financially ruined, others were shunned by their communities while some took their own lives.

An inquiry into the Post Office and the Horizon IT scandal will continue next month.

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.

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.'

Post Office boss Nick Read was last month accused of giving 'misleading' evidence to MPs

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

A Post Office spokesperson said: 'The statutory Public Inquiry, chaired by a judge with the power to question witnesses under oath, is the best forum to examine the issues raised by this evidence. We continue to remain fully focused on supporting the Inquiry get to the truth of what happened and accountability for that.'
Spare a thought for Angela Rayner's poor political opponents when she senses even the slightest whiff of impropriety.

Like a terrier sighting a rat, Labour's deputy leader pursues her quarry tenaciously, and with a dollop of moralising thrown in for good measure.

When then Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi got into bother with the Inland Revenue, she led calls for him to come clean or resign.

And when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was on the rack over failing to declare his wife's business interests, she volubly condemned the 'transparency black hole'.

Yet when inconvenient questions are asked over her own tangled property and financial dealings, Mrs Rayner becomes uncustomarily coy. This reticence is regrettable.

Spare a thought for Angela Rayner's poor political opponents when she senses even the slightest whiff of impropriety

The row centres on the Stockport council house, which she bought in 2007 for 79,000 and sold eight years later for 127,500  a gross profit of 48,500.

She contends that after marrying in 2010 she lived apart from husband Mark in her property for five years, exempting her from capital gains tax. But neighbours insist she is lying and that her brother resided there.

Ms Rayner is not just feeling the heat over her tax affairs. Police are reviewing claims she broke electoral law by being registered to vote at her house, despite allegedly living with her other half a mile away.

Surely any semi-competent detective could get to the bottom of this mystery.

After a month of trying to avoid covering this story, the BBC has got there in the end.

In a risibly chummy interview  'Forgive me for doing this on your birthday'  Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson asked Ms Rayner about the apparent tax discrepancies (but ignored the potential police probe).

She claimed to have recently acquired tax advice exonerating her. If she has done nothing wrong, why not disclose it? That would be the easiest way to draw a line under this unedifying matter.

But she refuses, instead resorting to dissembling and obfuscation. Her every statement has made her look shifty and evasive, throwing more petrol on to the fire.

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was on the rack over failing to declare his wife's business interests, she volubly condemned the 'transparency black hole'

Sir Keir Starmer has declared himself satisfied by his deputy's explanation  despite not having seen her evidence. Yet had this been a Tory, he would be obsessively questioning it. The hypocrisy is flagrant.

Predictably, Labour has accused her opponents of running a smear campaign.

That is unfortunate. Ms Rayner is on the brink of power. She may think this a storm in a teacup, but the principle is enormous.

In a democracy, those who aspire to make laws and spend the nation's taxes must be transparent about their own affairs.

This is about public trust. If she is innocent, she has nothing to fear.

Drowning in debt

The parlous state of Thames Water, serving 16million customers in and around London, seems to crystallise everything that's wrong with the shambolic water industry.

Groaning under an 18billion debt, the firm is struggling to survive after investors refused to throw it a lifeline. Yes, water will still flow from taps, but the firm is essentially bust.

This scandal has been years in the making. Successive owners have for decades plundered billions and piled on debt, while giving dire customer service and discharging sewage into our waterways.

Some will say the answer to such appalling mismanagement is to nationalise Thames Water, but evidence suggests this would leave an even bigger, more expensive mess.

In the first instance, the company and the regulator must try to sort out this fiasco. Under no circumstances must long-suffering consumers be hit with soaring bills.
A United flight was forced to divert to Denver after crews alerted to an issue with the plane's engine on Thursday evening.

United Airlines confirmed that a flight from San Francisco to Paris had to land at Denver International Airport.

Emergency services were on standby for the arrival of a Boeing 777-200 aircraft due to a reported engine issue. Although United Airlines said the flight did not declare an emergency landing, precautionary measures were taken for any potential situations.

The flight landed safely with all 273 passengers and 12 crew members deplaned.

Following the cancellation of the flight upon reaching Denver, passengers are currently waiting for the next available flight to Paris.

United said it is working with customers to find flight options on Friday.

This is far from new for both United Airlines and Boeing aircraft. On Feb. 19, another United flight that left from San Francisco and was heading to Boston had to divert to Denver due to a wing issue.

The Boeing 757-200 had to land due to minor damage on the right wing.

Then again, on Jan. 27, a United flight departing from Las Vegas headed for Washington, D.C., also landed shortly after take-off in Denver due to a cracked windshield.

Over the past few months, Boeing has encountered numerous challenges and undergone investigations regarding the quality and safety of its aircraft.

On March 25, it was revealed that Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun would step down from his position at the troubled aviation company by the end of the year.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
British Army soldiers and officers will finally be allowed to grow a full beard after King Charles gave his approval, allowing military chiefs to end the more than 100-year ban.

Head of the Army General Sir Patrick Sanders decided that its policy should be overhauled after a survey of serving and reservist troops showed an 'overwhelming majority' felt soldiers should be allowed beards.

The army's most senior non-commissioned officer announced that the change will be coming in immediately, meaning those wishing to stop shaving over the Easter break will have time to grow out their facial hair.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney told troops that their beards will be subject to review and that crucially, they must be kept neat.

Only a 'full set beard' will be permitted and the length must be between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm or one inch), according to the new policy.

It will need to be 'trimmed off the cheekbones and neck' and there must be 'no patchy or uneven growth' and 'no exaggerated colours'.

Beards are permitted for some military positions on parade, including Pioneer Sergeants (pictured)

In a four-minute video outlining the new regulations, WO1 Carney warned soldiers: 'Our standards can't drop.

'The Army has a reputation for professionalism and a smart turnout, with our allies and with the British public.

'We must maintain that reputation by continuing to look our best.'

The ban on beards for most British soldiers dates back to the 19th century, despite years of debate and criticism of what is widely seen as an outdated policy.

The Royal Navy has long permitted sailors to have full beards and moustaches, with their commanding officer's consent.

The RAF changed its dress regulations in 2019 to allow serving members to grow beards.

The Army has long cited a reason for the ban as being that beards can prevent gas masks from sealing to soldiers' faces.

Responding to such concerns, a defence source told The Telegraph that 'if there's a chemical threat then people will shave.'

Only moustaches are allowed for most soldiers in the Army, but beards are permitted for some military positions on parade, including Pioneer Sergeants, Drum Majors, Pipe Majors, Bugle Majors, and Goat Majors.

Only a 'full set beard' will be permitted and the length must be between 2.5mm and 25.5mm (one inch), according to the new policy

READ MORE: Three out of four people applying to join the army never end up serving Advertisement

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps recently slammed what he called the 'ridiculous' ban, saying that armies in other parts of the world are 'perfectly capable of fighting with beards'.

'The armed forces get terribly pernickety about whether people have beards or not. Nowadays people have beards.

'How is it we are still struggling with recruitment and then arbitrarily saying you can't join [if you grow a beard], he told The Times, adding: 'It is time to modernise.'

It is hoped that the new policy will help to attract recruits as Britain's armed forces face a recruitment crisis, with fears that the number of personnel could drop below the target force of 73,000 within months.

Last year alone, almost 74,000 people who applied to join the army, RAF or navy withdrew, amounting to more than half of the potential recruits.

This was particularly stark in the army with seven in ten applicants giving up on the process altogether before getting accepted.
Police have warned Canada's leaders they will struggle to contain the fury at its deteriorating economy and a generational revolt by young people unable to ever buy a home.

The secret report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police paints an apocalyptical picture of the future for America's northern neighbor, predicting it will be riven by economic crisis, ecological meltdown and territorial disintegration.

The report has caused a sensation in the Great White North after a heavily redacted version was released following a long-running access to information request by a Canadian academic.

Described by its authors as a 'scanning exercise', the Whole-of-Government Five-Year Trends for Canada warns that the truckers' convoy protests that polarized the country in 2022 may just be the precursor for a society increasingly polarized by 'conspiracy theories and paranoia'.

'The coming period of recession will accelerate the decline in living standards that the younger generations have already witnessed compared to earlier generations,' they wrote.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has been in office since 2015 but he report warns he faces an increasingly ungovernable country

Thousands camped outside the Canadian parliament during the 'freedom convoy' protests that polarized the country in 2022

But the report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police suggest the protests might just be the precursor to a generational revolt

'For example, many Canadians under 35 are unlikely ever to be able to buy a place to live.

'The fallout from this decline in living standards will be exacerbated by the fact that the difference between the extremes of wealth is greater now than it has been at any time in several generations.'

The report was produced last year to provide 'special operational information' for senior officers in the RCMP and 'decision-makers' in the federal government.

And it warns that Canada's prospects 'will probably deteriorate further in the next five years'.

'Law enforcement should expect continuing social and political polarization fueled by misinformation campaigns and an increasing mistrust for all democratic institutions,' it notes.

The 'Freedom Convoy' protests galvanized millions of people opposed to the long-serving Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Originally started by Canadian truckers opposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cross-border drivers, they became a rallying point for separatists and complaints about the living standards.

Thousands camped outside the Canadian parliament building, and vital trade routes along the Canada-US border were shut down along with key parts of the capital for more than three weeks.

A mask wearing a hat is seen on the passenger seat of a truck parked on Elgin Street during a rally against COVID-19 restrictions on Parliament Hill

People surround the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial during a rally against COVID-19 restrictions

Flying the Canadian flag, waving banners demanding 'Freedom' and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the truckers were joined by thousands of other protesters angered not only by COVID-19 restrictions but by broader discontent with the government

The report concludes with a 'next steps' section which has been entirely redacted sparking intense speculation about what the government plans to do

They were finally broken when Trudeau deployed Canada's Emergencies Act, enabling draconian penalties for those interfering with critical infrastructure.

The report paints a terrifying picture of environmental threats which it warns could have an outsized impact in Canada.

'Canada's north is getting hotter at least three times faster than the global average,' it claims.

'Shrinking polar icecaps are providing access to untapped raw materials and new paths for transportation.

'This new opportunity for profit is causing several countries to expand their territorial claims in the area,' which it notes will lead to 'increasing pressure to cede Arctic territory'.

And alongside gloomy predictions about the impact of artificial intelligence and crypto currencies are warnings about what it calls the 'erosion of trust'.

'The past seven years have seen marked social and political polarization in the Western world,' it claims.

'Capitalizing on the rise of political polarization and conspiracy theories have been populists willing to tailor their messages to appeal to extremist movements.'

Home-ownership has become impossible for near record numbers of Canadians according to analysts, with just 26 per cent of households now able to afford a single-family home.

'The situation is particularly tense in Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto where the costs of owning a home are sky-high,' wrote RBC in December.

'Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax also face challenging affordability conditions.'

The report concludes with a 'next steps' section which has been entirely redacted sparking intense speculation about what the government plans to do.

'I think they're panicking. This means that asset/homeowners are going to get wrecked and the young will afford to buy,' tweeted @roguechristian

'This is not only a Canadian problem. It afflicts all Western countries. We live on borrowed time,' added Gary Clueit.

'Canada for a long time has only relied on its natural resources, its industry is mostly American, the prices of homes are already insanely high the housing bubble keeps increasing, and most decent jobs are in banking,' wrote @SamuraiElf.

'The RCMP assessment is not a surprise.'

'The time of western hegemony is over,' suggested Tony DiLorenzo.

'There will be pain and adjustment. In the end, it'll mostly be ok, so long as the long list of countries we've brutalized for over a century don't come to exact revenge.'
Imprisoned music executive Suge Knight has issued a warning to embattled hip-hop mogul Diddy his 'life's in danger'.

In an audio clip obtained by TMZ, Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year sentence in California state prison for voluntary manslaughter, ominously warned Diddy, who he still calls 'Puffy,' that there are people out there who are 'going to get you if they can.'

Sean 'Diddy' Combs saw his mansions in LA and Miami viciously raided this week by the feds as part of a larger sex-trafficking investigation that the rapper has called a 'witch hunt.'

A litany of extremely damaging allegations have been made against Diddy in several civil lawsuits, though the mogul has not been arrested or charged with any crimes, despite the newly revealed involvement of the federal government.

Based on statements made by Suge in the audio posted two days ago, which TMZ reports is an outtake from the 'Collect Call' podcast, the incarcerated hip-hop personality clearly believes things are headed one way for Diddy.

Suge Knight spoke about the situation Sean 'Diddy' Combs is currently facing from state prison this week - offering one of his longtime rivals advice ahead of what he is predicting will be a prison stint

Combs' life may be in danger, according to Knight, who is serving a 28-year sentence in California state prison for manslaughter. 'Your life's in danger cause you know the secrets, who's involved in that little secret room you guys are participating in ... you know they're going to get you if they can,' he said

Knight said the accusations made against Diddy and the optics of the intense raids are altogether a bad look for the industry.

'It's a bad day for hip hop, for the culture,' he said, referring specifically to how the public generally reacts to seeing a black man in handcuffs.

He encouraged his longtime rival to turn himself into the authorities, as he once did.

'I turned myself in. Sometimes you got to face the music. That's most of the time.'

He also made mysterious reference to a 'secret room' Diddy knows about that is connected to the potential threats on his life.

'I'll tell you what Puffy, your life's in danger cause you know the secrets, who's involved in that little secret room you guys are participating in ... you know they're going to get you if they can,' said Knight.

He expressed sympathy and offered his prayers to Diddy's kids, in particular King and Justin Combs, who were detained in handcuffs, though not arrested, as federal agents raided Combs' Holmby Hills estate.

Knight also offered Diddy some friendly advice about his future prison moniker.

'Do not do your time going by Brother Love. Brother Love is not a good code name for prison,' he said.

A man believed to be Diddy's head of security Faheem Muhammad is seen arriving at Diddy's Beverly Hills mansion following the raid on the property

View of law enforcement agents and vehicles outside Diddy's Beverly Hills estate are seen on March 25, 2024

Federal agents in armored vehicles are seen in front of Combs' LA property

Sean ' Diddy ' Combs says he's the victim of a 'witch hunt' and bemoans 'military-level force' used against him as he finally spoke out following the Monday double raid on his estates

Two shocking raids of Combs' LA and Miami mansions were conducted Monday amid bombshell claims being made against the hip-hop mogul

Photos show the results of the 'witch hunt' raid at his Miami estate on Monday amid a sex trafficking investigation

In a recent episode of his prison podcast, TMZ reports that Knight went into a little more detail about his longstanding issues with Diddy.

At a party in Atlanta in 1995, Knight's friend Big Jake was killed, leading to decades of animosity between Knight and Diddy.

The East Coast vs. West Coast rap wars also factors into the tense relationship between the two, reported the outlet.

This week, Combs' homes were raided, pictures exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com showing several disheveled rooms, bedrooms turned over and drawers rifled through, as the rapper faces multiple allegations accusing him of sexual and physical abuse.

Two officials told AP the raids were part of an ongoing sex-trafficking investigation. They spoke on condition of anonymity and were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation.

A source also told NBC three women and a man had been interviewed by federal officials in Manhattan over allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms.

A man accused of being Diddy's drug mule was also arrested on Monday as authorities raided the mansions.

A lawyer representing a woman accusing Diddy of rape in the 1990s said of the raid: 'Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.'

Tyrone Blackburn, an attorney for accusers Rodney Jones Jr. and Liza Gardner, greeted the news in a statement to Rolling Stone.

'It's about damn time,' Blackburn said. 'Sometimes justice delayed is not justice denied, so long as justice ultimately arrives.'

Diddy was nowhere to be seen as federal agents combed through his properties on Monday afternoon

A swarm of Homeland Security Investigations agents descended on the hip hop mogul's homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation

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.'

'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.
A judge has slammed the father of a teenage driver who killed two friends while speeding for 'overindulging' his son after he took the blame for his speeding ticket months before the crash.

Owain Hammett-George was 17 when he drove at speeds of up to 78mph on a 30mph road in his 21,000 Alfa Romeo which was bought for him by his father, a businessman, for passing his driving test.

The court heard how the teenager crashed the powerful car - which was complete with a personalised number plate reading OW11 AAN - only three months after passing his test.

His friends, Ben Rogers and Kaitlyn Davies, both 19, were killed instantly, while Casey Thomas, then aged 17, sustained life-changing injuries during the incident on the B4436 in Bishopston, Swansea, on May 31 2022.

Hammett-George, now 19, from Birchgrove, Swansea, was jailed for six years at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday after admitting to causing death by dangerous driving, and of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Owain Hammett-George, who was 17 at the time, from Birchgrove, Swansea, was jailed for six years at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday

Dewi George, 47, (pictured) was jailed after he took the blame for speeding so his newly qualified driver son could avoid points. The judge at the time warned George his son had 'not learnt a lesson' as a result

Emergency services rushe to the scene on Northway petrol station in Bishopston, Gower, (pictured) at 11pm on May 31 2022

Following the collision, it emerged that Hammett-George had been caught speeding just a week after passing his test in February 2022, but his father Dewi George took the blame to avoid him getting points on his licence.

READ MORE: Father, 47, who took speeding points for his 17-year-old son before boy crashed in accident that left two teenage friends dead is jailed Owain Hammett-George's father Dewi George took the blame to avoid him getting points on his licence Advertisement

The court heard Dewi George had claimed he was driving the Alfa Romeo on February 28 2022 - seven days after his son passed his test - when it was caught travelling at 35mph in a 30mph limit in Swansea.

Following the fatal accident, police investigated the speeding offence and found George had been working in Cardiff at that time.

He was jailed for four months in July 2023 after admitting perverting the course of justice. The judge at the time warned George his son had 'not learnt a lesson' as a result.

Judge Geraint Walters, sentencing Hammett-George, said: 'You were nowhere near ready to be entrusted with a motor car at the time that you were.

'You are immature and, in my judgment on the facts of this case as I read it, are overindulged by your parents.

'That in part is a factor in the fact that you are sitting there in front of me at the moment.

'You were overindulged - a car before you were fit to have one, out late in the evening with other youngsters in the car.

'Your parents were aware of the potential danger because there are messages passing between you and other family members that says so.

'Within a very short period of passing your test, that you were to be prosecuted for speeding - albeit for a modest increase in that case - it was a sense of what might be coming.

'The greatest act of indulgence is to take the responsibility for your conduct onto the shoulders of your own father.'

The court heard Hammett-George had collected Miss Davies and Miss Thomas from work in Swansea at about 10pm.

George (right) was the registered keeper of the car and his son was insured to drive it

The father accepted the points to protect 17-year-old Owain Hammett-George's driving licence after he was caught speeding in his father's Alfa Romeo

Kaitlyn Davies, 19, was killed instantly when her friend crashed on the B4436 in Bishopston, Swansea, on May 31, 2022

Ben Rogers, 19, was also killed instantly when the Alfa Romeo crashed into a concrete pillar by one of the pumps at Northway petrol station at about 11pm

Casey Thomas, managed to survive the crash but said it has caused her to be 'never the same outgoing person I was before the crash'

He was driving on the B4436 when he lost control of the car, which left the road, landed on its roof and then crashed into a concrete pillar by one of the pumps at Northway petrol station at about 11pm.

Hammett-George, along with Mr Rogers and Miss Davies, were ejected from the vehicle.

The defendant was not wearing a seatbelt, but had it buckled underneath him to stop the warning sounding when the incident took place.

Passing motorists and local residents immediately came to the aid of those injured, including administering CPR to Mr Rogers and Miss Davies, but their injuries were not survivable.

Prosecuting, Ian Wright said the vehicle was 'unrecognisable' after the crash, with its engine block situated 15 metres away.

'The scene described is one of utter devastation,' Mr Wright told the court.

Hammett-George, who also sustained serious injuries in the collision, told officers at the scene: 'I was doing 60 and I hit a pothole and it threw me to the right.'

However, Mr Wright said an investigation found no pothole and estimated that the defendant had been driving at speeds of between 70 and 78 mph on the 30mph limit road.

Messages found on Hammett-George's mobile phone included his mother previously warning 'black box going on your car' and saying she hoped he received further speeding fines 'so you lose your job and then the car will 100% be off you'.

Owain Hammett-George enters Swansea Crown Court for an earlier hearing on Friday, November 17, 2023

Flowers were left at the scene in remembrance of the two 19-year-olds who were tragically killed

On February 26 - just five days after passing his test - a message believed to be from the defendant's sister warned he was 'putting everyone at risk'.

It added: 'Do everyone a favour and pack it in please before it is too late.'

The judge said Hammett-George had been driving at 'grossly excessive speeds' at the time of the collision.

'On this particular evening, you were in your motor car with three of your young friends. You were showing off,' the judge told the defendant.

'You drove at grossly excessive speeds to the point where you lost control of the vehicle and immediately effectively extinguished the lives of two of those in the car.

'I have no shadow of a doubt that you purposefully took the decision to exceed the speed limit.

'The consequences of the speed and the subsequent collision were as such that two road traffic police officers, who sadly routinely attend cases of this sort, describe it as the worst case of damage they have ever seen to a motor vehicle.'

The judge said the case raised the issue of whether recently qualified drivers should be allowed to carry passengers immediately after passing their tests.

Victim personal statements from the families of Mr Rogers and Miss Davies, as well as a statement from Miss Thomas, were read to the court detailing the devastating impact of the crash.

Mr Rogers' mother, Carla King, said: 'Ben was my only son. He was full of kindness and a social butterfly. I don't want to get out of bed - I don't want to face the world.

Carla King, the mother of Ben Rogers, is embraced after the sentencing, outside Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, March 28

Ben Rogers' (pictured) mother, Carla King, said: 'Ben was my only son. He was full of kindness and a social butterfly. I don't want to get out of bed - I don't want to face the world'

Ben Rogers was described by his father as someone who 'loved life and would light up the room with his presence and personality'

'I am a shadow of the person I used to be. The fact I will never see him smile again is crippling. I can't comprehend that I will never see my son or hear his voice again.'

Mr Rogers' father, Lee James Rogers, added: 'Ben was loving and kind-hearted. He loved life and would light up the room with his presence and personality. The last time I saw my son he was in the morgue - this will haunt me forever.'

Miss Davies' mother, Kimberly Davies, told the court: 'She was an amazing human being with a wonderful sense of humour.

'She was very kind, caring, and loving. Every day is a constant struggle. Life is so hard not having her by my side. She would light up every room she entered. I cannot even go into her bedroom without crying. The pain is indescribable.'

Miss Thomas, who sustained serious injuries in the crash, said: 'As a result of that collision I have lost two of my friends. I will never the same outgoing person I was before the crash.

'But I will not let the crash define who I can be or who I will be. This accident has had a massive impact on myself and my family. Because of [Hammett-George's] stupidity it is very hard for me to do the things that a normal 19-year-old would do.'

Representing Hammett-George, Alex Greenwood said his client expressed the 'deepest and most profound remorse' for what happened.

Alex Greenwood, mitigating, said Hammett-George had sat in the dock and 'listened intently' to the words of the families of those whose lives he had so deeply affected with his actions.

Owain Hammett-George, from Birchgrove, Swansea, was jailed for six years at Swansea Crown Court (pictured) on Thursday

In a letter written to the court Hammett-George said he is full of the 'deepest and most profound remorse' and that he 'can't begin to fathom the pain it has caused'.

Hammett-George added: 'I was the driver of the vehicle which led to the untimely deaths of two precious lives.

'I am committed to accepting the legal consequences that will follow as a result. If there was any way I could turn back time and prevent this tragedy I would do so in a heartbeat.'

Hammett-George was sentenced to six years in a young offender institution. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years and told he will need to pass an extended driving test before he is able to obtain a licence again.

Speaking directly to Hammett-George, Judge Walters added: 'You have your life. Two of the other people involved in this case do not.'

The judge added: 'There may be good reasons for the Government to consider whether new drivers should be able to carry any passengers until a period of time has passed.

'It is not the first time I've said it, it probably will not be the last. You are not the only young man I have had to sentence in circumstances precisely like this.'
Australian authorities have ordered the seizure of a magpie after the famous internet bird formed an adorable friendship with a Staffordshire bull terrier.

Molly the magpie was found as a lonely chick in a park four years ago by Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, of Queensland, before they brought the bird home to look after him.

The pair introduced Molly to their Staffy, Peggy, and the two formed an unlikely but special bond.

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen posted photographs showing Molly and Peggy playing together in the park, lying on the floor together and seemingly being the best of friends - with the two animals gathering nearly two million followers on Instagram and Facebook.

However, animal welfare experts objected to Molly's housing arrangement, saying it is illegal to take a bird from its natural habitat without permission.

Molly the magpie with Peggy the Staffordshire bull terrier, who he befriended after being adopted by two humans as a lonely chick

uliette Wells and Reece Mortensen (pictured) found Molly in the wild when he was a chick, and didn't think he would survive on his own

The magpie was then confiscated by officials from Queensland's environment department on March 1 - leaving his human carers heartbroken.

It came after a 'small group of people' complained about Molly living with the family as a pet, according to Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen.

More than 700,00 people have signed a petition to have Molly returned to the family.

One message on Instagram read: 'This is a classic example of bureaucracy over common sense and humanity.'

Premier of Queensland, Steven Miles, echoed the calls for Molly to be reunited with Peggy, saying: 'I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail. If you look at the story, there is a better outcome possible.'

Queensland's environment department said magpies should not be removed from their natural habitat or kept as pets.

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.

Premier Miles has waded into the row amid a public outcry and given his backing to an emotional trans-species reunion.

The pair introduced Molly to their Staffy, Peggy, and the two formed an unlikely but special bond

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen posted photographs showing Molly and Peggy playing together and lying on the floor

'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.

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 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 [his] 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.'
Families on the hunt for a last-minute Easter weekend getaway are facing eye-watering costs for flights to Europe or exorbitant rail fares to travel around the UK.

The cheapest return trip to Tenerife for a family of four (two adults and two children) leaving a London airport on Good Friday and returning on Easter Monday is the starkest example, at 8,937 for an economy flight with British Airways.

But those hoping to escape the miserable British weather also face shocking prices across the rest of Europe - with return flights to Mallorca for a family being flogged for as much as 4,048 with easyJet. The cheapest is 3,826 with the same airline.

MailOnline analysis found that British Airways return flights for a family from London to Libson are on sale for as much as 5,009 - with WizzAir offering the cheapest to the same destination at 1,656.

Families can expect to pay as much as 3,897 for return flights to Madrid with British Airways, with the cheapest currently priced at 1,768 using the same airline.

Last-minute return flights from London to Rome are being sold for as much as 3,600 for a family of four with BA and 4,973 from London to Barcelona with Vueling.com. The cheapest flights to Rome and Barcelona for a family are 1,915 and 1,437 respectively - both with Vueling.com.

The cost of a last-minute Easter getaway is laid bare, with flights as much as 8,937 to Tenerife for a family of four

If families want to stay in the UK, the cost of getting around by train is also extremely expensive this weekend. The figures are for a family of four leaving on Friday and returning on Monday

Elsewhere, Easter flights from London to Nice are being flogged for a maximum of 5,872 with BA, while the cheapest is 1,949 with easyJet. And in France, flights to Paris are as much as 3,277 with BA, while the cheapest are 1,084 with easyJet.

Sky-high costs of flying away this Easter LONDON - PALMA (MALLORCA) 3,826 (cheapest) 4,048 (most expensive) LONDON - TENERIFE One option - 8,937 LONDON - LISBON 1,656 (cheapest) 5,009 (most expensive) LONDON - MADRID 1,768 (cheapest) 3,897 (most expensive) LONDON - NICE 1,949 (cheapest) 5,872 (most expensive) LONDON - ROME 1,915 (cheapest) 3,600 (most expensive) LONDON - BARCELONA 1,437 (cheapest) 4,973 (most expensive) LONDON - PARIS 1,084 (cheapest) 3,277 (most expensive) LONDON - PRAGUE 1,240 (cheapest) 3,963 (most expensive) Prices checked on Skyscanner on March 28, 2024. Return economy direct flight from/to a London airport for two adults and two children with same airline, leaving Good Friday and returning Easter Monday. Advertisement

Earlier this week, travel expert Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told MailOnline: 'Low-cost airlines don't exist anymore. Higher costs, including wages, fuel and increased supplier fees are forcing airlines to hike fares and pass on those costs to passengers.

'Easter is one of the most popular times of the year to travel and demand is as high as it's ever been. With this strong demand, airlines are able to charge more than ever for seats, knowing they will fill them.

'There is no sign of fares falling either, as forward bookings for the summer period are still very strong. It's a sure sign that the economy is picking up again.'

But it's not just international holidays which which pose a problem - as the cost of travelling within the UK over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend is still significant, while the roads are set to be packed.

That is in part to the fact that rail firms such as LNER have scrapped all Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets on trains between London and Edinburgh to introduce new fare which becomes more expensive when trains are busier.

LNER trains between London and Newcastle leaving on Friday and returning on Monday are going for as much as 925.20 for a family of four.

Meanwhile LNER trains from the capital up to Edinburgh are as much as 1,197.60.

Where Off-peak and Super Off-Peak trains are available, fares are cheaper but will still be out of reach for many hard-pressed Brits.

An Off-Peak return from London to Glasgow with LNER/ScotRail for a famly of four is 536.10, while a super off-peak GWR train from London to Newquay is 422.40.

For an Off-Peak return from London to Manchester, families will be set back as much as 327 with Chiltern/Cross Country.

A London to Cardiff Super Off-Peak train return with GWR are being sold for as much as 296 for a family of four. And a London to Birmingham family return ticket with Chiltern comes in at a much more affordable 60.80.

Despite the extraordinary rail and flight prices, two million British holidaymakers are set to jet off abroad over the Easter weekend, with one airport bracing for 'record-breaking' passenger numbers.

Turkey, Dubai and the Canary Islands are among the most popular destinations amid wet and windy weather forecast for the UK, although trips to Dublin are also in demand.

Travel trade organisation Abta said airports are reporting 'strong numbers', with 175,000 due to leave from Stansted, 105,000 from Luton, 160,000 from Manchester, 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.

Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: 'It's exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend - that's up 7% on April 2023.'

Families would need to fork out thousands of pounds for an escape to the sun in Tenerife (pictured)

Meanwhile, trains going up to Edinburgh would cost families over a thousand pounds for the weekend

Glasgow predicts more than 90,000 passengers over the four days, while Birmingham Airport said it expects a 27.2 per cent increase in departures on last year over the full Easter period.

Cost of getting away by train this Easter

London - Newcastle (LNER*) Friday 1427-1730 - 587.10 Monday 2017-2330 - 316.90 Total: 925.20 London - Edinburgh (LNER*) Friday 1400-1827 - 598.80 Monday 0900-1341 - 598.80 Total: 1,197.60 *LNER have scrapped Off-Peak tickets London - Glasgow (LNER/ScotRail) Off-Peak Return: 536.10 London - Newquay (GWR) Super Off-Peak Return: 422.40 London-Manchester (Chiltern/CrossCountry) Off-Peak Return: 327.00 London - Cardiff (GWR) Super Off-Peak Return: 296.40 London-Birmingham (Chiltern) Family Return: 60.80 The figures, taken on March 28, are based on a family of four leaving London on Friday and returning on Monday. Advertisement

Bristol, which predicts 30,000 holiday trips on Easter Sunday alone, advised: 'If travelling with Easter eggs, passengers are advised to keep any chocolate treats in your cabin baggage and to make sure they're easily accessible as they may need to be opened for a quick check.'

Liverpool Airport expects around 60,000 passengers over the four days, which is around 7 per cent higher than last year.

It comes as drivers are being warned over long delays on roads as more than 14 million Easter getaway trips are expected to take place.

From 4pm on Thursday, the RAC expects the M25 to be the busiest route in both directions between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 in Hertfordshire-with journeys taking more than two hours - over double the usual time.

The RAC and transport analysis company Inrix commissioned a survey which suggested 2.6 million leisure journeys by car will be made on Good Friday.

The lengthiest delays are expected to be between 11am and 3pm, meaning drivers are advised to set off as early as possible in the morning or wait until later in the afternoon.

Two popular routes for holidaymakers - the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton, and the M3 between the M25 and the south coast - are likely to be congested.

Some 2.3 million getaway trips are planned for each of Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with 2.0 million expected to take place on each of Thursday and Easter Monday.

A further 3.3 million leisure journeys have been planned by drivers who are undecided exactly what day they will travel, leading to a total of around 14.5 million getaway trips between Thursday and Easter Monday.

Meanwhile, around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the Port of Dover between Thursday and Easter Monday.

Car traffic at the port faced around a 10-minute wait at French Border Control on Thursday morning.

Ferry firm Stena Line said bookings on Irish Sea routes are up 115% on an average weekend at this time of year and have increased by 26% on Easter weekend 2023.

The RAC and transport analysis company Inrix commissioned a survey which suggested 2.6 million leisure journeys by car will be made on Good Friday. Pictured: Afternoon rush hour on the M6 through Cheshire yesterday

Wightlink said there is still availability for last-minute bookings on ferries to and from the Isle of Wight.

Brittany Ferries said sailings to France and Spain are 'busy', though overall volumes are in-line with last year.

Elsewhere, Network Rail is urging train passengers to check their journey details before they travel because some major routes will be closed due to engineering work.

The West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes will be shut for four days from Good Friday.

There will also be disruption in the areas around Glasgow and Huddersfield.

Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated 3.2 billion boost to the economy.

MailOnline contacted British Airways and easyJet for comment.
President Joe Biden's appearance at a $25 million Radio City Music Hall fundraiser with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton descended into chaos as the trio of presidents being interviewed by Stephen Colbert got interrupted by protesters.

A handful of pro-Palestinian protesters shouted down the presidents, with one woman telling Biden 'you have blood on your hands,' as another loud guest warned of a nuclear war with Russia: 'you're out of your f***ing minds.'

The event was supposed to be a star-studded evening with major donors, with some tickets costing as much as $500,000.

Former President Donald Trump also traveled to New York Thursday, to pay his respects at a wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller.

Colbert kicked the conversation off by noting how he was giving Obama and Clinton five minutes each to answer his questions - adding that Biden would get seven minutes.

'Because as the sitting president, you can order SEAL Team 6 to take me out, which according to Donald Trump's lawyers is perfectly OK,' the Late Show host said.

President Joe Biden's (center) appearance at a $25 million Radio City Music Hall fundraiser with former Presidents Barack Obama (left) and Bill Clinton (right) got off to a rocky start as the trio of president being interviewed by Stephen Colbert got interupted by protester

Former President Barack Obama (left) stands onstage with President Joe Biden (right) at a $25 million fundraiser Thursday night at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The gathering was interrupted by protesters - who also surrounded the building

Former President Bill Clinton applauds onstage at Radio City Music Hall Thursday in New York City as he joined President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama at a star-studded fundraiser being hosted by the Biden 2024 campaign

Biden, Obama and Clinton all took shots at Trump - without saying his name - in the opening minutes, with Biden recalling what motivated him to be president - the Republican's dealing with the racial unrest in Charlottesville in 2017.

Obama said that Trump and the Republican Party 'increasingly seems unconcerned with the essence of America,' while Clinton slapped the ex-president even harder.

Clinton said Trump 'stole from Barack Obama' a good economy.

'I listened to him tell us how terrible the American economy was all during 2016. And then, by January 2017, after the inauguration, it had become wonderful, miraculously, overnight,' Clinton said.

Clinton noted how job growth was slower under Trump, but people didn't feel it yet.

'Then all of a sudden, Joe Biden comes along and creates roughly twice as many jobs,' he said. 'So I believe in keeping score. Not in a vindictive way but in a positive way.'

Colbert then quickly went to a lightning round - asking each of the leaders if they planned to sell any golden sneakers.

Comedian Stephen Colbert (left) moderated the discussion with (from left) President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton that was interrupted by demonstrators multiple times

President Joe Biden points out to the audience during Thursday's star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters

Vogue editor-in-chief and Conde Nast executive Anna Wintour was spotted in the audience is seen from behind with her signature bob haircut at Thursday night's Biden fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York

'No golden sneakers,' Biden confirmed.

The demonstrators pounced as Colbert was asking the Obama and Clinton what they missed about living in the White House, turning the conversation to Israel's war in Gaza.

'That's alright. Let them go. There's a lot of people who are very, very - there are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian,' Biden said. 'We've got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians.'

'But we can't forget, Israel is in a position where its very existence as at stake. You have to have all those people. They weren't killed. They were massacred. They were massacred,' the president continued.

He noted a grisly story from the October 7 terror attack by Hamas of an Israeli mother and daughter tied together and the Hamas terrorists were 'pouring kerosene on them, burning them to death.'

Biden spoke of the work he was doing with Arab countries - including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar - to recognize Israel and that there needed to be post-war plan.

'There has to be a train to a two state solution,' the president reiterated.

Obama spoke about how being in the White House 'is a lonely seat' and talked about the unenviable position Biden was in.

'And so when you look at a situation like we're seeing in Gaza and in Israel, and your heart breaks, initially for a massacre of unbelievable cruelty,' he said.

'It is also possible for us to say we unequivocally support the people of Israel and their ability to live and raise families and so forth. Which is what Joe's position has been, and it is also possible for us to have our hearts broken, watching innocent people being killed and trying to manage through that in a way that ultimately leads to both people being able to live in peace side by side,' Obama continued.

He was interrupted by more protesters.

There were lighthearted moments too.

Biden repeated the well-known saying about life in D.C.: 'And as Harry Truman said, the president, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.'

'I got one and get a Secret Service agent,' the president joked.

He also said when asked if he feared flying on Air Force One - which is a Boeing - 'I don't sit by the door.'

'I'm only kidding. I shouldn't even joke about it,' Biden added.

Biden confirmed that he was not changing the iconic plane's color scheme, something Trump tried to accomplish when he was in office.

'Yeah, we're not doing that,' Obama chimed in.

Colbert also asked Biden to push back on concerns that he's too old to serve a second term.

'I know I don't look much over forty, I know that,' Biden replied.

'You know, this last guy that I ran against and am running against again this time, is - his ideas are from the 18th, 19th century. No, I'm serious,' the president also said. 'This is the way he talks about when he says he's gonna suspend the Constitution, all the things he said.'

The president made a similar point about Trump during his State of the Union address.

All three presidents and Colbert donned Biden's trademark aviators to conclude the show, with Biden saying he was a man who 'loves two things: Ray Ban sunglasses and ice cream.'

'By the way, Dark Brandon is real,' he said of his alter ego - an online creation who's more sinister by nature.

Lizzo was there and performed her hit 'About Damn Time' ahead of the presidents' arrival onstage, while The Mindy Project's Mindy Kaling played the role of emcee.

She joked that it was nice to be in a room with 'so many rich people' and said it felt good to support a president who 'openly' promises to 'raise your taxes.'

Vogue editor-in-chief and Conde Nast executive Anna Wintour was spotted in the audience.

Kaling, 44, also said - looking upon Biden, 81, Clinton, 77, and Obama, the youngest at 62 - that while she was getting older, she looked like a 'cast member of Euphoria' compared to them.

HBO's Europhia is a high school drama, though most of the cast is in their 20s.

Other entertainers included Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, who sang a soulful rendition of Get by With a Little Help From My Friends, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele, who sang Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl, a show she starred in on Broadway.

Meanwhile, outside the venue, many more pro-Palestinian protesters had swarmed Radio City Music Hall.

Biden was called a 'war criminal' by those gathered, with one demonstrator holding up a sign that read, 'Joe Biden Retire B****,' a message aimed at the 81-year-old leader.

Palestinian flags were flown outside New York City's Radio City Music Hall, the venue of President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton

Pro-Palestine protesters swarmed Radio City Music Hall Thursday night ahead of President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton

One demonstrator held up a sign that said 'Joe Biden Retire B***,' a message aimed at the 81-year-old commander-in-chief

Protesters take part in a prayer to break their fast during Ramadan at a demonstration calling for ceasefire in Gaza, near Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan

Police officers clash with protesters ahead of President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall Thursday night in New York City

Pro-Palestinian protesters showed up in droves to call for a ceasefire in Gaza as President Joe Biden and a slew of celebrities raise money in New York toward his reelection effort

One video, shared by conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, shows a man getting shoved by members of the crowd and asking for police to assist.

'Democrats you can't hide, we charge you with genocide!' protesters shouted out, with drum beats helping them keep the time.

The trio of presidents have been at the venue for most of the afternoon - taping a podcast with comedians Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett for an episode of their SmartLess podcast.

Videos shared to social media by attendees show loud music playing as donors took their seats, with audience members seemingly unaware of the chaos happening outside.

Earlier Thursday, Biden arrived in New York with Obama in tow to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.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 (left), President Joe Biden (center) and former President Bill Clinton (former) will appear onstage together Thursday night and be interviewed by Late Show host Stephen Colbert as part of the $25 million fundraiser for the Biden campaign

Comedians Jason Bateman (left), Will Arnett (third from left) and Sean Hayes (second from right) taped an interview of their SmartLess podcast Thursday with President Joe Biden (third from right), former Presidents Barack Obama (second from left) and Bill Clinton (right)

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

Earlier Thursday Trump attended the wake of slain officer 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.

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.

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

'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 Anglican priest who called a trans archdeacon a 'bloke' should not face punishment, a disciplinary tribunal has ruled.

Clergymen Brett Murphy made the comment when discussing the appointment of Rachel Mann as the archdeacon of Bolton and Salford to his 14,000 YouTube subscribers last year.

He said the Church of England's first trans woman archdeacon was 'in fact, bioligically, a bloke, who identifies and lives as a woman', and also labelled her as a 'fella', The Times reported.

During the video, Mr Murphy also questioned whether Ms Mann was being positioned to become a bishop, saying: 'What you are seeing here is someone who is a radical rainbow activist being put in a position of high authority in a diocese.'

He subsequently left the church after it announced plans to introduce same-sex blessings to places of worship, but still faced a hearing after a complaint was made against him under official clergy discipline measures.

Former clergymen Brett Murphy made the comment when discussing the appointment of Rachel Mann as the archdeacon of Bolton and Salford to his 14,000 YouTube subscribers

The complaint was rejected at the first hearing by the Bishop of Loughborough, the Right Rev Saju Muthulay, but it was re-opened after a review was requested by the original complainant.

This week, Mr Murphy once again found he had no case to answer for, following a ruling from David Turner KC, deputy president of the church's disciplinary tribunal.

Mr Turner said while the terms used to refer to Mann were 'arguably highly insensitive', they were 'not in themselves offensive words'.

While recommending to Muthulay that the complaint should be dismissed, Mr Turner referred to the 2022 employment law case involving Maya Forstater, a researcher at a London think tank.

During that case, a tribunal found that Ms Forstater suffered discrimination because of her view that men could not become women.

Mr Turner said: 'That what was said falls short on the facts of any threshold for further proceedings.

'It follows that there is, therefore, no case to answer in respect of which a disciplinary tribunal should now be asked to adjudicate.'

According to officials at the Christian Legal Centre, Mr Murphy has faced a 'co-ordinated campaign against him, resulting in a record four clergy disciplinary measures', since he launched his YouTube channel. All four claims have been rejected, the centre say.

Rachel Mann became the the Church of Englands first trans woman archdeacon last year

The centre also told the Times: 'Murphy was concerned that the church's disciplinary process was being abused and weaponised to silence, intimidate and force Anglican priests  who do not affirm and celebrate LGBTQI+ ideology and the plans to introduce same-sex marriage to places of worship.'

It also claimed that a 'huge volume of cases involving clergy who have been intimidated and punished simply for expressing standard Christian beliefs on marriage and sexual ethics'.

The complaint would not be referred to the bishop's disciplinary tribunal and no further steps could be taken, as Mr Turner had ruled that there was not a case for Mr Murphy to answer.
A university has found a quirky way to stop students cheating in exams - by getting them to wear ludicrously big hats to prevent them from peeping at classmates' answers.

An array of huge 'anti-cheating hats' were worn by the students in the Philippines, including ones inspired by animated characters and random objects like a crate of San Miguel beer.

The students, studying agriculture at the Batangas State University, were asked to wear the novelty hats by their lecturer, Angelo Ebora.

Almost all 70 of the students took part, designing their own head gear and wearing it during their exam on March 19.

Bizarre pictures show one student wearing a hat in the shape of a giant chainsaw, another sporting a Game Boy console hat, and another donning a Pikachu hat.

Almost all 70 of the students took part, designing their own head gear and wearing it during their exam on March 19

An array of huge 'anti-cheating hats' were worn by the students in the Philippines

Others went for hats of cartoon characters like Angry Birds, the Corpse Bride, a Creeper from Minecraft, and Patrick from Spongebob

Others went for hats of cartoon characters like Angry Birds, the Corpse Bride, a Creeper from Minecraft, and Patrick from Spongebob.

There were also hats with Anonymous masks, pictures of Einstein, and one hat with the words 'future agriculturist' written on it.

Mr Ebora wanted to help 'alleviate his student's stress during their exams', while teaching them about academic integrity.

The hats prevented the students, aged 18 to 19, from looking at their fellow classmates' answers to copy answers.

'I was also very proud of them,' said Mr Ebora after he saw so many of his students had taken part. The tradition reportedly goes back several years.

But while the hats may stop students from peaking at others' papers, many online pointed out that they may have been able to put cheat sheet notes inside.
Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 incarcerated women from his wheelchair to mark Maundy Thursday.

The 87-year-old pontiff, who often pleads for compassion to prisoners, visited the Rebibbia women's prison in the northeastern outskirts of Rome, where he performed the same rite in 2015.

Thursday, however, was the first time the Argentinian Jesuit had dedicated his annual ritual during Holy Week solely to women.

Seated in a wheelchair, the pope washed the feet of each of the prisoners, some of them in tears, before drying them off with a towel and kissing them.

'We all have small failures, big failures,' said the pope in an impromptu homily during a mass held in the courtyard of the prison that holds some 370 women.

'But the Lord is always waiting for us, with open arms, and he never tires of forgiving,' he added.

Pope Francis kisses the feet of an inmate of the female section of Rebibbia Prison during a Holy Thursday ritual

Pope Francis performing the "Washing of the Feet" of inmates during a private visit of the prison

Pope Francis smiles as he leaves after visiting the female section at Rebibbia prison

The washing of feet is 'a gesture that draws our attention to the vocation of service,' said Francis, who as a priest in Buenos Aires had already begun visiting prisoners.

A few minutes earlier, the pontiff was all smiles as he shook hands with the inmates.

In England, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby also performed the washing of feet at St Paul's Church in Maidstone, Kent.

Last month, the pope caught a flu that caused him to cancel some public meetings. During his subsequent recovery, he has on several occasions asked others to read his speeches.

In the Christian tradition, Holy Thursday commemorates the day when Christ washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper.

It is a highlight of Holy Week, which commemorates Christ's final days before his resurrection on Easter.

Since becoming pope in 2013, the head of the Catholic Church has often visited prisons and refugee centres, including last year on Holy Thursday when he visited a juvenile detention centre and washed the feet of 12 young men.

On Good Friday, he is due to preside over the 'Way of the Cross' prayer service at Rome's Coliseum, which he was unable to attend last year as he recovered from a bronchial infection.

Pope Francis looked well as he began four intense days of events leading to Easter, and renewed his own ordination vow.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, performs the Washing of the Feet ceremony during the Sung Eucharist, The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday service at St Paul's Church, Maidstone

The Archbishop performs the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday - the day before Good Friday

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.

He also greeted two bereaved fathers whose story was told in a 2020 novel by Irish author Colum McCann.

The Pope noted that there were two people in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall  'two fathers'  one a Palestinian, the other an Israeli.

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 men's story of friendship was told in the novel 'Apeirogon' by Colum McCann, who met with Pope 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.

During the service, Francis urged priests to be compassionate, admit when they have 'strayed from the path of holiness' and avoid dishonesty and hypocrisy.

He will preside at an Easter Vigil service tomorrow and then, on Easter Sunday, will read his twice-annual 'Urbi et Orbi' message and blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's to tens of thousands of people in the square below
(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul left the wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller on Friday after a confrontation with a man in a black suit.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was asked to leave the Long Island wake of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller on Friday, according to a report.

The governor arrived at the Massapequa Funeral Home for the second day of viewings when a man in a black suit confronted her, the New York Post reported.

The outlet reported that several cops at the funeral home clapped as she walked away.

It comes one day after former President Donald Trump attended the wake.

Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong previously wrote a letter telling members of the New York City Council to keep their distance.

"Their presence is more than a distraction. It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice," Vallelong said, adding the lawmakers should feel "morally responsible" for Diller's killing.

Gov. Hochul's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HNGN.com.

Diller, a married father to a 1-year-old son, was fatally shot Monday during a traffic stop in a Queens neighborhood.

Diller and his partner stopped a vehicle in Queens' Far Rockaway neighborhood around 5:50 p.m. Monday after spotting it illegally parked at a bus stop, according to police.

After the car's passenger, identified by officials as Guy Rivera, refused officers' orders to step out of the vehicle, Diller and his partner moved to remove him, authorities said.

That's when Rivera, 34, allegedly pulled a gun and shot Diller, 31, in the torso, below his bullet-resistant vest, officials said.

Even after he was shot, Diller continued to grapple with Rivera for the gun, eventually wrestling it away, police said.

Diller's partner, meanwhile, returned fire, hitting Rivera in the back.

First responders rushed both Rivera and Diller to Jamaica Hospital.

But while Rivera survived his injuries, being described as in stable condition, Diller did not.

Rivera is charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree attempted murder, and a slew of weapons-related charges, according to prosecutors.

Diller's funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

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Two people were killed in the crash - including a five-year-old boy who returning from a field trip on the school bus

Jerry Hernandez, 42, also said he smoked marijuana and got only three hours of sleep before he started work

The truck driver who smashed into a school bus and killed two people admitted to using cocaine shortly before the crash

The truck driver that veered into a Texas school bus full of preschoolers and killed two people has admitted he used cocaine shortly before the accident.

On March 22, a truck smashed into a bus carrying 44 pre-kindergarten students from Tom Green Elementary school who were returning from a field trip to the Capital of Texas Zoo.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the cement truck hit the school vehicle just before a driver in a third vehicle - a Dodge Charger - also collided with the bus.

The truck's driver was 42-year-old Jerry Hernandez, who has since admitted that he smoked marijuana the night before the crash, got only around three hours of sleep and then woke up for work at 1am and did cocaine.

Hernandez confessed to consuming the illicit drug when he was rushed to hospital after the deadly crash that killed two - including a young student.

The truck driver that veered into a Texas school bus full of preschoolers and killed two people admitted that he used cocaine shortly before the crash

Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, 5, died from injuries sustained Friday after the school bus he was on was struck by a concrete truck that swerved into the bus's lane

Ulises Rodriguez Montoya was remembered as a happy child who loved dinosaurs and often shared his joy with others

Five-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, who was a preschooler on board, was one of the two people that tragically died in the horrific crash.

Community members described Montoya as a 'child who was filled with a lot of happiness,' which he 'often shared with others,' according to Naira (Dina) Solis Shears, his pre-K bilingual teacher.

'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,' she said.

Montoya is survived by his immediate and extended family, including his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The adult male driver of the Charger also died.

Shocking dashcam footage since released by the school district shows the terrifying moment that the truck hurtles towards the bus - causing it to roll over itself and crumble into rubble.

Court documents revealed that Hernandez crossed double yellow lines into the path of the bus, which swerved to avoid the vehicle.

Troopers testified in the documents that there was enough evidence to pursue criminal charges against Hernandez.

The crash is still under investigation.

A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper inspects the scene of the fatal school bus crash

A pre-Ke-er is taken from the scene of the crash by an emergency responder

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 on Texas State Highway 21 near Caldwell Road on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Bastrop, Texas

Classes at Tom Green, which is part of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, were canceled Monday - though the building was open for those in search of counseling

A little girl is transported from a fatal school bus crash on Texas State Highway 21 near Caldwell Road on Friday

Classes at Tom Green, which is part of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, were canceled Monday - though the building was open for those in search of counseling.

According to recent reports, plans for the little boy's funeral and memorial service are still pending.

A GoFundMe launched by Ulises' aunt has raised more than $60,000 that will go toward funeral, burial, and other unforeseen expenses the family must now stomach.

The school bus carrying the young students reportedly did not have seatbelts, because it was manufactured in 2011, before the state of Texas mandated the safety feature aboard such vehicles.

Following the crash on Friday, scores of other children were also transported to local hospitals.

According to a statement from Tom Green Elementary, 51 others were also injured.

A GoFundMe launched by the elementary school's leadership team has raised close to $78,000 for the devastated community. Of Sunday evening, two students and two school district employees remained hospitalized.

The crash occurred on Texas State Highway 21, about an hour away from the school's Buda location.
The intense rain that soaked much of Queensland and the Northern Territory over the last week will move south but capital cities will avoid a wet Easter long weekend.

The rain will form a band through the red centre of the country on Saturday and move east but rain isn't likely to strike Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne until Tuesday.

Adelaide and Perth will also avoid the rain, though Darwin will likely be wet.

'Most of the country will have a near perfect weekend, the only people who might need a brolly are in the NT,' Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

'For the rest it will be a warm and sunny weekend.'

Rain is on the way for the east coast but it shouldn't arrive until after the Easter long weekend so picnics and beach trips can go ahead

An accumulated rainfall map for the 24 hours leading into Tuesday, April 2 forecasts a rain band forming over the centre of the country will have moved east over Victoria and NSW

New South Wales

The western part of the state might see some showers in the early part of the Easter long weekend while rain could hit the coast by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

Good Friday will be a pleasant and fine 25C in Sydney with the rest of the weekend including Monday to follow suit reaching highs of 27C and 28C.

Queensland

While not in the band of heavy rain that will form over the centre of the country, the Queensland coast could get some lighter showers.

Brisbane will reach highs of 27C and 28C with scattered showers likely during the weekend.

Victoria

Melbourne will see a cooler Easter weekend with tops in the mid-20s.

The rain band should hit eastern Victoria by Monday and Melbourne by Tuesday bring rainfall totals of up to 30mm.

South Australia

SA is in for a fine and sunny start to the weekend further south around Adelaide with the rain band only reaching the northern half of the state.

There could be heavy cloud and showers by Monday, however, dropping the temperature from a high of around 30C down to 24C.

Tasmania

Hobart will see a windy weekend with south-easterlies up to 20km/h sweeping across from the ocean.

It will be cloudy with highs in the low 20s but most of the state - barring the northeast - will avoid the rain.

Northern Territory

The one state in for a wet Easter is the NT with Darwin experiencing humid days with temperatures in the low 30s and showers followed by possible afternoon storms each day.

The southern half of the NT will see heavy rain early on in the weekend with a risk of flash flooding.

Western Australia

WA will be dry across almost the entire state for the long weekend.

Perth will have warm temperatures hovering at highs around 28C but cloud cover should provide UV protection.

Those wanting to hit the beach should be fine over the Easter break with most of the country's south avoiding any rain (pictured is Bondi)

There might be a few light showers on the Queensland coast (pictured is the Gold Coast) but nothing like the rain over the last week

Weatherzone's Ashleigh Lange said the reason for the rain band is two-fold.

During the week ending on Wednesday, March 27, Rabbit Flat in the NT recorded 277 mm, contributing to its wettest March on record.

The moisture from ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan and a low-pressure trough combined to cause an extremely wet week with large rainfall totals across the Territory.

The tropical moisture should link up with a cold front that will sweep across southeastern Australia in the back end of the Easter long weekend, dragging the rainband eastward into western and central Vic on Monday.

In the NT, remote communities are calling on the government to do better after a severe weather event tore through northeast NT on March 17, bringing heavy wind and rain and cutting off townships.

After #AliceSprings received well over half its annual rainfall in 3 very soggy days, the #ToddRiver is surging through town.



Full story at https://t.co/qoDfwXtHvG



 Video via IG: britt_._bratt#NorthernTerritory #TopEnd pic.twitter.com/73mfjOMlzy  Weatherzone (@weatherzone) March 25, 2024

An evacuation of the remote community of Borroloola on March 18 was called off after Australian Defence Force planes could not land as the eye of the cyclone neared.

Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan said the government response was inadequate and put residents in danger.

'Imagine being out there stranded, surrounded by rising water, not getting any clear direction, and seeing planes circle but then just leave,' Mr Ryan said in a statement.

'The federal and NT governments' emergency response support has been appalling ... lessons are not being learned and as a result our communities continue to suffer.'

The land council said staff met with federal government officials on March 12, warning them of the ongoing telecommunications issues and black holes accompanying severe weather events in remote areas.

The issues were noted, though when Cyclone Megan hit the week after, the council says communication was poor.

Several official emergency notices posted to Facebook diverted people seeking information to as many as eight different numbers or websites, the council said.
A world renowned cardiologist bombarded his young female employee with thousands of texts, repeatedly asked her for coffee, offered her lifts home and allegedly touching her buttocks, according to a sexual harassment claim.

Jennifer de Jongh, 28, also alleged Professor Chris Semsarian, 57, showed up unannounced at her home, prompting her housemate to threaten to call police.

Ms de Jongh, originally from New Zealand but who was living in Sydney at the time, lodged the sexual harassment claim with the Federal Court on February 12.

She reported directly to Prof Semsarian while working at the Centenary Institute from June, 2022 to December of that year, where the pair exchanged between 3,000 and 4,000 texts.

During this time, Prof Semsarian, who is a professor of medicine at Sydney University, a cardiologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and deputy director for the Centenary Institute, is accused of constantly asked Ms de Jongh for coffees, and offered her lifts home.

Jennifer de Jongh, 28, alleged Professor Chris Semsarian, 57, (pictured) sexually harassed her

He would allegedly bombard her with texts using love heart and smiling emojis that were often sent out of work hours and late at night.

Prof Semsarian has denied the claims and said he would be 'vigorously defending' them in a legal defence set to be filed, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Over a six-month period there were only seven days where Prof Semsarian and Ms de Jongh didn't speak, according to the claim seen by Daily Mail Australia.

On her first day working at the Centenary Institute they had coffee, before Prof Semsarian offered her a lift home two days later.

She initially declined but then accepted - something that would happen on several more occasions.

The document lodged with the Federal Court included numerous texts sent from Prof Semsarian.

'Coffee and your company is the perfect start to the day,' he wrote in one text from July, 2022.

Ms de Jongh lodged a sexual harassment claim with the Federal Court in February

In August he wrote: 'I know it's nearly your bedtime but if you're free come early to clinic tmr (tomorrow) for a coffee?? I don't want to sound pathetic but I won't see you for the rest of the week (sad face emoji).'

'You. Have. Made. My. Day. Will be so good to see you. It seems like forever!! We'll discuss a small pastry later,' he said in another message, before writing 'don't want to sound too needy' two days later.

Prof Semsarian told Ms de Jongh 'my life balance is restored' after she returned to work one day in September.

Then one day in October he referred to her as 'princess' when asking what she wanted to order.

'You are the best Jen. I don't know if you're joking, but I really truly get excited going to sleep knowing we're having coffee together tmr  NOT with (another colleague),' he wrote that night.

'I have separation anxiety overnight!!!!'

When Prof Semsarian was away in November, 2022, he texted her saying: 'I don't want to be presumptuous but hoping to have a coffee with you Thursday morning? And a big hug too?? Hope clinic goes well..'

Pictured are some of the texts shared between the pair over six months working together

The professor bombarded Ms de Jongh with affectionate messages

The cardiologist also insisted on driving Ms de Jongh home, despite her often saying she would walk or hadn't finished work yet.

'First patient at 145 so come at 115pm! Can't wait. And I def have to drive you home!! No argument. It's been too long!!' he said in another text from September.

'It's not just raining, it's thundering!!! Have to take you all the way home!! I love God  always answers my prayers, and more!!' he said in a message a few days later.

In another message he wrote: 'Oh Jen. I worry about you walking at nighttime I can be your personal Uber anytime!! Sweet dreams beautiful one! See u tmr'.

A text conversation between the pair showed Ms de Jongh turning down an offer of a lift because she was meeting a friend, to which Prof Semsarian said he was 'shattered'.

She eventually said he could drive her part of the way.

During a night in October, Ms de Jongh was meeting a friend in Bondi, which Prof Semsarian offered to drive her to.

During the drive, he told her 'no means no to everyone, except if you say it to me', according to the statement of claim.

'If I offer you dinner you can't say no, if I offer you a ride home, you can't say no.'

He then claimed it was a joke and told her not to be so 'uptight about it'.

He then asked if she had been sexually abused before as he 'got the impression from how you reacted to something the other day that you might have been'.

The professor asked if Ms de Jongh thought they had a connection and would often ask her for coffee

Prof Semsarian would also plead for Ms de Jongh to have dinner with him occasionally as he drove her home, and confided in her that he and his wife were not doing many things together.

In other messages Prof Semsarian wrote: 'Seriously, do we have a connection?? It's scary!! Will be fabulous to meet your mum.

'Why do you think I ask the night before if you can do coffee so I go to sleep happy and wake up excited I love your company. It's so easy, so meaningful. So happy.

'Ok. Go get your beauty sleep, even though you don't need it, and see you tmr. Sweet dreams.'

He also sent her a photo of his bed in his hotel room once and on another occasion said he was having 'Jen withdrawals'.

When Ms de Jongh was away on a trip to Tasmania with a friend, Prof Semsarian asked where they both slept.

When she replied saying they shared a bed he said words to the effect of: 'ooh, don't give me naughty thoughts'.

In other texts he wrote: 'I am totally genuine. I probably share too much with you but it's the truth. I miss you on weekends.

'Hey. I saw a doctor today and he diagnosed me with J-SAD!! Jen-related Separation Anxiety Disorder!! Dr said it's a chronic condition. I told the Dr I was going to be away for a week and Dr suggested the only treatment was to have a drink/dinner with Jen before I go.'

Ms de Jongh also claims her supervisor touched her on the buttocks when she got into his car in October, 2022.

On another occasion she claimed he looked at her chest and complimented her top.

He also bought her a pair of $900 Apple Airpod Max headphones, which Ms de Jongh repeatedly refused to accept.

In November, 2022, Ms de Jongh told Prof Semsarian she was feeling overwhelmed with the amount of texts he was sending and that she 'felt uncomfortable' at times and wanted to keep their communication strictly work related.

The professor later that day texted her saying there was a 'big storm' coming and offered her a lift home, which she rejected.

About a week later Prof Semsarian texted Ms de Jongh's mother asking if she was okay as she had travelled to New Zealand and caught Covid.

Prof Semsarian also repeatedly offered to drive the then 27-year-old home from work

At the end of November, Ms de Jongh received a certificate from her doctor saying she was unfit to work for the next week due to 'stress and anxiety arising from Professor Semsarian's conduct'.

The professor then sent chocolates and fruit to her house. On December 5, 2022, Ms de Jongh called him to say she would be resigning.

Three days later Prof Semsarian tried to call Ms de Jongh twice before appearing unannounced at her apartment and ringing the intercom multiple times.

She didn't answer but her roommate instead told Prof Semsarian not to come to their home again or she'd call the police, according to the statement of claim.

Ms de Jongh blocked his number the following day and left for New Zealand. She is currently living in Norway.

The statement of claim said Prof Semsarian's conduct was 'inappropriately affectionate' and was conducted in a 'manner that mimicked a romantic relationship'.

According to the claim, Ms de Jongh suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, along with loss of past and future income.

An investigation was not launched by the Centenary Institute. The organisation said it was filing a defence and was 'unable to comment'.

It added it takes eliminating harassment in the workplace seriously.

Daily Mail Australia has approached Prof Semsarian for comment.
A top Australian chef has announced the closure of his popular experimental takeaway shop in Sydney's east, Charcoal Fish.

Celebrated seafood chef Josh Niland announced the Rose Bay eatery would close its doors on Sunday after just three years in business.

Mr Niland is known for his innovative approach to storing, preparing and serving seafood and Charcoal Fish demonstrates the best of his signature experimental cuisine.

Josh Niland has announced the closure of two of his popular eateries. Picture: Instagram

Mr Niland, pictured alongside celebrity Zac Efron, is a highly regarded Sydney chef. Picture: Instagram

Treated much like poultry in a charcoal chicken shop, Mr Niland offers customers unique food options, including yellowfin tuna and Murray cod sausage rolls, a southern friend Fremantle blue eye trevalla burger and a double yellowfin tuna cheeseburger.

The award-winning chef also announced his Paddington Fish Butchery, a fish and chip shop that opened in 2018, will close at the end of the Easter long weekend.

The closure of the butchery comes as Mr Niland's restaurant, Saint Peter, recently relocated to a bigger space, fit with a fish butchery, making the need for a second butchery redundant.

Mr Niland is known for his experimental dishes served at Charcoal Fish. Picture: Instagram

The award-winning chef also announced his Paddington Fish Butchery, a fish and chip that opened in 2018, will close at the end of the Easter long weekend

A spokesman for the revered chef said the Fish Butchery's closure coincided with its move to a larger space.

'The relocation of Saint Peter into a bigger restaurant and kitchen has allowed for more space, and all whole fish butchery will now be carried out in the kitchen and at Fish Butchery Waterloo (which remains open to the public on weekends),' they said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

'The Waterloo site is more suited to purpose and will continue to supply whole fish butchery to both the larger Saint Peter and Petermen restaurants.

'Staff from both venues will be incorporated into existing businesses where possible, and any outstanding Charcoal Fish vouchers will be redirected to other venues.'
A fugitive Venezuelan TikTokker who is on the run from ICE has been slammed for 'exploiting' his baby in an online video showing his child squirm around while he flashes wads of cash.

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.

The fugitive caused chaos after sharing tips on how to invade vacant homes and live off the US government on his TikTok account @leitooficial_25, where he had over half a million followers before the account was suspended.

Moreno has now taken to another social media platform to share his content, and on Thursday posted a series of videos featuring his baby squirming around on a double bed.

In one video, Moreno belts out Spanish lyrics and waves a wad of bills at the camera while the infant wobbles around unsupported.

A fugitive Venezuelan TikTokker who is on the run from ICE was slammed for 'exploiting' his baby in an online video showing his child squirm around while he flashes wads of cash and sings

Leonel Moreno, 27, belts out Spanish lyrics and waves a wad of $100 bills at the camera while the infant wobbles around unsupported and even faceplants at one point

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

The tiny baby even faceplants onto the bed at one point, before Moreno casually props her back up.

Concerned users flooded to the comment section to voice their concern over the safety of the little girl.

Many of the comments asked where the child's mother is, 'Where is the babys mother? I would never let him put my child like this on blast,' someone commented.

'How strange that the mom never appears, he is exploiting the girl and puts her as a shield,' a user said.

'Where is the mother of this girl, grab her girl and get out of there,' one user added.

An optimistic viewer said, 'Hope the bills aren't fake and you're doing well. Enjoy and save for your baby's education.'

On Thursday, DailyMail.com unearthed Moreno's mugshot from April 23, 2022, when he was last known to be in ICE custody.

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

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.

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.

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.

Some of his other videos show him claiming he is begging for money on the streets with his baby daughter

Others videos show him bragging about using the financial aid he supposedly receives from the government for his toddler to buy himself a car

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.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her husband have called it quits on their short-lived marriage just three months after the bride was released from prison.

Blanchard, 32, announced her separation from school teacher Ryan Scott Anderson on a private Facebook account, according to People Magazine.

The sad news comes mere months after Blanchard was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri, having served the mandatory seven years of her 10-year sentence for conspiring to kill her mother, Dee Dee, who was stabbed to death by her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn.

Blanchard and Anderson were married in a jailhouse ceremony in July of 2022.

In her Facebook post, Blanchard wrote: 'People have been asking what is going on in my life. Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents home down the bayou.

'I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find  who I am.'

Gypsy Rose Blanchard and husband Ryan Anderson attend the January premiere of 'The Prison Confessions Of Gypsy Rose Blanchard'

The now-separated couple are seen together shopping in Liberty, Missouri the afternoon she was released from prison

Blanchard was sentenced three years ahead of her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn (pictured) who was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2019. He stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death with a knife Gypsy had given him

Prior to her December release, Blanchard told the outlet that she was planning to marry Anderson - a 37-year-old special ed teacher in Louisiana - a second time once she was a free woman.

'We do plan on having a reception/redo wedding with all of our family and our friends and the dress and the cake and everything because we deserve that. I deserve that. He deserves that,' she said.

'Our prison wedding was just something to where we can make our vows to each other. It was something that meant something to us. And I think the party is kind of for everybody else and us, but mostly for everybody else.'

At the time of her early release, Blanchard, still a blushing bride, said she was excited about moving in with Anderson.

'Ive never lived with a man. I grew up with a mom, so I didnt even grow up with a dad in the house. So, Im like, I dont even know what its like to live with a man,' she said.

Shortly after her release, Blanchard publicly proclaimed her satisfaction with her new-found sex life. While defending her husband from online trolls, she wrote: 'I love you...besides they jealous because you are rocking my world every nightyeah I said it, the D is fire...happy wife happy life.'

Anderson responded: 'Who said I gave a damn about what these jealous people say anyway, haha...now come get it Baby...'

Blanchard was famously charged with the killing of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was found dead in 2015. She admitted to second-degree murder. She gave Godejohn a knife to use to stab her mother to death while she hid in the bathroom.

Godejohn was also arrested and charged for the murder.

For weeks on end, the pair put on increasingly public displays of their affection for one another. They are seen here ringing in the new year

Gypsy Rose (left) with her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was murdered by Gypsy and her then boyfriend in 2015

Blanchard and Anderson made the rounds in the days after Blanchard's release. The pair here were spotted in midtown Manhattan during a press day in January

The seemingly happy couple caused quite a commotion on social media following Blanchard's release, complete with raunchy messages directed at one another left on public accounts

Weeks before news of their split, Gypsy defended her husband from the haters online, and in doing so publicly disclosed her satisfaction with their post-prison sex-life

Gypsy was 23 when she was arrested on a second degree murder charge. She is shown in court in 2015

Dee Dee was found dead on the morning of June 14, 2015, after being knifed 17 times in her sleep by Godejohn, 34, who is serving life in prison without parole.

Following the arrest of the couple, it became clear that Dee Dee had, for years, subjected her young daughter to unnecessary medical treatments and convinced Gypsy and others that she (Gypsy) had a number of serious diseases.

Attorneys for Blanchard argued she had been the victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a dramatic form of child abuse that involves a guardian inventing, exaggerating, and sometimes inflicting illness on a child to gain sympathy.

Blanchard ultimately pleaded guilty in 2016 and was sentenced to a decade in prison.

Godejohn received a life sentence without parole in 2019. He was convicted of first degree murder.

Earlier in March, Blanchard posted a video to TikTok in which she apologized to the people who she has 'offended with a lack of accountability, the first month or so that I was out of prison and the lack of accountability in my interviews, I'm sorry.

'I'm learning. I take accountability for my part, and I'm saying this right now. I'm taking accountability. I did a bad thing.'

She then abruptly deleted nearly her entire social media presence.

In an interview with ABC shortly after her release, Gypsy said she was addicted to prescription pain killers when she and Godejohn, who she'd met online, concocted Dee Dee's murder.

'I don't blame drugs, I don't blame anything. I don't make excuses. Now I'm sober, I haven't used in four years and I don't feel the need to,' she said during the interview.

Gypsy's story is one of the more famous examples of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where a person treats a perfectly healthy dependent as if they have a physical or mental illness

The 32-year-old felon turned-reality-star rose to stardom after her story was told in multiple documentaries

After removing any trace of herself from Instagram, she took to TikTok, in a since-deleted video that was reposted by a fan account, to explain why she no longer wanted to live life in the limelight.

'So a lot of people already noticed that I already deleted my Instagram - the public one - with the 7.8 million followers when I deactivated it or, I deleted it, I permanently deleted it,' she said.

Gypsy claimed that she didn't give a 'f***' about the following and said it wasn't 'real life' - before noting that her dad was the one that helped her put things into perspective when it came to her public life.

She added: 'A lot of people are like, "What happened?" and what happened is, I had a really good conversation with my dad and he gave me some guidance that I feel like I really needed. And that guidance was that real life is something you can touch - something you can feel - people you can actually hug.'

The 32-year-old noted that social media now felt like a 'roadway to hell' for her - explaining that following her release from prison, she fell under a microscope and people began analyzing everything she did.

People reported that the move was made on the 'advisement of her parole officer, so she won't get in trouble and go back to jail.'

Gypsy's story is one of the more famous examples of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where a person treats a perfectly healthy dependent as if they have a physical or mental illness.

Dee Dee shaved her daughter's head to mimic the effects of leukemia, doctored her birth certificate to pretend she was younger and fed her unnecessary medications that caused her to drool and eventually lose her teeth.

She forced Gypsy to use a wheelchair and undergo unnecessary surgeries on her eyes and salivary glands while cashing in with charity handouts and perks including a free trip to Disney World.

Earlier in March, Blanchard posted a video to TikTok in which she apologized to the people who she has 'offended with a lack of accountability, the first month or so that I was out of prison and the lack of accountability in my interviews, I'm sorry,' she said

When doctors in their native Louisiana raised red flags, Dee Dee relocated to Missouri in 2008, where she got a bright pink home built for free, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, and told everyone that Gypsy's medical notes were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.

The former nurse even fooled ex-husband Rod Blanchard, who remained close to his daughter but struggled to get access to her once Dee Dee moved away and constantly made excuses to cancel his visits.

It was only when he witnessed his daughter walk into a courtroom in handcuffs that the shell-shocked dad finally grasped that Gypsy didn't need a wheelchair.
But Molly was seized by authorities on March 1

The bird is best friends with two Staffies

Molly the magpie has fans across the globe

The couple behind a push to reunite magpie Molly with their family have warned scammers are posting fake crowdfunding pages as they try to cash in on people's goodwill.

Molly 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 March 1 when authorities seized Molly over allegations the bird was being 'kept unlawfully'.

The couple's latest message to followers amid the fight to return Molly warns them 'do not donate' to 'any fundraiser asking for money' linked to their cause.

'This is not us,' they said.

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)

Ms Wells and Mr Mortenson, who live in Coomera on the northern Gold Coast, were left heartbroken on March 1 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

The couple also asked that Molly's fans do not 'spread hate or fear' towards the 'small group of people' whose complaints resulted in the government seizing Molly.

'I know of one person who made a mistake of putting her name out in one of the (news) articles and is fearing her safety,' Ms Wells said.

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

The pair enjoying the view from their Coomera home before Molly was seized by DESI officers

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.
Friends of the 22-year-old said she should be remembered as she was when alive

The agency has denied claims its photographers collaborated with Hamas to get the winning shots

Photo agency AP won the world's oldest photo journalism award for its picture of Shani Louk's dead body on the morning of the October 7 attack

A prestigious university has been branded a 'disgrace' after it awarded the world's oldest photo journalism prize for a picture of a mutilated and murdered October 7 victim.

Shani Louk, 22, became a symbol of the brutal Hamas attack after the world saw the picture of gunmen rushing her half-naked corpse back to Gaza on the back of a pick-up.

That photo was the centerpiece of the submission that won photo agency AP the Team Picture Story of the Year category from the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism.

'RJI thinks a horrifying picture of Shani Louk's half-clothed, dead body is award-winning work,' tweeted GOP House whip Tom Emmer.

'Disgusting.'

The winning AP photograph of Shani Louk's lifeless body being transported back to Gaza by her killers

Friends and family of the 22-year-old said she should be remembered as she was

The German-Israeli was attending the SuperNova Festival with her boyfriend Orion Radoux

The 22-year-old German-Israeli was among 364 people killed at the SuperNova Festival which she was attending with her boyfriend.

Family photos of the young woman showed a happy and carefree spirit at the outset of her adult life and friends of her family have said that that is how she should be remembered.

'This is how we choose to remember the beautiful Shani Louk,' wrote one. 'We will not allow her memory to be trampled by the inhuman thugs celebrating the AP photo of her tragic murder.'

'I am horrified,' wrote another. 'This is a picture of terrorists parading a dead body of a Jewish woman after they murdered her. Shame on you.'

Louk's family and other victims of the SuperNova killings sued AP and fellow news agency Reuters in February accusing them of collusion in the atrocities they documented.

They claim that agency freelancers were 'longstanding Hamas affiliates and full participants in the terrorist attack', who knew it was about to take place.

Lobby group HonestReporting, which raised concerns about the coverage posted its 'congratulations' to AP for winning the award.

'How does it feel to do so on the back of Palestinian photo journalists who infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7 and took photos like the one below of Shani Louk's dead body in a Hamas pickup?' they demanded.

'Was RJI bothered about that before bestowing the award?'

The sentiment was echoed by Israeli MP and diplomat Danny Danon who tweeted: 'This photo captures Hamas terrorists desecrating the body of Shani Louk, may her soul rest in peace.

'Yet the AP news agency proudly received an award for it. Their continued pride in their photographers' 'work' and involvement in the atrocities is shameful.'

Senior politicians from across the world joined in the chorus of protest against the prize

The young tattoo artist was among 364 people killed at the SuperNova Festival

The festival site in the Negev Desert was just three miles of the Gaza border and was overrun within minutes of the attack taking place on October 7

Parts of Louk's skull were later found near the entrance to the festival site

More than 100 journalists have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since the ground invasion of Gaza began, according to Reporters Without Borders, making the conflict one of the deadliest on record for news gatherers.

The photo of Louk taken by AP freelance Ali Mahmud, was the first in a group of 20 submitted by the agency for the competition.

Both AP and Reuters have denied any collusion with the attacks, and AP issued a statement last month saying it had the 'deepest sympathy for those affected' but insisted the allegations were 'baseless'.

'AP had no advance knowledge of the October 7 attacks, nor have we seen any evidence  including in the lawsuit  that the freelance journalists who contributed to our coverage did,' they wrote.

'Allegations like this are reckless and create even more potential danger for journalists in the region.

'Documenting breaking news events around the world  no matter how horrific  is our job.

'Without AP and other news organizations, the world would not have known what was happening on October 7.'
A Chief Health Officer who branded long Covid as a 'sinister' term that creates 'unnecessary fear' has come under fire from patients who say the condition has drastically impacted their health.

Queensland's top medical officer Dr John Gerrard stated two weeks ago that the term long Covid was 'misleading' and 'harmful' after a study showed its symptoms were indistinguishable from the lingering effects of other respiratory viruses.

Victorian woman Miquette Abercrombie from the Australia Long Covid Community group said Dr Gerrard's message undermined those suffering from the condition, which is still often being dismissed by doctors.

'This is real and there are many of us suffering,' Ms Abecrombie told the ABC on the day of Dr Gerrard's recommendation.

Victorian woman Miquette Abercrombie, a long Covid sufferer, says the recommendation by Queensland's CHO not to use the term takes away 'her voice'

'It's taking away our identity, it's our voice.'

She told the Courier Mail that the statement undermined those who suffered the condition.

'The level of anger and astonishment after the CHO's message was huge,' Ms Abecrombie said.

'One of the biggest problems facing members is being taken seriously by the medical community. They need to be believed and treatment developed.'

Queenslander Gary Macpherson was put in ICU for six weeks after he contracted Covid in 2020 but he says that was only beginning of his health nightmare.

'I don't have long Covid. I have Covid for life,' he told the Courier Mail.

'It is very real. While I am not as debilitated as I was I still only have only 80 per cent lung function and kidney problems. I don't have any buffer if I get sick again.'

Melissa Austin, 47, said she has struggled to get doctors to take her long Covid seriously and Dr Gerrard's suggestion could make that worse.

'Why would healthcare staff in Queensland take patients seriously when the leading doctor diminishes the very real condition that is impacting more and more people?' Ms Austin, who is a member of the 4700-strong Australia Long Covid Group, said.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said the symptoms for long Covid were identical to the after effects of other respiratory viruses

While Ms Austin said that she doesn't deny long Covid has symptoms in common with other viruses it is still vital the condition is recognised as a separate sickness to validate patients and get specialist treatment.

In her own case she said the condition made her feel like her nervous system 'was constantly being eaten away by ants'.

'My brain would seize and I would have no idea where I was in my own home. I'd get on a bus and would be sitting there clueless as to where I was going or why. It was so frightening,' she said.

'I would have such severe chest pain I'd end up in the emergency department multiple times to be told they could find nothing wrong.

'I literally felt I was going mad and was totally alone.'

In recommending against using the term long Covid, Dr Gerrard did not dismiss it as a condition but said it could grouped in with other post-viral symptoms.

'Post-viral syndromes do occur. We're absolutely saying that it does exist,' he said.

'We see it with Ross River virus. Clearly, we see it with influenza as well. Our evidence suggests that there isn't, that it is not dissimilar to other viruses.

'That does not mean that you can't get these persistent symptoms following Covid-19, but you're no more likely to get it after Covid than with other respiratory viruses.'

Long Covid sufferers have reacted in outrage at Dr Gerrard's comments (pictured a protest outside Victoria's Parliament)

The conclusion was drawn from a Queensland study which monitored the lasting effects on about 2,400 people who caught Covid and about 2,700 people who caught other viruses such as influenza.

A year after infection around 16 per cent of all respondents reported ongoing symptoms regardless of whether they had Covid or other viruses.

Three per cent of Covid patients reported moderate to severe impairment while for those who had other viruses, 4.1 per cent reported more serious long-term effects.

Those symptoms were commonly fatigue, brain fog and changes to taste and smell, all of which could intensify after exercise.

After controlling for factors including age, sex and whether participants were Indigenous, the researchers found that Covid had no longer lasting impairment than other respiratory viruses.
Talks have 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. vote 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. One U.S. official said strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi would be among the delegation to come to Washington. The official were not authorized to speak publicly about the sensitive discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

An Israeli official said the White House had reached out with the goal of setting a new meeting. The official was not authorized to talk to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. 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 Hamas-run 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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers his speech after a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Jerusalem, Sunday, March 17, 2024

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, at far left, speaks while meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, across table at far right, at the Pentagon, Tuesday, March 26

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 on Wednesday said 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.

President Joe Biden delivers a speech about healthcare at an event in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, March 26

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg listens as White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse during a press briefing at the White House, Wednesday, March 27

Speaking to visiting Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Netanyahu said the canceled visit 'was a message first and foremost to Hamas: Dont bet on this pressure, its not going to work.'

Netanyahu said the U.S. abstention on the U.N. vote was 'very, very bad,' and that it 'encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and to believe that international pressure will prevent Israel' from achieving its war aims. Israel wants to destroy Hamas military and governing capabilities and free the hostages taken by the militant group during its Oct. 7 attack against Israel.

The U.S. abstention and Netanyahus subsequent decision to cancel the delegation represented the strongest public dispute between the two allies since the war in Gaza began.
Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation Madonna with Gottmik, left, during night 1 of The Celebration Tour in Houston, March 28, 2024. Joey Guerra Madonna performs during night 1 of The Celebration Tour in Houston, March 28, 2024. Joey Guerra

The celebration must go on  even when the queen of pop isnt feeling well.

"My voice is not so great tonight," Madonna confessed to Thursday nights crowd at Toyota Center. It was the first of (hopefully) two shows.

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She was more than halfway through a nearly two-and-a-half hour set. But it was apparent earlier that she wasnt feeling well. Her voice got raspier as the night went on, and there was some hesitation in her steps. It was clear she wasn't lip-syncing.

Madonna performs during night 1 of The Celebration Tour in Houston, March 28, 2024. Joey Guerra

Rest up. Madonna. Even if that means rescheduling a few shows. (As of now, nothing has been canceled.) Last year, Madonna postponed the original Celebration Tour dates because of a serious bacterial infection that resulted in her being placed in a medically induced coma for 48 hours.

Still, Madonna at 75-percent in Houston is better than most acts at full tilt. Her catalog plays like a complete history of pop music, and she showcases it magnificently during The Celebration Tour. Most of her previous outings have focused on new music. This is the first tour that hasnt followed a new studio album. Many of the songs havent been performed live in several years  or ever. Arranged together across one night, it's a towering achievement.

"Are you ready to take a ride with me?" Madonna asked. The crowd had been for months, and they showed up in classic Madonna looks. Lots of '80s tulle, cowboy hats, sequins and leather.

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Its exhilarating to finally hear her sing "Bedtime Story" and "Take a Bow." We even get "Erotica" and "Justify My Love," overtly sexual songs that would probably be banned today from radio. An army of dancers stomped the stage in recreations of Madonnas most iconic looks, from "Frozen" goth to "Material Girl" Marilyn to "Music"-era cowgirl. During "Open Your Heart," she recreated the music video's art deco peepshow. There were sweet tributes to fallen pop idols Prince and Michael Jackson, who defined the '80s alongside Madonna.

Bob the Drag Queen during night 1 of The Celebration Tour in Houston, March 28, 2024. Joey Guerra

Bob the Drag Queen, "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 8 winner, served as the night's emcee and kicked things off at 10:05 p.m. for those keeping track. (FYI, Madonna has always done that. She went on at 10 p.m. in 1987 for the Who's That Girl World Tour.) Bob appeared from the back of the venue, dressed as Madonna-as-Marie-Antoinette from the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

"Drag Race" queens popped up throughout the night. Gottmik, the first trans man to compete on "Drag Race," was the surprise guest during the ballroom judging sequence. Detox, who competed on regular and "All Stars" seasons, was seated near the front of the stage.

Madonna's son David Banda performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation

Celebration also meant family. Madonna's four adopted children showed up onstage in various capacities. David Banda, handsome and confident, walked the runway during "Vogue," played guitar and joined Madonna on deep cut "Mother and Father" as images of his birth parents flashed onscreen. Daughter Mercy James was poised on the piano during "Bad Girl," another song fans thought they'd never hear live. Twins Stella and Estere DJ-ed and danced, holding their own against the older professionals.

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"I'm so proud of them. And I'm harder on them than anyone else (on the tour)," Madonna said.

The main stage piece was reminiscent of the wedding cake set from Madonna's legendary 1984 performance on MTV. She stood still as it rotated and rose during opener "Nothing Really Matters." The show itself was framed as a journey through Madonna's musical life, from gritty New York clubs and red velvet beds to the balcony of the Casa Rosada and, finally, the top of the world.

Madonna with daughter Mercy James during night 1 of The Celebration Tour in Houston, March 28, 2024. Joey Guerra

Madonna frequently interacted with a masked dancer meant to be a reflection of herself. The person, she said, who never let her down. She introduced a fuzzy "Burning Up" as the first song she wrote on guitar, only to restart it because of sound problems.

"My guitar teacher is here tonight. Dont embarrass me," she said, referring to Longview native Monte Pittman.

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Later, Madonna dedicated a twangy, acoustic version of "Express Yourself" to Pittman and said she was "forever indebted to him."

The show's most powerful moments were those most personal to Madonna. The scrappy '80s joy of "Holiday" was cut short by an onstage death meant to symbolize the AIDS epidemic. It segued into "Live to Tell" as images of people who died of AIDS, including Freddie Mercury and Anthony Perkins, filled multiple screens across the venue.

Madonna performs during night 1 of The Celebration Tour in Houston, March 28, 2024. Joey Guerra

"Like a Prayer," always a live highlight, was lifted by religious iconography and an interpolation of Sam Smith's "Unholy." A carousel of dancers contorted their bodies amid crosses. Madonna draped herself in the progressive Pride flag featuring trans colors during a snippet of "Evita" tune "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." She soared above the crowd inside a giant frame, wearing pink hair and a silver bodysuit, during an electrifying "Ray of Light."

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Rishi Sunak has been accused of 'obscene cronyism' over his decision to award a knighthood to Egyptian-born billionaire Mohamed Mansour who recently gave 5m to the Conservatives.

The Prime Minister surprised many by announcing a new raft of honours for a range of political and creative figures, including Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan.

Also included among the honours were four Tory MPs: Harriett Baldwin, Philip Davies, Mark Spencer and Tracey Crouch.

The decision to award new honours, which are traditionally handed out at the end of the year, led to criticism from Mr Sunak's political rivals including from Reform UK leader Richard Tice who said 'the whole thing stinks.'

He told the Telegraph: 'The nation is sick of the Tories and their obscene cronyism.

'Bung them a few million quid and a peerage or knighthood is yours. The whole thing stinks like a rotting fish, from the head.

'Amusingly, they have tried to disguise their tracks with various other soft or cultural types being honoured. We are not that stupid.'

Rishi Sunak has been accused of 'obscene cronyism' over his decision to award a knighthood to Egyptian-born billionaire Mohamed Mansour

Sir Mohamed's inclusion on the honours list has proved particularly controversial given his history with the party

Sir Philip Davies, the MP for Shipley whose wife is the Government's 'common sense' minister Esther McVey, said he was 'absolutely delighted' to be handed a knighthood

Sir Mohamed's inclusion has proved particularly controversial given his history with the party.

He is a senior treasurer for the Tories and chairman of the Mansour Group and founded the London-based investment firm Man Capital.

Sir Mohamed previously served as Egypt's transport minister between 2006 and 2009 under the country's autocratic president Hosni Mubarak, who was toppled in 2011 during the 'Arab Spring' uprisings.

Last year, Sir Mohamed rejuvenated the Tory coffers to the tune of 5million saying he backed Mr Sunak as a 'capable' PM who could restore the country's economy.

The seven-figure donation was the largest single lump sum the party received in more than two decades.

Writing in the Telegraph, he said he left Egypt for Britain due to it being 'a place where the rule of law is paramount, property rights are respected and with an enviable record of political stability'.

'I believe that this country has a very capable Prime Minister. One who understands how growth is generated in the modern economy,' he said.

'He gets the importance of technology and innovation. He can make the modern economy work for all UK citizens.'

Sir Mohamed added: 'I look at what he has achieved in his first months in office and think what he could do in five years.'

Labour had previously urged the Tories to hand back Sir Mohamed's money as the party questioned the length of time it had taken for one of his companies to wind down its business in Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Sunak's new honours have been described by Labour as the last acts of a dying Government.

Anneliese Dodds MP, the Labour Party chairman, said: 'This is either the arrogant act of an entitled man who's stopped caring what the public thinks or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesn't expect to be Prime Minister much longer.

'Either way, it shows a blatant disrespect for the office he should feel privileged to hold.'

Senior No 10 sources pointed to Sir Mohamed's charitable work and record of public service.

This included support for The Prince's Foundation  now The King's Foundation  and a major contributor to St Paul's Cathedral's Remember Me project, which raised money for a physical memorial to those who died of Covid in the UK.

The timing of the announcement, while Parliament is in recess and on the eve of the Easter bank holiday weekend, raised eyebrows.

But sources said the timing of the honours was linked to the need to make appointments to the Privy Council, including the new First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething.

Sir Philip, the MP for Shipley whose wife is the Government's 'common sense' minister Esther McVey, said he was 'absolutely delighted' to be handed a knighthood.

'I'm somewhat flabbergasted as well, to be honest,' he added. 'It feels very surreal and I'm somewhat in shock.

'I'm just immensely grateful to everybody who has enabled it to happen.'

Sir Philip hosted a GB News show with wife until she gave up the presenting role to return to Government as minister without portfolio in November last year.

Christopher Nolan and his film producer wife Emma Thomas are also set to receive a knighthood and damehood for their services to the industry

Christopher Nolan and his film producer wife Emma Thomas are also set 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'.
Holidaymakers at Dover are facing queues of around two hours to begin their Easter getaways after ferries were held up thanks to Storm Nelson.

Around 2.6million car journeys are expected to made on Good Friday with many motorists making for the Channel - despite warnings of 'carmageddon' and ferry firm DFDS predicting disruption 'due to strong winds' on Thursday.

And two million Brits are expected to jet off abroad for the long weekend - with big queues forming at some of the country's major airports first thing in the morning.

The Port of Dover said shortly at 11am on Good Friday that queues were at least two hours - but advised that French border controls were 'flowing well' despite delays caused by last night's stormy weather.

Gusts of up to 80mph were widely expected as the weather system made landfall across London, the south-east, south-west and east of England. A yellow weather warning for wind was extended until the end of the day.

Are you caught up in Easter weekend chaos? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk

Lines of traffic at the Port of Dover as the great Easter weekend getaway gets underway - albeit with delays

The Port of Dover says traffic is continuing to move smoothly - with ferry operators thanking travellers for the patience at the border

Cars queueing at the Port of Dover as they wait to make journeys overseas. French passport control may be imposing additional security checks following the Moscow terror attack

The queues are only expected to grow as thousands more drivers take to the roads and make for the ferries (pictured: lorries snaking along the A20)

Traffic on the A20 in Dover winding its way through the town in order to reach the port. Thousands of vehicles are expected to pass through today

Travellers at Manchester Airport on Good Friday. Airport bosses say they expect 320,000 people to jet off over the weekend

Holidaymakers make their way into the departure lounge at Bristol Airport early on Friday. It is expecting 30,000 passengers on Easter Sunday alone

The British Airways check-in desks at Heathrow Terminal 5 are already packed with passengers early on Good Friday

Passengers prepare to drop off their bags at Heathrow Terminal 2 ahead of jetting off on Good Friday for the Easter weekend

The Port of Dover said queues were moving well in Kent this morning - but this has been disputed by travellers said to be among those waiting to set off on holiday

Deluges affected railway lines and cancelled several ferries from Dover to Calais and Dieppe to Newhaven, with impacts still being felt today.

The Port of Dover said at 11am: 'The tourist processing time is around 2 hours from arrival at the Port as we approach our peak travel time on Good Friday. Thank you to the local community for your patience as we work to keep traffic moving.'

But several travellers have taken to social media to blast the long queues building for the boats - even in the twilight hours.

'Horrendous queues at 2am, 3hrs to get through, and you say it's due to enhanced security checks?' asked one traveller on X, formerly Twitter.

READ MORE: Families face Easter holiday travel chaos as more than 600 Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport to strike over last four days of festive break Advertisement

Another said: 'Taken three hours to get through to check in', while a third holidaymaker, responding to the Port's social media profile, said: 'Wished we'd taken the tunnel.'

Port workers in bright orange jumpsuits could be seen directing traffic into the lengthy queues as travellers and truckers alike made for the continent.

Ferry companies have asked travellers to be patient as the queues continue to build throughout Friday morning.

P&O Ferries said on X: 'Good morning, there are currently queues in the Port of Dover. Please don't worry if you miss your sailing, we'll get you on the next available ship once you're through check-in.'

DFDS said of its Dover-France route: 'All services are currently operating with delays due to the earlier strong winds in the Channel.

'Please check-in as normal, we will transfer all passengers onto the first available sailing on arrival. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.'

Kent County Council has mounted Operation Brock on the M20, partially closing the coastbound motorway to non-freight traffic heading for Dover.

Some 20,000 cars are expected to pass through over the Easter long weekend, as well as just over 9,000 freight lorries.

Ferry firm Stena Line said bookings on Irish Sea routes are up 115% on an average weekend at this time of year and have increased by 26% on Easter weekend 2023.

Journeys could also be delayed due to extra border security checks by the French after the concert hall attack in Moscow last Friday that killed more than 130 people.

The Port said in an 'Easter holidays travel information' update on X earlier this week: 'France has heightened its border security checks following the attack in Moscow on Sunday.

'These measures may increase border processing times at the Port. Please be mindful of this when travelling to the port and check with your ferry operator for arrival times.'

Queues for the Eurotunnel at Folkestone in Kent as the Easter break gets underway. Some travellers chose to use the ferries as they were reportedly cheaper to book

Kent County Council has enacted Operation Brock, partially closing the M20 to allow EU-bound lorries to queue on the carriageway

Motorists wind their way along the A303 past Stonehenge in Wiltshire as they set off for Easter getaways. More than 2.6million journeys are expected to be made today

Queues were already building at the Port of Dover in Kent for the big Easter bank holiday getaway early on Friday

The Port of Dover said earlier that queues were running in excess of 90 minutes but that French border controls were 'flowing well'

STORM NELSON: A map by Spanish weather service Aemet showing the low pressure system that hit Britain yesterday

Good Friday is expected to be a much milder affair than yesterday, with temperatures hitting the mid-teens later in the day and some scattered showers

Xavier Jahouen, 50, was travelling to the Swiss Alps with his family for end-of-season skiing from his home in Southampton.

Normandy-born Xavier, travelling with wife Isabelle, 48, son Alexei, 18, and daughter Amy, 14, said: 'It's absolutely ridiculous. We are in 2024. This mess has been happening for 10 years and no one has done anything at all.

'They know this is coming. They could have got more passport control officers and got more organised but they haven't.'

He added: 'This has to be more efficient. Open more gates. If you know more people are booked in, then open more gates!'

Retired Brit Richard Walker, 78, and his French wife Karrin, 52, are travelling back to their home in France after attending a funeral in Hampshire.

Their planned crossing last night was cancelled - with the pair forced to delay until this morning to return to their home 70 miles south of Paris.

Richard said: 'The communication was all right when they told us the crossing was cancelled last night because the information came as soon as they got it.

'But since we got here we have had nothing - we have to rely on radio bulletins.'

Karrin added: 'It's a bank holiday. Surely they must know and can put measures into place?

'Why is there an hour-and-a-half delay?'

Travel trade organisation Abta said airports are reporting 'strong numbers', with 175,000 due to leave from Stansted, 105,000 from Luton, 160,000 from Manchester, 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.

Bristol Airport, where many holidaymakers were pictured heading for the departure lounge in the early hours of Friday, is also expecting 30,000 passengers on Easter Sunday alone.

Good Friday is set to be a day of sunshine and blustery scattered showers, coming after unsettled conditions which have seen hailstones hit parts of Cornwall.

Elsewhere, in any sunshine it could feel warm, with highs of 14C expected in the south east of England but there is the risk of the odd thunderstorm, the Met Office said last night.

The driest weather is expected in the far north-east of the UK and there could be a windy start to the day in many regions.

A quiet concourse at London Euston station on Good Friday. Engineering works at the southern end of the West Coast Mainline mean fewer trains are running than normal

No such disruption at London King's Cross (pictured), where families set off on railway journeys along the East Coast Mainline without issue

The southern section of the West Coast Main Line will be closed between Good Friday and Easter Monday, with replacement buses replacing Avanti West Coast trains in some areas

MailOnline has also revealed eye-watering costs for a flight over the four-day Easter weekend

Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: 'The weather is expected to gradually improve following the widely unsettled spell of the past few days, with a fairly typical mix of spring-like weather across the UK.

'There will be some sunshine, and it will feel increasingly warm for most as the winds become lighter.

'However, the west and especially south west is likely to see passing showers too, which could be quite heavy and frequent at times.

'Eastern coastal districts are also likely to feel increasingly cold as an onshore breeze develops, threatening persistent low cloud in some areas too.'

It's an improvement to the highly changeable conditions across the country on Thursday, which saw regions hit with rain, gale force winds, hailstones and even snow across the day.

The RAC and transport analysis company Inrix commissioned a survey which suggested 2.6 million leisure journeys by car will be made on Good Friday.

The lengthiest delays are expected to be between 11am and 3pm, meaning drivers are advised to set off as early as possible or wait until later in the afternoon.

Two popular routes for holidaymakers - the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton, and the M3 between the M25 and the south coast - are likely to be congested.

Turkey, Dubai and the Canary Islands are among the most popular destinations abroad and trips to Dublin are also in demand.

Nelson brought unexpected weather for some parts of the country - including on Dartmoor, in Devon, which found itself blanketed in snow

Pedestrians braved the heavy rain and gusty conditions on Westminster Bridge as Storm Nelson hit on Thursday

Large waves crash over the harbour wall as Storm Nelson arrived at Newhaven in Sussex yesterday

Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: 'It's exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend - that's up 7 per cent on April 2023.'

Glasgow predicts more than 90,000 passengers over the four days while Birmingham Airport said it expects a 27.2% increase in departures compared to last year over the full Easter period.

Bristol, which predicts 30,000 holiday trips on Easter Sunday alone, advised: 'If travelling with Easter eggs, passengers are advised to keep any chocolate treats in your cabin baggage and to make sure they're easily accessible as they may need to be opened for a quick check.'

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

Liverpool Airport expects around 60,000 passengers over the four days, which is around 7% higher than last year.

But families returning from their breaks are also set to face further Easter holiday travel chaos next month when more than 600 Border Force officials at Heathrow will strike over shifts.

The strike is set to begin on April 11 and end four days later on April 14 - just as families return from their Easter holidays.

Trade union PCS, which balloted its members on the walkouts, labelled a lack of consultation with staff ahead of changes to shift patterns a 'farce'.

Network Rail urged train passengers to check their journey details before they travel because some major routes will be closed due to engineering work.

The West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes, used by Avanti West Coast trains to and from Scotland, is shut for four days from today.

Network Rail said it was laying new track near Kensal Green tunnel in North West London and replacing a busy junction just south of Milton Keynes.

Buses will run from Potters Bar to Watford Junction and Milton Keynes to London.

There will also be disruption to ScotRail services because of work to renew tracks and points over a major junction between Glasgow Central and Cambuslang and Polmadie Depot.

And in West Yorkshire, work will continue on the TransPennine Route Upgrade, with new tracks being laid around Huddersfield. This will mean changes to trains on routes such as Sheffield to Leeds and all trains to Huddersfield itself.

Greater Anglia warned of disruption across its routes because of construction work for the new Beaulieu Park station in Chelmsford, as well as track maintenance work.

Train services between London and many East Anglia locations, including Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester, will be replaced by buses for part of the journey.

And in London, the Elizabeth line will be closed due to engineering work through the centre of the capital, between London Paddington and Stratford and Abbey Wood.

Network Rail's network strategy director Laurence Bowman said: 'We know how important Easter is for families and friends to catch up, and we try to keep as much of the network open as possible.

'There's never a good time to do the work we need to do but the four days of the bank holiday, when fewer people are travelling, give us the opportunity to do major work we couldn't do in normal weekend.

'We've got 493 different pieces of work taking place this Easter, most happening overnight, including laying over 8,000 metres of new rail and putting down over 40,000 tonnes of new ballast to support the tracks.'

Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated 3.2 billion for the economy.

VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: 'Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months so it's really encouraging to see so many of us are planning a holiday at home.

'We also know from our latest research that the cost of living remains a concern and while people are still keen to take a break, many are booking late, taking shorter breaks, wanting to save on accommodation, activities and eating out, highlighting the ongoing challenges for industry.'

Easter Sunday also sees the UK move to British Summer Time (BST) where clocks go forward by one hour.
The sole survivor of the deadly mushroom lunch dished up by accused triple-murderer Erin Patterson appeared in good spirits as he led the Good Friday service at his local church.

Ian Wilkinson, 70, lost his his wife Heather, 66, her sister, Gail Patterson, and brother-in-law, Don Patterson, both 70, as the result of a lunch laced with toxic mushrooms served at Erin Patterson's Leongatha home in eastern Victoria last July 29.

In contrast to the emotional service he conducted in February when first resuming his role as pastor at the Korumburra Baptist Church, Mr Wilkinson appeared cheerful.

'It's a good day for Good Friday, (the support from the church) has been great. Have a great day,' he told the congregation according to the Herald Sun.

Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon, who was meant to attend the fateful lunch but pulled out at the last minute, was among the small congregation.

Ian Wilkinson appeared in high spirits as he led a Good Friday service at the Korumburra Baptist Church today (pictured a service in February at the church)

Mr Wilkinson was the sole survivor of a deadly mushroom lunch held at the home of Erin Patterson on July 29, 2023. Pictured is Korumburra Baptist Church in eastern Victoria

Mr Wilkinson did not learn of the deaths of his dining companions until he awoke from an induced coma several weeks after the lunch.

When he took to the pulpit again in February he tearfully spoke of how God had sustained him since 'Heather, Gail and Don went to be with the Lord'.

'The way is sometimes hard but God is good and he is with us,' said Mr Wilkinson as his wavered and he battled to keep back tears.

'He promised never to leave or forsake us and I can say that is true.'

Mr Wilkinson revealed he would have celebrated his 45th wedding anniversary with his wife Heather that week, who died in hospital just days after the lunch.

He reportedly told the congregation it had been a 'pretty big week'.

'At the start of the week, it was six months since Heather and Gail and Don went to be with the Lord,' Mr Wilkinson said.

'And yesterday was our 45th wedding anniversary, so it's been a pretty big week, but I am grateful for all that God has given me, God has done through me.'

The pastor, who has spent 25 years at the church, jokingly asked the congregation if they remembered a Bible teaching series that was 'cut short' last year.

'Does anybody remember our series on Genesis that we began last year?' he asked.

'Has anybody got any vague memories of that? It was dramatically cut short half way through Genesis chapter two.'

Ian Wilkinson is pictured with his wife Heather, who died a few days after the mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson has been charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder after serving. She is due to next appear in court on April 22

Ms Patterson, 49, will appear in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court via video link on April 22, where she will formally enter a plea to three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

She is accused of intentionally including poisonous mushrooms in a beef Wellington served at the lunch.

Ms Patterson has told police the mushrooms were button mushrooms from a local supermarket chain and dried mushrooms, which she bought months earlier from an Asian grocer in the Mount Waverley area, but couldn't recall which one.

Victoria Police have spent 20 weeks preparing a brief of evidence against Ms Patterson who was arrested at her home on November 2.

She is currently behind bars in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, where sources say she requires protection from other inmates due to her alleged crime.
Police are urgently seeking information that will help them capture a man they believe raped two woman on two separate occasions in two separate London locations.

The Metropolitan Police have released an e-fit image and CCTV of the perpetrator and say forensic evidence has shown has targeted woman in Westminster and Shoreditch over a four year period.

Police say the first offence took place on May 5 2018 in the early hours of the morning close to the Strand, whilst the second attack occurred on December 10 2022 in Shoreditch.

In an effort to catch the culprit, police have released CCTV footage of the second assault in Shoreditch.

In the shocking clip, a man can be seen grabbing a woman and stroking her back inappropriately on a dark street.

The Metropolitan Police have released an e-fit image and CCTV of the perpetrator

In the shocking clip, a man can be seen grabbing a woman in Shoreditch

He is then seen stroking her back inappropriately on a dark street

DI Chris Heathcote, responsible for investigating rape and serious offences in east London, said: 'These two offences were initially investigated by separate teams given the distance between the two incidents, however we have since been able to forensically link the same individual to both offences.

'Given the four-year gap, we must assume that its highly likely the suspect has carried out further attacks.

'A review of all unsolved rapes for this time period has identified no links to these two offences, but I would appeal to anyone who feels they have been a victim to come forward.

'The suspect involved in both incidents appears to target lone women in the night time economy. I understand there will be concern that this individual remains outstanding, but can offer every assurance that we are taking all possible steps to ensure he is found and brought to justice for these awful crimes.

'If you believe you have been a victim or recognise the man from any of the material released please come forward. Any information  no matter how small  could help us with our investigation.'
Fretting Tory MPs have urged Rishi Sunak to name Nigel Farage as Britain's ambassador to the US in order to stop him spearheading Reform UK's election bid.

Conservatives are increasingly worried about Reform's rise in opinion polls and fear Mr Farage's return to frontline politics could turbocharge their growing popularity.

A latest YouGov poll put Reform on 16 per cent, within touching distance of the Tories on 21 per cent, while it also showed the insurgents leading among working-class voters.

Mr Farage has consistently refused to rule out mounting another bid to become an MP and a return as Reform's leader ahead of the general election.

Tory MPs are now suggesting Mr Sunak should give Mr Farage the ambassadorship and a peerage in return for him not making a return to frontline politics.

The Government is expected to name a replacement for Britain's current ambassador to the US, Dame Karen Pierce, in the coming weeks.

And Conservatives have claimed the Prime Minister should use it as an opportunity to utilise Mr Farage's close links with Donald Trump, who could return as US president in November's election.

Fretting Tory MPs have urged Rishi Sunak to name Nigel Farage as Britain's ambassador to the US in order to stop him spearheading Reform UK's election bid

Conservatives claimed the Prime Minister should utilise Mr Farage's close links with Donald Trump, who could return as US president in November's election

Tories are increasingly worried about Reform's rise in opinion polls and fear Mr Farage's return to frontline politics could turbocharge their growing popularity

One 'Red Wall' Tory told the i newspaper: 'Rishi should do a deal with him to make him ambassador to the US in return for him agreeing not to stand for Reform.

'He already has a great relationship with Donald Trump - he would make an excellent interlocutor between the two countries.

'Bung him a peerage and make him ambassador is what I would do.'

Another Conservative frontbencher suggested Mr Farage should be handed a seat in the House of Lords in return for Reform - who were recently boosted by former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson defecting to their ranks - standing down all candidates at the election, just as the Brexit Party did in 2019.

'I think it would be easier to do a deal saying we will make you a Conservative peer,' the MP said.

But Mr Farage himself rejected the idea of any pact between him and the Tories ahead of the general election.

'I am not for sale,' he told the newspaper. 'If the Conservative Party were sincere they would have sent me to the USA in 2017.'

And a Reform spokesman said: 'What they are suggesting is a political bribe.

'The Tories have been offering him those since about the year 2000. It didn't work then, why would they think it might work now?'

A new YouGov poll for The Times showed, among 'C2DE' social classes, Reform is narrowly ahead of the Tories on 23 points to 22, although this was within the margin of error.

The survey also found Reform is ahead of the Tories in the north of England, 21-18, while the two parties are neck-and-neck in the Midlands on 21 per cent.

The two parties were in effect tied among voters aged 50-64.

Tory chairman Richard Holden last night failed to rule out the Tories trying to strike a deal with Mr Farage.

He told Sky News: 'What Nigel Farage does and the Reform Party is completely up to them.

'It's quite clear that a vote for Reform, all it's going to do is help Keir Starmer get into Downing Street.'

Labour demanded Mr Sunak publicly rule out a Tory pact with Mr Farage as they claimed it 'risks threatening international unity against Russian aggression'

Labour demanded Mr Sunak publicly rule out a Tory pact with Mr Farage as they claimed it 'risks threatening international unity against Russian aggression'.

The party pointed to Mr Farage's suggestion last month that the West should be more open to negotiating with Vladimir Putin.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's shadow paymaster general, said: 'Rishi Sunak's weakness leaves him pandering to the extremists in his party.

'Rishi Sunak must put national interest before the Conservative Party. No secret negotiations to keep the Farage wolf from the Tory door.

'Rishi Sunak must rule out this dangerous and desperate deal that risks threatening international unity against Russian aggression and undermining vital support for Ukraine.

'If the Prime Minister refuses to publicly rule out such a desperate deal, it will be clearer than ever that Rishi Sunak is too weak to act in the national interest.

'Labour will always act in the national interest, and our support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin's illegal invasion is absolute.

'Tory MPs pushing Rishi Sunak into a dangerous and desperate deal with Nigel Farage reveals how chaotic the Tory Party has become. After 14 years of decline, it's time for change.'

Mr Farage recently dropped the strongest hint yet he will return to frontline politics, while he also suggested Reform could merge with the defeated Tories after the general election.

In an interview with the Unherd website, Mr Farage - who currently fronts a GN News show - again addressed fevered speculation about his political future.

'I honestly don't know,' he replied, when asked if he would return to frontline politics.

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.'

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'.
Within minutes of the not guilty verdicts being delivered, the jury reconvened

Three 'killers' were accused of stabbing Adrian Keise, 32, to death outside a bar

Three men accidentally cleared of killing a man after the jury forewoman 'suffered stage fright' delivering an incorrect unanimous verdict have lost a High Court challenge to free them from jail.

Brothers Paul and Matthew Yusuff and their friend Moussa Traore were accused of stabbing Adrian Keise, 32, to death during a scuffle outside a bar near Waterloo station, London, in 2022.

Within minutes of the not guilty verdicts being delivered, the jury at the Old Bailey was reconvened after a judge received a note indicating the jurors had not all agreed on their decisions.

When the jury forewoman was asked by Judge Charles Gratwicke if she had made a mistake when she said the jury's verdicts were unanimous, she replied: 'Yes.'

The jurors were sent out to restart their deliberations, and, while they later found Paul Yusuff not guilty of possessing a blade or point, they were unable to reach verdicts on the other counts and were discharged again.

The three men, who denied all the charges against them, sought to challenge their ongoing detention at HMP Belmarsh pending a planned retrial in December, arguing that the first not guilty verdicts were 'valid' and should not have been 'reopened'.

Brothers Paul and Matthew Yusuff and their friend Moussa Traore were accused of stabbing Adrian Keise, 32, (pictured) to death during a scuffle outside a bar in 2022

In a 20-page written ruling on Wednesday, three judges rejected their case, concluding that the jury forewoman had suffered 'a form of stage fright' amid the 'stressful environment' of court proceedings.

Dame Victoria Sharp, who heard the challenge alongside Mr Justice Holgate and Mr Justice Hilliard, said the men's 'continuing detention pending their retrial is lawful'.

Paul Yusuff, 21, and Matthew Yusuff, 23, had faced charges of murder and were also charged with an alternative count of manslaughter along with Traore, 24.

Lawyers for the trio previously argued that the ongoing detention of the trio from south London is 'illegal' because proceedings became a 'nullity' after the jury was discharged following the initial verdicts.

Kerim Faud KC, for Paul Yusuff, said that when the jurors were first let go they were outside the 'controlled and transparent environment' of the courtroom, were no longer under oath, and had 'ample time' in which they could have discussed the case among themselves or with others outside, including via phone messages.

Police guard the scene in Waterloo (pictured) where Adrian Keise was found

He said it is 'equally likely' there was a 'change of mind' within the 17 minutes before the alleged mistake was raised.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the error came after a jury 'misunderstanding' and was 'communicated very quickly' to the judge who 'properly exercised his discretion to allow rectification of the jury's mistake'.

CPS lawyers said it could not be claimed that the jury forewoman saying she made a mistake 'was somehow untrue or inaccurate'.

Dame Victoria said that shortly before the verdicts were given the jury had sent a note 'indicating that they were not unanimous'.

The jury forewoman at the Old Bailey (pictured) was asked by Judge Charles Gratwicke if she had made a mistake when she said the jury's verdicts were unanimous, she replied: 'Yes.'

'In this case, it is plain from what happened that the forewoman had made a mistake in saying that the jury had reached unanimous verdicts,' the judge said.

She added: 'Put simply, the jury identified the mistake that had been made by their forewoman promptly; the mistake they identified was consistent with their first note to the judge - that they had not reached unanimous verdicts on any count; and the matter was then sensibly and expeditiously sorted out by the judge.'

'It cannot be said, in those circumstances, either that the judge made any jurisdictional error of such gravity as to deprive him of the jurisdiction to accept the jury's correction of the verdicts returned, or that he erred in the exercise of his discretion.'
A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on a homicide charge after he burst into his neighbour's home and slaughtered him with a chainsaw in a full Scream movie costume, believing the victim had killed women and children a year ago, police say.

Zak Moyer, dressed in an terrifying all-black costume 'consistent with the 'Scream' movie character' Ghostface, allegedly struck his next-door neighbour, elderly man Edward Whitehead Junior, 59, 'multiple times with a knife and a battery-operated chainsaw', state troopers said.

Court documents revealed Moyer, 30, admitted to stabbing Whitehead in the head, before going back to his own home to watch a movie until the police arrived. Police said the pair got into an argument that day.

According to the criminal complaint, Moyer admitted to hiding the chainsaw he used in the attic, and hiding the knife in the drawer.

Police were called to the gruesome scene at 243 Carbon Street in the small town of Lehighton, in the east of Pennsylvania, at around 3:30pm on Monday.

Edward Whitehead Junior, 59, (pictured) succumbed to his injuries in hospital

Zak Moyer (pictured) dressed in an terrifying all-black costume 'consistent with the 'Scream' movie character' Ghostface

Footage of the arrest, shared to Facebook, showed Moyer in a red hoodie and grey joggers placing his hands above his head as several armed cops slowly creep towards him

Emergency responders rushed Whitehead to nearby St. Luke's Carbon County Hospital, having suffered cuts on his right arm, on the right side of his head above his eyebrow, wounds on his hands that were 'consistent with defensive wounds,' and 'a large bleeding wound to the right side of the head,' according to the criminal complaint.

After getting a description of the man who attacked Whitehead, they rushed back to Carbon Street, where they surrounded his house.

State Trooper Anthony Petroski said he and other state police officers were able to get Moyer out peacefully, telling local media: 'There was communications going on between him and troopers on-scene, and eventually he did open the door himself and exit on his own will.'

One neighbour told local media that Moyer placed a note on his window, intended for the police, that read: 'Ed murdered women and kids. Eddie Junior murdered women and kids last summer.'

Whitehead has never been charged with murder, and police said they are not looking into the wild allegations.

Whitehead has never been charged with murder, and police said they are not looking into the wild allegations

Police were called to Carbon Street in Lehighton, Pennsylvania

Footage of the arrest, shared to Facebook, showed Moyer in a red hoodie and grey joggers placing his hands above his head as several armed cops slowly creep towards him to arrest the killer.

His mugshot showed he suffered a large bruise under his right eye.

Police interviewed Moyer's sister, who said that a week prior to the killing, the 30-year-old admitted he wanted to kill Whitehead.

Other members of the Moyer family have become involved in the case, with the killer's father, Francis, being arrested on harassments and related charged for bothering the Whiteheads following his son's arrest.

Police said they are still investigating, and that there is now no threat to the small town that has been left reeling by the killing.

But neighbours have been left terrified by what happened this week.

One woman, who did not want to be named by local media, said: 'I feared for my grandchildren at the time because we were all told to stay inside the house, and keep your doors locked.

His family said he hopes the world remembers his kindness, his loving nature and his distinctive laugh

Jennifer (pictured) said: 'You never knew if he was stressed. Frustrated when you were with him; he just was a rock to a lot of people'

'My granddaughter was just walking home from school when the cops came flying, Shes in 3rd grade, and she was petrified.'

Edward's niece, Megan Bernosky, told local media: 'Mindnumbing, I don't think anybody has truly had it all sit in at this point. What actually occurred and what happened it's been horrible.'

Edward's other niece, Jennifer Whitehead, added: 'I just don't know what kind of people or people in this world that could do that. That's the sad thing.'

His family said he hopes the world remembers his kindness, his loving nature and his distinctive laugh.

Jennifer said: 'You never knew if he was stressed. Frustrated when you were with him; he just was a rock to a lot of people, and I wish people got to see that of him.'

Megan added: 'I mean, I think it's safe to say that we want absolute justice for our uncle. He deserves that.'

His obituary reads: 'Edward E. Whitehead Jr., 59, of Carbon Street, Lehighton, was suddenly and tragically taken from us on Monday afternoon, March 25, 2024. He was the husband of Cindy L. (Schlier) Whitehead since August 20, 1993.

Police are still investigating the killing, and have said there is no threat to the local community

But neighbours have been left terrified by what happened on Monday

'He was employed in the maintenance department of the Snyder Tire Co., Lehighton.

'Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Edward E. Sr. and Diane (Gillespie) Whitehead.

'A 1982 graduate of the Panther Valley High School, he later served in the Navy, Peacetime, achieving rank of MR2.

'Edward attended Meed's United Methodist Church, Nesquehoning. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially being afield on the Broad Mountain, Carbon County.

'Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Edward E. III and Dennis C., both at home; two sisters, Diane, wife of Glen Schnell of Lehighton, and Sherry Whitehead, and her fiance, Todd Schaffer, of Slatington; a brother Wayne of Hometown; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

'He was also predeceased by brother Walter.'

Zak Moyer is currently being held without bail in the Carbon County Prison, and is due to appear in court on April 3.
Around 20 people have filed a lawsuit against a chain of Arizona strip clubs, with claims they had been drugged and swindled out of an eye-watering collective sum of $1.1 million in VIP rooms.

Three clubs located on the same two-mile road - Bones Cabaret, Skin Cabaret, Dream Palace - have been named in the latest suit filed in January, according to documents recovered by Fox 10 Phoenix.

Some plaintiffs alleged they were drugged and then scammed out of six-figure sums at these establishments.

The alleged victims described the incidents as 'life and career-altering' and 'emotionally pretty difficult to bear'.

Todd Borowsky - the owner of the bars dotted between Scottsdale and Tempe has had several accusations levied against him including racketeering and conspiracy.

Borowsky, who runs his business under Wisnowski Inc., has branded the accusations as 'baseless', in a statement via his attorney'

Nearly 20 alleged victims have filed a lawsuit against a strip club chain in Arizona, claiming they were drugged and scammed out of an eye-watering collective sum of $1.1 million in VIP rooms (pictured: Bones Cabaret)

Dennis Wilenchick - an attorney representing the club owner - compared the claims to going to a casino and 'asking for your money back'.

He also vehemently denied allegations that the plaintiffs were drugged and also stated that the dancers were 'independent contractors'.

'Third, these guys received services they expressly contracted for and received and documentation and photos were taken, and fourth, their credit card companies also investigated and approved the transactions,' he told Fox 10.

However, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, Rod Galarza, said all the alleged victims tell the 'same story' after visiting one of the three clubs - despite having never met.

Reiterating their version of events, Galarza said some remember an individual shouting at them to 'stop messing around' and to sign a piece of paper, whilst others recall being screamed at by a hostess or a bouncer to smile and to sit upright for pictures.

An Air Force member, who goes by the alias of Joe, was charged a staggering $72,000 on his credit cards after visiting one of the clubs.

Describing the incident as 'life and career-altering', Joe said his night took a turn after he lost his friends when he went to the bathroom.

Alleged victims, who say they were scammed out of huge sums, have described the incidents as 'life and career-altering' and 'emotionally pretty difficult to bear' (pictured: Dream Palace)

Likening the alleged ordeal, to 'watching a movie through [his] own eyes', according to his version of events, the Air Force member was greeted by clouds of dusty perfume or makeup before arriving at a VIP room.

'I started to get these symptoms not alcohol-related, something else that made me acquiesce and go along to what they seemed to be pushing,' he the publication.

Although Joe had never undergone a drugs test, he said: '[I] felt like I kind of didn't have control of the situation and that was really the first instance that I knew.'

Financial crimes detectives at the Scottsdale Police Department said Joe's testimony aligned with several other club attendees.

They also who said they experienced memory loss, signed paperwork and left the clubs with huge credit card charges, according to court documents seen by Fox.

Similarly to Joe, another plaintiff, who goes by the alias of Bobby, alleged that he 'spaced out' and had 'no clue' where he was after arriving in the VIP room.

Branding the supposed ordeal as 'emotionally difficult to bear', Bobby discovered he has spend an eye-watering $181,000 at the night club.

The father said he remembered paying for some beverages and a private dance but does not recall approving any other transactions.

Not believing the huge transactions were legitimate, Bobby said it 'seemed unconscionable' huge single transactions amounts could be processed.

Following the incident, the man, who has young children, said he could not eat for several days.

Bobby said not only did it affect him, it put a strain on his family as a whole, having to inform his parents and wife about what had allegedly occurred.

Todd Borowsky who owns the three clubs located on the same two-mile road - Bones Cabaret, Skin Cabaret, Dream Palace - denies the allegations made against him in the suit (pictured: Skin Cabaret)

According to the publication, police reports included in the lawsuit filing state that club attendees wanting to attend a VIP room were required to provide credit card, ID, a thumbprint and take a snap after negotiating a price.

The alleged victims, who filed the lawsuit, said they did not recall or could only vaguely remember signing contracts at the three clubs, court documents show.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Scottsdale Police Department have confirmed they are aware of the allegations that have been made against the chain of clubs.

According to Fox 10, they are also collaborating with the Arizona Attorney General's Office on cases against the strip clubs.

MailOnline has reached out to the Arizona Attorney General's office for comment.
A D-Day hero believed to have been the last surviving Lancaster bomber pilot from the Second World War has died aged 100.

Peter John Gould received France's top military honour - the Legion d'Honneur - for his squadron's actions during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.

He was part of the Pathfinder Force on D-Day, fighting in Bomber Command, and Peter's family believe he could have been the last surviving Lancaster bomber pilot.

Peter's daughter, retired businesswoman Pamela Gould, 70, said her father continued to have strong links to the RAF throughout his life.

Pamela, from Pamington, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, said: 'He might be the last Lancaster bomber flight engineer and co-pilot - I'm not sure, but it's the end of an era.

Peter John Gould (pictured) celebrating his 100th birthday with his neice. He was believed to be the last surviving Lancaster bomber pilot

Peter (pictured during his time in the armed forces) received France's top military honour - the Legion d'Honneur - for his squadron's actions during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944

A Lancaster bomber plane - believed to be the most successful heavy bomber used in the Second World War

'I think people do remember their [the bombers] contributions - it's all part of our history and we're here today because of them.

'He survived 45 sorties - he reckoned he survived because they're trained to avoid combat.

'I spent a lot of time with him because I cared for him, you find war veterans are very reserved when it comes to the war.

'He wasn't a boastful man but very down to earth, he would say it as it is.'

Graphic shows how the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 in Normandy unfolded

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 was the biggest of its kind in history

Peter, who was born in Bombay, India, in 1923, moved to England to join the RAF aged 16.

He trained as a flight engineer and learned to fly at RAF Halton. He started flying Lancaster bomber planes in the 1940s.

The Lancaster was a World War Two heavy bomber and is considered the most successful bomber plane used in the war.

A total of 7,377 Lancaster Bombers carried out more than 150,000 missions and dropped more than 600,000 tons of bombs by the end of the war in 1945.

But the men who flew them had the most perilous posting of the conflict with 3,249 aircraft and their crews lost in action.

The model was finalised in 1942 and the Lancaster Bomber was first used in the raids on Augsburg that year.

Peter, who lived in Oxford, completed a full tour of duty during the Second World War and spent 12 years in total in the RAF. He later wrote a book on his experiences called 'The Best 12 Years'.

Pamela said after leaving active service in the RAF, her father continued to be involved in the organisation and enjoyed charitable pursuits.

Peter with his Lancaster bomber crew during one of his 45 missions that he went on

Peter with his daughter Pamela Rodley. She said her father continued to have strong links to the RAF throughout his life.

Peter (pictured as a child) was born in Bombay, India, in 1923, and moved to England to join the RAF aged 16

Peter, who lived in Oxford, completed a full tour of duty during the Second World War and spent 12 years in total in the RAF

She said she would attend Aircrew Association meetings with Peter and that he would sometimes tell her stories of his time as a co-pilot.

Peter, who had four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, passed away from dementia which he developed in the last few years of his life.

Pamela said she expects RAF representatives to attend Peter's funeral on April 9, and that he will be receiving the full military honours.

'He stopped driving at 96 through choice and continued swimming into his 90s and he used to play water polo so stayed very fit,' said Pamela.

'We used to go together to the Aircrew Association, he was very much a part of the RAF still.

'He was very supportive with his charity work and even in later life he was very knowledgeable and joined the u3a and a poetry club.

'Before the dementia over the last couple of years he was really with it, you could have a conversation but what took his life was dementia.

'I'm expecting some people representing the RAF to appear at his funeral and he's having the full military honours.'
The grieving son of a murdered woman has warned it would be 'absolutely reckless' to grant early release from prison to her killer - who is serving a whole-life sentence.

Iain Hoskins, the eldest son of Glenda Hoskins - who was murdered in 1996 - has warned his mother's killer is a dangerous man who could 'strike again' if freed from jail.

The 47-year-old said his family felt 'railroaded' after they were contacted by officials last Monday to discuss geographical exclusion zones for murderer Victor Farrant in the event that he was released on compassionate leave.

The family were told the convict has terminal cancer and could have months to live, but Mr Hoskins said the family objects to his release.

The restaurateur, based in Liverpool, described Farrant as a 'completely dangerous man' who knows how to milk the system and would stop at nothing to get out of prison.

Glenda Hoskins, 44, of Portsmouth, was an accountant and mother-of-three who was murdered by Victor Farrant in 1996 years after she had ended their relationship

Farrant was jailed for rape in 1988. Weeks after he was released, he attempted to murder Anne Fidler at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, brutally beating her with three wine bottles and an iron, before going on to kill Ms Hoskins

Glenda Hoskins' eldest son Ian has described Farrant as a 'completely dangerous' man who knows how to milk the system, and should never be released

A formal application for compassionate leave has not yet been made, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson has said.

'For anybody that's got any say in considering this, it's a completely reckless decision to make,' Mr Hoskins said.

'Anybody that would make that decision to have him released, potentially the blood is on their hands.

'He could strike again, with anybody. It might not be a revengeful or vengeful attack on us or our family. It could be the nurse at the hospice that he's released to, it could be the woman at the corner shop.'

He added: 'This is about everybody and about why on Earth would they take such a ridiculous risk for someone that has a history of this.'

Farrant was jailed for life for the murder of his former girlfriend Mrs Hoskins, 44, and the attempted murder of Anne Fidler, 45, at Winchester Crown Court in 1998.

Sentencing him, Mr Justice Butterfield had said: 'This murder was so terrible and you are so dangerous that in your case the sentence of life should mean just that.

'You should never be released.'

Farrant had been jailed in November 1988 for a total of 12 years for rape and other offences.

He was released on November 7, 1995, just weeks before he savagely beat Ms Fidler at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Six weeks later, he murdered accountant Mrs Hoskins at her luxury waterside home in Portsmouth by pushing her under the water in the bath.

Glenda Hoskins was a divorced mother-of-three and was a former girlfriend of Hoskins, whom he hunted down after his release from prison in 1995

The family of Glenda Hoskins are speaking out about discussions to release her murderer Victor Farrant from prison who they say could strike again

Hoskins savagely beat 45-year-old Anne Fidler (pictured) at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, just weeks after he was released from prison on November 7, 1995. She later moved to a different part of the country (right)

He left the mother-of-three's body in the attic where it was found by her 15-year-old daughter Katie.

After killing Mrs Hoskins, Farrant went on the run and was eventually found in the south of France.

Mr Hoskins questioned how Farrant would be policed if he was granted compassionate release, and said the family have not been given details about if he would be staying at a hospice under supervision or other accommodation.

Of his siblings' reaction, he said: 'They obviously feel petrified of this and again, we never, ever saw this coming because the judge's comments was he should serve life and he will serve life.

'The fact that he may or may not be dying doesn't give us any comfort whatsoever. If someone's got nothing to lose... I think well, what's to stop him from killing or raping or kidnapping again?'

The family have been writing to their MPs and to Home Secretary James Cleverly and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk expressing their objections to Farrant's release.

They said a panel meeting discussing Farrant's release is being held in early April before it will go to the Ministry of Justice.

The power lies with the Justice Secretary to grant or deny applications for early release from prison.

Mr Hoskins added: 'He should be denied that privilege.

'Some people might say at least give him the dignity of dying on the outside.

'Unfortunately, my mum doesn't have that luxury of the 30 years, 40 years that he stole when he killed her in 1996.'

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'Glenda Hoskins' murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her family and friends.

'Prisoners are only released on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances following strict risk assessments and no formal application has yet been made in this case.'
China's UN envoy bids farewell to UN chief before end of tenure

Xinhua) 13:35, March 29, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, has bid farewell to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other UN officials and envoys, ahead of his return to China.

Zhang said that representing China at the UN was "a great honor and a heavy responsibility" for him, as well as "a highly memorable and glorious experience."

He said that he always remembers the trust and heavy responsibility placed in him by the people of his homeland and has made unremitting efforts to fulfill his mission.

"Currently, as the world undergoes major changes at an accelerated pace, China is in a period of significant development, boldly advancing on the path of nation-building and national rejuvenation," Zhang said.

"China firmly practices genuine multilateralism and supports the UN's important role in maintaining peace and promoting development," he added.

On July 30, 2019, Zhang presented his credentials to Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Long Nguyen as Dau and Mai Le as Linh in Alley Theatres production of The World Is Not Silent. Lynn Lane

The Hubbard Theatre is where Houstons venerable Alley company stages its big productions, the ones that benefit from some room to stretch out and provide a spectacle. But Alleys more intimate endeavors unfold downstairs in the Neuhaus Theatre, a smaller space with no curtain that puts the audience right up on the performers as they navigate a lengthwise stage. Some of Alleys most memorable productions of late, including Edward Albees Seascape and the Chekhov anthology Little Comedies, have filled the Hubbards cozy confines. Now we can add Don X. Nguyens sweet, modestly scaled The World Is Not Silent to this roster.

The play, which was part of the 2022 Alley All New Festival and is now having its world premiere, is a friendly meditation on communication in many forms  spoken, translated and, most pertinently, signed. Don (Tony Aidan Vo) is a chatty Vietnamese American 20-something who pours his passions into his astrophotography YouTube channel, where he enthusiastically holds forth on nebulae, galaxies and other matter. He has returned from New York to his family home in Nebraska, where his father, Dau (Long Nguyen), is slowly losing his hearing. Dau, who hosts a radio show for the local Vietnamese community, speaks English and Vietnamese, and he has hearing aids. But he wants his son to learn Vietnamese sign language. Don wonders why his dad cant be a little more practical and just learn American Sign Language.

'The World Is Not Silent' When: Through April 14 Where: Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Details: $54-$61; alleytheatre.org

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Enter Linh (Mai Le), who also has a (far more popular) YouTube channel on which she teaches Vietnamese sign language. Don and Linh have actually met before, on an awkward date set up by their families years ago in Vietnam (revisited here in one of the productions nimbly deployed flashbacks). Now Dau has invited her to visit Nebraska (which she pronounces to her viewers as Na! Bras! Ka!). Linh is a bit of a rolling stone, a woman with a suitcase. Don, for all of his intergalactic observations, could stand to have his horizons broadened.

Le walks away with the production from the moment she enters, embodying a character whose common sense becomes comical in the face of Dons anxious fidgeting. She has learned to speak English since the two characters last met, and shed like to teach Don the skills that might help him better connect with his father. Les mannerisms  a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, a mock duck of the head to indicate a flash of guilt  are note-perfect, and her line readings feel more like spontaneous expression than studied performance. Paired for much of the show with Vos Don, a character who seems glib by design, Le conveys a situational intelligence that comes across as street smart, earthy and kind all at once. Nguyens Dau is also a treat, his delivery droll and musical without taking away from the gravity of losing ones ability to hear.

The Neuhaus invites creative use of space, and director Marya Mazor answers the call here. The stage becomes a giant pingpong table as all three characters engage in spirited play leavened with meaningful conversation. Victoria Beauray Sagadys projection design makes the most of subtitles, which are crucial, given the plays central themes, and the cosmos, which helps put the human drama in perspective. The production also utilizes vertical space, perching Daus DJ booth above the stage, creating the illusion that we can see him while his son cant.

The World Is Not Silent could use a little more meat on its bones; at 90 minutes (with no intermission) it goes down more like a snack than a full meal (speaking of which, food plays a big part here, including fond reminiscence of a Thanksgiving honey ham). But the production still resonates as a gentle exploration of what it means to connect in a vast world that simultaneously makes it easier and harder to do so. Don and Dau will find a way, with a little help from a show-stealing friend.
This year's London Mayoral election is expected to go down to the wire as more than five million London voters head to the polls in less than five weeks.

Taking place on May 2, the elections will see 13 candidates fight it out for the most powerful Mayoral role in the country.

It will be the first year the election will take place under a first-past-the-post system, meaning voters will only get one vote each when they were previously able to express a first and second preference.

Favourite Sadiq Khan is seeking a third four year term in office, which would make him the longest ever serving London Mayor, overtaking Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone, who both served for eight years.

But he is being put to the test by Conservative candidate Susan Hall, who is hoping to capitalise on anger over Khan's ULEZ expansion which has charged drivers millions of pounds in fines since it was introduced last year.

Here MailOnline looks at some of the runners and riders that are contending for the top spot this year.

Odds on some of the runners and riders that are contending for the top spot this year

Favourite Sadiq Khan is seeking a third four year term in office, which would make him the longest ever serving London Mayor

But he is being put to the test by Conservative candidate Susan Hall (pictured) who is hoping to capitalise on anger over Khan's ULEZ expansion

Rob Blackie is also a contender, and is standing as the Liberal Democrat's mayoral candidate

Poll Who do you want to be the next London Mayor? Sadiq Khan Susan Hall Zoe Garbett Rob Blackie Howard Cox Count Binface Who do you want to be the next London Mayor? Sadiq Khan 192 votes

Susan Hall 1563 votes

Zoe Garbett 11 votes

Rob Blackie 32 votes

Howard Cox 221 votes

Count Binface 334 votes Now share your opinion





Sadiq Khan - Labour

Mr Khan has described this year's election as a 'two-horse race' and the 'closest contest ever' between himself and the Conservatives' Susan Hall.

A recent poll showed the Labour incumbent was 25 points ahead of his Tory rival in research by YouGov, on 49 per cent to Ms Hall's 24 per cent.

Although, just a quarter of Londoners are satisfied with his performance in the role, according to the same poll.

He recently issued a plea for Liberal Democrat and Green supporters to back him, saying he was 'under no illusion' about his chances of losing out on re-election.

And in a bid to smear his opponent, Mr Khan has highlighted how Ms Hall voted against his free school meals programme for all primary pupils and his Transport for London fares freeze.

Launching his campaign earlier this month, Mr Khan pledged to build 40,000 new council homes by the end of the decade.

He promised to unleash 'the greatest council house building drive in a generation' and to double his previous goal to start building 20,000 council homes, which he hit last year.

He has pledged to put roughly 1,300 extra neighbourhood police officers, PCSOs and special constables on the streets of London in a move he believes will reduce crime and make sure victims of crime are properly supported.

Mr Khan has also moved to reassure angry Londoners that he will not toughen ULEZ if he is re-elected, but did not go as far to say that he would back track on its recent expansion.

Mr Khan was 25 points ahead of his Tory rival Susan Hall in a recent YouGov poll

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (L) pictured with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

Khan has pledged to put roughly 1,300 extra neighbourhood police officers, PCSOs and special constables on the streets of London

Who are the London mayoral candidates? Sadiq Khan, Labour Susan Hall, Conservative Zoe Garbett, Green Rob Blackie, Liberal Democrat Howard Cox, Reform Count Binface, Count Binface Party Natalie Campbell, Independent Amy Gallagher, Social Democrat Party Tarun Ghulati, Independent Andreas Michli, Independent Brian Rose, London Real Femy Amin, Animal Welfare Party Nick Scanlon, Britain First Advertisement

Susan Hall - Conservatives

Susan Hall, the former head of the Conservative group at City Hall, beat rival Tory candidate Moz Hossain to win the Conservative nomination last July.

The mother-of-two has centred her London mayoral campaign around putting a stop to Sadiq Khan's much hated ULEZ scheme.

She has vowed to replace the 12.50 daily Ultra Low Emission Zone fee for cars entering London with a 'common sense environment plan that will clean the air, without hitting the poorest'.

Ms Hall has promised to 'fix' the Metropolitan Police with a 200 million investment to help crackdown on burglaries, robberies and thefts.

She also plans to build 'beautiful, high-density, low-rise family homes in London', to 'champion' the city's nightlife and end Transport for London funding for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

Last month, Ms Hall pledged to introduce 'knife arches' into every school in London if she is elected in a bid to tackle knife crime across the capital.

The plans would make it the norm for all pupils to walk through security when at present, only schools in certain boroughs have knife arches.

Count Binface - Count Binface Party

Count Binface, the self-declared 'space warrior', will again throw down the gauntlet and take part in this year's election.

The fancy-dressed man has told the BBC he is 'gunning for a champions league spot' this year after finishing ninth in the 2021 election.

Binface announced he was throwing his hat in the ring earlier this month, declaring it is time to 'take the trash out' and claiming he is the 'only fresh thing on the menu given all other politicians are rubbish'.

He has said his previous manifesto promises will continue. They include bringing back Ceefax, a price cap on croissants and renaming London Bridge to Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

He also said he would give royal palaces to the homeless and tie ministers' pay to that of nurses for the next 100 years.

Susan Hall, the former head of the Conservative group at City Hall, beat rival Tory candidate Moz Hossain to win the Conservative nomination last July

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is greeted by London mayoral candidate Susan Hall

Count Binface, the self-declared 'space warrior', announced he was throwing his hat in the ring earlier this month, declaring it is time to 'take the trash out'

Binface claims he is the 'only fresh thing on the menu given all other politicians are rubbish'

Zoe Garbett - Greens

Former NHS worker Zoe Garbett is vying to become London's first Green mayor in this year's election after becoming Dalston's first Green councillor in 2022.

Launching her campaign earlier this week, Ms Garbett took shots at both Labour and the Conservatives.

She claimed the Government were responsible for 'inflicting a decade of austerity', while Sadiq Khan had failed 'to get to grips with the affordability crisis'.

She has centred her campaign around easing the cost of living crisis and tackling the climate crises after highlighting over 2 million Londoners are estimated to be living in poverty.

Her pledges include providing free school meals for primary and secondary school children across the capital as well as introducing a rent freeze to ease living costs.

Rob Blackie - Liberal Democrats

Rob Blackie, the Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate, has said his number one priority is to 'fix' the Metropolitan Police force.

He has previously criticised the force over its 'slow' response to 999 calls, saying that 'the public have a right to expect better'.

One of his pledges includes rediverting cash from Sadiq Khan's London transport fares freeze and use the cash to fund changes to the Met instead.

Mr Khan is pumping 147 million into TfL to freeze Tube and Overground fares for the next year, while also temporarily suspending peak fares on Fridays.

Former NHS worker Zoe Garbett is vying to become London's first Green mayor

Rob Blackie, the Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate, has said his number one priority is to 'fix' the Metropolitan Police force

Mr Blackie said he would keep a freeze on a single bus fare at 1.75, but would redirect the remaining 117 million to reform the Met.

Mr Blackie recently revealed that he had been successfully treated for cancer after receiving treatment since 2023, when he had his left kidney removed after tests revealed it was cancerous.

But this was not his only health scare he has suffered as in 2003 he was seriously injured after being mugged on his walk home.

Doctors was given a new titanium neck to support his head, although unfortunately the perpetrators were never caught.

Howard Cox - Reform UK

Despite admitting being a 'lifelong Conservative voter', Howard Cox says he chose to represent Reform UK because 'a vote for the Tories is a vote for Labour's Sadiq Khan'.

He is the founder of the campaign group Fair Fuel UK, which seeks to reduce charges on petrol and diesel vehicles. He claims the group has stopped more than 200bn in tax hikes to fuel duty since 2010.

It is therefore no surprise that Mr Cox has vowed to scrap ULEZ scheme and LTN neighbourhoods in the capital.

He previously told the Sun after launching his campaign: 'We've seen low-income families, workers, sole traders, and businesses fleeced by this Mayor's anti-growth agenda. It's time someone stood up for millions of ordinary Londoners who are the heartbeat of our capital.

'They don't need another elitist politician only interested in self-promotion through baseless virtue signalling.

'Now is the time to tackle the issues that really matter. As Mayor I will listen to Londoners and guarantee to act on their behalf. London deserves better.'

Despite admitting being a 'lifelong Conservative voter', Howard Cox says he chose to represent Reform UK because 'a vote for the Tories is a vote for Labour's Sadiq Khan'

He is the founder of the campaign group Fair Fuel UK, which seeks to reduce charges on petrol and diesel vehicles

Earlier this week it was revealed that actor Laurence Fox would not be a candidate at the London mayoral elections after he failed 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'.

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.

Actor Laurence Fox will not be a candidate at the London mayoral elections after failing to fill in the nomination forms properly

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

'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.

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.
One website lists warnings for nearly every single Harry Potter book

Classic tales and childhood favourites are now being changed or come with trigger warnings in case they cause offence to modern readers.

Over recent years, many children's books have faced scrutiny over the choice of words or content.

Staples like Lewis Carroll - author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - was hit with a disclaimer after York St John University warned students over the 'colonialist narratives' that some stories may contain.

The warning was put on the website of the Rees-Williams Collection of Children's Literature stories which includes another classic - Peter and Wendy by JM Barrie.

It stated how the tales - many of which are from the 19th and early 20th centuries, with some dating back to 1780 - may contain 'colonialist narratives'.

The books could contain vocabulary and illustrations which may appear 'racist', according to the site - giving some of the tales a warning for 'white supremacy'.

Oompa Loopas in recent years have been redesignated as being gender neutral, a concept that was alien to Roald Dahl's original work

Harry Potter has also been hit by trigger warnings, including 'fatophobia', which may relate to scenes like this one immortalised in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban film

A warning on Alice in Wonderland stated how it could contain 'colonialist narratives', with vocabulary and illustrations likened to 'white supremacy'

The trigger warning stated: 'Within the 150 years of children's writing which is represented in the collection, there is a widespread occurrence of colonialist narratives which centre white supremacy, and racist and orientalist methods of both fictional and historical storytelling.

'As such, it is possible, if not likely, that items consulted from the collection will include language and visual imagery which is racist, and many people may find their contents upsetting and offensive.'

It says that the university aims to explain why such works are kept 'when their ability to cause damage endures' and says that they provide evidence of the 'racist marginalisation and stereotyping of peoples through children's literature'.

The warning adds: 'Here at York St John University, we unequivocally reject the stereotypes and offensive narratives which are contained within these documents..'

Previously, the university told the Daily Telegraph that the 'guidance' had existed since 2019 and that it has a 'responsibility' to inform students of any content that might be 'offensive and outdated'.

This is not the only children's classic that has been impacted recently - Harry Potter readers have been made aware of the 'fatphobia' that the magical stories contain.

A website, Booktriggerwarnings.com, compiled a list of warnings for thousands of books that readers should proceed with caution with.

The site states it is 'dedicated' to ensuring book lovers are 'better informed' and 'safer' with their choice of reads.

Nearly all of the Harry Potter books are listed with various warnings. The first of the tales, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone comes with six trigger warnings.

They include body horror, bullying, child abuse, fatphobia, self-sacrifice and violence.

The 'child abuse' warnings come from the Dursley's treatment of Harry in forcing him to sleep under the stairs.

Meanwhile readers have also called out JK Rowling for depicting villianous characters as 'fat', branding it 'fatphobic'.

In the tale, Dudley is described as 'very fat and hated exercise', Rubeus Hagrid is considered 'too big to be allowed.'

Nearly all of the Harry Potter books are listed with various warnings. The first of the tales, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone now comes with six trigger warnings on some sites

Jane Austen's classic, Emma, seen here in the film version, has warnings over 'age-gap romance'

Jane Austen was another author on the site - with her classic, Emma, featuring with warnings over 'age-gap romance'.

It was first published in 1816 and follows the perils of misconstrued romance in Regency England.

However, guidance listed by the website tells readers to be wary of an 'age gap romance' and 'implied grooming' within the book.

The warnings are in relation to Emma's romance with Mr Knightley who describes Emma as being 'quick and assured' at the age of 10 - when he would have been 27 or 28.

Trigger warnings on classics are not the only hurdles that well-loved novels face - some have even had their words changed.

Roald Dahl's books were extensively rewritten by censors last year after publisher Puffin hired sensitivity readers.

Willy Wonka's Oompa Loompas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have now been made gender neutral and new editions no longer use the word 'fat'.

Augustus Gloop was also only described as 'enormous' rather than the original phrasing.

The changes triggered a wave of outrage from parents with some saying they would be boycotting the updated tales.

The Roald Dahl Story Company, which controls the rights to the books, previously said it worked with Puffin to review the texts because it wanted to ensure that Dahl's 'wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today'.

The language was reviewed in partnership with Inclusive Minds and any changes were 'small and carefully considered,' the company said.

Other changes to Dahl's books included to The Twits - a popular tale about a wicked couple, Mr and Mrs Twit - Mrs Twit's 'fearful ugliness' was been chopped to 'ugliness'.

Since the edits, in The Witches, a paragraph describing them as bald under their wigs is now followed by a new line: 'There are plenty of other reasons why women might wear wigs and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.'

A witch posing as a 'cashier in a supermarket' now works as a 'top scientist'.

Many of Roald Dahl's classics have been edited to change the wording in the belief modern children would be upset by some of the language

Hundreds of changes have been made to Dahl's books, with some passages not written by the author being added



Following the Roald Dahl review, the Daily Mail analysed Enid Blyton's beloved tales, including the Famous Five, and found that the wording has been changed.

Words like 'queer', 'gay', and 'brown', with reference to tanned faces, changed to avoid causing offence.

Blyton's first Famous Five adventure - Five on Treasure Island - introduced youngsters Julian, Dick and Anne and their tomboy cousin Georgina, or George, plus her dog Timothy.

In the 1942 edition of the popular book, 'queer' was applied to everything from cormorants to waves but never used in reference to sexuality.

Enid Blyton's Famous Five was also hit with changes, a Daily Mail analysis found, when words in the 2023 edition varied from previous versions

However, the analysis found that in the 2023 Hodder Children's Books edition available it had disappeared and was replaced with other phrases like 'peculiar', 'odd', 'strange', 'funny', 'weird', and 'amazing'.

Another publisher, Penguin Random House, added trigger warnings last year about 'language and attitudes' to the latest edition of Nobel Prize-winner Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.

The warning read: The publishers decision to present it as it was originally published is not intended as an endorsement of cultural representations or language contained herein.

Despite being considered one of America's greatest novels, The Sun Also Rises faced criticism for anti-Semitic tropes.

Some authors claim to have had their work changed without their knowledge to make it appeal to the modern reader more.

Author R.L Stine (pictured) said certain words in his successful Goosebumps series had been changed without his knowledge

Attack of the Jack O'Lanterns had multiple edits made by the publishers Scholastic

Last March, author R.L Stine said certain words in his successful Goosebumps series had been changed without his knowledge.

Publisher Scholastic made more than 100 amendments, changing words such as 'plump' to 'cheerful', and replacing 'crazy' with 'silly'.

Goosebumps became a popular hit in the 1990s and sold around four million copies a month at the peak of their success.

The publishing company said the changes were made to protect young people's mental health.

However, the author claimed he was not aware and said in a post on X/Twitter: 'The stories aren't true. I've never changed a word in Goosebumps. Any changes were never shown to me.'

In 2021, it was revealed how Cambridge University was reviewing an archive of over 10,000 books and magazines to expose authors who have been offensive to historically enslaved, colonised or denigrated people.

Children's classics like The Cat in the Hat and The Water Babies were given content warnings in Cambridge University's online library

This included classic children's books and was part of the process of moving the texts to an online library.

In digital versions, words, phrases and images deemed harmful were to be flagged and content warnings placed at the beginning of each text.

Among others, Dr Theodor Seuss Geisel, author of the Dr Seuss books, was hit with the warnings for overt blackface and cultural insensitivities.

The Water Babies, Charles Kingsleys 1863 childrens classic about a young chimney sweep, is described as having the potential to harm readers without warning for comments about Irish and black people.
Social media star YourFellowArab has been taken hostage in Haiti by one of the gangs who have become de-facto leaders in the midst of the violence that has ravaged the Caribbean island.

YourFellowArab, whose real name is Addison Pierre Maalouf, was on the island to interview the man known popularly as Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cerisier, the most powerful gang leader in the country.

On March 14, Maalouf was taken by a gang known as the 400 Mawozo, led by kingpin Lanmo 100 jou, who is on the FBI most wanted list. Maalouf is being held for a ransom of $600,000.

Around $40,000 has been paid so far to the hostage takers, reports Haiti24. A Haitian colleague was also taken.

Maalouf, who is of Lebanese descent, is based in Atlanta. On his official website, Maalouf refers to himself as a 'comedian, pro player and content creator... Man of the people.'

One of Maalouf's colleagues, Twitch stream Lalem, confirmed in an X post that his friend had been taken hostage. He ended the message on a positive note saying: 'He'll be out soon.'

YourFellowArab, whose real name is Addison Pierre Maalouf, was on the island to interview the man known popularly as Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cerisier, shown here

Maalouf, shown here on his Instagram page, is based in Atlanta

Lalem reposted the last video that Maalouf posted, showing him in Haiti. He tells viewers about the dangers of being in the country at the present time.

Maalouf says that his crew intended to travel to Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince but that they were waiting to leave in the early hours of the morning so that they would arrive there in day light.

'All it takes is one stupid gang member holding an AK-47 for one thing to go wrong,' he tells his followers.

Lalem also asked those with Maalouf's phone number not to text him for his own safety.

When Maalouf left for Haiti he tweeted: 'Going on another one of those trips. If I die, thanks for watching what I've put out. If I live, all glory to God.'

The FBI is offering a reward of $1 million for information that results in the arrest of Lanmo 100 jou.

He's accused of kidnapping of 17 Christian Missionaries in Haiti, including five children, one as young as 8 months old in October 2021.

As a result of that crime, he is charged with conspiracy to commit hostage taking and hostage taking in the US.

The FBI is offering a reward of $1 million for information that results in the arrest of Lanmo 100 jou, shown here. He's thought to be behind the kidnapping of YourFellowArab

On Thursday, a UN rights expert for the conflict-wracked Caribbean nation said the country was in need of between 4,000 and 5,000 international police to tackle 'catastrophic' gang violence which is targeting key individuals and hospitals, schools, banks and other critical institutions.

Last July, William O'Neill said Haiti needed between 1,000 and 2,000 international police trained to deal with gangs.

Today, he said the situation is so much worse that double that number and more are needed to help the Haitian National Police regain control of security and curb human rights abuses.

O'Neill spoke at a news conference launching a UN Human Rights Office report he helped produce which called for immediate action to tackle the 'cataclysmic' situation in Haiti where corruption, impunity and poor governance compounded by increasing gang violence have eroded the rule of law and brought state institutions 'close to collapse.'

The report, covering the five-month period ending in February, said gangs continue to recruit and abuse boys and girls, with some children being killed for trying to escape.

Gangs also continue to use sexual violence 'to brutalize, punish and control people,' the report said, citing women raped during gang attacks in neighborhoods, 'in many cases after seeing their husbands killed in front of them.'

In 2023, the number of people killed and injured as a result of gang violence increased significantly  with 4,451 killed and 1,668 injured, the report said. And up to March 22 this year, the numbers skyrocketed to 1,554 killed and 826 injured.

As a result of the escalating gang violence, so-called 'self-defense brigades' have taken justice into their own hands, the report said, and 'at least 528 cases of lynching were reported in 2023 and a further 59 in 2024.'

A woman is comforted by others at a crime scene where the bodies of several people, who were shot dead earlier in the morning amid an escalation in gang violence, were being removed by an ambulance, in Port-au-Prince

Ezechiel Alexandre, alleged gang leader of Baz Pilat, gathers with residents in the Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood, which was deserted due to gang violence

People burn garbage close to the bodies of the dead as at least 10 bodies of gang members lie in the streets following the exchange of gunfire between armed gangs in Petion-Ville

The human rights report reiterated the need for urgent deployment of a multinational security mission to help Haiti's police stop the violence and restore the rule of law.

And it urged tighter national and international controls to stem the trafficking of weapons and ammunition to gangs and others  much of it from the United States.

O'Neill, who was appointed by the Geneva-based U.N. human rights chief, said the 'alarming' targeting of key institutions and individuals began in the last four or five weeks  with 18 attacks on hospitals documented, attacks on schools including one set on fire three days ago, and one of Haiti's elite academic institutions set ablaze on Wednesday night.

Gangs have also stormed Haiti's two biggest prisons.

In addition, he said, gangs have made two attempts to take control of the National Palace, and they are targeting human rights defenders, journalists and people they see as threats to their continuing control of territory.

Another new element documented by the U.N. human rights team in Haiti, O'Neill said, is the use of children not only as messengers, lookouts, sex slaves and cooks, but young teenagers are now involved in frontline activities and attacks in numbers not seen before.

The closure of the airport and roads has also left about 1.4 million Haitians on the verge of famine.

And the number of people fleeing their homes has increased from 50,000 last July according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration to at least 362,000, 'and I would say given the last three to four weeks, we're probably close to 400,000 if not over that,' the U.N. envoy said.

O'Neill said re-establishing security is key, and getting the international security force on the ground in Haiti is critical and urgent.

Getting the transitional presidential council officially installed and active is also 'crucial' and 'absolutely vital,' O'Neill said, expressing hope this could happen possibly next week.

For one thing, Kenya's President William Ruto has said he won't deploy police to lead the multinational security operation until he has a Haitian counterpart, the U.N. expert said.

O'Neill said the trust fund to finance the international police operation also desperately needs funds.

Haiti asked for an international force to combat gangs in October 2022, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for a force last July, he said.

'We're still waiting and every day lost means more people die, and more women and girls get raped, and more people flee their homes,' O'Neill said. 'So the sooner the better.'
Two victims who were seriously ill are no longer in a critical condition following a major incident at HMP Lewes.

The pair were among the 15 inmates and staff who collapsed shortly after eating 'poisoned' curry at a religious service at the jail's chapel.

Following the incident the category B prison in East Sussex was plunged into a lockdown but a Ministry of Justice source said police have now downgraded the investigation as the probe continues.

Paramedics who first arrived at the scene feared the synthetic opioid fentanyl could be behind the sudden illness. However, it is no longer believed to be drug related.

It is feared the dishes were spiked after they were prepared to mark Maundy Thursday.

Police are investigating a mass poisoning at Lewes prison after inmates and officers became ill after attending a religious service

The prison was put into lockdown as the authorities investigated but the major incident has now been downgraded while the police investigation continues

A source said: 'They all got sick after going to a religious event at a chapel service with food at the end of it.

'A significant amount of staff and prisoners have been taken ill.

'It's either a case of food poisoning or spiking, but it's happened far too quickly for it just to be food poisoning.

'It sounds like food prepared in the kitchen has been spiked.'

The Telegraph reported that inmates and staff had been eating a curry when they became sick.

During the incident a chemical incident van was parked outside the gates of the prison and a green decontamination tent was also put up outside a nearby hospital in preparation for ill patients.

Five people were taken to hospital but their symptoms were not thought to be life threatening.

Two of the most seriously ill are now recovering and are no longer in a critical condition.

No other people are currently expected to need hospital treatment.

The prison is no longer in lockdown and the incident is not believed to be drug related.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'We are working with the emergency services to deal with a suspected food-poisoning incident at HMP Lewes.'

Five people were hospitalised after eating 'poisoned' curry at a religious service at the jail's chapel

Emergency services were stationed outside HMP Lewes today after five people were taken to hospital - their symptoms were not life threatening

Paramedics who first arrived at the scene feared the synthetic opioid fentanyl could be behind the sudden illness. However, it is now not believed to be drug related

Police officers were assisting the ambulance service and a police probe is ongoing.

Prisoners under the supervision of staff generally prepare food in prison.

'It wouldn't be unusual at festival times for staff to attend religious services and staff are encouraged to participate,' the prison source said.

The Tory MP for Lewes, Maria Caulfield, said she is 'concerned' by the incident at the prison.

'Emergency services are on scene and it is important to let them deal with the situation in looking after those affected,' she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Multiple ambulances on blue lights raced to the prison with fire crews also in attendance.

A spokesperson for the force said: 'Sussex Police are assisting the ambulance service following the report of a medical incident at HMP Lewes at around 12.30pm on Thursday.'

Tory MP for Lewes, Maria Caulfield, said she was 'concerned to hear about the incident' at the prison

It is believed at least 15 inmates were being treated with some in hospital after suddenly falling ill. Two are said to be in a life-threatening condition

A green contamination tent was also seen outside the nearby Eastbourne hospital in preparation

Signs were also placed outside saying the medical facility was closed due to a 'major incident'

The hospital has since stood down with it understood the injured were instead taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

Yesterday afternoon a chemical incident van parked up outside the prison gates with CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) branded on the side.

A green contamination tent was also seen outside the nearby Eastbourne hospital in preparation, with signs placed outside saying the medical facility was closed due to a 'major incident'.

The hospital has since stood down with it understood the injured were instead taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

A spokesman from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said yesterday: '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'.

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.'

yesterday an East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: 'The Fire Service are currently working with other agencies and specialist teams to ascertain the cause of the issue. It is understood at least eight ambulance, police and service teams at at the scene at HMP Lewes.'

HMP Lewes is graded as category B - the second most secure of the four British prison categories. The all men's prison holds about 692 inmates.

MailOnline has contacted the Sussex Police and the University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust for comment.
Afghanistan is once again becoming a hotbed for terrorist activity, experts have warned, as an emboldened Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) consolidates its power and expands its worldwide network of jihadists.

Last week's devastating attack on Moscow, in which some 143 civilians were gunned down in an operation claimed by the Afghanistan-based terror group, sparked fresh fears in Europe that the threat of Islamic extremism is resurgent.

Professor of Security Studies at King's College London, Dr Peter Neumann, told MailOnline how ISIS-K's increasing strength could bring about more terror attacks on European capitals.

'The jihadist threat (in Afghanistan) has become significant. It used to be stagnating, if not declining, in the years after 2018, when ISIS in Syria and Iraq was defeated. But two developments changed that.

'First, Hamas' attacks against Israel on October 7 and the resulting conflict, which activated and mobilised Islamists and jihadists on an unprecedented scale.

'And second, the growing ambition of ISIS-K, which is currently the only ISIS affiliate capable of carrying out terrorist attacks in non-Muslim countries and is aggressively pursuing a strategy for doing so.'

Propaganda photos released by ISIS-K in Afghanistan showing their fighters

Gunmen open fire at Crocus City Hall, in Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, Russia, March 22, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video

People gather at the scene of explosions during a ceremony held to mark the death of late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, in Kerman, Iran, January 3, 2024, following an attack by ISIS-K

ISIS-Khorasan issued a threatening message in Russian, English, Uzbek, Tajik, Turkish, Pashto and Farsi, following footage of the mistreatment of ISIS militants who carried out the Moscow attack

ISIS-Khorasan is a branch of Islamic State which takes its name from an old Persian term for the region that included parts of Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, as well as areas of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Recent terror attacks linked to ISIS-K

Kabul, Afghanistan - August 2021 Airport bombing during US military withdrawal kills 183 Kabul, Afghanistan - August 2022 Suicide attack at Russian embassy kills 6 Mastung, Pakistan - September 2023 Suicide blast at religious procession kills 60 Istanbul, Turkey  January 2024 Catholic church shooting kills 1 Kerman, Iran - January 2024 Double suicide bombing kills 96 Moscow, Russia - March 7, 2024 Russia's FSB says it foiled synagogue attack Stockholm, Sweden - March 19, 2024 Foiled attack on parliament building Moscow, Russia  March 22, 2024 Attack on Crocus City Hall kills 143 Advertisement

Having emerged from the rubble of its parent organisation that was largely defeated in 2017 - 2018, it has undergone a transformation into one of the world's most fearsome terrorist movements.

ISIS-K grabbed global attention with a 2021 suicide bombing on Kabul international airport during the U.S. military withdrawal that killed 13 U.S. soldiers and scores of civilians.

Then in September 2022 it claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide attack at the Russian embassy in Kabul.

But perhaps its most brazen operation prior to the slaughter of 143 concertgoers in Moscow came in January, with a double suicide bombing in Iran that killed nearly 100 people at a memorial for Revolutionary Guard commander, Qassem Soleimani - the deadliest militant attack on Iranian soil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Along with Al-Qaeda and a smattering of other smaller extremist movements, ISIS-K maintains a presence in Afghanistan under the Taliban, which despite being opposed to ISIS-K lacks the military strength and resources to eliminate its safe havens.

But unlike its competitors, ISIS-K is capable of operations far from its bases in the borderlands of Afghanistan.

It has aggressively recruited in neighbouring regions, particularly in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, to establish a regional network of jihadist fighter cells that could help execute international attacks, according to a January 2024 UN report.

Dr Neumann, who is also a founder of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR), said the pull-out of Western troops from Afghanistan and Iraq allowed ISIS-K to cultivate its strength.

'Western troops were very active in combating terrorists during the last years of their presence in Afghanistan.

'They put a lot of pressure on them. That's gone now. And even though the Taliban are hostile to ISIS-K, they don't have the same capacity as Western forces, so counter-terrorism has been much less of a priority in Afghanistan in recent years.

'Since ISIS's caliphate was essentially defeated in 2018, the jihadist threat was often believed to be over... but it's never gone away completely. In fact, there are plenty of indications that it's resurgent.'

Now, the threat of more high-profile attacks in Western countries is growing as the group seeks to 'outperform' other extremist movements.

'ISIS-K seeks to outperform rival jihadis by carrying out more audacious attacks to distinguish its brand, poach from rivals, and gain resources from potential supporters,' said Asfandyar Mir, a senior expert on South Asia security at the U.S. Institute of Peace, a government research body based in Washington.

First moments of the 22 March 2024 terrorist attack in Moscow's Crocus City Hall, with four terrorists caught on camera

Members of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and workers remove debris inside the burnt-out Crocus City Hall following a deadly attack on the concert venue outside Moscow, Russia

This frame grab image from video shows upper floor windows blown out after a bomb explosion inside a mosque that had all the hallmarks of a deadly Islamic State affiliate known as Islamic State in Khorasan, Province, in Mazar-e-Sharif province, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 21, 2022

ISIS-K fighters are seen in a training clip

Frank McKenzie, the former head of US Central Command, which covers Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as part of South Asia, said the Moscow attack was indicative of ISIS-K's long-term objective of increasing its foreign operations, including against the United States.

'They remain determined to attack us and our homeland,' said McKenzie, who was the head of U.S. forces in the region during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

'I think the odds of that are probably higher now than they were a couple of years ago.'

Authorities in several European countries made a spate of arrests of alleged ISIS-K recruits in July and December last year, accused of plotting terror attacks.

But Christine Abizaid, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, said in November that ISIS-K had so far used 'inexperienced operatives' to attempt attacks in Europe, suggesting its capabilities are increasing.

France, which will host the Olympic Games from late July, said late on Sunday it was raising its terror alert warning to its highest level following the shootings in Moscow.

Meanwhile, a day before the Moscow attack, a top U.S. military officer told the House Armed Services Committee that Taliban efforts to suppress ISIS-K in Afghanistan were proving insufficient.

General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command, said in written testimony that the Taliban had targeted some senior ISIS-K leaders but did not have the ability nor intent to maintain pressure on the group.

This had allowed ISIS-K to regenerate its networks, he said in a Senate committee meeting last month.

'ISIS-Khorasan retains the capability and will to attack U.S. and Western interests abroad in as little as six months and with little to no warning.'
A former MoneySuperMarket director died in Spain from cocaine-induced cardiac arrest, a coroner has ruled.

Sean Thweny from Wrexham, who the inquest heard had a history of drug and alcohol misuse may have been lying dead in his Spanish flat in Marbella for three days before his body was found.

At an inquest at Ruthin, North Wales, the family of Mr Thweny said they had concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation by the Spanish police.

The 51-year-old was director of business development for Flintshire-based MoneySuperMarket from 2000 to 2009, when he received one million shares in the company. He then moved to live in Marbella.

Sean Thweny from Wrexham, who the inquest heard had a history of drug and alcohol misuse may have been lying dead in his Spanish flat in Marbella for three days before his body was found

At an inquest at Ruthin, North Wales, the family of Mr Thweny said they had concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation by the Spanish police. Pictured here is Mr Thweny with his former wife Nadia Cortez Paz Thweny

When police were called to his apartment on February 28, 2019, they found him kneeling against a sofa and cocaine on a plate alongside him. There was also drug paraphernalia.

A post-mortem examination carried out in Spain found his body contained cocaine and benzodiazepines and various other substances used to 'cut' the drug.

Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers, who carried out a further examination after his body had been repatriated to this country, gave the cause of death as cardio-respiratory failure due to cocaine abuse. There was no evidence of violence or of third-party involvement.

At the inquest John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, read extracts from the police investigation including interviews with friends of Mr Thweny, who said they last saw him on February 25.

The inquest heard that Mr Thweny had earlier taken a taxi to Gibraltar to get money from his Brazilian-born wife Nadia, from whom he was separated.

When police were called to his apartment on February 28, 2019, they found him kneeling against a sofa with blood around his nose and cocaine on a plate alongside him. There was also drug paraphernalia

Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers, who carried out a further examination after his body had been repatriated to this country, gave the cause of death as cardio-respiratory failure due to cocaine abuse

One of those witnesses was a Sandra Santos, who said she used to clean his apartment and who took him 800 Euros which he had asked her to get from a cash machine.

READ MORE: Drug driver high on cocaine is convicted of causing the death of pensioner, 86

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She said she refused to go back there later that day because he was drunk, 'as usual'. She denied taking any of his property even though his wallet and phone were missing, and said she would have called for help if she thought he needed it.

The coroner said that no criminal charges were brought but he accepted that Mr Thweny's family had concerns that he had received threats.

'The authorities in Spain have examined and questioned witnesses on multiple occasions and clearly reached the conclusion that there is no case to answer' he said.

Recording a conclusion of a drug-related death, Mr Gittins said: 'It's clear he was leading a complicated existence.'

He said he understood why his family speculated about the circumstances, but added: 'Ultimately there has to be a line drawn at some point because clearly we are not going to get any more.'
The Archbishop of Canterbury has signalled he will drop his opposition to Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill in the House of Lords if MPs continue to reject peers' changes.

Justin Welby has been a fierce critic of the Prime Minister's plans to deport asylum seekers to Africa, but suggested he would back down over the new legislation.

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is currently stuck in 'ping pong' between the Lords and Commons with MPs and peers at loggerheads.

The Lords last week inflicted a slew of fresh defeats on the Government over the flagship legislation, as they attempt to amend it to include a series of safeguards.

MPs are expected to once again remove peers' changes to the Bill when they return from their Easter break, at which point Mr Welby suggested the Lords could accept defeat.

But the Archbishop vowed he would continue to be opposed to the Rwanda plan 'morally' and said he would still be critical of the scheme even if migrants were being sent to Sweden and not the African country.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has signalled he will drop his opposition to Rishi Sunak 's Rwanda Bill in the House of Lords if MPs continue to reject peers' changes

Home Secretary James Cleverly and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta pictured in Kigali in December

An inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 people is pictured crossing the English Channel earlier this month

According to provisional Home Office figures, 338 people arrived in seven boats on Tuesday, taking the total for the year to date to 4,644

Mr Sunak is under increasing pressure to deliver on his Rwanda plans as part of his pledge to 'stop the boats' amid the Channel migrant crisis.

The number of migrants who have arrived in the UK so far in 2024 after crossing the Channel has reached a new record high for the first three months of a calendar year.

According to provisional Home Office figures, 338 people arrived in seven boats on Tuesday, taking the total for the year to date to 4,644.

This exceeds the previous record high figure of 4,548 for January to March 2022 and had already surpassed the 3,793 arrivals in the first quarter of last year.

Mr Sunak promised 'emergency legislation' to overcome last year's Supreme Court ruling that his Rwanda scheme is unlawful.

But his Rwanda Bill is now set to enter a fifth month of being considered by Parliament.

Speaking to LBC's Full Disclosure podcast with James OBrien, Mr Welby reiterated why he opposed the migrant deportation scheme.

Yet he suggested both he and fellow members of the Lords would eventually allow the Bill to pass.

'I think it has got ping pong, which means when the Commons and the Lords try and work out a common view,' the Archbishop said.

'The Commons is the senior house, and quite rightly, the Lords exists, and the bishops are in the Lords and stick to the rules.

'The Lords exists to ask questions, to refine, to suggest better ways of doing things.

He added: 'And there's an incredible amount of expertise there and the debates are often absolutely fascinating. They're not loud and chatty. They are normally measured and thoughtful.

'And in the end, on the Rwanda Bill, the Lords will say, okay, we've made our case, you don't accept it and that's the end of it.'

But insisting he would continue to 'morally' oppose the Rwanda scheme, Mr Welby continued: 'My arguments with Rwanda have got nothing to do with it being Rwanda.

'If it was Sweden, I'd have the same problem.'

The Archbishop acknowledged there was a need to 'control immigration' and 'deal with the immense evil of people trafficking', which he described as 'loathsome and vile'.

Mr Welby called for a global system for dealing with the increasing challenge of migration.

'It's not what we've got to do that we disagree with. It's how you do it,' he said.

'I don't want open borders. We can't. The Americans aren't big enough to have open borders. Europe isn't. It's too big for any one country.

'And so what we've been arguing, many people in the Lords arguing, is we need a better system that shares out this burden in a way that is fair to the countries that get the most refugees.

'72 per cent of refugees end up in the country next to the one they come from, which is almost certainly going to be really poor. Now it's fine they stay there, if the country can manage it.

'How do we make sure that country has the resources to do that in a way that enables the people to go home, or to build new lives, rather than having to travel at great risk halfway around the world?'
Wrongfully convicted sub-postmistress Janet Skinner has said she wants 'justice' and 'accountability' for the the Post Office scandal that led to her spending months in a drug-infested jail cell.

The 52-year-old was forced to endure a prison sentence in 2007 over an alleged shortfall of 59,000 from her Post Office in Hull.

Ms Skinner told BBC Newsnight what she wanted to happen to those responsible for the miscarriage of justice that saw more than 700 Post Office branch managers falsely accused of stealing.

She told Victoria Derbyshire she wanted 'arrests, people held accountable, sent to prison, having confiscations made against them, losing all their assets, the same way we've been treated.

She added: 'I lost my job in 2006 and I was sent to prison in February of 2007.

Janet Skinner who was wrongfully convicted of stealing from The Post Office has demanded s 'justice' and 'accountability' and said she wants those responsible to be treated 'the same way we've been treated'

She told Victoria Derbyshire she wanted 'arrests, people held accountable, sent to prison, having confiscations made against them, losing all their assets'

The mother of two served a jail sentence following a roundup of 230 former postmasters and postmistresses in one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in Britain's recent history

'I lost everything in the space of six months. They had no evidence to prove theft.

'How much more evidence do they need to take against the Post Office?'

The mother of two served three months of a nine-month sentence following a roundup of 230 former postmasters and postmistresses jailed in one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in Britain's recent history.

Although her conviction was overturned in 2021, Ms Skinner said the scandal has ruined her life.

She is now disabled and reliant on benefits due to her finances being crushed in the wake of the wrongful fraud accusation.

The former-Post Office worker said she lost her home, her offices and became estranged from her two teenage children as a result of her wrongful conviction.

Ms Skinner also revealed to The Sun that her lawyer, Karl Turner, now a Labour MP in Hull, advised her to plead guilty in a bid to avoid jailtime.

She said: 'It was against everything I knew was true, but I followed the advice. That was a terrible mistake.'

She said: 'It was against everything I knew was true, but I followed the advice. That was a terrible mistake.'

Pressure has been mounting on the Post Office to face criminal action last night after secret recordings proved its bosses - including CEO Paula Vennells - 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.

Post Office CEO Paula Vennels knew about the Horizon system faults while postmasters were being wrongly convicted

Ms Skinner celebrating outside the Royal Courts of Justice after having her appeal overturned in 2021

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 (pictured)

More than 900 sub-postmasters were convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting between 1999 and 2015 following faults in the Horizon system.

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 - when the Post Office hired forensic firm Second Sight to conduct an independent investigation.

The bombshell clips follow accusations last month that Post Office boss Nick Read had given '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.

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

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.

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.'

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.

Fujitsu, the Post Office and Mr Jenkins declined to comment. The public inquiry into the Horizon scandal resumes next month.
A seven-year-old boy has been praised online after he found a 14.5-carat sapphire worth up to $10,000 just 200m away from his home.

Riley Betteridge discovered the precious stone in the middle of Queensland's gemfields in Rubyvale near Rockhampton on Monday.

Riley, still in his school uniform, is seen running excitedly over to his dad Matt to show him the rare stone in a now-viral TikTok video.

'That looks really good mate,' he tells Riley after inspecting it with a headlamp.

'That is your best stone yet by far.'

In the now-viral footage, Riley - still in his school uniform - is seen running excitedly over to his dad Matt to let him inspect the stone with a headlamp (pictured)

Matt and Amber Betteridge run their family business Betteridge Sapphires from the heart of the state's mining region in Central Queensland.

They revealed Riley has been hunting for sapphires since he was just three-years-old when he spotted a stone from up on his dad's shoulders.

'He's got an eye for it,' Mr Betteridge told Yahoo News.

'That's about 300 metres, maybe 200 metres from home.'

Mrs Petterson, who grinds and polishes the stones, said Riley's sapphire appears to have no internal fractures and could fetch up to $10,000.

'The finished colour will make the difference,' she said, explaining that brighter colours tend to sell for more than darker hues.

The family has decided to leave the fate of the stone in Riley's hands.

Footage of his incredible find has received almost 2million views on TikTok with many viewers leaving messages of congratulations for the seven-year-old.

'Surely that's earned him a day off school,' one person joked.

'I'm amazed that he knew exactly what he was looking for! We've all probably picked something like this up, think it was a stone and thrown it away!' another said.

Amber Betteridge found the precious gemstone (pictured) on her property at Rubyvale

Mrs Betteridge was on an afternoon walk with her baby (pictured) on the weekend when she and her husband made the shocking discovery

Mrs Betteridge's husband Matt (picture) regularly uploads Tiktok videos which show him mining sapphires

It comes just weeks after Mrs Betteridge found a $2,000 sapphire buried deep in the soil while she was carrying her baby daughter.

The eagle-eyed mum was seen in a TikTok video carrying her nine-month-old baby daughter Elise while she searched for the precious stones.

With the use of her fingers and a small rock she found nearby, she began to dig the mineral out of the ground and uncovered a 54-carat parti sapphire (a parti sapphire displays two or more distinct colours).

She told Daily Mail Australia she was shocked to find the stone.

'What we thought was going to be a small, not-really-worth-anything gem turned out to be this sapphire with a beautiful piece of crystal in it,' she said.

'It's [got] an absolutely stunning parti colour'.

Mr Betteridge collects the sapphires in their underground mine using just a pick and a shovel. He found an 834-carat sapphire worth an estimated $12,500 in the dirt two years ago while he was on an evening walk.

Australia is one of the few places in the world where parti sapphires are found after the gemstones were first discovered by gold miners in the 1850s.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared Europe is now in a 'pre-war era' and warned a Ukrainian defeat to Russia would only embolden Vladimir Putin.

'I know it sounds devastating, especially to people of the younger generation, but we have to mentally get used to the arrival of a new era. The pre-war era,' he said in a speech to foreign journalists.

'I don't want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past. It's real and it started over two years ago.

'We are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War... literally any scenario is possible,' he concluded.

His warning came as Russia launched another large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure with a mass barrage of drones and airstrikes hitting regions across the country overnight, Kyiv officials claimed.

The bombardment also prompted Poland to scramble its own warplanes to protect its airspace from any wayward drones, missiles or bombers.

A screen grab captured from a video shows crews of the Uragan MLRS of Russia's Vostok group of troops launch missile attacks towards Ukrainian positions in Donetsk on March 29, 2024

Crews of artillery and attack FPV drones of the 13th BARS detachment of the Southern Group of Forces of Russia attack the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on March 29, 2024

A view of damage after Russian shelling in Kamiansk, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 29, 2024

Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk said: 'I don't want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past. It's real and it started over two years ago. We are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War'

Last night's bombardment of Ukraine prompted Poland to scramble its own warplanes to protect its airspace from any wayward drones, missiles or bombers (FILE: Polish F-16s in flight)

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

Last week, Warsaw demanded an explanation from Moscow after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting the NATO member to activate F-16 fighter jets.

Romania's defence ministry also said an investigation has been launched after fragments that appear to be from a drone were identified on its territory on Thursday evening in an agricultural area of Braila county, close to the border with Ukraine.

It did not provide additional details, although since the start of the full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, NATO member Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions.

Meanwhile in Ukraine, air raid warnings across the country continued through the night as the strike targeted 10 separate regions, Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in a statement on Telegram.

The Ukrainian air force reported that 60 Shahed drones and 39 missiles of varying types were seen across the country, of which 58 drones and 26 missiles were ultimately shot down by air defences.

Ukraine's state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, said that the attack deliberately targeted energy infrastructure, including thermal and hydroelectric power plants across central and western regions.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private electricity operator, also said that three of its thermal power plants had been damaged in the attack.

Elsewhere, five people were wounded during the attack in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, said local governor Serhii Lysak. The injured included a five-year-old girl.

Putin earlier this week reiterated that Moscow has no plans to attack any NATO states, accusing European leaders such as Tusk of fomenting fear of a Russian invasion that will never come to justify sending more weapons to Ukraine.

But he also vowed his forces would shoot down any F-16 fighter jets that Western countries supply to Ukraine, adding that any NATO planes used for operations in Ukraine would be 'legitimate targets', even if they're based in at a third country's airfield.

'We have no aggressive intentions towards (NATO) 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.

'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. We will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment.

'Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located,' he concluded.

Putin sits in a flight simulator during a visit to a pilot training school in the Tver region

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)

Ukraine, now more than two years into a full-fledged war against Russia, has sought F-16s for many months

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

Putin's remarks yesterday 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.
Alex Au-Yeung Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer Chef-owner Alex Au-Yeung at Phat Eatery in February 2019 Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer Bar at Phat Eatery. Mai Pham/Contributor Chef-Owner Alex Au-Yeung (left) and manager Kevin Lee at Phat Eatery Feb. 7, 2019, in Katy. Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer

Alex Au-Yeung, the chef and owner of Katy restaurant Phat Eatery, has died at the age of 52.

The cause of death was cancer. He had kept his diagnosis private as he was more comfortable taking care of others than being cared for, a press release stated.

Au-Yeung opened Phat Eatery in 2018, serving Malaysian/Southeast Asian street food such as roti with curry, dim sum and Hainanese chicken. He quickly made a name for himself bringing foodies west before Katy had become a restaurant hotbed. In 2022 he was named as a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef Texas category. Phat Eatery was listed in the Chronicle's Top 100 list in 2023.

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In the past few months, Au-Yeung had kept a positive attitude and stayed committed to work, according to a representative. He had been working on opening a second location of Phat Eatery in The Woodlands, which the team that includes directors of operations Kevin Lee and Marvin He plan to fulfill.

Au-Yeung was born in Malaysia and raised in Hong Kong. He moved to Houston at the age of 19. Au-Yeung was especially known for his compassion, volunteering his time and supporting philanthropic events.

"Alexs uncompromising dedication to hospitality made everyone in his restaurant feel welcome. He always looked for ways to create a better guest experience and take care of his team," a social media post from Phat Eatery read. "An active member of our industry, he never hesitated to go out of his way to support a cause, help his peers or show up for the Katy and Houston communities he loved."

In her original review of the restaurant in 2019, Houston Chronicle critic Alison Cook noted: "Au-Yeung and Lee are serious about what theyre doing. They ask for feedback from people. They listen. They keep an open mind. That tells me Phat Eatery, already refreshing and fun, is going to keep getting better with age."

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And it did, according to Cook. Alex never stopped thinking about new ways to present the flavors and techniques he grew up with, she said. So you could go to Phat Eatery for bedrock dishes like delicate, many-layered coils of roti, the Malaysian flatbread, to dip into a graceful curry sauce; or a fearless and funky nasi lemak platter graced with chewy curls of dried sardine.

But then Thanksgiving would roll around, Cook said, and Alex would man the register that morning for regulars to pick up ideas like a spiced lobster bisque or Beef Rendang Wellington in a puff-pastry crust. That was an unforgettable holiday meal, delivered with his unfailing warmth and enthusiasm.

Members of the Houston restaurant community paid their respects on social media Friday.

"Alex was a leader in all of his communities, but was especially important in the Asian community as a leader in the food and beverage industry," restaurateur and James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Yu posted in an Instagram story. "He's a guy I looked up to for betting on himself big and winning big, doing things the right way and working hard."

"One of the kindest humans I have ever had the pleasure of knowing," wrote chef Kevin Bryant. "A true friend to all."

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Au-Yeung is survived by his wife, son and daughter. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Au-Yeung's honor to Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit that supports hospitality workers.
Officials from Tennessee's Vanderbilt University ended an overnight sit-in protest against Israel at one of the prestigious institution's main buildings after locking students in without access to food, water or bathroom facilities.

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) protestors were seen charging past campus security and into the university's Kirkland Hall on March 26, beginning a major sit in that has so far resulted in several arrests, including of a local reporter who was later let go.

Security footage released by the 151-year-old university shows a swarm of protestors pushing past a lone security guard at the front door of the building, where Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier's office is located.

They took control of the building, but many allege that campus police locked them in as a pressure tactic.

The sit-in began after the university's administration refused to allow students to vote on changing the student government's constitution to prevent funds from being spent on the protestors targets.

Security footage released by the 151-year-old university shows a swarm of protestors pushing past a lone security guard at the front door of the building

They took control of the building, but many allege that campus police locked them in as a pressure tactic

Protestors said that once they were inside, they were forcibly prevented from leaving

Protestors said that once they were inside, they were forcibly prevented from leaving. Videos taken from inside the building, shared to social media, showed them sitting on the floor linking arms and taunting campus security.

In one video, protestors were heard telling one police officer, who is black: 'You are black in America, and you're NOT standing with the marginalized people of the world. What does that make you?'

'32,000 dead and you don't care. You could stand with us and be on the right side of history, but you won't.'

The protestors then screamed 'shame' at him.

But as the protest carried on into the night, many wanted to leave for medical reasons.

One video shared to social media showed a protestor calling 911, claiming they were worried that if they went outside they'd be arrested, but that if they stayed inside they'd go into 'toxic shock.'

Videos taken from inside the building, shared to social media, showed them sitting on the floor linking arms and taunting campus security

One video shared to social media showed a protestor calling 911, claiming they were worried that if they went outside they'd be arrested, but that if they stayed inside they'd go into 'toxic shock'

They said: 'There's currently a female student being denied the right to change her tampon that has been in for multiple hours, which leads to an increased risk of toxic shock syndrome.

'If she stands up to use the restroom to change her tampon, [campus police] are threatening arrest, so it's not an option for her.'

Other video shared to social media showed fellow protestors slamming on the windows of the building, chanting over and over again: 'Let them pee, let them eat.'

Eventually, four students were arrested and suspended from the university, while a further 12 were only suspended, for their role in the protest, after everyone inside left voluntarily.

'All of the protest participants who breached the building will be placed on interim suspension,' the university said. The suspension means they must leave campus and can't return pending a Student Affairs review process.

Three students were charged with misdemeanor assault because they pushed a community service officer and a staff member who offered to meet with them as they entered the building, the school said.

A fourth student was charged with vandalism after breaking a window.

Nashville Scene reporter Eli Motycka tweeted that he was there to cover the protest when he was arrested and that the school's charge against him 'was immediately dismissed by the court magistrate for lacking probable cause.'

Opponents of Israel's brutal war against Hamas, that has so far killed more than 31,000 people including women and children, have used the BDS movement as a non-violent way of protesting it.

The movement seeks to target companies and organisations that it claims supports Israel's policies.

Supporters say that boycotting these groups, and asking others to divest from them, puts pressure on them to stop working with Israel.

Nashville Scene reporter Eli Motycka tweeted that he was there to cover the protest when he was arrested

Opponents of Israel's brutal war against Hamas, that has so far killed more than 31,000 people including women and children, have used the BDS movement as a non-violent way of protesting it

BDS supporters have gone after McDonald's and Starbucks. Earlier this month, Starbucks' Middle East operations announced it was cutting thousands of jobs in light of the BDS movement.

Alshaya Group, which runs the Middle East arm of the coffee giant, said the layoffs were the 'result of the continually challenging trading conditions over the last six months'.

McDonald's also said that it was facing a 'meaningful business impact' in the Middle East as a result of the war in Gaza, and Yum! Brands, which runs KFC and Pizza Hut, said 'sales were impacted by the conflict in the Middle East region with varying degrees of impact.'

Universities like Vanderbilt have become hotbeds for BDS protests organised by students.

Earlier this month, Columbia College Student Council endorsed a boycott equivalent to '$1 million in student fees' against companies that it sees as supporting Israel.

In February UCLA's Undergraduate Students Association Council passed a BDS resolution that aimed to put pressure on Israel to stop its 'genocide.'

And in January, Harvard University saw scores of protestors gather in front of Chase Bank's Harvard Square site to protest the bank's investment in Elbit Systems, the primary weapons maker for the IDF.

A Vanderbilt spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Free expression is a core value at Vanderbilt, as is civil discourse.

'Our policies allow for members of the Vanderbilt community to protest and demonstrate regarding issues they care deeply about. Dozens of peaceful demonstrations have occurred over the past several months.

'In consideration of safety and the universitys normal operations, we, as a matter of policy, define time, place and manner limitations. The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority.

'The university will take action when our policies are violated, the safety of our campus is jeopardized and when people intimidate or injure members of our community.'
The man accused of punching a TikTok influencer in the face in broad daylight has appeared in a New York City court after footage of her injuries went viral.

Skiboky Stora, 40, was arraigned in court on Thursday in connection with the seemingly random attack on Halley Kate Mcgookin.

The New York Police Department said Stora was arrested on Wednesday and charged with assault, making it his third arrest in the past six months.

Stora has frequently run as a fringe candidate for mayor and governor, and according to the New York Daily News interrupted prosecutors during proceedings.

The outlet reported that he told Judge Pamela Goldsmith: 'Now they bring me here and say they have video footage of me punching somebody that I never met and have never seen.'

Skiboky Stora, 40, was arraigned in court on Thursday in connection with the seemingly random attack on Halley Kate Mcgookin

The New York Police Department said Stora was arrested on Wednesday and charged with assault, making it his third arrest in the past six months

Stora was arrested in connection with the assault by the warrant squad while appearing in court for other open cases

Stora continued: 'Thats denying me due process, and the same officer is a white supremacist member who has arrested me.'

The outlet reported that Assistant DA Liliana Shelanski shared statements Stora allegedly made to police after his arrest.

Shelanski is said to have told cops: 'Shes a ghost, who is my accuser? You are the one who did it, I am looking at your hand.'

Stora was arrested in connection with the assault by the warrant squad while appearing in court for other open cases.

Stora appears to run several TikTok accounts in which he documents his aggression towards strangers, with the majority of them being women.

Mcgookin shared her traumatic experience with her 1.2 million TikTok followers just moments after being punched in the face.

'You guys, I was literally just walking, and a man came up and punched me in the face,' Kate said in the video with tears streaming down her face.

'Oh my god, it was so bad, I can't even talk.'

The influencer also added that she lost consciousness and fell to the floor after the assault.

Stora appears to run several TikTok accounts in which he documents his aggression towards strangers, the majority of them are women

Mcgookin shared her traumatic experience with her 1.2 million TikTok followers just moments after being punched in the face

Kate posted a follow up video from the safety of her apartment, revealing what she described as a 'devil horn'-looking bump on the left side of her forehead.

'Yeah, I'm going to the hospital, oh my god, it looks like a f**king devil horn,' she said, having just noticed the bump starting to form while filming.

In another video, Kate thanked her followers for their expressions of concern, and confirmed with a doctor that she would be okay but to look for symptoms such as vomiting or vision loss.

'I am going to be okay, I think I'm going to make a speedy recovery,' she said, saying she was experiencing a severe migraine.

The content creator said the man had struck her while she was looking down at her phone to answer an email.

'I literally passed out, so I don't really remember. But I guess he was really mad that my head was down - he was walking a dog, so he took it upon himself to attack me and let me know to be conscious of my surroundings,' Kate said.

After having regained consciousness, Kate said she woke up to the man screaming at her.

As Kate's video gained traction, so did other stories from users claiming they have also been punched in the face by a male stranger, sparking outrage online about public safety in NYC.

The influencer, who has over one million followers on TikTok, said she lost consciousness and fell to the floor after the assault

After having regained consciousness, Kate said she woke up to the man screaming at her

Since the shocking video was uploaded, a slew of others have now echoed her claims to say they have previously been victims of random violence in NYC.

TikTok personality Mikayla Toninato says she got punched in the face when she was walking home from class, in a video that has gained 7.4 million views.

Toninato said she was looking at her phone and texting as a man came out of nowhere and hit her in the face.

She warned her followers to not walk around on their phones and be 'super aware' of their surroundings.

Another person shared a video last week, on March 17, telling users that she had been randomly punched in New York City as well.

'I literally just got punched by some man on the sidewalk,' Olivia Brand said in her video - which has almost four million views.

'He goes "sorry" and then punches me in the head,' she said.

Another user, @malous228, revealed that she had been hit on Saturday, March 23 in Times Square when she walking out of the subway station

Since the shocking video was uploaded, a slew of others have now echoed her claims to say they have previously been victims of random violence in NYC

Yet another popular TikTok star uploaded a video on Monday, saying that she had also been punched in NYC.

Selena Pikanab, who has over a million followers on the social media app, captioned her video 'Getting punched in NYC was not on my agenda today. This happened to me at around 1 pm and I had work immediately after.'

On Tuesday morning, a user on TikTok uploaded a video saying that she had also been punched in the head.

The user, @malous228, revealed that she had been hit on Saturday, March 23 in Times Square when she walking out of the subway station.

She said a random man came up and punched her in the head. The TikTokker said she's still sore and that it was a 'traumatic experience'.

She also managed to get a video of the alleged attacker after he had chased her.

Toninato recently posted an update to her social media saying that victim support would be covering her medical bills.

She also added that the detective working her case had saw the man walking the streets and arrested him, it is unclear if that man is Stora.

On Tuesday, user jesslovesblueberrybagels shared a video saying she had also been assaulted while she was holding her Kindle.

She said: 'A little bit over a month ago, I was assaulted. The man swung at me, hit my kindle, spat at me and was yelling at me.

'I made a video and it was perceived in not the best way. People were messaging me calling me just about every slur in the book.

'Somebody commented that the man should have sexually assaulted me. People can really be so terrible.

'I made a post saying people don't believe black woman and people were just commenting on it being like race card, you're being dramatic whatever.

'The way that all these other woman who have been assaulted, the way that their videos have been perceived versus my comment section for the exact same situation - is literally insane.

'It's just really frustrating the way that the world doesn't believe or protect black women ever.'

Another woman shared a video of herself on Thursday explaining a similar situation saying 'the copy cats have begun'.

She said: 'A man walks up on me and bucks at me, and while he bucks at me he is like "get off your phone".

'So I clocked him with my umbrella and busted his lip. He got really mad and was like "I was just joking you f***ing b**ch."

'The copy cats have begun, they arrested the guy who was punching the white girls but the copy cats have started uptown.'
Former South African president Jacob Zuma has been involved in a car accident with a drunk driver in what his party members are claiming was a deliberate attack.

Mr Zuma, 81, was unhurt in this incident on Thursday evening, which saw his 'official armoured state vehicle' hit in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

'No-one was injured, including members of the Presidential Protection Services,' a police statement said. 'The former president was evacuated and taken to his residence.'

A 51-year-old man has since been arrested for 'drunken driving as well as... reckless and negligent driving'.

But the head of Zuma's uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party told public broadcaster SABC he believed South Africa's fourth president had been deliberately targeted by the suspect.

'Unfortunately, we have been waiting for it to happen,' he said. 'The president was warned that before the day of the elections, he would be lying in the hospital.'

The ex president is now the face of newcomer MK despite being banned from running himself

A source said Zuma was 'fine' and at his home in Nkandla (pictured in 2021)

Mr Mkhize asked: 'Why would a certain car only target the main car where President Zuma was in and not the other few cars that were surrounding him?

'President Zuma was the target,' he added, without providing evidence.

He told SABC the Presidential Protection Unit was able to 'keep the president safe', praising their work.

He added that Zuma was being kept 'in a safe space, well and good under the support he is getting after the incident'.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the accident happened on the R66 road around 6:40pm local time.

'The former president was evacuated and taken to his residence,' Mathe added.

An insider said Zuma was 'fine and at home' after the crash.

They also suggested someone may have deliberately targeted the politician.

'I would say that people are up to their old tricks,' they said, as reported by News24.

'The car did not overturn, it was crashed into by another car purposely. Someone drove directly into the presidential convoy.

'It means they know exactly what they are doing. He is fine and at home.'

Police have not suggested the accident was deliberate.

In an X post, Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, said her father is in 'high spirits' and attending church in Nkandla.

The crash comes at a sensitive time in South African politics, with Mr Zuma suspended by the African National Congress but is still campaigning for the MK ahead of May's general election.

At a media briefing on Thursday, the country's Independent Electoral Commission ruled that Mr Zuma is ineligible to run in the elections himself.

In July 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission that was investigating corruption allegations during his 2009-2018 presidency.

He was granted medical parole after two months and allowed to serve the rest of the sentence under house arrest.

South Africa's Constitution bars people convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months' imprisonment, without an option of a fine, from holding public office.

Zuma and his legal team stormed out of the judicial proceedings when he was asked about wide-ranging allegations of corruption during his rule, including the role of an Indian family, the Guptas, who allegedly had influence over his Cabinet appointments.

Zuma, 81, has until April 2 to appeal the commission's ruling.

He is still the face of the MK, a party which has emerged as a potentially significant player in South Africa's upcoming elections after he denounced the governing African National Congress, which he had previously led.

Mr Zuma was president of South Africa between 2009 and 2018 (Pictured in 2024 file photo)

The new party is named after the former military wing of the ANC which was disbanded at the end of white minority rule and racial segregation policies under the former apartheid regime.

Zuma's announcement that he is leaving the ANC has been one of the notable developments ahead of the elections.

His face is on the MK Party's election posters, he is the party's most prominent figure and the main speaker at their election rallies.

His battle against the ANC has landed in some of the country's highest courts, with the MK Party scoring a victory this week when a court ruled against the ANC's application to deregister the MK Party and ban it from participating in the elections.

In a separate case, the ANC is contesting the MK Party's use of its name and logo, which closely resembles that of the ANC's former military wing.
Donald Trump slammed Joe Biden for ignoring the wake of murdered NYPD officer Jonathan Diller even though he was only half an hour away.

The former Republican president also accused his Democrat rival of not backing the police because his liberal supporters 'won't let him'.

Trump attended the officer's wake on Thursday as Biden was also in New York for a political fundraising event with former Democrat presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Trump told Fox News that Biden could have been at the wake 'within a half an hour depending on the mode of travel, they have some pretty fast travel.'

He went on: 'I think that politically he (Biden) can't support the police. I think he's also making a mistake, but I think politically his base won't let him support the police.'

Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after attending the wake for New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa, Long Island, New York, on March 28, 2024

A picture outside 101 precinct in honor of fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller

Trump criticized Biden for being at a fundraiser half an hour away. Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participated in a discussion moderated by Stephen Colbert, host of CBS's 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York, U.S., March 28, 2024

Trump added; 'And I support the police, I would say at the highest level of any president by far, maybe double or triple.

'And they knew that that's why when I walked into that funeral parlor it was like love. It was just, they want to shy away from it.'

He said Biden and his team had not even called the family of the officer.

'They didn't even call the family,' he said. 'They could have called. You don't have to be a rocket scientist.'

But he added: 'I'm not sure they take his call.'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after attending the wake of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home on March 28, 2024 in Massapequa, New York

Surveillance footage shows NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller writhing on the ground after being shot

Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday and horrific surveillance footage captured the moment.

The married father of a one-year-old boy was shot in the stomach under his bulletproof vest after he and his partner stopped a car with career criminal Guy Rivera, 34, inside.

Rivera allegedly opened fire on Diller after he ordered the suspect to get out of the car.

In the footage three loud gunshots are heard ringing out as bystanders flee for safety.

Officer Jonathan Diller was killed in a routine traffic stop

Officer Jonathan Diller was praised by former president Donald Trump

Trump attended the wake at Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island.

The former president told Fox News: 'They're a great family the Diller family. We lost a hero really, the family is devastated, the police force is devastated.

'It's happening more and more. It's really a lack of respect for law and order.'

We have to have law and order back in our country, we can't let this happen. This was a brutal murder. He was top of his class and everything perfect, beautiful record of doing his job properly and fairly, and this is what happens. It's just so horrible.

Former US President Barack Obama (L) and US President Joe Biden arrive for a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on March 28, 2024

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for the "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" rally outside Radio City Music Hall where US President Joe Biden is attending a fundraiser for his re-election campaign, in New York, March 28, 2024

'Jonathan was the top in every respect, top of his class and this happened to somebody this should not have happened to. Ryan, the baby, one year old is never going to be the same, doesn't know yet what the meaning is but it's certainly going to have a big impact.'

Trump said as he was leaving the ceremony it felt like driving for miles with men and women in blue along the road.

He said: 'It was a long blue line. It was a long blue line indeed. And it's respect they have, respect for this family. They have respect for what Jonathan meant. And to me they're the most brave people.'

Trump added: 'It's getting getting worse and worse for police because we're not, we're not taking care of them, we're not allowing them to do their job properly.'
Harvard College saw undergraduate applications drop by 5 percent this year, while other Ivy League schools, including Yale and Dartmouth, boasted a record increase of 10 percent.

Harvard received 54,008 undergraduate applications, about 5 percent fewer than last year, following the resignation of former president Claudine Gay amid plagiarism accusations and backlash over anti-Semitism events.

Applications to Brown University were also down by nearly 5 percent from last year, but other Ivy League schools saw a record rise in applicants, according to The New York Times.

Yale University and Dartmouth College received applications up by 10 percent from last year, while M.I.T., which also made headlines for anti-Israel protests on campus after the October 7 attack, and experienced its own plagiarism scandal saw applications rise by 5 percent.

Columbia, which declined an invitation to testify before congress alongside the presidents of Harvard, UPenn, and MIT, also saw a 5 percent rise despite repeated accusations of antisemitism on campus.

Cornell and Princeton decided not to release the number of applicants or the admission rates for this admissions cycle.

Harvard College saw undergraduate applications drop by 5 percent this year, while other Ivy League schools, including Yale and Dartmouth, boasted a record increase of 10 percent

Harvard received 54,008 undergraduate applications, about 5 percent fewer than last year, following the backlash over anti-Semitism scandals. Demonstrators are seen at Harvard on October 14, 2023

Yale University(left) and Dartmouth College(right) received applications up by 10 percent from last year

Early applications to Harvard were down 17 percent, and regular ones dropped by almost 3 percent this year. The school accepted 1,937 students to its class of 2028, about 3.6 percent of applicants.

Despite the decline, it marked the fourth year in a row that it received more than 50,000 applications, according to the Harvard Crimson.

The drop in applications follows accusations of anti-Semitism on campus at Harvard, which started with a student letter asserting that Israel was 'entirely responsible' for the October 7 attacks.

The student branch of the group, Students for Justice in Palestine, published the controversial letter blaming Israel for the Palestinian extremists' terror plot.

The letter launched an outcry from many Harvard alumni and led to dozens of top-tier donors pulling their tens of millions from the school.

It was that series of events that started the ball rolling toward the ultimate ousting of Harvard President Gay, 53, who only lasted just six months in the role.

Former President Claudine Gay resigned from her post after plagiarism accusations and disastrous testimony to Congress that failed to condemn campus anti-Semitism

M.I.T. (left) and Columbia (right), which also made headlines for anti-Israel protests on campus after the October 7 attack, saw applications rise by 5 percent.

Her resignation in January came only a month after her shocking congressional testimony about campus antisemitism, where she refused to categorize calls for Jew genocide as harassment or concede that Jewish students had a right not to feel safe at Ivy League schools.

In her resignation, Gay wrote that she was standing down after 'consultation' with the school's board, which has been under pressure to replace her after defending her remarks.

'It has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual,' Gay wrote, adding that she had been the victim of racist threats.

UPenn President Liz Magill said the school had demonstrated its 'unyielding commitment to combatting antisemitism' but also refused to categorize calls for the genocide of Jews as harassment or a breach of the school's code of conduct

MIT President Dr. Sally Kornbluth was also grilled for her school's response to protests. She too failed to outwardly condemn calls for the genocide of Jews

During a Congress hearing in December of last year, presidents of Harvard, M.I.T, and University of Pennsylvania equivocated when asked if calls for the genocide of Jews counted as hate speech.

During the five-hour hearing, Gay, UPenn's Liz Magill and M.I.T's Sally Kornbluth were questioned over their response to antisemitism on their campuses.

The trio all agreed that reprimanding students who call for a Jewish genocide was not paramount - but instead, they said the blatant antisemitism is 'context' specific.

Magill, a lawyer by trade, even smirked and smiled as she refused to categorize calls for genocide as harassment or a breach of the school's code of conduct in front of Congress.

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx announced the formal investigation into Harvard, along with UPenn and M.I.T days after the hearing.

Blasting the schools' presidents in the announcement, she said: 'The testimony we received earlier this week from Presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth about the responses of Harvard, UPenn, and MIT to the rampant antisemitism displayed on their campuses by students and faculty was absolutely unacceptable.

Magill also resigned from her post following fierce backlash to her congressional testimony shortly after the hearing on December 5.
An officer has been hit by a car that police were trying to stop on a country highway, with the driver arrested and expected to face serious charges.

The incident unfolded on the Barrier Highway at Ucolta in South Australia when police attempted to stop the vehicle at 3pm on Friday.

The officer was taken to Peterborough Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident unfolded on the Barrier Highway at Ucolta in South Australia at 3pm on Friday, when police were attempting to stop the vehicle

A police helicopter tracked the car for 45 minutes until it could be pulled over, with the driver arrested near the highway about 1.6km north of Hallett.

SA Police say the 43-year-old Victorian man is expected to face serious charges in Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

His vehicle was seized for forensic testing, and crash investigators have examined the scene and will assist detectives in their investigation.
Officials in Puerto Rico warned of strong currents producing waves up to 12 feet high

The Coastguard is desperately searching for a U.S. Marine who vanished while swimming at a Puerto Rico beach.

Samuel Wanjiru, 26, was swept out to sea at at La Pared Beach in Luquillo on Wednesday.

The rescue mission was launched just hours after another American tourist died while trying to save his children from dangerous surf.

The father, who has not been publicly identified, managed to save his teen daughters before he succumbed to the strong currents at Montones Beach in Isabela.

Wanjiru, from Worcester, Massachusetts, was standing on a reef when a huge wave knocked him into the water at around 4 pm.

The Coastguard is desperately searching for a U.S. Marine who vanished while swimming at a Puerto Rico beach

Samuel Wanjiru, 26, was swept out to sea at at La Pared Beach in Luquillo on Wednesday

The rescue mission was launched just hours after another American tourist died while trying to save his children from dangerous surf

The father was plucked from the water unresponsive at Montones Beach in Isabela before he was pronounced dead

Video shows rescuers in helicopters and on jet skis frantically combing the area where the marine was last spotted.

It come as officials in Puerto Rico warned that the current is particularly strong at the moment, with waves reaching up to 12 feet high.

By Thursday, six rescue missions had been launched in the space of just 48 hours.

The surf was so strong that the search for Wanjiru had to be temporarily paused.

'This month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the area of Puerto Rico,' Capt. Jose E. Diaz, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan said.

'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.

'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 noted that most beaches in Puerto Rico do not have lifeguards and that conditions are 'extremely dangerous' at the moment.

Video shows rescuers in helicopters and on jet skis frantically combing the area where the marine was last spotted

It come as officials in Puerto Rico warned that the current is particularly strong at the moment, with waves reaching up to 12 feet high

Capt. Jose E. Diaz, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan urged beachgoers to avoid the coast over the weekend

The National Weather Service in San Juan Puerto Rico has advised of High-Surf, Small-Craft and Life-Threatening Rip Current Advisories for eastern, northern, and western beaches in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the weekend.

Wanjiru is a reserve Marine assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, in Chicopee.

He served as a motor vehicle operator with MWSS-472 and was not on active duty, WCVB reports.

On Wednesday, Coast Guard watch standers received a call from a 911 emergency service operator reporting a person in distress in the water in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.

They directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to search.

Search efforts continued Thursday with a forward deployed HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station Borinquen.

Multiple Office of Emergency Management Offices in the area, Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, Puerto Rico Police are also actively searching, according to the Coast Guard.

It came just hours after the American tourist was plucked from the waters unresponsive and later declared deceased.
A Southern California man who was convicted of murdering his mother when he was 13 was nabbed by authorities in Mexico only a week after he had fled his halfway house, violating the terms of his probation.

Ike Nicholas Souzer, 20, was arrested Wednesday in the coastal city of Rosarito by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Mexican officials.

This marks the third escape attempt by Souzer, who disappeared from a halfway house in 2022 after removing his electronic monitor. He was picked up only a short time after.

And five years earlier, there was a concerted manhunt for Souzer after he fled the juvenile detention he had been placed in after being convicted of killing his mother.

This latest hunt for Souzer only lasted a week. Before he was captured, the Orange County District Attorneys Office warned the public that the fugitive was dangerous and violent.

Ike Souzer, 20, was arrested in Mexico on Wednesday only a week after escaping from his California halfway house

When Souzer stabbed his mother, Barbra Scheuer-Souzer, to death, she was 47 years old and engaged to be married

During his time behind bars, Souzer has been charged with three attacks on correctional officers, possession of a shank in jail and drawing graffiti on a freeway underpass.

Souzer, who suffers from a mild form of autism, knifed his 47-year-old mother to death in 2017, when he was just 13 years old.

Barbra Scheuer-Souzer, the killer's mother, had three other children and was engaged to be married at the time of her murder. Before she succumbed to her injuries, the wounded mother was able to inform authorities that her youngest son was her assailant.

Souzer was picked up by authorities soon after at a nearby shopping center.

Only a few weeks prior to murdering his mother, the teenager had run away from home. He was eventually located in Pomona and returned home. This appeared to be the first indication of a pattern of behavior that would repeat itself over the years.

Souzer has been in custody since he was 13 years old (pictured left), when he was arrested for knifing to death his mother, 47-year-old Barbra Scheuer-Souzer (right)

Souzer was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of his mother. His defense attorney argued that the killing was in self-defense and that the boy had suffered years of abuse.

He was placed in Orange County juvenile hall, which he escaped from in 2019, somehow exiting his locked cell and then scrambling over a perimeter fence after midnight.

It was the first escape from the juvenile hall in more than two decades, and a legion of 60 officials were charged with tracking him down. He was eventually recaptured.

In 2022, Souzer was transferred from jail to a halfway house in Santa Ana, where he made another dash for it, removing his electronic monitor, and running away. He was later caught by police.

Souzer has made a total of three escape attempts from the different halfway houses and juvenile detention centers he's been immured in

When Souzer was arrested in Mexico on Wednesday, a week after abandoning his halfway house, it marked only his latest escape effort.

Orange County DA Todd Spitzer was frustrated with this arrangement. He said that Souzer deserved harsher sentences, and that the issue lay with the lenient judges who have handled the perennial fugitive's cases.

'My prosecutors have spent years and years trying to do everything they can to keep this violent criminal behind bars,' DA Spitzer said of Souzer.

'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.'
A 12-year-old boy has been left fighting for life after being struck by a car along a popular tourist route ahead of the Easter long weekend.

The boy was hit by a Toyota Prado on Caves Road in Marybrook, in Western Australia's South West region, at about 5.40pm on Thursday.

It's understood the child may have been running across the road.

The 12-year-old was airlifted to Perth Childrens Hospital suffering serious injuries with his condition listed as critical.

A 12-year-old boy has been struck and seriously injured on a popular tourist route in WA (pictured is Caves Road, an 111km stretch of road located south of Perth)

Caves Road is a 111km coastal scenic route south of Perth and normally attracts heavy traffic over breaks such as the Easter Long Weekend.

Major crash detectives are investigating the incident.
A freed Israeli hostage has said she lived in 'constant fear of being raped at any moment' in a harrowing interview detailing her experiences of living in captivity after she was forced into Gaza by Hamas gunmen during their October 7 assault.

'There are a lot of things that you [block] out,' Moran Stella Yanai told Israeli Channel 12's Uvda investigative programme, four months since she was released in a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas in November.

'The goal was to survive,' she said, adding that there was 'no time' to focus on the harsh realities of her detention while imprisoned. 'Are you alive? Did you eat? Did you drink? Everything is fine. I will cope,' she remembered thinking, hoping desperately to make it home.

Moran, who spent 54 days as a hostage in Gaza before her release with 77 others, said her captors would 'do the "necessary" [bodily] tests on us', declining to elaborate.

In a candid sit-down, through tears, she continued: 'For me, the sexual harassment I went through was beyond the scope of the word, but for me right now - I have to cut it off from myself... I won't give him the label of calling me a victim. It won't happen.'

Ms Yanai - who is the sister-in-law of Underbelly star Dan Mor - admitted that she did still feel survivors' guilt since returning to her life and family in Israel.

'There is a lot of guilt - why did they choose you and not someone else,' she said, adding that she has not stopped thinking about the uncertain fate of Noa Argamani, who was filmed on October 7 being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle by Hamas.

Moran Stella Yanai spent 54 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza before her November release

Moran Stela Yanai, 40, embraces her sister, Lea Yanai, following her arrival in Israel at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, on November 30, 2023

A viral TikTok video showed Ms Yanai pleading for her life after she was found by Hamas gunmen in a tree, before she was hauled away in a jeep by the terrorists to Gaza

The world watched in horror as video emerged of Noa Argamani, 26, sitting on the back of a motorbike as she screamed 'don't kill me' to the men surrounding her

The Israeli jewellery designer was among the helpless revellers who attended the doomed Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im where Palestinian gunmen murdered 364 civilians.

Some 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 hostages taken back into Gaza in the October 7 incursion, amid a period of heightened tensions between Israel and Gaza's de facto governing authority, Hamas.

This week, a terrorist with Palestinian Islamic Jihad - also implicated in the attacks - described how he raped a 'terrified' Israeli woman on October 7, claiming that 'the devil took over me'.

Speaking to Channel 12 about her time in captivity over a period of nearly two months, Ms Yanai described the daily fears endured in captivity - as well as the sisterhood channeled and embraced by female hostages.

'We would strengthen each other,' she said.

She said she tries not to look back on the conditions endured in captivity, having to 'disassociate' from it.

'Because however you look at it, they took away your freedom, they took everything, you have nothing, nothing is really yours, you dont belong to yourself.

'The only thing that belongs to you is what you have up here,' she said, pointing to her head.

But she said she felt a lot of guilt since returning to Israel and has not stopped thinking about Noa Argamani, who Hamas have used in public-facing videos to communicate their calls for a ceasefire.

'You went out thinking that in a day or two [Argamani] will come out and she's still there,' she said.

'It's our luck that took us out in time. What about them?'

Ms Yanai said she feared what their captors might do as the war rages on with no end in sight.

'After all, the terrorists are getting more frustrated. On whom do they take out their frustration? How do you take out the frustration?'

Ms Yanai said that, in her view, the 'sexual harassment [she] suffered doesn't quite fit the definition of the term' - but declined to elaborate, saying she would 'deal with the accurate definition of it' when the remaining hostages returned.

She also said that she was surprised nobody had 'picked up the phone' to contact her or check on her wellbeing since her release.

'No minister in the government picked up the phone and said: "Are you okay?" If they want to know what is really going on, they should close the room, close the windows, stop eating, stop drinking, ask permission to breathe, and then maybe they will understand - and do it for five months, in terror.

'Maybe then they will show some empathy.'

Moran Stela Yanai, 40, embraces her brother, Lion Yanai, following her arrival in Israel on November 30

Moran Stela Yanai, 40, embraces her loved ones following her arrival at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, on November 30, 2023

Moran Stella Yanai this month broke her silence after she spent 54 days being held hostage by Hamas following the October 7 attacks in Israel

Noa Argamani, who was taken from the Nova peace festival near Re'im on October 7

The ongoing war in Gaza has seen repeated calls for a second ceasefire from both protestors sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and reports of mass civilian casualties, and supporters of Israeli hostages who judge the war ineffective in returning the hostages safely.

As of last month, 112 hostages have been returned alive to Israel, with 105 exchanged in a deal between Israel and Hamas which saw captives freed in exchange for a pause in the fighting and the return of Palestinian prisoners the other way.

Hamas have released another four hostages: a mother and daughter on October 20 and two Israeli women on October 23.

The IDF has only been able to return three hostages while operating in Gaza.

While negotiators and intermediaries continue to try to find the path to a lasting ceasefire, there have not been any significant steps forward since the seven day truce at the end of November.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send delegations to Egypt and Qatar, where negotiators have been trying to secure the release of Israeli hostages as part of a possible Gaza ceasefire deal, his office said on Friday.

Netanyahu's office said he spoke with the heads of Israeli intelligence agencies Shin Bet and Mossad and 'approved that delegations on their behalf go in the coming days to Doha and Cairo,' with a mandate to push forward with negotiations.

International onlookers continue to warn of famine reaching Gaza if hostilities continue.

The world's top court today ordered Israel to ensure urgent humanitarian assistance reaches people in the Gaza Strip, where fighting continued Friday including around hospitals despite a binding UN ceasefire call.

In its order, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague said: 'Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but... famine is setting in.'

The ICJ ordered Israel to 'take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay' the supply 'of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance' such as food, water and medical supplies.

In January the court had ruled that Israel must facilitate 'urgently needed' humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory and prevent genocidal acts, but Israel rejected the case, brought by South Africa.

Aid groups say only a fraction of the supplies required to meet basic humanitarian needs have been allowed in since October, when Israel placed Gaza under near-total siege.

Smoke rises after Israeli attacks in Rafah, Gaza on March 26

Displaced Palestinians gather to break their fast at a communal table set up amidst the tents as mass iftar dinner organized for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza on March 25

A Palestinian looks on as the search for missing people continues following an Israeli air strike, in Al-Maghazi refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip on 29 March

A Palestinian man and children from the Moussa family stand among the rubble of their destroyed home following an Israeli air strike, in Al-Maghazi refugee camp on 29 March

Israel has blamed shortages on the Palestinian side, namely a lack of capacity to distribute assistance once it gets in.

The latest binding ruling from the court, which has little means of enforcement, came as Israel's military said Friday it was continuing operations in Al-Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, for a 12th day.

Throughout the coastal territory, dozens of people were killed overnight, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said early Friday.

The war began with Hamas's October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 32,623 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Tray of barbecue at the Deckle & Hide barbecue pop-up J.C. Reid/Contributor Daniel Andrade taking orders at the Deckle & Hide barbecue pop-up J.C. Reid/Contributor Deckle & Hide barbecue op-up at Eureka Heights brewing J.C. Reid/Contributor Pitmaster Ralph Palmer at the Deckle & Hide barbecue pop-up J.C. Reid/Contributor Tray of barbecue at the Deckle & Hide barbecue pop-up J.C. Reid/Contributor

The history of Texas barbecue begins with celebration. In the early days, barbecues catering to thousands of guests celebrated community achievements.

In later years, meat markets became the source of Texans growing appetite for barbecue. Sometimes we just want to eat our chopped beef sandwich without being serenaded by a fiddle and harmonica.

Deckle & Hide barbecue pop-up Follow on Instagram for future dates and locations: @deckle.and.hide

Contemporary barbecue mostly hews to that commercial tradition. Recently, though, pitmasters are going beyond cutting and serving brisket to revisit the tradition of celebration.

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Such is the case with a barbecue pop-up called Deckle & Hide.

Helmed by pitmaster Ralph Palmer and pit builder Daniel Andrade, Deckle & Hide offers a dizzying and wholly original vision of Texas barbecue as a fete of creative smoked meats, music, performance art and pop culture.

Take a recent pop-up event, Trash Fiction, for example. It took place at the eclectic Northside bar Trash Panda Drinking Club and featured a theme inspired by the movie "Pulp Fiction." Palmer, Andrade and team dressed up in black suits and skinny ties like the movies characters and served dishes like a brisket burger (smoked Royale with Cheese), a chili-cheese sausage/hot dog called The Wolf and a Honey Bunny banana pudding.

Such theatrics may be interpreted as obscuring deficient barbecue, but that would be incorrect. Palmer is one of the most talented new pitmasters in Houston and has worked with and taken inspiration from Texas barbecue greats like Evan LeRoy of LeRoy & Lewis in Austin and Jonny White of Goldees Barbecue in Fort Worth.

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For Palmer, the barbecue bug took hold in 2018 during a work assignment in Anchorage, Alaska (his day job is in oil and gas). Co-workers offered to treat him to the Texas barbecue available there, such as it is. Which is not very good.

Palmer, an experienced backyard pitmaster at the time, offered to cook a brisket for his co-workers to show them real Texas barbecue. Working on a small backyard smoker, he nailed it.

That night I made the best brisket I made in my entire life, said Palmer. At that point, I was really hooked.

Palmer continued mastering the craft in his backyard throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and started doing pop-ups in 2021 with original partner Brendan Burke. After Burke left to pursue other interests, Andrade, a welder by trade, was brought on as a partner and pit builder.

Andrade built both a 250-gallon trailer smoker (Shotty) and 500-gallon version (Dante). Andrades family is from Colima, Mexico, and his culinary contributions reflect that background. One of their signature dishes is a smoked pork steak topped with a Colima-style mole and pickled radish and red onions.

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Other dishes reflect the culinary diversity of Houston, including mulberry-infused pulled pork thats stuffed into bao buns and topped with pickled carrots, jalapenos, cilantro and sesame seeds. Classic Central Texas-style brisket, as well as house made sausage and boudin, are part of the action, too.

After a couple of years doing pop-ups and saving the proceeds, Palmer and his wife, Jannica, bought a plot of land in Houstons East End along Navigation Boulevard with plans to open a permanent location with Andrade.
Star Wars actor John Boyega says the killing of his friend Damilola Taylor 'shaped' who he is today - as he opened up about the slaying of his friend at the age of 10 for the very first time.

Boyega, 32, best known for his role as rogue Stormtrooper Finn in Disney's sci-fi saga, has spoken about how he was caught up in the youngster's death after Damilola was slashed with a broken bottle and left to die on November 27 2000.

The actor, then aged eight, and his sister Grace were among the last people to see their friend alive before he was attacked by brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie in Peckham, south-east London, and left to bleed out.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Last Word podcast, Boyega said losing Damilola had been 'life-changing' - and that a reading of a poem the 10-year-old had written at his funeral showed how his friend had 'dreamed to be more'.

Boyega went on to pursue a career in acting, appearing on stage before his breakthrough role in Joe Cornish's Attack the Block, about a gang of teens who fight off an alien invasion in south London.

John Boyega at the NAACP Awards in Los Angeles earlier this month - a ceremony recognising achievements in the arts by people of colour

Boyega was friends with Damilola Taylor (above), who was killed in the street in Peckham, south London in 2000 as he walked home from a library. Boyega (circled and blurred with sister Grace) was one of the last people to see him alive

Boyega's breakthrough came in Joe Cornish's 2011 sci-fi action film Attack the Block, about a gang of youths who fight off an alien invasion in south London

He is now best known for his role as rogue Stormtrooper Finn in the most recent Star Wars trilogy of films

John Boyega pictured with his sister Grace at a special screening of Detroit in Los Angeles in 2017

He told the podcast's John Taylor: 'From the hours we left him in Peckham to the hours when I went home, and then the police was at our door and there was a whole investigation that we were involved in, (it) was definitely life changing for me, definitely altered my perspective.

'Even though I was young, it was a shock to understand how mortality worked. To think that somebody as young as me could pass away in such a horrific way was hard for me to understand or comprehend.

'And I definitely think Damilola's tragic (killing) has definitely shaped me through the years and just affected my perspective on certain things and it definitely affected the community too.

'I mean, my sister, in particular, Grace, who was very, very close with Damilola, went through a lot, and my dad had to front that and try to protect her in that journey. It was definitely a lot for everybody to take.'

From council estates to exploring a galaxy far, far away: John Boyega's biggest hits

Attack the Block, 2011 Boyega's breakthrough role saw him playing street hoodlum Moses on a south London council estate that comes under attack from aliens. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, 2015 Boyega became world-famous after being introduced to the sci-fi saga as Finn, a Stormtrooper with a conscience who helps Daisy Ridley's Rey avoid the evil First Order. Detroit, 2017 The actor starred in Kathryn Bigelow's take on the 1967 Detroit race riots as a security guard caught up in the allegedly racist killings of three people at the Algiers Motel. They Cloned Tyrone, 2023 This mind-bending comedy on Netflix sees Boyega play Fontaine, an inner city drug dealer who is shot to death by a rival gangster - only to appear alive and well the next day - leading to the reveal of a bizarre government conspiracy. Advertisement

Reflecting on the poem Damilola had written, he said: 'It was during the time of the funeral his dad had read the poem that Damilola had written down for himself.

'And that was a poem that spoke about what Damilola wanted to achieve, how far he wanted his dreams to spread, who he wanted to impact and touch.

'And I found that quite profound because I was just kind of like "Man you're so young, why are you even thinking about that kind of stuff?"

'I'm here, wondering when the ice cream van is going to pull up and why he's an hour late from Monday.

'And you're thinking about all this stuff that you're going to do and how you're going to use your skillset to impact the world.

'And I guess that, just amongst other things, just gave birth to this mentality that I had.

'What is truly my dream? Do I have the guts to identify what my dream is? Am I too young to identify my dream and work towards it?

'And after reading that poem, I was just like, yeah, I have no excuse. I want to be a movie star.

'And not just because I want to be (one) but because someone else like Damilola Taylor, in my environment too, dreamed to be more.

'And I think that's worth it. And it definitely has impacted me till today.'

Damilola's father Richard, a civil servant from Nigeria, died on March 23 aged 75 following a battle with prostate cancer - after two decades of campaigning to prevent youth crime.

Boyega said Mr Taylor was 'a man that was for the people and for the community' and who 'turned his tragic loss into something triumphant'.

He told the podcast he was motivated to speak about Damilola following news of Mr Taylor's death. He has never spoken about the death before.

He said: 'I haven't (spoken about it) and on purpose too. I'm quite private in general, but with this specifically... it's that celebrity thing of not wanting to get in front of very real life news.

'But on Richard Taylor's passing, I just was so kind of motivated to speak up.'

Richard Taylor, father of slain schoolboy Damilola Taylor, died aged 75 earlier this month of prostate cancer after decades of anti-youth crime campaigning

Damilola Taylor was killed by two brothers, Ricky and Danny Preddie, aged 13 and 12 at the time of the stabbing in November 2000

Mr Taylor met with the then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street as part of his anti-knife crime crusade

Mr Taylor, pictured with his wife Gloria, right, established a foundation in their son's memory

Boyega turned out at a Black Lives Matter rally in Hyde Park shortly after the death of George Floyd in the United States to call for an end to racial injustice

He was backed by Star Wars makers Lucasfilm, who labelled him a 'hero' for standing up for black people

But Boyega has not been afraid to criticise Disney for how it handled his character Finn, who was sidelined in later Star Wars films after his debut (2019's The Rise of Skywalker, above)

Mr Taylor and his wife Gloria set up a charity called The Damilola Taylor Trust in the wake of their son's death. Gloria died in 2008 and Mr Taylor continued their work in the following years.

Boyega praised the trust and said: 'I've been a big beneficiary of the work that they've been doing.'

The actor from Peckham said he used to imagine, with his sister Grace, what Damilola might be like today and said he would have grown up to be a 'handsome young man with great opportunities and great morals'.

READ MORE: Damilola Taylor's father Richard dies aged 75

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'Whatever his chosen field would be, he'd definitely still be funny,' he said.

'But I think that he would have grown up to be someone great and someone that is an important part of our community,' Boyega added.

After three crown court trials, Damilola's killers, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, were put behind bars in 2006.

Both the Preddie brothers had been in and out of children's homes and were aged just 12 and 13 when they killed Damilola.

Boyega himself has not shied away from activism, using his high profile to shine a light on causes such as Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd in May 2020.

Floyd was killed by a white policeman, Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for nine minutes after the black man was suspected of using a counterfeit bill at a store in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The actor's unexpected appearance at a rally in Hyde Park, London, calling for an end to racial injustice, saw him admit: 'Look, I don't know if I'm going to have a career after this, but f*** that.'

However, Star Wars studio Lucasfilm published a statement on the franchise's official website expressing its support for his speech, adding: 'John Boyega, you are our hero.'

However, the actor has not been afraid to shine a spotlight on his own industry - openly criticising Disney over how it handled his Star Wars character, Finn.

Boyega's face was the first fans of the sci-fi saga saw when a teaser trailer for the first in the latest trilogy of films, The Force Awakens, was released in November 2014.

But while the character, a Stormtrooper who then rebels against the villains of the First Order, was given a large amount of screentime in the first of the new trilogy, he was sidelined in later films and given less screentime.

Boyega claims Disney sidelined him because of his race, telling British GQ in 2020: 'What I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. Its not good. Ill say it straight up.'

He added: 'Nobody else had the uproar and death threats sent to their Instagram DMs and social media, saying, "Black this and black that and you shouldnt be a Stormtrooper." Nobody else had that experience. But yet people are surprised that Im this way. Thats my frustration.'

Most recently, the actor has appeared in critically acclaimed Netflix sci-fi comedy They Cloned Tyrone, for which he was nominated for an NAACP award.
Actress Sally Phillips has said she was 'upset' that her son who has Down's syndrome was denied access to a trampoline park.

The comedian, 53, known for creating and starring in sketch show Smack The Pony as well as her role playing Shazza in Bridget Jones's Diary, revealed this week her son Olly was not allowed to play at Oxygen Acton in London.

Phillips says the company refused him entrance because someone with Down's syndrome needs a letter from the GP.

She told BBC Breakfast on Friday: 'Olly is used to being able to do what his contemporaries (do) ... so we went with his younger brother, and younger brother's friend, and we've been hundreds of times before, and the lady on the desk says, 'oh, sorry, can I have a word?' and called the manager over ... I was so, so upset for Olly to be prevented.'

She added that 'they're weeding out people with visible disabilities' and 'so if you have an invisible disability, you're not required to bring in a doctor's letter'.

Actress Sally Phillips has said she was 'upset' that her son who has Down's syndrome was denied access to a trampoline park

The comedian, 53, revealed this week her child Olly was not allowed to play at Oxygen Acton in London because he had not brought a letter from his GP

As a member of the British Gymnastics association, she said Olly, 19, has previously had an X-ray to test for neck instability issues but this 'didn't give the information required' to take part in these types of activities.

Phillips, who is a patron of the Down's Syndrome Association, said: 'So, either you're using NHS resources to get an appointment with the doctor for a private company and their insurance, or you're needing to pay for a doctor's letter, which means that this sort of admin burden on special needs parents, just to be part of the community ... to do a normal thing, to take normal risks that everyone is allowed to take is just unbearable.

'We can spend weeks and weeks not leaving the house, just filling in forms for our children to be able to do very, very normal things, and once I put this out (on social media) the number of people that got in touch saying it happened to them despite their children being you know, British gymnasts... it's clearly something that needs looking at.'

She said this has a 'big psychological effect on our children' as they are being 'singled out for being different' and not allowed to do the same thing as other kids.

Phillips, who fronted a BBC documentary about the condition in 2016, added: 'It would be fine if there was a sort of genuine issue but it strikes me that the issues are, the neck (instability) thing is just misinformed and the insurers ... found something they can ask for so they asked ... without it actually being helpful.'

When asked about Oxygen Activeplay telling BBC Breakfast that they were sorry and asked for their input to review the current guidance, she said she does not think it is 'fair' for special needs parents to make the changes but would help the company.

'They will allow us to do the work for them to change, whereas actually I think they need to educate themselves,' she added.

Oxygen Activeplay said they were sorry and asked for their input to review current guidance

Phillips previously fronted a BBC documentary about the condition in 2016 and has said that the incident has had a massive psychological effect on her children and that Olly was 'singled out for being different'

The actress is known for her roles in Smack The Pony as well as her role playing Shazza in Bridget Jones's Diary (pictured)

'We'd really appreciate it we didn't have to and we could just get on with having a normal life.'

Phillips has regularly campaigned on Down's syndrome issues and released A World Without Down's Syndrome?, about the debate on screening tests that detect Down's syndrome in pregnancies and what effect it could have on society, on the BBC.

A spokesman for Oxygen Activeplay said: 'We are deeply sorry that Sally's son, Olly, was not able to participate and was left disappointed.

'Like a number of activity centres, we follow the Safe Participation Guidance from British Gymnastics which includes guidance related to specific circumstances prior to participation.

'The only reason a company like ours exists is to help everyone, but particularly children, enjoy active play. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the relevant parties to review the current guidance and enable as much active play as we can, safely.'
Republicans and Democratic voters agree on more about immigration than the gridlock in Washington DC suggests.

Most voters say people flows across the southern border are a problem, and want to tackle this by hiring border guards and immigration judges and cutting the number of those seeking asylum.

That's according to a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, which was carried out after a bipartisan immigration package released in Congress fell apart last month.

US President Joe Biden said the bill collapsed under pressure from Donald Trump, accusing his predecessor and likely rival in November's election of using border chaos as a campaign issue.

Democratic and Republican voters want more guards at the southern border

Former president Donald Trump's border wall is popular among Republicans, but not Democrats

The survey of 1,282 adults show broad support for measures in the torpedoed legislation.

The most popular option asked about is hiring more border patrol agents, which is supported by about eight in 10 Republicans and about half of Democrats.

Hiring more immigration judges and court personnel is also favored among majorities of both parties.

About half of Americans also support cutting the number of immigrants who are allowed to seek asylum in the US when they arrive at the border.

But there's a much bigger partisan divide there, with more Republicans than Democrats favoring this strategy.

Building a wall  former President Donald Trump's signature policy goal  is the least popular and most polarizing option of the four asked about.

About four in 10 favor building a wall, including 77 percent of Republicans but just 12 percent of Democrats.

President Joe Biden appeared with his Democratic predecessors this week to raise cash in an election campaign focussed on immigration and other issues

Migrants walk in a caravan in the municipality through the state of Chiapas, in southern Mexico, headed for the US

Donna Lyon is a Democratic-leaning independent voter from Cortland, New York.

She says a border wall would do little to stop migrants, but she supports hiring more border agents and more immigration court judges to deal with the growing backlog of cases.

'That would stop all the backup that we have,' Lyon told AP.

Congress just recently approved money to hire about 2,000 more Border Patrol agents but so far this year, there's been no significant boost for funding for more immigration judges.

Many on both sides of the aisle have said it takes much too long to decide asylum cases, meaning migrants stay in the country for years waiting for a decision.

Still, the parties have failed to find consensus on how to address the issue.

Americans are also more worried about legal immigrants committing crimes in the US than they were a few years ago.

Migrants wait for buses traveling to New York and Chicago in El Paso, Texas

This shift is driven largely by increased concern among Republicans, while Democrats continue to see a broad range of benefits from immigration, the poll shows.

Substantial shares of adults say immigrants contribute to the country's economic growth, and offer important contributions to US culture.

But when it comes to legal immigrants, US adults see fewer major benefits than they did in the past, and more major risks.

About four in 10 Americans say that when immigrants come to the US legally, it's a major benefit for American companies to get the expertise of skilled workers in fields like science and technology.

A similar share (38 percent) also say that legal immigrants contribute a major benefit by enriching American culture and values.

Both those figures were down compared with 2017, when 59 percent of Americans said skilled immigrant workers who enter the country legally were a major benefit, and half said legal immigrants contribute a major benefit by enriching American culture.

Former president Donald Trump says he'll solve America's border crisis if he wins in November

Meanwhile, the share of Americans who say that there's a major risk that legal immigrants will commit crimes in the US has increased, going from 19 percent in 2017 to 32 percent in the new poll.

Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say that immigration is an important issue for them personally, and 41 percent now say it's a major risk that legal immigrants will commit crimes in the US.

That's up from 20 percent in 2017.

Overall, Republicans are more likely to see major risks  and fewer benefits  from immigrants who enter the country legally and illegally, although they tend to be most concerned about people who come to the country illegally.

Bob Saunders is a 64-year-old independent voter from Voorhees, New Jersey.

He disapproves of Biden's performance when it comes to immigration and border security and is particularly worried about the number of immigrants coming to the southern border who are eventually released into the country.

He stressed that there's a difference between legal and illegal immigration.

Saunders said it's important to know the background of the immigrants coming to the US and said legal immigration contributes to the economy. He also noted the immigrants in his own family.

'It's not anti-immigration,' Saunders said. 'It's anti-illegal immigration.'
In 2020, the BBC pledged a staggering 100m of its commissioning budget to 'diverse content' and last year spent 600,000 on 'diversity and inclusion' staff.

But despite the cash injection, one of the corporation's most high-profile regional news programmes has been criticised for seemingly having an all-white production team.

BBC Look East, which produces news bulletins for the East of England, unveiled its new look set this week with Deputy Managing Editor Gareth Lloyd sharing a celebratory group photo of the team on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He wrote: 'In awe of this amazing team and what they have achieved getting to tonight and an awesome new look for BBC Look East.'

But some people were quick to point out that the vast majority of the 32-strong team working on the programme were white.

BBC Look East has been slammed for having 'all-white' production team despite corporation spending 600,000 last year on 'diversity and inclusion' staff

Radio DJ and broadcaster Edward Adoo, who has worked for the BBC, said the lack of 'black and Asian' journalists was 'worrying', saying 'more needs to be done.'

He wrote on X: 'Congrats on the new look but where are the Black and Asian journalists?

'Please have a look at the photo it's worrying. We have to keep pushing and make work spaces at the BBC and elsewhere representative and diverse. More needs to be done.'

One viewer wrote: 'Where are the black and Asian employees? Diversity is so important.'

The BBC's regional news programmes have undergone a major overhaul in recent years, including the culling of many older, male presenters as part of the corporation's cost-cutting operation.

A number of regional news programmes had their teams reduced from two presenters to just one, with many bulletins scrapped altogether.

According to the BBC's annual plan, the corporation has to find 400m in annual savings by 2027/28 and decided to cut its news output by 1000 hours last year.

But, alongside, it's cost-cutting exercises, it has also pledged to increase diversity, saying last year it would increase its BAME staff representation by 20 per cent by 2025.

As part of its diversity commitment, Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore said she would be asking all producers to ensure that '20 per cent of their workforce are from under-represented groups, to drive change in off-screen representation.'

She also pledged '100 million of our overall television commissioning budget over three years' on 'diverse content and strengthening diverse leadership on our programmes.'

Last year she also said that the BBC required all of its 'suppliers to have a diversity and inclusion policy in place.'

And last year it emerged that the BBC had spent 600k in one year on staff dedicated to implementing these diversity practices at the broadcaster.

It revealed that it employed 15 members of staff in full and part time roles, with Chinny Okolidoh joining as Director of Diversity and Inclusion in September, 2022.

Former presenter June Sarpong was hired as Director of Creative Diversity at the BBC in 2019 on a three-day-a-week contract and an annual salary of 267,000. She stepped down in April 2022.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'We are one of the most diverse organisations in the UK, and judgements shouldn't be made about one picture.

'But we know we have further to go and remain committed to creating a workforce that reflects and represents the diversity of the UK.'
A Wyoming couple has been arrested and charged with manslaughter after their infant daughter was found in inhumane conditions inside a filthy trash-filled house.

Bailey Bettinson, 22, and Tevin Medina, 30, were charged on Monday by Unita County Attorney Loretta Howieson-Kallas.

Each parent was charged with manslaughter and one count of felony child abuse following the death of their daughter in October 2023, Cowboy State Daily reported.

Little Renezmae Medina was found unresponsive at her home at the Rocky Point Apartments on Feather Way in the early morning hours of October 20.

The nine-month old had such horrid diaper rash that it eroded her flesh - which was discovered by the medical staff who were performing an abuse and neglect screening at Evanston Regional, Unita County Herald reported.

If convicted, the couple could face up to 20 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, and an additional 10 years for child abuse.

The baby's mother, Bailey Bettinson, 22, has been charged with manlaughter and one count of felony child abuse in the October 2023 death of their baby daughter, identified as R.M.

The baby's father Tevin Medina, 30, and his wife, are facing up to 30 years in prison

Baby Renezmae Medina had large abrasions around her vaginal area, the right buttock and right leg, investigators alleged, and unexplained bruising in the 'peri area,' as per court documents

The medical personnel discovered 'unexplained bruising in the 'peri area,'' as per court documents. The peri area includes tissue that makes up the bottom of the pelvic cavity.

The child also had large abrasions around her vaginal area, the right buttock and right leg, investigators alleged.

Medical staff also told investigators that the abrasions were from diaper rash that was extensive that 'the rash appeared to be entering into the flesh as well as the skin,' court documents stated.

An autopsy conducted by Randall Frost, the State Medical Examiner, was unable to determine the child's cause of death, but he noted that he 'could not rule out an asphyxia death,' and was investigating further, as per the news outlet.

On October 20 around 4.27am, Detective Scott Faddis from the Evanston Police Department responded to a report of a baby that was unresponsive at a home at 215 Feather Way, the Rocky Point Apartments.

The baby's mother was performing CPR on her daughter when Faddis arrived.

When he touched the baby's skin, she was cold to the touch, and entering into rigor mortis, as per an affidavit.

The baby's father told police in a later report that he took his other step child, a three-year-old girl, outside of the home so they would not have to witness their unresponsive sibling, the Cowboy State Daily reported.

Investigators reported in an affidavit that the couple's home was covered in filth, pet urine and feces on the floors and the walls. There was rotting food and a soiled diaper with exposed feces atop a pile of trash.

The stench of the apartment was so bad that detectives had to take breaks during their investigation. A neighbor reportedly told police that they could smell the odor coming from the apartment.

The Rocky Mountain apartments where the baby Renezmae Medina was found unresponsive on October 20, 2023

The state also alleged the victim and Medina's stepdaughter were exposed other hazards in the home including, a pointed steak knife on the children's bedroom floor next to dried vomit, an unsheathed hunting knife exposed on top of a clothes dryer and Medina's tattoo gun and needles within reach of the young children.

Medina's stepdaughter was later taken into protective custody by the Wyoming Department of Family Services due to the 'filthy unsafe living conditions of the defendant's residence,' the affidavit stated.

It was revealed that an officer with the Evanston PD went to the couple's home a month before the baby's death after management called police because they were concerned about the poor living conditions for the children, as per an affidavit.

'The residence was littered with animal feces, rotten odors, mold, clothes and many other dirty items,' court documents stated.

Management also provided police with photos, which were also sent to the Department of Family Services along with the incident report.

The affidavit revealed that the DFS has been at the home on two other occasions- September 6, 2022 and September 21, 2022 - for poor living conditions.
Newly-elected Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump is taking on more than just politics ahead of the 2024 election, she's dabbling in original music.

The daughter-in-law of ex-President Donald Trump dropped a new single at midnight called 'Anything is Possible' and hinted that there is more to come.

The RNC co-chair, who is married to Eric Trump, posted late Thursday on X 'A little something I had fun with over the winter (and a few more too that Ill save for a future date, special for my YUGE fans in the liberal media).'

The ballad is available on multiple platforms including Spotify, iTunes and YouTube and includes lyrics like 'you can't give up, know that anything is possible' and 'I've had my ups and downs, cried when no one's around, still I got to put my game face on, even when I'm not feeling strong.'

This is not the first music track Trump has put out but it is her first original song released to the public.

Lara Trump released an original single Anything is Possible at midnight and called it a 'little something I had fun with over the winter'

Lara Trump, 41, with her father-in-law ex-president Donald Trump after he left office

Last September, Trump, 41, released a cover and acoustic version of Tom Petty's 1989 song 'I Won't Back Down.'

At the time, Trump accused Apple Music of shadow banning her during the release of her song, claiming the company 'discriminated' against her by refusing to put up an ad with the 'Trump' name on it.

Lara Trump previously dropped a cover of Tom Petty's 1989 track I Won't Back Down in September 2023. At the time she accused Apple Music of burying it

All three of Lara Trump's songs appear when searched in iTunes

Lara Trump is the wife of Donald Trump's son Eric Trump

She has been actively campaigning for Trump's reelection bid even before she was elected Republican National Committee co-chair in March

The former TV producer said that soon after the song came out last September, she received a slew of messages from people who told her they were unable to locate it online.

Both versions of 'I Won't Back Down' as well as her new single 'Anything is Possible' do currently come up when Lara Trump is searched on iTunes, and it is listed when the song titles are searched.

Trump's first original song is getting mixed reviews online.

One X user praised it as a 'beautiful song' and another called it 'Really great.'

But others were not so welcoming of the new content.

One user wrote 'Are you threatening to sing until we donate?' While another suggested she needs to concentrate on winning elections.

Lara Trump after being elected Republican National Committee co-chair on March 8

Lara Trump attending the Conservative Political Action Conference annual meeting in February

Earlier this month, Lara Trump was unanimously elected co-chair of the RNC along with Trump loyalist Michael Whatley as chair, solidifying Donald Trump's control over the party as he clinched the necessary delegates to be the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.

However, the RNC and ex-president are in catch-up mode as Republicans greatly lag behind President Biden and Democrats with fundraising at a time when the ex-president is also being bogged down by mounting legal fees and facing four criminal trials.

The Trump campaign said it had a combined nearly $42 million cash on hand at the end of last month. The Biden campaign said it had a combined $155 million.

Before being elected, Lara Trump vowed to ensure as co-chair that 'every single penny will go to the number one and the only job of the RNC  that is electing Donald J. Trump as president of the United States and saving this country.'

After assuming leadership, she told NBC down-ballot races are also a priority.

'Well, the No. 1 job of the RNC is to, of course, support the Republican candidate for president. That is Donald Trump. But of course, we are paying attention to all about down-ballot races, as well,' she said in an interview.

Since the leadership change, the Trump-aligned RNC fired 60 staffers.

It also entered a joint fundraising agreement with the Trump campaign that would include money going to the leadership committee that does pay the GOP presidential hopeful's legal bills.
The American journalist had been detained in Russia for one year

President Joe Biden and top political leaders slammed Putin's 'fabricated charges' against American journalist Evan Gershkovich and demanded his release on the one-year anniversary of his detainment in Russia.

On March 29, 2023, American Wall Street Journal Russia correspondent Evan Gershkovich was arrested by Russian authorities on espionage charges.

He, his employer and the U.S. government - including its top leaders - deny the allegations, and have reiterated that the journalist has done nothing wrong.

President Joe Biden released a statement on the one year anniversary of his detention slamming the 'unjust and illegal detention' of the journalist and said he's still working on a potential prisoner swap.

'We will continue working every day to secure his release,' said Biden. 'We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russias appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips.'

'And we will continue to stand strong against all those who seek to attack the press or target journaliststhe pillars of free society.'

Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, looks out from inside a defendants' cage before a hearing to consider an appeal on his extended pre-trial detention, at the Moscow City Court on February 20, 2024

Top Congressional Democrats and Republicans and President Joe Biden have all claimed that Gershkovich is being wrongfully detained

President Joe Biden released a statement Friday on the 'painful anniversary' of Gershkovich's 'wronfgul detention in Russia'

'To Evan, to Paul Whelan, and to all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad: We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring you home.'

The 32-year-old has been detained in a Moscow prison since last year after being arrested in Russia's fourth-largest city Yekaterinburg.

He spends 23 hours a day in a prison cell, according to the Wall Street Journal, and meets with his Russian lawyers weekly.

Gershkovich still has yet to start his trial.

His pre-trial detention has been extended five times, most recently extended even further this week, according to Moscow court officials.

The journalist's detention was extended another three months and he will be imprisoned until at least July 30.

Even more appalling, he faces up to 20 years in a Russian penal colony should he be convicted, however, as the pre-trial detention extensions continue, it is unclear when his trial will begin.

Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also slammed Gershkovich's imprisonment in a rare joint statement Friday.

'Evan Gershkovich, an American citizen and reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has now spent a year wrongfully detained by Putins government.'

'We continue to condemn his baseless arrest, fabricated charges, and unjust imprisonment.'

'Today, Putin is restoring Soviet-style control through repression at home and aggression abroad.'

The joint statement from the Congressional leaders is a rare show of bipartisanship in a politically divided Washington, D.C.

Danielle Gershkovich, sister to detained journalist, Evan Gershkovich, wears a pin reading #IStandWithEvan

'On the anniversary of Evan Gershkovichs captivity, we reaffirm the importance of his work,' the joint statement from the Congressional leaders continued.

'Journalism is not a crime, and reporters are not bargaining chips.'

'The Kremlins attempts to silence Evan and intimidate other Western reporters will not impede the pursuit of truth,' they wrote.

Despite the comforting words from the highest-ranking politicians in America, it is uncertain that they have made headway in securing his release.
But Jones' lawyer successfully argued there was not enough evidence his blows contributed to the death

The family of an elderly man beaten to death with a traffic cone have expressed outrage after charges against one of the accused teens were dropped.

James Lambert Jr., 73, was killed after being fatally struck with the object as he walked down a Philadelphia road in 2022.

Gamara Mosley and Richard Jones, both then aged 14, were among the gang of seven teens involved and were initially charged with his murder.

However, charges against Jones have been dropped, after his lawyer successfully argued there is not enough evidence to prove his blow contributed to Lambert's death.

'I think it's a slap in my family's face and every other family who is a victim of crime,' Tania Stephens, Lambert's niece, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Charges against Richard Jones, 16, who was accused of beating James Lambert Jr., 73, to death with a traffic cone have been dropped sparking outrage from the victim's family

James Lambert Jr. (pictured) was killed after a group of seven teens attacked him, with two including Jones hurling traffic cones at him

Video captures the moment the seven teens chase Lambert, 73, of Philadelphia, at around 3am in June 2022

The horrific incident was caught on video and showed Lambert being chased by the group, before they hurled a traffic cone at his head.

He suffered several injuries to the head and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

However, Jones' lawyer Jason Bologna, successfully argued that it was impossible to prove the blow delivered when his client threw the cone contributed to his death.

He pointed out that Lambert was able to immediately get up and walk away, indicating that he was not concussed or severely injured.

Prosecutors had argued that Jones' actions had encouraged Mosley to strike Lambert twice after he did.

But Bologna argued argued that their was no conspiracy among the children on that night, meaning his client was not responsible for Mosley's actions.

Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott agreed with his case and threw out all charges against Jones, now 16.

The District Attorney said it intends to appeal the decision, but it was defended by Bologna.

James Lambert Jr. attempted to escape the teenagers, but a girl pics up the cone and appears to bash it over his head as the teens chase after the desperate man

Police believe the teens recorded the assault on one of their cell phones, and even laughed as they recreated the fatal attack while walking down the street

Police wereoffering a $20,000 reward for information on the seven teens

'I see what happened to Mr. Lambert as a tragedy, but one that should not have been compounded by overcharging a 14-year-old boy in adult court with crimes the evidence does not support,' Bologna said.

'In my opinion, Judge McDermott looked at this case objectively and made the right decision.'

Mosley's case was sent to juvenile court, and she was adjudicated delinquent of murder, conspiracy, and possession of an instrument of crime.

Details of her sentence were not made public.

Her mother Shira Mosley told Fox 29 that her daughter was not a bad kid, but had been led astray by others in the group.

'It was the other kids you know, bad influence. She probably didn't know, didn't mean to do it,' she said.

'I just want to give my condolences, we apologize. I'm sorry as a parent, she is sorry, so all I can say is I'm just sorry.'
Video footage captured the shocking moment a pro-Palestine mob overran a city council meeting that was discussing Holocaust Remembrance Day in California.

The protestors disrupted a Berkeley city council meeting on Tuesday, shouting anti-Semitic slurs at the crowd, as seen in videos shared by the Jewish Community Relations Council on X.

During the meeting, a Holocaust survivor and a mother sharing her son's experience with anti-Semitism at school were heckled and laughed at by the protesters.

Spewing historical anti-Semitic tropes, one man in a Keffiyeh interrupted, yelling, 'How much money did these ass***** give you? Cowards, go chase the money! You money suckers.'

'You are traitors to this country,' a woman chimed in. 'You are spies for Israel.'

The situation escalated as protesters accused the council of being financially influenced by Jewish organizations - another common anti-Semitic trope.

Spewing a common historical anti-Semitic trope, one man in a Keffiyeh interrupted yelling, 'How much money did these ass***** give you? Cowards, go chase the money! You money suckers'

'Being around Zionists really gets your blood going, and you're hiding behind Zionists,' said a woman named Sheryl proudly into the microphone. 'Zionism is equal to hatred and bigotry, and that's what you guys are standing for'

The situation escalated as protesters accused the council of being influenced by Jewish organizations - another anti-Semitic trope

The trope that Jewish people have financial control traces back to the middle ages when Jews were excluded from many trades and prohibited from working in finance, leading them to go into the 'marginal role' of moneylending.

'This is a Zionist stronghold,' one woman said, covering her face with a keffiyeh. 'The people of Berkeley love Palestine,' she screeched.

Then the group chanted the trendy cheer, 'Free, Free Palestine!' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

'End Zionism! End Israel! Free Palestine,' another shouted.

The three hour session included discussions over the Proclamation in Honor of City of Berkeley Holocaust Remembrance Day and a budget item for the 2024 Virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Some council members attempted to control the mob and allow speakers to use their allotted time but were unable to stop the disruptive behavior.

Despite the disruption, council members and other participants tried to address local issues and concerns related to Jew-hatred and the situation in Berkeley.

'Last week, my 7-year-old Jewish son told me he heard a group of kids at his school say that Jews are stupid,' one mother said while the protesters laughed.

'Zionists are!' said the activists. 'Zionists are stupider.'

'You are traitors to this country,' a woman chimed in. 'You are spies for Israel'

Speaker Susanne Dewitt, an 89-year-old survivor of the Dachau concentration camp was verbally attacked after she highlighted the surge of antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 Massacre makes the passing the Holocaust remembrance proclamations crucial

'Get the f**k out of here, you Zionist pig,' one man said on video. 'F**k you, Zionist pig.'

'Occupiers have no right to defense,' said another, claiming the fact that women were raped and tortured among other atrocities on Oct. 7 is all 'lies.'

'Being around Zionists really gets your blood going, and you're hiding behind Zionists,' said a woman named Sheryl proudly into the microphone. 'Zionism is equal to hatred and bigotry, and that's what you guys are standing for.'

It's unclear if the woman knew at the time that 95 percent of Jewish people in the US consider themselves to be 'Zionists,' meaning a person who believes in the protection of the single Jewish nation in the world, Israel.

There are at least 21 Christian nations in the world, and Muslims are the majority in 49 countries. The number of Muslims in the world is around 1.8 billion, while the world's Jewish population is just about 15.7 million as of 2023.

That's approximately 0.2 percent of the 8 billion worldwide population - with Israel hosting the largest core Jewish population in the world with 7.2 million, followed by the United States with 6.3 million.

An individual at the meeting held a banner was held by anti-Israel activists at the meeting calling him 'genocide Jesse'

Speaker Susanne Dewitt, an 89-year-old survivor of the Dachau concentration camp was verbally attacked after she highlighted the surge of antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 massacre makes the passing the Holocaust remembrance proclamations crucial.

'We are currently witnessing a horrendous surge in anti-Semitism,' said Dewitt. 'Jews are now under existential threat the invasion of Hamas which broke a ceasefire in 2029 led to the murder of 1,200 Israeli and the brutal torture and rape of women the destruction of property.'

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin expressed shock and condemnation over the hateful and disruptive behavior. He emphasized that this would not intimidate him on Thursday, and that he was outraged over the 'hateful and deeply anti-Semitic behavior' at the meeting.

An individual at the meeting held a banner was held by anti-Israel activists at the meeting calling him 'genocide Jesse.'

'Heckling people including Holocaust survivors, then co-opting its message for an anti-Jewish agenda, threats and hate speech will not be tolerated,' Arreguin said on X.
The United States is bracing for a 'blockbuster' hurricane season, with the possibility of 25 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and up to seven major hurricanes this year.

Meteorologists with AccuWeather warned of a near-record number of storms in the Atlantic, many of which are expected to directly affect the U.S., thanks to warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico and the La Nina weather phenomenon.

Experts are forecasting 20 to 25 named storms across the Atlantic basin, including eight to 12 hurricanes, four to seven major hurricanes, and four to six direct impacts on the U.S.

These numbers starkly contrast with the historical average, which typically sees 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three major hurricanes, and four direct impacts on the U.S.

'AccuWeather hurricane experts have serious and growing concerns about what can become a supercharged hurricane season this year,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

The United States is bracing for a 'blockbuster' hurricane season, with the possibility of 25 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and up to seven major hurricanes this year

The numbers starkly contrast with the historical average, which typically sees 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three major hurricanes, and four direct impacts on the U.S. Pictured: the wreckage of Darlene Powell's home after the arrival of Hurricane Idalia in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, last year

'We have a significant concern of a greater than historic average risks for tropical storms and hurricanes along the Texas and Louisiana coastlines,' Porter added.

Porter said the 2024 hurricane season would be 'explosive' because of the return of La Nina and historically warm water across the Atlantic Ocean.

'The current El Nino pattern that is in place is forecast to transition into a La Nina pattern during the second half of the hurricane season,' he said.

La Nina, meaning Little Girl in Spanish, usually leads to more tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic due to less wind shear, or disruptive winds high in the atmosphere.

AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva explain the effect of La Nina by comparing wind shear to a stack of pancake.

'A tall, neat stack is what a tropical system wants to be, but wind shear can cause some pancakes to be displaced and the stack could fall over,' DaSilva said.

With the opposite effect of El Nino, the faster the transition to La Nina occurs, the more likely the hurricane season is to be active.

The other major factor in AccuWeather's Atlantic hurricane forecast is a plenty of warm water in the Gulf of Mexico.

'Sea-surface temperatures are well above historical average across much of the Atlantic basin, especially across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the Main Development Region [for hurricanes],' DaSilva explained.

The water temperatures across the Atlantic in mid-February this year reached the same level where they typically are in mid-July.

And the water temperatures in the Main Development Region (MDR) at the end of January were 65% higher than the next closest year.

As the days get longer and the Northern Hemisphere heads into spring and summer, the temperatures may only rise.

Porter said the 2024 hurricane season would be 'explosive' because of the return of La Nina and historically warm water across the Atlantic Ocean. Pictured: Pick up trucks and debris lie strewn in a canal in Horseshoe Beach after the passage of Hurricane Idalia

With the opposite effect of El Nino, the faster the transition to La Nina occurs, the more likely the hurricane season is to be active. Pictured: a damaged property after the arrival of Hurricane Idalia

Satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Idalia, center, approaching Florida's Gulf Coast

Hurricane Idalia barreled through Florida's Gulf coast as it ravaged through the state's Big Bend region

'Any storms that do form will have the potential to rapidly strengthen, even close to land, due to the exceptionally warm waters,' Porter said.

'We expect that the Gulf Coast, especially the Texas coast, will be at a higher risk for direct impacts from a tropical system this year,' AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said.

Florida Panhandle, South Florida and the Carolinas are also at a higher-than-average risk for a strike from a tropical system.

'All residents and interests along the U.S. coast, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, should have a hurricane plan in place and always be fully prepared for a direct impact.,' DaSilva added.

AccuWeather predicted as many as 15 named storms last year, but there ended up being more with 19 named storms and four direct U.S. impacts.

Tropical Storm Harold, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico, made landfall in Texas and put one million coastal residents under a severe weather warning.

The storm also hit Padre Island after it formed in the Gulf of Mexico overnight before it reached the Lone Star state.

Harold brought heavy rain to parts of southern Texas and created flood watches in the Trans-Pecos and Big Bend regions. It also created a small flood watch near Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Hurricane Idalia was the storm of the year, which blasted through Florida and the Carolinas, causing at least two deaths and significant property damage.

The Category 3 hurricane became the strongest storm to strike the Sunshine State in more than 125 years, according to CNN.

Extremely warm ocean water made it possible for Idalia to unleash its fury and reveal its strength as trees and structures were damaged across the states Big Bend and parts of Georgia.

Harsh tides seen at Seaside Park in New Jersey from Hurricane Ophelia in September

Hurricane Ophelia was next up as it made landfall in the state on September 23 as it first made its way to Easter North Carolina before it shifted to Southern Virginia.

Rainy conditions from the storm then moved on to the east coast in New Jersey and New York and caused flooding.

In New Jersey, winds and the deluge have been causing disruption, and waves near the shore were recorded at 10 feet high.

Officials at the Cleveland Park Metro Station in Washington, DC, had sandbagged the vicinity and all other flood-prone stations in preparation for the storm.

A total of 2,600 people were left without power in North Carolina, and 5,800 were blacked out in New Jersey.

'We do not want people to panic. We want them to be prepared and informed,' Porter said.

'A little bit of advanced planning early in the year, before the risks arrive, goes a long way to being better prepared. Then, you're not panicking when there is a risk. You're executing the plan that you have.'
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 Texas Department of Public Safety trooper inspects the scene of a school bus crash on Texas 21 in Bastrop County on March 22. Jay Janner/Associated Press

The truck driver accused of causing a school bus crash that killed two people is now facing a homicide charge, according to Bastrop County court records.

Jerry Hernandez, 42, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, records show. The charge was filed Friday, one week after the crash that killed 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya and Ryan Wallace, 33.

The charge is classified as a state jail felony, which is punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

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Hernandez was arrested Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. He also was arrested on an unrelated warrant for a bond violation from Hays County, DPS said. Court records show Hernandez was charged in January with criminal mischief and assault-family violence. An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday.

Hernandez was the driver of the concrete pump truck that struck a Hays Consolidated Independent School District bus that was driving on Texas 21 in Bastrop County, DPS confirmed.

Wallace, a Bastrop resident and graduate student at the University of Texas, was driving a 2024 Hyundai behind the bus and also was hit by the concrete truck, Texas DPS Sgt. Deon Cockrell said. The agency previously said it was unclear whether Wallaces vehicle collided with the bus or the truck after the initial crash.

According to a search warrant obtained by Austin television station KEYE, Hernandez told an officer after the crash that he smoked marijuana about 10 p.m. the night before the crash, slept for about three hours, then consumed cocaine about 1 a.m. The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. that day.

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DPS confirmed that a search warrant was issued for a blood specimen from Hernandez after the crash.

The bus was carrying 44 preschoolers from Budas Tom Green Elementary, along with 11 adults.
Watch the incredible moment an ultra-rare fruit bat is filmed giving birth upside down at a British zoo for the first time ever.

The critically endangered Livingstone's fruit bat, Selene, can be seen in the video with her pup hanging in mid-air from just the umbilical cord for a nerve-wracking 11 seconds.

The remarkable footage was taken at Northumberland Zoo following two hours of labour, yet keepers only realised she was pregnant a few hours before when she showed signs of discomfort and was continually licking herself.

Livingstone fruit bats are classed as a critically endangered species with just 1,200 left in the wild and 100 in captivity.

The critically endangered Livingstone's fruit bat, Selene, can be seen in the video with her pup hanging in mid-air from just the umbilical cord

The remarkable footage was taken at Northumberland Zoo following two hours of labour

Livingstone fruit bats are classed as a critically endangered species with just 1,200 left in the wild and 100 in captivity

Selene kept flipping herself over and hanging from her thumbs as she tried to use gravity to help the birthing process, before finally pushing the pup out.

Selene then flipped herself upside down again to allow the pup - whose sex has not yet been established - to grab onto her.

As the mothers become more experienced with pups, the duration of time that the pups spend suspended by their umbilical cord is reduced.

The pup's instinct is to manoeuvre itself towards the mother's teat which is located under their armpit.

This allows the pups to attach themselves and stay safe whilst the mothers fly around and feed.

Keepers were stunned when another female bat, called Sima, immediately rushed over to help Selene clean the new arrival.

Experts say this 'alloparental' care behaviour has never been recorded in this species.

Selene kept flipping herself over and hanging from her thumbs as she tried to use gravity to help the birthing process, before finally pushing the pup out

As the mothers become more experienced with pups, the duration of time that the pups spend suspended by their umbilical cord is reduced

Keepers were stunned when another female bat, called Sima, immediately rushed over to help Selene clean the new arrival. Experts say this 'alloparental' care behaviour has never been recorded in this species

Alloparental care refers to an individual giving care to a non-descendant offspring.

Four-year old Sima is also the mother of 'Hadrian', a male bat who was the first ever bat pup born at the zoo last November.

A second female, Thea, also gave birth to her first pup over the Mother's Day weekend.

Zoo Curator, Maxine Bradley, said: 'It was an incredible moment to witness the birth of such a rare species - and to be able to capture it on camera for the world to share this experience with us was breath-taking.

'For a moment there, we thought it was all over as we watched, helplessly, from 20 metres away, but we were then relieved to see Selene pull through and do such a great job.

'Our goal with this exhibit is to change visitor perceptions with regards to bats.

'These bats have adorable fox-like furry faces, with big Mickey Mouse ears and huge eyes - I want people to fall in love with them and gain a new favourite animal when they visit.'
Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has been accused of failing a polygraph test that was part of his plea deal with prosecutors for the multiple financial crimes he's charged with.

Prosecutors asked a court on Tuesday to release the federal government of their deal with the disgraced lawyer - who they say wasnt truthful about where more than $6 million he stole ended up, and whether another attorney helped him steal from clients and his law firm.

Murdaugh's lawyers claimed the FBI agent conducting the test threw the murderer off by asking odd questions and sharing that he had just examined Natalee Holloway's killer Joran van der Sloot.

The name-check of Joran van der Sloot in court papers Thursday is just the latest strange twist in the case of Murdaugh, the disbarred lawyer who is serving a life sentence for murder in the deaths of his wife and son.

Murdaugh adamantly denies killing them, while admitting he stole millions from clients and his law firm because of a crippling drug addiction.

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh (pictured) has been accused of failing a polygraph test that was part of his plea deal with prosecutors for the multiple financial crimes he's charged with

Murdaugh's lawyers claim the FBI agent conducting the test threw the murderer off by asking odd questions and sharing he had just examined Natalee Holloway's killer Joran van der Sloot (pictured)

The disagreement over the polygraph is taking place in dueling court filings before Murdaugh is scheduled to be sentenced Monday for the thefts in federal court.

In their response, Murdaughs lawyers said the results were made unreliable by the FBI examiner who just before the exam asked Murdaugh if he could keep a secret, then told him he had just come from Alabama where he tested van der Sloot, who admitted to killing Natalee Holloway in 2005 in Aruba.

The examiner also told Murdaugh he believed he didnt kill his wife and son and asked him a confusing question about hidden assets, the defense said.

'There are legitimate questions as to whether the Government intentionally manipulated the results to void the plea agreement and achieve the prosecutors stated desire to "ensure that hes never a free man again,"' defense lawyers Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian wrote.

Murdaughs lawyers said they might have more objections to the polygraph but they only learned about the prosecutions allegations Tuesday and hadnt had time to get their expert to review the results.

They are asking the sentencing judge on Monday to ignore the results.

A pre-sentencing motion filed by prosecutors after the Murdaughs brief did not answer the defenses arguments. The matter will likely be taken up at Mondays sentencing.

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

Murdaughs lawyers said the FBI examiner asked Murdaugh if he could keep a secret, then told him he had just come from Alabama where he tested van der Sloot, who admitted to killing Natalee Holloway in 2005 in Aruba

The report recommends a 17 1/2 to nearly 22-year prison sentence for Murdaugh on the federal charges.

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 later 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 Murdaugh agreeing to a plea deal so his federal sentence would run at the same time as his state sentences.

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 now want Murdaugh to face the stiffest sentence possible since the plea agreement was breached and serve his federal sentence at the end of any state sentences.

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 also want to keep secret four statements, including the polygraph, the Murdaugh gave the FBI.

Investigators think Murdaugh is trying to protect an attorney who helped him steal and that his assertion that more than $6 million in the stolen money went to his drug habit is not true. Releasing the statements could damage an ongoing investigation, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

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.

Investigators said that as Murdaughs financial schemes were about to be exposed in June 2021, he decided to kill his wife and son in hopes it would make him a sympathetic figure and draw attention away from the missing money.

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.

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.
In the Old City of Jerusalem there is a haunting absence in Christianitys holiest place.

Shopkeepers and stallholders in the winding maze of narrow streets that make up the Via Dolorosa  the Sorrowful Way, along which Jesus is believed to have walked, bowed down by the weight of his cross  shake their heads and shrug their shoulders despairingly.

No heaving mass of tourists and just a handful of pilgrims are here this Eastertide. Business is bad.

At the most sacred of all sites, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a vast complex which houses both the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection, where the faithful have come to weep and worship over 16 centuries, there are few visitors.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is a vast complex which houses both the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of the Resurrection

The Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is believed to be the Tomb of Jesus Christ

Last year there would have been 4,000-5,000 people here at the Church every day, it would have been so full, Brother Samir, a Coptic monk, tells me.

We feel so sad about it. We just want peace for everyone and between all countries. We will be happy again when there are more people here.

For me, a secular Muslim visiting Jerusalem for the first time  in the solemnity of what is Holy Week for millions of Christians worldwide  is an emotional and thought-provoking experience.

Growing up, I was taught to revere Jesus or Eesa as we know him. Koranic verses tell similar stories about him to those in the Bible  the Virgin Birth and his miracles. But Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet rather than the son of God, and that there was no crucifixion. Instead, Jesus was raised to heaven by God.

And of course Jerusalem is as important to Muslims as it is to Christians and Jews. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is but a few hundred metres from the al-Aqsa complex which contains the vast golden Dome of the Rock, the site where, in the seventh century, the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have flown to heaven on a winged horse to speak with God.

It shares that location with Temple Mount, which is sacred to Jews as the place that Abraham demonstrated his devotion to God by taking his son Isaac to be sacrificed. It is also the site of two ancient Jewish temples, with the Western (or Wailing) Wall the only remaining one.

Christian worshippers hold palm fronds during the Palm Sunday procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Roman Catholic clergymen carry palm fronds during the traditional Palm Sunday procession

Women attend the Palm Sunday celebration at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre last Sunday

Earlier that day, I watched as thousands of Christians walked on the Mount of Olives, waving the branches and fronds of greenery, to mark Palm Sunday, when Jesus made a triumphant entrance to Jerusalem.

It coincided with the Jewish festival of Purim which commemorates the survival of Jews in Ancient Persia and families dressed in colourful costumes made for a joyful sight. It is also Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

And of course simultaneously, in parallel with these celebrations and venerations by followers of the worlds great religions whose founders spoke words of peace, a bitter war is raging less than 50 miles away in the wake of the October 7 atrocity by Hamas.

It is for me personalIy a bleak confrontation with the myriad complexities of culture, custom and faith that make this tiny region one of the most fiercely contested places on the planet.

And yet in sharp contradiction here in the Old City, today at least, all outward appearances suggest that co-existence is the norm.

Thousands of Jews, Muslims and Christians live here, sharing neighbourhoods and spaces with people whose beliefs are at odds with what their scriptures tell them.

Walking the streets I observe Orthodox Jewish men, wearing kippahs and the Tzitzit fringes dangling from their shirts, Muslim women in hijabs and long robes, and nuns and monks in their own distinctive habits.

But its a tenuous peace: the heavily armed Israeli soldiers and numerous checkpoints are testament to that. Beneath the surface lurks a simmering hostility.

At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I find some respite. Built in the fourth century on the instructions of St Helena, mother of Roman emperor Constantine, this complex is made up of six Christian churches  Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Coptic.

And yet the keys to the door are in the hands of Muslims, a tradition dating to the days of the 12th-century conqueror Salahuddin/Saladin, who spearheaded the Islamic army against the Crusaders.

People holding palm leaves march from Mount of Olive to Damascus Gate as part of the Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem last week

Pilgrims wait outside the Edicule to visit the Tomb of Jesus Christ in September 2023

Orthodox Christians gather with lit candles around the Edicule during the Holy Fire ceremony in April 2022

He wanted to ensure the Church was not harmed. Since then, the Al Husseini and Nuseibeh families have been entrusted with the keys of the church.

Inside, I pause at the Stone of Unction where Jesuss body was prepared for burial in line with Jewish laws. According to the Gospel of St John, he was wrapped in linen strips and anointed with myrrh and aloes.

A woman in her 40s is daubing the red-hued stone with oil, before removing it with a cloth. She kneels beside it in quiet contemplation.

Behind the slab is a striking mosaic. In vivid colours, the triptych depicts the taking down of Jesus body from the Cross, the anointing and burial.

A steep, curving stairway leads up what is held to be to the location of Cavalry or Golgotha  the place of the skull  and the hill where Jesus was crucified alongside two thieves.

Pilgrims take turns to crouch underneath the altar at the site of the rock where the Cross was erected and put their hand inside a hole to touch it.

With no crowd this Easter, worshippers have ample time to pray and meditate. Some are prostrate on the floor; a few are weeping silently.

I feel a strange envy  prayer has never really given me much comfort.

Jitty Thomas, originally from Kerala in India, now lives in Jerusalem and is here to pray on behalf of her family.

I just dont know how to express what Im feeling being here, the 33-year-old care-giver tells me with a smile. Ive prayed for all my family. I called them earlier and showed them where I was. They were so happy even though they cant come here themselves.

The Stone of Unction where Jesuss body was prepared for burial in line with Jewish laws (Stock Image)

Religious worshippers rubbing oil on the Stone of Unction where it is believed Jesus was prepared for burial (Stock Image)

Valentina Tomayo has come from Colombia with her parents Javier Urrego and mother Claudia Perdomo  they are among the very few to have travelled from abroad to Jerusalem this Easter.

Its amazing, just an indescribable feeling, being in the place where God was crucified, she says.

Back on the ground floor, in the centre of the rotunda is a chapel called the Edicule where Jesuss tomb was said to be located. It has two rooms, the first holding the Angels Stone, which is believed to be a fragment of the large stone that sealed the tomb. The second is the tomb itself. In normal times, visitors can expect to queue for up to two hours to get in. There is no queue today.

Kobi, a secular Jew, has come from Haifa. Like me, he appreciates the history, archaeology and architecture.

My girlfriend is Christian. Shes spent a lot of time where they say Jesuss body was washed [after the Crucifixion], he says. For her, thats very special. Im not religious so this doesnt mean anything to me.

While hoteliers and shop keepers lament the lack of tourists this year, some local residents say there is a bonus.

In a sense its nice to have fewer people, says Pierre, 41, originally from France. I came last year to see the celebrations. You could barely walk around because it was so packed.

But for others, the absence is a heavy burden.

We feel so alone here without the usual visitors, says Brother James Yakobus, a Franciscan monk from Germany. I can understand why people are scared, but here in Israel it is safe. I hope next Easter will be better.

To which I can only say: InshaAllah. God willing.
A mother-of-two has revealed how she was left vomiting and unable to breath after smoking toad venom as a 'miracle cure' while on a romantic getaway to Mexico.

Accredited therapist Samantha Gonzalez, 37, was left scared for her life after 'speed-toading', the bizarre practice of smoking a potent hallucinogenic drug made from toad venom through a pipe.

She and her husband travelled to Mexico to try the drug after watching a documentary that claimed the substance could heal deep psychological issues, including addiction and anxiety.

But the Michigan therapist revealed she had a much worse experience than she was expecting.

She told the Sun: 'I had three rounds of the medicine. The first round I immediately felt bars on my chest.

Accredited therapist Samantha Gonzalez (pictured) was left scared for her life after 'speed-toading', the bizarre practice of smoking a potent hallucinogenic drug made from toad venom through a pipe

The substance is most often made with venom from the Colorado River Toad

'I felt terrified. A lot of times what happens is you become aware of your ego, so your judgement of yourself and other people. It was very, very scary.'

She said she was sat in a tent in the centre of Tulum, where hits of Bufo Alvarius, the psychoactive substance, can cost up to $250, and most often made with venom from the Colorado River Toad.

READ MORE: More than 1.7TONS of cocaine is found hidden in avocado shipments heading from Colombia

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The people running the 'ritual' sat her down in the dark tent that had little else but a blanket and a speaker to play calming sounds.

Once she had her first hit, she immediately began to feel sick.

But the facilitator told her that she should smoke again, leading to her blacking out and feeling nauseous once again.

Instead of making her feel safe, she was brusquely shunted out of the tent, and her husband was taken in to have his turn.

'It felt very rushed and, after my second round, which actually I don't even remember, I remember feeling nauseous', adding that she was worried that her husband was having an 'amazing experience' without her and that she would be 'left behind.'

She immediately went to a different tent and had a third hit, which is when her trip went completely downhill.

'I immediately blacked out the third round. I started throwing up,' she said.

'I also felt like I was purging I was making these awful noises. I think I was just purging stuff inside of me.

'Whether it was emotion or actual physical stuff, I don't know. When I woke up after about 20 minutes I just felt like extremely weak.

'I felt like I was done - like I had relief of like "it worked, I can relax".'

Despite her terrifying experience, she said it brought her closer to her partner, and has allowed her to stop using her anti-depressants.

She concluded: 'If I were to recommend this for somebody, I would recommend something where you get to spend the whole day with a facilitator.'
Christians across the UK have taken part in a series of traditional processions and events today to mark Good Friday and the start of the Easter weekend.

Many of the country's believers went on walks re-enacting Jesus' procession through Judaea, or watched plays retelling his death as told in the Bible.

Various ceremonies were carried out in Sunderland, London and Kent to name a few.

Public Good Friday processions, also known as 'passion plays', have taken viewers from all around the globe through the Stations of the Cross this morning.

The Stations of the Cross are the series of events that led to Jesus' death, starting with his trial in front of the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate and ending with his entombment.

Christians across the UK have observed Good Friday by re-enacting Jesus Christ's final days. Pictured: Members of the Wintershall Players theatre company performing The Passion of Jesus

The Passion of Jesus is performed twice to crowds in Trafalgar Square, central London, on Good Friday

The unique, free event has drawn crowds of over 20,000 since it began in 2010

Performers often enter the large crowd to portray elements of the Easter story

The 100-strong cast depicts the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans, before he miraculously rises from the dead on Easter Sunday

Thousands of Londoners turned up for the two annual performances of 'The Passion of Jesus' at Trafalgar Square.

The free shows have been a fixture of Good Friday in the capital since 2010, regularly attracting over 20,000 to the landmark.

The 100-strong cast depicts the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans, before he miraculously rises from the dead on Easter Sunday.

At the opposite end of England, Christians from all denominations in Sunderland reenacted the crucifixion on a 'Walk of Witness'.

Around 1,000 pilgrims journeyed to the top of Tunstall Hill, overlooking the city, where a large wooden cross was erected.

It was carried up the slope by a Christ like figure wearing a crown of thorns and white robe. He was flanked by men dressed as Roman soldiers.

At the opposite end of England, around 1,000 Christians from all denominations reenacted the crucifixion on a 'Walk of Witness' in Sunderland

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (seen) took part in a different Walk of Witness, in Maidstone, Kent

It marked the start of his Holy Week commitments

The Archbishop spoke to fellow pilgrims after carrying the cross from the Holy Family Catholic Church

The Walk of Witness spiritual event sees large crowds gather to witness the reenactment of the journey made by Jesus, when he carried the cross on which he was to be crucified to the top of the Hill of Golgotha near Jerusalem.

These walks take place throughout the country.

Further north still, the Northern Cross pilgrimage took place at Lindisfarne.

Many pilgrims flock to Northumberland to take place in the ceremony and carry wooden crosses as they walk over the tidal causeway to the Holy Island in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England.

This concludes a trek of between 70 and 120 miles in the days leading up to the Easter weekend.

Christians at Blackheath, Greenwich, for another of the country's Good Friday ceremonies

One of the most famous Christian pilgrimages in England is the Northern Cross (pictured today)

Many pilgrims flock to Northumberland to take place in the ceremony and carry wooden crosses as they walk over the tidal causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne has become known as Holy Island because of the part it played in the story of bringing the Christian gospel to England. In the 7th Century, King Oswald of Northumbria granted Lindisfarne to Aidan, a monk and missionary, so that he could establish a monastery modelled on one in which he lived on the island of Iona.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby took part in another Walk of Witness, in Maidstone, Kent.

It marked the start of his Holy Week engagements.

Blackheath, Greenwich, also played host to a Good Friday ecumenical - multi-denominational - service with members from a number of local churches.

Many churches across the country followed these reflections with other Good Friday events such as lunches - including hot crossed buns - and indoor services.

Indonesian Catholics participate in a bloody re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday

Similar scenes took place in the Philippines (left) and India (right)

Other Christians across the globe go to even greater lengths to re-enact the death of Christ.

For example, Indonesian Catholics participated in a passion play at The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus where Christians playing Jesus were nailed to the cross in a bloody, public display of devotion.

Similar scenes took place in India and the Philippines.
A photography firm which 'deleted' children with disabilities or with special support needs from school photos asked a five-year-old girl with super-strength glasses to remove them because 'her mummy would like a photo of her looking pretty', MailOnline can reveal.

Tempest Photography which takes official school pictures across the UK was accused of 'inhumane' behaviour this week after it removed three children from group pictures at a Scottish primary school.

Parents were sent internet links giving them the option of ordering pictures with or without classmates who were disabled or have additional support needs, prompting one mother to say she felt like her daughter had been 'erased from history'.

Now another outraged mother Natalie Wild, 45, has revealed how a photographer from the same company asked her daughter Tilly who has serious eyesight problems to take off her thick glasses for a picture.

Ms Wild, a commercial property developer, said the request made her daughter feel 'vulnerable and scared' as she relies on her 17 times magnification glasses, and considers them to be part of her.

Natalie Wild has revealed how a photographer from Tempest Photography asked her daughter Tilly who has serious eyesight problems to take off her thick glasses for a picture

Tilly was reportedly asked to remove her glasses because 'her mummy would like a photo of her looking pretty'

Ms Wild, a commercial property developer, said the request made her daughter feel 'vulnerable and scared' as she relies on her 17 times magnification glasses, and considers them to be part of her

Ms Wild complained to the company after the incident in September 2022 when Tilly was in Year One at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Primary School in Spinkhill, Derbyshire

She complained to the company after the incident in September 2022 when Tilly was in Year One at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Primary School in Spinkhill, Derbyshire.

But after she was told that it should not have happened, another photographer from the firm made the same request to her daughter on the company's return to the school to take annual pictures last September.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Natalie said: 'I knew it was school photo day because parents had been asked to make sure their children were smart.

'Tilly came out of school at the end of the day with the print out of her photos and handed me two different lots.

'I said, 'Oh, why have you got two photos?', and she replied that the photographer had taken her glasses off.

'I thought, 'Oh right', and I walked back to the cover teacher who said she didn't know that the photographer had done that, and she was so sorry.

'I asked what the reasoning was behind it, and she didn't know. But Tilly said that the photographer had told her, 'I would like a picture of you without your big glasses on'.

'Her glasses are incredibly strong. Often glasses are three or four plus and over six is considered strong, but her's are 17 plus because she has no lens in her eyes.

'The photographer told my child 'mummy would like a photo of her looking pretty'. I was absolutely horrified that they could say that to my five-year-old child, especially when you can see she needs these glasses and vanity doesn't come into it.

'I was absolutely furious, and I literally cried because Tilly was just five-years-old and had gone through so much already with her eyesight issues.

'I just bobbed down and asked her how it made her feel. She said, 'Mummy, I was so scared. My glasses are like my legs and help me see where I am going and how I walk.'

'We went home, and I rang Tempest. The lady on the phone tried to play it down and said that she had been asked to take them off because of the glare on the glasses.

'But I told her that they did not have that problem the previous year when Tilly was in reception and had her photo taken.

'I just didn't buy it. I said it wasn't acceptable in this day and age when we celebrate all differences and disabilities. For them to remove my child's glasses was just disgusting.

'She asked to pull up the photos on her system, and when she looked at them, she said, 'Yes, I completely agree with you. There was no need to take them off because there was no glare on the photo. We've taken those off for a vanity reason.'

'I tried to take it further with them, but I got absolutely nowhere. I got an email from a regional manager who regurgitated the same line. He then had the cheek to say that he knew how I felt because he had a granddaughter who was blind.

Three children at Aboyne Primary School (pictured) in Scotland were removed from images sent via an internet link, giving parents the option to order a photo without them in it

Lisa Boyd's nine-year-old daughter Lily Nicolson (pictured), who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was also omitted from one of the class photos, along with another boy

'There were other children in Tilly's class who had less strong glasses, and their parents all told me that they had not been asked to take them off.'

Natalie added: 'The new school photo day was coming round last year, and I told Tilly to not under any circumstances allow the photographer to take her glasses off.

'The teacher knew that I was really mad about it because I had tried to get the school to stop using the company and everything.

'When Tilly came out of school, the photo was lovely and showed her in her glasses. But she said that once again, the photographer had asked her to take them off.

'She had refused, and the photographer asked her teacher to make her do it, but the teacher replied: 'Absolutely not'. Thankfully she was very forceful, and told the photographer that they had no right to ask her.'

Natalie said: 'As a parent of a VI (visually impaired) child, I belong to a lot of different forums to see what changes are happening in the world.

'I mentioned this incident in a group, and so many people had been through a similar experience with Tempest, being told that glasses had to come off because of the glare.'

Natalie did not complain again to Tempest, but instead took the issue up with Royal National Institute for the Blind.

She said: 'We were looking at whether it went against the Disability Act, but it was a bit of a grey area.'

Natalie who lives in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with Tilly, now seven, her brother Colby, 13, and financial planner husband David Wild, 44, was 'horrified' to read the story about children being 'deleted' from pictures at Aboyne Primary School in Scotland.

Erin's mother Natalie told MailOnline: 'You can't erase them because they're inconvenient. It's just not OK'

She said: 'When I was complaining to Tempest, I told them that there was no way they would ask a child to get out of a wheelchair to take a better photo, so why should glasses be any different?

'But reading about this latest incident, you can imagine that they would. We are all equal. Tempest are a huge company and have pretty much cornered the market in school photos. They need to sort this out.'

Natalie said her daughter had suddenly developed eyesight problems at the age of two and a half when she woke up one morning and said: 'Mummy, mummy, my eyes are not working'.

It was discovered that she had severe cataracts and had to undergo seven operations to remove them, but surgeons also had to take out the lenses of both her eyes to avoid complications.

Natalie added: 'She has got vision, but she has to use these magnifying glasses for her to be able to see. For someone to remove them, you can quite clearly see they are an aid. They are not there for vanity or to correct a tiny bit of eye difference.

'She wears them all the time. She is absolutely amazing and is flying away at school because she is very intelligent. She does gymnastics and trampolining in her glasses. They never come off.

'The first time they put glasses on her, she kept them on for an entire year and even slept with them on every single night because she was so scared that her eyesight was going to go again. It just gets me that someone could have done this to my child.'

Tempest Photography which is based in Cornwall could not be contacted today about Natalie's claims as its switchboard was unmanned due to it being a Bank Holiday.

In a statement released to the BBC, the company said it 'regretted any upset' about alternative school group pictures being offered with or without disabled children or those with additional needs.

The firm said: 'We are a family run business and photograph at schools across the UK and would like to reassure our customers that this is not standard procedure for our company and we are taking this matter very seriously.

'We are committed to implementing meaningful changes to prevent such an occurrence in the future. We deeply regret any upset this has caused and would like to sincerely apologise to the parents and children affected.'

Natalie Pinnell, 38, told MailOnline the 'inhumane' decision to omit her nine-year-old daughter Erin from her class photo at Aboyne Primary School had 'devastated' their family.

She said: 'You can't erase them because they're inconvenient. It's just not OK. It's devastating to have your child be erased from a photo or give parents a choice whether she should or should not be included.

'She is the most beautiful human being. Who could do this? I'm grateful that she's not aware of it because the damage that would do to her self-esteem would be devastating.

'But I'm having to tell my other daughter about what's happening to her sister. I'm not sure I'm going to sleep tonight.'

Natalie, who runs a business management and strategy company in Aboyne, said she had been sent an email from the school with two photo links - one that included her daughter and one that didn't.

Lisa Boyd's nine-year-old daughter Lily Nicolson, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was also omitted from one of the class photos, along with another boy.

She said: 'This is clear discrimination and shouldn't happen in a school or anywhere.

'It is the worst that Lily has been treated in her entire life. The school is so inclusive, Lily is included in everything the school does.

'Her twin sister, Iona, is in a different class and I only got one photo for that class, but I got two for Lily's  one without my kid in it. It's horrendous.'
A husband and wife from Utah are documenting the renovation journey of the 1.25 million Knockderry Castle.

David and Chelom Leavitt paid 1.15 million for the castle located in Argyll, Scotland, and have acquired a following on TikTok and their blogsite as they detail and execute their remodeling plans.

The castle was originally designed by Alexander Thomson in the 1850s for James Templeton, a textile manufacturer. When John Templeton, a carpet manufacturer took over ownership, he commissioned William Leiper to make some Baronial additions to the estate.

David and Chelom Leavitt paid 1.15 million for the castle located in Argyll, Scotland

The couple has acquired a following on TikTok and their blogsite as they detail and execute their remodeling plans.

David and Chelom have been dreaming of renovating a castle for over a decade

The castle was originally owned by Marian Van Overwaele, who went bankrupt in 2000

'I said this before we bought the castle, and I can say it with a whole lot more authority now; if we wanted turn-key castle - one that was already done - we could have gotten that for a lot less money than we're spending' David said in a TikTok video alongside his wife. 'But that's not what its about.'

Before the Utah couple purchased Knockderry, the castle was previously owned by Marian Van Overwaele, who went bankrupt in 2000. She made several appeals against eviction, but after a 22-year legal battle, the businesswoman was evicted.

For over a decade, Chelom said her and her husband's goal was to find an castle that needed some major TLC and 'make it come alive.'

After tirelessly searching for the castle they wanted to make their new project, the Leavitt's found Knockderry's serene environment to be a perfect fit, referring to it as their 'temple of peace.'

'I think we both knew it was a very special place,' said Chelom.

The Knockderry castle has four reception rooms, several bedrooms and bathrooms, and a separate cottage, all of which overlook the scenic Loch Long.

Cow step gables, turrets, stone balustrades, and a wood-paneled drawing room with vintage fireplaces, paneling, and stained glass windows are just a few of the property's remarkable original features.

The couple has commissioned a team of brothers to help with the project management and restoration. Their first order of business was to tear out the carpets on all levels to prepare for more substantial renovations.

They also stripped and gutted the basement and the kitchen to inspect the timbers for wood rot, followed by calling specialized suspension rope climbers to repair parts of the roof that are not easy to reach.

The Leavitts hired a stain glass conservation expert to learn and understand what options they have for preserving some of the original windows in the house. They also are waiting or government approval to install heating systems in the castle.

After a consultation with another conservationist, the couple also plan to furnish the empty room that was once the library, restoring it back to its original purpose. A survey has been scheduled to inspect the castle's water-powered hydraulic elevator to see if it can be fixed.

Overwaele made several appeals against eviction, but after a 22-year legal battle, the businesswoman was evicted.

Before making the castle his full time job, David was a prosecutor known for his efforts to extradite Nicholas Rossi, a US fugitive who faked his own death to avoid rape charges

'I don't know what to make of it except that sometimes life is stranger than fiction,' David told the BBC, reflecting on being involved in both a high profile lawsuit and renovation

The Leavitt's found Knockderry's serene environment to be a perfect fit, referring to it as their 'temple of peace'

The couple do not know when the castle will be completed

Before making the castle his full time job, David was a prosecutor known for his efforts to extradite Nicholas Rossi, a US fugitive who faked his own death to avoid rape charges

Rossi traveled to Scotland after attempting to stage his own death. Extradition procedures were initiated after he was found in the Covid department of a Glasgow hospital in December 2021.

Between being involved in the Knockderry castle acquisition and a high profile lawsuit, David and his wife have lived to tell many tales.

'I don't know what to make of it except that sometimes life is stranger than fiction,' David told the BBC.

The Leavitts, whose private wealth mainly comes from their family' s insurance firm, said they are not sure when the castle will be completely done.

'It's going to take a number of years,' David said. 'The way we're approaching this is that we're not going to do a half-baked job on the restoration but we're not going to make it the Taj Mahal either.'
A NYC council member has slammed Mayor Eric Adams' scheme to hand out debit cards to asylum seekers, saying it offers a 'clear incentive' for migrants to move to the city.

Vickie Paladino, who represents District 19 of Northeast Queens, said she had heard from migrants herself that they are flocking to the city for free money.

The cards are preloaded with a week's worth of funds and will be rolled out to 115 families, equivalent to 450 people by the end of this week.

Mayor Eric Adams is pressing ahead with the $53 million scheme, despite a furious backlash amid fears the cards are open to abuse.

Speaking to Fox News, Paladino said: 'Regardless of our rhetoric about how full the city has become, if were handing out free money its a clear incentive.'

Vickie Paladino, who represents District 19 of Northeast Queens, said she had heard from migrants herself that they are turning up in the city due to welfare

Mayor Eric Adams is pressing ahead with the $53 million scheme , despite a furious backlash amid fears the cards are open to abuse

Migrants arrive at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on January 26, 2024

She continued: 'We hear it from many of the migrants themselves  theyre coming here because they know New York will give them welfare.

'It's as simple as that. And that is absolutely the opposite message we should be sending now.

'In districts like mine, which spans both low-income working-class neighborhoods to some of the wealthiest communities in NYC, migrant crime is a top concern for everyone.

'Were seeing a massive increase in crimes attributable to migrants. Its becoming absolutely third-world."

'It assumes that were somehow obligated to provide illegals with welfare to begin with. We are not.'

Adams has admitted that despite his program, the city cannot take on any more migrants, saying there 'is no room' for migrants as far back as last July.

The new program goes against that, according to Paladino, saying that even migrants already here will face the consequences of more arrivals.

Paladino added: 'This is untraceable free money being handed out to people who dont belong here in the first place.

'Its madness. Its going to create a black market and all kinds of negative incentive structures.'

Officials began distributing the cards to the first ten new arrivals at the city's Roosevelt Hotel shelter on Monday

Migrant families in New York city have begun receiving prepaid debit cards as part of a controversial scheme that could see them receive up to $18,200 a year

In the last two years 180,000 asylum seekers entered New York, with 65,000 still in shelters

Paladino also said that her own constituents are 'sick of the invasion', referring to migrants who have moved to the city.

The debit cards can only be used at supermarkets and bodegas. A family of four with two children could receive up to $350 per week, depending on the childrens ages.

Participants will also have to sign an affidavit swearing they will only use the cards for food or baby supplies at the risk of being removed from the program

In the last two years 180,000 asylum seekers entered New York, with 65,000 still in shelters.

Adams insists the debit cards will save the city $600,000 a month, or $7.2 million annually, by allowing migrants to spend money that will go back into the local economy instead of the city spending funds on boxes of food.

In a report by The New York Post earlier this week, the outlet reported that it could cost as much as $10,000 per migrant.

The $53million is not the total cost - rather, it is only the fee that Mobility Capital Finance (MoCaFi) will receive for its services, as explicitly stated in the contract.

City Hall has actually given itself the flexibility to disburse at least $2.5 billion on the pre-paid debit cards over a year.

Council member Joseph Borelli told Fox News Digital said that while the program may be cheaper for the city, it was 'fundamentally unfair' to the working poor.

Adams' decision to award the contract for the debit cards to Mobility Capital Finance on an emergency basis without competitive bids from other companies has also raised eyebrows.

His administration was criticized for entering into the $434 million contract with DocGo, a medical services company whose work on the migrant crisis has been mired in controversy.

The debit card program is City Hall's latest controversial move as it deals with the ongoing migrant crisis

A view of the historic Roosevelt Hotel, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families in New York City, United States on September 27, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams insists the debit cards will save the city $600,000 a month , or $7.2 million annually

New York's deputy mayor for health and human services, Anne Williams-Isom defended the scheme

Migrants are seen sleeping outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on July 31, 2023

Adams has spent $570,000 on the contract so far, including a $125,000 starting fee for the company, advance funds for the cards and $3 per card to create them.

CEO Wole Coaxum insisted the digital coding on the cards ensures they will only work in preapproved stores, with families also being asked to save receipts.

His said company has worked on universal basic income cards in other cities, including Los Angeles and Newark, N.J. where they were not abused.

The city can remove people from the program if they are found to be committing fraud. Officials intend to gather data on the first families to receive the cards before rolling it out further.

New York's deputy mayor for health and human services, Anne Williams-Isom defended the scheme, saying 'it's not putting groups against each other' as there are other programs such as food stamps and cash assistance for native New Yorkers.

'I do struggle with why people are being so negative when it comes to providing something so basic for families with children,' she said.

Around 70,000 migrants were bused or flown to New York City in 2023, putting extreme pressure on the Big Apple's resources.

Governor Abbott began sending migrants to NYC and other Democrat-run cities that bill themselves as 'sanctuaries' for border crossers to show them just how much pressure the crisis has piled on border states.

His plan appears to have worked - with Democrat lawmakers now taking a far tougher stance on the crisis and President Biden himself vowing to take stronger steps to tackle it.
A pair of conmen who made millions selling fake Dali and Picasso paintings to vulnerable and elderly victims have been jailed following a six-year investigation.

Behrad Kazemi and Raj Nasta, of West Sussex, ran an operation that cold-called victims under the guise of an asset management firm, advising them to invest their money in artworks.

Victims would then part with between 2,000 and 3,000 for what was purported to be a framed Salvador Dali piece - before then being encouraged to spend up to 20,000 at a time on pictures by Pablo Picasso.

But after receiving the works, the victims found they could no longer contact the people they had given money to - raising their suspicions.

Experts deduced that the pictures were fake, the signatures on them were not genuine, and the works were valued at 300 at most.

Behrad Kazemi, 35, has been jailed for his role in a money laundering operation involving fake artworks

His accomplice Raj Nasta, 50, has been jailed after being convicted of money laundering and false accounting

The identities of the fake artworks were not disclosed. Among Salvador Dali's best-known works is surrealist landscape 'The Persistence of Memory' (above, at an exhibition in Berlin)

Fakes of Pablo Picasso works were also used in the scam, though the works in question have not been named. (Pictured: 'Femme au beret rouge-orange' in Las Vegas in 2021)

Over 125 people were snared by the scam between October 2016 and June 2018, with detectives beginning their enquiries in April 2018.

Some of those caught up in the fraud had lost their life savings, in some cases in excess of 150,000. Others were not even aware they had been a victim of fraud until they were contacted by police.

Exactly which Dali and Picasso pictures were duplicated is not known - but the pair are known for their visually striking surrealist works.

Investing clever: Top tips to avoid falling victim to investment fraudsters Dont be rushed into making an investment. Legitimate organisations will not cold call you and will never pressure you into paying money. Before making significant financial decisions, speak with trusted friends or family members, or seek professional independent advice. Check if the company is regulated by the FCA: www.fca.org.uk/firms/financial-services-register Advertisement

A trail of evidence led police to Kazemi's address in Crawley and, after enacting a warrant, officers arrested him on suspicion of money laundering.

Forensic examination of Kazemi's companies, Asset Consulting Services and Treasury Asset Group, as well as his own banking records, revealed he had pulled in over 2.6million.

The cash was then being sent overseas and disseminated to others, including Raj Nasta, who operated his own firm, Zest2Recruitment, from Crawley and East Grinstead.

Phones were seized and information obtained from the devices revealed both Kazemi and Nasta were part of an organised crime group based abroad.

Kazemi was later charged with money laundering and Nasta was charged with money laundering and false accounting.

And earlier this month at Lewes Crown Court, Kazemi, 35, of Barnfield Road, Crawley, was sentenced to four years and nine months' imprisonment; Nasta, 50, of McIndoe Road, East Grinstead, was sentenced to three years' behind bars.

Detective Constable Annette Woodland, of Sussex Police's economic crime unit, said: 'This was a complex and thorough investigation which took lots of hard work across multiple teams.

'It was extremely distressing for the victims involved who have had to face years of emotional turmoil while it was carried out.

'Some of our victims lost hundreds of thousands of pounds. They have felt angry, embarrassed and also ashamed about being drawn into this scam which sophisticated.

'Anyone could be affected by a similar type of crime. The fraudsters are manipulative, they will be chatty and friendly, and will encourage conversations about family, hobbies and holidays to gain your trust. It is despicable.'

A proceeds of crime hearing is due to take place to pay back the victims using the criminals' available assets.

She added: 'With Nasta's guidance, Kazemi was receiving the money from the fraud victims and laundering it for the organised crime group.

'This activity was a crucial part of the crime. Without Kazemi setting up the companies, receiving the monies and transferring it to others, the organised crime group would have been unable to access the proceeds of their fraudulent activities.

'The investigation and convictions have meant that the fraudsters activities were disrupted, victims have been protected and Kazemi and Nasta have been brought to justice for their key involvement.'
Punters queued up in their droves for hot cross buns and a fish and chip lunch as the UK celebrated the start of the Easter weekend.

A massive queue formed outside Raven's bakery in Brighton early this morning as people sought to get their hands on their legendary hot cross buns.

It has become a tradition in the city to wake up early to buy the sweet Easter treat every Good Friday.

One person posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'It's a Brighton Easter tradition to queue for Raven's hot cross buns.

'Thought I'd enjoy it one last time, they are definitely worth the wait. (Please note: the line is so long the bakery is out of sight).'

Hundreds of customers queue to buy hot cross buns from Raven's Bakery in Brighton early this Good Friday morning

The hot cross buns from Raven's Bakery have become famous and customers from all over Sussex and beyond get there early to buy them every Good Friday

People also joined a long line at the famous Colmans fish and chip shop in South Shields to get a traditional Good Friday lunch.

Matt Farrow, 42, travelled 250 miles, all the way from Reading to try their fish and chips.

The council worker said: 'My partner's grandad is from South Shields. We come up here a couple times a year and try to come up to Colmans.

'It's a family tradition. It's the best fish and chips.

READ MORE: Christian is nailed to a cross for the 35th time to reenact Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday in a bid to bring world peace

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'We ordered four adult haddocks, two chips, one curry sauce, three tartare sauces, three mushy peas and four kids meals.

'There's four generations ordering from here today. We'll still be coming here for years.'

Shaun Taylor, 55, from Chester-Le-Street, County Durham paid 27 for two cod and chips, two cans of fizzy drinks and mushy peas.

The civil servant said: 'We always come here, it's the best fish and chips.

'I've been coming here for years. It's a tradition, I used to come here with my mam and dad who have passed away.

'We brought our kids here and they now bring their kids. It's very nostalgic.

'We queued for 30 minutes, we got here at 11:30 and got our fish and chips at 12.'

Famous guests such as former US First Lady Hillary Clinton have previously dined at the chippy on Ocean Road.

Joy Simpson, 64, a retired residential care officer from Hetton- Le-Hole, Sunderland, said: 'We're on a girls trip and decided to come here for fish and chips.

'I always have fish and chips on Good Friday. Even if we're at home we go to the local fish shop. You have fish on Good Friday.

'I thought the queue would have been bigger, we were going to go shopping first but decided we better get a spot.'

People joined a long line at the famous Colmans fish and chip shop in South Shields to get a traditional Good Friday lunch

Matt Farrow, 42, travelled 250 miles, all the way from Reading to try their fish and chips

Famous guests such as former US First Lady Hillary Clinton have previously dined at the chippy on Ocean Road

Tracey Peat, 57, an administrator from South Shields, South Tyneside, said: 'I come here every year for fish and chips. I usually wait for an hour or an hour and a half.

'It's the best fish and chips, we love it. I'm queuing for my whole family.

'The order will probably cost around 90 but it's money well spent. We always look forward to Good Friday.

'But it's a treat and it's worth it. It's a tradition inherited from my mam.

'The queue always has a nice atmosphere.'

Katie Lee, 31, a call centre worker from Gateshead, said: 'I travel over from Gateshead pretty much every year. When it's good weather we'll travel down.

'It wasn't an option today. It's Good Friday so you come to Colman's.

'I buy for myself, my husband and my two children.

'It is quite expensive. Last week we went to the seafront and it was 10.50 for fish and chips.

'It's a treat and it's a special occasion.'
A spill of water and crude oil in Houston's Sylvan Rodriguez Park has been contained and is being monitored by cleanup crews, an ExxonMobil representative said Wednesday. Yvette Orozco/Houston Chronicle A spill of water and crude oil in Houston's Sylvan Rodriguez Park has been contained and is being monitored by cleanup crews, an ExxonMobil representative said Wednesday. Yvette Orozco/Houston Chronicle

Crews remained at a cleanup site Thursday near Houstons Sylvan Rodriguez Park after a Monday oil spill into Horsepen Bayou.

The crude oil spill was reported Monday and originated from Denbury Resources' Webster Saltwater Disposal facility, according to bulletins provided Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency, which is overseeing the response efforts and will conduct a final site inspection.

According to a March 27 bulletin provided by the EPA, Denbury Resources, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, reported that an estimated 40 barrels of crude oil and 2,000 barrels of saltwater were released from the facility.

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The EPA estimates between 10 and 15 barrels of crude oil entered Horsepen Bayou in the Clear Lake area.

According to an Exxon Mobil representative, the spill was contained, and the site continues to be monitored by cleanup crews.

We expect to complete the clean-up soon and will continue to monitor the area, the spokesperson said in Thursday statement. Our priority remains the safety of the surrounding community and environment.

Cleanup materials remained in place Thursday, March 28 after crude oil spilled from a saltwater containment facility into Horsepen Bayou near Houston's Sylvan Rodriguez Park. Yvette Orozco/Houston Chronicle

The spill was the result of a power failure, according to Exxon Mobil and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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An email from Exxon Mobil stated that produced water containing crude oil, which comes out of wells during oil production, overflowed from a containment tank and overflow pit at the Denbury facility.

Coordinates provided by the EPA show that the facility is located northeast of the intersection of Texas 3 and FM 2351 in southeast Houston.

A dark brown sheen could be seen from as far away as the intersection of Space Center Boulevard and Horsepen Bayou, about 2 miles from the Denbury facility, according to the EPA.

EPA has not observed free standing oil past the intersection of Horsepen Bayou and Space Center Blvd, which is (Denburys) furthest containment and collection point, the bulletin states.

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The amount of saltwater released into the bayou is was unknown.

PUBLIC HEARING: Baytown residents slam Exxon over petrochemical facility operations at TCEQ hearing

The bulletin states an estimate of 1,115 barrels of fluids containing crude oil, saltwater and water have been recovered since the cleanup began earlier this week, and Denbury has constructed a berm on the drainage pathway between the facility and Horsepen Bayou to prevent additional fluids from going into the bayou if there is a rain event.

The EPA was activated to assess the scope of the spill, to document the cleanup and recovery efforts and to prevent the spill from extending farther along the waterway, and to monitor air quality.

The bayou runs parallel to Clear Lake City Boulevard and passes several residential neighborhoods along the roadway.

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Longtime resident Celia Stevenson lives in a subdivision near Space Center and said Thursday that she saw the cleanup crews at the intersection as early as Monday.

A regular at Sylvan Rodriguez Park, Stevenson said she wonders if previous and ongoing restoration efforts at the park could be compromised by potentially toxic overflows and worries that wildlife that live around the waterway will suffer the consequences.

When you drive up (to the entrance) the first thing you see are the herons, she said. I dont go in that water, and I dont let my dog go near it, but there are herons, egrets and other birds that come out here. The reality is that spills are going to happen, we cant turn back the clock, but Id like to see more efforts after the fact to keep the wildlife safe. The cleanup crews are eventually going to leave, but the birds and animals stay.

There are no anticipated long-term impacts to the community or environment, according to Exxon Mobil.

The EPA bulletin states several fish, two unidentified amphibians, one owl and one softshell turtle died as a direct result of the spill.

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Texas Parks and Wildlife was working with Denbury in a wildlife response effort by installing hazing flags along the waterway to deter birds from the impacted portions of the bayou. That recovery has included the collection of dead fish to prevent other wildlife from being attracted to the area.

The Texas Railroad Commission also responded to the incident and directed Denbury to conduct sampling in Horsepen Bayou to determine how the saltwater released into the bayou has affected its salinity, the EPA reports. The salinity of Horsepen Bayou exceeded the acceptable limit under the commission's regulations, so oversight by that agency will continue.

The bulletin stated recovery operations would continue at the Denbury facility and at various containment and collection points along Horsepen Bayou on a 24-hour basis, and Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Railroad Commission would remain onsite to provide oversight.
A Peruvian woman has recovered from emergency surgery after she swallowed a 5-centimeter nail that was in a pork rind.

Celia Trello, 69, was eating the snack in February until she began to feel sick and eventually vomited blood.

Trello went to the emergency room at Almenara Hospital in Peru, and that's where doctors discovered that she had a nail piercing one of her carotid arteries.

'It never crossed my mind I had this nail or piece of wire," Tello told Reuters via FOX 5 Atlanta.

With the help of a team of surgeons, the Peruvian woman underwent a successful surgery to remove the nail and repair the damage it had caused.

The three-hour surgery left a huge scar on Trello's neck, but she left the hospital in stable condition.

Celia Trello, 69, was eating pork rinds in February and began to have a scratchy throat after swallowing one of them. She later vomited blood

Trello went to the emergency room at Almenara Hospital in Peru, and that's where doctors discovered that she had a nail piercing one of her carotid arteries

According to the Peruvian State website, the 68-year-old woman's case was the first to be reported and successfully treated in Peru.

Trello was eating dinner with one of her daughters when she first noticed something scratch her throat.

Trello's pain got worse as time went on, and she noticed that her neck had become swollen.

She finally decided to go to the emergency room more than a month after the unintentional nail swallowing.

'I felt ill, and I came here because I thought I had a bone in my throat, it never crossed my mind I had this nail or a piece of wire,' she told ABS-CBN News.

The hospital ran X-rays and found that a nail had been lodged in her throat the entire time.

According to the Peruvian State website , the 68-year-old woman's case was the first to be reported and successfully treated in Peru

Surgeon Juan Diego Cuipal Alcade confirmed to ABS-CBN News that Tello 'accidentally ate a piece of pork grind with this metallic object.'

'The nail was piercing the artery by carrying out a careful dissection due to the risk of detaching a clot that could reach the brain,' he added.

The carotid is one of the four major arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain.

The carotid arteries are described by the Cleveland Clinic are 'a vital part' of one's circulatory system.

Thankfully, Alcade, along with a team of doctors in the cardiac and peripheral vascular surgery service, managed to repair the artery.

'We were able to isolate the affected artery and we repaired it by sectioning it and we joined a healthy artery with another healthy artery,' he stated.

Surgeon Juan Diego Cuipal Alcade confirmed to ABS-CBN News that Tello 'accidentally ate a piece of pork grind with this metallic object.'

Alcade and a team of doctors in the cardiac and peripheral vascular surgery service, managed to repair the artery successfully

Trello spent seven days in the hospital following her surgery.

According to Alcade, she was able to eat food the day after the surgery with any 'neurological repercussions of complications in recovery.'

The Peruvian woman recuperated as doctor's expected and she even celebrated her birthday in the hospital.

An incident like Trello's may sound uncommon, but it is one of many issues that have occured with food products worldwide.

In 2022, stainless steel was found in peanut butter, and bone fragments were found in Hillshire Farms' smoked sausage in 2023.

Trader Joe's was also under fire last year after they were forced to do a massive recall on their cookies and broccoli cheddar soup.

There have been no reported injuries or deaths following these discoveries.
A former rookie NYPD officer has been acquitted of murder in the 2020 shooting death of his childhood friend during a heated argument.

Errick Allen, 30, was set free on Thursday after a jury only found him guilty of menacing during the shooting of his friend Christopher Curro, 25.

Allen was off-duty when he opened fire on Curro in Long Island, and prosecutors argued that he killed his elementary school friend 'execution style' by shooting him five times in the head, neck and arm.

However, his defense successfully countered that Curro had provoked Allen and tried to grab his NYPD-issued gun during a confrontation, branding the shooting a 'classic case of self-defense.'

Former rookie NYPD officer Errick Allen was acquitted of murder on Thursday over the 2020 shooting death of his childhood friend

Christopher Curro was 25-years-old when he was shot to death, which was said to have been triggered by a heated argument with Allen

Allen had faced 25 years behind bars as he stood trial for over five weeks, before the jury acquitted him Thursday of both manslaughter and murder charges.

Because the shooting involved a police officer, it was prosecuted by New York Attorney General Letitia James' office, which produced evidence that the two men had been texting each other in a furious argument before the shooting.

The two men had grown up on the same block in North Massapequa, Long Island, and had been friends since they attended Albany Avenue Elementary School as kids.

At trial, the jury heard that Curro's parents were frustrated over his use of marijuana while not attending school or working long hours in his job as a pizza deliveryman, and kicked him out of their home in November 2019, Newsday reported.

This led him to want to cut ties with his family, however the family stayed in contact with Allen regularly as they were concerned about Curro's mental health, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic began.

However, the friends got into a heated argument over this dynamic as Curro became upset that Allen had been sharing his text messages with his family, according to testimony at trial.

Text messages shown at trial showed the two friends had furiously insulted each other, leading them to arrange to meet on Langdon Road.

According to prosecutors, Allen then shot Curro execution-style twice in the head, twice in the neck and once in the arm, which Allen's attorney claimed was triggered by Curro trying to steal the cop's NYPD-issued Glock firearm.

Allen being walked to court by authorities after his May 2020 arrest

At trial, it was heard that Curro (pictured) had argued with Allen after his parents kicked him out over his excessive marijuana habit, and was upset that Allen stayed in contact with them

Curro's family said they were angry and 'very surprised' by the verdict, and fumed that 'it is very unfair what (the jury) did'

Allen had been locked up since his indictment in August 2021, and because the menacing conviction only carries a maximum sentence of one year, he was released Thursday on time served.

Allen had served just seven months in the NYPD when the shooting unfolded. He was initially arrested in May 2020, and was out on bail before being indicted by a grand jury in August 2021 on charges of murder, manslaughter and menacing.

Although he had initially been out on bail, he was hit with restrictions on his movement and living situation after a 'mental breakdown' and suicide attempt in November 2020.

Following the verdict, Curro's family were seen holding their heads in their hands as they were shocked by the former cop's acquittal.

Curro's mother said she was angry and 'very surprised' by the verdict, and stressed that her son was unarmed when he was shot dead.

'Chris had no weapons,' she told Newsday. 'My son only used his words, he didn't use his weapons and he didn't use his hands.

'This is very unfair what they (the jury) did,' she said.

Curro's niece Rosa Maiorino fumed that 'the system failed us, saying that 'Errick gets to go home and have Easter,' before Curro's mother interjected: 'And my son is dead.'

As Allen was released from custody, his stepfather Kyle Savas said: 'This has rocked my family and I also understand that a life was lost here. I hope everyone can begin healing. I hope the Curro family can find peace.'
The Pennsylvania Democrat has previously said he 'is not a progressive'

Two of them are going to more progressive employment opportunities

Top staffers for Democrat John Fetterman are leaving his office for more progressive jobs as the Pennsylvania senator moves more to the center on key issues.

The everyman Democrat, who loves Carhartt hoodies and dawning a disheveled goatee, has staunchly supported Israel's war on Hamas and denounced calls for a ceasefire.

He's also expressed support for increased U.S. border security, another position that puts him at odds with his party.

The freshman Democrat was elected after securing support from some of the most liberal members of Congress in 2022.

The towering 6 foot 8 inch senator, previously supported Democrat Socialist Bernie Sanders', I-Vt., in his 2016 presidential run and was endorsed by progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

He used to call for health care reform and an increase in the minimum wage while on the campaign trail, but he's now distancing himself from the most liberal factions of his party.

And due to his shift to the center, three of his top communications staffers are fleeing his office for greener and more progressive pastures.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., staffer Joe Calvello (R), who has served on the Democrat's campaign and Senate staff, left the office earlier this month

The departure of his staff comes as Fetterman has doubled down on separating himself from the other progressive lawmakers on Capitol Hill

Joe Calvello, Fetterman's long-time communications director who helped him navigate a tumultuous Senate race working on the campaign, left to work with liberal Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson earlier this month.

'Mayor Johnson is a true progressive who is committed to fighting for the working people and families of the City of Chicago, and I am deeply honored to join his administration,' Calvello said in a statement earlier this month.

Nick Gavio, Fetterman's deputy communications director who started with his campaign, will leave the office at the end of the month to work for the Working Families Party, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Working Families Party boasts some of the most progressive lawmakers as members, including 'Squad' Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, D-Mo., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

Both Calvello and Gavio are veterans of Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign.

Emma Mustion, who served in Fetterman's office as a press and digital aide, also left the office to work for Sen. Bob Casey's re-election bid.

The recent departures come as Fetterman has been outspoken about not wanting to be identified as a progressive.

'I'm not a progressive,' the Pennsylvanian told NBC News in December. 'I just think I'm a Democrat that is very committed to choice and other things. But with Israel, I'm going to be on the right side of that.

'And immigration is something near and dear to me, and I think we do have to effectively address it as well.'

The Democrat has been an ardent supporter of Israel and has broken with his party by saying Israel should not entertain a ceasefire with Hamas

'It's a reasonable conversation  until somebody can say there's an explanation on what we can do when 270,000 people are being encountered on the border, not including the ones, of course, that we don't know about.'

'To put that in reference, that is essentially the size of Pittsburgh, the second-largest city in Pennsylvania.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Fetterman's office for a response to his staffer exodus.
A 'banga list' that rates female students' sexual performance and appearance has sparked fury after the PowerPoint document was circulated around a Dutch college.

The degrading list includes phrases such as 'nice and easy' and 'a bit fat', and the women studying at Utrecht University were also rated on a scale of one to five.

Several victims on the list are reportedly members of the Utrecht University Student Rowing Association Triton, in the Netherlands.

The club has confirmed: 'Let it be clear that Triton strongly disapproves of the list and puts assisting the victims first.

'Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences were contacted and a report was made to the police'.

Several female students at Utrecht University in the Netherlands have become victims of a 'banga list' that circulated around the college and rated their appearance and sexual performance

The association says on its site that it is in close contact with the police.

'Finally, we would like to urge everyone not to play a role in the distribution and sharing of this document.'

Parents of the students affected have reported the incident to lawyer Ina Brouwer, who has not revealed the number of concerned parents who have stepped forward.

Brouwer is already assisting victims of a previously published Utrecht 'banga list' that was spread around the campus via PowerPoint two weeks ago, reports De Telegraaf.

The list stemmed from the Utrecht Student Corps (USC) and within the document, female students were divided into two groups.

One that claimed the women to be attractive, and in which women were referred to as 'dragons'.

The PowerPoint also included photos, telephone numbers, and home addresses of the female students alongside comments on their appearance.

Texts including 'pffffff very fat', 'has quite a nice ass', 'needs to wear makeup' and 'as far as we are concerned, the hottest of the year 23', were spotted besides the pictures of the women.

Comments on the women's sexual performance were also seen, with repulsive descriptions such as 'nice and h****'.

The USC has stated on its website that it is not responsible for the latest list, and claimed it was forwarded an email with an attachment 'in which several women can be found with contact details, supplemented with objectionable texts'.

It also stated it would be filing a report.

'The email is addressed to several email addresses of people outside the USC, probably with the aim of distributing it to a large audience as quickly as possible.

'This email has been written in a way that makes it appear that it comes from a group of USC members.

'We have no reason to assume that this comes from USC and there are concrete indications that the source lies outside our association.'

As a result of the previous 'banga list' the USC is no longer eligible to carry out ceremonial activities within the university.

It was also reportedly no longer receive funding from Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and Utrecht University.

The Public Prosecution Service has started an investigation into the makers of the derogatory 'banga list'.

An expert warned the Dutch newspaper of the dangers that surround these types of lists and the impacts they can have on women's self esteem.

'The thinking that misogynistic jokes should be allowed is very deep-rooted,' youth and young adults expert Marina van der Wal said.

'There may be certain influential sick minds who have a sense of superiority. They feel better than the rest and want to emphasize that status by making such inappropriate jokes.

'In doing so, they actually place themselves above women,' she added.

The National Student Union last September called for a clearer reporting and complaints procedure to be put in place regarding 'banga lists'.

'Every member must know where they can go if something happens,' they said.
One of the largest cranes in the eastern US arrived in Baltimore today for the multimillion dollar clean-up of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse as the first footage emerged from on board the vessel which caused the disaster.

The Chesapeake 1000 is crucial to the meticulous task of lifting the enormous pieces of debris from around the Dali cargo ship so it can be moved before the waterway is reopened.

Footage from on board the ship, released by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Bureau, reveals the extend of the damage wrought to the enormous vessel.

A large section of the collapsed bridge tore into the ship's bow, leaving a hazardous mess of twisted and jagged metal. Several of the containers were destroyed and other debris, including concrete and barrels, is strewn across parts of the deck.

The recovery and clear-up work is taking place while four workers who were on the bridge during the collapse remain missing.

Footage from on board the ship, released on Thursday night by investigators from the National Transportation Safety Bureau, reveals the extend of the damage wrought to Dali after it caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore

A large section of the collapsed bridge tore into the ship's bow, leaving a hazardous area of twisted and jagged metal

Investigators boarded the ship as part of the probe into what caused the disaster

A destroyed section of the bridge's roadway is seen in images taken from the Dali

Officials estimate the clean-up alone will cost tens of millions of dollars

Officials estimate the clean-up alone will cost tens of millions of dollars. The cost of rebuilding the bridge could be more than $1 billion, according to estimates.

The work is taking place while Dali's crew remains on board the vessel. They could be forced to remain there for several weeks while enough debris is removed to safely bring the vessel back into berth.

The crane that can lift 1,000 tons  the largest that was available on the Eastern Seaboard  which is currently docked near the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and a second that can lift 400 tons should arrive Saturday, officials said earlier.

They will be used to clear the channel of the twisted metal and concrete remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, as well as the cargo ship.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore said at a press conference on Friday afternoon: 'The crane is massive, but so is the challenge ahead of us.'

Moore said although the crane could lift around 1,000 tons, the part of the bridge that is sitting on top of the stricken vessel is between 3,000 to 4,000 tons, meaning it will have to be cut into sections before it can be safely removed.

Three other heavy-lift cranes, supplied by the US Navy, will also assist with this task, Moore said.

'In the coming weeks We expect to have the following entities inside of the water: seven floating cranes, 10 tugs, nine barges, eight salvage vessels and five Coast Guard boats,' he added.

The Governor said it was too early to put a timeline on recovery, but said the recovery team was likely in for a long haul.

'I can tell you it is not going to be days or weeks or months,' Moore said. 'This is going to take time.'

Divers had already recovered the bodies of two men from a pickup truck in the Patapsco River, but the nature and placement of the debris has complicated efforts to find the four workers still missing and presumed dead.

Investigators assess the damage caused to Dali as part of efforts to clean up the scene and remove the ship

The largest crane in the eastern US arrived in Baltimore today for the multimillion dollar clean-up of the Francis Key Bridge collapse as the first footage emerged from on board the vessel which caused the disaster

'The divers can put their hands on that faceplate, and they can't even see their hands,' said Donald Gibbons, an instructor with Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers.

'So we say zero visibility. It's very similar to locking yourself in a dark closet on a dark night and really not being able to see anything.'

Divers must cut up debris to remove it, Gibbons said, likening it to playing pick-up sticks, since items at the bottom can't move without disturbing the whole pile.

'So we use underwater burning and underwater cutting solutions to help make those pieces smaller so that when we do cut them away, we're not affecting the entire pile,' said Gibbons, who is not involved in the Baltimore effort.

Baltimoreans made morning stops at vantage points to watch for the cranes. Ronald Hawkins, who is 71 and could see the bridge from his home, recalled watching its construction in 1972. It opened in 1977.

Now, with sadness, he stopped by an overlook, seeking closure.

'I'm going to come up here every day, because I want to see the bridge coming up out of the water,' Hawkins said. 'It's a hurtin' thing.'

'The best minds in the world' are working on the removal plans, Gov. Wes Moore said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Baltimore district told the governor that it and the Navy were quickly mobilizing resources from around the country.

Cranes work on clearing debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 29, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge collapsed on Tuesday at 1:30AM, after being struck by the massive cargo ship Dali

A large section of the collapsed bridge tore into the ship's bow, leaving a hazardous area of twisted and jagged metal

Cranes began arriving March 28 at the scene of the catastrophic bridge collapse

Dali is stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore

A view of the Dali cargo vessel, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, in Baltimore

'This is not just about Maryland,' said Moore, a Democrat. 'This is about the nation's economy. The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in America.'

He thanked President Joe Biden's administration for approving $60 million in immediate aid. Biden has said the federal government will pay the full cost of rebuilding the bridge.

Ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore remains suspended, but the Maryland Port Administration said in a statement Friday that trucks were still being processed at marine terminals.

'There is a lot of speculation as to when the channel will be reopened,' the agency said. 'The fact of the matter is we do not know.'

Federal and state officials have said the collision and collapse early Tuesday appeared to be an accident that came after the ship lost power. Investigators are still trying to determine why.

The victims, who were part of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge, were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, officials said. At least eight people initially went into the water when the ship struck the bridge column, and two of them were rescued, 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 were unable to alert the construction crew.

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 cargo ship Dali, which is managed by Synergy Marine Group, had been headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka. It is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk.

Of the road repair crew who were working on the bridge when the ship hit it at 1:30 AM Tuesday, two survivors were pulled from the Patapsco River immediately after the collision, while two bodies were pulled from the water on Wednesday, and four people remain missing and are presumed dead

The accident has temporarily closed the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest and busiest on the East Coast of the U.S

Crushed shipping containers are seen on the bow of the Dali after it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge

The loss of a road that carried 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.

Scott Cowan, president of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333, said the union was scrambling to help its roughly 2,400 members whose jobs are at risk of drying up.

'If there's no ships, there's no work,' he said. 'We're doing everything we can.'

The huge vessel was carrying nearly 4,700 shipping containers, 56 of them with hazardous materials inside. Fourteen were destroyed, officials said. Industrial hygienists who evaluated the contents identified them as perfumes and soaps, the Key Bridge Joint Information Center said, and there was 'no immediate threat to the environment.'

Containers are hanging dangerously off the side of the ship, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said. 'We're trying to keep our first responders  as safe as possible.'
At 6.30am on October 7 last year, Avichai Brodutch and his wife Hagar were woken by the sound of wailing sirens as thousands of rockets rained down on their small farming community less than two miles from the border with the Gaza Strip.

Such attacks had become part of life on a kibbutz so near enemy territory and the couple immediately followed a well-established routine.

Hagar quickly woke their three children and led them all to a small safe room, while her husband rushed outside to watch the deadly firework display in the sky above them.

But this time something was different.

Suddenly Hagar heard her husband screaming: 'The terrorists are coming, the terrorists are coming!' Scores of paragliders soared over the border wall that divided Gaza and Israel and headed towards the kibbutz of Kfar Azar, with its population of just under 800.

Avichai Brodutch with his wife Hagar and three children Ofri, ten, Yuval, nine, and Oriya, four

Hagar still bears the mental scars of her time in captivity and her youngest son Oriya doesn't leave her side

Avichai, a 42-year-old trainee nurse who doubled as a security guard for the community, immediately grabbed his uniform (his gun was kept in the kibbutz's armoury) and headed for the front door. As he did so, he heard a faint knock.

His heart pumping, he peered through the peephole. At first he couldn't see anyone but, when he looked down, he was confronted by a sight he will never forget: his neighbors' three-year-old daughter shaking with fear and drenched in blood.

He opened the door to let her in and Hagar rushed the little girl to the safe room where her own children were already hiding.

In the minutes that followed, she pieced together the horrifying ordeal that Avigail Idan had gone through before heading for the home of her father's best friend.

'It wasn't her blood, it was her parents' blood,' Hagar explains in her first sit-down interview. 'She saw how terrorists, dressed in military uniforms, killed her mother.

'Her father picked her up and tried to run away with her brothers. But they killed him too. She was in his arms when they killed him and he fell on top of her. They let her go and she ran to our house.'

By now her husband had left home to coordinate the kibbutz's resistance to Hamas's invasion, and Hagar and her three young children - Ofri, ten, Yuval, nine, and Oriya, four  as well as Avigail, cowered in the safe room in the dark, hidden under blankets.

For four hours they hid silently there until Hagar heard the sound of the front door being smashed in.

The 40-year-old community manager quickly texted her husband, 'They're coming', and stationed herself by the door, determined to use all her strength to keep it shut.

But she was no match for the attackers and, as 14 armed men barged into the room, shouting in Arabic, she desperately screamed: 'It's only kids! It's only kids! Please don't do anything!'

That was the moment Hagar and the children became five of the 253 hostages taken by Hamas during its lethal invasion.

On that day, around 3,000 Gazan terrorists embarked on a blood-crazed killing spree that took in multiple kibbutzim in the south of Israel and a music festival in the town of Re'im.

In November, 112 hostages were released in a ceasefire exchange deal, including Hagar and the four children in her care. At the time of writing, 134 hostages remain in captivity.

Meanwhile, the final death toll totalled 1,200, 62 of them killed in Kfar Azar alone.

My interview with Hagar takes place in the foyer of a shabby hotel in Shefayim, a coastal town 60 miles north of her kibbutz, where she is staying with other refugees from Kfar Azar whose homes were destroyed on October 7.

Nineteen members of the community were taken hostage that day and, while 11 have subsequently been released, five remain in captivity and the names and pictures of these hostages have been hung from the ceiling in the lobby. Whenever a hostage is released, their picture is taken down.

Avichai embraces his three children following their release from Hamas captivity

Following the ordeal, Hagar's youngest son Oriya doesn't want to be separated from his mother and nothing - not even games, food or water - are able to distract or cheer him up

It is clear that Hagar still bears the mental scars of her time in captivity and her youngest son Oriya, now four, clings to her throughout. Nothing, not games or videos or food and water, is enough to distract him or cheer him up.

As we go back to the events of that terrible day, Hagar becomes visibly upset. Among the terrorists' first victims were Avigail's parents Roi Idan, a 43-year-old photographer, and his wife Smadar Mor Idan, 38, murdered a few doors away from Hagar and her children.

Fortunately for Hagar, the terrorists who broke into that safe room decided she and her charges were more valuable alive than dead.

They demanded that she put shoes on the children and get into a car with three heavily armed terrorists.

As Hagar was driven from her home she was horrified to discover that Hamas had transformed her 'little paradise' into an apocalyptic hellscape shrouded in smoke.

'As we left Kfar Azar I saw lots of houses burning,' she says. 'Dead bodies were piled in the fields and scattered on the ground.

'One of the terrorists told me: 'This is not Kfar Azar anymore. It is Kfar Moot' - which translates as 'the village of death'. And seeing this destruction, I believed him.'

When they arrived in Gaza, thousands of Palestinians were lining the streets, cheering and dancing, and all were desperate to get a glimpse of the hostages.

'The terrorists opened the car doors and pulled my hair [to show me off] to the thousands of people in the streets,' says Hagar. 'Then they grabbed my daughter by her shirt and showed her off to the crowd. They were boasting that they had stolen a little Israeli girl. All the people were cheering.'

The Brodutches, along with Avigail Idan, were then driven to a small house belonging to a Palestinian family, where they were locked in a dark 12 square metre room with another Israeli hostage.

Their captors  including a woman and children  fed them sparingly and forced them to sleep on dirty mattresses that lined the floor.

'We had nothing to do,' she says. 'There was no running water. No electricity. They gave us two notebooks and a few pencils. But we weren't allowed a sharpener.

'The terrorists told us 1,000 people were kidnapped and thousands and thousands were murdered on October 7.

Life in captivity was made all the more anguished for Hagar by the fact she was certain that her husband had been killed defending the Kibbutz against an estimated 70 gunmen.

'I thought that nobody cared about me. And that Avichai  my husband  was dead,' she says. 'I thought that Israel had forgotten about us.

'We were in Gaza for 51 days. A woman and four kids. On the first day, I believed that Israel would do whatever it takes to come and rescue us straightaway. I never thought they would bomb Gaza with the hostages still inside.

'We weren't allowed to cry or scream or make any noise. We had to whisper all the time. It was a nightmare trying to keep them quiet.'

I thought that nobody cared about me. And that Avichai  my husband  was dead. I thought that Israel had forgotten about us, Hagar says

The deadly October 7 Hamas attack left homes completely destroyed in the Kibbutz of Kfar Aza

Outside, the Brodutch family could hear the sounds of relentless Israeli Defence Force (IDF) airstrikes pummelling buildings inside the Gaza Strip.

'I was terrified that our building would be destroyed and I would be separated from my children,' says Hagar. 'Or that I would be injured and unable to look after my children. It was constant torture.'

After 12 days, the family home where Hagar and the four children were being housed, was hit by an IDF rocket and partially collapsed. Luckily, they all survived  with a few minor injuries  but they were quickly moved.

Draping Hagar in a white sheet so she wouldn't be identified, her captors bundled her and the four children into an ambulance before turning on its siren and racing through the streets to their new makeshift prison.

This time the house was empty and Hagar and the children were locked inside a room that had clearly once belonged to a little girl.

It had walls painted pink, a child's bed, a cupboard full of small clothes and some toys and games. But conditions were much worse than they had been in the previous house.

'Every day we got less and less food. We were starving. The kids were starving. They were fighting with each other for crumbs and scraps on the floor. I would give them most of my food and eat a little bit just to survive.

'Even though there was a little girl's bed in the room, no one wanted to sleep on it. The kids wanted to sleep in a huddle next to me, on the floor all the time. They were terrified.'

Throughout her captivity Hagar tried to avoid speaking with her captors as much as possible.

'For a while there was one terrorist who spoke good enough English but I didn't want to talk to them because I was afraid I was going to say something that would get me in trouble and it wouldn't be good for me.

'I was really afraid I was going to say something wrong about Allah or about the fact they had kidnapped us or had murdered Avigail's parents.

'I was so angry. But I knew I needed to [keep quiet] to protect the kids.'

After 51 days in captivity, Hagar finally received news that she was set to be released. But instead of feeling relieved, she was terrified about the prospect of returning home.

'I knew that when I went back to Israel I would find out all the details of what happened on October 7. I didn't really know anything. And  worst of all  I thought I would have to tell my kids that they no longer had a father and that their home and their Kibbutz was gone.'

In the days leading up to their release, they were transferred to a new house, where they were held with another hostage.

'They wouldn't let us talk to each other,' says Hagar. 'Me and the other hostage. We tried to whisper to understand what was going on but every time they caught us they were very angry and they would scream at us.'

On the day Hagar was due to be released, she was paralysed by anxiety. The children kept trying to ask her questions but she couldn't respond.

'It was the most nervous I have ever felt. I was so anxious I couldn't speak. It felt like I couldn't breathe.'

At midday, she was told to put on a hijab and get into a car with the children. They were then driven to a rendezvous point where they met other Israeli hostages who were also due to be released.

'As we were arriving at a drop-off spot, my neighbour [from Kfar Azar] saw me from a few metres [away] and she just started screaming.

'We weren't allowed to scream anytime but she saw me and she screamed: 'Hagar, Avichai is waiting for you. I heard him on the radio.'

'I never cried in Gaza. I couldn't feel anything. I was empty the entire time. But when I saw my friend and neighbour and I heard Avichai was alive I erupted into tears.'

The memory of that moment reduces her to tears anew. Indeed, whenever she speaks about reuniting with Avichai, she starts to sob and I have to change the subject.

The hostages were divided into groups, put into cars and driven for hours until they eventually arrived at the location where they were due to meet Red Cross officials.

Thousands of people lined the route, eager to catch sight of the soon-to-be-released captives.

Hagar, the children, and all the other hostages were then made to walk to the Red Cross car parked 50 metres away.

'You think 50 metres is a short distance. It isn't,' she says. 'It is a really long distance when you have to walk 50 metres past a screaming, cheering crowd that is jumping at you and trying to grab you. It was completely terrifying.

'And the entire time we were driving through the streets of Gaza, people in the streets were shouting at us and jumping on the car.'

And so it was a traumatised group of hostages that eventually made it back to Israel.

'I was given a phone and told that Avichai  my husband  was waiting for my call. And I just couldn't do it. It had only been a few hours since I was told that he was alive. That he was waiting for me. And in that moment it was too much.

'We stayed in the base for one hour and I refused to change clothes. I told them that I wanted my family to see me as I was in Gaza. Then they took us in a helicopter to Schneider hospital and there I met Avichai and all my family.'

It soon became clear that the horrors they had witnessed and the suffering they had endured would linger for some time.

'The children look the same but they are not the same. Our four-year-old Oriya just can't be separated from me. He is with me all the time. Yuval, who is eight, has just started back at school for a few hours each day. Ofri  the big one  has nightmares. She is afraid of terrorists all the time. She is petrified by every little sound.

'It's not just that we were kidnapped and all the hell we've been through there. Also our community was destroyed and lots of my friends are dead.'

The way Hagar sees it, the government should make the release of all the remaining hostages its number one priority.

'All the remaining hostages should come back home right now,' she says. 'No matter what. They're in hell.

'The hostages are ordinary people taken from their beds. They should be back home right now. There are still two babies in Gaza  Kfir and Ariel Bibas  they should be home now.'

*The identities of the hostages who were with Hagar but remain in captivity have been concealed for their safety.
Late in the afternoon of February 11, 1967, a convoy of police vehicles left the quiet West Sussex town of Chichester, heading for the nearby seaside village of West Wittering. It carried 18 officers, led by a chief inspector in full dress uniform complete with ceremonial baton.

The size of the task force suggested a swoop on some terrorist group already guilty of multiple atrocities and likely to be planning more. Which was very much how the cops themselves saw it, for they were on their way to bust Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for drug possession at Richardss country cottage, Redlands.

So was launched the Swinging 60s most lurid scandal, soon to be the subject of a new film, which will join Oscar-winning director Sam Mendess four Beatles biopics, Trevor Beattys Midas Man (about the Fab Fours manager, Brian Epstein) and a slew of other films and TV dramas portraying pops superheroes back in the so-called decade that never dies.

Today, the three surviving Stones are national treasures almost on a par with royalty or Shakespeare. But as a five-piece band in the mid-60s they were a running story of rebellion and outrage with their shaggy hair (erroneously thought to be full of fleas), their lack of matching shiny suits like The Beatles and sarkiness or sullenness with the media.

Above all, frontman Jagger, with his girlish frame and oversized lips pouting soft-porn chart-toppers like Little Red Rooster, Satisfaction and Lets Spend The Night Together, seemed a prancing, sneering devil incarnate.

Rolling Stone Mick Jagger with girlfriend Marianne Faithfull in 1967, the year of the Mars bar drug bust

The raid sparked those infamous and unsavoury rumours about the celebrity couple and a Mars bar

Marianne Faithfulls name wasnt mentioned during the trial, but she was in court in support of Jagger every day

The Rolling Stones frontman with Ms Faithfull and friends at a nightclub in 1967

What was about to unfold was a concerted act of revenge against him and Richards by the police, the judiciary and  as I was the first to discover  both Britains and Americas security services.

In the 21st century, Press stories about pop stars are generally exercises in sycophancy. In the 60s, however, the stars were under constant attack for their indulgence in drugs and incitement of their fans to follow their lead.

Having recorded a song called Get Off Of My Cloud, Jagger appeared a pre-eminent example. Actually, the supposed wild man of rock n roll was innately cautious and nervous about drugs, preferring the high of mingling with High Society.

Nonetheless, when the News of the World mounted a sting operation against drug-soused pop idols Jagger was their primary target. This being long before the phone hacking and illegal surveillance which would lead to the Sunday papers closure, the only way of naming the guilty man, in its own sanctimonious phrase, was to confront Jagger in person.

Accordingly, two reporters visited a favourite pop star hangout, Blaises club in Kensington, spotted a familiar Rolling Stone in the semi-darkness and asked him point-blank if he took drugs.

Their quarry freely admitted that he did and even invited them to join him for a smoke (to share a joint.) Unfortunately, neither could tell one Rolling Stone from another and in mistake for Jagger, they had been quizzing the bands lead guitarist, Brian Jones.

The papers expose on Jagger the following Sunday was thus a gross libel for which there could be no possible defence. The only way it could avoid paying him massive damages was to establish that, its Blaises blunder notwithstanding, it had still fingered the right person.

Jaggers wisest move, knowing the News of The Worlds reputation for dirty tricks, would have been to lie very low until his libel action came to court.

Instead, with uncharacteristic naivety, he accepted an invitation for himself and his pop chanteuse girlfriend Marianne Faithfull to spend the next weekend with other friends at Richardss cottage  and there take his first LSD trip.

Besides Jagger and Richards, the party included one other double A-list musician  Beatle George Harrison with his wife, the fashion model Pattie Boyd.

Of Richardss other five house guests, two were Rolling Stones followers, the gifted young photographer Michael Cooper and a painter and flower child called Nicky Cramer.

Two more were somewhat older, upper-class types addicted to the thrill of hanging out with such social pariahs. Christopher Gibbs ran an exclusive antique shop in Chelsea while Robert Fraser was a high-end art dealer whose louche lifestyle had earned him the nickname Groovy Bob.

Last, and most important, was an American with dark curly hair and an aquiline profile whod insinuated himself into Richardss entourage only about a week previously. Known only as Acid King David, he was both to supply and dispense the LSD which was to be the weekends highlight.

Hed brought with him a lavish supply of a new variety called Sunshine which provided the mildest of trips, guaranteed to be without the drugs possible nightmarish after-effects.

This the Acid King took around to the others on the Sunday somewhat in the spirit of early morning tea, since all were still in bed.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards leaving for Chichester Magistrates' Court after the drugs raid on Richard's home

Jagger is escorted by police during the trial in Chichester, Sussex as The Press look on

Redlands House in West Wittering, Sussex - home of Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards

Both Jagger and Richards were found guilty and given custodial sentences, but were bailed the next day, pending an appeal which eventually cleared them

After a lazy day in the acids gentle afterglow, Harrison announced that he was bored so he and Pattie were driving back to their home in Esher, Surrey.

It would later be claimed that the police waited for him to leave rather than bust a nationally adored Beatle.

The others gathered in the high-raftered living room watching an old film on television at the same time as listening to Bob Dylan at maximum volume on the hi-fi while Frasers Moroccan valet, Ali, prepared a buffet supper.

Marianne Faithfull had just taken a bath and, with her clothes muddied after a country ramble, had wrapped herself in a fur rug shed found on one of the beds.

It was, Gibbs recalled, a scene of pure domesticity. Despite the fame, or infamy, of its owner, Redlands possessed no security measures in the form of CCTV or alarms and no one realised the police had arrived until they were pouring through every door.

Jagger and Richards leaving Redland in West Wittering, four months after the raid

Jaggers dismay can only be guessed at. Poor Mick, Faithfull reflected later. The first time he tries acid, half the coppers in Sussex come after him.

To the raiders, the sight of a gorgeous young woman, naked but for a fur rug, alone with seven men, one of them the most blatantly sexual being on the rock stage, spelt only O.R.G.Y. Afterwards a rumour would sweep the country that Jagger and Faithfull had been interrupted during a sex act involving a Mars bar with their friends as slavering voyeurs.

Just one of the officers, a sergeant, had had any training in drug recognition and their search of the cottage was bizarrely selective. They ignored the briefcase containing the residue of the LSD that Acid King David had left in plain sight in the sitting room, instead pouncing on a few shreds of cannabis in an ashtray and four tablets in a pocket of a green velvet jacket belonging to Jagger.

These were merely a travel sickness medication whose amphetamine content made them illegal in Britain although nowhere else in Europe. They had actually been bought by Faithfull, whod left them in Jaggers pocket without his knowledge. But with the unselfishness of which the egomaniacal star could sometimes be capable, he saw how damaging this could be to her image.

He decided his career could stand a drugs bust but mine couldnt, she recalled, so he said the tablets were his.

The police made an automatic distinction between the older, conservatively attired Gibbs and Fraser and the youthful swingers in their garish Carnaby Street threads. Anyone can see that youre a gentleman, one of them actually told Fraser, little suspecting he had 20 heroin pills in one pocket of his gentlemanly blazer. Indeed, Fraser almost persuaded him the pills were merely aspirin. Then he said, Well just keep one for analysis, Fraser would recall. And I knew Id had it.

The next Sundays News of the World carried an exclusive report that two nationally famous names had been caught with drugs while a third (Harrison) had left just beforehand.

All in all it completely vindicated that previously untenable story about Jaggers drug use, for which his libel action now wouldnt have a prayer.

Initially there was some hope that Jagger, Richards and Fraser could bribe their way out of trouble. A drug dealer friend of Richardss named Spanish Tony Sanchez claimed to have a contact inside the police who could arrange for the various samples collected in the raid to be lost before they could be analysed.

A bung of 7,000 (100,000 today) was paid via Spanish Tony, but failed to prevent the samples from reaching the police lab.

Despite the News of the Worlds claim to sole authorship of their misfortune, Jagger and Richards began to suspect someone inside Redlands had betrayed them.

Suspicion fell first on the Chelsea flower child Nicky Cramer, for no good reason other than his being not such a close friend as Fraser or Gibbs. So a thuggish associate of the Stones named David Litvinoff invited Cramer to his flat where, helped by the bands driver, Tom Keylock, and an actor-cum-gangster named John Bindon, he began scientifically beating him to a pulp.

When this failed to elicit a confession, Cramer was pronounced in the clear.

The other possible informer was Acid King David, whod joined Richardss entourage only a few days prior to the raid and whose highly visible briefcase full of LSD had mysteriously failed to attract the polices attention.

But the Acid King had hurriedly flown back to his native America that same night and now seemed to have completely vanished.

It soon emerged that the Redlands raid had been only the first phase of a concerted official effort to roll away the Stones.

On the same day Jagger and Richards made their preliminary appearance at Chichester magistrates court, Scotland Yards drugs squad raided Brian Joness Chelsea flat.

Their search quickly uncovered a bowling ball-sized lump of hashish and a glass phial containing traces of cocaine.

However, Joness trial, conviction and subsequent tragic physical and mental decline would be overshadowed by Jagger and Richardss appearance at Chichester Crown Court in July 1967, midway through that grievously-mistitled Summer Of Love.

Though the supposedly Neanderthal Stones were docile and co-operative throughout, Jagger at one point was paraded handcuffed to his co-accused, Fraser, like some Victorian felon awaiting the noose.

The jury consisted largely of local dignitaries who would have viewed rock n roll with disfavour if not disgust. The judges surname was Block, which as the trial proceeded increasingly seemed an accurate description of his head. Jagger pleaded not guilty to possessing illegal amphetamines, saying his doctor had prescribed them to help him stay awake during long hours in the recording studio.

But since this had been only on the telephone and after the raid, Judge Block ruled it not to be a valid prescription, so no defence to the charge. The jury retired and after only six minutes returned with a guilty verdict.

Richardss time in the dock brought the first detailed account of the swoop on Redlands and the girl in the fur rug who constituted its most compelling detail.

Marianne Faithfulls name wasnt mentioned but she was in court in support of Jagger every day, recognised as the rug-wearer by every journalist present and implicitly on trial for sexual voracity that had only ever existed in the minds of the police.

Richards delivered the best line when asked by prosecuting counsel if he saw nothing odd in a semi-nude young woman being alone with seven males. We are not old men, he replied. Were not worried about petty morals.

Richards having also been found guilty, Block sentenced the two Stones in tandem. For possession of the amphetamine-based travel sickness pills, Jagger received three months jail with a 200 fine and Richards a year plus a 500 fine for permitting cannabis use on his premises.

Prison terms for first-time offenders on counts that normally would have rated only probation drew a wail of anguish from the fans crowding the public gallery and shocked even the police ushers. Indeed, the pair were treated like hardened criminals, separated to minimise their troublemaking potential and consigned to two of Londons toughest prisons, Brixton for Jagger, Wormwood Scrubs for Richards.

The inference was that it would teach them respect for authority and get their hair cut.

Here at last sanity finally began to take hold, even in quarters not naturally well-disposed towards Rolling Stones.

No less an establishment figure than the editor of The Times, William Rees-Mogg (father of Tory politician Jacob) wrote a leader in the newspaper condemning Judge Blocks treatment of Jagger, headlined by a quotation from the great 18th century satirist Alexander Pope: Who Breaks A Butterfly On A Wheel?

The Stones were released from prison, Jaggers sentence reduced to a years conditional discharge and Richardss was quashed (though Fraser, having no campaign behind him, went inside for six months with hard labour).

Until the News of the Worlds closure in 2011, it remained hugely proud of its role in taking them down, however temporarily. But, as I discovered while researching my biography of Jagger, far more sinister forces were also at work.

In January 1967, a little-known U.S. actor named David Snyderman passing through Heathrow had been caught with a large quantity of LSD in his luggage.

The customs official who made the discovery had called in some intimidating men who said they belonged to Britains internal security service, MI5, and told Snyderman there was a way out of his predicament. This was to infiltrate the Rolling Stones inner circle, push his acid to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, then contrive to get them busted. In return, the charges against him would be dropped and hed be allowed to leave the country.

MI5 were merely intermediaries for Americas Federal Bureau of Investigation, specifically an offshoot known as Cointelpro (Counterintelligence Program) set up by the FBIs founder J. Edgar Hoover in the 1920s to combat subversive elements by means often outside the law.

In 1967, the term subversive had come to include rock stars  The Rolling Stones above all. For their joint ringleaders to have criminal convictions would guarantee they were denied visas for U.S. tours into the foreseeable future.

Although Snyderman had carried out his mission and afterwards maintained the lowest possible profile, as his Cointelpro handlers instructed, relocating to Los Angeles and changing his surname to Jove, the end result had been what he termed a lifetime of fear.

Even after Cointelpro was disbanded following a Senate investigation into its methods in 1971, hed expected that one day somebody would come after him to make certain he could never rat on it. Jove kept his secret until his death  from natural causes  in 2004.

Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull ceased to be a couple in 1970 but each retained a lingering curiosity about the true identity of Acid King David.

It wasnt until late in the 70s that a film agent named Maggie Abbott, who represented Jagger in Hollywood and was one of the few people in whom Jove had confided, finally enlightened him.

And to this day, the Mars bar story still circulates.
The lawyer for Lizzo's backup dancers called it 'shameful' that she was booked to perform at Thursday night's $25 million fundraiser in New York City for President Joe Biden.

Lizzo performed her hit 'About Damn Time' ahead of Biden's appearance with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, which was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

The pop star was sued in August by three backup dancers - Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez - for creating a hostile work environment, which included weight shaming and sexually denigrating behavior.

'It's shameful that Lizzo would be chosen to headline an event like this amid such egregious allegations,' their lawyer Ron Zambrano told NewsNation. 'Without getting into the politics, I can't imagine why anyone would want Lizzo representing them in any way given her reprehensible behavior. It's just a terrible look.'

The lawsuit was filed against Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, her production company, and her dance captain Shirlene Quigley.

Lizzo performed her hit 'About Damn Time' ahead of President Joe Biden's appearance with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at Radio City Music Hall Thursday night, which was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters

President Joe Biden (center) points his fingers at the audience alongside former President Barack Obama (left) and former President Bill Clinton (right). The lawyer for Lizzo 's backup dancers called it 'shameful' that she was booked to be the presidents' opening act

The salacious allegations from the dancers included that they were coerced into touching nude performers during an Amsterdam strip club visit in late February of 2023.

The pop star 'began inviting cast members to take turns touching the nude performers, catching dildos launched from the performers' vaginas, and eating bananas protruding from the performers' vaginas,' the suit said.

'Lizzo then turned her attention to Ms. Davis and began pressuring Ms. Davis to touch the breasts of one of the nude women,' it continued.

Davis also alleges she was ridiculed for being a virgin, with Quigley discussing the subject in interviews and on social media.

'These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing. My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,' Lizzo said in a statement on Instagram several days later.

'These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,' the pop star added.

Prior to filing the suit, Davis and Williams were fired, while Rodriguez quit.

Last month a judge ruled that the dancers' lawsuit could move forward, though tossed out a few charges, including the accusation that Lizzo fat-shamed one of her dancers.

Zambrano accused Lizzo of using the 'same playbook' as P. Diddy, who has been accused of a number of crimes including sexual misconduct, including rape and assault.

'History is keeping receipts and years from now, people will be ashamed that they worked with her,' the lawyer said of Lizzo. 'Lizzo's reckoning is coming. This is just the beginning of the music industry's #MeToo moment with allegations against Lizzo, Diddy and others.'

'We aim to end this misogynistic behavior across the industry and look forward to hearing from not only additional potential Lizzo plaintiffs but anyone who feels they have been wronged by other artists,' Zambrano said.
Now that Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for stealing $8 billion of his own customers' money, his parents are once again coming under scrutiny for their level of involvement in the FTX scam.

Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried have not been charged with any crime relating to FTX, Alameda Research, or their son's criminal conduct.

A lack of criminal charges aside, Bankman-Fried's parents, who said they were 'heartbroken' over their son's sentence, benefitted by being related to the then-CEO of FTX.

Thanks to Bankman-Fried's kindness with FTX customer funds, his parents, both Stanford Law faculty members, received a $16.4 million luxury home located in the Bahamas as well as a $10 million cash gift.

Even more details of just how involved the crypto fraudster's parents were in the inner workings of FTX came out in a lawsuit filed by Alameda Research and the FTX debtors in September 2023.

Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried haven't been charged with any crime relating to FTX, Alameda Research, or their son's criminal conduct

Sam Bankman-Fried was jailed for fraud

DailyMail.com reached out to the Southern District of New York, the office that prosecuted Bankman-Fried, to ask if it plans to pursue charges against his parents. It declined to comment.

Days after Bankman-Fried was convicted of on all counts of fraud and conspiracy in November 2023, a variety of legal experts told the Washington Post that prosecutors have 'wide latitude' when it comes to who they decide to charge.

'The closer a person is to the main defendant, the more likely that a judge or jury would find there was a meeting of the minds on intent,' a former federal prosecutor told the Washington Post.

Bankman was employed as a manager and as a tax law expert at Alameda, FTX Trading, and FTX US, according to an amended complaint filed on March 15.

As an employee of FTX US, Bankman was given a yearly salary of $200,000 with the 'possibility of a discretionary bonus,' according to the complaint.

That apparently wasn't enough for him, according to the suit, which claims Bankman said in January 2022 he thought he was supposed to be getting $1 million a year.

'Gee, Sam I dont know what to say here. This is the first [I] have heard of the 200K a year salary! Putting Barbara on this,' Bankman allegedly emailed his son.

Many other benefits were bestowed to Bankman, according to the suit. He flew on private jets, expensed $1,200 per night hotel stays to the FTX group and even won a cameo in the FTX Super Bowl 2022 commercial starring 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' creator Larry David.

Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried are seen on the balcony of this son's penthouse apartment at the Orchid in the Bahamas

Joseph Bankman seen talking on the phone on the same Orchid penthouse balcony

Bankman-Fried's parents owned a $16.4 million home in the Bahamas located in Old Fort Bay, a private gated community

The suit also claims that Bankman 'had broad authority to make decisions for each entity and the FTX Group at large, and advised the FTX Group and associated entities with regard to both business and legal affairs.'

Bankman allegedly wielded his 'broad authority' at his son's menagerie of companies to direct more than $5.5 million in FTX Group donations to Stanford University.

When the lawsuit became public in September, Stanford acknowledged that it had received gifts from the FTX Foundation and FTX-related companies 'largely for pandemic-related prevention and research,' crypto news outlet Blockworks reported at the time.

'We have been in discussions with attorneys for the FTX debtors to recover these gifts and we will be returning the funds in their entirety,' Stanford told Blockworks.

The plaintiffs also alleged that Bankman-Fried's mother Barbara was also intimately involved in FTX, calling herself her son's 'partner in crime of the noncriminal sort,' the suit said.

Sam Bankman-Fried's parents, law professors Barbara Frieds and Joseph Bankman, said they had been trying to return the property to FTX since before the company entered bankruptcy

While she didn't appear to have an official title at any of her son's companies, the respondents described her as 'the single most influential advisor regarding Bankman-Frieds and the FTX Groups political contributions.'

To that end, the suit argued she repeatedly called on then-FTX head of engineering Nishad Singh to donate millions of dollars to Mind the Gap, a pro-Democrat political action committee she co-founded.

If this is true, Singh must have eventually relented because he did in fact personally donate $1 million to Mind the Gap in April 2021, according to OpenSecrets.

Bankman-Fried's parents tried to dismiss the lawsuit in January 2024, their lawyers arguing that Bankman 'never served as a director, officer, or manager, de facto or otherwise.'

Their legal team also claimed the plaintiffs failed to plausibly establish that either parent had a fiduciary duty to FTX or Alameda.
Labour chair Anneliese Dodds today dismissed Angela Rayner's housing row as 'petty politicking' and said she was 'really proud' of the party's deputy leader.

She offered her full support to Ms Rayner despite the intense pressure on Labour over the deputy leader's controversial property dealings.

Ms Dodds defended Ms Rayner for refusing to publish the tax advice she received on the sale of her ex-council house.

She also attacked on the Tories for being 'fixated on the personal finances of one individual', rather than on the cost-of-living crisis 'hammering' Britons.

In a weeks-long row, Ms Rayner is facing demands to further explain her past living arrangements amid claims she may have escaped paying some tax.

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.

In a further development last night, Stockport Council said it was reviewing whether Ms Rayner claimed single person's council tax discount on her property, while letting her brother live there.

Ms Rayner has repeatedly said she had done 'absolutely nothing wrong', but insisted she would not publish 'personal' tax and legal advice.

Labour chair Anneliese Dodds today dismissed Angela Rayner's housing row as 'petty politicking' and said she was 'really proud' of the party's deputy leader (pictured)

Ms Dodds offered her full support to Ms Rayner despite the intense pressure on Labour over the deputy leader's controversial property dealings.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Ms Dodds defended Ms Rayner's refusal to publish that advice.

'I've got complete confidence in Angela Rayner, I'm really proud that she's our deputy leader,' she said.

'That kind of confidential advice that's provided to an individual would not normally be made public.

'You haven't found, for example, Conservative politicians making that public.

'I have to say, for many members of the public when they're looking at this - and the Conservative Party apparently fixated on the personal finances of one individual - many people watching this will be saying "well, hang on a minute, what about my family finances".

'"What about the cost-of-living crisis that is hammering my family, what about the money I don't have in my back pocket".

'Why don't we have a Conservative Party in Government that is focused on family finances rather than what seems to be petty politicking about one individual politician's finances?'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer this week backed his deputy over claims Ms Rayner 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.

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.

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

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

Ms Rayner 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

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.

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.
Contractors for Union Pacific work at a test site in Fifth Ward near the Union Pacific rail yard in 2023. Some vapor samples taken near the Union Pacific rail yard in Fifth Ward include cancer-linked toxins like benzene at levels that require more safety testing. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified potentially dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in several new vapor samples taken near a Union Pacific rail yard in Fifth Ward, where residents have for years worried that the creosote process once used to treat rail ties at the site had contaminated their properties and made them sick.

Residents still living on top of an underground plume of creosote-contaminated water blame it for the area's elevated cancer rates, though the company said for years that they doubted the connection. In 2019, the zone was named a cancer cluster by Texas' Department of Health and Human Services.

The EPA's new test results reveal chemicals, including cancer-causing benzene, at concentrations above its screening levels in 17 of 51 samples taken from sanitary sewers, storm sewers, monitoring wells and soil gas probes in the area.

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EPA screening levels are used to determine the need for additional assessment, not to confirm if a site is unhealthy.

The 51 samples were among 117 collected by contractors working on new EPA and Union Pacific-led testing begun in November to assess the contamination's impact on residents. EPA representatives said they do not know when the lab would finalize results of the remaining 66 samples.

Sandra Edwards, a longtime resident of Fifth Ward who lives on top of the creosote plume and has fought off cancer, said the initial results felt validating. When the new testing was starting, Edwards said she was relieved that action was being taken but worried it had been so long since the wood treatment operation run by Southern Pacific shut down in 1984 that testing would come up short.

"These people thought we was crazy," Edwards said. "This is the beginning to a good ending. There's something happening, now get down to the bottom of it."

EPA staff members are expected to host a community meeting in late April to answer questions and explain the available data.

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"EPA expects the vapor intrusion investigation to continue into the summer and will continue to publish results from the investigation as data are finalized," said Jennah Durant, a regional spokesperson for the agency.

The partial data does not yet indicate the chemicals present a current danger or that they will be cleaned up: the EPA uses risk-based screening levels at sites with legacy pollution "to determine if potentially significant levels of contamination are present to warrant further investigation," the agency said online. These screening levels are often more sensitive than health standards require, to make sure the agency knows where to take a deeper look.

Union Pacific said the initial vapor tests were just the beginning of the company's process with the EPA to conduct "extensive soil and air screening in the Fifth Ward neighborhood."

"Transparency and ongoing communication with the public remain paramount as we follow the EPA-approved testing plan," said Toni Harrison, a local Union Pacific spokesperson.

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Four of the 17 samples that contained toxic chemicals above federal screening levels included contaminants that the EPA considers creosote-related, including cancer-causing benzene and likely carcinogens napthalene and ethylbenzene. Other chemicals in the samples that are not typically linked to creosote contamination included chloroform, which can be used as an industrial solvent.
A woman who murdered her tetraplegic nine-year-old daughter was handed a life sentence in Greece today, found guilty of voluntary homicide with premeditation over the death of young Georgina.

Roula Pispirigou, 35, was found to have poisoned her daughter with ketamine in 2022 after months spent lying in a hospital bed after suffering seizures leading to her paralysis.

The court found that her mother had also tried to kill her on at least one of the previous stays at at Karamandaneio Hospital in her hometown of Patra.

The initial attempt failed, leaving her daughter paralysed, local media reported.

Pispirigou had posed for a final photo with Georgina, portraying herself as a loving parent and smiling at her young daughter before giving her the fatal dose of the anaesthetic in January 2022.

In detention for two years, Pispirigou is also awaiting judgement over the suspected murders of daughters Malena, three-and-a-half when she died in 2019, and Iris, aged just six months when she died in 2021.

Roula Pispirigou, now 35, of Greece, was pictured smiling at her disabled daughter in the last photo taken of the pair before 'giving her a fatal dose of Ketamine'

Police officers escort to court Roula Pispirigou (C), a 35-year-old woman prosecuted for having killed her three daughters in three years, in Athens on March 29, 2024

Pictured: Georgina, one of Roula Pispirigou's children who died from ketamine poisoning

Georgina had tragically suffered from seizures in 2021, leaving her tetraplegic and unable to move her limbs.

She had spent eight months in hospital before her death on January 29, 2022.

Nurses confirmed her mother had been left alone with her before her sudden passing.

Court documents, local outlets reported, said that the autopsy had revealed Georgina died from a lethal dose of ketamine less than 20 minutes after it was administered.

The documents reportedly claimed medical staff had last visited the nine-year-old around an hour before she died.

Pispirigou was arrested after being detained for questioning when a test of her daughter's muscle tissue revealed the presence of the anesthetic drug, which had not been administered by doctors.

On March 30, 2022, she was charged with killing her nine-year-old daughter.

The story caused national outrage and saw crowds of protestors turn out to express their feelings.

Shortly after her arrest riot police were deployed outside the court after a crowd gathered to yell abuse at her.

After she was charged, protestors also gathered outside the her home in the port city of Patras, 125 miles (200km) west of Athens, where police again intervened to maintain order.

Death threats made against Pispirigou had again prompted the government to issue calls for calm ahead of today's verdict.

Pispirigou is also suspected of killing two other daughters, Malena and Iris.

Malena was three-and-a-half when she died in 2019, and Iris was aged just six months when she died in 2021.

Malena had been declared as suffering from acute liver failure. The cause of death for Iris had initially been registered as heart failure.

However, tests following the death Georgina showed they had been asphyxiated.

Forensic Pathologist and President of the Forensics Union in Greece, Grigoris Leon, told local news station, Syndeseis, that the 2022 exhumation of her other children confirmed 'criminal acts were the cause of death'.

The 35-year-old has maintained her innocence throughout a lengthy trial in Greece

Three-year-old Malena (left) from liver failure in 2019 and six-month-old Iris (right) in 2021 from a suspected heart defect

Georgina (right) - who suffered from seizures in April 2021 that left her tetraplegic - died in January after spending eight months in hospital and nurses later confirmed that Pispirigou (left) was alone with her daughter in the moments leading up to her death

Greek media have dubbed Pispirigou, a trained nurse, a 'modern-day Medea' after a figure in Greek mythology who murders her sons after their father leaves her for another woman.

Pispirigou, who is from western Greece, steadfastly pleaded her innocence throughout the trial which began in January last year.

Pispirigou's mother, speaking to local outlet STAR after she was charged, said she did not believe her daughter capable of killing the three children.

She described a close mother-daughter relationship and said Pispirigou was extremely upset about Georgina's illness and death.

The court ultimately determined Pispirigou committed both the offenses of premeditated manslaughter and attempted premeditated manslaughter.
This is the terrifying moment a 38-year-old man attempted to kidnap an eight-year-old California boy in front of the child's parents during a family celebration.

The ordeal took place around 8pm on March 22 when the boy's parents were celebrating the opening of their new deli, Newport Quick Stop Liquor and Deli.

A strange man, now named as Christopher Aaron Higginbotham, tried to abduct their son while he was playing on the sidewalk.

The boy's father, Adrian Villanueva told local CBS8 News that his family was enjoying dinner on the patio when he saw a man enter his store three different times on the same night, who was acting erratically.

The third time, Villanueva said he 'grabbed my kid right here. He just grabbed him and pulled him down. And he said, 'this my son, this is my son,' he recalled.

The would-be kidnapper is seen grabbing Villaneuva's eight-year-old son

The man grabs him as he is about to dash to the street before boy's father intervenes

The boy's father, Adrian Villanueva said: 'I pushed him. I said, 'no, he is not your son,' and then I tried to get him out. And that's when he grabbed my kid, and he started running away through the street'

The shocked father said: 'I pushed him. I said, 'no, he is not your son,' and then I tried to get him out. And that's when he grabbed my kid, and he started running away through the street,' he recalled.

Security guards by some nearby businesses and community members saw what was happening and intervened. They were able to restrain the man until police arrived.

The man was identified as Higginbotham, 38. He was arrested for false imprisonment and battery, San Diego Police Department PIO Lt. Dan Meyer told DailyMail.com.

Meyer said Higginbotham was arrested at 9.30am on March 27 at 1950 Abbott Street in Ocean Beach by Western Beach Team officers.

He was booked for false imprisonment and battery, and said the case is still under active investigation.

It was later revealed that Higginbotham was a wanted fugitive, and had a history of felony convictions involving assault with a deadly weapon, according to a 2018 Crime Stoppers.

When Villaneuva discovered that it was the same man who tried to kidnap his son he decided to press charges.

'Today was my kid, tomorrow can be someone else kid. So that's why I'm pressing the charges,' said Villanueva.

The assailant was identified as Christopher Aaron Higginbotham, 38; San Diego Police told DailyMail.com he was arrested Wednesday for false imprisonment and battery

Bystanders are seen restraining the would-be kidnapper until police arrive

The boy's father recalled his fear during the attempted abduction: 'I didn't care if he had weapons or any of that I am just trying to rescue my son.'

He said, his boy was traumatized by the event: 'When I saw him with the watery eyes and sees his mom and starts crying it is terrible.'

Villanueva, a father of four, said he did not initially press charges, as he felt sorry for the man.

He told NBC San Diego that the man kept saying, 'I miss my family. I miss my family,' and assumed the man was coming from a family trauma, but after reviewing the video decided to file charges.

'I realized how serious an incident it was,' he said. 'I want to protect every single kid. There are bad people on the street, and I don't want that to happen to anyone else.'

The family also own a restaurant in the Ocean Beach area, and spend a lot of time there but, said his son told his father, he no longer wants to go to his parent's businesses.

'He told me "Pa I don't want to go back to Newport anymore. There are bad people on the streets. I don't want to go back over there. Please don't take me over there,"' Villanueva said.

His advice to other parents: 'Be aware and take care of the kids,' he said.

He added: 'I want the people that come to the store, they feel secure.'
A drunk-driving woman attempted to hide a bottle of wine between her legs after she crashed her car, as officers extinguished flames, broke through her sunroof, and pulled her from a flipped vehicle to save her life.

Alka Bharwaj, a Georgia resident, was trapped in her burning, overturned vehicle in the front yard of a residence in Johns Creek earlier this month.

The fiery crash was captured on bodycam footage released by the Johns Creek Police Department on Thursday.

Officers rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire before smashing the sunroof of the Range Rover to rescue Bharwaj from the wreckage.

A dramatic scene unfolded as police recovered an open bottle of alcohol wedged between her legs while Bharwaj lay on the ground, refusing to move.

Alka Bharwaj, a Georgia resident, was found attempting to hide a bottle of wine between her legs after officers extinguished flames, broke through her sunroof, and pulled her from a flipped vehicle

A dramatic scene unfolded as police recovered an open bottle of alcohol wedged between her legs while Bharwaj lay on the ground, refusing to move

It remains unclear how Bharwaj's car was flipped over and caught fire, but police body-worn cameras captured the inferno and thick, black smoke filling the air.

An officer can be seen running to the scene and using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames as he says, 'Your car is on fire.'

'Ma'am, I'm going to hit your sunroof, okay? I need you to stay as far away as you can. Can you go to the backseat?'

As the officer asked repeatedly, Bharwaj, who was trapped in her SUV, can be seen shaking her head and waving at the officers.

The officer then smashed the sunroof and cut through metal and glass to reach Bharwaj, saying, 'Are you away from the glass? Stay away from it please.'

During the rescue, the officer cut himself on broken glass, as his hands can be seen bleeding in the video.

He asked Bharwaj, 'Are you okay?' to which she replied, 'I don't know,' appearing confused about the situation.

'Your car is on fire. I need you to get out of your car if you can. Can you come out please? Are you able to come through' the officer asked.

'Is my door open?' Bharwaj asked.

It remains unclear how Bharwaj's car was flipped over and caught fire, but police body-worn cameras captured the inferno and thick, black smoke filling the air

An officer can be seen running to the scene and using a fire extinguisher to put out the flames as he says, 'Your car is on fire'

The officer then smashed the sunroof and cut through metal and glass to reach Bharwaj, saying, 'Are you away from the glass? Stay away from it please'

'Ma'am, you are on the side of your vehicle. You have to come through the roof,' the officer explained.

'We will take your hands and pull you out. Your car is exploding and we need to get you out of the vehicle,' another officer joined the efforts and said.

Bharwaj didn't seem to understand the instruction, as she repeated, 'Can we get the door open?'

'No, Ma'am. You are on the side of the vehicle. You are going through the roof ok?' one officer said.

It took officers a few minutes to finally extract Bharwaj from the car, as she lay on the ground, refusing to move.

'Come on, we need to get you away from the vehicle,' the officer said, then recovering a bottle of alcohol from between her legs.

'What it this? Oh dear,' he can be heard saying.

Bharwaj was later arrested and charged with DUI, reckless driving and open container, according to the police department.

Social media users, outraged by the woman's behavior, expressed their gratitude to the courageous officers after watching the video.

'Hope the officer heals quickly and we thank him for his sacrifice and dedication to our community,' a user who lives nearby wrote.

She said that three properties were damaged by the crash, which happened at a school bus drop off time in the neighborhood.

'This could have been a very tragic situation...I hope this woman understands what rock bottom is and I am grateful no one else was hurt,' she wrote.

Another user wrote: 'Thank you for your service and putting your own safety at risk despite the lack of concern by this driver.'
The Met Police has vowed to take 'swift and decisive action' as pro-Palestine protesters are set to return to London this Saturday to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

Expected among the thousands of protestors is outspoken Palestinian activist and Crown star Khalid Abdalla who is predicted to give a speech.

The actor, 42, who plays Princess Diana's late boyfriend Dodi Fayed in the Netflix show, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.

The announcement of yet another protest comes after earlier this month the Met revealed the repeated pro-Palestine demonstrations have cost the force 32.2 million so far due to the 35,464 officer shifts required.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said 'swift and decisive action' will follow any criminal activity at the march on Saturday which is planned to start in Russell Square around midday and ends at Trafalgar Square.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said 'swift and decisive action' will follow any criminal activity at the march on Saturday which is planned to start in Russell Square around midday and ends at Trafalgar Square. Pictured: A pro-Palestine protest on February 3

Expected among the thousands of protestors is outspoken Palestinian activist and Crown star Khalid Abdalla who is predicted to give a speech. Pictured at the The Crown finale celebration at The Royal Festival Hall on December 5

The actor, 42, who plays Princess Diana's late boyfriend Dodi Fayed in the Netflix show, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire as the Israel-Hamas war rages on

His statement comes after the Met has been undergoing heavy criticism for its 'light touch' policing of the dozens of pro-Palestine marches that have taken place since the Hamas terror attacks on October 7.

Outspoken Conservative MP Lee Anderson defected to Reform UK earlier this month over a row following his claim that Islamists had 'control' of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The previous Home Secretary Suella Braverman described the demonstrations as 'hate marches' after there were multiple instances of anti-Semitic banners and slogans.

She was sacked after she accused the Met of bias for letting a pro-Palestinian rally go ahead on Armistice Day.

Now the Met has published an extensive policing plan which it will put into place across London over the Easter bank holiday weekend to ensure religious, sporting and protest events can take place safely, whilst causing minimal disruption to local communities.

On Good Friday, officers were present at the Rolling Thunder military veterans' motorcyclist protest which went past Whitehall.

The group of HM Forces Veterans and civilian supporters, predominantly bikers, advocate against the prosecution of veterans in Northern Ireland.

Pro-Palestine protests have cost the Met Police 32.2 million so far as thousands more marchers are set to take to London streets this weekend. Pictured: Police officers during a Pro-Palestinian demonstration on January 6, 2024

Supporters of the Rolling Thunder group take part in a minute silence during a protest over the prosecution of Northern Ireland veterans, in Parliament Square on March 29, 2024

Retrospective cases against these veterans now worry many, prompting Rolling Thunder's support through marches and rides, aiming to highlight the injustice of soldiers facing interrogation and court appearances without a jury

One sign seen at the rally accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being the 'mastermind' behind 'all evils'

During a protest two men were pictured wearing alleged Hamas-style headbands on their balaclava and scarf-covered faces

Other events over the weekend include the historic Oxford versus Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames on Saturday, in addition to three Premier League games and the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign's (PSC) 'Stop the Genocide' rally.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is overseeing policing across London for the Easter weekend said: 'We expect this weekend in London to be extremely busy, with families and communities celebrating Easter and other religious festivals, as well as a mix of major sporting events and various protests taking place in the capital.

'We also know that many people  particularly those from Jewish and Muslim communities  remain concerned about hate crime and are worried about their safety and we recognise the cumulative impact of frequent protests.'

Pro-Palestine protesters have been taking to the streets of the capital, and other large cities across the UK, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since the October 7 attacks last year, where thousands of people have now been killed in the conflict.

During their rallies protesters have brandished banners and chanted 'from the river to the sea' - a song deemed anti-Semitic and a direct call for the state of Israel to be destroyed.

The Met's Easter plan comes after Britain's counter-terrorism tsar warned that London is becoming a 'no-go zone for Jews' during weekend pro-Palestinian marches.

Protesters take part in a sit in at Victoria station in November holding a sign with the controversial slogan: 'From the river to the sea'

The Socialist Worker's Party contingent joined a march on October 14

Suella Braverman was sacked after she accused the Met of bias for letting a pro-Palestinian rally go ahead on Armistice Day

Robin Simcox (pictured) slammed the Government for letting extremists go 'unchallenged for too long', allowing extremist groups to fester

Robin Simcox, the Home Office's independent advisor on extremism also accused the Government of letting extremists go 'unchallenged for too long'.

Writing in the Telegraph earlier this month, Mr Simcox said Britain has a 'permissive environment for radicalisation developing that needs urgently addressing'.

He added that the Government needed to take a 'leading role' in tackling all types of extremism.

The counter-extremism tsar said Downing Street now had a chance to take charge of the situation while championing 'respect for the rule of law, civility, and decency' - which he said had been in 'short supply' since October 7.

It is believed that Mr Simcox hopes there will be tougher restrictions on protests that could include forcing marches to be static demonstrations instead.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mr Valentine added: 'We have maintained a good dialogue with event holders, including protest organisers who are aware of our expectations in terms of how individuals and groups conduct themselves and how their stewards can help us.

'We continue to provide them with information about what kind of activity would constitute a criminal offence and have made it clear that we will take swift and decisive action where crimes occur.

'Local officers continue to meet with community representatives and we will have presence at places of worship right across London through the weekend and beyond.

'While we have an extensive plan in place to police the various major events, we also have plenty of officers who will be on duty to provide a local policing presence across all of our boroughs.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an address at Downing Street on March 1 about the rising levels of extremism in Britain

The words 'From the river to the sea' were beamed on to the Elizabeth Tower during a Commons debate in February in which MPs warned threats from 'Islamist extremists' were stifling democracy

One placard on display during a protest showed a snake in the colours of the Israeli flag, encircling the world, which allegedly is a direct link to Nazi Germany

Concerns over police resources were also raised by Home Secretary James Cleverly when he told pro-Palestine protesters to stop their Gaza rallies claiming they have 'made their point' and are putting a 'huge pressure' on the force

'This is possible, in part, because we are once again being supported by colleagues from other forces across the UK and I'd like to thank all of the officers and staff who will be working this weekend to keep London safe.'

The Met added it will continue to police without 'fear or favour, remain independent, impartial and uphold the law' so people can exercise their democratic right to protest.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously called for the Met Police to take tougher action against protesters.

Sunak promised to deal with the 'root causes' of the problem and ensure that 'no extremist organisations or individuals are being lent legitimacy by their actions and interactions with central government'.

Concerns over police resources were also raised by Home Secretary James Cleverly when he told pro-Palestine protesters to stop their Gaza rallies claiming they have 'made their point' and are putting a 'huge pressure' on the force.

He said: 'I think the organisers should recognise that they've made their point, they've made it loudly and they're not adding to it by repeating themselves.'

A home affairs committee said the Government should consider legal changes so demonstration organisers are required to give police more than the current six days' notice. It also calls on ministers to urgently set out a response to hate crime, amid soaring levels.
A woman has been charged with theft and driving offences after police found 48 boxes of stolen eggs in her car.

The incident happened at a Marks & Spencer at Gateway Retail Park in Banbury, Oxfordshire on Wednesday.

Police were called after the store manager quickly reported the theft and identified the suspect who tried to drive away.

Thames Valley Police pulled over a vehicle and discovered the egg boxes in the boot of the suspect's car.

Thames Valley Police posted a picture of the recovered eggs on social media

The incident happened at a Marks & Spencer at Gateway Retail Park in Banbury (pictured)

The stolen items were recovered and returned to Marks & Spencer as well as other stores the woman had taken them from.

She was charged with two counts of theft as well as driving offences.

The police tweeted: 'Not your average poaching in Banbury.

'It was no ordinary shoplifting that Banbury Neighbourhood team responded to yesterday but an 'egg-stra' special Marks & Spencer theft at Gateway Retail Park.

'Items recovered and female charged with theft and driving offences.'

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: 'Op Purchase is our response to business and retail crime where our main objective is to deter and convict offenders and provide visible reassurance to retail staff who quite rightly want to feel safe in the workplace.'

MailOnline contacted the force for more information.

Last year, a man was jailed after attempting to steal nearly 200,000 Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Joby Pool, 32, used a metal grinder to break into an industrial unit in Telford, Shropshire, on February 11, before driving off with assorted chocolate goods worth more than 31,000.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Pool, of Dewsbury Road, Tingley, near Leeds, was jailed by Judge Anthony Lowe for a year-and-a-half, with half of that to be spent in prison and the other half on licence.

The court heard Pool had used a tractor unit which had been stolen in the Yorkshire area in October to tow away the trailer from an industrial unit belonging to SW Group Logistics in Stafford Park, Telford.

The stolen chocolate was then driven onto the northbound M42, where Pool surrendered by walking towards police 'with his hands up' near junction 11, a court hearing previously heard.
Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel have broken their silence after news emerged that one of them is now married.

'The internet is extra LOUD today,' the twins, 34, said on their joint TikTok account on Thursday after the world learned that Abby had married nurse and army veteran Josh Bowling, 33, in 2021. They didn't share any images online until last year.

Abby and Brittany shared images of ancient sculptures depicting conjoined twins and added: 'We have always been around.'

The famous twins also posted another TikTok showing a photo with Josh and wrote: 'This is a message to all the haters out there.

'If you don't like what I do, but watch everything I'm doing, you're still a fan.'

Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel have broken their silence after news emerged that one of them is now married, which the called a message 'to the haters out there'

Abby and Brittany also shared images of ancient sculptures depicting conjoined twins and added: 'We have always been around'

Here is Abby (pictured left) as she stuns in a white floor-length gown on her wedding day

Abby and her sister Brittany, one of only a few sets of dicephalus twins in history to survive infancy, rose to fame on their eponymous TLC show which chronicled their major life events, including their high school graduation and job hunting.

On TikTok account @abbyandbrittanyhensel, a clip was recently posted showing off Abby's wedding day - and a Facebook account titled Britt And Abby also featured a picture of the happy couple.

The pair share a single body, and from the waist down, all their organs, including the intestine, bladder and reproductive organs, are shared

For the ceremony, which records revealed took place back in 2021, the twins sported a sleeveless wedding dress with lace trim detailing while the groom wore a grey suit.

A video thought to have been captured by one of their guests and shared on social media showed the twins and the groom enjoying a dance during the big day.

Another showed Josh's daughter sporting a floral bridesmaid's dress and walking down the aisle, holding a sign that read: 'Daddy... Here Comes Your Bride'.

It's likely the father-of-one, who works with hospice patients, and the twins live with one another, with Josh's Facebook page showing the family - including his young daughter - enjoying hikes in nature, ice cream and dressing up for Halloween.

The pair share a single body, and from the waist down, all their organs, including the intestine, bladder and reproductive organs, are shared.

In a documentary filmed when the girls were teenagers, their mother said they were keen to have children of their own one day, explaining: 'That is probably something that could work because those organs do work for them.'

In another interview, Brittany reiterated their desire to have families of their own, saying: 'The whole world doesn't need to know who we are seeing, what we are doing and when we are going to do it. But believe me, we are totally different people.'

Abby (pictured right) dancing with her groom at her wedding day, while wearing a stunning white lace dress

Abby and her sister Brittany (pictured in their childhood), one of only a few sets of dicephalus twins in history to survive infancy, rose to fame on their eponymous TLC show which chronicled their major life events, including their high school graduation and job hunting

Abby (pictured left) and Brittany appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996

They have always shut down speculation about their private life and a decade ago, they dismissed a rumor that Brittany was engaged as a 'dumb joke', but even as teenagers they spoke about wanting to have children.

'People have been curious about us since we were born, for obvious reasons,' the twins said in the first episode of their eight-part series, according to 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 a 2001 interview with Time, the twins' father Mike said his daughters had already then asked about finding husbands one day.

Knowing that other conjoined twins have married, he explained, why not? 'They're good-looking girls. They're witty. They've got everything going for them, except they're together,' he added.

The twins, who have their own birth certificates and passports, were raised Christian by their parents, a nurse and a carpenter.

Abby and Brittany are now both fifth grade math teachers at an elementary school in New Brighton, Minnesota, where they were born and raised.

There is only one of set of twins living in the world with the same condition - brothers Ayse and Sema Tanrkulu who were born in Turkey in 2000.
Hundreds remembered their loved ones and other victims of Coronavirus at an emotionally-charged gathering on the third anniversary since the creation of the National Covid Memorial Wall in London.

The mourners, stopping at times to hug one another, walked alongside the wall on the south bank of the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, pausing at each panel to lay flowers, read a poem and observe a minute's silence in honour of those represented by hearts and photographs.

Some carried pictures of loved ones they lost during the pandemic or wore T-shirts with their images on.

The mural, which is opposite the Houses of Parliament, is made up of more than 220,000 hand-drawn hearts individually painted by bereaved family members in 2021 and serves as a strong focal point for their grief.

As flowers were laid by the first panel, Fran Hall, one of the Covid Memorial Wall volunteers, said: 'We all know how much this means to everyone and today is a very special day, because it is three years ago that the very first heart was painted on this wall.'

Hundreds remembered loved ones at an emotionally-charged gathering on the third anniversary since the creation of the National Covid Memorial Wall in London

The mourners, stopping at times to hug one another, walked alongside the wall on the south bank of the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge

The mural, opposite the Houses of Parliament, comprises more than 220,000 hand-drawn hearts painted by family members in 2021 and serves as a strong focal point for their grief

She added that they were there to remember those who had died from the virus.

After the walk, 200 flowers were thrown into the River Thames at 3pm as a symbolic gesture to remember all those who had lost their lives.

Volunteer Lorelei King was left widowed after her husband Vincent Marzello, 72, contracted Covid early in the pandemic.

The 70-year-old said: 'It's very important that the wall remains where it is because of what it means to so many people.

'Today we have quotes along the wall, they just say what the wall means to people.

'I was talking to a woman who has no grave for her husband and so she comes here.'

For some mourners, the memorial wall is the only physical place they can visit to remember their loved ones, King previously explained.

She said: 'For the individuals on this wall, many families here have no grave, they weren't able to have a funeral.

'They have no marker for their loved one. And they say this is his or her memorial. This is their grave. And he or she is together with all these other people, and it gives them comfort.'

Family members paused at each panel to lay flowers, read a poem and observe a minute's silence in honour of those represented by hearts and photographs

Relatives carried photographs of their loved ones who died during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid Memorial Wall anniversary on Good Friday came just weeks after the first National Day of Reflection was marked on 3 March

Lynn Jones travelled from Stoke-on-Trent to volunteer at the wall after her husband Gareth died in March 2021.

The 71-year-old said she felt a connection with the other bereaved families when she saw her husband's name on the wall.

She said: 'I'm not on my own, all of these other people feel the same. There's nowhere else to go if you've had somebody die in these horrific circumstances.

'There's nowhere else you meet other people, that's the draw of the wall.'

The anniversary came just weeks after the first National Day of Reflection was marked on 3 March.

Hundreds walked the length of the Covid Memorial Wall in London during Friday's event

This date was chosen in line with a recommendation by the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration for a national remembrance on the first Sunday of March.

The total number of Covid deaths is kept updated by volunteers and displayed at the Westminster end of the wall.

On Good Friday, this number stood at 238, 286.

The Covid Memorial Wall volunteers added that they rely on public donations to maintain the public memorial and are pressing the Government for formal recognition to ensure its permanency.
Families diced with death as they crowded onto the edges of a 530ft cliff on England's southern coast - despite two major cliff falls in the past three months.

Shocking pictures showed holidaymakers, dog walkers and even young children creeping to the sides of the crumbling cliffs for a scenic selfie on the famous Birling Gap cliffs.

In one shot, a small child toddles just feet from the cliff edge, while another shows a pair of youngsters holding hands with their parents as they peer over the edge and down to the beach below.

The picturesque white chalk cliff face near Eastbourne, East Sussex, where the South Downs meet the sea, is a popular tourist destination.

Despite regular cliff falls and a terrifying drop, visitors continue to venture perilously close to the edge to snap the perfect shot of the striking view.

One picture shows a pair of youngsters holiding hands with their parents as they peer down towards Birling Gap beach

In one shot, a small child is seen just feet from the cliff edge, while other visitors are seen taking pictures around the toddler

Tourists were seen taking selfies at the beauty spot, with one person dicing with death as he appeared to peer over the edge

Earlier this month, emergency services were called to Birling Gap after four people started a fire beneath the unstable cliffs.

In January, the beach below was closed after a section of the cliff fell away, amid fears of further rockfalls.

And last March, huge chunks of the Seven Sisters cliff fell onto Birling Gap beach after the coastline was lashed by high winds.

A similar incident in March 2021 resulted in warnings to the public not to pose for pictures close to the cliff edge.

Last summer, tourists were even seen laying down a picnic blanket just feet from the edge.

Storm Nelson hit Britain yesterday and caused widespread disruption with torrential rain and strong winds.

Further down England's southern coast in Devon, with the roof torn off

Studies carried out by the National Trust showed the cliff edge is likely to recede by as much as 25-30m (82-98ft) by 2036.

One man posed for a risky shot right on the edge of the chalk cliff in East Sussex

The man told his friend to take the picture as he fooled around by the edge of the 500ft-high cliff

Crowds gathered at the popular walking spot on Good Friday as the weather cleared following Storm Nelson

The National Trust advises people to stay at least 5m back from the cliff edge at all times - but many tourists still approach the edge to get the perfect photograph

The erosion is so rapid that part of the historic Birling Gap Hotel - which dates back to the 1870s - is currently being demolished and rebuilt further from the cliff edge.

Now used as a cafe and visitor centre by the National Trust, it was just five yards from collapsing into the Channel.

The cliffs have cracks hidden under the turf that get bigger as they erode through a combination of wind and water pounding it from the English Channel.

The National Trust advises people to stay at least 5m back from the cliff edge at all times to lower the risk of accidentally falling or being caught in a collapse.

It also encourages people on the beach below to stay at least 5m away from the cliff base at all times, to reduce the risk of objects and rocks from above hitting them.

In 2017 a South Korean student died when she slipped off the edge of the crumbling cliffs after jumping in the air for a photograph.

Hyewon Kim, 23, who had come to Britain to improve her English, suffered catastrophic head injuries in the fall.

Photographs found on her mobile phone showed the student happily posing with her back to the cliff-edge in the seconds before her death.
In the first three months of 2024, border agents have arrested 6,039 migrants entering the country without authorization- a number that puts the Border Patrol on track to exceed 14,000 arrests by the end of the year, which would break last year's record.

In 2023, agents arrested 10,021 people trying to enter the country illegally, as per U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

In 2023, 7,000 migrants were arrested in the Swanton sector - a cold and inhospitable region along the northern border that embraces five eastern counties of New York, all of Vermont and all of New Hampshire.

The 7,000 arrests were more than the previous 12 years combined.

The Swanton Sector stretches for 295 miles and includes fields sodden with melted snow, forests and fast streams. It features terrain that is difficult for migrants to navigate.

There have already been 4,000 arrests in the Swanton Sector this year, making the region poised to break its record of 7,000 arrests last year

The US Border Patrol has already seized double the amount of fentanyl at the northern border that they did last year

Last year, ten migrants died trying to cross through the Swanton sector. These deaths included drownings, hypothermia and poor preparation for the hostile climate.

The resources of the border patrol agents in the Swanton Sector are overstrained. According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, of the 6,039 migrants arrested in 2024, two-thirds of them - more than 4,000 people - have been apprehended in the Swanton Ssctor.

This portends a much large wave of migrants to follow, as this surge occurred in the winter months, when many are discouraged from crossing because of the harsh conditions.

As spring gets underway, and the weather starts to warm, more migrants are expected to try to slip through the northern border.

Those arrested along the northern border have come from far-flung places. The individuals came from 66 different countries, including India, Bangladesh, Haiti and Venezuela.

Approximately 49 percent of those arrested were from Mexico.

According to Erik Lavallee, the border patrol agent in charge of the Beecher Falls Station in Vermont, the number of migrants pouring through the northern border came as a surprise.

People arrested at the northern border have come from 66 different countries, including India, Bangladesh, Haiti and Venezuela. Pictured: A car smuggling 12 Romanians, including seven children, which was stopped in November after they were across the Canadian border in Washington

Border Patrol agents apprehended several illegal immigrants in January after they crossed the Niagara River from Canada amid the surge in crossings at the northern border

'It was a flood we had never seen before. It was an exponential shift, something we were not expecting and it just hit us hard,' Lavallee told CBS News.

In his nearly two decades of service in the Swanton sector, Lavallee said he has never experienced a migrant surge of this size.

He said that a majority of the migrants are men travelling without families, but the Border Patrol insists it still detains many families.

Lavallee explained that many of the men are involved in human smuggling.

'We know there are multiple organizations that are utilizing Canada to smuggle individuals into the United States,' he said.

The Border Patrol has also seen an uptick in the number of people on the terrorist watchlist coming through the northern border.

In 2023, the Border Patrol arrested 564 people on the terror watchlist. 484 of them were apprehended along the norther border.

In 2024, 103 people on the watchlist have already been arrested trying to cross the northern border.

The problem at the northern border is partially derived from the dearth of barriers or other obstacles that might deter migrants.

Instead, the Border Patrol employs ground sensors, drones, and patrols to combat illegal crossings. They also depend on calls from locals.

According to Lavallee, the problem at the northern border has been compounded by Canada's foolish foreign policy. Until recently, Canada did not require Mexicans, as well as some other foreign groups, to have travel visas to fly into the country.

Last year, ten migrants died trying to navigate the Swanton sector's inhospitable terrain

Mexican citizens only had to possess an electronic authorization form, which, Lavallee claimed, enabled them to enter the United States.

'For a very minimal fee, they would be able to enter the country as a tourist,' he said.

Lavallee continued: 'Some folks, utilizing the ETA program, were being arrested here in the United States for illegal entry within 24 hours of their landing in Canada.'

Canada scrapped this policy toward the end of February and announced additional requirements for Mexican citizens, including possession of a visa.

Lavallee believed that the migrants entering through the northern border have different priorities from those at the southern border. While those at the southern border are often pleading for asylum, migrants at the northern border are driven by a desire to elude authorities.

"Here, we're not seeing the same prevalence of individuals requesting either asylum or wanting to be caught,' Lavallee said.

'The people here that we're seeing for the most part, they're trying to find that seam. They're trying to find that vulnerability and come into the United States without detection.'

With the uptick in smugglers at the norther border, there has been a concomitant rise in fentanyl seized.

In the first four months of 2024, border patrol agents have already seized double the amount they did last year.

An image released by Border Patrol agents shows a suspected illegal migrant who has recently crossed from Canada

U.S. Border Patrol uses thermal imaging cameras at the border with Canada to detect crossings. This image shows a group who caught crossing in the Swanton Sector, which is the northern border's busiest area

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, agents have interdicted 1,212 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border- enough to kill 270 million Americans.

Given some of the disreputable characters coming through the northern border, it should come as little surprise that some of the border agents' encounters with smugglers have devolved into violence.

'We have seen some of the smugglers, when they're attempting to run, they're ramming Border Patrol vehicles or other law enforcement vehicles as well as actual combative and assaultive individuals,' Lavallee said.

'It may just be a matter of time before we face some serious repercussions and serious issues.'
A nine-year-old boy was found dead inside a burning car after his father doused the vehicle and set it alight following a domestic dispute, authorities have said.

Manuel Rivera, 43, of Sayreville, New Jersey, has been charged with aggravated arson according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Police had been called to the family home shortly before 11pm on Thursday, and were told Rivera had left the residence with his son, whose name was not released.

Around that same time, a fire was reported in the area of Sayreville War Memorial High School.

When police arrived at the school, they found Rivera next to a burning car that authorities said he had doused with gasoline.

He had burns to his body as well a self-inflicted wound and was taken to a hospital.

The boy's body was found in the vehicle, but it was not yet known if he died in the fire or before it was set.

When police arrived at the school, they found Rivera next to a burning car that authorities said he had doused with gasoline

The boy's body was found in the vehicle, but it was not yet known if he died in the fire or before it was set

Sayreville Mayor Kennedy O'Brien said in a statement: 'On this Good Friday, Sayreville is waking up to learn of a horrific incident that occurred overnight that shakes our community to its core.

'The loss of a nine-year-old child allegedly at the hands of a parent. Any time such senseless violence involves one of our children, it gravely affects all of Sayreville.

'I want to assure you the community is safe, as the Sayreville Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office launches a detailed investigation this morning.

'On behalf of a shocked and saddened community, I want to say that Sayreville stands in solidarity with the child and the family and friends who are enduring this inconceivable ordeal.'

Authorities said that additional charges are pending following the autopsy report from the Middlesex County Medical Examiner.

The Sayreville superintendent shared a statement confirming the boy had attended Wilson School and his father worked for Sayreville Public Schools.

The statement said: 'It is with great shock and sorrow that I report to you that a Wilson School student was tragically killed last night in a car fire behind Sayreville War Memorial High School.'
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An illegal Chinese migrant was arrested in California after sneaking onto a military base and refusing to leave, heightening fears Beijing spies are trying to infiltrate sensitive sites in the U.S.

Border Patrol agents headed to a Marine Corps base after an unnamed Chinese national 'who entered the base [without] authorization' also 'ignored orders to leave.'

'Subject was confirmed to be in the country illegally. His purpose & intent behind his actions are still being investigated,' Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino wrote on X Friday.

This most recent breach comes as the U.S. is increasingly dealing with sensitive military bases being infiltrated by the Chinese.

There have been more than 100 instances in which U.S. military bases were infiltrated by Chinese nationals over the last several years.

Chinese nationals posing as 'tourists' wandered onto a missile launch site in New Mexico, according to a Wall Street Journal report last year.

Others staged as scuba divers in order to get close to a Florida rocket launch site, and another group claimed to be staying on an Army base in Alaska.

Border Patrol agents headed to the Marine Corps Base after an unnamed Chinese national 'who entered the base [without] authorization' also 'ignored orders to leave'

BP agents responded to a call from the Marine Corp Base about a #Chinese national who entered the base w/o authorization, ignoring orders to leave. Subject was confirmed to be in the country illegally.



His purpose & intent behind his actions are still being investigated. pic.twitter.com/vaKmWSkLm9  USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino (@USBPChiefELC) March 29, 2024

Migrants who make up the 'Viacrusis migrant' walk in a caravan in the municipality of Villa Comatitlan in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, on March 28=7

Fort Wainright in Alaska, the center of the US military's operations in the Arctic, was the subject of an apparent espionage attempt, the Wall Street Journal reports

A group of Chinese nationals were stopped while scuba diving close to missile row in Cape Canaveral in Florida

The operatives have reportedly claimed to be tourists who are 'lost' and unable to find their way to a Burger King or McDonalds coincidentally close to a U.S. military base.

Government officials say that Chinese nationals are often 'pressed into service' and required to report their findings back to the Chinese government.

According to the report, the FBI, Defense Department and other agencies have been aware of the infiltrations and have held summits in order to address the problem.

The infiltration comes just months after the Chinese spy balloon crossed over the U.S., which officials say had rudimentary flight controls, passed over a number of nuclear missile facilities in late January and early February.

The balloon was eventually shot down by an F-22 Raptor fighter off the coast of South Carolina.

President Joe Biden caught heat for downplaying the Chinese spy balloon that drifted across the U.S., alleging that Beijing may not have known about the operation.

Most of the Chinese nationals who are caught are cited, given small fines and asked not to return, as trespassing is generally not considered a federal crime.

A spokesperson with the Chinese embassy in D.C. called the report 'purely ill-intentioned fabrications.'

'We urge the relevant U.S. officials to abandon the Cold War mentality, stop groundless accusations, and do more things that are conducive to enhancing mutual trust between the two countries and friendship between the two peoples,' Liu Pengyu said.

In what the Journal described as a 'recent case,' a group of Chinese citizens claimed that they were staying a Holiday Inn which is located in Fort Wainright, Alaska.

Security at the base became immediately suspicious as tourism in the area is extremely unusual. The base plays host to the US Army's 11th Airborne Division.

Emily Harding, a former official with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, told WSJ that the Chinese spy operation is more of a numbers game.

'The advantage the Chinese have is they are willing to throw people at collection in large numbers. If a few of them get caught, it will be very difficult for the U.S. government to prove anything beyond trespassing, and those who don't get caught are likely to collect something useful,' Harding said.

In 2019, three Chinese nationals were sentenced to prison for illegally taking photographs at a Florida Navy base.

Lyuyou Liao, 27, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, after pleading guilty to illegally entering NAS Key West and taking photographs and video footage of property on the Truman Annex of the station.

Members of the Mexican military travel alongside migrants as they walk toward the U.S. border in a caravan in Huixtla, Mexico, on March 27

Migrants build their own international bridge at the height of Gate 36 to enter the United States in the vicinity of Gate 36 on the North American side in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on March 28

President Joe Biden downplayed the Chinese spy balloon that drifted across the U.S. in February, alleging that Beijing may not have known about the operation

Two others, Jielun Zhang, 25, and Yuhao Wang, 24, were sentenced to 12 months and nine months in prison, respectively, for entering the base in January 2019, and taking photographs of military and naval infrastructure.

The same year, a Chinese woman was sentenced to eight months in prison after she entered then-President Donald Trump's estate Mar-a-Lago along while carrying electronic devices and two passports.

Also in 2019, two Chinese citizens were expelled from the U.S. after attempting to drive on to the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, reported the Virginia Pilot.
A police investigation into historical sexual offence allegations against DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson began 'after two women came forward', reports claim.

Sir Jeffrey today quit as DUP leader after being charged with historic sexual offences.

The 61-year-old was arrested and quizzed by PSNI officers at 6am yesterday over the alleged 'non-recent sexual offences.'

He is due to appear in court in Newry, Co Down, on April 24.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with 'aiding and abetting additional offences' after being arrested at the same time.

It is understood by the BBC that the investigation started in the last few months, after two women came forward with the allegations.

The DUP said Sir Jeffrey, who had led the Northern Ireland party since 2021, has been suspended as a party member and immediately replaced as leader by fellow MP Gavin Robinson.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has quit as DUP leader and been suspended from the party after being charged with 'allegations of an historical nature'

A DUP statement revealed Sir Jeffrey has been immediately replaced as leader by fellow MP Gavin Robinson

A party statement said: 'The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

'In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

'The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.'

It is understood senior DUP officials met early this morning after the charges against the party leader were announced.

Sir Jeffrey appears to have deleted all of his social media accounts, including those on X, Facebook and Instagram.

A PSNI spokesman said: 'Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

'A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

'Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court on April 24.

'As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.'

Sir Jeffrey has been MP for Lagan Valley since 1997 and has previously been a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mr Robinson pictured with Sir Jeffrey in January this year after the DUP agreed to return to power-sharing at Stormont

Sir Jeffrey, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in June 2021 when he succeeded Edwin Poots (right)

At the beginning of this year, Sir Jeffrey agreed to lead his party back into power-sharing at Stormont following the DUP's two-year boycott of Northern Ireland's political institutions.

The party had staged the protest due to their anger with the post-Brexit arrangements for Nothern Ireland agreed by the UK Government.

But Sir Jeffrey and his party ended the long dispute after agreeing a package of measures with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to pave the way for the return of devolved government.

Sir Jeffrey, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in June 2021 when he succeeded Edwin Poots.

He had originally put his name forward to become leader after Arlene Foster was ousted following internal party unrest, but was narrowly defeated by Mr Poots in the DUP's first ever leadership election months earlier.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sir Jeffrey's relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

He was recognised by the late Queen Elizabeth II in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.
President Joe Biden wrapped up a big bucks fundraising trip to New York and headed off to Camp David with family members after padding campaign accounts with more than $25 million.

After holding yet another fundraiser Friday morning, Biden hopped a ride on Marine One back to Joint Base Andrews near Washington  then swapped onto a smaller plane en route to the presidential retreat at Camp David.

The president made brief comments to reporters where he said he'd visit Baltimore next week to view recovery efforts after the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge that blocked Baltimore Harbor, and said he isn't 'giving up' on working to free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

The president plans to spend the weekend with family at the retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains.

He held hands with grandson Beau Biden, and walked with first lady Jill Biden and daughter Ashley Biden at John F. Kennedy Airport.

President Joe Biden was off to Camp David to spend Easter weekend with family members

Also tagging along are baby Beau's parents Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen.

Lawyers for Hunter sought to get tax charges against him dismissed in a California court Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Marc Scarsi was skeptical in particular of the claim Hunter has faced 'selective and vindictive' prosecution. 'One of the big hurdles that this motion has it that its not filed with any evidence,' he said. A trial could come in June.

Biden's weekend getaway, which relied on the presidential limo, Marine One, and a pair of government Air Force One jets, came hours after he joked about the presidential aircraft with Late Show host Stephen Colbert.

'You're all busy men, you gotta go run the world. Here's an important question. All three of you have been on Air Force One. You still have the keys, Mr. Biden. That's made my Boeing right? Do those doors stay on?' Colbert asked Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton ad the fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall.

Hunter Biden and the president's daughter Ashley Biden also boarded Air Force One

Biden fly aboard Marine One from Manhattan, then took Air Force One back to the D.C. region

Taxing itinerary: Hunter Biden and his wife Melissa Cohen, arrive with President Biden on Air Force One, Friday, March 29, 2024, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. after Biden's New York fundraiser

'Before you get on, do you give Pete Buttigieg a socket wrench to tighten the bolts?' he joked, in a reference to manufacturer Boeing's woes, which have included a door plug falling out from an Alaska Airlines aircraft in mid-flight.

'I don't sit by the door. I'm only kidding. I shouldn't even joke about it,' Biden responded, with a quip about Boeing's problems and an Alaska Airlines flight.

'One thing I can tell you about Air Force One: We're not changing the color,' he added. 'Trump wanted to change the color.'

That prompted Obama, added Biden to his ticket in 2008 and who has been advising him on getting reelected, to second his opinion. 'Yeah, we're not doing that,' said Obama.

Biden's weekend comes as the presidential campaign is heating up, after he and Trump have both effectively locked up their party nominations.

Trump was on Long Island to to meet with grieving family members at a wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty. He was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday and horrific surveillance footage captured the moment.

Trump had a big week on the legal front. A court panel gave him a reprieve with additional time to pay a reduced $175 million judgment in his New York fraud case. And his Trump Media company went public, boosting his net worth by billions.
A Tennessee man who was thought to have died of a drug overdose was actually having a seizure when he was tasered and bound by cops, new footage has revealed.

Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017 after police were called to assist medics treating him after he collapsed.

Cops claimed he had tried to fight the EMS workers and that they were forced to shackle him face down on a stretcher and give him nasal sedatives to neutralize him.

For years, his family believed an autopsy report that contained the police's version of events and stated he died of 'multiple drug toxicity' from a combination of marijuana and the opioid Suboxone.

However, an AP investigation unearthed bodycam footage that contradicted the narrative, showing how the 23-year-old was held face down and even sat on by police even as blood began gushing out of his mouth.

Tennessee man Austin Hunter Turner who was thought to have died of a drugs overdose was actually having a seizure when he was tasered and bound by cops, new footage has revealed

Turner died in 2017 after police were called to assist medics treating him after he collapsed

Cops claimed he had tried to fight the EMS workers and that they were forced to shackle him face down on a stretcher to neutralize him

For years, his family believed an autopsy report which contained the police's version of events and which stated he died of 'multiple drug toxicity'

Experts who have reviewed the footage subsequently determined that the excessive restraint used by cops contributed to his death by obstructing his breathing.

The video also showed that in the moments leading up to the restraint, Turner had not been resisting but was suffering from a seizure.

'My son didn't do this to himself,' his mom, Karen Goodwin, said, fighting back tears. 'He didn't have to die  His death killed a part of us.'

'I want everyone to know the truth,' Turner's stepfather Brian Goodwin added. 'That's the stigma that we've had to live with, "Your son was a dumbass." We've had to live with that as his legacy.'

Turner's mom had been with him the night he died after she received a frantic phone call from his girlfriend telling her he had collapsed.

She was holding an oxygen mask to his face when police and and firefighters swarmed into the tiny apartment.

Medics had requested help restraining Turner to treat him. They thought Turner was resisting.

As the room filled with voices and equipment, Goodwin stepped away, relieved.

The report said that Turner had died due to an overdose of marijuana combined with the opioid Suboxone

But Turner's mom Karen Goodwin (left) had a gnawing feeling that all was not as it seemed

Goodwin recalled hearing that an officer was threatening to deploy his taser even though he was suffering a seizure at the time. Pictured: Turner with his mom and stepdad Brian Goodwin

Then an officer shouted: 'Get up off the floor!' Goodwin heard another say, 'You're going to get tased if you keep it up.'

She felt bewildered. Her motherly instincts kicked in. 'Please,' she implored them, 'Don't hurt him more than you have to!'

She stepped away and followed them to a waiting ambulance where Turner was placed inside with a spit hood over his face.

He was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead despite multiple attempts at CPR.

When she obtained his autopsy report, it explained that he died of an overdose and repeated the official police version of events  that officers had gone to Turner's apartment to help the young man, but he had been too stoned to cooperate.

During that period, she had heard from police that they had tried to save Turner but couldn't because of the drugs and his heart.

A strong supporter of law enforcement, Goodwin desperately wanted to believe that police and paramedics had acted appropriately.

But sometimes, she would wake up in the middle of the night and hear the police officer threatening to fire his Taser.

Turner was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead despite multiple attempts at CPR

The family came to believe police and medics had done all they could to save him

She also recalled that her son seemed to be having a seizure, and police held him down as he struggled to breathe.

It was only after she was approached by journalists that she got to view the bodycam footage that confirmed her worst fears.

Body cameras worn by officers Eric Keller and Kevin Frederick had captured most of the interactions between police, paramedics and Turner.

They showed from the first moment police arrived, Turner was treated as a suspect resisting arrest  not as a patient facing an emergency.

Goodwin watched in horror as police officers seemed to ignore the fact they had been dispatched to a medical call.

Paramedics tried to force Turner onto his feet. He managed to get to his knees and momentarily stand. He took a single step and toppled over.

Officers began screaming that Turner was resisting arrest, being combative and disobeying their commands. But the video seemed to show Turner was having a seizure.

During a seizure, the muscles of the arms, legs and face stiffen, then begin to jerk but he was not punching or kicking.

But an AP investigation unearthed new footage which case Turner's death in a new light and raised questions for the family

The video showed Turner having a seizure and not resisting treatment as had been claimed

When Keller bounded into the apartment, the video shows he yelled at the flailing Turner, who was pinned down in a recliner chair, 'You're going to get tased if you keep it up.'

Despite paramedics warning him to wait, about 10 seconds later, Keller pulled the trigger.

'You're not going to win this battle,' another paramedic said.

When police transferred Turner to a gurney, they again put him facedown and strapped him in place. As blood spilled from his mouth, they covered his head with a spit hood.

Once inside the ambulance, an officer sat on Turner's body  even though he was still on his stomach. There was no rush to get him to the hospital.

Instead, the body camera showed police officers and paramedics spent six minutes recounting the 'battle.'

It was only then that a paramedic noticed that Turner wasn't breathing. Attendants removed the restraints, flipped him over and began CPR.

After about 10 minutes, a paramedic walked into the frame. For a moment, he studied his colleagues who were working feverishly to revive Turner.

Goodwin was stunned to see an officer deploy his taser against her incapacitated son

Karen Goodwin, center, and her husband, Brian, right, stand for a portrait with their son, Dustin Talley

'What the hell happened here?' he asked. 'Did we cut his damn airway off?'

They said no but as medics continued to work on Turner, the quizzical paramedic asked, 'Y'all ain't recording are you?'

In a report, Lt. Greg Brown said the paramedics told police the young man was reaching for a knife on the kitchen counter.

Using buzzwords that painted the victim as the aggressor, Brown said Turner was 'combative,' 'agitated' and had 'ignored commands.' Brown noted that Turner had incredible strength like those under the influence of narcotics.

Sullivan County District Attorney Barry Staubus had asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to examine Turner's death.

The investigator talked to witnesses and collected other details, Staubus said in an interview with AP.

But after reviewing the TBI report and the body-camera footage, Staubus concluded that Turner died of a drug overdose.

Nothing in the autopsy concluded the force and 'restraint techniques' had caused or contributed to Turner's death.

Experts have since reviewed the footage and determined that police did not properly restrain Turner which caused his death

Turner is among more than 1,000 people across the United States who died over a decade after police restrained them in ways that are not supposed to be fatal

Three experts who reviewed the documents for AP related to the incident disagreed with the autopsy findings: they said Turner did not die of a drug overdose.

Instead, they said the Bristol police made critical errors that contributed to Turner's death, including placing him facedown in a way that could restrict his breathing.

'They didn't understand the dangers of prolonged restraint and the pressure on his back,' said Jack Ryan, a police training expert and a former police officer and administrator.

Turner is among more than 1,000 people across the United States who died over a decade after police restrained them in ways that are not supposed to be fatal, according to an investigation by The Associated Press in collaboration with FRONTLINE (PBS) and the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism.

Bristol's chief of police would not answer questions when reached by the outlet.

Lt. Brown and officers Keller and Frederick did not reply to requests for comment, and neither did paramedics involved. The Bristol Fire Department did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

DailyMail.com has also contacted the police for comment.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was seen on camera being applauded as she appeared to be asked to leave the wake for murdered NYPD officer Jonathan Diller on Friday afternoon and was even allegedly told off by the cop's mourning widow.

The governor was scheduled to pay her respects on the second day of viewings for Diller, a New York Police Department officer who was allegedly shot and killed by suspect Guy Rivera, 34, on Monday evening.

After Hochul arrived at the funeral home around 1.45 pm on Friday, a person from the crowd shouted, 'Get her outta here,' law enforcement sources told the Post.

In a video posted to social media by Fox News, Hochul can seen being confronted by an unknown man outside the Long Island funeral home and given what appears to be a stern talking to, though the conversation isn't audible, as he gesticulates at her.

Hochul nods, says a few words and turns around to leave, at which point someone looking on can be heard audibly applauding. The video then cuts to her being driven away in a black SUV.

Diller, 31, was a New York Police Department officer who was allegedly shot and killed by suspect Guy Rivera, 34, on Monday evening

It was even apparently made clear by Diller's widow, Stephanie, that the governor wasn't welcome in an 'animated' conversation during the only ten minutes she spent at the Massapequa Funeral Home , the New York Post reported.

'[It looked] like she was telling [Hochul] off,' a witness told the Post of Stephanie, 29. 'It didn't look like the widow had a kind word to say.'

The witness said it was shortly afterward that Hochul departed.

However, another witness claimed that Hochul was not asked to leave and only had a 'short, respectful conversation' with Diller's family.

'She greeted the family members, then walked out,' the witness said of Hochul's '10 to 15 minute' visit.

'It was a brief respectful visit. She was not asked to leave,' they added.

Hochul has been criticized for her soft-on-crime policies and controversial bail reform laws since Diller's death, as it's been revealed that Rivera had at least 21 prior arrests, including nine felonies.

Rivera was charged on Thursday with first-degree murder of Diller and attempted murder for aiming his gun at a second police officer.

The governor was scheduled to pay her respects on the second day of viewings for Diller, a New York Police Department officer who was allegedly shot and killed by suspect Guy Rivera, 34, on Monday evening

After Hochul arrived at the funeral home around 1:45 pm on Friday, a person from the crowd shouted, 'Get her outta here,' law enforcement sources told the Post. Pictured: the viewing for Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island

Lindy Jones, 41, who was charged with a number of gun crimes in connection with the shooting, was arrested on a gun charge last spring and had spent time in prison for attempted murder.

Hochul's appearance at the wake comes a day after she directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of Diller on March 30, the day of his funeral services.

'New Yorkers are in mourning over the loss of Officer Jonathan Diller, a heroic young man who dedicated his life to public safety and serving the people,' she said in a statement.

'Our prayers are with his family, his loved ones and his colleagues in the NYPD as they grieve this tragic and senseless loss.'

Diller, who was the father of a one-year-old boy, was allegedly shot dead by Rivera during a traffic stop on Monday. The death has sparked a huge response from the police community, with NYPD Commissioner Edward Cavan branding him a 'hero.'

Officers gathered Friday for Diller's second wake in Massapequa Park

Officer Diller, a father of one-year-old boy, was allegedly shot dead by Rivera during a traffic stop on Monday evening

Officials say that Jones was behind the wheel of a car that was parked illegally in front of a bus lane, leading Diller and his partner to approach them shortly before 6pm Monday.

After Rivera allegedly refused to roll down his window or show his hands, he allegedly opened fire on Diller, hitting the young officer under his bullet proof vest.

After Diller's partner returned fire, both Rivera and Diller were rushed to hospital. The officer was later pronounced dead, while Jones remains in stable condition.

At Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors said Jones was charged with gun possession and possession of a defaced firearm, meaning he used a ghost gun.

He was held without bail as officials cited Jones' history of skipping court dates in the past.

Jones - who has a history of 14 arrests including a 10-year stint in prison on attempted murder from 2003 - has refused to talk with detectives since his arrest on Tuesday night.

Suspect Guy Rivera was shot at the scene by Officer Diller's colleague and taken hospital, had 21 prior arrests and previously served five years in prison on drug charges before being paroled in 2021

Lindy Jones, 41, who has also been charged in connection with the shooting, was arrested on a gun charge last spring and had spent time in prison for attempted murder

Officials say that Jones was behind the wheel of a car that was parked illegally in front of a bus lane, leading Diller and his partner to approach them shortly before 6pm Monday. Pictured: Jones was walked past Diller's photo while exiting the 101 precinct on Wednesday

Prosecutors said a search warrant was issued on the vehicle in the shooting, which uncovered a second firearm.

Investigators believe Jones and Rivera had been casing out a T-Mobile store before the shooting.

Horrific surveillance footage captured the moment the young NYPD cop writhed in agony on the streets of New York after being shot.

Three loud gunshots can be heard ringing out as bystanders flee for safety.

Despite being shot, Diller heroically moved the gun away from the shooter after it was dropped on the ground, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said during a press briefing.

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.

Following Rivera's arrest, it emerged that he has a lengthy criminal history including first degree robbery, illegal gun possession and assaults.

Hundreds of NYPD officers descended on the Queens courthouse Wednesday to watch the arraignment of Jones

He had 21 prior arrests and previously served five years in prison on drug charges before being paroled in 2021.

He 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.

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.

On Thursday, former president Donald Trump attended the officer's wake, where he slammed Joe Biden for not attending the wake even though he was only half an hour away.

Trump also accused his Democrat rival of not backing the police because his liberal supporters 'won't let him'.
Footage has emerged showing a furious driver slam their SUV into a car of thieves after they smashed a car window and grabbed a purse while at a stop light.

The dashcam clip, which has been shared on social media, captured the thieves grabbing the purse from a white Subaru.

A figure dressed in all black quickly retreats back to a vehicle where a getaway driver is waiting.

As the brazen pair attempt to flee the scene, the Subaru driver has other ideas and gives chase - smashing their car into the side of the vehicle.

The two individuals, both adorned in black, quickly escape the vehicle and make off on foot, seemingly empty handed.

The dashcam clip, which has been shared on social media, captured the thieves grabbing the purse from a white Subaru

As the brazen pair attempt to flee the scene , the Subaru driver has other ideas and gives chase - smashing their car into the side of the vehicle

The footage was captured earlier this month in East Oakland, with the timestamp on the footage indicating it happened just after 1pm.

DailyMail.com has approached Oakland Police Department for comment on the clip.

Since being shared, locals have been expressing their delight at the actions of the Subaru driver for fighting back.

One person commented: 'I'm not even mad at the white vehicle...it's time to fight back.'

Another posted: 'Time for all citizens in Oakland to be armed. We need vigilantes.'

While another said: 'The citizens are tired they on what you on now.'

Another added: 'I'm not sure why anyone would want to live in Oakland. What a failed city.'

The last comment referred to rising crime in the California city, which has lead many businesses to flee the area.

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.

The footage was captured earlier this month in East Oakland, with the timestamp on the footage indicating it happened just after 1pm

The two individuals, both adorned in black, quickly escape the vehicle and make off on foot, seemingly empty handed

The footage was captured earlier this month in East Oakland, with the timestamp on the footage indicating it happened just after 1pm

Since being shared, locals have been expressing their delight at the actions of the Subaru driver for fighting back

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.

The city has reported homicides shooting up 80 percent in July 2023 compared to 2019 rates.

Earlier this month, a retired judge hit out at the Mayor of Oakland Shen Thao claiming she had 'ruined the city'.

Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte slammed the mayor while running a petition to have Thao removed from office.

Earlier this month, a retired judge hit out at the Mayor of Oakland Shen Thao, seen here, claiming she had 'ruined the city'

She told KVTU: 'People who say give her more time. More time to do what? She has ruined our city.'

The former judge added: 'She didn't inherit all these problems. She caused a number of problems.'

Harbin-Forte is heading the petition to have Thao recalled as mayor, with those looking to have her dumped needing to obtain 25,000 signatures by July.

An exclusive report for DailyMail.com revealed that Oakland has potentially the most dangerous square mile for crime in all of America.

Three gas stations and fast-food joints that surround Oakland Airport have become notorious for vehicle thefts.

Within a single square mile, cops claim criminals strike a dozen times or more per day, every day, mainly targeting victims who are headed to and from the airport.

Also shuttered was the city's only In N Out Burger due to soaring crime - the only restaurant the chain has ever shuttered in its history.
A Frontier plane headed to Orlando was forced to evacuate during the boarding process after a strong odor was detected.

Flight 1759 was in the process of boarding at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and was set to depart just before 11 pm Wednesday evening.

But when a 'strong odor' was detected throughout the aircraft, the pilot ordered for an emergency evacuation 'as a matter of precaution,' per a statement from Frontier Airlines.

'Passengers exited the aircraft via both the jet bridge and evacuation slides,' the statement read.

A Frontier plane headed to Orlando was evacuated during the boarding process after a strong odor was detected

The captain issued an emergency evacuation as a matter of precaution

'Initial reports indicate that no visible smoke or fire was observed. All passengers will be re-accommodated on alternate flights.

'We extend our sincere apologies and concern for those impacted and are investigating the cause of the incident.

'Flight 1759 was scheduled from Charlotte to Orlando with 226 passengers. The aircraft is an Airbus A321neo.'

In a TikTok posted by ABC News, passengers are seen exiting the plane on the emergency slides, some even crying, while others caught them at the bottom.

One person suffered minor injuries while while exiting the plane on the slide and was transported to a local medical facility, a spokesperson told Queen City News.

Frontier said the origin of the strong order has not been determined.

One traveler told Queen City News that before the lights went out, they noticed a stench coming from the Airbus.

This incident comes after several Boeing airplanes have been experiencing technical difficulties, putting the lives of their passenger in danger.

In a TikTok video, passengers are seen exiting the plane on the emergency slides, some even crying, while others caught them at the bottom

All 226 passengers exited the aircraft, one suffered from minor injuries

Prior to this incident, Frontier Airline CEO Barry Biffle told Fox News that the company had been using Airbus planes since he took on leadership ten years ago.

'We've been all Airbus for a long time. It's not because of the recent challenges but we've just kind of benefitted from that recently,' he said.

'We do wish Boeing well...We are fortunate today to be all Airbus given the situation.'
A number of American boys have been removed from a troubled teen school in Jamaica amid allegations that the students have been starved, beaten and put in chokeholds.

The seven boys were students at Atlantis Leadership Academy located in Treasure Beach, located along the island's south coast.

On February 8, the Jamaican Child Protection and Family Services Agency removed the boys and placed them in protective custody amid reports that the children were being abused.

Their concerned families have been trying to bring their children home and are seeking answers - though it is unclear when they will get the information they are hoping for.

Tarah Fleischman, the mother of Cody Fleischman, 16, who sent her son to the academy last May hoping it would help with some of his aggressive behavior, is now feeling remorseful, family attorney, Michael McFarland told NewsNation's national correspondent Kelsey Kernstine on Morning In America.

The mother of Cody Fleischmann, 16, who sent her son to the academy last May hoping it would help with some of his aggressive behavior, is now feeling remorseful, family attorney, Michael McFarland told NewsNation

Atlantis Leadership Academy (pictured) is a boarding school for troubled teens

McFarland said that currently, there is no indication of when the young men will be returning home to their families.

'The reality of the situation is, you know, any American traveling to a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country,' he said.

He added: 'While everyone wishes that the U.S. Embassy could come in and just make everything right again, (there are) Jamaican authorities, and they did the right thing in this case.'

The faith-based school specializes in helping teens overcome anger, depression, substance abuse.

According to its website, the school prides itself as an 'affordable, structured, boarding academy serving young men who possess strong leadership skills, though they've taken some wrong turns in their lives.'

Pictured: Stock images of students at the boarding school. McFarland said that that currently, there is no indication of when the young men will be returning home to their families

Pictured: Generic images of young people at the academy. The faith-based school specializes in helping teens overcome anger, depression, substance abuse

The Atlantis Leadership Academy is located on Treasure Beach, located along the island's south coast

McFarland said currently there is no indication of when the young men will be returning home to their families. 'The reality of the situation is, you know, any American traveling to a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country,' he said

Pictured: Atlantis Leadership Academy founder and director, Randall Cook

Cody's mother was able to visit her son in Jamaica earlier this month when she attended a hearing, but the attorney said it is still unclear when they will be able to return home.

McFarland told the news outlet that Cody had 'lost a significant amount of weight since entering into Atlantis,' he said, in part.

'They're investigating allegations of physical abuse, which would include beatings, also chokeholds, restraints, things like that. And neglect, which would include, you know, withholding food and not getting proper nutrition to the boys,' McFarland said.

Randall Cook, the school's founder and director, told NewsNation that he is 'eager to have honest dialogue.'

He also added he would be in touch soon 'one way or the other.'

Since the abuse allegations surfaced, many families claim the school appears to be closed.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Randall Cook.
Nearly 200 people who visited Jeffrey Epstein's 'pedo' island left a trail of mobile device data which links them to homes and offices in the US around the world, a new analysis reveals.

The analysis exposes the movements of visitors to the island from 2016 to Epstein's final arrest in 2019, years after his conviction in 2008 for procuring a child for prostitution.

The location data was pinged from their mobile devices to platforms which facilitate targeted advertising. This information was then compiled by Near Intelligence, a controversial location data broker.

A report by Wired mapped the data from devices which visited Epstein's Caribbean island, Little St James, and traced them back to around 166 locations in the US which are believed to be the homes and business addresses of the device owners.

Some devices were also linked to addresses in Ukraine, the Cayman Islands and Australia, according to the report.

Nearly 200 people who visited Jeffrey Epstein 's 'pedo' island Little St James left a trail of mobile device data which links them to homes and offices in the US around the world

The main property on Little St James is surrounded by several other structures including the maids' quarters and a massive, square-shaped white building on one end of the island that some say is a music room fitted with acoustic walls

Epstein abused underage girls on the island with the help of his confidante Ghislaine Maxwell

Little Saint James, in the US Virgin Islands, was a focal point of Epstein's horrific child-sex-trafficking operation.

The troubling past of Little St James has been widely documented in photographs, victim testimony and court cases against Epstein and his associates.

Epstein - with help from his confidante and fixer Ghislaine Maxwell - trafficked many young girls to the island, where they were raped and abused.

The data analyzed by Wired is believed to include both visitors to the island and victims of the abuse.

Some of the devices were linked to luxury properties in Michigan, Florida and Martha's Vineyard. Others are said to have been traced back to low-income areas where Epstein's victims are known to have lived and attended school.

One device reportedly pinged coordinates from a sidewalk across the street from the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Near Intelligence obtained the data from advertising exchanges, which are online platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of ads on the internet. The information can include location data which allows analysts to track the movements of devices.

The sprawling property Epstein had built on Little St James, with surrounding lawns and swimming pool. In the background, a jetty reaches out into the clear, blue water

The company has been accused of misusing data and in December it filed for bankruptcy.

Lisa Bloom, who represented 11 of Epstein's alleged victims, told Wired: 'Most of the clients who come to me, their number one concern is privacy and safety.

'It's deeply concerning to think that any sexual abuse victims' location will be tracked and then stored and then sold to someone, who can presumably do whatever they want with it.'

Little St James was dubbed 'Pedophile Island' by residents of the US Virgin Islands during the blatant, wholesale abuse conducted by Epstein after he bought the isle in 1998 for $7.5 million. He bought Great St James, the larger island beside it, in 2016 for $22.5 million to protect his privacy.

Epstein died in August 2019, aged 66, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Photographs previously published by DailyMail.com show young girls posing on the paradise island, or giving massages to Epstein while makes telephone calls.

Epstein threw parties for the rich and famous on Little St James, with celebrities from Prince Andrew to Stephen Hawking among his guests. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein is massaged by his assistant Sarah Kellen at his private island

Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured having a meal at Epstein's mansion on Little St James Island in this undated photo

Maxwell is seen in other pictures being waited on by the legion of staff who Epstein recruited to manage the island.

Epstein is said to have imported 200 workers after his purchase of the island to build a stone mansion, two guest houses, a helipad and a bizarre gold-domed structure that resembles a temple.

The temple structure was built between 2009 and 2013 but it remains unclear what the building was for.

Maxwell is seen in other pictures being waited on by the legion of staff who Epstein recruited to manage the island.

Epstein is said to have imported 200 workers after his purchase of the island to build a stone mansion, two guest houses, a helipad and a bizarre gold-domed structure that resembles a temple.

The temple structure was built between 2009 and 2013 but it remains unclear what the building was for.

The islands were purchased for $60 million in May 2023 by billionaire Stephen Deckoff, who plans to transform them into a luxury resort.
The woman banned from Planet Fitness for exposing a 'trans woman' shaving in the female locker rooms has doubled down and vowed to keep fighting after her membership was revoked.

Patricia Silva was barred from the gym in Alaska after she detailed an incident where she said she saw a transgender woman in her locker room.

The gym reaffirmed its decision and said although some members may feel uncomfortable sharing facilities, '[this] discomfort is not a reason to deny access to the transgender member.'

'I'm here for the long haul. I am going to help make a difference, however that looks,' she said to Fox News Digital on Wednesday in response to the ban.

'I'm not afraid. The libs can threaten me all day long, and I just feel like I've got the armor of God on me. They cannot penetrate my soul. They can't take my joy unless I give it to them, so that's kind of where I'm at.'

Patricia Silva has doubled down and vowed to keep fighting after her membership to Planet Fitness was revoked for complaining about 'trans woman.' 'I'm here for the long haul. I am going to help make a difference, however that looks,' she told Fox News Digital on Wednesday

Silva said the employee who told her friend that complained about that person still using the women's locker room 'if you are uncomfortable you can go into a stall'

Backlash against the ban led to the company's valuation plummeting by $400 million in five days.

Silva told The New York Post the 'trans woman' is still using the female locker room and has assistance from staff while they are in there.

'He has an employee who is assisting him in the bathroom,' Silva said. 'My friend said to his accompanied Planet Fitness rep that he needs to leave.'

According to Silva, the employee, 'told my friend that if you are uncomfortable you can go into a stall.'

'Another friend of mine went to that gym the other day and he was in there  shaving his face again,' she said.

'He is dressed as a man. His hair is cut short. It appeared that he was dressed, shaving his face and getting ready to leave for the day.

Silva posted a video describing her experience at the gym on Facebook in early March.

Patricia Silva, was banned from the Planet Fitness after posting about a trans woman using the female locker room, said that person now gets an employee escort to into the bathrooms

She said she had just finished working out at Planet Fitness' Fairbanks location, when she saw the person, whom she called 'a man with a penis,' carrying out his routine in front of a 12-year-old girl.

Silva, who has previously run for Fairbanks Borough Assembly, told the 'trans woman' they should really be using the male locker room. The trans woman replied that they were 'LGB.'

Silva then took a picture of the person and shared it online and recounted her experience in a Facebook video: 'I just came out of Planet Fitness.

'There is a man shaving in the women's bathroom. I love him in Christ. He is a spiritual being having a human experience.

'He doesn't like his gender so he wants to be a woman, but I'm not comfortable with him shaving in my bathroom. I just thought I'd say it out loud.'

Silva - who has shared QAnon conspiracy theories on social media - also described the encounter in a written post online.

Former Planet Fitness gym goer Patricia Silva has defended her reaction in a series of Facebook postings

'I went to planet fitness Walked in the bathroom, and there stands a MAN shaving I looked at him, said "hey"  he looked up and I said, "You are a man shaving in the women's bathroom, and I am not OK with that."

'He replied "Well, I'm LGB"

'Whatever that is nevertheless, I told him "You're a MAN and you're invading my space!"

'He wanted to argue to justify why he can be there I walked away

'I stepped out of the locker room and loudly asked the front desk, "Are you aware that there is a MAN shaving in the women's bathroom I'm not OK with that " The two men standing at the desk, put their heads down, and their tails between their legs! As I was walking out the doorat my back, a woman shouts "it's a girl" I shouted back "it's a man!"'

Planet Fitness - headed by CEO Craig Benson - revoked Silva's membership and filed a police report against her, citing her violation of gym policy by taking photos and/or videos in the locker room.

Her actions clashed with the gym's commitment to 'creating an inclusive and safe environment.'

Planet Fitness' statement shared by Libs of TikTok followed the same line. They doubled down on their decision.

Pictured: Planet Fitness CEO Craig Benson

The gym said although some members may feel uncomfortable sharing facilities, [this] discomfort is not a reason to deny access to the transgender member'

Backlash against the ban say the company's valuation to plummet $400 million in five days

In their statement, the gym said that the staff should 'work with members and employees to address this discomfort [sharing facilities with transgender members] and to foster a climate of understanding consistent with the Judgment Free character of Planet Fitness.'

The statement continued: 'Planet Fitness staff shall strive to address transgender members with names, titles, pronouns, and other terms consistent with their self-reported gender identity, if reasonably known to the Planet Fitness staff.'

The statement said that 'a transgender woman shall be referred to by her preferred name and female pronouns.'

And a 'transgender man shall be referred to by his preferred name and male pronouns.'

It concluded that the gym 'reserves the right to terminate a person's membership immediately for any violation of this policy.'
Above: Trans students in Katy. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Easter falls on Transgender Day of Visibility this year. People will be bearing witness to the resurrection of Christ while celebrating the lives and contributions of transgender folks. To some people, the connection doesnt make sense. But it does to me.

After all, Easter is the story of someone who refused to reduce people to a binary system. A person who lived his life so audaciously that he fed, clothed, held and made visible people who had been told they were unworthy of love, burdened with sin or living outside of societys rules.



Its the story of resistance, of someone whose rejection of the system and his refusal to bend to institutional authority led to his death as a means to silence him. Its the story of someone who couldnt be erased but whose resurrection bore the scars of a new life and a new world.

Its the story of how this person empowered people on the margins of society to recognize the importance of being seen and the solidarity that is felt in creating a world where everyone can live into the fullness of their authentic selves.

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To me, that sounds a lot like Transgender Day of Visibility  when we celebrate the triumphant existence of our transgender siblings in the face of a vitriolic movement that has weaponized Christs teachings to erase a community he wouldve loved, held and uplifted.

Im a queer, hairy-legged, gender-fluid, tattooed pastor in Texas. My presence in faith spaces doesnt make sense to some people. There are folks who dont think someone like me is fit to share the Gospel. Moreover, I am thought of as being in direct conflict with scripture.

And yet, I am here. I am seen.

There are also folks existing within marginalized spaces who feel that the institution of Christianity is responsible for insurmountable harm and spiritual malpractice. They are not wrong. Their lament is one that must be made visible, and only then can the church truly repent for treating queer folks as anything less than the image of God.

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According to the American Civil Liberties Union, lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session filed 55 bills focused on restricting the rights of Texas' LGBTQIA+ community. Loving families and their transgender children were cruelly targeted, with legislators aiming to remove their access to gender-affirming health care that can be lifesaving. Some decided it was best for their family to flee Texas.



The American Medical Association has explicitly stated that stigma and discrimination are correlated with higher rates of suicide for transgender and nonbinary youth.

Perhaps the Easter season is the precise time to call out those who would misuse the name of Jesus to silence, harm, and cast out the most vulnerable among us.

Being the pastor that my queer teenage self truly needed is my act of resistance. And being seen in faith spaces matters.

To the allies who love us: Jesus listened intently and loved loudly. Our continued freedom and safety depend on you doing the same.

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To those who refuse to open your eyes, who refuse to see us: I invite you to embrace empathy and spend this day of resurrection and rebirth casting out the fear and dehumanization that politics and misguided theology have sown where love should be. Meet the things you do not understand with grace, compassion, and curiosity.

To all my trans and gender-nonconforming siblings: Today is your story, too. So, may you rise. We need to see you. Happy Easter.

Want to stay up to date on our most recent thought-provoking editorials, columns and Letters to the Editor? Our Opinion-focused 'SaysHou' newsletter delivers our weekly highlights, directly to your inbox. Sign up now.
New York police have arrested a second man accused of randomly punching women in the face on the streets of Manhattan.

The second suspect, Mallik Miah, 30, was arrested Thursday and charged with allegedly assaulting 27-year-old Mikayla Toninato in Greenwich Village in a broad daylight attack on Monday.

He has now been freed on supervised release, and has not been linked to any of the other assaults plaguing women in the Big Apple in recent weeks.

Toninato took to her social media page immediately after the attack - which just so happened to have occurred around the same time that influencer Halley Kate McGookin was also assaulted.

McGookin's alleged attacker, Skiboky Stora, 40, was arraigned in court on Thursday. At least four other New York City women saying they have also been subjected to the seemingly random attacks in recent weeks.

27-year-old Mikayla Toninato (pictured) said she was randomly attacked in Greenwich Village on Monday, with the man accused of punching her in the face, Mallik Miah, 30, arrested on Thursday

The first suspect in the random attacks, Skiboky Stora, 40, was arraigned in court on Thursday in connection with the seemingly random attack on Halley Kate McGookin

The two arrests come amid a flurry of apparently random attacks on women near the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan.

TikTok personality Toninato says she got punched in the face when she was walking home from class, in a video that has gained 7.4 million views.

Toninato said she was looking at her phone and texting as a man came out of nowhere and hit her in the face 'completely out of the blue.'

She warned her followers to not walk around on their phones and be 'super aware' of their surroundings.

Her TikTok was shared seemingly in response to McGookin's assault, as she tagged her in the video and said: 'I quite literally feel your pain, this was insane.'

The New York Police Department said Stora was arrested on Wednesday and charged with assault, making it his third arrest in the past six months.

Stora has frequently run as a fringe candidate for mayor and governor, and according to the New York Daily News interrupted prosecutors during proceedings.

The outlet reported that he told Judge Pamela Goldsmith: 'Now they bring me here and say they have video footage of me punching somebody that I never met and have never seen.'

Stora continued: 'Thats denying me due process, and the same officer is a white supremacist member who has arrested me.'

The outlet reported that Assistant DA Liliana Shelanski shared statements Stora allegedly made to police after his arrest.

Shelanski is said to have told cops: 'Shes a ghost, who is my accuser? You are the one who did it, I am looking at your hand.'

The New York Police Department said Stora was arrested on Wednesday and charged with assault, making it his third arrest in the past six months

Stora appears to run several TikTok accounts in which he documents his aggression towards strangers, the majority of them are women

Mcgookin shared her traumatic experience with her 1.2 million TikTok followers just moments after being punched in the face

Stora was arrested in connection with the assault by the warrant squad while appearing in court for other open cases. He appears to run several TikTok accounts in which he documents his aggression towards strangers, with the majority of them being women.

McGookin shared her traumatic experience with her 1.2 million TikTok followers just moments after being punched in the face.

'You guys, I was literally just walking, and a man came up and punched me in the face,' Kate said in the video with tears streaming down her face.

'Oh my god, it was so bad, I can't even talk.'

The influencer also added that she lost consciousness and fell to the floor after the assault.

Kate posted a follow up video from the safety of her apartment, revealing what she described as a 'devil horn'-looking bump on the left side of her forehead.

'Yeah, I'm going to the hospital, oh my god, it looks like a f**king devil horn,' she said, having just noticed the bump starting to form while filming.

In another video, Kate thanked her followers for their expressions of concern, and confirmed with a doctor that she would be okay but to look for symptoms such as vomiting or vision loss.

'I am going to be okay, I think I'm going to make a speedy recovery,' she said, saying she was experiencing a severe migraine.

The content creator said the man had struck her while she was looking down at her phone to answer an email.

'I literally passed out, so I don't really remember. But I guess he was really mad that my head was down - he was walking a dog, so he took it upon himself to attack me and let me know to be conscious of my surroundings,' Kate said.

After having regained consciousness, Kate said she woke up to the man screaming at her.

As Kate's video gained traction, so did other stories from users claiming they have also been punched in the face by a male stranger, sparking outrage online about public safety in NYC.

The influencer, who has over one million followers on TikTok, said she lost consciousness and fell to the floor after the assault

After having regained consciousness, Kate said she woke up to the man screaming at her

Since the shocking video was uploaded, a slew of others have now echoed her claims to say they have previously been victims of random violence in NYC.

Another person shared a video last week, on March 17, telling users that she had been randomly punched in New York City as well.

'I literally just got punched by some man on the sidewalk,' Olivia Brand said in her video - which has almost four million views.

'He goes "sorry" and then punches me in the head,' she said.

Another user, @malous228, revealed that she had been hit on Saturday, March 23 in Times Square when she walking out of the subway station

Since the shocking video was uploaded, a slew of others have now echoed her claims to say they have previously been victims of random violence in NYC

Yet another popular TikTok star uploaded a video on Monday, saying that she had also been punched in NYC.

Selena Pikanab, who has over a million followers on the social media app, captioned her video 'Getting punched in NYC was not on my agenda today. This happened to me at around 1 pm and I had work immediately after.'

On Tuesday morning, a user on TikTok uploaded a video saying that she had also been punched in the head.

The user, @malous228, revealed that she had been hit on Saturday, March 23 in Times Square when she walking out of the subway station.

She said a random man came up and punched her in the head. The TikTokker said she's still sore and that it was a 'traumatic experience'.

She also managed to get a video of the alleged attacker after he had chased her.

Toninato recently posted an update to her social media saying that victim support would be covering her medical bills.

She also added that the detective working her case had saw the man walking the streets and arrested him.

On Tuesday, user jesslovesblueberrybagels shared a video saying she had also been assaulted while she was holding her Kindle.

She said: 'A little bit over a month ago, I was assaulted. The man swung at me, hit my kindle, spat at me and was yelling at me.

'I made a video and it was perceived in not the best way. People were messaging me calling me just about every slur in the book.

'Somebody commented that the man should have sexually assaulted me. People can really be so terrible.

'I made a post saying people don't believe black woman and people were just commenting on it being like race card, you're being dramatic whatever.

'The way that all these other woman who have been assaulted, the way that their videos have been perceived versus my comment section for the exact same situation - is literally insane.

'It's just really frustrating the way that the world doesn't believe or protect black women ever.'

Another woman shared a video of herself on Thursday explaining a similar situation saying 'the copy cats have begun'.

She said: 'A man walks up on me and bucks at me, and while he bucks at me he is like "get off your phone".

'So I clocked him with my umbrella and busted his lip. He got really mad and was like "I was just joking you f***ing b**ch."

'The copy cats have begun, they arrested the guy who was punching the white girls but the copy cats have started uptown.'
Fugitive Venezuelan migrant Leonel Moreno has finally been arrested by ICE after almost two years on the run.

The 27-year-old was picked up in Columbus, Ohio and is now in federal custody, Fox's Bill Melugin reports.

Moreno has been hunted by ICE since he crossed the border illegally at Eagle Pass, Texas in April 2022.

He was released as part of the Alternatives to Detention Program, which lets migrants on parole go free while officials track them until their next court date.

Moreno was due in court in Miami in November 2022, but he never showed up.

Fugitive Venezuelan migrant Leonel Moreno has finally been arrested by ICE after almost two years on the run

Moreno became infamous for sharing tips on how to invade vacant homes in the US. Pictured: Moreno's mugshot from April 2022

The fugitive hit headlines recently after sharing tips on how to invade vacant homes and live off the US government on his TikTok account @leitooficial_25, where he had over half a million followers before the account was suspended.

The videos appear to have led ICE to his whereabouts, as he had previously proved difficult to track.

On Tuesday, he posted a series of bizarre videos of him sobbing from a new account claiming to be the victim of persecution.

'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!

'They want to silence me!'

TikTok told DailyMail.com it had suspended Moreno's original account as it does not allow users to promote criminal content.

Leonel Moreno's TikTok account @leitooficial_25, where he had amassed half a million followers, was later suspended

His videos show him bragging about using the financial aid he supposedly receives from the government for his toddler to buy himself a car

But it appears he does not plan on stopping posting, as he shared a clip on Wednesday counting hundred dollar bills boasting how 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 fugitive travelled to the US with his wife and young daughter, who frequently features in his clips.

The family have reportedly been given $350 a week from the federal government.

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.

But many Venezuelans have taken to social media to denounce Moreno, accusing him of exploiting their situation to become an influencer while sparking hatred against migrants who plan on working for a better life in the US.

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.

DailyMail.com has contacted ICE for comment.
More than two years after President Joe Biden pledged to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the United States only seven are operational across four states.

The Washington Post reported Friday on the sluggish pace the allocated $7.5 billion in infrastructure funds have been put to use.

The bulk of the funds, $5 billion, are to go toward building fast chargers along major interstates - what's being called the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure or NEVI program.

To satisfy the federal program's requirements, chargers must be built at least every 50 miles over major highway routes and be operational 97 percent of the time.

They also must take credit card payments and certain components must be made domestically.

More than two years after President Joe Biden pledged to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S. only seven are operational across four states. The president is photographed arriving in Hagerstown Friday for a weekend away at Camp David

Liam Sawyer, of Indianapolis, charges his 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E earlier this month at one of the operational charging stations built through infrastructure bill dollars. This one is located in London, Ohio

Additionally, states must submit proposals to the Biden administration for approval, solicit bids for construction and then can award the funds.

So after the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed in November 2021, only seven charging stations are operational.

They are in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Hawaii and New York and offer 38 spots for cars to charge.

Twelve additional states have been awarded contracts for construction to begin, while another 17 states haven't even submitted proposals.

'I think a lot of people who are watching this are getting concerned about the timeline,' Alexander Laska, deputy director for transportation and innovation at the center-left think tank Third Way told The Post.

Nick Nigro, founder of Atlas Public Policy, told the newspape that some of the delays are to be expected.

'State transportation agencies are the recipients of the money,' he told The Post. 'Nearly all of them had no experience deploying electric vehicle charging stations before the law was enacted.'

'I expect it to go much faster in 2024,' Nigro added.

If Republicans take back full control of Congress and also the White House - some of these programs could see a backslide.

Biden's challenger, former President Donald Trump, has been openly antagonistic toward the Democrat's green agenda.

In mid-February at a campaign stop in the battleground state of Michigan, Trump said that Biden 'ordered a hit job on Michigan manufacturing' with mandates to move the American car industry away from gas guzzlers toward EVs.

And GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill also haven't been impresssed.

'We have significant concerns that under your efforts American taxpayer dollars are being woefully mismanaged,' read a letter sent to the Biden administration from a group of Republican representatives in February.

'The problems with these programs continue to grow  delays in the delivery of chargers, concerns from States about labor contracting requirements and minimum operating standards for chargers,' said the letter, which was signed by GOP Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Jeff Duncan and Morgan Griffith.
Authorities in Texas have arrested 70 migrants who broke through a line of National Guard troops on March 21 with the intent to storm past the El Paso border.

The 70 who were arrested were part of a group of 600 illegal crossers present that day, who were seen climbing over a triple layer of razor wire and then confronting the National Guard at the other side.

In a video of the riot captured by the New York Post, the group of migrants initially appear to put their hands in the air. The scene quickly turned violent when a few of them squeak through the several National Guard members that were closing the gap between a broken fence.

'There were probably only about a dozen ring leaders and then rest (of the migrants) just followed along,' one law enforcement source who chose to stay anonymous explained to the DailyMail.com.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has locked up more than 200 migrants whom Texas wants to arrest and charge related to this incident, an agency official told the New York Post. That same official reportedly said that federal authorities 'are not being as cooperative as Border Patrol.'

A group of about 600 migrants who entered the US illegally rushed the border Thursday in El Paso, Texas

A migrant observes others who breached the concertina wire on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The migrants were hoping to be processed by Border Patrol

About 600 migrants who breached the barriers set up on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas

Members of the Texas National Guard work with Border Patrol to coordinate migrants who crossed the border from Mexico and forced their way through concertina wire while they wait to be processed by border patrol as they are stopped on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande, in El Paso, Texas

The 70 migrants who were detained by Texas authorities are facing misdemeanor rioting charges.

On Wednesday, Texas also charged the nine migrants who allegedly assaulted the National Guard troops. Some of these actions were contained in the video.

The incident occurred at Gate 36, where the roughly a portion of the roughly 600 migrants tore down barriers that had been built by state authorities. They then charged at the National Guard soldiers, hoping Border Patrol agents would process them into the US if they got far enough.

Many of these asylum seeking migrants had chosen not to turn surrender themselves immediately as this is a well-known place to give up to US Border Patrol agents, because they were caught in limbo due a Texas law SB4.

The controversial law gives state and local police in the Lone Star State permission to arrest illegal immigrants, a right that has only been reserved for federal officers like US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Migrants breach infrastructure set up by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas on Thursday

A migrant shows an injury he alleged that he suffered after a Texas National Guard forced him back south of the barrier set up by the Texas National Guard on the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas

Migrant families who were part of the 600-person mob wait to be processed by US Border Patrol

The law, which has been banned several times in recent days by federal courts, was then allowed to take effect for a few hours Tuesday, before it blocked again Tuesday night.

The legal whiplash left many migrants unsure would would happen to them if they turned themselves over to Border Patrol.

The crowds were camping out in the no-mans land between north of the river that separates the US and Mexico, the Rio Grande.

The river is the international boundary, not the border wall.

By Thursday morning, the migrants climbed over the wire fence in coordination and made a run for the border wall to presumably turn themselves in by force.

A National Guard source told the New York Post that they confiscated knives and shanks from some involved in the riot. And since the riot, Texas has reportedly dispatched more National Guard members and Department of Public Safety troopers to El Paso, while also replenishing some of the border wire that was damaged by the illegal crossers.
Donald Trump has dramatically appealed a court ruling that allowed embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to stay in charge of prosecuting his election interference case in Georgia.

The former president and eight of his co-defendants in the election case asked an appeal court to take up their challenge on Friday.

They argue that a romantic relationship between Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade was improper and she should have been kicked off the trial.

Attorneys for Trump and the defendants now want the higher court to consider their arguments that Willis should be disqualified or the case dismissed.

The filing is the latest twist in the legal drama involving Willis and the Georgia case where Trump and 18 co-defendants are accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election.

Her relationship with Wade prompted a recent hearing held over multiple days where salacious details of her love life were revealed.

Donald Trump has appealed the ruling that allowed embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to stay on the Georgia election case

The former president and eight of his co-defendants asked an appeals court to take up their challenge on Friday

As a result, Judge Scott McAfee ruled on March 15 that Willis could stay on the case, if Wade resigned. Wade stepped down hours later.

The defendants claim that Willis also needs to go.

'The trial court was bound by existing case law to not only require Wade's disqualification (which occurred) but also to require the disqualification of D.A. Willis and her entire office,' the defense lawyers said in a 51-page document.

'The trial court's failure to do so is plain legal error requiring reversal.'

In his ruling Judge McAfee said Willis was guilty of a 'tremendous lapse in judgment' when she dated Wade.

Defendants argue that her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade was improper and she should have been kicked off the trial

The judge also said an 'odor of mendacity' was left hanging over the trial.

But he stopped short of ruling that the relationship constituted an actual conflict of interest.

Willis has maintained that there was nothing improper about the relationship, and claimed that Trump lawyers were trying to delay the trial.

The appeals court now has 45 days to consider whether to grant or deny the request from Trump and his co-defendants.

In his ruling earlier this month Judge McAfee found the prosecution was 'encumbered by an appearance of impropriety.'

The allegations that Willis had improperly benefited from her romance with Wade upended the case for weeks.

Intimate details of Willis and Wade's personal lives were aired in court in mid-February.

The drama overshadowed the allegations in the election interference case, one of four criminal cases against Trump.

Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides at a hearing on a motion to dismiss the election interference charges against former US President Donald Trump, at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 28, 2024

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis attends a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, March 1, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia

He and his co-defendants are accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn his narrow 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden in Georgia.

The appeal application says Judge McAfee was wrong not to disqualify both Willis and Wade.

It says 'providing DA Willis with the option to simply remove Wade confounds logic and is contrary to Georgia law.'

Steve Sadow, Trump's lead attorney in the case, said the case should have been dismissed and 'at a minimum' Willis should have been disqualified from continuing to prosecute it. He said the Court of Appeals should grant the application and consider the merits of the appeal.

A spokesperson for Willis declined to comment.

Willis used Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, law, an expansive anti-racketeering statute, to charge Trump and the 18 others.

Four people charged in the case have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors.

Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

The judge ruled District Attorney Fani willis could continue to prosecute the 2020 election interference case if special prosecutor Nathan Wade was removed

Attorney Steve Sadow, former President Donald Trump's lead attorney in the case speaks in court at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 1, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia

McAfee clearly found that Willis' relationship with Wade and his employment as lead prosecutor in the case created an appearance of impropriety.

His decision not to disqualify Willis and her whole office from the case 'is plain legal error requiring reversal,' the defense attorneys wrote in their application.

Given the complexity of the case and the number of defendants, the application says, multiple trials will likely be necessary.

Failure to disqualify Willis now could require any verdicts to be overturned, and it would be 'neither prudent nor efficient' to risk having to go through 'this painful, divisive, and expensive process' multiple times, the defense application says.

The defense attorneys argued it is crucial that prosecutors 'remain and appear to be disinterested and impartial' to maintain public faith in the integrity of the judicial system.
Combining AI with a simple blood test could help diagnose sepsis faster and identify patients at the highest risk of severe complications, a study suggests.

Researchers say using machine learning to analyse samples could save lives by helping doctors to predict a person's risk of organ failure and death.

The Mail's 'End the Sepsis Scandal' campaign has worked to raise awareness of the condition and ensure patients get rapid treatment.

Sepsis is life-threatening and can be difficult to spot, accounting for about 50,000 deaths each year in the UK.

It is usually triggered by an infection but escalates rapidly, sparking a vicious immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.

The Mail's 'End the Sepsis Scandal' campaign has worked to raise awareness of the condition and ensure patients get rapid treatment (Stock image)

But despite the severity of the condition, it is tricky to detect. It can develop rapidly and needs prompt treatment in hospital with antibiotics.

Dr Lisa Mellhammar, who co-led the study at Lund University, Sweden, said: 'It's vital that patients with suspected sepsis are identified prior to the onset of organ failure.

'Given the challenges associated with timely diagnosis and the fact that sepsis kills millions of people around the world every year, there is an urgent demand for an alternative approach.'

A blood test, combined with a personalised risk model, 'has the potential to save lives by providing more accurate sepsis diagnosis and determining who may go on to develop more severe clinical manifestations', she added.

But despite the severity of the condition, it is tricky to detect. It can develop rapidly and needs prompt treatment in hospital with antibiotics (Stock image)

WHAT IS SEPSIS? Sepsis occurs when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its own organs and tissues. Some 44,000 people die from sepsis every year in the UK. Worldwide, someone dies from the condition every 3.5 seconds. Sepsis has similar symptoms to flu, gastroenteritis and a chest infection. These include: S lurred speech or confusion

lurred speech or confusion E xtreme shivering or muscle pain

xtreme shivering or muscle pain P assing no urine in a day

assing no urine in a day S evere breathlessness

evere breathlessness I t feels like you are dying

t feels like you are dying S kin mottled or discoloured Symptoms in children are: Fast breathing

Fits or convulsions

Mottled, bluish or pale skin

Rashes that do not fade when pressed

Lethargy

Feeling abnormally cold Under fives may be vomiting repeatedly, not feeding or not urinating for 12 hours. Anyone can develop sepsis but it is most common in people who have recently had surgery, have a urinary catheter or have stayed in hospital for a long time. Other at-risk people include those with weak immune systems, chemotherapy patients, pregnant women, the elderly and the very young. Treatment varies depending on the site of the infection but involves antibiotics, IV fluids and oxygen, if necessary. Source: UK Sepsis Trust and NHS Choices Advertisement

Her team looked at 1,364 plasma samples of adults admitted to the emergency department at Skane University with suspected sepsis between September 2016 and March 2023.

Of the 1,073 patients with an infection, some 913 had sepsis.

The scientists then analysed proteins associated with the body's immune response to sepsis to see if there was a pattern.

They created molecular signatures from their analysis, which was used to train an AI model to predict who was likely to go into septic shock.

Patients were classified as low, medium and high risk of developing septic shock, with the technology able to show how increasing risk was associated with a higher rate of death.

Researchers also identified combinations of proteins that predicted dysfunction in six different organ types, including the heart, liver and kidneys.

They then classified patients into five risk categories based on the probability of them having organ dysfunction and infection, and their risk of dying.

Dr Mellhammar added: 'A fast test that provides more accurate sepsis diagnosis and could also predict who is at greater risk of poorer outcomes now seems a genuine possibility.

'Any research like this needs clinical validation and many hurdles must be cleared before these biomarkers are used in the clinic.

'But we envision this as a tool that could be deployed worldwide, as the future of early detection of sepsis.' The findings will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona next month.

Dr Ron Daniels, founder and joint chief executive of the charity UK Sepsis Trust, said: 'It's critically important that we speed the recognition of sepsis and identify sooner which patients need the most immediate attention, ensuring that we can save more lives whilst using antimicrobials more wisely.

'This research has huge potential to refine our understanding of sepsis and may in time help us to redesign clinical systems.

'As the authors acknowledge, sepsis is a complex syndrome and this technology is not yet street-ready, but it is a significant step in the right direction.'

It comes as NHS England prepares to roll out Martha's Rule from next month, giving parents the right to demand a second opinion if they fear their child's condition is worsening or they are not getting the care they need.

The rule is named after Martha Mills, 13, who died in 2021 after developing sepsis from a pancreatic injury she suffered after falling off her bike.

Her parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, raised concerns about their daughter's health a number of times but these were brushed aside.
Former Vice President Al Gore eulogized the late Sen. Joe Lieberman as a 'mensch' while revealing the deep disagreements that grew between them as former Democrat strayed on partisan and security issues.

Gore, who has pulled back from electoral politics, attended funeral services for Lieberman in Lieberman's hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, and spoke about how the two men grew apart following their bitter defeat in the 2020 presidential election.

After stumping on the trail with their wives, the men later developed splits over Lieberman's support for the Iraq war and his decision to endorse Republican John McCain.

Former Vice President Al Gore, left, and speaks with Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz at the funeral of former Senator Joe Lieberman, in Stamford, Connecticut. He hailed Lieberman as a 'mensch' and spoke openly about difficulties in their friendship

'I, for one, was tempted to anger at times, frustrated at Joe's stubborness and disappointed that he was taking a path that I thought was wrong,' he said. 'And I know his disappointment and my turning away from him, was surely just as profound. So there the story could have ended. And if it had, we would have reached a dead end in a once loving and fruitful relationship,' he said.

'But it did not end there. We had another turn. Both of us knew, deep down, that the strong foundation of our friendship and what we shared in common was so much larger and so much stronger than what was driving us apart in those years,' he said.

Gore, who has issued stark warnings about climate change throughout his career, also gave stark warnings about the nation's political culture, speaking about 'rabbit holes' and the 'echo chamber.'

'And spending long enough in the echo chamber induces a new form of AI, artificial insanity, he quipped.

'I mean it not merely as a humorous line. I mean to reference QAnon, election denial, climate denial, even the resurgence of the Flat Earth Society, if you can believe that,' he said.

Gore, who keeps a low public profile, delivered a eulogy for Joe Lieberman

Lieberman's funeral took place at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford

Former Vice President Al Gore offers his condolences to Hadassah Lieberman during the funeral for her husband, former Sen. Joe Lieberman in Stamford, Conn., Friday, March. 29, 2024

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Al Gore, left, and his running mate, vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Lieberman, of Connecticut, wave to supporters at a campaign rally in Jackson, Tenn., Oct. 25, 2000. Lieberman, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain's running mate eight years later, died Wednesday, March 27

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) arrives with his wife Hadassah at the Kennedy Center for a tribute concert for Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) on Mar. 8, 2009 in Washington, DC

'And this is a form of rancor that has the potential for dividing our country, but we have also a strong foundation and common beliefs and values that are stronger than what is dividing us.'

It came in a eulogy where he hailed his former running mate and four term senator as a mensch, a Yiddish term.

'Those who seek its definition will not find it in dictionaries so much as they find it in the way Joe Lieberman lived his life: friendship over anger, reconciliation as a form of grace,' he said. 'We can learn from Joe Liebermans life some critical lessons about how we might heal the rancor in our nation today.'

Lieberman, who died this week after a fall at his New York home, was the first Jewish candidate on a major party ticket, a longtime senator, and a cofounder of the No Labels group that is seeking a candidate to challenge the major parties, striking fear in the hearts of some Democratic operatives.

Top Connecticut Democrats, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Gov. Ned Lamont - Liebermans one-time rival for the Senate seat - shared similar sentiments.

Lamont said his acquaintance with Lieberman started on 'an inauspicious note' when they ran against each other in 2006. After Lamont defeated the incumbent Lieberman in the Democratic primary for his Senate seat, Lieberman ran as an independent and defeated Lamont.

Lamont said Lieberman loved Frank Sinatra songs, especially 'My Way.' 'He did it his way,' Lamont said. 'He never quite fit in that Republican or Democratic box. I think maybe in an odd way I helped liberate him because when he beat me - he beat me pretty good, by the way - he won as an independent.'

Lamont said Lieberman 'was always a calming presence' and a 'bridge over troubled waters as you see the partisan sniping from both directions.'

Blumenthal recalled Liebermans 'tremendous accomplishments,' including helping to form the Department of Homeland Security and championing civil rights, voting rights, womens reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights. 'But the greatest accomplishment of his life was his marriage to Hadassah and their children and grandchildren,' Blumenthal said.

Services were held at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford. For Lieberman, a self-described observant Jew who followed the rules of the Jewish Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, the congregation played a key role early on in his life.

He once recalled how the congregation's former synagogue building was 'a place that gave me the first sense of religion; a very special uplift,' according to a posting on the congregation's website.

'I feel very lucky - my adherence to the Jewish tradition is really an asset,' he said. 'Religious Catholics and Protestants find a bond of common value with my beliefs and stand. It is this that makes me so proud of being an American.'

Lieberman's youngest daughter, Hana Lowenstein, who moved to Israel in 2018 with her family, said tearfully that she had prayed, 'Please God, give my father many more years. Let him see all of my kids bar mitzvahs, their weddings, his great-grandchildren.' But she said God 'had other plans.'

Lowenstein said that observing the Jewish Sabbath was 'very dear' to her father and he would walk 5 miles (8 kilometers) in order to abide by the Sabbath prohibition on riding in a motor vehicle. 'You were literally someone who was sanctifying Gods name by everything you did,' she said.

Matthew Lieberman, the former senators son from his first marriage, said Lieberman 'was a blessing for all of us' but 'a solid slice of people' nevertheless developed a hate for him.

Despite that animosity, Matthew Lieberman said his father encouraged others to not let those disagreements devolve into hatred. 'Were not the Hatfields and McCoys here,' Matthew Lieberman said. 'Were Americans, were fellow citizens in the greatest country in the history of the world. Were all humans and were all weve got.'

Lieberman, a former state Senate leader and attorney general, was long known for his pragmatic, independent streak. After losing the chance to serve as vice president with the Democrat Gore, he came close to becoming Republican John McCain's running mate in 2008. However, conservatives balked at the idea of tapping Lieberman, who was known for supporting gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes while taking a hawkish stand on military and national security matters.

President Joe Biden on Thursday called Lieberman a friend, someone who was 'principled, steadfast and unafraid to stand up for what he thought was right.'

'Joe believed in a shared purpose of serving something bigger than ourselves,' Biden, who served 20 years in the Senate with Lieberman, said in his statement. 'He lived the values of his faith as he worked to repair the wounds of the world.'

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 over Gore 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.

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.

Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children.
Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have legalized marijuana sales in the commonwealth.

The legislation to create a weed commercial retail market in the state passed in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly earlier this year.

It would have let sales begin next year, but the GOP governor said 'cannabis is bad' for the state.

'In all the other states that have had an extensive retail market, what you see is first it's terrible for children and adolescents' health and safety, massive increases in child poisonings, massive increases in adolescent usage,' Youngkin claimed in an interview with a local reporter for WJLA-TV.

'And of course, when you combine that with the fact that the potency of cannabis today is dangerous, it drives mental health challenges and mental health sickness to the point of psychosis,' he went on.

Youngkin also claimed states with marijuana sales have seen a 'systematic increases' in violent crime.

Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation creating a retail market for marijuana in the state calling it 'bad' for Virginia

'Cannabis is bad for Virginia, the law enforcement community does not want it, healthcare workers do not want it and let me tell you parents do not want it in their children's lives,' Youngkin said.

In 2021, Virginia became the first state in the south to legalize marijuana possession for adults ages 21 and up under then-Democratic Governor Ralph Northam, but gridlock had stopped the state from setting up a retails sales market since then.

Earlier this year, Youngkin said he really did not have an 'interest' in it and did not say which way he would come down on the bill as it made its way through the state legislature.

The bill would have allowed Virginia to start taking applications for sales starting in September with markets to open in May 2025.

After vetoing the bill Youngkin dismissed the argument that the move would boost revenues in the state, saying that was not the case in Colorado.

Virginia became the first southern state to legalize Marijuana possession for adults 21 and up in 2021, but the path to creating retail market has hit a series of setbacks

 Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation that would have created a retail marijuana market in Virginia.



Cannabis is bad for Virginia, Youngkin told me @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/wI8WwvoJl3  Nick Minock (@NickMinock) March 28, 2024

Colorado marijuana sales since it was legalized in 2014 have totaled more than $15 billion, with taxes collected on sales totaling more than $2.5 billion, a small fraction of the state's budget overall.

In Virginia, the sale of products would have been taxed at a rate of up to 11.625 percent with 8 percent of it going to the state and 2.5 percent being a local option tax and 1.125 percent going to K-12 education.

Democrats control both the state's House and Senate and the legislation moved forward largely along party lines with just a few Republicans backing it.

Marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states and Washington, DC and for recreational use in 24 states.
Pope Francis was tonight absent from a Good Friday procession in Rome in a last minute cancellation which the Vatican says was to 'preserve his health.'

The 87-year-old Pontiff had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which is a re-enactment of Jesus' death by crucifixion.

But just as the night-time procession was about to begin, the Vatican announced the Pope would instead follow the event from his home in the Vatican.

He was earlier seen leading a service at St Peter's Basilica, in Rome, having arrived at the hall in a wheelchair.

It's the second year in a row the frail religious leader missed the 'Via Crucis' (Way of the Cross) event, igniting fresh fears over the Francis's health, following repeated bouts of influenza and bronchitis.

Pope Francis presiding over a Good Friday service in the Vatican this afternoon. Tonight it was announced he would be missing the 'Via Crucis' (Way of the Cross) procession and instead watched the procession remotely

Pope Francis arrived at the service this afternoon in a wheelchair. The 87-year-old's sudden no show is likely to renew concerns about his declining health

The Via Crucis at the Colosseum is a re-enactment of Jesus' death by crucifixion, in which participants take turns in holding the cross as they walk in and around the ancient Roman arena, stopping to pray and hear meditations

The Way of the Cross at the Colosseum is a re-enactment of Jesus' death by crucifixion, in which participants take turns in holding the cross as they walk in and around the ancient Roman arena, stopping to pray and hear meditations.

Earlier today, the Pope presided over the liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ at St. Peter's Basilica.

The liturgy, which is a form of Christian worship, replaces mass on Good Friday and commemorates Jesus's crucifixion and death.

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa delivered a reading of scripture while Pope Francis, who arrived in a wheelchair, watched on for most of the services.

The liturgy dates back to the ninth century and is a dramatic event which sees a series of antiphons known as the 'improperia' or 'Popule Meus' (my people) chanted as a cross covered in a purple veil is gradually unveiled.

After it is unveiled, worshippers are encouraged to kneel before the cross and kiss it in a remembrance of Christ.

Yesterday, on Maundy Thursday, Pope Francis visited a women's prison in Rome where he washed the feet of 12 inmates.

Seated in a wheelchair, the pope washed the feet of each of the prisoners, some of them in tears, before drying them off with a towel and kissing them.

'We all have small failures, big failures,' said the pope in an impromptu homily during a mass held in the courtyard of the prison that holds some 370 women.

'But the Lord is always waiting for us, with open arms, and he never tires of forgiving,' he added.

The washing of feet is 'a gesture that draws our attention to the vocation of service,' said Francis, who as a priest in Buenos Aires had already begun visiting prisoners.

Earlier today, the Pope presided over the liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ at St. Peter's Basilica

Yesterday, on Maundy Thursday, Pope Francis visited a women's prison in Rome where he washed the feet of 12 inmates

Elsewhere, across the world, Christians of different denominations also commemorated Good Friday.

In Jerusalem, worshippers participated in a scaled-down Good Friday service due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The day's processions, which normally draw thousands of foreign visitors, were unusually local. Most observers were Palestinian Christians, joined by some foreigners living in Jerusalem and a few undeterred tourists.

The traditional Good Friday procession passes along the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, the route believed to have been walked by Jesus to his crucifixion. Squads of Israeli police set up barricades along the path, rerouting shoppers in the Old City's bustling Muslim quarter to make way for hundreds of pilgrims.

A young group of Palestinians led the day's procession, past the 14 stations along the route, each marking an event that befell Jesus on his final journey. Hundreds of Palestinian Christians walked in their wake. Behind them was a small parade of the Franciscan religious order, composed mainly of foreigners who live in Jerusalem.

The celebrations coincided with the third Friday in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with worshippers once again flocking to the revered Al-Aqsa mosque for prayer.

Despite fears the ongoing war would spark clashes at the revered Al-Aqsa mosque, the month has so far passed peacefully under tight Israeli security.

Palestinian Christians take part in Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City. The day's processions, which normally draw thousands of foreign visitors, were unusually local. Most observers were Palestinian Christians

Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The celebrations coincided with the third Friday in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with worshippers once again flocking to the revered Al-Aqsa mosque for prayer. Despite fears the ongoing war would spark clashes, the month has so far passed peacefully under tight Israeli security

Filipino Catholic Ruben Enaje is nailed to a cross during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, on March 29, 2024

Speaking about Good Friday, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wrote the following on X

Meanwhile, in a gory ritual in the Philippines a 63-year-old man was nailed to a wooden cross in a real-life reenactment of the crucifiction.

READ MORE: Christian is nailed to a cross for the 35th time to reenact Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday in a bid to bring world peace Advertisement

Ruben Enaje has become a local celebrity for his recurring role as 'Christ' in the Lenten reenactment of the Way of the Cross.

Enaje said that he has considered stepping back from the role due to his age, but added that he could not turn down requests from villager for him to pray for sick relatives and 'all other kinds of maladies'.

Ahead of today's appearance, Enaje said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea, saying the need for prayers has deepened in an alarming period of conflict worldwide.

Enaje remained nailed up for more than 10 minutes as storm clouds gathered overhead. It began to rain as he was carried on a stretcher to a medical tent where his wounds were bandaged.

Speaking about Good Friday, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wrote on X: 'Good Friday feels like the opposite of good. Good Friday invites us into a place of utter desolation.

'It reminds us of everything that is not good in the world: gross injustice, abuses of power, scapegoating of the vulnerable and those who are different, betrayal, abandonment, and the horrendous violence that human beings always seem willing to inflict upon one another.

'All that is ugly, shameful and sinful about humanity is brought into focus on Good Friday, as Jesus is nailed upon a cross. And yet, it is Good.

'Not because of what takes place, but because within the worst of circumstances, Jesus demonstrates what it is to inhabit the broken world with profound and ultimate goodness. Jesus demonstrates the cost of goodness in the world  and does not shrink from it, despite the tears and fears of Gethsemane.'

Good Friday leads on Sunday to Easter, the most important and joyous date in the Church's liturgical calendar - commemorating the day Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead.
It comes as the city grapples with a spate of high profile attacks, including the assault on fifteen-year-old Kaylee Gain earlier this month.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has announced new plans to make convenience store owners more responsible for the crimes committed on or outside their property.

Mayor Jones, St Louis' the first black female mayor, told leaders at the the Black Mayors' Coalition on Crime in Memphis that St Louis needs to combat violent crime and theft around convenience stores.

'We have a lot of violence around convenience stores and gas stations,' Mayor Jones said on Thursday.

'So how can we hold those business owners accountable and also bring down crime?' she asked.

Adding: 'Some of the things we're already doing, we're finding that other mayors are doing as well.'

Jones, who has been mayor since 2021, told the other Mayor's ideas, the details of which are not yet clear, will be adopted from laws in Atlanta, Georgia that make nightclub owners more liable for crimes on or near their property.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has announced new plans to make convenience store owners more responsible for the crimes committed on or outside their property

'We have a lot of violence around convenience stores and gas stations,' Mayor Jones told the Black Mayors' Coalition on Crime on Thursday

Robberies at Webster Groves gas station are possibly connected to others in metro, according to local police

In January a woman was shot dead in a Jennings convenience store after a struggle ensued, local news reported.

Earlier this month a man was shot at a QuikTrip store in south St. Louis, according to reports.

The suspect was shot dead and the store's security guard was shot in the thigh in a struggle for his gun, according to local reports.

Attacks have also focused on gas stations, such as the Webster Groves gas station that police have raised as potentially connected to other violent robberies.

In 2023, St. Louis was ranked the third most dangerous city again behind Detroit and Michigan but also Baltimore.

'The prevalence of firearms, coupled with limited gun control measures, further contributes to the overall crime rates in St. Louis,' real estate Norada wrote of the city.

It comes after a spate of violent attacks in the city, including the recent attack on fifteen-year-old Kaylee Gain earlier this month.

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 lifeIt comes after a spate of violent attacks in the city, including the recent attack on fifteen-year-old Kaylee Gain earlier this month.

Gain was attacked on March 8 by another teenage girl who slammed her head into the pavement.

The teen was left with a fractured skull, brain bleeding, brain swelling, and in a coma for two weeks following the attack.

Despite its high crime rate, stats did drop significantly in 2023 compared to the year before.

Shootings were down 24 percent from 2022, felony thefts were down 39 percent and shootings involving juveniles were down 47 percent, according to St Louis police.

The city also saw a drop of more than 40 homicides bringing killings to their lowest levels in more than a decade.
Migrants walk along the highway through Arriaga, Chiapas state in southern Mexico, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, during their journey north toward the U.S. border. The sudden draw of the United States seems driven in large part by social media posts by those who reached their destinations successfully and travel agents who know visa rules. Edgar H. Clemente/AP

I couldnt believe how easy it was to cross from one country to the other. Not a single immigration officer stopped me  just vendors hawking beer and fresh tortillas. In the distance, the evergreen water lay still under a sunless sky. A long line of buoys delineated where one nation ended and the other began. I didnt even have my passport on me. Yet in about half an hour I had crossed, gone to the bathroom, taken some pictures and come back.

Many people imagine such a scene when they think of Joe Bidens big ole open border. Except that easy-peasy crossing wasnt anywhere near the United States. It was a different southern border: Mexicos with Guatemala, that last barrier to North America every migrant making their way northward by land must go through. And if it was easy to cross then  in 2016, when I visited the area on a family vacation  its even easier now. At least, thats what Alfredo tells me. He was our local tour guide during our stay in Chiapas, Mexicos southernmost state.

I caught up with him recently to get a better understanding of whats happening on Mexicos southern border now. I never imagined how much his own story would represent the larger issues driving the immigration crisis at our U.S. border.

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Heres the context: After peaking in December, migrant apprehensions on the U.S. side of the Mexico border dipped radically in January. The historic 50% drop was largely attributed to ramped-up Mexican enforcement efforts.

Did Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken give Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) a stern Christmastime talking-to? More likely, they pleaded with him and offered sweet deals in exchange for Mexican cooperation. AMLO, who like Biden, is facing election-year scrutiny, seems to have listened, beefing up military presence in the Mexican states bordering the U.S. I imagined he did the same in the south, much like in 2019 when Donald Trump used the threat of higher tariffs to pressure AMLO to deter more migrants.

Turns out, the story is more complicated than that. As Alfredo described it to me, his home state of Chiapas, once seen as a beautiful and relatively safe jungle oasis in a country often roiled by conflict, has become unrecognizable to him. A few years ago there were established, easily avoidable routes both for the trickle of migrants heading northward and the drug traffickers moving product. Now, though, both migrants and traffickers have spilled across the state.

The number of migrants crossing into Mexico has skyrocketed at the same time that a cartel turf war has displaced locals in Chiapas. Both locals and migrants now must make camp wherever they can, including in Alfredos hometown.

Migrants line up outside the offices of COMAR (Comision Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados) in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico in hopes of receiving a visa that will let them remain in Mexico legally. Keith Dannemiller

The surge in newcomers has tested a state that, despite having the nations highest poverty rate, is known for its hospitality toward strangers.

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As Chiapanecos, weve historically been in solidarity with migrants, supporting them on their journey north, Alfredo said in Spanish. But they used to come in groups of 20, and now theyre in the thousands. Many, seeing only a slim chance in the U.S., are seeking asylum in Mexico.

Y ahora estan estancados, he said of the migrants, using a word that often describes water stuck in one place, stagnant and confined, eventually becoming an open invitation for opportunistic pests  disease-carrying mosquitoes, disturbingly resilient roaches, an army of ants.

Stuck in legal limbo, the migrants have become a great business for bad actors, Alfredo explained.

Alfredos tourism business, on the other hand, has suffered. So much so that he has been considering making the trek to the United States himself.

When I met Alfredo, he was a young single man who spent his days giving intrepid Americans, Europeans and other Mexicans eco-tours through the Lacandon Jungle, kayaking across rapids and wielding his machete to reach Mayan ruins hidden behind thickets of vine. Now, hes a married man with two young kids to feed. Its the wrong time for business to drop off.

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The ruins of Palenque, which symbolizes the height of the ancient Maya empire, are remarkably well-preserved in the Lacandon jungle of Chiapas. BILLY CALZADA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

When he tried to figure out how he would get to the U.S., he told me, asylum seemed the cheapest and easiest option.

At least thats what hed heard, both from other Chiapanecos and the migrants passing through. He explained confidently that his own wifes family members had just crossed into the U.S. and, within a few days, gotten asylum.

Skeptical, I asked, Are you sure they actually got asylum, and arent just waiting for a court date many years in the future?

He was sure.

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The thing is, its highly unlikely thats true.

Listening to Alfredos thought process, I felt torn. Too many times I had heard Americans, mainly conservatives, insist that migrants were taking advantage of asylum, using it to get to the U.S. when their cases had no real merit. I had fought that argument tooth and nail, defending asylum-seekers, who I felt sure were truly fleeing persecution.

But Alfredos story illustrates how hard it is to paint a binary picture of migrants. He is certainly fleeing something  a home overrun with bloodshed, declining tourism and uncertainty surrounding his familys future. Does that fit the definition of persecution under any of the five narrow categories  race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion  that form the standard for asylum? No.

Does that mean he shouldnt have a chance to seek better economic opportunity in a country outside of his own? No.

What it means is, the same way Americans themselves dont fully understand their own immigration system, much less the alphabet soup of U.S. visas, many hopeful migrants dont fully understand their options either. And in an election year in which immigration has risen to the top of U.S. voters concerns for the first time since 2019, getting to the root of that misunderstanding will be key.

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After talking with Alfredo, I felt lost. Immigration, more than ever, felt like a tangled mass of thorny jungle.

But ultimately, his story helped me understand what so many of us miss about immigration policy  why our broken system can't keep up with people on the move, and what we can do to fix it. More on that soon.

Next week: TikTok, migrant influencers, and an underfunded system.
The U.S. in recent days authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, two sources familiar with the effort said on Friday, even as Washington publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated Israeli military offensive in Rafah.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, said the sources, who confirmed a report in the Washington Post.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally.

The package comes as Israel faces strong international criticism over its continued bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza and as some members of President Joe Biden's party call for him to cut U.S. military aid.

The United States has been rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticized the Biden administration's steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.

A smoke plume erupts during an Israeli bombardment on Friday. The U.S. has authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, despite public outcry over the war in Gaza and the killing of Palestinian civilians

President Joe Biden on Friday acknowledged 'the pain being felt' by many Arab Americans over the was in Gaza though vowed to continue to support Israel despite an increasingly public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Biden on Friday acknowledged 'the pain being felt' by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and over U.S. support for Israel and its military offensive.

He faced protests during his trip this week to New York, with hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Radio City Music Hall, where he participated in a glitzy $25 million fundraiser alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton Thursday night.

A number of protesters also made it into the show and interrupted the three presidents' discussion with Late Show host Stephen Colbert.

During the event, he reiterated his support for a 'two-state solution.'

Still, he has vowed continued support for Israel despite an increasingly public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The White House declined comment on the weapons transfers.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Palestinian rides a bike through a bombed out building in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Friday, after an Israeli airstrike. Biden approved more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs going to Israel

Pro-Palestine protesters swarmed Radio City Music Hall Thursday night ahead of President Joe Biden's $25 million fundraiser alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton

The decision on weapons follows a visit to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week when he discussed Israel's weapons needs with U.S. counterparts.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gallant, apparently seeking to cool U.S.-Israeli tensions, said he stressed the importance of U.S. ties to his country's security and of maintaining Israel's 'qualitative military edge' in the region, including its air capabilities.

The war erupted on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel has retaliated by launching an air and ground assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 32,000 people, health authorities in Gaza say.
A beachfront home on the wealthy island of Nantucket has been sold for just $600,000 - a huge discount from its original listing price of $2.3 million.

The average home price on the exclusive Massachusetts island off Cape Cod is $4.43 million - but there is a large catch for living life on the edge in this newly sold home on Sheep Pond Road, with coastal erosion a real concern.

There is a very real possibility the new owner will get that sinking feeling sooner rather than later with entire property likely being consumed by the ocean within a matter of years.

It led to the home's former owner deciding to slash the price tag for a quick sale having only purchased it comparatively recently in 2021 for $1.65 million.

Last summer, the house was being rented for $15,000-a-week but over the winter, storm after storm slowly ate away at the property's backyard.

What was 100 feet of dunes sitting between the house and the Atlantic Ocean had dwindled to just 30 feet after they were washed away by the waves.

A beachfront home on Nantucket sold for $600,000, a steep drop from its $2.3 million listing

Brendan Maddigan, managing director at the real estate investment firm JLL, has purchased the new home and is well aware of the risks, but believes there is still potential to be had

Brendan Maddigan, managing director at the real estate investment firm JLL, has purchased the new home and is well aware that he is playing a real life game of sink or swim that might turn his beachfront bliss into an underwater abyss.

'It's a gamble, but I got comfortable with the risk,' Maddigan said told the Nantucket Current.

There are limited options with what can be done to improve its chances as the home is already right up against the eastern border of the property and there is no room to shift it further back from the ever-encroaching shoreline.

'It's a losing battle and I have no certainty around the time that it will eventually - or maybe not - that erosion will take out that house. I looked at it as, if I could have that spot for a few years, hopefully a little longer, and do everything I can to make it last, I'll be happy. Climate change is very real. I'm hopeful, but I'm realistic.'

Maddigan, 42, is already familiar with the area having grown in Woods Hole, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.

'The home is amazing. The location is amazing. And the price mitigates the risk to a good degree,' Maddigan told the Boston Globe.

'Id like to think that itll be there for a while, but I was definitely aware of the risk of any particular storm causing a problem in the future.

'The property has some advantages but I don't have a crystal ball, and who knows what nature will do. We know what the trends are. There are years with no erosion and other years where it's significant. I'm planning on doing the best I can to hang onto this spot for as long as we canBut there's nothing you can do to stop erosion,' he said.

Coastal erosion is threatening the property's very existence, with winter storms taking a toll with just 30 feet from the home to the ocean - down from 100 feet

This bay window is a cosy place to sit while admiring the sea views which are drawing closer

Maddigan was the first buyer to plump for the home with an all cash offer, within hours of the price dropping.

'I took the chance, and I hope its long enough that my children have great memories of being there,' Maddigan said. 'And who knows, maybe well get lucky.'

'The floodgates opened, I kid you not' listing agent, Susan Shepherd, from Shepherd Real Estate told The Current.

'People called me from all over the country. Not only did I personally field as many as 30 to 40 calls per day, but other brokers were also calling me saying that they were getting inundated. I anticipated it, but not that it would be a full-time job. I did nothing but field calls.'

Those making enquiries ranged from first-time homebuyers to those happy to gamble $600,000 on a house that may not be around that long.

'Some people said "Oh this isn't so bad,: and others said "holy crap'!"' Shepherd explained.

The open plan kitchen and dining area are bright with plenty of natural light flooding the room

'It was fascinating. There's so much of the human element and psyche that plays into this. I knew there would be immediate interest, I just didn't know the volume.

'There was the full range: a first-time home buyer to the opposite end - the retirement writer wanting to be away from it all. The full gamut. Someone said "Oh, I'll put my chef out there. I'll put my boat captain out there." For some, it was just "Vegas money".'

Shepherd also emphasized that beyond the erosion, the price drop to $600,000 also reflected the motivation of the seller to unload the property.

'I said 'If we want to sell this in hours not days, where do we price it'?' Shepherd said. 'Was there money left on the table? There might have been. But when I talk to people about pricing a property, timing is always a factor. The seller wanted to turn the page, and that had more to do with it than anything.'
A five-year-old boy has today died in hospital after being found by police in the River Thames this afternoon.

An urgent police hunt was launched to find Daniel Alaby after he went missing from his home in Thamesmead, south-east London. He had last been last seen with his brother at around at 5.30pm.

At 6.23pm officers looking for Daniel found a child in the river, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police administered CPR before the paramedics from the London Ambulance Service arrived.

The child, who is believed to be Daniel, has been taken to hospital in a critical condition, the force added. He was pronounced dead at hospital later this evening.

Daniel Alaby, five, is fighting for his life in hospital in a critical condition after being found by police in the River Thames

An urgent police hunt was launched to find Daniel today after he went missing from his home in Thamesmead, south-east London

Daniel's family have been made aware and are being supported by police officers .

There is no evidence to suggest that any other person was involved, the Met said.

Officers are undertaking enquiries to establish the circumstances of Daniel's disappearance.

A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: 'Police issued an appeal on Friday, 29 March, to locate a missing boy, Daniel Alaby.

'At 18:23hrs that evening officers looking for Daniel found a child in the River Thanes. Officers pulled the child from the water and administered CPR prior to the arrival of LAS.

'The child, who is believed to be Daniel, was taken to hospital in a critical condition. He was pronounced dead at hospital later that evening.

'Daniel's family have been made aware. They are being supported by police officers.

'Enquiries are under way to establish the circumstances of the incident. Anyone who may have seen Daniel on Friday evening is asked to call police on 101 or post @MetCC ref 4592/29MAR24.

'At this very early stage, there is no evidence to suggest that any other person was involved. Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances.'

Emergency photographed at the scene after five-year-old Daniel vanished from his home
A two-year-old girl has been found alone in a unit with the body of her Iraqi refugee father Hasel Liu, 31, who had been dead for days.

He moved to Australia for a better life, but due to Australia's housing crisis, he and his daughter spent time living in a car near The Spit on the northern Gold Coast.

Mr Liu, who had recently complained of feeling unwell, was reportedly separated from his former partner, who is the child's mother, and he was the primary carer.

After the period of homelessness last year, a charity service arranged for him and his daughter to stay in a hotel, the Courier-Mail reported, and they later moved into an apartment in Coolangatta.

It was in that Stapylton St home that his body was discovered at around 11.30 on Good Friday morning by Queensland Police.

A toddler has been found alone in a unit (pictured) with the body of the child's father who had been dead for days

The officers were there to perform a welfare check after a call from a relative who said they had not been able to contact Mr Liu since Tuesday.

The shocked officers found his dead body and his toddler daughter inside the property.

Mr Liu is thought to have been dead for up to three days.

The child was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for a check up and has since been reunited with her mother.

A neighbour who did not wish to be named told the Courier-Mail that Mr Liu was 'a lovely, lovely man' who had lived in the building for a few months.

The tragedy was discovered at around 11.30am on Good Friday morning when Queensland Police attended the Stapylton St (pictured) home in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast

'He loved it here and he loved his daughter. She was the most important thing in his world.

'They didn't have much, but they had each other and the mother would come to visit,' the neighbour said.

Mr Liu's death is reportedly non-suspicious, but its cause is being investigated.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.
China's ambassador to the UK told students at British universities to serve 'the motherland' and uphold the teachings of the Chinese Communist Party, it has emerged.

Zheng Zeguang was hosted by the Universities of York, Birmingham and Leeds last summer, and told Chinese students to 'keep in mind' the words of president Xi Jinping.

It comes after the ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office this week when it emerged Beijing had launched a cyber attack on MPs.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the events showed universities were 'in hock' to the communist state.

He added: 'If the British Government sent their ambassador around students in a foreign country to tell them that they should behave like British citizens, it would be considered quite peculiar.'

China 's ambassador to the UK told students at British universities to serve 'the motherland' and uphold the teachings of the Chinese Communist Party, it has emerged

The University of York, which has around 3,000 Chinese students, did not publicise Mr Zheng's visit on its UK social media pages, the i newspaper reported.

But photos posted on Chinese app WeChat showed the diplomat being handed gifts by vice-chancellor Charlie Jeffery.

The post said Mr Zheng 'encouraged everyone to keep in mind general secretary Xi Jinping's earnest teachings, adhere to patriotism and serving the country'.

A visit to the University of Birmingham was also documented on WeChat and the Chinese government website, but not on the university's social media pages.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the events showed universities were 'in hock' to the communist state

In a video of a visit to Leeds posted on China News Service, Mr Zheng instructed students to 'make contributions to the motherland'.

MPs warned of Beijing's growing influence in the UK's higher education system last year.

A report by Parliament's intelligence and security committee noted there was 'pressure on institutions... to prevent engagement with topics that harm the positive narrative presented by the Chinese Communist Party.'

A government spokesman said it was 'taking steps to strengthen the UK's protections from overseas interference in our higher education sector'.
Had Banksy, the millionaire graffiti artist, been finally unmasked?

There were plenty who thought so just a few days ago, when, amid feverish excitement, a bulky grey-haired man in shades was pictured working on a new piece of street art in north London.

The mural in question, a tree design in vivid green to mark the first day of spring, was undoubtedly by Banksy. And this was the clearest picture of the 'artist' yet.

Alas, the suspect turned out to be a 67-year-old builder called George Georgiou, a man who boasts he is without a creative bone in his body.

Which means the 'mystery', if that's what it is, lives on  although for us, the real puzzle is why anyone should think there's a single drop of intrigue left to be squeezed from Britain's most famous 'guerrilla' artist.

It has been 16 years since we revealed Banksy is neither riddle nor enigma but a 50-year-old man called Robin Gunningham. We are just as clear today  and have a mountain of evidence saying so.

A new Banksy mural appeared on a wall earlier this month in Hornsey Road, Finsbury Park

Because it is now 16 years since he was comprehensively outed in The Mail on Sunday thanks to our year-long investigation.

We were clear then that Banksy is neither riddle nor enigma but a 50-year-old man called Robin Gunningham.

We are just as clear today  and have a mountain of evidence saying so.

We know, for example, that the privately educated artist grew up in the Bristol suburbs, went to the Cathedral School and is married to a former Labour Party researcher called Joy Millward.

We know that, for decades, Banksy's every movement has followed that of Gunningham.

The evidence continues to accumulate including, we can now reveal, graffiti signed by Banksy which has been found in the garage of his parents' former home  the home of Mr and Mrs Peter Gunningham.

Yet today, a quarter of a century since the first work appeared in his home city, the weary myth persists that no one truly knows who he might be.

A torrent of intrigue and speculation greets each new work.

Viewed as a cross between the Scarlet Pimpernel and Robin Hood, Banksy has acquired near cult status, lauded for holding the mighty to account with spray paint before retreating back into the urban undergrowth.

Who else could command 18.5million at Sotheby's for a half-shredded artwork, Love is in the Bin?

'Guerrilla' art turns out to be lucrative, by the way  today Banksy's overall fortune stands at an estimated 50million.

Banksy's famous mural, Rage, The Flower Thrower (Love Is In The Air), is painted on a car wash in a suburb of Bethlehem

Keen to show a political edge, Banksy's Flying Balloon Girl won global plaudits

Yet he's had important help along the way, from parts of the art world and a media that seems determined to ignore the inconvenient facts  not least that we have known exactly who he is for a decade and a half.

But who cares about evidence when there's money to be made  and so much of it?

We first started assembling the Banksy jigsaw when a photograph of a man with a spray-can appeared suddenly and without explanation on the internet.

Claiming to show him at work in Jamaica, it had been taken by a known associate of the artist. We were intrigued.

This was 2008 and Banksy had already made his name spraying humorously anti-Establishment art on walls across Britain and elsewhere.

Keen to suggest a political 'edge', he'd won global plaudits for paintings on the wall dividing Israel and the West Bank, including non-trademark images such as Rage, The Flower Thrower  featuring a masked man hurling a bouquet  and Flying Balloon Girl.

In 2006, Banksy left an inflatable doll dressed as a Guantanamo prisoner in Disneyland, California.

Another time, he hung a version of the Mona Lisa  but with a smiley face  in the Louvre, seeming to revel in a game of cat-and-mouse with Press and public.

It quickly emerged, however, that Banksy had an unexpected advantage when it came to preserving his anonymity.

Because he'd adopted his alter ego at the early age of 14, fiction had already merged with fact, and we found that most people who knew him from more recent times had no clue about his real identity. He was just 'Banksy'.

Kissing Coppers was originally unveiled on the wall of The Prince Albert pub in Brighton

Banksy's 2005 work CND Soldiers, which depicts two soldiers graffitiing the symbol of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on a wall

The breakthrough came when someone from the Bristol art scene finally gave us a name: Robin Gunningham.

Armed with this, we found the public records showing that Gunningham's father, Peter, had been a contracts manager and that his mother, Pamela, had been a company director's secretary who later worked in a nursing home.

The couple had married on April 25, 1970, at Kingswood Wesley Methodist Church, and moved into a semi-detached house in the Bristol suburbs.

They had two children, Sarah, in 1972, and Robin, in 1973.

Next, we tracked down a former neighbour, the late Anthony Hallett, who confirmed to us that the figure in the photograph from Jamaica was indeed Robin Gunningham. 'I think Robin was working as a graffiti artist,' he told The Mail on Sunday.

'He worked for other people and would disappear for months on end.

'He was quite nomadic. I would not go as far as to say he went off the rails, but there was some sort of rift in the family. He just disappeared after he left home.' When we approached Gunningham's parents for confirmation, however, their response was disconcerting.

'I can't help you really,' said Peter Gunningham, who claimed not to recognise the man in the original picture and refused to help us with the whereabouts of Robin.

There was none of the surprise you might expect from a father confronted with an outlandish claim about his son.

His wife, meanwhile, stated that, bewilderingly, she was not Pamela Ann Gunningham and that she didn't have a son called Robin.

We traced Gunningham's fellow pupils at the 9,240-a-year Bristol Cathedral School.

Some might be surprised to think of Banksy the iconoclast, wandering the 17th-century former monastery with its upper and lower quadrangles or on his knees for morning prayers in the gloom of the ancient cathedral.

Scott Nurse, an insurance broker from Robin's class, said: 'He was one of three people in my year who were extremely talented at art.

'He did lots of illustrations. I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy.' The coincidences mounted.

We found a school photograph of a bespectacled Gunningham from 1989 which shows a discernible resemblance to the man in the Jamaica photograph.

Time and again we found that his movements shadowed those of Banksy and vice versa. In 1988, for example, Gunningham was living in Easton area of Bristol with a man called Luke Egan.

Egan was a friend of Banksy who had collaborated with the artist on the Santa's Ghetto exhibition in London's West End in Christmas 2001.

At first, Egan denied knowing either Banksy or Gunningham  although he had exhibited with the former and was shown as having lived with the latter on the electoral roll.

He eventually admitted knowing Gunningham but not Banksy.

The same Easton property was later bought by Camilla Stacey, a curator at Bristol's Here Gallery.

When we spoke to her, she was completely certain that Banksy and Gunningham were one and the same.

She found Banksy artwork had been left behind in the house  yet, for a while, she continued to receive post in the name of Robin Gunningham.

'When I moved in, the place had been covered in graffiti and stuff like that,' she explained. 'I threw things in the bin. At that point Banksy was just another artist who had graffitied around Bristol.

'It keeps me awake at night sometimes thinking about it.'

When, at the turn of the Millennium, Banksy moved to London, so did Robin Gunningham, who took up residence in a flat in Kingsland Road, Hackney.

Gunningham's flatmate was a man called Jamie Eastman who worked for Bristol's Hombre records, a label for which Banksy designed a number of album covers.

In 2016, scientists at London's Queen Mary University employed 'geographic profiling'  normally used to catch criminals or track the spread of disease  to say that Gunningham was 'the only serious suspect'.

Who else but Banksy could command 18.5million at Sotheby's for a half-shredded artwork, Love is in the Bin?

They plotted the locations of 192 of Banksy's presumed artworks and found 'hot spots' which correlated to a pub, playing fields and homes closely linked to Gunningham, his friends and family.

Then, that same year, Banksy's then agent, Steve Lazarides, released a series of early photographs of the artist, which bore an extraordinary similarity to Gunningham.

Lazarides had been a picture editor when he discovered Banksy on a 2001 photoshoot in Bristol.

In 2017, we discovered a photo of the artist wearing a high-vis jacket at work on a piece featuring a giant white rat daubed on Liverpool's derelict White Horse pub in 2004.

The photographer, Christopher Wilson, said: 'There is no way that anybody can ignore the evidence now.'

He was wrong, of course.

The year 2018 brought another curious overlap. Two artworks  cassette sleeves on albums by Bristol band Mother Samosa and signed by Gunningham  appeared on an internet auction site with an estimate of 4,000.

The albums had been recorded at studios in Bristol by sound engineer Martin Smith.

'I remember him [Gunningham] going out on a bicycle with a basket on the front with stencils in it,' said Smith.

'He said to me, 'I'm going to change my name to Robin Banks. 'What do you think?'

Then there was the graffiti at Gunningham's childhood home.

Although the revelation came too late for The Mail on Sunday, we spoke to the family that moved in after Peter and Pamela Gunningham separated and sold up.

'We bought the house from the Gunninghams and had this graffiti in the garage,' they told us.

'But it was only after buying The Mail on Sunday that we thought: 'My God.' We went back out to the garage and found a signature on the wall saying 'Banksy Art'.'

In the 16 years since we first named him, neither Gunningham nor his wife have once come forward to say that we are wrong.

His alter-ego Banksy has failed to deny the story, either, simply saying: 'I'm unable to comment on who may or may not be Banksy but anyone described as good at drawing doesn't sound like Banksy to me.'

If the facts are so clear and well established, why the strange omerta? Why, all these years later do people insist on claiming there is any doubt at all that Banksy and Robin Gunningham are the same?

Simple, says Michel Boersma, curator of exhibition The Art of Banksy, in London's Regent Street. 'The art world maintains the conspiracy because it is a gravy train.

'The public don't want the mystery to stop because it's a lovely fairytale.

'The art world doesn't want his identity to be known because it would take away from the mystique  and mystique makes money.

' There's a chance they'll soon be disappointed, however.

However determinedly the publicists have turned their face against the evidence, the courts will be harder to ignore.

Banksy has found himself fighting a 1.3million legal battle over the commercialisation of his artwork  and he is, on the face of it, a key witness.

When, in 2022, the Guess fashion brand featured an image of his Flower Bomber on its clothes, Banksy lashed out on Twitter, now X, urging 'all shoplifters' to go to an outlet on Regent Street.

'They've helped themselves to my artwork without asking,' he wrote. 'How can it be wrong for you to do the same to their clothes?' Now art licensing company, Full Colour Black, which supplied Guess with the image, is suing Banksy for libel and damages in the High Court.

They say there was a legitimate agreement in place. He denies it.

We will see. A hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Could Banksy's anonymity really survive such a high-profile case? Would he, God forbid, appear in person to give evidence?

Or perhaps Robin Gunningham will simply make this awkward matter disappear.

A quiet settlement behind closed doors to the satisfaction of all? From what we've seen these past 16 years, we wouldn't bet against it.
The accused attacker was described by family as an 'honor roll student' in choir, which Kaylee's family said are attempts to downplay her accused violent act

Family members have called for Kaylee's accused attacker to be tried as an adult after the teenage girl made jokes about joining WWE or MMA after the brawl

Kaylee Gain's family have revealed that the 16-year-old is finally able to talk but still can't walk after leaving the intensive care unit following her March 8 beating

Kaylee Gain's family have revealed that the beaten school girl is finally able to talk but still can't walk as they hit back at the accused attacker who joked about joining WWE after the fight.

In a letter from Kaylee's family addressed to the public, her parents confirmed that the 16-year-old was finally released from the intensive care unit, where she had been recovering from the brutal injuries she suffered during the violent March 8 brawl.

Her parents revealed that Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff.

Kaylee's parents went on to bash their daughter's accused attacker, who is in custody, and demand that she is tried as an adult.

It was previously exclusively reported by DailyMail.com that the attacker's family claims she was an 'honor roll student' who was 'defending herself' in the brawl.

Kaylee Gain's family have revealed that the beaten school girl is finally able to talk but still can't walk as they hit back at the accused attacker who joked about joining WWE after the fight

Viral video shows another teen smashing Gain's head into the pavement repeatedly before the victim appears to suffer a seizure

However, Kaylee's family have hit back at these claims - saying that they are attempts to 'downplay' the accused's actions by suggesting that by being in the choir and 'multilingual' makes her incapable of committing the violent act.

Kaylee's parents (her mother is pictured here) have also seen now-deleted social media posts from just hours after the brawl made by the accused attacker - in which she shows 'an utter lack of remorse for her actions'

Kaylee's parents have also seen now-deleted social media posts from just hours after the brawl made by the accused attacker - in which she shows 'an utter lack of remorse for her actions,' according to the letter.

In one of the posts, the accused allegedly admitted that her attack was 'calculated' and joked about joining 'MMA or WWE.'

According to the letter, 'the family believes trying the accused as an adult is the most appropriate way to provide the justice that Kaylee deserves.'

DailyMail.com spoke to family members of the accused attacker last week, who are insisting that she is, in fact, the real victim.

Her aunt confirmed that she was an honor roll student at Hazelwood East High School with an exemplary record and was 'defending herself' during the fight with Kaylee.

The family has created a Change.org petition, calling on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show 'compassion' to the schoolgirl, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Her aunt said Kaylee was not being bullied by her niece and urged people to donate to help with her legal bills as the situation wasn't exactly what it seemed.

In a letter from Kaylee's family addressed to the public, her parents confirmed that the 16-year-old was finally released from the intensive care unit, where she had been recovering from the brutal injuries she suffered during the violent March 8 brawl (pictured: Kaylee's grandmother and mother)

The girl's family says she 'deserves amnesty and a chance at forgiveness', adding that her 'fair trial hearing is being swayed'.

The girl has been charged with felony assault and is being held by St Louis Family Court, with a hearing expected in early April.

Her family describe her as an honor roll student who speaks four languages, who was being 'harassed and bullied' before the fight broke out.

Kaylee's family says it wants 'justice through the legal system'  but previously pleaded with other teenagers not to retaliate against her alleged attacker.

Video of the incident circulated on social media showing another girl bashing the teen's head into the concrete after throwing multiple punches and sending her careening to the ground.

Kaylee appeared to begin to have a seizure as groups of other teens brawled just feet away.

Police found the girl suffering from a serious head injury near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, roughly a five-minute walk from the high school campus. She was taken to the hospital and remains in critical condition.

Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff, according to her parents

After news of the altercation broke, the Hazelwood School District released a statement condemning violence within the community.

'It is a tragedy anytime children are hurt,' the statement read. 'Bullying and fighting in the community is an issue for which we all need to take ownership and work towards a resolution for the sake of our children.

'The Hazelwood School District offers our sincerest condolences to everyone involved and will offer additional emotional support from our support and crisis team to those in need.'
A woman is dead and two others rushed to hospital after a suspected mass drug overdose in an apartment at one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations.

Police and ambulance crews were called to an apartment on The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast at about 11pm on Friday night in response to an emergency call reporting patients unconscious and not breathing.

A 40-year-old woman died at the scene.

Two other women were rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital.

One is in a critical condition and the other in a serious condition.

Police and ambulance crews were called to an apartment in Surfers Paradise about 11.30pm Friday night in response to an emergency call reporting patients unconscious and not breathing

Four other people were assessed by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment.

The group is believed to have ingested a cocktail of drugs including ketamine and GHB or fantasy, the Courier-Mail reported.

A police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that a report will be prepared 'for the coronor following the non-suspicious death of a 40-year-old Surfers Paradise woman overnight.

'Emergency crews were called to The Esplanade unit at 11pm after the woman was located deceased. Investigations are ongoing,' they said.

More to come.
Horrific footage revealed the moment an angry mob dragged a suspected child kidnapper and killer out of a police car and beat her to death in the Mexican tourist town of Taxco.

The unnamed woman was being hauled away by police, after she had allegedly been caught on surveillance video helping a man dump the body of Camila Gomez Ortega who had disappeared Wednesday.

The villagers dragged the woman out of the police car and began wailing on her and tearing at her clothes.

'We are fed up,' a woman who identified herself as Andrea told the Associated Press. 'This time it was an 8-year-old girl.'

'This is the result of the bad government we have. This isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened, but this is the first time the people have done something.'

Horrific footage revealed the moment an angry mob dragged a suspected child kidnapper and killer out of a police car

The unnamed woman was beaten to death in the Mexican tourist town of Taxco

The villagers dragged the woman out of the police car and began wailing on her and tearing at her clothes

'We are fed up,' a woman told the Associated Press. 'This time it was an 8-year-old girl'

Frustration had been mounting since Camila went missing Wednesday after her family let her walk to a next door neighbor's house to play.

Surveillance video later surfaced of a woman in the same neighborhood carrying a basket of clothes into a taxi and helping a man carry a bundle, believed to be the young girl, in the trunk of the cab, according to Mexican media outlet Excelsior.

The girl was found dead in the city outskirts that same day.

An autopsy revealed the girl had been raped and asphyxiated, the outlet reported.

The victim's family members were able to pinpoint the home of the alleged murderers.

They pleaded with authorities to arrest them, but police did not move in.

Instead the mob swarmed the home, with some men seen climbing the roof of the house to force the suspected child killers out.

Camila Gomez Ortega, 8, went missing Wednesday after she went to her neighbor's house to play

Her family reported her missing immediately. Her body was discovered the next day in the outskirts of Taxco, Mexico. She had been raped and suffocated, according to Mexican media reports

Surveillance video showed a woman carrying a basket of clothing into a taxi that was later connected to Camila's disappearance

The same woman was seen helping a man load a bundle, believed to be Camila's body, into the trunk of the taxi

Finally police stepped in, as the trio was forced out out of the house, agreeing to take them into custody.

Despite placing her in a police pick up truck, people from the town can be seen clawing at the woman until they finally were able to pull her out of the truck.

An officer tried to pull her back in, but eventually gave up her body to the mob.

Police stood by and watched the beating of her and two other men who were suspected in Camila's death until the mob finished with them.

The woman was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries.

The public killing of the woman coincided with Holy Week celebrations, which draw many tourists to the city

A woman chants the Spanish word for "justice" during a demonstration protesting the kidnapping and killing of an 8-year-old girl, in the main square of Taxco, Mexico, Thursday

A woman carries her daughter during a demonstration protesting the kidnapping and killing of an 8-year-old girl, in the main square of Taxco, Mexico, Thursday

A woman wipes away tears during a demonstration protesting the kidnapping and killing of an 8-year-old girl, in the main square of Taxco, Mexico

The public killing of the woman coincided with Holy Week celebrations, which draw many tourists to the city.

'I never thought that in a touristic place like Taxco we would experience a lynching,' said Felipa Lagunas, a local elementary school teacher.

'I saw it as something distant, in places far from civilization ... I never imagined that my community would experience this on such a special day.'

Guerrero, the state where Taxco is located, has been plagued by violence.

Known as Tierra Caliente or the 'Hot Lands,' the region has been controlled by some 40 cartels and drug gangs who are fighting for control of marijuana and heroin production in that area.

In this part of Mexico, criminal organizations run the show, preying on locals and killing anyone who doesn't pay to play by their rules.

'We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up. There will be a lot of people who won't want to come anymore,' said Andrea.

'We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us.'
Gene-edited spud will cook quicker and be less prone to bruising, experts hope

They're a versatile dinner option and are packed full of fibre.

But waiting for the humble potato to cook must be one of the frustrating experiences for any home chef.

Thankfully, those days could soon be over, as British scientists are working on a 'super spud' that cooks as fast as pasta and rice.

Using gene editing, the scientists plan to make tweaks to the part of the spud's DNA that controls how quickly the vegetable's cells soften.

Gene-edited potatoes will then be bred commercially before ending up on the supermarket shelves, the experts hope.

The experts plan to use the famous CRISPR gene editing tool, which acts as a pair of 'molecular scissors' that can cut the two strands of DNA at a specific location

British potato sales are falling because consumers want carbohydrates that cook a lot quicker - namely rice and pasta

READ MORE: The best forms of POTATO, according to ChatGPT - so, do you agree? The humble potato originates from the highlands of the Andes Advertisement

The new project is being led by agri-tech company B-hive Innovations, based in Lincoln, along with Branston Potatoes and the James Hutton Institute in Scotland.

According to the partners, British potato sales are falling because consumers want carbohydrates that cook a lot quicker  namely rice and pasta.

A key focus will be the Maris Piper potato, known for its pale golden skin and creamy white flesh, considered an 'all-rounder' because it is good for making chips, roasties and more.

Codenamed TuberGene, the project will also tackle another major problem for potato growers  bruising.

In the UK, around five million tonnes of potatoes are produced each year but a big number don't meet commercial specifications, leading to food waste.

'The UK potato industry is facing significant challenges, and it's crucial that we find innovative solutions to ensure its long-term viability,' said Dr Andy Gill, general manager at B-hive Innovations.

'This project represents a major step forward in our efforts to address issues such as bruising-related losses and changing consumer preferences.'

The Maris Piper (pictured) is the perfect potato for roasting thanks to its higher levels of amylose

What are gene-edited crops? Gene editing promises to produce 'super-crops' by altering or cutting out genes that naturally occur in plants. Unlike genetically modified (GM) plants, gene-edited (GE) crops contain no 'foreign' DNA from other species. GE crops are produced using CRISPR, a new tool for making precise edits in DNA. Scientists use a specialised protein to make tiny changes to the plant's DNA that could occur naturally or through selective breeding. GM crops have had foreign genes added to their DNA - a process that often cannot happen naturally. Advertisement

Making small changes at a specific location in a gene within the spud's DNA can introduce desirable traits that would otherwise take years to develop.

Aside from faster-cooking, less bruise-prone spuds, these changes could also include a greater resistance to disease, better nutritional value or longer shelf life.

The experts plan to use the famous CRISPR gene editing tool, which acts as a pair of 'molecular scissors' that can cut the two strands of DNA at a specific location.

'Gene editing and other precision breeding technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to rapidly enhance the traits of potatoes, meeting the need to quickly respond to the changing preferences of consumers,' said Dr Rob Hancock, research scientist at the James Hutton Institute.

'By targeting specific genes responsible for traits like bruising susceptibility and cooking times, we can create varieties that meet the needs of both growers and consumers.'

It follows new legislation passed by the UK government in 2023 that permits the commercial development of gene-edited crops.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has previously insisted that GE products would not need to be advertised as such because they are 'fundamentally natural'.

However, gene-edited foods are still controversial because there is no history of safe and reliable use, according to some critics.

Although they're two terms that are often confused, gene editing (GE) is different from genetic modification (GM).

Gene-editing uses specialised enzymes to cut DNA at specific points. These changes must be equivalent to those that could have been made using traditional plant or animal breeding methods (file photo)

GM is the process of changing the DNA of an organism, such as a bacterium, plant or animal, by introducing elements of DNA from a different organism.

Meanwhile, GE involves changing an organism's DNA by making alterations to its genetic code  without any 'foreign' DNA from other species.

According to the Food Standards Agency, GM foods are only authorised for sale in the UK if they are judged not to present a risk to health or mislead consumers.

Also, if GM foods have less nutritional value than their non-GM counterpart they won't be permitted for sale.
Yilun Cheng is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering local politics and City Hall. She can be reached at yilun.cheng@houstonchronicle.com.

Yilun studied political science as an undergrad at the University of California, Berkeley and as a grad student at Columbia University. She later earned her masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Before coming to Houston, she covered immigration policies and marginalized communities for the Columbus Dispatch.
It looks like the monstrous sandworms depicted in Dune, but this blood-sucking 'vampire fish' and its mouth full of swirling teeth are all too real.

Will Miles, 26, encountered the bizarre creature on the beach near Exmouth Marina in Devon while taking a post-work stroll last week.

He said: 'It was very noticeable, lying in the centre part of the beach near the tideline  I was on a walk after work.

'It was like a hugely oversized leech with a sucker full of sharp, inward-pointing teeth.'

The creature is a sea lamprey  a species known for sucking the blood of their prey; hence the 'vampire fish' nickname.

It looks like the monstrous sandworms depicted in Dune, but this blood-sucking 'vampire fish' and its mouth full of swirling teeth are all too real

Will Miles, 26, encountered the bizarre creature on the beach near Exmouth Marina in Devon while taking a post-work stroll last week

Once widespread in the UK, they're now rare, with their decline blamed on low water quality and man-made barriers in the rivers where they breed.

Mr Miles, a warehouse worker from Bovey Tracey, estimated it was about 80cm long  just short of the height of an average two-year-old.

'I was very surprised,' he said.

'I'd never seen one washed up before and expected I never would.'

Keen to share his strange discovery, Will posted a photo on a Facebook page for naturalists.

And though some correctly identified the elusive species, others thought it looked like something out of the blockbuster Dune films, based on Frank Herbert's sci-fi novels.

The creature is a sea lamprey  a species known for sucking the blood of their prey; hence the 'vampire fish' nickname

Once widespread in the UK, they're now rare, with their decline blamed on low water quality and man-made barriers in the rivers where they breed

'Looks like the sandworm from Dune,' wrote one person.

'So that's where Frank Herbert got his sandworms from,' added another.

'Only just seen the film and that's where my head went straight away,' replied a third.

One person, referring to the fictional world where the series is set, asked: 'Is this on Arrakis?'

While others called the creature 'Shai-Hulud'  using the name given to the sandworms by the indigenous people of Arrakis, the Fremen.

One joker asked: 'Any spice around? I could do with some interstellar travel coming up to the elections.'

For others, the creature was more horror than sci-fi.

Mr Miles, a warehouse worker from Bovey Tracey, estimated it was about 80cm long  just short of the height of an average two-year-old

'Looks like the sandworm from Dune,' wrote one person. 'So that's where Frank Herbert got his sandworms from,' added another

One comment read: 'When I say I love the ocean, I really mean I love the surface. What goes on underneath is terrifying, and none of my business.'

'I'm never swimming in the sea again,' said another.

It was also described as a 'fish of nightmares' and a 'terrifying looking creature'.

Marine biologist Jarco Havermans, who made headlines last year when he became the first person in six years to find a sea lamprey on the Dutch island of Texel, described their life cycles.

He said: 'For five years they live embedded in the bottom where they filter-feed detritus.

'After these five years they metamorphose into an adult sea lamprey which migrates to sea to live as a parasitic fish species on larger fish species and whales.'

The lamprey's victim does not usually survive the encounter.

'For reproduction they migrate back to the rivers,' he added.
Tech sites 9to5Google and 9to5Mac have a theory as to what a polished titanium frame for the iPhone 16 Pro might look like: showing off a pic of Google's short-lived 2017 Essential Phone (above), which used that same metal in polished form

Apple fans disappointed by the dulled sheen of the iPhone 15 Pro's more rugged brushed titanium frame might want to save up for an upgrade later this year.

A prolific, anonymous leaker reported that the tech giant may 'use a method that improves the previous titanium processing and color processing' for the next generation iPhone 16 Pro

The change may be to address complaints from iPhone 15 Pro users frustrated that their new phone's titanium frame had a habit of temporarily changing color when coming in contact with natural oil from human skin.

The new rumor suggests that a new look for iPhone 16 could manage to hold onto the durability of the new titanium frame while restoring the older, sleek iPhone look.

'There will be no external scratches or scratches,' according to the leaker, compared to the existing stainless steel models of the iPhone, despite the 'more glossy' results.

A prolific, anonymous leaker reports the tech giant plans to 'use a method that improves the previous titanium processing and color processing' for the next generation iPhone 16 Pro  suggested a return to a shinier, glossier iPhone. Above, the stainless steel iPhone 14

The rumor suggests the updated methods will manage to hold onto the durability of the new titanium frame of the iPhone 15 Pro (above) while restoring the older, sleeker iPhone look

One upset user opined that the color distortion issue was 'kinda wild considering the price of this tech.' Another said they would 'probably get the 15 pro buying a iPhone for the first time' but were 'afraid of that frame' losing its luster

The leaked information arrived from 'a related company source' to the anonymous blogger 'yeux1122' who aggregates news and rumors on the South Korean social media company Naver's blogging platform.

The blogger has suggested that a glossier, yet still sturdy iPhone 16 Pro would be a logical response to customer demands as Apple fights to maintain its reputation as the most stylish mobile device on the market.

When the iPhone 15 Pro premiered last September, several new owners took to social media to share pictures of their new smartphones, ranting about significant discoloration along the titanium metal sidebands.

One upset user opined that the issue was 'kinda wild considering the price of this tech.'

Another said they would 'probably get the 15 Pro buying a iPhone for the first time' but were 'afraid of that frame' losing its luster.

While the titanium frame had been chosen for its ultra-strong and super light properties, the metal was also noted for presenting, sometimes charming, 'interference colors,' which make the surface look like a rainbow when heated.

Through a process called anodizing, the surface of the titanium reacts with the air and produces very thin layers of oxides which scatter the light and give the metal incredible colored finishes.

But according to Associate Professor Walter Navarrini of the Polytechnic University of Milan, one of the major drawbacks to using titanium is that this also can lead to 'chromatic alteration that greasy traces of oily substances cause on the surface.'

Apple debuted the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in September, designed with aerospace-grade titanium that's strong yet lightweight - promising Apple's lightest Pro models ever

The iPhone 15 also has an OLED Super Retina display, which supports Dolby Vision content with 1,600 nits of brightness. However, the peak brightness of this display is 2,000 nits in sunlight, which is double that of the iPhone 14

READ MORE: iPhone 16 could be foldable! Leak says Apple developing 'at least two' phones that fold horizontally Apple is reportedly working on at least two prototypes for a folding iPhone that opens like a classic flip phone. Advertisement

When titanium comes into contact with bare hands, in other words, thin layers of oil can stick to the surface, causing that same effect to occur, scattering light into unsightly oil-slick rainbows of grubby looking fingerprints and smudges.

Tech site 9to5Google and its sister site 9to5Mac had a theory as to what the rumored 'polished titanium' frame on the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro might look like  showing off a pic of Google's short-lived 2017 Essential Phone, which used that same metal in polished form.

In 2022, yeux1122 dropped advanced notice that the iPhone 14 would fail to include improvements to the device's 'wireless charging' function.

And true to the rumors, users quickly noted that the iPhone 14's design choices had actually made wireless charging with Apple's magnetized MagSafe charger less than ideal.

'The camera bump is not allowing it to lay flat and charge,' one iPhone owner posted to the company's support forum about a month after yeux122's leak. 'Boo Apple.'

'Now what do we do after we have spent money on wireless charging devices?'

This year, the leaker has already issued a wave of predictions about the Cupertino-based company's tightly held internal plans.

If you were thinking of splashing out on Apple's new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you might want to think about grabbing a case. The tech giant has admitted the new titanium frame can temporarily change colour without protection

In one post, the leaker suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could debut with the longest-ever battery life ever offered in an iPhone, and that iPhone 16 Pro models might come with an optional 2TB of storage.

But despite some major scoops in recent years, the person or person's behind 'yeux1122' has 'a mixed track record aggregating accurate Apple rumors ' according to MacRumor's senior editor Hartley Charlton.

Those less reliable rumors have included a revival of the tiny 12-inch MacBook design made from 2015 to 2019, which some long-time users of the brand are nostalgic for.

The leaker has also claimed in recent months that an upcoming OLED iPad Pro will be vastly more expensive than existing Apple models, rising from $1500 to between $1,800 and $2,000 depending on specs.
Google has urged millions of Chrome users to update their browsers after uncovering a malicious attack that lets hackers take control of computers.

The tech giant warned cybercriminals are using malicious pop-up windows or websites to gain access to an unsuspecting victim's personal information.

A 'critical' update has been rolled out, which closes the loophole that makes your servers vulnerable to what's called a 'zero day' attack.

The name stems from the fact a perpetrator found a weakness before the manufacturer, leaving zero days to fix the issue because the server has already been compromised.

The update can be accessed in Google's Chrome browser under the 'Settings' section.

Google has issued a 'critical' Chrome update to protect users from cyberattacks

Google confirmed that Russia, North Korea, Belarus, and the People's Republic of China had instigated many of the hacks

Google reported that the flaw in all earlier versions of Chrome 'allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page,' but did not specify what the flaw was.

When a fake HTML page appears on the screen, it could look like a normal website but instead, when the user clicks on it, a hacker could use remote access to gain control over the person's computer.

The HTML page can also appear as a pop-up that urges the user to download the most recent anti-virus software or the latest version of the browser but instead installs software that allows actors to steal the user's personal details.

Google advises users to continuously update their browsers to the latest version to ensure that all security measures are up to date.

These updates mean you don't have to pay for antivirus software because the new Chrome version patches all pre-existing vulnerabilities.

To update Chrome, users should open the browser and click the three dots on the top right-hand side of the screen, then click on 'Settings.'

Hackers are gaining remote access to Chrome user's personal information using an HTML page

There will be the option to click 'About Chrome' on the left where it will check for updates and download them.

Google has recommended that users keep auto-updates turned on so that critical security fixes and new features are added automatically when available..

The update comes after an analysis by Mandiant and Google's Threat Analysis Group found that there were 87 zero-day attacks in 2023, up 50 percent from the year before.

READ MORE: I'm a professional hacker - here are the signs someone like me is inside your phone

If you see a green dot on the Android screen, it could be a warning sign youve been hacked or someone has installed a dodgy app on your phone Advertisement

Google reported that hackers have expanded their reach to third-party sites and libraries for maximum impact and because these sites offer more than one product, it makes it a prime target for hackers to exploit Chrome's security flaws.

'We saw this theme repeated across threat actors of all motivations, seeking vulnerabilities in products or components that provided broad access to multiple targets of choice,' a Google spokesperson told Techradar.

Last year, security experts warned users not to download a new version of Chrome on a browser because it could contain malicious software.

In 2023, roughly 41 percent of attacks were conducted by espionage efforts, while another 41 percent were conducted by commercial surveillance vendors and 17 percent were financially motivated, according to the analysis.

Google reported that about half of all attacks came from malicious actors in Russia, North Korea, Belarus and China, attributing 12 of the zero-day vulnerabilities to People's Republic of China (PRC) government-backed actors.

'The actor showed specific interest in information of political or strategic interest to the PRC government, targeting global governments and organizations in high priority industries,' the analysis said.
A two-year-old orca has been circling a Canadian lagoon for days, refusing to leave the area where its mother died on the shore.

The young whale's mother, named Spong, passed away on Sunday after she became trapped in the shallow waters off the west coast of Vancouver.

Wildlife officials and scientists are now in a race against time to move the young orca out of the lagoon and back out to sea before it succumbs to starvation.

But these mammals usually stay with their moms their entire lives, so it is unknown if the two-year-old will ever leave its mother's resting place.

A two-year-old orca has been circling a Canadian lagoon for days, refusing to leave the area where its mother died on the shore

The young whale's mother, Spong, passed away after she became trapped in the shallow waters off the west coast of Vancouver

Marine mammal rescue officials, leaders of the First Nations tribes, scientists and volunteers said they are doing all they can to save the baby.

The First Nations tribe which is part of the local community and named the calf kiisahiis (pronounced kwee-sahay-is) which means 'Brave Little Hunter' and team efforts are underway to find the calf's pod and coax it out of the lagoon.

The community has been tirelessly working to save the baby orca since Saturday morning when a call came in from a road maintenance employee who had noticed a beached whale.

It isn't clear why the mother and her calf entered the lagoon, but experts believe it was due to a mistimed attack that left her wedged in a depression on the shore.

Wildlife officials and scientists are now in a race against time to move the baby out to see before it succumbs to starvation

These mammals usually stay with their mom for their entire lives, so it is unknown if the two-year-old will ever leave its mother's resting place

As the lagoon's tide went out, Spong remained on her side, struggling to move and although rescue teams tried to roll her onto her belly and douse her with water, at 10:45am - two hours after she was spotted - she died.

And during the post-mortem, experts found that she was also pregnant.

'It was absolutely horrible, especially because we knew the tide was against us from the start,' Glen McCall of Totem Excavating who received the call told The Guardian.

'We didn't have enough manpower,' he said. 'It just wasn't enough.'

Rescuers have tried to lure kiisahiis out of the lagoon using acoustic orca calls that mimicked the sounds of the calf's pod.

They are also utilizing oikomi pipes, which are made out of metal that reverberates in the water and are used to herd whales, typically around oil spills.

READ MORE: A baby orca is stranded in a Canadian lagoon and refuses to leave after the death of her mother. Spong was a 14-year-old pregnant whale who died when she became beached A pod of a dozen killer whales were spotted trapped in ice in northern Japan. Drone footage captured the struggling orcas trying to break free of the large ice chunks off the coast of Rausu Advertisement

Despite rescuers' best efforts to get kiisahiis back out to sea, she has instead retreated further into the lagoon.

'Whales are connected for a lifetime with their family,' Janie Wray, CEO and lead researcher for BC Whales told The Guardian.

'And I just can't stop thinking about what that calf is going through because the calf doesn't understand why its mother is not any longer there for her.

'If that happened to one of us, you can just imagine what we would be going through.

'I really do believe that little calf is going through something very, very similar right now.'

The rescue efforts have been made more difficult by the fact that the water only rises high enough for 30 minutes each day to facilitate the young orca's escape and the teams are hesitant to give her food because she may end up relying on humans.

'The reality is, that helping the whale feed could result a relationship with humans that would be hard to break,' Ehattesaht First Nation chief, Simon John told reporters.

'But my real concern is the whale gets out of the lagoon safely and reaches its pod.'

They are using recordings of the calf's aunt, Big Momma, so kiisahiis can find its way to the family pod - a method that has been successful in the past, according to the Times Colonist.

The calf appeared to be in good health but is still resisting all efforts to leave her mother, according to Bay Cetology, a conservation agency.

'Despite our best approaches the little one has shown us it is not ready to go,' Bay Cetology said in a Facebook post.

'After a long discussion with Ehattesaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations and DFO on site last night the collective approach for now is to grieve with the little one and circle back with fresh ideas and spirit soon. No one is about to give up on kiisahiis.'

Ehattesaht First Nation tribe members performed a ceremony to release Spong's spirit by draping cedar boughs over her body and telling stories of the Nuu-chah-nulth people that weaves a tale of a whale that comes on land and transforms into a wolf, before turning into a human.

'It is really important to remember that we are connected to these animals,' John, told The Guardian.

'Being so close and touching her, seeing her calf and being so helpless is hard to describe.'
What is it about a slab of red sandstone thats persuaded a hard-pressed Scottish council to spend 27 million on it?

Thats the sum required for a new museum in Perth.

It opens on March 30 and will be full of interesting stuff. But the main reason its been built is to house the Stone Of Scone.

The slab is also known as The Stone Of Destiny. It has been used in the coronation of monarchs since 1307 and Scottish ones for centuries before that.

Now the stone, which used to be in Edinburgh Castle, is coming home. There are many romantic rumours about its origins  one traces it back to the book of Genesis.

Rock star: Mark Jones travels to Perth in Scotland ahead of the opening of its new 27 million museum (pictured)

The museum's star artefact will be the Stone Of Destiny (above), which has been used in the coronation of monarchs for centuries

But more prosaic 3D imaging proved that it was indeed quarried near the ancient village of Scone, a mile or so from Perth.

Once in the new museum, which will be housed in the old city hall, the stone will be free to see, but you will have to book a slot.

The opening is a chance to laud the attractions of Perth and Perthshire. Geographically, its like a big heart in the centre of Scotland, an easy drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Its usually promoted as the gateway to the Highlands  a rural expanse of low hills, lochs and rivers and (for Scotland) a relatively dry and mild climate.

Start at Scone Palace itself, where the stone was first used to crown a king, Kenneth MacAlpin, in 843.

The palace is a handsome pile, rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style, but with the original abbey chapel on Moot Hill above it.

Marks recommends visiting Scone Palace (pictured), where the Stone of Destiny was first used to crown a king, Kenneth MacAlpin, in 843

It does very well out of events such as the Scottish Game Fair in July. You can stay in a huge apartment and have the estate to yourself if the Earl of Mansfield and family are not in residence.

I stationed myself at The Taybank in arty Dunkeld, built on land reclaimed from the Tay when Thomas Telford put his bridge over it in 1809.

Its a pubby hotel with terrific food by Gemma, its own sauna and riverside beach.

Mark bases himself at The Taybank (pictured) in Dunkeld, which is on the banks of the River Tay

Mark describes The Taybank as a 'pubby hotel with terrific food'. Above, the hotel's restaurant

Its dog-friendly, too. I walked mine to Birnam, on the opposite bank, where an ancient sycamore is the last remnant of the great forest that so spooked Macbeth in Shakespeares play.

Centuries of prosperity have left the city with fine streets, riverside walks, cafes and parks.

It was once the capital, and with its magical Stone Of Destiny back, Perth will once again feel like the very heart of Scotland.
PASSENGER

SUNDAYS/MONDAYS, ITV1

Rating:

Within the first 15 minutes of the first episode of ITVs new black-comedy-psycho-drama-thriller-cum-cop-show, I wanted to send Passenger to its bedroom for a lie down.

If it were a person, Id tell it to take things easy for 45 minutes, after which Ill pop up with a cuppa and something eggy on a tray; everything will be fine.

The screenwriting debut of actor Andrew Buchan (The Crown, Broadchurch), Passenger is set in the fictional village Chadder Vale, where stolen bins arent exactly stretching the four-person police force in which capable, sardonic Riya Ajunwa (Wunmi Mosaku), whose ten years in the Met over-qualify her for bins, is a Detective Inspector.

Passenger is ITV s new 'black-comedy-psycho-drama-thriller-cum-cop-show' starring Wunmi Mosaku (pictured) as Riya Ajunwa, a Detective Inspector

Post-divorce, Riya lives with, and cares for, her mentally unstable ex-mother-in-law and, turning 40, wonders how life took her away from well, A Life.

Yet, inevitably, Chadder turns out to be a hotbed of weirdness  and though I appreciate first episodes need to work hard to establish characters and plots, even after watching two episodes the show remains exhaustingly hyperactive.

Clearly there are links between the mutilated stag on the forest road and the mysterious 24-hour disappearance of Katie Wells (newcomer Rowan Robinson, one to watch), and the fracking site owned by lonely outsider Jim (David Threlfall).

Then theres Katies friend, anti-fracking demonstrator Mehmet, her boyfriend John, and Derek (Daniel Ryan), boss of the big local employer, Jumbo Bread, who is clearly up to no good.

But what about that skeletal tree that implausibly attracts visitors from further away than even Manchester? And, central to everything (probably) is grudge-bearing Eddie Wells (Barry Sloane), Katies dad, who has been released after five years in prison and was originally banged to rights by Riya.

Sorry, but theres no space to talk about Katies mum and sister, and the local coppers, and Riyas ma-in-law; all fully rounded characters who may or may not be essential to the multiplots

Kathryn Flett (pictured) described Passenger as 'hyperactive' for its multiple plot lines

Riya is the kind of role that would once have been sent straight to Sarah Lancashires agent. However Mosaku is a refreshing Lancashire update  if an unlikely resident of Chadder Vale because shes far too clever to be thumb-twiddling in a village where the entire population regularly descends simultaneously, EastEnders-style, on the only cafe in town.

Actors are often good at writing dialogue and Buchan, who hails from Bolton, really nails the colloquial Northern banter. However, his script is also sufficiently pleased with itself to reference Twin Peaks, as well as Broadchurch and Vera  the latter two shows featuring Buchan and Mosaku respectively.

While Passenger desperately wants to be a modish genre-busting Stranger Twin Peaks Things, with extra Fargo snow, I just wanted it to relax and settle on a plot. Despite a fantastic ensemble cast and some memorable moments, in that I may well be disappointed. Right now, though, Im off for a lie down.

Lilys life vividly remembered

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF LILY SAVAGE

ITVX

Rating:

We thought that person will never appear on television. How wrong we were! observed Graham Norton of Lily Savages unlikely journey from Londons gay pubs and clubs to Saturday night primetime in this insightful tribute.

Both Lily (1978-2004) and her creator Paul OGrady (1955-2023) became such beloved national treasures that its easy to forget how far from the Royal Variety Show lay Lilys roots.

Lily Savage (pictured) and her creator Paul OGrady, who died in 2023, became beloved national treasures

As told here, Paul worked in a pub near the Liverpool docks in the 1970s, often entertaining sailors. When he clocked on for work after an evening on a Chinese ship, his boss raised an eyebrow: Here she comes, Shanghai Lily! Verily, an alter ego was born.

There were warm, vivid tributes from Sir Ian McKellen, Lord Cashman (formerly of EastEnders), Alan Carr, Julian Clary and OGradys sister Sheila and daughter Sharyn.

However, it was the archive that reminded us how brilliantly witty and acerbic  and very British  Lily truly was. Whats this rumour about Mr OGrady killing you off? Michael Parkinson asked her in 2004.

Dont talk to me about that four-eyed fruit, Lily rat-a-tatted back. Im a Richard and Judy girl. Though this was indeed Lilys final TV appearance.

Ben Miller (pictured) plays OCD criminologist Jasper Tempest

Great with a nice Chianti

In its third series, Professor T (Wednesdays, ITV1), with Ben Miller as OCD criminologist Jasper Tempest, is morphing into two parallel shows; one with Tempests Cambridge milieu (and Juliet Stevenson as his therapist and Frances de la Tour as his mother), the other a police procedural.

In jail, Tempest resembled a benign Hannibal Lecter when crime solving. Its not exactly cosy crime, but enjoyable with a nice Chianti.

I was expecting Key To A Fortune (Sundays, Ch4) to be a hybrid of Who Do You Think You Are? and George Clarkes Remarkable Renovations. In a series that traces people whove unexpectedly inherited a property after the owner  their distant relative  has died without leaving a will, youd anticipate a big reveal.

Instead, we got five minutes of fun, 45 of padding. Guess we need another series to discover what lucky South African Storme does with that potentially idyllic Kent cottage
Diddy has borrowed an eyewatering $140million from multiple banks to pay for his extravagant property empire  raising questions as to whether he really does have a $1billion fortune.

It could be the biggest home loan amount ever taken out by a Hollywood star, as the-54-year-old has needed several mortgages to fund the purchase of three luxury mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

All three were raided on Monday by Homeland Security  after mounting sexual harassment and rape lawsuits  with agents ransacking the homes, taking away boxes and bags of evidence.

Nearly $100million is still owed by the rapper, producer and entrepreneur, which is due to be paid back within the next few years with one $23million loan needing to be settled by 2029.

Diddy, 54, took out several mortgages to fund the purchase of three luxury mansions in Los Angeles and Miami. The rap star borrowed nearly $140million from multiple banks to pay for the homes, which were all raided on Monday, and over $100million is still owed

He purchased his LA home for $39million in August 2014. It is in the celeb enclave of Holmby Hills and has eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and an underwater swimming tunnel

Diddy bought side-by-side luxury estates on uber-wealthy Star Island in Miami Beach. He took out several mortgages for each

In 2022, Forbes estimated that Diddy, who has seven children with four different women, was estimated to be worth $1billion.

He purchased his LA home for $39million in August 2014, situated in the celeb enclave of Holmby Hills. It has eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and an underwater swimming tunnel that connects to a grotto.

Diddy took out two mortgages in 2003 when he bought the Miami pad owned by Tommy Mattola  music mogul and Mariah Carey's ex husband  for $14.5million

It's been saddled with two mortgages from the Bank of America, both for $25.35million, in 2014 and May 2021 and neither appears to have been paid off. The former is due to be repaid in full in August 2029 and the latter in May 2036.

Diddy, real name Sean Combs, has also bought side-by-side luxury estates on uber-wealthy Star Island in Miami Beach, both of which were also raided this week in the sex trafficking probe.

Two mortgages were taken out when he bought a waterfront nine-bed, 12-bath pad in November 2003 for $14.5million from Sony Music head Tommy Mottola, credited with guiding the careers of Mariah Carey and Diddy's ex Jennifer Lopez.

It appears there were financial constraints at the time for Combs, as one of those loans  a balloon mortgage for $1.5million  is from previous owner Mottola and had to be paid back within two months.

The second was for $7.25million with CitiMortgage and is due to be squared up in December 2033.

It became more complicated two years later, in February 2005, when he initially borrowed a further $22million from HSBC Bank USA and the move was so risky on the bank's part that Combs had to personally act as guarantor.

In February 2005, Diddy borrowed $22million from HSBC Bank USA and the move was so risky on the bank's part that Combs had to personally act as guarantor

He took out a second mortgage for his Miami home for $7.25million with CitiMortgage and is due to be squared up in December 2033

Diddy bought a mansion next door to his current Miami mansion and took out a home loan for $20.7million in 2021

In November 2007, he'd managed to reduce the mortgage to $12.95million before paying the whole lot off 11 years later in July 2018.

Yet, while he was paying off some home loans, like this one, he was fixing up others to put in their place.

In June 2018, he borrowed $18.85million from a different lender, Bank of America, which he wiped out in September 2021.

Four months earlier, Combs borrowed a further $18.85million with the same bank. That loan needs to be settled by May 2036.

Homeland Security agents are seen outside of Diddy's home in Los Angeles on Monday as part of a ongoing sex trafficking investigation

An HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) officer is seen at Diddy's waterfront mansion in Miami on Monday

For one of his Miami properties, he's taken out five mortgages totaling $68.45million  and, so far, paid off $42.35million.

The mansion next door was purchased in July 2021 from Gloria and Emilio Estefan for $35million and has ten beds and six baths.

It's much simpler than the mortgage deals for the adjacent pad, as he's only had one home loan for $20.7million with Bank of America due to be repaid by August 2036.

That means across Combs's Los Angeles and Miami homes he's taken out eight mortgages worth $139.85million, of which, $97.5million is currently outstanding.

He is likely to have other property in his native New York and possibly elsewhere.

Combs bought this 'abandoned mansion' on the outskirts of Atlanta in Sandy Springs, which he paid $2.6million for in October 2003

Photos show the interior of the dilapidated home. Diddy was hoping to renovate it, although wasn't able to get the necessary funding

The abandoned mansion has a pool that has turned a murky green. It appears Diddy sold the place in 2007 for a cut-price $1.3million

Another clue in his property portfolio as to why Combs may not be as rich as assumed, is the 'abandoned mansion' on the outskirts of Atlanta in Sandy Springs, for which he paid $2.6million in October 2003.

Urban explorer Abandoned Southeast took images of the eight bed Italian Baroque-style villa  known as Casa Nirelle  in 2022, which showed the desolate interior and exterior including a 60,000 gallon salt pool.

According to real estate listings it also has a sauna, home theater and a 'secret room'.

The identity of the current owner is unclear, but it was reported that Diddy was hoping to renovate it, although wasn't able to get the necessary funding.

Abandoned Southeast claimed that was due to the financial crash of 2008, yet it appears that Diddy sold the place in 2007 for a cut-price $1.3million.
Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori is growing tired of being used as a 'free marketing tool' for his upcoming album, according to sources who claim she is feeling 'overexposed.'

Kanye, 46, has been blasted in recent months for sharing provocative images of the 29-year-old designer on social media, raising questions over whether or not she is being 'controlled' by the controversial rapper.

Now, insiders have claimed that despite loving the attention, Bianca herself is starting to feel used and is struggling with Kanye 'pushing for more' ahead of the release of the delayed Vultures 2.

'She needs a break and needs to step back,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'She loved the attention but it is getting overwhelming and Kanye keeps pushing and pushing for more, more, more leading up to the release of Vultures 2.'

Kanye West 's wife Bianca Censori is growing tired of being used as a 'free marketing tool' for the controversial rapper, sources have told DailyMail.com

Insiders have claimed that even Bianca is starting to feel 'overexposed' after shocking fans with her increasingly provocative outfits in recent months

The insider explained that the former Yeezy employee was aware that she had been 'overexposed' and was now keen to take a step back and focus on starting a family.

'She feels like he is using her as a free marketing tool  as does everyone else,' they said. 'These past couple of months have been an experience, but she really wants to focus on having children after the album drops. She knows she is overexposed.'

Just last year, Kanye's ex-girlfriend Julia Fox, 34, claimed that she found her short-lived relationship with the rapper 'overwhelming and unsustainable.'

The Uncut Gems star - who dated the musician for less than two months in 2022 - told Drew Barrymore that it was hard work being his 'muse'.

'I could only do it for so long,' she said. 'Cause ultimately I think he needed a full-time person and I just couldn't be full-time. It was so overwhelming and so unsustainable.'

She continued: 'I think I just realized very quickly it just wasn't gonna be sustainable because, ultimately, I cannot put anybody else first. My son has to be first.

'It just became too much. Like, I didn't sign up to have two babies, you know?'

Bianca's family this week rubbished 'bulls**t' claims that they have been concerned for her welfare since marrying Kanye in December 2022, insisting they fully 'support' him and his business ventures.

The insider has claimed that while the architectural designer loves the attention, 'it is getting overwhelming and Kanye keeps pushing for more' ahead of his next album release

Bianca's sister Angelina (pictured) recently insisted the Censori's are more than supportive of Kanye and his business ventures, claiming reports on the contrary are 'bulls***'

'We all support him. We support his new album. We support his new clothes he's dropping,' Bianca's sister Angelina Censori told the Herald Sun.

Angelina, who described her sibling as her 'best friend and confidante,' continued: 'It's all just bulls**t. There was something about my dad even recently. My dad never talks. Nothing's true.'

Earlier this month, insiders told DailyMail.com that Bianca and Kanye had been asked by her father, Leo, to fly to Australia in order to address his concerns over her X-rated makeover.

'Kanye has been invited to go to Australia and Bianca is hesitant to allow this to happen because she knows how her father will react,' the insider stated at the time.

'Her dad still plans to have a sit-down with Kanye, and Leo will not be intimidated by Kanye's power or control. No one is expecting this to be all rainbows and family portraits.'

Bianca's mother Alexandra recently flew out to Los Angeles in order to assess the situation for herself.

The architectural designer has consistently made headlines thanks to a number of racy outfits since she started dating the rapper

The source explained that Bianca wants to shy away from the spotlight as they stated: 'She needs a break and needs to step back'

'Bianca's father was not necessarily pleased with his wife's visit to see their daughter because he feels like she enabled Bianca to continue doing what she is doing,' the insider spilled.

'Yes, Bianca dressed provocatively while her mother was there, but it was nothing in comparison to some of the outfits she has worn prior to and since the visit.'

Indeed, Kanye and Bianca often raise eyebrows when they step out in public together but the Grammy winner also likes to showcase his wife's controversial outfits online.

Last week, the Carnival artist posted a video of Bianca wearing a strapless white lace leotard and white high heeled sandals while lying in a huge white bed.

Malik Yusef, a musical partner of Kanye, told Page Six: 'I think it's Ye saying, "My b***h is living in the lap of luxury, I dont know what you all are doing today, but I hope you're all just chilling like me. This is my business." The room is all bed. It's a new context on bedroom.'"

Kanye and Bianca often raise eyebrows when they step out in public together due to her very racy outfits

The rapper married the Aussie designer just one month after finalizing his divorce from ex-wife Kim Kardashian in November 2022 - leaving her family fearing that the relationship might have been a rebound.

Fears grew for Bianca and the couple's somewhat unconventional relationship over her fashion choices and how she is always silent.

But insiders later claimed that she had reassured loved ones that she was not being coerced by her husband.

'Bianca has talked to her family and she has told her friends the same thing since she was last back home, namely that she knows what she is doing and she has this under control,' they told DailyMail.com.

Fans were shocked earlier this week after hearing Bianca's 'real voice' in an unearthed throwback video.

The architect was speaking at the CFS Summit in Paris in 2022 where she represented Yeezy.

She looked significantly different with more natural makeup and long brown hair, which she sported before cutting it shorter amid her romance with Kanye.
The Real Housewives Of Orange County star Shannon Beador's husband David Beador was charged with two misdemeanors related to a traffic stop last month.

The former RHOC fixture was pulled over by Newport Beach Police for allegedly speeding on February 4, according to court documents obtained by Radar Online.

According to police, Beador, 59, was driving at speeds over 100 mph.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a representative for Beador for comment.

He was charged with two misdemeanor counts related to the stop, which occurred around six months after his ex-wife Shannon crashed her car into a house while driving under the influence of alcohol, before she fled the scene.

The Real Housewives Of Orange County star Shannon Beador's husband David Beador was charged with two misdemeanors related to a traffic stop last month; pictured in 2016

Court documents obtained by Radar Online show police pulled him over for allegedly driving 119 mph in a 60 mph zone; seen in 2017 with Shannon

On March 18, David was hit with two misdemeanor charges by the Orange County District Attorney for reckless driving and unlawfully driving a vehicle at a speed greater than 100 miles per hour.

According to police, he had been driving at 119 mph when he was pulled over around 9:15 a.m.

Beador was said to be behind the wheel of a 2022 Porsche 911 while driving around Newport Coast.

According to the officers who pulled him over, the speed limit for that stretch of road was only 60 mph, making his alleged speed almost double the legal limit.

Court records indicate that Beador entered a not guilty plea for the two misdemeanor charges at a hearing.

The judge overseeing the hearing reportedly instructed him not to drive without a valid driver's license and car insurance, though there is no indication that he was without either when he was pulled over.

Court records indicate that Beador's next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 9, according to Page Six.

His driving troubles following his ex-wife Shannon Beador's legal saga relating to a DUI hit-and-run incident.

She described it as a 'terrible mistake' as she addressed her arrest at BravoCon 2023, held at Caesars Forum in November.

'It's been a tough six weeks, but I will tell you that I made a terrible, terrible mistake and I'm incredibly grateful that it didn't hurt anyone,' Beador, 59, told the audience, per Variety.

Shannon also said she completed '28 days of behavioral wellness' counseling with an alcohol specialist, adding she's been able to 'focus on elements of my life that are unhealthy and toxic. Im moving in a good and positive direction.'

The Real Housewife of Orange County star spoke out about the arrest  which happened in September  after she avoided jail time and received three years of probation during her sentencing.

While out in Vegas on Thursday, Beador also reportedly stayed sober and 'only drank water,' per Page Six.

Court records indicate that Beador entered a not guilty plea for the two misdemeanor charges  reckless driving and driving over 100 mph  at a hearing; seen in 2015

Beador's next hearing is set for April 9, according to Page Six

'Mistake': His legal troubles come six months after his ex-wife Shannon Beador's DUI hit-and-run. She said it was a 'terrible mistake' as she addressed her arrest at BravoCon 2023, held at Caesars Forum in November (pictured)

The publication reported that the star went out to Beauty & Essex inside The Cosmopolitan hotel with friends but did not indulge in any drinks.

Fans weren't sure Shannon would make the event, given her legal troubles, however on Friday morning she shared a snap of her outfit with the caption: 'Good morning.  Ready for #BravoCon'

She also shared another snap with co-stars Tamra Judge, 56, and Vicki Gunvalson, 61, writing, 'Were taking over #BravoCon Have you stopped by our booth?'

It was reported in November that Beador avoided jail time in her DUI hit-and-run case after a California judge settled on three years of probation.

The troubled reality starrft was given 36 months of informal probation plus fines and fees.

She will also have to complete 40 hours of community service and a nine-month alcohol program.

The Bravo staple did not show up to court herself, and instead she had her attorney appear on her behalf to enter her plea of no contest to one count DUI and one count driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more.

The judge dismissed the single count of hit-and-run with property damage.

A source close to Shannon said: 'It is safe to say that she is relieved and is grateful that she wont have to go to jail. This experience has taught her so much and shown her the path to a better life. She is sober and is doing very well.'

Legal documents originally obtained by TMZ revealed that Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer attempted to convince the judge to dole out a sentence of 30 days in jail.

Grateful: 'It's been a tough six weeks, but I will tell you that I made a terrible, terrible mistake and I'm incredibly grateful that it didn't hurt anyone,' Beador, 59, told the audience, per Variety

Positive direction: Beador also said she completed '28 days of behavioral wellness' counseling with an alcohol specialist

Beador was arrested in September after she crashed her car into a Newport Beach home.

Video surveillance footage shows Beador speeding through a residential area before smashing her car into the side of a house.

In the legal documents, DA Spitzer wrote that Beador had a .24 percent Blood Alcohol Content ahead of the crash  three times the legal limit.

Beador walked away from the crash with a fractured left wrist, in addition to cuts and bruising to her left eye.

She has since paid for the property damage to the house she hit.

Following her September arrest, Beador's lawyer Michael Fell told DailyMail.com: 'Shannon 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.'

After sentencing, Fell said this: 'Shannon pleaded no contest/nolo contendere this morning to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Driving when she had a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above. The Orange County District Attorneys 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 prosecutors request and dismissed the hit-and-run. 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.

'As we first reported she would, Shannon took full responsibility for her actions and accepted the judges sentence of 40 hours of community service, 9 months of alcohol classes and the standard three years of unsupervised/informal probation.'

Beador herself said: '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.'

In the wake of the accident, Beador told her fans and followers that she is 'focusing on getting healthy, getting back to myself and walking Archie (her dog).'

It has been a tough year for Beador whose beau John Janssen blindsided her by splitting in November 2022 after nearly four years of dating.

Sentence: Beador was handed a sentence of three years of probation plus fines, community service and the mandatory completion of an alcohol abuse program; seen in 2020

Legal woes: Beador was arrested in September after she crashed her car into a Newport Beach home

Staple: Beador has been a staple of the Orange County branch of the housewives since 2014; (L-R) Emily Simpson, Shannon, and Tamra

John broke up with Shannon shortly after filming for season 17 of RHOC had wrapped, but she did not go public with their split until January.

Shannon made her relationship with John official on Instagram in July 2019 after ending her tumultuous marriage to David Beador.

The reality star has daughter Sophie, 21, and twin daughters Stella and Adeline, 19, with ex-husband David.

Shannon has faced other legal trouble after her ex John sued her for $75,000 for money he allegedly loaned her to pay for a facelift, which he claims she never repaid.
Actress Jenifer Lewis is opening up about a harrowing 10-foot fall from a balcony that nearly killed her a year and a half ago.

The 67-year-old Black-ish star was vacationing throughout Africa with her friend Laurie Petok, when she arrived in Tanzania for a stay in the Serengeti.

During their first night, Lewis walked out onto the balcony to get a glimpse at the infinity pool, when suddenly she fell into a ravine full of sharp rocks.

She explained to People that she didn't talk about it until now because, 'I didn't want y'all to know I had fallen until I was able to show you how I got up. I am not a 100% get back girl. I'm a 2000%.'

The fall happened because a section of the porch not being closed off, as Lewis said, adding, 'It was not safe.'

Actress Jenifer Lewis is opening up about a harrowing 10-foot fall from a balcony that nearly killed her a year and a half ago.

The 67-year-old Black-ish star was vacationing throughout Africa with her friend Laurie Petok, when she arrived in Tanzania for a stay in the Serengeti

'If you're on a deck, there should be no opening for you to fall, whether it's pitch black or pure sunshine,' she clarified.

'It was an unsafe deck. There was a dim light on the deck and had there been just a 10-ft. drop sign, a small caution signthere was nothing,' Lewis continued.

The actress explained, 'So I'm walking la-di-da and boom, I was on the ground. It was unbelievable because I didn't even know I was falling. I just went down like liquid.'

'I am on the ground, everything hurts. I went to move and I couldn't move my body. Im coughing in the dirt and I find enough air in my lungs to call out to Laurie,' she said.

While she was waiting for her friend and medical help to arrive, Lewis added she heard a lion roar close by and saw a Cape buffalo just feet from where she landed.

A medical team from Doctors Without Borders found her and she was ultimately airlifted to Kenya for treatment.

'As I laid in that helicopter, I was in and out of consciousness and all I could hear was my soul screaming, "Whatever this is Jenny, you'll come back. If you're breathing, you'll come back,"' Lewis admitted.

Lewis suffered a fractured acetabulum, the socket of the hip pocket that holds the femur in place.

The 67-year-old Black-ish star was vacationing throughout Africa with her friend Laurie Petok, when she arrived in Tanzania for a stay in the Serengeti

'It was an unsafe deck. There was a dim light on the deck and had there been just a 10-ft. drop sign, a small caution signthere was nothing,' Lewis continued

She added that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Parmenas Oroko at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi saved her life.

'When I got to the emergency room, he was there in his mask and I saw his eyes. His eyes were so warm,' she said.

'They'd given me so much morphine for the pain but I could see the warmth in his eyes through those drugs. I knew I was in good hands,' she said through tears.

'And he said to me, "Your body is broken and you need to be fixed." I looked into his eyes and said, "Please fix me." And he saved my life,' she said.

Dr. Oroko performed a nine-hour surgery on Lewis, replacing her acetabulum with titanium, and the actress also had three blood transfusions.

She remained in the ICU for six additional days, but she didn't leave the hospital for another 10 days after that.

'Really one of the worst parts is that I couldnt laugh. I had been laughing so much on the trip but when this happened, I couldn't laugh anymore because it hurt to laugh. That was horrible for me. That's all I do,' Lewis admitted.

She added the staff in Kenya, 'treated me like I was a precious newborn. The way they handled me, they picked me up with such care. They were beautiful people.'

'It was an unsafe deck. There was a dim light on the deck and had there been just a 10-ft. drop sign, a small caution signthere was nothing,' Lewis continued.

'And he said to me, "Your body is broken and you need to be fixed." I looked into his eyes and said, "Please fix me." And he saved my life,' she said.

She remained in the ICU for six additional days, but she didn't leave the hospital for another 10 days after that

Lewis also vowed to return to Kenya to personally thank the doctor and his staff, before returning to America

Lewis also vowed to return to Kenya to personally thank the doctor and his staff, before returning to America.

After arriving back in Los Angeles, she spent another four days at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and two weeks at California Rehabilitation Institute.

She then spent the next 10 months with at-home physical therapy, crediting her past as an athlete and dancer for helping her to get back into a more active lifestyle.

'During my rehabilitation when the pain would consume me, I would say out loud, "It is just pain, Jenny. It's just pain and it'll pass. Keep going sweetie,"' she said.

'All of my physical therapists, they couldn't even believe my attitude. They would say to me, "Give me three more, Jenifer." I said, No, let me do 10 more. 20 more,"' she said.

'It is what's inside of you that will heal you. If you want to sit down and feel sorry for yourself, you're not going to heal. It's the getting up,' Lewis stated.
Interview: Theater resonates across cultures, crosses language barriers, says Canadian comedian

Xinhua) 13:45, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Crystal Mason holds her grandson, Karter Hobbs, 3, during a news conference Friday, March 29, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. A Texas appeals court has overturned Mason's voter fraud conviction and five-year prison term for casting an illegal provisional ballot. Desiree Rios/Associated Press

Crystal Mason, the Fort Worth woman whose 6-year-old voter fraud conviction was overturned by a state appeals court, has a message for Texas voters.

What I want people to take away from this is never get discouraged, she said at a virtual news conference Friday. Know your rights. If youre eligible to vote, please vote. Dont let my story discourage you but encourage you to go to the polls.

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The appeals court ruled Thursday that state prosecutors had failed to prove Mason knew that being on probation for a previous felony conviction meant she was ineligible to vote in 2016. Mason had cast a provisional ballot that ultimately never was counted. She was sentenced to five years in prison.

Mason said she has since voted again and become more politically active, having started a nonprofit to fight against voter suppression and regularly speaking on panels.

Alison Grinter Allen, a criminal defense attorney on Masons legal team, quipped on Friday that now Mason cant go 15 minutes of meeting anyone before asking them if theyre registered to vote and whether they want to become a deputy voter registrar.

Critics of the states voting laws contend that Texas has targeted Black and Latino voters who have tended to vote for Democrats so that Republicans can stay in power.

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A 2021 ACLU analysis found that at least 72% of Paxtons voter fraud prosecutions targeted people of color, primarily women of color.

Mason, who is Black and recently turned 49, said the appeals court decision has been overwhelming and difficult to talk about without crying.

I cried and hollered when I got the news, Mason said. Its been seven years. Ive been out six years on an appeals bond  one foot in and one foot out, not knowing if I was going to go to prison, so Im really humbled and grateful right now on the outcome.

Mason spent 10 months in prison for the charges after a federal judge in 2018 tacked on additional time for violating the terms of her supervised release by voting illegally.

In Texas, people convicted of felonies can vote again only after completing their sentence, including parole and probation.

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Its real rough to go back to somewhere you said youd never go back to, to leave your kid, Mason said. I lost jobs, I lost good jobs, I lost insurance.

The state could still appeal Thursdays ruling. The attorney generals office, which represents the state in court, did not respond to a request for comment.

Masons long sentence made some Republican leaders uneasy. In 2021, after passing a new voting law measure over Democrats objections, the GOP-controlled state House approved a resolution stating that a person should not be criminally incarcerated for making an innocent mistake. The Legislature also passed a provision that requires there be corroborating evidence that a person who votes while ineligible did so knowingly.

Some lawmakers have since tried unsuccessfully to reverse the provision.

Mason isnt the only one whose voting conviction made headlines in recent years. Hervis Rogers, a Houston man, was arrested in 2021 on two counts of illegal voting while on parole and prosecuted by Paxton and at one point held on a $100,000 bond. In a recent interview with Hearst Newspapers, Rogers, who is also Black, said he wont vote again.

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Even though he is no longer on parole and is eligible to vote, Rogers said: I mean, I care. But if I had to go through all of that just to vote? No.

Mason, a former tax preparer, was originally on supervised release after being convicted in 2012 on charges related to inflating refunds for clients. She served nearly three years of a five-year sentence in prison, then she was placed on a three-year term of supervised release and had to pay $4.2 million in restitution, according to court documents.

Just every night crying, praying, asking God, When does this end?  she said Friday of the dropped voter charges, at times in tears. I knew that victory would be the outcome because I trusted God the whole journey, so I do know it was only one set of footsteps because he has been carrying me all the way through.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Amber Rose claimed that her ex, Kanye West, wanted her to 'dress very sexy' during their two-year relationship, despite her being 'conservative' from a young age.

The model, 40 - who previously accused the Heartless rapper, 46, of calling her a 'prostitute' and bullying her - opened up about the topic on Thursday's episode of the Just B With Bethenny Frankel podcast.

The former couple notably dated from 2008 until their messy split took place in 2010.

'I am conservative actually. I have always been conservative since I was young,' the mother-of-two expressed to the host and RHONY alum.

When she began to date the music artist, Amber explained that she became 'this sexpot type of girl.'

Amber Rose, 40, claimed that her ex, Kanye West, 46, wanted her to 'dress very sexy' during their two-year relationship, despite her being 'conservative' from a young age'; seen in June 2023 in Anaheim

'I am conservative actually. I have always been conservative since I was young,' the mother-of-two expressed to the host and RHONY alum; former couple seen in 2010 in Paris

'That was my first relationship with a celebrity ever but also in the public eye. And he knows a lot about fashion and he always wanted me to dress very sexy,' she said.

The TV personality added that at the time of the relationship, she was 'young' and went along with it, although it was far from who she was.

At the start of their relationship, Amber was 24-years-old, while West - also known as Ye - was in his early 30s.

Rose also explained that the 'sexy' image that she had been pushed into while dating Kanye affected her even after their separation.

'So when I was out on my own, without my first relationship that kind of brought me to the light, that's what they wanted from me.'

She recalled, 'I would have producers saying, "We want to do this video for MTV and we want you at the pool, with a bikini on, martini in your hand."'

'And I'm like, "Ugh, I'm so not her." Like, I'm so not her and I get what I come off as but I am so not her. And they're like, "Well I guess you don't want to do it then."'

Amber has discussed her relationship with West in the past, and earlier this year her past interview on the No Jumper podcast in 2020 resurfaced.

When she began to date the music artist, Amber explained that she became 'this sexpot type of girl'; seen in 2010 in Paris

'That was my first relationship with a celebrity ever but also in the public eye. And he knows a lot about fashion and he always wanted me to dress very sexy,' she added; seen in 2009 in Pairs

'I'm a compassionate person, I have empathy. I'm a good person. That's why people love me. That's why anybody I've ever dated always loved me.'

'You can't really mention anybody who ever says anything bad about me except for him because I got away. I'm not like him at all. I didn't get anything from him,' Amber added.

She then talked about the rapper bullying her years after their split and s**t-shaming her. 'That's what narcissists do, right?'

'You share two years with someone, you take them around the world, you buy the jewelry, you shout-out to the world how much you love them...'

'And how much fun you have with this person and then the person decides that this is not what they want their life to be. I opted out...' Rose then recalled a past comment West made where he claimed he took '30 showers' after being with her.

'But to s**t-shame me and say you needed 30 showers, it's like, bro. Took me around the world, since when do you need 30 showers? I could see if it was a one-night thing and you want to s**t-shame me, okay. But you've done a lot for me.'

In regards to ending the relationship after two years, Amber said, 'It's just not my type of people. It's not my down-to-earth cool people. I like cool people.'

'I like compassionate people. I'm not vindictive. I've been offered book deals to talk about him and just wild s**t. I don't want money from stuff like that,' she expressed, and later added, 'Even if somebody is picking on me, which he has for 10 years. He has bullied me for 10 years.'

Rose also explained that the 'sexy' image that she had been pushed into while dating Kanye affected her even after their separation; seen in 2014 in Los Angeles

Amber has discussed her relationship with West in the past, and earlier this year in January, her past interview on the No Jumper podcast in 2020 resurfaced; seen in 2009 in NYC

She also recalled at the time how he had recently called her a 'prostitute,' and Amber responded by saying, 'Ten years later, just leave me alone. I don't bother you. I don't talk about you.'

Her latest interview with Frankel comes amid her ex, Kanye, and wife Bianca Censori drawing attention for her very daring and risque outfits.

Earlier this week, a source informed Page Six that West considers Censori's skimpy wardrobe as 'performance art.'

'People are confusing Bianca's creativity. She is a phenomenal personality, a phenomenal actor, who can entertain the public. She's a performance artist. Bianca is as much a performer as Ye is.'

On occasion, Kanye will also take to his main Instagram page to uploaded photos of his scantily-clad wife. Last week, he shared a snap of Bianca laying in a massive bed as she scrolled through her phone.

Ye's musical partner, Malik Yusef, also stated, 'I think it's Ye saying, "My b***h is living in the lap of luxury, I don't know what you all are doing today, but I hope you're all just chilling like me. This is my business." The room is all bed. It's a new context on bedroom.'

'She makes her own decisions on how to dress. I think [she and West] experiment together and say, "Hey, this is beautiful,"' Malik continued.

Also last week, Bianca was spotted covering up in a thick, fuzzy coat as she stepped out for dinner with her step-daughter, North West, and Kanye.

Her latest interview with Bethenny Frankel comes amid her ex, Kanye, and wife Bianca Censori drawing attention for her very daring and risque outfits; seen in February in Milan

On occasion, Kanye will also take to his main Instagram page to uploaded photos of his scantily-clad wife. Last week, he shared a snap of Bianca laying in a massive bed as she scrolled through her phone

Earlier this week, a source informed Page Six that West considers Censori's skimpy wardrobe as 'performance art'

Last month, Kim notably warned her ex-husband that Censori needs to 'cover up' when around their children.

Earlier this month, sources told DailyMail.com that both the rapper and Bianca have been asked by her father, Leo, to fly to Australia in order to address concerns over her latest X-rated makeover.

Her loved ones have also expressed concern over the rapper's 'controlling ways' over the Australian-born architect.

However, a source recently told DailyMail.com that, 'Bianca has talked to her family and she has told her friends the same thing since she was last back home, namely that she knows what she is doing and she has this under control.'
Leah McSweeney has opened up about her lawsuit against Bravo and urged the network to better 'protect' their talent.

The former Real Housewives of New York star, 41, appeared on the Sofia with an F podcast this week to discuss the lawsuit and her recent success on OnlyFans.

When asked if she blamed Bravo for her relapse into alcoholism, the now sober McSweeney said, 'I don't think the word is blame.'

She continued, 'Let's change the way things are done and protect people that you're making a s**t ton of money off of.

'Because I think that I should have the same rights when I walk into that work environment as, like, somebody who walks into any work environment has.'

Leah McSweeney has opened up about her lawsuit against Bravo and her shock decision to join OnlyFans

McSweeney explained that she made more in her first week on OnlyFans than she did for an entire season of RHONY

Leah is pictured on an episode of RHONY with former co-stars Sonja Morgan and Tinsley Mortimer

Since leaving reality TV behind, the Married to the Mob designer has turned to OnlyFans - and she says she's making a fortune from the racy site.

McSweeney explained that she made more in her first week on OnlyFans than she did for an entire season of RHONY.

'Why didn't I do OnlyFans sooner?' she said, before describing her raunchy content.

'I f***ing love OnlyFans. This is great, this is a wonderful platform where people aren't censored, they don't have ads in their face constantly, they don't have negative algorithms pushing bulls**t,' she gushed.

'I feel supported, I'm making money, I get to express myself. It's fun - I love it. I get to be creative on it.'

She added, 'It's sexy. Sometimes you see a boob - or two! Oh my god. But it's also funny.'

McSweeney also said that she loved collaborating with The Sopranos star Drea de Matteo on the site.

'Sometimes you see a boob - or two! The former reality star admitted that she doesn't hold back on her OnlyFans page

When asked if she blamed Bravo for her relapse into alcoholism, the now sober McSweeney said, 'I don't think the word is blame'

'Let's change the way things are done and protect people that you're making a s**t ton of money off of,' she said of Bravo

'I got to do a photoshoot with Drea de Matteo and now she's my friend,' the RHONY alum exclaimed.

'She's the coolest, best person I've ever met. She's so awesome, she's been so supportive and so sweet.'

McSweeney first broke her silence on her lawsuit against Bravo and Real Housewives franchise executive producer Andy Cohen earlier this month.

She's suing the network and Cohen, 55, for alleged discrimination and a hostile work environment, and claims a 'rotted' work culture pressured cast members to consume alcohol, causing her to relapse.

The reality star, who is now sober, spoke about going up against a 'powerful entity' like Bravo while appearing on the Addiction Talk podcast.

She said that though the lawsuit has caused blowbacks it doesn't matter because 'this is the truth, you know? And I have it on my side.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Bravo representatives for comment.

Leah first broke her silence on her lawsuit against Bravo and Real Housewives franchise executive producer Andy Cohen earlier this month

She's suing the network and Cohen for alleged discrimination and a hostile work environment, and claims a 'rotted' work culture pressured cast members to consume alcohol; Leah pictured with Andy

'As hard as it is to be going up against a very powerful entity, and for people to maybe also just not agree with me or you know, come at me and get blowback and all the things, I don't care, because this is the truth, you know?' she shared.

'And my intentions are really good. And I check myself all the time about that,' the star added.

Leah added that she's doing 'great' all things considered.

'I'm leaning into my program, and my meetings, and my sober friends, and my regular friends that are not sober but are amazing,' she shared.

'And I use thing things that I learned in recovery about intention and about taking inventory. And I'm in a really good place right now.'

'It's taken a long time to get here. It's a journey and it's not linear.'

'The thing I've learned is to have a healthy fear of your addiction. And you can never feel like it's that far away. Because it's not.'

'I have a very healthy fear of my addiction and my alcoholism. But I'm doing good.'

Later she added, 'Even when you're in a really good place, it still hurts. It's still not an enjoyable experience to have people coming at you, or be dealing with the situation that I'm in.'

The reality star, who is sober, spoke about going up against a 'powerful entity' like Bravo while appearing on the Addiction Talk podcast

She said that though the lawsuit has caused blowbacks it doesn't matter because 'this is the truth, you know? And I have it on my side'

'And my intentions are really good. And I check myself all the time about that,' the star added. Leah added that she's doing 'great' all things considered

McSweeney (seen in an Instagram post ) said in court docs that Bravo producers sought to sabotage her sobriety by both exacerbating it and stopping her from getting treatment for her problem

When asked if she would participate in reality TV knowing what she knows now, or whether she regrets it, Leah shared, 'As an addict, there are so many things that have been not great, that I could regret. But what's the point? I can't change it now.'

Her interview comes following news that Cohen and his legal team are threatening the ex RHONY star with legal action, after she claimed he took cocaine with his favorite Real Housewives stars.

Last month Bravo producer and personality Cohen was accused of 'engaging in cocaine use with Housewives that he employs,' according to a suit filed in New York's Southern District by McSweeney.

A rep for Cohen told Dailymail.com that 'the claims against Andy are completely false' at the time and now, a letter from Cohen's attorneys obtained by TMZ has urged McSweeney to retract her 'categorically false' allegations or face a lawsuit.

Cohen's attorneys have said everything McSweeney claimed in the lawsuit is false and added on the cocaine claim: '[W]e demand that you immediately retract and withdraw all allegations relating to Mr. Cohens purported 'cocaine use.'"

'To be clear: these allegations are categorically false. Mr. Cohen never used cocaine with any cast member on any Real Housewives show or with any other Bravo employee. The absence of any reasonable basis to make such allegations is confirmed by your pleading itself.'

His attorneys point out there are no details included in the allegation and claim McSweeney made the explosive claim 'just to get headlines and a quick payday.'

A source close to McSweeney told the publication that she is 'flabbergasted' that Cohen keeps bringing attention to the case in the press 'rather than just letting it play out in court.'

Her interview comes following news that Cohen and his legal team are threatening the ex RHONY star with legal action, after she claimed he took cocaine with his favorite Real Housewives stars; seen with Cohen and Sonja Morgan on Watch What Happens Live

Cohen 'intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free,' McSweeney said in court docs

A rep for Cohen told Dailymail.com that 'the claims against Andy are completely false' at the time and now, a letter from Cohen's attorneys obtained by TMZ has urged McSweeney to retract her 'categorically false' allegations or face a lawsuit

McSweeney's lawsuit filed last month against Cohen and Bravo alleges cocaine use is rampant at the the network, with the linchpin producer and on-air personality both using the illegal drug and providing it to employees.

McSweeney said in court docs reviewed by Page Six that Cohen 'tends to provide the Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment' and strategic editing to make them look better.

Cohen 'intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free,' McSweeney said in court docs.

McSweeney appeared on two seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City in 2020-2021, and on a season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which aired last year.

McSweeney said in the legal docs that Bravo 'thrives off drug and alcohol use,' without naming any further parties past Cohen.

She said she informed Bravo producers prior to her casting on the series, that she had been focused on staying sober, and had a 30-day streak of sobriety going into the show.

McSweeney told the court that producers failed to make a 'reasonable accommodation' for her addiction-related disability - but instead provided her 'with unlimited, free-of charge alcoholic beverages,' and 'encouraged her to consume those alcoholic beverages.'

McSweeney's legal team said that 'this environment caused Ms. McSweeney to relapse into alcohol addiction shortly after joining RHONY season 12.'

McSweeney appeared on two seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City in 2020-2021, and on a season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which aired last year; seen in 2021

McSweeney said in court docs that Bravo producers sought to sabotage her sobriety by both exacerbating it and stopping her from getting treatment for her problem.

McSweeney told the court that Bravo executives violated her employment rights under the Disabilities Act by preventing her to get help for her alcohol issues, knowing she was dealing with them.

McSweeney, who has a fashion label called Married To The Mob, said in the legal docs that sexual harassment was also rife in the company, claiming that a senior producer 'routinely sends unsolicited pictures of [their] genitalia to lower-level  production employees,' and that executives have ignored the issues.

McSweeney in her suit, which is for unspecified damages, named Cohen, Bravo, Shed Media and Shed's parent company Warner Media.
Anya Taylor-Joy put on a loved-up display with her musician husband Malcom McRae as the pair headed to see Cara Delevingne in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.

The Queens Gambit actress, 27, was spotted supporting Cara on Thursday after the model stepped into the role of Sally Bowles in the West End show.

Cara took over the character after Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, finished her run with the Kander and Ebb musical - which centres around Berlin's underground club scene between the Jazz Age and the rise of Nazi Germany.

Anya sported an all-black ensemble for the theatre outing, pairing a high-beck sweater with a full maxi skirt and slimline coat.

Her platinum blonde hair was down in a natural style and she contrasted the dark look with a dark pink lip.

Anya Taylor-Joy put on a loved-up display with her musician husband Malcom McRae as the pair headed to see Cara Delevingne in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Thursday

The Queens Gambit actress, 27, was spotted supporting Cara on Thursday after the model stepped into the role of Sally Bowles in the West End show

Meanwhile, Malcolm opted for a 70s-style outfit consisting of a cream trench coat, striped shirt and a burnt orange patterned tie.

Later, the pair were seen running, possibly to escape the rain, after the show had come to an end.

Anya and Malcolm tied the knot with in a lavish ceremony held in Venice in October, with a host of all-star guests attending the stunning day.

The actress, who has also starred in dramas Peaky Blinders and Last Night In Soho, married in front of just over 150 guests including Cara and Julia Garner while sporting a beige gown.

At the start of the day, the blonde beauty was seen on the balcony in preparation mode, as she sported a white silk robe and sipped coffee while going make-up free, ahead of her swan-like transformation.

Her unconventional dress comprised a princess shape in a beige shade with embroidery and embellishments - including images of birds and flowers across the bodice, while she wore a bright white veil.

It was revealed before the big day that the couple were spotted looking at wedding venues in Venice earlier this year, including Palazzo Pisani-Moretta, a 15th century palace, and Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia, a 14th century church before the big day arrived over the weekend.

The couple - who have been dating since May 2021 - instructed firm The Wedding Boutique Italy to organise their nuptials which looked sensational.

Cara took over the character after Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, finished her run with the Kander and Ebb musical

Later, the pair were seen running, possibly to escape the rain, after the show had come to an end

Her platinum blonde hair was down in a natural style and she contrasted the dark look with a dark pink lip

Anya sported an all-black ensemble for the theatre outing, pairing a high-beck sweater with a full maxi skirt and slimline coat

Meanwhile, Malcolm opted for a 70s-style outfit consisting of a cream trench coat, striped shirt and a burnt orange patterned tie

Anya looked in good spirits as she posed for a snap alongside Cara Delevingne

The luxury event planners host weddings located across Italy, also including Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sicily and Lake Como, set in idyllic destinations including romantic castles and rustic farmhouses. The wedding firm budgets for weddings costing over 250,000 and not only plan the nuptials but also design the entire experience.

Anya has rarely spoken about her relationship with Malcolm, 28, since they began dating, having been first spotted together in New York.

They have managed to maintain a healthy relationship despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic, with Anya largely based in London, while Malcolm, who also acts as well as being in a band, lives in the US.

Their busy work schedules also make it difficult, as Anya spends weeks on end in filming locations, while Malcolm regularly tours for his music.

Speaking about their relationship to British Vogue in March 2022, Anya said: 'I said to my partner the other day that he was my hobby. I see reading as something that I have to do. He loved it because hes the same.

'Ive finally found someone who will happily sit in silence with me reading. Were basically 80 years old and seven at the same time and it works really well.'

The couple are pictured in April just months before their glamorous wedding (Pictured in April 2023)

Anya and Malcolm tied the knot with in a lavish ceremony held in Venice in October, with a host of all-star guests attending the stunning day (Pictured in January 2023)

Speaking about the distance, she added: 'Yes, it is [hard], but its also kind of great because when youre together youre really valuing the time that you have.

'Everyday mundane activities are so full of joy. I love going to the petrol station with him and filling up.'

Anya was born in Miami, Florida and moved to Buenos Aires as a toddler before relocating to London at the age of six 'for political reasons' with her parents, banker father Dennis - a Scot born in South America - and Spanish-English mother Jennifer who hails from Zambia.

Her role as orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon in the Netflix series The Queens Gambit elevated her into one of the most in demand actresses in Hollywood, having bagged a Golden Globe for Best Actress and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie.

She received another Golden Globe nomination for her role in black comedy movie The Menu, starring alongside Nicholas Hoult and Ralph Fiennes, and is playing the lead in blockbuster action movie Furiosa, the prequel to 2015s Mad Max: Fury Road.
Bindi Irwin took to social media on Friday to reveal what she thinks about her brother Robert's hosting skills on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The conservationist, 25, shared a photo to Instagram of her and Robert, 20, posing up a storm at Australia Zoo in Queensland and captioned it some sweet words.

'I'm PROUD OF YOU, Robert! Such an incredible co-host with Julia Morris. Watching you take on new challenges and shine has been the very best,' she began.

'You made positive change with no more wildlife consumption on the show since joining.'

'You continue to inspire us all with your message of conservation through so many different avenues. Always cheering for you,' she added.

Bindi Irwin has taken to social media to reveal what she thinks about her brother Robert's hosting skills on I'm A Celebrity. The conservationist shared a photo of her and Robert posing up a storm at Australia Zoo in Queensland and captioned it some sweet words. Both pictured

Robert Irwin took over co-hosting duties on the hit Channel Ten series in 2024 after former co-host Dr Chris Brown defected to Channel Seven last year.

Earlier this week, it was revealed Irwin is a huge hit with IAC Australia fans.

The Wildlife Warrior made his debut on Sunday's episode of the reality show alongside Julia Morris and social media users went wild over him.

'Robert Irwin, what an absolute natural. They could not have found a better replacement if they tried. Looking forward to this season,' wrote one person on X.

'I'm PROUD OF YOU, Robert! Such an incredible co-host with Julia Morris (right). Watching you take on new challenges and shine has been the very best,' Bindi wrote

'I like Robert as a host; he's a smooth transition from Brownie,' said another thrilled fan.

'Look, not gonna lie, I was highly skeptical Robert would be able to fill the Dr Chris void, but he did a great job. Think he's going to fit in very well,' someone else said.

Meanwhile, Robert has been crowned as Australia's most popular TV talent amid his impressive rise to success as a top presenter.

The zookeeper beat some of Australia's biggest names to be named the country's most popular broadcast personality of 2024.

Despite being a relative newcomer to Aussie screens, he impressively toppled comedic veteran Hamish Blake from the number one spot on the Australian Talent Index's 2024 Top Talent Report.

In his first ever appearance on the list, he also beat household names including Andy Lee, Dr Chris Brown, Sunrise's Natalie Barr and Sophie Monk in a landslide victory.
Charlotte Crosby shared a passionate kiss with her beloved fiance Jake Ankers at the opening night of Maya in Manchester on Thursday night.

The Geordie Shore star, 33, couldn't keep her hands off the handsome businessman hunk, also 33, as they enjoyed an evening together at the new restaurant and bar.

The two lovebirds looked more than loved-up as they sweetly held hands with a beaming smile on their faces.

Also at the opening night launch, Love Island's Adam Collard and Anton Danyluk was in attendance.

Anton's mother Sherie-Anne was also seen at the event and shared a intimate smooch with Charlotte inside the venue.

Charlotte Crosby shared a passionate kiss with her beloved fiance Jake Ankers, both 33, at the opening night of Maya in Manchester on Thursday night

The Geordie Shore star couldn't keep her hands off the handsome businessman hunk as they enjoyed an evening together at the new restaurant and bar.

Charlotte and Jake pulled out all the stops to celebrate their engagement with a lavish party last week.

The couple got engaged last November - thirteen months after welcoming their daughter Alba Jean, one.

And now they have finally got round to celebrating the proposal with a spectacular bash with their friends and family.

The couple rented the luxurious Grantley Hall in Ripon, north Yorkshire, luxury hotel and spa, which also boasted a Michelin restaurant.

Among the guests were Charlotte's mother Letitia and her Geordie Shore co-stars, Holly Hagan, Sophie Kasaei and James Tindale.

Everyone dressed to the nines for the special occasion, with Charlotte taking the opportunity to don a figure-hugging bridal white gown.

She showed off her curves in the off-the-shoulder number and added extra glamour with diamond encrusted high heels.

Later on in the night she changed into a second white outfit - this time a lacy minidress that flashed her tanned legs.

Also at the opening night launch, Love Island's Adam Maxted and Anton Danyluk was in attendance

Adam, Anton and his mother Sherie-Anne playfully posed with Charlotte

Anton's mother Sherie-Anne was also seen at the event and shared a intimate smooch with Charlotte inside the venue

Charlotte and Jake pulled out all the stops to celebrate their engagement with a lavish party last week (Charlotte and Sophie pictured)

The couple got engaged last November - thirteen months after welcoming their daughter Alba Jean (pictured together)

And now they have finally got round to celebrating the proposal with a spectacular bash with their friends and family

Charlotte announced her engagement to Jake last November, taking to Instagram to share a snap of the moment he got down on one knee

Charlotte announced her engagement to Jake last November, taking to Instagram to share a snap of the moment he got down on one knee.

Jake popped the question on a rooftop in Dubai, while surrounded by rose petals, candles and a heart shaped backdrop.

The snap showed Charlotte holding her hands to her mouth in shock, while in the caption she declared herself the 'happiest woman in the world'.

The TV personality, who had been dating Jake for two years, penned: 'Happiest woman in the world'.

'Yes yes yes and yes @jake_ankers you are my best friend you are my life i CANT BELIEVE IM ENGAGED AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh. Best night ever'.

While Jake shared his own snap of the proposal and wrote: 'Finally plucked up the courage and did it... I love you with all my heart'.
Poppy Delevingne wowed in a colourful number as she attended The Hope Gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London on Thursday evening.

The model, 37, posed up a storm in the daring mesh ensemble which was striped with multi-coloured pastel dots.

The star, who is the sister of Cara Delevingne, made sure to flash her ample cleavage in the dress which featured a plunging neckline down to her belly button.

She cinched in her waist with a rose gold belt adorned with a gold floral broach.

The event was hosted by actress Alia Bhatt in support of the Salaam Bombay Foundation which works to engage the most vulnerable 'at-risk' children in Mumbai through after-school academies and in-school programmes.

Poppy Delevingne, 37, wowed as she put on a VERY busty display in a daring pastel mesh dress for The Hope Gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London on Thursday evening

The star, who is the sister of Cara Delevingne, made sure to flash her ample cleavage in the dress which featured a plunging neckline down to her belly button

Poppy looked in great spirits as she attended the evening and swept her blonde locks back in a tight slick back bun.

Her dress flowed down to the floor, while also wrapping around her neck in an elegant scarf feature.

The evening marked Alia's first ever charity event in London, as one of the most successful actors in the industry who has represented India internationally.

Posing alongside Poppy she opted for a stunning black strappy dress with silver edging.

The actress, 31, accessorised her look with an elaborate silver and blue jewelled necklace which featured as the centre piece of her look.

While Poppy attended the charity event, she was absent at her sister's Cabaret Gala night at the Kit Kat Club which took place the same night.

Cara, who is starring as Sally Bowles in the famed West End production, cut a chic display in a stylish brown blazer style mini dress for the occasion.

The model showcased her slim physique in the ensemble as she put on a very leggy display in the dress which she paired with some knee high black socks and heels.

Poppy looked in great spirits as she attended the evening and swept her blonde locks back in a tight slick back bun

She cinched in her waist with a rose gold belt adorned with a gold floral broach

The event was hosted by actress Alia Bhatt in support of the Salaam Bombay Foundation which works to engage the most vulnerable 'at-risk' children in Mumbai through after-school academies and in-school programmes

As well as flowing down to the floor, her dress also wrapped around her neck in an elegant scarf feature

Poppy posed alongside Rosanna Falconer, (L) and Tanya Saha Gupta (R)

The star sat down for the dinner alongside Mandarin Oriental Hotel Groups CEO Laurent Kleitmen

Cara accessorised the look with a black leather belt and bold red lip, while her brunette locks were tied back from her face in a scraped back bun.

Playing Sally Bowles  made famous by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 film version - Cara is following in the footsteps of Oscar-nominated Jessie Buckley who previously played the role.

She appears alongside Olivier award-winning Luke Treadaway - who is starring as The Emcee in the iconic play.

It was announced last month that Cara was set to take the role as she said at the time: 'there are no words to explain her excitement'.

The duo will be performing for three whole months from March 11 right up until June 1 2024.
Quentin Tarantino appears to be working on what could be his 10th and final movie.

The Academy Award-winning filmmaker, 61, was pictured on Thursday in Burbank, California visiting the vintage restaurant Bob's Big Boy with what appeared to be scripts in his hand.

The director of 90s classics such as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction wore a blue patterned button-up shirt with blue jeans and black shoes.

The Knoxville, Tennessee-born creative's brown locks were parted to the side as he donned sunglasses at the establishment.

The Bob's Big Boy location is one of the last locations of the retro Southern California-based restaurant chain, which is best known for its burgers and milkshakes.

Quentin Tarantino, 61, appeared to be working on what could be his 10th and final movie as he was pictured on Thursday in Burbank, California visiting the vintage restaurant Bob's Big Boy with what appeared to be scripts in his hand

The director of 90s classics such as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction wore a blue patterned button-up shirt with blue jeans and black shoes

Tarantino was spotted after a report from Deadline last month indicated he and Brad Pitt are set to work with one another again on The Movie Critic, after past having worked on the films Inglourious Basterds (2009) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).

It was 'unclear if Pitt will play the title character' in the movie, Deadline reported February 1, adding the film is expected to be released in 2025 by Sony, with Stacey Sher as a producer.

Tarantino in May of 2023 spoke about the upcoming project with Deadline at the Cannes Film Festival, where he hosted a screening of the 1977 movie Rolling Thunder.

Tarantino told the outlet at the event that The Movie Critic would be set in the year 1977, describing the titular character as 'a guy who really lived but was never really famous, and he used to write movie reviews for a porno rag.'

Tarantino said that the creative inspiration for the character traces back to his work as a teenager stocking vending machines with adult magazines and retrieving the quarters.

Tarantino said, 'All the other stuff was too skanky to read, but then there was this porno rag that had a really interesting movie page.'

Tarantino told the outlet that 'there was one critic in particular [who he] liked, who wrote snarky and smart as the second-string critic.'

The Bob's Big Boy location is one of the last locations of the Southern California-based restaurant chain, which is best known for its burgers and milkshakes

Quentin Tarantino, 61, and Brad Pitt, 60, are set to work with one another again on The Movie Critic, what could be the famed director's 10th and final movie. Pictured in 2023 in LA

The collaborators were seen during entrances to the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2019

He said of the critic, 'He wrote about mainstream movies and he was the second-string critic. I think he was a very good critic. He was as cynical as hell.

'His reviews were a cross between early Howard Stern and what Travis Bickle might be if he were a film critic.'

Tarantino noted that the critic 'wrote like he was 55 but he was only in his early to mid-30s' and 'died in his late thirties' from what he believed were 'complications due to alcoholism.'

At the time, Tarantino told the outlet that Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio were too told for the role, as he was aiming for 'somebody in the 35-year-old ball park.'

According to Deadline, Tarantino has done 'did quite a bit of rewriting' in the months since his May 2023 interview, potentially opening the door for Pitt to emerge in the role.

The outlet noted that a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood novel penned by Tarantino released in 2021 added more breath and depth to Pitt's character Cliff Booth, who is presented in the film as a past-his-prime stuntman by the year 1969.

Pitt's character Cliff Booth was presented in the film as a past-his-prime stuntman by the year 1969

Details from a 2021 novel Tarantino penned based on the movie lent to speculation that The Film Critic could be a later incarnation of the Booth character

Tarantino and Pitt were seen working on the set of the retro motion picture, which took a fictional narrative to the tragic fate of actress Sharon Tate, who was murdered in 1969

In the storyline of the film, Booth was a trusty sidekick to actor Rick Dalton (played by DiCaprio), whose reputation in Hollywood was impacted by rumors he had killed his wife while on a boating trip.

The novelization confirmed that Booth had killed his wife, and had been an ardent fan of movies.

The outlet suggested that it 'would make a lot of hardcore fans happy' if Booth turned out to be titular character, noting that 'like many of Tarantinos screen creations, hes too good a character to let go of.'
Former Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn's marital problems with her estranged husband Christian Richard have been going on for months, an insider claimed on Thursday.

'Christine has felt controlled by Christian their whole relationship,' a source told Us Weekly. The two met shortly after filming ended for the first season of Selling Sunset, which debuted in March of 2019.

The insider also claimed that Richard (whose real name is Christian Dumontet), disapproved of the unabashedly sexy image that Quinn, 35, often displays.

'He never liked that her whole brand was about sex appeal and Christine would often have to lie about what partnerships or photoshoots she was doing so Christian wouldnt have a meltdown,' they added.

The newest alleged details about the details about the estranged couple have emerged after they filed requests for temporary restraining orders against each other in the wake of Richard's arrest for assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly throwing a bag with a glass bottle in it at Quinn, which instead hit their two-year-old son Christian Georges Dumontet.

Christine Quinn has 'felt unsafe for a while' with estranged husband Christian Richard, an insider told Us Weekly on Thursday; seen in June 2023 in West Hollywood

The source claimed Richard, 45, had bristled at his 35-year-old wife's sexy image, and they said the marriage had been 'toxic for several months,' leaving Quinn in 'distress'; seen in March 2023 in LA

Quinn was previously reported to be planning to divorce her husband, but the insider clarified that she plans to file the necessary paperwork 'very soon.'

She appears to have a sense of urgency, as Richard's allegedly violent incident leading up to his arrest was 'not the first time she has seen [Christian] lash out in an angry manner.'

'She has felt unsafe for a while,' the insider claimed. 'It has been toxic for several months and Christine has been in distress.  It is going to be a long, messy road ahead of them, as they both have restraining orders and are not in agreement on plans with their son.'

Quinn seems to be focusing on the future, as a second source told the publication that she was 'in great spirits' when she attended the Xerjoff Vibes and Elle Anniversary celebration on Wednesday.

'She was all smiles and was happily taking several photos for photographers. She seemed unbothered and was in a great mood all night mingling and taking selfies with guests,' they said. 'Christine put on a brave face and was smiling and laughing throughout the night.'

Quinn's appearance at the Xerjoff Vibes and Elle Anniversary celebration marked her first public appearance since she filed for a restraining order against Richard.

She was draped in a stunning nude gown that showed off her incredible figure and featured a daring thigh-high split.

The reality star had been pictured arriving at the event earlier in the evening, and the diamond engagement ring that her estranged husband Christian Richard gave her was notably absent.

They added it was 'not the first time she has seen [Christian] lash out in an angry manner.' He was arrested twice last week within 24 hours, the first time being after Quinn claimed he threw a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead; seen March 19

The two will have difficult issues ahead, as the source said they are 'not in agreement on plans with their son,' two-year-old Christian Georges Dumontet; seen in March 2022 in LA

The insider claimed that Quinn has felt 'controlled' by her estranged husband for the duration of their marriage. They wed in 2019; seen in June 2023 in LA

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

Showing off her incredible figure, Christine posed up a storm in a sparkly nude gown with a daring thigh-high split

The 20-carat sparkler was worth a whopping $1.2 million, but she opted to leave the glamorous item behind.

In its place, she sported a more modest silver band with a blue gem in the center.

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.'

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.

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.

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 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)

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.

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 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 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.
Angelina Censori has rubbished reports that her family is concerned for sister Bianca Censori over her romance with husband Kanye West.

Model Angelina says the claims are 'bulls**t' and her family supports the unconventional romance.

'We all support him. We support his new album. We support his new clothes he's dropping' Angelina told the Herald Sun on Friday.

Angelina described her sister as her 'best friend and confidante' and insists all is well.

'It's all just bulls**t. There was something about my dad even recently. My dad never talks. Nothing's true' she said.

Angelina Censori has rubbished reports that her family is concerned for sister Bianca Censori (right) over her romance with husband Kanye West (left)

Kanye and Bianca often raise eyebrows when they step out in public together due to her very racy outfits.

An insider has claimed that the rapper, who has demanded the music industry refer to him as 'Ye', is doing this for a reason.

Page Six has asserted that the ex-husband of Kim Kardashian considers Bianca's outlandish clothing choices 'performance art.'

There have been frequent claims that Bianca's family have expressed their concerns since she tied the knot with Kanye in December 2022.

Some of her loved ones have even reportedly staged an intervention with Censori over West's alleged 'controlling ways'.

Model Angelina (right, with Bianca, second from right) says the claims are 'bulls**t' and her family supports the unconventional romance

'We all support him. We support his new album. We support his new clothes he's dropping' Angelina (pictured) said on Friday

Recently, insiders claimed that Censori's father is reportedly keen on confronting the rapper for putting his daughter in X-rated clothing.

Sources claim that he is fearful that West is isolating Censori from her family.

He is also reportedly worried that his son-in-law is turning his beloved daughter into a 'trashy-looking marketable commodity' with the shockingly risque and half-naked looks.

Insiders have claimed that Bianca's family is 'hurting' at watching their loved one being paraded around like a 'trophy pony'.

Kanye has also been accused of 'shutting her out' from her family in Australia.

However, Angelina says her mother was recently with Bianca in Los Angeles and 'it was nice, she spent some time at listening parties and stuff'.
Paul McCartney enjoyed some well-deserved downtime with his wife Nancy on Wednesday, after jetting to St Barts for their annual Easter getaway.

The hitmaker, 81, was seen heading to the beach with his spouse of 13 years, 64, before strolling into the ocean for a swim.

Sporting colourful swimming shorts and a black top, Paul certainly made the most of the Caribbean sunshine during his relaxing beach day.

Meanwhile Nancy sported a pink printed swimming top and black shorts as she strolled into the water for a dip.

It comes as it was reported that Paul showed his generous side by handing a family a six-figure sum to thank them for returning a 10 million guitar, after it was stolen in the 1960s.

Paul McCartney enjoyed some well-deserved downtime with his wife Nancy on Wednesday, after jetting to St Barts for their annual Easter getaway

The hitmaker was seen heading to the beach with his spouse of 13 years (pictured) before strolling into the ocean for a swim

Sporting colourful swimming shorts and a black top, Paul certainly made the most of the Caribbean sunshine during his relaxing beach day

According to The Sun, Paul offered this thanks to Cathy Guest, who found the four-string Hofner instrument in her loft.

Cathy received the fee after lengthy negotiations between herself and Paul's music publishing company MPL.

A source said: 'They have now agreed a deal and the family have been given a very significant thank-you fee.

'Sir Paul has also expressed his gratitude to Cathy and the family.'

Cathy added: 'I cant talk about the amount, but I wont be moving or doing anything to change my life. My lifestyle wont be changing.'

It was previously revealed last month that Paul had been reunited with the guitar, some 54-years after it was last seen while The Beatles recorded what would be their final album, Let It Be.

The guitar, a distinctively shaped Hofner bass, became synonymous with the versatile musician during his time with The Beatles and was bought while the then unknown band toured Hamburg's notorious club circuit.

A young student had previously claimed the instrument was left to him as part of an inheritance, but has subsequently been returned its legendary owner.

Paul cut a relaxed figure while making his way along the beach for a dip in the water

Meanwhile Nancy sported a pink printed swimming top and black shorts as she strolled into the water for a dip

It comes as it was reported that Paul showed his generous side by handing a family a six-figure sum to thank them for returning a 10 million guitar, after it was stolen in the 1960s

According to The Sun , Paul offered this thanks to Cathy Guest, who found the four-string Hofner instrument in her loft

Cathy received the fee after lengthy negotiations between herself and Paul's music publishing company MPL

A source said: 'They have now agreed a deal and the family have been given a very significant thank-you fee'

It was previously revealed last month that Paul had been reunited with the guitar , some 54-years after it was last seen

The guitar, a distinctively shaped Hofner bass, became synonymous with the versatile musician during his time with The Beatles

A young student had previously claimed the instrument was left to him as part of an inheritance, but has subsequently been returned its legendary owner

McCartney previously said he 'fell in love' with the guitar - which could now be worth as much as 10million (his wife Nancy is pictured)

Sharing a photo of the guitar on X, formerly Twitter, film enthusiast Ruaidhri Guest tweeted: 'To my friends and family I inherited this item which has been returned to Paul McCartney. Share the news.'

McCartney previously said he 'fell in love' with the guitar - which could now be worth as much as 10million - because its shape meant that it looked more symmetrical as he played left-handed.

Though he briefly put it to one side during his time in the band, he picked it up again for recording sessions in London when the group were recording Let it Be.

The instrument can also be spotted in Get Back, the Peter Jackson documentary which was released in 2021.

Hofner stepped in to help the musician with his desperate search for the instrument online by creating the hashtag 'tracingthebass' and inviting people from around the world to track it down.

They have been the preferred brand for McCartney throughout his career. He has owned four Hofner basses since 1961, and to this day plays one of the basses given to him by the German company.

Though he briefly put it to one side during his time in the band, he picked it up again for recording sessions in London when the group were recording Let it Be

The instrument can also be spotted in Get Back, the Peter Jackson documentary which was released in 2021

Hofner stepped in to help the musician with his desperate search for the instrument online by creating the hashtag 'tracingthebass'

They have been the preferred brand for McCartney throughout his career. He has owned four Hofner basses since 1961

Hofner executive Nick Wass told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I've worked closely with Paul McCartney's team over the years, and when I've met Paul we've talked about his first Hofner bass and where it could be today.

'Paul said to me, 'Heh, because you're from Hofner, couldn't you help find my bass?' And that's what sparked this great hunt'.

Theories about what happened to the instrument vary, from rumours that a thief took the bass from a closet at Abbey Road, to a story that it went missing from the basement of the Beatles Savile Row offices.

A representative for McCartney said: 'Following the launch of last year's Lost Bass project, Paul's 1961 Hofner 500/1 bass guitar, which was stolen in 1972, has been returned. The guitar has been authenticated by Hofner and Paul is incredibly grateful to all those involved.'
January 2021: The beginning of the end

Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after Evans claimed on social media that her husband of 14 years was walking out on her and their two daughters.

October 2021: Ioan goes public with his new love

After Evans' explosive announcement about her split all seemed to quieten down until October 2021 when she took to Twitter to claim to her 29,000 followers that her estranged husband had been cheating on her for three years with a much younger woman.

Evans implied that her ex had gaslighted her for years, betraying her and their two daughters (but did not offer any evidence to support her accusation).

February 2022: Ioan files for a restraining order against Alice

After months of pointed tweets and social media posts made by Evans, Gruffudd responded by filing for a restraining order, submitting 113 pages of unhinged texts and emails that had not previously been made public.

In his court filing, Gruffudd claimed he told Evans that he wanted out of the marriage in August 2020 and that since then, she had harassed him with hundreds of unanswered text messages, abusive emails and social media posts - many of which he included in the filing.

He claimed she verbally threatened to tell the media he had abused her 'do what Amber Heard did to Johnny Depp'.

Inside the most bitter divorce in Hollywood: A look back at Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd's shock slanging match (pictured in 2004)

June 2022: Alice begs fans for money to pay for a divorce lawyer

As their divorce proceedings entered its 15th month, Evans claimed to be 'completely out of money for food and bills.'

She claimed she would receive no financial support from Gruffudd and that she was struggling to pay her legal fees and would be unable to 'feed or clothe' their daughters with her dwindling funds.

July 2022: Ioan asks for joint custody of daughters

After Evans filed for sole custody of their daughters, Gruffudd filed for custody and visitation rights to see his children, claiming in the filing that Evans had been purposely trying to cut communication between himself and the children.

He also petitioned that the girls attend in-person therapy and reunification therapy via zoom with him pending court-ordered mediation about custody.

In the filing, Gruffudd reiterated allegations that Evans had been verbally abusing during their 14-year marriage, and 'undermin[ing him] in front of the girls throughout their lives.'

August 2022: Ioan gets a three-year restraining order against Alice

Having previously been awarded a temporary restraining order against his estranged wife, Gruffudd successfully obtained a three-year restraining order against Evans in August 2022.

Harsher restrictions were put in place by a US judge, including a ruling preventing Alice from leaking private text messages from their children.

In the court documents, Gruffudd claimed Evans continued to cause him issues and wanted additional provisions added to the existing restraining order.

He also requested Evans not post his text messages or any other communications to the parties children, or the childrens text messages or any other communications to Ioan, on any social media account.

Gruffudd also asked for the judge to order Evans not to contact his employer or make disparaging statements about him to his employers.

October 2021: Ioan went public with his new love Bianca Wallace, posting a picture with the Australian actress who is 21 years younger than Alice

September 2022: Ioan and Alice's child custody battle hits a wall

Two months after Gruffudd filed for joint custody of his two daughters and asked for custody and visitation rights, the exes failed to settle their differences in family court, despite the help of a mediator.

Court documents showed the exes meeting was set for 31 August and that mediation had taken place but that 'no agreement' had been reached.

The document went on to confirm that that both Gruffudd and Evans had completed the mandatory Our Children First program.

The Superior Court of Los Angeles states of the program that: 'Parents are required by law to attend a mediation orientation/parent education program and a mediation session prior to appearing at an Order to Show Cause or Trial regarding the custody and/or visitation of their children.'

November 2022: Alice is reported to police over claims of 'child abuse' and drug use

Amid her ongoing custody battle, Evans claimed that someone called social services and the police on her with concerns over child abuse and drug and drink use.

The actress took to Twitter to allege that someone had sent authorities to her property who then found 'absolutely no signs of abuse' and 'no drugs or drink'.

July 2022: Ioan asked for joint custody of their daughters Ella, 13 and Elsie, nine, claiming Alice had been trying to cut communication between himself and the children (pictured in 2018

February 2023: Child custody agreement is stalled again after Alice is charged with 'violating restraining order'

Evans appeared in court in February 2023 to answer two charges of violating a restraining order that was put in place by her estranged husband.

The warring former couple were scheduled to appear later that month at a custody hearing but Evans asked for a postponement.

Her attorney, Marie LaMolinara, argued that testimony Alice gives at the custody hearing could be used against her in her later criminal trial, which would violate her right, under the 5th Amendment, not to incriminate herself.

March 2023: Charges against Alice are dropped

Prosecutors in Los Angeles dropped charges against Evans who had been accused of defying a restraining order the Welsh actor has against her.

Evans had pleaded not guilty to two counts of violating the order and at a hearing at LA's Airport Courthouse, Commissioner James Cooper dismissed the charges after prosecutors told the court they were 'unable to proceed.'

At a follow-up hearing, Evans' attorney, public defender, Daniel Stefanic, filed a motion asking for a ruling that would declare her 'factually innocent' of the charges.

August 2022: Ioan successfully obtained a three-year restraining order against Alice that banned her from mentioning him or his girlfriend on social media (Ioan and Bianca pictured May 2022)

May 2023: Alice moves out of $2million family home as ex Ioan is 'too poor' to pay for it

Evans and her children moved out of her family home and into a rented abode with their two daughters after Gruffudd pleaded with a court to allow the home to be sold, saying he didn't have the money to keep up with mortgage payments for his family following their split in 2021.

The Fantastic Four star told a court in a document filed last year that neither he nor Evans could afford the $6,750 a month in mortgage payments, insurance and property tax.

He said he'd had just one paid job in the past year and was so poor he was relying on handouts from his young girlfriend.

May 2023: Ella, 13, applies for a restraining order against dad Ioan and his girlfriend Bianca

The teenage daughter of Evans and Gruffudd asked for a restraining order against her famous father and his girlfriend in documents filed on May 31 at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

In the documents, Ella stated that she is 'afraid' of her father and accuses him of 'threatening to call the police on her anytime she misbehaves' during their visitations.

Ella filed for a domestic violence restraining order against her father following what she said was an ugly incident at their home, during which she claims Bianca 'slammed a door on her head'.

In her filing against her father, Ella requested that he be made to keep at least 100 yards away from her and not contact her for five years and asks that Gruffudd be ordered to undergo a '52-week batterer intervention program'.

The program, which involves weekly classes, is intended - the document states - to 'stop abuse, teach accountability, abuse effects, and gender roles'.

Ella requested that the restraining order also cover her nine-year-old sister Elsie, noting that she 'lives with her sister and is afraid that [Ioan] will abuse and/or continue to allow abuse to happen to my sister too'.

She also asked that her father be made to pay 'for some or all of her lawyer's fees and costs' and requests that her phone account and that of her sister Elsie's be transferred to their mother, alleging that Gruffudd has 'threatened to cancel my sister's phone account and my phone account'.

Along with her domestic restraining order filing, Ella included a declaration as evidence to support her case, in which she shared her recollection of a bitter spat that she claims took place while she and her nine-year-old sister Elsie were visiting their father's home on May 26.

Ella admitted that she was 'so mad' at her father to find that Wallace was at his apartment when she arrived that she began throwing food on his bed, on the floor, and on him, before she attempted to flee the apartment - which, she says, is when the actress 'slammed a door on her head', leaving her with 'a small bump' and a 'bruise on her arm'.

May 2023: The teenage daughter of Alice and Ioan asked for a restraining order against her famous father and his girlfriend in documents filed on May 31 (Alice and Ella pictured)

June 2023: Ioan accuses Alice of abusing him via fake Twitter accounts

In court documents seen by MailOnline, Gruffudd claimed his estranged wife screamed at him outside his Los Angeles home and called him a 'f***ing abuser' and 'abusive c***' in front of their 13-year-old daughter.

Gruffudd also claimed Evans repeatedly broken a three-year restraining order he took out against her which has resulted in criminal charges - and flashed him while wearing no underwear when their children were being dropped off.

The bombshell papers also contained claims from Gruffudd that: Evans has made 'thousands of false, threatening and harassing posts' about him; Evans claims to be home-schooling Ella, but has 'provided no information'; Evans has interfered with the girls' therapy and they are missing appointments; and Ella poured rolled oats from a bag over his head, which left him 'in shock'.

July 2023: Ioan and Alice are declared legally divorced

In a court order handed down in LA Superior Court, Judge Josh Freeman Stinn finally granted Gruffudd's request for divorce amid the couple's ongoing custody battle.

The Welsh actor had filed for bifurcation and termination of marital status in May which would allow him and Evans to be declared legally divorced even as they continue settlement negotiations in their split.

A minute order obtained by DailyMail.com show the judge approved the request on July 3, ruling: 'The Court finds irreconcilable differences have arisen in the marriage and grants judgment for the dissolution of marriage as to status only, effective today.'

July 2023: Ioan's daughter loses bid for domestic violence restraining order against him

Two months after Ella filed documents a judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed an application by Ella for a domestic violence restraining order.

Gruffudd was present in court, along with Ms Evans for the hearing, as well as the lawyer appointed as the minor's counsel last month.

The judge ruled: 'The minor's request for a domestic violence restraining order against the petitioner is hereby dismissed without prejudice.'

The decision came three weeks after the teenager's bid to get a civil protection order against Gruffudd's actress girlfriend Bianca Wallace, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was also denied.

Ioan said: Friends of the Liar star said he was 'very relieved' at the outcome. They also claimed that the situation is a 'nightmare' but they are 'happy to see some progress'.

August 2023: Ioan accuses Alice of 'child abuse' and keeping their daughters from him

A Los Angeles judge attempted to shield Gruffudd and Evans from the fallout of their parents' ugly battles by banning the press from a custody hearing, keeping the proceedings secret.

But that didn't stop the warring former couple  who are both seeking custody of the girls  from taking vitriolic shots at each other in written court filings that are public and not sealed.

The Welsh star called his ex a 'child abuser'  while Evans claimed Gruffudd hadn't seen or called his children for almost three months, according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

Ioan said: 'Alice has continued to inflict serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them.

'Alice has verbally abused and undermined me in front of the girls throughout their lives.

'Since January 2021, Alice has also encouraged and instructed them not to see me or communicate with me and she has made thousands of threatening and abusive communications to me and about me.'

Alice said: 'I have read and disagree with the declaration of petitioner (Gruffudd) as to allegations that I am inflicting or causing our children ''serious emotional harm".

'No one has ever contacted me or reported me for such conduct. No professional, nor teacher, nor school administrator, nor counsel, nor therapist.

'Petitioner has not seen, complied with, nor called the children for 11 weeks. I don't understand how having no recent information, "petitioner believes" there is an urgency such that a child custody evaluation must be commenced.'
Mark Wahlberg has been enjoying his time in Australia.

The 52-year-old actor stepped out in Sydney on Friday as he continues spending his days Down Under.

The American star dressed casually for the outing, opting for a caramel toned long sleeved shirt, under a darker T-shirt.

He added a pair of black trousers and sneakers as well as a black cap with white lettering across the front.

Mark stepped out of a car alongside friends and was seen carrying a drink in his hand.

Mark Wahlberg (pictured) has been enjoying his time in Australia

The 52-year-old actor stepped out in Sydney on Friday as he continues spending his days Down Under

The American star dressed casually for the outing, opting for a caramel toned long sleeved shirt, under a darker T-shirt

The star caused quite a commotion as he met fans at Bondi's F45 gym in Sydney earlier this month.

Wahlberg is a financial backer of the gym chain and through his investment company, bought a majority stake in 2019 for $US450million - or $A634million.

The Departed star is thought to be heading up to the Gold Coast to film his upcoming movie Six Billion Dollar Man.

His visit to the gym comes amid reports that another F45 gym in Sydney has gone into liquidation as the global Australian fitness chain backed by Wahlberg downsizes.

Mark was spotted touching down at Sydney Airport via private jet earlier this month.

He added a pair of black trousers and sneakers as well as a black cap with white lettering across the front

Mark stepped out of a car alongside friends and was seen carrying a drink in his hand

The star caused quite a commotion as he met fans at Bondi's F45 gym in Sydney earlier this month

Wahlberg is a financial backer of the gym chain and through his investment company, bought a majority stake in 2019 for $US450million - or $A634million

The Fear actor's upcoming projects include Six Billion Dollar Man and The Roman, while he recently also starred in Arthur the King and The Family Plan.

Mark has previously visited Australia on a business trip and has gushed over his love for the country.

The Hollywood star told the Saturday Telegraph back in 2021 that he's hoping to shoot a movie on the Gold Coast soon and that he wants to bring his family with him.

'I'm looking forward to coming back,' he said.

The Departed star is thought to be heading up to the Gold Coast to film his upcoming movie Six Billion Dollar Man

His visit to the gym comes amid reports that another F45 gym in Sydney has gone into liquidation as the global Australian fitness chain backed by Wahlberg downsizes

Mark was spotted touching down at Sydney Airport via private jet earlier this month

The Fear actor's upcoming projects include Six Billion Dollar Man and The Roman, while he recently also starred in Arthur the King and The Family Plan

Mark has previously visited Australia on a business trip and has gushed over his love for the country

The Hollywood star told the Saturday Telegraph back in 2021 that he's hoping to shoot a movie on the Gold Coast soon and that he wants to bring his family with him

'I'm looking forward to coming back,' he said

'Hopefully I'll be able to move my family down to Australia for four to five months and make a movie on the Gold Coast and enjoy that beautiful country' he added

'Hopefully I'll be able to move my family down to Australia for four to five months and make a movie on the Gold Coast and enjoy that beautiful country.'

Mark added that his wife, model Rhea Durham, 'would fall in love with Australia' if she visited.

The star has had a number of business interests in Australia, including being an investor in Aussie fitness chain F45.

Mark also recently brought his US burger chain Wahlburgers to Australia.

The Other Guys actor lives with his wife Rhea Durham and their four children Ella, 20, Michael, 18, Brendan, 15, and Grace, 14.

The Other Guys actor lives with his wife Rhea Durham and their four children Ella, 20, Michael, 18, Brendan, 15, and Grace, 14
Phoebe Waller-Bridge was accompanied by her pet pooch as she joined a slew of stars heading home after a glitzy gala night for Cara Delevingne's cabaret show.

The Fleabag star, 38, cut a chic figure in a checked trouser suit as she and Anya Taylor-Joy jumped into a waiting car.

After attending the show at The Kit Kat Club, Phoebe and Anya were in high spirits as they cooed over the dog after watching Cara's performance.

The Indiana Jones star was seen entering, and exiting, the venue during the gala night, but skipped the pre-show photocall.

Cara took over the character after Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, finished her run with the Kander and Ebb musical - which centres around Berlin's underground club scene between the Jazz Age and the rise of Nazi Germany.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge was accompanied by her pet pooch as she joined a slew of stars heading home after a glitzy gala night for Cara Delevingne's cabaret show

The Fleabag star was joined by Anya Taylor-Joy, with the pair jumping into a waiting car after watching Cara's performance

Phoebe, who was also pictured arriving at London's Kit Kat Club (above), cut a chic figure in a grey checked trouser suit

While Cara has already carved out a name for herself in the acting world having appeared in films such as Anna Karenina, Paper Towns, Suicide Squad and Tulip Fever, Cabaret marks her West End debut.

Playing Sally Bowles  made famous by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 film version - Cara is following in the footsteps of Oscar-nominated Jessie Buckley who previously played the role.

She appears alongside Olivier award-winning Luke Treadaway - who is starring as The Emcee in the iconic play.

It was announced last month that Cara was set to take the role as she said at the time: 'there are no words to explain her excitement'.

The duo will be performing for three whole months from March 11 right up until June 1 2024.

Cara and Luke have taken over from Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy, who finished their run on the March 9.

Speaking about her exciting new stint, Cara said: 'There are no words to explain the excitement I have to return home to make my stage debut in such an iconic role.

'I am so inspired by the brilliant actors who have played Sally in past productions around the world and in this one in the West End.

She Anya were more focused on their adorable furry companion as they headed home in a car

The Indiana Jones star was seen entering, and exiting, the venue during the gala night, but skipped the pre-show photocall

Cara took over the character after Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, finished her run with the Kander and Ebb musical

Phoebe sparked speculation that she was engaged to filmmaker and playwright Martin McDonagh

'I cannot wait to be a part of this brilliant cast and production.'

Luke added: 'I cant wait to become a member of the Kit Kat Club and join this extraordinary production. Its a huge thrill to be asked to take this on and Im very excited to get started.'

Last year, Phoebe sparked speculation that she was engaged to filmmaker and playwright Martin McDonagh.

The Emmy winner, ho has been dating Oscar winning McDonagh, 53, since 2017, sparked rumours that they are set to wed by wearing an enormous diamond ring on her engagement finger at her brothers wedding in September.

And the star certainly didnt seem to be keeping a low profile in a bright pink Etro suit, costing 1,945, a matching 400 waistcoat and a black necktie.

She was joined by her filmmaker other half as her brother Jasper Waller-Bridge married Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery at St Nicholas Church in Chiswick, West London.
Paris Brosnan opted for a sporty ensemble as he joined his long-time girlfriend Alex Lee-Aillon at the LA opening of British streetwear brand Represent on Thursday.

The son of Hollywood legend Pierce Brosnan, 23, rocked a grey T-shirt and matching joggers, teamed with a faded yellow Carhartt jacket.

The model - who walked runways for Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana - kept it comfortable with trainers and accessorised with a Chicago White Sox black cap.

He looked in good spirits while beaming alongside his beloved partner, 25.

The American model also cut a casual figure in a slightly oversized dove jumper and black pocketed cargo trousers.

Paris Brosnan opted for a sporty ensemble while posing alongside his long-time girlfriend Alex Lee-Aillon at the LA opening of British streetwear brand Represent

The son of Hollywood legend Pierce Brosnan, 23, donned a grey T-shirt and matching joggers, teamed with a faded yellow Carhartt jacket

He looked in good spirits while beaming alongside his model girlfriend Alex, 25

The beauty, who has been in a long-term relationship with Paris for more than four years, finished off with red and white Nike AirForce.

Alex slicked her brown looks into a neat bun and accessorised with maxi hoop earrings and a black shoulder bag.

British streetwear label Represent opened its very first store in Los Angeles and is set to open two more stores in England later this year.

Paris hasn't followed his famous father's footsteps in the Hollywood world.

The 007 alum revealed in a September 2022 interview with GQ he dissuaded his sons from pursuing acting.

He said: 'It's hard f***ing work. Its a cross to bear. Youre constructing and destroying yourself.'

Paris' older brother Dylan, 27, instead works as a model and musician.

While attending the GQ Man of the Year party at the time, the sons also opened up about the recent controversy of sort over 'nepo babies' in Hollywood.

'I think we need to just be grateful for our blessings,' Paris said in a red carpet interview with E!, with his brother Dylan acknowledging how, 'very lucky.'

Paris added, 'It's always gonna be there and we got to recognize it. At the end of the day, we're just grateful to be here.'

Alex has been in a long-term relationship with Paris for more than four years (pictured together in June at the Out-Laws premiere)

Paris hasn't followed his famous father's footsteps in the Hollywood world, swapping catwalks for stages - wile Dylan, 27, works as a model and musician (pictured together in June)

Paris did acknowledge that his last name may open some doors, though he admitted he and his brother are trying to, 'pave our own way.'

'Dylan's an amazing musician and I'm painting right now, so we're figuring it out. Taking it day by day,' Paris said.

When asked what the best advice their father has given them, Dylan said, 'Be gracious. Be grateful.'

Paris added their father would also give them daily reminders to, 'stand straight, shoulders back,' adding another nugget of advice from his dad.

'Don't take yourself too seriously. Just have fun,' Paris added.
A famous horror icon known for a very racy role looked completely unrecognisable with her natural ginger hair and a subtle make-up.

The American actress was pictured at the The First Omen premiere on Tuesday and looked worlds apart from the iconic character that she played.

The Kansas-born star, 72, rose to fame for her portrayal of a sexy and eccentric host in a well-known comedy horror film from 1988.

But can YOU guess who it is?

It's Cassandra Peterson who famously starred as the iconic Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

A horror icon, 72, known for a very racy role, looked completely unrecognisable with her natural ginger hair and a subtle look while pictured at the The First Omen premiere this week

It's Cassandra Peterson, 72, who famously starred as the iconic Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

The movie legend looked ageless while posing on the red carpet in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Cassandra proved she didn't age a day while boosting her gorgeous natural looks with a very subtle make-up and rocking her natural tresses.

Opting for a simple black long-sleeve top and a matching maxi skirt with boots, the star exuded radiance as she posed with a hand on her waist.

She accessorised with maxi hoop earrings, showing off a huge smile as she dazzled under the spotlight.

Cassandra shoot to stardom as firstly playing in the 1988's movie, where Elvira - who is remembered for her unapologetic attitude and sexy looks - turns a puritanical community on its ear when she arrives in town to claim her inheritance.

Later on, she also starred in the 1993's iconic sitcom The Elvira Show, where her character moved to Manhattan, Kansas, alongside her wacky aunt Minerva and their talking cat, while working as a fortune teller and selling love potions.

The iconic witch was quick to become a fan's favourite and came back to the screens in Elvira's Haunted Hills in 2001.

Elvira, who is told to bring to life scary movies while 'providing sarcastic, campy commentary' is also seen in the 2010's series Elvira's Movie Macabre, which features 5 seasons.

The eccentric Mistress of the Dark came back for 13 Night Of Elvira in 2014, where she takes on movies like Puppet Master, Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death, and Evil Bong and 'skewers them in the sexy, spooky way that only she can', according to its synopsis.

The American actress looked incredibly youthful as she posed on the red carpet

Cassandra shoot to stardom as firstly playing in the 1988's movie, where Elvira turns a puritanical community on its ear when she arrives in town to claim her inheritance (pictured in the movie promo)

Elvira Mistress of the Dark's promo poster from 1988

Later on, she also starred in the 1993's iconic sitcom The Elvira Show, where her character moved to Manhattan, Kansas, alongside her wacky aunt Minerva and their talking cat, while working as a fortune teller and selling love potions (pictured in 1988)

Elvira is remembered for her unapologetic attitude and sexy looks (pictured in 1988)

Cassandra donned her black wig and slipped once again into her plunging black dress for Elvira's 40th Anniversary, Very Scary, Very Special, Special - a 2021's TV mini series that celebrated her legendary role

Cassandra donned her black wig and slipped once again into her plunging black dress for Elvira's 40th Anniversary, Very Scary, Very Special, Special - a 2021's TV mini series that celebrated her legendary role.

The horror alum previously revealed she's been in a relationship with her assistant for the past two decades.

The performer opened up about her personal life in the pages of her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira, which was published in 2021.

Though the horror hostess had never dated women before, something clicked when she and Wierson met decades ago at a Gold's Gym in Hollywood.

In an excerpt from The Advocate, she recalled that 'when I was doing my preworkout warm-up on the treadmill, I couldn't help noticing one particular trainer...stalking across the gym floor, knit cap pulled so low over his long brown hair that it nearly covered his eyes.'

The TV star spared no details when describing the first impression that her now-partner made on everyone in the fitness centre.

'Dark and brooding, he gave off such intense energy that when he crossed the enormous gym floor, the waters parted and people stopped in their tracks to stare,' she wrote.

However, the two later encountered each other in one of the workout centre's restrooms, where the actress realised that her 'bad boy' was in actuality a 'bad girl.'

At the time, the actress was married to signer-turned-manager Mark Pierson, who she wed in 1981 and shares a daughter named Sadie with.

When their relationship came to a close in 2003, it was Teresa who was there to comfort Cassandra.

Things became romantic after Teresa - who the star affectionately calls 'T' - split with her own partner.

'There on the doorstep stood my trainer, T, holding a trash bag full of her belongings, looking sad and bedraggled.

'She'd split from her longtime partner, spent some time in rehab, and now had no place to go,' Cassandra recalled.

They began living together when things started to get romantic.

Noticing her urge to kiss T, Cassandra said she was 'surprised.'

'What the hell was I doing? I'd never been interested in women as anything other than friends...I was stunned that I'd been friends with her for so many years and never noticed our chemistry,' she said.

Though they found love, the actress said they decided to keep their relationship private in order to protect the Elvira brand, which has a huge male fanbase.

'Could my fans hate me for not being what they expected me to be?

The movie legend looked ageless while posing on the red carpet

The horror alum revealed she's been in a relationship with her assistant for the past two decades in the pages of her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira, which was published in 2021 (pictured in 1983)

Things became romantic after Teresa - who the star affectionately calls 'T' - split with her own partner and not long after they began living together (Cassandra and Teresa pictured in 2021)

The actress was previously married to signer-turned-manager Mark Pierson, who she wed in 1981 and shares a daughter named Sadie with (pictured together in 1991)

'I'm very aware that there will be some who will be disappointed and maybe even angry, but...at this point in my life, I've got to be truthful about who I am,' she said.

Teresa has since served as Cassandra's assistant, and the actress noted that she could not be happier with regard to her love life.

'For the first time in my life, I'm with someone who makes me feel safe, blessed, and truly loved,' she wrote in the memoir.
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 45, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'
Another top presenter has decided to quit Capital Radio just hours after Roman Kemp's emotional exit on Friday.

Will Njobvu, who presents Capital XTRA, will step down from his Saturday Breakfast and make his final appearance this week.

The star, 36, revealed that the decision to leave the team was not easy as he said it was a 'tough' call.

Taking to Instagram, Will - who famously came out as gay live on air in 2022 - said he is taking leave to focus on new opportunities.

Posting an album of his favourite memories, he wrote: 'As they say in showbiz, it's a WRAP! After 4 and a half amazing years - I've taken the tough decision to leave from my Saturday morning show on Capital XTRA to focus on new opportunities elsewhere in broadcast & digital media.'

Will Njobvu, who presents Capital XTRA, will step down from his Saturday Breakfast and make his final appearance this week

The broadcasting sensation revealed that the decision to leave the team was not easy as he said it was a 'tough' call

H'My love for radio started 12 years ago in 2012 when I joined my student radio station in Leicester, then went on to hospital radio in Harrow and a local FM station in Watford - so ending up on Capital XTRA as my first job in commercial radio has been a blast & a real blessing.

'Alongside my Saturday morning show I've hosted Sunday afternoons, covered the Breakfast show and my earlier listeners will remember when I use to bring you guys the Love Island interviews and gossip even a reunion show!

'This job kept my spirits high during lockdown, through Black Lives Matter - I got so comfortable with my listeners that I decided to open up about my sexuality for the first time ever on air (even though we knew the closet I was in was see through & made of glass ) but it was an amazing moment!

Having made quite the impression on his readers over his four year stint on the programme, Capital listeners flocked to the comments to congratulate him.

Fans shared: ' Will!!! You smashed it always proud of you chap!'; 'You have been phenomenal!! Can't wait to see what you have lined up next'; 'A mad run! Love to see it! Good luck on new adventures'; 'Good luck to you. Will miss hearing your voice on the radio on a Saturday morning.'

His announcement comes just hours after Roman thanked his listeners for 'saving his life' during his battle with depression as he hosted his final show on Capital Breakfast.

The radio host, 31, who is leaving the station after 10 years, credited the show and its listeners for getting him through some of his darkest days.

During his last show, Roman delivered a touching speech as he said how grateful he was to them for bringing 'light and laughter into his life' during his slot on the radio.

Taking to Instagram, Will, who opened up about being gay live on air in 2022, said he is taking leave to focus on new opportunities

Having made quite the impression on his readers over his four year stint on the programme, Capital listeners flocked to the comments to congratulate him

Roman became emotional as he said: 'I know that there is a lot of people listening right now, and I wanted to take the time to say thank you. I was more nervous about saying I was leaving than actually leaving this show.

'This show is run by so many people behind the scenes who try so hard to give you that bit of energy in the morning and to try and get you up and feeling good, but I think what I want to get across is just how much fun I've had on this station in the past ten years.

'It has changed my life in so many ways and I have grown up in this place, and that's because of all of you listening. You have been able to be there for me through things that I never imagined would even happen.

'I've had moments on this show where my whole life outside of work is completely down the pan. There were times where I didn't want to be here anymore. There have been moments where my life outside of this room has been the worst thing ever.

'I know a great life, but in my head that's how it felt. I knew that all I had in my life were these four hours in my day where I could come to work and in those four hours I knew that I was going to laugh and have fun and be surrounded by people that get me and those four hours and those people that I'm talking about include you - the listeners. You have no idea how much you have helped me.'

Roman went on: 'I want to say thank you for listening, every text, every call, all of it. I appreciate it more than you will ever know. I've had the most fun and I owe a huge debt to this company to be able to take a punt on me.

'I was terrified to take over this show and I'm terrified to leave it. But sometimes with these things, you just know when the right time to move on is and that time is now for me.

'You have helped me so much and you have always backed me and it's been amazing. Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, you have genuinely saved my life at certain times.'

His announcement comes just hours after Roman thanked his listeners for 'saving his life' during his battle with depression as he hosted his final show on Capital Breakfast

The radio host, 31, who is leaving the station after 10 years, credited the show and its listeners for getting him through some of his darkest day

Roman's co-star Sian revealed that Roman 'made' them all wear tuxedos for his final show, while also sharing a picture of an incredible cake made by a listener.

While Roman's has loved his time on the show, he has also faced heartache following the tragic death of his best friend and colleague, Joe Lyons.

And taking over from the famed host, Capital Breakfast has announced Jordan North, 34, as the new presenter.

It was revealed last month that the former I'm A Celeb star quit Radio One's legendary Going Home show and is set to be replaced by Jamie Laing, 35, who will take his place - Monday to Thursday, 3.30pm to 6pm - alongside Vick Hope.

Shortly after news erupted, insiders revealed to The Sun that Jordan had signed a big money deal with the rival station.

The source said: 'Jordan is moving to Capital FM to replace Roman and he could not be more excited. It is absolutely huge for him and although it's hard to leave the BBC he is excited to get started on Capital.

'Jordan's decision has been a hard pill to swallow for the BBC but there was nothing they could do to change his mind.'

Speaking about how much Capital has meant to him, Roman seemed overcome with emotion as he confessed it wasn't a decision he ever anticipated making.

He explained: 'I've got a bit of an announcement, and it's one that is really weird to say out loud. Really odd. If I'm totally honest I have no idea how I even start this.

'I'm just going to come out and say it. This is going to be my last kind of six weeks on capital which is a weird thing to say.

Roman's co-star Sian revealed that Roman 'made' them all wear tuxedos for his final show, while also sharing a picture of an incredible cake made by a listener

Sharing a series of behind-the-scenes photos to Instagram, Roman shared a selfie from behind the desk

Fans shared their well wishes to X following Roman's departure

Jordan - who is joining Capital from BBC Radio 1, will officially start in April 2024 and be presenting alongside Chris Stark, far left, and Sian Welby, far right, while Roman's last show will be on March 28

Shaking off his emotions, he continued: 'The last eight and a half years of my life have been so incredible being part of this machine right, it's been the funniest, the saddest the most outright wild time being part of Capital and the Global family.

'When you set out to do a job of this magnitude you never think that one day there will be a moment when you have to say goodbye. You never think that day will come.

'What I can tell you is I'm not saying goodbye right now, I'm not leaving the show today and that's it, but it's not far away.

'It will come and that goodbye will come in five to six weeks. It's not a decision that has come overnight either, it's massive, I've not found it easy at all.'
He plays a tough guy on the smash hit series Yellowstone which stars Kevin Costner.

But without his cowboy hat and black sunglasses as well as his darker hair and leather jacket, he is pretty much unrecognizable.

On Thursday this actor posted images from his trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida with his family.

He is married to a pretty blonde 90s actress with whom he has three kids.

Hint: he usually doesn't smile on Yellowstone, but here we get to see his teeth for a change.

Can you guess which Yellowstone star this is?

He plays a tough guy on the smash hit series Yellowstone but without his cowboy hat and black sunglasses as well as his darker hair, he is pretty much unrecognizable. On Thursday this actor posted images from his trip to Universal Studios in Florida with his family. Can you guess which Yellowstone star this is?

It's Cole Hauser who plays character Rip Wheeler on the Montana set show.

In real life he has light reddish hair, which he wore during one of his early hits, Good Will Hunting with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

During his off time from Yellowstone he allows his natural shade to shine through, and he also has a beard with gray speckles in it.

Rip has dark brown hair with a dark brown beard.

Rip has become enormously popular over the five seasons of the highly rated show that just seems to get bigger as the years roll on.

The 48-year-old Hauser is married to Sweet Valley High actress Cynthia Daniel.

Together they have three kids: sons Ryland and Colt and daughter Steely Rose.

It's Cole Hauser who plays character Rip Wheeler on the Montana set show. Seen here with one of his three kids

Rip has dark brown hair with a dark brown beard. The character has become enormously popular over the five seasons of the highly rated show that just seems to get bigger as the years roll on

Hauser as Rip with British actress Kelly Reilly who plays his wife Beth Dutton on Yellowstone; seen in 2020

Last year he talked to DailyMail.com exclusively about his new venture working with Lucky Brand.

'Im hoping to bring back a bit of that old school denim western style,' offered the star.

'I love jeans and I like mine with a bit of stretch to them. I also loved the green suede jacket that I wore in the shoot. Its got a really, cool old school feel to it.'

And he also shed some light on his idyllic upbringing in Santa Barbara, California with his film producer mother Cass Warner.

The 48-year-old Hauser is married to Sweet Valley High actress Cynthia Daniel. Together they have three kids: sons Ryland and Colt and daughter Steely Rose

Hauser and Daniel attend the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton in January 2023 in Beverly Hills

What Cole likes most about Lucky Brand is the products are made really well.

'I have always admired the authenticity and quality that Lucky Brand brings to their products,' Cole told DailyMail.com.

'I'm excited to be associated with a brand whose legacy span decades and continues to represent the true spirit of American craftsmanship.'

The brand was founded almost 40 years ago in California by Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman. Lucky Brand specializes in iconic American style, with a focus on vintage-inspired denim.

Then he told a story about his own childhood while growing up in Santa Barbara.

'When Lucky Brand was new I got a great pair of jeans. I used to skate and surf back then and they were the only pair of jeans that I had for the winter time, so of course I wore them out at the knee,' he said of time spent in the seaside town.

'I asked my mom if we could get patches to put on the knee. She said no, no, well make them into shorts. So she cut them and I ended up wearing them as shorts for the summer.'

Last year he talked to DailyMail.com exclusively about his new venture working with Lucky Brand. 'Im hoping to bring back a bit of that old school denim western style,' offered the star

Cole has curated his favorite Lucky Brand pieces as part of Coles Picks.'

This partnership is the first step of a larger alignment between Hauser and Authentic Brands Group, who announced his future work with not only Lucky Brand, but The Frye Company.

Cole is one of the top stars of Yellowstone. The series, starring Kevin Costner, will likely wrap its final season, season five, next year.

This comes after Cole announced in August his work with the Free Rein Coffee company.

The actor shared shots of himself in a cowboy hat holding a branded Free Rein Coffee mug, along with another shot of him on a horse.

'I've grown up around cowboys my whole life. And I can tell you, there's nobody on Earth who works harder,' Hauser began in the caption on his Instagram post.

'I'm proud to announce that I've decided to start a coffee company inspired by these men and women who wake up before the dawn. Not because its easy, but because its hard,' the actor added.

'Free Rein is for anyone who gets up and works like a cowboy, gets up and chases a dream, or gets up and just feels like having a damn good cup of coffee,' he continued.

'So get up and get after it. Dreams dont work unless you do,' Hauser concluded, while adding more details in a comment.

'Hey all, The merchandise and Coffee will be available this fall! Looking forward to yall tasting it,' Hauser said.

He also directed fans to the brand's website - FreeReinCoffee.com, where fans can enter their email to sign up for more updates about the brand.

The actor made headlines back in May for his work with Special Operations Warrior Foundation, 'a charity that provides scholarships to children whose parents have died in the military.'

'I'm a big fan of second chances. You know, for kids when they lose a family member, it's a huge loss for them,' Hauser told CBS News in May.

'Maybe it's just my way of serving. You know, this country, the soldiers, their families,' the actor added.

Hauser started working with the organization 20 years ago and in that time more than 1,100 scholarships have been distributed.

Hauser started a new coffee company, inspired by the cowboys on his hit Paramount Networks series

He made private visits to Walter Reed Medical Center as well, building personal relationships with gravely injured service members.

Hauser described forming a friendship with a triple amputee.

'I walked in and I [said], "God, you look like a rat's ass," but it got him to smile, you know?

'And then we would start talking and it was just, you know, it broke the ice,' Hauser shared.
Eiza Gonzalez is continuing to turn heads after she lamented she is considered 'too hot' to land gritty film roles.

The Mexican actress, 34, stepped out in a plunging off-white ensemble on Thursday in New York City, where she appeared on Today with Hoda & Jenna.

She looked effortlessly chic in the sleeveless ankle-length dress, which featured a thin black leather strap buckled across her decolletage.

The dress was complemented with a pair of black and white mid heels with a single black lace ribbon strap tied into a bow.

Gonzalez finished the look with a pair of black rectangular Saint Laurent sunglasses, silver teardrop earrings and a black leather drawstring purse.

Eiza Gonzalez stepped out in a plunging off-white ensemble on Thursday in New York City, where she appeared on Today with Hoda & Jenna

She looked effortlessly chic in the sleeveless ankle-length dress, which featured a thin black leather strap buckled across her decolletage

The dress was complemented with a pair of black and white mid heels with a single black lace ribbon strap tied into a bow. Gonzalez finished the look with a pair of black rectangular Saint Laurent sunglasses, silver teardrop earrings and a black leather drawstring purse

The 3 Body Problem star previously told InStyle she's been passed over for roles because she was told she was 'too hot.'

'I remember being [told for] so many projects, "She's too pretty for the role. She's too hot for the role,"' she said.

'Then I'd just be like, What is Margot Robbie?' added Gonzalez. 'She's the hottest, most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life!'

She admitted she 'had an identity crisis for a very long time,' explaining that she even considered shaving her head.

'Do I make myself less attractive?' she recalled asking herself. 'Do I make myself more attractive? Do I not dress super-hot or do I dress super-hot or do I cover myself all the time?'

After receiving an onslaught of scrutiny over the interview, Gonzalez clarified the comments to ET, explaining that she was shedding light on Hollywood's narrow perceptions of Latin women.

'That's what I was mentioning is the Latin community has gone through so much and women specifically in Latin culture through this idea of what they are versus the reality of what they are,' said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez noted that 'times are changing and we're moving forward in such a positive way' as she raved about playing a nano physicist in Netflix's 3 Body Problem.

The 3 Body Problem star previously told InStyle she's been passed over for roles because she was told she was 'too hot'

After receiving an onslaught of scrutiny over the interview, Gonzalez clarified the comments, explaining that she was shedding light on Hollywood's narrow perceptions of Latin women

Gonzalez can next be seen in Guy Ritchie 's The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare , premiering April 19

'It's sad that it's taken out of context because the intention is quite the opposite,' she continued.

'It's shedding light to a thing that I think was making people think of a culture in a specific way and shedding light in a positive [way],' added Gonzalez.

'But it had nothing to do with my personal experience within itself.'

Gonzalez can next be seen in Guy Ritchie's The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, premiering April 19.
Ariana Madix is officially taking a break from West Hollywood and Broadway for some sand, sun and drama.

The Vanderpump Rules star, 38, confirmed Friday that she's taking over hosting duties from Sarah Hyland for season 6 of Love Island's US adaptation.

'Talk about a bombshell. This summer, Im trading rhinestone buckles for bikinis,' she said in a video from the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.

Madix is making her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart for a limited run in Chicago, which ends April 7. Then, she's on to paradise.

'I'm hosting the next season of Love Island USA, streaming this summer on Peacock,' added Madix. 'I can't wait to stir up trouble in paradise.'

Ariana Madix confirmed Friday that she's taking over hosting duties from Sarah Hyland for season 6 of Love Island 's US adaptation

'I can't wait to stir up trouble in paradise,' said Madix in a video announcement shared with her 2.2 million Instagram followers

Announcing the news to her 2.2 million Instagram followers, Madix captioned the post: 'See you in the villa for an all new season of @loveislandusa hosted by me!'

Madix's announcement comes after Hyland, 33, revealed her unceremonious departure on Thursday.

'Well, just got a text,' she wrote on her Instagram Story with a laughing emoji after TMZ reported Madix's casting.

'I'm 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.

She explained that she has 'committed to an exciting project, that will be announced soon, that conflicts directly with the shooting dates for LOVE ISLAND USA.'

Despite her exit, Hyland still remains a fan of the show and intends to watch season 6.

'While I'm sad I can't return, I hope to see lots of love this summer on Peacock this upcoming season!' she added.

Madix's announcement comes after Hyland, 33, revealed her unceremonious departure on Thursday; seen March 22 in Beverly Hills

Despite her exit, Hyland still remains a fan of the show and intends to watch season 6

Before heading on to paradise, Madix is making her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart for a limited run in Chicago , which ends April 7

The Modern Family alum hosted seasons 4 and 5 of the dating show, taking over for original US host Arielle Vandenberg.

Madix's new gig comes after an explosive season 10 of Vanderpump Rules, in which it was revealed that ex Tom Sandoval cheated on her with Raquel Leviss.

Following 'Scandoval,' Madix and her co-stars (sans Leviss) have enjoyed a much less dramatic season 12, which concludes this summer on Bravo.
iPhone's Emergency SOS via satellite feature helped the authorities rescue a stranded family in Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon.

One of the family members managed to use the Emergency SOS feature on their iPhone and reached emergency dispatchers to start a 24-hour rescue process.

Read Also: From iPhone to Mac: How the Apple Ecosystem Works Seamlessly

iPhone Emergency SOS Saves Hikers on Oregon

In a press release, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team initiated an operation following the reports of a missing family in the forest. At around 7:30 p.m., a member of the family managed to work on Apple's emergency feature.

According to the report, the family had already hiked around eight miles and gained more than 3,500 feet in elevation. The Search and Rescue team had a hard time rescuing the family due to the weather conditions and terrain.

The family of hikers was comprised of four adults and two minors. The team was able to reach the family the next day around 6 a.m. However, they were only transported back to the command post along Highway 26 at around 7:30 p.m. due to weather conditions.

The reports also showed that the family was "cold, wet, and dehydrated, but otherwise okay" when they were found. The authorities then reminded all the hikers to be prepared for unexpected weather conditions and bring enough resources.

iPhone Emergency SOS Proves Efficiency on Rescue Search

Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite is currently available on iPhone 14 or later models. The feature can be used to text emergency services, especially when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

"If the call [911] doesn't go through, tap Emergency Text via Satellite to text emergency services. You can also go to the Messages app and text 911 or SOS, then tap Emergency Services," Apple advised.

Apple also created a compression algorithm that makes messages three times smaller for faster and more efficient communication, regardless of the bandwidth situation.

Related Article: Justice Department Convicts Two People For $3 Million iPhone Repair Scheme
Beyonce looked stunning for her latest magazine cover.

The Texas-born songbird was wearing a white cowgirl hat from Gladys Tamez over her blonde hair for the first ever digital cover of W magazine to celebrate her country album Cowboy Carter, which was released on Friday morning.

She looked better than ever in a stunning outdoor country theme shoot by photographer Pamela Hanson.

For the cover Beyonce had on a fuzzy off-white Alexander McQueen coat and Cartier High Jewelry earrings.

The photo spread was one big country western fashion statement using top designers like Celine and Chloe.

The cover copy heralded the beauty's 'new era' in music.

Beyonce looked stunning for her latest magazine cover. The Texas-born star was wearing a white cowgirl hat for the digital cover of W magazine to celebrate her first country album Cowboy Carter, which was released on Friday

This comes after the wife of Jay Z sent out a press release early on Friday morning. 'The joy of creating music is that there are no rules,' said Beyonce. 'The more I see the world evolving the more I felt a deeper connection to purity'

In one sexy shot the crooner had on a black leather Chloe cape, an ivory sheer dress, and black over-the-knee boots.

The Texas native also had on a black Stetson hat over her blonde braids, Mahnaz Collection earrings and bolo tie.

Another stunning image was of her against bails of hay.

She had on an off-the-shoulder black sheer lace dress from Gucci over a black bodysuit with three belts from Etro, Celine by Hedi Slimane and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Her black hat was from Stetson hat as she added Champion's Choice Silver crown and Lisa Eisner Jewelry earrings and ring.

Beyonce was also seen in a Proenza Schouler blanket and dress; Stetson hat; De Beers earrings; Gaspar Gloves by Dorothy Gaspar gloves.

She was working a rope while in a dating look.

She had on Sportmax chaps, Andreadamo briefs, a Stetson hat, Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, Lisa Eisner Jewelry cuffs, Tiffany & Co. ring and Partlow boots.

The mother of three added that with artificial intelligence and digital filters and programming she 'wanted to go back to real instruments, and I used very old ones

This comes after the wife of Jay Z sent out a press release early on Friday morning.

'The joy of creating music is that there are no rules,' said Beyonce. 'The more I see the world evolving the more I felt a deeper connection to purity.'

The mother of three added that with artificial intelligence and digital filters and programming she 'wanted to go back to real instruments, and I used very old ones.

'I didn't want some layers of instruments like strings, especially guitars, and organs perfectly in tune.'

She added that she wanted some of the songs to be 'raw' and she 'leaned into folk.'

The star ended with: 'All the sounds were so organic and human, everyday things like the wind, snaps and even the sound of birds and chickens, the sounds of nature,' she said.

'I didn't want some layers of instruments like strings, especially guitars, and organs perfectly in tune.' She added that she wanted some of the songs to be 'raw' and she 'leaned into folk'

The star ended with: 'All the sounds were so organic and human, everyday things like the wind, snaps and even the sound of birds and chickens, the sounds of nature,' she said

The press release reveals the inspiration behind the album and how each 'song is its own version of a reimagined Western film.'

Some of the films that lent inspiration include The Hateful Eight, Space Cowboys, The Harder They Fall, and the recent Oscar-nominated movie Killers of the Flower Moon.

The album is considered 'a declarative frequency and academic shift, as the world prepares to shift again, that redefines and rebuilds what is Country and Americana, and who gets to be included.'

Beyonce's eighth studio album landed across nine different genres on US music charts including Pop, Hot AC, Country, Rhythmic, Urban, and R&B, and making history with Beyonce becoming the first Black female artist to reach No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and No. 1 on the Hot 100 Chart with a Country song.

It also spent four weeks at the top of the UK music charts.

The album is about genres, all of them, while deeply rooted in Country.

The press release reveals the inspiration behind the album and how each 'song is its own version of a reimagined Western film.' Some of the films that lent inspiration include The Hateful Eight, Space Cowboys, The Harder They Fall, and the recent Oscar-nominated movie Killers of the Flower Moon

Destiny's Child went country while promoting their new album Survivor in 2001 at Coconuts Music store in New York City

'This is the work of an artist who thrives in her freedom to grow, expand, and create limitlessly. It makes no apologies, and seeks no permission in elevating, amplifying, and redefining the sounds of music, while dismantling accepted false norms about Americana culture. It pays homage to the past, honoring musical pioneers in Country, Rock, Classical, and Opera,' the press release added.

The album is a cornucopia of sounds that Beyonce loves, and grew up listening to, between visits and eventually performances at the Houston Rodeo  Country, original Rhythm & Blues, Blues, Zydeco, and Black Folk, it was added.

'The album wraps itself in pure instrumentation in a celebratory authentic gumbo of sounds using among others, the accordion, harmonica, washboard, acoustic guitar, bass ukulele, pedal steel guitar, a Vibra-Slap, the mandolin, fiddle, Hammond B3 organ, tack piano, and the banjo. There's also plenty of handclaps, horseshoe steps, boot stomps on hardwood floors and yes, those are Beyonce's nails as percussion,' the release added.
Jai Sharma took his final revenge against his biological father Amit in dramatic scenes in Emmerdale on Friday.

This week, Jai (Chris Bisson) saw Amit (Anil Goutam) up to mischief as he handed over the HOP's takings to a loanshark before pretending to have been mugged.

Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) and Jai then teamed up to prove that Amit must have been involved in the death of Rishi Sharma (Bhasker Patel) last year.

Following a heated conversation this week, Amit admitted he killed Jai's brother, with Jai shoving him down the stairs and leaving him in a pool of blood.

Viewers were left wondering if Amit had been killed but on Friday he was seen bound and gagged.

Jai Sharma took his final revenge against his biological father Amit in dramatic scenes in Emmerdale on Friday

Actor Chris has now spoken out on the dramatic scenes and what's in store next for his character Jai (Chris seen as Jai in Emmerdale)

Jai and Amit finally struck a deal and Amit left the village forever without saying goodbye to anyone.

Actor Chris has now spoken out on the dramatic scenes and what's in store next for his character Jai.

Chris said: 'Jai has finally discovered the truth about Amit and I think this has brought out the dark side in him.

'He's previously tried to suppress all his feelings and he listened to Laurel and Suni who said there was nothing to see hear. That Jai should move on and accept the death of his father and take Amit into his family.

'Well that has proved to be untrue. Amit is the villain that we suspected or that Jai suspected he was.

'Amit has been very devious and the pain that Jai suffered over the last eight months or so since Rishi's death has now exploded.

'It is like a big fireball inside him and it's all coming out in one go.

'And Amit is feeling the wrath of Jai's pain. I think that for Jai it's very simple now.

This week, Jai (Chris Bisson) saw Amit (Anil Goutam, pictured) up to mischief as he handed over the HOP's takings to a loanshark before pretending to have been mugged

Rishi Sharma (Bhasker Patel) died last year in shocking scenes

'He wants rid of Amit. He wants him out of his life he doesn't want him anywhere near him.

'He wants the shares to the HOP - he wants his rightful inheritance that he should have got from Rishi.

'The fact that Rishi is no longer with him, means that Jai feels like he needs to avenge his death in some way.

'And hurt Amit in someway.

'Jai is not a murderer deep down but I think he has been pushed to his limit here.

'But he has let Amit away with his life.'

He added: 'But it has changed something inside him and going forward the way he views life and people and relationships may well be affected.

'Certainly the way he treats business will probably be affected too.'

Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell, pictured) and Jai teamed up to prove that Amit must have been involved in the death of Rishi Sharma (Bhasker Patel) last year

On what's to come for Jai, he said: 'I think he is going to become a bit more ruthless.

'He feels he has been taken for a bit of a fool and he feels like that is never going to happen again.

'So yes maybe Bad Jai is back! And do you know what I quite like bad Jai. He's fun to play! But he's not all bad though, he's a good dad and he has some redeeming qualities but we have seen him go down this path before - so who knows what lies ahead...'

Emmerdale continues on Monday on ITV1 at 7.30pm.
Amanda Holden sent temperatures soaring as she flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a sexy Instagram post amid her exotic Easter getaway on Friday.

The BGT judge, 53, hit the beach in a tiny red bikini as the Baywatch theme played to her running in slow motion across the sand, mimicking the iconic 90s show.

Amanda's skimpy two piece boasted a bandeau top which barely contained her ample assets and revealing bikini bottoms.

Her wet from the sea and she shielded her eyes with shades while giving Baywatch star Pamela Anderson a run for her money.

She cheekily captioned the eye-popping clip: 'Bapwatch. Happy Hotcross bun day'.

Amanda Holden, 53, sent temperatures soaring as she flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a sexy Instagram post amid her exotic Easter Getaway on Friday

The BGT judge hit the beach in a tiny red bikini as the Baywatch theme played to her running in slow motion across the sand, mimicking the iconic 90s show

She gave Pamela Anderson (pictured on Baywatch in 1992) a run for her money

It comes after Amanda broke down in tears as she spoke about her daughters growing up and leaving home.

The TV personality shares two children, Lexi, 18, and Hollie, 12, with husband Chris Hughes.

Speaking to pal Alan Carr on their show Amanda and Alan's Italian Job, the radio presenter got emotional as she said it's 'terrible' the thought of her girls leaving.

She said: 'When your children, when they leave home, you only spend a year of your life with them ever again.

'They say you have 18 summers and then you're lucky to see them. It's so terrible because you wish so much of it away when you're a busy parent... and then you turn around and they're not even there.'

Sharing the clip on Instagram, Amanda penned: 'Time flies. Enjoy it.'

Amanda's oldest daughter, Lexi, is currently looking at universities in America after finishing her A Levels.

Lexi became interested in studying in the States after enjoying a recent family trip to Los Angeles.

Amanda's skimpy two piece boasted a bandeau top which barely contained her ample assets and revealing bikini bottoms

Her wet from the sea and she shielded her eyes with dark shades

She cheekily captioned the eye-popping clip: 'Bapwatch. Happy Hotcross bun day'

Lexi is also making a name for herself in the fashion world after signing with Storm Management, one of the UK's top modelling agencies who have also worked with the likes of Cara Delevingne and Anya Taylor-Joy.

Alan also revealed that a brand new series of his Amanda's The Italian Job where the duo renovate a home in the sun was in the works.

Telling MailOnline: '[Me and Amanda are] flying out April - late next month, and we found a house and we're going to do it up. I can't wait'.

Alan then admitted that despite his time in Italy he was still struggling to pick up the language: 'It's the third year now and I don't know anything. All I know is pene, which means penis, so that comes in handy'.
Camila Cabello is all business as she prepares to drop her fourth studio album.

The Grammy Award nominee, 27, looked boardroom ready in a deconstructed Miu Miu pinstripe suit look as she stepped out at SiriusXM on Thursday in Los Angeles.

She donned a suit vest with nothing underneath and a matching pinstripe mini skirt with exposed white pocket bottoms.

Cabello served a leggy look in knee-high leather boots wrapped in belts, while carrying a matching purse with ornate belt buckle details.

The Cuban-American artist later hinted at something brewing with Drake, tagging him Friday with the heart hands emoji in a selfie on her Instagram Story.

Camila Cabello looked boardroom ready in a deconstructed Miu Miu pinstripe suit look as she stepped out at SiriusXM on Thursday in Los Angeles

She donned a suit vest with nothing underneath and a matching pinstripe mini skirt with exposed white pocket bottoms. Cabello served a leggy look in knee-high leather boots wrapped in belts, while carrying a matching purse with ornate belt buckle details

She previously addressed rumors that she's dating the Grammy Award winner, 37, after they were photographed vacationing together in Turks and Caicos in December.

Cabello explained on the Call Her Daddy podcast this week that they went on a 'homie, friends trip' to get feedback on her upcoming fourth studio album C, XOXO.

'Well, first of all, I wouldn't say just straight up vacation,' she said. 'It was vacation plus some work. But I will say, you know what? I love that man, I love him.'

When host Alex Cooper pressed her further, Cabello responded, 'Have I ever had what? A beautiful artistic collaboration with him? I may or may not have.'

'I love him so much, and I really listened to him a lot during the writing process for my album, and I really thought that he would like my album,' she explained.

'So I DM'ed him and I was like, "Hey, I would love to play you my album. I honestly feel like you would really love it,"' added Cabello. 'Because I listen to him a lot, and I really do feel like musically in a lot of ways we like the same things.'

Cabello said Drake 'loved' her album. 'It was such a surreal moment to play Drake my songs,' she said.

'That's another one of those things that's like, wow I never would have expected this would happen,' raved Cabello. 'It's a dream. And he's so generous and so kind.'

She continued, 'Honestly, I will say, I love him. And that has been such a fun part of this experience.'

Cabello explained on the Call Her Daddy podcast this week that they went on a 'homie, friends trip' to get feedback on her upcoming fourth studio album C, XOXO

The Cuban-American artist later hinted at something brewing with Drake, tagging him Friday with the heart hands emoji in a selfie on her Instagram Story

After releasing her single ' I LUV IT ', Cabello shared a statement explaining how some of the ' emotional drama ' in her love life inspired the song

After releasing her single 'I LUV IT', Cabello shared a statement explaining how some of the 'emotional drama' in her love life inspired the song.

'Certain things in our human realm do make me feel like I'm in outer space, and the very rare few times where I've had incredible chemistry with someone is one of them,' she said.

'Part of that cocktail is also the emotional drama between you and that person, and the chaos and butterflies and nerves and passion,' added Cabello. 'It's unsustainable and not peaceful and exhausting, but also, I LUV IT.'

Cabello previously dated Shawn Mendes on-and-off from 2019 to 2021. She's also been romantically linked to Matthew Hussey and Austin Kevitch.
Kelly Ripa came to the defense of her friend and Bravo star, Andy Cohen, amid a bombshell lawsuit filed by Leah McSweeney late last month where she accused him of doing cocaine.

The RHONY alum claimed that the TV personality, 55, took the drug with his favorite Real Housewives cast members - which both he and his legal team have since adamantly denied.

On Wednesday's episode of Ripa's, 53, podcast called, Let's Talk Off Camera, she was joined by RHOBH star, Kyle Richards, and the pair briefly discussed the topic of the lawsuit.

'I know him, like, off-camera. I know him privately. We've traveled together. We've gone on vacation together, like, pre-him having kids, you know?' Kelly expressed.

She then added, 'I've never seen a drug around him. It's like the mostI'm so offended by it. I'm so angry over it.'

Kelly Ripa, 53, came to the defense of her friend and Bravo star, Andy Cohen , amid a bombshell lawsuit filed by Leah McSweeney late last month where she accused him of doing cocaine.; seen earlier this month in Hollywood

'I know him, like, off-camera. I know him privately. We've traveled together. We've gone on vacation together, like, pre-him having kids, you know?' she expressed

Kyle also chimed in to back up Ripa and said she has only 'seen' Andy 'be professional' while adding she's 'certainly never seen drugs around  or any of this.'

'It made me angry and it made me really sad because I feel like that's the time that we're living in right now. It's very dangerous to make accusations like that. It's not like it used to be. Right? So it really made me sad.'

Richards has previously spoken out in regards to the allegations against Cohen while talking to Page Six last month, shortly after the lawsuit came to light.

'I've never seen Andy do drugs, offer drugs or do anything inappropriate ever, ever,' the reality star told the outlet. 'And I'm one of the closer ones to Andy.'

She explained that the Bravo host also keeps a 'professional' relationship with the Real Housewives cast members.

'There's a reason he doesn't follow any of them on Instagram. He likes to keep somewhat of a distance from all of them. He's professional. That's been my experience.'

Other Bravo celebrities have come forward to offer their support to Andy, such as RHONJ star, Melissa Gorga.

She also told Page Six, 'Throughout my 14 years of working with Andy, I have witnessed nothing but respect, kindness and support. I have never been offered any type of drug by him ever.'

Ripa then added, 'I've never seen a drug around him. It's like the mostI'm so offended by it. I'm so angry over it'; the pair seen earlier this month in L.A.

Kyle also chimed in to back up Ripa and said she has only 'seen' Andy 'be professional' while adding she's 'certainly never seen drugs around  or any of this'; seen earlier this month in West Hollywood

Richards has previously spoken out in regards to the allegations against Cohen while talking to Page Six last month, shortly after the lawsuit came to light

'His leadership style exemplifies authenticity. He prioritizes open communication and he's very approachable,' Gorga continued. 'I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and grow under his guidance and share in his success.'

RHONJ star, Margaret Josephs, Kandi Burruss from RHOA, RHOM's Guerdy Abraira and Luann de Lesseps have also all defended Cohen.

Late last month in February, Leah McSweeney filed the lawsuit against Andy and Bravo and alleged cocaine use is rampant at the the network, with the producer and on-air personality both using the illegal drug and providing it to employees.

The Bravo producer 'engages in cocaine use with Housewives that he employs,' according to the suit filed in New York's Southern District by McSweeney.

She said in court docs reviewed by Page Six that Cohen 'tends to provide the Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment' and strategic editing to make them look better.

Andy 'intentionally uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol use, which leads to a failure to accommodate employees who are disabled and trying to stay substance free,' McSweeney said in court docs.

A rep for Cohen told Dailymail.com that 'the claims against Andy are completely false.'

Leah, 41, appeared on two seasons of The Real Housewives of New York City in 2020-2021, and on a season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which aired last year.

Other Bravo celebrities have come forward to offer their support to Andy, such as RHONJ star, Melissa Gorga; seen in February in Santa Monica

McSweeney said in the legal docs that Bravo 'thrives off drug and alcohol use,' without naming any further parties past Cohen.

Leah said in court docs that she informed Bravo producers prior to her casting on the series, that she had been focused on staying sober, and had a 30-day streak of sobriety going into the show.

She told the court that producers failed to make a 'reasonable accommodation' for her addiction-related disability - but instead provided her 'with unlimited, free-of charge alcoholic beverages,' and 'encouraged her to consume those alcoholic beverages.'

McSweeney's legal team said that 'this environment caused Ms. McSweeney to relapse into alcohol addiction shortly after joining RHONY season 12.'

In her suit - which is for unspecified damages - named Cohen, Bravo, Shed Media and Shed's parent company Warner Media.

And earlier this month, Andy threatened McSweeney with legal action, calling her accusations 'categorically false.'

A letter from his attorneys obtained by TMZ asked Leah to 'retract' the allegations. '[W]e demand that you immediately retract and withdraw all allegations relating to Mr. Cohen's purported "cocaine use."'

Late last month in February, Leah McSweeney filed the lawsuit against Andy and Bravo and alleged cocaine use is rampant at the the network, with the producer and on-air personality both using the illegal drug and providing it to employees' Leah and Andy seen in 2021

McSweeney said in the legal docs that Bravo 'thrives off drug and alcohol use,' without naming any further parties past Cohen

'To be clear: these allegations are categorically false. Mr. Cohen never used cocaine with any cast member on any Real Housewives show or with any other Bravo employee.'

'The absence of any reasonable basis to make such allegations is confirmed by your pleading itself,' the letter continued.

Andy's attorneys claimed that the lawsuit was 'just to get headlines and a quick payday.'

The letter concluded with his lawyers stating that the 'truth matters' and once again asked Leah to 'retract' the lawsuit and 'apologize to Mr. Cohen. Every day you fail to do so only increases the damages suffered by Mr. Cohen.'

And earlier this month, Andy threatened McSweeney with legal action , calling her accusations 'categorically false'; seen in October 2023 in NYC

Earlier last week, McSweeney broke her silence on the lawsuit while appearing on the Addiction Talk podcast, claiming, 'this is the truth, you know? And I have it on my side'

However, Leah's lawyer, Gary Adelman, told Us Weekly that 'there are more lawsuits coming and there are more people who are going to speak out.'

'It doesn't matter what people say or think - that Andy's a good guy, or that you should expect to drink, or that you should expect this behavior...'

'What's going to matter is what the law thinks of it. And we believe the law thinks this is wrong.'

Earlier last week, McSweeney broke her silence on the lawsuit while appearing on the Addiction Talk podcast, claiming, 'this is the truth, you know? And I have it on my side.'
Jessica Alves has revealed that a millionaire sheikh once offered her a seven-figure sum to cover her surgically enhanced body in chocolate for him to lick off.

The OnlyFans model, 40, revealed she speaks to the man daily via the site and although she turned down his request said she wasn't opposed to the idea.

Telling MailOnline: 'This week, after a stream chat on OF, he offered me a seven-figure tip to meet me in person and to cover my entire body with chocolate then lick it off me'.

Jessica has been posting to her OnlyFans page for the last two years and said it was a way of giving her fans 'the attention they deserved'.

Saying: 'I have created sizzling exclusive content to all my OnlyFans subscribers this Easter where I will cover my body in chocolate - but I just dont have anyone to lick it off me yet.'

Jessica Alves, 40, has revealed that a millionaire sheik once offered her a seven-figure sum to cover her surgically enhanced body in chocolate for him to lick off

The OnlyFans model revealed she speaks to the man daily via the site and although she turned down his request said she wasn't opposed to the idea

Telling MailOnline: 'This week, after a stream chat on OF, he offered me a seven-figure tip to meet me in person and to cover my entire body with chocolate then lick it off me'.

And it will not be hard for Jessica to pick a volunteer as despite being so new to the app, she is already in the top 0.1% of creators, beating out two million others.

The stunner looked nothing short of sensational as she celebrated Easter by donning a very skimpy Playboy bunny costume for a sexy shoot.

Jessica sizzled in the plunging bodysuit which she teamed with fishnets and seductivly ate Nutella which she smeared over her ample assets.

She went on to say: 'My OnlyFans burst with confidence and my fans' love and admiration validates me as a woman - even if I'm still single and feeling lonely or if I had a bad day.

'When I log in on my OnlyFans to chat to the fans it fills that void that most of us single people have.

Jessica has been seen with numerous men over the years, but her last confirmed relationship was with Brit Jamie Bugden and it ended in 2022.

The split was inevitable, with a source saying before it even began: 'They have been getting on very well and are making the most of their trip. It is the first time she has ever posted a man on her social media.

'Jessica is heartbroken that it won't be a long term relationship as he is a British man based in Thailand and she splits her time between London and Brazil. They are having fun for now.'

Jessica has been posting to her OnlyFans page for the last two years and said it was a way of giving her fans 'the attention they deserved'

The stunner looked nothing short of sensational as she celebrated Easter by donning a very skimpy Playboy bunny costume for a sexy shoot

Saying: 'I have created sizzling exclusive content to all my OnlyFans subscribers this Easter where I will cover my body in chocolate - but I just dont have anyone to lick it off me yet.'

Jessica sizzled in the plunging bodysuit which she teamed with fishnets and seductivly ate Nutella which she smeared over her ample assets

She went on to say: 'My OnlyFans burst with confidence and my fans' love and admiration validates me as a woman - even if I'm still single and feeling lonely or if I had a bad day

Jessica explained: 'I try my best to make my OnlyFans subscribers happy, with good chat and attention.

'OnlyFans empowers me as a woman and gives me the chance to chat and to express myself with my genuine fans from the UK and around the world in a safe manner.'

Jessica came out as transgender in 2020 and in 2021 she underwent 13,700 gender reassignment surgery.

She said at the time: 'The aesthetics of my vagina is exactly the same as a biological vagina, I look at it all the time.

'I kept having plastic surgeries in order to find myself when in reality I was always a transgender woman. I couldn't transition at the time. I was afraid, I didn't know how to start.'

Jessica has been seen with numerous men over the years, but her last confirmed relationship was with Brit Jamie Bugden and it ended in 2022

Jessica made her first public appearance after 15,000 face and neck lift surgery in February.

She then stunned in a bejewelled busty black jumpsuit at the International Women's Day party at Raffles Chelsea.

In 2023, Jessica enjoyed a very wild night out with Ibiza legend Wayne Lineker at the UK Glamour Awards.

The club owner, 61, made a boozy appearance at the event where he couldn't keep his hands off the Brazilian star.

Jessica moved to the UK at 18 years old from Sao Paulo, Brazil and shot to fame when her multiple cosmetic surgeries became known.

Initially, she was attempting to look like Ken, of Barbie and Ken, before coming out as transgender in 2020.
Fast-food workers in California are losing their jobs as employers cut costs ahead of a minimum wage increase that will come into effect on Monday.

A law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year will increase fast-food workers' minimum wages to $20 an hour at chains with more than 60 locations in the US.

That is 25 percent more than the newly increased standard minimum wage of $16 an hour in California.

Major players, especially pizza restaurants, have said they will reduce staff and hours to brace for the financial ramifications, the Wall Street Journal reported this week.

Chains like Pizza Hut and Round Table have let go of thousands of delivery workers.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the fast food bill surrounded by fast food workers at the SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles on September 28, 2023

More than 1,200 Pizza Hut delivery drivers are set to lose their jobs in California after the state introduced a new $20 minimum wage for fast food workers

Michael Ojeda, 29, a Pizza Hut driver in Ontario, California, told the Journal he received a notice from Pizza Hut franchisee Southern California Pizza in December informing him his last day would be in February.

'Pizza Hut was my career for nearly a decade and with little to no notice it was taken away,' he said.

In December, two major California Pizza Hut franchises - Southern California Pizza as well as PacPizza - announced they would layoff more than 1,200 drivers. Instead, they said they would rely solely on third-party apps like DoorDash and UberEats.

Round Table Pizza, a chain of around 400 locations, said it will lay off around 1,280 delivery drivers this year, according to state records. Excalibur Pizza, one of its franchisees, has plans to cut 73 driver jobs next month - 20 percent of its workforce.

And McDonald's, Chipotle, Jack in the Box and other chains have said they would raise menu prices to offset some of the increased costs.

Other restaurants have said they would look for new ways to cut down on staff in restaurants.

California-based El Pollo Loco told investors recently it was automating some of its salsa-making to mitigate wage rises. Jack in the Box is testing fryer robots and automated drink dispensers, according to the report.

Round Table Pizza, a chain of around 400 locations, said it will lay off around 1,280 delivery drivers this year

'California restaurants across the quick service sector are bracing for the fast-food wage hike and the tough scheduling, staffing, and pricing decisions they are forced to confront,' the California Restaurant Association said in a statement.

'We are already seeing the cost pressures cascade throughout the restaurant industry and, indeed, beyond.

'Unfortunately, these challenges exasperate an already fragile small business operating environment, forcing entrepreneurs - of every stripe - to make decisions that stymie employment growth opportunities.'

Monday's wage hike comes after a long battle between Governor Newsom and fast-food chains in California over wages.

In 2022, Newsom signed the FAST Act into law which called for a $22-an-hour minimum wage for fast-food workers from 2023.

But a coalition of restaurant industry organizations pushed back, warning it could raise costs for restaurants by $3 billion.

Last year, a new law - AB1228 - replaced the FAST Act and reduced the wage to $20. It is expected to affect 557,000 fast-food workers and 30,000 restaurants in California.
The company doubted whether it would be able to fund itself for another year

Tupperware has indicated its business may not survive due to waning demand for its plastic containers and mounting debt.

In a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday, the firm said it was in a 'challenging financial condition' and would miss its deadline to file a 2023 annual report.

The 77-year-old company said it likely doesn't have enough money to last another year.

Tupperware was founded in 1946 by chemist Earl Tupper and became famous for its airtight food storage containers made from polyethylene.

Its products soared in popularity throughout the 1950s thanks in part to its iconic 'Tupperware parties', in which a salesperson would visit somebody's home to demonstrate and sell the containers.

Tupperware Brands has indicated its business may not survive in an SEC filing on Friday

A group of unspecified women attend a Tupperware party, some wearing hats fashioned from Tupperware products, in around 1955

Iconic Tupperware parties have captured the popular imagination ever since.

For example, Dixie Longate is a drag queen persona known as 'Tupperware Lady'. She is played by the actor Kris Andersson and known for her comic skits in which she sells the plastic wares.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a boost in Tupperware sales as families stayed indoors and cooked more meals at home.

Since then, the company has suffered from poor sales and accrued increasing debt, causing its share price to slide to its lowest-ever levels.

The SEC filing read: 'The company's accounting department has experienced, and continues to experience, significant attrition which has resulted in resource and skill-set gaps, strained resources and a loss of continuity of knowledge.'

It was trading at $1.34 on Friday, down from a high of almost $100 in 2013.

The company first raised substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern nearly a year ago.

Dixie Longate aka the Tupperware Lady performs in Westwood, California

Tupperware Brands shares were trading for $1.34 on Friday, down from a high of almost $100 in 2013

Since then, it appointed consumer goods industry veteran Laurie Ann Goldman as its CEO.

After it discovered prior period misstatements in its financial reporting, it hired investment bank Moelis & Co to explore strategic alternatives and struck an agreement to restructure its debt.

It plans to complete its due processes and file its 10K for 2023 'as promptly as possible' but added that 'there can be no assurance with respect to the timing of completion of the filing'.

Earlier this year, Tupperware was required to retain KPMG as its new independent auditor after the former auditor declined re-appointment.
Smartphone users don't usually go around smelling their phones or the accessories that come with them, so if a couple of users say that an accessory smells sort of stinks, you start to wonder how strong that odor might be.

The S Pen's Unusual Scent

One of the things that makes some of Samsung's S Series phones unique is the stylus that comes with them. Some users prefer the models, especially if they have great use for them, whether it's for art-related activities or for taking notes traditionally

A Reddit user pointed out that the S Pen on their Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra "absolutely reeks," which started a discussion within the social network. This prompted others to smell their stylus as well as find that the user was right about it.

A moderator on one of Samsung's forums explained that it's not something that users should be worried about and that there was a simple explanation for the issue. The reason behind the smell could just be due to the phone's heat.

Like all electronics, excessive use could lead to the device's temperature rising. When the S Pen is in its holster and is close to the internal components of the phone, the plastic could also heat up, as reported by The Verge.

This could be what causes the smell, which is described as similar to when a phone is left in the car under the sun for a few hours. That weird smell could just be the odor that comes from burning plastic.

It could go away after the phone has cooled down, but that doesn't really fix the problem. The stylus will still smell like burning plastic every time the phone does intensive work and its components start heating up, along with the S Pen.

Read Also: Apple vs. Samsung Ecosystems-Which is Suitable for Beginners?

How to Prevent Your Phone from Overheating

If you're also experiencing the weird smell that comes off from the stylus, you try to avoid having your phone increase in heat due to activity. There are a couple of ways you can make that happen, although it might affect the capacity of your usage.

For one, avoid overusing your phone when you're in a hot environment, especially since your phone's temperature will already be high before you even use it. You should also make sure that the vents are not blocked by your phone's case or your hand during use.

Close the apps you are not using to lighten the load on your phone's components. The device working overtime is what causes it to heat up. If you can, you should also lower the screen brightness when you're indoors as it contributes to the temperature increase as well.

If you cannot avoid intensive activities, you should at least take breaks. Demanding tasks for your device include gaming, streaming, and even using editing apps. If your phone heats up quickly, it might be due to the kind of case you are using. Use good quality cases that consider ventilation as a factor.

Related: Google Releases Stylus Handwriting on Pixel, Samsung Tablets
The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is one of the most popular retirement schemes in India. This scheme is a type of savings account where employees and employers make contributions towards the employees retirement fund. The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) administers the scheme on behalf of the government of India.

Employees registered under the scheme can withdraw their accumulated corpus after they retire or when they leave their job. However, there are specific conditions that one must fulfill to withdraw the funds, and there are tax implications associated with it.

In this article, we will discuss how and when you can withdraw your EPF money, how it is taxed, and how you can avoid taxes through EPF Form 5 and EPF Form 10C.

When Can You Withdraw Your EPF Money?

As per EPFO guidelines, employees can withdraw their EPF balance under the following circumstances:

1. Retirement: EPF is primarily a retirement scheme. On attaining the age of 58 years, employees become eligible to withdraw their full corpus, including the employers and employees contribution and interest.

2. Resignation: If an employee resigns from service before attaining 58 years of age, he/she can withdraw the accumulated corpus within 2 months from the date of resignation. However, the employee must have been unemployed for two months to withdraw the funds. Moreover, the employers contribution to the pension scheme can only be withdrawn after 10 years of service.

3. Termination: If an employer terminates the employees service, he/she can withdraw the accumulated corpus if the employee remains unemployed for two months after termination.

4. Medical Treatment: One can withdraw up to 6 times of their salary for medical treatment if they or their family members have an illness. However, the employee must have completed five years of service.

5. Education/Marriage: One can withdraw up to 50% of their EPF corpus for the marriage or education of themselves, children, or siblings. However, the employee must have completed seven years of service.

6. Home Loan: One can withdraw up to 90% of their EPF corpus to purchase or construct a home or 24 months of basic pay with allowances (subject to a maximum of the employee's contribution plus interest) if they are repaying a home loan.

How Is EPF Taxed?

EPF contributions are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum. Therefore, up to Rs. 1.5 lakh of the contribution made towards the EPF account is tax-free.

In case an employee withdraws the EPF balance before completing five years of continuous service, the withdrawal is taxable in the financial year in which the withdrawal is made. The employees contribution and interest earned on it is not included in the calculation of taxable income.

However, in the case of employers contribution, the tax on the contributions are applicable in the following ways:

1. If the employers contribution is not included in the employees taxable salary, it is taxable as profits in lieu of salary.

2. If the employers contribution is included in the employees taxable salary, it is taxable as a part of the employees taxable income.

How to Avoid Taxes on EPF Withdrawal

One can avoid paying taxes on the EPF withdrawal balance by transferring it to a new employer. In such a case, the EPF account will remain active, and the accumulated corpus will continue to earn interest. To avail of this facility, the employee must mandatorily fill EPF Form 11 or the new declaration form 11 in case of transfer of the old account.

Alternatively, an employee can choose to use EPF Form 5 and EPF Form 10C to withdraw the balance without attracting tax liabilities.

EPF Form 5

EPF Form 5 is a composite form for employees to claim benefits like PF final settlement, advance, or UAN- name correction. If an employee fulfills the following criteria, he/she can withdraw the accumulated EPF balance by filling up EPF Form 5:

1. The employee should have completed at least 58 years of age.

2. The employee should have completed ten years of continuous service.

3. The employee should have retired from service.

Using this form, the employee can get the full balance of their EPF account without any tax liability.

EPF Form 10C

If an employee fulfills the following criteria, he/she can withdraw the EPS component of the EPF account by filling up EPF Form 10C:

1. The employee should have completed ten years of continuous service.

2. The employee should have submitted the claim within two years of leaving the job.

Overall, the EPF is a beneficial scheme for employees to plan their retirement funds. It allows tax relief on contributions and encourages salaried employees to save for their future. However, one must weigh all the pros and cons of withdrawing their EPF funds before making a decision.

Summary

The Employee Provident Fund (EPF) is a retirement scheme administered by the Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO). The EPF scheme provides investors with the opportunity to save money for their post-retirement life. If you are a registered member with the EPF scheme and have completed ten years of continuous service, you can withdraw your accumulated corpus upon retirement or resignation. If an employee wants to avoid the tax on withdrawal, they can transfer the accumulated corpus to a new employer or opt for forms like EPF Form 5 or EPF Form 10C. However, one must carefully weigh all tax implications and pro and cons before making a decision.

Disclaimer:

The reader should note that the above article is only for informational purposes and should not be treated as investment advice. Before taking any decisions related to investments in the Indian financial market, the reader must conduct independent research and consult a financial advisor. The writer and the publication are not responsible for any financial losses incurred due to the reader's investment decisions.


A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said the world body "hopes that in India and any country that is having elections, people's "political and civil rights" are "protected" and everyone is able to vote in a "free and fair" atmosphere.

Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric made these remarks on Thursday while he was responding to a question on the political unrest in India ahead of the upcoming national elections in the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of the opposition Congress Party's bank accounts.

What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair, Dujarric said at the daily press briefing Thursday.

The response from the United Nations comes a day after the US also reacted to a similar question on Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of the Congress party's bank accounts.

On Wednesday, hours after India summoned a senior US diplomat to protest remarks on Kejriwal's arrest, Washington reiterated that it encourages fair, transparent, timely legal processes.

On the US diplomat being summoned in Delhi, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said I'm 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, and we'll make the same thing clear privately.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials summoned Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena to their office in South Block in the Indian capital. The meeting lasted for more than 30 minutes.

On Thursday, India said the US 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.

Any "external imputation" on India's electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable", MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi during his weekly press briefing.

In India, legal processes are driven "only by the rule of law", Jaiswal said on Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in a statement that India took strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India.

India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted, 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 government's excise policy for 2021-22 which was later scrapped.
Opposition parties, the Congress and the CPI on Friday, accused the ruling BJP of indulging in tax terrorism to financially cripple the Opposition parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

While the grand old party said it has received fresh notices from the income-tax department, asking it to pay `1,823.08 crore, the Communist Party of India (CPI) received an IT notice over dues of `11 crore for using an old PAN card while filing tax returns during the last few years.

On the other hand the Congress alleged that the BJP is in serious violation of income-tax laws for which authorities should raise a demand of more than `4,600 crore from the saffron party.

Addressing a Press conference at the AICC headquarters along with Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh, party treasurer Ajay Maken alleged that the BJP is in serious violation of income-tax laws and said the I-T department should raise a demand of `4,617.58 crore from the saffron party for such violations.

Maken said political parties have to fill up a proforma of Form 24A, in which two basic and important information have to be furnished  the names and addresses of their donors.

We have analysed all the submissions of the BJP to the Election Commission (EC). The party has faltered every year, Maken claimed.

Ramesh alleged that through the electoral bonds scam, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has collected `8,200 crore and used the route of pre-paid, post-paid, post-raid bribes and shell companies. On the other hand, the BJP is engaged in tax terrorism, he alleged.

Maken alleged that the Congress and other like-minded Opposition parties are being selectively targeted by the I-T department, which he described as the BJPs frontal organisation.

He said the Supreme Court will soon hear the Congresss plea on the I-T departments demands from it.

Maken alleged that the BJP-ruled I-T department has so far forcibly taken out `135 crore from the Congresss bank accounts due to an alleged `14 lakh non-compliance demand against the party. This amount was recovered by freezing more than `270 crore of the Congresss bank balance across several accounts, he said.

During this period of several weeks, the bank accounts of the Congress were effectively frozen in an illegal attempt to paralyse the partys functioning during the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Maken alleged.

In the history of India, why is the Congress, a tax-exempt political party like others, being forced to pay income tax during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, he asked.

Why have the BJP or its alliance partners not been dealt with similarly? Why has the I-T department not taken cognisance of the Yediyurappa diaries, Jain diaries, Sahara diaries, Birla diaries, Bangaru Lakshman convictions and penalised the BJP? he asked.

The CPI on its part said the Left party is consulting its lawyers to challenge the notice of the tax authorities.
There may be a shortage of petrol and diesel at the pumps in Bhopal city from April 1 as Reliance Depot, which supplies petrol and diesel to Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum have to follow the order of NGT and supply from bottom loading tankers instead of the existing top loading tankers from April 1.

Petrol pump dealers do not currently have bottom loading tankers. It will take seven to eight months to build a new tanker.

According to petrol dealers, we were informed about the new rule 20 days ago. However, supplies are still being made from Bharat Petroleum depots only through top loading tankers. In such a situation, petrol will be available only in 45 out of 170 petrol pumps in the city.

State President of Madhya Pradesh Petroleum Dealers Association, Ajay Singh said that petrol and diesel will have to be brought from outside. In such a situation, many pump operators will call petrol diesel from other cities including Sagar and Itarsi depots. This may take 48 hours to 72 hours. That means petrol and diesel will be available at the pumps with a difference of one or two days.

Association official Nakul Sharma said that if the companies give us some more time, arrangements can be made.
The State BJP has welcomed the decision of Dumka Court which handed down life imprisonment to Shahrukh Hussain and Naeem Ansari for the murder of Dumka resident Ankita Singh.

In a landmark verdict, the court of First Additional District and Sessions Judge cum POCSO Court Special Judge Ramesh Chandra has handed down life imprisonment to Shahrukh Hussain and Naeem Ansari for the murder of Dumka resident Ankita. The accused were involved in a heinous act on August 23, 2022, where they doused Ankita with petrol and set her ablaze, leading to widespread outrage and a call for justice.

BJP State Vice President Aarti Kujur welcoming the decision has urged the government to appeal in the High Court so that such heinous criminals are given death sentences. Kujur said that those who are bent upon robbing the honor of the daughters of Jharkhand and taking their lives should be given the death sentence. Ankita, the girl who was murdered by spraying petrol, is not one such incident. In this way, more than 6 thousand girls have been raped and murdered in the state and such a horrific incident has also happened with them.

Kujur further said that in the Ankita murder case, DSP Noor Mustafa had shown Ankita as an adult and Shahrukh's age as a minor, the intention being that Shahrukh should not be punished. But BJP launched a strong movement in the entire state on this murder case, when the movement gained momentum, DSP corrected the age and made Shahrukh an adult.

Kujur asked the government to tell what action was taken against the DSP who had committed such a big crime and we want to ask on whose advice the DSP molested the age.

She said that the state government should come out of the policy of appeasement and vote bank and give death sentence to Ankita's killers. She further said that state government should tell how many incidents of rape and murder occurred with ST-SC girls and women. In how many cases was a fast track formed and in how many cases was action taken? The government's indifference is clearly visible in this because all the victims come from poor families.

Kujur alleged that the murderers of Rabika Pahadia, who was cut into more than 50 pieces, are also out of jail today and roaming in the open. She said that the connection of killer Shahrukh with the banned Bangladeshi organization Ansar ul Bangla was also revealed. This matter was also suppressed.

She claimed that immediately after the Ankita murder case, in Dumka itself, Armaan Ansari trapped a 14-year-old minor tribal woman in the name of love jihad and made her pregnant and then murdered her and hanged her on a tree.
On the occasion of Rang Panchami, a colorful procession will take place in Indore . Collector and District Magistrate Ashish Singh inspected the route of the colorful procession (ger) to be taken out on the occasion of Rang Panchami on Saturday. During this, he gave necessary directions to the concerned officials keeping in view various points including maintaining law and order and public safety.

During the Collector's visit, Commissioner Indore Municipal Corporation Shivam Verma and senior officials of the police administrati were present. It is noteworthy that efforts are also being made by the district administration to include Ger in the UNESCO heritage.
EC orders transfer of IPS officer Rajesh Duggal, who is husband of Hry BJP leader Sunita Duggal



Chandigarh: The Election Commission has ordered the transfer of IPS officer Rajesh Duggal, who is the husband of BJP MP from Sirsa Sunita Duggal, and directed that no election-related work be assigned to him till Lok Sabha polls conclude in the state. Acting on the ECs directive, Haryana Government on Thursday issued the transfer order. Rajesh Duggal, who was holding the charge as Joint Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, has now been posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Police Headquarters in Panchkula with immediate effect. Further, as directed by the Election Commission of India, he shall not be assigned any election-related work till the completion of the current Lok Sabha election in the state, reads the order issued by Haryanas Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) T V S N Prasad. At the time of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls too, the ECI had ordered that Rajesh Duggal, who was then holding the charge as commandant of the 3rd battalion of the Haryana Armed Police in Hisar, be posted outside Hisar and Sirsa constituencies.



ECI ALLOWS JOURNALISTS ON POLL DUTY TO VOTE THROUGH POSTAL BALLOT: SIBIN C



Chandigarh: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has allowed media personnel on duty related to poll day coverage to vote through postal ballot in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C said that according to the notification issued by the ECI, media personnel authorized by ECI for poll day coverage and other state government department officials can vote via postal ballot under Section 60 (c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The CEO said that as per the notification, the ECI has notified journalists holding authorization letters issued by the ECI who are engaged in polling day coverage as essential service personnel, along with staff from 6 government departments. These departments include Department of Local Government (Fire Services), the Department of Transport (Drivers, conductors, Workshop staff, Operations staff and Officers posted at Headquarters and Depots at District level), Department of Jails (Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Guarding staff posted in Jails), Department of Home Affairs and Justice (Police officers, Police personnel, Civil Defense, and Home guards), Department of Power (Staff of State power corporation and state transmission corporation deputed at Generations units, Thermal plants, Hydel units (within or outside state), Staff on deputation to BBMB and field Staff posted in Grid sub station), Department of Health and Family Welfare (a) Drug Control Officers working under the Commissionerate of Food and Drugs administration (b) Medical and Para-medical Staff working/on duty on the day of poll. He said that the aim of this is to ensure that no one is deprived of voting due to their service commitments.





Police, Flying Squad seize cash worth Rs 10 lakh in Gurugram



Gurugram: A team of the Gurugram Police and Flying Squad took major action and seized cash worth Rs 10 lakh from a driver near the Gwal Pahari area here in Gurugram, police said on Friday. Due to the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the electoral code of conduct has been imposed in the district. District Election Officer and DC Nishant Kumar Yadav said that the Flying Squad team received information from Police Post Gawal Pahari and Police Station DLF Phase-1 Gurugram that cash worth Rs 10 lakh was recovered from a Uttar Pradesh registered I Twenty Hyundai vehicle near village Gawal Pahari on Thursday. "When the suspect Shailender Agnihotri, a resident of Kanauj in Uttar Pradesh, was questioned about the cash, he could not give any satisfactory answer. The team's then seized the amount and handed it over to the Income Tax Department," Yadav said. He said that the cash would be handed over to its owner only after providing any satisfactory information. Police said the suspect had also installed black film on his vehicle. On which the police has also issued a challan of Rs 10,000 to him as per the rules.





9336 bottles of illicit liquor worth Rs 50 lakh seized in Nuh; One held



Chandigarh/Nuh: The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Haryana Police on Friday intercepted a truck transporting illicit liquor concealed beneath planks. One suspect has been apprehended in connection with the incident, said local police. The truck was allegedly engaged in the illicit trade of illegal liquor. The police team discovered and confiscated a total of 9336 bottles of illicit liquor from the truck, estimated to be worth around Rs 50 lakhs, they added. Providing details of the operation, Nuh Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said that Assistant Sub-Inspector Bhupendra Singh, along with his team, was patrolling near the KMP Bridge on Nuh-Sohna Road. Upon receiving intelligence that a truck driver was transporting illegal English liquor from KMP Road Kundli to Palwal in Bihar, the team initiated a checkpoint operation. Shortly thereafter, the suspected vehicle was spotted approaching, and upon interception, the driver identified himself as Ashok Kumar, son of Aidan Singh, a resident of Dungara district, Barmer, Rajasthan. Upon inspection of the vehicle, 9336 bottles of illicit liquor were found concealed beneath the planks. When asked for documentation, the driver presented a forged bill purportedly from Siliguri, West Bengal to Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and failed to produce any documents related to the seized liquor. The police have filed a case against the truck driver under relevant sections of the law at the local police station. The driver has been arrested and presented before the court in accordance with the law, he added.
Residents of a village in Jabalpur district set ablaze a liquor shop after the body of an 8-year-old girl was found in a lake, a police official has said.

Irate villagers, including the mother of the victim, alleged she was raped, murdered and her body thrown into the lake by a person or group of persons who had liquor at the vend, which was set on fire on Tuesday night, the official said.

The girl's body was found on Tuesday night. A short post-mortem suggests she was physically assaulted, Jabalpur (Rural) Additional Superintendent of Police Sonali Dubey told.

The situation is under control. Police have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Her short post-mortem was conducted on Thursday. We are awaiting the detailed autopsy report. We are investigating whether a single person or a group committed the crime and whether she was murdered and the body thrown into the lake, Dubey said.

Some suspects have been picked up and are being questioned, the Additional SP said.
DocGo has established itself as a leader in the proactive healthcare revolution, delivering high-quality, highly accessible care for all.

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Upon assuming leadership at DocGo, CEO Lee Bienstock reiterated the company's pivotal role in leading the proactive healthcare revolution. DocGo is dedicated to making outstanding healthcare accessible to everyone, including underserved populations. The company employs a holistic approach that includes mobile health services, medical transportation, and virtual care management.

DocGo's Virtual Care Management (VCM) services provide individualized attention, assisting patients and their healthcare providers in monitoring and treating chronic conditions such as COPD, congestive heart failure, and diabetes.

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Good Friday, a solemn occasion commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was observed with reverence and devotion by Christians in Jamshedpur. The faithful congregated at Loyola School Church to participate in special services marking this significant day in the Christian calendar.

At Loyola School Church, believers gathered to observe the 14 Stations of the Cross, retracing the steps of Jesus Christ's final journey to Calvary. Led by Rector Father KM Joseph, Fr Jerome Cutinha, Father Pascal Dhanwar, Father Charles Pereira, and Father Joseph Anthony, worshippers reflected on the profound significance of Good Friday.

Father KM Joseph emphasized the importance of remembering Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice for humanity, underscoring the need to internalize the message of redemption and embrace the path of righteousness symbolized by the cross.

Following the devotional ceremonies, congregants proceeded to the church for a two-hour service culminating in the celebration of Mass. The atmosphere was filled with solemnity as prayers were offered and hymns sung in remembrance of Christ's crucifixion.

In observance of the solemnity of Good Friday, Roman Catholic faithful committed to fasting on Friday and Saturday, with anticipation building for the joyous occasion of Easter. On Saturday night, worshippers will gather for a late-night service to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In addition to Roman Catholics, Protestants and other Lutheran believers will participate in unique traditions. On Sunday night, they will visit cemeteries to light incense candles at the graves of their ancestors, offering prayers for their departed souls and the promise of resurrection.

Good Friday holds profound significance in Christian theology, symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity. Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem after being condemned by religious authorities. His crucifixion, believed to have occurred on a Friday, is commemorated annually as Good Friday. The subsequent resurrection of Jesus, which took place on Easter Sunday, represents the triumph of life over death and is celebrated as a cornerstone of Christian faith.

As Christians across Jamshedpur observe Good Friday, they reflect on the timeless message of love, forgiveness, and salvation exemplified by Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross.




The Gurugram District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav on Friday said that a unique initiative has been taken by the district administration to make voters aware of the 2024 Lok Sabha general elections. A video has been prepared by the Digital Sign Language Lab of the Haryana Welfare Society for Persons with Speech and Hearing Impairment, Gurugram, to motivate voters having hearing disability. Through this video, such voters are given detailed information about the importance of democracy and voting through sign language, he added.



Yadav said that several activities are going on in the Gurugram district to motivate voters to use their franchise. Awareness programs are being organised daily through Atal Seva Kendras, educational institutions, the Women and Child Development Department, the Transport Department, etc. through the SVEEP programme of the Election Commission of India. He informed that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India has uploaded this 9-minute video on its YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@DEPwDAccessibleIndiaCampaign).



This video provides detailed information about what is democracy, the decision of mandate, the formation of the government, the franchise, the duties of voters, etc. through sign language. This effort will prove to be very effective in empowering democracy, he added. Dr Seema, Assistant Director, Welfare Center for Persons with Speech and Hearing Impairment, Gurugram said that the Haryana Welfare Society has run many programmes for Persons with Speech and Hearing Impairment. She said that the Digital Sign Language Lab is also working in Gurugram. This video has been prepared in this lab. This video, broadcast by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, is also being liked by many, said Dr Seema.
With the post-mortem formalities of Mukhtar Ansari completed by a panel of five doctors and his viscera preserved, a judicial probe was ordered into the death of the gangster-turned-politician on Friday.

Sources said that the inquiry was ordered by Chief Judicial Magistrate Bhagwan Das Gupta on a letter sent by the senior superintendent of the Banda district jail, requesting appointment of an inquiry officer.

The CJM has appointed additional chief judicial magistrate (MP-MLA court) Garima as the inquiry officer, they said.

The sources added that the inquiry officer has been asked to complete the probe and submit the report within a month.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal has also ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.

While appointing Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Rajesh Kumar as the inquiry officer, she has asked him to submit his detailed report within a fortnight.

It may be mentioned here that a judicial probe is ordered in all cases of deaths in judicial or police custody.

Officials said the post-mortem proceedings were videographed as per the direction.

Mukhtar Ansaris younger son Umar, his other son Abbas' wife Nighat, two nephews Ibrahim, Usman, and a handful of people from Ghazipur were present in the post-mortem house during the autopsy. It took over one hour to complete the autopsy after which Mukhtar Ansaris mortal remains were placed in the hearse and taken to Ghazipur for last rites under high security cover.

The cavalcade of 26 vehicles also included two Vajras and two ambulances.

The vehicles adjacent to Mukhtars body were fitted with close circuit television cameras. The body is expected to reach Ghazipur late in the night and the last rites will be performed on Saturday morning.

Mukhtars elder son Abbas Ansari, who is presently lodged in Kasganj district jail, had filed an application in the court seeking permission to attend his fathers burial on Saturday. The High Court, however, turned down his plea for parole to attend the burial.

Meanwhile, shops remained closed on Friday in Mohammadabad Yusufpur in Ghazipur district, the native place of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari who died of a cardiac arrest a day before.

Mukhtar Ansaris body will be brought to his native place for the last rites. A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. The administration has put barricades outside his house and no one, including journalists, are allowed to enter or meet anyone in the family.

People were seen waiting for the arrival of the body of the five-time MLA, who was rushed to a hospital from the Banda jail on Thursday after his health deteriorated. Mukhtar Ansari died at the hospital during treatment.

A grave has been dug at the Ansari familys burial ground in Kali Bagh for the last rites, said Circle Officer Atar Singh and Pawan Kumar Upadhyaya, an inspector attached to the Mohammadabad police station.

Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday night at a hospital in Banda. The gangsters family has accused the authorities of administering slow poison to him.

Mukhtar Ansaris son Umar Ansari claimed his father had told him that he was being given slow poison.

My father had told us he was being subjected to slow poison. Mukhtar Ansari had informed the court through his lawyers in writing that these things are happening, he claimed.

The top officials, however, denied the allegations of giving slow poison and claimed that truth will come out in the judicial probe.
An elderly man was hacked to death by his son-in-law in Basanaputa village under the Narayanapatana police station of Koraput district. The deceased was identified as Ramachandra Huluka.

According to reports, Ramachandra Huluka's daughter was pregnant and she was staying at her parental house. She suddenly felt ill. So, her father took her to the nearest hospital.

Angry over this, Ramachandra's son-in-law Satu Praska asked Ramchandra why he took his wife to the hospital in his absence.

They had an argument over the matter and Satu losing his cool attacked Ramachandra with a sharp weapon, killing him on the spot.

On being informed, the Narayanapatana police reached the spot and sent the body for postmortem after registering a case under the relevant sections of IPC.
A 27-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing a man during a bar brawl between two groups in northwest Delhi, police said on Friday.

Jatin Sharma, 23, a bank employee, and his friends were attacked with iron rods, sticks and a knife by the employees of Yaran Da Adda bar in Pritampura on February 21 night, after a verbal spat, Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Satish Kumar said.

Acting on a tip-off, the main accused, Aman, who had been absconding since the night of the incident, was arrested on Thursday night from Budh Vihar, the DCP said.

A trap was laid and Aman was nabbed, he said.

Sharma along with his friends had gone to the bar on February 20 around 11.30 pm to celebrate his birthday.

An argument broke between them and a female employee of the bar over some misunderstanding, he said.

Following this, the bar owner Kishore Kumar and Aman, along with seven other employees  Abhi, Dilip, Vishal, Shoaib, Gyan, Kaif, and Ali  attacked Sharma and his friends. Aman stabbed Sharma in the abdomen and fired a shot in the air with a country-made pistol, he said.

Sharmas friends, who sustained minor injuries, took him to a hospital where he succumbed during treatment, Kumar said.

An FIR was registered against the nine under the charges of murder, rioting and disappearance of evidence, he said.

The crime branch has taken over the case and searches are on for the rest of the accused, the officer added.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) accorded sanction for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against Satyendar Jain jailed AAP leader, for allegedly extorting `10 crore from conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar as protection money.

Sources said the sanction comes under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act.Jain and former Tihar Jail DG Sandeep Goel were accused of running an extortion racket from Tihar and demanding protection money from high-profile inmates, it was alleged. The development came as Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

Early this year, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena sanctioned the CBI inquiry into extortion charges against Satyendar Jain. Saxena also referred the matter to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) for necessary action in the matter, officials added. In a letter seeking the LGs nod to probe the extortion charges, CBI had in November last year written that Jain is accused of running a high-profile extortion racket from Tihar Jail and demanding `10 crore as protection money from Chandrashekhar to enable him to live peacefully and comfortably in jail, officials from the LG office said. Sukash Chandrashekhar and Satyendra Jain were fellow inmates in Tihar jail.

The allegations were made by the conman who said Jain extorted money in various tranches during 2018-21, either personally or through his accomplices  to enable him (Sukesh) live comfortably in different jails of Delhi  Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli. Sukesh had claimed that he paid over `50 crore to AAP for an important post in the party, `10 crore to jailed minister Satyendar Jain. He had also accused Goel and one Mukesh Prasad of extorting `12.5 crore in various tranches during 2019-22 from him. Jain, Goel, Prasad and Kumar are accused of misusing their official positions as public servants in extending undue favour to Sukesh and other high-profile inmates in Delhi jails for valuable considerations.

In his letter, Sukesh claimed that he knew Jain since 2015 and has contributed more than `50 crore to the AAP in promise of giving me an important post in the party in the south and helping him with a Rajya Sabha seat.

He also claimed that after that after his arrest in 2017, Jain, who was also Jail Minister, asked him whether he had disclosed his contribution to AAP.

Earlier on February 9, 2024, LG sanctioned a CBI inquiry against Raj Kumar, the then superintendent of Tihar jail, for extorting money at the behest of Jain and Sandeep Goel, the former DG of Tihar jail.
Unidentified miscreants broke into the Baladevjew Temple in Keonjhar district on Thursday night and looted money from the donation box.

Though the amount stolen was yet to be ascertained, a servitor of the temple said there was cash of around Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 in the box.

The lock of the box was found broken on Friday morning when the priest arrived for the daily rituals.

The CCTV camera installed near the donation box was not functioning, which has made the detection of the looters more challenging.

As construction work is currently underway, all gates of the temple were open. Taking advantage of this, the miscreants committed the loot. The security guards were not alert. We urge the local administration to take stringent action in order to prevent such incidents in the future, the servitor said.

Police have started an investigation into the incident.
The Swaraj Ashram in Haldwani which was a hub of activity during the freedom movement resounded with slogans of Congress party workers welcoming the partys Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Lok Sabha constituency candidate Prakash Joshi here on Friday. Joshi also interacted with the locals in the main bazaar of Haldwani. Stating that he will always remain thankful for the support he is getting within a short period of being announced as the party candidate, Joshi said that this constituency has remained bereft of development during the past 10 years. One can gauge the level of development in the constituency considering the condition of the village adopted by the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar MP, he said. Joshi said, The sitting MP has spent only 40 per cent of his local area development fund in his five-year term, which shows his apathy towards the developmental concerns of the constituency.

Leader of opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Yashpal Arya said that the people are fed up with 10 years of BJP in power and have decided to bring about a change. The Haldwani MLA Sumit Hridayesh said that the youth will respond to being duped through the Agnipath scheme with their votes.

Former MLAs Sanjeev Arya and Jeet Ram said that the booth level workers of the Congress are the strength of the party. On the basis of this strength, the Congress will uproot the anti-development BJP from the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituency, they said.
: With the BJD announcing the first phase of its nominees for the Assembly and Lok Sabha seats and BJP having done it earlier in which it has made public names of its candidates for 18 out of 21 LS seats in the State, many in lobby for tickets from both parties, who had otherwise apprehended of being ditched over a possible tie-up between the two parties, are now feeling relaxed.

In the event of a tie-up between BJD and BJP, around 150 ticket aspirants on both sides would have been deprived of the opportunities to fight Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, said sources. Many are hopeful of making into the list of nominees in the second phase of the BJD and BJP which may be announced shortly.

Though both parties held parleys for over two weeks to give a shape to the much-contemplated coalition concept ostensibly to keep the Congress away, none of them proffered any reason as to why they parted ways. Reliable sources in both parties, however, said the two could not reach a consensus on the contentious seat-sharing issue.

The BJD, which won 115 of the 147 assembly seats (including three in by-elections) and 12 of 21 Lok Sabha berths in the 2019 elections, did not budge from its demand to contest from at least 100 Assembly and eight Lok Sabha constituencies. Besides, it was also bent on not allowing the BJP lawmakers to be inducted in the State Council of Ministers post the polls.

It is a big relief for us. We have a solid vote bank base which will enable us to win at least three-fourth Lok Sabha and Assembly seats. I narrowly lost to my BJP rival by a margin of 1,433 votes in the 2019 elections. Had there been seat-sharing arrangements this time, my seat would have been allotted to the BJP. Though I have worked hard since 2019 and see a possibility of winning now, I would have been deprived of the opportunity to contest, said a BJD candidate hailing from Mayurbhanj district.

A BJP ticket aspirant, who lost to the BJD candidate by a narrow margin of 740 votes in 2019, said he felt let down after the coalition talks almost advanced to a stage of finalization.

After I lost by a narrow margin of 740 votes in 2019, I had fully concentrated on my constituency all these years. I was heart-broken after top leaders of both parties held talks for a coalition. Now, I feel relaxed. My workers are quite happy now that the talks failed and they would go all-out to ensure victory for me, said a lady BJP ticket aspirant requesting anonymity.
In view of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and to forge inter-State coordination for the successful conduct of the elections, a meeting of senior officers of the administration and Police of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi was held on Friday. The meeting was held in a virtual mode and was chaired by the chief secretary of Haryana.

The Home secretary of Uttarakhand, Dilip Jawalkar attended the meeting. He said that complete arrangements have been made in the State of Uttarakhand in view of the Lok Sabha elections-2024. He said that mutual coordination is being ensured with all the States on the border and a plan has been prepared from the security point of view and key information is being exchanged by consistently coordinating with the neighbouring States.

The additional director general of police (Crime, Law and Order) and the State police nodal officer for Lok Sabha elections, AP Anshuman also attended the meeting.

He said that all the 93 inter-State barriers in the State have been equipped with CCTV cameras. He said WhatsApp groups have been formed from the headquarters level to the police station level of the bordering States, through which there is constant coordination and important information is being exchanged with the bordering States. In the meeting the officers of Uttarakhand requested their Haryana counterparts to provide 2,000 home guards to the State.
In the Monster 2024 Work Watch Report, 95% of American workers stated they either want to find or plan to seek a new job, citing the increasing cost of living, burnout, and the need for flexible work hours. This year, 83% of workers faced unfavorable employment situations.

Regardless of motivation, many individuals' primary focus this year will be securing a new or improved job, with location playing a significant role.

U.S. Cities Where High-Paying Jobs are Easiest to Secure

According to Career.io, high-paying job availability differs significantly across U.S. cities. Analyzing the 200 largest cities by population and the five largest cities in each state, Career.io identified several competitive cities, such as Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Denver, San Jose, and Kansas City.

The most prevalent high-paying jobs, which are not competitive, are in healthcare and sales. The cities with the fewest applicants are often located in low-density states focusing on agriculture. It is generally easier to find well-paid jobs in smaller cities, as they have a higher proportion of lucrative job openings with less competition.

READ ALSO: List of High-Paying, Creative Jobs for Introverts that Pay As Much As $100,000, Research Finds

Challenges with Candidates' Shortage

Taylor Tomita, a senior outreach specialist at NeoMam Studios, a creative marketing agency collaborating with Career.io, explained that the salaries of high-paying jobs are relative to the median salaries in each state or city. Hence, the competition rates are more indicative of a shortage of candidates rather than it being a lower-paying market.

Using Parkersburg, West Virginia, as an example, CNBC Make It clarified that the least competitive cities do not necessarily offer fewer high-earning opportunities; they simply receive considerably fewer job applications. At the time of the analysis, Parkersburg had 52 high-paying job listings, but according to Tomita, absolutely no applications were submitted to these roles.

Below are the cities where competition for highly-paid jobs is minimal, determined by their average daily applicant per job statistics, along with the potential earnings from securing such positions in each city:

Parkersburg, West Virginia: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $72,051 or more Nampa, Idaho: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $83,200 or more Butte, Montana: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $86,154 or more Sitka, Alaska: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $106,496 or more Grand Island, Nebraska: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $83,574 or more Kearney, Nebraska: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $78,333 or more Dover, New Hampshire: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $81,702 or more Laredo, Texas: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $66,269 or more Morgantown, West Virginia: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $80,163 or more Olathe, Kansas: high-salary jobs offer salaries of $92,809 or more

On the other hand, here are the cities with the most competitive environments for highly-paid jobs:
The opposition parties on Friday trained guns on the Uttar Pradesh government over the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in judicial custody and demanded a high-level inquiry under a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court.

Outraged over the death of the gangster-turned-politician, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, said that a government that cannot protect life has no right to remain in power.

From its official X handle, the SP posted, 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 sorrow. Humble tribute!

In a series of posts on X, former chief minister of UP, Akhilesh Yadav, said, It is the first responsibility and duty of the government to protect someones life in every situation and at every place. The death of a hostage or prisoner... will erode public confidence in the judicial process.

All such doubtful cases should be investigated under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. The way the government bypasses the judicial process and adopts other methods is completely illegal, his post added.

Uttar Pradesh is going through the worst phase of government anarchy. This is zero hour of law and order in UP, he added.

SP leader Ameeque Jamai said, We stand with the family of Mukhtar Ansari. Recently he said that he could be murdered anytime; why was he not given a proper medical facility We will demand a thorough investigation of the incident.

Condemnable and regrettable, BSP supremo Mayawati posted from her X handle,

The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansaris family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the facts of his death can be revealed. In such a situation, it is natural for his family to be sad. May nature give them the strength to bear this sorrow.

Akash Anand, nephew of Mayawati, also expressed his shock over the death of Mukhtar Ansari. He posted on social media that the law and order situation in UP is very bad. Murder in police custody, murder in court, murder in hospital and now the suspicious death of Mukhtar Ansari raises serious questions on the working style of the administration, he added.

Congress leader Surendra Rajput said in Lucknow, How accused Mukhtar Ansari died in jail raises serious questions on the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh There should be a high-level investigation into this incident and this investigation should be conducted under the supervision of a High Court judge.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav posted, Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to God 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. Prima facie this does not seem justifiable and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognisance of such strange cases and incidents.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi posted from his X handle, I pray to Allah to forgive Mukhtar Ansari and give patience to his family and his loved ones. The people of Ghazipur lost their favourite son and brother. Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he was poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment.

Similar allegations regarding the alleged poisoning have been made by the family of the dead gangster Mukhtar Ansari. His son Umar 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 19th March, he was poisoned at dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) has demanded a judicial inquiry into the death of former MLA Mukhtar Ansari in Banda.

CPI (ML) state secretary Sudhakar Yadav said in a statement that Mukhtar Ansaris death could also be murder hence a judicial inquiry was necessary to bring out the truth and to clear the cloud of suspicion.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state unit said in a statement on Friday that the death of former MLA Mukhtar Ansari, imprisoned on various charges in Banda jail, had put the government and the administration in the dock. It termed the incident as tragic and demanded a high-level impartial investigation.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sidharth Nath Singh reacted on Mukhtar Ansaris death saying, Mukhtar Ansari was a criminal; his post-mortem is underway and reports are yet to be out, despite that the a way, political party, especially leaders of SP, Congress and BSP, are jumping now, shows how much pain they have for a criminal. Serious allegations have been made against Mukhtar Ansari and even the court sentenced him to life imprisonment but still their pain towards him indicates how they (SP, Congress and BSP) backed the protection of mafia raj.

Gangster Mukhtar Ansari was shifted to Banda Medical College Hospital after he complained of pain in the abdomen. As per the hospital, Ansari was admitted to the ICU after the hospitalisation. However, as his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to CCU. The hospital said that a team of nine doctors were attending him. However, he died during treatment after suffering a heart attack.
The police registered a First Investigation Report (FIR) against five accused on charges of the murder of Dera Kar Sewa Pramukh of Udham Singh Nagars Nanakmatta Gurudwara, Tarsem Singh. The accused include Sarvjeet Singh from Punjab and Amarjeet Singh from Uttar Pradesh who allegedly shot the Dera chief. Besides this, the police have also registered an FIR against three men who are suspects in the case. They are residents of Udham Singh Nagars Gadarpur Pritam Singh Sindhu and Harvansh Singh Chugh along with a UP resident Anoop Singh. The officiating director general of police Abhinav Kumar said this during his visit to Nanakmatta on Friday. He inspected the incident site with police officials investigating the case. He also interacted with the people of Gurudwara who were present during Singhs murder and expressed his condolences. Kumar said that 11 teams including the district police, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Special Task Force (STF) are investigating the case. The police are also in touch with the authorities concerned of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and central agencies regarding the matter. Several police teams have also been sent to nearby States to gather more information about the assailants. On Friday, the police also detained some people who were allegedly in touch with the assailants. The investigation authorities have been directed to investigate the case from all angles. Apart from focussing on both shooters' arrests, we are also looking at the possibility of the involvement of other people like locals in the murder, he said. Singh was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants around 6:15 AM on Thursday. He was shot twice with a rifle by the pillion rider when he was using his phone while sitting on a chair. The whole murder was caught in CCTV cameras installed in the Gurudwara premises. The accused shot him twice within three seconds and fled the scene. Singh was taken to the hospital in Khatima where he died during treatment. Both assailants were reportedly living in the Gurudwara for over a week. The additional director general of police (Law and Order) AP Anshuman said that the police have identified both the accused and are acting accordingly on the information. The police and other teams involved in the investigation have gathered crucial information about them. Since this is an ongoing investigation and multiple agencies are involved in the investigation process, it is too early to disclose anything else. The authorities concerned are working day and night to nab the accused, he added.




Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Dr Sumita Misra on Friday said that the procurement of mustard has been ongoing in Haryana under the Rabi season 2024 since March 26, and now procurement of wheat will commence from April 1, for which 417 mandis/purchase centers have been established in the State.



Presiding over a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners, Police Superintendents, and District Food and Supply Controllers (DFSCs) regarding the preparations for procurement through video conferencing, Dr Misra said that this year, it is expected that there will be higher arrivals of wheat compared to the previous year, and hence robust arrangements have been made for the procurement of crops. Once again, the payment for crop procurement will be directly credited to the farmers' accounts through electronic mode within 48 to 72 hours, informed Dr Misra.



She directed the officers concerned that four procurement agencies, namely, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department, HAFED, HSWC, and FCI (Central Agency), will procure crops at the minimum support price set by the Government of India. Deputy Commissioners will coordinate with these agencies in their districts and monitor procurement activities.



The Additional Chief Secretary said that surprise inspections of mandis will also be carried out by senior officials of the district. In addition, senior IAS officers, who are district in-charges, will inspect mandis in their respective districts.



She said that registered farmers will receive online payments for MSP directly into their bank accounts through the e-kharid portal. Proper cleanliness arrangements and other basic facilities will be ensured in mandis and purchase centers. She directed that this year, considering the expected higher arrival of wheat, sufficient storage space should be earmarked for storing the crop in the concerned districts.



Dr Misra said that coordination should be established with HAFED and Haryana State Warehousing Corporation to arrange additional storage facilities such as silos, if available in their or adjoining districts.



The ACS said that to ensure proper operation of procurement and to avoid any unpleasant situation, the Director-General of Police ensures adequate security arrangements in mandis. Additionally, traffic management will be carried out by the police to prevent inconvenience to other travelers near mandis due to traffic jams/crowds. She also directed the installation of checkpoints in districts adjoining other states, said Dr Misra.



She directed the Deputy Commissioners to appoint a nodal officer to oversee procurement activities in mandis/purchase centers. For the safety of crops, sufficient arrangements of temporary shed/tarpaulin should also be ensured.



It was informed during the meeting that help desks have been set up in mandis for the convenience of farmers, and arrangements for drinking water and toilets have also been made. CCTV cameras and electronic weighbridges have been provided in mandis as well.
Chatra Police have achieved great success against opium trade in the State. On the instructions of SP Vikas Pandey, during the anti-crime cum vehicle checking campaign being conducted near Balbal check point located on the border of Chatra-Hazaribagh district, police have arrested a smuggler with about 45 kg of banned opium. On his behest, the house of Rajendra Dangi, resident of Pandeyatola village of Gidhaur police station area, was raided and he was also arrested along with 25 grams of banned heroin.

The estimated value of the opium recovered by the police is Rs 2 crore, while the estimated value of the recovered heroin is Rs 5 lakh. Apart from this, the police have also recovered a Maruti Suzuki car and a scooter used in smuggling. The names of the two smugglers arrested in this case are Lalan Dangi and Rajendra Dangi. Both are residents of Gidhaur police station area.

SP Vikas Pandey said in a press conference that the police got this success during the anti-crime vehicle checking campaign being run on the basis of information. He said that earlier yesterday the police team had arrested one smuggler with banned brown sugar worth Rs 1 lakh 38 thousand. The SP said that this is the biggest success of Chatra Police against drug dealers.
In an effort to express solidarity with the AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who has been in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in the liquorgate scam case, top INDI Alliance leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav among others will attend a Maharally to be held at the Ramlila ground on March 31. The rally is being organized to safeguard the countrys interests and democracy. The AAP leaders said they are also in touch with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who may join the rally.

According to the partys senior leadership, they are planning a show of strength at the Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, from where they may launch a massive campaign against the ruling BJP government for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Election Commission and Delhi Police on Friday granted permission to INDIA leaders to hold this rally in the national capital on Sunday. In its permission notice, the Delhi Police said that the programme will take place from 9.30am to 2pm on Sunday.

After AAP got permission for the rally, Rai posted on X, All big leaders of the INDIA alliance partners are coming to Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 31. People of Delhi are also preparing to come. We have received the permission for the rally. So far, names of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Farooq Abdullah, Bhagwant Mann, Champai Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, Derek O Brien, Trichy Shiva, D Raja, Dipaknkar Bhattacharya, Kalpana Soren and G Devarajan have been confirmed.

The AAP has initiated a widespread campaign, distributing invitation letters across the populace to ensure maximum participation. Rai, along with party workers, took the message directly to the people in Regarpura, Karol Bagh, urging them to join the INDIA Alliance mega rally scheduled for March 31st. The AAP has made a three-tier plan to motivate the people to come to the rally. First the meetings were held at the Vidhan Sabha level, then all the 2600 polling stations level and now a door-to-door campaign has started.

Earlier in the day, the INDI Alliance leaders postponed their protest outside the BJP headquarters in the national capital on Friday in protest of the arrest of Kejriwal and the electoral bond issue. According to them, they were not granted permission by the Delhi police. Taking a dig at the postponement of the protest, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that both the Congress and AAP are not on the same page. The cancellation of the demonstration clearly shows that both AAP & Congress leaders are unable to persuade their workers to hold joint demonstrations. AAPs failure to gather party workers and refusal of Congress workers to Join the INDI Alliance demonstration forced the AAP to cancel the demonstration. Yesterday evening AAP issued media invite & press releases but Congress did not issue any invite nor was invite issued on official INDI Alliance letterhead, he said.

Multiple layers of barricades have been set up and a large number of police personnel deployed on roads leading to the BJP headquarters here in view of INDI Alliances protest. Besides police personnel, those of paramilitary forces have also been stationed at many places in Central Delhi, including on the DDU Marg and around the ITO area. Kejriwal, who is in the Enforcement Directorates custody, was arrested by the agency on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday exhorted people to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections judiciously.

Voting for the right candidates gives a new direction to the country and builds 'aastha' (faith) but spreads anarchy if wrong candidates are voted to power, the chief minister said while addressing the 'Prabuddhajan Sammelan' (meeting of the intellectuals) here.

Since Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, faith was respected in Ayodhya. If the vote goes into the wrong hands, curfew is imposed and if it goes into the right hands, then 'Kanwad Yatra' takes place, he said.

Before 2014, the country's borders were not secure, India's image was very bad, passports had no value and development work was at a standstill, he alleged, adding that there was corruption in the Commonwealth Games.

He further claimed that as soon as PM Modi came to power in 2014, the borders became safe. With the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism and stone pelting ended, he said. ELECTIONS-UP-ADITYANATH

CM Adityanath asks people to cast their votes judiciously (Eds: With file pic)

Bijnor (UP), Mar 29 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday exhorted people to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections judiciously.

Voting for the right candidates gives a new direction to the country and builds 'aastha' (faith) but spreads anarchy if wrong candidates are voted to power, the chief minister said while addressing the 'Prabuddhajan Sammelan' (meeting of the intellectuals) here.

Since Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, faith was respected in Ayodhya. If the vote goes into the wrong hands, curfew is imposed and if it goes into the right hands, then 'Kanwad Yatra' takes place, he said.

Before 2014, the country's borders were not secure, India's image was very bad, passports had no value and development work was at a standstill, he alleged, adding that there was corruption in the Commonwealth Games.

He further claimed that as soon as PM Modi came to power in 2014, the borders became safe. With the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism and stone pelting ended, he said.

The chief minister also described Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh as an honour for the farmers and said, "Chaudhary saheb used to say that the path to progress of the country passes through the fields."

Voting in Bijnor is slated for the first phase of polling on April 19.

The chief minister also described Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh as an honour for the farmers and said, "Chaudhary saheb used to say that the path to progress of the country passes through the fields."

Voting in Bijnor is slated for the first phase of polling on April 19. ELECTIONS-UP-ADITYANATH

CM Adityanath asks people to cast their votes judiciously (Eds: With file pic)

Bijnor (UP), Mar 29 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday exhorted people to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections judiciously.

Voting for the right candidates gives a new direction to the country and builds 'aastha' (faith) but spreads anarchy if wrong candidates are voted to power, the chief minister said while addressing the 'Prabuddhajan Sammelan' (meeting of the intellectuals) here.

Since Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, faith was respected in Ayodhya. If the vote goes into the wrong hands, curfew is imposed and if it goes into the right hands, then 'Kanwad Yatra' takes place, he said.

Before 2014, the country's borders were not secure, India's image was very bad, passports had no value and development work was at a standstill, he alleged, adding that there was corruption in the Commonwealth Games.

He further claimed that as soon as PM Modi came to power in 2014, the borders became safe. With the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism and stone pelting ended, he said. ELECTIONS-UP-ADITYANATH

CM Adityanath asks people to cast their votes judiciously (Eds: With file pic)

Bijnor (UP), Mar 29 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday exhorted people to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections judiciously.

Voting for the right candidates gives a new direction to the country and builds 'aastha' (faith) but spreads anarchy if wrong candidates are voted to power, the chief minister said while addressing the 'Prabuddhajan Sammelan' (meeting of the intellectuals) here.

Since Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, faith was respected in Ayodhya. If the vote goes into the wrong hands, curfew is imposed and if it goes into the right hands, then 'Kanwad Yatra' takes place, he said.

Before 2014, the country's borders were not secure, India's image was very bad, passports had no value and development work was at a standstill, he alleged, adding that there was corruption in the Commonwealth Games.

He further claimed that as soon as PM Modi came to power in 2014, the borders became safe. With the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism and stone pelting ended, he said.

The chief minister also described Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh as an honour for the farmers and said, "Chaudhary saheb used to say that the path to progress of the country passes through the fields."

Voting in Bijnor is slated for the first phase of polling on April 19.

The chief minister also described Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh as an honour for the farmers and said, "Chaudhary saheb used to say that the path to progress of the country passes through the fields."

Voting in Bijnor is slated for the first phase of polling on April 19.
The Congress on Friday said it has received fresh notices from the income-tax department, asking it to pay Rs 1,823.08 crore, and alleged that the BJP is in "serious violation" of income-tax laws for which authorities should raise a demand of more than Rs 4,600 crore from the saffron party.

The Congress also accused the ruling BJP of indulging in "tax terrorism" to financially cripple the opposition party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here along with Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, party treasurer Ajay Maken alleged that the BJP is in serious violation of income-tax laws and said the I-T department should raise a demand of Rs 4,617.58 crore from the saffron party for such violations.

Maken said political parties have to fill up a proforma of Form 24A, in which two basic and important pieces of information have to be furnished -- the names and addresses of their donors.

"We have analysed all the submissions of the BJP to the Election Commission (EC). The party has faltered every year," Maken claimed.

Ramesh alleged that through the "electoral bonds scam", the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has collected Rs 8,200 crore and used the route of "pre-paid, post-paid, post-raid bribes and shell companies".

On the other hand, the BJP is engaged in "tax terrorism", he alleged.

"Efforts are being made to financially cripple the Congress, but we are not going to be cowed down," Ramesh said.

He asserted that the Congress's campaign for the upcoming parliamentary polls will continue and the party will take its guarantees to the people of the country.

"We will not be scared of these notices. We will be more aggressive and fight these polls," the former Union minister said.

Maken alleged that the Congress and other like-minded opposition parties are being selectively targeted by the I-T department, which he described as the BJP's "frontal organisation".

He said the Supreme Court will soon hear the Congress's plea on the I-T department's demands from it.

"An illegal attempt to freeze the bank accounts of the principal opposition party in February has gone on for more than a month on the eve of the general election," Maken said.

Before the dust could settle on that unprecedented "vindictive" action, in a patently "illegal and undemocratic" move, the "frontal organisation of the BJP" has launched its next "premeditated" and "diabolical" campaign against the Congress, he added.

The income-tax returns filed by the Congress for eight years have been reopened on "baseless and manufactured" grounds to levy illegal I-T demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees, Maken said.

The timing of the I-T department's action -- in February and March, days before and even days after the Lok Sabha polls were announced on March 16 -- speaks for itself about the mala-fide nature of these actions, the Congress leader said.

Maken alleged that the "BJP-ruled I-T department" has so far forcibly taken out Rs 135 crore from the Congress's bank accounts due to an alleged Rs 14 lakh non-compliance demand against the party.

"This amount was recovered by freezing more than Rs 270 crore of the Congress's bank balance across several accounts," he said.

During this period of several weeks, the bank accounts of the Congress were effectively "frozen" in an illegal attempt to paralyse the party's functioning during the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Maken alleged.

"This action was designed to choke the Congress financially and prevent, stop, delay and disable any election-related expenditure by the party on advertisements, travel, salaries, agencies etc.

"It is indeed appalling that the financial years assessed go back to 1993-94, when the late Sitaram Kesri was the party's treasurer. Out of the eight years, the I-T demand orders for four years have been issued by the BJP's frontal organisation even without assessment orders. This is unprecedented in the history of taxation in India," he said.

"These orders are based on manufactured and planted diaries and so-called raids by the BJP's frontal organisation on third parties. Several of these raided third parties enjoy stay orders from courts based on vitiated search procedures by the I-T department," Maken claimed, adding that the same interim relief is not being granted to the Congress.

In the history of India, why is the Congress, a tax-exempt political party like others, being "forced" to pay income tax during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, he asked.

"Why have the BJP or its alliance partners not been dealt with similarly? Why has the I-T department not taken cognisance of the Yediyurappa diaries, Jain diaries, Sahara diaries, Birla diaries, Bangaru Lakshman convictions and penalised the BJP?" he asked.

"Why is the EC -- the guarantor of free-and-fair elections -- a mute spectator? Is this not an obvious, brazen, blatant and shameful attempt by the BJP to illegally financially cripple the opposition? Where is the level-playing field in Indian elections? Can 2024 be called a free-and-fair election anymore?" Maken asked.
Security personnel in several districts of Uttar Pradesh remained on alert on Friday, a day after jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed across the state and teams of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) along with the local police have been deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said earlier.

People had also started gathering at Mukhtar Ansari's residence in Ghazipur and there was a large deployment of security personnel around the house.

Officials at the police headquarters here said the postmortem will be conducted at the Banda medical college by a panel of doctors and the procedure will be videographed.

The 63-year-old Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in "an unconscious state" on Thursday evening and died at the hospital following a cardiac arrest, according to its principal Suneel Kaushal.

Family members of Ansari, including his son Umar Ansari, reached Banda early Friday.

Umar Ansari alleged that his father was subjected to slow poisoning in jail, a charge denied by authorities.

"My father had told us he was being subjected to 'slow poison'," Umar Ansari told reporters and added that the entire country knows about it now.

Umar Ansari said they will take the body to Ghazipur for cremation after the postmortem.

The police has already chalked out a route plan for the safe transit of the body via road from Banda to Ghazipur, a distance of around 380 Km.

Security has also been stepped up in parts of the state in view of Friday prayers.

Mukhtar 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 cardiac arrest, the medical bulletin stated.

Afzal Ansari, who is also the Ghazipur MP, on Tuesday alleged that his brother was given slow poison in 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, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad," Afzal Ansari said.

Afzal Ansari said that during the virtual hearing of a case in a Barabanki court on March 21, Ansari's lawyer had filed an application in the court alleging that his client had been given "slow poison" in jail due to which his condition was deteriorating.

Earlier, Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain.

Many parties condoled the demise of Ansari and demanded a probe into it.

In a post on X, the Samajwadi Party said, "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".

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former deputy Bihar chief minister Tejashwi Yadav also expressed grief at Ansari's death.

"Got the sad news of the demise of former UP MLA Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to God 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. Prima facie this does not seem justifiable and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents," Tejashwi Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.

Former Bihar MP Pappu Yadav, who joined the Congress recently, termed Ansari's death an "institutional murder" and demanded a court-monitored probe into it.

"Former MLA Mukhtar Ansari's institutional murder... It is like burying the law, Constitution, natural justice," Pappu Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.

The Chief Justice of India should take "suo motu cognizance of this. There should be a court-monitored impartial investigation," the Congress leader said.

"He was making allegations for several days that he was being given slow poison. His MP brother also made this allegation. This is an indelible blot on the country's constitutional system," he added.

Ansari, a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar seat, was behind bars in Uttar Pradesh 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. His name was on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year.

Ansari, who hailed from Ghazipur, was believed to have a strong influence in the adjoining Mau and Varanasi districts as well.

The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier approached the Supreme Court to bring Ansari back to the state from Ropar jail in Punjab.

In January 2019, Ansari, then a BSP MLA, was lodged in the Ropar jail in connection with an extortion case and remained there for more than two years.

In March 2021, while hearing a plea of the Uttar Pradesh government, the Supreme Court directed the Punjab government to hand over Ansari's custody to Uttar Pradesh, saying it was being denied on trivial grounds under the guise of medical issues.
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 neighbours 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 on 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.
Pope Francis urged his priests Thursday to avoid clerical hypocrisy and treat their flocks with mercy as he delivered a lengthy set of marching orders to Rome-based priests at the start of a busy few days leading to Easter.

A strong-looking Francis presided over a Holy Thursday Mass in St Peters Basilica during which the oils for church services are blessed. Later in the afternoon, he travels to Romes main womens prison for the annual Holy Week ritual in which he washes the feet of inmates in a symbol of humility and service.

The 87-year-old Francis, who has been hobbled by a long bout of respiratory problems this winter, appeared in good form for the morning Mass. He read aloud a long homily, after skipping his text at the last minute during Palm Sunday Mass last weekend.

In his remarks, Francis warned priests against sliding into clerical hypocrisy, or preaching one thing to their flocks but doing differently in their own spiritual lives. Rather, he urged them to always show mercy to the faithful and not judge them, and weep instead for their own sins.

Doing so, he said, means looking within and repenting of our ingratitude and inconstancy, and acknowledging with sorrow our duplicity, dishonesty and hypocrisy, he said.

The Mass was the first major papal liturgy in St Peters since Berninis great columned canopy over the altar, known as a baldacchino, was covered in scaffolding for a months-long renovation and cleaning.

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.

Norwegians facing

a shortage

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 on Thursday that the Nordby shopping centre in Sweden, located just off the border about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the capital, Oslo, has been filled by desperate Norwegians trying stock up on eggs.

The centres 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 Lovheim, the head of the Nordby shopping centre, told Nettavisen. The last time I was in Norway, the store was empty of eggs.

A pack of 20 eggs in Sweden sells for a price equivalent to 39.90 Norwegian kroner (USD 3.70), about 30 per cent 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 neighbours.

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.
By Kwon Mee-yoo

The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY) unveiled "Eternal Moment," a retrospective of Korean American artist John Pai, in its newly opened Manhattan venue.

This exhibition, which runs until April 18, not only celebrates Pai's six decades of artistic endeavor but also commemorates his significant role in bridging Korean and American cultures through art.

The exhibition showcases a carefully selected collection of Pai's creations, spanning over six decades of unwavering commitment and artistic exploration, including everything from drawings and paintings to sculptures.

Pai's distinctive choice of medium, copper-coated steel rods, speaks to the core of his artistic philosophy. Through steel, he found a balance between modesty and adaptability, crafting sculptures that reflect his resilient spirit and his belief in the transformative potential of art.

Each piece, formed by hand, represents a dialogue in space, resonating with the rhythms of life itself. Pai's work, characterized by its intricate interplay of memory, myth and history, invites viewers to experience art as a form of silent communion, where each creation is a step in a journey without beginning or end.

"Working is like a private ritual. It brings me back to the idea of reaching a communion with a sense of silence, finding my way within and without it. I have no preconceived idea when I start working. I work and react to what I've done. I become comfortable with silence," Pai once said.

The show also includes personal narratives through excerpts from his oral history and an intimate cinematic portrayal, adding depth to understanding the artist and his work.

Born in Seoul in 1937, Pai moved to America with his family at a young age but soon found himself living alone in West Virginia as his parents returned to Seoul amid political upheaval. Pai was drawn to art from a young age, holding his first solo exhibition at the Oglebay Institute at 15.

Winning a scholarship to Pratt Institute in 1958, he initially studied industrial design but soon shifted his focus to sculpture. After earning his bachelor's and then a graduate fellowship at Pratt, Pai taught at Parsons School of Design and Pratt. He eventually became chairman of Pratt's undergraduate sculpture program in 1965, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the fine arts curriculum.

He resigned in 1974 to dedicate more time to his art, exhibiting his work in Seoul, Paris and New York. Pai also played a key role in supporting Korean American artists in the United States, particularly in New York, during the challenging periods between the 1970s and 90s, becoming a central figure in the community.

Pai took part in an artist talk on Wednesday, organized in collaboration with publisher Rizzoli, which released his monograph "John Pai: Liquid Steel" in October 2023, giving a glimpse into his artistic world.

KCCNY Executive Director Kim Cheon-soo said Pai is the ideal artist to inaugurate the new KCCNY building, noting his embodiment of the Korean diaspora.

"Above all, this exhibition seeks to reconnect us with the essence of humanity and artistry through Pai's life and work," Kim said in a statement.

"Pai embodies the spirit of a sincere and genuine artist in an age dominated by the rapid advancement of technology and the overwhelming presence of social media that blur the lines of authenticity."
Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KOP  Free Report)  Singular Research issued their FY2024 earnings estimates for Koppers in a note issued to investors on Sunday, March 24th. Singular Research analyst M. Mathison anticipates that the specialty chemicals company will post earnings of $4.49 per share for the year. Singular Research has a Buy rating and a $67.50 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Koppers current full-year earnings is $4.59 per share. Singular Research also issued estimates for Koppers FY2025 earnings at $5.20 EPS.

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Koppers (NYSE:KOP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by ($0.05). Koppers had a net margin of 4.14% and a return on equity of 20.10%. The company had revenue of $513.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $483.67 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.09 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on KOP. Barrington Research restated an outperform rating and set a $64.00 target price on shares of Koppers in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. StockNews.com downgraded Koppers from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $60.50.

Read Our Latest Report on Koppers

Koppers Stock Performance

KOP stock opened at $55.12 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.16 billion, a PE ratio of 13.28 and a beta of 1.87. Koppers has a fifty-two week low of $28.45 and a fifty-two week high of $58.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 2.14 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $52.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.01.

Koppers Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th were paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.51%. This is a boost from Kopperss previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. Kopperss dividend payout ratio is currently 6.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO M Leroy Ball sold 5,000 shares of Koppers stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.51, for a total transaction of $267,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 323,080 shares in the company, valued at $17,288,010.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Koppers news, CEO M Leroy Ball sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.51, for a total transaction of $267,550.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 323,080 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,288,010.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Joseph P. Dowd sold 3,488 shares of Koppers stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.61, for a total transaction of $186,991.68. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 36,969 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,981,908.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 31,591 shares of company stock worth $1,700,094. Insiders own 7.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James & Associates grew its holdings in Koppers by 23.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 11,169 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $307,000 after acquiring an additional 2,101 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Koppers by 1.7% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 229,374 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $6,313,000 after buying an additional 3,781 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in Koppers by 11.1% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 18,887 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $520,000 after acquiring an additional 1,889 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in Koppers by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 7,518 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $212,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Koppers by 45.6% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 12,105 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 3,789 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.75% of the companys stock.

Koppers Company Profile

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Koppers Holdings Inc provides treated wood products, wood preservation chemicals, and carbon compounds in the United States, Australasia, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Railroad and Utility Products and Services (RUPS), Performance Chemicals (PC), and Carbon Materials and Chemicals (CMC) segments.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Free Report)  Zacks Research raised their Q4 2024 earnings per share estimates for shares of Core Laboratories in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, March 26th. Zacks Research analyst T. Saha now expects that the oil and gas company will post earnings of $0.25 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.24. The consensus estimate for Core Laboratories current full-year earnings is $0.81 per share.

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Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $128.21 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $127.80 million. Core Laboratories had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 8.03%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.23 earnings per share.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 5th. StockNews.com upgraded Core Laboratories from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Core Laboratories presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.88.

Read Our Latest Report on CLB

Core Laboratories Stock Up 0.5 %

CLB stock opened at $17.08 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $800.37 million, a PE ratio of 19.86, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 2.39. Core Laboratories has a 1-year low of $13.82 and a 1-year high of $27.94. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $15.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.61.

Institutional Trading of Core Laboratories

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 13.3% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,484 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $81,000 after buying an additional 410 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming lifted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 43.1% during the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 1,447 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 39,608 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,253,000 after buying an additional 481 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in Core Laboratories by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 57,142 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,260,000 after purchasing an additional 626 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morningstar Investment Services LLC increased its holdings in Core Laboratories by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 12,806 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $311,000 after purchasing an additional 740 shares in the last quarter. 97.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Core Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Monday, February 12th were given a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 9th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.23%. Core Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 4.65%.

About Core Laboratories

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Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock and reservoir fluid samples to enhance production and improve recovery of crude oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Taseko Mines (NYSE:TGB  Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday, StockNewsAPI reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet raised shares of Taseko Mines from a d rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th.

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Taseko Mines Stock Performance

TGB opened at $2.17 on Tuesday. Taseko Mines has a 12-month low of $1.05 and a 12-month high of $2.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $630.34 million, a PE ratio of 10.85 and a beta of 1.94. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.39.

Taseko Mines (NYSE:TGB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $112.90 million for the quarter. Taseko Mines had a return on equity of 11.54% and a net margin of 15.66%. On average, analysts anticipate that Taseko Mines will post 0.09 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Taseko Mines

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in Taseko Mines by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,576,072 shares of the companys stock worth $2,207,000 after purchasing an additional 197,287 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its stake in Taseko Mines by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 197,732 shares of the companys stock worth $279,000 after purchasing an additional 12,200 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Taseko Mines during the 4th quarter worth $350,000. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 10.4% during the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 357,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $501,000 after acquiring an additional 33,648 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE boosted its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 3,287.4% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 43,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 42,111 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.94% of the companys stock.

Taseko Mines Company Profile

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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.

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MBL Wealth LLC bought a new position in flyExclusive, Inc. (NYSE:FLYX  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 19,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $106,000. MBL Wealth LLC owned 0.19% of flyExclusive at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, BTIG Research downgraded shares of flyExclusive from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd.

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Insider Activity

flyExclusive Stock Performance

In other flyExclusive news, Director Gregg Hymowitz bought 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $1,000.00 per share, for a total transaction of $25,000,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 25,000 shares in the company, valued at $25,000,000. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . 57.07% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Shares of NYSE:FLYX traded down $0.23 on Friday, hitting $4.32. 166,928 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 102,922. The firms 50 day moving average price is $10.68. flyExclusive, Inc. has a one year low of $3.39 and a one year high of $24.21.

About flyExclusive

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flyExclusive, Inc owns and operates private jets in North America, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. The company also offers jet charter services; ownership and leaseback programs for aircraft buyers; and aircraft maintenance, repair, interior, and paint services. In addition, it provides jet cards, and interiors and exterior refurbishment services.

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Aeva Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AEVA  Get Free Report) CEO Soroush Salehian Dardashti sold 33,147 shares of Aeva Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.95, for a total transaction of $130,930.65. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 4,525,554 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,875,938.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink.

Soroush Salehian Dardashti also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, March 22nd, Soroush Salehian Dardashti sold 67,791 shares of Aeva Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.03, for a total transaction of $273,197.73.

On Wednesday, March 20th, Soroush Salehian Dardashti sold 75,791 shares of Aeva Technologies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.65, for a total transaction of $352,428.15.

Aeva Technologies Stock Up 11.2 %

AEVA stock opened at $3.94 on Friday. Aeva Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $2.33 and a twelve month high of $7.60. The firm has a market cap of $207.63 million, a PE ratio of -1.21 and a beta of 1.42. The business has a 50 day moving average of $4.78 and a 200 day moving average of $4.02.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Aeva Technologies ( NYSE:AEVA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 5th. The company reported ($0.70) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.75) by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.61 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.59 million. Aeva Technologies had a negative net margin of 3,463.20% and a negative return on equity of 52.88%. On average, research analysts expect that Aeva Technologies, Inc. will post -2.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on AEVA shares. Roth Mkm upped their target price on Aeva Technologies from $5.00 to $7.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Aeva Technologies to $5.10 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. Finally, Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $25.00 price objective on shares of Aeva Technologies in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $11.90.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aeva Technologies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sylebra Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aeva Technologies by 91.5% during the 4th quarter. Sylebra Capital LLC now owns 51,896,560 shares of the companys stock worth $39,322,000 after acquiring an additional 24,795,027 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Aeva Technologies by 16.6% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,957,850 shares of the companys stock worth $24,231,000 after purchasing an additional 1,841,986 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Aeva Technologies by 2.9% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,876,189 shares of the companys stock worth $3,595,000 after purchasing an additional 82,319 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Aeva Technologies by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,865,973 shares of the companys stock worth $2,221,000 after buying an additional 45,480 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its position in shares of Aeva Technologies by 249.7% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 1,212,233 shares of the companys stock worth $2,267,000 after acquiring an additional 865,543 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.92% of the companys stock.

About Aeva Technologies

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Aeva Technologies, Inc engages in the design, manufacturing, and sale of LiDAR sensing systems, and related perception and autonomy-enabling software solutions in the United States, Thailand, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company develops its products using frequency modulated continuous wave sensing technology.

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Aguia Resources Limited (CVE:AGRL  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 7.1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. 361,698 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the average session volume of 418,301 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.14.

Aguia Resources Stock Down 7.1 %

The stock has a market cap of C$24.14 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.00. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$0.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.13.

About Aguia Resources

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Aguia Resources Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource projects in Brazil. Its flagship Rio Grande phosphate assets include the Tres Estradas, Joca Tavares, Porteira carbonatite, and Cerro Preto deposits located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. Aguia Resources Limited was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

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Values First Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG  Free Report) by 2.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,822 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 374 shares during the quarter. American Financial Group makes up about 1.1% of Values First Advisors Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 25th largest position. Values First Advisors Inc.s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $1,881,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 1,096.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al now owns 20,481 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,287,000 after buying an additional 18,769 shares during the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $692,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 635,387 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $70,954,000 after purchasing an additional 24,630 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 30.8% during the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 43,952 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,909,000 after purchasing an additional 10,345 shares during the period. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 93.7% during the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 23,824 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,660,000 after purchasing an additional 11,522 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 5,176 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.00, for a total value of $626,296.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,372 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,490,012. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,053 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.81, for a total value of $260,340.93. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,554 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,157,132.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 5,176 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.00, for a total value of $626,296.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 45,372 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,490,012. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 14,843 shares of company stock valued at $1,854,746 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 14.60% of the companys stock.

American Financial Group Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of AFG traded down $0.32 during trading on Friday, reaching $136.48. The companys stock had a trading volume of 208,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 357,635. The company has a fifty day moving average of $125.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $117.88. American Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $105.22 and a twelve month high of $137.71. The company has a market cap of $11.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.57 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The insurance provider reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.81 by $0.03. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 22.14% and a net margin of 10.89%. The company had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.99 EPS. American Financial Groups quarterly revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 11.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a None dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th were given a $2.50 dividend. This is a positive change 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 is presently 28.26%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Janney Montgomery Scott assumed coverage on American Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. They set a buy rating and a $135.00 price target on the stock. Piper Sandler lowered American Financial Group from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $129.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on American Financial Group from $139.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $133.50.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AFG

About American Financial Group

(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.

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Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE:BIGZ  Free Report) by 33.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 77,715 shares of the companys stock after selling 39,650 shares during the period. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLCs holdings in BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust were worth $570,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $256,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $173,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 22,100 shares of the companys stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $132,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 787,666 shares of the companys stock worth $8,971,000 after buying an additional 11,038 shares in the last quarter.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 152,676 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 25th. The shares were bought at an average price of $7.98 per share, for a total transaction of $1,218,354.48. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 51,571,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $411,541,511.64. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders purchased a total of 4,401,388 shares of company stock worth $34,508,927 in the last quarter.

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust Stock Up 0.9 %

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust Cuts Dividend

BIGZ stock traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $8.14. The company had a trading volume of 1,217,320 shares, compared to its average volume of 768,563. BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust has a 1 year low of $6.21 and a 1 year high of $8.35. The company has a 50 day moving average of $7.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.35.

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a $0.0445 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.53 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.55%.

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust is a mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc and managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust is based in United States.

Further Reading

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) shares shot up 1.8% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $54.48 and last traded at $54.23. 14,348,196 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 31% from the average session volume of 20,769,094 shares. The stock had previously closed at $53.25.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on BMY. Bank of America cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Societe Generale cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, March 11th. Redburn Atlantic cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.12.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $109.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.38. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $50.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.44. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The firm had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.82 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to purchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bristol-Myers Squibb

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.8% during the second quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd now owns 9,161 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% during the third quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 5,691 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Vicus Capital lifted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.9% in the third quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 4,824 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $280,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.3% in the third quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,931 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $460,000 after buying an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.3% in the third quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 8,060 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $468,000 after buying an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 107,420,000 shares, a growth of 229.2% from the February 29th total of 32,630,000 shares. Currently, 10.2% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 2,930,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 36.7 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Canadian Natural Resources from $101.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $94.00.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Natural Resources

Canadian Natural Resources Stock Up 1.1 %

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CNQ. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources during the 1st quarter valued at $960,796,000. Capital International Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 103.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 9,819,333 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $643,348,000 after buying an additional 4,989,634 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources by 24.4% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 21,562,341 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,419,556,000 after purchasing an additional 4,224,598 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD bought a new position in Canadian Natural Resources in the 4th quarter worth $212,078,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources by 1,606.4% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,703,000 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $177,952,000 after purchasing an additional 2,544,593 shares during the period. 74.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock traded up $0.85 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $76.32. The company had a trading volume of 2,002,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,869,146. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.78 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a 50 day moving average of $66.97 and a 200 day moving average of $65.51. Canadian Natural Resources has a 52-week low of $52.66 and a 52-week high of $76.56.

Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.72 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.59 by $0.13. Canadian Natural Resources had a return on equity of 21.74% and a net margin of 20.15%. The business had revenue of $7.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.73 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Canadian Natural Resources will post 5.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.774 per share. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.06%. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.25%.

About Canadian Natural Resources

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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By Anna J. Park

Hana Financial Group has formed a strategic partnership with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, aiming to help global businesses expand in Europe, the financial giant announced Friday.

Through the business agreement, the two companies plan to strengthen mutual cooperation across Europe in various sectors, including corporate and investment banking, treasury, trade financing and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) financing.

Their partnership also holds a particular significance, as both companies entered each other's markets in the same year in 1974 as the first banks from their respective countries to do so, exactly 50 years ago.

Hana Financial Group Vice Chairman Lee Eun-hyung and Credit Agricole CIB's CEO Xavier Musca attended the signing ceremony of the MOU agreement held at the French financial groups headquarters located in Montrouge, France, on Wednesday local time.

Hana Financial Group explained that the talks for the collaboration between the two financial institutions began during Lee's visit to Credit Agricole's London branch last September, when the vice chairman proposed building the mutual strategic partnership in Europe.

"With the two financial firms each having built longstanding trust in Korea and France, joining hands together, the global standing of Hana Financial Group is expected to be further elevated in the European financial market. As the two institutions jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of entering into markets of France and Korea, Hana Financial Group will make every effort to ensure that this agreement creates significant achievements and synergy for the next 50 years," Lee said.

Hana Bank is not only the first Korean bank to make a foray into France but also the first domestic lender to enter the European market. It opened its London branch in 1968 and has been operating its Paris branch since 1974. It has the largest number of channels in seven European countries, leading the Korean financial industry's advancement overseas.

Credit Agricole CIB is the investment banking arm of Credit Agricole Group, a leading financial group in France and Europe. Credit Agricole Group was the first French bank to open and operate a banking branch in Korea in 1974.

Following the agreement with Credit Agricole, Hana plans to accelerate business expansion in Europe. The IB desk and global fund center at its London branch will continue expanding. It will also keep channel expansion in Europe, including the opening of Budapest office in Hungary and a branch in Poland, scheduled to open around the end of this year, to create diverse synergetic effects in Europe.

Hana has been expanding the scope of its global business, advancing into 26 regions around the world. It has been bolstering partnership with top financial players in each region and sector since last year, including Taiwan's CTBC, State Bank of India and Saudi EXIM.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA  Get Free Report) insider Lynette Cobley acquired 1,000 shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of A$116.43 ($76.10) per share, with a total value of A$116,434.00 ($76,100.65).

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Performance

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Interim dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 27th were given a $2.15 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.88%. This is a positive change from Commonwealth Bank of Australias previous Interim dividend of $2.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 20th. Commonwealth Bank of Australias dividend payout ratio is presently 74.78%.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Company Profile

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans.

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Community Bank of the Bay (OTCMKTS:CBYAA  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 1.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $7.38 and last traded at $7.38. 7,550 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 34% from the average session volume of 11,406 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.29.

Community Bank of the Bay Price Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average is $7.68 and its 200-day moving average is $7.60.

Community Bank of the Bay Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Community Bank of the Bay provides various banking services to individuals and businesses in the greater San Francisco Bay area. It offers checking, savings, and money market products, as well as certificates of deposit; funds; and loan products comprising business and term loans, lines of credit, letter of credit, commercial and industrial, real estate, non-profit, and construction and land loans, as well as small business administration loans.

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Cooper-Standard (NYSE:CPS  Get Free Report) and Canoo (NYSE:GOEV  Get Free Report) are both small-cap auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Cooper-Standard and Canoos top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cooper-Standard $2.82 billion 0.10 -$201.99 million ($11.69) -1.42 Canoo N/A N/A -$487.69 million ($18.16) -0.20

Cooper-Standard has higher revenue and earnings than Canoo. Cooper-Standard is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canoo, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cooper-Standard -7.17% -271.44% -4.27% Canoo N/A -122.06% -53.03%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

This table compares Cooper-Standard and Canoos net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

69.1% of Cooper-Standard shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 36.2% of Canoo shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.2% of Cooper-Standard shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.7% of Canoo shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Cooper-Standard and Canoo, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cooper-Standard 0 0 0 0 N/A Canoo 0 0 4 0 3.00

Canoo has a consensus price target of $49.19, suggesting a potential upside of 1,277.80%. Given Canoos higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Canoo is more favorable than Cooper-Standard.

Risk & Volatility

Cooper-Standard has a beta of 2.86, meaning that its stock price is 186% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Canoo has a beta of 1.17, meaning that its stock price is 17% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Cooper-Standard beats Canoo on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Cooper-Standard

(Get Free Report)

Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., through its subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc., manufactures and sells sealing, fuel and brake delivery, and fluid transfer systems in the United States, Mexico, China, Poland, Canada, Germany, France, and internationally. The company offers sealing systems, including dynamic seals, static seals, encapsulated glasses, textured surfaces with cloth appearance, obstacle detection sensor systems, FlushSeal systems, variable extrusions, specialty sealing products, stainless steel trims, and frameless systems. It also provides fuel and brake delivery systems comprising chassis and tank fuel lines and bundles, metallic brake lines and bundles, quick connects, low oligomer multi-layer convoluted tubes, brake jounce lines, direct injection and port fuel rails, MagAlloy break tube coating, and ArmorTube brake tube coating. In addition, the company offers fluid transfer systems, such as heater/coolant hoses, turbo charger hoses, charged air cooler ducts/assemblies, diesel particulate filter lines, secondary air hoses, degas tanks and deaerators, brake and clutch hoses, air intake and discharge systems, transmission oil cooling hoses, high temperature MLTs, and multilayer tubing for glycol thermal management. Its products are primarily used in passenger vehicles and light trucks that are manufactured by automotive original equipment manufacturers and replacement markets. Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Northville, Michigan.

About Canoo

(Get Free Report)

Canoo Inc., a mobility technology company, designs, engineers, develops, and manufactures electric vehicles for commercial and consumer markets in the United States. The company offers lifestyle delivery vehicles, lifestyle vehicles, multi-purpose delivery vehicles, and pickups. It also provides multi-purpose platform architecture is a self-contained, fully functional rolling chassis that directly houses the critical components for operation of an EV. Canoo Inc. was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Torrance, California.

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SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 4.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,976 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,125 shares during the quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $1,101,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of DVN. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Devon Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Devon Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in Devon Energy by 60.7% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 675 shares of the energy companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares in the last quarter. 69.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on DVN. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Devon Energy from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Citigroup raised their price objective on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 18th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $55.00 price target on shares of Devon Energy in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $61.00 to $59.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Five equities research 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 has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.19.

Devon Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DVN traded up $0.72 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $50.18. 9,259,379 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,929,797. Devon Energy Co. has a one year low of $40.47 and a one year high of $56.19. The companys 50 day moving average is $44.45 and its 200 day moving average is $45.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.61 and a beta of 2.18.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The energy company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.02. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 31.72% and a net margin of 24.56%. The firm had revenue of $4.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.88 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.66 EPS. The companys revenue was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Devon Energy Co. will post 4.83 EPS for the current year.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th were issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.51%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. Devon Energys payout ratio is presently 15.09%.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Shares of First Mexican Gold Corp (CVE:FMG  Get Free Report) dropped 2.5% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$0.39 and last traded at C$0.40. Approximately 58,211 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 55% from the average daily volume of 37,447 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41.

First Mexican Gold Trading Down 2.5 %

The business has a 50 day moving average of C$0.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.62, a quick ratio of 0.05 and a current ratio of 0.05. The firm has a market capitalization of C$17.52 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -131.67.

About First Mexican Gold

(Get Free Report)

First Mexican Gold Corp. through its subsidiary, Cornelius exploration S. de R.L. de C.V., engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. It explores for gold and silver deposits. The company holds interests in the Hilda Properties comprising the Hilda 30 property; the Hilda 37/38 property with two mining exploration concessions; and the Hilda 31/32 property with three mining exploration concessions comprising a total area of 1,350 hectares in the Yecora District, State of Sonora, Mexico.

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GenTrust LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (NYSEARCA:EWS  Free Report) by 23.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,560 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 5,600 shares during the quarter. GenTrust LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF were worth $553,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWS. Ameliora Wealth Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. FMR LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 92.7% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,291 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,583 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $137,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $233,000. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI Singapore ETF by 19.9% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 12,767 shares of the companys stock worth $234,000 after acquiring an additional 2,121 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Price Performance

Shares of EWS stock opened at $18.36 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $18.04 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $18.07. iShares MSCI Singapore ETF has a one year low of $17.22 and a one year high of $20.31. The company has a market capitalization of $494.80 million, a P/E ratio of 13.86 and a beta of 0.81.

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund (ETF). The Funds seeks investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Singapore Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Singapore Stock Exchange.

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Gradient Investments LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (NYSEARCA:CRBN  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 9,280 shares of the companys stock after selling 184 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLC owned 0.17% of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF worth $1,536,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CRBN. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $60,983,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in 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 worth $32,873,000 after purchasing an additional 228,410 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 131.2% during the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 52,161 shares of the companys stock worth $6,606,000 after buying an additional 29,599 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in 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 buying an additional 22,644 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its stake 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 buying an additional 10,575 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF Trading Up 0.1 %

iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF stock traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $179.49. The stock had a trading volume of 48,940 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,450. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $172.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $162.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $996.18 million, a PE ratio of 15.43 and a beta of 0.94. iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF has a 12 month low of $143.49 and a 12 month high of $180.20.

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.

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HydrogenPro ASA (OTC:HYPRF  Get Free Report) and Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, risk and earnings.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

85.9% of Crane shares are held by institutional investors. 2.4% of Crane shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares HydrogenPro ASA and Cranes top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio HydrogenPro ASA N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Crane $2.09 billion 3.70 $401.10 million $3.69 36.62

Profitability

Crane has higher revenue and earnings than HydrogenPro ASA.

This table compares HydrogenPro ASA and Cranes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets HydrogenPro ASA N/A N/A N/A Crane 13.10% 24.45% 10.14%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for HydrogenPro ASA and Crane, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score HydrogenPro ASA 0 0 0 0 N/A Crane 0 3 5 0 2.63

Crane has a consensus target price of $113.67, indicating a potential downside of 15.88%. Given Cranes higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Crane is more favorable than HydrogenPro ASA.

Summary

Crane beats HydrogenPro ASA on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About HydrogenPro ASA

(Get Free Report)

HydrogenPro ASA designs and supplies customized hydrogen plants. It provides high-pressure alkaline electrolysers. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Porsgrunn, Norway.

About Crane

(Get Free Report)

Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts for commercial aerospace, as well as the military aerospace, defense, and space markets. This segment also offers pressure sensors for aircraft engine control, aircraft braking systems for commercial aircraft and fighter jets, power conversion solutions for spacecraft, and lubrication systems. The Process Flow Technologies segment provides engineered fluid handling equipment for mission-critical applications. It offers process valves and related products, such as lined pipe, fittings and hoses, air-operated diaphragm and peristaltic pumps, instrumentation and sampling systems, valve positioning and control systems, and valve diagnostic and calibration systems; commercial valves; and pumps and systems. The Engineered Materials segment manufactures fiberglass-reinforced plastic panels and coils for use in the manufacturing of recreational vehicles, as well as in commercial and industrial building applications. This segment sells directly to RV, trailer, and truck manufacturers, as well as through distributors and retailers. The company provides its products and solutions to end markets, including commercial and military aerospace, defense, and space; chemical and pharmaceutical production; water and wastewater; non-residential and municipal construction; energy; and other general industrial and consumer-related applications. The company was formerly known as Crane Holdings, Co. Crane Company was founded in 1855 and is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

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Iluka Resources Limited (OTCMKTS:ILKAF  Get Free Report) shares shot up 3.7% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $4.51 and last traded at $4.47. 500 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 43% from the average session volume of 350 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.31.

Iluka Resources Price Performance

The companys 50 day moving average price is $4.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.67.

Iluka Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Iluka Resources Limited engages in the exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation of mineral sands in Australia, China, rest of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and internationally. It operates through Jacinth-Ambrosia/Mid-West, Cataby/South West, Rare Earths, and United States/Murray Basin segments.

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Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE:TDOC  Get Free Report) insider Arnnon Geshuri sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.06, for a total value of $112,950.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 38,470 shares in the company, valued at $579,358.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Teladoc Health Stock Performance

Shares of Teladoc Health stock opened at $15.10 on Friday. Teladoc Health, Inc. has a 12-month low of $14.29 and a 12-month high of $30.41. The company has a current ratio of 3.54, a quick ratio of 3.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The businesss 50 day moving average is $17.51 and its 200-day moving average is $18.58.

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Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The health services provider reported ($0.17) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.22) by $0.05. Teladoc Health had a negative net margin of 8.47% and a negative return on equity of 9.22%. The firm had revenue of $660.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $670.79 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.23) earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Teladoc Health, Inc. will post -1.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on TDOC shares. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Teladoc Health from $30.00 to $25.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Teladoc Health from $26.00 to $25.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. SVB Leerink assumed coverage on Teladoc Health in a report on Monday, February 26th. They set a market perform rating and a $17.00 price objective on the stock. DA Davidson cut their price objective on shares of Teladoc Health from $22.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on Teladoc Health from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $22.43.

View Our Latest Report on TDOC

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teladoc Health

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TDOC. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Teladoc Health during the 3rd quarter worth $3,675,000. Deutsche Bank AG raised its stake in Teladoc Health by 12.4% in the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 301,147 shares of the health services providers stock worth $5,598,000 after purchasing an additional 33,287 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Teladoc Health in the 3rd quarter worth about $392,000. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Teladoc Health during the 3rd quarter valued at $680,000. Finally, Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in Teladoc Health during the second quarter worth about $6,772,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.82% of the companys stock.

Teladoc Health Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Teladoc Health, Inc provides virtual healthcare services worldwide. The company operates through Teladoc Health Integrated Care and BetterHelp segments. The Integrated Care segment offers virtual medical services, including general medical, expert medical, specialty medical, chronic condition management, and mental health, as well as enabling technologies and enterprise telehealth solutions for hospitals and health systems.

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North Korea has been accelerating a project to construct regional factories, with mobilized troops completing excavation work so that modernized factories can be built, state media reported Friday.

Ordered by its leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea kicked off a project last month to build modernized factories in 20 counties over the next decade to raise the "basic material and cultural living standards of the people."

The construction of factories is picking up pace as mobilized troops have been in a "socialist competition" to carry out the project, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The report said they've completed work to excavate the grounds for the factories and started concrete placement.

North Korea is presumed to have mobilized around 40,000 troops by creating a total of 20 interim military groups, called the 124th regiments, according to Seoul's unification ministry.

Last month, the North's leader attended a ceremony to start the construction of a factory in Songchon County, South Pyongan Province, saying the project could help millions of people improve their livelihoods.

The South Korean government has voiced skepticism over the North's regional development plan, raising questions about whether the resource-scarce country would have sufficient equipment and funds to implement the project. (Yonhap)
iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class (TSE:CDZ  Get Free Report) shares were up 1% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$31.89 and last traded at C$31.89. Approximately 15,074 shares changed hands during 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 Stock Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is C$31.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$30.08.

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JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE:JKS  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 4.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $23.63 and last traded at $23.60. 184,566 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 934,610 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.51.

Analyst Ratings Changes

JKS has been the subject of several research reports. Roth Capital lowered shares of JinkoSolar from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, March 21st. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded JinkoSolar from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $25.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Roth Mkm restated a neutral rating and issued a $25.00 target price (down from $50.00) on shares of JinkoSolar in a report on Thursday, March 21st. HSBC reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of JinkoSolar in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on JinkoSolar from $31.00 to $30.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, JinkoSolar presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.20.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on JKS

JinkoSolar Trading Up 1.8 %

Hedge Funds Weigh In On JinkoSolar

The firm has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $26.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $29.89.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of JKS. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of JinkoSolar by 65.7% during the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,026,002 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $61,530,000 after purchasing an additional 803,164 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of JinkoSolar by 116.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,036,954 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $46,020,000 after buying an additional 558,962 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of JinkoSolar by 22.6% during the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,678,032 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $78,895,000 after acquiring an additional 493,976 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of JinkoSolar by 16.2% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,632,512 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $127,123,000 after acquiring an additional 366,251 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of JinkoSolar by 116.3% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 656,938 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $45,447,000 after acquiring an additional 353,154 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 35.82% of the companys stock.

About JinkoSolar

(Get Free Report)

JinkoSolar Holding Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of photovoltaic products. The company offers solar modules, silicon wafers, solar cells, recovered silicon materials, and silicon ingots. It also provides solar system integration services; and develops commercial solar power projects.

Further Reading

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Mizuho started coverage on shares of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS  Free Report) in a research note released on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $70.00 price target on the casino operators stock.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, March 12th. Susquehanna began coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a report on Friday, December 15th. They issued a positive rating and a $59.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $59.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $68.90.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on LVS

Las Vegas Sands Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:LVS opened at $51.70 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $51.82 and a 200-day moving average of $49.14. The company has a market capitalization of $38.96 billion, a PE ratio of 32.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.31. Las Vegas Sands has a 52-week low of $43.77 and a 52-week high of $65.58.

Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The casino operator reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.61 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.89 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 34.40% and a net margin of 11.77%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 161.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.19) earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands will post 2.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Las Vegas Sands Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 6th were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 5th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.55%. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio is presently 50.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling 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 shares were sold at an average price of $52.06, for a total value of $5,206,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 172,801 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,996,020.06. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Las Vegas Sands

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 13.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 36,898,186 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,815,760,000 after purchasing an additional 4,264,043 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 20.8% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 31,638,753 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,556,945,000 after purchasing an additional 5,439,735 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 23,298,767 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,338,514,000 after purchasing an additional 330,221 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,898,679 shares of the casino operators stock worth $540,242,000 after purchasing an additional 394,616 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Las Vegas Sands by 6.4% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 11,275,127 shares of the casino operators stock worth $554,849,000 after buying an additional 680,575 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.16% of the companys stock.

Las Vegas Sands Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Truist Financial reaffirmed their hold rating on shares of Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Free Report) in a research note released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $16.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Macerich from $12.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Citigroup raised Macerich from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the stock from $8.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. StockNews.com raised Macerich from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Macerich from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $14.40.

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View Our Latest Report on Macerich

Macerich Price Performance

Macerich stock opened at $17.20 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.54, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 2.33. Macerich has a 52-week low of $9.05 and a 52-week high of $17.69. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $16.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95.

Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by ($0.26). Macerich had a negative return on equity of 10.26% and a negative net margin of 31.00%. The business had revenue of $238.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $224.49 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.53 earnings per share. Macerichs quarterly revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Macerich will post 1.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Macerich Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were given a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. Macerichs payout ratio is currently -53.54%.

Insider Activity at Macerich

In related news, Director Hern Thomas E. O sold 7,964 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.39, for a total value of $130,529.96. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 197,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,243,581. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, President Edward C. Coppola sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.20, for a total transaction of $860,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 655,667 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,277,472.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Hern Thomas E. O sold 7,964 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.39, for a total value of $130,529.96. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 197,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,243,581. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 152,964 shares of company stock valued at $2,599,830. 0.57% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Macerich

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Macerich by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 19,322 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $298,000 after purchasing an additional 1,333 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Macerich by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 34,478,278 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $532,000,000 after purchasing an additional 336,251 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Macerich during the 4th quarter valued at $18,938,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Macerich by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 139,699 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,156,000 after purchasing an additional 4,466 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new position in shares of Macerich during the 4th quarter worth $173,000. 87.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Macerich Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Macerich is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). As a leading owner, operator and developer of high-quality retail real estate in densely populated and attractive U.S. markets, Macerich's portfolio is concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and the Metro New York to Washington, DC corridor.

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Shares of OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $50.85.

OMF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Northland Securities lowered shares of OneMain from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $46.00 to $49.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on OneMain from $43.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of OneMain in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $68.00 price target on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of OneMain from $57.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of OneMain from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on OMF

OneMain Stock Performance

OMF stock opened at $51.10 on Friday. OneMain has a one year low of $33.67 and a one year high of $51.65. The company has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a PE ratio of 9.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.65. The companys 50 day moving average price is $47.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $43.88.

OneMain (NYSE:OMF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.02. OneMain had a net margin of 14.04% and a return on equity of 21.07%. The business had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $913.90 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.56 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that OneMain will post 5.75 EPS for the current year.

OneMain Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. OneMains dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 75.19%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On OneMain

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in OneMain by 43.2% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 200,354 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $9,500,000 after buying an additional 60,428 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in OneMain by 106.2% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 13,392 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $635,000 after purchasing an additional 6,898 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in OneMain during the first quarter valued at about $534,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in OneMain by 72.6% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 49,082 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,336,000 after buying an additional 20,646 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of OneMain during the 1st quarter valued at about $104,000. 85.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

OneMain Company Profile

(Get Free Report

OneMain Holdings, Inc, a financial service holding company, engages in the consumer finance and insurance businesses in the United States. It originates, underwrites, and services personal loans secured by automobiles, other titled collateral, or unsecured. The company also offers credit cards; optional credit insurance products, including life, disability, and involuntary unemployment insurance; optional non-credit insurance; guaranteed asset protection coverage as a waiver product or insurance; and membership plans.

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Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC lowered its stake in The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY  Free Report) by 25.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,432 shares of the companys stock after selling 490 shares during the quarter. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLCs holdings in Hershey were worth $267,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in Hershey in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Hershey by 121.3% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 135 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in shares of Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.96% of the companys stock.

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Hershey Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of HSY stock traded up $0.79 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $194.50. 1,585,082 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,635,467. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The Hershey Company has a 12-month low of $178.82 and a 12-month high of $276.88. The companys 50-day moving average price is $193.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $192.80.

Hershey Increases Dividend

Hershey ( NYSE:HSY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.95 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $2.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.72 billion. Hershey had a net margin of 16.67% and a return on equity of 51.79%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.02 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that The Hershey Company will post 9.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a $1.37 dividend. This represents a $5.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.82%. This is a boost from Hersheys previous quarterly dividend of $1.19. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Hersheys payout ratio is 60.55%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $213.00 price target on shares of Hershey in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Hershey from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $235.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Hershey from $190.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. DA Davidson began coverage on shares of Hershey in a research note on Friday, December 8th. They issued a neutral rating and a $205.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut shares of Hershey from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $191.00 to $183.00 in a research note on Monday, February 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $225.48.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on HSY

Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey

In other news, insider Charles R. Raup sold 2,065 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.85, for a total value of $396,170.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 14,770 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,833,624.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $188.97, for a total value of $283,455.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 29,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,634,329.52. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Charles R. Raup sold 2,065 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.85, for a total transaction of $396,170.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 14,770 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,833,624.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 5,518 shares of company stock valued at $1,066,414 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Hershey Profile

(Free Report)

The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels.

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Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP  Get Free Report) (TSE:SHOP)s share price traded down 1.8% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $77.00 and last traded at $77.17. 4,260,950 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 38% from the average session volume of 6,829,506 shares. The stock had previously closed at $78.62.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. TD Securities boosted their target price on Shopify from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Shopify from $65.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. DA Davidson lifted their price target on Shopify from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on Shopify from $56.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, DZ Bank restated a sell rating and issued a $65.00 target price on shares of Shopify in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty have issued a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $76.42.

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Shopify Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 6.99 and a current ratio of 6.99. The company has a market capitalization of $99.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 857.54 and a beta of 2.22. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $79.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.04.

Shopify (NYSE:SHOP  Get Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The software maker reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.04. Shopify had a net margin of 1.87% and a return on equity of 4.48%. The firm had revenue of $2.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.07 billion. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Shopify Inc. will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Shopify

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in SHOP. Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Shopify during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Shopify by 59.1% during the 4th quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 350 shares of the software makers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Shopify during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. DSM Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Shopify during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new position in shares of Shopify during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. 69.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Shopify

(Get Free Report)

Shopify Inc, a commerce company, provides a commerce platform and services in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, China, and Latin America. The company's platform enables merchants to displays, manages, markets, and sells its products through various sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, physical retail locations, pop-up shops, social media storefronts, native mobile apps, buy buttons, and marketplaces; and enables to manage products and inventory, process orders and payments, fulfill and ship orders, new buyers and build customer relationships, source products, leverage analytics and reporting, manage cash, payments and transactions, and access financing.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 61,400 shares, a decrease of 40.0% from the February 29th total of 102,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 379,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Stock Down 2.4 %

Shares of USNZY stock traded down $0.05 on Friday, hitting $1.95. 3,992 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 147,135. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 3.25 and a quick ratio of 1.89. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $1.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.66. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais has a one year low of $1.10 and a one year high of $2.23.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The basic materials company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $1.37 billion for the quarter. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais had a return on equity of 10.51% and a net margin of 8.90%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais will post 0.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Company Profile

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA manufactures and markets flat steel products in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Mining and Logistics, Steel Metallurgy, and Steel Transformation. It extracts and process iron ore, such as pellet and sinter feed and, granulated iron ore; provides storage, handling, and road cargo transportation services; and operates highway and railway cargo terminals.

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Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB  Free Report)  Wedbush issued their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for Prosperity Bancshares in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, March 27th. Wedbush analyst D. Chiaverini expects that the bank will earn $1.29 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Prosperity Bancshares current full-year earnings is $5.06 per share. Wedbush also issued estimates for Prosperity Bancshares Q2 2025 earnings at $1.41 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.53 EPS and Q4 2025 earnings at $1.52 EPS.

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Several other brokerages have also commented on PB. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Prosperity Bancshares from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $69.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $65.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $70.00 price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a report on Friday, March 8th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $68.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $68.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $68.79.

Prosperity Bancshares Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:PB opened at $65.78 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $63.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.57. Prosperity Bancshares has a 52 week low of $49.60 and a 52 week high of $68.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.52, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.93.

Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The bank reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.04. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 26.24% and a return on equity of 6.62%. The company had revenue of $413.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $279.34 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.51 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of Prosperity Bancshares

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PB. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 3.1% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 5,935 shares of the banks stock worth $411,000 after buying an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Prosperity Bancshares by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 19,485 shares of the banks stock worth $1,353,000 after purchasing an additional 2,102 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Prosperity Bancshares in the 1st quarter worth approximately $274,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in Prosperity Bancshares by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 33,779 shares of the banks stock worth $2,344,000 after purchasing an additional 3,222 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Prosperity Bancshares by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,212,796 shares of the banks stock worth $569,805,000 after purchasing an additional 244,440 shares during the period. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Prosperity Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.56 per share. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Prosperity Bancsharess payout ratio is 49.45%.

About Prosperity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery.

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The United States had believed that North Korea's demand for light water reactors in return for dismantling its nuclear facilities could be a "significant opening" to resolving Pyongyang's nuclear issues, declassified documents showed Friday.

The 30-year-old diplomatic dossiers, released by the South Korean government, show a glimpse behind the whirlwind diplomacy in 1993, also known as the "first North Korean nuclear crisis" that began when the North declared that it would withdraw from the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an international treaty on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

In March 12, the North said it would drop out of the treaty, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) pressuring for a special inspection of its nuclear facilities and the Team Spirit joint military drills between the South and the U.S.

The North's threat led to Washington and Pyongyang holding high-level talks later that year and the ensuing grueling negotiations in Geneva that paved the way for the now-defunct landmark Agreed Framework in 1994 on dismantling the North's nuclear programs.

The first round of the high-level talks took place in New York in June, led by Robert Gallucci, the then U.S. assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs, and Kang Sok-ju, the North's first vice foreign minister.

The talks had hit a deadlock at first, but the working-level talks made headway, with the two sides adopting a joint statement on the North's postponement of its NPT withdrawal and the U.S. commitment to the non-use of military power against the North, among other terms.

During the second round of the high-level talks in Geneva in July, the North proposed that "all nuclear issues will be resolved if the U.S. cooperates in the North's transition of its graphite-moderated nuclear reactors to light water models," the documents said.

Gallucci and his team believed that the North's offer could be conducive to a potential breakthrough, according to the dossier.

In the talks with then South Korean Foreign Minister Han Seung-joo, Gallucci said that the dialogue with the North made "a small but important progress," and that the light water reactors issue can be a "significant opening" for both Seoul and Washington.

But South Korea remained doubtful about the North's intent.

In the meeting with Congressman Gary Ackerman in Pyongyang, Kim Il-sung assured that his regime had "no nuclear weapons, no ability to produce any, nor has it any reason or motive or money to produce them."

Hearing this from Ackerman, then President Kim Young-sam called that a "complete lie," saying that the satellites and other intelligence show how the North is "making every effort to make the nuclear weapons."

The 1994 agreement committed the North to freezing and ultimately dismantling its nuclear program in exchange for two light water reactors for power generation and the normalization of relations with the United States.

But it fell apart with the second nuclear crisis in late 2002, with revelations that Pyongyang had pursued a clandestine uranium enrichment program. The six-party talks were then launched in 2003 to defuse the crisis, but the nuclear standoff remains ongoing. (Yonhap)
Ban Ki-moon: We face common challenges, we should share responsibilities

15:58, March 29, 2024 By Kwizela Aristide Basebya ( People's Daily Online

Ban Ki-moon, chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) and former United Nations secretary-general, addresses the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/ Guo Cheng)

Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, reviewed the challenges facing the world today and encouraged guests to think dialectically about reality and create a future with responsible actions in a speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 on March 28 in Boao, south Chinas Hainan Province.

Ban, who is also chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, recalled that working in the United Nations for many years has allowed him to witness both good times and hard times. He said when the "good times" come, the world enjoys the benefits of global peace dividends and rapid globalization; when the "bad days" come, the world is divided into opposing camps and blocks.

We must not return to the bad days in any case, and the only way forward is solidarity, cooperation, multilateralism, globalization, and an open world economy, he said.

Ban said that the global crisis forces the world to work together, and insisted that when facing common challenges, the world should also share responsibilities.

He called on the leaders of Asia and the world present at the Boao Forum to stand up, say what should be said, and act decisively, so as to create a future with words and deeds and live up to people's expectations.

He said that the imminent climate crisis prompted countries to reach a historic consensus at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, but reality requires the world to take more effective actions to make more progress.

He said that the uncertain trends in geopolitics and geo-economics are worrying; global supply, trade and investment flows are being reorganized, and inclusive globalization is being sacrificed.

This photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
South Korea slammed Russia's "irresponsible" veto blocking the renewal of a panel of UN experts monitoring international sanctions on North Korea, with the vote following accusations Pyongyang is aiding Moscow in its war in Ukraine.

South Korea "clearly points out that the Russian Federation, despite its status as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has made an irresponsible decision," Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement. (AFP)
Procyon Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of PPL Co. (NYSE:PPL  Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,083 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,183 shares during the quarter. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in PPL were worth $490,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC raised its stake in PPL by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 11,025 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 643 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in PPL by 19.9% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 857,311 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $23,233,000 after purchasing an additional 142,136 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its stake in PPL by 282.4% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 177,595 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,813,000 after purchasing an additional 131,152 shares during the period. Bangor Savings Bank raised its stake in PPL by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 24,179 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $655,000 after purchasing an additional 934 shares during the period. Finally, Insight Folios Inc raised its stake in PPL by 7.2% during the 4th quarter. Insight Folios Inc now owns 209,647 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,681,000 after purchasing an additional 14,145 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.99% of the companys stock.

PPL Trading Up 0.4 %

PPL opened at $27.53 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $20.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.53, a PEG ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. PPL Co. has a 12 month low of $22.20 and a 12 month high of $29.03. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $26.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.89.

PPL Increases Dividend

PPL ( NYSE:PPL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.02. PPL had a return on equity of 8.45% and a net margin of 8.90%. The company had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.56 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.28 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that PPL Co. will post 1.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a $0.2575 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This is a positive change from PPLs previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.03 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.74%. PPLs dividend payout ratio is currently 103.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on PPL shares. Barclays lifted their price objective on PPL from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. Argus raised PPL from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $30.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on PPL from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $30.00 target price on shares of PPL in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of PPL in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, PPL has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $32.67.

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About PPL

(Free Report)

PPL Corporation, an energy company, focuses on providing electricity and natural gas to approximately 3.6 million customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated. The company delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Rhode Island; delivers natural gas to customers in Kentucky and Rhode Island; and generates electricity from power plants in Kentucky.

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Procyon Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) by 2.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,216 shares of the companys stock after selling 54 shares during the quarter. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $536,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Constellation Brands by 1,175.0% in the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 102 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the period. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Asset Dedication LLC grew its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 3,833.3% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. 77.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Constellation Brands

In other Constellation Brands news, major shareholder Family Foundation Sands sold 354,616 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.26, for a total value of $88,746,200.16. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 54,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,629,409.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 16.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Constellation Brands Price Performance

STZ stock opened at $271.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $253.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $246.36. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 1 year low of $217.05 and a 1 year high of $273.65. The firm has a market cap of $49.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.96.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 5th. The company reported $3.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.03 by $0.16. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.35% and a net margin of 14.76%. The company had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.54 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.83 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 7th. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is 42.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on STZ. Piper Sandler began coverage on Constellation Brands in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $300.00 target price on the stock. TheStreet lowered Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Wednesday. Bank of America raised their price objective on Constellation Brands from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 18th. Finally, Argus downgraded Constellation Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $290.37.

View Our Latest Analysis on STZ

About Constellation Brands

(Free Report)

Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Primary school pupils across the North West have graduated, alongside their parents, from the Ulster University Bring Your Grown-Up Programme.

Some 40 adults and 40 children from schools across Derry and the Causeway Coast area were honoured this week at the final Bring Your Grown-Up session, which followed seven classes designed to inspire parents and guardians to get involved in their childs numeracy and mathematics learning.

Funded by the Department for the Economy and delivered by experienced teachers, the Ulster University School of Education programme aims to engage adults, including parents, to build their confidence and competence in numeracy through a series of collaborative classes and tasks demonstrating how numeracy relates to everyday life.

As well as increasing parental participation in education, Bring Your Grown-Up was an opportunity to engage with newcomer families and those who homeschool their children, promoting active and collaborative learning between the parents and their children.

The parents and pupils who took part were joined by Professor Paul Bartholomew, Ulster University Vice-Chancellor and project leads Dr Aideen Hunter and Dr Shauna McGill from the School of Education, Ulster University Coleraine, for the final session on Tuesday 19 March.

The event involved a carousel of engaging and fun numeracy learning activities for the children, including an interactive dance mat multiplication session with Katrina Bradley, founder of local company Numerasee and Ulster University 25@25 Leadership Programme participant and a session with the Izak 9 maths team.

Parents also participated in a class about growth mindset and attitudes towards numeracy and mathematics in daily life, before the groups came together to receive medals and certificates.

Supporting parents for learning at home

Parents were provided with a range of online and offline, physical resources including a tablet loaded with the Ed app which Numerasee developed as part of the Bring Your Grown Up programme with Ulster, to continue learning at home.

They also received Numerasee resources with which to support learning in a fun and a meaningful way including: a copy of Grit Grow Goals, a growth mindset book to encourage perseverance and resilience-building in order to help kids become better problem solvers; a times table toolkit which uses flashcards for a progressive way to memorise without creating overwhelm; and a bubbleboard for promoting colour association with numbers.

Dr Aideen Hunter, Lecturer, Ulster University School of Education said: Positive attitudes and confidence in numeracy and mathematics are a fundamental part of primary school education and the beginning of the process of preparing young learners for their future workplace.

"To support this, we know that engaging with adults and parents to build their own confidence in numeracy is important and will help them guide and support their children throughout their education. The Bring Your Grown-Up programme was designed to do just that, and we were thrilled to work with so many pupils, teachers, parents and local educators to deliver the scheme.

Katrina Bradley, founder of Numerasee and Ulster University 25@25 Leadership programme participant: This programme is all about empowering parents with the tools they need so that they feel confident to support their childrens learning outside of the classroom: at home or in social settings such as the supermarket or in the outdoors.

"There is a generational gap in knowledge of how maths is taught at school so we want to help them understand how children are learning in the classroom, so they can reinforce this at home. We want the programme to ignite conversations and instil in kids a passion for numeracy.
The deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland hinged on the backing of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and the shock resignation of the DUP leader is sure to prompt questions over the future of that arrangement.

Much will depend on who ultimately replaces him.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, who has stepped up to become interim leader, has been a long-time ally of Sir Jeffrey and a firm backer of the return to Stormont.

Mr Robinson would be an early favourite to become the permanent successor and his elevation would be unlikely to prompt a change in the partys recent enthusiastic backing for the devolved institutions.

However, his election as leader is not a foregone conclusion and it remains to be seen if other candidates, potentially more sceptical of the return to powersharing, will emerge.

The identity of the new leader could have ramifications for DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly as she was very much a Donaldson pick as the partys nominee to jointly lead the Stormont coalition.

Ms Little Pengelly and Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill have received significant praise for their leadership of the administration since taking charge of the resurrected executive in February.

Question marks will also now hang over the DUPs grip on the Lagan Valley parliamentary constituency, given the possibility of an imminent by-election.

Sir Jeffreys majority was significantly cut in the last general election amid a surge by the cross-community Alliance Party and the DUP will likely face a tough fight to hold the seat whenever voters next go to the polls.

Appointed leader in the summer of 2021, Sir Jeffrey made the call early the following year to withdraw then DUP first minister Paul Givan from the Stormont Executive, thus collapsing powersharing, as part of the partys protest strategy against post-Brexit economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Almost two years later, after protracted negotiations with the Northern Ireland Office and Downing Street, he signed up to a Government package of proposals, outlined in its Strengthening the Union command paper, that were aimed at reducing red tape on Irish Sea trade and providing assurances over Northern Irelands place in the Union.

He championed the partys return to the Executive and Assembly on the back of the deal, hailing what he said were significant concessions.

Sir Jeffrey insisted a large majority of the party supported his decision to end the Stormont boycott and recent opinion polling suggests a majority of DUP voters are also supportive of the return to devolution.

However, a significant minority of DUP elected representatives remain opposed to the deal, insisting it does not go far enough to remove the contentious Irish Sea border and several senior figures have been vocal in articulating their criticism.

Former deputy leader Lord Dodds, party chairman Lord Morrow and East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson are among those who have made no secret of their opposition.

It will become apparent in the days and weeks ahead whether Sir Jeffreys resignation, and the manner of it, injects fresh momentum to those inside and outside the party campaigning against the return of powersharing, or whether it will continue to be business as usual at Stormont when a new leader takes the helm.
Seoul plans to launch second military satellite in early April

By Kim Hyun-bin

The space race between South and North Korea is expected to heat up in April, with Seoul planning to launch its second military reconnaissance satellite soon amid reports suggesting Pyongyang's readiness for a similar effort.

The South is scheduled to launch its indigenous military spy satellite in early April after the first one was successfully placed after liftoff from a U.S. military base in California in early December, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

"We are in the final stages of negotiation with our cooperative partners," Jeon Ha-gyu, a defense ministry spokesperson, said Monday.

Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik emphasized the importance of these satellites during a recent press conference.

"Once all five reconnaissance satellites are secured, they will significantly enhance our ability to monitor and reconnoiter specific points in North Korea every two hours," Shin said.

South Korean military authorities have also confirmed their intention to secure 50 to 60 small and micro reconnaissance satellites by 2030. The plan involves launching 10 to 20 small reconnaissance satellites and approximately 40 micro reconnaissance satellites after securing five large reconnaissance satellites by 2025.

The large reconnaissance satellite, weighing between 800 and 1,000 kilograms, will be launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, while the small reconnaissance satellites weighing less than 500 kilograms and the micro reconnaissance satellites weighing less than 100 kilograms will be launched aboard domestically developed solid-fuel space launch vehicles.

The launch windows for small reconnaissance satellites are reportedly between 2026 and 2028 and for micro reconnaissance satellites between 2028 and 2030.

Pyongyang is reportedly gearing up for its satellite launch, and personnel and equipment movements have been detected at the Dongchang-ri satellite launch site in North Pyongan Province.

While the reclusive regime has not officially announced the impending launch, speculation is rife given the recent activities observed at the launch site, though the uncertainty surrounding its intentions has led to cautious assessments regarding the timing of the launch.

The U.S.-based North Korea media outlet 38 North reported Monday that a blue covering resembling a tarpaulin had been seen covering the Dongchang-ri launch site until earlier this month, but it has since disappeared, citing satellite images released recently.

Its last satellite launch occurred in November.

"North Korea continues to prepare for reconnaissance satellite launches, but it is difficult to predict the timing of the launch," a Joint Chiefs of Staff official said.

Experts expect the North to launch the military reconnaissance satellite in the second week of April. They note that the April 10 general elections in the South and the April 15 celebrations of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, will be key events determining the timing.

"In broad terms, technical readiness will be most important for North Korea," Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, said. "Because failure is not an option, the state of technical readiness will have the most significant impact."

"If both are favorable, the significance of the launch will likely be assigned to a date of importance, such as April 15, which is Kim Il-sung's birthday," Park added.

"Another consideration is the satellite launch by the South, which is expected to be around April 9. North Korea might want to launch before that date."

Shin Jong-woo, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said, "North Korea has stated it will launch three more times this year, and especially considering the recent activity in Dongchang-ri, it's likely that the next launch will occur in the second quarter."

However, uncertainties persist regarding the operational capabilities of the satellite, as Seoul's defense ministry said that there were no indications of the North's reconnaissance satellites being operational, and instead, they are merely orbiting without any apparent activity.

Experts see this as a crucial issue for the future.

"Every threat seems threatening, so in the past, because North Korea's reconnaissance capabilities were considerably lacking, we were somewhat relieved about these matters," Shin said, adding, "However, in the future, if North Korea has operational satellites, it will be able to anticipate movements of South Korean and U.S. forces in advance."

"If they use this militarily, then obviously, previously unknown information about North Korea's capabilities and our military's intentions could be exposed in advance."
HIGHLIGHTS A Google representative recently said that Gemini Nano wont come to the Pixel 8 due to hardware limitations." Now, Google has announced its plans to introduce on-device AI-powered features on the Pixel 8. The Summarizer feature in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard will be made available as a developer preview in the next Pixel feature drop.

Google has announced its upcoming plans to introduce on-device AI-powered functionalities, including recording summaries and intelligent replies, on the Pixel 8. These features will leverage Gemini Nano, a small-sized model launched by Google last year specifically designed to operate efficiently on devices.



This announcement comes after a Google representative recently said that Gemini Nano wont come to the Pixel 8 due to hardware limitations.



Also read: Android users, Google Gemini AI magic will soon be at your fingertips

The company announced that the Summarizer feature in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard will be made available as a developer preview in the upcoming Pixel feature drop, reports TechCrunch.

Also read: Google Gemini AI finally comes to life: Is it going to be a tough time for ChatGPT?

These features were initially announced during the Pixel 8 launch last October. Until now, Gemini Nano-powered functionalities have only been accessible on the Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S24.

Running large language models on phones with different memory specs can deliver different user experiences, so we have been testing and validating this on Pixel 8. Were excited to provide the opportunity for more enthusiasts and developers to try out Gemini Nano, where we hope to get more feedback and see more innovation, the company said.

Until now, Google has mainly concentrated on developing AI-powered features that rely on cloud computing, even when tailored for mobile devices.

In January, Google introduced Circle to Search for select Pixel and Samsung devices. This week, the company announced that more Pixel and Samsung phones, along with select tablets, will receive the Circle to Search feature. 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. Additionally, the feature will receive an update to support instant translation of on-screen content.
HIGHLIGHTS Samsung has reportedly denied making displays for the iPhone SE 4. Apple is possibly looking for other suppliers and China's BOE could be the go-to. Apple was said to be planning to use the same display tech previously used for the iPhone 13.

Apple has been taking news spots recently for a new device that it might be working on. I am talking about the iPhone SE 4. Weve been hearing for a couple of months now that Apple could finally release this iPhone variant soon. But as always, the same production is going through some hurdles. So what is the issue, this time? Word on the grapevine is that Samsung has denied making displays for the iPhone SE 4, according to supply chain rumours. Read along for more details.

Why is Apple choosing BOE for the display of iPhone SE 4?

So, as you guys must be aware, Apple can release the iPhone SE 4 soon with major upgrades. For displays, Samsung was the preferred choice but the two parties couldnt agree on the price. Now, this could delay the production process. But Apple is possibly looking for other suppliers. Chinas BOE could be the go-to.

Also read: iPhone SE 4 to not feature Home Button and might look just like iPhone 14: Report

Rumours suggest that Apple was planning to use the same display tech previously used for the iPhone 13. This makes sense because it helps keep costs down. Samsung, BOE, and Tianma were all trying to get a contract for making these displays.

But now, according to a report by IT Home, since Samsung and Apple couldnt see eye-to-eye on the price, the former backed out. BOE might have used this opportunity to get the deal going.

The report suggests that Samsung said that Apple thought that their $30-per-display offer was a bit too steep. Apple was looking to get the displays for displays at $25 each. Both Samsung and Tianma couldnt agree on this price, making BOE the sole supplier choice.

Also read: Apple will pay 5000 compensation to users of iPhone 6, 7 and SE: Heres why

Lets see how Apple jumps over this hurdle. For now, the excitement amongst Apple fans knows no bounds. People have been anticipating and guessing what Apple might end up doing. Rumours suggest that Apple is planning to ditch the Home button and give the phone a more modern look with a full-screen display.
Pegatron chair stresses AI's role in national strength

During a recent forum, the Chairman of Taiwan's Pegatron Tzu-Hsien Tung AI computing power has a direct correlation with national strength.

Tung's statement echoes Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's earlier remarks. The statement underlines Taiwan's central role in the AI revolution.

Tung cited "The Art of War" saying that extensive calculations are key to achieving victory. Extensive calculations are also the bedrock of today's AI computing race.

PwC Taiwan's "2024 Taiwan Business Leaders Survey" revealed nearly 70% globally and over 50% of Taiwan's business leaders believe that AI will impact business and employee development in the next three years. Tung said Taiwan should also foster a new wave of entrepreneurship to invigorate both the industry and society.

Pegatron's diversified supply chain

Tung noted that Taiwanese businesses have gradually withdrawn from China primarily due to rising wages and declining birth rates. This trend was then further accelerated by the US-China trade war.

Over the past 23 years, China's average income has grown fourteenfold. This is a stark contrast to the early days when Taiwanese businesses entered China.

He believes any country entering an era of heightened gender equality experiences a significant decline in birth rates. "China is no exception, with its population on the decline, while Taiwan and South Korea have even lower birth rates," he added.

Upon consideration of the trends of rising wages and declining birth rates in China, Pegatron has moved investments to more overseas nations in response to customer demands. The company now employs tens of thousands of workers in Indonesia, India, and Mexico.

The geopolitical risks

Regarding the restructuring trend in the supply chain, Tung emphasized beyond the factors of geographical locations companies also must pick the right side of the geopolitical conflict. He cited ASML in the Netherlands as an example.

ASML, an instrument integrator, relies on technologies from other countries. More specifically, ASML's machines require optical lenses from Germany and plasma from the United States to operate. Choosing the wrong side and failing to access German and American technologies could mean disruption in ASML's production.

Similarly, Taiwan's chip manufacturing leads globally in sub-7-nanometer technology, integrating technologies from various countries to achieve optimal yield rates. However, if Taiwan aligns with the wrong international political factions, it risks facing technology restrictions.

In such a scenario, Taiwan's semiconductor industry would suffer significant impacts.

Don't put all the eggs in the same basket

Tung believes that Taiwan's industry faces risks of being overly concentrated. He uses the ancient Chinese proverb "If one has a loss, we all lose. If one has a win, we all succeed."

In other words, while having a dominant single industry can concentrate all the developmental resources, it could also entail potential risks. "Taiwan should not solely rely on technological manufacturing but should also strengthen its service industry's ability to explore overseas markets," he says.

Chou Chien-hung, CEO of PwC Taiwan, highlighted the rapid technological breakthroughs of genAI and its ability to disrupt. In this era of uncertainty, he believes companies must act.

To stay at the forefront of innovation, companies need to utilize digital tools to enhance efficiency, explore the potential of new technological changes, and rethink industry resilience in response to climate change and the rise of genAI, said Tung.
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HP visits Taiwan with most high-level delegation ever

Supply chain sources revealed that HP CEO Enrique Lores led a whirlwind visit to Taiwan this week.

Besides hosting an internal event at HP Taiwan, they also met with Taiwanese suppliers, including Quanta, Wistron, Inventec, and Foxconn. These events demonstrate the Taiwanese supply chain's importance to HP and express the company's full commitment to AI advancement.

In addition to Lores, other top HP executives who visited Taiwan include President of Personal Systems Alex Cho, Chief Supply Chain Officer Ernest Nicolas, President of Workforce Solutions Dave Shull, and Chief Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer Antonio Lucio. The supply chain described this as the most high-level delegation HP ever sent to Taiwan.

Industry sources reported that Dell executives are also scheduled to visit Taiwan next week to meet with the supply chain. It's likely no coincidence that both major US brands met with ODMs before COMPUTEX. There are rumors that Microsoft and PC brands will jointly announce an updated version of its OS during COMPUTEX, adding fuel to the AI PC trend for the second half of 2024.

Supply chain sources pointed out that Quanta vice chairman C.C. Leung, Wistron president Jeff Lin, Inventec president Jack Tsai, and Foxconn chairman Young Liu were all guests at the HP event. A notable detail is that Compal was absent from the event, raising speculation.

Reportedly, Lores also met with TSMC and UMC during this visit to Taiwan, a clear move to secure suppliers. It's been revealed that HP's orders with TSMC have reached a single-digit percentage of TSMC's business. In the push toward AI, support from the downstream ODMs and upstream semiconductor manufacturers is crucial.

Production diversification

With so many top executives visiting Taiwan, HP is sending a clear signal of reliance on the Taiwanese supply chain. Amidst geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait and brands promoting the "Taiwan+1" strategy, HP's visit to Taiwan is seen as a move that successfully stabilized morale.

However, supply chain sources also noted that whether it's HP, Dell, Apple, or other US brands, the "China+1" and "Taiwan+1" strategies will continue to advance. The US presidential election coming in November is another factor to consider, as it could exacerbate geopolitical fluctuations if Donald Trump makes his return to the White House.

Suppliers with factories in Vietnam and Thailand have noticed that clients have accelerated the pace of diversification, a departure from previous wait-and-see attitudes. Whether this is in preparation for the US presidential election remains uncertain. Sources also pointed out that HP executives inquired about similar projects during their Taiwan visit.

Currently, HP's notebook production is still primarily based in China, with some in Taiwan, but in recent years, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam have also been planned as manufacturing sites. Mexico and Thailand are progressing faster, with Mexico serviced by Inventec and Thailand mainly serviced by Quanta with Inventec also competing for orders.

HP's future: AI PCs

Lores' visit to Taiwan is also to host the HP internal event "Future Ready Ignite." Top executives took the stage at the event to outline that AI will be the main focus of HP's future and the hope is to dominate the AI PC sector.

In interviews, Lores repeatedly emphasized his excitement about the opportunities brought by AI. HP has already launched AI PCs and is collaborating with chip manufacturers to introduce even more new products.

Lores estimated that AI PCs will account for 40-60% of total sales three years after their introduction, expanding annually from 2024 onwards. Apart from hardware, software and applications must also be supported, and HP is actively cooperating with relevant partners. He expressed similar views during his visit to the supply chain in Taiwan.
Subscriber content preview

By CARLY NEIL

Wealth of Geeks

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects an uptick in travelers this spring break. Specifically, current trends indicate a 6% increase in travel volume compared to last year. An increase in this measure equates to longer lines at the airport and at your final destination when traveling during busy periods like spring break.

Spring break is traditionally a popular time for travel, with students off from school and families more able to spend time away from home. Anyone hitting the road or skies in March and April must prepare for crowds. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 2024 cruise bookings increased 28% for this time of year compared to 2023. Travel abroad is also rising, with a 20% increase in international flight bookings.





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SEATTLE  90's alternative band Helmet will bring their signature blend of heavy, riff-loaded rock and evocative lyrics to Neumos, April 21 at 7 p.m. Punk rockers Cro-Mags will open.

Tickets are $30-$35.





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SEATTLE  A small apartment complex at 4403-4415 Gilman Ave. W. sold for $2.5 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Gilman Apartments LLC, a family group that had owned the property for nearly four decades.





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Russia's veto ends 15-year push for monitoring of UN sanctions against Pyongyang

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The U.N. Security Councils (UNSC) failure to extend the mandate of an expert panel that monitors the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea is unlikely to lead to more military and nuclear provocations by the reclusive regime as other U.N. measures and resolutions still remain in effect, according to experts, Friday.

A veto by Russia put an end to the 15-year push of monitoring of U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program. The panels mandate had been extended annually since it was launched in 2009 in line with UNSC Resolution 1874, adopted in response to the North's second nuclear test in May the same year.

In Thursday's vote of the 15-member council, 13 countries voted in favor of the resolution with China abstaining. The panels mandate is set to expire on April 30.

North Korean experts said Russias exercise of its veto power was widely anticipated, citing the establishment of close ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Russias exercise of the veto came as the two countries have been deepening their military ties, said Koh Yu-hwan, emeritus professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University. "Russia has received munitions and ballistic missiles from North Korea for its war in Ukraine with the latter seeking military technology assistance in return."

Yang Moo-jin, the president of the University of North Korean Studies, said not only a closer alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow but also the growing animosity between the U.S. and Russia has played a key role in abolishing the monitoring of U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

The hostility between the U.S. and Russia has pushed the latter to build closer ties with North Korea. Their strategic relations are inherently intertwined. Also, there have been growing criticisms within the U.N. Council that sanctions are useless, Yang said.

The South Korean government expressed deep regret over the failure to adopt the resolution due to Russias veto.

Russias exercise of its veto abolished the expert panel that has been faithfully monitoring North Koreas sanctions violations, such as nuclear and missile development and weapons exports to Russia, Kim In-ae, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said in a regular press briefing, Friday.

Despite the suspension of the panels activities, we will continue to comply with sanctions against North Korea and make every effort to create an environment in which North Korea has no choice but to give up on moving in the wrong direction."

Experts mostly agreed that the failed renewal of U.N. sanctions monitoring panel would not encourage North Korea to conduct more military provocations and pursue nuclear advancement in the future.

All U.N. measures and Security Council resolutions addressing North Koreas nuclear programs remain in effect," Koh said. "The U.S. allies and like-minded states will continue to counter Pyongyangs unlawful actions."

Kim Yong-hyun, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, agreed, saying, Just because the expert panel is abolished doesnt mean there will no longer be sanctions against North Korea. The panel holds significance, but it has been ineffective in achieving its objectives."

Yang, however, did not rule out the possibility of the reclusive regime pursuing nuclear advancement.

We have witnessed that tougher sanctions only spurred North Korea to pursue nuclear advancement. The abolition of the panel may allow North Korea to develop its nuclear and missile strategy and seek even closer ties with Russia and China, he said.
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Four people who were arrested over a fire last December at a disused hotel in Co Galway have been released without charge.

The building in Rosscahill had been earmarked for housing 70 asylum seekers.

Two men, in their 40s and 50s, were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and were being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Two women, also in their 40s and 50s, were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and were being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

They were arrested on Thursday and held at a garda station in the north western region.

They were all released without charge on Friday.

Files will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and investigations are continuing.
Aiken Barracks in Dundalk, headquarters of the 27 Infantry Battalion of the Irish Army, is to hold a number of historical walking tours this summer.

Walking tours of Aiken Barracks will be held on the following dates:

Thursday 9 May

Thursday 13 June

Thursday 11 July

Thursday 8 August

Thursday 12 September

The tours, which will last approximately 90 minutes in duration, commence at the Point Road entrance at 6.30pm. The tours must be booked at least one week in advance. To book, contact Aiken Barracks on 042 933 2295/6 or email ricco.lucchesi@defenceforces.ie.

27 Infantry Battalion at Aiken Barracks in Dundalk, marked its fiftieth anniversary last year. It marked the anniversary with a number of events, that culminated in a Parade at Market Square, Dundalk on Saturday 2 September.

The Battalion was established by Army Headquarters Operation Order 7 of 1973 to be effective from 1 September of that year and replaced the 1st & 2nd Infantry Groups which were 'ad hoc' military structures formed in the wake of upsurge of violence in Northern Ireland in 1969.

The 1st Group had its HQ in Dundalk while the 2nd Group HQ in Cootehill, with each having a post in Castleblayney and Cavan respectively.

The personnel for the newly formed Battalion were to be provided from existing units and staff and also from recruit intake. A substantial number of acting NCO ranks were allowed pending the build up of the Unit.

Routine Order Number 1 showed Lt Col Louis Hogan assuming command with Capt Tom Staunton appointed Adjutant. BSM Brendan Burke became the first Sergeant Major.

which was formed on 1 September 1973,
The North Korean foreign minister on Friday reaffirmed Pyongyang's stance that it does not have any intention to hold talks with Japan on the abduction issue, a day after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida voiced willingness to push for a summit with the North.

Choe Son-hui made the remarks in a statement released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, saying the issue "cannot be settled and has nothing to be solved."

"The DPRK has nothing to solve as regards the 'abduction issue' insisted by Japan and, moreover, it has neither the responsibility nor the will to make any effort for it," she said in the statement, referring to North Korea as its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

On Thursday, Kishida expressed his intent to continue efforts to hold a summit with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent refusal of all contact with Tokyo.

The remarks came two days after the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a statement refusing all contact with Japan after Tokyo took issue with the problem of Japanese abductees and the North's nuclear program.

The two countries have long been at odds over the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 80s to train spies in Japanese culture and language.

The North later allowed five of the abductees to visit their homeland and claimed eight others were dead, but Tokyo has dismissed the claim and vowed to secure their safe return.

"The DPRK-Japan dialogue is not a matter of concern to the DPRK. And the DPRK will not allow any attempt of Japan to contact the former," Choe said.

"The DPRK will always respond sharply to Japan's behavior of interfering with its exercise of sovereignty." (Yonhap)
The lack of communication from Uisce Eireann (formerly Irish Water) to local representatives was highlighted by Cllr Emma Coffey at the March meeting, with Cllr Coffey telling the meeting that while they have always had issues with communications from the utility provider, it has got to a point now where it's dire.

Cllr Coffey said that the alarm at the water treatement plant at the Lower Point Road in Dundalk went off during three weekends in February, and that a number of local residents, as well as herself, contacted Uisce Eireann services. The Fianna Fail councillor said no one has as of yet, got back to her or the local residents on the issue.

Cllr Coffey said that if there is an alarm going off then it is obviously a serious issue. She added that when Louth County Council was in charge of water services, they would always have got a call back from ground staff work working on water services, but they are now getting no feedback to queries put to Uisce Eireann.

Cllr Coffey said that the treatment plant is a major part of the infrastructure of Dundalk and asked if Louth County Council has had any feedback from the water utility. She added that the issues have been raised up the line at Leinster House, further adding that they really need to press on this as if there's alarms going off we're going to have a breakdown somewhere.

Cllr John Reilly also spoke on the matter, voicing his concerns over capacity issues, saying that if the tanks at the plant overflow then the only place sewage can go is in the estuary, which he added could be an environmental catastrophe in Dundalk Bay, and asked if the facility able to cope with all the extra developments taking place in Dundalk.

Director of Service, Mr Joe McGuinness said in response that while he couldn't comment on the specific issues, Uisce Eireann sought consultation on the Capital Programme for the next number of years and that Louth County Council made a submission to Uisce Eireann on the additional capacity in Dundalk.
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Government is playing Russian roulette with people's safety: Lim

By Jun Ji-hye

The new leader of the largest coalition of doctors vowed to disturb campaigns of politicians who have been on the offensive against doctors, by persuading patients not to vote for them in the April 10 general elections, amid a protracted conflict with the government over the planned medical school admissions quota hike.

Lim Hyun-taek, the president-elect of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), also denounced the Yoon Suk Yeol administrations push for the quota hike as "playing Russian roulette with the people's safety."

The comments came as the government decided to add 2,000 slots to the admissions quota of the countrys 40 medical schools starting next year. This led to protests by thousands of trainee doctors walking off their jobs more than a month ago and medical professors tendering resignations en masse more recently.

During his first press conference after his election, Friday, Lim said that there have been many politicians encouraging negative stereotypes of doctors, such as labeling physicians on strike as money-grubbers.

Lim said these attempts are seen in various parties, referring to previous governments similar pushes for a quota hike.

Doctor-patient relations are based on massive trust. We will tell how these politicians have made it difficult for doctors to get back to treating patients and persuade our patients not to vote for them, he said.

In a media interview a day earlier, Lim, who has been one of the strongest opponents of the quota hike plan, also said the doctors community has strategies to decide the fate of 20 to 30 seats in the upcoming National Assembly elections.

During Fridays press conference, Lim reaffirmed that the government should bear all responsibility for the ongoing health care standoff, which has caused significant disruptions to medical services, calling for drawing up measures to encourage trainee doctors and professors who left their worksites to return.

Criticizing the governments firm position regarding the addition of 2,000 slots, which doctors claim is too excessive, Lim said, The government and the ruling People Power Party failed to settle conflicts while playing Russian roulette with people's safety.

Lim added that his association is willing to resolve the peoples growing anxiety over medical service disruptions if the government and the ruling party take a forward-looking attitude, calling for withdrawing the quota hike policy or at least adjusting its range.

However, Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo stressed, once again, that the government will complete the medical reform, including an increase of the medical school enrollment quota.

Overturning the government decision will not happen, as it was made based on scientific research and collections of opinions more than 130 times, Park said during a media briefing.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, for his part, met with the heads of the five biggest hospitals in Seoul, later on Friday, asking them to play a role in promoting dialogue between the government and the doctors community.

The government has made consistent efforts to talk with the doctors community, but dialogue has not been achieved yet, Han said.

Meanwhile, some PPP members running for the April elections, including former Unification Minister Kwon Young-se seeking reelection in Seoul's Yongsan District, called on the government to take a more flexible attitude, rather than pushing forward with its original plan for 2,000 additions annually.

Such calls came amid apparent concerns that the walkout by trainee doctors could hurt the partys chances in the elections.
By Kim Hyun-bin

Korea's Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup stepped down Friday amid a continuing controversy that his appointment was aimed at helping him sidestep an ongoing investigation into his alleged meddling in a probe into a Marine's death last year.

It is widely believed that he offered his resignation and the government and President Yoon Suk Yeol decided to accept it in consideration of the negative impact on the ruling bloc in the lead-up to the April 10 general elections.

But the resignation is also expected to draw criticism regarding Korea's diplomacy, as it came only 25 days after he was appointed to the post in a crucial partner country. It also came only 19 days after he left for Canberra and eight days after he returned to Korea to participate in a defense-related meeting of Korean envoys to six countries.

Lee offered his resignation to the minister of foreign affairs on Friday, and the ministry announced its decision to accept it, saying Lee strongly requested it.

In a statement issued by his lawyer, Lee urged the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to question him as soon as possible over the allegations.

"I kept demanding the CIO to question me promptly, but it has yet to schedule a date for it," he said in the statement. "I will remain in Seoul after the defense meeting and cooperate actively with all investigation procedures."

Lee had been under the CIO's investigation over allegations that he interfered in the military's probe into the death of a Marine during a search-and-rescue operation amid heavy rain and massive flooding last summer when he was defense minister.

But he was appointed as ambassador to Australia on March 4, even though he had been under an overseas travel ban. After he went through a brief questioning by the CIO on March 7, the justice ministry lifted the ban the next day, and he flew to Australia on March 10.

The lifting of the travel ban caused controversy that the government allowed a key suspect in the probe to flee, and the opposition parties and civic groups even requested the CIO to investigate Yoon and the foreign and justice ministers for abusing their power to help a fleeing suspect.

As the issue grew and began to undermine support for the ruling bloc, even figures in the ruling People Power Party reportedly called for Lee's return to the country to face questioning or even resignation.

Following these calls, he returned to Korea on March 21, citing attendance at a major defense meeting of ambassadors as grounds, and said he would undergo questioning if the CIO summons him. But the hastily arranged meeting also brought criticism that the foreign ministry had acted to bring Lee back to Korea before the elections.

Regarding Lee's resignation, the Embassy of Australia in Seoul stated its intention to collaborate closely with the next appointed ambassador.

"Australia greatly values its relationship with the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to working in close cooperation with the next ROK ambassador to Australia across all areas of our comprehensive strategic partnership," the Australian Embassy in Seoul said in a statement provided to The Korea Times, Friday.
EVERYONE should have their day in the sun, and Heidis Day is all about having hope and sparking joy, which is exactly what Heidi Smyth did, despite facing many medical challenges during her young life.

On Easter Monday, April 1, people are invited to gather at Ballyshane, Cloyne, to visit daffodils in bloom, pick a bunch of the flowers to honour Heidis memory, and donate to two worthy charities - Anam Cara Supporting Parents after Bereavement, and the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation.

Heidi Smyth, who had cerebral palsy, passed away on September 28, 2018.

Anyone who knew her will always remember her.

Heidi was a character, says her dad, Andrew.

She could communicate using her expressions and she connected immediately with people.

Heidi had beautiful eyes.

She had a twinkle in her eye, and she always saw the good in life. She saw the good in everything.

Her magnificent eyes lit up her pretty face.

She could bond with you with her eyes, says Andrew.

Heidi had the most magnificent eyelashes. They were amazing. No words can describe how beautiful they were.

Others were envious of those eyelashes.

She was the envy of every nurse! says Andrew.

The childs eyelashes were something you couldnt just buy.

Heidi, in love with life, saw the good in life.

She saw the good in everything, says Andrew.

Even though her life was short she made the most of it, despite medical challenges going through daily life. She was often unwell for long periods. But she had fierce determination and strength.

Heidi had great fight in her. She was often referred to as Lazarus because she would always bounce back after a health set-back.

Heidi was a nature lover too.

She loved the outdoors, going for walks, going to the beach, going to school, says Andrew.

She was very social, and music was a big thing for her. Heidi was a life-long fan of Barney. Out in the fields, having a tactile nature, she liked to put her hand out and touch the grass.

But the girl was no push-over.

She had everyone well sized up! says Andrew, smiling.

Heidi was a very intuitive person. Nothing went by her. She didnt miss a trick!

Did big brother Frank look out for her?

It was more like she looked out for him! says Andrew.

Heidi was your typical teenager.

She loved being out and about in the car, seeing new places and discovering new things, says Andrew.

She loved being outside in the great outdoors, playing with her dog Klarly.

Like a single daffodil can brighten up an entire room, Heidi had the same gift.

She was full of love and affection, says Andrew.

Her life was a precious 15 years.

Reminders of her bring it home to you, says Andrew.

Heidis Day is about remembering her and celebrating her life. Supporting very important charities that often go under the radar is a key factor. Anam Cara and the Jack and Jill Foundation mean a lot to people who need their vital services.

Heidi availed of the Jack and Jill Foundation services in her earlier years, up to the age of seven. The Foundation hired nurses who offered care for Heidi. She loved the nurses, says Andrew.

The Jack and Jill Foundation, a respite charity, was founded by Jonathan Irwin, who died aged 82, and who lost three sons by two wives tragically during a four-year period.

Andrew found comfort from Anam Cara after the loss of Heidi, his precious daughter.

Anam Cara understand where you are, he says.

They understand the different mentality that bereavement brings to people.

Heidi, like the golden daffodils brightening up barren landscapes with their colourful yellow, orange and white flowers, was gentle yet strong.

What you saw was this seemingly fragile lady, says Andrew. But she wasnt fragile.

Heidi was a feisty lady with fizz and a zest for life.

She had a zest for life that no one could quantify, says Andrew.

Her family will always celebrate her life.

We dipped our toe in last year, hosting Heidis Day, says Andrew. It was a blank page.

It was a huge success.

We raised 4,000 last year for two worthy charities, says Andrew.

Ballyshane is a happy place.

We had a coffee van in the daffodil field last year. And plenty of smiles, adds Andrew.

The coffee van will be in the daffodil field again this year.

People picked hundreds of daffodils or just a few. It didnt matter. We were honouring Heidis memory in happy way.

Heidis Day radiates happiness.

Cope Foundation, who supported Heidi, benefited from the proceeds, and the Music Therapy Department in Crumlin Childrens Hospital also benefitted, buying new instruments for their members, says Andrew.

Heidi was uplifted by her love of music.

Members of the Music Therapy Department at Crumlin Hospital visited the wards, playing music, says Andrew.

The music gave people in the deepest moods in the heavy atmosphere of intensive care, relief, and lifted their spirits. Intensive care is fantastic in the short term, but it can be a brutal environment for a long time.

Heidis wheelchair - called her Moo-Beel - was donated to the children, and staff of Le Cheile, the childrens respite centre at the Cope Foundation, Montenotte, who will remember Heidi for a long time.

I donated the van to the Cope Foundation, says Andrew. It is a fully wheelchair adapted vehicle.

Heidi, supported by the Cope Foundation over the years, brought many smiles and laughs to the staff and her friends there. Her love of the beach, music and her cheerful personality is represented by the Heidi Moo-Beel. It is used by the children supported by Cope for days out, short breaks, and lots more.

Heidis legacy of love, the enjoyment and the memories, live on.

She was a such smiley little girl, says Andrew. Heidis Day is about embracing Heidi and who she was. The donations to the Jack and Jill Foundation and to Anam Cara help make a difference to peoples lives.

Heidi, bringing sunshine on the cloudiest of days, symbolises the essence of the daffodil, bringing hope and joy.

She will always be remembered, says her proud dad.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER

Heidis Day takes place in Ballyshane, Cloyne, on April 1, from 2pm-4.30pm. P25 D120.

There will be a coffee van in the daffodil field, live music, Easter egg hunt and arts/crafts/face painting. Something for all ages to enjoy.

Funds go to the Jack and Jill Foundation: contact 045-894 538, or email info@jackandjill.ie, and Anam Cara: call 085-2888888 or email info@anamcara.ie
CORK Stories is the fourth in a series of short fiction anthologies published by Doire Press.

The idea for a place-specific anthology was conceived by Lisa Frank, co-director of Doire Press, and began with the publication of Galway Stories in 2013.

Madeleine suggested a Cork Stories anthology soon after. Everyone was enthusiastic about the idea, aware of the many talented writers in the county, but we were busy with other projects, so it rested on the back-burner for some time.

Belfast Stories (2019) and Galway Stories (2020) were published before the possibility of Cork Stories was raised again. Not that the literary scene in Cork had been quiet in the meantime! Patricia Looney of Cork City Libraries published three very well-received editions of Cork Words between 2020 and 2023, featuring poetry and prose.

By 2022, Lauras award-winning novel, Words To Shape My Name (New Island, 2021) was on the bookshelves. Madeleines second collection of short stories, Liberty Terrace (Doire Press, 2021), had just been chosen as Corks One City, One Book, 2023. It seemed like a good time to take on the Cork Stories project, while continuing to work on other writing projects.

Admittedly, neither of us realised exactly what was involved in compiling an anthology like this and it was probably more than we bargained for!

The first stage of the process in compiling the anthology was to consider how to select stories. Over the years of living and writing in Cork, we have come across many gifted writers.

Madeleine DArcy. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

From 2017 to 2022, Madeleine co-curated Fiction at the Friary, a free monthly fiction event at The Friary Bar in Cork city, with fellow-writer Danielle McLaughlin. This welcomed new writers and established guest authors and provided an open-mic opportunity - with an enthusiastic, encouraging audience! - for those starting out. It clearly indicated there was a wealth of literary talent in Cork.

Lauras writing workshops in the Crawford Gallery, and her work in UCC previously, teaching undergraduates creative writing, and in her current role as lecturer in medical humanities in the School of Medicine, also provided her with ample opportunities to meet talented new writers.

Following Doire Presss template for their past anthologies, we made a wish list of writers and added to it constantly. It was regrettable that some writers did not have a suitable story to offer or were too busy to write a new story within the deadline.

Likewise, we were sorry we were unable to feature work by many other wonderful writers as there was a limit to the number of stories we could include. Happily, it suggests there is ample reason to consider another Cork Stories in a few years time!

A significant amount of administration was involved. Reading and editing the stories also took time. Some of the work needed very little editorial intervention; in other cases, we asked for extensive rewrites.

But writing a good short story does take time; beyond the initial inspiration lies plenty of hard work, craft and dedication. The stories in the anthology are all set in Cork and written by authors who live here or have a strong connection to the city or county.

Cork Stories, edited by Madeleine DArcy and Laura McKenna.

One of the most important things we were looking for was a strong, distinctive narrative voice that carries the story. While we were keen to focus on the contemporary, some of the stories are set in the past. A good story is a good story, regardless of its place in time. Here, they present Cork in all its colour and character, along with a healthy dose of Cork humour.

We were delighted to include the work of acclaimed short story writers such as Kevin Barry, Mary Morrissy, Danielle McLaughlin and William Wall. Others, like Jamie OConnell, Danny Denton, Tadhg Coakley, Mel ODoherty, Tina Pisco and Grainne Murphy, perhaps better known for their novels, are also accomplished writers of the short story, as readers will discover.

The anthology also features two well-known writers whose practices often encompass shorter forms; poet Martina Evans and flash-fiction aficionado Marie Gethins.

It is a pleasure to feature writers less well-known at present, whose work demonstrates an intuitive affinity for the form: Anne OLearys subtle tale of an unmoored Hollywood star and his temporary cook in a coastal village; Oonagh Montagues careful unfolding of a womans self-discovery under the Bells of Shandon; Donal Moloneys quirky road trip from Donegal to Bweeng; Fiona Whytes delicately drawn childs account of a Christmas show in a Cork orphanage; Eileen ODonoghues adroit handling of frayed family relationships in the aftermath of bereavement; and Sean Tanners rollicking Carrigaline tale of one mans struggle with depression and jogging!

There are 18 wonderful stories in this Cork Stories anthology, each unique in its voice and outlook, and set against different backdrops, including the city, coastal villages and rural communities.

We are delighted Doire Press has produced such a beautiful book. Lisa Frank and John Walsh have been a joy to work with, and we thank them for their enthusiasm and attention to detail. We love the cover, designed by Triona Walsh. We are very grateful to Patricia Looney for her kind support.

As for the present, we are ploughing ahead with our projects. Laura is working on her second novel and a debut poetry collection. Madeleines debut novel will soon be out on submission and she is working on a second novel and her third collection of fiction. So not busy at all, not really!

And we still have the launch of Cork Stories to look forward to, on Sunday, April 28, at 3pm in St Peters, North Main Street, as part of Cork World Book Festival 2024. Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy kindly agreed to do the honours. Open to the public, it will feature readings from several of the anthologys writers, as well as a raffle with unique Cork-produced prizes.

Madeleine DArcy is a fiction writer and former solicitor based in Cork city. Her debut short story collection, Waiting For The Bullet (Doire Press, 2014) won the Edge Hill Readers Choice Prize 2015 (UK). Her second collection of linked short fiction, Liberty Terrace (Doire Press, 2021), was awarded a FAPA Bronze Medal 2022 (US) and was Cork Citys One City One Book 2023.

Laura McKenna is a writer of poetry and fiction. Her debut novel, Words To Shape My Name (New Island, 2021), was a winner at the 2020 Novel Fair and shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award, 2021. She has a PhD in creative writing from UCC.
AS many as 3,700 lives were saved in the first four years of the workplace smoking ban, campaigners marking its 20th anniversary have claimed.

Smoking in workplaces was outlawed in Ireland on March 29, 2004, the first such ban in the world, as a result of legislation spearheaded by the then health minister, Micheal Martin.

Research, carried out by Brunel University in London, Dublin Institute of Technology, University College Cork, and the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland, has estimated that 3,700 lives were saved in the four years, or 2.7 a day following the introduction of the ban.

The ban resulted in an immediate 26% reduction in ischaemic heart disease and a 32% drop in strokes.

Mr Martin was joined at Government buildings earlier this week by representatives of the Irish Heart Foundation, ASH Council, and other organisations involved in the bans initiation, ahead of its Good Friday anniversary.

Landmark

Mr Martin said the landmark public-health measure, which outlawed smoking inside every workplace including pubs and restaurants, was one of the most memorable and significant moments of his political career.

At the time, there was huge opposition to the smoking ban and doubts over whether it would ever succeed, particularly in our hospitality industry, Mr Martin said. The decision sparked ferocious debate in what was the first real discussion on public health in Ireland.

Shortly after its introduction, it came to be viewed as an important protective measure for the health of workers in every sector. It was clear that the general public wanted it.

Despite its success, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent when it comes to the war on smoking. Tobacco, along with the new threat of vaping, is continuing to cause huge damage to people in this country.

Important

Chris Macey, director of advocacy and patient support with the Irish Heart Foundation, described the ban as one of the most important pieces of legislation ever introduced.

As countries across the world followed suit, the life-saving impact of the law is beyond measure.

Mr Macey warned, however, that two decades on, Ireland must pursue bold and ambitious measures on tobacco and vape control.

Tobacco is still responsible for 4,500 deaths a year in Ireland, while an e-cigarette epidemic is responsible for driving nicotine addiction among young people.

Smoking rates among teenagers are increasing for the first time in a generation, most likely due to the gateway effect from vaping, Mr Macey said.

The Irish Heart Foundation said the Government should raise the legal age for the sale of tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21.

Ireland, Mr Macey said, also needed to follow UK proposals, which would make it illegal for anyone born after a certain year to buy tobacco, something which could be achieved by raising the legal age for its sale by one year, every year.

Ireland can become a tobacco and nicotine-free society, but only bold, ambitious measures can achieve this reality, he said.
A NIGHT court system similar to that used in many US cities has the potential to streamline our justice system, according to a local councillor but a Cork solicitor has poured cold water on the idea.

Independent Cork city councillor, Ken OFlynn suggested the courts could help clear the system particularly for petty crime, and free up Gardai to spend more time on Cork city streets, an

However, one of Corks most prominent solicitors, Frank Buttimer, has said the suggestion was unrealistic and unworkable.

Mr OFlynns proposal is for the introduction of night courts as a means of dealing with the challenge of the time of a significant number of Gardai being taken up with court proceedings instead of being out on the beat.

Its proven and tested and its working very well in certain cities in the US and Ive seen it myself in Detroit when I was on a private visit not so long ago, said Mr OFlynn.

Speaking to members of the police force there, theyve told me how it frees up their time and makes people available.

Mr OFlynn said that he had been told by members of the Gardai that it can take a Garda who arrests a suspect up to three hours after apprehending them to process them and put them in a cell.

He also voiced frustration with the system because somebody could be arrested but then freed while a court slot is being sought and they can be back on the streets for up to five months waiting for a hearing.

The idea that youre arresting someone on, say, a Tuesday afternoon and you could be waiting for a prosecution date for three to five months is absolutely ridiculous me  it leaves people out and we see from reports in The Echo how people are repeat offenders.

Mr OFlynns suggestion comes as the latest Garda figures for Cork City have been revealed with a further loss of 26 members of the force since the beginning of the year, down from 699 at the end of December to 673 at the end of February.

BENEFITS

According to Mr OFlynn, there would be a number of benefits following the introduction of night courts. He listed increased efficiency because they would operate beyond regular business hours leading to expedited case resolutions and reduced court congestion during the day. Another advantage would be enhanced accessibility which would cater for those unable to attend daytime court sessions.

Other advantages he pointed to included reduced overtime for Gardai, faster case processing and improved public safety as timely justice dispensed through night courts could act as a deterrent to criminal activity.

Responding to a query from The Echo, Mr OFlynn said that he had discussed it with members of the legal profession who said the system required reform.

It is possible to do it though it requires a bit of imagination and a bit of work and people moving together to drag our legal system into the 21st century.

'IMPRACTICAL AND UNREALISTIC'

Prominent Cork solicitor, Frank Buttimer, told The Echo that the court system operated on a seven day system as it was and that introducing night courts would mean that Gardai would have to attend these sittings also.

To me it seems to be an impractical and unrealistic proposal, he said.

And probably not necessary.

The reality of our court system at the present is that it is now effectively operational seven days a week, with judges available, along with court staff, guards and legal practitioners on a rota arrangement over weekends to deal with matters which might arise in respect of urgent and immediate court appearance requirements.

To overburden the system with late night courts with all of the consequences that would arise in relation to the practical management of the proposal in my opinion would be, first of all, unnecessary and, second of all, counter-productive.
CORK Citys Garda Division has lost three gardai each week since the beginning of the year.

According to An Garda Siochanas human resources directorate figures, there were 699 gardai in Cork city at the end of December 2023, but this had reduced to 673 by February 29, a loss of 26 gardai.

In response to a query from The Echo, the Garda Press Office reiterated its position that it does not comment on the specific details of numbers/members attached to specific units.

This can vary on a month-to-month basis due to many variables including Garda members personal circumstances, family-friendly transfer policies, promotions, and retirements, a spokesperson said.

Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould has demanded that Justice Minister Helen McEntee visit the city as a matter of urgency to explain the decline in Garda numbers.

At this stage, Cork city is haemorrhaging gardai and the Garda commissioner and chief superintendent must report to the people a plan to resolve this, said the TD.

Fine Gael Gael TD for Cork North Central Colm Burke told Ms McEntee about the need for additional gardai for Cork City.

He also referred to the civilian segment of the Garda workforce, 3,100 civilian employees out of a total of 17,100, which he said that a lot of administrative work which Gardai had had to do was now being undertaken by their civilian colleagues.

You have to remember when we came into Government in 2011, the Garda Training College was closed, said Deputy Burke.

The number of people actually physically working under the control of the Garda Commissioner has increased and will continue to happen.

If you look at the work the Gardai have done over the last three months, both in relation to serious crime and the number of cases where theyve identified the movements of drugs and illegal substances, theres a lot of work being done.

In response to Deputy Goulds demand that Minister McEntee visits Cork city he said that she had been down at the end of last August and met with the Cork Chamber of Commerce and had opened the new Garda Station in Rathcormac in September.

He also stated that, under Fine Gael Justice Ministers, there had been significant improvements in the Garda car fleet as well as advances in computerisation.

However, Mr Gould described the current Garda stregh in Cork as a "shocking indictment" of Government failure.

We must see an initial return to 2022 Garda numbers and then further increases to bring us in line with EU averages.

The TD pointed out that the average EU policing strength was 333 officers per 100,000 people.

This leaves us with a Garda strength of just 300 per 100,000 population, said Deputy Gould.

Cork has less Gardai per head of population than the EU average.

That is a shocking indictment of the failure by Fine Gael, over the last decade they have held the Justice ministry, to properly resource and protect our Gardai.
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday called on a group of U.S. lawmakers to support South Korean companies operating in the world's largest economy, the presidential office said.

Yoon made the request to the visiting U.S. delegation in Seoul while discussing measures to strengthen bilateral ties in a wide range of areas from security, economy and technology to culture and space, according to his office.

"Active investment and economic cooperation between South Korea and the United States have been bringing practical benefits people in both nations can feel, such as an increase in trade and job creation and an expansion of human exchanges," Yoon said, calling for a bigger interest in South Korean companies operating in the U.S.

Yoon asked the lawmakers for their support in passing pending legislation aimed at expanding the visa quota for professional workers through the U.S. Congress.

The presidential office said the U.S. delegation noted that Seoul-Washington relations have reached an all-time high following a summit between Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden last year.

The delegation showed respect to Yoon for working to improve the South Korea-U.S.-Japan relationship despite political risk, saying they will play a role in upgrading the Seoul-Washington alliance and economic cooperation between the two countries, according to the office.

The delegation also said the alliance has worked to maintain "peace" and "stability" on the Korean Peninsula against North Korea's threats, noting they support Yoon's efforts to help boost freedom and human rights in the North, according to the office. (Yonhap)
SINN Fein has set its sights on an improved performance in this years local elections, with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald hopeful of a positive outcome for the party in June.

Ms McDonald made the comments during a visit to Cork on Wednesday to fulfil a number of engagements and to campaign with Sinn Fein candidates in the local elections.

Last time out we had a very hard day in the last local elections, so this time out were running very strong slates of candidates. The campaigns are up and running, she told The Echo.

Our candidates pledge is to work really hard for the communities that theyre seeking a mandate from, to stand up for people, to do our very, very best for people.

So yes, Im hopeful [of a positive outcome for the party].

Ms McDonald said she believes there is also an appetite for an early general election following the resignation of Leo Varadkar. Obviously canvassing in the local elections, its local issues that are featuring, she said.

European elections, its wider issues, but I would say the big talking point in Cork has been the need for a general election.

The idea that we now have a third taoiseach in four years is just not a credible position.

If Simon Harris wants to be Taoiseach he should go and get the mandate for that and the people at this stage need to have their say and make their democratic call.

Speaking in recent days, newly appointed Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said he believes the Coalition should see out its full term in Government.

I am planning for this Government, should I be lucky enough to form one and to become taoiseach, I would like to see this Government run full term, he said.

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.

Ms McDonald said, if given the opportunity to step into power after the next general election, progress on housing would be Sinn Feins top priority. Housing is the big, big issue, she said.

Our councils, our local authorities, approved housing bodies, builders, developers, new technologies  all of this has to be going at full tilt and more to start trying to catch up with the level of crisis that we have, and for us in Sinn Fein, if we have the chance in government after the next general election, this is our number one issue.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald pictured with party colleague Cllr Orla O'Leary and Ms O'Leary's baby, Rhea, during a visit to Cork.

Ms McDonald said she did not accept, as has been previously asserted by the Government, that it has turned a corner on the issue of housing.

I dont accept that theyve turned a corner  as a matter of fact, I think theyre going around in circles, she said, citing concerns over the availability of housing, homeless levels, and high rents.

Meanwhile, Ms McDonald has stood by her decision to travel to the US earlier this month, saying it provided an unmissable opportunity to air concerns over the American governments support of Israel amid the ongoing offensive in Gaza.

US TRIP

Ahead of the Patricks Day visit to Washington, some had called for an Irish political boycott of the annual trip.

Speaking to The Echo this week, Ms McDonald said she understood why some felt it was the wrong move to attend, adding: I have to say, respectfully, I hear that, I understand it, but I do not share that view.

Ms McDonald said she could not pass up the opportunity to speak with senior US figures about the need for a ceasefire.

Its not just the White House, its the entire apparatus of the US system is open to us as Irish political people and leaders in a way that is unparalleled, quite frankly For me, the question isnt how could you go? The question for me is how could I not go?

During her visit, Ms McDonald said she was vocal about the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

While I was there, the issue of the ceasefire was raised in a very forthright manner.

The United States has now moved; not enough, but they have moved on that question.

The issue of the United States arming and funding Israel was raised very directly with everybody, and they have been challenged hard by Ireland, by all of us I think, although I can only speak for myself, she said.

The UN Security Council this week demanded a ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, its first demand to halt fighting.

The US abstained, deciding not to use its veto power, and the resolution passed 14-0.

Ms McDonald described as diabolical the situation in Gaza and said she believes concerns during the visit to the US were heard loudly and clearly.
Three Cork services are to avail of additional funding following the announcement by Justice Minister Helen McEntee of more investment into domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence services.

An extra 6.3m funding is being provided this year to established service providers, including 2.5m to address critical needs and emerging demands for domestic violence services, 1.3m to address critical needs and emerging demands for sexual violence services, and 2.5m for refuge and safe home development.

More than 5.4m of this funding is being allocated immediately, with the remainder assigned to support projects that will deliver refuge places throughout the year.

Evaluation

Some 43 organisations were deemed successful following an evaluation process, which was conducted by Tusla in collaboration with the Department of Justice.

Good Shepherd Cork is to receive 77,000, One Stop Shop Cork will receive 36,030, and Sexual Violence Centre Cork will receive 70,000 of this funding.

The director and founder of Sexual Violence Centre Cork, Mary Crilly, told The Echo: Realistically, our services havent had an increase in quite a long time.

She explained that they had applied for funding for adolescent councillors in September, and that the 70,000 will cover one full-time and two part-time positions.

Support

Their service provides support to anyone who is a victim of rape or sexual assault, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and those experiencing sexual harassment or domestic violence.

Ms Crilly said: This additional funding means we can see more people, so I would encourage people to contact us as they wont be waiting that long to be seen.

However, she explained: Our centre is 41 years old this year, and we dont know year to year what our funding is going to be.

It would be great to make a five- year or even a three-year plan, because every year we are spending a lot of time filling out forms for funding. We spend so much time just doing applications.

Especially now, there is an increase in people coming forward  though we dont think theres an increase in sexual violence in Ireland.

Theres always been one in five girls being raped, one in four women victims of domestic abuse, and one in four children sexually abused, she said, explaining that though the increased reporting is a positive, it was more important than ever to have consistent funding to ensure supports are available.

Ms McEntee said that the additional funding is a testament to this Governments steadfast commitment to tackling domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, and to supporting the services on the frontline.

We know more people are seeking help from domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence services, and we are determined to ensure that the necessary supports and staffing is there to meet the demands across the country, including for young people and in rural areas, she said.
THE case of a 41-year-old man accused of assault causing harm to another man by allegedly headbutting him in Fairhill in October 2022 was put back for an updated medical report on the injured party.

Graham Waters, of 27 Innishannon Rd, Fairhill, Cork, was charged by Detective Garda Garry Purtill with assault causing harm to another man on October 30, 2022.

It was alleged that on October 30, 2022, the injured party was on his way home in the early hours of the morning after a night out with friends and that there was an altercation between him and Graham Waters at Innishannon Rd.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said it was alleged that the accused was reacting to a serious allegation made by another person against the injured party.

The injured party sustained facial injuries and suspected concussion, Sgt Murphy said from the medical report available to the court.

Judge Mary Dorgan noted from the medical report that there was a suspected nasal fracture and suspected rib fracture, but the judge said that she would need confirmation on these issues.

The case was adjourned until May 7 for an updated medical report.

Killian McCarthy represented the accused in court.
VETERAN Fine Gael TD David Stanton has expressed confidence in the future of the party, but said he believes the time is right for him to bow out of the political limelight.

The Cork East TD announced his decision not to contest the next general election last May and, speaking to The Echo in recent days, its one he has not changed his mind on.

There comes a time when you have to say to yourself: Will I be able to give it my best?

Will I have the energy as I get older, as I cross the 70 threshold travelling up and down to Dublin every week for another five years?

Ill have to go at some stage and this seemed like a good time when Im going well, when I still have energy and health and ability and so on, he said.

The Midleton resident is one of 11 Fine Gael TDs who have said they will not stand in the next general election.

Renewal

Despite this, Mr Stanton said he is positive about the future of the party, saying now represents an opportunity for renewal.

He described Simon Harris, the new Fine Gael leader who is on course to become the youngest-ever Taoiseach, as an experienced politician who is very bright, very articulate, very friendly, and very good with people.

Mr Stanton has held the Cork East seat in every general election for close to three decades, having first been elected in 1997.

Reflecting on what drew him to politics, the 68-year-old said he always had an appetite for community involvement  joining Macra na Tuaithe, now Foroige, as a young teen and later helping to run dances out in Ladysbridge.

Then came an example of what could be achieved through community activism, which further encouraged him.

When I was teaching, working as a home school community liaison teacher, I noticed in Midleton where I was teaching, there was no youth centre, he said.

One night there was a meeting called, they wanted to set up a day care centre for older people who were confined to their homes from one end of the week to the next.

So I went along to that meeting and lo and behold, I found myself put on the committee.

There was a big crowd there, they didnt have any money, just an idea, and  long story short  we went to see the minister at the time.

I wasnt involved in politics at the time, but I rang Paul Bradford, he introduced me to Michael Noonan, I made a presentation and he agreed to fund it pound for pound  anything we raised hed give us the same.

Anyway, the McAuley Day Care Centre is up and running in Midleton for quite a while  25/26 years.

We built it and its there. That gave me great satisfaction.

Ahead of the 1997 general election, Mr Stanton was approached and asked if he would be interested in running as a Fine Gael candidate.

He agreed and that year he was elected to the Dail.

Full circle moment

Mr Stanton said he was pleased to experience a full circle moment some years ago.

A number of years ago, the old fire station in Midleton became available and I put together a committee led by a great guy, Denis Ring  the former principal of the CBS in Midleton  and we formed a committee and a board and we have now the My Place centre in Midleton, which is a youth and community centre, he said.

There are over 1,000 people a week using it. Weve a great team running it.

Then we also linked up with the community centre in Midleton, which we got a lot of funding for, and modernised it and did it up as well.

So it has come full circle at this stage from being involved way back in Ladysbridge to having the two centres in Midleton now up and running.

Among the highlights of his political career, Mr Stanton cites his time serving as a minister of State in the Department of Justice as a major one.

During that time, he said he was proud to steer legislation to deal with coercive control through the Oireachtas.

National Missing Persons Day

Mr Stanton said he also played a role in establishing a National Missing Persons Day, having been inspired by a presentation from students in Mallow.

One of the asks that they [the students] had was to establish a National Missing Persons Day, he said.

I was chairman of the justice committee and I invited them up to the Oireachtas to make a presentation and they did long story short, we established the National Missing Persons Day on the back of that.

Held annually, it is a commemorative event and provides a nationwide platform to appeal to the public for any information on missing persons.

Its an occasion, Mr Stanton said, which means an awful lot to the people whose loved ones have gone missing.

Ahead of the next general election, Mr Stanton said he is working as hard as ever in the Dail and is keen to see progress on a number of matters before the end of the Coalitions term in Government  chief among them headway on the Midleton Flood Relief Scheme.

Weve had the awful flooding here in Midleton and Id like to see that particular flood plan moving on faster than its moving, and Id like to see it going to planning as soon as possible, he said.

Coastal communities

Action for vulnerable coastal communities amid rising sea levels is also a key priority for Mr Stanton.

We need to start either moving people away from those vulnerable coastlines or else putting up barriers and defences like the Dutch have done, he said.

Ive raised it more than once in the Oireachtas and Ill be raising it again, its very important to me.

Looking ahead to life after the Dail, Mr Stanton said he has set his sights on increasing time with family and community groups.

Ill stay involved in Fine Gael and support our candidates and our people who are out there and who are coming forward because anyone who puts their name on the ballot paper nowadays, in particular, they need support, he added.
IN 2022, the French writer and director Celine Sciamma earned a spot on the Sight and Sound Greatest Films of All Time poll.

It was a well-deserved recognition that placed Sciamma up there with some of the best filmmakers of all time, yet she is far from a household name.

This April, Triskel Cinema is showcasing three of Sciammas best films, allowing people to see how good she is in a big screen setting and hopefully gaining her many new fans.

Chris ONeill, head of cinema, says he has followed Sciammas career since she began film-making.

Celine Sciamma is one of the most exciting and notable filmmakers to have emerged from French cinema in the last 20 years, said Chris.

I remember seeing her directorial debut Waterlilies back in 2008 and was really impressed. I booked it for a run at the Kino Cinema, which I was programming at the time, and have followed her career with interest ever since.

Petite Maman, a sweet and poignant story from Celine Sciamma released in 2021.

Girlhood, Portrait Of A Lady on Fire, and Petite Manan were popular with audiences when we screened them at Triskel when they were originally released, and I thought this would be a nice opportunity to bring these films back and present them over three consecutive nights.

Sciamma went to the leading La Femis film school in Paris and released her debut feature film, Waterlilies, for which she won Best First Film at the Cannes Film Festival.

Waterlilies is the first of a trilogy of sorts. While the films are not connected by plot, they all deal with coming-of-age stories.

Girlhood, a 2014 French coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Celine Sciamma.

The final film of the trilogy, Girlhood, is the first in Triskels programme. It follows the story of 16-year-old Marieme (Karidkia Toure), who lives in a housing project in the Paris suburbs with her family.

Marieme wants freedom from her family and from her circumstances. She also wants freedom from her school, which doesnt see her as someone with prospects, not because of her ability but because she is Black and poor.

Marieme finds allies in a new group of friends, Lady (Assa Sylla), Adiatou (Lindsay Karamoh) and Fily (Marietou Toure). While she gains some independence and more confidence, they lead her into a life of crime, leaving her to make some big decisions about her future.

Most of the actors in Girlhood are non-professionals. Sciamma scouted shopping centres and train stations to find them. The cast is predominantly Black, and when the director went to drama schools to find actors, she found French theatre schools were almost all white, which is why she turned to non-professionals.

The film has much to say about race in France today, as well as its coming-of-age themes.

RESPECTED: Celine Sciamma

In 2019, Sciamma wrote and directed Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, an 18th-century story of forbidden love. It is arguably one of the best films of this century, and it catapulted Sciamma into a list of filmmaking greats.

It won several awards, including two at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film follows Marianne (Noemie Merlant), an accomplished painter who is hired to paint Heloise (Adele Haenel).

Her mother has commissioned Marianne to paint her portrait as a wedding present for her wealthy Milanese fiance. Heloise does not want to be painted, nor does she wish to marry her suitor. She has already rejected attempts by male painters, so her mother thinks she is being clever in hiring a female artist.

Beautifully filmed, making use of dramatic coastlines, elegant sets, and detailed costumes, it is a beguiling and rich film that will leave the audience reeling.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire is an exquisite piece of filmmaking, so how do you follow up on perfection?

Sciamma moved to the modern day for her follow-up, Petite Maman, a beautiful portrayal of childhood.

The film proved there was no need to doubt Sciammas continued ability to make excellent films. It looks at loss, childhood imagination, and the bond between mothers and daughters. The film might be about childhood imagination or fantasy. It has endless possibilities, but Sciamma lets the audience choose rather than spoon-feeding the answers.

The story revolves around eight-year-old Nelly (Josephine Sanz), who experiences loss for the first time when her beloved grandmother dies. Nellys mum, Marian (Nina Meurisse), and dad (Stephane Varupenne) travel to the grandmothers house to pack up her belongings.

While her mum faces her grief as she says goodbye to the house she grew up in, Nelly explores the surrounding woods. She is not yet able to fully process her grandmothers death; she is too young to deal with such big emotions.

She meets a girl about her age who is building a treehouse in the woods. The girl is played by Josephines real-life twin, Gabrielle Sanz. Their likeness brings them together; they become fast friends and begin exploring Nellys grief together.

Sciamma has the ability to paint pictures with her camera. That is not unique to her; many directors have this talent, but Sciamma thoroughly understands what it means to present a tableau.

Her pictures on screen have a quality of stillness that utterly absorbs the viewer. Any number of stills from her films could be placed on a wall as artwork.

She is an economical filmmaker who understands the idea of less is more. She doesnt skimp on detail; her work is rich in that, but there isnt a single frame that doesnt serve a purpose. She does not extend scenes by padding them out or overextending dialogue.

Her economy means every frame counts, every word is significant.

Three Films by Celine Sciamma runs at Triskel Cinema from April 1-3 - see triskelartscentre.ie
Cillian Sherlock, PA

The new leader of the DUP has described charges of historical sex offences against Jeffrey Donaldson as a devastating revelation for the party.

Mr Donaldson quit as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after being charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old politician will appear in court in Newry, Co Down, on April 24th, having been arrested and charged in relation to non-recent sexual allegations.

A 57-year-old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences in relation to the same police investigation.

The Lagan Valley MP has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process, and East Belfast MP and deputy leader Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

The DUP said it had received a letter from Mr Donaldson saying he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature and that he would be stepping down as leader.

In a statement, the DUP said: In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.

Mr Robinson said: It has been a devastating revelation and has caused tremendous shock not just for myself personally or my colleagues within the DUP, but for the community right across Northern Ireland.

It came as a great shock. But we are a party and individuals that believe in justice, we have faith in our criminal justice system.

Mr Robinson said the party became aware of the allegations very late on Thursday.

He told Sky News: So, in the coming days and months I think it is important none of us say anything or act in any way that would seek to prejudice what is now an ongoing criminal investigation.

Overnight, Mr Donaldsons website and social media accounts, including X, Facebook and Instagram, were deleted.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after he Jeffrey made the decision to return the party to powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Mr Donaldson's leadership saw him steer the partys two-year boycott of Northern Irelands political institutions, in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February after the agreement of a new deal and a series of assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Mr Donaldson, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

His relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks, after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

He was recognised by Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.
(Photo: Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)Former president Donald J. Trump talks to members of the press on the South Lawn of the White House Oct. 27, 2020. Berkeley Journalism Dean Geeta Anand says Trump's presidency changed the way reporters and editors covered the White House.

Former President Donald Trump is officially selling a patriotic copy of the Christian Bible for $59.99 themed to Lee Greenwood's famous song, "God Bless the USA," upsetting some.

"Happy Holy Week!" Trump announced on his social media site Tuesday, during the most solemn period of the Christian calendar, the last week of the Lenten season marking the suffering and death of Jesus, CNN reported.

"As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible," said Trump.

The concept of a Bible covered in the U.S. flag, as well as a former president's endorsement of a text Christians consider to be sacred, has triggered concern among religious circles.

The New York Times labeled it "Trump's Newest Venture? A $60 Bible."

""His Bible sales pitch comes as he appears to be confronting a significant financial squeeze, with his legal fees growing while he fights a number of criminal cases and lawsuits," said The Times.

The Bible sales venture also raised questions about Trump's motivations, as the former president finds himself in the middle of several expensive legal battles.

Before turning to politics, Trump "lent his star power and celebrity endorsement to a slew of consumer products  steaks, vodka and even for-profit education, to name just a few," reported the Times.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said the spectacle of Donald Trump selling $60 Bibles is "a spit in the face of people that really believe," according to The Guardian newspaper.

"Blasphemy certainly comes to mind," Sharpton told MSNBC.

"I think that people ought to realize how offensive this is to those of us that really believe in the Bible. He's doing this during Holy Week. Tomorrow is Good Friday, Sunday is Easter."

Sharpton said such a time "to hustle using the Bible," is really a spit in the face of people that really believe in the Bible from a Christian point of view."

The sales blurb for the Bible says," First and foremost, The God Bless The USA Bible is the ONLY Bible inspired by America's most recognized patriotic anthem, God Bless The USA."

It denied that Donald Trump owns the company behind the Bible.

"GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign," said the company.

"GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates.

It said GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J. Trump's name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.
(Photo: REUTERS / Erik De Castro)People bathe in a beach to celebrate Easter Sunday near Manila Bay in Cavite province April 20, 2014. Filipinos flocked to beaches traditionally on Easter Sunday after commemorating Lent in the predominantly Roman Catholic country, local media reported.

Catholic devotees in the Philippines re-enacting the last moments of Jesus were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped themselves bloody in extreme displays of religious devoutness on Good Friday.

In most of the country, Filipinos went to church or spent the Christian holy day with family.

Thousands gathered in villages around San Fernando city, north of Manila, to watch men punish themselves in a bid to atone for their sins or seek miracles from God, AFP reported.

Good Friday is an important holy day for the Christian faith; on that day, Jesus was arrested and put on trial for claiming to be the Son of God, according to NBC.

Roman authorities sentenced him to death by crucifixion.

He was beaten and forced to carry a wooden cross to the place of execution  called Golgotha or Calvary  where he was nailed to the cross and left to die. Jesus was eventually taken down from the cross and buried, according to the Bible.

While Christians observe their Holy Week, Muslims are fasting for the holy month of Ramadan and Jews are preparing for the coming of Passover celebrations next month.

Springtime in Jerusalem, when these three faiths observe these important days on their respective calendars, can be a powerfully spiritual experience and a time of great hope in a land wracked by decades of conflict, The GroundTruth Project reported.

For the Christian faithful, Good Friday is a day of reflection on the events in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago that led to the betrayal of Jesus by one of his disciples, and his sentencing to death under the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate and crucified and buried.

"The sorrow of Good Friday is followed three days later by the joyous celebration of Jesus' Resurrection on Easter Sunday and the Christian belief that the crucifixion prepared the way for salvation for all of humanity," said GroundTruth Weekly.

Back in the Philippines, dozens of bare-chested flagellants wearing black shrouds and crowns made of vines walked barefoot through dusty, narrow streets.

Rhythmically, they flogged their backs with strips of bamboo tied to ropes, their blood soaking the top of their trousers and spattering onlookers.

Some lay face down on the ground to be whipped and beaten by others, razor blades sometimes used to draw blood.

"This is for my son, an epileptic," said Joel Yutoc, who has his 13-year-old son's name tattooed across his chest.

Yutoc, 31, said his son had not had seizures in the eight years since he began taking part in the Good Friday floggings.

The whippings are the opening act of street plays performed by devout residents
A Seoul court rejected a bail request from Song Young-gil, a former head of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who has been on trial over a cash-for-votes scandal surrounding the party's 2021 leadership election.

Song filed for bail last month and has since argued that he should be allowed to conduct campaigns ahead of the April 10 general elections. Song launched a new party, named the "Pine Tree Party" in Korean, while behind bars earlier this month.

But the Seoul Central District Court rejected the request, apparently over concern that if released on bail, Song could meet with people involved in his case and could destroy evidence. The court voiced such concerns during his trial hearing last week.

Song was arrested in December 2023 and indicted in January over charges that his campaign distributed cash envelopes totaling 66 million won ($48,980) to 20 sitting DPK lawmakers and other party members in the run-up to the party's leadership election in May 2021, which he ultimately won.

Song has denied the charges. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol took part in an after-school program for first grade students Friday, a fulfillment of a promise to volunteer his services for the operation of a new state-backed child care initiative.

Yoon visited Ain Elementary School in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, to serve as a special instructor during Neulbom School, an integrated program of before- and after-school child care and education that launched at more than 2,000 elementary schools this month.

During the class, he and the children watched a video of last year's launch of South Korea's domestically developed Nuri space rocket.

The president also read them a book on space and rockets, helped the children fly Nuri rocket models and explained in easy terms how a rocket is launched.

Yoon later met with school staff to discuss their experiences running Neulbom School over the past four weeks and exchanged views on how to make the program a success.

"The president said once a state child care system is established around Neulbom School, children will be able to play and study freely, nurture their imagination and creativity, and grow healthily," the presidential office said in a press release. (Yonhap)
By Kwak Yeon-soo

The Rebuilding Korea Party, a new liberal party launched by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, has emerged as a powerful third-party challenger threatening a match-up between the two major parties in the April 10 general elections, but political analysts remained divided over whether the Cho-fueled political frenzy would last until the end of the elections.

A recent poll conducted by Hankook Research at the request of the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, from March 23 to 26 found that 21 percent of 500 eligible voters in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo-A constituency were willing to vote for the Rebuilding Korea Party in Korea's proportional representation voting system.

This marked the largest share, followed by the People Future Party, the ruling People Power Party's satellite party, at 20 percent and the Democratic United Party, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's satellite party, at 13 percent.

The poll also found that the approval rating rating for Cho's party stood at 21 percent in Busan's Buk-A and Gyeonggi Province's Hanam-A constituencies, marking the second-largest share following the People Future Party's 26 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Each poll surveyed 500 eligible voters selected randomly. The Busan poll was conducted from March 24 to 26, while the Hanam poll took place from March 23 to 26.

Shin Yul, professor of political science at Myongji University, said the biggest supporters of the Rebuilding Korea Party are DPK members disenfranchised by party leader Lee Jae-myung.

"A majority of supporters of the Rebuilding Korea Party are those disappointed at DPK leader Lee. Several polls indicate that Cho's party has high approval ratings, but we have to wait and see whether they will translate to real votes," he said.

"I doubt it could successfully appeal to moderate voters to keep the frenzy going until the end of the April elections."

Eom Gyeong-yeong, director of the political think tank the Zeitgeist Institute, said Cho's party might weaken both major parties because Cho is enjoying strong loyalty among his core supporters.

"The popularity is centered on anti-Lee Jae-myung, [voters in the Joella region] and especially those in their 40s and 50s," he said. "Now their important issue is whether they can attract younger voters in their 20s and 30s to their side."

Experts predicted that Cho's party is likely to win around 10 seats in the 22nd National Assembly. The Rebuilding Korea Party is aiming for at least 10 seats out of 46 up for grabs for the proportional representation race.

"I think Cho's party will take about seven to eight seats," Shin said.

Eom said, "A substantial number of DPK supporters may opt for a DPK candidate in their respective electoral districts while choosing Cho's party in the proportional representation voting. So they can secure around 10 seats."

He added, "If the hype surrounding the Rebuilding Korea Party continues until the end of the elections, it would be a burden on the ruling PPP."

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, with a credibility rate of 95 percent. Further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commissions website.
Former Brazilian president highlights China's role in globalization

16:10, March 29, 2024 By Kwizela Aristide Basebya ( People's Daily Online

President of the New Development Bank (NDB) and former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has highlighted the role China plays in globalization at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south Chinas Hainan province.

Speaking at the Rise of the Global South sub forum of the Boao Forum, Rousseff said that after the financial crisis in 2008, protectionism prevailed in international trade and continued until 2018, and the epidemic has also led to the disruption of the supply chain. She said geopolitical conflicts have brought more uncertainty, and sanctions against other countries have also brought more restrictions and risks.

President of the New Development Bank (NDB) Dilma Rousseff addresses a panel discussion themed "Rise of the Global South" during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Tang Rufeng)

She said that China's rise on the global stage has brought more impetus to globalization. From the second half of 2022 to 2023, China's trade with the global South was gradually increasing, intra trade between developing countries and emerging countries was gradually increasing, and trade in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America was increasing.

This is also a new trend of globalization and further promotes the stability of the global supply chain, and it is also a new multilateralism, she said.

Rousseff said that the dependence of the United States on China in the import process may not be as high as before, and there will still be very in-depth exchanges with China's supply chain, but the role of the global South in this process is gradually being reflected.

The global south may bring us a new balance in finance and trade, and will form a new global order after World War II, she said.

Rousseff urged the acceleration of the creation of a new international financial regime as she also emphasized the need for the Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, New Development Bank and others to establish new institutions to act together so that the existing liquidity can be continued and allow global south countries to get the same financing treatment.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup stepped down Friday, less than a month after he was named for the job, amid mounting criticism of his appointment and departure that came despite the fact that he was subject to an investigation.

Lee's resignation also came before Koreans go to the polls on April 10 to elect lawmakers. The controversy surrounding Lee has become a hot-button issue amid growing negative public sentiment and concerns even being raised from within the ruling party bloc.

The foreign ministry said it accepted Lee's resignation. The confirmation came hours after Lee's lawyer said the ambassador expressed his intent to step down to the foreign minister.

"As Ambassador Lee Jong-sup strongly expressed his intent to resign, the ministry reported it to the president, who has the appointment power, and decided to accept the resignation," the ministry said in a message to the media.

Lee has been under intense scrutiny since he was named the ambassador in Canberra early this month, after revelations that he had been banned from leaving the country over the investigation into allegations that he interfered in an internal military probe into a Marine's death last year.

Critics have accused Lee of running away from the investigation and leaving the country to take up the job shortly after the exit ban on him was lifted.

Lee has denied any wrongdoing.

Lee returned home on March 21, 11 days after he assumed the job, to attend a defense cooperation meeting of Korean ambassadors to six countries, including Australia. But questions arose that the meeting could have been organized to give Lee a pretext to come back home.

Lee plans to stay in Seoul to do all he can to "strongly respond to all procedures," according to Lee's lawyer, Kim Jae-hoon.

Offering his resignation, the ambassador asked the minister to make sure his resignation will be accepted, Kim said earlier.

The lawyer said that Lee repeatedly called for the anti-corruption investigation office to quickly summon him for questioning, but he still has not heard from the office.

Some have speculated that the presidential office ordered Lee to return home as the public sentiment was worsening ahead of the April elections.

Since his return home last week, Lee has met with foreign and defense ministers and taken part in a series of meetings with related ministries and government agencies that the ministry said took place to discuss defense cooperation with the six ambassadors.

Lee was reportedly absent from the ambassadors' meeting with the state trade insurance agency that he was supposed to attend earlier in the day.

Following Lee's resignation, the Australian Embassy in Seoul said the country expects to continue to work together with the succeeding ambassador.

"Australia greatly values its relationship with the Republic of Korea, and looks forward to working in close cooperation with the next ROK Ambassador to Australia across all areas of our comprehensive strategic partnership," the embassy said in response to a media query. (Yonhap)
We dive into the latest EVs as well as Liu's upcoming VR game, The Pirate Queen.

This week, its all about cars and Lucy Liu in VR. Devindra chats with Senior Writer Sam Rutherford about his visit to the New York International Auto Show, where he saw the Polestar 4, a unique new EV without a rear window. Also, Cherlynn pops in to chat with Lucy Liu about her new VR game, The Pirate Queen. We also explore the issues around Floridas bill banning young kids from social media sites, and Sam tells us why he likes Netflixs Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation.

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

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Gig work predates the internet. Besides traditional forms of self-employment, like plumbing, offers for ad-hoc services have long been found in the Yellow Pages and newspaper classified ads, and later Craigslist and Backpage which supplanted them. Low-cost broadband internet allowed for the proliferation of computer-based gig platforms like Mechanical Turk, Fiverr and Elance, which offered just about anyone some extra pocket change. But once smartphones took off, everywhere could be an office, and everything could be a gig  and thus the gig economy was born.

Maybe it was a confluence of technological advancement and broad financial anxiety from the 2008 recession, but prospects were bad, people needed money and many had no freedom to be picky about how. This was the same era in which the phrase "the sharing economy" proliferated  at once sold as an antidote to overconsumption, but that freedom from ownership belied the more worrying commoditization of any skill or asset. Of all the companies to take advantage of this climate, none went further or have held on harder than Uber.

Uber became infamous for railroading its way into new markets without getting approval from regulators. It cemented its reputation as a corporate ne'er-do-well through a byzantine scandal to avoid regulatory scrutiny, several smaller ones over user privacy and minimally-beneficial surcharges as well as, in its infancy, an internal reputation for sexual harassment and discrimination. Early on, the company used its deep reserves of venture capital to subsidize its own rides, eating away at the traditional cab industry in a given market, only to eventually increase prices and try to minimize driver pay once it reached a dominant position. Those same reserves were spent aggressively recruiting drivers with signup bonuses and convincing them they could be their own boss.

Self-employment has a whiff of something liberatory, but Uber effectively turned a traditionally employee-based industry into one that was contractor-based. This meant that one of the first casualties of the ride-sharing boom were taxi medallions. For decades, cab drivers in many locales effectively saw these licenses as retirement plans, as they'd be able to sell them on to newcomers when it was time to hang up their flat cap. But in large part due to the influx of ride-sharing services, the value of medallions has plummeted over the last decade or so  in New York, for instance, the value of a medallion dropped from around $1 million in 2014 to $100,000 in 2021. That's in tandem with a drop in earnings, leaving many struggling to pay off enormous loans they took out to buy a medallion.

Some jurisdictions have sought to offset that collapse in medallion value. Quebec pledged $250 million CAD in 2018 to compensate cab drivers. Other regulators, particularly in Australia, applied a per-ride fee to ride-sharing services as part of efforts to replace taxi licenses and compensate medallion holders. In each of those cases, taxpayers and riders, not rideshare companies, bore the brunt of the impact on medallion holders.

At first it was just cab drivers that were hurting, but over the years, compensation for this new class of non-employee app drivers dried up too. In 2017, Uber paid $20 million to settle allegations from the Federal Trade Commission that it used false promises about potential earnings to entice drivers to join its platform. Late last year, Uber and Lyft agreed to pay $328 million to New York drivers after the state conducted a wage theft investigation. The settlement also guaranteed a minimum hourly rate for drivers outside of New York City, where drivers were already subject to minimum rates under Taxi & Limousine Commission rules.

Many rideshare drivers have also sought recognition as employees rather than contractors, so they can have a consistent hourly wage, overtime pay and benefits  efforts that the likes of Uber and rival Lyft have been fighting against. In January, the Department of Labor issued a final rule that aims to make it more difficult for gig economy companies to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees. The EU is also weighing a provisional deal to reclassify millions of app workers as employees.

Of course, the partial erosion of an entire industry's labor market wasn't always the end goal. At one point, Uber wanted to zero out labor costs by getting rid of drivers entirely. It planned to do so by rolling out a fleet of self-driving vehicles and flying taxis.

"The reason Uber could be expensive is because you're not just paying for the car  you're paying for the other dude in the car," former CEO Travis Kalanick said in 2014, a day after Uber suggested drivers could make $90,000 per year on the platform. "When there's no other dude in the car, the cost of taking an Uber anywhere becomes cheaper than owning a vehicle. So the magic there is, you basically bring the cost below the cost of ownership for everybody, and then car ownership goes away."

Uber's grand automation plans didn't work out as intended, however. The company, under current CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, sold its self-driving car and flying taxi units in late 2020.

Uber's success had second-order effects too: despite a business model best described as "set money on fire until (fingers crossed!) a monopoly is established" a whole slew of startups were born, taking their cues from Uber or explicitly pitching themselves as "Uber for X." Sure, you might find a place to stay on Airbnb or Vrbo that's nicer and less expensive than a hotel room. But studies have shown that such companies have harmed the affordability and availability of housing in some markets, as many landlords and real-estate developers opt for more profitable short-term rentals instead of offering units for long-term rentals or sale. Airbnb has faced plenty of other issues over the years, from a string of lawsuits to a mass shooting at a rental home.

Increasingly, this is becoming the blueprint. Goods and services are exchanged by third parties, facilitated by a semi-automated platform rather than a human being. The platform's algorithm creates the thinnest veneer between choice and control for the workers who perform identical labor to the industry that platform came to replace, but that veneer allows the platform to avoid traditionally pesky things like legal liability and labor laws. Meanwhile, customers with fewer alternative options find themselves held captive by these once-cheap platforms that are now coming to collect their dues. Dazzled by the promise of innovation, regulators rolled over or signed a deal with the devil. It's everyone else who's paying the cost.

To celebrate Engadget's 20th anniversary, we're taking a look back at the products and services that have changed the industry since March 2, 2004.
Shipping CEO and billionaire Angela Chao, died on Saturday, February 10 in Texas after a gut wrenching mistake where she backed her Tesla into a pond. She was 50 years old.

Chao's story resurfaces as social media connects this tragedy to the harrowing incident where a container ship called Dali, flying under a Singapore flag, crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday.

Claims that Chao was the owner of the cargo ship are false.

Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and managed by Synergy Marine Group, both of which are based in Singapore, per the Associated Press.

This bizarre post falsely claims Mitch McConnell's recently deceased sister-in-law Angela Chao was CEO of the company that owns the Dali ship, which hit the Baltimore Bridge.



Mrs Chao was CEO of Foremost Group, a US shipping company. The Dali's owned by Grace Ocean in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/4PcW75LAr5 March 27, 2024

Chao was the chair and CEO of bulk shipping giant Foremost, based in New York City, in addition to being president of her father's charity, the Foremost Foundation. She's also sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

RELATED: Companies Forced To Redirect Cargo, Routes Disrupted After Baltimore Bridge Collapses

The 50-year-old was enjoying dinner with a few of her Hardvard Business School friends after inviting them to a 900-acre private property ranch in Texas' Hill Country. The lofty residence includes horse stables, a swimming pool, and a 10-room guesthouse, per the New York Post.

After celebrating Chinese New Year that Friday night, Chao left the guest house to return to the main house where her son was sleeping at approximately 11:30 p.m.

Minutes after taking off in her Tesla Model X SUV, Chao had phoned her friends in a panic following a tragic incident where she backed her car over an embankment into a nearby pond while trying to make a three-point turn, and she was trapped inside.

RELATED: Beauty Guru Jessica Pettway Dead At 36 After Being Misdiagnosed With Fibroids, But It Was Cervical Cancer

Per BBC, the police report describes that her friends were "screaming frantically" at deputies from the side of the pond. Officers were able to smash the window of the submerged car, pulling Chao out her then completely submerged vehicle.

She was pronounced dead at 1:40am on February 11, per the news outlet. EMS attempted to resuscitate her for 43 minutes without success.

Her toxicology report indicated that she had a blood alcohol level of more than double the legal limit, per the state of Texas.

Chao's older sister Elaine Chao is married to Mitch McConnell and previously served as transportation secretary under Donald Trump, 77, and labor secretary under George W. Bush, 77.
Friday, March 29, 2024

On the night of January 21, 2023, Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old from California, emerged as a hero by bravely disarming a gunman during the Monterey Park shooting. Tsay, who helps manage the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra alongside his family, was overseeing a Lunar New Year Celebration when chaos erupted.

Tsay found himself face to face with the armed assailant at the entrance of the dance hall. Seeing the gunman prepare to shoot, a surge of determination surged through him, propelling him towards the gunman in an attempt to wrestle the weapon from his grasp. The struggle was intense, with Tsay enduring several blows to his face and head, yet he persisted until he successfully secured the gun and commanded the assailant to retreat.

Just 20 minutes earlier, the same gunman had pulled up outside another dance studio in Monterey Park, the Star Dance Studio, and opened fire, killing 10 people and wounding 10 more.

Had it not been for Tsays swift and courageous intervention, the outcome of that tragic night could have been far more devastating. His selfless act undoubtedly saved numerous lives and prevented further bloodshed.

A lot of people have been telling me how much courage I had to confront a situation like this. But you know what courage is? Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to have adversity to fear when fearful events happen such as this. Tsay said in an interview.

In the aftermath of the harrowing ordeal, Tsay expressed empathy and concern for his community, acknowledging the shared trauma experienced by many. He highlighted the vulnerability and fear gripping individuals after such a traumatic event, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who have been affected.

Theyre vulnerable. Theyre scared, theyre fragile, Tsay empathized. I want to have efforts in supporting people that go through a traumatic experience. I just want people to know that they have people looking out for them.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons
President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the opening of a section of the Great Train Express (GTX)-A commuter rail line in southern Seoul on Friday, part of a fulfillment of a campaign pledge to reduce the commute between the capital city and the surrounding area to the 30-minute range.

Yoon attended the ceremony at Suseo Station in Gangnam Ward to mark the opening of the section of the GTX-A line that connects Suseo to Dongtan Station in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul.

He then boarded a GTX train at Suseo and made the 20-minute trip to Dongtan together with other passengers.

The GTX-A line is the first GTX route to enter service, with lines B to F scheduled to be completed in the coming years to improve commuter transport in the wider capital region.

Once completed, the full GTX-A line will have 11 stops over a distance of 82.1 kilometers. (Yonhap)
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Danielle Collins, in her final year on the WTA Tour before retirement, booked her first ever 1000 series final in Miami on Thursday with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The 30-year-old Collins, will face fourth-ranked Elena Rybakina in Saturday's final. The Kazakhstan player was pushed all the way by veteran Victoria Azarenka before coming out with a 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (7/2) victory.

Collins denied this week that her great run to the last four was a result of her playing with freedom after announcing her intention to retire at the end of this year.

But once again the American looked relaxed and in control as she took full charge of the contest against Russia's Alexandrova, who had beaten world number one Iga Swiatek in the fourth round before downing fifth-seed Jessica Pegula of the United States.

"It's even more special coming in my home state," said Collins, who hails from St. Petersburg near Tampa.

"I've had a couple of good years here, but this is definitely the most memorable," she added.

Alexandrova broke early in the first set but Collins swiftly got the contest back on serve before breaking again to go 4-2 up and take the set.

The American then broke on Alexandrova's first service game in the second and ran away with the set to complete a 74 minute victory.

"I've followed all of her matches this tournament, it was fun watching her because we have a very similar game style. It is tricky when it is like that," said Collins.

"That forced me to concentrate harder, react faster and really forced me to play up at my highest level," she said.

The 24-year-old Rybakina returns to the Miami final for the second straight year after losing to Czech Petra Kvitova in 2023.

Her form -- and the absence of any of the top three in the world -- suggests she will be the strong favorite against Collins.

So far this year Rybakina has won titles in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi and her first WTA 1000 final of the year in Doha.

Her serve looked too much for Azarenka in the first set but then faded badly in the second before breaking to go 3-2 up in the third.

- Just going for it -

But the 34-year-old Azarenka, a three-time winner at Miami, showed all her dogged spirit as she broke back to make it 5-5 and keep alive her hopes of an unlikely run to the final.

But in the tie-break, Rybakina found her serve in spectacular fashion, leaving Azarenka helpless with a fearsome ace to go 3-0 up.

The outcome never looked in doubt from that point on but 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who withdrew from her Indian Wells title defense this month because of illness, said she had been in trouble physically in the second set.

"There was a pause where I stayed on the court and I think I should have maybe left (for) a bit because it was really humid and tough conditions, the energy just went down and Vika came back very aggressively.

"After three games when I lost so easily it was very difficult to regroup so I knew there would be a third set and I was just trying to prepare for it," she added.

Rybakina said she was able to get in the zone for the tie-break.

"I switched off the mind a bit for the tie-break and I just went for it," she said.

sev/bb
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A man was charged on Thursday for one count of assault with a weapon in relation to a stabbing incident that took place on March 18 outside of Ike and Susan's Lounge & Casino in Great Falls.

According to Cascade County court documents, on or about March 18, 2024 at 02:07 a.m., Officer Andrew Ritton of Great Falls Police Department (GFPD) was dispatched to Ike and Susan's for reports of a male who had been stabbed.

Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Ritton was informed that a suspect, later identified as Trevor Leonard Johnson, had been seen walking away from the scene of the incident northbound across 2nd Ave N.

While witnesses were being interviewed at the scene, Johnson approached and stated, "it was me, I did it."

Johnson was then taken into custody at that time and was transported to the GFPD for a recorded interview where Johnson waived his right to an attorney.

Johnson explained to GFPD that the victim was a mutual friend and the two had been "talking [expletive]" throughout the night and at bar closing, the victim was inside a vehicle outside the casino.

Johnson and the victim talked with one another briefly before the victim exited the car and struck Johnson in the head. Johnson said he then pulled a black "Grand Switchblade" from his pocket before stabbing the victim. Johnson estimated he had stabbed the victim twice before he then left the scene on foot.

An officer reviewed video footage of the incident and confirmed the victim exited the vehicle before punching Johnson in the head, who then appeared to stab the victim multiple times in the abdomen.

Doctors and GFPD officers at the hospital documented multiple stab wounds in the victim's abdomen which resulted in what appeared to be internal organs protruding outside of the stomach area. The victim also had a stab wound in his arm along with a large gash across his stomach.

Johnson made an initial court appearance on March 18, where the court found probable cause for the offense and set bond at $10,000 with a no contact provision within a 1,500-foot radius.

The official charge, "Assault with a Weapon", is a felony and if convicted, Johnson could face up to 20 years imprisonment, or a fine of up to $50,000, or both. The court documents stated that The State is seeking to maintain the bond and no contact requirements.
Montana's first Amazon facility has launched, and Governor Greg Gianforte was cutting the blue ribbon as folks watched on.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Beginning March 5th, all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military at home and abroad are now eligible to enroll directly in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care without first applying for VA benefits.

"If you're willing to send folks off to Africa and the Middle East to fight and you don't want to take care of them when they get back home, you shouldn't send them in the first place," said Senator Jon Tester.

It's all through the PACT Act, and according to Tester, this expansion allows millions of veterans to now be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care, including all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11.

Today, he was in Great Falls and held a press conference to speak with veterans alongside toxic-exposed veterans to inform others on the PACT Act.

Alongside Tester was Candy Hering and Dean martin, both having served in the military.

Hering served in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2007 and was deployed dozens of times, often being surrounded by burn pits, diseases, and other exposures.

"Burn pits and oil fields burning, tires burning. And again, a lot of, you know, different diseases and environmental factors that we're not necessarily used to being in here in America," said Hering.

For Hering, she says she was answering the nation's call in a time of need but she didn't realize what she was exposing herself to straight out of high school.

"I wasn't necessarily thinking about, oh, this could be dangerous. Oh, this isn't healthy. You know, we were more in a mindset like whatever it takes to get the job done," said Hering.

When she came back home, she struggled with respiratory issues and asked herself why she was suffering and others weren't.

That is until the PACT Act opened up to her.

"The pride and joy of my life was serving in the Marine Corps and serving my country. Now I'm going to get taken care of for doing that. It's a very wholesome feeling," said Hering.

While Hering had the opportunity to benefit from the PACT Act, she is now also helping local veterans in Montana file claims.

"I had one veteran specifically, who years ago was fighting to get benefits for conditions he believed were linked to his Agent Orange exposure and the old laws were not allowing for him to get those benefits. When the PACT Act passed and opened up that location, he had already passed away because of a service-connected condition. But because I had known his name, I was able to contact his surviving spouse and she was finally able to get justice for her husband by getting those benefits he had earned. This work is monumental and the veterans in our community are benefiting," said Hering.

Martin served in the Vietnam War and while it's been 55 years since his boots were on the ground, he's been around to see many changes in veterans heath care.

"I had a very good friend of mine, I went to high school with him and served in Vietnam the same time I did. He came back and Agent Orange took him out early," said Martin, "He had a family, two children, a wife, a new business, and Im sad to sayhe died bankrupt, without the comfort that his family was going to be taken care of."

Tester says this law is really delivering long-overdue health care and benefits to toxic exposed veterans and survivors.

"I also have the comfort that if I die because of a condition that I had from Vietnam, that my wife will be cared for. And that is a very comforting thing to me," said Martin.

For more information on the PACT Act and to see if you're eligible, click here.

Since the PACT Act was signed into law in August 2022, the VA has received more than 1.5 million PACT Act-related claims, including more than 6,100 from Montana veterans and survivors, and nearly 129,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care under a PACT Act enrollment authority.

More than 866,000 veterans and survivors are receiving PACT Act-related benefits, including more than 4,100 veterans and survivors in Montana.
By Lee Hae-rin

Former presidents of Korea have been taking contrasting approaches to their political appearances, with less than two weeks to go before the April 10 general elections. Former liberal President Moon Jae-in has been active in supporting opposition candidates, while two former conservative presidents  Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak  have remained relatively quiet.

Moon, Friday, visited Sasang District of Busan, where he was previously elected as a lawmaker, to join the campaign of Bae Jae-jeung, a candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

He also visited his hometown, Geoje of South Gyeongsang Province, wearing a blue jacket, Wednesday, and climbed Mount Gyeryong with former Geoje Mayor Byun Gwang-yong, who is running for a seat in the region.

Park Geun-hye, the disgraced former president and daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee, has only been openly supportive of her close aide Yoo Yeong-ha, among ruling People Power Party (PPP) candidates. Yoo served as Park's attorney in the 2016 massive corruption scandal that ultimately led to her impeachment the same year.

Park met with PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon at her residence in Daegu on Tuesday and requested unity among conservatives.

Lee Myung-bak, another former president, has made no particular moves in supporting conservative candidates.

Instead, he visited the Daejeon National Cemetery on Monday, on the eve of the 14th anniversary of the sinking of the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan, paying honor to fallen heroes.

We shall never forget the Cheonan's fallen heroes love for their country and noble sacrifice, he wrote in the visitors book at the cemetery.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabias foreign ministry issued a statement about the normalization of relations with Israel on February 7. It declared that Saudi Arabia would not establish relations with Israel until the brotherly Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rightsthe creation and recognition of an independent state with 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement refined and affirmed comments that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made in Davos three weeks earlier.

The announcement leaves Saudi security and interests to chance. The Saudi government is making the realization of relations between two countries, Israel and Saudi Arabia, contingent on the cooperation of a third party, the Palestinians. The need for diplomatic relations between Saud Arabia and Israel grows critical to maintaining security and stability in the Middle East as Iranian aggression escalates and American reliability deteriorates. The longer there are no diplomatic relations, the Saudis become more vulnerable. By conditioning Saudi-Israeli relations, the Kingdom has provided the Palestinians considerable leverage as well as an opportunity to undermine or hold Saudi interests hostage.

The Hamas attacks of October 7 and the subsequent Israeli response froze discussions about Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations that began during the summer. Realizing relations with Israel is a challenging endeavor for the Kingdom, perceived to be a leader of the Arab and Muslim worlds. Pursuing those relations in the wake of Israel having displaced, maimed, or killed thousands of Palestinians is diplomatic suicide, a public relations nightmare, and a possible source of domestic unrest.

In the short term, the announcement by the Saudi Foreign Ministry is prudent. Calling for a Palestinian state before recognizing Israel demonstrates astuteness. The monarchy reinforces a long-held belief that regional stability begins with a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Defying that belief would be tantamount to abandoning an Arab brother, especially at a critical time of need; the Kingdoms image in the Arab and Muslim worlds would be tarnished and its leadership questioned.

The announcement also thwarts potential domestic challenges to the monarchys rule. The idea of relations with Israel is not popular. According to polling in late 2023, 96 percent of Saudis believe that Arab countries should immediately break all diplomatic, political, economic, and any other contacts with Israel, in protest against its military action in Gaza. In the wake of the war, only 17 percent of the Saudis support the establishment of economic ties with Israel.

While the monarchy has attempted to insulate itself from Arab and Muslim criticism and from possible domestic unrest, conditioning relations with Israel on the establishment and recognition of a Palestinian state exposes Saudi Arabia to risks from Iran and the United States.

Each day without Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations is a day that witnesses the further empowerment and enablement of Iran. Iran strives toward achieving nuclear weapons capabilities. It projects growing power through an array of militias that exacerbate conflicts, wreak havoc on maritime traffic, worsen economies, facilitate corruption, and defy the rule of law.

An ascendant Iran threatens Saudi Arabia and poses regional challenges. An empowered Iran can project its power into Saudi societal dynamics as it has in other Arab countriesby fomenting tension within the Shia community and between the Shia and Sunni communities. An enabled Iran funds and supports hostile actors on Saudi Arabias borders (Yemen and Iraq). A nuclear umbrella would provide regime security for Tehranfurther empowering and enabling the aforementioned behaviors. A nuclear Iran also puts the region on a path toward nuclear proliferation.

The challenges do not bode well for Saudi Arabias security and interests. Domestic opposition and unrest can be galvanized. Saudi citizens and infrastructure can be targeted by drones and missiles from outside the Kingdom.

The challenges also threaten a primary endeavor of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Vision 2030. The Crown Princes commitments to diversifying the Kingdoms economy, making the country a global hub, and modernizing other elements rely on foreign investment, global integration, and visitors. Will foreigners want to visit and invest in a project with a nuclear Iran in the neighborhood, nuclear proliferation on the horizon, and Iranian-supported militias fomenting conflict on its borders and throughout the region? In Yemen, the Houthi movement has demonstrated a penchant for disrupting maritime traffic and the global economy, as well as shooting missiles over and at Saudi Arabia. What is the guarantee that those actions will not happen in the future, especially if Iran is empowered and continues to support the Houthis and pursue regional dominance? Houthi disruption of maritime traffic in the Red Sea and their launching of missiles cannot bode well for the crown jewel of Vision 2030the Red Sea-situated city of NEOM.

For years, the Saudis have largely relied on the United States for protection. The United States sold the Kingdom large weapons packages. The U.S. has placed and continues to place American soldiers on Saudi soil to assist in defending the Kingdom.

Recently, the Saudi-U.S. relationship has experienced considerable strain and scrutiny. U.S. military involvement in the Middle East is exceptional. Calls endure for shrinking the American military footprint in the region, including in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, progressive elements in Congress and the Biden administration believe allies should reflect the U.S. in image and likeness. They call on allies like Saudi Arabia to adopt Western values in their societies. The Saudis have not done themselves well in currying favor with these progressive elements, most notably in light of the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Obama and Biden administrations have also attempted to impose their vision for the regiona sharing of it between Saudi Arabia and Iran to the alarm and displeasure of the Kingdom.

The Biden administration and members of Congress repeatedly take actions and produce messaging that questions both the U.S. commitment to Saudi security and the notion of constraining and containing Iran. The president and his congressional allies employ rhetoric or draft legislation that challenges the Kingdoms security and questions the monarchys legitimacy. Weapons sales to the Kingdom are contested on the hill. The administration and Congress have worked to reduce Americas support of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. Biden seeks to resurrect the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aka the Iran nuclear deal, a deal opposed by Saudi Arabia. The administration also appeases the militias that Iran backs.

The developments are a cause for concern for the monarchy in Riyadh. Current U.S. behavior gives no assurances that the United States will always come to the aid of the Kingdom and challenge Iranian aggression. Furthermore, the Saudis are unable to effectively confront, contest, and contain Iran on their own. The ineffectiveness of the recent Saudi intervention in Yemen highlights the limitations of their military capabilities.

Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations become critical and necessary for the current state of Saudi affairs. The countries share the same concerns regarding Iran while their relations with the United States are increasingly tenuous. The realization and fulfillment of those concerns require extensive cooperation that can only be achieved through diplomatic relations. Anything less is insufficient.

The Saudis have made quite the wager on their future well-being by placing the creation and recognition of a Palestinian state ahead of Saudi-Israeli relations. They have placed considerable hope in an outcome, an Israeli-Palestinian resolution, that does not appear likely shortly. What makes the situation even riskier for the Saudis is that they are expecting concessions from Palestinians who historically have been unwilling to compromise, lack effective leadership, and have been captured by the maximalist and confrontational thinking supported by Iran and its scions.

The failed talks at Camp David in 2000 are a glaring example of an unwillingness to make the necessary concessions. The actions or lack thereof by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority demonstrate broken, corrupt, and rudderless leadership in the last few months, let alone the last two decades. The fact that 72 percent of Palestinians (in December) believed the October 7 Hamas attacks were correct demonstrates the relative pervasiveness of maximalist and violent thinking celebrated and supported by Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and others.

History also tells us that countries who attempt to accommodate the Palestinian issue have lived to regret it. Lebanon accommodated the Palestinian cause in 1969 only to witness, six years later, its role in the dissolution of the Lebanese state. Lebanon has never been the same.

The Palestiniansand, to a lesser extent, Iran and its scionscan play the role of the spoiler. They have such an incentive. The Palestinians are not a party to bilateral relations and Saudi-Israeli relations would challenge Iran and its allies. What better way to block Saudi-Israeli relations than by refusing to agree to a two-state solution and making further demands. The Palestinians, Iran, and others have the ability to impede a significant Saudi foreign policy objective while undermining Saudi economic diversification and threatening Saudi security.

Irans continued development of a nuclear program and pursuit of regional hegemony, combined with a tenuous American relationship, represents serious challenges to Saudi Arabia. Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations are becoming obvious and urgent. When does waiting on a Palestinian state do more harm than good for Saudi Arabia? Time is not an ally of the gambit the Kingdom announced on February 7.

Eric Bordenkircher is currently a research fellow at UCLAs Center for Middle East Development. Formerly a Visiting Assistant Professor in Government at Claremont McKenna College and Pepperdine University, his writing has appeared in National Review, Newsweek, The American Mind, The American Spectator, The National Interest, Middle East Policy, The San Diego Union Tribune, The American Conservative, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, The Washington Examiner, Review of Middle East Studies, Middle East Quarterly, 1945, Lobelog, and the Fikra Forum. His Twitter handle is @UCLA_Eagle.
The GB pig market is showing some early signs of seasonal uplift following downward pressure at the start of this year, new analysis shows.

The GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) pig price has been trending relatively stable in February and March.

However, there have been some signs of seasonal increase when the lightest and heaviest pigs are removed from the price reporting sample.

Prices paid for carcases weighing 70-104.9kg have edged higher in five of the last six weeks, rising 0.4% from a year-to-date low of 212.55p/kg to reach 213.43p/kg in the week ending March 23.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) says that despite evidence of a slight seasonal upturn, prices have still slipped behind year-earlier levels for the first time in two years.

Still, they were up 35% on their five-year average in mid-March, reflecting the sharp market rebound between spring 2022 and 2023.

Pig producers will be relieved that the price of feed has been falling. Defras animal feed price series shows that grain prices in January were down 25-30% on 2023 levels.

Protein meal prices have also fallen sharply since a brief rebound in autumn 2023, taking them down over 20% on the year.

Since then, market data suggests that there has been further downwards pressure on both grain and protein meals, although grain prices have rebounded slightly in the second half of March.

QMS market intelligence manager, Iain Macdonald says: These trends reflect a well-supplied global arable crop market, supported by factors such as an improvement in Ukraines export capacity and favourable growing weather in South America.

A stronger sterling against the US dollar than in early 2023 has also helped.

Although wages have been rising quickly and energy and borrowing costs remain elevated, the current balance between production costs and output prices suggests that pig producers finances are slowly recovering from the financial crisis of 2021/22.

However, given the scale of that crisis, theres still a long way to go, Mr Macdonald explains.

Defra slaughter data showed an 11% decline in prime pig throughput at GB abattoirs in 2023 and the trend continued at the start of 2024, down another 4% in the first two months.

While December pig census results are not available for Scotland, Englands results show that finishing pig numbers were still down by 11% year-on-year, and by 18% on the peak reached two years before.

Sow numbers in England did show a marginal rebound in December 2023, but they were still 19% lower than in December 2021.

"So, while there could be some recovery in the second half, there is little room for any significant rebound in prime pig slaughter in England in 2024, Mr Macdonald says.

Given the sharp reduction in domestic pork production since 2022, the external trade balance has been supporting availability for consumption.

UK export volumes fell by nearly a quarter in 2023 and while imports fell slightly in the year as a whole, they were higher than in 2022 between April and the year-end.

Mr Macdonald says higher import volumes have been supporting market supplies for nearly a year, and import prices tend to closely follow trends in EU pig prices.

He says: After six months trading at a small discount of only around 5% to GB levels, EU pigs became relatively cheap in the second half of 2023 and the price gap widened beyond 20% in early 2024.

"However, there has been a strong seasonal rebound in the EU since February, and the price gap dipped to 13% in the third week of March.

While EU pork remains competitive, it is not as cheap as it looked over the winter, and EU supply remains fundamentally tight.

Although there was some recovery in the EU sow herd in December 2023, numbers were still 7% below pre-covid levels, Mr Macdonald explains.

In addition, fattening pigs were still showing a year-on-year decline of 2.4%, highlighting that, like at home, any recovery in EU pork production is likely to be weak.

"As a result, the downwards pressure on the domestic market from EU imports is likely to remain limited.

Looking further afield, he notes that the USDA is expecting increased global trade this year, with a key driver being China.

Chinas pork production rose sharply late last year as loss-making producers liquidated herds.

As a result, numbers are expected to tighten in 2024, resulting in higher import requirements once stocks built up in 2023 have been used up.

Although pork prices have dipped seasonally since Chinese New Year, wholesale prices continue to look relatively attractive, holding above GB farmgate price levels, and the Chinese market has often risen between spring and autumn.

By 2023, UK exports to China had fallen back to around where they had been before Chinas severe pork shortage of 2019 and 2020.

However, at a share of 36%, they made up a significantly higher proportion of UK exports than in the pre-African swine fever period, highlighting Chinas position as a vital market outlet for processors looking to achieve carcase balance.
Jason Biggs lied to his wife Jenny Mollen about his past alcohol addiction.

Jason Biggs lied to his wife Jenny Mollen about his past alcohol addiction

The 45-year-old American Pie actor, who married the actress, 44, in 2008, said he would go to therapy while he was still drinking and refill bottles in their home bar to hide the extent of his problem.

He said on Jennys All the Fails podcast: Im going to therapy and working on things but meanwhile Im leaving therapy, having just had a good session, and Im going to the liquor store and buying a fifth of vodka, drinking it and then driving home.

When Jenny revealed she was shocked she never noticed Jasons alcoholism he added: I knew how to get wasted enough to where I took myself out of the life equation  took myself out of the present, didnt have to connect in a way that made me feel things.

I had it figured out to a T  to not get too drunk where I couldnt have a conversation with you.

I was replacing those bottles in the bar all the time.

Jason previously opened up about his past alcohol and drug addiction in 2018, while celebrating one year sober.

He said in an Instagram message alongside a photo of a silver sobriety coin: I first tried to get sober over five years ago, when the weight of my obsession with booze and drugs became too heavy for me to handle.

Jasons coin had the message: To thine own self be true, along with the words: Unity, service, recovery.

The dad-of-two, who has sons Sid, 10, and six-year-old Lazlo with Jenny, added it turns out getting sober is hard, saying: After some fits and starts, Ive managed to put together one year of sobriety. Im as proud of it as anything in my life.

If youre struggling, know theres help. Dont be ashamed. We can do this. (Bicep and praying hands emojis.)
John Boyega found it difficult to "comprehend" the death of his childhood friend Damilola Taylor.

John Boyega struggled to comprehend the death of his friend

The schoolboy was stabbed to death in Peckham, London, at the age of ten, and John has confessed to being "shaped" by the tragedy.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 4's 'Last Word', John said: "Even though I was young, it was a shock to understand how mortality worked.

"To think that somebody as young as me could pass away in such a horrific way was hard for me to understand or comprehend.

"And I definitely think [Damilola's death] has shaped me through the years and just affected my perspective on certain things."

The murder case attracted a huge amount of interest and discussion in the UK, but John previously made a conscious decision to refrain from speaking about it publicly.

The London-born actor explained: "I'm quite private in general, but with this specifically, it's that celebrity thing of not wanting to get in front of very real-life news."

John remembers his childhood friend as being "flamboyant and charismatic".

And the actor still has vivid memories of his last day with Damilola in November 2000.

John said: "From the hours we left him in Peckham to the hours when I went home, and then the police were at our door and there was a whole investigation that we were involved in, was definitely life-changing for me, definitely altered my perspective."

John actually felt inspired to become an actor after listening to a poem that was read at Damilola's funeral.

He explained: "What is truly my dream? Do I have the guts to identify what my dream is? Am I too young to identify my dream and work towards it?

"And after reading that poem, I was just like, yeah, I have no excuse. I want to be a movie star."
Logan Lerman proposed once his partner rowed them to a quiet part of Central Park - after he realised he is "terrible" at using an oar.

Logan Lerman had to get his partner to row their boat before he proposed

The 'Percy Jackson' star revealed last November he popped the question and now he has shared what went down when he asked his longtime artist girlfriend. Analuisa Corrigan, for her hand in marriage.

Logan, 32, recalled how people were "pointing and laughing" at him as he struggled to get to grips with rowing the little boat on the lake at the famous New York park after struggling to find privacy to ask the all-important question in the crowded city.

He told 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon': "I had no plan and when I got here, I realised I needed some privacy.

"There was no privacy in New York. So we ended up in Central Park. My fiancee pointed out the rowboats and I was like, 'Oh, let's do it.'"

Luckily, she was able to row them to a quiet spot before he got down on one knee.

He continued: "I was terrible at it.

"So she ended up rowing the boat. I'm just sitting back. I'm thinking, 'Oh God, now people are looking at us and pointing and laughing at me.'

"But finally, she rode us to a quiet part of the lake there and I popped the question.

"It was great. It went really well."

Alongside a snap of the pair looking loved-up in Polaroid pictures and a video capturing her dazzling engagement ring, the future bride announced on Instagram at the time: Thats Mrs Logie to you.

And the 'Bullet Train' actor commented: Love you sweetie.

The pair were said to have been dating for around four years before he proposed.

In 2021, Logan gushed over his partner on her 27th birthday: "Yesterday was my best friends birthday.

She truly makes every day better and brighter. I wake up every morning feeling like the luckiest guy in the world knowing I have this one in my life. This bday we learned how to ski. Heres to many more adventures together. Love you, Anita. (sic)

Logan revealed they were long-distance for a while when he lived in Los Angeles, and she was in New York City just as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting.

However, she ended up relocating to be with him.

Her article in Architectural Digest noted: "Then, the pandemic happened in the midst of visiting her boyfriend, the actor known as Logan Lerman, from New York, so she wound up staying with him in Los Angeles."
Princess Superstar's daughter cannot escape her song 'Perfect (Exceeder)' on social media since 'Saltburn' came out.

Princess Superstar has opened up on how the success of her Saltburn song has changed her life and her daughter's

The Noughties electronic music star's 2006 smash hit single with Dutch DJ Mason has re-entered charts all over the world and become the soundtrack to countless TikTok posts after being included in Emerald Fennells black comedy starring Barry Keoghan.

The 53-year-old songwriter's daughter Siren, who she raises with her husband Luis Miguel Ortega, was initially thrilled to hear her mother's track on social media all the time but now she "can't stand" having her parent all over her feeds every week.

In an interview with BANG Showbiz, she said: "My daughter gets very excited when the influencers that she follows or the YouTubers that she follows use the song, she gets so excited.

But now, eventually, shes like, Mom, every other reel is your voice, I cant stand it! Can you imagine your mom always being on your feed? Its annoying as a child.

Princess Superstar - real name Concetta Suzanne Kirschner - has nothing but gratitude to Emerald for choosing her song to be included in her film, and she was blown away by the plot and the performance of the cast, even though she doesn't usual watch movies that contain graphic depictions of violence.

She said: "I thought it was just wild. I thought it was incredible because I had never seen things like that in a film before. I thought it was so beautifully made, I thought it was incredible.

Im, like, a very peaceful person so I dont like celebrating murder in media. But, as a piece of art it was beautifully done.

Its a great film, its a great song, and then youve got social media. Were in an era of social media, so its pretty amazing that there was a perfect storm that happened for this song to come alive again  its just bananas.

Ive been enjoying every minute of it. Its like watching a movie, sometimes Im like, Is this happening to me?

'Saltburn' has also been responsible for catapulting Sophie-Ellis Bextors 'Murder On The Dancefloor' back into the charts and the two pop stars will be touring the UK this summer.
A massive yellow dust storm blanketed Korea on Friday, with fine dust advisories issued across many regions, including the greater Seoul area, the state weather agency said.

Most central regions recorded fine dust levels exceeding the "very bad" level of over 151 micrograms per cubic meter, with Seoul recording 440 micrograms per cubic meter as of 8 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.

Gangwon Province and South Chungcheong Province reported 329 and 213 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, and the central city of Sejong marked 440 micrograms per cubic meter.

The hourly fine dust concentration levels peaked to reach 698 micrograms per cubic meter in Cheongna-dong in Incheon as of 6 a.m.

A fine dust advisory or warning was issued in the greater Seoul area, parts of Gangwon Province and Chungcheong Province, with the capital area also recording high concentration levels of ultrafine dust particles, according to the weather agency.

The yellow dust blown over from the Mongolian Plateau will continue to affect the air quality until Saturday.

The KMA said most parts of the country will see sporadic rain of up to 5 millimeters until the afternoon, warning against getting caught in rain mixed with yellow dust.

As of 8 a.m., the morning temperatures ranged from 1 to 10 degrees Celsius, with Seoul recording 6.1 degrees, Gwangju 8.4 degrees, Ulsan 10.4 degrees, and Busan 10.9 degrees.

The morning highs will range from 11 to 21 degrees, and strong wind will be expected across the country. (Yonhap)
Olivia Colman has confirmed she is not in the third series of 'Heartstopper' - and she feels "awful about that".

Olivia Colman says 'Heartstopper' was 'one of the most beautiful things' she's been part of

The 50-year-old actress starred as the mother of Nick (Kit Connor) and David Nelson (Jack Barton), Sarah Nelson, for two seasons of the hit coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama, and she was left gutted that she couldn't fit another instalment in due to her hectic schedule.

She told Forbes magazine: I couldnt do number three. I couldnt fit it in. I feel awful about that. I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things Ive ever been part of.

Fans have been left gutted as she was a popular character.

The 'Wonka' star didn't hesitate when it came to signing up for her role in the series.

She told Variety: I said yes before I had read it and when I read it, I went, Oh, its really important.' If any of my children experienced that, Id want them to know that the world can be beautiful and accepting and loving.

And she was "incredibly proud" of Kit when he came out as bisexual after being trolled online.

The former 'Crown' star admires the way the 20-year-old actor has conducted himself under public scrutiny, and she hit out at the "unfair" circumstances surrounding his confession.

She told the publication: I am so proud of him, but I am not proud of how people bullied him.

I think people should be allowed to have their own journey. But Im incredibly proud of him as a young man to deal with all of that and be in the spotlight. Its unfair. But hes amazing. Hes a very beautiful human being.

Kit, who was 18 at the time, made a rare Twitter post in October 2022 to clarify his sexuality after some people accused him of "queer-baiting" after he was pictured holding hands with 'A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow' co-star Maia Reficco.

He wrote: "Back for a minute. Im bi.

"Congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. Bye.

'Heartstopper' creator, writer and showrunner Alice Oseman threw her support behind the star in a powerful tweet.

She replied: "I truly dont understand how people can watch Heartstopper and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes.

I hope all those people are embarrassed as F***. Kit you are amazing.
Sydney Sweeney used her earnings to pay off her mum's mortgage.

Sydney Sweeney is taking care of her mum since shooting to fame

The 26-year-old 'Euphoria' star credits her parents with her success because they helped her launch her career by moving from their native Spokane, Washington to Los Angeles to help their daughter chase her dreams of Hollywood stardom - and now she's taking pride in being able to help them out.

She told WhoWhatWear magazine: "I recently paid off my mom's mortgage. As a kid, I always dreamt of being able to take care of my parents, so that was a really big thing for me to be able to do ...

"I try to incorporate them [my family] into my life as much as possible, whether it's talking with my cousins every other day or going home."

She added: "My quote, unquote success didn't come until I was in my 20s. So my parents didn't really get to [experience it with me]."

Sydney went on to insist she didn't get into showbusiness to become famous - she just wanted to be a working actor.

She explained: "The aspiration that I had was to be a working actor on a set. That's kind of all I knew ... I just knew that I could be in a movie and play different characters ... I'm learning every single day and figuring it out. It's crazy - it's really, really crazy."

Sydney previously admitted she's enjoying sharing her new world with her parents - who split just as she was starting to make waves in Hollywood.

She told Variety: "My parents sacrificed so much to support my dream, and they lost so much during. I just felt a responsibility to show them that it was worth it ...

"My mom grew up with barely anything. She got her GED when she was 16; she worked five jobs to put herself through school; she took care of her brothers. She takes care of everyone."
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Tapan Kanti Ghosh, the senior secretary of the Commerce Ministry, announced the governments strategic move to pursue a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, aiming to finalise negotiations by 2026.

This is as per reports, which added this decision comes in anticipation of Bangladeshs transition from a least developed country to a developing one in the same year, which would entail a reduction in duty benefits.

Senior commerce secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said government had taken a policy decision for signing free trade agreement with China and the Commerce Ministry was working in an aim to conclude the FTA negotiation by 2026. Should the negotiations extend beyond the deadline, Bangladesh plans to seek interim duty-free market access from China.

Ghosh underlined the necessity of balancing post-graduation challenges, highlighting the urgency to conclude FTA talks with China before 2026.

Should negotiations extend beyond the deadline, Bangladesh plans to seek interim duty-free market access from China.

The groundwork for this agreement was laid during Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to Bangladesh in 2016, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct a joint feasibility study. Subsequent meetings of the joint working group, including one in Beijing in 2018, have progressed the feasibility study reports.

The commerce secretary disclosed plans for an upcoming meeting in Dhaka to finalise these reports.

Chinas ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, affirmed Chinas commitment to assisting Bangladesh in mitigating challenges post-graduation. Wen highlighted the potential of the FTA to boost Bangladeshs exports to China, citing successful agreements with other countries such as Mauritius and Cambodia.

He underscored the FTAs role in expanding investment opportunities while also acknowledging Chinas interest in supporting Bangladeshs development initiatives, including its ambitions for a Smart Bangladesh and enhanced competitiveness.

The Chinese ambassador addressed the trade imbalance between the two nations, emphasising Bangladeshs reliance on importing textiles and machinery from China for its apparel exports to global markets.

He expressed Chinese businesses keen interest in investing in Bangladeshs key sectors, aligning with Bangladeshs vision for economic advancement.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Veppam Kulir X Review: Veppam Kulir Mazhai, a Tamil film set to hit theaters on March 29, 2024, is helmed by Pascal Vedamuthu. The cast includes Dhirav G, Ismath Banu, M. S. Bhaskar, Rama, and Vijaya Lakshmi in prominent roles.

Veppam Kulir Mazhai Synopsis

The narrative follows Petthaperumal and Paandi, a contentedly married couple facing societal pressure to conceive, delving into the impact on their relationship.

Veppam Kulir Early Review

Veppam Kulir Mazhai has received positive reviews from the Special Premiere show, with Film Journalist Rajasekar's X (formerly Twitter) post highlighting its strengths. Describing it as a small rural film with a big heart, Rajasekar praised director Pascal's handling of the sensitive topic of parenthood with sincerity and authenticity. The film portrays the pain of an innocent couple longing to become parents without deviating from its core plot. Lead actors Dhirav and Ismath Banu delivered outstanding performances, particularly in emotionally charged scenes, showcasing their courage and dedication. The film's portrayal of village life was commended for its realism, with supporting actors MS Bhaskar and Rama also receiving praise for their roles. Shankar's music, reminiscent of Ilaiyaraaja's style, added depth to the film. With a rating of 3.5 out of 5, Veppam Kulir Mazhai comes highly recommended for audiences seeking a heartfelt and authentic cinematic experience.

Veppam Kulir Mazhai Cast And Crew

The ensemble of Veppam Kulir Mazhai features Dhirav G, Ismath Banu, M. S. Bhaskar, Rama, and Vijaya Lakshmi in key roles.

Pascal Vedamuthu served as both the director and writer of the film. In addition to acting, Dhirav G took on the roles of producer and editor. Shankar Rangarajan was responsible for the music composition, while Prithvi Rajendran served as the cinematographer. Anand Ramachandran handled sound design, and Balachander C. S. acted as the art director.

The release of "Veppam Kulir Mazhai" is highly anticipated, promising an extraordinary cinematic experience for all film enthusiasts. Stay tuned for insightful X (formerly Twitter) reviews as audiences share their thoughts on this drama film.
MasterChef Tamil release date: It's difficult to keep calm as the makers of MasterChef have confirmed the launch date of the two versions of the show in Southern languages. On Friday (March 29), Sony LIV unveiled promos featuring the esteemed judging panels for both editions.

MASTERCHEF TAMIL JUDGES NAME

The Tamil version will feature the culinary expertise of Chef Koushik Shankar, Chef Shreeya Adka, and Chef Rakesh Raghunathan, while the Telugu edition will showcase the talents of Chef Sanjay Thumma, Chef Nikitha Umesh, and Chef Chalapathi Rao!

These adaptations aim to immerse viewers in the cultural flavors of Tamil and Telugu cuisine, celebrating the diverse culinary heritage of India. Each dish tells a story, connecting us to the rich tapestry of Indian culture and traditions. Auditions for these new editions have kickstarted with a bang.

MASTERCHEF TAMIL CONTESTANTS NAME

Get ready to spice up your screens with the culinary extravaganza of MasterChef India's new season in Tamil and Telugu, streaming exclusively on Sony LIV from April 22nd! Yes, you read that right!

It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned cook or a passionate foodie, all you have to do is just showcase your skills. Aspirants can be part of this culinary reality show by participating in the audition process.

The mouth-watering journey of MasterChef India - Tamil and Telugu, will start April 22nd, only on Sony LIV!

Telugu -

Tamil -

The reality show will be available for streaming online on the leading OTT platform from next month.

Keep watching this space for more updates.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - General Copper Gold Corp. (CSE: GGLD) (OTCQB: GNRGF) (FSE: 7S50) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Curtis as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately.

Mr. Curtis has served as a director of the Company since 2010 and has over 45 years of experience in the Canadian financial industry in the areas of trading, research, corporate finance and the management of public companies. In 1998, he founded and became President and Director of Cardwell Capital Inc., a private investment and trading corporation that invests in small and mid-capitalization public companies trading in North American markets. He has worked closely with Intrepid Financial, a Canadian investment and advisory firm with focus on Natural Resources and technology sectors that has raised over $2B for its portfolio companies with multiple exits since 2006. Mr. Curtis has held Board seats in numerous public companies during his career.

Mr. Curtis is replacing Michelle Gahagan, who has resigned as President, CEO and a director of the Company in order to focus on other endeavours. The Company wishes to thank Ms. Gahagan for her support and dedication over the years.

About General Copper Gold Corp.

General Copper Gold Corp. is an independent mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that is engaged in the business of exploring for and evaluating mineral properties.

General Copper Gold is currently exploring the 2,313 hectare Topley Richfield copper-gold property in British Columbia. Topley Richfield is a historic mining area with previous work carried out in 2008, 2015 as well as geophysical surveys in 2021. There are significant historical drilling intercepts and the 2021 geophysics has highlighted further key highly prospective areas that have yet to be explored. Multiple drill targets have already been identified by the Company.

For further information, please contact:

General Copper Gold Corp.

Michelle Gahagan, President

T: (604) 639-4452

E: mgahagan@intrepidfinancial.co.uk

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transactions and neither has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203533

SOURCE: General Copper Gold Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. (TSXV: PNRL) (OTCQX: PNRLF) ("PNRL" or the "Company") extends an invitation to shareholders and investors to join a webinar scheduled for Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024, in Toronto at 4:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. PDT. Chairman of the Board, Mr. Jim Gowans, joins CEO, Mr. Keith Morrison to discuss key updates and engage in a Q&A session.

Details of the event are as follows:

Event: Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. Investor Webinar

Date and time: Held in Toronto, Canada - Wednesday, April 3,2024 at 4:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. PDT

Where: Zoom Webinar: details to be provided upon registration.

To register your interest for the webinar please click through to the link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__VEDBMJCSMuD9WQX8-ESHA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.

Participants will be able to submit questions via the panel throughout the presentation, however to ensure there is time to get through the potential high volume of questions, we highly encourage attendees to send through questions via email beforehand to jaclyn@premiumnickel.com.

About Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.

PNRL is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on the redevelopment of the previously producing nickel, copper and cobalt resources mines owned by the Company in the Republic of Botswana. We are driven by our belief that the demand for these metals will continue to grow in the medium to long term, as a result of global urbanization and the increasing adoption of electric motors over internal combustion engines. These metals are vital for achieving a low-carbon future.

PNRL is committed to governance through transparent accountability and open communication within our team and our stakeholders. Our skilled team has worked over 100 projects collectively, accumulating over 400 years of resource discoveries, mine development and mine re-engineering experience on projects like the Company's Selebi and Selkirk mines. PNRL's senior team members have on average more than 20 years of experience in every single aspect of mine discovery and development, from geology to operations.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Keith Morrison

Director and Chief Executive Officer

Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.

For further information about Premium Nickel Resources Ltd., please contact:

Jaclyn Ruptash

Vice President, Communications and Government and Investor Relations

+1 (604) 770-4334

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements, by their nature, require the Company to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. 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 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.

Follow Us

X (formally Twitter): https://twitter.com/PremiumNickel

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/premium-nickel-resources

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PremiumNickel

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203568

SOURCE: Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.
PUNE, India, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market by Product (Air Jacketed CO2 Incubators, Direct Heat CO2 Incubators, Water Jacketed CO2 Incubators), Capacity (100-200 Litre, Above 200 Litre, Below 100 Litre), Application, End User - 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 $778.90 million in 2023 to reach $1,284.66 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.40% over the forecast period.

" Global Surge in Carbon Dioxide Incubators Fuels Progress in Health and Science "

Carbon dioxide incubators are essential in advancing cell biology, pharmaceuticals, and cutting-edge medical research. These sophisticated devices are ideal as they have fine-tuned humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide levels for cultivating cell cultures, playing a crucial role in life-saving research and personalized medicine. The demand for these incubators is rising due to the increasing focus on biotechnological and pharmaceutical development, alongside substantial strides in cancer and stem cell research. This demand is bolstered by enhancements in healthcare infrastructure and a shift toward tailor-made medical treatments. However, challenges such as the high cost, the need for meticulous maintenance, and stringent regulations exist. Opportunities include innovation through AI, IoT integration, and the development of energy-efficient models. Particularly in the Americas, there is a pronounced demand for technologically superior incubators, and the EU is inclined toward environmentally friendly options, adhering to strict energy and emission guidelines. The rapidly expanding healthcare and research sectors in the Middle East and APAC regions, including significant markets such as Japan and Australia, highlight the global need for these advanced incubation solutions. These developments signify a growing reliance on carbon dioxide incubators, highlighting their critical role in fueling scientific breakthroughs and enhancing global healthcare outcomes.

Download Sample Report @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/carbon-dioxide-incubator

" Addressing Global Health Crises: The Indispensable Role of Carbon Dioxide Incubators in Advancing Medical Research "

The need to develop novel treatments has become more apparent in an era characterized by a significant increase in the number of infectious and chronic diseases worldwide, driven by increased global travel and climate change. The rise in sedentary lifestyles and aging populations further compounds the challenge, fueling a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This necessitates the demand for groundbreaking therapeutic interventions and vaccines, highlighting the critical importance of precision medicine, which customizes treatment to the patient's unique genetic makeup. The carbon dioxide incubator is central to innovation in life-saving therapies; it is an essential tool in biomedical research that enables cultivating cell cultures under optimal conditions. This technology stands at the forefront of the fight against pressing public health challenges, paving the way for developing new vaccines and medications that promise a healthier future.

" Innovating Cell Culture: The Advantages of Diverse CO2 Incubator Technologies "

The choice of a CO2 incubator can significantly influence the reliability and stability of cell culture conditions. Air-jacketed CO2 incubators excel by using air insulation to swiftly equalize temperatures after door openings and simplify cleanliness, making them an excellent match for cell culture practices prioritizing sterility and consistent temperatures. Direct heat CO2 incubators stand out for their direct contact heating elements, ensuring precise temperature control and uniformity. This design promotes ease of maintenance, marking them ideal for fields demanding exact temperature accuracy, such as microbiology and molecular biology. Water-jacketed CO2 incubators, with their encompassing water layer, are the standard of thermal stability and uniformity. They guard against temperature drops during power failures, ensuring the continuous growth of long-term cultures. These incubators are the preferred choice for critical and temperature-sensitive research areas, including cell biology, embryology, and pharmaceutical developments, due to their unparalleled protection against temperature variations.

Request Analyst Support @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/carbon-dioxide-incubator

" Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. at the Forefront of Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market with a Strong 12.91% Market Share "

The key players in the Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market include Eppendorf SE, PHC Holdings Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Sartorius AG, Cardinal Health, Inc., 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 Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market "

We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Carbon Dioxide Incubator 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 Carbon Dioxide Incubator 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/carbon-dioxide-incubator

" Dive into the Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market Landscape: Explore 196 Pages of Insights, 380 Tables, and 24 Figures "

Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market, by Product Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market, by Capacity Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market, by Application Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market, by End User Americas Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market Asia-Pacific Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market Europe, Middle East & Africa Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio

Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/carbon-dioxide-incubator

Related Reports:

Cell Culture Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 In-Vitro Fertilization Devices & Supplies Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Laboratory Refrigerators & Ovens 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

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360iResearch Private Limited,

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/carbon-dioxide-incubator-market-projected-to-reach-1-284-66-million-by-2030---exclusive-report-by-360iresearch-302102484.html
Company finds growth engine in logistics, industrial packaging, battery parts

By Ko Dong-hwan

Dongwon Group's new chairman is drawing keen attention from industry watchers as to how he will steer the group to further expand its markets from its signature canned tuna and food products to non-food industries such as ship operation, logistics and rechargeable batteries, according to the country's major conglomerate, Friday.

Kim Nam-jung, the second son of group founder Kim Jae-chul, was promoted on Thursday, filling the five-year vacancy in the group's top office.

He said following the promotion he will adapt the group to the consistently changing consumer markets by making key decisions quickly and committing to investment without hesitation.

Dongwon has already begun diversifying its capabilities under Kim's leadership as vice chairman. The group now aims to produce 20,000 tons of salmon from two farms it built in Gangwon Province, with the first 10,000 tons to become available in 2026.

The production is expected to supply half the amount of salmon the country is mostly importing, according to Dongwon.

The company is also planning to launch in April the country's first shipyard under complete automation at Busan New Port, hoisting Dongwon to become a global terminal operator (GTO). With the project, Dongwon is expected to acquire HMM, the country's only container ship operator, a bid the group failed to achieve last year when it had vied with Harim Group.

Dongwon is also expected to expand its business in rechargeable batteries further. Earlier this month, the group's subsidiary Dongwon Systems showcased its portfolio of relevant breakthroughs including ultra-thin aluminum foil, materials for cylindrical rechargeable battery cans and bendable cell pouches at InterBattery 2024 in Seoul.

Dongwon will also bolster further its food business, the industry it started with in 1969.

"We're planning to introduce a new consortium brand in partnership with StarKist by utilizing the American firm's local distributive network and expand consumer markets for our food products," a Dongwon official said.

StarKist is an American canned tuna producer Dongwon acquired in 2008.

"We'll proceed with aggressive mergers and acquisitions in the food industry to introduce new products for global consumers," he said.

Dongwon is a symbolic conglomerate in Korea, having grown through multiple mergers and acquisitions, including of StarKist, logistics firm Dongbu Express and packaging firm Techpack Solution.

"While StarKist has shown steady growth since being acquired by Dongwon, Dongwon F&B, despite its overseas branches in the United States, Japan and China, operates only 5 percent of its business overseas. The group needs more aggressive M&As to increase its market share abroad," another company official said.

Since his promotion to Dongwon's vice chairman in 2014, Kim has been leading the group's key M&As and tech investments that number 10 altogether. He established the group's four key value chains that consist of seafood, food products, materials and logistics, and invested 1.3 trillion won ($964 million) during the past four years to identify potential future growth engines.

A year after his promotion to vice chairman, Kim acquired KeumCheon Meat, an online shopping platform for local livestock meats, expanding the group's seafood-based business to livestock meat distribution. In 2017, he led Dongwon to acquire Dongbu Express to expand further the group's revenue markets to logistics, introducing Dongwon Loex.

In 2021, Dongwon, under his direction, acquired MKC, a local cylindrical battery can manufacturer, to further expand the group's market to rechargeable battery packaging.

The series of M&As shows how the country's signature canned tuna maker has been leaping forward to take on key future industries.

Kim, upon his latest promotion, mentioned and his father's achievements and managerial philosophy attested throughout the past 50 years.

"Dongwon will attract love and support from not just customers but also stakeholders including employees and executives, subsidiaries and shareholders," the new chairman said.

Dongwon currently runs 18 subsidiaries and 26 sub-affiliates including Dongwon F&B, Dongwon Home Food and Dongwon Loex Cold Storage. The group's overall sales last year registered over 10 trillion won.
TOKYO, Mar 29, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - The TANAKA Memorial Foundation's Representative Director, Hideya Okamoto, announced the recipients of the FY2023 Precious Metals Research Grants.



Following a rigorous screening process, the Umekichi Tanaka Award, for 10 million yen, was presented to Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University, and the Gold Award, for 2 million yen, was presented to Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University. In addition, one research project received the Silver Award, and three Young Researcher Awards were presented.



The TANAKA Memorial Foundation undertakes programs designed to foster developments in new precious metal fields while contributing to the advancement of science, technology, and socio-economics for the overall enrichment of society. The research grant program was launched in FY1999 and has continued each year since with the goal of supporting the various challenges of the "new world opened up by precious metals." This year, the program's 25th year, the Umekichi Tanaka Award was established in honor of the founder, Umekichi Tanaka, who was instrumental in expanding the industrial use of precious metals, and researchers were invited to apply for the program in a wide range of fields where precious metals can make contributions to the research and development of new technologies, and research and development can be applied to precious metals. As a result, a total of 210 applications were received, and a total of 19 research grants of 19.9 million yen was awarded.



The names of the recipients of the Umekichi Tanaka Award and Gold Award, their research, and the reasons for their selection are below.



Umekichi Tanaka Award

Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University

Research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function

This research engages in development to make it possible to use bonding wire in the high-frequency band, which was not previous possible, by coating the surface of bonding wire with a magnetic thin film containing precious metals. It is an extremely groundbreaking advancement that further applies the unprecedented phenomenon of magnetic thin films under study. It is expected to be applied to general electric wires, and the great potential for the expansion of precious metals into new material fields was also highly rated.



Gold Award

Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University

Development of precious metal hydrogen energy electron carriers

This research seeks to create a single hydrogen-derived electron (precious metal complex) that can extract electrons from hydrogen under mild conditions and directly use the electrons when needed, as an unprecedented concept. It was highly rated not only as innovative energy carriers for the realization of carbon neutrality, but also as a potential for direct use in various catalytic reactions.



One Silver Award, three Young Researcher Awards, and 13 TANAKA Special Awards were also granted. The recipients and an overview of the Precious Metals Research Grants are indicated below. Applications for the FY2024 research grants are scheduled to open in the fall.



List of FY2022 Precious Metals Research Grants Recipients



- Umekichi Tanaka Award (1 award: 10 million yen)



Haruichi Kanaya, Professor, Kyushu University

Research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function



- Gold Award (1 award: 2 million yen)



Seiji Ogo, Professor, Kyushu University

Development of precious metal hydrogen energy electron carriers



- Silver Award (1 award: 1 million yen)



Hitoshi Ogihara, Professor, Saitama University

Pioneering of green electrolysis processes based on precious metal catalysts



- Young Researcher Awards (3 awards: 1 million yen each)



Aki Kitaori, Research Associate, The University of Tokyo

Realization of next-generation computational magnetic materials using platinum compounds



Naoki Inomata, Associate professor, Tohoku University

Creation of unlabeled sensing technology for biogas using terahertz metamaterials



Shohei Tada, Assistant Professor

Hokkaido University Elucidation of the inhibition mechanism of side reactions in the synthesis of methanol from CO2 using precious metal catalysts



- TANAKA Special Awards (13 awards: 300,000 yen each)



Tatsuya Joutsuka, Lecturer, Ibaraki University

Rie Umetsu, Professor, Tohoku University

Shinji Koyama, Associate professor, Gunma University

Kowa Koida, Associate professor, Toyohashi University of Technology

Makoto Hasegawa, Professor, Chitose Institute of Science and Technology

Tsukasa Torimoto, Professor, Nagoya University

Shogo Nakasumi, Team Leader, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Kazuya Suzuki, Assistant Principal Researcher, Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Koji Yamamoto, Lecturer, Shujitsu University

Takamasa Mori, Professor, Hosei University

Yukihiro Shimogaki, Professor, The University of Tokyo

Akira Nagaoka, Associate Professor, University of Miyazaki

Toshinori Fujie, Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

(Affiliated organizations and job titles correct as of time of presentation)



Overview of the 2023 Precious Metals Research Grants



[Conditions]

Research content that falls under any of the following

- New technology related to precious metals (new materials, processing methods, process development, etc.)

- Research that brings about innovative evolution in product development (new functions, process development, computational science, etc.)

- Research and development of new products using precious metals

- Effective technologies for creating a well-balanced and prosperous society

* Precious metal refers to eight elements of platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.

* If development is conducted jointly (or planned to be) with other material manufacturers, please indicate so.

* Products that have already been commercialized, put to practical use, or that are planned are not eligible.



[Grant Amounts] (Maximum amounts from a grant pool of 20 million yen)

- Umekichi Tanaka Award (New): 10 million yen

- Gold Award: 2 million yen

- Silver Award: 1 million yen

- Young Researcher Award: 1 million yen

- TANAKA Special Award (Previously Encouragement Award): 300,000 yen

* The grant amount is treated as a scholarship donation.

* Awards may not be granted in some cases.

* The Platinum Award was discontinued from this year.



[Eligible Candidates]

- Personnel who belong to (or work for) educational institutions in Japan (universities, graduate schools, or technical colleges) or public and related research institutions may participate.

* As long as the applicant is affiliated with a research institution in Japan, the base of activity can be in Japan or overseas.

* The Young Researcher Awards are for researchers under the age of 37 as of April 1, 2023.



[Application Period]

- 9am, September 4, 2023 (Mon) - 5pm, November 30, 2023 (Thu)



[Inquiries Concerning the Research Grant Program]

Precious Metals Research Grants Office

Global Marketing / R&D Supervisory Department, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6422

E-mail: joseikin@ml.tanaka.co.jp

TANAKA Memorial Foundation website: https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp



TANAKA Memorial Foundation

Organization Name: TANAKA Kikinzoku Memorial Foundation

Address: 22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Hideya Okamoto (Special Advisor, TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.)

Incorporated: 2015

Purpose of Business: To provide grants for research related to precious metals to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals, and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy.

Areas of Business:

- Provision of grants for scientific and technological research related to precious metals.

- Recognition of excellent analysis of precious metals and holding of seminars and other events.



TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Founded: 1885

Incorporated: 1918*

Representative: Koichiro Tanaka, Group CEO

Capital: 500 million yen

Net sales of consolidated group: 611,100 million yen (as of the fiscal year ended December 2023)

Employees in consolidated group: 5,355 employees (as of the fiscal year ended December 2023)

Main businesses of the group: The holding company at the center of TANAKA PRECIOUS METALS is responsible for strategic and efficient group management and management guidance to group companies.

Website: https://www.tanaka.co.jp/english (TANAKA PRECIOUS METALS)

https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en (Industrial products)

* Tanaka Holdings adopted a holding company structure on April 1, 2010.



Press Inquiries

TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.

https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/



Press Release: http://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20240329EN.pdf



Source: Tanaka Memorial Foundation



Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.





Groer Dividenden-Report 2024 von Dr. Dennis Riedl Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl Jetzt hier klicken
Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl

CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The euro weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The euro fell to an 8-day low of 0.8535 against the pound, a 4-day low of 0.9720 against the Swiss franc and nearly a 2-week low of 162.94 against the yen, from early highs of 0.8550, 0.9736 and 163.55, respectively. Against the U.S., the Australia and the Canadian dollars, the euro slid to nearly a 6-week low of 1.0774, a 1-week low of 1.6529 and a 5-week low of 1.4585 from early highs of 1.0792, 1.6563 and 1.4611, respectively. Moving away from an early high of 1.8066 against the NZ dollar, the euro edged down to 1.8031. If the euro extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.84 against the pound, 0.96 against the franc, 160.00 against the yen, 1.06 against the greenback, 1.63 against the aussie, 1.44 against the loonie and 1.77 against the kiwi. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 29, 2024) - Wordans is proud to announce a major stride in sustainability with the launch of its new eco-friendly apparel line, specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking sustainable and responsible custom apparel options. This initiative represents a significant leap towards reducing the environmental impact of the apparel industry and underscores Wordans' commitment to leading with innovative, eco-conscious solutions for your business.

The newly introduced product line is a cornerstone of Wordans' comprehensive strategy to embed sustainability in all facets of its operations. By offering an expanded selection of eco-friendly apparel, including t-shirts made from organic and recycled materials, Wordans is catering to the growing demand for green alternatives in the market. This move is not just about offering t-shirts in bulk with a lower carbon footprint; it's about providing businesses the opportunity to make a positive environmental statement through their choice of apparel.

In tandem with the launch of this product line, Wordans is also revolutionizing its manufacturing processes to uphold the highest standards of environmental integrity. The adoption of energy-efficient production techniques, waste reduction practices, and water conservation measures will substantially lower the carbon footprint of Wordans' operations, reinforcing the brand's commitment to sustainability.

Moreover, Wordans is taking its commitment to the environment a step further by forging partnerships with leading environmental organizations. These collaborations are aimed at supporting global and community-level sustainability projects, thereby amplifying the impact of Wordans' eco-friendly initiatives beyond the confines of the apparel industry.

The spokesperson for Wordans shared, "Our launch of the eco-friendly apparel line is more than just an addition to our product offerings; it's a reflection of our dedication to making sustainability a core aspect of our business model. We recognize the critical role the apparel industry plays in the global sustainability challenge, and we are committed to being a part of the solution. Our new line provides a tangible way for businesses to participate in eco-conscious practices without sacrificing quality or affordability."

This initiative is a call to action for businesses across the globe to join Wordans in making sustainability a priority. By choosing eco-friendly apparel options for their custom and bulk t-shirt needs, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future while still enjoying high-quality, stylish products.

Wordans' launch of its eco-friendly apparel line is not just a significant milestone in the company's journey towards sustainability; it's a testament to Wordans' role as a catalyst for positive change in the apparel industry. Businesses looking to align with sustainable practices now have a reliable partner in Wordans, ready to meet their needs with eco-friendly, high-quality apparel solutions.

For more information about Wordans and its new sustainable apparel initiative, please visit www.wordans.ca. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in Wordans' commitment to environmental responsibility and serves as a major corporate update from the company.

Contact Information:

Emily Johnson

https://www.wordans.ca/

customerservice@wordans.ca

+1 647-946-8323

One Dundas Street West Suite 2500, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1Z3

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203273

SOURCE: Media Feature
SINGAPORE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical equipment manufacturing company Aohua Endoscopy clinched the Endoscopy Product Innovation Award at the recently held Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards 2024 for its development of the Aohua 4K AQ-300 video endoscopy system, which offers an improved endoscopic diagnosis and treatment option.

The awards program recognizes outstanding medical technology companies in Asia that are influencing the transformation of healthcare by excelling in medical device innovation, service delivery, and patient care.

The AQ-300 is equipped with a newly developed image processing system with 4K images to provide more details with a wider color gamut to present colour more realistically and reduce visual error.

When used in conjunction with Aohua's magnification endoscope, AQ-300 can guarantee that the image is clear even at high magnification. The resolution of the object side can be up to 4 m. Doctors can visualise the suspicious lesions and perform precise biopsy sampling to improve the accuracy of early cancer screening.

AQ-300's CBI optical chromoendoscopy technology is also able to provide four chromoendoscopy modes in addition to white light illumination through its five LED light sources. The solution is able to capture the subtle structure that is difficult to be observed by conventional endoscopy.

It can also be used in gastroenterology, ENT, pulmonology, hepatobiliary surgery, urology, and other clinical departments to achieve a barrier-free rotation. It features dual-frame display support, which enables simultaneous observation of the same location in modes with CBI and white light.

Meanwhile, the system is operated by an intelligent touch panel with a groundbreaking human-computer interface model. In addition to offering face recognition, the intelligent touch panel also meets the user's customised settings, making it capable of gathering real-time video streams during the operation process.

About Aohua

Since its establishment in 1994, Aohua Endoscopy has always regarded technological innovation as the core driving force for its development. Through continuous R&D investment and technological accumulation, the company has successfully developed industry-leading innovative products such as the 4K ultra-high-definition endoscopy system, significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment.

Aohua Endoscopy has won the German IF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award, and the Japanese Good Design Award, fully demonstrating its excellence in technological innovation and international recognition.

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Osaka and Hiroshima, Japan, Mar 29, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group Company, and Mazda Motor Corporation today announced they have signed an agreement towards the supply of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries.In June 2023, the two companies commenced discussions aimed at building a medium- to long-term partnership for the supply of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries, discussions which have now resulted in the signing of this agreement.Through this agreement, both companies reaffirm their commitment to addressing various societal challenges, such as mitigating global warming, promoting sustainable growth within the automotive and battery sectors, supporting local employment, and fostering talent development.Details regarding this partnership will be communicated at the appropriate time.Source: mazdaCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.

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.
HONG KONG, Mar 29, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Legend Holdings Corporation (3396.HK) announced its audited annual results for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Reporting Period"). The Company's revenue for 2023 was RMB436,012 million (RMB, the same below), and the net profit was RMB630 million.Against the backdrop of global economic slowdown, Legend Holdings' operation performance temporarily suffered from pressure due to the fluctuations in the industry and capital markets; the profits contributed by Lenovo Group and Levima Group from the industrial operations segment, as well as the investment gain in the industrial incubations and investments segment, both recorded a year-on-year decrease, and the net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company recorded a loss. In response, the Company implemented proactive measures to help its subsidiaries accommodate market challenges and industry cycles' influence and achieved initial success. Furthermore, the recovery of the capital market will boost the development of the Company's investment businesses.Mr. Li Peng, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Legend Holdings, said, in the year 2023, in the face of various challenges emerged in the high-quality development transformation of the enterprises, Legend Holdings remained resolute in advancing innovation-driven development strategies, proactively responded to the influence of external environment, solidly fulfilled its corporate social responsibilities, and actively integrated itself into the strategic deployment for Chinese path to modernization. Furthermore, the Company has conducted more in-depth review on its shortcomings and will be committed to coordinating high-quality development while maintaining a high-level of security. While further consolidating its foundations, the Company will fully capitalize on its accumulated strengths to seize opportunities from this new wave of technological innovation, not only to fuel the continuous improvements in its business performance but also actively contribute value to the society.Strengthening the pillar industries and resolutely advancing innovation-driven enterprise transformation and upgradeIn 2023, Legend Holdings safeguarded the relative stability of its business foundations while implementing the new development concept in depth.The Company accelerated the development of leading enterprises with international competitiveness and command over the industrial chain, focusing its efforts on strengthening its industrial base. Lenovo maintained its solid leading position in IT field, further consolidated its world's No. 1 place in PC market with a significant outperformance in the market, ranking among the top three globally in the server industry, and retained as the No. 1 in the global TOP500 and Green100 in terms of high-performance computing. At the same time, Lenovo took the lead in launching the world's first AI PC, and committed to leading the PC industry in intergenerational upgrade, and to creating the first inclusive AI terminal. After completing the domestic substitution of EVA photovoltaic adhesive film materials, Levima Advanced Materials has once again entered into the field of POE (Polyolefin elastomer), breaking the monopoly held by foreign countries in production and technology of POE, and multiple projects will be put into production in the first half of 2024. With the steady development of its businesses, Fullhan Microelectronics has made solid and in-depth efforts in the three major business areas of smart video, smart IoT and smart automotive products, accelerated the introduction of new products, penetrated new market opportunities, and possessed the capability of supplying complete one-stop solutions.Continuously enhancing the ability in scientific and technological innovation, increasing investment in research and development, the Company continued to strengthen the exploration and practice of its AI innovation path. In 2023, the R&D expenditure of the Company reached RMB14.8 billion, raising its R&D expense ratio from 2.6% in 2021 to 3.4% in 2023. At the same time, it actively promoted its subsidiary funds to increase support for China's innovative hi-tech enterprises, and invested in more than 100 Chinese innovative hi-tech enterprises throughout the year. In the field of artificial intelligence, which is an important engine for the development of new quality productive forces, the Company has invested in more than 200 related enterprises, formed a full-stack portfolio covering "device, technology, model, platform, and application", securing a first-mover advantage for the development of the "AI+" initiative. On March 8, 2024, Legend Holdings entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Zhipu AI to carry out in-depth cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.The Company continued to harness the role of industrial chain leader and actively promoted the digital and intelligent transformation and growth of SMEs, which has gained considerable achievements. Its subsidiary, Lenovo, can provided SMEs with not only a full matrix of smart devices, but also stable computing power for all scenarios, hybrid cloud, industry solutions, and life-cycle intelligent transformation services. It has served over a million SMEs and supported the intelligent transformation of over 30,000 specialized and innovative enterprises, including over 3,000 national specialized and innovative "little giant" firms.The Company also strengthened its attention on early-stage technologies and explored approaches to integrated development across education, technology, talent, and industries. The "Legend Holdings Forward-looking Technology Research Institute , set up by the Company, has initially built an enterprise-led and market-oriented technology innovation system leveraging collaboration among industry, academia, research institutes, and end users. It has established connections with more than 60 enterprises and research institutions to discuss IP co-creation and cooperation modes, and preliminarily selected 39 seed technologies, and initiated in-depth cooperation with 2 universities and 7 domestic and foreign enterprises.Practicing low-carbon development and actively fulfilling corporate social responsibilitiesLegend Holdings has consistently promoted its subsidiaries to seize the green and low-carbon development and actively responded to the national strategy of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Lenovo was the first company in China to pass the net zero target verification by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and has zero-carbon factories with the highest-standard in the industry. Levima Advanced Materials, as a state-level High-tech enterprise and Green Factory, deepened its layout in green industries such as new energy materials and biodegradable plastics, contributing to the achievement of Chinese de-carbonization goals.Rural revitalization and technological innovation are the focused areas of Legend Holdings for its corporate social responsibility. In terms of rural revitalization, the Company has launched the "Legend Enterprising Class" with a focus on education in underdeveloped areas, providing assistance for the talent pool of rural industry revitalization over the past 20 years. The Revolving Loans for Mothers, a project supported by the Company since 2018, has helped women from low-income families in many areas to start businesses with local characteristics, promoting their hometowns towards improving agriculture by high-quality and green products while giving first priority to effectiveness. In terms of technological innovation, the Company remained committed to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem conducive to technological innovation and supported the growth of high-tech entrepreneurial leaders. For instance, the public welfare training program for start-up CEOs launched in 2008 has admitted approximately 1,300 entrepreneurs. Currently, 55 enterprises founded by the trainees have been successfully listed, while 122 have been selected as national specialized and innovative "little giant" firm, providing employment for nearly 400,000 people.Developing new quality productive forces and deepening the establishment of core competitivenessThe "give great impetus to the development of the modern industrial system and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces" proposed in this year's government work report provided new guidance for the development of enterprises. In the future, the Company will focus more on "technological innovation", fully capitalize on its 40 years of industrial accumulation, ecological layout and technological & innovative investment, highlight the development of new quality productive forces and deepen the establishment of the Company's core competitiveness.The Company will continue to promote the strategic transformation of itself and its subsidiaries to build a more robust industrial foundation; further optimize the business layout and financial structure, accelerate the backflow of resources, and incline to make investment in the field of scientific and technological innovation; in combination with the trend of the capital markets, the Company will actively promote the capital operation of quality enterprises to help them develop faster and become better, and effectively increase its public value; continue to give full play to the exploration and cultivation of the early-stage technologies by The Legend Holdings Forward-looking Technology Research Institute, with a focus on the forward-looking needs in three major fields of intelligent sensing, new materials and new energy. It will accelerate the advancement and implementation of innovative incubation topics which are our key layout, such as photonic integration to fill the shortcoming of AI's new computing, biodegradable new materials for treating white pollution, and virtual power plant algorithms oriented for the optimization of the new type of electric power system.Mr. Ning Min, Chairman and Executive Director of Legend Holdings, said, in 2023, in the face of multiple internal and external challenges, Legend Holdings, on the one hand, consolidated its industrial foundation and strengthened its risk-resistant capability, and on the other hand, put the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy and support for high-level scientific and technological self-reliance in a more prominent position, confronted the difficulties, conducted positive explorations, and made solid progress in operations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and in accordance with the deployment of the Central Economic Work Conference, the Company will stay true to its original aspiration of serving the country through industry, consciously practice the people-centered philosophy of development, and accommodate itself to the trend of the times by actively participating in scientific and technological innovation-led high-quality development, to vigorously promote the development of new quality productive forces and make greater contributions to Chinese path to modernization.Source: Legend HoldingsCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CHICAGO, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Actuators market is estimated at USD 67.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 94.8 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 7.0 % from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth can be attributed to growing industrial automation and use of robots in various sectors like manufacturing and transportation, Developments in areas like sensor technology, connectivity, and control systems, The increasing demand for actuators is fueled by the expansion of sectors like healthcare (medical devices), oil & gas, and aerospace & defense, and the need for improved process control, energy efficiency, and safety regulations in various industries.

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Actuators Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 67.7 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 94.8 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% Market Size Available for 2019-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Actuation, Application, Type, Vertical, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Issues of leakage in pneumatic and hydraulic actuators Key Market Opportunities Increased spending on renewable sources of energy for power generation Key Market Drivers Rapid industrialization and utilization of robotics

The Electric segment held the largest growth rate in the Actuators market by actuation.

By actuation, the Actuators market has been segmented into electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, and others. electric Segment to hold the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Electrical actuators use electricity to produce motion. These actuators can be further classified into solenoid actuators and motor-driven actuators. A solenoid used in an electric actuator works on the principle of electromagnetism. Electrical actuators provide control and acceleration at higher speeds. The force for applying thrust can be managed without the requirement for compressed air and the related infrastructure, and hence the total energy consumption in these actuators is lower. Electrical actuators can be used for various applications where linear as well as rotary actuation is required. They can be used for low torque as well as high torque requirements.

The vehicle equipment segment is expected to account for the largest share of Actuators by application in 2024.

By application, the Actuators industry is segmented into industrial automation, robotics, and vehicle equipment. The vehicles and equipment segment includes actuators used in automotive, aircraft, ships, and defense vehicles. These can be either hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, or mechanical actuators. Actuators are widely used in various systems and sub-systems of an automobile, aircraft, ships as well as defense vehicles.

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Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in 2024.

The Actuators market has been studied in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Rest of the World. The Asia Pacific region accounts for the largest market share in 2024 as well as throughout the forecast period due to the increasing demand for actuators in the region to enhance the growth of the market. India is expected to show the highest growth rate in Asia Pacific Region for Actuators market.

Major players operating in the Actuators companies are SMC Corporation (Japan), Rockwell Automation (US), Curtiss-wright Corporation (US), ABB Ltd (Switzerland), and Parker Hennifin Corporation (US).

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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.

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April 25, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland

GOLETA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Aeluma, Inc. (OTCQB:ALMU), a semiconductor company specializing in high performance, scalable technologies for mobile, automotive, communication, and defense & aerospace, announced today that its CEO will deliver a presentation at the upcoming SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing 2024 in National Harbor, MD.

The conference invited Aeluma CEO Jonathan Klamkin, Ph.D., to deliver a presentation titled "Heterogeneous integration of quantum dot and nonlinear materials on 300mm silicon photonic wafers for communications, sensing, and quantum applications" at the conference on April 25, 2024 at 11:40 a.m. ET at the Gaylord National Resort And Convention Center.

SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing Exhibition is considered "the most important event for learning about sensing technologies being rapidly acquired and deployed within the public, security, and government applications." To meet with Dr. Klamkin at the conference, attendees are encouraged to contact the company at info@aeluma.com.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense recently granted Aeluma a funding award to develop foundry-scale, CMOS-compatible quantum materials, and the conference presentation will highlight related technology.

About Aeluma, Inc.

Aeluma (www.aeluma.com) develops novel optoelectronics for sensing and communication applications. Aeluma has pioneered a technique to manufacture semiconductor chips using high-performance compound semiconductor materials on large-diameter substrates that are commonly used for mass-market microelectronics. The technology has the potential to enhance performance and scale manufacturing, both of which are critical for emerging applications. Aeluma is developing a streamlined business model from its headquarters in Santa Barbara, California that has a state-of-the-art manufacturing cleanroom. Its transformative semiconductor chip technology may impact a variety of markets including automotive LiDAR (light detection and ranging), mobile, defense & aerospace, AR/VR, AI, quantum, and communication. Aeluma differentiates itself with unique semiconductor manufacturing capability, proprietary technology, the ability to perform rapid prototyping, and a broad set of product offerings.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the Company's expectations regarding its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "believe," "estimate," and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Company Contact:

Aeluma, Inc.

(805) 351-2707

info@aeluma.com

Investor Contact:

Bishop IR

Mike Bishop

(415) 894-9633

ir@aeluma.com

SOURCE: Aeluma, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Company Awards $1.8M in Grants to Eight Organizations in Brazil, India, Thailand and the United Kingdom

Originally published on Bristol Myers Squibb Newsroom

PRINCETON, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) unveiled a $1.8 million initiative to advance health equity by addressing social determinants of health (SDoH) in four countries with underserved patient needs, including Brazil, India, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. The new health equity grants are an extension of the company's broader long-term commitment to invest $150M in health equity by 2025.

Inequities in healthcare systems present a unique global challenge, with some studies suggesting that SDoH factors account for up to 50% of health outcomes within the United States.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) defines SDoH as non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, such as: income and social status, education, physical environment, social support networks, genetics, health services and gender. As echoed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 (Good Health & Well-being), SDoH are crucial to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.2

"We know that a healthier world is attainable, but access remains a significant challenge for many patients and social determinants of health present barriers to people attaining their full potential for health and well-being," said Cari Gallman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Bristol Myers Squibb. "These new health equity grants reinforce Bristol Myers Squibb's commitment to ensuring all patients have access to high-quality health care, regardless of where they live."

These healthcare-strengthening grants will support eight organizations that are addressing the root causes of inequities in an effort to deliver long-lasting impacts at a community level. The grantees were selected in countries with underserved communities living with cancer and blood disorders. Based on the outcomes of this pilot program, the Company will consider expansion to other geographies and communities to remove systemic barriers to care, and enable better access and health outcomes. The grantees include:

The Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida in Brazil, which serves the rural population and patients with cancer who live in the countryside and small, economically disadvantaged towns of the North area of Minas Gerais. This project focuses on prevention, improvement of diagnosis and patient referral for treatment.

in Brazil, which serves the rural population and patients with cancer who live in the countryside and small, economically disadvantaged towns of the North area of Minas Gerais. This project focuses on prevention, improvement of diagnosis and patient referral for treatment. The Instituto Oncoguia in Brazil, which is focusing on training the health team at Sistema Unico de Saude Oncology Centers with the aim of ensuring that all non-medical professionals who care for people with cancer are informed and empowered with the latest information in the world of cancer.

in Brazil, which is focusing on training the health team at Sistema Unico de Saude Oncology Centers with the aim of ensuring that all non-medical professionals who care for people with cancer are informed and empowered with the latest information in the world of cancer. The Gabriel Project Mumbai in India, which is creating innovative and comprehensive solutions to treat sickle cell anemia and oral cancer among underserved tribal villages.

in India, which is creating innovative and comprehensive solutions to treat sickle cell anemia and oral cancer among underserved tribal villages. The Liver Foundation, West Bengal in India, which is training rural healthcare providers to be advocates, referral points and drop-out counselors at the grassroot level and align them with public health linkages for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in the rural Indian communities.

in India, which is training rural healthcare providers to be advocates, referral points and drop-out counselors at the grassroot level and align them with public health linkages for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in the rural Indian communities. The Foundation for Education and Development in Thailand, which is working to improve prevention and primary care in Burmese migrant communities living close to the southern border with Myanmar. It aims to do this by increasing linkages of migrants to Thai healthcare facilities and services to increase healthcare access for Myanmar migrants.

in Thailand, which is working to improve prevention and primary care in Burmese migrant communities living close to the southern border with Myanmar. It aims to do this by increasing linkages of migrants to Thai healthcare facilities and services to increase healthcare access for Myanmar migrants. The Patients Association in the United Kingdom, which aims to bridge the gap between social care and healthcare, ultimately reducing health disparities and improving access to quality care for underserved populations.

in the United Kingdom, which aims to bridge the gap between social care and healthcare, ultimately reducing health disparities and improving access to quality care for underserved populations. Blood Cancer UK in the United Kingdom, which is leading a project aimed at reducing inequality in clinical trial recruitment for people from ethnic minority communities with blood cancer. Blood Cancer UK is also partnering with local communities to co-design a model, with accompanying tools, campaigns or services, to improve awareness of and enrollment in clinical trials at a local level.

in the United Kingdom, which is leading a project aimed at reducing inequality in clinical trial recruitment for people from ethnic minority communities with blood cancer. Blood Cancer UK is also partnering with local communities to co-design a model, with accompanying tools, campaigns or services, to improve awareness of and enrollment in clinical trials at a local level. The Less Survivable Cancer Taskforce in the United Kingdom through Pancreatic Cancer UK, which is working to ensure governments and health services across the UK prioritize and commit to concrete actions for less survivable cancers, with the goal of doubling survival rates over the next decade.

Bristol Myers Squibb's Approach to Health Equity

At Bristol Myers Squibb, health equity is the opportunity for all people and communities across the globe to attain their full potential for health and well-being. Our work extends beyond traditional healthcare boundaries, emphasizing the importance of community voices and cross-sector partnerships in co-creating solutions that drive meaningful and equitable health outcomes worldwide.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, please visit BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

1 Hood CM, Gennuso KP, Swain GR, et al. County Health Rankings: Relationships Between Determinant Factors and Health Outcomes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. February 2016; 50(2):129-135. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.08.024



2 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Sustainable Development. The 17 Goals. Available at https://sdgs.un.org/goals. Accessed March 2024.

media@bms.com

Source: Bristol Myers Squibb

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AeC is the largest customer relationship company in Brazil and its reliable and customized customer care solutions help businesses create seamless end-user experiences.

SAN ANTONIO, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the customer experience outsourcing services industry and, based on its findings, recognizes AeC with the 2023 Company of the Year Award. AeC is connecting technology with outstanding customer service to increase efficiency and optimize the customer's business journey. AeC leverages artificial intelligence (AI), data intelligence, machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), fraud prevention, and real human experiences to guarantee an optimal customer experience (CX) in its clients' business operations.

The company helps businesses deliver a remarkable CX to remain competitive in the marketplace and meet its clients' demands. It consistently aims to enhance end-user CX by carefully analyzing customer data, testing new business models, and adjusting its processes based on customer feedback.

AeC drives its clients' digital transformations with innovative tools that provide superior business process outsourcing (BPO) services. The company launched Vision, an advanced and intuitive solution that allows managers to track agents' performance and deliver effective support. Moreover, its AeC HR technology platform, Robbyson, assists businesses by increasing engagement and efficiency with AI to automatically estimate, suggest, and forecast outcomes.

"With a legacy of BPO services leadership, the company's compelling value proposition underpins its sustained success. AeC holds a solid position with a diversified client base, serving industry leaders of every market, including four of the top five Brazilian unicorns and two of the top five energy organizations in Brazil," said Sebastian Menutti, industry principal at Frost & Sullivan.

With its customer-centric approach, the company provides consulting and highly customized projects for its clients. AeC bases its operations on the core principle that its success depends on customer satisfaction. For this reason, the company meets with clients at the pre-sales stage to identify their specific business requirements and challenges to develop tailor-made solutions.

"The company acknowledges that offering a complete product portfolio that aligns with broader market trends (e.g., omnichannel customer services, automation capabilities, and tools that address security challenges) is a key differentiator. Therefore, it constantly leverages technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its services, such as automating processes and using data analytics to gain insights into end users' behaviors and preferences," noted Valentina Barcia, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

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About AeC

AeC is a Brazilian technology company specializing in customer relations. Leading by innovation, the most outstanding is the warm way of dealing with people and applying cutting-edge technology in its processes, such as artificial intelligence, cloud services, analytics, and automation tools. For over 30 years, it has developed customized consumer experience solutions in the market, helping companies in different segments, such as digital businesses, fintech, financial sector, telecommunications, services, retail, insurance, energy, and health. Currently, AeC has more than 43,000 employees and is certified by the Great Place to Work Institute (GPTW).

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A bus crash in South Africa's northern province of Limpopo resulted in 45 deaths and one serious injury, South Africa's Department of Transport said on Thursday.

The driver lost control and collided with barriers on a bridge near Mamatlakala, causing the bus to go over the bridge and hit the ground, catching fire, according to a statement by the transport department.

The bus was taking Easter pilgrims from Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, to Moria, a town in Limpopo, it added.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement.

Only an 8-year-old survived the crash and was receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital, Limpopo's Department of Transport said in a separate statement.

Some bodies were burned beyond recognition while others were trapped inside the debris or scattered on the scene, the provincial department said. (Reuters)
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / In honor of Women's History Month, Rayonier hosted a DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) Table Talk featuring several talented women in leadership roles at the company. The panel included April Tice, incoming Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Shelby Pyatt, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and IT; Maha Din, Vice President of Tax; and was moderated by Director of HR and Employee Experience, Liz Estera.

During the informal discussion, each leader shared about their unique career journey and provided commentary on the challenges and successes women experience in corporate America.

The importance of mentorship was one topic that all agreed had made an impact on their careers. Rayonier recently launched a formal mentorship program for employees, and April also encouraged those seeking mentorship to reach out to their colleagues directly for career guidance.

Adversity in the workplace was also a topic of conversation, with the leaders sharing personal stories of what led them to new skill growth. "Leaning into discomfort is going to let you grow," Shelby said. "You're going to learn so much when you step out of your comfort zone."

Rayonier's DEI Table Talks, spearheaded by Cal Jackson, Rayonier's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, are a series of internal education events designed to inform and encourage conversation among Rayonier employees.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Rayonier on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Rayonier

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/rayonier

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Rayonier

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / GoDaddy



GoDaddy President of U.S. Independents, Gourav Pani delivers the keynote address to attendees at the Las Vegas Microbusiness Summit on 2/24/2024. Credit: Justin Nealey

As originally published by GoDaddy's Venture Forward Research Initiative

The first of its kind Microbusiness Summit took place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Las Vegas City Hall.

GoDaddy Venture Forward research, an initiative launched in 2018 that quantifies the impact 20+ million online microbusinesses have on their local economies, identified Las Vegas as having the second-highest number of microbusinesses in the country after New York City and three times the national average.

Inspired by the massive presence and growth of businesses with fewer than 10 employees (known as microbusinesses) found in Southern Nevada, GoDaddy, the City of Las Vegas, Workforce Connections and Bank of Nevada collaborated to design an impactful agenda based on the top three challenges facing Las Vegas entrepreneurs according to local Venture Forward surveys.

Featured speakers included GoDaddy President of U.S. Independents, Gourav Pani; GoDaddy Sr. Director of Marketing, Amy Jennette, who presented a cutting-edge GoDaddy Airo demonstration; multiple Las Vegas city council members; a Nevada state senator; experts in finance and business licensing; and several local entrepreneurs. The event was hosted by motivational speaker Desirae King.

GoDaddy Venture Forward's mission is to leverage data to better understand entrepreneurs and their impact, thereby enabling greater support for them.

Learn more about the event from GoDaddy President of U.S. Independents Gourav Pani in a podcast hosted by Workforce Connections.

About GoDaddy Venture Forward

GoDaddy's Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics.

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GoDaddy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: GoDaddy

View the original press release on accesswire.com
PALM BEACH, Fla., March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McWhorter, the luminary investor with an eye for luxury, delivers a blistering retort to Nelson Peltz's antiquated views, revealing his profound misunderstanding of Disney's status as a pinnacle of luxury and innovation. With surgical precision, McWhorter exposes Peltz's detachment from diverse communities and insular worldview, highlighting the glaring gap between Peltz's outdated mindset and Disney's forward-thinking ethos.



"At 81 years old, Nelson Peltz's understanding of luxury seems frozen in time, much like the era in which he was born," McWhorter declares. "His failure to grasp the true essence of Disney as a luxury brand underscores his limited exposure to diverse perspectives and his residence within the protective bubble of privilege."

In a scathing indictment of Peltz's remarks, McWhorter dismantles the notion that Disney's inclusive storytelling is incompatible with luxury, asserting that diversity and representation are integral components of Disney's allure. "Luxury isn't just about opulence and exclusivity; it's about inclusivity and aspiration," he asserts. "Disney epitomizes this ethos, offering a gateway to dreams and imagination for people of all backgrounds."

McWhorter draws attention to Peltz's lack of engagement with diverse communities and his failure to recognize the transformative power of inclusive storytelling. "Peltz's insular worldview prevents him from understanding the profound impact of diverse representation in shaping cultural narratives," he remarks. "His ignorance of the lived experiences of marginalized communities underscores the urgency of embracing diversity and inclusion in every aspect of society, including the boardroom."

As Disney embarks on a journey toward the future, McWhorter calls for leadership that understands the true essence of luxury and embraces the values of diversity, creativity, and innovation. "Disney's luxury lies not only in its iconic brand and timeless storytelling but also in its commitment to forging a more inclusive and equitable world," he emphasizes. "It's time for Disney-and its board-to reject outdated ideologies and embrace a future that celebrates diversity, equality, and the boundless potential of dreams."

Disclaimer, Disclosure & Legal Notice:

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. It is not intended to provide specific recommendations, endorsements, or investment strategies. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Regulatory Considerations:

This press release is not intended to constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Any offers, sales, or purchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations. McWhorter Foundation has not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and may operate under exemptions. Any investment decisions should be made in consultation with appropriate legal and financial advisors, considering the individual circumstances and objectives of potential investors.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or suggested by any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory and legal developments, market conditions, and the outcome of negotiations. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.





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CHICAGO, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Closed System Transfer Devices Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $1.1 billion in 2024 and is poised to reach $2.5 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 14.5% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, rising focus on workplace safety, growing awareness of the benefits of CSTDs, advancements in CSTD technology, and growing regulatory compliance are expected to drive the market growth. However, the substantial expenses associated with implementing CSTD, limited compatibility with certain medications or drug delivery systems, and limited reimbursement hinders the use of CSTDs, thereby hampering the adoption of these products in hospitals and oncology centers to a certain extent.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Closed System Transfer Devices Market"

150 - Tables

70 - Figures

250 - Pages

Closed System Transfer Devices Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $1.1 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $2.5 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 14.5% Market Size Available for 2019-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Closing Mechanism, Technology, Component, End User and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Regulatory Compliance Requirements Key Market Drivers Increased Awareness of Occupational Hazards

Closing mechanism system is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the closing mechanism, the market is segmented into Luer lock systems, push-to-turn systems, click-to-lock systems, and color-to-color alignment systems. In 2023, the Luer lock systems segment accounted for the highest share of 32.5% of the market. The closing mechanism's primary role is to establish a secure connection within the CSTD system, preventing leaks and hazardous drug exposure. market. Its role in ensuring safety, user experience, and compatibility with existing systems makes it a crucial determinant of market success and growth. This directly impacts the safety of patients and healthcare workers, which is a primary driver for the CSTD.

Membrane-to-membrane systems segment is expected to account for the largest share, by type in the closed system transfer devices market.

Based on type, the CSTD market is segmented into membrane-to-membrane systems and needleless systems. In 2023, the membrane-to-membrane systems segment accounted for the largest share of 72.4% of the CSTDs market. The large share and high growth of this segment are attributed to their ease of operation and lower risk of contamination associated with double-membrane containment systems. Membrane-to-membrane systems provide a high level of safety by creating a completely sealed environment during drug transfer. This prevents any potential leakage or contamination, thereby minimizing the risk of hazardous drug exposure for healthcare workers.

Diaphragm-based devices segment accounted for the largest share of closed system transfer devices market in 2023

Based on technology, the CSTDs market is segmented into diaphragm-based devices, compartmentalized devices, and air cleaning/filtration devices. In 2023, the diaphragm-based devices segment accounted for the largest share of 43.0% of the market. Diaphragm-based devices are often compatible with a wide range of drug delivery systems and container closures, providing versatility for various clinical applications. This compatibility enhances their appeal to healthcare facilities seeking flexible solutions for hazardous drug handling. Thus, their effectiveness, safety, ease of use, and compatibility is expected to drive the segment growth.

Vial access components segment accounted for the largest share of closed system transfer devices market in 2023

Based on components, the CSTDs market is segmented into vial access components, male luers, bag spikes, female components, and other components. In 2023, the vial access components segment accounted for the largest share of 24.9% of the market. Vial access components are widely used in healthcare settings for accessing and transferring medications from vials. Also, the design of vial access components is engineered to minimize the risk of leaks, spills, and contamination during medication transfer. By providing a reliable and secure closure mechanism, they enhance the safety and efficacy of closed system transfer devices, which is a critical factor driving market preference.

Hospitals & Clinics accounted for the largest share of closed system transfer devices market in 2023

Based on end users, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, oncology centers, and other end users. In 2023, hospitals & clinics accounted for the largest share of 82.1% of the CSTDs market. The healthcare facilities, especially hospitals and clinics, are subject to stringent regulatory standards governing the handling of hazardous drugs. Regulatory bodies like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States mandate the use of CSTDs to protect healthcare workers from exposure to hazardous drugs. Compliance with these regulations drives the widespread adoption of CSTDs in hospitals and clinics.

In 2023, North America accounted for the largest share of the closed system transfer devices market

The closed system transfer devices market is segmented into five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America accounted for the largest share of closed system transfer devices market in 2023. Owing to the continuous development and introduction of advanced CSTD technologies along with enhanced safety, efficiency, and user experience contributes to the high adoption rates of CSTDs in this region. Moreover, stringent regulations governing the handling of hazardous drugs in healthcare settings mandate the use of CSTDs to minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs. Compliance with these regulations drives the demand for CSTDs in the region.

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Closed System Transfer Devices Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

1. Increased Awareness of Occupational Hazards

Restraints:

1. Cost Implications

Opportunities:

1. Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Challenge:

1. Compatibility Issues and Standardization

Key Market Players of Closed System Transfer Devices Industry:

The key players in the global closed system transfer devices market include Becton, Dickinson and Company (US), ICU Medical (US), Equashield (US), Corning Incorporated (US), Simplivia Healthcare (Israel), Corvida Medical (US), Yukon Medical (US), JMS (Japan), Baxter International (US), Terumo Corporation (Japan), Cardinal Health (US), Eraser Medical (Turkey), B Braun Melsungen (Germany), West Pharmaceuticals Services (US), CODAN Medizinische Gerate GmbH & Co KG (Germany), Victus (US), Caragen (Ireland), Vygon SA (US), Practivet (US), and Insung Medical (South Korea).

A breakdown of the primary participants (supply-side) for the closed system transfer devices market referred to for this report is provided below:

By Company Type: Tier 1-42%, Tier 2-37%, and Tier 3-21%

By Designation: C-level-39%, Director Level-33%, and Others-28%

By Region: North America-64%, Europe-17%, Asia Pacific-7%, Latin America- 6%, Middle East & Africa-6% .

Recent Developments of Closed System Transfer Devices Industry:

In January 2022, ICU Medical, Inc. (US) acquired Smiths Medical with the aim of broadening its product portfolio with the inclusion of syringe & ambulatory infusion devices, vascular access, and vital care products.

In March 2022, Baxter International (US) entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. to acquire the rights to Zosyn, a premixed frozen piperacillin-tazobactam product, to be supplied in North America. This product is used for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections, nosocomial pneumonia, skin and skin structure infections, female pelvic infections, and community-acquired pneumonia.

In October 2023, EQUASHIELD LLC. (US) Syringe Unit received additional FDA clearance for full-volume use. This approval results in a cost-effective solution for medication compounding & administrating requirements.

In March 2022, Vygon SA(France) acquired Macatt Medica, a distribution company located in Lima, Peru, boosting Vygon's presence in South America. The company sells the bulk of Vygon's products in Peru, including a line of enteral nutrition products.

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Closed System Transfer Devices Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report:

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall the closed system transfer devices market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

This report provides insights into the following pointers:

Analysis of key drivers (growth in the closed system transfer devices market in developing countries,rising cancer rates, focus on patient and worker safety, growing use of CSTDs beyond oncology, and increasing use of hazardous drugs), restraints (high cost of implementation, and limited reimbursement policies), opportunities (integration with automation, and data-driven CSTDs) and challenges (inconsistency in regulatory guidelines, and compatibility issues with certain drugs)

Market Penetration: It includes extensive information on product portfolios offered by the major players in the global the closed system transfer devices market. The report includes various segments in market closing mechanism, type, component, technology, end user, and region.

Product Enhancement/Innovation: Comprehensive details about new product launches and anticipated trends in the global the closed system transfer devices market.

Market Development: Thorough knowledge and analysis of the profitable rising markets by closing mechanism, type, component, technology, end user, and region.

Market Diversification: Comprehensive information about newly launched product and services, expanding markets, current advancements, and investments in the global the closed system transfer devices market.

Competitive Assessment: Thorough evaluation of the market shares, growth plans, offerings of product and services, and capacities of the major competitors in the global the closed system transfer devices market.

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EQS-News: PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a.r.l. / Key word(s): Legal Matter

PlusPlus Capital Announces that PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a r.l. Filed Reorganization Petition



29.03.2024 / 16:30 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





PlusPlus Capital Announces that PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a r.l. Filed Reorganization Petition



Tallinn, Estonia, 29 March 2024. PlusPlus Capital ("PPC"), a leading pan-Baltic and Finnish technology-driven receivables management group, announces that PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a r.l. has filed its petition for the reorganization under the supervision of Luxembourg Court in order to safeguard the interests of the company and its creditors . Pursuant to the applicable laws, the court must examine the petition and issue a ruling on it within 23 days of its filing. Once the judicial reorganization has been initiated, the court will set a stay of proceedings for a maximum of four months to negotiate with the creditors and draw up reorganization measures.

PlusPlus Capital will inform about the ruling of the Luxembourg court on the reorganization process of PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a r.l. in due course.



Contact:

PlusPlus Capital

Kaarel Raik, Member of the Management Board

Email: kaarel.raik@plusplus.ee

Phone: +372 56 606 148



About PlusPlus Capital:

PlusPlus is a pan-Baltic and Finnish technology-driven receivables management company with offices in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and Helsinki. The Company acquires overdue loans and other non-performing exposures from financial institutions and non-financial sector merchants. With its core competence in handling claims against private individuals, PlusPlus prefers diversified portfolios balanced by geography, portfolio type, and other metrics.

Since its inception in 2010, PlusPlus has bought over 120 thousand claims with nominal value of approximately EUR 270 million. The Company offers its clients affordable recovery solutions and aims to avoid litigious scenarios. In doing so, PlusPlus pursues win-win solutions that allow sellers to focus on their core business, provide affordable solutions for borrowers, and ensure adequate returns for investors.

PlusPlus is a transparent and socially responsible company set to assist people in resolving problems connected with their insufficient solvency. The ambition of PlusPlus is to increase its market share and further strengthen its position as a leading player in its regional market.

pluspluscapital.eu

29.03.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



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FORT MONROE, VA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / After 12 remarkable years at the helm of the Fort Monroe Authority (FMA), G. Glenn Oder has announced his retirement as the Executive Director, effective October 1, 2024. Since leaving the Virginia General Assembly in 2011 to lead the FMA, Oder has been the driving force behind the transformation of Fort Monroe property from the U.S. Army to the Commonwealth of Virginia. During this time, the Fort Monroe property transitioned from a former military post into a vibrant, adaptive reuse project that has preserved the property, achieved national and international historical recognition, and remained open to the public.

"On behalf of the Youngkin administration, I express our sincere appreciation to former Delegate Oder for his decades of exemplary public service, especially at historic Old Point Comfort, present-day Fort Monroe," said Caren Merrick, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. The Administration is committed to supporting the FMA search process and continuing our support for the Commonwealth's responsibility at Fort Monroe."

FMA Chairman Jim Moran lauded Oder's leadership, saying, "The Fort Monroe Authority is grateful for the leadership of Glenn Oder for over twelve years. His dedication and vision have been instrumental in preserving the legacy of Fort Monroe for future generations."

Indeed, Oder's strategic direction steered the FMA through collaborations with four governors, three mayors, and numerous National Park Service Superintendents and navigated shifts in the Virginia General Assembly leadership. His efforts expanded the FMA's scope to include significant property management responsibilities, utility operations, and the management of both residential and commercial properties.

Glenn Oder's leadership has preserved and revitalized Fort Monroe, ensuring its historical significance and community value are recognized and cherished for generations to come. Today, the FMA is involved in many long-range projects that began under Oder's leadership and will continue into the future, including real estate investment, utility upgrades, and the African Landing Memorial, which commemorates the first Africans in English-speaking North America who were brought to Point Comfort in August 1619, located at Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Additionally, Oder led the charge in recognizing Old Point Comfort's unique historical significance and began working with stakeholders and scholars to seize this generational opportunity. Over this period, the FMA expanded its responsibilities to include owning and managing the historic Casemate Museum, constructing a 9-million-dollar Visitor and Education Center, and receiving national and international acclaim as a Site of Memory on the UNESCO Slave Labor Route Project.

"Glenn's passion, enthusiasm, energy, and sheer knowledge of Fort Monroe has been the driving force behind the success of the Fort Monroe Authority," said Dr. Rex Ellis, FMA Vice Chair. "Under his leadership, Fort Monroe has prospered tremendously. The nation is beginning to acknowledge our home by the sea, and they are realizing a history that has here-to-fore been passed over. His retirement is our loss. We will be fortunate to find a leader equal to his caliber. "

Recognizing the need for municipal partnerships, Oder engaged with the City of Hampton leadership to provide FMA with municipal services such as police protection, emergency response, public education, and unique opportunities for collaboration on large community programs.

Mayor Donnie Tuck of the City of Hampton highlighted the partnership fostered under Oder's leadership, "The City of Hampton extends our appreciation to Glenn Oder for his pursuit of a collaborative municipal partnership. We are committed to building upon our partnership with the FMA as they seek the next leader of this historic property."

Senator Mamie Locke remarked, "Glenn Oder's leadership at Fort Monroe has been nothing short of transformational. His commitment to excellence and collaboration has elevated the site to new heights, making it a beacon of history, education, and community engagement. Because of Glenn's leadership, Fort Monroe has become a remarkable visitor and tourist attraction for the Virginia Peninsula."

Delegate A.C. Cordoza added, "Under Glenn Oder's guidance, Fort Monroe has become a model of adaptive reuse and historic preservation. His strategic vision and tireless work have ensured that this important part of our nation's story continues to inspire and educate. Glenn has gone above and beyond the call of duty for the citizens of Fort Monroe and the Commonwealth of Virginia."

As Oder prepares to transition from his role, he remains committed to supporting the FMA and its mission, stating, "I will continue to fulfill all the obligations of the Executive Director position and support the Board in whatever ways called upon during this transitional period."

The FMA Authority will conduct its next meeting on April 17 and 18, 2024, at Fort Monroe in building 75, located at 110 Pratt Street, to discuss the transition and the search for a new leader who will continue to build upon the successful legacy established under Glenn Oder's leadership. The Executive Director position has been retitled to Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Monroe Authority, effective July 1, 2024.

ABOUT FORT MONROE

The Fort Monroe Authority is responsible for the stewardship, preservation, and development of Fort Monroe, a National Historic Landmark located in Hampton, Virginia. The Authority's mission is to protect and promote the significant historical, cultural, recreational, and natural resources of Fort Monroe for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and future generations. Learn more at for?tmonroe.org

MEDIA CONTACT

Phyllis Terrell, Director of Communications

Fort Monroe Authority

(757) 251-2754

pterrell@fortmonroe.org

SOURCE: Fort Monroe

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Avenues Recovery is set to open a brand-new, 120-bed facility in Mishawaka, Indiana

MISHAWAKA, IN / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Avenues Recovery Center, a nationwide network of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, announced today the opening of their newest facility in Mishawaka, Indiana. With two highly successful sister facilities operating in the cities of Fort Wayne and Clarksville, the Avenues brand has already left an indelible footprint upon the scene of addiction recovery in Indiana. This newest facility will bring Avenues' signature standard of care to a new area of the state, planting yet another flag of hope and transforming lives.

Avenues Recovery Center at South Bend

Future site of Avenues Recovery in Mishawaka, Indiana

Avenues Recovery's newest facility will be located at 60171 Bodnar Boulevard, in Mishawaka, Indiana, with plans to open their doors on June 1st, 2024. This facility will have a 120-bed capacity, and will offer detox and residential addiction treatment services to the greater South Bend and Mishawaka area. Avenues Recovery Center at South Bend will provide the cutting-edge clinical program, diverse range of therapy options, and family and community-based treatment model that is synonymous with Avenues.

Avenues Recovery Center's core belief is that every human being is precious and deserves a second chance at life. In line with that belief, their treatment is available to every individual regardless of financial status. Avenues accepts most forms of Medicaid insurance in addition to commercial plans and private pay, and are prepared to work with each and every client to make a life of recovery a possibility.

Avenues Recovery Center is grateful for the opportunity to offer their services to this new area of Indiana, and looks forward to doing so with the support of the local community and government!

For more information or for press availability, please feel free to reach out to:

Rachel Alter, Director of Marketing

Rachel.alter@avenuesrecovery.com

773-562-1457

Contact Information

Rachel Alter

Marketing Director

rachel.alter@avenuesrecovery.com

773-562-1457

SOURCE: Avenues Recovery Center

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Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Over the last month, Tapestry has hosted events, activations, and curated features to celebrate women, provide resources for talent and development, and raise awareness on topics and opportunities for the women of Tapestry. We're grateful to our global EmpowHER employee business resource group (EBRG) for continuously championing the women of Tapestry globally. EmpowHER was launched to create a space for the intersectionality of womanhood for unique identities, needs, and lived experiences.

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.
Coro, a NYC-based cybersecurity platform purpose-built for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), secured $100m in Series D funding.

The round, which brought the total funds raised to $255m in the last 24 months, was led by One Peak, with participation from existing investors Energy Impact Partners and Balderton Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to:

to develop security solutions tailored specifically for the SME market through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, following the acquisition of Privatise in 2023. to further strengthen its channel partner program, providing additional support and resources for its North American MSP and reseller network. to accelerate global expansion by establishing local marketing and channel teams and investing in brand awareness to support international partners.

Led by Guy Moskowitz, CEO, 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. The platform empowers organizations to defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, data leakage, network threats, insider threats and email threats across devices, users, networks and cloud applications. The platform automatically detects and remediates the many security threats that todays distributed businesses face, without IT teams having to worry, investigate, or fix issues themselves.

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. Coro 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.

FinSMEs

28/03/2024
Wonderschool, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a child care platform, acquired EarlyDay, a Miami, FL-based early childhood career marketplace.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

EarlyDays solution will complement Wonderschools current platform which directly assists governments in addressing staffing challenges and reducing administrative burnout in child care.

Led by Co-CEOs Emma Harris, and Melissa Tran, EarlyDay is a dedicated career marketplace for early childhood educators. It brings employers and jobseekers togethermaking the hiring and job search process faster and easier for both sides.

Led by CEO Chris Bennett, Wonderschool provides a comprehensive technology and business support platform that is designed to address every aspect of the child care and early learning ecosystem.

Wonderschools suite includes:

Substitute Teaching Pool: a comprehensive platform that enables child care providers to find qualified substitute teachers for temporary care and substitute teachers to be eligible to enter the child care substitute teaching workforce.

a comprehensive platform that enables child care providers to find qualified substitute teachers for temporary care and substitute teachers to be eligible to enter the child care substitute teaching workforce. Helping Hand: an administrative assistance solution that provides back-office support to child care providers by managing their incoming emails and phone calls from interested parents.

FinSMEs

28/03/2024
CPS Energy vehicle parked in front of the CPS Energy Headquarters on McCullough Avenue. Zachary-Taylor Wright

CPS Energy made a multimillion investment in more power generation and reliability for San Antonio with the purchase of two natural gas plants in South Texas. The city-owned utility company is in the process of buying two plants in Laredo and Corpus Christi from Talen Energy Corporation for $785 million, according to a news release.

CPS Energy is acquiring the 897-megawatt Barney Davis and 635-megawatt Nueces Bay natural gas-fired generation facilities in Corpus Christi, as well as the 178-megawatt natural gas facility in Laredo, adding around 1,710 megawatts of capacity to CPS Energy's generation portfolio, the news release says.

"The purchase of these assets furthers CPS Energys commitment to deliver reliable and affordable energy supply to one of the nations fastest growing communities, while also balancing our commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2030, said Rudy Garza, president and CEO of CPS Energy in the news release.

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Garza refers to CPS Energy's Vision 2027 plan that aims to close 2,249 megawatts from older and inefficient power generation capacity before 2030. The new plants in Laredo and Corpus Christi are expected to be in operation for another 25 years and will help replace that generation loss. CPS Energy has already added 730 megawatts of solar energy and 50 megawatts of energy storage.
Allu Arjun shared the photo of the wax statue on his Instagram handle with the caption, Here we go #MadameTussaudsdubai #ThaggedheLe.

The pan-India star Allu Arjun has added another feather to his cap. Breaking the Internet, the Pushpa actor shared a selfie with his newly unveiled wax statue. With this achievement, the actor has now joined the league of various acting stalwarts to be honoured with a wax statue. On Thursday, the actor dropped a picture of himself with the wax statue replicating the iconic Pushpa pose, the same that the statue had.

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Allu Arjun shared the photo on his Instagram handle with the caption, Here we go #MadameTussaudsdubai #ThaggedheLe. The wax statue of the actor is dressed in his iconic red jacket from his film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo and pulls off the thaggede le gesture from Pushpa with utmost perfection. Allu, too, can be seen donning the same outfit for the big day.

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Meanwhile, the actor also dropped a picture earlier on Thursday morning to tease the launch of the statue and wrote, Its a milestone moment for every actor.

Calling Allu the king of dance, Madame Tussauds also shared a picture of the actor after the unveiling was done. Later, a video was also posted in which the big reveal can be seen happening. However, for Allu, the surprise was not just his statue, but also his daughter Arha emulating his iconic Pushpa pose. The actor, who was visibly joyous to see her daughter, joined her in posing with the statue too, pulling off the Pushpa pose.

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The launch of the Allu Arjuns wax statue coincided with the day when his debut film Gangotri was released in 2003. As the actor completed 21 years in the industry, he wrote on his X handle, Its a very spl day today. My 1st movie #Gangotri was released today in 2003 & today I am launching my Wax statue at #madametussauds dubai.

He added, Its been an unforgettable journey of 21 years . I am grateful to each and every one of you in this journey & special thanks to my Fans (ARMY) for their ardent love & support . Hoping to make you all more proud in years to come . Ever Grateful & Humbled.
Be it Raveena Tandons Patna Shuklla or ace comedians The Great Indian Kapil Show, brace yourself to watch some of the best films and shows this week.

Another week, another list of OTT releases it is! This week, audiences are in for a treat as the OTT platforms are churning out some exciting content including highly-awaited web shows and films. For all cinema enthusiasts, there will be plenty of options to choose from. Be it Raveena Tandons Patna Shuklla or ace comedians The Great Indian Kapil Show, brace yourself to watch some of the best films and shows while sitting comfortably on your couch. Having said that, here we have enlisted several films and series that you can binge-watch this week.

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Inspector Rishi

Release Date: 29 March, 2024

Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Horror genre lovers are in for a treat this week as Inspector Rishi is scheduled to release this Friday on the OTT platform. Set in a small village, the series navigates through the life of a police officer, Rishi Nandhan who investigates a series of bizarre murders with the help of his team members. The gripping narrative of the upcoming drama is what has created anticipation among the audience.

Patna Shuklla

Release Date: 29 March, 2024

Where To Watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Headlined by Raveena Tandon, Patna Shuklla is a legal drama. Based on the life of a small-time lawyer fighting a case to expose fraud in the countrys education system, its narrative dives deep into a roll number scam that jeopardises the futures of thousands of students. As she juggles her dual roles, Tanvi fights against all odds to expose the truth.

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Release Date: 30 March, 2024

Where To Watch: Netflix

Indias beloved comedian Kapil Sharma is back with his most popular show. This time  he will be seen in a vibrant new avatar as his chat show becomes an OTT exclusive. For the OTT show, the comedian is reuniting with Sunil Grover, popularly known for her character Gutthi. Each week, viewers can expect a cavalcade of stars gracing the couch and indulge in some fun-filled moments with the comedian. Besides Kapil, the show will also feature Krushna Abhishek, Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, Rajiv Thakur and Archana Puran Singh.

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Premalu

Release date: 29 March, 2024

Where To Watch: Disney plus Hotstar

The blockbuster Malayalam movie Premalu is also making it to the OTT platform this week. It revolves around the life of Sachin and his romantic getaway. The film features Naslen, Mamitha Baiju, Sangeet Pratap, and Akhila Bhargavan in pivotal roles. Released in theatres on February 9, the film has clinched the title of the fifth highest-grossing Malayalam movie.

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Renegade Nell

Release date: 29 March, 2024

Where To Watch: Disney plus Hotstar

Set in the 18th century, Renegade Nell revolves around a wrongfully accused woman, Nell Jackson who with the help of a magical spirit, Billy Blind, realises she is destined for something bigger. While Louisa Harland has been played by Nell Jackson, Frank Dillane came on board to play Charles Devereux. The film also featured Alice Kremelberg as Sofia Wilmot.
A massive controversy has erupted after a photograph of Hamas terrorists parading slain Israeli woman Shani Louks near-naked body won a prestigious award. People are criticising the win heavily, calling the image an outrageous desecration of Jewish life

A massive controversy has erupted after an image of Hamas terrorists parading a slain womans near-naked body through the streets won a photojournalism award.

The person in the picture is Shani Louk , who was kidnapped by Hamas during the groups unexpected attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in a significant amount of bloodshed in the Gaza Strip following Israels offensive.

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According to a New York Post report, the horrifying photo has now won first place in the Team Picture Story of the Year category.

Lets take a closer look.

The image that bagged the first prize

The picture shows the half-naked body of German-Israeli Shani Louk alongside gun-wielding Hamas terrorists.

The photo was one of 20 that helped The Associated Press win first place in an international contest for Pictures of the Year earlier this month.

After the barbaric photo disrespecting slain Shani Louk was named the photo of the year by @RJI, we are responding on social media by sharing photos of how Shanis family wants her to be remembered. May the perpetrators of her heinous murder be held fully accountable. pic.twitter.com/H7c9uKx6Tm  Brooke Goldstein (@GoldsteinBrooke) March 28, 2024

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Palestinian militants drive back to the Gaza Strip with the body of Shani Louk, a German-Israeli dual citizen, during their cross-border attack on Israel, Saturday, 7 October 2023, reads the caption of the chosen photo, which was reportedly taken by Ali Mahmud, as per The Jerusalem Post.

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The organisers uploaded the unblurred photo of Louks lifeless body to their Instagram feed along with the news of the APs win.

The NY Post report also stated that the Missouri School of Journalisms Donald W Reynolds Journalism Institute runs the awards.

Notably, the awards claim to be the oldest photojournalism competition in the world.

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Massive backlash

People are shocked by the development and are criticising the win heavily on social media.

While some referred to the photographers and the agencys disturbing shot as an outrageous desecration of Jewish life, others said it was a sign of disrespect for Louk and her family.

I am DISGUSTED, SHOCKED and ENRAGED that this @AP image of a murdered Shani Louk from 7 October was given a picture of the year, one social media user posted on X. This is the value of Israeli women to you?

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I am DISGUSTED. SHOCKED and ENRAGED that this @AP image - of a murdered Shani Louk z"l from October 7th was given picture of the year!!. You don't even say her name?? You don't even say that she was slaughtered by terrorists from Gaza? This is the value of Israeli women to you?? pic.twitter.com/QF67g6l3ke  Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll (@skjask) March 27, 2024

This is just wrong and sick, said another user.

Aviva Klompas, a former speechwriting chief at Israels UN mission, wanted the photographer who took the picture to face consequences.

The AP photographer who accompanied jihadi barbarians on their 7 October invasion of Israel has been awarded a prestigious photography prize, she said.

He is being celebrated for taking this photo of murder-rapist-terrorists with the brutalised and contorted body of Shani Louk. Seems to me he should be going to jail, not getting a prize, she added.

The AP photographer who accompanied jihadi barbarians on their October 7 invasion of Israel has been awarded a prestigious photography prize.



He is being celebrated for taking this photo of murder-rapist-terrorists with the brutalized and contorted body of Shani Louk.



Seems to pic.twitter.com/EqTRkLuBev  Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) March 28, 2024

In November 2023, HonestReporting, a media watchdog organisation committed to exposing anti-Israel media bias, raised serious ethical questions regarding the prompt arrival of several AP and Reuters photojournalists based in Gaza at the scene of 7 October attack.

Acknowledging the images inclusion in the winning Team Picture Story of the Year category, HonestReporting posted on X, Congratulations to AP for winning a Pictures of the Year award. How does it feel to do so on the back of Palestinian photojournalists who infiltrated Israel on 7 October and took photos like the one below of Shani Louks dead body in a Hamas pickup? Was RJI bothered about that before bestowing the award?

Congratulations to @AP for winning a Pictures of the Year award. How does it feel to do so on the back of Palestinian photojournalists who infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7 and took photos like the one below of Shani Louk's dead body in a Hamas pickup?



Was @RJI bothered about that pic.twitter.com/MSasc9yzVp  HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) March 22, 2024

However, it looks like the picture was removed after the backlash.

AP and Reuters sued

According to The Times of Israel, earlier this February, the families of Shani Louk and other victims of the Supernova Festival massacre on 7 October filed a civil suit for damages against The Associated Press and Reuters news agencies due to what they allege was the involvement of photojournalists employed or utilised by those agencies in the atrocities that day.

About 360 people partying at the festival held close to Kibbutz Reim near the Gaza border were murdered by Hamas terrorists. Dozens of them were taken hostage.

According to The Jerusalem Post, in response to the allegations, the AP released a statement on 22 February. It stated that while it has the deepest sympathy for those affected by the horrific 7 October attacks in Israel, the lawsuit brought against the organisation for its reporting is baseless.

AP had no advance knowledge of the 7 October attacks, nor have we seen any evidence  including in the lawsuit  that the freelance journalists who contributed to our coverage did. Allegations like this are reckless and create even more potential danger for journalists in the region.

Documenting breaking news events around the world  no matter how horrific  is our job. Without AP and other news organisations, the world would not have known what was happening on 7 October.

About Shani Louk

23-year-old Shani Louk was first reported missing from the music festival from where Hamas militants took many hostage on 7 October.

She quickly became one of the faces of the war after the petrifying images of her lifeless body on the back of pickup truck went viral.

Later, Israeli authorities confirmed she was tragically beheaded by her captors.

Our hearts are broken, Israels foreign ministry wrote on X.

Shani, who was kidnapped from a music festival and tortured and paraded around Gaza by Hamas terrorists, experienced unfathomable horrors. May her memory be a blessing, it said.

Latest in the Israel-Hamas conflict

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 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.

Talks have resumed on bringing Israeli officials to the US to discuss the Gaza operation, the White House says.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 16, militant rockets kill 1 Israeli as cross-border violence soars.

US sanctions online media site Gaza Now and its founder for allegedly supporting Hamas.

With inputs from agencies
Bengaluru has been struggling with a serious water crisis for over a month. But, the problem is not just limited to Indias Silicon Valley. Several South Indian states may experience water shortages due to dangerously low water levels in its key dams this summer

Amid record-high temperatures, Bengaluru has been struggling with a serious water crisis for more than a month.

However, the problem is not just limited to Indias Silicon Valley.

According to The Hindu, the Central Water Commissions latest weekly bulletin indicates that several South Indian regions may experience water shortages this summer due to dangerously low water levels in the regions key dams.

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Lets take a closer look.

Mounting water crisis in southern Indian states

According to the weekly bulletin, the combined water level in 150 primary reservoirs was 38 per cent of their overall capacity at this point.

The southern regions 42 reservoirs spread over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are only full to 23 per cent of their total capacity, which is about 17 per cent less than the levels observed a year ago and nine per cent less than the average for the previous ten years.

No other region  central, west, east, or north  shows such a sharp shift in levels from both the 10-year average and the previous year, as per News18.

Reservoir levels across the states this week show a serious scarcity, with Andhra Pradesh 69 per cent below average, Tamil Nadu 30 per cent, Karnataka 24 per cent, and Telangana 12 per cent below average.

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Kerala is the only state that has reservoir levels that are one per cent above average.

Residents collect free water from a tanker amid water crisis, in Bengaluru. PTI

Rivers like the Cauvery and Krishna have inadequate storage levels, which is indicative of the overall scarcity in several regions.

Depleting levels of reservoirs

Water levels in many of the southern states are dangerously low when one compares the capacities of individual reservoirs with their current storage.

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With a total capacity of 4.3 lakh crore litres of water, the Linganamakki reservoir in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka is now a mere 22 per cent full, according to The Hindu. Of its 4.1 lakh crore litres total capacity, only 36 per cent of the Supa reservoir in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is filled. With a total capacity of 3.2 lakh crore litres, the Tungabhadra dam in the Karnataka district of Vijayanagara is just five per cent filled.

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With a capacity of six lakh crore litres, the Srisailam reservoir on the border between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is only 15 per cent full, while the Nagarjuna Sagar dam on the same border, with a capacity of 5.1 lakh crore litres, is only four per cent full.

With a 2.65 lakh crore litre capacity, the Mettur dam in the Tamil Nadu district of Salem is now filled to 28 per cent of its maximum capacity.

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Kerala stands out among the southern states in that it has at least 50 per cent of its major dams filled. The Idamalayar Dam is 48 per cent full, the Idukki reservoir is 47 per cent full, and the Kallada and Kakki reservoirs are 50 per cent full, the report said.

Situation in Bengaluru

Indias Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, is experiencing one of the biggest water crises in its history as a result of declining groundwater levels, shrinking reservoirs, an absence of rainfall, dried-up borewells, and supply interruptions.

Only those that receive piped water from rivers outside Bengaluru are still getting regular supply, as per Mint.

The government of Karnataka reports that out of the 13,900 borewells that were sunk in the city, 6,900 have dried up, even though some of them were drilled as deep as 1,500 feet. Muthuvel and other groundwater-dependent areas are now dependent on water tankers that get water from neighbouring villages.

By the end of the decade, more than 40 per cent of Bengaluru residents, according to Centre estimates from 2018, wont have access to drinking water.

Amid this, consumers are reportedly stung by high vegetable costs as supplies have taken a hit. People seeking to buy a property in Bengaluru are reassessing their decision as several parts of Karnatakas capital reel under a water crisis. A recent report by Nasscom-Deloitte has found that due to these civic issues, IT companies are now open to expanding their operations beyond Karnatakas capital.

According to India Today, a housing society in Bengaluru has announced a charge of Rs 5,000 on residents for misusing drinking water, citing the severity of the situation. They have also employed a separate security guard to keep an eye on the issue.

Additionally, the district government has set fixed rates for 200 private tankers, as they were doubling their prices due to severe water scarcity.

To combat this severe situation, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has made the use of tap aerators mandatory for apartments, commercial establishments, industries, luxury hotels, restaurants, and public places.

Reasons behind the crisis

The southwest monsoon season (June to September), which is critical for rainfall in the southern states, saw an eight per cent shortfall this year in comparison to the long-term average in 2023, according to Business Insider.

The region also had a 13 per cent rainfall deficit from October to December during the winter monsoon season.

South Indias reservoir levels have been negatively impacted by these ongoing deficits as well as this years low rainfall, as per the report.

The closure of lake networks and excessive groundwater pumping in recent years have made this worse for urban centres in the region, such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Pre-monsoon and monsoon rains are expected to replenish water resources, therefore, even with the current shortages, several state administrations guarantee the public will have enough water until June.

El Ninos transition to neutral and the impending La Nina event point to average to above-normal monsoon rainfall, according to reports.

With inputs from agencies
Sam Bankman-Fried has been sent to jail for 25 years for defrauding customers and investors of his now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX. His ex-partner and former CEO of Alameda Research, Caroline Ellison, has a big role in toppling him

Sam Bankman-Fried, once known as the Crypto King, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison by a court in the United States for defrauding customers and investors of his now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX. The downfall of the former billionaire unravelled with the dramatic collapse of his firm in late 2022.

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US District Judge Lewis Kaplan on Thursday (28 March) remarked how he calculated Bankman-Frieds sentence. As per BBC, the testimony of Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend and Alameda chief executive Caroline Ellison played a big role in the sentencing.

Who is she and how did she help with the downfall of the Crypto King?

Lets take a closer look.

Who is Caroline Ellison?

Caroline Ellison was the CEO of crypto hedge fund Alameda Research connected with Bankman-Fried s FTX.

As per an Independent report, she first met Bankman-Fried at Jane Street Capital, a Wall Street trading firm, in 2015. He taught her class of interns how to trade and it was here that Ellison got attracted to him.

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Three years later, Bankman-Fried, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, quit his job as a quantitative trader at Jane Street and founded the crypto trading firm Alameda Research.

Ellison joined his company in 2018 at Bankman-Frieds insistence.

Former crypto hedge fund Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison arrives for the trial of former FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried who is facing fraud charges over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, at Federal Court in New York City, US, 11 October 2023. Reuters File Photo

Like Bankman-Fried, she was interested in effective altruism, a philosophy that entails making large sums of money to help others. In 2021, Ellison was named the co-CEO of Alameda, as Bankman-Fried started focusing more on FTX, the trading platform he launched in 2019.

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Later, she was promoted to CEO but got just $200,000. However, she was awarded $20 million in bonuses that year following Alamedas success, reported Mirror.

The duo, however, did not have just a professional relationship. As per Mirror, they dated for about a year in 2018. However, she ended the relationship because he was distant and not paying attention to her.

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I would say in our personal relationship there was a general theme that I sort of wanted more from our relationship but often felt like he was distant or not paying attention to me, she testified in a federal court in Manhattan last October.

Last July, New York Times published an article quoting her personal writings from early 2022, wherein she described feeling unhappy and overwhelmed at work and hurt/rejected after the breakup.

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Caroline Ellisons testimony

While FTX was booming, Alamedas finances were down the drain. The company had lost millions over the years, which meant it did not have sufficient money to trade with and repay customers when they demanded their money back, reported Independent.

This is how the fraud began.

Ellison was considered the star witness in the multi-billion-dollar fraud case against Bankman-Fried. During her testimony last year, she told the court that he asked her to steal some $10 billion from FTXs customers and use that to repay firms that Alameda Research had borrowed money from, reported NBC News.

But it all came tumbling down in November 2022 when crypto trade publication Coindesk released a leaked balance sheet revealing that Alameda and FTX were unusually close and much of the formers $14.6 billion in assets was held in FTXs own token, called FTT.

The story created ripples around the world and FTX customers started withdrawing their funds, ultimately resulting in the crypto firm filing for bankruptcy and Bankman-Fried stepping down as CEO.

Both Ellison and Bankman-Fried were arrested and pleaded innocence. Later, she struck a deal with prosecutors and changed her plea, reported Independent.

Caroline Ellison is questioned as Sam Bankman-Fried watches during his fraud trial before US District Judge Lewis Kaplan over the collapse of FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, at Federal Court in New York City, US, October 11, 2023 in this courtroom sketch. Reuters File Photo

It came to light that Bankman-Fried not only used customer money to pay Alamedas debts but also funded his lavish lifestyle. According to Ellison, he once told her that he had a five per cent chance to become (US) president someday.

She told the court that her ex-partner was a utilitarian, meaning he thought the only moral value that mattered was whatever would maximise utility.

He said that he was a utilitarian, and he believed that the ways that people tried to justify rules like dont lie and dont steal within utilitarianism didnt work, and he thought that the only moral rule that mattered was doing whatever would maximise utility, so essentially trying to create the greatest good for the greatest number of people or beings, Ellison testified at his trial.

According to Ellison, Bankman-Fried blamed her for Alamedas financial woes. His lawyers threw her under the bus, arguing that Ellison mismanaged the company, including by not making protective hedge trades that could have shelved the risk of big losses, reported NBC News.

According to Ellison, it was Bankman-Fried who directed her to manipulate Alamedas balance sheet by showing the increasing value of the FTT tokens so it could get loans.

She did the same with other coins that got a great deal of value, reported NBC News.

In June 2022, several crypto firms and exchanges failed which led to investors collectively withdrawing about $1 trillion out of the market.

As some of Alamedas lenders also came knocking demanding their money back, Bankman-Fried told her to repay them by taking money from FTX customers.

She said she had taken $14 billion to $15 billion from FTXs users by October 2022. However, CoinDesks story brought their world crashing down.

Ellison, who had faced a constant state of dread at Alamedas finances, said she felt an overwhelming feeling of relief as she wouldnt have to lie anymore.

Her crucial testimony gave the jurors an insight into the world of the 32-year-old cryptocurrency whiz kid. The fate of Ellison, who pleaded guilty to several fraud charges last year, is yet to be decided.

With inputs from agencies
A woman who received hair straightening treatment at a salon has suffered kidney damage. After the visit, she experienced vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and back pain, and later developed ulcers on her head. Doctors said one of the products used for straightening likely caused organ injuries

Women have been using hair straightening procedures for a long time now.

However, they are unaware that the products may be detrimental to their health.

An unfortunate incident involved a woman who had hair straightening treatment at a salon and developed kidney damage as a result.

The New England Journal of Medicine released a case study in which doctors detailed the womans experience.

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Lets take a closer look.

The case

According to the doctors, the 26-year-old woman  whose identity has not been disclosed  went to the salon in June 2020, April 2021, and July 2022 to get the popular hair treatment.

The woman had never suffered any health problems before, yet she would get back pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea following every visit.

According to Live Science which cited the study, she also had burning sensations on her scalp and developed ulcers on her head during treatment.

Her blood creatinine levels were elevated, which led the doctors to conclude that she had a kidney malfunction.

Doctors asked that the woman get a CT scan since she had blood in her urine, but the scan revealed no further infection symptoms and no blockage in her kidneys.

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Studies have found a connection between the chemicals in hair straightening products and a higher risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer. Pexels/Representative Image

The culprit in the hair product

The woman informed the doctors that glyoxylic acid, a chemical included in straightening creams, had been used to treat her hair.

The doctors concluded that this was probably the reason for the burn and ulcer on her scalp.

They theorised that the acid entered her body through her skin and made its way to her kidneys, where it was broken down and caused damage, based on experiments done on mice.

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Five mice were applied the straightening product on their backs for the trial, while five other mice received petroleum jelly for the same treatment. The microscopic crystals discovered in mices urine resembled those discovered in humans who had inadvertently consumed ethylene glycol, a hazardous toxin. Many items we use at home or at work, including antifreeze, contain this chemical.

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In comparison to other mice, mice subjected to a hair product within 28 hours had greater blood levels of a chemical called creatinine. Their kidneys had a lot more calcium monohydrate than the mice who received petroleum jelly.

According to the study, the woman experienced repeated episodes of acute kidney damage as a result of oxalate nephropathy, a rare condition in which kidney function is reduced as a result of calcium oxalate crystals accumulating in renal tubules.

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It went on to say that the processes used to straighten hair offer proof that glyoxylic acid is to blame.

It would seem wise to ban the use of glyoxylic acid in these products and request that manufacturers find another, safer compound, Dr Joshua David King, an associate professor of medicine and pharmacy at the University of Maryland, told Live Science.

The use of glyoxylic acid

Formaldehyde is a hazardous chemical that, when heated, can be released into the air and was frequently found in hair straightening products in the past. The inhalation of formaldehyde may result in side effects including nausea, wheezing, and a burning feeling in the nose and eyes.

If someone is exposed to high dosages or for extended periods, it may also raise their chance of getting some cancers.

As an active ingredient in these kinds of hair treatments, formaldehyde has been banned in Brazil, Canada, and the European Union; the FDA in the US is anticipated to follow suit in April 2024.

Glyoxylic acid has recently been used in hair straightening products as formaldehydes potentially safer substitute. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these products might be linked to kidney damage, though.

In a recent study, for instance, 11 of the 26 patients in Israel who suffered kidney damage had used products containing glycolic acid derivatives, a substance broken down in the liver into glyoxylic acid, as per India Today.

Hair straightening and other health risks

Since the 1890s, hair straightening has been a popular hairstyle method that involves flattening and straightening hair to give it a sleek, streamlined, and smooth appearance, according to NDTV.

Hair fibres are temporarily reshaped by straightening and smoothing products, making hair straighter.

After applying the straightening solution to the hair, it is sealed in with heat.

Studies have found a connection between the chemicals in these products and a higher risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer. Additionally, research indicates that using these products frequently may have a harmful impact on pregnancy and puberty.

According to Mint which cited a 2022 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who informed researchers they used hair-straightening products four or more times a year had a more than twofold increased risk of developing uterine cancer compared to those who did not.

An independent study published in the journal Environmental Research in October indicated that postmenopausal women who frequently used hair straighteners had a 50 to 70 per cent higher chance of uterine cancer.

The precise substances that may be causing these elevated health concerns are unknown to researchers.

With inputs from agencies
Mukhtar Ansari died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday at a hospital in Uttar Pradeshs Banda. The grandson of a freedom fighter, he forayed into the world of crime and then became a politician. A history-sheeter with 65 cases against him, including the murder of a BJP MLA, Ansari spent his last few years in jail

Gangster-turned- politician Mukhtar Ansari taken out from district court for money laundring case in Allahabad in December 2022. He died because of a cardiac arrest in a hospital in Banda on Thursday. File photo/Getty Images

He suffered a cardiac arrest. His family claims he was slowly poisoned. Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died in Uttar Pradeshs Banda district on Thursday.

Ansari was a five-time MLA from the Mau constituency in eastern Uttar Pradesh. In the last two years, the 63-year-old was convicted in eight cases. A history-sheeter he had 65 cases against him in police stations across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

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The bahubali gangster came from an influential family. He was the relative of former vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari.

So how did Mukhtar Ansari become a criminal? What was his political career like? And how did he meet his end? Here is his story.

A freedom fighters grandson

Mukhtar Ansari was born in 1960 in Uttar Pradeshs Yusufpur into a family which contributed to Indias freedom struggle and played a significant role in the countrys political landscape after Independence.

His paternal grandfather, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, was a notable leader in the Indian National Congress and became its president in 1927. He was also associated with the Muslim League but distanced himself because of its separatist agenda. He later served as a chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, a prestigious Delhi university, until he died in 1936.

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The gangster-politicians mother also belonged to an illustrious family. His maternal grandfather, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, was a decorated officer in the Indian Army. He earned a Maha Vir Chakra posthumously after he died in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir during a conflict with Pakistan in 1948.

How did the apple fall far from the tree then?

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Mukhtar Ansari was a five-time MLA from Mau constituency in eastern UP. He was a dreaded gangster with 65 cases against him. File photo/Getty Images

Mukhtar Ansaris tryst with the crime world

Ansari treaded on a path far different from his family. His brush with the criminal world started as early as 1978  he was only 15. He was booked for criminal intimidation at the Saidpur Police Station in Ghazipur, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

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There was no looking back then.

By the 1980s, he was entrenched in the world of crime. It all started in Purvanchal, a region in UP infamous for its criminal gangs looking to get government contracts. Soon Ansari rose to the ranks and became a known name in the contract mafia circle, which terrorised the state.

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Mukhtar Ansari was convicted in eight cases in the last two years in UP. File photo/PTI

Ansari got involved in murder, armed rioting and fraud. In 1988, he was embroiled in a land dispute in Ghaziapur and was linked to a murder. This was the beginning of his rivalry with mafia Brijesh Singh. It led to gang wars and more killings.

In the early 1990s, he became a dread figure with criminal activities surfacing in Mau, Ghazipur, Varanasi and Jaunpur.

The gangster made many enemies along the way and in 2002 his convoy was ambushed. Three people died and what followed was more violence and bloodshed. Ansari was implicated in three other murders, including that of a contractor Ajay Prakash Singh, in 2009.

The gangster-politician was convicted in eight criminal cases since September 2022 and was facing trial in 21 cases in different courts. By 2005 that number had risen to 28, this included cases of murder and seven cases under the UPs Gangster Act registered against him since 2005.

A plunge into politics

Ansaris foray into politics started at a grassroots level around 1995 through student politics at the Benaras Hindu University. As he became the undisputed gang leader in Poorvanchal, his influence also started growing. He secured a seat as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Mau constituency in 1996 and was elected five times.

Ansari and his brother Afzal then joined the Bahujan Samaj Party. Its supremo Mayawati portrayed Ansari as the messiah of the poor, a Robinhood of sorts. He contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi on a BSP ticket but lost to Bharatiya Janata Partys Murli Manohar Joshi,

In 2009, Ansari and his brother were expelled from the BSP because of their ongoing involvement in criminal activities. He then went on to form the Quami Ekta Dal (QED).

This file photo shows Mukhtar Ansari being sworn in as a member of UP assembly in Lucknow in 2017. File photo/PTI

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the gangster-politician announced that he would contest against Narendra Modi from Varanasi but he withdrew to avoid splitting secular votes. In January 2016, he once again joined the BSP and won the 2017 UP state elections as the BSP candidate from the Mau seat, according to a report in The Times of India.

His political career was also marred by accusations of communal violence and exploiting religious sentiments. Now it is his son Abbas Ansari who is following in his fathers footsteps.

Convictions and jail

Ansaris crimes caught up with him.

He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in April 2023 for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court. He was sentenced to life in prison on 13 March 2024 in connection with a fake arms license case.

His latest sentencing was the eighth by a UP court in the last two years.

In April 2021, Ansari was shifted from Ropar prison in Punjab to UPs Banda jail. He spent two years in the Punjab jail from January 2019 to April 2021. He was taken there in January 2019, on a transit remand after an extortion call was made to a Mohali-based builder, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Security personnel stand guard outside the Rani Durgavati Medical College, where gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was rushed to from jail. PTI

The final days

On Tuesday morning, Ansari was admitted to the Banda Medical College after complaining of abdominal pain. His family has alleged that he was being poisoned .

He returned to prison on Tuesday evening after doctors said his condition improved. His brother Afzal, who met him in the hospital, told the media, that Ansari was in the ICU and he had met him for five minutes. He is conscious. He told me that he had been given some poisonous substance in his food. And that this has happened the second time. It happened 40 days ago too, Afzal said.

Security personnel stand guard following the death of jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, in Mau, Uttar Pradesh. PTI

Days later, on Thursday, Ansari died of cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the hospital after he fell unconscious in jail around 8.45 pm. He died at the Rani Durgavati Medical College during the treatment.

Now his family is reiterating the charge. Ansaris son Umar has also alleged that his father was given poison in the food and said he would approach the court. We said this before also and even today we will say the same thing. On March 19, he was poisoned in the dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it, he said.

With inputs from agencies
An American webcomic posted an illustration of the Baltimore bridge collapse incident showing the ships Indian crew wearing loincloths ahead of the collision. This came a day after US president Biden praised the team for their prompt Mayday call

The narrative has drawn criticism for both undermining the ship's crew and for its racist portrayal of Indians. Image Courtesy: @FoxfordComics/X

An out-of-control cargo ship rammed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in six presumed fatalities on 26 March.

The Indian crew on the ship is receiving praise from US President Joe Biden, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and other prominent figures; yet, a racist cartoon that depicts the tragedy has sparked controversy.

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Lets take a look.

The racist cartoon

An American webcomic has posted an illustration of the tragic event the day after US president Biden praised the ships crew, the majority of whom were Indians, for their prompt Mayday call.

The animated film, which was aimed at the ships crew, depicts dishevelled men wearing only loincloths ahead of the collision.

Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact pic.twitter.com/Z1vkc828TY  Foxford Comics (@FoxfordComics) March 26, 2024

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An audio clip of people cursing at each other in English with a heavy Indian accent was also included in the cartoon.

The video was posted on X with the caption, Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact, by Foxford Comics.

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With 4.2 million views and more than 2,000 comments, the image has become widely popular.

Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with one of the bridges supports in Baltimore. Rescuers are searching for multiple people in the water. WJLA via AP

Also read: German cartoon stirs row for mocking Indias population: When caricatures turned controversial

Criticism

The narrative has drawn criticism for both undermining the ships crew and for its racist portrayal of Indians.

Indian economist Sanjeev Sanyal shared the cartoon and stated that a local pilot was probably in control of the ship at the time of the tragedy.

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At the time that the ship hit the bridge, it would have had a local pilot. In any case, the crew had warned the authorities which is why the casualties were relatively few (for such a disaster). The mayor in fact thanked the Indian crew as heroes for raising an alarm that limited casualties, he said.

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At the time that the ship hit the bridge, it would have had a local pilot. In any case, the crew had warned the authorities which is why the casualties were relatively few (for such a disaster). But, hey, why give up a chance to do racist cartoons 1/2 https://t.co/NTY7dCPvW6  Sanjeev Sanyal (@sanjeevsanyal) March 27, 2024

Another X user said, Its shameful that people are mocking Indian crew for the tragic incident. Meanwhile the governor himself praised the crew.

It's shameful that people are mocking Indian Crew for the tragic incident...



Meanwhile the governor himself praised the crew https://t.co/bgkdACmwyL  Pooja Sangwan ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@ThePerilousGirl) March 27, 2024

This racist trash is one of the reasons that many Indians still dont prefer the United States, apart from the cheap way in which your gun laws enable your citizens to dispose our brethren due to the same racist agenda without fear, a third user chipped in.

This racist trash is one of the reasons that many Indians still dont prefer the United States, apart from the cheap way in which your gun laws enable your citizens to dispose our brethren due to the same racist agenda without fear.



I cant believe that in 2024, someone would  Adi |  (@AdiSpeaX) March 27, 2024

Biden and others praise Indian crew

Synergy said all crew members and the two pilots on board were accounted for, and there were no reports of any injuries. All 22 crew members of Cargo ship that hit Key Bridge in Baltimore are Indian, Synergy said in a statement issued on its website.

After the tragedy, Maryland governor Wes Moore hailed the Indian crew on board the Dali , saying that it was their quick thinking that saved other lives.

US president Biden said that the crew notifying officials that they had lost control of the ship, prompted the shutdown of the bridge, a move that undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many 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 it was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives, stated Biden during his comments at the White House regarding the collapse.

Aerial view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse in Baltimore. Six people have been presumed dead following the incident. Reuters

Baltimore bridge tragedy

The ship flying under Singapores flag departed from Baltimore port at 1 am local time on Tuesday for a journey lasting around one month to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as per Marine Traffic.

The operators of the Dali cargo ship issued a mayday call that the vessel had lost power moments before the crash. At around 1.28 am, the vessel struck one of the 2.6-kilometre bridges supports, causing the span to break and fall into the water within seconds. Puffs of black smoke were seen as the lights flickered on and off.

The six missing people were part of a construction crew filling potholes on the bridge, according to Paul Wiedefeld, the states transportation secretary. Guatemalas consulate in Maryland said in a statement that two of the missing were citizens of the Central American nation. Honduras deputy foreign affairs minister Antonio Garcia told AP that a Honduran citizen, Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, was missing. The Washington Consulate of Mexico also said on X that citizens of that nation were also among the missing.

A view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, after the Dali cargo vessel crashed into it causing it to collapse, in Baltimore. Reuters

Rescuers pulled two people out of the water, one of whom was treated at a hospital and discharged hours later. Multiple vehicles also went into the river, although authorities did not believe anyone was inside.

Tuesdays collapse might create a logistical nightmare along the East Coast for months, if not years, shutting down ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore.

The port is a major East Coast hub for shipping. The four-lane bridge spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to the busy harbour, which leads to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The governors of those states promised in a joint statement on Thursday that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will plan to take on more cargo to assist minimise the impacts on the supply chain up the coast from Baltimore.

Other racist cartoons

There have been numerous occasions in the past where visuals have drawn attention to the unequal treatment given to different nations.

In August 2023, a German magazine named Der Spiegel published a cartoon depicting Indias population overtaking China. It showed an overcrowded Indian train passing a modernised Chinese bullet train travelling on a parallel track with only two drivers inside. The passengers on top of the Indian train were seen holding the tricolour.

#Germany this is outrageously racist. @derspiegel caricaturing India in this manner has no resemblance to reality. Purpose is to show #India down and suck up to #China.

This is as bad if not worse than the racist cartoon in @nytimes lampooning Indias successful Mars mission. pic.twitter.com/z9MxcPQC7u  Kanchan Gupta (Hindu Bengali Refugee) (@KanchanGupta) April 23, 2023

While people on social media heavily criticised the inaccurate portrayal, some politicians and other authorities have also used Twitter to condemn the cartoon as racist and derogatory.

In 2015, a cartoon was published in the Australian newspaper depicting starving Indians chopping up and eating solar panels sent to the developing nation in an attempt to curb carbon emissions has been condemned as unequivocally racist.

Drawn by the veteran cartoonist Bill Leak, the cartoon received massive criticism for being racist. Amanda Wise, an associate professor of sociology at Macquarie University, was quoted as saying by The Guardian, This cartoon is unequivocally racist and draws on very base stereotypes of third world, underdeveloped people who dont know what to do with technology,

In 2014, the New York Times newspaper published a cartoon showing a man, wearing a shirt, dhoti, and a turban, standing with a cow and knocking on the door of a room marked Elite Space Club where two bespectacled men donning Western clothes were reading a newspaper on Indias Mars Mission.

The cartoon, made by Singapore-based artist Heng Kim Song, accompanied an article titled Indias Budget Mission to Mars. It received widespread condemnation, with many calling it racist, and accusing it of mocking India.

For the uninitiated, in September the same year, India became the first nation to successfully put the Mangalyaan robotic probe into orbit around Mars on its first attempt. With this, ISRO joined the elite club of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Soviet Union for carrying out successful missions to the Red Planet.

With inputs from agencies
Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the worlds most popular cryptocurrency platforms. He was found to have stolen billions from customers and investors

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, charged with a host of financial crimes, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday (28 March). File image/AP

Until a few years ago, FTX stood as a beacon of trust in the crypto world, with Sam Bankman-Fried at its helm. He was the industrys golden boy. Launched in 2019, FTX positioned itself as a user-friendly gateway to cryptocurrency trading. The early 2020s witnessed the companys meteoric rise, evidenced by Super Bowl ads and branding partnerships with the Miami Heats arena.

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However, by November of the same year, FTXs fortunes took a drastic turn as it plummeted into bankruptcy. Now, Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday (28 March). The charges? Stealing around $8 billion (Rs 6,66,71 crore) from customers.

US district judge Lewis Kaplan delivered the verdict in Manhattan, dismissing Bankman-Frieds claim that FTX customers had not suffered losses and accusing him of deception during his trial testimony.

He knew it was wrong, Kaplan said, blaming the sentence on Bankman-Frieds blatant disregard for ethical and legal boundaries. 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.

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What do we know about the verdict?

Bankman-Fried, 32, was convicted in November on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. A jury found that Bankman-Fried illegally used funds from FTX depositors for his expenses, which included the purchase of luxury properties in the Caribbean, private planes, significant contributions to US political campaigns, and paying $150 million (Rs 1,249 crore) in bribes to Chinese government officials

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Though Bankman-Fried offered his apologies during the sentencing, Judge Kaplan didnt buy any of them. I know a lot of people feel really let down, and they were right, they were, were very let down. Im sorry about that. Im sorry about what happened at every stage, things I should have done and said, things I shouldnt have. I failed everyone that I care about and everything I care about too, he said during the hearing as per the New York Post.

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He did it because he wanted to be a hugely, hugely politically influential person in this country, said Kaplan, adding that Sam knew it was a crime, he regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of being caught, the New York Post quotes Kaplan saying.

Sam Bankman-Fried, second from right, stands flanked by his attorneys, Marc Mukasy, left, and Torrey Young, right, while Judge Kaplan announces his sentence in Manhattan federal court in New York. AP

Aside from his 25 years in prison, the former business owner was ordered to repay $11 billion and forfeit any assets that could help him make the large payment.

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The US government had sought a sentence of 40-50 years, but the US justice department stated that the sentence sends a strong message to others who may be tempted to commit financial crimes that justice will be swift and severe.

Three members of Bankman-Frieds inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified in the trial, including Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds former girlfriend, according to CBC News. Ellison, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in November, described Bankman-Fried as a calculated individual who knew he was likely breaking the law when he directed the use of customer funds.

What wrong did Bankman-Fried do?

FTX had two lines of business: a brokerage where customers could deposit, buy, and sell cryptocurrency assets on the FTX platform, and an affiliated hedge fund known as Alameda Research, which took speculative positions in cryptocurrency investments. As Alameda piled up losses during a cryptocurrency market decline, prosecutors said Bankman-Fried directed funds to be moved from FTXs customer accounts to Alameda to plug holes in the hedge funds balance sheet.

In interviews and court testimony, Bankman-Fried acknowledged making mistakes, but blamed some of the wrongdoing on other executives at his company, and said he never intended to defraud anyone. File image/AP

Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried also created secret loopholes in the computer code for the FTX platform that allowed Alameda to incur a multibillion-dollar negative balance that the hedge fund couldnt repay, lied to a bank about the purpose of certain accounts it opened, evaded banking regulations and bribed Chinese officials in an attempt to regain access to bank accounts that had been frozen in that country during an investigation.

What did Bankman-Fried say in his defence?

In interviews and court testimony, Bankman-Fried acknowledged making mistakes, but blamed some of the wrongdoing on other executives at his company, and said he never intended to defraud anyone. He has also said the alleged harm to FTXs customers has been exaggerated.

In court, his lawyer, Marc Mukasey, stated that Sam Bankman-Fried is a well-intentioned awkward math nerd and that its obviously a serious offence, but Sam was not a financial serial killer who set out to hurt people.

His parents, Stanford law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, said in a statement to the news agency AFP, We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son.

How much time will SBF serve?

Bankman-Fried might not serve his complete sentence. His lawyers plan to appeal the conviction and the sentence. Even if they fail, his sentence could be reduced for good behaviour.

For starters, he will be credited for the time he spent in prison before the hearing, shaving 7.5 months or so off his remaining time in incarceration.

According to Christopher Zoukis, a federal prison consultant based out of Charleston, South Carolina, will likely serve about three-quarters of the sentence. Like all federal prisoners, SBF will automatically get a 15 per cent reduction in his sentence for good conduct, reducing it by 45 months. Thats applied preemptively, usually within the first couple weeks of being in custody, Zoukis told Fast Company.

Mark Bini, a veteran prosecutor-turned-defence lawyer at white-shoe law firm Reed Smith told New York Post that Bankman-Fried could shave off a considerable amount of time  perhaps as high as 40 or 50%  with good behaviour and completing prison rehabilitation programs, said

This means he could serve as little as 12.5 years.

_

With inputs from agencies_
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba is meeting his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New Delhi. His top agenda is to secure New Delhis participation in a summit on Ukraines 10-point peace plan with Russia that is set to take place in Switzerland, likely in spring

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba is meeting his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New Delhi to advance Kyivs efforts for peace amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. Kuleba, who began a two-day visit to the South Asian country on Thursday (28 March), also seeks to bolster ties between India and Ukraine.

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Besides meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar today (29 March), the Ukrainian foreign minister will also hold talks with Indian deputy national security adviser Vikram Misri.

This is his first trip to India since becoming Ukraines foreign minister in 2020. Kulebas main agenda is to push for Indias support for a peace summit set to take place in Switzerland.

Lets take a closer look.

Ukraines peace summit

Kuleba is expected to garner Indias backing for the international peace summit that neutral Switzerland will organise possibly in spring. The dates for the conference have not been announced yet.

Ukraine plans to hold the summit to build support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 10-point peace proposal with Russia. In January, Swiss president Viola Amherd said her country would host the Global Peace Summit.

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At the request of the Ukrainian president, Switzerland has agreed to host a summit on the peace formula, the Swiss government said at the time, as per Reuters.

President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy hold a press conference after bilateral talks, on 15 January 2024, in Kehrsatz near Bern, Switzerland. Reuters File Photo

Zelenskyy had unveiled the 10-point peace plan at the G20 Summit in Indonesia in 2022. The proposal entails restoring Ukraines territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops and stopping hostilities, release of all prisoners and detainees, environmental protection, ensuring the shipment of Ukrainian food grains, energy security, security guarantees for Ukraine, setting up a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes, restoring nuclear safety and ending the war.

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Ukraine is seeking Indias participation in the peace conference. During his phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 March, Zelenskyy had pushed for Indias attendance at the conclave.

Taking to X, the Ukrainian president wrote that it was important for us to see India attend the inaugural Peace Summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland.

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I spoke with Prime Minister @NarendraModi to express gratitude for India's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, humanitarian aid, and active participation in Peace Formula meetings.



It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural Peace  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) March 20, 2024

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PM Modi said in his post that he had conveyed Indias consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict to Zelenskyy.

India will continue to provide humanitarian assistance guided by our people-centric approach," he wrote on X.

New Delhi, which has historically cordial relations with Russia, has maintained a neutral stance in Moscows war with Ukraine. India has iterated multiple times that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward to resolve the conflict.

Will India attend?

Kuleba is expected to bring up the peace summit during his interaction with Indian officials. As per people familiar with the matter, India is yet to decide on the level of its participation in the spring summit, Hindustan Times (HT) reported.

With India holding Lok Sabha polls starting next month till 1 June, they said that New Delhis attendance at the highest level is dicey if the summit takes place during this period.

It still isnt clear which countries will participate or if Russia will be part of the summit, one person told HT.

Ukraine hopes to hold the global summit of world leaders without Russias participation, according to Reuters. We are open to all countries of the world that respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Therefore you can draw conclusions on whom we invite, Zelenskyy told a press conference in Switzerland in January.

Russia has dismissed the Ukraine-led initiative as a non-starter, noted Reuters.

But China and Switzerland are pressing for Moscow to be invited to the talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP). Last week, Chinas ambassador to the Swiss capital Bern said that Beijing will consider participating in the peace conference.

Earlier this month, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed he will take part in the Global Peace Summit.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval said last August at a gathering in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine that while many peace formulas had been floated, none is acceptable to both sides and asked whether a solution admissible to all stakeholders can be found, reported HT.

What else is on the agenda?

Ukrainian foreign minister will also discuss bilateral partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest with his Indian counterpart, as per the MEA.

A session of the India-Ukraine Inter-governmental Commission is also on the cards.

Kuleba earlier said that Kyiv would welcome Indias role in the reconstruction of Ukraine. India is welcomed to engage with Ukraine on economic projects now and of course in the reconstruction of the country, he told ThePrint ahead of his visit.

#VantageOnFirstpost: Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba is on a two-day visit to India. The trip comes after months of strained relations between the two countries over India's refusal to criticise Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Why is Ukraine reaching out to India? @palkisu pic.twitter.com/B5EnqEXlP6  Firstpost (@firstpost) March 28, 2024

In a recent interview with Financial Times (FT), the Ukrainian foreign minister urged India to stand by Kyiv, saying New Delhis close ties with Russia are based on a Soviet legacy that is evaporating.

He also said India has much to gain from expanding cooperation with Ukraine in trade and technology and said Kyiv is seeking to restore trade with New Delhi.

Kuleba, who is also likely to interact with the business community during the trip, has called on Indian companies to engage in the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine, FT reported.

His visit to India, the first by a Ukrainian foreign minister in seven years, comes at a time when Russia is gearing up for advances at the front lines. Kyiv is also awaiting the much-needed military support from the United States due to resistance from Republican leader Donald Trump and his supporters in Congress.

With inputs from agencies
Juan Enrique Hernandez and Michael Dennis Hightower. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office Juan Enrique Hernandez. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office Michael Dennis Hightower. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office

Laredo police have arrested two men accused of sexual offenses in unrelated cases.

Authorities arrested Juan Enrique Hernandez on March 27. His was a warrantless arrest accusing him of sexually molesting a child.

Hernandez was charged with sexual assault of a child, a first degree felony, and online solicitation of a minor, a third degree felony.

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No other information was available on the case. Hernandez was released on bond the following day, according to Webb County Jail records.

The second suspect was identified as Michael Dennis Hightower. He was in Mexico, authorities said.

When he crossed an international bridge in Laredo, he was served with warrants out of Virginia charging him with four counts of aggravated sexual assault, according to police.

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France is considering a law to ban hair discrimination. Lawmakers in the countrys lower house of parliament have okayed the bill that aims to support Black people and others who have faced hostility because of their hair

Lawmakers in France's lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill that would ban discrimination over the texture, length, colour or style of someone's hair. File image/Reuters

France is about to become the first country in the world to pass nationwide legislation to combat hair discrimination in the workplace and in public. Lawmakers in Frances lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill that would ban discrimination over the texture, length, colour or style of someones hair.

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Olivier Serva, an independent deputy for the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe who proposed the bill, has argued that women of African descent in France were frequently encouraged to change their hairstyle before job interviews and that hair discrimination causes a great deal of suffering.

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.

But the measure still faces a long road ahead. It goes to the Senate next, where it could face opposition.

Here are the key things you need to know about it.

Taking down barriers of discrimination

The authors of the bill hope the groundbreaking legislation sends a message of support to Black people and others who have faced hostility in the workplace and beyond because of their hair.

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Supporters of the measure outside parliament were overjoyed that the bill made it to the legislative body.

Its 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.

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The draft law echoes similar legislation in more than 20 US states. Olivier Serva says that if it eventually becomes law, it would make France the first country in the world to recognise discrimination based on hair at a national level.

The bill was proposed by Olivier Serva, a French lawmaker from the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe. AP

This is a great step forward for our country, Serva said after the vote. France has done itself proud.

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Open world for natural hair

The bill would amend existing anti-discrimination measures in the labour 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 doesnt specifically target race-based discrimination, though that was the primary motivation for the bill.

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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 French 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 US 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 the military. US federal legislation passed in the House in 2022, but Senate Republicans blocked it a month later.

Opponents

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.

The 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 wasnt discriminated against over his hair, but because he is a man, since his female counterparts were allowed to wear braids.

Advocates of the bill hope it addresses Black French peoples long struggle to embrace their natural hair. AP

France doesnt 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 peoples long struggle to embrace their natural hair.

Not only a hair issue

Aude Livoreil-Djampou, a hairdresser and mother of three mixed-race children, said that while some people view the draft law as frivolous, its 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 five-year-old daughter will live in the future in a society that doesnt stigmatise 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!

With inputs from AP
In recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created certain momentum in our bilateral relationship, said Jaishankar at the meeting with Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that India and Ukraine have had interactions at various levels in recent months which have created certain momentum in the bilateral relationship.

At the meeting with Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Jaishankar said, In recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created certain momentum in our bilateral relationship.

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#WATCH | Delhi: At the meeting with Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in his opening remark says, "...In recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and pic.twitter.com/7siXXviLgq  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Today, after this discussion, we look forward also to the meeting of the intergovernmental commission. Your visit gives us an opportunity to understand the situation in your own regionOur teams have prepared a very substantial agenda for discussions, he added.

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Kuleba, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, is on a two-day visit to India.

Kulebas visit comes amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the over two-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In his opening remarks, Kuleba said that India and Ukraine have been traditional friends and he believes there is much more that the two countries can do and should do, not only in the interest of our nations but also in the interest of global development and security architecture.

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#WATCH | Delhi: Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in his opening remark says, "...India and Ukraine have been traditional friends, but I think there is much more that we can do and should do, not only in the interest of our nations but also in the interest of global pic.twitter.com/5O5YItuQoY  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

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We will be looking forward to restoring what existed before the large-scale invasion of Russia and Ukraine began. We will be looking forward to discussing new areas and projects of our cooperation because I do believe that this relationship has a strategic perspectivePrime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke in person and on the phone several times and always instructed foreign ministers to push this relationship forward., added Kuleba.

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Ahead of their talks Jaishankar posted on X, Welcome FM @DmytroKuleba of Ukraine to Hyderabad House. Look forward to our discussions today.

The external affairs minister also shared a photograph of him shaking hands with his Ukranian counterpart at the Hyderabad House.

On Thursday, Kuleba had posted 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.

During his weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a query on Kulebas visit, on Thursday said there will be a bilateral engagement with the external affairs minister in which they will go over a gamut of issues that lie in the domain of bilateral relations.

They will also review the Inter-governmental Commission that was held earlier, he had said.

The two leaders will also discuss regional and global issues of common concern, Jaiswal had said, adding that there are several other engagements also lined up for the Ukrainian foreign minister.

Our position is very clear on peace initiatives and how we look at the Ukraine-Russia conflict. We continue to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and remain open to engaging all ways and means that would help achieve this objective, the MEA spokesperson had said on a query on Indias position on the Peace conference in Switzerland.

The peace formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022 follows 10 principles aimed at ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

With inputs from agencies
UP court orders judicial probe into gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansaris death

A chief judicial magistrates court in Uttar Pradeshs Banda on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, a senior official said. Banda Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bhagwan Das Gupta appointed Garima Singh, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (MP-MLA Court Banda) as the investigating officer in the case, the official said. The CJM has sought the probe report within a month. The 63-year-old Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in an unconscious state on Thursday evening and died at the hospital following a cardiac arrest.

Afzal Ansari, who is also the Ghazipur MP, on Tuesday alleged that his brother was given slow poison in jail.

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Kejriwals wife launches campaign to garner support for AAP leader

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita launched a WhatsApp campaign on Friday, urging people to support her husband, who is in the EDs custody in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case. In a digital media briefing, Sunita Kejriwal said her husband has challenged the most corrupt and dictatorial forces in the country and asked people to support him through their blessings and prayers. Issuing a WhatsApp number - 8297324624  she said people can send their blessings, prayers or any other messages for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and she will communicate those to him.

INDI alliance seals seat-sharing deal in Bihar, RJD gets 26 seats, Congress 9

In a big boost to the INDI alliance, the opposition in Bihar sealed the seat-sharing deal with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) set to contest on 26 seats, including that of Purnea and Hajipur, and the Congress 9. The CPI, CPI(M), and CPI(ML), three Left parties that are also members of the INDIA alliance, will contest on the remaining five of the states total 40 seats.

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NIA makes first arrest in Bengaluru cafe blast case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it has made its first arrest in connection with the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru earlier this month, a significant breakthrough in a case that has prompted the federal agency to look into the possible role of terror outfits such as the Islamic State (IS). In a statement, NIA said Muzammil Shareef, a key conspirator who extended logistic support to two other identified accused for the low-intensity blast at the popular eatery, was arrested on Wednesday after several teams of the federal agency raided 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

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10 killed after vehicle falls into gorge in J&Ks Ramban

Ten people were killed after an SUV skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and fell into a gorge in Ramban district on Friday, PTI quoted officials as saying. The vehicle was on its way to Jammu from Srinagar and it fell into a 300-feet gorge at the Battery Cheshma area of the district around 1.15 am, they said. Ten people have died, the officials said.

Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are at the spot. The bodies of 10 passengers have been recovered amid heavy rains, the officials said. They said that the cars driver, Balwan Singh (47) of Amb Ghrotha in Jammu, and Vipin Mukhiya Bhairagang of West Champaran in Bihar are among the deceased. Rescue operation is underway, the officials said.

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Family of Mukhtar Ansari says he died of slow poisoning, calls for probe

The family of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh late on Thursday, has alleged that he was poisoned in the prison. Ansari was rushed to the hospital in Banda after he fell unconscious in the district jail at around 8.45 pm. He died at the Rani Durgavati Medical College during the treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest. Mukhtar said that 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, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition was bad, PTI quoted his brother Afzal Ansari as saying. Mukhtar Ansaris son Umar also alleged that his father was given poison in the food and said he would approach the court. We said this before also and even today we will say the same thing. On March 19, he was poisoned in the dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it, he said.

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With inputs from agencies
At the time of the incident, the Iranian vessel was approximately 90 Nm South West of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. The hijacked fishing vessel has been intercepted today by Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy has responded to a call of a potential piracy attack on an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea and diverted two naval ships to intercept the hijacked vessel on Friday.

The Indian Navy received inputs regarding a potential piracy incident on-board Iranian Fishing Vessel Al Kambar late Friday evening.

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#IndianNavy Responds to Piracy Attack in the #ArabianSea.



Inputs received on a potential piracy incident onboard Iranian Fishing Vessel 'Al-Kambar' late evening on #28Mar 24, approx 90 nm South West of Socotra.

Two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in the #ArabianSea for pic.twitter.com/PdEZiCAu3t  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 29, 2024

Following this, two Indian Naval ships, missions deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel.

At the time of the incident, the Iranian vessel was approximately 90 Nm southwest of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. The hijacked fishing vessel has been intercepted on March 29.

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According to the latest updates, the operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy to rescue the hijacked fishing vessel and its crew. Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and safety of seafarers, irrespective of the nationalities, the statement added.

Notably, the Indian Navy has carried out several high-octane operations against piracy attacks lately. Earlier this month, the Indian Navy in a daring operation, intercepted the under-attack pirate ship Ruen, sailing almost 2600 km from the shores of the Indian Coast, and forced the pirate ship to stop through calibrated actions.

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In the rescue operation, which lasted for the last 40 hours, INS Kolkata successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender, ensuring the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the pirate vessel without any injury.

In another operation, the Indian Navy swiftly responded to a distress call from the Gulf of Aden where a merchant vessel caught fire after being hit by a missile, and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national.

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Last month, responding to the distress call from a fishing vessel, an Indian Naval ship mission that was deployed in the North Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, provided damage control assistance and undertook strengthening of the hull, rendering the boat safe for further transit.

The Indian Navy reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters. This action by the Indian Navy serves as a testament to Indias resolve to combat piracy and uphold international maritime laws, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

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With inputs from ANI.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal, on Friday, launched a WhatsApp campaign urging people to support her husband

Day after a Delhi court extended Arvind Kejriwal ED custody in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, the chief ministers wife, Sunita Kejriwal launched a WhatsApp campaign Kejriwal Ko Aashirvaad, urging people to support her husband.

Sunita Kejriwal, in a digital briefing on Friday, said she met Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody. She went on to say that her husband has challenged the most corrupt and dictatorial forces in the country.

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She then asked people to support Arvind Kejriwal through their blessings and prayers.

Kejriwal ko Aashirwad

Kejriwals wife shared a WhatsApp number for people and asked them to send wishes to the jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor.

We are starting a drive from today - Kejriwal ko Aashirvaad. You can send your blessings and prayers to Kejriwal on this number, she said.

WhatsApp number to message Arvind Kejriwal

Sunita Kejriwal read out the WhatsApp number  8297324624  she said people can also send any other messages for AAP chief and she will communicate those to him.

Arvind Kejriwal, a true patriot

My husband is a true patriot. The way he put his stand in court requires lot of courage, Sunita Kejriwal said.

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CM Kejriwal appeared before Delhis Rouse Avenue court on Thursday and addressed the court himself, saying that the ED arrested him without any concrete allegations or proof.

Making a submission in Hindi before the court, the Delhi CM said a smokescreen of the AAP being corrupt has been created before the nation.

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I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are four statements enough to arrest a sitting CM? Kejriwal said in his submissions.

           WhatsApp  - 8297324624 l Smt. @KejriwalSunita Addressing an Important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/eAbIiUgJO3  AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 29, 2024

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Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. On Thursday, the court extended his ED custody till April 1.

AAPs BIG allegation against BJP

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Addressing media on Friday, senior AAP leader Atishi alleged that the ED is working as Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) political weapon and it wants to get details of AAPs Lok Sabha 2024 election strategy by accessing Kejriwals phone.

The insistence of the ED to look into Kejriwals mobile-phone, which is a few months old and did not exist when the policy was formed and implemented, proves that the agency is working as a political weapon of the BJP, Atishi alleged.

Actually it is the BJP and not the ED that wants to know what is there on Kejriwals phone, Atishi, who is also a minister in the Kejriwal government, said.

The ED has said that Kejriwals phone of that period is not available, and now, it wants the password of his new phone, Atishi said.

They want it because they will find in it details of AAPs Lok Sabha poll strategy, campaign plans, talks with I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders and information regarding media and social media strategy, she added.

The excise policy was implemented in 2021-22 and the chief ministers current phone is just a few months old, the Delhi minister claimed.

With inputs from agencies
The Delhi High Court said there is no legal bar which prohibits the sitting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from running the government from jail

The Delhi High Court rejected a petition seeking removal of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal from the position of chief minister following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged liquor policy scam case.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court rejected Kejriwals interim plea seeking release from custody and has now further remanded the sitting CMs custody for an additional four days till April 1, 2024.

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No scope for judicial interference

There is no legal bar on Arvind Kejriwal running the government from jail, the Delhi HC said while hearing the petition filed by social activist Surjit Singh Yadav.

The Court headed by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora added that it is not for the court to get into politics and the matter is under consideration of the executive branch, which has the power to impose Presidents rule.

You will have to show us some barthat prohibits him from being a CM. If there is any constitutional failure the President or Governor will act on it. It may take some but I am sure they will decide this. The situation today is something that was not imagined. There is no legal bar today, the bench remarked.

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The Court said in case of a constitutional failure the President and Governor will decide on the matter. It mentioned Article 239AB of the Indian Consitution which deals with situations of failure of constitutional mechanisms in UTs.

If there is a constitutional failure, the President will act on it or the [lieutenant] governor will act on it. We will not act on it. Article 239AB (Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery) is not to be exercised by the high courtWhether it (government) will function or not function, that is something we cant comment on, Justice Arora said while dismissing the plea citing no scope of judicial interference.
My goal is to vaccinate all girls in our country at a minimal cost, ensuring that they are protected from cancer, PM Modi told Bill Gates during a free-wheeling chat on Friday

After Covid jabs, Indias next target is to get a vaccine for cervical cancer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during a free-wheeling chat on Friday.

PM Modi lauded scientists for the Covid vaccines and said his next target is to get a vaccine for cervical cancer that has been an issue for women in India.

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Want to safeguard lives of our daughters

In the future, I plan to allocate funds for cervical cancer research, targeting young girls. My goal is to vaccinate all girls in our country at a minimal cost, ensuring that they are protected from cancer. This is the direction I am currently working in, PM Modi said.

Once my government is voted to power again, my priority will be to invest significantly in this research to safeguard the lives of our daughters, he said.

The Prime Minister also said he would encourage scientists to conduct local research to make cervical cancer vaccines.

In the Interim Budget 2024, tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, the Modi government said it will actively promote vaccination among girls aged 9-14 years to prevent cervical cancer.

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#WATCH | While interacting with Bill Gates, PM Narendra Modi recalls the vaccination drive in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.



PM says, "Firstly, I emphasized that our fight against the virus involves everyone. This is not 'Virus vs Government' but the fight of 'Virus vs pic.twitter.com/CLTNCPG2n3  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

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Not Virus vs Government but fight of Virus vs Life

The PM said, Indias fight against the virus involves everyone. This is not Virus vs Government but the fight of Virus vs Life - this was my first philosophy, he said.

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I started having direct communication with the people of my country from the first day. I publically followed all protocols. I told them taali bajao, thaali bajao, diya jalao - this was mocked in our country but I had to take people into confidence. Once the confidence was built, it became a mass movement, PM Modi said.

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The financial challenge was significant due to vaccine research costs. I built peoples confidence by taking the vaccine first of all. My 95-year-old mother also took the vaccine I led by the example and gained peoples trust that this could save their lives, he said.
Bill Gates said he is looking forward to visit Statue of Unity which I understand that its quite grand, much bigger than the Statue of Liberty. That will be fun to see

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a piece of information with philanthropist and Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates ahead of his planned visit to the iconic Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

The worlds tallest statue of Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel was built on the banks of the Narmada River in 2018 after five years of ornate craftsmanship and marvel engineering.

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In a free-wheeling interaction on Friday, PM Modi shared some interesting facts with Gates about the Statue of Unity.

I heard you are visiting Gujarat and are planning to see the Statue of Unity. Since you are going there, have you read about it? PM Modi asked Gates during their conversation.

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Answering the PM Modi, Gates said: I am very much looking forward to that. I understand that its quite grand, much bigger than the Statue of Liberty. That will be fun to see. And also to meet some of the womens groups there; how they have gotten involved in tourism and see all the work that they do.

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PM Modi while sharing information on the statues backgro I am very much looking forward to that. I understand that its quite grand, much bigger than the Statue of Liberty. That will be fun to see. And also to meet some of the womens groups there; how they have gotten involved in tourism and see all the work that they do. und said, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is renowned for his pivotal role in unifying India. As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I had initiated a mass movement by asking people to donate an iron tool which has been used in their fields. Each village should give one such tool. We collected iron from farmers in more than 6 lakh villages across India, melted it and then used it in the construction of the statue."

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Calling the statue a symbol of unity amid diversity, PM Modi said: I gathered soil from each village to create a unity wall, embedding it with the essence of Indias 6 lakh villages to represent unity.

The interaction between PM Modi and Gates was streamed online. The conversations spanned a variety of topics, from artificial intelligence (AI) to women empowerment.
The meeting between EAM Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba focused on fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening bilateral relations including in areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, defence, agriculture, health, culture and education.

India and Ukraine have agreed to restore trade and cooperation to levels before Russias invasion, as Kyiv seeks to garner support for its peace plan with a historical ally of Moscow, the foreign ministers of India and Ukraine said on Friday after the meeting.

The meeting between EAM Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba focused on fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening bilateral relations including in areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, defence, agriculture, health, culture and education.

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Pleased to co-chair the review meeting of our Inter-Governmental Commission with FM @DmytroKuleba of Ukraine.



Noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation in all domains. Our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels.



Perspectives on trade, health, pic.twitter.com/2nJ7RQiERN  Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2024

Ministry of External Affairs said Both Ministers also held a separate discussion on matters related to the India- Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation and its working groups. Both sides agreed to work towards holding the 7th IGC meeting later this year.

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The exchange of views on regional and global matters involved a comprehensive discussion on the ongoing conflict and efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement. Regular interactions at various levels and meetings of bilateral mechanisms have contributed to the strong and multifaceted partnership that exists between India and Ukraine, it added in a statement.

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made the first official visit to India by a top Kyiv official since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. This visit comes ahead of a potential international summit in the coming months aimed at advancing Ukraines peace plan. Historically, New Delhi has maintained close economic and defence relations with Moscow and has refrained from publicly criticizing Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Instead, India has called for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy while significantly increasing its purchases of affordable Russian oil to record levels.

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We paid specific attention to the peace formula and next steps on the path of its implementation, Kuleba posted on X after talks with his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

We  agreed to restore the level of cooperation between our countries that existed prior to the full-scale war launched by Russia, as well as identify new promising projects to take our relations to the next level, Kuleba said.

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Jaishankar said that our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels.

Ukraine hopes to hold a summit, without Russian participation, to advance a peace formula that calls among other things for the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.

Russia has dismissed the initiative as a non-starter.

In newspaper interviews ahead of his talks, Kuleba said Ukraine was not against cooperation between India and Russia, but urged New Delhi to stand by Kyiv, saying Indias close ties with Russia were based on a Soviet legacy that was evaporating.

Our job is to convey a simple message to New Delhi, he told the Times of India. When you decide to engage with Russia, please know the red line for Ukraine is financing Russias war machine.

India had much to gain, he told the Financial Times, from expanding trade and technology ties with Ukraine, which was interested in importing heavy machinery.

Kuleba offered Indian companies a role in postwar reconstruction.

With inputs from agencies.
In a free-wheeling chat on Friday at PM Modis residence in New Delhi, Bill Gates praised Indians for their ability to adopt technology fast as well as lead the way

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said India has now aligned with G20s core purposes and objectives, bringing them to the mainstream.

In an interaction with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, PM Modi said: I believe we have now aligned with G20s core purposes and objectives, bringing them to the mainstream. I hope your first-hand experience echoes this sentiment.

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Gates, billionaire investor and philanthropist, praised the leadership of the Indian prime minister and said: Our foundation (Gates Foundation) is so excited about the past results that you have achieved here in India, that we would be a partner in trying to take that into many other countries.

G20 is way more inclusive and so it is fantastic to see India hosting it - really raised things like digital innovations and how the south-south collaboration can be far more than just the dialogue with the north, Gates further said.

During the conversation with PM Modi, Gates praised Indians for their ability to adopt technology fast as well as lead the way.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and Bill Gates discuss the 2023 G20 Summit which concluded last year under India's presidency.



PM says, "..We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit and as you might have seen, the Summit's proceedings took a lot of turns. I believe we have pic.twitter.com/pdUqwASEoG  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

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In a free-wheeling chat on Friday at PM Modis residence in New Delhi, the prime minister and Gates discussed a wide range of issues from Artificial Intelligence to Digital Public Infrastructure and efforts to combat climate change.

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India, under its G20 presidency in 2023, hosted two-day Summit on September 9 and 10 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhis Pragati Maidan. Heads of state and government, including US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, and Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and other delegates from the various member countries, as well as G20 invitees, were in Indias capital for the Summit.
U.S. Border Patrol Courtesy/U.S. Border Patrol

A man claimed that he was asked to smuggle migrants as a favor, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jonathan T. McCampbell was arrested on the charges of transport, attempt to transport and conspire to transport the migrants.

At about 3:55 p.m. March 20, a white Freightliner tractor hauling a white trailer arrived at the Interstate 35 checkpoint. Agents identified the driver as McCambell.

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During an immigration inspection, a K-9 unit gave a positive alert to contraband near the drivers side compartment door. An agent pulled the blankets from the lower bed and discovered four to five people, authorities said.

Agents then found two additional people in compartments. All were determined to be migrants.

In a post-arrest statement, McCambell stated that while he was at a gas station, a male in a white Ram asked him for a favor.

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Chinas unjustified claims over Arunachal Pradesh has become a verbal bullying strategy against Indias sovereign space in the Eastern Himalayan border. It expresses a routine objection to any high-profile visits from the Central government to Arunachal Pradesh. This obsession has become a pattern, and the pattern persists.

Objections to Dalai Lama, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former defence minister AK Antony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and so on constitute a consistency. The politics behind this consistency is to de-normalise the geopolitics in the region. Beijings game is ingrained in keeping the boundary issue alive. Keeping this tension brewing gives it geopolitical relevance. Normalising the region de-accelerates its importance.

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Its attempted skirmishes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) indicate its ulterior motive. Beijings expansionist propensities require no deep study to understand. Its hegemonic narrative is out in the open. Rebutting such illogical claims, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India said, We have noted the comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry advancing absurd claims over the territory of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects.

Given this historicity, Chinas recent objection to Prime Minister Modis visit to Arunachal Pradesh and his inauguration of the Sela Tunnel, located at the height of 13,000 ft, hardly surprises anyone. The usual exchange of words and remarks continues, and everything goes as usual. But, this time, given this routine practice of China, the US has refuted Beijings claim and expressed its objections to the latters unilateral claims. The US has also accepted Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. This shift in the geopolitical gear takes the regions discourse to a different height. However, what rattles China the most is the strategic importance of the all-weather Sela Tunnel. In the event of any critical border engagement between the two competing neighbours, the Sela Tunnel gives India the ease and advantage to present an effective combat. It also provides the soldiers with psychological relief and frees them from climatic restraints and unnecessary stockpiling in anticipation of winter and probable blockage.

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Apart from its geostrategic importance, the connectivity aspect of the tunnel is equally vital. The winter connectivity to Tawang through Sela Pass is complex. The narrow roads, which were in probable danger of blockage due to heavy snowfall in winter, had cursory connectivity. The fully functional Sela Pass ensures Indias ease of connectivity in the region and geostrategic importance. This unsettles China and sees India as an effective competitor in the neighbourhood, which makes necessary preparations to fight the geopolitical heat generated by China in the eastern Himalayas.

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The Sela Tunnel also opens up opportunities for industry, tourism, etc., and more economic participation. This shift in Indias geopolitical imagination to strengthen its border space, especially along the LAC, builds Bharats geopolitical and geostrategic depth in the eastern Himalayas. On top of it, the work-in-progress Frontier Highway will add an extra layer of defence to the entire border space of Arunachal Pradesh from Bhutan to Myanmar. This capacity-building exercise prepares India to emerge as a credible balancing player in the region, which will restrict Chinas monopoly. Beijings interventions in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have been questioned by New Delhi, but the former has not restrained itself despite objections from the latter. The corridor it has constructed through Gilgit-Baltistan is illegal and legitimately belongs to India. China gives no heed to Indias repeated cautions. But in the context of Arunachal Pradesh, it keeps its barrage of responses ready. This typifies a bully and hegemony. For China, it is a stock tactic. It uses them as and when necessary, without assessing their validity and fictionality. This monopoly and brinkmanship ought to be responded to effectively. Therefore, India has moved in the right direction by developing its infrastructural strength along the border areas and the hinterland. This censures China and increases its eyesore. The recent supply of more troops to the LAC also concerns the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), enhancing Indias combat readiness if any such conditions emerge in the region.

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The test of the made-in-India Agni-5 missile with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology under Project Divyastra (Divine Weapon) re-orbits Indias position as a player of distinction in the global perception. Therefore, Indias increasing deterrence capabilities and infrastructural strength rattle Chinese leadership deeply, and the recent reactions reveal its frustrations. Beijing never intended to see India rise beyond the threshold of limited power. The faster growth rate, democracy, and young population make a compelling case for Indias surer rise as a bankable global player. In international relationships, India has proven its standard as an impactful player. Be it Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Arogya Setu, or free supplies of COVID-19 vaccines to the countries that needed them the most, India has established its leadership role and its ability as a bankable partner. Its diaspora spreading across the globe does everything in its capacity to enhance Indias bilateral and multilateral synergies.

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In the immediate neighbourhood, the recent visit by Prime Minister Modi to Bhutan has been impressive, and the confidence both the Himalayan neighbours exude, as well as their enduring partnership and dependencies, are indications of a stronger South Asia. Sri Lanka gradually decouples from Chinas sphere of influence after its more profound economic crisis. It has shown a significant tilt towards India in the event of the latters genuine support in recovering from its awful economic condition. Nepal has also realised the Chinese brinkmanship and its debt trap modalities. It has therefore decided to develop a secure and significant relationship with India. The economic and political conditions of Pakistan are pretty dire, and Afghanistan, in the aftermath of the abrupt American exit, is grappling with its own socio-political and cultural issues.

The recent India-Maldives differences are perceived to be the Chinese handiwork. Beijing spreads its sphere of influence on Indias west coast through Maldives. As a preparatory to such challenges, the Indian Navy has commissioned INS Jatayu on Minicoy Island in Indias Lakshadweep archipelago to tackle any maritime threat or eventuality. All these developments signify Indias growing importance in all areas of activity. This troubles Beijing in a significant way. The area where it can express its frustration remains essentially Arunachal Pradesh. Here, Beijing resorts to some anachronism or fiction without the weight of historicity to generate some synthetic geopolitical gravitas.

Beijings increasing isolationism globally in the post-COVID-19 pandemic and its economic crisis, global loss of credibility in the event of data secrecy regarding COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong fiasco, Tibet, Taiwan, Philippines, debt trap in Africa, other places, etc., develop frustrations in China for securing global suspicion. These frustrations are amplified by Indias growth in the neighbourhood and its impact on the international geopolitical and geostrategic space. Therefore, its reactions in the context of Arunachal Pradesh show its contradiction, isolation and helplessness.

Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Once Beijing knows that it would get as hard as it gives, it would be tempted to act responsibly. Till now, it has not even been encouraged to be reasonable. Being a bully has worked to its advantage

Centuries before the Christian Era, Central and West Asia were predominantly Sanskrit cultures. And they continued to flourish till the advent of Islam. Such have been the affinity and closeness that Kumarajiva (344-413 AD), a foremost Sanskrit scholar and translator, studied Buddhism in Kashmir, but for Vedas he chose to visit Kashgar, todays Xinjiang region, located near Chinas border with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

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The story of Kumarajiva, born to a Kashmiri father and a Kuchean mother, is a stark reminder to not just Indias deep connection with the Central Asian region but also how much its civilisational/cultural spread has shrunk in the last two millennia. For those not well averse with Indias real history, Kucha, in northern Tarim basin, was a centre of Buddhist learning, and it was from here that Indian music had spread to China. Here it needs to be mentioned that Yarkand and Khotan (which tradition says was built by King Ashokas son Kutsan) in northern Tarim valley were centres of Mahayana Buddhism, while Kashgar, Kucha and Turfan were the hub of Hinayana Buddhism.

Kumarajivas story is significant because it singlehandedly  and quite forcefully  brings out in the open the civilisational/cultural footprints of Hindu/Buddhist India. Historically and civilisationally, thus, Indias claim over Tibet and Xinjiang has been far stronger than Chinas.

Cut to March 2024, China renewed its claim over Arunachal Pradesh for the fourth time within a month, saying the state has always been its territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, Zangnan (the Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) in the eastern sector has always been Chinas territory. China had all along exercised effective administrative jurisdiction over the area until Indias illegal occupation, he said, claiming this as a basic fact that cannot be denied.

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In 1987, India formed the so-called Arunachal Pradesh on Chinas territory under Indias illegal occupation. China issued a statement right then to firmly oppose it and stress that Indias move was illegal and null and void. Chinas position remains unchanged, Lin continued.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took the Chinese challenge head on, denouncing its repeated claims on Arunachal Pradesh as ludicrous and that the northeastern state was a natural part of India.

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Jaishankar is right in calling Chinas claim ludicrous and ahistorical. Bharat should, therefore, not waste its energies in telling the deaf whats obvious. Instead, time has come for the Narendra Modi government, under the able generalship of S Jaishankar, to open a new front: To cross the diplomatic Lakshman rekha unilaterally drawn by the Indian leadership in 1949 and question the one-China policy.

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In fact, historically, as the Kumarajiva saga suggests, Indias claims over Tibet and Xinjiang are far stronger and credible than Chinas. But then Jaishankar and his team need to realise that this Chinese characteristic of loot and scoot of both resources and territories isnt an aberration. Unlike the China of the past, which saw its relationship with Bharat in a guru-shishya terminology, the communist dispensation of the day has long discarded such civilisational mores. While ancient China would fight its neighbours for getting a scholar  in 383 AD, Chinese forces attacked Kucha when it refused to send Kumarajiva to China; the Sanskrit scholar was later taken to the Chinese court where he taught and translated Buddhist scriptures into Chinese  todays China invades its neighbours for land and resources. Communism has altered Chinas DNA beyond recognition.

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So, who is this Dragon today? And, what makes it so difficult for China to never say never to its neighbours territories, which it believes it can annex, intrude into, or at least lay claims at?

To understand todays China, we need to realise that its a heady mix of the old and communist China. In 1965, historian RC Majumdar wrote in an article in Organiser: Thanks to the systematic recording of historical facts by the Chinese themselves, an almost unique achievement in oriental countries we are in a position to follow the imperial and aggressive policy of China from the third century BC to the present day, a period of more than 2,200 years It is characteristic of China that if a region once acknowledged her nominal suzerainty even for a short period, she would regard it as a part of her empire forever and would automatically revive her claim over it even after a thousand years whenever there was a chance of enforcing it.

Todays China is a blend of traditionally imperialistic China with communist deception and doublespeak  and the result is outright dangerous, to say the least. This has allowed China to act as an agent of imperialism and then pretend to be a victim of the same too. While it claims to have lost its territories to its neighbours, including Bharat, it in reality has grabbed two-third of the land that makes todays China  historically, traditional China was just a third of the area it occupies today. No wonder, Han China has nothing in common with Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Its time we start asking these inconvenient questions to Xi Jinping and his men. Also, Bharat should start engaging more closely and constructively with Taiwan. One-China is a myth. Its time new India calls this Chinese bluff.

In the past seven-and-a-half decades since Indias Independence, China has had it easy. While it continued to openly question this countrys territorial integrity, whether in Arunachal Pradesh or in Jammu and Kashmir, India, in a good neighbourly manner, continued to be generous and graceful. China sees this as a weakness. A weakness in Indian character. China only understands tough language, something which new India has started using in recent years, whether it is at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) where Indian and Chinese troops are standing face to face for the past four years, or in the neighbourhood, as one witnessed this very month when India openly and decisively sided with the Philippines against growing Chinese hegemony.

Once the Dragon knows that it would get as hard as it gives, it would be tempted to act responsibly. Till now, it has not even been encouraged to be reasonable. Being a bully has worked to its advantage. New India, under Prime Minister Modi, should go as far as Xi Jinpings China has gone. So, if the latter questions the one-India policy, time has come to give them back by debunking the one-China notion, which is in any way a lie.

Arun Shourie has brilliantly deconstructed the Chinese bully psyche. In Self-Deception: Indias China Policies, he writes, Make no mistake: China watches the feeble, confused, contradictory ways in which our governments, and even more our society reacts each time it advances a claim. And it pursues its policy: Claim; repeat the claim; go on repeating the claim; grab; hold; let time pass. And they will reconcile themselves to the new situation. Has the policy not succeeded in regard to Tibet?

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
It is a coincidence, yes, but almost overnight, Indias defence and diplomatic outreach have separately taken wings all at the same time to cover the extended neighbourhood where the nations presence has mostly been confined to bilateral trade, diplomacy and even security cooperation outside of larger regional concerns and interests. In a quick turn of events, New Delhis reach and outreach have spread militarily in the west and diplomatically in the east. One involves a non-state actor (in the eest) and the other relates to a dominant State player in the east.

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What makes it even more interesting and even more important is that India did not initiate either. In terms of defence and security, the Indian Navy has been out at sea on the Indian Ocean, all the way closer to the mouth of the Red Sea, to protect ships from attacks by the pro-Palestinian Houthi rebels which has been targeting merchant shipping since the outbreak of violence and war in Gaza. The action is to the west of the Indian mainland.

In the east, India is not directly involved, yes. However, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was visiting three ASEAN member nations, namely, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines. In all three capitals, he had discussions with his counterparts and other senior officials. Yet, it was in the Filipino capital of Manila that he spoke about regional and geopolitical politics by extending Indias support for Philippines to protect the nations sovereignty.

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Short or selective

Jaishankar did not name it, but the reference was to China, which lately had been back to its old game of irritating Filipino merchant vessels in the South China Sea. China claims the whole territorial waters as its own. On this issue, many Southeast Asian nations have disputes with China. Among them, Philippines even has an international arbitration award in its favour  but to no avail.

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It is anybodys guess what Jaishankar meant by Indias support for Philippines to protect its sovereignty, but he did discuss the expansion of political, defence and security cooperation between the two countries. He did not name China, either, in his public statements in Manila, but Beijing was quick to grasp what it meant. In Beijing, a Chinese spokesman promptly said that third nations had no role to play in the matter.

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In Manila, Jaishankar did not name China, but Beijing, as the guilty customer, was pricked enough to comment on his support for Philippines sovereignty. It does not stop there. China is also short on memory, it would seem. In March 2018, just out of the blue, China issued a statement that it would defend the sovereignty of Maldives in Indias immediate neighbourhood if any nation intervened with its sovereignty, etc. The reference of course was to India, though not named.

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Critical chokepoint

As Navy chief, Admiral R Hari Kumar, said on the completion of the first 100 days of Operation Sankalp, meaning determination against the Houthi attacks / Somali piracy, Indian mariners had carried out over 1,000 boarding on suspected vessels. These included actual rescue missions in which naval personnel, including marine commandos MARCOS, secured captured Indian and foreign vessels and also their crew from the hijackers. India also became one of the few nations to take some hijackers prisoner. As Admiral Hari Kumar pointed out, since mid-December, as part of Phase 2 of Operation Sankalp, the Indian Navy saw the deployment of over 5,000 personnel at sea, over 450 ship-days (with over 21 ships deployed), and 900 hours of flying by the maritime surveillance aircraft to address threats in the maritime domain.

As of yesterday (Friday, 22 March), we had 11 submarines operating simultaneously in the sea, with more than 35 ships and over five aircraft deployed in different parts of the Indian Ocean Region, Admiral Kumar said. So we are making sure that our assets are deployed in an optimal manner to ensure that it covers the area of interest and gives us the best information so that the maritime domain awareness and the requisite degree of transparency are achieved.

As part of the process, the navy conducted a naval exercise in the Arabian Sea to demonstrate operational readiness. Eight submarines were deployed for the first time in three decades, together. Among them, one Scorpene submarine sailed to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, overlooking the Malacca Strait, a critical chokepoint for China.

Some experts have argued that China has four times the number of submarines compared to India, and New Delhi has to increase its fleet-strength. Be it as it may, India does not have an expansionist or militarist agenda to provoke third nations. Indias military strength is to secure the nations sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nor does it seek to set up military bases across the world which China wants as a wannabe superpower seeking parity with the US.

Strategic autonomy

If all of it is the demonstrated Indian strength, Jaishankars support for Philippines is only an extension and expression of New Delhis new-found self-confidence that he as the minister concerned has been demonstrating during his interactions with foreign leaders and at foreign venues. It had begun in 2022 with his telling the Europeans in the early months of the Ukraine War, that for them, their problem was the worlds problem but the worlds problem was not theirs.

EAM Jaishankar has not stopped it as a one-off affair. By defying US and its West European allies on Russian sanctions and continuing to import oil from Moscow, India demonstrated where ones nose ends, and the others begin. With this one masterstroke  unlike China, which also defied the sanctions regime  India is a democracy and on that limited count at least, the west considers the nation as one of us.

The message was clear. There was no more room for unilateralism in matters that India is interested and involved  whether on sanctions or larger policy matters. Consultations did not stop with the one among a few of them, if it has to work on the ground as the world moves away from the Cold War era psyche and dynamics  and new powers like India emerge. More importantly, there was no question of New Delhi compromising the nations strategic autonomy.

The Indian sense of self-confidence has since extended to cover bilateral equations with individual nations like the US and international collectives like the UNHRC. For years now, New Delhi has drawn the line on the UNHRC and/or the US State Department, among other fora, commenting on the human rights situation in the country.

More recently, the Ministry of External Affairs joined issue with the US State Department over its comments and observations on the domestic legal and judicial processes, involving the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and also the freezing of the bank accounts of the Opposition Congress party, both on the eve of the all-important Lok Sabha polls. The message was clear. India does not require any lessons in democratic behaviour from others and has strong institutions that are capable of addressing such issues. That is saying a lot!

The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
We are still a member of the Commonwealth. The head of the Commonwealth is Charles III. We are a member of the Commonwealth by virtue of the 1949 London Declaration. The Government of India have, however, declared and affirmed Indias desire to continue her full membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and her acceptance of The King as the symbol of the free association of its independent member nations and as such the Head of the Commonwealth. The preceding sentence states, The Government of India have informed the other Governments of the Commonwealth of the intention of the Indian people that under the new constitution which is about to be adopted India shall become a sovereign independent Republic.

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In 1949, it was already known that India would be a sovereign independent republic. Nevertheless, we wished to be a member of the Commonwealth, accepting the King as a symbol. It is high time we asked what we gain from being a member of the Commonwealth. India became independent in 1947 and a republic in 1950. Our head of state is the President and our head of government is the Prime Minister. Many countries maintain this difference between the two. Note that in Indias case, both positions are elected. This isnt true of a constitutional monarchy, especially if that constitutional monarchy is hereditary.

Democratic roots in India are thousands of years old. Much before the Greeks, there were _sabha_s and _samiti_s. Nonetheless, we are often lectured on democracy. One such recent one is V-Dem Institutes Democracy Report for 2024. The V-Dem Institute is based in Sweden. Sweden has a king and the heir is a princess. Note the obvious. Monarchies dont fund themselves. They are funded by the exchequer. We are told by the V-Dem Institute that India is an electoral autocracy. Critics of the government have used this to pillory the Narendra Modi government. However, this is what V-Dem actually says in the relevant paragraph. Indias process of autocratisation begins in earnest from 2008 and characteristically proceeded in the incremental, slow-moving fashion of the third wave.

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Strange? What happened in India in 2008? V-Dem actually has six separate indices. The one cited most often is the Liberal Democracy Index. Under this, India is ranked 104th out of 179 countries. Honduras is ranked 83rd. That suggests the state of liberal democracy is significantly better in Honduras than in India. Yes, Honduras had elections towards the end of 2021. But there was a history before that and suggesting that democracy is significantly better in Honduras than in India doesnt satisfy what is popularly called a smell test. Unlike immediate neighbours in South Asia, barring the emergency aberration between 1975 and 1977, post-independence India has always been a democracy. Yet, according to V-Dem, India is now an electoral autocracy, as it was in 1975 and 1976. Doesnt pass the smell test again. In fact, the report stinks to the high heavens.

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How does one rank? How does one pin down and define democracy? Take for instance Indias Constitution. As everyone knows, under the Constitution, the Supreme Court has the power to negate any legislation not in conformity with the basic structure of the Constitution and it has done so, on many occasions. Should this be a desirable ingredient in the checks and balances framework of any democracy? Most people will answer in the affirmative and will suggest that this should be an indicator in cross-country rankings of democracy. But since the Supreme Court has no such powers in Sweden, V-Dem doesnt think this has anything to do with democracy at all.

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Or take the monarchy I mentioned earlier. Most people who believe in modern democracies will argue kings and queens belong in a deck of playing cards, not anywhere else. I mention these examples to illustrate an obvious point. When trying to rank something as intangible as democracy, especially when attempting a cross-country exercise, there is nothing obvious about the indicators and variables used. Each indicator chosen, and each indicator rejected, reflects a value judgement. It becomes worse when no objective data are available for the indicators used. Instead, questions are asked of experts. V-Dem typically gathers data from five experts per country-year observation.

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The logic of the V-Dem measurement model is that an unobserved concept exists (e.g. a certain level of academic freedom and freedom of cultural expression) but we only see imperfect manifestations of this concept in the form of the ordinal categories which experts use to code their judgements. Our model converts these manifest items (expert ratings) to a single continuous latent scale and thereby estimates values of the concept. Sounds very fancy. Except this reminds me of an anecdote, concerning Catherine the Great of Russia, the philosopher Denis Diderot and the mathematician Leonhard Euler.

When Diderot visited St Petersburg, he was an atheist and this upset Catherine. She sought help from Euler. Euler went to Diderot and said, (a+bn)/n = x. Therefore, God exists. Diderot knew little mathematics and fled. Fancy statistics wont get us far if there are serious problems with sample sizes and sampling design. Read the critical paper, Measuring Democratic Backsliding, authored by Andrew Little and Anne Meng. Other than smell tests, V-Dems report wont pass any peer-review test.

The author is the chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Council and a well-known Sanskrit scholar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan will visit the United States on May 9. Turkish media had also reported that Erdogan would reiterate his demand for Israel to stop attacks in Gaza and the two-state solution to the problem

In a first that comes at the close of the Biden administration, Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan will visit the United States on May 9, a Turkish security official said Friday.

According to Reuters, Turkish MIT intelligence agency head Ibrahim Kalin will meet with US House of Representatives members on Friday to discuss Erdogans planned visit and other bilateral issues, the official added.

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Earlier, Turkish media outlets had widely reported that Erdogan was scheduled to be in the US at the invitation extended by President Joe Biden. The last in-person meeting between the two heads of state had happened last July at a NATO Summit, though they had been consistently in contact over phone.

Incidentally, while US-Turkey ties had come under strain over Swedens NATO bid that was initially blocked by Istanbul, the frigid relations had returned to normalcy after Turkey approved the issue. Also, the meeting assumes significance in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war and the prospects of a looming widening of the conflict in the entire West Asia.

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Turkish media had also reported that Erdogan would reiterate his demand for Israel to stop attacks in Gaza and the two-state solution to the problem.

Erdogan, however, has been critical of the US in its unwavering support for Israel in its war against Hamas. In Feb. this year, the Turkish president had lashed out at the US as the reason behind the hitherto failed peace process in the region since the war broke out after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 last year.

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Another key issue expected to hog the attention of the two leaders would be the sale of F-16s to Turkey and an upgrade-modernisation process for jets acquired so far.
In a conversation with Bill Gates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he sees great potential in tech to revolutionise healthcare, education and agriculture, and that technology is already being enabling massive transformations in these fields

In a free-wheeling conversation with former Microsoft Chairman CEO Bill Gates, Prime Minister Modi revealed that he is excited about the potential that technology has as an enabler in the fields of Education, Healthcare and Agriculture

Responding to a question by Gates, who is also the founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Prime Minister Modi said that he sees great potential in tech to revolutionise healthcare, education and agriculture. He then went on to cite examples of how technology has already helped PM Modis government, transform these three areas.

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We have built over 2 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir Health Centres across villages in India, and have directly connected them to some of the best hospitals in the country through modern technology, PM Modi told Gates.

PM Modi then went on to explain how the patients wondered if they could be diagnosed accurately without the physical presence of a doctor. However, they later understood that with the right technological instruments, a doctor can work with them and diagnose them correctly, even if he is sitting hundreds of kilometres away, he said.

People are now more confident with the healthcare system. The way things are done in larger hospitals, things are happening in the smaller Ayushman Arogya Mandir centres, He added.

He then explained how Indias education sector too is seeing a revolution because of tech. I want to provide the best education to children in India. I want to fill the shortcomings and lack of teachers with technology, and bring quality education.

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PM Modi also explained how the education system in India is working on creating content for students that is visual. Children lean more towards visual content and and enjoy visual storytelling. This is what we have found in our surveys, which is why we are working towards it.

PM Modi then went on to say, Even in agriculture, were bringing a massive revolution. I want to change the mindset.

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PM Modi and Gates also spoke on how Indias G20 presidency was different from other presidencies. India hosting G20 raised things like digital innovation, and showed that the South-South collaboration can be more than just the dialogue with the North, said Gates.

G20s proceedings have been full of twists and turns, asserted PM Modi as the two began their conversation. Now though, we are finally aligned with G20s core purpose, he added.
OpenAI may become the first privately-held company with a $1 trillion valuation, Google Chinas former President Kai-Fu Lee. Lee believes that OpenAI could achieve this milestone within two to three years, provided it maintains its current trajectory

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is considered by many VCs to be a master in raising funds. Image Credit: AFP

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), the prospect of OpenAI, the brainchild of Sam Altman, surging to a trillion-dollar valuation might seem far-fetched at first glance. Yet, according to Kai-Fu Lee, the chairman of Sinovation Ventures, a prominent AI investor, and Google Chinas former President such a milestone could be on the horizon.

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Lees bold prediction comes amidst a backdrop of notable achievements by OpenAI, which was established just eight years ago to rival the likes of Googles DeepMind. Despite potential challenges and the companys reported status as a loss-making entity, venture capitalists and private equity investors recently valued it at over $80 billion during its latest fundraising round.

Speaking at the Fortune Innovation Forum in Hong Kong, Lee expressed unwavering confidence in OpenAIs trajectory, lauding the companys remarkable execution and foreseeing its ascent to trillion-dollar status. While acknowledging the absence of imminent plans for OpenAI to go public, Lee suggested that it could become the first privately-held company to reach such a valuation.

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Pressed for a timeline, Lee estimated that OpenAI could achieve this milestone within two to three years, provided it maintains its current trajectory. However, he cautioned that missteps or competition could alter this trajectory.

At the heart of Lees optimism lies OpenAIs standing as the gold standard in AI technology. Despite the emergence of competing models, such as Anthropics Claude 3, Lee contends that OpenAIs GPT-4 retains superiority due to its optimal balance of performance and cost. He emphasized that GPT-4 remains unparalleled even a year after its launch in mid-March the previous year.

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However, Lee didnt shy away from criticism, particularly regarding OpenAIs decision to halt the publication of its researcha practice still embraced by his company, 01.AI, and others like Hugging Face. Nonetheless, he expressed a strong desire to invest in OpenAI given its groundbreaking advancements in AI technology.

Looking ahead, Lee envisions a seismic shift propelled by AI, surpassing the transformative impact of personal computers, the internet, and even electricity. He believes that the potential tenfold increase in OpenAIs value would not be out of the ordinary in the grand scheme of AIs trajectory.

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While the notion of OpenAI reaching a trillion-dollar valuation might initially seem improbable, Lees forecast underscores the companys potential to redefine the AI landscape and reshape the future of technology on an unprecedented scale.

(With inputs from agencies)
In conversation with PM Modi, Bill Gates remarked how Digital Public Infrastructure in India keeps on improving and keeps getting richer. PM Modi, explains how AI has great potential in India, and how technology as a whole has contributed to ease of living for Indian citizens

In a conversation with Bill Gates over Indias tech-led revolution, PM Modi told Bill Gates how India missed out on developing as a nation during the first and second industrial revolutions because of British colonisation. However, the country will make up for it in the fourth industrial revolution, PM Modi believes.

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Historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions, we lagged because we were a colony. Now, in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, the digital element is at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot in this," the PM said, while also adding that India has the potential to lead the 4th revolution.

PM Modi explained, how India has leveraged Al in various aspects of governance and society. He cited examples from the 2023 G20 Summit and initiatives like the NaMo App. PM Modi also noted how he has used AI in the G20 summit to translate his speeches and addresses across different languages. A technology like ChatGPT should be used to constantly improve oneself, he said.

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Gates commended how the Digital Public Infrastructure in India keeps on improving and keeps getting richer. A lot of people know about the identity (Aadhar) and digital payment systems (UPI). The government has virtually also taken all payment programmes and digitised those. That alone saved a lot of money while creating access. In the second phase, India moved into different aspects, like helping farmers through easy access to advice and knowledge, health records, and tutoring kids, he said. Now, we are at a junction where the advancements in AI on top of all this will make the value even better.

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Aai and AI intrinsic in India

On a lighter note, PM Modi told Bill Gates how AI is intrinsic to India, to the extent that even newborn children are all into AI. Sometimes, I jokingly say that in our country, we call our mother Aai. Now I say that when a child is born, he says Aai as well as AI as children have become so advanced."

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He added, If we use Al as a magic tool, it will perhaps lead to a grave injustice. If Al is relied on out of lazinessthen it is the wrong path. I should have a competition with ChatGPT and strive to go ahead of AI

Not all hunky-dory when it comes to AI

Both the leaders, during their conversation, also spoke on the pitfalls and shortcomings of AI. Microsoft is celebrating 25 years in India, so while addressing the team here (in Hyderabad) I was challenging the team to increase the accuracy of our AI models. Copilot, for example, suggests things but the final decision we still have to review that.

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Gates then went on to ask AI is a huge opportunity but there are a few challenges. How does India plan to approach that? PM Modi, also recognised that all is not hunky-dory when it comes to AI. Deepfakes and misinformation, for example, are massive challenges that the world faces. The PM also proposed measures to mitigate its negative impact. If such a good thing (AI) is given to someone without proper training, it is likely to be misused, he said.

We should start with clear watermarks on AI-generated content so that nobody is misguided. In a democratic country like India, anybody can use deepfake. Its crucial to acknowledge that deepfake content is AI-generated. We need to think about some dos and donts, the PM said,

Bill Gates also acknowledged the challenges associated with AI but expressed optimism about its potential for positive impact. He said These are early days in AIIt will do things that you think are hard and then it will fail to do something which you think is easy. It seems like AI is a huge opportunity but there are a few challenges that come with it.

Data and privacy.

Data and privacy are major issues and both the leaders, Gates and PM Modi recognise that. In todays AI world, data is so important. People have privacy concerns. How do we balance that? asked Gates.

Data security is a paramount concern, said the Prime Minister. And while India has a legal framework in place, public awareness is equally important, the PM added.

He then gave the example, how in India Digilocker has been a game-changer. Universities are now storing certificates and degrees in the cloud, which not only is a cost-effective measure but also an efficient one. Moreover, earlier there was a push for stringent compliance requirements. We advocated for simplification suggesting that data be uploaded to the cloud with shared IDs, and enable us to access necessary information directly.

The PM also revealed that while technology was an enabler for services previously, now it is a great way to help with the ease of living for Indian citizens.
Since taking over Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has already reintroduced public flogging and executions for crimes like theft and robbery to adultery as well

The plight of women in Afghanistan is expected to get worse. The Taliban regime has vowed to start public stoning of women to death, an act that the groups Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, claims is in the name of God.

Taliban, who took control of the country in 2021, have already been carrying out public floggings and executions. These brutal punishments are doled out even for crimes like thefts and robberies.

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Now, Akhundzada, in an audio message, has said that women committing adultery will be stoned to death. In the message, released by the Taliban-run state media, he addresses the West, saying, We will soon implement the punishment for adultery. We will flog women in public. We will stone them to death in public. These are all against your democracy, but we will continue doing it.

According to The Telegraph, he compared the West with the Devil and said, We both say we defend human rights  we do it as Gods representative and you as the Devils.

He further asserted that the Western notion of womens rights goes against Islamic Sharia law.

I told the Mujahideen that we tell the Westerners that we fought against you for 20 years and we will fight 20 and even more years against youIt did not finish [when you left]. It does not mean we would now just sit and drink tea. We will bring Sharia to this land[]we will now bring Sharia into action, Akhundzada said.

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Under the guise of acting as Gods representatives and implementing the Sharia law, the Taliban have rolled back womens rights and has severely curtailed their educational and employment opportunities. Within weeks of coming into power three years ago, it banned girls and women teachers from secondary education. Around the same time, the Taliban banned women from most workplaces and introduced male guardianship beyond 72 kilometres from their homes.

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Then, in May 2022, under the Talibans puritanical interpretation of Sharia, women were ordered to cover themselves from head to toe. In November 2023, women were barred from parks and, a month later, womens university education was suspended.

Rights groups and advocates blamed the plight of Afghan women on the international communitys silence. Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher Sahar Fetrat told The Telegraph that the Taliban was emboldened to make such a decision because of the international communitys inaction. The world did not hold Taliban accountable for its curtailment of womens rights over the past two years, she said.

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Fetrat said that They tested their draconian policies one by one, and have reached this point because there is no one to hold them accountable for the abuses. Through the bodies of Afghan women, the Taliban demand and command moral and societal orders. We should all be warned that if not stopped, more and more will come.
Ive been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. Theyre prepared to fully recognise Israel, Biden said at a campaign event on Thursday

President Joe Biden said that Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, were willing to fully recognise Israel in a future deal as he pushed back on critics of his Middle East policies at a campaign event on Thursday.

Standing alongside his Democratic predecessors Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Biden made these remarks during a fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York, aimed at showcasing Democratic unity ahead of the general election.

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However, the event was marked by interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters, underscoring internal party tensions over Bidens approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the humanitarian situation 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 recognise Israel, Bloomberg quoted Biden as saying after one such interruption.

There has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a trade to a two-state solution. It doesnt have to occur today. It has to be a progression and I think we can do that, he added.

Obama offered his support to Biden, responding to another protester by saying you cant just talk and not listen. He said Biden, his onetime vice president, had shown moral conviction and clarity in office and was willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated."

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Hes willing to listen to all sides in this debate, and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground, Bloomberg quoted Obama as saying. Thats the kind of president I want, he added.

Progressives and members of the Muslim and Arab American communities are urging the Biden administration to take stronger action to curb Israels military operations in Gaza aimed at targeting Hamas.

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President Biden has been actively involved in diplomatic negotiations to facilitate a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. This effort aims to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages and increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Tensions have escalated between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the potential for a ground invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where over a million Palestinians have sought shelter.

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Efforts are underway to reschedule a planned high-level visit by an Israeli delegation to explore alternatives to military action in Rafah. Netanyahu canceled the visit earlier in response to the USs refusal to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. This public disagreement underscores the strained relationship between the two leaders.

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There are too many innocent victims, Israelis and Palestinians, Biden said, adding that more needed to be done to get food and medical supplies into Gaza.

But were in a position where Israels very existence is at stake. You had all those people massacred, he continued of the deadly 7 October attack by Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist group by the US and European Union.

Its understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there, but we must in-act, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians and particularly children, Bloomberg quoted Biden as saying.

With inputs from agencies
Rhea Brown Lawson, director of the Houston Public Library, is leaving the city after 19 years as top of leadership. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag

After nearly two decades, the Houston Public Library System is getting new leadership following Mayor John Whitmire's replacement of longtime director Rhea Lawson with Cynthia Wilson, a senior mayoral staff member. The Houston Public Library System is one of the largest city services departments with 44 locations.

Thursday's staffing change follows the city's announcement earlier this week that it would shut down the Montrose branch of the library system. The city blamed the closure on safety concerns and "facility issues that cannot be resolved in a timely manner." According to the library's website, another location is set to open in the next few months to replace the deteriorating Montrose branch. Staff at the Montrose location were informed the closure of the library was to take place immediately on Wednesday.

At the same time, library employees have expressed concerns about conditions at the Montrose location, including a dysfunctional elevator and subpar accessibility features in the facility. Whitmire said Wilson is in charge of improving employee morale and management after recent months of staff turnover and dwindling attendance.

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"I am grateful Cynthia agreed to serve in this interim role, and I have asked her to immediately go to work on improving communications, management, employee morale, and operations throughout HPL," Whitmire said in a statement.
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

A drone view of the Dali cargo vessel, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse, in Baltimore. Reuters

Following the catastrophic collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Biden administration granted $60 million in immediate government relief, but Maryland Governor Wes Moore cautioned on Thursday that there was still a very long road ahead in recovering from the loss.

In the meanwhile, Moore said, the US Army Corps of Engineers was relocating the biggest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to assist in clearing the bridges debris so that restoration work on the vital shipping route could start. The crane, which has a 1,000-ton lifting capability, was supposed to arrive Thursday night, and US Senator Chris Van Hollen stated that a second crane, capable of 400 tonnes, may come on Saturday.

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Moore stated at a press conference in the evening that the state is deeply grateful for the federal cash and help.

Moore said on Thursday that preparations were being developed by the best minds in the world to remove the debris, relocate the cargo ship that collided with the bridge from the channel, retrieve the corpses of the four workers who are thought to be dead, and look into 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 nations 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 didnt get a chance to alert the construction crew.

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.

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. Thirteen 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.

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.

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 US 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.

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.
The bus crashed into flames after veering off the Mmamatlakala bridge and plunging 50 metres (164 feet) down a ravine, according to the provincial administration of Limpopo

In this image taken from video provided by eNCA, a bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in Limpopo, South Africa, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, killing multiple people, authorities said. eNCA via AP

At least 45 people were killed when a bus bringing worshippers to an Easter celebration in South Africa on Thursday crashed off a bridge over a mountain pass and caught fire, according to police.

Authorities in the northern province of Limpopo said that an 8-year-old youngster was the lone survivor of the incident and that he was getting medical treatment. According to them, the youngster had severe injuries.

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The bus crashed into flames after veering off the Mmamatlakala bridge and plunging 50 metres (164 feet) down a ravine, according to the provincial administration of Limpopo.

According to the province authorities, search efforts were still underway, but several of the victims were severely charred and were still inside the car.

According to authorities, the bus was likely heading to the village of Moria, which is the site of a well-known Easter pilgrimage, from the neighbouring nation of Botswana. They claimed the motorist looked to have lost control and was among the deceased.

The national Department of Transport reported that while on a road safety campaign in the province of Limpopo, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga altered his plans and went to the scene of the collision. She conveyed her sympathies to the families of the dead and stated that an inquiry was being conducted to determine what caused the tragedy.

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Given that Easter is a particularly busy and risky time of year for road travel, the South African government frequently issues warnings about the possibility of traffic accidents during this period. More than 200 people died in road crashes during the Easter weekend last year.

The Zionist Christian Church has its headquarters in Moria and its Easter pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across South Africa and neighboring countries. This year is the first time the Easter pilgrimage to Moria is set to go ahead since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Chinese team of investigators at Beijings embassy and briefed them on the investigation so far, the statement said.

Police officers examine the site of suicide bombing at a highway in Shangla, district in the Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on March 26, 2024. AP

Chinese investigators on Friday arrived in Pakistan to join probe into the tragic killing of five Chinese nationals in a suicide attack, Reuters quoted Pakistans interior ministry as saying.

The collaboration aims to address the series of assaults endangering Islamabads efforts to modernise its economy.

The incident on Tuesday marked the third significant attack within just over a week targeting Chinese interests in the South Asian nation. China has poured over $65 billion into infrastructure projects in Pakistan as a part of its expansive Belt and Road initiative.

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Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Chinese team of investigators at Beijings embassy and briefed them on the investigation so far, the statement said.

In late 2022, the two allied countries started a joint investigation into an attack that year on Chinas nationals and its interests, which have seen a rise in recent months.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack, in which a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project at Dasu in Pakistans northwest, killing six people.

The bombing followed a March 20 attack on a strategic port used by China in the southwestern province of Balochistan, where Beijing has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects, and a March 25 assault on a naval air base, also in the southwest. Both attacks was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent of several separatist groups in Balochistan.

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Dasu, the site of a major dam, has been attacked in the past, with a bus blast in 2021 killing 13 people, nine Chinese among them, although no group claimed responsibility.

Chinese contractors suspended work on three hydropower projects in view of security concerns after Tuesdays attack, a government official said, adding that it was a routine practice after such incidents.

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Pakistan is home to twin insurgencies, one mounted by Islamist militants and the other by ethnic separatists who seek secession, blaming the governments inequitable division of natural resources in southwestern Balochistan province.

Chinese interests are under attack primarily by ethnic militants seeking to push Beijing out of mineral-rich Balochistan, but that area is far from the site of Tuesdays bombing.

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Pakistan has set up a dedicated force of police and military to ensure security for Chinese activities, officials say.

With inputs from agencies
Despite international sanctions aimed at restricting Moscows wartime production, Russia has significantly increased its imports of nitrocellulose - a crucial explosive compound essential for artillery ammunition manufacturing - notably from companies based in the US and other Western countries and allies, according to a report

A Russian artillery unit fires from a position near the village of Duba-Yurt in the south of Chechnya on 16 January. Reuters File

Despite international sanctions aimed at restricting Moscows wartime production, Russia has significantly increased its imports of nitrocellulose - a crucial explosive compound essential for production of artillery ammunition - notably from companies based in the US and other Western countries and allies.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, citing trade data, these imports have surged by 70% in 2022, the year of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and by mid-2023, they had reached 3,039 tons, almost double the level of 2021.

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The surge in Russian nitrocellulose imports comes at a time when defence companies worldwide are struggling to secure this vital material due to a shortage, leading to price hikes and production bottlenecks. Nitrocellulose, primarily used in munitions, faces strict international trade regulations, limiting its production to only a few countries.

Russia produces little nitrocellulose, the main ingredient in smokeless gunpowder used in artillery, so Moscows ability to source it abroad has played a pivotal role in its war against Ukraine, the report quoted US officials and analysts as saying.

The nitrocellulose that goes into the propellant becomes an artillery shell, Wall Street Journal quoted Bradley Martin, a 30-year US Navy veteran who now heads Rands National Security Supply Chain Institute, as saying.

The majority of battlefield deaths and a lot of the civilian collateral damage is from artillery, he added.

According to the report, while nitrocellulose is also used for civilian purposes in inks, paints, varnishes and related products, analysts believe that the surging imports are meant for arms, given that the Russian economy has been reoriented for wartime production.

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Oleksandr Danylyuk, with the Center of Defence Reforms, a Kyiv-based security think tank that has studied Russian nitrocellulose imports, said Russias military is driving the imports.

All of this demand is either for direct production of projectiles or substitution of nitrocellulose which was originally produced by Russian factories, WSJ quoted Danylyuk, a former defence and intelligence adviser to the Ukrainian government, as saying.

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China increased supplies of the compound to Russia in the wake of US and European Union sanctions prohibiting exports of any kind for Moscows military. But companies from the US, Germany and Taiwan are also among those producing the nitrocellulose shipped to Russia in the past two years, according to the report, citing the trade data.

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Following President Vladimir Putins order for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a notable shift has been observed in Russias imports of nitrocellulose, with a small Turkish company, Noy Ic Ve Dis Ticaret, now accounting for nearly half of these imports, reported WSJ.

Before the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, Turkey contributed less than 1% to Russias nitrocellulose imports. However, by the middle of the previous year, the Turkish company emerged as a significant player in supplying Russia with this product, Wall Street Journal reported, citing a Russian customs records obtained by trade database ImportGenius.

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German subsidiaries of New York-based International Flavors & Fragrances sold at least 80 tons of nitrocellulose to Noy, which then shipped the material to Russia last year.

A spokesman for International Flavors & Fragrances said the company was surprised to learn that shipments to Russia of its nitrocellulose products, which it had suspended in April 2022, had continued through a third party.

We were unaware of this and are reviewing the conditions of this sale and the relationship with this customer, WSJ quoted the spokesman as saying in a statement.

This surge in exports to Russia from Western companies coincides with a global nitrocellulose shortage, affecting NATO countries artillery production for Ukraine. For instance, Poland has taken steps to revive its nitrocellulose production to address the increasing demand for artillery amid these circumstances.

Last month, the Treasury Department levied a new round of sanctions meant to continue to tighten the vise on willing third-country suppliers and networks providing Russia the inputs it desperately needs to ramp up and sustain its military-industrial base, the report quoted Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as saying.

In December, the Commerce Department added nitrocellulose to its list of high-priority controlled items, which restricts their exports, and the Treasury Department said it would sanction banks or other institutions caught financing such trade.

Martin, the Rand analyst, told WSJ that for sanctions to be effective, they must also be applied to the companies supplying the nitrocellulose.

The sanctions or the threat of sanctions have to go to that level, he was quoted as saying.

With inputs from agencies
the Israeli Supreme Court has ordered the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government to block funding to religious schools whose students defy the countrys compulsory military service mandate

The latest Supreme Court ruling on religious schools whose students refuse military service could has put Benjamin Netanyahu in a bind. Source: Reuters

The war with Hamas is the longest one in Israels history. It has left many of the countrys troops wounded, creating the need to recruit more people. Against this backdrop, the Israeli Supreme Court has ordered the government to cease its generous funding to religious schools whose students defy the countrys mandatory military service.

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A move from the top court that would push more people to abide by the mandatory conscription should be good news for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But it isnt.

In fact, it is one of the biggest threats his right-wing ruling coalition government has ever faced.

Before decoding why the ruling is dangerous for Netanyahu, its necessary to look at two things. One, why a particular group of Jews- the ones in said religious schools- oppose military conscription. And two, what the Supreme Courts ruling demands of Netanyahus government.

Ultra-orthodox Jews and their opposition to army service

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, consider the study of religious Jewish texts as a key element for the preservation of Judaism. They also distance themselves from modern society. For many of them, religious study that helps preserve Judaism is equally significant to the military when it comes to defending the Jewish nation of Israel.

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There are several grounds on which the Haredim oppose military service. For starters, it would require them to integrate into modern society. They also believe in gender segregation and avoiding touching women who are not their immediate relatives or their wife. They object to military service on the mingling of the genders there.

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Until recently, Israel allowed young men studying in yeshivas (traditional Jewish schools) have been exempt from mandatory military service. This effectively exempted all Ultra-Orthodox Israelis from the military draft, CNN reported.

However, the exception has never been enshrined in a law. For several years, it has been carried out by intermittent government mandates.

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The Supreme Court ruling

The Haredim, roughly 12 per cent of the Israeli population now, enjoy a special status in that society. The governments generous subsidies allow about half their men to devote their lives to religious study rather than joining the labour force.

After decades of legal back and forth on the subject, the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal for the government to fund the yeshivas while also exempting their students from conscription. On Thursday, the top Court said that starting from April 1 onwards, the government will no longer be allowed to transfer funds to yeshivas whose students did not receive legitimate deferments.

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The problem for Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahus coalition comprises ultra-Orthodox parties such as Shas and United Torah Judaism, as well as people who see the exemption as unfair and want to abolish it.

For instance, Yehiel Tropper, a minister without portfolio in the unity government, took to Facebook to say, The thought that young people will extend their service for three years, while their peers will not serve a single day, in military or civilian service, is intolerable, Financial Times reported.

Meanwhile, Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, said that Any draft bill that will be agreed to by all members of the emergency coalition, I will agree to[]But without an agreement by all coalition members, the security establishment under my leadership will not support the bill.

Benny Gantz of the National Unity party, a member of Israels War Cabinet, has threatened to quit if the law passes.

The loss of support from the Haredi parties would result in the downfall of Netanyahus hardline coalition, leading to new elections. That would be bad news, given that he and his Likud party are trailing behind in opinion polls.
Netanyahus office said the premier spoke to Mossad chief David Barnea about the talks, but declined to elaborate on whether Barnea would be travelling to Doha or Cairo for the negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office announced on Friday that he has agreed to dispatch delegations to Egypt and Qatar as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate the release of Israeli hostages and potentially reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Netanyahu approved the sending of delegations on behalf of Israeli intelligence agencies Shin Bet and Mossad to advance discussions in Doha and Cairo. Despite the recent UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, negotiations between Hamas and Israel have yet to yield significant progress, with both sides trading accusations. Qatar, acting as a mediator, confirmed that talks regarding a Gaza truce and the release of hostages are ongoing, although details remain scarce.

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The war began when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel that resulted in about 1,160 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israels military has waged a retaliatory offensive against Hamas that has killed 32,623 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.

Palestinian militants seized about 250 Israeli and foreign hostages during the October 7 attack on Israel, but dozens were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes about 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead  eight soldiers and 25 civilians.

With inputs from Reuters.
Earlier in the month, it was announced that Maldives has, for the first time, acquired surveillance drones from Turkey for patrolling its vast exclusive economic zone and efforts have begun by the state to establish a drone base in Noonu atoll Maafaru to operate the military drones.

Muizzu criticised India during and after the presidential election campaign and relations between the two countries have deteriorated since he assumed office in November Image Courtesy Agencies

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has accused his predecessor President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of acting on directives from a foreign ambassador, although he did not specify the country or diplomat involved.

Muizzu made these allegations during an interview with Public Service Media (PSM) on Thursday night local time, in response to criticism from the opposition regarding the recent procurement of military drones.

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The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party, has intensified its criticism of Muizzu on various issues in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections.

Earlier in the month, it was announced that Maldives has, for the first time, acquired surveillance drones from Turkey for patrolling its vast exclusive economic zone and efforts have begun by the state to establish a drone base in Noonu atoll Maafaru to operate the military drones.

Responding to the question about criticism about drones, President Muizzu noted that the main opposition MDP, when it held office from 2018-2023, also held a supermajority in the Parliament.

However, the party failed to protect Maldives independence, leaving it in the hands of a foreign country, Muizzu was quoted as saying by Sun.mv, a news portal. Muizzu further said that President Solih had operated on orders from a foreign ambassador, which resulted in extensive damage, according to the news portal.

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However, he did not specify which foreign country he was referring to, it said. We had lost independence in all senses of the word, including economically. After having done all this, they would naturally not accept our efforts to remedy all this and put the country on a track that the Maldivian people want, towards a Dhiveheenge Raajje, he said.

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Dhivehi Raajje in Dhivehi, the language of the people of Maldives, means Kingdom of the Dhivehi people. The pro-Beijing president visited China in January and upon his return, indicated that the government was looking to acquire surveillance drones.

On March 4, Muizzu also announced that his country is working to establish a 24/7 monitoring system for the Maldivian waters this month to ensure control of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) despite its significantly large area. Regarding the cost of the drones, President Muizzu said that while he believes in transparency, such military secrets arent disclosed by any country.

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In such matters that are crucial to national security, I am heavily reliant on counsel from our chief of defence force and our generals. Therefore, I will follow their counsel, and I will listen to them, he said.

The president also said that no value can be attached to the independence of Maldives and that it is in fact priceless. The Peoples National Congress (PNC) administration accuses the former administration of being overly dependent on India, while the MDP accuses the incumbent administration of ruining age-old ties with India and fostering closer ties with China, Sun.mv said.

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Last year, less than 24 hours after taking oath as the President, Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw 88 military personnel from his country by March 15, saying the Maldivian people have given him a strong mandate to make this request to New Delhi. The first batch has already left the archipelago nation.

With inputs from agencies.
Jair Bolsonaro has requested federal authorities to return his passport. His lawyers revealed that the former president had asked his travel to be authorised

Brazils former president Jair Bolsonaro is in a bind, literally. He wants to travel to Israel on an invitation by Netanyahu, but cant, since his passport is with the authorities as he faces several criminal cases.

According to The Times of Israel, Bolsonaro has requested federal authorities to return his passport. Bolsonaros lawyers revealed Thursday in a statement that the former president had asked his travel to be authorised.

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His passport had been seized by Federal Police during a raid that had been conducted as part of probe to ascertain whether the former president had plotted with his aides to subvert 2022 election results and whip an uprising.

The New York Times had earlier made public security camera footage that showed that Bolsonaro stayed for two nights at Hungarys embassy in Brasilia just days after the raid and seizure of his passport.

Bolsonaros attorneys, however, dispelled suggestions that Bolsonaros stay in the Hungarian embassy was an attempt to evade arrest. In the statement issued Thursday, his lawyers argued that the former president was not looking to seek asylum and that the stay was an extension of his good relations with Hungary.

As is public knowledge, part of political activity involves international relations as well as expanding dialogue with global leaders, Bolsonaros lawyer Fabio Wajngarten said on X, formerly Twitter.

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A defesa do Presidente @jairbolsonaro peticionou na ultima 2feira, 25/3, junto a Suprema Corte, requerendo a devolucao do passaporte do Presidente, ainda que por prazo determinado, tendo em vista convite para visitar Israel no proximo mes. Como e de dominio publico, faz parte da pic.twitter.com/Hc0ZU6USja  Fabio Wajngarten (@fabiowoficial) March 28, 2024

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On the other hand, Netanyahus invite to Bolsonaro even when the latter is no more the head of State is not surprising since the two leaders have had close relations, while the Israeli prime minister and the current Braizilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have at best been antagonistic.

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The snub to Silvain the form of the invite to Bolsonarocomes in the backdrop of him comparing Israels war in Gaza to the Holocaust. Israel had taken strong exception to the comment and had warned Silva that he would not be welcome in Israel if he did not apologise. Israeli foreign minister went on to slap allegations of antisemitism on Silva.

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Netanyahu said Lulas comments trivialized the Holocaust.
A Moscow court also ruled on Friday that another suspect in the deadly concert hall attack  Lutfulloi Nazrimad  should be held in custody until at least May 22, pending investigation and trial. Russian independent news site Mediazona cited Nazrimad as saying in court that he was born in Tajikistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lights a candle to commemorate victims of an attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue, on the day of national mourning, in Russia, Sunday, March 24, 2024. - File photo- AP

Tajikistans state security service has detained nine people over suspected contact with the perpetrators of last weeks attack by gunmen on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed 144 people, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said Friday.

Nine residents of the Vakhdat district were detained for contact with the persons who committed the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall on March 22, the agency reported, citing information from an unnamed source in Tajikistans special services, who said that Russian security forces were also involved in the operation to detain the suspects. Vakhdat lies east of the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

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Those detained are also suspected of having connections with the Islamic State group, according to RIA Novosti.

A Moscow court also ruled on Friday that another suspect in the deadly concert hall attack  Lutfulloi Nazrimad  should be held in custody until at least May 22, pending investigation and trial. Russian independent news site Mediazona cited Nazrimad as saying in court that he was born in Tajikistan.

Nazrimad is the ninth suspect to face court.

Russian officials previously said that 11 suspects had been arrested, including four who allegedly carried out the attack. Those four, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.

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Russias Investigative Committee additionally said Thursday it had detained another suspect in the raid on Crocus City Hall, on suspicion of being involved in financing the attack. It did not give further details of the suspects identity or alleged actions.

Russian officials previously said that 11 suspects had been arrested, including four who allegedly carried out the attack. Those four, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.

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A faction of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the massacre. But Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have persistently claimed, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine and the West had a role in the attack.

The Investigative Committee statement said it has confirmed data that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack received significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, which were used in preparing the crime.

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Ukraine denies involvement and its officials claim that Moscow is pushing the allegation as a pretext to intensify its fighting in Ukraine.

The death toll from the raid continues to rise, with the number of deaths increasing to 144 on Friday when a severely injured victim died in a hospital, according to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko.

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With inputs from AP.
A senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa interior department told AFP on condition of anonymity that since Wednesday, China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam in the province and Power China has stopped work on Diamer Bhasha dam, which straddles two provinces

This handout photograph taken and released by Pakistan Prime Minister's Office on March 26, 2024 shows Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (L) speaking with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong during a meeting over the death of Chinese nationals who were killed in a suicide attack, at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. AFP/ PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

According to a provincial official who spoke to AFP on Friday, Chinese contractors have stopped work on two significant dam projects in Pakistan following the suicide bombers killing of five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver this week.

Before reopening the locations where some 1,250 Chinese nationals are employed, the corporations have insisted, according to the official, that Pakistani authorities devise new security procedures.

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Both nations have serious concerns about the security of Chinese labourers, as Chinese citizens are regularly the targets of extremists who are against foreign influence.

On a winding route close to one of the dam sites, a suicide bomber struck the workers car on Tuesday, targeting them.

His explosives exploded on collision, sending their car tumbling into a deep chasm.

A senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa interior department told AFP on condition of anonymity that since Wednesday, China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam in the province and Power China has stopped work on Diamer Bhasha dam, which straddles two provinces.

They have demanded new security plans from the government, he said.

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Around 750 Chinese engineers are engaged in the Dasu Dam project, while 500 are working on the Diamer Bhasha Dam, he added.

He said the movement of Chinese engineers has been restricted to the compounds where they live, close to the sites.

China has not commented, but this week repeatedly urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of its nationals.

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Iron-clad friends

Beijing is Islamabads closest regional ally, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbour.

China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

But Pakistanis have long complained that they are not getting a fair share of jobs or wealth created by the projects.

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Tuesdays attack sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the foreign and interior ministers offering condolences in quick succession.

Chinas foreign ministry declared the countries iron-clad friends but asked Pakistan to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions.

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Tuesdays attack came just days after militants attempted to storm offices of the Gwadar deepwater port in the southwest, considered a cornerstone of Chinese investment in Pakistan.

In 2019, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Balochistan province overlooking the flagship Chinese-backed deepwater seaport in Gwadar that gives strategic access to the Arabian Sea  killing at least eight people.

In June 2020, Baloch insurgents targeted the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which is partly owned by Chinese companies, in the commercial capital of Karachi.
China to export homegrown tunnel-boring machine to Italy

Xinhua) 16:17, March 29, 2024

CHANGSHA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- An independently developed tunnel-boring machine rolled off the production line on Thursday in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province, marking the sixth such machine produced by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (CRCHI) for export to Italy.

Measuring 9.28 meters in diameter, the machine will be used in the construction of a high-speed railway tunnel linking Sicily's regional capital Palermo, and Catania, another city in Sicily island.

The machine adopted several new technologies to better operate under the local geological and hydrological conditions, which would improve the working environment for workers and make it more energy efficient, according to CRCHI.

CRCHI is one of China's major heavy machinery producers dedicated to the research, design and manufacturing of underground engineering and rail transit equipment. The company's products have been exported to over 30 countries and regions, including Italy, Turkiye and the Republic of Korea.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Crystal Mason in Fort Worth on Sept. 9, 2019. Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune

A Texas appeals court on Thursday overturned the illegal voting conviction of Crystal Mason, who was given a five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion.

The decision by the Tarrant County-based Second Court of Appeals means she is formally acquitted of the felony voting charge. The court said in the decision that there was no evidence Mason knew she was ineligible to vote when she cast her ballot  which is a condition that must be met in order to convict her of illegal voting.

Mason has maintained throughout the seven-year case that she did not know she was ineligible and would not have risked her freedom if she had. She said Thursday in a statement that her long legal fight, which gained international attention, was devastating.

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I am overjoyed to see my faith rewarded today, Mason said. I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no one else has to face what Ive endured for over six years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack.

The case thrust Mason, who is Black, into the political fray amid a Republican-led crackdown on voter fraud, partly fueled by baseless claims of rampant illegal voting.

Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman, Mason said. I thank everyone whose dedication and support carried me through this time and look forward to celebrating this moment with my family and friends.

The Second Court of Appeals initially upheld her conviction but two years ago was instructed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence against Mason, saying that the lower court had erred by failing to require proof that [Mason] had actual knowledge that it was a crime for her to vote while on supervised release.

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We are relieved for Ms. Mason, who has waited for too long with uncertainty about whether she would be imprisoned and separated from her family for five years simply for trying to do her civic duty, said Thomas Buser-Clancy, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas. The harms of the criminal prosecution can never fully be undone, but this decision is vindication for Ms. Mason and a win for our democracy, which can only thrive when people can fearlessly engage in the civic process.

Masons case dates back to 2016 when, after discovering she was not on the voter roll, she submitted a provisional ballot in the presidential election on the advice of a poll worker. Her ballot was rejected because she was not eligible to participate in elections while still on supervised release for a federal tax fraud conviction. She was arrested a few months later.

Masons prosecution hinged on an affidavit she signed before casting her provisional ballot that required individuals to swear that if a felon, I have completed all my punishment including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or I have been pardoned.

A trial court judge convicted her of illegally voting, then a second-degree state felony, after a poll worker testified he watched Mason read, and run her finger along, each line of an affidavit. Mason said she did not read the entire affidavit. At trial, a supervisor from the probation office overseeing her release testified that no one from that office had informed her she was still ineligible to vote.

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In its 2022 ruling, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that Texas election law requires individuals to know they are ineligible to vote to be convicted of illegal voting. The law had been clarified by lawmakers in 2021 with additions to the election code stating Texans may not be convicted of voting illegally solely upon the fact that the person signed a provisional ballot, and instead required other evidence to corroborate they knowingly tried to cast an unlawful vote.

The appeals court wrote in its 2022 decision that the new law showed that that lawmakers never intended to convict a voter with good intentions.

To construe the statute to mean that a person can be guilty even if she does not know the person is not eligible to vote is to disregard the words the Legislature intended, the court wrote. It turns the knowledge requirement into a sort of negligence scheme wherein a person can be guilty because she fails to take reasonable care to ensure that she is eligible to vote.

Thursdays decision by the Tarrant County court acknowledged that.

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We conclude that the quantum of the evidence presented in this case is insufficient to support the conclusion that Mason actually realized that she voted knowing that she was ineligible to do so and, therefore, insufficient to support her conviction for illegal voting, the decision reads.

Insisting theyre not criminalizing individuals who merely vote by mistake, Tarrant County prosecutors have said Masons case is about intent and the fact that she signed the affidavit, which they argued was an acknowledgement of her own ineligibility.

In the end, the States primary evidence was that Mason read the words on the affidavit, the Tarrant County decision reads. But even if she had read them, they are not sufficient even in the context of the rest of the evidence in this case to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew that being on supervised release after having served her entire federal sentence of incarceration made her ineligible to vote by casting a provisional ballot when she did so.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/28/texas-illegal-voting-conviction-crystal-mason/.

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The Philippine Defence Ministry released a statement blaming recent remarks made by China for their illegal and uncivilised activities in the South China Sea and their isolation from the rest of the globe

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

In its most recent act of defiance in a contentious dispute with China, the Philippines defence ministry declared on Friday that although it is not looking for conflict or strife in the South China Sea, it also would not be intimidated into quiet, surrender, or subservience.

The Philippine Defence Ministry released a statement blaming recent remarks made by China for their illegal and uncivilised activities in the South China Sea and their isolation from the rest of the globe.

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It also shows the inability of the Chinese government to conduct open, transparent, and legal negotiations. Their repertoire consists only of patronising and, failing that, intimidating smaller countries, the ministry said.

After Manila accused Beijing of aggressive behaviour in Manilas exclusive economic zone on Thursday, the Chinese counterpart accused the Philippines of provocations, disinformation, and betrayal. The statement was made in response.

A spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, Wu Qian, demanded on Thursday that its neighbour stop what it described as provocative and infringemental actions, blaming the Philippines for the deterioration of ties.

On Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. escalated the tensions in the growing dispute by declaring that his nation will take action in response to illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by Chinas coast guard. China asserts its dominance over nearly the whole South China Sea.

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The battle of words stems from a series of standoffs near the Second Thomas Shoal during Philippine resupply missions to a group of soldiers posted to guard a decaying warship that was intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago to push a sovereignty claim.
Ukraine is reliant on financial aid from its Western partners but foreign financing dwindled in the first two months of this year, and a U.S. aid package has been blocked by Republicans in Congress for months.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Friday that Ukraine has received a $1.5 billion tranche of funding under a World Bank programme. The fund will help the country to pay for its budget and social spending as it defends itself against the Russian invasion, he said.

Ukraine is reliant on financial aid from its Western partners but foreign financing dwindled in the first two months of this year, and a U.S. aid package has been blocked by Republicans in Congress for months.

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The new block of World Bank aid was funded by Britain and Japan, Shmyhal said.984 million dollars come from Japan and 516 million dollars from the UK. The funds will cover budget spending for social and humanitarian needs and reconstruction, he wrote on X.

Earlier in March, Ukraine received a 4.5 billion euro ($4.9 billion) first tranche of aid under a European Union bridging finance programme.

Kyiv has spent most of its revenues to finance its defence efforts since Russia invaded in February 2022, leaving Kyiv heavily reliant on funding from Western partners to cover its social spending.The effective work of the government, together with timely support from partners, allows us to maintain the stability of the financial system even in times of the full-scale aggression and daily terror of the Russian Federation, Serhiy Marchenko, the finance minister, said in a statement.

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With inputs from Reuters.
The Russian veto of the United Nations panels renewal comes weeks after the body said it was probing allegations of weapons transfer from North Korea to Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine War

The United States, South Korea joined other nations to slam Russia who vetoed the renewal of a panel of United Nations (UN) experts to monitor sanctions on North Korea. They went on to accuse Moscow of colluding with Pyongyang.

The Russian veto of the UN panels renewal comes weeks after the body said it was probing reports of weapons transfer from North Korea to Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine War.

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Following Russias veto, the US termed the move as reckless and one that undermined international peace and security. South Korea termed the Russian decision as irresponsible decision.

On its part, Russias UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia said that the sanctions on North Korea were unjustified without annual review and potential modifications. He further told the UNSC members that the West was trying to strangle North Korea and sanctions have proven to be irrelevant and detached from reality.

Referring to the reported weapons deals between North Korea and Russia, UKs UN envoy Barbara Woodward said Russias vote was not out of concern for North Koreans but it was about Russia gaining the freedom to evade and breach sanctions in pursuit of weapons to be used against Ukraine.

What was UN vote about?

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The UNSC, on Thursday, voted on the proposed renewal of a UN panel to monitor sanctions on North Korea. The panel is formally called the Panel of Experts assisting the Sanctions Committee which was established in 2006.

If the resolution would have passed in the voting, the panel would have been renewed till April 30, 2025.

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The UN, in a release said, the passage would have also included a UNSC request to the panel to submit its confidential midterm report by August 23 and its final report by February 14, 2025.

Of the 15 members of the UNSC, Russia vetoed the proposed renewal of the panel while China abstained from voting. The 13 other members, including the permanent UNSC members the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, all voted for the renewal.

US terms vote collusion, Ukraine says Russia entered guilty plea.

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The US condemned the Russian veto and linked it to the alleged Russian procurement of North Korean weapons. US Deputy UN envoy Robert Wood said Russia was attempting to silence the UN panels independent objective investigations because it began reporting in the last year on Russias blatant violations of the UN Security Council resolutions.

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He further said the move will embolden North Korea to keep adversely affecting the world security with its development of long-range ballistic missiles and sanctions evasion efforts.

For months, the US has been alleging that Russia is procuring arms and ammunition from North Korea in violations of international sanctions to use in its war on Ukraine. In return for weapons sales to Russia amid the war, North Korea is understood to be seeking fighter jets and ballistic-missile launch technology, said White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby in January.

Separately, in a statement following Russias vote, Kirby termed it reckless action that undermined sanctions against North Korea. He also warned against the deepening cooperation between North Korea and Russia. He further said, 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.

Referring to the alleged Russia-North Korea weapons deals, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media that the Russian veto amounted to a guilty plea.

UKs UN envoy Barbara Woodward said, This veto does not demonstrate concern for the North Korean people or the efficacy of sanctions. It is about Russia gaining the freedom to evade and breach sanctions in pursuit of weapons to be used against UkraineThis panel, through its work to expose sanctions non-compliance, was an inconvenience for Russia.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Frances UN envoy Nicolas de Riviere expressed deep regrets over the Russian veto. He said, France deeply regrets the Russian veto which put a stop to the renewal of the mandate of the 1718 Sanctions Committees panel of experts. This veto purposely ends their work of reporting on North Koreas arms deliveries to Russia, in violation of the Security Council resolutions.

France deeply regrets the Russian veto which put a stop to the renewal of the mandate of the 1718 Sanctions Committee's panel of experts. This veto purposely ends their work of reporting on North Korea's arms deliveries to Russia, in violation of the Security Council resolutions. pic.twitter.com/vVaSBASaLZ  Nicolas de Riviere (@NDeRiviere) March 28, 2024

South Korea slammed Russias veto as irresponsible and pointed out that Russia despite its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has made an irresponsible decision. Separately, Korean UN envoy Hwang Joonkook also said that the North Koreas continued provocations and sanctions evasion, the role of the panel was all the more essential.

With inputs from agencies
The spy networks goals included weakening Polands position on the world stage, discrediting Ukraine as well as the image of EU organs

Polish security services on Thursday announced that they have carried out a raid on a Russian spy network in collaboration with Czech intelligence. The Polish operation came just one day after the Czech Republic announced that it had dismantled a major Russian propaganda network.

Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for the Internal Security Agency, revealed the outcome of the operation on social media. He said that the actions carried out by the Polish security services are connected to charges filed earlier this year against a Polish citizen suspected of spying for Russia, according to.

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Dobrzynski stated that the agency had conducted raids in Polands capital city, Warsaw, as well as Tychy. They had carried out interrogations as part of an investigation into espionage activities directed against European Union (EU). The aim of these spying missions was to advance the Kremlins foreign policy objectives.

In Dobrzynskis words, the spy networks goals included weakening Polands position on the world stage, discrediting Ukraine as well as the image of EU organs.

He noted that the agencys operations were the result of international cooperation with several European services, particularly with Czech partners.

The Czech Republic revealed on Wednesday that it had uncovered a Moscow-financed network that disseminated Russian propaganda and wielded influence across Europe, including in the European Parliament, using the Prague-based Voice of Europe news site.

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According to Dobrzynski, the Polish citizen who was suspected for Russian espionage in January, was embedded in Polish and EU parliament circles, carried out tasks commissioned and financed by Russian intelligence. His tasks included propaganda activity, disinformation as well as political provocation. Their objective was to build Russian spheres of influence in Europe.
Bankman-Fried apologised to his former FTX colleagues and admitted that FTX consumers had suffered during his 20-minute statement to the judge however he did not confess to any illegal activity

In this courtroom sketch, Sam Bankman-Fried, center, sits at the defense table wearing leg shackles during his sentencing in Manhattan federal court, in New York. AP

On Thursday, a judge sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in jail for stealing $8 billion from users of the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange he established, marking the last stage in the erstwhile millionaire wunderkinds stunning collapse.

At a court session in Manhattan, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan imposed the sentence, dismissing Bankman-Frieds argument that FTX consumers did not genuinely lose money and concluding that he had lied throughout his trial evidence. On November 2, a jury convicted 32-year-old Bankman-Fried guilty of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of FTX in 2022, which the prosecution described as one of the worst financial scams in US history.

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According to Kaplan, Bankman-Fried has demonstrated 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 apologised to his former FTX colleagues and admitted that FTX consumers had suffered during his 20-minute statement to the judge. He was wearing a beige, short-sleeve prison T-shirt, but he did not confess to any illegal activity.

He has promised to challenge his verdict and imprisonment.

As Kaplan read the sentence, Bankman-Fried stood with his hands clasped in front of him. After a brief conversation with his defence attorney Marc Mukasey, he was escorted out of the courthouse by US Marshals Service agents.

The punishment was the last in a string of events that culminated in Bankman-Frieds downfall from an extremely rich businessman and significant political donor to the largest victim of US authorities crackdown on misbehaviour in cryptocurrency markets.

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There are serious consequences for defrauding customers and investors, US 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, FTXs 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.

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Federal prosecutors had sought a sentence of 40 to 50 years. Mukasey had argued for a sentence of less than 5-1/4 years.

Im sorry for that

Addressing the judge, Bankman-Fried said, Customers have been suffering  I didnt at all mean to minimize that. I also think thats something that was missing from what Ive said over the course of this process, and Im sorry for that.

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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.

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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 FTXs collapse.

Sam Bankman-Fried doesnt make decisions with malice in his heart, Mukasey added. He makes decisions with math in his head.

Bankman-Frieds 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 US 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-Frieds 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.
The bus crashed into a ravine in the north of the nation after it fell off a bridge and caught fire. Investigations into the disaster are still ongoing

In this image taken from video provided by eNCA, a bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in Limpopo, South Africa, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, killing multiple people, authorities said. eNCA via AP

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa sent his sympathies on Friday over the bus accident that occurred shortly before Easter, in which 45 out of the 46 occupants perished.

Thursdays collision left an eight-year-old child as the only survivor. Shes been brought into the hospital.

The bus crashed into a ravine in the north of the nation after it fell off a bridge and caught fire. Investigations into the disaster are still ongoing.

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It was travelling from Botswana, a neighbour, to Moria, where a ceremony and Easter pilgrimage have drawn over a million worshippers in recent years.

According to the presidents office, Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the Republic of Botswana and to the family and friends of the 45 bus crash victims.

Transport ministry media officer Vongani Chauke, told AFP investigations were continuing.

There were 12 people who were burnt beyond recognition, so those are the remains of people they are still trying to find at the scene, Chauke said.

Family members are coming to the country to visit the surviving girl.

Shes fine, receiving medical attention and does not have serious injuries.

The bus had a Botswanan licence plate, local authorities said, but the nationalities of the passengers was still being checked.

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It plunged off a major bridge linking two hillsides near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo province, around 300 kilometres (190 miles) north of Johannesburg.

The transport minister has promised a full inquiry.

The governments in Johannesburg and Gabarone have vowed to work together throughout, Ramaphosa said after a phone call with Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

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While South Africa has one of the African continents most developed road networks, it also suffers from one of the worst safety records.

Major road accidents are common during Easter weekend and the festive season in December.
Although tight ties exist between Taiwan and the US, they are unofficial as Washington officially acknowledges China rather than the democratically controlled island that Beijing claims is its own. Chinas territorial claims are rejected by Taiwan

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Taiwan Navy Commander Tang Hua attend the delivery ceremony of six made-in-Taiwan Tuo Chiang-class corvettes at a port in Yilan, Taiwan. Reuters File

According to six persons briefed on the trip, Taiwans navy leader, Tang Hua, will be visiting the United States starting next week to attend a military ceremony and talk about ways to strengthen bilateral naval cooperation in light of Chinas growing threats to the island.

Although tight ties exist between Taiwan and the US, they are unofficial as Washington officially acknowledges China rather than the democratically controlled island that Beijing claims is its own. Chinas territorial claims are rejected by Taiwan.

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According to the six security sources, Tang would go to Hawaii for a Pacific Fleet change-of-command ceremony. Hawaii is home to the US Indo-Pacific Command. According to three of them, negotiations were underway to set up a meeting with Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the US commander of naval operations, and Tang was then scheduled to attend the Sea-Air-Space conference in the Washington region on April 810.

Due of the sensitivity of the trip, the sources only spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

Both the Pentagon and Taiwans navy declined to comment.

Senior officials from allies like Japan and the UK pay open trips to the US, but visits by Taiwanese officials, particularly those from the military, are usually discreet and not formally confirmed.

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Washington and Taipei have had no official diplomatic or military relationship since 1979, when the US switched recognition to Beijing, though the United States is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

China has not renounced the use of force to take Taiwan, where the defeated Republic of China government fled in 1949 after it lost Chinas civil war to Mao Zedongs Communists, who established the Peoples Republic of China.

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Taiwans navy is dwarfed by that of China, which is adding nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. Under a modernisation effort President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen, Taiwan is developing its own submarines, the first unveiled last year.

Without fanfare Taiwan and the US have expanded their military cooperation since Tsai took office in 2016, especially since China began ramping up military pressure over the past four years. Beijing now regularly sends fighter jets over the median line of the Taiwan Strait that once served as an unofficial barrier.

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Previous US trips by senior Taiwan officers to the United States have included then-navy chief Lee Hsi-ming in 2015 and Deputy Defence Minister Hsu Yen-pu, who last year attended a Taiwan-US defence industry conference in Virginia.

Taiwan typically holds annual security talks in the United States, which neither government officially confirms and which last year were attended by Taiwans foreign minister and the head of its National Security Council, according to Taiwanese media.

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Tangs visit, two sources said, is part of a US effort, called the Joint Island Defence Concept, to coordinate with Taiwan, Japan and others to counter Chinas armed forces within the first island chain - a string enclosing Chinas coastal seas that connects Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo, an island split between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan and the US are trying to line up a Tang-Franchetti meeting, which has not been confirmed, said one source, a US official.

Tang on Tuesday accompanied Tsai to a navy base on Taiwans east coast for a handover ceremony for two new Tuo Chiang-class corvette warships, which Taiwans navy calls carrier killers for their high manoeuvrability, stealthiness and anti-ship missiles.
Despite the UN Security Councils approval of a resolution earlier this week calling for a immediate ceasefire, heavy combat and relentless shelling continued throughout the region

A general view of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, in The Hague, Netherlands. Reuters

The worlds highest court ordered Israel Thursday to ensure urgent humanitarian assistance to Gazans, as worries of impending hunger grew after almost six months of unrelenting violence.

Despite the UN Security Councils approval of a resolution earlier this week calling for a immediate ceasefire, heavy combat and relentless shelling continued throughout the region.

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Israel shall take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay the unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, the International Court of Justice said in its ruling.

According to the judges, this meant providing Palestinians in Gaza with food, water, power, fuel, housing, clothes, and necessities for cleanliness and hygiene in addition to medical supplies and treatment.

Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but famine is setting in, the Hague-based court said.

South Africa had asked the court to bolster a previous order it issued in January for Israel to allow aid into Gaza to take account of the further deterioration of the situation on the ground.

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The United Nations has warned that famine is ever closer to becoming a reality in northern Gaza, and said Gazas health system is collapsing due to ongoing hostilities and access constraints.

While the war has turned much of the territory into a devastated wasteland, Israel has also imposed a siege on its 2.4 million people, eased only by occasional aid deliveries.

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With clean water also scarce, Gazans were queueing to fill plastic containers from a tank west of Rafah city.

We have to queue for everything, said one displaced woman, Maram Abu Amra. We walk for an hour in total. Sometimes, we return empty-handed, without water.

Fighting around Gaza hospitals

The Israeli army reported heavy fighting near the Al-Amal Hospital in Gazas main southern city of Khan Yunis in which its troops had killed dozens of militants and recovered hundreds of weapons.

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Across Gaza, Israels military said it had struck dozens of targets over the previous day while the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory reported 62 more deaths.

Israel says Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have fought from inside Gaza hospitals, using patients, medical staff and displaced people for cover  charges the Palestinian militant groups have denied.

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Israel said its soldiers near Al-Amal had carried out targeted raids on terrorist infrastructure  and are eliminating dozens of terrorists using precise fire in close-quarters combat and with air support.

They had also apprehended dozens of terrorists in the area who were transferred for interrogations, the army added.

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles have also massed around another Khan Yunis health facility, the Nasser Hospital, but had not yet staged a full-scale raid, the Gaza health ministry said.

Fighting has also rocked the Gaza City district around Al-Shifa Hospital, the territorys biggest, where the army says it has killed around 200 militants since early last week.

Local resident Abed Radwan, 63, said he had to flee when Israeli forces stormed all buildings and homes in the Al-Rimal area, arrested several people and forced the rest to walk south.

I walked with them, he said. I saw many decomposing bodies in the streets and several houses flattened. They left nothing intact, they destroyed everything.

The war began with Hamass October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

The militants also took about 250 hostages. Israel says about 130 captives remain in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.

Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,552 people, mostly women and children, according to Gazas health ministry.

US talks on Rafah

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.

The prime ministers office has said theyd like to reschedule the meeting, said a US senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity and adding that they were setting a new date.

Tensions flared after Washington abstained in Mondays vote at the United Nations, rather than using its veto on the Security Council to block the resolution as it had with previous demands for an immediate ceasefire.

Netanyahu charged that the US move served to embolden Israels enemy Hamas whose October 7 attack sparked the deadliest ever Gaza war.

US concern has mounted over Israeli plans to push its ground offensive into Rafah, Gazas southernmost city which is packed with some 1.5 million people, most of them displaced from other parts of the territory.

US officials say they want to present Israel with an alternative plan for Rafah, focused on striking Hamas targets while limiting the civilian toll.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had constructive discussions in Washington over the past two days, a US official said.

Rafah was one of the many topics discussed in the talks, the official added.

Washington has also raised the issue of how Gaza will be ruled after the war and has suggested a future role for a reformed Palestinian Authority, the body which exercises limited powers in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

On Thursday, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas approved the new government of prime minister Mohammed Mustafa.

Mustafa said his cabinet will work on formulating visions to reunify the institutions, including assuming responsibility for Gaza.
The co-operation between India and Russia is largely based on the Soviet legacy. But this is not the legacy that will be kept for centuries; it is a legacy that is evaporating, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as he urged New Delhi to stand by Kyiv

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who began his two-day visit to India on Thursday, has said that Indias close ties with Russia are based on a Soviet legacy which is evaporating and urged New Delhi to rethink its ties with Moscow and stand by Kyiv.

The co-operation between India and Russia is largely based on the Soviet legacy. But this is not the legacy that will be kept for centuries; it is a legacy that is evaporating, Financial Times quoted Kuleba as saying.

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He further said that India should be concerned about Russias deepening ties with China, which is locked in a tense border conflict with its southern neighbour.

The Chinese-Russian relationship should be of particular attention for India in light of its national security prerogatives, Kuleba told FT.

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 a record.

Kuleba, who is in India to advance Kyivs vision of the path to peace in Ukraine and strengthen ties with India, said the worlds most populous nation had much to gain from expanding trade and technology ties with Ukraine, as he offered Indian companies a role in postwar reconstruction.

After the war Ukraine will probably become the largest construction site in the world, and Indian companies are welcome to participate in the recovery, Financial Times quoted Kuleba as saying.

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We are interested in importing some of the heavy machinery items that India is producing, he added, as Ukraine looks to restore trade with India, particularly of farm products such as sunflower oil and other Indian goods.

Ukraine hopes to hold a summit of world leaders without Russian participation in the coming months to advance its blueprint for peace, which calls among other things for the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory.

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Ukraine was not against co-operation between India and Russia, Kuleba told the Times of India newspaper in a separate interview, adding that engagement between New Delhi and Kyiv had grown since the start of the war.

Our job is to convey a simple message to New Delhi, he added. When you decide to engage with Russia, please know the red line for Ukraine is financing Russias war machine.

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Russia has dismissed the Ukrainian diplomatic initiative as a non-starter.

Kulebas trip to India coincides with Ukraine facing its most challenging period since Russias complete invasion in 2022. Moscows forces have seized the initiative on the front lines, and additional US military assistance remains suspended due to resistance from Donald Trump and his congressional supporters.

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Ahead of Kulebas visit, PM Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke over phone last week. Kuleba is likely to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today.

With inputs from agencies
According to a US Commerce Department official, the Commerce Departments recent letter to at least 20 corporations was an attempt to thwart Russias military effort in Ukraine

Ukraine supporters protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a demonstration near the White House in Washington, US. Reuters File

According to a US official on Thursday, the US is requesting that American businesses cease exporting commodities to over 600 foreign parties due to concerns that the supplies would be transferred to Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine.

According to a US Commerce Department official, the Commerce Departments recent letter to at least 20 corporations was an attempt to thwart Russias military effort in Ukraine.

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The businesses produce and market the parts identified in drones and missiles that were retrieved from within Ukraine.

The US and more than 30 other nations imposed a slew of sanctions on Moscow after its invasion of Russia in 2022 with the goal of limiting Russias capacity to conduct war by denying it access to Western technologies. Yet American components continue to be found in Russian weapons left on the battlefield in Ukraine.

In the last several weeks, weve sent letters to more than 20 American companies, each containing a list of more than 600 foreign parties, Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod said at the departments annual export control conference in Washington, D.C. In those letters, weve requested that the American companies voluntarily stop shipping to these parties due to the high risk of transshipment to Russia.

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Axelrod said senior US officials in the Commerce, State and Treasury departments have also been reaching out directly to senior leaders in US companies to discuss further steps they can take to help prevent their products from ending up inside Russia.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian announces:

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne will visit China on April 1.
News

College of the Mainland vows to correct failures at law enforcement academy

Warren Nichols

TEXAS CITY

College of the Mainland administrators met Wednesday to remedy problems with a Liberty County training program it managed after peace officer licenses of 19 Law Enforcement Academy graduates were revoked over claims the students hadnt received the minimum training required.

Among those remedies is a plan to contact those 19 students and put them through the academy a second time at an accelerated rate and at no cost to the students, officials said.

The claims arose about Liberty County Sheriffs Office Academy, which is managed by the College of the Mainland, whose own academy in Texas City isnt affected. The colleges management of the Liberty County program is through a memorandum of understanding, a form of agreement that states each partys actions within the partnership, officials said.

Within the partnership, the college would provide Liberty County with lesson plans, tools and state-approved curriculum. The college would then have needed to monitor the course to assure it was administered properly.

Training being taught at the Liberty County academy was lacking and it was unclear what was being taught to students, College of the Mainland President Warren Nichols said.

I say this from my perspective, College of the Mainland fell down on the job, Nichols said. It was our academy. It was under our management and supervision to oversee and make sure that it was being run appropriately. We trusted them to do it and we did not have constant verification of the academy.

Gregory Stevens, executive director of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, a regulatory agency for peace officers, sent a letter March 22 to the training coordinator at the colleges law enforcement program after a complaint that a former student did not receive training to required standards during a Basic Peace Officer Course in Liberty County.

Preliminary investigative findings corroborate that this BPOC was fundamentally inadequate in providing students with minimum state training requirements and course content, including a lack of lesson plans, learning objectives, course evaluations, enforcement of attendance and training from qualified instructors, the letter stated.

The complaint asserted a former student from the Liberty County Sheriffs Office Academy did not complete the Basic Peace Officer Course necessary for a position as an entry-level police officer, constable, deputy sheriff or any other licensed peace officer position available in the state.

Administrators met with commission officials to identify immediate actions that can be taken to remedy this situation in the best interest of impacted students, college spokeswoman Diane Burkett said.

Students who attended the course from January to November 2022 didnt receive the proper training, causing their licenses to be revoked, regulators asserted.

A training agreement affords an academy special trust and confidence to produce basically trained peace officers possessing the requisite technical, tactical and ethical competencies to serve and interact with the public, the letter stated. The Academys failures were serious and systemic.

To correct the problems, the college will contact the 19 officers whose licences were revoked, and put them through the academy a second time in Liberty County at no cost to students, but at an accelerated pace.

The course will begin in mid-May and will run through mid-September over an 18-week period for a total of 760 hours, Nichols said.

This time, training coordinators and administrators will personally oversee the program and ensure that training is up to code by the commissions standards, officials said.

Im a former police officer, and Im a former director of the Law Enforcement Academy, Nichols said. So, I wish we had done better, and we will do better.

The commission will work with the college to kickstart the new academy as its enforcement division continues investigating the complaint, officials said.
Michigan voters can request absentee ballots for any reason, in any election. (Ashley Schafer/Ashley.schafer@hearstnp.com)

Midland residents should keep an eye on their mailboxes as the City Clerk's office began mailing absentee ballots on Monday, March 25.

Absentee ballots were mailed to registered voters who are on the permanent ballot mailing list or who returned an absentee ballot application for the May 7 special election.

Voters can track if their ballot has been mailed at www.Michigan.gov/vote.

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Absentee ballots will arrive in a white envelope with a blue stripe on the left side labeled Official Absent Voter Ballot." The envelope will contain the ballot, a secrecy sleeve, an instruction sheet, and a postage paid white and purple return envelope which should be signed and used to return the completed ballot back to the City Clerks Office.

City of Midland voters can return their completed absentee ballot the following ways:

 Mail the signed and sealed postage paid purple return envelope via United States Postal Service

 Drop the signed and sealed purple return envelope in any of the Official Ballot Drop Boxes, located at:

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Midland City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth Street

The Midland Civic Arena, 405 Fast Ice Drive

Jack Barstow Municipal Airport, 6603 Barstow Drive

 Take their ballot to their precincts polling location on Election Day to personally deposit the ballot into the tabulator for counting.

Voters may obtain an absentee ballot application at the Midland City Clerks Office, 333 W. Ellsworth Street, or online at www.Michigan.gov/vote.

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Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 35F. SSE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
The U.S. Postal Service is exploring a cost-saving measure that would involve picking up outgoing mail from some rural post offices once rather than twice a day, which a local postal workers union representative says would mean further delivery delays beyond those that could result from the proposed shift of area mail processing from Grand Junction to Denver.

The measure, part of the Postal Services Delivering for America strategic planning initiative, could put an end to afternoon trucks being sent to some rural post offices to pick up outgoing mail gathered locally over the course of the day by carriers and at collection boxes and post office windows. Instead, outgoing mail would be picked up only in the morning, when a truck also is bringing mail to a rural community for delivery.

This means that mail accepted at a postal window in Ridgway, for example, will now sit at the post office overnight before being trucked to Grand Junction for processing the next morning. While the purported aim of saving money on trucking costs is understandable, the reality is that this measure will inevitably result in mail delays of at least one day, said Shane McDonnell, vice president of the American Postal Workers Union Local #600 and a clerk at the Grand Junction Carrier Annex on Scarlet Drive.

PROCESSING CENTER

The Postal Service also is considering converting its Processing and Distribution Center in Grand Junction to a Local Processing Center and transferring outgoing mail processing operations to its Denver Processing and Distribution Center. The Postal Service says most of the outgoing mail and packages at issue are destined for outside the Grand Junction area and can be more cost-effectively processed in Denver. But the postal workers union and some local residents and elected officials fear it could slow delivery of local mail having to be shipped to Denver and back, due to frequent shutdowns that occur on Interstate 70 as a result of snowstorms, accidents and other circumstances.

McDonnell said the possible cutback in frequency of trucks picking up outgoing mail from rural post offices, combined with the proposed shift of processing operations from Grand Junction to Denver, could make the consequences for rural residents even more dire.

Not only will our outgoing mail be delayed by a day due to load optimization, but it will also face further delays as it is processed in Denver instead of locally, he said.

Postal Service spokesman James Boxrud said in an email that local transportation optimization is part of the Postal Services larger effort to optimize our truck capacity and reduce the overall number of carbon wasting, duplicate trips. I am aware of a couple of other locations that this is being modeled (Phoenix and Portland), but ... Colorado is not part of any current plans, and it is irresponsible to speculate otherwise.

The American Postal Workers Union said in a news post on its website this month that local transportation optimization was piloted in the Richmond, Virginia, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, areas, and then was started up in late February in Phoenix, Portland, Oregon, and Atlanta, after which the Postal Service is planning to aggressively roll-out LTO throughout the nation in monthly phases through 2024.

ROLLOUT TIMELINE

Steve Hutkins, who edits a Postal Service watchdog website called www.savethepostoffice.com, shared with the Sentinel a document that he says the Postal Service provided to the American Postal Workers Union and National Association of Postal Supervisors. It shows a widespread rollout schedule for the initiative this year, including in Colorado in September.

When asked about that, Boxrud said by email, The timeline and impacted sites cited were preliminary (and) are no longer applicable. A new timeline and site location (have) not been determined.

The American Postal Workers Union said on its website that as initially explained to the APWU, the plan was to look at implementing the change to once-a-day pickup at retail and/or delivery units that were anywhere from 25-50 miles away from the processing facility that services those units. In the Postal Services more recent presentation to the APWU, it suggested that the optimization level of each office would be determined by the volume of mail at the office, the APWU said.

... The National APWU leadership is concerned about how this will affect overall postal service(s). The APWU expects that the greatest impact will be in rural communities, the APWU said.

In a January letter to President Biden and congressional leaders in which Postmaster General Louis DeJoy outlines efforts to stem financial losses at the Postal Service, he said one near-term goal is saving $1 billion by optimizing routes and decreasing thousands of underutiized local trips a day.

An audit by the Postal Services Office of Inspector General last year responding to concerns from the public, elected officials and the media confirmed that Colorado mountain towns already experience lower on-time service performance, especially for packages, compared to the rest of the state and nation overall. It recommended actions including looking into employee pay hikes to address the issue. The audit also identified some problems with the Processing and Distribution Center and the Carrier Annex in Grand Junction.

QUICK ACTION URGED

In January, four of Colorados Democratic members of Congress, U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Reps. Brittany Pettersen and Joe Neguse wrote to DeJoy to urge quick action to address staffing and other Postal Service issues in Colorado communities.

In mid-March, Bennet joined some 20 other Democratic and independent senators in writing to DeJoy to voice concern about the Postal Services mail processing facility reviews, including the review of the Grand Junction site, and the potential for impacts particularly in rural states.

While the Postal Service states there will be no career layoffs or slowed service, we are concerned these facility reviews will functionally result in both, the senators wrote.

... In Colorado, mail processing at the Grand Junction facility will likely transfer to a facility in Denver, a distance of nearly 200 miles. Frequent closures on the highway between Denver and Western Slope communities have led to significant concerns about the timely delivery of prescription medication, local mail, and Colorados mail-in ballots.

This week, Neguse, the House assistant minority leader, wrote to DeJoy to voice similar concerns about the proposed shift in processing from Grand Junction to Denver, and urged DeJoy to reconsider the idea.

While I appreciate the need for the Postal Service to continue to work toward financial stability, it cannot come at the expense of Colorados rural small businesses, seniors, and families, he wrote.

Bennet and the other senators said in their letter, The Postal Service competes with private services for market share, including virtual options, and risks even further volume declines if the mail continues to slow.

McDonnell said a lot of smaller businesses rely on the one-day turnaround the Postal Service currently provides to rural communities in the region for outgoing mail, and may turn to competing delivery services instead if that turnaround is eliminated, meaning the Postal Service could lose a lot of business by trying to save money.
Colorados U.S. senators are hailing the Bureau of Land Managements finalizing of a rule to rein in methane emissions from oil and gas operations, a decade after the state adopted the first such regulation in the nation.

The BLM this week released a measure it says will curb the waste of natural gas during oil and gas production on federal and tribal land, curtailing venting and flaring of gas and requiring companies to find and fix leaks. It says the rule is expected to generate more than $50 million a year in additional natural gas royalty payments to the federal government and tribal mineral owners, and conserve billions of cubic feet of gas that might otherwise have gone to waste.

Sen. John Hickenlooper said in a news release with Sen. Michael Bennet, both D-Colo., Colorado has led the way in reducing methane emissions. Taking basic steps to cut harmful emissions will go a long way to slowing climate change and keep pollutants out of our atmosphere. Now, the rest of the country will follow Colorados lead so we can meet our climate goals.

In 2014, when Hickenlooper was governor, Colorado adopted the nations first regulations aimed at reducing oil and gas methane emissions. Methane is the chief component in natural gas, and also is a potent greenhouse gas. Controlling it also cuts air pollution resulting from emissions of volatile organic compounds also found in natural gas, and results in more natural gas reaching consumers rather than going to waste.

Venting and flaring of methane occur under a range of circumstances, including when companies are drilling for oil but also produce some gas but lack immediate access to pipelines to ship it.

These practices waste valuable natural resources, risk the health of surrounding communities, and pollute the environment, Bennet said in the release. Im glad BLM followed our states example and is taking steps to cut down on these wasteful practices on our public and Tribal lands.

The BLM adopted a methane rule in 2016 during the Obama administration that was challenged in court, and the Trump administration then adopted a rule effectively rescinding the earlier one. Both the Trump-era measure and then the earlier one were struck down in court, meaning BLM rules that are some 40 years old currently govern how energy producers manage methane.

The BLM says that since the 1980s, as oil and gas development on public lands rapidly grew, the percent of gas lost to venting and flaring has more than doubled. Between 2010-20, about 44.2 billion cubic feet per year was reported by federal and tribal onshore leaseholders to be vented or flared. Thats enough to serve more than 675,000 homes.

The BLM says in a fact sheet that its new rule will require companies to either self certify their commitment to capture, for sale or other productive use, all the gas they produce, or develop plans before drilling to minimize methane waste.

In either case, operators will pay royalties for gas that is wasted, ensuring they are managing to avoid waste from the start of operations. The rule also requires operators to cut down on natural gas venting and flaring except in emergencies and other narrow circumstances, and to develop and submit plans for finding and fixing leaks from across their operations.

Several states now have methane rules in place, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized its own oil and gas methane rule, which is more far-reaching than the BLM rule thats limited to federal and tribal lands. The BLM says its new rule is separate and distinct from the EPA rule and ensures that operators can comply with applicable state, Tribal or federal rules while meeting these commonsense requirements.

Holly Hopkins with the American Petroleum Institute said in a statement, API supports a smart regulatory framework for reducing methane emissions, but overlapping regulations and lack of coordination between policymakers could hinder progress, create unnecessary barriers to development on federal lands and result in regulatory incoherence. We are reviewing the final rule to ensure it remains within BLMs statutory authority to regulate waste of natural gas and will consider all options to prevent regulatory overreach.
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference after attending the wake of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New York. Diller was shot and killed Monday during a traffic stop, the city's mayor said. It marked the first slaying of an NYPD officer in two years.
FILE - Candles spell out the name of Tyre Nichols during a candlelight vigil for Nichols on the anniversary of his death, Jan. 7, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. A judge on Friday, March 8, 2024, indefinitely postponed the state court trial of four former Memphis officers charged with second-degree murder in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols until after the conclusion of a federal court trial on civil rights violations.
Enstrom Candies is planning to construct a more than 50,000-square-foot warehouse, distribution and office building at 28 Road and Grand Avenue.

Enstrom Candies President Doug Simons said the company has been considering building a new facility for several years, including one that would house the entire business under one roof. However, the current plans are to continue to occupy its Seventh Street and Colorado Avenue location while moving its warehouse, distribution center and graphic design departments to the new facility.

Initially we were going to move out to a new location and build a new facility with everything under one roof, Simons said. It was just post-COVID, but because of that the pricing came in just through the roof.

He said they decided, due to the cost and wanting to continue to have a downtown location, to build an expansion facility on a more than 35-acre lot off 28 Road. That location has good access to the Interstate 70 Business Loop as well, he said.

The other thing that came into play was the emotional nature of thinking about selling our current location in downtown Grand Junction because in 2029 the Enstrom family will have been doing business here in downtown Grand Junction in this block for 100 years, Simons said. When we made the decision to build an expansion facility that is fairly close by and continue to operate and stay in this building at Seventh and Colorado it seemed to make a lot more sense for the company and our history.

The new facility will also allow the company to make some changes to its current facility to increase efficiency, Simons said.

Its going to allow us to open up space for more production type equipment, automation equipment, packaging, etc., Simons said. Its just going to open up some space so we can extend some lines and build in future efficiency as the company continues to grow.

The new facility has plenty of room for expansion for future growth as well, Simons said.

The company is in the planning process with the City of Grand Junction and Simons said they hope to be ready to begin construction by the end of the year. If everything goes according to plan he said the new facility could be operating by the fall of 2025.

Were excited about it and with any luck at all were going to be coming out of the ground before the year is out, Simons said.
Grand Valley Professor Annie Whitlock is president-elect of the Michigan Council for Social Studies. Courtesy of Grand Valley State University

Social studies and civics educators across the state have been advocating greater engagement for students with civics in light of the upcoming election.

According to a study by The Hill, a Washington, D.C., newspaper that covers national politics, only half of 18-19-year-olds who voted in the 2020 presidential election say theyll vote in November.

And a 2023 American Bar Association study of civic literacy found that 53% of those surveyed are not well-informed about how government works.

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Educators say the lack of understanding and engagement with government originates at an early age.

Its never too early to start learning about this, and it starts really young with just talking to students about how people make decisions, said Annie Whitlock, a Grand Valley State University professor and president-elect of the Michigan Council for Social Studies.

How people work together in a group. How all of us have a responsibility towards our community, she said.

Whitlock said that in this pre-election period, the Council for Social Studies is urging school administrators and the Legislature to increase their attention on social studies education at the elementary school level.

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Thats in response to a decline in social studies engagement among students and teachers.

Its decreasing, particularly with young students, which certainly can be problematic if they get older and lack the kind of foundational knowledge in civics, among other social studies disciplines, Whitlock said.

Before becoming a professor of history and social studies at Grand Valley, Whitlock was a middle school teacher.

Whitlock uses her experience in middle school to identify gaps in early education regarding social studies and advocate for improvements.

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I saw firsthand how capable young students are at discussing important issues and learning complex social studies topics, Whitlock said. We dont need to necessarily be afraid to talk about it with young kids.

The executive director of the Michigan Center for Civic Education, Ellen Zwarensteyn, also said that students are eager and ready to learn and engage in civics.

The teachers, however, in this climate tend to be more fearful for their own livelihoods because they see what happens at school board meetings that become contentious, or they are concerned about being misconstrued in a classroom environment, Zwarensteyn said.

Zwarensteyn said administrators have similar fears, feeling both unequipped and not empowered to educate children about civics.

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Its not their fault, Zwarensteyn said. Theres been systematic defunding of civics education for a while now.

The Center for Civic Education also educates students through its own programs. One is We the People, which engages students in discussions about the Constitution and allows them to participate in simulated congressional hearings.

The program targets middle to high school students.

Zwarensteyn said the organization is bringing the program to more students in grades four through eight.

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The center also helped to found another group working to improve civics education, the MiCivics Coalition.

The coalition collaborates with organizations across the state to further civics education through education, outreach and policy.

Whitlock said, Its important to realize that our students are bringing in a lot of wealth of knowledge already.

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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. 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.
Rohan, the border collie, reacts to the collar that her owner is showing 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.
File - A hen stands next to an egg, Jan. 10, 2023, at a farm in Glenview, Ill. Egg prices are at near-historic highs in many parts of the world as the spring holidays approach, reflecting a market scrambled by disease, high demand and growing costs for farmers.
Philippines and India Agree to Scale up Cooperation in Support of the International Rules-Based Order

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

MANILA, 27 MARCH 2024 -- In a bilateral meeting between Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the second visit to Manila of India's top envoy, the two sides reaffirmed their shared interest in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Echoing their meeting in New Delhi in June 2023, the Ministers underlined the need for the peaceful settlement of disputes and for adherence to international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

Secretary Manalo and Minister Jaishankar also took stock of the increasingly multifaceted relations of the Philippines and India spanning the development, agriculture, health, science, space, education and financial technology sectors. Facilitating trade and tourism also featured prominently in the agenda.

Recognizing their intersecting interests in maritime security, they highlighted the significant contributions of both countries to global merchant shipping. The Ministers agreed to explore cooperation to ensure the safety of Indian and Filipino seafarers, particularly those working aboard vessels plying the Red Sea. They further decided to accelerate maritime cooperation in maritime domain awareness, shipping and seafaring, search and rescue, law enforcement and environmental protection, among others.

With the Philippines as country coordinator of ASEAN-India relations beginning July 2024, the Ministers stressed the importance of continued multilateral cooperation in ASEAN, as well as in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the United Nations, on issues such as regional trade, climate change and maritime concerns.

During a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting, Secretary Manalo emphasized the expansion and deepening of the two countries' security engagements, stating that in addition to activities such as training and joint [defense] committee meeting, the two countries are "also exploring other ways where we can contribute to the security of both our countries as well as ensure that the Indo-Pacific region remains open and peaceful, and is a region of peace and development."

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar "[took] the opportunity to firmly reiterate India's support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty" in response to a question on recent aggressions in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.

The Indian foreign minister also had a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as well as meetings with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Ano and Secretary of Information and Communications Technology Ivan John Uy.

END

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25th ID helps test enhanced command post communications

By Sgt. Joshua L. Derry, Mission Command Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command March 28, 2024

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Soldiers on the Hawaiian isles are testing an updated software package to allow commanders better communications on the modern battlefield.

25th Infantry Division Soldiers are helping with Army Mission Command technology as they put the Command Post Computing Environment, or CPCE, through its paces and give their feedback on what works right.

"With the advent of mission command technology circa the introduction of the command post computing environment, it is of my opinion that CPCE or a CPCE-like capability will continue to be designed with an open architecture framework," said Col. Delton Nix, Mission Command Test Directorate director, underscoring the strategic implications of CPCE's evolution.

The newest version of the CPCE package came during the 25th Infantry Division's command post exercise during Exercise Freedom Shield 24, an exercise in the Korean Theater of Operations, which aims to provide improvements to the currently fielded mission command software and integrate more capable tactical server infrastructure.

Nix explained that to speed up software development, integration and interoperability, the test is showing how to better support vendor integration with disparate software developers supporting Army Mission Command Applications.

"The new Command Post Computing Environment version 1.0.6.1 met expectations for the 25th Infantry Division staff as we were able to successfully plan, prepare, execute, and assess," said Maj. Kelly Tseng, 25th Infantry Division senior data systems engineer, detailing the system's impact on operations.

Following training, Soldiers from 25ID used CPCE over the course of an 11-day record test.

One Mission Command Test Directorate test officer said Soldiers' feedback from field exercises such as the command post exercise during Freedom Shield 24 is central to continuous improvement.

"The feedback from 25th Infantry Division is crucial for the acquisition community, as it identifies the positives and negatives of the system," said Mr. Scott Uini. "This directly helps to inform future capability development."

The Operational Test Command's methodology for evaluating CPCE's effectiveness and suitability involves comprehensive data collection and analysis under operational conditions.

"The aim is to inform whether CPCE performs effectively in accordance with it's designed operational use case requirements and critical operational issues criteria," said Nix.

He explained how CPCE technology is a developmental stride in command post technology, which is informed by direct Soldier feedback and realistic training while testing.

"Additionally, the operational event also helps to inform if CPCE is suitable and survivable for the real-world environment that it is expected to operate in, according to its designed concept of employment.

"OTC remains true to its ultimate customer  The American Soldier!"

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Man Pleads Guilty to Selling $3.5M in Counterfeit and Deficient Electronics for Use in Military Systems

Thursday, March 28, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

A California man pleaded guilty yesterday to a scheme to defraud the Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) by selling over $3.5 million worth of fan assemblies to the DLA that were either counterfeit or misrepresented to be new.

"The defendant sold counterfeit and deficient fan assemblies for use in military systems to increase his profit," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "Criminals who cheat the U.S. military by selling deficient or counterfeit goods put our national security at risk. This case demonstrates the Justice Department's commitment to protecting the military supply chain and Americans' security."

"Through his company, Kim delivered counterfeit products to our armed services and tried to pass off non-conforming products with fake invoices," said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey for the Northern District of California. "Swindling our military is a sure way to find oneself in jail. This office is always on the lookout for fraudsters and will prosecute anyone caught cheating our military by providing products that endanger our service people or compromise our readiness."

According to court documents, Steve H.S. Kim, 63, of Alameda County, controlled Company A, which sold fan assemblies to the DLA that were either counterfeit or were used or surplus fan assemblies that he claimed were new. To trick the DLA into accepting the fan assemblies, Kim created counterfeit labels  some of which used Company B's registered trademarks  that he attached to the fan assemblies he sold to the DLA. When the DLA questioned Kim about the origin of the fan assemblies, Kim concealed his scheme by giving the DLA fake tracing documents that he created and often signed using a false identity. Some of these counterfeit fans were installed or intended to be installed with electrical components on a nuclear submarine, a laser system on an aircraft, and a surface-to-air missile system.

"The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General, is fully committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD supply chain," said Special Agent in Charge Bryan D. Denny of the DCIS Western Field Office. "Supplying counterfeit products to the DoD endangers the mission and betrays the public's trust. This investigation demonstrates DCIS' ongoing commitment to working with its law enforcement partners to hold individuals who defraud the DoD accountable."

"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and our law enforcement partners work diligently to thwart attempts to infiltrate the DoD supply chain with potentially damaging counterfeit product," said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. "This case highlights the efforts of the investigative team to expeditiously shut down such a scheme and prevent possible grievous harm to our ability to conduct effective combat operations."

"This case reflects Homeland Security Investigation's (HSI) core mission set of investigating national security threats as well as protecting global trade and government supply chains," said Special Agent in Charge Tatum King of HSI San Francisco. "In this case, the serious risks posed to mission readiness were especially alarming. HSI appreciates the joint efforts of NCIS, DCIS, and the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID), together with the Justice Department, in bringing the violator to justice."

"The result of this joint investigation underscores the importance of our federal law enforcement partnerships and shows that by working together we can identify, prosecute, and dismantle businesses that supply the U.S. military with fraudulent parts and services," said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Army CID Fraud Field Office. "Our Army communities and the public can rest assured that we are committed to pursuing anyone that would defraud the U.S. government for their own personal gain and put combat readiness at risk."

Kim pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count and 10 years in prison on the trafficking in counterfeit goods count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

DCIS, NCIS, HSI, and Army CID are investigating the case.

Assistant Chief Kyle C. Hankey and Trial Attorneys Louis Manzo and David D. Hamstra of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Lloyd-Lovett for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case. Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Rose and Senior Counsels Jason Gull and Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section provided substantial assistance with the investigation.



Components: Criminal Division

Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

Criminal - Criminal Fraud Section

USAO - California, Northern

Press Release Number: 24-364

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Government proposal on Defence Cooperation Agreement between Finland and United States sent out for comments

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Press releases, 28.3.2024

Finland and the United States signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement in Washington DC on 18 December 2023. A draft government proposal to Parliament on the acceptance of the agreement was sent out for comments on 28 March 2024. The draft proposal was prepared by a wide-ranging cross-government working group, led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will deepen the close cooperation between Finland and the United States in the areas of security and defence. It establishes the terms and conditions for U.S. military presence in Finland in all security situations. The DCA will make it easier for the United States to support Finland, which reinforces the security of Finland as a NATO member. The agreement will also strengthen the security of the United States and the Nordic countries. The DCA is based on the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and supplements it.

In the draft government proposal, the working group assesses the DCA provisions on matters such as U.S. forces' entry into and movement in Finland and U.S. forces' access to and use of the facilities and areas of the Defence Forces provided for joint use. There are 15 such facilities and areas, and they are listed in the Annex to the agreement. The DCA also contains provisions on prepositioned materiel, the safety and security of U.S. forces, criminal jurisdiction, and the legal status of U.S. forces and U.S. contractors.

The working group concludes that the DCA would restrict Finland's sovereignty, which is why Parliament's acceptance of the agreement would require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

In addition, the working group assesses the key impacts of the DCA. The agreement's actual effects will depend on the extent of the future defence cooperation between Finland and the United States and on the number of U.S. forces entering the territory of Finland. The DCA would not mean a permanent presence of U.S. forces in Finland; as a rule, U.S. forces would be present in Finland on a rotational basis.

The draft government proposal also includes amendments to several related acts of different branches of government.

Comments on the draft government proposal may be submitted at Lausuntopalvelu.fi (Link to another website.)until 12 May 2024.

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DR Congo: More than 44,000 people receive emergency food aid as violence in eastern provinces intensifies

ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Kinshasa (ICRC) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has provided food aid to over 44,000 newly arrived displaced people in camps around Goma, in North Kivu province. A further 18,000 people in Nzulo camp, outside Goma, received essential relief items.

News release

28 March 2024

Democratic Republic of the Congo

As humanitarian needs continue to grow at an alarming rate, the resources available to respond to the crisis are in danger of running out very quickly.

The escalation in fighting between the armed forces of the DRC and the March 23 Movement (M23) in the southern part of North Kivu province is driving increasing numbers of civilians from their homes, many of them multiple times. While most of the displaced find refuge with host families, large numbers continue to stream into displacement sites.

The camps around Goma cannot absorb everyone, so many families are settling in makeshift sites, where they are exposed to water-borne diseases such as cholera. They also struggle to get one meal a day.

Francois Moreillon, head of the ICRC delegation in the DRC.

The armed clashes are also forcing thousands more people to flee, often repeatedly, to areas further and further away from the fighting. At present, over 39,000 families have found refuge in Kanyabayonga, in Lubero territory in northern North Kivu province.

"These people risk ending up in remote areas, where they are exposed to more violence and cannot get the humanitarian aid they so urgently need", says Francois Moreillon.

Over the last months, the level of violence against the civilian population, including sexual violence, has increased dramatically in the areas of North Kivu affected by the conflict. According to the coordination group on gender-based violence in North Kivu, in the first two months of 2024 the number of cases of sexual violence rose by 80 per cent compared with the same period last year. Between January and mid-March 2024, 230 survivors of sexual violence were referred to the ICRC for medical care and psychosocial support.

The ICRC is continuing its dialogue with the parties to the conflict, to remind them of their obligation under international humanitarian law to respect and protect all civilians, the sick and the wounded, and to ensure that those who have fled the violence can receive vital aid.

ICRC activities (1 January to 22 March 2024) Protecting family links together with the DRC Red Cross 11 phone booths were set up in displaced persons camps in North Kivu (5) and South Kivu (6);

phone booths were set up in displaced persons camps in North Kivu (5) and South Kivu (6); From mid-February, more than 12,000 free phone calls were made from the booths; over 10,000 calls enabled separated family members to reconnect. Health 450 wounded people were admitted to the ICRC surgical programme. 89 wounded were transferred from Goma (North Kivu) to Bukavu (South Kivu);

wounded people were admitted to the ICRC surgical programme. 89 wounded were transferred from Goma (North Kivu) to Bukavu (South Kivu); 254 cases of sexual violence, registered in combat zones, were referred to the ICRC for medical and psychosocial care. Water and habitat From 21 February, around 35,000 newly displaced people received daily drinking water supplies at Lushagala displacement site in North Kivu.

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Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 28, 2024

IDF Press Release

March 28, 2024



28.03.24

IDF

Good evening. In the last few minutes, we received confirmation from the ISA and the Intelligence Directorate (J2) regarding an operation to eliminate a senior Hamas operative that we conducted at Shifa Hospital. The senior Hamas operative who we eliminated is Ra'ad Thabet. Thabet served as the Head of the Supply and Manpower Unit of the Hamas Military Wing. He previously served as the Head of Hamas's Production Unit. He held a lot of knowledge about the organization regarding everything related to equipment and armament. Ra'ad was one of the top ten senior operatives in Hamas's Military Wing. He was close to Sinwar, Deif, and Marwan Issa. He was eliminated during an attempted escape along with two other terrorists into the hospital courtyard, which was also part of a planned attack on IDF soldiers. He was eliminated by soldiers of Shayetet 13, along with additional forces in the area from the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion, the Shaked Battalion, and Duvdevan. In addition, today at Shifa Hospital, in the maternity ward, the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion conducted a search in the building, discovered three terrorists, and engaged in combat. The terrorists fled, a chase ensued, there was gunfire, and all three terrorists were eliminated in this operation. We are in the process of verifying their identities and will publish details about them later. The determination of the IDF and ISA to continue operating inside the hospital is based on precise intelligence that is constantly increasing and proving itself. We have reached senior operatives and will reach more. Regarding the intelligence that is being complied, yesterday, during interrogations inside the hospital, the investigation directed us to an area where Hamas' long-range rockets were located. IDF soldiers set out to act, the 601st Battalion conducted an operation, located the rockets, and destroyed them.

At Shifa Hospital, there were 1,250 people there when we encircled it, 350 of whom were injured, sick, and medical staff who remained in the area and 900 suspects, of whom we have already identified 513 terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad out of the 900 suspects. We are still interrogating the suspects and assume and estimate that we will discover more. There are more senior operatives. There are more terrorists in the hospital. We will reach all of them. Hamas is destroying the hospital, damaging the hospital, fighting within the departments, activating explosives, and burning the hospital. This hospital has been severely damaged as a result of Hamas' actions.

In the southern part of the Strip, IDF soldiers are fighting in the Al-Amal area where terrorists are hiding. So far, we have apprehended dozens of terrorists in the area, found additional terrorist tunnel shafts based on intelligence which also contained large quantities of explosives. Those we apprehended were transferred for interrogation by the Intelligence Directorate (J2) and the ISA.

In parallel, during the night, the Nahal Brigade combat team, in cooperation with soldiers of the Yahalom Unit, led by the 162nd Division, destroyed a 2.5 km long tunnel route that was part of an underground system stretching from north to south. Throughout the war in the Strip, this route was used by terrorists. It crossed from one end to the other. We operated and destroyed it - a very complex destruction with more than 30 tons of explosives in a complicated operation successfully carried out during the night.

In the Jordan Valley, in the early hours of the morning, a terrorist opened fire towards Israeli vehicles, including a bus carrying schoolchildren. Unfortunately, as a result of the shooting, three civilians were injured, including a 13-year-old boy. Many forces were deployed to the area to pursue the terrorist, a chase that is still ongoing. We will continue to pursue him until we catch him. The Commanding Officer of the Central Command arrived at the scene of the attack and conducted a situational assessment together with the brigade. We have set up blockades to isolate the area of the attack and prevent the terrorist's escape. We are now in the midst of Ramadan with a very extensive deployment in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, acting to thwart terror, both in recent days and going forward, and we will continue to do so.

In the north, we continue to strengthen the readiness of all IDF units. Today, we conducted a surprise exercise to enhance IDF readiness for various scenarios in the northern arena. This exercise was carried out here as well, with the General Staff, in the Israeli Air Force, in the Northern Command, in all branches and units related to strengthening our readiness in the north. Simultaneously, in the last few days, with an emphasis on the last day, IAF fighter jets have been striking across the State of Lebanon. We are striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including significant military assets of the organization. In the last 48 hours, we have eliminated 16 terrorists in Lebanon, and in the last week, 30. This adds to our significant efforts in the north - significant actions, killing many terrorists, especially all those trying to reach our territory, thwarting attacks, striking at systems, with a focus on southern Lebanon and the Radwan forces, pushing Hezbollah away from the border. Residents of the north, I know you have been experiencing this very complex and difficult time for almost six months. Despite this, you have shown remarkable resilience. We will continue to strike Hezbollah forcefully, continue with all the personnel of the Northern Command, including many reservists who are there, we will continue to act with strength. We will do everything to create the security conditions that will allow the residents of the north to return home safely..

Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has been engaged in collecting forensic and intelligence materials intended to expose to the world the extent of the war crimes committed by Hamas. We are gathering these materials together with the ISA, the Israel Police, and centralizing a comprehensive base of information that we are using to detail Hamas' war crimes to the world. This content is difficult and painful, but it is our duty to expose and talk about it as part of our obligation to bring the hostages home, and as part of our duty to tell the story of the civilians, including the women whose voices will no longer be heard.

This evening, we exposed very difficult footage from the interrogation room of Unit 504, from the interrogation of the terrorist Manar Mahmoud Muhammad Kasem, a member of the Islamic Jihad, a terrorist from the naval unit of the Islamic Jihad, who participated in the terror attack on October 7th. Kasem admits in his own words how he raped an Israeli civilian during the terror attack. He brutally and violently raped her and then shot an Israeli civilian. We will share and tell the world of the crimes against humanity that Hamas committed and how they acted with cruelty akin to ISIS. We will continue to publish and remind the world why our war is just and against whom we are fighting. This interrogation joins a series of testimonies and findings that attest to the cruelty and war crimes of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. In Gaza, 134 hostages are still being held; we are very concerned about their physical and mental well-being. We will continue to act with all means, operational, intelligence, and those which will create the conditions to bring them home.

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Village of Mecosta residents packed into the village offices to share their views on a marijuana ordinance that would allow a dispensary to open in the town. Pioneer photo/Dylan Schwartz

MECOSTAOn Thursday evening, residents of the Village of Mecosta packed into the Mecosta Village Office, 115 W. Main St., to discuss a potential marijuana ordinance that would allow a dispensary to open in town.

Due to the overwhelming attendance, the meeting was almost rescheduled, but the residents urged the board to move forward with the meeting.

The discussion began with Joyce Eichenberg expressing her support for the ordinance.

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I take the gummies because I have neuropathy from the chemo, and it really helps. I don't care what anybody says, the THC really helps, she said. Medication doesnt work.

Deb Beemer said that growing operations can cause an entire area to smell like marijuana.

It makes you sick to your stomach and our young kids should not have to smell that, she said.

Tamara Gillis reminded the public that the ordinance is for a retail store, not a grow facility, and urged the board to revise their ordinance and make sure their ducks are in a row before adopting anything.

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Jerry Wallace pointed to Morleys recent repealing of ordinances that previously prohibited marijuana businesses in their area.

When you don't have any income, you have to have something that will make an income, he said.

Mary Ann Lenon said shes not sure she wants a dispensary in what she called a beautiful, historic town."

We've worked hard to keep it a good village for older Americans and that type of thing. And I don't know what kind of traffic it brings in, she said.

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Resident Patricia Kane said after being paralyzed from the waist down from an accident that crushed her spine, the painkillers she was given made her dizzy, nauseous, unable to sleep and did not help with the pain.

I found that marijuana and CBD are the only things that give me pain relief and allow me to sleep soundly, she said.

For her, the ease of access to a dispensary where she lives would be important, given her living situation.

Im now 71. I'm on a fixed and limited social security income and gasoline is expensive. The nearest dispensary to here, Blue Lake, that I've been able to find is almost in Big Rapids, she said.

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Ryan Howard said the dispensary's short-term revenue would not outweigh the village's long-term costs.

Unfortunately, something like this can have a negative effect. Businesses don't want to come, and they don't want to settle, they don't want to develop, and they don't want to be in Mecosta because there was a pot shop in town. And it's a real thing, it's a real issue, he said.

Many of the residents who were against the potential marijuana ordinance believed there were other ways to revitalize a village that desperately needs income, such as refurbishing vacant buildings.

However, village employee Chris Smith said if people came out in force to other meetings the way they did for this one, the village wouldnt be in this situation in the first place.

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I see everybody has great ideas about how we can improve the village. Nobody steps up and comes and does it, though. This is a way, in my opinion, to create revenue for a village that is dying, he said.

After Smith said some of the tax revenue that Big Rapids received from their dispensaries was passed down to the township, Linda Howard called him incorrect.

Absolutely wrong, she said.

How come I didn't interrupt you when you were talking? Smith asked her.

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Incorrect, wrong information should not be tolerated, Howard replied.

Smith finished his thoughts by saying that, as someone who works for the village, he believes it is starving.

Recently, both Mecosta County and the city of Big Rapids received $886,000 from the state of Michigan in marijuana tax money. A previous disbursement allowed each township in the county to receive funding.

Last year, Mecosta County put money from their tax disbursement into a fund for townships to use on road repairs.

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Morton Township Supervisor Mark Klumpp urged the board not to sell their soul.

An ordinance like this being passed would be a slap in the face of the township, and we would most definitely take that into consideration for any future collaboration, he said.

After closing the public hearing, president Ann Wrobbel said the board needs more time before voting to consider the multiple, diverse viewpoints that were presented.

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29th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs

India - Ministry of External Affairs

March 28, 2024

The 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 27 March 2024 in Beijing. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. 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.

3. 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.

New Delhi

March 28, 2024

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PM Netanyahu Meets with Families of the Soldiers who are being held Hostage by Hamas

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

28.03.2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, met with families of the soldiers who are being held hostage by Hamas and told them at the start of the meeting:

"I know that every passing day is hell for you.

Your boys are our heroes, heroes of Israel.

Just as we have returned 123 of our hostages as of today, I am committed to returning everyone, all of them.

I will not leave anyone behind.

I am personally dealing with this around the clock.

Only continuation of the forceful military pressure that we have applied, and will yet apply, will return our hostages, will return everyone.

Additionally, we are holding Hamas's strategic assets.

This is an additional key to freeing our sons and daughters.

We are holding the northern Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis.

We have bisected the Strip and we are preparing to enter Rafah.

In order to return them all, it is necessary to prudently use all of these assets in the negotiations that I myself am conducting on a daily basis, in order to return them all and not just some of them."

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Symbolic transfer of the Baltic airspace key ceremony marks the 20th anniversary of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission and Lithuania's NATO membership

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-03-28

International cooperation

20 years ago, on March 29, at 16:47 in the afternoon, the first Allied F-16 fighter jets of the Belgian Air Force entered the Lithuanian airspace and touched down at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Siauliai thus beginning the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. 20 years ago Lithuania became a full-fledged member of NATO, the strongest defensive Alliance in the world.

As Lithuania marks the 20th anniversary in NATO and as the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission host, the date was marked by the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission Air Detachment hand over-take over ceremony on March 28 at Siauliai. The symbolic key to the Baltic airspace was passed from the Belgian and French contingent commanders to the Spanish and Portuguese contingent commanders.

The event was attended by President of the Republic of Lithuania HE Gitanas Nauseda, Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas, Chief of Defence of Lithuania Gen Valdemaras Rupsys, Chief of Staff of NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Admiral Joachim Ruhle, Deputy Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum Lt Gen Luis Lanchares, and other high NATO officials, representatives of foreign diplomatic missions.

"NATO membership has given us security prospects along with strong commitments and responsibilities. We are clear-eyed about the increased importance of Allied military presence in the region, the meaning of a modern and fine-tuned Lithuanian Armed Forces, as well as of a patriotic and resilient society: we all together are the constructors of a strong and safe country, and as we grow stronger, so does NATO," Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas said.

The ceremony was also be attended by Belgian Air Force Maj Gen Harold Van Pee, commander of the first Air Policing Mission rotation in the Baltic states back in 2004 20 years ago, who currently serves as commander of the Combined Air Operations Centre which coordinates the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states.

"Dear General, it is my pleasure to present to you this NATO flag on behalf of NATO once again, like I presented it to your predecessor 20 years ago. I hope this flag will be kept safe by numerous generations to come," said Maj Gen H. Van Pee to Chief of Defence Gen. V. Rupsys.

"Siauliai airfield was yet to become an airbase capable of hosting the fast jet aircraft in 2004: the runway was crumbling, there were no taxiways, no pavement to park the jets, no shelters for them, no reliable power supply, data transfer and mobile connection was very limited, there was no food supply nor lodging for personnel, no trucks for fuel, fire fighting capabilities, vehicles for cleaning the roads, cranes to take care of accidents Siauliai was a bare base in the full sense of the word. We were given only a few days to build it up to at least some sort of satisfactory condition that met at least the minimum standard.

It was really mostly because of the amazing Host Nation Support from the Lithuanian institutions nad Armed Forces that we were able to receive the first F-16s on time. All we had to do is ask and we would get it: not within weeks or days but right then and there. So those few days were enough to transform Siauliai into something that resembled an operating airbase. The process that would have taken many months if not years was completed quick as a flash," Maj Gen H. Van Pee recalled the beginning of his service in Lithuania.

The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states has been conducted since late March of 2004 when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became members of NATO. The Allies have been working side by side for 20 years to ensure the integrity and security of the skies over the Baltic states. The current rotation conducted by the Belgian and French contingents from Siauliai is the 64th one since its start in 2004. The Allies oversee and protect the Baltic airspace 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

"There is no another military alliance in the world as strong, progressive and united as NATO. And it is more than beautiful words: the NATO umbrella, collective security guarantees are in force since the very first day of Lithuania's membership in the Alliance when the Belgian Air Force fighter jets landed in Siauliai. High-readiness Allied troops with cutting-edge tactical equipment in Lithuania is a very strong and clear message of deterrence to the enemy. The twenty years of NATO membership were years of unceasing development and education for the Lithuanian Armed Forces. We continue growing and improving, we are developing national capabilities together with the Allies to deter and if necessary - to defend and defeat," spoke Chief of Defence of Lithuania Gen Valdemaras Rupsys.

So far, 17 Allies deployed their equipment and other capabilities to the mission in the Baltic states conducted from the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Sauliai and from Amari in Estonia, so that NATO airspace over the region is protected and a reliable deterrence in ensured.

"The people of Lithuania chose to joint NATO knowing the price. They did so because they believed in ideals the Alliance cherishes: democracy, human rights, rule of law," said Chief of Staff of NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Admiral Joachim Ruhle.

The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states is a form of regional NATO peacetime mission that demonstrates the Allied commitment to protect every inch of NATO's eastern flank territory. There are agreements on airspace guard and defence in force for the NATO Allies who do not have suitable air capabilities (Albania, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovenia. In its turn, the Baltic countries render top quality Host Nation Support in the form of national aviation bases and surveillance and control capabilities.

Protection of the Baltic airspace is one of the key priorities for deterrence and defence in the region. NATO took a decision last year during the Vilnius Summit to strengthen the NATO Integrated Air Defense System with the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model, first in the eastern flank. It is now a work in progress in practical terms with an aim to deploy air defence and missile capabilities in the Baltic region.

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U.S. assistance to strengthen critical Lithuanian Armed Forces capabilities

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-03-28

International cooperation

The U.S. Congress passed a piece of Government funding legislation earlier this week which includes USD 228 million for the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI), one third of the amount is dedicated to Lithuania. The United States aid is aimed to support critical capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces: air defence, maritime situational awareness, ammunition, strengthening the regional long-range artillery capability.

"The United States is Lithuania's strategic partner and one of the key Allies for the Baltic region security. The Americans are actively contributing to the Baltic deterrence measures, strengthening the regional security and stability," says minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas.

The United States actively contributes military personnel, equipment ta and finance in support of our defence. The U.S. is also one of the main partners of Lithuania in defence equipment acquisition. Contracts on HIMARS and AMRAAM missiles were signed with the U.S. side in the recent years, while earlier defence acquisition contracts cover 500 armored Joint Light Tactical Vehicles JLTV, four Black Hawk helicopters, Switchblade loitering ammunition. Apart from that, Lithuania has also been acquiring the Javelin antitank-rocket system and different communication equipment from the United States for years. U.S. Army battalions have been rotated in Lithuania since 2019.

In 2023 the United States allocated approx. USD 200 million to Lithuania alone in defence support via different mechanisms, including the Baltic Security Initiative.

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A look at the Defence news 18 - 24 March

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 28-03-2024

Last week, King Willem-Alexander visited Operation Interflex. In this training programme in the United Kingdom, army units, including members of the Royal Netherlands Army, are providing training to Ukrainian military personnel.

The Netherlands to procure over 150 million in ammunition for F-16s for Ukraine

The Netherlands has allocated over 150 million for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine. The money will be used to buy air-to-ground weapons for the F-16s that will go to Ukraine. This ammunition will be purchased directly from the manufacturer. This was announced by the Netherlands Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, following a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group last week. The Netherlands will also again be sending the previously promised F-16s to Romania, where these fighter aircraft will be deployed for the training centre for Ukrainian and Romanian pilots.

Dutch trade delegation accompanies Ollongren on visit to Ukraine

Last week, Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren visited Ukraine. The minister was accompanied by a trade delegation, as it is important that both countries also keep in touch regarding the defence industry. In this context, a few cooperation contracts were concluded.

HNLMS Groningen heading to the Caribbean

HNLMS Groningen is on its way to the Caribbean, where it will serve as a guard ship until the end of August. Its tasks include supporting the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, providing humanitarian aid and conducting counter-drug operations.

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Amnesty International Calls On Pakistan To Stop Expelling Afghan Girls And Women

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi March 28, 2024

Amnesty International has urged Pakistan to halt expelling hundreds of thousands of Afghan girls and women to neighboring Afghanistan.

"The deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan will put women and girls at unique risk," Amnesty's South Asia Office wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on March 27.

The global rights watchdog's plea comes ahead of the beginning of a new phase of the expulsion of Afghan refugees from neighboring Pakistan. Islamabad plans to force some 850,000 documented Afghan refugees back to their country next month if they don't leave voluntarily.

Since October, Pakistan has already expelled more than 500,000 Afghans who lacked proper documents to stay in the country.

"Forced returns seriously curtail their rights to education, work, movement, and in some cases, expose them to imminent threat of violence," Amnesty said.

"The Government of Pakistan must halt all deportations and take affirmative measures to ensure the safety of refugee women and girls," it added.

After returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban's ultraconservative Islamist government n Afghanistan has banned teenage girls and women from education. It also prohibited women from employment in most sectors.

Afghan women must also wear a niqab -- a strict head-to-toe veil -- in public. Taliban restrictions have severely curtailed women's mobility by requiring them to be accompanied by a male chaperone outside their homes. Women are also banned from leisure activities, including visits to parks.

"Women and girls will experience serious repression of their rights to education, work, freedom of movement and more if deported," Amnesty said.

The new warning comes two days after Amnesty called in a new report on Islamabad to reverse forced expulsions of all Afghans.

The report, Pakistan: Human Rights Charter, issued on March 25, asked Islamabad to protect all at-risk "refugees in compliance with Pakistan obligations under the principle of non-refoulement."

Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle of international law that prohibits a state from returning asylum seekers to a country where they would face persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.

Pakistan lacks a domestic law that offers a path to refugee status. It is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or the 1967 protocol intended to remove constraints on who can be considered a refugee.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan- expelling-girls-women-amnesty-call/32881487.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Bulgaria Heading For Sixth Election In Three Years

By RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service March 28, 2024

SOFIA -- Bulgaria is preparing for yet another general election -- the sixth since April 2021 -- after the populist There Is Such a People (ITN) party on March 28 refused to form a government, the third party to decline the mandate.

Previously, the center-right GERB and its former coalition partner, the pro-Western Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria (CCDB) both said they could not form a new cabinet.

ITN's move paves the way for President Rumen Radev to appoint a caretaker government and schedule elections in two months.

Bulgaria will vote for the European Parliament on June 9, so the two polls could be held on the same day, but that depends on Radev's ability to quickly appoint a caretaker government.

Following the elections in April last year, Bulgaria had a joint government supported by the reformist CCDB and GERB. They had agreed on an 18-month government with a rotation of the prime ministers -- first Nikolay Denkov from CCDB and, after nine months, Maria Gabriel from GERB.

Denkov stepped down on March 5 to let GERB lead the government for the following nine months, as agreed. But Gabriel failed to form a government, and on March 27 Denkov also rejected Radev's invitation to try to put together a cabinet.

Bulgaria is the poorest of the 27 members of the European Union and has been wrestling with widespread corruption.

The Balkan country has been grappling with political instability since major anti-corruption protests in 2020.

Before the elections in April last year, the country was run by caretaker governments appointed by Radev in the absence of a stable elected coalition.

Radev on March 28 said he would start consultations with all potential caretaker prime ministers on March 30.

Following constitutional amendments, the president can choose between the chairman of the National Assembly, the governor or deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, the chairman or deputy chairman of the Audit Chamber, and the ombudsman or his deputy.

With reporting by Reuters



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-sixth-election-radev- elections/32881136.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UNHCR and partners urge renewed support for South Sudanese refugees with new funding appeal

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

28 March 2024

GENEVA -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with 123 partners, is seeking $1.4 billion this year to meet the needs of 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. 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.

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.

"While significant strides and commendable 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," said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR's Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.

Partners will build on gains already made with host governments and regional bodies to improve the protection environment for refugees and asylum-seekers through enhanced access to asylum and civil documentation. The plan also aims to support efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection services, including the prevention of and responses to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.

The inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers in national health-care, education and other systems, as well as initiatives to boost people's self-reliance through employment opportunities, are at the heart of this year's response plan. Partners will aim to enhance support for resilience and solutions for refugees and their hosts through strategic partnerships with private sector and development actors.

Mental health, particularly among young South Sudanese refugees, will also be prioritized, especially as many are losing hope for their future due to limited opportunities. A new element in this year's plan are partnerships and increased financing to enable displaced populations and host communities to become more climate resilient.

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, private sector and donors made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum last December.

Despite these inclusive policies and the generosity of host countries in welcoming South Sudanese refugees, global solidarity has been waning as the situation becomes more protracted. In 2023, partners only received 21 per cent of the resources needed, falling far short of what is required to ensure all South Sudanese refugees can live in dignity. In 2022, only a third of the requirements were received.

"Several countries in this region are undoubtedly 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," said Balde.

South Sudan remains Africa's largest refugee crisis. 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, over 2 million remain in need of international protection in the region. We call for renewed solidarity with and support for the people of South Sudan and the countries that are hosting them.

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Bold action needed now to address 'cataclysmic' situation in Haiti

28 March 2024 - Immediate and bold action is required to tackle the "cataclysmic" situation in Haiti, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report issued on Thursday.

Corruption, impunity and poor governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang violence, have eroded the rule of law in the Caribbean country and brought state institutions close to collapse.

The impact of generalised insecurity on the population is dire and deteriorating, severely affecting human rights.

Prevent further suffering

"Tackling insecurity must be a top priority to protect the population and prevent further human suffering. It is equally important to protect institutions essential to the rule of law, which have been attacked to their very core," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.

The report covers the period from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024 and includes information provided by both the Human Rights Service of the UN's special political mission in Haiti, BINUH, and the High Commissioner's designated expert on the human rights situation in the country, William O'Neil.

Killings and sexual violence

The number of casualties of gang violence significantly increased in 2023, with 4,451 people killed and 1,668 injured. The number of victims skyrocketed in the first three months of this year, with 1,554 killed and 826 injured up to 22 March.

Gangs continued to use sexual violence to brutalise, punish and control people, the report found. Women have been raped during gang attacks on neighbourhoods, in many cases after seeing their husbands killed in front of them.

Some women are forced into exploitative sexual relations with gang members. In addition, the rape of hostages continues to be used to strongarm families into paying ransoms. Sexual violence remains severely underreported and largely unpunished.

Gangs recruit children

Gangs continue to recruit and abuse children - both boys and girls - who are unable to leave their ranks for fear of retaliation. In some instances, young gang members have been killed for trying to escape. Daily life is also disrupted by restrictions imposed by gangs on the movement of people, goods and services.

With gang violence intensifying, and the national police unable to counter it, so-called "self-defence brigades" have continued to emerge and take justice into their own hands, the report said. At least 528 cases of lynching were reported in 2023 and a further 59 this year.

Additionally, despite an arms embargo, there is a reliable supply of weapons and ammunition for the gangs coming through porous borders, resulting in the groups often having superior firepower to the police.

Deploy multinational mission

The report calls for tighter national and international controls to stem weapons and ammunition trafficking into Haiti and reiterates the need for the urgent deployment of a multinational security support (MSS) mission to back up the police force.

The UN Security Council authorised the mission's deployment in October 2023, and Kenya has offered to lead it.

"It is essential that the mission effectively integrates human rights into the conduct of its operations and establishes a compliance mechanism to mitigate and minimise harm," Mr. Turk said.

Call for accountability

However, enhancing security alone will not bring long-lasting solutions, according to the report, which called for policies aimed at restoring the rule of law and preventing violence.

"Widespread corruption and dysfunction of the justice system greatly contribute to the pervasive impunity for grave human rights violations, and they need to be addressed urgently," said Mr. Turk.

"Accountability is paramount to restore public trust in the rule of law and the state institutions," he added.

Children in crisis

Separately, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned this week that the armed violence is deepening the nutrition crisis for Haiti's youngest citizens.

Recent findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis revealed an alarming 19 per cent increase in the number of children estimated to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Additionally, 1.64 million people are facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity, which increases the risk of child wasting and malnutrition, especially in eight areas of the country.

Education under fire

UNICEF strongly condemned an arson attack by armed groups on a school in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday. The school was left burnt, depriving over 1,000 children of their right to education.

The number of schools forced to close due to violence and insecurity has risen in recent months, UNICEF Representative in Haiti Bruno Maes said in a statement the following day.

As of the end of January, a total of 900 schools had temporarily closed, affecting roughly 200,000 children. Threats to school security are particularly acute in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and in the northern part of nearby Artibonite province.

"In a country facing increasingly complex conflicts and instability, education can never be considered merely an option; it must be acknowledged as a necessity, a matter of survival, and a key to social stability," he said.

UN support continues

UNICEF and other agencies are continuing their lifesaving operations in Haiti.

The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reported that more than two million litres of water have been distributed over the past month to displaced people, and more than 263,000 hot meals have been provided since the end of February.

The UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, continues to offer integrated services through mobile clinics. For example, 230 people, including 130 women, received services at one its mobile clinics held on Tuesday.

UNFPA has completed a needs assessment in supported health facilities in Ouest and Artibonite provinces.

Plans are underway to deploy medical equipment to 14 health facilities next week, including ultrasound scanners, electrosurgical units, anaesthesia machines and delivery tables.

The two provinces will also receive emergency reproductive health kits covering post-rape treatment, midwifery supplies, reusable equipment, repair of cervical and vaginal tears, among others, in future deployments.

A $624 million humanitarian appeal for Haiti, announced last month, is only around seven per cent funded.

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Health system 'barely surviving' as OCHA calls for Gaza aid restrictions to end

28 March 2024 - Gaza's health system is 'barely surviving' after more than five months of Israeli bombardment, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

In a social media post, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that only 10 out of 36 hospitals are now partially functioning in the enclave.

Al-Amal Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis closed on Tuesday, Tedros noted, after media reports indicated that Israeli troops forced medical teams and patients to evacuate.

The development came as the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, underscored that obstacles continue to prevent the flow of humanitarian supplies throughout Gaza and as the UN's top rights official said it was "plausible" that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war in the enclave.

'Brutal obstacle course'

In a tweet, OCHA described the delivery of essential aid as tantamount to a "brutal obstacle course", calling on Israel to end restrictions.

Some 1.1 million people in Gaza face "an extreme level of food insecurity", and there is no alternative to the large-scale transportation of aid by land, especially for those facing the prospect of widespread famine in the north.

The UN relief agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, tweeted that the "clock is ticking fast towards famine in Gaza" and that, although the agency is the backbone of the humanitarian operation, its food convoys "are prevented from reaching the north, where famine is imminent".

Jonathan Fowler, senior communications officer for UNRWA, described the north as the epicentre: "we simply need to have access to get food supplies in."

Civilian death toll rises in South Lebanon

Airstrikes by Israel and rocket barrages by Hezbollah militants along the border region with southern Lebanon on Wednesday, linked to the war in Gaza, led to the deadliest day in months of escalating tensions along the frontier.

In a statement released on Thursday, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, said that "the tragic events of the past 36 hours have resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries" in the southern region.

"Up to 11 civilians were killed in a single day, including 10 paramedics. I am deeply disturbed by the repeated attacks on health facilities and health workers who risk their lives to provide urgent assistance to their local communities," he said.

Rocket fire by Hezbollah reportedly killed an Israeli man on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of civilians on both sides have been displaced since the 7 October attacks.

Mr. Riza reminded that attacks on healthcare "violate international humanitarian law and are unacceptable".

Security Council resolution 'binding and mandatory'

Meanwhile, high level diplomacy to end the fighting and spillover from the war in Gaza continues in the wake of Monday's Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan - the first to avoid a veto.

Following the US abstention in the vote, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield referred to the resolution as "nonbinding", a view reiterated by other senior officials in Washington.

Speaking to UN News's Portuguese service on Wednesday, Pedro Comissario, the ambassador of Mozambique to the UN, called for all States to respect Monday's Security Council resolution.

Mozambique had introduced the resolution on Monday on behalf of the 10 elected members of the Council (E-10), who drafted the short text.

"Resolutions issued and adopted by the Security Council are, of course, binding and mandatory. This is the reason why we have the Security Council," he underscored.

"Otherwise, it would have made no sense. Our hope is that all Security Council members, and those to whom the resolution is addressed - I'm talking about Israel, the Palestinian Authority and all other states - will be in a position to respect and implement that resolution. [Not implementing the resolution] is a defiance against the Charter of the United Nations, against our human conscience, against all that makes us human beings".

Mr. Comissario referred to the symbolism of the adoption of the resolution and the hope that it will lead to peace: "The main issue is to cease the conflict in Gaza, to free all hostages detained by Hamas and to allow humanitarian assistance to flow so that we can provide an adequate assistance to the Palestinian people and in particular to the people in Gaza".

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Schott, senior at Cass City High School, makes it his mission to deliver to most up-to-date weather to the Thumb community. Courtesy Photo/ Kaitlin Gunsell

As the Thumb Region experiences ever-changing weather patterns, one high school senior is keeping the locals informed with up-to-date weather forecasts.

Landyn Schott, a senior at Cass City High School, has always had a passion for the news and weather. Since a young age, Schott has always enjoyed the weather and now makes it his mission to inform the Thumb community about the latest forecast.

"I've always liked the weather," Schott said. "At 4 years old, I would sit and watch the news and my mom thought it was the weirdest thing. I've been loving it ever since."

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When Schott was 13, he created his first weather page on Instagram. He wanted to inform and include the older community as well and used his own Facebook page to do so. In March 2021, Schott created Thumb Forecasting on Facebook and hasn't stopped ever since.

"Its just going out and chasing," Schott said. "Even snow storms, Ill go out driving around and going live, doing updates for people. Thats my favorite thing."

Schott looks at the latest weather models four times a day, twice in the morning, once in the afternoon, and one last time in the evening. He then references the National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center to check the latest systems coming in. For each incoming storm, Schott creates his maps, using Nowcasting, to see the radar trends and the storms ongoing. With the help of YouTube, he creates his own maps and graphics using Adobe Photoshop, before posting on social media.

"The hardest part is figuring out what colors to go on the map," Schott said.

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One of Schott's favorite parts about keeping up with the latest weather is chasing and informing people of the latest trends. Especially during snow storms, he likes to keep people aware of the current weather and road conditions.

"I like to inform people, especially the road conditions," he said. "When theres a snowstorm, people ask me about that. When theres severe weather, I look for something cool, strong winds, hail, or maybe a tornado to drop. I spend a lot of time driving around, I like doing it. Its my safe space and theres nothing better than blasting music and driving around."

Schott, senior at Cass City High School, makes it his mission to deliver to most up-to-date weather to the Thumb community. Courtesy Photo/ Kaitlin Gunsell

Schott's inspiration to do this comes from a few people, his parents and CBS Detroit Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey, whom he shadowed last year and learned a lot of useful information and tips.

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"My mom and dad have really pushed me," Schott said. "Particularly Ahmad Bajjey, chief meteorologist at CBS Detroit. I did a job shadow with him last April and have followed every single one of his forecasts. Hes a huge inspiration for me."

"When I went down there, he toured me the studio but we talked about a lot. He gave me websites and information that would help and gave me resources. I was able to go on the green screen and got a lot of tips on how to deliver my forecast. He helped me out, set the stage for going live and other updates."

The support for Schott and Thumb Forecasting has been tremendous, he says, and is the main reason why he continues to do this daily. Within the last few months, he even created his own merchandise line to not only inform people about what he's doing but also use it as motivation.

"Its absolutely amazing," he said. "Thats why I enjoy it the most. The support I get from people is insane, even people at Walmart will recognize me. I appreciate them, thats what makes it enjoyable. I thought it would be sweet to see people wear my sweatshirt around. It supports me and it helps me understand that people care about the forecast. It motivates me, even more, to see people with my shirt on. To the community support, its mind-blowing and insane. Big shout-out to everybody."

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As Schott will graduate this upcoming June, he looks to pursue a career in metrology, attending Central Michigan University in the fall. He aspires to work as a broadcast meteorologist or a private sector meteorologist, who works in a variety of environments ranging from small companies to large consulting businesses, universities, and other businesses.

"Im undecided but Im trying to get the degree right now," Schott said. "I have to take Calculus 3, which Im not looking forward to."

Despite him not being so close to the Thumb this upcoming fall, Schott still plans to inform the community of the latest storms and trends and eventually wants to do it on a broader scale state-wide.

"I do want to try and cover more parts of the state, maybe lower Michigan," he said. "Ill still focus on the Thumb but I want to go state-wide with it. Ill continue Thumb Forecasting for as long as people enjoy it and I have followers. I want to go somewhere I love, whether thats somewhere in Michigan or someplace that has good weather and things Im looking for. But most importantly getting a good job in metrology."

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Schott continues to perfect his craft and love for the weather and hopes to be the go-to forecaster for future weather events here in the Thumb.
World News in Brief: Russia vetoes DPR Korea sanctions resolution, children under fire in Sudan, drought plagues Malawi

28 March 2024 - A United States resolution to extend the mandate of an expert panel which monitors sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was vetoed by Russia in the Security Council on Thursday.

This in effect abolishes the monitoring of UN sanctions against the country, more commonly known as North Korea, blocking the extension of the panel for another year.

Russia's Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the sanctions regime adopted with the intention of preventing nuclear weapons proliferation was losing its relevance and also "to a great extent, detached from reality".

He said that an "unprecedented" Western-led policy was in place to "strangle Pyongyang", including harsh unilateral sanctions, "aggressive propaganda" and "direct personal threats".

He said the "active militarisation" of the Korean Peninsula due to action by the NATO alliance was making matters worse and was directly threatening Russia's interests in the region.

China abstains

The vote in the 15-member Council was 13 in favour, Russia against and China abstaining.

The resolution does not alter the sanctions in place and they remain in force.

The US Deputy Permanent Representative Robert Wood said that Russia's veto was nothing more than an attempt "to silence the independent objective investigations into DPRK Security Council violations".

He said the veto had been used solely because the panel had in recent months begun reporting on "blatant violations" and persistent sanctions-busting "within Russia's jurisdiction".

He explained that today's vote would only embolden North Korea to act with impunity.

The Republic of Korea's Ambassador Hwang Joonkook told the Council before the vote that the panel of experts had been faithfully carrying out its duty for 15 years, and their work played a "crucial role" towards better sanctions implementation.

He said faced with DPRK's continued provocations and sanctions evasion, the role of the panel was all the more essential.

Read a full account here later in the day on our Meetings Coverage pages.

Sudan's 24 million children have a right to live in peace: UNICEF

Almost a year since war broke out in Sudan between rival militias, UN humanitarians warned on Thursday that hunger is everywhere, and people are resilient but desperate for assistance.

The alert from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) follows a recent mission to the city of Omdurman near Khartoum, where one hospital performed 300 amputations in a month and where two to three patients share a bed.

Jill Lawler, UNICEF chief of field operations in Sudan, said that millions of people have been affected and displaced across the country.

Listen to the full interview below where she describes the predicament of young mothers who are too weak to breastfeed their babies:

UNICEF says that 24 million children in Sudan have been exposed to conflict, and a staggering 730,000 are severely acutely malnourished.

Some women and girls who were raped in the first months of the war are now delivering babies, the UN agency has learned, while many young people can also be seen carrying arms.

Although humanitarian supplies are available in Port Sudan, the key challenge is securing safe aid access to affected populations, UNICEF said.

UN and partners support Malawi's battle against severe drought

The UN and aid partners are assisting Malawi's efforts to respond to a severe drought in the African nation which has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.

So far, 23 out of 28 districts are on alert, amounting to around nine million people, or two million rural families.

More than 40 per cent of the country's agricultural land has been impacted by the El Nino weather system, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday, "with rains and prolonged dry spells as well as flooding severely damaging crops and food production".

Scaling up

He said humanitarians are scaling up emergency assistance, including food and nutrition supplies as well as water, sanitation and hygiene support. They are also providing health, protection, education and livelihood assistance despite limited funding.

"Malawi, like other countries in southern Africa, is grappling with the effects of a severe droughts," he said, as last month marked one of the driest Februarys in the region in more than 40 years, resulting in widespread crop failures in some areas.

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UN Court Orders Israel to Open More Aid Paths into Gaza

By VOA News March 28, 2024

The top United Nations court on Thursday ordered Israel in a legally binding decree to open more land crossings into Gaza to allow more humanitarian aid for famished Palestinians into the territory.

The order from the International Court of Justice in the Hague told Israel to take "all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay" to send in "urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance," including food, water, fuel and medical supplies.

The court 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 within a month on how it was implementing the orders.

Israel had no immediate comment on the ruling, but it has stringently denied committing genocide in its conduct of the nearly six-month war against Hamas militants. It urged the U.N. court not to issue new orders.

The order came in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in Gaza. The conflict started with Hamas's shock October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and according to the Israeli military, several thousand Hamas militants.

Israel's military reported fighting Thursday near 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.

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.

The United States, Israel's staunchest ally, 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 Israel'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 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 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 is being discussed.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Philippines President Condemns Chinese 'Attacks,' Vows 'Proportionate' Countermeasures

By VOA News March 28, 2024

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.

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US Unfazed as India Engages Taliban

By Akmal Dawi March 28, 2024

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 Afghanistan's 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 India's 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 women's 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.

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 Afghanistan's 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 India's 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 women's 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.

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UN: Haiti Gangs Kill 1,500 in Three Months

By VOA News March 28, 2024

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 Haiti's 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.

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Somali Government Says at Least 80 al-Shabab Militants Killed in Attacks

By Mohamed Olad March 28, 2024

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 country's 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 government's deputy information minister, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala.

There was no independent confirmation of the death toll, reported by Adala and Somalia's 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.

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 174 - 28 March 2024

At any point, Hamas could have ended this burgeoning tragedy to

surrender and release every hostage.

Hamas instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)

Israel deployed a large-scale facial recognition tracking program in the Gaza Strip and created a database of Palestinians without their knowledge or consent, according to The Verge, citing a New York Times report. The program, which was created after the October 7 attacks, uses technology from Google Photos , as well as a custom tool designed by Tel Aviv-based Corsight to identify people affiliated with Hamas. The facial recognition program was created in conjunction with the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, according to a New York Times report.

After the October 7 attacks, officers in the IDF's Unit 8200, the IDF's main intelligence unit, identified potential targets by watching security camera footage and videos that Hamas had uploaded to social media. The soldiers also asked the Palestinian prisoners to identify people from their communities who belong to Hamas. Corsight, which boasted that its technology could accurately identify people even if less than 50% of their faces were visible, used these images to build a facial recognition tool that Israeli officers could use in Gaza. In order to further build its database - and identify potential targets - the Israeli army set up checkpoints equipped with facial recognition cameras along the main routes Palestinians use to flee south.

One officer told the New York Times that the goal was to create a hit list of people who participated in the October 7 attack. Troopers told the New York Times that Corsight's technology was not always accurate, especially when it relied on grainy footage or images in which people's faces were obscured. In some cases, Corsight mistakenly identified people as being linked to Hamas. One such case involves the Palestinian poet Musab Abu Toha, who was picked up from an Israeli military checkpoint on the central highway in Gaza in mid-November while trying to leave Gaza for Egypt with his family. The IDF had marked Abu Toha as being on the Israeli list of wanted persons. Israeli officers held Abu Toha in a detention center, where he was beaten and interrogated for two days before being returned to Gaza without explanation.

The Israeli army has integrated Corsight's technology with Google Images - which, unlike Corsight, is free to use - the soldiers said in the newspaper's report. Intelligence officers uploaded databases of known persons to Google Images and used the image search function to further identify the people. One of the officers said in the report that Google Photos can recognize people even when only a small portion of their faces are visible, making it better than other tools, including Corsight. Corsight executives and financiers have expressed a desire to assist the Israeli military in its ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

In an op-ed for The Jerusalem Post last October, Aaron Ashkenazi, founder and managing partner of Canadian fund Awz Ventures, which led a $5 million Corsight funding round in 2020, wrote that Awz was providing Israel with technological tools. To stop these terrorist attacks." Most of the companies in OZ's portfolio operate in the artificial intelligence and cybersecurity sectors. Last October, some hospitals in Israel began using CorSight's technology to identify patients, Forbes reported at the time.

According to a Forbes report, Corsight's technology was able to take photos of people "whose features have been affected by physical trauma, and find a match between photos sent by the relevant family members." Corsight focuses on selling its products to government, law enforcement, and military uses, according to The Verge. The company said in 2020 that its technology could recognize masked faces. Two years later, Corsight claimed to be developing a tool that could create a model of a person's face based on their DNA. Last year, Corsight worked with the Metropolitan Police in Bogota, Colombia, to track down suspects in murders and robberies on the public transportation system, according to The Verge.

v

War Termination

Israeli N12 TV News reprted the head of the Mossad, Dedi Barnea, informed the cabinet that, despite Hamas' answer, there is a possibility of progress - but the price is flexibility regarding the return of residents to the northern Gaza Strip. Barnea explained that it is necessary and possible to think of a creative solution, and this effort is worth the chance of getting 40 hostages out alive. The position of the head of the Mossad was supported by ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, along with minister Ron Dermer. In front of them, in an intermediate position, are Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi who claim that this is not the time to be flexible - we should advance to Rafah but not announce it publicly, in order to allow another American effort to promote negotiations and give a chance for a deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an extreme position - according to him, the members of the cabinet do not know how to conduct tough negotiations. Therefore, Netanyahu did not accept the position of head of the Mossad in Barnae and ordered to prepare to enter Rafah - and to announce this publicly. Netanyahu also informed his members The cabinet because contrary to what was published - it intends to send a delegation to the White House as early as next week. A political official told News 12: "We have to honestly tell the public - not to submit an Israeli proposal at this time, is to bury the abductees deal for a long time."

US President Joe Biden's administration officials are holding preliminary "talks" about options for stabilizing Gaza after the war, including a proposal that the Pentagon help fund a multinational force or Palestinian peacekeeping team, according to Politico magazine. The magazine reported that the options being considered will not include American forces on the ground, according to two officials from the Ministry of Defense and two other American officials, all of whom requested anonymity. Instead, Defense Department funding will go toward the needs of security forces and supplement assistance from other countries.

In response to a request for comment from the magazine, a senior US administration official said, We are working with partners on different scenarios for interim governance and security structures in Gaza once the crisis subsides, refusing to reveal details. "We have had a number of conversations with both the Israelis and our partners about the key elements for the next day in Gaza when the time comes," he added.

It may be weeks or months before Washington and its partners agree to any plan, especially since regional players want to see a commitment to a two-state solution before seriously engaging in options. There are also questions about the feasibility of training a potential Palestinian-led force in time to maintain order in Gaza, which has been devastated after five months of brutal fighting. Israel is reluctant to hold these talks until it defeats Hamas militarily and secures the release of hostages held by the movement. Some officials within the Israeli government have called for Israel to occupy Gaza after the war, a proposal opposed by the United States.

The four officials confirmed to the magazine that the talks include the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and their foreign counterparts about what a potential post-war security force would look like. Under initial plans being developed, the Defense Department would provide funding for a type of security force that would not include U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza, according to Defense Department officials.

One official added that the aid could be used for reconstruction, infrastructure, humanitarian aid and other needs. The Strip has turned into rubble, and the vast majority of its population of 2.2 million people are displaced due to difficulty accessing food, water and medicine. The Pentagon will likely need to transfer money from elsewhere in the department to pay for the plan. US aid would complement contributions from other countries, according to US officials. As for a potential Palestinian-led peacekeeping team, it remains unclear who will train and equip its members, which could include some of the approximately 20,000 security personnel supported by the Palestinian Authority.

Spokesmen for the Defense Ministry and the Israeli government did not immediately respond to POLITICO's requests for comment.

The Pentagon began considering options to support some sort of multinational force to stabilize Gaza in the new year, when there were expectations that Israel might soon begin winding down its operations, according to the Defense Department 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 ends. This can only come through a regional approach that includes a path to a Palestinian state, he said during a visit to Israel. Although American officials have held talks with regional partners about what the composition of such a force would look like, none of them have confirmed participation. Because the plan has not been finalized.

Several countries in the Middle East have told the Biden administration that they will only consider participating when there is a serious plan for a two-state solution. Although we had conversations on the sidelines with regional partners about what they would be willing to do, contribute to, and accept, this did not receive serious attention from our Israeli partner, the official said. The official added that Israel "does not set a date for the end of its operations because it has not yet achieved the goals it seeks" in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department is focused on increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including ensuring the security of the US militarys plan to build a pier to deliver resources by sea to the Strip, and urging Israel to consider alternatives to invading Rafah, the Defense Department official said. The official added that what comes after the talks also includes the possibility of a two-state solution.

Operational Update

Operational Update - Gaza

The Telegraph newspaper quoted an Israeli intelligence source as saying that Tel Aviv believed in the possibility of eliminating the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) due to Washingtons support, but this has changed now. He added that the Israeli army believes that some of Hamas's underground weapons production facilities in Gaza are still intact. He stated that the failure of the Israeli army to enter Rafah in force means that Hamas' survival is the most likely possibility, as he put it.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted sources in the Israeli army as saying that there are currently no indications that the army will be able to rescue more prisoners, or kill more Hamas leaders. The sources added that Hamas can still easily return to the areas that the army had previously controlled, in the absence of a stable plan for managing Gaza after the war. Since last October 7, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza that has left tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, according to Palestinian sources, which necessitated the trial of Tel Aviv before the International Court of Justice on the grounds of committing genocide.

Israeli Channel 12 said that the army began preparations to launch an operation in Rafah in the event of the collapse of prisoner negotiations, while Washington asked Tel Aviv to allow the arrival of American officers to participate in developing plans regarding the invasion operation. Channel 12 indicated that the Israeli army has taken actual steps, including beginning to isolate the city and preparing to evacuate civilians. The channel added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the purchase of 40,000 tents from China to set up in Gaza in preparation for the ground operation in Rafah.

Israeli Channel 13 said that the administration of US President Joe Biden recently asked Israel to allow the arrival of American officers, to make plans regarding Rafah with Israeli army officers. The channel added that American officers are expected to arrive soon, and quoted a senior Israeli official that the United States sending officers to discuss the operation in Rafah is an indication of lack of trust.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said during his meeting with members of Congress that the northern Gaza Strip has many places where civilians can go during the armys operation in Rafah. The Israeli Prime Minister added, "We are told that you cannot enter Rafah. If you do, there will be a humanitarian catastrophe and many deaths will occur. This is not true." He continued, "There are many places in the north of the Strip that people can move to. If they were moved to the south, now they can return to the north. They can return with their tents."

In this context, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said that Netanyahu's office agreed to reschedule the Israeli delegation's visit to Washington to discuss the possible military operation in Rafah. Jean-Pierre added that the White House is working with the Israeli side to set a date for the upcoming meeting, "and this is a good thing." She explained that constructive talks were held with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant during the past two days, noting that the Rafah issue was one of the topics discussed.

The US State Department had confirmed that it had ideas about alternatives to the military operation in Rafah that could lead to the elimination of Hamas brigades there, she said. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wednesday in response to a question from reporters whether a limited military operation in Rafah could eliminate the remaining Hamas leaders, Miller said, Yes. Regarding the prisoner exchange negotiations, Miller said that Washington still believes that the negotiations on a humanitarian truce in Gaza have not ended and have not reached a dead end, adding that Washington believes that there is a possibility of continuing prisoner release talks with Hamas.

Channel 12 indicated that the Israeli army has taken actual steps, including beginning to isolate the city and preparing to evacuate civilians. The channel added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the purchase of 40,000 tents from China to set up in Gaza in preparation for the ground operation in Rafah. Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 13 said that the administration of US President Joe Biden recently asked Israel to allow the arrival of American officers, to make plans regarding Rafah with Israeli army officers. The channel added that American officers are expected to arrive soon, and quoted a senior Israeli official that the United States sending officers to discuss the operation in Rafah is an indication of lack of trust.

A report by the American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" revealed that the meetings held during the past two days between the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, and senior officials in the White House and the Pentagon, "did not focus on how to prevent" the planned Israeli military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Rather, it is to "protect civilians as the operation begins." The newspaper pointed out that the talks "came in contrast to the American tone during the past weeks," as senior officials explicitly warned Israel against launching a comprehensive operation against Rafah, to which more than a million people were displaced with the start of Israeli military operations in the Strip.

On Tuesday, during his meeting with Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that protecting Palestinian civilians during the war between Israel and Hamas is a moral and strategic necessity, adding that the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip is a humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that protecting Palestinian civilians during the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is a moral and strategic necessity, adding that the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip is a humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening.

Austin added: In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is very high and the volume of humanitarian aid is very low... Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and the situation is getting worse, using his harshest language since the beginning of the crisis. Following the meeting, the Pentagon said that Austin had a frank and direct discussion with Gallant. Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the Israeli Defense Minister also met for the second day with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who informed Gallant that Israel needs to allow an increase in the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The Wall Street Journal reported that dealing with Rafah has long been at the heart of the growing dispute between the United States and Israel, which escalated with the United States not using its veto, Monday, to stop a UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire and the release of... "All hostages immediately and unconditionally" in Gaza. The newspaper quoted a prominent American defense official as saying that there is a sequence... where the military aspect should not continue until the humanitarian aspects are fully addressed.

The two parties agreed on the necessity of expelling Hamas from Rafah, so that its members cannot return or continue to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip, which is a basic condition for ending the war and paving the way towards a new political authority in Gaza, which means trying to find ways to work with Israel on a strategy in Rafah. In light of the lack of other options, according to the newspaper. She also explained that the two sides "discussed ways to confront the smuggling of weapons across the Egyptian border into Gaza," which Israel considers a source of concern, in addition to "the precise targeting of Hamas leaders."

US Department of Defense officials explained to the newspaper that the plans still have a long way to go before they are formalized, and any convincing plan to transfer civilians from Rafah may take a month. The Wall Street Journal also confirmed that the talks this week were strikingly different compared to what happened last week, when Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the Israelis that a major ground operation risked further isolation of Israel around the world.

US Vice President Kamala Harris also warned Israel that it may face "consequences" if it carries out its threat to launch a ground military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Harris said in an interview with the American network ABC, part of which was broadcast on Sunday: I do not rule out that there will be American consequences for Israel if it continues to storm Rafah militarily. She continued: "We made clear to Israel in every way, and in several conversations, that any major military operation in Rafah would be a big mistake."

IDF and Shin Bet forces continue targeted fighting in the area of Shifa' hospital. The combat teams of the 401st Brigade, the Nahal Brigade and the 13th Fleet under the command of the 162nd Division are fighting in the area while avoiding harm to civilians, patients, medical teams and medical equipment. From the beginning of the activity in the Shifa area until now, about 200 terrorists had been eliminated in the hospital area.

In the last day, terrorists came out of the emergency room at Shifa' hospital and opened fire at the forces operating in the hospital area, this is in addition to the shooting that was carried out at the IDF forces from the emergency room in the last few days. During the operation, the forces evacuated shelters, patients and medical teams to alternative medical complexes that the IDF prepared and established in order to allow proper medical treatment to continue.

The forces of the 98th Division continue to operate in Khan Yunis in the Al Amal area and Al Karara, so far the forces have eliminated dozens of terrorists in the operation in the Al Amal area. The fighters of the combat team of the commando brigade destroyed a terrorist infrastructure where weapons were located. The forces of the 7th Brigade Combat Team located charges and mortar bombs. The combat team of the Givati Brigade identified two terrorists near the forces, the terrorists were eliminated using aircraft and shell fire. In addition, during searches of the area, the fighters located many explosives.

Air Force fighter jets continue to operate in the skies over the Gaza Strip and have attacked dozens of targets in the last day. The Nahal Brigade's combat team continues to operate in the center of the Gaza Strip and eliminated a number of terrorists over the past day. In one of the attacks, a terrorist squad was identified near the forces, in a quick closing circle an aircraft attacked and eliminated a number of terrorists.

"In the last few minutes, we received approval from the General Security Service together with the Intelligence Division for the approval of the assassination of a senior Hamas official who we took out at Shifa Hospital," the IDF spokesman said in his statement this evening , "the senior Hamas official we eliminated is Ra'ed Thabat. Thabet served as the head of the supply and personnel corps of the military arm of Hamas."

"In the past, he served as the head of Hamas's production system, he is a center of knowledge for the organization in all things related to equipping and ammunition," he continued, "Ra'ad was in the top ten of the senior military wing. He is close to Sinwar, Def and Issa."

"He was killed during his escape attempt along with two other terrorists into the hospital plaza," he concluded, "which was also in the plan of an attack on our forces. He was killed by the fighters of the 13th Fleet along with other forces in the area of the Nahal patrol, Shaked, and Dovdvan , along with two other terrorists."

Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that dozens were martyred and injured as the Israeli bombing continued on the north and south of the Gaza Strip , while Israeli Channel 12 said that the army had begun preparations to launch an operation in Rafah in the event that prisoner negotiations collapse. An Al Jazeera correspondent said that an Israeli bombing targeted a house on Al-Beltaji Street in the Al-Shujaiya neighborhood , east of Gaza City, leaving 3 martyrs and wounding 20 others. The reporter confirmed that there were casualties as a result of an Israeli raid that targeted the vicinity of Al-Qassam Mosque in the Beit Lahia project in the northern Gaza Strip.

A citizen was also martyred by Israeli occupation army gunfire in Hamad Town, north of Khan Yunis , south of the Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera's correspondent said that the Israeli occupation launched raids targeting the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, and other areas north of the Gaza Strip, and another raid targeted the town of Al-Mughraqa, north of Al-Nuseirat, in the center of the Gaza Strip. The reporter pointed out that an Israeli bombing targeted residential buildings in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in central Gaza City .

During the night hours, the occupation forces launched an air strike on Al-Shati camp, west of Gaza City. The occupation also launched an air strike on an electrical appliances center in the center of Jabalia camp, which led to a fire breaking out at the site. He added that Israeli military vehicles were firing in the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City, coinciding with artillery shelling.

On the other hand, the Israeli occupation army announced that one soldier was killed and another was seriously injured in a clash in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday evening, Wednesday. This comes as clashes continue between the resistance factions and the occupation forces in the vicinity of the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, which has been besieged by the occupation for 11 days, while the Israeli army announced that 22 soldiers were injured in Gaza during the past 24 hours.

The Al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) - announced that its fighters were able to snipe an Israeli soldier in the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex. For its part, the Al- Quds Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement - said that it bombed gatherings of occupation soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Complex with 60 mm mortar shells. The Al-Quds Brigades published scenes of the clashes and targeting of the Israeli military vehicle in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Complex.

The HAMAS government media office in Gaza said that the information available to it indicates that Israeli occupation soldiers executed more than 200 displaced Palestinians inside the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, and arrested about a thousand others. He confirmed that the occupation soldiers are threatening the medical teams and the displaced people inside the complex by bombing and destroying the buildings above their heads, or going out for investigation, torture, or execution.

Director of the HAMAS Government Information Office in Gaza, Ismail Al-Thawabta, said that the Israeli occupation is still controlling and occupying the Shifa complex, killing Palestinians, destroying the homes surrounding it, arresting hundreds of sick, wounded, and displaced people, and interrogating, torturing, and starving them. Al-Thawabta stated that the Israeli forces executed 5 doctors and two nurses, and detained a number of other medical staff. He pointed out that the Israeli army combed residential squares in the vicinity of the hospital, and also destroyed and bombed dozens of homes, completely demolishing them, and committed massacres inside the complex against the displaced and detainees.

Operational Update - Judea-Samaria

It is noteworthy that the West Bank has witnessed a security escalation and incursions by the occupation army since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip on the seventh of last October, which was met with operations launched by members of the Palestinian resistance factions, which caused the death and injury of Israeli soldiers and settlers.

At least three Israelis were injured by fire fired at a settler bus and several vehicles near the town of Al-Auja, north of the city of Jericho in the Jordan Valley, on Thursday morning. The Israeli army said that its forces arrived at the scene, closed the area, and began combing operations in search of the attackers who fled. An Israeli ambulance spokesman reported that the shooting occurred in two close locations in the same area, where the attackers also targeted Israeli cars.

Israeli Army Radio said that the shooting in the Jordan Valley resulted in three people being seriously, moderately, and slightly injured. Shortly after the shooting, the Israeli occupation army closed the entrances to the city of Jericho and began combing the area. Eyewitnesses reported that the occupation army deployed its forces in the area, closed all entrances to the city with military barriers, and prevented the movement of citizens to and from it, and also prevented movement on main streets in the Jordan Valley.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli drones were roaming the skies of the region. The Israeli authorities also announced the closure of the King Hussein Bridge - also known as the Karama crossing - on the border with Jordan after the operation.

Tonight, the security forces arrested 18 wanted persons throughout Judea and Samaria. "This morning in the early hours," explained the commander of the Dokifat Battalion, Lt. Col. Sahar Moedim, "a terrorist opened fire on several vehicles and wounded several Israeli civilians. From that moment, the battalion, the forces of the Bekaa Brigade and special forces, we all jumped to carry out scans in the area. We are here, and we will continue to be until we find the terrorist, until we locate him and neutralize him."

The combat team of the commando formation raided from several directions on the heart of the Al Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis; The forces located hundreds of weapons in the neighborhood. A suspect arrived by car at the Bekaa crossing near the village of Taysir. After refusing to be checked by the soldiers who were there, the suspect broke through the barrier. IDF forces started chasing him and arrested him. There were no casualties to Israeli forces and the suspect was handed over to the security forces for further treatment.

Operational Update - Lebanon

Today (Thursday) an exercise was carried out in a surprise format. The purpose of the exercise was to strengthen the IDF's readiness for various scenarios in the northern arena. The multi-armed exercise was led by the Operations Division, and included the commands, arms and wings as well as the General Staff.

The air defense fighters successfully intercepted using the "Yahlom" system a suspicious aerial target in the territory of Lebanon, which is suspected to have made its way towards the north of the country. One of the interceptors launched exploded over the sky of the country, the incident is being investigated. During the day, a number of launches were detected that crossed the territory of Lebanon to various areas in the north of the country. IDF forces attacked the sources of the shooting.

Operational Update - Syria / Iraq

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Operational Update - Yemen

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) overnight destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems launched by Houthis. According to the CENTCOM's statement, the attack targeted a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. Between 2:00 and 2:20 a.m. (Sanaa time) on March 27, United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. These UAS were aimed at a U.S. warship and engaged in self-defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. 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 leader of the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, Mr. Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, confirmed that the tragedy in Gaza is getting bigger, the crimes are becoming more brutal every day, and the criminal Zionist killer is becoming more persistent, persistent, and barbaric, noting that the time of control, colonialism, subjugation and enslavement of peoples through extermination and intimidation to force surrender has passed and ended.

In his speech about the latest developments and developments, Mr. Al-Houthi pointed out that the impudence and insistence of the American partner on supporting and protecting the Zionist crime is increasing, and the responsibility is increasing on Muslims before others and then on the rest of the peoples of human society. Mr. Al-Houthi stated that what is happening in Gaza is a disgrace to all of humanity and a warning to everyone of the Zionist threat and the barbaric American colonialism.

Mr. Al-Houthi addressed the criminal Zionists, saying: Your crimes will certainly take you faster on the path of inevitable demise that God has threatened you with in His books. You are occupiers, and blood is a curse upon you and will sweep you from the land of Palestine, and your injustice will not be forgotten by generations and will be engraved in their consciousness, revenge against you for those who are oppressed, hostility toward you, and discontent with you. Blood flows through the arteries of all free people.

Mr. Al-Houthi stressed that the time of control, colonialism , subjugation and enslavement of peoples through extermination and intimidation to force surrender has passed and ended. Mr. Al-Houthi said: Go back a little to history to remember what happened to you in Vietnam, in Iraq, and in other countries. In this battle, you are in greater trouble and your loss is heavy, as you sacrifice the interests of your people in the service of the Zionists.

Addressing the Americans, Mr. Al-Houthi said: You are being exposed to damage that you will not be able to compensate for for generations, and if you persist, the consequences will be worse, greater, and more dangerous. You will inherit disappointment and defeat from Britain, and the British pamper is the pamper of disappointments, defeats, and failure of your protege, Israel, which you planted in our region. Here is its army actually exposed to a historical scandal.

Mr. Al-Houthi explained that the Israeli enemy army, for half a year, was unable to achieve an image of military victory in the narrowest geographical area, while the enemy army fought a fierce battle for 5 hours, with the participation of a helicopter and drone with one of the Palestinian heroes in Ramallah, where one resistance fighter attacked the enemy soldiers. And his settlers for nearly half a day alone. Mr. Al-Houthi pointed out that the Kuwait roundabout has become a scene for Zionist starvation crimes every week.

He added that behind the landing operation was an American plan, in coordination with the Israelis on the ground, to kill the people in the places where aid was dropped, noting that the American seeks to turn the process of landing aid into causing problems, and that the brutal American practices bring down the flimsy walls that the hypocrites and deceived people have erected before the peoples awareness so that they do not see the truth of Americas brutality as it is. America's brutality in Gaza must bring about an awakening in people's awareness and the falsehood towards it and its agents must be dropped.

He said that the Israeli enemy puts the displaced people between the options of death from starvation, epidemics, or murder, while it declares a safe area, and then when people gather there, it targets it, as happened this week in Al-Mawasi camp, and for the second week in a row, the Israeli enemy continues its storming and siege of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, again creating a tragedy for patients and staff. Health and displaced people.

Mr. Al-Houthi continued, saying: The Israeli enemy has made hospitals primary targets for its criminal and brutal attack operations, and the Israeli enemy is actively seeking to create a rift between the Mujahideen and the Palestinian tribes with regard to the method of distributing aid. The Israeli enemy has failed and disappointed in causing a rift between the tribes and the Mujahideen due to the tribes steadfastness in their position of embracing the resistance. He noted that the continued Israeli failure is also a failure of the American partner in the crime of genocide and comprehensive destruction of Gaza.

Mr. Al-Houthi reminded that the Mujahideen on all fronts of the fighting are inflicting losses on the enemys ranks and vehicles, and that after the enemy celebrated the end of the Mujahideens missile stock, missiles were launched from areas that the enemy had declared control towards Ashdod, explaining that the recruitment crisis is an ongoing crisis and a witness to the great failure of the Israeli enemy.

Mr. Al-Houthi noted that what testifies to the enemys failure and failure is the continued adverse migration from Palestine and the flight of Zionist Jews from there. The enemys economic losses are constantly on the rise, and Hezbollahs operations have had a significant impact on the enemys factories in northern occupied Palestine, and Hezbollah continues on its direct and influential front. On the Israeli enemy and inflicts daily losses on the Israeli enemy.

Mr. Al-Houthi stressed, saying: Our front in Yemen in the battle of the promised conquest and the holy jihad, thanks to God and with His success, is an active, continuous and effective front. We hope and pray to God that His Prophet, may Gods prayers be upon him and his family, will show our people in this battle what his eyes will recognize and what the faces of our people will be brightened with on the Day of Resurrection. 10 operations were carried out this week, using 37 ballistic and winged missiles and drones, and 9 ships were targeted this week, bringing the total number of ships targeted to 86 ships linked to the Israeli enemy, America and Britain.

Mr. Al-Houthi explained that the movement of the enemy at sea has become rare and he is trying to camouflage it to the maximum extent, and he is trying to mislead the media and information. The movement of enemy ships is similar to a smuggling operation. However, it fails and the attack is carried out effectively. A missile bombardment was carried out with winged missiles towards Umm Al-Rashrash to target affiliated targets. The Israeli enemy, thank God, has the impact of military operations at sea as well as on Palestine, and the enemys inability to stop them is a clear issue that the enemy acknowledges. It is a great blessing that God grants success in effective action on the enemy, starting with his economic situation, which he relies on in his military aggression.

Mr. Al-Houthi pointed out that the only solution is to stop the aggression, crimes, and siege on the Gaza Strip, and that the bad state that the American Navy has reached is the result of American intransigence and failure to accept the correct and fair solution. American intransigence in supporting Zionist crime and aggression against our country has put it in a real dilemma, noting that the bad state What the US Navy has reached is the result of American intransigence and failure to accept the correct and fair solution. American intransigence in supporting Zionist crime and aggression against our country has put it in a real dilemma.

He said that some countries are moving in harmony with the Israeli enemy on the media level and some domestication activities. Our people are embarking on their exit from the standpoint of their faith and sense of responsibility, and they sense the unparalleled suffering of the Palestinian people. In contrast to the magnitude of the tragedy of the Palestinian people, the responsibility is truly greater in taking a serious stand for jihad and taking a stand and taking action in every way. In the areas, if we do not move to support the Palestinian people in an oppression as great as theirs, then when can we move?!! If we do not carry the banner of jihad for the sake of God Almighty against the Israeli, American and British Zionist tyranny and criminality, then against whom and when will we fight?

Maps

All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness.

Bystanders

The political pressure on Israel is increasing with another proposal for a cease-fire coming up in the UN Security Council. This is another proposal that Israel opposes, but this time it comes from a Western friend - France, a permanent member of the Security Council, which has begun circulating a draft in favor of an immediate cease-fire during Ramadan. Israel has already made it clear that they will oppose it in the existing version, which includes recognition of a Palestinian state and full membership in the United Nations, condemnation of the violence in the settlements and confirmation that the settlements are illegal from the point of view of the United Nations. Although the text contains a section calling for the release of the abductees and even condemning Hamas, the fear is that this will be one of the first sections to be removed as part of the negotiations on the draft, as is usually the case in discussions on resolutions.

The judges of the International Court of Justice unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure the entry of basic food supplies to the residents of the Gaza Strip without delay. The court said, in a statement, that the Palestinians in Gaza face difficult living conditions in light of the spread of famine, and it also ordered Israel to take the necessary and effective measures to cooperate with the United Nations without delay.

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ), Philippe Lazzarini, had revealed that Israel had informed them that it would no longer agree to send food convoys to the northern Gaza Strip, demanding that these restrictions be lifted.

In its statement, the court stressed that Israel must urgently provide basic services and humanitarian aid without hindrance on a large scale, increase the capacity and number of land crossing points into Gaza and keep them open for as long as necessary. The International Court of Justice added that Israel must ensure that its army does not commit violations of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza, such as preventing the delivery of aid. It indicated that Israel must submit a report to the court regarding the measures it will take within a month from todays date.

Commenting on the courts decision, the spokesperson for the South African team told the Al Jazeera Court of Justice that the new court order for Israel requires it to cooperate with the United Nations, and this includes cooperation with UNRWA. He stressed that Israel would not comply with the court's orders, so its allies must put pressure on it. In this context, the US State Department announced that it currently has no position on the International Court of Justices order for Israel to ensure that aid enters Gaza without obstacles.

The Director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , said today, Thursday, that 10 hospitals out of 36 are partially operating in Gaza and the health system is barely surviving. He called for an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, and for the protection of staff, patients and civilians. Ghebreyesus warned of the consequences of the collapse of the health system in the besieged Gaza Strip. He said on the X platform: With only 10 partially functioning hospitals out of 36, the health system in Gaza is barely surviving. He pointed out that the Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced on Tuesday that Al-Amal Hospital in the city of Khan Yunis (south) had stopped working as a result of the ongoing Israeli army attacks on the facility and its environs.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas approved the formation of the new Palestinian government headed by economist Muhammad Mustafa, who retained the foreign ministry, two weeks after his appointment. The Palestinian News and Information Agency (Wafa) reported that the new government, which does not include the names of former ministers except for Interior Minister Ziad Hab Al-Rih, will be sworn in before the president next Sunday.

Abbas issued a decision to grant confidence to the government in accordance with the Palestinian Basic Law (the Constitution), which grants the president this right in the absence of the dysfunctional Legislative Council. The government includes 23 independent and professional ministers, and Wafa Agency explained that the governments program confirmed that its political authority is the Palestine Liberation Organization , the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

In turn, Mustafa said, The first national priority is a ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza . He added, "We will work to develop visions for the reunification of institutions, including assuming responsibility in Gaza." Mustafa, an independent economist, was chosen to form this government to implement reforms in the institutions of the Palestinian Authority that the United States of America and other international bodies have long demanded, in preparation for the stage that will follow the end of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Axis of Resistance

The Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Ost reported from Palestinian sources that after Hamas lost many operatives and suffered a blow including the military, it decided to change its strategy in order to reach the "day after the war" with fewer losses. The terrorist organization decided to adopt a policy based on limited attacks against IDF forces, in a way that would not pose a danger to terrorists and to "preserve part of its forces", according to the report.

"The organization does not want to lose everything. It wants to keep part of its forces for the day after the campaign. Israel, the US, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab countries have their plans for the day after the war, and Hamas also has its plan," the sources told the newspaper.

A source in the field told Al-Sharq Al-Aust that "the repetition of the abduction operations carried out by Israel in the northern areas of the Gaza Strip and at Shifa, Al-Amal and Nazar hospitals in Khan Yunis shows the way Israel decided to operate in the Gaza Strip, an attempt to replicate what it implements in the West Bank". According to them, this means expanding Israel's security control and carrying out targeted operations from time to time. The newspaper noted that as a result, the terrorist organizations were forced to "also change their tactics and prepare for a longer campaign with fewer losses."

Although Hamas does not have a clear estimate of how and when the war will end, it is betting that the kidnapped card will be the "winning card". The sources stated that "Hamas does not intend to give up this card, because it understands its importance and makes it insist on receiving a commitment to end the war, even at a later stage, before signing a new agreement."

The sources who spoke to the Saudi newspaper confirmed that the military wing of Hamas and other terrorist organizations "have lost most of their rocket power, but they still have a stockpile of rockets that they may use at any moment, especially if the war is nearing its end, in an attempt to achieve a victory image. This is indicated The latest barrages towards Ashdod, Ashkelon and Sderot". They added that Hamas has many missiles to attack IDF forces, vehicles, mortar bombs, explosive charges and other weapons and ammunition.

Allied for Democracy

The High Court issued a decision endorsing a universal draft, including the Haredi sector starting April 1 as a matter of principle, while in practice deferring any enforcement until August 9.

Academics suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will side with his partners in the "extreme right-wing coalition" in the crisis of recruiting ultra-Orthodox Jews, even if it requires the exit of War Council Minister Benny Gantz. The academic and expert on Israeli affairs, Dr. Muhannad Mustafa, said that Netanyahu is facing the biggest political crisis that exceeds his crisis with Washington, believing that he will prefer to go for a law that is largely consistent with the aspirations of the religious parties, even if it costs him the withdrawal of Gantz, who has been a political, social, and international cover for the right-wing government since the beginning of the war.

The second scenario - which Mustafa rules out happening - is to adopt a law that is closer to the secular parties, which will lead to the loss of the religious parties and the fall of the government. Netanyahu is also trying to avoid going to early elections, which implicitly means stopping the war on Gaza, in addition to the fall of him and the right-wing camp and the formation of an alternative government headed by Gantz, according to the expert on Israeli affairs.

Mustafa confirms that the current crisis comes in the context of the occupation armys need for reserve soldiers, after neglecting this issue, including the recruitment of Haredim , indicating that Israel has a final opportunity to legislate the law after the Supreme Court overturned previous laws. He adds that Netanyahu's government is obligated to enact this law, "and without it, the government will not be able to exempt the Haredim," and it must present the law to the Knesset next June to vote on it.

In turn, Dr. Hassan Ayoub, professor of political science at An-Najah University in Palestine, confirms that the Haredi recruitment crisis highlights the extent of political opportunism, whether on the part of Netanyahu or his partners in the coalition or the opposition. He confirms that the crisis is not only related to military calculations in light of the armys need for more manpower, but there is an economic aspect related to the state budget, before summarizing the scene as a crisis defined by the state itself. He believes that the crisis will cast a shadow by creating a rift in Israeli society between the liberal secular side and the religious side, adding that it is difficult to get out of this impasse and stressing the necessity of concluding a new deal.

The Palestinian academic believes that the issue of Haredi recruitment seriously threatens the survival of Netanyahu's government because all parties have become entrenched and extremist in a way that does not seem to have a way out, ruling out that Netanyahu will escape the pressure of this crisis. Regarding the nature of these religious parties, Mustafa explains that the Haredim constitute 13% of Israeli society and are expected to reach 20% in 2050. He added that it is an extremist religious group that does not recognize Zionism and lives in geographically isolated neighborhoods that differ in their dress. It has succeeded in integrating while preserving its political and cultural interests, especially education in closed neighborhoods.

He shows that the Haredi group is one of the highest groups in terms of population growth, as the rate of birth of Haredi women is between 7 and 8 children. They also do not study English, mathematics, and science, and are limited to religious curricula. Therefore, they are uneducated, uncultured, unproductive, and consuming, and are not integrated into the Israeli economy.

Haaretz newspaper quoted a letter sent by the Israeli government's judicial advisor, Gali Behrav Meara, to the Israeli Supreme Court, stating that the recruitment of religious Haredim must begin from the beginning of next month. The content of the letter stated that recruitment authorities must act with regard to the recruitment procedures for those whose service has been postponed according to the law or for those who have reached the Haredi conscription age, leaving the method of implementation for later. The letter also stated that the government will not be able to transfer budget funds to religious centers and schools for those who do not send a request for conscription and those who are not conscripts.

The newspaper added that the Israeli Attorney General's Office had opposed the attempt of Benjamin Netanyahu's government to extend the deadline for the draft law on conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The Board of Grievances had asked to extend the submission of the application until Thursday afternoon, which the newspaper considered a slap on the part of the judicial advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth previously reported that the religious parties in the ruling coalition threatened to withdraw if a new conscription law was adopted that abolished the exemption enjoyed by religious Jews. The newspaper added that the religious Jewish parties are threatening to withdraw from the government if the percentage of those who will be forced to conscript is determined in the draft law that the government is trying to pass.

For its part, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted the leaders of the Haredi parties as saying - during a meeting with Netanyahu - that the demands to put an end to the exemption of religious people from military service contradict the agreement to form the coalition. Haredi leaders added that there is a fear that the rabbis will ask them to withdraw from the government if a new law abolishing the exemption is passed.

Netanyahu's right-wing government had sought to enact a law exempting the Haredim from military service, which opened the door wide to interactions in Israel between supporters and opponents, which heralded a crisis within the emergency government. While the religious parties oppose compromising the principle of exempting religious people from military service, ministers including War Council member Benny Gantz, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and opposition leader Yair Lapid are calling for an end to this exemption.

War Council member Benny Gantz had threatened to withdraw if the Knesset approved a draft law maintaining the exemption of religious people from military conscription, and from Washington, Gallant announced that he would not support the draft law in its current form that maintains the exemption of the Haredim from military service. As for the opposition leader, he attacked Netanyahu and the conscription law in its current form, and Lapid called on members of the Likud Party to oppose the proposed law, which he described as a conscription evasion law. Since 2017, successive governments have failed to reach a consensus law regarding the recruitment of Haredim, after the Supreme Court annulled a law enacted in 2015, which ruled to exempt them from military service, considering that it violates the principle of equality.

At a time when Israel insists on continuing its military operations in the Gaza Strip, in pursuit of its declared goals, which are the release of hostages held in the Strip and eliminating Hamas, many believe that the country cannot reconcile the two goals, which has become clear. The Israelis' positions on this matter differ, according to what the American newspaper " Wall Street Journal " reported. Israelis are divided over how to prioritize the country's two main war goals: "destroying" Hamas, and freeing some 130 hostages, including more than 30 bodies of hostages killed after they were kidnapped nearly six months ago.

Divisions have escalated as Israel negotiates with Hamas, through the United States, Egypt and Qatar, over a ceasefire that could last 6 weeks and see the release of 40 hostages. These hostages will be children, the elderly, the sick and women, including female soldiers. Hamas demands that Israel release thousands of Palestinian prisoners, some of whom are considered "terrorists" in Israel. Hamas also wants Israel to agree to concessions that could preserve the group's control of Gaza, even after the group, designated by the United States as a terrorist organization, planned and carried out the worst attack in Israel's history.

Mitchell Barak, a political analyst at Keyvon Global Research based in Jerusalem, said: The two goals contradict each other, and both cannot happen, adding: No side will be happy here. Forty-seven percent of Israeli Jews participating in the most recent public poll on the issue, conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute in January, said Israel should prioritize freeing the hostages, while 42 percent said it should put the destruction of Hamas first. The poll found that those who favored the release of the hostages "largely voted for left or center parties," while those who favored the destruction of Hamas "supported right-wing and religious parties."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set eliminating Hamas and freeing the hostages as two goals to "win" the war, but analysts say that reconciling them is an "almost impossible task." On the one hand, there are Israelis from the center and left and most of the hostage families, who have become a political force since the war began, and are willing to pay a heavy price for their freedom. They claim, according to the newspaper, that the state has a fundamental moral duty towards the hostages, which if violated would undermine citizens sense of security in the foreseeable future. They also say that "Hamas can be fought in the future, but the hostages may die in the present."

But Israel's right wing - Netanyahu's political base - "largely opposes, on moral grounds, any agreement that allows Hamas to remain in power and releases thousands of prisoners involved in terrorist attacks, because it would endanger Israel's national security and the lives of future citizens and soldiers." According to the Wall Street Journal. They say the hostages should be released "by forcing Hamas to release them, as a result of military pressure."

The American newspaper reported that social scientists considered that the division between liberals and conservatives in Israel, over the price that must be paid to free the hostages, reflects their basic views about the relationship between citizens and the state. For many religious and right-wing Israelis, the group and the state are above the individual, said Menachem Mautner, a professor at Tel Aviv Universitys Faculty of Law. The individual is supposed to serve the group. As for the left movement in Israel, according to Mautner, the state, first and foremost, is a tool for preserving our (its citizens) lives.

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami said that the United States wanted to bend Israel's arm by refraining from announcing a veto against a draft resolution for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip last week, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now convinced that US President Joe Biden wants to overthrow it. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais, the last Israeli foreign minister in a government led by the Labor Party said that Biden was fed up with Netanyahu and that abstaining from using the veto in the Security Council was part of a progressive strategy to send signals to Israel that things can change. The abstention was a severe blow to Netanyahu, and its importance exceeded the importance of other similar steps in recent years.

According to Ben Ami, the change in the American position appeared, for example, in a statement by Biden leaked to the media that Netanyahu had become a burden, but he does not see the abstention from using the veto as a change in the American strategy in the Middle East as much as he sees it as an attempt to twist Israels arm, which made Netanyahu convinced that Biden wants to bring him down. Ben-Ami said that although Washington was keen to limit itself to abstaining from voting for the resolution (which was not binding), its step clearly expressed a willingness to go further in the pressure, especially if Netanyahus rule continued, which, according to him, would be as embarrassing as it was Biden, and he stated that the close and volatile relationship between the two parties was wise. There are always clear limits, which are not to obstruct American geopolitical interests or the goals of the White House resident .

He explained that Biden cannot launch the election season burdened by the burden of the failure of his strategy in the Middle East, not to mention his need to save face before world leaders. Ben Ami - who was one of the architects of the Israeli-Arab peace processes in the past few decades - added that Israel is living in a state of isolation and described it as "a threat to Western goals in the current cold war between the United States on the one hand and China and Russia on the other hand."

According to the former minister, Biden had a clear strategy in the Middle East, based on a solid alliance with Israel and the Arab countries against Iran , and the great success of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) was in dragging Netanyahu into a war without clear political goals that removed Israel from the Western alliance that had been established. Recent years, which supports Ukraine against Russia and China.

Ben Ami referred to what he calls the extremely sudden explosion against Israel in the world, the likes of which has never happened before, and according to him this is a great victory for Hamas, and he said that what prevents confronting this explosion is Netanyahus extremist government. He also warned Israel against being blind to the major trends present in American society and seeking to distance itself from Israel, whether in the Democratic Party or among young people, and held Netanyahu responsible for the rise in popularity of the more extreme trends in American society, such as evangelicals or Trumpism.

The former Israeli minister noted another damage caused by the Prime Minister, which was the rift in American Jewish support. He said that Netanyahu and his extremist government were able to split the ranks of American Jews who have never failed to support Israel, to the point that there is now among them a movement calling for the adoption of a new ideology that ends dependence on Israel.

A US State Department official working in the field of human rights in the Middle East announced her resignation on Wednesday in protest against Washington's support for Israel in its war on Gaza, according to a report published by the Washington Post. Annelle Sheline (38 years old) submitted her resignation from the US State Department, where she had been working as a foreign affairs officer in the Office of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor for about a year.

This is considered the second resignation of US State Department officials in protest against the US policy of supporting Israel in its war on Gaza, after the resignation of Josh Paul, who was responsible for arms transfers to foreign governments. In an article published by CNN , Sheline explained the reasons that prompted her to resign, noting that she strongly believes in her work in promoting human rights in the Middle East.

She added that "as a representative of a government working directly to enable what the International Court of Justice said could be genocide in Gaza, this work has become almost impossible, and due to my inability to serve an administration that allows such atrocities, I have decided to resign from my position in the State Department." The credibility that the United States had as a defender of human rights has almost completely disappeared since the war began, Sheline said in her article. She continued that through her public resignation, she knew that she would likely be deprived of any future work in the State Department, noting that she had been appointed to a two-year contract, but when she began to tell her colleagues about her position, their response was, Please speak on our behalf", referring to the dissatisfaction of many State Department employees with Washington's policy of supporting Israel in the war.

Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers

74,980 Gazans injured, 28% adult male

45,000 bombs dropped in Gaza

40,000 Gazans killed, including buried under rubble

33,000 Gaza targets attacked

32,700 Gazans martyred

20,528 Palestinians in Israeli prisons [Haaretz, 20 Mar 2024]

15,000 rocket launched from Gaza

14,793 Israelis were injured [i24 TV]

13,750 Gazan children martyred

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [N12]

12,000 HAMAS combatants killed [IDF]

11,000 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank in 2023

9,920 Gazan women martyred

9,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons

9,000 IDF psychological assistance

8,000 Gazans missing under the rubble

7,820 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th

6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS]

5,500 IDF wounded [reports]

4,750 West Bank Palestinians wounded

3,484 administrative detainees

3,600 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria

3,079 IDF wounded [IDF]

2,100 Gazan women are missing

1,609 terrorists killed on the first day

1,600 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria affiliated with Hamas

1,160 Israelis killed on the first day

595 Israeli officers and soldiers killed

453 West Bank Palestinians martyred

253 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza

222 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon

126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers

116 living hostages in Palestinian custody

50 civilians killed in Lebanon

29 IDF deaths were caused by "friendly fire"

15 Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel

Not every number is reported every day, so sudden jumps generally reflect reporting artifacts rather than actual upticks. Many of these numbers fluctate, up and down, with no apparent explanation. This list records the highest number reliably reported for each matter, under the theory that reality with catch up with reports, as is relentlessly the case.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 28 March 2024 - Day 762

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that governance initiatives instigated by the Russian authorities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine continue. The Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration is launching a master's degree in 'State and municipal management' which, according to a representative of the university, will provide graduates with skills to work at all levels of government, including in the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, as well as in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The Russian Justice Minister, Konstantin Chuychenko, also announced that Russia has established 58 federal penitentiaries across the temporarily occupied territories in Ukraine.

It is likely the establishment of the master's programme is partly aimed at overcoming the shortage of willing and skilled personnel in Russian government roles in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. It can be linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans to create a new administrative elite as indicated in his state of the nation address last month and the issuing of a presidential decree in January 2024 on the establishment of a new personnel reserve.

This is further evidence of Russification measures to align the legal and political frameworks of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Other similar measures to date include extending the Russian justice system, imposing a Russian education curriculum, issuing Russian passports, and building Russian telecommunications infrastructure.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on March 28, 48x combat engagements were reported.

Russian forces launched a total of 4x missile and 77x air strikes, 53x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses as well as other infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of the formation of Russian offensive groups were found.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. The Russian adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of settlement of Bobylivka (Sumy oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Leonivka, Sen'kivka (Chernihiv oblast), Klyusy, Serhiivka, Simeikyne (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Vesoka Yaruha, and Krasne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of settlement of Borova (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 4x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Terny (Donetsk oblast) and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast). With the air support, Russian forces attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Also, the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, and Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 11x attacks in the vicinities of Chasiv Yar, Novyi, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the Russian invaders attempted to improve its tactical position in that area. Also, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Mykolaivka, Zalizne, Andriivka, and Dyliivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Kalynivka, and Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x attack in the vicinity of Semenivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Also, the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ocheretyne, Umans'ke, and Berdychi (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Semenivka, and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian enemy in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka. Russian forces made 13x attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Also, the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Krasnohorivka, Kostyantynivka, and Antonivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Orikhiv axis: with the air support, Russian forces launched 8x attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Robotyne, northwest of Verbove, and north of Pryyutne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Malynivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Malynivka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, and Shcherbaky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian forces artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: on March 28, Russian forces launched 1x attack on the positions of Ukrainian troops on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Krynky, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Novoberyslav (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson.

On March 28, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 14x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment. Also, the Ukrainian Air Defense forces and means destroyed 1x guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 4x command posts, 4x air defense systems, 2x artillery systems, and 1x ammunition depot of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Sinkovka and Stroyevka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on units of the AFU 24th, 53rd mechanised brigades, 5th Assault Brigade, and 4th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Krasnogorovka, Chasov Yar, Kleshcheyevka, and Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 370 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 19 motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, two D-30 howitzers, and two U.S.-made M119 howitzers.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and repelled seven counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 47th, 53rd, and 59th mechanised brigades near Tonenkoye, Berdychi, and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 95 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, including one U.S.-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, two U.S.-made M777 howitzers, and two D-30 howitzers.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on units of the AFU 58th Mechanised Brigade and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 Ukrainian troops and seven motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade and 121st Territorial Defence Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) and Mikhailovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, four motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 107 areas during the day.

Over the past 24 hours, air defence units shot down 131 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, 26 U.S.-made HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles.

?? In total, 577 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 17,483 unmanned aerial vehicles, 489 air defence missile systems, 15,629 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,256 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,559 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 20,303 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Australian team plays pivotal role in US project

By Lieutenant Colonel Carrie Robards

28 March 2024

A group of ADF and contracted specialists from the Land Network Integration Centre (LNIC) and soldiers from the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment established and maintained a network required to conduct Australia's contribution to Project Convergence.

The annual US-led campaign of experimentation first started in 2022.

Project Convergence Capstone Four (PC-C4) was held at Camp Pendleton and then Fort Irwin, California, from February 23 to March 20.

Deputy Director Land Network Integration - Army Lieutenant Colonel Lucas Connolly said the LNIC team of 15 was a key enabler for the network connectivity required for the experiment.

"LNIC served as the cornerstone for coalition integration on Project Convergence," Lieutenant Colonel Connolly said.

"It was a pivotal role, which was amplified by the sophisticated network that our expert workforce worked with.

"The team that attended PC-C4 enabled the seamless integration of Australia with its coalition partners during the experiment."

Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Ray James, a telecommunication network manager at LNIC, deployed to coordinate the workforce.

"LNIC provided the networked environment to enable core services integration to support the serials as they were conducted," WO2 James said.

"It was key to many outcomes. I am pleased that conditions have been set for ongoing experimentation with coalition partners.

"It was an amazing experience to work with our partners, like the UK. We shared a physical working location and the banter back and forward was great. Watching the Super Bowl with our US counterparts was also a highlight."

The campaign of learning through persistent experimentation is designed to aggressively advance and integrate technology across all warfighting domains.

As a part of the contribution to multi-domain operations, Signaller Prenolan Pandarum deployed as a cyber-warfare specialist.

"My role involved providing general cyber security advice and performing security risk assessments on any new assets being added into the Australian network," Signaller Pandarum said.

"It was interesting to collaborate with coalition nations and share our different ideas to create a more secure network.

"Project Convergence has offered unique insights working in an integrated environment. It has been a thoroughly fulfilling experience."

Lance Corporal Bailey McGaughran, of the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment, deployed as an information systems (IS) detachment commander.

"My role involved providing a strategic link back to Australia in a deployed environment," Lance Corporal McGaughran said.

"We also operated a level-one IS helpdesk for LNIC and actively assisted in providing, maintaining and troubleshooting the coalition network system."

PC-C4 comprised more than 4000 service members and civilians from multiple branches and foreign allies and partners, including New Zealand, Canada, France and Japan.

Lance Corporal McGaughran said his involvement in PC-C4 was a positive experience in and out of uniform.

"Working with coalition nations strengthened relationships and offered insight into their operations compared to the Australian Army," he said.

"Participating in this year's Project Convergence was a truly rewarding experience for myself and my detachment."

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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya asks the Congress to help people of Belarus establish democracy in their country

Council of Europe

congress of local and regional authorities

strasbourg

28 March 2024

The goal of the Belarusian democratic forces was to decentralise governance and foster greater empowerment and autonomy within local communities, stressed Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressing the Congress session on 27 March 2024.

Convinced that the Congress could play a role in supporting Belarus' joining European institutions, she asked Congress members to help prepare the reform of self-governance, launch rehabilitation programmes for children of repressed and former political prisoners, organise scholarships and internships for Belarusians, and endorse the European perspective for Belarus, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

Ms Tsikhanouskaya called on the Congress, mayors and local government leaders to become part of a broad international coalition for the integration of Belarus into democratic Europe. "We cannot make the change in isolation from the rest of Europe," she said, adding that "for the people of Belarus, the road to Europe goes through Strasbourg".

In the debate following her statement, Congress members praised her courage in the fight for democracy in her country, and expressed their solidarity with the people of Belarus and commitment to support the establishment of democracy in that country.

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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.

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"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.

"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."

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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."

Don't Ask, Don't tell was a U.S. policy that banned openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people from joining the military.

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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.

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.

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"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."

Former Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy noted he and Lieberman shared Stamford roots, "so we go way back."

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"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."

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.

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"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."

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.

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"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."

Tong said Lieberman was a mentor to him throughout his career.

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"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."

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.

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"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."

"While we did not always agree, I have endless respect for the way in which he forged his own path through public service, engaging across the aisle and breaking barriers as the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee for a major party," he said. "Mary and I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Hadassah, and their entire family in this difficult moment."
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Meets With Singapore's Leaders

By Adam Hancock March 28, 2024

Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become China's 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 country's 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 Washington's 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 Beijing's next top diplomat. Most expected that would happen during China's 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 Singapore's 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 Singapore's 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.

Singapore's 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 Singapore's 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 country's history, with local media reporting that more than $2.2 billion of assets have been seized or frozen.

Singapore's 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 Singapore's 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."

Liu's 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 Beijing's 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 Singapore's 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.

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China to Drive World Economic Recovery, Says a Top Communist Official

By VOA News March 28, 2024

Brushing off domestic economic headwinds, a top Communist Party official said Thursday that China aims to drive the world's 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 China's 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."

Zhao's 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.

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US, Argentina to Cooperate, Combat Illegal Chinese Fishing

By Neal Kuo March 28, 2024

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 Guard's cooperation with Argentina a together with recent visits from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns a reflect a shift by Argentine President Javier Milei's 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 O'Donnell, a political science professor at the National University of San MartAn 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."

O'Donnell 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," O'Donnell 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 a stark contrast from three years ago, when U.S. patrols in the South Atlantic led to conflict with Argentina's 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 Milei's actions do not represent a complete break between China and Argentina, but rather an interest in diversifying Argentina's international relationships, with fishing in Argentina's territorial waters providing the country with a bargaining chip. China remains Argentina's 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 Taiwan's 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 Aires's relations with Beijing."

Evie Steele contributed to this story.

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Joint Statement following Russia's veto of the mandate renewal of the UN Security Council's 1718 Committee Panel of Experts

Joint Statement on behalf of the United States, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.

28 March 2024

The United States, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom are deeply disappointed by the outcome of today's vote on renewing the mandate of the United Nations Security Council's 1718 Committee Panel of Experts.

Despite our concerted efforts to negotiate in good faith, Russia's veto is nothing more than an attempt to silence independent, objective investigations into persistent violations of Security Council resolutions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and by Russia itself, as it seeks military support from the DPRK to wage its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The text reflected considerations from all parties who meaningfully engaged in the process. Russia's veto stands against this hard work and undermines attempts at agreeing to an amenable renewal. We have now seen Russia use its veto to end two Panels of Experts due to its expanding military relationships with those governments.

For the past 15 years, the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts has been the gold standard for providing fact-based, independent assessments, analysis, and recommendations bearing on the implementation of the Security Council resolutions on the DPRK. These reports help all Member States carry out their Security Council obligations and address the DPRK's unlawful pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

We must ask ourselves: Why would any Council member break 14 years of unanimous support for this mandate?

The answer is clear: Russia chose to silence the DPRK Panel of Experts' reporting on Moscow's own violations of Security Council resolutions. This break in unanimous support seeks, as well, to shield from public view the DPRK's persistent sanctions evasion efforts around the world.

Now, it will be more difficult for Member States to address the DPRK's unlawful pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and sanctions evasion efforts within their jurisdictions.

Russia is responsible for that. This is not the behavior of a responsible UN Member State, let alone a permanent member of the Security Council.

Russia's veto today jeopardizes international peace and security. Instead of supporting actions to uphold the global nonproliferation regime, Russia has voted to make it easier for the DPRK to pursue nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, and emboldens the DPRK to continue its unlawful activity with a sense of impunity. China, through its abstention, sends a signal too.

Despite the outcome of today's vote, the Security Council's resolutions and all UN measures against the DPRK's unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs remain in effect. Therefore, the DPRK and all Member States must abide by their obligations as set out in these resolutions.

While Russia silenced the Panel of Experts today, it will never silence those of us who stand in support of the global nonproliferation regime. We will continue to call on the Security Council to fulfill its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. We will continue to work in good faith with all members of the Security Council, as well as other Member States, to implement Security Council resolutions and work towards our shared goal for the DPRK to abandon all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.



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Russia's veto is about its breaching of sanctions in pursuit of weapons to use against Ukraine: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on nuclear non-non-proliferation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

28 March 2024

President, first allow me to extend our utmost gratitude to the 1718 Panel of Experts, and to the US for their work as penholder.

The DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes present a global, and escalating threat to international security and the global non-proliferation regime.

Over the past decade, the Panel of Experts has played a vital role in constraining the DPRK, by exposing the progress of its nuclear and missile programmes, and other forms of sanctions non-compliance.

This veto undermines the Panel's work; the integrity of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime; and this Council's credibility in upholding UN Security Council resolutions.

It follows arms deals between Russia and the DPRK, in breach of UN Security Council resolutions. These include the transfer of ballistic missiles which Russia has then used in its illegal invasion of Ukraine since the early part of this year.

Claims that calls for a review of the sanctions regime were ignored are simply not accurate.

Let us be clear: nothing in this text prevents the Council from reviewing or amending the sanctions regime, should consensus be found.

This veto does not demonstrate concern for the North Korean people or the efficacy of sanctions. 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.

It is deeply concerning that Russia, a permanent member of this Council, has taken such action.

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 with the sanctions regime, and will continue to work with all Members in support of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.





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Security Council Fails to Extend Mandate for Expert Panel Assisting Sanctions Committee on Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9591st Meeting (AM)

SC/15648

28 March 2024

Text Rejected on Account of Veto Cast by Russian Federation

The Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would have extended until 30 April 2025 the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea due to a veto cast by the Russian Federation a a permanent member of the Council a while numerous speakers underscored that Moscow's veto fuels suspicion and weakens the global non-proliferation architecture.

If adopted, the resolution a presented by the United States a would have further decided that this mandate shall also apply with respect to the measures imposed in resolutions 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2356 (2017), 2371 (2017), 2375 (2017), 2397 (2017) and 2664 (2022).

By other terms, it would have requested the Panel to submit its confidential midterm report no later than 23 August 2024 and its final report no later than 14 February 2025.

Speaking before the vote, the representative of the United States said that, for 14 years, the 15-member organ had come together unanimously to renew the mandate of the Committee's Panel of Experts, which conducts credible, fact-based, independent investigations of Pyongyang's unlawful weapons programmes and sanctions evasion efforts. Over the past year, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has accelerated its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of multiple Council resolutions. Just last week, it launched a new round of ballistic missiles, he observed, stressing: "These provocations are a direct threat to the non-proliferation regime and the peace and security of all Member States." Washington, D.C.'s approach to this mandate renewal has been inclusive and transparent: "We negotiated in good faith for weeks to seek compromise and consensus among all Council members [a] we did not rush to a vote; rather, we undertook a careful, methodological approach," he added.

The representative of the Russian Federation, stating that the situation on and around the Korean Peninsula has "changed fundamentally" in recent years, said that the sanctions regime the Council adopted through resolution 1718 (2006) is "losing its relevance" and is "detached from reality". Further, the unprecedented policy of a coalition of Western countries a led by the United States a to strangle Pyongyang calls into question the possibility of resolving future problems on the Peninsula. Underscoring that this "dangerous turn of events" affects the Russian Federation's national security, he added that recent years have made clear that sanctions have neither achieved the international community's stated aims nor normalized the situation on the Peninsula. They have also not encouraged dialogue and yet impose a heavy burden on the population of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Noting that it is only with respect to that country that open-ended sanctions have been introduced and applied a with no provisions to alter the restrictions imposed a he stressed that it is "high time" for the Council to update the sanctions regime. The Panel of Experts "is now a weapon", he said, stating that its work increasingly plays into the West's hands by printing biased information, analysing newspaper headlines and assessing poor-quality photos. The Panel focuses on "trivial matters that are not commensurate with the problems facing the Peninsula", he emphasized. Recalling that his delegation has urged the Council to hold an open, honest review of its sanctions against Pyongyang and adapt its measures to "rapidly changing circumstances", he said that these ideas are not present in today's draft. He added that his delegation does not see "any added value" in the Panel's work and cannot support the United States' draft.

The representative of the Republic of Korea highlighted the Panel of Experts' role in guiding the Member States through "the complex web" of Pyongyang's sanctions regime and "putting differences arising from geopolitical tensions behind". Given that country's continued provocations, advancement of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and sophisticated sanctions evasion, he warned that the "failure to adopt this resolution will result in the abolishment of the Panel" a something that the Council's permanent members should avoid by all means. "Let us stand united for the sake of nuclear non-proliferation and international peace and security," he concluded.

By a vote of 13 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 1 abstention (China), the Council rejected the draft, owing to the negative vote cast by a permanent member.

Speaking after the vote, the representative of the United States expressed deep disappointment over the outcome of today's vote, which was "an attempt by one Council member to silence an independent objective investigation into [Pyongyang's] Security Council violations". "Why would any Council member not vote in support of this mandate renewal and break the 14 years of unanimous adoption?" he asked, adding: "The answer is clear; the Panel began reporting in the last year on Russia's blatant violations of Security Council resolutions in addition to [Pyongyang's] persistent sanctions evasion efforts within Russia's jurisdiction."

Stressing that Moscow "owns this failure", he warned that today's vote will only embolden the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to act with further impunity as it jeopardizes global security through the development of long-large ballistic missiles and sanctions evasion efforts. And China, with its abstention, once again showed the Council where it stands on curbing Pyongyang's proliferation. Moscow has done more today than obstruct the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), it has undermined the prospect of a peaceful diplomatic resolution of one of the world's most dangerous nuclear proliferation issues. And even though it silenced the Panel of Experts today, "[it] will never silence those of us who stand in support of the global non-proliferation regime," he asserted.

The representative of the Russian Federation, who voted against, countered that today's statements by Western States show that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have "dropped their masks and clearly demonstrated why they really want to extend the mandate of the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts a to use it to channel unfounded insinuations against the Russian Federation". He also said that the delegation of the United States a which has used its veto four times in the last five months to allow Israel to kill and starve Palestinian civilians and has declared in the Chamber that the organ's decisions are "non-binding" a "does not have the right to give lessons to others".

The speaker for China, who abstained, observed that over the past decade, the Council has adopted more resolutions to strengthen the sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, resulting in extremely stringent sanctions mechanisms. However, "sanctions are not an end in itself"; instead, they should serve the denuclearization of the Peninsula and the final political settlement of the political issue. The harsh sanctions against Pyongyang have not led to achieving the above-mentioned goals; rather, they have exacerbated tensions and confrontation, with a serious negative impact on the humanitarian situation on the ground. The original intention of China and the Russian Federation in jointly introducing the draft resolution is to activate the reversal clause and adjust the sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the humanitarian and livelihood field. "Sanctions should not be set in stone or be indefinite," he stressed, calling on all parties to positively consider the Russian Federation's draft resolution.

Numerous Council members a among them, the representatives of Guyana, Slovenia, Ecuador and Sierra Leone a expressed regret over today's veto, noting that it deprives the organ of a key tool to ensure the implementation of its resolutions and weakens the international non-proliferation architecture.

The representative of the Republic of Korea said that the Panel of Experts a one of the Council's most vibrant and significant subsidiary bodies a "has been taken hostage by one permanent member [which] puts its blind self-centredness over the Council's collective responsibility for maintaining international peace and security". Noting the Russian Federation's proposal to include a one-year sunset clause on the entire sanctions' regime tied to the renewal of the Panel's mandate, he pointed out that Moscow "employed an all-too-familiar and obvious tactic by insisting on completely unacceptable conditions without any room for compromise". At this moment, "Russia seems to be more interested in embracing or encouraging the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] for its provision of munitions and ballistic missiles for the conduct of its war in Ukraine at the expense of the nuclear-non-proliferation regime and the proper functioning of the Security Council," he asserted, adding: "This is almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed."

"Who can seriously doubt the need to have an independent Panel of Experts allowing us to document the violations of this Council's resolutions?" asked France's delegate, voicing concern over Pyongyang's recent ballistic-missile tests, launch of a military satellite into orbit and support of Moscow's aggression against Ukraine.

"This veto undermines the Panel's work, the integrity of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and this Council's credibility in upholding resolutions," echoed his counterpart from the United Kingdom, dismissing the claims of ignored requests for the review of the text. Moscow vetoed the resolution "to gain the freedom to evade and breach sanctions in pursuit of weapons to be used against Ukraine", she asserted.

Switzerland's delegate added that Moscow's arguments are not convincing and its veto "only fuels suspicion" regarding violations of sanctions measures investigated by the Committee. While the Committee's task is hampered, its mandate remains intact, she stressed, reiterating that "arms shipments from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are a flagrant violation of international law."

"Nobody a except for proliferators a would benefit from weakening the global non-proliferation regime," underscored the representative of Japan, Council President for March, speaking in his national capacity. "It is irresponsible and shameful" that Moscow has been violating relevant resolutions by procuring military equipment and munitions from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for use in its unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. He noted that the voices of the wider membership will be heard during the General Assembly meeting that will be convened in response to today's veto.

The speaker for Malta pointed out that today's text "represented a set of significant compromises": it accommodated requests to link mandate renewal to broader discussions on sanctions and dialogue on the file, as well as made the midterm report confidential. Yet, despite these significant changes a and even though most Council members supported a technical rollover a this compromise was vetoed by the Russian Federation. Stressing that any discussion on sanctions architecture should be kept separate from the Panel's mandate renewal, she underscored: "Panels of Experts are independent and impartial, and their mandates ought to be treated this way." In the absence of the Panel's reports, Pyongyang's relentless evasion of sanctions will continue to grow unchecked. "This is a sad disservice to regional and international peace and security," she observed.

For his part, Algeria's delegate urged members to find common ground and reach a consensus on renewing the Panel of Experts' mandate, adding: "Unity within the Security Council is paramount in confronting global peace and security challenges."

At the outset of the meeting, a procedural vote was requested by the Russian Federation on the meeting's provisional agenda. Having received the requisite number of votes in favour, the Council adopted the agenda and proceeded with the meeting.

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Russia Uses Veto to Shut Down UN Sanctions Monitors on North Korea

By Margaret Besheer March 28, 2024

Russia used its U.N. Security Council veto Thursday to end monitoring of U.N. sanctions against North Korea, after the monitors reported on Moscow's violations.

"Today's vote will only embolden the DPRK to act with further impunity, as the DPRK jeopardizes global security through the development of long-range ballistic missiles and sanctions evasion efforts," said U.S. envoy Robert Wood.

DPRK is the abbreviation for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

While the monitors' work will be halted, the sanctions remain in effect, and the Security Council sanctions committee will continue to oversee their implementation.

Several council members said the reason Russia wants the panel of experts disbanded is because in its most recent report in February, it details prohibited transfers of military equipment and munitions from North Korea to Russia, for use in its war in Ukraine. Moscow has denied the allegations.

"At this moment, 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," said South Korean Ambassador Joonkook Hwang.

Japan's envoy said Russia's veto was "irresponsible and shameful," especially as it was being used to defend North Korea's unlawful weapons programs.

"It's no exaggeration to say that we are standing at a critical historical juncture for ensuring nonproliferation of WMDs in the future," Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki said. "Nobody, except for the proliferators, would benefit from weaking the global non-proliferation regime."

Since 2006, the council has adopted several sanctions resolutions intended to limit North Korea's access to funds and materials for its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programs. The council created the panel of experts in 2009, and since then they have documented implementation and alleged violations of council resolutions.

But despite tough sanctions, Pyongyang continues to advance its weapons programs. Just last week, it carried out three ballistic missile tests and in November it put a military satellite into orbit.

"In this context, who can seriously doubt the need to have an independent panel of experts allowing us to document the violations of this council's resolutions?" asked France's ambassador, Nicolas de Riviere.

Russia's envoy said sanctions have not achieved their aim of normalizing the situation in the Korean Peninsula. Vassily Nebenzia added that the monitors have become a "weapon" of Western countries and are focusing their work on "trivial matters" unrelated to the problems on the Korean Peninsula. He said the sanctions regime needs updating.

"Against this backdrop, Russia has called for the council to adopt a decision to hold an open and honest review of the council sanctions measures in respect of the DPRK, moving the restrictions onto an annual basis," Nebenzia said.

He suggested that if the council reviewed sanctions annually, it might provide an incentive for Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.

Russia will have to go before the U.N. General Assembly in the next 10 days to explain its veto.

China abstained on the vote.

"And China, with its abstention, has once again shown us where it stands on curbing DPRK proliferation," U.S. Ambassador Wood said.

Ahead of the meeting, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was joined by her council counterparts from Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in a statement expressing support for the monitors. She noted that North Korea has launched more than 100 ballistic missiles since 2022, and its state-supported cyber activities are a threat to the international community.

"In the face of these repeated attempts to undermine international peace and security, the panel's work is more important now than ever before," Thomas-Greenfield said on behalf of the 10 council members.

Swiss Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl, who heads the council's North Korea sanctions committee, told reporters after the vote that she hopes a solution can still be found regarding the monitors, adding "not all doors are closed."

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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (March 28, 2024)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

March 28, 2024

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon friends, sorry for getting a little late, but let us start this press engagement. I open the floor for questions. So, we start from here. Ayushi.

Ayushi Agarwal: Sir this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. I would just like to have a reaction on the second statement by the U.S. State Department spokesperson on Kejriwal, which has also mentioned the frozen Congress accounts.

Amritpal Singh: This is Amritpal Singh from Doordarshan. Could you tell us about the engagement with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister?

Vedika Sud: Vedika Sud from CNN International. I have two questions, so bear with me. The first is there were 22 Indian crew members on board the container ship when it collided with the bridge in Baltimore. What more can you tell us about their health, their condition, where they are, and has someone from the government reached out to them? The second question is if you can give us an update on the Indians who were duped by the agents and were sent to Russia to join the military. How many men do we know of now who are still in Russia and what's the update on the death toll, if any? Thank you.

Kunal Kunder: This is Kunal from PTI. This is a follow-up on the question the lady asked. The 22 crew member who were there on board, I think one report suggests that he was injured and taken to a hospital and he's now safe. Do we know about the condition of the other crew members, about their particulars, were they Singapore based, were they Indian based and traveling, and has there been any official communication from the U.S. government or marine authorities to the Indian side? Thank you.

Umashankar Singh: Umashankar Singh NDTV se. Ek aapatti jatai jane ke baad phir se America ke taraf se dusara bayan aaya hai Kejriwal aur Congress ke khaate ko le kar. To ispe kya humne apne taraf se narajgi jatai hai, aapati jattai hai? Ya kisi ko talab kiya gaya hai U.S. embassy se?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Umashankar Singh from NDTV. After an objection was raised, yet another statement has come from America regarding the account of Kejriwal and Congress. So have we expressed our displeasure or objection on this? Have you summoned someone from the US Embassy?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, let me take all these questions and then we'll come back. There are couple of questions regarding the U.S. State Department spokesperson's comment. As you know that we've already, yesterday India had lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the U.S. Embassy with regard to the comments made by the U.S. 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. 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. So, this is our statement in response to your questions.

Amrit, your question was regarding the visit of Ukrainian foreign minister. The visit of Ukrainian foreign minister is happening on the invitation of External Affairs Minister. He'll be here for on a two-day visit. As you would have seen, we issued a press release in this regard. He'll have a bilateral engagement with the External Affairs Minister where they will go over the gamut of issues that lie in the domain of bilateral relations and also review the Intergovernmental Commission that was held earlier. They will also discuss issues regarding global issues and regional issues of common concern. And then there are several other engagements also lined up for the Ukrainian foreign minister.

Vedika, regarding your question on the Indians who were on the ship, our information is that there are 21 crew members of which 20 are Indians. All of them are in good shape, good health. One of them got injured slightly and needed to have some stitches. The stitches have been given and he's then gone back to the ship. Our Embassy is in close touch with the Indians on board and also with local authorities in this matter. Regarding Russia, as I told you earlier also, we are constantly in touch with Russian authorities. We are expressingawe have taken it up strongly for them to have our nationals release and discharged as early as possible. I will have an update for you and as and when I have an update for you, I will keep you informed. On the death toll, we know last time also I had told you that two people had passed away. Their mortal remains have come to India and they have been sent to their family members. So the death toll is where two people had passed away, died in the conflict.

Kunal, regarding your question on the crew members, I already answered. There are 20 Indian nationals on board and they are in good health and one of them was injured and we've taken care of him.

Uma ji, apke sawal ka jawab humne de diya hai. Hindi me apko iska rupantaran, iska copy mil jayega.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Uma ji, we have given you the answer to your question. You will get a copy of its conversion in Hindi.

Siddhant: Sir, this is regarding China. China recently again claimed the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Your reaction? And secondly, it also reacted on the Pannun case saying that country should abide by rules based order. What is India's reaction on that?

Madhurendra: Sir, Madhurendra mai News Nation se. Kal WMCC baithak bhi huwi aur usme jo LAC par Bharat aur China ke bich ka vivad hai usko bhi le kar ye bataya gaya ek press release me bhi, ki kafi in depth discussion huwa. Beyond the press release, aur koi jankari de paye ki baatchit kis natize tak pahuchi?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, Madhurendra from News Nation. WMCC meeting was also held yesterday and the dispute between India and China on LAC was discussed in depth, as mentioned in a press release. Can more information be provided, beyond what is already mentioned in the press release, as to what outcome the meeting has reached?

Jessica: Hi, this is Jessica from DD India. On the recent visit of Prime Minister to Bhutan, there was a proposal to construct a motorable road through Bhutan that would connect Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Any update on that and any concerns that Bhutan might have expressed?

Rishikesh: Sir Rishikesh from PTI. So, about India-China border talks, is there any specific area of LAC being discussed like centre area or Arunachal?

Rishabh: Sir Rishabh from Times Now. The Canadian Prime Minister has again spoken about credible allegations against India in the Nijjar case and he has spoken about how he is engaging constructively with India. So, if we can have an update on India-Canada discussion around this, given that the state media from Canada had released a footage claiming it to be the CCTV footage of Nijjar killing.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Let's come back. Any questions that are related to the subjects that were just highlighted? Sudhi?

Sudhi Ranjan: Sir, Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Just drawing your attention to the recent statement that we have seen from Germany on Kejriwal, we have seen a string of statements from the United States on the same issue. Does the Government of India see this as separate, disparate incidents or they see a connection between these two?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Siddhant, regarding your question, let me make it very clearaopposition 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. 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.

Your question regarding what the Chinese MFA had spoken about a certain person. I would say that 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. So, that answers your question.

Madhu, apka sawal tha jo abhi humne baithak kiya hai China ke saath uske bare me. Uspe hum logo ne ek press vigyapti jari ki hai. Apko main kahunga ki aap us press vigyapti ko padhe. Jo humko kahena tha hum logo ne us press vigyapti me keh diya hai.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Madhu, your question was about the meeting we had with China. We have issued a press release on the same. I would direct you to the press release. Whatever we had to say, we have said in the press release.

The 29th meeting of the working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs was held on 27th in Beijing. On our side, the delegation was led by a joint secretary in East Asia in the Ministry of External Affairs. The Chinese side was led by 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 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. So, this is that we have to share with you.

Jessica, your question regarding the road project you talked about. I would say that I have not seen anyayou referred to any report in that regard. Where did youawhere do you see this then?

Jessica: I am..where have we mentioned in CGTN about it as well, but otherwise there have been justa

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Well, I have not seen any specific report in this regard. However, as you have seen from the outcomes of the Prime Minister's visit, recent visit to Bhutan, the two sides have been pursuing connectivity projects, several initiatives for enhancing connectivity, taking a broader view of this area of cooperation, given its significant benefits, including for tourism and for economic development.

Rishikesh apka sawal bhi China ko leke tha jo hum logo ke saath baatchit chal rahi hai. Do pakshiy baatchit chal rahi hai, uspe hum logo ne press release jaari kiya hai. Us press release me jo hum logo ko kahena tha hum logo ne keh diya hai. Toh wahi tak, yehi hai humare paas abhi apko baat batane ke liye.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate translation] Rishikesh your question was also about China, the talks going on with us. Bilateral discussions are being held. We have issued a press release on that. We have said what we had to say in that press release. So, this is what we have to share with you right now.

Rishabh, you had a question on the Canadian Prime Minister's recent comments. See, what Prime Minister Trudeau has really said is nothing new. I would recall that on 21 September last year, my predecessor had, in a presser here, 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. But we are yet to receive any such information. We have also cautioned against playing politics and giving extremists more space. So, that is to answer your question.

Sudhi, on the question of comments made by spokespersons of the United States State Department and the comments made by the spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, we have made our position very clear. We have, in the case of German Foreign Ministry's comments, we made a statement and similarly, we made a statement on the comments made by the U.S. State Department's spokesperson. And today, again, we have made some comments. So, that is where I leave it.

Suhasini Haidar: Suhasini Haidar from the Hindu. If I could just ask about Mr. Kuleba's visit. Ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Modi had spoken to President Zelensky, who had then tweeted that he hopes India will join an upcoming Swiss Peace Conference that will bring both Russia and Ukraine to the table, or it hopes to do so. So, I wanted to ask what India's position is on this Swiss Peace Conference and whether India will be taking any kind of a larger role, discussing any kind of a larger role when Mr. Kuleba comes here on the issue of the Ukraine war. And my second question pertains to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's statement in Malaysia. He said that India has been asked to convey messages on the Israel-Gaza conflict right now. I was wondering if you could tell us more about what kind of messages India has been asked to convey to both sides. And is India explicitly calling for a ceasefire? Because every other country, including the United States, has now officially asked for a ceasefire in Gaza. While India has, of course, voted at the UNGA, there is no such statement yet. So, I just wanted to clarify what is India's position on calling for, on Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Abhishek Desai: Sir Abhishek Desai from from CNN News18. My question is regarding the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs's statement that came in the wake of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressing solidarity while being in Philippines. And the statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this amounts to some sort of interference in third party. And third parties have no right to interfere whatsoever. And we urge relevant parties to face squarely the facts and truth about the South China Sea issues and respect China's territorial sovereignty. You have any comment on that?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Yeah. So Suhasini, coming to the visit of Ukrainian Foreign Minister, as you know, that he's arrived in Delhi. He's here for a two-day visit at the invitation of our External Affairs Minister. We will be discussing several aspects of our bilateral relationship and also looking into areas of mutual interest and common concern, global issues and regional issues. As far as the question that you asked, you know, our position is very clear on peace initiatives and how we look at the Ukraine-Russia conflict. We continue to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and remain open to engaging all ways and means that would help achieve this objective. So, that is how I would answer your question.

Regarding Gaza and the ceasefire. You know, recently there was a UN Security Council resolution which was adopted. You know, we see that resolution as a positive development. Beyond that, you know, our position on Israel-Gaza conflict is very well known and has been articulated on multiple occasions. We have repeatedly called for de-escalation and preventing the spread of the conflict. We have condemned terrorism, called for release of hostages, sought 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. So, that is how I would answer your question.

Abhishek, regarding your question on Philippines, External Affairs Minister has already made our position very clear how we look at issues that impact that part of the world. And he made itahe talked about it in very clear terms. It is in line with our long-standing position on the particular matter.

Kallol Bhattacherjee: Kallol Bhattacherjee from The Hindu. Last week we saw the Pakistan-Afghanistan Iran desk chief, Mr. J.P Singh, visiting the Afghan embassy in Delhi. And we know that the Afghan embassy was shut down in November. So, in this particular visit he met with the consular general of Afghanistan in Delhi and there was discussion about various issues, including on Afghan-India fund that goes back in time to 2007 or 2008. So, my question is, you know, are we really now engaging the Taliban to dispensation to such an extent that where these sort of, you know, matters, like functional matters, like exchanges of funds and things like that are being discussed. And also, is the Afghan embassy now officially open? That's also something I would like to know. Because we don't have a head of mission as I am given to understand. But is there a new head of mission that you would like to tell us that has taken over in the recent days?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. Kunal?

Kunal: This is regarding the Chinese, sorry, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's visit to China. Is India looking into it? Is there any reading to it or what's the stand of India, sir?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, So, Kallol, to answer your question, you know, the meeting of MEA officials with accredited diplomats is normal part of our functioning of our diplomacy. So, I would leave it at that.

Kunal regarding your question, regarding the visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister to Beijing. You know, we monitor all developments that have an impact on our economic and security interests and we take this reaction that are required to be taken.

Sudhi: Sir thank you for giving me a second question, sir. Sir, just drawing your notice to a statement from China, which says that both sides, India and China, positively assess progress on the border issue at the WMCC meeting. Is there a breakthrough in the border dispute?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Shudhi, I would like to tell you that, you know, this morning itself, we had given a press release of the meeting that happened in Beijing. I would refer you to the press release. Please see, we have made some comments there. We have given details of how we have engaged with each other. And therefore, I would request that, please, if you could look at the press release, it will be helpful.

Thank you very much. Let's close this session. See you later.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Bafel Talabani

28 March 2024 17:26

571-28-03-2024



On March 28, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Bafel Talabani, who is on a working visit to Moscow.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of further strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Iraq, including in the context of advancing diversified, mutually beneficial cooperation with the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq.

The officials exchanged views in detail on relevant Middle Eastern matters, with a focus on the situation in Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq as a whole. Both sides reiterated their support for the efforts to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq, to respect its constitution, and prevent the transformation of this multiethnic state into a battleground for settling scores and confrontation between external actors.

On the same day, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov held extensive consultations with Bafel Talabani at the Foreign Ministry.



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Latvian Broker Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling Advanced U.S. Aircraft Technology to Russia

Thursday, March 28, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

In a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury, a citizen of the Republic of Latvia is charged with crimes related to a years-long conspiracy to sell sophisticated avionics equipment to Russian companies, in violation of U.S. export laws. The defendant is the third to be arrested and charged in connection with the conspiracy led by a Kansas company and two U.S. nationals.

According to the superseding indictment, Oleg Chistyakov, also known as Olegs Aitsjakovs, 55, conspired with U.S. citizens Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky and Douglas Edward Robertson, of Kansas, to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment of U.S. avionics equipment to customers in Russia and in other countries that operate Russian-built aircraft, including the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). Chistyakov was arrested on March 19 near Riga, Latvia, and remains detained pending extradition proceedings. In December 2023, Buyanovsky pleaded guilty to conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and consented to the forfeiture of over $450,000 worth of avionics equipment and a $50,000 personal forfeiture judgment.

"As alleged, Mr. Chistyakov facilitated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit transactions to funnel sophisticated U.S. aerospace technology to companies in Russia," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "This arrest is another example of the Justice Department's unwavering mission to hold accountable those who enable Russian aggression, including those involved in facilitation networks that fuel the Russian war effort."

"The Justice Department upholds the laws of the United States and prosecutes those who break them regardless of whether those individuals are on U.S. soil or the other side of the world," said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. "Oleg Chistyakov's arrest was only possible due to the assistance and cooperation of authorities in Latvia. This type of international cooperative effort makes it immensely challenging for those accused of committing crimes against the U.S. to find safe havens beyond reach of our judicial system."

"The FBI and our partners continue to pursue anyone who aids Russia in its unjust and autocratic behavior or to violate export control laws or any other law for that matter," said Executive Assistant Director Larissa Knapp of the FBI's National Security Branch. "Today's indictment and forfeiture judgment should serve as a reminder that we will not tolerate attempts to transfer sensitive avionics equipment and technology to hostile nations."

"It doesn't matter if you're in Kansas or in Latvia a if you violate American law, you risk facing American justice," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce Matthew S. Axelrod for Export Enforcement. "We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners across the globe to pursue those who seek to send military-grade aerospace equipment to support the Russian military."

According to court documents, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and despite additional U.S. economic countermeasures levied against Russia, Chistyakov and his conspirators continued to smuggle and export sophisticated and controlled avionics equipment to companies in Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

As further alleged, Chistyakov, while operating from Latvia, worked with Buyanovsky and Robertson through their U.S. company, KanRus Trading Company Inc. (KanRus), to circumvent U.S export laws by purchasing avionics equipment from U.S. companies for customers in Russia. Chistyakov allegedly acted as a broker for KanRus by soliciting quotes, negotiating prices and terms of delivery, and facilitating payments between KanRus and customers in Russia.

The superseding indictment details actions allegedly taken by Chistyakov and his conspirators to conceal their illegal activities including by creating false invoices, transshipping items through third-party countries, such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using bank accounts in third-party countries, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE, and exporting items to intermediary companies which then reexported the items to the ultimate end destinations.

On Dec. 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce added many of the entities and individuals involved in Chistyakov's alleged illegal export scheme to the Commerce Department's Entity List

as part of the U.S. government's interagency efforts to dismantle Russian procurement networks designed to circumvent U.S. export controls and sanctions imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Entity List imposes specific license requirements on all listed individuals and entities.

Chistyakov is charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of violation of Export Control Reform Act, multiple counts of smuggling goods from the United States, conspiracy to commit international money laundering and two counts of international money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy, 20 years in prison for each Export Control count, 10 years in prison for each smuggling count and 20 years in prison for each money laundering count.

The FBI and the Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case, including participation in Latvia following Chistyakov's arrest. Procedural actions were carried out in close cooperation with the State Security Service of the Republic of Latvia and assistance of the Prosecutor-General's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Rask and Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Adam Barry of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance.

The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department's tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

Attachment: Chistyakov Second Superseding Indictment.pdf [ [PDF, 420 KB]

Components

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

Press Release Number: 24-365

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China's top legislator meets guests from Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Russia

Xinhua) 16:56, March 29, 2024

BOAO, Hainan, March 29 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Thursday met separately with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the Supreme Privy Council to the King of Cambodia, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk in Boao on south China's island province of Hainan, who are here to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024.

When meeting with Tokayev, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China-Kazakhstan relations have entered a new "golden 30 years," adding that building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future was a strategic decision made by the two heads of state and a fundamental guideline for the future development of bilateral relations.

The two sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, firmly support each other, deepen cooperation in key areas, promote closer people-to-people ties, and strengthen strategic coordination, so that the two countries can achieve the strategic goal of common development and prosperity, Zhao said.

China's NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Kazakh parliament at various levels and in various forms, deepen exchanges in governance, and provide legal guarantee for bilateral practical cooperation, he added.

Tokayev said Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, including between the legislatures, to push for new development of bilateral relations.

When meeting with Hun Sen, Zhao said the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era of high quality, high level and high standard under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries.

China stands ready to uphold the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, maintain strategic communication with Cambodia, deepen cooperation in economy, culture, youth and other fields, work together on the journey of national modernization, and promote the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future, Zhao said.

The legislatures of the two countries should continue the tradition of friendly exchanges, continue to build multi-level and wide-ranging cooperative relations, and provide policy support and legal guarantee for promoting the rule of law in their respective countries and deepening practical cooperation, he added.

Cambodia attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with China, Hun Sen said, adding that the Cambodian side is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields and further promote the building of Cambodia-China community of shared future.

When meeting with Overchuk, Zhao said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained sound, stable and in-depth development.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, Zhao said, calling on the two sides to continue to advance cooperation in various fields in the spirit of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit, and enrich the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era with fruitful cooperation results.

China's NPC will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, learn from each other's successful experience in legislation and other fields, and provide complete legal guarantee for bilateral cooperation, he said.

For his part, Overchuk said that Russia-China cooperation has shown sound development momentum, and that Russia is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and elevate the Russia-China relations to a higher level.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The former Forest City Cleaners building on William Street in Middletown was recently knocked down to make way for a municipal parking lot. Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media The former Forest City Cleaners at 248 William St. in Middletown was knocked down recently. Only the foundation remains. Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media The city of Middletown is in the process of securing use of St. John Roman Catholic Church's unused lot at the corner of North Main Street and Route 66 west. Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media

MIDDLETOWN  More parking areas near downtown, near Wesleyan University and in the North End will soon bolster Middletown's municipal lots.

The city owns the property formerly occupied by Forest City Cleaners at 248 William St. The family business closed in 2008 after nearly 60 years of operation.

The building has been demolished, Economic and Community Development Director Christine Marques reported at Wednesdays Downtown Business District meeting. A foundation is all that remains at the site.

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Thats a huge achievement for the city since its been three to four years since weve tried to get that done, the EDC director said.

Soon, environmental remediation will be conducted courtesy of a $100,000 brownfields grant from the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

Part of the funding for the project came from the state Department of Economic and Community Development.



Local officials are working with engineers from Tighe & Bond of Middletown, and the project is being overseen by city-based American Contractors.



Designs for the parking lot are forthcoming, Marques said.

Just over a mile away, the city is in the process of leasing a smaller parking area owned by St. John Roman Catholic Church at the corner of North Main Street and Route 66 West.

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More parking has been been added recently in municipal lots near downtown, including a 40-spot lot on Rapallo Avenue, which is now available for use.

Hundreds more spots are proposed as part of the Return to the Riverfront master plan for redevelopment intended to reconnect Main Street to Harbor Park and the Connecticut River via a pedestrian bridge over Route 9.

City officials are negotiating the purchase of the Attention to Detail automobile customization shop parcel on deKoven Drive to make way for the proposed Village at Riverside downtown, a block-sized mixed-use development with public spaces and retail shops.

The complex expected to also include ample parking for residents and visitors. Between 500 and 700 new spaces are intended to replace those lost following the demolition of the former parking arcade on Court Street in 2018.

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These will supplement the multiple municipal lots located around the city.
Press release on Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's telephone conversation with Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Makamba

28 March 2024 17:18

570-28-03-2024



On March 28, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by telephone with Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania January Makamba.

The Tanzanian minister resolutely condemned the savage terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall. He expressed his deep condolences and asked Mr Lavrov to convey the words of sympathy and support to the families of the deceased and wished early recovery to the injured.

During the conversation, the ministers also exchanged views on a number of key bilateral issues and reaffirmed their mutual intention to continue developing productive Russian-Tanzanian cooperation in various areas and readiness to deepen constructive interaction and coordination of moves in the UN and other international platforms.



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Russian Deputy Defence Minister Aleksandr Fomin holds talks with Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services

28.03.2024

On 28 March 2024, in Naypyidaw, the Republic of Myanmar, the Russian delegation headed by Deputy Russian Defence Minister Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin, held talks with Chairman of the State Administrative Council / Prime Minister / Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Republic of the Union Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The Deputy Defence Minister on behalf of Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, congratulated Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on the 79th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Union of Myanmar and thanked for the traditionally warm welcome and hospitality that the Russian delegation was treated with.

'Today, Tatmadaw is the region's most effective armed forces equipped with modern weaponry and military hardware, and this, Senior General, is definitely your merit', Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin said.

During the talks, the Deputy Defence Minister of the Russian Federation commended Myanmar for its friendly relations, which is Russia's long-standing and most important strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

'In the face of the unparalleled sanctions campaign launched by the 'collective West' both against Russia and against Myanmar, our countries continue to fully support each other and act in a spirit of strategic partnership and alliance,' Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin stressed.

The sides also discussed in detail the implementation of numerous bilateral military cooperation projects, outlined steps towards further strengthening of traditionally friendly Russian-Myanmar relations in a spirit of strategic partnership.

'We lay a solid foundation for the further development of relations between the armed forces of the Russian Federation and Myanmar. This year we have more than 50 bilateral military cooperation events planned, including mutual visits by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces branches, as well as joint operational and combat training projects,' Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin stressed.

Deputy Defence Minister of the Russian Federation noted that the Russian military department expects to see high representation of Myanmar at events organised by the Russian Ministry of Defence in 2024: 'This is the Main Naval Parade, 2024 International Army Games, ARMY 2024 International Military-Technical Forum, 12th Moscow Conference on International Security, as well as the Ocean 2024 strategic command post exercise, in which the Myanmar side has already confirmed the participation of its observers'.

The talks were held in the open and trusting manner of Myanmar-Russia relations, which helped to strengthen bilateral contacts in the defence sphere.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Russia: Rights experts condemn continued imprisonment of Evan Gershkovich

28 March 2024 - Russia must immediately release American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained without evidence for a year, two UN human rights experts said on Thursday.

The 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter was arrested last March in Yekatarinburg on espionage charges and is being held at the infamous Lefortovo prison in Moscow.

Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, and Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, condemned his continued arbitrary detention.

"Russian authorities have yet to provide any credible evidence to substantiate the egregious espionage claims against Gershkovich," they said in a statement.

Targeting independent voices

On Tuesday, the Moscow City Court extended his detention for another three months, until June.

"This fits a well-documented pattern of Russian authorities using politically motivated administrative and criminal charges that allow for multiple renewals of pre-trial detention, targeting dissidents and independent voices opposed to Russia's war on Ukraine," they said.

The experts voiced deep concern that Mr. Gershkovich has not been brought to trial even after a year, a situation which "raises serious concerns about the presumption of innocence and the overall fairness of the legal process."

'A disturbing trend'

They stressed that anyone arrested or detained on criminal charges must be brought promptly before a judge and tried within a reasonable time, or released.

"Gershkovich's arrest is indicative of a disturbing trend in Russia, which has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of journalistsaboth Russian and foreign citizensaimprisoned for their work," they charged.

They noted that since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the number of imprisoned journalists in Russia has reached an all-time high, underlining the Government's intention to control the narrative both domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, 12 of the 17 foreign-national journalists detained worldwide are being detained in Russia, according to recent reports.

Appeal for international support

Mr. Gershkovich's detention is emblematic of the general crackdown on free speech and journalism in Russia, particularly in relation to independent reporting on the war against Ukraine, they said.

"As journalists face imprisonment and threats, public access to independent and critical information has diminished," they added. "We urge the international community to support independent journalists who courageously carry out their work both in Russia and from abroad."

At least 30 journalists are known to be detained and facing lengthy prison sentences, they continued, including on spurious charges of so-called crimes such as "disseminating false information" and "discrediting" the actions of the Russian armed forces.

Release all journalists

Another journalist with US citizenship, Alsu Kurmasheva, has also been arbitrarily detained in Russia since 18 October.

Ms. Kurmasheva, who worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, is accused of violating the provisions of the Russian law on "foreign agents" and may face additional charges.

"Gershkovich, Kurmasheva and all other journalists imprisoned for reporting from Russia must be released immediately and unconditionally," the experts said, strongly condemning flagrant violations of international human rights obligations by Russian authorities.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.

The experts are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organisation.

They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.

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White House Reveals Urgency of Warning Russians of Potential Terror Attack

By Misha Komadovsky March 28, 2024

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: I'm wondering what their response looked like. Was it a thank you note? Or did they say, "It's 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 it's 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.

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Stakes Are High for Turkish President, Opposition in Local Elections

By Ezel Sahinkaya March 28, 2024

Millions of Turkish citizens will head to the polls Sunday to elect mayors and local administrators for their cities and districts.

The elections come less than a year after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured his term for another five years last May.

"Now we have 2024 ahead of us," Erdogan said in his victory speech, adding, "Are you ready to win both Uskudar [a district in Istanbul where Erdogan's personal residence is] and Istanbul in the local elections in 2024?"

Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) aims to win back key cities, including Turkey's largest, Istanbul, and its capital, Ankara, which it lost to the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in 2019 through its alliance with the nationalist IYI Party.

Istanbul race

Winning Istanbul and Ankara, two cities that account for a quarter of Turkey's population, gave the CHP a key position in power for the past five years.

Some analysts observe that the Istanbul race will be one of the main contested races.

"This election largely revolves around Istanbul. In the presidential elections, [opposition alliance candidate] Kemal Kilicdaroglu received more votes than Erdogan in both rounds in Istanbul," political scientist Ismet Akca told VOA.

Istanbul, with its 15 million population, is symbolically important for political parties. An old saying in Turkish politics - "Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey" - was used by Erdogan a couple of times. Early in his career Erdogan was the city's mayor, from 1994 to 1998.

The current Istanbul mayor and CHP candidate Ekrem Imamoglu was considered one of the possible vice presidents if the opposition alliance had won the May 2023 parliamentary and presidential elections.

However, after Erdogan's victory in May 2023, the opposition alliance, headed by CHP and IYI, collapsed. The two parties are running their own candidates in the local elections.

Also, new political parties, including the center-right DEVA, the far-right Victory Party and the Islamist New Welfare Party, have emerged over the past five years, and they will compete in the Istanbul race with their own candidates.

In the 2019 election, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP, which is using a new name, DEM Party) did not announce a candidate and supported the opposition alliance's Imamoglu. However, this year, the DEM Party has campaigned for prominent Kurdish politician Meral Danis Bestas, its candidate for Istanbul.

Erdogan's AKP selected Murat Kurum, 47, former minister of environment and urbanization, who was one of the leading figures in the government's response to the February 2023 earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in southeastern Turkey.

Main opposition CHP has Imamoglu, 52, seeking a second term. Already one of the most prominent figures in Turkey's opposition, he is expected to run for president in 2028 if he wins.

With the lack of a broader alliance and Kurdish votes, Imamoglu is facing a tough race against Kurum, as Erdogan and his Cabinet officials are quite active in his campaign.

Erdogan's 'last election'

During a meeting of the Turkish Youth Foundation on March 8, Erdogan, 70, asked for support in the local elections, saying, "This is a final for me; under the mandate given by the law, this is my last election."

"The eyes of the entire Islamic world are on Turkey. What will happen in Turkey? What result will the AKP get in these elections?" the president continued.

Erdogan came to power in 2002 and served as prime minister until 2014, when he became the first president elected by the public. He was re-elected in June 2018 and May 2023.

The Turkish constitution, which was last amended in 2017, enables the president to serve only two terms of five years. However, according to Article 116, if the parliament decides to repeat the elections during the president's second term, the president may run for election again.

Erdogan hinted in November 2023 that his party aimed to work on a new constitution. Political scientist Akca thinks Erdogan's statement was meant to consolidate his party's voters.

"Erdogan does not want to lose this election to Imamoglu for the second time. The latest elections reveal that the lower classes and young people dissatisfied with the AKP are looking for other options," Akca told VOA. Many of those voters have shifted allegiance from AKP to the Islamist New Welfare Party.

"The president is trying to overcome this problem with his emphasis on the Islamist cause and his speech with a high emotional tone."

Gonul Tol, director of the Middle East Institute's Turkey program, said Erdogan is involved "as if he were the one on the ballot box."

"So he is intervening in the electoral process so often and attacking the incumbent, CHP Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, almost on a daily basis. It sounds like this is turning into a referendum on Erdogan, which I personally believe is a bad strategy," Tol said Thursday in a webinar.

Kurdish votes

Several prominent Kurdish politicians, including Ahmet Turk, Leyla Zana and the imprisoned former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas, have recently named Erdogan as one of the vital actors in the solution to the conflict with the Kurds.

"Our door is closed to terrorists and those who play a political game under the guidance of a terrorist organization," Erdogan said Wednesday while campaigning in Diyarbakir.

Some analysts think that Erdogan ended the possibility of a peace process.

"Considering Erdogan's speech, I do not expect anything like a new compromise, negotiation or a meeting between DEM Party and Erdogan," Reha Ruhavioglu, director of the Diyarbakir-based Kurdish Studies Center, told VOA.

The Turkish government says the DEM Party has links with the PKK, which the United States, European Union and Ankara have designated as a terrorist group. The party denies this allegation.

In 2019, the then-HDP won 65 municipalities, but later, the mayors of at least 48 municipalities were sacked over terror accusations and placed under the control of government-appointed trustees.

This story originated in VOA's Turkish Service. VOA Turkish's Hilmi Hacaloglu and Mahmut Bozarslan contributed from Istanbul and Diyarbakir.

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PM call with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic: 28 March 2024

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, this morning.

28 March 2024

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, this morning.

The leaders raised the shared challenge of illegal migration and people smuggling, noting the importance of innovative solutions like third country partnerships to address the entrenched and growing issue.

On wider UK-Czech bilateral relations, the Prime Minister highlighted the strong economic and trade ties between our countries and the opportunity for deeper cooperation in industries including clean and renewable power.

The leaders agreed to remain in contact and look forward to taking these discussions forward over the coming months.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

27.03.2024

At around 20:30, the Russian Armed Forces have foiled another attempt by the Kiev regime to launch a terrorist attack using the Vampire RM-70 multiple-launch rocket system. Sixteen projectiles were shot down by alerted air defence systems over Belgorod region.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Now the common task is to provide every opportunity for Sumy region to create jobs and ensure social protection - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

27 March 2024 - 18:40

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.A

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.A

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.A

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.A

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!A

Glory to Ukraine!

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War in Ukraine - The arms and military equipment Germany is sending to Ukraine

Germany - Federal Government

Germany provides support for Ukraine by supplying equipment and weapons, these come from supplies of the Federal Arms Forces and from deliveries from industry financed from the Federal Government's funds for security capacity building. An overview.

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Here is an overview of the military assistance provided to Ukraine by the Federal Republic of Germany. The assistance services consist of two strands: on the one hand there are financial resources from the Federal Government's security capacity building initiative, which are used to finance arms deliveries and other industrial materials. On the other hand, materials are being provided from the Federal Armed Forces' supplies. Military aid worth around 28 billion euros has by now been made available by Germany or been earmarked for supporting Ukraine over the next few years.

TheA funds from the Federal Government's security capacity building initiativeA amount to around 7.1 billion euros for 2024 alone. The German contributions to the European Union's European Peace Facility (EPF) come from this initiative, too. EU member states can receive reimbursement for expenditure for military assistance for Ukraine from the EPC. So far, Germany has received around 31 million euros worth of compensation from the EPF. Furthermore, there areA commitment appropriations 1A for the next few years. These are currently worth about 6 billion euros.

Around 5 billion euros (2023) and 1.6 billion euros (2022) have already been spent on military assistance for Ukraine. Another 2.9 billion euros were earmarked in the first two years of the war for deliveries to be made between 2025 and 2028.

Since the start of the Russian war of aggression on 24 February 2022, Germany has provided around 5.2 billion euros worth ofA materials from the Federal Armed Forces' supplies to Ukraine. In addition, more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers received military training in Germany. TheseA training costs amount to about 282 million euros to date. Further expenditure, which we are not going to put a figure on here, was incurred for treating injured Ukrainian soldiers.

Delivered military support to Ukraine:

(Changes compared to the previous update in bold)

Armoured fighting vehicles

5 All Terrain Tracked Carrier Warthog (repair and recovery vehicle)*

9 All Terrain Tracked Carrier Warthog (command vehicle)*

ammunition for LEOPARD 2 A6 (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

66 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)*

73 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206 (BV206)*

ammunition for main battle tank LEOPARD 1*

90 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER with ammunition and spare parts (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

30 main battle tanks LEOPARD 1 A5* (joint project with Denmark)

138 MG3 for LEOPARD 2, MARDER and DACHS

18 LEOPARD 2 A 6 main battle tanks with ammunition and spare parts (German share in joint project with further LEOPARD 2 operators)

50 MRAP vehicles DINGO

54 M113 armoured personnel carriers each with 2 MG and spare parts* (systems of Denmark, upgrades financed by Germany)

Air defence

IRIS-T SLS missiles

IRIS-T SLM missiles*

1 air defence system SKYNEX with ammunition*

8 air surveillance radar TRML-4D*

52 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD with spare parts

116,362 rounds ammunitions for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

2 air defence systems PATRIOT with spare parts

PATRIOT missiles

3 air defence systems IRIS-T SLM*

1 air defence systems IRIS-T SLS*

2 PATRIOT launchers

4,000 rounds practice ammunitions for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

500 Man Portable Air Defense Systems STINGER

2,700 Man Portable Air Defense Systems STRELA

Artillery

68,000 rounds 155mm ammunition (from Bundeswehr and industry stock s*) (before: 50,000)

ammunition for multiple rocket launchers MARS II

20,872 rounds 155mm smoke/illuminating ammunition

2 wheeled self-propelled howitzer Zuzana 2* (project jointly financed with Denmark and Norway)

155mm precision guided ammunition* (SMArt, VULCANO)

5 multiple rocket launchers MARS II with ammunition (German share in joint project with USA and Great Britain)

14 self-propelled howitzers Panzerhaubitze 2000 with spare parts (German share in joint project with the Netherlands)

20 rocket launchers 70mm on pick-up trucks with rockets*

counter battery radar system COBRA*

10 laser target designators and portable fire control modules for VULCANO artillery ammunition*

Drones and anti-drone systems

196 reconnaissance drones VECTOR with spare parts* (before: 182)

185 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN* (before: 155)

84 anti-drone sensors and jammers* (before: 79)

180 RF 360 fieldkits - drone detection systems*

19 drone detection systems*

93 drone sensors*

18 reconnaissance drones Primoco ONE*

7 reconnaissance drones SONGBIRD*

1 LUNA NG reconnaissance system*

20 unmanned surface vessels*

40 frequency range extensions for anti-drone devices*

10 anti-drone guns*A

12 electronic anti-drone devices*A

Military Engineering Capabilities

32 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1 with spare parts* (before: 26)

17 bridge-laying tanks BEAVER with spare parts* (before: 15)

16 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2 with spare parts * (before: 15)

7 armoured engineer vehicles DACHS* (before: 6)

43 mine ploughs* (before: 34)

9 mobile, remote controlled and protected mine clearing systems*

material for explosive ordnance disposal (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

500 tool kits with blasting material*

18 heavy and medium bridge systems and 12 trailers

5 bridges for bridge-laying tank BEAVER

2 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 3

12 mobile and protected mine clearing systems Ahlmann*

Protective and Special Equipment

3 Satcom surveillance systems* (before: 2)

330 IR cameras*

263 border protection vehicles* (before: 260)

292 SatCom terminals*

1,000 LED lamps*

IT equipment*

1 naval mine clearance system*

33,190 combat helmets

56 ground surveillance radars GO12*

4 AMPS self-protection systems for helicopters*

50 mobile antenna mast systems*

63 laser range finders*

2,667 Crypto Phones*

90,600 safety glasses (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

1 PCB printer*

1 antenna hub station

1,288 binoculars

5 mobile reconnaissance systems SurveilSPIRE*

10 radio jammers*

40 laser target designators*

1 radio frequency system

3,000 field telephones with 5.000 cable reels and carrying straps

500 night vision goggles*

165 field glasses*

1 communications electronic scanner/jammer systems*

6 mobile decontamination vehicles HEP 70 including decontamination materialA

10 HMMWV (8x ground radar capability, 2x jamming/anti drone capability)*

1 high frequency unit with equipment*

Logistics

30 tankers Zetros * (before: 24)

361 vehicles (trucks, minibuses, all-terrain vehicles) (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

250 trucks Zetros*

90 truck tractor trains 8x8 HX81 and 90 semi-trailers*

25 trucks MAN TGS*

40 load-handling trucks 8x8

34 load-handling trucks 15t*

6 load-handling trucks 8x6 with 21 roll of containers*

14 tracked and remote controlled infantry vehicles THeMIS*

179 Pick-ups*

12 tank transporter tractor M1070 Oshkosh*

30 protected vehicles*

Combat Readiness and Survivability

10,000A man-portable anti-tank weaponsA RGW 90 Matador* (before: 7,944)

264,000 rounds ammunition 40mm* (before: 240,000)

100 grenade launchers GMG* (before: 30)

4.152 camouflage nets (before: 1,152) (from Bundeswehr and industry stock s*)

4,000 ponchos * (before: 2,000)

2 emergency power generators

450 snow chains

205,000 single module group rations

305 assault rifles MK 556*

47.85 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks*)

medical material

500,000 first aid kits*

15 precision rifles HLR 338 with 60,000 rounds ammunition*

10 All Terrain Tracked Carrier Warthog (ambulance)

49 ambulances*

30,000 winter clothing sets

27,477 backpacks

3 spare part packages for VECTOR drones

1,202 Infusion kits

Spare parts WISENT

field hospital*

100 machine guns MG5*

8 dental sterilizers

103,000 tourniquets

500 pistols SFP9*

2 hangar tents*

8 lift trucks*

295 generators

168 mobile heating systems*

36,400 wool blankets

14,000 sleeping bags

Mi-24 spare parts*

spare parts for heavy machine gun M2

200 tents

116,000 winter jackets

80,000 winter trousers

240,000 winter hats

320,000 pre-packaged military Meals Ready

67 fridges for medical material*

3,000 anti-tank weapons Panzerfaust 3 with 900 firing devices

14,900 anti-tank mines (9,300* from industry stocks)

50 Bunkerfaust with 15 firing devices

100 machine gun MG3 with 500 spare barrels and breechblocks

100,000 hand grenades

5,300 explosive charges

100,000 m detonating cord and 100.000 detonators

350,000 detonators

100 auto-injector devices

15 palettes military clothing

1,200 hospital beds

18 palettes medical material, 60 surgical lights

protective clothing, surgical masks

1 field hospital (project jointly financed with Estonia)*

Diesel and gasoline*

10 tons AdBlue*

500 medical gauzes*

MiG-29 spare parts*

Military support to Ukraine in planning/in execution

(due to security concerns, the Federal Government abstains from providing details on transportation modalities and dates until after handover)

Armoured fighting vehicles

50 infantry fighting vehicles MARDER* (before: 30)

1 All Terrain Tracked Carrier Warthog (command vehicle)*

105 LEOPARD 1 A5 main battle tanks* (joint project with Denmark and the Netherlands)

ammunition for main battle tanks for LEOPARD 2 and LEOPARD 1*

ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles MARDER*

Air defence

PATRIOT missiles

3 air defence systems SKYNEX with ammunition*

IRIS-T SLM/SLS missiles*

15 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns GEPARD*

9 air defence systems IRIS-T SLM*

11 air defence systems IRIS-T SLS*

259,680 rounds of GEPARD ammunition*

Artillery

36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers RCH 155*

18 self-propelled howitzers Panzerhaubitze 2000

more than 120,000 projectiles 122mm*

more than 250,000 projectiles 155mm*

14 wheeled self-propelled howitzer Zuzana 2* (project jointly financed with Denmark and Norway)

Drones and counter-UAV systems

279 reconnaissance drones VECTOR*

64 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN*

15 anti-drone sensors and jammers*

50 unmanned surface vessels*

Helicopter

6 Sea King Mk41 multi-role helicopters with spare parts

Military Engineering Capabilities

15 armoured recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2*

8 armoured engineer vehicles DACHS*

material for explosive ordnance disposal*

1 mobile, remote controlled and protected mine clearing systems*

9 bridge-laying tanks BEAVER*

2 mobile and protected mine clearing systems Ahlmann*

10 mine clearing tanks WISENT 1*

2 heavy and medium bridge systems*

Protective and Special Equipment

70 IR cameras *

* 27,510 combat helmets

1,000 LED lamps*

725 laser range finders*

12 AMPS self-protection systems for helicopters*

10,000 safety glasses*

10 mobile reconnaissance systems SurveilSPIRE*

237 border protection vehicles*

11 communications electronic scanner/jammer systems*

Logistics

40 tankers Zetros*

20 Zetros refrigerator trucks*

41 Mercedes trucks*

2 Toyota Land Cruiser*

11 tank transporter tractor M1070 Oshkosh*

1 load-handling trucks 8x6 with 7 roll of containers*

2 tractors and 4 trailers*

10 protected vehicles*

Combat Readiness and Survivability

4,695 assault rifles MK 556*

8.75 million rounds of ammunition for fire arms*

8.000 anti-tank mines PARM*

435 precision rifles HLR 338 with 9.9m rounds ammunition*

16,000A man-portable anti-tank weapons*

2 dental sterilizers

164,000 rounds ammunition 40mm for grenade launchers*

continuing deliveries of medical material*

* Deliveries from industry stocks financed by German funds for security capacity building. Some of the deliveries require upgrades or productions is ongoing; also training measures take place.

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Update 218 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

28/2024

Vienna, Austria

28 Mar 2024

The conflict is continuing to endanger nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, with military activity taking place near the country's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in the south, air raid alarms sounding at several sites, and shelling knocking out off-site power at a research facility in the north-east, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

"For more than two years now, nuclear safety and security in Ukraine has been in constant jeopardy. We remain determined to do everything we can to help minimize the risk of a nuclear accident that could harm people and the environment, not only in Ukraine," Director General Grossi said.

"So far, we have managed to stabilise the situation but, as we have seen again this past week, nuclear safety and security in Ukraine remains extremely vulnerable. We cannot afford to let our guard down at any time," he said.

At the ZNPP, Europe's largest nuclear power plant (NPP), the IAEA experts stationed at the site have continued to hear explosions every day over the past week, at different distances from the plant. Several times, the sounds appeared to come from near the site, presumably from outgoing artillery fire, the experts said. Nearby small arms fire was heard during the night of 22 March, and again yesterday. In addition, an air raid alarm went off at the site yesterday, delaying the IAEA team's planned visit to the ZNPP's dry spent fuel facility until later in the day.

Despite such challenges, the IAEA team has continued to conduct regular walkdowns across the site over the past week, including a visit to the reactor building of unit 5 to observe the water level in the spent fuel pool, the operation of spent fuel cooling pumps, two steam generators and the safety systems rooms. No leaks of fluid or traces of boric acid were observed. The team also saw operating pumps and other equipment in the turbine hall of unit 4, observed the testing of an emergency diesel generator in the same unit, and visited electrical rooms of the safety systems in units 4 and 5.

Throughout the walkdowns conducted over the past week, the IAEA team did not observe any concerns related to nuclear safety. However, the ZNPP has still not provided timely and appropriate access for the IAEA experts to all areas that are important to nuclear safety and security, including some parts of the turbine halls, the isolation gate of the ZNPP cooling pond and the 330 kV open switchyard at the nearby Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant. The IAEA is aware of social media reports and images related to the presence of troops and vehicles inside one of the turbine halls at the ZNPP. The presence of such vehicles in ZNPP turbine halls has been reported in previous updates by the Director General.

The maintenance activities on parts of the safety system of unit 1 have not yet resumed after the ZNPP decided to postpone them again last week. However, other scheduled maintenance work is being performed elsewhere at the ZNPP.

The IAEA experts were informed that the ZNPP has begun draining one of the sprinkler ponds of unit 5 in order to clean it, which is expected to take around three weeks, after which a sprinkler pond of unit 6 will also be cleaned. The two units are among the five at the ZNPP which are in cold shutdown, while reactor unit 4 is in hot shutdown to generate steam for heating.

In the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, on 22 March, a research and development facility used, up until the start of the war, to produce radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications lost its external power due to shelling, according to the Ukrainian nuclear regulator. The facility now relies on emergency diesel generators. Additionally, the IAEA was informed that all on-site radiation levels remain normal.

The subcritical Neutron Source installation, located in the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT), was transferred to a deep sub-critical state at the start of the conflict, and its radioactive inventory is low. In November 2022, an IAEA safeguards and nuclear security expert mission found that the facility had been heavily damaged by shelling, but without any indication of radiological release or diversion of declared nuclear material.

"Due to the nature of this facility, which has been shutdown since the start of the armed conflict, we do not currently anticipate a situation that could have any implications to public safety. But, clearly, leaving a nuclear installation without off-site power is not normal and once again demonstrates the risks from this war to nuclear safety. We will continue to monitor the situation at the facility," Director General Grossi said.

The IAEA experts at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs as well as at the Chornobyl site have reported that nuclear safety and security continues to be maintained, despite multiple air raid alarms over the past week. Maintenance in the turbine hall of unit 2 at the Khmelnytskyy NPP is progressing well, and unit 4 at the Rivne NPP is in planned outage. The IAEA experts at the Chornobyl site were rotated this week.

The IAEA continued to deliver equipment needed to maintain nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. This week, the Rivne NPP received a portable X-ray device for non-destructive testing at the site that was procured with funding from the United Kingdom. It was the 42nd delivery of equipment to Ukraine since the start of the conflict, with such assistance now totalling more than 9 million euro.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
Minister of National Defence L. Kasciunas virtually met with Minister of Defence of Ukraine R. Umerov

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2024-03-28

International cooperation

On March 27 Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas had a distance meeting with Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.

"Continuation of the assistance to Ukraine is our strategic priority. Therefore Minister Umerov and I today have discussed military assistance to Ukraine, Ukraine's most urgent needs and our ability to aid quickly and which are the priority areas for that," said Minister L. Kasciunas.

The meeting which was also attended by Lithuanian and Ukrainian Chiefs of Defence General Valdemaras Rupsys and Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, respectively, addressed ammunition shortage and the necessity to energize the defence industry and joining in with international initiatives with production, procurement and stepping up weaponry and ammunition production volumes.

Ministers and Chiefs of Defence also discussed Lithuania's aim to support drone and drone jamming equipment production. Such Lithuania's decision is particularly of interest to Ukraine. The Ukrainians could contribute to the endeavor technologically and share experience on their battlefield characteristics.

Lithuania responded to Ukraine's appeal with 155mm ammunition delivery in early March and took a decision to allocate EUR 35 million to the Czech-led multinational initiative for ammunition acquisition and transfer to Ukraine.

The assistance rendered to Ukraine by the Ministry of National Defence includes different types of weaponry, ammunition, UAVs, drone jamming equipment, training assistance, heavy equipment repair, and every other kind of assistance we can based on Ukraine's requests.

Lithuania has approved a long-term assistance to Ukraine plan, a EUR 200 million new procurement package for military assistance to Ukraine has been approved for 2024-2026. Since the war was started, Lithuania has rendered approximately EUR 605 million in military aid to Ukraine.

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Allies reaffirm commitment to strengthen Ukraine's defences at NATO-Ukraine Council meeting

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

28 Mar. 2024

The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Thursday (28 March 2024) following recent Russian airstrikes on Ukraine. Allies strongly condemned the escalation in Russian air strikes and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Ukraine's defences.

The meeting was held at ambassadorial level and was convened at Ukraine's request. Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana chaired the Council and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov joined via video conference. The Deputy Secretary General said: "Russia's continued attacks against Ukraine's civilians and critical infrastructure demonstrate an urgent need for our continued support."

Allies are providing unprecedented military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. France will soon send more Caesar howitzers and several Allies have joined Czechia's initiative to procure 800,000 additional artillery shells. NATO is establishing the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Bydgoscz, Poland where Ukrainian forces can train alongside Allied troops. In addition, under NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP), the Alliance is supplying crucial non-lethal support.

Allies agreed at the Vilnius Summit in July 2023 to create the NATO-Ukraine Council. It serves as a forum for crisis consultations and decision-making between NATO and Ukraine.



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Putin Says Russia Does Not Intend To Attack NATO, But Air Bases Hosting F-16s Would Be 'Legitimate Target'

By RFE/RL March 28, 2024

Russia has no plans to attack any NATO country, President Vladimir Putin said on March 28, but he warned that Moscow's forces could target NATO bases if they host F-16 fighter jets flying combat sorties in Ukraine.

"We have no aggressive intentions toward [NATO] states," Putin told air force pilots at a facility in the Tver region northwest of Moscow, according to a Kremlin transcript.

He said it would be "complete nonsense" to suggest that Russia would attack countries such as Poland, the Baltic states, and the Czech Republic, adding: "Just nonsense, another way to cheat their population and force them to allocate additional resources."

Ukraine is awaiting the delivery of F-16s from Western countries that have promised to send Kyiv at least 42 F-16s. Ukrainian pilots have been training in the West for months on how to fly the warplanes.

Asked whether Russian pilots would be "allowed" to attack F-16 warplanes deployed at airfields in NATO countries if they were used against Russia, Putin indicated that Moscow would consider them fair game if F-16s based there flew combat sorties in Ukraine.

"Of course, if they are used from airfields of third countries, they become a legitimate target for us, no matter where they are located," he said.

F-16s delivered to Ukraine are to be housed by Ukrainian air bases. However, it remains unclear how many Ukrainian air bases can accommodate F-16s, which require high-quality runways and well-protected, well-camouflaged hangars.

In Ukraine, Putin said, Russia would seek to destroy F-16s "the same way we destroy their tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment today, including multiple-launch rocket systems." He asserted that the delivery of the warplanes to Ukraine "will not change the situation on the battlefield."

Putin also said that, when conducting military planning, Russia would take into account that F-16s can carry nuclear weapons. Ukraine renounced nuclear arms in the 1990s and there is no talk of equipping the jets with any such weapons.

Putin's assurance that Russia has "no aggressive intentions" against NATO may ring hollow in the alliance, because he has made many false claims about various aspects of Russia's war against Ukraine, among other things.

Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, dismissed U.S. and other Western countries' warnings that an invasion was imminent.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukrainian-f-16s- putin-nato-shoot-down/32881357.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Zelenskiy Tells U.S. Speaker Military Aid Package 'Critically Important'

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service March 28, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy personally appealed to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican-Louisiana) to help deliver "critically important" military aid to Kyiv to help it fend off escalating Russian attacks.

Zelenskiy said he briefed Johnson on the battlefield situation, specifically the "dramatic increase in Russia's air terror" in a phone call on March 28. He told Johnson that in the past week Ukrainian cities and communities had been hit by 190 rockets, 140 Shahed drones, and 700 anti-aircraft missiles.

The attacks saw power cut to more than a million homes and took the country's largest hydroelectric power plant offline.

"In this situation, quick passage of U.S. aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital," he said in a readout of the call posted on Telegram.

Zelenskiy also spoke with U.S. broadcaster CBS about the need for military supplies, saying a Russian offensive is expected around the end of May or in June.

"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," Zelenskiy said of the U.S. and Ukraine's other backers. "No, I say we need help now."

The interview was released on March 28 after being filmed in an undisclosed bombed-out building in the east of the country, CBS said.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine's forces had managed to hold off Russian advances through the worst of the winter months and the situation is "better than it was two or three months ago when we had a big deficit of artillery ammunition." He acknowledged that invading Russian troops had destroyed some villages as the Ukrainian side ran low on artillery.

A massive military aid package has been stalled in Congress for more than six months, delaying the delivery of crucial weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

The U.S. Senate last month passed a supplementary spending bill that allocates some $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, mainly for weapons and military equipment. But Johnson has not brought the bill up for a vote in the House of Representatives, where his party holds only a slim majority, and includes right-wing Republicans who want to force Congress to prioritize border security.

The delay is having significant consequences on the battlefield as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and air defense materiel.

Ukrainian authorities said earlier on March 28 that Russia used kamikaze drones and heavy artillery to strike regions in the center and east of the country in the early hours of March 28.

The Ukrainian air-defense systems intercepted 26 out of 28 Shahed-type drones over Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhya, the country's air force said in a statement.

Local authorities in Zaporizhzhya said homes had been struck and at least two people wounded. Acting Mayor Anatoliy Kurtev said five houses had been partially destroyed while 40 had sustained damage.

The central Dnipropetrovsk region's governor, Serhiy Lysak, said Nikopol was targeted by heavy artillery and drones. Two people were injured by shrapnel while four homes and a power line were damaged, Lysak added.

In Odesa, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said Russia initially launched drones before targeting the region with missiles. He added that there were no casualties in Odesa.

Offices, a shop, and a restaurant were damaged in Kharkiv, but there were no casualties, according to regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov.

Ukrainian authorities said Russia may have used a new type of guided bomb in air strikes on Kharkiv on March 27, in an attack described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as "Russian terror."

Volodymyr Tymoshko, head of the Kharkiv regional police, said Moscow may have used a new type of guided bomb, which he described as the UMPB D-30.

"It seems that the Russians decided to test their modified bombs on the residents of the houses," Synyehubov said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba landed in New Delhi on March 28 for a two-day trip to enhance relations and cooperation with India, a longtime ally of Russia.

The Ukrainian chief diplomat will meet his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and hold talks with the deputy national security adviser.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin said Russia has no designs on any NATO country and will not attack Poland, the Baltic states, or the Czech Republic but that if the West supplies F-16 fighters to Ukraine, they will be shot down.

Speaking to Russian Air Force pilots on March 28, Putin said the U.S.-led alliance had expanded eastward toward Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union but that Moscow has no plans to attack a NATO state.

"We have no aggressive intentions toward these states," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and CBS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kharkiv-russia- strikes-new-guided-bomb/32880728.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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We are doing everything to provide our warriors with more opportunities, more weapons; and we will ensure this - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

28 March 2024 - 20:49

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

The key points for today.

I introduced the new Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine to the FIS staff - it is a combat general, Oleh Ivashchenko. He is an experienced and strong person. The analytical potential of our intelligence is quite high, and now we have to enhance its operational capabilities. More information and opportunities for influence are needed.

Russia spends billions and billions of dollars each year on influence operations in other countries. They spread chaos, undermine the work of established institutions, fund disinformation, and bribe civil and political leaders. This concerns different regions of the planet - sensitive regions. Africa, various parts of Asia, and Europe, which is particularly vulnerable to destabilization provoked and fueled by Putin's system. Both North and Latin America are also targets of Russian intelligence and disruptive activities. In many ways, this influence works against our country and our defense.

Obviously, we cannot match Russia's resources, including financial ones. But Ukrainians are capable of defeating Russia with their courage, determination, and ideas. The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine should considerably increase its activities in fulfilling the institutional tasks. On the other hand, the robust work of such an organization cannot be cheap. And this is now the task for the government as a whole and the Ministry of Finance: we need to seek and find a financial basis for the work of our intelligence - to expand funding for specific projects, for specific goals, and for the development of the foreign intelligence system in general.

The second point for today.

There was a lot of international communication. We spoke with Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. We discussed what is crucial now for the protection of life and international security. I informed him of the situation at the front, of the continued Russian attacks on our cities - their terror is only getting worse and can only be stopped by the physical force of our defense. Ukraine is grateful for the support of the United States and every American who shares our belief that freedom must never lose. And it is very important that the Congress maintains its leadership so that the defense of freedom remains a unifying idea both within countries and for the global majority. Right now, it depends on our determination, our joint actions, what the world of our children will be.

Today, we discussed exactly the same things with the President of the French National Assembly, who is on a visit to Ukraine, and I am grateful for her attention to our country and to the way Ukrainians endure this time and this battle. We discussed the prospects of how we can speed up a just end to this war and the expulsion of the Russian occupiers. I thanked the French parliament for its endorsement of the security agreement concluded with President Macron. Of course, we also discussed Emmanuel's recent security proposals. Anything that enhances protection against Russian aggression and limits Russia's war potential truly contributes to peace in Europe. I am grateful to all our partners who understand this and help Ukraine.

And today I met with a delegation of MEPs from the Renew Europe group. This is an important European political group. Elections to the European Parliament are coming up, and all of us in Ukraine should get used to the fact that this process is important for Ukraine as well. Of course, we talked about support, about the current threats, and about what we can achieve together in Europe by defending our countries, but also common values, and therefore the security of all Europeans.

And one more thing.

Today, Defense Minister Umerov made a report on the defense packages that we are getting and that we are working on with our partners. We are doing everything to provide our warriors with more opportunities, more weapons. And we will ensure this.

Thank you to everyone who helps! Glory to everyone who defends Ukraine and destroys the occupier.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of the European Parliament's Renew Europe political group

President of Ukraine

28 March 2024 - 18:53

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of the European Parliament's Renew Europe political group headed by the group's President ValArie Hayer.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to the European Parliament for the significant support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

"Thank you for your visit and the significant support of the members of the European Parliament throughout the years of Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as for the important resolutions in support of Ukraine and Ukrainians. Your visit is a very important signal to our people and the whole world that Ukraine is part of Europe, and Europe realizes that Ukraine is a protective shield for our common values," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

During the meeting, the parties discussed in detail the issue of expediting military assistance to Ukraine from European capitals.

The interlocutors paid special attention to Ukraine's European integration. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to start the negotiation process during the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU in June this year.

"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.

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President discussed the necessity of passing a decision on the assistance to Ukraine with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

President of Ukraine

28 March 2024 - 18:33

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

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 Zelenskyy 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," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

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President of Ukraine met with the President of the National Assembly of France

President of Ukraine

28 March 2024 - 18:16

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with a delegation of the French National Assembly headed by its President YaAl Braun-Pivet.

According to the Head of State, the visit of the President of the National Assembly of France is a sign of support for Ukraine, which he hopes will continue.

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.

"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," the President said.

The interlocutors also discussed cooperation in the defense sector and the priority needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Special attention was paid to the recent substantive proposals of French President Emmanuel Macron to expand support for Ukraine in countering Russian aggression.

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President introduced newly appointed Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko

President of Ukraine

28 March 2024 - 13:53

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced the newly appointed Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, to the FIS staff.

"The power of the state must always be based on sufficient knowledge of each area in which Ukraine fights, competes or develops its partnerships. The foundation on which state policy is built is the information our country has and the understanding of the processes that are taking place in vital areas for our country and our partners. Over the course of this war, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine has proved that it is capable of obtaining just such information and providing our state power with a high-quality analytical basis. I thank you all for this," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, addressing the audience.

Separately, the Head of State thanked the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleksandr Lytvynenko for the results and expressed confidence that he would now combine the experience gained with the potential of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

The President emphasized that the newly appointed FIS Head, General Oleh Ivashchenko, is a professional who perfectly understands the intelligence activities and the main goal of our state.

"In the face of objectively scarce resources, we must find opportunities and use them correctly so that Ukraine can destroy the occupier, protect its people, liberate its territory and constantly strengthen our ties with the world, not only with Ukraine's traditional partners in Europe and North America, but also in all other parts of the world. Ukraine's presence in the world must become global in order to maximize Ukraine's potential," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President named the following tasks of the FIS: to operate everywhere in the world where Ukraine has and may have interests; to prevail wherever Putin's system attempts to gain an advantage; to significantly expand Ukraine's presence and its role in those parts of the world where key global forces compete; to obtain documentary materials and high-quality information about the intentions of various actors in global and regional relations.

"And the fifth task - a very urgent and practical one - concerns the specifics of the work of the Foreign Intelligence Service. In times of war, there are absolutely non-public matters that the Service must ensure promptly and efficiently. This is the potential of influence operations, covert intelligence and actual warfare that Ukraine expects from you, and it is for this reason that the Foreign Intelligence Service is headed by a combat general," the Head of State summarized.

The President presented Oleh Ivashchenko with an official ID card.

For his part, the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine thanked for the trust.

"As a military person, I am fully aware of the level of responsibility before the President, the state, and the Ukrainian people. The tasks you have set are a priority for the Service, for intelligence activities. I believe in the team of the Foreign Intelligence Service," he noted.

The presentation was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Lytvynenko.

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Zelenskyy Says He Urged House Speaker Johnson to Hold Ukraine Aid Vote

By VOA News March 28, 2024

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 Ukraine's 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 Ukraine's benefit," Zelenskyy also said in the post.

Earlier Thursday, Ukraine's military said that Russian forces attacked overnight with 28 drones and five missiles.

The Ukrainian air force said the country's 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 country's air defenses and speed delivery of F-16 fighter jets for use against Russia's 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."

Zelenskyy's 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.

Russia's Defense Ministry said the country's 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.

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The lagoon at Deer Lake in Killingworth photographed on Sept. 16, 2022. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Scene from Deer Lake. File photo by Lorie Eadie Contributed photo Scene from Deer Lake. File photo courtesy of Philip Lehrman. Contributed photo Scene from Deer Lake. File photo courtesy of Philip Lehrman. Contributed photo Scene from Deer Lake. File photo courtesy of Philip Lehrman. Contributed photo

KILLINGWORTH  A $750,000 bequest from former Eagle Scout David Knapp, who helped lead the way for LGBTQ persons to join the Boy Scouts, has paid off Deer Lake Outdoor Centers debts.

The 253-acre camp, formerly held by the Boy Scouts Connecticut Yankee Council, is now owned free and clear by the local nonprofit Pathfinders, which is working to ensure it will remain a green space forever, according to a news release.

Pathfinders was determined to preserve the former scouting camp when the Connecticut Yankee Council decided to sell the land in 2021 and launched an energetic fundraising campaign, Save Deer Lake. The group bought the property for $4.75 million in 2022.

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When the sale went through, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., hailed the move as a profoundly important moment, the news release said.

From left, Pathfinders President Ted Langevin shakes hands with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., after a news conference at Deer Lake in Killingworth concerning the sale of the property on Sept. 16, 2022. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

But there was a catch with the deal, according to Pathfinders officials. Some 40 percent of the cost was paid for in loans and the remaining $1.8 million still had to be raised, according to the release.

Skeptics warned it could take years to repay them. They were wrong. It took 18 months, the news release stated.

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Ted Langevin, president and chairman of Pathfinders, said Knapps bequest was a complete surprise to everyone involved.

We knew nothing about it until he passed away, he said. The bequest was to pay off whatever Pathfinders still owed. It was not a dollar amount, he said.

State Sen. Christine Cohen, who supported Pathfinders efforts from the outset, was also surprised. At one time, this was difficult to predict. But, boy, how incredible and wonderful this news is, she said in the release.

Thanks to a generous bequest from David Knapp, Pathfinders has accomplished the improbable: It has retired that debt entirely, the release said.

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Donors who wish to remain anonymous had paid off the rest, and the final payment was made in March, according to Langevin.

Knapp, who died in July 2023, had worked for the Scouts for decades as an employee and volunteer and was kicked out when he was 67 for being gay. He joined activists protesting the Scouts anti-gay policy, which ended in 2012 for youths in the program.

Former Killingworth First Selectman Catherine Iino said the Knapp's gift will go towards keeping Deer Lake inclusive.

"This gift is particularly gratifying because it will allow us to really focus on a future that David Knapp would have loved: making the Deer Lake experience as accessible as possible to people who might have been excluded in the past, for whatever reason," Iino said. "We are all looking forward to building an institution here that embodies the values for which Mr. Knapp fought so hard."

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Officials expressed gratitude Friday, the day of the announcement.

We are hugely grateful to David Knapp and all the wonderful donors who got us to this day, said Langevin. Today, we are ready to move on to the next chapter of the Deer Lake story.

Much-missed former camp ranger Mark Clifton, who died in February 2023 after working and living at the camp with his wife, Patty Clifton, for more than 40 years, didnt get to see this part of Deer Lakes story.

But, Langevin said, He got to see the sale go through and the fundraising to pay down the mortgage. He was heavily involved in selecting the new ranger and camp director.

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He added, We think about him all the time and try to live up to his high standards. I think he would be quite pleased.

The late Camp Ranger Mark Clifton, center, spoke at a news conference at Deer Lake in Killingworth concerning the sale of the property on Sept. 16, 2022. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

Langevin noted that two main efforts remain: One is to protect Deer Lake from development in perpetuity by establishing a permanent easement on the land; the other goal is to ensure that no one is excluded from enjoying and learning from this precious open space, and the group will continue to enhance their facilities and programming.

He said now the facility is open to Boy Scouts and other youth groups and clubs. Eagle Scout Courts of Honor are held there as well. In addition, the outdoor center has become a popular wedding venue.

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Pathfinders announcement ends a two-and-a-half-year drama that began in September 2021, when the Connecticut Yankee Council announced the sale of Deer Lake, according to the release. Then, in February 2022, the Council tentatively accepted an offer of $4.625 million from a developer to purchase the land, but set a March 31 deadline for interested buyers to make a higher offer.

Pathfinders fundraising campaign resulted in some 1,400 donors from 87 Connecticut towns, 34 states, and five countries, according to Pathfinders officials. Environmental organizations, Deer Lake Camp alumni and residents from nearby communities got involved.

About the sale in 2022, state Attorney General William Tong said, This wasnt just a come from behind victory ... this was a Hail Mary.

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On hearing the news that Pathfinders now owns Deer Lake debt-free, Tong said in the news release, A standing O that the pass has now been completed.
Los Angeles, California, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Areva Martin, a renowned civil rights attorney and fervent advocate for social justice, once again raises her voice in the wake of the tragic shooting of 15-year-old Ryan Gainer by a San Bernadino County sheriffs deputy in Apple Valley, California. The Sheriffs Department's characterization of the incident as Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer in its media advisory demands examination.

In our pursuit of truth and justice for Ryan Gainer, a young, autistic soul taken from us under circumstances that cry out for clarity and accountability, we are now confronted with a narrative that compounds our grief with profound concern. Labeling this heartbreaking incident as Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer without a comprehensive and transparent review of the facts, including the critical role Ryans autism may have played in his interactions, is not only premature but potentially unjust.

"Ryans actions, driven by what was clearly a complex crisis situation, and the department's response, both in the moment and in the aftermath, requires careful consideration. Instead, the department reflexively names their own deputy as a victim of Ryan's alleged criminal behavior. This blatantly one-sided narrative risks overshadowing the essential questions about the appropriateness of the force used and the urgent need for law enforcement to adopt more effective de-escalation techniques, especially when engaging with individuals with disabilities or mental health challenges.

"We reiterate our call for the full and immediate release of all body-camera footage and other evidence pertinent to the incident. Transparency is the bedrock of trust and accountability, and anything less undermines both the pursuit of justice and the broader imperative to foster a law enforcement culture that prioritizes the preservation of life, particularly in its dealings with our communitys most vulnerable.

"We stand with Ryans family and all who seek not just answers but action. We call for a reevaluation of policies and training protocols to ensure that law enforcement officers are equipped to handle similar situations with empathy, understanding, and restraint. It is imperative that we work together to create a system that genuinely serves and protects all members of society, with no exceptions.

"Our commitment to Ryans memory and to the countless others affected by similar tragedies is unwavering. We will continue to demand accountability, push for meaningful reforms, and advocate for a future where such tragedies are not only condemned but prevented.

"We invite the community, officials, and all who believe in justice to join us in this critical dialogue and in our ongoing efforts to seek justice for Ryan. Together, we can turn our collective outrage into action and ensure that Ryans legacy is one of lasting change.

"Furthermore, we invite you to join us at a pivotal event that will address these critical issues head-on: the Together Town Hall: Autism, Mental Health, and Policing, planned as part of the Eighteenth Annual Tools 4 Transformation Conference. Moderated by myself, this panel will feature a diverse group of experts, advocates, and community leaders dedicated to demanding change and ensuring safety and accountability in law enforcement responses to autism and mental health crises. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at California State University, Dominguez Hills in the Innovation & Instruction Building.

"This is an invaluable opportunity for us to come together as a community to seek solutions, support, and prevention strategies for the future."

Register for the Town Hall event online today at https://TFT18.eventbrite.com to secure your place. The event is free, thanks to the DDS CORE Workforce Development Grant, empowering parents and community members to make a significant impact.

___________________________________________________________________

Special Needs Network, Inc. is a nonprofit grassroots 501(c)(3) organization responding to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities. We recognize the intersectionality of individuals with disabilities and that their fight for disability rights is inextricably tied to the fight for racial justice and the civil rights of all people. For more information, visit www.snnla.org.

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Panasonic Holdings Corporation to Maintain Significant Minority Stake in Panasonic Automotive to Accelerate Growth Alongside Apollo Funds



Transaction Represents Apollo Funds Fourth Private Equity Investment in Japan

NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo (NYSE: APO) today announced that funds managed by Apollo affiliates (the Apollo Funds) have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Panasonic Automotive Systems Corporation (Panasonic Automotive or the Company), a global leader in advanced automotive solutions, including integrated cockpit systems and in-vehicle electronics, from Panasonic Holdings Corporation (TYO: 6752) (Panasonic) in a transaction valued at a total enterprise value of 311 billion, subject to certain adjustments at closing. Panasonic will retain a minority stake in the Company, which will maintain its strategic relationship with Panasonic Group.

Panasonic Automotive is a tier one global automotive supplier that designs and manufactures advanced infotainment systems and other in-vehicle solutions for leading auto manufacturers. The Company has a longstanding track record of technological and manufacturing innovation and benefits from strong market positions across its core segments with customer relationships spanning multiple decades.

Tetsuji Okamoto, Lead Partner, Japan at Apollo, said, We are excited to partner with Panasonic Automotive to position the business for accelerated growth. This transaction builds on our proven track record of being a strategic partner to Japans leading conglomerates and leverages our strong sector and operational expertise. We have enormous respect for Panasonic Automotives reputation for quality and innovation and look forward to working with the Companys talented team to unlock its full potential.

Michael Reiss, Partner at Apollo, said, Apollo has deep experience investing in and supporting the growth of automotive supply companies, and we look forward to helping drive Panasonic Automotives next phase of growth. Panasonic Automotive operates at an important intersection of the global automotive supply chain, and we are committed to maintaining the Companys strong relationships with its customers and partners around the world as a key tier one supplier.

Yuki Kusumi, Panasonics Group CEO, said, Apollo is a partner that respects the values which have been cherished by Panasonic Automotive towards its customers, employees and business. Through this partnership, Panasonic Automotive could significantly grow as a global leading player. Continuing its role as a member of Panasonic Group, Panasonic Automotive will collaborate with the Group in its procurement and fundamental research to consistently contribute to the evolution of the Mobility Society as an important player.

Masashi Nagayasu, Representative Director, CEO of Panasonic Automotive, said, Panasonic Automotive possesses automotive knowledge and insight, strong customer relationships and great talent. Panasonic Automotive has the potential to win through this once-in-a-century transformational period. By taking advantage of our partnership with Apollo and realizing PAS full potential, we aim to become a top global player in the automotive electronics industry by providing added value to cars and the mobility experience with our customers.

Subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

About Apollo

Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade to private equity with a focus on three investing strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of December 31, 2023, Apollo had approximately $651 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com and www.apollo.com/japan.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems

Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. was established on April 1, 2022. As Tier 1, the company provides advanced technologies such as infotainment systems to automakers around the world, contributing to the creation of comfortable, safe, and secure vehicles. With annual sales of JPY1,297.5 billion, the company operates in 22 countries and regions around the world and has about 30,000 employees. To learn more about Panasonic Automotive Systems, please visit: https://automotive.panasonic.com/

About the Panasonic Group

Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of 8,378.9 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2023. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

Contacts

Noah Gunn

Global Head of Investor Relations

Apollo Global Management, Inc.

(212) 822-0540

IR@apollo.com

Joanna Rose

Global Head of Corporate Communications

Apollo Global Management, Inc.

(212) 822-0491

Communications@apollo.com








Dublin, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Application (Clinical/Liquid Biopsy, Research), Specimen (Bone Marrow, Blood), Product, Technology, End-use, Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Market Overview



The global circulating tumor cells (CTC) market is predicted to experience significant growth, reaching an estimated value of USD 27.55 billion by 2030. This expansion reflects a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.62% from 2024 to 2030. Factors propelling this growth include the increasing incidence of cancer globally, the demand for minimally invasive diagnostic measures, and technological innovations in the field of CTCs.





Technological Developments and Applications



The utility of CTCs in assessing cancer prognosis and assisting health care providers in determining appropriate treatment regimens has contributed to their increasingly prominent role in cancer management. These cells are being utilized for early cancer detection, risk evaluation for recurrence, therapy guidance, and ongoing patient monitoring during treatment. Additionally, the rise of various tumor markers based on CTCs, which assist in cancer diagnosis and surveillance, is expected to stimulate market growth within the forecasted period. Notably, CTC detection is considered predictive for patient survival outcomes.



Challenges and Innovations



Despite the soaring demand and market expansion, certain limitations persist, such as the reduced applicability of CTCs in rare or EpCAM negative cancers. Nonetheless, extensive research efforts are underway to develop new techniques for cell isolation that aspire to surmount these challenges. This progress signals potential advancements in the near future that could widen the scope of CTC applicability.



Strategic Collaborations and Regional Insights



The CTC market is witnessing strategic collaborations and partnerships, as seen from recent activities involving prominent academic institutions and biotech firms working together to refine detection modalities for tumor cells in the bloodstream. Such partnerships are poised to enhance treatment optimization through better understanding of CTCs. Regionally, North America leads the market due to the presence of key industry players and a robust pharmaceutical and biotechnology research landscape. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to exhibit the fastest growth over the forecast period, largely due to expansion efforts of various companies in countries such as Japan.



Sub-Segment Performance



In terms of technology, the CTC detection & enrichment methods segment held a dominant revenue share in 2023, attributed to the widespread availability and usage of related products. Conversely, the CTC analysis segment is anticipated to grow rapidly through 2030, attributed to its potential applications in research, drug development, and biomarker discovery. On the application front, the research segment retained market dominance in 2023 and is projected to continue its lead. When segmented by product, kits and reagents were at the forefront in 2023, with predictions of sustained growth ahead. With respect to the end-use segment, research and academic institutes emerged as predominant in 2023, driven by escalated cancer diagnostic and treatment R&D efforts.



The CTC market outlook underscores the critical role of technological innovation in advancing cancer diagnosis and patient care, expecting sustained growth and impactful discoveries that promise to redefine the landscape of cancer management.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 120 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $11.47 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $27.55 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.6% Regions Covered Global

Companies Featured

QIAGEN

Bio-Techne Corp.

Precision for Medicine

AVIVA Biosciences

BIOCEPT, Inc.

BioCEP Ltd.

Fluxion Biosciences, Inc.

Greiner Bio-One International GmbH

Ikonisys, Inc.

Miltenyi Biotec

IVDiagnostics

BioFluidica

Canopus Bioscience Ltd.

Biolidics Limited

Creativ MicroTech, Inc.

LungLife AI

Epic Sciences

Rarecells Diagnostics

ScreenCell

Menarini Silicon Biosystems

LineaRx, Inc. (Vitatex, Inc.)

Sysmex Corporation

STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hbmqtu

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
NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MTX) (MTI or the Company) announced today that it will release results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, after the market close. The Company will host a conference call on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results.



The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed at Minerals Technologies website at https://investors.mineralstech.com/quarterly-results-conference-calls

About Minerals Technologies Inc.

New York-based Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI) is a leading, technology-driven specialty minerals company that develops, produces, and markets a broad range of mineral and mineral-based products, related systems, and services. MTI serves globally a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including household, food and pharmaceutical, paper, packaging, automotive, construction, and environmental. The company reported global sales of $2.2 billion in 2023. For further information, please visit our website at www.mineralstech.com.

Investor Contact:

Lydia Kopylova, (212) 878-1831

Media Contact:

Jennifer Albert, (212) 878-1840
PALM BEACH, Fla., March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McWhorter, the luminary investor with an eye for luxury, delivers a blistering retort to Nelson Peltz's antiquated views, revealing his profound misunderstanding of Disney's status as a pinnacle of luxury and innovation. With surgical precision, McWhorter exposes Peltz's detachment from diverse communities and insular worldview, highlighting the glaring gap between Peltz's outdated mindset and Disney's forward-thinking ethos.



"At 81 years old, Nelson Peltz's understanding of luxury seems frozen in time, much like the era in which he was born," McWhorter declares. "His failure to grasp the true essence of Disney as a luxury brand underscores his limited exposure to diverse perspectives and his residence within the protective bubble of privilege."

In a scathing indictment of Peltz's remarks, McWhorter dismantles the notion that Disney's inclusive storytelling is incompatible with luxury, asserting that diversity and representation are integral components of Disney's allure. "Luxury isn't just about opulence and exclusivity; it's about inclusivity and aspiration," he asserts. "Disney epitomizes this ethos, offering a gateway to dreams and imagination for people of all backgrounds."

McWhorter draws attention to Peltz's lack of engagement with diverse communities and his failure to recognize the transformative power of inclusive storytelling. "Peltz's insular worldview prevents him from understanding the profound impact of diverse representation in shaping cultural narratives," he remarks. "His ignorance of the lived experiences of marginalized communities underscores the urgency of embracing diversity and inclusion in every aspect of society, including the boardroom."

As Disney embarks on a journey toward the future, McWhorter calls for leadership that understands the true essence of luxury and embraces the values of diversity, creativity, and innovation. "Disney's luxury lies not only in its iconic brand and timeless storytelling but also in its commitment to forging a more inclusive and equitable world," he emphasizes. "It's time for Disneyand its boardto reject outdated ideologies and embrace a future that celebrates diversity, equality, and the boundless potential of dreams."

Disclaimer, Disclosure & Legal Notice:

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. It is not intended to provide specific recommendations, endorsements, or investment strategies. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Regulatory Considerations:

This press release is not intended to constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Any offers, sales, or purchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations. McWhorter Foundation has not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and may operate under exemptions. Any investment decisions should be made in consultation with appropriate legal and financial advisors, considering the individual circumstances and objectives of potential investors.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or suggested by any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory and legal developments, market conditions, and the outcome of negotiations. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e96212e3-7b3a-43bb-a095-b0f5632b9c26
NEW GLASGOW, Nova Scotia, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two decades of failure to hold employers accountable for thousands of workplace deaths and injuries expose the need for greater action from federal and provincial governments to enforce the Criminal Code, Canadian labour leaders say.



Sunday, March 31, marks the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Westray Law, which strengthened the Criminal Code of Canada to make it easier to impose criminal liability on corporations for workplace injuries and fatalities, notes Marty Warren, National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW).

Since the Westray Law came into effect in 2004, workplace deaths have claimed the lives of some 20,000 Canadian workers, and tens of thousands of other workers have been seriously injured or made ill on the job, says Warren.

The overwhelming majority of these workplace fatalities and injuries were preventable, yet the Westray Law has rarely been used to prosecute employers and hold them criminally accountable. The law simply has not been enforced. This is an ongoing, 20-year travesty, he says.

The Westray Law was named in memory of 26 coal miners who were killed in the Westray Mine explosion in Nova Scotia in 1992. The law was enacted in Parliament following a decade-long political lobbying campaign led by the USW, other unions, former Westray miners and family members of the workers killed in the mine.

A ceremony marking the Westray Laws 20th anniversary was held this week at a memorial park for the miners in New Glasgow, N.S., near the site of the former mine. Former miners and relatives of those who were killed were joined by representatives of the USW, other unions, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

The Westray Law was a historic achievement that promised greater corporate accountability for workplace safety and greater protection for workers, says Allen Martin, whose brother Glenn, 35, was one of the miners killed in the Westray Mine explosion.

Our governments have betrayed this promise to workers and grieving families. A historic achievement has become a historic failure, Martin said.

In 2014, the USW launched a national campaign, Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law, calling on provincial and federal governments to ensure greater enforcement of the Criminal Code in cases of preventable workplace fatalities and injuries.

On the Westray Laws 20th anniversary, the USW, supported by the CLC and other labour federations, is ramping up the campaign to pressure governments to take action to address the failure to enforce the law.



We have been denied justice, by governments, regulators, police and Crown attorneys, who have not known enough, or decided against using the Westray Law, says Myles Sullivan, the USWs Director for Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Corporations cant be allowed to simply pay a fine whenever a worker is killed, while families and survivors are left to suffer needlessly. Every worker who is killed at work deserves to have their death investigated through a criminal lens, just like every other death in society, Sullivan says.

In the last 20 years, we have seen some 460 workplace deaths in our province, but not a single corporation or employer has been held accountable under the Westray Law, says Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanagh.



We are demanding that the law be restructured and enforced with ruthless pursuit to ensure it serves its purpose  to deter negligent employers and safeguard workers, Cavanagh says. Whats the value of a law if its not enforced or respected?

Enforcing the Criminal Code is crucial to ensure that corporations take their obligations more seriously, says CLC President Bea Bruske.

When an employer fails workers, they deserve to go to jail. When theres criminal negligence, the employer deserves to pay that price and go to jail, not just pay a fine, Bruske says.

Workers deserve to be safe at work.

The USW and other unions and labour federations are lobbying governments to take decisive, meaningful action, including:



the appointment of dedicated investigators and prosecutors for workplace deaths, along with mandatory, standardized training for such positions

having Crown attorneys educated, trained and directed to apply the Westray amendments to the Criminal Code

mandatory training for police and health and safety regulators, supported by the necessary resources, on the proper application of the Westray amendments

mandatory procedures, protocols and co-ordination in every jurisdiction for police, Crown prosecutors and health and safety regulators

Contacts:

Sylvia Boyce, United Steelworkers Health, Safety and Environment Department, 416-544-5951, sboyce@usw.ca

Shannon Devine, United Steelworkers Communications, 416-938-4402, sdevine@usw.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03adcbf3-484f-4ef0-8ec4-43893788893d

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a828cc1a-a68d-4297-a8ee-cebdf8cbc559






Dubai, UAE, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Option2Trade (O2T) has meticulously carved a niche for itself with a strategic vision aimed at rallying past giants like Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC). This ambition is not unfounded but is grounded in a series of innovative strategies and the unique appeal of its 'Social Trading' feature. Lets delve into the mechanisms O2T has employed to differentiate itself, how 'Social Trading' plays a pivotal role in its growth trajectory, and the path it's charting to surpass the established titans of the crypto market







Option2Trade (O2T), has adeptly positioned itself to rally past industry titans Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC). With Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) setting the benchmark for success in the digital currency world, O2T's innovative approach to trading, through its unique 'Social Trading' feature, has carved out a new niche that appeals to a broad spectrum of investors. As Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) continue to dominate the market, O2T's distinct strategy aims to tap into the growing desire for more interactive and communal trading experiences, setting the stage for its ascent in a landscape shaped by the enduring influence of Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC).

Innovative Strategies

Option2Trade (O2T)) has deployed a multifaceted approach to ensure its standout presence in the crowded crypto space. At the forefront is its integration of artificial intelligence to enhance the trading experience. Unlike traditional platforms, Option2Trade (O2T) leverages AI to provide predictive analytics, automated trading strategies, and personalized insights, catering to both novice and seasoned investors. This technological edge allows Option2Trade (O2T) to offer unparalleled value, positioning it as a forward-thinking choice for crypto enthusiasts.

Furthermore, Option2Trade (O2T) has embraced a proactive community engagement strategy, ensuring transparent communication and fostering a sense of ownership among its users. By involving the community in key decisions and updates, Option2Trade (O2T) has cultivated a loyal base of supporters, crucial for sustained growth and market penetration.





The Role of 'Social Trading'

The 'Social Trading' feature of Option2Trade (O2T) is perhaps its most compelling differentiator. By enabling users to mirror the trading strategies of experienced investors, O2T democratizes access to successful trading approaches, making sophisticated investment strategies accessible to a broader audience. This collaborative trading environment not only enhances user engagement but also drives platform growth through shared success stories and word-of-mouth advocacy.

'Social Trading' serves a dual purpose: it educates newcomers about the intricacies of crypto trading while providing a platform for seasoned traders to share their expertise and gain followers. This synergy between different segments of the crypto community underpins O2T's strategic positioning, setting it apart from traditional exchange models.





Trajectory to Outpace Established Cryptos

The trajectory of Option2Trade (O2T) to potentially rally past Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) is underpinned by its innovative foundation and the unique appeal of 'Social Trading'. As the crypto market evolves, investors increasingly seek platforms that offer more than just transactional capabilitiesthey demand comprehensive solutions that provide market insights, learning opportunities, and community engagement.

Option2Trades (O2T) alignment with these emerging market needs, combined with its technological sophistication, places it on a path of accelerated growth. While Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) continue to dominate the market in terms of capitalization and user base, O2T's distinct value proposition and strategic market positioning make it a formidable contender, capable of attracting a significant share of the crypto investment community.

In conclusion, through its innovative strategies and the pioneering 'Social Trading' feature, Option2Trade (O2T) has positioned itself as a dynamic force in the cryptocurrency market. By leveraging AI to enhance user experience and fostering a vibrant community of traders, O2T not only differentiates itself from the competition but also sets a new standard for what investors can expect from a crypto platform. As it continues to build on these foundations, O2T's ambitious trajectory to outpace established cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) becomes increasingly plausible, marking it as a token to watch in the evolving landscape of digital finance.

For more information on the Option2Trade (O2T) (O2T) Presale:

Use promo code O2TLaunch to get 15% bonus

Visit Option2Trade (O2T) (O2T)

Join and become a community member:

https://t.me/O2TOfficial

https://twitter.com/Option2Trade (O2T)





Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.


LITGRID AB, electricity transmission system operator, company code 302564383, registered office address Karlo Gustavo Emilio Manerheimo str. 8, Vilnius, Lithuania is publishing Company's financial statements, annual report and the independent auditors report for the year ended 31st December 2023.

Key financial audited indicators, EUR million 2023 2022 Revenue 369,8 420,3 EBITDA 78,3 -36,5 Net profit 48,4 -49,5 ROE (for the last 12 months), percents 23,9 -25,5 Adjusted* EBITDA, EUR million 37,3 34,6 Adjusted* Net Profit, EUR million 22,0 13,8 Adjusted* ROE (for the last 12 months), percents 10,9 7,1

*The adjustment of the profitability indicators is made due to temporary regulatory difference from the regulated profitability approved by National Energy Regulatory Council. The indicators are adjusted by the correction of income, which has already been approved by the decision of Council when the regulated transmission service prices of the reporting period were approved. Also, the indicators are adjusted by the deviation of the Council-approved (regulated) and actual profitability of the reporting period, which Council will evaluate when determining the transmission service prices for the coming period.

Attachments:

Companys financial statements, annual report and the Independent auditors report.

More information:

Jurga Eivaite

Communications Project Manager

+370 613 19977

jurga.eivaite@litgrid.eu

Attachment
In accordance with the initiative and decision of the Board of LITGRID AB (company code 302564383, registered address at Karlo Gustavo Emilio Manerheimo st. 8, LT-05131, Vilnius) (hereinafter  LITGRID, Company), the Ordinary General Meeting of LITGRID shareholders is convened at the Companys registered office (address Karlo Gustavo Emilio Manerheimo st. 8, LT-05131, Vilnius, Room 229) on 30 April 2024, 10:00 am.

Agenda of the LITGRID Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders:

1) Regarding Annual Report of LITGRID AB for 2023;

2) Regarding independent auditors conclusion on LITGRID AB financial statements and annual report for 2023;

3) Regarding the approval of the set of financial statements of LITGRID AB for 2023;

4) Regarding the approval of the distribution of profit of LITGRID AB for 2023;

5) Regarding the approval of the remuneration report of LITGRID AB for 2023;

6) Regarding the approval of the new version of the Articles of Association of LITGRID AB;

7) Regarding the approval of the updated Remuneration Policy of LITGRID AB Chief Executive Officer and Board members;

8) Election of Board members;

9) Regarding the determination of the conditions of the Board's activity;

10) Determination of remuneration amounts for members of the Board of LITGRID AB and the operating budget of the Board in 2024 and subsequent years.

The beginning of shareholders' registration: 9:30 a. m. on 30 April 2024.

End of shareholders' registration: 9:55 a. m. on 30 April 2024.

The record date of the General Meeting of Shareholders: 23 April 2024. The right of participation and voting in the General Meeting of Shareholders can be exercised only by the persons who remain shareholders of LITGRID by the end of the record date of the General Meeting of Shareholders. The record day for the shareholders' rights is 15 May 2024.

A person attending at the General Meeting of Shareholders and entitled to vote must provide a proof of identity. A person who is not a shareholder shall, in addition to the aforementioned document, provide a document confirming his/her right to vote at the General Meeting of Shareholder.

Participation and voting at the General Meeting of Shareholders by electronic means shall not be possible.

On 29 April 2024, the Board of LITGRID approved the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders and the Draft Decisions of the Meeting (explanations where no decisions are required):

1) Regarding Annual Report of LITGRID AB for 2023

Provided explanation:

"The decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders is not required. The Board submits the annual report for 2023 for hearing at the General Meeting of Shareholders (attached).

2) Regarding independent auditors conclusion on LITGRID AB financial statements and annual report for 2023

Provided explanation:

A decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders is not required. The General Meeting of Shareholders should take into consideration the opinion presented in the independent auditors report for LITGRID AB shareholders when deciding on approval of LITGRID AB complete set of financial statements for 2023 (attached).

3) Regarding the approval of the set of financial statements of LITGRID AB for 2023

Proposed resolution:

To approve the financial statements of LITGRID AB of 2023 (attached).

4) Regarding the approval of the distribution of profit of LITGRID AB for 2023

Proposed resolution:

To approve the distribution of profit for the year 2023 of LITGRID AB (attached).

5) Regarding the approval of the remuneration report of LITGRID AB for 2023

Proposed resolution:

To approve the remuneration report of LITGRID AB of 2023, which is part of the annual report of LITGRID AB for 2023 (attached).

6) Regarding the approval of the new version of the Articles of Association of LITGRID AB

Proposed resolution:

"6.1. To approve the new version of LITGRID AB Articles of Association (attached).

6.2. To authorise the Chief Executive Officer of LITGRID AB (with the right to sub-delegate) to sign the amended Articles of Association in accordance with the procedure established by legal acts and to register them in the Register of Legal Entities of the Republic of Lithuania, to submit and collect documents, to perform all necessary actions related to the implementation of this decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders."

7) Regarding the approval of the updated Remuneration Policy of LITGRID AB Chief Executive Officer and Board members

Proposed resolution:

"7.1. Approve the Remuneration policy for the LITGRID AB Chief Executive Officer and Board members in its new version (attached).

7.2. To authorize and obligate the Chief Executive Officer of LITGRID AB to publicly announce the approved Remuneration Policy as stipulated by the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania."

8) Election of Board members

Proposed resolution:

"8.1. From 30 April 2024 to elect the candidates who received the most votes at the Company's General Meeting of Shareholders to the Board of LITGRID AB for a term of 4 (four) years.

7.2. To authorise (with the right to sub-delegate) the Chief Executive Officer of LITGRID AB to notify the Register of Legal Entities of the Republic of Lithuania of the election of new members of the Board, to register the changed data in the Register of Legal Entities of the Republic of Lithuania and to perform all other related actions."

9) Regarding the determination of the conditions of the Board's activity

Proposed resolution:

"9.1. Approve the updated standard contract of a Board member regarding activities on the Board of LITGRID AB (attached).

9.2. To authorize (with the right to sub-delegate) the Chief Executive Officer of LITGRID AB to sign the standard contract on the activity of a member of the Board of LITGRID AB with the newly elected members of the Board on behalf of LITGRID AB no later than within 5 (five) days from the day of the adoption of this decision."

10) Determination of remuneration amounts for members of the Board of LITGRID AB and the operating budget of the Board in 2024 and subsequent years

Proposed resolution

10.1. To establish that remuneration is not paid to the member of the Board delegated by the holding company UAB EPSO-G.

10.2. Set these from 30 April 2024 applicable fixed monthly remuneration to be paid to the members of the Company's Board, which are in accordance with the Guidelines for determining remuneration for activities in the bodies of UAB EPSO-G and UAB EPSO-G group companies, approved by the decision of the sole shareholder of UAB EPSO-G, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter  Remuneration Guidelines), the established criteria, the amounts without deducting the payable taxes:

Position Monthly fixed amount of remuneration (Eur) Chairperson (independent) 4 490 Board Member (independent) 3 368 Board Member (public servant), if the public servant does not attend and does not perform activities in the collegial body of another SE / SOE and/or ME / MOE* 2 694 Board Member (public servant), if the public servant attends and performs activities in the collegial body of another SE / SOE and (or) ME / MOE. 1 684

* SE  State Enterprise, SOE  State-owned Enterprise, ME  Municipal Enterprise, MOE  Municipally-owned Enterprise

10.3. To determine that in the event that a member of the Company's Board is elected as the Chairperson of the Company's Board or a member of the Company's Board is recalled/resigns from the position of Chairperson of the Board and/or a public servant is elected or recalled/resigns from the position of a member of the Board of another SE/SOE or ME /MOE in a collegial body, the remuneration of such a member of the Board of the Company is amended without a separate decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, taking into account the amounts of remuneration of the members of the Board of the Company determined above by the decision of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company.

10.4. To amend the part of the decision of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company of 22 December 2022 "The determination of the amounts of remuneration for the members of the Board of LITGRID AB and the determination of the budget for the Board for the year 2023 and the subsequent years" and to determine, taking into account the remuneration amounts to be paid to the Board Members of the Company, that:

10.4.1. total annual budget for the year 2024 for the remuneration of the Board Members of the Company and additional expenses of the Company intended to ensure the activities of the Board is 113 089 Eur;

10.4.2. as long as the amounts of remuneration of the Board Members and the principles of determining the remuneration of the Board Members set out in points 10.2 and 10.3 of this decision are in force, the budget of the Company's Board activity for the relevant year is determined and/or changed automatically (without the adoption of separate decisions of the General Shareholders' Meeting), taking into account the requirements of such budgeting and (or) at the time of the change, the positions held by the Board Members of the Company who meet the criteria set out in the Remuneration Guidelines and, accordingly, the amounts of remuneration to be paid according to them, as well as additional costs intended to ensure the regulation of the Board's activities, if the Company does not apply for a change in the size of the budget for the activities of the Board."

The shareholders may familiarize themselves with the Draft Resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders and other additional materials related to the General Meeting of Shareholders also with the implementation of the shareholders rights at the Central Database of Regulated Information www.crib.lt and on Companys website www.litgrid.eu .

The shareholders of LITGRID, whose shares are entitled to at least 1/20 of the total number of votes, have the right to supplement the agenda for the General Meeting of Shareholders. The proposal to supplement the agenda shall be submitted in writing and sent by registered mail or delivered to the head office of the Company to the address: Karlo Gustavo Emilio Manerheimo st. 8, LT-05131 Vilnius (hereinafter  Head Office). Draft Resolutions on the proposed issues or, when it is not mandatory to adopt resolutions, explanatory notes on each proposed issue of the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders must be presented alongside the proposal. The agenda will be supplemented if the proposal is received not later than 16 April 2024.

The shareholders entitled to at least 1/20 of the total number of votes have the right, at any time before the General Meeting of Shareholders or during the meeting, to propose in writing new draft resolutions on the items put on the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders. Such proposal must be made in writing and submitted to the Company by registered mail or delivered to the Head Office. The proposal submitted during the meeting must be formalized in writing and delivered to the Secretary of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

Shareholders have the right to submit questions to the Company regarding the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 25 April 2024, in advance, but not later than 25 April 2024. Questions must be formalized in writing and delivered to the Company by registered mail or to the Head Office. The Company will not provide any answer to the question submitted by a shareholder personally to him / her in the case relevant information is available on the Companys website www.litgrid.eu .

Any shareholder has the right to authorize a natural or legal person to participate and vote in his/her behalf at the General Meeting of Shareholders. The proxy holder of the shareholder must have the document confirming the persons identity and the certified Power of Attorney issued and valid in accordance with the law, which must be delivered to the Head Office not later than before the end of the registration of the attendees of the General Meeting of Shareholders. At the General Meeting of Shareholders, the proxy holder has the same rights as would be held by the shareholder represented by him/her. The form of the Power of Attorney to represent at the General Meeting of Shareholders is available on the website of the Company: www.litgrid.eu .

On the issues on the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders may vote in writing by filling in a General Ballot Paper. On the shareholders request, the Company, not later than 10 days before the day of the General Meeting of Shareholders, will send a General Ballot Paper by registered mail free of charge or submit it in person against signature to the shareholder. The shareholder or his/her proxy holder must undersign the filled in General Ballot Paper. If the General Ballot Paper is signed by a person who is not a shareholder, a document certifying his / her right to vote must be appended to the filled in Ballot Paper. The duly filled General Ballot Paper must be delivered to the Company by registered mail or submitted against signature at the Head Office not later than before the end of registration of the attendees of the General Meeting of Shareholders. The form of the General Ballot Paper is available on the website of the Company: www.litgrid.eu .

On the day of convocation of the General Meeting of the Shareholders the total number of shares was 504 331 380. All these shares grant voting right.

Information referred to in Articles 262 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania will be available on the website of the Company: www.litgrid.eu .

Information about the additions to the agenda, as well as resolutions made by the general meeting will also be available in the Central Database of Regulated Information www.crib.lt .

ANNEXES:

LITGRID AB financial statements for 2023, together with the conclusion of the independent auditor, Annual Report and Remuneration Report; Profit distribution project for 2023; Draft of the new version of the Articles of Association of LITGRID AB; Remuneration Policy for the LITGRID AB Chief Executive Officer and Board members; Standard contract on the activity of a member of the Board; Power of Attorney form of LITGRID AB; LITGRID AB voting ballot.

More information:

Jurga Eivaite

Communications Project Manager

+370 613 19977

jurga.eivaite@litgrid.eu

Attachments
Toronto, Canada, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- All that glitters is definitely NOT gold, for both piercers and their suppliers.

For quite some time the piercing industry was an uneven playing field, with a handful of companies monopolizing the supply chain and controlling access to high-quality products. This not only stifled competition but also bred elitism and exclusivity. Case in point: a new piercer starting their own studio could not get accounts with certain body jewelry suppliers. This limited their offerings to customers and thus affected their business. To address these challenges, Junipurr Jewelry came into existence, disrupting the status quo and championing accessibility in the piercing world.

Founded by Jennifer Mo in February 2020, Junipurr Jewelry swiftly positioned itself as a leader in the industry by addressing thehelp core issues of accessibility, affordability, and quality. Recognizing the hurdles faced by small businesses and aspiring piercers, JMo started her incredible journey with a mission to offer access to well-designed, well-manufactured gold and titanium body jewelry. And on top of that, the best in class pricing with fast shipping.

(logo)





The journey began with a stark realization: the piercing industry lagged behind its tattoo counterpart in terms of infrastructure and financial viability. Piercers often struggled to establish themselves because not everyone could access the quality jewelry that clients wanted. It was also cost-prohibitive and took a long time to arrive. Tattoo artists, on the other hand, were free to order the needles, ink, and equipment they desired, with no gatekeepers in the way.

Junipurr Jewelry set out to dismantle this barrier, envisioning a future where piercers could thrive independently, supported by a robust ecosystem of suppliers and resources. Central to this vision were two beliefs: first, accessibility shouldnt be a privilege but for all piercers. Secondly, piercers should be treated as partnersrather than just clientsin progress.

From competitive pricing to expedited shipping, every aspect of Junipurr's operation is designed to improve the piercers experience and grow their business. Junipurr provides a smooth, transparent buying process through direct interactions with its customers: piercers from all over the world.

Recognizing their integral role in shaping the industry, Junipurr has sought to empower piercers by addressing their concerns and building a community for mutual support and growth. Enter the Junipurr Pro Team: a global network of reputable piercers who share the companys vision of accessibility and excellence. Formed during the tumultuous period of the global shutdown in March 2020, the Pro Teamwith representatives from North America, South America, and Europerepresents a diverse and dynamic community of piercing professionals committed to advancing the industry. Led by JMos relentless determination and strategic outreach efforts, the Pro Team quickly gained traction, attracting over 300 sign-ups within a week. Through virtual meetings and collaborative initiatives, Junipurr nurtured relationships with piercers worldwide, cultivating a spirit of camaraderie. Today, the Pro Team serves as a driving force behind Junipurrs mission, providing invaluable insights, feedback, and advocacy within their respective regions.

One of Junipurrs most significant contributions is reshaping the supply chain dynamics of the piercing industry. Through revealing cracks in the monopolys armour, Junipurr paved the way for a more diverse and competitive marketplace.

Existing vendors have taken on new accounts; customer service has improved; shipping times have never been as fast; and prices are more competitive than ever before. Overall, Junipurr's main triumph has been in providing a better experience for consumers through access to a previously monopolized industry.

JMos vision extended beyond mere disruption; it encompassed a holistic reimagining of the industrys future. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, Junipurr positioned itself as a catalyst for industry evolution. JMo emphasizes the importance of maintaining high industry standards while allowing for growth.

A testimony from a happy client showcases the brands impact: Junipurr has been such an answered prayer in my life. I feel like Junipurrs mission statement is for piercers like me: making quality Gold (and titanium) accessible to a teeny tiny one-woman show with a tight budget. Thank you for making me feel seen and valid in a place where the little guys often get overlooked.

From rebranding efforts to the expansion of product lines, every initiative has been guided by a singular purpose: to elevate the standards and success of piercers and the piercing industry worldwide.

Despite industry resistance, Junipurr has remained steadfast in its commitment to inclusivity and integrity. The brand is known for its responsible business conduct by promoting diversity and ethical sourcing practices. Junipurr has also implemented initiatives such as the Code of Conduct and Complaints Policy to ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights throughout its operations.

Junipurr Jewelry stands as a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and collective action. From its humble beginnings in 2020 to its solid presence in 58 countries today, Junipurr has helped reconfigure the landscape of the piercing industry. By making quality body jewelry accessible to all piercers, Junipurr has sparked a cultural shift towards accessibility and empowerment.

As JMo reflects on Junipurrs journey, she emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's values and purpose. For her, success isnt merely measured in profits or market share but in the positive impact on piercers lives and the industry as a whole.

Media Contact

Name: Jennifer Mo

Email: jmo@junipurrjewelry.com




A fight broke out in a classroom at Legacy Freshman High School which resulted in a student or students being charged criminally. MRT File Photo

Only one of the students in last week's altercation at Legacy Freshman High School faces criminal charges, according to the Midland ISD communications department.

Earlier this week MISD issued a statement acknowledging a fight had occurred at Legacy Freshman March 22. In the statement, MISD said students were disciplined and charges were filed.

"Midland ISD is aware of a video circulating on social media involving two female students at Legacy Freshman High School this past Friday," the press release MISD issued March 25. "Teachers in the classroom took immediate action to diffuse the situation. Students were disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct and criminal charges were filed."

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A video sent to the Reporter-Telegram shows two girls in a classroom arguing before one of them stabs the other in the head with a pencil. The girls then proceed to fight, with the girl retaining the pencil and repeatedly stabbing the other girl.

Warning, the video may be too graphic for some viewers:

A video circulating on social media shows a fight breaking out after a student stabs another student with a pencil in her scalp. Midland Reporter-Telegram

Following the release, the Reporter-Telegram called several officials at MISD March 25 and emailed the district's communications department March 26 seeking clarification on how many students were charged and what the charges were. On March 27, a communications specialist in the ISD stated it "may be worth a change on the headline regarding the fight video" and reiterated the district's initial statement. The Reporter-Telegram again emailed asking for the same clarification it had previously sought. In the late evening of March 28, the communications department replied, saying its reply was "inadvertently sent to the incorrect email address yesterday."

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"As mentioned, for any other details, the incident was fully investigated, and the Student Code of Conduct was followed in terms of any disciplinary action," the email reads. "Because this matter pertains to confidential student discipline information, this is all of the information we are able to provide."

After an additional email to the district, the Reporter-Telegram was able to confirm that "only one student was criminally charged," and then was directed to submit a Freedom of Information Act request for further information.

The mother of the stabbing victim spoke with the Reporter-Telegram March 27 and said she also had trouble with communicating with the district.

I have tried to contact the assistant principal, Flores told the Reporter-Telegram during a phone interview on Wednesday morning. I even tried to reach the principal as well.

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But each time, Flores tried to reach out regarding the safety and well-being of her daughter, there was reportedly no response from MISD administrators.

Flores said her daughter has been a frequent victim of bullying in the district since November, and it has ultimately impacted her daughter's grades.

I just want the MISD policy to change, Flores told the Reporter-Telegram. When a child is in a fight and has to defend themselves, then protect that child. They (school officials) say they provide a safe environment, well then do that.
New York, NY, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MOUNT VERNON, NY, March 29, 2024  As Key Digital celebrates its 25th anniversary, Masha Tsinberg, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the award-winning developer and manufacturer of leading-edge digital video processing and video signal distribution solutions, is also marking 25 years with the company and five as its Chief Operating Officer. Tsinbergs ascent to the role of COO was paved by her tenure of fifteen years in the firms marketing department, during which she exhibited exceptional leadership, consistently driving growth, fostering innovation, and forging lasting connections with clients and colleagues alike.

As Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Tsinberg played a pivotal role in the company's trajectory, spearheading the development and meticulous execution of strategic marketing campaigns and comprehensive corporate branding initiatives, enhancing the customer experience while ensuring a cohesive and impactful presence in the marketplace.





Upon assuming responsibility for Key Digitals overall strategy and execution for marketing, engineering, and operations, says Tsinberg, The goal was to hone the architecture and processes of the company for continued growth while maintaining the established excellence in every department, including a focus on an enhanced customer experience. As a direct link between Key Digital and end users employing its products, loyalty in the field has always been monumentally important to Key Digital, so she focused on improving the customer experience by implementing a customer feedback system and establishing a dedicated customer support team. This led to a 40% increase in customer satisfaction ratings and a significant reduction in customer attrition.

Another important element for Masha was looking at Key Digitals staff. I have always believed in the philosophy that companies are made of people, and we have some of the best in the business, stated Tsinberg. Recognizing that company employees represent the brand to the marketing and are the direct connection to key customers, she prioritized employee development by launching training and mentorship programs aimed at enhancing skills and fostering leadership qualities among Key Digital staff. As a result, employee satisfaction and retention rates increased by 25% over the course of her tenure.

Upon Masha Tsinberg's elevation to the role of COO, Key Digital founder and CEO Mike Tsinberg hailed her appointment as a significant milestone, marking the company's strides in fostering diversity and embracing female leadership within the AV industry. He emphasized that her promotion exemplified Key Digital's commitment to progress and excellence. We knew that Masha had the credentials and proven operational background that would lead to that goal being realized, says Mike Tsinberg. It delights me to confirm that weve exceeded all of our expectations. Her initiative and expertise have been crucial to our growth and her positive influence permeates our corporate culture.

There is no glass ceiling at Key Digital, says Masha Tsinberg. I had a voice and the opportunity for growth from the very start 25 years ago, and were proud of our record of empowerment as Key Digital grew from a one-product company to take a leadership role in the AV industry that ranges from technological innovation in the R&D lab to diversity in the board room.

For more information:

Key Digital

Attachment
Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to review the Securities and Exchange Commissions denial of our long-standing petition to amend the agencys Gag Rule. In place for over five decades, this pernicious rule forbids every American who settles a regulatory enforcement case with SEC from even truthfully criticizing their cases in public. SEC ignored NCLAs initial petition challenging the Gag Rule for more than five years, only issuing a denial after NCLA filed a renewed petition in December 2023. Representing several SEC enforcement targets silenced by the Gag Ruleand media organizations eager to hear the stories they wish to tellNCLA urges the Ninth Circuit to halt this egregious trampling of First Amendment rights.

SEC enacted the 1972 Gag Rule without notice and comment after falsely framing it as an internal housekeeping measure that would not affect third parties. The agency never had statutory authority to implement such a substantive rule, and it bypassed Administrative Procedure Act requirements to publish, provide notice and allow comment before promulgating a rule binding on third parties. Speech bans must be narrowly tailored, serve a compelling government interest, and adopt the least restrictive means to protect that interest. SEC has never provided a legitimatemuch less a compelling reasonfor silencing all settling enforcement targets for life.

The Gag Rule silences Petitioners Joseph Powell, Cassandra Toroian, Gary Pryor, Joseph Collins, Michelle Silverstein, Rex Scates, and returning NCLA clients Ray Lucia (who settled his case with SEC in 2020), and Barry D. Romeril (who filed the first challenge to his Gag in 2019). NCLA has also represented Petitioner Christopher Novinger previously in appealing the gag provisions of his SEC enforcement settlement.

Reason Foundation and The Cape Gazette have signed on as Petitioners as well, recognizing that the Gag Rule infringes on their First Amendment rights to Freedom of the Press to hear and report the views SEC enforcement targets wish to express about their cases. The Gag Rule conceals vital information about SEC enforcement policies. Does SEC strong-arm enforcement targets? Does it over-plead complaints to force settling? Has SEC exceeded its statutory authority? Are SECs legal theories sound? The public and the press deserve answers.

SECs Gag Rule has drawn prominent judicial criticism. In their 2022 Novinger v. SEC opinion, Fifth Circuit Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan said of the gag policy: A more effective prior restraint is hard to imagine. In her 2022 SEC v. Moraes ruling, District Judge Ronnie Abrams similarly observed that the policy raises the specter of violating the unconstitutional conditions doctrine[;] (2) has all the hallmarks of a prior restraint on speech[;] and (3) is a textbook content or viewpoint-based prohibition on speech. SECs letter denying NCLAs petition failed to squarely address these compelling judicial concerns. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce issued a stinging dissent from SECs denial decision, powerfully arguing that the American public, not government censors must be the arbiters of the validity of speech.

NCLA released the following statements:

Congress itself is forbidden to enact what the SEC unlawfully promulgated by stealth in 1972. Only two agencies, SEC and CFTCmere agencies!arrogate to themselves power to silence their settling targets for life. What are they so afraid of? Truthful speech and a press free to hear their enforcement targets stories? It is long past time for the courts to end this autocratic and thoroughly un-American SEC reign of error.

 Peggy Little, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

For too long the SEC has operated with the mistaken view that its Gag Rule is lawful, silencing untold numbers of enforcement targets and keeping important information about how the Commission operates hidden from the public. The Gag Rule violates our clients First Amendment rights and harms our democratic processes. We hope this case will end the SECs silencing regime once and for all.

 Kara Rollins, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

Despite a vehement dissent from one SEC Commissioner, the SEC refused to take a harder look at its rule that gags those with whom it settles. NCLAs petition to the Ninth Circuit should finally enable our clients to obtain the relief they have been seeking for years, even decadesthe right to speak the truth publicly.

 Kaitlyn Schiraldi, Staff Attorney, 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.

###
Amsterdam, Netherlands , March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dive deep into the vibrant world of Pepe's gang with the latest addition to the Boy's Club, none other than BIRD DOG! Crafted by the renowned artist Matt Furie himself, Bird Dog embodies the essence of youthful nostalgia, making it Matt's absolute favorite character.



As the narrative of the Boy's Club continues to captivate audiences worldwide, including iconic figures like Pepe and Brett, we invite you to be a part of this exciting journey with Bird Dog. We're thrilled to announce that over a quarter million will be invested to foster a stronger, more tightly knit community. Get ready for a series of thrilling events, promising substantial rewards, hilarious moments, and exciting partnerships! Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of generational wealth!



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Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency & securities.
LONGUEUIL, March 28, 2024 - Reunion Gold Corp. (TSXV: RGD; OTCQX: RGDFF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce additional drill results from its ongoing infill and step out drill program at the Kairuni zone on its Oko West project in Guyana. Hole D-380, which is located in Block 6 (see Table 1 and Figure 1) intersected 39.7 meters ("m") @ 5.27 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au") from 152.3 m downhole (using a 0.3 g/t Au cutoff), including 3.8 m @ 14.18 g/t Au and 13.0 m @ 10.50 g/t Au (using 1.5 g/t Au cutoffs). The results from Hole D-380 are encouraging as they indicate the potential for additional high-grade mineralized shoots to be defined in areas of existing wider drill spacing where the current infill continues. Downdip from D-380 and also within Block 6, drill hole D-392 intersected 70.3 m @ 1.08 g/t Au from 193.0m downhole, including 12.0 m @ 3.42 g/t Au.

On the northern margin of Block 4, Hole D-377, which is located on the northern margin of the Block 4 high grade zone (see Table 2 and Figure 1), intersected 55.0 m @ 2.42 g/t Au from 645 m downhole (using a 0.3 g/t Au cutoff), including 5.5 m @ 5.97 g/t Au and 20.4 m @ 3.42 g/t Au (using a 1.5 g/t Au cutoff).

Rick Howes, President & CEO of Reunion Gold, commented, "It is encouraging to see these strong exploration results from the Block 6 area as the Company continues to advance along its dual track strategy of continuing its exploration programs while at the same time rapidly advancing Oko West down the development path. The PEA remains on track for release by the end of Q2 2024. On the exploration front, the addition of new datasets is allowing our exploration team to target more effectively within other areas of the Oko West project area. Alongside this, Reunion is continuing to evaluate and define new properties for further exploration in both Guyana and Suriname."

Table 1 - Drill results from Blocks 5 & 6. Hole ID Block From

(m) To

(m) Downhole Interval

(m) Au Grade

(g/t) Grade x Downhole Interval

(gm/t) Cutoff **

(Au g/t) OKWD24-371 6 55.0 74.6 19.6 1.7 33 0.3 inc. 70.4 73.6 3.2 8.3 26 1.5 OKWD24-373 6 36.0 52.0 16.0 0.3 5 0.3 OKWD24-373 6 69.0 120.6 51.6 0.7 36 0.3 OKWD24-378 5 3.8 19.0 15.2 0.4 7 0.3 OKWD24-378 5 32.0 73.5 41.5 0.3 14 0.3 OKWD24-379A 6 173.1 231.3 58.2 1.1 62 0.3 inc. 174.2 181.1 6.9 3.3 23 1.5 OKWD24-380 6 3.0 15.0 12.0 0.4 4 0.3 OKWD24-380 6 73.0 94.2 21.2 0.8 17 0.3 OKWD24-380 6 112.0 129.0 17.0 0.8 13 0.3 OKWD24-380 6 152.3 192.0 39.7 5.3 209 0.3 inc. 91.0 94.2 3.2 4.0 12 1.5 inc. 160.0 163.8 3.8 14.2 54 1.5 inc. 170.0 183.0 13.0 10.5 137 1.5 OKWD24-392 6 193.0 263.3 70.3 1.1 76 0.3 inc. 199.2 211.2 12.0 3.4 41 1.5 inc. 240.4 243.4 3.0 2.9 9 1.5 inc. 252.7 258.3 5.6 2.8 16 1.5





Table 2 - Drill results from Block 4 infill drilling. Hole ID Block From

(m) To

(m) Downhole Interval

(m) Au Grade

(g/t) Grade x Downhole Interval

(gm/t) Cutoff **

(Au g/t) OKWD24-374-W1 4 678.0 689.8 11.8 1.4 16 0.3 OKWD24-374-W1 4 710.9 735.0 24.1 1.6 38 0.3 OKWD24-374-W1 4 750.9 763.0 12.1 1.4 17 0.3 inc. 685.6 689.8 4.1 3.0 13 1.5 inc. 714.5 720.2 5.8 6.1 35 1.5 inc. 752.9 757.9 5.0 2.5 13 1.5 OKWD24-377 4 579.0 609.1 30.1 0.6 17 0.3 OKWD24-377 4 645.0 700.0 55.0 2.4 133 0.3 inc. 646.0 650.0 4.0 3.0 12 1.5 inc. 656.4 661.9 5.5 6.0 33 1.5 inc. 668.9 689.3 20.4 3.4 70 1.5

The Company now has eight diamond drill rigs operating at the Oko West project. Five of these rigs are focused on Blocks 1, 4, 5 & 6 with the dual objective of both adding new resources and the conversion of inferred resources to indicated prior to the commencement of additional studies expected after the completion of the Preliminary Economic Assessment in Q2 2024. Two diamond rigs are carrying out geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling related to potential infrastructure sites on the project.

The eighth diamond rig is focused on drill testing exploration targets outside of the MRE area in search of potential satellite resources. At present this rig is testing targets near to the North Drive area located in the west of the permit; and will shortly move to testing a zone of coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies in the Takutu zone, immediately south and along strike from the Kairuni resource along the granitoid contact zone. The Company has made significant progress in adding additional geochemical and geophysical data coverage on the project, in particular, through the use of a Scout RC rig to test beneath colluvium and duricrust, as well as the use of gradient array IP and ground magnetics. Figure 2 shows the extent of IP coverage on the project and demonstrates the success with which the results map structural corridors that host alteration and early sulphidation events within Blocks 1 through 4 (as correlated with drill core observations). These corridors have been subsequently used as pathways for gold-bearing fluids and are host rocks to mineralization. The discrete structural corridors that are of particular interest for further exploration and drill plans are underway for two new targets in Blocks 7 and 8.

Qualified Persons

Justin van der Toorn, CGeol FGS, EurGeol, the Company's Vice President Exploration and a "qualified person" under NI 43-101, has also reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About Reunion Gold Corporation

Reunion Gold Corp. is a leading gold explorer in the Guiana Shield, South America. In 2020, the Company announced an exciting new greenfield gold discovery at its Oko West project in Guyana and announced its maiden mineral resource in June 2023 after just 22 months of resource definition drilling. In February 2024 the Company announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate containing a total of 4.3 Moz of gold in Indicated Resources grading 2.05 g/t and 1.6 Moz of gold in Inferred Resources grading 2.59 g/t. The February 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate includes an underground Resource containing 1.1 Moz of gold at a grade of 3.12 g/t Au in the Inferred category. See February 26, 2024 press release for more details. The Company is moving forward on development activities related to Oko West and expects to deliver a PEA by the end of Q2 2024. The Company continues to explore several additional priority targets at Oko West that lie outside of the area of the MRE, as well as leverage its considerable experience in uncovering new discoveries in the Guiana Shield to acquire and explore additional new projects in the region. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'RGD' and trade on the OTCQX under the symbol 'RGDFF'.

Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website (www.reuniongold.com).

For further information, please contact:

Reunion Gold Corp.

Rick Howes, President and CEO, or Doug Flegg, Business Development Advisor

E: doug_flegg@reuniongold.com

E: info@reuniongold.com

Telephone: +1 450.677.2585

Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Statements and information that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "would", "may"", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this press release include forward looking assumptions used relating to the mineral resources estimates; expectations to expand the resources at depth and elsewhere within the Oko West Project, expected metallurgical recoveries, gold price outlook; potential mineralization, expectations regarding completion of a preliminary economic assessment and other studies, and statements regarding the Company's strategy, plans and goals, and priorities, including timelines and schedules. Risks and factors that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation: risks related to the estimation of the mineral resource and the resource model, including risks that mineral content identified in the mineral resource estimate differs from that predicted and that the assumptions taken may no longer be appropriate; recoveries of gold; metallurgical testing and recoveries; gold and other commodity price volatility; currency fluctuations; additional financing required to continue operations may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; geopolitical risks; economic climate; global outbreaks of infectious diseases; risks regarding potential litigation; regulatory risks and liabilities including, regulatory environment and restrictions; timing and cost of exploration programs and studies, results of exploration programs; dilution; share price volatility and the price of our common shares; competition; loss of key employees; as well as those risk factors outlined in the Company's public disclosure documents including its most recent Annual Information Form available at sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website, which are incorporated herein.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. 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.

Cautionary Note on Mineral Resources

This press release contains the terms "Inferred" and "Indicated" mineral resources. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources reported in this press release are or will be economically or legally mineable. Investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in the Inferred and Indicated Resource categories will ever be converted into a higher category of Mineral Resources or into Mineral Reserves. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility studies. The Mineral Resources set out in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the Indicated level of recovery will be realized.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Figure 1 - Inclined long section through the planes of mineralizaiton for Blocks 1 & 4 and Blocks 5 &6. Showing drill hole locations and results reported in this press release; Significant intersects are calculated using a 0.3 g/t Au cutoff, 10 m minimum down hole length and 10 m maximum consecutive internal dilution; Included intersects are calculated using a 1.5 g/t Au cutoff, 3 m minimum down hole length and 2 m maximum consecutive internal dilution.

Link to Figure 1: https://www.reuniongold.com/240328-pr?lightbox=dataItem-lub59plt

Figure 2 - Project map showing the extent of drilling overlain on topography and results form a gradient array IP survey. Inset map (right) shows the MRE mineralized domains at 0 m RL, approximately 150 m below surface, and the correlation with IP response. New targets, west of previous wide spaced drilling in Blocks 7 and 8, are shown to the south of the MRE extents. The location of drill hole D-380 is noted within the inset map relative to Block 6.

Link to Figure 2: https://www.reuniongold.com/240328-pr?lightbox=dataItem-lub59plw
Vancouver, March 28, 2024 - Element79 Gold Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:ELEM) (OTC:ELMGF) (FSE:7YS0) Further to the Corporation's previous Financings announcement, Element79 is pleased to announce the successful completion of its second tranche of its placement for an addition $300,075 of funding through its Non-Brokered Private placement. This second tranche of closing will see the Company issue a total of 1,304,674 Units for this tranche. The second tranche of the placement was largely subscribed to by a strategic investor who recognizes the long-term value and potential of the Company. This investor brings not only capital but also invaluable expertise and connections within the sector which will accelerate the Company's corporate development.

The Placement consists of Units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a purchase price of $0.23 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for one Common Share at a price of $0.35 per Common Share for two (2) years from the date of issuance. All securities issued for the placement will be subject to a four month and one day hold from the date of issue which is anticipated to be April 4th in keeping with CSE regulations.

The warrants are subject to an acceleration clause whereby should the shares of the Company trade at or above $0.40 per share on the North American stock exchange on which it is then listed for ten consecutive trading days (after the date that is four months and one day from the closing of the Offering) the warrants may be accelerated. There were Finder's Fees of 5% cash and 5% in warrants on some of this Second tranche of the placement.

Element79 has to date raised a total of $550,075 through the facilities of its placement and shall continue to seek funds, anticipating closing its final tranche within the next ten business days.

About Element79 Gold Corp

Element79 Gold Corp. is a gold and silver mining company committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's core focus is on developing its past-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to restart production in 2024.

The Company also holds a portfolio of 5 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, with the Clover and West Whistler projects believed to have significant potential for near-term resource development. Three properties in the Battle Mountain Portfolio are under contract for sale to Valdo Minerals Ltd., with an anticipated closing date in the first half of 2024. The Company has also signed an Option Agreement to sell the Maverick Springs project, an advanced-stage exploratory property with an Inferred Resource of 3.71MMoz AuEq (1.37MMoz Au and 175MMoz Ag) (see 43-101 technical report titled: Amended Technical Report on the Maverick Springs Project, Nevada, USA, by Allan Armitage, PhD., P.Geo, and Rohan Millar, B.Sc. P.Geo., dated October 7, 2022, available on SEDAR) and anticipates completing this sale on or before July 21, 2024.

In British Columbia, Element79 Gold has executed a Letter of Intent and funded a drilling program to acquire a private company that holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James.

The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, and has recently announced that it has transferred this project to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Synergy Metals Corp, and is advancing through the Plan of Arrangement spin-out process.

For more information about the company please visit our official website at www.element79.gold

Contact Information

For corporate matters, please contact:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer and Director

E-mail: jt@element79.gold

For investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +1.403.850.8050

E-mail: investors@element79.gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward?looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward?looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur.

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.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Dr. Jennifer Myers, Associate Vice President of Workforce Education Office, speaks during the presentation of a $100,000 grant from Texas Mutual Insurance to Midland College's Risk Management Institute. Tim Fischer/Midland College Jose Torres, safety services consultant with Texas Mutual Insurance, peaks during the presentation of a $100,000 grant from the company to Midland College's Risk Management Institute. Tim Fischer/Midland College Jose Torres with Texas Mutual Insurance shakes hands with Michael Dixon, Midland College Vice President of Instruction Office, after providing a $100,000 safety grant to help pay for students taking safety classes through Midland College. Tim Fischer/Midland College From left, Victoria Santiago, Midland College Dean Cogdell Learning Center, Community Programs CE Office, Continuing Education Office, Jennifer Myers, Midland College Associate Vice President of Workforce Education Office, Chelsy Gann, Midland College Director Workforce CE Office, Michael Dixon, Midland College Vice President of Instruction Office and Jose Torres with Texas Mutual Insurance. Tim Fischer/Midland College

A Permian Basin full of high-risk jobs throughout the areas oilpatch and roads that rank high in the state for traffic fatalities and injuries is understandably focused on safety.

To advance safety, Texas Mutual Insurance Company has provided grants to Midland Colleges Risk Management Institute and did so again this week. Texas Mutual presented the college a $100,000 grant, marking the 19th consecutive year the company has supported Midland College.

The grant from Texas Mutual gives us the opportunity to provide safety training throughout the Permian Basin, said Dr. Jennifer Myers, associate vice president of Midland Colleges workforce education office.

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She listed a number of new courses the grant has allowed the Risk Management Institute to offer, including Basic Pipeline, SafeLand USA, several OSHA courses, H2S safety training, basic life support through the American Heart Association and basic first aid.

Jose Torres, safety services consultant with Texas Mutual, said his company has long recognized that workplace safety education is a sound investment.

We have watched this program grow and we are proud of broader range of topics, he said as he presented the check to Michael Dixon, the colleges vice president of instruction office.

One issue the company is focusing on is road safety, Torres said. He added that he hopes more training can provide safer commutes for Permian Basin drivers.

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Dixon offered an anecdote about recently encountering a potential student inquiring about safety classes he would need for employment. Dixon said the man was greatly relieved to know the classes would be free thanks to the grant from Texas Mutual.

That illustrates the impact of these grants and how they benefit students, Dixon said.

The grant given to Midland College is one of 11 Texas Mutual provides. Over 25 years, the company has awarded $13 million in safety education grants and over 61,000 students have attended free or discounted safety and health training at various colleges.

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A man whose out-of-the-blue confession in 2001 solved the long-dormant case of a San Antonio airman killed 11 years earlier was sentenced Monday to 45 years in prison.

Timothy C. Thomason, 38, avoided prosecution on a capital murder charge by pleading guilty to murder before State District Judge Mickey Pennington on Monday.

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Authorities said they are seeking indictments of two others whom Thomason implicated in the slaying of Scott M. Prince.

"I anticipate his continued cooperation in the investigation," Medina County District Attorney Tony Hackebeil said in a story in Tuesday's San Antonio Express-News.

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The defendant was jailed in California on a theft charge in 2001 when he told of strangling a young airman in San Antonio years before. Thomason's account contained details that linked him to the disappearance of Prince, 26, on Nov. 9, 1990.

Until then, authorities said, they had no leads in the slaying of Prince, whose skeletal remains were found on a ranch in Medina County 16 months after he vanished.

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Prince's parents complained about not being consulted on the plea bargain and called the sentence too lenient.

"I know that he's been helping, but I still think he should get the death penalty. I don't know how you get away with murder," Joan Prince told the newspaper in an interview from Florida.

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"Under the circumstances, I thought this is an appropriate plea sentence," Hackebeil said, noting that Thomason voluntarily came to Texas, led officers to the murder scene and provided other useful information.

Thomason's account of Prince's death has changed. He said initially that Prince gave a ride to him and a girlfriend as they hitchhiked on Loop 410 and that they robbed and strangled him as a friend by the name of Mike watched. In a jailhouse interview last fall, Thomason claimed he had wanted to free Prince but that "Mike" stomped him to death.

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Thomason's wife, Judith Thomason _ his girlfriend at the time of the killing _ was located in Michigan last fall and charged with capital murder in Prince's death. Officials said she implicated herself during a telephone call to her husband at the Medina County Jail, where she is now being held.

According to court records, she implicated herself in a conversation that was recorded by saying she would not have told what she knows about the murder. Officials said Thomason recently initiated divorce proceedings against his wife.

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Khan, left, with his wife, Leslie. Photo: SHAUN MADER/PatrickMcMullan

Omar Khan, the bon vivant who allegedly swindled fine-wine insiders out of at least $9.5 million, pleaded guilty to identity theft on Thursday, less than one month after the FBI arrested him at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The details of Khans plea agreement remain unclear. In addition to identity theft, Khan had faced one count of wire fraud, a charge prosecutors presumably dropped as part of the plea agreement.

A decade ago, Khan earned a reputation among the citys high-flying oenophiles for organizing extravagant dinners at fine restaurants featuring some of the rarest wines on the planet.

According to the civil suit, Khan solicited investments in these dinners, which could cost attendees anywhere from $500 to $25,000 a plate, and promised to split the profits. But many of the dinners never happened. One investor, Kresimir Penavic, told me he had sunk some $5 million into Khans events before he realized he had never seen a dime of profit. Penavic, who made a fortune as a quant at the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, was one of 13 wine aficionados who sued Khan and won an $8 million judgment. In a statement, Penavic said he continues to pursue assets and leads related to the judgment. His sentence should send a message that this abuse of trust will not go unpunished and hopefully deter future malefactors of similar ilk, Penavics attorney, Rob Seiden, wrote in an email.

In an email, Khans attorney, Andrew Dalack, said his client looks forward to putting this chapter of his life behind him.

Khan was first indicted in February 2020, but those charges remained under seal for years because, at that point, he was living in Sri Lanka. According to prosecutors, the Department of Justice was seeking Khans extradition when Sri Lanka expelled him for overstaying his visa earlier this year. Aggravated identity theft is a felony offense that carries a two-year prison sentence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10. At a bond hearing scheduled for next week, Khans attorneys will ask for their clients release from detention at a rehabilitation facility in Queens, where he is being treated for neuropathy and fractures in his back.

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We asked Samsung why it gave its flagships 7 years of support

With the release of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung committed to 7 years of software support for the lineup - that's both OS and security updates. Samsung wasn't the first - Google promised 7 years to the Pixel 8 series, but OnePlus believes anything beyond 5 years is just wasting resources.

We had the chance to chat with Samsung VP Nicholas Porter and we asked him why Samsung decided on the 7 years of support. Samsung's analysis of consumer feedback found that extending the support adds more value to a smartphone.

Certainly, enough value to make the overhead needed for the upkeep worth it.

Samsung's research concluded that people tend to keep their phones for longer lately and it makes sense that manufacturers extend the software support.

Finally, Samsung believes that even if some people wouldn't care about the added support, they'll still benefit from the improved security and the continued fluidity of their phones for years, getting a better user experience in the end.

For what it's worth Samsung offers 5 years of support to its latest A-series phones - the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35. However the company obviously believes the hardware on its latest flagships is futureproof enough to still be worth using in 2031.
Xiaomi is preparing to launch a Redmi Note 13 Turbo smartphone that will sell globally as Poco F6. The phone will have a flat display, and we expect it to come with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset.

Today, some more specs leaked online, and we were most impressed by the charging rate  it will reach 90W. That is quite the jump from the phone's predecessor and something unusual in the family of Redmi Notes and Poco phones.

The screen will have 1220p resolution and according to the source, Xiaomi procured the panel production to two different providers. The main camera on the back is said to have a 50 MP Sony IMX882 sensor, while the selfie camera will reportedly have a 20 MP sensor.

The battery capacity is going to be 5,000 mAh. The 90W rate is a not unprecedented for a mid-tier Xiaomi phone, with a handful of Pro+ phones from the Note family supporting it, as well as the Poco F4 GT.

We now have to wait for Xiaomi to set a date for the Redmi Note 13 Turbo and Poco F6 announcements.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
A score of island leaders and stakeholders broke ceremonial ground on Friday on a two-year project that will make Guams airport safer.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, as well as handful of senators, business leaders and the board and executive management team at the A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport Authority were there to speak about the federally funded, $41.7 million project.

A special guest from the Federal Aviation Administration lauded the airport management team and said that he is impressed every time he visits Guam, and that the Guam Airport team continues to knock it out of the park.

Mark McClardy, director of Airports for the Western Pacific Region for the FAA, said it funded the project for a few reasons, with safety at the top, followed by the FAAs desire to invest in Guam as a gateway to the U.S., and for the people of Guam and the growth of its airport.

It just made sense, investing in Guam, said McClardy. He added that Guam was one of four airports in the region that received federal funding, and that Guams airport competed with some of the busiest airports in the U.S., including those in California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, as well as regional neighbors Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa.

Airport Executive Manager John J.Q. Quinata said an overall team effort brought the airport to this momentous occasion.

Its awesome to hear that for the airport. It means that we are executing the way we are supposed to, and were doing it above and beyond what their expectations are, said Quinata.

The projects estimated completion is March 2026. The project entails the repair of cracks on the apron, the surface that surrounds the terminal, as well as the rehabilitation, correction and repair of the taxiway, which surrounds the apron. It will be done in four phases, and while the scope of the project also includes demolition and removal of entire areas of asphalt, it will not affect daily operations.

Takeyuki Shiino, general manager of prime contractor Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd., said that whatever asphalt is collected as demolition debris will be re-used on site.

Quinata said that the airport always considers eco-friendly options, but as a part of its agreement with the FAA, no leftover construction debris can leave airport grounds.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine has submitted his letter of resignation after just over a year on the job.

Nine was hired back in November of 2022, with a salary of $310,000. Prior to his hiring, the chief medical examiner spot had been vacant for over three years.

Attorney General Doug Moylan, who chairs the Commission on Postmortem Examinations, confirmed Nines resignation.

The doctor in his resignation later states that recent personal circumstances have required him to relocate to the mainland U.S. with his family. His 30-days notice was submitted Wednesday, and his final day on the job will be April 29.

Nine over the phone told the Pacific Daily News that he was departing for family medical reasons.

My disappointment is greater than everybody elses, and I want to stay. But when medical issues come up, your family comes first, Nine said.

His time on Guam had been very productive.

The doctor had moved to change policies so that the chief medical examiner would not be handling every single death on island, and only those that were necessary, like homicides, suicides, and suspicious and non-natural deaths.

He had also moved to update record keeping systems at the office and introduced toxicology testing as part of death investigations, to identify drug overdose deaths.

He notes in his resignation letter that he has contacted an off-island, board-certified forensic pathologist who can provide contract services for the island and is keenly interested in negotiating with the postmortem commission.

AG Moylan said Nine has been very cooperative in helping to transition to a full-time replacement. The AG said he and the commission have yet to talk to the possible replacement.

We are in discussions with Dr. Nine and will be convening the Board to discuss the issue, Moylan said.

Dr. Nine had previously faced issues with moving to Guam, the Pacific Daily News reported, including his wifes temporary illness and issues bringing his dogs to the island.

The doctor was the first to take the job since the previous medical examiner, Dr. Aurelio Espinosa, retired in February 2019.

With no full-time medical examiner, the island has had to fly in examiners from other jurisdictions, like Saipan, delaying autopsies for days or weeks.

Post-mortem examinations have to be done in certain cases besides suspicious deaths, including:
The Public Utilities Commission on Thursday night gave the green light for the Guam Power Authoritys contract for 20 megawatts of temporary, emergency power to help stave off load shedding this summer.

Unanimous approval of the $25 million contract came just hours after it cleared the attorney generals legal review.

GPA General Manager John Benavente said the order for work to start will go out on Monday, April 1.

A space for the generators, which GPA plans to run for about two years, has already been cleared up in Yigo.

Theres no doubt that if we dont have the 20 megawatts, there will be major load shedding, Benavente told the PUC.

But the generators will come online late.

GPA wanted the 20MW generators from supplier Aggreko online by May, when temperatures and power demand start to take off for the island.

But a change in the law was required before the utility could proceed with the expedited deal on an emergency basis, slowing progress.

Benavente said its too late to meet the May goal, and the 100-day timeline to bring the generators online will take them out to July 11.

He said GPA would try to expedite the project, though it would still take them out to at least June.

May is about when peak power demand starts to surpass 250 MW, GPA data has shown. In order to prevent the load shedding seen last year, the power authority has to keep more power capacity than that online.

Though GPA has hovered around 270MW of capacity in recent months, that number dips whenever one of its aging generators goes offline for maintenance and repairs.

On Thursday night, with the baseload Cabras 2 power plant taken down, the island had just 238MW of capacity, Benavente said.

Peak demand that day was 233MW, Benavente said.

Load shedding peaked last November, when residents in different areas of the island were left in the dark for a total of 301 hours, the PDN reported previously.

Benavente on Thursday night said things have been fairly stable since last Thanksgiving, with blackouts minimal.

The Cabras 2 plant, which had been plagued with boiler tube leak after boil tube leak from September through November of last year, has been in better order through 2024.

Knock on wood and pray

Me, I like to knock on wood and pray, Benavente told commissioners.

He told PUC that the power authority will make every effort to prevent load shedding until the temporary power comes online.

The 20MW Yigo Combustion Turbine, damaged by Typhoon Mawar last year, will come online in April to help bridge the gap, he said.

GPA also has various ongoing repairs to try and add extra capacity to the grid.

PUC Administrative Law Judge Fred Horecky recommended commissioners approve the contract, after his own review.

The deal for temporary power was not cheap, Horecky said.

Youre having a company bring in all the equipment, operate it. Theres an initial start up charge of $1 million to get everything in order, he said.

But the alternative was to take a chance on frequent load shedding returning, Horecky said, and there was no doubt GPA needed the extra capacity.

He noted reserve power would be needed until the activation of the new 198 MW Ukudu power plant, which GPA is trying to get done by next September.

The contract with Aggreko, procured on an emergency basis, was fairly standard.

Benavente said there are fixed capacity charges and maintenance costs that will have to be paid to Aggreko even if GPA does not run the temporary generators. But because they are more fuel efficient than what GPA already owns, the utility plans to run the temporary units continuously.

The utility will actually save money on fuel using the temporary generators, about $3.8 million in the first year, and $4.3 million in the second.

Besides providing temporary generators, the contract also will have Aggreko helping GPA bring online an extra 34MW of power by repairing older, existing generators. That will take longer, between six and nine months.

Parkinson worried it could be too late

Power oversight chairman Sen. Will Parkinson said he was glad to see the contract move forward, but was worried that it may be too late to stave off load shedding this summer.

Parkinson led the effort in the Legislature to get GPAs power contract exempted from certain procurement regulations, like the stay on procurement that would usually happen if a competing company challenged the award to Aggreko.

Now that its through, lets get it all the way through and see what the actual timeline is going to be. Im hoping that we can get it done in time that load shedding might not be an issue, but Im not sure, he said.

The senator said he did plan to get updates from GPA management in coming weeks, to see progress made on other projects meant to add power generation to the grid.

Load shedding was now on GPA, the PUC and the attorney general, though he would provide any help on the legislative end, if needed.
There are a few events left to celebrate Mes CHamoru, or CHamoru Month, following four weeks of celebrating Guams culture and heritage.

Those who want a hands-on experience can participate in the last of six CHamoru cultural workshops on March 30 at the Valley of the Latte in Talofofo.

Participants will learn the intricacies of lei making using ti leaves. It follows prior workshops on weaving, baking, and making coconut oil and candy.

Attendees are advised to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to begin the Adventure Jungle Riverboat ride from the main Visitors Center Dock to the main Demonstration and Workshop Pavilion.

A mini fiesta style BBQ lunch plate is also available.

The final series of the Marianas Storytelling: Land & Lineage series is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 30 at the Guam Museum.

The days theme is Ti Geran-Mami (A War Not of Our Making).

It starts with a reflection on World War II survivor Maria Concepcion Gayle, by Mariana Gabriel, followed by a film, We Drank Our Tears: Benjamin Abadillas Story, by Galvin De Leon Guerrero.

Jennifer Craig and Brooke Nevitt will present the introduction of the National Park Service project, Mariana Islands Wartime Experiences through Oral Histories, followed by a film, War for Guam, by Frances Negron-Muntaner.

The final series event will conclude with a discussion featuring WWII survivor Carmen Kasperbauer and War for Guam co-producer Michael Lujan Bevacqua.

The Guam Department of Education has two more events for Mes CHamoru that go into April.

Sunidon CHamoru, a CHamoru Song Fest, is presented by the GDOE Visual Performing Arts Music and CHamoru Studies Division. It is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., April 2 through April 5, at Micronesia Mall.

The final event is the Inachaigen Bailan Taotao or CHamoru Dance Competition, sponsored by GDOEs CHamoru Studies Division and the Young Mens League of Guam.

It starts at 11 a.m., April 14, at Agana Shopping Center.
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.

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Chief Justice Robert J. Torres recently led a delegation of legal professionals on a visit to the Supreme Court of the Philippines and Malacanan Palace. The visit aimed to enhance ties, strengthen collaboration, and reinforce the rule of law in both jurisdictions.

Torres led the delegation as the first recipient of the Philippine Judges Association Presidents Award. The PJA Presidents Award acknowledges individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of judicial officers and the evolution of jurisprudential trends, both within the Philippines and on the global stage.

Chief Justice Torres has been instrumental in advancing the accessibility and efficiency of court services across Guam, introducing innovative features like wireless technology and videoconferencing in courtrooms, and championing the implementation of e-filing and expanded online services, stated the Supreme Court of the Philippines news release announcing Torres as the award recipient.

He has been an invaluable resource in assisting with the Philippine Supreme Courts initiatives to institute judicial reforms using technology.

Joining Torres were Guam Bar Association President Jacqueline T. Terlaje, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association President Anna Mercado Clark, and National Bar Association President Dominique D. Calhoun. Both Clark and Calhoun had been invited by Chief Justice Torres to Guam, where they were able to share their insights to the legal community at the Guam Bar Association annual meeting and served as judges during the Guam High School Mock Trial finals.

The groups engagements included meetings with Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Associate Justice Midas P. Marquez, and Executive Secretary and former Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin at Malacanan Palace.

Through these interactions, Torres emphasized the importance of sharing best practices and modernizing to enhance the delivery of justice in both the Philippines and U.S. jurisdictions.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, discussing the latest developments in our jurisdictions ensures that we are prepared to meet these challenges and deliver efficient justice to our people, said Chief Justice Torres in a release.

I extend my gratitude to Chief Justice Gesmundo, Justice Marquez, and Executive Secretary Bersamin for their hospitality, and I am hopeful that our shared efforts will help improve justice for the people of Guam and the Philippines.
TOKYO, Mar 29 (News On Japan) - Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry is planning to establish priority lanes for autonomous vehicles along expressways stretching from Tohoku to Kyushu within the next ten years.

The plan includes setting up over 100 priority lanes for autonomous driving on public roads nationwide. Additionally, it encompasses the development of regulations to enable drone logistics over the airspace of all major rivers across the country. Representatives from eight governmental agencies and companies, including Toyota, participated in the meeting. The initiative aims to foster the widespread adoption of autonomous driving and drone logistics through public-private collaboration, addressing challenges such as labor shortages.

Source: BIZ
The Supreme Court of Guam ordered that a memorandum of law  originally filed under seal by the Office of the Attorney General of Guam  be unsealed, according to correspondence shared by AG Douglas Moylan.

Supreme Court of Guam Chief Justice Robert J. Torres ordered that the memo, answering an emergency request from the governor to the Supreme Court, be unsealed on Friday.

It is the courts determination that there is no reason this filing should not be part of the public record. All other filings specifically ordered sealed by this court or otherwise filed under seal shall remain sealed until further order of this court, Torres wrote in his order.

Moylan then sent a copy of his memo to Legislative speaker Therese Terlaje, who has oversight on the attorney generals office. In his memo, Moylan contends that the questions presented by the governor to the Supreme Court are without jurisdiction.

Before the court begins to weigh the governors request, three questions must be satisfied, according to an order from the chief justice:

Whether the issue is a matter of great public importance.

Whether resolution to the question through the normal process of law would cause undue delay.

Whether the subject matter is appropriate under the section of Guam law governing requests for declaratory judgment from the governor.

Those questions will determine whether the high court has jurisdiction over the matter.

In his memo, Moylan argues the five questions asked by the governor, when put to the Supreme Courts three-prong test, failed to meet the floor standards to be considered.

The governors five questions all relate to the AGs duties, including:

Whether the AG can withdraw from legal representation of an executive branch agency, and

If yes, can the agency hire independent counsel to perform legal services, and

If no, must the AG implement conflict protocols and walls and/or hire an independent special prosecutor, and

Also if no, can the AG provide legal services to the agency even if the AG also has access to confidential information regarding prosecution? And,

Again if no, can the AG hire independent counsel to review agency contracts

Moylans memo expounds on his understanding of the three-prong test to each question, and said that for those reasons, jurisdiction does not exist and that the request for declaratory judgment for each of the five questions should properly be dismissed.

Krystal Paco-San Agustin, director of communications for the governor, said in response: We are pleased that the Court believes that all the pleadings in the Dec Relief Action should be available for public review. This is consistent with the belief of the Office of the Governor, which did not file any of our documents under seal.
It may be Easter weekend already, but theres still enough time left to meet the Easter Bunny.

Check out these last-minute springtime events in New Orleans, before you head to the French Quarter to watch the parades.

City of Covingtons Easter Eggstravaganza

When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 30.

Where: Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington.

Bring your little ones along for some Easter fun at the city of Covingtons annual spring event at the Covington Trailhead. The Saturday morning event includes a petting zoo, Easter egg hunt and themed arts and crafts.

Annual Easter Jam at Silk Me Kids salon and spa

When: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 30.

Where: Silk Me Kids, 7701 Dwyer Road, No. 106, New Orleans.

Enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, and more at the Silk Me Kids Easter Jam.

Easter Egg Hunt at Algiers United Methodist Church

When: 10 a.m. Sunday, March 31.

Where: Algiers United Methodist Church, 637 Opelousas Ave., New Orleans.

The Algiers United Methodist Church is inviting all kids to hunt eggs, candy and prizes on their lawn on Easter morning. Those who wish to stick around for a traditional Easter Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. are welcome.
Police in Florida are seeking the publics help in finding a missing 33-year-old woman who was last seen leaving her apartment at The Ellington at Oviedo Park in the Orlando suburb of Oviedo, Florida, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

At the time of her disappearance, Sary Chardon-Micheli, who is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs between 80 and 90 pounds, was wearing a dark hoodie, black pants and a dark gray shirt.

This is what Sary Chardon-Micheli was last seen wearing before she went missing.Courtesy of Sary Marie Chardon-Micheli missing Facebook page

Of note, Oviedo police said Sary is rarely seen without a face mask and has been diligent about wearing one in public since 2020.

According to a recently created Find Sary Facebook page, searches of her car, room, closet, cellphone and bank statements have been conducted and search efforts have extended to parks, ponds and abandoned houses.

On Friday, We are the Essentials, a nonprofit group of former law enforcement officers and military service members who now work as search and recovery investigators, joined the search and asked everyone who lives in or around the area to check any cameras they might have for any sightings of Sary.

Missing since March 26, 2024Photo courtesy of Sary Chardon-Micheli missing Facebook Page

If you live in the Central Florida area, volunteers are asked to join a search party that will gather at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at Oviedo Mall, near the Oviedo Brewing Co. at 1280 Oviedo Mall Blvd.

Though the search may be challenging, our hope remains unwavering. Sarys spirit is resilient, and together, well keep pushing forward until shes safely back home, organizers of the Facebook page posted Thursday. Your support and determination have been incredible, and were grateful for each and every one of you. Lets keep the momentum going.

If you have any information about Sary Chardon-Micheli, contact Detective Junny Valerio at 407-971-5718 or detectives@cityofoviedo.net.




Haiti - FLASH : Bandits vandalize and burn schools





The Ministry of National Education denounces and condemns, with all its strength, all acts of destruction which continue to be perpetrated against schools and universities. Attacking schools and universities, destroying archives, burning schools and universities, destroying school and university materials, is to destroy the main members of a society, is to destroy the central pillar of a house which allows it is up to all of society to stand strong to prepare for the future of children and young people and the future of the country.



The Frere Nau school and the Ecole Normale Superieure of Port-au-Prince where bandits looted and burned the premises are the last two major groups of these bandits.



The Ministry calls for everyone to come together to protect schools, reiterating that "children's right to education must be protected at all times. Schools will not perish. Let's come together to save schools and children."



For its part, UNICEF strongly condemns the attack by heavily armed individuals who entered the premises of the Frere Nau school on March 25, which they looted, setting fire to 23 classrooms, depriving more than 1,000 children of their right to education.



The number of schools forced to close due to violence and insecurity has increased in recent months. By the end of January, around 900 schools had been temporarily closed, depriving around 200,000 children of their right to education. Threats to school security are particularly worrying in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and in northern Artibonite.



"In a country facing increasingly complex conflicts and instability, education can never be seen as an option [...] Attacks on schools violate childrens rights and international humanitarian law. Schools should be safe and protected spaces at all times. It is hard to believe that children have to live in constant fear of such attacks. This should not be their reality. Attacks on children and families must stop, once and for all."



Thumbnail : At the top partial fire at the Ecole Normale Superieure at the bottom fire at the Frere Nau school.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41979-haiti-flash-update-on-the-situation-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41869-haiti-ueh-catastrophic-partial-assessment-of-the-looting-of-the-famv.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41779-haiti-flash-the-metropolitan-area-under-attacks.html



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Cataclysmic situation in Haiti (report)





A report from the United Nations Human Rights Office published Thursday March 28, 2024, calls for immediate action in Haiti.



"Corruption, impunity and poor governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang violence, have eroded the rule of law and brought State institutions... close to collapse. The impact of generalised insecurity on the population is dire and deteriorating...and the population is severely deprived of enjoying its human rights, says the report.



"Tackling insecurity must be a top priority to protect the population and prevent further human suffering. It is equally important to protect institutions essential to the rule of law, which have been attacked to their very core," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.



The report covers the period from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024 and includes information provided by the Human Rights Service of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), as well as information gathered by William ONeill, Designated Expert of the High Commissioner on the situation of Human Rights in Haiti.



"The number of people killed and injured due to gang violence significantly increased in 2023  4,451 killed and 1,668 injured. The number of victims skyrocketed in the first three months of 2024  1,554 killed and 826 injured up to 22 March."



"Gangs continued to use sexual violence to brutalise, punish and control people. Women have been raped during gang attacks on neighbourhoods, in many cases after seeing their husbands killed in front of them."



According to the report, some women are forced into exploitative sexual relations with gang members. In addition, the rape of hostages continues to be used to coerce families into paying ransoms. Sexual violence remains severely underreported and largely unpunished.



Gangs continue to recruit and abuse children  boys and girls  who are unable to leave gangs ranks for fear of retaliation, which, in some instances, has led to young gang members being killed for trying to escape.



Download the full report (PDF 15 pages, English) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/A_HRC_55_76_AdvanceUneditedVersion.pdf



HL/ HaitiLibre


















TOKYO, Mar 30 (News On Japan) - A potentially lethal toxin, known as "Pulegone," has emerged as a suspect in the controversy surrounding Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice supplements.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Faces Red Yeast Supplement Crisis

The company has repeatedly apologized as the death toll continues to rise.

Kobayashi Akihiro, President of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, expressed his condolences, "We pray for the repose of our customers who have passed away and offer our deepest sympathies to their bereaved families."

In the wake of health issues reported from consuming supplements made from red yeast rice, or 'beni koji,' Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced another death. The individual had consumed "Beni Koji Cholesterol Help."

While the causal link is still being investigated, the latest fatality, attributed to kidney disease, brings the total reported deaths to five. Additionally, there are 114 hospitalized cases.

The company has been inundated with inquiries about the health issues, prompting a press conference to discuss the latest developments.

Kajita Keisuke, head of the Healthcare Business Food Category, said, "Over the past week, we've uncovered the structure of the 'unknown component.' Going forward, we will collaborate with national research institutions to provide our data for further analysis. If the compound is what we suspect, it could be produced by mold. We cannot deny this possibility at the moment, but we have yet to arrive at precise information. We aim to clarify this as soon as possible."

Questions about the "unknown component" dominated the press conference held at 2 PM on the 29th, but details remain undisclosed.

Kajita reiterated, "We do not have a clear plan yet for revealing the 'unknown component.' Our response is that we will clarify this promptly."

Consumers' concerns remain unassuaged.

A man in his 50s, who started taking the supplement late last month, shared, "The increasing reports of deaths are worrisome. I went for a blood test today, and the results will take a few days."

He had been taking "Red Yeast Cholesterol Help" for about 20 days, identified on Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's website as possibly containing the "unknown component." Fortunately, he has not experienced any adverse effects.

In Ibaraki Prefecture, three individuals have reported health issues, prompting a press conference by the local health department.

"Three cases of health problems have been confirmed as of last night at 7 PM. All three had consumed 'Red Yeast Cholesterol Help,'" reported the Health and Medical Department's Public Health Division.

These individuals reported symptoms such as swelling and fatigue in their limbs, with one having been hospitalized for about three weeks.

Tokyo has also reported 25 suspected cases of health issues related to the supplement, currently under investigation by local health offices.

When asked about compensation, the executive officer Watanabe Jun, head of the Reliability Assurance Department, replied, "There are 114 hospitalized individuals and approximately 680 people who are either outpatient or wish to seek outpatient treatment."

High Toxicity 'Pulegone' Suspected as the Cause

In a joint online press conference held on Friday afternoon by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the National Institute of Health Sciences, it was revealed that Pulegone might be the "unknown component" in question.

A Ministry official stated, "We detected unexpected substance peaks in the affected product lots. Analysis identified the substance as Pulegone. The National Institute is currently verifying whether it is indeed Pulegone, a natural compound that can be produced by certain types of mold, such as Penicillium."

Pulegone is notably toxic, and its specific effects, particularly on the kidneys, remain under investigation.

Source: ANN
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Specifications for the cutter Bell:
The Davey School District will hold its board meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024, starting at 4:30 p.m. in the school

The meeting agenda is:

I. Call to order

II. Minutes

III. Recognition of visitors

IV. Public Comment

V. Accounts payables

VI. Financial statements

A. Revenue and expenditures

B. Investment

VI. Old business  discussion/action

A. Lead teacher

1) Job description

2) Contract  second reading

B. External door locks

C. Specialties job descriptions: Counselor, libration and music para

E. 2024-25 teacher position

F. Policy 3141: Non-resident enrollment  revisit policy

G. Maintenance  Rerouting water away from storage sheds and school yard

VII. New business  discussion/action

A. Superintendent report

B. Teacher items

C. Other items:

1) Clerk  MASBO summer conference in Billings

2) Maintenance  ruts in driveway

D. Set federal 101 Levy  ballot language

E. 2025 Havre Public Schools transportation agreement

F. Montana School Board Association policy notes, March 19, 2024  https://www.mtsba.org/discussion/mtsba-policy-notes-march-https://www.mtsba.org/discussion/mtsba-policy-notes-march-19-2024#bm526c30bb-b9a2-405a-b6c1-f8b1ad8dbc3c

G. Notice of Intent to Increase Non-voted Levy FY2025 Budgets (SB 307)

VIII. Quarterly safety meeting

Fire Extinguishers

Maintenance: Rerouting water around storage shed

Miscellaneous Items

IX. Next meeting

X. Adjourn

Items listed above do not necessarily indicate the order in which they will be addressed.
by Emily Mayer

There was some positive news in the papers 100 years ago. This article was published on the front page of the Havre Daily Promoter March 29, 1923.

PROSPECTS GOOD TO REORGANIZE SECURITY BANK

Stockholders Consider Contract for Organization of New Bank and Take Up Subject With Depositors

Stockholders of the Security State bank of Havre, which closed in January, yesterday discussed plans for organizing a new bank and taking over at par a portion of the assets of the closed institution.

As a result of a large number of meetings of those interested in the Security bank and frequent consultations with their attorneys and conferences with the state banking department, a tentative contract was drawn up.

This was submitted to the board of nine directors of the depositors association at a meeting last evening and the provisions, which were along lines presented to the bank by the association, met with general approval and it will be taken up at another meeting tomorrow.

While the plan has not been made public it is said to be such as to almost assure the organization of a new bank and the taking over of a portion of the assets of the old bank, the assumption of a portion of the deposits, and the transfer of the balance of the assets to a trust fud to be worked out for the benefit of the depositors.

It is believed the contract will be ready for the printer by Monday and that the work of securing signatures from the depositors will be taken up at once. Many of the largest depositors already have agreed to sign.

Finding ways to help farmers and providing information was also in the newspapers a century ago. These two articles were published in the March 27, 1924, Promoter:

COMMERCIAL CLUB CONSIDERS SEED PROBLEM OF FARMERS

Question of Securing Seed for Summer Fallowed Land Will Be Taken Up Once by Committee

The necessity of securing seed for farmers in Hill county who have summer tilled land but have not the seed to plant it, was emphasized at the regular meeting of the Hill County Development association last evening in the Elks club and the subject was referred to the agricultural committee of which F. A. Buttrey is chairman.

Anyone having seed they want to put out on shares or anyone willing to make a investment in seed will be listed and placed in communication with farmers desiring seed, and the committee will take up the problem at once.

The contracts outlined for the corn club and the pig clubs were read at the meeting and approved. The appointments of the committee memberships as made by a sub committee of the board of directors were also approved and the chairmen the various committees were instructed to have meetings and outline work.

It was announced that the publicity committee will take up at once the preparation of publicity matters or giving generation information on Havre.

KREMLIN FARMERS HEAR OGAARD AND DUNCAN

In spite of the heavy snow storm the hall at Kremlin was well filled last evening to hear A. J. Ogaard, state agronomist, and County Agent Duncan talk on corn in Hill county.

The audience was enthused over the possibilities of corn growing as explained by the experts.

In the afternoon the two speakers addressed an even larger crowd at Cottonwood, after which there was a picnic luncheon.

Today they will hold meetings this afternoon at Box Elder and tonight at Havre.

Another article in the same edition focused on high school curriculum.

MANUAL TRAINING AND HOME MAKING IN HIGH SCHOOL

Domestic science and manual training will again take their places in the course of instruction offered by the Havre High School if plans discussed at the meeting of the local school board are carried out.

For some time the equipment for both departments, some it the best in the state, has not been used because of a desire to economize. The closing of these two departments has resulted in increasing other department until the board is faced with the necessity of either utilizing the manual training, and science departments or providing additional space at the high school. Therefore the reinstatement of the two courses is a measure of economy.

During the summer, when filling the training corps, Superintendent Sherwood will look for manual training and domestic science instructors.

The board has also adopted another economy measure. It has passed a resolution deciding, as is done in many other schools and colleges, that where a students does not apply himself and does not show the effort, that he may be dropped for the remainder of the semester.
The Hill County Commission approved new grants and contracts, revised office rules for the courthouse and revised a written policy for board appointments during its business meeting Thursday.

Commissioners have been discussing the matter of board appointment and interview procedures for some time, with Hill County Commissioner Sheri Williams in particular raising concerns regarding insufficient advertising of open positions and a need for a clear written policy regarding the interview process.

Earlier this week the commissioners agreed that all vacant board positions must be advertised, and that they would interview new applicants.

They also agreed that they would interview applicants in cases where there was more than one applicant for a position, but if someone was applying to retain a board position they already held, they would forgo an interview and simply reappoint them unless there were other applicants.

Williams has said this has been the standard procedure for years, but hasnt been consistently followed in recent months and she believes there needs to be a written policy dictating that process.

Advertisements for these vacancies are posted in the courthouse, on the countys website and periodically in the Havre Daily News but, during the public comments section at the beginning of Mondays meeting, Hill County resident Raela Hulett suggested they also post them in the Havre-Hill County Library, which gets plenty of traffic.

This idea seemed to be well received by the commission and other county officials present at the meeting.

Williams suggested the county also go back to posting them in all the post offices, but Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson claimed that her comment was inappropriate as it was made during the public comment section of the meeting.

In response to Huletts concerns about these advertisements not being widespread enough, as well as many similar comments he said hes received from others, Peterson said, weve found that we just cant seem to please everybody.

Later in the meeting, when the commission reached the issue on the agenda, Williams reiterated her suggestion about posting the advertisements in post offices, saying it has been done in the past, and wouldnt take a huge amount of work to start doing again.

I think it just will reach a lot more people throughout our whole county, not just Havre, she said.

County resident Samuel Ayers, who is running as a Libertarian for Petersons seat on the commission in this years election, said he would never have heard about open board positions if not for people calling him directly asking him if he was interested.

He said any increase in reach outside of town will be helpful.

Hill County Commissioner Jake Strissel concurred, saying he thinks they should make an effort to increase awareness of these vacancies in the county outside Havre.

Peterson is not eligible to rerun for his seat after moving out of his district a few years ago.

Bill Lanier is the Democratic candidate in that race.

During the meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve Kellen Verploegen to the Wild Horse Rural Fire District.

Later in the meeting, Hulett also suggested the commission keep a copy of board policies and bylaws in their office, both for their reference and for ease of public access.

Williams said that is not a requirement under law, but Strissel said he thinks its a good idea.

On the subject of boards, Hill County Cemetery District Assistant Manager Perry Atchison said the information about the cemeterys board on the countys website is many years out of date and requested that it be updated to reflect the current makeup and structure of the board, which is correctly noted on the cemeterys own website.

Commissioners agreed to do so, and that they would make sure it is correct on the countys new website, which will be going up soon.

During the meeting the commission also unanimously approved the receipt of a $120,000 grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials for the Hill County Health Department to set up community partnerships, programs and events aimed at increasing awareness of, education on, and access to vaccination in the county.

Hill County Public Health Director and Health Officer Kim Berg said this is a new competitive grant, but theyve used similar grants in the past to partner with local Head Start and Early Head Start to improve virus mitigation for young children and this grant will allow them to set up similar partnerships with local schools, church organizations and the community as a whole.

Berg said they are setting up events with the schools to help check students vaccination records, verifying they are up to date on required vaccinations and filling out paperwork for medical and religious exemptions where needed.

She said they are also hoping to forge partnerships with local health care organizations and pharmacies to improve access and education on vaccines and their benefits for young people, as well as social and traditional media outreach for similar purposes.

She said they had a lot of great programs for these kinds of things during the pandemic, but many have since ended and they want to get back to doing them.

Berg left the meeting to make an appointment after the grant was approved, but at the end of the meeting during public comments, county resident Ed Hill, who is running as a Republican against Democrat Paul Tuss in the upcoming election to represent Havre and North Havre in the Montana House of Representatives, raised concerns.

He asked if there was any way to evaluate the countys return on investment, for this grant, saying he was concerned that there wasnt enough work being done to evaluate the effectiveness of this program and whether it increased or decreased vaccination in the community.

Williams said the grant doesnt have a match and is brand-new, so they dont have a one-to-one comparison to look at in terms of a quantifiable impact yet.

However, she said, Berg is extremely diligent about tracking the effectiveness of her departments programs, and the grant does have reporting requirements to keep track of its impact, and shes confident that she will use it wisely and that she can go into more detail about the particulars with Hill if hes interested.

Hill reiterated his concerns, seemingly unconvinced.

I just want to try to be efficient with the money, he said.

The commission also approved a number of revised courthouse policies in a split vote, policies ranging from procedures for using sick leave to allowable uses of personal cellphones.

The most recent revisions to these policies were made in September of last year.

Williams said these policies have been discussed at length by county officials, and shes been trying to get them on the commissions agenda for approval for some time so that Human Resources can get them in writing.

Peterson voted against approval, continuing to argue he hadnt been given a chance to read the policies and ask questions.

The commission also voted to put out a request for proposal for the governments on-call engineering services.

Peterson said they have been using Great West Engineering for their on-call services for the past 10 years and they have been great to work with.

Ive had situations where, in the middle of the night, theres an issue with a manhole or a lift station, and called for help and they answered the phone, he said.

However, he said, the county needs to periodically request proposals from others to be the go-to provider of the countys engineering needs.

Peterson said notices will be posted in the Havre Daily News and proposals are due by May 9 at 2 p.m.

The commission also approved contracts with Hygienix, a Great Falls-based industrial hygienics firm, to inspect the Hill County Courthouse for hazardous materials like lead and asbestos before work begins on the buildings HVAC system, and with Korb Construction for a concrete slab for Beaver Creek Parks storage shed.
North Central Senior Center

April 1-5

Menu

Monday, April 1  Biscuits and gravy, fruit, dessert

Tuesday, April 2  Goulash, veggies, fruit, dessert

Wednesday, April 3  Soft taco, veggies, dessert

Thursday, April 4  Barbecued meatballs, rice, veggies, dessert

Friday, April 5  Soup, chefs choice, dessert

Important: Do to certain circumstances, Hill County Council on Aging will be working diligently to get another site-manager and delivery driver hired for the Rudyard Center. We will be providing these services as soon as we can. We apologize for any and all inconveniences.

Mary Stevens will not be playing at North Central Senior Center Tuesday, April 2. She has a prior appointment she must attend. She will be back the following week to play for us.

News from our gift shop  Spring is just around the corner. New items will be added often. Easter items are available new this week. Picture frames, yes we have some. The ice will be melting soon  fishing will be good with handmade fishing flies from the gift shop. Puzzles 50 cents, cards for all occasions 25 cents. Donations welcome, gently used knick knacks and yarn would be appreciated. No clothes, please. Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lets Color: The North Central Senior Center is hosting a Lets Color Contest. If you are interested in competing for a ticket for congregate or home delivered meals? Submit your picture with your name, address and phone number on the back so no one can see who did the work. Return your work to the North Central Senior Center at 2 Second St. West in Havre. The picture to color is found on the back of the 2024 Reminders. You will find it on the front desk at the North Central Senior Center.

Taxes: Call the North Central Senior Center 406-265-5464 to have your name put on the call list to have your taxes done.

Foot clinic: Call 406-265-4776 to set up an appointment for our Foot Clinic. Appointments are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays.

We will be adding a new activity: Beginning April 11, we will be presenting Stepping On Classes, Spring Edition. These classes will be presented Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Hope to see you all there.

Vaccinations and older adults: When fall arrives, many of us know its time to get the annual flu, or influenza, shot. Its also a good time to consider what other vaccines or boosters to get to protect your health. Staying up-to-date on vaccines is especially important for older adults. Our immune system helps the body fight infection, but it gets weaker as we age. Vaccines help to strengthen the immune system. Other vaccines that are important to older adults include COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, and TDP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 65 and older. It protects against serious infections like pneumonia. TDP booster should be given every 10 years. Be sure to protect yourself by keeping your vaccines up to date. Talk with a health care provider about which ones you need and if they can be taken together.

Bingo: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone 18 and older is welcome, fun for all. All of the money is paid out.

Pinochle: Come join your friends in playing pinochle Thursdays at 1 p.m. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

Would you like to be a volunteer at the senior center? Right now we are looking for a volunteer to answer phones at the front desk. We are very thankful for the many volunteers who help us daily and also during our special events. If you have a little extra time, we could sure use your help. We are finding ourselves a little short on volunteers now that we have opened our doors after closing due to the pandemic. If you would like to share your time and talents, please give us a call at 406-265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Transportation is now being handled by the North Central Montana Transit. This change seems to be going very well. If you need a ride call 406-265-4762. They would appreciate a 24-hour notice for local rides and a 48-hour notice for Great Falls trips.

Scams: Scam calls are still widespread. Text messages and emails are also becoming popular. Do not respond to any of them. Do not even open them, just delete them. Medicare isnt issuing gold cards. Talk to someone in the community before you consider a reverse mortgage.

Commodities: If you are interested in receiving commodities, we still have a few select openings. For commodities there is an income restriction. You can sign up at the senior center, fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. Bring income verification and picture ID. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to senior center at 2 Second St. West in Havre to pick them up.

Important phone numbers

 Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Tumbleweed Runaway and Family Crisis Program: 406-259-2558 (local) 1-888-816-4702 (toll free)

 Friendship Line by Institute on Aging  The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warm-line for non-emergency emotional support calls. It is a 24-hour toll-free line and the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. Toll-Free Line: (800) 971-0016

 For those seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montanas Warm Line.

North Central Senior Center April activities

Tuesday, April 2  Foot clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., call 406-265-4776 to set an appointment

No bingo this week

Mary Stevens will not play this week.

Wednesday, April 3  Take Off Pounds Sensibly  TOPS  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 4  Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Friday, April 5  Free blood pressure clinic with Janice Holt, RN, 11 a.m. to noon

Tuesday, April 9  Musical performance by Brad Taylor, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, April 10  Take Off Pounds Sensibly  TOPS  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 11  Music by Gene Allen and Friends, 10 a.m. to noon

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Seven-week Step On starts, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 16  Harp or piano musical performance by Mary Stevens, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, April 17  Take Off Pounds Sensibly  TOPS  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 18  Seven-week Step On, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Friday, April 19  Free blood pressure clinic with Janice Holt, RN, 11 a.m. to noon

Tuesday, April 23  Musical performance by Brad Taylor, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, April 24  Take Off Pounds Sensibly  TOPS  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 25  Music by Gene Allen and Friends, 10 a.m. to noon

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30  Harp or piano musical performance by Mary Stevens, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, May 1  Take Off Pounds Sensibly  TOPS  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.
Two 18-year-olds, one 16-year-old arrested

12:15 p.m.

Hill County Sheriffs office announced that three people have been arrested in the shooting deaths of Darin Benard Caplette and Thomas Roderick Yallup in Box Elder shortly after midnight Thursday.

Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross said in a release that Angel Isaiah Castillo Haffley of Corning California, 18, has been arrested for deliberate homicide and Angelo Hawk Sanchez, also of Corning, California and also 18, has been arrested for deliberate homicide by accountability and a 16-year-old juvenile male has been arrested for with deliberate homicide.

All three are in custody and will have initial appearances in Hill County Justice Court.

The full original story follows:

Two Rocky Boy men, Darin Bernard Caplette, 41, and Thomas Roderick Yallup, 42, were killed early Thursday morning after being shot in Box Elder, in an apparent targeted assault that is still under investigation by law enforcement.

A release from Hill County Sheriff's Office, put out after the Havre Daily News' morning deadline Thursday, said there will be an increased police presence in Box Elder for a considerable length of time, as crime scenes are still being examined.

Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross said in the release that this appears to have been a targeted assault and they have no evidence to suggest that there is a larger danger to the public at this time.

The Rocky Boy Police Department put out a similar statement on Facebook saying "with confidence, there is currently no danger to the public."

The release says Hill County deputies were dispatched to a shots-fired call in the parking lot to the D&L Bar at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, where the men were found having been shot near the gas pumps.

Both men were transported to the hospital where they died from their wounds.

The matter is being investigated by Hill County Sheriffs deputies as well as Cascade County Sheriff's detectives, tribal police, Chouteau County sheriff's deputies and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

The Rocky Boy Police Department post said persons of interest are being questioned by county, state and federal investigators.

The bodies of Caplette and Yallup will be sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy, the release said, and people with information related to the incident are asked to call 406-265-2512.

Ross said investigators must rely on facts and evidence and asked people not to come to them with rumors, which will only cost law enforcement time.
Anne Heen Campbell went to meet her Lord and Savior March 16, 2024, at the age of 98 in Big Sandy, Montana.

She was born September 8, 1925, in Braut Jaren, Norway, the youngest of seven children, and moved with her family to Butte, Montana, when she was 4 years old. After the death of her father, Anne moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where she graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in 1943. In 1946, Anne married Kenneth Heen, with whom she remained married to for 49 years until his death in 1995.

In 1997, Anne found love a second time and married John Campbell, remaining married to him for 19 years until his death in 2015.

Anne was a wonderful mother and friend who found joy in spending time with family and friends, sharing the love of Jesus, and creating lasting memories with those she held dear. Anne will always be remembered for her Christian faith, her quirky sense of humor, and how she was always there when someone needed her.

Anne will be lovingly remembered by her five children, Karen Reinertson (Norm) of Big Sandy, Linda Flegel of Port Angeles, WA, Knut Heen of Cut Bank, Erik Heen (Elena) of Houston, TX, and Inger Lemler (Dan) of Great Falls; as well as 10 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands as well as her parents, Pedar and Ingeborg Orrestad; six siblings; one grandson, and one great-grandson.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the Big Sandy Medical Center for their care and compassion.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. April 6, 2024, at Harvest Springs Community Church in Great Falls. The service can be livestreamed at https://harvestsprings.online.church .

The family suggests donations be made to the Big Sandy Medical Center, PO Box 530, Big Sandy, MT 59520, or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at https://www.OConnorFuneralHome.com .
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 Senator 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 innaccurate. 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 Mike 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.



Respectfully submitted by the Board of Directors of the Montana Association of Counties, MACo.
The separation of powers among the three co-equal branches of government are essential; and I agree that no branch should be able to overreach its bounds. I want to tell you why this overreach is not happening with SB 442!

In Montana, our Constitution does not allow the Executive branch to have the final say over bills adopted by the Montana Legislature, which is the Senate and House of Representatives collectively.

The ongoing dispute regarding SB 442 is about preserving the separation of powers. The Executive branch exercised the right to veto, but no matter how the final events played out, the Legislature was deprived of our ability to review that action through a veto poll, until now.

The recent legal process sought to ensure the Legislatures constitutional right to conduct an override. The Montana Supreme Court issued the following statement, The legislature was thus deprived of an opportunity to override the veto of Senate Bill 442 and draft the policy contained therein into. The courts have not told the Legislature to do anything. The courts have simply directed the Secretary of the State and the Executive branch to comply with the Constitution, and that compliance simply gives the Legislature the opportunity to vote to override a bill that 130 of us supported.

One may be inclined to say there are other remedies in place, like a special session. However, a 1982 Constitutional Amendment (C-12) was passed by the citizen voters of Montana, in part, to ensure that the Legislature would have an override opportunity without having to call ourselves back into session at a great expense to the taxpayers. The very nature of that amendment to the Constitution was to protect the Legislatures override authority, keep it within a specific process and restrain the burden on the Montana taxpayer.

The judges order on SB 442 has preserved the right of the Legislature to review a governors veto and in fact, has made our power even greater by closing this loophole, ensuring that future governors do not try to steal the Legislatures constitutional authority again with this procedural trick. There is no scenario in Montana law that allows a governors veto to go unreviewed. Supporting a pocket veto is playing politics with the lives and wellbeing of our constituents and should not be encouraged.

The ruling from the court protects the Legislative body by showing that an override should not be avoided through creative timing nor by sitting on a veto until one chamber adjourns, nor any other loophole or procedural gap.

The now is that there should no advantage taken of todays rules. The Constitution is clear in the intent and stands above rules on this matter. While the rules are always changing and in-flux. That does not mean that positive legislation, which brought so many Montanas together finally, should be sacrificed for political games, that undermine the work we do collectively.

The courts preserved the Legislators ability to weigh in on the governors action. We legislators have taken an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution and discharge the duties of our office with fidelity. Refusing to partake in the duties of a legislator does not preserve the separation of powers doctrine, and it most certainly doesnt benefit the citizens of Montana.

Do not make SB 442 the sacrificial lamb of the 68th Montana Legislative session. I am asking you to vote with me and chose our people over the political games that get played. Please vote on the override and send your ballot in.

Gratefully, Mike Lang, Malta, Montana Senate District 17
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AUSTIN - Robbie Parkers 6-year-old daughter, Emilie, had been dead for less than 48 hours, gunned down alongside 19 of her classmates and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones went on Infowars and claimed Parker was a soap opera actor whod made it all up.

All Parker had done was nervously laugh before giving a statement to the press about who his daughter was, the father says in the documentary, The Truth vs. Alex Jones, debuting March 26 on HBO. The movie premiered this month at South by Southwest in Austin, where Jones is based, stood trial and was once heckled at a chicken restaurant.

But Jones was on a roll. Hed called the massacre of 20 children a false flag hours after it happened in December 2012 - before the bodies were even cold, as a lawyer for the parents says in a deposition for one of two defamation trials featured in the film that were eventually brought against Jones. Soon he was urging his listeners to pick apart video of Parker for evidence that the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history had been staged as an elaborate ruse by liberals to take away Americans guns. Immediately, Parker says in the film, Emilies memorial Facebook page became inundated with people who called her a whore and threatened to show up at their home with guns demanding proof that she was still alive.

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This went on for 10 years. Its still going on. Every time Jones aired another hoaxer theory, these grieving families would be hit with a fresh wave of vicious harassment: rape threats, death threats, people confronting them on the street. In the film, another mother, Jacqueline Barden, testifies in court that she and her husband received letters from people who said theyd peed on their son Daniels grave, or promised to dig it up, because they were convinced no one was in it. Yet another, Francine Wheeler, tells of how she was in an elevator at a conference for mothers whod lost their children to gun violence when a woman told her that the mass shooting that killed her son Ben never happened.

Its just a drip, drip, drip of constant undermining of your feeling of safety and security while youre trying to grieve for your 6-year-old child who was murdered unexpectedly in the classroom, says director Dan Reed. The cumulative harm is really I hope what comes out of the film.

And even though Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to the families in 2022 - one lawyer called the Texas judgment the most egregious defamation case in U.S. history - the families have yet to see a cent. Jones has filed for bankruptcy while also being accused of reckless personal spending and shifting his money around to hide his assets.

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He still broadcasts his Infowars show four hours a day, six days a week.

In practical terms, Alex Jones has not been silenced yet. He may still be, but I doubt it, says Reed, whose last project, Leaving Neverland, was a deep dive into the sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson. Reed, a Brit, spent four years making The Truth vs. Alex Jones, with ample access into the courtrooms and intimate, emotional interviews with the parents.

Jones didnt agree to be interviewed for the film, though Reed says he chased him for years and has countless text messages from Jones. He would leave me voice notes saying I was a mercenary with the establishment and he wasnt going to watch my film, but in a fairly polite, cordial tone. (Jones didnt immediately respond to The Washington Posts request for comment.)

But there is plenty of Jones speaking to the camera in taped depositions, as well as extensive footage from the courtrooms; the Texas judge allowed Reed to bring in two cameras and 10 microphones. Reed also had full cooperation from many of the Sandy Hook parents.

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They saw it as part of their mission to put an end to the lies that weve been told about their children, to get Alex Jones, says Reed. They put up with me for years and years and years, putting cameras in their faces and asking them about the worst day of their lives, and Im very grateful to them.

But nothing he documented in his film has really diminished Joness power and reach. So, the bigger point is, Well, is this now how were going to establish truth? By taking people to court with lawsuits that take years and years to unwind? says Reed. ... Trying to take your ex-president to court is proving very difficult, for telling lies on a vast scale.

Long before Sandy Hook, Reed had heard of Jones as an entertaining blowhard whod started out in Austin public access television, where hed rant and rave while carving a pumpkin or wearing a tinfoil hat. Eventually, he began commanding a national audience with conspiracy theories about 9/11, fluoride and radiation from Fukushima, for which he sold iodine as a way to combat it. A subset of the internet even turned bits from his shows into remixes set to folk music and the like.

But the cult of Jones took an even darker turn with his Sandy Hook theories, which landed the hammer of harassment on grieving parents. Hes calling them out for faking the deaths of their children and it just seemed completely extraordinary, says Reed. Hes the guy who exemplifies this trend toward fantasy and superstition in the breakdown of traditional media and its replacement by a kind of conspiracy candy. Hes the titan of that world.

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In the most damning parts of the trial footage, Jones treats the Texas courtroom like its his show, and at one point he practically gives an infomercial for his line of supplements, which he claims are made from the best ingredients, straight from Japan. Hes also reprimanded by the Texas judge, Maya Guerra Gamble, for lying on the stand about being bankrupt and for saying he complied with the plaintiffs - this is after Guerra Gamble has issued several default judgments and called him out for flagrant bad faith and callous disregard for court procedures, particularly in handing over discovery.

In both trials, his lawyers also mess up and hand the families lawyers evidence, such as a full history of his text messages that contradict Joness testimony on the stand. He did treat the court like his studio and, from the expressions on the faces of the jury, I dont think that worked very well, says Reed.

The lawyers also show that Joness telling of Sandy Hook lies is directly tied to his income. Every time Infowars floated a hoax theory, viewership went up, as did sales of his supplements, measured by spikes in engagement.

And as Joness father and business partner, David Jones, testifies in a deposition, We like to emulate spikes. In other words, Joness business model was to lure viewers in with outrageous theories - regardless of the human cost to those parents - and then sell the Infowars audience things while they were there.

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You come for the outrage, you stay for the supplements, says Reed. They were experimenting with this novel kind of grift. All of these big conspiracy theories, from the former president of the United States down, they all have grift, right? Theres always a way of making money by conning people with lies. Alex Jones is a consummate con man, and this is one of his biggest cons and it makes him the most money.

But Jones isnt just portrayed as a buffoon. Hes charismatic enough that Scarlett Lewis, one of the parents suing him in Texas, brought him a water and four cough drops in the courtroom because he had been coughing and explained that his larynx was torn. He apologized to her and finally admitted that the attack was 100 percent real. Parker, in Connecticut, admits that he cant take his eyes off him.

I think thats one of the big reasons for Alex Joness success, says Reed. He tells lies with great conviction and this big, gruff personality and with a lot of humor, and I think people find that very easy to consume and very attractive.

In the Texas trial, the familys lawyer tells the jury that 24 percent of Americans, or 75 million people, believe that Sandy Hook was either definitely or possibly staged.

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Its just coincidence that the film is coming out in an election year, says Reed. Former president Donald Trump does appear in the film during an interview with Jones, who is a prominent supporter and attended many election-denial rallies in 2020 and 2021. So there is that connection, [but] we didnt want to make it too explicit, says Reed.

Reed says he is not trying to make a film that changes the minds of any conspiracy theorists. I think the point of the documentary is to mark a moment in time and say, This is how we got here  and I think by doing this in a very detailed, very painstaking way, it can become a point of reference for us when we try to understand whats happened in the world and how we got into the post-truth era. For me, Alex Joness lies about Sandy Hook were a turning point  of that dark kind of grift and lies becoming much more mainstream.

And if truth can only be established now in a court of law, where does that leave us?

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Staged as part of an ongoing series of protests by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), the strike is described as an expression of solidarity to the 7,000 workers who are presently on strike for the third consecutive week.

THE FINNISH Industrial Union on Thursday revealed that around 4,300 industrial workers will stage a one-day strike at 56 workplaces across Finland on Friday, 5 April.

The union emphasised that the strikes will affect neither emergency work nor work to safeguard public health and lives.

Both the ongoing and upcoming strikes are organised in protest of a series of labour market reforms and social security cuts outlined by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). Trade unions have taken issue, for example, with proposals to restrict the duration of political strikes, to slash unemployment benefits and expand local bargaining.

Riku Aalto, the chairperson of the Industrial Union, on Thursday accused the government of adopting an unusually harsh approach to workers.

As a result of the cuts, poverty among blue-collar workers will increase by 100,000 adults and 17,000 children. Whether you are working or not does not matter. These cuts will hit blue-collar workers across the board. The governments approach to employment is so harsh that even workers are being impoverished, he claimed in a press release.

SAK on Wednesday announced that what were initially set to be two-week political strikes will be extended by another week until 7 April. The strikes have halted the handling of goods at ports, disrupted rail freight services and fuel distribution, and complicated the operations of production facilities such as pulp and steel mills.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
In the spring's second joint application period for higher education, which concluded on March 27, 2024, the University of Turku emerged as the most popular institution among applicants in Finland. A record-breaking total of 31,824 candidates applied for the Finnish-language degree programs offered by the university, marking the highest number of applicants the University of Turku has ever received. This figure surpasses the previous record set in 2021 by 313 applicants, with the record being broken in the last hour of the application period.

The 31,824 applicants submitted a total of 42,198 applications through the opintopolku.fi service, an increase from the previous year's 39,361 applications. Mari Kahkonen, the head of applicant services at the University of Turku, described the competition for the highest number of applicants as "incredibly tight and thrilling right up to the closing moments of the application period."

The University of Tampere and the University of Helsinki followed closely, with 31,631 and 31,273 applicants, respectively, securing the second and third spots. The University of Eastern Finland and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences rounded out the top five, with 24,389 and 21,432 applicants each. Overall, the joint application process attracted over 144,000 applicants, slightly up from approximately 142,000 the previous year.

Significant increases in applicant numbers were noted in disciplines such as law, political science and political history, logopedics, and automation engineering. Business studies at the Turku campus were the most sought-after, attracting 5,971 applicants, followed by law (4,187 applicants), medicine (4,178 applicants), and psychology (2,964 applicants), with law experiencing the most significant growth in popularity.

Other programs, such as political history and political science, saw a remarkable increase in applicants, with growth exceeding 42%, and both logopedics and automation engineering also saw significant increases of over 20% in applicant numbers. Among engineering programs, the new production economics program was the most popular, with 679 applicants.

The University of Turku offered 104 degree programs in this spring's joint application, 52 of which were aimed at those seeking their first study place in higher education, including bachelor's, combined bachelor's and master's/diploma engineer, or licentiate degrees. "We are thrilled with the success of the University of Turku this spring. Our multidisciplinary research university offers the opportunity for degrees tailored to individual choices, including minor subject selections. We continuously develop our education to meet the needs of the future and the job market, and our applicants have clearly recognized this. We are delighted that our university and its programs have attracted such a significant level of interest, breaking records," stated Vice-Rector Piia Bjorn.

HT
Infectious mononucleosis, caused by EBV and transmitted through saliva, is almost a universal experience among Finns, either with obvious symptoms or silently.

A groundbreaking discovery in Finland has unveiled a new gene defect linked to severe cases of infectious mononucleosis (IM), commonly known as the "kissing disease." This revelation offers not only insight into the genetic foundations of this condition but also promises potential pathways for treating a range of serious illnesses associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

While most individuals encounter the virus in childhood with minor to no symptoms, a fraction suffers from severe manifestations requiring hospitalization. These can include high fever, significant lymph node and spleen swelling, and in dire cases, spleen rupture.

The newly identified gene defect, which results from inheriting affected genes from both parents, has been linked to severe infectious mononucleosis outcomes. However, it also appears to offer a form of resilience against the disease. "This constitutes a new hereditary disease within Finland, affecting approximately 300 Finns. Its primary manifestation is severe infectious mononucleosis, which, despite its severity, typically resolves on its own," explained Chief Physician Mikko Seppanen of HUS Children and Adolescents and the University of Helsinki.

The study, featuring in the prestigious journal Nature and conducted as part of international collaboration, including the FinnGen project's Mark Daly from the University of Helsinki, shines a hopeful light on potential treatments. The gene defect impacts the gene's function in communication pathways, leading to inflammation and symptomatic overreactions. Intriguingly, it also seems to protect against the kind of uncontrolled inflammation that can precipitate tumor diseases and severe lymphatic tissue hyperplasiaconditions that can lead to lymph node cancers or severe lymph node inflammation.

Looking forward, the research team is eager to explore treatments that could inhibit the communication pathway affected by the gene defect. Such treatments have the potential to halt the progression of challenging blood cancers and lymph node tumors. "Our future efforts will focus on whether we can prevent the development of lymphatic hyperplasia through treatments targeting the discovered communication pathway. Success in this endeavor could significantly advance our ability to treat some of the most difficult hematological cancers," Seppanen elaborated.

The initial study's duration was only a few years, prompting plans for further research to explore the full spectrum of the disease and its prevalence among Finnish children treated for infectious mononucleosis. Finnish biobanks, particularly those involved in the FinnGen project, which has compiled genome and health register data for over 540,000 Finns, played a crucial role in identifying the genetic defect. This defect is around 50 times more common in Finns than in other populations and is most prevalent in the Kymenlaakso, Helsinki region, and Savo.

This discovery not only underscores the importance of genetic research in understanding complex diseases but also highlights the unique position of Finnish biobanks and the FinnGen project in global health research.

HT
UNC Health signs new deal with UnitedHealth

UNC Health has signed a new, long-term agreement with UnitedHealthcare that will United policyholders across North Carolina to continue receiving uninterrupted care from UNC Health providers, clinics and hospitals, UNC Health Pardee announced Thursday.

The organizations current contract was set to expire on April 1, raising the possibility of an out of network situation for thousands of patients. The new deal covers all United commercial, Individual Exchange and Medicare Advantage plans.

This new agreement will benefit our patients across the state as well as our providers, said Dr. Matt Ewend, Chief Clinical Officer at UNC Health. Our patients will not face increased costs and stress of going out of network or seeking new providers for their care. We look forward to working with United in the coming years to improve access, reduce costs and eliminate obstacles to care.

UNC Health will communicate with affected patients as quickly as possible to ensure they are aware of the new agreement with United and that care with their UNC Health providers will not change. UNC Healths website about the negotiations, UNCHealthforNC.com, also will be updated for community members.

UNC Health began negotiations with United last year and agreed to the new multi-year deal deal this week. The new agreement with United follows UNC Healths recent announcement of a long-term contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Pardee, AdventHealth make BusinessNC's Top 20

UNC Health Pardee and AdventHealth each made the top 20 in the annual best hospital rankings by Business North Carolina, eachmade the top 10 in patient satisfaction surveys and Pardee also won a high ranking for two types of surgeries.

In the overall Best Hospitals rankings, Pardee moved up eight notches, to 12th, while AdventHealth was ranked at No. 19.

Business NC's ratings system is based on "more than 25 health care metrics, with a significant weighting based on data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services," the magazine said. "The report includes patient-satisfaction surveys, infections, readmissions and mortality rates for common procedures."

Duke University Hospital earned the top spot in the magazine's annual ranking of the states best hospitals followed by Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, UNC Medical Center, Duke Raleigh and UNC RexHealthcare. Mission Hospital was tied for sixth.

In the magazine's "Patient Picks" measure, based on percentage of patients who would recommend the hospital to others, Advent ranked fifth, down one from 2023, while Pardee vaulted to 10th from its the No. 25 place last year.

In its quality of care measure of specialties based on patient safety, results and input from the medical community, Blue Cross Blue Shield recognized Pardee for bariatric, knee and hip replacement surgery. Pardee also gets a mention in a feature about community hospitals that have survived in an era of consolidation, urban competitors and other challenges, noting that the Henderson County-owned health care provider has repeatedly been named among the top 150 community hospitals in the U.S. and made Healthgrades' list of 100 Best Hospitals.

"Survivors share other characteristics such as intensely local governance in which the hospital board chair might be the patient's banker or preacher," the report said. "Mediare data, patient satisfaction and other measures of quality rebuke the notion that bigger equates to better care."

Local governance has been a hallmark of Pardee for many years. Its chairs in recent years have included a banker, construction supply company owner and factory executive. Board members, Pardee President/CEO Jay Kirby and the executive management team recently completed a long-range strategic plan that resulted in a commitment to invest $100 million in physician practices and operating rooms in Hendersonville, Brevard and Mills River.
Zendaya in a scene from Dune: Part Two. (Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS) Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture/TNS

Denis Villenueves mythic sci-fi sequel Dune: Part Two has already grossed $500 million globally, making it the highest-grossing film of 2024  domestic and worldwide  surpassing the first film, released back in 2021.

Based on Frank Herberts anti-imperial, ecologically dystopian Dune saga, it revolves around Paul (Timothee Chalamet), heir to the House of Atreides, wiped out in Part One under the fascist aegis of grotesque, genocidal Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard). As with any franchise, seeing the first installment is vital to understanding the second.

In the year 10191, Paul is hiding out on the vast desert planet Arrakis, where he joins forces with the rebellious, indigenous Fremen, earning the respect of their wry religious elder Stilgar (Javier Bardem) and forming an attachment to feisty Chani (Zendaya) as they defiantly wage guerilla warfare against House Harkonnen.

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Meanwhile, his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) with her pre-born fetus, gulps down the Water of Life, a clear blue liquid that looks like mouthwash that elevates her to exalted status of Reverend Mother within the Fremens secretive matriarchal religious group Bene Gesserit.

At the center of the conflict is a rare commodity called spice melange, an addictive drug known for its powerful psychotropic powers and prescience (an ability to see into the past, present and future). In smell and taste, its like cinnamon. (Because of their constant spice exposure, all Fremen have radiant blue eyes.)

In the Dune world, whoever controls spice mining and management rules the universe: Power over spice is power over all.

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New characters include the evil Emperor (Christopher Walken), his daughter Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), pugnacious Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler) and Lady Margot (Lea Seydoux), pregnant with Feyd-Rauthas child.

Among the most memorable sequences are when Chani teaches Paul how to sandwalk, adroitly avoiding rhythmic patterns in the arid, terra-cotta colored desert that would alert sandworms, when Paul is reunited with Atreides weapon master Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), and when Paul and the Fremen mount those giant sandworms for a climactic battle  concluding with The war has just begun.

Written by Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts with an emphasis on action  as opposed to exposition and character-development  this shallow, self-important sequel runs 2 hours, 46 minutes, dominated by Grieg Frasers spectacular cinematography and Hans Zimmers propulsive score.

The Fremen tribal language derives from Arabic, Sanskrit and Hebrew with nods to French, Greek, Romani and Slavic.

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The Connecticut state Capitol, in Hartford. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

The state Department of Education didn't properly approve overtime and compensatory time for some employees and failed to allocate over $1 million in student activity funds earmarked for technical schools, state auditors concluded in a recent report.

The auditors noted the unused activity fees meant there was less assurance the funds are being utilized and maintained as intended and attributed the problem to a lack of training for workers.

A spokesperson for the SDE declined comment beyond agency responses included with the audit, which covered the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years.

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The SDE oversees public education from kindergarten to the 12th grade, setting policies, guidelines and distributing funding for the states independent school districts.

Overtime and compensatory time

Auditors said they reviewed ten compensatory time and ten overtime transactions and found SDE lacked authorization forms for seven employees who earned 84 hours of compensatory time, and supervisors did not sign three forms until after the employees earned 64 hours in comp time. The auditors also found SDE lacked documentation for five employees who earned 19 hours of overtime.

The auditors concluded the failure to approve compensatory time or overtime in advance may lead to unnecessary or unauthorized expenses and management failed to properly approve and verify the use of overtime or compensatory time.

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In response, the agency partially disagreed with the finding, saying the responsibility had been transferred to another agency.

This is something that used to be monitored by Human Resources and effective fiscal year 2020-2021, HR transitioned to the Department of Administrative Services, the agency said. However, SDE will work with DAS/HR to ensure proper protocol and policies are distributed to supervisory staff.

The state DAS disagreed with SDE's assessment of responsibility, noting the issue cited by auditors is a function of the agency itself, in this case, SDE.

Activity accounts

The audit found over $1.4 million in student activity funds for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, the state's cluster of technical schools, sitting dormant in the state Treasurers Short Term Investment Fund. In addition, one school could not provide its checking account balance for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, auditors said.

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"A lack of training for CTECS business staff contributed to this condition," auditors said. "Administrators hesitate to access historical funds to support current activities."

The finding had been previously reported in the last two audit reports.

In response, the agency agreed with the finding.

CTECS leadership and pertinent staff will work closely with the Office of the State Treasurer and CTECS Central Office fiscal personnel to gain a clear understanding of the accounts, including all fiscal requirements and controls, and will provide necessary training to all pertinent staff so that student activity funds are maintained and utilized per recommendation," the agency said.

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Inventory assessment needed

The State Property Control Manual requires agencies to undertake a physical inventory of all property by the end of each fiscal year to ensure records accurately reflect inventory on hand.

Auditors found SDE had not conducted a required annual physical inventory of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System since the 2015 fiscal year, and SDE did not provide supporting documentation to verify the cost of a mailing machine valued at $53,318.

SDEs inventory does not accurately represent its assets, auditors pointed out. There is less assurance that the department properly secured its assets. It appears that a lack of management oversight and staff contributed to this condition.

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The finding had been previously reported in the last four audit reports.

The State Department of Education should comply with the Office of the State Comptrollers requirements to perform an annual physical inventory and improve internal controls over the custody and documentation of assets, auditors said.

The agency agreed with the finding.

The agency agrees with this finding and are working on assigning the various required asset roles and requesting proper training from the Core-CT Asset Management team, SDE said. Once staff are trained, we will conduct inventories as required.

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Asset purchases

Auditors said a review of 20 purchases found SDE did not tag a $64,250 computer numerical control machine and two laptops valued at $3,680.

In addition, SDE did not properly account for five purchases because the chart field information entered into the accounting records did not match the supporting requisitions or voucher packages, auditors said.

Auditors added: there is an increased risk of theft without proper tagging and misappropriation without proper accounting for assets. SDE had insufficient internal controls over the process of recording and securing new asset purchases.

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In response, the agency agreed with the finding.

The agency agrees is working on assigning the various required asset roles and requesting proper training from the Core-CT Asset Management team, SDE said. Once staff are trained, we will ensure assets are properly transferred and/or retired from Core-CT and sent to surplus as necessary. Additionally, staff will be made aware of existing policies and procedures when it comes to property transfers and disposals.

Late reports

Auditors found reports required under state law were either filed late or had not been completed.

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The auditors noted a report on 2021-22 school year graduation requirements was filed nine months late; a 2020-2021 annual report was 12 months late; and a 2022 biennial report on charter schools was two months late.

Reports on mastery exam data for bilingual education was not prepared or submitted, along with reports on skill standards and training and school bullying.

Intended recipients could not promptly evaluate required information, auditors said. The condition was due to a lack of administrative oversight.

The finding had been previously reported in the last audit covering fiscal years 2018 through June 30, 2020.

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In response, SDE agreed with the finding.

The agency will develop a monitoring tool to ensure all legislatively required reports are filed in a timely manner, SDE said. Please note that we have sought repeal of the fiscal accountability report because it is duplicative of other state and federal reporting requirements and creates an additional burden as we face ongoing retirements and recruitment difficulties within the division.

Construction report

Auditors said the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System did not prepare and submit an annual report summarizing projects completed and the status of bond funds allotted to the DAS Agency Administered Projects Unit.

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"In addition, despite several requests, CTECS could not provide us with an approved listing of agency-administered construction projects during the audited period. As a result, we were unable to review whether CTECS complied with the Agency Administered Projects Manual," the audit said.

We could not readily determine how many CTECS administered projects DAS authorized, auditors said. Failure to comply with the Agency Administered Projects Manual increases the risk of noncompliance with reporting requirements. CTECS lacks adequate controls over agency administered projects and has fewer staff in key positions.

The finding has been previously reported in the last four audit reports.

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In response, the agency agreed with the finding.
On March 23, 2024, President Biden signed into law provisions giving Head Start programs additional flexibility to serve children in Tribal communities and children of farmworkers. Both of these new provisions ensure Head Start programs can more effectively serve the families for whom they were designed. First, Tribally run Head Start programs will be able to prioritize enrolling children from the Tribe, or who live with Tribal members, regardless of family income. This change will allow Tribal Head Start Programswhich are a precious source of child care and Native language preservation in hundreds of Native communitiesto grow to meet the existing demand in their communities without losing federal funding eligibility. In addition, any child who has at least one family member primarily engaged in agricultural employment is now eligible for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.

The Biden-Harris Administration fought for these important changes alongside many Tribal Nations, agricultural community members, and program administrators, said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. We are grateful to these leaders for raising this important issue and working with us to see it become law. We will work closely with our Tribal partners and with community organizations supporting farmworkers and their families to implement these important changes.

The change to Tribal Head Start requirements is designed to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and Tribal Nations and ensure that Tribes have flexibility and decision-making power to determine how they deliver services in their communities. This aligns with the Executive Order on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination, signed by President Biden on December 6, 2023.

The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program serves children of farmworker families. The program is designed around the unique needs of families that change geographic locations for agricultural work or engage in seasonal agricultural labor. Its design includes elements vital to farmworkers with young children, such as months of service scheduled around harvest seasons, longer operating hours and weeks to accommodate families working in the fields, and dual language services.

These policy changes will better target Head Start services to children in Tribal communities and children of farmworkers, said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, performing the delegable duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Jeff Hild. ACF is committed to ensuring that children of Tribal Nations, Native communities and migrant and seasonal workers, including farmworkers, obtain the early education and comprehensive services offered in Head Start.

This flexibility in Tribal Head Start will increase the number of children in Tribal communities that engage in Native language and culture during their formative years, said Khari Garvin, Director of the Office of Head Start. Moreover, this change to Migrant and Seasonal Head Start will ensure that the program can focus on its mission of serving children of farmworkers and providing them with a safe and healthy learning environment.

The Administration for Native Americans Commissioner Patrice Kunesh added, As a parent whose children attended Head Start programs, I know how important it is to families and communities that children are cared for and educated in a positive and encouraging learning environment where culture, language, and traditions are respected.

The new policies are effective immediately. ACF will issue policy guidance for programs to support swift implementation.

Find out more about Head Start eligibility on the ACF website at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs.
In the late hours of March 25, Pakistans second-largest naval air station, PNS Siddique located in Turbat, Balochistan, came under attack, during which a cacophony of gunfire and explosions could be heard for hours. In an email to journalists, the Majeed Brigade of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for it, The Balochistan Post reported. This marks the Majeed Brigades second high-profile attack within a week and their third in 2024.

On March 20, it attempted to infiltrate the Gwadar Port Authority Complex, which houses Pakistans intelligence agencies, but security forces personnel reportedly thwarted the attack. Although Pakistans Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that eight militants and two soldiers were killed during the process, the BLA claims to have killed 25 security and intelligence personnel. In January, the Majeed Brigade, along with other branches of the BLA, had initiated Operation Dara-e-Bolan in the Mach and Bolan regions of Balochistan, temporarily seizing control of Mach city for over a day.

These attacks underscore a few aspects: the heightened operational capability of Baloch insurgents, their ability to hold territory (unseen in previous attacks), a greater inclination to attack government forces and installations which have symbolic and substantial value, and large-scale attacks which take longer than usual for the Pakistani Army to counter.

Who are the Majeed Brigade

Balochistan, Pakistans largest but least developed province, has been in the throes of a decades-long insurgency ever since the Khan of Kalat, as Balochistan was once called, Mir Ahmed Yar Khan acceded to Pakistan on March 27, 1948. Since then, it has witnessed several bouts of insurgencies waged by the aggrieved Baloch people with the prevailing phase (the fifth, the lengthiest and by far, the most lethal) having erupted following the assassination of veteran Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, in 2006.

While Baloch nationalism was born out of tribal grievances, it gradually transitioned from rural to urban areas, drawing support from the educated middle class.

The continued frustration among locals of Balochistan primarily arises from the establishments kill-and-dump policy, enforced disappearances, abject poverty, and political disenfranchisement. Additionally, a persistent state of exclusion from benefits derived from its resources like natural gas, coal, and gold that are readily made available to other provinces, especially Punjab, adds fuel to the fire. In light of these circumstances, a host of Baloch insurgent groups have assumed the responsibility of liberating the region.

Of all the groups, the BLA remains the most prominent ethnic-nationalist separatist outfit that seeks to attain complete independence for Balochistan. The BLA was banned by Pakistan in 2006 and categorised as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the US in 2019. Its Majeed Brigade is an elite suicide squad formed in 2010 by the now-deceased leader, Aslam Achu, in honour of the two brothers, Majeed Langove Senior and Majeed Langove Junior. The former died while attempting to assassinate Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in August 1974, whereas the latter was killed in 2010 while saving the lives of his comrades during a Pakistani Army siege on his residence.

There is no conclusive evidence on who supports the BLA, though Pakistan has variously blamed different countries, from Iran to India.

History of attacks

The BLA carried out its first attack in December 2011, targeting Shafiq Mengal, the son of a former federal minister, who was allegedly running death squads against Baloch activists in some parts of Balochistan under the tutelage of the Pakistani Army. In 2018, it attacked a bus carrying Chinese engineers in Balochistan's Dalbandin, who were working on the Saindak project, a gold and copper mine that has been leased out to the Metallurgical Corporation of China. Since then, it has upped the ante against Chinese interests. To that end, it has claimed responsibility for various attacks, including those on Karachis Chinese Consulate (2018), Gwadar Pearl Continental Hotel (2019), the Pakistan Stock Exchange (2020), and Karachi Universitys Confucius Institute (2022).

Since the inception of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2013, there has been a notable shift in the focus of Baloch insurgents. The crown jewel of this project, Gwadar Port, is located in Balochistan. While they previously targeted symbols of government authority, their recent attacks have increasingly focused on Chinese interests and personnel. The BLA opposes the project, perceiving it as an imperialist endeavour by China, where Beijing exploits Balochistan's resources while also being complicit in the oppression of its people by the Pakistani state. The recurrent attacks have prompted the Chinese Embassy and Consulates to periodically issue safety warnings for its citizens and have led to heavy securitisation of Balochistan, which the locals protest against.

Upon its inception, CPEC was lauded as a game-changer, which carried the potential of enhancing the countrys security apparatus through economic advancements. However, even after a decade of its kick-off, it has not succeeded in benefitting the local population, and many projects have languished due to sit-ins and attacks on project sites. Despite Beijings concerns about Pakistans efforts to safeguard collaborative projects and its citizens, the attacks are unlikely to deter China from investing further, given its high tolerance for security risks in its investments worldwide. However, active resistance against Chinese involvement as part of Baloch nationalism could strain the all-weather friendship between the two countries.

The way out

The problem at hand is a simple one  that of a resource curse. The Balochistan province, despite being a wellspring of minerals, remains the most underdeveloped in the country. Hence, a military solution to a political and economic problem is, at best, a short-term one.

Additionally, the increasing willingness of the Baloch youth to sacrifice their lives indicates the presence of a strong ideological foundation in their psyche. This has rendered past military operations ineffective in quelling insurgencies, as the governments display of its military prowess has only exacerbated the issue, leading to a boomerang effect.

As the Pakistani state comes to grips with the grim reality of its internal security, it ideally should be driven to embark on a path of course correction, shifting from security-centric strategies to development-oriented policies. Even though the provincial government lacks the scope and capacity to resolve the crisis  as these decisions are made in Islamabad and Rawalpindi  it has generally been apathetic to the demands of Balochs. Charting the future trajectory of Balochistans development would involve prioritising the delivery of good governance to its citizens, which, in turn, requires enormous political will from both the central apparatus and the provincial government.

Bantirani Patro is a Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal.
GE layoffs: General Electric (GE) is planning to cut 1,000 jobs in LM Wind Power, its renewable energy business, Moneycontrol reporting citing an internal communication. The move may also affect its Indian staff as well, company insiders said as per the outlet. The downsizing could begin in the coming weeks while the talks started in January when GE Renewable Energy's LM Wind Power business CEO Olivier Fontan told employees that the company planned to be a leaner over the coming months. General Electric layoffs: GE acquired Denmark-based LM Wind Power in 2017 for $1.65 billion.

Olivier Fontan then said in email, as per the report, As you are all aware, the wind industry is fighting a tough battle to continue to deliver competitive renewable energy in a profitable manner. Due to the market challenges, it is necessary for us to evolve our structure to regain our competitiveness."

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GE acquired Denmark-based LM Wind Power in 2017 for $1.65 billion. The company manufactures rotor blades for wind turbines and is a part of GE Vernova.

GE layoffs: Job cuts in India

The report also added that LM Wind Power will focus on external customers only and this will impact staffers in India as well.

While we cannot share the details of the proposals at this stage, if implemented, these proposals could potentially have a net impact of approximately 1,000 role reductions globally, primarily in global functions, Olivier Fontan's January email said.

While a company email on March 26 noted, We will consider the outcome of the EWC process as we continue to engage meaningfully with our employee representatives at local levels. As a result, within the next weeks, potentially impacted roles at a global level will be communicated."

GE has a presence in Denmark, Spain, Poland, Canada, China, India, Brazil, the United States and many more countries. It began operations in India in 2007 and has more than 200 engineers in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed a wide range of issues from Artificial Intelligence to Digital Public Infrastructure and efforts to combat climate change in a free-wheeling chat on Friday at PM's residence. In the conversation, Bill Gates praised Indians for their ability to adopt technology fast as well as lead the way while PM Modi encouraged the Microsoft boss to take a selfie using the Photo Booth on PM's Namo App. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates engaged in a discussion. (Instagram/@thisisbillgates)

PM Modi-Bill Gates talk about 2023 G20 Summit

Discussing the 2023 G20 Summit which concluded last year under India's presidency, PM Modi said, "We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit and as you might have seen, the Summit's proceedings took a lot of turns. I believe we have now aligned with G20's core purposes & objectives, bringing them to the mainstream. I hope your first-hand experience echoes this sentiment."

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Watch snippet here:

Bill Gates responded, "G20 is way more inclusive and so it is fantastic to see India hosting it - really raised things like digital innovations and how the south-south collaboration can be far more than just the dialogue with the north...Our foundation is so excited about the past results that you have achieved here in India, that we would be a partner in trying to take that into many other countries."

PM Modi-Bill Gates on India's digital revolution

Talking about the digital revolution in India, PM Modi said, During the G20 Summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed their curiosity about the digital revolution in the country. I explained to them that we have democratised technology to prevent monopoly. It is by the people and for the people.

Bill Gates praised India and said that the country has a digital government. He said, "India is not only adapting technology but it is actually leading the way."

PM Modi tells Bill Gates about 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme

PM Modi told Bill Gates about 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme and highlighted the ways in which it is helping in promoting technology in the country, specifically among women.

He said, "When I used to hear about the digital divide in the world, I used to think that I would not allow anything like that to happen in my country. Digital public infrastructure is a major requirement in itself...Women are more open to adopting new technology in India...I have started 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme...This is going on very successfully. I interact with them these days, they are delighted. They say that they didn't know to ride a bicycle but they are now pilots and can fly drones. The mindset has changed."

AI is very important, PM Modi says

PM Modi also told Bill Gates how he AI was used during 2023 G20 Summit. He also shared that his Hindi speech was translated into Tamil during Kashi Tamil Sangamam event using AI.

PM Modi said, "Historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions we lagged behind because we were a colony. Now, in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, the digital element is at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot in this. AI is very important. Sometimes, I jokingly say that in our country, we call our mother 'Aai'. Now I say that when a child is born, he says 'Aai' as well as AI as children have become so advanced."
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that the facility of exchange and deposit of 2000 banknotes will not be available on April 1 at 19 issue offices of the central bank. It cited operations associated with the annual closing of accounts as the reason for the temporary halt. A security official walks past an emblem of the Reserve Bank of India at the RBI headquarters, in Mumbai.

When will the facility resume?

The RBI said in the release that this facility will resume on April 2.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

When did this facility begin?

The facility for the exchange of the 2000 banknotes has been available at the 19 issue offices of the Reserve Bank (RBI Issue Offices) since May 19, 2023. From October 9, 2023, RBI Issue Offices also began accepting 2000 banknotes from individuals / entities for deposit into their bank accounts.

How many  2000 notes have been returned?

As of March 1, 2024, 97.62 per cent of the 2,000 currency notes in circulation as of May 19, 2023, have been returned to the banking system, RBI informed. The total value of 2000 banknotes in circulation declined to 8,470 crore at the close of business on February 29, 2024, from 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, the central bank noted.

When did RBI withdraw  2,000 banknotes?

RBI had announced the withdrawal of 2,000 banknotes on May 19, 2023 as part of its clean note policy.

When were  2000 banknotes introduced?

The RBI introduced 2,000 banknotes in November 2016 after the withdrawal of the legal tender status of all 500 and 1,000 banknotes in circulation.
Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years in jail as a US court noted that he had shown no real remorse even in his final pre-sentencing remarks. During the sentencing, the former billionaire, who once was on the cover of financial magazines and financed Super Bowl television ads in 2022, said that he made "a series of bad decisions" but did not acknowledge violating financial laws by knowledge. FTX's former CEO and founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrives at the US federal courthouse in New York City. He was sentenced to 25 years in jail following his conviction in one of the biggest financial fraud cases in history. (AFP)

Who is Sam Bankman-Fried?

Read more: This Google employee was personally asked to turn down job at Open AI by Sergey Brin

Sam Bankman-Fried became a billionaire before 30 and turned FTX, a small start-up he cofounded in 2019, into world's second largest exchange platform. In November 2022, the company saw a deluge of customer withdrawals following revelations that billions of dollars had been illegally moved from FTX to his personal hedge fund, Alameda Research.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

What court said on Sam Bankman-Fried?

Sam Bankman-Fried said "mistakes were made, but never a word of remorse for the commission of a terrible crime," the court noted. Calling the violations as brazen, the court called out the former billionaire for his "exceptional flexibility" towards the truth.

What is Sam Bankman-Fried's sentence?

Sam Bankman-Fried has been given a sentence of 25 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $11 billion. The US government had sought a 40-50 years sentence but the Justice Department said, 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.

What Sam Bankman-Fried's parents said?

His parents, Stanford law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, said in a statement as per news agency AFP, "We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son."

What Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyer said in court?

In remarks to the court, defense attorney Marc Mukasey said that Sam Bankman-Fried is a well-intended, awkward math nerd and it's obviously a serious offense, but Sam was not a financial serial killer who set out to hurt people.

What he said in court?

Expressing regret, Sam Bankman-Fried acknowledged how his actions affected many colleagues. They built something beautiful. And I threw it all away. It haunts me every day. I made a series of bad decisions, he said.
Mumbai: There are moves afoot to regulate Big Tech in India along the lines of what the EU is doing, and the most recent developments in the US where Apple was sued for abusing its dominant position. The un-funny thing about technology regulations is that it has a long history of failure. Despite that, governments persist with it. For all practical purposes, most of it is mere optics. (Representative Photo)

That said, the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) released a draft of the Digital Competition Bill to identify anti-competitive practices of tech companies last month. It is open for comments until April 15. Without going into the technicalities, those who fit the framework are Big Tech companies operating from India.

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What makes this interesting is that the US has also ratcheted up antitrust scrutiny and enforcement actions against Apple. This is in line with its actions against Google, Amazon and Meta. The sum and substance of their arguments have been that these companies have gotten too big, are a threat to start-ups in the ecosystem, and must be broken up. Lets call this the Lina Khan School of Thought, which now dominates the Joe Biden administration. Khan has a reputation for being a formidable lawyer and is full-time faculty at Columbia Law School, from where she is on leave to serve as an advisor to the US government.

But reputations do not change history. Consider the landmark antitrust case against Microsoft in the late 1990s. At the time, Microsoft was depicted as an unstoppable monopoly. After a lengthy legal saga, the federal governments touted solution was merely subjecting Microsoft to a series of technical restrictions and oversight.

Microsoft continued growing and cemented its dominance in computer operating systems and productivity software. Microsofts hegemony finally got disrupted by an upstart, then called Google. It had pioneered a game-changing technology, which was a powerful engine. Since then, it has gone on to challenge Microsofts core businesses, such as the Office Suite it sells to retail customers by offering its own solutions, including Gmail, G Docs, Google Sheets and all else that Microsoft has to offer. The point here is that Microsoft did not get disrupted by regulatory oversight but by another upstart.

In much the same way, as Google started to grow large, regulators started to grow wary of what it would do next. But even as debates began about whether it ought to be broken up, ChatGPT emerged and disrupted Google. The companys response to ChatGPT until now appears shoddy. Ironically, ChatGPT was acquired by Microsoft to keep pace with AI disruptions.

Closer home, when digital wallets were launched, PayTM was the first off the block. In the mad scramble to acquire customers, it appeared pretty clear this entity promoted by Vijay Shekar Sharma would sweep the market. Sharma did not see UPI coming. This is the payment layer of India Stack, which has been in the works for a few years. The identity layer of India Stack is what all of us know of as Aadhaar. With UPI coming in, all wallets were compelled to integrate it into their offerings. This also meant wallets had to be interoperable.

Simply put, in the early days, a PayTM user could transact only with another PayTM user. With UPI coming in, it did not matter which wallet your money was in. All wallets, including GPay, PhonePe and PayTM, got to be on equal footing overnight. The emergence of one technology disrupted the dominance of the market leader.

This takes us back to where we started. It makes little sense for India to follow the EU or Khans prescriptions. The current antitrust assault on Apple is unlikely to chip away at its core strengths or pre-eminence in premium hardware and integrated software services. Instead, the future disruption and displacement of Apple as an industry titan is far more likely to come from an innovative entrepreneur who simply out-innovates and renders Apples current services obsolete.

The overarching lesson from past antitrust battles against market leaders is this: By the time regulators recognize monopolistic behaviour and aim at reining in a dominant firm, that company is possibly already getting disrupted by nimble start-ups. More often than not, todays monopoly is tomorrows bewildered behemoth struggling to adapt.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader KS Eshwarappa, whose son was earlier denied a ticket for the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha seat, said in an indirect reference to the Yediyurappa family, that people are not used to the idea that the reins of the party in Karnataka are held by one family. KS Eshwarappa. (PTI)

"People are not digesting the fact that one family is holding the power of BJP in Karnataka. There is pain in party workers," Eshwarappa said speaking to reporters on Thursday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Eshwarappa said that workers support the BJP because they listen to the voice of Hindutva fighters.

ALSO READ | BJP-JDS alliance will win with over 5 lakh votes margin in Bengaluru South, says Tejasvi Surya

"Party workers are saying you are listening to the voices of Hindutva fighters and that is why they are abiding by your ideology and thoughts. You are the voice of all. That is why we will support you wholeheartedly," Eshwarappa said.

The senior BJP leader expressed confidence that he will win his poll battle from Shivamogga and contribute towards reelecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third term.

"I'll win this election in Shivamogga 100 per cent to make sure Narendra Modi will become PM once again with the support of the people of Shivamogga. I'm getting hundreds of calls not to take back my decision. Their love and support show how much the sitting MP is hated...all of them said that they would support me and make me MP. I'm sure, I'll win and play a part in making Narendra Modi Prime Minister again.," Eshwarappa said.

ALSO READ | DK Suresh, sole Cong MP from Karnataka, files nomination from Bangalore Rural

Earlier, Eshwarappa warned that he will contest independently and win the elections even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes and attempts to change his mind.

On March 13, the BJP released the second list of 72 Lok Sabha candidates, including three former chief ministers and four Union Ministers.

In Karnataka, the party fielded Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from Dharwad, Tejaswi Surya from Bangalore South constituency, Bommai from Haveri and PC Mohan from Bangalore Central.

The BJP also named BS Yediyurappa's son BY Raghvendra from Shimoga and V Sommana from Tumkuru.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru companies promote public transport, charge extra for single-occupancy vehicles: Report

After this announcement, Eshwarappa turned on his own party deciding to mount an independent contest.

"BS Yediyurappa had promised that he would give the ticket to KE Kantesh from Haveri. So I sent my son Kantesh there to campaign...But today my son KE Kantesh didn't get the ticket, and BS Yediyurappa's son got the ticket again" he had said on March 13.

The BJP had released its first list of 195 candidates earlier this month, featuring PM Modi from Varanasi, Home Minister Amit Shah from Gandhinagar and Mansukh Mandaviya from Porbandar.
East Haven police said they evacuated the local Planet Fitness and surrounding buildings on Thursday due to a bomb threat that was later determined to be unfounded. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

EAST HAVEN  The Planet Fitness on Foxon Road and surrounding businesses and homes were evacuated Thursday after police received a bomb threat about the gym, they said.

According to police, they were contacted by New Haven police, who received an email claiming that a bomb was planted at the East Haven Planet Fitness.

The New Haven Police bomb squad responded to sweep the building and determined that the threat was unfounded, police said.

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Bhopal: In another setback to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Amarwara MLA Kamlesh Pratap Shah on Friday resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), people aware of the matter said. Three-time Congress MLA Kamlesh Shah joined the BJP at chief minister Mohan Yadavs residence (Twitter/video screengrab)

Shah, a three-time MLA from Amarwada assembly seat of Chhindwara district, reached Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadavs residence on Friday and took the membership of the ruling party, said people.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Today, the entire state turned into the colour of Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi). A leader of the Gondwana community, Kamlesh Shah, has taken membership in the BJP because of Kamal Naths poor behaviour. There is a problem in Chhindwara, and examples of it are coming to the fore, CM Yadav said as he welcomed Shah to the BJP.

Also Read: AAPs lone Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, Punjab MLA join BJP days after Kejriwals arrest

All the seven MLAs in the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency are of the Congress party, and Shah is the only sitting MLA who joined the BJP from the district.

Earlier on March 13, former party MLA Choudhary Gambhir Singh and several other local leaders from the Congress leader Kamal Naths home turf joined the ruling BJP.

Kamlesh ji is from a very prestigious family. He is a third-time MLA. Impressed by the working system of the Prime Minister, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is heartily welcomed. I congratulate him, Panchayat minister Prahlad Patel said.

Chhindwara, a bastion of former chief minister Nath, is a high-profile seat in Madhya Pradesh. In the past 70 years, the BJP has only won once in a Lok Sabha election from here.

Also Read: Former Haryana minister Savitri Jindal quits Congress, joins BJP

The BJP had set a target of winning all 29 Lok Sabha seats from MP.

The party has set up committees in every district in the state to woo leaders from other political parties, especially the Congress. BJP state-level convenor of the committee, Narottam Mishra, earlier claimed that over 10,000 Congress leaders and workers have joined the BJP in the past one month.

Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said, The filtration of Congress is going on. The selfish and opportunistic leaders are leaving the party.
The Congress MLA from Faridabad-NIT in Haryana, Neeraj Sharma, on Friday said he has written to chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar to withhold the byelection for Karnal assembly seat in light of the order of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court (HC) setting aside the Akola West assembly bypoll. The Bombay HC had quashed the Election Commissions notification of March 16 to hold the Akola West assembly bypoll on the grounds that the remaining term of the incoming member would be less than a year. The same holds true for Karnal assembly bypoll too. (HT Photo)

The Bombay HC had quashed the Election Commissions (EC) notification of March 16 to hold the Akola West assembly bypoll on the grounds that the remaining term of the incoming member would be less than a year. The same holds true for Karnal assembly bypoll too. The MLA said the new MLA would barely get a couple of month to represent the Karnal assembly seat as the term of Haryana Vidhan Sabha ends on November 3. In his letter to the CEC, Sharma said the bypoll would put a financial burden on the public exchequer.

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Section 151-A of the Representation of the People Act,1951, the law enacted by the Parliament for the conduct of elections to the two houses of Parliament and state legislatures, however, bars a byelection from being held if the remaining term of the member is less than one year. On March 16, HT pointed out that the ECs move was not in consonance with Section 151-A of the Representation of the People Act.

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay HC, comprising justice Anil S Kilor and justice MS Jawalkar, in its March 26 judgment said since a period of less than a year is left as a balance term for an incoming MLA, they have no hesitation in holding that the ECs notification to hold the byelection was contrary to Section 151-A of the Representation of the People Act.
Once caught in border cross-fire between India and Pakistan, a village in Samba district is en-route to becoming a treasure trove of pure pearls. Two friends in their 60s have joined to undertake pearl farming in Chillyari village, located on the zero line. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Jammu and Kashmir. The farm in Chillyari village located on the zero line in Samba district (HT Photo)

The mussels are transported by train from Kolkata to Jammu, and then ferried to Chillyari on the India-Pakistan international border, where 65-year-old Desraj, a retired J&K police sub-inspector, and 67-year-old Yashpaul, a retired official from geology and mining department, get down to rearing them in a oxygenated pond.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

My old friend from Parjani village was the first to conceive the idea and he convinced me to go for it, said Yashpaul.

It all started when Desraj saw videos of pearl farming on YouTube. We then went to Chandigarh and Haryana to see pearl farming, he said.

The duo tied up with a Noida based company. We started three years ago. There was a break of around six months due to unforeseen events. Therefore, we are expecting our first yield by September or October this year, Yashpaul added.

He said that the Noida-based firm, which provided technical know-how to the two partners, would purchase the produce from them. The two friends would not be producing round shaped pearls alone, but also cultured pearls in the shape of Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.

Pearls are biological gems produced within the soft tissue in the shell fish. We recently checked one mussel and found that the cultured pearl was taking shape of Lord Ganesha. These cultured pearls depend upon the feed and allied inputs, said Yashpaul.

The two friends have so far invested around 35 lakh and put around 1.4 lakh mussels into the pond.

The shell fish are tied in nets and are kept hanging in a pond or river. The mussels are fed with algae, cow dung and groundnuts for a year before pearls get ready for the harvest.

The initiative was appreciated by Samba deputy magistrate Abhishek Sharma. The initiative is first of its kind in J&K. I hope that their initiative transforms into a successful business and become a model for others to emulate, he said.
Faridkot: Two Pakistani juveniles who had accidentally crossed the border were denied passage as the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi failed to provide their travel documents. Tarn Taran police had arrested the two juveniles on September 1, 2022, near the Indo-Pak border. (HT photo)

Despite being acquitted by the juvenile justice board, the boys still wait to return home. Two weeks ago, the ministry of external affairs had granted approval for their release, and the duo was finally released from the Faridkot juvenile home on Thursday morning.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Ajitpal Singh, secretary, district legal services authority, took them to the Attari border from where they were sent back as the Pakistani authorities failed to issue their travel documents.

Raj Kumar, superintendent of Faridkot observation home, said, Pakistan high commission in Delhi did not provide their documents. Now, we are waiting for the documents and it will likely take two or three more days for the repatriation. In the meantime, the juveniles will stay at the observation home.

According to information, the Tarn Taran police had arrested the two juveniles on September 1, 2022, near the Indo-Pak border. The duo, belonging to Lahore, was booked under Section 3 of the Passport Act, 1920, and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, for allegedly crossing the International Border and confined in the juvenile observation home since then.

In April 2023, the juvenile justice board acquitted them ruling that there was no fencing at the border, thus increasing the chances of someone crossing inadvertently.
Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat in West Bengal and a victim of alleged atrocities committed by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders on women lodged a complaint against Debangshu Bhattacharya, TMC candidate and the partys spokesperson, accusing him of outraging modesty and leaking her personal details on social media. BJPs Basirhat candidate, Rekha Patra. (PTI)

Recently by way of post on the facebook account of Debangshu Bhattacharya, candidate set up by the TMC from Tamluk Lok Sabha Parliamentary constituency, he has posted the private details of my client such as phone number, bank account details, Swasthya Sathi scheme details as well as Duare Sarkar scheme details, which is a clear violation of the right of privacy of my client as well as outraging of my clients modesty due to making public her personal details, Suryaneel Das, advocate for Patra, wrote in an email to the chairperson of the National Womens Commission.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also Read: You have fought huge battle in Sandeshkhali: PM Modi to BJP candidate

Das sent a second email to the chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes accusing Bhattacharya, stating that it was also an offence under the Scheduled Caste ad Scheduled Tribe Protection (prevention of atrocities) Act.

The TMC attacked Patra on Thursday for availing the state governments health scheme Swasthya Sathi.

While Bhattacharya attacked Patra and uploaded her details on his social media account, the TMC attacked her on X uploading the same documents.

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. PM @narendramodi, the next time you call her, dont forget to inquire about her Swasthya Sathi card. It might help you understand how our leaders brainchild, Swasthya Sathi, surpasses the failed Ayushman Bharat scheme, the TMC posted on X handle.

The attack came just two days after Prime Minster Narendra Modi spoke to Patra over phone and lauded her as a shakti swarupa.

You are forthwith requested to cause an enquiry and take immediate steps against Bhattacharya for outraging modesty, violation of right of privacy of my client and violation of provisions of SC and ST (prevention of atrocities) Act, Das wrote in his email.

Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, was on the boil last month over allegations of sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing by suspended and arrested Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides.

Patra who accused TMC leaders of atrocities on women and land grabbing, was among 111 candidates fielded by the BJP in its fifth list released on Sunday.

Also Read: Bengal safest state; rumours being spread about Sandeshkhali: Mamata

The TMC had countered that Aadhaar details of 815 million people were leaked during the BJP regime.

Mamata Banerjee doesnt differentiate between BJP and TMC when it comes to government schemes. They are feeling embarrassed because it has bene proved that even BJP leaders and their families avail schemes launched by Mamata Banerjee, Santanu Sen, TMC MP, told media persons.
Kolkata: Seat sharing for the coming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal has triggered dissent and apprehension among three important partners of the Left Front (LF), a coalition of eight parties which ruled the eastern state from 1977 to 2011. CPI(M) and its LF partners lost all Lok Sabha and assembly seats in the last elections (Representative Photo)

State leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) told HT that having already suffered severe setbacks in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 assembly polls, the LF may be pushed to the edge of the cliff if they cannot recover ground in regions that used to be their strongholds.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The differences surfaced during five internal meetings the LF partners have held since January as leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) told the other three parties to contest no more than two seats each out of Bengals 42.

Also Read: Left Front fields Bengal CPIM secretary Md Salim from Murshidabad seat

Till March 28, the LF announced 21 candidates of whom 17 are from CPI(M) since it controlled maximum Lok Sabha and assembly seats in Bengal till 2011 when the LF was ousted by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Of the remaining four candidates, two belong to RSP while AIFB and CPI have been allotted one each so far.

AIFB has even alleged that while giving priority to the alliance with Congress, CPI(M) has ignored the strength of its own partners.

AIFB state secretary Naren Chatterjee said, Congress announced eight Lok Sabha candidates on March 21. Among these seats is Purulia which AIFB won 10 times consecutively from 1977 to 2009. How can we spare the seat for Congress which won from Purulia once in 1951 and, for the second and last time, in 1971?

CPI(M) and its LF partners lost all Lok Sabha and assembly seats in the last elections while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the main opposition force.

LF leaders said the Congress did not perform any better in comparison. It managed to retain only two Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and drew a blank in 2021.

We have been offered the Barasat and Cooch Behar seats but we will field a candidate against Congress in Purulia and contest two more seats as well. We will not field candidates against CPI(M) but nothing stops us from contesting against Congress, Chatterjee said.

Cooch Behar, which used to be an AIFB stronghold, the party had won the seat 10 times consecutively between 1977 to 2009. BJP wrested it from TMC in 2019.

The LF has not yet announced the candidate from Barasat since AIFB has taken a strong stand on the overall seat-sharing process. AIFB won the Barasat seat five times between 1977 and 2004.

RSP has been allotted two seats  Balurghat and Alipurduar  which it won 10 times in a row between 1977 and 2009. However, both are located in the north Bengal region where BJP won more seats than TMC in 2019 and 2021.

RSP state secretary Manoj Bhattacharya said, The Joynagar seat in south Bengal is equally important for us because we won it eight times consecutively between 1980 and 2009.

The CPI has so far been allotted only the Midnapore seat which it won 10 times (including a bypoll) in a row between 1980 and 2014. Veteran CPI leader Indrajit Gupta, former Union home minister in the H D Deve Gowda-led United Front government, represented the seat five times.

CPI state secretary Swapan Banerjee said, CPI(M) has proposed that at least one-third of the seats should be left for Congress. For the CPI Bengal unit, this is a strange situation because in Kerala the Congress has been contesting against us.

Also Read: INDIA bloc finalises seat-sharing pact in Bihar, RJD to contest 26 seats

In Kerala, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LRD) led by CPI(M) is contesting this year against Congress at several seats, including Wayanad held by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The CPI Kerala unit has nominated Annie Raja, general secretary of the partys National Federation of Indian Women and wife of CPI national secretary D Raja, as its candidate against Gandhi. At Thiruvananthapuram, which Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has represented since 2009, CPI has fielded senior party leader Pannyian Raveendran.

In Bengal, however, LF partners agreed to share seats with Congress when talks on forming the INDIA alliance began last year. They said it made sense because they are opposed to both TMC and BJP.

Although veteran CPI(M) leader Biman Bose is the Bengal LF chairman, the seat-sharing talks were headed by CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim who is contesting the Murshidabad seat in Murshidabad district which used to be a Congress bastion. State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting the adjacent Berhampore seat which he has been representing since 1999.

The allies have to realise that the seat sharing is being worked out on the basis of surveys done at the ground level. We based our calculations on statistics, Salim told HT.

No Congress leader commented on the issue saying it is an internal matter of the LF.
LUCKNOW The UP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested four illegal Rohingya immigrants, including three women, travelling to Delhi in a train on fake identity proofs, said senior ATS officials here on Thursday. They said the four had been booked for fraud, forgery and under sections of Foreigners Act in the FIR lodged with the ATS police station . The officials said they were intercepted in Lucknow while moving on train and brought to the ATS headquarters on Thursday. (Pic for representation)

Sharing a press note with the media, officials informed that the accused were identified as Aamir Hamza (21), Meena Jahan (19), Aonara Begum (19) and Sukura Begum (22), all originally from Myanmars Buthidaung. They said the accused entered India via Bangladesh and reached Silchar, Assam from where they boarded the train to reach New Delhi.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The officials said they were intercepted in Lucknow while moving on train and brought to the ATS headquarters on Thursday where they were arrested after finding that they had illegally entered India and had forged identity proofs to pose as Indian citizens and settle in different parts of the country after reaching New Delhi.

They said the accused were being further questioned about their intentions to enter the country and to find out about the network involved in facilitating illegal immigrants to enter India and prepare their fake identity proofs to help them live in different parts of the country.
Mar 29, 2024 3:10 PM IST

Visit the official website of Directorate of Education, Delhi at edudel.nic.in.

Click on Delhi School Result 2024 on classes 5, 8, 9 and 11 link available on the home page.

A new page will open where parents, students will have to select the details.

Click on submit and 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.
The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi has declared the results of Class 5, 8, 9 and 11 today, March 30, 2024. Students and parents and guardians can check the results on the official website edudel.nic.in. Delhi school result 2024 live updates. Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi has declared the results of Class 5, 8, 9 and 11 on the official website edudel.nic.in.

To check the results, it is to be ensured by the students and parents that they have the following details to be entered on the result page. These are:

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Student ID

Class

Section

Date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format

The code displayed on the result page.

The results can be viewed/downloaded with the steps mentioned below:

Visit edudel.nic.in.

Open the exam/re-exam page.

Select class and enter required credentials.

Once the results are displayed, download it and print a hard copy for future reference.

Also read: Delhi School Result 2024 for Class 3, 4, 6, 7 out; link to check DoE results on edudel.nic.in

While checking the results, few points must be kept in mind. These are as follows:

Check the accuracy of the information relating to student ID, class, section, date of birth, etc. thoroughly before submitting.

In case of any error in the result, contact your educational institution's support or administration for assistance.

Ensure your internet connection is stable throughout the process to prevent interruption

It may be mentioned here that the Directorate of Education, Delhi had announced final examination results for classes 3, 4, 6 and 8 on March 28. The results of the final examinations were made available to download on edudel.nic.in. The examinations were held at school-level in February-March, 2024.

Also read: Delhi govt makes it mandatory for recognized private schools to get prior approval before fee hike
Madras University Result 2024: The University of Madras has announced Madras University Result 2024 for UG, PG and other courses on March 29, 2024. Candidates who have appeared for undergraduate and postgraduate courses can check their results on the official website of Madras University at unom.ac.in. Madras University UG, PG other results announced, details here (result.unom.ac.in, screenshot)

Direct link to check Madras University Result

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Madras University Result 2024: How to check

To check the results, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of Madras University at unom.ac.in.

Click on exam result link for UG or PG available on the home page.

A new page will open where candidates will have to enter the required details.

Click on submit and your results will be displayed on the screen.

Check the result and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The UG, PG results will have details which needs to be checked by appeared candidates which includes- Students name, fathers name, semester details, roll number, registration number, subject wise marks and other information. For more related details candidates can check the official website of Madras University.
Whitney Academ in Hamden in a file photo. Police said Thursday that two students were arrested after they returned to the school with knives following a dispute earlier in the day. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

HAMDEN  Two 16-year-old students at Whitney Academy, an ACES school, were arrested Thursday after they returned to the school with knives following an earlier argument with another student, according to police.

Police said the two students were suspended after a dispute earlier in the day and asked not to return to the school. One of the students pulled a fire alarm when they returned, and they were detained by security personnel and school staff until officers arrived, police said.

Both teenagers were found in possession of knives, according to police. No one was injured in the incident, they said.

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The teenagers are charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, trespassing and carrying a dangerous weapon. One of the teens also is charged with pulling the fire alarm. Both were released to their parents and are scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven April 2, according to police.
Actor Alia Bhatt hosted the Hope Gala in London on Thursday evening. The actor raised money for underprivileged adolescents in India at the gala, to help the Salaam Bombay foundation. Also present at the event were musician Harshdeep Kaur, comedian Rohan Joshi and director Gurinder Chadha. (Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor visit new Mumbai bungalow. Watch) Alia Bhatt opted for a dress for the red carpet and a saree for the event(Instagram)

Alia pulls off two looks

The venue where the gala was hosted, Mandarin Oriental, shared a reel on Instagram, offering Alias fans a sneak peek of the event. The video they shared sees Alia pull off two different looks. For the red carpet, she opted for a maroon dress with diamante detailing. She posed for clicks with the guests before changing into an cream, embroidered lace saree for the gala. The video shows she delivered a speech at the venue, with fans curious to know what she spoke at the event.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Alia was spotted leaving for London on Wednesday night at the airport. She was photographed taking selfies with fans. One of the photographers left the actor smiling when he referred to her as vahini. In a video that did rounds on social media, Alia could be seen rushing to the airport gate when a photographer said, Vahini (sister-in-law) namaskar, leaving her with a huge grin.

Gurinder offers inside peek

Rohan took to his Instagram stories to share a picture of him and Alia on stage, having a conversation. Gurinder also shared a video of Harshdeeps performance on her Instagram, writing, Wonderful evening for @salaambombay charity @harshdeepkaurmusic #aaliabhatt. In the video, Harshdeep can be seen performing one of her hit songs. She commented under the directors video, It was so good to see you!! Love you and a big japhhiiiii. Salaam Bombay also left a comment, thanking her for her support.

Upcoming work

Alia recently wrapped up shooting for Jigra, which also stars Vedang Raina of The Archies fame. She shared candid pictures of her and Vedang from sets on her Instagram announcing the wrap. She debuted in Hollywood in 2023 with the Gal Gadot-starrer Heart of Stone. She will also star in a spy film, starring Bobby Deol and Sharvari Wagh.

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Ananya and Aditya's new ad campaign

On Friday, Ananya and Aditya shared a photo of themselves from their recent shoot for Scott Eyewear. Aditya replaced actor Sidharth Malhotra, who has been featuring alongside Ananya in the brands' campaigns for the last couple of years. Ananya and Aditya twinned in purple looks and sported statement sunglasses in their first photo together showcasing Scott Eyewear's latest collection.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Reddit reacts to Ananya and Aditya's photo

Many on Reddit could not stop talking about Sidharth 'getting replaced' by Aditya. In March 2022, Sidharth and Ananya were announced as Scott Eyewear ambassadors during the brand's 20th anniversary celebration.

One Reddit user commented on a post featuring Ananya and Aditya's new ad, "Sidharth Malhotra got terminated to hype this couple...dirty..." Another shared a photo of Sidharth and Ananya's old campaign, and said, Fire the one who got the idea to replace Sid (Sidharth). A person wrote, "She (Ananya) and Sid looked cool in the earlier shoots! They replaced Sid with him (Aditya) for what?"

A person also said, "Its giving nothing. Despite hitting the looks jackpot, Aditya gives nothing as a model and sadly he has stopped trying as an actor. I do not see any saving grace in him anymore." However, some liked seeing Ananya and Aditya together. One commented, 'Honestly, they look stunning to me." A second wrote, Looking fresh tbh (to be honest).

Ananya and Aditya's dating rumours

Ananya and Aditya have been dating for a while now. The rumours began when the two made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali party in 2022. Karan Johar also dropped hints about Ananya and Aditya during various recent episodes of his talk show, Koffee With Karan. Since then, the rumoured couple has been seen at airports, and on vacations abroad. Ananya and Aditya are often spotted together by the paparazzi in Mumbai as well.

Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment!  Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel  Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place
Why should men have all the fun, and get to do all the action it the air? I love when women take charge at the movies and director Rajesh Krishnan's heist comedy, Crew, brings a whiff of fresh air both in terms of its plot and the way it shows its three protagonists, Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon. They are feisty, fearless when needed, and most importantly, really fun. But don't complain things take an extremely bizarre turn or get a little lame  that's the beauty of Crew  it still makes for a funny and refreshing watch. Crew review: Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, Kriti Sanon play air hostesses in dire need of some cash.

The plot

Geeta Sethi (Tabu), Jasmine Bajwa (Kareena) and Divya Rana (Kriti) work as air hostesses for Kohinoor Airlines, loosely modelled on now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. All three of them chase their dreams and aspire for a good life. Geeta, ex Miss Karnal lives with her husband Arun Sethi (Kapil Sharma), who is a home chef but the two want to open their own restaurant in Goa, while also occasionally helping Geeta's alcoholic brother and his wife. Jasmine, with her obsession for luxury brands from Beemer to Louis Vuitton, doesn't mind faking it on the social media, has grown up in Jabalpur with her nana (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), who always teaches her the importance of having your own people by your side. Talking of your own people, Divya, a school topper, has a family that dotes on her, but she is guilty of lying to them about studying to become a pilot but ending up as an air hostess. The only thrill in her life, other than her job and scandal she gets caught in, is custom officer Jaiveer (Diljit Dosajh) who tries to woo her, and gets taken for a ride in return.

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Unpaid for six months, they continue to do their jobs half-heartedly and enjoy the daily expense during international flights, their lives take a rocky turn when they find themselves in the middle of a smuggling investigation. Upon realising that the chairman of Kohinoor Airlines Vijay Walia (Saswata Chatterjee)  yeah, no mincing words here and the character is unapologetically inspired from Vijay Mallaya  has declared bankruptcy and fled to Al Burj (again modelled on the splashy Dubai, don't know why couldn't they just call it that), these three cabin crew members decide to get their money (and a lot more) back from him. How they devise crazy plans to serve him right while trying to save themselves from the hands of investigating cops and customs makes for a shaky and bumpy joyride.

Great intentions, not the best execution

While the storyline appears pretty novel and full of potential to be a different heist comedy, the sloppy screenplay and non linear narrative often allow inconsistency to creep in. Writers Nidhi Mehra and Mehul Suri keep their game strong with some funny one-liners and comic punches, most of which trigger genuine laughter, even though some jokes fall flat. I love how Bebo's Jasmine often breaks into Sona Kitna Sona Hai. Even when in the trickest situations, there's laughter and humour that's continuously fed to us. There's barely any room for any serious stuff or emotionally charged instances. However, Crew could definitely have had a better and a smoother landing. It does take off well and fly high in the first half with story moving backwards at a good pace, the second half nosedives in the writing department with many scenes looking so rushed to wind up the film within a stipulated time frame. Though it's the trio that salvages the situation with their mischief and hilarious acts and escapes a crash landing.

All three leads deliver perfect performances.

The star of Crew is the camaraderie the trio shares, the female friendships and the emotional (and hilarious) turmoil they go through in the face difficulties. At places, the narrative even turns into a sitcom, and some convenient occurrences and coincidences enabling these women accomplish their mission make you go blah and question their IQ. But like I said, it's still fun to watch. Oh, and it's so tough to look past numerous in-your-face brand integrations like Wow Momo, AJIO, Zomato, LV. And now, Choli Ke Peeche didn't need to be ruined at all. Give me Bebo dancing to that and I might still not complain, but certainly not Arab dancers killing the whole vibe of the classic.

All said and done, the ladies are just fabulous from start to end. Despite the bumps that come and go, their energy doesn't go down even one bit. Tabu as the senior most of the lot on screen and off it, too, is a delight with her innate ability to crack a joke with a straight face. Her witty one-liners and some local slangs add to the fun. Kareena is the undefeated queen and she steals the show so effortlessly. You sense a bit of a Geet and Poo here, whether it's her stunning looks or the fun she brings to her character. It's worth noting that Kriti, alongside two seniors, manages to hold her own and add a charm that's unmissable. I can't not mention the men  even though they come and go as needed, but both Kapil and Diljit know their strengths and that's what they make the most of here, too. I liked how the director has underplayed them yet they make their parts leave an impact.

In a nutshell, Crew makes you laugh, and have fun while serving some cheesy and cocky humour, and manages to stay afloat despite a lot of turbulence, all thanks to the threesome that you wish lasted a little longer.
Grab your popcorn tub and get ready for these amazing releases this weekend. The Goat Life, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, is a survival drama based on a true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Another action-packed film hitting the screen features two gigantic characters battling it out  yes, Godzilla and King Kong in Godzilla X King Kong. Bebo, also known as Kareena Kapoor, along with Tabu and Kriti Sanon, is set to spread glitz and glamour through their performances in the upcoming movie Crew. Another tension-building thriller, Knox Goes Away, starring Michael Keaton, is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Tabu, Kareena Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in Crew.

The Goat Life

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Directed by Blessy, The Goat Life starring superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role released this Thursday. The film is adapted from the best-selling novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin. The trailer looks promising to keep the audience awestruck with each frame detailing the emotions of the lead. The movie depicts the real-life story of Najeeb Muhammad (played by Prithviraj), a Malayali immigrant labourer who finds himself forced into slavery as a goatherd on a secluded farm in Saudi Arabia.

King Kong X Godzilla: The New Empire

Directed by Adam Wingard and produced by Legendary Pictures, 'King Kong X Godzilla' is set to release in cinemas on Friday. It is a sequel to 'Godzilla vs. Kong' (2021) and the fifth film in the MonsterVerse franchise. The movie narrates the story of Godzilla and the almighty Kong facing a colossal threat hidden deep within the planet, challenging their very existence and the survival of the human race. The film is set to take you on an amazing experience of action and thrill with its fighting sequences and plot.

Crew

Crew starring the three most beautiful B-town queens Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, and Kriti, is a crisp and quirky movie filled with drama and excitement. The plot of the film revolves around the lives of three air hostesses who become involved in smuggling gold to solve their financial problems. The film explores how the trio deals with the chaos and challenges that emerge from their attempt to make quick money.

Knox Goes Away

Knox Goes Away starring Michael Keaton, is a low-key thrilling movie with an amazing story plot. John Knox, a contract killer diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia called CreutzfeldtJakob disease, vows to spend his final days attempting to redeem himself by saving the life of his son. The movie unfolds with new twists and turns involving every single character.
Ranbir's new home costs more than Mannat, Jalsa?

The report said that the new bungalow cost Ranbir and family ' 250 crore', and is the 'most expensive' celebrity bungalow in Mumbai, beating Shah Rukh Khans Mannat and Amitabh Bachchans Jalsa. A source was quoted as saying by the portal, Ranbir and Alia are both equally investing their hard-earned money to make their dream house. The house will cost more than  250 crore once its all done. And this will become the most expensive bungalow in the Mumbai area compared with Shah Rukh Khans Mannat and Amitabh Bachchans Jalsa."

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Raha could become richest star kid in B-Town

The source added, "It is also said that Ranbir Kapoor, who is madly and deeply in love with his daughter Raha Kapoor, will name the bungalow in her name, and this will make the little one the richest star kid in the B-Town (Bollywood). Along with this massive bungalow, both Alia and Ranbir own four flats in the Bandra area and the worth is more than 60 crore."

It is worth noting that while such gifts from relatives are tax-exempt at the point of receipt in India, future income or gains from these assets incur taxes, as per a report by Live Mint.

Neetu Kapoor be the co-owner of the bungalow

Per the report, the source further said that Raha's grandmother Neetu Kapoor will be the co-owner of the bungalow as her husband, late actor Rishi Kapoor, had made her the half-owner of all his properties. Per the source, 'Neetu herself is supremely financially stable and recently bought a lavish house worth 15 crore in the Bandra area itself'.

It is also speculated that after the bungalow is ready, the entire Kapoor family  including Neetu  will stay together under one roof. Alia and Ranbir currently live with Raha at Vastu.

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Mumbai, Filmmaker Alex Garlands upcoming movie Civil War will serve as the opening film for the inaugural edition of the Red Lorry Film Festival, the organisers have announced. HT Image

The film gala, which will be held from April 5 to 7 at Maison Inox and Madison PVR at the BKC here, will present a slate of over 100 titles, including movies and TV series in different languages such as English, French, Spanish, German, Turkish, and Russian.

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It will screen movies through partnerships with leading global studios and production giants such as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Disney, Lionsgate, TrustNordisk, and Indie Sales. The festival is curated by BookMyShow.

Described as an adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride through a near-future fractured America, Garland's "Civil War" features an ensemble cast of Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, Jesse Plemons, and Nick Offerman.

The films story takes place in a near-future where the United States finds itself embroiled in a rapidly escalating second Civil War, pitting the oppressive government against the separatist Western Forces led by Texas and California.

The plot revolves around a courageous team of journalists who embark on a perilous journey across the war-torn nation.

"We are thrilled to present 'Civil War' as the opening film of the Red Lorry Film Festival. From its visually stunning poster to its high production value, this film is a testament to the excellence of cinema," said Ashish Saksena, COO - Cinemas, BookMyShow.

"With impeccable sound design, cinematography of A quality and critics debating if it's Alex Garland's finest work, 'Civil War' promises an unforgettable cinematic experience. Its gripping narrative and sheer brilliance across every cinematic sphere ensure that watching this film on the big screen will be an experience you won't want to miss," he added.

"Civil War" will be released in theatres in India on April 19.

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Liam Neeson is gearing up for the release of his latest film, In The Land of Saints and Sinners. In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actor opened up about declining James Bond, and the recent interest in a bunch of Irish actors in Hollywood- including Cillian Murphy and Paul Mescal. (Also read: Pierce Brosnan tips his hat to Aaron Taylor-Johnson to be the next James Bond: He has the chops, talent, charisma) Liam Neeson will be seen as the bumbling police detective Debin in the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, file)(AP)

On young and talented Irish actors

During his appearance when the host asked Liam about the new wave of attention that the current batch of Irish actors like Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy are receiving, he joked, Is that from 1980 or so? Well, that's interesting. I wonder why. It is Cillian Murphy! And Paul Mescal! When the host joked whether he hates how all of them are young and talented, Liam said, Yeah! Especially those two!

On declining James Bond

Liam also shared how he was considered for the role of James Bond, after he had received an Oscar nomination for his work in the Steven Spielberg film Schindlers List. Yeah, it was after Schindler's List. And I, my wife and I were doing a movie in North Carolina. And I got a couple of calls from Barbara Broccoli. And he's the producer, one of the producers. And I said, Oh, yeah, I'd be interested.' While my wife went, 'If you play James Bond, we're not getting married!' Yeah. I guess there's Bond girls and things! Locations are over there he said.

Liam joked then he was not going to do method acting with all the actresses and recalled how he used to annoy his late wife by imitating that he is firing guns at her. The role ultimately went to Daniel Craig.

Liam also opened up about doing the Naked Gun reboot. The first three movies with Leslie Nielsen released in 1988, 1991 and 1994. Liam said that he is a huge fan of the original films and is very excited to star in the film.

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Model Angelina Censori, Bianca Censoris sister, recently opened up on her sister's whirlwind romance and marriage to Kanye West, dismissing rising concerns about their relationship. Calling recent reports bulls**t, Angelina told the Herald Sun, We all support him [West]. We support his new album. We support his new clothes he's dropping. Kanye West with his 'wife' Bianca Censori(Getty Images)

Angelina Censori drops the truth bomb on Kanye West

There have been several allegations since Ye and Bianca tied the knot in 2022 that Biancas family is concerned about the Vultures crooner's controlling behaviour. An insider reported that Biancas father is worried that his son-in-law is turning his daughter into a trashy-looking marketable commodity with "shockingly risque and half-naked looks.

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Insiders also claimed that Censoris father is keen on confronting the rapper for putting his daughter in X-rated clothing. Other reports suggested that Bianca's family is hurting, watching their loved one being paraded around like a trophy pony. Kanye has also been accused of shutting her out from her family in Australia.

Angelina also revealed that Biancas mother recently spent time with her in Los Angeles. It was nice, she spent some time listening to parties and stuff. Calling her sister her best friend and confidante, the model denied any truth to the above-mentioned claims. Page Six notes that Kanyes insistence on being referred to as Ye and Biancas racy outfits are perceived as performance arts.

Last year, after Ye posted half-naked pictures of Bianca on Instagram, her parents aired their concerns online. Her mother, Alexandra, was said to have left "distressed, with insiders claiming, Her family and friends are mortified because it just keeps getting worse and worse.

Bianca clearly doesn't realise that what she wore isn't only disgusting and setting a bad example, but she is also potentially breaking the law, Biancas parents told MailOnline. Meanwhile, Kanye is covered up in five layers of clothes, and when his wife looked chilly while naked and wrapped in plastic, he didn't so much as offer her one of his capes.
LOS ANGELES  Nothin really ends / For things to stay the same they have to change again, Beyonce sings on Act ll: Cowboy Carter, the opening lines of the opening track, Ameriican Requim. HT Image

Them big ideas, yeah, are buried here / Amen.

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In some ways, it is a mission statement for the epic 78-minute, 27-track release  or at the very least, functions like a film's title card to introduce yet another blockbuster album.

In the days leading up to Cowboy Carter, the pop superstar said this aint a Country album but a Beyonce album  positioning herself in opposition to country music's rigid power structures and emphasizing her ability to work with the style with her latest genre-defying opus.

A capital-C country album it is not  and of course it isnt. Beyonce is an eclecticist, known for her elastic vocal performances: in a moment, choosing to belt close to godliness and in another, moving with marked ease into a fractured run, inheriting histories through the vowels she stresses, the handclaps she introduces and the genres she utilizes.

If the album, five years in the making, was inspired by the racist backlash she faced after performing at the 2016 CMAs with the Chicks, as many fans have theorized, shes eclipsed it and then some. Tell Beyonce she isnt welcomed in your space; shell carve out a bigger one.

Ameriican Requim" bleeds into a reimagination of a Beatles  classic, Blackbiird. It was originally written by Paul McCartney about desegregation in American schools with particular emphasis on the Little Rock Nine, the first group of Black students to desegregate a white public school in 1957. In Beyonces rendition, harmonies are stacked. Shes joined by Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts and Tiera Kennedy  some of the most exciting voices in contemporary country  who are also Black women.

They arent the only next generation highlighted on Cowboy Carter: Willie Jones rich Louisiana tone turns Just for Fun, into trail riding gospel country. Shaboozeys country-rap marks a pivot in the albums trajectory on Spaghettii," setting the listener up for the singular listening experience of the Pasty Cline-channeling Sweet Honey Buckiin'," with its Jersey club beats.

Country veterans, too, appear: Willie Nelson is a rough-around-the-edges radio DJ on the fictional station KNTRY  the resulting effect is an alternative America where terrestrial country radio does not overwhelming prefer playing white performers; snippets of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's Down by the River Side, Chuck Berrys Maybellene and Roy Hamiltons 1957 Dont Let Go bled into Nelsons smoky voice.

The 50s cuts are an inspired choice; Beyonce has chosen to reference the decade in which format-based radio emerged and as a result, country musics racial lines were all but codified. The effects are still felt. One frequently referenced study conducted by University of Ottawa associate professor Jada Watson, examined over 11,000 songs played on country radio from 2002 to 2020 and found that artists of color made up only three percent of all airplay, two-thirds of which were men. In even her interludes, Beyonce has taken her listeners to school.

Jolene is a reimagined take on the 1973 Dolly Parton original; its preceded by Dolly P," a spoken word interlude from Parton. Remember that hussy with the good hair you sang about? she says, referencing Becky with the good hair from her single Sorry off of 2016s Lemonade. Reminded me of someone I knew back when, except she has flaming locks of auburn hair. Bless her heart! Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same. Beyonces version, of course, is very Beyonce  theres no shrinking and begging for this woman to step off; it's a warning.

Perhaps Beyonces clearest predecessor on this album is Linda Martell, the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry. Martells 1970 landmark record Color Me Country should be considered country canon; she offered Black women rare visibility in a genre stereotypically associated with whiteness.

She also appears twice on Cowboy Carter, first providing clarity on the complicated origins of country in Spaghettii."

Genres are a funny little concept, arent they? she says, laughing. In theory, they have a simple definition thats easy to understand. But in practice, well, some may feel confined.

Shared histories and families are abundant on Beyonces Cowboy Carter: Protector" begins with Beyonces daughter Rumi Carter asking for the lullaby, please, leading into a tear-jerker of an acoustic ballad centering motherhood.

If listeners position Act ll: Cowboy Carter next to Act l: Renaissance, they might view the record as a continued dialogue in the Beyonce mythos: Lemonade established Beyonces dedication to Black empowerment. Renaissance reclaimed House music for its Black progenitors, a sprawling release that placed techno, Chicago and Detroit house, New Orleans bounce, Afrobeats, queer dance culture and beyond on the same dancefloor  and highlighted the frequent invisibility of that Black performance in the music history books. Cowboy Carter does something similar with country music  and, in true Beyonce fashion, extends well beyond it, as vessel, captain and crew on this journey.

Bodyguard borders on soft rock; YA YA interpolates Nancy Sinatras These Boots Were Made for Walkin and The Beach Boys Good Vibrations; Riiverdance and II Hands II Heaven, bring back the electronica of Renaissance. ll MOST WANTED, features the raspy-rich Miley Cyrus, and interpolates Fleetwood Macs Landslide. Levii's Jeans modernizes the timeless combination of R&B and country ballads, amplified by a surprising collaborator in a crooning Post Malone  lest we forget he also hails from Texas.

OH Louisiana is helium-injected blues and funk; the classic guitars on Daughter lead into Beyonce singing the famous Italian aria Caro Mio Ben in the original language. If you've been waiting for her opera moment, here it is.

When shes back to English in the refrain, she declares, If you cross me, Im just like my father / I am colder than Titanic water, reminiscent of outlaw countrys murder ballads and a successor to Beys first ever country song, Daddy Lessons from Lemonade.

Effortlessly  and momentously  Cowboy Carter weaves canonized classics into the same breath as Beyonce's country music evolutions and Black music history preservations. If the Beatles and the Beach Boys are unimpeachable, so is Martell, so is Beyonce, and Adell, and so on.

The magic here, of course, is Beyonces mastery of art and message. And at the center of everything is her larger-than-life performance  serious and jubilant, like when she plays her nails as percussion, an ode to Parton doing the same on 9 to 5.

On Cowboy Carter, historical course-correcting  and evolution goes down with honey. Lessons are learned on the dance floor, on the radio, at the imagined honky-tonk, in headphones.

Its a massive album that will require close examination for full enjoyment  but Beyonce fans have long learned to be great students.

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Actor Allu Arjun achieved a new milestone, as he put it. The actor got his own wax statue at Madame Tussauds in Dubai. The unveiling took place on Thursday evening with the actor sharing moments from the do on social media. (Also Read: Allu Arjun with his wax statue at Madame Tussauds

Allu Arjuns wax statue

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Calling Allu the king of dance, Madame Tussauds shared a picture of the actor and his wax statue on Instagram after the unveiling. The wax statue is dressed in his iconic red jacket from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo while pulling off the thaggede le gesture from Pushpa. Allu picked the same outfit for the unveiling. Teasing the launch of the statue earlier in the evening, Allu wrote, Its a milestone moment for every actor.

Madame Tussauds also posted a video of the wax statues unveiling. Much to Allus surprise, the big reveal happened to not just be his statue, but also his daughter Arha emulating his Pushpa pose. In the adorable video shared by the wax museum, the actor can be seen laughing when he sees his daughter posing with his wax statue. He joins her to pose with the statue too, pulling off the Pushpa pose.

Congratulations poured in for the actor from fans and celebs. This is amazing, hearty congratulations, wrote Ram Charans wife Upasana. Aaaattttttt (Wow), wrote Lakshmi Manchu, praising Allu for the wax statue. Chiranjeevis daughter Sreejas estranged husband Kalyaan Dhev seemed taken by Arhas pose, writing, Haha buggala bangaru Arhaaaa. (Arha with her cute cheeks)

A special day

What many dont know is that the wax statue was unveiled on the same day his debut film Gangotri released in 2003. Reflecting on how far he has come, the actor took to X, writing, Its a very spl day today. My 1st movie #Gangotri was released today in 2003 & today I am launching my Wax statue at #madametussauds dubai.

He added, Its been an unforgettable journey of 21 years . I am grateful to each and every one of you in this journey & special thanks to my Fans (ARMY) for their ardent love & support . Hoping to make you all more proud in years to come . Ever Grateful & Humbled.

Upcoming work

Allu was last seen in the 2021 film Pushpa: The Rise. The film saw him play the titular Pushpa Raj, a daily wage worker who rises in ranks and turns into a red sandalwood smuggler. The film directed by Sukumar also starred Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil.

He is currently shooting for the films sequel, Pushpa: The Rule, which has been in production for a long time now. The film is slated for release in August this year. He has also given his nod to star in a film helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

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Former Vice President Al Gore delivers the eulogy at the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Vice President Al Gore speaks at the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman Friday in Stamford. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal arrives at Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Pallbearers wheel the casket of former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman into Congregation Agudath Sholom prior to his funeral service in Stamford March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Attorney Alan Dershowitz, right, waits along with hundreds of people to enter Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, left, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy arrive at Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and his wife, Mary, arrive at Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman in Stamford Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro enters Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media In this Dec. 18, 2010, file photo, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., speaks during a news conference in Washington. Lieberman was one of just three members of Congress who, in 2010, signed the Civility Project's pledge to be civil and respectful of others whether or not he agrees with them. Alex Brandon/ST Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media The hearse carrying the casket of former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman arrives at Congregation Agudath Sholom prior to his funeral service in Stamford March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Pallbearers lift a casket containing former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman from a hearse before his funeral at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford Friday morning. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media FILE PHOTO: Vice presidential candidate Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., holds up a copy of his hometown newspaper, the Stamford Advocate, during a campaign speech in Stamford Aug. 9, 2000. BOB CHILD/AP The hearse carrying the body of late U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman arrives at Congregation Agudath Sholom on Friday. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Hundreds of mourners gather Friday at U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's funeral in Stamford. Brianna Gurciullo / Hearst Connecticut Media Hundreds of mourners gather Friday at U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's funeral in Stamford. Brianna Gurciullo / Hearst Connecticut Media The United States and Israel flags in front of Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford are at half staff on Friday, March 29, 2024, per an order from Gov. Ned Lamont's office honoring late Sen. Joe Lieberman. John Moritz / Hearst Connecticut Media The United States and Israel flags in front of Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford are at half staff on Friday, March 29, 2024, per an order from Gov. Ned Lamont's office honoring late Sen. Joe Lieberman. John Moritz / Hearst Connecticut Media Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media People wait in line to enter Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Vice President Al Gore speaks at the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman Friday in Stamford. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, of Maine, and others gather the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, right, walks with former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd prior to the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays and others gather the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Gov. John Rowland arrive for the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Gov. Dannel Malloy speaks to members of the media prior to the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Pallbearers wheel the casket of former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman into Congregation Agudath Sholom prior to his funeral service in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Tuesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd speaks during the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and his wife, Cynthia, speak to members of the media prior to the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and his wife, Mary, arrive for the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy speaks during the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks during the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Rabbi Daniel Cohen leads the funeral service for former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Vice President Al Gore attends the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Rabbi Daniel Cohen greets the family of former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman at the start of his funeral service at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and others attend the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Gov. Ned Lamont speaks during the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former U.S. Senator Joseph Liebermans widow, Hadassah, and their daughter, Hani Lowenstein, arrive for his funeral service at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Late Senator Joe Lieberman's wife Hadassah Lieberman, center, and other family members leave Congregation Agudath Sholom after his funeral in Stamford, Conn., on Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media US Senators Suzanne Collins and Chris Murphy leave Congregation Agudath Sholom after the funeral for late Senator Joe Lieberman. in Stamford, Conn., on Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons leaves Congregation Agudath Sholom after the funeral for late Senator Joe Lieberman. in Stamford, Conn., on Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Late Senator Joe Lieberman's wife Hadassah Lieberman, center, and other family members walk back to Congregation Agudath Sholom after seeing the hearse off in Stamford, Conn., on Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Pallbearers proceed to the hearse with the late Senator Joe Lieberman. after the conclusion of a funeral service at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Conn., on Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Pallbearers proceed to the hearse with the late Senator Joe Lieberman. after the conclusion of a funeral service at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Conn., on Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Vice President Al Gore delivers the eulogy at the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Vice President Al Gore delivers the eulogy at the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Former Vice President Al Gore delivers the eulogy at the funeral service for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, in Stamford, Conn. March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime Senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

STAMFORD  Family, friends and political leaders gathered Friday morning to remember U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman at Congregation Agudath Sholom, where he had been a member for decades.

The service, which was livestreamed, was followed by a burial in the congregations cemetery off Long Ridge Road where Lieberman's parents, Henry and Marcia Manger Lieberman, also are buried.

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Here are the highlights from Liebermans service:

Rabbi Daniel Cohen, one of Liebermans many rabbis, gave closing remarks. He said Judaism teaches that Liebermans soul was very much present this morning.

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He is here, he said. The body is only a vessel, but the soul is eternal.

No matter how much we say about Senator Joseph Lieberman, it will never be enough to capture the fact that he was an angel among men, he said.

He said, on behalf of everyone at the funeral and who watched virtually, to Lieberman: Thank you for being our friend, mentor and muse.

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Thank you for being a champion of faith, fortitude and civility, he said. Thank you for being an independent thinker whose humility and commitment challenges us all.

You are a voice of moderation and reason which we need now more than ever. Your legacy to perfect the world as Gods partner will be recorded in the annals of American and Jewish history, he said.

The service concluded in the early afternoon after Cantor Shim Craimer recited El Malei Rachamim. The pallbearers then brought out Liebermans casket.

Burial was scheduled to take place at the Congregation Agudath Sholom Cemetery.

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Matthew Lieberman thanked those who attended his fathers funeral, saying it was great to hear people remembering Joe Lieberman.

He said his father, like Hebrew figure Joseph, stood astride many worlds: The Jewish world, the secular world, the political world, the religious world, America, Israel, the United States and Europe, our family home and the public square, he said.

He also described the wide range of characters in his fathers life, and how he loved the United States.

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It is a great country, and my dad loved it, he said. He loved living in it, he loved serving it, he loved standing up and fighting for his fellow citizens.

Many people have come to the family and repeatedly shared stories of Liebermans kindness, integrity and political courage, his son said.

He gets a ton of credit for being kind and being honest and being courageous and unafraid, he said. He deserves all of it. But the funny thing is, it was easy for him. It came natural to him. It would have been harder for him to be the other way, to be harsh or mean or false or weak.

He was blessed by God, and by a good upbringing, to the great and decent guy, the supreme mensch that he was down to the bone, he said. He was blessed, and he was a blessing for all of us.

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Rebecca Lieberman, daughter of Joe Lieberman, said her father was engaged with his many jobs, his friends and family.

I am struck by the light that he brought to the world, she said. The literal sparkle in his eyes, and the megawatt smile that transformed his craggy face into a gift.

You wanted to cause that smile, and bask in its light, she added.

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Rebecca Lieberman said her father strengthened people with his light, his optimism and his belief that things would work out. He was also grateful for the life he lived, and the wonders he encountered.

He never became jaded or took things for granted, she said, whether it was a good cup of coffee, a delicious muffin, a trip to Italy, a Munich security conference, his grandchildren or his great love, Hadassah Lieberman.

He actively appreciated, really savored all of them, she said. This gratitude sent out ripples like a pebble dropped into a pond, making those of us lucky enough to be in his orbit want to do better, to see how he saw, to be more generous and present in his own lives.

She said she was blessed to grow up in his light.

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Over the last 48 hours, Ive learned how deeply he touched so many people, she said. Our familys heartbreak is widely shared.

He was exceptional, and our country mourns his passing, she added.

Rabbi Ethan Tucker said Liebermans inside was like his outside.

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His gleaming countenance was not a well-executed politeness; it reflected the inner joy he truly felt when he encountered each person, he said. As you heard my sister say, there was no person, no matter their station, their seniority, their origin or their ideology, who was not capable of evoking this response from him.

Tucker said Lieberman first met him at the age of six years old. At that time, Tucker said he could tell Lieberman loved his mother, but he also loved him.

His external kindness reflected internal affection, he said. That was a gift  gratitude for which I can never exhaust, an example I can only hope to emulate.

Tucker also said Liebermans integrity guided his actions, and his private family life was seamlessly connected to his outward, public-facing life.

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He said no one knew better than Lieberman to build bridges and broad tents, and did so through his integrity. He said this started at home when Lieberman leveraged his own commitment to his children, Matthew Lieberman and Rebecca Lieberman, and used that to bring Tucker on as a child, as well.

Lieberman saw and found truth in political convictions in which he disagreed, Because he knew what I felt like to believe in something, Tucker said.

His faith allowed him to connect to others of faith or to anyone seeking a voice of conviction and principle, he added. He taught me that being an observant Jew should make you more, not less, likely to connect with those of different backgrounds.

His integrity was not a blinding light, he continued. It was a magnetic field, drawing in fellow travelers and inviting in even adversaries for dialogue and compromise.

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Next to speak was Hana Lowenstein, Liebermans daughter. She recalled how she prayed for her father to have more years so he could see all her kids Bar Mitzvahs, their weddings and his great-grandchildren.

She said he had so much more to give to the world.

Although you were 82, we all feel that you were ripped away from us at a much younger age, she said.

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Lowenstein described her father as a righteous man, and she got her pure faith from her father.

She said Lieberman often described himself, even in recent years, as a simple boy from Stamford.

Even with your stature, and all of your life experiences, you were so humble, she said. And anyone who interacted with you felt this.

His parents and grandparents were well known for their kindness and volunteer work.

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You accomplished a tremendous amount on an international scale for the greater good of the world, she said. Youve sanctified Gods name.

You are literally someone who is sanctifying Gods name by everything he did, she added.

While his various accomplishments couldve made her father intimidating, Lowenstein said the reality could not be farther from the truth. She said he received others with warm smiles.

Your memory for names was astounding, she noted.

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This wasnt done to receive anything in return, she continued. It was done because you genuinely cared about every person you interacted with.

She asked who would walk her grandchildren to preschool  one of Liebermans favorite things to do  and who would dance at upcoming Bar Mitzvahs and who would do late-night grocery store runs in their neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Who will be that voice of truth and integrity that the world so needs? she asked.

Lowenstein said the pain of the loss was overwhelming, but Lieberman wouldnt want them to be frozen or depressed. She said her father had a mission to fix the world, and they would continue this mission.

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We will be strong, and well find sources of strength we never knew we had, she said. Lowenstein said they would take care of their mother, who had the most incredible relationship with you. There was so much love between you and her.

We will build generations of God-fearing, upright Jews that look back to you for inspiration of everything that is good and right. Of everything that brings us close to God, she added.

Former Vice President Al Gore remembered Lieberman as a dear friend.

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Were bound together today in sadness, but also in joy because we have witnessed a life as rich as Joes, he said. Rich in faith, kindness, as mentioned, decency, principle and so many great achievements for his nation and for this state.

Gore joked that he didnt know until midnight that he would speak at the service.

Gore said he knew Lieberman before he went to the Senate as the attorney general for Connecticut.

I had always admired him in the Senate, he said. We stood together on so many issues  sometimes in a small minority.

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They were among the only Democratic senators to support former President George H.W. Bushs decision to go to Iraq to force Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. They were close on climate policy, civil rights, human rights, womens rights, LGBTQ rights and so many other issues, Gore said.

Their individual relationship, and relationship between their families, grew even more when Gore tapped Lieberman to be his running mate in the 2000 presidential election.

We laughed together, we fought like hell together for what we wanted our country to be, he said. Prayed together. Thought for a season we had won together  well, you know that part of the story, he added, prompting laughter from the crowd.

But all of it drew us very, very close together, he said.

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They then went their separate ways after the 2000 election.

Joe and I had some deep, and sometimes bitter disagreements on policy and political matters, he said. No matter how hard I tried, or how hard Joe tried, we could not convince the other of the merit of our position.

Gore said the two were disappointed in each other at times from not swaying. He said there that their story could have ended.

If it had, we would have reached a dead end in a once loving and fruitful friendship, he said. But that wouldve been an unfortunate example of something else as well, something bigger than me or Joe. It would have been a dead end of a kind that is so familiar in the politics of America today. A dead end with ideological cul de sacs and ruined possibilities of anger and retreat.

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But it did not end there, he said. They knew their friendship was stronger than what was driving them apart.

Politics can be a rough trade, he said. The stakes are high, the pressures are great. Joe and I experienced those.

But he always knew, beyond doubt, the true value of things, he said. Gore said he saw Lieberman ready to reclaim friendships that had been seared by disagreements, bridge divisions and ready to stand for his principles.

Gore said he believes there is wisdom in the American people, enough that we will pass through our present difficulties aided by an underlying faith in the enduring value of the unity that we can find in friendship and loyalty to one another.

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Lieberman exemplified this as a person and a public servant, Gore said.

Friendship over anger, reconciliation as a form of grace, he said. We can learn from Joe Liebermans life some critical lessons about how we might heal the rancor in our nation today.

Former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd said he and others are having a hard time accepting and processing the death of Lieberman, his friend for more than half a century.

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Throughout all those years, regardless of the circumstances or crises, Joe Lieberman always conveyed an inner sense of peace, a balance, a calmness, a quiet serenity about him that I think was a hallmark of any ways in how he conducted his business, how he treated others, he said.

Dodd remembered Lieberman was a man of deep religious faith and conviction.

Never proselytizing, he noted. A teacher without tests and quizzes, leading always by his example.

Lieberman and Dodd served together in the U.S. Senate for 22 years.

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In all those years together, never was there once  not once  a cross word between us, he said. Their offices worked together and, in the midst of the many days of work, there were also times of good humor.

Dodd said he and Lieberman accomplished a great deal together. He said his relationship with Lieberman went far beyond a collegial responsibility.

It became family in many ways, he said.

Dodd was impressed with Lieberman when he was a young student at Yale University. He recalled how Lieberman volunteered for the fight for civil rights and attended the March on Washington with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He later traveled to Mississippi with classmates to register Black voters, Dodd said.

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He also fought discrimination against women based on gender and marital status in the 1970s, and fought to end discrimination against the LGBTQ community. He worked with President Barack Obama to end the military policy of Dont Ask Dont Tell. He protected consumers and prosecuted polluters. He also made sure divorced women were able to collect child support and appointed the first female deputy attorney general in Connecticut, Dodd said.

The list goes on, early on, Dodd said. Theres a history with Joe Lieberman, demonstrating from his earliest days a deep commitment to his community.

Dodd said Lieberman never backed down when he believed something was the right thing to do.

There are numerous words to accurately describe Joe Lieberman. Some have been mentioned already, Dodd said. Very empathetic, generous, kind, thoughtful, a great, politician, warm, funny.

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But to me, the two words that most aptly and completely capture qualities of my senate partner were public servant, he said. Joe from the very beginning, regardless of the office that he was in, believed that fundamentally that his job was as a public servant.

Murphy sensed Lieberman knew the obligation he owed to the world at an early age.

He was conscious of the gifts that were given to him by God: Intellect, good humor, the ability to see things first before other people saw them, he said. I think he was equally cognizant of the gifts that were given to him by his parents: Character, work ethic, a sense of obligation to others.

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As an intern for former U.S. Sen. Abraham Ribicoff, Lieberman knew once he stepped foot on the Senate floor that he wanted to make his mark there, Murphy said.

Few people in our world ended up making a bigger mark than Joe Lieberman, Murphy said. He was a giant to me growing up and entering Connecticut politics.

Murphy said Lieberman campaigned for him, and mentored him, when he was a young politician.

Murphy said Lieberman led on climate change before many others were willing, and pushed for LGBTQ rights when few others were willing.

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There has not been a 9/11-style attack on this country since that awful day, he said. Thats because Joe Lieberman had the courage to lead on reordering Americas homeland defense when few others were willing.

All of that and more is his legacy, thats the legacy youll read about in the history books, he continued.

But he said Lieberman was one of the few leaders strong and courageous enough to not put himself in a box  Democrat or Republican.

Lieberman decided whether something was good or bad for the country or for this state regardless of its political origin or impact, Murphy said.

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History books may also not include a characteristic of Lieberman that brought many mourners to Stamford Friday morning: his decency, Murphy said.

Joes decency was not passive, it wasnt that he just treated people he worked with respect and kindness, he said. His decency was active.

Murphy recalled that, during one of his first campaigns for Congress, he saw a handwritten letter from Lieberman on his friends bulletin board. The letter was a condolence note for the death of her father. Murphy noted Lieberman didnt know this woman more than casually, but he had taken the time to painstakingly detail the parts of this ordinary mans life that would live on.

Joe Lieberman set out to change the world that he lived in. He did that, Murphy said. He decided to defy convention and be himself. He did that. He chose to model a kind of grace and kindness and character for others you dont see in this world often enough. He did that.

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Joe Lieberman was a giant, Murphy continued. He was an original. He was one of one. How lucky for Connecticut that he was one of ours. How lucky we were to have him.

Blumenthal began his speech by saying mourners were gathered in a place that made Lieberman who he was.

This synagogue is home, just a few blocks from here is Stamford High School. The world within a radius of just a few blocks, he said. No matter how far he went, or how high he went, this place was always with him.

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Blumenthal said he came to know Liebermans family, and called them a powerful force that made him ferociously independent, strong willed, strong minded but eager to learn from and listen to others.

They inculcated the value of bringing people together, bridging gaps and healing divides, he continued. He loved Stamford.  He loved this place because it gave his family a home.

Liebermans grandparents immigrated to the United States, and Stamford made them feel welcome, Blumenthal said. The city opened up a world to them, and later opened even more when Lieberman was the nations first Jewish candidate for vice president, Blumenthal said.

He believed in the American dream, he said. More than any particular issue or position.

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Blumenthal said he succeeded Lieberman in a number of different jobs. They overlapped for two years in Washington, D.C., where Lieberman provided a masterclass in bipartisan persuasion and legislating.

Blumenthal said Lieberman had a number of accomplishments. Lieberman helped form the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, championed civil rights and voting rights, womens reproductive freedom, LGBTQ liberties and protections.

But the greatest accomplishment of his life was his marriage to Hadassah and their children and grandchildren, Blumenthal said. In all the conversations I had with Joe, we would talk about our children and his face would alight with joy and pride. And thats what I will always remember most about Joe.

Over the years, Blumenthal said he watched Lieberman disagree with colleagues, and him.

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But he was never, ever disagreeable, he said. He had a gift for differing, but never dividing.

Blumenthal said when he pictures Lieberman, he sees him listening.

He believed that every person has a story, and every story is worthy of respect, he said. Sadly, his story ended too soon, and we will miss him.

Hundreds of people gathered Friday morning at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford to honor late Sen. Joe Lieberman. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said his friendship with Lieberman started in an inauspicious note, prompting laughs from the audience. He said they had a yearlong debate about an issue they both cared deeply about.

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At the end of that year, Lamont said he had more respect for Lieberman, his integrity and what he stood for. He thanked Liebermans wife, Hadassah Lieberman, and their family for inviting him.

Lamont noted who was scheduled to speak next, saying U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal had some pretty big shoes to fill when he took over as attorney general after Lieberman moved to the Senate. He believes U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy sits at Liebermans desk.

He also said Lieberman and former Sen. Chris Dodd were close, fighting on behalf of families and fighting on behalf of Connecticut values.

That was a team, he said.

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Lamont recalled how Lieberman moved from being the majority leader in the state Senate to the state attorney general.

He was an activist, standing up for civil rights, civil liberties, consumer rights and the environment, he said. From there, he moved on to the Senate where he was the leader when it comes to making sure that a generation later, our water is cleaner and our air is purer, second only probably to Al Gore.

That Gore/Lieberman ticket was an amazing ticket back in the year 2000; what a team they were, he added.

Lamont said he heard some stories about Lieberman on the campaign trail. He said that, on the way back from long campaign trips, Liebermans caravan would always stop at a flower shop and bring some fresh flowers to his wife.

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At the end of all these campaigns, Lieberman would go to a senior center in New Haven, where he loved to sing Frank Sinatra tunes.

You can imagine his favorite was, I did it my way, he said. He did it his way. He never quite fit in that Republican or Democratic box.

Lamont said Lieberman was a proud independent, and was always a calming presence. He said when he last saw Lieberman, the former senator asked them to work together to help Ukraine.

I said, Sentator, lets do that together, lets get together, Lamont said. I never would have thought wed be getting together here and now, so soon.

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It was just four or five days ago that Hadassah made some poached salmon for her husband, and then suddenly he was gone, he said. But hes not gone, because I know hell always be remembered in that book where it counts and always listed as a mensch.

Former Gov. Dannel Malloy speaks to the media before entering Congregation Agudath Sholom for the funeral of the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. in Stamford Friday March 29, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media

Service began with Rabbi Daniel Cohen, of Congregation Agudath Sholom, introducing Rabbi David Zirkind, of the Riverdale Jewish Center. Zirkland read Psalm 1, which Cohen said speaks of a person of integrity, certainly emblematic of the senators life.

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The Psalm was recited by Zirkland first in Hebrew, and then in English. Next, Cohen read Psalm 23, first in Hebrew and then in English.

Afterward, Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd and former Vice President Al Gore are scheduled to speak, Cohen said.

After 10:30 a.m., the hundreds of mourners gathered to honor the life of late U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman took their seats. Those seated were asked to rise as family members and friends came in.

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Hundreds of people could be seen waiting in line to enter the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford Friday morning for former U.S. Sen. Joseph Liebermans funeral.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4; and former Gov. John Rowland arrived Friday.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and his wife, Cynthia Blumenthal, speak to reporters in front of the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford before the funeral of former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman on Friday, March 29, 2024. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

Blumenthal was a friend of Liebermans for 50 years.

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Joe Lieberman loved this place, Blumenthal said. It gave him the ferocious independence, his strong-willed, strong-minded dedication to public service and to giving back.

Joe was all about family and faith and remaining true to the principles of dedication, to bringing people together and closing gaps, Blumenthal continued.

He said Liebermans story is an American story.

A grandson of immigrants, coming from modest needs, dedicated to his faith and family and to making America better, he said. Whether people agreed or disagreed with him, hed get along with them and he worked with anyone who wanted to improve America, better themselves and their quality of life.

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He will be missed deeply, he added.

Mourners have started filing into Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, where former U.S. Sen. Joseph Liebermans funeral is going to be held.

Among the mourners was former Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy; U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine; U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3; former U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd; and attorney Alan Dershowitz, who defended former President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial.

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A program for the service stated Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Murphy, and Dodd were scheduled to speak.

Former Vice President Al Gore also is expected to attend. For the 2000 election, Gore announced he had selected Lieberman as his vice presidential running mate.

The United States and Israel flags in front of the synagogue were at half-staff, per Lamonts order.

Malloy called Lieberman an extraordinary individual.

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I didnt always agree with him, but I always respected him, Malloy said outside the synagogue Friday morning.

While Lieberman was in Washington, D.C., he brought things home to Connecticut.

He did it for Stamford, he never forgot where he came from, Malloy said. He cared about people. Just honest as the day was long.

He also pointed out Lieberman knew how to organize a great staff, meaning people who worked for him in Washington knew they were working for people in Connecticut.

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When asked whether the United States could use more politicians like Lieberman, Malloy said Sure, it would be nice to have more honest politicians.

Collins said Lieberman acted with respect and civility.

And we could use more of that in Washington, D.C., Collins said. He set the standard. He was really a dear friend.

Collins said she was communicating with Lieberman as recently as last week.

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Collins recalled how she and Lieberman were negotiating a bill for Homeland Security to revamp the intelligence community. She said Lieberman was at an Elton John show at the John. F. Kenendy Center in Washington, and she was at her house also in Washington, and yet we were both working on a Saturday night to try to get the final piece of this very important legislation done.

And that was Joe Lieberman, she said. He cared so much, he was a true patriot and we were working together to try to lessen the possibility of terrorism. He was a terrific senator and Im going to miss him so much as a dear friend.

Pallbearers wheel the casket of former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman into Congregation Agudath Sholom prior to his funeral service in Stamford March 29, 2024. Born in Stamford, the longtime senator from Connecticut died Wednesday at the age of 82. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

Pallbearers could be seen wheeling in the casket of former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman into Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford before 9 a.m. Friday.

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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 attend Fridays services, according to his office. Others who have said they also plan to attend 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 spokesperson 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. Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, who lives in Westchester County, were in New York on Thursday for a fundraiser. Its unknown whether any of the former presidents will attend Fridays services.

Joe Lieberman is pictured as a senior in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo
On March 16, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at a media conclave reaffirming India's commitment to becoming a semiconductor power within the next five years. The government launched the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in 2021, allocating 76,000 crore for semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and design units. The ISM is a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering India's semiconductor ecosystem and establishing the country as a global electronics manufacturing and design hub. While the ISM enjoys a specialised and independent business status, it is under the overall purview of the Digital India Corporation. Semiconductor

Semiconductors are critical components in cutting-edge technologies such as electric vehicles, factory automation, Artificial Intelligence, and the IT sector. They power a vast array of electronic devices, from smartphones and laptops to household appliances. Due to the ongoing United States (US)-China semiconductor competition and the Covid-19 pandemic-induced disruptions, leading economies worldwide are developing their capabilities in this sector. The pandemic highlighted the importance of semiconductor components in numerous businesses as also the fact that most of the chip manufacturing is concentrated in countries such as Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the US and China. Therefore, it is natural for India, now the third biggest economy in the world, to establish itself as a semiconductor power.

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International collaboration emerges as a crucial factor for India's advancement in this sector. Malaysia and Singapore, with their well-established electronics manufacturing sectors, stand out as India's potential key partners. In his address to the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur on March 27 during his visit to the country, external affairs minister S Jaishankar underscored the importance of stronger India-Malaysia semiconductor cooperation -- a point reiterated during his visit a few days ago in Singapore as well.

Collaboration in the semiconductor sector can not only elevate ties to the next level but also consolidate their positions in the highly competitive and vital semiconductor business. A systematic and long-term partnership between India and its Southeast Asian partners, Malaysia and Singapore, and East Asian partners, such as Taiwan, has the potential to make a qualitative addition to India's Act East policy.

India and Singapore have established joint ventures and investment initiatives to develop semiconductor manufacturing prowess. Singapore's competence in precise engineering and supply chain management, coupled with India's skilled workforce and market size, can constitute a mutually beneficial partnership to accelerate the development of semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

Large global corporations such as Intel, Infineon, and Micron have invested and developed assembly and testing facilities in Penang, Malaysia's key semiconductor manufacturing hub, to streamline the entire production process. This reinforces Malaysia's position as a vital player in the development and supply of semiconductor products to the global market, as well as its place in the semiconductor supply chain.

Malaysia can play a critical role in strengthening the supply networks required for India's semiconductor manufacturing goals. Malaysia's extensive electronics manufacturing ecosystem can help secure the supply of critical materials and components needed for semiconductor fabrication. This includes raw ingredients, specialised chemicals, and numerous components that are essential to the chip manufacturing process. Strengthening these supply chains can help to minimise risks and costs, and improve the efficiency and reliability of semiconductor manufacturing.

Research and Development (R&D) is another area where these countries could greatly benefit from Singapore's high-tech ecosystem, Malaysia's experience in electronics manufacturing, research institutes and innovation centres from both countries can work with Indian institutions and technology businesses to conduct contemporary semiconductor research.

Building capacities via talent exchange initiatives play an essential role in the semiconductor sector, which demands highly specialised skills. Joint training programmes, internships, and workshops on semiconductor design, production, and testing can be implemented, using Malaysia-Singapore's strong technical education system and India's large pool of engineering talent.

Bilaterally, India can work with both Malaysia and Singapore in outlining an optimal policy that promotes the growth and sustainability of the semiconductor industry. This could entail working together on trade rules, tariffs, and regulatory standards to ensure smooth cross-border flows of semiconductor products and technologies. These collaborations can also open up new markets and expand their global reach. By combining forces, all three countries can better position themselves to meet the growing global demand for semiconductors, which is spurred by advancements in technology and the increasing digitalisation of economies worldwide.

In essence, India-Malaysia-Singapore cooperation in the semiconductor sector presents a transformative opportunity to redefine global technological leadership. India can work both as a huge market and a source of human resource supply in building capacities in the semiconductor sector. By pooling resources, skills, and geographical advantages, these countries can enhance economic resilience and contribute significantly to a more robust global semiconductor ecosystem. This partnership underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex global challenges and fostering innovation on a global scale.

This article is authored by Rahul Mishra, senior research fellow, German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance, Thammasat University, Thailand, and associate professor, Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Silchar: A total of 52 Indonesian birds and animals, including black lory, red-and-blue lory, Babirusa swine and hornbills, were rescued from Assams Hailakandi district near the Mizoram border on Friday, police said. Indonesian Hornbills (HT Photo)

Hailakandi additional superintendent of police (ASP) Shamirdapar Baruah said the rescue operation was conducted on Friday morning, and they also arrested two suspected smugglers who revealed during an interrogation that they were taking these exotic creatures to West Bengal for selling.

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Police have identified the arrested accused as Moinuddin Ali and Samsul Haque. Both are residents of Assams Hojai area.

Based on specific information, we launched an operation in the Bilaipur area and successfully rescued the creatures. Most of these species are of Indonesian origin, but we are waiting for the experts to confirm, Baruah said.

According to the forest officials, 42 of the rescued exotic creatures are red-and-blue lory, six black lory, two hornbills and one Babirusa (Indonesian swine).

Since most of these are natives of Indonesia, we suspect that the consignment came (from Indonesia) through Myanmar and entered India from Mizoram. We are keeping the rescued species at a safe place and they will be sent to Assam Zoo in Guwahati, said Hailakandi divisional forest officer (DFO) Akhil Dutta.

Dutta told HT that they would be filing a first information report (FIR) against the two arrested accused. He added they suspect an international rackets involvement in this operation and said that a joint investigation will be launched by the forest department and the police.

We have registered a suo moto case against them, and after receiving FIR from the forest department, we may include some more sections, Baruah said.

The experts from the forest department said that exotic birds like the black lory and red-and-blue lory are sold at high prices in some parts of India and Middle Eastern countries. Hornbills are also sold at high prices in the international markets.

Some sections of the society love keeping these creatures at their houses, which gives them some kind of status in the society. They spend a lot of money on it, which attracts the smugglers to cage the creatures and transport them to illegal markets, the experts said.

The forest officials said that in the last few years, many caged exotic animals and birds have been rescued from Assam and Mizoram. Experts say that the caged creatures die during the process of smuggling sometimes.

In most cases, the cages were found in passenger vehicles or goods-carrying trucks. Sometimes, the smugglers kill them while trying to hide them from the police or forest officials, they said.
Jammu, Ten people, including eight from Bihar, were killed after an SUV skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and fell into a gorge in Ramban district on Friday, officials said. HT Image

The vehicle, a Tavera, was on its way to Jammu from Srinagar and it fell into a 300-foot gorge at the Battery Cheshma area of the district around 1.15 am, they said.

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The bodies of nine passengers and the car's driver have been retrieved, they said.

The driver of the vehicle was Balwan Singh of Amb Ghrotha in Jammu while one of the passengers Sandeep was from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh. The remaining eight occupants hailed from Bihar's West Champaran, officials said.

They were identified as Raju Kumar, Avadhesh Bin, Belas Bin, Indrajit Bin, Bipin Mukhiya, Raj Kumar Bin, Hari Bin, and Rajan Mukhiya.

The operation to retrieve the bodies was carried out by police and State Disaster Response Force personnel amid heavy rains in the area and ended at around 1.30 pm, they said.

Senior officials, including Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, Ramban Senior Superintendent of Police Anuj Kumar and Deputy Inspector General of Police in Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Shridhar Patil visited the site.

According to officials, an FIR under relevant sections has been registered and a probe has been launched in the case.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief about the accident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

The Prime Minister's Office said an ex-gratia of 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased.

President Droupadi Murmu mourned the loss of lives in the road accident and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families.

"The news of people getting killed after a vehicle fell into a gorge in the Ramban area on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is very sad. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families," Murmu said in a post in Hindi on X.

Union Minister and Udhampur MP Jitendra Singh in a post on X said, "My sincere condolences to the bereaved families".

"Spoke to Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq after learning about the tragic road accident in which a passenger taxi rolled down a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Battery Chashma leading to loss of 10 lives," Singh said.

In his condolence message, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, "I am deeply shocked to learn of the unfortunate road accident in Ramban today, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families."

Political parties in Kashmir too expressed grief over the accident with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah urging the administration to reach out to the affected families with adequate relief and compensation.

Party's vice president Omar Abdullah said the promised four-lane highway must be completed at the earliest so that the people can undertake their journeys with the assurance of greater safety.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone and CPI leader M Y Tarigami too expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
After speculations over Raghav Chadha's absence in New Delhi at a time when chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal is in ED custody, the BJP on Friday claimed Swati Maliwal too has fled to the US "abandoning the sinking ship'. The AAP Rajya Sabha MP and the former chief of the Delhi Women Commission said she will be coming soon after her sister's treatment is over. Swati Maliwal said she had been working with Kejriwal for a long time and will continue doing so till her last breath. "The ship you called sinking is rising further because of your atrocities. As I troubled you for nine years in the women's commission, be ready for the next six years as well," Swati Maliwal replied to BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya's X post questioning the absence of Swati Maliwal. Raghav Chadha is in the UK and Swati Maliwal in the US leaving Kejriwal's 'sinking ship', the BJP alleged. (Rahul Singh)

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"MP Raghav Chadha is in London, apparently for an eye surgery (what happened to Delhis Mohalla Clinics and Health Model?), but has been in news for meeting people inimical to Indias interest. What is interesting is that Pariniti Chopra, who was also in London, has returned, but Chadha hasnt. One would have thought she would have wanted to be around, at a time when he was being operated. But looks like she has other important things on mind. Or is the surgery just an excuse to stay away? Now it is learnt that Swati Maliwal is also in the US. Everyone is abandoning the sinking ship?" Amit Malviya posted along with a video of Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra arriving in London alone -- not with her husband Raghav.

Raghav Chadha has been in the UK since March 8 and it was stated that he was there for an eye operation. Parineeti Chopra was also with him in London but the actor returned to India on Thursday as the trailer of her upcoming movie Amar Singh Chamkila was released.

"After Arvind Kejriwals remand was extended, the support for him, within his own party seems to be dwindling. Except Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, who fancy themselves as Chief Minister of Delhi, if Kejriwal continues to be in jail, none of his other acolytes seem to be here, when he needs them the most," Malviya wrote.

Raghav Chadha's absence set the tongues wagging as the BJP questioned the whereabouts of Kejriwal's 'blue-eyed boy' during AAP's crisis. The BJP also questioned why Raghav Chadha needed to fly to London for an operation while Kejriwal boasted of the best medical infrastructure in the Capital.
After the Congress, now the Communist Party of India has come on the radar of the income tax department as the party has been served a notice asking it to pay dues of 11 crore. This due rose as the party used old PAN card while filing tax returns in the last few years, news agency PTI reported. Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale said he also received 11 income tax notices in the last 72 hours. The developments came as the Congress was amid an income tax trouble. Income tax department turns the heat on CPI after the Congress.

Congress asked to pay  1,823.03 crore

The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of indulging in tax terrorism and said it received fresh notices from the income tax department asking it to pay 1,823.08 crore. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said the BJP violated income tax laws and the department should raise a demand of 4,617.56 crore from the BJP for the violations but it did nothing of that sort.

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Earlier, the Delhi high court dismissed a plea by the Congress challenging the income tax probe.

The tax action against Congress started in February when the main bank accounts were allegedly frozen by the income tax department. "IT has now given a notice of a total of 1823 Cr to the Congress party. They have already withdrawn 135 Cr from Congress party's accounts, which is a fund collected by us through crowdsourcing...Congress was fined 135 Cr for 14 lakh deposits and its account was frozen. But in the last 7 years, this penalty to BJP, amounts to a whopping 4,600 Cr!" Congress president Mallikajun Kharge posted on X.

When ED does not work out, use IT dept: Saket Gokhale

Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale said he got a total of 11 income tax department notices in the last 72 hours for various years and some as old as seven years. "It's hilarious how the Modi govt isn't even pretending that they'll let the elections be free and fair. Every attempt being made to pressurise the Opposition on the eve of Lok Sabha 2024. When ED doesn't work out, use IT dept. Why so desperate, BJP? Is Modi that rattled?" Saket wrote on X
As Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal remains in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, a fresh PIL against him threatened his chief minister post once again. The Hindu Sena on Friday filed a petition against Kejriwal in the Delhi High Court, seeking his removal from the Delhi CM post. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal leaving Rouse Avenue Court (Photo by Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

The petition filed by the Hindu Sena demanded that the court should order Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to remove CM Arvind Kejriwal from his post. The plea further states that the central government should run Delhi via LG rule.

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On Thursday, the Delhi High Court dismissed a PIL that was seeking direction for the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister of NCT Delhi. The court, while dismissing the said PIL, stated that there was no scope for judicial interference in the matter.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal and AAP ministers remain adamant that the chief minister will continue to run the Delhi government while in custody, even passing a public welfare order this week.

The fresh PIL, moved by Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta, stated that the Constitution did not visualise a situation where, in the event of arrest, the Chief Minister could run his government either from judicial custody or from police custody.

Therefore, the makers of the Indian Constitution have carefully made provisions in Article 163 & 164 to the effect of the Council or Minister with the Chief Minister as the head to aid and advise the Governor to exercise or his function except discretionary functions or the Governor under the Constitution, the plea said.

The plea argued that since Kejriwal's arrest on March 21, the functioning of the government of the NCT of Delhi has not been carried out in accordance with the scheme of the Constitution.

Sunita will be new Delhi CM, speculates BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) speculated multiple times that after Arvind Kejriwal's remand got extended, his wife Sunita Kejriwal would take charge as the new chief minister of the national capital.

Comparing Sunita Kejriwal to former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said she is perhaps preparing to hold the post of her husband.

The madam you are naming is perhaps preparing to hold the post like Rabri Devi did in Bihar, Puri told reporters on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Sunita Kejriwal launched a WhatsApp campaign, urging people to support her husband.

(With inputs from PTI)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has closed a corruption case involving Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel, almost eight months after he joined the rival BJP-led National Democratic Alliance following a vertical split in the party. NCP candidate Praful Patel on the last day of filing the nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, outside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Mumbai, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.(PTI)

The CBI filed the closure report in its probe into the alleged irregularities in the leasing of aircraft by National Aviation Corporation of India Ltd. (NACIL)  formed after the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines  as there was no evidence of any wrongdoing, reported PTI quoting officials.

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The case involves alleged irregularities in the leasing of aircraft by the National Aviation Corporation of India Ltd. (NACIL), which was formed after the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines during the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) era. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was tasked with investigating these allegations, following orders from the Supreme Court in 2017.

The CBI registered a case after a public interest litigation alleged that public servants made leases of 15 expensive aircraft for which they did not even have pilots ready.

The FIR alleged that the decision to lease a large number of aircraft was made despite Air India experiencing low passenger loads and significant losses. It accused individuals involved of acting dishonestly and in conspiracy with unknown parties, resulting in financial gains for private companies and losses to the government exchequer.

"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 840 crores during the period of 2007-09," the FIR had alleged.

The special judge, Prashant Kumar, recently issued a notice to the investigating officer and fixed the matter for April 15, 2024. The court will decide whether to accept the closure report or direct the agency to probe further on the points the court may raise.

(With inputs from agencies)
Raipur : The Chhattisgrah police on Friday dismissed allegations that six Maoists were killed in a fake encounter in Bastar, saying its old tacitics after the group issued a statement claiming that their cadres were rounded up and shot dead earlier this week. The CPI (Maoists) have called for a strike in Bijapur and Sukma on April 3 in protest against the alleged fake encounter. (Representartive file photo.)

The CPI (Maoists) have called for a strike in Bijapur and Sukma on April 3 in protest against the alleged fake encounter.

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Six suspected Maoists were killed after an encounter between the militants and joint teams of the state police and paramilitary forces in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur district on Wednesday, three days after the left-wing rebels killed three civilians on the suspicion that they were informers.

Also Read: In Maoist-hit Bastar, an upsurge in aggression from both sides

Inspector General of Police, Bastar range, Sunderaj P denied the allegations and termed it as old tactics of the Maoists.

It is the typical modus operandi of Maoists to level allegations against the security forces to puncture the credibility of security forces. Maoists conveniently forget that they are responsible for brutal killings of hundreds and hundreds of innocent civilians. Just to distract the attention from their inhumane behaviour they issue these kinds of statements. All concerned understand the reality that the Maoists are facing their extinction, said Sunderaj said.

The Maoists have claimed that there was no crossfire between the Maoist cadres and the police.

Also Read: Six Maoists killed in Bijapur gunfight with security forces

On March 27, 2024, in the village of Chipurmati, Bijapur district, our two party activists along with six villagers were subjected to a heinous massacre which was claimed as an encounter. We demand justice for the innocent villagers who were mercilessly killed We demand the unconditional release of the innocent villagers who were detained, a statement issued by by the South Bastar Divisional Committee of CPI ( Maoist) said.

The Maoists claimed that there were no armed groups present during the encounter, and there was no crossfire and the claim of seizing a large quantity of weapons, explosives, and daily use items was untrue.

Our party activists, Gangi Para and Punem Nagesh along with another member, were attending meetings in the area to address community issues. Acting on information provided by police informants, they were ambushed and apprehended while they were asleep around 4 am on the day of the encounter and later killed, the statement claimed adding that the others killed were villagers.

Meanwhile, a photograph purportedly taken on the same date, which shows a person with hands tied up and surrounded by security forces, is being widely circulated. The purported photograph resembles the face of one suspected Maoists killed in the encounter.

Reacting over the photograph , the IG said,  I will gather information regarding authenticity and facts about it from the concerned units.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of running a racket in the name of investigating the Capitals now-scrapped excise policy with the sole intention of crushing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and implicating him, prompting a vehement denial from the federal agency that secured an extension of the politicians custody till April 1. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal leaves Rouse Avenue Court, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday. (Hindustan Times)

The verbal exchange occurred during the remand hearing of Kejriwal, whose six-day ED custody ended on Thursday. After being produced before special judge Kaveri Baweja a little after 2pm at the Rouse Avenue courts, the CM attempted to link a racket in the excise policy probe to money received by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through electoral bonds from some businessmen linked to the investigation. The agency rejected the accusation, saying that there was proof that the party received a bribe that was used in the 2022 Goa elections.

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ED is trying to finish off AAP and create a smokescreen to crush the party, Kejriwal said in Hindi in court. He did not oppose the application for further custody. We are agreeable to as many days as ED would want to keep us on remand.

Also read: No legal bar: HC rejects plea for Kejriwals removal as Delhi CM

The special judge agreed to extend the remand period by another four days, directing Kejriwal to be produced next on April 1. To be sure, Kejriwal has already approached the Delhi high court, challenging his arrest and remand order. The high court on Wednesday refused to grant him interim relief but agreed to hear his plea on April 3.

Kejriwal spoke about each of the four people whose statements before the agencies mentioned him  former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodias secretary C Arvind, YSR Congress leader Magunta Srinivas Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, and businessman Sarath Chandra Reddy  and were part of the case against him.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by ED, hours after the Delhi high court denied his request for interim protection from arrest  a stunning turn of events that left the Capitals politics in turmoil and pushed to new heights the ongoing conflict between the Union government and the AAP. The party has insisted that Kejriwal will continue as CM and he has issued two orders from jail, sparking condemnation from the BJP.

After Kejriwal was produced in court on Thursday, his lawyer Ramesh Gupta said the CM wanted to address the court in person. The AAP chief spoke for 10 minutes, addressing allegations against him and pointing the finger at the BJP and ED.

I have evidence that there is a racket operating. Sarath Chandra Reddy gave over 55 crore donation to the BJP. Money trail is established. He donated this money to BJP after being arrested (in the excise scam case), he said.

Hyderabad-based businessman P Sarath Chandra Reddy, director of Aurobindo Pharma, was arrested in this case in November 2022. After the electoral bond data was revealed two weeks ago, it showed that Aurobindo Pharma donated 50 crore to the BJP in November 2023 through affiliates. In 2022, the company had purchased bonds worth 4.5 crore that were encashed by the BJP.

To be sure, his party had raised allegations about Reddy and the money donated through electoral bonds days after the data was first released.

ED, represented by additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju and assisted by special public prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta, rejected the charges. There is no different standard to arrest a chief minister. He does not get exonerated if he is the CM. The right to arrest him is no different from that of an ordinary person.

Kejriwal  whose comments came a day after his wife Sunita Kejriwal said that the CM would make a big expose  said the CBI had filed 31,000 pages in the court and examined 294 witnesses. 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 .

Kejriwal said C Arvind, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodias secretary, gave a statement. According to it, C Arvind handed over some excise policy-related documents to Sisodia in his (Kejriwals) presence, in the CMs residence. He has only stated that C Arvind gave some documents to Sisodia. Madam, several MLAs, ministers and dignitaries come with their secretaries to my house. They talk on the side 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 CM? Kejriwal said.

Giving details of the second statement, Kejriwal said Magunta Srinivas Reddy is an MP from YSR Congress. Magunta Srinivas Reddy came to my office at 4.30pm 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 land does not come under us, it comes under the lieutenant Governor (LG), Kejriwal said.

The Delhi chief minister asked Magunta Srinivas Reddy to give him the letter which he will forward to the lieutenant governor.

He said on September 16, 2022, Reddys house was raided and ED asked him whether he had met Kejriwal. When Reddy replied in the affirmative, saying his meeting was about seeking land for his familys trust, Kejriwal alleged ED was not happy and arrested his son in February 2023.

When the son remains arrested for five months, the father changes his statement. He changed his statement on July 16, 2023, and his son was released on July 18. Mission accomplished. That means the only mission of ED was to get me trapped, Kejriwal said.

The CM further said Reddy gave three statements to the agency but only one was considered. Why the only statement that is against Kejriwal was 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.

About the statement of the third person, Raghav Magunta, Kejriwal said out of his seven statements, six were not against him (Kejriwal). But as soon as he gave the seventh statement against him, Magunta was released from jail. The six statements which are not against me have not been brought on record, the CM said.

He said Sarath Chandra Reddy, the fourth person to make a statement, stated nothing against the CM in his two statements before his arrest and nine statements after his arrest. 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.

Kejriwal asked the judge whether these four statements were enough to arrest a sitting CM.

Without mentioning the BJP or the Centre, he alleged that the probe wanted to make the AAP an accused in the excise policy case and easily operate electoral bond scam behind all of this. They were extorting huge funds in the name of electoral bonds, he added.

Raju countered Kejriwal and his counsel. Persons who have later named him have disclosed reasons to do so. It is in the papers. All these submissions have been made before the Delhi high court. The ASG further said the claims about papers factoring him being with the agency was a figment of his imagination.

He is the person in-charge of affairs of the AAP which has received the bribe amounts used in the Goa elections. We have witnesses to say the money came through hawala from the South Group. There is a chain. He has selectively not talked about that chain, the ASG said.

The CM repeatedly asked about the money trail. This 100 crore money that they (ED) claim is not there anywhere. The scam started after ED took up the investigation.

ED has alleged that Kejriwal was part of a conspiracy in which 100 crore bribe was paid to the AAP by the so-called South group who benefitted from changes made in the 2021-22 policy.

Also read: Delhi L-G's fresh allegation against Arvind Kejriwal in sexual harassment case: File of accused held up

But ED justified the charges against Kejriwal. He is the person in charge of the affairs of the AAP. The party has received the bribe which was used in Goa...We have witnesses to say 100 crore was given through hawala from South Group for Goa election. There is a chain. He (Kejriwal) has selectively not talked about the (money) chain. Raju pointed out that Kejriwal needed to be confronted with individuals summoned from Goa to prove the chain. The agency also said that Kejriwal was giving evasive replies and not sharing income tax returns.

On the allegation of donations made to BJP, Raju categorically denied it had any links with the current investigation. We are not concerned with anyone paying any money to any person. That has nothing to do with the liquor scam...BJP or anyone else did not have the right to make this policy.

The ASG told the court that people who later named Kejriwal had disclosed reasons to do so. He wants to play to the gallery. How does he know what documents are in ED custody. Everything he says is a figment of imagination...In any case, as of now, we are only concerned about extension of remand.

Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested in connection with the irregularities in the Delhi excise case. The case was taken up by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after Delhi LG V K Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in the policy in July 2022. Former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh are already in jail in connection with the same case.
The Congress party on Friday announced to hold a nationwide protest on Saturday and Sunday at the party's state and district headquarters against the income-tax notices, the latest being of around 1,700 crore, which was sent earlier today. Congress Party leaders Ajay Maken Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera addressing a press conference at AICC in New Delhi(Hindustan Times)

The party further said that massive protests would be held in all constituencies, led by the Lok Sabha candidates, while mashal juloos would be conducted in all districts by the district Congress committees.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Read here: After Congress, CPI, Trinamool's Saket Gokhale receive income tax notice. Details

In a letter addressed by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, the party said that the ruling BJP is thwarting the Indian democracy by illegally freezing the bank accounts of the grand old party amidst the general elections.

"As you are well aware, the systematic process to thwart Indian Democracy by the BJP proceeds at an alarming rate. An illegal attempt to freeze the bank accounts of the principal national opposition party - the Indian National Congress - last month in February has gone on for over a month on the eve of the national general election. Yesterday, we received fresh notices from the IT department to pay 1823.08 crores. Already the IT department has forcibly taken away 135 crores from our Bank account," the letter read.

It further claimed that such moves ahead of the Lok Sabha elections are nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy.

"Now in a patently illegal and undemocratic action, the Income Tax Department - has launched its next premeditated, diabolical campaign against the INC. Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax Demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy," it added.

Congress urged the the states' party Committees (PCCs) along with senior leaders and functionaries to hold protest across the country against the "imposition of tax terrorism".

Read here: Congress gets 1,700 crore I-T notice in fresh setback ahead of Lok Sabha elections

"In light of this egregious attack on democracy and the imposition of tax terrorism on our party amidst the crucial Lok Sabha Elections, All Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) are requested to hold massive public demonstrations at the State and District headquarters in their respective states tomorrow and the following day, involving senior leaders and party functionaries. Massive protest demonstrations shall be held in all constituencies, led by our party candidates. Protest demonstrations, including Mashal Juloos, shall be conducted in all districts by the District Congress Committees," it said.

The Congress' move came hours after the tax authorities served it a notice of around 1,700 crore, after the Delhi high court dismissed the party's petition challenging the reassessment proceedings for four years. The income tax department served the notice of 1,700 crore including penalty and interest for the assessment years 2017-18 and 2020-21.

Congress' treasurer Ajay Maken reacted to the notice and claimed that while the BJP has committed significant violations, the Congress party has been unfairly targeted by the income tax authorities.

He alleged that the BJP is in serious violation of income tax laws and called on the tax authorities to raise a demand of more than 4,600 crore from the ruling party at the Centre.

We have analysed all violations of the BJP using the same parameters they used to analyse our violations. BJP has a penalty of 4600 crore. The income tax department should raise demand from the BJP for the payment of this amount, Maken said.

Read here: I-T dept should demand 4,600 crore from BJP: Congress's big charge after fresh tax notices

Maken further claimed that the "BJP-ruled I-T department" has so far forcibly taken out 135 crore from the Congress's bank accounts due to an alleged 14 lakh non-compliance demand against the party.

On March 13, the court rejected the Congresss plea appealing an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal which had rejected its plea seeking a stay on a demand notice for around 105 crore issued by the tax department.

(With inputs from agencies)
Joe Lieberman is pictured as a senior in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo United States Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) announces his candidacy for President of the United States in the 2004 election from Stamford High School 13 January 2003 in Stamford, Connecticut. Lieberman attended the high school and graduated in 1960. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images Joe Lieberman is pictured as a senior in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo Joe Lieberman is pictured as a senior in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo Joe Lieberman's accomplishments are noted beside his senior photo in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo Joe Lieberman, bottom middle, is pictured with members of the Pilot Wheel in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo Joe Lieberman, standing far left, is pictured with members of the Jazz Club in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) visits with Stamford ( Conn. ) High Civics students at his alma mater, Stamford High School, to discuss public service and foreign policy on Monday June 13, 2011. Dru Nadler/Stamford Advocate Sen. Joe Lieberman, seated in a booth at the Stamford Diner with general manager Rosemary Licari, talks to the press in 2003. Kerry Sherck/Stamford Advocate Senator Joseph Lieberman, right, shakes hands with Curt Welling, President and CEO of AmeriCares, after Lieberman presented the organization with a "Joe's Hero" award on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, in Stamford. Lindsay Niegelberg/Stamford Advocate

STAMFORD  In 1960, he was named most popular, an ideal student and most likely to succeed.

He was also described in Stamford High Schools yearbook as Mr. Personality, someone who always had a kind word for everyone and the senior class president with a successful future assured.

That graduating senior was Joseph I. Lieberman, a Stamford native whose father owned a liquor store on Hamilton Avenue. Lieberman was the first in his family to go to college, earning degrees from Yale College and Yale Law School before serving as a state senator from New Haven, Connecticuts attorney general and a U.S. senator.

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Joe Lieberman is pictured as a senior in the 1960 Stamford High School Yearbook. Lieberman, who served as a U.S. senator from 1989 to 2013, died on March 27, 2024. Contributed Photo

His political career took him to Hartford and Washington, D.C., but Lieberman, a son of Stamford who died Wednesday at the age of 82, never ever forgot where he came from, said former mayor and former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. He was a frequent visitor and participant in the community.

Malloy recalled when there was at a massive event at the Italian Center of Stamford to celebrate then-presidential candidate Al Gore picking Lieberman to be his running mate in 2000. Soon after, Malloy spoke at the Democratic National Convention, where Lieberman was officially nominated.

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In this June 15, 1998 photo, Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, left, stands with U.S. Sens. Joseph Lieberman, left, and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., during a news conference about a redevelopment project for Stamford, Conn. Malloy, the Democrat candidate for Connecticut governor on Nov. 2, 2010, said the problems he faced as mayor, when the city was changing from a declining mill town to a financial center, are similar to the ones facing the state now, and he will apply his lessons learned if elected governor. ST

It was a wonderful, uplifting experience for Stamford to have a major-party candidate for vice president. Malloy said.

In 2003, Lieberman chose to announce a campaign for president at Stamford High School. He said it was a place where so many of my dreams were formed, according to a Stamford Advocate article from the time.

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman announces his candidacy for president of the United States as former and current Stamford High School students, including Bob Kennedy (second from right) look on at the school in January 2003. Hearst Connecticut Media

Lieberman was also closely connected to and a great supporter of the local Jewish community, said Leah Shemtov, the co-director of Chabad of Stamford.

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Members of his family were pillars in the community, she said. A mikvah at Congregation Agudath Sholom was named in memory of his mother, Marcia Lieberman, and grandmother, Minnie Manger, in 2011.

Had Gore and Lieberman won in 2000, Lieberman would have become the first Jewish vice president in U.S. history.

I could really see that he stood up for morality, for goodness, Shemtov said. He wasnt shy to speak out when something needed to be said, when the right thing needed to be said. And he wasnt a politician who got caught up in politics.

Sen. Joe Lieberman laughs with members of the Chabad Lubavitch Center of Greater Stamford and local rabbis prior to a dedication ceremony in Stamford, Conn. on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. Michael Cummo/Hearst Connecticut Media

His connection and love of Judaism guided many of his views, Shemtov said. She also noted that he was a strict observer of Shabbat or the Sabbath.

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He didnt allow that to get in the way of him being a senator but he didn't compromise on it at all, Shemtov said.

Josh Fedeli, a former chair of the Stamford Democratic City Committee, recalled interning in Liebermans office in Washington D.C. in 1994 and 1995, when he was a student at American University.

Lieberman was a highly respected member of the Senate who was serving with Democrat Chris Dodd at the time, Fedeli said. He remembered his former boss as an open-minded and intensely smart person who understood the law.

I always thought he would be an interesting choice as like a Supreme Court justice, Fedeli said. I thought maybe the arc of his politics would bend that way because he has the right sort of temperament and that principled approach to the work that he does.

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Josh Fedeli poses with Sen. Joe Lieberman in 1994 when he was an intern in Liebermans office in Washington D.C. Josh Fedeli / Contributed photo

Fedeli said he has a vivid memory of sitting down with Lieberman and the late Ellen Camhi, then the chair of the Stamford DCC, in Camhis living room in 2006 when Lieberman was running for reelection to the Senate.

Now-Gov. Ned Lamont ran against Lieberman in a Democratic primary that year. Fedeli, meanwhile, was working on Malloys first campaign for governor.

Ellen basically said, Joe, youre going to lose the primary because of your stance on the war, Fedeli recalled, referring to Liebermans support for the Iraq War. And he said, If thats the case, then thats what the voters want. But he would not change. He would not waver in his stance. And that was exactly who Joe Lieberman was and remained to be throughout his career.

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Lamont won the primary, but Lieberman won in the general election as the candidate for the Connecticut for Lieberman party.

Fedeli also remembered then-Sen. Barack Obama speaking in support of Lieberman at the Connecticut Democratic Partys Jefferson Jackson Bailey dinner in 2006. At the time, Lieberman was Obamas Senate mentor.

(Obama) said, The people of Connecticut are going to have the good sense to ... reelect (Lieberman) and keep him in the Senate, Fedeli said. And that was met with some mixed reactions from the Democratic crowd in the room.

Lieberman later supported Republican John McCain over Obama during the 2008 presidential race.

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In my estimation, he was a great man, and he was supremely principled, Fedeli said. He was a Democrat, and certainly his politics changed over time, but ... his principles were never bent in order to fit politics. And I think that, honestly, we could use people like Joe in the politics of today.

In a statement, Mayor Caroline Simmons said Lieberman was not only principled in his values, but he exhibited the very best of civility and bipartisanship in politics, always putting the American people first.
New Delhi, A court here while deprecating the manner of investigation in a narcotics seizure case sought an action taken report against a city police personnel, saying that the IO cannot be allowed to become a "crime promoter" by leaving the main culprit and "only catching small fish." HT Image

The personnel referred to was an Investigation Officer under the city police's Special Commissioner of Police .

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Special Judge Ekta Gauba Mann was hearing a case against accused Shabnam, Anita, and Chand Babu, registered by the crime branch under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The judge made the remarks while passing the order on framing charges against the three accused on Wednesday.

Noting the evidence before it, the court said that the IO, Assistant Sub-Inspector Naresh Kumar, did not provide any "justification" for arresting some of the accused while seeking the release of the main accused, Farman Ali, who was the alleged supplier of the contraband.

It said no investigation was carried out regarding the role of the alleged "head racketeer" Rahees.

"IO being the law protector should not be allowed to become a crime promoter as he is leaving the big fish i.e, the main culprit who is supplying the contraband but only catching the small fishes i.e, the delivery boys, who are delivering the contraband," the court said.

The judge ordered a copy of the order to be sent to the Delhi Special CP, Crime Branch, for information and necessary action against ASI Naresh Kumar, who, it said, had failed to give any justification for conduct.

"Action Taken Report be called through Special CP, Crime, Delhi against the said IO within one month from today," the order said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Late British writer and historian Patrick French in his book 'India: A Portrait' had described meeting gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday evening, in vivid details ahead of the 2009 general elections. A file photo of Mukhtar Ansari.(File)

The late historian introduced him as one of the most popular godfathers in Uttar Pradesh.

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His (Mukhtar Ansari) grandfather Dr. M A Ansari was an associate of Motilal Nehru who had served as president of the Indian National Congress in the 1920s. When Mukhtar Ansari was growing up in the 1970s, the region had been a communist stronghold and he was conscious of the depth of local animosity between different social groups, French Wrote. His brothers were politicians, and in the 1990s Mukhtar gained a reputation as a man who got things done. 

French wrote about his first meeting with Ansari at the Kanpur Railways when the latter was returning from his bail hearing. At the time, Ansari suggested French visit him at the district jail in Kanpur.

Marching along the main platform of Kanpur railway station came two columns of armed police, and in their midst a very tall man in a spotless white kurta pyjama. As the procession advanced, people had turned and bowed and been acknowledged with a grand wave. It was the don of dons, Mukhtar Ansari, returning late in the evening from his bail hearing, he wrote.

Further writing about his visit to the Kanpur district jail, French said that he was apprised of Ansari's obsession with National Geographic and Animal Planet on Discovery.

People gather at the residence of the jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur on March 28.(PTI)

During the meeting, Ansari told the British historian that he entered into politics as he was concerned about justice and the persecution of the oppressed.

The Dalits and bonded labourers in eastern UP are treated like scum. I took up arms against this way of living in Joga village back in 1985, although I come from a distinguished family background. I have won six consecutive elections as an independent MLA [state legislator], Ansari told the British author.

French writes that Mukhtar Ansari portrayed his life as a justified and even inevitable response to the social imbalance and caste feuding in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

That part of our state is poverty-stricken. Generation after generation has to live on subsistence farming. The minorities are subject to the injustice of the Congress party. As an elected representative, I give all the money I make directly to the community in Mau. I arrange marriages, organize education, health clinics and eye clinics, I give out blankets and sarisand not only at election time. If someone calls me a mafia don it makes no difference," he told the author.

"Can they name one person I have attacked who comes from a weaker section? I have always fought against the powerful, I have taken power from them. I will continue what I am doing until the end of my days, he quoted Ansari as saying.

During the meeting, Mukhtar Ansari also expressed his wish to hunt lions in South Africa and visit the United States.

When I get out, said Mukhtar, I want to travel. Ive been on the Haj and to Thailand, and I want to go to Mecca again, and to hunt lions in South Africawhere Ive heard its legal. Ill buy hunting accessories and see the black-maned lion in Namibia. My ambition is to visit the U.S.A., and see what progress America has made, and what we in UP can take from there to practise in our own part of the world.

Ansari's tryst with crime began as early as 1978, when he was just 15 years old. He had his first brush with the law when he was booked for criminal intimidation at Saidpur Police Station of Ghazipur.

Almost a decade later in 1986, by the time Mukhtar Ansari had become a well-known face in the contract mafia circle, another case of murder was lodged against him at Muhammad Police Station of Ghazipur.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase its might and capability to carry out high-octane operations during the upcoming Gagan Shakti-2024 exercise in a realistic environment from April 1-10, involving all air force bases and assets scattered across the country, officials aware of the matter said on Friday. The Rafale fighter jet of the Indian Air Force during a military exercise in February this year. (ANI Photo)

Gagan Shakti was last held in 2018 when the IAF clocked more than 11,000 sorties during the two-phase air manoeuvres that saw the concentration of the forces deployed assets move from the western sector to the eastern front in less than 48 hours.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

It sought to test the IAFs readiness for a two-front war with China and Pakistan. From deep strikes to air dominance, and maritime operations to air defence, the IAF practiced every manoeuvre in the book to prepare for a short and intense war.

The latest drills follow the Vayu Shakti-2024 exercise, conducted on February 17 at the Pokhran air-to-ground range near Jaisalmer, where the IAF deployed its frontline assets, including the Rafale fighter jets, Mirage-2000s, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), Jaguars, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Apache attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and surface-to-air missile systems.

This years Vayu Shakti was followed by the tri-services Bharat Shakti exercise, which was witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Pokhran on March 12. The integrated tri-services live fire and manoeuvre exercise displayed how the Indian military plans to leverage its indigenous capabilities for dominating the battlefield and crushing any threat to national security.

A Tejas aircraft crashed near Jaisalmer minutes after taking part in the tri-services exercise, the first incident for the Tejas LCA Mk-1.

Apart from the LCA Mk-1, the exercise featured several weapons and systems, including the light combat helicopter Prachand, armed advanced light helicopters, T-90 tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles, drone launched precision guided munitions, a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, air defence weapons, and artillery guns such as the Dhanush, Sharang and K9 Vajra.

Later this year, the IAF will host a mega exercise that is expected to bring together 12 global air forces, with a focus on improving interoperability, imbibing best practices from one another and boosting military cooperation among the participating countries.

Named Tarang Shakti, this will be the biggest multi-nation air exercise to be conducted on Indian soil. It will involve fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, mid-air refuellers, airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, and unmanned systems. While Tarang Shakti will be the biggest multilateral exercise to be conducted in India, the IAF has taken part in several such drills on foreign soil.
The authorities have barred gatherings in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and enhanced security around gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansaris residence and a hospital, where his post-mortem was expected to be conducted on Friday. Police deployment at the residence of Mukhtar Ansari in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur. (PTI)

Ansari, 60, a former assembly member from Mau, died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday evening after he was hospitalized for a second time in a week. Ansari died a week after his lawyers filed an application in a special court, alleging that he was being slowly poisoned in prison. His family reiterated the allegation on Friday.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Sibgatullah Ansari, Mukhtar Ansaris brother, accused the administration of delaying the postmortem and handing over his body to his family. News agency PTI cited unnamed officials and said Ansaris post-mortem will be done in Banda and that it will be videographed.

Security was stepped up with the deployment of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force along with local police in Mau, Ghazipur, and Banda districts, and an alert was sounded across the state as soon as the news of Ansaris death broke.

Ansari began his political career in 1997 when he won the Mau assembly seat for the first time on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. He retained the seat in 2002 and 2007 as an independent after his expulsion from BSP. Ansari floated Quami Ekta Dal in 2012 before rejoining the BSP five years later.

BSP chief Mayawati on Friday demanded an inquiry into Ansaris death, saying the truth of the case needs to come before the public. In a post on X, she said: The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansaris family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed.

Ansari faced 63 criminal cases, including 14 of murder. He was convicted and sentenced in eight cases since September 2022. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Krishnanand Rais murder was among the high-profile cases he faced.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in the current financial year ending March 31 is expected to surpass the 20 lakh crore mark with an annualised growth of approximately 12%, two officials aware of the development said, attributing the increase to heightened economic activity and ease of compliance driven by technology. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman attends the inauguration of the first-ever National Conference of Enforcement Chiefs of the State and the Central GST Formations, in New Delhi. (ANI)

Robust collections are also expected for GST cess in the 2023-24 period, with total revenue under the component likely to be around 1.45 lakh crore, the officials added. This increases the probability that it could be rolled back sooner than the March 31, 2026 deadline set initially.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The government extended the GST cess, which is levied on luxury items and so-called sin goods such as automobiles, liquor, cigarettes, aerated water and coal, up to March 31, 2026 to retire the 2.69 lakh crore debt taken to compensate states for their revenue shortfall during the pandemic years. Cess will cease to exist even before the deadline if the principal and interest amounts are paid early, one of the officials cited above said.

HT first reported the possibility of an early end to the GST cess on March 20. In the last financial year, the GST collection was a little over 18 lakh crore while the year before that, it was 14.83 lakh crore.

The data up to the last week show that GST collections in the month of March 2024 may significantly exceed 1.60 lakh crore, which will take gross revenues for the entire financial year past the 20 lakh crore mark, a second person said. A final number will, however, be known only after March 31, he said.

So far, the average monthly gross collections for 2023-24 is 1.67 lakh crore. We expect the same trend to reflect in March numbers. This is also enforced by the e-way bill numbers, he said. According to official data released on March 1, total gross GST collections in 2023-24 (till February 2024) was 18.40 lakh crore, a 11.7% annualised growth. Electronic waybills are a digital compliance mechanism under the GST regime to track movement of goods.

The GST collection data for March 2024 is expected on April 1 as government normally releases the numbers for a month on the first day of the next month. GST revenue figures of a particular month show actual business activities undertaken in the previous month.

GST revenues in February surpassed 1.68 lakh with 12.5% year-on-year increase, which was the fourth highest in 79 months since the new tax regime was rolled out on July 1, 2017. In January 2024, it crossed 1.74 lakh crore, the second highest ever. Experts said the revenue growth reflected the robust performance of the domestic economy as the GST number is a weathervane of the economic performance.

According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on February 29, the Indian economy saw an 8.4% growth the third quarter of 2023-24, driven by investment, increased manufacturing and services activities, and an upside in tax revenue. The economy is projected to expand by 7.6% in the current fiscal, faster than the 7.3% forecast made by the first advance estimates on January 5.

Deloitte India partner MS Mani said, The robust GST collections, which are expected to reach an all-time high figure of 20 lakh crores, would reaffirm the macroeconomic data on GDP growth numbers and key economic parameters being on the upswing in the current fiscal year.
MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Amol Kirtikar on April 8 in connection with its money laundering probe linked to the alleged irregularities in the distribution of khichdi during the Covid-19 pandemic, people familiar with the matter said. Amol Kirtikars father Gajanan Kirtikar, who is with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is the sitting Mumbai North-West MP. (X/AmolGKirtikar)

Kirtikar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Mumbai North-West seat, was earlier summoned by the agency to face questioning on March 27. But he skipped the hearing and sought an eight-week extension. The Mumbai North-West constituency votes on May 20.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Kirtikars father Gajanan Kirtikar, who is with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is the sitting Mumbai North-West MP. Shiv Sena (UBT) has already named Amol Kirtikar as its candidate for the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha constituency while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is expected to field actor Govinda from the seat.

The case revolves around alleged irregularities in the distribution of khichdi among migrant workers and the homeless by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kirtikar, who was questioned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police last September, has denied the allegations.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut drew a link between the partys decision to field Kirtikar and the ED summons. The moment his name was announced as a Lok Sabha election candidate, he got a summons from ED. This is only an attempt to scare, but we wont be scared, he said on Wednesday.

ED officials said Kirtikar was on the agencys scanner in connection with allegations related to his assistance in securing a contract for a vendor involved in the khichdi distribution and certain monetary transactions with the vendor.

The probe is part of a larger investigation into the BMCs approximately 4,000 crore expenditure on Covid-19 related contracts. The agency recently submitted its chargesheet against Suraj Chavan, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary, for his alleged role in the case. ED also provisionally attached Chavans immovable properties worth 88.51 lakh, including a Mumbai residential flat and an agricultural land parcel in Ratnagiri.

ED started its investigation after the Agripada police station in Mumbai registered a first information report and a preliminary enquiry conducted by the EOW, indicated that Suraj Chavan allegedly played a role in obtaining civic work orders in favour of khichdi vendor, Force One Multi Services, while circumventing the eligibility criteria laid down by the BMC.

According to ED, Chavan allegedly received 1.35 crore out of the generated proceeds of crime acquired by the vendor by supplying khichdi packets of lesser quantity.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Friday finalised the seat-sharing agreement in Bihar under which Rashtriya Janata Dal ( RJD) would contest 26 of the states 40 seats, Congress nine, and the Left parties the remaining ones. RJDs seats include Purnea, where the Congress was keen on fielding former Member of Parliament Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui announced the pact at a press conference in Patna. (ANI)

Yadav has maintained he would not leave Purnea. The RJD is set to field Bima Bharti from Purnea. Bharti, who defected to the RJD from Janata Dal (United ), earlier claimed she got the ticket.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Purnea would go to the polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 26 and April 4 is the last date of nomination. The polls are being held in seven phases in Bihar.

RJD leader Manoj Jha said the alliance is between political parties and not individuals when asked about Yadavs comments on his keenness to contest the Purnea seat on Congresss ticket.

RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui announced the pact at a press conference in the presence of the Congress state chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Congress and Left leaders did not speak at the press conference.

The pact was finalised after a series of meetings amid reports of disagreements between RJD and Congress. Congress leaders were believed to have been unhappy over RJDs move to unilaterally give party symbols to its candidates including for the Aurangabad seat.

Congress leader Nikhil Kumar, who was keen on contesting the Aurangabad seat, expressed his displeasure over the way RJD gave the symbol to Abhay Kushwaha even before a seat-sharing arrangement was finalised.

The allotment of the Begusarai seat to the Communist Party of India is also said to have not gone down well with the Congress.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday maintained there was no rift or tensions between RJD and Congress. The Congress-RJD alliance is the oldest alliance. We have been together in all situations and have contested elections together. There have never been any tensions between us. We have always understood each other, Yadav said in Delhi after meeting with Congress leader Mukul Wasnik.

Bihar sends the third most lawmakers to the 543-member Lok Sabha. The National Democratic Alliance swept the 2019 national polls in the state by winning 39 seats. The Congress managed to win the Kishanganj seat in the last national polls in Bihar. The RJD could not win a seat even as it contested 20. Congress was allotted nine seats in 2019.
The Opposition's INDIA bloc or Mahagathbandhan sealed the seat-sharing deal in Bihar for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The RJD, the Mahagathbandhan's largest constituent, will field its candidates from 26 seats, including Purnea and Hajipur. The Congress will contest on nine seats, including Kishanganj and Patna Sahib., while the Left will fight on five seats. Rahul Gandhi with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during the Bihar yatra.(X/Tejashwi Yadav )

Purnea and Katihar, two seats currently held by the Janata Dal (United), had emerged as the sticking point in seat-sharing talks between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

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As per the announcement, the Congress has been made to give up the Purnea Lok Sabha seat, which recent entrant Pappu Yadav, husband of Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan, was hoping to contest, claiming that he had received assurance of Congress ticket from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

The seat will be contested by RJD, which recently gave the party ticket to JD(U) turncoat Bima Bharti, but stopped short of announcing it formally.

The Mahagathbandhan's seat-sharing announcement comes a day after the filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls was over.

The RJD has fielded its candidates in all four seats going to polls in the first phase, in what has been resented by allies as a "unilateral move".

The Mahagathbandhan press conference in Patna was scheduled to be addressed by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who, however, remained conspicuous by his absence.

RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, who spoke at the press conference, said names of candidates would be announced soon in seats where the same has not been done already.

There are still some issues over the Katihar seat, which the Congress wants. Similarly, the RJD is keen on fighting the Purnea seat even as the Congress is insisting on it. Our party is ready to allot eight to nine seats to the Congress but we cannot give up our claim on Purnea, a senior RJD leader has earlier said, seeking anonymity.

The announcement comes days after Tejashwi Yadav dismissed claims of tensions between his party and the Congress and said an understanding over seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar had been reached and an announcement in this regard will be made in Patna soon.

Tejashwi attended an INDIA bloc meeting regarding Bihar's seat-sharing formula at Congress leader Mukul Wasnik's residence in Parna on Tuesday and later said the RJD, the Congress and the Left will fight the Lok Sabha elections together in Bihar.

He said the INDIA bloc partners have agreed orally on the seat-sharing arrangement and all the constituents are getting a respectable deal.

His remarks come amid reports of disquiet in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance in Bihar over seat sharing.

The Congress was said to be upset over unilateral announcements of candidates by the RJD on certain seats it was interested in contesting in Bihar.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the National Democratic Alliance, comprising the BJP, JD(U) and LJP won 39 seats.

The first phase of the elections is scheduled for April 19 and Thursday was the last day for filing nominations for the four seats from Bihar that go to the polls in this phase.

The RJD has already announced candidates for seven constituencies in Bihar.

Former governor and senior Congress leader Nikhil Kumar expressed his displeasure over the way RJD named Abhya Kushwaha from the Aurangabad parliamentary seat he was keen to contest . A seat-sharing arrangement is done by taking into confidence all allies in a coalition. But, issuing tickets before a deal is finalised is not correct, he told a TV channel.

The CPI and the CPI(ML) have said Begusarai and the Karakat seats have been allotted to them, but HT learnt that the Congress was not entirely happy over the move.
Ukraine is looking forward to Indias participation in a peace summit to be hosted by Switzerland this summer as its backing will help convince other countries, especially in the Global South, about the initiative, Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Thursday. Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba at Rajghat in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI Photo)

Kuleba, who is on a two-day visit to New Delhi at the invitation of his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said India could become the first non-Western power to support President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 10-point peace formula aimed at ending the conflict triggered by Russias invasion in February 2022.

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India can take the lead to become the first major non-Western power to openly support the summit on President Zelenskyys peace formula. The conversation with Russia can begin one day, and India can be well placed in this process, Kuleba told Hindustan Times during an interaction with a small group.

If India wants to lead, it has to move. Having Indias confirmation of support for the peace formula will mean having a big player on board. India is a voice that matters to others, especially in the Global South, and it will help to convince them, he said.

Kuleba added: India matters and we would like to have it on board. It will add legitimacy to the international efforts and bring other countries on board.

The peace summit, the dates for which are yet to be announced by Switzerland, is set to top the agenda of Kulebas meetings with his Indian interlocutors on Thursday. Besides a meeting with Jaishankar to co-chair the India-Ukraine inter-governmental commission, Kuleba will meet deputy national security adviser Vikram Misri.

Issues related to the bilateral partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest will also figure in these meetings, the external affairs ministry said.

India has refrained from publicly criticising Russias invasion of Ukraine, though it has consistently backed dialogue and diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict. New Delhi has also often raised the fallout of the conflict on prices of food, energy and fertilisers and how this has impacted countries in the Global South.

During separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy on March 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and that India backs all steps for the early and peaceful resolution of issues between the two sides.

Kuleba acknowledged the legacy of Indias long-standing relations with Russia and said New Delhi could pick one or two topics from Zelenskyys peace formula, possibly the return of children and the prisoners of war as well as energy security.

The peace formula has been envisaged in such a way that Ukraines rights are protected and countries can opt to back any of the 10 points of the formula that was first suggested by Zelenskyy at the G20 Summit in Bali in 2022.

This formula envisages, among other things, restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops, formal confirmation of the end of war, release of all prisoners, and radiation and nuclear safety, especially in the context of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Since last year, four meetings of security officials and political advisors of dozens of countries have been held on Zelenskyys peace formula, and India has sent middle-ranking diplomats or the deputy national security adviser to most of these meets. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was the most senior Indian official to participate in these meetings when he addressed a gathering hosted by Saudi Arabia last August.
NEW DELHI: Two Indian Navy warships were on Thursday sent to track a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel (FV) in the Arabian Sea, with the navy intercepting it on Friday, the navy said. The hijacked fishing vessel was around 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra, the Indian Navy said in a statement (X/indiannavy)

This is the latest in a series of anti-piracy operations the navy has undertaken during the last 100 days.

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Based on the inputs on a potential piracy incident on board Iranian Fishing Vessel Al Kambar 786 late evening on 28 Mar 24, two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel, the navy said in a statement.

The FV was around 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates, it said.

The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV and its crew.

The development came days after the navy apprehended 35 Somali pirates and ensured the safe evacuation of 17 crew members of the hijacked vessel Ruen after a 40-hour operation that involved the elite marine commandos being air-dropped from C-17 aircraft around 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) from the countrys shores.

The mission involved INS Kolkata, which intercepted the pirate ship, INS Subhadra, Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft and P8-I maritime patrol aircraft.

The 35 pirates were handed over to the Mumbai police on March 23.

Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and safety of seafarers, irrespective of the nationalities, the statement added.

The navy, which has more than 10 warships deployed in the region, has thwarted several piracy attempts in and around the Arabian Sea during the last 100 days and responded to distress calls made by merchant ships hit by missiles and drones launched by the Houthis.

On March 23, navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said not a single Indian-flagged vessel has been targeted in and around the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have mostly attacked ships linked to Israel and western nations after tensions escalated in the region following the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023, but the situation in the western Indian Ocean is volatile and the Indian Navy will remain deployed there till normalcy returns.

In the last 100-plus days, 21 Indian warships have been deployed for operations in the region, accounting for around 5,000 naval personnel being at sea, and 900 hours of flying by the maritime surveillance aircraft, according to Indian Navy data. The navy has carried out almost 1,000 boarding operations on the high seas. It is conducting maritime security operations in three areas --- in and around the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and off the Somali coast.
Cannabis cuttings are seen in the clone room at Affinity Grow, a Connecticut-owned and operated micro-cultivator at 47 Lower Main St. in Portland, Conn., Friday, March 1, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A retail space in the Seybridge Plaza on New Haven Road in Seymour Feb. 22, 2024, where renovations were underway for a cannabis dispensary. Ethan Fry / Hearst Connecticut Media Group The Italian Pavilion on Pershing Drive in Derby Feb. 22, 2024, where a cannabis retail dispensary will soon open, with the restaurant operating out of a smaller space. Ethan Fry / Hearst Connecticut Media Group

SHELTON  Residents may soon see recreational cannabis sales in the city after an effort to prohibit such establishments went up in smoke.

The Planning and Zoning Commission, at its meeting Wednesday, deadlocked, 3-3, on a motion to prohibit such establishments in Shelton. The deadlock means the motion failed, meaning applications could be filed starting April 1.

I dont see how the community will benefit more from this than with other retail operations, said commission Chair Virginia Harger, who joined fellow commissioners Charles Kelly and Ruth Parkins in voting to prohibit retail sales in the city.

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Commissioners Jimmy Tickey, Elaine Matto and Peter Laskos voted against the recreational sales ban.

While I respect all commissioners and their opinions, it would appear having an additional revenue source was more important and attractive than banning recreational cannabis sales, Harger added.

She noted that in June 2014, she and two other current commissioners  Tickey and Parkins  were part of the six commissioners who voted unanimously to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries and grow facilities.

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Why ban one type and not the other? The inconsistency is troubling, said Harger, who has been outspoken about her support for a ban throughout the city's moratorium on retail sales.

In response to the states decision to legalize marijuana, the commission established the moratorium in April 2022. That moratorium, which was extended nearly a year ago, ends March 31, meaning the commission had to act.

We dont need this, Mayor Mark Lauretti told Hearst Connecticut Media prior to Wednesdays public hearing and vote. We deal with manufacturing and job creation here. We do not need marijuana.

Prior to its vote, the commission held a public hearing, at which only four people spoke, three for allowing the operations in the city, one against. That was Alderman Eric McPherson, who also spoke for fellow aldermen Cris Balamaci and John Anglace.

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We dont need this, said McPherson. This does not benefit us.

McPherson added that many neighboring communities, including Stratford, have already approved such operations, so interested Shelton residents need not travel far to purchase recreational cannabis.

The Stratford Zoning Commission earlier this month approved plans from Budr Cannabis, which operates stores in West Hartford and Danbury, to open a hybrid retail facility to sell recreational and medical marijuana in Oronoque Plaza, located on the Shelton border.

Those who spoke emphasized that such an establishment would offer an economic benefit to the city. According to state law, 3 percent of each sale goes to the municipality, with a portion of that required to be used for drug addiction or education services.

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The residents need to know this could serve as a source of revenue for the city, said Steve Guralnick. This should be treated like any other business. We should not discriminate against any business.

Tickey said since the state legalized cannabis sales, it has become a strictly regulated industry.

By creating regulations allowing such establishments, the commission could even create stricter controls, such as regulating where such shops could be located in the city and hours of operation, he said.

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All commissioners felt that the revenue to the city would be minor, and it could even take more of a hit as the state has reported a drop in cannabis sales each of the past two months.
The Indian government did not send any official representative to Pakistan's National Day reception hosted at its mission in New Delhi on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich reportedly stood alone when the national anthems of both countries were played during the event. This is the first time since 2019 when Indian officials skipped the function in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pulwama and retaliatory strikes in Balakot. Pakistan High Commission hosted National Day reception in New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistans charge daffaires Saad Ahmad Warraich asserted that the goal of peace and stability hinges on "enhancing mutual understanding," "addressing shared concerns," and resolving long-standing disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

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Warraich claimed that Pakistan has made important strides in strengthening pluralism, deepening democracy, promoting a free media and nurturing a vibrant civil society.

The dynamic and enterprising youth of Pakistan are a repository of the nations enduring faith in a bright and prosperous future, the official X handle of the Pakistan High Commission in India quoted Warraich as saying.

Addressing the diplomatic community, Warraich said, The founding fathers of Pakistan in India envisioned an amicable relationship between the two countries. Unfortunately, the history of our bilateral relationship has remained challenged for the most part.

We can emerge from the shadows of the past and script a future of hope for our two peoples, based on peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality and mutual respect. The goal of peace and stability can be achieved by enhancing mutual understanding, addressing shared concerns, and resolving long standing disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

India has in the past firmly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir will always be an integral and inalienable part of the country.

Pakistan commemorated its National Day at its High Commission on Saturday. The day marks the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940 which provided a framework for the realisation of the goal of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia.
New Delhi: Indias Government e-Market or GeM portal is the worlds third largest e-commerce platform for public procurement after Koreas ON-line E-Procurement System (KONEPS) and Singapores GeBIZ with a total sales value crossing Rs.4 lakh crore in the current financial year ending on March 31, a senior official said. GeM CEO PK Singh shared insights of GMV growth achieved in the fiscal year 2023-24 (Twitter/@GeM_India)

GeM closes this financial year with over Rs.4 lakh crore gross merchandise value (GMV), almost a 100% jump from the GMV at the end of the previous fiscal year, exhibiting its unique ability to promote digital inclusion, GeM CEO PK Singh said. GMV represents the total value of goods or services sold within a specific period.

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Launched in August 2016, the total value of orders placed through GeM in 2018-19 was Rs.17,445 crore, which gradually went up to about Rs.1.07 lakh crore in 2021-22. In the previous financial year (FY23), the value of orders (or GMV) was a little over Rs.2.01 lakh crore.

While both public and private sector companies can sell their products and services through GeM, buyers can only be government entities, including gram panchayats.

Defence procurement is one of the major business activities in the platform. Assembly of BrahMos missile is being done through GeM as a service contract. In defence, right from supplying eggs up to the missile parts is being done through the portal, said Singh.

GeM provides a level playing field for domestic businesses, particularly smaller ones, physically distant from popular markets, to grow and thrive. Of the Rs.4 lakh crore GMV orders, nearly 50% have been awarded to marginalised seller segments such as artisans, weavers, craftsmen, micro and small enterprises, women-led units, farmer producer organisations and startups, he said.

The portal has collaborations with over 520,000 Common Services Centres (CSCs) and more than 150,000 India Post offices to link the remotest locations of the country for seamless procurement, Singh said.

Through supportive handholding at every step to help diverse sellers and service providers grow their business on GeM, the platform has given impetus to hyper-local economies across regions in India, resulting in job creation and greater incomes, Singh added.

According to Singh, services procurement through GeM is rapidly growing. Procurement of services from the portal was worth Rs.66,000 crore in 2022-23, which jumped to Rs.2.05 lakh crore in the current fiscal year. Goods procurement in FY24 (as of March 28) was valued at Rs.1.95 lakh crore, marginally lower than the services procurement.

GeM has been exceptionally successful in breaking down the cartel of established and renowned service providers, paving the way for small domestic entrepreneurs to participate in government tenders from anywhere at any time. The vast repository of services on GeM has enabled states to procure innovative solutions that cater to all their dynamic needs, Singh said.

He said the government wants to develop GeM as a unified procurement portal of the country by including contracts also. Currently, only goods and services are available on the platform. A dedicated page for election-related goods and services, such as catering and webcasting services is also available on the portal.

The portals network of over 150,000 government buyers and 2.1 million sellers has helped the e-marketplace to grow rapidly, Singh said. Through comprehensive onboarding of last-mile buyers and sellers GeM has fostered engagement at the grassroots level, by integrating 89,421 panchayats and over 760 cooperatives within its procurement ecosystem, GeM has facilitated sustainable procurement while ensuring optimisation in public spending at the very last level of administration, he added.

GeM provides a wide range of goods and services, including office stationery, passenger vehicles, computer furniture, hiring of helicopter services, logistics, waste management, and webcasting.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday took exception to people in the world trying to lecture India on its judicial mechanism, in the wake of the US and Germany commenting on the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar (PTI)

Jagdeep Dhankhar also said a narrative is being created on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act using official platforms.

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Speaking at the American Bar Association (ABA) India Conference 2024, Jagdeep Dhankhar said India has a robust judicial mechanism.

"There are people in the world who want to lecture us on our judicial behaviour," he said.

He also stressed that the CAA aimed to provide relief to those persecuted on religious grounds in neighbouring countries, emphasising that no one was being deprived of citizenship despite the contrary narrative.

How can an observation on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act be made in ignorance of ground reality? We are considering the humanitarian aspect, a reprieve to those who have been persecuted on religious grounds in our neighbourhood. No one is being deprived. We are not inviting people to benefit from it. benefit of this is being given to those who have been in this country for over a decade, Jagdeep Dhankhar said.

Someone from a sovereign platform, ignorant of ground realities, is trying to teach us a lesson that this is discriminatory ... Let us rebuff their ignorance, Dhankhar added.

Some Western countries have questioned the law, rules of which were notified recently. The vice-president urged people to have a firm commitment towards nationalism.

"We are not a nation to get scriptures from others," Dhankhar asserted.

Dhankhar said the CAA has a cutoff date of 2014, emphasising that it is not an invitation for people to exploit its provisions. "Benefit of this is being given to whom? Who are already in this country? They have been in this country for over a decade."

Speaking as the chief guest at the 2nd edition of the American Bar Association Spring Conference in Delhi, Dhankhar stressed India's longstanding history of providing refuge to various religious communities. He said the country needed to refute those who try to lecture without understanding the ground realities.

"We are not a nation to get scriptures from others. We are a nation with a civilisational ethos of more than 5000 years. Look at the motto of G20: One Earth One Family One Future. We did not coin it for G20. It is the nectar of our civilisational worth, embedded in our ethos," the V-P said.

Reflecting on India's economic transformation from being one of the fragile five to the big five, Dhankhar raised doubts about the previous administration's track record, which often propagated negativity. My heart hurts when someone who was in a position of power in this country, in the field of economics, spread only pessimism, he said.

Attorney general of India R Venkataramani, solicitor general of India Tushar Mehta, Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) president Lalit Bhasin, chair of the India Committee at ABA Pratibha Jain, along with other guests, were present on the occasion.
As Kangana Ranaut launched her campaign for the Lok Sabha election 2024 in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, the actor tore into the Congress leadership citing the recent controversy that Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stirred by her 'unwitting' comments on Kangana. The Congress could not accept her nomination from Mandi and started indulging in cheap politics, Kangana Ranaut said in her maiden rally. Kangana Ranaut in her maiden election rally criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over Supriya Shrinate's now-deleted derogatory post on the Bollywood actor.

"I was beyond happy after getting the nomination from the BJP. Who would not celebrate such a homecoming? Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi talks about 'annihilating the shakti among the Hindus'. Their spokesperson used condemnable words about the women of Mandi. The same Mandi which has been named after Rishi Mandavya, where Rishi Parashar sat in tapasya, the place which organises the biggest Shivratri fair every year. But what else can be expected of them?" Kangana said.

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This was Kangana Ranaut's first public appearance in Mandi, her hometown from where she will be contesting the election. It was expected that she would address the recent controversy as the Election Commission has issued a showcause notice to Supriya Shrinate for her comment on Kangana which she deleted and claimed it was not posted by her. Supriya said her Instagram and Facebook accounts are handled by many people and it was posted without her knowledge.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sought a detailed probe report from Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora as to how the post was made from Supriya Shrinate's account.

Mandi is all set to witness a high-octane battle while the Congress is yet to announce its candidate from the constituency. Pratibha Singh, wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, is the sitting MP from Mandi who initially expressed her unwillingness to contest from Mandi but after Kangana Ranaut's name was announced, she said she would leave the decision to the high command.

A major row erupted over Rahul Gandhi's Shakti remark that he made during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. "There is a word Shakti in Hinduism. We are fighting against a Shakti. The question is what is that shakti? The soul of the King is in the EVM. This is true. The soul of the king is in the EVM and in every institution of the country, in ED, CBI and the income tax department," Rahul Gandhi said.

As Rahul Gandhi was called out as anti-Hindu for his remark, he clarified that the shakti that he meant was Narendra Modi.
BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut's mother Asha Ranaut finally spoke out against the comments made against the actress through the social media account of Congress leader Supriya Shrinate. Ranaut's mother Asha said that she does not want to call out an entire party because of the mistakes of one individual. BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut with mother Asha

While speaking to ANI, Asha Ranaut said, She too has daughters and daughters-in-law at home. If she speaks like that then they should think that if someone speaks like that against their own children, how would they feel.

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She further added, I too have that same pain in me...Why should I call out the entire party if one individual speaks derogatory language? Not everyone is bad.

On Wednesday, Kangana Ranaut also addressed the comments made by Shrinate, saying, I felt very sad. We have been working for women empowerment. It has been a fight for me to bring about a certain sense of dignity, respect and equality for women. Such comments take us back from such issues. This is like the mentality that 'she is asking for it'. This was very alarming content and I was more hurt that Mandi is being associated with such words.

While reacting to Shrinate's post earlier, Kangana wrote on X that every woman deserves dignity.

She tweeted, 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.

Read more: Supriya Shrinate denied Lok Sabha ticket from Maharajganj amid backlash over remarks on Kangana Ranaut

Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission on the comments made by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate through her social media handle. Further, ECI sent a show cause notice to Shrinate over the complaint.

As Congress and BJP continue to spar over the derogatory comments against Kangana Ranaut, Shrinate alleged that she did not post those remarks, and they were uploaded by someone who had access to her accounts.

(With inputs from PTI)
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals wife, Sunita, on Friday launched Kejriwal ko aashirwad [bless Kejriwal] campaign via WhatsApp, urging people to send blessings and good wishes to the jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals wife, Sunita. (ANI)

You can also share any message. Many mothers and daughters have sent wishes for their son and brother [Kejriwal]. I got many calls, and many people were observing fast for Arvind Kejriwal. Write and send your love on this WhatsApp number. He will feel good reading your messages. I will deliver all the messages to him in jail, said Sunita. You do not need to be an AAP worker to send him a message. Do send messages to Arvind Kejriwal regardless of which party you belong to.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal on March 21, hours after the Delhi high court denied his request for interim protection from arrest for alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.

Sunita referred to Kejriwals statement in a Delhi court on Thursday as ED got an extension in his remand. She added Kejriwal has challenged the most corrupt, dictatorial, and powerful forces. Arvind Kejriwal spoke in the court yesterday [Thursday] and presented his side. You all must have heard it. If you have not heard it, please hear it once. It requires a lot of courage to speak in front of the court the way he did it. He is a true patriot, similarly, our freedom fighter used to fight against the dictatorship of the British, she said.

Kejriwal on Thursday accused ED of running a racket in the name of investigating the excise policy case. He said EDs sole intention was to crush the AAP and implicate him. Kejriwal attempted to link a racket in the excise policy probe to money received by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through electoral bonds from some businessmen linked to the probe.

Sunita asked people to consider Kejriwal their son and brother. Will you not support him in this fight? I have full faith that together we will fight this out.

This was Sunitas third media appearance since Kejriwals arrest. AAP ministers have clarified that Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister, insisting his arrest is a political conspiracy.

On Thursday, Sunita said Kejriwals health was not good and that he was being harassed and troubled. The people will give answers.
Mallikarjun Kharge took over as the Congress chief in October 2022. His tenure has coincided with the partys victories in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana assembly polls. Kharge has sought to lead differently. He is known to devolve responsibility downwards. Fluent in Marathi, Hindi, and Urdu apart from his mother tongue Kannada, Kharge has shown he minces no words while attacking his rivals. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. (HT PHOTO)

On Thursday, Kharge reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modis attack on the Congress over a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud against a specific interest group allegedly undermining the judiciary. Kharge accused Modi of manipulating democracy and bullying institution after institution into submission.

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Kharge wrote 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. He added a judge was nominated 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?

Modi attacked the Congress on Thursday saying bullying and browbeating were part of the opposition partys culture as he shared a screenshot of the letter to the CJI. A group of over 600 lawyers, including senior counsel Harish Salve, Pinky Anand, Manan Kumar Mishra, and Uday Holla, ostensibly endorsed the letter.

Kejriwal attacks ED

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of running a racket in the name of investigating the now-scrapped excise policy. He said EDs sole intention was to crush the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and implicate him as he was produced in a Delhi court at the end of his ED remand on Thursday. The agency, which denied the charges, secured Kejriwals remand until April 1 .

Kejriwal attempted to link a racket in the excise policy probe to money received by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through electoral bonds from some businessmen linked to the probe. The agency rejected the accusation and maintained there was proof that the AAP received a bribe.

LG criticizes Kejriwal, his wife alleges harassment

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Thursday attacked Kejriwal for allegedly sitting on the transfer file of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College principal over sexual harassment charges for 45 days. The comments came days after Delhi health minister Saurabh Bhardwaj urged Saxena to take action against the accused.

Kejriwals wife, Sunita, meanwhile, on Thursday said Kejriwal was not keeping well. She alleged he was being harassed in custody.

Mukhtar Ansaris death sparks blame game

Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansaris death on Thursday sparked a blame game with Rashtriya Janata Dal leader (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav questioning whether the former state legislator from Mau indeed died of a heart attack. Yadav and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that Ansari was administered poison in jail.

The RJD leader raised concerns over the events leading to Ansaris death and called on the constitutional institutions to take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases. Owaisi echoed Yadav. In his condolences to Ansaris family, Owaisi said, The people of Ghazipur lost their favourite son and brother. Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he was poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable.

Lawyers of Ansari, who was accused in 63 criminal cases including murder, and was convicted and sentenced in eight of these since September 2022, filed an application in a court alleging that he was being slowly poisoned. The murder of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Krishnanand Rai in 2005 was among the most high-profile cases he faced. Ansari was once regarded as one of eastern Uttar Pradeshs most dreaded gangsters.
It is likely to be followed by rallies in across the country. (File)

Lok Sabha election Highlights: The Lok Sabha Election 2024 is scheduled to take place in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1. Many political parties have unveiled the lists of their candidates vying for election through this massive democratic process, and the political campaigns are already underway to attract voters....Read More

In the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, voters will choose representatives for the 543-member Lower House of the Indian Parliament, with the results set to be declared on June 4. A minimum of 272 MPs' support in the Lok Sabha is necessary to establish a government.

The spotlight is on two major political coalitions in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024: the INDIA bloc and the NDA. The INDIA bloc consists of parties like the Congress, AAP, and TMC, while the NDA includes the BJP, PMK, and JDU among its members. The ruling NDA government aims to secure a third consecutive term and is eyeing more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Apart from the 543 Lok Sabha seats, the Election Commission of India has announced Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha, along with assembly bypolls for 26 vacant seats.

The phase-wise schedule for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 is as follows:

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
Police on Thursday registered a case against unidentified miscreants after several memorials of Communist leaders were defaced at Payyambalam in Kannur, officials said. HT Image

The memorials dedicated to Communist leaders such as EK Nayanar, Chadayan Govindan, O Bharathan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan were found to be defaced with some kind of substance, said an official familiar with the matter.

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Kannur city police commissioner Ajit Kumar said, According to the preliminary findings , the miscreants sprayed some kind of sugary liquid on the memorials. Its a juice like substance and not a chemical. It is not clear when was the crime committed as there are no CCTV cameras directly facing the area. The inquiry is going on.

He added that a case under Section 153 (intentionally causing riot through provocation in malignant/wanton manner) of the IPC has been filed.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leadership took note at the incident and alleged a conspiracy behind it especially with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The incidents should be examined if this is a conspiracy to deflect the peoples attention from the major issues at a time when the Left front is strongly marching ahead in its campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. The culprits should be found and punished. This is a peaceful election and there should be no attempts to spark violence in this way, CPI (M) state secretary MV Govindan told the reporters.
The Union home ministry accorded sanction for a CBI inquiry against Satyendar Jain, jailed AAP leader, for allegedly extorting 10 crore from conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar as "protection money", news agency ANI reported citing sources. Jain and former Tihar Jail DG Sandeep Goel were accused of running an extortion racket from Tihar and demanding protection money from high-profile inmates, it was alleged. The development came as Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is in ED custody in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Delhi LG, early this year, sanctioned a CBI probe into extortion charges against Satyendar Jain.(ANI)

Early this year, Delhi LG VK Saxena sanctioned the CBI inquiry into extortion charges against Satyendar Jain. In a letter seeking the LGs nod to probe the extortion charges, CBI in November last year wrote that Jain was accused of running a high-profile extortion racket from Tihar Jail and demanding 10 crore as protection money from Chandrashekhar to enable him to live peacefully and comfortably in jail.

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The allegations were made by the conman who said Jain extorted money in various tranches during 2018-21, either personally or through his accomplices -- to enable him (Sukesh) live comfortably in different jails of Delhi -- Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli.

Satyendar Jain was arrested in May 2022 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. His last bail plea was dismissed by the Supreme Court in March this year and the top court asked him to surrender in connection with the money laundering case. He was given an interim medical bail on May 26, 2023 after he fell in the jail bathroom. During the bail period, he underwent a spinal operation.
FILE PHOTO: Waterbury Superior Court, where a former Wolcott student has filed a lawsuit against the town and school board over a convicted art teacher's sexual misconduct during the 1980s. Kendra Baker / Hearst CT Media

WOLCOTT  A man who says an art teacher photographed him in sexual poses and touched him inappropriately when he was a local elementary school student in the 1980s is suing the town and its Board of Education, court documents show.

The town and school board have denied liability in their formal answer to the complaint filed by the man, identified in public court records by the pseudonym John Doe. The defendants also say they are immune from suit under the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity and under a state law that creates governmental immunity in certain circumstances, documents show.

Superintendent of Schools Shawn P. Simpson said via email, "We decline to provide a comment on pending litigation. However, the case in question dates back 39 years and has been forwarded to our insurance provider, with legal representation being assigned to handle the matter."

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The complaint, filed last year in state Superior Court in Waterbury, alleges that art teacher Roger Niland sexually molested and photographed numerous young boys such as the plaintiff in the art classroom" of Wakelee Elementary School and in his apartment. The suit says Doe was a Wakelee student from Sept. 1, 1983, to Sept. 1, 1985.

Niland pleaded guilty in 1986 to 20 counts of risk of injury to a child after more than 2,000 photos of naked or partly naked boys, some in sexual poses, were found in his apartment, United Press International reported at the time.

He tearfully apologized to the boys parents at his sentencing and received a one-year prison term followed by five years of probation, with orders to continue using a drug to curb his sex drive and never again to hold a job bringing him in contact with children, UPI reported.

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Then-Waterbury States Attorney John Connelly, who has since died, said at the sentencing that Niland had manipulated children into posing, but did not assault them, according to the UPI report.

Another suit against the Board of Education over Niland's conduct was settled in 2016, the Waterbury Republican-American reported at the time, although it did not report the terms of the settlement.

The plaintiff in that lawsuit, identified by the pseudonym Carl Doe, alleged Niland had sex with him on more than one occasion, as well as photographing him in various outfits and in lewd poses, the Republican-American reported.

John Doe's lawsuit alleges that Wolcott school officials were negligent when Nilands misconduct was occurring. The defendants have denied all of the allegations, court documents show.

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The lawsuit claims the school principal gave Niland a Polaroid camera, knowing that young boys would be photographed in the classroom doing various activities and without requesting to see any of his work product or ever investigating his purported work to see if it existed. In their written answer, the defendants deny this accusation.

The complaint also alleges that school officials could or should have known that Niland had an avowed interest in sexual precocity in young boys and that he was having boys change into various outfits in the classroom during and after school hours before photographing them. The defendants also deny these claims.

The complaint says officials could or should have known that Niland was keeping boys in his classroom or apartment for hours at a time, sometimes late in the evening, and locking the door when he had boys in his room. The defendants denied these claims as well.

As a result of Nilands misconduct, the plaintiff suffered extended sexual abuse, shock, emotional distress, anger, confusion, sadness, feeling unsafe, paranoia, nightmares, increased anxiety and shame, the complaint alleges. It also says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse and extended use of drugs, including narcotics.

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The complaint, filed by lawyer Matthias Peters-Kroll, describes the alcohol and drug use as an avoidant coping mechanism and says the plaintiff will need extended psychological treatment and counseling.
Shailendra Singh, a former deputy superintendent of police who had invoked the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in January 2004, on Friday recalled how he was made to resign within 15 days allegedly by the then Mulayam Singh Yadav government. Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari brought to Banda Medical College hospital after his health deteriorated, in Banda on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

A day after the death of Mukhtar Ansari, a five-time MLA, Shailendra Singh told news agency ANI that it was he who had first recovered a light machine gun from the gangster-turned-politician's possession. Follow Mukhtar Ansari death news LIVE Updates

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20 years ago, in 2004, Mukhtar Ansari's empire was at its peak. He (Mukhtar Ansari) would move around in open jeeps in areas where curfew was imposed. That time, I recovered an LMG. No recovery was made before or after that. I even imposed the POTA on him... But the Mulayam government wanted to save him at any cost. He pressured officials, IG-range, DIG, and SP-STF were transferred. Even I was made to resign within 15 days. But in my resignation, I wrote my reasons and put it before the people that this is the government you chose, which is protecting and working on the orders of mafias... I wasn't doing a favour to anyone. It was my duty, Shailendra Singh claimed.

Also Read | On Mukhtar Ansari's death, wife of BJP MLA killed by him: Today is Holi for us

Watch the video here:

In February 2004, Shailendra Singh had to resign from service under political pressure and a case of vandalism was slapped against him a few months later.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari's death: Section-144 imposed, post-mortem today. Latest updates

In May 2021, the UP government withdrew the case of vandalism against the former DSP in Varanasi.

The former DSP said he was harassed by the then government and his department bosses because of the action taken by him against Mukhtar Ansari and eventually had to resign and also face vandalism charges.

Recalling the incident, a retired DIG earlier told HT that Singh was in-charge of the Varanasi unit of the UP STF. The force was vigilant about gangs of Mukhtar Ansari and Krishna Nand Rai, after a shootout between them in Lucknow in 2003 following which some suspicious mobile phone numbers were put on electronic surveillance.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari: How Indian Army officer's grandson became a dreaded criminal | 10 facts

One suspicious conversation about a deal of providing a light machine gun (LMG) for 1 crore was intercepted by the STF. On the basis of this call, Singh claimed that Ansari was dealing with a fugitive army man to add LMG in his armoury, the DIG said.

He said Singh and his team arrested two people from Varanasis Chaubepur and recovered the LMG and cartridges on January 25, 2004, after which the POTA case was filed against Ansari and his henchmen.

The investigation revealed that the mobile number, on which the LMG deal was carried out, was issued in the name of Ansaris henchman. Political pressure started building up on the police after the FIR under POTA showing involvement of Ansari in the illegal purchase of the LMG, he added.
Mukhtar Ansari, born into an influential family in 1963, straddled the worlds of crime and politics in Uttar Pradesh. Mukhtar Ansari, who was accused in 63 criminal cases including 14 of murder and was convicted and sentenced in eight of these since September 2022, died of cardiac arrest in a hospital in Banda on Thursday. Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was born into a family renowned for its contributions to India's freedom movement.

Mukhtar Ansari, 63, was brought to the Rani Durgawati Medical College from the Banda prison for a second time in a week shortly before he was declared dead.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Mukhtar Ansari hailed from a distinguished lineage deeply rooted in India's struggle for independence. His paternal grandfather, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, was a notable leader in the Indian National Congress, becoming its president in 1927 and later, serving as Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia until he died in 1936.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari's death: 'My father was given slow poison, claims son Umar Ansari

The gangster-turned-politician, who had been elected as MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Mau five times on the tickets of different political parties, had entered the world of crime to establish himself and his gang in the government contract mafia that was then flourishing in the state.

Mukhtar Ansari: 10 facts about his world of crime

1. Mukhtar Ansari's tryst with crime began as early as 1978 when he was just 15 years of age. Ansari had his first brush with the law when he was booked for criminal intimidation at Saidpur Police Station of Ghazipur.

Also Read | Who was Mukhtar Ansari, jailed gangster-turned-politician, who died of cardiac arrest?

2. By 1986, Mukhtar Ansari had become a well-known face in the contract mafia circle. That year, another case of murder was lodged against him at Muhammad Police Station of Ghazipur.

3. Over the next decade, Mukhtar Ansari became a common face of crime with at least 14 more cases under serious charges lodged against him.

4. Mukhtar Ansari had 28 criminal cases, including that of murder, and seven cases under the UP's Gangster Act registered against him since 2005.

5. The gangster-politician had been convicted in eight criminal cases since September 2022 and had been facing trial in 21 cases in different courts.

Also Read | Tejashwi, Owaisi repeat poison claim in Mukhtar Ansari's death: Prima facie

5. Mukhtar Ansari was awarded life term and a penalty of 2.02 lakh by Varanasi MP/MLA earlier this month in a case of fraudulently obtaining an arms licence around 37 years ago. This was the eighth case in which he was sentenced in the past 18 months by different courts of UP and the second in which he was awarded a life term.

6. On December 15, 2023, a Varanasi MP/MLA court sentenced Mukhtar Ansari to five years and six months for giving a death threat to Mahavir Prasad Rungta for turning hostile and not pursuing a case involving the kidnapping and murder of BJP leader and coal trader Nand Kishore Rungta on January 22, 1997.

7. On October 27, 2023, a Ghazipur MP/MLA court awarded Mukhtar Ansari 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a penalty of 5 lakh in a Gangster Act case lodged against him in 2010.

8. On June 5, 2023, a Varanasi MP/MLA awarded life imprisonment to Mukhtar Ansari in the case of the murder of Awadesh Rai, the elder brother of former Congress MLA and present UP Congress president Ajay Rai. Awadesh Rai was sprayed with bullets when he and his brother Ajay were standing outside their house in the Lahurabir locality of Varanasi on August 3, 1991.

9. Among the most high profile of these cases were the murders of the then sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai in 2005. On April 29, 2023, Ghazipur MP/MLA court had sentenced Ansari to 10 years of imprisonment in the case.

10. Since 2020, Ansari gang had been under intense heat from Uttar Pradesh Police, which either seized or demolished illegal property worth 608 crore belonging to the gang.

Mukhtar Ansari's political career

Mukhtar Ansari was elected MLA from the Mau assembly constituency in eastern Uttar Pradesh five times from 1996 to 2022, twice as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate, twice as an Independent and once as a Quami Ekta Dal nominee.

In 2022, Mukhtar Ansari passed on the baton to his elder son Abbas Ansari, who won from the same assembly seat as a candidate of the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party in 2022, which was then in an alliance with the Samajwadi Party.
Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari is being produced in a district court in a money laundering case, in Prayagraj on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Mukhtar Ansari news highlights: Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda on Thursday. Mukhtar Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in the city from the district jail in an unconscious state after he had complained of vomiting. According to a medical bulletin, a team of nine doctors attended to him but he died of cardiac arrest, it stated....Read More

Preparations for the funeral of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari are underway at the Kali Bagh Graveyard in Ghazipur. His body was handed over to his son, Umar Ansari, after a post-mortem.

Following Mukhtar Ansari's death, security has been beefed up across Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, across the state. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari: How Indian Army officer's grandson became a dreaded criminal

Mukhtar Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain. The gangster-turned-politician's family has alleged that the 63-year-old was being slow-poisoned by a substance mixed in food given to him in the Banda jail.

Who was Mukhtar Ansari?
Umar Ansari, the son of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari who died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, claimed that his father was given poison in the food and said the family would move the court. Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari (right) and his son Umar Ansari.

Mukhtar Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in an unconscious state and, according to its principal Suneel Kaushal, he died at the hospital following cardiac arrest, news agency PTI reported.

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"I was not told anything from the administration side. I came to know about it through the media... But now, the entire 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...," news agency ANI quoted Umar Ansari as saying.

The body of Mukhtar Ansari was sent for post-mortem at Banda Medical College Hospital.

The post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow (March 29), after that, they will give us the body. We will then follow with the further process (cremation)... My father alleged being given a slow poison... Around five doctors panel has been made (for carrying out the post-mortem), Umar Ansari added.

Ansari's brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari had on Tuesday alleged that he was being subjected to slow poisoning in jail, a charge denied by the authorities.

Also Read | How did Mukhtar Ansari die? Why his brother complained of slow-poisoning

Over 60 cases pending against Mukhtar Ansari

Mukhtar Ansari, 63, was a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar. He had been behind bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. He had more than 60 criminal cases pending against him.

Mukhtar Ansari was sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts in 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.

Also Read | Who was Mukhtar Ansari, jailed gangster-turned-politician, who died of cardiac arrest?

Section 144 imposed across UP

Uttar Pradesh director general of police Prashant Kumar said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were imposed across the state and teams of the Central Reserve Police Force along with the local police deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi.

Ansari, who hailed from Mau, was believed to have a strong influence in the adjoining Ghazipur and Varanasi districts as well.

Mukhtar Ansari's death: How politicians react

Meanwhile, several political leaders extended their condolences. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his grief in support of the family of Mukhtar Ansari.

"I pray to Allah to forgive Mukhtar Ansari and give patience to his family and his loved ones. The people of Ghazipur lost their favourite son and brother. Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he had been poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable," Asaduddin Owaisi posted on X (formally Twitter).

Samajwadi Party leader Ameeque Jamei demanded a thorough investigation of Mukhtar Ansari's death.

"We stand with the family of Mukhtar Ansari... Recently he said that he can be murdered anytime... Why he was not given a proper medical facility...We will demand a thorough investigation of the incident...," Ameeque Jamei said.

Congress leader Surendra Rajput also questioned the death of the gangster-turned-politician.

"Today Mukhtar Ansari's death in the jail raises a big question BJP-led UP Government...This should be investigated thoroughly so that everyone gets to know what is going on..." Surendra Rajput said.

(With inputs from agencies)
Mukhtar Ansari, once among Uttar Pradeshs most dreaded gang leaders who represented the Mau assembly seat between 1997 and 2022, died following a cardiac arrest on Thursday evening in Banda. Ansari, 60, was brought to the Rani Durgawati Medical College from the Banda prison for a second time in a week shortly before he was declared dead. (PTI)

Ansari, 60, was brought to the Rani Durgawati Medical College from the Banda prison for a second time in a week shortly before he was declared dead. He was admitted for 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain.

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At approximately 8.25pm, Ansari was brought to the emergency wing in an unconscious state after having complained of vomiting. A team of nine doctors gave urgent medical attention to the patient, but despite efforts, he died of a cardiac arrest, said a bulletin issued by the hospital.

The state police chief confirmed the death citing hospital authorities. As per the medical bulletin shared by the Banda medical college, Mukhtar Ansari is dead, said director general of police, Prashant Kumar.

Security was stepped up in Mau, Ghazipur and Banda districts  regions where Ansari held sway, and an alert was sounded across the state.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) teams have been deployed along with local police in these districts, the DGP said.

Last week, Ansaris lawyers filed an application in the Barabanki special court to try politicians, alleging that he was being slowly poisoned through the food being served to him in prison.

A senior official said Ansari was admitted to the medical college in a very critical condition and was declared dead after being given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Another official, at the UP Police headquarters who asked not to be named, said police deployment had also been stepped up in Varanasi and adjoining eastern Uttar Pradesh regions and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in sensitive districts.

Ansari for decades was regarded as one of eastern UPs most dreaded gangsters, a reign that involved deadly rivalries with other gangster-politicians, some of whom he and his associates have been accused or convicted of assassinating.

He was lodged in different prisons in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh since 2005, when he was first arrested for inciting violence.

His political career saw him represent the Mau Vidhan Sabha seat for five terms, winning it for the first time as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate. He was then expelled the party but continued to win the seat  in 2002 and 2007 as an independent, and in 2012 under the banner of his party Quami Ekta Dal  before he rejoined the BSP in 2017.

In the 2022 state elections, Mukhtar passed the baton to his son Abbas, who won the Mau seat, while Suhaib Anasri, Sibgatullahs son, won his home turf Mohammadabad on an SP ticket. Ansaris brother Afzal represented the Ghazipur Lok Sabha constituency twice.

Ansari was accused in 63 criminal cases, including 14 of murder, and was convicted and sentenced in eight of these since September 2022. Among the most high profile of these cases were the murders of the then sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai in 2005 and of Awadesh Rai (brother of current Congress president Ajay Rai) in 1991.

The Rais (who were unrelated) and Ansari and his brothers were widely regarded as the many bahubali politicians of eastern UP, drawing on the Hindi word for a strongman.

On December 4, 2023, Ansaris son Umar filed a petition in the Supreme Court stating that his father faced a threat to his life in jail and appealed for him to be transferred outside of the state to a state ruled by any party other than the BJP. The plea was rejected.

The Samajwadi Party condoled Ansaris 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.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday reacted to the Opposition's accusations over gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death, saying the masses should be aware of their tactics of communal polarisation. Mukhtar Ansari death: The UP police have enhanced security in some cities.

"Ghazipur, Mau, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, and Balia were known as the epicentre of the comrades. How did these regions become the hotspot of criminals?... We all need to beware. Their tactics of communal polarisation have been nullified by PM Narendra Modi's efforts of inclusive empowerment," said BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

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BJP leader Sidharth Nath Singh slammed the Opposition for backing a criminal.

"Mukhtar Ansari is a criminal...leaders of SP, Congress and BSP are jumping now, showing how much pain they have for a criminal. Serious allegations have been made against Mukhtar Ansari and even the court sentenced him to life imprisonment but still their pain towards him indicates how they (SP, Congress and BSP) backed the protection of 'mafia raj', he said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today demanded that a Supreme Court judge must probe the death of Mukhtar Ansari.

Mukhtar Ansari, a murder convict who had been an MLA in Uttar Pradesh, died on Thursday in the Banda Medical College due to cardiac arrest.

Mukhtar Ansari's family members have claimed that he had been given what they called "slow poison".

"It is the foremost responsibility and duty of the government to protect someone's life in every situation and at every place," Akhilesh Yadav said.

"The death of a hostage or prisoner in any of the following circumstances will erode public confidence in the judicial process -- while confined in a police station, in a fight inside the jail, on falling ill inside the prison, while being taken to hospital, during treatment in hospital, by showing a false encounter, by showing a false suicide, by showing casualties in an accident -- all such doubtful cases should be probed under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge," he added.

Meanwhile, BSP president Mayawati also demanded a high-level probe into Ansari's death.

"The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari's family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed," she said.

Live updates on Mukhtar Ansari's death

Ansari's son Umar Ansari said he was given slow poison on March 19 and his lawyers had apprised the court about the same.

"We got the news of his death only through the media. We will demand a high-level inquiry and do whatever we have to do through the court. We have full confidence in the court," he said.

After Mukhtar Ansari's death, the UP administration imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC. They also enhanced security in Ansari's sphere of influence -- Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Mukhtar Ansari's death: The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a magisterial investigation into the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, reported news agency ANI. The magisterial investigation will be carried out by a three-member team. A file photo of Mukhtar Ansari.(File)

A panel of two doctors will conduct the post-mortem on Friday which will be videographed. Mukhtar Ansari's body will be handed over to his son, Umar Ansari, after the post-mortem.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda on Thursday.

According to a medical bulletin, Mukhtar Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in the city from the district jail in an unconscious state after he had complained of vomiting. A team of nine doctors attended to him but he died of cardiac arrest, it stated.

Earlier, Mukhtar Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain. The gangster-turned-politician's family has alleged that the 63-year-old was being slow-poisoned by a substance mixed in food given to him in the Banda jail.

Mukhtar Ansari's death: Here are latest updates

Following Mukhtar Ansari's death, security has been tightened across Uttar Pradesh.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, have been imposed across the state and additional security personnel have been deployed in the Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts, according to PTI.

UP DGP Prashant Kumar said the social media cell of the Uttar Pradesh Police has also been activated to keep a close watch on unlawful elements online.

However, despite the prohibitory orders, a large number of people were seen outside Mukhtar Ansari's residence in Ghazipur on Friday morning.

Preparations for the funeral of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari are underway at the Kali Bagh Graveyard in Ghazipur.

Mukhtar Ansari's son, Abbas Ansari, who is locked in Kasganj jail, has been informed about his father's death. Superintendent of the jail, Vijay Vikram Singh informed him about it, ANI reported

Umar Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari's another son, claimed that his father was given poison in the food and said they would move the court. "We have full faith in it," he added.

Who was Mukhtar Ansari?



Mukhtar Ansari, 63, was a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar  from 1996 to 2022  twice as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate, twice as an Independent and once as a Quami Ekta Dal nominee.

He had been behind bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. He had more than 60 criminal cases pending against him.

Mukhtar Ansari was sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts in 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.

In 2022, Mukhtar Ansari passed on the baton to his elder son Abbas Ansari, who won from the same assembly seat as a candidate of the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party in 2022, which was then in an alliance with the Samajwadi Party.
The Indian Navy on Friday launched an anti-piracy operation and deployed two naval warships to intercept and thwart a hijacking bid of an Iranian fishing vessel 'Al Kamar 786', which was intercepted approximately 90 nocturnal miles South West of Yemen's Socotra island in the Arabian Sea. The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV(X/ @indiannavy)

According to the information shared by the Indian Navy, the inputs of the potential piracy attack of the Iranian vessel with crew, which is likely to be Pakistani, were received late evening on Thursday, while it was intercepted on Friday. It was reported that the fishing vessel was boarded by nine armed pirates.

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"Inputs received on a potential piracy incident onboard Iranian Fishing Vessel 'Al Kamar 786' late evening on #28Mar 24, approx 90 nm South West of Socotra. The hijacked FV has been intercepted on #29Mar 24," the Indian navy spokesperson said in a post on X.

As soon as the inputs of the attack were received, the Indian Navy responded to it and diverted two naval warships which were deployed for maritime security operations, to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel.

"Two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in #ArabianSea for #maritimesecurityoperations were diverted to intercept the hijacked FV, reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV & its crew," the post added.

"Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of their nationalities," it said.

The operation to rescue the crew and vessel is currently underway.

The piracy attack involving the Iranian vessel adds to the list of recent piracy attacks reported in the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Earlier this month, the naval force responded to a distress call from a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel hijacked off the Somali coast during its voyage from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In another development, the Navy, along with the IAF, held 35 pirates off the coast of Somalia and ended a three-month hijacking of a bulk carrier with the deployment of warship INS Kolkata, long-endurance Sea Guardian drones, P-8I surveillance aircraft and airdropping of elite MARCOS commandos from a C-17 plane.

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar earlier vowed to ensure the safety of the Indian Ocean region while citing the anti-piracy operations undertaken by the naval force in the last 100 days.

Admiral Kumar said the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022, has been a "great enabler" for security forces, especially the Indian Navy, which is involved in anti-piracy operations. He recently said the Navy had gotten a shot in the arm because of this legislation and underlined the deployment to counter-piracy attempts.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it has made its first arrest in connection with the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru earlier this month, a significant breakthrough in a case that has prompted the federal agency to look into the possible role of terror outfits such as the Islamic State (IS). At least nine people were injured after a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at the popular eatery at ITPL Road in Brookefield on March 1 (PTI)

In a statement, NIA said Muzammil Shareef, a key conspirator who extended logistic support to two other identified accused for the low-intensity blast at the popular eatery, was arrested on Wednesday after several teams of the federal agency raided 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

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The remaining accused were identified as Mussavir Shahzeeb Hussain and Abdul Mateen Taha. All three accused are from Shivamogga district in Karnataka, officials aware of the matter said.

While NIA did not provide further details in its statement, the officials cited above said the three accused are part of a terror module linked to ISs Al Hind division that is active in parts of south India. The officials also said that Hussain carried out the explosion.

NIA investigations have revealed that Shareef extended logistic support to the other two identified accused (Hussain and Taha) in the case involving an IED explosion at the cafe. Several customers and hotel staff members were injured, some of them grievously, in the blast, which caused extensive damage to the property, the NIA statement said.

Raids were conducted today at the houses of all these three accused, as well as the residential premises and shops of other suspects. Various digital devices were seized during the searches, along with cash, it added.

Efforts are on to nab the absconding accused and unearth a larger conspiracy behind the blast, NIA said.

At least nine people were injured after a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at the popular eatery at ITPL Road in Brookefield on March 1. Preliminary investigations zeroed in on a man who left a bag near the cash counter. NIA took over the case on March 3 on the directions of the ministry of home affairs.

The federal agency, in its statement, said the raids were conducted across 12 locations in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh.

According to officials cited above, Hussain carried out the explosion at the cafe. Both Hussain and Taha have also been named by NIA in various charge sheets pertaining to terror cases over the years. The two have also been named in the Mangaluru blast case in November 2022, they said.

All the three accused in the cafe blast case are part of a module that has links with Islamic States Al Hind module that is active in parts of south India, one of the officials said, seeking anonymity.

They were also involved in the scribbling of pro-ISIS and Taliban graffiti messages on buildings across Mangaluru in November 2022, the official added.

In November 2022, an IED kept inside a pressure cooker accidentally went off when it was being taken in an auto rickshaw by one of the accused in Mangaluru. In its charge sheet, NIA said the accused intended to plant the bomb at the Kadri Manjunatha temple as part of an Islamic State-sponsored act.

A month earlier, a vehicle-borne (V-IED) driven by accused Jamesha Mubeen blew up in front of a temple in Coimbatore. In its charge sheet, NIA said Mubeen was inspired by the sermons of Zahran Hashim, a radical cleric, who masterminded the Easter serial suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka in 2019.
The Delhi high court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking Kejriwals removal as chief minister over his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying it failed to show any legal bar against his continuation in the post. It added that, if any constitutional failure exists due to the arrest of a sitting chief minister, it is for the President to act on it rather than the court. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken from ED office to Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Let the executive branch examine it, whatever they have to do, they will do. We should not be getting into this political thicket, said a bench headed by acting chief justice Manmohan while dismissing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed social activist Surjit Singh Yadav.

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Yadav sought Kejriwals removal from the post of chief minister following his arrest by ED on March 21 over his alleged involvement in the now-scrapped 2021-22 state excise policy. A city court on Thursday allowed ED to retain the CMs custody till April 1.

Also read: AAP has caused a crisis in Delhi, says BJP; slams CM

If there is a constitutional failure, the President will act on it or the [lieutenant] governor will act on it. We will not act on it. Article 239AB (Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery) is not to be exercised by the high court. It is to be exercised by the Governor. Governor will exercise and it will go to the President. Whether it (government) will function or not function, that is something we cant comment on, said the bench also comprising justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.

Yadavs petition said that the CM, while being in jail, was incapable of transacting any business that the law enjoined upon him. It added that any material, irrespective of its secretive nature, would have to be scanned thoroughly by the prison authorities before it reaches the hands of Kejriwal. Yadav also submitted that the continuation of Kejriwal as Delhis CM would lead to obstruction of due process of law, disrupt the course of justice, and result in the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state.

The plea sought a response from the Centre, the Delhi government, and the principal secretary to the lieutenant governor (LG) to answer the authority under which Kejriwal is holding the post of CM.

The bench told the petitioner that the situation is being examined by LG VK Saxena and that the executive may take some time to arrive at a conclusion. We have read todays newspaper. LG is examining this issue. It will go to the President for examination and that is up to them. That belongs to a different wing. Theyll take their time and arrive at a conclusion. It may take some time. Probably this situation was not envisaged, whatever it was, the bench said.

The court further underscored that Yadav failed to put forth any legal bar that prevented Kejriwal from continuing as CM, and was only pointing out to the practical difficulties that could be incurred by the latter while running the government from prison.

There may be difficulties, we accept all those. There may be practical difficulties but the question is, is there any legal bar? Any prohibition. You show us any legal bar, you are pointing out practical difficulties and Article 239AB is not something that we will consider. That the LG has to consider, the President of India has to consider, the council of ministers have to consider. Why should we pass [an order]? the court remarked.

Also read: Kejriwal links poll bonds with excise trail; not true: ED

The order passed by the high court later said, Having heard the counsel for the petitioner, this court is of the view that there is no scope for judicial interference vis a vis the relief for removal of Respondent No 4 (Arvind Kejriwal) from the post of chief minister. It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with law. This court clarifies that it has not commented on the merits of the case.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by ED after the Delhi high court denied his request for interim protection from arrest. Hours after his arrest, Delhi Cabinet minister Atishi had said that Kejriwal would continue as the chief minister and run the city government from prison if needed. Since then, Kejriwal has issued two orders to his ministers from the federal agencys custody -- one on water supply and the other on mohalla clinics.
FILE - Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. An attorney for Donald Trump says hes optimistic an appellate review will lead to the Georgia 2020 election interference case against him being dismissed and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis being disqualified. Alex Slitz/AP FILE- Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides over a hearing is to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the case because of a relationship with Nathan Wade, special prosecutor she hired in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. An attorney for Donald Trump says hes optimistic an appellate review will lead to the Georgia 2020 election interference case against him being dismissed and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis being disqualified. Alex Slitz/AP FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, March 9, 2024, in Rome Ga. An attorney for Donald Trump says hes optimistic an appellate review will lead to the Georgia 2020 election interference case against him being dismissed and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis being disqualified. Mike Stewart/AP FILE- Special prosecutor Nathan Wade looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Friday, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. A progressive Democrat and a Republican who briefly worked in Donald Trump's administration entered the Fulton County district attorney's race Friday, March 8, 2024, as the current officeholder, Fani Willis, awaits a judge's decision on whether she will be removed from the Georgia election interference case against the former president because of a relationship with Wade. Alex Slitz/AP

ATLANTA (AP)  Former President Donald Trump and eight other defendants accused of illegally trying to interfere in the 2020 election in Georgia on Friday submitted a formal application to appeal a judge's ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case.

Trump and other defendants had tried to get Willis and her office tossed off the case, saying her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee earlier this month found that there was not a conflict of interest that should force Willis off the case but said that the prosecution was encumbered by an appearance of impropriety.

McAfee ruled that Willis could continue her prosecution if Wade left the case, and the special prosecutor resigned hours later. Lawyers for Trump and other defendants then asked McAfee to allow them to appeal his ruling to the Georgia Court of Appeals, and he granted that request.

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The filing of a formal application with the appeals court is the next step in that process. The Court of Appeals has 45 days to decide whether it will take up the matter. McAfee has said he plans to continue to press on with the case in the meantime  to that end, he held a motions hearing Thursday.

The allegations that Willis had improperly benefited from her romance with Wade upended the case for weeks. Intimate details of Willis and Wade's personal lives were aired in court in mid-February, overshadowing the serious allegations in one of four criminal cases against the Republican former president. Trump and 18 others were indicted in August, accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn his narrow 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden in Georgia.

All of the defendants were charged with violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, law, an expansive anti-racketeering statute. Four people charged in the case have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

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The appeal application says McAfee was wrong not to disqualify both Willis and Wade from the case, saying that providing DA Willis with the option to simply remove Wade confounds logic and is contrary to Georgia law.

The application says dismissal of the case is the truly appropriate remedy because the damage done to the defendants and their due process rights cannot be fully undone even by disqualifying Willis and her office. But her disqualification is the minimum that must be done to remove the stain of her legally improper and plainly unethical conduct from the remainder of the case, it says.

A spokesperson for Willis declined to comment.

The allegations against Willis first surfaced in a motion filed in early January by Ashleigh Merchant, a lawyer for former Trump campaign staffer and onetime White House aide Michael Roman. The motion alleged that Willis and Wade were involved in an inappropriate romantic relationship and that Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then benefitted when he paid for lavish vacations.

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Willis and Wade acknowledged the relationship but said they didn't begin dating until the spring of 2022, after Wade was hired in November 2021, and their romance ended last summer. They also testified that they split travel costs roughly evenly, with Willis often paying expenses or reimbursing Wade in cash.

McAfee clearly found that Willis' relationship with Wade and his employment as lead prosecutor in the case created an appearance of impropriety, and his failure to disqualify Willis and her whole office from the case is plain legal error requiring reversal, the defense attorneys wrote in their application.

Given the complexity of the case and the number of defendants, the application says, multiple trials will likely be necessary. Failure to disqualify Willis now could require any verdicts to be overturned, and it would be neither prudent nor efficient to risk having to go through this painful, divisive, and expensive process multiple times, it says.

Lawyers for Trump and the other defendants had argued that during a speech in mid-January at a historically Black church in Atlanta Willis had inappropriately injected race and religion into the case, prejudicing any future jury pool against the defendants. The appeal application also accuses her of giving untruthful testimony under oath during a hearing last month. It says those actions amount to forensic misconduct that should disqualify her.

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In his ruling, McAfee cited a lack of appellate guidance on the issue of disqualifying a prosecutor for forensic misconduct, and the defense lawyers argued the appeals court should take up the appeal to establish such a precedent.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Friday said there are no leaders other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah who can solve all the problems at the national level. JD(S) joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September last year.

At the same time, the JD(S) patriarch underlined the need for better coordination between his party and BJP to achieve the target of winning all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.

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JD(S) joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September last year. As part of the seat-sharing deal in the State, BJP will contest in 25 constituencies and the JD(S) in three.

Noting that the role of former Chief Minister and BJP stalwart B S Yediyurappa was very important, Gowda said he must forget whatever had happened in the past because the time is very short.

Our opponents are so strong. Dont think that we are going to win all the 28 seats unless and until we forget what all had happened in the past and our differences, the 91-year-old said at a coordination meeting of the two parties here. Stating that other than Modi there is no leader in this country, Gowda said he knows each and every corner of the nation having served the country as Prime Minister for a decade.

Only Modi and Shah are the two leaders who can solve all the problems at the national level, the nonagenarian leader said. Gowda cautioned the BJP and JD(S) leaders against taking the Congress lightly as, he claimed, the Mallikarjun Kharge-led outfit has "huge financial resources."

In the present Congress government (in Karnataka), money reserve is one of the major areas for them. Can you challenge? Entire Bengaluru and every department are in the hands of one leader. It is not easy to challenge the Congress resources. Not so simple," he said. According to Gowda, no one knows how much money has been pumped in by the Congress in Mandya from where his son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is contesting as the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate.

Today this so-called Congress is only in four states and the money has to be supplied from Karnataka. The president of AICC (Kharge) is from Karnataka.

Please understand. It is not so easy (to win the election), he said. To highlight the "resource mobilisation" by the Congress in the Lok Sabha election, Gowda said never ever in the history of Karnataka 94 MLAs are holding the position of cabinet rank (including by way of holding positions as chairpersons of various state-owned boards and corporations.)

He also lashed out at Siddaramaiah for his statement where is JD(S) in the state? I will prove that 91-year-old Deve Gowda has the strength to demonstrate where the JD(S) is. I will not be scared. I dont have any fear, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Yediyurappa expressed confidence that the BJP-JD(S) alliance will win all the 28 seats. Yediyurappa also hit out at the Congress government for allegedly stopping all the development works. There is nothing much to say about this government. People have lost their trust in it. Its coffers are empty and development works have come to a halt, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress on Thursday and said that bullying and browbeating" were part of the opposition partys antiquated culture, as he shared a screen shot of a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud ostensibly by a group of over 600 lawyers, including senior counsel Harish Salve, Pinky Anand, Manan Kumar Mishra and Uday Holla. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (ANI)

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, Modi wrote, referring to Prime Minister Indira Gandhis call for committed judges and committed officials. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them (Congress), added the PMs post.

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Also read: Modi manipulating democracy: Kharge's sharp response to PM's Congress culture jibe

The letter, addressed to the CJI, expressed concerns over the actions of certain interest groups allegedly undermining the judiciarys integrity.

Highlighting concerns over lawyers defending politicians by day and attempting to influence judges through media at night, the letter titled Judiciary Under Threat  Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure urged safeguarding the judiciary from external pressures.

Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary, the letter said, alluding to apparent pressure tactics allegedly employed by specific interest groups to influence judicial outcomes, especially in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations.

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, the letter said.

The letter did not name anyone. Many of the top signatories of the letter were from Rajasthan, suggesting that the document might have emanated from there.

The first signature, for instance, was of Anand Purohit, president of the Rajasthan high court lawyers association.

Purohit, however, told HT he was not involved in preparing the letters draft and was approached by a group of lawyers for his signature. Senior advocates had given a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, and I signed the letter yesterday. I read the memorandum. It talked about political pressure on the judiciary, he said. Purohit added that he wanted the letter to also mention the massive pressure on the judiciary from capitalists.

He did not mention who initiated or drafted the letter.

The controversy comes close on the heels of some of the Supreme Courts significant verdicts. Two cases, in particular, garnered widespread attention for their implications on electoral transparency and local governance. In the much-anticipated electoral bond (EB) case, a Constitution bench quashed the 2018 scheme while sanctifying the voters right to know and marking a significant step towards promoting fairness and integrity in Indias elections.

In another significant ruling last month, the Supreme Court intervened to uphold the sanctity of democratic institutions by nixing the Chandigarh mayoral election, citing irregularities and procedural lapses.

The letter also mentioned allegations of bench fixing. 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, it added.

In the past, some lawyers have written to the CJI and the court registry, claiming arbitrary change in listing of select matters in the top court. The controversy erupted in December when some sensitive and high-profile cases were assigned to justice Bela M Trivedis bench.

Justice Trivedi served on Gujarat and Rajasthan high courts before coming to the top court.

Manan Kumar Mishra, chairman of the Bar Council of India, confirmed endorsing the letter, stating that over 600 lawyers had supported it. Our attempt is to say there is no threat to judiciary as projected by certain vested interest groups. The judiciary is discharging its duties fairly and efficiently, Mishra added. Former additional solicitor general Pinky Anand also confirmed her endorsement.

The letter sparked a political controversy just weeks before the general elections kick off. Modi ji, Indias institutions are the property of Indias 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, said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Expressing worry over the propagation of false narratives about the judiciarys past, the letter accused certain groups of attempting to discredit ongoing proceedings and undermine public confidence in the courts. It called for a united stand to protect the judiciarys integrity and urged decisive leadership to address these challenges.

The letter put the spotlight firmly on the Supreme Court amid allegations of the central government undermining democratic institutions independence. Recent events, including a Calcutta high court judges resignation to join the ruling BJP and allegations of biased rulings, have only fuelled concerns about political interference in the judiciary.

Further, the Supreme Court found itself mired in a controversy sparked by letters shot to the CJI and the court registry by senior counsel Dushyant Dave and advocate Prashan Bhushan. The controversy erupted in December when some sensitive and high-profile cases were assigned to justice Trivedis bench, leading to speculation and raising questions about the impartiality of the judicial process.

Also read: Germany gets message from Modi govt, stays out of Kejriwals arrest proceedings

The issue prompted a sharp response from CJI Chandrachud, who called it surprising that some lawyers want their cases to be listed before specific judges and not before some others although all judges are to be treated equal on judicial side.

While responding to a query about listing of former Delhi minister Satyender Jains bail plea in a money laundering case before justice Trivedis bench, the CJI took umbrage at the letters he said were being flung in the court registry while complaining why matters were being allegedly pulled out from the benches they were initially assigned to.

Its very easy to fling allegations and letters...Its extremely surprising for the members of the bar to say that I want A particular judge to hear my matter and not judge B to hear it. All judges are equal for us, justice Chandrachud said on December 14.
Mumbai, A special PMLA court in Mumbai has rejected the discharge application of real estate broker Ranjeet Bindra in the money laundering case involving late gangster and drug smuggler Iqbal Mirchi. The court said Bindra had "active participation in layering the proceeds of the crime". As per the Enforcement Directorate, Bindra negotiated with Mirchi on behalf of Sunblink Real Estate Private Limited and finalised property deals and got brokerage of 30 crore. Bindra played a "crucial role" in the deals connected to these three properties, the ED said. Special PMLA judge MG Deshpande rejected Bindra's discharge application on Thursday, noting the accused had concrete knowledge of the properties he was dealing with and how they were acquired and managed by Iqbal Mirchi through his associates like Humayun Merchant and others. "This knowledge coupled with active participation in layering the proceeds of crime clearly indicates the applicant is not entitled to be discharged. Charges have to be framed against him and he has to be tried accordingly," the court said. Bindra, in his discharge plea, contended he simply acted as a broker like other professionals involved in the transactions but was singled out as the accused. He asserted he had no involvement in the offence of money laundering. The ED opposed the application and argued that discharging Bindra prematurely while investigations were going on would amount to jumping to conclusions. The court noted that the PMLA probe found these properties were acquired using the proceeds of crime generated from various activities of Iqbal Mirchi, and illegal funds were transferred using bank accounts opened on the basis of falsified KYC information. The crime was executed skilfully with the intention of concealing ultimate beneficiary Iqbal Mirchi, the court said citing the ED's probe report. Based on multiple FIRs registered under Indian Penal Code and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act against Mirchi, the ED had registered a case against him, his kin and others. Mirchi, who died at the age of 63 in London in 2013, is accused of buying properties in India using money obtained from illegal activities and then selling these for redevelopment. Three family members of the gangster were beneficiaries of assets earned by Mirchi through proceeds of crime, the ED's complaint stated. He had purchased three real estate assets, namely Sea View, Marium Lodge and Rabia Mansion, in 1986, as per the ED. The court, while rejecting Bindra's plea, said there were ample grounds for proceeding against the applicant by framing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

HT Image
NEW DELHI: Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who has made several moves to reduce his countrys dependence on India, has alleged that his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih operated on the orders of a foreign ambassador though he stopped short of naming any country. FILE - Mohamed Muizzu campaigned during last years presidential election on the promise of expelling some 80 Indian military personnel deployed to operate two helicopters (AP)

Muizzu, who is widely perceived in New Delhi as pro-China, made the remarks during an interview with state-run Public Service Media (PSM) on Thursday. His remarks, coming on the back of his demand for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel who operate three aircraft in the Maldives, were perceived as an apparent reference to India.

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Solih, who was president during 2018-23, operated on orders from a foreign ambassador and this resulted in extensive damage, Muizzu said during the interview while responding to a question on the oppositions criticism of his governments decision to procure military drones from Turkiye.

Without specifying which country he was referring to, Solih added: We had lost independence in all sense of the word, including economically. After having done all this, they would naturally not accept our efforts to remedy all this and put the country on a track that the Maldivian people want....

Solihs government had implemented an India First policy and the Maldives was one of the main beneficiaries of Indias Neighbourhood First policy. New Delhi poured billions of dollars into development and infrastructure projects during Solihs tenure.

Muizzu campaigned during last years presidential election on the promise of expelling some 80 Indian military personnel deployed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that are mainly used for humanitarian assistance and medical evacuation operations. India recently replaced the military crews operating one helicopter with civilian personnel and the remainder are set to be pulled out by May.

Solihs Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Muizzu said in the interview, had a supermajority in Parliament but failed to protect the independence of the Maldives and left it in the hands of a foreign country. He didnt name the country he was referring to.

Muizzu said he believes in transparency but military secrets such as the cost of the drones acquired by the Maldives are not disclosed by any country. In such matters that are crucial to national security, I am heavily reliant on counsel from our chief of defence force and our generals, he said.

The Indian side has not publicly criticised Muizzus pro-China tilt though policy-makers in New Delhi are warily watching the growing proximity between Male and Beijing on issues ranging from trade to security.

While the Peoples National Congress (PNC) administration accuses the former administration of getting overly dependent on India, the MDP accuses the incumbent administration of ruining age-old ties with India and fostering closer ties with China. A Chinese surveillance vessel recently visited the Maldives for replenishment and earlier this month, China and the Maldives signed an agreement for the free supply of non-lethal military equipment by Beijing.
New Delhi: Hours after the Congress received an income tax notice, Rahul Gandhi on Friday vowed to take stern action against those who undermine democracy. The Congress shared Rahul Gandhi's remarks on its X account.(PTI file photo)

"When the government changes, those who undermine democracy will face action," the Congress party posted Rahul Gandhi's warning on X.

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Rahul Gandhi said the action will be so stern that democracy will never be undermined again.

Rahul Gandhi also warned the BJP with action after its government changes.

"Someday, BJP's government will change. Then, there will be action. And the action will be so stern that this will never happen again. This is my guarantee," he added.

On Friday, the Congress said it had received a fresh notice from the income-tax department, demanding a payment of 1823.08 crore. It claimed the BJP also violated the income tax laws and it should get a demand notice of 4600 crore.

Also read: Lok Sabha elections: Rahul Gandhi makes 'constitution' dare; BJP calls him liability

Addressing a press conference at AICC headquarters, Congress leader Ajay Maken said political parties have to fill up a proforma of Form 24A, in which two basic and important pieces of information have to be furnished -- the names and addresses of their donors.

We have analysed all the submissions of the BJP to the Election Commission (EC). The party has faltered every year, Ajay Maken claimed.

Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of tax terrorism.

"Efforts are being made to financially cripple the Congress, but we are not going to be cowed down," Ramesh said.

Maken claimed the Congress and other Opposition parties are being targeted by the Income Tax department.

"An illegal attempt to freeze the bank accounts of the principal opposition party in February has gone on for more than a month on the eve of the general election," Ajay Maken said.

The Lok Sabha elections will begin from April 19. The counting for the seven-phase elections will take place on June 4.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday promised that his party will reserve 50 per cent of government jobs for women if voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said women's potential will be fully utilised only when women have equal contribution in the government running the country

Isn't the population of women in India 50 per cent? Is the presence of women in higher secondary and higher education not 50 per cent? If so, then why is their share in the system so low. Congress wants, 'Aadhi Abaadi Poora Haq', we understand that women's potential will be fully utilised only when women have equal contribution in the government running the country, Gandhi said in a post on social platform X.



ALSO READ: 25 guarantees to be in focus as Congress drafts manifesto

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The Congress has decided that half the recruitment for all new government jobs should be reserved for women. We are also in favour of the immediate implementation of women's reservation in Parliament and in assemblies," the former Congress president said.

Gandhi added that women with a secure income, future, stability and self-respect will truly become the strength of society. "Having women in 50 per cent of government posts will give strength to every woman in the country and powerful women will change the destiny of India," he added.



Earlier, the Congress had announced five guarantees for women ahead of the general elections.



ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi announces Congress' 5 big poll promises to farmers: MSP, agriculture loan waiver

Under the "Mahalakshmi" guarantee of the party, one woman from every poor family will be given an annual assistance of 1 lakh through direct cash transfer.

Besides, the Congress will ensure "Aadhi aabaadi, poora haq", under which 50 per cent of all new recruitment in central government jobs will be reserved for women.

Under the "Shakti ka Samman" guarantee, the Centre's contribution to the monthly pay of ASHA, anganwadi and mid-day meal workers will be doubled, Kharge said.

Under the "Adhikar Maitri" guarantee, the Congress will appoint an "adhikaar maitri" in every panchayat to serve as a para-legal functionary to educate women about their legal rights and assist them in their enforcement.

Under the "Savitri Bai Phule Hostels" guarantee, the Congress-led Centre will double the number of hostels for working women in the country, with at least one in each district.



(With PTI, ANI inputs)
Rajasthan Congress will hold protests at all district headquarters of the state on Saturday against the fresh notices issued to it by the Income Tax Department and the freezing of the party's bank accounts. Congress flags

General Secretary and spokesperson of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee Swarnim Chaturvedi said the BJP-led central government is continuously attacking democracy and democratic systems in the country.

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Public demonstrations will be organised by the district Congress committees at all the district headquarters of Rajasthan on Saturday, he said.

All senior leaders, office bearers, and workers of the Congress will participate, he added.

As part of a well-planned conspiracy of the central government, the bank accounts of the Congress party were frozen and now undemocratic action is being taken against it by the Income Tax Department which has asked it to pay 1,823.08 crore, he said.

This is being done so that the Congress is not able to participate with strength in the general elections, he added.

The Congress on Friday said it has received fresh notices from the Income-Tax Department, asking it to pay 1,823.08 crore, and accused the ruling BJP of indulging in "tax terrorism" to financially cripple the opposition party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The party's main bank accounts were frozen last month over an income tax demand of 210 crore.
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 Arvind Kejriwal being taken from ED office to Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

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.

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The external affairs ministry had 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 the remarks are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable, he said.

Also read: Kejriwals arrest delays AAPs second list; likely after March 31

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.

Also read: ED says Delhi CM not cooperating, Kejriwal's rare address: What happened in court

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 for a 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 judiciary and basic democratic principles should be applied in his case.
Silchar: A Russian tourist sustained severe injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a wild rhino in Assams Kaziranga National Park (KNP), officials aware of the matter said on Friday. Forest officials said that a team rescued him from the Kohra Range of the national park on March 24. Russian tourist Nikita Koriaboksin during the treatment in Bokakhat Civil Hospital (HT Photo/Sourced)

According to officials, the tourist, identified as Nikita Koriaboksin, came to India on March 13 and reached Assam on March 16. However, his belongings, including his mobile phone, were stolen while travelling from Kolkata to Guwahati.

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Forest officials said he was found near the Mora Diphlu River in an unconscious state on March 24 morning, from where he was rescued and taken to a government hospital in Kohra.

After initial treatment, he gained consciousness and later informed the media about the attack. Talking to the media on Friday, Koriaboksin said that he is a researcher on rhinos globally and has spent time with them in the past.

After entering the forest, I found a calf and moved towards it without realising that the mother rhino was nearby. The mother attacked me, and I fell unconscious. I was rescued later, he said.

KNP director Sonali Ghosh on Friday told HT the individual did not inform the authorities before entering the forest, and he also did not book any safari for the tour.

Tourists from across the world visit the park, and we have a system to keep the balance between humans and wildlife. This person (Nikita Koriaboksin) broke this system, and we have handed him over to the police, she said.

Golaghat district forest officials said they are not sure if the Russian tourist was attacked by the rhinos.

We know the intensity of rhino attacks and what can happen to a human if a wild rhino charges. The injuries Koriaboksin showed were much less, we hope that the police will find the actual story, said an official in the the know of the matter.

Golaghat superintendent of police (SP) Rajen Singh Koriaboksin is undergoing treatment, adding that no legal actions will be taken against him as no official complaint was lodged against him.
Union minister and senior BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday compared Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, with Rabri Devi, wife of former Bihar chief minister and RJD veteran Lalu Prasad Yadav, hinting that the former is in the line to succeed her husband just like the latter did in Bihar. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri(PTI)

"The madam you are naming is perhaps preparing to hold the post like Rabri Devi did in Bihar," news agency PTI quoted Puri, speaking to the reporters after attending the inauguration ceremony of the Delhi BJP's election office along with leaders, including Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and Bansuri Swaraj.

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The BJP leader further took a dig at Delhi's CM for forming an alliance with the "most corrupt party" against whom they had started an anti-corruption movement with octogenarian social activist Anna Hazare.

"When he (Arvind Kejriwal) joined politics, saying they were starting a movement against corruption, today, they joined whom? It was the most corrupt party.Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was issued 9 summons, but he did not respond. Leave Arvind Kejriwal, his time is limited..." ANI quoted Puri as saying.

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari also took a dig at AAP asking why only Kejriwal's wife is coming out in his support, and not the people of Delhi.

"The Honourable Justice of High Court said that they cannot stop his (Arvind Kejriwal's) arrest and that they are surprised why he hasn't been arrested yet (till then). Does holding a press conference reduce the crime of a criminal? The question is why only his wife is coming out (in his support), and not the people of Delhi," he said to PTI.

Besides Puri, Union minister Anurag Thakur earlier hinted that Sunita is taking same route as Rabri Devi to become the CM by addressing the media after Kejriwal's arrest, similar to what Rabri did.

He said that when Lalu Yadav was arrested in the fodder scam, his wife Rabri Devi began to make announcements and gradually became the chief minister of Bihar. Similarly, Sunita, who has taken on a more public persona since her husbands arrest, is taking the same route to become the chief minister of Delhi.

Sunita Kejriwal announces WhatsApp campaign:

Earlier in the day, Sunita Kejriwal launched a WhatsApp campaign, Kejriwal ko Aashirwad, ' sharing a WhatsApp number where people can send wishes to the jailed leader. We are starting a drive from today - Kejriwal ko aashirvaad. You can send your blessings and prayers to Kejriwal on this number, she said.

In a digital media briefing, Sunita said her husband has challenged the "most corrupt and dictatorial forces" in the country and asked people to support him through their blessings and prayers.

Who is Sunita Kejriwal?

Sunita Kejriwal, a 1994-batch Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer, met Arvind Kejriwal, a 1995-batch IRS officer, during a training programme at Bhopal. She took voluntary retirement from the I-T department in 2016 after serving it for 22 years.

Arvind Kejriwal's arrest:

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He was issued nine summons by the probe agency but he didn't appear before the ED. Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Thursday extended his ED custody till April 1.
State Senator Mae Flexer, D-Killingly Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Craig Fishbein, Wallingford, a ranking Republican on the legislative Judiciary Committee. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, a member of the legislative Judiciary Committee. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Senator Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

People at least 18 years old who transmit pictures of genitalia despite objections from recipients could be subject to court-ordered civil fines up to $10,000, under legislation approved by the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee on Thursday, that next heads to the Senate floor.

Another part of the bill, aimed at lessening the effect of so-called toxic workplaces, would restrict the limits of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), allowing whistle blowers and victims of office harassment to seek remedies. It would ban so-called gag orders accompanying harassment settlements.

Republican leaders of the committee voted against the bill, but they left open possible future support if the legislation gets redrafted. Its stated aim is to protect domestic violence victims; stop the "unsolicited" transmission of intimate images by electronic communication devices, and prohibit some kinds of nondisclosure agreements.

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"I think it's got very laudable goals," said Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, a ranking Republican on the panel. "I do believe that Connecticut, if not the leading states in the nation when it comes to address these issues, it's one of the leading states."

"Kids make a lot of mistakes, right?" said Rep. Craig Fishbein of Wallingford, the other ranking Republican on the committee. "Eighteen-year-olds do a lot of bad stuff, right? It becomes very problematic for a lot of these kids." He warned that the bill might not be written clearly enough and the penalties potentially excessive.

State Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, a proponent of the legislation, which with designation of Senate Bill 4 and is one of the top priorities for majority Democrats in the Senate, said targets of the undesired photos of genitalia would have to forbid the receipt of such materials in writing or other ways, including text messages, emails, phone calls, face-to-face with witnesses and other communications. "There could be a variety of ways to demonstrate the actual damages that the receipt of that image caused," she said.

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State Rep. Doug Dubitsky, R-Chaplin, asked why photos of breasts were not included as part of the bill, which focuses only on genitals.

"That is the concern that many people have had and other states have enacted similar public policy to prevent the unsolicited and frankly what has become for many people young people in particular, the regular exposure to these kinds of images," Flexer said. "There is a constant delivery of these kinds of images that are unsolicited and offensive. So the goal here is to prevent that kind of exposure. Advocates for this proposal are concerned about the explicit images of an individual's genitals and not other parts of the body."

Fishbein dissected the entire multi-part legislation and warned that it leaves much open to interpretation. "I think that S.B. 4 needs an awful amount of work," he said, focusing next on the non-disclosure agreement section. "A lot of this is anti-business owner. The entrepreneurs and risk-takers who actually open businesses in this state should be able to do so."

Flexer said that during a recent public hearing, many people testified that they were subject to non-disclosure agreements that they were never told about when they started their jobs. Others have so-called non-disparagement clauses in their work rules. "One third of American workers sign those agreements the day they start employment," she said, adding that the measure is aimed at giving them some kind of freedom to talk about issues including discrimination by their employers.

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State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, a co-chairman of the committee, said he would support the bill, but he also had some issues with the current draft. "I also think that it's past time that this legislature ban so-called gag orders in sexual harassment claims," he said, warning that retroactive aspects of the legislation could be conceived as trying to overrule currently active employment contracts.

"I would hate for us to pass a very well-intentioned law that has the unintended consequence of affecting the ability of folks to negotiate severance packages," Stafstrom said. "I also think there are times when lawsuits are settled, that one or both parties want and negotiate for confidentiality in a settlement agreement."

After the bill was approved, State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, said the revisions on non-disclosure agreements are aimed at empowering workers.

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They often sign them without any understanding of their impact, or in the face of vast power imbalances," he said. "Over-broad NDAs silence survivors, allow toxic workplaces to persist, and allow predators to avoid accountability. In prohibiting them for illegal workplace harassment and discrimination, this bill will help ensure victims can tell their stories and prevent future misconduct."
Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday raised concerns over the events leading to gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death and called on the constitutional institutions to take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav condoled Mukhtar Ansari's death.

Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda in Uttar Pradesh days after his brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari had alleged that he was being subjected to "slow poisoning" in jail, a charge denied by the authorities.

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Ansari, 63, was a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar and had been behind bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him.

Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss, former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said in Hindi on X.

"A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously," Yadav said. "Prima facie, this does not seem justifiable and humane."

Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents, he added.

All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi echoed similar sentiments as he pointed to the allegations levelled by Ansari's brother.

Extending condolences to Mukhtar Ansari's family, Owaisi said, The people of Ghazipur lost their favourite son and brother.

Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he was poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable, he added.

According to a medical bulletin, Mukhtar 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 cardiac arrest, it stated.

Former Bihar MP Pappu Yadav, who joined the Congress recently, termed Ansari's death an "institutional murder" and demanded a court-monitored probe into it.

"Former MLA Mukhtar Ansari's institutional murder... It is like burying the law, Constitution, natural justice," Pappu Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.

The Chief Justice of India should take "suo motu cognizance of this. There should be a court-monitored impartial investigation," the Congress leader said.

"He was making allegations for several days that he was being given slow poison. His MP brother also made this allegation. This is an indelible blot on the country's constitutional system," he added.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed across the state in the wake of Ansari's death and teams of the Central Reserve Police Force along with the local police deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi.
NEW DELHI: Ukraine lobbied for Indias support for a peace summitplanned for summer during a meeting on Friday between foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, who said New Delhi is committed to strengthening the overall bilateral relationship. External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar meets Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba in New Delhi on Friday. (S Jaishankar X)

Kuleba, on his first visit to India at the invitation of Jaishankar, has called on India to back the peace summit to be hosted by Switzerland to build on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys peace formula, especially given New Delhis standing in the Global South.

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India has refrained from publicly criticising Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, though it has backed dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward to end the conflict. India has often raised the fallout of the conflict on the prices of food, energy and fertilisers and how this has impacted countries in the Global South.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he had an open and wide-ranging conversation with Kuleba that focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Without giving details, he said the two sides exchanged views on various initiatives in that context.

The two sides also discussed global and regional issues. Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation, Jaishankar said.

Kuleba alluded to the proposed summit figuring in the discussions in a post on X. We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula and next steps on the path of its implementation, he said.

A statement from the external affairs ministry said the talks included a comprehensive discussion on the Ukraine conflict and efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement. The talks also focused on strengthening ties in areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, defence, agriculture, health and education. Kuleba also met deputy national security adviser Vikram Misri.

The peace summit was initially planned for March but is now expected to be held in the first half of June. Specific dates are yet to be announced and Ukraine has been lobbying key world powers to back the initiative.

Ahead of his meeting with Jaishankar, Kuleba told Hindustan Times during an interaction with a small group of journalists on Thursday evening that Ukraine is looking to Indias participation in the peace summit as this will help convince other countries, especially in the Global South, about the initiative.

India can take the lead to become the first major non-Western power to openly support the summit on President Zelenskyys peace formula. The conversation with Russia can begin one day, and India can be well placed in this process, Kuleba said.

If India wants to lead, it has to move. Having Indias confirmation of support for the peace formula will mean having a big player on board. India is a voice that matters to others, especially in the Global South, and it will help to convince them, he said.

Kuleba added: India matters and we would like to have it on board. It will add legitimacy to the international efforts and bring other countries on board.

Kuleba acknowledged the legacy of Indias long-standing ties with Russia and said New Delhi could pick one or two topics from Zelenskyys 10-point formula, possibly the return of children and the prisoners of war as well as energy security.

This formula envisages the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops, formal confirmation of the end of the war, and radiation and nuclear safety, especially in the context of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Since last year, four meetings of senior officials from dozens of countries have been held on Zelenskyys peace formula in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta and Davos. India has sent middle-ranking diplomats or the deputy national security adviser to most of these meetings. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was the senior-most Indian official to participate in these meetings when he attended a gathering hosted by Saudi Arabia last August.

The Swiss side has invited India to the peace summit though New Delhi is yet to take a call on the level of its participation, people familiar with the matter said.

Jaishankar and Kuleba also co-chaired a review meeting of the bilateral inter-governmental commission, which last met in 2018. In a separate post on X, Jaishankar noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in all domains. Our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels. Perspectives on trade, health, [science and technology] and agriculture cooperation shared today were useful, he said.

Both sides agreed to prepare for the seventh meeting of the inter-governmental commission later this year, Jaishankar said.
Day after India said Washingtons call for fairness in legal cases related to opposition parties was unwarranted and unacceptable, the United Nations waded into the controversy saying the world hopes everyone is able to vote in the country's parliamentary elections in a free and fair atmosphere, PTI reported. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal leaves Rouse Avenue Court after appearing in a liquor case, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

When asked about the political unrest in India ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the wake of the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Congress's party allegations of freezing of their bank accounts, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said, What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair.

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The United States has twice commented on the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and charges of the freezing of opposition Congress party bank accounts ahead of an election. A State Department spokesperson on Monday said the US is closely following reports of the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and encourages a fair legal process, drawing strong objection from India which summoned the acting U.S. deputy chief of mission in New Delhi.

"India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

Washington, however, doubled down its call for India to carry out fair, transparent, and timely legal processes for each of these issues.

We dont think anyone should object to that, and well make the same thing clear privately, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in Washington.

Miller also declined to comment on India summoning the top US diplomat in India, Gloria Berbena, saying he was not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations.

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 the remarks are unwarranted.

Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable, he said.
Noida, Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh Pankhuri Pathak on Friday called for a judicial probe into every death in police custody, saying the state government and the police administration "becoming so uncontrolled" is "extremely worrying and dangerous". HT Image

Pathak, the chairperson of the Congress's social media wing, also claimed that Uttar Pradesh occupies the top spot in the country in terms of custodial killings.

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Her remarks came after jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death at a hospital in Banda district of the state on Thursday.

Ansari was lodged in the Banda jail and died of a cardiac arrest.

The family of the five-time MLA has alleged that Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in the jail, a charge denied by the prison authorities.

"There are reports of deaths in police custody/custodial killings every day in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country in terms of custodial killing. No part or section of the state has remained untouched by this. Among those who died were Dalits, Muslims, tradesmen, Brahmins, backward class and people of every caste. There should be a judicial inquiry into every death that occurs in police custody," Pathak said in a post in Hindi on Facebook.

"The government and police administration becoming so uncontrolled is extremely worrying and dangerous for the general public and the rule of law," the Congress leader said and attached several news reports of custodial deaths in Uttar Pradesh to her post.

Earlier in the day, Ansari's son Umar told reporters that the family will demand a high-level inquiry and "do whatever we have to do through court".

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, both former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers, have also called for a probe into Ansari's death, while Bhim Army founder and Aazad Samaj Party president Chandra Shekhar Aazad has demanded a CBI investigation.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday night at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda. The gangster's family has accused the authorities of administering slow poison to him. The district authorities have denied the charges and said that he died of cardiac arrest. Mukhtar Ansari death: The Uttar Pradesh administration has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144. (File)

Mukhtar Ansari, a murder convict, was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from jail in an "unconscious state". A five-time MLA from Mau Sadar, Mukhtar Ansari had 60 criminal cases pending against him. He had been in jail since 2005.

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Here are 10 points on Mukhtar Ansari's death:

The Uttar Pradesh administration has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings across the state. Additional security personnel have been deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi. The UP police said on Thursday that the social media cell of the Uttar Pradesh Police has also been activated to keep a close watch on unlawful elements online. Ghazipur SP Omveer Singh said the model code of conduct is in force. He said people will not be allowed to congregate. The Mau police said: Section 144 CrPC is already in place. Appeal is being made to everyone to maintain peace and not take note of any rumours that are being spread through social media. Since Jumma Namaz will be offered today, an adequate Police force is being deployed at all sensitive areas across the district. The situation is peaceful, there is no problem. Mukhtar Ansari's son Umar Ansari claimed his father had told him that he was being given "slow poison". "My father had told us he was being subjected to 'slow poison'. Mukhtar Ansari had informed the court through his lawyers in writing that these things are happening," he claimed. Sibgatullah Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari's elder brother, claimed he didn't get proper medical treatment. "He had been very unwell since 18th March and he was not being given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again. On 25-26 March night, he was in a very bad condition, so he was brought to medical college for a few hours as a formality. He was sent back and it was said that he is stable. He was not given any treatment," he claimed. Meanwhile, Alka Rai, the wife of Krishnanand Rai who was murdered at the behest of Mukhtar Ansari, offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi after the incident (the murder), I felt that today is Holi for us. Deepak Sharma, the lawyer of Mukhtar Ansari in Krishnanand Rai murder case, claimed his lawyers had submitted an application claiming he was being given slow poison."The media and the government say he died of cardiac arrest but we cannot say anything unless we receive the postmortem report, because prima facie, heart attack does not seem like the actual reason for the death... Two days ago, his lawyers submitted an application with serious allegations against the administration that he was being slowly poisoned... We just have to see if the investigation is carried out honestly," he added. Samajwadi Party chief and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav attacked the UP government over his death. "A government that cannot protect life has no right to remain in power. Uttar Pradesh is going through the worst phase of 'government anarchy'. This is the 'zero hour' of law and order in UP," he claimed. BSP president Mayawati demanded a high-level inquiry into the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. "The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari's family regarding his death in jail require a high -level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed," she added. BJP leader Hari Sahani said the gangster died due to disease. "Due to disease, his death occurred...Now what's the point of presenting it in a big way..In Bihar, a priest was murdered brutally, but they didn't find it plausible to raise voices for him, however, several cases were registered against that person (deceased Mukhtar Ansari) and today he died due to cardiac arrest, now they have so much pain for him," he said.

With inputs from ANI, PTI
Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi lambasted the Enforcement Directorate on Friday, calling the agency BJP's political weapon, and accusing the officials of trying to extract the polling strategy of Aam Aadmi Party. Atishi alleged that ED is trying to get the details of AAP's election strategy for the Lok Sabha polls by investigating Arvind Kejriwal's phone. Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi (ANI)

Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, with several electronics seized from his residence, including his personal mobile phone. He has been arrested by the ED in relation with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and is in its custody till April 1.

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Addressing a press conference here, Atishi claimed the insistence of the ED to look into Kejriwal's mobile phone, which was a few months old and did not exist when the policy was formed and implemented, proved that the agency was working as a "political weapon" of the BJP.

However, the Bharatiya Janta Party was quick to hit back at Atishi, with Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accusing her of bluffing. Sachdeva asked the AAP to explain to the people why Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia "changed phones frequently".

Atishi, who is a Cabinet minister in the Delhi government, said, "Actually it is the BJP and not the ED that wants to know what is there on Kejriwal's phone". She said that the excise policy was implemented in 2021-2022, while the Delhi CM's phone is just a few months old.

The ED said Kejriwal's phone from that period is not available, and now, it wants the password of his new phone, Atishi said. "They want it because they will find in it details of AAP's Lok Sabha poll strategy, campaign plans, talks with INDIA bloc leaders and information regarding media and social media strategy," she said.

Delhi BJP responded to this claim by saying that both Kejriwal and Sisodia admitted that they changed several phones. Manish Sisodia is lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail after being arrested in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Meanwhile, Atishi said, So I want to ask the ED why they want to examine a phone that is only a few months old when they know that it is not the phone used during the policy period.

(With inputs from PTI)
Ballari, a dusty city 320 km from Bengaluru, would have continued to remain a boondocks district of Kalyan Karnataka (north Karnataka), but for two things that catapulted it to fame. First was in 1999, when Congress leader Sonia Gandhi contested from this Lok Sabha seat and won defeating Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate, the late Sushma Swaraj. Second, when the Lokayukta report, investigating illegal mining in the district, named Gali Janardhan Reddy  now a BJP MLA  as the kingpin in a 16,085 crore scam that took place between 2006 and 2010.

Known as the Ballari Brothers  G Somashekar Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and G Janardhan Reddy  together with an associate, former minister and now BJP Lok Sabha candidate for Ballari, B Sriramulu, made the district their fiefdom. The Lokayukta report, which came out in 2011, contained a chapter on the collapse of the administration and governance in Ballari. Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde, who investigated the scam, wrote about how the district had been turned into the Republic of Ballari by the mining czars, the Reddy brothers. After the damning report, most of Janardhan Reddy's bank accounts were frozen.

The Lokayukta report indicted Janardhan Reddy, Yediyurappa, several other politicians and as many as 787 government officers. The report led to a Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) probe and in 2011, Janardhan Reddy was arrested by the central agency on the charge that his company, Obulapuram Mining Corporation conducted illegal mining in a reserve forest in Andhra Pradesh bordering Ballari.

Janardhan remained in prison till 2015, when the Supreme Court granted him bail on the condition that he could not visit Ballari, Anantapur and Kadapa (the latter two are districts in Andhra Pradesh). His appeal in October 2022 seeking to modify the conditions and allow him to enter, stay and function in Ballari district was rejected by the apex court. Though the ban stays, as a special case, Janardhan Reddy was allowed to visit Ballari between October 10 and November 6, 2022, when his granddaughter was born.

After his arrest, the BJP, including Swaraj, distanced itself from the Reddy brothers and Janardhana Reddy remained low even after he came out of prison. However, he was back in the spotlight a year later (2016), when he threw a lavish wedding ceremony for his daughter Brahmani, in Bengaluru. The wedding venue was recreated to resemble the palace of the Vijayanagar kingdom since Janardhan Reddy believes he is the reincarnation of the 16th century King Krishnadevaraya who ruled over Vijayanagar.

In 2009, as minister for tourism, Janardhan Reddy had said on the floor of the Legislative Council that Ballari belongs to us referring to the Reddy brothers. IFS officer UV Singh, who headed the Lokayukta's investigation into the illegal mining scam said that when he visited Ballari in September 2009, he was asked by Somashekar Reddy whether he had taken the permission of the district in-charge minister (Janardhan Reddy) to enter. The officer mentions in the Lokayukta report that he said as an Indian citizen, he does not require permission to go anywhere.

Unbridled, unchecked power

Children of a police constable, the Reddy brothers association with the BJP started in the 1990s but they came into the limelight during the contest between Sonia Gandhi and Sushma Swaraj in 1999, when they managed the latters poll campaign. She became their Sushma Tai (godmother) and the photograph of her placing her hand on the heads of Janardhana Reddy and Sriramulu kneeling on either side left a lasting impression. In 2004, Janardhan Reddy's brother Karunakara Reddy won the Ballari Lok Sabha seat  the first time a non-Congress candidate had won it since 1952.

Janardhan Reddy's claim to fame was in 2008, when he engineered Operation Lotus after the assembly polls, poaching MLAs, and making them resign to join the BJP  a concept that is now being emulated in other states. The BJP had won 110 seats in the 2008 Assembly polls and was short of three for a simple majority to form the government. Yediyurappa became the chief minister with the support of six independent MLAs, but to ensure further stability to the government, Janardhan Reddy lured seven MLAs  three from the Congress and four from the Janata Dal (Secular) and five of whom got reelected in bypolls  taking the strength of the BJP to 115.

That same year, Janardhan, his brother Karunakara and Sriramulu became ministers in the Yediyurappa government. In 2009, Janardhan revolted against Yediyurappa alleging interference by the latter's confidante and then minister Shobha Karandlaje. He took 60 BJP MLAs to a resort in Goa compelling Yediyurappa to drop Karandlaje from the cabinet.

Alongside his political growth, Janardhans mining business soared, when a sudden demand for iron ore from China during the Beijing Games in the early 2000s pushed up prices, from 200 to 3,000 a tonne, which is mentioned in the Lokayukta report.

In July 2010, a ruckus broke out between the Congress and the ruling BJP MLAs on the floor of the House, when Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao accused the Reddy brothers of encouraging illegal mining. BJP MLA TH Suresh Babu took on Rao and threatened him with dire consequences. He was joined by all the three Reddy brothers and when Babu challenged the Congress to visit Ballari, Siddaramaiah, who was the then Opposition leader accepted it. The challenge resulted in the Siddaramaiah-led padayatra from Bengaluru to Ballari in August 2010 against illegal mining, sweeping the Congress party to power in 2013.

Break-away from BJP

BJP leaders believe Janardhan Reddy's sole intention in floating the KRPP was to embarrass BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, whom the Reddy brothers believe was instrumental in the party disowning Janardhana Reddy after his arrest. His readmission into the party in the presence of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and state BJP president BY Vijayendra on March 25 has evoked mixed responses in the party. The BJP central leadership had distanced itself from Janardhan Reddy after he was jailed  he was also reportedly asked to keep away from campaigning for the BJP in the Karnataka assembly polls in 2018.

Upon rejoining the party, Janardhan Reddy said, The BJP was always there in my blood, but due to some reasons I had gone out, but today I feel I have come back to my mothers lap. Looking at my brothers here, I dont feel like Im coming back to the BJP office after 13 years. In last years assembly polls, both his brothers were defeated  Somashekar from Ballari city and Karunakara from Harapanahalli.

"Janardhan's KRPP ensured the defeat of his two brothers and Sriramulu in the 2023 assembly polls. Now they need each other and Janardhan Reddy is capable of garnering 50,000 votes in some of the constituencies in Kalyan Karnataka, which the BJP desperately requires,'' said political analyst and senior journalist NK Mohan Ram.

However, senior BJP functionary Vaman Acharya said it had become a necessity for Janaradhan to align with a government for his political survival. He was dismissive of Reddy's readmission being helpful for the BJP. It is not going to make a big impact. But during elections for a party, every small peak will give a new height. His entry is only an image-building exercise, he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress on March 27, filed a petition before assembly speaker UT Khader questioning the legality of Janardhan Reddy merging KRPP with the BJP. They sought his disqualification for violating Schedule 10 of the Constitution, which pertains to anti-defection laws.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday held "open and wide-ranging" talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba. S Jaishankar said that India and Ukraine have had interactions at various levels in recent months which have created certain momentum in the bilateral relationship. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Friday. (Dr. S. Jaishankar-X)

"In recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created certain momentum in our bilateral relationship. Today, after this discussion, we look forward also to the meeting of the intergovernmental commission. Your visit gives us an opportunity to understand the situation in your own region...Our teams have prepared a very substantial agenda for discussions," news agency ANI quoted the union minister as saying.

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Ukraine foreign minister Kuleba, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, is on a two-day visit to India. His visit comes amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Kuleba said that the relationship between India and Ukraine has a strategic perspective. Being traditional friends, both countries can do and should do in the interest of global development and security architecture.

"India and Ukraine have been traditional friends, but I think there is much more that we can do and should do, not only in the interest of our nations but also in the interest of global development and security architecture. We will be looking forward to restoring what existed before the large-scale invasion of Russia and Ukraine began. We will be looking forward to discussing new areas and projects of our cooperation because I do believe that this relationship has a strategic perspective," he said.

Both the leaders also held discussions and exchanged perspectives on various domains including trade, health, science and technology and agriculture cooperation. Both the nations also agreed to prepare for the 7th IGC meeting later this year.

Pleased to co-chair the review meeting of our Inter-Governmental Commission with FM @DmytroKuleba of Ukraine. Noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation in all domains. Our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels. Perspectives on trade, health, S&T and agriculture cooperation shared today were useful. We agreed to prepare for the 7th IGC meeting later this year, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held telephonic conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and asserted that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi spoke to Putin to congratulate him for winning a fifth term in office and followed it up with a phone call to Zelensky to convey India's "consistent support" for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict.

During the conversation, the Ukrainian president 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.

Earlier, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted India's stand on Russia-Ukraine war saying that the conflict could be resolved via dialogue and diplomacy.

"Our position is very clear on peace initiatives and how we look at the Ukraine-Russia conflict. We continue to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and remain open to engaging all ways and means that would help achieve this objective," Jaiswal had said on a query on India's position on the peace conference in Switzerland.

The peace formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2022 follows 10 principles aimed at ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)
Bach's masterpiece first premiered on Good Friday in 1724. His composition is an unparalleled appeal for more humanity. A mother laments over the grave of her son in Bucha, Ukraine (Emilio Morenatti/AP/picture alliance )

A 33-year-old man is accused of a crime. He is arrested, tortured and dies on a cross. His loved ones, including his mother, are forced to watch his torture, powerless to intervene. The darkest chapter in the history of Christianity is described personally and vividly by a witness, the evangelist John, a close friend of the victim.

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That is how one could summarize the theme of Johann Sebastian Bach's St. John Passion. The composition, alongside Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, is considered by many to be one of the greatest works of European music ever written.

"The timeless themes that make this work so topical and universal," says Michael Maul, a Bach researcher and director of the Leipzig Bach Festival. "Love and compassion. Dealing with betrayal, with grief. You don't have to be a devout Christian or even a Lutheran to feel that."

Easter 300 years ago

Good Friday, April 7, 1724. It was the first Easter that 39-year-old composer Johann Sebastian Bach spent in Leipzig. He had moved to the Saxon trade fair city just a year earlier, with his second wife Anna Magdalena, and their four children from his first marriage. He had taken up the position of "Thomaskantor"  becoming director of the 54 choirboys of St. Thomas Church. It was a challenging job that was not always rewarding.

For the people of Leipzig, Bach, who was known as the ex-chapel master of nearby Kothen, was by no means their first choice: "If you can't get one of the best, there's nothing left to do but turn to someone in the middle," went a disappointed comment from town hall.

But Bach was ambitious and determined to prove himself by presenting a new composition during Holy Week, the central musical event of the church year. This Good Friday music was played after the "tempus clausum," a period of musical abstinence lasting throughout the period of Lent. It was the only time of the year when the Thomaskantor could draw on all of the city's musical forces, which were otherwise spread across Leipzig's four main churches.

Reactions remain a mystery

But despite the great attention Bach has garnered in Leipzig throughout the centuries, little is known about how his work was received by audiences back then. "We haven't yet found a contemporary witness who really unpacked and wrote down how he felt about this masterpiece," says Michael Maul. And of course, there are no audio recordings. "Otherwise one might be amazed by some things: The sound aesthetics, the tempi."

Some listeners may have been overwhelmed by Bach's dramatic and at times aggressive music. One can also assume that the congregation was exhausted by the time it was all over  with sermons and other "text interludes" the whole thing lasted almost five hours.

The St. John Passion and current affairs

On Good Friday, April 10, 2020, Leipzig found itself in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. A performance of the Passion was out of the question anywhere in the world. Yet the Leipzig Bach Festival made history by developing a unique art project with a small group of creative minds. At the hour of Jesus' death, at 3 p.m., a chamber music version of the St. John Passion was performed at Bach's tomb in the St. Thomas Church. It was streamed live and the global Bach community was invited to sing along. The video received millions of views.

The focus was on the project's creators: Percussionist Philipp Lamprecht, harpsichordist Elina Albach and the charismatic Icelandic tenor Benedikt Kristjansson, who presented Bach's work largely as a one-man show. Steven Walter, the artistic director of the Beethovenfest Bonn, who came up with the idea of the Passion as a trio, also took part. Though Bach's music sometimes lost its colorfulness in this reduced form, the message of the Passion came across all the more clearly.

St. John Passion retold anew

The successful project has since been performed more than 50 times at various venues. "I think the St. John Passion is actually still a work that has a lot to tell us, even 300 years after its premiere, and it sounds different every time," Elina Albach told DW. "With every performance, every concert, we have the feeling that we are telling the story anew."

This was also the case during Holy Week in 2022, when images from Bucha in Ukraine shocked the world. "We played the St. John Passion that day," recalls Albach. "And suddenly the recitatives and crucifixion texts sounded like newspaper reports or news that reached us live from Ukraine on the wires, so to speak ..."

"Bach exposes, Bach accuses, but Bach also comforts," says musicologist Particia Siegert. "He holds a mirror up to us all, full of thoughtfulness about responsibility, love, life and death."
What does India look like inside a White mans head? A land of tired tropes: Sleepy small towns that hide murderous, incestuous secrets; a spunky village belle; sloppy cops; a gruff tapori; general lawlessness and everyone dancing to that one earworm of a bhangra tune. Dev Patel isnt White. But the UK-born actors directorial debut, Monkey Man, still ends up looking like the India that only exists on screen.

In The Darjeeling Limited, the whole country is reduced to a backdrop for therapeutic effect.
A customer picks up an order at Captain Seas at 905 N. Colony Rd. in Wallingford, Monday, February 12, 2024. Captain Seas owner Fani Manos said Friday that her 15-year lease on the property expires next month and the property owner has other plans for the site. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Captain Seas at 905 N. Colony Rd. in Wallingford, Monday, February 12, 2024. Captain Seas owner Fani Manos said Friday that her 15-year lease on the property expires next month and the property owner has other plans for the site. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media 7 Brews coffee plans to open its first New England location on Route 5 in Wallingford on the site of Captain Seas restaurant, which will be demolished. Contributed by 7 Brew / Hearst Connecticut Media A sign in the window at Captain Seas at 905 N. Colony Rd. in Wallingford, Monday, February 12, 2024. Captain Seas owner Fani Manos said Friday that her 15-year lease on the property expires next month and the property owner has other plans for the site. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Captain Seas owner Fani Manos, third from left, poses with restaurant staff, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Fani Manos / Contributed photo Captain Seas at 905 N. Colony Rd. in Wallingford, Monday, February 12, 2024. Captain Seas owner Fani Manos said Friday that her 15-year lease on the property expires next month and the property owner has other plans for the site. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Former owner Nancy Smith outside her Captain Seas restaurant on North Colony Road while celebrating the 25th year in business. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media Fani Yiotsas is the new manager of Capatain Seas which was sold by longtime owner Nancy Smith in the spring of this year. Yiotsas kept the old menu but added healthy food as well. Dave Zajac / Hearst Connecticut Media

WALLINGFORD  Captain Seas may soon be leaving its longtime Route 5 location, but the business owner is in the process of finding a new home for the popular seafood restaurant, she said Thursday.

A special permit to demolish the current Captain Seas building at 905 North Colony Road comes before the Planning and Zoning Commission again April 11. The property owner plans to replace Captain Seas with a new 7 Brew coffee, a national drive-thru chain.

It would be 7 Brew's first Connecticut location.

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Should it be approved, Captain Seas will be given 45 days to vacate the building.

Fani Manos, Captain Seas owner, is in the planning stage of securing a new property in town to continue operations. During an interview Thursday, she said she was unable to offer details on where the business would be moving yet, but is working with the town to find a new location.

We can't do anything yet until we finalize what day we are going to stop being here," Manos said. "So I have to wait on that. I do have a couple of places that I'm looking at. I left it at that for now until we know. We are going to try and stay as much as possible."

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Meanwhile, longtime customers are putting together another in a string of popular cruise nights at Captain Seas, bringing classic cars to display in the parking lot while they enjoy food and drink. The event is planned for the evening of April 10, a day ahead of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Manos said she was thankful to have such enthusiastic support from the community, even as the restaurant faces an uncertain future. They make me feel so good. Really. I mean, all the money in the world, is there anything like the people. I got so much love from the people.

The 15-year lease of the property expired a couple months ago. The property owner Larry Merriam opted not to renew the lease in favor of updating the building and attracting a new tenant.

Merriam, who owns the property management company Fulton Forbes Inc, said in an interview last month that he was giving Manos a payment to leave the property to cushion the restaurants closure, out of respect for the business and the relationship it had with his father.

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She's a long time tenant. My father started the company, and out of respect for him, he passed away and he liked her. I wanted to do something to compensate her, said Merriam.

The current restaurants unique facade has been a fixture in Wallingford for decades, with the building dating back to 1965, according to town records. Once the business vacates the building, it will be demolished to make room for 7 Brew before the end of the year, Merriam said.

The fast-growing Arkansas-based chain of drive-thru coffee stands serves premium coffee, smoothies, and tea. It would make 7 Brew a direct competitor to other chains like Dunkin and Starbucks, which also have a prominent presence along Route 5.

The chain has 100 locations in 24 states, but the new location will be its first in New England.

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Manos said that she met with owners of the new business and wishes them the best of luck in the location as she reflected on her time there.

Fifteen years here, I was happy to come to work every day. I was happy to be here because I have some really nice people walking in every day. So I'm happy I had that experience in my life and I'm thankful for Wallingford. They have the nicest people and I wish the new location will be as busy as it is here. We'll take it from there, Manos said.

I wish the new people that come to this location, I wish them good luck," she added. "They were here to meet me and all. They seem like nice people, hardworking people, so this town is getting another good business.
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Julia Fox, known for her unconventional style and head-turning looks, was recently spotted in New York City walking her pet dog, a St. Bernard. While it is uncommon for the general public to wear makeup looks inspired by Black Metal bands, Fox comfortably wore corpse paint while strolling outdoors. Italian-US actress Julia Fox attends the Vanity Fair Oscars Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP)(AFP)

Julia Fox showcases daring Corpse Paint makeup look

For the not-so-casual outing, the 34-year-old actress donned an edgy black blazer, a white collared shirt, and a pleated skirt with silver chains and zippers. She completed the look inspired by her Goth era with towering platform heels. The Uncut Gems star made sure that her pet dog also stepped out in style as it rocked a spiked collar, keeping up with Fox's theme for the day.

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The standout element was not the fit itself, but the corpse paint makeup, which included a white base with black lipstick and intricate barbed wire designs drawn around her lips with her long blonde hair left open. Colby Smith, the makeup artist, used e.l.f. Cosmetics' Liquid Death partnership to create the makeup look, taking cues from 80s glam rock bands like KISS.

The No Sudden Move star, known for her iconic make-up looks, has evolved over time, often featuring bold and experimental looks. Fox also posted a closeup of her look on Instagram, captioned, This is my interpretation of The Final Boss of the *weird Barbies* . Celebrities like SZA, Paris Hilton, and Lisa Rinna praised the look, with Hilton showing love with a simple black heart, Rinna commenting, Wowza, and SZA calling her Hotttt.

She never ceases to leave a mark with her striking looks, which was evident during her fashion debut earlier this month at the Mugler Fall 2024 show in Paris. The sheer catsuit she wore had tiny sequins all over it, giving it the appearance of reptile skin.
Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal and a new life for Christians across the world as it is believed by the community to be the dawn of a new beginning, a time of resurrection and a celebration of life that reminds us that hope must never be lost, for as dark as the road may seem, there always lies light at the end of it. It is a day of feasting and celebration during which people attend prayer services, decorate and distribute Easter eggs and play traditional Easter games but unlike Christmas, there is no fixed date for the festival of Easter. Easter 2024: Date, history, significance, celebration of the Christian festival (Photo by Brisbane Kids)

According to the New Testament of the Bible, the holiday occurs three days after the crucifixion of Jesus by Romans and concludes the Passion of Christ, which begins with a 40 days period of fasting  Lent and is concluded by the Holy Week.

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Date:

This year, Easter will be celebrated by the Christian community across the world on Sunday, March 31.

History:

The story behind Easter lies in the New Testament of the Bible which narrates how Jesus was arrested by the Roman authorities because he claimed to be the Son of God. He was then sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman emperor by crucifixion. His resurrection three days later marks the occasion of Easter. This day is also closely associated with the Jewish festival of Passover.

According to the New Testament, it is believed to have occurred on the third day (after his burial) following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary. It is the culmination of the religious season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.

Significance:

The day marks the return of Christ who sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity. The resurrection proves him as the true son of God who defeated evil and death before ascending to heaven.

Easter marks the completion of the Passion of Christ, beginning from Lent and ending with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (also Maundy Thursday which celebrates Jesus Last Supper with his 12 Apostles), Good Friday (when Jesus crucifixion is observed) and finally ending with Easter Sunday.

Celebration:

People tend to splurge during Easter as it comes after 40 days of Lent. Brightly painted chocolate-filled eggs are exchanged, and Easter Bunny delivers chocolate eggs to kids, there are Easter eggs hunts and plenty more fun activities on Easter.

Easter Vigil, a religious service, is how many churches begin Easter celebration in the late hours of the Saturday before. There are several non-religious celebrations too including Easter eggs. Eggs represent birth and fertility, and it is believed they are used during Easter festivities to symbolise Jesus rebirth. Nonreligious celebrations include the tradition of Easter eggs, which represent fertility and birth and Easter bunny which delivers chocolates and sweets to kids on Sunday morning.

Easter Sunday and related celebrations, such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Palm Sunday, are considered moveable feasts. Although Easter has a lot of religious significance in Christianity, several traditions date to pre-Christian, pagan times. This Christian celebration is also closely associated with the Jewish festival of Passover as well as the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, as described in the Old Testament.

It is a day of feasting and celebration during which people attend prayer services, decorate and distribute Easter eggs and play traditional Easter games such as egg rolling, egg tapping and egg decorating. The Easter egg like the Easter lily (that is used for decoration in Churches) represents new life and fertility.
Holy Saturday, also known as Easter Eve, falls between Good Friday and Easter and is a period of silent and reflection as Christians await the resurrection of Christ and joyous celebration of Easter. The day also marks the end of the 40 days of Lent, a period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday. The seventh day of the Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, Holy Saturday commemorates the day when Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb after his crucifixion on Good Friday and before his resurrection on Easter Sunday. On this day, devout prepare themselves physically and spiritually before celebration of Christ's resurrection. (Also read | Good Friday traditions: How Christians around the world celebrate the festival) This year, Holy Saturday is being observed on Saturday, March 30, 2024 and will be followed by Easter on Sunday, March 31, 2024.(Freepik)

Holy Saturday Date

This year, Holy Saturday is being observed on Saturday, March 30, 2024 and will be followed by Easter on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

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Holy Saturday History

Good Friday is observed on the day when Jesus Christ was crucified after his arrest and charge of claiming to be the King of the Jews. According to scripture, after his death, Jesus was buried in a tomb, fulfilling ancient prophecies of his resurrection on the third day. Following the custom of the time, women, including Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary, visited the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with oils and spices. However, they discovered the tomb empty, with only the burial cloths remaining. A week later, Jesus appeared to his disciples, confirming his resurrection.

Holy Saturday Customs and Traditions

Holy Saturday, or Easter Vigil, is marked by diverse customs globally. In Mexico, it is dubbed Judas Day, where effigies of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, are burned. In Czech tradition, it is known as White Saturday, symbolising purity and anticipation of renewal. Across cultures, the day is observed with a vigil service held an hour after sundown, symbolising the wait before Jesus' resurrection. Lighting fires and candles signify Christ's passage from death to life, while bell tolling marks the end of Lent. On this day, preparations for Easter are also made worldwide, including egg colouring and decorating.

Holy Saturday Significance

Holy Saturday is the time for deep spiritual reflection, anticipation, and preparation for the upcoming celebration of Easter. It is considered a sacred day in the Christian calendar. Holy Saturday is an integral part of the liturgical calendar of the Christian Church and various rituals are practiced to commemorate this solemn day, including the Easter Vigil. In some Christian traditions, Holy Saturday is associated with the belief that Jesus descended into the realm of the dead or 'hell' after his death on the cross. This belief, known as the 'Harrowing of Hell,' holds that Jesus liberated the souls of the righteous who had died before his coming and proclaimed salvation to all.
Domestic carrier Akasa Air has commenced its international operations with its inaugural overseas flight departing from Mumbai to Doha, Qatar. Akasa Air begins international flights: Mumbai-Doha route inaugurated, more destinations planned (REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo)

In a statement on Thursday, the airline said it has been granted traffic rights for three other international destinations -- Kuwait, Jeddah and Riyadh.

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Akasa will be rapidly expanding its global footprint in the coming months, the statement said.

Further, the airline said with its conveniently timed flight schedule, travellers from other domestic cities such as Ahmedabad, Goa, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Delhi will also have multiple connecting options for travel to and from Doha via Mumbai.

Domestically, Akasa operates from a host of cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, among others.
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. Niagara Falls, Ontario Mayor Jim Diodati, who says the city is preparing to host more than one million visitors during the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse event, poses with a pair of safety glasses at his office in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Solar eclipse fever grips Niagara Falls: Hotel and vintage train prices soar, party spots prepare for massive crowds (REUTERS/Wa Lone/File Photo)

The dramatic waterfall, situated along the Canadian-US 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.

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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 US 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)
Imagine a time before hashtags and viral campaigns, when a movement sparked a global conversation about the environment. Picture villagers, their voices strong and hearts resolute, standing firm against powerful forces to protect their beloved forests.

In 1972, a decision was made to change the vision of the Hill Area Development and Forest Policy from logging rights for local communities to environmental conservation after a working committee realised the impact of deforestation on Himalayan communities and their ecosystem. Women were the first to recognise the importance of this decision and inspired other community members to join a campaign that became a significant movement.

When the verdant tapestry of the Himalayan foothills, once a symphony of whispering woods and cascading waterfalls, echoed with the ominous clang of axes, a movement bloomed. This was the Chipko movement. Rooted in a profound love for the environment, its branches stretched outwards, reaching the hearts of not just a nation, but a global community.

A testament to the power of grassroots activism, womens empowerment, ecological protection, and community resilience, Chipkos enduring message is a siren call for sustainable development and climate action. In March 1974, Chipkos first protest took place in Reni village. Marking the 50th year of the Chipko movement, lets revisit its six key messages that continue to inspire new generations, ensuring its legacy endures.

The Chipko movement exemplified the transformative power of women in action, showcasing their resilience, determination, and leadership in protecting their ecosystem. Led by Gaura Devi, a group of homemakers in Reni staged the first tree-hugging protest of the movement. Rooted in sisterhood, rural women emerged as leaders of the movement. Sharing childcare responsibilities, Himalayan women became key actors in the movement, actively protesting, organising campaigns, and advocating for forest conservation with unwavering sisterhood.

Their deep connection with the land and thorough understanding of the direct and indirect impact of deforestation brought attention to the critical issues of deforestation and environmental degradation while challenging traditional gender roles and inspiring other women to join and lead. As we reflect on the enduring impact of Chipko, we recognise that women in action are catalysts for change, driving progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

A core principle that Chipko lived by is change driven by conviction instead of coercion. The movement shunned aggression, opting for peaceful protests symbolised by villagers, especially women, hugging trees to protect them from logging. The movements ability to mobilise communities through non-violent means inspired many concurrent environmental movements globally.

Chipko showcased the potent force of collective action. It re-established that collective resonance, fearless passion, truth, and connected actions can triumph over opposing forces. Chipko activists innovated alternative ways of collective action like reinforcing unity through art forms, and the shared passion resonated even stronger. The movements impact was amplified by folklore, slogans, parallel campaigning efforts, global supporters, efficient information-sharing, and strong community support. These elements combined to create a formidable force that challenged established norms and demanded accountability and action from the authorities. The Chipko movement led to key reforms in forest policy for the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and later also contributed to reforms in the National Forest Policy.

Chipkos philosophy revolved around a simple but profound understanding  people and nature are intricately connected. The movement emphasised the importance of the five Fs  food for survival, fodder for animals, fibre for clothing, fuel for cooking, and fertiliser for agriculture  that come from a healthy forest. The five Fs of Chipko are a constant reminder of the essential role ecosystems play in sustaining human life. By embracing this philosophy, the movement fostered a deep sense of environmental responsibility that continues to resonate with us today, a reminder that we are not separate from the environment, but part of it, and its well-being is our well-being.

Sunderlal Bahugunas leadership played a pivotal role in shaping and expanding the Chipko movement. He recognised the importance of aligning the movements focus with ecological preservation, a vision that was urgent, resonated deeply within Himalayan women and, soon, within most local communities. Bahuguna championed this new direction, tirelessly advocating for sustainable forestry practices. Through relentless campaigning, hunger strikes, and powerful written appeals, he ensured the movements demands reached the relevant authorities globally. He built networks with international environmental organisations, bringing the fight for sustainable forestry practices to the world stage.

Chipkos message travelled through conferences, newspaper articles, and even personal letters, sparking solidarity movements around the world. In 1981, Bahugunas unwavering commitment was evident at the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy in Nairobi, Kenya. He carried a bundle of wood on his back, a potent symbol of the daily struggle faced by millions of rural women who rely on dwindling forests for fuel. He proved that dedication, strategic communication, and a clear message can resonate far and wide, even without the instant reach of todays technology.

The Chipko movement is not a relic of the past; it is a source of inspiration for the challenges we face today. The climate crisis, deforestation, and resource scarcity threaten our planets future. Chipko reminds us that change starts with everyday heroes, with communities united by a common purpose. It teaches us that courage, compassion, and a deep connection with nature are the most potent weapons in our arsenal. Heres the beauty of Chipkos legacy  its not a rigid set of rules, but a wellspring of inspiration. Every action, big or small, can contribute to a healthier planet. Our actions must build a future.

Haritima Bahuguna, policy officer at the department of transport and Planning, Victoria, Australia, is Sunderlal Bahugunas granddaughter. The views expressed are personal
The Paris-based World Inequality Lab recently published a paper which claims that economic inequality in India is the highest it has ever been since the British Raj. Like every other empirical study on the Indian economy, this one has also created a debate on the merits, or lack of it, of both the data and the methodology. The Chief Economic Advisor himself has written an article in Mint criticising the findings of the paper. Such debates, to be sure, are neither the first nor the last we have or will see on the Indian economy. Unless the government decides to publish granular and regular data on consumption and inequality-related topics, a lot of these debates will be of the kind of one economist's word and assumptions against another rather than objective and data-driven.

These debates, however, are not the concern of this column, as was the case when it spoke about a renewed interest in Indias poverty levels after the publication of the 2022-23 Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (HCES). The point that the poverty column made was simple. While there is a widespread agreement about the fact that poverty has been falling in India in the post-reform period, politicians and government have been spending more rather than less money on fighting poverty in India, it argued.

The interplay of inequality with politics is very different from the dialectic between poverty and politics in India. Even the most vocal supporters of the government or those who criticise the likes of World Inequality Lab paper authors (this also includes Thomas Piketty, one of the most influential voices on inequality in todays world) will not argue that inequality has been eradicated like extreme poverty in India. The debate between the two camps, at most, is about minor changes in the direction of inequality rather than its existence per se.

This broad intellectual consensus, however, has had a completely opposite political reaction. Almost every major political party in India has pretty much given up on the idea of politically weaponising inequality and is more than happy to throw palliatives at the (as ironic as it sounds, statistically) non-existent poverty problem. In fact, one can very well argue that there has been a bipartisan consensus over following policies which have added to economic inequality (along with growth) in the post-reform period in India. Tax holidays to investors, reduction in corporation tax rates, abolition of wealth tax, and dilution of labour laws are some such examples.

What explains this asymmetry between the political and economic takes on poverty and inequality in India? The question can have multiple answers and it is very likely that almost all of them are right.

The first could be that, unlike many emerging market economies in Southeast Asia and Latin America, the Indian economy has never had a financial or economic meltdown. This has basically meant that a very large majority of the proverbial middle class has never faced an economic shock which inflicts a significant deterioration in income and wealth levels. The Indian deep state, or at least its economic component, can rightly claim credit for having steered the economic ship clear of such a disaster. To come back to political perception, it also means that the middle classes do not really see the ruling class and their super-rich allies as somebody who has accumulated their fortunes at the cost of the non-rich. In fact, one could very well argue that a large number of Indians see success stories of super-rich capitalists in the post-reform period as their own success stories because of the jobs they have landed in the modern service sector.

The second part of the story is about the people who were foot soldiers in the fight against inequality in the immediate aftermath of Independence. Land ownership in large parts of India was extremely concentrated during the British Raj and the dominance of landed interests within the Congress party ensured that there was no substantive change in the situation after 1947. This generated a lot of tailwinds for radical redistributive politics in rural India. While the Communists were the primary beneficiaries of this politics, this assertion also played a role in the evolution of backward caste politics against (primarily) upper-caste feudal interests in large parts of the country. What did this politics stall in the post-reform period? The simplest answer to this question is that the site of class struggle collapsed, which also made rewards from this kind of class politics completely redundant. This is what the systemic viability crisis of agriculture has done to the rural class struggle and redistributive politics in India. The fact that India never put restrictions on rural-to-urban migration unlike countries such as China has also played a role in bringing down class temperatures in rural areas. What we see in the name of farmers movements today is more a struggle by relatively well-off farmers to keep the terms of trade in their favour rather than militant class politics.

The third explanation could be that the fight against inequality has been sidetracked in a direction which makes the right criticism about the historical roots of inequality but lacks the vision to build a broad-based fight against it in the present. This is the continuing dominance of social identities over their class counterpart in the political discourse over inequality in India. This process has led to the proliferation of a bunch of regional political outfits, which are led by politicians who treat these as their family enterprises and have amassed vast fortunes compared to the masses they claim to represent.

Will these three in-built roadblocks against a wider and forward-looking political struggle against inequality change in the near term? It would be nihilistic to wish for the disappearance of the first roadblock. A motivated class struggle in Indias farms is more in the realm of the romantic rather than realpolitik. Caste-based politics, even if it does not give economic redistribution, does offer other community and network services to its followers. This, when read with continuing social prejudice, will ensure that caste continues to play an important role in driving politics at the grassroots level in India.

Does this make politics against inequality a lost cause in India? One should never say never in politics and there is one factor which is yet to test its political salience. What if the mass upward mobility potential of reforms is beginning to taper off for India at a time when aspirations and expectations are growing exponentially? We will see the interplay of this dialectic in the next decade or so.

Roshan Kishore, HT's Data and Political Economy Editor, writes a weekly column on the state of the country's economy and its political fall out, and vice-versa
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who is in India for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), had words of praise for the Hyderabad airport a day after he praised the Bengaluru airport's Terminal 2. Kevin Pietersen had words of praise of the Hyderabad airport. (X/@KP24)

Another day another airport. This time through my buddies airport in Hyderabad. One thing again - this is another magnificent airport which can stand up with the best in the world, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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The tech, the cleanliness, the shopping and the friendliness are pure."

Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the first airport in India to get smart baggage trolleys, which have screens which give real-time information on flights and the airport facilities.

Earlier this week, he had praised the Bengaluru airport.

"Just travelled through the brand new airport in Bangalore. Its absolutely world class. Can be put up against any airport around the world. Wow," he wrote on X, sharing a clip from Terminal 2 of the airport.

The Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports secured the second and third spots respectively, in both the global airports and largest airport categories, according to a report released by aviation analytics provider Cirium earlier this year.

Check out what Kevin Pietersen wrote about the Hyderabad airport:

Pietersen is an official commentator for the IPL and is touring cities hosting the matches. In the past, he has played for IPL teams Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Hyderabad hosted the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) thriller in which the home team crushed Mumbai, clinching a 31-run win over at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad hit the highest total in IPL) history that evening, posting 277-3 against Mumbai Indians.

This makes is the second loss for Mumbai Indians this season, after Hardik Pandya assumed captaincy.

Hyderabad surpassed the previous record of 263-5, set by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013, propelled by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten knock of 80 runs from 34 balls which included four boundaries and seven sixes.

(With inputs from agencies)
A man in Ghaziabad ordered a smartphone worth 22,000 from Flipkart on March 28. The order was delivered the same day. However, when the man unboxed the package, he was shocked to find stones nicely packed instead of the smartphone he had ordered. The man then tried to return the package but the company rejected his return request. The image shows the stones that the Flipkart customer received instead of the phone he had ordered. (X/@Abhishek_Patni)

A Ghaziabad resident claims he ordered a mobile phone worth Rs22,000 through Flipkart but instead received stones! The victim claims the courier refuses to take back the parcel. So much so for online shopping, reads the caption to the picture shared on X.

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According to the screenshot, the man ordered Infinix Zero 30 5G in Golden Hour with 256 GB storage

Take a look at the post shared on X here:

Flipkart apologised and wrote, Wed never want you to get anything but what you ordered and are extremely sorry about this instance. To assist you further, kindly provide us with your order details via private chat so that they remain confidential here. Awaiting your response.

The company further cautioned customers not to respond to social media handles impersonating them. Please do not respond to fake social media handles impersonating our brand to safeguard your interactions.

This, however, is not the first time that a customer received something else instead of what they ordered. Earlier, a man in Kashmir placed an order for the newly-launched Nothing Phone 2a worth 20,808. However, he received a low-cost phone from a brand called I Kall. Whats more, when he tried to return it, Flipkart rejected his return request on whimsical grounds.

In response to this, Flipkart customer service told the customer that his request was rejected as the courier service provider confirmed the delivery of the order with the product being intact. The company further shared that his request was pending as the images he uploaded in the complaint could not be validated.
A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor issued tickets amounting to 444 for four parrots. As per reports, the incident occurred on a bus from Bengaluru To Mysore. The image shows the parrots in a cage and the ticket issued on a KSRTC bus from Bengaluru To Mysore. (X/@TeluguScribe)

According to Asianet News, a woman was travelling with her granddaughter and the kids pet parrots. She was carrying the parrots in a cage. The woman and her grandkid didnt have to pay for the tickets under Shakti Yojana - this scheme provides free rides to women if they opt for non-premium services in state-run buses in Karnataka.

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However, the birds were treated as separate passengers and were charged 111 each, totalling 444, reported the outlet.

An image of the bus receipt also made its way onto social media:

How did netizens react to this parrot-related incident?

While some were amused, others argued that the conductor was right to issue tickets for the birds.

The conductor followed the rules, wrote an X user.

Bus is for people and not for animals. In fact, they should be charged double for it and not just half, joined another.

I find this quite hilarious, added a third.

Travelling with birds or pets on KSRTC buses:

As per the outlet, commuters must pay child fare for birds and pets while travelling in KSRTC buses. Any passenger failing to do so needs to pay a fine. If it is found that the conductor failed to issue a ticket for a pet or a bird, then the individual can get suspended and even face criminal charges.

Also Read: Bus conductor suspended for issuing wrong tickets to 50 passengers

As per the official website of KSRTC, Pet animals or birds are allowed in City, Suburban, Ordinary and Mofussil services only. Pet animals or birds are not allowed in premium services like Karnataka Vaibhava, Rajahamsa, non-AC sleeper and all air-conditioned services.

KSRTC further states that the animals or the birds shall be carried in baskets, tied with chains and facemasks. Also, the accompanying passenger must ensure that the animals are not disturbing other commuters.
A video of a man brazenly disrupting traffic on a Delhi flyover to film an Instagram Reel was shared on social media. The clip has sparked anger among people, and many tagged the police department of the city on X to demand strict action against the driver who had held up traffic. Many have tagged Delhi Police on the comments section of the video that shows a man recording an Instagram reel on a flyover. (Unsplash/@uday_77)

A journalist took X to share the video of the incident. Written in Hindi, the caption posted alongside the video, when translated to English, reads, "Watch the reckless stunt. Video of a young man stopping traffic on Paschim Vihar flyover goes viral. Whether it is done to make a reel or to fulfil the desire for fame, the young man was seen carelessly doing stunts by stopping vehicles on the flyover in Paschim Vihar". The journalist also tagged several police authorities in Delhi.

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Take a look at this video of the reckless stunt below:

Since being shared a day ago, the video has collected more than 71,000 views. It has further accumulated nearly 1,000 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the clip. Several people tagged Delhi Police to attract their attention to the stunt video.

What did X users say about this stunt?

Most people took to the video's comments section and shared their reactions in Hindi. Below are some comments translated into English.

"Some people have no fear of the law at all," posted an X user.

Also Read: 5 times people performed dangerous stunts and landed in trouble for them

"Leave studies, use social media and become famous quickly," added another sarcastically.

"Making a reel by blocking the entire traffic system, traffic police, please take strictest action on this," joined a third.

"Please take strict action against such brainless people," wrote a fourth.
As popular podcaster Andrew Huberman faces widespread criticism following revelations about his alleged dark side in an explosive report, an unexpected show of support emerged from the streets of Bengaluru in India. Flyers supporting Andrew Huberman seen in Bengaluru's Indiranagar,(X/@ramyakh)

Posters supporting the tainted Stanford neuroscientist appeared on a lamp post in Bengaluru's Indiranagar, featuring Huberman's image.

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"I stand with you. Dr Andrew Huberman. We are with you," the text on the posters say.

The photo was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user named Ramyakh.

Only in Indiranagar, he wrote, indicating how the posh neighbourhood is one of the key start-up hubs in the city.

Popular X account Peak Bengaluru commented on the post.

Come to Bengaluru, @hubermanlab, the account admin wrote.

Check out the poster shared on X:

What is the Andrew Huberman report about?

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.

The US-based influencer who hosts the Huberman Lab podcast is accused of infidelity and toxic behaviour by his former partners and acquaintances.

Among the many allegations, he 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".

The woman, who was identified only as Sarah, 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.

Huberman followers shocked

Redditors and other social media users weighed in the explosive report on Andrew Huberman's personal life, with many of expressing a sense of betrayal.

"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," a 24-year-old woman wrote on Reddit.

Dirty hit-job

Several influential voices on social media expressed support for Huberman, calling the report a dirty hit-job.

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".
The photo of Hamas parading the body of a woman has won an award in the United States, sparking outrage on the internet. Shani Louk was a tattoo artist and had visited Israel to participate in a music festival for peace near the Gaza border fence.

News agency Associated Press (AP) won the award under the "Team Picture Story of the Year" category in the Pictures of the Year awards.

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Shani Louk, a German-Israeli citizen, who was believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas, was found dead in October last year.

In a chilling video, verified by CNN, Louk was seen being displayed on a vehicle by armed militants in Gaza who are chanting "Allahu Akbar," an Arabic phrase meaning "God is Great."

Shani Louk went missing while attending the Supernova music festival in southern Israel where Hamas attacked on October 7, killing over 1,400 people. Louk's mother later received information from the Israeli military that her daughter is dead.

According to the organisers of the award, the category in which the photo won the award recognizes the collaborative effort of a photography staff covering a single topic or news story.

Here are a few reactions on X:

I am disgusted, shocked and enraged that this @AP image - of a murdered Shani Louk from October 7th was given picture of the year, X user Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll wrote.

My heart breaks for Shani Louk and her family, another user wrote.

Around 250 people were abducted, and Hamas is believed to still be holding about 100 hostages.

The international community has been pushing for more aid to enter Gaza, frustrated with the growing humanitarian crisis and with Israels restrictions that have prevented more aid getting in by land.

A quarter of Gazas population is starving, the United Nations has warned, and the territory's Health Ministry says more than 31,314 Palestinians have been killed. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.
A video of a Virat Kohli fan from Seattle extending her support for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been going viral on social media. The video shows the woman thanking Virat Kohli and RCB for the wonderful memories. She further expressed that she has a special connection with RCB and cheered for the team ahead of its IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Whats more, it has a Tesla twist! Virat Kohli fan with the car bearing the number plate having an RCB twist. (X/@Trend_VKohli)

Virat Kohli and RCB fan from Seattle, USA, reads the caption written alongside the video shared on X.

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The video shows the Tesla bearing the RCB-18 number plate. The number 18 has a special connection with Virat Kohli. Wondering what it is? Well, Virat Kohli wears jersey number 18.

In the video, the woman can be heard saying, Thank you, RCB and Virat Kohli, for all the wonderful memories over the years. I have been supporting RCB right from the beginning and will keep supporting RCB forever. The special connection I feel with RCB and Virat is priceless and no trophy can ever beat this feeling. Thank you, Virat, you have created a positive impact on millions of people by inspiring with your passion and dedication.

She added, Proudly dedicating this number plate - RCB 18 to you. RCB all the very best for this IPL season.

KKR vs RCB IPL match

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Shreyas Iyer is leading the KKR squad, while Faf du Plessis is the captain of RCB. It will be interesting to witness who will win the match as this will be the first IPL match between the two teams.
The story of a woman who consumed dry ice thinking it was mouth freshener at a restaurant in Gurgaon and started vomiting blood is being widely shared online, over three weeks after the incident took place. The woman and four others had the medical emergency after they placed dry ice in their mouth, following which they vomitted blood, a video of which was viral. People were screaming and vomiting after consuming dry ice contaminated mouth freshener.(Dry ice representative image- cottonbro studio)

Social media influencer Uorfi Javed was among those who reacted to the womans narration of the horrific incident, calling dor strict action against those responsible for the mishap.

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Punish the culprits, she wrote on Instagram Stories after People of India shared the story of Nehu Sabharwal, who is one of the victims.

Sabharwal said she and her family could have died due to the Gurgaon restaurant's negligence. She recalled the event and said that after the waitress gave them the dry ice, they started to vomit blood and shivered in pain.

She also alleged that the staff ran away after witnessing the scene.

She and another person who dined with her were hospitalised.

After reaching the hospital, the doctors told them that they had eaten dry ice. For the next five days, the woman was kept on steroids and could not consume anything. She also shared photos of her blistered mouth and lips.

The video has collected over 12 million views.

A waitress at La Forestta cafe-cum-restaurant was arrested and later let off on bail.

A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, showed the five friends purportedly vomiting blood. Police said earlier that two of the five people were still hospitalised.

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide, a cooling agent that is toxic.

The district food safety officer had also sent a show cause notice to the restaurant.
Islamabad, Two more Chinese companies have stopped work on hydropower projects three days after five Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide attack in Pakistans restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to a media report on Friday. HT Image

The development comes a day after Power Construction Corporation of China suspended civil works at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project in the Swabi district of KP province and laid off over 2,000 workers.

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The Chinese were working on the Dasu hydropower project, which is about 300 km to the north of Islamabad. The 4,320 MW project is being constructed by China Gezhouba with funding from the World Bank. Tuesdays attack was the second suicide attack on the personnel working on the China-backed hydropower project since 2021.

After the Tarbela project, the Chinese companies have now suspended civil work at the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha dams due to security concerns and about 1,000 Chinese engineers working on both the projects have stopped operations.

The local staff for both the projects has been directed to stay home till further orders, The News International reported.

An official working on the Dasu dam project confirmed that the Chinese company stopped work and local staff was asked to stay at home. The project employed around 741 Chinese and 6,000 locals.

Similarly, General Manager of the 4,800 MW Diamer-Bhasha Dam Nazakat Hussain also confirmed that the Chinese company had stopped work and said around 500 Chinese nationals were engaged in DBD but the Frontier Works Organisation staff, of about 6,000 locals, continues to work.

However, 250 Chinese engineers are still working on the Mohmand Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the newspaper said quoting Asim Rauf, the general manager of the dam. The Chinese have shown satisfaction over the security situation in the project area and they are working on the site, he told The News International.

Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects under the aegis of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor .

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Delhi, Describing India and Ukraine as "two big friendly nations", Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba on Friday said he had "sincere and comprehensive" talks with his Indian counterpart on bilateral ties, and they "agreed to restore" the level of their cooperation that existed prior to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. HT Image

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Kuleba met at the Hyderabad House here as part of a bilateral engagement.

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The Ukrainian foreign minister's two-day visit to India comes amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the more than two-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict. He arrived here on Thursday.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Kuleba said India and Ukraine have been "traditional friends, but I think there is much more that we can do, and should do, not only in the interest of our nations but also in the interest of global development and security architecture".

"We will be looking forward to restoring what had existed before the large-scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine began... existed between us. We will be looking forward to discussing new areas and projects of cooperation. Because I do believe that this relationship has a strategic perspective," the Ukrainian foreign minister said.

After the meeting, Kuleba said on X, "We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula".

"In New Delhi, I had sincere and comprehensive talks with @DrSJaishankar about Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations, the situation in our regions, and global security. We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula and the next steps on the path of its implementation," he said.

The peace formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022 follows 10 principles aimed at ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

"We also co-chaired the Ukrainian-Indian intergovernmental commission review meeting and agreed to restore the level of cooperation between our countries that existed prior to the full-scale war launched by Russia, as well as identify new promising projects to take our relations to the next level," the visiting Ukrainian foreign minister said in his post.

During the meeting, Kuleba said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have spoken in person and on the phone "a number of times, and they always instruct us foreign ministers to push this relationship forward".

"We have a big work to do, and I am looking forward to delivering, so that we can report to our leaders, but also to the peoples of India and Ukraine, two big friendly nations," he said.

Modi on March 20 held separate conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy and asserted that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Modi had recently spoken to Putin over the 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 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.

Zelenskyy hailed India's continued humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine as the two leaders had discussed ways to further strengthen their bilateral partnership in various spheres.

"Our position is very clear on peace initiatives and how we look at the Ukraine-Russia conflict. We continue to encourage the peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and remain open to engaging all ways and means that would help achieve this objective," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said in response to a query on India's position on the peace conference in Switzerland.

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Marking the first official communication with a Pakistani premier during his tenure, US President Joe Biden has dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing continuous support and highlighted that the ties between the two nations are critical for bilateral and regional peace and security. Joe Biden (Getty Images via AFP)

After assuming office in January 2021, President Biden neither telephoned former prime minister Imran Khan after his election victory nor spoke to Sharif when he succeeded Khan in April 2022, The Express Tribune said on Friday.

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Sharif took oath as the countrys prime minister for a second time earlier this month after a controversial election that his rival and former prime minister Imran Khan dubbed as rigged.

Khan, who is the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, had also openly accused the US of orchestrating his downfall after he was removed through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.

Though more than 90 independent candidates backed by the PTI won the maximum number of seats in the National Assembly, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto struck a post-poll deal and formed a coalition government in the country.

PML-N supremos younger brother Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister while PPPs co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari became the President, both for second term, as part of the quid-pro-quo deal.

According to the contents of Bidens letter, shared by the US Embassy here, The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people  and people around the world and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time.

Biden said the support includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health, security, economic growth, and access to education for all.

He added that through the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, the two nations would continue strengthening their climate resilience, supporting sustainable agriculture and water management and advancing Pakistans recovery from the devastating floods of 2022.

He wrote that the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress.

Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations and a close bond between our people, the letter concluded.

The two sides are trying to reset ties as Pakistan on March 21 said that the concerns a top US official raised over last month's general elections and its outcome were due to a misunderstanding of its internal situation and election laws.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, who spoke about the "misunderstanding of Pakistan's internal situation" while responding to queries about the remarks by US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu at a congressional hearing that if the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to investigate allegations of irregularities in the February 8 elections, it will retard Americas relationship with Pakistan.

Before that on March 15, US Ambassador Donald Blome said that Pakistan was considered an important partner and expressed hope in working with the newly-elected government to continue building stronger bilateral ties.

Earlier, barely two days after the February 8 polls, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna had led US lawmakers in alleging that the Pakistani military has been rigging the just-held general elections to prop up its candidate and deny the victory secured by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

On February 15, Khan sought the help of the US with a special message to Washington that it should play a role and voice concern about his country's rigged general elections.

It was around that same date that the White House said it is concerned about the reports of intimidation and suppression of voters during the recently held general elections in Pakistan and is closely watching the situation there while a US lawmaker urged the State Department to delay recognising the winner.

We're concerned, and we share our concerns about some of the reports that we've heard coming out of Pakistan in terms of intimidation, voter suppression, that kind of thing. And so, we are watching this very, very closely, said John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council at the White House.
King Charles III, on Maundy Thursday, emphasized the criticality of acts of friendship as he and Kate Middleton, the Princess who suffered from cancer, waged a life-or-death battle. Britain's King Charles appears during the recording of his audio message for the Royal Maundy Service, which is to take place at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, March 28, in the 18th Century Room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain. BBC/Sky/ITV News/Handout via REUTERS(via REUTERS)

His verbal address was beamed at the Royal Maundy Yearly service held at the Worcester Cathedral in England, thereby marking his maiden public delivery since his daughter-in-law revealed her chemotherapy treatment. The princess came clean with her ailment, which had lately held the nation on its feet, suspecting her health for around the last three months.

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As cancer treatment was ongoing for Charles at the same time, the Queen would fill in for him with the job of offering Maundy gifts by Queen Camillas own grace.

With his recent discharge from the hospital, the King has opted for a reduced public schedule, the royals discovering this gesture as Queen Camilla fills in the shoes of the King during the frontline royal engagements.

ALSO READ| Prince Harrys legal battle over police protection costs taxpayers over $630,000

Yet, lingering with the upcoming Easter Sunday, on that special day King and Queen would make an appearance at the church service together with the King as it is the Queens most prominent public appearance after her diagnosis was announced.

The First Lesson

The day of Maundy Thursday continues to be a holy day which observes the events that were to take place as Easter approaches, as it was mentioned for the first time in the year 600. Holy Thursday commemorated the action of service that Jesus performed by washing his disciples' feet, at the Last Supper.

A statement Charles had recorded with the service is started with "The First Lesson" from Johns Gospel, followed by Charless apology that he could not be present physically, but still, he valued the service so much.

He remarked, 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 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.

Reaffirming his coronation pledge to serve with his whole heart, Charles honored recipients of the Maundy money, recognizing their exemplary dedication to community service.

ALSO READ| Prince William not interested to see Harry after Kate's cancer, wants to avoid drama,' friends say

In a ceremonial gesture, Queen Camillawill distribute the Maundy money in two pursesred and whiteamong 75 men and 75 women, mirroring the King's age.

Notably, Charles message, recorded in mid-March, refrained from explicit references to his or Catherines health status, focusing instead on the enduring themes of service and camaraderie
Jeff Sandborn is a farmer in Portland and represents Ionia, Barry, Kent, Ottawa and Allegan counties on the Michigan Farm Bureaus board of directors. Courtesy of Michigan Farm Bureau Interior of a planter tractor. Courtesy of Jeff Sandborn A DJI T40 spray drone. Courtesy of Jeff Sandborn

Precision agriculture technology has been evolving over the past decades, and farming has become more productive and efficient with the further implementation of artificial intelligence.

A 2023 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found only 27% of farms and ranches nationally used such precision agriculture practices, but the rate was around 40% in Michigan.

Such practices involve the use of technology like GPS for yield monitoring and soil sampling, automation of steering equipment and  more recently  artificial intelligence to interpret data and monitor livestock and crops.

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Jeff Sandborn, a Portland farmer and member of the Michigan Farm Bureau board of directors, says that every farmer uses precision agriculture practices in some way today.

Farmings unique, said Sandborn, who represents Ionia, Barry, Kent, Ottawa and Allegan counties on the organizations board. Everybody does things a little differently.

One thing common among many farmers, according to Sandborn, is the struggle to find employees, especially with this technology. It takes a certain level of knowledge to be able to run this equipment.

One essential piece of technology Sandborn uses are tractors equipped with autonomy-based technology like sensors, radar and cameras. Autonomy is the big thing, he said.

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Robotics also play a significant role when it comes to specialty crops and sorting through produce.

Autonomous technologies save labor as well as enabling farms to more efficiently perform daily tasks like tilling, spraying fields with herbicides and fertilizing with drones, according to Sandborn.

Any operation with crops is very time-sensitive, Sandborn said. Mother Nature gives us a window  in the spring to plant and the fall to harvest  and it seems like those windows can be getting narrower.

The goal is to maximize everything as much as you can, he said.

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Usually these practices are also the best way to protect the environment, Sandborn said.

He said a major gap with these technologies is lack of data standards which creates problems when working with multiple types of software or equipment.

It used to be that everybody had their own unique file format or was protecting the data, even though the farmer owned it, Sandborn said. It wouldnt get released in a way that was usable on another software platform.



In his view, technology not only benefits producers but consumers as well.

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Farms have gotten bigger and its harder to find labor, so the best thing we can do is to have a stable food system to keep everybody fed, Sandborn said.

Timothy Boring, the director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasizes the importance of agriculture precision technologies.

Were lowering costs a bit on what production looks like on a field-by-field basis, and we have a better sense of what it takes to grow a crop, Boring said.

Boring pointed to the cost of replacing older equipment with newer technology or retrofitting existing equipment with updated systems.

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Agriculture precision practices are constantly innovating. Artificial intelligence is one of the main areas that farmers and engineers use to improve farming.

We generate a lot of yield maps that, frankly, just arent utilized to their fullest potential today, Boring said. We increasingly have better access to remote sensing data, whether thats through drones, satellite imagery.

Daniel Uyeh, an assistant professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering at Michigan State University, is working with artificial intelligence to improve farming.

Everyone is waiting for the growing season to do experiments because the winter is just too cold and nobody is growing anything, Uyeh said.

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Uyeh said he and a few colleagues began a project to develop a digital environment, powered by artificial intelligence, to conduct experiments year-round and then use the best results during the growing season.

Its a very ambitious dream, but were hoping that well get there because our primary results have shown really good promises, Uyeh said.

The question is usability, Uyeh said. We dont know how useful it will be for growers at this point in time, but definitely for researchers working in this area. That would translate to the growers too.

Uyeh said the goal is to put tangible results in the hands of researchers in three years.

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Daniel Morris, another MSU professor, also employs artificial intelligence to develop new technology.

Morris works in the area of precision livestock farming with his focus on monitoring the animals.

Morris said, How can we put eyes in a farm that provides real-time insights for a farmer to see if one of the animals is lame or isnt eating or has other problems?

Morris works with artificial intelligence to create this technology to assist farmers in monitoring the health of their livestock.

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Thats through specialized cameras with automated tracking of livestock, according to Morris.

Morris and his peers have created a start-up company around the device called Motion Grazer AI and want a working prototype ready for use in the coming months.

Uyeh stressed the importance of innovation in farming and how it is an unappealing career for many young people.

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The Malaysian governments long-awaited plan to cut fuel subsidies this year and tighten its finances has hit a major speed bump: Most citizens arent cooperating. HT Image

Less than half of Malaysians have updated their income details in a government database that will enable authorities to determine where handouts should be directed once the nation limits subsidies on the cheapest form of gasoline. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said this week he expects the number of registrations to increase to 10 million  or about 50% of the population aged 21 and above  by the March 31 deadline.

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The low take-up rate  fueled in part by worries over data security  is a cause for concern. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim needs to undo hefty subsidies to boost investors confidence in the country, with the Malaysian ringgit languishing near a 26-year low. The government estimates savings of at least $1 billion to $2 billion dollars a year from a shift to handouts that target only the needy.

The situation is not ideal for the government and could result in more teething issues, said Lavanya Venkateswaran, an economist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp.

As of Wednesday, about 40% of the target group had signed up with the Economy Ministrys consolidated database, known as Padu. Policymakers need sufficient data to decide who would be eligible for government aid.

Anwar rose to power in late 2022, promising to improve investor confidence by cutting down on wastage and leakages. But economic growth last year undershot official estimates and the prime ministers approval ratings have already taken a hit.

The government currently has limited fiscal space and needs to implement fiscal reforms so that it rests on a sustainable and intact foundation, Anwar said in a post on X on Wednesday.

Such reforms will focus on targeted subsidies and expanding the revenue base to improve the peoples welfare, he said. Malaysia intends to narrow its budget deficit to 4.3% of gross national product this year, from 5% last year.

Trust Deficit

Padus hiccups risk exacerbating the governments woes. Rafizi said he will rely on existing data from other government agencies for Malaysians who failed to sign up by the end of the month, adding that this ran the risk of using out-of-date information.

But even that may not be enough.

The precise subsidy distribution channel is still largely unknown, so there is a greater risk of mis-targeting without a completed Padu database, said Firdaos Rosli, chief economist at Ambank M Bhd. That said, the government could mitigate this by clarifying the ceiling of the subsidy bill they intend to spend this year.

Malaysia spent about 81 billion ringgit on subsidies last year.

Security fears have emerged as a major reason for the publics lukewarm response toward Padu. When the database first launched in January, social media users raised concerns over various bugs and vulnerability issues that Rafizi was quick to address. Two months on, the database is still facing a trust deficit  including among state government leaders.

International Islamic University Malaysias Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri said there are two groups who have yet to sign up: urban, tech-savvy people concerned about data sharing, and those who oppose the government and whatever it does. The latter group see their actions as a form of protest, a way to show their general distrust and dislike toward the government  though their stance may change once they see cash assistance coming in, said the associate professor of political science.

Despite all the risks, the government appears to have little choice but to continue with its plan. The sooner, the better. The fiscal math accounts for about an 18% drop in government spending on subsidies and social assistance, and this seems critical for it to reach its fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP this year, according to OCBCs Lavanya.

Ensuring the Padu database reaches at least a minimum level of completion will go a long way in ensuring a smoother and more complete adoption to the new mechanism over time, she said.

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Peshawar: Chinese contractors have halted construction on two major dam projects in Pakistan after a suicide bomber killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver this week, a provincial official told AFP on Friday. Police officers examine the site of suicide bombing at a highway in Shangla, district in the Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Tuesday. (AP)

The companies have demanded that Pakistan authorities come up with new security plans before reopening the sites where around 1,250 Chinese nationals are working, the official said.

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The security of Chinese workers is a major concern to both countries, with nationals frequently targeted by militants hostile to outside influence.

The workers were targeted on Tuesday by a suicide bomber who rammed into their vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites.

He detonated his explosives on impact, plunging their vehicle into a deep ravine.

A senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa interior department told AFP on condition of anonymity that since Wednesday, China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam in the province and Power China has stopped work on Diamer Bhasha dam, which straddles two provinces.

They have demanded new security plans from the government, he said.

Around 750 Chinese engineers are engaged in the Dasu Dam project, while 500 are working on the Diamer Bhasha Dam, he added. He said the movement of Chinese engineers has been restricted to the compounds where they live, close to the sites.

China has not commented, but this week repeatedly urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of its nationals.

Iron-clad friends

Beijing is Islamabads closest regional ally, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbour.

China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

But Pakistanis have long complained that they are not getting a fair share of jobs or wealth created by the projects.

Tuesdays attack sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the foreign and interior ministers offering condolences in quick succession.

Chinas foreign ministry declared the countries iron-clad friends but asked Pakistan to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions.

Tuesdays attack came just days after militants attempted to storm offices of the Gwadar deepwater port in the southwest, considered a cornerstone of Chinese investment in Pakistan.

In 2019, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Balochistan province overlooking the flagship Chinese-backed deepwater seaport in Gwadar that gives strategic access to the Arabian Sea -- killing at least eight people.

In June 2020, Baloch insurgents targeted the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which is partly owned by Chinese companies, in the commercial capital of Karachi.
Ukraine warned Friday that Russian air attacks were putting its electricity supply under "increasing threat", hours after strikes damaged power stations and killed at least one person. Rescuers work at a site of a shopping mall destroyed during a Russian military attack, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine(via REUTERS)

Moscow has stepped up aerial bombardment of Ukraine in recent weeks, targeting energy infrastructure in response to deadly Ukrainian assaults on Russia's border regions.

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A Russian drone killed a 39-year-old man and wounded another person near the southeastern city of Nikopol, while an air attack on Kamianske further north wounded five people, including a child, authorities said.

"Last night Russia continued its barbaric attacks against the Ukrainian energy system. Emergency blackouts have been introduced in some regions," Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said.

He said the strikes showed Ukraine urgently needed more air defence systems, a demand Kyiv has repeatedly made to its Western allies as its energy sector buckles under pressure.

"Enemy attacks are becoming more frequent and massive, posing an increasing threat to Ukraine's energy security," Ukraine's foreign ministry said.

Russia's defence ministry said in a briefing it had used "long-range air, sea and land-based precision weapons" to target energy facilities, but said they were being used by Ukraine's "armed forces".

Use electricity sparingly

Russia has battered Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the two-year war, in attacks that President Volodymyr Zelensky has called "energy terrorism" and that the United Nations has described as illegal.

The air force said Moscow had targeted Ukraine's "fuel and energy sector" with 99 missiles and drones overnight, 84 of which were shot down.

"Russian missiles hit thermal and hydroelectric power plants," national grid operator Ukrenergo said in a statement.

"Currently, restrictions are in place in the regions of Kryvyi Rig and Kharkiv. In the evening, restrictions are possible in the eastern and Dnipro regions," it said.

"Please use electricity sparingly," the company added.

One of the country's main energy providers, DTEK, said three thermal power stations had been attacked in the barrage, leaving facilities "severely damaged".

"After the attack, the power engineers promptly started to deal with the consequences," the company said in a statement online, adding that one employee had been wounded.

The energy ministry said the attack damaged power infrastructure in four regions across central and western Ukraine, causing blackouts and disrupting train traffic.

On the frontlines, Ukraine has been forced onto a defensive footing in the past few months as it struggles with ammunition shortages amid delays to a $60 billion aid package from Washington.

Its armed forces commander Oleksandr Syrsky said Friday the situation in some areas of the battlefield was "tense".

"The Russian occupiers continue to increase their efforts and have a numerical advantage in personnel," he said.

"In addition, the enemy is conducting heavy artillery and mortar fire," he added.

Just a few days ago, the enemy's advantage in terms of ammunition fired was about six to one.
Russia said on Friday that major powers needed a new approach to North Korea, accusing the United States and its allies of ratchetting up military tensions in Asia and seeking to "strangle" the reclusive state. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands (AP)

Russia 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 programmes.

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Moscow's move, which strikes a blow at the enforcement of a myriad of UN sanctions imposed after Pyongyang carried out its first nuclear test in 2006, underscores the dividend that Kim Jong Un has earned by moving closer to President Vladimir Putin amid the war in Ukraine.

"It is obvious to us that the UN Security Council can no longer use old templates in relation to the problems of the Korean Peninsula," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Zakharova said the United States was stoking military tensions, that international restrictions had not improved the security situation and that there were severe humanitarian consequences for the population of North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The United States and its allies have clearly demonstrated that their interest does not extend beyond the task of 'strangling' the DPRK by all available means, and a peaceful settlement is not on the agenda at all," she said.

The Russian veto is seen as a major turning point in the international sanctions regime against North Korea, which was formed in 1948 with the backing of the then-Soviet Union while the Republic of Korea was backed by the United States.

North Korea is the only country to have conducted nuclear tests in the 21st century - in 2006, 2009, 2013, twice in 2016, and 2017, according to the United Nations.

SANCTIONS?

Russia said the experts' work was neither objective nor impartial, and that they had turned into a tool of the West.

"The Group of Experts of the UN Security Council Committee 1718 has lost all standards of objectivity and impartiality, which should be integral characteristics of its mandate," Zakharova said.

She said the experts had "turned into an obedient tool of the DPRK's geopolitical opponents. There is no point in saving it in this form".

The veto illustrates just how far the Ukraine war, which triggered the deepest crisis in Russia's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, has undermined big-power cooperation on other major global issues.

Since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has gone out of its way to parade a renaissance of its relationship - including military ties - with Pyongyang.

Washington says North Korea has supplied Russia with missiles that it is using against Ukraine, assertions which have been dismissed by the Kremlin and Pygonyang.

For Putin, who says Russia is locked in an existential battle with the West over Ukraine, courting Kim allows him to needle Washington and its Asian allies while securing a deep supply of artillery for the Ukraine war.

For Kim, who has pledged to accelerate production of nuclear weapons to deter what he casts as U.S. provocations, Russia is a big power ally with deep stores of advanced missile, military, space and nuclear technology.

Russia, Zakharova said, sought a compromise under which sanctions would be reviewed over specific time limits, though that proposal had been met with "hostility" by Washington.

"We call on the parties concerned to refrain from escalating steps and reconfigure themselves to find ways to detente, taking into account known security priorities," Zakharova said.
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. This handout picture shows humanitarian aid being loaded into a military aircraft to be dropped over northern Gaza(AFP)

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. It says its military campaign is self defense and aimed at Hamas, not the Palestinian people.

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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 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.

Israel declared war in response to a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage. Israel responded with a campaign of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have left over 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities. The fighting also displaced over 80% of Gaza's population and caused widespread damage.

The U.N. and international aid agencies say virtually the entire Gaza population is struggling to get enough food, with hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine, especially in hard-hit northern Gaza.

South Africa welcomed Thursday's decision, calling it significant.

The fact that Palestinian deaths are not solely caused by bombardment and ground attacks, but also by disease and starvation, indicates a need to protect the groups right to exist, the South African president said in a statement.

Hamas said in an online statement that the ruling must be enforced by the international community.

It must be implemented immediately, so that this decision does not remain a dead letter, the militant group said.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry thanked South Africa, calling the case a vital step in the global effort to hold Israel accountable for perpetrating genocide.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment.

In a written response earlier this month to South Africa's request for more measures, Israel said the claims by South Africa were wholly unfounded," morally repugnant" and "an abuse both of the Genocide Convention and of the Court itself.

After initially sealing Gazas borders in the early days of the war, Israel began to permit entry of humanitarian supplies. It says it places no restrictions on the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza and accuses the United Nations of failing to properly organize the deliveries.

The U.N. and international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order.

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.

The world court said earlier orders imposed on Israel after landmark hearings in South Africas case do not fully address the consequences arising from the changes in the situation in Gaza.

On Tuesday, the army said it inspected 258 aid trucks, but only 116 were distributed within Gaza by the U.N.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, has also run pilot programs 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 devastated northern part of the Strip. The agency had no immediate comment on the ICJ ruling.
In a recent investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it was found that the cargo ship that caused the Baltimore Bridge collapse contained hazardous materials and had prior equipment issues. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MARCH 28: Police block off the approach of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Getty Images via AFP)

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the cargo ship was carrying a staggering 56 containers filled with hazardous materials. "We found 56 containers aboard containing hazardous materials, including corrosives, flammables, and lithium-ion batteries," said Homendy.

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Ship Dali had containers full of explosive items

Some of these containers were breached during the collision, leading to leaks into the Patapsco River. Further, an inspection conducted prior to departure disclosed a concerning flaw in the ships equipment.

The vessel had a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure, which had reportedly been addressed before setting sail. "As far as the engine goes, we were not informed of any problems with the vessel," Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said during a news conference.

The bridge collapse caused the deaths of two people, whose remains were discovered submerged in a pickup truck near the bridge's middle span. Maryland Governor Wes Moore offered his sympathies to the victims' families and expressed solidarity during this terrible time.

"Estamos contigo, ahora y siempre," Governor Moore conveyed in Spanish, which means, We are with you, now and always. As the search continues for six missing construction workers, including Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandova, concerns about the safety of recovery efforts remain.

"Imagery from underwater drones shows 'an abundance of twisted metal and debris' from the collapsed bridge, making it unsafe for divers to enter the frigid water," noted a Department of Homeland Security assessment.

Moreover, the investigation has raised questions about the ship's management company, Synergy Marine Group, which has been involved in at least three deadly incidents since 2018 in Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

"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 vessel's heating system were unreadable,'" revealed a Chilean Navy spokesperson.

"The investigation could take 12 to 24 months, but the NTSB will not hesitate to issue urgent safety recommendations during that time, said Chair Jennifer Homendy.
The "black box" voyage data recorder (VDR) from the cargo ship, Dali, involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has provided critical details about the moments leading up to the Baltimore tragedy. The pilot attempted to warn authorities of the impending disaster. This handout screegrab courtesy of the National Transportation Safety Board, shows investigators aboard the cargo ship Dali downloading the vessel voyage data recorder as part of the steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is seen outside in Baltimore, Maryland on March 28, 2024.(AFP)

The Dali, a 984-foot Singapore-flagged vessel, lost power as it was leaving Baltimore Harbor and collided with the bridge around 1:27 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The nearly 2-mile-long bridge, vital for East Coast shipping, collapsed into the Patapsco River within seconds.

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Also Read: Titanic Law may save Baltimore tragedy ship from extra liability

In response to the collapse, local, state, and federal officials established a Unified Command. On Thursday, the command announced a halt to dive operations and vehicle recovery due to dangerous conditions in the river caused by the wreckage.

Coast Guard spokesperson Cynthia Oldham confirmed that the Dali's 22-member Indian crew has remained on board since the incident, with no injuries reported. Eight construction workers were repairing potholes on the bridge when it collapsed. Two survived, while the others are presumed dead.

Experts estimate that rebuilding the bridge could take up to two years and cost at least $350 million, depending on the condition of the underwater foundation. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced on Thursday that the first $60 million in federal emergency funds has been approved.

What did Dali's black box record?

The Coast Guard recovered audio from the VDR on Tuesday and provided it to NTSB officials, investigator Marcel Muise said during a news conference on Wednesday night. Approximately six hours of VDR data from 00:00 to 06:00 EDT on March 26, 2024 has been handed over to the NTSB, and a team of experts will conduct a thorough analysis of the audio. The NTSB is continuing to obtain the remaining 30 days of data that the VDR is required to record.

The VDR also recorded limited system data such as ship speed, engine RPM, rudder angle, ship heading, and some alarm information.

Timeline of Events basis Dali's black box data

The timeline provided by federal officials offers the most detailed account to date of the moments leading up to the disaster and will be the primary focus for investigators looking to understand the cause of the tragedy and how it could have been prevented:

At 00:30 EDT, the Dali set sail from its dock with the assistance of two tugboats. The ship carried 21 crew members from India, gearing up for a lengthy voyage to Sri Lanka.

By 01:07 EDT, the ship had entered the Fort McHenry Channel.

At 01:24 EDT, the Dali was navigating on a true heading of about 141 degrees within the Fort McHenry Channel, traveling at a speed of approximately 8 knots (9 miles per hour).

At 01:24:59 EDT, several audible alarms were detected on the ship's bridge audio. Concurrently, the VDR system data stopped recording, but the VDR audio continued to be captured using its backup power source.

Around 01:26:02 EDT, the VDR resumed recording the ship's system data, capturing steering commands and rudder orders on the audio.

At 01:26:39 EDT, the ship's pilot broadcast a general VHF radio call, seeking assistance from tugs near the Dali. Data from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) indicated that the pilot association dispatcher had called the MDTA duty officer to report the power outage around this time.

At 01:27:04 EDT, the pilot instructed the Dali to drop the port anchor and issued further steering commands.

By 01:27:25 EDT, the pilot communicated over the VHF radio, reporting that the Dali had completely lost power and was approaching the Key Bridge. MDTA data confirms that the MDTA duty officer immediately instructed two unitsone on each side of the bridgeto close it.

At around 1:29:00 EDT the ships speed over ground was recorded as just under 7 knots/8 miles per hour. From this moment until approximately 1:29:33, VR audio recorded sounds consistent with the collision with the Key bridge.

Additionally, around this time, an MDTA dash camera shows the bridge lights extinguishing. Additional analysis of the VR audio and comparison of other time sources will be needed to determine the exact time of contact between the DALI and Key Bridge.

At 1:29:39 the pilot reported the Key Bridge down over VHF to the USCG

By this point, all lanes of the bridge had been closed by the MDTA.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy mentioned that the ship's VDR is a basic system compared to an aircraft's black box, providing only a snapshot of the major systems on a vessel. She expressed the agency's long-standing desire for more comprehensive data recording.
The details leading up to the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore were captured in a police officer's disbelieving voice as it happened early Tuesday morning. Homeland security have begun the probe, however, have cautioned that the investigation will be a massive undertaking and could take one to two years. This handout screengrab courtesy of the National Transportation Safety Board taken on March 27, 2024, shows part of the steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sitting on top of the container ship Dali after the bridge collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. (AFP)

What did the Baltimore police audio reveal ?

"The whole bridge just fell down!" exclaimed the officer on the dispatch radio, which was broadcast by Broadcastify, a platform that shares emergency service audio clips from significant incidents.

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The audio also recorded the officers' swift actions to stop traffic and close the bridge, potentially saving many lives. Their heroic efforts were praised by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott on Wednesday.

Eight workers from Mexico and Central America, engaged in repairing potholes, were taking a break inside their cars just moments before the bridge collapsed on Tuesday night. While two workers were rescued, two bodies were recovered from the Patapsco River on Wednesday. Tragically, the remaining four men are presumed dead, their bodies likely still trapped in their submerged vehicles.

Baltimore tragedy: Audio conversations of police officers released

In the audio recording released by the authorities who responded to the mayday warning by Dali's crew dramatic versions of the intense moments were revealed.

"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  there is a ship approaching that has lost its steering. So until you get that under control, we got to stop all traffic," one officer said on the dispatch.

The officer continued, "I'm not sure where, there's a crew up there you might want to notify, whoever the foreman is, see if we can get them off the bridge temporarily."

Another officer responded, "Once another police unit arrives, I'll go grab the workers on the Key Bridge."

Moments later, another officer exclaimed over the radio, "The whole bridge just fell down! Start, start ... everybody. The whole thing just collapsed."

The dramatic collapse, as seen in video footage, happened within seconds. The ill-fated journey of the Dali, the massive cargo ship involved, had started 50 minutes earlier.

The nearly 1,000-foot-long Dali departed from the port of Baltimore at 12:39 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The ship entered the channel at 1:07 a.m. and by 1:24 a.m., it had reached a speed of 8 knots, or 9.2 mph.

At 1:24 a.m., multiple alarms can be heard on the ship's audio. Two minutes later, the ship's pilot called for any nearby tugboats to assist and contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to report the loss of control.

At 1:27 a.m., the pilot ordered the boat to drop its port anchor and continued to make steering commands. At this point, the pilot radioed to say he had lost all power and was approaching the bridge. The MDTA radioed police units on both sides of the bridge to stop traffic, as the ship continued at a speed of less than 7 knots, or 8 mph.

The ship's audio captured the moment of impact at 1:29 a.m.  the ship's pilot reported the bridge coming down at the same time.

As Baltimore, Maryland, and the country grapple with the loss of six lives, a well-known landmark, and vital economic infrastructure, the focus shifts to the investigation. This includes understanding why the massive Dali cargo ship suddenly lost power and how the bridge collapsed so rapidly.

The Dali underwent routine maintenance while at the Port of Baltimore, but no issues were reported, said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath on Wednesday.

"As far as the engine goes, we were not informed of any problems with the vessel," he stated at a news conference. "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 that vessel in that regard."

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer L. Homendy and a team of investigators boarded the ship on Wednesday to interview the crew and gather evidence. The NTSB has recovered the data recorder, which will provide a vast range of data, including the ship's exact position and its system status at the time of the collision.

In the meantime, one of the largest ports on the eastern seaboard remains closed, disrupting a major route for consumer goods, including automobiles. This route typically accounts for 4,900 trucks and billions of dollars in trade daily.
Former President Barack Obama had a tense moment with a pro-Palestinian protester during a fundraising event at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night. Known for his typically calm and composed demeanor in public speaking, Obama became visibly frustrated when his speech was repeatedly interrupted by audience members. US President Joe Biden sitting alongside Barack Obama and Bill Clinton being interviewed by Stephen Colbert.

Obama was attending a fundraising event for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night along with Bill Clinton. The New York gathering raised over $25 million, marking it as the most successful political fundraiser in American history.

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Pro-palestine supporters disrupt Biden's fundraising event

During an armchair conversation moderated by Stephen Colbert, the trio was frequently interrupted by protesters inside the auditorium. At various points during the event, attendees shouted over the discussion, voicing opposition to Biden's support for Israel amid the Hamas conflict that has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Discussing the challenges of the presidency, Obama remarked, "The world has its share of joy and beauty, but it also has tragedy and cruelty." He addressed Biden's approach to the Gaza conflict, stating, We can unequivocally support the people of Israel and their right to live and raise families, which has been Joes position. Yet, we can also be heartbroken watching innocent lives lost and aim to manage the situation to enable both sides to live in peace. Its a complex task.

That's when Obama was interrupted by a protester in the theater, to whom he responded, You cant just talk and not listen Thats what the other side does. He continued, We can have moral clarity and deeply held beliefs while acknowledging the complexities of the world and the challenges of solving these problems."

He further praised Biden, saying, "The reason I believe Joe Biden was one of the best vice presidents weve ever had and is an outstanding president is because he possesses moral conviction and clarity. He acknowledges that the world is complex and is willing to listen to all sides to find common ground. Thats the kind of president I want.

Biden has been under fire by pro-Palestine protesters for purportedly allowing Israel to indulge in Gaza genocide and not doing much to help the Palestinians during the humanitarian crisis. After months long delay his administration has urged Israel to refrain from launching a major offensive on Rafah until civilians have had a chance to evacuate. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have called for a temporary ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan, but negotiations between Israel and Hamas have yet to produce an agreement.
President Joe Biden said Arab countries including Saudi Arabia were prepared to fully recognize Israel in a future deal as he and his Democratic predecessors Bill Clinton and Barack Obama pushed back on critics of his Middle East policies at a campaign event Thursday. HT Image

Bidens comments came during a discussion with his fellow presidents at a star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York intended to display Democratic party unity ahead of a general-election rematch with Republican Donald Trump. The presidents, though, were interrupted at least four times by pro-Palestinian protesters, highlighting the tensions within the party over Bidens handling of Israels war with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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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, Biden said after one such interruption. There has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a trade to a two-state solution. It doesnt have to occur today. It has to be a progression and I think we can do that.

Obama offered his support to Biden, responding to another protester by saying you cant just talk and not listen. He said Biden, his onetime vice president, had shown moral conviction and clarity in office and was willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated.

Hes willing to listen to all sides in this debate, and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground, Obama said. Thats the kind of president I want.

Biden has faced pressure from progressives and Muslim and Arab Americans who want the administration to do more to rein in Israels military campaign in Gaza to root out Hamas.

Biden has pushed negotiations to try and broker a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that could allow for the release of more Israeli hostages and more humanitarian aid into Gaza. And hes increasingly butted heads with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call off a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge.

The two countries are working to reschedule a high-level visit from an Israeli delegation to discuss alternatives to a military operation on Rafah. Netanyahu scrapped plans for a visit earlier this week after the US declined to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza  in a public mark of the frayed ties between the two leaders.

There are too many innocent victims, Israelis and Palestinians, Biden said Thursday, adding that more needed to be done to get food and medical supplies into Gaza.

But were in a position where Israels very existence is at stake. You had all those people massacred, he continued of the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist group by the US and European Union.

Its understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there, but we must in-act, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians and particularly children.

Earlier: Biden Raises $25 Million in NYC, Extending Cash Lead Over Trump

The discussion between the presidents Thursday was moderated by Stephen Colbert. Bidens one-day fundraising blitz in New York City  the home town of presumptive Republican nominee Trump  raised $25 million, and highlights the shifting fortunes for the two during a crucial stretch in their general-election rematch.

The president has ramped up his campaign travel in recent weeks, visiting battleground states and courting Democratic donors ahead of what is expected to be the most expensive presidential election in US history. Biden has already built up a money advantage over Trump  Thursdays haul is more than double what his rival raised in all of February, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll also shows Biden narrowing the gap with Trump among voters in six of seven swing states this month, though the Republican still leads overall in those battlegrounds by 47% to 43%.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
(Metro Creative Graphics) Cristian Baitg/Getty Images

A Huron County judge has dismissed first-degree home invasion charges against a Caseville woman and a Kinde man, but let stand two other felony charges against each arising from an April 2023 incident at a home owned by the man and his former girlfriend.

Judge Gerald M. Prill of the Huron County 52nd Circuit Court issued the ruling earlier this month in response to a motion by attorneys for Brandon Scott Berry, 23, of Kinde, and Erin Leigh Buchholz, 40, of Caseville, to have charges related to the incident quashed.

A charge of third-degree home invasion against a third defendant, Mason Gregory Pechette, 23, of Port Austin, was dismissed by Huron County 73B District Court Judge David Herrington in November.

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In Prills recent ruling, he wrote the district court abused its discretion when it bound over Buchholz and Berry on the home invasion charge in November.

Buchholz still faces two counts of assault and battery, one count of conspiracy to commit witness bribing/intimidation/interfering and one count of conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner.

Berry is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit witness bribing/intimidation/interfering and one count of conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner.

Both Buchholz and Berry were arraigned and pleaded not guilty on Nov. 27 in Huron County 52nd Circuit County. Both remain free on bond.

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Herrington issued his ruling following a lengthy preliminary examination held in August and September. Buchholz, Berry and Pechette were originally charged with third-degree home invasion, but on the completion of testimony in the preliminary exam, prosecutors requested the modification to charges.

The charge against Pechette was dismissed after Herrington ruled prosecutors had not established probable cause.

Conspiracy to commit witness bribing/intimidation/interfering is punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine



Assault and battery is a misdemeanor punishable by 93 days in the Huron County Jail and/or a $500 fine.

According to the Huron County Prosecutors Office, Berry and Buchholz are accused of entering a home on East Kinde Road on April 28 and causing a disturbance. The home was owned by Berry and his former girlfriend Allyson Majeski, who both resided there and contributed to mortgage payments and household bills until their relationship ended in December 2021.

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According to court documents, Berry ended the relationship by text message and returned a few days later to retrieve a pickup truck and some personal items. Afterward, he did not return to the home. Berry continued to contribute to mortgage payments until June 2022. Lawyers for both parties attempted to negotiate either the sale of the home or the purchase of Berrys interest in the property by Majeski.

As negotiations progressed, Majeskis attorney sent a letter to Berrys lawyer stating:

Your client is constantly calling, texting and threatening my client. I am asking you to talk to him to cease and desist from such behavior. Moreover, he had threatened (Majeski) that he is going to break into the house, while she is gone to Florida next week, and be with his girlfriend in their bedroom. Moreover, he is going to throw out anyone who is there watching the dogs. Talk to your client and make sure that he stays out of the house, because I have instructed my client that if he comes over and tries to cause problems, that the person watching the house contact the police and have him arrested.

In subsequent correspondence between Berrys legal representation and the attorney for Majeski, negotiations continued over the possession of an engagement ring and the possibility of removing Majeskis name from the mortgage. According to court documents, Berry was advised by one of his attorneys on multiple occasions he could return to the home. Majeski alleged in mid-2022 that Berry had littered all his trash in the backyard of the home and posted a for sale by owner sign on a telephone pole in the homes yard listing Berrys phone number.

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Majeskis lawyer would also testify he discussed an agreement with Berrys attorney in the late summer of 2022 that Berry would not go on the property nor have any contact with Majeski.

As legal negotiations progressed, Majeski left for a cruise on April 25, with her 17-year-old sister staying at the home as a house sitter and caretaker for pets. According to court papers, Berry spoke with Huron County Sheriffs Office Deputy Nathan Leppek on April 28 about concerns he had over his personal possessions possibly being sold at a garage sale. Leppek suggested Berry go to the home the following day with a law enforcement officer to retrieve any of his belongings that remained. When Berry asked Leppek about entering the home that night, Leppek told him it would be a bad idea.

Majeskis sister would testify that around 10:30 p.m. on April 28, she was sitting on a couch in the home with a cousin when Berry, Buchholz and Pechette walked into the residence.

I heard a voice I never heard before, Majeskis sister testified during the preliminary examination. I was scared.

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The incident was captured on a security camera, which was submitted as evidence during the hearing. According to court documents, Berry and Buchholz sat down in the living room as Majeskis sister left the room, instructing her cousin to go into a bedroom and call 911. As the two stayed in the bedroom, Buchholz allegedly tried to open the door.

When several people contacted by Majeskis sister began to arrive at the home, including Majeskis brother, Berry rose from the couch and appeared to become angry or prepared to engage with them, court papers stated.

Leppek was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene, and footage from his bodycam showed the deputy trying to convince Berry to leave. When Berry refused, Leppek informed him he would have to remain as well.

Another Huron County Sheriffs deputy and a Bad Axe police officer soon arrived, and footage from their bodycams showed Buchholz as she chest bumped Majeskis brother while walking through a doorway into the homes kitchen, according to court papers. Majeskis sister also testified Buchholz chest-bumped her at a point when the camera lost sight of what was occurring.

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In his ruling, Herrington wrote that he disagreed with defense attorneys' arguments that Berry had a right to enter the home because he was the co-owner of the property and was listed on the title and had the right to invite Buchholz and Pechette into the residence.

Because Berry had not been inside the home since December 2021, had made it clear he did not intend to move back into the home while Majeski resided there, stopped paying household bills and his share of the mortgage and changed his address on his drivers license, Berry had created a landlord tenant relationship with Majeski, Herrington ruled, adding that Berry had harassed Majeski, who had an expectation of privacy.

In April 2023, Brandon Berry was still a co-title holder, but no longer had the right to simply walk into the home without notice being given to Ms. Majeski, Herrington wrote in his ruling. At this point, he would need permission to enter from Ms. Majeski, like a landlord who needs to give notice and receive permission to enter a home that he or she owns.

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Is it common for borders to inadvertently mirror the very structures they aimed to dismantle? Maybe not! USIF President and CMO Nicholas A. Mastroianni III opens up on streamlining EB-5 visa process.(USIF/File Image)

US Immigration Fund President highlights strategies for EB-5 visa success

While talking to HindustanTimes.com, Nicholas A. Mastroianni III, President and CMO, US Immigration Fund (USIF) has cited ways to handle EB5 Visa backlogs and ease applicants' way to achieve their American dream. But what do they need to do first? They need to invest a minimum of $800,000 USD into a new commercial enterprise in the United States.

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While charting the way to the American Dream the Florida native strongly said that hard work is the only medicine to overcome this chronic issue. While there are no shortcuts or hacks that can guarantee success, there are several strategies that applicants can employ to streamline the process and improve their chances of a successful outcome, he advised.

Hard work is the only way.

He piped in, U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF) is actively implementing strategies to address the efficient utilization of EB-5 visas, particularly considering potential changes and the small percentage of EB-5 visas compared to other visa categories. This discrepancy has persisted for years, with no significant reforms or changes.

And you know one of the primary benefits of the EB-5 visa is that it provides a direct path to obtaining permanent residency that no other visa offers.

Has the US decreased visa time for Indians by 75% helping?

In USIF CMO's opinion, the 75% time reduction in favour of Indians, amid the same race had emerged as the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the US, with numbers surging by 70% since 2011 helped significantly, when we relayed the query that the decreased visa time for Indians by 75%; is it helping in the real world or not?

Yes absolutely! By reducing wait times, Indian investors may experience shorter processing periods for their EB-5 applications, leading to quicker access to the benefits of the program, such as obtaining permanent residency in the United States, he stated, while adding, the full impact of this decrease in wait times will depend on various factors, including continued efficiency in processing, demand for EB-5 visas, and any potential changes to immigration policies.

What strategies or initiatives is the USIF implementing to address potential waste of EB-5 visa numbers and ensure efficient utilisation in FY 2024 and beyond?

While addressing the relatively small percentage of EB-5 visas compared to other employment- and family-based visas, the Florida native spills some beans. See, USIF has organized roadshows across major cities in India to to raise awareness and encourage early investments, and added, Considering the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) limits for Indians and the impending fee increase on April 1, 2024, the U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF) is offering investors the chance to initiate their EB-5 visa applications with an initial investment of $200,000. This is a very lucrative way to one seeker can look at comparing the huge backlogs and dressing issue that plagues US visa system.

USIF boss urges White House to address these

While we are having a chat over the fact that he U.S. Immigration Fund actively ensures that all eligible immigrant investors benefit from the EB-5 program without delays. The USIF boss stopped beating around the bush. He said White House need to patch some loopholes and abhor some. Enhancing visa processing efficiency to alleviate delays and attract investment is necessary, but they need to focus on  bolstering program integrity and transparency to combat fraud and maintain public trust while advocating for legislative reform and modernization to align visa policies with current economic needs.

He urges the White House to be more efficient and time efficient so Indians in queue don't have to wait the time period extending beyond 100 years or opt a Dunki or Donkey way.

Is EB-5 completely different from other US work visas?

Yes, the EB-5 visa program is fundamentally different from other types of U.S. work visas in several keyways. The EB-5 visa requires applicants to invest a minimum of $800,000 USD into a new commercial enterprise in the United States. In contrast, other work visas such as H-1B or L-1 do not require any investment; instead, they may require sponsorship from a U.S. employer, Nicholas told us.

What is USIF

The U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF) utilizes insights from Form I-526 submissions and the growing interest in investment-based green cards to shape the policies of USCIS and DOS concerning visa allocations. Still, they are yet to find the lasso to cave in the illegal immigrants (mostly Indian and Pakistanis) issue who were just taking a flight to Mexico and walking across the Mexico-Texas open border while disadvantaging those pursuing legal avenues.

USIF's approach includes detailed data analysis to discern investor trends, active policy advocacy for equitable and efficient visa distribution, collaboration with industry partners to strengthen advocacy, and interaction with Congress to promote understanding and legislative support. Through these data-informed and strategic advocacy efforts, USIF aims to tailor visa allocation policies better to serve EB-5 investors and the Regional Center initiative.
US President Joe Biden revealed he playfully avoided the doors of the presidential plane, manufactured by Boeing, in light of the companys recent mid-flight mishaps. President Joe Biden exits Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP)

During a high-dollar campaign fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall, CBS Late Show host Steven Colbert inquired whether Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had tightened the bolts on Air Force One before the presidents trip to New York City.

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The 81-year-old president quipped, I dont sit by the door, acknowledging the recent incidents but quickly adding, Im only kidding. I shouldnt joke about that.

Air Force One, a highly customized Boeing 747-200B, stands as one of the most recognizable symbols of the presidency.

ALSO READ| Baltimore tragedy: Police audio discloses disbelieving voices during mishap, we got to stop all traffic

A recent string of mishaps muds Boeing's reputation

Boeing has faced fire since the Jan. 5 mid-flight door blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines. The incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground all Boeing 737 Max 9 planes for weeks. The National Transportation Safety Board found that bolts were missing from the rear door of the Alaska Airlines jet.

Subsequently, another Boeing plane made an emergency landing in Japan due to a crack in the cockpit window. In late January, a Boeing 757 operated by Delta Airlines lost its front tire while preparing to depart from Atlanta International Airport for Bogota, Colombia. Boeing's recent string of incidents continues as another 737's cabin panel slips mid-flight, adding to concerns over safety.

Also, a United Airlines flight en route from Sydney to San Francisco had to reverse course because of a fuel leak. The Boeing 777-300 landed safely back in Sydney with 167 passengers and 16 crew members aboard.

ALSO READ| New Boeing chief Stephanie Pope says company faces 'pivotal moment'

During a flight to India, a UK passenger noticed pieces of tape on the exterior of a Boeing 787. A United Airlines Boeing 777-300 also suffered a midair fuel leak, leading to an emergency landing on March 11.

Amid these challenges, embattled Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his decision to step down at the end of the year.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has released Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill on a $40,000 bond, after arresting her earlier that day on charges including three counts of exploitation of the elderly, mortgage fraud, scheme to defraud, and two counts of fraud. The allegations against Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill, including exploitation of an elderly constituent and fraudulent financial activities(City of Orlando)

The allegations against Commissioner Hill involve the exploitation of a nonagenarian resident of her district. It is claimed that Hill misappropriated thousands of dollars from the elderly victims savings for personal use.

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Hill effectively betrayed the trust of her community

FDLE agents have found evidence suggesting that Hill leveraged her influence to fraudulently obtain a power of attorney over the victim. Agents discovered that Hill used her influence over the victim to fraudulently obtain a power of attorney, stated Vecchio, an official involved in the investigation.

Lee Massie of the FDLE expressed the gravity of the betrayal, noting, Hill effectively betrayed the trust of her community by taking advantage of a 96-year-old elderly citizen.

ALSO READ| Baltimore bridge collapse survivor couldn't swim, wife says it's a miracle

The investigation surfaced that Hill became acquainted with the elderly woman, who was living in substandard conditions, through her role as a city commissioner. This connection ostensibly began with the provision of beneficial services but allegedly evolved into the fraudulent activities under scrutiny.

Hill became aware of this resident through her position as a city commissioner, and because of that, was able to lend what appeared to be benefit services that then turned into the acts we discussed, Vecchio elaborated.

Orlando Commissioner Hill out of jail as investigation continues

Further investigations indicate that Hill utilized the power of attorney to make significant financial decisions, including the purchase of a home in the victims name. Plus, Hill is accused of using the victims finances to fund a lavish lifestyle, including rental cars, hotel stays, and luxury items such as expensive perfumes from high-end retailers. The total amount involved in the fraud is reported to exceed $100,000.

Despite the severity of the charges, Hills attorney, James Smith, reminded the public of his clients presumption of innocence and her past contributions to the community. Its also important to remember the number of good things shes done for her constituents and for this city, Smith said, following Hills initial court appearance.

ALSO READ| USCIS wraps up H1B visa lottery for FY 2025, notifications rolling out tomorrow

Obviously the allegations are serious and shocking, but its incredibly important to remember in the eyes of the law she is to be presumed innocent, he continued.

The city of Orlando, in response to Hills arrest, acknowledged the situation but clarified that they lack the authority to discipline an elected official, a power that resides with the Governor. That power lies with the Governor, the citys statement read.

Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the matter: If a municipal elected official is indicted by a grand jury, then I would suspend. If theres not an indictment, then my power of suspension doesnt reach.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested on corruption charges, and the US Government can't keep themself calm. Police personnel tries to stop Aam Aadmi Party supporters protesting against the arrest of Delhi CM and party national convener Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in Jammu on Thursday. (ANI Photo)(Makhan Jammu)

In Washington, Matthew Miller, the US State Department spokesperson, expressed concern over the BJPs alleged freezing of the accounts of the main opposition Congress Party. 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. The US is urging for fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues.

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India slams back

Indias foreign ministry has rejected claims that Kejriwals arrest is politically motivated, stating, Indias legal processes are based on an independent judiciary, which is committed to objective and timely outcomes.

ALSO READ| US gives $60 million to Maryland after bridge collapse: Report

The recent remarks by the US State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable, an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

The head of the senior US mission in the country, Gloria Berbena, was called in for questioning by the foreign ministry on this matter.

Why is Delhi police keeping Kejriwal in custody?

A Delhi court ruled that Kejriwal would remain in custody until April 1 as part of an ongoing investigation. His party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has decried the arrest as a political conspiracy orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming national elections. The arrest was done to lament who's in actual power.

Kejriwals arrest marks a historic moment  it is the first time that the chief minister who is in the office right now has faced such cases. The bribe charges rationalized against him emanate from a scheme that kickback he got from the alcoholic beverage agreements. The investigation of the government agency at the centre has contended that Kejriwal got violently involved in such corrupt dealings.

An anti-corruption crusade swept Kejriwal into ruling Delhi in 2015. Recurrent conflicts with the central BJP-controlled government illustrate his partys stance. AAP is a member of an alliance of 27 parties whose adversaries to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party.

The other way round, concerns have been raised about the BJP exploiting the ED (Enforcement Directorate) layer for the tremendous weapon power and anti-corruption measures, which are the central government agency. It is a fact that the ED has been at the forerunning of many investigations, particularly into the members of the Opposition parties, most notable Kejriwal deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, who has been in prison for more than a year linked to the scam of same alcohol.

ALSO READ| What is Pennsylvanias mail-in ballot dating rule?

Kejriwal, speaking in court, labelled his arrest a conspiracy to suppress his party and trap him. He emphasized that the alleged almost $12 million (1 billion rupees) in bribes to the AAP remained unproven.

Calls for Kejriwals resignation have come from several BJP leaders, but the AAP remains steadfast, asserting that he will continue to govern Delhi even from behind bars.
When 22-year-old college student Riley Strain turned up dead, 14 days after he disappeared, and was found under the Cumberland River bridge in Nashville, Tennessee, while on a thrilling night out with his friends. The situation surrounding his death has brought many questions, with the second autopsy shedding a lot of uncertainty on the matter. Riley Strain's mom has recalled the final conversation they had before he went missing in Nashville (Chris Whiteid via AP)

The deceased's family doesn't know how to cope and seeks solace in knowing the reasons behind the incident.

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An initial autopsy conducted by the police yielded no signs of foul play, but it also revealed no evidence that Riley had drowned after leaving Lukes Bridge Food and Drink around 9:30.OO PM. Nevertheless, the family asked for a second autopsy to be done, which could give them a new perspective to their predicament. The results were chilling: water still flashed in her eyes as there was no water in her lungs. Riley may have already been deceased when he entered/pushed into the river.

ALSO READ| Riley Strain's parents make emotional request to those attending funeral, say he cherished creating lasting memories

Riley's family friend demands answer

Family friend Chris Dingman demanded that the family deserves more answers. Usually, water in the lungs indicates that the person was alive when they entered the water, Dingman told NewsNation.

Today sees all results of toxicology have been past skeptical friends, who speculated that by the time Riley climbed into the river he was already dead.

But the mystery deepens. Rileys family is demanding answers about the missing items: pants, boots, and wallet/purse. When Rileys body was discovered under a rock at 7:28 AM, and these belongings were nowhere near.

Once again, one more question, Mr. Dingman lamented.

Unfortunately, the only things found with him, according to the police report, were his watch and shirt. Everything else was missing.

ALSO READ| Chilling 911 call made by man who found Riley Strain's body in Nashville released: Just found a dead body

The University of Missouri student had been in Nashville with friends. After being kicked out of a bar for intoxication, he informed his friends that he would meet them back at their hotel. However, when the group returned, Riley was nowhere to be found.
YouTube star Addison Pierre Maalouf, popularly known as YourFellowArab or Arab, has allegedly been kidnapped in Haiti. Before his disappearance, the Georgia-based YouTuber had reportedly travelled to the gang violence-stricken country. Maalouf, who is famous for exploring dangerous places that are void of general tourism, hasn't updated his Instagram feed since July last year. Viral unconfirmed reports claim that before his disappearance, Arab travelled to Port-au-Prince to interview the infamous Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier. YouTuber Arab aka YourFellowArab has reportedly been kidnapped in Haiti(Instagram/@arab)

YouTuber Arab allegedly kidnapped in Haiti

According to Haiti24, The kidnappers, acting under the orders of the fearsome gang leader Lanmo 100 jou, member of the Viv Ansanm coalition, demanded an exorbitant ransom of $600,000 for the journalists [Maalouf] release. Despite the payment of an initial tranche of $40,000, the kidnappers demanded a much larger sum for his complete release.

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Streamer Sneako addressed Maalouf's kidnapping on a recent livestream, saying, Arab has been kidnapped in Haiti. He has been kidnapped for 15 days. YourFellowArab, a YouTuber and a good friend, a love speech member.... free Arab and pray for Arab. Arab has been kidnapped for 15 days. I just saw an article. Yeah, I know, a random announcement. A random announcement, I know.

Twitch streamer Lalem also addressed the matter in a tweet shared on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, March 29, Tried keeping it private for 2 weeks, but its getting out everywhere now, yes Arab has been kidnapped in Haiti and were working on getting him out. Love ya'll hell be out soon.

Fellow YouTuber Miles Routledge, who claims to have spoken to the kidnapped streamer, said that Maalouf was travelling with a fixer called Sean Roubens Jean Sacra, who was also kidnapped. Arab has been kept in a cage in a place on the eastern outskirts of the Capital, Port-au-Prince, he said.

Arab has stated that despite the hardships, he's going to come out with a great video after this, and he should be out in no time. Sean was actually offered to be let go, but he's a great guy and doesn't want to leave Arab on his own, so he has decided to stay, Routledge added.
The United States in recent days authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel even as it publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated military offensive in Rafah, the Washington Post reported on Friday. Joe Biden(Getty Images via AFP)

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, the newspaper said, citing Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter.

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Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally. The United States has been rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticized the Biden administration's steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.
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.

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(Photo : Alex Kent/Getty Images)

Pro-Palestinian protesters clash Thursday with NYPD officers in New York City during President Joe Biden's fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall. Speaking to reporters, Biden said Arab countries are ready to "fully recognize Israel."

President Joe Biden said Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are ready to "fully recognize Israel" and called for a "post-Gaza plan" that would include a two-state solution, according to reports.

The president, speaking to reporters at a star-studded fundraiser Thursday in New York City attended by President Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, addressed concerns over the plight of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza during the war between Israel and Hamas.

"I won't go into detail now. But, look, I've been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. They're prepared to fully recognize Israel, fully recognize Israel for the first time," Biden said, CNN reported.

"But there has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a train to a two-state solution, it doesn't have to occur today, but there has to be a progression, and I think we can do that," he continued.

The president's comments came as the gala at Radio City Music Hall was interrupted at least four times by pro-Palestinian protesters calling attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Obama defended Biden, who served as vice president during his two terms in the White House, telling the protesters "you can't just talk and not listen."

"He's willing to listen to all sides in this debate, and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground," Obama said, Bloomberg reported. "That's the kind of president I want."

Biden has been under pressure to facilitate a cease-fire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, but relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have grown tense over Israel's fight against Hamas and the U.S. abstaining this week from a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding a cease-fire.

Biden said there are "too many innocent victims" among Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing that more assistance must get into Gaza.

"But we're in a position where Israel's very existence is at stake. You had all those people massacred," he said about the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

"It's understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there, but we must in-act, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians and particularly children," Biden said.

In 2002, a Saudi Arabia proposal endorsed by the Arab League's 22 members would recognize Israel in exchange for Israel withdrawing from some Arab territories it had occupied since 1967, according to the Middle East Monitor.

Negotiations over the deal continued until 2018 when Israel rejected it.

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Turnout was low in the initial nine-day early voting in Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties during the presidential primary election in February. Pioneer file photos

MECOSTA, OSCEOLA, LAKE COUNTIES  It may take some time for voters to get used to the nine-day early voting that was implemented following the passage of Proposition 2 in 2022.

Prop 2 mandates that local jurisdictions provide for nine days of early voting for all state and federal elections. Local entities were given the option of whether to hold early voting in their jurisdiction or join with their respective county for early voting.

The Presidential Primary election in February was the first time precincts in Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties offered nine days of early voting, and according to election results, turnout was low.

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In Mecosta County, 11 townships joined together for the early voting, which took place at the Big Rapids Township Hall, Austin, Chippewa, Colfax, Fork and Sheridan townships setting their own early voting locations.

The total number of voters in Mecosta County taking advantage of the early voting days was 319 out of a total of 7,787 voters.

Voter turnout for the Presidential Primary was 22.24% of registered voters in the county.

Several townships in Osceola County, including Reed City and Evart, joined together for early voting, which took place at the Richmond Township Hall in Reed City. Sherman, Lincoln and Hersey townships set their own location and times.

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A total of 197 voters cast their votes during the nine-day early voting in Osceola County, with 96 voting at the Richmond Township Hall, 40 voting at the Lincoln Township Hall, 20 voting at the Sherman Township Hall and 41 voting at the Hersey Township Hall.

Voter turnout for the primary election was 33.8% of registered voters in the county.

In Lake County, 13 of the 15 townships joined together for early voting at the Lake County Courthouse, while Newkirk and Ellsworth townships joined together for early voting for their jurisdictions.

The Lake County Courthouse site had 50 early voters, while the site for Newkirk and Ellsworth precincts had 43 early voters, for a total of 93 voters during the nine-day early voting period.

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Voter turnout in Lake County was 22% of registered voters in the county.

During a recent city commission meeting, Big Rapids city clerk Tammy Gillis told the board that the city election commission had decided to request to join the agreement with the county for the nine-day early voting in future elections.

After carefully discussing the pros and cons of each option, the election commission chose to go with the single municipality for the Feb. 27, Presidential Primary Election, Gillis said. At that time, we had more questions than answers, so we decided to do it ourselves. I still believe that was an excellent idea. It was a win-win for the city. The entire costs (of the early voting) were reimbursed, we got a new tabulator, and we got a chance to see how this all works.

After re-evaluating the nine-day early voting, she said, there are several reasons to consider entering into an early voting site agreement with the county for upcoming elections, which include:

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The city had a very low turnout for the nine days of early voting;

The cost to have the precinct open for the nine days of voting was $3,900, which the city will have to cover 100% for future elections;

If the tabulator breaks down during the nine days of early voting, the cost to the city is either $300 per hour or $2,000 a day;

Working nine days straight is a hardship for city staff.

We had 67 voters in nine days, and those nine days cost us just shy of $4,000, Gillis said. This was fully reimbursed for this election, but for the elections going forward it will be 100% on the city. If the tabulator breaks down, we either have to pay $300 an hour or $2,000 a day. If we go with the county agreement, that money will be split between everybody that is in the agreement. That would be a huge savings to the city.

The last reason is a little personal, she said. This was a hardship on the staff. Karen (Manoski, deputy clerk) and I were here the nine days straight. We opened, we closed, and we secured the building at night. I dont believe it is up to the election inspectors to have to do that. I believe the clerk and the deputy clerk are responsible to make sure the building is secure. So, we worked the whole nine days, and we worked the 17-hour shift on election day.

The state allows municipalities that conducted early voting as a single municipality for the presidential primary to enter into a county agreement for the remaining statewide and federal elections in the same election cycle, Gillis said.

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The election commission met and discussed all of the issues and decided to request to go with the county for future early voting, she said.

Number of early voters by precinct in Mecosta County:

Aetna Township: 3

Austin Township: 31

Big Rapids Township: 30

Chippewa Township: 15

Colfax Township: 53

Deerfield Township: 3

Fork Township: 29

Grant Township: 8

Green Charter Township: 15

Hinton Township: 1

Martiny Township: 4

Mecosta Township: 13

Millbrook Township: 0

Morton Township: 10

Sheridan Township: 28

Wheatland Township: 0

City of Big Rapids Precinct 1: 25

City of Big Rapids Precinct 2: 30

City of Big Rapids Precinct 3: 16
(Photo : NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, shown in a Moscow courtroom in February, on Friday marked a year being detained in Russia on espionage charges.

The parents of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter held in Russia on espionage charges, said they are "still standing strong" and will continue fighting for the freedom of their son, who marked one year in captivity on Friday.

"This year has been unimaginable for our family in so many ways. It has felt like holding our breath," the parents wrote in a letter to readers of the Wall Street Journal.

"We have been living with a constant ache in our hearts thinking about Evan every moment of every day. We never anticipated this situation happening to our son and brother let alone a full year with no certainty or clear path forward," they wrote.

"But despite this long battle, we are still standing strong. This is thanks to Evan's courage and the help and support of the incredible people around us," Gershkovich's parents, Elia Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, wrote.

Gershkovich, 32, was arrested by Russian security officials on March 29, 2023 and accused of spying for the United States while reporting in the Ural Mountains.

He, the newspaper and the White House have strongly denied the accusations. Russian authorities have not laid out evidence or explained thoroughly why Gershkovich is being detained in Moscow's Lefortovo prison.

The Gershkovich family said they continue to fight for the release of their son.

"We don't have words to truly convey how much it means to us. We will continue fighting for Evan's freedom, whatever it takes," they wrote.

Gershkovich, who has appeared in Russian courtrooms nearly a dozen times since last year, was ordered to remain behind bars until the end of June by a Moscow court on Tuesday. Photographs from the hearing showed him smiling, wearing a black checkered shirt inside a glass-enclosed box.

"Throughout all the challenges in this tumultuous time we've watched as Evan has faced this uncertainty, stuck in a small cell, with limited news of the world, without his freedom," his parents wrote in the letter. "We have watched him face this with his head held high because he is innocent. He inspires us to keep going every day, especially on those days where we receive his letters and see his smile from the courtroom camera."

The Wall Street Journal marked the day by running a front page with the headline "His Story Should Be Here," above white space left where his story would be displayed.

Here is an early look at the front page of a special section wrapping today's Wall Street Journal https://t.co/kTxN0a0m6N pic.twitter.com/X8C54alCiH  The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 29, 2024

Alma Latour, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal who has played a critical role in trying to secure Gershkovich's release, urged people to do more.

"[T]he outcome is sort of binary: He's either free or he's not. And so if the question is, 'Has enough been done?' Well, we'll know that when he walks free. ... We want everybody to do more until he's out. Until he's out, not enough has been done by anyone, and that goes for all of us," Latour told Politico.

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(Photo : ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends a meeting outside Moscow in Novo-Ogarevo on March 31, 2010.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be ramping up efforts to tighten his grip on the four territories annexed during his invasion of Ukraine, according to an intelligence report, just a few weeks after securing another six-year term.



The Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), which is the nation's state-funded institution for higher education, is launching a masters degree in 'State and municipal management' which will reportedly provide graduates with skills to to work in varying levels of government installed in Ukraines' four occupied regions, according to a recent intelligence report published by the U.K. Minister of Defence.

The goal of offering the degree is likely to overcome a shortage of qualified people within the occupied territories to work for the installed government, according to the report, adding that this move is further evidence of Putin's "Russification" efforts in the regions.

The U.K. intelligence brief also revealed that the Russian Justice Minister, Konstantin Chuychenko, has established 58 new prisons in occupied Ukraine.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  28 March 2024.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/LUNXKX1nPb #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/y3nuE1umIH  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) March 28, 2024

Ukraine's four occupied oblasts, Luhansk, Donestsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, were annexed by Russia on September 30, 2022, seven months after Putin invaded from the eastern border. Since then, Russian officials have made numerous attempts to 'Russify' the areas, including fast-tracking Russian citizenship to occupied Ukrainians, and ousting local elected officials, according to Reuters.



None of these regions have been under full Russian control since the annexation.

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(Photo : Photo by SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

A beachgoer poses in front of a shark mural along the boardwalk in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego, California. Funding cuts to a renowned Southern California shark research lab may have to shut down monitoring programs that help keep swimmers safe as it faces a $7 million budget shortfall and sightings have been on the uptick.



A renowned Southern California shark research lab may have to shut down monitoring programs that help keep swimmers safe as it faces a $7 million budget shortfall, according to a report.

The Shark Lab at California State University's Long Beach campus is actively trying to raise the seven-figure sum from private sources and nonprofits, amid fears that state funding will take a significant hit in the coming months, local outlet KABC-TV reported Thursday.

Among the programs that could be at risk is monitoring that tracks hundreds of adult and juvenile sharks as they swim along the California coast, Shark Lab director Chris Lowe told the outlet.

"It's getting pretty serious," said Lowe. "We have enough money to carry us through June but after that, if we don't get more funding, we're going to have to pull out all of the equipment out of the water. We won't be able to monitor sharks along California anymore."

The gear  a system of receivers, buoys and underwater monitors  not only helps the Shark Lab keep tabs on the creatures, but also warns lifeguards if they stray too close to shore when swimmers are in the water.

"Everything that we learned from our science gets out to the public, and this is unique," Lowe told KABC-TV. "It's considered one of the best shark mitigation programs in the world."

The lab also has partners counting on its work, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Lowe told another local outlet, KTLA.

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File, there were 69 unprovoked shark bites documented worldwide in 2023, up from the average of 63 recorded between 2018 and 2022. Two of those bites came in California, with one proving fatal.

Florida led the way, with 16 unprovoked bites.

Australia saw the most fatal unprovoked bites, with four of the 10 recorded worldwide.

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Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her husband Ryan Scott Anderson are calling off their marriage less than three months after she was released from prison. Blanchard announced her divorce from Anderson on her private Facebook page on Thursday, according to People.

"People have been asking what is going on in my life. Unfortunately, my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents [sic] home down the bayou," she wrote in the post obtained by the outlet.

"I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find... who I am."

Anderson and Blanchard began dating after they met in 2020 while the latter was still serving a 10-year sentence for second-degree murder for the death of her mother, Clauddine "DeeDee" Blanchard.

Gypsy's mother faked her daughter's cancer diagnosis for years and used it to enrich herself using donations from well-meaning financial donors.

Ryan Scott Anderson is a special needs teacher for middle school children in Louisiana.

The pair was married at Missouri's Chillicothe Correctional Center in July 2022. Blanchard was granted parole on December 28, three years ahead of schedule.

At the time, Gypsy seemed very excited about the life she was going to lead with her new husband.

"We do plan on having a reception/redo wedding with all of our family and our friends and the dress and the cake and everything because we deserve that. I deserve that. He deserves that," she told the outlet.

Blanchard hinted at problems within the marriage multiple times in the media before the two broke up.

"I've never lived with a man," Blanchard explained. "I grew up with a mom, so I didn't even grow up with a dad in the house. So I'm like, 'I don't even know what it's like to live with a man.'""I think the only fear that I have is, honestly, just making sure that we have good conflict [resolution]," she added.

"I'm a very 'in the moment' type of person, so I want to make sure if we have an argument, I want to clear it up in the moment. He is ... the opposite, where he has to sit on things and think about it, and then come back a couple hours later and resolve it."

At the suggestion of her parole officer, Gypsy Rose Blanchard shocked her supporters last month when she deleted her public Instagram account to remove herself from the public eye. It had 7.8 million followers.

It's believed Gypsy Rose Blanchard's mother suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy - a psychological disorder in which parents fabricate illnesses for their child.

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(Photo : (Photo : Tennessee Bureau of Investigation))

Sebastian Rogers, 15, vanished Feb. 26 from Hendersonville, TN

The biological parents of Sebastian Rogers met with officials from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and investigators from the Sumner County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, over a month after he vanished from his own home.

Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford confirmed to WSMV4 that the meeting took place, but refrained from disclosing any specifics regarding the purpose or the lead participant behind the gathering.

On Mar. 8, authorities searched a Kentucky landfill as part of efforts to uncover evidence related to Sebastian's disappearance.

Despite their efforts, no leads or evidence of Rogers' whereabouts emerged from the search.

The Sumner County Sheriff's Office explained that the decision to search the landfill was based on "ongoing investigative efforts and information gathered" during the search for Rogers.

Rogers, who is 15-years-old and has autism, has been missing since Feb. 26. He was last seen by his mother on the night of Feb. 25 when she had put him to bed.

"When I told him to go to bed, he was like, 'I love you, mom, I love you puppies,' and he went to bed; and I went to bed around midnight, and everything seemed fine, and when I went to wake him up for school, that's when I couldn't find him," Sebastian's mom, Katie Proudfoot, explained to the station earlier this week.

"He wasn't in his room."

The TBI has affirmed that there are no signs of foul play in Sebastian's disappearance, but there is also no evidence definitively ruling it out.

"While we had hoped for a different outcome, our commitment to finding Sebastian remains unwavering," Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford said in a previous statement.

"We will continue to explore all available avenues and resources to bring closure to this case and provide answers to Sebastian's family and loved ones."

An AMBER Alert was activated for the 15-year-old boy.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Sumner County Sheriff's Office at 615-451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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(Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Air Force One carrying then-President Donald Trump takes off from Scotland in July 2018. Stealing has gotten so out of hand on the presidential aircraft that the president of the White House Correspondents' Association has reminded reporters that taking items from the plane is not allowed.

Think of it as Air Filch One.

Journalists and others flying on the president's official aircraft have been helping themselves to engraved whiskey and wine glasses, and any objects bearing the Air Force One insignia, then boasting about their take on social media, Politico reported.

The thievery has been going on for years, the report said.

"On my first flight, the person next to me was like, 'You should take that glass,'" a White House reporter told West Wing Playbook. "They were like: 'Everyone does it.'"

Reporters told Politico that members of the media are not the only ones who can't resist the itch to pinch a coveted souvenir.

They recalled a senator who took "everything not bolted down," and others described attending dinner parties at a former White House correspondent's home where the food was served on gold-rimmed Air Force One plates.

The report said the looting on the two customized Boeing 747-200Bs that ferry the president and the press corps to destinations around the world has become a "rite of passage" despite the aircraft being "among the most heavily secured entities in the world."

But the pilfering has gotten so bad that Kelly O'Donnell, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, reminded colleagues that removing objects off the plane is taboo and doesn't reflect well on members of the media.

O'Donnell's email to colleagues was sparked by an incident that occured in February during a West Coast trip.

The plane's crew that serves passengers on the flight did an inventory after the trip and found that a number of items were missing from the press cabin.

The White House contacted all the reporters on the trip, not to accuse them of theft, but to remind them that it needs to stop.

"It was like, 'Hey, if you inadvertently wound up taking something off the plane by mistake, we can help facilitate a quiet return,'" the email said, reporters told Politico.

O'Donnell's note to White House correspondents reminded them that the Air Force One items are available for purchase.

"But the glasses that are sold on the [Air Force] site aren't the same as the ones they have on the plane," one former administration official said. "Same with the blankets. That's why the ones on board are so coveted."

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The Russian Orthodox Church appears to back President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling it a "Holy War."

The ominous declaration came after a gathering of the World Russian People's Council where religious, political, and cultural figures met at the site of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, an important religious and cultural focal point for Russians.

The declaration came during a congress of the World Russian People's Council in which religious, political, and cultural figures in the country met at the site of Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior, a focal point for the Orthodox faith in Russia.

Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill leads the council and is an ally of Putin. He had been criticized for not providing a religious justification for the war and failing to condemn the killing of innocents in Ukraine.

Kirill said Ukraine and Belarus were part of Russian lands and called the Ukrainians defending themselves against the invasion "forces of evil," spinning the war as a battle for the future of Christianity. That was two years ago.

"From a spiritual and moral point of view, the special military operation is a Holy War, in which Russia and its people, are defending the single spiritual space of Holy Russia," the document released on Wednesday said under the heading "special military operation."

It further stated that the Russians were "protecting the world from the onslaught of globalism and the victory of the West, which has fallen into Satanism.

"Following the war, the entire territory of modern Ukraine should enter the zone of Russia's exclusive influence," it said.

"The possibility of the existence of a Russophobic political regime hostile to Russia and its people on this territory, as well as a political regime controlled from an external center hostile to Russia, should be completely excluded," it added.

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Mike Stackhouse owns SAMSA, Inc., with locations in Midland and Saginaw. Provided by SAMSA, Inc.

Mike Stackhouse, 61, owns SAMSA, Inc., located in Midland and Saginaw. They provide information technical services for commercial and residential clients.

Stackhouse said about 50 percent of their business is web related services including design, hosting, and e-commerce. They do custom development for businesses including mobile apps.

The other 50 percent is IT related, workstations, servers, and computers including computer repair. He has 15 employees.

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The Saginaw location, which is the main office, is located at 5560 Gratiot Road, near Center Road. The Midland location is at 229 W. Wackerly in the same plaza at Coffee Chaos, with SAMSA in the end cap of the building next door to Cinnamon Indian Cuisine.

They are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 989-790-0507. Email address is info@samsa.com. Website is www.samsa.com and you can follow their Facebook page at facebook.com/samsatech.

Stackhouse and his wife, Teresa, have been married for 41 years. They have two daughters, Michelle and Virginia, and one granddaughter, Olivia, age 9.

Stackhouse grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, graduating from Montgomery Blair High School. He earned a bachelors degree in business from Anderson College (now University) in Indiana. Thats where he and Teresa met. He later earned his masters in business administration from SVSU. Teresas a faculty secretary at that school.

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How long have you owned your business? Started the business when we were in Virginia in 1989, incorporated it there. And then we moved to Michigan in 1994 and I reincorporated SAMSA in Michigan at that time.

What inspired you to own this business? I was a software developer in 1989. I was just inspired to go out on my own. I was a one-man band. That was still the truth in 1994, then the internet happened for me in 1996. Thats when I started making websites and hiring staff and have grown the business ever since. In 2003, I purchased what was McDonald Computer Services, which added hardware competency to our business. Prior to that, we were a software business.

What makes Midland a great place to own a business? Midland is a very unique area in my experience. Theyre very concerned about the community, very involved in helping disadvantage groups. Its a wonderful place to support people and businesses. Its a very caring and giving community. My wife and I have property on Wixom Lake, planning to build there just before the lakes went away (in 2020). If people like Dave Kepler (with Four Lakes Task Force) werent involved, Im convinced there is no way the lakes could be rebuilt.

One of our emphases, especially in Midland, we serve more residential clients. We love to take care of the elderly population. We fix their computers and help them with their computers. Im a Christian, thats part of my mission, helping people who need that help.

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What are some ways your business is active in the local community? Senior Services, we especially support. Also support several local churches. The Life Clinic, it supports life there. A lot of things through the Midland Area Community Foundation, including River Days. Were one of the major sponsors for the Midland Santa Parade. We also support The 100 Club. Im a volunteer chaplain at the Midland County Jail, for six or seven years, visit inmates every week.

What are some of your interests and hobbies? Im an adjunct professor at SVSU, teach computer science and accounting. Active in my church, Midland (Evangelical) Free Church. Love spending time camping with my family, especially our only granddaughter, Olivia.

Final thoughts for our readers? Were just extremely thankful for 30 years of support by the local community. We appreciate the opportunity to serve both businesses and residents alike. Im also thankful to my wife, Teresa, and my family for their support in making it possible to do all this work for our clients.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company announced the opening of Vivanta Chitwan, Bharatpur. The hotel is a confluence of the vibrant tapestry of Nepal's culture and contemporary luxury.

Vivanta Chitwan, Bharatpur, featuring 45 keys celebrates individuality with style and spirit. Each elegantly furnished room and suite provides guests with stunning vistas of the Devchuli Mountains. Guests can savour diverse flavours at Mynt, the multi-cuisine all-day diner and unwind at Wink, the happening bar. For wellness and recreation, the hotel boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center and an outdoor pool that overlooks the breathtaking Siraichuli Mountains. The hotel is equipped with 2,400 sq. ft. of meeting space including a business center.

Located along the banks of the Narayani River, Bharatpur stands as a pivotal commercial hub in Nepal's central region. The country attracts tourists with its diverse array of experiences, from the historical and sacred sites to the majestic Himalayan landscapes.

The current operating footprint between CG & IHCL in the Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East includes Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa in Maldives, Taj Samudra, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai and Taj Safaris, the wildlife luxury lodges in India and the famous Meghauli Serai in Nepal.

Hotel website
The luxury desert lodge will be closed for the remainder of 2024 for a thorough upgrading of the property's interiors, spearheaded by the original design team of architects Rodrigo Searle and Matias Gonzalez, featuring refreshments to furniture and the addition of suite room types.

Tierra Atacama--the all-inclusive, eco-friendly lodge hotel just outside the village of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile-announces the beginning of its $12 million refresh, which will thoroughly upgrade the hotel interiors, furniture, as well as debut eight new suites. To be revealed in 2025, the renovation-which will commence on April 1, 2024-is an effort to refresh furnishings while prioritizing the hotel's commitment to sustainability, through its sourcing and selection of furniture, fabrics, and continued support of the local community.

Tierra Atacama originally opened in January 2008 on the edge of the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Built around a centuries-old cattle coral, Tierra Atacama was originally created by architects Rodrigo Searle and Matias Gonnzalez, using traditional adobe walls and rammed earth, allowing the hotel to enfold into its surrounding landscape. Interior designers Carolina Delpiano and Alexandra Edwards took inspiration from the local communities around San Pedro to hand-pick and curate decor with artifacts, stone carvings, hand-painted maps, handwoven blankets from village weavers, and more. An all-inclusive lodge, Tierra Atacama features activities such as bike riding, hiking, horseback riding, astrotourism, and more, in addition to various wellness experiences and locally inspired treatments at Uma Spa.

The hotel's mission to minimize its impact on the environment is exhibited by its sustainability strategy, which includes efforts of renewable and solar energy, protecting national resourcing, overseeing waste management, and continuing to keep strong relationships with the local communities. In addition, Tierra Atacama preserves the archaeological elements of the region as a key cultural sustainability measure.

Perched 16,000+ feet above sea level, Atacama is the driest desert in the world, and encompasses canyons, hot springs, dunes, as well as salt flats. A popular destination amongst tourists and backpackers, travelers partake in adventure sports-such as hiking up volcanoes and dunes-or soothing their muscles in mountaintop mineral springs. It is also home to a myriad of historical and geological sights, such as dune-peaked Valle de la Luna, Puritama hot springs, and the Domeyko mountain range.

Tierra Hotels (which also includes the properties Tierra Chiloe and Tierra Patagonia) are part of the Baillie Lodges family. While Tierra Atacoma is closed for renovations, guests can continue to enjoy both Tierra Chiloe and Tierra Patagonia, which operate from October through April, annually.

Launching at the start of the new season in October 2024, Tierra Chiloe will offer new Seaplane transfers and adventures (3-5 passengers). Transfers include El Tepual Airport to Puerto Montt (PMC) / Tierra Chiloe, while two different excursions include flyovers of Pumalin National Park (over northern Patagonia and the Chilean mainland, as well as views of the Chaiten Volcano and Lake Yelcho), while the Corcovado Volcano flight begins

directly towards the imposing Corcovado Volcano and until reaching Tic Toc Bay and the remote Raul Marin Balmaceda Island. The reservation must be made at least 24 hours in advance and will be subject to availability and weather conditions.

About Tierra Atacama

A unique hotel in San Pedro de Atacama-a village oasis in the heart of the desert in northern Chile- Tierra Atacama blends ancient heritage with contemporary design and impeccable service. The all-inclusive Atacama adventure encompasses elegant, eco-friendly architecture, iconic vistas, authentic cuisine, and inviting wellness facilities. At Tierra Atacama, guests are invited to escape to a world of clear night skies, high-altitude lagoons, and moon-like valleys, where a sense of both adventure travel and pure relaxation lingers in the air. Home to 28 rooms (and soon-to-be) suites, Tierra Atacama offers experiences that will leave one feeling fully restored. For more information, visit www.tierratacama.com.

Hotel website
What is a hotel association?

A hotel association is a collective organisation that represents the interests and serves the needs of hotels and lodging businesses within a specific region, country, or on an international level.

They provide a unified voice for their members, advocating for their rights, and offering a range of services designed to support hoteliers in their operations, such as advocacy, networking, education, marketing and promotion, resources and support, and creating, maintaining and licensing around quality standards.

Table of contents

1. What is a hotel association?

2. Why is a hospitality association important?

3. Hotel owners associations

4. Australia hotel associations

5. United Kingdom hotel association

6. Europe hotel association

7. American hotel association

8. Canada hotel association

9. National hotel association

Why is a hospitality association important?

Hospitality associations play a crucial role in the success and sustainability of the hospitality industry. While many sectors have their own associations  industry groups, worker unions, lobbying collectives, and similar  the hospitality industry is unique in how fundamental being a part of and playing an active role in an association can be.

The industry is enormously diverse and in a constant state of flux, and hotel associations offer community, camaraderie, advisory, networking opportunities, collaboration and co-marketing, not to mention strategic insights and upskilling. Put simply, being part of a hotel association means that you never have to go it alone as a hotelier, and always have a community to fall back on in times of challenge, as well as the opportunity to give others a helping hand when theyre in need.

Heres the detail on why hotel associations are important:

1. Unified advocacy

Hotel associations serve as a powerful collective voice, advocating for policies and regulations that nurture a favourable environment for the hospitality sector. By representing the interests of a diverse range of businesses, they ensure that the industrys concerns are addressed at various governmental levels, fostering a landscape where hospitality can thrive.

2. Professional growth

Hospitality associations are instrumental in continuous professional development. Through a variety of educational programs and training sessions, they empower industry professionals to enhance their skills, keeping pace with evolving market demands and technological advancements.

3. Networking and knowledge sharing

They provide invaluable forums for industry peers to connect, exchange ideas, and share best practices. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and strategic partnerships, crucial for staying competitive in a dynamic market.

4. Resource hub

Membership often grants access to an array of resources, including cutting-edge research, legal guidance, and marketing insights. These tools are vital for informed decision-making and strategic planning, ultimately driving operational excellence.

5. Quality and standards

By establishing and maintaining industry standards, these associations ensure a consistent level of service excellence. This commitment to quality not only enhances guest satisfaction but also upholds the industrys reputation, building trust among consumers.

6. Crisis support

In challenging times, hospitality associations provide critical support and coordination, offering guidance and advocating for relief measures to support affected businesses, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the industry community.

7. Promotional efforts

Many associations actively market their regions or segments, boosting visibility and attracting tourism and investment, which in turn benefits all members.

Hotel owners associations

As a hotel owner, youre part of the juggernaut that is the hospitality industry  so take advantage of this broader network by accessing the support that comes with it. Depending on your location, there are various hospitality associations that you can consider joining.

Australia hotel associations

Accommodation Association

Representing major hotel groups in Australia, the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAOA) provides essential services and creates connections with industry and government leaders to increase economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Australian Hotels Association

Representing more than 5,000 members across Australia, its aim is to ensure a national legislative, social, economic and commercial environment that secures the ongoing viability and profitability of Australian hotels and ensures they continue to add value to Australian culture and society.

Tourism Accommodation Australia

Focussing on the needs and interests of the substantial operators of Australias accommodation industry and providing leadership through advocacy, industrial relations and legal support, intelligence, research, education and networking.

United Kingdom hotel association

UKHospitality

Describes itself as the powerhouse that advocates and protects the commercial interests of its members, campaigning and lobbying on their behalf to promote a fair and favourable operating environment for their business to thrive in.

North East Hotels Association

Bristol Hoteliers Association and other regional associations. Aiming to promote and protect hotel businesses within certain areas.

Europe hotel association

Hotrec

The umbrella Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes and similar establishments in Europe, which brings together 47 National associations in 36 countries. Aims to be the voice of European hospitality and unlock its potential.

American hotel association

While there are many state-level and city-level hotel associations in the United States, there are two primary names that come up when asking what is THE American hotel and lodging association to join?

American Hotel & Lodging Association

The largest hotel association in the US, described as an indispensable resource serving, supporting and advocating on behalf of the American hospitality industry.

American Hospitality Alliance

Harnesses the power of industry leaders toward more effective advocacy in an effort to promote and defend the hospitality industry at state and local levels.

Canada hotel association

Hotel Association of Canada

The leading hotel industry association in Canada, with a mission to enhance the prosperity of the Canadian Hotel and Lodging industry through strong member engagement, effective advocacy, and the provision of valued programs and services.

British Columbia Hotel Association

Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association and other regional associations. Helping to build and promote the industry by region.

National hotel association

International Hotel & Restaurant Association

A non-profit international trade association that promotes and defends the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide.

International Luxury Hotel Association

A trade organisation to help luxury hoteliers grow their business.

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Representing the hospitality industry in taking collective responsibility to ensure destinations and communities are being supported and protected now and for future generations.

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In this blog post, we dive down even deeper than before into how the Taylor Swift phenomenon can shift the dynamics of a local market like no other music star; why smaller markets are seeing triple-digit boosts to posted rates, and how events of this scale interact with local accommodation supply.

Hoteliers arent holding back when it comes to room rates

Overall, the arrival of Swift is positive for pricing in every hotel market we look at, although the level of variation from destination to destination can be quite extreme, for reasons we will discuss later.

Given that this most mammoth of tours stops at an impressive 18 European cities for a combined total of 51 shows, we have condensed the analysis somewhat to show the effect Swift has on local markets.

We compared rates when the tour is in town to a combined average of posted prices for the same days a week before and after Swift is the city in question.

We can see that the effect on hotel room pricing in some cities is staggering. Most visitors are solely interested in the event's tour within the specified dates, with limited spillover demand.

However, the effect is not universal and there is massive variation between locations.

These go from a more than threefold increase for Warsaw and a more than doubling compared to adjacent weeks in Stockholm and Liverpool, to very limited bumps of +9% in London and +5% in Paris.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

Overall, the median increase in rates for a standard hotel room compared to those nearby weeks was 44%, which is a huge boost to local hotel rates and indicative of the continuing star power Swift has in every geography she has visited so far.

In general, the wider trend is for the larger tourism markets to be noticeably less price-sensitive than less commonly visited cities.

Powerhouses London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Milan all sit in the bottom half, while smaller markets are much more likely to see a major boost. Cardiff is a noticeable outlier here, but Swift has only one date in the city, which is unique not just in the European leg of the Eras Tour but the complete global list of stops. This reduces the overall effect on local pricing.

We will go further into what drives this disparity later.

Short-term rentals appear to be substantially less price-sensitive

When it comes to Short-Term Rentals (STRs), the pricing gains are much less substantial in general, likely reflecting a lower price sensitivity than within the hotel industry, especially where supply for tourism accommodation is high overall.

However, the top and bottom of the chart for price growth as a result of the Eras Tour are broadly similar, showing that it is largely the magnitude of change that varies between hotels and STRs rather than totally different forces at work.

Once again, London (-3%), Paris (0%), Amsterdam (+4%), Lisbon (+5%) and Milan (+6%) all bring up the bottom of our chart and, remarkably, London actually sees falling STR rates during the tour compared to surrounding dates.

At the other end of the scale, Liverpool (+149%), Warsaw (+53%), Edinburgh (+30%), Stockholm (+22%) and Hamburg (15%) also see strong relative positive change that is similar in ranking to hotel counterparts.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

Dublin and Liverpool are the only locations where STR pricing rises more strongly than for hotels in percentage terms, and the differences are often substantial.

There is a 101-percentage-point difference between the increase for hotels and STRs in Warsaw and 97 points in Stockholm, at its most extreme level.

This divergence, and the difference being highest in two of the most positively affected hotel markets, show more aggressive strategies from hotels overall and more optimization for key dates, especially when accommodation supply is highly limited overall.

This may be due to the characteristics of the properties, with hotels offering more convenience and often better located for the very short stays, typical for those attending the concerts.

A deeper dive into the most affected European hotel markets

Focusing on the top performers of Liverpool, Stockholm and Warsaw allows us to see what is driving their particularly exceptional pricing performance across both hotel and STR segments.

In all three, a large amount of the potential stock has already been booked, but these are not especially large markets when compared to the other cities that comprise the European tour stops.

Furthermore, in the case of Stockholm and Warsaw, forward demand indicators remain very strong, allowing hotels to continue the upward trend and suggesting more room for rate increases in the future.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

Firstly, if we try to get an impression of how many rooms have already been booked through the share of unavailable hotels, in all three cases a very large portion of the inventory is either already reserved or being held up.

The share of properties not listing any inventory at the peak point of demand during concerts is 34% in Liverpool, 48% in Warsaw and a staggering 80% in Stockholm, even with two-and-a-half months to go to the opening night at the time of writing.

Compare that to Paris, where Swifts time in the city causes only a modest bump in rates, and the share of unavailable hotels sits at 16% at its highest.

There is then substantial demand chasing a reduced pool of inventory in these cities, which do not have a massive number of rooms at least compared to the major European tourism destinations Swift will be visiting elsewhere.

Warsaw and Stockholm both have a little shy of 20,000 hotel rooms, while Liverpool is noticeably smaller, with between 7,500 and 8,000 hotel rooms in total, which helps to explain why it is seeing such high rates even at a lower level of sold-out inventory.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

These factors have pushed these markets to post much higher room rates compared to nearby dates and the rest of the year.

Furthermore, there may be room to go even higher, as forward searches indicate that there are still plenty of fans looking to find themselves a bed for the night during the key dates.

In both Stockholm and Warsaw, the Eras Tour dates mark by far the highest point for searches being made over the next six months, especially in the latters case, even though it is the furthest out of these three cities.

That kind of interest is why prices have continued upwards over the last 30 days as of the time of writing. Compared to a month ago, hotel rates have risen 2.9% in Warsaw and 5.4% in Stockholm, marking them out once again as two of the stronger markets in the European leg for pricing growth.

Supply and demand dictating hotel room rates

Weve covered the Swift effect in detail through each leg of her tour, and we have noted across the analysis that the market structure is important in dictating how accommodation reacts to the demand spike.

Therefore, we dug a little deeper for this segment of the Eras Tour to give more context as to why there is such wide variation in hotel room price changes and how this may be useful for revenue managers when considering comparable events in their own marketplaces.

When examining the effect of an event on a local hospitality market we need to consider the potential magnitude of the event, what the overall level of inbound travel will be, and then contextualize that with the supply of accommodation.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

For the Eras Tour we have taken the number of hotel rooms in a local market where that data was openly available and also the overall capacity of the venues for concerts to understand the potential demand generation and the possible supply alongside the price rises analyzed above.

When we looked at purely the attendance possible (assuming a sell-out each night, which is a near guarantee for these concerts) and then the increase in rates compared to nearby dates there was no correlation.

However, by trying to give more context and dividing the potential attendance by the number of hotel rooms, we can see a relationship forming. This gives a correlation of 0.64 to price changes, making it a moderate-to-strong positive relationship.

Furthermore, when we rank the cities by this ratio, it largely conforms to the grouping of higher and lower performers, putting Paris and Madrid down at the bottom and Liverpool, Warsaw and Stockholm near the top.

Indeed, for London, the position in the chart is somewhat deceptive, as the eight tour dates are spread over two different periods of three and five nights, rather than one monster set of eight consecutive concerts.

Adjusting for just one of these stops brings London down to conform to where it ranks for price rises and increases overall correlation.

These numbers for both attendance and available supply are estimates, but we hope that this explains the mechanism at play around the emerging demand picture for these time-sensitive and critical revenue-generating opportunities.

Spotlight on: UK and Ireland

Zeroing in on the UK and Ireland leg of the tour to visualize the impact on a specific region within Europe and Swifts concerts are clearly major points within the hospitality calendar across almost all of the destinations

In Dublin, Edinburgh and Liverpool the weeks where the Eras Tour is in town are the highest points for hotel room rates across the whole of 2024, underlining the stars power to influence local markets.

The average weekly rates come in at EUR379, GBP473 and GBP227, respectively, which represents a boost of 51%, 74% and 74% within these cities for those weeks when compared to the annual average.

For London and Cardiff, the rise compared to the annual average rate for a standard hotel room are still respectable 25% and 48% increases.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

As noted above STRs are largely less price sensitive and so the gains are less dramatic and the weeks of the concerts are not the peak pricing points for our available STR dataset for 2024 in all of the cities, with one remarkable exception: Liverpool.

As noted above, Liverpool accommodation supply is limited and this is driving a major surge in pricing. Alongside being the second smallest of the destinations we are looking at for overall hotel room supply, it is similarly limited for alternative accommodation, providing just 4,500 to 5,000 potential stays, second only to Cardiff.

Combine this with a relatively large stadium in Anfield and three consecutive days of concerts, and there is a cocktail for massive price increases. As of the time of writing STR prices were 202% above the annual average in Liverpool, and the highest of any city in 2024, at GBP625.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

Comparing the price changes to the same dates a year prior and Liverpool is once again the clear leader, with a year-on-year growth in rates of 84%, underlining how limited supply is really driving a major shift in pricing strategy across the city.

London, by contrast, is at the bottom with nominal pricing growth for hotels of just 1% for the first set of concert dates and 10% during the second. This also highlights the supply dynamic as it is estimated that London may now be the worlds largest hotel market by rooms.

 Source: Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight)

Final thoughts

The available data clearly illustrates Taylor Swift's economic impact and influence. Every metric paints Swift's tour as a massive event, sparking considerable demand and holding the potential to set the highest accommodation price record for the year in some of the places it visits. Especially in smaller cities that have limited accommodations.

Armed with instantaneous insights derived from industry-leading demand and rate data, you can devise an optimal pricing and promotional plan for crucial event dates in your city.

This will enable you to capture bookings ahead of your rivals and maximize your room revenue.

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways.

Trusted by over 65,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partnerstheir success is our success.

www.mylighthouse.com

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the passage of government spending package H.R.2882, which included $50 million in funding for the U.S. Department of State to reduce visitor visa interview wait times:

U.S. Travel applauds Congress for directing funding to address excessive visitor visa interview wait times, which currently average 400 days in top source markets. The State Department must now deploy these resources as quickly as possible to lower wait times and facilitate growth in inbound visitation. Further, U.S. Travel urges Congress to consider other critical measures like the Visa Processing Improvement Act (S.2632) to modernize the entire visa process, particularly as the U.S. prepares for a decade of major international events.

About U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.2 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information and recovery-related data.

Greg Staley

U.S. Travel Association
Four Seasons, together with luxury yachting company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner/Operator, Four Seasons Yachts, and venerated Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, continues to chart a new course of luxury at sea. As momentum builds towards the inaugural season of Four Seasons Yachts, the first 10 unique voyages are unveiled, each inviting travellers to make the iconic islands and hidden gems of the Caribbean and Mediterranean their playground, with meticulously designed suites that guests will call home along the journey.

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. 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. Our teams are dedicated to innovating and delivering genuine service, ensuring each journey is defined by comfort, elegance, and personalization, setting a new standard for luxury hospitality experiences at sea. Alejandro Reynal, President and Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons

A Journey Across Crystal Clear Caribbean Waters and Magnificent Mediterranean Seas

In its debut year, Four Seasons Yachts will explore more than 130 distinct destinations across over 30 countries and territories. All itineraries are crafted with flexibility in mind, allowing guests to tailor their own adventure as they explore beyond the familiar. The team curating each itinerary understands the nuances of these locales, ensuring each experience is truly extraordinary. Enhancing itineraries are customizable with pre-and-post hotel and overland programs at beloved Four Seasons hotels and resorts.

The first Four Seasons Yacht, currently under construction in Ancona, Italy, will travel westbound as part of its repositioning and will welcome guests to set sail amid the serene turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea from January to March 2026. The first Caribbean itineraries feature seven nights of exploration through the most exciting yachting destinations including Saint Barthelemy (St Barths), Nevis, the Grenadines, St Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Curacao and Aruba. Destination highlights include indulging in the dazzling nightlife of St Barths, discovering Martiniques volcanic coral reefs and lush rainforest landscapes, a marina day in St Lucias Tobago Cays, and much more.

With more destinations and details to be unveiled in the coming months, the first Grand Mediterranean voyages will begin in March 2026 and will include sailings through Croatia, Gibraltar, Montenegro, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkiye. The Mediterranean itinerary will also highlight the Greek Isles, with stops in Athens, Ios, Santorini, Milos, and more. Guests will explore under-the-radar islands steeped in culture and history, offering a variety of experiences that go above and beyond the ordinary of Mediterranean sailings.

Bespoke Suite Designs Focused on Comfort, Connection and Care

In collaboration with Tillberg Design of Sweden and the Yachts Creative Director, Prosper Assouline, the Yachts suite design embodies the essence of intuitive luxury, each a sanctuary of tranquillity with panoramic views, elegant interiors, thoughtful details and a residential feel that creates the sense of a welcoming home at sea.

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. 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. Fredrik Johannson, Partner and Executive Director of Tillberg Design of Sweden

With 50% more living space per guest than currently available with any competitor at sea, all suites will offer floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing sweeping sea views, double vanity bathrooms with spacious showers and closets, expansive private terraces, and dynamic use of space and light.

The Yachts extensive network of adjoining suites will feature an innovative system that connects accommodations with modular walls, offering numerous options of vertical and horizontal combinations within the signature suites. This versatility will unlock more than 100 different connection options and the unique opportunity to reserve an entire side of a deck, perfect for those travelling with family, friends, or larger groups. For example, this one-of-a-kind design will allow for more than 13,000 square feet (1,200 square metres) of total living space.

A New Suite Standard: Funnel and Loft Suites

The largest accommodations are seven signature suites ranging from 2,981 to 9,975 square feet (277 to 927 square metres) of indoor and outdoor living space. They offer two to three bedrooms, separate living rooms, indoor and outdoor dining space, splash pools, outdoor showers, and the option to connect to additional suites.

The premier signature suite accommodations  the Funnel and Loft Suites  both feature three bedrooms, outdoor showers, and splash pools. The largest on board, the Funnel Suite, housed within the Yachts glass-enclosed funnel, is 9,975 square feet (927 square metres), spanning four levels of living space. The suites towering floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows, made up of the largest contiguous piece of glass at sea, is a one-of-a-kind engineering feat offering stunning 280-degree panoramic views. The Loft Suite is 7,952 square feet (739 square metres) and can accommodate large group sizes of up to 20 people by connecting with seven additional suites, the largest number of connecting suites available.

When exploring beyond the comforts of their stunning suites, guests can enjoy 11 dining options, spa and wellness offerings, a state-of-the-art transverse marina, and the stern pool, set to be one of the largest in the industry at nearly 19 metres long and 5 metres wide (65 feet long and 18 feet wide). Its unique hydraulic lift design will allow the pool deck to level out, creating an expansive outdoor space for weddings, celebrations and other events.

Four Seasons Yachts will redefine luxury at sea with its all-suite, residential style product, best in class design and the brands renowned service and care delivered through a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.

For more information visit fourseasonsyachts.com and to express interest in a future sailing, please join the list.

About Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD

Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD was founded and conceived by luxury entrepreneur Nadim Ashi, who serves as executive chair of the newly formed yacht company. Ashi is the owner of Fort Partners and the visionary responsible for Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida and multiple other properties, including the future Four Seasons hotel in Rome. Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD is incorporated in Valletta, Malta and is responsible for yacht sales and marketing, marine, technical operations, navigation, deployment strategy, port operations, reservations, and related shoreside and vessel crewing.

About Fincantieri

Fincantieri is one of the worlds largest shipbuilding groups, the only one active in all high-tech marine industry sectors. It is leader in the construction and transformation of cruise, naval and oil & gas and wind offshore vessels, as well as in the production of systems and component equipment, after-sales services and marine interiors solutions. Thanks to the expertise developed in the management of complex projects, the Group boasts first-class references in infrastructures, and is a reference player in digital technologies and cybersecurity, electronics and advanced systems.

With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, Fincantieri maintains its know-how, expertise and management centres in Italy, here employing 10,000 workers and creating around 90,000 jobs, which double worldwide thanks to a production network of 18 shipyards operating in four continents and with almost 21,000 employees. www.fincantieri.com

About Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened its first hotel in 1961, and since that time has been dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. Currently operating 119 hotels and resorts, and 44 residential properties in major city centres and resort destinations in 47 countries, and with more than 50 projects under planning or development, Four Seasons consistently ranks among the world's best hotels and most prestigious brands in reader polls, traveller reviews and industry awards. For more information and reservations, visit fourseasons.com. For the latest news, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow @FourSeasonsPR on Twitter.

Sarah Tuite

Senior Director, Corporate Public Relations

+1 416 441 4350

Four Seasons
In terms of breaking into new foreign markets, cultural sensitivity emerges as a pivotal factor in establishing trust and meaningful connections with customers rooted in their particular cultural identities and values. Based on a recent SBP, we discover the similarities and differences of three key global markets, (the UK, Japan and India), with special attention paid to the nuances that define them in the eyes of a Swiss luxury brand wanting to appeal to a new and diverse customer base.

Why is cultural sensitivity so important in the luxury industry?

Every culture has its own imprint based on centuries of values, traditions and behaviors. When a brand demonstrates understanding and respect for cultural norms in foreign markets, it builds trust and cultivates long-term relationships with a new type of customer. This is particularly important in luxury markets where the clientele is selective and seeks personalized experiences that resonate with not only with their personal identity and core values, but also their cultural background. Showing cultural sensitivity impacts the international brands marketing communication strategies, (e.g., language, tone and references that vary across cultures). By understanding cultural preferences and aspirations, offerings can be especially developed to feel more relevant and desirable to diverse foreign markets.

Diving into cultural diversity with care: Salanitro - a Swiss example

Pierre SALANITRO, founder of S-By-Salanitro, a Swiss luxury goods and jewelry company renowned for its exceptional designs, aesthetic sensibility and expertise in materials and gemstones, is embarking on a new ambitious project: to conquer the luxury markets in the United Kingdom, Japan and India. Recognizing the cultural diversity and nuances of each market, Pierre knows that cultural sensitivity - approaching foreign markets with respect for their traditions, values and norms - is a strategic element to be managed for access to these markets.

The level of cultural sensitivity fosters trust and resonates with consumers, creating a deep emotional connection that can be a game-changer for brands . To address this challenge, the brand has commissioned six final-year EHL students (Adrien ALETTI, Max GRABNER, Janice NSAMBU, Laurianne PACHE, Marion SALLESE, and Adrien STERN) through a Student Business Project (SBP) to explore these three rich and diverse cultures.

Through extensive field investigations and exchanges with a wide array of industry professionals, notably, insights from 25 experts actively involved in the luxury sector, this research provides many essential findings regarding cross-cultural consumer behaviors within the luxury markets of these three specific countries.

Crafting luxury in the UK: Navigating tradition, refinement and social rituals

The United Kingdom, with its rich traditions and history, represents a luxury market where authenticity and quality are paramount. Our search reveals that the UK market is mainly characterized by:

Heritage and tradition : The UK's artisanal history spans centuries, with iconic brands like Burberry, Garrard, and Aston Martin perpetuating traditional craftsmanship. British consumers value authenticity and the history of brands, often favoring family-owned businesses that embody these values. Additionally, the British monarchy exerts significant influence on consumer culture and preferences. Brands receiving the "Royal Warrant of Appointment" enjoy special recognition, enhancing their prestige and reputation.

: The UK's artisanal history spans centuries, with iconic brands like Burberry, Garrard, and Aston Martin perpetuating traditional craftsmanship. British consumers value authenticity and the history of brands, often favoring family-owned businesses that embody these values. Additionally, the British monarchy exerts significant influence on consumer culture and preferences. Brands receiving the "Royal Warrant of Appointment" enjoy special recognition, enhancing their prestige and reputation. Refinement and discretion : The luxury market in the UK is characterized by understated refinement. British consumers appreciate superior quality products, but often prefer a discreet and timeless aesthetic over ostentatious designs.

: The luxury market in the UK is characterized by understated refinement. British consumers appreciate superior quality products, but often prefer a discreet and timeless aesthetic over ostentatious designs. Social rituals: Britons have distinct social rituals, such as the famous Afternoon Tea Time, which holds particular importance in their daily lives. Symbolic gifts are also common during special events, underscoring the importance of attributing cultural significance and symbolic value to products.

To captivate the affluent British clientele requires a subtle blend of authenticity, discreet elegance, and impeccable craftsmanship. By creating bespoke designs, weaving narratives of timeless allure, and delivering a flawless personalized experience, these are the keys to enchanting the sophisticated preferences of the discerning elite. Charlie Pragnell  General Director at Pragnell

Harmony in luxury: Navigating Japan's market of tradition and modernity

Japan, known for its elegance and subtlety, presents a luxury market where harmony between tradition and modernity is essential. Japanese consumers pay particular attention to:

Simplicity and elegance : Japanese consumers value simplicity and elegance in luxury products. Brands offering clean and timeless designs, while highlighting a philosophy or story, are often well-received in the Japanese market.

: Japanese consumers value simplicity and elegance in luxury products. Brands offering clean and timeless designs, while highlighting a philosophy or story, are often well-received in the Japanese market. Traditional craftsmanship : Japan is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, ranging from ceramics to lacquerware to floral arrangements. Japanese consumers appreciate products that showcase this traditional craftsmanship and reflect Japanese aesthetic values as illustrated in Figure One . For example, the brand Van Cleef & Arpels has successfully captivated Japanese consumers with its Enchanted Nature collection featuring a white gold hummingbird, symbolizing joy, luck, and regarded as a messenger of the gods.

: Japan is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, ranging from ceramics to lacquerware to floral arrangements. Japanese consumers appreciate products that showcase this traditional craftsmanship and reflect Japanese aesthetic values as illustrated in Figure One . For example, the brand Van Cleef & Arpels has successfully captivated Japanese consumers with its Enchanted Nature collection featuring a white gold hummingbird, symbolizing joy, luck, and regarded as a messenger of the gods. Philosophy and tradition: Japanese consumers place importance on the philosophy and tradition behind luxury products. Brands that manage to convey a story or concept deeply rooted in Japanese culture, while offering high quality, can forge strong emotional connections with consumers.

A Japanese specificity lies in meticulous attention to every detail, especially technical ones, rather than storytelling. There is very little interest in the narrative you will tell, but what matters is the product. Pierre-Yves DONZE Professor at the Faculty of Economics, Osaka University

Indias market: Where tradition meets luxury

India, a land of contrasts and diversity, offering a rapidly expanding luxury market, is defined by:

Symbolism and tradition : Indian consumers attach great importance to symbolism and tradition in luxury products. Brands that integrate cultural and symbolic elements into their products can establish a deep connection with Indian consumers. The Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2023 fashion show is a perfect example because it was the first time a European luxury brand officially organized a runway show in the country, in collaboration with the Chanakya School of Craft based in Mumbai. This demonstrates meticulous respect for local traditions in the brands market penetration strategy, with a desire for a product to be Made for India.

: Indian consumers attach great importance to symbolism and tradition in luxury products. Brands that integrate cultural and symbolic elements into their products can establish a deep connection with Indian consumers. The Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2023 fashion show is a perfect example because it was the first time a European luxury brand officially organized a runway show in the country, in collaboration with the Chanakya School of Craft based in Mumbai. This demonstrates meticulous respect for local traditions in the brands market penetration strategy, with a desire for a product to be Made for India. Celebrations and festivals : Festivals and celebrations play a significant role in the lives of Indians, often accompanied by exchanges of luxurious gifts. As an example, gold sales during the Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya festivals amount to between 40 to 60 tons of gold, while sales for the 12 million weddings per year represent 50% of the annual gold demand.

: Festivals and celebrations play a significant role in the lives of Indians, often accompanied by exchanges of luxurious gifts. As an example, gold sales during the Diwali and Akshaya Tritiya festivals amount to between 40 to 60 tons of gold, while sales for the 12 million weddings per year represent 50% of the annual gold demand. Spirituality and well-being: Spirituality is deeply rooted in Indian culture, and many consumers seek luxury products that promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Brands that incorporate elements of spirituality, such as meditation practices, natural ingredients, and ancestral techniques, can generate strong interest among Indian consumers seeking harmony and balance in their daily lives.

It is important to keep in mind that Indian culture is very strong and extremely rich. Since the country gained independence from the British, Indians take great pride in promoting their own culture and uniqueness. A Managing Director at a Swiss watch company in India

Understanding cultural nuances is key

UK, Japan, and India luxury markets represent diverse and unique characteristics. Understanding their cultural differences and consumer expectations is essential to maximize growth and success opportunities in these markets. Through this SBP project, these six EHL students have successfully provided an in-depth understanding and analysis of the luxury markets in the United Kingdom, Japan, and India. S-by-Salanitro is now poised to adapt and thrive in diverse cultural environments and pave the way for a new chapter in its history of luxury.

Source: EHL

*This article was written in collaboration with BOSC Students: Adrien ALETTI, Max GRABNER, Janice NSAMBU, Laurianne PACHE, Marion SALLESE, and Adrien STERN).

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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A program providing free dental assessments to children starting kindergarten is set to officially begin in the 2024-25 school year.

But advocates say insufficient funding could prevent the program from being fully implemented statewide.

Under the program, kindergarteners are required to get a dental check-up before starting school, just as theyre required to get hearing and vision screenings. Dental hygienists will then refer them to their local medical providers if they see problems.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program into law in December after a successful pilot program.

Neema Katibai, the manager of government and insurance affairs at the Michigan Dental Association in Okemos, said the benefits will be significant for Michigans children.

Not having dental care can contribute to oral health pain, embarrassment and cause social issues and missed school time, Katibai said. So, our goal is to make sure these children have access to care, that their parents know where to access resources.

The dental health of over 10,000 children was assessed through optional screenings during the initial pilot program. Around a quarter of them were referred to local providers for further care, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Among the local health departments participating in the pilot were those serving Grand Traverse, Alpena, Oakland, Marquette, Chippewa and Ottawa counties.

Emily Henderson, a lobbyist for the Michigan Oral Health Coalition, said she expects those numbers to grow drastically with the new law in effect.

We believe that continued funding for the program will catch children and any decay before their situation worsens, resulting in saved costs for families and the state, Henderson said.

Health and Human Services will allocate $4 million to all local health departments in the state to run the program in the 2024-25 school year, according to department public information officer Lynn Sutfin.

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But data shows it would take at least $4.5 million to fully fund the program for the upcoming school year, according to Henderson and Norm Hess, the executive director of the Michigan Association for Local Public Health.

Were advocating for a little bit more, Hess said. Its certainly not enough to spread it statewide.

Kimberly Singh, a former president of the Michigan Oral Health Coalition and current chief of community and governmental affairs for My Community Dental Centers in Petoskey, said she would also support an increase in funding but is pleased to see the pilot program being put more fully into action.

She said she would encourage local public health departments to review how much money would be needed to sustain the program in the future.

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The program is being phased in over a three-year period. Counties currently set to participate in 2024-25 include Ottawa, Leelanau, Alcona, Mecosta, Mason, Emmet, Cheboygan, Alpena and the entire Upper Peninsula.

Detroits health department is set to participate in the program, while the rest of Wayne County isnt.

Henderson said she hopes the phased-in approach will alleviate financial struggles.

But in the future, we would encourage the (state) department and local public health to come together and review funding calculations to ensure the program is fully funded to support our children, Henderson said.

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Sutfin said the department will continue to work with local agencies as they carry out the program.

For many local health departments, implementing oral health assessments is a new service, Sutfin said.

Health departments are working to determine the best option to establish a program for their communities, including establishing an in-house program, contracting with a dental agency to perform the assessments or pooling funds with other health departments and offering a regional approach for the oral health assessments, she said.
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Hudson, NY (12534)

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Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

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The reported decline in TikTok use is wishful thinking for music

Several recent studies purported to show a decline in younger TikTok users. Not so fast, says Russ Crupnick of MusicWatch, who has been tracking TikTok engagement since its early years.

by Russ Crupnick of MusicWatch

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggested that TikTok experienced slowing user growth in the US between 2022 and 2023. The decline was attributed in part to the younger demographic. At MusicWatch, we saw no evidence of this. To be fair, there are lots of ways to measure audience for a platform such as TikTok, ranging from downloads to daily usage. The time period noted in the Journal was 2022 and 2023, before the most recent outcry from Congress, and prior to Universal Musics decision to remove its catalog. Perhaps 2024 will show a different trend. MusicWatch has been tracking engagement with TikTok back to the early days of MusicAlly, and looks at both audience numbers and engagement, or time spent listening to music on the platform. The statistics cited below are for the US only.

The music audience for TikTok grew 7 percent between 2022 and 2023. This is based on MusicWatchs Annual Music Study (March 2024 release), with music audience defined as listening to videos with music on TikTok or following artists or bands on the platform. That audience metric grew 8 percent among Gen Z, and 3 percent among Millennials.

TikTok engagement showed a double-digit rise comparing Q4 2023 to Q4 2022. MusicWatchs audiocensus tracking (February 2024 release) is primarily used to trend weekly listening time for audio formats and specific platforms. According to that study TikToks audience for music listening rose 14 percent year over year. Per capita Time Spent Listening (TSL) grew 16 percent, and the average listener added a few minutes of weekly TikTok listening time. A similar pattern was observed for the 18-24 age group.

People use TikTok for everything from makeup tips to comedy. These other genres may be performing less well than music. Prior research has shown that music is an essential element to the TikTok experience. For our audience, which is most interested in that music component, the statistics point to an up year for TikTok in 2023.

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Hospital officials and elected leaders cut the ribbon on the newly reopened North Adams Regional Hospital. U.S Rep. Richie Neal, left, and former state Rep. Dan Bosley. Neal was instrumental in getting a change to critical access regulations that allowed NARH to qualify. Kate Walsh, secretary of the health and human services, says critical access flexibility will keep the 'standing many, many years from now.' State Rep. John Barrett III says the hospital's closure got him back into politics. PreviousNext

North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration



BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing

Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center.

"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone  access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems.

"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care."

Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt.

BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services.

But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations  thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal  to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital

"I take great satisfaction from the accomplishment that you all advocated for with great vigor a return to a full-service critical access hospital," said the congressman. "I call attention to that on occasions like this because most of the stories overwhelmingly across America are about hospital closures.

"So today we celebrate this opening against all odds. This return is for all of you in Berkshire County."

NARH was finally able to be designated a "rural critical access" hospital because of change in the federal government's definition of a connecting highway. Route 7 is now considered a "secondary" road because it is a two-lane (a secondary road) rather than four-lane and that drops the required distance between hospitals to 15 miles from 35.

BHS officials have consistently said the critical access designation was imperative for the hospital's sustainability because it would allow for higher Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements

Neal said his staff and the administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had really come through in getting the designation changed, and spoke of the importance of Medicare as in access to not only medical care but employment, medical education and community wellness.

"This is an extraordinary day in North Adams, for Northern Berkshire County,: he said. "There are very few people in this audience, if any, who would have said 10 years ago, we were ever going to come to recognize this moment."

Since the designation last spring, BHS has been working to reopen the second-floor patient wing and final federal and state permitting came through late last year. The hospital can have up to 25 inpatient beds; 18 private rooms have been constructed on 2 North.

The last piece will be an inspection will be a final review by the Department of Public Health, on behalf the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, after two patients have each had a 48-hour stay.

Rodowicz thanked all of the staff and contractors for making the place shine but noted some of the frontline staff weren't there.

"I think they may be a admitting our first inpatient here," she said to applause. "It sounds odd that we're celebrating an inpatient admission ... but that is health care."

Kate Walsh, secretary of the state's Executive Office of Health and Human Services, described it as a "momentous moment."

"This just doesn't happen without partnership. And the kind of partnership we're seeing between private institutions like Berkshire Health and elected officials," she said. "When you think about what critical access hospitals can do, they can respond to the needs of the community  what you need, what your family needs, what your parents need  and they can flex the beds in a way that makes the most sense for the communities they serve.

"And that critical access flexibility is why this hospital will be standing many, many years from now."

Mayor Jennifer Macksey and state Rep. John Barrett III also spoke at the gathering. Barrett, the city's longtime mayor, said he'd gotten back into politics because of the closing, noting his late wife, Eileen Barrett, had been an operating room nurse.

"I think this is very important in our community. It means a lot as far as health care. It's going to help us again change our image and the ability to provide people with quality health service, and I can't stress how important that is," he said, adding that the he thought the lobby should be named for Neal for having "pulled off something that no one ever thought would happen."

He also credited Rodowicz, describing her perseverance as a "bad smell" you just can't rid off. Rodowicz took it in stride, saying, "getting to know John the way I have, I know those were compliments" as the crowd roared.

Macksey recalled she'd just bought her house on Hospital Avenue when the closing occurred, and how she'd worried about the hundreds who'd lost their jobs.

"I always hoped and dreamt that there would be life back in this campus. So from a neighbor kind of view, I am so excited," she said. "Since BHS, has stepped to the plate and invested in this facility, there was hope for us, hope for the neighbors, hope for the community and hope for health care in general. But thanks to Representative Neal and the change in the guidelines, our hopes, our dreams and the reality of having a hospital is here."

The signage has already changed with "North Adams Regional Hospital" replacing North Adams Campus of BMC. The group gathered under the portico in front of the lobby under the new sign as Rodowicz cut a bright green ribbon to mark the reopening.

Emergency responders had dubbed the two emergency facilities as BMC North and BMC South for shorthand but those monikers may be changing. On Thursday, a report over the scanner was, "We're going to be arriving at the 'Reeg.'"
Williamstown Select Board Awards ARPA Funds to Remedy Hall

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Select Board on Monday allocated $20,000 in COVID-19-era relief funds to help a non-profit born of the pandemic era that seeks to provide relief to residents in need.

On a unanimous vote, the board voted to grant the American Rescue Plan Act money to support Remedy Hall, a resource center that provides "basic life necessities" and emotional support to "individuals and families experiencing great hardship."

The board of the non-profit approached the Select Board with a request for $12,000 in ARPA Funds to help cover some of the relief agency's startup costs, including the purchase of a vehicle to pick up donations and deliver items to clients, storage rental space and insurance.

The board estimates that the cost of operating Remedy Hall in its second year  including some one-time expenses  at just north of $31,500. But as board members explained on Monday night, some sources of funding are not available to Remedy Hall now but will be in the future.

"With the [Williamstown] Community Chest, you have to be in existence four or five years before you can qualify for funding," Carolyn Greene told the Select Board. "The same goes for state agencies that would typically be the ones to fund social service agencies.

"ARPA made sense because [Remedy Hall] is very much post-COVID in terms of the needs of the town becoming more evident."

In a seven-page letter to the town requesting the funds, the Remedy Hall board wrote that, "need is ubiquitous and we are unveiling that truth daily."

In January, Remedy Hall's third month of operation, the non-profit distributed 735 items, mostly "hygiene items and cold weather clothing." In February, it distributed 645 items despite being closed Feb. 13 to 19. As of March 15, the date of the letter to the town, Remedy Hall had distributed 851 items, surpassing each of its four previous months.

"On Friday (March 22) alone, we had about 180 items leave," Remedy Hall founder Andi Bryant told the Select Board. "That's just one day."

In addition to hard numbers, the Remedy Hall board also provided the Select Board with testimonials about the impact the non-profit has had on individuals.

"Having been disabled and receiving SSDI as my only income, most of my funds go towards rent, gas, heat and electric bills," one note began. "Very little funds remain each month to buy much as my food stamps have been cut to $225 a month, and I always have to spend what little cash is left on food, which leaves nothing for clothes, soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, and any basic hygiene products. Remedy Hall provided for me, for free, all of my basic necessities; including toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothing, shoes and boots. I had no winter jacket with a working zipper, and Remedy Hall found me an extra-large, high quality jacket; one of the nicest that I have ever owned."

And there is an impact that goes beyond the tangible items.

Part of the board's budget for continued operation is $4,472 per year for a part-time social worker. Part of Remedy Hall's mission is to listen to its clients and help connect them to social services.

"I don't want to call it counseling, because [Bryant is] not a counselor, but she's a counselor to the folks in need in this community," Greene said. "A lot of these are families with small children who are just enrolling in the school system. They may be coming from another part of the state or another part of the country or another country entirely.

"It's as close as this town has to wraparound services  connecting people to resources that can help them transition to a community they hope to call home. In addition to the basic goods, it's the time spent assuring these people that someone has their back. One thing we don'ave that we could use is some professional guidance. That's the request for a part-time social worker."

The response from members of the Select Board was swift.

"You're not asking for enough money," Patton said of Remedy Hall's request for $12,000. "To have this kind of impact on someone's life simply by giving them a toothbrush and some toothpaste is extraordinary. We should support this as much as we can."

Chair Jeffrey Johnson asked for a motion to commit $20,000 of the town's remaining ARPA funds to Remedy Hall, a motion that quickly passed on a 4-0-1 vote with Randal Fippinger, a Select Board member and member of the Remedy Hall Board of Directors abstaining.

Monday's meeting again was dominated by discussion of a proposed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Select Board did conduct a fair amount of other business before that debate began.

The meeting included a public hearing  but no resolution  on a request from the homeowners association of residents on Sweet Farm Road to accept the street off Henderson Road and its associated water and sewer infrastructure as public.

Department of Public Works Director Craig Clough recommended to the board that the town not accept the privately built development.

Clough said he looked at the conditions of the infrastructure and the minutes of Planning Board hearings going back to 2002, when the subdivision was proposed.

"[The infrastructure] is not up to town codes, does not have an adequate water system and would require significant hardship for the town to take it on," Clough said.

"I'm very concerned this could create a slippery slope and result in similar requests to accept water systems not up to code."

One issue is that the neighborhood, which is served by its water pump, includes homes above the 971-foot elevation that the town's water system currently supports, Clough said. Another is that the water system that serves the neighborhood includes PVC piping where the town code would require copper tubing, he said.

Clough also referred to the slope of Sweet Farm Road itself, a grade that would present concerns when it comes to winter maintenance.

"I urge the Select Board to leave it a private way," Clough said. "In my opinion, the risks are too large to take on a privately built and owned development."

Gerard Smith, the president of the HOA, told the Select Board that the group that the association's attorney was unable to attend Monday's hearing and asked for the public hearing to be continued.

Smith did address one of Clough's concerns by noting that the existing pump station for Sweet Farm Road has redundancy built in with four separate pumps to maintain flow to the highest residences if there was a problem.

"There are some things here that we need to look at," Smith said. "But I'm a little worried that, because this HOA is the first one to come before you with the pump supply, that we seem to be being penalized for some of the understanding of what it is we have to do."

The board agreed to continue the hearing to its next meeting on April 8 and allow town hall to continue its discussions with the Sweet Farm HOA.

In other business on Monday, the Select Board:

 Heard from Johnson that the date of the annual town meeting has been changed from Tuesday, May 21, to Thursday, May 23, due to a scheduling conflict at Mount Greylock Regional School, which has a concert scheduled for the Tuesday evening. The Select Board moved the meeting from Williamstown Elementary School to Mount Greylock a couple of years ago to take advantage of the larger gymnasium, which allows for more social distancing.

 Met jointly with the board of trustees of Milne Public Library to fill a vacancy on the latter body. Jared Della Rocca, a town resident and librarian at Bennington College, was unanimously named to the library board to fill the term of Timothy Cherubini, who earlier this month was named by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

 Announced that the board still is accepting input on a plan to designate an off-leash dog park area in the Spruces Park on Main Street.

 And began the process of evaluating Town Manager Robert Menicocci. Johnson asked his colleagues to, as soon as possible, submit to him a list of the five people they would like to interview as part of the evaluation process. Johnson will coordinate to make sure there is no duplication among the lists.




iciHaiti - Cuba : 26 years of selfless cooperation (assessment)





The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex) recalled in a statement that Cuba brought its solidarity and selfless cooperation to Haiti in areas of great impact for its people such as public health, education, agriculture, sports, energy, water resources and other key areas for the social and economic stability of the country. 448,550 Haitians were made literate thanks to Cuban programs and 1,606 young people were trained in our universities.



"Our country has continuously maintained, since 1998, a brigade of health professionals and technicians alongside the Haitian people, who with their humanist and altruistic work have treated more than 38 million cases (38,580,215), performed 774,236 surgical operations and 73,331 ophthalmological interventions as part of 'Operation Miracle' https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30008-haiti-flash-thanks-to-castro-and-chavez-the-cubans-have-restored-the-vision-to-more-than-72-000-haitians.html , assisted 204,090 births, administered 1,014,806 doses of vaccines and saved 252,433 lives.



This cooperation has been maintained even in this country's most difficult times, including the foreign intervention of 2004, the earthquakes of 2010 and 2021, the cholera epidemics and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the current situation.



The brotherly Haitian people can always count on the united support of Cuba."



IH/ iciHaiti


















Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have opted to strengthen food security through renewable energy in Madagascar, according to a press release from the two institutions
Friday 29 March 2024, 17:32

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This article is automatically translated

The distance clash between Elliot and Blue Skye regarding the sale of Milan to RedBird, the American company managed by Gerry Cardinale, continues. On Thursday, the Civil Court of Milan rejected the third and final dispute initiated by the company of Salvatore Cerchione and Gianluca DAvanzo against the American fund in Italy. This marks the third case out of three lost by Blue Skye in Italy, with a sentence to pay the legal costs. Blue Skye - which was a partner of Elliott with 4.27% of Project RedBlack, the company that controlled 100% of Rossoneri Sport Investment and which in turn controlled Milan - to date, has not succeeded in any of the cases initiated and concluded. In total, Blue Skye has initiated as many as 11 disputes in these last months between Luxembourg, Italy, and the United States. From one of these reports, the investigation by the Milan Prosecutor's Office on the sale of Milan started, with consequent searches by the Guardia di Finanza at the club's headquarters, Casa Milan, and the opening of investigations against the company's CEO Giorgio Furlani and the former CEO Ivan Gazidis. As highlighted by Calcio e Finanza, the first hearing of the private criminal accusation (called 'citation directe' in Luxembourg) initiated by Elliott against Blue Skye in September 2023 is expected shortly. The American fund has accused Blue Skye Financial Partners and its representatives of crimes including blackmail, extortion, and fraudulent false testimony in support of its legal actions against the sale of Milan.
April is gearing up to be an exhilarating month with vivo hosting an exciting scavenger hunt for everyone! Similar to traditional Easter egg hunts, vivo is adding a twist of fun and excitement to your April plans.

Following the successful launch of the vivo V30 Series, the brand is kicking off the Great vivo Scavenger Hunt starting April 1. This interactive activity will take place both physically at selected SM malls in Metro Manila and online, inviting all vivo enthusiasts to participate for a chance to win fantastic prizes.

Collaborating with various SM malls, vivo will hide special V tokens for participants to discover. Keep a close watch on vivo's social media platforms throughout April for weekly announcements unveiling the specific mall locations where these V tokens will be hidden.

The hunt officially begins with vivo's social media posts every Wednesday in April, leading to the thrilling hunting activities scheduled for April 6, 13, 20, and 27 (Saturdays). Winners will be announced on April 8, 15, 22, and 29 across Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms.

Once you've found a V token, head to designated vivo stores within partner malls to redeem your prize. Prizes range from trendy keychains and premium earbuds to stylish tumblers, with the coveted vivo V30 Series as the grand prize.

The Great vivo Scavenger Hunt promises a month-long adventure filled with excitement. Don't forget to mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates!

To ensure you don't miss any updates, turn on your notifications and follow vivo's official Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok pages. Visit vivo's official website to learn more about the thrilling V30 Series and join us for an unforgettable adventure to kickstart your summer!
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John Boyega has spoken publicly for the first time about the murder of his friend Damilola Taylor, saying the tragic event was life changing and has shaped who he is today.

The 32-year-old Londoner, who shot to international fame when he landed a role in the Star Wars saga, said he has held back from talking about Taylors murder but had been motivated to speak out following the death of Damilolas father, Richard Taylor, on Saturday.

Damilola Taylor was just 10 years old on 27 November 2000 when he was slashed with a broken bottle and left to die while on his way home from a library in Peckham, south-east London.

Boyega, who was 8 at the time, and his sister Grace were among the last people to see him alive.

The actor said he was impacted by a poem written by Damilola, read out at his funeral, as it showed him that another 10-year-old, from the same environment, dreamed to be more.

Speaking to John Wilson on BBC Radio 4s Last Word, Boyega said: From the hours we left him in Peckham to the hours when I went home, and then the police was at our door and there was a whole investigation that we were involved in, (it) was definitely life changing for me, definitely altered my perspective.

Damilola Taylor (left) and John Boyega (Getty)

Even though I was young, it was a shock to understand how mortality worked.

To think that somebody as young as me could pass away in such a horrific way was hard for me to understand or comprehend.

And I definitely think Damilolas tragic murder has definitely shaped me through the years and just affected my perspective on certain things and it definitely affected the community too.

I mean, my sister, in particular, Grace, who was very, very close with Damilola, went through a lot, and my dad had to front that and try to protect her in that journey. It was definitely a lot for everybody to take.

Reflecting on the poem Damilola had written, he said: It was during the time of the funeral his dad had read the poem that Damilola had written down for himself.

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And that was a poem that spoke about what Damilola wanted to achieve, how far he wanted his dreams to spread, who he wanted to impact and touch.

And I found that quite profound because I was just kind of like Man youre so young, why are you even thinking about that kind of stuff?

Im here, wondering when the ice cream van is going to pull up and why hes an hour late from Monday.

And youre thinking about all this stuff that youre going to do and how youre going to use your skillset to impact the world.

And I guess that, just amongst other things, just gave birth to this mentality that I had.

What is truly my dream? Do I have the guts to identify what my dream is? Am I too young to identify my dream and work towards it?

And after reading that poem, I was just like, yeah, I have no excuse. I want to be a movie star.

And not just because I want to be (one) but because someone else like Damilola Taylor, in my environment too, dreamed to be more.

And I think thats worth it. And it definitely has impacted me till today.

Richard Taylor campaigned unstintingly for years against violence and to support young people (PA Archive)

Damilolas father Richard died on March 23 aged 75 following a long illness and Boyega said he was a man that was for the people and for the community and who turned his tragic loss into something triumphant.

Boyega said he was motivated to speak about Damilola following news of Mr Taylors death.

Asked if he has spoken publicly about Damilolas murder before, Boyega said: I havent and on purpose too.

Im quite private in general, but with this specifically... its that celebrity thing of not wanting to get in front of very real life news.

But on Richard Taylors passing, I just was so kind of motivated to speak up, he added.

Mr Taylor and his wife Gloria set up a charity called The Damilola Taylor Trust in the face of their sons death.

Gloria died in 2008 and Mr Taylor continued their work in the following years.

Boyega praised the trust and said: Ive been a big beneficiary of the work that theyve been doing.

The actor from Peckham said he used to imagine, with his sister Grace, what Damilola might be like today and said he would have grown up to be a handsome young man with great opportunities and great morals.

Whatever his chosen field would be, hed definitely still be funny, he said.

But I think that he would have grown up to be someone great and someone that is an important part of our community, Boyega added.

After three crown court trials, Damilolas killers, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, were put behind bars in 2006.

Last Word with John Wilson airs on BBC Radio 4 at 4pm on Friday 29 March.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Louis Gossett Jr, the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, has died aged 87.

The star died on Thursday night (28 March) in Santa Monica, California, according to his nephew who told the Associated Press.

His cause of death has not been disclosed.

Gossett won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the intimidating marine drill instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley, in the 1982 movie An Officer and a Gentleman.

He was the first Black man in history to win the prize, and also won a Golden Globe for the same performance, opposite co-stars Richard Gere and Debra Winger.

More recently, he starred in the 2023 musical period drama film The Colour Purple, based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn was adapted from Alice Walkers 1985 novel. The film received critical praise and also starred Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P Henson, Colman Domingo and Halle Bailey.

Gossett was born on 27 May 1936 in the Coney Island district of Brooklyn, New York to his father, Louis, a porter and his mother, Hellen, who was a nurse. He added the suffix Jr later in his career to honour his father.

He broke through on the small screen as Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 TV miniseries Roots, which depicted the atrocities of slavery. He was awarded an Emmy for his performance in the drama, which was based on Alex Haleys 1976 novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family.

Louis Gossett Jr has died aged 87 (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

The series and book followed the story of a young man, Kunta Kinte, who is captured in Gambia aged 17, put on a slave ship for a four-month passage to North America and sold. The programme depicts seven generations of his descendants as they explore their origins.

Richard Gere and Louis Gossett Jr in An Officer and a Gentleman (Moviestore/Shutterstock)

Reflecting on his Oscar win in his memoir, An Actor and a Gentleman, in 2010, Gossett wrote: More than anything, it was a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor.

Contributing to Dave Kargers 2024 book, 50 Oscar Nights, he commented: The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like Enemy Mine, Sadat and Iron Eagle.

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Gossett Jr played the role of intimidating marine drill sergeant in the movie that landed him an Oscar (Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock)

However, Gossett also noted that his Oscar win did not change the fact that he was never cast in a leading role, and only ever played supporting characters throughout his career.

His Oscar statuette was in storage, he revealed: Im going to donate it to a library so I dont have to keep an eye on it. I need to be free of it.

The actor made history with his Oscar win (AP)

In 2010, Gossett announced he had prostate cancer, which he said was caught in the early stages. In 2020, he was admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

He is survived by sons Satie, a producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron, a chef whom he adopted after seeing the seven-year-old in a TV segment on children in desperate situations. His first cousin is actor Robert Gossett.
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Diddy can be seen questioning a nervous Justin Bieber, who looks to be around 16, about why hes supposedly been keeping his distance, in a clip that has resurfaced in the wake of raids on the music moguls homes.

Born Sean Combs, the rapper, label owner and business mogul was subjected to raids on his properties in Los Angeles and Miami this week by Homeland Security, reportedly in connection with a federal sexual trafficking investigation.

Diddys lawyers have hit out at the raids, branding them a gross overuse of military-level force. He was not detained and spoke to authorities, and neither he nor any family members were arrested, nor has their travel been restricted, according to his lawyers statement.

In the clip, which has been circulating on social media since Monday (25 March), Diddy and Bieber are shown together in a recording studio. It is unclear what the footage was filmed for, but it appears to have been taken around the time the future pop star was recording his 2010 debut album, My World 2.0.

Then, Bieber was working closely with his mentor, Usher, whose own career was cultivated in part by Diddy during the Nineties.

Whats up man, you good? Diddy asks Bieber, who shuffles around as the older musician looks at him from behind tinted sunglasses. Selling out arenas and everything? Starting to act different, huh? You havent been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out.

Fidgeting, Bieber shuffles his feet and mumbles: Well I mean, you havent... you tried to get in contact with me through all my, you know, my partners and whatnot, but you never really got my number. So, you want my number? Im gonna tell you my number.

Diddy questions Bieber about why hes starting to act different (Diddy)

In another clip doing the rounds, Diddy is seen hanging out with Bieber when he was 15, as the older artist talks about spending 48 hours with the Baby star.

You ever seen the movie 48 Hrs? Right now [Justin is] having 48 hours with Diddy, him and his boy, the rapper says in the video.

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Theyre having the times of their lives, like where we hanging out and what were doing we cant really disclose. But its definitely a 15-year-olds dream.

I have been given custody of him, Diddy says. You know, hes signed to Usher and I had legal guardianship of Usher when he did his first album. I did Ushers first album.

Justin Bieber (left) and Diddy in 2009 (Justin Bieber/YouTube)

He adds: For the next 48 hours, hes with me. And were gonna go full. Buck full crazy.

Lets go get some girls, Bieber tells Diddy when asked what he wants to do.

Man after my heart, the rapper responds. Thats what Im talking about.

The Independent has contacted Diddy and Biebers representatives for comment.

Combs, 54, is credited with helping launch the careers of artists including Biggie Smalls, Mary J Blige and Usher.

Usher and Diddy at the Grammy Awards pre-party honouring LA Reid, 2013 (Getty Images for NARAS)

In yet another resurfaced clip, Usher can be seen talking about the year he spent living at Diddys home in New York when he was just 13 years old, claiming he saw some things that were pretty wild.

I went there to see the lifestyle, he told Howard Stern on his SiriusXM radio show. And I saw it. But I dont know if I could indulge and understand what I was even looking at. It was pretty wild. It was crazy.

There were very curious things taking place and I didnt necessarily understand it.

Youre a dad now. Would you ever send your kid to a Puffy camp? Stern asked him.

Hell no, Usher replied.

In a 2004 interview with Rolling Stone, Usher recalled how Diddy introduced him to a totally different set of s***  sex, specifically.

Sex is so hot in the industry, man, he continued, claiming: There was always girls around. Youd open a door and see somebody doing it, or several people in a room having an orgy. You never knew what was going to happen.

Usher recalled his experiences staying at Diddys home in New York when he was 13 (Getty/SiriusXM)

Combs has been the defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits in recent months.

In February, a male music producer accused Combs of sexually assaulting him and forcing him to sleep with sex workers.

In November last year, Combss former partner, Casandra Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit in which she claimed she was trafficked, raped and beaten by the rapper on numerous occasions over the course of 10 years.

Venturas lawsuit was settled a day after she filed it for an undisclosed amount of money.

Another of Diddys accusers is a woman who alleges that he raped her two decades ago, when she was 17 years old.

Combs vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement in December, he called the claims sickening and said his accusers were looking for a quick payday.

Diddys home in Miami was raided this week by Homeland Security (Reuters, Getty Images)

Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged, he said in a statement. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.

In a statement addressing the raids, Homeland Security said: Earlier [on Monday], 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.

We will provide further information as it becomes available.
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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."

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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.
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More than 450 queer artists, individuals and organisations have signed an open letter calling on Olly Alexander to withdraw from this years Eurovision Song Contest because of the inclusion of Israel in the competition.

The group, who call themselves Queers for Palestine, include the actor Maxine Peake, band Goat Girl and novelist and playwright Sarah Schulman.

They argue that Israels presence in the competition helps to normalise the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Addressing Alexander directly, they write: We share the vision of queer joy and abundance youve offered through your music, and share your belief in collective liberation for all. In this spirit, we ask you to heed the Palestinian call to withdraw from Eurovision... There can be no party with a state committing apartheid and genocide.

At a time when accountability is so urgently needed, Israels inclusion in Eurovision would enable and cover up its war crimes and crimes against humanity. Understanding the propaganda value of its participation in the contest to artwash its ongoing genocide, Israels President, Isaac Herzog, stated its important for Israel to appear in Eurovision.

Olly Alexander performing live in 2019 (Getty Images)

Last year, the BBC was urged to drop Alexander as the UKs official Eurovision entrant after it emerged he had signed a letter describing Israel as an apartheid regime.

At the time the revelation prompted criticism from the Conservative Party, with a source accusing the BBC of either a massive oversight or sheer brass neck in selecting Alexander.

However, The Daily Telegraph reported that the BBC did not plan to take any action as Alexander signed the letter before he was revealed to be the UKs act.

The earlier letter, which Alexander signed, was published by LGBT+ organisation Voices4 London on 20 October last year.

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It was titled: 1,400+ Queer Individuals and Organisations Sign an International Statement of Solidarity with Palestine.

Coming in the wake of military action by Israel in Gaza after the 7 October attacks by Hamas in Israel, the letter reads: We are watching a genocide take place in real time. Death overflows from our phone screens and into our hearts. And, as a queer community, we cannot sit idly by while the Israeli government continues to wipe out entire lineages of Palestinian families.

We cannot untangle these recent tragedies from a violent history of occupation. Current events simply are an escalation of the state of Israels apartheid regime, which acts to ethnically cleanse the land. Since the violent creation of the state 75 years ago, the Israeli military and Israeli settlers have continued to terrorise Palestinian people.

Around the same time, Eurovision organisers rejected calls for Israel to be removed from the 2024 competition.
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Beyonce fans are busy getting stuck into her brand new album, Cowboy Carter, and one song in particular is sparking intrigue.

On Bodyguard, pop fans are convinced they can hear another star, Taylor Swift, contributing some airy backing vocals.

The two pop titans are known to be on friendly terms, and turned up to support one another at the premieres of their respective concert films last year.

Swift has also hailed Beyonce as a huge influence on her own work, stating in 2023: Im so glad Ill never know what my life wouldve been like without Beyonces influence.

The way shes taught me and every artist out here to break rules and defy industry norms. Her generosity of spirit. Her resilience and versatility.

Shes been a guiding light throughout my career and the fact that she showed up tonight was like an actual fairytale.

Swifts presence on Cowboy Carter could also make sense due to early criticism she faced from naysayers who doubted the Pennsylvania-born musicians place in country music, as she rose to fame with songs such as Tim McGraw and Our Song.

She later transitioned to a career as one of the biggest stars in pop, with albums including 2012s Red and 1989, released in 2014.

Swift supported Beyonce at the London premiere of her Renaissance concert film last year (AP)

While Cowboy Carter includes many references and influences to country music, Beyonce has implied that the backlash to her album now means that it is a Beyonce album, instead of a country album.

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Beyonce in artwork for her new album, Cowboy Carter (AP)

Widely shared screenshots purport to show Swift credited for Background Vocals to the song on lyrics website Genius, which allows the general public to contribute annotations.

However, The Independent was unable to verify this, and Swift was not credited on platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music at the time of writing.

Artists who are credited as contributers on Cowboy Carter include country legends such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Linda Martell, plus pop artists Post Malone and Miley Cyrus.

Beyonce at the premiere of her concert film, Renaissance (Beyonce.com)

In a five-star review, The Independents critic Helen Brown praised Beyonce for leaning into country music tropes while putting her own spin on the genre, pushing it out of its comfort zone.

Beyonces hands are confidently and charismatically on the reins, she wrote. The righteous zeal of her mission, and the giddy range of sonic adventuring, repeatedly gave me chills I havent felt since the release of Lemonade. Back then she was fighting for her marriage. Now shes fighting for a major culture shift. Throughout, she seeks to build bridges with the working men of the South, acknowledging their economic struggles.

You can find the full review here.
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Tim Matheson is mourning the loss of his ex-wife and co-star Jennifer Leak following the actors death aged 76.

Leak, best known for her role as Colleen North in the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours, died on 18 March at her home in Jupiter, Florida.

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leaks passing, West Wing star Matheson shared on Facebook Wednesday (27 March). She wasnt just my screen sister in Yours, Mine and Ours, but also my beloved first wife.

The Virgin River actor continued: Jennifer was a remarkable woman, strong, lovely, and incredibly talented. My deepest condolences go out to her husband of 47 years, James DAuria and their multitude of friends.

Matheson and Leak played step-siblings in Yours, Mine and Ours  Melville Shavelsons comedy-drama about a blended family with 18 children who try to stop the marriage between the two parents.

The two actors married in 1968 before getting divorced in 1971. Leak then married architect DAuria in April 1977.

Tim Matheson and Jennifer Leak (Getty Images)

For the last seven years before her death Leak had been coping with a rare neurological disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), The East Hampton Star reported.

PSP is caused by increasing numbers of brain cells becoming damaged over time and can cause problems with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing. According to the NHS, there are only around 4,000 people with PSP living in the UK.

Her courage and bravery tried in vain to fight the disease, DAuria wrote, according to the Star, noting that she donated her brain tissue to the Mayo Clinic for further research.

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DAuria described his wife as a shy and private person, never desiring to be the center of attention or having the need for an audience. She saved those feelings and exhibited them only when on camera, and then she became electric.

Leak was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 28 September 1947. She grew up in Hertfordshire, England, before emigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada; Jerusalem and Toronto.

She started her career in Canada at age 17 when she appeared in the Mike Nichols-directed pilot of the Canadian television series Wojeck. She was cast in Nicholss The Graduate but was unable to join the production due to immigration difficulties.

She then moved to Los Angeles where she landed her role in Yours, Mine and Ours before pivoting to roles in various television shows, including McMillan and Wife and Hawaii Five-O.

Leak originated the role of Gwen Sherman, who began as a prostitute who fell in love with Greg Foster and ended up becoming a nun in the mid-seventies on the CBS soap The Young and the Restless

In addition to her husband, Leak leaves a brother, Kenneth Leak of Toronto.

Her ashes will be buried in the graveyard of her childhood church in Rumney, Wales.
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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, sending duties skyrocketing above 200 per cent.

The Australian wine market took a heavy hit from the tariffs, as China was Australia's top wine export destination.

Trade tariffs have been a hot topic between Beijing and Canberra in recent years after 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 20bn Australian dollars ($13bn).

Most of the tariffs have since been lifted as the relationship thawed.
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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, Mr 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 Zelensky 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.

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, Mr Kuleba posted on X.

On March 20, Mr Modi posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to say he had expressed to Mr Zelensky 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 Mr Modi spoke to Mr 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 Mr Modi reiterated that dialogue and peace was the best way forward for the Russia-Ukraine war.

Under Mr 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 Mr Modi last week, Mr Zelensky 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."
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On Sunday, 31 March, the US will honour Easter.

Every year, millions of Americans gather with their family and friends to honour the Christian Church. Easter marks the third day after the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, otherwise known as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Recorded celebrations date back to the second century.

Following the Christian calendar, Easter is observed after lent, a period of 40 days, not including Sundays. The Thursday before Easter is known as Maundy Thursday, a day to commemorate Jesus Last Supper. The next, Good Friday, is the day of his Crucifixion. Then, Holy Saturday marks the transition from Crucifixion to Resurrection. Most individuals who celebrate Easter will start their Sunday off by attending morning service at Church. Other traditions include Easter egg hunts and Easter lamb.

Though the law recognises specific federal holidays, this does not mean that individuals working for private businesses are required to have work off.

From Veterans Day to Christmas, here are the dates of the 2024 federal holidays.

New Years Day: Monday, January 1

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday, January 15

Presidents Day: Monday, February 19

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27

Juneteenth National Independence Day: Wednesday, June 19

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 2

Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 14

Veterans Day: Monday, November 11

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25

Other important days to note:

Valentines Day: Wednesday, February 14

St Patricks Day: Sunday, March 17

Good Friday: Friday, March 29

Easter: Sunday, March 31

Passover: Monday, April 22
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Sydney Sweeney has revealed that shes officially paid off her mother Lisa Sweeneys mortgage.

The 26-year-old actor spoke candidly about how her parents  Lisa and Steven Sweeney, who are divorced  have supported her career during an interview with Who What Wear, published on 27 March. During the conversation, she shared the sweet gift she gave her mother, before specifying how important its been for her to be there for her parents.

I recently paid off my moms mortgage, Sweeney said. As a kid, I always dreamt of being able to take care of my parents, so that was a really big thing for me to be able to do.

The Euphoria star acknowledged that even amid her busy work schedule, she tries to make as much time as possible for her family.

I try to incorporate them into my life as much as possible, whether its talking with my cousins every other day or going home, she explained.

She continued to express how much she values her quality time with her loved ones, noting that she doesnt hesitate to return home to Spokane, Washington, to spend time with her grandmother and mother.

Sweeney also acknowledged that when she first wanted to pursue acting, her parents didnt hesitate to move with her to Los Angeles from Spokane.

It was hard because LA is very different from Spokane, she said. The cost of a big city versus a small city is vastly different and challenging as well.

Despite the success that the Anyone But You star has reached now, she emphasised that it wasnt necessarily easy for her family to live in Los Angeles. My quote, unquote success didnt come until I was in my 20s, she said. So my parents didnt really get to [experience it with me].

This isnt the first time that Sweeney has opened up about her relationship with her family. During an interview with Variety in August 2023, she acknowledged how her parents put her acting career first, noting that theyd gotten divorced and filed for bankruptcy during her rise to fame.

My parents sacrificed so much to support my dream, and they lost so much during it. I just felt a responsibility to show them that it was worth it, she said.

Sweeney confessed that shell never know if the sacrifices her parents made for her contributed to their split and financial problems. However, she confessed that she had thought about whether her career impacted her parents relationship.

I think as a kid, as the eldest, I feel a responsibility. Theyll say no, or theyll say yes, depending on what fight it is. But Ill always feel responsible. But thats okay, she explained. She also has a younger brother, Trent.

She also noted that while she doesnt talk to her father about her career too frequently, he still supports her. He lives on a ranch in Mexico, and doesnt have internet or cell service, she said. I know hes proud of me, and I know hes like: Wow, this is a crazy world!

Sweeney then opened up about her mothers career, noting that while Lisa was a criminal defence lawyer, she later stepped away from work to focus on her family. She could not come home to two little babies and be mentally okay. So she had to quit, Sweeney said.

She added: My mom grew up with barely anything. She got her GED when she was 16; she worked five jobs to put herself through school; she took care of her brothers; she takes care of everyone. Its unbelievable seeing where she came from, and being able to show her this world now.
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A woman said that Delta Air Lines targeted her for not wearing a bra.

During a news press conference on Thursday, 28 March, 38-year-old DJ Lisa Archbold held a news conference with her attorney, Gloria Allred, claiming that when she showed up to board her Delta Airlines flight at Salt Lake City Airport in January, she was singled out by airline staff. Archbold told the press, I was targeted and humiliated.

It felt like a scarlet letter was being attached to me, Archbold recalled of being escorted off the plane in baggy jeans and a loose white T-shirt with no bra. I felt it was a spectacle aimed at punishing me for not being a woman in the way she thought I should be a woman as she scolded me outside of the plane.

Once the entire plane was seated, a flight attendant came to Archbolds seat. She asked her to speak in private and escorted her off the plane. Allred noted that Archbold suspected her braless outfit was the cause. The attorney said, The gate agent told her that when passengers are wearing offensive or revealing clothing, Deltas official policy is to remove them from the flight.

Archbold was reportedly only allowed to fly under one condition: that she must wear another shirt on top of the one she was wearing. At the time, the head flight attendant reportedly informed her that women must cover up according to Deltas official policy. She had been flying from conservative Salt Lake City, Utah, to the much more liberal San Francisco, California.

Male passengers are not required to cover up their T-shirts with a shirt or a jacket, Allred argued. They also do not have to wear a bra to board or remain on a plane and women should not have to wear one either.

The attorney added, Last I checked, the Taliban are not in charge of Delta.

She noted that according to US federal rules, airlines can only remove passengers who present a clear safety or security risk to the plane or its passengers. Archbold, however, was neither.

Although there are no plans to go forward with a lawsuit, Allred said that she and her client want a sit-down meeting with the president of Delta Airlines to ensure that their policies will be updated to reflect 21st-century values and standards.

The airline explained to NBC News that their policy states that they reserve the right to refuse to transport a passenger if the passengers conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offence or annoyance to other passengers. Earlier in the year, they reportedly contacted Archbold with an apology to no avail.
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A teenager has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing on a train in broad daylight in south London.

Rakeem Thomas, 19, has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon after the knife attack in front of passengers in Beckenham on Wednesday. Thomas was remanded into custody on Friday and is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Saturday.

British Transport Police (BTP) said they received reports of two men fighting between Beckenham and Shortlands railway station shortly before 4pm on Wednesday.

Footage shared on social media showed a male wearing a black hooded jacket, black trousers and a face mask holding a large blade.

The victim, who is in his 20s, was taken to hospital and is in a critical but stable condition. Train services in the area were disrupted until around 6.30pm on the day of the attack.

In the wake of the incident, 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.

Following Thomas arrest, 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.
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Northern Irish politics has been thrown into fresh turmoil with the resignation of the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after he was charged with historical sex offences.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, and a 57-year-old woman were both arrested and charged and are due to appear in court later this month.

The dramatic development prompted Sir Jeffrey, Northern Irelands longest-serving MP, to step down as leader with immediate effect and he was suspended from the DUP membership pending the outcome of the judicial process.

Gavin Robinson, 39, was swiftly appointed interim DUP leader after taking on the deputy leadership role in June last year.

Sir Jeffreys suspension could have huge implications for British and Irish politics at a time when the republican party Sinn Fein, which wants a united Ireland, is seeing its support surge.

Power-sharing between the DUP and Sinn Fein was only restored at Stormont in February this year after a 24-month hiatus and depending on the outcome of the criminal process, the DUP could face a credible challenge for Sir Jeffreys Lagan Valley seat in the forthcoming general election.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and a 57-year-old woman were arrested and charged  both are due to appear in court later this month (Getty)

Mr Robinson is expected to maintain the DUPs participation in the power-sharing deal and keep the devolved government up and running.

But Sir Jeffreys Good Friday resignation also adds to the instability of the DUP and means the party now has its third leader since Arlene Foster quit following an internal revolt in 2021.

It is understood both suspects were arrested on Thursday morning by Police Service of Northern Ireland detectives and questioned before being charged that night.

Concerns were first raised on Thursday evening when Sir Jeffrey pulled out of a number of public events and his social media accounts, including X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, were taken down on Friday morning.

The DUP held an emergency meeting, described by commentators as very significant, before the party released a statement at lunchtime.

It said: The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process. The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.

A police spokesperson told The Independent: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences. Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

A police spokesperson told The Independent: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences (Reuters)

The shocking resignation brings an end to a 40-year run in politics for Sir Jeffrey and comes just weeks after one of the most significant decisions of his career when he chose to bring the DUP back to power-sharing.

In February the party agreed to return to Stormont following protracted negotiations over a new deal on post-Brexit trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

The move saw Michelle ONeill, the first republican sworn in as first minister, assume office. She said she expects a vote on Irish unity to take place in the next decade.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said Irish unity is now within touching distance.

Sir Jeffrey was elected as the representative for Lagan Valley in 1997 with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). However in 2003, following long-standing opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and the leadership of David Trimble, he announced he would leave the UUP.

He joined the DUP in 2004 and has been the MP for Belfast East in the House of Commons since 2015 and was previously lord mayor of Belfast from 20122013.

In 2012 he became the first DUP representative to attend a gay pride event, saying that as lord mayor he wanted to engage with every section of our society.

But he is one of 21 MPs who in 2019 voted against LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education for schools in England.

He was elected DUP leader in 2021 after the resignation of Edwin Poots. He was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 birthday honours and given a knighthood for his political service.
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Former Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear has been ordered to pay back the tens of thousands of pounds he made from illegally sharing a private video on his OnlyFans site of him having sex with reality TV star Georgia Harrison.

The 34-year-old faces nine months in prison if he does not pay the 22,305 confiscation order within three months.

At Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex on Thursday, Judge Christopher Morgan also ordered that Bear pay Ms Harrison 5,000 in compensation, which he warned can be enforced through the magistrates court if necessary.

Former Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear has been ordered to pay the 22,305 (Lucy North/PA Wire)

Speaking outside court, Ms Harrison called Bears profits abhorrent.

Nobody has the right to earn money from any crime but to earn so much from image-based sexual abuse is quite frankly abhorrent, she said. I think its important that anyone who commits this awful crime should be made to give any money they made back to the victim and also the judicial system, especially after a successful conviction.

The Only Way Is Essex star pledged to give some of the money to charities who have supported me throughout this ordeal.

The Only Way Is Essex star Georgia Harrison, issues a statement outside Chelmsford Crown Court after the confiscation hearing (Lucy North/PA Wire)

Bear was jailed in March last year after being found guilty of voyeurism and of two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress.

He walked out of prison in January, having served 10-and-a-half months of his 21-month sentence for sharing the film.

Arriving at court on Friday in sunglasses, a pink shirt and a pair of slippers, Bear gave a thumbs-up to reporters.

Andrew Bousfield, prosecuting, said that money from a confiscation order made by the court under the Proceeds of Crime Act would go to the Treasury, police and police charities  and he invited the court to also make a compensation order to Ms Harrison.

Arriving at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex on Friday in sunglasses, a pink shirt and a pair of slippers, Bear gave a thumbs-up to reporters (Lucy North/PA Wire)

Ms Harrison said that following a High Court case she was awarded 207,900 damages and 213,515 in costs to her no-win no-fee solicitors but that Bear had paid not one penny of it.

Bear interjected, from the secure dock of the court: You shouldnt have to pay if youre innocent.

Ms Harrison, standing at the witness box, replied: It got proven, literally, in a court.

She said she had been advised it could cost her more to enforce the High Court ruling than she could expect to get back. Mr Bousfield said: Reality TV stars are not rolling in money to fund the most expensive litigation in the world at the High Court.

Ms Harrison went on to tell the court that Bear has never shown a scrap of remorse for what hes done or apologised. Bear shouted from the dock: Ive got a restraining order.

Reality TV star Georgia Harrison arriving at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex on Thursday (Lucy North/PA Wire)

Ms Harrison said of the private video being shared online: For a long time it completely ruined me.

One thing that will always really affect me is the fact if one day I want to have children that footage will always be out there. She also said she had also lost work as a result of the incident.

Proceedings were briefly interrupted when three young men walked into the court and sat beside the dock while Ms Harrison was in the witness box. After the judge addressed them, they left and said free Stephen Bear. Bear insisted that he did not know them.

Gemma Rose, for Bear, argued that there is already a compensation order in effect  the civil judgment from the High Court.

Ms Harrison appeared on the third series of Love Island in 2017 (Lucy North/PA Wire)

Mr Bousfield also told the court a restraint order was in place on the 60,000 proceeds from the sale of Bears house, which Ms Harrison said Bear sold from prison to a company called We Buy Any House for well under market value.

Judge Christopher Morgan said that it seems to me in the interests of justice to make a 22,305 confiscation order, for the profits from the video, and a 5,000 compensation order to go to Ms Harrison.

He said that if the confiscation order is not paid within three months, and if Bear has not requested an extension, the defendant faces nine months in prison.

Addressing Bear, the judge said: For those who are imprisoned for not paying, they serve the whole term, not half, and the serving of the term doesnt mean the amount doesnt have to be paid. It remains a debt and an order that must be paid until it is.
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Soldiers can finally grow beards while serving in the army in a historic rule change approved by the King.

For the first time in 100 years full beards will be permitted in the British Army, bringing rules in line with the Royal Navy and the RAF.

It comes after years of debate over facial hair rules with defence secretary Grant Shapps branding the century-old ban ridiculous last year.

Chief of general staff General Sir Patrick Sanders is said to have made the decision after a review of serving and reservist officers showed an overwhelming majority felt the army needed to change its policy.

However beards must be kept neat will be subject to review to ensure they meet the armys regulations.

Beard length must be between 2.5mm and 25.5mm (one inch) and must be trimmed off the cheekbones and neck, while there must be no patchy or uneven growth and no exaggerated colours.

The King, who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, reportedly signed off the new rules this week (Getty)

The new policy will come into effect immediately to allow soldiers to stop shaving over the Easter holidays  with troops told to expect their beards to be regularly inspected.

Announcing the rule change in a four-minute message, Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney said: Getting to an outcome has taken a bit longer than expected due to the larger number of stakeholders that were involved, including His Majesty the King, our politicians and our allies.

CGS [chief of the general staff] has taken account of your views and has decided the appearance policy will change with our officers and soldiers being allowed to grow beards.

However he insisted standards cant drop, adding: The Army has a reputation for professionalism and a smart turnout, with our allies and with the British public.

We must maintain that reputation by continuing to look our best.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (PA) (PA)

It comes after Mr Shapps said it was time to modernise.

He told The Times that other armies around the world were perfectly capable of fighting with beards and criticised the army for taking so long to make the decision.

The armed forces get terribly pernickety about whether people have beards or not. Nowadays people have beards. How is it we are still struggling with recruitment and then arbitrarily saying you cant join [if you grow a beard]. It is ridiculous. It is time to modernise, he said.

The Royal Navy has long permitted sailors to have full beards and moustaches, with their commanding officers consent, and the RAF changed its regulations in 2019 to allow beards.
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A bill has been introduced to Scottish Parliament that would allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to be provided with assistance to end their own life.

If passed, the bill would make Scotland the first country in the UK to permit assisted dying to its residents.

The Assisted Dying Bill has been drafted by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArther who says current laws around assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life.

We can and must do better. That is why I am publishing my bill on assisted dying.

Prue Leith meets with Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur at event to support assisted dying (Getty Images)

Dame Esther Rantzen has praised the historic legislation. The TV presenter, who has stage four lung cancer, announced in December she had joined Swiss assisted dying organisation Dignitas.

I have received dozens of letters from people describing the agonising deaths of those they loved, she said.

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.

Under current legislation, it is illegal in all four UK countries to assist in the suicide of another person. The law is slightly different between nations, but doing so will generally constitute serious offences ranging from manslaughter to murder.

Currently, it is estimated one British adult travels to Switzerland every eight days to access assisted dying support from Dignitas.

However, doing so is expensive and complicated. After travel costs and Dignitas fees, travelling to Switzerland for assisted dying can cost upwards of 10,000, according to UK charity Dying with Diginity.

Is it likely the assisted dying bill will be passed?

Two previous attemps to pass similar bills in Holyrood have been unsuccessful, but Mr McArthur claims public support is now overwhelming.

I believe we are now seeing the necessary political support, across all parties, to deliver this long overdue reform, he wrote.

Dame Esther Rantzen has said she supports assisted dying in the UK (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

A recent poll showed that over three-quarters (78 per cent) of Scottish people are in favour of assisted dying legislation. In 2023, UK membership of Dignitas grew to 1,900  a 24 per cent rise.

Crucially, although Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, and Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, have indicated they are not convinced by the new legislation, MSPs are expected to be given a free vote on the bill.

This means that, when the bill is voted on in autumn, leaders of Holyroods political parties will not tell their members which way to vote.

Will the bill allow people from other UK countries to access assisted dying?

If the bill is passed in Scottish Parliament, it would allow people from surrounding countries to travel to Scotland to access assisted dying. However, there are several conditions laid out.

Importantly, anyone wishing to receive assistance to end their own life in Scotland will have to have lived in the country for at least 12 months ordinarily. This means it is their country of residence, with only normal absences like holidays or business trips.

This would be the biggest barrier to otherwise eligible adults. No such condition exists in Switzerland, so those who wish to end their lives within 12 months  and can afford the cost  may still choose to travel to Dignitas.

Speaking last year, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said that he plans to give MPs a free vote on assisted dying in the UK if he becomes Prime Minister. In 2015, the north London MP backed a bill to legalise assisted dying which members voted down.
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Easter getaway traffic has caused pretty horrendous queues of up to 20 miles on key motorways, as millions of people took to the roads.

An estimated 2.6 million car journeys were expected to be made on Good Friday, and by lunchtime they had created significant congestion around the M25 and roads in the South West and South East.

The RAC said holidaymakers heading south were behind much of the congestion after forecasters predicted sunnier spells there over the next few days. Drivers were warned that journeys could take twice as long on some routes.

Queues of 15 to 20 miles built up on the M4 and M5 interchange near Bristol, which added 45 minutes to journey times.

The western side of the M25 London orbital motorway was described as pretty bad and a lot worse than normal, with 40-minute queues.

RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: Everyones heading to Devon and Cornwall  thats the attraction, and theres been a bit of better weather. Its causing some pretty horrendous queues.

Travellers at Liverpool Street station in London as the getaway continued for the Easter weekend (PA)

The M20 in Kent was also busy, with congestion approaching Folkestone on the coast.

There were also hold-ups on the A628 between Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire after two separate accidents, National Highways reported.

Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million people in the UK were planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated 3.2bn for the economy.

Around 14 million trips by road could be made over the weekend, a survey by the RAC and transport analysis company Inrix suggested.

Tourists at the Port of Dover faced a wait of two hours to be let through.

Passengers queue for ferries at the Port of Dover in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

And ferry services by DFDS at Dover were running with delays due to strong winds in the Channel after Storm Nelson caused widespread disruption on Thursday when winds not far off gale-force were recorded.

Wightlink said ferries to the Isle of Wight were busy, but running on time.

On the railways, passengers faced line closures because of engineering work and unexpected chaos.

The closure of the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes for an upgrade was flagged months in advance, and many people travelled late on Thursday to avoid it.

The main trans-Pennine route had buses running instead of trains between Manchester and Huddersfield.

Closed platforms at London's Euston station, as fewer trains depart over the Easter weekend (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Great Western Railway was forced to close the main line from London to Exeter after flooding between Newbury and Westbury damaged infrastructure.

Passengers heading for the UKs fourth-busiest airport, London Stansted, faced problems getting there as the Stansted Express line suffered major disruption.

Airports reported high numbers of people flying, with 175,000 due to leave from Stansted, 105,000 from Luton, 160,000 from Manchester, 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.

Passengers queue to enter the Eurotunnel site in Folkestone (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Turkey, Dubai and the Canary Islands were popular destinations  and trips to Dublin were also in demand.

Storm Nelson brought gusts of up to 74mph on Thursday, while a Met Office yellow warning for rain and wind covered London and the South East, the South West and East of England.

More than 170 flood warnings and alerts remained in place on Friday.

But Met Office experts forecast higher temperatures for the Easter weekend than those of most of the week.

The forecaster said Britons can expect rising temperatures for their bank holiday weekend, with highs of 16C predicted for Sunday.

Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: The weather is expected to gradually improve following the widely unsettled spell of the past few days, with a fairly typical mix of spring-like weather across the UK.

There will be some sunshine, and it will feel increasingly warm for most as the winds become lighter.

However, the West and especially South West is likely to see passing showers too, which could be quite heavy and frequent at times.

Additional reporting by PA
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Two years on and Priti Patel and Boris Johnsons Rwanda plan remains stalled in Parliament.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the House of Lords keep clashing over amendments - but Independent readers are largely united in their view that the scheme should be scrapped altogether.

The immigration policy, first proposed in April 2022, would see asylum seekers relocated to Rwanda for processing and resettlement.

However, legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent to the East African country.

With so much back-and-forth on the Rwanda scheme, we asked if you felt the plans are the best way to tackle the challenges faced by the UK asylum system.

The overwhelming majority of readers were keen to see the plans axed, labelling it ridiculous, a costly totem and another Brexit failure.

The comments came as the United Nations Human Rights Committee urged Britain on Thursday to abandon the contentious bill. The committee said it was calling on the British government to withdraw the bill or repeal it if it passed.

Heres what you had to say:

Ridiculous plan

A ridiculous plan without any legal merit or justification, created by a morally bankrupt Government with the sole intention of further dividing society. Iain Banks called it out 11 years ago in his final interview.

I wont miss waiting for the next financial disaster because we havent dealt with the underlying causes of the last one. Nor will I be disappointed not to experience the results of the proto-fascism thats rearing its grisly head right now. Its the utter idiocy, the sheer wrong-headedness of the response that beggars belief. I mean, your societys broken, so who should we blame? Should we blame the rich, powerful people who caused it? No lets blame the people with no power and no money and these immigrants who dont even have the vote, yeah it must be their fault.

Wokebloke

A fortune spent with no result

A foolish plan thought up by right-wing fools, a fortune spent with no result.

The UK has a vast shortage of workers in healthcare and agriculture, add those to the many other skills that are needed because of years of neglect by the government and the huge gaps in apprenticeships that have caused a huge skills shortage.

Instead of spending millions on a foolhardy deportation scheme wouldnt it be better to educate and train people, give people a chance to earn, pay tax, and pay national insurance, all of which the UK needs?

Yes, there has to be a limit and a degree of tolerance, but lets grab some of these people. Wasnt the USA built on migration?

swordfish

Ship them across by ferry

The best way to deal with small boats is for the government to ship them across by ferry for the same price instead of the traffickers and divert the revenue to processing the claims on board the vessel and provision of temporary accommodation so it does not cost the taxpayer.

A 5000 charge would allow for at least a few days in a hotel to process claims and deport if necessary.

An efficient processing system needs developing to ensure effective throughput.

Freedom

Foaming hatred

The criminal waste of taxpayers money on this ridiculous farce would have paid for the recruitment of additional staff to clear the backlog of applications. However, pinheaded Cruellas were blinded by their foaming hatred.

Galileo666

Another Brexit failure

The Rwanda plan has been dead in the water for months. The only reason that this zombie fiasco still lurches on is its usefulness as a sop to the Tory right-wing and to serve as a distraction from the woeful performance of the Home Office in failing to process applications.

In one sense its another Brexit failure. The need for an enlarged civil service currently failing to cope with an increased burden of bureaucracy is a direct consequence of the loss of administrators in Brussels.

Nobody except the most deluded optimists on the fruitloop wing of the Tory Party is in the slightest doubt that there isnt the remotest likelihood of any aircraft leaving the tarmac.

Its a national scandal that so much public money has been wasted on this ridiculous populist wheeze.

PinkoRadical

A government that cannot afford to lose

Just looking at the whole Rwanda thing from top to tail, what struck me is at every junction, at every pressure point, every node there is a new revelation that just never feels British. Never feels like the type of thing we would do in our recent history. We have transported people in the past, be it prisoners or orphans, but now?

We have had to compromise so much to get this policy anyway near completion.

To spend so much time, money and effort to get this through the House of Lords and the courts, I wonder if people consider losing our cultural values just to send people thousands of miles to appease racist idiots worth it in the end. Threatening to leave the European Court of Human Rights, breaking international law, trying to sidestep our own courts by spurious legislation, is that who we think we are, or are willing to become to push a policy that does not really fit us?

We now have a government that cannot afford to lose face in front of the least desirable people in our country. What a mess.

Jim987

Were not taking our fair share

Leaving aside the considerable legal and moral considerations weighing in against Rwanda, consider with cold logic the so-called rationale:

- We are full: No, were not. And were not taking our fair share, either.

- Infrastructure (housing, schools, NHS etc) strains: Whose fault is that? Certainly not a few thousand refugees. 1.2m authorised immigrants in 2023.... people we NEED and come in via points scheme..... and the Cons are fussing about Channel crossings (2% of that) and potential Rwanda numbers (0.1% of it). WHY?

- Housing costs s billions: Whose fault is that? BACKLOG escalated s. Who let it build up? NAO data shows a) Rwanda will cost MORE than housing the equivalent number in hotels & b) huge cost associated with converting the Bibby, airfields etc.

- Rwanda as deterrent: No evidence for it. How would a scheme that, at best / worst, would impact on less than 10% of total Channel migrants be a deterrent? Crossings are primarily affected by weather, vary hugely by year. 2022 was unusually high (c.45k) but 2023 dropped back by half, due to Channel conditions and efforts in France. If its a deterrent, how on earth does that make sense?

- Rwanda IS safe: No, it isnt. Cons can legislate till theyre blue in the face that black is white and up is down but their spokesperson in HoL admitted Rwanda is NOT safe now and wont be, until conditions in the Treaty weve done with them are met. Those conditions have barely even been kicked off yet, let alone completed.

All in all, the proposal doesnt really hold any water, does it? In fact, it might be the perfect vessel for crossing the Channel.

Lysistrata2

Costly totem

The Rwanda scheme is just a costly totem offered up to the electorate as a pretence that the Tories are actually tackling immigration.

It will not work and would make little or no difference to the overall numbers if it did but it diverts attention away from more significant factors like the number of foreign students coming to this country and the money that brings in.

Mythicalking

Culture wars

The easiest way to stop the small boats is to open up safe and legal routes to claim asylum in the UK. This would cut off the people smugglers at a stroke and save many lives too.

But this government wont do that, because they need the small boats as a visible tool in their culture wars. The Tories are, in effect, subsidising the people smugglers.

June63

Blurring the lines

STOP THE MADNESS NOW!

I have listened carefully to all the parliamentary debates in both houses. The devil is in the detail. The bill says that Rwanda is safe and no-one - not even our highest courts - can say otherwise, whatever happens or will happen there in the future. This is such a dangerous precedent and smacks of a very unpopular government saying we know best.

The scheme gobbles an undefined amount of cash for an undefined number of removals. The government has the audacity to withhold its predictions of these vital figures from the public.

All this stacking against the scheme before any consideration of the trampling over of human rights and neglect of our global responsibilities to protect and provide a safe haven for those legitimately fleeing war and persecution - however they arrived.

An efficient and speedy assessment and removal system would be much more of a deterrent and save a huge amount of money of hotels and dodgy barges.

The government specialises in blurring the lines between legal and illegal migration. The former being by far the highest figure. They allow the public to scrap with migrants over the scarce public facilities - doctors, dentists, housing etc - all of this governments own making.

I think all conservative MPs blindly following the whip in the commons to prop up a failing government need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Toteswoke

Some of the comments have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article.

All you have to do is sign up, submit your question and register your details - then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
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Parents were left devastated after they were offered a version of a primary school class photo with children with complex needs removed.

Those removed from the pictures included a nine-year-old girl with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair and a girl with additional support needs (ASN).

One mother whose daughter had been removed from one set of photos said it felt like having her child erased from history.

The offer was given by Cornwall-based firm Tempest Photography  which employs local photographers to take school photos across the UK.

A photographer took two separate photos of a class at Aboyne Primary School in Aberdeenshire - which has a dedicated additional needs hub - with children with ASN reportedly removed from one set.

Parents were then sent a link with both versions to choose from.

Have you been affected by this? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk

Natalie Pinnell, whose daughter Erin was among those excluded, told the Press and Journal: I am absolutely heartbroken. Furious.

She added: 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.

She told the MailOnline that while Erin was thankfully unaware of the situation, she is dreading having to explain the incident to her sister.

It has been a hard thing to process as a family. As a mum I want to champion her, and to have people thinking she is erasable is just devastating beyond belief, she told the paper.

She added: Its been the most traumatic experience as a family that we have felt.

I really wanted to believe there was a different reason. I was trying to look for a reason why someone would have made that decision.

We have mourned. We have hurt. I feel like I havent even hit the bottom of my shock. Its been absolutely devastating.

A second parent, Lisa Boyd, also told the newspaper her daughter Lily, a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, was removed from an alternative photo,

She added that the nine-year-olds twin sister was devastated.

Her twin sister, Iona, is in a different class and I only got one photo for that class but I got two for Lilys  one without my kid in it. Its horrendous, she told the MailOnline.

Both parents were keen to emphasise the school itself was an inclusive setting and that they were not to blame for the incident.

Aberdeenshire Council has since apologised to parents, stating the decision was not taken by the school and has immediately removed the link to the photos.

A spokesperson 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 also said it had launched an investigation into the matter stating: We are currently investigating the situation with the school, and have no further comment.
 Close Who is Jeffrey Donaldson?

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The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has resigned after it was revealed he had been charged with historical sex offences.

The DUP confirmed on Friday that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who has led the party since 2021, is stepping down and is the suspect at the centre of a scandal.

In a statement released on Friday, the DUP said: The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

Police revealed a 61-year-old man had been charged on Friday and a 57-year-old woman was arrested and charged alongside the politician for aiding and abetting additional offences.

A police spokesman told The Independent: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

Party officers have appointed Gavin Robinson MP as interim leader.

Sir Jeffrey, Northern Irelands longest-serving MP, was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and given a knighthood.
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Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has quit as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature.

Northern Irelands longest-serving MP was suspended from the party pending the outcome of a legal process, while Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

His resignation will have a huge impact on British and Irish politics and comes just weeks after he moved to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland after nearly two years of protest.

Sir Jeffrey was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Getty Images)

The Independent looks at the life and career of the influential unionist.

Sir Jeffrey was born in Kilkeel, the southernmost town in Northern Ireland in County Down. He has talked about growing up in the Mourne area as the eldest of five boys and three girls, attending the local Presbyterian Church And having a traditional, rural, home-centred upbringing.

But he has also said his childhood innocence was shattered by the onset of the Troubles. I remember vividly, almost as if it were yesterday the murder of my cousin Samuel Donaldson, an RUC constable, he explained.

Samuel Donaldson was one of two of Sir Jeffreys cousins killed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army while serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

When he was 16, Sir Jeffrey joined the Orange Order, and two years later he became involved in the Young Unionist movement.

And he went on to serve with the Kilkeel company of the 3rd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment (3 UDR), rising to the rank of corporal.

He was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood for his political service (AP)

Sir Jeffrey has been married to his wife Eleanor for over 25 years and the couple have two daughters. His resignation comes after an almost 40-year run in politics.

That career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

But the 61-year-olds relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004, becoming leader in July 2021 after the resignation of Edwin Poots.

He had originally put his name forward to become leader after Arlene Foster was ousted following internal party unrest, but was narrowly defeated by Mr Poots in the DUPs first-ever leadership election months earlier.

The veteran politician has served for nearly 40 years (Getty Images)

He was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood for his political service.

Sir Jeffreys leadership saw him steer the partys two-year boycott of Northern Irelands political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

He assumed leadership of the DUP during a turbulent time for the party which saw it boycott Northern Irelands political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Unionists had long protested against requirements for checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, saying they created an Irish Sea border.

Michelle ONeill has become the first republican first minister of Northern Ireland (PA)

Believing that the Government was not responding fast enough to his concerns, Sir Jeffrey collapsed the Stormont powersharing institutions in 2022.

After protracted negotiations, the party agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal on trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

His resignation has sparked a leadership contest and any fallout could have a huge impact on politics in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The DUP is under significant pressure from Sinn Fein, which is the most popular party in the Republic of Ireland ahead of a general election next March.

Mary Lou McDonald has said Irish unity is now within touching distance (Getty Images)

In February, Northern Ireland saw the first Republican sworn in as first minister in Michelle ONeill.

After assuming office, Ms ONeill said she expects a vote on Irish unity to take place in the next decade.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said Irish unity is now within touching distance.
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Waterborne diseases have put thousands of people in hospital since 2010, Labour said, as it vowed to put water companies dumping sewage into UK rivers and seas under special measures.

Cases of waterborne diseases such as dysentery have soared by nearly 60 per cent in 14 years, according to the partys analysis of NHS hospital admissions data.

The number of people admitted to hospital with diseases transmitted via waterborne infection rose from 2,085 in 2010/11 to 3,286 in 2022/23, according to Labour.

Cases of waterborne diseases such as dysentery have soared since 2010 (Reuters)

It said the statistics showed that in the last year alone more than 120 people were diagnosed with leptospirosis  a rare infection also known as Weils disease that can cause fever and vomiting  double the number diagnosed with the same condition in 2010.

One of the ways of contracting the disease is by getting freshwater containing infected animal urine into your mouth, eyes or a cut during activities such as kayaking and outdoor swimming, according to the NHS.

It came as figures this week revealed storm overflows spilled sewage into rivers and seas for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023, more than double the previous year.

Data published by the Environment Agency showed sewage spills at their highest-ever levels, with 464,056 spills in 2023, up 54 per cent from 301,091 in 2022. And a marine biologist revealed this week that raw sewage being dumped in the English Channel has left every marine species in the water full of cocaine, amphetamines and MDMA.

Professor Alex Ford told The Independent the drugs are in such small traces that they wouldnt be able to kill an aquatic creature by overdose but the drugs, especially cocaine, amphetamines and MDMA, could alter their behaviour.

There is growing anger over the polluted state of Englands rivers and coasts, with no single stretch of river classed as being in a good overall condition, and hundreds of pollution risk alerts issued for popular beaches around the country last year.

Fury with the water industry intensified on Thursday when Thames Water revealed its funding crisis had deepened after shareholders refused to give the troubled utility extra cash.

It is understood investors pulled the funding plan that was agreed last summer after the regulator Ofwat refused to bow to the debt-laden water giants demands for a 40 per cent bill hike for customers and an easing of capital spending requirements, as well as leniency on penalties for failing to meet targets.

Labours Steve Reed said the rise in waterborne diseases was sickening (PA Archive)

Labour shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said: It is sickening that this Conservative government has turned a blind eye to illegal sewage dumping that has put thousands of people in hospital.

To make matters worse, consumers face higher water bills while water bosses pocket millions in bonuses.

Labour will put the water companies under special measures to clean up water. We will strengthen regulation so law-breaking water bosses face criminal charges and give the regulator new powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth.

With Labour, the polluter  not the public  will pay.

Sir Keir Starmers party has also pledged to end self-monitoring and force all companies to monitor every single water outlet under independent supervision, as well as introducing tough fines for illegal sewage discharges.

Richard Walker, former chairman of Surfers Against Sewage, said: Labours plan will take the tough action required to get our vital utilities back to serving the public interest.

Everyone deserves to enjoy our beautiful coastline and rivers without the fear of getting sick because some fat cat has been shovelling out dividends rather than investing in vital improvements.

And Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: Pollution and nature loss are a public health disaster. Billions could be saved every year for the NHS by cleaning up filthy rivers, curbing air pollution, and bringing nature back to life. All parties should make big polluters pay and ensure water companies invest in nature recovery for the sake of public health.

Storm overflows dump untreated sewage into rivers and seas, usually during heavy rainfall, to stop sewers backing up.

Water firms have said they want to triple investment to 10bn over the period 2025-2030 to tackle the problem, which would be paid for through consumer bills.

A Conservative spokesperson said: Labours botched-together announcement today is entirely made up of measures this government is already delivering under our Plan For Water.

It shows that, unlike the Conservatives, Keir Starmer and his party have no plan for cutting sewage spills and holding water companies to account. They would take us back to square one.

The government has launched a consultation to ban water bosses bonuses when criminal breaches have occurred, quadrupled company inspections next year, fast-tracked 180m of investment to cut spills, and launched a whistleblowing portal for water company workers to report breaches.
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Tory senior treasurer Mohamed Mansour, who was appointed to the role after donating 5m to the party, has been awarded a knighthood on the recommendation of Rishi Sunak.

Mr Mansour, a businessman and former Egyptian politician, has made a number of charitable donations over the years, including to causes which raised money for Covid-19 victims in the UK. No 10 have pointed to this in answer to concerns around his knighthood.

Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds said: This is either the arrogant act of an entitled man whos stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesnt expect to be prime minister much longer.

It comes after the Conservative Party became embroiled in a political row as it was alleged top donor Frank Hester made racist comments about MP Diane Abbott to colleagues.

The West Yorkshire businessman reportedly said Ms Abbott makes you want to hate all black women and said the MP should be shot.

Mr Hester has made over 10 million in donations to the Conservatives over the past two years, making him the biggest donor of Rishi Sunaks premiership. Mr Mansour is the third highest donor.

Here are the biggest donors to the Tories since the last general election:

Lord John Sainsbury  10.85m

John Sainsbury was made a life peer in 1989 (Getty Images)

Lord John Sainsbury was chair of the Sainsburys supermarket chain for 23 years, from 1969 to 1992. He was knighted in 1980, and made a life peer in 1989.

When he died in 2022, he bequeathed a record 10.85m donation to the Conservatives  the largest single donation ever given to the party.

This 10m sum substantially added to the 2.35m Lord Sainsbury had donated since 2007, making him the biggest single donor to the party this century.

His donation went specifically to the Conservative Party Foundation, which funds bursaries for parliamentary candidates and builds long-term funding for the party.

His cousin, Lord David Sainsbury has also been the biggest donor to the opposition Labour Party, donating 17.88m since 2005.

Frank Hester  10.17m

Frank Hester speaking in 2022 (PA Wire)

Frank Hester is a businessman from Leeds, West Yorkshire, and founder and CEO of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) software company.

Last year, Mr Hester made donations to the Tories totalling 5.17m through his IT company, as well as a 5m personal donation. This makes him the biggest donor to the Conservatives during Rishi Sunaks premiership.

In 2023, it was found that Mr Hester had profited from 135m of NHS contracts between 2019 and 2022, throughout the height of the Covid pandemic.

During these four years, Mr Hester was the only shareholder of TTP, making him the sole recipient of over 20m in dividends. He appeared on the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated wealth of 415m.

In 2023, Mr Hester wrote an open letter to the NHS, saying: We are here for our NHS. We are here to help. Not to drive profits for shareholders, or to grease revolving doors.

TTP supplies software to around 2,700 GP surgeries in England as well as providing data services that enable medical records to be held electronically.

Writing in The Telegraph after making his 5m donation, Mr Hester said: As a businessman from Yorkshire I have been fortunate enough to have met the prime minister.

He shares my passion for harnessing the data revolution to transform the way we as citizens access healthcare.

Graham Edwards  5.31m

Graham Edwards is co-founder of property investment company Telereal Trillium, or TT Group. He became Executive Chairman in 2018, having been Chief Executive since 2001. He has donated 5.31m since the 2019 general election and 5.52m overall, first donating in 2018.

Mr Edwards tax arrangements have come under scrutiny in the past. In 2007, a tribunal judge blocked a complex tax avoidance scheme set up by KPMG for their clients, including Mr Edwards.

The property tycoon was found to have wrongly tried to reduce the tax on 5m he received in bonuses.

A spokesman for Mr Edwards said at the time: Two decades ago Mr Edwards received a bonus and paid full tax and National Insurance on it, on the day he received it,

The scheme mentioned was a KPMG-led tax reclaim scheme that HMRC disallowed. Mr Edwards paid all taxes properly and never received any penalty from HMRC.

In December 2022, Mr Edwards was appointed Conservative Party treasurer by Rishi Sunak. Nine previous holders of this role have gone on to receive peerages.

Mohamed Mansour  5.12m

Mohamed Mansour speaks during a press conference at Snapdragon Stadium, 2023 (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

Mohamed Mansour is an Egyptian businessman and former politician. He has led the Mansour Group family business alongside his two brothers since the death of his father in 1976. It reports an annual revenue of $7.5bn.

Since 1997, the group has run the Africa and Middle East dealership of the Caterpiller Inc (CAT) construction equipment company. It does this through subsiduary companies Mantrac Group and Unatrac.

It is through Unatrac that Mr Mansour has made several donations to the Conservatives totalling over 600,000 since 2015. In January 2023, he made a substantial personal donation of 5m to the party in his and his sons name.

After being investigated by the HMRC, Mr Mansours Unatrac agreed to set aside $4m for backdated tax after being found to owe $3.15m in unpaid corporation tax between 2015 and 2018. Unatrac gave no comments.

In December 2022, Mr Mansour was appointed senior treasurer of the Conservatives by Mr Sunak

From 2006 to 2009, Mr Mansour was Egypts minister of transport under autocratic president Hosni Muburak, who ruled for three decades from 1981 to 2011.

In 2010, Mr Mansour set up Man Capital, the Mansour Groups private investment subsidiary, based in London. He remains chairman while his son, Loufty Mansour, is the CEO.

JCB and the Bamford family  3.27m

Former PM Boris Johnson and JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

British construction equipment giant JCB is also amongst the Conservative Partys largest donors.

Through owners the Bamford family and the companies subsidiaries, JCB has gifted the Tories around 11m since 2001, including 2.8m since the last general election.

The largest individual donor is chairman Lord Anthony Bamford, giving over 281,000 since 2007. This includes 166,250 in donations to former prime minister Boris Johnson. The Sunday Times Rich List puts Lord Bamford and his familys wealth at 5.9bn.

Lord Bamford was first recommended for a peerage by David Cameron in 2010. He withdrew his name that year, but then joined the House of Lords later, in 2013.

Lord Bamford and his brother Mark are both currently under investigation by the HMRC for allegations of avoiding UK tax over a period of two decades, The Guardian revealed in October 2023.

The reported civil investigation has been underway for three years, and spans a complex network of offshore tax havens and companies. The HMRC has refused to confirm or deny the reports.

Neither the Bamfords nor a legal representative for either of them has commented on the investigation yet.

The last donation from a JCB subsidiary to the central Conservative party was 25,000, made in September 2023.

Christopher Wood  2.02m

Professor Christopher Barry Wood has donated 2.38m to the Conservatives since 2014, including 2.1m since the 2019 general election. He has made 89 donations since February 2014.

Prof Wood has not made any public comments about his donations to the Conservative Party. He is a founder and director of several biotechnology companies. In 2009, he founded Medannex, a biopharmaceutical company that develops cancer and autoimmune disease treatments.

In February 2024, the company appointed Sir Graham Brady MP as a non-executive director. The veteran Tory MP said: I am delighted to be joining the team of this young and exciting life sciences company.

Medannex has won awards for its pioneering work in areas of unmet medical need and I look forward to being an active part of its continued progress. The UK is looking to companies like Medannex for the next phase of our countrys growth.

Prof Wood added: Its a real pleasure to welcome Sir Graham to the board of directors of Medannex. He adds a new and important dimension to the company in its quest to develop new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Richard Harpin  2.005m

Richard Harpin is the founder and CEO of Homeserve, a multinational UK-based home repairs business. He is originally from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, now residing in Nun Monkton.

Mr Harpin has donated 2.74m to the Tories since 2008, with 2m coming since the 2019 general election. He was the UKs 254th richest person in 2023 according to the Sunday Times Rich List, with a worth of 630m.

In 2014, Mr Harpins company Homeserve was fined a record 30m by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for widespread failings related to misselling insurance policies.

Responding to the fine, Mr Harpin said: We have transformed the business, rebuilding and strengthening the management team, retraining staff and restructuring systems and controls.

Amit Lohia  2.00m

Nicknamed The Prince of Polyester, Amit Lohia is the vice-chairman of Singapore-based textile giant Indorama Corporation. Founded by his father and grandfather in 1975, Mr Lohia has been part of his familys business since 1995.

In March 2023, Mr Lohia made a 2m donation to the Conservative party, his first and only so far. His father Sri Prakash Lohia was the UKs 33rd richest person in 2023, according to The Sunday Times Rich List, with a worth of 5.846bn.

Mr Lohia also sits on the board of sister company Indorama Ventures, which manufactures plastic resins, polyester yarn and wool products.

The business came under scrutiny last year when it was found to be a majority shareholder in hygiene fabrics firm Avgol, which has a production line in Russias Tula Oblast region.

Amit Lohia is a non-executive director of Indorama Ventures Ltd and made the donation in a personal capacity, said a spokesperson for Mr Lohia.

Avgol Russia makes materials used in babies nappies and feminine hygiene products. It represents less than 0.19% of Indorama Ventures operations.

Malcolm Healey  1.90m

Malcolm Healey is a billionaire businessman, and owner of Wren Kitchens. He has run the fitted kitchen retailer since founding it in 2009.

He has donated 2.15m to the Tories since the 2019 general election, and 4.17m overall since his first donation in 2017. The 2023 Sunday Times Rich List puts Mr Healey and his familys net worth at 2.5bn.

In late 2021, The Independent revealed that Mr Healeys company Wren Kitchens claimed millions in furlough money during the Covid pandemic  despite recording a 75.3m profit.

This was not unlawful, but Labour MP Rushanara Ali told The Independent : This goes against the whole spirit of the furlough scheme.

It is unjust and immoral for a billionaire Tory donors firm to take taxpayers money to pay staff when their business is not in need, at a time when millions were struggling and continue to struggle to make ends meet.

Neither Mr Healey nor Wren Kitchens responded to The Independents requests for comment.

Alan Howard  1.58m

Alan Eldan Howard is a billionaire British hedge fund manager and co-founder of Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP. In 2019, he stepped down as the firms chief executive, but retains overall control.

Mr Howards annual pay from Brevan Howard was 82m in 2023. He is the UKs 100th richest man according to the Sunday Times Rich List, with a worth of 1.75bn in 2023.

He has donated 1.8m to the Conservative party since 2005, 1.5m coming in just over four years, since the 2019 general election.
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An eight-year-old child emerged as the sole survivor after a bus carrying worshippers to an Easter festival, plunged off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people on Thursday.

The bus lost control on the Mmamatlakala bridge in the northern province of Limpopo and plunged 50m (164ft) into a ravine before bursting into flames. The driver was among the 45 dead.

The bus was transporting passengers from neighbouring Botswana to the town of Moria for an Easter pilgrimage, according to Limpopo authorities.

An 8-year-old girl, who was the only survivor, was receiving medical attention after sustaining severe injuries, authorities said.

Firefighters were working to hose down a fire and search operations ongoing until late night on Thursday, the provincial government said.

Firefighters hose down a bus after it crashed off the R518, killing a few dozen, in Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa (via REUTERS)

Many bodies still remained trapped inside the vehicle. However, rescuers were facing many challenges in identifying the bodies which were burned beyond recognition.

Minister of transport, 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 underway into the cause of the crash and offered her condolences to the families of the victims.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa also sent his condolences to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement.

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 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 last year.

Additional reporting by agencies
 Close Sean Diddy Combs declares innocence after FBI raids of his homes

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Sean Diddy Combs has been reportedly spotted several times in south Florida during the Easter weekend, despite a major raid on his exclusive Star Island mansion just days before.

Combs was seen interacting with fans at the Pura Vida restaurant near First Street and Washington Avenue on Friday and riding a bicycle near his property.

Earlier on Friday, he was reportedly spotted at a Top Golf location in Sweetwater.

On Mondayhis properties in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from US Homeland Security in connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation. Combs described the actions of HSI agents as a gross overuse of military-level force.

The same day, a man police have described as Diddys drug mule  Brendan Paul  was arrested by federal agents in a Miami airport for allegedly carrying contraband inside of his personal travel bags.

Since the raids, other famous figures have weighed in on the case including rapper 50 Cent.

The raids come after Diddy has faced accusations of sexual abuse from multiple alleged victims in a series of lawsuits in recent months. A lawsuit brought in February alleged that Diddy sexually assaulted music producer Rodney Jones and forced him to have sex with sex workers.
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Newly-leaked cellphone location data has shone a light on which individuals may have visited Jeffrey Epsteins so-called paedophile island  the Caribbean destination where he abused many of his victims.

The data was collected from more than 100 mobile devices and shows the path that the cellphone users took to get to the island  spanning across 80 cities and 26 states or territories.

The newly discovered data, obtained by WIRED, comes from the recently-bankrupt company Near Intelligence. The company recently braided itself as Azira and has been plagued by an internal fraud scandal and external controversies.

Using tracking data, Near Intelligence allegedly traced the phones that went to and from Little Saint James.

Convicted sex offender Epstein allegedly trafficked and assaulted minors and women on the Caribbean island, earning it the unsavoury nickname pedophile island.

Epstein was also known to invite guests  often high-profile individuals  to the island.

This past year, unsealed court documents produced an extensive list of people who were allegedly tied to Epstein.

The disgraced financier died by suicide in 2019 while in prison awaiting trial for sexually abusing and trafficking young girls and women for years, with his longtime friend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Maxwell was convicted on five counts of sex trafficking-related crimes in 2021. She is currently appealing that.

By mapping more than 11,000 coordinates, Near Intelligence pinpointed as many as 166 locations of potential visitors, or potential victims, from across the US and world to Little Saint James. Some of the locations point to gated communities in Michigan and Florida, homes in Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket, a nightclub in Miami and the sidewalk across the street from Trump Tower in New York City, according to WIRED.

Jeffrey Epstein (AP)

The mapped coordinates show the path individuals took to get to the island from July 2016 until Epstein was arrested on federal charges in July 2019.

Using an intelligence platform formerly known as Vista  now folded into a product called Pinnacle  five separate maps were created using the data collected over the years.

Two maps feature the most frequented locations of weekdays and weeknights to infer the most common evening and daytime locations on the island.

Another map shows the general area where visitors spent 30 minutes before and after they arrived on the island. Commonly, visitors were tracked moving from the neighbouring island of Saint Thomas to a dock at the American Yacht Harbour  a marina co-owned by Epstein, according to the report.

Facilities at Little St. James Island are seen in an aerial view near Charlotte Amalie (Reuters)

It is unclear how this data was collected or what it was used for.

Near Intelligence, which filed for bankruptcy in December, sources its location data from ad exchanges, or marketplaces in which sellers, buyers and ad networks can bid on and buy a wide range of ad inventory. This inventory can include a laptop, phone or tablets location data which companies use to target relevant advertisements.

Near Intelligence has previously purchased data obtained on ad exchanges, repackaged it and sold it to several clients, some of whom are government contractors, according to a Wall Street Journal article.

A previous WSJ article revealed that data extracted by Near Intelligence had been used by a digital ad agency working on behalf of Veritas Society to place anti-abortion advertisements near abortion clinics.

Several ad exchanges told WSJ last year that they cut off Near Intelligence for violating terms of service.

The Independent has reached out to Azira for comment.

A spokesperson for Azira told WIRED: Azira is committed to data privacy and responsible access to and use of location data.

To this end, Azira works to track and respond to legal developments under emerging new state laws, FTC guidance and prior enforcement examples, and best practices. Azira is developing procedures to protect consumers sensitive location data. This includes working to disable all sample offering accounts created by Near.
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Power. Money. Sex.

These are the three things that prosecutors say drove Lori Vallow to kill.

And theyre also the three things that experts say make up the playbook of a destructive cult.

All cult leaders are driven by those three things in that particular order, Steve Hassan, a world-renowned cult expert and former member of the Moonies cult, tells The Independent.

Power is number one, then two its money which is also used for control, and three is sex. Its the playbook of a cult leader.

Vallow soon earned the nickname the cult mom not long after her two youngest children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua JJ Vallow, 7, disappeared in September 2019.

As the childrens other family members desperately searched for them  and begged Vallow to come clean about where they were  details about her doomsday cult beliefs began to emerge.

The 50-year-old mother-of-three had grown up in the Church of the Latter-day Saints (LDS) but, since meeting her new lover Chad Daybell, her beliefs had grown ever more extreme.

She believed she and Mr Daybell had been chosen for a religious mission to lead the 144,000 followers  that he was a prophet and she a goddess.

Her murder trial - which ended in a conviction for killing the kids and conspiring to kill Mr Daybells first wife Tammy - exposed how these beliefs grew increasingly fantastical and dangerous, invoking zombies, dark spirits and death.

Cult mom

At her trial, prosecutors said that Vallow, Mr Daybell and their inner circle believed in a rating system of light and dark with certain death percentages for how they ranked the spirits of the people around them.

Over time, this then evolved into the belief that some people had become zombies. And that the only way to get rid of the zombie was to destroy the human body it was in.

Shockingly, this included her two children.

Before their disappearances, Vallow had told friends that they had been taken over by dark spirits, and that Tylee was possessed by a demon named Hillary, according to courtroom testimony.

Chilling text messages sent to Mr Daybell revealed her complaining that: We r both so tired of taking care of demons. We are weary. Please ask the Lord to take them.

One month later, the children vanished.

It would be nine months later before both of their remains were discovered in the pet cemetery of Mr Daybells yard in Idaho.

Their final moments had clearly been brutal.

Lori Vallow talks with her lawyers before the jurys verdict is read at her murder trial (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Little JJ, still in his pyjamas, had been suffocated with a plastic bag wrapped around his head with tape, the scratch marks on his neck revealing the young boy desperately fought for his life.

Tylees cause of death may never be known as her body was hacked into pieces with a pickaxe and badly burned.

At her trial, a jury found Vallow guilty of murder and conspiracy to murder Tylee and JJ, after hearing how she, Mr Daybell (who stands trial on 1 April) and Vallows brother Alex Cox (who is also now dead) conspired to kill them.

But the children werent the only victims as Vallows descent into extreme cult beliefs led to a trail of death and destruction in her wake.

Mr Daybells first wife Tammy and Vallows fourth husband Charles are also dead, while others  who testified to being shot at  appear to have had a lucky escape.

Its a tragic and shocking case that has horrified America for the last four years because of, not only the brutality of the murders, but the unanswered questions that remain around the role cult beliefs played in what happened.

After all, this was a woman who, by all accounts, had long been seen as a good and loving mother to her children.

Can a mother really be driven to kill her own two children  children she has raised and cared for their whole lives  by the power of a cult? Can cult beliefs really wield that much power?

Power of cults

Many of the most infamous cults have ended in murder or mass death.

The Manson Family murdered nine victims under the direction of their leader Charles Manson.

More than 918 people died in the Jonestown massacre.

A total of 39 Heavens Gate followers took their own lives under the belief that they would be beamed up to an alien spacecraft.

Dr Hassan knows the power a cult can have on a person all too well.

Back in 1974, the then-19-year-old was recruited into the Unification Church  also known as the Moonies cult. Under the cults leader Sun Myung Moon, he quit college and his job, handed over his bank account and believed his family were Satanic.

Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow (Family handout)

I became a different person in the image of Moon and believed that the old Steve had fallen and was Satanic and that armageddon would happen, he tells The Independent.

For about two and a half years, there was no getting away.

Then, when he fell asleep at the wheel of a van due to sleep deprivation and nearly died, it actually saved him.

While spending two weeks in a hospital bed recovering from his injuries  away from the cults direct influence  his family arranged a deprogramming intervention.

At the end of it, I realised that Moon was a liar and if he was a liar then he wasnt trustworthy and if he wasnt trustworthy he couldnt be god on earth and my whole belief system collapsed, he says.

At the point that I had that realisation, I cried and said how did they do this to me? How could I believe these crazy things and turn my back on my friends and family?

But its this thinking that only certain types of people can be drawn into a cult or cult beliefs which can be dangerous, he says.

The public has unconscious bias that says when people try to understand other peoples behaviour they tend to overestimate the persons personality and underestimate the power of the situation, explains Dr Hassan.

So people think oh Steve must have got into the Moonies because his family were not nice, or he was looking for something in his life or something.

He adds: The biggest vulnerability is thinking that it could never happen to you.

Breaking down sense of identity

Dr Hassan explains that cults work by breaking down an individuals sense of identity.

Undue influence has been exerted in a systematic way to break down a persons sense of identity and build them back up in the image of their cult leader, he says.

Steven Hassan left the Moonies aged 22, and has since become a leading expert on cults and mind control (Supplied)

Wed like to believe that were rational beings but were not. Were emotional, social beings and we adapt to our environment to the information we receive from our environment.

Dr Hassan says that there are four components to what he describes as a destructive mind control cult: behaviour, information, thought, and emotional control.

Together, this creates dependency or obedience to the cult leader or cause, he explains.

In Vallows case, her progression towards more extreme beliefs didnt happen in a vacuum, he says.

Vallow and Mr Daybell had already grown up in the Church of the LDS.

Mr Daybell was a self-published author who wrote doomsday books loosely based on the teachings of the church and also ran a podcast based on his teachings. He claimed that he was a prophet.

Vallow always really took the church seriously, her brother Adam Cox said in his podcast Tylee and JJs Silver Linings Podcast with his uncle Rex in 2023.

Mr Cox said his sister was fun growing up and that her marriage to Charles Vallow seemed great.

But, he said that in the lead-up to all the death and destruction, she had started to see herself as more spiritual.

It just feels like she started to pull away spiritually from where Charles was  her idea of spirituality, he said.

With Lori going down that road it was like a snowball she just kept on picking up different stuff and different stuff and different stuff she wanted to convince people the end of the world was coming she was doing food storage every moment it was getting bigger and bigger.

One question he said he was still trying to work out the answer to is who was the ringleader in Vallow and Mr Daybells relationship.

Leader or follower?

People ask was Lori brainwashed by Chad or Chad by Lori? he said.

Based on what Dr Hassan has seen about the case, he is also torn about who is likely the cult leader in this scenario.

Mr Daybell appears the obvious choice as someone who referred to himself as a prophet and given that, before the murders, Vallow was said to be a good mother who loved her children  and that things started getting crazy and weird after she met Mr Daybell.

But, based on other information that came out at trial, a different picture of Vallow has also emerged  one of a woman lacking empathy and being focused on transactional things and how they can help her, says Dr Hassan.

Chad Daybell at a court hearing (Post Register)

That profile of her as a malignant narcissist is characteristic of a cult leader, he says.

They are narcissists who think theyre above the law, pathological liars, sadistic, paranoid.

So if Lori is a narcissist and lacks empathy and then she meets Chad and theyre convinced they have a sacred mission together how much was she influenced by him and how much was he influenced by her?

My guess  and its just speculation  is that if the Lori before Chad loved her kids and was a pretty good mom and wanted to do good choices for them then what would lead her to agree to kill them or think theyre possessed? We have to look at what are the sources of influence? Chad is an obvious choice.

Its an argument Vallows attorneys tried to push in their closing statement at her trial, arguing that she was a good mom whose life fell apart after meeting religious leader Mr Daybell.

One year after meeting Chad, four people are dead, her attorney told jurors.

Why cant people escape religious leaders? Why cant Lori escape and get back to her good mom life?... But is Lori a leader or a follower of Chad? She so wants to be a leader but shes not leading anyone.

Leader or follower, brainwashed or brainwasher, it doesnt change her accountability for the fact that children JJ and Tylee and mother-of-five Tammy are now dead.

If Lori truly believed she was on a mission from god and that they were all zombies and the kids werent her kids anymore but were just demons in their bodies, then she may have thought she was not killing her kids, says Dr Hassan.

[But] if she was involved in killing her children then she is guilty are there aggravating circumstances? Maybe  but shes still guilty.

Yet, there are other questions around the power that cult beliefs may have played in Vallows killer prowess.

While her bizarre cult beliefs were laid out at trial, so too was the level of planning and conspiring that went into the murders.

On the one hand, Vallow appeared to be preparing for the end of the world based on her bizarre doomsday beliefs.

On the other, she was researching life insurance policies for her children, stealing their social security and survivor benefits and preparing to embark on a new life in Hawaii with Mr Daybell.

In the month before Tylees murder, trial testimony showed that the teens social security benefits were changed to be payable into her mothers bank account instead of her own and the mother and daughter then opened a joint account.

Lori Vallow smiles as she leaves a court hearing (AP)

Less than a month later, Tylee was dead  with all the funds now going straight to her mother.

A similar pattern then unfolded in the days leading up to JJs murder.

Following their murders, the couple then eloped to Hawaii and got married on a beach  a wedding that online searches reveal they had been planning for at least six months (when Tammy was alive and well).

It all comes back to those three key components of the cult playbook.

As prosecutors said in both opening and closing statements of Vallows murder trial: Money, power, and sex  thats what this case is about.

Whether that involves Vallow being under the spell of a cult, being a narcissistic cult leader or simply the drive of her own conscious desires is still a mystery.

As Mr Daybells trial now gets under way, maybe well find out...

This piece was originally published in August 2023.
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Life as Sekeithia Tyler knew it changed forever when her brother Norman Semo Rich was shot and killed inside his Washington DC home over three decades ago.

Shes been fighting for justice ever since  and has never given up hope that his killer would be found.

On 28 March 2024, exactly 34 years to the day that the father of three was gunned down, Sheila Brown, the mother of his children was charged with second-degree murder in his death.

Ms Brown, now 66, was questioned at the time, but never arrested. Until now.

Ms Brown was taken into custody in Annapolis, Maryland on Wednesday, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. On Thursday she was indicted in DC Superior Court on murder and obstruction of justice charges.

When Ms Tyler got the call from the detective, she was in disbelief. And bursting with excitement to share the news.

I never gave up hope, she told The Independent. My brothers been dead for 34 years, 34 years. Its time for answers. Its time for justice.

Ms Tyler added that she knows this is not the end, only the beginning, but said its one step closer to closure for her family.

Sekeithia Tyler has been seeking justice for her brother Norman Semo Rich for 34 years (Provided by Sekeithia Tyler)

Ever since his death, Ms Tyler has been seeking justice for her brothers murder.

When people tell me to move on and to live my life, I tell them Semo is my life, she said.

She has shared updates on her Facebook page Justice for Semo, and has given interviews to the local DC news outlets, as well as NBCs Dateline.

People need to hear his story, she said. Weve tried for years to get people to listen. Its time for everyone to hear the truth about what happened to him.

Ms Tyler never called her brother by his name Norman, but instead his nickname Semo that was given to him by his grandmother who later explained it was because he was intuitive and could see more of the world around him, Ms Tyler told NBCs Dateline in 2021.

Rich, who was the eldest of seven siblings being raised by their mother in Washington DC, was like a father to the children and worked hard to provide for them, Ms Tyler said.

She was 26 years old when her brother was killed.

Norman Semo Rich was fatally shot inside his Washington DC home on 28 March 1990 (Provided by Sekeithia Tyler)

In March 1990, Rich was living at a home on M Street, Northeast, Washington DC with his girlfriend, Sheila Brown, and their three children.

It was Ms Brown who found his body in their bedroom around 1pm and called 911, according to the initial Metropolitan Police report. He had been shot multiple times.

Ms Tyler said she was in shock when she heard the news and went to her brothers house, which was now a crime scene.

I just went to the floor, she told The Independent, relaying the tragic day, something she has done more than she wished to do.

The moment their mother, Helen Rich Frazier, found out about Richs death was captured in an image by a Washington Post photographer and featured on the Metro sections front page.

According to Ms Tyler and the original lead detective in this case, Ms Brown said two men came to their door the morning of 28 March 1990 looking for Rich.

Ms Brown said she recognized one of the men as someone called Ducky. She said she did not know the other man. She told Rich they were at the door and left the house to run errands.

She said, Semo, Semo, there are two men down here to see you, Ms Tyler recalled her saying. And she claims she left the two men on the outside, locked the door and went about her business. Thats what she said.

When she returned, the door was wide open, she said. And Mr Rich was dead.

(Provided by Sekeithia Tyler)

Ms Brown told police she would help them with a composite of the two men she claimed came to the house that day.

But Detective Ruben Sanchez-Serrano, the original lead detective who is now retired, had said in previous interviews that he believed the answer to the case lies with the family.

In a verbal statement he collected from Ms Brown that day, he previously told Dateline that he remembered her being very reluctant, she was combative," he said, despite her offer to help with the composites.

For years, multiple detectives from the Metropolitan Police Departments Homicide Branch have urged the public to come forward with information and offered up a $25,000 reward.

Several people were questioned and potential suspects emerged in the fatal shooting, but nothing led to an arrest.

In January 2021, Detective Michael Fulton took over the investigation, hoping that a fresh look at the case would finally bring it to resolution.

It was Det Fulton who called Ms Tyler to give her the news of the arrest.

(Provided by Sekeithia Tyler )

Ms Tyler, while overjoyed at the news, admitted that its heartbreaking that it took so long for an update in her brothers case.

Their mother, who had been battling cancer of the larynx before Richs death, died a year after the fatal shooting.

Ms Tyler said that even though her mother had been sick for quite some time, it was her brothers murder that finally ended her life.

They are now together, and buried next to each other at a gravesite that Ms Tyler visits often.

Before she died, she told me, you stay on this, she recalled to The Independent.

She told me to never give up hope. And I havent. I never did. And look where we are. Hope is what brought us to this day.
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A Florida official is under investigation after she was accused of stealing a 96-year-old womans savings and spending the money on a facelift and a new home.

Regina Hill, a commissioner for Orlando City, is accused by Florida investigators of securing a power of attorney over the unnamed elderly victim, which she used to buy a home and a facelift, along with clothing, car insurance payments, dental surgery, and a New Years Eve stay at a Miami hotel.

She is also accused of racking up over $10,000 in debt under the womans name.

Ms Hill has not been arrested or charged, but she is the subject of a state investigation that was triggered in February 2023 when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) received a tip from one of her staffers who had been fired.

According to an affidavit obtained by TV station WESH, Ms Hill first met the woman in 2021 after hearing about her poor living conditions.

Within a month, she had become her power of attorney, pre-need guardian, and health care surrogate, the affidavit alleges.

At the time, the woman had more than $164,000 in her savings account.

The woman allegedly told law enforcement agents she remembers signing some sort of document, but did not understand the details of the legal papers.

Court documents also allege that the elderly woman told investigators she did not give Ms Hill her consent to use her savings to secure a mortgage for a home in the Lake Mann Estates area of Orlando.

Ms Hills son and girlfriend are believed to be living in the home, while she lives in a separate home that reportedly once belonged to the elderly womans parents, which she allegedly spent a large portion of the savings to renovate.

An Orange County judge has reportedly ordered Ms Hill to cease all contact with the woman, who has since received a new power of attorney.

Ms Hill, who has served as an Orlando City Council member since 2014, denied the accusations.

Its unfortunate that I have been thrust into these circumstances with these allegations, she said, adding that she loved and cared for the woman like my own family.

I trust in God above all things, and I trust in the process. After 10 years of service for the City of Orlando, Ive illustrated my love and compassion for my constituents, my city, and my family. I know the truth; I know Im entitled to due process, in which I trust, and I will await my day in court to prove my innocence, she told The Independent.

The City has been made aware of an investigation by FDLE and related civil litigation involving Commissioner Hill. We are not privy to any of the details of that investigation, nor are we involved or named in the litigation, the City of Orlando said in a statement.
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A family caught up in the stabbing spree in Illinois on Wednesday, which left four dead and seven injured, says they survived because of their dog and the actions of their son.

Suspect Christian Soto allegedly broke into Darlene Webers home in Rockford after having already killed four people and injured two others.

On Thursday, prosecutors explained how they believe Mr Soto, 22, had forced his way into the house on Cleveland Avenue when Ms Weber opened her door to let the family dog out.

It all happened like such a blink of an eye, Ms Weber told NBC News. Remembering back, it was almost like he literally tried to kill me.

Rockford Mayor gets emotional while delivering update on Illinois stabbing attack

Mr Soto allegedly stabbed her in the face as he made his way into the home, where the mother was at home with her two children, Jacob Vollman, 21, and Cathy Gilfillan, 23.

He looked at me he just had the worlds biggest smile on his face, Mr Vollman told NBC News.

Christian Soto is accused of multiple counts of murder (Rockford Police)

Mr Soto was reportedly covered in blood already, having allegedly killed his friend Jacob Schupbach, 23, his friends mother Ramona Schupbach, 63, mailman Jay Larson, 49, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb.

After stabbing Ms Weber, the family dog, Brandy, bit Mr Soto on the leg. At this point, Mr Vollman said he grabbed a syrup bottle and started beating the attacker with it.

"Im not even kidding. If it wasnt for him, I dont think Id be standing here talking to you right now," Ms Weber added. "I really dont. It was frightening."

Ms Gilfillan had just woken from a nap, hearing screams, and ran upstairs to find her brother fighting the attacker.

The man then turned to her and hit her, before her brother hit him again.

At this point, Mr Soto reportedly left the home, heading for his next victim  a woman in her home on Florence Street and Eggleston Road, who he stabbed multiple times.

She was later saved by a so-called Good Samaritan driver who stopped to help her and was also attacked.

Police investigate stabbings that left several people dead in Rockford, Illinois (AP)

Mr Soto reportedly told police officers that he was at Mr Schupbachs home smoking marijuana, which he said was laced with some kind of narcotic.

He allegedly became paranoid, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, and attacked his friend and Ms Schupbach, before fleeing.

Prosecutors say Mr Soto then stabbed and ran over mailman Jay Larson in the street, before breaking into the home of Jenna Newcomb and beating her, her sister, and friend with a softball bat.

Ms Webers home was allegedly next, before the incident involving the Good Samaritan, where police showed up and arrested him.

The 22-year-old, who lives in the same neighbourhood, is facing four first degree murder charges, as well as multiple attempted murder charges and two home invasion charges.

He is next due in court on 2 April.
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A New Mexico judge has denied Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reeds motion for a new trial and motion for release, saying that Gutierrez-Reeds planned sentencing for 15 April will go forward.

On Friday, Gutierrez-Reed appeared before District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer via teleconference from the county jail where she is being held to make her plea in the hopes of obtaining a new trial.

Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the 2021 shooting on the Rust set that led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Dressed in a beige jumpsuit, Gutierrez-Reed remained straight-faced as her attorney, Jason Bowles, argued to the judge that there had been a mistake in the jury instructions thus warranting a new trial.

The prosecutor for New Mexico disagreed and criticised Mr Bowles for submitting a vague and short motion for a new trial.

Ultimately Judge Sommer agreed with the state, denying Gutierrez-Reeds emergency motion for a new trial.

Later, when Mr Bowles asked the judge to consider releasing Gutierrez-Reed so she could care for her ill father, Judge Sommer denied the motion.

Keep in mind, there was a death that the jury determined was caused by her, so Im not releasing her, Judge Sommer said.

Gutierrez-Reed will appear back in court next month for her sentencing. She faces a maximum of 18 months in prison.

Nearly two and a half years ago, Gutierrez-Reed was working on the set of Rust as the weapons supervisor when filming resulted in a tragic loss.

Alec Baldwin, who is starring in the Western film, pulled a Colt 45 replica from his holster while practising for a scene when it went off. A bullet struck Hutchins in the chest and struck director Joel Souza in the stomach. Hutchins died from her injuries.

Gutierrez-Reed was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 and went to trial earlier this month.

Prosecutors argued Gutierrez-Reed unknowingly brought live ammunition on the set and failed to conduct standard gun safety checks and follow protocol, leading to the fatal shooting.

Moment Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed immediately sent to jail for involuntary manslaughter (Pool via AP)

Mr Bowless argument on Friday hinged largely on a theory that the jury should have been asked to unanimously decide if Gutierrez-Reed was guilty of involuntary manslaughter because of the use of and / or in the jury instruction.

The argument emerged from a recent New Mexico case.

But Judge Sommer did not agree it applied to Gutierrez-Reeds case.

In the final moments of the brief hearing, Gutierrez-Reed appeared disappointed. Her back sank into the chair she was sitting on before the video conference ended.
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The nun stood in front of a group of young students at a Lebanese Christian school and asked them to pray for the men of the resistance in southern Lebanon who she said were defending the country.

The men to whom nun Maya Ziadeh was referring are members of the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which has been clashing with Israel across a volatile border for nearly six months, becoming a critical regional player as the Israel-Hamas war persists in Gaza.

A video capturing Ziadehs comments was widely circulated online earlier this month, outraging some who accused her of brainwashing the children and imposing her political views. Others rallied to her support, commending her stance as courageous and honorable.

The war of words that unfolded highlighted larger, longstanding schisms in Lebanon over Hezbollah, now amplified by the Lebanon-Israel border clashes and by fears that an already crisis-hit Lebanon could be dragged into an all-out war.

There are sharp (political) divisions over Hezbollahs weapons, said Sami Nader, director of the Institute of Political Science at Saint Joseph University of Beirut. And while theres wide support for the Palestinian cause, he said, there are differences over the degree of such support and how to provide it.

Lebanon is home to multiple religious groups. Politically, the presidency is given to a Maronite Christian, the parliament speaker post to a Shiite Muslim and the prime minister's post to a Sunni Muslim.

Although Hezbollah has alliances with figures from other religious groups, the base of its support lies in the Shiite community, while many Christians and Sunnis accuse the group of hijacking the country. The nun's speech generated added attention  and for some, furor in particular because it came from a Christian religious figure.

In the recent video, Ziadeh called for praying for the children, people and mothers of the south and ... for the men of the resistance, describing those who fail to do so as traitors, a characterization that many found troubling, especially given the young age of her audience. Others saw a message of love in her call to pray for the people of southern Lebanon.

In the south, there are students your age who say that our only dreams are to protect our land, the nun told the children.

Lebanese Christian anti-Hezbollah activist Antonios Tawk criticized Ziadeh on X, formerly known as Twitter. He called on the Maronite Catholic church to act because our children are being brainwashed.

Meanwhile, Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement party, Hezbollah's main Christian ally, argued online that when Ziadeh called for prayers, she was implementing the teachings of Jesus.

Ziadeh couldnt be reached for comment.

Officials with Hezbollah, a Shiite military and political powerhouse in Lebanon, say the groups cross-border strikes are in support of Gaza and argue they divert some Israeli forces that would otherwise be focused on Hamas in Gaza, where the territory's health officials say the Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah began attacks on Oct. 8, a day after Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking hostages, triggering the latest war in Gaza.

To Hezbollahs critics in Lebanon, the fighting is a reminder that the groups weapons constitute a threat , not only to internal peace, but because they give Hezbollah a monopoly over war and peace decisions outside state structures, said Randa Slim, senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Middle East Institute. These are existential decisions for the Lebanese population and their representatives are not involved in this decision-making process.

What Hezbollah is doing is destroying Lebanon, Charles Jabbour, a senior member of the Christian Lebanese Forces party, said during a heated debate on a local TV talk show. I'm sure that large parts of (Lebanons) Shiites, dont want their homes destroyed or have their children, women and men killed.

Lina Khatib, an associate fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said even Hezbollahs allies among the Christians are uncomfortable with its unilateral decision to spark a fight with Israel, but that this hasnt translated into a split between Hezbollah and its main Christian political ally.

The Free Patriotic Movement's Bassil has argued that Hezbollahs deterrence prevented Israel from launching an all-out war on Lebanon. But Bassil, who is sanctioned by the United States, also said he opposed Hezbollahs stance that it would only stop attacking Israeli positions when a cease-fire is reached in Gaza.

Among Lebanese Shiites, who were the group most affected by Israel's 18-year occupation of south Lebanon ending in 2000, many see Hezbollah's actions through a different lens.

Houssein Khalil, the Shiite owner of a tourism business, said he believes Hezbollahs cross-border strikes were necessary, not only to support the Palestinians, but because when Israel gets done with Gaza, ... it would have turned to Lebanon, if Hezbollah hadnt intervened.

Khalil said that while his business has suffered, he views such losses as short-term pain.

I support not just Hezbollah, but whoever defends me, my dignity and my rights as long as theyre able to defeat the Israeli enemy and to protect me, he said. The (Lebanese) states capabilities are limited.

When Lebanons 1975-90 civil war ended, Hezbollah was the only militia allowed to keep its weapons as it was leading the fight against Israeli forces that were occupying parts of southern Lebanon at the time.

The group later fought a monthlong war with Israel in 2006, the toll of which is fresh in the mind of the Lebanese.

Today, Lebanon is in the grips of a crippling economic crisis. Some fear that, even if the current fighting doesn't turn into a full-blown war, a state of low-level conflict could become the new normal, further straining the economy and society.

Many Sunni Muslims have criticized Hezbollah over the years for having weapons, especially after the group used them in internal fighting in Beirut in 2008. However, for some, anger over the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the plight of Palestinianswho are mostly Sunni appear to have overshadowed concerns over Hezbollahs weapons for now, providing common ground.

The massacres committed by the Israeli enemy and the destruction makes it compulsory to stand up, said Abed Nakhle, from a predominantly Sunni Beirut neighborhood. I might have an opinion, but were with them (Hezbollah) in this cause.

Some Sunni fighters have joined Hezbollah's militants at the border.

Still, some from Hezbollahs strongholds in the south say theyre feeling the pain.

The fighting along the border has displaced many in both countries, caused casualties and wide damage in towns and villages.

Khatib said a large majority of Lebanese "do not want to see all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel. This sentiment, she added, cuts across sectarian lines.

In the mountain village of Ghbaleh, some of the childrens parents complained about Ziadehs speech, said Youssef Nasr, secretary-general of the Catholic Schools in Lebanon. He denied reports that Ziadeh had been fired from the school and told The Associated Press that the nun was spending some time in a monastery for isolation and reflection.

Nasr said the case of Ziadeh was overplayed by the media, adding that despite the schools respect for freedom of opinion, we prefer that during class hours no disputable matters be discussed that might be approved by some parents and rejected by others.

___

Fam reported from Cairo.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
 Close Missing Sebastian Rogers' father speaks as search reaches one month mark

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A non-profit organisation helping in the search for Sebastian Rogers in Tennessee called off its search on Friday over safety concerns.

Members of the United Cajun Navy reportedly received death threats online and in person, with the group announcing it was regrouping.

Meanwhile, the 15-year-olds parents met with law enforcement on Thursday, as the search for him nears five weeks.

The 15-year-olds father said he could not discuss with reporters what the meeting was about, but insisted that he still has hope that his son is out there somewhere.

I dont know if hes been abducted or if hes just over at a friends house, but Ill know when I find him exactly what has happened to him, Seth Rogers told Fox 17.

Authorities revealed on Tuesday that at least 10,000 miles had been logged by those searching for the autistic teenager, with an Amber Alert still in effect.

He vanished overnight on 25 February, with his mother Katie Proudfoot finding his bed empty the next morning.

So far there has been no sign of him.
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The parents of Sebastian Rogers met with investigators on Thursday, as the search for the missing Tennessee teenager is now in its fifth week.

The 15-year-old, who has autism, vanished overnight on 25 February and has not been seen since.

As the search rumbles on, his father Seth Rogers, mother Katie Proudfoot and stepfather Chris Proudfoot all met with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Thursday.

Mr Rogers told a local reporter that he could not share what was discussed but that he came away from the meeting feeling positive.

Fox 17 reporter Kaitlin Miller had asked him if the meeting had given him hope.

Oh I always have hope. Cant take that away from me, Mr Rogers said, adding that he believes his son is playing video games somewhere and has no idea about the ongoing search for him.

I dont know if hes been abducted or if hes just over at a friends house, but Ill know when I find him exactly what has happened to him.

Sebastian Rogers has been missing for over a month. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)

Wearing a t-shirt with his sons face on, Mr Rogers said that he is continuing to search day-in, day-out for him.

This right here is my own billboard to find my son, Mr Rogers said of his clothing. People notice what people are wearing, so I am a walking handout.

Questions have been mounting over the past few weeks as to how Sebastian could have disappeared without a trace from his mothers home in Hendersonville.

Earlier this week, Ms Proudfoot said she believed someone must be holding her son captive.

She and Mr Proudfoot were criticised for leaving their home in their RV, while his whereabouts remain unknown.

They told Nancy Grace that they did so in order for Mr Proudfoot to return to work.

However they also said they had to leave due to threats being made against them.

Mr Rogers was asked if he believed the pair were suspects at all in Sebastians disappearance.

I have no idea, he said, after a pause.

None of the parents have been accused by law enforcement of having any involvement in Sebastians disappearance and no charges have been filed.

One of the big talking points around the night of Sebastians disappearance has been the appearance of lights on a doorbell camera close to the house, with theories that this was the boy or his abductors leaving.

Mr Rogers said that this is nonsense and the lights were in fact trash collectors.

He also said that there are no signs that the 15-year-old had been speaking to anyone suspicious on his cellphone and no indication that he was planning to run away.

While keyboard warriors continue to post online and raise suspicions about him and the Proudfoots, Mr Rogers said he remains focused on searching for his son.

Im hoping for an Easter miracle, he added. I could definitely use it in my life right now.
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A mob in the Mexican tourist city of Taxco has brutally beat a woman they suspected of kidnapping and killing a young girl, just hours before the citys famous Holy Week procession.

On the eve of Good Friday, men walk through the colonial streets of Taxco wearing hoods, whipping themselves or carrying heavy bundles of thorns in penitence. That and other Holy Week processions date back centuries in the old silver-mining town.

The mob formed after an eight-year-old girl disappeared on Wednesday; her body was found on a road on the outskirts of the city early Thursday. Security camera footage appeared to show a woman and a man loading a bundle, which may have been the girl's body, into a taxi.

The mob surrounded the woman's house on Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police bundled the woman into the bed of a police pickup truck, but then stood by  apparently intimidated by the crowd  as members of the mob dragged her back into the street and stomped, kicked and pummeled her until she lay, partly stripped and motionless, on the street.

Police then picked her up and took her away; the pavement was stained with blood.

This is the result of the bad government we have, said a member of the mob, who gave her name as Andrea but refused to give her last name. This isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened, she said, referring to the murder of the girl, but this is the first time the people have done something.

We are fed up, she said. This time it was an 8-year-old girl.

The prosecutors' office in the state of Guerrero, where Taxco is located, did not respond to requests for comment on the case.

A woman holds a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: Justice for Cami (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, said he shared residents' outrage over the killing. Figueroa said a total of three suspects  the woman and two men  had been rescued by police. Video from the scene suggested they had also been beaten, though The Associated Press witnessed only the beating of the woman.

In a statement issued soon after the event, Figueroa complained he did not get any help from the state government for his small, outnumbered municipal police force.

Unfortunately, up to now we have not received any help or answers, Figueroa said.

Mob attacks in rural Mexico are shockingly common. In 2018, two men were torched by an angry mob in the central state of Puebla, and the next day, a man and woman were dragged from their vehicle, beaten and set afire in the neighboring state of Hidalgo.

But Taxco and other cities in Guerrero state have been particularly prone to violence.

Funeral workers carry the coffin that contain the remains of an 8-year-old girl, in Taxco, Mexico (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In late January, Taxco endured a days-long strike by private taxi and van drivers who suffered threats from one of several drug gangs fighting for control of the area. The situation was so bad that police had to give people rides in the back of their patrol vehicles.

Around the same time, the bullet-ridden bodies of two detectives were found on the outskirts of Taxco. Local media said their bodies showed signs of torture.

In February, Figueroa's own bulletproof car was shot up by gunmen on motorcycles.

In Taxco and throughout Guerrero state, drug cartels and gangs routinely prey on the local population, demanding protection payments from store owners, taxi and bus drivers. They kill those who refuse to pay.

Local residents said they have had enough, even though the violence may further affect tourism.

We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up, there will be a lot of people who won't want to come anymore, said Andrea, the local resident. We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us.
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The streets outside and atmosphere inside Radio City Music Hall offered a dramatic split-screen on Thursday as pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to disrupt a massive fundraiser for President Joe Bidens re-election campaign featuring former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

As a phalanx of police officers surrounded the historic venue, a large group of marchers stood outside waving Palestinian and other flags and chanting slogans, with some denouncing Mr Biden as having blood on [his] hands for Americas continued support of the Israeli government during the countrys six-month-old war on Hamas.

Protesters also made it inside the fundraiser by purchasing tickets with the intent of interrupting the evenings programme to express their displeasure over the war, which has killed more than 30,000 Gaza residents since it began after the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas.

During what Mr Bidens re-election campaign called an armchair conversation with the 46th president, former president Bill Clinton and former president Barack Obama, one protester began shouting shame on you, Joe Biden! before being ushered out by security.

And as Mr Clinton began to answer a question about what he missed most about the presidency, another protester began shouting obscenities about Ukraine and Russia before being joined by other protesters.

Stephen Colbert, the CBS Late Show host and the evenings moderator, interjected to ask Mr Biden about the USs role to ensure the most peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Israel and for Gaza.

Barack Obama, left, Joe Biden, centre, and Bill Clinton at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night (AP)

The president replied that there have been too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian since the war started.

Weve got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians ...Its understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there. But we must in fact, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians, particularly children, he said.

Mr Biden also said his administration has been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar and told attendees that the Saudis are ready to fully recognize Israel for the first time.

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, he added.

A short time later, a second group of protesters disrupted the event as Mr Obama was answering Colberts question on what he misses most about the presidency.

The 44th president quickly hit back to silence the disruption.

No, no listen. You cant just talk and not listen... Thats what the other side does. And it is possible for us to understand that it is possible to have moral clarity and have deeply held beliefs, but still recognize that the world is complicated and it is hard to solve these problems, he said.

A protester is detained outside the venue (REUTERS)

Mr Obama continued, telling the attendees  and the protesters  that hed chosen Mr Biden to be vice president in 2008 because of his moral clarity, his deeply-held beliefs, and his willingness to listen to all sides in this debate and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground.

He also described the presidency as a lonely seat and said one of the realities of the office was that the world has a lot of joy and beauty, but it also has a lot of tragedy and cruelty. People understandably, oftentimes, want to feel a certain purity in terms of how those decisions are made, he said. But a president doesnt have that luxury.

Mr Clinton chimed in as well, praising Mr Biden as someone who genuinely cares about preserving the existence of Israel and genuinely cares about giving the Palestinians a decent state of self governance and the support they need for self determination.

Look, the world we live in is hard because you have to keep two apparently conflicting ideas in your head at the same time. But dont forget, those of you who particularly if youre younger and all you know is the Israeli government denying the rights of the Palestinians... Joe Biden says he wants a two-state solution, he said.

Mr Bidens two most recent Democratic predecessors also offered effusive praise for his first three years in office and warned of the threat to American democracy posed by a resurgent Donald Trump and the Republican Party he controls during the rare joint appearance.

NYPD officers confront Pro-Palestinian demonstrators a few blocks from Radio City Music Hall (Getty Images)

Sitting alongside Mr Biden, Mr Clinton and Mr Obama both said the 2024 general election should not just be litigated as a negative campaign against Mr Trump but as a positive campaign for Mr Biden based on his accomplishments.

Its the positive case for somebody whos done an outstanding job, said Mr Obama, under whom Mr Biden served as vice president for all eight years of the 44th presidents time in the White House.

Sometimes we forget where we started, and where we are now. You got a record breaking job market. Youve got an employment rate that is low as it has been for African Americans, by the way the lowest on record. ever, he said, adding that Mr Biden had successfully picked up the baton on expanding health care coverage to all Americans, building off work Mr Clinton had done to enact the Childrens Health Insurance Program and Mr Obamas own signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act.

Hes now expanded coverage, hes made sure that seniors are seeing big discounts in their prescription drugs, capping insulin drug prices, capping the price of insulin at 35 bucks where it used to cost up to 400... we could obviously go on, he said.

Crowds of protesters gathered outside the venue ahead of the event (REUTERS)

Mr Clinton chimed in a short time later under questioning from Colbert, rendering a similarly positive verdict on Mr Bidens presidency thus far.

Hes really done a good job, he said.

The 42nd president recalled that Mr Biden had opened the fundraiser with a familiar refrain on how the US is at an inflection point in history, and noted that preserving democracy requires one to realise that no one can be right one hundred per cent of the time.

He explained how Mr Trumps claims to have built a solid economy during his term were based on the 45th president having stole from Barack Obama.

I listened to him tell us how terrible the American economy was all during 2016. And then, by January 2017, after the inauguration, it had become wonderful, miraculously, overnight. Well, what happened was actually job growth under President Trump was slower than it was under President Obama. But people didnt feel it. It takes a while to feel it. So then he came and claimed it for everything, he said. Then all of a sudden, Joe Biden comes along and creates roughly twice as many jobs!

Mr Clinton added that he believes in keeping score.

By that score, he said Mr Biden has been good for America and deserves another term.

Stephen Colbert moderated the fundraiser featuring a rare appearance by a serving president and two of his fellow Democratic predecessors (AP)

The full-throated support for Mr Biden expressed by both former presidents  each of whom has had differences with the 46th president at times during their respective public lives  stands in stark contrast with the lack of support for Mr Trump by the few living Republicans whove held the highest offices in the land.

Mr Trump routinely bashes the only living former Republican president, George W Bush, and while Mr Bush has not openly denounced his GOP successor, it is well-known that the 43rd president does not support the 45th in his bid to become the 47th.

Two of the three living ex-Republican vice presidents, Dan Quayle and Dick Cheney, are similarly disinclined to support Mr Trump.

Mr Quayle, who served under Mr Bushs father, the late 41st president George HW Bush, was a key figure in convincing Mr Trumps vice president, Mike Pence, not to interfere with certification of Mr Bidens 2020 election victory.

And Mr Cheney, whose daughter Liz Cheney has become a frequent antagonist of the ex-president since her service on the House January 6 select committee, famously cut an advertisement for his daughters failed congressional re-election campaign two years ago in which he denounced the 45th president.

NYPD officers block pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside Radio City Music Hall during the fundraiser (Getty Images)

The appearance by two of the three living Democratic former presidents capped off a star-studded evening featuring performances from high-profile artists including Queen Latifah and Lizzo, bringing in what the Biden campaign said was at least $26m for its coffers heading into what looks to be a hard-fought rematch with Mr Trump.

Mr Bidens re-election campaign said in a statement that the $26m haul from Thursdays event bested Mr Trumps campaigns fundraising total for the entire month of February and called it latest proof point of a united and energetic coalition ready to re-elect President Biden.
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Donald Trumps mental acuity was questioned on Fox News by Democratic strategist, Jessica Tarlov, during a segment of The Five on Wednesday night.

Co-host Jeanine Pirro said, You know, Jessica, Trump took a mental acuity test and aced it  why wont Biden?

Well, this mental acuity test, which included identifying animals and counting backwards by a factor of seven, is something to give to people who have been in traumatic accidents... its embarrassing when Trump says that and when he did man, person, woman, camera, whatever he said to [former Fox anchor] Chris Wallace, Ms Tarlov said.

Mr Trump has mentioned the test several times in the past.

It was 30 or 35 questions. The first questions are very easy. The last questions are much more difficult, he told Fox News in 2020.

Youll go, person, woman, man, camera, TV, he added. They say, could you repeat that? ... So its, Person, woman, man, camera, TV. OK, thats very good. If you get it in order, you get extra points, he added.

In July of 2020, he told Fox News host Sean Hannity that I proved I was all there because I aced it.

He claimed that the doctors at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland told him, Thats an unbelievable thing. Rarely does anybody do what you just did.

The questions are similar to the questions on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Newsweek noted. The test screens for early signs of dementia.

Fourteen Republican members of the House called on President Joe Biden to take the test in June 2021. One of the signers of a letter arguing for the test was former White House physician Ronny Jackson, now a Texas House Republican representative.

During his time as the White House physician, Dr Jackson said in 2018 that Mr Trump had got a perfect score on a cognitive test, adding that there was no reason whatsoever to think the president has any issues whatsoever with his thought processes.

Dr Jackson was recently demoted by the US Navy following an inspector generals report finding that he drank and took drugs while working in the Trump White House, The Washington Post reported earlier this month.

The report found that Dr Jacksons overall course of conduct towards subordinates disparaged, belittled, bullied, and humiliated them, and fostered a negative work environment, and engaged in inappropriate conduct involving the use of alcohol.

Navy spokesperson Joe Keiley said: The substantiated allegations in the DoDIG [Department of Defense Office of Inspector General] investigation of Rear Adm (lower half) Ronny Jackson are not in keeping with the standards the Navy requires of its leaders and, as such, the Secretary of the Navy took administrative action in July 2022.
 Close Trumps mental acuity questioned on Fox News

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Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to wish a happy Easter to all, including all those he claimed were doing everything possible to put him in jail.

In a lengthy and all-capitalised post on Sunday afternoon, Mr Trump railed against some of his usual suspects, including DOJ special counsel Jack Smith and Georgia attorney Fani Willis.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL... INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, he wrote.

It comes as Republicans, led by the former president, are sounding off on Joe Biden after he issued a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day becasue it happened to coincide with Easter Sunday this year.

Created by a Michigan-based transgender activist, Rachel Crandall, in 2009, International Transgender Day of Visibility (often shortened to Trans Visibility Day) falls on March 31 every year. In 2024, that date coincidentally falls on Easter Sunday, which is determined annually by marking the first Sunday after the full moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox.

President Biden marked the push for transgender rights with a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day on Friday that has immediately set off alarm bells on the far right.
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A Republican official in Georgia has been found by a judge to have voted illegally nine times even as he pushed former President Donald Trumps false claims of fraud in connection to the 2020 election.

The first vice chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, Brian Pritchard, has been fined $5,000 for voting and registering to vote while serving a sentence for a felony.

Administrative Law Judge Lisa Boggs backed the State Election Boards findings in a 25-page ruling on Wednesday, saying that Pritchard voted unlawfully nine times while under extended probation for felonies going back almost three decades.

Following an initial forgery conviction in Pennsylvania in 1996, his three-year probation was revoked thrice  when he moved to Georgia in 1999, as well as in 2002 and in 2004, when a judge set a new sentence of seven years of probation, meaning that Pritchard couldnt vote in the state until 2011, according to NBC News.

But Pritchard filled out a voter registration form with the Gilmer Countys Board of Elections in 2008.

He also signed a statement saying he was not serving a sentence for having been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude.

In 2008, he cast four ballots in the primary and general elections, as well as runoffs  two years later, in 2010, he cast five ballots in primary, general, and special elections.

Pritchard, a conservative radio host, has testified that he was not aware of anything that would have prevented him from registering to vote when he signed the application, adding that he didnt think three years remained on his probation, court filings reveal.

Upon careful consideration of the evidence in its totality, the Court does not find the Respondents explanations credible or convincing, Judge Boggs wrote. At the very least, even if the Court accepts he did not know about his felony sentences, the record before this Court demonstrates that he should have known.

Brian Pritchard has been found to have voted illegally after claiming voter fraud (Screenshot / YouTube / Brian Pritchard)

In a questionnaire that he filled out when running for first vice chair in 2023, she said he would attempt to leverage the influence of the grassroots conservative movement to improve election integrity.

Before assuming the post, he lost a special election for a seat in the state House.

In late December 2022, Pritchard rejected any notion that the voted illegally, writing, The Georgia Secretary of State wants you to believe that I knowingly voted while serving a felony sentence. Never happened! I did vote every time they said, but never illegally.

For those who think a person charged with a felony cant vote, wrong, he added. First, in the state of Pennsylvania, the only time you lose your voting rights is if you are incarcerated. Considering I have never spent a night in jail in my entire life(can everyone say that) I never lost my voting rights in PA. Once your sentence has expired you can vote in the state of Georgia.

In April 2022, Pritchard shared his doubts that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election legitimately.

The button says stolen, he said, pointing to a button on his microphone during a broadcast of his conservative programme. This is what they did to us because I do not believe 81 million people voted for this guy.
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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.
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Europe is in a pre-war era reminiscent of 1939 and nobody will feel safe if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, Donald Tusk has warned

For the first time since 1945, war in Europe is becoming real again, he said.

Mr Tusk, a former president of the European Council and recently elected prime minister of Poland, said Vladimir Putin was escalating his war on Ukraine, attacking Kyiv with hypersonic missiles in daylight for the first time earlier this week.

Full coverage: Ukraine-Russia war  live

We have not experienced a situation like this since 1945, he said in a series of interviews with newspapers including La Reppublica and Welt am Sonntag, in which he directly appealed to Europes leaders to do more to bolster its defences.

We are in a pre-war era. And if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, nobody in Europe will be able to feel safe.

His remarks came as Russia launched a barrage of almost 100 drone and missile attacks across Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman from anti-drone mobile air defence unit fires a machine gun (Reuters)

Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 regions coming under fire, Ukraines interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraines eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the citys thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on 22 March.

Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraines defence industries.

Ukrainian army chaplains attend a service during their graduation ceremony at St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on Friday (EPA)

Meanwhile, Italys air force said on Friday it intercepted unidentified aircraft flying over international waters in the Baltic Sea, which two defence sources in Rome identified as Russian planes.

The two interceptions were carried out on Thursday and Friday morning by Italian Eurofighter jets from the Polish base of Malbork as part of a Nato mission, a statement said.

After completing their activity, the Italian jets returned to the Polish base. The two defence sources said the Russian aircraft were spotted by radar but did not respond to radio signals or requests to communicate.
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Joe Biden said he is working every day to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, a jailed Wall Street Journal reporter the US president said is being held by Russia as a bargaining chip, as the journalist marked one year behind bars.

Mr Gershkovich, 32, became the first US journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) last March during a reporting trip in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Despite being a fully accredited journalist, he was accused of spying for the US by the Russian authorities  an accusation that he, The Wall Street Journal and the US government vociferously deny.

His plight has sparked global uproar and concerns about the collapse of press freedom in Russia. It was even raised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Thursday, when the primate called for the world to pray for Mr Gershkovich over the Easter weekend.

Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter  risking his safety to shine the light of truth on Russias brutal aggression against Ukraine, Mr Biden said in a statement, vowing to work to free Mr Gershkovich and other US citizens locked up in Russia.

He added: We will continue working every day to secure his release. We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russias appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips.

Gershkovich, 32, became the first US journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War (via Reuters)

No one knows exactly how many US citizens are being held in Russia. Another American accused of espionage is Paul Whelan, a corporate executive from Michigan who was arrested in 2018. He was sentenced two years later to 16 years in prison, on charges he also denies.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken condemned Russias actions, saying that in the last year, its already restrictive media landscape has become more oppressive and its authorities are targeting any form of dissent. He called for the immediate release of both men.

To date, Russia has provided no evidence of wrongdoing for a simple reason: Evan did nothing wrong. Journalism is not a crime. People are not bargaining chips, he added.

One year on from his arrest, Mr Gershkovich has not stood trial, nor have the Russian authorities revealed any details of the accusations or any evidence to back up the charges, his friends, families and colleagues say.

Instead, he is being held in pre-trial detention in a tiny cell in Lefortovo prison in eastern Moscow  and his confinement was extended by another three months on Tuesday. He has already made a dozen or so appearances in court, where his incarceration has been extended repeatedly.

Holding a huge banner reading Free Evan in front of the Brandenburg Gate in the German capital Berlin, the journalists close friends said they believe he is being held as a bargaining chip by Russia.

It is unimaginable. Lefortovo prison is designed to break people and cut them off from the outside world. He spends 23 hours in his cell. Its amazing he is still strong, said Francesca Ebel, a close friend and the Russia correspondent for The Washington Post, who told The Independent she communicates with Mr Gershkovich via letters he writes from his jail cell.

Part of his arrest was designed to crush what was left of journalism in Russia. It has had a very chilling effect, she added.

Fridays Wall Street Journal shows a mostly blank front page to mark the first anniversary of the imprisonment in Russia of its reporter (AFP/Getty)

Pjotr Sauer, another close friend and the Russian affairs correspondent for The Guardian, said Mr Gershkovich keeps himself busy replying to at least 5,000 letters that have come in from well-wishers across the world. He said Evan also plays chess with his father and friends via mail.

The world should not forget Evan. He was doing a public service by reporting on what was going on in Russia, shedding light on a country which is so hard to understand, he told The Independent at the gathering. It is not just about our friend, it is about press freedoms.

Mr Gershkovichs plight has drawn worldwide attention and cast a searing light on the lack of free speech in Russia, where the president, Vladimir Putin, has tightened his iron grip on the country, including securing a landslide victory a few weeks ago in a stage-managed election with no serious competition.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal left a giant blank space on its front page with an image at the top of the page of Mr Gershkovich in the newspapers signature pencil drawing and a headline that read: His Story Should Be Here.

Mr Gershkovichs family wrote a letter in the same edition, saying that it has felt like holding our breath.

Russia ranks within the bottom 20 countries in the world for press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which releases a report every year. The global press freedoms watchdog said that since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, almost all independent media have been banned, or blocked, and all others are subject to military censorship.

It is tantamount to state hostage-taking Rebecca Vincent, director of campaigns at RSF

Several Western media outlets, such as the BBC, are no longer accessible in the country  and many Russian and foreign correspondents have been forced to flee.

RSF said that this month alone, six journalists in Russia have been detained, including a reporter who covered the trials of Alexei Navalny before the Russian opposition politician died in suspicious circumstances in an Arctic penal colony in February.

Rebecca Vincent, director of campaigns at RSF, said Mr Gershkovichs arrest and continued detention was tantamount to state hostage-taking.

[His] unjust detention for a full year now in Russia is a stark reminder of the dire press freedom situation in the country, which has deteriorated sharply since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she told The Independent.

Gulnoza Said, the Europe and Central Asia programme coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, told The Independent it is clear that Russia is determined to keep him behind bars for as long as possible.

After February 2022, thousands of journalists fled. There is an unprecedentedly high number of journalists in Russian prisons. Until Evans detention, foreign correspondents were at risk but they thought they might be expelled or banned from entering Russia. With Evans case, a red line was crossed.
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A vigil was held on Friday, 29 March, to pay tribute to victims of last week's Moscow concert hall attack.

A branch of the Isis terror group claimed responsibility for the attack at the Crocus City Hall concert complex.

The death toll rose to 140 on Wednesday after another victim died in a hospital, Russian officials said.

They were one of five people still hospitalised in extremely grave condition, health minister Mikhail Murashko said.

Eighty people injured in the attack remain in hospital and 205 others have sought outpatient medical assistance.

The director of Russias Federal Security Service (the FSB) bizarrely claimed that Kyiv, the US, and the UK were behind the incident, despite Isis's claim and publication of graphic footage of the attack.

We believe that the action was prepared by both the Islamist radicals themselves and was facilitated by Western special services, Alexander Bortnikov, director of the FSB, said.

"The special services of Ukraine are directly related to this, he added.

The lies are officially spread by Patrushev, and after that by the head of the FSB Bortnikov, Mykhailo Podolyak, senior presidential aide to Volodymyr Zelensky, said.
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Russia vetoed a UN resolution on Thursday in a move that effectively abolishes the monitoring by United Nations experts of sanctions against North Korea aimed at reining in its nuclear programme, though the sanctions themselves remain in place.

Russias vote sparked Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its weapons purchases from North Korea for use in its war against Ukraine, which violate UN sanctions.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have heightened with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatening nuclear conflict and escalating tests of nuclear-capable missiles designed to target South Korea, the United States and Japan. The three countries have responded by strengthening their combined military exercises and updating their deterrence plans.

The vote in the 15-member council was 13 in favour, Russia against, and China abstaining. The Security Council resolution would have extended the mandate of the panel of experts for a year, but Russias veto will halt its operation when its current mandate expires at the end of April.

Russias UN 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 US 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 UN 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 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.

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 word to expose sanctions non-compliance, was an inconvenience for Russia, Woodward said.

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 favor of.

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 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 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 $3bn, 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.
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Russia launched a huge attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on Friday, with a barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across the country, Ukraines armed forces said.

Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 Ukrainian regions coming under fire, the countrys interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraines eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the citys thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on March 22.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraines defense industries.

Ukraines state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, said Friday's attack deliberately targeted thermal and hydroelectric power plants across central and western regions.

In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraines Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power stations had come under attack and accused Moscow of risking an ecological disaster similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

People play on the bank of the Dniepr River, in Kyiv, Ukraine (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused the other of destroying the dam, but the various Russian allegations  that it was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives  fail to account for a blast so strong that it registered on seismic monitors in the region.

The dams destruction led to deadly flooding, endangered crops, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an environmental catastrophe.

Zelenskyy also warned that other countries would be threatened if the dams were hit. Dnister Hydroelectric station, located near the city of Novodnistrovsk, Ukraine, is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Moldova.

Not only is Ukraine under threat, but Moldova too, Zelenskyy said. The water will not stop in front of the border.

DTEK, Ukraines largest private electricity operator, also said that three of its thermal power plants had been damaged in the attacks. It announced emergency power shutdowns in the city of Odesa, leaving several neighborhoods without power.

Five people, including a 5-year-old girl, were wounded during the attack in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, said local Gov. Serhii Lysak.

He later said that another man had been killed and one more injured in a separate drone attack Friday.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian police said rescuers had recovered the body of a 66-year-old woman from a building in the Mykolaiv region that was hit by a Russian missile Thursday night.

A child climbs on a rusty armored personnel carrier, part of a display of destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The bombardment in the west of Ukraine caused the Polish Armed Forces to scramble its own aircraft, the countrys operational command said on social media.

Last week, Warsaw demanded an explanation from Moscow after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting the NATO member to activate F-16 fighter jets.

Romanias defense ministry also said on Friday that an investigation has been launched after fragments that appeared to be from a drone were identified on its territory Thursday evening in an agricultural area of Braila county, close to the border with Ukraine.

It did not provide additional details, although since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, NATO member Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions.

Belgorod also came under fire Friday, Russia's Ministry of Defense wrote on social media. It said that it shot down 15 Ukrainian shells, with falling debris damaging a number of residential buildings. No casualties were reported.

Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov later said on social media that one man had died as the result of a separate drone attack which struck an apartment block.
 Close Zelensky rejects Putins claims that Ukraine involved in Moscow attack

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Russia is using barges in a bid to enhance the defences of one of its ports in the Black Sea, Britains Ministry of Defence has said.

It comes following a number of successful Ukrainian strikes on navy ships in the region. Recent imagery analysis has identified four barges positioned at the entrance to the Black Sea fleet facility of Novorossiysk Sea Port, the MoD said in its latest intelligence update.

This is an effort to enhance the defence of the port against attacks from Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs).

Elsewhere, A Russian cruise missile strike on infrastructure in Ukraines western Lviv region killed one man, while another died in an attack in the northeast, officials said Sunday.

The attack in Lviv destroyed a building and sparked a fire, governor Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on social media app Telegram. He said that rescue operations were being conducted.

In the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said that an air attack killed an 19-year-old man after a missile hit a gas station.
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Israeli airstrikes hit the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Friday morning, killing dozens of people including five members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

At about 1.45am local time (10.45pm GMT on Thursday), airstrikes targeted several areas in Aleppos countryside, in which a number of civilians and military personnel were killed, a Syrian Defence Ministry statement said.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the targets were weapons stores used by Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

At least 38 people were confirmed dead in the strikes, according to Reuters news agency, which reported two sources saying that at least five of them were members of Hezbollah.

The Syrian Defence Ministry also confirmed a drone attack was carried out from Idlib and western rural Aleppo. However, the ministry said the attack was conducted by terrorist organisations targeting civilians in Aleppo and its surroundings.

However, the ministry did not mention a specific death toll for the attack.

The aggression resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians and military personnel and caused material losses to public and private property, the statement said.

The Israeli military has not confirmed its role in the attack.

Since the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, which led to the ongoing war, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on Syria, mostly targeting groups allied with Iran, which backs the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

It has also struck Syrian army air defences and some Syrian forces.

This has marked a major escalation in tensions between the Hezbollah and Israel, with the militant group also launching several attacks from southern Lebanon.

Its sway has also increased in vast areas of eastern, southern and northwestern Syria and in several suburbs around the capital.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its bombardment of the southern Gaza strip overnight despite international pressure for an immediate ceasefire.

Air strikes and intense fighting continued on Thursday around three of the Palestinian territorys hospitals, raising fears for patients, medical staff and displaced people inside them.
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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.
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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 you 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 Images)

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 Images)

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 fall foul of acceptable behaviour 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 affect 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 expected to host almost 20 million tourists in 2023 (Getty Images)

Chelsea Dickenson, founder of CheapHolidayExpert.com, told me that she understood the sentiment behind it but that the gentle reminders of good behaviour is 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
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A British Airways flight came just 5ft from disaster after an illegally-flown drone came extremely close to the plane at almost 10,000 ft.

The flight was due to join the holding stack near Sevenoaks before preparing to land when the incident occurred on 3 January.

The plane was carrying around 180 passengers as it flew at 250mph towards London Heathrow when pilots became aware of the object flying nearby.

The pilot stated that the object shot down our right-hand side and described it as extremely close.

Were you on the flight? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk

The report added: They became aware of an object slightly to the right of the nose at same level on a constant bearing with closing distance. It was small but had the distinctive shape of a drone.

UK Airprox Board, which assesses near aviation misses, classed the near miss as a Category A incident meaning there was a serious risk of collision.

The legal height to fly a drone in the UK is just 400ft and there has been increased concern about the dangers they pose to flying.

The drone in question was over 24 times the usual limit and the report details how it came just 5ft over the Airbus A321s wing and 30ft from the cockpit.

It is not known if the operator of the drone was ever found, however one can be jailed for up to five years for endangering an aircraft.

Drones can potentially cause catastrophic damage to planes by being sucked into a jet engine or breaking a windscreen.

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. 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 report added.

A British Airways spokesperson told The Independent: We take such matters extremely seriously and our pilots report incidents so that the authorities can investigate and take appropriate action.
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Several places spring to mind for the classic UK staycation, whether its the honey-hued villages of the Cotswolds or the elegant cityscape of Edinburgh. But in summer, few destinations seem to capture the British imagination like Cornwall does.

From the shores of St Ives to the inland capital of Truro, Cornwall is a perennial staycation favourite thanks to beautiful beaches, picturesque towns and villages, and some of the finest walking trails in the country.

However, occasionally its highlights can become its undoing, as parts of the county become almost overrun during the summer, with locals and tourists alike competing for parking spaces and hotel places.

The best way to avoid these crowds? Try exploring the parts of Cornwall that remain off the beaten path. This may sound like a challenge in a county thats so popular with tourists but if you know where to look its possible to find peace and serenity.

From hidden stretches of golden coastline to quaint fishing villages and locally famous landmarks, a tour of some of Cornwalls less crowded spots is also an exploration of Cornish culture, history and natural beauty. Read on for a selection of less visited spots.

Frenchmans Creek, Helford

Novelist Daphne Du Maurier named a book after this part of the Helford River (Getty Images)

Frenchmans Creek is a particularly scenic point on the Helford River, near the village of Helford itself. The width of the river around here means that kayaking and even small boat trips are possible, and theres a popular three-mile walk that takes in the woodland and farmland while leading you to the top of a nearby hill for the best views over the creek itself.

Read more on Cornwall travel:

Cawsand and Kingsand

These twin villages were once a haven for smugglers, and were almost attacked by the Spanish Navy in 1596 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Cawsand and Kingsand are twin villages in the southeast of Cornwall, on the countys quieter, more secluded Rame Peninsula. This area, also known as Cornwalls forgotten corner, is an officially designated area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and this, combined with its difficult-to-reach location, means that it is a natural haven that avoids the type of crowds that are typical of a Cornish summer.

Both of these villages are quintessentially Cornish, with narrow streets lined with fishing cottages that lead down to small stretches of village beach. They can get busier on the weekends due to day-trippers from Devon, but these villages remain firmly off Cornwalls beaten path.

Lantic Bay

Lantic Bay is a good swimming spot thanks to calm waters (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Lantic Bay is found between the towns of Fowey and Polperro, in the northern part of the county. Verdant hills, golden sands and turquoise waters combine to offer one of Cornwalls most picturesque beach spots, and despite being a fairly well-known part of the county, it is rarely packed with visitors. This is mainly down to the difficulty in reaching the shores, with steep and sometimes uneven paths  but the effort is more than worth it.

Roche Rock

Roche is around six miles north of St Austell (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Roche Rock is a 20-metre-high rocky outcrop near the town of Roche, in the heart of Cornwalls china clay country. On top of the rock sits a supposedly haunted 15th-century chapel, dedicated to St Michael, which rises out of the granite landscape . The chapel is said to have been home to hermits, and to this day is still the subject of various local folk tales.

Pentire Steps

Pentire Steps is a popular surfing spot (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Pentire Steps is the quieter, more northerly neighbour of Bedruthan Steps. It lies between Padstow and Newquay, and this cove is the ideal secluded spot for a brief stop during a walk or hike. Its not suitable for a day trip  due to lack of facilities, strong currents and the fact that the beach disappears at high tide  but this means that it is rarely crowded, so theres a chance youll have the golden sands to yourself.

Port Quin

Port Quin is just a couple of miles from Port Isaac, one of Cornwalls tourist hotspots (Getty Images)

Port Quin is another secluded coastal spot in the north of the county. This sheltered inlet lies on an unspoilt part of the coast, perhaps less visited because of its lack of sand. The rocky shores are more popular with those looking to paddleboard or kayak in the calm waters. Four cottages line the beach here, all of which belong to the National Trust and can be rented out for the ultimate in secluded accommodation.

Cadgwith

Cadgwith is referred to as a village that was forgotten by the 21st century (Getty Images)

Cadgwith is another picture-perfect Cornish fishing village. Its located on the eastern side of the Lizard peninsula, and usually remains free from the crowds that can plague places such as St Ives. The village rises gently from the shores, with the rolling hills sparsely populated with thatched fishing cottages and a lively local pub, which give this charming village a real sense of tradition and, in places, a sense of being lost in time.

Rough Tor

A tor is a large, free-standing rock (Getty Images)

Bodmin Moor has 35 different tors, but Rough Tor is certainly one of the most impressive of these rock formations. The site itself has an ancient beauty  in its neolithic monuments and Bronze Age hut circles  thats somewhat comparable to Stonehenge, and if you visit at the right time during a walk or hike, you might have part of the moors to yourself.

Read our reviews of the best hotels in Cornwall
Pay dispute could see new Airbus A321XLR aircraft reallocated within IAG group

Aer Lingus is due to receive two of the new Airbus A321XLR jets this year

A new Airbus A321 XLR jet that was due to join the Aer Lingus fleet this year is just weeks away from being reallocated by parent IAG to another group carrier as a result of a continuing pay dispute, the airline has warned.

Aer Lingus has requested a meeting with the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) to see if a resolution can be achieved within the next four weeks before a decision on the painting of the new aircraft in Aer Lingus livery must be made.

It is understood that the pilot union has agreed to the request and that a meeting between the sides will be held next week.

The airline and the union are set to clash at the Labour Court as it begins considering the pay dispute on April 22. That followed failed efforts to reach agreement at the Workplace Relations Commission.

Aer Lingus, whose chief executive is Lynne Embleton, is part of the IAG group that also owns British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.

The airline has told IALPA that deliveries of the A321XLR jets that were due to join the Aer Lingus fleet have now been paused.

Aer Lingus had anticipated receiving two of the jets in the final quarter of this year, but IAG chief executive Luis Gallego said last month that without a pilot pay agreement at the airline, those jets might now be deployed elsewhere within the group. The XLR aircraft can be used to serve the United States from Ireland.

The original idea was that they were going to fly in Aer Lingus, but today, I can tell you, without an agreement [with pilots], theyre not going to fly in Aer Lingus, he said.

IAG chief executive Luis Gallego

A decision must be made by the end of April regarding the livery for the first of the A321XLR jets that was due for delivery for Aer Lingus.

If a pay agreement cant be reached by then, the jet would likely be allocated to another airline within the IAG group.

In order to avoid that, Aer Lingus wants to see if an agreement can be thrashed out with pilots before the painting deadline and the potential loss of the jet to another IAG carrier.

Aer Lingus chief executive Lynne Embleton

While we remain fully committed to the Labour Court process, the above timeline requires a decision on painting to be made by 28th April, which is not possible given the current Labour Court date, expected timelines for any recommendation and subsequent consideration by Aer Lingus, IALPA and any ballot, Aer Lingus chief operations officer Adrian Dunne told IALPA president Mark Tighe in a letter this week.

It is incumbent on us to try to find a solution as soon as possible, he added.

The airline warned pilots in a letter earlier this month that the potential loss of the planned A321XLR aircraft scheduled for delivery to Aer Lingus this year would immediately reduce its pilot requirement by 80 and its command requirement by 40.

An independent Pilot Pay Tribunal had last year recommended a 12.25pc increase in consolidated pay and a 1.5pc rise in unconsolidated pay for Aer Lingus pilots.

IALPAs pay proposal includes a 20pc pay rise and the additional 7pc covering the cost by pilots of a 2019 crewing agreement. The 12.25pc proposed by the carrier included 3.75pc to pay for that crewing agreement.
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Oppenheimer has finally premiered in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film.

Japanese filmgoers reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.

Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima when he was three, said he has been fascinated by the story of J Robert Oppenheimer, often called the father of the atomic bomb for leading the Manhattan Project.

What were the Japanese thinking, carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbour, starting a war they could never hope to win, he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

He is now chairperson of a group of bomb victims called the Japan Confederation of A and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisation and he saw Oppenheimer at a preview event.

Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas arrive for the UK premiere of Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA)

During the whole movie, I was waiting and waiting for the Hiroshima bombing scene to come on, but it never did, Mr Mimaki said.

Oppenheimer does not directly depict what happened on the ground when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, turning some 100,000 people instantly into ashes, and killed thousands more in the days that followed, mostly civilians.

The film instead focuses on Oppenheimer as a person and his internal conflicts.

The films release in Japan, more than eight months after it opened in the US, had been watched with trepidation because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

Former Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka, who spoke at a preview event for the film in the south-western city, was more critical of what was omitted.

From Hiroshimas standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted, he was quoted as saying by Japanese media.

The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans.

Some moviegoers offered praise. One man emerging from a Tokyo theatre said the movie was great, stressing that the topic was of great interest to Japanese, although emotionally volatile as well.

Another said he got choked up over the films scenes depicting Oppenheimers inner turmoil. Neither man would give his name to an Associated Press journalist.

Cillian Murphy won several awards for his role (Ian West/PA)

In a sign of the historical controversy, a backlash flared last year over the Barbenheimer marketing phenomenon that merged pink-and-fun Barbie with seriously intense Oppenheimer.

Warner Bros Japan, which distributed Barbie in the country, apologised after some memes depicted the Mattel doll with atomic blast imagery.

Kazuhiro Maeshima, professor at Sophia University, who specialises in US politics, called the film an expression of an American conscience.

Those who expect an anti-war movie may be disappointed. But the telling of Oppenheimers story in a Hollywood blockbuster would have been unthinkable several decades ago, when justification of nuclear weapons dominated American sentiments, Mr Maeshima said.

The work shows an America that has changed dramatically, he said in a telephone interview.

Others suggested the world might be ready for a Japanese response to that story.

Takashi Yamazaki, director of Godzilla Minus One  which won the Oscar for visual effects and is a powerful statement on nuclear catastrophe in its own way, suggested he might be the man for that job.

I feel there needs to an answer from Japan to Oppenheimer. Someday, I would like to make that movie, he said in an online dialogue with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan.

Nolan heartily agreed.

Hiroyuki Shinju, a lawyer, noted Japan and Germany also carried out wartime atrocities, even as the nuclear threat grows around the world.

Historians say Japan was also working on nuclear weapons during the Second World War and would have almost certainly used them against other nations, Mr Shinju said.

This movie can serve as the starting point for addressing the legitimacy of the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as humanitys, and Japans, reflections on nuclear weapons and war, he wrote in his commentary on Oppenheimer published by the Tokyo Bar Association.
Ahead of the bands appearance at the 3Arena in May, Dan Auerbach talks about the making of new album Ohio Players and how the band grew a thicker skin

It may seem like an obvious observation, but playing in one of the most renowned rock duos of their generation is supposed to be, well, fun. After over 20 years together as The Black Keys, though, fun is a concept that Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have only recently embraced in any meaningful way.

Now, with their 12th studio album about to be released, the band from Akron, Ohio, have hit a creative purple patch. Ohio Players, named after the 1970s funk band, continues where their previous album Dropout Boogie left off. It incorporates soul and hip-hop into their blues-rock sound, and there are collaborations with numerous musical friends and acquaintances  some of them less expected than others.

Frontman and guitarist Auerbach says they had a change in mindset following 2021 album Delta Kream, a collection of hill country blues covers, and their Record Hangs  vinyl DJ dance parties held in venues around the world.

We thought Oh. We can just get together and have complete fun, and not have to worry about anything; just put out a record, he says from his home in Nashville. That was really refreshing to us; we didnt even have to tour it [their facetious World Tour that year consisted of just three intimate venues in the US].

And then we started to enjoy it, and that made us want to work harder. We were having fun, he shrugs, and I dont think weve ever worked more on a record than on this one.

Auerbach has just returned from the SXSW festival in Texas where the Black Keys performed, promoted various artists signed to their Easy Eye Sound label and attended the world premiere of This is a Film About the Black Keys. The documentary film charts their history from college dropouts, to becoming one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century.

Watching himself on screen, Auerbach agrees, was not enjoyable. I would give my acting a very low Rotten Tomatoes score, he laughs. But its funny; I dont think my perspective has changed much over the years. Im still after the same things, really: just trying to make things I like. I mean, Im glad I dont have to make another documentary.

He chuckles. Looking back is not my favourite thing; I like to move forward. I like to wake up early in the morning and think about what I gotta do today. But it is nice that [our] story was able to be told.

One thing that has changed is The Black Keys willingness to collaborate. Although they have dabbled in co-songwriting with the likes of producer Danger Mouse on 2014s Turn Blue, with ZZ Tops Billy Gibbons on Dropout Boogie and a multitude of rappers on 2009s rap-rock crossover album Blakroc, the Black Keys songwriting room has largely been a closed shop until now.

The first person we called was Beck, says Auerbach of the fellow indie superstar who co-wrote several tracks on Ohio Players. Weve known him for years and years and weve talked about getting together, but we just never did. But the first day we got together, we wrote This is Nowhere  so we just hit the ground running. And Im glad it took that long to get together, because we just werent ready. Even five years ago, we just werent ready. Now, were in a good place, and comfortable enough with ourselves to sit back and let someone else in.

Whats different? Auerbach contemplates the question for a moment. We were just so absolutely crippled by insecurity when we first started, he admits. We would just hole up in a basement or an abandoned tyre factory  just the two of us, for hours on end  trying to figure out how to make things work. But every time we open ourselves up to collaboration, it always pays off  and we only invite people into our world that we are genuinely interested in, or respect the work of.

Another more unexpected name in the writing credits of Ohio Players was former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, whom The Black Keys had previously only met in passing a couple of times.

When we thought about people who were great songwriters, he was one of the first to come to mind, he nods. [Hes] just someone who is similar to Tom Petty; you dont even have to own the records, you just magically know all the songs, somehow, because theyre just in the fabric of everyday life. Everyone told us, He doesnt co-write with anybody. He never does that, but we reached out, and he said hed be interested if we came to London. So we hopped on a plane and we took a chance.

They met in tiny analogue recording studio Toe Rag in London, and we hammered out three songs in three days. We had so much fun, he recalls. We were really kind of nervous when we started, but when we got that first song done, it took the pressure off and we really got to enjoy it. Hes funny as hell to be around, and it was incredible to watch him do his thing and work his magic.

Ohio Players also returns to the pairs love of hip-hop with Candy and Her Friends, which features 1990s Memphis rapper Lil Noid, and Paper Crowns, which features Beck and hip-hop star Juicy J. We were just inspired by that music over the last two years of making Ohio Players, says Auerbach. It did remind me of the process of Blackroc a little bit  but this was its own thing.

Given how versatile and celebratory this album is, it would be understandable if the Black Keys felt underestimated by some quarters over the course of their career, reduced to a simplistic blues-rock duo headline. Auerbach chuckles.

I think any band who has enough hits just gets hate. With the hits comes the hate, and thats just how it is. I think weve always just done what we do, and weve only really recently started to come out of our shells, to be honest.

We did an almost inhumane amount of touring, and I think it really burned us out

He sighs softly. I think we maybe used to think more about that kind of stuff. I know Pat did a lot, and it used to bug him a lot. But I dunno. Weve gotten to a place where were sort of comfortable with ourselves, and I think its the same reason were comfortable with collaborating now. We dont worry about that shit any more. When we see a nasty comment, its usually the one that we think is the funniest, he adds, laughing. Sometimes I wish there were more, because theyre entertaining.

There is no question that everything changed for the Black Keys with their 2010 album Brothers, which spawned massive singles Tighten Up and Howlin for You. It nudged the pairs trajectory from leftfield indie band with a cult following into mainstream territory, and the shows grew bigger and bigger. Suddenly, after years of playing theatres, they were filling arenas and headlining festivals.

I think that what we could never get comfortable with was the amount of touring, admits Auerbach of that transitional period. We did an almost inhumane amount of touring, and I think it really burned us out. No one that we were paying to advise us ever suggested taking some time off  so we really had to figure that out for ourselves and yeah, it almost burned us out.

It wasnt because we didnt love making music together; it was because we didnt get to make enough music together. That was the problem. Going on stage and playing the same stuff every night is fun to a point, but you cant overdo it and youve gotta be able to create new stuff. You have to have time to be creative, or else the shows suffer and everything else suffers. So we just pay closer attention to that, now.

Their coping strategies for long tours now are simple. We spend a lot of money on a nice hotel, he laughs. Eat a nice steak? I dunno. Stuff like that; stuff that we never used to do.

Although Auerbachs other band, The Arcs, released their second album last year, its also been seven years now since his last solo album, the excellent Waiting on a Song. There will be another at some stage, he promises, when he figures out some way of mapping out the hundreds of tracks currently sitting on hard drives.

For now, there is plenty else to be getting on with. He returns again to that notion of looking forward, not back; a particularly apt philosophy during what feels like a new dawn for The Black Keys. If nothing else, Ohio Players has proven their enduring ambition and bountiful ideas. The possibilities, Auerbach agrees, are endless.

I feel like we make music that you can kind of grow old with, maybe, he muses. We dont really get too dressed up, and its never been about image with us; its always been a little bit raw. I think music like that ages a little more gracefully.

But yknow most of my heroes when I was young were in their 60s and 70s: RL Burnside, T-Model Ford, Junior Kimbrough. These are guys who were alive playing shows, and they were old as hell when I was going to see them, but they were my favourites. He stops, laughing loudly at the notion of he and Patrick following the same path as those grizzled bluesmen, another 30 years down the line. I dunno, he says with another soft chuckle. I think we still got a ways to go.

Ohio Players is released on April 5. The Black Keys play Dublins 3Arena on May 3
The operator of Dublin Airport has said it will not appeal the competition regulator's decision to block its purchase of the former QuickPark car park in Santry.

DAA said it made the decision following careful review of the decision and in the interests of the facility's 6,200 spaces being made available for passengers in time for summer.

Car parking at the airport is frequently fully booked out during busy periods.

DAA, headed by chief executive Kenny Jacobs, had proposed to buy the car park which is located on the Swords Road in Santry from businessman and developer Gerry Gannon so that parking could be provided for passengers during the airports busy periods.

The QuickPark-branded car park had operated on the site but closed in September 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic leaving a gap in the market once travel resumed.

Read more Dublin Airport stopped from buying car park over price fears

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) had blocked the sale of the car park near Dublin Airport to DAA due to concerns it would lead to higher prices and lower service quality for consumers.

The CCPC investigation found the deal would substantially lessen competition in car parking serving the capitals airport, as its authority would own more than 90pc of the public car parking spaces if the purchase went ahead.

CCPC said at the time it made its decision, however, that there was significant interest from other parties in buying the site for car parking for airport passengers and that it was likely to be bought and reopened in the near term.

The investigation, which took place after the CCPC received 18 submissions from third parties, 16 of which raised concerns about the purchase, found the purchase of the facility would result in DAA essentially having a near monopoly.

There is an urgent need for more parking spaces at Dublin Airport and DAA now calls on the owners of the QuickPark site and any other potential bidders to act speedily to get the facility back open for consumers, DAA said this morning in an update.

It added that this is to alleviate the significant strain that's on Dublin Airport's car parks all of which are fully sold out this Easter weekend.

Allowing DAA to own and operate the former QuickPark facility would have been a good result for consumers, bringing increased choice and lower prices for the travelling public, DAA said.

While DAA sees merit in an appeal of the CCPC decision, the expectation is that any appeals process would take years, and our passengers cannot wait that long for these spaces to come on the market.

DAA also said it encourages all parties to ensure the prompt delivery of the BusConnects and MetroLink projects.

It said this will provide sustainable transport options for passengers looking to get to and from Ireland's national airport taking tens of thousands of car journeys off the roads each year.
GPs are being drafted in to set up a screening station at the front door of the emergency department of the most overcrowded hospital in the country.

The move comes as a new set of measures are rolled out after a winter of record numbers of patients on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick (UHL), where there have been long delays for beds.

Concern about the levels of patient distress due to the log-jam grew in recent days following an inquest into the death of Martin Abbott (65), who may have been lying on the floor for over an hour in UHL emergency department, with rigor mortis having set in by the time he was found.

The circumstances involving the care of Limerick man Mr Abbott, who attended the hospital in December 2019, were revealed as an inquest heard he was discovered lying face down beside his trolley by nursing staff.

He had received a kidney transplant several years earlier and, as he was immunosupressed, had been placed in a cubicle in the emergency department.

Three other reviews of patient deaths at the hospital are also at different stages.

The latest plan will see a GP from the local out-of-hours service screen patients arriving at the emergency department and treating them if they have a low-level medical condition.

Currently, around half of patients who attend the emergency department arrive without a GP referral, even though a family doctor may have been able to treat them in many cases.

They are spending hours waiting to be seen by emergency department staff who are being diverted from caring for more seriously ill patients.

A spokesman for the hospital said around 50pc of patients attending the emergency department do so without a GP referral, a higher proportion than any other emergency department in the country.

Under the new pathway, patients will be invited to see a GP in the first instance, potentially avoiding an ED attendance with other options being available, the spokesman added. This may include patients being streamed to our services in St Johns Hospital and Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals.

A primary care triage nurse will be based in triage in the emergency department and an out-of-hours GP will be based adjacent to the department. The hours of service will be noon to 10pm, seven days a week. As with other GP services, fees may apply for patients on the new primary care pathway.

HSE chief Bernard Gloster recently cited the move as one of a package of measures being implemented to relieve pressures on the hospitals emergency department.

Other measures include retaining some older open-plan wards with several patient beds, even when 96 new beds come on stream. It is also planned to use a new public nursing home in Nenagh as a step-down facility for patients from the hospital to allow more efficient discharges.

Mr Gloster said the plan to station a GP at the front of the emergency department will start in a few weeks and clinical governance will need to be finalised. This will set out how these patients are triaged and selected for consultation with the GP.

He added, however, that the GP plan had been implemented before and it was the view of the hospital that it did not make much difference.

It is also planned to have the medical assessment units in St Johns Hospital and Ennis Hospital open around the clock. However, there are no plans to reopen their emergency departments, despite the demands of local campaigners.

A report is expected in the coming weeks on the death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston from Shannon, Co Clare.

She waited 12 hours to be treated for sepsis in the overcrowded emergency department and died two days later on December 19, 2022.

Retired judge Frank Clarke has sought more time to complete his independent investigation. An inquest into Aoifes death is due to take place next month, but may be adjourned if the report is not ready.

Two other patient deaths have occurred at the hospital since he began his investigation last December.

A 16-year-old girl, who was having breathing difficulties, died suddenly in the emergency department on January 29. She had initially spent two weeks in hospital with a serious respiratory infection and was discharged on January 23.

She was readmitted on January 29, but collapsed and died in the emergency department. A preliminary report on the circumstances of her death has been completed and given to her family.

Last month, a 33-year-old woman died suddenly, four days after she was admitted to UHL from University Maternity Hospital Limerick. She lost her baby after she was admitted to UHL.

The next day, the womans condition deteriorated rapidly and she suffered a cardiac arrest.

An inquiry is under way into her death.
Martin Abbotts daughter tells of anguish over events at Limerick hospital

Anne-Marie Abbott was worried about leaving her father, Martin, in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) at 10pm that December night, just eight days before Christmas 2019.

With her mother, Mary, she had spent hours over the previous three days with Mr Abbott (65), who had been taken to the UHL emergency department on December 14. The department was crowded, and nurses and doctors were visibly under stress.
I was told the house would be ready in August  delays leave buyers of homes in Meath estate facing rental evictions

People who paid 38,500 deposit for houses in Enfield development kept in dark

People who paid 38,500 deposit for houses in Enfield development kept in dark

Amy Molloy Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 03:30

Home-buyers who were due to move into their new houses last autumn say consistent delays have left them facing eviction from rental homes.
The Labour Party  once described as godless by its conservative party opponents  wants Good Friday to be a State holiday.

Workers rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock has urged the Government to end the discretionary treatment of Good Friday.

While some public services go dark for the day commemorating Christs crucifixion, Labour wants it as a permanent public holiday for all workers.

Senator Sherlock said: The situation as it stands is deeply unfair for workers. There is always confusion among workers as to whether Good Friday counts as a public holiday or not.

There are some employers who treat Good Friday as a discretionary day. However, we know that the majority of workers in retail, tourism and hospitality fail to benefit from this.

Labour is calling on Government to make Good Friday a public holiday for all workers to provide equality across the board.

Its deeply unfair that some workers benefit due to the benevolence of their employer, while others do not.

The failure to regularise the situation points to a government out of touch with many workers in the economy.

Designating Good Friday as a public holiday could be a win-win decision, according to Senator Sherlock.

We know the benefit of public holidays to workers  with additional time to rest, relax, spend quality time with friends and family  but also the benefit to the economy as a whole, she said.

Extra public holidays are just one way of improving life for workers in Ireland.

The introduction of the new public holiday in February was welcome, but we need to look at work across the economy as a whole and ensure its fair for all.
Archbishop Dermot Farrell gives his homily at the Chrism mass yesterday in the Pro Cathedral, Dublin, where he spoke about the vocations crisis in the Catholic Church. Photo: John McElroy

It is not possible to have ever larger parishes with fewer and fewer priests, the countrys top Catholic prelate has said.

Speaking about the vocations crisis and the changing vision of priesthood in Dublins Pro Cathedral yesterday, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said many of the pastoral approaches and strategies that worked for the church in this land over the last two centuries no longer work in the 21st century.

Addressing the congregation, the leader of the countrys largest diocese said: None of us needs to be told how our church is going through a wilderness time.

In life, crises bring people to a sense of reality  in church life it is no different, Dr Farrell said, adding that the constraint of numbers was bringing us to see more clearly what lies at the heart of priesthood in our tradition.

As Christians prepare for the most sacred time of their year, he told the congregation gathered for this years Chrism mass: There will remain a tension between, on the one hand, discerning where the spirit is leading us into the future and, on the other hand, acknowledging the draw of the past, and of our traditions, which have given so much expression to who we are.

However, Dr Farrell, whose diocese encompasses 197 parishes serving more than one million Catholics, said he would like to move beyond the temptation of looking only at what has been lost, and consider what has been received, and this included becoming a humbler church.

Another aspect of this change was the greater participation of the laity in the life and ministry of the church.

Priests and people are beginning to work in a more co-responsible way. The chaplain who is a mother can minister in a way that complements the ministry of the priest. It is not either-or; it is both-and.

Meanwhile, in Sligo, Bishop Kevin Doran has spoken about his concerns over assisted dying.

At the Chrism mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Dr Doran said it was understandable that people facing chronic or terminal illness sometimes felt they might be better off if they were dead.

But a society which has nothing more to offer to people than to assist them in ending their own lives has really lost its way, he said.

Through the time spent with the sick, listening to them, providing essential care, sharing memories, and, perhaps, praying with them, we bear witness in action to the fact that there is no such thing as a life without value, and that care for the most vulnerable is a measure of our humanity.

Doctors and nurses, chaplains and carers, family members and friends form communities of care around those who are sick at home or in hospital.

People who are sick need to know, above all, that they are loved and that they will not be abandoned, whatever happens. That becomes especially important when there is nothing more that medical science can do, he said.
A Fianna Fail TD running for the European elections has been asked not to bring his election mode car on to the Leinster House site.

Laois-Offaly TD Barry Cowens face and name were spotted plastered all over a car parked in the rear car park at Leinster House on Wednesday.

Mr Cowen said the car is in election mode and has posters with his name, face and other Fianna Fail branding on the bonnet, rear window and sides of the car.

He is hoping to take a European seat in the Midlands-North West constituency, and is among three Fianna Fail candidates on the ticket, including Senators Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney.

A spokesperson for the Houses of the Oireachtas said the Leinster House grounds should not be used for electioneering.

If cars (are) brought to our attention or noticed, car owners would be asked to remove them while parked on campus, they said.

Mr Cowen said he was asked not to bring the car on the campus again.

Thats fine by me and I wont be parking there again while car is in election mode, he said.

The former agriculture minister was sacked by Tanaiste Micheal Martin when he refused to take questions in the Dail about a drink-driving ban in 2020.

Mr Martin said he had extensive discussions with Mr Cowen about claims he sought to evade gardai, which the Offaly TD insisted were completely untrue.

In a statement posted on X, Mr Cowen later said he was surprised and disappointed to be informed by the Taoiseach over the phone of his sacking.

He is widely tipped to take a seat for his party in a constituency where it has had no MEP for 15 years.

Meanwhile, Dublin Rathdown TD Josepha Madigan said she should not have filmed a campaign video in Leinster House while she was seeking the Fine Gael nod for the European Dublin seat.

Despite being viewed as the party favourite, Ms Madigan lost out and Senator Regina Doherty was selected instead.

Fianna Fail is running former RTE presenter Cynthia Ni Mhurchu in the Ireland South constituency, as well as sitting MEP Billy Kelleher.

Barry Andrews is seeking re-election in Dublin.
Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old is due to appear in court in Newry next month in relation to non-recent allegations.

Mr Donaldson had said he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

They were both arrested early on Thursday by PSNI detectives and questioned before being charged on Thursday night.

Sources said Mr Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment.

He has been suspended by the Orange Order.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: Jeffrey Donaldsons membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made."

Meanwhile, the Irish Government and senior politicians are remaining quiet over the thunderclap delivered to Northern Ireland politics by the laying of criminal charges against Mr Donaldson.

The Department of Foreign Affairs released an official comment shortly after 3pm on Friday, saying: We note the appointment of an interim leader of the DUP.

We will continue to work with all parties to ensure the full and effective functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions.

Politicians were earlier refusing comment, even off the record, but many had been involved in a tidal wave of WhatsApp and text messages across the establishment system as news began to emerge.

Senior personalities here said the nature of the supposed allegations meant the matter was too sensitive to discuss.

But senior civil servants and party advisers were discussing the claimants and the very fact of charges, while the deletion of Mr Donaldsons social media accounts ironically sent social media into overdrive.

Iveagh House sources said they already have details on Gavin Robinson MP, the new interim leader of the DUP.

He is the large to Jeffreys little, said one, but perhaps it is the inverse in terms of political heft and brainpower.

The DUP confirmed Mr Donaldsons resignation shortly before 1pm.

Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

His departure will have implications for the political institutions in Northern Ireland. Mr Donaldson agreed a deal to restore power-sharing just weeks ago.

Sinn Fein leader Michelle ONeill said her priority is ensuring the Executive delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP said: "The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

"The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

According to the BBC, the letter from Mr Donaldson states he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

There had been mounting speculation about Mr Donaldsons future on Friday morning with reports of an unscheduled DUP party officers meeting.

Sources believe only a tiny number of officials knew what was going on.

His social media accounts had also disappeared overnight.

It is further understood that Mr Donaldson also withdrew from a number of scheduled appearances at late notice yesterday.

Pictures of Mr Donaldson and other statements from him have been removed from the DUP website.

Earlier, a PSNI spokesperson said: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences. A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

"Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on April 24.

"As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after Mr Donaldson made the decision to bring the party back to power-sharing at Stormont.

Mr Donaldson, who has been DUP leader since 2021, has been MP for Lagan Valley since 1997.

It is likely he will stand aside as MP, potentially triggering a by-election.

A spokesperson for the House of Commons said: We are aware of the announcement by the police, but will not be commenting on individual cases.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences.

This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.

UUP leader Doug Beattie said: The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

"Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

"In all matters of this nature, we must first and foremost consider the victims and what impact media and public attention will have on them.

Mr Donaldson's leadership saw him steer the party's two-year boycott of the political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal and a series assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Mr Donaldson, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Assembly.

Mr Donaldsons relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners. He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

Mr Donaldson was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.

The interim leader, Mr Robinson, served as the Lord Mayor of Belfast from June 2012 until June 2013.

He was elected as MP for East Belfast in 2015 and has since been re-elected in 2017 and 2019. He was elected as the deputy leader of the DUP last June.

More to follow...
Michael Cabanatuan is a general assignment and breaking news reporter whos covered everything from wildfires and sports fans to protests and COVID masking requirements. Hes also written extensively about transportation and covered Contra Costa County for The Chronicle. Hes ridden high-speed trains in Japan, walked in the Transbay Tube, been tear-gassed in Oakland and exposed to nude protesters in the Castro. Cabanatuan worked at the Paradise Post (long before anyone heard of the town), the former West County Times (in Richmond) and the Modesto Bee before joining The Chronicle. He is a two-time graduate of UC Berkeley.

He can be reached at mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com.
Leaving Cert students can study Latvian, Romanian, Slovenian, Croatian and Slovakian, among other languages. Photo: Getty

Students will be able to sit an official Leaving Cert exam in Ukrainian from next year.

Many adult Ukrainians who have arrived in Ireland since the Russian invasion of their country have teaching qualifications and would be able to teach dedicated classes in their language.

The classes are likely to be voluntary and separate from the school day, as Ukrainian is currently viewed as non-curricular.

Meanwhile, students can avail of an array of similar papers in various languages, meaning that while they are not taught in any classroom setting, they can still sit a prepared paper and earn points towards their CAO ambitions for further study.

There are exams in Latvian, Romanian, Slovenian, modern Greek, Finnish, Estonian, Slovakian, Swedish, Czech, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Danish, Dutch, Croatian and Maltese.

The Department of Education is preparing to widen the range of offered annual papers at Leaving Cert level, but is pausing the possible expansion of taught languages.

Languages Connect is the name of Irelands strategy for foreign languages in the education system, running until 2026.

Its stated aim is to increase and diversify the teaching and learning of foreign languages.

There are already many options for foreign language learners for the Leaving Cert. As well as French, German, Italian and Spanish, a student can take ancient Greek, Arabic, Hebrew studies, Japanese or Russian.

With many call centres and tech support operations located in Ireland, a language fluency can open many doors while often allowing the worker to work from home.

Four more curricular languages have become available since 2020  Mandarin Chinese, Lithuanian, Polish and Portuguese. They are all available in the classroom for those sitting the Leaving Cert.

It takes time for new languages to embed, said a Department of Education spokesperson, explaining why there are no plans to develop and introduce further curricular languages at the moment.

A student can, however, also sit the Leaving Cert in what is referred to as the non-curricular EU languages  those that are not part of the normal school curriculum, but students may opt to take if they meet certain criteria.

Conditions are attached to sitting these exams, outlined on the state examinations website.

The Department of Education said it considered it appropriate that Ukrainian would also be examined as a non-curricular language for Leaving Cert, having regard to Irelands national response to the war and the principles developed for the school sector.

In August 2022, the Department requested that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) develop a Leaving Cert exam in Ukrainian as a non-curricular language.

The SEC has advised that the first exam will be available for students sitting the Leaving Cert in June next year.
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.
UL president Professor Kerstin Mey is currently out on sick leaveA review puts an average valuation of about 312,000 each on the 20 homes, about half the sum UL paidProfessor Brigid Laffan said there is a very serious governance problem around the 11.44m acquisition of the houses.70+ lecturers express no confidence in UL president Kerstin Mey

University of Limericks (UL) chancellor has told staff she became extremely alarmed and worried after a review questioned the colleges controversial purchase of 20 homes near its campus.

Professor Brigid Laffan said there is a very serious governance problem around the 11.44m acquisition of the houses.

A review of the purchase found UL overpaid for the properties to the tune of 5.2m. A stamp duty bill will bring the total outlay on the modest homes at Rhebogue, near ULs campus, to 12,583,208  about 629,000 each.

UL president Professor Kerstin Mey is currently out on sick leave. Her future leading the university has come under scrutiny because of the deal.

Professor Mey will not be appearing at a scheduled meeting with the Dails Public Accounts Committee next month.

More than 70 lecturers, 10 members of the universitys executive and student representatives have written to Prof Mey saying she has lost their confidence.

Deputy President and Provost Prof Shane Kilcommins, a signatory to one of these letters, is carrying out the business of the university in the presidents absence, Prof Laffan told staff today.

Read more University of Limerick paid 5.2m above market price for student housing

Prof Laffan said UL would now be subjected to extreme oversight by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) because of questions surrounding the deal.

She said issues around the purchase first came to the governing authoritys attention in December. This was despite the deal being announced in 2022, and UL paying for the properties last October.

Because of the unfortunate history of Dunnes Stores and the city centre campus, I and the governing authority decided very quickly to review what lay behind the capital acquisition of Rhebogue, Prof Laffan said, citing another 8.3m property deal in 2019 which led to UL paying 3m than it should have for a former retail unit.

A review of the Rhebogue deal puts an average valuation of about 312,000 each on the 20 homes, about half the sum UL paid.

Students live in the homes, but UL does not have planning permission to use them as student housing.

The terms of reference for the review of the deal were finalised on February 18, a week after the Sunday Independent first published details of the deal.

This review examined issues around a stamp duty bill, planning permission at the site and whether the deal represents value for money and is currently being examined by ULs governing authority  a board responsible for planning and policy at the university.

The HEA has ordered UL to conduct a separate review of the deal.

In a letter sent to Prof Laffan, the HEA said it has deep concerns around the governance and culture at UL. It has powers to restrict funding or appoint officers to manage the running of the university in cases where serious issues are raised about an institution.

Staff told Prof Laffan they were concerned future revenue streams could be impacted by the growing controversy, damaging research and other work. They told her of a growing anger on campus.

In a statement, a spokesman for UL's Governing Authority said the group considered the review findings.

"The governing authority has determined that certain university personnel should be afforded the opportunity to review its content and submit written observations on its findings," he added.

"Once responses have been received, the governing authority will meet to determine the appropriate next steps."

He said engagement with the HEA will continue to confirm the terms of reference of the review it sought.

The Irish Independent sought to contact Dr Mey for comment via the university.
The flamboyant furnishings of Middleton Park House in Co Westmeath went under the hammer on March 20 and 21.

The house is most famous for having been raffled in 1984 by professional gambler Barney Curley, who was then sentenced for holding an illegal lottery but had it overturned on appeal.

In the recent sale of contents, catalogued by antiques dealer Niall Mullen and conducted by Aidan Foley, a Waterford Crystal replica of the Sam Maguire Cup sold for 2,400.

It belonged to an edition of five, one of which was presented to former US President Bill Clinton. A pair of larger-than-life throne chairs sold for 1,300; a Ralph Lauren bed for 1,450; a large set of red velvet curtains for 1,500, and a Carson tractor seat for 3,200. See irishcountryhome.com

Adams

The most recent auction of Asian art at Adams on March 12 was billed as a modest affair, but you cant sell Chinese artefacts without a few surprises.

The highest price was achieved by a Famille Verte lady with children charger, Kangxi period (est. 8,000 to 10,000), which sold for 18,000.

Blue and white porcelain vase with seven scholars, 7,500

A Falangcai enamelled bottle vase with Luohan figures (est. 2,000 to 3,000) sold for 6,000; a Qianjiangcai enamel scholar Zun vase, marked Ren Huan Zhang, from Chinas Republic period (est. 1,200 to 1,500) fetched 8,000; and a blue and white porcelain vase with seven scholars, Ming dynasty or later (est. 1,500 to 1,800), sold for 7,500.

Amid all that excitement, the sleeper of the sale was a simply carved Henan Dengfeng Kilin bowl, 13.6cm diameter, dating from the Song or Yuan dynasty (est. 300 to 500) that sold for 4,800.

See adams.ie.
Taste it: The Metropole Hotel in Cork city is celebrating Easter with a sweet treat for chocoholics. Available until Friday, May 31, its decadent Chocolate Afternoon Tea Experience includes milk chocolate eclairs, chocolate macaroons and white chocolate blondie with chocolate ganache and hazelnuts. Theres savoury bites too, with Rosscarbery black pudding and Cashel Blue cheese tartlet and Union Hall smoked salmon and dill pickled cucumber on Buckleys brown soda. Grown-ups can elevate the experience with The Met Chocolate Martini, plus theres an indulgent hot chocolate for adults and kids. Its priced at 40 per person and 25 for children, with online booking advised. themetropolehotel.ie

Wear it

Rae Feather

After a successful pop-up shop last year, Rae Feather has now taken a permanent spot in the Westbury Mall, Dublin. And with summer holidays just around the corner, weve been eyeing up its SS24 collection of chic beach kaftans and dresses. The Yves kaftan (192.95) is inspired by 1960s bohemian Morocco and provides the perfect one-and-done look for a beachside lunch. Add big earrings and sunglasses and youre good to go. Its available in two colourways  coral and white and taupe and white  and can be preordered now. raefeather.com

Read it

Gerry Hussey

The Dublin Book Festival Spotlight Spring Series is full of exciting talks and walking tours with some of Irelands best-known writers. Next up is bestselling author and performance psychologist Gerry Hussey, wholl be in conversation with broadcaster Clare McKenna about his book, The Freedom Within. Taking place at Townhall 1WML, Windmill Quarter, Dublin 2, on April 10, the inspiring talk (11.70) will explore emotional health, showing how it can help us better manage lifes challenges, find inner peace and live as our authentic selves. If youre looking for inspiration and motivation, this will surely deliver. dublinb ookfestival .com

Bookmark it

No 1 Pery Square

No 1 Pery Square in Limerick is a small but perfectly formed boutique hotel that takes food and wine very seriously. Owner and wine lover Patricia Roberts has curated an intriguing wine list for guests to discover and, on the last Thursday of every month, the Limerick & Clare Wine Lovers Club gathers at the hotel for tasting evenings which are guided by local sommelier Nick OCallaghan and open to all keen wine explorers. If you want to make a night of it, an overnight stay in one of No 1 Pery Squares rooms, guided tasting with the Limerick & Clare Wine Lovers Club and canapes, with cooked-to-order breakfast the following morning, is available from 190 for single occupancy. oneperysquare.com

Gift it

Signature Editions 'Drinks Party' box

Need a housewarming gift in a hurry? Dublin brand Signature Editions has taken the hard work out of it with its luxurious Boxes of Joy. We love the Drinks Party box, which includes a stags head bottle opener, stags head bottle stopper and Bordallo cabbage dish (59.95), and the Nordic Candle Setting box, which includes two Ester & Erik taper candles, two black circle candle holders, one black snuffer and one Love match box (49.95). Both sets come stowed in a black luxury gift box with tissue wrapping, complete with an Irish-designed card by Bold Bunny. signature-editions.ie

Style it

Holly & Bo

Searching for furniture for a kids playhouse, treehouse or a play area in a small apartment? New Irish brand Holly & Bo has got you covered with its bestselling kids flower-shaped wooden table and chair set (140). Available in both pink and blue, and complemented by a white cloud chair and a white bunny chair, it puts the fun into functional. The Cork-based wooden toy and furniture brand also stocks play sets, play mats, trikes, balance bikes and scooters for children aged from one to six, with delivery across Ireland. holly and bo.ie

Covet it

'Chancer' necklace

Accessories designer Margaret OConnor knows how to make a statement. Her jewellery range, featuring Irish slang words like Notions, Ride and Culchie, has achieved cult status among the fashion set. And now it looks like shes about to go global after TV presenter Laura Whitmore wore her Chancer necklace to the Brit Awards 2024 after-party. Stylish and full of attitude, its available in small or large silver-plated or gold-plated brass and priced from 55-65. margaretoconnor.ie
Strict regulations should be introduced to protect young people from the dangers to health from vaping. Stock image

Thousands of families across Ireland and millions around the world will spend time today with loved ones they would have lost to the horror of heart attacks, stroke, cancer or other fatal diseases  but for a single act of political courage.

Twenty years ago today, when Micheal Martin was the health minister, Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in the workplace.

The effect on the nations health was seismic. The death rate fell by 13pc, strokes fell by 32pc and ischaemic heart disease by 26pc.

It is estimated that the smoking ban saved more than 3,700 lives in the first three-and-a-half years alone. This dwarfs the global impact. The success of the ban in Ireland meant the law has been replicated in more than 70 other countries.

Given the number of lives it has saved, its easy to forget the controversy it sparked and just how many people thought it was a nanny-state measure that couldnt possibly work.

They said the ban could never be policed in pubs full of drinkers and that it would decimate our hospitality industry.

Big Tobacco knew a ban in Ireland would open the floodgates internationally and used all its financial might to resist the measure. They insisted smoking was a human right, and if anyone wanted to destroy their health, their lungs and their looks by smoking, it was up to them.

But the Irish government held its nerve with the strong backing of health organisations such as the Irish Heart Foundation and the trade unions, which pointed to the human right of their members working in pubs and restaurants not to have their health compromised by other people smoking.

Two decades later, Ireland is again at a crossroads in terms of tobacco control and a whole new threat from vaping.

Despite the impact of the workplace ban, tobacco is still responsible for 4,500 deaths a year here  the equivalent of an air disaster every month on Irish soil. Yet there is no public or media outcry, even though a recent HSE poll revealed that 83pc of adults in Ireland want tobacco sales to be phased out.

Meanwhile, we have a youth epidemic of e-cigarette use that is driving huge levels of nicotine addiction. And for the first time in a generation, smoking rates among teenagers are increasing, most likely due to a gateway effect from vaping.

Thanks to the workplace smoking ban, we have the blueprint to tackle the twin menaces of tobacco addiction and youth vaping: a strong evidence base, commitment by policymakers to act and support from a broad coalition of civil society organisations to beat back the inevitable onslaught led by those who profit most from tobacco and nicotine addiction.

We at the Irish Heart Foundation believe Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, backed by now Tanaiste Micheal Martin and the Government, have what it takes to achieve possibly an even bigger health dividend than from the workplace smoking ban.

Mr Donnelly has already carried out vital preliminary work through a public consultation on a range of measures such as increasing the legal age of sale of tobacco and major restrictions on the vape industrys ability to target children and young people. His hand is also strengthened by the UKs plan to phase out smoking.

The road ahead is now clear. Mr Donnelly should immediately raise the legal age of sale of tobacco from 18 to 21, a measure that is already in place in the US.

He should simultaneously undertake the groundwork for a smoke-free generation through legislation ensuring that children born after a certain year can never legally buy tobacco products.

Meanwhile, tough regulations should be introduced to protect young people from vaping, including a full ban on marketing of e-cigarettes, disposable vapes and all flavours except tobacco, along with the introduction of plain packaging.

We have all the ingredients to make this work: the political courage, the public support and the evidence base to defeat the vested interests and to finally make smoking, and indeed vaping, history in Ireland finally and permanently.
With PJ Judge taken out, Marlo Hyland spent very little time waiting to establish himself as the new face of gangland in Ireland. But he planned on doing things differently. A more considered approach to drug trafficking, drawing in other criminals to work as a team. A tactic straight out of the Sicilian Mafia's playbook. The cash was rolling in, but a prolific murder of a young Dublin mother, would bring too much heat on Martin Marlo Hyland.

Slowly but surely, his empire was disintegrating around him. Learn more Crucially, a suspicion began to develop in the criminal underworld that he was a police informer. Fellow gangsters began to wonder why Marlo Hyland had had avoided arrest or prosecution. It was clear to all that his time was running out.

Hyland then began staying in different houses every night to avoid his enemies. But as time wore on, he became a little more careless and less conscious of the deadly foes gathering around him. He was living on and off with his niece in Scribblestown Park in Finglas where ultimately his killers cornered him.

Today on The Indo Daily, Kevin Doyle speaks with Paul Williams, special correspondent with The Irish Independent, to discuss the terrifying and bloody reign of Martin "Marlo" Hyland, and the partner who would ultimately betray him.
Daily sailings to the historic former prison island Spike Island have returned with a new sailing schedule announced just in time for the Easter holidays.

Visitors of all ages now have the chance to visit the star-shaped fortress in the heart of Cork Harbour every day starting from 12noon.

The 104-acre island is a perfect opportunity for a family day out over the holidays.

The islands recorded history goes back to the 7th century when St Mochuda founded a monastery on this magical island. Monks walked the island trails for 300 years until the Vikings sailed into Cork harbour, and for many centuries the island was used by smugglers, pirates and as an island home.

Sailings depart daily from Cobh from 12noon and the day begins with a short ferry journey. Visitors will then embark on an immersive journey through several fascinating chapters in Irish history, discovering the islands origins as a monastic settlement, its role as a British military fortress and one of Irelands oldest, most notorious prisons.

Through the informative guided tour and exciting museums featuring educational exhibits, visitors will gain insight into Spike Island's rich history and the many colourful characters who inhabited it throughout the years.

A visit to Spike Island is 3.5 hours long including the ferry crossing. On arrival at the island, you will join one of our experienced guides for a guided tour to the fort  this typically takes 40 minutes. From there, you are free to self-explore the buildings and island.

Adults are guaranteed to learn some interesting history, while the interactive Fairy Fortress Trail and Kids History Quiz Trail will keep the little ones engaged throughout the day.

The Spike Island trip also offers participants the chance to spot some of the islands resident seals, seabirds and dolphins, with visitors encouraged to explore the islands natural beauty and wildlife.
Cork Airport has announced that Air France will operate more flights on its popular Cork to Paris route this summer.

The French carrier has announced that their daily seasonal service will be boosted by twice-daily flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday during the peak summer travel months of July and August.

Flying from Cork Airport since 2018, Air France provides a direct, daily service to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport from March 31 to October 29, 2024.

The service provides easy access to the French capital, with onward connectivity to 187 destinations across the wider Air France network.

Air France will operate the route with a combination of the Embraer 190 aircraft and the Airbus A318 or Airbus A319 aircraft,

We are very pleased to be offering this service as part of our commitment to the Irish region, allowing even more passengers from the south of Ireland to visit not only France, but also a long list of worldwide destinations via our convenient hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, said Jerome Salemi, General Manager UK & Ireland, Air France-KLM.

Tourism Ireland ranks France as the fourth-largest market for inbound tourists to the island of Ireland.
Irish News

Coroner calls for accident black spots to be targeted as he also singles out driver behaviour to tackle deaths on Irish roads

County Mayos coroner is calling on authorities to target accident black spots in order to help reduce the increasing number of deaths on Irish roads.
Julie Schaeffer takes care of her mother Dorothy Lovell, 89, at their home in Santa Rosa in February. Over the winter, their PG&E bills skyrocketed for their two-bedroom home, where Lovell is in hospice care. Their highest bill for a month is nearly $700. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Millions of Californians could see a new $24 fixed charge on their monthly utility bills in coming years if state regulators approve a plan that would reduce how much customers pay per kilowatt hour of electricity.

The California Public Utilities Commission estimates the new flat fee would allow companies like Pacific Gas and Electric to reduce electricity prices by about 5 to 7 cents per kilowatt hour, easing the expense for customers already paying some of the highest electricity prices in the country.

The fixed rates are intended to help utilities cover some basic costs while reducing electricity prices at a time when California wants households to electrify and shift away from fossil fuel energy sources used in gas stoves and cars.

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Linda Serizawa, interim director of the commissions Public Advocates Office, which works to minimize lower ratepayer costs, said that the proposal would not increase utility profits and is meant to make utility bills fairer.

We support the proposal, she said, adding that a flat rate will reduce electric bills for low-income customers and cut the price of electricity for all customers.

The commission said many Californians would see their bills decrease under the change, which could take effect in late 2025 or early 2026.

A San Francisco customer with an electric vehicle and appliances could save on average $32 per month compared to todays rates, according to the commission.

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The average customer in Fresno, where utility bills shoot up when people cool their homes against scorching summertime heat, would save $33 during the summer, the commission estimates.

The plan also includes a reduced fee of $6 for low-income customers and reduced fees for groups enrolled in other special programs.

Californias investor-owned utilities currently only charge customers per unit of energy they use, a system that researchers have said unfairly and artificially makes electricity more expensive for everyone. But higher-income households are more likely to install solar panels and pay less compared to low-income households.

The commissions proposal comes two years after Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022 signed a law requiring the commission to restructure how the states three investor-owned utilities charge customers. The change would only affect Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric and PG&E.

Critics of fixed charges warn they could cause utility bills to rise, and some state lawmakers have proposed repealing the law. PG&E raised its electricity rates dramatically this year, boosting the typical residential bill by more than $400 annually compared to 2023.

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A PG&E spokesperson on Thursday said the company had no comment on the commissions proposal. Last year, the three investor-owned utilities submitted an initial plan for adding fixed monthly charges based on income. Those fees would have ranged from $15 for households earning less than $28,000 per year to $92 for those earning more than $180,000.

Many other utilities across the country and in California already include a flat rate on customer bills to cover basic costs. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District charges residential customers about $24 per month for service.

Matthew Freedman, a staff attorney with ratepayer advocate nonprofit The Utility Reform Network, said his organization supports the commissions plan but said the state needs to do more to make energy more affordable.

Much more needs to be done to address Californias skyrocketing electricity rates, Freedman said.

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Abbeyfeale's Therese Prendiville who wrote and directs the play 'Katie' which is coming to St John's Theatre in Listowel on the night of Thursday, April 11.

A play written by Abbeyfeale native Therese Prendiville is set to be staged in Listowel's St Johns Theatre this coming April 11 and it will see audiences being faced with a topic that Therese said this week is one that is rarely seen on stage.

Speaking to The Kerryman, Therese, the writer and director of the play Katie' said that her play centres a couple called Maureen and Tony, who when the audience meets them, are grieving following the death of their only child, who was called Katie.

The action takes place during the weekend of the greyhound coursing in a small town in rural Ireland, one year after the loss of Katie. The play explores the themes of loss, love, relationships, friendship, communication & loneliness.

Therese said that she was inspired to write the play  one she describes as being very emotive  after having watched a documentary called Abbeyfealegood and hopes that in her own words that it captures the human struggle of death in a very sympathetic, raw and real way.

I watched that documentary and there was a few cases in it of parents talking about the death of their children and it really struck a chord with me. I thought then that I would love to write a piece that would capture that pain, that struggle, that grief. That was something that really intrigued me. The idea that I had never seen a topic such as this staged and I was really intrigued to see how I could bring that to life on stage, she said.

The play had its first outing back in September in the Glorach Theatre of last year and despite the understandable nerves beforehand, Therese said that it could not have gone better.

It was incredible and the audience reception was incredible. I was nervous as it was something completely new to the audience for a variety of reasons but I was blown away, People were extremely moved. They were coming up to me in tears at the end. It's been phenomenal, she said.

With a degree in Drama & Theatre from Trinity College under belt, this is the third piece that Therese has been involved in writing and putting together but understandably, this is the one that shes most proud of to date.

"I directed it as well so I've been deeply involved with the whole production. The actors that I have are amazing. They are all local actors and they have been so receptive to everything I've asked of them. I was delighted to be able to direct it as it was very important for me to be able to keep the vision the way I wanted it, she continued.

The play will be staged at 8pm on the night of Thursday, April 11 and tickets will cost 15.

To book your seat, ring the St Johns Theatre booking office on 068 22566 or head to the theatres website.
Have you heard the one about the group of 80+ Americans who travelled to Tralee to sing the towns most famous song?

No, this is not the punchline of a joke but in fact its the very real story of a band called The Pub Runners  which is made up of Jerry Belanger, Doug Berkshire and Michael Francis  that come to Ireland every couple of years, visiting different locations each time, and sing songs made famous by and inspired by those locations.

The trio are not alone in their travels though and always open up their trips to anyone and everyone who wants to come and so it was that on this their most recent trip Ireland, they had over 80 people as part of their entourage as they made their way to Kerry.

The Irish music group 'The Pub Runners' who hail from from Michigan in the U.S pictured next to the Rose of Tralee statue in Tralee Town Park on Wednesday afternoon after they had performed the famous Rose of Tralee song there. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

After a stop in Dingle, where the group sang Red Haired Mary, Tralee was the main destination for the group and all for a very special reason, one which centered around band member Jerry.

Jerry grew up in an American family that placed great emphasis on their Irish heritage and they regularly learned and sang songs to keep this heritage alive and one of the first ever songs that Jerry learned growing up was Tralees very own Rose of Tralee and ever since, he had held a lifelong ambition to the sing the famous song in the town itself.

Well, last Wednesday afternoon, in the pouring rain, he realised that ambition as he belted out the song in Tralee Town Park, right next to the Rose of Tralee statue which of course depicts the original Rose of Tralee, Mary O'Connor, along with her beloved, William Pembroke Mulchinock.

Speaking to The Kerryman about the trip, Doug Berkshire was full of praise for Tralee and its people.

"It was a wonderful time. It was wonderful that Martha Farrell invited us and welcomed us to Tralee and everyone that we met in the town was really lovely to us, he said, adding it was Jerry's lifelong ambition to sing that song here. It was the first song he ever sang when he was a child growing in an American family - and so for him to be able to sing it in Tralee, it was phenomenal.

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Even the miserable weather couldnt dampen the groups spirits.

"That [the rain] will add to the lifelong memories for the people that came with us, he laughed.

After the park, it was off to McCaffrey's bar in town and again, Doug could praise the place highly enough.

"McCaffrey's Bar was wonderful, just so beautiful. We went there after the park and sang a couple of songs and it was great. They had both of the fires going and everybody was so happy. The weather might not have been great but what a perfect place that was to go when the weather's not on your side, he said.

Its not home time just yet for the trio of Doug, Jerry and Michael though with another group of 40 different people coming to Kerry next week for a visit so therell be still plenty of time for more pints, craic and songs.
Attendees enjoying the 6th Sligo Engineering Fair held at ATU Sligo. Over 2000 attended the event in collaboration with Engineers Ireland NW and Abbott.

The Sligo Engineering Fair returned for its sixth consecutive year, as over two thousand attended the annual event at Atlantic Technological Universitys (ATU) Sligo campus recently.

Organised by ATU Sligo, in collaboration with Engineers Ireland NW, and global healthcare leader Abbott, this years fair offered a wide range of performances, workshops, and demonstrations for all the family to enjoy.

Attendees rubbed shoulders with intergalactic celebrity robots such as Star Wars iconic RTD2 and a menacing Dalek from the renowned television series Doctor Who.

Head of College and Head of Faculty of Engineering & Design at ATU Sligo, Una Parsons said, We were delighted to bring our annual educational and fun Engineering Fair to ATU Sligo. This event allowed us to open our doors to the community and welcome a diverse range of visitors to our campus, to highlight to the public the breath and exciting world of engineering. We wanted to instil engineering in the minds of the younger generation, our future engineers by showing them what engineering was all about in a fun and interactive way.

Highlights of the packed programme of events included a mini Robots War, Lego workshops with Bricks4Kids. Engineering Discovery Zone - was an area with family-friendly activities, engineering games and more.

Additionally, attendees could partake in the Extreme Engineering Interactive Workshop, exploring the intricacies of building from small to large scale, and experience the process of developing a 2D game in the Unity game engine through the Computer Games Development segment.

This year also saw the return of Abbotts Engineering Room, offering attendees a hands-on experience with engineering experiments and interactive stations to delve into various aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines.
Local Enterprise Office Sligo have announced that teenage entrepreneurs from Corran College, Colaiste Iascaigh and Colaiste Muire will represent Sligo at this years Student Enterprise Programme National Final on Thursday, May 9.

The students all took part in the Sligo County Final, which was held at the Sligo Park Hotel. An estimated 820 students from all 13 second-level schools in Co. Sligo took part in the annual programme locally.

The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 28,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2022 / 2023. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Final.

In the Junior Category, the students representing Sligo at the National Final are: Shane Waters, Ryan Sweeney and Peadar Langton from Mad Yokes at Corran College.

In the Intermediate Category, Cathal Finnerty from Mean Beanz at Colaiste Iascaigh will be representing the county at the Final.

In the Senior Category of the competition, Sligo will be represented on May 9th by Sean Sweeney, Ruadhan Sheerin, Josh McGill and Luke Ryan from Makescents T.Y. of Colaiste Muire.

In the My Entrepreneurial Journey category open to junior and intermediate students, Timon Schaupp in the Junior Category and Cathal Finnerty in the Senior Category, both from Colaiste Iascaigh, will represent Sligo in the National Final.

Special guests at the Sligo County Final included Leas-Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Tom Fox, and A/Head of Enterprise with LEO Sligo, Liam Kiely.

Guest Speaker at the event, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Tom Fox said: It is heartening to see such a display of entrepreneurial spirit by the youth of County Sligo. The level of ingenuity, confidence and enterprise on display here today makes me feel excited for the business future of our great County.

Speaking at the county final, Liam Kiely, A/Head of Enterprise of Local Enterprise Office Sligo congratulated the students, saying: We have a very successful student enterprise programme here in Sligo, with over 800 students from all 13 second-level schools in the county taking part this year. Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme and we wish them the very best of luck on the 9th May, and we will all hope to be there to support them. What our students are learning from the programme is that, with the right supports and encouragement, they can take an idea from the classroom and develop it into a real-life business. The skills they learn along the way, such as business planning, market research, selling and team-work, will help them become more entrepreneurial throughout their future careers.

The local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Final, taking place in the Mullingar Park Hotel on May 9.

Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 380,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business. The Student Enterprise Programme also has new range of online resources for 2023 / 2024 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie, which will feature regular blogs and houses a full range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers.

Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
Fr Michael Commane: The mystery and wonder of all our lives

Fr Michael Commane reflects on the mystery and wonder of our lives ahead of Easter

Walking around Dublin's city centre I was surprised and amazed with the buzz that was about. There was a great feeling of life.

Fr Michael Commane OP  Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 11:00

Its Easter Week, the schools are closed and no doubt the airlines have upped their fares during the holiday. Imagine the uproar there would be if Irish Rail or any of the national transport companies increased fares within Ireland during this time.
The multinational insurance company AXA Group has said it is committed to conducting business to the highest ethical standards, after a protest took place outside its offices in Bray.

The protest was attended by members of the North Wicklow Against Genocide group and the Wicklow Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) on Thursday morning, March 28, over what they claim are AXAs maintaining ties to Israeli banks and financing illegal settlements.

The protests, part of a national #BoycottAXA Day of Action by IPSC, follows a letter that the group sent directly to Marguerite Brosnan CEO of Axa Ireland, in which it asked: Who wants insurance from a company complicit with Apartheid Israels genocidal regime, which has killed almost 32,000 people in Gaza, hundreds more in the West Bank, destroyed more than 70,000 housing units and left 1.7 million people displaced in nearly six months?

AXA Group is a multinational insurance company and holds around one-third of the motor market in Ireland and also offers home and commercial cover. It currently has 1,450 staff and 34 branches across its network here. Last October, it completed the acquisition of Laya Healthcare in a 650m deal first announced in August.

Commenting on its targeting of the firm, IPSC Chairperson Zoe Lawlor claimed: By August 2023, AXA had investments of US$19.5m in three complicit Israeli banks: Bank Hapoalim (US$ 9.99m), Leumi Bank (US$ 6M), Israel Discount Bank (US$ 3.4M).

AXA is ranked 22nd among European financial institutions involved in Israels illegal settlement enterprise, she added. We are asking Axa to divest from these financial institutions.

The IPSC said it is also writing to hundreds of local Credit Union branches across Ireland, asking them to stand with the people of Palestine by no longer offering or recommending AXA and Laya Insurance policies to their members.

Now is the time for AXA to listen to their customers, the people of Ireland, and the people of Palestine who are being annihilated in a live-streamed genocide, Ms Lawlor continued. As a company, in its own words, with a tradition of human solidarity, divesting from complicity  whether through investments of a proprietary or non-proprietary nature  should be a basic and immediate goal.

When contacted, AXA said in a statement: AXAs investments comply with all applicable laws and regulations and respect all internationally recognized human rights principles. This is also the case for AXAs investment in the Middle East Region. AXA has no proprietary investments in any of the banks cited in recent calls for boycott. The AXA Group Human Rights Policy can be found on our website.

The AXA Bray office was closed for training on Thursday, March 28.
Cathaoirleach of the Baltinglass Municipal District, Councillor Edward Timmins, has called for change after learning that high-speed broadband will not be coming to rural areas of west Wicklow.

Having been inundated with calls from residents in Kiltegan, Donard and Dunlavin experiencing broadband speeds as low as 15Mbps, Cllr Timmins recently contacted Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth to express their displeasure.

Raising issues around National Broadband Ireland's (NBI) national high-speed broadband and blackspots dotted across west Wicklow, Cllr Timmins asked for a detailed overview of the current broadband roadmap in those areas.

In a response issued by Minister Smyth, he noted that some rural areas in west Wicklow are being excluded from the NBI high-speed rollout because, following a mapping consultation in 2019, Department officials were provided with 30Mbps+ coverage maps from a private operator and these maps dictated the decision to determine the intervention area (IA) and exclusion areas (EA).

With regards to Kiltegan, in particular, the Minister stated that there is a small number of areas that receive speeds of less than 30Mbps, which Cllr Timmins said is contrary to the reality on the ground.

According to the Minister, a further analysis shows that there are 120 premises in the Kiltegan Exclusion Area EA/blue area, and out of those premises, it appears that approx. 15 of these get less than 30Mbps but greater than 15Mbps, Cllr Timmins said.

I believe this figure is actually higher based on the feedback received to the speed check.

The above speeds are in comparison to other areas in Wicklow, with download speeds of 204.6Mbps and upload speeds of 42.2Mbps!

Whether its a small number of areas affected here in west Wicklow or not, I believe there should be a change in rules to allow rural villages to be added to the Broadband Intervention Area, he added.

I will be continuing to lobby on this issue for those impacted in parts of Dunlavin, Donard and Kiltegan and other areas. I am encouraging people in locations with low speeds to continue to update me.
Ireland and Wicklow were promoted to more than 30 top tour operators and travel agents from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland at Tourism Irelands 2024 Nordic trade workshop, which took place in Copenhagen.

25 tourism companies from Ireland, including Russborough House of Blessington, took part in the workshop, meeting and doing business with the Nordic travel professionals, to inspire them to extend their Ireland offering, or to include Ireland for the first time, in their programmes for 2024 and beyond.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for Tourism Ireland and its partners to remind the Nordic travel professionals all about the many great things to see and do around Ireland  including our great food and drink offering, fantastic accommodation options, attractions and outdoor experiences.

Emer Mac Diarmada, Tourism Irelands Manager for the Nordic Region, said: We were delighted that so many key Nordic travel professionals took the time to come and meet with our partners from Ireland in Copenhagen, to find out more about our superb tourism offering. Our aim is to connect our partners from Ireland with the influential Nordic tour operators and travel agents who bring valuable tourists to Ireland.
The Local Authority Waters Programme has announced over 30,000 funding for nine projects in Wicklow that will enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

The single largest recipient was ReWild Wicklow which received 11,500 for a project to expand its native tree nursery to facilitate more riparian planting and riverbank restoration projects in the county.

Were really excited about the funding weve received, said Chairperson of ReWild Wicklow Danny Alvey. Weve setup a native tree nursery at Jacksmill/Hub13 near Newtownmountkennedy which this funding will help us to expand. Weve also done several riparian tree plantings already this spring and this funding will help us fence and maintain these sites. And finally, as part of the funding, we hope to do some riverbank restoration projects with local partners this summer.

"This activity involves using willow cuttings and timber posts to stabilise river banks that have collapsed and eroded along rivers in Wicklow. Were currently reaching out to public and private landowners who have a river bank in this condition and would like to see it restored. If you have such a river bank or know of one on public land please get in touch with us at rewildwicklow.ie.

Since 2018, LAWPRO has made over 2.7m available through this funding scheme to local communities and groups, assisting in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive through Irelands River Basin Management Plan.

Other community groups and projects funded in Wicklow this year include Enniskerry Tidy Towns (Invasive Species Survey of Glencullen River), Laragh/Glendalough Tidy Towns (Survey and AA Screening for Invasive Species Management at Glenmacnass River), An Oige Knockree Conservation Environmental Group (Glencree River Freshwater and Biodiversity Survey and Community Awareness Day), Newcastle Residents Association (Continued assessment of Newcastle river), Art Collective (The Salmons Eye Eco Art Festival on The Avoca River Catchment), Kilcoole Biodiversity Group/Keep Kilcoole Tidy (Recommended Actions arising from the LAWPRO funded Cannistown River/Kilcoole Stream assessment and management plan), Greystones Tidy Towns (Greystones Catchment Assessment) and Arklow Town Team (Harbour to Headwaters).
A 10-year-old boy from Wicklow has become the envy of kids everywhere after landing the dream job for Easter.

Leo Doyle from Newcastle has been given the role as Aldis Chief Easter Egg Tasting Officer, after the retailer's hunt for Irelands most talented chocolate connoisseurs came to an end.

Its a sweet success story for Leo, after the store shared a call out to chocolate lovers across the nation to enter the competition to be in with the chance of landing the sweetest job in Ireland.

Applications flooded in from every corner of the country, with each applicant eager to showcase their passion for all things chocolate and confectionery. Ultimately, Leo's knowledge and passion for sweet treats earned him the coveted title.

Leo, alongside two other lucky winners, including Amy Reynolds from County Tipperary and Michelle Casserly from County Galway, received a selection of Aldi Easter Eggs to sample, taste, and review. As part of their job description, the Chief Easter Egg Tasting Officers will provide their eggs-pertise to help the ALDI buying team confirm their 2025 Easter selection.

Speaking about landing his new role, Leo Doyle said: I am so excited to have been chosen as Aldis Chief Easter Egg Taster. Aldis chocolate is my absolute favourite, and I cannot wait to try it all with my family this Easter!
Members of the Oakland Police Department Marine Unit sail the water after a training exercise in August. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Police arrested three people Thursday in connection with burglaries around the Oakland-Alameda estuary  the latest attempt to quell pirates who prowl the water in dinghies or drive along the shoreline roads, stealing from boats and docks.

Officers from the Oakland Police Departments maritime unit and burglary detail said they served two search warrants on separate, but associated vessels Thursday afternoon after linking them to a March 13 break-in on the waterfront.

A business on the 1300 block of the Embarcadero  a thoroughfare that snakes past Oaklands marinas  called police to report losses exceeding $2,000. The victims provided security video that showed two people loading hoses and other boat equipment into a gray Toyota pickup truck. Photographs taken at the scene depict a breached shipping container from which thieves had plundered items.

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Investigators recognized the people in the video as boat dwellers who live on the estuary, in vessels tied up to piers or moored to pilings, said Kaleo Albino, a marine patrol officer for the Oakland Police Department. When Albino and other officers searched the two boats Thursday, they found the equipment stolen during the burglary, including fuel tanks and tools, he said.

These items were recovered from boat burglaries in the Oakland-Alameda estuary, according to the Oakland Police Department. Oakland Police Department

Albino said he believes the thieves cut through a wrought iron gate and scrambled across a lot to reach the storage container and that the business surveillance cameras captured much of the caper.

After detaining and interviewing the three suspected perpetrators, none of whom has been identified, police took them to jail. They plan to present their case to the Alameda County district attorney for potential prosecution.

Ive been at the department for 10 years, and this is my first time serving a warrant on a boat, Albino said. He credited officer John Palmer from the burglary unit for drafting the search and arrest warrants, as well as getting traction on a difficult bust.

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Owners of houseboats and catamarans in Oakland and Alameda see the waterfront theft wave as an offshoot of the high burglary and robbery rates on land. They say that pirate burglaries have intensified in recent years, occasionally resulting in violent confrontations.
Star Wars actor John Boyega has spoken publicly for the first time about the murder of his friend Damilola Taylor and said the tragic event was life changing and has shaped who he is today.

The 32-year-old, who played Finn in the Disney saga, said he has purposely refrained from talking about the subject of his murder but was motivated to speak out following the death of Damilolas father, Richard Taylor, on Saturday.

Damilola was 10 years old when he was slashed with a broken bottle and left to die while on his way home from a library in Peckham, south-east London, on November 27 2000.

Damilola Taylor (PA)

Boyega and his sister Grace were among the last people to see him alive.

The actor said he was impacted by a poem written by Damilola, read out at his funeral, as it showed him that another 10-year-old, from the same environment, dreamed to be more.

Speaking to John Wilson on BBC Radio 4s Last Word, Boyega said: From the hours we left him in Peckham to the hours when I went home, and then the police was at our door and there was a whole investigation that we were involved in, (it) was definitely life changing for me, definitely altered my perspective.

Even though I was young, it was a shock to understand how mortality worked.

To think that somebody as young as me could pass away in such a horrific way was hard for me to understand or comprehend.

Richard Taylor, father of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor, attending the funeral of Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh at Golders Green Crematorium, north London (Jeff Moore/PA)

And I definitely think Damilolas tragic murder has definitely shaped me through the years and just affected my perspective on certain things and it definitely affected the community too.

I mean, my sister, in particular, Grace, who was very, very close with Damilola, went through a lot, and my dad had to front that and try to protect her in that journey. It was definitely a lot for everybody to take.

Reflecting on the poem Damilola had written, he said: It was during the time of the funeral his dad had read the poem that Damilola had written down for himself.

And that was a poem that spoke about what Damilola wanted to achieve, how far he wanted his dreams to spread, who he wanted to impact and touch.

And I found that quite profound because I was just kind of like Man youre so young, why are you even thinking about that kind of stuff?

Im here, wondering when the ice cream van is going to pull up and why hes an hour late from Monday.

John Boyega and Daisy Ridley attending the Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker premiere (Ian West/PA)

And youre thinking about all this stuff that youre going to do and how youre going to use your skillset to impact the world.

And I guess that, just amongst other things, just gave birth to this mentality that I had.

What is truly my dream? Do I have the guts to identify what my dream is? Am I too young to identify my dream and work towards it?

And after reading that poem, I was just like, yeah, I have no excuse. I want to be a movie star.

And not just because I want to be (one) but because someone else like Damilola Taylor, in my environment too, dreamed to be more.

And I think thats worth it. And it definitely has impacted me till today.

Prime minister Gordon Brown meeting Richard Taylor in Downing Street (Peter Macdiarmid/PA)

Damilolas father Richard died on March 23 aged 75 following a long illness and Boyega said he was a man that was for the people and for the community and who turned his tragic loss into something triumphant.

Boyega said he was motivated to speak about Damilola following news of Mr Taylors death.

Asked if he has spoken publicly about Damilolas murder before, Boyega said: I havent and on purpose too.

Im quite private in general, but with this specifically its that celebrity thing of not wanting to get in front of very real life news.

But on Richard Taylors passing, I just was so kind of motivated to speak up, he added.

Mr Taylor and his wife Gloria set up a charity called The Damilola Taylor Trust in the face of their sons death.

Gloria died in 2008 and Mr Taylor continued their work in the following years.

Boyega praised the trust and said: Ive been a big beneficiary of the work that theyve been doing.

The actor from Peckham said he used to imagine, with his sister Grace, what Damilola might be like today and said he would have grown up to be a handsome young man with great opportunities and great morals.

Whatever his chosen field would be, hed definitely still be funny, he said.

But I think that he would have grown up to be someone great and someone that is an important part of our community, Boyega added.

After three crown court trials, Damilolas killers, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, were put behind bars in 2006.

Last Word with John Wilson airs on BBC Radio 4 at 4pm on Friday.
A dress worn by Marilyn Monroe has sold for eight times the estimated auction price.

The pink Pucci long-sleeved gown of silk jersey, which has a rope and crystal tassel belt, was bought for more than 250,000 at an event hosted by Juliens Auctions in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday evening.

It had been listed, along with other items owned by the Hollywood star and artefacts from the Playboy archives and Hugh M Hefner Foundation, at 40,000 US dollars (31,710) to 60,000 US dollars (47,559) and sold for 325,000 US dollars (257,618).

The label says it was made for the US department store Saks Fifth Avenue in New York by Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci.

marilyn

Monroe died aged 36 in 1962 after starring in films including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch, with her final performance in The Misfits.

A previous Jean Louis-designed illusion gown, worn by Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to the then-president John F Kennedy, was sold by Juliens Auctions for more than 4.8 million US dollars (3.8 million) in 2016.

The Thursday auction saw a burgundy smoking jacket with black silk pyjamas and slippers, owned by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, sell for more than 15 times the estimate.

The set went for 35,750 US dollars (28,339) following an original auctioneer value being placed at between 2,000 to 3,000 US dollars (1,585 to 2,377).

Hefner was known for wearing his black satin pyjamas and a red smoking jacket at all times of the day in his Beverly Hills Playboy Mansion, and for his admiration of Monroe.

The first edition of Playboy featured a centrefold image of Marilyn Monroe, which was originally shot by her for a 1949 nude calendar.

Hefner was known for wearing black satin pyjamas and a red smoking jacket at all times of the day in his Beverly Hills Playboy Mansion (Juliens Auctions/PA)

This 1953 magazine was sold at 6,500 US dollars (5,152), more than the estimate of 2,000 to 4,000 US dollars (1,585 to 3,171).

Hefner died in 2017 aged 91.

Other items sold included LeRoy Neimans Romanoffs oil painting, which appeared in a June 1959 issue of Playboy magazine, at 76,200 US dollars (60, 403) and the artists Femlin character images, one of which sold for 6,500 US dollars (5,152).

A black satin one-piece bunny costume designed by Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and worn at Palms Casino by Michelle Garlick had an estimate of 1,000 to 2,000 US dollars (793 to 1,585). It was auctioned for 4,445 US dollars (3,523).

The auction for Property From The Playboy Archives And Hugh M Hefner Foundation And Property From The Life And Career Of Marilyn Monroe, continues over the weekend.

All sale prices included the buyers premium.
Tanya Sweeney: New Yorkers satire piece on Cillian Murphys bedtime routine packs in every Irish cliche  including Lucky Charms

The piece entitled Cillian Murphys Bedtime Routine has drawn criticism for its extensive use of hackneyed Oirish stereotypes

Cillian Murphy. Photo: WireImage

Tanya Sweeney Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 13:28

As an arbiter of humour, The New Yorker magazine has a long-standing reputation. After all, Nora Ephron, David Sedaris and Dorothy Parker have routinely published there.
Court orders Israel to halt famine but battles rage near hospital

Mass starvation in Gaza no longer a major fear but a reality, say judges

Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, where at least 32,552 Palestinians have been killed since last October. Photo: Reuters

Stephanie van den Berg, The Hague Fri 29 Mar 2024 at 03:30







The World Court has unanimously ordered Israel to halt famine in Gaza by taking all necessary action to ensure basic food supplies reach Palestinians in the enclave.
Massive barges carrying cranes streamed towards Baltimore yesterday to begin the challenging work of removing twisted metal and concrete in an attempt to open a key shipping route blocked by the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Maryland governor Wes Moore promised 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.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

People who live in areas with social and environmental adversities may have up to twice the increased risk for developing heart disease and stroke, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

In this study, environmental adversities included air and water pollution, potentially hazardous or toxic sites, few recreational parks, and high traffic roads, railways or airports. Social vulnerabilities were defined as racial and ethnic minority status; socioeconomic factors such as income, education and employment levels; housing status; and access to internet and health care.

Our study is one of the first to examine the impact of both social and environmental factors in combination and looked at the complex interplay between them, said the studys senior author Sarju Ganatra, M.D., a cardiologist and vice chair in the department of medicine for research and director of the Cardio-Oncology Program and South Asian Cardio-Metabolic Program at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts.

This study used the Environmental Justice Index  developed with data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  to rate environmental disadvantages across all U.S. census tracts.

The analysis found

People living in the most environmentally vulnerable neighborhoods had 1.6 times the rate of blocked arteries and more than twice the rate of stroke compared to people living in the least environmentally vulnerable neighborhoods.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors were higher in the most vulnerable areas with twice the rate of Type 2 diabetes, 1.8 times higher rates of chronic kidney disease, and 1.5 times higher incidence of high blood pressure and obesity.

About 30% of all U.S. residents aged 18-44, 21% of Black adults and most Hispanic adults resided in places with alarmingly high environmental burdens.

I was amazed to see the tight links and complex interplay between social and environmental factors on health outcomes. We were able to demonstrate their dual hit on health outcomes. And beyond that, we were more amazed by the fact that even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, environmental factors played a crucial and independent role in determining various heart disease and other related health outcomes, Ganatra said.

According to researchers, reversing the impact of social and environmental disadvantages will require a multi-pronged approach with interventions to reduce pollution exposure and policies that address the causes of poverty, urban revitalization, high quality public education, job creation programs and affordable housing, along with steps to ensure universal access to quality health care.

Our aim is to empower the health care community to better inform patients about environmental factors they encounter daily. Patients, in turn, gain the ability to reduce their exposure to harmful environmental conditions, such as exposure to harmful chemicals and air pollutants to minimize health hazards and mitigate health risks, Ganatra said.

A March 2024 American Heart Association Policy Statement, Adapting cities for heart-healthy, sustainable living requires integrated public policies, addresses the impact of urban provisioning systems  those that provide energy, mobility, housing, green infrastructure, water and waste management - on the cardiovascular and metabolic health of people who live in urban communities nationwide.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

At least ten passengers were killed when a passenger taxi they were travelling in skidded off and plunged into a deep gorge on Friday morning in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Police told UNI that the passenger taxi on its way from Jammu to Srinagar met with an accident and fell into around 800-feet deep gorge near the Battery Chashma area of the district.

"A passenger taxi rolled down a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near Battery Chashma in Ramban area. Police, SDRF and civil QRT Ramban reached on spot, rescue operation is going on," J&K Police posted on X.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that he spoke to DC Ramban, Baseer-ul-Haq, after learning about the tragic road accident in which a passenger taxi rolled down a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Battery Chashma, leading to the loss of 10 lives.

Spoke to DC #Ramban Sh Baseer-ul-Haq after learning about the tragic road accident in which a passenger taxi rolled down a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Battery Chashma leading to

1/2  Dr Jitendra Singh (  ) (@DrJitendraSingh) March 29, 2024

"Police, SDRF, and civil QRT have reached the spot. Rescue operation is going on. Im in constant touch. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families," Dr Singh said in his post on X.

Meanwhile, police said that the rescue operation is in progress and the identities of the deceased persons are being ascertained. The deceased individuals are suspected to be labourers heading towards Srinagar.

(With UNI Inputs)
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X post

Mandi/IBNS: Bollywood top actress Kangana Ranaut on Friday kick-started her Lok Sabha poll campaign, days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) picked her as a candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi.

Kangana- dressed in a white kurta- addressed a massive gathering where she pitched herself as the "sister and daughter" of people from her home state.

"Don't think Kangana is a star or a heroine, consider me as your sister and daughter. All are my relatives," said the 'Queen' star in her first words as a politician.

Her words triggered "Jai Shri Ram" chants from the BJP supporters.

#WATCH | Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Himachal Pradesh: BJP candidate from Mandi and actor Kangana Ranaut addresses people as she conducts a road show here.



She says, "...Don't think that Kangana is a heroine, that she is a star. Consider Kangana your sister, your daughter. pic.twitter.com/6wcAjBYnCs  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Kangana, who has always remained a supporter of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last year had expressed her wish to contest the parliamentary elections.

The 37-year-old actress, who hails from Himachal Pradesh's Bhambla, has a career spanning for two decades.

Reacting to the ticket being handed over to her, Kangana had posted on X, "My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Jantas own party, Bharatiya Janta party ( BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Loksabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high commands decision on contesting Loksabha polls.

"I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party. I look forward to be a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant. Thanks."
Four of Oaklands biggest employers will spend $10 million on a downtown security initiative, as the city works to attract interest and economic energy to its central business district. Here, the new Blue Shield headquarters in Oakland. Kate Munsch/Special to The Chronicle Four of Oaklands biggest employers will spend $10 million on a downtown security initiative, as the city works to attract interest and economic energy to its central business district. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

.Four of Oaklands biggest employers announced they are chipping in a total of $10 million for a security initiative downtown, as the city works to attract interest and economic energy to its central business district after a rise in crime in the past year.

Blue Shield of California, the Clorox Co., Kaiser Permanente, and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Thursday that they will use the funds to strengthen a partnership with the Oakland Police Department, enhance the areas ambassador program for on-demand buddy escorts to help people walk between destinations, and add transportation to and from transit hubs and parking lots.

Were trying to be part of the solution, said Paul Markovich, the CEO of Blue Shield of California. We take a lot of pride in being a member of the Oakland community and we hope this is a step that improves things, not just for employees, but the city at large.

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The partners involved in this effort saw a need to take quick, meaningful action on behalf of our coworkers and neighbors in Oakland, Patti Poppe, the CEO of PG&E, said in a statement. In the months ahead, well learn what works and what more may be needed to support our goal of creating a safer, more prosperous hometown for all.

The OPD measure is an initiative to fund the presence of off-duty officers in the area, Markovich said. The officers will be in uniform, even though they will be paid for by the private companies, a Blue Shield spokesman said.

Four of Oaklands biggest employers will spend $10 million on a downtown security initiative, as the city works to attract interest and economic energy to its central business district. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

The transportation component will include van or other ride services available to take employees to and from transit hubs and parking lots to the office. Blue Shields headquarters, on 12th Street, is 2 blocks away from the nearby BART station. Markovich said the company hadnt seen many crime incidents affecting its employees, but wanted to be prepared.

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Its fundamental for us to make sure our employees are safe, Markovich said. We had taken a number of steps to ensure employees were safe and we felt additional measures were relevant.

The investment comes amid heightened attention on public safety issues in Oakland, after violent crime rose 21% in 2023. Robberies rose 38%, and burglaries increased 23%, and the city logged 120 homicides for the second straight year. But officials say those numbers are improving this year. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao introduced Floyd Mitchell as the citys new police chief on Wednesday.

Corporations, always wary of unwanted attention and liability, have followed suit with some adjustments. In December, Kaiser Permanente, the citys largest employer, sent out a memo asking employees to stay in their buildings for lunch and throughout the workday, according to KTVU.

The next month, Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente, the citys largest employer, announced they had added safety measures such as ride-hailing services, security parking and more security guards. Also in January, Clorox said it had hired uniformed security guards to chaperone employees to the office from BART stations, parking garages, restaurants and coffee shops, and would conduct safety awareness training for workers.
Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal on Friday launched a Whatsapp campaign Kejriwal ko Aashirwad, to seek support for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor who is under EDs custody in an excise policy case.

In a video message, Sunita shared two WhatsApp numbers and appealed public to send their wishes, blessings, prayers or any message irrespective of their gender, age, financial status and party affiliation, which will be shared with the AAP leader in ED custody.

Yesterday Arvind ji presented his side in the court, and the entire country heard it. If you have not, then please listen to it once. Whatever he said in front of the court requires a lot of courage. He is a true patriot. This is exactly how our freedom fighters fought the British tyranny. I have been with him for the last 30 years; patriotism is in his every pore. Arvind ji has challenged the most powerful, corrupt, and dictatorial forces of the country, Sunita said.

You have called Arvind ji your brother, your son, will you not support your brother and your son in this fight? I have full confidence that we will all fight this battle together, she said.

Sharing two WhatsApp numbers 8297324624 and 9700297002, Sunita appealed people to send their blessings, good wishes and prayers to Arvind Kejriwal under the campaign Kejriwal ko Ashirwad.

If anyone wants to send any other message, he can also send it, she said.

I also received calls from many people that they are fasting for Arvind ji. How much people love Arvind ji. Write all that and send it. If you have anything else to say, anything that comes to your mind, write it and send it on the WhatsApp numbers, she said.

(With UNI Inputs)
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi/IBNS: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday promised that his party will take exemplary action against those who have destroyed democracy "when the government changes" after the party received a Rs. 1,800 crore income tax notice which it called "tax terrorism".

The fresh tax notice is for the assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21, and includes penalty and interest.

"When the government changes, action will definitely be taken against those who are destroying democracy. And the action will be taken in such a manner that no one will have the courage to do all this again. This is my guarantee," Gandhi wrote in a post on the microblogging platform X.

The country's key opposition Congress party received a blow ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election with the Income Tax department serving notice of over Rs 1,800 crore to it for alleged discrepancies in tax returns for previous years.

The notice was issued soon after the Delhi High Court rejected petitions by the Congress party challenging the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it for a period of four years.

Gandhi alleged central departments such as the income tax are working at the behest of the BJP.

The Congress is preparing to fight a long legal war to scrap the tax demands.

Congress leader Ajay Maken said the BJP has in the past few years got donations from thousands of people, and their income tax should also be calculated.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that while the I-T department has served notice to the grand old party, the ruling BJP has been spared.

"IT (Income Tax department) has now given a notice of a total of Rs 1,823 Cr to the Congress party. They have already withdrawn Rs 135 Cr from Congress party's accounts, which is a fund collected by us through crowdsourcing," Kharge said in a post on micro-blogging site 'X'.

"Despite the fact that public information of the Election Commission clearly shows that, 1297 people have deposited 42 Cr to BJP in 2017-18 without mentioning their name and addresses," he wrote.

4,600 Cr penalty overlooked for BJP's 42 Cr unaccounted deposit, while 135 Cr penalty is demanded for Congress' for 14 lakh cash deposits by MLAs & MPs!



Who is pressurising the Income Tax Department to act in this unjustified manner only against the Opposition?



Why is  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 29, 2024

Earlier the Congress alleged that the Narendra Modi government had frozen the bank accounts of the grand old party just weeks ahead of the general elections in the country making it troublesome for them to fund the poll campaigns.
Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (Image Credit: videograb/file photo)

New Delhi: Responding to China's remarks on the probe into the alleged foiled assassination plan targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Ministry of External Affairs asserted that India and the United States are capable of addressing any bilateral concerns.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that "speculative comments and gratuitous advice" by any unrelated third party has no role.

Indias retort comes after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a press conference that the concerned countries must abide by 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, declared as a terrorist by India, holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada.

According to the indictment by the US Justice Department, Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen currently in custody, faces charges related to a murder-for-hire plot targeting Pannun.

The US Justice Department stated that an Indian government employee, unnamed in the indictment, recruited Gupta to engage a shooter for the alleged assassination of Pannun. However, US authorities intervened and prevented the plan.

In response to these developments, India established a committee last year to investigate the allegations related to the foiled assassination conspiracy.
Jagdeep Dhankar speaking at the event/ courtesy: X/@VPIndia

New Delhi/IBNS: After remarks from Germany, the United States, and finally the United Nations on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said the country does not need lessons from anyone on the rule of law, stressing that India is a unique democracy.

The questions posed by representatives of the US and the UN, which triggered the comments, were also about the freezing of the Congress' bank accounts.

Speaking at an event on Friday, the Vice President said, "India is a democracy with a robust judicial system. This can't be compromised by any individual or any group. India does not need lessons from anyone on the rule of law."

Dhankhar emphasised that "equality before the law is the new norm" in India and those who thought they were beyond the law are being held accountable.

India is a democracy with a robust judicial system.



This can't be compromised by any individual or any group.



India does not need lessons from anyone on rule of law. @iipa9 #IIPA pic.twitter.com/RgnuIV8dPM  Vice President of India (@VPIndia) March 29, 2024

In a possible reference to the AAP's planned rally against Kejriwal's arrest at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday, to be attended by several leaders from the INDIA alliance, Dhankar said, "But what do we see?"

"The moment the law takes its course, they take to the streets, high-decibel debates, camouflaging culpability of the worst nature by human rights. This is happening under our nose," he added.

Describing the Indian judicial system as robust, independent, and pro-people, he asked, "What is the justification for a person or an institution or an organisation to take to the streets when the law is set in motion?"

Addressing the 70th Founders' Day celebrations of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Dhankhar also said people engaging in the "transgression of law" are now playing the victim card.

"Corruption is not a passage to opportunity, employment, or a contract anymore. It is a passage to jail... Can you go on a high moral ground that the corrupt must not be dealt with because it is a festive season or it is farming season? How can there be any season to save those who are culpable," the Vice President asked.

Corruption is no longer rewarding. Corruption is not a passage to opportunity, it is a passage to jail!



Those who are culpable must take route to rule of law, that is the only way! @iipa9 #IIPA pic.twitter.com/FbWv8f14El  Vice President of India (@VPIndia) March 29, 2024

After the remarks by representatives of the US and Germany, India summoned their envoys to register a protest on the same.

It had termed the comments "unwarranted", "biased" and "unacceptable", but has not reacted to the statement by a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres so far.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Beirut (Lebanon): Seven Hezbollah members were killed Friday in Israeli raids targeting several areas in Syria and southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua six of them were killed in Israeli dawn raids on locations in the countryside of Aleppo city in northern Syria, while a seventh was killed in an Israeli drone attack on a car on the main road between Bazourieh, a municipality, and Wadi Gilo in southern Lebanon.

According to medical sources, the civil defense crew and ambulances, equipped with bulldozers and cranes, had rushed to Bazourieh and transported a body and two wounded to Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern city of Tyre.

Civil defense teams also transported the six dead from Syria to Lebanon on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked Israeli targets in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms and Al-Malikiyah site with several missiles.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 395 people on the Lebanese side, including 254 Hezbollah members and 73 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources.

(With UNI/XINHUA inputs)
Photo Courtesy: S Jaishanakar X page

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently met Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan during his visit to the country when he held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture and education with him.

"They also exchanged views on issues of regional and global interest. EAM also met H.E. YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

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.

Delighted to meet FM @tokmatn9 to begin my visit to Malaysia.



Exchanged views on enhancing collaboration in political, economic, defence, digital, startups, consular and p2p linkages.



Shared perspectives on the region, Indo-Pacific, West Asia and Ukraine.



As we near pic.twitter.com/YIJtU9VWkW  Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 27, 2024

S Jaishankar was visiting the country from March 27 to 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 the statement issued by MEA.

"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," the statement said.
Photo Courtesy: BNM website

The Baloch National Movement was recently demonstrated in the British city of Manchester to mark Balochistan Occupy Day.

On March 27, 1948, Balochistan activists claimed the region was occupied by Pakistan, and BNM members and supporters joined the demonstration to mark Black Day.

"Despite the peaceful demonstration, a Pakistani citizen attempted to disrupt it by using hateful language against the participants," the BNM website said.

However, the protesters maintained their composure and continued their peaceful protest.

Addressing the participants, BNM leaders reiterated their commitment to a peaceful struggle for freedom and justice.

They urged the international community to focus on the Balochistan issue and support the legitimate demands of the Baloch nation.

The speakers emphasized that Pakistan has deprived the Baloch of their freedom in the name of Islam, violating laws and targeting innocent people, looting homes, and inflicting torture.

Expressing gratitude, Information Secretary of Baloch National Movement Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan commended the Manchester Police for ensuring the security of the protestors, highlighting the threats faced by Baloch political activists abroad.

Another protest was also observed by the BNM in Amsterdam city of Netherlands.
Photo courtesy: UN Photo/Fardin Waezi

Kabul: The Taliban has said that women in Afghanistan would face public floggings and stoning for adultery, proving apprehensions of the country regressing to a grim era under its rule, media reports said.

Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban, announced through a state television broadcast that women in the country will be publicly flogged and stoned to death for adultery.

He reasserted that the Taliban regime would persist in the struggle against Western democracy, reported The Telegraph.

Akhundzada said in his message that the rights of women advocated by the global community clashed with the Taliban's rigid adherence to Islamic Sharia law.

Do women want the rights that Westerners are talking about? They are against Sharia and clerics opinions, the clerics who toppled Western democracy, the head of the Taliban in Afghanistan said.

I told the Mujahedin that we tell the Westerners that we fought against you for 20 years and we will fight 20 and even more years against you. It did not finish [when you left]. It does not mean we would now just sit and drink tea. We will bring Sharia to this land. It did finish after we took over Kabul. No, we will now bring Sharia into action, the Telegraph reported, quoting Akhundzada.

"You say its a violation of womens rights when we stone them to death. But we will soon implement the punishment for adultery. We will flog women in public. We will stone them to death in public," Akhundzada boldly spoke to Western officials, in a voice message aired on state television over the weekend.

He asserted that this demonstrates the groups commitment to Islamic law, disregarding Western notions of women's rights, reported the Telegraph.

In 2001, the US-led invasion of Afghanistan removed the Taliban from power, yet they continued to exist.

The government, supported by the West, which had governed the nation for two decades, collapsed, leading to the Taliban's resurgence after the West led by the US decided to remove its forces from the country.

After hijacking control in 2021, the Taliban carried out retaliatory attacks against those who worked with the Americans or the previous government.

They reinstated the stringent interpretation of Islamic law that was the main characteristic of their rule from 1996 to 2001.

During that period, women were prohibited from attending school or working outside their homes.

Wearing the all-encompassing burqa by women was made mandatory and they were required to be accompanied by a male relative whenever they ventured outdoors.

The Taliban also enforced bans on music, implemented amputation as punishment for theft, and carried out stonings for adultery.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ 3.0 Unported

Samuel Bankman-Fried, also known as SBF, 32, was sentenced by a US court on Thursday (March 28, 2024) to 25 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $11 billion in forfeiture for his orchestration of multiple fraudulent schemes.

Bankman-Fried, who was the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the cryptocurrency trading firm Alameda Research, misappropriated billions of dollars of customer funds deposited with FTX, defrauded investors in FTX of more than $1.7 billion, and defrauded lenders to Alameda of more than $1.3 billion.

"Bankman-Fried was previously found guilty on two counts of wire fraud, two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, following a one-month trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who imposed todays sentence," US Department of Justice said in a statement.

There are serious consequences for defrauding customers and investors, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, 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. I am grateful to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI for their outstanding work in bringing Mr. Bankman-Fried to justice.

The FBI will aggressively investigate individuals, like Samuel Bankman-Fried, who engage in fraudulent schemes at the expense of the American public and our financial systems, said FBI Director Christopher Wray. We are proud of the successful collaboration that ended this massive mismanagement and misappropriation of billions of dollars. Today's sentencing should serve as a warning to others looking to use fraudulent means for personal gain  there are consequences for your actions.

Samuel Bankman-Fried orchestrated one of the largest financial frauds in history, stealing over $8 billion of his customers money, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. 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. 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. As a result of his unprecedented fraud, Bankman-Fried faces 25 years in prison and forfeiture of over $11 billion dollars. 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.

Samuel Bankman-Fried was the founder and chief executive officer of FTX, an international cryptocurrency exchange. From 2019 to 2022, Bankman-Fried was the leader and mastermind of a scheme to defraud customers of FTX by misappropriating billions of dollars of those customers funds.

Bankman-Fried took FTX customer funds for his personal use, to make investments and millions of dollars of political contributions to candidates from both parties, and to repay billions of dollars in loans owed by Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency trading fund that Bankman-Fried also founded. Bankman-Fried also defrauded lenders to Alameda and equity investors in FTX by providing them false and misleading financial information that concealed his misuse of customer deposits.

Samuel Bankman-Fried repeatedly told his customers, his investors, and the public that customer deposits into FTX were kept safe and were held in custody for the customers, that customer deposits were kept separate from company assets, and that customer deposits would not be used by FTX.

He also repeatedly claimed that his trading company, Alameda, did not have any privileged access to FTX and did not receive special treatment from FTX.

Those statements were false, and Bankman-Fried in fact channeled billions of dollars in customer deposits from FTX to Alameda, and then used those funds to make investments for his own benefit, to make political contributions, and to spend on real estate, among other expenditures.

He employed a variety of fraudulent means to perpetrate this fraud. For instance, Bankman-Fried directed co-conspirators to alter FTXs computer code to allow Alameda to withdraw effectively unlimited amounts of cryptocurrency from the exchange.

Bankman-Fried also made false statements to financial institutions to conceal his misuse of customer dollar deposits.

And he directed the creation of false financial statements for Alamedas lenders, inflated FTXs revenues and profits in numbers provided to investors, and backdated contracts and other documents to conceal his fraudulent conduct.

Judge Kaplan authorized the government to use the funds recovered through the forfeiture process to provide compensation to victims of Bankman-Frieds crimes.

The FBI investigated the case.

The Southern District of New Yorks Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, with assistance from the offices Illicit Finance & Money Laundering and Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Units are handling the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos, Danielle Sassoon, Samuel Raymond, Thane Rehn, and Danielle Kudla are prosecuting the case.
Nanette covers California's public universities - the University of California and California State University - as well as community colleges and private universities. She's written about sexual misconduct at UC and Stanford, the precarious state of accreditation at City College of San Francisco, and what happens when the UC Berkeley student government discovers a gay rights opponent in its midst. She has exposed a private art college where students rack up massive levels of debt (one student's topped $400k), and covered audits peering into UC finances, education lawsuits and countless student protests.



But writing about higher education also means getting a look at the brainy creations of students and faculty: Robotic suits that help paralyzed people walk. Online collections of folk songs going back hundreds of years. And innovations touching on everything from virtual reality to baseball.



Nanette is also covering the COVID-19 pandemic and served as health editor during the first six months of the crisis, which quickly ended her brief tenure as interim investigations editor.



Previously, Nanette covered K-12 education. Her stories led to changes in charter school laws, prompted a ban on Scientology in California public schools, and exposed cheating and censorship in testing.



A past president of the Society of Professional Journalists' Northern California chapter, Nanette has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a B.A. in sociology from Queens College. She speaks English and Spanish.

She can be reached at nasimov@sfchronicle.com.
Crew OTT Release Date: The crime-comedy film starring a stellar cast including Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon, Kapil Sharma and Diljit Dosanjh has been released in theatres today on March 29. If you are waiting for the movie's OTT release, here is all you need to know.

Where to watch Crew on OTT?

X

The OTT rights of the film produced by Ekta Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor and Anil Kapoor under the banner Balaji Motion Pictures, Anil Kapoor Films and Communication Network have been sold to Netflix reportedly. Hence, once the film is out of theatres, it will be streaming on the OTT giant.

Also Read: Premalu OTT Release Date: When And Where To Watch Naslen And Mamitha Baiju's Malayalam Film

When to watch Crew on OTT?

X

Crew's OTT release date has not been fixed as of yet. The film will not be streamed before two months of its theatrical release, at least.

What is Crew all about?

X

The story of the movie revolves around three hardworking women whose lives take unexpected turns, leading them into tricky situations and entangling them into a complex web of deceit. Directed by Rajesh Krishnan of Lootcase fame, the film is set against the backdrop of the struggling airline industry.



Also Read: Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) OTT Release: When And Where To Watch Prithviraj Sukumaran's Film

As seen in the trailer, Tabu, Kareena, and Kriti are essaying the roles of badass air hostesses. From stealing peanut boxes meant for flights to planning to earn a lot of money and raising the glam quotient, the trio seeks to grab eyeballs.

Crew is written by duo Mehul Suri and Nidhi Mehra who shared about the training session that the lead actresses went through for the role of air hostess. "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 duo said.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Social media sensation Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry, has ignited a storm of controversy after a video surfaced of him refusing to shake hands with influencer and content creator Ruchika Lohiya at a recent event in Mumbai.

Orry Threatens Legal Action Against Content Creator, Here's Everything You Need To Know

Screenshot Of Ruchika Lohiya's post/Instagram

Orry's response to the incident has sparked intense debate online, with the influencer now facing potential legal action.

Also Read: Allu Arjun's Wax Statue At Madame Tussauds Dubai: Pushpa Actor Reflects On 'Surreal' Experience



The video, shared by Lohiya on Instagram, quickly went viral, amassing over 4.1 million views as of the time of reporting. In the footage, Lohiya recounts her experience at the event, expressing her disappointment after Orry declined to shake her hand.

In response, Orry took to the comments section of Lohiya's post, labelling her actions as "shameless" and questioning her motives for sharing the video. He defended his decision, citing concerns about hygiene and personal boundaries in public settings.

"Babe, I do not know you, you aint my homie, I do not know what germs and shit your hand carries," Orry wrote in one comment. "Don't expect strangers to touch you," he added, emphasising his preference for a friendly fist bump.

Expressing his frustration, Orry hinted at potential legal repercussions, stating, "I will be filing a defamation case immediately. Legal has already been notified. CCTV will also be pulled."

In the video, Lohiya recounts her admiration for Orry's work and her attempt to greet him with a handshake as she departs the event. However, Orry responded with a fist bump, causing embarrassment for Lohiya.

Also Read: Premalu: From SS Rajamouli To Mahesh Babu, Celebs Who Heaped Praises Upon The Malayalam Film



Who Is Orry?

Orry, a familiar face in Bollywood circles, has been a regular presence at high-profile events and gatherings. His recent appearance at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding bash in Jamnagar underscored his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Orry has been sought after for reality shows such as Bigg Boss and Dance Deewane.

The incident has ignited discussions surrounding personal boundaries, hygiene etiquette, and the responsibilities of public figures when interacting with fans and followers. As the controversy continues to unfold, both Orry and Lohiya await further developments in what has become a heated online debate.
Good Friday 2024: Good Friday is a religious holiday observed by Christians around the world to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, his death, and his burial. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday and marks the end of Holy Week. At this time of year, many people look for ways to send their friends and loved ones Good Friday wishes, messages, and quotes.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to Good Friday messages, including some inspirational quotes, so that you can find the perfect words to express your feelings on this holy day. We will also explain the history, significance and tradition of Good Friday, and how you can celebrate it with reverence and joy.

Good Friday 2024: 50+ Wishes, Messages, Images, Whatsapp Status, Jesus Quotes And More To Send Loved Ones And Recall The Sacrifice Of Jesus

Good Friday 2023 best wishes to send loved ones

1. May the blessings of Good Friday fill your heart with peace and joy.

2. Wishing you a blessed Good Friday filled with love and hope.

3. May the sacrifice of Jesus on this Good Friday remind us of the power of love and forgiveness.

4. May the cross of Christ be a source of inspiration and strength for you on this Good Friday.

5. Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Good Friday.

6. May this Good Friday bring you closer to God and deepen your faith.

7. May the grace and mercy of Jesus be with you on this Good Friday and always.

8. Wishing you a blessed Good Friday and a joyous Easter.

9. May the love of God fill your heart on this Good Friday and always.

10. Wishing you a day filled with reflection, prayer, and gratitude on this Good Friday.

11. May the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross inspire us to be kind and compassionate to others.

12. May the spirit of Good Friday bring hope, healing, and renewal to your life.

13. Wishing you a day of quiet reflection and contemplation on this Good Friday.

14. May the peace and love of Jesus be with you on this Good Friday and always.

15. Wishing you a blessed and holy Good Friday.

16. May the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross remind us of the true meaning of love and selflessness.

17. May the blessings of Good Friday bring joy and happiness to your life.

18. Wishing you a day of grace, peace, and blessings on this Good Friday.

19. May the light of Jesus guide you on this Good Friday and always.

20. Wishing you a blessed and meaningful Good Friday filled with the presence of God.

Good Friday 2024: 50+ Wishes, Messages, Images, Whatsapp Status, Jesus Quotes And More To Send Loved Ones And Recall The Sacrifice Of Jesus

Good Friday 2024 best messages to send loved ones

1. May the solemnity of Good Friday fill your heart with peace and hope.

2. On this day, we remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for our salvation.

3. Let us bow our heads in prayer and thanksgiving for the immeasurable love and sacrifice of Jesus.

4. Wishing you a blessed Good Friday and a meaningful Easter.

5. May the light of the cross guide you in your darkest moments and give you strength.

6. Let us honor the crucifixion of Jesus by living our lives with compassion and forgiveness.

7. May the blessings of Good Friday be with you always and fill your heart with joy.

8. Today we remember the ultimate act of love and sacrifice, and its profound impact on humanity.

9. May the solemnity of this day remind us to be grateful for the gift of life and love.

10. On this day, may we reflect on the meaning of sacrifice and the importance of selflessness in our lives.

11. May the significance of Good Friday bring hope and peace to your heart.

12. Let us take a moment to remember the incredible love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross.

13. May the message of Good Friday inspire us to spread love, kindness, and hope to those around us.

14. On this day, let us pray for the world and for all those who suffer.

15. May the sacrifice of Jesus bring us closer to God and to one another.

16. Wishing you a blessed Good Friday and a renewed sense of purpose and faith.

17. Let us celebrate the power of love and the hope that Jesus' sacrifice brings.

18. May the significance of this day fill your heart with gratitude and humility.

19. On this solemn occasion, let us reflect on the true meaning of forgiveness and redemption.

20. May the blessings of Good Friday be a reminder of the infinite love and mercy of God.

Good Friday 2024: 50+ Wishes, Messages, Images, Whatsapp Status, Jesus Quotes And More To Send Loved Ones And Recall The Sacrifice Of Jesus

Good Friday 2023 quotes to send loved ones

1. "On this Good Friday, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ and reflect on the lessons of love and compassion that he taught us."

2. "Good Friday is not about gloom and despair, but about the triumph of love over hate, and hope over despair."

3. "May the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross inspire us to be more compassionate and forgiving towards one another."

4. "Good Friday is a reminder that love and selflessness can conquer all, even death."

5. "The cross is not just a symbol of suffering, but also of hope and redemption."

6. "On this Good Friday, let us be reminded that through Christ's sacrifice, we have been given the gift of eternal life."

7. "Good Friday reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and inspires us to live a life of service and sacrifice."

8. "May the blessings of Good Friday bring peace and joy to your life."

9. "The cross is a symbol of love and sacrifice, and on this Good Friday, we honor that sacrifice and the love that it represents."

10. "On this Good Friday, let us give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and strive to follow his example of love and compassion."

11. "Good Friday is a time to reflect on the love and grace of God, and to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us."

12. "May the hope and promise of Easter be a comfort to you on this Good Friday."

13. "Good Friday is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope."

14. "May the peace and love of God be with you on this Good Friday, and always."

15. "The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross reminds us of the power of love and the strength of faith."

16. "Good Friday is a day to remember the selfless love that Jesus showed to us all."

17. "May the spirit of Good Friday bring you peace and comfort, and may the love of God surround you always."

18. "The cross is a symbol of sacrifice, but also of hope and resurrection. On this Good Friday, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice and the hope it brings."

19. "On this Good Friday, let us pray for peace and understanding in our world, and for the strength to follow the example of Jesus Christ."

20. "May the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross be a reminder of the power of love and the importance of forgiveness."

Good Friday 2024: 50+ Wishes, Messages, Images, Whatsapp Status, Jesus Quotes And More To Send Loved Ones And Recall The Sacrifice Of Jesus

Good Friday 2023 top WhatsApp statuses

1. May the spirit of Good Friday fill your heart with love, peace, and happiness.

2. On this holy day, let us remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his unconditional love for us.

3. May the blessings of Good Friday bring new hope, joy, and prosperity to your life.

4. Let us remember the cross on which Jesus died, and the love he showed for us all.

5. Good Friday reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

6. Wishing you a blessed Good Friday filled with love, happiness, and peace.

7. On this Good Friday, let us pray for all those who are suffering and in need.

8. May the love of Jesus fill your heart and soul, and bring you peace and comfort on this Good Friday.

9. Let us take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the love he showed for us all.

10. On this holy day, may the love and grace of Jesus fill your heart and bring you peace.

11. May the blessings of Good Friday bring you hope, happiness, and peace.

12. On this day, let us remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the love he showed for us all.

13. May the light of Jesus guide you through the darkness, and bring you peace on this Good Friday.

14. Good Friday reminds us of the power of forgiveness, and the love that can overcome even the greatest of sins.

15. On this holy day, let us remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the hope he brings to us all.

16. May the peace and love of Jesus Christ fill your heart and soul on this Good Friday.

17. Let us take a moment to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the love he showed for us all.

18. On this holy day, may the love and grace of Jesus bring you peace and comfort.

19. Good Friday reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

20. May the blessings of Good Friday bring you joy, happiness, and peace.

Good Friday 2023: Jesus Quotes - Top Biblical Quotes from Christ

1. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" - Matthew 27:46

2. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:34

3. "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." - Matthew 4:4

4. "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" - Matthew 6:27

5. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." - Matthew 7:15

6. "Take heart son, your sins are forgiven." - Matthew 9:2

7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." - Luke 23:46

8. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

9. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

10. "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted." - Isaiah 53:4

11. "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." - Isaiah 53:7

12. "When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminalsone on his right, the other on his left." - Luke 23:33

13. "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit." - Matthew 27:50

14 . "They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said." - Matthew 27:28-29

15. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

16. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." - Romans 5:1-2

17. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." - 1 Peter 3:18

18. "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to deatheven death on a cross!" - Philippians 2:8

19. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

20. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

Good Friday 2024: 50+ Quotes And Messages

Good Friday is a special day for Christians to remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity. By sending Good Friday wishes, messages, and quotes, we can share the message of hope and redemption with our loved ones. We hope that this guide has provided you with some useful ideas and inspiration for crafting your own Good Friday wishes, and messages. May you have a peaceful and reflective Good Friday.



For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.


A photograph capturing a delivery person in Delhi in tears following Zomato's decision to block his account has stirred emotions across social media platforms. Soham Bhattacharya, a user on X, shared the poignant account, revealing the distressing situation faced by the delivery worker.

Representational Image| PTI

This guys sisters wedding is in few days & @zomato @zomatocare blocked his account! He was sobbing like anything near GTB Nagar, going to everyone and asking for some money. He told me he didnt eat anything saving it all for her wedding, Soham expressed on X.



This guy's sister's wedding is in few days & @zomato @zomatocare blocked his account! He was sobbing like anything near GTB Nagar, going to everyone and asking for some money. He told me he didn't eat anything saving it all for her wedding



Please make it viral if you can pic.twitter.com/sl8juEBsaJ  Soham Bhattacharya   (@Sohamllb) March 28, 2024

Soham further elaborated, stating, He is doing Rapido as his Zomato account is blocked & he needs to collect fund some how.

The online community echoed Soham's sentiments, expressing outrage towards Zomato. One user criticized, A normal day of being a delivery partner. Have some shame @zomato!! Another appealed directly to Zomato, stating, Please unblock his account @zomato, working class is the backbone of our society & economy. They earn money for their survival first, thats their everyday struggle. They dont have enough money at their disposal to lead a carefree life. How can somebody live without money?

We deeply value our delivery partners, and we understand the impact that actions like blocking an ID can have. Rest assured, we take such matters seriously. We assure you, we'll look into this. Our delivery partners are as important to us as our customers.  Zomato Care (@zomatocare) March 28, 2024

After the post went viral, Zomato issued a statement assuring action. We deeply value our delivery partners, and we understand the impact that actions like blocking an ID can have. Rest assured, we take such matters seriously. We assure you, well look into this. Our delivery partners are as important to us as our customers.

The incident has sparked broader discussions online, with users emphasizing the need for financial support and understanding for individuals in similar situations.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


In Nagpur, Dolly's tea shop is a local hotspot where you can't miss the man in his quirky attire, complete with yellow goggles, gold chains, and a unique hairstyle. Dolly Chaiwala, who recently gained fame for an unexpected meet-up with billionaire Bill Gates, is back in the spotlight. And this time, it's for his glamorous vacation in the Maldives, rubbing shoulders with none other than Bollywood actor Sohail Khan.

Alongside snapshots with the Bollywood celebrity, Dolly was also captured mingling with locals on the island. Sharing a glimpse of his time with Sohail on Instagram, Dolly wrote, Met Sohail Khan sir in the Maldives. It was a pleasure meeting him.

Soon after, numerous photos of Dolly surfaced online, capturing his interactions with the people of the Maldives, igniting a frenzy on social media.

Responses poured in from users, with some extending congratulations to Dolly for his newfound success, while others humorously commented on the pictures. One user joked, Dolly will now feature in films too, while another quipped, Dolly chai wala, Bill Gates' friend.

Amidst the flurry of reactions, messages of well-wishes flooded in. "May you achieve even greater success, brother," one user commented, echoing the sentiments of many who celebrated Dolly's rise from a small business owner to an internet sensation.

These snapshots emerged shortly after a video featuring Dolly and Bill Gates went viral, capturing their unexpected encounter at Dolly's tea stall during Gates' visit to India.
In Rishikesh, India, a remarkable feat of courage and determination shattered preconceived limitations.

Despite using a wheelchair, one man defied expectations and embraced the thrill of a bungee jump, showcasing the indomitable human spirit.

This extraordinary act is a powerful testament to the adage that 'nothing is impossible.'

The man's leap into the abyss symbolizes a triumph over adversity, inspiring countless others to challenge their perceived boundaries.

Against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas, this bravery resonates as a beacon of hope and empowerment.

Through sheer willpower and resilience, the individual who used a wheelchair not only defied gravity but also shattered societal norms and stereotypes.

His leap serves as a reminder that human potential knows no bounds when fueled by determination and courage.

In a world often constrained by limitations, this awe-inspiring act serves as a reminder of the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and defy the odds.

What Did This Wheelchair-Bound Man Do In Rishikesh?

A wheelchair-bound man proves that 'nothing is impossible' by bungee jumping in Rishikesh | Image: Instagram

Recently, the internet was abuzz with a wheelchair-bound individual's bold bungee jump in Rishikesh, capturing widespread attention.



'Rishikesh Adventures' shared a video documenting this extraordinary feat on their Instagram account, igniting a new wave of admiration online.

The footage depicts the careful arrangements made by the man's companions, guaranteeing his well-being and ease as he readies himself for the exhilarating leap.

A wheelchair-bound man proves that 'nothing is impossible' by bungee jumping in Rishikesh | Image: Instagram

Positioned at the edge, the man is gently propelled by his friends, launching him into the air, where he swiftly descends into the abyss below.



The sentiment echoed in the Instagram post's comments section encapsulates the essence of bungee jumping perfectly.



Where Can You Watch The Viral Video?

You can watch the viral video on Instagram posted by Rishikesh Adventure.

How Did The Internet React?

The video rapidly gained viral status, accumulating over 23 million views, as social media users lauded the man for his exceptional "courage," "confidence," and "determination."

Additionally, a segment of the online community commended his friends for their instrumental role in accomplishing this remarkable feat despite the individual's physical limitations.

Internet reacts to a wheelchair-bound man proves that 'nothing is impossible' by bungee jumping in Rishikesh | Image: Instagram

Internet reacts to a wheelchair-bound man proves that 'nothing is impossible' by bungee jumping in Rishikesh | Image: Instagram

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked with Bill Gates about how India is using artificial intelligence (AI) in different areas like governance, economy, education, and medicine during their recent meeting. Modi joked that in India, babies might start saying "AI" along with "aai" (meaning mother) because of its importance.



Modi mentioned practical examples of AI use, like language interpretation during the G20 event and real-time translation of his speech into Tamil. Gates praised India's progress in AI, saying it's entering a new phase where AI will enhance digital infrastructure.

Let me share the exciting use of AI. It will make you happy to see how a common man demonstrates its practical benefits. Our G20 campus featured AI-based solutions for language interpretation. We equipped all chauffers with a mobile app, enabling seamless communication with the guests. For instance, if a guest spoke French, the app would allow the chauffer to understand. This facilitated smooth conversations between speakers of different languages.

Recently, I went to the Kashi Tamil Sangam event. As I cant speak Tamil, I delivered my speech in Hindi which was translated into Tamil real-time using AI, allowing attendees from Tamil Nadu to understand me clearly, Modi added.

Bill Gates Meets PM Modi

In response Bill Gates praised Indias adoption of AI in different fields I think the key point is that the digital infrastructure keeps getting richer. A lot of people know about the identity system and the payment systems But as you are moving into the different areas for farmers, registering their land, tutoring for kids and the health records, thats kind of a second phase.



And we are just at the beginning now of the third phase where these advances in artificial intelligence will come on top of that and make the value even better, he added.

Modi described India's digital growth as the fourth industrial revolution and emphasised India's potential in this field. He also talked about AI's role in public good, encouraging startups to find solutions for global challenges.

Historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions, we lagged behind because we were a colony. Now, in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, the digital element is at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot in this, the PM said.

Modi and Gates talked about many things at Modi's house, like AI, digital infrastructure, and climate change. Modi asked Gates to take a selfie using the NaMo App's Photo Booth. The app now uses AI to help users find their pictures with Modi through facial recognition. Modi keeps saying that India will be the best in AI. He wants young entrepreneurs to create solutions that can help not only India but also other countries.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and Bill Gates discuss the role and benefits of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The PM also tells him how AI was utilised during 2023 G20 Summit, how his Hindi speech was translated into Tamil during Kashi Tamil Sangamam event and the use of pic.twitter.com/Ur5eUkC7Gs  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

The Indian government has approved a Rs 10,000 crore plan for the India AI Mission to support AI innovation and infrastructure. Modi and Gates previously discussed AI for public good, women-led development, and innovation in agriculture and health.

Gates later tweeted about their meeting, highlighting their discussions on various topics including AI, development, and innovation.

It is always inspiring to meet with @narendramodi and there was a lot to discuss. We talked about AI for public good; DPI; women-led development; innovation in agriculture, health, and climate adaptation; and how we can take lessons from India to the world, Gates had posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Apart from talking about AI, G20 and digital payment also gifted each other amazing gifts:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bill Gates recently met and discussed various topics including AI, development, innovation and gifted each other. Bill Gates presented a few nutrition books to PM Modi as gifts in return gift PM Modi presented him with 'Vocal for Local' gift hampers.

While gifting the books Bill Gates said, "Finally you making progress on nutrition"

#WATCH | After their interaction, Bill Gates presents a few nutrition books to PM Modi as gifts.



PM Modi gifts him 'Vocal for Local' gift hampers. pic.twitter.com/JYGj10BzU1  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

PM Modi gifted Bill Gates famous Tamil Nadu Pearls, Modi said, "In Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu they cultivate pearls. It is also known as the Pearl City. The local fishermen have done remarkable work in this field. During my visit, I decided I would show this to you and bring some for you"

PM Modi also gifted a traditional Terracotta to Bill Gates, while presenting the gift Modi said, "Terracotta, an ancient Indian tradition holds a special place in Tamil Nadu. It's widely celebrated, gracing both temples and homes with unique items crafted specifically for worship"

PM Modi then gifted Kashmiri Pashmina artistry and saffron to Gates, while presenting he stated, "Pashmina artistry thrives in Kashmir alongside the cultivation of saffron and both contributing to the region's global exports"

"Currently, I am championing the "Vocal for Local" movement along with my initiative "One District, One Product" to promote local specialities. When I travel abroad and present these district-specific items to my guests, the local people feel proud "

PM Modi also gifted Darjeeling tea, and Nilgiri tea and said "I saw you were enjoying a tea discussion recently"

"These days, the "One District, One Product" initiative is gaining popularity. I hope that all these memories I have shared will state with you"




Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's leading IT services firm, has initiated the recruitment of fresh graduates, offering a significant reprieve to engineering students amidst a downturn in demand that prompted many IT companies to halt hiring activities.



TCS has invited applications from the 2024 batches of BTech, BE, MCA, MSc, and MS students. The deadline for applying is April 10, with tests scheduled for April 26, as indicated on the company's career page.

TCS

The Salary Packages Range From Rs 3.36 LPA To Rs 11.5 LPA

The Mumbai-based company is recruiting for three categories: Ninja, Digital, and Prime. The Ninja category provides a package of Rs 3.36 lakhs per annum for various positions, whereas the Digital and Prime categories offer Rs 7 lakhs and Rs 9-11.5 lakhs per annum, respectively.

As the company has not specified the exact number, it remains to be seen how many offer letters will be distributed by Indias leading IT sector recruiter.

TCS has not disclosed the number of vacancies.

tcs/fb

Heres How You Can Apply For TCS Jobs:

Step 1: Log on to the TCS NextStep Portal

Open your web browser and go to the TCS NextStep Portal website.

Once the page loads, look for the "Login" or "Sign In" option. It is usually located at the top right corner of the webpage.

Click on the "Login" or "Sign In" option.

Enter your username and password in the respective fields. If you don't have an account, you may need to register first.

After entering your credentials, click on the "Login" or "Sign In" button.

If your credentials are correct, you will be logged in to the TCS NextStep Portal, where you can access various features and services offered by Tata Consultancy Services.

Step 2: Register and Apply for the Drive

Step 3: To verify your status, navigate to the "Track Your Application" section. Your status should display as "Applied for Drive" if your application has been successfully submitted.
With the new financial year, the Union Budgets Income Tax proposals will also come into effect from Apr 1, 2024. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced these changes during her Budget speech earlier this year in February.

stock image

Here's an overview of some significant changes, including expanded basic exemption limits, among others, that you should be aware of.



1. The default adoption of the new tax regime is a significant change aimed at simplifying the tax filing process and encouraging more taxpayers to opt for the new regime, which offers lower tax rates but fewer deductions and exemptions. However, taxpayers still have the option to continue using the old tax regime if it proves to be more advantageous for them.

2. As per the announcement made in the previous Budget, starting from April 1, 2023, the basic exemption limit was raised to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 2.5 lakh under the new tax regime. Additionally, the rebate provided under Section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, was increased to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 5 lakh. Consequently, individuals with a taxable income of up to Rs 7 lakh under the new regime will receive a complete tax rebate, exempting them from paying any income tax.

3. According to the new regime, these are the tax slabs:

Income from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh: 5% tax rate

Income from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh: 10% tax rate

Income from Rs 9 lakh to Rs 12 lakh: 15% tax rate

Income from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 15 lakh: 20% tax rate

Income exceeding Rs 15 lakh: 30% tax rate

4. The standard deduction of Rs 50,000, which was previously only applicable to the old tax regime, has now been extended to also cover the new tax regime. This adjustment will lead to a reduction in taxable income for individuals opting for the new regime.

indiatimes

5. The surcharge rate, which previously stood at 37% for incomes exceeding Rs 5 crore, has now been decreased to 25%. This adjustment leads to a lower effective tax rate for individuals with substantial incomes who opt for the new regime.

6. According to the statement made by the Finance Minister, maturity proceeds from life insurance policies issued on or after April 1, 2023, with a total premium exceeding Rs 5 lakh, will be liable for taxation.

7. The tax exemption limit for leave encashment for non-government employees, previously Rs 3 lakh, has now been raised to Rs 25 lakh.

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth.
Sam Bankman-Fried, previously known as the 'Crypto King' and the founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has been convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He has been charged for embezzling $8 billion (Rs 66,000 crore) from users of his now defunct platform, which ultimately led to its bankruptcy.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan rendered the decision on Thursday, marking the conclusion of Bankman-Fried's trial initiated following the collapse of FTX in 2022.

Forbes

All You Need To Know About Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, gained significant popularity in the crypto trading space.

Sam Bankman-Fried, born on March 5, 1992, in Stanford, California, pursued his education at MIT. Afterward, he delved into cryptocurrency trading, eventually transitioning to Wall Street. In 2017, he founded Alameda Research.

abc7 news

Two years after establishing Alameda Research, he launched the FTX cryptocurrency exchange in 2019, which quickly elevated his status in the industry. FTX enabled users to trade a wide range of digital assets.



How did Sam Bankman Fried get the 'Crypto King' title?

Bankman-Fried gained the moniker "Crypto King" thanks to his extraordinary achievements with FTX. As the world's second-largest exchange, FTX facilitated trading in various virtual currencies, including Bitcoin, catapulting him to fame.

His success saw him accumulate a net worth of $26 billion (Rs 2 lakh crore) before turning 30.

Bankman-Fried's promotional strategies played a crucial role in establishing FTX as a trusted platform. By leveraging celebrity endorsements from icons like Tom Brady and Larry David in their advertisements, FTX not only enhanced its brand image but also instilled confidence among users regarding the platform's reliability and security. These efforts contributed significantly to FTX's growing reputation as a reputable and trustworthy cryptocurrency exchange.

american banker

Why Was Bankman-Fried arrested?

32-year-old Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven counts related to fraud and conspiracy, constituting one of the largest financial fraud cases in the history of the United States.

His reputation as a leading figure in the digital currency realm was tarnished as he faced convictions on several federal charges, including wire fraud and money laundering.

people

Alleged to be the mastermind behind an $8 billion fraud scheme, Bankman-Fried's apprehension in the Bahamas signaled the start of a legal saga culminating in a 25-year prison term. This has been described by the judge as one of the most substantial financial frauds in American history.


Executive chef Mario Vollera prepares a pasta dish inside a wheel of Pecorino Romano cheese at Three One Four in Berkeley. The new Italian restaurant opened this week. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Its hard to miss Berkeleys flashy new restaurant Three One Four on Gilman Street. And right at home among the self-described swanky white booths and pink walls, one pasta dish is being made in a very eye-catching way under the glam dining rooms chandeliers.

Hot pasta is dropped into a large, partially hollowed-out wheel of cheese imported from Italy. Inside, the pasta melts the cheese into a glossy sauce. Then the cook tosses and tosses the glistening pasta before twisting it onto a plate. The process happens on a cart carrying the cheese around the dining room, bringing the show straight to the table.

Restaurant owner Brandon Wilson hopes diners will have the same impression he had after trying the dish for the first time. It just blew me away, he said.

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Bowls of cacio e pepe  once a tongue twister for American diners  have become a hugely popular dish at Italian restaurants nationwide. And tossing a deluxe version of the simple cheese-and-pepper pasta dish in huge wheels of Italian cheese is gaining popularity at Bay Area restaurants. The item was already somewhat trendy before the pandemic, and the appeal  diners typically watch the process with phones in hand, documenting for social media posterity  is undeniable.

Its good advertising for us, said Maico Campilungo, co-owner of the Michelin-listed restaurant Italico in Palo Alto. Its only available Wednesday and Sunday, for $25, and is one of the most popular items on the menu.

Cacio e pepe is on the menu at Three One Four, a new pizzeria and Italian restaurant in Berkeley. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Dolly Batathota opened her eponymous wine bar Dollys in El Cerrito last October. Inside the petite space, she pours a selection of wines and tosses fettuccine into a 97-pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, what she claims is the only cheese wheel in Contra Costa County. The item ($23.95) has been a hit. In San Francisco, Acquolina in North Beach and Bella Trattoria in the Inner Richmond also offer the dish, as do South Bay restaurants like Locanda Sorrento and at Eataly, Silicon Valleys expansive palazzo of Italian eating.

The origins of the trend in the U.S. are unclear, but the dish has been around for some time on menus in Southern California and the Bay Area. (Bella Trattoria chef-owner David Burciaga says hes offered the item on and off over the last seven years.) In Italy, chef Massimo Bottura  a cheese obsessive best known for his three-Michelin-star restaurant Osteria Francescana  cooked a risotto inspired by cacio e pepe inside of a cheese wheel after a 2012 earthquake damaged several prized wheels of cheese in his native Modena. He also tossed pesto pasta inside a cheese wheel at a food media event in New York in 2014, bringing more American eyes to the method.

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Batathota, the Dollys owner, first saw the preparation while traveling through Florence, Italy a few years ago, and wanted to replicate it. Campilongo, the Italico owner, also encountered the dish in Italy, and decided to introduce it to his restaurant around four years ago.

Three One Four chef Mario Vollera offered cheese wheel pasta at his previous restaurant South End in Los Angeles. He has also seen people toss pasta in cheese wheels in his native Rome and its surrounding Lazio region.

The dish, which is generally a version of cacio e pepe, is made by shaving a layer of Pecorino Romano, then dropping in a serving of pasta and a bit of boiling water to melt it. The noodles then get a sprinkling of fresh ground pepper. There are many variations. Dollys drops fettuccine into a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano for Alfredo instead, and offers toppings of smoked salmon or prosciutto ($29.95). Half Moon Bays Fattoria e Mare also uses Parmigiano Reggiano aged 36 months ($30). At Italico, its bucatini that goes into an 84-pound wheel of Grana Padano.

Three One Four chef Vollera says hes gotten requests to do the dish with other pasta shapes like macaroni or mezze maniche, a wide tube-shaped pasta. But as a purist, he insists the true cacio e pepe can only be made with Pecorino Romano, spaghetti and ground pepper. Thats the original recipe, Vollera said.

Three One Four executive chef Mario Vollera serves cacio e pepe pasta tossed in a cheese wheel, an increasingly popular preparation in the Bay Area. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Some cheese suppliers offer whole cheese wheels, which is how Three One Four acquire them. However, Dollys owner Batathota imports her wheels herself. Its a long process that requires lots of paperwork, she said. Its also expensive: She declined to name an exact figure, but put it in the thousands of dollars.

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Because the item is in regular demand, cheese wheels must be replaced regularly. Batathota is in the process of importing another wheel of cheese to serve the dish without interruption. Bella Trattorias chef Burciaga orders 72-pound wheels twice a month from Italian importer Lettieri & Co. to keep the dish available. People love the show, he said. At Fattoria e Mare, one wheel of Pecorino can last around six weeks during the summer season.

The twice-a-week availability at Italico extends the cheese wheels lifetime to around four months. Campilongo estimates each wheel can yield around 400 dishes, with about 40 grams shaved off to cover the pasta in creamy sauce.

Caring for the cheese is a major part of offering the item on a regular basis. At Three One Four and Italico, staff just manually remove the last layer that came into contact with food, then cover the wheel in a film before putting it back into refrigeration. At the end of every night at Dollys, owner Batathota says the cheese is sanitized with high proof liquor that is set on fire, then the top layer is removed before the entire wheel goes into the walk-in refrigerator. Over time, and as diners order the item, the cheese wheel gets lighter, and the process becomes easier for her. I wasnt always able to lift the wheel, she said with a laugh.

Three One Four chef Vollera says that inside a restaurant setting, the preparation is indeed extravagant, but that cacio e pepe is, ultimately, meant to be a humble dish. Its hard to do more with those few ingredients, Vollera said.

Three One Four. 1329 Gilman St., Berkeley. threeonefourpizzeria.com



Dollys. 10172 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. dollystavern.com

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Italico. 341 California Ave., Palo Alto. italicorestaurant.com

Acquolina. 1600 Stockton St., San Francisco. acquolina.us

Fattoria e Mare. 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay. fattoriaemare.com

Bella Trattoria. 3854 Geary Blvd., San Francisco. osteriabella.com

Locanda Sorrento. 76 East Campbell Ave., Campbell. locandarestaurants.com/campbell

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The National Chairman of the rulling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, urged Christians to show willingness to make sacrifices for Nigeria in the spirit of Easter.

The former Kano State governor appealed to them to pray for unity, peace, political stability, and prosperity in the country.

Ganduje, in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, added that Christians should seize the opportunity of the Easter holiday to ensure that the current political and security situation in the country witness a turnaround for the better.

READ MORE:APCs Ganduje Presents Idahosa As Edo Deputy Guber Candidate

He said: This years celebration of Easter is taking place at a period of very critical national history during which all must be prepared and willing to make sacrifices for greater unity, peace, political stability and progress in our beloved country.

May this day of reflection and sacrifice inspire unity, peace, and harmony across the country. Let us uphold the values of love, compassion, and empathy towards one another.
Wasiu Ayinde, often known as Kwam 1 or K1, a Fuji music icon, has voiced his wish to return to school despite dropping out years ago.

In a recent interview with journalists at his Mayegun Resort in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, the 67-year-old musician revealed his plans to enrol as an undergraduate at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, citing his love of learning as the driving force behind his decision.

Kwam 1 acknowledged that he had left school prematurely but said that he had already discussed his goals with the dean of the universitys music department.

Reflecting on his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, Kwam 1 remarked, All my life I do research. Every opportunity that I have. Presently I am in school. As a matter of fact, I will soon be a fresher at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). I am just trying to do things in my own way to suit myself. You learn till you die.

The music icon described a recent encounter at OOU, where he was extremely moved by a performance by the universitys music class in his honour.

Furthermore, Kwam 1 expressed his desire to use his influence and network in the music industry to bring together diverse talents and contribute to the progress of arts education.

READ MORE: Eniola Ajao Bows To Pressure, Presents New Best Dressed Female Winners

Very recently I had the opportunity to go and attend a function at the OOU. We had a mass set of graduands. The bands on the stand tried their hands on some of my works to recognise my presence. I was so overjoyous that time. So, in the form of wanting to appreciate them more, I sought to speak to the leader of the band and there I was told it was a band from the music class of OOU and they just started that class. I showed so much interest. I called for further discussion and in the cause of doing that I told them I want to enroll. I want to be part of them to see how we can develop a lot out of that.

part of what I also discussed with the dean of the school of music at OOU was that we can do better. To bring a whole lot of artistes. The state is blessed with many names like Haruna Ishola, Ayuba, Shina Peters, Wizkid, Olamide, and Dbanj. I told the dean that people like me can be used to bring everybody together and develop. That is what prompted me to want to go back to school.

I am a school dropout I know the value of education will I say I have self-education? Any sane person will never criticise the beauty of education, he said.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has expressed excitement to be part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led administration.

It was gathered that the former governor of Rivers State made this known after inspecting ongoing rural road projects in Bwari and Abuja Municipal area councils in Abuja.

Wike noted that Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda is working, particularly as it concerns the area councils, rural parts.

He also commended the President for what he described as tremendous support of the FCT Administration in providing critical infrastructure and quality services to the residents of FCT.

READ MORE: We Cant Fight Insecurity Without Good Roads  FCT Minister, Wike

He said: I am 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; it is also to make sure that those in the rural areas feel part of the administration.

We have been to Bwari and we attest to the fact that is a very difficult terrain. No wonder people talk of insecurity.

But with the construction of that road, you can say that there is hope. I feel so happy that I am part of this administration and that people can see changes.

Again, we are here in Saburi, and you can see the work going on. When we came to inaugurate the road, you could see the enthusiasm among the people.

We are happy that everything we have started will be completed soon.

This attest to the fact that Tinubus Renewed Hope agenda is not just in theory; its practical, seeing is believing.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, on Thursday, revealed that his foundation will provide free education to the 137 school kids released from the den of kidnappers.

He announced the scholarship while addressing the schoolchildren at the Government House before their departure to Kuriga.

The abduction, he said, will not hinder academic activities in the community, adding that adequate security will be provided.

Sani added that he has directed that renovation should be carried out in the schools where the students were abducted.

His words: I want to say here today, that all the 137, like I promised them, will be my students by the grace of God.

I have already directed the Uba Sani Foundation which has been in existence for the past 16 years delivering free education and healthcare, to look after them.

READ ALSO: DHQ Declares Eight Wanted Over Murder Of Soldiers In Okuama

I have also directed that a lot of renovation be put in place in the community and the schools because to me, Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna state.

The State Government, according to him, will support the children of the Kuriga teacher who died in captivity.

All the children are back safely, but we lost only one teacher, and may his soul rest in peace.

Mallam Abubakar was a good man, and his children have missed him. We all miss him. He was one of the most resourceful teachers in the school, but we lost him.

The Kaduna State government will be supporting the children of Mallam Abubakar through school. We will also be supporting the family with N10 million because of what they went through, he added.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, disclosed to that the distress displayed by the abducted Kuriga school kids provided sufficient grounds for the troops to rescue them.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations, made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja on the operations of the armed forces across the country.

According to him, pressure of military operations also created significant level of distress for the terrorists, making it more convenient for troops to rescue the children on March 24.

READ ALSO: Stop Using Wrong Approach To Tackle Insecurity, Military Shouldnt Be Used To Play Role Of Police  Al-Mustapha

The armed force is bent on sustaining the winning ways of our operational engagements as demonstrated with the recent rescue of 16 and 137 hostages in Sokoto and Kaduna States, respectively.

The success demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the armed forces to secure and protect the citizens against harm and acts of terror.

The level of distressed created by the children was sufficient enough for troops to exploit in their rescue, he said as revealed by News Agency of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended the deadline for the the second phase of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)-National Identification Number (NIN) linkage.

The process to disconnect SIMs not linked to NIN was initiated in stages, with the second phase slated for today, March 29.

The first phase was on February 28, 2024, after NCC directed telecom operators to disconnect millions of subscribers who did not link their SIMs to their NINs.

As previously announced by NCC in December, 2023, the third phase is slated to commence on April 15, 2024.

Reacting, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), said subscribers have been having difficulty linking their SIMs with their NINs, hence it would be unfair to bar them.

READ ALSO: Rumored Price Reduction Of Fuel, Diesel Is Untrue  NNPCL

Deolu Ogunbanjo, NATCOMS President, however, appealed to the NCC extend the deadline scheduled for the disconnection of telephone lines not linked to NIN beyond Friday, March 29, 2024.

A senior official of NCC, as disclosed by Daily Trust, said the Commission had changed the second phase deadline.

According to the official, the change, will now see the deadline extended by one week, which is necessitated by the Easter public holiday.

The telcos, the official said, had been directed not to bar any subscriber until after one week, from Friday, March 29.

The telecom operators will not bar any subscriber yet. We will only be talking about barring after a week from tomorrow. Yes, technically, we can say the deadline has been extended by a week, the source disclosed.
Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has been in detention in Abuja for a week and is yet to be granted bail.

Kelly Hassino, a media personality, has revealed why the activist is still behind bars despite having friends such as Davido, Cubana Chief Priest, Tunde Ednut, and others.

In a lengthy statement on his Instagram page, he indicated that some powerful people are currently working against him.

According to him, despite VeryDarkMan meeting his bail conditions and top celebrities attempting to intervene, higher authorities are preventing his release.

Kelly Hassino, who stated that VDM doesnt live far from where he resides, added that no protests or pleas for his release will save him because of the nature of those who oppose him.

READ MORE: Why Asake And I Are No Longer Best Friends  Oxlade Reveals

He wrote,

Theres rumours of Very Dark Man being released but I can tell you authoritatively that he hasnt been released.

Im privy to some information about the details of his case and I can tell you that he may not be released anytime soon due to the powers against him.

Despite meeting his bail condition and top celebrities trying to wade into his matter to influence his release, but in government, power pass power, and some of the most powerful people with raw and naked powers are people you havent even heard their names before or seen on television.

Very Dark Man doesnt live far from where I live. I got to know his one-room house where he makes all those content and I was surprised its close to mine. About 10 minutes drive.

No amount of protest or calls for his release can save him seeing the nature of the mentality of the people against him. They would rather the country burn down than not satisfy their desires but well keep trying hopefully they hear. I do this because I understand I could be arrested too someday and Very Dark Man is the kind of guy to stand up for one.

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The traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, who was declared wanted over the killing of 17 soldiers in Delta State, has denied having a hand in their death.

Ikolo was taken into custody by the Delta State Police Command after he surrendered himself following his declaration by the military high command on Thursday morning.

He was declared wanted alongside the President General of Ewu, Ekpekpo Arthur, and six others over the killing of the military personnel in Okuama community.

Before surrendering to the police, the traditional ruler reportedly addressed journalists at a press conference.

His words, I am very surprised that my name as the monarch of the kingdom will appear in the list of wanted persons.

I have no hand in the killings. I have no hand in encouraging anybody to kill anybody. It is against my philosophy as a human being and my faith as a Catholic.

READ ALSO: Ive Not Received Ningis Letter Requesting Reinstatement  Akpabio

It is a serious crime against humanity, and they need to look at the appropriate places and do a thorough investigation to know all those who have committed this and bring them to book and let justice prevail.

I am not a party to this, and like I have said earlier, the state government is aware of the turbulence I have been going through, and as I speak, an arrangement was made by the government to invite the opponents recently just before these happenings.

To invite those who are fighting me in the kingdom to reconcile the differences and allow me to go into the kingdom and start to rule as the monarch of the place.

I have not been able to set up anything. I have not been able to set up my traditional council. I have done nothing in the kingdom.

So I barely know anything right now. I have no information. I know nothing; I am only just in the process of setting up a structure to enable me to rule in the kingdom.
Oyo State government has warned principals and teachers of public schools collecting illegal fees from the students to desist from the practice, saying any recalcitrant officers caught wont go unpunished.

Issuing the warning on Thursday, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Nureni Adeniran, made this known while monitoring the examination exercise in Ibadan.

READ MORE: Ignore Rumoured New Salary Structure, Committee Yet To Decide  Oyo Govt.

Adeniran noted that the present administration has been responsible for the printing of question-and-answer sheets for its unified examination exercise since inception of the current government.

He said: The government cancelled the payment of fees by pupils and students in public, because it discovered that some errant staff imposed illegal fees in some areas. I, therefore, want to advice parents and guardians to report any case of collection of illegal fees to the board.

Let me begin by apologising to parents and guardians whose pupils were forced to bring money for examinations.

This is not from the board, and I will appeal to such parents to report the teachers to the board. The government has ensured that all necessary arrangements are put in place for a hitch free examination exercise. We paid for the printing and delivery of question and answer sheets.

We are committed to the free and compulsory universal basic education, hence, no school or head teacher found imposing or collecting any levy not approved by government, will go unpunished.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abdullahi Usman Bello as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Ngelale said, Tinubu believes that Bello will lead the bureau with utmost integrity toward the realisation of its mandate of maintaining high standards of public morality in the conduct of government business.

Dr. Bello is a consummate professional with more than 25 years of work experience in consulting, banking, law enforcement, financial services, and academia.

If Bellos appointment is confirmed by the Senate, it will end the leadership tussle in the Bureau.

READ ALSO: Obi To Address Supporters Over Labour Party, NLC Saga On Friday

In November 2023, Murtala Kankia, the acting chairman of CCB, debunked the claim that Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, a former member of the house of representatives, had been appointed to replace him at the bureau.

Earlier, a letter allegedly signed by George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), announced the appointment of Agbonayinma by Tinubu as the chairman of CCB.

But in an internal memo released by Kankia and sighted by TheCable, the acting chairman of CCB described the letter as fake, misleading and does not emanate from the office of the secretary to the government of the federation.

Kankia had said he is the most senior ranking member of the bureau, adding that he remains the acting chairman of the agency until further directives from the President.

Bello is an assistant forensic accounting and auditing professor at Northumbria University, United Kingdom, his profile on LinkedIn revealed.
The warning about measles from the Association of Bay Area Health Officials, which typically reserves such joint statements for urgent public health matters, signals heightened concern about the highly infectious disease. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The group representing health officers in the nine Bay Area counties warned the public Friday about the rising number of measles cases in California and the United States, and urged residents to ensure theyre up to date with vaccinations and are vigilant about symptoms after international travel.

The risk of measles remains low for Bay Area residents. But the alert from the Association of Bay Area Health Officials, which typically reserves such joint statements for urgent public health matters, signals heightened concern about the rise of the highly infectious disease.

California health officials issued a similar warning in February. There have been five cases of measles reported in California in 2024  in San Diego, Los Angeles, El Dorado and Alameda counties. In 2023, there were four confirmed cases in the state.

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Nationwide there have been 64 measles cases reported in 17 jurisdictions so far this year, and more than 90% of them are linked to international travel. This often involves unvaccinated Americans traveling to countries where measles is more common, contracting the virus there, and infecting unvaccinated individuals here after returning to the U.S.

With three major airports, the Bay Area is a hub for international travel, increasing the potential for exposure to this highly contagious virus, said the statement from the association, which also includes public health officials in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. For individuals or families that plan to travel internationally, anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is at increased risk of getting infected.

Travelers should check their destination and the Global Measles Travel Health Notice, run by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to see where measles outbreaks have been reported, they said.

The last known outbreak in the Bay Area began in Santa Clara County in 2018 and infected seven people. It spread almost entirely among families who had not vaccinated their children, including two boys whose mother lied to public health investigators about their immunization status, according to a subsequent CDC report that analyzed the outbreak.

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The Labour Party (LP), has said it is not aware of the existence of the Partys Board of Trustees (BoT) that is claiming to have taken over its affairs.

Following LPs conduct of its national convention in Anambra State where Julius Abure was re-elected Partys National Chairman, the Board of Trustees (BoT) through, S.O.Z. Ejiofor, its Chairman, declared that Abures position will not stand.

According to him, the BoT has taken over the affairs of the Party 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.

Ejiofor had said Unlike the charade that took place today (Wednesday) 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.

But in a statement on Thursday, Obiora Ifoh, LPs National Publicity Secretary of the said Ejiofor is not a recognised member of the Party.

Labour Party on Wednesday successfully conducted its national convention in Nnewi Anambra state and Barrister Julius Abure was elected unanimously and overwhelmingly by over 350 delegates that were in attendance.

READ ALSO: BoT Takes Over Labour Party, Says Convention That Produced Abure As Party Chair Cannot Stand

Despite this huge success, It came to the leadership of the party as a huge surprise of a statement trending in the social media purportedly from one Comrade SOZ Ejiofor on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the party claiming that he has taken over the leadership of the party.

First, ever since Ejiofor stepped down as the first National chairman of the Labour Party over two decades ago, he has neither attended any meeting or played any noticeable role as a member of the party.

He is not even known in his ward and has not paid a single dime as membership dues which qualifies him as a member.

It is surprising therefore that after he was visited by some leaders of NLC, he suddenly woke up from his slumber.

The point here is that the Labour Party is not aware of the existence of any Board of Trustees.

Enough of all these political muscle flexing, Barrister Julius Abure has just been elected by the convention for the first time as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, we urge our detractors to please sheathe the sword and join us to salvage the nation.

Labour Party is not a political association, it is a party subscribed by all Nigerians including workers, non workers, students amongst others.

Only people who understand the rules of the party and play by it such as carrying party cards and paying membership dues can have a say on the matters of the party.

Incidentally, Comrades Ajaero and Ejiofor are not members and will not be allowed to interfere with the internal matters of the Party, the statement read.
.NET 7, a version Microsofts open-source, cross-platform application framework that was released in November 2022, will reach its end of support on May 14, 2024, Microsoft said on March 27.

After May 14, Microsoft will no longer provide servicing updates including technical support or security fixes. Developers will need to update to .NET 8, released in November 2023, to continue to receive support. .NET 7 is a Standard Term Support release, which receives support for 18 months. It is supported by Microsoft on multiple operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Microsoft stressed that applications using .NET 7 will continue to run after support ends, but users may not be able to access technical support for .NET 7 applications. The company recommends .NET application users reach out to the software developer or vendor to find out if an updated version is available that uses .NET 8. Applications can be upgraded to .NET 8 by changing the TargetFramework property in the project file to net8.0 . Development and hosting environments also will need to be updated. Detailed instructions for updating .NET can be found here.

For Visual Studio, the .NET component in the IDE will be changed to out of support and optional, starting with the June 2024 servicing update for Visual Studio 2022 17.6 and Visual Studio 2022 17.5. Developers must use the .NET 8 SDK to build .NET 6 or .NET 8 components to stay supported. The remove out of support component option can be used to remove .NET 7 from existing Visual Studio installations.

Unlike .NET 7, .NET 6, released in November 2021, has Long Term Support (LTS) status, taking it to November of this year. .NET 8 also has Long Term Support status.
On Oct. 10, 1885, three women in Philadelphia donned elaborate outfits and sat for a historic portrait. The Womans Medical College of Pennsylvania  one of the first institutions in the world that allowed women to study medicine and become doctors  was hosting a reception for three new doctors from faraway lands: Anandibai Joshee of India, Kei Okami of Japan, and Sabat M. Islambooly of Syria.

Each woman broke a record, becoming the first female doctors from their respective countries at a time when women were typically barred from any educational opportunities. The trailblazers represent a slice of womens history in Philadelphia that reverberated across the world, inspiring generations of women to follow.

Philly-based South Asian American Digital Archive, which is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of South Asian Americans, includes in its records a collection of letters, photographs, and archival material about Joshees life and career, mapping her journey from a rural community in the western Indian state of Maharashtra to her time on Arch Street studying medicine. On Sunday, SAADA will celebrate the doctors birthday as Anandibai Joshee Day.

Dr. Anandibai Joshees story is one that should be known and celebrated by all Philadelphians, because its a history that could have only happened in our city, said SAADA cofounder and executive director Samip Mallick. She resolved to become a physician and Philadelphia was one of the few places in the world where that was possible.

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Living under British colonial rule, Joshee wanted to become a physician to help the women in her community who were uncomfortable seeing male doctors. At nine years old, she was married off to Gopalrao Joshee, a postal clerk 20 years her senior. At 13, she lost her baby shortly after giving birth, due to a lack of proper medical care.

In my humble opinion there is a growing need for Hindu lady doctors in India, and I volunteer to qualify myself, Joshee said in a speech at Indias Serampore College in 1883. Her progressive husband encouraged her ambition and the pair found her an opportunity to study without having to convert to Christianity (which was a common requisite at the time) in Philadelphia.

When she arrived in the city alone, she struggled to acclimate to the weather and food, often getting sick. She stayed with the medical colleges dean of faculty Rachel L. Bodley. A record from the college library described Joshees struggles and observed that it was an unlikely and uncomfortable pairing between student and dean: It is interesting to notice that Doctor Bodley expressed some qualms of conscience regarding her hospitality toward a so-called heathen since she was in every respect a Christian, missionary-minded woman.

Despite the challenges of being one of the few women of color in a medical school and the troubles with her health, Joshee graduated in 1886 and a few weeks later was appointed physician-in-charge for female wards in the Albert Edward Hospital in Kolhapur, India.

On Joshees graduation, Queen Victoria sent her a letter of congratulations: Queen Victoria expressed her interest and appreciation when the first Hindu woman to receive a medical degree in any country  Dr. Anandibai Joshee  graduated from the Womans Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1886, an information card in SAADAs collection reads.

Sadly, only months after graduating, Joshee died of tuberculosis at 21, her promising career cut short before she could begin practicing. Her ashes were sent back to the United States at her request, and theyre placed in a cemetery in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Anandibai Joshees extraordinary life and defiance of societal expectations deserve recognition and we are so excited to celebrate her legacy, and that of other trailblazing women in Philadelphia, said Mallick. He encourages people to learn Joshees story, offering lesson plans that can introduce the historical figure to young students, and pointing to SAADAs archives where people can read about the legend in her own words.
The outside of a house that was destroyed by a suspected arson in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 21, 2024. The blaze ignited in March 2023. Read more

The two-story rowhouse on the 100 block of West Cliveden Street was engulfed in flames. A family home for more than 60 years was destroyed, along with memories, heirlooms, and housing security.

Today, little more than the charred facade of the Mount Airy dwelling remains. The windows on the second floor are gone and the gutters are warped by heat and blackened by smoke. The front door is boarded up, and a sign on the door warns trespassers to keep out.

No one was home at the time of the fire, a midafternoon blaze in March 2023.

Police say the fire was arson, part of a record-setting trend in Philadelphia last year that is on pace to continue in 2024.

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Last year was the worst year for arson in Philadelphia in nearly 20 years, with 703 reported arsons across the city, according to police data. The more than 700 arsons reported in 2023 represent a rate of 4.5 per 10,000 people, and is the highest since at least 2006.

Such fires can have devastating effects on those who lose their homes.

It takes away your security, your trust. Its devastating. Its heartbreaking, said the woman who owned the Mount Airy home that was set ablaze. People lose their livelihoods in these fires. And it doesnt just affect the family who lived in the home but it affects the entire family. It affects the community.

In her case, the woman said, police told her the fire that destroyed the home where she lived with her 21-year-old son was started by her estranged husband. The woman, 59, asked not to be identified for safety reasons  she had previously been granted a protection-from-abuse order against her husband. He remains at large.

She doesnt know whether or when shell ever get back inside the home she was born and raised in, where she raised her children and several grandchildren. She doesnt know whether shell be able to get back the life consumed by flames.

Her family is among scores of people affected by arson, a crime that has ballooned in past years.

As of March 28, there have been 159 arsons reported this year, 20% more than the 132 reported in the same time period last year. According to data from the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, there were 24 arson arrests in 2024, the most to start a year since at least 2013.

Last year, there were 68 arson arrests, 59 of which were prosecuted, according to District Attorneys Office data. Of those cases prosecuted, 23 people were found guilty, or 39% of the cases, the data show. There were 36 cases withdrawn, or 61%.

Arson, a criminal charge, encompasses a wide range of intentionally set fires, including structure fires, vehicle fires, and litter or trash fires.

Of the 22 arson cases in Municipal Court in 2023, a spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office said 18 were dismissed or withdrawn due to witnesses failing to appear in court. Most of the cases that are held for trial and adjudicated in Common Pleas court result in a conviction, the spokesperson said.

The Philadelphia Police Department did not comment directly on the discrepancy between reported arsons and arson arrests, but said it was important to look at various factors they say contribute to the divide.

Possible aspects to consider include, but not limited to, is the challenges in gathering evidence, and complexities in identifying suspects, a department spokesperson said in an email. The police departments role is to ensure accountability for those responsible for intentionally setting the fire or any other crime that may have been committed before the arson, i.e. homicide, theft, burglary, etc.

City fire officials are concerned about the uptick in intentionally set fires and are taking steps to deal with the surge.

But the departments arson investigation team, a small, four-member squad, is constantly busy, doing what it can to investigate the underlying crimes, Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Beale said in an interview. Last year, of the 1,800 fires investigated by the citys arson investigation unit, more than a third were intentionally set, he said.

After the arson squad reports its findings, the fire marshal decides whether a fire is arson or not.

We definitely have a problem with arson in the city, he said.

Finding arson amid the ashes

Nearly every day, members of the arson investigation team fan out across the city, responding to fires and trying to determine whether they were accidental or deliberately set. It is daunting work.

Sifting through ashes and the burnt ruins of torched buildings, investigators search for clues to the fires origin, sometimes aided by search dogs trained to detect accelerants, such as gasoline or other flammable liquids.

They then submit their findings to the Fire Marshals Office, which rules on whether a fire was arson, and the Philadelphia Police department investigates.

As the number of arsons across the city has surged in recent years, the Philadelphia Fire Department last year added eight more investigators to the Fire Marshals Office, including two more investigators to the arson investigation unit, and added a second fire dog to the team, said Beale, who is also a battalion chief. The office of 25 people now has 19 investigators looking into fires across the city.

Philadelphias recent spike in arsons is anomalous when looking at other similar cities.

Comparable cities such as Baltimore, Buffalo, and Chicago have seen arsons level off or dip, data show.

In Philadelphia, however, although the overall rate seems to have spiked dramatically after the start of the pandemic, the rate has been steadily increasing since 2015, when it reached a historical low point.

Why arson? Grudges, revenge, lovers spats and money

What gives rise to the blazes that destroy homes, businesses, and cars across the city with alarming regularity varies widely, investigators say. Some are born of revenge, anger  or even lovers spats, Beale said. Others are set in a bid for insurance money, experts say.

John Lentini, of Scientific Fire Analysis L.L.C. in Florida, a consulting company for arson forensics and fire investigations, agreed that arsons are often the result of grudges and arguments that grow volatile. Sometimes, property owners set their buildings ablaze to get the insurance money, he said.

Lentini, who has helped write national standards and texts in fire investigations, said Philadelphias abundance of abandoned properties also made the city particularly vulnerable to the crime.

We do have a lot of vacant buildings. More so than most major cities, said Beale.

In some cases, fires are started by people squatting in abandoned houses who were simply trying to stay warm and unintentionally set buildings ablaze, said Lentini.

He likened the surge in arson in Philadelphia to a spate of fires in the South Bronx in the 1970s, during which the neighborhood lost more than 90% of its buildings to fire and abandonment due to the city government closing down many fire companies, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods, according to the New York Post.

Many of the buildings that burned down in the Bronx were abandoned, the Post reported. At the peak of the fires in the late 70s, as many as 7% of the fires in the Bronx were ruled arson, the New York Post reported.

Another characteristic of Philadelphia that may contribute to its susceptibility to arson is the level of poverty in the city, said Beale. Among the nations top 10 largest cities, Philadelphia, has the highest level of poverty, with more than 22% of households living below the poverty line.

Often, businesses might be going under, and owners set them aflame, said Beale. In the case of vehicle arson, some cars are stolen or might be involved in a crime, or owners might be behind on car payments, prompting them to torch the vehicles, he said.

As arson rises across the city, the deepest concentration of such blazes happens in the Kensington area, and in North and Central Philadelphia in general, police data show.

There are also high concentrations of arsons in Center City and western parts of the city.

In the face of a continued increase in arsons, the citys Fire Marshals Office does what it can to find resolution amid the rubble. The blazes pose a challenge for those responsible for battling the flames and investigating the origins of the fires, said Beale.

We got our hands full here, he said.
A 16-year-old was killed and a 17-year-old was injured when, according to 6abc, two people began shooting at a group of people on Wister St. (in photo) near Germantown Ave. in Philadelphia on Wednesday evening, March 27, 2024. Police at the scene said the shooting was towards the middle of the block but the 16-year-old was found by the tree on the left. Read more

Philadelphia police are searching for two people in connection with an East Germantown shooting that left 16-year-old Semaj Fields dead and another teen wounded. Police are also investigating whether a 27-year-old man who was shot in the leg nearby was a third victim of the shooting Wednesday night.

The fatal shooting happened shortly before 6:40 p.m., on the first block of Wister Street near Germantown Avenue, police said. Police on patrol a few blocks away heard gunshots and found two wounded teens.

Fields, who was shot in the back, was taken by police to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced dead minutes later.

A 17-year-old, who also was shot in the back and was also taken to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, was listed in stable condition. The teen lives a few blocks from the crime scene, police said.

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A 27-year-old man later visited a local hospital and said he was up the street from the gunfire when he was shot in the leg, said Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore. Police are investigating whether the mans shooting was linked to the one involving the two teens, he said.

The shooting of the teens was the result of an argument, said Vanore, and video shows the victims exchanging words with two people who then open fire using two different guns, said Vanore.

The department released photos and surveillance footage of the two suspected shooters that shows one gunman wearing a navy blue jacket, a gray hooded sweatshirt and black jeans, and another wearing a blue puffy jacket, black hooded sweatshirt and what appears to be a medical boot on his right foot.

Authorities ask that anyone with information call the Philadelphia Police Departments Homicide Division at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-3335 or the departments tip line at 215-686-8477.
The murder and conspiracy charges against one of the 14-year-olds accused of fatally striking a 73-year-old man with a traffic cone nearly two years ago  in a case that drew national attention and outrage  have been dismissed.

Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott dismissed all charges against Richard Jones, now 16, last month after his lawyer successfully argued that there was not enough evidence to prove that Jones actions contributed to the death of James Lambert Jr. in June 2022.

The District Attorneys Office said it intends to appeal the decision.

Lambert was leaving a North Philadelphia park just after 2 a.m. one summer morning when prosecutors said a group of kids surrounded him. The juveniles started taunting him, prosecutors said, and then Jones picked up an orange traffic cone and threw it at Lambert.

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Lambert was struck and fell to the ground. Prosecutors said surveillance video showed 14-year-old Gamara Mosley then picked up the cone and hit Lambert again.

Other children in the group appeared shocked and confused. As Lambert stood up to walk away, prosecutors said, Mosley retrieved the cone again, ran after him, and struck him twice more.

The children fled. Police and bystanders found Lambert lying on the ground, bleeding. He had suffered a serious head injury, police said, and died in the hospital the following day.

The crime drew widespread media attention, locally and nationally, with many questioning why children were out alone after 2 a.m.  and how they could so callously attack an elder. Jones and Mosley were each charged as adults with murder and conspiracy.

As the case wound its way through the system, juvenile justice advocates came to Jones and Mosleys aid, twice bailing them out of jail and later finding lawyers to advocate for them in court.

The case evolved last month when Jones lawyer, Jason Bologna, successfully argued that there was not enough evidence to prove Jones blow to Lambert killed him, and that there was no conspiracy among the children that night.

Bologna said he argued in court that the video footage of the attack did not clearly show whether Jones struck Lambert in the head or upper back with the cone, and that the latter would not have been fatal. He also said the video showed Lambert immediately getting up to walk away, something he said indicated Lambert was not suffering from a concussion or head injury at that time.

He also said Jones immediately retreated, and argued that just because Mosley picked up the cone after he did, Jones was not responsible for her actions, and was not involved in any conspiracy. McDermott agreed and threw out the charges.

Although prosecutors intend to appeal the decision to Superior Court, for now, Jones is no longer on house arrest, and has been able to return home to his mother, Bologna said.

In late February, Mosleys case was decertified and sent to juvenile court, and she was adjudicated delinquent of murder, conspiracy, and possession of an instrument of crime, according to records. Court administrators did not respond to questions about her sentence. Mosleys lawyer, Susan M. Lin, declined to comment.

Lamberts niece, Tania Stephens, said she was angry with McDermott and the legal system.

I think its a slap in my familys face and every other family who is a victim of crime, Stephens said Thursday.

Bologna said Jones has been attending virtual school since he was released on bail last March and placed on 24/7 house arrest, and that his most recent grades included all As and one B.

I see what happened to Mr. Lambert as a tragedy, but one that should not have been compounded by overcharging a 14-year-old boy in adult court with crimes the evidence does not support, Bologna said. In my opinion, Judge McDermott looked at this case objectively and made the right decision.
The Philadelphia school board on Thursday night adopted the broad outlines of a $4.5 billion budget for the 2024-25 school year, with officials promising to prioritize classroom spending even as federal funds dry up.

Because Pennsylvanias largest school district  and the only school system in the commonwealth unable to raise its own revenue  has costs that are rising faster than revenues, it projects an $88 million gap but ultimately balancing its budget with financial reserves.

COVID relief funds paid for 129 assistant principals, 110 teachers, 35 school climate managers, 26 counselors and 46 climate staff this school year, officials said. The school system will spend $49 million to keep them, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said.

We are committed to doing everything we can to protect the classroom at all costs, said Watlington.

About that $400 million deficit

Chief Financial Officer Michael Herbstman, in December, had warned that the district might see a deficit of up to $400 million in 2024-25. That was staved off, Herbstman said, in part because of a proposed $100 million in new city funding and a $247 million rise in state funding.

It was also helped, Herbstman said, by $124 million in savings from internal district measures, including moving to a zero-based budgeting process and seeking private and foundation support. Officials indicated they were counting on $6 million in philanthropic support, but did not indicate which group or groups had committed money and what those funds would pay for.

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Asked what would happen if the district did not get the resources the mayor and governor proposed, Watlington said contingencies were being prepared.

But we think it would be unconscionable not to get the resources, given how historically underfunded we are, the superintendent said.

Board vice president Mallory Fix-Lopez, in her last meeting as a school board member, said it was important to keep telling the districts story to the right people, in the right way.

When we got more resources, we got better, Fix-Lopez said.

Year-round school?

Included in the 2024-25 budget are a restart of the districts Parent University, which will offer classes for families, the purchase of new English language arts curriculum, recruiting more Black and Latino male teachers and principals, and piloting year-round school.

No price tag was assigned to any of those items, and no details were forthcoming. Year-round school, in particular, is a closely watched item, identified by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker as a priority during her campaign, though the district had tried and discontinued it in the early 2000s.

Parker, in January, shifted her language around year-round school a bit at Watlingtons State of the Schools address, calling it year-round access to educational opportunities during nontraditional times. Some people refer to it as out-of-school-time. I called it year-round school during the campaign. I want to say to you, you can call it whatever you want to call it. I want young people to have access to those opportunities year-round.

The people say: No to leveling, too many online programs

In meetings and surveys about budget priorities, some common themes were heard, Herbstman said: People underscored the necessity of preserving the positions created by federal funds. They said the districts aging facilities need significant improvement. They indicated schools have too many adaptive online programs, and said not all of them are well used.

And they pushed back on leveling, the districts process of shifting teachers around weeks into the school year based on actual enrollment.

Herbstman said the district had calculated it would take $11 million to halt leveling completely next year, assuming some schools will still need extra teachers due to additional student enrollment. (He said thats a danger, because the district has not been able to fill some teaching positions.)

School-based concerns raised at Girls High, GAMP

Parents from two Philadelphia schools pushed back on the budgeting process, saying their schools were projected to lose key staff and possibly programs.

Girls High supporters were out in force. Parent Rachel Anne Nielsen said that in addition to a lack of transparency around the schools principal selection process, Girls is set to lose teachers who work with the robotics program and teach International Baccalaureate classes.

We have been left in utter chaos, said Nielsen, adding that she and others feel the school is being abandoned. Im really upset about this, and I know that many other parents are upset ... please, please do something to help our school.

Kathryn Ott Lovell, a parent of two students at Girard Academic Music Program, or GAMP, said the districts enrollment projections for the South Philadelphia magnet are off, and as a result, the school is set to lose $200,000 from its budget, meaning it must cut two crucial staff members.

It feels like spring leveling, Ott Lovell said, a fire drill, a best-guess budget that wont pan out. I guess I would plead with the school district leadership and the board. These people matter to us. If these great faculty members get transfer opportunities, we may lose them.

Whats next?

The school board unanimously adopted the so-called lump sum budget, just the bottom line of the spending plan, on Thursday night.

Now begins two months of discussion and action on the budget, with a school board budget hearing scheduled for April 25, City Council scheduled to hold hearings on April 30, and final board adoption scheduled for May 30.
Planetarium Director Mark Percy leads a lesson at the Williamsville North High School planetarium in Williamsville, N.Y., on March 18, in preparation for the upcoming total solar eclipse. Some Philadelphia-area schools are dismissing early or extending the school day on April 8 due to the eclipse. Read more

At 3:23 p.m. on April 8, a solar eclipse is expected to reach its peak in the skies above the Abington School District  three minutes after elementary schools normally dismiss.

Rather than send students home in darkness, the district will extend the elementary school day by 25 minutes  and bring kids outside, equipped with protective eclipse glasses, to witness an event that wont happen again for another 20 years.

We plan to take advantage of this celestial event and use it as a unique educational opportunity for our students, Abington Superintendent Jeffrey Fecher told families in a message earlier this week.

Schools across the region are preparing for the eclipse, which will cross North America on April 8 starting from Mexicos Pacific Coast, traveling northeast across the continent and leaving through Newfoundland, according to NASA.

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A swath along that route  including part of Pennsylvania  will experience a total eclipse, when the moon fully blocks the sun. But only the northwest corner of the state will be in the path of totalit; other parts of the state will experience a partial eclipse.

Still, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is advising schools to take safety precautions, noting that even a short glimpse of the sun can permanently damage the rods and cones in the human retina.

Noting that the eclipses path may coincide with school dismissal, the department says it will count early dismissals on the day of the eclipse for safety purposes to be early dismissals for inclement weather  counting as full days of instruction.

In South Jersey, a number of school districts are planning to dismiss early  including Cherry Hill, which told families Thursday it would be dismissing all grades by early afternoon and canceling after-school activities.

We have had extensive discussion regarding the risk of serious eye damage from looking at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection, Cherry Hill Superintendent Kwame Morton said in a message to families. He said that while the eclipse was being used as an educational opportunity in our schools, the timing had raised concerns.

Similarly, the Pennsauken School District announced early dismissals, with Superintendent Ronnie Tarchichi telling families the eclipses predicted path posed a significant concern with transportation and dismissal.

In Burlington Township, Superintendent Mary Ann Bell sent home links about solar eclipses to families last weekend along with an announcement that schools would close early on April 8.

We live in a wondrous time where we can not only understand this phenomenon but also predict when they will occur, Bell said in a message last weekend, encouraging families to enjoy the eclipse together. We also live busy lives and have the opportunity to take this experience and slow down and celebrate the vastness of our universe for just a little while.

Some Pennsylvania districts said they are still planning regular schedules. In the Pennridge School District, Superintendent Angelo Berrios sent families information Wednesday about the eclipse, advising that it would still be visible upon dismissal, providing an excellent opportunity for observation.

However, we want to remind everyone to never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, Berrios said.

At least one of the district schools will be formally observing the eclipse: the principal of Pennridge South Middle School was able to purchase a significant amount of viewing glasses and will be hosting a watch event, according to spokesperson David Thomas.

The Downingtown Area School District also wont be adjusting its schedules, but we will be providing our elementary students with learning opportunities and eclipse viewing glasses, said spokesperson Jennifer Shealy. She said the district would be communicating further with families about the event.

The Abington district  which is dismissing secondary students at the normal time on April 8  will also be distributing eclipse glasses.

Abington will postpone after-school activities, and any student with parent approval to be absent or to leave school early due to safety concerns or the desire to watch the eclipse elsewhere will be excused, the district said.
The University of Pennsylvania announced Thursday night that it had admitted next years freshman class from among more than 65,000 applications, but did not offer a racial breakdown of those accepted.

That mirrored actions at other highly selective colleges including Dartmouth, Duke and Princeton, which also did not release demographic information. This years class is the first to be accepted following the June decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to ban race-conscious admissions.

Penn also did not reveal the number of students it accepted, making it impossible to calculate the percentage of applicants who were successful  a move it started in recent years to downplay its selectivity.

 READ MORE: Students will hear from Ivies Thursday. Will demographics change since the Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious admissions?

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This years admitted students represent one of the largest cohorts from the city of Philadelphia, along with students coming from 109 countries and all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Marshall Islands, and the military..., Whitney Soule, dean of admissions, said in a post on the schools admissions blog at 7 p.m.

Students must decide by May 1 whether they will attend Penn.

 READ MORE: Critics in an uproar over speakers at this weekends Palestine Writes literature festival held at Penn

It was the most applications Penn had ever received, up from more than 59,000 last year. That increase came despite last falls turmoil on campus over the universitys handling of the Palestine Writes Literary Festival and complaints that the school wasnt properly protecting both Jewish and Palestinian students and faculty and their advocates following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent military response in Gaza. Former Penn president Liz Magill resigned in December, following a backlash to her congressional committee testimony over the handling of antisemitism on campus.

 READ MORE: Penn faculty fear the donor who started the effort to oust Liz Magill is attempting to set the agenda for trustees

Thursday is the day when the eight Ivy League universities  Penn, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia and Brown  announce to students if they have been accepted during the regular decision process.

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, allowing a comparison with the current years class, which was selected before the court decision.

At Penn, 9.9% of this years 2,416 freshmen identified as Black, 12.4% Hispanic, 13.5% international, 24% white, 29.7% Asian and 5.2% two or more races, according to figures on the universitys website.

 READ MORE: What Philly-area schools are saying about the SCOTUS ruling to end race-based admissions in colleges

Duke University was among others that also released their acceptance decisions Thursday. The school said it had accepted 1,984 students from 54,190 applicants and that it looked forward to welcoming this talented and diverse group of students to Blue Devil Days in April.

Harvard accepted 3.59% of applicants, according to the student newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, but also did not release demographic information.

Dartmouth also said it would not report racial demographics during the selection process, according to The Dartmouth, the student newspaper. The university added an essay question inviting applicants to share their personal backgrounds and experiences, the newspaper said.

A spokesperson for Princeton said earlier this week that the university would not announce figures this week.

We announce information about the enrolled class in early fall, she said.

Earlier this week, the universitys board of trustees announced a new plan to more aggressively recruit low- and middle-income students. Princeton wants at least 70% of students to be eligible for need-based aid and 22% to qualify for federal Pell grants.

The move comes as the university looks for new ways to ensure diversity following the court decision.

Princetons excellence depends upon attracting and supporting talent from all sectors of society, Princeton president Christopher L. Eisgruber said in a news release. 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.
In September 2022, I saw Joe Potter, a 40-year-old patient who flew to Philadelphia from Kansas to be treated for a rare condition.

As with all new patients, I first took his medical history, which included a yearlong quest for answers as to what caused his ongoing breathing problems.

Joes symptoms became apparent in April 2022 after getting COVID.

Not long after recovering, he experienced ongoing shortness of breath. He ended up in the ER with double pneumonia and was prescribed standard medications.

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But after completing the treatment, his breathing problems persisted. His primary care doctor referred him to a local pulmonologist.

Joe noted it became especially hard to breathe when he was lying flat. He said trying to draw in a breath felt like hitting a wall. He spent the next 6 months sleeping upright in a recliner.

His pulmonologist referred him for a sleep study, which showed his oxygen levels while sleeping dipped dangerously low. He was prescribed a bilevel positive airway pressure, also known as BiPAP. The device includes a mask that fits over the nose and/or mouth and blows air via a tube into the airways to keep them open while you sleep.

Despite better sleep with the BIPAP machine, his problems continued. He had to stop working as a welder due to job-site dust and grime that exacerbated his breathing troubles. Nor could he play in his beloved local softball league because he couldnt run to first base without losing his breath.

Joes pulmonologist continued with more tests. After a bronchoscopy, a procedure to look in the airway and lungs using a thin flexible tube, his doctor thought a collapsed trachea might be the cause.

He was diagnosed with tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), where the walls of the airway are weak and collapse when a patient breathes or coughs. Because the condition is so rare, his pulmonologist suggested he seek surgical treatment at a specialized center and referred him to me.

When Joe arrived at Temple University Hospital, I ordered a bronchoscopy to confirm TBM and determine the best course of treatment. His results showed some airway collapse but it was not severe, nor was he coughing, which is another prominent symptom of TBM.

The problem runs deeper

A CT scan of his chest showed his diaphragm, the main muscle that facilitates breathing, was slightly elevated on both sides. I sent him to get a sniff test to confirm my hunch.

The sniff test uses x-ray video to see how your diaphragm moves when you inhale quickly. Normally when you sniff, the diaphragm moves down. If it moves upward on inhale, that signals dysfunction, which is what we saw on Joes test.

An ultrasound ultimately revealed the true diagnosis: bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, an uncommon condition.

The diaphragm is a thin, dome-shaped muscle that sits beneath the lungs and heart. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, allowing the lungs to expand in the chest cavity and air to move into the lungs as one inhales. When it relaxes, it moves upwards, causing a decrease in lung size as one exhales.

When this muscle is weakened, it may become harder for a person to breathe. This is called diaphragm paralysis, a condition that is often misdiagnosed and undertreated.

It is caused by damage to the phrenic nerve, which runs through your spine, neck, heart, and lungs and controls the diaphragm. Phrenic nerve damage is often caused by trauma, such as spinal cord injury, or neurologic diseases such as ALS.

It can also be caused by viral infections, which I believe was the case for Joe, given his COVID history. I have seen an uptick in cases of diaphragm paralysis since the COVID pandemic and worldwide studies have shown patients who had COVID may experience long-term diaphragm weakness.

Some patients can benefit from losing weight or starting a pulmonary rehab program to reduce the burden on the diaphragm. For those with an impaired quality of life like Joe, surgery can offer a long-term solution.

If the cause is thought to be a viral infection, we recommend waiting six months to a year after infection as there are reports of the phrenic nerve recovering on its own. That did not happen for Joe, so in January 2023, he had surgery to correct the paralysis on his right diaphragm.

Plication is a minimally invasive procedure performed robotically through small incisions to reshape the diaphragm by suturing it onto itself to make it more stiff and flat, allowing the lung more room to expand and therefore helping the patient breathe better.

Following the first surgery on the right diaphragm, he could once again breathe while lying flat. He returned to some normal everyday activities with more ease.

In telemedicine follow-up appointments, he noted that he still felt some resistance when drawing in a breath so we brought him back for surgery in October to correct the paralysis on his left side.

Hes now breathing completely normally with no feeling of obstruction. He returned to work in January and is even running again.

Dr. Charles Bakhos is a thoracic surgeon at Temple University Hospital and Vice Chief of the Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
Moderate Mayor London Breed and progressive Supervisor Aaron Peskin arrive at an Election Night party for Proposition A on March 5. Amy Osborne/Special to the Chronicle

Since San Franciscos March 5 primary election, the citys various flavors of Democrats have waged rhetorical war over which group gets to call itself progressive.

By all accounts, the moderates won big on election night, when San Franciscans voted to expand police powers, require welfare recipients to undergo drug screening and encourage the school district to return to offering algebra in middle school. Voters also elected a majority of the moderate candidates running to govern the San Francisco Democratic Party, a stark change from just four years ago, when progressives won nearly every seat.

But moderate Democrats such as Mayor London Breed have forcefully disputed the narrative that San Francisco is no longer a progressive city. Building homes and adding treatment beds is progressive! Breed thundered in her recent State of the City speech. Wanting good public education and an effective police force  is progressive!

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This impulse to redefine San Franciscans conception of progressivism is understandable, given that many have come to associate it with government incompetence. But the definition is ultimately beside the point. Moderate and progressive are buzzwords. They are a distraction. And they are increasingly devoid of any useful meaning that would actually help voters distinguish between candidates and their policy platforms.

Perhaps nowhere are the limits of these labels more clear than housing and other development issues  which have become flashpoints in the heated November mayors race.

All the declared major candidates  Breed, former interim Mayor Mark Farrell, philanthropist and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Ahsha Safai  are considered moderates of varying degrees. Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, whos expected to jump into the race, is viewed as progressive.

In San Franciscos current schema, moderates are generally associated with the YIMBY movement, which advocates for building more housing for all income levels in all neighborhoods and streamlining development. Progressives, meanwhile, generally view housing developments that arent 100% affordable with suspicion, arguing that the city has already built more than its fair share of market-rate housing and that relaxing zoning and development restrictions will only gentrify low-income and historic neighborhoods while lining developers pockets.

But this delineation has also become increasingly meaningless.

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Farrell, whose public safety proposals have branded him as perhaps the most moderate candidate, has articulated a housing platform that in some ways is more aligned with Peskins than Breeds. In an interview last week with Mission Local, Farrell described the citys plan for meeting a state mandate to build 82,000 homes over the next eight years as absolutely insane, adding, I do not believe we need to upzone every single neighborhood in San Francisco to meet that target.

Yet Farrell also said that he agreed with Breeds recent veto of a bill authored by Peskin to reinstate density limits in three historic neighborhoods along the northern waterfront. (Peskin partnered with Breed last year on legislation relaxing development restrictions to revive downtown commercial areas post-pandemic. But as controversial proposals rolled in  including one to replace a historic three-story building on the edge of Telegraph Hill with a more than 200-foot-tall tower  Peskin backtracked and proposed reimposing the original zoning restrictions in certain areas.)

The moderate-progressive dichotomy similarly breaks down when it comes to transportation and street-use policy, issues in the forefront following the recent horrific West Portal crash that killed a family of four waiting at a bus stop.

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One might associate progressivism with visions of a car-free utopia, where streets are devoted to walkers, bikers and public transit. The moderate vision might be associated more with Farrells proposal to reopen Market Street to cars, which he says could help rejuvenate businesses reeling from a lack of foot traffic.

What these contradictions and caveats make clear is that it doesnt ultimately matter whether a candidate is considered moderate, progressive, conservative or liberal. As San Francisco State political scientist Jason McDaniel pointed out to me, these terms lack any fixed meaning and are largely defined by the particular group of political elites leading that particular faction at that particular point in time.

What matters are candidates stances on specific issues and the details of their plans to address them. The upside of Californians growing discontent with the two major political parties is that voters may be more inclined to ignore party labels and evaluate candidates by the strength of their policy platforms and their commitment to thoughtful, data-informed solutions.

Of course, this discontent could also spiral into something worse. As Mike Madrid, a longtime Republican political strategist and co-founder of the anti-Trump organization the Lincoln Project told me, Because people have less faith in institutions, its easier to be anti-institutional than it is to get your hands dirty with governing.

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Former AFSCME District Council 33 President Ernest Garrett speaks with the media after an August 2023 press conference that focused on the need to fill city jobs amid a widespread staffing shortage. Read more

Ernest Garretts first attempt to get his job back, as leader of the union that represents over 9,000 city workers, has failed.

Garrett was removed as president of AFSCME District Council 33 last month, and barred from running again for four years. In hopes of reclaiming his position in a May 14 election, Garrett filed a motion in federal court that would have allowed him to do so.

A federal judge denied Garretts motion on Thursday.

Garrett filed a lawsuit earlier this month against AFSCME, District Council 33, and the hearing officer who handled his case, alleging that his removal violated federal labor law. He also appealed to the AFSCME judicial panel to reverse his removal.

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He asked the federal court for a preliminary injunction that would remove the limitation against him running for office. He argued that the court should step in because his union appeal would not be resolved before April 9, when DC33 is scheduled to nominate board candidates.

Garrett said Friday that he will continue to pursue his appeal and the federal lawsuit, even though he cannot run for DC33 president this year. Its more about principle, he said.

The former union president has returned to working for the Philadelphia Water Department, he said, taking a role on the team that handles water service shut-offs and restorations.

Omar Salaam, who was elected to finish out Garretts term as president, declined to comment on the federal court order on Friday. Salaam had been vice president of DC33 under Garrett, and was among the group of union members who brought charges against Garrett to the unions judicial panel last year.

DC33 board nominations will take place in person on April 9, and mail-in ballots will be sent to members on April 19. Ballots will be tallied on May 14.

The unions current contract, negotiated in 2021 under Garretts leadership, expires just weeks after the DC33 election, at the end of June.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration, facing the end of several contracts with unionized city workers, already reached one-year contract extensions with the police and fire and sheriffs departments. Philadelphias public school teachers, counselors, and other workers also agreed to a one-year contract extension earlier this month.

Deputy Mayor Sincere Harris said in a budget hearing on Tuesday that the administration is very hopeful that we can sign maybe one or two more one-year extensions with our municipal workforce this year.

Salaam on Friday declined to comment on the possibility of a one-year extension.
The principal of Atlantic City High School has been charged with failing to make a report to a state child welfare agency about an allegation of child abuse and instead meeting with the accused parents to tell them what their child had said, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Thursday.

Constance Days-Chapman was charged with official misconduct, obstruction of justice, and related offenses. The charges were placed on a summons, the prosecutors office said.

The announcement of the charges came the same day as detectives reportedly executed a search warrant at the home of Marty Small Jr., the mayor of Atlantic City, and his wife LaQuetta S. Small, the superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools.

A lawyer for the mayor, Ed Jacobs, could not be reached for comment. Jacobs confirmed to NJ.com that a search warrant was executed at the mayors home but did not disclose any details about what the search was about.

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The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office did not respond to a request for comment about the search.

On Jan. 22, a student at the high school reported to a staff member that they were the victim of physical and emotional abuse by their parents, and that the student had already disclosed the alleged abuse to Days-Chapman, prosecutors said.

That same day, the staff member discussed the matter with Days-Chapman, who allegedly denied that the student had told her anything, but Days-Chapman said she would alert the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, prosecutors said.

The staffer and another eyewitness to the conversation believed Days-Chapman was going to notify the state agency, prosecutors said. Another eyewitness offered to contact the state agency, but Days-Chapman allegedly insisted that she would do it.

Later that evening, Days-Chapman met with the juveniles parents at the parents house and informed them that the juvenile disclosed to school staff that the juvenile was being abused by them, the prosecutors office said.

The state child welfare agency told investigators that no disclosure about abuse was made by Days-Chapman or any other staff members from Atlantic City High School, prosecutors said.

Days-Chapman could not be reached for comment. Board members of the Atlantic City school district could not be reached for comment.

Days-Chapman is active with the Atlantic County Democratic Party and was municipal chair but has been asked to take a leave of absence from that position.

Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman said in a statement: The charges against Ms. Chapman-Days are serious and disconcerting. While everyone is innocent until proven guilty, Ive asked Ms. Days-Chapman to take a leave of absence from her position as the Municipal Chair in Atlantic City pending the outcome of these charges. I will work with our members in Atlantic City to identify an interim chairperson.
Sitting in the back of a pickup truck, Dustin Roberts and Ashlyn Rimsky from Walnutport watch "Leprechaun" at Shankweiler's Drive-In, near Allentown, in Orefield, Pa., on Friday, March 15, 2024. On April 13, the drive-in will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Read more

NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa.  Its a Friday night in March at the worlds oldest working drive-in: Time to bundle up, butter the popcorn, and watch a pre-Friends Jennifer Aniston battle a murderous leprechaun.

One reviewer said 1993s Leprechaun included bad sets, bad acting, and bad direction, a trifecta tailor-made for drive-ins. When the lights  the sun  dimmed at Shankweilers Drive-In around 7:09 p.m., co-owner Matt McClanahans voice came over the loudspeaker and through the radios of the few dozen cars parked in front of the screen.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, he said before the projector lit up.

Pennsylvania is home to 27 drive-ins  one fewer than New York  according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association. New Jersey has just one, the Delsea Drive-In, in Vineland. There are none in Delaware.

I think its something about our culture here in Pennsylvania that loves passing things down, generation to generation, McClanahan said.

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Shankweilers, which opened on April 15, 1934, in Lehigh County, is about 60 miles north of Philadelphia. The only drive-in that predates it debuted closer to the city, in 1933, on the Camden-Pennsauken border, but it closed by 1940.

Inspired by the Camden County theater, Wilson Shankweiler built his drive-in as an attraction for his popular restaurant and inn. Ninety years later, Shankweilers will celebrate its anniversary on April 13 by bringing in 1930s vehicles and reenacting vintage drive-in DIY, including hanging a bedsheet between two poles for a screen.

In the heyday of post-World War II America, car culture reigned and drive-ins popped up countrywide. There were approximately 4,000 by the end of the 1950s.

Drive-ins started facing leaner years when America took a harder turn toward suburbia for housing, shopping, and movie multiplexes in the 1970s and 80s. Real estate prices rose, often making the land more valuable than the theater. Over a period of decades, neon marquees from Long Island to California went dark and developers kept knocking, looking for land for self-storage facilities or shopping centers.

McClanahan and Lauren McChesney bought the property in 2022, paying just over $1 million and becoming Shankweilers fourth owners since 1934. At that point, the theater had been on the market for several years. Its previous owners and neighbors, according to McClanahan and McChesney, were hoping some film buffs/dreamers like themselves would fend off the warehouses popping up all over Lehigh County.

The couple now keeps Shankweilers open year-round, screening both first-run films like Dune Part Two and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and schlocky classic horror.

We need a cash flow all year, McClanahan said.

Also, theres something cozy about a drive-in during winter, McChesney said.

We love going to drive-ins and its sad more arent open all year round, she said. We actually drove out to a drive-in thats open all year in Pittsburgh and we really enjoyed it and thought we could do that too.

McClanahan studied filmmaking and learned the drive-in ropes at Carbon Countys Mahoning Drive-In, which he helped revive. The Inquirer visited the Mahoning, which uses 35mm film, in 2019 to chronicle its quirky, themed weekends and openness to camping.

After leaving the Mahoning, McClanahan cofounded the Moving Picture Company, which projected films at breweries and wineries.

Now this is our full-time job, McClanahan said.

McChesney said Barbie was a big draw last year, but they missed out on the full Barbenheimer bump: They didnt bring in Oppenheimer.

That was more of an IMAX thing, she said.

McClanahan said good, old-fashioned horror always draws crowds, even Eli Roths Thanksgiving slasher film last year.

As always, Shankweilers has a double feature. On Friday, for just $12, viewers were also treated to Leprechaun 2. Its a film with an even worse Rotten Tomatoes score than its predecessors, described by reviewer as awfully stupid.

Perfect for the drive-in.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 for Shankweilers 90th anniversary celebration. A magician will be visiting and themed drinks will be served. Tickets can be purchased at www.shankweilers.com
A still from surveillance video shows the unnamed SEPTA officer escorting 24-year-old Omar Lopez out of the Huntingdon Station. Outside, they would get into an altercation in which the officer Tased Lopez 10 times to subdue him. Lopez died. Read more

A team of journalists led by The Associated Press has documented 1,036 deaths between 2012 and 2021 that occurred after police used physical force or weapons that are meant to be safer than firearms.

In about 30% of the deaths, the AP reported, police acted to stop people who were injuring others or posing a threat of danger.

But roughly 25% of those who died were threatening no one or, at most, committing minor infractions. The rest involved other nonviolent situations with people who police later said were trying to resist arrest or flee.

AP reporters, using police, court and other public records, identified four such incidents in the Philadelphia region, which involved four different departments.

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 READ MORE: Why did more than 1,000 people in the U.S. die after police subdued them with force that isnt meant to kill?

Tasered in Bala Cynwyd

Police reports obtained by the AP contend that Pennsylvania state troopers in August 2016 pulled over Joshua W. Griffith, 33, of West Chester, while he was driving a rented U-Haul near City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd.

But shortly after stopping the vehicle for a traffic violation, the troopers reported, the driver attempted to flee.

Troopers ran after him and twice used Taser devices on Griffith, who fell to the pavement and struck his head. After a struggle on the ground, police said, he became unresponsive, and an EMS team was summoned. Police began chest compressions and also reported administering the anti-opioid medication Naloxone, due to drug paraphernalia being discovered at the scene.

Griffith was hospitalized, but declared brain-dead five days later, according to a coroners report.

The cause of death was ultimately listed as complications from the use of a electro muscular disruption device  such as a Taser. Griffiths family later filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against state police, which was settled for an undisclosed sum.

Haddon Township psychological emergency

In September 2012, a Haddon Township police officer responded to an early morning call regarding a psychological emergency at a takeout spot outside of Camden, where they encountered 37-year-old Sherron Shron Norman. Family members later acknowledged Norman had taken cocaine that night, and a business owner called police after Norman had lowered his pants inside the restaurant and begun shouting as he hit a countertop.

An officer moved to restrain him. But in an ensuing struggle, police repeatedly struck Norman, before cuffing and dragging him to a squad car. He was left unattended, and later found by EMTs to be unresponsive and without a pulse, according to court records.

Police alleged Norman bit a cop during the incident, and argued that he had died from an overdose. A wrongful-death lawsuit brought by his estate led to his family members obtaining a $800,000 settlement.

SEPTA police and a stun gun

During another early morning incident, in October 2015, a SEPTA transit police officer encountered 24-year-old Omar Lopez at the agencys Huntingdon elevated station in Kensington. The officer asked Lopez to leave the platform, as train service had ended, and escorted him out, according to the department.

On the sidewalk, Lopez got into an argument with a bystander and became combative when the officer attempted to intervene  punching and allegedly grabbing at the officers gun belt. In response, the transit cop deployed a stun gun 10 times. The fight continued on the ground for nearly eight more minutes before backup arrived and subdued Lopez.

Officers put him into a squad car and took him to a hospital for medical evaluation, but less than 10 minutes later he was found to be unresponsive.

Police argued his death was the result of a PCP overdose, but the agency faced public criticism for releasing partial video evidence of the encounter. The department later cleared the officer of wrongdoing.

Voorhees Township and a man under the influence

Voorhees Township police were involved in a September 2020 incident involving another man under the influence of drugs who died shortly after his arrest.

Cops stopped 37-year-old Richard Belline for crashing into a curb while driving through the New Jersey township. The driver had made a 911 call shortly before the crash, claiming he was being pursued by a gang, and he was acting erratically.

As an officer approached the car, Belline bolted. After a brief chase, officers pushed him to the ground and straddled his back to subdue him.

Belline later acknowledged he had used methamphetamines and said he needed psychological help. Police summoned an ambulance after Belline collapsed while still handcuffed. He was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour after the initial encounter.

Police were later cleared of responsibility for the death.

More white people died than any other group. But the police methods disproportionately affected Black people. Belline was among 333 Black people killed, roughly one-third of the deaths; the Black population in the country was about 12%.
Judge Stephanie Sawyer, from the Philadelphia Municipal Court, speaks during a panel discussion on the closure of womens jails in Philadelphia at the Friends Center in Philadelphia, Pa. on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. The discussion was hosted by the Still We Rise Freedom Coalition. Read more

What if you did the crime, and you did the time but it wasnt in jail?

A local coalition, convinced that putting women in jail has only fed mass incarceration, wants to close the city womens jails and come up with more meaningful ways for women to do their time.

Closure Is possible, an abolitionist campaign, says women are the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population, over 834% over the last 40 years, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, and much of that increase has been located in local jails.

As of February, the latest statistics available, 344 inmates, or 7% of the population of Philadelphia jails, was female. But rarely do the crimes they commit require jail time, claims the Closure Is Possible coalition.

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And rarely does jail time prepare them for reentry into the community.

More women have been incarcerated and they have received more extensive sentences, said Madusa Carter. Carter, a formerly incarcerated woman, is a lead organizer of the Still We Rise Freedom Coalition, the collective organizing the Closure Is Possible campaign. It was founded 30 years ago by the Pennsylvania Prison Society to improve jail conditions for incarcerated women, trans and gender non-conforming people. Currently, it is supported by the Gender Justice Fund.

From bad to worse

Incarceration will make every problem for women worse  from losing their children to the foster care system, losing their housing through eviction, losing their jobs by being fired and, when they get released, getting the help they need to rebuild their fragile lives.

During an initial Closure Is Possible panel session last December, Court of Common Pleas Judge Stephanie M. Sawyer started with the question What is it about the system that maintains a system of mass incarceration? Is there a legitimate public safety issue?

Her answer led her to launch a nonprofit in 2023, the Sentencing Foundation, to work on introducing restorative justice practices into sentencing and supervision. Now she is trying to get other judges to take a restorative approach.

The second panel on Closure Is Possible is next week, April 3 at 6 p.m. at the Friends Center and will focus on service providers who can give judges an option for alternative sentences. We want other judges to piggyback on the Sentencing Foundation and do a lot of work with service organizations where the automatic response isnt jail, Carter said.

Carter also said that Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Blanche Carneys recently announced retirement is also an opportunity to think through what is needed to lead the jails. I think the next person should have some mental health background, said Carter.

 READ MORE: Phillys prisons commissioner retires after years of disorder and recent escapes

Several members of the Coalition gave their insights why we should close the womens jails.

We have to start with the judges

The Rev. Michelle Anne Simmons, Why Not Prosper

According to the Rev. Michelle Anne Simmons, founder and CEO of Why Not Prosper, the problem starts not with the jails, nor with probation officers. It begins with the judges and thats where she she believes that the fight has to begin.

We have to stop locking women up for for stupid things like technical violations, or locking them up because they got high or they moved. The prisons just house who they tell them to house. Probation officers dont say who should get probation, Simmons said.

We have to stop locking women up for for stupid things like technical violations, or locking up because they got high or they moved. Rev. Michelle Simmons

Like many incarcerated women, substance abuse landed Simmons behind bars with felony convictions for possession, prostitution, and receiving stolen property. Freed from prison after six years, the stigma of being a returning citizen made rebuilding her life outside the prison walls and connecting with her children almost impossible. She designed Why Not Prosper to be the program she wish she had upon leaving prison.

Its not a crime crisis, its a mental health crisis

Jacqui Johnson, Sankofa Healing Studio

Very few women end up in prison because of violence, rather it is the result of trauma, grief, abuse.

Look at women, they have significant trauma before being incarcerated. Prisons and jails arent the mechanism to support mental health and wellness, said Jacqui Johnson , founder of the Sankofa Healing Studio and a board certified art therapist. Johnson volunteers weekly providing art therapy group classes at the women jail.

Many people have access points to the legal system but there are few ways to get out of it. Jacqui Johnson

Often it is the only therapy available to them, and helps the women with their anxiety and depression by providing a coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety, depression and isolation.

Many women didnt have a place to talk about what happened to them. We really cant incarcerate our way out of pain and violence. Their stories incredible saddening, what I hear is they never have a space to talk about it never had time to receive. Many people have access points to the legal system but there are few ways to get out of it.

Desperate economic times is behind much of the crime

Reuben Jones, Frontline Dads Inc.

Behind womans crime is womans poverty.

I believe wholeheartedly the reason poor people make self-destructive decisions is because their basic needs  food, shelter, clothes, safety  are not met. And when they arent met, then higher aspirations dont happen. When daycare tells you cant bring your child in because the bill is not paid, your car gets repossessed, your cell phone doesnt work  you are going to make some desperate decisions. Thats what drives a lot of crime, said Reuben Jones, a formerly incarcerated man, and one of the founders of Frontline Dads Inc.

The group started out as a volunteer youth mentoring organization in 2001 but became a nonprofit in 2015.

When daycare tells you cant bring your child in today because the bill is not paid, your car gets repossessed, your cell phone doesnt work - you are going to make some desperate decisions. Reuben Jones

For Jones, jail wont solve the economic crisis.

It is extremely punitive with no opportunity for redemption. Once you are in the system, you are basically there for life. The social stigma is like a burn mark that will never go away.
The Democrats who ran for Philly mayor last year and lost to Cherelle L. Parker have dealt with defeat in different ways.

Jeff Brown sued the Board of Ethics. Allan Domb is working on tax reform. Rebecca Rhynhart landed a gig at Drexel University.

But former City Councilmember Helen Gym, a longtime leader of the citys progressive movement who came in third, has been elusive. And its not just that shes stepped out of the limelight. Shes hardly been seen by anyone in Phillys political scene for the better part of a year.

That changed last week.

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Gym on Friday night attended a fundraiser for Cass Green, a progressive running for a state House seat in West Philly, and there are photos and video from the event to prove it. Gym posed for pictures with Green and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, another West Philly progressive.

Gym didnt return Clouts calls. But one operative who was there said she came to the fundraiser at the Painted Bride for about an hour and worked the room  and that many in attendance thought it was a big deal she showed.

It does take some amount of bravery to be like, I disappeared for a long time and now Im just going to show up at this event, the tipster said.

Green is the only major progressive challenger running in a city race this spring, and shes amassed endorsements from a bunch of elected officials, left-leaning unions, and progressive organizations. Her politics align closely with Gyms.

 READ MORE: A rematch is brewing in Rep. Amen Browns West Philly district

But there may be a cherry on top for Gym. Green is challenging State Rep. Amen Brown, a Democrat who also ran for mayor last year and whose politics  pro-developer, pro-charter school expansion, etc.  very much do not align with Gyms.

The two have a history. Last year, Brown surreptitiously snapped a pic of Gym leaving a meeting with David Adelman (the 76ers co-owner leading the development team for the Center City arena proposal), then confronted her about it during a televised debate.

Brown said it was just a little political payback. Gym had taken a photo of Brown a year prior showing him meeting with Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor turned Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

All thats to say: Gym emerging for the first time and being in a photo with the person challenging Brown? Just poetic.

Why did Mayor Parker fire city planning employees?

During mayoral transitions, lots of top officials leave city government  either because theyre not down with the new regime or because the new regime isnt down with them. But the departures of two longtime city planning bureaucrats have raised eyebrows.

Eleanor Sharpe had been serving as the interim director of planning and development since the 2023 resignation of Anne Fadullon, who held the role for most of former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration. And Melissa Long, a deputy director for housing and community development, was seen as an expert on ensuring the city complies with Byzantine federal housing regulations.

Both were seen as apolitical, and had served under multiple mayors. But in mid-January, Aren Platt, one of Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers top aides, informed them they were being let go.

Moving forward, we are going to be looking at ways for the office of Planning and Development to mirror the Mayors goals while continuing the excellent work that is being done, Platt wrote in an email to the department acquired by Clout.

The decision was perplexing for two reasons. First, were told that Sharpe was cool with returning to her previous role as a deputy if Parker wanted someone else to lead the agency. Second, both were replaced by interim leaders  and two months later, the administration still has not named permanent appointees.

And there are complex issues on the departments plate these days that could use some clear leadership, from the 76ers controversial proposal to build a Center City arena to Comcast Spectacors definitely-not-competing vision for a revamped South Philly stadium complex.

Clout hears department staffers were saddened and confused by the sudden ousters, and the administrations explanation  that Parker wanted to go in a different direction  didnt seem to add up, given Sharpes and Longs reputations as functionaries.

In an interview, Platt declined to elaborate, saying he couldnt discuss personnel decisions.

But he voiced full support for the new interim director, John Mondlak. A 24-year City Hall veteran, Mondlak most recently oversaw the developer services division, and worked previously at the commerce and law departments.

He brings a wealth of experience, Platt said. Hes actually the person we needed.

Platt isnt worried about the departments ability to get things done: I dont think anybody has or ever will accuse this administration of being indecisive or rudderless.

Fettermans communications breakdown

Clout learns theres been some serious turnover in Sen. John Fettermans office. In the last month, all three of Fettermans top communications staffers have left Capitol Hill.

Nick Gavio, who was deputy communications director, will leave the office at the end of March to take a new role with the Working Families Party. Fettermans former communications director, Joe Calvello, left earlier this month to work for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

And Emma Mustion, a press and digital aide also left Fettermans office to work on the reelection of the more moderate Sen. Bob Casey.

Gavio and Calvello, two veterans of Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign, offered nothing but nice comments about their new jobs. But Clout doesnt believe in coincidences, and it seems relevant that both are going to more progressive spaces, given that Fetterman has recently made a big deal of denouncing that ever-nebulous political label.

Fetterman has alienated some of his supporters on the left with his defense of Israels war against Hamas and his criticism of cease-fire activists. His office did not return a request for comment.

Gavio said he is grateful for his time with Fetterman and is extremely proud and excited to become Mid-Atlantic communications director for the Working Families Party, overseeing the partys expansion into statewide and regional contests.

Calvello, earlier in the month, said in a statement that he was deeply honored to work for Johnson, whom he described as a true progressive.

Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics.
In a ruling that threatens to upend the decades-old grip New Jerseys political bosses have held over primary elections, a federal judge on Friday rejected the states unique system of granting party-endorsed candidates preferential positions on electoral ballots.

Siding with critics who called the practice  known as the county line  unjust and unconstitutional, U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi ordered the states elections officials to redesign ballots for the upcoming June primary to put all candidates on an equal footing.

Though his order, issued in the form of a preliminary injunction, only addressed to this upcoming vote, the judge acknowledged that the county lines challengers  including U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D., N.J.)  were likely to prevail as the case moves forward and as future elections are considered.

Should the ruling stand, experts say it could prompt a monumental shift in New Jerseys political landscape, cracking the once insurmountable odds outsider candidates faced when challenging incumbents or party favorites. The fallout could also reshuffle the field of likely contenders ahead the states 2025 governors race.

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Quraishi acknowledged the potential magnitude of his decision in his 49-page opinion Friday. But, he wrote: The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake.

Kim, whose lawsuit challenging county line ballot positioning prompted the ruling, hailed the decision as a victory for a fairer, more democratic politics in New Jersey.

Its a victory built from the incredible grassroots work of activists across our state who saw an undemocratic system marginalizing the voices of voters, and worked tirelessly to fix it, he said in a statement. While fixing this unfair ballot system is a massive step forward towards perfecting our democracy, there is still work to be done.

What is the county line?

New Jersey is the only state in the country that  until Friday  had allowed county parties to bracket endorsed candidates together in prime ballot positions, while exiling all others to what insiders colloquially describe as ballot Siberia.

While other states group candidates for the same office together on their ballots, those presented to New Jersey primary voters had put winners of party endorsements for all offices together in one column while relegating the rest to other, less prominent placements.

Some of the 19 of New Jerseys 21 counties to follow the county line system left the decision of which candidates received prime positioning up to a single local party boss.

Either way, studies have shown that such favorable ballot placement can make a big difference in the outcome of the vote  with some researchers putting the advantage it grants as high as nearly 40%.

Still, defenders of the county line maintain it helps voters clearly see the candidates a party supports and prevents fringe candidates from taking over a nomination process.

Andy Kims lawsuit

Kim, who filed suit in February amid a fierce Democratic primary battle against New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy to replace U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, argued the system deterred newcomers from running for office while cementing the power of incumbents and party machines.

Murphy, the wife of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, entered the race in November as a front-runner with the backing of many of the states party leaders and, under the old system, the edge in gaining top ballot placement in several counties.

Kim and his backers argued that several of those leaders held state jobs or have business relations with the Murphy administration, giving them an incentive to support the governors wife.

Tammy Murphy abruptly suspended her Senate campaign on Sunday and within days, almost every county offered Kim the county line ballot position in her absence.

Still, he pressed on with his legal challenge  even as he stood to benefit from his newly won favorable ballot placement  calling it a fight against what he described as the states broken machine politics.

In a surprise move, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, a Murphy acolyte, also broke with the governor and refused to defend the county line in court, calling it unconstitutional.

But following Platkins decision, Gov, Murphy, who had defended the system in the past, said he believed the county line system had served us well over the years, but added he was open-minded to tweaks.

A seismic shift in New Jersey politics

Platkin and Murphy declined to comment Friday on Quraishis decision. Others, though, scrambled to parse its implications.

Chris Russell, a Republican political consultant in the state, predicted that, assuming the ruling survives appeal, it will prompt a seismic shift in New Jersey politics.

It will be a game changer, he said. The New Jersey system for years has been predicated upon the strength of county organizations and county chairmen and women, and if this ruling holds  it certainly would dramatically shift the balance of power within the primary system.

But he cautioned that its not a sure thing that grassroots or movement candidates will necessarily be the benefactors. Instead, the ruling could open the door for more self-funded candidates or those backed by deep-pocketed special interests, he said.

Theres an argument to be made that money now will matter even more, he said. Those who assume the ruling is a win for grassroots candidates may want to watch what they wish for.

William J. Caruso, a public affairs consultant, lawyer, and former staffer to several New Jersey Democratic elected officials, said that in the short term, the decision could end up hurting Kim, since he held county line advantage in most counties after Tammy Murphys withdrawal.

In the long term, Caruso added, it could affect the types of candidates who emerge as front-runners in the future primary votes. If local GOP parties have less influence, he said, the concern there is that New Jerseys candidates move further to the right because of the Trump base.

Meanwhile, the states elected county clerks, who were named as defendants in Kims lawsuit, had more practical concerns on their minds and were considering their options for appeal.

With ballots required to be printed in one week and voting starting in 20 days, many county clerks have significant concerns about the feasibility of compliance with the courts order, John Carbone, an attorney who represented some of them in court, said in a statement.

But for now, progressive and antiestablishment activists were eager to celebrate a victory.

Todays historic ruling to abolish the line will strengthen New Jerseys democracy by putting voters back in charge of selecting the candidates that will represent them in nearly every level of government, said Antoinette Miles, state director of the New Jersey Working Families Party. Candidates will now be answerable to voters at the ballot box  not corporate special interests who control the awarding of the line.

Staff writers Julia Terruso and Andrew Seidman contributed to this article.

Read the opinion:
Inmates on San Quentins Death Row are being moved to other prisons. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Regarding As San Quentins Death Row empties, condemned inmates get a glimpse of hope (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, March 25): The Chronicles coverage of moving San Quentins death row inmates to other prisons to cheer them up falls on deaf ears.

I have numerous items on my care and concerns list, but death row inmate David Carpenter and his cohabitants are somewhere around 6,000 on it. Each of Carpenters numerous victims died thrashing in terror and agony and each of their wide circle of family and friends was forever destroyed and their lives shattered.

Against the will of the voters, Carpenter, Cary Stayner, Richard Allen Davis and friends are alive to play on their free computers and tablets but need more ability to socialize. Each of their heinous crime victims would have begged for just a few more minutes of life.

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Gov. Gavin Newsoms grandstanding San Quentin reform should be replaced by advocacy for victims and their families.

Carol Lankford-Gross, Muir Beach

Ignore Trumps attacks

Two juries of Donald Trumps peers found him liable for sexual assault and defamation. The New York court determined that Trump repeatedly defrauded and damaged the citizens of that state. He has been charged with 91 felonies based on his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A trial is imminent in the hush money case where he tried to cover up his alleged adultery.

Trump responds to his disturbing palette by leveling baseless, evidence-free attacks against public servants doing their jobs. He redundantly labels his legal travails as witch hunts, hoaxes and election interference.

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Trump viciously attacks without foundation those who seek to hold him to account, including their families. And he has a complicit partner in these efforts to debase the pillars of our democracy: the news media that repeats his predictable words.

Trumps attacks are not newsworthy. The media should not give them attention. In the minds of some, republishing these recriminations legitimizes them. This is dangerous not only by dumbing down our political discourse but also by promoting violence among his followers. This is not a role that our press should play.

David Wiseblood, San Francisco

Tuberculosis risk grows

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, California faced the disease head-on to the benefit of its residents. But another infectious killer, tuberculosis, is on the rise in California.

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Tuberculosis cases and deaths have increased worldwide for the first time in a decade, and California is no exception. More than 2 million Californians are infected with tuberculosis, according to the state Department of Public Health. Of those infected, only 1 in 5 are aware of their infection. Californias estimated incidence of tuberculosis is almost twice the national level.

Tuberculosis is the No. 2 infectious killer globally, but it doesnt have to be. If we catch and treat latent infections before they become active, we can stop their spread and save lives.

Unlike when COVID-19 hit in 2020, we know how to stop the spread of tuberculosis. The world looks to California as a leader, and its time we step up.

We call on our representatives to support AB2132, which would expand testing for tuberculosis and help address the epidemic in our state.

Ariana Austin and Tara Taeed, staff researchers, UCSF Center for Tuberculosis, San Francisco

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Jenkins is wrong

Regarding S.F. judge in contentious stabbing case moves hearings online following death threats (Politics, SFChronicle.com, March 26): It is shameful that a San Francisco judge has had to move her hearings online due to threats to her safety, threats that were aided and abetted by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

Jenkins has no business weaponizing her complaints and leading a protest that has put the judge and our system of democracy at risk. I applaud the Bar Association of San Francisco for weighing in; I only wish they would take it further and sanction Jenkins, who has demonstrated a disregard for democratic principles.
Its very early in the recovery process and already the numbers are large.

Insured losses for the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore could be as much as $2 billion to $4 billion, according to Morningstar.

S&P Global Ratings estimates $3 billion, which would still make this tragedy the largest marine insurance loss ever recorded.

Barclays analysts believe damage claims for the bridge alone could reach $1.2 billion, while claims for wrongful deaths and business interruptions could run $350 million to $700 million, according to Bloomberg.

While the total cost of the bridge collapse and associated claims will not be clear for some time, it is likely to run into the billions of dollars, said Matilde Jakobsen, senior director, analytics, AM Best.

These estimates track with what others are seeing and saying in terms of this tragedy being a major marine insurance event.

I do see this claim as having a high likelihood of being one of the largest marine claims on record  rivaling Costa Concordia in 2012 or Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989  almost 35 years ago to the day, John A. Miklus, president, American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU), told Insurance Journal.

While the incident still has to be investigated, we believe it has potential to become a significant insurance claim, particularly in the marine market, wrote a Barclays analyst cited by Bloomberg.

When the 985-foot-long Singapore-flagged vessel Dali struck one of the 1.6-mile bridges supports, the structure immediately collapsed into the water. Six construction workers are presumed dead after falling off the structure into the Patapsco River; two survived.

The Dali, which is owned by Grace Ocean and managed by Synergy Marine, was chartered by Maersk to ship cargo. It was carrying almost 5,000 containers on board at the time of the accident, according to Synergy Marine. A Few Other Things While it is difficult to find anything positive about this tragedy, it is worth noting a few things. Lives were saved as police were able to block cars from entering the bridge just minutes before the collapse. Synergy Marine confirmed that all crew members and the two pilots aboard Dali were safe, with one minor injury reported. The injured crew member was treated and discharged from hospital. Modelers at IMPLAN calculate that rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge will support an estimated 2,000 construction jobs with $142 million in labor income. Economic modeler IMPLAN suggests that the collapse could highlight the need for infrastructure investment, potentially leading to increased spending on projects. This accident does not appear to be a major pollution event like an oil spill, although officials have said some of the cargo may be hazardous and leaking into the river. While it is difficult to find anything positive about this tragedy, it is worth noting a few things. Lives were saved as police were able to block cars from entering the bridge just minutes before the collapse. Synergy Marine confirmed that all crew members and the two pilots aboard Dali were safe, with one minor injury reported. The injured crew member was treated and discharged from hospital. Modelers at IMPLAN calculate that rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge will support an estimated 2,000 construction jobs with $142 million in labor income. Economic modeler IMPLAN suggests that the collapse could highlight the need for infrastructure investment, potentially leading to increased spending on projects. This accident does not appear to be a major pollution event like an oil spill, although officials have said some of the cargo may be hazardous and leaking into the river. Reuters reported that the closing of the Port of Baltimore is causing some logistics headaches but is unlikely to bring about another major U.S. supply chain crisis because other East Coast ports are in position to handle more cargo, according to economists and logistics experts. Reuters quoted the chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, Ryan Sweet, as saying this event will have greater economic implications for the Baltimore economy than nationally. losses of more than $1.5 billion, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 where insurance paid at least $780 million of Exxons loss.

A very different type of disaster, Superstom Sandy, which affected several states, cost the global marine market between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, according to the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI).

Owner Liability

The insurers and reinsurers behind Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine are expected to pay out the bulk of the losses. Typically, the ships own hull and machinery (H&M) insurance policy would cover any damage the ship itself sustained, as well as salvage operations for the ship.

However, the owner and operator face potential claims not only for damage to the bridge and cargo but also for loss of lives and business.

An extremely complicated loss such as this one is bound to result in a great deal of litigation but liability seems quite clearly to fall on the vessel and its owners, AIMUs Miklus stated.

Miklus explained that protection and indemnity (P&I) policies respond to all of the third party liabilities such as rebuilding the bridge, loss of income/revenue for the port and bridge authority, loss of life, injuries, salvage, removal of the bridge debris and more.

Joshua Gold, a leader of the marine insurance practice for the law firm Anderson Kill, agrees that given the navigational problems evident from the videos, the ship owner is likely to be scrutinized but adds that all parties probably will be targeted.

Gold also thinks there could be some infighting before all is said and done.

It is likely that the insurance and reinsurance companies will be jockeying over ultimate responsibility for the losses. Given the early reports of engine / power issues when the crew signaled mayday, the charterer may allege the fault lies with the vessel and its owners. Conversely, the owner may try to lay the fault with the pilot/captain/crew, Gold told Insurance Journal.

P&I Clubs

The P&I losses will be handled by a liability pooling arrangement that serves the global shipping industry. The 12 members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs collectively insure about 90% of the worlds ocean vessels. This group will play the biggest role in covering maritime liability risks, including third-party risks for damage cargo during transit. The reinsurance for this group of P&I clubs is likely to pick up the most.

One of the groups members, the Britannia P&I Club, is the indemnity insurer for the Dali and responsible for up to $10 million in claims. Thereafter, the other 11 members of the P&I group will share most claims up to a total of $100 million. After that, up to $3.1 billion in general excess of loss (GXL) reinsurance is available. It is widely known that that AXA XL Insurance is the lead GXL provider for the International group of P&I clubs. Other major reinsurers are also involved.

AM Bests Jakobsen believes the insurance issues related to the collapse of the bridge will take a long time to unravel and the total cost of the bridge collapse and associated claims is likely to run well above the $100 million attachment point for the GXL contract.

The same analysts projecting large loss numbers note that the insurance industry overall should be able to absorb the losses without too much trouble since the losses will be spread over various lines including marine liability and hull, property, cargo, trade credit, and business interruption. There could also be wrongful death suits by the families of the six workers who died.

Manageable Issues

Despite the challenges ahead, insurers should emerge without major issues, according to S&P Global, which titled its report, Baltimore Bridge Accident Could Cost More Than $3 Billion And Only Dent Insurers Earnings.

We expect all the clubs and reinsurers involved to be able to manage their losses with no impact on ratings at this stage, said S&P Global, noting that the maximum for all marine reinsurers would be $3 billion.

Our view that the loss is manageable is further supported by the reinsurance sectors strong underwriting performance in 2023. Favorable pricing suggests that underwriting performance will remain strong in 2024, S&P Global added.

It helps that the marine line entered 2024 in good shape. According to a February 2024 segment report by AM Best, the 2022/23 period  prior to the challenges in the Red Sea was the first year of combined underwriting profits for the 12 members of the International Group of P&I Clubs since 2016/17. The group reported an underwriting surplus of $152 million for the 2022/23 financial year, a significant improvement compared with the previous year deficit of $267 million. For 2023/24, AM Best said it expected underwriting performance to be in line with 2022/23, with most of the clubs likely to achieve around breakeven combined ratios.

However, there is still some worry about the marine line and especially reinsurers. Morningstar, S&P Global and AM Best noted that reinsurers will bear the bulk of the insured cost.

The claim will likely involve several insurers, reinsurers, subrogation, and legal issues and will serve to add to the increasing challenges in reinsurance availability, Jakobsen said.

In our view, these losses will add to the woes of marine insurers who have been facing recent challenges due to the Houthi rebels attacks in the Red Sea, said Marcos Alvarez, managing director, Morningstar. We also anticipate that the losses linked to the collapse of the Baltimore bridge will add upward pressure to the pricing of marine insurance coverages globally.

Limiting Liability

While the estimates of losses are running high, Anderson Kill attorney Gold told Insurance Journal he believes it is likely that the potentially culpable parties and their insurance companies will explore the filing of limitation of liability lawsuits to cap their exposure given the enormous cost of this allision. He uses the term allision which is the nautical term referring to when a vessel crashes or runs into another vessel that is stationary.

Along those lines, Bloomberg reported the losses could be less if Dalis operator proceeds in the US under an 1851 law, which was cited by the Titanics owner in a Supreme Court case more than a century ago. According to Martin Davies, of Tulane Universitys Maritime Law Center, the 1851 law could cap the ship owners liability at how much the vessel is worth after the crash, plus any earnings it collected from carrying the freight.

While its claims will most likely be subrogated to other insurance, the state of Maryland does have $350 million per occurrence property and business interruption coverage for its bridges and tunnels. The policy renewed in December with a $50 million deductible and 30-day wait period, according to a November presentation by Deb Sharpless, chief financial officer of the Maryland Transit Authority. Thats a higher deductible and longer waiting period than in past years but the state decided to take on more risk itself given rising values of the structures it insures and rising premiums.

An analysis by the North Carolina-based economic modeling software firm IMPLAN suggests rebuilding the bridge could cost about $600 million. A researcher at the Urban Institute told Reuters a rebuild could cost several billion dollars.

President Joe Biden vowed that the federal government would move to rush funds to pay for the cost of reconstructing the bridge, although the Administration also said it that the government expects insurance would ultimately pick up some of the tab. The White House did release $60 million in emergency funds to help jumpstart the recovery. Congress must approve additional funding.

Top Photo: Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with one of the bridges support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (WJLA via AP)

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This year is the biggest election year in history. Almost half of the global population will be able to cast their vote in more and less democratic elections around the world. The European elections are not even the largest elections in terms of size of electorate this year  that honour belongs to the worlds largest democracy, India. Still, with a combined electorate of over 400 million people, voting across 27 countries, the European elections are both big and important.

As in the previous two European elections, all eyes will be on the far right, which is expected to be the big winner this year. This is, in itself, understandable. Far-right parties are topping the polls in many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Still, it is important to remember that the far right already won in 2014 and 2019 (Manucci, 2021), which means that there is less space for growth. Moreover, for the moment, the far right remains divided, which could keep it in the political margins in Brussels.

In this article, I look forward to the campaign and the expected electoral results of the 2024 European elections. I focus specifically on the far right, which is projected to be the biggest winner in terms of not just votes but also political power. The upcoming elections are expected to further mainstream far-right ideas and parties and pull the European Parliament further to the right. In many ways, this simply means that EU politics will fall more in line with most of its member states, where far-right parties have become largely mainstreamed and normalised (Mondon and Winter, 2020; Mudde, 2019a). That said, the European Parliament is a unique institution, and its internal politics require a short explanation to better understand.

The European Parliament and European elections

The European Parliament (EP) is the legislature of the European Union (EU). Although the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of the EU, was founded in 1952, the members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have only been directly elected since 1979. In fact, up to this day, the EP remains the EUs only directly-elected institution, as its website proudly boasts. The EP has slowly but steadily increased its power within the complex EU structure but remains a sui generis institution (Usherwood and Pinder, 2018). Most importantly, unlike in national parliamentary systems, the two EU executives are not dependent upon majority support of the EP. The main executive, the European Council, is completely independent from the EP, consisting of the government leaders of all (currently 27) member states. The European Commission, the day-to-day EU executive, is mostly independent of the EP: Commissioners are chosen by the governments of the member states, but the EP elects the President of the Commission and has the right to approve or dismiss the whole Commission.

The EP is also different from the two executives in terms of its internal workings. Simply stated, the members of the Council represent their individual countries, the members of the Commission represent the EU, and the members of the Parliament represent their partys ideology. Rather than by country, MEPs sit together by political group, which are organised by ideology, at least in theory  in practice, more opportunistic power considerations often play a role, too. Currently, there are seven official groups, which are, ordered by number of seats in the 2019 elections: the right-wing European Peoples Party (EPP), the center-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberal Renew Europe (Renew), the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), the far-right Identity & Democracy (ID), the conservative (but really also far-right) European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and the far-left Confederal Group of the European United Left  Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL); finally, there is the non-group Non-Inscrits (NI), which combines all unaffiliated parties but does not have group privileges. The political groups differ in terms of number of seats, ideological homogeneity and voting discipline.

Just as the EP is not a typical parliament, European elections are not typical elections. In many ways, it is misleading to even speak of (the) European elections. Although electing representatives for the same legislative body (i.e. MEPs), the European elections are essentially 27 separate national elections, with very different national campaigns, parties and even electoral rules. Moreover, the results in the elections in one member state (say Germany) are completely independent of those in another (say Malta). It is therefore always tricky to speak of European developments or trends, as most apply only to some EU member states.

The European elections are second-order elections because  unlike first-order elections  they do not determine the constitution of an executive (Reif and Schmitt, 1980). According to second-order elections theory, people are less interested in these elections and therefore vote less and vote more often with the boot (protest) or the heart (support) than with the head (strategic) (Oppenhuis et al., 1996). Consequently, there is a common perception that governing parties struggle, while small, extreme and opposition parties flourish. It has long been believed that far-right parties do (much) better in European than in national elections, but empirical studies have found this not to be the case, when one focuses on the average rather than the outliers (e.g. Minkenberg and Perrineau, 2007).

There are a couple of reasons why the original expectations were wrong or have become less right in recent time. First and foremost, the theory is based on the US midterm elections, but European elections are not always held at the midterm of the national election cycle of (all) member states. As the timing of second-order elections, in terms of the first-order cycle, affects voting behaviour in different ways, and European elections fall into different stages of the national cycle in different countries, the various effects largely wash out at the European level (Wondreys, 2021). Moreover, far-right parties are no longer small, perceived as extreme, or in opposition, therefore the original theory is less and less fitting (Ehin and Talving, 2020; Wondreys, 2023b).

The 2024 European elections: Campaign and votes

There are several novelties to the 2024 European elections. Probably most importantly, this will be the first election since the finalisation of the UKs exit from the EU and consequently, there will be fewer seats than in the previous elections. These will also be the first elections after several important crises, which have fundamentally affected politics in the EU and its member states, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the (second) Russian invasion of Ukraine and the most recent conflict in Gaza.

But in other ways, the 2024 elections will be very similar to the previous ones, in particular the 2019 elections (see Mudde, 2019b). Most voters will again see them as second-order elections, of secondary relevance, and turnout will again be much lower than in national parliamentary elections. Many parties will devote far fewer resources than in national campaigns. And most media (and parties) will primarily focus on national issues (and politicians), largely ignoring European issues such as the enlargement and institutional reform of the EU. Finally, the overarching narrative of the European elections will again be that of a weak democracy challenged by an emboldened far right  which returned with a vengeance after the shocking victory of Geert Wilders in the 2023 Dutch elections.

A recent report predicts a sharp right turn in the 2024 European elections (Cunningham et al., 2024). Based on the most recent opinion polls in all 27 member states, the authors warn that a populist right coalition of Christian democrats, conservatives, and radical right MEPs could emerge with a majority for the first time in the history of the European Parliament (Cunningham et al., 2024, 1). To be fair, this is not such a huge increase, as the total number of populist MEPs was already estimated at almost one-third after the 2019 European elections, the vast majority being of the far right (Manucci, 2021; Mudde, 2019b). Still, as we see increasingly in national politics as well, there is a significant shift within the right-wing block. In more and more countries, far-right parties are now the biggest parties (in the right-wing block), which also means there is a shift from soft to hard Euroscepticism (Taggart and Szczerbiak, 2004). Indeed, the authors expect the ECR and ID groups together to account for 25 per cent of MEPs, more than either the EPP or the S&D (Cunningham et al., 2024, 4).

Of course, the report was published before the start of the election campaign, as far as we can speak of a (single) campaign in the context of European elections. Although national issues, including positions on the performance of the national government, will dominate the campaigns for the European elections in most member states, national parties do integrate issues of their political groups into their campaigns. The EPP has chosen to campaign primarily on the issues of immigration and the European Green Deal, largely adopting the negative framing of the far right. This means that the European campaign will be dominated by the frames and issues of the far right as well as the question of the Koalitionsfahigkeit (governmentability) of the far right. And as recent elections in Sweden and the Netherlands, as well as decades of academic research have shown (e.g. Krause et al., 2022; May and Czymara, 2023), this usually benefits the far right.

In short, the far right will almost certainly be the biggest winner in the 2024 European elections, but whether it will be able to translate the electoral success into political influence is far from certain. While far-right parties have become largely mainstreamed and normalised in the national politics of most EU member states, they are still facing marginalisation in Brussels  although this is more relevant for the ID group than for the ECR and has been weakened significantly in the past decade.

Group formation

The expectation is that the right-wing EPP and the centre-left S&D will remain the two biggest groups in the new EP, with the EPP slightly increasing its margin, while the far-right ID will be third and the conservative ECR fifth. All progressive groups will lose, with Renew Europe and the Greens expected to lose between 20% and 30% of their seats. In most cases, these shifts are not Europe-wide but caused by drastic changes in one or two parties in big countries  such as the expected big win for the ID member Alternative for Germany (AfD) and big loss for the Greens in Germany and the expected big loss for the Renew member Ensemble (party of President Emmanuel Macron) in France. Still, these predictions should be treated with a lot of caution, not just because the elections are still several months away, but also because there will be new, not (yet) affiliated parties entering the EP (see also Cunningham et al., 2024).

More importantly, the character, membership and number of groups can change. This is particularly important for the far right, which has a history of changing groups and memberships (e.g. Manucci, 2021; McDonnell and Werner, 2019). The traditional far-right group is the ID, which includes well-known far-right parties like Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN), Matteo Salvinis Lega, Geert Wilders Party for Freedom (PVV), Herbert Kickls Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) and the AfD. The ECR was founded by the British Conservative Party (Steven, 2020) and is still often referred to as conservative or national conservative, the latter an ill-defined euphemism for far right. But in the 2010s, that group became almost exclusively far right, as conservative parties like Law and Justice (PiS) radicalised and far-right parties like the Sweden Democrats and Vox joined (Manucci, 2021). Consequently, there is increasing ideological overlap between the ID and ECR, while the respectability gap is also shrinking  most ECR parties were already considered koalitionsfahig at the national level, while this now also applies to more and more ID parties, as cordons sanitaires in Western Europe are weakening or even disappearing.

One of the remaining dividers is believed to be Russia, with the PiS-dominated ECR fiercely anti-Russian and the (traditionally) RN-dominated ID considered more pro-Russian. However, in the wake of Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, most ID parties have changed their pro-Russian position (Wondreys, 2023a). In the shadow of the ECR-ID division is another issue, the position of Viktor Orbans Fidesz party, which was de facto kicked out of the EPP in 2021 and has been looking for a new group since. Despite active courting by the ID, Orban recently stated that Fidesz will join the ECR, possibly even before the European elections. This move has been officially supported by high-ranking representatives of the two biggest ECR parties, former Polish Premier Mateusz Morawiecki (PiS) and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni (Brothers of Italy, FdI), but some smaller member parties have expressed doubt or even rejection  notably the Sweden Democrats (SD) and the Czech Civic Democratic Party (ODS), one of the few remaining truly conservative parties in the ECR, although the party is deeply divided over collaboration with Orban.

If Fidesz joins the ECR, the group would move even further right. This should facilitate closer collaboration with the ID, and possibly even lead to one big far-right group or some of the bigger ID parties joining the ECR (like the FPO and PVV). But it could also shake up the EP, and European politics more generally, even further, as some of Orbans regional allies might follow suit. Andrej Babiss ANO in Czechia, Janez Jansas SDS in Slovenia and Robert Ficos Smer in Slovakia are all facing pressure within their current political groups  Renew, the EPP and S&D, respectively  and have become increasingly Eurosceptic and close to Orban. If this were to happen, the new far-right group could not just become the biggest group in the new EP, it could become a major player in the European Council and (possibly) Commission, too. But there is a risk.

Since its foundation, the Parliament has been governed by an alliance of the EPP and S&D. Since the two groups lost their majority in 2019, they have been collaborating mainly with Renew Europe, despite a growing number of EPP members expressing (soft) Euroscepticism and working with ECR and ID parties at the (sub)national level. In the run-up to the elections, the EPP has been openly flirting with the ECR, whose positions on some key issues  notably immigration and the European Green Deal  it has largely copied. Collaborating with Orban, or key (former) ID members like the RN, could risk closer collaboration with the EPP  also because of the historical and deeply personal animosities between Orban and some EPP leaders (like group leader Manfred Weber).

Conclusions

In mere electoral terms, the 2024 European elections will simply reflect the trend of the previous two European elections, i.e. an increase in MEPs from right-wing Eurosceptic and far-right parties. But in terms of political power, the upcoming elections could be a game changer. For the first time in its history, the EP could have a right-wing majority. How this majority will play out politically, i.e. in terms of alliances and collaboration, remains to be seen. The key player will probably be neither the mainstream-right EPP nor the far-right ID, but rather the hybrid ECR. Predicted to be only the fifth-largest group in the new Parliament, the internally divided group has an important choice to make. It could choose to significantly increase its size by winning over new parties, including current ID parties and Orbans Fidesz. While this would increase its political weight within the new Parliament, it could decrease the ECRs political influence by risking its alliance with the EPP.

Given the history of far-right collaboration in the EP, and its many ideological and personal divisions, a far-right super group remains an unlikely scenario  at least for the next legislature. Rather than enabling a political coalition of mainstream right (EPP) and far-right (ECR plus), the next Parliament will probably lead to a weak mainstream coalition that is held hostage by the right wing of the EPP, which can block any unwanted policies by threatening to ally with the far right. Given the policy overlap between the mainstream right (EPP) and the far right (ECR and ID), we can expect even tighter immigration policies as well as further weakening of the European Green Deal (see also Cunningham et al., 2024). We can also expect less enthusiasm for the protection of minority rights and the sanctioning of illiberal governments within the EU.

Regarding the direction of European integration, including the issues of EU enlargement and institutional reform, previous research found that (o)nly when Eurosceptics meet a divided Europhile camp is there a potential for them to alter the course of European integration through influencing legislative output (Borzel et al., 2023, 1114). Given the increasing (soft) Euroscepticism of parties within the three big mainstream groups  such as the Dutch New Social Contract (NSC) and Slovenian SDS in the EPP or the Czech ANO and the Dutch Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in the Renew group  such division is highly likely. That said, right-wing Eurosceptics are also far from united over many of these issues. For instance, while the Dutch PVV is vehemently opposed to further enlargement, Hungarian Fidesz is a strong supporter of the accession of the Western Balkans  which would bring some powerful allies into the EU, such as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Of course, it will also affect the role of the EU in international politics. First and foremost, it will create an even less decisive EU, not just with regard to regions where it is already divided and weak (e.g. the Middle East), but also closer to home. Given the strong pro-Ukrainian position of most ECR parties, and the significantly softer pro-Russia position of most ID parties, a fundamental change in the EU position on Russia and Ukraine is unlikely. However, combined with increasing Ukraine fatigue, EU support will probably become more contested and modest. And substantial new initiatives, such as (some form of) European defence, high on the EPP agenda, will probably face significant opposition from the far right (and the far left).

Which leads us to the elephant in the room: Donald Trump. Should the former president return to the White House, the EU will largely have to go it alone. Trump holds strong anti-EU and anti-NATO views and has made it crystal clear that he wants the US to be more isolationist and self-centred in international politics. A direct consequence of such a radical shift, particularly after the passionate transatlanticist Joe Biden, is that the EU will be forced to play a much larger role in achieving its foreign and military objectives at a time when it will be more divided than ever over more and closer European collaboration.

References

Borzel, T. A., P. Broniecki, M. Hartlapp and L. Obholzer (2023), Contesting Europe: Eurosceptic dissent and integration polarization in the European Parliament, Journal of Common Market Studies, 61(4), 1100-1118.

Cunningham, K. and S. Hix with S. Dennison and I. Learmonth (2024), A Sharp Right Turn: A Forecast for the 2024 European Parliament Elections, ECFR Policy Brief, 523.

Ehin, P. and L. Talving (2020), Second-order effects or ideational rifts? Explaining outcomes of European elections in an era of populist politics, Italian Political Science Review, 50(3), 350-367.

Krause, W., D. Cohen and T. Abou-Chadi (2022), Does accommodation work? Mainstream party strategies and the success of radical right parties, European Journal of Political Research, 11, 172-179.

Manucci, L. (2020), Forty years of populism in the European Parliament, Populacao e Sociedade, 35, 25-42.

May, A. C. and C. S. Czymara (2024), Careless whisper: Political elite discourses activate national identities for far-right voting preferences, Nations and Nationalism, FirstView.

McDonnell, D. and A. Werner (2019), International Populism: The Radical Right in the European Parliament, Oxford University Press.

Minkenberg, M. and P. Perrineau (2007), The radical right in the European elections 2004, International Political Science Review, 28(1), 29-55.

Mondon, A. and A. Winter (2020), Reactionary Democracy: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream, Verso.

Mudde, C. (2019a), The Far Right Today, Polity.

Mudde, C. (2019b), The 2019 EU elections: Moving the center, Journal of Democracy, 30(4), 20-34.

Oppenhuis, E., C. van der Eijk and M. N. Franklin (1996), The party context: Outcomes, in C. van der Eijk and M. N. Franklin (eds.), Choosing Europe? The European Electorate and National Politics in the Face of Union, The University of Michigan Press, 287-305.

Reif, K. and H. Schmitt (1980), Nine second-order national elections  A conceptual framework for the analysis of European election results, European Journal of Political Research, 8(1), 3-44.

Steven, M. (2020), The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR): Politics, Parties and Policies, Manchester University Press.

Usherwood, S. and J. Pinder (2018), The European Union: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press.

Taggart, P. and A. Szczerbiak (2004), Contemporary Euroscepticism in the party systems of the European Union candidate states of Central and Eastern Europe, European Journal of Political Research, 43(1), 1-27.

Wondreys, J. (2021), Unpacking Second-order Election Theory: Vote Choice and Turnout in European Elections, Unpublished PhD Thesis University of Georgia.

Wondreys, J. (2023a), Putins puppets in the West? The far rights reaction to the 2022 Russian (re)invasion of Ukraine, Party Politics, OnlineFirst.

Wondreys, J. (2023b), Unpacking second-order elections theory: The effects of ideological extremity on voting in European elections, Electoral Studies, 81, 102663.
Parents have welcomed new employer initiatives that are recognising the work challenges they face in the periods surrounding fertility, pregnancy and birth.

In recent weeks, science and tech company Merck and drinks firm Molson Coors have introduced progressive new parent-focused programmes which go far beyond their legal obligations towards their employees.

Merck has introduced a fertility benefit programme in Ireland, while Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced a new equal parent leave policy. Both programmes are available to all employees, regardless of marital status, gender and sexual orientation.

Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced a new equal parent leave policy which will entitle all new parents to up to 52 weeks of leave regardless of gender or path to parenthood.

The brewer of beer brands including Coors, Carling and Madri Excepcional, Molson Coors is offering all new parents up to 52 weeks of leave, 26 of which are fully paid, and a further 12 weeks fully paid for neonatal care, if needed. New parents will also qualify for up to 10 paid days, known as keeping in touch days, as well as paid antenatal appointments.

New parents who choose to take more than 26 weeks leave will qualify for a phased return to work for the first four weeks, working 80% of their hours while receiving 100% of their pay.

Laura Lee, managing director, Molson Coors Ireland.

Laura Lee, managing director, Molson Coors Ireland, said: As leading employer in Ireland, were always looking at ways to drive for more gender diversity at every level of our business, and to create a more inclusive and equitable work experience for everyone. Our new equal parent leave policy is a really important next step to achieving those ambitions.

The policy recognises that parents should be able to choose how to care for their young children. One parent taking on the lions share of caring for children may be the right thing to do for many families, but we want it to be a choice  a positive choice that isnt based on gender stereotypes or having to decide who is the primary or secondary carer.

Molson Coors is one of the very few employers in Ireland to offer gender-neutral parent leave. It is particularly rare in manufacturing, which tends to have higher numbers of men.

We want to make it easier for fathers to be able to take more time away from work as a new parent, because we know that by doing that, we are also helping to give mothers more choice and families the opportunity to start that parenting journey on a more equal footing, said Laura Lee.

Molson Coors Beverage Company employs more than 2,200 people across the UK and Ireland including at the Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork.

Tommy Elliott, a Mayo-based customer development executive at Molson Coors and father of two young children, said: This new policy gives parents a choice to do what fits best for the family. From a work perspective, it takes the pressure off by having the flexibility to take the time you need to support your partner in those precious early weeks and months.

It can be a big worry coming back to work after a couple of weeks and leaving your partner at home, so having the ability to take more of an equal role also helps from a mental health and wellbeing perspective.

Last year, Molson Coors decided to scrap CVs for certain roles to encourage a more diverse range of applicants. In 2019, the brewer also launched life leave, giving employees an extra two weeks of annual leave that they can use for significant life moments like moving house or helping to settle a loved one into a new caring arrangement.

Meanwhile, Mercks new Fertility Benefit Programme for Ireland was first introduced in nine markets in October of 2023, and plans were announced to offer it globally in 2024.

The programmes current expansion signifies the next step in this journey for Merck. Now available in 20 markets globally, the precise details depend on local laws and regulations in each country. Merck employs more than 64,000 people in 66 countries.

The Fertility Benefit is available to eligible employees and their partners, regardless of marital status and sexual orientation. A breadth of services will be covered, such as fertility tests, in vitro fertilisation treatments, and hormonal treatments.

The caring spirit of Merck truly comes to life when we support our employees through their most important personal moments," said Belen Garijo, executive chair and CEO, Merck. "The expansion of our Fertility Benefit Programme demonstrates this strong commitment to helping those colleagues who want to build a family. We are pioneers in the fertility space and we are thrilled to provide this opportunity to a growing number of Merck families.

In line with Mercks efforts to encourage well-being and create an environment where all feel they belong, the company also offers a robust suite of informational resources related to fertility, and has created a dedicated space for a peer support network.

Read More Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland

Mark Dunphy, site director and head of Cork operations, Merck, Carrigtwohill, said: Across the globe, one in six people will face infertility. As a long-standing leader in fertility, we, at Merck, understand the financial and emotional toll this journey can have on individuals and families.

We are so pleased that the Fertility Benefit Programme has launched in Ireland, allowing us to support our people as they strive to realise their dream of parenthood.

Merck has been making valued contributions to the fertility field for several decades. The company has grown to be the global market leader in therapies for fertility treatment. An estimated five million babies have been born with the help of Merck products. This represents around half of all babies born through medically assisted reproduction since the birth of the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation in 1978.
He was called China's answer to Steve Jobs for taking Xiaomi from scrappy start-up to an electronics giant known for its smartphones. With the launch of a much-hyped and against-the-odds electric car, Lei Jun, Xiaomi's co-founder, is taking on Elon Musk with a strategy that takes a page from Tesla's playbook.

Mr Lei, 54, took the stage in Beijing this week to unveil Xiaomi's SU7 car, a project three years in the making that has attracted a lot of attention but which, Lei has warned investors, will lose money.

During Thursday's two-hour event  a livestream millions of Chinese tuned in to watch  Mr Lei made a jibe at Apple for dropping its car project and declared Xiaomi's electric car superior to Tesla's Model 3. Fans dubbed the Xiaomi CEO "Thor" on social media, a play on his surname which means thunder in Chinese.

Some commented that his outfit  a grey blazer over a black t-shirt  looked like something Mr Musk would wear.

Already a household name in China, Mr Lei's marketing strategy for his electric car borrows directly from Mr Musk, said Yale Zhang, managing director at Automotive Foresight.

"One person equals an entire marketing team," Mr Zhang said. "With every word he says, the attention he attracts online is of a different magnitude."

Born in central China, Lei graduated from Wuhan University with a degree in computer science before working his way up to become chief executive of software firm Kingsoft. In 2010, he co-founded Xiaomi. By 2014, the tech start-up had a valuation of $46bn (42.5bn).

The Beiijng-based company has grown with the popularity of its smartphones and home appliances, beloved in Chinese households for their affordability and sleek styling.

Last year, Xiaomi launched more expensive smartphones to compete with Apple's iPhone, but Mr Lei's decision to sell a sporty electric car that draws styling cues from Porsche will test the Chinese company's ability to shift to a new, premium market.

In 2021, Mr Lei announced Xiaomi would build its own electric car, an undertaking he said then would be "the last major entrepreneurship project" of his life. "In the three years of developing this car, my biggest realisation is that making cars is extremely difficult, Mr Lei said. "Even a giant like Apple gave up on it."

The SU7  short for Speed Ultra 7  enters a crowded China electric car market with an attention-grabbing price tag, under $30,000 (28,000) for the base model, cheaper than Tesla's Model 3 in China.

Xiaomi built a Beijing factory capable of producing 200,000 cars annually before it had regulatory approval to start manufacturing in China. State-owned carmaker Baic Group disclosed in November it would make the cars for Xiaomi  at the same Xiaomi plant.

Xiaomi plans to sell the SU7 only in China for now. Mr Lei said without the support of the Beijing authorities, it would have been "impossible" to complete the car in three years. Mr Musk also won support from the Shanghai government when setting up the Tesla factory there. The construction of Tesla's Shanghai plant took less than a year after it broke ground in 2019.

Read More Tesla shares drop $350bn since July

Analysts remain split on whether Mr Lei's project will go beyond creating buzz to make money in a hyper-competitive electric vehicle, or EV, car market. "The risk is that they focus too much on the EV space and lose focus on the sectors and products that got them there, said Tu Le, founder of consultancy Sino Auto Insights.

Mr Lei said he had originally planned to sell the high-end version of the SU7 for around $48,500 before cutting that to about $41,500 as other carmakers slashed prices. "Xiaomi has enough cash reserves to cope with any fierce competition in the next five years. And if it is possible, Xiaomi will look for ways to accumulate more cash," Mr Lei said.

Xiaomi said it had received 50,000 orders in the first 27 minutes of the SU7 going on sale. On Friday, it said that figure hit 88,898 in 24 hours.

Reuters
Easter in our house brings a couple of certainties - lamb and chocolate. Not together I hasten to add, but I dont think I have ever not cooked lamb for Easter Sunday. Whether a rack of lamb with a French trim, sweet young spring lamb served pink, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder.

Madhur Jaffreys Lamb Raan Masaldar marinated in yoghurt and lots of spices then cooked for four hours is another favourite (worth a Google search), but this Easter we will be going traditional, so that means red Bordeaux to match - Left Bank or Right Bank will depend on my mood.

Of course in Spain they might serve Rioja or Ribera del Duero; in Italy, they might serve Brunello, Chianti or Barbera; and in New Zealand probably Pinot Noir. Lamb is flexible and any wine-producing region that also has lamb matches a local red wine.

The other flavour of Easter is of course chocolate. Cork is blessed to have the Chocolate Shop in the English Market which stocks some of the very best chocolate in the world such as Akesson, Michel Cluizel, Valrhona and Wilkies.

I have a soft spot for Skelligs solid Easter Eggs, Gra, Lorge and Bon among others  it is hard to choose.

To match chocolate I often serve young LBV Port from the likes of Grahams, Taylors and Kopke and Im also partial to rich Pedro Ximinez Sherry.

But for the best match for chocolate, we need to look to Recioto della Valpolicella and to fortified Grenache-based Banyuls and Maury in Roussillon. These are rare delicious wines but worth seeking out  see below.

My Bordeaux suggestion is a bargain from Aldi who have an Easter promotion with 20% off wines, and the Saint Emilion below was one of my favourites from their recent portfolio tasting.

Chateau Billeron Bouquet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018, Bordeaux, 11.99

Chateau Billeron Bouquet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018, Bordeaux, 11.99

Aldi Stores Nationwide.

Bordeaux and lamb are a natural fit and this is a bit of a bargain (reduced from 15). Classic cedar and red berry fruits on the nose, juicy, ripe and supple on the palate with some clove and spice hints, lingering dark fruits, and with good weighty fruits balanced by tannins and acidity.

Mas Amiel Maury, Roussillon, France, 375 ml, 20.99

Mas Amiel Maury, Roussillon, France, 375 ml, 20.99

JJ ODriscolls; O'Keeffe's, Urru, Matson's, Bubble Brothers English Market - bubblebrothers.com

A delicious chocolatey, fortified Grenache wine from near Perpignan - a match for both dark and milk chocolate this Easter. Creamy blackberry and blackcurrant fruit aromas and flavours, raisins and dark plums coming through on the mid-palate, and a supple rich mouth-feel. A French Classic. Also try their sweet Muscat.

Zenato Recioto della Valpolicella, Veneto 2018, 51.99

Zenato Recioto della Valpolicella, Veneto 2018, 51.99

OKeeffes Cork; Worldwide Wines; Jus de Vin; Wine Centre Kilkenny; Searsons - Searsons.com

I first tried this sumptuous wine in London's River Cafe with their legendary Chocolate Nemesis dessert. It was divine. From Corvina, Rondinella and Oseleta grapes with a stopped fermentation to preserve sugars. Bold dark cherry fruits with a touch of spice, creamy and velvety with dried berry richness.

Midleton Very Rare 2004 Edition, 40% ABV, 70cl, 240

Spirit of the Week

Midleton Very Rare 2004 Edition, 40% ABV, 70cl, 240

Midletonveryrare.com/shop; Good whiskey shops nationwide.

Midleton is 40 years old and a special 40th Edition finished in Ruby Port casks in a Waterford Crystal bottle is just out. At 53.1% ABV it costs 20,000. I had a tiny taste  dark berry and herbal aromas, baked fruit flavours, toasted oak and earth  nutty and fruity with lingering spice.

The regular 2024 MVR is as smooth as ever with perhaps more floral notes. Vanilla, boiled sweets and apple aromas - butter and vanilla-caramel flavours with dried berries, sweet lemon, and peppery prickle.
Former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is part of the collection of Supreme Court Bobbleheads at the Yale Law School. Scalia once said California does not count as a real American state. Arnold Gold/New Haven Register 2019

Im not really American, and I couldnt be prouder of that.

I hope you, my fellow Californians, feel the same way.

Because sometimes theres no greater compliment than an intended insult.

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This time, the backhanded praise came in a recent Los Angeles Times survey, conducted by the Canadian firm Leger, that examined how Americans feel about California.

Among the findings: Half of American adults believe our state is in decline. Dislike of the Golden State runs even deeper among conservatives. Two-thirds of Republicans surveyed say that the national impact of California has been net negative.

And nearly half of Republicans consider California and Californians to be not really American.

The media treated this label not really American as harsh criticism. Newspapers dwelled on how such anti-California perspective reflected a terribly divided country. Two Times columnists, simultaneously taking the bait and taking leave of their senses, proceeded to defend California as being very American.

But why bother? Who in their right mind wants to be really American now?

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In this century, our country has become defined by its anti-democratic fascism, rage and violence. Being considered less than American by other Americans should be considered a badge of honor. Reading the poll, I wanted to print Not Really American T-shirts and hand them out at a big California-themed party.

Disdain from the rest of the country isnt new, either. In fact, its one of the few things that never changes here. The first best-selling book about California, The Land of Gold: Reality Versus Fiction  published in 1855 by the Southern white supremacist Hinton Helper  called California an ugly cheat and said there is but lank promise in the future.

Meanwhile, California partisans have long appreciated our state because it isnt too American. The journalist Carey McWilliams, perhaps Californias greatest interpreter, wrote in 1949: One cannot, as yet, properly place California in the American scheme of things. He added: California is no ordinary state; it is an anomaly, a freak, the great exception among the American states.

Even Republicans, back when they ran the state, once considered Californias singularity a virtue. But in the past two generations, as California has grown more liberal, our distinctiveness has come to be seen as disloyalty.

In 2015, the right-wing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia declared that California does not count as a real American state or as part of the U.S. West. Tellingly, he included this insult in his dissent from the landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage  which makes the justices ugly remark just another compliment

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Californians ought to be prepared for many more such compliments. Donald Trumps backers have published plans for an initiative called Project 2025, which would treat California as an American enemy  because, of course, our values are not really American.

The plans seek not just to overturn California policies, but to punish Californians for having backed them in the first place.

Our wise extension of health insurance, including Medicaid, to all our people, regardless of their immigration status, would also be targeted.

In addition, wed lose the power to establish higher-than-American standards for pollution and air quality. Our terribly un-American efforts to fight climate change would be similarly reversed and penalized.

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Naturally, wed pay a price for our not-really-American commitment to gun control. And wed pay for protecting immigrants from Trumps promised military-led deportation scheme, which is all but certain to sweep up U.S. citizens, too, since half of Californias kids have an immigrant parent.

Trump has also promised to overturn the 14th Amendments protection of birthright citizenship, which would take away rights from more than 5 million naturalized Californians.

In this context, is it any wonder that a majority of our not-really American state is ready to leave before the Americans kick us out? According to another recent poll from the Independent California Institute, 58% of California adults say wed be better off than we are now if California peacefully became independent  its own country  in the next 10 years.

An even higher number, 68%, say California would be better off if, instead of seceding, the state obtained a special autonomous status within the U.S. that allowed for more control of our land and infrastructure.

All that said, while many Americans seem to hate California, we dont hate Americans back. The same Independent California Institute poll asked Californians if they felt more Californian or American.

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Two striking sculptures modelled after female figures have been installed along the N22 between Macroom and Baile Bhuirne.

Created by West Cork based artist Sarah Goyvaerts, the artwork was commissioned by Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland with funding from the Per Cent for Art Scheme for the N22 development.

The first of the two sculptures represents a young woman whose remains were found in a burial site during the archaeological works for the N22 development, having been cremated and buried at Kilnagurteen about 3,500 years ago.

Titled The Bronze Age Girl,' the piece has been installed at the raised verge facing oncoming eastbound traffic in Carrigaphooca and has been carefully placed so that it faces the Winter Solstice sunset.

The second sculpture, Aine represents the mythical goddess of the same name who is associated with fertility, abundance, and the midsummer point of the year. Situated on the raised verge facing oncoming westbound traffic in Coolavokig, it has been positioned to face the Summer Solstice sunrise.

One of the sculptures by the N22 road.

Based in West Cork, Sarah Goyvaerts work is inspired by her love of the Mythical and she is known for depicting otherworldly characters that spark imagination and playfulness, which can be seen in the two sculptures.

The sculptures serve as an acknowledgement of the deep ancestral connection and relationship to the land that is at the very core of the Muscrais cultural creativity and spirit of place, she explained.

By drawing awareness from the wider cultural landscape of the Paps, through to the archaeological discoveries made in the course of the construction of this road, my hope is that the sculptures will act as a starting point, carrying the story of connection between the tangible and intangible, the connection between people and place that is intrinsically woven into the very fabric of the communities in Muscrai today.

These sculptures are intended as a bridge linking the present day to the past, giving face to the ancestors as a mystical presence held in the landscape.

The sculptures were created in ferrocement over a mesh and stainless-steel framework and include natural pigments distilled from rocks found in the Baile Bhuirne area.

The sculptural forms representing female heads were created by West Cork based artist Sarah Goyvaerts and were commissioned by Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland with funding from the Per Cent for Art Scheme for the N22 development.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank OFlynn welcomed the installation of the two sculptures.

As we unveil these captivating sculptures along the N22 development, we are celebrating the many benefits that the Macroom to Baile Bhuirne bypass has brought to the community, paving the way for future growth, while also looking to our past.

He commended Goyvaerts and her creative team who he said have brought history and myth to life.

These pieces not only beautify the landscape but also serve as a testament to our cultural legacy, marking our relationship to place and keeping our stories alive.

The public art project has seen creative engagement with local communities and a podcast series entitled Ceimeanna  Tales and Trails.
Irelands Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug has reacted to calls for Ireland to withdraw from the competition over the inclusion of Israel amid the war in Gaza.

Bambie, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, released a collective statement with eight other Eurovision entrants, including the UKs Olly Alexander, who all described the privilege of representing their countries and the discomfort they feel over Israels place in the contest.

In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent, the statement says.

It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages. We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia.

The collective artists said they will remain in the competition to foster meaningful conversations and connections.

We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, they said, adding: We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.

Irish Eurovision hopeful Bambie Thug. Picture: Lily Lytton

In addition to the statement shared on social media, Bambie said they are aware of calls for Ireland to withdraw from the content but they feel they will be a pro-Palestinian voice at the Eurovision.

Personally, I want to emphasise that my stance on double standards remains firm. As an Irish person with a shared history of occupation and a queer individual, I cannot and will not remain silent, said the Macroom native.

I am aware of the calls to withdraw, but stepping back now would mean one less pro-Palestinian voice at the contest. My heart and solidarity has and always will lie with the oppressed, and I remain committed to supporting and using my platform to raise awareness and advocate for change.

Russia was excluded from participating in the contest in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to the Irish Examiner in January, the Cork singer said there should not be one rule for Russia and another for Israel.

When things were going on with Ukraine, Russia wasnt allowed to enter, they said, so I dont think there should be a rule for one and a different for another.

Israel's performer Eden Golan will sing 'Hurricane'  originally titled 'October Rain'  at this year's Eurovision. Some believe the song references the victims of Hamass October 7 attack on southern Israel. As the Eurovision rules ban political statements, the track was scrutinised and deemed eligible to compete.

The Contests Reference Group, its governing board, made the decision to accept the song Hurricane for the upcoming competition after careful scrutiny of the lyrics, a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union said.

It was agreed that Hurricane met the necessary criteria for participation in accordance with the rules of the competition.

The first Eurovision semi-final takes place Tuesday, May 7 in Malmo, and Bambie Thug will perform fourth. Israel will perform during the second semi-final on May 9. The final takes place on May 11.
6.15am

No need for alarms. Morning starts with two hungry cats (Rosie and Bruce) gently reminding me of breakfast time. I feed them before heading to work.

7.30am

I meet with the team to discuss patients coming in for surgery. We go on a ward round to see them, answer questions, and ensure their hospital admission goes smoothly.

8.15am

In the operating theatre, each team has a pre-operative huddle to discuss the days list. It includes surgeons, anaesthetists (and their trainees), the theatre manager and nursing colleagues. We discuss the procedures planned, difficulties that may arise, and how best to ensure the list runs smoothly and safely.

Surgery is never a lone endeavour: I work with trainees at various stages of training. Before each procedure, we again review the

patients file and images they have had prior to surgery as well as findings at previous multidisciplinary meetings. I assign roles for trainees and use this time as a teaching moment.

9am

Today is a combined list with our consultant colorectal colleague Cillian Clancy. As a supra-regional referral centre for endometriosis care, we often care for women with severe disease undergoing complex surgeries.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb (the endometrium) is located outside the womb. This causes inflammation and scarring in the pelvis, and sometimes beyond the pelvis, and can cause debilitating pain.

The Tallaght University Hospital team looking after women with endometriosis includes many specialities and our surgeries include keyhole, robotic-assisted, and open surgery. When organs like the bowel or bladder are involved, we work with colleagues in colorectal surgery and urology.

Due to the complexity of todays cases, only two ladies were booked for surgery. On other days, it could be as high as six or seven.

5.30pm

We finish our list as the last patient goes to the recovery area. We have a second huddle to discuss how things went ahead of a ward round by the team to see patients who underwent surgery. We update them on how it went.

6.30pm

Home to my chatty cats, who are keen for cuddles. My husband is a keen cook, and while he is making dinner, I get out my yoga mat and do some gentle movements to offset the long day on my feet.

March is World Endometriosis Awareness Month
When I disclose that I have bipolar disorder, people often say to me, You dont look like you have bipolar, says Niall Sheehy. Most people think of the classic person who sees god or has psychotic episodes. But thats not everybodys experience and there are so many different types of bipolar.

The 47-year-old IT technician was diagnosed with bipolar disorder more than a decade ago, a mood disorder which affects about 1 in 50 Irish adults and up to 40 million people worldwide.

When Sheehy failed to fly home from Scotland for Christmas in 2010, his sister knew that something wasnt right. She came to Edinburgh, saw the conditions I was living in, and demanded that I come home, he says.

At that point, I wasnt leaving the house except at night time, when I knew there was no one else around. Isolation was a big part of my story. Edinburgh doesnt have a river, but it has canals and I was actually starting to walk the canals having [suicidal] ideation.

When Sheehy presented to Mental Health Services in Cork, a psychiatrist took his history and ultimately confirmed his sisters suspicion that he was living with bipolar II disorder, characterised by alternating episodes of hypomania, a milder form of mania, and depression.

Sheehy describes his hypomania as an out of character elevation of his mood, accompanied by sleeplessness, agitation, and a heightened awareness of external stimuli  an experience that typically lasts for about a week.

There was a day during one of my hypomanic episodes where I thought I was being incredibly creative. I sat in front of a metal pole in Cork city for hours watching the shadow from the sun and a building transition past it, he says.

Depressive episodes follow the mania and tend to last for weeks or even months: Eventually what happens is I have a moment of clarity at the tail end of the hypomania. I realise Ive done something foolish, and that then seems to trigger the downward spiral into depression. And then its the slow crawl back out of the hole again.

After he received his diagnosis, another five years passed before a serious breakdown forced him to change his approach to managing his mood. The turning point arrived when working on a film production as a freelance videographer, he ended up pushing himself beyond his capacity.

I suppose I lacked the skills in life to be able to say, This is too much, So, I kept going and going until, embarrassingly, I had to get my dad to ring for me and say, Hes not well, he cant do this.

I was settled in Tralee at that point, and I made an agreement with a psychiatric nurse: Id meet them halfway if they met me halfway.

From Sheehys perspective, making this agreement with the mental health team marked the beginning of his efforts to take responsibility for his life.

Deliberately shifting his focus away from everything that was wrong with the big picture, he began to home in on the tiny little pieces that remained within his control. For the 47-year-old IT technician, these tiny little pieces are a series of small agreements that he continues to make with himself.

It started with me making an agreement with myself to keep myself clean, wash my clothes, keep my living space orderly, eat well, and stay in stable employment. I think its amazing how all that filters into your life and sort of just becomes habitual.

Niall Sheehy from Tralee, Co Kerry. Pic: Domnick Walsh

Sheehy is clear that there is no magic pill for bipolar disorder and managing his mood requires constant work. However, these small daily habits offer him a sense of structure and stability and serve as physical checkpoints, signalling when he is entering an episode of depression or hypomania.

Making music serves a similar purpose, allowing him to chart his mood: I know people talk about journalling or keeping a diary, but Ive never been a writer. I prefer to use music and photography as a kind of visual and aural diary.

I monitor my moods based on things like what I eat. If Im eating well, then I know Im OK. But if Im just getting takeaways and self-isolating, I know Im slipping into a depression. Its almost like a self-fulfilling cycle where I isolate because Im very conscious of how a negative mood can affect those around me, but then I just end up lost in my own thoughts, he says.

It probably sounds strange, but I still celebrate getting out the door every day. To me, just stepping outside the door means that, regardless of whatever else happens, Ive done this, and Ive prevented the spiral of hating myself.

For Sheehy, engaging with mental health services, his GP, and his counsellor have been essential in helping him manage and reduce the duration of his recurring symptoms. Talk therapy and the right medications have served as the foundation of his mood management.

I know people who are struggling and are reluctant to even entertain the idea of taking medication, he says. But if your body chemistry is out of alignment, then it may be important to get that right before turning to mindfulness or other tools.

He has also benefitted from Awares Living with Bipolar programme and its support groups, emphasising the power of being among others who have faced similar challenges.

Im stubborn, so I can sometimes think, Dont tell me what to do, he admits. But when you speak to someone you can identify with, and they give you an example of how they manage to navigate a problem, its more relevant than the advice you receive from someone who doesnt have the same lived experience.

For someone whose tendency is to self-isolate during depressive periods, Sheehy says that being among others, though uncomfortable at first, brings with it the unexpected relief of being able to remove his social mask.

He says: Group work with the right people allows you to be yourself in a crowd, which is rare.
The Easter bank holiday is often the first really busy one of the year with longer days and  usually  better weather, as people like to make good use of the long weekend.

With that in mind, here is what you need to know in terms of what to expect from the weather and public transport.

Unfortunately, the umbrella should be kept close at hand for the next few days as conditions are set to be as unsettled as they have been so far this week.

Good Friday will bring a mix of sunny spells and showers but be aware that some showers could turn heavy, with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms.

It will be a largely dry start to Saturday but blustery showers will spread north-eastwards across the country during the morning and afternoon. Some will turn heavy, with hail.

While Saturday night will bring clearer skies, further spells of rain will have arrived by morning.

Easter Sunday will stay cloudy with continued showers throughout the day and Monday will be an overall dull day with outbreaks of rain.

Travel

Those heading for a nice day out over the weekend or going visiting should be advised that many public transport operators will be running a revised timetable over the bank holiday weekend.

The Easter Bunny and Junior Train Crew members Milly Ellis, 8, from Tallaght, and Killian ONeill, 6, from Newcastle hand out sweet treats at Heuston Station. Picture: Paul Sharp/SharpPix

Irish Rail has said that many routes including the Dart and commuter routes will be operating a Saturday service on Good Friday.

Passengers travelling between Friday and Monday are advised to check timetables on the online journey planner before travelling.

As well as timetable changes, there are a number of major works happening over the weekend that will disrupt some services.

Dart services between Grand Canal Dock and Bray will be suspended, with Dublin Bus and Go Ahead accepting rail tickets on relevant services.

The Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort Intercity route will involve bus transfers between Dublin Connolly and Greystones.

All Bus Eireann services will operate a Sunday schedule on Easter Sunday and Monday, including Expressway services.

Services will operate as normal on both Good Friday and Saturday.

Dublin and Cork airports are expecting a very busy weekend ahead. Picture: Larry Cummins

For those travelling abroad for the long weekend, Dublin Airport is expecting to see around 100,000 passengers flying in and out each day from Thursday to Monday.

Departing passengers are advised to arrive at their terminal two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight.

Those who are driving to the airport should be aware that spaces will be in high demand, with both long and short-term spaces set to be sold out from Friday until the middle of next week.

Where a space has not been pre-booked, Dublin Airport has recommended people plan to travel to the airport by bus, taxi, or get a lift.

At Cork Airport, 50,000 passengers are expected over Easter as the summer schedule begins this weekend.

Passengers flying out from Cork should arrive 90 minutes before their scheduled departure time and parking spaces should be booked in advance.

Road safety

Unsettled weather could lead to poor driving conditions. Picture: Denis Minihane

Whatever you have planned for the Easter weekend, people are being advised to be careful and plan ahead.

With 54 lives lost on Irish roads so far this year, road users are advised to take additional care as roads will be busy and wet weather may lead to some hazardous driving conditions.

"Research shows that bank holidays are worse for road traffic collisions, but that we can prevent this if we make responsible choices when using the roads," said minister of state for transport, Jack Chambers.

Gardai will be out in force over the weekend in an effort to reduce harmful driving behaviours.

Drivers are reminded never to drink or drug drive and not to drive when tired.

Water safety

Anyone heading to the coast or beach is advised to take care around the water. Picture: Garry O'Neill

Anyone planning to visit the coast or engage in water activities should also exercise caution, especially with the unsettled weather over the coming days.

It is important to let someone know your plans and when you expect to return, to have a means of communication, and to be aware of incoming tides.

"Over the course of five Easter holiday periods, 12 people drowned accidentally, mainly while swimming, angling, or after falling in while walking," said Water Safety Ireland's deputy CEO Roger Sweeney.

"To stay safe, keep cold-water swims brief and shallow, wear a lifejacket when angling on the shoreline or riverbanks, and stay away from the water's edge when out walking.

"With nearly 1m children on school holidays, and many visiting friends and family living on farms and near lakes, rivers, canals, and beaches, constant adult supervision is essential for their safety."
The new leader of the DUP has described charges of historical sex offences against Jeffrey Donaldson as a devastating revelation for the party.

Mr Donaldson quit as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after being charged with historical sex offences.

The 61-year-old politician will appear in court in Newry, Co Down, on April 24, having been arrested and charged in relation to non-recent sexual allegations.

A 57-year-old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences in relation to the same police investigation.

The Lagan Valley MP has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process, and East Belfast MP and deputy leader Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

The DUP said it had received a letter from Mr Donaldson saying he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature and that he would be stepping down as leader.

In a statement, the DUP said: In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.

Mr Robinson said: It has been a devastating revelation and has caused tremendous shock not just for myself personally or my colleagues within the DUP, but for the community right across Northern Ireland.

It came as a great shock. But we are a party and individuals that believe in justice, we have faith in our criminal justice system.

Mr Robinson said the party became aware of the allegations very late on Thursday.

He told Sky News: So, in the coming days and months I think it is important none of us say anything or act in any way that would seek to prejudice what is now an ongoing criminal investigation.

Overnight, Mr Donaldsons website and social media accounts, including X, Facebook and Instagram, were deleted.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after Mr Donaldson made the decision to return the party to powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Mr Donaldsons leadership saw him steer the partys two-year boycott of Northern Irelands political institutions, in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February after the agreement of a new deal and a series of assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Mr Donaldson, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

His relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks, after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.
A 25-year-old man who said to a garda at the scene of a house fire where a petrol can was found in one of the bedrooms  I did it, I set fire to the room  was refused bail on Wednesday.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail to 25-year-old Shane Hendricks of 12 Kilmore Heights, Knocknaheeny, Cork, who appeared before Cork District Court charged with arson of his own family home.

Sergeant John Kelleher said on behalf of the prosecution: Our concern is that he is a threat to the public at large, and to himself and to his family at the moment.

Judge Dorgan noted from the evidence given in the bail application which commenced on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday: He said he heard voices telling him to burn down the house and he did set fire to the house.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said that while the accused did not have medication in the short period before the alleged arson, the taking of prescription medication would be effective in dealing with his condition going forward.

Judge Dorgan refused the bail application and remanded him in custody until April 10.

Garda Cillian OConnell said gardai were opposed to bail being granted to the accused because of the seriousness of the offence that was alleged, namely arson.

Garda OConnell testified: Gardai attended a report of a house fire at 12 Kilmore Heights. On arrival, gardai were met by Cork city firefighters who informed gardai there had been a fire set in the rear bedroom.

A petrol can had been recovered from the bedroom and there was extensive damage to the bedroom. Gardai were also made aware that there were two occupants in the house when the fire was set but were out of it when the gardai arrived.

While gardai were in attendance, Shane Hendricks, of 12 Kilmore Heights, approached them and said to Garda David ODonoghue, I did it, I set fire to the room.

On being searched at the scene he was found to have a burnt lighter in his pocket. He said in interview that he had consumed a number of cans of alcohol prior to starting the fire while at home and that he is currently off his medication which he is prescribed.
Almost 350 inmates were in cells in Cork Prison last Tuesday night  in a jail with a maximum capacity for just 300 people.

The bulk of these cells already have two prisoners in them, including an increasing number of specialist single cells for violent inmates and prisoners with psychiatric disorders.

Just under 50 of the additional prisoners had to make do with sleeping on mattresses on the floors of these cells.

A breakdown of the figures for the night, obtained by the Irish Examiner, provides an insight into just how bad things are in Cork Prison  a scenario repeated in all closed prisons.

The rarely-seen statistics, broken down by prison landing, show:

A1 landing: 30 cells with 60 beds and 12 people sleeping on the floor  total 72;

A2: 29 cells with 58 beds and 14 people on the floor  72;

A3: 30 cells with 60 beds and 10 on the floor  70;

B1 CBU (Challenging Behaviour Unit): 10 cells with 14 beds and six prisoners on the floor  20;

B1 VPU (Vulnerable Prisoner Unit): Seven cells with seven beds and three prisoners on the floor  10;

B1 CBU (Challenging Behaviour Unit): Six cells and six beds and two people on the floor  8;

B2: 26 cells with 49 beds;

B3: 28 cells with 56 beds;

Total of 47 prisoners sleeping on the floor;

In total, 348 people were in custody in Cork, which has a capacity for 296, meaning it is at 118% capacity, the second-highest after Limerick Female Prison (121%).

The Irish Examiner understands that on another night in Cork Prison this week, there were 49 people on mattresses.

The prison overcrowding crisis in numbers.

The crisis in the modern jail is reflected in the number of prisoners on temporary release.

Last Tuesday, 66 inmates were on temporary release, the highest number, in percentage terms, across all prisons.

On the same day in 2023, there were 46 prisoners on temporary release.

The Irish Examiner understands that such was the level of people being sent to Cork Prison on remand by the courts in the last few months, that the number on remand accounted for almost one in four of all inmates.

Cork Prison bosses have had two options: Put people on mattresses or release pressure by giving more people temporary release.

Impact seen in the courts

Last week, in Midleton District Court, Judge Colm Roberts was told that a man he had sentenced to eight weeks in prison had spent just 15 minutes there before being given temporary release.

The judge noted that the offender spent more time travelling to prison than he spent in prison.

The situation highlights the repercussions for court time and for Garda time and resources.

The issues in Cork Prison are replicated across other prisons: They all have more people in them than the maximum they can hold.

This maximum has been pushed as far as possible in the last year or so, by doubling up cells and putting four or five people into three-man cells, as at Cloverhill Prison.

This West Dublin jail is for people on remand awaiting trial  those charged but not convicted of a crime  many of whom, as documented in numerous reports, have mental health difficulties, including substantial psychiatric disorders, and/or are homeless.

Gabriel Keaveny, deputy general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said the situation is the worst he has seen it in the 33 years he has been working in prisons.

We have reached saturation point, indeed we are long past it, and when we hit the 5,000 mark we will be at the point of no return and we feel we are already at that.

An analysis of figures published by the Irish Prison Service (IPS), shows just how bad the situation has become over the years:

There are almost 1,280 more prisoners in custody now than in December 2017 (up 34%) and over 620 more than December 2022 (up 14%);

Over the same period, around 240 extra bed spaces have been put in place (up 6%), including 103 spaces since December 2022 (up 2%);

The number on temporary release has jumped by 155% since 2017 and 61% since December 2022;

The number on remand has increased by 56% since 2017 and 14% since December 2022.

Currently, all but one prison (Arbour Hill sex offenders prison) is overcrowded.

The picture, as of last Tuesday, across the prison system is grim:

Limerick Female Prison (opened last year) had 68 prisoners for 56 bed spaces (121% over capacity) and has 66 on temporary release;

Cloverhill had 502 prisoners for 433 bed spaces (116%);

Limerick Male Prison had 330 inmates for 286 spaces (115%) and has 54 on temporary release;

Castlerea Prison had 392 prisoners for 340 beds (115%) and 20 on temporary release;

Mountjoy Male Prison had 863 prisoners for 755 beds (114%) and 149 on temporary release;

Mountjoy Female (Dochas) had 167 inmates for 146 beds (114%) and 57 on temporary release.

A system at breaking point

Senior prison sources agree the situation is horrendous, and point out there are only two options available to the prison service: Increase capacity or increase the number of prisoners on temporary release.

Within the temporary release system, there are the Community Return and Community Support Scheme, but they require the agreement of the Probation Service to supervise inmates on release, which, in turn, is dependent on the number of probation officers.

Gabriel Keaveny said the situation is the worst he has seen in his 33 years working in prisons. Picture: Andrew Downes

Mr Keaveny said the system was at breaking point, adding: We have said to the minister and the director general [of the Irish Prison Service] how do they think we are going to get through the summer without a serious disturbance? I hope we will but tensions are already running high.

With numbers in cells, it creates the opportunity for confrontation and the pressure builds on the system. This is a ticking timebomb.

Mr Keaveny said the Prison Officers Association (POA) blamed the Department of Justice for "failing to plan" despite years of notice and blamed the prison service for not adopting short-term proposals the association has suggested.

He said the POA proposals included: Reopening Curragh Prison (refurbished in 1996 but closed, along with Spike Island, in 2004 in a Government cost-cutting exercise), providing around 100 spaces; reopen newer sections in the old Cork Prison, providing around 100 spaces and build 10 modular homes, with eight inmates in each, at the Grove in Castlerea Prison, providing 80 spaces.

Mr Keaveny said prison service management did not accept their proposals.

He claimed the service is planning to build modular units in the Grove, Shelton open prison, and Loughan House open prison, providing 10 spaces in each, or a total of 30.

He further claimed each of these modular units would cost 400,000 and described the plan as offering poor value for money.

In a statement, the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said it must accept all prisoners committed by the courts and has no control over the numbers sent.

It said that between 2022 and 2023, a total of 3,271 people were remanded in custody pending trial, a rise of 21%.

It said the IPS cannot release any of these inmates on temporary release.

Planned projects

The statement said the Department of Justice has outlined plans for four capital projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands, and Mountjoy prisons to accommodate 670 prisoners.

In a detailed second statement, the IPS said a feasibility report by engineering consultants on the old Cork Prison was due in mid-2024, but added that multiple reports over previous years identified serious deficiencies with its physical condition.

It said the prison in the Curragh was owned by the Department of Defence, but added that the IPS had requested the Department of Justice to engage with Defence to determine its availability and condition.

The statement said IPS said officials had drawn up short-term measures which could deliver an additional 95 spaces" this year.

These include 30 spaces in independent living units in Castlerea (10), Loughan House (10) and Shelton Abbey (10); six spaces through the refurbishment of a house in the Grove and three spaces in Loughan House in the same way.

An additional eight spaces are to be found in four new cells in the Midlands; 10 spaces in Castlerea with the recommissioning of six cells and 12 spaces in Wheatfield with the recommissioning of six cells.

Also this year, the refurbishment of 26 cells in the old Limerick Female Prison should provide an additional 26 male spaces.

The IPS said medium-term projects include 26 extra spaces at Dochas Womens Prison through the conversion of an administration area and 52 additional spaces, via 26 double rooms, through an extension at the jail.

On top of that, it envisages 68 places at Castlerea through an additional 28 standard and six disabled access cells.

In its statement, the Department of Justice said Minister Helen McEntee secured on Wednesday 49.5m additional capital funding for four projects.

It said preparatory work would begin this year, with construction expected "to start" on a phased basis in 2025-2027.

The statement said that over 70m was spent redeveloping Limerick Prison, including a new female unit.

It said that, as of March 27, there were 469 staff within the Probation Service, with staff increasing, on foot of recruitment drives, by 48 since the end of 2022. It said a further 20 staff are due to be recruited this year.
WHILE the space above many retail outlets across the country is often just used for storage or even wasted entirely, Madeiran Sofia Ova chose to set up home above her boutique on Main Street in Enniscorthy.

We are one of just a small number of people living above shops in the town centre and its been fantastic to be near everything and for the children to be close to schools, says Sofia who has been living and working at 21 Main Street for 18 years.

The choice which she made wasnt just down to the town centre location of the three storey period terraced house, previously, a doctors surgery, but also to the architecture, features and potential she saw in it.

A listed structure, its described on the Buildings of Ireland website as being a picturesque Tudor-influenced property which was built in the 1900s possibly incorporating some of the fabric of a pre-1840s house.

When it came up for sale in 2006, it needed modernisation and upgrading to make it comfortable for modern family living, but was elegant and had distinctive Tudor-style features including an arched doorway and decorative window surrounds as well as a small bay window on the first floor.

It had retained its original timber sash windows as well as a wealth of interior features, including ornate fireplaces, staircases, archways, and high ceilinged rooms with cornicing.

Being a boutique owner who loves fabrics and colour, Sofia saw an opportunity to create a dream home and to set up a business with a very distinctive look.

She and her husband, Jorge, originally arrived in Ireland in the 1990s to visit her sister in Dublin.

Her sister moved on but they stayed, living first in Dublin before moving to Enniscorthy in 2000.

After the purchase of the property on Main Street in 2006, Sofias Choice opened as a boutique selling womens clothes sourced from France, Spain, and Portugal as well as Communion wear and baby clothes.

The shop interior looks slightly exotic with red patterned wallpaper, hanging chandeliers, and curved archways.

Running through the middle of the large ground-floor retail area is a long strip of geometric patterned tiling which used to be the hallway.

We took out features which werent original, says Sofia explaining that the ground floor had been partitioned and made into smaller rooms.

We pulled up carpets and varnished floorboards and we moved an old roll top bath from the top floor down to a bedroom on the first floor  which was difficult.

The walls were just made for wall paper, adds Sofia who used yellow and green Sanderson floral print to decorate the high-ceilinged first floor sitting room.

Choosing it to match the tiles on the elaborate marble Victorian fireplace, she accessorised with rich burgundy curtains.

A second smaller sitting room has a chandelier, an ornate fireplace, and ceiling coving and is full of antique furniture Sofia brought from Portugal.

Behind the front bay (or oriel ) window is a tiny room which is a perfect vantage point for observing activity on Main Street.

Although spacious and high ceilinged, the house only had a tiny kitchen when Sofia and her family moved in.

A year later, they built a spacious extension at the rear to accommodate a modern kitchen diner with large patio doors.

Last year they upgraded the space, brightening it with two large rooflights and fitting stylish contemporary timber units which have been painted a shade of Farrow & Ball black and have quartz worktops and a centre island.

The ground floor has some additional storage space and a WC.

An original staircase with a mahogany rail leads up to the first floor, which in addition to two sitting rooms has an en suite master bedroom with an ornate Italian bed.

On the second floor there are four bedrooms including two at the front with half dormer windows overlooking the street.

A small set of stairs on the second floor leads up to a roof terrace where Sofia likes to sit out.

From here you can look out across the town to Vinegar Hill, she reveals.

To the rear theres a courtyard enclosed by high stone walls. On street at the front, the property does not have off street parking.

BER exempt because of its age, the house has oil-fired central heating and has original timber sash windows except in the kitchen extension.

Although living above a retail premises has become quite unusual, Sofia says she has enjoyed being in the centre of town and being able to walk almost everywhere.

You cant hear noises from the street when you are upstairs and you could easily forget that you are in the town centre.

Quoting a guide of 890,000, selling agent Paula Treacy says properties like this are extremely rare to the market in Enniscorthy.

It offers style, sophistication, and character right in the heart of the town and has been maintained to a remarkable standard,the agent says.

So far, the interest in it has been varied and shes had a few enquiries from abroad. Some were from people wondering about making the whole property residential again and others were from investors looking at the possibility of renting the shop and turning the upstairs into apartments, she reveals.

VERDICT: An attractive business premises and an elegant home, it makes you wonder why more people dont combine the two.
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.

People search for victims in the rubble of a paramedic center that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike early Wednesday in Hebbariye village, south Lebanon, Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

The UN 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 October 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 October 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.

Palestinians flee the area after Israeli bombardment in central Gaza City, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.

Two more hospitals besiged

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 February 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.

~Reuters
California physicians issued 1,270 prescriptions for life-ending drugs in 2022 compared with 863 prescriptions in 2021, a 47% increase. John Moore/Getty Images

As Californias aid-in-dying law survives a legal challenge, its use to allow terminally ill patients to end their lives has increased substantially since the mandatory waiting period was shortened, according to the latest state report. And newly introduced legislation would expand the law to cover patients whose illnesses, although not terminal, are incurable and cause them severe suffering.

The law, which took effect in 2016, allows a patient to receive life-ending drugs if two doctors certify that the patient has six months or less to live and is mentally competent to choose death, and if the patient has made two spoken requests, at least 48 hours apart, and one written request for the drugs.

Four disability-rights organizations filed suit last year, claiming the law discriminates against the disabled. They argued that people with disabilities lack access to adequate health care and to life-saving resources, are disproportionately affected by the law and may lack the freedom to make completely voluntary choices.

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But U.S. District Judge Fernando Aenlle-Rocha of Los Angeles, who had previously struck down another part of the aid-in-dying law, ruled Wednesday that the overall law was constitutional and non-discriminatory.

The statute provides an entirely optional alternative for terminally ill patients when deciding how to manage their diagnoses, and contains a number of safeguards designed to ensure that a requesting patients decision is voluntary and intentional, Aenlle-Rocha wrote in a ruling dismissing the lawsuit.

Californias law, he said, does not preclude  disabled individuals from availing themselves of the benefits of any behavioral health services and suicide prevention programs, nor does it contain any provisions encouraging or steering patients toward physician-assisted suicide.

Last September, Aenlle-Rocha, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, blocked enforcement of the laws requirement that doctors with religious or moral objections to aid-in-dying record a patients request for life-ending drugs and refer it to a physician who would supply the medication.

The judge said forcing opponents to take part in the laws application appears to violate their freedom of speech. The state settled the case with a $300,000 payment to the Christian Medical & Dental Association, which had filed the suit.

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State officials are also reporting a significant impact of legislative amendments in 2022 that allowed patients to make the requests for life-ending drugs within 48 hours instead of 15 days, as previously required. Supporters of the change said the longer waiting period had prevented thousands of terminally ill Californians from requesting the medication because they were too ill, or had already died, within 15 days of their initial request.

In its most recent report, the state Department of Public Health said 1,270 prescriptions for life-ending drugs had been issued by California physicians in 2022 compared with 863 prescriptions in 2021, a 47% increase.

The numbers reflect the urgency of timely access to physician-assisted dying and the easing of unnecessary and prolonged suffering by the amended law, according to Death With Dignity, an advocate of the legislation.

But Michael Bien, attorney for the disability groups who challenged the law, said the longer waiting period was intended to make sure that people were not acting impulsively and that the increased numbers were disturbing. He said the judges ruling leaves people with disabilities vulnerable to the problems posed by the law and may be appealed.

Meanwhile, a new bill in the state Legislature would extend the aid-in-dying law to another group of patients, those in agony from illnesses that have been diagnosed as incurable but not necessarily fatal.

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SB1196 by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, would allow doctors to provide life-ending medication to a patient who is suffering severe physical or psychological pain from a condition that is causing an irreversible decline in the persons capacities, cannot be cured, and is likely to eventually cause death. The bill would also allow patients from other states to receive the medication from a California physician.

People with a terminal, incurable illness or disease have the right to determine what is best for their health and how they leave this existence, Blakespear said in a statement announcing the legislation, which is awaiting its first committee hearing. No person should have to suffer as they near end of life, and they should have the right to leave peacefully, on their terms.
Famine is already probably present in at least some areas of northern Gaza, while other areas are in danger of falling into conditions of starvation, the US state department said on Friday a day after the worlds top court ordered Israel to admit food aid into the territory.

While we can say with confidence that famine is a significant risk in the south and centre but not present, in the north, it is both a risk and quite possibly is present in at least some areas, a state department official told Reuters.

The US comments add to a growing and powerful consensus that Israels military offensive in the Palestinian coastal territory has triggered a famine.

The number of trucks distributing aid in south and central Gaza had nearly reached 200 a day, an increase on a month ago, but more were needed, the state department official said.

You need to address the full nutrition needs of the population of Gaza of all ages. That means more than just that minimal survival level feeding, the official said, adding that malnutrition, and infant and young-child mortality was a significant, growing problem.

It has to be addressed by additional assistance coming and the right kind of assistance coming in, he said.

Palestinians inspect the ruins of a residential building for the Abu Muammar family after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, March 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

The official added that a maritime aid corridor promised by the US president, Joe Biden, which includes the construction of a floating port, would be ready in mid to late April, making efforts to deliver substantial aid by sea a race against time unless there is a meaningful increase in deliveries by road via Israeli border crossings.

The comments from Washington come despite Israeli claims that it is allowing sufficient access of food and other aid into Gaza. Last week Unrwa  the main aid agency delivering aid to Palestinians  said that it had been prevented from delivering aid.

The US warning follows hard on the heels of a ruling by the international court of justice (ICJ) in The Hague, which also warned that famine was becoming a fact in parts of Gaza.

On Thursday a panel of judges at the UNs top court, which is already considering a complaint from South Africa that Israel is committing genocide in the Palestinian territory, issued a unanimous ruling ordering Israel to admit humanitarian assistance.

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.

Palestinians inspect the ruins of a residential building for the Abu Muammar family after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, March 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

That, in turn, followed a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the global authority on food security, assessing that famine was imminent and likely to occur by May in northern Gaza, and could spread across the entire enclave by July.

On Friday the head of Unrwa, Philippe Lazzarini, tweeted that the ICJs ruling was a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made and worsening.

Israel has faced accusations, including from the UNs top rights official, Volker Turk, that it is potentially committing a war crime by continuing to obstruct food aid to Gazas population of 2.3 million.

The latest comments come amid mounting frustration in the Biden administration with Israel, which is a recipient of substantial military, financial and diplomatic support from Washington.

In a statement marking Arab-American Heritage Month, Biden said: We must pause to reflect on the pain being felt by so many in the Arab American community with the war in Gaza.

The trauma, death and destruction in Israel and Gaza have claimed, and continue to claim, far too many innocent lives  including family and friends of Arab Americans across our nation.

Palestinians inspect the ruins of a residential building for the Abu Muammar family after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, March 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

Biden, who is facing significant disillusionment among US voters over the war in an election year, said that his administration was working with partners across the region to respond to the urgent humanitarian crisis, deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza, free the hostages taken during the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, and establish an immediate ceasefire that would last at least six weeks, which we would work to build into something more enduring.

The latest famine warnings came as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved new talks on a Gaza ceasefire, and heavy fighting continued in the strip including at several hospitals.

Netanyahus office said new talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release would take place in Doha and Cairo in the coming days  with guidelines for moving forward in the negotiations, days after they appeared stalled.

On Monday the UN security council demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages held by militants, and ensuring humanitarian access.

Member states are obliged to abide by such resolutions, but the Doctors Without Borders charity said nothing has changed on the ground.

Aid groups say only a fraction of the supplies required have been allowed in since October, when Israel placed Gaza under near-total siege.

Israel has tried to blame shortages on the Palestinian side, namely a lack of capacity to distribute aid, while humanitarian groups say that Israel is not allowing enough trucks in to make deliveries.

- The Guardian
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A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
The California Highway Patrol and Oakland Police Department have signed a contract to install nearly 500 car-tracking cameras in Oakland and on nearby highways, Gov. Gavin Newsoms office announced Friday. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle A Flock Safety camera records cars entering and exiting a residential development in Richmond in 2018. Under a contract with Flock Safety, nearly 500 cameras will be installed in and around Oakland within the next 30 days. Amy Osborne/Special to The Chronicle

The California Highway Patrol and the Oakland Police Department have signed a contract to install nearly 500 cameras in Oakland and on nearby highways to help track vehicles suspected of involvement in crimes, Gov. Gavin Newsoms office announced Friday.

Under the contract with Flock Safety, the first cameras will be installed within the next 30 days, Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said. He said 290 will be installed on surface streets in Oakland and an additional 190 will be installed on nearby highways.

The cameras are similar to license plate reader cameras but have an additional ability to identify vehicles by characteristics like make, model and color as well as details such as bumper stickers and roof racks. Police can put out an alert for cars matching a particular description  a white Honda Civic with covered plates, for example  and track vehicles driving in the area through the camera network in real time, Gardon said.

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This investment marks another step forward in our commitment to bolstering public safety and tackling organized crime and roadway violence in Oakland and across California, Newsom wrote in a statement. With the installation of this 480 high-tech camera network, were equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable.

The announcement is the latest example of Newsom taking a hands-on approach in Oakland in response to an uptick in crime and concern about public safety. In the past six months, he has deployed CHP officers into Oakland to crack down on thefts and sent attorneys from the California National Guard and the California Department of Justice to help Alameda County prosecute more people. The moves are part of a tougher stance on crime that Newsom has taken in the past couple of years.

The data from the cameras will be stored for 28 days and then deleted, Gardon said. The CHP will comply with a directive from Attorney General Rob Bonta not to share automated license plate reader data with other states that would use the information to track people seeking or providing abortions. Some local law enforcement agencies are still doing that in spite of Bontas advice, the Chronicle reported last week.

The Oakland City Council approved the purchase of the license plate reader cameras last year, Oaklandside reported. Oakland residents protested plans to expand the use of cameras to surveil the city a decade ago, Oaklandside reported, but now many residents support adding more cameras.

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Improving public safety and addressing quality of life issues in Oakland is my top priority, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao wrote in a statement released by Newsoms office. This new camera network will help us stop crime and hold more suspects accountable.

Mike Katz-Lacabe, director of research at Oakland Privacy, a group that advocates for privacy protections, said hes skeptical the cameras will reduce crime and said hes concerned Oakland officials wont do enough to track whether they are effective. Law enforcement in Oakland struggles to respond to all the existing calls reporting crime, he said, and he suspects they wont be able to respond to all the alerts they receive from the new system.

He also worries there isnt enough independent oversight of the system to ensure police officers dont use it inappropriately, such as by tracking a romantic partner. The system will track all cars that travel past the cameras, not just ones suspected of involvement with crimes.

Its really hard to provide any independent oversight of the system as a whole, he said. At what point does it become so intrusive that it really should require a warrant?
(Photo : Unsplash/Bangyu Wang)

Whether it wins or loses, the Justice Department's lawsuit could force Apple to share sensitive and detailed information on its inner workings.

Apple, known for its secrecy, meticulously shapes its image by sharing only favorable details to make its products and practices look good. However, in business lawsuits, discovery allows access to the company's email, reports, and documents, some of which remain confidential, while others are disclosed publicly during trials.

Apple's Antitrust Lawsuit

The Justice Department unveiled a comprehensive antitrust lawsuit on Thursday against Apple, which alleges the tech company had an illegal monopoly in the smartphone industry, preventing competitors, stifling innovation, and maintaining artificially high prices.

Filed in federal court in New Jersey, the lawsuit claims that Apple holds monopoly power in the smartphone market and uses its control over the iPhone to engage in "a broad, sustained, and illegal course of conduct."

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco accused Apple of locking consumers into the iPhone and locking competitors out of the market, thereby stifling industry advancement of the market it revolutionized. Apple countered, labeling the lawsuit as incorrect factually and legally, and vowed to defend itself vigorously.

Apple's Challenges in Protecting Business Information

In past legal battles, Apple grappled with how to navigate such challenges. When it sued Samsung ten years ago, Apple had to disclose details like unreleased prototypes, market research, and its closely guarded design procedures.

The lawsuit revealed confidential details that other tech firms wished to keep private, prompting companies like Intel and Qualcomm to file motions to protect their business information. In 2005, Apple had to acknowledge unannounced products during legal proceedings to penalize individuals who leaked its product details.

The antitrust case may compel Apple to disclose further details of its business operations, although it could potentially keep its most sensitive arrangements confidential. An Apple representative informed Axios that not all new secrets would necessarily be revealed, saying they have handled numerous high-profile cases in the past 15 years and the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already had access to millions of documents during their investigation but only relied on familiar documents that have been publicly available.

READ ALSO: Apple Accused of Questionable Business Practices, Faces About $539M Fine in EU Antitrust Investigation

Tech Firms' Antitrust Dilemma

Apple strongly dislikes making its business arrangements public, but this is a common challenge for many tech firms who have also dealt with choosing whether to fight or settle antitrust complaints or legal disputes.

Legal battles like the recent dispute between Apple and Epic Games can be uncomfortable for all involved. In that case, court documents exposed confidential information not just from Apple and Epic but also from Microsoft, Sony, and other companies.

In addition to the risk of sharing secrets, companies face the potential distraction of litigation if they end up in court instead of settling a lawsuit or avoiding it altogether.

Defending against legal action consumes time and energy, diverting attention from other priorities and reducing a company's willingness to take risks, which Microsoft encountered similarly during its extensive antitrust battles in Washington and Brussels.

In contrast, Intel adopted a cooperative approach with regulators while dominating the processor market for many years, which largely spared the company from the complexities of prolonged court battles.

RELATED ARTICLE: Qualcomm Faces Lawsuit Over Anti-Competitive Practices

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Nur Athirah Hamzah)

The union announced Monday that thousands of hospitality workers in Southern California have ratified a new contract with 34 hotels following multiple strikes since the summer.

Series of Summer Strikes

Workers picketed major Southern California hotels following a walkout over the July Fourth weekend, seeking improved pay and benefits. The strike involved various hotel staff in Los Angeles and Orange counties during peak summer tourism, and employers criticized the union's negotiation efforts.

Unite Here Local 11 authorized the walkout, seeking higher wages, improved health care benefits, increased pension contributions, and lighter workloads, which impacted approximately half of the 32,000 hospitality workers represented by the Southern California and Arizona union.

New Ratified Contracts Benefiting Hospitality Workers

Workers secured higher wages, augmented employer pension contributions, and workload assurances in a contract endorsed by 98% of voters. The agreement extends until Jan. 15, 2028, but negotiations continue with 30 other hotels, Unite Here Local 11 reported.

The contract promises wage increases of $10 per hour for room attendants, cooks, and other non-tipped workers, totaling a 40% to 50% rise over the agreement's duration. According to the union, half of the increment will be allocated for the first year.

By July 2027, room attendants in most hotels will earn $35 per hour, while senior cooks will earn $41 per hour. As outlined by the union, tipped workers will also benefit from enhancements such as double-time pay for holidays, vacation, and sick days, along with increased portions of service charges, and full-service restaurant staff will evenly divide automatic 20% gratuities.

READ ALSO: Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action: Thousands of Attendants Picketing for Better Pay and Working Conditions

The union emphasized that the contract preserves health insurance, ensuring workers pay a maximum of $20 monthly for full family coverage.

Turning Hotel Jobs into a Middle-Class Position

Kurt Petersen, co-president of Local 11, declared at a rally outside a downtown Los Angeles hotel, saying, "We have secured a transformative contract, turning hotel jobs into middle-class professional positions."

The coalition of hotels engaged in negotiations with the union embraced the agreement.

Strikes and Pickets for Liveable Wages

Pete Hillan, a California Hotel & Lodging Association spokesperson, expressed satisfaction with the ratification votes, highlighting the benefits of new contracts, including increased compensation, for hotel employees who have been waiting months.

Describing their requests as a struggle for livable wages in their work cities, over 10,000 employees across more excellent Los Angeles initiated rolling strikes at 52 hotels in July 2023. While workers participated in strikes and pickets and later resumed work, the union, representing 15,000 workers, noted that staff at certain hotels did not partake in the strikes.

Just before the strikes, the union secured a significant victory by reaching a tentative agreement with its largest employer, the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles, housing over 600 union workers. Subsequently, other hotels gradually resolved the strike actions.

Petersen also highlighted that the new contract expires just months before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Petersen affirmed their demand for a new deal that prioritizes family-sustaining jobs and affordable housing, emphasizing their readiness to take action if necessary, drawing cheers from the crowd.

RELATED ARTICLE: Southwest Airlines Reaches New Labor Contract, Commits Better Pay, Working Conditions with Transport Workers Union

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Solen Feyissa )

The European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation bloc, was probing Apple, Google, and Meta for their non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which prevents Big Tech companies from monopolizing digital markets.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA)

The Digital Markets Act, which came into full effect earlier this month, is a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at Big Tech gatekeeper companies offering core platform services, requiring them to adhere to a set of guidelines, with potential hefty fines or business breakup as consequences for non-compliance. The rules aim to make digital markets fairer and more contestable by dismantling closed tech ecosystems that restrict consumers to a single company's products or services.

European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager, the bloc's competition chief, stated at a press briefing in Brussels that the Commission had received complaints alleging that tech companies' efforts to comply have been inadequate, saying, "We decided to investigate a number of these suspected non-compliance issues. And as we uncover additional problems, we will address those as well."

European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager, the bloc's competition chief, reported at a press briefing in Brussels that the Commission has received complaints about tech companies' insufficient compliance measures, ensuring to tackle all those too.

The ruling faced immediate resistance from organizations such as the Computer & Communications Industry Association, a nonprofit representing technology and communication firms in Washington.

The group expressed concern about the timing of the announcements, suggesting that they may signal premature action by the Commission before DMA compliance workshops conclude. They warned that this approach could fuel industry apprehensions about politicizing the DMA compliance process. Companies have been instructed to retain certain documents accessible to the Commission for present and future inquiries.

Regulators are examining whether Google and Apple are adhering completely to the DMA rules. The rules mandate that tech firms enable app developers to guide users to lower-priced options outside their app stores. The Commission expressed concerns that these companies impose "various restrictions and limitations," such as recurring fees that hinder apps from freely promoting deals.

Google's Investigation

Google is under investigation for allegedly failing to adhere to DMA regulations prohibiting tech giants from favoring their services over competitors. The Commission expressed concerns that Google's actions may lead to third-party services listed on Google's search results page being treated unfairly and discriminatorily.

READ ALSO: Google's on Heated Copyright Battle, Hit with $272M Fine for Failing to Negotiate in "Good Faith"

Google stated that it has implemented "significant changes" to its European services to align with the DMA. Oliver Bethell, Google's director of competition, affirmed that they will persist in defending their approach in the forthcoming months.

Apple's Investigation

The Commission is also probing whether Apple is taking sufficient measures to enable iPhone users to switch web browsers readily.

Apple expressed confidence that its strategy aligns with the DMA and stated its commitment to cooperating with the European Commission during their investigations. The company highlighted the development of numerous new developer capabilities, features, and tools to adhere to the regulation.

Meta's Investigation

The European Commission is investigating Meta's offering of ad-free versions of Facebook or Instagram for European users who pay a monthly fee, allowing users to avoid utilizing their data for targeted online advertisements.

The Commission is worried that Meta's "pay or consent" model may not offer a genuine alternative if users refuse to consent, which could undermine the goal of preventing gatekeepers from accumulating personal data.

Meta stated that it will "engage constructively" with the Commission. It also emphasized that subscriptions as an alternative to advertising are a common business model and that the Subscription for No Ads feature was designed to meet various regulatory obligations, including those under the DMA.

The Commission stated its intention to conclude its investigations within 12 months.

RELATED ARTICLE: U.S. Lawmakers Gears Toward AI Regulation, Proposes Bill to Address AI Risks in the Government

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San Francisco entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood, who is running to unseat Supervisor Dean Preston, has removed language describing himself as a neuroscientist from his campaign website after academics in the field questioned his credentials. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

San Francisco entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood, who is running to unseat Supervisor Dean Preston, has removed language describing himself as a neuroscientist from his campaign website after academics in the field questioned his credentials, but he insisted Friday the description is accurate.

The wording had appeared prominently in his campaign literature. On his website, he touted professional experience as a former Obama staffer, a neuroscientist and business owner.

As recently as Feb. 25, Mahmood had introduced himself on his website as a trained neuroscientist from Stanford University. That language is no longer on the site, though it states that he conducted neuroscience research at Stanford.

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Mahmood confirmed Friday that he removed the language so that it would not distract from campaign issues, called the criticism a smear by opponents, and did not back down from describing himself as a neuroscientist.

The scientists questioning of Mahmoods description of his occupation and the removal of language from his site was first reported by SFist.

The election showdown between Mahmood and Preston is likely to be one of the most heated and politically consequential races of the year and has become a proxy fight between the citys moderates, who back Mahmood, and Preston, their frequent bogeyman. Preston is also facing another challenger, Autumn Looijen, a key figure in the successful 2022 recall campaign against three members of the San Francisco Unified School District board.

In March, Mahmood won a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee, a powerful but little-known group that doles out coveted party endorsements during election years.

When he announced his first campaign ads for the DCCC, Mahmood again called himself a neuroscientist.

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As a neuroscientist, business owner, and community leader, I have a track record of getting results, he said in a Jan. 16 tweet highlighting his first campaign video.

A group of neuroscientists questioned Mahmoods use of the label in a March 1 letter to the candidate that the Chronicle obtained. In the letter, the group requested additional details about his training and credentials as a neuroscientist, and gave him a week to respond.

We found it exciting that a neuroscientist was running for office, the letter stated. However, upon looking into this claim, we could find little evidence to support it.

The letter noted that Mahmoods undergraduate research was on scarless wound-healing, and that while career neuroscientists often pursue extended graduate training in neuroscience, psychology, biology or other related fields, Mahmoods postgraduate studies at Cambridge University focused on the intersection of business and biology.

Max Turner, a signatory of the letter and an assistant professor of biology at State University of New York at Albany who conducted research at Stanford, said he and his colleagues did not intend to be gatekeepers, but grew concerned seeing Mahmoods claims.

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Were not the arbiters of who is or isnt a neuroscientist, he said. But when someone is in a public role, making claims publicly that theyre more qualified than they are, its dishonest.

I was in my school newspaper in high school, but I dont call myself a journalist today, he continued.

Mahmood had not responded to the scientists as of Friday, Turner said.

Mahmood said the criticism was unfounded and part of a smear of his credentials by opponents without any facts or basis.

Dean does not want to talk about the issues or his record, he said, he wants to distract as much as possible. Hes done that every time hes run.

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He provided a copy of a letter written by Stanford professor Robert Sapolsky, his former adviser, who said Mahmood was an undergraduate-trained neuroscientist.

Bilal was an accomplished biology major who specialized in neurobiology in turn, and over the course of his time at Stanford, studied cellular neuroscience, human behavioral biology, stem cell engineering, developmental biology and signal transduction, while excelling in all of them, Sapolsky wrote. He also found the time to do two years of research concerning stem cell biology, an emerging area at the time with tremendous medical potential.

The Chronicle has removed references to Mahmood being a neuroscientist from three previously published stories. Before his candidacy, Mahmood wrote several commentaries on San Francisco government policy and bureaucracy for the opinion pages of the Chronicle; he did not identify himself as a neuroscientist in those pieces.



Mahmood ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly in 2022.



He announced this year that he would run to unseat Preston, as well as run for a seat on the DCCC, and used the no-limits campaign fundraising rules for the DCCC to amass the largest war chest of any candidate this year. He raised about $257,000 for his successful DCCC race, spending about $210,000 of that, and has so far received about $100,000 for his supervisor campaign.

Mahmood cant use the money he raised for his DCCC seat on his supervisorial campaign, which has more strict fundraising rules that limit contributions to $500.

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The building at 1455 Market St. in San Francisco has housed tech companies in recent years, but the city is making a deal to move into the tower. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

For months, the city of San Francisco has been talking about lowering its real estate costs amid dipping office values and rents in the city. It may now be happening.

Landlord Hudson Pacific Properties has agreed to a discounted, long-term lease and the potential future sale to the city of a roughly 1 million-square-foot office building it operates at 1455 Market St.

S.F. Bay Area property map: Heres who owns every building in the region

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The 22-story office tower, which contains an eight-story podium at its base, previously served as the headquarters for ride hailing behemoth Uber and for fintech Block Inc., formerly Square.

No recent real estate deals capture the current dynamics of San Franciscos changing office market quite like this deal in the Mid-Market neighborhood. And it may not be the only one. The city has negotiated another deal in the building at 1145 Market St., near Civic Center, and expects to formally announce it next week.

The building at 1455 Market St. in San Francisco is the former home of tech companies such as Uber and Block Inc. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

The Mid-Market area was once a burgeoning tech hub known for the 2011 Twitter tax break, which erased the 1.5% payroll tax for companies that moved into certain Mid-Market buildings and effectively drew major firms like Zendesk, X (formerly Twitter) and others. More recently, Mid-Market has been associated with the citys economic duress in the wake of the pandemic.

Tech firms that once paid top dollar for office space have been steadily reducing their physical exposure to San Francisco real estate, particularly in downtown and Mid-Market, due to remote work, and landlords are increasingly willing to cut a deal to fill their spaces.

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Starting in May, more than 157,000 square feet of the building will be leased to the city, according to a resolution introduced this week by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, which offers insight into the deal and is currently before the citys Budget and Finance Committee for approval.

According to the pending lease agreement, the city will initially lease a portion of the towers seventh floor, or roughly 51,790 square feet, and all of floors 12, 13, 15 and 17. The term of the lease is 21 years and comes with two five-year renewal options.

The lease agreement states that the base rent will start at $40 per square foot and escalate to $72 per square foot in year 21 of the lease term. However, the deal provides the city with a number of concessions, including an allowance for tenant improvements of $100 per square foot, that will lower the citys initial costs. Additionally, the city may acquire furniture left behind by the buildings departed tech tenants for just $1.

In a March 25 letter to the Board of Supervisors, Andrico Penick, who heads the citys real estate division, wrote that the lease deal is meant to solve the immediate space needs of several city departments that are currently located at 1155 Market St., an 11-story building across the street from the United Nations Plaza.

Citing high rents, the Board of Supervisors, in September, rejected a lease renewal at 1155 Market, which is owned by the nonprofit LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and over the years has provided space to a number of city departments. The building currently counts the Mayors Office of Disability, the Department of the Environment and the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector among its tenants.

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At the time, city officials said that the lease rejection at 1155 Market was not motivated by a desire to leave the area, but rather part of a strategy to consolidate its current office leases and take advantage of the pandemic-induced market downturn, which has seen office vacancy surpass 36% this year and office rents soften significantly.

Peskin said that the lease renewal that the Real Estate Department proposed last year was slightly above market-rate and based on a previous appraisal that did not reflect changing market conditions.

It caught my attention  the market is trending the other way, said Peskin. I thought that we needed to set an example that we are not captive to the Mid-Market office world  we have a lot of vacancy downtown and we can talk with our feet. As a result, we are now getting $40 per square foot at 1455 Market.

The departments that will be displaced from 1155 Market St. would join the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority at 1455 Market; these city agencies already lease space inside the tower.

The lease agreement shows that the city also has an option  which it must exercise by year-end 2027  to expand its footprint in the building by leasing the sixth floor, which spans 131,534 square feet; the fourth and fifth floors, which span 97,718 and 99,041 square feet respectively; as well as a 66,056-square-foot sublevel floor.

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Additionally, a purchase and sale agreement has been negotiated between Hudson Pacific and the citys Real Estate Department that would allow the city to purchase the 1455 Market office tower by Dec. 31, 2027. The sale can be executed so long as the city has leased 400,000 square feet in the building by that date, Peskins resolution states.

Per the agreement, the purchase price will be set at fair market value and will be determined by an appraisal, but may not fall below $200 per square foot, according to a contract approval notice filed with the citys Ethics Commission.

The building is nearly empty and given current market conditions, the Lease Option and Purchase Option provide a unique opportunity for the City to meet its short term cost savings goals, as well as its long term goal of consolidation through leasing or purchase, Penick said in his March 25 letter to the supervisors. Penick could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Were pleased the City is looking to stay in Mid-Market and has interest to further expand its presence at 1455 Market. As a long-term owner and operator of properties in San Francisco, we continually invest in our assets, as well as the surrounding communities, to support the Citys ongoing revitalization, said Shawn McGarry, executive vice president for Hudson Pacifics Northern California office operations.

Peskin confirmed Thursday that a separate lease deal has been in the works at 1145 Market St., which is located several blocks east of Hudson Pacifics building and adjacent to 1155 Market St., the LightHouse building from which the city is now decamping.

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The 1145 Market building is a 13-story, roughly 160,000-square-foot office tower known as One Trinity Plaza, and is owned by Trinity Properties. The lease negotiated there is for roughly 120,000 square feet, at a cost of about $30 per square foot.

Trinity could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

Among the city departments that will benefit from the new lease is the San Francisco Law Library, which is already located at 1145 Market, but will see its tenancy extended and its real estate costs drop by 49%, according to Peskin.

Peskin told the Chronicle on Thursday that he expects to formally introduce a legislative package seeking the citys approval of the 1145 Market deal next week.

The deals represent a big win for the city, but also a boost for the Mid-Market neighborhood. The Twitter tax break resulted in a 600% increase in business tax revenue in the Mid-Market area between 2010 and 2013. But an exodus of tech tenants from the area began before the pandemic, and has been exacerbated in its wake as companies began implementing flexible work policies that do not require their employees to attend a physical office five days per week.

That includes X (Twitter), the namesake of the tax break, which has listed significant portions of its space for sublease at its 1355 Market St. headquarters.

Amid waning demand for office space, building owners are seeing values plummet and are increasingly struggling to keep up with their debt payments in recent years  some have been forced to surrender the keys to once highly valuable properties back to their lenders.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Irish government has decided to intervene in the court case at the International Court of Justice against Israel on grounds of the commission of genocide. The complaint had been brought by South Africa, and the court found the charge of genocide plausible on January 26. It issued a preliminary injunction, ordering Israel to cease actions that might constitute genocide, which the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has defied. Irelands intervention seems to be akin to an amicus brief in the South African complaint, which will be decided by the ICJ.

The Irish cabinet will begin to frame a Declaration of Intervention to be submitted after South Africa sends in its own memorial case in a few months. The center-right coalition government had been under pressure by the opposition to join the complaint since January. Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) and Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said on Thursday of Israels refusal to allow sufficient food into Goza,

It is criminal. It is absolutely a scandal that children are malnourished, that half a population is facing famine and others in terms of food insecurity. There is no need for this. Theres excessive checking at the borders. I spoke [on Thursday] morning to Ayman Safadi, the Foreign Minister in Jordan, spoke to Egyptian [Foreign Minister] Sameh Shoukry and I spoke to the Palestinian Prime Minister [on Wednesday] also. Theyre telling me the situation is dire. Absolutely catastrophic. I will appeal to Israel to show humanity in terms of enabling the essentials of life to get into Gaza for the civilian population.

On Wednesday Martin had slammed Hamass October 7 terrorist attack, but many of his critiques addressed the disproportionate Israeli response.

He said, 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.

Martin admitted, intervention as a third party in a case before the International Court of Justice is a complex matter and is relatively rare. It is for the Court to determine whether genocide is being committed.

Hindustan Times Video: After UNSC, More Trouble For Israel At ICJ? Ireland Declares Its Entering Gaza Genocide Case 

On Thursday, the International Court of Justice issued additional provisional measures regarding the Israel campaign against Gaza.

These further measures were as follows:

The State of Israel shall, in conformity with its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza, in particular the spread of famine and starvation:  2  (a) Unanimously, 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, 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; (b) By fifteen votes to one, Ensure with immediate effect 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 . . . (3) By fifteen votes to one, Decides that the State of Israel shall submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to this Order, within one month as from the date of this Order.

Since the courts judgment, which this decision confirms, Israel actually cut in half the number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza each day. UN and NGO workers on the ground in Gaza warn of catastrophic famine that could begin any time from now through May unless more food is allowed in. The Israeli officials routinely lie and maintain that they are letting in all the aid that is needed (apparently they take the world for fools).

The office of outgoing Irish Prime Minister (Taoseach) Leo Varadkar warmly endorsed the new court order, saying:

Given the very serious conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, the additional provisional measures announced today by the International Court of Justice are welcome. They require the unhindered provision at scale of humanitarian assistance, including food, water and medicine into Gaza. They also require Israel to ensure that its military does not prevent, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed aid. Israel must immediately comply.

Irish President Michael D Higgins issued in a statement on Thursday evening concerning the ICJ decree: Todays 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.

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.

It should be noted that these strong sentiments are being expressed by politicians from Irelands center-right coalition government, individuals who have often refused to take a harsh stand against Israel or to boycott it. Some have opposed a bill to ban the importation of goods from Israeli squatter-settlements on Palestinian land.

Now they are talking about Israel as criminal and a scandal and pleading with Tel Aviv to show some humanity. And they are weighing in against Netanyahu at the ICJ as a genocidaire.
Middlebury, Vt. (Special to Informed Comment)  At the end of the nineteenth century, the Turkish government asked its Minister of Education to prepare a report on European universities and the possibility of introducing Western style higher education to the Ottoman realm. The Minister travelled to the great European educational institutions and submitted his report to the Sultans court. Asked by the Sultan what the most surprising aspect of his visit was, the minister replied: In Budapest I attended a lecture on Islam. The speaker was a Hungarian Jew. The audience was composed of Hungarian Christians. And everything he said about Islam was correct.

The ministers report  and this anecdote  were well-received at the court. The Ottoman authorities were impressed by the openness and tolerance of the European universities they visited and as a result took steps to introduce educational reforms into their own educational system.

The Hungarian Jewish scholar referred to in this anecdote was Ignaz Goldziher, the savant who pioneered the scientific study of Islamic languages and texts in the West. During his long career he produced books and articles that are studied by Islamicists to this day. His work had a profound effect on Western scholarship in the areas of comparative philology, religious studies, and the emerging disciplines of Semitic languages and comparative religion. His vast oeuvre includes over eight hundred scholarly articles. The titles of his major books, six of which are studies of various aspects of Islam, are familiar to all students of the Middle East. His earliest work, Mythos bei den Hebraern (1876), was influenced by Max Mullers work on solar mythology and addresses the relationship between theories of myth and the narratives of the Hebrew Bible. From scholarship on the Bible Goldziher moved to the study of Islam. He translated Islamic classical texts into German and Hungarian and synthesized this material into surveys of Islamic religion and philosophy. He rose to prominence in his native Hungary and then throughout the West as the preeminent non-Muslim authority on Islam. Islamic scholars in Egypt and elsewhere in the Muslim world recognized the importance of Goldzihers accomplishments and considered him a valued colleague. Goldziher understood the political and social implications of his scholarly work. Throughout his life he strived to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding between Muslims, Jews, and Christians.

Goldziher was not the only late nineteenth century Jewish scholar drawn to Islam. Many others were drawn to the study of what they deemed Judaisms sister religion. As we shall see in the coming chapters, Islam held a strong appeal to European Jewish intellectuals in the nineteenth century, a period of intense ferment and change in Jewish life. This central European Jewish fascination with Islam was not limited to those engaged in the study of religion and philosophy. In the late nineteenth century, the anticipated full emancipation of the Jews was blocked by a resurgence of Christian anti-Semitism. Islam, as an abstraction, if not as a political reality, appealed to many Jews. The Golden Age of twelfth century Spain, the Convivencia in which the three monotheisms were imagined to have lived in mutual tolerance, was the model for a new era of religious tolerance and mutual respect. This aspiration was reflected in the Moorish architectural styles of German synagogues of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Among those fascinated by Islam were the early rabbis of Reform Judaism. First and foremost among them was Abraham Geiger. Geigers doctoral dissertation, presented at age twenty-four, asked the question What had Muhammad taken from the Jews? Geiger demonstrated that many stories narrated in the Quran had close parallels to narratives in the Bible and the Midrash, and he speculated that the Jewish narratives directly influenced the Quran. His later work focused on the development of Judaism, which he saw as an evolving faith, one that could be brought into line with modern European thought and practice. With this modernizing project in mind, Geiger shaped the emergence of Reform Judaism in the mid-nineteenth century.

These German Rabbis and scholars viewed Islam as a rational religion, a religion unencumbered by the magical and superstitious aspects of Christianity, and of Orthodox Judaism. For reformers of Judaism, Islam offered a model of a religion of reason. And in emulation of Jewish life in the Convivencia of Spains Golden Age, a period idealized and romanticized by many scholars, European Jews would flourish. Goldziher was affiliated with the Neolog (Reform) movement.

At the University of Budapest Goldziher studied Arabic and Persian with Arminius Vambery. Vamberys birth name was Chaim Wamburger; and he had become both a Muslim and a Christian in pursuit of Oriental Knowledge and a university lectureship. In his autobiography Vambery noted that his Orthodox Jewish education and its emphasis on the mastery of texts and languages prepared him for mastering Islamic texts and languages. In his six-year sojourn in Istanbul, Vambery mastered Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. For Muslims, as for Jews, Vambery noted, text study is a form of devotion.



H/t Memorial Website of Ignaz Goldziher

Like his teacher, Goldziher was educated in Orthodox Jewish schools and brought to the study of the Quran the same attention to detail that Rabbinic scholars brought to the Torah. Thus many, but not all, of the eras Jewish scholars of Islam had a Jewish religious education rich in text study and analysis. With these tools in hand, they took on the study of Arabic and Islam.

Thus, from the outset of the liberalization of European Judaism, the study of Islam, or more precisely, an idealized vision of Islam as rational religion, played a significant role. That vision was based on the recognition that the two sister religions had similar, though not identical, approaches to the study of scripture, the development of law, and the practice of rituals.

In the first half century of this modern Jewish engagement with Islam, (1870-1920), contact with actual Muslims was limited. Some of Goldzihers teachers, colleagues, and students spent time in the Arab world and in the wider Muslim world. And they met with European Muslims, of which there were many in Germany. Goldziher himself studied at Cairos Al-Azhar, the great center of Muslim learning. But these contracts did not lead any of these Jewish scholars to convert to Islam.

In the next stage of this Jewish  Muslim encounter, roughly from Goldzihers death in 1920 to the outbreak of war in 1939, a number of European Jews became Muslims.

From Budapest, Goldziher went to study in Germany, then the center of both Jewish studies and Islamic studies. At the University of Leipzig he was mentored by Heinrich Fleischer, the preeminent European Arabist of the day. Fleischer, who began his academic training in a Christian seminary, was unusual in that he accepted Jewish students into his doctoral program. Eventually some forty percent of his one hundred and thirty advisees were Jews. In his eulogy for Fleischer, Goldziher said He was one of the few learned men of our time whose academic influence was inseparable from the moral beauty that adorns a mans character.iii

Excerpted from:



From Jews to Muslims: Twentieth-Century Converts to Islam by Shalom Goldman. Click here to order.

Much of Goldzihers inspiration for this life long-commitment to scholarship derived from his 1873-74 journey to the Middle East. He was then twenty-four years old and at the end of a five-year period in which he had travelled throughout Europe and studied with the most eminent European Arabists of his day. When he arrived in Damascus in 1873 and then proceeded to Cairo, he was already fluent in Arabic, and this eased his entry into Muslim religious and educational institutions. The bulk of his time in the Mideast was spent in Cairo, where his language skills, intellectual acumen, and persistence gained him an introduction to the Shaykh Al-Azhar, the administrative and spiritual head of Al-Azhar, Islams oldest center of religious learning.

Goldziher was the first European non-Muslim to attend lectures at this prestigious academy. He was allowed to do so only after the Shaykh gave him a rigorous examination. Of the four months that he spent at Al-Azhar Goldziher later wrote Both the students and the teachers treated me as if I were one of them, although I never posed as a Muslim. These were four glorious months of spirited learning. In his travel journal Goldziher wrote movingly of his period of study at Al-Azhar: In those weeks, I truly entered into the spirit of Islam to such an extent that ultimately I became inwardly convinced that I myself was a Muslim, and judiciously discovered that this was the only religion which, even in its doctrinal and official formulation, can satisfy philosophic minds. My ideal was to elevate Judaism to a similar rational level. Islam, as my experience taught me, is the only religion, in which superstitious and heathen ingredient are not frowned upon by rationalism, but by orthodox doctrine.iv

Note that though he was fascinated by Islam, and driven to master its texts and traditions, Goldziher did not feel drawn to convert to Islam. He remained within the Jewish fold. This was in marked contract to his teacher Chaim Wamburger  Arminius Vambery, who, in the course of his life converted first to Islam and later to Christianity.

Goldziher, as events towards the end of his life would indicate, was deeply loyal, attached to the Hungarian language and people, and to its Jewish community  and this despite his constant complaints about his job in that communitys Neolog (Reform) Synagogue.

Goldzihers teachers at Al-Azhar gave him an Arabic title, Shaykh Zarawi. The Arabic document which the head of Al-Azhar wrote on Goldzihers admission to the theological school reflects a more relaxed period in interfaith relations, in which a non-Muslim scholar, fluent in Arabic, could gain permission to study at an institution usually closed to outsiders. The document read: There appeared before us the Hungarian talib Ignaz, a man of the ahl al-kitab (peoples of the book) with the presentation of his desire to delve into the sciences of Islam under the eyes of the wise and learned shaykhs of the mosque. . . . He declares himself far removed from all pursuit of mockery . . . Thus it is the decision of God that this youth become a neighbor of our flowering mosque, and one must not obstruct the decision of God.v In later years, Goldzihers pride in this affiliation remained. He signed his books with the title Ignaz Goldziher, the Magyar (Hungarian) Azhari, student at Al-Azhar.

In Islam in its earliest form (c. 7th century A.D.) Goldziher found a model for religious tolerance, a model that he felt could serve modern societies and religions well. In his Introduction to Islamic Theology and Law, Goldziher wrote that It is undeniable that, in this earliest phase of the development of Islamic Law, the spirit of tolerance permeated the instructions that Muslim conquerors were given for dealing with the subjugated adherents of other religions. And speaking of the Islamic states of his own time, Goldziher noted that What today resembles religious toleration in the constitutional practice of Islamic states goes back to the principle of the free practice of religion in the first half of the seventh century.vi

But it was not only with the Egyptian religious establishment that Goldziher forged lasting ties during his sojourn in Egypt. He met with intellectuals, activists, and Sufis. Goldziher was also acutely aware of the political struggles then raging in Egypt and allied himself with progressive nationalist forces. He sympathized with the views of Egyptian nationalists opposed to both the Ottoman Turks and the European colonial powers. In Cairo Goldziher befriended the influential thinker Jamal ad-Din Al-Afghani, (1838-1897) who called for Egyptian independence from all foreign powers. Al-Afghani, who lived in Egypt from 1871 to 1879, had a profound effect on Egyptian politics in particular and on Arabic political thought in general. The mid 1870s, when Goldziher was in Cairo, were a formative period in Al-Afghanis political development. His charisma and oratorical ability had attracted many followers. Visiting European intellectuals were eager to meet with al-Afghani, and he with them. Among the Europeans, it was Goldziher with whom he formed the closest association. The friendship with Al-Afghani and the other social and intellectuals ties that Goldziher formed during this 1873-74 visit had a profound effect on his understanding of Islam as it is lived. As Lawrence Conrad noted in an important series of articles on Goldziher, the full import of this trip must be understood in the context of the times. For Goldziher arrived in the Near East in the heady early days of the nahda, the great revival of Arab political and cultural awareness that influenced the intellectual and social life in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Middle East.

Among the aspects of Islam that Goldziher investigated and explained to a Western audience was Sufism, the mystical tendency and tradition within Islam. In Egypt, Goldziher met with Sufis and observed their rituals. He wrote extensively about Ibn Arabi, the great thirteenth century scholar who interpreted the Quran in a mystical manner. In his Lectures on Islam Goldziher dedicated a full lecture to Ibn Arabi and the Sufis. His essays about Sufism helped popularize its teachings in the West  and those teachings were the background for the resurgence of Western interest in Sufism in the early twentieth century. In this books accounts of Jewish interest in, and conversion to, Islam, an attraction in Sufism is a major factor in some individuals decision to convert.viii This was particularly true in the United States and Western Europe, where mystical forms of Eastern religions held great appeal to the young and unaffiliated.

Though the necessity for religious tolerance was a theme that emerges from Goldzihers oeuvre, he himself was the victim of intolerance throughout his life. The breadth and depth of his scholarship on Islam was recognized by experts throughout the world, yet despite his international stature as a scholar, the state-controlled University of Budapest would not grant him a regular university appointment. A Jew, even one educated within Hungarys own university system, was not a suitable candidate for a professorship. In predominantly Catholic Budapest, Protestant candidates too were often rejected. A contemporary of Goldzihers, the Jewish linguist Bernard Munkacsi, in writing of his own travails at the hands of the universitys administrators, described the fate of Jewish scholars who aspired to university professorships in late-nineteenth century Hungary: The honors degree, Ph.D. and academic achievements were all in vain! Where teachers posts were given, certificates of baptism were required. Teachers-to-be of Jewish origin had to settle their religious status before being employed by the state. Many of my attempts to acquire a secular job have failed.ix

Goldziher, while bitter at rejection by the system that educated him, did not vent his spleen at the Hungarian authorities. Rather, he reserved his most caustic remarks for his Jewish co-religionists. When Goldziher, in his mid-twenties, realized that admission to the regular university faculty would be denied him, he accepted an administrative job with the Neolog (Reform) Budapest Jewish community. As secretary of the Israelite Congregation, the Reform Synagogue with the largest membership in Europe, Goldziher was responsible for the religious, educational, and social activities of the congregation. As Raphael Patai noted, A man without Goldzihers intense scholarly drive, and more important, with a thicker skin, could have found at least some measure of satisfaction in occupying this influential position.x But Goldzhiher, though he served in an influential position for thirty years, did not.

Goldziher found no satisfaction from his work as a community official. In his diary, and in his letters to friends, he complained bitterly about his fate as a synagogue administrator. Early on in his period of service he wrote It was decided that I become a slave. The Jews wanted to have pity on me. This is the misfortune of my life. Even though he expresses his feelings strongly, it is remarkable that Goldziher did not succumb to these bitter feelings and sink into inactivity. On the contrary, he persisted in his studies of Islam and developed a work ethic that enabled him to produce scores of books and articles over the thirty years he served the congregation. During the working year Goldziher would read Arabic texts at night, translating and taking notes, and this after working eight hours in the congregations office in which he supervised a staff of ten employees. On his six-week summer vacation he would take these books and notes (and later, when he married, his wife and son) to the mountains and write a complete monograph in one sustained effort. Among the magisterial works written in this manner were: Islam: Studies in the Religion of Mohammad (1881), a long German-language monograph on the Zahiris (1884), and the authoritative Introduction to Islam (1910).

While engaged in mastering a vast corpus of Islamic texts, Goldziher did not neglect the study of Judaism. In many of his essays he compares Jewish and Islamic beliefs and practices. As Alexander Scheiber noted, The Bible and the Talmud were Goldzihers favorite studies in his youth. He remained a good Hebrew stylist and retained his interest in Jewish learning until the end of his life.

It was only in 1905 that Goldziher, then aged 55, received a regular university appointment in Budapest. During his thirty-year tenure at that citys Reform Jewish congregation, he had turned down job offers from the most important European and Middle Eastern centers of the study of religion and culture. Among the offers: In 1893 the University of Heidelberg, at the urging of the great Semitist Noldeke, offered him a professorship. A year later Cambridge University invited him to occupy the chair left empty at the death of William Robertson Smith, the eminent philologist and historian of religion. In the first decade of the twentieth century Goldziher received offers from the Khedive of Egypt to teach in Cairo  and from Zionist leader Max Nordau (who was Goldzihers childhood friend) to teach at the newly envisioned Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Surely he was the only person who received job offers from both Muslim and Jewish institutions.

Senior Zionist leaders, including Max Nordau and Nahum Sokolow, sought Goldzihers involvement with the Zionist cause, and Sokolow hoped to entrust Goldziher with the mission of improving relations between Arabs and Jews.x Though Goldziher wrote that he wished that persecuted Jews would find a home in the Holy Land and live peaceably together with Christians and Muslims, he was not an active political Zionist and declined the invitation to teach at the planned, but not yet established, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which opened its doors in 1925.

Goldziher remained within the Jewish community, he never was a committed Zionist. We noted earlier that his teacher Armin Vambery  who professed the Protestant faith after his youthful conversion to Islam  actively supported the Return to Zion. A decade before Zionist leaders asked Goldziher to take on the mission of improving relations between Arabs and Jews, Vambery met with Theodor Herzl, the founder of political Zionism, and agreed to arrange a meeting between Herzl and the Ottoman Sultan, Abdul Hamid.

To all of these offers of university professorships at foreign institutions, tied to Budapest and his family, friends, and regular employment, Goldziher said no. His refusal to consider teaching positions outside of Hungary  coupled with his continuing bitterness and anger at the Jewish community for enslaving him in his administrative position  are congruent with the general psychological picture we get from reading his correspondence. Despite his accomplishments and worldwide acclaim, he felt trapped in a work situation in which his worth as a scholar was not recognized. And from that trap he could see no way to free himself. Too, his loyalty to Hungary and its community of scholars made him reluctant to leave his native land. This was the way that Raphael Patai, the anthropologist whose father was a student of Goldzihers, viewed Goldzihers psychological makeup. A more recent study and analysis by Lawrence Conrad, sees Patais reading of the diary as flawed. For along with Goldzihers stridency and occasional emotional outbursts, there is much in his correspondence with colleagues that is positive and affirming. To use Goldzihers emotional outbursts as the basis for an interpretation of his life and work seems to Conrad, and to me, an unreasonable assumption.

Robert Simon, Goldzihers biographer, noted that he transformed correspondence into a veritable cult. The Hungarian Academy of Sciences has preserved a good deal of correspondence, and as one observer put it, the mere quantity of these letters is astounding: 45 boxes containing 13,700 letters from 1,650 people. Goldziher clearly followed his own advice about staying in touch with colleagues. A letter from a valued colleague or student was joyfully received. He told A.S. Yahuda that if I receive a letter from Noldeke or Snouck I feel as if I were given a precious gift. A happy and solemn mood descends upon me immediately. And these were not mere missives of politeness. Scholars who have studied his correspondence noted that these letters, and Goldzihers detailed replies, could pass for scientific papers, in that they convey more ideas and scientific value than many other scholarly articles of the time. Joseph de Somogyi, a student of Goldzihers who emigrated to the U.S. and taught Arabic at Brandeis University, quoted his teacher as exhorting him to do two things if you want to prosper in life: answer every letter or card you receive, even if your answer be negative; and give lectures at the Orientalists congresses. This is as important as literary work.

The outbreak of World War in 1914 was a great blow to Goldzihers spirit, and to his hopes for world peace. His ability to travel, and to receive visiting scholars in his home, was severely curtailed by the hostilities. Hungary, one of the belligerents, was severely destabilized by the war, in which it was on the losing side. At times, Goldzihers personal concerns about the war emerge in his correspondence, though for the most part his letters are concerned with matters philological and textual. Some of these letters served as drafts for his academic papers. Goldziher also kept a diary and in it he allowed himself greater freedom of expression. Portions of these diaries were published in the 1970s. William Montgomery Watt, in an essay on the diaries, noted that they contained a startling revelation about Goldzhiher: His apparently effortless mastery of his subject and the even tenor of his scholarly expositions suggest a placid existence in the groves of academia. The publication of the diary shows such a suggestion to be completely erroneous. All these works of serene and profound scholarship came from one who was engaged for over thirty years in an intense spiritual struggle against forces which made his daily life almost unbearable and threatened to destroy all his confidence in himself.This spiritual struggle referred to here was Goldzihers experience of his synagogue job as oppressive and his scholarly work as liberating, life-affirming.

Goldzihers literary legacy of books, articles, letters was vast. His other great contribution to scholarship was mentoring of students. He taught and inspired a generation of Islamicists, Comparative Semitists, and students of religion. These students, in turn, founded scholarly lineages of their own. During World War Two, many of his Jewish students were murdered by the Nazis. Others fled Europe and survived. They taught, wrote, and inspired a new generation of scholars in New York, Boston, London, Moscow and Jerusalem. As Noam Stillman wrote in an essay on The Mindset of Jewish Scholars of Islamic Studies: Goldzihers holistic approach to Islam as religion and civilization, to Hadith, law, theology to practice  both orthodox and heterodox, high and popular, historical and actual  and to belles lettres, shaped succeeding generations of scholars, Jews and Gentiles alike.

German-trained Jewish scholars of Arabic and Islam explored many facets of the historical relationship between Islam and Judaism. One of them, Jacob Goldenthat, explored the influence of Islamic culture on medieval works in Jewish philosophy and Hebrew Grammar. Another German-trained Jewish scholar of Arabic and Islam, Joseph Horovitz (1874-1931), continued and expanded on the legacy of Goldziher. Horowitz sought to forge ties between Jewish and Arab scholars of Islam. In 1928, in his argument for establishing a School of Oriental Studies at the recently established Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horovitz wrote that, The idea was to create a school for the study of the East, its languages and literatures, its history and its civilizations especially the Arabic and the Islamic worlds, were to be considered. It was hoped that the work to be undertaken would be such as to be appreciated by the learned world in general and more especially by savants of the Arabic speaking countries; and that in its own way, i.e. by showing that there was a ground of intellectual interest common to Jewish and Arabic scholars, the institute might also help to promote the good feelings between these two communities.xix But for many reasons, this institute was never established. Arab opposition to Jewish settlement in Palestine, and to what the Arabs saw as British support for Zionism, broke out into violence in 1929 and to a full-scale rebellion in the Arab Revolt of 1936-9. Horovitzs proposal that academic cooperation would lead to a lessening of tensions no longer seemed relevant to the faculty and directors of the Hebrew University.

As some scholars have noted, Goldzihers life and scholarship flatly contradicts the assertion of post-colonialist scholars that the study of Middle Eastern cultures is inextricably tied to imperial designs of power. For Goldzihers work is itself a critique of Orientalism. It is an attempt to present Islam as it is understood and interpreted by its followers in its own textual tradition and not as it is presented by its antagonists. Goldziher sharply attacked Renan and other European scholars who denigrated Islam and repeatedly sought to disprove his negative view of Islam and Muslims. Goldzihers Cairo friend al-Afghani also produced a trenchant critique of Renans Orientalist views. One might imagine the young Hungarian Jewish Orientalist and the older Muslim religious and political thinker critiquing Renans views as they walked through Cairo in the winter of 1874.xx

The reader will recall Goldzhihers youthful declaration, at age twenty-four, that Islam was the only religion which can satisfy philosophic minds. Goldziher and his colleagues saw early Islam as a religion of reason and as a model of how Judaism might be integrated into European civilization, and in the decades after his death the appeal of contemporary Islam as an alternative to Western faiths grew, especially among Jews. In the mid-1920s, a few years after Goldzihers death, a small but significant number of German and Austrian Jews converted to Islam. Among them was Leopold Weiss of Berlin, who, as Muhammad Asad, (1900-1992), dedicated his life to presenting Islam as a religion of reason, and arguing against what he saw as extremist tendencies within the Islam of the late twentieth century. Similarly, twentieth century Western interest in Sufi teachings and rituals was informed by the scholarship of Goldziher and other late nineteenth and early twentieth century scholars of Islamic mysticism.

Excerpted from with the authors permission from: From Jews to Muslims: Twentieth-Century Converts to Islam.
By Eran Kaplan, San Francisco State University | 

(The Conversation)  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that Israels military will soon launch an invasion of Rafah, the city in the southern Gaza Strip. More than 1 million Palestinians, now on the verge of famine, have sought refuge there from their bombed-out cities farther north. Despite U.S. President Joe Bidens warning against the move, Netanyahu appears, for now, undeterred from his aim to attack Rafah.

The attack is the latest chapter in Israels current battle to eliminate Hamas from Gaza.

But its also a reflection of an ideology, known as the Iron Wall, that has been part of Israeli political history since before the states founding in 1948. The Iron Wall has driven Netanyahu in his career leading Israel for two decades, culminating in the current deadly war that began with a massacre of Israelis and then turned into a humanitarian catastrophe for Gazas Palestinians.

Here is the history of that ideology:

A wall that cant be breached

In 1923, Vladimir, later known as Zeev, Jabotinsky, a prominent Zionist activist, published On the Iron Wall, an article in which he laid out his vision for the course that the Zionist movement should follow in order to realize its ultimate goal: the creation of an independent Jewish state in Palestine, at the time governed by the British.

Jabotinsky admonished the Zionist establishment for ignoring the Arab majority in Palestine and their political desires. He asserted the Zionist establishment held a fanciful belief that the technological progress and improved economic conditions that the Jews would supposedly bring to Palestine would endear them to the local Arab population.

Jabotinsky thought that belief was fundamentally wrong.

To Jabotinsky, the Arabs of Palestine, like any native population throughout history, would never accept another peoples national aspirations in their own homeland. Jabotinsky believed that Zionism, as a Jewish national movement, would have to combat the Arab national movement for control of the land.

Every native population in the world resists colonists as

long as it has the slightest hope of being able to rid itself of the danger of being colonised, he wrote.

Jabotinsky believed the Zionist movement should not waste its resources on Utopian economic and social dreams. Zionisms sole focus should be on developing Jewish military force, a metaphorical Iron Wall, that would compel the Arabs to accept a Jewish state on their native land.

Zionist colonisation  can proceed and develop only under the protection of a power that is independent of the native population  behind an iron wall, which the native population cannot breach, he wrote.

Jabotinskys heirs: Likud

In 1925, Jabotinsky founded the Revisionist movement, which would become the chief right-wing opposition party to the dominant Labor Party in the Zionist movement. It opposed Labors socialist economic vision and emphasized the focus on cultivating Jewish militarism.

In 1947, David Ben Gurion and the Zionist establishment accepted partition plans devised by the United Nations for Palestine, dividing it into independent Jewish and Palestinian Arab states. The Zionists goal in accepting the plan: to have the Jewish state founded on the basis of such international consensus and support.

Jabotinskys Revisionists opposed any territorial compromise, which meant they opposed any partition plan. They objected to the recognition of a non-Jewish political entity  an Arab state  within Palestines borders.

The Palestinian Arab state proposed by the U.N. partition plan was rejected by Arab leaders, and it never came into being.

In 1948, Israel declared its independence, which sparked a regional war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. During the war, which began immediately after the U.N. voted for partition and lasted until 1949, more than half the Palestinian residents of the land Israel claimed were expelled or fled.

At the wars end, the historic territory of Palestine was divided, with about 80% claimed and governed by the new country of Israel. Jordan controlled East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip.

In the new Israeli parliament, Jabotinskys heirs  in a party first called Herut and later Likud  were relegated to the opposition benches.

Old threat, new threat

In 1967, another war broke out between Israel and Arab neighbors Egypt, Syria and Jordan. It resulted in Israels occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights. Yitzhak Rabin led Israels military during that war, called the Six-Day War.

From 1948 until 1977, the more leftist-leaning Labor Party governed Israel. In 1977, Menachem Begin led the Likud to victory and established it as the dominant force in Israeli politics.

However in 1992, Rabin, as the leader of Labor, was elected as prime minister. With Israel emerging as both a military and economic force in those years, fueled by the new high-tech sector, he believed the country was no longer facing the threat of destruction from its neighbors. To Rabin, the younger generation of Israelis wanted to integrate into the global economy. Resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, he believed, would help Israel integrate into the global order.

In 1993, Rabin negotiated the Oslo Accords, a peace deal with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The two men shook hands in a symbol of the reconciliation of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The agreement created a Palestinian authority in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as part of the pathway to the long-term goal of creating two countries, Israel and a Palestinian state, that would peacefully coexist.

That same year, Benjamin Netanyahu had become the leader of the Likud Party. The son of a prominent historian of Spanish Jewry, he viewed Jewish history as facing a repeating cycle of attempted destruction  from the Romans to the Spanish Inquisition, the Nazis and the Arab world.

Netanyahu saw the Oslo peace process as the sort of territorial compromise Jabotinsky had warned about. To him, compromise would only invite conflict, and any show of weakness would spell doom.

The only answer to such a significant threat, Netanyahu has repeatedly argued, is a strong Jewish state that refuses any compromises, always identifying the mortal threat to the Jewish people and countering it with an overwhelming show of force.

No territorial compromise

Since the 1990s, Netanyahus primary focus has not been on the threat of the Palestinians, but rather that of Iran and its nuclear ambitions. But he has continued to say there can be no territorial compromise with the Palestinians. Just as Palestinians refuse to accept Israel as a Jewish state, Netanyahu refuses to accept the idea of a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu believed that only through strength would the Palestinians accept Israel, a process that would be aided if more and more Arab states normalized relations with Israel, establishing diplomatic and other ties. That normalization reached new heights with the 2020 Abraham Accords, the bilateral agreements signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain. These agreements were the ultimate vindication of Netanyahus regional vision.

It should not be surprising, then, that Hamas horrific attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, took place just as Saudi Arabia was nearing normalization of relations with Israel. In a twisted manner, when the Saudis subsequently backed off the normalization plans, the attack reaffirmed Netanyahus broader vision: The Palestinian group that vowed to never recognize Israel made sure that Arab recognition of Israel would fail.

The Hamas attack gave Netanyahu an opportunity to reassert Israels  and Jabotinskys  Iron Wall.

The massive and wantonly destructive war that Netanyahu has led against Hamas and Gaza since that date is the Iron Wall in its most elemental manifestation: unleashing overwhelming force as a signal that no territorial compromise with the Arabs over historical Palestine is possible. Or, as Netanyahu has repeatedly said in recent weeks, there will be no ceasefire until theres a complete Israeli victory.

Eran Kaplan, Rhoda and Richard Goldman Chair in Jewish Studies, San Francisco State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - General Copper Gold Corp. (CSE: GGLD) (OTCQB: GNRGF) (FSE: 7S50) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Curtis as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately.

Mr. Curtis has served as a director of the Company since 2010 and has over 45 years of experience in the Canadian financial industry in the areas of trading, research, corporate finance and the management of public companies. In 1998, he founded and became President and Director of Cardwell Capital Inc., a private investment and trading corporation that invests in small and mid-capitalization public companies trading in North American markets. He has worked closely with Intrepid Financial, a Canadian investment and advisory firm with focus on Natural Resources and technology sectors that has raised over $2B for its portfolio companies with multiple exits since 2006. Mr. Curtis has held Board seats in numerous public companies during his career.

Mr. Curtis is replacing Michelle Gahagan, who has resigned as President, CEO and a director of the Company in order to focus on other endeavours. The Company wishes to thank Ms. Gahagan for her support and dedication over the years.

About General Copper Gold Corp.

General Copper Gold Corp. is an independent mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia that is engaged in the business of exploring for and evaluating mineral properties.

General Copper Gold is currently exploring the 2,313 hectare Topley Richfield copper-gold property in British Columbia. Topley Richfield is a historic mining area with previous work carried out in 2008, 2015 as well as geophysical surveys in 2021. There are significant historical drilling intercepts and the 2021 geophysics has highlighted further key highly prospective areas that have yet to be explored. Multiple drill targets have already been identified by the Company.

For further information, please contact:

General Copper Gold Corp.

Michelle Gahagan, President

T: (604) 639-4452

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transactions and neither has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
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. 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. 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. 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.
HomeRise, a permanent supportive housing development in San Francisco, opened in late 2022. A spike of incidents at the facility has alarmed neighborhood residents in Mission Bay. Michaela Vatcheva/Special to the Chronicle

Residents at a Mission Bay condo complex are raising alarms over what they say are hundreds of violent and disturbing incidents at a recently opened permanent supportive housing site across the street.

Located midway between the Giants stadium and the Chase Center, HomeRise at Mission Bay is a 141-unit, four-story housing project run by the nonprofit HomeRise for the formerly homeless. It opened in late 2022 to great fanfare, touted as an example of a modern facility in a new, mixed-income neighborhood away from the Tenderloin, the location of most housing projects for the formerly homeless.

However, calls to 311, 911 and HomeRises front desk staff have skyrocketed to more than 1,166 service calls  656 of them police-related  since opening, according to data from the San Francisco police Southern District Station, which shared it with Supervisor Matt Dorseys office. The station is adjacent to HomeRise.

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This is causing a great deal of pain for neighbors and HomeRise residents, Mission Bay resident Deanna Terzian said Thursday during a tense hearing on the issue at City Hall. Fixing this location of HomeRise at Mission Bay is critical because we need a model that can work successfully.

Many elected San Francisco officials have long complained that the city warehouses its most troubled residents in the Tenderloin, mostly in single-room occupancy hotels where addiction, poverty and mental illness are pressing concerns. Mayor London Breed and others have advocated to place more formerly homeless people in other areas of the city to help them escape the grip of the Tenderloin. But placing those buildings in affluent, resource-rich neighborhoods like Mission Bay comes with its own challenges, and proposing new supportive housing can often draw the ire of nearby residents.

Supervisors pressed the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing Thursday on its strategy for ensuring safety when it opens supportive housing sites across the city.

HomeRise is literally adjacent to the public safety building, so this should be the safest block in town, said Dorsey, whose district includes Mission Bay. Instead, it is, honestly, a public nuisance.

HSH spokesperson Emily Cohen countered the idea that supportive housing sites lead to increases in crime. She pointed to a 2018 study by the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Affairs on shelters in San Francisco that showed they had no effect on neighborhood crime or property values, and that instead visible homelessness decreased.

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The vast majority of supportive housing sites operate without complaints. Cohen said police data shows crime in a quarter-mile radius of other sites did not increase between six months before and after the sites opening. HSH cited three sites where the number of incidents reported to police went down by between 12% and 28%.

Permanent supportive housing is the most effective and evidence-based solution to chronic homelessness, Cohen said, drawing heckling from the audience.

About 160 of the service calls related to HomeRise were priority A, which the department says are emergency calls that require a paid response because there may be an immediate threat to life or a substantial risk of major property loss and damage. Incidents residents have complained about include people openly doing drugs, a man who broke his window and left glass on the sidewalk, and a man who masturbated outside the HomeRise building. The Southern Districts report says there were reports of 121 fights in the past 14 months  20 of which involved either a gun or a knife.

Marcel Davis, senior interim director for resident services at HomeRise, told supervisors that the incidents in question involve just 3% of HomeRise tenants. Some of the calls for service and to the front desk came from residents at the Madrone, a building across the street that opened in 2011 with home prices from $1 million for a one bedroom to up to $2.9 million for a three-bedroom, two-bath unit. The nonprofit has been working with Madrone residents and HomeRise tenants to ensure that the neighborhood is safe, Davis said.

During Thursday's hearing, furious Mission Bay and South of Market residents criticized HSH officials and others, demanding that HomeRise evict troublesome residents of the Mission Bay site. They called for safety measures to prevent the same concerns from popping up at a soon-to-open site for youth experiencing homelessness at 1174 Folsom St.

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Supportive housing providers and supporters raised concerns about the framing of Thursdays hearing, saying that they have been advocating for more investment in staffing, medical and mental health services, and clinicians to better help the few residents who cause problems.

The hearing became heated at times with heckles, boos and hisses interrupting public comment and prompting Supervisor Catherine Stefani to demand order in the chamber.

In light of the concerns, Dorsey told city officials he wants full-time private security for all supportive housing sites. Cohen told Dorsey it could cost $60 million to $70 million a year to provide full-time security at all such housing sites in the city. Cohen also said shes concerned with using private security to address the concerns since security guards, unlike supportive housing staff, often are not trained in crisis de-escalation. As of mid-March, HSH said it had about 13,000 supportive housing slots.

One provider said she was concerned about the wrong message being sent at the hearing. Lauren Hall from the Supportive Housing Provider Network  whose members operate more than 11,000 units in San Francisco  said thousands of supportive housing residents in the city are thriving and doing well. She criticized participants in Thursdays hearing for othering residents of supportive housing.

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The French parliament's lower house on Thursday approved a resolution condemning as "bloody and murderous repression" the killing by Paris police of dozens of Algerians in a crackdown on a 1961 protest to support Algerian independence.

In recent years France has made a series of efforts to come to terms with its colonial past in Algeria.

Dozens of peaceful demonstrators died during a crackdown by Paris police on a protest by Algerians in 1961. The scale of the massacre was covered up for decades by French authorities before President Emmanuel Macron condemned it as "inexcusable" in 2021.

The text of the resolution, which is largely symbolic, stressed the crackdown took place "under the authority of police prefect Maurice Papon" and also called for the official commemoration of the massacre.

The bill, put forward by Greens lawmaker Sabrina Sebaihi and ruling Renaissance party MP Julie Delpech, was approved by 67 lawmakers, mainly representatives of the left and Macron's party.

Eleven voted against, all members of the far-right National Rally party.

Sebaihi said the vote represented the "first step" towards the "recognition of this colonial crime, the recognition of this state crime."

The term "state crime" however does not appear in the text of the resolution, which was jointly drafted by Macron's party and the Elysee Palace. The subject remains highly sensitive both in France and Algeria.

The Paris police chief at the time, Papon, was in the 1980s revealed to have been a collaborator with the occupying Nazis in World War II and complicit in the deportation of Jews. He was convicted of crimes against humanity but later released.

- 'Bodies thrown into the Seine' -

On the 60th anniversary of the bloodshed in 2021, Macron acknowledged that several dozen protesters had been killed, "their bodies thrown into the River Seine."

The precise number of victims has never been made clear and some activists fear several hundred could have been killed.

"Let us spare a thought here today for these victims and their families, who have been hit hard by the spiral of violence", Dominique Faure, the minister for local and regional authorities, said on Thursday.

She noted that efforts had been made in the past to recognise the massacre.

In 2012, then president Francois Hollande paid "tribute to the victims" of a "bloody crackdown" on the men and women demonstrating for "the right to independence".

The rally was called in the final year of France's increasingly violent attempt to retain Algeria as a north African colony, and in the middle of a bombing campaign targeting mainland France by pro-independence militants.

- 'Sincere reconciliation' -

However, Faure expressed reservations about establishing a special day to commemorate the massacre, pointing out that three dates already existed to "commemorate what happened during the Algerian war".

"Much remains to be done to write this history, but in my opinion this is the only way to build a sincere and lasting reconciliation," she said.

"I think it is important to let history do the work before considering a new day of commemoration specifically for the victims of October 17, 1961."

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to travel to France for a state visit, scheduled for late September or early October, according to the Elysee.

However, National Rally lawmaker Frank Giletti criticised "excessive repentance" based on "lies".

"By proposing this resolution, you are following in the footsteps of Emmanuel Macron, who has never stopped kneeling before the Algerian government, and who is working to mortify his own country through continuous repentance that has become unbearable", he said.

France has made several attempts over the years to heal the wounds with Algeria, but it refuses to "apologise or repent" for the 132 years of often brutal rule that ended in 1962 after a devastating eight-year war.

French historians say half a million civilians and combatants died during the war for independence, 400,000 of them Algerian. The Algerian authorities say 1.5 million were killed.
For almost a month, the normal course of the trial into the September 28, 2009 massacre in Conakry, Guinea, has been suspended. On Monday March 4, the Public Prosecutor's Office requested the floor -- just as the long-awaited phase of confrontations between the defendants was due to start, when the judges will be able to call them two by two to clarify opposing versions of the facts. The Prosecutor has a document to distribute to the parties: 32 pages of submissions in support of a request to reclassify the facts as crimes against humanity. Up to now, former Guinean president Moussa Dadis Camara and the ten other defendants have been prosecuted for mass crimes under ordinary Guinean law.

They are accused of having ordered or participated in the massacre of over 150 demonstrators at an opposition rally that was violently crushed by Guinean security forces on September 28, 2009. This request to reclassify the crimes has been voiced by civil parties since the start of the trial. They support the prosecution initiative, pointing out that crimes against humanity are enshrined in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), ratified by Guinea in 2002 and incorporated into the Guinean Penal Code in 2016.

A case already decided?

On March 4, after debating the case for ten minutes, the court decided to put the trial on hold for two weeks, to allow the defence to study the public prosecutor's brief. The defendants' lawyers are up in arms about the request. This request is not legally valid," said Dadis's lawyer Pepe Antoine Lamah at the outset of the hearing "As this case is under trial, I find it very inappropriate to put that issue back on the table.

Lamah added that at the time of the judicial enquiry, all appeals had been exhausted. The matter was appealed and even referred to the Supreme Court. In the end, the Supreme Court decided in favour of prosecution under ordinary law. The charges include murder, assassination, rape and torture, most often on the basis of complicity, since the defendants are not alleged to have directly committed the majority of the incriminating acts.

Reclassification of the crimes as crimes against humanity would not alter the maximum sentences incurred - life imprisonment in both cases in Guinea. But it could give the prosecution new tools, worries the defence. Whereas complicity can be complex to prove, crimes against humanity, which would give this trial another dimension, would enable the prosecution to invoke "command responsibility". The hierarchical superior can be declared responsible for crimes committed by men under his authority if he gave instructions, if he let them happen, if he took no steps to punish them.

Did the Public Prosecutor's Office realize that it lacked the evidence to prove complicity? During hearings over the past few weeks, the prosecutor's office has justified its approach at length from a technical point of view, but has not explained why it is taking this step now, after a year and a half of trial.

The defence was able to develop its arguments in court over three days, between March 18 and 20. On Monday March 18, Almamy Samory Traore, another Dadis Camara lawyer, was the first to speak before the Dixinn criminal court. He retraced the history of the trial and went back to the ruling dated May 18, 2018, confirming the charges against the former president: "I remind you Mr. President, that the prosecution did not file an appeal against this ruling of the Investigation Control Chamber, which means that the prosecution accepted the principle our clients be judged on the basis of the rules of ordinary law. But the civil party, motivated by the desire for our clients to be tried under the Rome Statute, tried to appeal, and the Supreme Court's decision was final." That appeal was rejected, the lawyer points out.

Wearing a pair of black sunglasses, Lamah then took the floor. "These indictments, issued a year and six months after the opening of the proceedings, are proof that the Public Prosecutor's Office is convinced of Captain Dadis's innocence, as far as his individual criminal responsibility is concerned, he asserted. The lawyers' monologues lasted for hours. Rarely have the debates in the Conakry stadium massacre trial been so technical, and rarely has the defence been so united.

"Violation of the right to a fair trial"

On March 20, the court announced its decision: it would not rule immediately on the question of requalifying the crimes, which would be decided at the time of judgment. This was not the end of the suspense, but lawyers for the civil parties were satisfied. For them, there is no doubt that the facts will be requalified as crimes against humanity. Even so, they would have preferred the court to rule straight away. This would have made it possible to resume questioning the defendants on the basis of this reclassification. "It was important to give explanations in court so that Guineans could understand what crimes against humanity are," says Alpha Amadou DS Bah, coordinator of the victims' lawyers' collective.

The defence has made no secret of its anger. "We consider that this decision violates the right to a fair trial. This is why we have decided to appeal against this decision, it said. The defence has gone to the Court of Appeal, and at the last hearing on Monday March 25, it asked for a break in the trial to allow this court to rule. Some of the defendants' lawyers, like Jean-Baptiste Jocamey Haba defending Dadis Camara, threatened to boycott the hearings and lodge a complaint with the Conseil Superieur de la Magistrature against the president of the tribunal for professional incompetence.

Under pressure, the court finally decided to suspend the hearings again, and announced they would restart on April 2.
An anti-vaping poster hangs at San Franciscos George Washington High School in 2019. The school district will spend the first tranche of its $24.7 million legal windfall from vape makers Juul and Altria to pay for dozens of health-related positions. Michael Short/Special to the Chronicle

Two of the biggest players in the e-cigarette industry will cover the salaries and benefits of 76 nurses, counselors and health educators in San Francisco schools next year in just the first of three expected rounds of funding from a legal settlement with the vaping giants.

District officials plan to spend the initial chunk of the $24.65 million deal with Juul Labs Inc. and Altria Group Inc. next school year and the rest over the following two years. Altria, a major tobacco company and cigarette maker formerly known as Philip Morris, was a part owner of Juul but has since largely divested its stake.

The payout couldnt come at a better time for the district, which is facing a huge budget deficit despite reducing staffing by more than 1,000 positions  mostly by eliminating vacant jobs. School closures are expected as well as additional cuts.

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The district wont use the legal settlement to add any staffing or resources, but rather cover the cost of current staff, officials said, freeing up funds to reduce potential cuts elsewhere.

San Francisco Unified was among thousands of cities, counties and other school districts to sue the companies over marketing and advertising e-cigarettes to youth, with many of the cases merging into a class action suit, and all leading to a $1.2 billion settlement nationwide.

California was awarded $175.8 million, the most of any state. The funding is expected to pay for youth education campaigns related to the dangers of vaping, research related to e-cigarettes and enforcement of the states flavored-tobacco ban.

The districts initial lawsuit, like most others, alleged aggressive marketing to youth, with flavored products packaged like candy, spurring a teenage vaping crisis. School leaders across the district and the country recounted students vaping in the hallways, bathrooms and classrooms, while parents grew increasingly concerned about the fallout from adolescent addiction to nicotine.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the company sold fun flavors and used bright, attractive ads that flaunted young people enjoying the e-cigarettes to entice adolescents.

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Its very important for us to help teach students about the dangers of using Juuls, but Juul has continued to relentlessly target their product to minors, undermining our efforts to teach children how to live healthy lives, said former Superintendent Vincent Matthews in 2019, when the district filed the lawsuit.

In 2018, about 11% of high school students were regular users of vapes, according to the California Youth Tobacco Survey.

Following the flurry of lawsuits, as well as legislation, including a ban on flavored tobacco and e-cigarettes in San Francisco, vaping among youth declined. By 2022, less than 6% of high school students were vaping on a regular basis, the survey found. The ban only allows electronic tobacco products that have gone through premarket review and marketing authorization from the federal Food and Drug Administration.

In 2018, about 11% of high school students were regular users of vapes, according to the California Youth Tobacco Survey. Thats now down to less than 6%. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2018

The settlement requires district officials to use the funds for purposes related to student vaping and supporting student health.

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The money will pay for the nurses working at each district middle school as well as counselors and health educators at the high schools.
Netizens couldn't help but gush over Kim Woo Bin and Ahn Bo Hyun's friendship. On X, formerly Twitter, photos of the two South Korean heartthrobs garnered attention after they were spotted casually strolling.

What struck netizens the most was how the two took their friendship to a different level.

Ahn Bo Hyun & Kim Woo Bin Go on 'Date'

In a series of photos, Ahn Bo Hyun and Kim Woo Bin were spotted walking on an alley full of restaurants and cafes. Although they tried to blend in with the crowd, their towering height and visuals couldn't be missed.

In addition, Ahn Bo Hyun and Kim Woo Bin also sported the same jacket.

OMGGG bohyun and kim woobin spotted together today  bestest bestie pic.twitter.com/YtObLoxytf  gie | isoogang brainrot  (@yoonthoria) March 28, 2024

While the "Black Knight" star was donned in an all-black denim 'fit, Ahn Bo Hyun opted for a blue sweater paired with light-washed denim.

Interestingly, Ahn Bo Hyun also featured his fellow actor on his Instagram Story, showing his back, along with a funny caption, "When I met him, we looked like a couple," showing off their matching jackets.

READ MORE: K-drama Actors Who Are Over 6 Feet Tall: Moon Sang Min, Kim Woo Bin, More

Of course, this interaction delighted fans, swooning over the actors' unique friendship.

Fans also adored Ahn Bo Hyun and Kim Woo Bin's "bestest besties" era, while some were fascinated with how they took their friendship to greater heights.

Kim Woo Bin and Ahn Bo Hyun spotted today then Bohyun shared Woobin's pic on his insta story and said "When we meet, we look like a couple "



Tall besties wearing like a couple how cute  pic.twitter.com/XfdiwkVrJD  Kim Woo Bin Pics (@kimwoobin_pics) March 28, 2024

Ahn Bo Hyun Talks About 'Tight' Friendship With Kim Woo Bin

In 2018, during his guest appearance on MBC's variety show "Radio Star," Ahn Bo Hyun dished on his connection with fellow actor Kim Woo Bin, who at the time was on hiatus due to nasopharyngeal cancer.

The "My Name" star said that he and Kim Woo Bin "have a tight friendship," and that he considers him the "most influential person" in his life as an actor.

According to him, he first met the top star when they both entered the same modeling school.

"During a school event at that time, I got close to Kim Woo Bin as I borrowed clothes from him."

Recalling the phone call that they had, Ahn Bo Hyun shared how happy Kim Woo Bin was when he found out about his onscreen activities, including his guest appearances.

As mentioned, Kim Woo Bin and Ahn Bo Hyun went to the same modeling school, but Woo Bin had his first break as a model and eventually ventured into acting.

While Kim Woo Bin was making a name for himself as one of the sought-after lead stars, Ahn Bo Hyun started appearing as supporting characters and eventually landed lead roles in "Yumi's Cells," "My Name," and more.

Ahn Bo Hyun has just finished his K-drama comeback, "Flex X Cop," and will reprise his role in Season 2.

In addition to this, he is also headlining the upcoming K-drama "Haesi's Shinru."

As for Kim Woo Bin, he is set to reunite with Bae Suzy for the fantasy-romance K-drama "Everything Will Come True."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Flex X Cop' Season 2: Will Ahn Bo Hyun, Park Ji Hyun, More Reprise Their Roles?

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
After releasing "Goodbye Earth" teaser, Netflix Korea broke the silence about Yoo Ah In's participation in the forthcoming K-drama.

Here's what the streaming giant said.

Netflix Unveils 'Goodbye Earth's' Teaser Poster + Announces Release Date

"Goodbye Earth" follows the story of people living out the chaotic final 200 days before an asteroid is about to collide with Earth. The series is headlined by Yoo Ah In, Ahn Eun Jin, Kim Yoon Hye, and Jeon Seong Woo. It is directed by Kim Jin Min.

Initially, the series was scheduled to hit the screen in 2023. Unfortunately, due to Yoo Ah In's drug controversy, the production team decided to postpone the release.

On March 29, Netflix announced that the drama will finally make its long-awaited debut.

Global streaming giant Netflix dropped a teaser of its upcoming pre-apocalyptic series "Goodbye Earth," starring four of the familiar faces in the industry. Along with the poster teaser is the scheduled premiere of the drama on April 26.

The poster teaser gave a sneak peek of the chaos and panic that will occur in the wake of the news about the asteroid. There's a huge billboard that features the breaking news, saying that there are only 200 days left until an asteroid hits the Earth.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Yoo Ah In Apologizes for 'Disappointing' Fans + Upcoming K-drama 'Goodbye Earth' Gets Postponed

A text is written, saying, "Collision is expected to happen around the Korean peninsula, 'no way to avoid it.'"

There is also a group of protesters, who desperately hope to receive help.

Another caption is engraved on the poster, which says, "We're waiting for the end."

Yoo Ah In Expected To Appear But With Limited Screen Time?

Yoo Ah In, who was indicted on drug use charges, has completed filming as a main character in the series. The issue sparked during the post-production process, and the team was faced with a difficult situation.

Netflix did not mention the actor in the press release, omitting the description of his role, but did include his name in the cast list.

On March 29, after announcing the release of the series, Netflix broke its silence on whether Yoo Ah In is still included in the project.

"Yoo Ah In appears as the main protagonist that makes up the story of the work. Together with the director, writer, and other production team, we conducted re-editing and post-production after sufficient discussion to avoid disrupting the flow as much as possible."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Yoo Ah In Rumored to Return With New Drama 'Goodbye Earth' Amid Drug Controversy - Here's What We Know

What can you say about Yoo Ah In's appearance in "Goodbye Earth"? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai San Miguel wrote this.
Three of South Korea's heartthrobs will make a special appearance in the last two episodes of "Wedding Impossible."

Following the special appearance of Joo Hyun Young and Jung Kyung Ho in the first half of the series, Lee Soo Hyuk, Kim Bim, and Ryu Kyung Soo will join the weekday K-drama as it heads to its finale.

'Wedding Impossible' to Feature Cameos of Lee Soo Hyuk, Kim Bum, and Ryu Kyung Soo

According to a report, viewers will get to see special appearances from Lee Soo Hyuk, Kim Bum, and Ryu Kyung Soo in the final two episodes of "Wedding Impossible."

READ MORE: Jeon Jong Seo Has Dodgers Awestruck By Her Beauty During First Pitch: 'She is hot!'

As mentioned by the drama representative, the trio will showcase a special connection to the main characters, played by Jeon Jong Seo, Kim Do Wan, and Moon Sang Min.

"The three actors will add a final flourish to the [drama's] romantic mission by forming relationships with Na Ah Jeong, Lee Ji Han, Lee Do Han, and Yoon Chae Won. We're thankful to the three actors who joined us because of their relationships with members of the production team that they had worked with in the past."

To recall, Kim Bum worked with tvN for the medical-comedy K-drama "Ghost Doctor" with Rain as well as the hit series "Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938" with Ryu Kyung Soo.

Lee Soo Hyuk, on the other hand, headlined tvN's "Doom at Your Service," which was also helmed by "Wedding Impossible" director Kwon Young Il.

'Wedding Impossible' Episode 11 - 12 Release Date, Where to Watch

Based on the webtoon of the same name, "Wedding Impossible" is a rom-com that stars Jeon Jong Seo, Moon Sang Min, and Kim Do Wan. It depicts the story of a B-list actress named Na Ah Jeong, who has a hard time landing major roles.

She gets reunited with her longtime friend Lee Do Han, who suddenly offers her a deal that she can't resist. They have to get married to prevent Do Han from inheriting the conglomerate.

Unfortunately, Na Ah Jeong falls in love with Do Han's younger brother, Lee Ji Han.

The last two episodes of "Wedding Impossible" are scheduled to air on April 1 and 2 at 8:50 p.m. KST. Viewers will see the finale via tvN, TVING, Prime Video, and Viki.

For the "Wedding Impossible" finale, it will feature who Na Ah Jeong will end up with.

Will she proceed with her deal with Lee Do Han or follow her heart and be with Lee Ji Han?

Did You Know: 'Wedding Impossible' is Jeon Jong Seo's First Rom-Com K-drama

Although Jeon Jong Seo has starred in several notable movies and series, "Wedding Impossible" marks her first romantic-comedy drama.

In an interview, she shared the preparations she made for the role and the difference between playing Na Ah Jeong and her previous characters.

"Unlike my previous projects, this time I grew out my hair and tried diverse styling. Even though the clothes are ordinary, I tried to bring out Ah Jung's unique cute charm through matching accessories such as a mini bag or canvas bag."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jeon Jong Seo Shares Her Love Story With 'The Call' Director Lee Chung Hyun: "Why I liked him became clearer in my mind'

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Im Siwan returns to the big screen with Park Gyu Young as the duo headline the upcoming movie "Mantis."

Following his remarkable performances in "Boston 1947" and "Unlocked," both released in 2023, the South Korean actor will take on a challenging role in the new film.

Im Siwan to Transform as the Legendary Killer in 'Mantis'

In an exclusive report, Im Siwan was selected to portray the main character in "Mantis."

The upcoming film is a spin-off of the hit movie "Kill Bok Soon," headlined by award-winning stars Jeon Do Yeon and Sol Kyung Gu.

For his big screen comeback, where he will showcase his versatility as an actor, Im Siwan takes on the character of the legendary killer named "Mantis."

Meanwhile, joining him to portray one of the main characters is Park Gyu Young, who has displayed her acting spectrum through hit K-dramas "Sweet Home" and "Celebrity."

IN CASE YOU MISSED: 3 Iconic K-drama Transformations In 2023: Ahn Jae Hong, Im Siwan, More!

As for the upcoming spin-off, "Mantis" will be directed by Byun Sung Hyun, who is also the screenwriter and director of "Kill Bok Soon."

Interestingly, this will be his second time to work with Im Siwan after the actor headlined the 2017 movie "The Merciless" with Sol Kyung Gu.

With Im Siwan returning to the big screen, viewers will get to see his new movie in the coming year, as the team will start the production of "Mantis" in August under Netflix.

On the other hand, the upcoming movie will be Im Siwan and Park Gyu Young's second project together, as they both star in the highly anticipated sequel, "Squid Game" season 2.

What's Next for Im Siwan?

As mentioned, Im Siwan is among the lead stars of Netflix's "Squid Game" season 2.

After director Hwang Dong Hyuk announced the return of Lee Byung Hun, Lee Jung Jae, Wi Ha Joon, and Gong Yoo, Netflix dropped the first half of the cast who will be joining the series.

Other than Im Siwan, Park Sung Hoon, Kang Ha Neul, and Yang Dong Geun will also join the series.

Netflix then released the second batch of actors who will officially join the cast lineup, among which are Park Gyu Young with Lee Jin Wook, BIGBANG's T.O.P., and more.

In addition to "Squid Game" season 2, Im Siwan will also reprise his role as Jang Byung Tae as "Boyhood" season 2 gets a greenlight.

As confirmed by Osen, the team behind the action comedy series is currently working on the sequel's script.

As for the cast, it is still yet to be confirmed if Lee Sun Bin will return as Park Ji Young.

READ MORE: Im Siwan Accepted 'Squid Game' Offer Without Second Thoughts - Here's Why

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Danielle Echeverria is a reporter for The Chronicles Engagement and Breaking News team. She recently completed her Master's degree in journalism at Stanford University, where she won the Nicholas Roosevelt Environmental Journalism Award for her reporting and covered agriculture, climate change and worker safety. She previously interned The Chronicle on the Business desk, as well as at Big Local News, focusing on data journalism. She is originally from Bakersfield, California.

She can be reached at danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com.


Thursday, March 28, 2024  Actor Jussie Smollett's appeal of his criminal conviction will now be heard in Illinois Supreme Court.

His appeal to the State Supreme Court is approved, and the Supreme Court justices will weigh his case once and for all.

Jussie has been appealing his conviction since a jury found him guilty of lying to cops about a hate crime he claimed he'd been victim to. He was defiant after the verdict came in and while he was sentenced to 150 days in jail, he spent only served 6 days behind bars before he was sprung as his appeal worked its way through the court system.

He was handed a loss in an Illinois appeals court when he first asked them to look over the case, with a 3-judge panel upholding the conviction and finding that the jury was justified in their decision.

Jussie appealed that decision, throwing a Hail Mary in hopes that the Illinois Supreme Court would hear him out and now, they've signalled they're willing to do that.

Jussie's whole argument here on why his conviction should be tossed is based on his claim that he had a deal with the prosecutors who were first handling his case, which he says explicitly stated he wouldn't be prosecuted if he signed up for their terms.

The special prosecutor, however, said the deal Jussie thought he'd struck with the previous team did not, in fact, protect him from further charges and he also argued double jeopardy doesn't apply in this case. It's all very technical, but the special prosecutor is asking the State Supreme Court to reject his bid.


Thursday, March 28, 2024  A man has taken to TikTok to show off the living conditions of immigrants who were not granted asylum in Portugal.

He shared the video with the caption abroad life no easy, depression have kill a lot.

Watch the video below


Thursday, March 28, 2024  Burna Boy has hit out at the foreign media for making a story out of his beardless look.

A post shared on TheShadeRoom showed Burna Boy looking different after he shaved his beards.

Comments under the post were brutal as many questioned if Burna is really as young as he claims. Some said he looks old, others said his beard was what made him attractive and with it gone, he isn't desirable. Some even said he looks like Ms. Netta, a popular transgender TikToker.

Burna Boy has now reacted.

He took to his Instagram Stories to call out the foreign blog.

He added that the action of the foreign blog means he now has to apologise to local African blogs he has been calling out for years.

Read his response below.




Friday, March 29, 2024 - The Kisumu County Government under the able leadership of Governor Prof. Anyang Nyongo has resorted to extreme measures to get doctors back to work despite the ongoing strike.

According to reports, a memo from the main hospitals in the county requested their management to conduct a daily roll call for all their doctors.

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital and the Kisumu Referral Hospital cautioned the management of both hospitals to ensure that all their doctors arrived at work.

According to the County, the daily headcount of the doctors at work is aimed at establishing the number of medics who report to work and for the county to take punitive measures against those who fail to report.

Based on the memo, the headcount was expected to start immediately.

Further, Nyongos administration is banking on the courts orders which blocked the doctors from carrying on with their strike until a Dialogue Committee is formed between the doctors union and the government.

However, the doctors have defied the court orders and continued boycotting their places of work, and have continued to take to the streets.

On Tuesday, in an unfruitful meeting that was supposed to be held between the doctors and the government, the Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha failed to show up.

However, in her defence, Nakhumicha stated that the strike and commentary around the strike were sponsored by her political enemies.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, March 29, 2024 - Seasoned TV journalist Yvonne Okwara has reportedly separated from her husband Andrew Matole after being together for 10 years.

According to reliable sources, the two love birds parted ways a month ago.

Word has it that they are no longer living together at their home in the upscale neighbourhood of Loresho.

Although details of what led to their separation are still scanty, sources close to them say they have been having differences for over a year now, mostly because of Matoles cheating behaviours.

Yvonne has also stopped using her husbands sir name Matole when signing in for her Thursday night prime-time news bulletin at Citizen TV.

Additionally, her wedding ring has since disappeared after being a permanent fixture on her left arm for the last 10 years as seen in the photo below.

Matole, a veterinary doctor and the Managing Director at The Andys Veterinary Clinics married Yvonne in 2014 when she was working at KTN.

Their private wedding which was held at Nairobis Crown Hotel was shrouded in controversies.

The low-key invite-only event was attended by a few media and veterinary friends of the couple as they feared some jilted girlfriends and wives storming the event.

They had to change the wedding venues three times after Matoles wife Alice Manyola(pictured) threatened to storm in and disrupt it.

Alice and Andrew had not formally divorced when he married Yvonne Okwara but they were separated after she accused him of being a womanizer.

Andrew and Alice have three children, Linda, Faith and Emmanuel.

Alice even sent emails to Andrews vet colleagues informing them of his philandering ways.

Alice also accused Andrew of siring many kids out of their marriage.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Thursday, March 28, 2024  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.
Friday, March 29, 2024 - A police officer attached to Nominated Senator Joyce Korir was arrested in connection to an incident where a businessman was carjacked and robbed of Sh156,000 in Bureti, Kericho County.

Constable Chamdany Kipkirui was arrested alongside Constable Kipyegon Ngetich, who is attached to Huduma Centre Kapenguria, after investigations linked them to the December 28, 2023 robbery in Bureti Sub-County

The two officers and another member of the public were arrested and detained at Litein Police Station pending further interrogation and identification by the complainant and arraignment.

The complainant, Wesley Kimngeno Tonui, said he was driving from his friends residence around 3pm when his vehicle was blocked by two vehicles, a Toyota Rav4 and a Toyota Axio.

Seven men, three of them armed with pistols, alighted from both vehicles and introduced themselves as police officers.

They then handcuffed and ordered him to board the Rav4 after confiscating his phones.

Two other men boarded his vehicle and all three vehicles were driven towards Bomet via Kaplong direction.

They later stopped at a petrol station where his abductors gave him back his phone and ordered him to pay for fuel.

He managed to disable his vehicle using a car track mobile application.

The car stalled in the middle of the road, prompting his abductors to flee the scene.

The other vehicle took the businessman to the Kiptagich area in Mau Forest where they ordered him to transfer all his money from his bank account to his mobile phone account for easier withdrawal.

He had a total of Sh131,000 which he deposited to his mobile account. He was also ordered to call his friends and relatives who later sent him a total of Sh25,000, a police report reads.

He was then taken to an M-Pesa shop where he was forced to withdraw the cash before being ordered to board a motorcycle to Litein.

The victim reported the matter and investigations were launched.

On Thursday, the two officers and another member of the public, Kipngetich Rono, were arrested and detained at Litein Police Station pending further interrogation and identification by the complainant.

Read the police report below.


















Thursday, March 28, 2024  Two female prison workers who both had inappropriate relationships with the same inmate at the same time have been sentenced.

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 's3xual' 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.

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 s3xually 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.


Thursday, March 28, 2024  A knifeman armed with a huge blade attacked a man inside a train full of shocked passengers.

The man has been left fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed on the train at Beckenham Junction this afternoon, March 27.

Police are still searching for the attacker and have urged witnesses to come forward with information.

Video from the attack 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 the 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.'

The British Transport Police said in a statement: 'Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was seriously injured at Beckenham Junction today.

'At around 3.56pm today (27 March), we received reports of two men fighting while entering a train at Shortlands (railway station). A man sustained serious injuries consistent with being stabbed.

'Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Ambulance Service, and the victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

'Enquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests so far.

'British Transport Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 397 of 27/03/2024.

'Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called today (Wednesday) 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.'

Watch the video via this LINK>>>
In the heart of a bustling hospital, where the relentless pace of saving lives never wanes, lies an unseen battle that rages quietly within the souls of those who care for us. Health care professionals, heralded as heroes, especially in the wake of a global pandemic, face an array of mental health challenges, often overlooked and underaddressed. This article delves into the psychological toll of working in high-stress medical environments and explores viable solutions and support systems designed to bolster the mental well-being of our health care warriors.

The weight of the white coat

The narrative of a health care professional is often punctuated with stories of life and death, of hope and despair. The emotional and physical demands of such a career are unparalleled. Studies have shown that physicians and nurses are at a significantly higher risk for developing mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, compared to the general population. The reasons are manifold: the grief of losing patients, the pressure to make critical decisions swiftly, and the long, erratic hours that encroach upon personal life.

Yet, amidst this storm, the stigma attached to mental health within the medical community itself acts as a formidable barrier to seeking help. Admitting to struggling with mental health issues is frequently seen as a sign of weakness, a blemish on the professional facade that many dare not reveal.

Illuminating the dark: Acknowledging the issue

The first step towards change is recognition. Acknowledging that mental health challenges are a significant issue within the health care profession is crucial. Its about changing the narrative, making it known that its okay not to be okay, even as a health care provider. Institutions like the American Medical Association have begun to shine a light on this issue, advocating for better mental health support for health care workers.

Building bridges: solutions and support systems

Creating a supportive environment where health care professionals can seek help without fear of judgment or repercussions is essential. Here are several strategies that can be implemented:

Peer support groups. Establishing peer support groups within hospitals can provide a safe space for health care professionals to share their experiences and coping strategies.

Access to mental health resources. Ensuring easy access to mental health services, including counseling and therapy, can help health care workers manage stress and emotional exhaustion.

Mindfulness and stress management programs. Integrating mindfulness and stress management workshops into the health care setting can equip professionals with tools to manage stress effectively.

Flexible scheduling. Allowing for more flexible scheduling can help reduce burnout by giving health care workers more control over their work-life balance.

Cultural shift. Perhaps most importantly, there needs to be a cultural shift within the health care industry that normalizes seeking help for mental health issues.

The path forward

The journey to addressing the mental health challenges faced by health care professionals is complex and multifaceted. It requires a concerted effort from individuals, health care institutions, and society at large to create an environment where the mental well-being of health care workers is prioritized alongside physical health.

As we continue to navigate these turbulent times, let us not forget the mental battles fought in silence by those who dedicate their lives to healing others. Its time to extend the same compassion and care to our health care professionals that they tirelessly provide to us. After all, in the grand scheme of health care, mental health is not just a personal issue; its a professional imperative.

Niana Gill is a health care IT consultant.
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Bollywood Actress & Equestrian, Preeti Verma, Recognized by India Book of Records for Exceptional Achievement in Thar Desert Riding



khaskhabar.com : Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:51 AM

Jaipur, Preeti Verma, a Bollywood actress of fame Love Aaj Kal 2, Jaane Khuda; and accomplished equestrian, has been honored by the India Book of Records for her exceptional achievement in completing a grueling 350-kilometer journey through the Thar Desert atop her loyal companion, Basanti. The recognition by the esteemed India Book of Records underscores Verma's position as one of India's foremost female equestrians and a trailblazer in the world of desert safaris. Read More...


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       : RJD 26 , 9    

khaskhabar.com : , 29  2024 12:59 PM
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.
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Vietnams fruit and vegetable export revenue hit 1.25 billion U.S. dollars in the first three months of this year, which is the first time the value exceeded 1 billion dollars right in the first quarter, Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday, citing the General Department of Vietnam Customs.





Staff members pack durians to be exported to China at a durian processing plant in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, on Sept. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali)





The figure has signaled a strong growth of the sector in the future, said the report.





The products export revenue in March alone reached 433 million dollars, a rise of nearly 4 percent year-on-year, according to the department.





China, South Korea, the United States, Thailand and Japan remained the main export markets of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.





According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association, the countrys soaring fruit and vegetable exports in the first quarter contributed to the increase of off-season durians. The surge in Thailands consumption of Vietnamese durians made the country the fourth-largest importer of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.





Vietnams exports of fruit and vegetables are forecast to reach 6.5 billion dollars this year, after setting a record of nearly 5.6 billion dollars in 2023, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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%.
The Reverend Charles Jacob walks down the center aisle at the end of mass, while offering a treat to Alfalfa, owned by Bill Morgan, at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Jamie Patterson of Rocky Hill stands during mass holding her dog Lucy, at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Antonella Ferrera of Hartford, holds her dog Archie, during mass at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Reverend Charles Jacob officiates mass as Alfalfa, owned by Bill Morgan, sits in the aisle, at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Jackson, owned by Sheila Cyr of Tolland, takes in the activities, as the Reverend Charles Jacob officiates mass at Holy Trinity Church in Hartford, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses on, Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Jamie Patterson of Rocky Hill, kneels during mass holding her dog Lucy at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Janet Jenssen, left, of Philadelphia, with her dog Cooper, who came with her friend Lea Tomaszweski of Middletown, while holding her dog Hilli, at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Lisa Silvestri of Wethersfield, holds her dog Bella, during mass at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Jackson, owned by Sheila Cyr of Tolland, takes in the activities during mass at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Sully looks on from the pews at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  It's Palm Sunday at the Holy Trinity Church on Capitol Avenue in Hartford. The Rev. Charles Jacobs is nearing the end of his sermon that begins the most somber week in the Christian calendar.

With just a few minutes to go, some members of the audience begin to bark. Literally.

"Calm down guys, calm down," Jacobs implores the dozen or so vocalizing their impatience. "Come on, the service is almost over."

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After a brief pause, he tells the gathered worshipers that "they want the treats."

And then a few minutes later, the loudmouths walk or are carried down the center aisle with their owners and they get them.

This is not an unusual site at Holy Trinity Church, where all Masses are pet friendly. Most of the time it's dogs, but there is an occasional cat and, more recently, a hamster has been in attendance.

A dog peers out from a pew at Holy Trinity Church in Hartford that offers pet friendly services for all of its Masses on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

The attitude toward pets in the pews is not a popular one among churches, Catholic or otherwise, but Jacobs doesn't worry about that. What he does worry about is keeping his parishioners happy and attracting more of them.

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"I'm looking for ways to bring people back into the church," he said.

The Archdiocese of Hartford did not respond to requests for comment.

The father was the first

Jacobs said he first got the idea years ago when he was bringing his own dog to church for services.

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"I thought if I can do that, it's not fair not to allow them to bring theirs," Jacobs said as he sat in the parish hall, speaking with parishioners and petting their dogs after the service.

Pam Evans of Bolton, smiles as she watches her dog Deja, who is enjoying watching people and other dogs enter the church from the last row, at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

Along the way, Jacobs said, he also realized that people young and old were more likely to attend church if they could bring their pets with them.

Rocky Hill resident Jamie Patterson is among them. She has been bringing dogs to Mass at Holy Trinity for about 20 years. On Palm Sunday, she knelt at the back of the church with 12-year-old Lucy on her knee.

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"It makes it easier for me to come here," said Patterson of her emotional support animal, adding that Lucy seems to know to behave herself in church.

Nearby, Gerry Amodio spent much of the service giving Maxie, who was in the next pew along with another dog named Benji, in front of him, a scratch behind the ears.

"I don't know her but she's good and friendly," Amodio said. "It's great."

Amodio said he learned about the pet friendly services several years ago when they attended a family friend's wedding at Holy Trinity and learned that there was a dog in the wedding party.

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That's when Amodio started making the trip from New Britain with his wife and two dogs  since deceased  to attend services.

"That's what it's about. Just spell dog backwards," Amodio said.

The Reverend Charles Jacobs offers a treat to Milo, as her owner Jacqueline Gagnon of Glastonbury looks on, at the end of mass at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses, on Sunday, March 24,2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

Bolton resident Pam Evans has been bringing her dog Deja, who is 11, since she was a puppy. Deja typically sits in the last pew near the center aisle so she can greet parishioners on their way in.

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"I feel like it makes people more social, Evans said. "Father Jacobs is the best. He makes everyone feel welcome, dogs and people alike."

Another outreach effort

A more recent byproduct of Holy Trinity's welcoming attitude toward animals occurred about three years ago when the nonprofit group Aid a Pet was looking for a new home. The group provides food and veterinary services to lower income  and sometimes homeless  pet owners in an effort to keep the families together.

When Jacobs learned that the group was in search of a new meeting place and storage facility, he invited them to Holy Trinity, where the group hosts monthly events for pet owners in need of help to keep their animals fed and healthy.

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Lea Tomaszewski, a volunteer from Middletown, was there on Palm Sunday with her dogs Cooper and Tilli.

The alter has a dog sculpture in front a cross and a painting of the Last Supper at Holy Trinity Church, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its Masses on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

Tomaszewski, who is coordinator of the veterinary program that works with two clinics in Massachusetts to provide spay, neutering, and other needed services, said Aid a Pet is the only nonprofit that is dedicated to keeping pets and their owners together.

"We help low-income people prevent pet surrenders," Tomaszewski said, adding that they provided goods and services to more than 120 pet owners on Saturday. The group hosts such meetings once a month.

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"Our ethos is just because someone doesn't have money, they shouldn't be denied the love of a dog or cat," she said.

Tomaszewski said the group has a wish list that includes a corporate sponsorship that would help them establish an account with their veterinary partners in order to be able to act more quickly in medical emergencies or for spay and neutering. They would also like help building a new website to compliment their Facebook presence.

Nilsa Ortiz Perez, a volunteer pet pantry coordinator, said she got involved with the group because she's always loved animals and when it found a new home in her church, she immediately wanted to help.

It's different than all the other programs. It helps people keep their pets," she said. "No one wants to leave their pet. They are family.

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Perez said they usually serve between 125 and 150 pet owners a month and that the most popular items are dry cat and dog food, kitty litter, and pet toys.

As for the most unusual requests for pets, Ortiz listed turtles, hamsters, Guinea pigs, and ferrets.

Aid a Pet founder Lorie Reardon said the community the organization serves literally has no resources for animal care, so they pay back by volunteering at the pet pantry.

"Since the pantry officially opened at Holy Trinity Church in January 2021, a creation of community volunteers formed," she said, adding that the volunteers come together several times a month to prepare for distribution day, form new friendships, improve communication skills, and learn how to better care for pets.

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Jackson, right, owned by Sheila Cyr of Tolland, and another dog, watch as the Rev. Charles Jacobs officiates mass at Holy Trinity Church in Hartford, the church offers pet friendly services for all of its masses on, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Hartford. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

Last week the pet pantry also received a surprise gift from a woman who died and left a $10,000 endowment to the pantry.

"This endowment creates a sense of security for Aid a Pet and those we serve. The demands of the program is at an all-time high due to the increased cost of food and medical care." Reardon said. "This generous gift will allow us to meet this demand and help so many more."

Happy Valentine's Day. Love, the hamster

Jacobs said he too has received gifts as a result of hosting pet-friendly services.

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"This is the first year I ever got a Valentine's Day card from a hamster," he said.

Mary Eudy tries to bring her dwarf hamster, named Patrick-Joseph-Francis, from her home in New Britain to Holy Trinity once a week as long as it isn't too cold.

"I'm so grateful and blessed that I can bring him," she said. "There are so many people who are horrified about bringing animals to church."

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Eudy said dwarf hamsters usually only live to be 2 and that he is already 2, so she's preparing for the day when she won't have him.
Contractors could be seen Thursday cleaning up a home on Deerfoot Way, two months after a homicide and arson took place there.

The home located at 3909 Deerfoot Way has not been demolished or cleaned up since Jan. 19 when firefighters found David Strumpf, 58, dead inside the garage.

The City of Columbia's Housing and Neighborhood Services sent a nuisance letter to the owner of the home, saying the structure is dangerous and constitutes a health and safety hazard.

Strumpf's son, Steven Strumpf, allegedly stabbed his father in the neck before he set fire and burned the body, according to previous KOMU 8 reporting. The fire spread from the attached garage to the house and attic above.

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Steven Strumpf, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree arson, armed criminal action and fraudulent use of credit/debit device.

The city's letter, dated March 15 and addressed to David Strumpf, says a city inspector visited the property on Feb. 27 and determined the property is in violation of city ordinances.

It also says the property must be boarded up within 12 days of receipt of the letter, which was Wednesday, March 27. An application for restoration work or demolition must be submitted by April 8, and all repairs should be completed by Sept. 9.

Online court records show an order was issued Feb. 2, appointing Susan Burkhart a representative of the estate. Jones, Powell and Stevens serves as an attorney for the estate.
From left to right, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer are pictured.
Barclays ETN+ FI Enhanced Europe 50 ETN Series C (NYSEARCA:FFEU  Get Free Report) rose 0.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $90.85 and last traded at $90.85. Approximately 300 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 2,403 shares. The stock had previously closed at $90.42.

Barclays ETN+ FI Enhanced Europe 50 ETN Series C Stock Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $90.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $90.85.

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Brave Asset Management Inc. lessened its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 6.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,799 shares of the companys stock after selling 126 shares during the quarter. Brave Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,049,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. JGP Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. JGP Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,843 shares of the companys stock worth $1,074,000 after buying an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 951 shares of the companys stock worth $511,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 621 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 623 shares of the companys stock worth $335,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 1,280 shares of the companys stock worth $688,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

NYSE LLY traded down $0.22 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $777.96. The company had a trading volume of 3,185,016 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,236,305. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The stock has a market cap of $739.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 134.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.34. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $730.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $637.01. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $334.58 and a fifty-two week high of $800.78.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.09 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total transaction of $21,821,453.78. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,719,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. DZ Bank downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $815.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $805.00 to $950.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $689.52.

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Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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H.B. Fuller (NYSE:FUL  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Wednesday. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.03, Briefing.com reports. The company had revenue of $810.42 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $823.04 million. H.B. Fuller had a return on equity of 12.97% and a net margin of 4.39%. H.B. Fullers quarterly revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.55 EPS. 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 Stock Performance

H.B. Fuller stock traded down $2.84 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $79.74. 757,823 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 264,586. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.26. The firms 50 day moving average price is $78.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $75.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.52. H.B. Fuller has a 1 year low of $62.57 and a 1 year high of $84.31.

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H.B. Fuller Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th were paid a dividend of $0.205 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 6th. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. H.B. Fullers payout ratio is presently 29.82%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

FUL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and issued a $80.00 target price on shares of H.B. Fuller in a report on Friday, January 19th. Vertical Research assumed coverage on H.B. Fuller in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $88.00 price objective on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on H.B. Fuller from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised H.B. Fuller from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, H.B. Fuller has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $84.20.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on FUL

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Muhammad Shahbaz Malik sold 14,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total value of $1,067,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 9,089 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $693,308.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other H.B. Fuller news, VP Muhammad Shahbaz Malik sold 14,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total transaction of $1,067,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 9,089 shares of the companys stock, valued at $693,308.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Heather Campe sold 3,450 shares of H.B. Fuller stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.83, for a total value of $265,063.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 19,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,516,316.88. 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 quarter. 1.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of H.B. Fuller

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in H.B. Fuller by 25.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 425,162 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $29,170,000 after purchasing an additional 85,716 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in H.B. Fuller by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 999,922 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $68,445,000 after buying an additional 55,005 shares in the last quarter. Luminus Management LLC purchased a new stake in H.B. Fuller in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $3,396,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in H.B. Fuller by 150.1% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 34,336 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,455,000 after buying an additional 20,608 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky purchased a new position in shares of H.B. Fuller during the 3rd quarter worth $996,000. 95.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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Brave Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,742 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 44 shares during the quarter. Brave Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $743,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the first quarter worth $25,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter worth $27,000. Bollard Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the second quarter worth $29,000. Barometer Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard in the third quarter worth $38,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Mastercard from $530.00 to $545.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Mastercard from $425.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Mastercard from $490.00 to $530.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Mastercard from $432.00 to $499.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Tigress Financial increased their price objective on Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $479.62.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mastercard news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total value of $43,072.96. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,740,407.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 200 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $487.25, for a total value of $97,450.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 97,543,308 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $47,527,976,823. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total value of $43,072.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at $2,740,407.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 50,628 shares of company stock valued at $23,309,067. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

Mastercard stock traded up $3.62 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $481.57. 2,207,475 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,443,068. The company has a market capitalization of $449.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.08. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $464.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $426.46. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $355.82 and a 1 year high of $490.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $6.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.46 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 191.22% and a net margin of 44.60%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.65 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.35 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 8th. Mastercards payout ratio is 22.32%.

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 5th that permits the company to repurchase $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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.

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McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 7.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,296 shares of the energy producers stock after acquiring an additional 573 shares during the quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $963,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Bayesian Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 2nd quarter worth $5,592,000. Guidance Capital Inc. bought a new position in ConocoPhillips in the 2nd quarter worth $599,000. Bollard Group LLC boosted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 130,043 shares of the energy producers stock worth $13,474,000 after buying an additional 1,233 shares during the period. Capital Investment Counsel Inc bought a new position in ConocoPhillips in the 3rd quarter worth $228,000. Finally, Columbia Trust Co 01012016 boosted its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Columbia Trust Co 01012016 now owns 9,463 shares of the energy producers stock worth $1,098,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.36% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

COP has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $153.00 to $141.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 8th. Johnson Rice downgraded shares of ConocoPhillips from an accumulate rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $138.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $152.00 to $133.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $135.35.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other ConocoPhillips news, EVP Nicholas G. Olds sold 12,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.44, for a total value of $1,536,246.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 14,522 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,836,161.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, CFO William L. Jr. Bullock sold 45,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, March 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.32, for a total transaction of $5,574,064.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 44,153 shares in the company, valued at $5,444,947.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Nicholas G. Olds sold 12,150 shares of ConocoPhillips stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.44, for a total transaction of $1,536,246.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,522 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,836,161.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 700,775 shares of company stock valued at $87,615,169. Insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock.

ConocoPhillips Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE COP traded up $0.44 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $127.28. 4,615,209 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,775,693. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $113.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $116.08. ConocoPhillips has a one year low of $95.70 and a one year high of $128.64. The company has a market cap of $149.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 1.23.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The energy producer reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.32. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 18.71% and a return on equity of 22.08%. The firm had revenue of $15.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.47 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.71 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that ConocoPhillips will post 8.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 19th were issued a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.45%. This is a boost from ConocoPhillipss previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.61%.

ConocoPhillips Profile

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.

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Shares of Nektan PLC (LON:NKTN  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 0.85 ($0.01) and traded as low as GBX 0.85 ($0.01). Nektan shares last traded at GBX 0.85 ($0.01), with a volume of 104 shares traded.

Nektan Trading Down 96.5 %

The company has a market cap of 2.10 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.13. The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 0.85 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 0.85.

Nektan Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nektan plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides B2B gaming solutions and services in Gibraltar, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and internationally. The company provides Evolve, a white label casino technology platform that manages the casino operator experience, including back-office operations.

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UWM Holdings Co. (NYSE:UWMC  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $7.20 and last traded at $7.21. Approximately 563,993 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 58% from the average daily volume of 1,347,626 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.43.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UWMC has been the topic of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of UWM in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a hold rating and a $6.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a sell rating and set a $4.00 price target on shares of UWM in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered shares of UWM from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $6.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $5.59.

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UWM Stock Up 0.6 %

The stock has a market cap of $685.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -37.95 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $6.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.08.

UWM (NYSE:UWMC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.26). The firm had revenue of ($114.58) million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $402.14 million. UWM had a return on equity of 2.45% and a net margin of 0.79%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that UWM Holdings Co. will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current year.

UWM Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 19th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.51%. UWMs payout ratio is presently -210.53%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Nuveen Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of UWM by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 221,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,582,000 after acquiring an additional 1,584 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of UWM by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 496,610 shares of the companys stock worth $2,781,000 after acquiring an additional 1,684 shares in the last quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC grew its stake in shares of UWM by 10.5% in the 4th quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 22,438 shares of the companys stock worth $160,000 after acquiring an additional 2,140 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of UWM by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 14,820 shares of the companys stock worth $107,000 after acquiring an additional 2,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of UWM by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 54,741 shares of the companys stock worth $392,000 after acquiring an additional 2,344 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.59% of the companys stock.

About UWM

(Get Free Report)

UWM Holdings Corporation engages in the residential mortgage lending business in the United States. The company offers mortgage loans through wholesale channel. It originates primarily conforming and government loans. UWM Holdings Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan.

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YBO - Chairman of the Yen Bai provincial People's Committee Tran Huy Tuan hosted a local reception for Vice Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam Cherrie Russel and a working delegation from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

Tuan said Yen Bai boasts abundant natural resources, vast land potential, climate and soil conditions conducive to agricultural development, rich forest resources and diverse mineral reserves, including significant quantities of limestone and other minerals.





Yen Bai is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, distinctive cultural heritage of ethnic minority groups and favourable conditions to develop various forms of tourism products. The province benefits from ample workforce, low labour costs, affordable land rental, and relatively low infrastructure costs.





In 2022, Yen Bais Public Administration Reform (PAR) Index reached 86.77 points, ranking 14th out of the 63 cities and provinces, up seven spots compared to 2021. The Satisfaction Index of Public Administrative Services (SIPAS) stood at 83.87%, ranking 11th out of the 63 cities and provinces, up 3 places from 2021. Its Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) scored 41.8315 points, placing the locality in the "High Average" group.





Yen Bai also places a significant emphasis on environmental protection, inviting investors and enterprises to create a clean environment by building facilities such as biomass and solar power plants.





In particular, Yen Bai stands out as the first locality nationwide to incorporate the happiness index into the Party Congress resolution and outline various solutions to realise and improve the happiness index for its citizens, he said.





The host wished that in the coming time, the Australian Embassy will assist Yen Bai in programmes and projects using official development assistance and non-governmental organisation (NGO) funds in the fields of agricultural and rural infrastructure, disaster resilience, basic healthcare service systems, and urban wastewater treatment facilities.





He said Yen Bai hopes that the Australian investors will explore and collaborate on opportunities in key sectors for local development, such as hi-tech and eco-friendly agricultural and forestry processing, services, and tourism infrastructure.





Lecturer from the Vietnam - Australia Centre shares knowledge about leadership skills to officials in Project 11 class.







Regarding educational cooperation, he proposed that the Australian Embassy allocate short-term scholarships to Yen Bai residents to attend training courses in Australia, and offer continued training to local officials and personnel through the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Vietnam - Australia Centre in the near future.





Russel, in her second visit to Yen Bai, said she was deeply impressed by the province's inclusion of the happiness index in the Party Congress resolution.





She said the friendly and cooperative ties between the Vietnamese and Australian Governments lay an important foundation to further boost all-around cooperation in the future. The diplomat expressed a desire to continue supporting and collaborating with Yen Bai in digital transformation, education, health care, transportation, and gender equality, along with the Australian Government.





The same day, the provincial Political School, in collaboration with the International Cooperation Department of the Vietnam - Australia Centre at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, opened a training course on enhancing strategic leadership skills in public administration for 50 officials from the provincial Party Committee in Project 11 class.




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.


The chief of an Indonesian aerospace company involved in the joint KF-21 fighter jet development project has visited Korea, officials said Friday, amid a probe over an employee of the company allegedly stealing data on the program.

Gita Amperiawan, CEO of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), arrived in the country Thursday for a two-day trip to visit the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), according to the officials at DAPA and KAI.

The visit took place as police are investigating the PTDI engineer's alleged attempt to take technologies related to the project at KAI's headquarters in Sacheon, 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in January.

PTDI has dispatched engineers to KAI, the manufacturer of the KF-21, after Indonesia agreed to take part in the project launched in 2015 to develop the advanced supersonic fighter by 2026.

A DAPA official said Amperiawan made the visit for talks on the joint development project but did not provide details. A KAI official also confirmed the visit, noting that it took place for discussions on future cooperation on the project.

Jakarta's commitment to the program has been called into question over the years as it has failed to make timely contributions to the project despite agreeing to shoulder about 20 percent of the project's cost of 8.1 trillion won ($6 billion) through 2026. (Yonhap)
Lineup for IT'S A FEST! 2024 announced





By Jon Dunbar

It's been over 15 years since Trash and Jeff Moses got married, and started the melodic punk band that would become known as ...Whatever That Means (WTM). It's also been 10 years since they released their second full-length album, "Sixty-Eight, Twenty-Two," and it's been five years since they founded IT'S A FEST! (IAF), a music festival at Incheon's Hanagae Beach.

They're busy celebrating all these feats together, having just announced the lineup for IAF 2024, and preparing for an anniversary show this weekend with Japanese band The Dahlia.

"I cant believe how much time has passed. I remember when we were just getting started back in 2009/2010, the Geeks celebrated their 10th anniversary and I was like, 'Wow. I cant imagine being in a band for 10 years,' but now here we are," Jeff told The Korea Times. "Just being in a band for 15 years, there are so many memories attached to the whole thing. Writing music together, touring, way too many late nights out after shows, lots of highs and lows with the things we hoped to accomplish, members coming and going..."

Originally started by Jeff with some friends visiting temporarily for the wedding, Trash soon joined her husband later playing bass. Then in 2014 they added Bialy on guitar for a one-week tour to Malaysia and Singapore.

"That was supposed to be it, but we were very fortunate that he chose to stay on after that. So the three of us have been through a lot together," Jeff said. "I think WTM has famously gone through a lot of members over the years, but weve been blessed to have a solid core of members for the last 10 years."

The position behind the drums has always been more of a revolving door for them, but they're hoping that will change with Hwangyong, who joined the band a little over a year ago.

For the show this Saturday, Jeff said they'll play their longest set ever, going for more than an hour and playing 20 songs. He said they will play the entirety of the "Sixty-Eight, Twenty-Two" album, "plus a few really really old school songs we haven't played since our 10th anniversary show."

WTM will be joined this Saturday by the longlived Korean streetpunk band Rux and hardcore band Geeks, as well as Long Time No Shit and Busan punk band Stoned.

As well, The Dahlia will be flying in from Japan for this show.

"Theyre a great punk rock band with so much energy. Theyve got a killer frontwoman and put on a really fun show," Jeff said. "Theyre also way younger than us. These days, theres a really limited amount of new, young punk rock bands here in Korea, so its good to see that there is still a new younger generation of punk bands coming up."

Jeff said they crossed paths with The Dahlia while on tour in Japan last April, and they played more shows together on WTM's second 2023 Japan tour in December.

Meanwhile, Jeff and Trash are working hard to hold the third edition of the festival, which will last for three days from June 14 to 16.

"The format is exactly the same as last year. Well be doing an acoustic night on the beach Friday night as a sort of soft opening. That was a new addition last year, but everyone had a great time, so we decided to stick with it. The main fest will be Saturday and Sunday. KraemerLee will be back slinging beers, and were hoping to have a couple food trucks come to the festival this year to help offer fest-goers some more variety throughout the weekend. But yeah, overall, should be the same great weekend-long beach party punk rock festival," Jeff said.

This year's IAF has three overseas bands, plus 15 local acts playing various styles of punk, hardcore, reggae and ska. The three visiting bands are familiar faces in the Korean scene  Malaysian skate punk band Iman's League who will be making their seventh visit to Korea, and Japanese bands the Skippers and Tortionals.

The headlining acts are local, though. The Geeks will play last on Saturday night. "The Geeks have been the kings of Korean hardcore for more than two decades now, and I cant wait to see them under the lights on the beach Saturday night," Jeff said. "Although, I am a little worried about all the people who tend to wear sandals to the festival  please, bring a pair of close-toed shoes for when the Geeks play!"

And ska-punk band No.1 Korean will close the festival on Sunday, a role that was played last year by Crying Nut.

"We always try to have a really classic Hongdae band close out the festival," Jeff said. "Its a fun way to finish out the weekend and feels like a good way to pay homage to the scene that we love."

Another important band on the schedule is Rux. "Jonghee is the godfather of the Korean punk scene, so it only made sense that we had to have them on the IAF! lineup eventually," Jeff said.

He said that one of the personal highlights for him will be Full Garage, a melodic punk band that has been on hiatus for several years. "Ive asked them to play IAF! every year, but they were on a prolonged hiatus," he said. "When I asked this year, I was really happy to finally get the answer Ive been waiting for."

This year's lineup is notably different from last year's, and Jeff confirmed this was intentional.

"There are five bands on this years lineup that played last year, so thats almost a third of the lineup, and that feels about right," he said. "We want to make sure we dont have the same lineup every year, so we decided that we wouldnt book bands more than two years in a row unless there was a real need to do so. Thats why we didnt book bands like Burning Hepburn, Smoking Goose and WinningShot this year but will probably call them again next year. Thats why TwoFive, Beacon and End These Days wont get booked next year. The only real exception to the rule is Whatever That Means because Trash and I are the ones who put the festival together, so we feel fine breaking that rule for ourselves."

The lineup is rounded out with End These Days, Monkey Gang War, TwoFive, Pogo Attack, the Reseters, Beacon, Long Time No Shit, Sweet Gasoline, Idiots and Tom Tom Tom.

"Were really happy with how the lineup turned out this year. It does feel more diverse, but we feel like were still representing some of the best old and new bands in the scene," Jeff said.

"All the main planning is set. The bands are booked. The merch is designed. The store is open for reservations. There are still a lot of little details to figure out. Were putting together the volunteer staff and prepping for actually managing the festival throughout the weekend. Right now, the biggest thing is just waiting for people to make bungalow reservations and order festival merch so that we can actually afford to pay for this thing."

He explained that the festival raises funds for IAF through bungalow rentals and merch.

"We dont have any government or corporate backers, so 100 percent of the money comes from selling pension and bungalow rental packages and festival merch packages," he said. "Trash and I cover whatever leftover costs there are out of our own personal finances. Were happy to do it because we love running IAF!, but we hope to find some financial sponsors for the future that will make it much easier to cover the budget, bring over a bigger headliner, and just grow the festival in general."

Visit wdikorea.com/itsafest for more information.
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%.
When IVE made their debut, fans and netizens were quick to critique the styling choices, particularly after Jang Wonyoung stood out prominently in white while the other members donned black attire.

Responding to the initial criticisms, the team behind IVE's styling made significant changes that garnered positive feedback from netizens.

The new outfits showcased a sense of unity among the members while still allowing each idol's unique personality to shine through.

Recent Controversy Over Yujin's Look

However, despite the overall positive reception, a recent look worn by Yujin sparked debate among fans.

Some fans felt that her styling and accessories were less elaborate compared to the rest of the group, leading to discussions about fairness in styling distribution.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: IVE Jang Wonyoung & Ahn Yujin Accused of Favoritism - K-Netz Defend The Idols

Defensive Fans' Reactions

Following IVE's world tour performance in Rosemont on March 27, the group's Twitter account shared photos of the members in customized looks featuring various accessories, colors, and textures.

Idk why people and even fans keep saying the members dont have any right to make decision, did they even watch ive on? Theres a lot of part when they introduce the hairstyle they wanted to do. https://t.co/gaPcU4GufL pic.twitter.com/Bt5FawLyYG March 27, 2024

Please treat yujin better and for what? If she wanted ribbons and clips she will ask them herself yall there were many stops she did bows, clips and ribbons she just likes her bob simple. Calm down https://t.co/AgrNYPb7xi  nettie  AnYujin psych ward (@hexhezz) March 27, 2024

been trying not to say anything about this cause its all really stupid but haven't we already established that the girls actively choose their own hairstyles??? y'all doing the most over their own choices.... https://t.co/AuQJeWsyfy  lurkeryuyu  (@lurkeryuyu) March 28, 2024

While many fans marveled at the idols' beauty, comments about Yujin's comparatively simpler styling gained attention.

Although these comments didn't generate significant interactions, fans swiftly came to IVE's defense, pointing out the numerous posts praising the group's overall styling decisions.

the comments and when u guys find out that yujins the one that prefers a more minimal style then what? yall are embarrassing her for what https://t.co/JXHkQ0Qcor  jas  (@fruitypinks) March 27, 2024

Netizens emphasized IVE's autonomy in their styling choices and highlighted Yujin's preference for minimalistic looks, advocating for respect towards the idols' individual style preferences.

In recent news, IVE's Yujin garnered attention at Milan Fashion Week for her stunning appearance at Fendi's show, hailed for her beauty and suitability as the brand's ambassador.

However, her mature makeup and hairstyle sparked mixed reactions, with some feeling it made her resemble an "ahjumma" or middle-aged woman, leading to divided opinions among fans and observers.

YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: IVE Ahn Yujin Trends on Social Media for Captivating Visuals, Short Hair: 'She's my wife, y'all'

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
The view looking north up East Ave., currently closed to traffic in the East Norwalk neighborhood of Norwalk, Conn. March 27, 2024. The road is expected to reopen on Friday night. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media The view looking north up East Ave., currently closed to traffic in the East Norwalk neighborhood of Norwalk, Conn. March 27, 2024. The road is expected to reopen on Friday night. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media The view looking south down East Ave., currently closed to traffic in the East Norwalk neighborhood of Norwalk, Conn. March 27, 2024. The road is expected to reopen on Friday night. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

The work has been progressing well, and weve received positive feedback from the public during construction, said Josh Morgan, a spokesperson from Connecticuts Department of Transportation. We expect to be able to open East Avenue Friday night. Regular train service from the East Norwalk station will resume on Monday morning.

The East Norwalks train station was closed for three weeks while crews worked to install a new underdrain system under its northern parking lot.

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While the station was closed, CDOT coordinated with Frontier to remove fiber cables under the rail bridge on East Avenue. This project was expected to take eight weeks, but it was completed in three weeks with the road being fully closed off.

Later in the summer, the East Norwalk train station is anticipated to close again for three weeks so work can begin on replacing the East Norwalk platforms.

These projects are part of the improvements to the rail system funded with the $1 billion Walk Bridge replacement project.

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While the train station was closed, rail commuters were encouraged to use the South Norwalk train station and the Westport train station. Norwalk Transit District provided a free shuttle to the Sono station, and the parking authority honored all East Norwalk parking pass holders at the Sono garage.

Amidst a challenge posed by the temporary closure, our staff was out in force to assist local commuters, said Bryan Lutz, Norwalks assistant director of parking, during the Parking Authority meeting Wednesday. We collaborated closely with the DOT and the transit district to ensure a seamless experience for those inconvenienced by the closure.

Lutz said 98 East Norwalk parking pass holders were parking at the South Norwalk train station garage.
In an online community, netizens accused K-Media of "media playing" ILLIT using NewJeans.

Here's what they're saying.

K-Media Accused of Media Playing ILLIT Using NewJeans

ILLIT is taking the internet by storm, as they are one of the most highly anticipated K-pop debuts this 2024. The girl group was formed through "R U Next?," a survival reality show that aired from June 30, 2023, to September 1, 2023, on JTBC.

On March 25, ILLIT, composed of members Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha, finally debuted with their first mini album "Super Real Me" and its catchy title track "Magnetic."

Many fans raised their support for the girl group, and many have expressed their excitement for what's to come. However, some netizens weren't happy with ILLIT's reception.

On March 28, netters gathered in an online community, titled, "I'm Disgusted With The Way ILLIT is Media Playing Using NewJeans."

OP shared several captions from outlets that referred ILLIT as NewJeans' "younger sister group." The author then elaborated the similarities of the groups, including their concept and choreography.

Fans are showing their discontent at the media calling ILLIT "NewJeans' little sisters"https://t.co/PGtND1WSsQ pic.twitter.com/Gh9Lyr4BQL  pannchoa (@pannchoa) March 28, 2024 Translation: "NewJeans' younger sister group ILLIT, shocking real-life fancam. The ILLIT members on their way to a radio schedule." Translation: "NewJeans' younger sister group's hot debut! ILLIT's Magnetic." "The concept of NewJeans is subtly copied and both domestic and international fans are talking about it. Their choreography even looks like NewJeans' and LE SSERFAIM's to the point where people wonder if they're trying to target them. Despite being older on average, they're being media-played as the younger sister group of NewJeans. Even though they're from the same label, the producers are different, yet they shamelessly imitate the successful girl group's unique concept and skills, aiming to gain attention and ride on their popularity. Fans are vehemently denying any similarities, but in every comment section related to ILLIT, there are talks in Korean, English, and Japanese about NewJeans. So, you guys are still claiming that this wasn't done on purpose?"

Here's how fans reacted to the claims:

"They are ENHYPEN's little sisters, what NewJeans' little sisters?"

"Agree. NewJeans' little sisters will be made by Min Heejin and will debut under ADOR. They are really trying to use all means to make them famous. I'm getting turned off."

"And they are the ones going around hating on NewJeans."

"ILLIT and RIIZE are both cheap copies of NewJeans."

"They are trying to attack since there were talks about them being the NewJeans' dupes. the survival show flopped so they are trying to gain recognition."

Meanwhile, some defended ILLIT from the comments.

"It's not like ILLIT chose their own concept lol. Also, I feel like ILLIT's concept is "brighter" than NewJeans concept. But we can't deny their concept is highly influenced by them."

"I mean when new jeans debuted, the media kept referring to them as 'BTS's younger sister' so this narrative isn't really surprising."

"Any NewJeans fan complaining just screams hypocrisy."

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz owns this article

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: HYBE's ILLIT Logo Teaser Causes Massive Uproar Among Netizens - 'Honestly these girls...'

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
A Chinese MY (aespa's fan base) has begged Giselle to not date an ugly man during a fan call.

It's only the first half of 2024, and yet the K-pop and K-drama industries have seen several couples confirm their relationship. Recently, TWICE's Jihyo was linked to Olympian athlete Yun Sung Bin. Within fourth-generation idols, Karina confirmed she was dating actor Lee Jae Wook.

As more idol relationships are confirmed, fans are openly talking to their idols about their future significant others.

Fan Begs aespa Giselle to Not Date an 'Ugly Man'

On March 28, 2024, a Chinese fan shared a screen recording of her fan call with aespa's Giselle on Weibo.

In the video, she is seen holding a sign in Korean for the idol to read. As Giselle tries to read her message, the fan can be heard saying in English, "Don't look for ugly men. Look for (a) handsome one, okay?"

Hearing this, Giselle burst out laughing. At Giselle's reaction, the fan is heard saying, "Oh, please!", in Korean.

Giselle then reads the fan's letter aloud, laughing as she finishes reading it. At the end, Giselle leans back and looks into the camera, nodding her head and saying, "Okay!", in Korean.

The fan can also be heard saying, "Yes, yes," as Giselle reads the sign.

giselles reaction to a fan asking her to not date ugly men  pic.twitter.com/Juijl5d8oi March 28, 2024



This is not the first time a K-pop idol has been asked to not date an ugly man. Earlier this month, a video of (G)I-DLE's Miyeon being asked to read a placard with the words "Please don't date an ugly man" went viral on X (formerly Twitter).

In the video, Miyeon can be seen bursting into laughter after reading the message. She reassured her fans, saying, "Okay! Don't worry!"

          pic.twitter.com/5tY7qSYkn5 March 24, 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (G)I-DLE Miyeon Has Hilarious Reaction to Fan Pleading Her Not to Date 'Ugly' Man: 'Don't Worry...'

As the fan continued to beg in broken Korean to not date an ugly man, Miyeon shook her head to say she would not be dating an ugly man.

K-Netz Reacts to aespa Giselle Being Asked to Not Date an 'Ugly' Man

On March 29, 2024, a post titled "This meme went to aespa in the end" was uploaded to a well-known South Korean online community forum. The original poster (OP) shared a screenshot of Giselle from the fan call as she read the note.

Reactions to the fan call were mixed. Many believed that the fan talking to Giselle was shading Karina's boyfriend, Lee Jae Wook, and defended the actor. Many stated the actor is good-looking, so there is no way he is one of the "ugly" men the fan is referring to.

Instead, it is believed the meme came about after Han So Hee confirmed she was dating actor Ryu Jun Yeol.

While some found it funny and shrugged it off as a casual meme, others believed the fan should have more tact, especially since Giselle's co-member recently confirmed their relationship.

Some comments read,

"Huh? Are people saying this meme came out because of Karina? Wasn't it because of Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol? Seriously, Lee Jae Wook and Ahn Bo Hyun aren't ugly enough to get mixed opinions."

"Wow, they have no tact."

"Do people really think Karina's boyfriend is ugly? I was obsessed with Lee Jae Wook when I watched 'Alchemy of Souls' though, especially during the first season. He's 187cm tall, has the perfect age gap with Karina, and I really think that they look good together, but... For commoners, they are just a couple of handsome and pretty people, and I understand the feeling of real fans who spend someone, but someone's image with the general public is important, right? Karina should also date while she's so pretty. It's not like they were showing off their relationship, but they got so much hate. I don't know if it's only her fans, but all of Karina's fansite masters think like that."

"Lee Jae Wook was never considered ugly, so why are people talking about him in the comments? Wasn't the meme from Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol's dating scandal? Why randomly mention Lee Jae Wook?"

"Isn't it just a meme everyone has been showing idols recently? It's not because of Karina and Lee Jae Wook, so why even mention them?"

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
Police and news media gather outside the Anytime Fitness gym on Kennedy Road in Windsor Friday. Massachusetts State Police said authorities apprehended a man suspected of stealing a car in Chicopee, Mass., earlier that morning that had a 3-year-old boy in it. Eric Bedner/Hearst Connecticut Media Vadim Vorobyov, 52, of Springfield, Mass., was arrested March 29 and charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree larceny, first-degree reckless endangerment, and risk of injury to a child. State Police/Contributed Photo Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor Friday. A 3-year-old child, who was inside a Toyota Camry stolen in Massachusetts, was found safe at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor, police said. Dave Zajac / Hearst Connecticut Media A police vehicle parked in front of Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor Friday. A 3-year-old child who was inside a Toyota Camry stolen in Massachusetts was found safe at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor, police said. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A police vehicle parked in front of Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor Friday. A 3-year-old child who was inside a Toyota Camry stolen in Massachusetts was found safe at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor, police said. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Sudhir Shrestha, general manager, shows security camera footage of the parking lot of Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor Friday. A 3-year-old child who was inside a Toyota Camry stolen in Massachusetts was found safe at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor, police said. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Security camera footage shows a red Camry entering the parking lot of Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor Friday. A 3-year-old child who was inside a Toyota Camry stolen in Massachusetts was found safe at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor, police said. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media A 3-year-old child who was inside a Toyota Camry stolen in Massachusetts was found safe at the Rodeway Inn and Suites in East Windsor, police said. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Anytime Fitness in Windsor Friday, where police found a suspect they say stole a car in Massachusetts that had a 3-year-old child in it. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

EAST WINDSOR  A 3-year-old boy was found safe at a local hotel Friday morning after an Amber Alert was issued when he was taken inside a car stolen from Massachusetts, police said.

"A very good ending this time. Very thankful it happened this way," Connecticut State Police Master Sgt. Matt Asselin said.

"You definitely have to be careful of everything. You never know where bad people are and you always have to watch out for your children," Asselin said at a news conference Friday afternoon in Chicopee, Mass.

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Connecticut State Police said Vadim Vorobyov, 52, of Springfield, Mass., has been charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree larceny, first-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child. He was held in lieu of $2 million bond and will be arraigned Monday in state Superior Court in Hartford.

According to police and video footage, the suspected car thief removed the child from the car and left him in the parking lot of the Rodeway Inn in East Windsor. A hotel guest found the boy who was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but did not appear to be injured, police said.

After dropping off the boy, Vorobyov drove about eight minutes away and left the vehicle in a shopping plaza near a Dollar Tree and he was later located inside the store, police said.

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Police said Vorobyov did not appear to have any relation to the child, and it was unclear whether he knew the child was in the car when he stole it. Officials estimated he was driving the vehicle with the child inside for about 35 minutes.

Massachusetts State Police said Vorobyov stole the red 2021 Toyota Camry around 8:50 a.m. in Chicopee, a city just north of Springfield.

Police said the vehicle was recorded a short time later by a license plate reader traveling south on Interstate 91 near Exit 49, at which point Connecticut State Police and other local law enforcement agencies were advised of the situation.

In the meantime, detectives began searching video from Chicopee's surveillance cameras around the time the vehicle was stolen, police said. Detectives observed the suspect in the area of the vehicle and saw it being driven away a short time later, they said.

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Asselin said the communication from Massachusetts about the incident was "seamless." He said the agency received the alert about the vehicle being in Windsor and troopers and local officers converged on the area.

"It's a team effort. Any time a child's abducted, we're going to pull out all stops to get the kid," Asselin said Friday.

Surveillance footage provided by the Rodeway Inn showed the Toyota Camry pulling into the parking lot before going to the back of the building.

The driver was seen on the video getting out of the car, walking to the other side and letting the child out. The man then got back into the car and drove away, leaving the child alone in the parking lot, the video shows.

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The child was then seen in the parking lot alone before a guest of the inn who was walking his dog approached him.

However, police were not notified for about an hour because the guest thought the child was with a group staying at the inn, Rodeway Inn General Manager Sudhir Shrestha said.

The guest contacted the front desk, which then contacted police, Shrestha said, adding that he was surprised the child was friendly with everyone immediately.

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In a Facebook post, East Windsor police said they were "relieved to share" that the boy had been found safe and that the suspect was in custody.
PNN

New Delhi [India], March 29: ALC Group, in collaboration with I Am Still Human NGO, proudly organized a blood donation camp at District One, Sector 68, Mohali on 27th March 2024. The event commenced at 9:30 AM and garnered a remarkable turnout of over 150 attendees, including esteemed personalities from the armed forces and various organizations.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Death: Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Seeks High-Level Probe Into Death of Jailed Gangster-Turned-Politician.

Lieutenant General (Dr) KJ Singh (Retd) PVSM, AVSM & Bar, Former Western Army Commander and Advisor to the Government of Haryana, inaugurated the blood donation camp, emphasizing the significance of supporting the Indian Army through such noble initiatives. Colonel Manvinder Singh (Retd) also graced the occasion, further inspiring the attendees.

Expressing his appreciation for the collaborative efforts, Lt Gen (Dr) KJ Singh (Retd) stated, "It's heartening to witness the unwavering support demonstrated by ALC Group and I Am Still Human NGO through initiatives like the 17th blood donation camp. Such acts of selflessness resonate deeply with the spirit of service ingrained in our armed forces. I commend all the donors and organizers for their dedication towards the welfare of our soldiers."

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Rajesh Arora, Chairman of ALC Group said, "As Chairman of ALC Group, I am deeply honoured to be part of this initiative supporting our Indian Army. It is heartening to witness the outpouring of generosity from our community as we come together to offer this vital lifeline through blood donation. Our soldiers dedicate their lives to protecting our nation, and it is our duty to stand by them in times of need."

The highlight of the event was the overwhelming response from the community, with more than 100 individuals stepping forward to donate blood for the welfare of the armed forces. This gesture exemplifies the unwavering support and gratitude towards the brave soldiers who safeguard our nation.

Sanchan Arora, Managing Director of ALC Group added, "The blood donation camp organized by ALC Group underscores our commitment to social responsibility and community welfare. It is not just about fulfilling a need; it is about embodying the values of empathy and solidarity. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire others to join us in contributing to the well-being of our armed forces, fostering a culture of compassion and support."

Rajiv Gupta, CEO of ALC Group, echoed this sentiment, saying, "This blood donation camp is a humbling opportunity to unite our resources and goodwill towards a noble cause. Together, we can provide vital support to those who safeguard our nation's security, embodying the spirit of selflessness and solidarity. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the welfare of our armed forces."

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PRNewswire

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 29: IIIT Hyderabad and Plaksha University signed an MoU on campus today to establish a Sustainability Centre based on Smart and Sustainable Communities. The MoU was jointly signed by Prof P J Narayanan, Director, IIIT Hyderabad and Prof Rudra Pratap, Founding Vice Chancellor of Plaksha University.

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The Sustainability Center will primarily focus on research for bottom of the pyramid use cases around villages and towns. IIITH and Plaksha University will jointly work on technologies applicable to sustainable communities including sensors, ML models, communication/5g, digital twins, economics, social/human sciences.

It will also take up problems in functional domains like air/pollution, water (networks, wtp, stp, rain), energy (smart meters, distribution, grids, storage), waste management (solid water and otherwise), food/agriculture (sustainably produce, process, consume), health (preventive and public health and mental health). The immediate short-term plan is to seed projects in Hyderabad and Chandigarh around water, pollution and agri-economics.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Death: Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Seeks High-Level Probe Into Death of Jailed Gangster-Turned-Politician.

Prof P J Narayanan, Director of IIITH said, "IIITH is excited to partner with Plaksha University on joint research initiatives spanning sustainability and the development of sustainable communities. Since both our institutions largely share institutional frameworks and social goals, this collaborative center will work on impactful research, educational programs, and community involvement, leveraging our combined strengths."

Prof. Rudra Pratap, Founding Vice Chancellor Plaksha University said, "In this era of rapid technological advancement, our collaboration with IIIT Hyderabad marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards fostering sustainable communities. Through the joint efforts of Plaksha University and IIITH, we aspire to harness cutting-edge technologies to address the pressing challenges faced by communities at the bottom of the pyramid, ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all."

About IIIT-Hyderabad: The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) is an autonomous research university founded in 1998 that focuses on the core areas of Information Technology, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, and their applications in other domains through inter-disciplinary research that has a greater social impact. Some of its research domains include Visual Information Technologies, Human Language Technologies, Data Engineering, VLSI and Embedded Systems, Computer Architecture, Wireless Communications, Algorithms and Information Security, Robotics, Building Science, Earthquake Engineering, Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, Education Technologies, Power Systems, IT in Agriculture and e-Governance.

Website: www.iiit.ac.in

About Plaksha University:

Founded by a global community of more than 100 technology and business leaders, Plaksha envisions to reimagine technology education and research for India and the world. With strong partnerships with UC Berkeley, Purdue, UC San Diego, IIT Kanpur, and IISc Bengaluru, Plaksha aims to nurture and empower a generation of catalytic leaders and create an ecosystem of research and innovation. The university collapses the traditional boundaries of engineering and promotes interdisciplinary learning by combining technology, design and entrepreneurship.

Plaksha is guided by an eminent academic board including Dr. Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering, University of Pennsylvania; Venkatesh Narayanamurthi, former Dean of Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Sriram Rajamani, Managing Director, Microsoft Research India; Julia Ross, Dean of Engineering, Virginia Tech; Krishna Palepu, Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; Sanjay Sarma, Fred Fort Flowers and Daniel Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering, MIT; and business leaders such as Neeraj Aggarwal, Chairman - Asia Pacific, BCG; Hitesh Oberoi, Co-promoter & CEO, Info Edge (Naukri.com);Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder, Fractal Analytics; Manas Fuloria, Co- Founder, Nagarro; Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman, Bharti Enterprises; Navin Chaddha, Managing Director, Mayfield Fund; Sujeet Kumar, Co-founder, Udaan.com; Dalip Pathak, Special Limited Partner, Warburg Pincus LLC; CP Gurnani, MD & CEO, Tech Mahindra; Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, Clix Capital among others. Corporate donors include companies like Bharti Foundation, Havells, HT Parekh Foundation, Mphasis,Axis Bank and Motilal Oswal. The global community of business leaders who founded Plaksha can be seen here.

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SRV Media

New Delhi [India], March 29: Amidst the bustling energy of the Indusfood 2024 Exhibition, Sahiba Olive Oils emerged victorious, claiming dual accolades that have set the culinary world abuzz. Their meticulously crafted Extra Virgin Flavored Olive Oil received resounding praise and was honoured by Chef Manjeet Singh in the innovative product showcase category.

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In the dynamic world of culinary exploration, Sahiba Olive Oils stand as a beacon of excellence and innovation, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. Crafted from the finest Spanish olives, Sahiba's range of oils represents a fusion of heritage and innovation, captivating taste buds and redefining culinary experiences worldwide.

At the award felicitation ceremony, Nippon Group extended heartfelt thanks to the Esteemed Partners who have been instrumental in this remarkable achievement. Special recognition goes to; Sandip Das, Dy. Director General at Trade Promotion Council of India, Bhanu Vashishtha, Joint Director of the Trade Promotion Council of India; and Zardar Badami, Director of Nippon Kiz, for their presence and being a Part of the ceremony.

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Amit Sawhney, CEO of Nippon Group, expressed profound pride in Sahiba's triumph at the exhibition. He emphasized that these accolades not only celebrate Sahiba's commitment to innovation but also signify a broader vision for global expansion. With ambitious plans to reach over 100 countries by 2025, Sahiba, a part of the Nippon Group, is poised to bring its exceptional flavors to households worldwide, enriching culinary experiences on a global scale.

At the heart of Sahiba's success lies its unwavering commitment to quality. Every bottle of Sahiba Olive Oil is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, from sourcing the finest Spanish olives to ensuring the highest standards of excellence in production. With an acidity level ranging from -0.2 to 0.3, Sahiba maintains the highest level of extra virgin quality, guaranteeing an unparalleled taste experience with each drop.

Sahiba prides itself on offering a diverse range of oils to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences to over 55 countries. From the rich and robust flavour of extra virgin Olive oil to the delicate and nuanced range of flavoured Olive, Canola, Sunflower, and Pomace oils, Sahiba ensures there's something for every palate. Each variant is carefully crafted to elevate dishes and inspire culinary creativity.

Sahiba's commitment to innovation knows no bounds. The company has ambitious plans to innovate and bottle its oils according to the specific requirements of clients in Europe and beyond. By understanding and adapting to the preferences of different markets, Sahiba aims to enrich culinary experiences worldwide, one bottle at a time.

At the award ceremony, Nippon Group extends heartfelt gratitude to all its partners worldwide for their trust and collaboration. Through strong and enduring partnerships, Sahiba continues to promote its brand globally, sharing the passion for excellence and quality with consumers around the world. The promoters of Sahiba brand are thankful to UAE industry giant, Al Safeer Group, for standing as a testament to the confidence shown in the brand since its inception.

Sahiba recognizes the diverse preferences of clients from different regions, including the preference for sunflower oil by USA channel partner, Peekay International, Inc. By understanding and accommodating these preferences, Sahiba tailors its products and marketing strategies to resonate with clients worldwide. Moreover, Sahiba's adaptation to the Indian market's preference for dark-coloured sunflower oil with high density, based on insights provided by its Indian partners, showcases its commitment to meeting regional needs.

As Sahiba continues to make waves in the culinary world, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in its extraordinary journey. With an award-winning range of Olive oils, Sahiba, a part of the Nippon Group, is poised to redefine culinary excellence and delight palates around the globe.

For more information, visit: https://theholysauce.com/

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PRNewswire

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 29: Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM), an esteemed institution dedicated to music education, has proudly announced its partnership with Amaha, India's leading mental health organisation. This significant collaboration aims to integrate Amaha's College Well-being Programme within SAM, offering comprehensive mental health and well-being services to both students and faculty. This initiative aligns with SAM's commitment to nurturing a supportive educational environment, fostering a culture of care, and prioritising mental well-being.

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Commenting on the partnership, Siddhartha Ramanathan, Music Producer and Educator at Swarnabhoomi expressed, "A bright future for young and emerging artists needs consideration of both their physical and mental well-being. SAM is proud to have tied up with Amaha to ensure that all our students and faculty get the support they need for their mental well-being throughout their journey with us and beyond."

The programme will feature an integrated mental health system of services, including mental health workshops, surveys, individual therapy and psychiatry interventions, stress management techniques, and access to an online mental health platform. Amaha's self-care app will offer a highly personalised self-care journey for each individual, tailored to their specific needs, preferences, and context. This will enable them to actively work towards their mental health goals through a series of action-oriented tasks, goal-setting, and reflections on activity logs. Leveraging the clinical expertise of more than 150 in-house therapists and psychiatrists, Amaha will deliver a comprehensive, customised well-being program for SAM.

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Dr Amit Malik, CEO & Founder of Amaha, stated, "We're excited to collaborate with Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music in their mission to promote emotional health and resilience among their students and faculty. Through this partnership, we'll support SAM's commitment to nurturing a supportive educational environment and prioritising mental well-being. Our program will equip their students and teachers with the tools they need to navigate academic & personal challenges."

This partnership underscores the growing recognition of mental health's crucial role in the holistic well-being of the educational community, especially in the challenging times following the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects a forward-thinking approach by educational institutions to offer comprehensive emotional health support, prioritising the overall well-being of their students and faculty.

About Amaha

Amaha stands as a leading mental health entity in India, focused on creating supportive environments that foster mental health among individuals and organisations. With an in-house clinical expert team of 150+ psychiatrists and psychologists, they have provided treatment and care plans for a range of mental health conditions both online and in-person through its digital platform and mobile app. Amaha has touched 5 Million lives globally through its app and in-person centres in Mumbai, Bangalore & Delhi NCR. Amaha has delivered over 110,000+ sessions across 600 cities in India in over 15+ languages. The Amaha College Well-being Programme currently supports a vast network of educational institutions, emphasising the importance of mental well-being in academic success.

About Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music

Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music is a pioneering music education institution, offering a broad spectrum of courses and programs aimed at nurturing talent and sparking creativity within the music industry. Located in a vibrant and culturally enriched setting, SAM provides an immersive educational experience that prepares students for successful musical careers. Through its partnership with Amaha, SAM reaffirms its dedication to not only fostering musical excellence but also ensuring the mental and emotional well-being of its students and faculty.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374310/AMaha_Swarnabhoomi.jpg

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Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) [India], March 29 (ANI): Tension gripped Andhra Pradesh's Ananthapur district on Friday as supporters of former MLA Prabhakar Choudhary protested against the decision of the leadership of the Telugu Desam Party for not granting him a ticket in the upcoming Assembly election.

Angered by the party's decision, Choudhary's followers took to the streets, setting fire to the furniture in the party office in a dramatic display of dissent.

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The incident occurred amidst a gathering of Telugu Desam Party members, where emotions ran high over the allocation of tickets for the Ananthapur district.

The incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding political maneuvering in the run-up to the elections. As the situation unfolds, authorities remain vigilant to prevent any further escalation of unrest in Ananthapur and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.

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Elections for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will be held simultaneously on May 13 and the results will be declared on June 4.

As part of a seat-sharing deal between NDA partners, the TDP will contest 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha seats and Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats. The BJP will contest six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats in the southern state. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) Jailed gangster-turned-politician Muktar Ansari, who died after suffering cardiac arrest on Thursday, revealed everything "fearlessly" and "confidently" about his crime when he was arrested by a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch in connection with a highly sensational case in 1993.

The case pertained to ransom for kidnapping a businessman from Lutyens Delhi.

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"He was around 30-years-old then, full of confidence and showing no fear of law. That was a highly sensational case in those days," recalled Ashok Chand, a retired Delhi Police officer, who led the team and ensured the safe rescue of the businessman from Panchkula at the Punjab-Haryana border, 250 kilometers away from Delhi.

Ansari and his two associates had demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore from the family members of the west Delhi-based businessman Ved Prakash Goel. The calls were made from a local police booth of Panchkula, where they had hid Goel in a rented accommodation.

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Ansari, who was elected an MLA five times, died of cardiac arrest in a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda on Thursday. He was serving his jail term in a case of gangster act of Uttar Pradesh.

Chand, who interrogated Ansari at length in Delhi, said he and his team never thought that one day, he would become one of the the "biggest bahubali dons" in north India.

Ansari was facing 61 cases, including land grabbing, extortion, abduction, contract killings, murders, attempt to murder and arms acts.

He had been facing two more cases -- including POTA and MCOCA -- lodged by the Delhi Police Special Cell in 2009.

Goel was travelling in his red colour Marurti car and was going to attend a birthday party of his friend in Pandara Road when he was kidnapped on December 7, 1993.

The family, which was living in west Delhi, next day got a call from a landline number. The caller demanded Rs 1 crore as ransom from Goel's family for his safe rescue.

Chand said Ansari and two of his associates had kidnapped Goel from Tilak Marg area, which is just a few kilometers away from Parliament.

A case under Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) and Section 387 (putting person in a fear of death or grievous hurt in order to commit extortion) was registered at the Tilak Marg police station the next day. The investigation was handed over to the crime branch.

"The call was found to be made from a local PCO booth in Panchkula, near Chandigarh. Our team laid a trap and managed to nab both the kidnappers and also rescued Goel from a flat in Panchkula," Chand said.

"At that time, we did not know that both the accused were associates of Ansari, who was a notorious gangster of eastern Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Before 1993, Ansari was booked in over 12 cases of crime in various districts of eastern UP, Chand said.

"We also recovered a rope, some tape, a stitched coffin, some injection needles, distilled water, chemical panthalene, etc. from the house where Goel was kept," Chand said.

The accused told the police that Ansari was staying in the guest house in south Delhi and they subsequently apprehended him too. "We recovered rifles and a large number of live cartridges from them," he said.

Ansari was a very good shooter. He was known for his accurate shots, he said.

"We overpowered him and he got arrested. He never showed any resistance. He was very confident and was aware of what is going to be next," Chand said.

The gangster-politician was later booked under POTA as arms and ammunition were recovered from him. He was convicted as well in the case, he said.

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New Delhi [India], March 29 (ANI): Taking a swipe at the Congress after 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, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that some people, including those who are close to the Congress establishment, have always taken a very grim view at times about the judiciary.

Prasad said that the Indian judiciary is an extraordinary institution and has got every right to decide any issue in the way it wants.

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"...It is indeed saddening that some people, including those who are close to the Congress establishment, have always taken a very grim view at times about judiciary, depending upon what kind of judgments have come. These are the people who at one time talked of committed judiciary. These are people who at one time hailed the supersession of judges by the Congress government in the 1970s...Indian judiciary is an extraordinary institution. We are very proud of it," the BJP MP said.

He further said, "More than 600 lawyers, including eminent lawyers like Harish Salve have publicly written expressing their concern. Judiciary has got every right to decide any issue this way or that way. That is what India's Constitution has given them the power and to question that is grossly unfair."

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Earlier, PM Modi also backed the concerns flagged by the senior lawyer and said that it was Congress culture to browbeat and bully.

"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 posted on X.

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.

The lawyers expressed concern over the methods used, 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. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], March 29 (ANI): Congress will stage a nationwide protest on Saturday against notices from the income-tax department, asking it to pay Rs 1,823 crore.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has instructed all state units to stage demonstrations at PCC and district Congress Committee headquarters tomorrow.

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"Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy," Venugopal said in a letter addressed to party workers on Friday.

"Now in a patently illegal and undemocratic action, the Income Tax Department - has launched its next premeditated, diabolical campaign against the INC. Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax Demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy," he stated in a letter.

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"In light of this egregious attack on democracy and the imposition of tax terrorism on our party amidst the crucial Lok Sabha elections, All Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) are requested to hold massive public demonstrations at the State and District headquarters in their respective states tomorrow and the following day, involving senior leaders and party functionaries. Massive protest demonstrations shall be held in all constituencies, led by our party candidates. Protest demonstrations, including Mashal Juloos, shall be conducted in all districts by the District Congress Committees," he added.

Earlier today, accusing the Income Tax Department of double-standards, Congress alleged that while it has been penalised for "a violation of Rs 14 lakh", the income tax authorities were completely silent on "Rs 42 crore violation" by the BJP and that the violations by the ruling party at the Centre entailed a penalty of Rs 4,600 crore.

Addressing a press conference, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Ajay Maken said there was an attempt to stifle the party financially during the Lok Sabha polls.

Maken said the Election Commission should ensure a level-playing field.

"We have received notices from the time of Sitaram Kesari, from 1993-94... We have been demanded to pay Rs 53 crores from the time of Sitaram Kesari. A total of Rs 1823 crores has been made by the IT department from Congress," he said.

"We have analysed all violations of the BJP using the same parameters they used to analyse our violations... BJP has a penalty of Rs 4600 crore. The income Tax department should raise a demand from the BJP for the payment of this amount," he added.

Maken said that efforts are being made to weaken the Congress financially, by freezing the party's bank account before the Lok Sabha elections.

"Our analysis reveals that out of the 1,297 individuals who donated to the BJP, their identities remain undisclosed with no addresses or evidence of contribution totalling Rs 42 crore, indicating a blatant breach of regulations. Additionally, there are 92 individuals whose names are absent from the list but they provided electoral bonds to the BJP," he said.

The Congress leaders also attacked the BJP over the electoral bond scheme.

Party leader KC Venugopal accused the Election Commission of being a mute spectator.

"Notice, account freeze, notice, account freeze. That is the BJP's modus operandi of stifling INC financially. In a new bizarre notice, a penalty of Rs. 1800 crore has been imposed on INC.Is this how a fair election is supposed to be conducted? Is the idea of a level playing field only on paper? Why is the Election Commission a mute spectator to this?" he asked.

"If the same treatment was meted out to the BJP, they should have to pay Rs. 4600 crore. But has there been any action on them? Have any of the authorities involved moved an inch against them? This is a blatant murder of democracy and we will protest across the country against this illegal action," he added. (ANI)

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New Delhi, March 29: Over 4.62 lakh candidates participated in the Common University Eligibility Test (PG) that concluded on March 28, the highest-ever participation in the test, the University Grants Commission Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has said. CUET PG was conducted over 15 days in over 250 cities, including nine cities outside India.

"CUET (PG) concluded successfully on March 28 as planned. CUET-PG allows students to apply for multiple central and other universities using one test. For the 2024-25 academic year, CUET (PG) had around 4,62,603 candidates and 7,68,414 tests. One hundred ninety universities participated. This is the highest number of participation from the students," Jagadesh Kumar told ANI. CUET PG 2024 Exam: Extended Registration for Common University Entrance Test Examination at pgcuet.samarth.ac.in Ends Today, Know How To Apply.

A staggering 4,62,725 candidates had registered for CUET PG 2024. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG-2024) was introduced in 2022 for admission into various PG programmes in central and state universities and institutions and participating deemed or private and institutions for the academic session 2024-25.

In 2023, 4,59,083 participated in the CUET PG. The National Testing Agency conducted the CUET (PG) this year on March 11 to 23 and March 27 and 28. The UGC chief said that the test was conducted "in online mode mode in 565 different centres located in 253 cities including nine cities outside India including Manama, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Riyadh, Ottawa, Abu Dhabi, Vienna and Doha". MPBSE Class 12 Exams: Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education Exams 2024 Begin in 7,500 Centres Across State, Last Paper on March 9.

Kumar noted that candidates applied for 4,597 courses and there were 157 different question papers. "Over 15 days, 44 shifts, 240 papers with 18,000 questions were used. Tests were in English or Hindi for humanities, sciences, and common papers, and some subjects had papers in other languages." He said 950 experts and 200 translators prepared question papers.

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New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said parameters used to measure progress are detrimental to the climate and suggested developing the concept of a green gross domestic product.

In a free-wheeling conversation with philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, he also said that climate action has gained momentum since the G20 Summit in India in September last year.

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When Gates asked if the green approach could be made more affordable for easier adoption, the prime minister said the world needs to adopt a two-pronged strategy: first, nature- and climate-friendly innovation, and second, environmentally friendly lifestyles.

The prime minister said, "Our current challenge is how we perceive progress. For example, a country's development is often judged by its steel consumption and energy usage. Based on these criteria, we calculate the country's economy."

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Death: Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Seeks High-Level Probe Into Death of Jailed Gangster-Turned-Politician.

"If we continue to rely on these parameters, we will consume more electricity and steel, resulting in increased carbon emissions. This means we need to change our mindset. We need to make lifestyle choices and measure progress in ways that are climate-friendly. Currently, all our measures of progress are detrimental to the climate," Modi said.

He suggested that the world adopt the concept of Green GDP that would be incorporated into the overall gross domestic product.

"We need to change the global terminology," Modi said.

The prime minister noted that his and Gates' perspectives on climate change closely align.

The philanthropist praised the "Mission Innovation" spearheaded by the prime minister at the 2015 Paris climate meeting.

"Mission Innovation", termed by Prime Minister Modi, involves collaboration among 23 countries and the European Commission (on behalf of the European Union) to accelerate the clean energy revolution and progress towards the Paris Agreement goals and pathways to net zero. India is a founding member of "Mission Innovation".

The prime minister recalled that he, the then US and French presidents, and Gates had discussed their strategy in depth during that time, but unfortunately, their efforts did not progress significantly.

"However, post-G20, an atmosphere has been created where everyone has resolved to fulfil their responsibilities towards the climate. The foundation we laid together with your involvement being instrumental... I am optimistic that these efforts will flourish, much like a banyan tree," Modi said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Varanasi (UP), Mar 29 (PTI) Alka Rai, the wife of slain BJP leader Krishnanand Rai who was killed at the behest of Ansari, on Friday told reporters outside the Kashi Vishwanath temple here that she got justice because of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I had full faith in Baba Vishwanath, and we got justice because of Yogi ji and Modi ji," she said. When asked about Mukhtar Ansari's death being termed as a "conspiracy" by the opposition, she said it is wrong.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc's Rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 Gets Nod From Election Commission and Delhi Police.

Alka Rai also said that a number of families had lost their children due to Ansari.

Alka's son Piyush Rai said that the opposition is saying this because it needs an issue to express itself.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Anger Against DMK in Tamil Nadu Will Be Vented Out by Public in Upcoming Poll, Says PM Narendra Modi.

"It is a matter of happiness that due to his own misdeeds, the criminal is no more. Is dhartee se bojh khatam hua hai (The burden of the earth has ended). I regularly come to the Kashi Vishwanath temple to seek justice, and tell him that Baba I can get justice only at your place," she said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hamirpur/Shimla (HP), Mar 29 (PTI) Congress rebels Rajinder Rana and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal on Friday sought senior BJP leader and former chief minister of Himachal Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Lakahanpal and Rana, who had defeated Dhumal from Sujanpur assembly seat in 2017, had voted in favour of BJP in Rajya Sabha polls held last month and joined the party on March 23.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Election Commission Allows Media Personnel on Duty Related to Poll Day Coverage To Vote Through Postal Ballot in General Polls.

While Rana was given BJP tickets from Sujanpur, the party named Lakahanpal as its candidate from Basra assembly constituency.

After getting the BJP tickets Rana and Lakhanpal had returned back to their assembly segments on Thursday and on Friday they met Dhumal, father of Union Minister Anurag Thakur over breakfast.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc's Rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 Gets Nod From Election Commission and Delhi Police.

The district BJP chief Des Raj Sharma and other senior party functionaries were also present on this occasion.

The meeting is considered significant as the BJP leaders in their constituencies who were defeated by these rebel MLAs in 2017 assembly elections felt led down and stayed away from the programmes organised by the BJP to welcome these leaders on Thursday.

Blessings of Dhumal, the tallest BJP leader of the district, is important for these legislators to win the assembly bypolls.

BJP leader Ranjit Singh who lost to Rana, a Congress turncoat in 2017 assembly polls from Sujanpur assembly seat by a margin of 399 votes has announced to contest as Independent against Rana.

Talking to the media Rana and Lakhanpal said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and Dhumal blessed them for starting a new chapter in the BJP.

The leaders said that they would ensure their victory along with the victory of Anurag Thakur on the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat.

They blamed the Congress president Mallika Arjun Kharge for declining the invitation to attend "Pran Pratistha" ceremony of Lord Ram at Ayodhya and said that being a Hindu we have immense faith in Lord Ram and were hurt by the decision of the party president.

Rana and Lakhanpal lashed at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for humiliating them, discriminating with their assembly seats, giving cabinet posts to his friends and unleashing political vendetta by conducting raids on the businesses and registering false cases against the MLAs.

Rana said that a massive rally would be held at Hamirpur on April 6h in which Anurag Thakur would also address the people.

He said that it was homecoming for him.

Former Incharge of Congress Seva Dal, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal had on Thursday advised the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to keep his clan together rather than holding yatras.

He said that Gandhi will not gain anything by completing the Nyay Yatra and it is better if he takes care of the Congress clan.

"Rahul Gandhi is doing Nyay Yatra but he is failing in handling his own party workers who had sided with the organisation since their childhood", he said.

With the disqualification of the six Congress MLAs, the strength of the ruling party came down from 40 to 34, including the Speaker who can vote only in the case of a tie during a floor test, in the 68-member Assembly.

The BJP has 25 members.

The three Independents have resigned and joined the BJP but their resignation is yet to be accepted by the Speaker.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, March 29: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed chargesheets against 20 Institutions and 105 persons, including several officials allegedly involved in multi-crore scam in grant of scholarships to schedule caste (SC), schedule tribe (ST) and other backward class (OBC) students of Himachal Pradesh, the agency said in a statement on Friday.

The central probe agency also said that it has concluded investigations in the case. "CBI has filed chargesheets against 20 Institutions and 105 persons including owners of said Institutions, personnel of Directorate of Higher Education, Shimla, Bank officials and other private persons," the CBI said. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Dismisses Resignation Rumours, Vows To Complete Full Term (Watch Video).

It further said that during the investigation into the case, as many as 19 persons including employees of Directorate of Higher Education, Shimla, chairman, vice chairman, directors and employees of educational Institutes and Bank officials were arrested. The instant case was registered by CBI in the year 2019 on the request of the Himachal Pradesh government, against private educational institutions in the state for fake and fraudulent claims of scholarships of Rs. 181 crore (approx.) during the year 2013 to 2017. Himachal Pradesh: Private Institute Threatens Expulsion Over Students Absence on Ram Temple Consecration Day, Inquiry Ordered After Outrage.

Thereafter, High Court of Himachal Pradesh also monitored the investigation of the instant case and accordingly status reports were filed periodically. The case pertains to alleged misuse of the scheme of scholarship and reimbursement of fees launched by the central government, implemented through the state governments to help the students of SC, ST and OBC categories.

The scam was unearthed following reports that the students of government schools in tribal Spiti valley in Himachal's Lahaul and Spiti district had not been paid the scholarship for the last five years. The ED had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 419 (cheating by personation), 465 (forgery), 466 (forgery in electronic documents) and 471 (using forged document as genuine) of IPC on May 8, 2019.
Superintendentt Alexandra Estrella will represent Norwalk Public Schools in the League, an educational innovation group within Digital Promise, after the district was welcomed into the group during its spring convening March 18 to March 21, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  The school districts superintendent will represent the Norwalk Public Schools in a national organization supporting innovation in education.

Norwalk Public Schools proudly joins the League of Innovative Schools, embracing the opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking districts nationwide, Superintendent Alexandra Estrella said in a statement.

The league is part of Digital Promise, a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner by bridging solutions across research, practice, and technology, the statement said.

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Jillian Doggett, director of network support at Digital Promise, said bringing together educators is crucial to develop new methods.

As teaching and learning rapidly evolve amidst the advent of new technologies, the leagues mission to connect innovative education leaders is more vital than ever, Doggett said in a statement.

The Norwalk school district is now among over 120 other districts and schools across the U.S. that collaborate to access to unique opportunities that allow them to co-create, pilot, and scale innovative practices, apply learnings to their own districts, and identify and promote promising practices to other districts across the country, according to Digital Promises website.

The league meets twice yearly to accelerate member leadership and empower district transformation, the site states.

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We aim to equip students for success in an ever-changing world, and we look forward to working with The League to bring more opportunities to our schools, Estrella said in the statement.

Accessing methods for student success is paramount to the Leagues goals, Doggett said.

Through its network of forward-thinking leaders, the League provides school districts with opportunities to leverage research-backed approaches for addressing complex challenges; stay at the forefront of cutting-edge educational practices; and implement innovative solutions that meet the needs of all students, she said in a statement.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 29 (ANI): Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Friday said that if Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar is not taking a decision to join the Maha Vikas Aghadi, then it clearly means that he is helping the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Prithviraj Chavan said that Congress votes will be divided if Prakash Ambedkar does not extend support to Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Congress Releases Ninth List of Five Candidates, Fields CP Joshi From Rajasthan's Bhilwara; Check Names of Candidates.

"We have tried to bring Prakash Ambedkar's party within the MVA fold. We had many rounds of discussions where we asked him which seats you have the strength in, as it was not about only increasing the numbers of the party but winning. We sincerely want all those who are opposing PM Modi to not divide their votes as it gives an advantage to PM Modi. I think if he (Prakash Ambedkar) doesn't join MVA, then he is helping the BJP divide Congress votes," Prithviraj Chavan told ANI.

Earlier, Prakash Ambedkar had announced on Wednesday the names of nine candidates for the upcoming elections, thus indicating that it would sever its ties with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra.

Also Read | President Droupadi Murmu To Confer Bharat Ratna Upon LK Advani, Four Eminent Personalities on March 30.

The VBA has not yet formally announced its intention to sever its ties with the MVA in Maharashtra.

The VBA had been pushing hard to forge an alliance with the MVA to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections.

Maharashtra will vote in five phases for 48 constituencies in the upcoming general elections.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 would be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and ending on June 1.

The results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Haridwar, Mar 29 (PTI) Simultaneous raids are being conducted by the income tax department at various locations of major poly chemical manufacturing company Forace Polymers in Delhi, Gujarat and Haridwar (Uttarakhand). The raids began on March 27 and are still on, sources here said. The raids are also being conducted at the residences of the company's directors Suresh Gupta and Vikas Garg in Haridwar's Nand Vihar area, they said. Headquartered in Haridwar, the company also has its offices in Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai and Rajasthan.

Cash worth Rs 2.5 crore, documents, mobile phones and laptops/computers of all the employees of the company have been seized during the raids going on at different locations.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc's Rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 Gets Nod From Election Commission and Delhi Police.

The team is interrogating every employee of the company, the sources said.

According to sources, the turnover of Forace Polymers is said to be more than Rs 1,000 crore. The company and its directors are accused of tax evasion.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Anger Against DMK in Tamil Nadu Will Be Vented Out by Public in Upcoming Poll, Says PM Narendra Modi.

Inputs and evidences related to several movable and immovable assets acquired in the name of the company director's wife are also being scrutinised, they said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ranchi, Mar 29 (PTI) The BJP on Friday announced Dilip Kumar Verma as its candidate for the by-election in the Gandey assembly constituency in Jharkhand.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said the party's Central Election Committee has approved Verma's candidature for the bypoll, which will be held on May 20 along with Lok Sabha elections.

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"Verma is a social worker, and is at present, holding the post of secretary in the party. He will contest elections for the first time," Shahdeo said.

The Gandey seat in Giridih district fell vacant after the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha on March 14.

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Speculations are rife that the JMM may field its arrested leader Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren for the bypoll.

The ruling alliance, led by JMM, has 47 MLAs in the 81-member assembly. The BJP has 26 MLAs and the AJSU Party has three. Additionally, the NCP and CPI (ML) have one lawmaker each, alongside two Independents and a nominated member.

Within the ruling alliance, the JMM has 29 MLAs, the Congress has 17, and the RJD has one legislator.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 29 (ANI): Archana Patil Chakurkar, daughter-in-law of senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, met Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Friday.

She is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai on Saturday.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 44% of Sitting MPs Face Criminal Charges, 5% Are Billionaires, Says ADR Report.

The party on Wednesday released more candidate names for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with names released for Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Man Kills Wife, Three Minor Daughters in Champaran District; Accused Absconding.

The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats. (ANI)

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Banda (UP), Mar 29 (PTI) After the completion of postmortem, gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's body on Friday left for his native place in Ghazipur amidst heavy security from here, police officials said.

The ambulance carrying the body was accompanied by police vehicles to ensure security along the 400-kilometre-long route via several districts of Uttar Pradesh.

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As per police officials, Mukhtar Ansari's son Umar Ansari and the wife of Abbas Ansari were present inside the ambulance carrying the body.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kohima, Mar 29 (PTI) The ENPO has stuck to its decision not to take part in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections until its demand for a separate state carved out of Nagaland is fulfilled by the Centre, its leaders said on Friday.

The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) held a closed-door meeting with 20 MLAs of the region and the lone Rajya Sabha member of Nagaland, who also hails from there, at Tuensang on Thursday.

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"We have decided to stand firm to abstain from the ensuing Lok Sabha elections and also not to allow any campaign within our jurisdiction till the demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory is fulfilled by the Centre," ENPO vice president W Bendang Chang told PTI over the phone.

Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) official C L John confirmed that all the 20 legislators of the area and the Rajya Sabha MP attended Thursday's meeting that continued till 7 pm.

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During the meeting, we appealed to the ENPO and tribal bodies to revoke their decision but it did not materialise. They concluded that the final decision would be taken only after consultation with people, John told PTI.

Asked if the ENLU had received any assurance on the demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory from the Centre during their recent visit to Delhi, he said there was "no assurance" but "we have asked the state government to submit its view".

John said ENLU will meet with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on the matter at the earliest.

ENPO president R Taspikiu Sangtam said the "public emergency", which was declared on March 5, would continue and the decision on the next course of action to press their demand would be taken after consultation with the public.

During the "public emergency", the ENPO, the apex body of seven Naga tribes of the region, and its frontal organisations have not been allowing any political campaign.

The ENPO has been demanding a separate state since 2010, claiming that the six districts in the eastern part of Nagaland have been neglected in all aspects for years.

(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 29 (ANI): Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday informed that the Change of Guard Ceremony would not take place on March 30 due to the Bharat Ratna presentation ceremony.

The thirty-minute ceremony is held every Saturday. The ceremony is a military tradition in which guards and sentries at palaces, forts and defence establishments get changed periodically to enable a fresh body of troops to take charge.

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At Rashtrapati Bhavan, situated at Raisina Hills, where the main functions of the Republic Day are held, the Ceremonial Army Guard battalion is responsible for providing ceremonial guards and sentries for the President of India.

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour conferred for exceptional service towards any field of human endeavour, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Dies: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Asks Officials To Beef Up Security After Mafia-Turned-Politician's Death in Banda.

Upon receiving the award, the recipient is presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The Bharat Ratna does not come with any monetary grant, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

In 2024, this award was announced for five eminent personalities: Karpoori Thakur, L. K. Advani, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and M. S. Swaminathan.

It is worth mentioning that no formal recommendations for Bharat Ratna are necessary. The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India. No Bharat Ratna Award has been given from 2020 to 2023. (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, Mar 29 (PTI) The Punjab Police on Friday said it has arrested three key operatives of a gang who were wanted in a number of criminal cases and seized a pistol, cartridges and a vehicle from them.

"In a major breakthrough, SSOC (State Special Operation Cell) #Mohali has effectively dismantled the criminal network led by USA-based Pavittar Chaura and Husandeep Singh of Chaura Madhre gang, by arresting their three key operatives: Lovejit Khakh, Gursewak Bamb and Bahadur Khan -- along with seizure of one pistol, 15 cartridges and a Toyota Fortuner vehicle," Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav posted on X.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Bus Driver, Conductor Bite Off Passenger's Ear and Finger Over Seating Arrangement Dispute.

He said all three arrested accused were wanted in a number of criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, under Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

They were living in Mohali by concealing their identities, the DGP said.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Death: Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Seeks High-Level Probe Into Death of Jailed Gangster-Turned-Politician.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], March 29 (ANI): In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police's State Special Operating Cell (SSOC) Mohali has effectively dismantled the criminal network being operated by USA-based Pavittar Chaura and Husandeep Singh of Chaura Madhre Gang with the arrest of their three key operatives after recovering one .30 bore China made pistol along with 15 cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

"Those arrested have been identified as Lovejit Singh alias Love Khakh of village Khakh in Tarn Taran, Gursewak Singh alias Bamb of Goindwal Sahib and Bahadur Khan alias Khan Bhagdana of Fatehgarh Sahib. Police teams have also impounded their Toyota Fortuner vehicle," he said.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Election Commission Allows Media Personnel on Duty Related to Poll Day Coverage To Vote Through Postal Ballot in General Polls.

The development came close on the heels of the arrest of Guriqbal Singh alias Robin-- another member of this gang, by the SAS Nagar district Police after recovering weapons from his possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that all three arrested persons were wanted in a number of criminal cases including murder, attempted murders, dacoity, arms act, NDPS etc. They were living in Mohali by concealing their actual identities to evade arrest, he added.

Also Read | INDIA Bloc's Rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 Gets Nod From Election Commission and Delhi Police.

He said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested persons were in regular contact with narcotic smuggler and gangster Pavittar Chaura and were hatching a conspiracy to carry out target killings and other criminal/gangster activities to disturb peace and harmony in the border state.

It is pertinent to mention that lately, Pavittar Chaura has formed a very close association with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and his other network members.

Sharing operation details, DIG Counter Intelligence J Elanchezian said that following reliable inputs, Police teams from SSOC Mohali conducted a raid at a flat in Mohali-- where they were staying, and successfully apprehended all three accused persons after recovering a sophisticated weapon from their possession.

He said that the accused Lovejit Singh alias Love Khakh is a proclaimed offender (PO), while, Gursewak Bamb was wanted by the Tarn Taran police in case of an attempt to murder. Further investigations are on and more arrests and recoveries are expected in the case, he added.

A case has been registered under sections 25 and 25(7) of the Arms Act and section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station SSOC, Mohali. (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 29 (PTI) Regenerative farming, growing cover crops to prevent soil erosion and reinstilling nutrient contents will not only help farmers economically, but also reduce instances of stubble burning, Daan Wensing, global CEO of development agency IDH, said.

However, for a long-term solution to these issues, public and private participation will be necessary, he said.

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"The important question is, how can you do regenerative farming? How can you increase yields without expanding the farming area?

"This needs new technology, new solutions. We are partnering with public and private players to work on these new solutions, test them across landscapes," Wensing told PTI here.

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"We need to find ways to take out the stubble through various processes, distil the nutrients back into the soil," he said and advocated for adopting new technologies to enhance the organic carbon content of soil to preserve fertility.

Instead of stubble burning which causes emission, he said, applying new methods to improve soil health will serve the dual purpose of increasing yields and reducing CO2 emissions.

"If we work with farmers and create a good baseline in terms of the carbon content of that farm and apply the new methodologies, and the carbon content actually increases and the emissions become less, we can link this with commitments with the carbon markets and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)," he said.

The CEO also had a suggestion to protect crops from the vagaries of nature, especially during the summer months.

"In 2023, depending on the crops, drops in yields was 20-40 per cent around the world because of drought, heat strokes, or too much water," he said.

"If we want to tackle this, the whole value chain needs to be organised so that the risks are shared to transform the agricultural system. One of the things the IDH is testing is regenerative farming, which will improve the quality of the soil, which has carbon benefits.

"Besides, creating cover crops will be a key way to not only incentivise the farmers, but also create shade and a microclimate on a farm and in a landscape, which will fight heat waves and help retain more water in the soil," he said.

The CEO said the increase in the number of farmer protests around the world is largely because "they are not getting a fair deal".

"Even my home country (the Netherlands) has had farmers' protests and when you look at them, irrespective of the country, the common denominator is that the farmer is at the receiving end of the value chain.

"As a society, we want environment stability because of climate change and loss of biodiversity. And the responsibility often falls entirely on the farmers. If we don't support them in this transition, and if we put all the risk and cost on the farmer, they have no vehicle room," Wensing said.

IDH India Country Director Jagjeet Singh Kandal said the presence of organic carbon content of the soil in many parts of the country is reducing to below one per cent. "This is not going to be conducive to growing crops with high yield. We need to reduce use of chemical fertilisers and go back to natural farming methods where we turn waste into manure."

Complimenting the central government's focus on doubling the farmers' income, Kandal said, "Farmers need two things: an assured market and an assured price for their produce. We must try and provide them with that."

Netherlands-based IDH works in the agriculture value chain and is present in several countries across continents. In India, it is working in 10 states, and has already partnered with governments as well as the private sector.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amlak Finance has seen its 2023 full-year (FY) net profit fall steeply by 45.6% to AED259 million ($70.53 million) compared to FY 2022 net of AED476 million.

Amlaks revenue for the year 2023 decreased by 18% to AED452 million as compared to AED552 million during the previous year. Revenues from financing business activities for the year 2023 declined by 3% as compared to 2022 and stood at AED122 million in 2023 (FY22: AED127 million).

The companys debt settlement arrangements, through cash remained successful during the year, enabling seven financiers to fully settle their exposure during the year ended December 31, 2023. The company recorded a net gain of AED174 million (2022: AED349 million) on debt settlement arrangements and was able to reduce its debt burden by AED531 million (including Mudaraba instrument of AED118 million).

Operating costs rise

Amlak has commenced negotiations with the remaining financiers in order to exit from the Common Terms Agreement for restructuring which are at an advanced level to agree on the conditions. Amlaks operating costs for the year increased by 41% to AED149 million, compared to AED106 million last year mainly due to a one-off expense related to the commencement of negotiations with financiers to exit the Common Terms Agreement.

The company also continued to efficiently manage its obligations, including repayment of AED103 million to financiers. To date, Amlak has settled 83% of its Islamic deposit liabilities including Mudaraba Instrument relating to financiers. As a result of debt settlement arrangements and repayments, the profit distribution to financiers decreased by 15% and stood at AED61 million for 2023 as compared to AED71 million for 2022.

In the region, Amlaks investment in Egypt witnessed the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound against AED which impacted the groups financial position. In KSA, the investment yielded an income of AED7 million.

Ali Ibrahim Mohammed, Chairman of Amlak Finance PJSC, said: 2023 was a transformational year for Amlak Finance as we executed our forward thinking and innovative new business strategy, our aim is to continually set new standards of excellence in the real estate sector, thereby strengthening our market position.

Power of innovation

This year, we remain focused on seizing all opportunities and continue to progress towards achieving our long-term objectives. This relentless pursuit of growth and excellence is grounded in our belief in the power of innovation to create sustainable value for our stakeholders.

Arif Albastaki, CEO of Amlak Finance PJSC, said: In the current difficult situation, we have once again demonstrated the strength and vision of Amlak as we have reached an advanced stage in agreeing on the terms with our financiers to exit the current Common Term Agreement, enabling us to transition to our new business model. The overall Amlak financial position remains strong with total assets of AED3.2 billion. We have fully settled seven financiers through debt settlement arrangements having exposure of AED531 million and reported a net profit of AED259 million, which was in-line with our expectations.

We are now in a strong position with the right team in place to move the business forward and to target future growth. 2024 will be another year of change but the completion of the successful conclusion of our negotiations with our financiers puts Amlak in a strong position and we maintain a positive outlook.

--TradeArabia News Service
Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 29 (ANI): Security arrangements have been beefed up in UP's Aligarh after the death of Mukhtar Ansari, who suffered cardiac arrest on Thursday night.

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.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: BRS Candidate Kadiyam Kavya for Warangal Seat Withdraws From Contest.

"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.

The dreaded gangster was brought to the hospital around 8:25 PM, according to the official release from the hospital. A team of nine doctors attended to him before he died, the release added.

Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Dies: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Asks Officials To Beef Up Security After Mafia-Turned-Politician's Death in Banda.

Expressing condolences over the death of Mukhtar Ansari, the Samajwadi Party shared a post on Twitter that read, "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 sorrow. Humble tribute !".

Speaking on the same, Congress leader Surendra Rajput launched an attack on the BJP and said, "Today Mukhtar Ansari's death in jail raises a big question for the BJP-led UP Government...This should be investigated thoroughly so that everyone gets to know what is going on."

Speaking to ANI, Naseem Haider, the lawyer for Mukhtar Ansari, said, "I received information that he has been brought here, so I have come here."

On Tuesday, he was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda after he complained of abdominal pain. He was then shifted to Uttar Pradesh's Rani Durgawati Medical College after his discharge on Tuesday.

Ansari was elected as an MLA from the Mau assembly seat five times, including twice as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate. He had a strong influence in Ghazipur, his hometown.

In April 2023, Mukhtar Ansari was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court. He was sentenced to life in prison on March 13, 2024, in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990.

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.

On October 15, last year, the Enforcement Directorate attached lands, a building and bank deposits worth more than Rs 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering investigation against Mukhtar Ansari. (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 29 (PTI) Edtech major Think and Learn, which owns Byju's brand, has reached out to miffed investors to set aside differences and participate in the company's fundraising process to prevent dilution of their present shareholding, according to sources.

Byju's founder and CEO Byju Raveendran, in a letter to investors, claimed that the company is already halfway through the postal ballot voting on a resolution to increase authorised share capital but would like to continue to show its good faith and like them to be part of its turnaround story.

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"I am aware that some of our valued existing shareholders were unable to participate earlier in the rights issue. In good faith, the board is considering making an offer of renounced shares to existing shareholders to ensure that there is no more dilution to their shareholding. We will share more details with you shortly," Raveendran said in a letter sent on Friday.

The company closed the USD 200 million rights issue in February at a 99 per cent lower valuation compared to its peak enterprise value of USD 22 billion.

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According to sources, Byju's may give time till April 4 to miffed investors to participate in the rights issue.

Byju's held the EGM (extra-ordinary general meeting) to increase the authorised share capital of the company to complete the process of raising USD 200 million through a rights issue.

The company raised USD 200 million to meet its operational requirements especially expenses related to employee salaries.

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 and the rights issue.

Six investors jointly hold a 32 per cent stake in the company.

Byju claimed to have received a 50 per cent vote through a postal ballot in favour of the company's EGM resolution.

"I am happy to inform you that, in response to the postal ballot which was announced on 7 March, we already got more than 50 per cent votes to the increase in authorised share capital. I have always built BYJU'S with a spirit of equality and equity, and it has never been my intention to leave any investor behind, regardless of their shareholding size," Raveendran said.

He claimed to have received significant interest from third parties, but existing shareholders remain the company's priority.

"Despite the animosity shown by some of the investors in pursuing uncalled-for legal actions, we continue to show good faith towards all our shareholders and would like all of you to be part of our turnaround story," Raveendran said.

According to Byju's sources, none of the miffed investors, who proposed to oust Byju's founder and family from the management seat, took part in the EGM called by the company.

However, sources from the investors' side said that their authorised representatives participated in the meeting, and the voting option on the resolution is open through postal ballot till April 6, after which the final result will be known.

(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 29 (PTI) The Congress will declare its candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in Delhi after the 'Maharally' of its alliance partner Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday, sources said.

The Maharally will be held here at the Ramleela Ground.

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The sources said the alliance will stay intact even if Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy for Delhi, is kept in jail.

The AAP and Congress are part of the opposition INDIA alliance. The AAP will contest four Lok Sabha seats from the national capital, while the Congress will field candidates from three.

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The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Arvinder Singh Lovely in a statement said that the party will focus on the five 'Nyay' guarantees, promised by Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

The guarantees call for the welfare of the youth, women, workers, farmers and the marginalised sections.

The Congress workers have been fully activated across Delhi to mobilize people for the "Save Democracy, Save Constitution" mega rally, which will be an historic event, Lovely said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], March 29 (ANI): At least eight people of a family died on Thursday after a pickup truck fell into a gorge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Buner in Pakistan, as reported by Dawn.

The eight passengers who were in the truck included women and children.

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Rescue 1122 spokesperson Niaz Muhammad Khan said that the pickup truck was en route to Shangrai Kandao from Buner's Sawari area when the fatal accident happened, Dawn reported.

He added that the bodies of the deceased, including five women, two children and a man, were moved to their houses in Shangrai Kandaw.

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According to the Rescue 1122 official, either the driver lost control of the steering wheel or there was a technical fault in the pickup, which resulted in the vehicle falling into a 1600-foot-deep gorge from the rough, dilapidated road.

The spokesperson identified the deceased as the residents of Shangrai Kandao's Shahi village, according to Dawn.

Sub-divisional Police Officer Amjad Khan said that a preliminary report was registered at Gul Bandai police station and further investigation would be initiated.

Amjad Khan added that the bodies were handed over to relatives.

Earlier last month, five passengers died and 19 were injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Khanpur tehsil, as reported by Dawn.

Reportedly, the majority of link roads in the mountainous districts of North Pakistan have been severely affected by the recent rainfall, due to which travelling on those roads has become difficult and dangerous. (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 29 (ANI): Noting that he decided not to let digital divide hamper the progress of the country and digital facilities are being extended to villages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he used Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the G20 Summit hosted by India last year and also uses it for some other tasks.

In an interaction with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the role and benefits of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) while also emphasising the need of regulations.

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He said AI was used for interpretation and translation during the G20 Summit held in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister also told Bill Gates how his Hindi speech was translated into Tamil during Kashi Tamil Sangamam event and the use of AI in NaMo App.

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"We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit, and as you might have seen, the Summit's proceedings took a lot of turns. I believe we have now aligned with G20s core purposes and objectives, bringing them to the mainstream. I hope your first-hand experience echoes this sentiment," he said.

"Recently, I went to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam event. As I can't speak Tamil, I delivered my speech in Hindi, which was translated into Tamil in real-time using AI, allowing attendees from Tamil Nadu to understand me clearly," he added.

PM Modi said during the first and second industrial revolutions, India lagged behind because it was a colony. "Now, in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, the digital element is at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot in this," he said

The Prime Minister said that children call their mother "aai" in some parts of the country.

"AI is very important. Sometimes, I jokingly say that in our country, we call our mother 'Aai'. Now I say that when a child is born, he says 'Aai' as well as AI as children have become so advanced," he said.

PM Modi referred to NaMO app and demonstrated how AI adds significant value.

"I am using my NaMo app, and I use AI extensively, which proves immensely beneficial across the country. Here is my photo booth, take a selfie. You can see, every photo of you and me, from the last 20 years is available here. even if you're barely visible in a public event photo, as long as I am in it, and even if your one tenth part is visible, it recognises and retrieves it. This illustrates the day-to-day applications of technology and I believe, such innovations add significant value," he said.

"We should embrace these technologies to enhance daily life for everyone. My aim is to ensure that users feel comfortable and recognise its utility and encouraging them to innovate and contribute new features," he added.

PM Modi stressed the intelligent use of AI and said that using it as a magic tool would be a great injustice. He underscored that effort should be to surpass the capabilities of AI, not to rely on them because of personal laziness.

"Labeling AI merely as a magic tool, will lead to great injustice. If I am relying on AI due to laziness,. For example, I am too lazy to draft a letter, so I use ChatGPT, which is not the right approach. Instead, we should compete with AI, challenge it, and strive to surpass its capabilities. Currently, I'm pushing AI to recognise and adapt to the myriad languages and dialects we have," he said.

"During an introduction with astronauts, I was trying to understand the work progress while I am interacting with the robot. I interacted with the robots a lot in varying tones which resulted in nuanced responses. Then I called the robot with a changed name, and it led to no response at all. This prompted a conversation with AI, where, despite speaking for several minutes it failed to recognise my voice without hearing its name. I expressed the need for it to identify my voice, without a direct prompt. I consistently present new challenges to AI, fostering its growth and adaptability," PM Modi said, referring to his interaction with the AI-powered robot.

He said government is using technology for ease of living of people.

"I had decided that I would not let digital divide hamper the progress of my country. Digital public infrastructure is a big requirement in itself. Today, I am extending digital facilities to all our villages," he said.

AI has been one of the focus areas of the government. The Cabinet had recently approved the comprehensive national-level IndiaAI mission with a budget outlay of Rs. 10,371.92 crore. The IndiaAI mission will establish a comprehensive ecosystem catalyzing AI innovation through strategic programs and partnerships across the public and private sectors. (ANI)

(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 29 (PTI) A historic 11th century castle in south-west England played host to a first of its kind Holi celebrations, attracting over 3,000 people who transformed its grounds into a field of colour.

Corfe Castle in Dorset, cared for by the National Trust charity, was chosen as the site by the local Bournemouth Poole Christchurch (BPC) Indian Community to organise the Rang Barse' event, with the help of GoldRain Exclusive Events, last weekend.

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The National Trust, which oversees heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, hopes the event would also shine a light on the castle which was founded by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Corfe Castle hosted many a party in its early days and it has remained an important place for the local community to come together over the centuries, said Tom Clarke, Senior Volunteering & Community Manager at Corfe Castle.

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We're delighted to be continuing this historical legacy by hosting events such as this. The National Trust was set up to serve the whole of the nation. We're proud to have supported this wonderful local Indian association to share their celebrations of Holi with everyone. Over 3,000 people attended, which was one of our busiest days ever, he said.

Anjali Mavi from BPC Indian Community said the festivities were the result of some very meticulous planning and community spirit and hopes to organise similar Indian festivities in future.

The success of the Rang Barse Holi event shows how awesome it can be when different groups work together. It's fantastic to see everyone celebrating diversity and making memories together, said Mavi.

As the colours filled the air at Corfe Castle, it reminded us of the beauty of different cultures coming together. This first event was a huge hit, and we can't wait for even more fun in the future, she said.

While the castle itself was decorated in vibrant Indian hues, large groups played with colours, enjoyed Indian food and got henna tattoos for a day of fun and frolic.

It was a great example of people coming together and having fun as a community, added Mavi.

The Bournemouth Poole Christchurch (BPC) Indian Community is a community organisation set up to celebrate the cultural heritage of India in the county of Dorset, which has a growing Indian diaspora population.

(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 29 (ANI): In an apparent bid to avoid a retrial in the cypher case, the counsel for Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi endorsed the cross-examination of key witnesses by state-appointed counsel, Dawn reported.

The move comes as a surprise, as it contradicts the stance earlier adopted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legal team, which has maintained that the Special Court set up to prosecute the case had rushed the process of cross-examination by appointing state counsel.

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In January, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnaat Muhammad Zulqarnain, cancelled the defence counsel's right to cross-examine the witnesses, citing "absence during two court hearings".

Dawn reported that the move irked the PTI founder, who dubbed the trial a "joke" because "the prosecution team and defence counsels both belonged to the government."

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During previous hearings, PTI leaders' counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, claimed that the trial court-appointed state prosecutors cross-examined 21 witnesses within a very short span of time.

Dawn reported that it is believed that the change in strategy by the council is aimed at avoiding a retrial in case the Islamabad High Court (IHC) sets aside the convictions.

The IHC has already declared the proceedings illegal once and sent the case back to the court for a fresh trial.

During the hearing on Monday, Barrister Safdar endorsed the contentious episode, saying that they "were not aggrieved by this cross-examination".

He was arguing before an IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb Safdar, who also read out selected paragraphs of the cross-examination before the bench to substantiate his contention that the case against Khan was based on hearsay.

According to him, the cypher was not produced before the court, and the text message--reportedly sent by a US diplomat--referred to as proof that the issue ruined Pak-US relations was presented in the court without recording the sender's testimony.

The much talked about demarcation issued to the US was also not brought on judicial record, argued Safdar. The case's star witness, former principal secretary to PM Azam Khan, and other key witnesses, former ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan and then additional secretary in the Pakistan embassy, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, "did not support allegations against Khan."

In his cross-examination, Azam stated that the former PM informed him that the cypher's copy had been misplaced and directed his military secretary and PM Office's staff to trace it, argued the counsel.

Also, the ex-secretary didn't confirm if the document, waved by the ex-PM during a public gathering on March 27, 2022, was the original cypher, said Safdar, Dawn reported.

He suggested that the court may play the recording of Khan's speech at the rally.

Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the transcript of the speech was on judicial record.

Later, the court adjourned further proceedings till April 2 with CJ Farooq announcing that the hearing would start at 1 pm and would continue till 4 pm. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tel Aviv [Israel], March 29 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Ministry of Communications increased competition and "significantly and immediately" reduced the prices for using Bezeq's (Israel's national telephone company) infrastructure.

The ministry reduced companies' "passive infrastructures" use fees of Bezeq from 446 Shekels ($122) per kilometre per month to only 250 Shekels (USD 70) per kilometre per month, a reduction of approximately 44 per cent.

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This is the first reduction in the series, and this price will be in effect until June 2025, when updated prices will take effect. The price reduction will come into effect on April 1, 2024.

Bezeq is the only company in Israel that owns a physical communication infrastructure (channels, pipes, towers, poles, etc.) all over the State of Israel.

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The conditions of access to Bezeq's physical infrastructure directly affect the ability and incentive of other telecommunications companies to set up independent infrastructures and compete with Bezeq in providing internet services to the public.

In the current period, the State of Israel is spreading its length and breadth with advanced networks, therefore especially in this period it is important to reduce significantly and as quickly as possible the rates for the use of Bezeq's passive infrastructure.

Such a reduction is expected to increase the incentive of telecommunications companies to expand the retirement of their fibre infrastructures, and to promote competition, in a way that will affect the quality of the infrastructures in Israel and the well-being of the consumer in terms of quality and price for many years to come. (ANI/TPS)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, Mar 29 (PTI) President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday reconstituted the Council of Common Interests, a top constitutional body, with the foreign minister replacing the finance minister.

According to an official notification, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) will be headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while chief ministers of all four provinces apart from Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and States and Frontier Regions Minister Amir Muqam will be members of the Council.

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It is the first time that a foreign minister has become part of the CCI, replacing the finance minister who traditionally has been a key member due to involvement in financial matters.

Sharif, after approving the reconstitution of the CCI, sent the recommendation to the president, who following the premier's advice reconstituted the eight-member council under Article 153 of the Constitution.

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The CCI is the largest decision-making forum in the country which decides all the matters, including the distribution of natural resources, upon which there is a disagreement between the Centre and provinces.

The development comes as reportedly Dar, who had always been undisputed head of the finance ministry of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, was not given the portfolio and instead, a banker, Muhammad Aurangzeb, was tasked with the job of leading the economy of the cash-strapped country.

According to sources, Dar was given the boot due to his lacklustre performance during the 16-month duration of the previous tenure of the PML-N. It is also said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was uncomfortable with him.

However, due to matrimonial links with the Sharif family --- Dar's son is married to a daughter of Shehbaz's elder brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif --- he enjoys the blind confidence of the former three-time premier and wields enormous influence in the party.

Though Dar has been adjusted and given the key ministry of foreign affairs, it is believed that he is trying to call the shots in the financial affairs and trying to take charge of some key bodies.

Last week, the Prime Minister set up six cabinet committees, including on economic coordination, energy, Chinese investment projects, privatisation, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and disposal of legislative cases.

The premier appointed Dar as head of the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation and appointed himself as head of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) even though all these influential bodies were traditionally headed by the finance minister.

The PM, however, changed his mind within days and replaced himself with Aurangzeb as head of the ECC. Many experts interpreted the move as made under duress by the powers that be.

Earlier, Shehbaz had to cede powers to the establishment when he appointed Aurangzeb as finance minister and Mohsin Naqvi as interior minister, the two apparent nominees of the establishment.

While trying to placate Dar by making him part of the ICC, Shehbaz may be settling scores with his finance minister. However, experts say this may not be a wise move as he depends on the powerful establishment for the authority he wields.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Singapore, Mar 29 (PTI) Cyberespionage is taking place all over the world and Singapore -- being one of the hubs for hosting high-profile trade exhibitions and conferences -- "inevitably" attracts intelligence operations, a report said on Friday.

"Cyberespionage is happening all over the world because we are more connected than ever before," said Dr Alan Chong, senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

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Chong's comments came after Russian media earlier this month leaked a recording of a German military phone call that Berlin said was due to a participant dialling in through an "unauthorised connection" from a Singapore hotel during the February Singapore Airshow.

"In terms of the geopolitical location of Singapore, to me it's no surprise. Since the Cold War, long before the digital age, we were already a base of operations for both the Communist and the Western powers," Channel News Asia quoted Chong as saying.

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Intelligence operations around the world will happen more frequently as cyberespionage makes remote spy activity possible even without an agent on site, he said.

The report said event organisers and hotels have confirmed providing security support -- ranging from coordinating with telcos to conducting sweeps for surveillance devices.

The German participant was in Singapore to attend the Singapore Airshow.

The February event would have been a "field day" for Russian intelligence and hotels where the attendees stayed would have been targeted by "widespread wiretapping efforts", German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said.

In the leaked call, discussions were held on support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion, including the possible delivery of the long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
EU condemns Russia's UNSC veto on extending work of N Korea sanctions panel

Moscow, Mar 29 (UNI) The European Union has condemned Russia's vetoing a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution to extend the mandate of the group of experts overseeing sanctions on North Korea until April 30, 2025, and called for the decision to be reconsidered.



"The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn the use of a veto by the Russian Federation in the United Nations Security Council today blocking the extension of the mandate of the UN 1718 DPRK [the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] Sanctions Committees Panel of Experts (PoE)," the delegation of the EU to the UN said in a statement published on Thursday.
Moscow [Russia], March 29 (ANI): The Russian security services were aware of the threat of ISIS attack on concert hall near Moscow, CNN reported, citing Russian intelligence documents obtained by a UK-based investigative organisation.

According to the London-based Dossier Centre, the documents showed ethnic Tajiks radicalised by ISIS-K - the Central Asian offshoot of the terror group ISIS - could have been involved.

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At least 143 people were killed last Friday in the deadliest attack on Russia in decades, when assailants stormed Crocus City Hall with guns and incendiary devices, just before a concert was to be held.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack with statements, photos, and a propaganda video filmed by the attackers.

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The Dossier Center is a Russian investigation group backed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled former Russian oil tycoon turned Kremlin critic. It has previously unearthed details about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime, often using documents and leaks from inside the Russian government.

"A few days before the terrorist attack, members of the Security Council received a warning that Tajik citizens could be used in terrorist attacks on Russian territory," the group's latest report stated.

"Even before the attack on Crocus City Hall, a source close to the intelligence services told the Dossier Center about this," it added.

Earlier, the footage of the attack showed how victims fled for their lives and ducked to safety in horror, with the venue transformed into an inferno.

Four suspects, who are from the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan but worked in Russia on temporary or expired visas, were booked on terror charges, showing visible signs of injury. Three pleaded guilty, CNN reported citing Russian media.

Earlier, the US claimed that it had warned Russia about the ISIS planning an attack in the country.

In March, the US Embassy warned of an increased threat of terror attacks on Russia, with National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson saying the US had shared this information with Russian authorities under the "duty to warn" policy, according to CNN.

However, just days after the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the American warnings as "provocative," saying "these actions resemble outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society."

Putin, who recently won the general elections to secure record fifth term, has repeatedly alleged that Ukraine had helped 'orchestrate' the attack. But, Ukraine has repeatedly denied having any links to the attack.

Former Russian lawmaker Ilya Ponomarev, an exiled Kremlin critic, said the latest evidence posed serious questions for the Russian leadership and its security forces.

"We see very clearly that Vladimir Putin could have reacted on numerous warnings," he told CNN

ISIS-K had claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the Russian embassy in Kabul in 2022.

The following year, German police arrested several people from Tajikistan accused of plotting an attack on Cologne Cathedral, according to the Dossier Center. Suspected ISIS-K members were also arrested in Kyrgyzstan, accused of plotting an attack at an orthodox church.

According to the Dossier Center, Russian law enforcement was monitoring all these reports and "considered the risk" to Russia, CNN reported. (ANI)

(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 29 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is being criticised by Opposition parties on Friday for a surprise honours list which confers a knighthood on an Egyptian-born businessman who is a major donor to the governing Conservative Party.

The list, announced late on Thursday just before the long Easter weekend in the UK, honours Mohamed Mansour, a senior treasurer for the Tory party, for his business, charity and political service.

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Further recommendations from Sunak to King Charles III include knighthoods for other senior Tories  Farming Minister Mark Spencer and Conservative MP Philip Davies  as well as damehoods for former ministers Tracey Crouch and Harriett Baldwin.

Oscar-winning 'Oppenheimer' filmmaker Christopher Nolan and his producer wife, Emma Thomas, are also on the list for a knighthood and damehood for services to the film industry.

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This is either the arrogant act of an entitled man who's stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesn't expect to be Prime Minister much longer. Either way, it shows a blatant disrespect for the office he should feel privileged to hold, said Labour Party chairperson Anneliese Dodds.

The reason the list comes as a surprise is because usually honours are published by the UK Cabinet Office at New Year and on the King's official birthday in June. They are based on recommendations from the Prime Minister's office and conferred in the name of the British monarch.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: Sunak has once again shown just how out of touch he is by handing out gongs to donors bankrolling his party who have plunged the economy into a recession.

Downing Street sources pointed to Mohamed Mansour's extensive public and charity service, including his support for the Prince's Foundation, now the King's Foundation.

This award is the greatest honour of my life. I am thrilled and hugely grateful, said Mansour.

This award would have meant so much to my father and mother. I wish they could have lived to see this day. This honour is for them, for the values they taught my siblings and I and for everything they did for us, he said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Gregory Campbell and Ted Sarandos, co-Chief Executive Officer of Netflix, receive CBEs in the honours list.

Tech experts Dr Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of AI firm Google DeepMind, Matthew Clifford, a government adviser on artificial intelligence (AI), and Ian Hogarth, chair of the AI Safety Institute, have also received honours.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kathmandu, Mar 29 (PTI) A US-funded maternal and infant healthcare centre, costing USD 1.2 million, was inaugurated in Dhanusha district of southern Nepal on Friday.

The Dhanusha Birthing Centre, funded by the United States Department of Defence (DOD), a first of such project, will be a critical health resource for thousands of women and infants in the Janakpur area.

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Built by the Nepalese people, the Madhesh Institute of Health Science in Janakpur, Dhanusha District, Madhesh province, will operate the centre, according to a press release from the US Embassy here.

The government-run Institute works in collaboration with the Janakpur Provincial Hospital.

Also Read | Earthquake in US: Quake of Magnitude 2.8 on Richter Scale Shakes Southern Illinois; No Damage or Injuries Reported.

This expansion is a direct response to the serious public health challenges Nepalis in the region are facing with regard to maternal health, it said.

The new Birthing Centre will expand the province's access to basic health services by adding over 72 beds to the hospital, the release said, adding, the centre is equipped to handle a high volume of patients and is staffed by a team of dedicated government healthcare professionals.

The Dhanusha Birthing Centre stands as a testament to our commitment to maternal and infant health in Nepal, remarked US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson.

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Baltimore, Mar 29 (AP) A cargo ship rammed into Baltimore's 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.

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WHAT 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 ship still struck one of the bridge's supports at eight knots. That caused the span to break and fall into the water within seconds.

Also Read | Daniel Kahneman Dies: Nobel-Winning Economist and Israeli-American Cognitive Psychologist Passes Away at 90.

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 US 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 ship's "propulsion and auxiliary machinery", according to Equasis, a shipping information system.

A "standard examination" conducted by the US Coast Guard in New York in September didn't identify any deficiencies, according to the Equasis data.

Given the vessel's 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.

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 US from Honduras nearly two decades ago. And El Salvador's 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 am, 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 USD 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 Governor Wes Moore said Thursday.

The US Army Corps of Engineers and a commercial salvage company have been surveying the site as they plan the salvage operation, according to US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Cynthia Oldham.

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 there's no immediate environmental threat and that air monitoring has shown no volatile organic compounds. (AP)

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Patna, March 29: In a shocking incident, a 50-year-old man, identified as Idu Mian, is alleged to have murdered his wife and three daughters in Bihars East Champaran district. The horrifying event occurred around midnight on Thursday, just a month after Mian was released on bail from a prison in Uttar Pradesh, where he had been charged with the murder of his daughter.

Hindustan Times reported that upon receiving information about the incident from neighbours, a police team discovered the bodies of 40-year-old Afreen Khatoon and her three minor daughters at their home in Bawariya village, located in the Areraj sub-division of East Champaran. The victims were found with their throats slit, presumably by a sharp-edged weapon such as a knife. Rajasthan: Married Man Murders Girlfriend by Slitting Her Throat, Attempts Suicide in Bharatpur; Arrested (Watch Video).

Mian, who is currently on the run, had reportedly been involved in frequent disputes with his wife, often blaming her for giving birth to daughters instead of a son. The couple had been married for 17 years. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Kills Wife Over Delay in Lunch in Sitapur District, Later Dies By Suicide.

Kantesh Kumar Mishra, the Superintendent of Police for East Champaran, revealed that preliminary investigations indicated that Mian had been arrested two years ago in Uttar Pradesh for throwing his daughter from a moving train in the Sitapur district. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2024 03:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Amaravati, March 29: The TDP on Friday announced its final list of candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh, which included a YSR Congress MP, who joined the party recently. TDP fielded M Srinivasulu Reddy from Ongole, who recently quit the ruling YSRCP. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the same constituency on a YSRCP ticket in 2019.

The opposition party also announced the candidature of K Appalanaidu from Vizianagaram, A Lakshminarayana from Anantapur and C Bhupesh Reddy from Kadapa. TDP had finalised the candidates list after taking public opinion. Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections 2024: TDP Releases Second List of 34 Candidates, Check Candidate Names and Their Constituencies.

With the announcement of four names, TDP completed the process of choosing candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats, it has been allotted as part of the NDA in the state. Besides 17 Lok Sabha seats, TDP was allocated 144 constituencies in the Assembly elections in the state to be held simultaneously on May 13. Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections 2024: TDP, Jana Sena Announce First List of Candidates.

Under the deal, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's Janasena will contest two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats. Andhra Pradesh has a total of 25 Lok Sabha and 175 Assembly seats.
Thane, March 29: Six persons were arrested in Navi Mumbai for allegedly assaulting a man, who was accused of stealing spices from the firm where he worked, and forcing him to lick shoes, a police official has said. The APMC police station official said the incident took place on Wednesday evening. Navi Mumbai: Mob Thrashes Cop, Man Trying To End Fight Between Groups in Panvel

The man, who is employed in a trading shop in APMC, was assaulted by Raunak Dayaljibhai Bhanushali, proprietor of the trading firm, and his staff, identified as Sanjay Chowdhary, Lalaji Babubai Pagi, Virendra Kumar Laxman Gautam, Yogesh and Karan," he said on Thursday. Navi Mumbai Shocker: Upset Over Disruption in Wifi Signal at Home, IAS Officer and His Brother Thrash Airtel Engineers in Ghansoli, Case Registered

"The man was accused of stealing cardamom. He was beaten up, stripped and forced to lick the shoes of the accused Bhanushali. They also videoed the incident. Further probe is underway," he added.
Hours after the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a magisterial probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Banda has ordered a judicial probe into the matter.
The Agra police on Thursday arrested a man for allegedly raping a minor girl in Khandauli police station area, the police said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other political leaders took to X to extend greetings on Good Friday 2024. PM Narendra Modi recalled the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the occasion of Good Friday. He took to X and wrote Today, on Good Friday, we remember the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May everyone find strength in the lessons of compassion and forgiveness it teaches us. Good Friday is a significant day for the Christian community, in order to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed as a public holiday in several countries including India, Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Finland, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden, among others. Good Friday 2024 Date, History and Significance: Know All About the Day That Marks the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the Holy Week.

Good Friday 2024 Wishes

Today, on Good Friday, we remember the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May everyone find strength in the lessons of compassion and forgiveness it teaches us.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 29, 2024

Wishing all my Christian Brothers & Sisters a graceful & blessed Good Friday. May this Holy Day of Penance, Prayers and Sacrifice inspire us all to live a life of compassion, love and peace.  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 29, 2024

On the auspicious occasion of Good Friday, let's remember the supreme sacrifice and love that guides us toward compassion, love, forgiveness, and unity. May this Good Friday be a time of reflection, renewal, and grace for all. pic.twitter.com/XrNxlAG74I  Kiren Rijiju (  ) (@KirenRijiju) March 29, 2024

On this #GoodFriday, let us solemnly remember the suffering, sacrifice and boundless love of Lord Jesus Christ. May His teachings of compassion and forgiveness inspire us to walk the path of peace and unity. pic.twitter.com/DctT8nzp1H  Dr. Pramod Sawant (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrPramodPSawant) March 29, 2024

On #GoodFriday, we reflect on the profound teachings of Lord Jesus Christ, who exemplified compassion and selflessness in alleviating the burdens of humanity. His sacrifice continues to inspire us to strive for a world of peace, love, and understanding.  pic.twitter.com/incnJZNRIQ  Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) March 29, 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.)
Johannesburg, Mar 29 (UNI) The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa, the country's election management body, said Thursday that it has upheld an objection against former President Jacob Zuma's candidacy in the upcoming elections.

IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said at a media briefing that they have received 82 objections about candidates nominated by 21 political parties for the 2024 national and provincial elections.



"In the case of former President Zuma, yes, we did receive an objection, which has been upheld," said Moepya. "We were unanimous. These are not matters we deal with that are personal. It is a provision of the law against which we must measure an objection and it's straightforward. It is whether the person qualifies or does not qualify."

Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court in 2021, was nominated as a candidate for the elections by the newly-formed MK Party.

South Africa will hold the national and local government elections on May 29. Enditem

UNI/XINHUA ARN
For Christians all around the world, Holy Week is one of the most important observances. This year, Holy Week is being observed from March 2431. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, marking Jesus resurrection after he was crucified on the cross. The sixth day of Holy Week, Good Friday, is the reason why Christians observe Holy Week. Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the day when Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay for humanitys sins. Good Friday is a day of reflection, and sadness for Christians. This year, Good Friday will be observed on March 29, 2024. On this day, Christians around the world attend church services, fast, and mourn Jesus death. Even though the observance is named Good Friday, the word good refers to holy or pious. Good Friday is not a celebration. To observe this special day with your loved ones, send them Good Friday 2024 quotes, sayings, Bible verses, HD images, and wallpapers using Facebook or WhatsApp. Good Friday 2024: Know the Date, History, and Significance of the Sixth Day of Holy Week, Also Known As Holy Friday or Great Friday.

Good Friday Bible Verses

Good Friday (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Good Friday Texts

Good Friday (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Good Friday Images

Good Friday (Photo Credits: File Photo)

Good Friday Messages

Good Friday (Photo Credits: File Photo)

(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.)
Mumbai, March 29: Women in Afghanistan will be stoned to death for adultery as the Taliban's Supreme Leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, announced the resumption of stringent punishment, which has caused international concern. In the announcement, Akhundzada said that the international community had been advocating for women's rights, which were against the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic Sharia.

The Telegraph reported the Taliban's latest announcement in a voice message on state TV last Saturday. The announcement aligns with the Taliban's stringent interpretation of Islamic Sharia, which they argue supersedes international advocacy for women's rights. Taliban Has Imposed Severe Restrictions on Movement of Female UN Employees in Afghanistan, Says Report.

"You say it's a violation of women's rights when we stone them to death. But we will soon implement the punishment for adultery. We will flog women in public. We will stone them to death in public," the media outlet quoted him as saying.

The move marks a continuation of the Taliban's hardline stance since their return to power in 2021, which has seen a systematic rollback of women's rights in Afghanistan. Educational opportunities have been severely curtailed, with girls being banned from secondary schools shortly after the Taliban's takeover and universities closing their doors to female students in December 2022. Employment opportunities have also been heavily restricted, leading to what a UN report describes as the "worst globally" conditions for women and girls, potentially amounting to a "gender apartheid." Afghanistan: Taliban Imposes Severe Restrictions on Sikh and Hindu Minorities.

The situation has forced many Afghan families to consider marriage as the sole option for their daughters, often without the girls' consent. This has contributed to a rise in depression and suicide rates among girls over the past two years, highlighting the tragic human cost of the Taliban's policies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2024 05:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Police in Brazil have now announced that they have officially launched a probe into what may have been former President Jair Bolsonaro's latest attempt at escaping justice, which was staying at the Hungarian Embassy as investigations into his alleged coup attempt were going on.

The investigation came days after a bombshell report by The New York Times revealed that Bolsonaro stayed at the Hungarian Embassy for at least two nights, being escorted by security personnel and the Hungarian ambassador waiting on him during his stay.

This was a potential breach as Bolsonaro's passports were confiscated by police prior to the incident, so he would not have tried to flee Brazil if an arrest warrant had been issued. His stay at the Hungarian Embassy meant that police could not arrest him as the embassy was considered Hungarian territory, therefore they had no jurisdiction to arrest the former president.

A Federal Police source with knowledge of the investigation spoke with the Associated Press and confirmed that it was launched as a direct response to the New York Times report, which showed Bolsonaro captured on the embassy's CCTV footage arriving at and staying inside the embassy, with embassy staff waiting on him.

Hungary's autocrat, Viktor Orban, was a key ally of Bolsonaro, and the former Brazilian president also considers him a friend. There are speculations that Bolsonaro may have tried to seek Orban's help as investigations into his coup attempt were going on.

Bolsonaro has continued to claim that he did nothing wrong, with his lawyers saying in a statement, "In the days he was at the Hungarian embassy, by invitation, the former Brazilian president spoke to countless authorities from the friendly country for updates on the political scenarios of both nations."

READ MORE: Jair Bolsonaro Under Probe for Allegedly Harassing a Humpback Whale May Be Fined 2,500 Reais ($500)

The Relationship Between Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and Hungary's Viktor Orban

Jair Bolsonaro and Viktor Orban are two of the most infamous members of the global right-wing movement, along with Donald Trump. Both have also been embraced by the US right, with Orban's restrictive anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQ measures being embraced by the MAGA movement, while Bolsonaro has been dubbed the "Trump of the Tropics."

As First Post also noted, the two are also good friends, with the Hungarian leader famously calling his Brazilian counterpart his "brother" back in 2022. Orban also called Bolsonaro a "hero" last year when they met in Buenos Aires during the inauguration of Argentina's new right-wing president, Javier Milei.

Jair Bolsonaro Trying To Get Passport Back To Visit Israel

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro himself is trying to go to Israel and he is now seeking to have his passport returned to him. With his stay at the Hungarian Embassy now being investigated as well, this planned trip is already raising a few eyebrows.

Bolsonaro's attorneys confirmed that the former president is planning to go to Israel next month, with his spokesperson stating, "The defense team of President [Jair Bolsonaro] petitioned the Supreme Court last Monday, on March 25, to request the return of the president's passport, albeit for a fixed period, with a view to accept an invitation to visit Israel next month."

READ MORE: Trials for Jair Bolsonaro Supporters Begin Over the January 8 Riots

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Former Brazil President Bolsonaro Hid at Hungary Embassy to Evade Legal Hassles - Firstpost
As more and more migrants flood the border, the US is running out of options. However, new Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo, who recently met with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, has a solution, and that is for the US to invest more in the countries where these migrants are coming from and not just send governments money.

The Guatemalan president recently sat down with CBS News and talked about his trip to the US, including his two separate talks with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He stated that the president was "enchanting" and "very warm" during their brief meeting.

As for his meeting with Harris, Arevalo stated that he told her that "Guatemala needs more US economic investment-not just taxpayer-funded American relief" so that Guatemalans are incentivized to stay in the country rather than try their luck at the US-Mexico Border.

"Cooperation is not sending money. Cooperation can be by creating conditions in which we can invite you to invest in Guatemala and establish factories, work that can begin to produce and create jobs. That's fundamentally what we are most interested in," he said in the CBS News interview.

"We have to work to allow people, what we call, 'The right to stay.' People have a right to remain in their places. People need to find opportunities," the Guatemalan president added. He then addressed the upcoming US election, saying, "We are looking forward to working with whoever wins in the next election to support and work so that our citizens that are residents in the United States enjoy full rights."

He also talked about the rampant corruption that Guatemala is facing, telling the network, "We believe that corruption is the most urgent problem, but the most important problem is development. But if we do not fight corruption, we are not going to be able to get the development that we need so that people can flourish and stay."

READ MORE: Texas Immigration Law SB4 Blocked Again Mere Hours After Supreme Court Allowed the Law To Take Effect

US Government To Give $170 Million Assistance to Guatemala To Help Prevent Migration

Despite Bernardo Arevalo's recommendation that just outright giving countries money to fight immigration would not be enough, the US has now pledged that it will give Guatemala $170 million in migration prevention assistance.

Vice President Harris, however, clarified that this is just "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."

US Leaders Discussed Migration Issues With Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo

During their meeting, Harris was all praises for Arevalo, telling him, "Your leadership can help rebuild the Guatemalan people's trust in their institutions, and give them a sense of hope and opportunity."

Shortly after his meeting with Harris, Arevalo then met privately with President Biden at the Oval Office. According to the Associated Press, they "discussed good governance, effective migration management, the importance of upholding democracy, and other issues."

In addition, the Biden administration also announced that thanks to private sector commitments, the economic opportunity in the region has improved and has already generated $5.2 billion.

READ MORE: Who Is New Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo and Why Are Traditional Politicians Going After Him?

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Vice President Harris Meets with President Bernardo Arevalo of Guatemala - The White House
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported a staggering death toll in Haiti due to gang violence, exceeding 1,500 lives lost this year, with a distressing number being Haiti children.

Shockingly, dozens have fallen victim to brutal acts of lynching, stoning, or even burning alive by self-proclaimed defense groups, according to Reuters.

The report indicates gangs, dominating over 80% of Port-au-Prince, recruit and exploit Haiti children, resorting to violence, even killing those attempting to flee.

Against the backdrop of Haiti's intensifying gang warfare, Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation on March 11 underscored the gravity of the situation.

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, emphasized the urgent need to address Haiti's security crisis, denouncing these horrific acts and calling for immediate cessation.

READ NEXT: Haiti Transitional Council Promises to Restore Peace

Coordinated Attacks and Humanitarian Catastrophe

A recent UN report detailed a harrowing sequence of events between September 25, 2023, and February 29, highlighting coordinated assaults by heavily armed gang leaders, BBC noted.

These attacks targeted critical infrastructure, including police stations, ports, and airports in Port-au-Prince.

The Haiti gang violence has been devastating, resulting in the release of thousands of inmates from major prisons and the widespread destruction of schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities.

William O'Neill, a UN expert on human rights, described the situation in Port-au-Prince as akin to an "open-air prison," with residents paralyzed by fear, unable to leave their homes.

The severity of the crisis has drawn comparisons to past dark periods in Haiti's history, with O'Neill asserting that it surpasses even the atrocities witnessed during the Duvalier dictatorship.

Humanitarian Fallout and Urgent Intervention

Beyond urban centers, Haiti gang violence has crippled rural areas north of the capital, rendering hospitals and clinics inoperative and forcing school closures.

The Artibonite department has witnessed attacks on farms and the theft of livestock, stripping farmers of their livelihoods.

Along the northern coast, the Village de Dieu gang continues to terrorize residents and local businesses, exacerbating poverty and insecurity.

Turkand O'Neill echoed calls for immediate action, stressing the critical need for a UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission to restore stability and safeguard the population.

However, obstacles such as delayed funding pledges and political reluctance hinder progress, prolonging the suffering of Haitian citizens, the Miami Herald reports.

The United Nations report highlights a distressing trend of escalating Haiti gang violence, exacerbated by corruption, impunity, and poor governance.

Gang-related activities have resulted in thousands of Haiti deaths, widespread property destruction, and a collapse of state institutions, pushing the country to the brink of chaos.

While self-defense brigades have emerged as a response to the escalating threat, their actions have led to a concerning rise in lynching incidents.

Immediate action is necessary to tackle the underlying reasons for the violence, protect vulnerable populations, and restore the rule of law.

The international community must prioritize Haiti's plight, taking prompt and resolute steps to ease the plight of its citizens.

READ MORE: Haiti: Sunrise Airways Resumes Miami Flights, Offering Escape Route

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: 'Oh my God': Mothers shield children's eyes from horrific scene in Haiti - From CNN
President Joe Biden is teaming up with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton to court wealthy donors, aiming to solidify his position among two-term Democratic presidents, according to CNN.

The trio will headline a major fundraiser at New York's Radio City Music Hall, the largest fundraising effort this Biden reelection cycle.

The event, moderated by Stephen Colbert, will feature discussions among the presidents.

Ticket prices range from $225 to $500,000, offering guests the chance to be photographed with the presidents by Annie Leibovitz.

Over 5,000 donors, including celebrities like Queen Latifah and Lizzo, are expected to attend.

While not televised, pool reporters will cover the remarks. This rare gathering highlights the significance of Biden's campaign in the face of former President Donald Trump's influence.

However, Jimmy Carter, due to health reasons, will be absent from the event.

READ NEXT: Obama Partners with Biden in Efforts Against Trump

Biden's Fundraising Surge Signals Financial Edge Over Trump

President Joe Biden is set to bolster his financial lead over former President Donald Trump through a high-profile fundraising event, potentially overshadowing Trump's February fundraising figures, Politico reports.

With a significant polling deficit to bridge, Biden's campaign, alongside the Democratic National Committee, boasts a substantial $97.5 million cash reserve, far outstripping Trump and the Republican National Committee's $44.8 million.

Meanwhile, Trump faces mounting legal expenses.

Biden's strategic accumulation of funds is evident as he plans a $30 million advertising blitz for spring.

The Impends fundraiser, expected to surpass previous records, highlights Biden's fundraising prowess.

In contrast, Trump's reelection campaign raised $21 million in February.

Co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg sees the event as a reflection of Biden's momentum, with funds allocated towards crucial voter outreach.

This fundraising surge aims to convey Biden's achievements, vision, and the election's pivotal stakes.

Political Dynamics and Campaign Strategies on Display in New York Appearances

Former President Donald Trump attended a wake for a slain New York City policeman while in the area amid his campaign against Joe Biden for the November election, USA Today noted.

Biden, aged 81, faces scrutiny over his age and fitness for a second term, with recent polls showing a close race with Trump, aged 77.

A Trump campaign adviser acknowledged the fundraising gap compared to Biden, attributing it to Biden's wealthy supporters and emphasizing Trump's grassroots, working-class base.

Barack Obama's role in the 2024 contest sparks discussion, with a focus on his popularity relative to Biden within the party.

Democratic operatives aim to downplay divisions between Obama and Biden, emphasizing Obama's advisory role.

Obama highlights the significance of the Affordable Care Act in campaign messaging, joining Biden in marking its 14th anniversary.

Democratic strategist Jim Messina underscores the contrast between Trump and Biden, echoing Obama's perspective on presidential reflections.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirms shared goals for economic progress and protecting freedoms among Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.

READ MORE: Biden Mocks Trump's 'Mental Health' at Washington Dinner

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Biden holding 'historic' fundraiser with Obama, Clinton and more tonight - From MSNBC
The Illinois stabbing suspect, Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder following a devastating stabbing spree that left four dead and seven injured, according to Fox News.

Rockford police have identified the four individuals who tragically lost their lives in the recent attack by Illinois stabbing suspect: 63-year-old Ramona Schupbach, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach, 49-year-old mail carrier Jay Larson, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb.

Community Mourns Victims Amid Devastating Attack

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara expressed profound sorrow over the tragic events, highlighting the resilience of the community in the face of such adversity.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror as an Illinois stabbing suspect carried out his rampage, targeting unsuspecting victims in their homes, USA Today reports.

Among those killed was Jay Larson, a dedicated postal worker with 25 years of service, who was fatally stabbed after being struck by a car driven by Soto.

As per court records, Soto recounted leaving the Schupbach residence and later recollecting "taking out the mailman."

Authorities discovered Larson with numerous stab wounds in the front yard of a residence in the 2200 block of Winnetka Avenue.

Larson succumbed to his injuries at a nearby medical facility.

A bystander informed law enforcement that he heard disturbances outside his residence, prompting Larson to request assistance.

The witness recounted observing Soto repeatedly stab Larson before deliberately driving over him twice with a pickup truck.

The attack sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, leaving residents reeling from the senseless violence.

Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley detailed the sequence of events, recounting how Soto allegedly targeted Jacob Schupbach and his mother, Ramona, before escalating the violence further.

Responding officers discovered the bodies of the Schupbach at their home, where Soto had launched his initial assault.

During questioning, Soto revealed that he visited the Schupbach residence on Holmes Street in the 2300 block to indulge in marijuana with Jacob.

The Illinois stabbing suspect expressed suspicion that the substances provided by Jacob were contaminated with unknown additives, causing him to feel paranoid.

Subsequently, Soto admitted to retrieving a knife from the Schupbach household's kitchen and using it to fatally stab both Jacob and Ramona.

READ NEXT: Illinois Shooting Suspect Found Dead in Texas After Killing 8 Across Multiple Locations

Vigil Honors Victims as Community Seeks Healing

In the aftermath of the tragedy, a somber vigil was held to honor the memory of the victims and offered support to their grieving families, the Chicago Tribune noted.

Jenna Newcomb remembered as a compassionate and ambitious teenager, was among those tragically killed in the attack.

Attendees at the vigil, which drew hundreds of community members, shared prayers and messages of solidarity, calling for justice and healing in the wake of such senseless violence.

President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to the victims' families and offered federal assistance in the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, Illinois stabbing suspect Christian Soto remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, authorities continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their loved ones.

READ MORE: Utah Mom Kouri Richins Faces Additional Charges Alongside Husband's Killing

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Man charged in connection with Rockford, Illinois stabbing attack that left 4 dead, 7 injured - From CBS Chicago




Before it went public, Donald Trump's Truth Social was bleeding money, with fewer users using it on a daily basis. However, once it merged with Digital World Acquisition Corp. and went public, stocks soared. Currently being traded as DJT, it is currently considered a meme stock, and as meme stocks go, experts are warning it will all go crashing down.

Donald Trump's namesake social media company, the Trump Media & Technology Group, started out strong during its first day of trading Tuesday. It opened at $70.90 and soared as high as $79.38, with Trump supporters helping drive the stock price up.

Despite struggling in its operations, the company has been valued at over $8 billion, also boosting the former president's net worth as he owns the majority of the shares. This has baffled experts because Truth Social "has struggled to attract users and advertisers, burned through cash and wracked up losses," according to USA Today.

University of Florida professor Jay Ritter is one of the experts baffled at this and he told the outlet, "The valuation of the company should be several hundred million, not the billions it is currently valued at."

"The stock will continue to be very volatile, with sharp moves up and down. But the long-term trend will be down," the financial expert warned. "The company has about $2 in cash per share, but it will probably burn through that money and the most likely outcome is eventual bankruptcy."

This was not the first time a Trump business under a vanity ticker failed, as he previously used one Atlantic City casino business, Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts. It went public in 1995 but never turned a profit. The company ended up declaring bankruptcy in 2004.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Georgia Election Interference Case Moves Forward

Experts Questioning Why Donald Trump's Truth Social Is Worth Over $8 Billion

Market experts are still scratching their heads as to why DJT is worth that much. However, The Guardian pointed out that this is because the company's investigators, mostly Trump supporters, do not care about the fundamentals of investing and many are buying it as a "meme stock."

These investors also do not care about the company losing more money than it made last year, recording a loss of $49 million while only earning $3.3 million from advertising alone. The stock's price is currently in a bubble and the stock's prices might crash soon as it is seen as a volatile company to invest in.

Donald Trump's Truth Social Business Not Worth That Much and Would Not Likely Profit, Says Expert

Jay Ritter, a respected finance professor at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business, also spoke with CNN and warned that Truth Social will not be very profitable and might even cost investors.

"The underlying business doesn't seem to be worth much. There is no evidence this is going to become a large, highly profitable company," he warned. "I'm reasonably confident the stock price will eventually drop to $2 a share and could even go below that if the company blows through the money it got from the merger."

The example of Reddit was used, as the company was valued at 6.4 million, which is less than what Truth Social is worth right now. However, unlike the Donald Trump social media company, it earned $804 million in revenue in 2023, a lot more than Truth Social's meager $5 million earnings last year.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Viciously Mocked for Selling 'Trump Bible' While Having Money Problems

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump's Wall Street grift? Velshi & Ruhle explain Trump meme stock - MSNBC
Donald Judd's foundation is taking legal action against Kim Kardashian for a 2022 YouTube video where she praises what she claims is Donald Judd table, according to Curbed.

The lawsuit alleges that the furniture showcased in the video was produced by Clements Design, not Donald Judd.

This misrepresentation, according to the suit, misled consumers into believing the pieces were authentic Judd creations, violating the foundation's policies and damaging Judd's legacy.

Michael Rhodes, Kardashian's legal representative, stated, "We deny that Ms. Kardashian has any liability in this matter, as we have previously explained to the Judd Foundation and its counsel."

READ NEXT: Trump Slams Kardashian After Ivanka Attends Party

Dispute Escalates Amid Attempts to Resolve Amicably

The Donald Judd Foundation asserts that it made multiple attempts to resolve the matter with Kardashian and Clements Design before resorting to litigation.

Megan Bennigan, a lawyer representing the Judd Foundation, said, "Contrary to what Kim Kardashian's attorney now says, neither he nor other counsel representing Ms. Kardashian explained their position on this matter," she stated.

"Multiple attempts were made by the Judd Foundation and its president, Rainer Judd (Donald's daughter), to address and resolve this matter amicably with Ms. Kardashian prior to litigation, which would have been avoidable had we heard back from either Ms. Kardashian or her counsel," Bennigan added.

However, these efforts were met with delays and excuses, prompting the foundation to take legal action, People reports.

Kardashian's promotion of the furniture as "Donald Judd" to her social media followers further exacerbated the dispute.

Despite offers to update the video caption, the foundation insisted on its removal, expressing concerns about the perpetuation of misleading information.

In response, representatives for Kardashian denied her liability in the matter, stating that attempts were made to explain their position to the Judd Foundation.

Nevertheless, the foundation remained steadfast in its pursuit of protecting Judd's intellectual property rights and the integrity of his designs.

Differing Perspectives on Furniture Authenticity

Clements Design, the company behind the Donal Judd table furniture featured in Kardashian's video, contends that their pieces differ materially from Donald Judd's designs.

They emphasize distinctions in wood type and overall proportions, rejecting claims of imitation, per The New York Times.

However, the Judd Foundation points to evidence suggesting otherwise, including an invoice from Clements Design describing the furniture as "in the style of Donald Judd."

The foundation underscores the importance of maintaining the authenticity of Judd's work, citing the artist's own dedication to preserving his creations during his lifetime.

Rainer Judd, president of the foundation, emphasizes the significance of protecting Donald Judd's legacy, stating that revenue from his designs contributes significantly to the organization's financial stability.

The foundation's lawsuit against Kardashian reflects its commitment to upholding Judd's artistic integrity and ensuring that his work is accurately represented and attributed.

The legal conflict between the Donald Judd Foundation and Kim Kardashian brings attention to the intricacies involved in safeguarding artistic legacies and intellectual property rights in contemporary times.

READ MORE: Diddy Associate Brendan Paul Arrested

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Kim Kardashian Sued by Furniture Designer's Foundation - From What's Trending
New Delhi, March 29 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Friday held bilateral talks here and discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its wider ramifications.

"An open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukraine FM@DmytroKuleba this afternoon. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various initiatives in that context", S Jaishankar wrote on X.

"Spoke as well on global and regional issues of interest to both of us. Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation", he added.
Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the death of a 3-year-old boy by gunfire at an East Side Allentown home.

The Lehigh County Coroners Office on Friday identified the toddler as Elijah Abreu Borgen, of Allentown.

The incident unfolded around noon Thursday in the 900 block of East Hamilton Street. Police Assistant Chief James Gress said responders found the toddler with a gunshot wound, attempted lifesaving measures then transported him to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township for treatment.

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, Buglio said. The manner, he said, remains the focus of an active and ongoing investigation.

An autopsy was completed Friday morning, Buglio said.

Allentown police due to the ongoing investigation released little information Friday on what led up to the gunfire. Authorities have said, however, public safety is not at risk.

The case is being handled by Allentown Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and Lehigh County Coroners Office.

We would in collaboration with the Lehigh County DAs Office make a statement when the process allows, Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca told lehighvalleylive.com Friday.

State and local politicians responding to the tragedy extended condolences to Elijahs family.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk on Thursday evening stated he was stunned to learn about the loss of a young life.

My heart goes out to his family as they grapple with something that is truly impossible to comprehend, the mayor said in a statement. 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.

State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, said in a statement he also was devastated to learn about the death. Firearms, he said, remain the leading cause of death among children and teens, with 19,000 either killed or wounded nationally each year.

Im once again heartbroken and devastated over another senseless loss of a child to firearms in my district and our Commonwealth, Siegel stated. ... These tragic deaths and injuries are unacceptable and many of them entirely preventable, no state or country should accept this level of grief or suffering.

I also stand with our police and emergency services in this profoundly difficult moment and recognize the tremendous mental and emotional toll these incidents have on them, Siegel, a former Allentown City Council member, continued. I stand with them in their steadfast service to your city and community and humbled by the sacrifices they make.

Buglio in Fridays coroners report stated: My heart breaks for everyone involved in this tragic incident and I offer my deepest condolences and prayer to the family, friends and entire neighborhood community.

Those with information about the shooting are asked to call Allentown police 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.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Laois County Council approved a 27 million budget for road works in the county in 2024.

Director of Services Simon Walton presented a report on the proposed spend at the latest monthly meeting of Laois County Council.

Mr Walton said the overall standard of the road network is improving and he acknowledged that the weather over the winter had created ideal conditions for potholes and road network deterioration. He said a significant proportion of this years funds would go towards remedying the impacts of the winter of 2023/2024.

He said the Transport Infrastructure Ireland(TII) funding amounted to over 4 million for national roads. The money will fund resurfacing and drainage to 5.4kms of the N78 Ballylehane Lower to Farnans at a cost of 1.8 million, 1 million for the completion of works on the N77 Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise which is at snagging stage, 600,000 for resurfacing the N77 Course to Dunmore, 124,000 for works on the N80 Rathillig/Ashfield Junction and 60,000 for Fingletons Junction on the N80.

In relation to National Secondary Maintenance, a total of 445,949 was allocated for lighting, routine and winter maintenance.

The TII have also allocated 50,000 for a feasibility report for the development of a Greenway between Abbeyleix and Portlaoise.

The Department of Transport has allocated 13,638,750 for Local and Regional Roads, an increase of 52,460 on the 2023 grant.

The largest spend under the Department allocation, almost 10,000,000, will go towards roads maintenance and restoration. The allocation includes 700,000 for former national roads, on bridges 525,000 and 1,878,000 discretionary fund to be used where necessary.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced an Active Travel Allocation for County Laois in the overall sum of 3.5 million for 2024.

It includes 500,000 for bus stop enhancements and 200,000 for the safe routes to school programme.

Meanwhile, the council approved a further 5.5 million for roads and related staff costs in its 2023 budget.

Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Bracken noted there had been no progress on the relief road for Mountmellick. He said roads around the town were being damaged by people avoiding the town centre.

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran commended the council staff but criticised TII. She said Ashfield Junction had been raised three or four years ago. She said there was a number of areas around the county where TII need to take action in the interest of safety.

She said an 80kmh speed zone in Ballylinan needs to be reduced to 50kmh where there are a number of houses.

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming said he was happy to see the Ashfield Junction finally being done.

Fine Gael John King said TII were meant to meet with councillors last year but they never did. His party colleague, Cllr Willie Aird asked that the TII meet with councillors. He expressed concern about footpath maintenance and said a previous footpaths programme is no longer in place.

Footpaths in our area are in a terrible bad state of repair, he said.

Director of Services Simon Walton agreed that footpaths are poorly funded in the county at the moment.
The HSE has been given planning permission to construct a temporary car park with over 100 spaces in Portlaoise.

Laois County Council conditionally approved the construction of 106 car parking spaces for Portlaoise Hospital on the grounds of St Fintans Healthcare Campus.

The HSE had sought to construct a temporary car park for Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, to accommodate 106 No. car park spaces together with all associated site works, located on Block Road, to the Southwest of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. The proposed site is accessed through an existing access road off Block Road. The proposed car park is within the grounds of St Fintans Healthcare Campus, which is listed as a Protected Structure.

The HSE requires the parking facilities due to the ongoing work at the hospital.

Due to the expansion of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and the current ongoing construction of the new Respiratory Assessment Unit and Paediatrics Extension granted under Planning Ref. 21/756, there has been a displacement of existing car parking facilities to accommodate the proposed new build. The proposed temporary car parking is to accommodate for these spaces for the duration of these and other ongoing building works at the campus, architects for the HSE explained in the planning application.

It is important to note that the subject site, while within the legal boundary of St. Fintans is outside the original Historical Boundary/ Historical Curtilage of St. Fintans, the architects pointed out.

The council approved the application subject to nine conditions.
Today FM presenter Louise Cantillon will be in Laois in April as the guest speaker at a meeting in Portlaoise to help students and parents on Leaving Cert and going to college.

People First Credit Union welcomes the TV and radio presenter from Limerick to town for the Student Information Evening in the Killeshin Hotel.

Louise hosts Today FM's flagship lunchtime show and is a familiar face on TG4, known for her roles in the annual Junior Eurovision and TG4 Travel Series Teasc Taistil.

Additionally, she hosts the successful bilingual podcast "HOW TO GAEL" with TG4 colleagues Doireann Ni Ghlacain agus Siomha Ni Ruairc.

She is a a former secondary school teacher, Louise holds a B.Ed in PE and Gaeilge, which the Credit Union says allows her to bring a unique perspective to her journey from education to a thriving media career.

Carol Murphy, Marketing Manager, People First Credit Union, will also speak at the meeting. She will share her expertise and in-depth knowledge of the costs involved in financing third-level education, student loan options, and details about the People First Scholarship Award.

Donnchadh O'Mahony is a Leaving Cert Guidance Counsellor and Podcast Host will also be there. The qualified career guidance counsellor has deep understanding of the world of work, learning, courses, colleges, and universities. He is also host of the popular podcast and insta page @LeavingCertGuidance.

Cian Power is a Student Budgetary Advisor and a former National Taskforce Member on Youth Mental Health. A University College Student Advisor with a Masters in Public Health, he will share his expertise in educational supports, funding for college life, and discussions on SUSI Grant Funding, coping with college life, securing college accommodation, and avoiding fraud.

People First says the free event is aimed at parents and students in 5th and 6th years.

"This event is designed to provide crucial insights into financial planning, navigating SUSI funding, and making informed career choices as students and parents transition to college life," they say.

It takes place on Thursday, April 4 at 7pm at The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

This exclusive event is open to People First Credit Union members and students of our seven secondary schools within the common bond:

St Mary's CBS, Portlaoise

Scoil Chriost Ri, Portlaoise

Portlaoise College, Portlaoise

Dunamase College Cholaiste Dhun Masc, Portlaoise

Athy College, Athy

Ardscoil na Trionoide, Athy

Heywood Community School, Abbeyleix

Anyone who wants to attend must register at www.peoplefirstcu.ie/studentevening2024 People First advise that booking is essential as walk-ins will not be accepted.
A Kildare county councillor has voiced concerns over what he referred to as the 'rising' presence of nitrous oxide abuse among young people.

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender voiced concerns regarding the 'increasing popularity' of nitrous oxide among young people in County Kildare.

The Newbridge representative's call to action comes in light of a recent case report compiled by the Health Research Board (HRB) for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), which highlights a notable presence of nitrous oxide use, particularly among young people and those attending music festivals.

Cllr Pender, who also sits on the South Western Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, explained: "Nitrous oxide, commonly known as 'laughing gas', while not controlled under Ireland's Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, is subject to restrictions when sold for its psychoactive properties.

"Data from various sources indicate a worrying trend of nitrous oxide use within both adult and youth populations in Ireland, with a marked increase in its availability and use in social settings."



He continued: "The findings from the HRB report are alarming and highlight a growing issue within our community that cannot be ignored.

"We are seeing nitrous oxide, a potentially harmful substance, becoming increasingly popular among our young people, with evidence of its use being particularly prevalent during social gatherings, festivals, and school breaks."

Cllr Pender pointed to a number of key findings from the report:

A significant portion of users are young adults, with the highest usage among those aged 1824 years.

Usage patterns suggest infrequent but potentially harmful consumption, including instances where individuals use large quantities in a single setting.

The substance is widely available, with variations in pricing and access, including online purchases and street sales.

He further said: "These insights demand immediate attention and action from all of us  policymakers, educators, parents, and community leaders.

"We must work together to raise awareness about the risks associated with nitrous oxide and develop targeted interventions to protect our young people from its harms."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender (Photograph supplied).



Cllr Pender said that he is calling for a 'multi-faceted approach to address this issue.

"This would include:

Enhanced education and awareness campaigns targeted at young people, parents, and educators.

Closer regulation of the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide to prevent its misuse.

Support for research to better understand the implications of nitrous oxide use and to inform public health strategies.

"As a community, we have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our young people; this includes taking proactive steps to address the use of substances like nitrous oxide that can have detrimental effects on their health and future.

"I am committed to working with local and national authorities, as well as community groups, to tackle this issue head-on," he concluded.

When asked by the Leinster Leader about what one should do if they are concerned that a loved one is abusing nitrous oxide, Cllr Pender had this to say: "If a parent, sibling, or any family member suspects or knows that a young person is using nitrous oxide, the first step should be to approach the situation with care, understanding, and without judgment; it's crucial to educate yourself about nitrous oxide, its effects, and the potential signs of use, to communicate effectively and supportively with the young person involved.

"Opening a dialogue about your concerns, based on observations rather than accusations, can encourage an open and honest conversation.

"Listening to the young persons experiences and feelings is vital, as is expressing your support and willingness to help them seek professional guidance if necessary."

He continued: "In Kildare, we're fortunate to have resources like the Halo Project and Hope Cottage which offers a range of services and support for individuals and families affected by substance use.

"These services include counselling, education, and treatment options tailored to meet individual needs.

"I strongly recommend reaching out to them for expert advice and support.

"You can contact the South Western Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force directly to find out more about services on offer in the county, as they are always happy to signpost people in the right direction."

"The journey towards addressing substance use is often complex, and it requires patience, persistence, and support from the entire family and professional services... Taking care of your own well-being and seeking support for yourself is also important during this time," Cllr Pender concluded.

He also said: "For further information and to join the conversation on addressing nitrous oxide use in our community, please contact my office."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email helpline@hse.ie.

You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/.
Kildare County Council has lodged plans to convert the former Sisters of Mercy convent on New Street in Rathangan into apartments.

The promoters of the 24 apartment project are Sophia, an approved housing body which provides homes for people who have experienced homelessness.

The project has an estimated construction value of 2.6m, according to the Construction Information Ireland database.



St John's Convent, which was home to the Sisters of Mercy until they departed the town in 2017, has been vacant since then.

Sophia is one of the largest providers of supported housing in Limerick and in Cork it recently opened a number of new homes. It also provides supported housing in Clare, Kilkenny, Laois, Cork, and Sligo.

A part 8 planning application for the project was submitted by Kildare County Council on Thursday.



Being planned is the demolition of the former Convent and an external store.

The plans include the construction of 24 residential units of one-bedroom two-bedroom sizes in two blocks of 2-storey height.





Also in the designs is a Community Room, 32 car-parking spaces and six visitor spaces.



There will also be 37 long-stay secure bicycle parking spaces and 12 short-stay bicycle parking spaces.



A Public open space and a communal open space are also proposed.

A new site entrance, access road, footpaths and public lighting are included in the proposals.
'Ireland's leading folk band', once again captured the hearts of fans across the globe with their spellbinding melodies and harmonies, comes to Carrick-on-Shannon on April 14 at 8pm.

2023 was nothing short of a remarkable year for The High Kings - following an epic world tour and the release of their highly anticipated 8th studio album The Road not Taken as well as unprecedented streaming numbers.

Marking 15 years together, their world tour, which sold out venues across Australia, Canada, Germany, Benelux, the UK and the UAE, as well as three tours of the USA, was met with resounding success, leaving audiences in awe.

The band's ability to continue to bridge cultural gaps and connect with fans profoundly is a testament to their unique blend of traditional Irish folk music and contemporary sensibilities.

The release of their 8th studio album, The Road Not Taken, was another milestone achievement, further solidifying The High Kings' status as stalwarts of the folk music genre.

Packed with soul-stirring ballads and spirited tunes, the album showcases the band's musical prowess and storytelling abilities. Its number-one chart status is a testament to its popularity and ongoing dedication to preserving and innovating Irish folk music for a new generation of listeners.

In addition to their live performances and studio albums, The High Kings shattered records in the streaming world. Their songs have garnered millions of streams, with particular appeal for Chasing Rainbows (Badscandal Remix) and Step it Out Mary (Fari Mac Remix), both surpassing a million streams in record time, showing that The High King's enduring appeal transcends generations, attracting fans of all ages to their music.

As they prepare to embark on their latest musical adventure, The Road Not Taken Tour, The High Kings are poised to continue their reign as ambassadors of Irish folk music.

This tour promises to celebrate their remarkable journey. They will take audiences on a captivating musical odyssey, featuring beloved classics and new tracks from their latest album.

The High Kings, known for their electrifying live performances, marked by rich harmonies, masterful instrumentation, and an unmistakable passion for their craft, are excited to take this tour across Ireland as a celebration of their incredible achievements in 2023.

Tickets are on sale from Landmark Hotel reception at 071 96 22222 and online from Ticketmaster.ie https://www.ticketmaster.ie/the-high-kings-co-leitrim-13-04-2024/event/18006028D16820CD.
Lophos Holdings Inc. Celebrates Successful Conclusion of Inaugural Annual General Meeting, Confirms Board Members and Stock Options Plan





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 Company's 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 Company's 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 Company's 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 Company's 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: [email protected]

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 Company's 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.

28 march 2024 at 18:45

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Shop TJC Ltd. Teams Up with The Apprentice: A Triple Triumph!





TJC celebrated its third collaboration with BBC One's The Apprentice, airing an episode on March 28, 2024, that showcased candidates selling TJC's products. The filming, which took place in June 2023, had candidates engaging in a range of activities from product selection to live sales, demonstrating their sales skills and creativity.

LONDON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Shop TJC Ltd. (TJC) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its third collaboration with the iconic BBC One series, The Apprentice. This partnership, which has now become a beloved tradition, saw this year's candidates take on the challenge of selling TJC's exquisite selection of beauty items, home decor, and lifestyle products in an episode that aired on March 28, 2024.

Filming in the bustling heart of TJC's operations in June 2023, the candidates were put through their paces, engaging in everything from product selection to pricing negotiation. However, the true test came when they took to the live stage, tasked with selling to TJC's discerning audience. Over two nail-biting, unscripted hours, the would-be entrepreneurs showcased their salesmanship, wit, and charm, all while navigating the extensive product details and keeping viewers entertained.

Reflecting on the event, TJC's Managing Director, Srikant Jha, expressed his excitement and pride in hosting The Apprentice candidates for a third time. "It's always a pleasure to welcome The Apprentice team to TJC. This year's candidates brought a fresh energy and innovative approach to our live shows, making for an unforgettable episode. Such collaborations not only provide a unique platform for emerging business talent but also highlight TJC's commitment to bringing innovative and high-quality products to our audience."

This year's collaboration with The Apprentice not only brought a wave of enthusiasm and creativity to TJC but also reaffirmed the company's position as a leading name in the lifestyle, beauty and jewellery retail space in the UK. Through its engaging live shows and a wide array of products, TJC continues to captivate and cater to the needs of its vast audience across the country.

About TJC:

Located in the heart of London, Shop TJC Ltd. (TJC) is a premier destination for shoppers seeking high-quality jewellery, beauty products, and other lifestyle accessories. A proud subsidiary of Vaibhav Global Ltd. (VGL), TJC boasts an impressive direct-to-consumer model, with live television shows broadcasting 24/7 to approximately 25 million UK households. Since its inception in 2006, TJC has been dedicated to offering exceptional value and quality, ensuring customers enjoy a unique and engaging shopping experience. For more details, visit www.tjc.co.uk or explore our interactive app available on iTunes, Google Play, and many other streaming platforms.

Media Contact

Jennife Carr, Shop TJC LTD, 44 07734459909, [email protected], www.tjc.co.uk

SOURCE Shop TJC LTD

28 march 2024 at 21:45

News published onand distributed by:
Peng Liyuan meets German students, teachers in Beijing





BEIJING, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily:

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, met on Thursday with representatives of students and teachers from the Chinese Choir of the Burg Gymnasium, a German high school, at Beijing No.35 High School.

Peng congratulated the choir on its fruitful achievements over the past decade of conveying friendship through songs.

She said that through everybody's joint efforts, the choir has built a bridge of cultural exchanges between China and Germany and become a shining symbol of China-Germany friendship. It is hoped that the students can feel the charm of Chinese culture in the beautiful melody, and become a new generation of envoys of China-Germany friendship, she added.

Olaf Millmann, president of the choir association, thanked Peng for her care and support for the choir, and said that more and more German teenagers have come to know and love China by learning Chinese through singing, and they will continue to actively build a bridge of communication through music and Chinese, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between German and Chinese teenagers.

The student representatives of the choir reported their learning situation and experience, as well as their love for China, to Peng in Chinese, and said that they would continue to work hard to learn Chinese well.

Peng had a cordial interaction with the teachers and students, praised the students for speaking Chinese better, and encouraged the students to share their experiences and feelings in China with their families and friends after returning home, and continue the stories of China-Germany friendship.

The Chinese choir is a non-profit public welfare organization. With the aim of promoting non-governmental exchanges between China and Germany, it is committed to enhancing the friendship between the two countries in the fields of language and culture.

29 march 2024 at 00:55

News published onand distributed by:
Whistle Along the Rhine: A Look Back at 10 Years of CR Express Development





CHONGQING, China, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing: In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Germany's then Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics and Energy, Sigmar Gabriel, witnessed the arrival of the YUXINOU (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) train in Duisburg, Germany. Later it was called the China-Europe Railway Express along with other routes that connect Chinese cities to Europe.

"Obviously he was quite happy to see that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) finally reached Duisburg," recalled Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisport, who was present during Xi's visit. "For me in person, this is a very impressive and very emotional moment."

In 2013, President Xi proposed the BRI, revitalizing the Silk Road symbol to foster broad economic collaboration among partner nations. Throughout the last decade, this railway linking Asia and Europe has shown consistent operations and continual advancement.

Zhou Shulin, Chairman of Board of YUXINOU (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management highlighted that traditional sea freight could take weeks to reach Europe. Since its inception in 2011, the YUXINOU rail link, covering 11,179 kilometers, has reduced transit time to just 16 days.

"This also played a significant role in attracting the laptop industry cluster to settle in Chongqing at that time," Zhou said.

Wu Song, Vice General Manager of Changan Automobile Logistics Center, revealed that the China-Europe Railway Express has become the main transportation route for Changan to reach CIS region markets. In 2023, approximately 60,000 vehicles were exported through this railway.

Reversely, an increasing number of European cars, wines, and agricultural products are being shipped to Asia via this rail route, transforming it into a two-way corridor. The local employment also improves as the railway express comes.

Located on the Rhine River, Port of Duisburg is the world's largest inland port. The China-Europe Railway Express's arrival solidifies its status as Europe's gateway to Asia.

Thomas Krajnicki, a 52-year-old German employee with four years of experience at YUXINOU Germany GmbH at Duisburg, was thankful for the arrival of the China-Europe Railway Express.

"It's not common to get such a secure job at 52. I hope I can stay here," he said.

In an interview in 2023, Markus Teuber, China Affairs Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Duisburg, stated that in 2014, there were only about 40 Chinese companies in Duisburg, but by 2023, this number had exceeded 120.

Full video:

https://www.ichongqing.info/2024/03/28/whitles-along-the-rhine/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2375106/Markus_Bangen__CEO_of_Duisport___PhotoWCICO.jpg

29 march 2024 at 03:22

News published onand distributed by:
Governor Gavin Newsom Joins "Team of Heroes" Standing Up to Big Oil in New Ad to KEEP THE LAW Protecting Neighborhoods from Toxic Drilling





New Series of Ads Exposes Toxic Risks to

Neighborhoods from Oil Wells

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Gavin Newsom joins a team of neighborhood leaders and environmental justice organizations in a series of new ads ( Regina , Tianna , Cesar , Nalleli , Community , Governor ), to be aired statewide for the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California. Newsom stood with former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, doctors, and environmental justice leaders last week in launching the CA vs Big Oil campaign to KEEP the historic law (SB1137) preventing new toxic oil and gas drilling near schools, hospitals and neighborhoods.

"We welcome Governor Newsom joining the 'Team of Heroes' of frontline community leaders and environmental justice organizations in the fight to take on Big Oil on the ballot in November," said Mabel Tsang, Political Director of California Environmental Justice Alliance. "Our united effort is crucial in safeguarding our neighborhoods from the dangers of toxic oil drilling."

Below is the transcript of the ad featuring Governor Newsom:

"Why is Big Oil attacking Governor Gavin Newsom?

It's simple.

Newsom joined community leaders to protect mothers and kids from cancer...

Demanding no new toxic drilling in our neighborhoods.

And Newsom stood up to Big Oil's price-gouging at the pump - empowering an independent watchdog to hold oil companies accountable.

Now, Big Oil is attacking Newsom for joining everyday Californians standing up to their greed.

But California won't back down. Join the fight at CAvsBigOil.com ."

Big Oil has already spent over $53 million fighting setbacks that would make existing oil and gas wells safer by meeting tighter health and environmental requirements within 3,200 feet of neighborhoods, schools, daycare centers and healthcare facilities. The law also keeps new wells from being built in these areas. To try and overturn this public safety law, oil companies spent millions to place a deceptive measure on the November 2024 ballot.

Nearly 30,000 oil and gas wells in California sit within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, hospitals and other public areas, exposing nearly 3 million people, disproportionately communities of color , to emissions that can cause birth defects, respiratory illnesses and cancer. An independent scientific advisory panel in 2021 advised California officials that a 3,200-foot setback between oil wells and sensitive receptors is the minimum distance to protect public health.

"KEEP THE LAW" campaign endorsers include public health groups, community and faith organizations, and environmental justice leaders from across California, working to hold oil companies accountable for creating a public health crisis, especially for communities of color.

For more information about our campaign, please visit our website at: www.CAvsBigOil.com

Ad Paid for by Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, sponsored by nonprofit environmental and health organizations. Ad Committee's Top Funders:

Advocacy Action Fund, Inc

Nancy Burnett

Holdfast Trust

Funding Details at www.fppc.ca.gov

SOURCE Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California

29 march 2024 at 08:30

News published onand distributed by:
Settlement Administrator Angeion Group Announces Proposed Settlements with Brown University, University of Chicago, the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Trustees of Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, Northwestern University, William Marsh Rice University, Vanderbilt University and Yale University in Henry, et al. v. Brown University, et al. Class Action





If You Were Enrolled in a Full-Time Undergraduate Program and You Received Financial Aid at Any Time Between 2003 and 2024,

a Class Action Settlement Totaling $284 Million May Affect Your Legal Rights.

A federal court authorized this notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.

PHILADELPHIA, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal court has preliminarily approved proposed settlements ("Settlements") with the following ten defendant universities: Brown University ("Brown"), University of Chicago ("Chicago"), the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York ("Columbia"), Trustees of Dartmouth College ("Dartmouth"), Duke University ("Duke"), Emory University ("Emory"), Northwestern University ("Northwestern"), William Marsh Rice University ("Rice"), Vanderbilt University ("Vanderbilt") and Yale University ("Yale"). The Court has also preliminarily approved a Settlement Class of students who attended the following seventeen schools (during certain time periods): Brown, California Institute of Technology, Chicago, Columbia, Cornell University, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Rice, Vanderbilt, and Yale (the "Defendants," or "Universities," or "Defendant Universities"). As a part of the Settlement, the Defendant Universities have agreed to make a settlement payment of $284 million and to provide certain additional information to Plaintiffs in this antitrust class action lawsuit called Henry, et al. v. Brown University, et al., 1:22-cv-00125, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ("Action").

The Action was brought by certain students who attended the Universities while receiving partial need-based financial aid. The Action alleges that the Universities conspired in violation of the federal antitrust laws regarding principles, formulas, and methods of determining financial aid. The Action also alleges that as a result, the Universities provided less financial aid than they would have provided had there been full and fair competition. The Universities have alleged that Plaintiffs' claims lack merit; that the Universities' financial aid policies were legal and pro-competitive; that financial aid awards were not artificially reduced; that the Universities have valid defenses to Plaintiffs' allegations; and that Plaintiffs' claims would have been rejected prior to trial, at trial, or on appeal.

What does the Settlement provide?

The Defendant Universities have agreed to provide, collectively, $284 million in cash for the benefit of the Settlement Class as a part of the Settlement Fund.

Every member of the Settlement Class who (a) does not exclude him, her, or themselves from the Settlement Class by May 13, 2024, and (b) files a valid and timely claim during a process that will occur later will be paid monies from the Settlement Fund. The money in this Settlement Fund will also be used to pay the following, as approved by the Court:

The cost of settlement administration and notice, and applicable taxes on the Settlement Fund, and any other related tax expenses, as approved by the Court;

Money awards for the Settlement Class Representatives for their service on behalf of the Settlement Class, as approved by the Court, and

Attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses for Settlement Class Counsel, as approved by the Court.

Payments for claims will vary depending on a number of factors. Assuming that about half of the estimated 200,000 Class members submit timely claims (at a later date), and that the Court awards the attorneys' fees and costs as requested, the average claimant will receive about $2,000 from these Settlements.

In addition, under the Settlement, the Universities have agreed to provide Plaintiffs with access to certain additional discovery as detailed in the Settlement Agreements.

For more information about the Settlement Agreements, please visit www.FinancialAidAntitrustSettlement.com.

Am I eligible to receive a payment from the Settlements?

You may be eligible to receive a payment if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has during the Class Period (a) enrolled in one or more of Defendants' full-time undergraduate programs, and (b) received at least some need-based financial aid from one or more Defendants, and (c) directly purchased from one or more Defendants tuition, fees, room, or board that was not fully covered by the combination of any types of financial aid or merit aid (not including loans) from one or more Defendants in any undergraduate year. The Class Period is defined as follows:

For Chicago , Columbia, Cornell , Duke Georgetown, MIT , Northwestern , Notre Dame , Penn , Rice , Vanderbilt, Yale?from Fall Term 2003 through February 28, 2024 .

, Columbia, , Duke Georgetown, , , , , , Vanderbilt, Yale?from Fall Term 2003 through . For Brown, Dartmouth , Emory?from Fall Term 2004 through February 28, 2024 .

, Emory?from Fall Term 2004 through . For Caltech?from Fall Term 2019 through February 28, 2024 .

. For Johns Hopkins?from Fall Term 2021 through February 28, 2024 .

For more information, visit www.FinancialAidAntitrustSettlement.com.

How do I ask for money from these Settlements?

If you are a member of the Settlement Class, you must submit a valid and timely claim to get money from the Settlement Fund during a process that will begin several months from now. If the Court finally approves the Settlement, as part of the Court approved distribution and allocation process, the Claims Administrator will distribute to all Settlement Class members, who do not exclude themselves from the Settlement Class, and for which there are valid addresses, a Claim Form to complete. Members of the Settlement Class may also contact the Claims Administrator by phone at 1-833-585-3338, by email at [email protected], or visit www.FinancialAidAntitrustSettlement.com if they do not receive a Claim Form. The Claim Form will include the deadline for timely submission and instructions on how to submit or approve the Claim Form.

What are my other options?

If you Do Nothing, you will be legally bound by the terms of the Settlements, and you will release your claims against the Releasees. You may Opt Out of or Object to the Settlement by May 13, 2024. Please visit www.FinancialAidAntitrustSettlement.com for more information on how to Opt Out of or Object to the Settlements.

Do Settlement Class members have a lawyer in this case?

Yes. The Court appointed the following law firms to represent Settlement Class members: Freedman Normand Friedland LLP, Gilbert Litigators & Counselors, PC, and Berger Montague PC. These firms are called Settlement Class Counsel. They will be paid from the Settlement Fund upon making an application to the Court.

The Court's Fairness Hearing.

There will be a Fairness Hearing held telephonically on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 1:00 pm CT using call-in number 1-888-684-8852, access code 746-1053.

At the Fairness Hearing, the Court will consider whether the Settlements are fair, adequate, and reasonable and should be approved. The Court will also decide whether it should give its final approval of the Plaintiffs' requests for attorneys' fees and expenses, service awards to the Settlement Class Representatives, and other costs. The Court will also consider any objections and listen to members of the Settlement Class who have asked to speak at the Fairness Hearing.

This notice is only a summary.

For more information, including the full Notice and Settlement Agreements, visit www.FinancialAidAntitrustSettlement.com, email [email protected], or call 1-833-585-3338.

Media Contact:

Angeion Group

Shiri Lasman

(215) 563-4116

SOURCE Angeion Group

29 march 2024 at 09:00

News published onand distributed by:
Connolly Brothers Completes Project for Calare Properties





BEVERLY, Mass., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Connolly Brothers Inc., a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients, recently completed a 52,000 square-foot design-build fit-up project for Calare Properties. The facility, located in Milford, MA, will serve as a new Commonwealth of Massachusetts 911 Public Safety Answering Point, State 911 Training Center, Municipal Police Training Committee Academy and Offices for the Massachusetts Department of Correction Professional Standards Unit.

"This project provides a state-of-the-art facility for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support its public safety initiatives," says Bailey Duffy, associate at Calare Properties. "We are very grateful to have partnered with Connolly Brothers and the user state agencies in successfully completing this complex redevelopment."

The two-story building was vacant for seven years, thereby presenting challenges for Connolly's design team. At first, it was critical to ascertain an understanding of the existing infrastructure, such as underground plumbing and structural components. Connolly proceeded to update the structural requirements, such as reinforcing second-floor and roof bar joists, strengthening steel column brace frames and creating four new grade beams, in order to meet updated building code requirements for use group risk category of the building. Connolly provided additional accessible entrances and replaced the exterior stairs with new granite.

The electrical requirements to support the 911 Communication Center required a high level of coordination between Connolly's design and construction teams, as this included design of twenty-two workstation consoles that support the intricate technological infrastructure needed to support the operating requirements for a 911 emergency dispatch center.

"This project exemplified how outstanding teamwork delivers a successful project," says Connolly Brothers President and CEO, Jay Connolly. "Each and every member of this project from preconstruction through design & engineering and then construction was fully committed to the group effort and the results showed. The project was delivered on time and on budget and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Calare Team in the future."

Connolly served as both Architect of Record and Construction Manager for this design-build project. The project team also included Platinum Fire Protection, D+D/DNET and Tech Mechanical.

Calare Properties, built by Connolly Brothers Inc. Photos by Camille Maren.

For more information about Connolly Brothers Inc., visit https://www.connollybrothers.com/.

About Connolly Brothers Inc.

Connolly Brothers Inc. is a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients. A five-generation family business established in 1880, Connolly is based in Beverly, Mass. and operates throughout the New England region. For more than a century, clients have turned to Connolly for all aspects of their construction projects, from planning and design to real estate development.

Media Contact:

Julia Kelley

978-927-0053, ext. 328

[email protected]

SOURCE Connolly Brothers Inc.

29 march 2024 at 09:30

News published onand distributed by:
Unifi Aviation commits to hiring 500 refugees by 2027





Company launched refugee hiring program in 2021, has 200+ refugees working airport operations in multiple states

ATLANTA, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Unifi Aviation is making a pledge to employ 500 refugees over the next three years, a commitment the company made at the second annual TENT U.S. Business Summit on Refugees hosted by Pfizer at its global headquarters in New York City on March 26.

"Unifi Aviation is making a pledge to employ 500 refugees over the next three years..."

The largest aviation services company in the United States ? Unifi already employs more than 200 refugees at its operations in Seattle, Atlanta, Houston and Minneapolis. In 2023, the company hired a former refugee to join the corporate recruitment team in Atlanta, to not only improve its refugee employment efforts but also ensure that a member of Unifi's HR team understood the specific challenges these employees face and how to help overcome them.

Since joining TENT in 2022, Unifi has developed and improved its hiring and onboarding practices to ensure refugee applicants are considered. The company offers translation services, assistance with transportation to work and eased requirements for a high school diploma, recognizing many refugees don't have access to the same level of education.

Akshay Loomba, Vice President of Talent Acquisition: "We have operations in 200 locations in the U.S., and TENT helps us build relationships with resettlement agencies around the country, so we can make sure refugee communities know when and where we are hiring. It's been a great partnership. We're proud that Unifi's growth over the last five years has led us to a place where we can make such a strong, important pledge of employing 500 more refugees."

The company is already working on hitting that goal ? with more than 120 people applying for positions at a refugee hiring event in Houston on March 28.

Dr. Archana Arcot, Chief People Officer: "Unifi takes immense pride in our diverse and multicultural, frontline workforce of more than 27,000 individuals whose unique backgrounds are pivotal to our achievements. Our culture shapes how we work, and our commitment to embracing refugees from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine and more, further strengthens our culture of inclusion. Their exceptional contributions to the company's success are a testament to the enriching impact of hiring and elevating the refugee workforce at Unifi."

Unifi Aviation, LLC is the largest aviation services company in North America, servicing more than two million flights annually. The company has stations in over 200 airports and provides a full range of services, including ground handling, passenger transport, security, cabin services, ground support equipment maintenance, and much more. Unifi is a part of the Argenbright Group and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit unifiservice.com.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Unifi Service

29 march 2024 at 10:30

News published onand distributed by:
Community Colleges: A Public Good





MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

The following is written by Dr. Tracy D. Hall, President of Southwest Tennessee Community College:

The Chronicle of Higher Education released in July 2023 a publication entitled "College as a Public Good: Making the case through community engagement." In it were sections devoted to topics such as colleges as stewards of the public trust, educational partners, financial drivers and community partners.

Community colleges serve all of these purposes and more. We take the community in our middle name seriously. Since our beginning in the 1900s, junior colleges (now community colleges) have partnered with local businesses and industries, K-12, civic, social, and government partners to meet the needs of our communities.

Take Southwest Tennessee Community College, for example, where I have served as president for nearly nine years. Located in Memphis, Tenn., home of the blues and barbeque, this predominantly Black institution has a front-row seat to the abject poverty that has plagued the city for generations. In 2021, poverty in this majority Black city stood at 22%, higher than the state of Tennessee (13.6%) and the United States (12.8%).

The ravages of poverty were especially evident during the global pandemic. Southwest's enrollment dipped 30%, Tennessee's largest decline in community college enrollment. We faced a budget deficit of $10.6 million.

Before the pandemic, our students were already struggling to make ends meet. Fifty percent qualified for federal Pell Grant funding. Our fall enrollees' average family contribution (EFC) was $670. The EFC represents the maximum financial support a student's household can likely devote to tuition, fees, and books in a year.

There were few, if any, safety nets for our students. In fact, most walked a tightrope trying to balance school, family, transportation challenges, lack of childcare, and even homelessness. Unfortunately for many, life too often got in the way of their dreams.

And then came a pandemic ? the epitome of adding insult to injury.

Covid-19 wreaked havoc on the social and economic welfare of communities across our nation. But, for those individuals and communities already in peril, the results were even more devastating. Data indicate that a post-secondary credential significantly increases lifetime earning potential. Again, our enrollment declined 30%. If these students did not return to their studies, their job prospects would likely continue to recede, resulting in less earning potential and fewer opportunities than their credentialed counterparts. These factors are why, despite our post-pandemic dip in enrollment and resulting budget shortfall, Southwest made the big, audacious move to, once again, redesign, reset and reinvent the college to answer the call of the community.

Southwest Workforce Solutions Center

The students were not the only Covid victims. Local business leaders needed help finding employees. Concerns grew about the local economy's future, and talks ensued about ways to help Memphis quickly recover from the pandemic. Business leaders expressed a need to deliver shorter-term, career-focused programs at an accelerated speed.

For more than two decades, Southwest has met the needs of the local community, whether it was developing the state's first community college aviation program to address the impending shortage of pilots or partnering with the police department and the City of Memphis to develop a police services technician program to address the shortage of police officers, Southwest has answered the call.

A pandemic, then, would not deter us from our mission to move with all deliberate speed to respond to the needs of our business community.

Thanks to an $800,000 grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, we began rebranding our entire college into Southwest: The Workforce Solutions Center (SWSC). We increased our customized training to address unique industry needs, including soft skills and leadership skills training and training in automotive, business, engineering, IT, logistics, transportation management, robotics, and health care programs.

We focused on a holistic analysis of students, using data-driven training plans to enhance student success and completion. We offered pre-career training and an industry preview for potential students to ensure they pursued careers that best met their interests and skill set.

Perhaps most importantly, we accelerated our programs by incorporating industry-identified training programs leading to credentialing that is scalable to evolving business needs (certifications, licensure, and/or degrees).

Buoyed by a $5500,000 Reimagining the Community College Experience grant from the Tennessee Board of Regents, our workforce and academic units collaborated to create seamless, non-credit-to-credit stackable credentials. Students can now earn a career and technical certificate in their first year at the college.

We also incorporated auto-credentialing to capture students who had completed coursework but had yet to take the steps to apply for graduation. Southwest is just one of many examples of community colleges nationwide that are doing the heavy lifting to respond to the needs of our communities.

ROI

Engagement extends beyond the classroom for the more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide. Our very essence promotes a culture of collaboration and inclusivity that enriches the college experience for our students and contributes to the overall social fabric of the communities we serve.

For most community colleges, our graduates remain in the local community. According to our most recent economic impact study at Southwest, 96% of our alums remain in the Memphis metropolitan area. Operations spending from the college and our students and alums generated over $126 million in income to the Mid-South economy, equivalent to 2,457 jobs.

We not only help to develop the workforce, but community colleges are also employers. At Southwest, our economic study showed that we spent over $41 million on payroll and benefits for 1,126 full-time and part-time employees and nearly $40 million on goods and services to carry out our day-to-day operations.

The results of this study show that Southwest creates a positive net impact on the regional economy and generates a positive return on investment for students, taxpayers, and society.

Community colleges contribute significantly to our local, regional, and state economies. We keep our fingers on the pulse and ears to the ground to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our communities. By being visible and active participants in social endeavors, community colleges strengthen ties with the community and play a vital role in nurturing a collective ethos of progress, compassion, and shared success.

By heeding the call from our communities, community colleges create positive environments that reinforce the notion that education is not isolated from the real world but an integral part of the larger society. Community colleges embrace our roles as stewards of the public trust, educational partners, financial drivers, and community partners.

We are, indeed, a public good.

About Southwest

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a comprehensive, multicultural, public, open-access college with seven locations in West Tennessee. Southwest awards associate degrees and certificates in more than 120 programs of study. Southwest, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

About AACC

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

29 march 2024 at 11:00

News published onand distributed by:
Georgia-Pacific Celebrates Corrigan Being Named Timber Products Capital of Texas





NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific celebrated with its employees and Corrigan, Texas, as the city received a designation from the state as the Timber Products Capital of Texas on Thursday, March 21. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Corrigan City Hall.

For over 200 years, Corrigan has been recognized for its resources and contributions to the timber industry. Plentiful southern yellow pine forests, and facilities such as Georgia-Pacific's Corrigan Plywood and nearby Camden Plywood and Camden Lumber make a significant impact to the local and statewide economy.

"This designation puts Corrigan on the map and recognizes the impact of this city and the forestry industry," said Lester Knight, Georgia-Pacific Corrigan, plant manager. "The designation also recognizes the hard work of Georgia-Pacific's employees here in Corrigan, and we couldn't be prouder."

Georgia-Pacific has 10 facilities throughout Texas, which include Corrigan, Camden Plywood and Camden Lumber. The company employs around 2,500 employees and has made $735 million in capital investments in the state since 2013.

Stay updated on business news from Georgia-Pacific by visiting news.gp.com/business.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Georgia-Pacific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Georgia-Pacific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/georgia-pacific

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific

29 march 2024 at 11:30

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Extension of Deadline In Accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Irish Takeover Rules





The Board of MariaDB plc (NYSE: MRDB) ("MariaDB" or the "Company") confirms that the Irish Takeover Panel has consented, at the request of the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") made in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Irish Takeover Rules, to the extension to 5:00 pm (New York time) on Friday, April 12th, 2024 (the "Extended Deadline") of the deadline provided for in Rule 2.6(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, by which K1 Investment Management LLC ("K1") is 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.

The Board have requested this extension to facilitate ongoing discussions between the Company and K1, which the Board expects to be concluded before the Extended Deadline. The continued discussions 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. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, K1 is required, no later than the Extended Deadline 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. The Extended Deadline will only be further 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 or not 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.

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), 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" 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 [email protected]. 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

29 march 2024 at 15:25

News published onand distributed by:
2024 Harvard Business School New Venture Competition: Uniting Cutting Edge Ideas, Innovative Ventures, and Talented Alumni and Students





BOSTON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harvard Business School's (HBS) Klarman Hall was packed to capacity yesterday evening, with spectators there to support the 12 student finalist teams competing in the finale of the 27th annual HBS New Venture Competition (NVC). At stake was $225,000 in cash plus in-kind prizes to fund the startups. The top prize in the Student Business Track and Student Social Enterprise Track was $75,000 each, with runner-up prizes of $25,000; two audience prizes of $5,000; and $15,000 in Tough Technology prizes.

"NVC provides a rigorous platform through which students develop their business ideas as a positive force for change."

The NVC is open to all students and alumni interested in launching new business and social impact ventures. The School's Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Initiative (SEI), in partnership with HBS Alumni Clubs & Associations, host the annual competition. This year, 262 teams participated in the competition?88 in the Student Business Track, 31 in the Student Social Enterprise Track, and 143 Alumni Track teams in eight regional competitions around the world. Since its inception in 1997, there have been more than 6,300 participants, and $3,000,000 has been awarded to the students and alumni who are creating groundbreaking new businesses and social impact ventures.

This year's new venture pitches were vetted by and given feedback from more than 300 judges and mentors, including many HBS graduates, from fields such as venture capital, private equity, law, accounting, philanthropy, impact investing, and social entrepreneurship. The result was 20 finalists, eight in the Student Business Track, four in the Social Enterprise Track, and eight in the Alumni Track, in fields as varied as healthcare, sustainability, artificial intelligence, lifestyle and cosmetics, and nutrition.

"The New Venture Competition provides a rigorous platform through which students develop their business ideas as a positive force for change," commented Elise Bates (MBA 2000), who recently joined the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship as its new director. "It serves not only as a challenging competition but also as a profound educational opportunity. Students engage in collaborative efforts with peers and receive pragmatic feedback from a deep bench of serial entrepreneurs and early-stage investors. All teams apply valuable lessons to new innovations that make a difference in the world."

"Complex societal challenges require innovative approaches, collaboration across sectors, humility, and the determination of the next generation of leaders," Amelia Angella (MBA 2001), director of the Social Enterprise Initiative, remarked. "This year's entrants are powerful examples of business as a positive force for social change. The NVC offers our students a unique educational platform to test their ideas, get feedback from experienced judges, and help their organizations have a meaningful social impact."

"The New Venture Competition is one of our flagship programs within the portfolio of offerings that support HBS students and alumni in the pursuit of their entrepreneurial journeys," added Senior Lecturer Julia Austin, one of the Rock Center faculty co-chairs. "For some it provides an on ramp, for others it provides a continuation of the work they have advanced within Short Intensive Programs such as Startup Bootcamp and Startup Toolkit, and for others it provides an opportunity to join a founder to help advance their venture."

Encouraging participants during the ceremony, Professor Shikhar Ghosh, the other faculty co-chair of the Rock Center, said, "The New Venture Competition provides structure, support, and scaffolding for our students and alumni as they face the inevitable uncertainty and adversity that is part and parcel within the startup journey, enabling them to tackle some of the most pressing issues and opportunities of our time?from climate change to healthcare inequities to AI and other new technologies that simultaneously encompass unprecedented risks and opportunities."

In addition to the $225,000 in cash prizes, sponsors donated in-kind tools and services that will help the startups launch and grow. In-kind sponsors are All Stage, Case Smart Impact Capital, Foley Hoag LLP Law Firm, Harvard Innovation Labs, HubSpot for Startups, MassChallenge, and Wix.

This year's winners are:

Student Business Track

The Dubilier Prize was established by New York and London-based private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 1998 in honor of their founder, Martin Dubilier (MBA 1952), to support entrepreneurship.

The Satchu-Burgstone Prize honors Jon Burgstone (MBA 1999), Asif Satchu (MBA 1999), and Reza Satchu (MBA 1996), all recipients of the runner-up prize in the 1999 competition with their plan for SupplierMarket.com.

The Dubilier $75,000 Grand Prize:

Crop Diagnostix

Redefining precision agriculture through AI-powered, genetic insights.

Team: Brandon Chi (MBA 2024), Joseph Swift, Amitesh Pratap, Leonie Luginbuehl

Satchu-Burgstone $25,000 Runner Up Prize:

Sanso

Sanso helps drug manufacturers produce life-saving biologics more efficiently, in order to deliver cheaper drugs to patients worldwide.

Team: Narek Dshkhunyan (MBA 2024), Daniel Erdosy

Crowd Favorite Prize:

BEAM

BEAM provides continuous, high-bandwidth access to satellite data through a software-enabled optical communications module and data transfer service, connecting individual satellites in any orbit to a broad network of satellites and their connected ground stations across the world.

Team: Nathan Dass (MBA 2025) Sara Ballantyne (MBA 2025)

Student Social Enterprise Track

The Sacerdote Prizes were initially established in 2003 by Peter M. Sacerdote (MBA 1964) to encourage more HBS graduates to become involved in social enterprises and to support their efforts.

Peter M. Sacerdote $75,000 Grand Prize:

Solara

Providing an on-demand solar irrigation service to Indian farmers, increasing their access to affordable, reliable, and clean irrigation.

Team: Rea Savla (MBA 2024), Vishesh Mehta

Peter M. Sacerdote $25,000 Runner Up Prize:

Trans Health HQ

A tool built by the trans community that addresses clinicians' barriers around learning and advocacy.

Team: Ivan Hsiao, MPH 2024

Crowd Favorite Prize:

SeaCycle

Pioneering sustainable biopolymer production.

Team: Hande Ilhan (MBA 2025), Jakob Spiess (MBA 2025)

Alumni Track

Separately, HBS alumni were invited to participate in the Alumni New Venture Competition (aNVC). The 143 teams competed in eight regions around the world, where regional finalists were sent to the Global Finals round to compete for over $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. More than 100 judges participated. Winners were announced at the Global Finale held virtually on March 21.

First Place Winner

Elisa

Transforming child nutrition in Latin America through fresh and additive-free meals.

Team: Rosalino Molina (MBA 2022) Founder & CEO

Region: International Track

Runner Up and Crowd Favorite

Harken Sweets

Harken reimagines joy-inspiring, iconic treats, infusing them with superfoods that nourish and satiate. It's not a "bar"...it's a functional candy bar. Thank goodness we can finally eat those again.

Team: Katie Lefkowitz (MBA 2016) Founder & CEO

Region: New York

Mark Cautela

[email protected]

617-495-5143

ABOUT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 250 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and PhD degrees, as well as more than 175 Executive Education programs, and Harvard Business School Online, the School's digital learning platform. For more than a century, faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching, to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will go on to shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.

SOURCE Harvard Business School

29 march 2024 at 15:37

News published onand distributed by:
During the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, global leaders and senior officials of international organizations welcomed Asia's economic success, while they called for cooperation and solidarity from all countries to meet global challenges. 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.
Senegal's president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential palace in Dakar on March 28, 2024. - / AFP

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, March 29, told Senegal's anti-establishment president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye that France wanted to "continue and intensify the partnership" between their countries, his office said.

Read more Subscribers only Who is Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal's new president?

Macron offered Faye "warm congratulations" for his victory in last Sunday's presidential election, hailed the smooth unfolding of the vote and "the sovereign choice of the Senegalese people," his office said. In their first telephone call since the election, Macron and Faye discussed the main areas of "bilateral cooperation and the regional situation," the Elysee Palace added.

Faye, 44, was released from prison just 10 days before the March 24 election and swept to victory in the first round against establishment candidate Amadou Ba.

His firebrand political mentor Ousmane Sonko has regularly railed against former colonial power France, but Faye said after his win that Senegal would remain a trustworthy ally of foreign partners. That reassurance was welcomed by France, Senegal's main political and economic partner, which has seen its influence wane in its former West African colonies in recent years.

Read more Subscribers only Is Macky Sall to blame for his camp's defeat in the presidential election?
UN Ambassadors Vassily Nebenzia of Russia and Zhang Jun of China speak with ambassadors of Arab countries before a Security Council meeting and vote on a resolution on the Israel and Gaza conflict at UN Headquarters on March 25, 2024. CRAIG RUTTLE / AP

Russia on Thursday, March 28, 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 South Korea's Foreign Ministry, which said Russia had made an "irresponsible decision" despite its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The United States called the veto by Moscow 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.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took to social media to call the veto "a guilty plea," amid allegations that Pyongyang is aiding Moscow in its war against Kyiv.

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.

Read more Subscribers only North Korea steps up provocations ahead of US elections

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.

Read more Subscribers only United States strengthens its arsenal of sanctions against Russia
THE RIVER Shannon Protection Alliance (RSPA) has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien to conduct an independent review of the Shannon Pipeline Project.

If plans for the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region get the go-ahead, it will deliver a new source of water supply to address water supply demand deficits in the Dublin region.

Uisce Eireann are proposing the project to pump water from the River Shannon at the Parteen Basin (Birdhill) to Dublin, a distance of 172km. It is proposed to take in excess of 330 litres of water daily from Lough Derg.

According to the RSPA, this will have a negative ecological impact on the Region, they also believe that diverting Shannon Water to Dublin is unnecessary and a complete waste of taxpayers money.

The Dublin area and its growing population are serviced by Victorian era pipes which leak badly. Leakage estimates from Dublin area pipes range from between 37% and 57% daily. Uisce Eireann is currently claiming leaks are down to 33%, but no underlying data has been supplied by them to verify this figure, Kay Mullane of the RSPA said.

Uisce Eireann plans an environmentally dubious, and wasteful 1.65bn (current estimate) scheme to divert water from the Shannon to Dublin. It's a waste of taxpayers' money, and risks serious harm to a river at the heart of the nation.

Diverting the river Shannon water is absurd, especially if approximately half the water never reaches the taps of Dublin. We are calling for the 1.65bn budget to be reallocated to kick start a Mains Pipe Replacement Programme for Dublin. It will be at least ten years before the pipeline is built, is there to be no mains pipes replacement Programme in place during that period, she added.

READ MORE: Works to start on Limericks historic walls

According to Uisce Eireann, the River Liffey supplies 85% of the water requirements for 1.7 million people in the Dublin area.

This dependency on the Liffey (and the two main treatment plants of Ballymore Eustace and Leixlip) results in a serious vulnerability to risks such as prolonged drought and/or contamination. Exposure to this key vulnerability is endured daily and can only be addressed through a new water source for the Eastern and Midlands Region.

The application for the pipeline, seeking approval in principle, for the project to proceed to planning has been submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Public Spending Code Guidelines.

Uisce Eireann is awaiting the outcome of that process.
CERTAIN personnel within University of Limerick (UL) should be given the chance to review the contents of an investigation into the purchase of 20 homes in Rhebogue at over market value, the college's governing authority has decided.

On top of this, they will also be able to make written observations on the findings that have arisen.

On a day where UL chancellor Prof Brigid Laffan addressed the controversy of the overpayment of the units for students for the first time in front of a packed audience at University Concert Hall, the governing authority met a short time later.

At that meeting, they discussed the report done on the transaction, which she admitted will leave the university facing a "serious impairment" of 5m which will be reflected in the institution's financial statements for 2023.

READ MORE: Hundreds attend meeting at University of Limerick over housing overspend

In a statement released by UL on behalf of the governing authority, the next steps it will take on the independent report, commissioned in February, were outlined.

"The governing authority has determined that certain university personnel should be afforded the opportunity to review its content and submit written observations on its findings. Once responses have been received, the governing authority will meet to determine the appropriate next steps," the statement read.

UL said it will be offering "no further comment" for the time being, and did not identify which individuals the governing body is referring to.

The governing authority added it's engaging closely and regularly with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which is its principal funder.

Part of this engagement is to agree the terms of reference for a separate review which has been ordered by the authority in the wake of the news of the overpayment emerging.

Under conditions imposed on the college, the inquiry's terms must be agreed with the HEA. These are expected to be finalised shortly.

Prof Laffan said: "I want nothing more than to help steer this esteemed academic institution that is renowned worldwide for its research and learning, into the future. It is with profound upset and disappointment that instead of dedicating all my energies to that task, I must instead focus on addressing this issue of governance and financial management. It is a matter of significant regret that we find ourselves in this very difficult situation. This is a critical matter for me and for the governing authority as a whole. It is essential that the facts are established, that measures are taken to ensure that something like this never happens again, and that there is accountability."

The college's president, Prof Kerstin Mey, who has been the subject of calls to resign from the role, is on sick leave.

In the meantime, Prof Laffan told students earlier that the president's deputy, vice-president and provost Shane Kilcommins will assume her duties for at least the next fortnight.

Statement on behalf of the Governing Authority of University of Limerick in relation to the acquisition of property at Rhebogue, Limerick:

The governing authority of University of Limerick ("UL") met today to consider matters related to the acquisition of properties at Rhebogue, Limerick; the consequent financial impairment for UL and the associated implications in relation to governance, financial management, and potential future funding. This follows the revaluation of the acquired properties at the end of last year and the serious impairment that must be reflected in the Universitys financial statements for the year end, 30 September 2023.

At the meeting today the governing authority reviewed and considered the findings of an independent factfinding report that had been commissioned in February 2024 to establish the key facts in relation to the acquisition of the properties. The governing authority has determined that certain university personnel should be afforded the opportunity to review its content and submit written observations on its findings. Once responses have been received, the governing authority will meet to determine the appropriate next steps.

The governing authority also considered a written request dated March 26, 2024 from the Higher Education Authority asking it to undertake a review of specific issues in relation to the acquisition of the Rhebogue properties and in relation to general governance and culture of the University. The governing authority is engaging closely and regularly with the HEA to confirm the terms of reference for this review which are expected to be finalised shortly. The governing authority will move quickly to ensure that the review and report are completed within the specified deadline.

Commenting today, the chancellor of University of Limerick, Professor Brigid Laffan said: I am proud and humbled to have been appointed Chancellor of this great University in November of last year. I want nothing more than to help steer this esteemed academic institution that is renowned worldwide for its research and learning, into the future. It is with profound upset and disappointment that instead of dedicating all my energies to that task, I must instead focus on addressing this issue of governance and financial management. It is a matter of significant regret that we find ourselves in this very difficult situation. This is a critical matter for me and for the governing authority as a whole. It is essential that the facts are established, that measures are taken to ensure that something like this never happens again, and that there is accountability.

The reputation of this university is of the utmost importance to me and to my fellow members of the governing authority. We take matters of governance, financial management and transparency, extremely seriously and this issue is being dealt with as a matter of the highest possible priority. We will do all that we can to restore the universitys reputation and to rebuild trust with the University community and with all stakeholders. I want to thank the staff of the University and the students for their continued focus on learning and excellence despite the negativity that surrounds them.

The governing authority will continue to provide relevant updates in respect of developments to the University community and all relevant stakeholders as and when available and appropriate."
Elon Musks artificial-intelligence startup will launch an upgraded version of Grok, its rival to OpenAIs ChatGPT, further intensifying the global AI race as interest in chatbots grows.

The latest version, Grok-1.5, will be available to early testers and existing Grok users on social-media platform X in the coming days, xAI said Thursday.

By enhancing the models reasoning and problem-solving capabilities, one of the most notable improvements in Grok-1.5 is its performance in coding and math-related tasks," it said.

xAI unveiled Grok as its flagship product in early November. Musk has said the world needed an alternative AI option to Google and Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI.

xAIs announcement came days after Musk said that all premium subscribers of X will have access to Grok this week.

Musk has drawn on the two companies overlapping financial backers, technology and data to help jump-start xAI, founded last year, while seeking to leverage AI to turn around Xs business and transform the platform into an everything app."

Write to Sherry Qin at sherry.qin@wsj.com

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Hillary Clinton and U.S. election officials said they are concerned disinformation generated and spread by artificial intelligence could threaten the 2024 presidential election.

Clinton, a former secretary of state and 2016 presidential candidate, said she thinks foreign actors like Russian President Vladimir Putin could use AI to interfere in elections in the U.S. and elsewhere. Dozens of countries are running elections this year.

Anybody whos not worried is not paying attention," Clinton said Thursday at Columbia University, where election officials and tech executives discussed how AI could impact global elections.

She added: It could only be a very small handful of people in St. Petersburg or Moldova or wherever they are right now who are lighting the fire, but because of the algorithms everyone gets burned."

Clinton said Putin tried to undermine her before the 2016 election by spreading disinformation on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat about all these terrible things" she purportedly did.

I dont think any of us understood it," she said. I did not understand it. I can tell you my campaign did not understand it. The so-called dark web was filled with these kinds of memes and stories and videos of all sorts portraying me in all kinds of less than flattering ways."

Clinton added: What they did to me was primitive and what were talking about now is the leap in technology."

A bipartisan Senate report found that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help elect Donald Trump. Russia repeatedly has denied interfering in the 2016 election.

The 2024 election cycle is the first where officials are preparing to respond on a broad scale to disinformation created and spread by AI. People could use AI to disseminate images, audio and videos that misinform voters about their polling place, voting day or how to turn in their ballots.

While election disinformation has been a longtime issue, AI could help it spread faster, election administrators say.

At Columbia, election officials said they were worried about deepfake videosdeceptive videos designed to look realthat could lead people to believe false information.

Now were facing an election cycle where those lies will be turbocharged through AI," said Jocelyn Benson, Michigans secretary of state and a Democrat.

There is no federal ban on AI-generated content that can influence voters. Michigan is one of a handful of states that have passed laws to limit the use of AI to sway voters.

Michael Chertoff, the U.S. homeland-security secretary under George W. Bush, said he thinks people could make videos with AI that attempt to discredit the election system. We could have another January 6th," the Republican said, referring to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

One of the first tests for handling AI-generated disinformation came in New Hampshire in January. A robocall with a voice that sounded like President Bidens told recipients not to vote on primary day. The New Hampshire attorney generals office later traced the origin of the call to a Texas-based company and issued a cease-and-desist order, citing a voter suppression law.

The Federal Communications Commission last month banned AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls.

Clinton, Benson and other U.S. leaders Thursday said they wanted some sort of federal regulation over AI and elections.

Nearly two dozen tech companiesincluding Amazon, Google, Microsoft and OpenAIsigned an agreement last month pledging to prevent the creation and spread of AI-generated disinformation about elections. The companies didnt commit to banning the content.

Tech executives at Thursdays event said they were working hard to track and identify risks posed by bad actors who leverage generative AI.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said solutions must come from regulation or collaboration within the tech sector.

This problem is going to get much worse over the next few years," he said.

Isabelle Bousquette and Belle Lin contributed to this article.

Write to Alyssa Lukpat at alyssa.lukpat@wsj.com
A U.S. visa program for skilled foreign workers has long stoked concerns over American workers losing their jobs to lower-paid foreigners. Now a group of experienced American professionals is accusing an Indian outsourcing giant of firing them on short notice and filling many of their roles with workers from India on H1-B visas.

The American workers say that Indias Tata Consultancy Services illegally discriminated against them based on their race and age, firing them and shifting some of their work to lower-paid Indian immigrants on temporary work visas.

Since late December, at least 22 workers have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against TCS, whose clients have included dozens of the U.S.s biggest firms.

The American former TCS employees are Caucasians, Asian-Americans and Hispanic Americans ranging in age from their 40s to their 60s and living in more than a dozen U.S. states. Many have masters of business administration or other advanced degrees, according to the complaints, which were reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

While companies often conduct layoffs that affect workers with more seniority, the American professionals say TCS broke the law by targeting them based on protected characteristics of age and race. They say the companys move demonstrated preferential treatment to Indian workers in the U.S. on the coveted visas.

A TCS spokeswoman said allegations that the company engages in unlawful discrimination are meritless and misleading. TCS has a strong record of being an equal opportunity employer in the U.S., acting with integrity in its operations, she said.

The complaints revive questions about how Indian IT companies use H-1B visas. The visas are designed for skilled foreign workers but have for years led to concerns that Americans are being displaced by cheaper foreign workers with lesser qualifications. Companies apply for visas on behalf of workers and arent required to demonstrate that Americans with those skills are unavailable.

Mumbai-based TCS, part of the Indian conglomerate Tata Group, is Indias largest IT services firm by revenue, with more than 600,000 global staff, mostly in India.

Although the company generates about half of its revenue in North America, it typically employs a much smaller workforce in the U.S., comprising staff who often have face-to-face meetings with clients there.

The Washington, D.C.-based EEOC enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace and can pursue federal charges. An EEOC spokesman declined to comment, citing confidentiality.

The agency last year sued Tesla, alleging Black employees were subjected to racial harassment and a hostile work environment. Tesla has said it strongly opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment" and has a record of disciplining and terminating employees who use racial slurs and engage in other forms of misconduct. Cases brought by the EEOC can lead to financial penalties.

Many big U.S. tech firms such as Google, Microsoft and Meta, which have different business models than outsourcers, use the H1-B visas to employ staff who attract high wages, and have come under less criticism.

Congress allows roughly 85,000 new H-1B visas a year, with applications often far outstripping that number.

The former TCS workers say that, despite years of positive reviews and often bonuses for their work for clients in areas such as finance, operations and supply-chain management, they were abruptly taken off projects last year.

Many say TCS management thwarted their efforts to find new assignments at the company, even when asked by clients to continue on their projects, and were then terminated. Some said the work they were doing was taken over by younger, less-experienced Indian nationals on H-1B visas.

In their complaints, the former employees cite comments that TCSs global human resources head Milind Lakkad made in an interview with Indian media last year. He said TCS is trying to reduce the number of Americans it employs in the U.S. and would like to provide more opportunities to Indians there, according to the report.

One former worker said in a complaint that TCS human-resources staff told employees in an all-hands meeting that the company planned to use money saved by closing down a unit that employed many of the American workers to provide jobs to more Indian nationals in the U.S.

TCS has a significant issue on its hands," said Peter Bendor-Samuel, chief executive of Everest Group, a Dallas-based firm that advises companies on outsourcing, referring to the complaints. The law is largely on the employees side," he said.

In the run-up to the 2016 election, Donald Trump promised to tighten American borders, sometimes assailing the H-1B system as a cheap labor program," while at other times saying the U.S. needed highly skilled workers.

When he was in office he proposed an overhaul of the H-1B program that would have made it tougher to qualify for the visa, though a federal judge later struck down two of the new policies.

In October, the Biden administration proposed changes to how the H-1B visa lottery is run after the government found that companies had colluded to try to increase their chances of securing visas.

Write to Newley Purnell at newley.purnell@wsj.com
A Reality Club Discussion on the Work of Daniel Kahneman from 2014 in Edge.org:

On the occasion of Daniel Kahnemans 80th birthday on March 5, 2014, Edge celebrated with a reprise of a number of his contributions to our pages. (See Edge Master Class 2007, A Short Course in Thinking About Thinking; Edge Master Class 2008, A Short Course in Behavioral Economics; Kahnemans talk on The Marvels and Flaws of Intuitive Thinking at the Edge Master Class 2011, The Science of Human Nature.

In the first Edge Master Class, Thinking About Thinking (2007), Kahneman was the teacher and the students were the founders and architects of Microsoft, Amazon, Google, PayPal, and Facebook, i.e. the individuals responsible for rewriting our global culture. Why did Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Larry Page (Google), Sergey Brin (Google), Nathan Myhrvold (Microsoft), Sean Parker (Facebook), Elon Musk (Space X, Tesla), Evan Williams (Twitter), Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia), among others, travel to Napa that year, and again in 2008, to listen to Kahneman? Because all kinds of things are new. Entirely new economic structures and pathways have come into existence in the past few years: New ideas in psychology, cognitive science, behavioral economics, law, and medicine that take a new look at risk, decision-making, and other aspects of human judgment.

Danny Kahneman is simply the most distinguished living psychologist in the world, bar none, writes Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert. Trying to say something smart about Dannys contributions to science is like trying to say something smart about water: It is everywhere, in everything, and a world without it would be a world unimaginably different than this one.

More here.
She was still in disbelief that the phenomenally successful crypto exchange where she had worked, often putting in 16-hour days, had imploded overnight. Its team of young, idealistic employees in the Bahamas had scattered. Her old boss, Sam Bankman-Fried, was facing a criminal investigation. Much of her net worthat least $500,000 in FTX shares and various cryptocurrencieshad evaporated.

Tien, who led public relations for FTX and was also Bankman-Frieds executive assistant, felt depressed for months. She attended his trial last fall in a bid for closure. She holds Bankman-Fried responsible for the catastrophic losses to FTXs customers. But she was saddened when Judge Lewis Kaplan on Thursday sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

Hes a brilliant person, and his talents could be better used elsewhere," Tien said.

Former FTX employees have felt a mix of emotions about Bankman-Frieds odyssey from crypto hero to federal prisoner. Some sympathized with the former FTX chief executive. Others, angry at the harm he caused, said he deserved to be punished.

Above all, FTX employees are still struggling to reconcile their memories of the company with the picture of a multibillion-dollar fraud painted by prosecutors and trial witnesses.

The Justice Department called FTX one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. It accused Bankman-Fried of diverting customer funds to pay for luxury real estate, political donations and risky investments. Three members of his inner circle pleaded guilty to fraud and testified against him. In November, a jury convicted Bankman-Fried of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Its like, what the hell was going on? It was not apparent at all from what I was seeing in the office," said Can Sun, the former general counsel of FTX.

Sun, like the other former employees interviewed for this article, hasnt been accused of wrongdoing and said he was in the dark about illegal activity at FTX. He said he only pieced together that Bankman-Frieds crypto hedge fund, Alameda Research, had borrowed FTX customer funds on Nov. 7, 2022.

That day, as FTX was reeling from a flood of customer withdrawals, other FTX executives pulled Sun into a meeting about raising emergency funding, during which he learned that billions of dollars were missing. He later took a walk with Bankman-Fried around his elite Bahamas apartment complex. As they walked, the FTX chief asked if there were potential legal justifications for Alamedas use of customer funds. Sun offered a few theoretical justifications, but stressed that they werent supported by the facts. He resigned the next day.

Sun finds it maddening that Bankman-Fried has never admitted to knowingly misappropriating customer funds, and has characterized the collapse of FTX as a failure of risk management, rather than a crime.

When this whole thing happened, Sam was never straight with me or anyone else," Sun said.

A spokesman for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. Speaking in court on Thursday, the former FTX chief apologized to his former colleagues. I know a lot of people feel really let down, and they were right," he said at his sentencing hearing.

Within weeks of the collapse of FTX, Sun was on a call with federal prosecutors. He later signed a nonprosecution agreement and testified against Bankman-Fried at the trial. Sun says he did nothing wrong, but agreed to the deal out of an abundance of caution, as he might have unknowingly approved deals involving misappropriated funds.

His ties to FTX initially dogged him as he worked to re-establish his legal career. The general counsel of one big crypto firm refused to meet with Sun, citing his FTX connection. Sun is now head of legal affairs and compliance for Backpack, a startup crypto exchange led by an ex-Alameda employee.

Bankman-Fried should face serious consequences as a deterrent to other white-collar criminals, said Sun, adding that he personally lost about $4 million in FTXs collapse.

There was just no need to do any of the things that he did," Sun said.

Andrew Croghan, a former chief operating officer of Alameda Research, still cant fathom how the startup he helped create turned into a synonym for fraud. During the trial, he found it surreal to read headlines about his former colleagues testifying about financial crimes.

Croghan joined Alameda in 2018, when it was based in a Berkeley, Calif., office with beanbag chairs and furniture ordered from Amazon.com. He later became FTXs first head of business development. He left in 2020, but remained friendly with Bankman-Fried and was in talks to return to FTX when it collapsed. The downfall came as a shock.

This was someone I believed in, someone I trusted," Croghan said. So much collateral damage and negativity came out of this."

Still, Croghan took issue with media depictions of Bankman-Fried as greedy. Whatever illegal acts the FTX chief committed, Croghan said, they were motivated by effective altruismthe philosophical movement that encourages adherents to make big bucks so they can donate more money to charity. Bankman-Fried was a proponent of EA, as the movement is known. So were his fellow executives who pleaded guilty: Gary Wang, Caroline Ellison and Nishad Singh.

People think hes your average mustache-twirling villain," said Croghan, who doesnt identify as an effective altruist himself. I dont think thats the case. He could have stolen a lot more money for himself, if thats what he really wanted to do."

Tien, the former head of FTX public relations, moved back to her native Taiwan and landed a job as head of communications for a crypto investment firm. In February, she wrote a letter to Judge Kaplan urging a lighter sentence for Bankman-Fried. The Sam I knew and worked with never acted out of greed or self-interest," she wrote.

Tien has come to believe that the roots of FTXs downfall lay in Bankman-Frieds management style. Over time FTX became increasingly centered on him, and he stopped heeding the advice of others, she recalled. That led to bad decisions.

It kind of became this one-man company," Tien said. Everyone was just really afraid to disobey anything that Sam even hinted at, when he wanted things to go in a certain way. Most people just kept their heads down and followed whatever they were being told. It was pretty toxic."

If she could go back in time, shed have one piece of advice for Bankman-Fried: Stop thinking that you are the smartest person in the company or in the world."

Write to Alexander Osipovich at alexo@wsj.com
The U.S. colleges putting graduates onto the most lucrative pathways in finance, tech and management consulting include many schools youd expectIvy League schools, for instance, and top public universities.

But it also includes some surprises.

Graduates with some of the highest salaries in these fields attended schools like Baruch College, San Jose State University and the U.S. Naval Academy, according to data from the Philadelphia think tank Burning Glass Institute.

Their success shows that proximity to industry hubs and rigorous curricula are just as important as strong alumni networks and prestigious degrees, says Matt Sigelman, president of Burning Glass.

The rankingswhich include the top 20 public and private universities for launching graduates into high-earning jobsaim to answer: If the chosen career and the number of years in the field are the same, what effect does the undergraduate school somebody went to have on their salary?

The effect can be huge. In the first 10 years after graduation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni who go into finance average $73,608 a year in salary more than the median college graduate in the field, according to Burning Glass. The average yearly salary for MIT grads in finance in those years is around $175,000.

The average salary for the median graduate in finance through the first 10 years of their career is just over $100,000, according to Burning Glass. For alumni in tech its about $122,000, and for consulting graduates, $98,000.

The schools in the rankings have offered graduates an array of resources to enrich their careers, Sigelman says. Among them: Grads from Ivy League and top public schools can tap vast alumni networks. Liberal-arts alumni learned soft skills that can help them ascend corporate ranks. Service-academy graduates acquired potentially lucrative traits like perseverance and diligence. And recruiters flock to schools around Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

Finance

The top five private colleges for high-paying jobs in finance are MIT, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College. The top five public schools are the University of Michigan; the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Virginia; the U.S. Military Academy, and William & Mary.

Gabriela Guaita Saba, a 30-year-old vice president at Goldman Sachs, says a key reason she transferred to Baruch in 2012 was that the college partnered with high-profile companies in its hometown of New York City.

I knew nothing about finance or Goldman," she says. I got to know them through the student programs at Baruch."

The Venezuelan native says she completed a capstone project in 2015 for her international-business major doing consulting work for a beauty and skin-care company. She later did an internship with the company and stayed on part-time afterward to do operations work.

Following her summer internship, she went to a conference for Latino professionals with a Latino student organization at Baruch. There she met Goldman recruiters who helped her secure an internship in operations. The Wall Street firm offered her a full-time job after she graduated in 2016.

Guaita Sabas starting salary was $60,000 and she secured annual raises, she says. She was promoted in January to vice president in the risk-management division. The salary range for the role is $130,000 to $250,000, with pay increasing based on performance and experience in the role.

Baruch graduates in finance get an average annual pay premium of nearly $21,000 in the first 10 years of their career compared with the median salary of a college graduate in the field with equal experience, according to Burning Glass.

Tech

The top private schools for high-paying tech jobs are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology and Yale University. The top public colleges are UC Berkeley; the Naval Academy; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Washington, and Michigan.

Kevin Reed is a 32-year-old San Jose State graduate. He grew up in a community in Southern California where people didnt necessarily aspire to go to college, he says, but he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and made connections that led him to work at Facebook and Google.

He spent five years in the U.S. Coast Guard after high school. He then went to San Jose State in 2016 because he needed to go to a public school to use his military benefits and he wanted to be in the Bay Area.

A computer electronics and networking major, he landed valuable meetings with tech companies through the schools resource center for veterans. He secured his first internship at data-center operator Equinix after going on a company tour arranged by the veterans center.

Thats a real key to San Jose Statedont get lost in the crowd of everybody," he says. Find a community where theres leadership within the school and alumni that can connect you and show you the path to success."

The schools Silicon Valley location makes it a hub for tech recruiters. Reed spent a winter break driving for Uber and happened to give a ride to a recruiter at a tech company. He stayed in touch with her and after she took a job at Facebook he landed an internship working there. The internship led to a full-time job at the company, now known as Meta Platforms, where in 2019 he made a starting salary of $106,000.

I credit that with making a connection with someone because I was in the Bay Area," he says.

He left Meta for Google almost four years later, where he works as a technical program manager. Reed, who lives in San Francisco, earns $170,000 in salary plus additional compensation that includes a bonus and stock options. San Jose State alumni in tech get an average annual pay bump of nearly $17,000 in the 10 years after graduation, according to Burning Glass.

Consulting

The top private colleges for high-paying jobs in consulting are Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton and Stanford. The top public schools are the U.S. Military Academy, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Michigan, UC Berkeley and Virginia.

Anthony Pinto is a 31-year-old consultant at contracting firm Systems Planning & Analysis, where he works on projects for the U.S. Navy. Pinto says his engineering education at the Naval Academy gave him crucial leadership and teamwork skills that helped him excel in his career.

He says Naval Academy students build camaraderie during intense physical training sessions and predawn wake-up calls. That transcends into business well, because nobody can get ahead without having to rely on other people," he says, and being able to understand that on an inherent level puts us a lot farther ahead."

He makes $130,000 a year at his consulting job. Naval Academy graduates in consulting get a pay premium averaging almost $10,000 a year in the first 10 years of their career, according to Burning Glass.

Pinto graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 2014 and then served as a Navy submarine officer until last year. While he was in the Navy, he started his own real-estate investment firm that buys mostly apartment buildings.

Pinto, who lives in Bethesda, Md., still runs his investment company in addition to his day job as a consultant. He makes on average about $250,000 to $300,000 a year from his company, depending on swings in the real-estate market, he says.

Kevin McAllister contributed to this article.

View Full Image The Top Colleges for High-Paying Careers in Finance, Tech and Consulting

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Axis Bank, one of India's leading private sector lenders, is facing a wave of customer complaints regarding unauthorised transactions on their credit cards, prompting concerns about potential data breaches. However, the bank has denied any such breach and attributed the incidents to a limited of cases of fraud, as per an ET report.

The issue came to light as numerous Axis Bank credit card holders took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to report unauthorised transactions, including international purchases made without their consent. One user claimed to have received a fraudulent transaction alert from Uber Eats Canada, while others complained about being unable to close their credit cards due to technical glitches on the bank's app, as per the report.

Despite the widespread reports, Sanjeev Moghe, the head of cards and payments at Axis Bank, maintained that there has been no data breach" at the bank's end. He acknowledged that customers witnessed unauthorised transactions starting Tuesday evening, involving low-value purchases on e-commerce sites. However, he emphasised that the scale of such transactions is very limited," as per PTI.

Moghe clarified that the bank typically observes daily spending of approximately 500 crore by its credit card users, but the unauthorised transactions constitute only a small fraction of that. We're talking about thousands and lakhs," he said, suggesting that the incidents were isolated to a single day and have since ceased, the PTI report added.

According to Moghe, the report added that the fraudsters obtained access to a limited number of card numbers and paired them with corresponding expiry dates to execute unauthorised international transactions, which can proceed without additional authentication factors like one-time passwords or CVV numbers.

The bank official explained that the first six digits of a 16-digit card number are specific to the bank, and card numbers can be acquired when customers use their cards at petrol pumps or restaurants. However, he stated that he was not immediately aware of similar incidents affecting other banks.

In response to the situation, Axis Bank is taking measures to address the issue by replacing the credit cards for affected customers and reimbursing the debited amounts. The bank has also informed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) about the incidents and plans to implement strategies, such as audits, to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Despite assurances from Axis Bank, the unauthorised transactions have raised concerns among customers about the security of their financial data and the bank's ability to protect their interests. The incident serves as a reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for robust security measures in the banking sector.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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MUMBAI : Actor and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra may have spent over three decades in the film industry but has made most of her money in the past six years through strategic investments, including in startups, she said at the Mint India Investment Summit & Awards, 2024 on Friday.

Back in the day, we didnt have different investment avenues. Today, the options are so many more. You have to have guts to do something different," said Kundra during a fireside chat titled Scaling startups through brand ambassadors.

The actor and entrepreneur is deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, as an early investor in skincare and wellness brand Mamaearth, besides agritech startup Kisankonnect. She has also invested in 100Percent Nourishment Pvt. Ltd, a Mumbai-based company selling healthy food products under the brand WickedGud.

Kundra has also launched her own fitness and health app, called Simple Soulful.

The actor-entrepreneur, however, said she has strict rules on what she wouldnt endorse or invest in, such as aerated drinks and paan masala. The brand has to be synonymous with what I believe in. When I leverage my name, the consumer need not think twice. I will do the work for them. The brand has to be bigger than you," Kundra said.

While Mamaearth was the first direct-to-consumer (D2C), or online-first, brand she invested in, Kundra said the move had come at a time when actors were not that keen on investing their own money in companies.

When youre just leveraging your name because youre paid for it (an endorsement), the whole perspective is different as compared to when people know the endorser has invested their own money," Kundra said, adding that she had used the products as a mother herself and recognised there was a lacuna as far as safe products for kids in the country went.

When there is a solution to a problem, youll get my attention and investment," she said explaining how she plans her investments.

Moreover, Kundra looks for a passionate partner in the person running a business she might invest in. You have to have a goal, otherwise its a race without a great jockey," she said.

Kundra said she keeps a minimum guarantee when it comes to investments, emphasising that investors need to hedge their bets. Very few companies become unicorns. I didnt think Id make so much money," Kundra admitted.

The actor said she works with fund managers who advise her on where to invest her money.

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The delisting of ICICI Securities (I-Sec) has been approved by over two-thirds of its public shareholders facilitating its transition into a wholly owned subsidiary of ICICI Bank. Notably, the listing in April 2018 did not yield any material benefit to the parent bank. Thus, the move seems like a course correction.

This is also likely to be taken as a cue by its peers  HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank  to keep their brokerage business private. Even global banking giants such as JP Morgan and Bank of America have shied away from separate listing of their brokerage business.

In any case, investors value each business of a company separately to arrive at the sum-of-the-parts, or SOTP, valuation, and ICICI Bank is no different. To be sure, the brokerage business of banks has never accounted for more than 10% of the total valuation of the four leading banksICICI, HDFC, Kotak and Axis.

Even if we take a price-to-earnings multiple of 20 times on FY23 earnings base, in line with the current valuation multiple of I-Sec, the market capitalization of the brokerage business of the banking majors seems to be minuscule compared to that of their parent as can be seen from the table alongside.

In fact, arguments in favour of keeping the brokerage business of banks unlisted are gaining ground. Going forward, the outlook for the business is challenging especially in the retail segment as discount brokerages have spread their wings even to remote locations.

Discount brokerages offer a flat fee with some of them even offering zero fee. I-Sec and other brokerage firms owned by banks have followed suit by coming up with low-cost pricing offers. To offset the pressure on brokerage revenue, most players are resorting to extending margin funding facility (MTF) at attractive terms to earn interest income.

This should work to the advantage of bank-led brokerages as they have access to low-cost funding from the lender. If their brokerage arm is listed separately, there will be questions raised about funding them at an arms length price.

Indeed, there was some skepticism at the time of the listing of I-Sec. The brokerage business, though cyclical, does not need much capital. A classic example here is Zerodha, which has stayed away from the capital market.

Recall that ICICI Bank had resorted to an offer for sale to get I-Sec listed as there was no justification for a fresh issue of shares. The offer was priced at 520 per share, which was considered to be rather steep at the time with the price-to-earnings multiple at 30 times based on FY18 earnings per share of about 17. Consequently, the response to the offer was underwhelming and the listing days closing price stood at 445, almost 15% below the offer price.

Over the past five years, the earnings per share has doubled to 35 in FY23. Still, the price-to-earnings multiple works out to nearly 20, indicating the drop in valuation amid concerns about the intense competition in the brokerage business. Thus, the delisting not only eases the burden of managing investor expectations and compliance but also realigns the business.
Stocks of Indian state-owned companies have witnessed an unprecedented surge in FY24, surpassing even the performance of mid-and small-cap stocks, emerging as the remarkable champions of the market.

This performance is particularly noteworthy given the pressure PSU stocks faced before embarking on their bullish momentum in 2020. The BSE PSU index, a barometer of public sector enterprises' performance, zoomed from 9,497 points to 18,274 points, translating into a stellar gain of 92.4%.

The government's accelerated capex spending, coupled with sector-specific reasons, has helped PSU stocks achieve record gains in FY24. In the recent interim budget (FY24-25), the government raised the capital outlay by 11.1% to 11,11,111 crore, equivalent to 3.4% of GDP.

Also Read: Nifty 50 to Sensex: Why Indian stock market outshined gold returns in FY24? Explained with 5 crucial factors

Furthermore, the prospect of political stability, especially in light of the anticipated victory of the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in May, has emerged as a significant factor in FY24. This expectation has infused bullish sentiment among investors, amplifying projections for sustained capital expenditure (capex) growth.

Moreover, the combination of strong order acquisitions from the private sector coupled with limited liquidity in PSU stocks, largely due to the government's significant stakeholding, has created a supply-demand gap. This discrepancy has subsequently propelled stock prices upwards.

Further, the government's aim to limit the fiscal deficit to 5.1% for FY25 has provided additional support to PSU bank shares. Their robust performance in the first three-quarters of FY24 has also boosted their stock values.

Also Read: FY24 market review: 120 stocks from Nifty 500 gave multibagger returns, 55 in the red; check list of top gainers, losers

In the first nine months of FY24, PSU banks witnessed a significant improvement, with profits surging by 40% to 98,358 crore. As a result of this improved profitability, it is anticipated that PSU banks may exceed a dividend payout of 15,000 crore in FY24, as reported by PTI, citing sources.

On the other hand, the railway sector exhibited a fabulous performance in FY24, driven by the government's strong emphasis on its transformation. This focus resulted in substantial order inflows for railway companies, contributing to their robust performance.

The significant increase in power demand has led to a strong performance in the stock prices of companies in the power sector. This includes power generators, distributors, and financing firms, all of which have touched record highs in FY24.

Also Read: FY24 Market Review: Nifty Midcap and Smallcap surged over 60%; check best-performing stocks

Similarly, the defence sector has seen considerable gains fueled by increased budget allocations, substantial order wins, and governmental initiatives, aimed at enhancing domestic procurement and reducing reliance on defence imports.

Additionally, oil PSUs have also showcased impressive performance, benefiting from a prolonged period of stable fuel prices until the recent reduction of 2 in petrol and diesel prices.

Phenomenal Performance

Out of the 56 stocks listed in the BSE PSU index, an impressive 37 stocks, accounting for 66%, have delivered multibagger returns ranging between 100% and 460%. Topping the list is IRFC, showcasing a stellar performance by ending 9 out of 12 months in FY24 with gains, resulting in an extraordinary return of 458%.

Also Read: IPOs in FY24: 75 issues launched; 5 stocks soared over 150% since listing

Following closely, HUDCO secured the second position with a remarkable gain of 359.5%, marking its best financial year performance since its listing in 2017. MRPL claimed the third spot in the index with a substantial return of 330%, trailed by Cochin Shipyard, Ircon International, REC, SJVN, NBCC (India), Rail Vikas Nigam, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Power Finance Corporation, and NLC India, all yielding returns within the range of 200% to 330%.

Among other noteworthy performers, stocks such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Hindustan Copper, ITI, Engineers India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, General Insurance Corporation of India, HAL, Punjab & Sind Bank, MMTC, Union Bank of India, The New India Assurance Company, Oil India, KIOCL, UCO Bank, NHPC, Mishra Dhatu Nigam, Bharat Electronics, IOC, Canara Bank, Coal India, HPCL, and NALCO have yielded returns ranging from 100% to 195%.

Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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India is poised to emerge as a global energy powerhouse, leveraging its vast population and development potential. The nation is adopting a sustainable path, focusing on meeting its increasing energy needs through clean, renewable sources .

This transition is part of a global trend, with renewables expected to drive over 90% of the expansion in global electricity generation by 2025. India has ambitious goals, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and planning to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Driven by governmental initiatives and declining costs of technology, India's solar energy sector is on the brink of extraordinary growth, projected to reach approximately $238 billion by 2030. Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is forecasted to triple by 2027, positioning it as a leading power source worldwide. A shift in global PV supply chains, from China to India, encouraged by new policies in both India and the US, is expected to attract significant investments in solar manufacturing.

This burgeoning sector is drawing substantial investments, transforming both domestic manufacturing and international supply chains.

Against this backdrop, we explore the dynamics of this booming industry by comparing two prominent entities: Websol Energy and Insolation Energy.

Background

Websol Energy

A frontrunner in manufacturing photovoltaic monocrystalline solar cells and modules, Websol Energy has carved a niche as a fully export-oriented unit, primarily serving markets in Europe and the US. With over twenty years of experience, it is celebrated for its superior quality products, offering a diverse range from 5 watts (W) to 220W, addressing the needs of residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

In 2022, Websol initiated a significant transformation by upgrading its machinery and entire gross block with advanced solar cell technology, specifically Monocrystalline Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (Mono PERC cells) technology. This strategic move is aimed at boosting efficiency and product quality. With these upgrades, Websol plans to significantly enhance its solar energy capacity and solar module capacity by early 2024.

Insolation Energy

Positioning itself as a holistic provider for solar solutions, Insolation Energy offers high-efficiency solar panels, batteries, and PC offerings, alongside comprehensive engineering, procurement, and commissioning (EPC) and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) services. Utilizing both polycrystalline and Mono-PERC crystalline cell technologies, it currently operates at a manufacturing capacity of 700 megawatts (MW), with plans to increase this to 1200 MW.

Revenue growth

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Insolation Energy has demonstrated remarkable growth, with a five-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38% in revenue.

In contrast, Websol Energy's revenue has declined, attributed to a plant shutdown for asset upgrades. However, excluding 2023, Websol's revenue has more than doubled between 2019 and 2023. The company's strong relationships with customers have been instrumental in generating recurring orders, with over 45% of clientele having been associated with Websol for over five years.

Before the planned shutdown, Websol was operating at a capacity of 250 MW, with plans to expand it by 8 times over the next one to two years.

Insolation Energy's revenue surge is driven by significant capacity expansion and a strong brand reputation built over the years. Beginning with a manufacturing capacity of 50 MW in 2017, Insolation Energy has now reached 250 MW and is set to quadruple to 1000 MW in 2024.

Profitability

Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margin, a critical profitability indicator, reflects a company's operating profits as a percentage of its total revenues. It reveals the companys earning capability from each rupee of sales before interest and taxes are considered.

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In 2023, Websol's operating margins were affected by a halt in operations. Historically, its margins have fluctuated due to market competition and declining prices per watt peak (Wp). Although Insolation Energys margins have been more consistent, they remain lower than Websols, with material costs accounting for a significant portion of its sales, unlike Websol Energy.

Insolation Energy's material cost as a percentage of sales, standing at 82% and 84% in financial years 2022 and 2023 respectively, has been significantly higher than that of Websol Energy, which were 60% and 69% in financial years 2021 and 2022, respectively. This discrepancy explains the disparity in margins between the two companies.

Expansion plans

Both Websol Energy and Insolation Energy are embarking on significant expansion ventures.

Insolation Energy is preparing for a substantial increase in its solar power production. By 2024, the company aims to boost its capacity by 250MW, using advanced G2G technology to achieve 1,000MW in total capacity and targeting revenues of 6.3 billion. Its ambitions extend to a 1,200MW capacity by 2025, with a revenue goal of 10 billion, and a 600MW solar cell line addition.

By 2026, Insolation Energy aspires to a colossal 2,000MW capacity, with revenue projections of 20 billion and sales of 1,000MW, supplemented by an additional 1,000MW from its cell unit.

Websol Energy is undergoing a major upgrade, aiming to more than double its production capacity from 250 MW to 500 MW in the first phase, along with a near-equivalent increase in solar module production. This expansion not only enhances capacity but also broadens Websols product range to include complete solar modules.

Websol Energy is planning further expansion, beyond increasing its solar cell and module capacity by 600 MW and 550 MW, respectively. The proceeds from this phase will fund a second phase of development at a new manufacturing site, expected to be three times larger than the first phase.

Debt to Equity

This ratio measures the level of debt a company takes on to finance its operations or expansion, against the level of equity that is available.

Generally, a favoourable debt-to-equity ratio is less than 1.0, while a risky debt-to-equity ratio is higher than 2.0.

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While Websol Energy enjoys a relatively low debt-equity, Insolation Energy has borrowed money to fund its massive expansion in the past decade. However, the company has been repaid a large part of its since its listing in 2022.

Dividend

The dividend is the income an investor can make from stocks, other than the appreciation in the value of the share.

Owing to the capital-intensive nature of the business, both companies do not distribute dividends to its investors.

Return on capital employed (RoCE)

Return on capital employed is one of the most meaningful indicators of a company's profitability and efficiency.

An excellent tool for analyzing returns of a capital-intensive industry like cement, it tells you the kind of money a company can generate on the total capital invested (shareholders equity plus borrowed money).

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While Websol Energys returns have been volatile, in line with its margins, Insolations returns have been stronger and steadier.

Valuation

The most common and effective ratios for comparative analysis and valuation are the Price to Earnings (PE) and Price to book (PB) value ratios.

While the PE ratio uses the company's earnings to determine the value a shareholder assigns against one rupee of earnings; the PB ratio uses a company's book value to determine the same.

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The PE and PB ratios for Websol Energy are at 58.9x and 9.5x, respectively. For the last 5 years, the average is 10.9x and 1.5x, respectively.

For Insolation Energy, the PE and PB stood at 170x and 52.9x, respectively. Since its listing in November 2023, the average is 31.3x and 22.3x, respectively.

Websol Energy and Insolation Energy, both are trading at a strong premium to their historical average, indicating the stocks might be overvalued at the moment.

Bright Prospects

The excitement around solar companies has been significant, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new initiative to power 10 million households with solar energy. Government support through policy reforms and financial incentives is bolstering the industry.

A notable 195 billion has been allocated for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, aimed at enhancing high-efficiency solar module manufacturing. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost domestic production and position India as a key player in the global solar market.

With the first phase of the PLI scheme already enhancing integrated capacity by 8,737 MW, and the second phase promising an additional 39,600 MW from 11 companies, the sector is set for substantial growth. This 930 billion boost is expected to generate over 100,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.

The Solar Park Scheme, aiming to establish over 50 solar parks with a combined capacity of around 38 GW by 2025-26, will further drive down costs and promote solar energy adoption.

While China currently dominates the solar PV module supply chain, even a modest shift of 10% away from China could significantly benefit India. Government initiatives, including the PLI scheme and the 'Make in India' drive, are curbing imports from China and fostering domestic manufacturing.

Indian module manufacturers are witnessing a surge in export demand, especially from the US, thanks to restrictive measures against Chinese products. This trend is expected to continue, underscoring the sector's growth potential.

Websol Energy or Insolation Energy: Which is better?

Insolation Energy currently holds the upper hand against Websol Energy across several key parameters. Their financial performance indicates stronger revenue growth and higher operating margins, suggesting greater operational efficiency.

While both companies have reported ambitious growth plans going forward, Insolations have been more pronounced. Both maintain healthy balance sheets, positioning them well to capitalize on the industry's growth.

However, the recent run-up in the stock prices of Insolation Energy Websol indicates investors have already factored in the bright prospects.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
TORONTO (AP)  Four of the largest school boards in the Canadian province of Ontario said Thursday they launched lawsuits against TikTok , Meta and SnapChat alleging the social media platforms are disrupting student learning.

The lawsuits claim platforms like Facebook and Instagram are designed for compulsive use, have rewired the way children think, behave, and learn" and teachers have been left to manage the fallout.

Meta Platforms Inc. owns Facebook and Instagram, while Snap Inc. owns SnapChat and ByteDance Ltd. owns TikTok.

Rachel Chernos, a trustee for the Toronto District School Board, said teachers and parents are noticing social withdrawal, anxiety, attention problems, cyber bullying and mental health issues.

These companies have knowingly created programs that are addictive that are aimed and marketed at young people and it is causing significant harm and we just cant stand by any longer and not speak up about it," Chernos said.

Dozens of U.S. states, including California and New York, are also suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to a youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.

The school boards in Canada suing are the Toronto District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

They are seeking damages in excess of $4 billion Canadian (US$2.9 billion) for disruption to student learning and the education system.

A spokeswoman for Snap Inc., Tonya Johnson, said Snapchat helps its users stay connected with their friends.

Snapchat opens directly to a camera  rather than a feed of content  and has no traditional public likes or comments," she said. 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."

Representatives of Meta and ByteDance didnt immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Duncan Embury, a lawyer for the firm representing the boards, said there is a real addiction issue with the designed algorithms.

Embury said proper warnings are needed, age parameters need to change and there needs to be an increase in the level of resources school boards get to adapt to the new reality. He said the companies have knowingly and negligently designed their products to maximize the amount of time young people spend on their platforms at the expense of their wellbeing and education.

There is an inability for students to focus," he said.

The use of social media among teens is nearly universal in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. Almost all teens ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using a social media platform, with about a third saying they use social media almost constantly," according to the Pew Research Center.

In May, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on tech companies, parents and caregivers to take immediate action to protect kids now" from the harms of social media.

This week, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bil l that will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. It takes effect Jan. 1 and is expected to face legal challenges.

No money will be paid to the attorneys handling the Canadian lawsuits unless they win.

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(Bloomberg) -- Fresh off a split from its US counterpart, the Asia business of venture-capital firm GGV Capital is considering raising money to invest in private debt for the first time, according to people familiar with the matter.

GGV Capital, a global tech-investing powerhouse, has completed the separation of its US and Asia operations to form two standalone and independent partnerships, GGV said in a statement published Saturday on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. The firm had announced plans to break apart in September, months after a similar move by its larger peer Sequoia Capital during heightened geopolitical tensions between the worlds two superpowers.

GGV, which had $9.2 billion in assets when it unveiled the split last year, is known for being an early investor in Chinese technology giants including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ByteDance Ltd. and Xiaomi Corp. GGV, whose US headquarters are in Menlo Park, Calif., also invested in Airbnb Inc. and Slack before the latter was acquired by Salesforce Inc.

The Asia partnership, which is led by Jenny Lee and Jixun Foo in Singapore, has been rebranded as Granite Asia. Its combined portfolio has $5 billion in investments, and will focus on markets including China, Japan, South Asia, Australia and Southeast Asia.

The firm is planning to assemble a private-credit investing team as early as the second half of this year, the people said, asking to not be identified discussing private information.

Private credit, which includes direct lending to companies, is a fast-growing asset class that is becoming a bigger source of funding for businesses from tech startups to real estate companies. Institutional investors and wealthy individuals have been putting more money in private-credit funds, which can make secured or unsecured loans, invest in distressed debt, or structure customized debt solutions for individual corporate borrowers that dont qualify for traditional bank loans.

Read more: Chinas Property Crisis Pushes Private Credit to Tech Sectors

In its statement Saturday, Granite Asia said it intends to expand into other asset classes and markets in the region, without giving details. It added that the plans reflect the evolving needs of businesses and investors." Its name comes from Granite Global Ventures, GGVs original handle when the firm was founded in 2000.

It said Thomas Ng, a GGV founding partner, Teh Kok Peng, former GIC president for Special Investments, and Teo Ming Kian, former chairman of Singapores National Science and Technology Board, will be on an advisory council to guide the Asian firms expansion.

The firm will continue to buy stakes in technology startups in the region. It is also exploring private hybrid funding, which would involve a mixture of equity and debt, the people familiar with the matter said. Granite Asia is also likely to wait for at least one to two years before it raises another venture-capital fund, one of the people added. GGVs last major funding round was in 2021, when it raised $2.52 billion for four of its funds.

GGVs US partnership will be known as Notable Capital, according to the statement on X. The US firm, led by managing partners including Glenn Solomon and Hans Tung, will invest primarily in the US and Europe.

GGV decided to split into two firms after a US congressional committee launched a probe into its investment in Chinese semiconductor firms and AI developers including Megvii Technology Ltd. Sequoia Capital broke up into three entities focusing on China, India and Southeast Asia, and the US and Europe, respectively. Sequoias US firm kept its name, while the China partnership is now called HongShan Capital and the third entity is called Peak XV Partners.

The biggest global venture firms have long managed investments across the Pacific, deploying funds raised from US endowments, pensions, global sovereign wealth funds and other institutions into lucrative internet and technology companies in the worlds two largest economies.

In the past year, politicians and regulators in Washington and Beijing have amped up scrutiny of cross-border tech investments, making it increasingly hard for venture firms to navigate a changing geopolitical landscape. In August, President Joe Biden signed an executive order limiting US investment in some Chinese firms, part of a push to restrict the countrys ability to develop next-generation military and surveillance technologies that might threaten US national security. The order regulates US investments in some Chinese semiconductor, quantum computing and AI firms.

With governments increasingly scrutinizing how companies handle data and where they get funding from, investors in cutting-edge technology and biotech firms have had to set up firewalls between different regions.

As part of GGVs split, the US and Asia operations have localized and separated data storage for different geographies to ensure they comply with local government requirements, one of the people said.

GGVs legacy funds will remain in operation, and their undeployed capital will be invested in existing portfolio companies, the people said. In China, GGVs yuan-denominated funds will continue to operate independently under the Jiyuan Capital brand led by Eric Xu, GGV said earlier.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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The death of the notorious gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has sparked a controversy, with his family alleging foul play and the authorities dismissing the claims as "baseless". Here's what we know so far.

The death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari due to cardiac arrest inside a Banda jail has sparked allegations of foul play from his family and a high alert across several districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Ansari's son Umar claimed his father was "given poison in the food" on March 19, leading to his demise on March 29. "We have full faith in the judiciary and will move the court over these allegations," Umar stated.

However, former UP Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh dismissed the poisoning claims as "absolutely baseless". "Accusing that he was being poisoned is absolutely a baseless allegation. The situation will become clear after the post-mortem," Singh told ANI.

Amid the row, authorities have tightened security in districts like Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur and Varanasi to maintain law and order. "Various rumours are being spread, and a high alert has been issued. Police and administration are absolutely alert," Singh said, urging people not to spread rumours.

A three-member team has been constituted to conduct a magisterial probe into Ansari's death. A panel of two doctors will also perform his videographed post-mortem at Banda Medical College Hospital before handing over the body to Umar.

Ansari's elder brother Sibgatullah echoed the poisoning claims, alleging the former MLA was unwell for two weeks but denied proper treatment despite alerts being raised repeatedly.

Political leaders cutting across party lines have sought a thorough investigation into the death. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said it was "condemnable and regrettable" that the government ignored Ansari's poisoning allegations.

Samajwadi Party's Ameeque Jamei said they stand with Ansari's family and will demand a probe as the deceased had claimed he could be "murdered anytime". Congress' Surendra Rajput questioned Ansari's death in BJP-ruled UP.

The five-time MLA from Mau had a stronghold in his hometown Ghazipur. In April 2023, he was convicted for the murder of BJP's Krishnanand Rai and got a life term in March 2024 in a case related to forged arms license documents.

As authorities urge calm, Ansari's family awaits the post-mortem report to decide their next legal course over the alleged poisoning, which the former top cop has termed "baseless".

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Hong Kong: Allowance rates raised

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today said that allowance rates under the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme will be increased starting from the next claim month, helping to alleviate the burden on grassroots working families.

The rates for household and child allowances under the WFA Scheme will be increased by 15% across the board with effect from the claim month of April, benefitting all households receiving the allowance. Households submitting their WFA applications starting from May will benefit from the new rates.

Furthermore, after the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2024, the Working Family Allowance Office of the Working Family & Student Financial Assistance Agency will disburse a one-off extra allowance to WFA recipients as proposed in the Budget. The extra allowance is expected to be disbursed one month after the bills passage at the earliest.

Households which made WFA applications during the applicable period that were eventually approved are eligible for the one-off extra allowance. The applicable period is from the first day of the month in which the bill is passed by the Legislative Council to the date of the bills passage, and the six calendar months before that month. For applications submitted by post, the date of the post-stamp is the application date.

To be eligible for the extra allowance, new applicants or previous WFA recipients who have yet to submit applications during the applicable period should submit applications on or before the date of passage of the bill.

The extra allowance is equal to one half of the average monthly allowance in approved months in a recipient's most recently submitted WFA application, provided it was submitted within the applicable period and eventually approved, with the amount varying from case to case.

If a WFA household is receiving comprehensive social security assistance (CSSA) at the date of passage of the bill, it will be eligible for only one single extra allowance, which will be calculated based on the higher amount the household is eligible to receive under the WFA Scheme or the CSSA Scheme.

Allowance rates under the WFA Scheme are determined on a monthly basis based on a household's income and working hours. The claim period of an application covers the six calendar months immediately before the submission of the application, and an eligible household has to submit an application for every claim period.

For enquiries, visit the thematic website or call 2558 3000.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Three people have been killed after the false ceiling inside a club in Chennai's Alwarpet area collapsed on Thursday.

"The false ceiling inside Sekhmet club in Chennai collapsed. Rescue operation underway," Chennai's Additional Commissioner of Police, Prem Anand Sinha told news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, the Joint Commissioner East Zone, Dharmaraj said that the deceased were workers of the club.

He also the police and begun investigation in the matter, and will only be able to ascertain the cause after that.

"Three deaths have been reported. We have started the investigation. We can only find out if there is a case against anyone once the reason is known. Based on the investigation, if there is any responsibility to be fixed that will be done. The debris has been cleared, and we have checked the spot. All three are the workers of the Club," Dharmaraj told ANI.

The officials have said that the bar was a functional one.

Although the reason for the collapse of the roof has not been made clear, reports have suggested that metro rail work was underway opposite the bar.

To this, Sinha told NDTV that the police is investigating all angles.

We are checking if any major impactful operation was underway around that time in the metro rail work," he said.

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted heavy rains for Delhi-NCR on Friday evening. The weather department said that gusty winds and isolated rainfall is expected over parts of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad from 6:00 PM on Friday.

The Met department in its forecast for Delhi on 29 March said that light to moderate rains are expected over the national capital. It added this may advance into heavy rains in a few hours. Apart from this, the IMD predicted hailstorms and precipitation in adjoining cities too on March 29.

ALSO READ: Weather update today: IMD issues orange alert for heavy snow in J-K, Himachal; heat wave alert in THESE states

Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain with heavy intensity rain over isolated places and gusty winds with speed of 40-60 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR (Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh) Sohana, Palwal, Nuh (Haryana) Bhiwari (Rajasthan) during next 2 hours," IMD tweeted.

The weather agency further said, Hailstorm/Precipitation is likely to occur over and adjoining areas of few places of Delhi ( Kanjhawala, Mundaka, Jafarpur, Nazafgarh, Deramandi), NCR (Bahadurgarh, Gurugram, Manesar) Sohana (Haryana) Bhiwari (Rajasthan) during next 1 hour."

Earlier in the day, the IMD issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall or snowfall has been issued in Himachal Pradesh on 29 and 30 March.

ALSO READ: Jammu and Kashmir news: Avalanche hits near Hung; several tourists stranded

The IMD has stated that isolated heavy rainfall or snowfall (64.5-115.5mm) is likely on 29 and 30 March in Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh regions.

Apart from this, the Met department predicted an isolated hailstorm over Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir today; and in Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab tomorrow i.e. on 30th March.

ALSO READ: Weather Update today: IMD predicts heavy rainfall over the next few days in THESE states; Check full forecast here

Meanhwile, RWFC Delhi had predicted a cloudy sky with very light rain with thunderstorms at a few places in the national capital today.

With agency inputs.

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The United Nations on Thursday reacted to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, saying it "hopes" that peoples "political and civil rights" are "protected" in India and any other country having elections.

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was responding to a question on the political unrest" in India ahead of the upcoming general elections in the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of the opposition Congress Party's bank accounts.

What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone can vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric said at a press conference here.

This came after the United States also raised questions on Kejriwal's ED arrest and freezing of the Congress party's bank accounts. India on Wednesday summoned a senior US diplomat to protest remarks on Delhi CM's arrest.

Following this, Washington reiterated that it encourages fair, transparent, and timely legal processes. Im not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations. But of course what we have said publicly is we encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes," said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to Washington's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest, calling it unwarranted". We are proud of our independent and robust democratic institutions. We are also committed to protecting them from any form of undue external influences."

Jaiswal said legal processes are driven "only by the rule of law" in India. On Wednesday, India strongly objected to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department.

In an official statement, 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."

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in an excise policy-related money laundering case. The AAP supremo has been sent to ED custody till April 1.

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The Congress on Friday sharply reacted to the Income Tax Department's notice of 1,700 crore to the grand old party, saying the officials are being used as the gundas of the ruling party.

AICC general secretary in-charge KC Venugopal accused the Narendra Modi-led government of trying to financially strangulate" the opposition parties during the election time.

The Narendra Modi government is doing this with the specific purpose of bankrupting the Congress party at a time when we are facing elections," the Congress leader told media persons as quoted by PTI.

He pointed out that the political parties are usually exempted from paying taxes, but this penalty is in the name of delay in filing returns.

Following this, the Congress announced a nationwide protest on March 30 against the BJP's alleged exploitation of central agencies to target the opposition parties.

They are attacking the opposition parties using the government mechanism. This is a move to butcher democracy. The BJP too has not paid any returns, but they were safe from IT Department notices," he said.

Income Tax Department has issued demand notice of Rs1,700 crore to the Indian National Congress on Friday. The fresh demand notice is for assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21 and includes penalty and interest. The central agency has earlier frozen the Congress bank accounts in its income tax returns filing for 2018-19.

As per the notice, the Congress has been asked to pay 1,076.35 crore as penalty and 692 as interest," Venugopal added as quoted by PTI.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected the Congress' petitions challenging the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it for four years by tax authorities. The present matter pertained to the assessment years 2017 to 2021.

On March 8, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dismissed the plea moved by the Congress Party which sought a stay against Income Tax Department proceedings of recovery and freezing of their Bank accounts and said the Stay Application is without merit.

(With PTI inputs)

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The Indian Navy said two Indian Naval ships were deployed to intercept a "hijacked" Iranian fishing vessel reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. A spokesperson said the vessel, at the time of the incident, was approximately 90 nautical mile (nm) southwest of Socotra.

The Indian Navy spokesperson took to microblogging site X and said, "Inputs received on a potential piracy incident onboard Iranian Fishing Vessel 'Al Kamar 786' late evening on Mar 28, approx 90 nm South West of Socotra.

Two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked FV, reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates," the spokesperson tweeted.

The hijacked vessel was intercepted on March 29. The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV & its crew," the Navy informed.

The statement added that the Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of their nationalities.

Earlier this week, the Western Seaboard witnessed eight submarines operating together in a recently concluded exercise in the Arabian Sea.

Navy Chief, Admiral Hari Kumar had said teh piracy has resurfaced "as an industry to gain from the disorder in the region. We will take affirmative action to prevent that."

"Operation Sankalp has broken the myth of short and swift operations and stressed the need for sustained operations to ensure safety and stability in the oceans. The pace of operations is quite high and we have 11 submarines and 30 warships operating in different parts of the ocean to ensure coverage of all areas of interest," Kumar was quoted by ANI as saying.

"Red Sea to Gulf of Aden to north Arabian Sea and sea off the east coast of Somalia, this is the area where "we are operating, deployed these ships," the Navy chief said.

The navy undertook proactive actions during hijacking of Malta-flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen on December 14.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A massive snow avalanche has hit Jammu and Kashmir's Sonmarg town, reported news agency PTI on Friday. Following this, several tourists are stranded as avalanche hits near Hung.

The number of injured persons and damage caused by it, is yet to be ascertained.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority issued a medium-danger level avalanche warning for four districts of Kashmir division  Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla Ganderbal.

ALSO READ: Weather update today: IMD issues orange alert for heavy snow in J-K, Himachal; heat wave alert in THESE states

Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Baramulla districts in next 24 hours," Greater Kashmir quoted an official of J&K Disastaer Management Authority (JKDMA) as saying.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of lightening over plains of Jammu and Kashmir on March 29 and 30. It also informed about the possibility of hailstorm with gusty winds in plains of J&K on 30 March.

On Thursday, a man went missing after an avalanche in Kullu districts Manali, PTI quoted the police.

According to the details, the avalanche occurred on Thursday afternoon at Jagatsukh village in the suburbs of Manali town, with the snow on mountains started to melt during the ongoing dry spell.

Providing more information, Sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Manali Raman Sharma said that the police, administration and locals are engaged in the rescue operation.

He added that the snow is being removed to trace the missing person.

While, DSP KD Sharma said a huge avalanche hit a drain from the top of the hill and Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Kangra, got buried in the snow.

The Local MeT office has issued an 'orange' warning of thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hail, heavy rain and gusty winds at isolated places in five districts  Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Chamba and Kangra  on Friday and Saturday.

From 29 March, a A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region and the MeT office Shimla has predicted a wet spell in the state till April 3.

Citing the impending bad weather, authorities have advised people to excercise caution and should avoid going to avalanche-prone locations.

With agency inputs.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) accorded sanction for an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against jailed AAP leader Satyendar Jain under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act, sources told news agency ANI on Friday.

Jain was accused of extorting 10 crore from conman Sukash Chandrashekhar as "protection money".

On March 2, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had sanctioned a CBI inquiry under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Jain.

"Delhi LG [Lieutenant Governor] VK Saxena, in February this year, had sent the proposal of the CBI to the MHA for granting approval to prosecute/ investigate Jain u/s 17A of PoC Act," sources were quoted as saying.

What is Jain accused of?

The L-G office said in a statement earlier in March that Jain is accused of running a high-profile extortion racket from Tihar Jail. He allegedly demanded 10 crore as "protection money" from Chandrashekhar, the statement from L-G office added.

The case was filed after Sukesh Chandrashekhar alleged that Jain had extorted and received 10 crore from him in various tranches during 2018-21, either personally or through his accomplices, as protection money, so as to enable him "to live peacefully and comfortably in different jails of Delhi (Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli)".

Jain was Minister (Jail) during this period in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Jain was earlier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. He was also lodged in Tihar Jail where he had allegedly influenced the jail officials into providing him with body massage and other VIP treatment, ANI reported citing the statement.

Apart from Satyendra Jain and then Superintendent of Tihar Jail Raj Kumar, Sukesh had also accused Sandeep Goel and one Mukesh Prasad of extorting 12.50 crore in various tranches during 2019-22 from him.

Who is Sukesh Chandrasekhar?

Chandrasekhar is accused of cheating and extortion by Aditi Singh, wife of former Religare Enterprises promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.

ALSO READ: Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar calls Nora Fatehi 'gold digger'

Singh alleged that Chandrasekhar and his associates took money from her after posing as government officials and promising to get bail for her husband while he was lodged in Rohini jail, it added.

More trouble for AAP?

The fresh CBI inquiry against Satyendar Jain came at a time when AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till April 1.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in connection with the money laundering case linked to the Excise police.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Hours after the death of jailed politician Mukhtar Ansari on Thursday, his son Umar Ansari claimed that his father was given slow poison" in the food and the family will now move to the judiciary in this matter.

Some media reports stated that the gangster died due to cardiac arrest after he was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district because his health condition deteriorated. He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state after he complained of vomiting.

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... I came to meet him two days ago, but I was not allowed," Umar Ansari told reporters as quoted by ANI.

He said, "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..."

"Post-mortem will be conducted on Friday, after that, they will give us the body. We will then follow with the further process (cremation)... My father alleged being given a slow poison... Around five doctors panel has been made (for carrying out the post-mortem)," his son added.

Soon after his death, prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed across Uttar Pradesh, said Police on Thursday.

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.

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.

(With ANI inputs)

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Jailed politician Mukhtar Ansari, whose death stirred controversy this week, entered the world of crime when he was just 15 years old.

He hailed from an influential family. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, was a freedom fighter and a renowned physician. He was one of the founders of Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia and also held the post of Chancellor at the university.

ALSO READ: Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies: A look at the life and times of the 'Bahubali of eastern UP

He (Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari) had a long association with the Congress, as its president (1927), its secretary for several years, and as a member of the Congress Working Committee throughout his life," his profile on Jamia's website reads.

ALSO READ: Judicial inquiry ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death amid slow poison claims

Mukhtar Ansari's maternal grandfather Mohammad Usman was a brigadier in the Indian Army. He was known as the Lion of Nowshera and was a Mahavir Chakra awardee. He died in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir during a conflict with Pakistan in 1948, earning the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously, the Hindustan Times reported.

Mukhtar Ansari's world of crime

Five-time Uttar Pradesh MLA Ansari got into crime to establish himself and his gang in the government contract mafia that was then flourishing in the state, according to newswire PTI.

ALSO READ: First-hand account: A visit to Phatak, Mukhtar Ansaris family home in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur

It was in 1978 when he was first booked for criminal intimidation at Saidpur Police Station of Ghazipur. Almost a decade later in 1986, a case of murder was lodged against him at Muhammad Police Station of Ghazipur. By then, he had become a well-known face in the contract mafia circle.

Over the next decade, Ansari became a common face of crime with at least 14 more cases under serious charges lodged against him. His growing criminal graph, however, did not hinder his entry into politics.

From 2005, till his death, Ansari was lodged in different jails in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. According to PTI, Ansari had 28 criminal cases, including that of murder and seven cases under the UP's Gangster Act, registered against him since 2005.

ALSO READ: Absolutely baseless: Former UP DGP dismisses claims of Mukhtar Ansari being poisoned, High alert in UP. 10 top updates

Ansari was convicted in eight criminal cases since September 2022 and was facing trial in 21 cases in different courts.

He was sentenced to life and awarded a penalty of 2.02 lakh earlier this month in a case of fraudulently obtaining an arms license around 37 years ago. This was the eighth case in which he was sentenced in the past 18 months by different courts of Uttar Pradesh and the second in which he was awarded a life term.

ALSO READ: Mukhtar Ansari death: Owaisi, Tejashwi echo 'slow poison' claims; gangster wrote letter before demise after eating

Convictions and life sentences

> December 15, 2023: Ansari was sentenced to five years and six months for giving a death threat to Mahavir Prasad Rungta for turning hostile and not pursuing a case involving the kidnapping and murder of BJP leader and coal trader Nand Kishore Rungta on January 22, 1997.

> October 27, 2023: He was awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a penalty of 5 lakh in a Gangster Act case lodged against him in 2010.

> June 5, 2023: He was awarded life imprisonment in the case of the murder of Awadesh Rai, the elder brother of former Congress MLA and present UP Congress president Ajay Rai.

> April 29, 2023: Ansari was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment in a case of murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

> September 23, 2022: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court awarded Ansari five years of rigorous imprisonment in a Gangster Act case registered against him in 1999 at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow and imposed a fine on him 50,000.

> December 15, 2022: He was awarded 10 years of imprisonment and a penalty of 5 lakh each in two separate cases of the Gangster Act lodged against him in 1996 and 2007.

> September 21, 2022: He was awarded seven years of imprisonment for threatening the jailor of the Lucknow district jail in 2003.

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Several political leaders echoed the slow poison in food" allegations leveled by Mukhtar Ansari 's brother and son who claimed that the gangster-turned-politician was given poisonous food in the jail.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav raised concerns over the series of events leading to Ansari's death on Thursday. He also called for a suo motu cognizance of such strange cases".

Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss," Yadav wrote in Hindi.

"A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously. Prima facie, this does not seem justifiable and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents," he added.

All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also expressed similar sentiments while extending condolences to Mukhtar Ansari's family after his death.

"I pray to Allah to forgive Mukhtar Ansari and give patience to his family and his loved ones.@AfzalAnsariMP @yusufpore The people of Ghazipur lost their favorite son and brother," Owaisi said.

Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he was poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable," he added.

Mukhtar Ansari had purportedly written a letter to jail authorities, saying the food being served to him contained some poisonous substance. The letter, written on March 21, went viral on the social media platforms. Ansari alleged that after eating the food, he experienced severe pain in his hands and legs.

Last week, Ansaris lawyers applied to the Barabanki special court to try politicians, alleging that he was being slowly poisoned through the food being served to him in prison. His lawyer shared the letter with the media persons.

LiveMint cannot independently verify or confirm the authenticity of the letter written by Mukhtar Ansari.

Ansari died due to cardiac arrest after he was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district because his health condition deteriorated. He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state after he complained of vomiting.

Soon after his death, prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed across Uttar Pradesh, said Police on Thursday.

Former Bihar MP Pappu Yadav termed it an institutional murder" or burying the law" while calling on the judicial bodies to take suo motu cognizance of this matter.

"Former MLA Mukhtar Ansari's institutional murder... It is like burying the law, Constitution, natural justice. He was making allegations for several days that he was being given slow poison. His MP brother also made this allegation. This is an indelible blot on the country's constitutional system," he said.

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.

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Hong Kong: Choi Yuk-lin visits Beijing

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today attended the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Study Tour organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Beijing.

She also led the tours participants to call on officials of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

The study tour is the first held by the Hong Kong SAR Government under the theme of national security. More than 70 students and teachers participating.

They are mainly outstanding students and teacher chaperons participating in the Inter-school National Security Knowledge Challenge, which was jointly organised by the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau, the Education Bureau and the Shine Tak Foundation.

Addressing the tours opening ceremony, Ms Choi expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government in the Hong Kong SAR for supporting the tour.

She added that the tour group will also visit Shanghai and Hangzhou to explore the theme of national security, covering areas such as the national political system and cultural innovation, as well as historical and cultural heritage.

She said she hoped that with first-hand knowledge of the nations latest developments and achievements, students will develop proper national, historical, ethnic and cultural perspectives, foster their patriotic sentiments and increase their awareness of the responsibility to safeguard national security.

The education chief and the tour members were received by Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee Nong Rong. She also met officials from the Ministry of Education and visited Beijing Normal University.

Ms Choi will proceed to Shaanxi tomorrow and lead a delegation of Chinese history teachers on a study tour to Yan'an.

This story has been published on: 2024-03-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Delhi Police Special Cell will submit its 8,000-page chargesheet before a Delhi court in the NewsClick case on March 30. The police said the chargesheet names the editors, co-founders, and employees of the news portal along with US-based billionaire Neville Roy Singham as "accused".

The case was lodged against NewsClick under the anti-terror law and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over allegations that the news portal received money to spread pro-China propaganda. In the chargesheet, the news portal has been accused of taking more than 80 crore from Chinese entities.

ALSO READ: NewsClick case: CBI files FCRA violation case against firm; searches office, residence of founder Prabir Purkayastha

The development came days after a Delhi court granted police 10 days more to complete its investigation against NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha. The judge had also extended the judicial custody of accused-turned-approver Amit Chakravarty, NewsClick's HR department head, by 10 more days.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3 last year.

The FIR filed in connection with the case alleged that a large amount of funds to the news portal came from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country, news agency PTI reported.

ALSO READ: NewsClick case: Guernica 37 and RSF call for EU sanctions on Delhi police officers, decry use of UAPA against dissidents

It also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group  People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS)  to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

On October 3, raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and in seven other states against the suspects named in the FIR and those whose names surfaced during the analysis of data, police said.

ALSO READ: Newsclick case: Neville Roy Singham rejects allegations of funding, claims NYT article influenced by misinformation

Around 300 electronic gadgets were seized from the offices of NewsClick and the residences of the journalists who were examined. After the raids, 46 people, including nine women journalists, were questioned by the Special Cell.

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(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar raised more than a few eyebrows last week when he said  almost as an aside  that his countrys new government would seriously look into matters of trade with India". A resumption of trade would be something of a climbdown for Pakistan, which cut off economic ties when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unilaterally withdrew Kashmirs special constitutional status in 2019. Until now, Pakistani leaders have insisted they wouldnt restore relations until the decision was reversed.

Dars statement should not come as a complete surprise. His party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, has a very particular class basis: Its an alliance between the semi-urban petty bourgeoisie and large industrialists such as its leader, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. These constituencies have always seen the benefits  for themselves and for Pakistan  of normalizing trade ties with a large and growing India.

Those gains are potentially substantial, especially for a country as desperate for hard currency as Pakistan is today. The World Bank estimated in 2018 that Pakistans exports could increase by as much as 80%  about $25 billion at that point  if trade with India reached its potential.

At this point, Pakistan simply cant afford to forego billions of dollars. Its economy is on life support, stumbling from handout to handout. It just managed to secure the last tranche of a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif  Nawazs brother  indicated that more money would soon be needed. Without further cash, he said, restoring macroeconomic stability would be impossible.

The problem is that Pakistan needs India far more than India needs Pakistan. The Indian economy is stable and India remains deeply reluctant to open its markets to other developing countries who might put local producers out of business.

If anything, Indians seem to have collectively decided that we can afford to ignore the nuclear-armed nation of 230 million people on our western border. Indias economy is more than 10 times the size of Pakistans. In the 1970s, Pakistans per capita income was about twice Indias; today Indias is 50% higher.

When Pakistan does intrude into Indias insular politics, it generally isnt for good reasons. Modi won re-election in 2019 after he sent fighter jets across the Line of Control in Kashmir following an attack on an Indian army camp.

So, Islamabad is going to have to be very careful about how it attempts to restore the bilateral relationship. Pakistani diplomats should certainly wait, for example, until after Indias general elections wrap up in a few months. If Modi is re-elected  as most expect  that should be a propitious moment to begin the conversation. Modi will likely have one eye on his legacy at that point and could be ready for a grand, magnanimous gesture.

At the same time, Pakistan shouldnt be too passive. Modi gets along reasonably well with Nawaz Sharif, famously dropping by Sharifs house for his granddaughters wedding on Christmas Day 2015. Theres no reason to suppose that whichever Indian leader follows Modi will be as interested in the international plaudits that would follow peace with Pakistan.

Indeed, aside from Modi, Pakistan currently has few potential advocates in India. Dar pointed out last week that Pakistani businessmen want trade with India to resume." There is no equivalent constituency within India; developing one will have to be a priority for Pakistan. Indias dynamic, profit-seeking private sector could be a powerful voice for closer ties if companies believe normalization will be in their interest as well.

For many, it most certainly would be. Moreover, for India, trade cant just be about profits. It must be viewed strategically, as a method of strengthening the classes in Pakistan that desire stability, not chaos, and weaning the Pakistani economy away from its dependence on China.

Above all, Indian leaders from Modi on down should remember that a Pakistan focused on trade and growth will be one thats less likely to descend into extremism and militancy. If Pakistan really is ready to climb down, India should meet it halfway.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Mihir Sharma is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, he is author of Restart: The Last Chance for the Indian Economy."

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign for the Lok Sabha election 2024 in Uttar Pradesh from Meerut with a mega rally on Saturday, March 30th.

Uttar Pradesh is crucial for the party to achieve the target of 370 seats set by PM Modi for the Lok Sabha elections as the state sends 80 MPs, the highest number of parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha. PM Modi will address the mega rally in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Choudhary.

The UP CM embarked on a whirlwind tour of fifteen districts of western UP in five days. His tour began from Mathura on Wednesday, March 27 and will wrap up in Rampur on March 31.

According to the program released by the BJP, Yogi Adityanath will interact with intellectuals in Baghpat (Modinagar), Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar on Saturday, March 30. The UP CM is further scheduled to attend conferences in Bareilly, Rampur and Pilibhit on Sunday, March 31.

Veteran actor, Arun Govil is contesting from Meerut on BJP's ticket. The veteran actor played Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan in the 1980s.

Govil who hails from Meerut district was born on January 12 in the year 1958 and spent his childhood in Shahjahanpur. He has worked in many TV serials apart from Ramayana but gained immense acclamation for his role in Ramayana.

He has also acted in Doordarshans serial Vikram Aur Baital. Some of his recent big-screen ventures include OMG-2 and Article 370.

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Neetu Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor have been frequently spotted together visiting almost finished Krishna Raj bungalow in Bandra.

The Bollywood star couple, Alia and Ranbir, began the construction of their dream house a year ago.

The famous couple, according to a report in Bollywood Life, will name the bungalow", a 250 crore property, in their daughter Raha Kapoor's name, making her the youngest and wealthiest child in Bollywood.

Late veteran actor Raj Kapoor and his wife Krishna Raj owned the bungalow. Ranbir Kapoor will inherit this ancestral property being the only grandson in the Kapoor family.

At the point of receipt in India, such ancestral gifts from relatives are tax-exempt but future income or gains from these assets are subject to taxes.

Ranbir and Alia are both equally investing their hard-earned money to make their dream house. The house will cost more than 250 crore once its all done, Bollywood Life quoted a source as saying. The source further noted that this will make Ranbir Kapoor's daughter with Alia Bhatt, Raha Kapoor, the richest star kid in Bollywood.

Apart from this bungalow, the star couple owns 4 flats in the Bandra area that are worth over 60 crore. Once the project is completed, it will become the most expensive bungalow in the Mumbai area compared with Shah Rukh Khans Mannat and Amitabh Bachchans Jalsa, the insider source claimed .

Neetu Kapoor will be the co-owner of the bungalow as late actor Rishi Kapoor had made her the half-owner of all his properties," Bollywood Life further quoted the source as saying. Raha's grandmother Neetu Kapoor also owns a house worth 15 crore in Mumbai's Bandra.

The Kapoor family is speculated to house together once the bungalow is ready to move in.

Meanwhile, the star couple is headed for new ventures at the professional front as well. Ranbir Kapoor will be seen in action in his next release Ramayana and Animal Park. Director and producer, Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Alia is part of the upcoming new release Jigra.

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The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday has been assigned the name Black Saturday. Several Christians also acknowledge the day as Holy Saturday, a day when Jesus Christ rested" from his work of bestowing redemption to mankind.

This day marks the end of the Holy week, and is considered to be a period of silent.

According to Christianity.com, when Jesus was crucified, he called out saying, it is finished!"

By this, Christ is believed to have said that no further atonement was required, as the sins of the humanity had been redeemed with Christ's sacrifice.

Black Saturday 2024: Date

Black Saturday, as the name suggests, is observed on the Saturday between the Good Friday and Easter Sunday each year year.

This year, the Black Saturday will be commemorated on March 30.

Black Saturday 2024: What are the different names used for Black Saturday?

Black Saturday is commonly known as Holy Saturday, or the Saturday of Holy Week.

In different cultures, it is referred to as the Great and Holy Saturday, and the Great Sabbath.

In Portugal and Brazil, the Black Saturday is termed as Hallelujah Saturday, while in the Philippines, it is called the Glorious Saturday.

Also referred to as Easter Eve, Black Saturday is also called Joyous Saturday, Easter Vigil or the Saturday of Light among Coptic Christians.

Black Saturday 2024: History and significance

Black Saturday, the day between Jesus Christ's crucifixion and his resurrection, marks the day of confusion and despair.

It was the day when the disciples of Christ were trying to wrap their heads around Jesus' murder and the treachery of Judas.

According to John 20:19, the disciples of Christ had spent the say hiding, concerned about being arrested.

In Christian scripture, Matthew 27:62-66, after sundown on Good Friday, the chief priests and Pharisees visited Pontius Pilate, asking him for a guard for Jesus tomb.

They recalled Jesus stating that He would rise again in three days (John 2:19-21) and wanted to prevent Christ from rising from the grave.

However, as history unfolded, the Roman guards were not enough from stopping the miracle. A woman who has returned to the tomb on Sunday morning, now known as Easter Sunday, found it empty; The Lord had risen.

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Just a year ago, Sam Bankman-Fried, or SBF as he was known, was hailed as a wunderkind. His FTX exchange boomed, processing transactions at a rapid pace and charging lower fees than competitors. His personal fortune soared, making him a billionaire many times over. Today, however, SBF finds himself a convicted felon, sentenced to 25 years in prison for orchestrating an $8 billion fraud. This dramatic fall from grace has left many wondering how it all went so wrong.

In 2019, SBF co-founded FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange that promised lower fees and faster transactions. It quickly rose to become the second-largest crypto exchange globally. His net worth peaked at an estimated $26.5 billion, as per Forbes.

SBF cultivated a persona as a brilliant, eccentric leader. He became a media darling, appearing on financial news shows like Bloomberg and hobnobbing with celebrities like Tom Brady.

Despite the facade of success, cracks began to show. As per a report by WSJ, questions arose about FTX's complex financial structure and reliance on FTT, a digital token created by FTX in May 2019.

In November 2022, a liquidity crisis at FTX's sister company, Alameda Research, triggered a domino effect. Investors panicked, and FTX filed for bankruptcy, according to a Reuters report.

SBF was arrested in the Bahamas and accused of eight federal charges, including wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering. His $26 billion net worth vanished overnight.

SBF pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence. His lawyers argued he was unaware of the full extent of the alleged fraud.

The highly anticipated trial revealed a culture of recklessness at FTX, with lax controls and questionable accounting practices.

After three weeks, the jury found SBF guilty on all eight counts. The judge called it one of the largest financial frauds in American history," as quoted by The Washington Post.

In a packed courtroom, SBF was sentenced to 25 years in prison, a stark reminder of the consequences of white-collar crime.

The FTX collapse sent shockwaves through the crypto industry, raising questions about regulation and investor protection. SBF's story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone tempted by the allure of easy money and unchecked ambition.

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President Joe Biden and his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, headlined a star-studded fundraiser with former President Bill Clinton on Thursday that organizers said raised more than $25 million for Biden's U.S. reelection campaign.

Biden, who arrived with Obama on Air Force One on Thursday afternoon, and Clinton will participate in a discussion moderated by "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in front of thousands of guests. The three leaders' motorcade passed a group of protesters outside the venue, demonstrating against Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

Musicians Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele are slated to perform. Some high-paying attendees will get their pictures with the three presidents taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Former President Donald Trump, Biden's Republican challenger in November's election, was in the New York area as well, attending a wake for a slain New York City policeman.

Also read: Biden administration restores threatened species protections dropped by Trump

Biden, 81, has faced concerns about his age and fitness for a second four-year term. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polls show his approval rating at 40% and in a tight race with Trump, 77, ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

The show of support from Biden's predecessors is meant to demonstrate party unity and project fundraising strength.

In contrast, a Trump campaign adviser said on Thursday the candidate won't be able to match Biden's totals, blaming the disparity on the Democrat's "billionaire" supporters and painting a picture of a Trump campaign fueled by grassroots, working-class supporters.

Tickets for Thursday's Biden event, expected to bring some buzz to his reelection effort, cost between $250 and $500,000, according to a Democrat familiar with the planning. The campaign said it raised more than $25 million. More than 5,000 people were expected to attend. The event will not be televised, but the campaign plans to post clips on social media.

Small-dollar donors paid $25 to take part in a separate virtual event with Obama, Biden and Clinton. Biden's high-profile allies are seeking to shore up his support despite opinion polls showing tepid enthusiasm for the president and in contrast to a Republican Party where many major figures oppose Trump.

Also read: How the border could cost Biden the election

"President Obama and President Clinton strongly support President Biden's leadership and obviously his agenda," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday. "We understand the importance of the three of them being together."

Biden has visited all the top battleground states since a fiery State of the Union address this month, but mostly has spoken to much smaller, carefully curated crowds. It's part of a deliberate strategy to emphasize interactions with ordinary Americans - a strategy that also keeps protesters at bay.

The presence of Obama, who is still enormously popular with Democrats, could bolster enthusiasm among some young voters and other progressives who voted for Biden in 2020 but are furious about his staunch backing of Israel in its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

Clinton's appeal is less clear-cut. His affair with a White House intern, which nearly cost him the presidency, was scrutinized anew during the #MeToo women's movement, with a new focus on the imbalance of power.

The appeal of seeing all three men together gave Democratic coffers a jolt.

"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," campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a statement.

CASH HAUL

On Long Island, east of New York, Trump attended a wake for Jonathan Diller, the New York policeman who was gunned down during a routine traffic stop earlier this week in the city.

"These things can't happen. We need law and order," Trump, surrounded by mourning uniformed officers, told reporters gathered outside a funeral home in Massapequa.

Trump has sought to make supporting police a focal point of his campaign, while criticizing law enforcement that targets him.

He faces four criminal trials for his efforts to undermine the 2020 election, his mishandling of classified documents and his involvement in a hush money" scheme involving a porn star. He was fined hundreds of millions of dollars for overstating his net worth to lenders. He says he is innocent.

Obama has voiced concerns to Biden that Trump could win, ahead of a shakeup of Biden's team that sent two top White House aides to the Wilmington, Delaware-based campaign.

Biden's reelection effort raised more than $53 million in February and $10 million in the 24 hours following his March 7 address to Congress. Biden has been routinely outraising Trump and is taking in more money than his rival in big donations and small donations under $200.

Trump aims to raise $33 million in an April 6 fundraiser, a source familiar with the Republican's plans told Reuters.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday highlighted the need for a post-Gaza plan and a two-state solution with Israel in the future. This came during a discussion with his fellow presidents at a star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York, intended to showcase Democratic party unity ahead of the 2024 general elections.

However, pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the President's speech at least four times, underscoring divisions within the party over Biden's handling of Israel's war with Hamas and the humanitarian situation 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 in a future deal," the US President said, as quoted by Bloomberg.

There has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a trade to a two-state solution. It doesnt have to occur today. It has to be a progression and I think we can do that," he asserted after one interruption.

His Democratic predecessors, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, pushed back on critics of his Middle East policies at the event on Thursday.

Obama supported Joe Biden while responding to another protestor. Biden has shown moral conviction and clarity in office. He was willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated."

Biden is willing to listen to all sides in this discussion. He also tries to see if we can find common ground. That's the kind of president I want. You can't just talk and not listen here," he added.

It is pertinent to note that progressives, along with Muslim and Arab Americans, have put pressure on Biden, urging the administration to take more steps to limit Israel's military campaign in Gaza to drive out Hamas.

Joe Biden has been pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians have sought refuge.

The two nations are trying to reschedule an Israeli delegation's high-level visit to discuss options other than launching a military operation on Rafah. However, Netanyahu cancelled plans for a visit earlier this week after the US declined to veto a resolution from the UN Security Council calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

(With Bloomberg inputs)

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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 $25 million 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 Trumps 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 didnt 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 arent 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 Bidens 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, Israels 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. Im pretty confident the other guy doesnt."

At one point, Colbert said he suspected some Americans had forgotten some of the more concerning aspects of Trump's presidency, including Jan. 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 $25 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 $5 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 weve built," said campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg. 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."

Trumps 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 doesnt 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 framed 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.

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(Bloomberg) -- A small number of startups are stepping up to address infertility issues in Japan, where shortages of treatment options plague patients in a country grappling with one of the worlds lowest birth rates.

Yukiko Nakai, one such entrepreneur, spent hours in packed infertility clinics, counting the inefficiencies that exacerbated already long wait times. She soon ran out of her vacation days at work. Her take-home salary fell, while her out-of-pocket medical bills climbed to around 10 million ($66,000).

I was so frustrated, and that feeling was made worse by the uncertainty about whether the treatment would succeed," said Nakai, who had always dreamed of a large family. After leaving her managerial role at Yahoo Japan, she founded Arch in 2021, an app developer that helps womens clinics cut patients wait times through digitalization. The knowledge that you can never regain each moment that passes adds to the stress."

Demand for infertility treatment is high in Japan, where the number of live births fell for eight straight years to another record low last year. One in 4.4 couples in Japan has undergone tests or treatment for infertility, and the number of babies resulting from assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization stood at one in 11.6 in 2021. The country is home to the worlds second-highest number of assisted reproductive technology cycles after China, according to the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

Next week marks two years since Japan expanded public health insurance coverage to include a small number of infertility treatments. That stamp of approval is spurring even more demand and causing chronic shortages in hormonal drugs such as Duphaston, Provera and Norluten, according to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Its also propelling bigger sums of money into startups that until recently struggled to grab the attention of venture capital funds.

Tokyo-based Varinos raised 600 million in a Series C funding round in 2022, lifting the total amount raised to 1.1 billion. Founder Yoshiyuki Sakuraba, who once worked at US gene-sequencing firm Illumina Inc., previously had little success sparking investor interest in a startup that focuses on the uterine bacterial microbiome for clues for successful births.

Instead, he received financing from his network within the medical community to build a laboratory equipped with genome analyzers, each costing tens of millions of yen, and reagents costing several hundred thousands of yen per test.

I didnt even know how to prepare a pitch deck," Sakuraba said, noting that only a tiny number of Japanese startups seek to combine business with genomic research, even though the overall level of research is high. At first, none of the VCs I approached were interested."

Backed by 19 studies that link endometrial microbes with IVF outcomes, Varinos now offers tests and in some cases supplements at 350 medical institutions nationwide. The company has overseen more than 30,000 tests, whose out-of-pocket costs come to around 50,000 each.

With those funds in hand, Varinos plans to expand overseas, where its rivals include startups like Spains Igenomix SL.

Momentum is growing throughout Japans femtech arena, which market research firm Yano Research Institute estimates to have grown to 74 billion in 2023, almost 30% more than what it was four years earlier.

Fertility is one of the most urgent issues Japan faces, and we expect this will be addressed by new technologies and policies," said Tomotaka Goji, chief executive officer of University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners, an investor in Arch.

The potential payout is high. Some 43% of female infertility patients in Japan are over 40, compared with 29.4% in Italy and 22.2% in the US, according to Japans Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry. That leads to lower success rates, but also bigger demand and spending power.

By seeing a fertility doctor in ones early 30s, patients can start treatment years earlier," said Nakai, the founder of Arch. Its important to raise awareness early."

The expansion of insurance coverage to include infertility treatments may mean a further increase in patients, said Shimon Kazama, a consultant at Mizuho Research & Technologies. The governments stance raises public awareness and made it socially acceptable to receive such care, and efforts encouraging younger men and women to seek help may accelerate, he said.

Hurdles remain for tech startups focusing on infertility treatments, however. Theres a dearth of go-betweens to coordinate communication between medical professionals and startups, according to Kazama.

Nakai spoke to about 100 doctors before she could find a partner who was open to digitalization. In 2022, Arch-affiliated Torch Clinic opened in Tokyo, featuring an app that helps doctors and patients access medical records, leading to shorter consultations and wait times.

Also necessary is more backing from corporations for women who undergo infertility treatment, which can take months, if not years. Over one-third of women the health ministry surveyed in 2017 left or changed their employment status due to difficulties in balancing treatment and work.

My experience was so painful," Nakai said. There is so much we can do to increase the options for patients."

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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With a focus on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine "conflict and its wider ramifications", India and Ukraine on Friday held "open and wide-ranging" bilateral meeting between its foreign ministers -- India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba.

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba was on a two-day visit to India amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the more than two-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Here's are the top highlights of the two foreign ministers' meeting:

In the opening remarks during the meeting, Jaishankar said that after the discussion, the two foreign minister's look forward to intergovernmental commission meeting.

"We have been looking forward to this visit...In recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created certain momentum in our bilateral relationship. Today, after this discussion, we look forward also to the meeting of the intergovernmental commission," he said.

"Your visit gives us an opportunity to understand the situation in your own region and I look forward to hearing your perspective on that. Our teams have prepared a very substantial agenda for discussions," Jaishankar said.

EAM Jaishankar, after the meeting Kuleba, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said that the discussion of the ministers were focused on the Russia-Ukraine's ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications.

"An open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukraine FM @DmytroKuleba this afternoon. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various initiatives in that context. Spoke as well on global and regional issues of interest to both of us. Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation," he posted.

On arriving in India, Kuleba said he will look to boost bilateral ties between the two countries and build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On Friday, Kuleba said that India and Ukraine have been traditional friends, but there's much more that they "can do and should do". "Not only in the interests of our nations, but also in the interest of global development and security architecture," he said adding that the ministers will be looking forward to restoring what had existed before the large scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine began.

Addressing the media, Kuleba on Thursday that he wanted to discuss Ukraine's peace formula while in New Delhi, and encourage India to play a bigger role in helping end Russia's war in Ukraine. India can play a very important role in bringing together more nations from the Global South," Kuleba said.

Kuleba also said that India could be particularly helpful due to its close relationship with Russia. It means India can influence the way Russia behaves," he said, but also remarked that New Delhi's relationship with Moscow is based on the past, while the one with Ukraine has more of a future."

On Thursday, during a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there will be a "bilateral engagement with the external affairs minister in which they will go over a gamut of issues that lie in the domain of bilateral relations". They will also "review the Inter-governmental Commission that was held earlier," he had said.

Kuleba is also scheduled to meet 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's visit comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladmir Putin, stressing the need for diplomacy and dialogue on ending the war and has expressed its willingness to contribute to peace efforts.

(With agency inputs)

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Russia's security services were aware about ISIS threat days before the concert attack near Moscow claimed 143 lives, CNN reported on Friday citing evidence from Russian intelligence documents obtained by a UK-based investigative organization--Dossier Center.

The Russian documents, according to the London-based organisation, showed ethnic Tajiks radicalised by ISIS-K could have been involved in the attack.

ISIS-K is a Central Asian offshoot of the terror group ISIS.

According to the Dossier Center's report, released on Sunday, A few days before the terrorist attack, members of the Security Council received a warning that Tajik citizens could be used in terrorist attacks on Russian territory."

Even before the attack on Crocus City Hall, a source close to the intelligence services told the Dossier Center about this," the report added.

The Dossier Center is a Russian investigation group backed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled former Russian oil tycoon turned Kremlin critic. It has previously unearthed details about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime, often using documents and leaks from inside the Russian government.

Russian government has not responded to CNN's request for comment on the report.

On March 22, Russia witnessed its deadliest attack in decades. Assailants with guns and incendiary devices stormed Crocus City Hall, moments before a concert was to be held. At least 143 people were killed in the attack.

ISIS was quick to claim the responsibility for the attack.

Earlier this week, four arrested suspects appeared in court facing terror charges. They had visible signs of injury. Of them, three pleaded guilty, according to Russian media.

All four suspects were from Tajikistan and were working in Russia on temporary or expired visas.

Tajikistan is a member of a Russian-led security bloc and hosts a Russian military base.

The United States had also warned Russia about ISIS militants plans of an attack, despite the relations between the two countries being at historic low.

Earlier in March, the US Embassy had warned of an increased threat of terror attacks on Russia, with National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson saying the US had shared this information with Russian authorities under the duty to warn" policy.

The 5th-time President Vladimir Putin had, however, dismissed the American warnings as provocative" just days before the concert hall attack.

Former Russian lawmaker Ilya Ponomarev, an exiled Kremlin critic, said the latest evidence posed serious questions for the Russian leadership and its security forces.

We see very clearly that Vladimir Putin could have reacted on numerous warnings," he told CNN.

In 2022, ISIS-K had claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the Russian embassy in Kabul.

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Filmmaker Christopher Nolan, fresh from his Oscar victory for "Oppenheimer", is all set to receive knighthood from Britain for his "services to film", the British government announced on Thursday.

Nolan's wife and film producer Emma Thomas will receive damehood, the female equivalent of a knighthood in Britain.

Nolan wrote the screenplay for Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer" and produced it with his wife Thomas.

The historical drama "Oppenheimer" is a biopic about the race to build the first atomic bomb. The blockbuster claimed seven Academy Awards earlier this month, including the best picture trophy and Nolan's first best director Academy Award.

Other highly regarded films of the British-American filmmaker's career are "Interstellar," "Inception", "Dunkirk" and the Batman trilogy.

On Thursday, the British government released a list of honours recommended by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that also included Conservative politicians and tech industry leaders.

What is knighthood in Britain?

According to The Royal Family website, kinghthoods or the damehoods are among the highest honours in the United Kingdom. It is usually granted to those who have made a significant contribution to their field, usually on a national level.

Here's a list of others who will receive Britain's honorary awards this year:

Other than Christopher Nolan, Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google's DeepMind will receive knighthood from the Britain government.

Mohamed Mansour, the billionaire businessman and Conservative Party donor was given a knighthood for business, charity and political service.

Several of Sunak's Conservative lawmakers were also awarded with knighthoods--Philip Davies and Mark Spencer.

Conservative lawmakers who were awarded with damehoods are Tracey Crouch and Harriett Baldwin.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Matthew Clifford, an AI adviser to the British government, and entrepreneur Ian Hogarth, chair of the AI Safety Institute were among those bestowed with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs) in the world of artificial intelligence.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was also awarded an honorary CBE for services to creative industries.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has put a lower-than-expected price tag on its first electric vehicle as it joins the fiercely competitive race in Chinas EV market.

Xiaomi is selling the standard entry-level version of its four-door sporty sedan for 215,900 yuan ($29,871.19), which according to its chief executive, Lei Jun, is much cheaper than the equivalent Tesla vehicle.

Its CNY30,000 cheaper than the Model 3," Lei said late Thursday at a two-hour launch event, noting that the Tesla car starts at CNY245,900 in China.

After the launch, Xiaomi, which also makes consumer electronics, said that it had received 50,000 orders for its range of SU7 EVs in less than 30 minutes.

Xiaomi announced plans to build its own electric vehicle 2021, saying it would invest $10 billion in the business over the next decade. Lei referred to the venture as his last major start-up project." Xiaomi took a different route than fellow smartphone maker Huawei, which chose to collaborate with existing automakers for its foray into EVs.

The Beijing-based company is entering the race at a time when major players like BYD and Tesla are aggressively cutting prices to gain share in the worlds biggest auto market. This is happening as the Chinese economy slows amid weak consumer demand. The latest data showed that retail sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles dropped 12% in China last month. EV makers NIO and Li Auto have both lowered first-quarter deliveries guidance due to soft sales.

Against this backdrop, Xiaomis price strategy could give it a valuable edge.

The prices are lower than street and our expectations," CCB International equity analyst Clint Su said, which should benefit sales volumes.

The more advanced pro and max versions of the SU7 will retail for CNY245,900 and CNY299,900, respectively. Xiaomi is positioning its cars to compete against Teslas Model 3 and Porsches Taycan, as well as Geely Automobiles Zeekr 007.

Lei said the max version can hit speeds of 265 kilometers per hour, faster than the top speed of the Porsche Taycan Turbo.

Xiaomi plans to start deliveries of the standard and max models in late April, with the pro versions expected to be available by the end of May. The company is targeting 39 Chinese cities by the end of the year but didnt say if it plans to sell the car overseas.

Citi analysts said initial orders for Xiaomis SU7 look encouraging, and projects that shipments will reach 60,000 units in 2024.

If Xiaomi did indeed log 50,000 orders for its EVs, that could change market dynamics, Nomura analyst Joel Ying said.

However, the lower price tags may put short-term pressure on Xiaomis gross profit margin, analysts say.

Overall, we sense the confidence from the company in core business and commitment in EV business while investors still have concerns on competition and margin outlook," Citi analysts wrote in a recent note.

Xiaomis U.S.-listed stock closed 12% higher overnight on Wall Street. Hong Kong markets are closed on Friday for the Easter holidays.

Write to Jiahui Huang at Jiahui.Huang@wsj.com
Many people would be surprised to learn that the foundational algorithm for Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) was first invented at Google, with eight researchers there writing a landmark 2017 paper, Attention is All You Need. This laid the basis of the Transformer algorithm, one that made GenAI more efficient and effective. Surprisingly, Google dithered with this amazing discovery, and let a startup called OpenAI take the lead in leveraging it to create its series of GPTs, culminating with GPT3.5 or ChatGPT. The rest, as they say, is history.

Speculation abounds over why the worlds most innovative company did not capitalize on its discovery. People point to reputational risk arising from hallucinating LLMs; some speak of corporate inertia. Others say it had to do with the fear of its profitable business model of search getting cannibalized. AdWords and AdSense-driven ad revenue works very well in a deterministic, database-driven model like search, but would fail in a probabilistic LLM construct. A score of companies have tried to topple Google from its lofty perch, like Microsofts Bing and startups like DuckDuckGo and Neeva, but Google has been unassailable. The hallucinatory behaviour of even the best LLMs like GPT4 seems to preserve the status quo, with Google still the go-to tool for factual information. LLMs like ChatGPT are not optimized for the truth, but for factual believability.

This seems to be changing, though, with a couple of GenAI-based startups threatening Googles mighty search engine. The best known is Perplexity, built on top of GPT and a proprietary LLM built on Metas open-sourced LlaMA. It takes a different approach. When you ask Perplexitys search bar a question, it does not return with 10 blue links plus advertising-pushed websites. Instead, Perplexity hunts the web and uses AI to write a succinct summary of its findings and annotates the same with the sources it used for its answer. It also offers a few suggested follow-up questions. So, when I asked Perplexity to give me the name of its founder, it spouted Aravind Srinivas, told me that the sources were LinkedIn, Wikipedia, YouTube and Wired, and then checked whether it wanted me to know Perplexitys mission or its co-founders background. Precise and useful. For $20 a month, it also opens up its Copilot, which helps you arrive at a precise query by asking you clarifying questions. If a student researching the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems were to ask it a question, for example, the Copilot would ask her for regions or species, and then scour scientific journals and environmental reports. It then summarizes the answer with deep insights and helps her build a comprehensive literature review. It also allows you to search within a specified set of sources, such as YouTube, Reddit or academic papers.

Another impressive contender is Arc Search from New York-based The Browser Company. Its philosophy is that a browser, a search engine, an AI chatbot, and a website arent different things. Theyre all just parts of an internet information finder, and they might as well exist inside the same app" (bit.ly/4a55DVC). So, again, rather than offer 10 links, Arc creates a kind of a webpage with relevant information around the query. Arc is also built on OpenAI and other LLMs and will improve as these models do.

These upstart Google competitors are not perfect. They hallucinate, though much less than bare-boned LLMs. They do not have a business model yet, though one could evolve. Publications fear that they will not send traffic to their sites, as Google does. However, Google should be worried; its search engine seems to have lost its simplicity and transparency along the way. It has shifted from being made for users to being optimized for advertisers, and its monopoly has let it squeeze the latter.

I believe that newer search constructs like Perplexity and Google will live together; I now have a browser tab permanently open for Perplexity and another for Google. Depending on what I am looking for, I choose which to use. It would be good for Google to have some semblance of competition; hopefully, it will make the firm pivot towards the consumer again, bring back the clarity of its search and shake off the corporate sclerosis which appears to have bogged it down. Shaan Puri, a tech thought leader, differentiated the two in an X post: Google is a search engine. ChatGPT is a thought engine." Innovators like Perplexity and Arc seem to be blurring those boundaries.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday submitted in Hindi in the Rouse Avenue Court following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21. Kejriwal said his name had appeared in four statements in the case. People who mentioned Delhi CM in their statements in the Excise Policy case areC Arvind (former deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's secretary); Magunta Srinivas Reddy (MP from Andhra Pradesh); Reddy's son Raghav Magunta, and Sarath Reddy.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal faces fresh allegation in sexual harassment case

What Arvind Kejriwal said?

Giving details of the statement in which his name appears, Kejriwal said, 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 family's charitable trust in Delhi. I told him that land does not come under us, it comes under the Lieutenant Governor (LG)."

'4 statements enough to arrest...?': Kejriwal alleges ED trying to 'crush' AAP

Arvind Kejriwal asked Magunta Srinivas Reddy to give him the letter, which he would forward to the Lieutenant Governor.

Magunta Srinivas Reddy is an MP from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy's party, the YSRCP.

The Delhi CM said on September 16, 2022, Srinivas Reddy's house was raided, and the ED asked him whether he had met Kejriwal. When Reddy replied in the affirmative, saying his meeting was about seeking land for his family's trust, the ED was not happy", and later, the agency arrested his son in February 2023.

When the son remains arrested for five months, the father changes his statement. He changed his statement on July 16, 2023, and his son was released on July 18. Mission accomplished. That means the only mission of the ED was to get me trapped," Kejriwal said.

ED accuses Delhi CM of 'evasive replies', Arvind Kejriwal says keep me in custody

The Delhi Chief Minister further said Magunta Srinivas Reddy gave three statements to the agency, but only one was considered.

Further, Kejriwal said even Raghav Magunta, son of Magunta Srinivas Reddy, gave seven statements to ED, six of which were not against Kejriwal." However, the Delhi CM added that as soon as he gave the seventh statement, which was against him, Magunta was released from jail.

Excise policy case: Court extends ED custody of Arvind Kejriwal till April 1

On Sarath Reddy, Kejriwal told the court, 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."

Who are Magunta Srinivas Reddy and Raghav Magunta, and their connection with Delhi excise policy?

Currently, the four-time MP, Magunta Srinivas Reddy, and his son are busy campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh, and Srinivas Reddy is expected to get a Lok Sabha ticket from Ongole.

In Delhi's excise policy case, the ED alleged that the father-son duo are part of the South Group," whose members received undue benefits under the liquor policy designed by the AAP government in Delhi.

MS Reddy's name first appeared in September 2022, and ED began a raid at his office and premises in New Delhi, Nellore, and Chennai. However, he was never made an accused in the case.

In February 2023, ED arrested Raghav on money laundering charges. Kejriwal told Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday that Srinivas Reddy changed previous statements to the ED following Raghav's arrest.

The father-son duo joined N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP this year on February 28. A former Congressman, Srinivas Reddy, quit the party before the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and joined the TDP. However, after losing in the 2014 general election, MS Reddy joined the YSRCP and won from Ongole in 2019. After five years with YSRCP, MS Reddy returned to TDP this year.

The Indian Express report, citing sources, said that the excise case was a reason behind the father-son duo quitting the YSRCP, as the party did not back them after Raghavs arrest.

The Magunta family owns Balaji Distilleries and two other companies in Andhra Pradesh and has been in the liquor business for over seven decades.

Who is Sarath Reddy, and what is his connection with Delhi liquor policy case?

Sarath Reddy is the director of Aurobindo Pharma. According to the AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, Sarath Reddy donated 50 crore to the BJP after ED's arrest. The anti-money laundering agency had arrested Reddy in November 2022. In 2023, the Delhi court allowed the businessman to turn approver in the alleged excise policy scam and granted him a pardon in the case. Kejriwal asserted that Sarath Reddy was coerced into paying the BJP a staggering 55 crore as protection money.

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Kangana Ranaut, a Bollywood actor and BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, juxtaposed the film industry with politics at a rally in her constituency on Friday. Ranaut said she was aware that she could make a few mistakes here". "But this isnt a film industry that I will be crucified," she noted.

The Bollywood actor said this after reading out the names of all the key BJP leaders at the public gathering held in Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh.

Ranaut said it would take time for her to remember the names of all the party leaders. Lekin mai aapki beti hun, behan hun to mujhe pata hai mai yahan par choti-moti galtiyan kar skti hun. Ye koi film industry nahi hai ki mujhe suli par chada diya jayega. [I am your daughter and sister, so I know that I can make small mistakes here. This isnt a film industry that I will be crucified."

Kangana Ranaut also held a roadshow in Mandi on Friday. The saffron party has included her in its 5th candidate list to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Mandi seat.

ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut Vs Supriya Shrinate: 5 times the Queen actor stoked a political row

Speaking with news agency PTI, Ranaut said she considers herself as a worker. "In films as well, I worked with dedication. Here (in Mandi) too, I have been given the responsibility to serve. I am like this in real life. I have officially joined the BJP now but people have been saying since long that she is of the BJP," the actor-turned-politician said.

ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut stands firm on labelling Urmila Matondkar soft porn star, says, term isn't offensive

Kangana Ranaut slams Rahul Gandhi

While speaking to the media, Kangana Ranaut also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his "Shakti" remark.

She told news agency ANI, ...Rahul Gandhi says he wants to destroy 'Shakti'. Who writes such speeches for him?... I want the people of Mandi to give an answer to those who have spoken indecently about women...People of India have always blessed me..."

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Theres no denying it. Many Americans no longer consider themselves members of any particular religion. They may believe in God and the power of prayer, and many say they seek spirituality," but more and more check none" when asked their creed. Some of the survey findings are as dreary as that first Good Friday afternoon on a hill outside Jerusalem.

True, on Easter Sunday the pews will be jammed. Christians of wavering commitment frequently come home" for Easter and Christmas, much as many Jews return to synagogue for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. While some of my fellow pastors might wonder out loud where these people are the other 50 Sundays of the year, or refer with mild irritation to the birth-and-resurrection club," I am always heartened to see them.

I do worry, though, as I note people drifting from the family of the church. Faith is deeply personal, but it isnt private. By its nature, faith is communal. A congregation is a spiritual family. Many use that word family" loosely to mean any group of like-minded friends, from which any member can part ways for any reason. A biological family doesnt work like thatits unchosen, its permanent, and loyalty to it doesnt wane with preference or mood. Members of a spiritual family likewise bear an obligation to remain a part of it.

That isnt my opinion alone. In the Scriptures its clear God prefers to form a people, a community, and not simply a collection of atomized individuals. Faith must always be internalized, but it is always expressed, strengthened and lived out with others. In the ancient Near East the Lord called a people," the descendants of Abraham. In the first century, Jesusin Christian teaching, that same Lordformed the church, a people, no longer bound by race but united by his blood.

Anthropologists tell us that even the most ancient religions were always found in groups of people. Rituals, feasts, music, art, song, dance, a sacred mealthese things are tough to savor by oneself.

Yet people sure try. They tell us they want to believe but not belong; that they want faith but not religion; that they prefer spirituality, whatever that might mean, to communal worship. They seem to want God as a Father but to remain an only child; Jesus as the Good Shepherd if theyre the only lamb in the flock. They want a God by themselves, Christ without his church.

Sorry, but that isnt how God works.

The 20th-century historian Winthrop Hudson conjectured that the American Revolution really began in the 1740s, during the religious fervor called the Great Awakening, when tens of thousands gathered in belief and prayer, only to look about and find they werent alone, that they were part of something ancient and beautiful. Similarly, scholars posit that the fall of Soviet hegemony and communist oppression began when two-thirds of Polands people came together in June 1979 to welcome home Pope John Paul II and express faith in God together.

Our Constitutions framers, living as they did in the afterglow of the Great Awakening, seem to have understood this, too. The First Amendment guarantees both the right to exercise ones religion freely and the right of the people freely to assemble together. To practice religion means very little if its practitioners are secluded from each other. Remaining true to ones religious convictions is always a challenge. To do it all alone is nigh impossible. To do it with others is a boost.

So, how to win them back? We might begin by embracing the crowds this Easter and not rolling our eyes because some of them havent been seen since last year. These wandering brothers and sisters may not know it, but theyve come out of a sense that this is the day on which the Son of God broke the power of death.

As in a gathering of kin, congregating with ones spiritual familypeople with whom one has a deep instant connectionis liberating and fulfilling. There are very few social gatherings in which ordinary people can enter and not sense critical eyes sizing them up, assessing their status and guessing their motives. There are even fewer in which every participant sings, recites creeds and listens to ancient wisdom in a spirit of humility and love.

At its best, Christian worship is such a setting. And when Christians worship at their best, their wandering brothers and sisters tend to come home.

Cardinal Dolan is Roman Catholic archbishop of New York.
Restaurant guests may have luck scoring a corner booth or procuring a steak cooked to their liking. But one request feels like a moonshot: ambience that strikes a perfect balance between riotous and dead quiet.

Diners say clanking dishes, larger parties and clubby beats can be a distraction when eating out. Entering a hushed dining room is often just as upsetting. Some call ahead of time to investigate noise levels. Others leave before being seated.

Restaurant owners think they know something about their diners that their diners might not fully know about themselves: They enjoy busy spaces more than they realize. Customers tend to have more fun in louder environments. High-energy dining rooms are more likely to turn diners into repeat clients, they say.

At San Franciscos Che Fico, the playlist is timed to the ebb and flow of the evening. With tables turning over several times each night, the music is loudest when the restaurant is at its fullest, according to co-owner Matt Brewer. Theres a crescendo that matches the turns," he says.

Hitting the sweet spot

He finds that guests who enjoy the sound levels tend to enjoy the restaurant more. The Italian restaurant aims to have music loud enough so neighboring tables cant hear each other speak, but can still enjoy the soundtrack. Hitting the sweet spot makes guests more likely to become repeat guests, with some lingering over drinks.

When people are feeling more energy, they tend to order another cocktail," he adds.

Joey Tanzillo, a 34-year-old Chicago real-estate agent, prefers vibey" restaurants that have lively bar scenes and feel like a very Miami thing." Still, he says, it takes trial and error."

He looks for spots where the music doesnt interfere with the conversation, especially during business dinners. Yet, the louder hum of a restaurant can be critical for some outings, including on a date.

I dont want it where it is awkward, quiet pauses," he says. You need background noise to fill the gaps."

Justine Reichman in Larkspur, Calif., avoids restaurants that feel like shes in the middle of a club." She doesnt want to strain to hear her companions. But she still wants the ambience to be somewhat energized.

Often, shell call ahead to ask, check reviews or inquire about a quieter table.

If shes eating at a louder restaurant, shell go with fewer people. And when she does enter a restaurant that feels too noisy, shell wait to see what others in her party think of the atmosphere before sitting down. Shes not afraid of being fussy," she says.

Sometimes you definitely have to walk out," says Reichman, 51, a podcast host.

The decibel dance

Up until three or four years ago, the sound aspect of a restaurant was never truly considered. It was the more the merrier," says Sean Saladino, who runs a Miami-based architecture and design firm specializing in restaurants.

Improved acoustic materials that mimic the look of wood or well-designed curtains along with more affordable sound systems are now more popular, he says. They allow for more ambient noise without drowning out conversation.

Sound experts say acoustical problems are more difficult to predict than restaurateurs realize.

For one, its impossible to predict the sound challenges of a space before it fills on a weekend night. And many places dont account for how loud people start to speakor yellabove the music or other noise, whats known as the Lombard reflex, says Wade Bray, vice president at Head Acoustics based in Brighton, Mich.

Add that to sound bouncing off hard surfaces, including ceilings, and noise levels can create an uncomfortable atmosphere thats tough to manageeven with fewer tables.

But, theres a good kind of bustle," Bray says.

Well deal with it

Diners such as Robert Goddard, an institutional equity trader in Mill Valley, Calif., are on the search for that ideal bustle.

He says his preference for restaurants that are a bit quieter but not too quiet" has increased over time. He doesnt want annoyingly loud, but he does want to walk into a place that seems popular.

Most of the time the places we go tend to be on the louder sideon a scale of 10 maybe a seven on the loud scale," says Goddard, 62.

Yet, occasionally, he and his wife will be out with friends and wind up at a 10.

If we really like those people, well deal with it," he says.

A restaurant not a funeral parlor

At Claud, a New York restaurant, the owners spent weeks walking around measuring the decibels in the room with their smartphones to gauge noise levels throughout meal service.

About two months after opening in 2022, the restaurant invested in acoustical treatments. Along with curtains and carpets, they treated the ceiling with foamlike materials meant to absorb sound. While two-person tables are placed near each other, the restaurants largest table is purposely off to the side and divided by fluted glass to keep conversations from traveling.

Though some guests are still super loud," the restaurant is roughly 10% quieter than when it opened, owner Chase Sinzer says. Its never perfect, so you do your absolute best."

In 2023, audio data from the app SoundPrint found that 63% of restaurants are too loud for a conversation, compared with 67% in 2019. The data tracked restaurants that measured above 75 decibels and included more than 25,000 measurements.

Gallaghers, a steakhouse with a New York and Florida location, tries to embrace the sounds while making sure it is quiet enough for guests to dine together without shouting. Guests who enter want to know that others are relaxed and having fun rather than feeling like it is serious and quiet.

You want to hear silverware being put down on tables and glasses clinking," owner Dean Poll says. You dont want to walk into a restaurant that sounds like a funeral parlor."
Quant Large and Mid Cap Fund

The Quant Large and Mid Cap Fund delivered an annualized return of 23.61%, suggesting that an investment of Rs. 31,50,000 over a period of 21 years would grow to a maturity value of Rs. 8,72,18,707.

Credit : UNSPLASH
In the 1920s, Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein first conceived of a strange form of matter in which individual atoms clump together and behave like a single super atom. But scientists Eric A. Cornell and Carl E. Wieman only demonstrated it seven decades later, in ultracold rubidium atoms. Here, a series of images show, from left to right, increasing density as those rubidium atoms begin to form a BEC.

The Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is one of the five primary states of matter . In it, atoms reach such low energies that the rules of quantum mechanics dictate that they stop acting as individual atoms and behave like a single "super atom."

A Bose-Einstein condensate forms only when materials are cooled to within a hair of absolute zero. At that temperature the atoms are hardly moving relative to each other; they have almost no free energy to do so. The atoms then begin to clump together, and enter the same energy states. They become identical, from a physical point of view, and the whole group starts behaving as though it were a single atom.

Gases, liquids, solids and plasmas have been studied for decades, if not centuries, but Bose-Einstein condensates weren't created in the laboratory until the 1990s. To make a Bose-Einstein condensate, you start with a cloud of diffuse gas. Many experiments start with atoms of rubidium. Then you cool it with lasers, using the beams to take energy away from the atoms. After that, to cool them further, scientists use evaporative cooling.

Related: Inside the 20-year quest to unravel the bizarre realm of 'quantum superchemistry'

"With a [Bose-Einstein condensate], you start from a disordered state, where kinetic energy is greater than potential energy," Xuedong Hu, a professor of physics at the University at Buffalo, told Live Science. "You cool it down, but it doesn't form a lattice like a solid."

Instead, the atoms fall into the same quantum states, and can't be distinguished from one another. At that point the atoms start obeying what are called Bose-Einstein statistics, which are usually applied to particles you can't tell apart, such as photons, or light packets.

Theory and discovery

Bose-Einstein condensates were first predicted theoretically in the 1920s by Satyendra Nath Bose (1894-1974), an Indian physicist who also discovered the subatomic particle named for him, the boson. Bose was working on statistical problems in quantum mechanics, and sent his ideas, which pertained to photons, to Albert Einstein according to the American Physical Society .

Einstein thought them important enough to get them published. As importantly, Einstein saw that Bose's mathematics  later known as Bose-Einstein statistics  could be applied to atoms as well as light. The two published a series of papers laying out the details of this strange form of matter in 1924, according to the APS.

What the two found was that ordinarily, atoms have to have certain energies  in fact one of the fundamentals of quantum mechanics is that the energy of an atom or other subatomic particle can't be arbitrary. This is why electrons, for example, have discrete "orbitals" that they have to occupy, and why they give off photons of specific wavelengths when they drop from one orbital, or energy level, to another. But cool the atoms to within billionths of a degree of absolute zero and some atoms begin to fall into the same energy level, becoming indistinguishable. That's why the atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate behave like "super atoms." When one tries to measure where they are, instead of seeing discrete atoms one sees more of a fuzzy ball.

Other states of matter all follow the Pauli Exclusion Principle, named for physicist Wolfgang Pauli. Pauli (1900-1958) was an Austrian-born Swiss and American theoretical physicist and one of the pioneers of quantum physics. His principle dictates that fermions  particles such as quarks and leptons that make up matter  can't be in identical quantum states. This is why when two electrons are in the same orbital, their spins must be opposite so they add up to zero. That, in turn, is one reason why chemistry works the way it does and why atoms cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Bose-Einstein condensates break that rule.

Though Bose and Einstein's work predicted such states of matter should exist, it wasn't until 1995 that a team led by Eric A. Cornell and Carl E. Wieman, both of the Joint Institute for Lab Astrophysics (JILA) in Boulder, Colorado, managed to make one of rubidium atoms , and MIT's Wolfgang Ketterle and colleagues, made one of sodium atoms , that we had experimental confirmation of their existence. The trio shared the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics for this work.

In July 2018, an experiment aboard the International Space Station cooled a cloud of rubidium atoms to ten-millionth of a degree above absolute zero, producing a Bose-Einstein condensate in space. They repeated the demonstration of a BEC on the ISS in 2020.The experiment also now holds the record for the coldest object we know of in space, though it isn't yet the coldest thing humanity has ever created.

And in 2023, scientists at the University of Chicago created the first BEC which demonstrated a strange phenomenon, called quantum superchemistry. In that strange quantum phenomenon, individual atoms in a BEC chemically react all at once. In the experiment, scientists convincingly showed that thousands of cesium atoms bonded all at once to form cesium molecules, then near-instantaneously converted back to cesium atoms.

Additional resources
US District Judge Reggie Walton poses for a photo at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, DC, on February 21.
Martin Cronin, a promising Longford apprentice electrician, has reached the semi-final stage of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024 and thereby moved a step closer to landing a prize valued at 10,000.

This years Screwfix Trade Apprentice received more than 1,800 applications which have now been whittled down to just 33.

Thirty-five year old Martin Cronin from Newtownforbes, who is currently studying Electricals at LOETB Tullamore Training Centre says: I cant believe Ive reached the semi-finals. I love working as an electrician. I have a huge passion for learning and once confident in a particular skill I will always jump at the opportunity to impart any knowledge I have to other apprentices working alongside me. It is in fact a goal of mine to one day teach others who are embarking on this career path.

This years Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024 final will return to London in May, where the top 10 apprentices will face a panel of industry experts to showcase why they believe they should be this years champion.

Also read: Carrickedmond man to represent Longford at Mr Personality Festival

Only one will be crowned Screwfix Trade Apprentice and receive a career-boosting 10,000 trade bundle made up of tools, tech and training  everything they need to excel in their chosen trade.

The judging panel includes representatives from Screwfix, the Federation of Master Builders, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, and the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting.

In addition, Astrid Arnold, winner of Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023, will also be at the final to talk about her own experiences and share some of the exciting projects shes been a part of since being crowned champion.

Also read: Longford house prices rise 4.4% in three months

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director for Screwfix, says: The skills gap facing our industry is showing no signs of slowing down, so it remains as crucial as ever to highlight just how rewarding a career in the trades can be.

Once again, the calibre of entries this year has been amazing, and every one of the 33 semi-finalists are a shining example of how hard work and passion can take you anywhere. Regardless of who makes the final 10, they should all be incredibly proud of their achievement, and I have no doubt theyve inspired even more people to consider a career in the trades. I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to the final in May!
A man involved in an accommodation scam has received a four month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay the sum of 1,000 to Bridgeways Family Resource Centre in Ballymahon.

Sanni Oseize (40), formerly of 11 Rivercourt Apartments. Great Water Street, Longford, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday, charged with money laundering at Permanent TSB, Lower Main Street, Longford, on December 4, 2018.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the state, told the court that the victim in this case was a woman living in Germany, who was planning to travel to Ireland to work.

She was in touch with an unnamed individual regarding an apartment for rent and was told she would need to pay the first months rent, plus a security deposit, totalling 1,300, to secure the property.

The money was transferred to a Permanent TSB bank account, which was later confirmed to belong to Mr Oseize.

Correspondence wasnt directly with my client, said solicitor, Brid Mimnagh, he was paid 250 for the use of his bank account.

Sgt Mahon explained that the transaction took place via Facebook messenger and that there was no verbal communication between the victim and the unnamed individual.

Mr Oseize has nine previous convictions, none of similar nature to the charges before the court last week. Three of those were for public order, while the rest were for road traffic offences. Eight of those convictions were after the commission of this offence.

He was in for interview (with gardai) in September 2021 and he gave a full, clear and honest account of what happened, said Ms Mimnagh.

He said he was behind on his rent and an older man told him a friend was sending him money but he didnt have a bank account. So (Mr Oseize) got 250 for the use of his account.

The accused, who was working as a kitchen porter, was previously ordered to repay the money to the court, but part of this straddled Covid and so he couldnt work and has only handed in 200.

He has since moved to a hostel on Talbot Street in Dublin and fallen on difficult times. He has also been in prison for three months, Ms Mimnagh explained.

If he had been able to keep his job, he would have made an effort to pay more. He is asking for one chance to show that he will pay it back, said Ms Mimnagh.

Judge Owens noted that the defendant has been in custody for some time, and proceeded to convict and sentence him to four months in prison.

She then suspended that sentence for 18 months on an own bond of 250 and a condition that he pay 1,000 to Bridgeways Family Resource Centre in Ballymahon by March 18, 2025.
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.
Baldwin Woman Sentenced to Up to 18 Years in Prison for High-Speed DWI Crash that Killed Motorist

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: March 29 2024

Jinaraya Khan was more than three times the legal limit for alcohol and driving 96 miles per hour when she killed Scott Freeman.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Baldwin woman was sentenced today to up to 18 years in prison for a May 2022 high-speed crash that killed a 66-year-old man.

Jinaraya Khan, 33, pleaded guilty on December 18, 2023, to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a B felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (an unclassified misdemeanor).

She was sentenced today before Judge Robert Bogle to six to 18 years in prison. The NCDA recommended a sentence of seven to 21 years in prison.

Scott Freeman was a hard-working and kind man who had dreams of retiring to the south in a years time, said DA Donnelly. Those dreams came to a tragic end when just down the street from his home in Baldwin, Jinaraya Khan struck his vehicle at 96 miles an hour and killed him as he drove to work. The defendant was so intoxicated that she remained more than three times the legal limit for alcohol 40 minutes after the crash. Drunk driving destroys lives. It cost Scott Freeman his life and the defendant her freedom. Our thoughts remain with Scotts family and friends as they continue to mourn his loss.

DA Donnelly said that on May 3, 2022, at approximately 5:16 a.m., victim Scott Freeman attempted to make a left turn in his 2011 Toyota Corolla onto Grand Avenue near his home. The 66-year-old Baldwin resident was then struck by a 2020 BMW X3 driven by Khan. The defendant was highly intoxicated and speeding northbound on Grand Avenue.

Freeman was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The defendant remained at the scene and was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department. She was then transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the collision.

An analysis of the defendants vehicles crash data recorder revealed that Khan was traveling at 96 miles per hour at the time of collision. The speed limit on Grand Avenue at that location is 35 miles per hour.

A search warrant for the defendants blood taken at the hospital revealed that her blood alcohol content was 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit, 42 minutes after the crash.

The defendant claimed that she had consumed two mimosas and was late to work at John F. Kennedy Airport.

Freeman worked at a local printing company and had plans to retire in the next year.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: March 29 2024

AG James Co-Leads Amicus Brief to Safeguard Emergency Abortion Care in States Banning Abortion.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James today spearheaded efforts to safeguard Americans' access to abortion care during medical emergencies. Co-leading a multistate coalition of 24 attorneys general with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Idaho v. U.S. and Moyle v. U.S., urging the court to maintain a preliminary injunction that required Idaho hospitals to provide emergency abortion care consistent with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). In the brief, the coalition explains that abortion care has always been considered emergency care under EMTALA and applying Idahos abortion ban in medical emergencies harms Idaho residents, as well as students, workers, and visitors in Idaho, and health systems generally.

Everyone deserves access to comprehensive reproductive and abortion care, especially in the case of life-threatening emergencies, said Attorney General James. When these basic rights are under attack, my office will step in to fight against anti-choice decisions that endanger the lives of countless Americans. Abortion access and health care availability are about saving lives. The ban advanced by Idaho interferes with emergency medical care delivered to patients in need, and sets a chilling precedent nationwide.

Every hospital in the United States with an emergency department that participates in Medicare is subject to EMTALA. Under the law, emergency rooms are required to provide all patients who have an emergency medical condition with the treatment required, including administering abortion care, to stabilize a patients condition. The Idaho law at issue, however, criminalizes abortion care in nearly all situations, including when a pregnant patient experiences an emergency medical condition and requires an abortion to prevent serious harm to their health.

In the brief, Attorney General James and the coalition of 24 attorneys general explain that denying patients emergency abortion care harms pregnant patients and endangers their lives. The coalition also noted that preventing physicians from providing emergency abortion care burdens healthcare systems in other states and can create a public health crisis. This brief is the third one filed in U.S. v. Idaho, after a similar brief was filed in August 2022 in support of the United States motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent Idahos near total ban on abortion from eliminating necessary emergency abortion care, and in September 2023 urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm the district courts preliminary injunction ruling. The coalition has also filed similar briefs in litigation involving EMTALAs application to Texass abortion ban.

Attorney General James has been a steadfast advocate for abortion rights and abortion access. In January, Attorney General James led a coalition of 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to Mifepristone, an abortion medication. Earlier this week, AG James spoke at a rally outside of the Supreme Court in support of access to Mifepristone. In December, Attorney General James secured a court order to stop militant anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue from blocking access to abortion care in New York. In September, Attorney General James secured changes to Jefferson County Jails policies to protect abortion access for pregnant incarcerated individuals.

Joining Attorney General James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta in filing todays amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Bill, co-host Behnam, and long-time friend of the show Edmund Fitton-Brown preview and share insights from a project theyve been working on concerning the Islamic Republic of Irans axis of resistance. They discuss Tehrans extensive track record of not playing by the rules  and not paying a price for it  as well as the origins of conflict between Iran and the West from before the 1979 revolution to tapping their regional proxies on and after October 7, 2023 to target Israeli and American interests in the Middle East  and everything in between.

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An IDF soldier with the Commando Brigade operates in Khan Younis on March 27. (IDF)

While much focus in Gaza has been on the IDF operation around Shifa hospital, Israeli units have continued to carry out raids in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. This is important because it illustrates a two-pronged approach to keeping Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists off-balance and checked in Gaza. It also represents a new phase of fighting which involves utilizing relatively small units in raids that are designed to keep terrorists on the run.

Gaza is divided into two sections  north and south  by the Netzarim corridor, a route of several miles south of Gaza City that provides the IDF easy access to routes into Gaza City and to central Gaza. It is from this corridor that the IDF launched the Shifa hospital raid on the evening of March 17, arriving by surprise and capturing hundreds of suspected terrorists.

In southern Gaza, the IDF is continuing to operate in Khan Younis amid discussions about how the IDF will eventually operate in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on the Egyptian border. Although Hamas has thousands of armed men in Rafah and an estimated four battalions of fighters, it has not tried to infiltrate Khan Younis or carry out large attacks. Instead, Hamas members continue to hide out in and around Khan Younis. The IDF confronts threats using mostly the special forces of the Commando Brigade. For example, the Maglan and Egoz special units were sent into the Hamad Towers complex in Khan Younis and continued to operate there through March 25. Around three hundred suspects were detained in five days of operations.

Five days later on March 24, the IDF sent forces into the Al-Amal neighborhood in western Khan Younis. This area contains a hospital in which the IDF operated in from late January to early February, using paratroopers and other units. This time, the IDF said its raid into Amal began with airstrikes on around 40 targets: IDF troops are encircling the area and continuing to eliminate terrorists in close-quarters encounters, it said.

At the same time, two miles northeast of Amal, the IDF also sent its 7th armored brigade with the Kfir brigade infantry into the neighborhood of Qarara. The soldiers identified terror infrastructure and weapons belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization, eliminated terrorists at close range using tank fire, and neutralized threats positioned near the fence, the IDF said.

Over the next several days, the IDF said that these two operations in and around Khan Younis netted numerous results, including the elimination of twenty terrorists on March 25 with fifty targets struck. In general, the IDF said they found AK-47s, uniforms and ammunition in operations hubs in these areas. This also provided an opportunity for more airstrikes on tunnels and other targets. Soldiers of the Maglan Commando Unit apprehended dozens of terroriststhe soldiers discovered hundreds of explosives and dozens of Kalashnikov-type weapons, the IDF said.

The tactics employed by the IDF in northern and southern Gaza appear different, which could be due to either an overall strategy or simply boil down to the different terrain and types of forces utilized. In the north, the IDFs operations come under the 162nd division, which has been fighting in northern Gaza since the ground maneuver began. The division is using special forces from the Shayetet 13 naval commandos and the Duvdevan unit in fighting around Shifa. Most of northern Gaza was taken from Hamas in fighting in November, and then the IDF slowly withdrew. Hamas appears to have returned in various forms to some parts of northern Gaza.

In the south, Hamas holds onto Rafah and the central camps area but has lost Khan Younis where the IDF has been fighting since December. IDF operations in Khan Younis are led by the 98th division, which includes the Commando Brigade which is well-suited for precision operations and the type of small-unit tactics that have underpinned the battles in Khan Younis. In and around Khan Younis, suspected terrorists have been unable to gather in the way that they did in the area of Shifa. Both operation styles could underpin an approach the IDF might use in Rafah.

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.
Patients seeking quicker repayment of medical bills will have to so by appointment from May, amid a 40% surge in visits to CNS offices

Luxembourg's national health insurance fund, the CNS, has seen an increasing number of visitors calling to offices seeking repayment of medical bills

Luxembourg's national health insurance fund, the CNS, has seen an increasing number of visitors calling to offices seeking repayment of medical bills  Photo credit: CNS

Luxembourg's national health insurance fund, the CNS, has seen an increasing number of visitors calling to offices seeking repayment of medical bills  Photo credit: CNS

Luxembourgs national health insurance fund CNS is to operate by appointment only from May, amid a surge in visitors seeking quicker reimbursement for medical procedures.

The change will apply in all offices of the Caisse Nationale de Sante from 2 May, the CNS said in a press release on Thursday.

The fund said that by cancelling walk-ins, it aimed to avoid overcrowded waiting rooms and strengthen the accessibility and efficiency of our services.

Also read:

Little enthusiasm among GPs for direct payment scheme

The CNS decision comes after Health Minister Martine Deprez said earlier this month that visits to the agencys offices had increased by 40% last year, as patients are able to obtain reimbursements quicker through in-person visits than waiting on the traditional system of posting receipts.

Processing times for reimbursement by post are currently between six and eight weeks, Deprez said in response to a parliamentary question in mid-March.

Only patients with a bill of over 100 can receive reimbursement by visiting a CNS office within 15 days of paying a bill. Bills lower than that amount have to be sent in by post. There are exceptions in certain cases, such as low-income households whose bill is covered directly.

Also read:

The CNS explained

The move to a direct payment system has been beset with delays since it was first announced back in 2021. It has faced opposition from some GPs over the cost of installing software which enables patients to pay their personal contribution of a medical bill and avoids having to seek reimbursement from the CNS.

To accommodate the new appointment-only rota, extended opening hours will apply in offices in Luxembourg City, Differdange and Esch-sur-Alzette from 2 May, the CNS said, with appointments available from 7.30 to 17.00 each day.
Xavier Bettel and Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe signed a letter of understanding to further the ties between the two countries.

Xavier Bettel and Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe signed a letter of understanding to further the ties between the two countries.  Photo credit: SIP Luxembourg

Xavier Bettel and Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe signed a letter of understanding to further the ties between the two countries.  Photo credit: SIP Luxembourg

Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Minister Xavier Bettel on Thursday signed a letter of understanding with Togos Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe to deepen development cooperation ties between the two countries.

Luxembourg has been on the lookout for new development cooperation recipients after suspending new projects in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. It has now set its sight on Togo and Bettel visited the country this week as well as neighbouring Benin.

With the signing of this letter of understanding, we are today laying the foundations for deepening the cooperation partnership between Luxembourg and Togo, said Bettel at the signing ceremony.

I am delighted with this first step towards closer cooperation, which will be based on Togos development priorities and vision, as well as Luxembourgs cooperation priorities.

The ministers sat down in a bilateral meeting, alongside other members of the cabinet, to establish in what areas Luxembourg could support the African country.

Education, professional insertion, training and climate change will be at the forefront of the collaboration.

Also read:

Luxembourg helps lift women out of poverty in worlds most destitute countries

The signing of the letter of understanding is the first step towards drawing up a cooperation agreement between Luxembourg and Togo, the ministry said in a statement published on Thursday night.

The Grand Duchy opened its casting for new development cooperation recipients after announcing last month that it would not renew its ties with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger once the current programmes run out. The deals will not be extended due to a series of coups detat that have rocked the Sahel region in recent years.

In Central America, cooperation activities have been shifted from Nicaragua to Costa Rica, following rigged elections and a crackdown on the political opposition and NGOs under president Daniel Ortega.

Partner countries still include Cape Verde, Senegal and Laos, with which Luxembourg has signed multi-year indicative cooperation programmes (PICs). In addition, there is a series of so-called project countries, including Benin and Rwanda in Africa but also Kosovo, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mongolia, Vietnam and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, where Luxembourg has established ties.

Development cooperation recipients receive investments from the Grand Duchy in several ways, including for projects meant to fix a systemic issue in the long-term.

Luxembourgs government dedicates 1% of gross national income to public development aid and in 2022 was the biggest donor among the OECD countries, followed by Sweden (0.89% of GNI) and Norway (0.86%).
Furious North End restauranteurs rallied again on Thursday afternoon, overflowing into the rainy streets from the steps of a church basement to discuss their lawsuit against the city of Boston over the neighborhoods outdoor dining restrictions.

And despite repeated invitations from the 21 Italian restaurant owners to join their conversations, Mayor Michelle Wu was not in attendance at the March 28 meeting  but the mayor defended the citys approach to outdoor dining in the North End at an unrelated event that day in an audio recording provided by her office.

Its now been years of debate over sidewalk and street seating that reached a boiling point on Jan. 5, when the owners in the self-titled last largest little Italy in the country filed their lawsuit.

Read more: North End restaurants livid over outdoor dining ban

It was amended on March 7 to demand millions in monetary damages on March 7. These included a refund from the $7,500 impact fee the neighborhood had to pay in 2022 for restaurants to operate outdoors, along with compensation from loss of income from the restrictions in 2023 and 2024 and for fees to store outdoor dining equipment.

The owners feel theyre being singled out amongst all other Boston neighborhoods with the constraints, while the mayor has maintained her concerns stem from the neighborhoods congested layout and density.

Heres whats been stirring the pot in the North End.

What happened at Thursdays meeting?

Over 100 restaurant employees and North End residents piled in to St. Josephs Hall on Prince Street at 3 p.m. on March 28, sat at tables, standing on stairs and along the wall. The 21 owners closed their doors to customers for the duration of the meeting, written paper signs taped to the windows.

Cards with a QR code linking to a website called DefendTheNorthEnd.com with information on the restauranteurs demands and a documentary on the case by Rocco Capano were strewn on every table.

Jorge Mendoza, owner of Vinoteca di Monica, was at a podium at the front of the room. Carla Gomes, owner of Terramia Restaurant and Antico Forno, was beside him, along with others heading the cause.

Examples of the lawsuits charts and figures were printed out and stuck on the wall behind the podium. These included statistics on sanitation complaints received in 2022 and 2023 hung by Mendozas shoulder. Next to that chart were blown-up pictures of Hanover Street and Newbury Street with width labels on the sidewalks and street.

After opening with a prayer delivered by a priest, Mendoza echoed previous sentiments from the meeting held earlier in the month. He focused on the lawsuit with his supporting data points, leaving time to answer questions at the end from both the media and the attendees.

Boston wins when the North End has outdoor patios in the summertime, and when the North End is able to compete with all the other great neighborhoods equally. Equally, he declared, emphasizing his last word.

Mendoza accused the city of saying the neighborhood had a higher amount of sanitation complaint calls than other neighborhoods as one of the reasons behind restrictions.

The chart beside him showed the North End had the fourth-lowest amount of calls at 307 made in 2023, when there was limited outdoor dining, and 314 calls in 2022 after the neighborhood paid a $7,500 fee to the city before allowing the service. Dorchester had the highest amount of calls at nearly 3,000 made in both years.

He also brought up the citys concerns over last years construction on the Sumner Tunnel and Charlestown Bridge affecting the North End  These are also not true, he said,  and on rodent infestations in the neighborhood.

The rodent problem in the city of Boston is endemic; the North End has a problem, like everyone else, but were not first to have those issues, the restaurant owner said.

Gomes accused the city of painting a false narrative to say the neighborhoods outdoor dining program was responsible for the quality of life issues in regards to the congestion, the noise, the traffic, et cetera... the rodents.

However, the evidence of our case shows that these very same issues were in existence in every other neighborhood in the city of Boston. But no other neighborhoods were banned from outdoor dining, Gomes said.

Gomes also brought up the $7,500 paid in fees to the city included in the lawsuit and how the neighborhood hadnt seen any programs or help previously promised from the payment, like sidewalk power washing or programs for children and the elderly.

Not only is the city of Boston penalizing the oldest neighborhood in the country, they are penalizing the oldest Italian neighborhood that remains in the country, Gomes said.

What did Mayor Wu say on Thursday?

Though Mayor Wu was not one of the Bostonians at the meeting on Thursday, she spoke out about the ongoing tensions with the North End at an event that day.

MassLive requested a comment on her attendance and response to the lawsuit, and was sent an audio file of her speaking to an unidentified person at a press conference on statement on Thursday.

The mayor was asked to speak on the latest surrounding the North End restauranteurs protests, and said, Everywhere we can make our streets work to bring people together, the city is trying to make sure every newcomer can experience that, referencing the Open Streets program announced earlier in the week.

So whether its outdoor dining or Open Streets program to bringing everyone into the street for one single day, or other programs where we can partner to just create events and bring communities together, we are trying to do that wherever possible, Wu said.

She then spoke directly on outdoor dining in the North End.

In some places, it is more of a challenge. And as is recognized everywhere, the North End is a very unique location just given the density of more than 90 restaurants in a quarter square mile space, she said.

And for residents, it requires a very different setup than would work anywhere else. We are in active litigation as the restaurants have sued the city, and so that makes it impossible to have direct conversation about what a targeted solution could look like until that litigation is resolved, Wu said.

On the citys Outdoor Dining Program webpage, which was last updated on Feb. 6, there is an addendum under the application portal regarding North End dining restrictions.

In 2023, due to reasons including the North Ends high density of restaurants and foot traffic, narrow streets and sidewalks, resident parking scarcity, and other related considerations, the City issued permits in the neighborhood for compliant sidewalk patios, but did not issue permits for on-street outdoor dining, the statement reads.

Those policies will continue for this year, though the city may create additional neighborhood-specific guidelines as the program continues, according to the statement.

The owners say this is not a fair way to be operating.

We do not want or expect anything more than any other neighborhood in the city of Boston. However, we do not want or expect anything less than any other neighborhood in the city of Boston, Gomes said.
Travis Scott is asking to be dropped from lawsuits involving the deadly 2021 Astroworld Festival, arguing that the ensuring the safety and security of crowds at live events was not his job.

Scotts attorneys filed a motion in Houston court Monday arguing that the rapper cannot be liable for the fatal incident despite the event being promoted under Scotts name and branding, Billboard reported. His lawyers said Scott was just a performer who was not responsible for ensuring audience safety.

Like any other adrenaline-inducing diversion, music festivals must balance exhilaration with safety and security  but that balance is not the job of performing artists, even those involved in promoting and marketing performances, attorney Daniel Petrocelli said in the motion, according to Billboard.

Performing artists, even those who engage in certain promotional activities, have no inherent expertise or specialized knowledge in concert safety measures, venue security protocols, or site design.

Scotts legal team added that evidence shows the rapper did enough to avoid claims of negligence during the show. They say he acted diligently to protect against every reasonably apprehensible danger, Billboard continued.

KPRC 2 Houston found court documents showing that Astroworlds safety and risk professionals Seyth and Shawna Boardman wanted to stop the concert once they witnessed the crowd crushing.

The news outlet uncovered a series of text messages between Shawna Boardman and an unidentified person saying that Boardman wanted to pull the plug before the situation worsened.

I know theyll try to fight through it, but I would want it on the record that I didnt advise this to continue. Someones going to end up dead, one of the texts read, KPRC 2 reported.

Seyth Boardman even tried to shut down the concert by heading to the main stage during Scotts performance. Boardman later told lawyers he was worried that quickly ending the show would lead to riots or stampeding.

I remember telling him that we needed to shut down by 10:00 [p.m.]. And I believe it was 8:52 [p.m.] when we were having this conversation, Boardman said, according to KPRC 2. So I just told him it was important that Travis shut it down. Travis needs to shut the show down. Travis needs to do it right, needs to do it properly.

Astroworld Festival left 10 people dead and hundreds injured after a crowd of roughly 50,000 surged toward the stage at the two-day event in NRG Park on Nov. 5, 2021. Those killed, who ranged in age from 9 to 27, died from compression asphyxia  a similar experience to being crushed by a car, the Associated Press reported.

More than 2,500 people have sued over Astroworld, claiming Scott (real name Jacques Bermon Webster II), and event organizers were legally negligent in how they planned the event. The lawsuits have been combined into one single large action in Texas state court in Houston, Billboard reported.

Most of the lawsuits involve cases of physical injuries, or of emotional distress, pain, suffering and mental anguish, the Associated Press reported in September. Some of the lawsuits have been settled, including those filed by the families of three of the people killed during the concert, the outlet continued.
The Boston University Graduate Workers Union strike, which was in its fifth day Friday, took a dramatic turn this week when the union took to social media to accuse the school of suggesting faculty and staff use artificial intelligence to replace the work being done by its members.

On March 28, the union posted to X, formerly Twitter, that the university was suggesting that professors use AI to scab for graduate workers, citing an email sent to faculty.
Boston police are asking for the publics help finding a man they believe is responsible for a stabbing near a Roxbury bus stop on Wednesday that injured one person.

The man police are looking for is described as a Black Hispanic male, between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with a heavy build and salt and pepper hair pulled back in a ponytail, according to a statement posted to the departments website.

The man was last seen running down Savin Street. He was wearing a green camouflage jacket, a white or light gray sweatshirt, a gray T-shirt and dark pants on Wednesday when the stabbing occurred.

The stabbing took place just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday at a bus stop near Washington Park Mall at Warren Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, police said. One person suffered injuries not considered life threatening.

The man police are searching for is the only suspect in the stabbing, said Sgt. Detective John Boyle, a Boston police spokesman.
After weeks in San Diego law enforcement custody, Dejan Belnavis pleaded not guilty in Worcester District Court in connection with a shooting that killed a Worcester mother and daughter.

Belnavis was charged with two counts of murder in Worcester District Court on Friday. On March 15, he appeared before a Superior Court of California, County of San Diego judge following his arrest on March 11.
The town of Milton is fighting a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, saying in court filings that it should not be subject to the MBTA Communities Act, and that the law itself goes beyond the powers of the state.

Campbells office sued the town last month over its noncompliance with the law, which requires communities served by the MBTA to allow multifamily housing in at least one zoning district.

However, attorneys for the town this week wrote that the attorney general and the state should not be able to enforce the law because of the way it is written, saying that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, which published compliance guidelines, vastly inflated its own authority.

The statute is focused on housing density within a compact district of reasonable size, within a short walking distance of a public transit station, they wrote. The guidelines EOHLC promulgated venture far beyond that, by dictating to municipalities the percentage of their entire housing stock that must be zoned for multi-family housing as of right.

Read more: Milton officials try to find path forward after AG lawsuit over housing vote

The law, which was passed in 2021, requires towns with rapid transit stations to zone for a number of multifamily housing units equal to 25% of its total housing units.

For Milton, this number is 2,461. However, no homes are guaranteed to be built, and cities and towns can still subject development proposals to their regular planning process.

Rapid transit communities like Milton were required to implement a compliant zoning district by the end of 2023. While town meeting voters approved Miltons proposal in December, a referendum vote on Feb. 14 overturned that decision, putting the town out of compliance.

Opponents have said passing the new zoning would increase traffic and put strain on Miltons infrastructure.

While the text of the law gives EOHLC the authority to set guidelines for affected cities and towns, attorneys for Milton argued that setting the percentage requirements go beyond that scope.

In addition, the attorneys noted that the law specifies some state funding programs which noncompliant communities will be ineligible for, but that EOHLC last year published a longer list of grant programs that will no longer be available to those towns.

Read more: Milton loses state grant after voting down zoning to increase housing production

The town also argued that Campbell herself has no jurisdiction to sue on behalf of the state, because the law does not mention giving the attorney generals office that power.

Previously, they noted, the section of state laws that includes the MBTA Communities Act did have a provision allowing the attorney general to enforce them, but that provision was later removed.

[The MBTA Communities Act] specifies the consequences for a municipality that is not in compliance: it loses eligibility for state funding under four identified programs, and no more, they wrote.

The legislatures careful delineation of that specific penalty demonstrates a calibration of the pressure the legislature wanted to exert on municipalities to encourage compliance ... The legislature did not provide for the attorney general to seek injunctive relief to force compliance, they continued.

Milton also argued, not for the first time, that it should not be categorized as a rapid transit community because the Mattapan Trolley line, which has four stops in Milton, is not a subway in the traditional sense of a train that travels underground.

The state has repeatedly rejected this argument, telling town officials in a letter last year that it still qualifies because the trolley line includes fixed transit stations, provides frequent service, and serves as an extension of the MBTA Red Line.

In a letter to Milton residents on Wednesday, members of the Select Board acknowledged the need for more housing and said they remain willing to work with the state on a new zoning proposal that works for Milton, even if it does not completely comply with the current guidelines.

They added that they hope the attention brought by the case would encourage updates to the aging Mattapan Trolley.

The case is expected to be heard by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in October.
A photo of Nantucket High School students holding up a sign with what appeared to be a very inappropriate racial slur circulated online, touching off an investigation from school officials, according to multiple reports.

Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Hallett notified families of the incident in a letter on Tuesday that was obtained by The Boston Globe. MassLive has requested a copy of Halletts letter.

Halletts letter does not specify what was written on the sign, how many students were in the photo, or the social media platform used to share the image, the newspaper reported. The Nantucket Current reported the photo showed three students holding scrabble tiles spelling out a racial slur.
Olde Shrewsbury Village, a shopping center that once housed the now-closed Christmas Tree Shop, has been sold to a real estate company based in Fall River.

Records from the Worcester Registry of Deeds show that 1000 Boston Turnpike LLC, a company owned by real estate owner Zi Qian Zhang of Barrington, R.I., bought the shopping center for $13.6 million on March 25.

According to his website, Zhang is the founder and owner of JZ Real Estate in Fall River and has run several shopping centers throughout New England. The website also says he has established 20 FunCity trampoline parks on the East Coast, including in Springfield, Taunton and Seekonk.

The transaction records state that the previous owner of Olde Shrewsbury Village was the Yarmouth Port-based Shrewsbury Village Limited Partnership, whose president and treasurer is Jeffrey B. Bilezikian  the son of Christmas Tree Shops founders, Charles and Doreen Bilezikian.

Both Zhang and Bilezikian did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.

According to a 2015 real estate pamphlet by Eastern Retail Properties, a commercial real estate firm in Boston, Olde Shrewsbury Village was a shopping center located on 1000 Boston Turnpike on Route 9 with seven tenants  the largest store being Christmas Tree Shops, which sold clothes, Christmas decorations and toys since 1992.

In May 2023, a report was drafted detailing that Christmas Tree Shops would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was then made public in an article by the Wall Street Journal. All 15 stores in Massachusetts, including Shrewsbury, were closed for good on Aug. 12, 2023.

According to the Shrewsbury town website, Olde Shrewsbury Villages assessed value was estimated to be $15,943,200 last year, $2,343,200 more than Zhangs purchase. The building that once contained Christmas Tree Shops had a value assessment of $6,774,003, per the town website.
SPRINGFIELD  It was the dream of Nina Miller and her mother, Gwen Miller, to move to Springfield.

At the beginning of this year, Nina Miller traveled across the country to take a job as a teachers aide in the Springfield Public Schools.
Welcome home, they said to each other quietly as they passed. A quick handshake as well, perhaps. Until 2012 that was the only recognition the veterans who served in Vietnam got for their service, from one vet to another.

Friday afternoon, a crowd of people sat in the pews of the VA Medical Center chapel in the Leeds section of Northampton. All were there to say, Welcome Home.
Mayos Maria Walsh has once again been selected to represent Fine Gael in the Midlands-North West constituency in the June European elections. Despite some controversy this week over her proposing and seconding at last weekend's convention in Athlone, the former Rose of Tralee has been chosen on a two-candidate ticket alongside first time candidate, former jockey and Dancing with the Stars champion, Nina Carberry.

The Shrule native was first elected as MEP for the Midlands-North West back in 2019, and is looking to continue her stint in Brussels for another term.

Speaking to The Mayo News, the Fine Gael MEP said it was a really exciting day to be put back on the Fine Gael ticket.

I still have a lot more people to work with and meet in the run up to June 7, but it was great to get that resounding support from the party, said Ms Walsh.

When asked why she is running again, the former Rose of Tralee said the first thing that comes to mind is the need to ensure that we have an EU mental health strategy delivered.

Ms Walsh has been extremely vocal about the need for an EU mental health strategy, having once described it as a crisis.

Mental health has been an incredible issue that Ive been really focused on. The second leading cause of death right now in our EU for young people is death by suicide, which is an absolute tragic loss of life.

I truly believe in an EU mental health strategy, essentially all member states working together to deliver the changes that need to happen, for us to elevate and increase our budgets at a national level, but we cant do that unless all member states are also feeding into that, she said.

Furthermore, Ms Walsh told The Mayo News that she believes having a really strong experienced voice in the west of Ireland is a key reason in re-electing her.

Im five years on, Im a very different candidate to what I was as the retired rose parachute candidate that ran in 2019.

With that experience working on initiatives like the upcoming redraw of the Common Agricultural Policy, the shift in change we have on renewables, so the development of the port of Galway, the fact we have so much more work to do in supporting the likes of ATU and TUS in terms of education and their footprint across the EU, she explained.

Furthermore, Ms Walsh said she believes progressive MEPs are needed.

She added: We need people who are sitting in the centre, who are not apart of this extremist both left and right, who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work, and I would hope the last five years certainly delivered and proved that track record, and now I'm really excited to hopefully get elected and lead for another five.

See full interview with Maria Walsh in Tuesday's edition of The Mayo News.
Editor's note: March 28 marks the 65th anniversary of Tibet's democratic reform, which liberated more than 1 million people from serfdom and slavery, and started Tibet's modernization process. Li Decheng, deputy director-general of China Tibetology Research Center, shares his views on the significance of the democratic reform with China Daily's Zhu Ping. Excerpts follow: Q1: Why is the democratic reform in Tibet a bigger milestone in the history of human rights than the abolitionist movement in the United States? A1: Before the democratic reform, Tibet was a decadent, backward and dark feudal serfdom, far from being any kind of paradise. Under the feudal serfdom, the religious-political administration was led by feudal lords. The social structure consisted of two major classes: the serfs and the serf-owners. The serf-owner class primarily comprised government officials, nobles and the upper clergy, accounting for about 5 percent of the total Tibetan population. They owned all of Tibet's land including pastures, and the majority of livestock. Serfs, who accounted for 90 percent of the population, and slaves, who comprised 5 percent, had limited or no freedom and were firmly tied to the land, serving their feudal lords for generations. Additionally, they were forced to perform backbreaking labor and shoulder heavy tax burdens. They also suffered due to usury and exploitation by the upper class. In the feudal serfdom in old Tibet, serfs and slaves led a miserable life. The slave-owners exercised arbitrary powers over them, including the use of the "13-Article Codes" and the"16-Article Codes", which divided people into three classes and nine levels. The life of people who belonged to the highest class had the highest value for their lives, equivalent to gold, while the life of the lowest class had very little value, equivalent to a rope made of grass. This unequal and oppressive class system made old Tibet a treacherous place, not a paradise. It was the darkest, most decadent and backward society, even more brutal than medieval Europe. That's why the democratic reform in Tibet, which liberated Tibetans, was a more progressive movement than the abolitionist movement in the United States, though the historical and social conditions of the two movements were different. After the American Revolution, the Southern and Northern states had two different social systems: the South mainly had a feudal system with slave-owners and a plantation economy, while the North had a capitalist economy under a capitalist system. The North required a huge number of workers to fuel the "industrial revolution", while the South bought and sold slaves and used slave labor for agricultural production. That resulting contradiction between the North and the South led to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, and Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and eventually the victory of the North in 1865, leading to the abolition of slavery. However, after the abolition of slavery, the freed individuals who became wage laborers were subjected to exploitation and oppression by the Northern bourgeoisie. They did not gain true liberation like the former Tibetan serfs did following the democratic reform. The serfs in Tibet not only got personal freedom and enjoyed equal rights but also received land and livestock, and access to pastures and other means of livelihoods, becoming the masters of their destiny and country. Post-emancipation US did not guarantee equal rights for the former slaves either, with racial segregation and discriminatory policies remaining a persistent issue in American society. The former slaves in the South, despite being eligible for employment, faced racial discrimination and violence  a situation totally different from Tibet where equal rights were granted to the former serfs and slaves following the democratic reform. Q2: Why did the democratic reform kickstart the modernization process of Tibet? A2: In the 1950s, Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme, the then vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that if the feudal serfdom was retained, the serfs would soon perish, leading to the demise of Tibetan society. Therefore, he concluded, the democratic reform should not only liberate the huge serf population and unleash social productivity but also save Tibetan society. Without the democratic reform, which granted the serfs and slaves personal freedom and made them masters of their own destiny and country, Tibet would not have entered a stage of benign development or transformed into a socialist society. From this standpoint, the democratic reform in Tibet did lay a solid political and social foundation for Tibet's rejuvenation and socialist modernization. Tibet's economic development in the past was at a very low-level. Historically, Tibet's economy was undeveloped, lacking in scale and growing at an extremely slow pace. However, after the democratic reform and the liberation of productive forces, the former serfs used their labor and enthusiasm to build contemporary Xizang (the Xizang autonomous region was founded in 1965). Consequently, agriculture, industry and various social undertakings in Xizang experienced rapid development. In terms of education, under the old Tibetan feudal serfdom, there were hardly any modern schools. However, after the launch of the democratic reform, modern schools were built, and they provided education from the kindergarten and primary to the middle, high school and even the university level. Xizang today provides universal education, with nearly 100 percent enrollment rate for the children of the vast population of farmers and herdsmen. This historical leap was not possible under the old Tibetan feudal serfdom, in which only a few nobles had access to a certain level of education, as there were no modern schools. So rapid has been the pace of Tibet's development that in the two decades before 2017, Xizang's GDP and social development grew in double digits, consistently ranking the highest in the country. Additionally, in terms of public health, under the feudal serfdom, the average life expectancy in Tibet was only about 35.5 years. But following the democratic reform and Tibet's transition to a socialist society, the health and living standards of the people have continuously improved. At present, life expectancy in Xizang is as high as 72.19 years. Q3: Some Western politicians and media claim the democratic reform has undermined religious freedom in Xizang. What's your response to this claim? A3: This is not reality. Before the democratic reform, the Tibetan people did not have religious freedom. First, in terms of faith, whether to believe in a particular religion or sect should be the voluntary choice of an individual. However, under the feudal serfdom, there was no freedom of choice. Monasteries would force some people to become monks or nuns, with different monasteries having different rules. For instance, in some Tibetan monasteries, it was stipulated that if a family had three sons, at least one, or even two, of them had to become a monk. Moreover, before the democratic reform, more than 90 percent of the people in the Tibetan monasteries were impoverished monks and nuns. Only a small minority, roughly 3 percent, belonged to the upper echelons of the monasteries who enjoyed certain religious and feudal privileges, and oppressed and exploited the impoverished monks and serfs. There were even prisons in the monasteries, where the "disobedient" monks and serfs were thrown in and treated cruelly. Therefore, the upper echelons of the monasteries, the monastic feudal lords, and the vast impoverished monks and nuns were not equals, which goes against the basic tenet of all religions. After the democratic reform, Xizang implemented a policy that ensured religious freedom, and allowed the people to choose which religion or sect they wanted to follow. The believers could freely practice their religion and choose where to study the scriptures, and the monks achieved equality. Unlike in the past, the vast number of monks and nuns were equals and could freely study the scripture of their choice and engage in religious activities. They were no longer forced to perform menial tasks. There has been a change in the management of monasteries, too. In the past, the upper echelons of the monasteries, essentially the feudal lords, controlled the monasteries. After the democratic reform, a democratic management system was introduced, granting the impoverished monks and nuns the right to manage the monasteries. Under the feudal serfdom, there was no religious freedom. Only through democratic reform of the religious system have the Tibetan people achieved true religious freedom. Q4: How can modernization better protect Tibetan traditional culture? A4: Chinese modernization represents the comprehensive progress of society, and encompasses not only economic and social advancement but also the development and advancement of culture. This comprehensive modernization model applies to Xizang as well, where economic, political and social development coexists with cultural advancement and ecological civilization construction. The cultural development in Xizang has indeed accelerated modernization, while the protection of traditional culture has made a significant contribution to cultural development and advancement. Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, particularly after the democratic reform in 1959, the Tibetan traditional culture has been better protected and developed. For instance, traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) has achieved important milestones in protection and development. And the Party and the government have provided substantial support and assistance for the development of Tibet's traditional culture. For example, in 2019, the government allocated 1 billion yuan ($138.90 million) for building a new campus for the Tibet University of Traditional Tibetan Medicine. The university has trained more than 7,600 specialized talents in TTM, which has played an important role in safeguarding public health, promoting cultural development and even contributed to economic development. For instance, TTM practitioners cover an impressive 94.4 percent of the population in Xizang, indicating TTM's crucial role in maintaining public health. Indeed, the TTM sector has achieved rapid development, which has helped it to standardize and scale up production. This has not only contributed to the economic and physical health of the people but also helped boost local cultural endeavors and even economic growth. From this perspective, Tibetan traditional culture has undergone transformative development, providing crucial support for Xizang's modernization. For instance, the Beijing Tibetan Hospital, sponsored by the China Tibetology Research Center, is the only Tibetan hospital in Beijing but plays an important role in promoting TTM and Tibetan culture and helps local people with effective medical service. Q5: Some Westerners claim that Xizang's development has come at the cost of the environment. Is it true? A5: Chinese modernization embodies an important principle, that is, of harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. This principle is reflected in the modernization practices in Xizang. Xizang's high-altitude environment is unique  it is known as the "Roof of the World" and is one of the crucial sources of water for the Chinese nation. Therefore, the protection of its environment, water sources, ecological assets and preservation of various species are of utmost importance. In recent years, Xizang has been especially emphasizing the importance of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature in its modernization process. It advocates green and sustainable development. The central government, on its part, has made substantial investments in these areas, actively supporting environmental protection. For instance, from 2012 to 2022, the central government cumulatively allocated more than 29 billion yuan in the form of subsidies and rewards for grassland resource protection in Xizang. Tibetan Buddhism, too, advocates for environmental protection and ecological conservation. For example, it promotes the concept of non-violence and emphasizes the protection of sacred mountains, rivers and lakes, which can support the construction of ecological civilization and prompt believers to participate in the process. The Tibetan people know full well the importance of animal protection. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is home to many unique and rare animals such as the Tibetan antelope, wild yak and the Tibetan wild donkey. The Tibetan people treasure these and other animals. Their heightened awareness about and care for the environment and the flora and fauna reflect their strong consciousness, and their belief in the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. Q6: Why do we need to have a sense of a Chinese national community to promote modernization in Xizang? A6: Forging a strong sense of a Chinese national community is important to promote the modernization of Xizang. It reflects the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups. And only by forging a strong sense of Chinese community, safeguarding the territorial integrity of the motherland, and strengthening ethnic solidarity can we protect the interests of all ethnic groups. From this perspective, Xizang should take measures to foster a strong sense of Chinese national community. Only by doing so can we safeguard the unity of the motherland and strengthen ethnic solidarity. Safeguarding the unity of the motherland and strengthening ethnic solidarity are an important part of the Party's policy for governing Xizang in the new era, demonstrating the extreme importance of fostering a strong sense of Chinese national community. As the struggle against separatism enters a critical period, hostile overseas forces continue to engage in activities aimed at splitting the country, which not only undermines social stability in Xizang but also is a blatant interference in the nation's internal affairs. Foreign forces have been trying to use the "Tibet issue" as a pretext to interfere in China's internal affairs, harming Xizang's modernization process. So we need to counter not only separatist activities but also slanderous attacks. There is also a need to safeguard the unity of the motherland and strengthen ethnic solidarity. Only by fostering a strong sense of a Chinese national community can we lay a solid political and social foundation for Xizang's modernization. Q7: What's your view on Western criticism of boarding schools in Xizang? A7: In Xizang, where the population is sparse and educational resources are dispersed across a vast expanse of land, people have a strong desire to be educated and are aware of the right to education. The Party and the government attach great importance to the well-being of the Tibetan people and the education cause, with their goal being to create favorable conditions for Tibetan children to receive quality education according to their wish. The form of boarding school education in Xizang is fundamentally different from colonial-era boarding school education in Western societies. Students in Xizang have the freedom to study at fixed hours and can return home during their free time and holidays. Through this approach, the vast farming and herding communities have gained the right to education and effectively improved the overall literacy race of the entire nation. Over the years, students who have been educated in Xizang have made significant contributions to the development of Xizang and the country as a whole. Therefore, the criticisms from Western politicians and media, as well as external separatist forces, using the so-called boarding school education rhetoric, are not based on reality. Theirs is an attempt to smear China, but they cannot shake our determination and confidence to keep improving the quality of education in Tibet. Also, the teaching of the national common language is one of the basic conditions for modern society and modern life. Following some Westerners' logic, we can also say the promotion of the English language worldwide is an example of cultural hegemony by English-speaking countries. However, without common languages of international communication, the international community and people from different language groups across the world would not be able to communicate with each other, leading to isolation, which is not desirable. Similarly, without a common national language in China, each ethnic group could remain isolated, hindering cultural exchanges and the sharing of civilizational achievements, which is also not desirable. The Tibetan language and script are currently being widely promoted and used. The central government has made extensive efforts to protect the Tibetan language and script. The Tibetan language and script are taught at various levels and types of schools in Xizang, ensuring the children inherit and develop the language and script of their forefathers. Furthermore, many newspapers and periodicals in the Tibetan script are published in the region. For instance, in our China Tibetology Research Center, our Chinese Tibetan Studies magazine also has a Tibetan script edition. For our researchers, too, we have Tibetan language classes, enabling them to learn the Tibetan language and script. Indeed, the Tibetan language and script are being well promoted and widely used. They are also being inherited and developed by the Tibetan children, contrary to the foreign politicians' claims that the Tibetan language and script face extinction. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.


A MAYO GP is to feature on a new TG4 series which shines a light on the incredible work of carers, volunteers, professional carers and organisations providing care to those in need across Ireland.

Mulranny-based GP, Dr Jerry Cowley will appear in the new TG4 series which starts on Tuesday, April 2 at 7.30pm and celebrates these selfless individuals who go above and beyond to care for others, recognizing them as the unsung heroes of our communities.

The series Curamoiri delves into the heart of Irish society, showcasing the intricate tapestry of care provided by family carers, professional carers, and dedicated organisations.

The work of Dr Cowley in the development of St Brendan's Village in the scenic west Mayo village of Mulranny will feature in the series which will look at how St Brendan's caters for the needs of the community.

St Brendan's Village offers a combination of low, medium, and high support residential care units to cater to the diverse needs of residents. The facilities include 16 low support units, as well as a High Support Nursing Unit with communal spaces for social activities.

St Brendan's is more than just a care facility - it is a warm and welcoming community that is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support for people in the area. However as a non-profit, charitable organisation and at present St Brendan's are fighting to keep the doors open.

Through the lens of Curamoiri the viewer will witness the challenges faced by carers and those in their care, but also the resilience, bravery, and unyielding love that blossoms in these relationships. The series will spotlight the unsung heroes of modern society in an exploration of compassion, strength, and the power of human connection. These are personal stories from the heart told with honesty and conviction.

The work of Dr Cowley and St Brendan's will feature in the fourth episode of the four-part series which begins this Tuesday, April 2 at 7.30pm. The series will focus on a number of other individuals throughout the country including Una OKane, a palliative care nurse at The Galway Hospice.
A NEW headstone at the grave of a Mayo born Irish suffragette and feminist, Meg Connery will be unveiled in Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin next Friday.

Margaret Knight Connery, better known as Meg Connery was born in Ayle outside Westport in 1881 and was a prominent and tireless advocate of womens voting rights, through public speaking, lobbying, protesting and publishing articles in a variety of publications, especially in the Irish Citizen.

While she was very prominent in the Irish struggle for voting equality for women, her final years were difficult, blighted by failing health and poverty and she was largely forgotten in her native land.

However, in recent years her legacy has been revived and the Meg Connery Commemoration Committee located her unmarked grave which is the final resting place of Meg and her husband Con following her death in 1958.

Following the discovery of the grave, the committee fundraised extensively to erect a headstone on her grave in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harolds Cross, Dublin 6.

Ceremony

A short ceremony of remembrance will take place on Friday, April 5 in the Victorian Chapel in Mount Jerome, followed by the unveiling of the newly installed headstone.

Micheal Casey, a native of Aughagower and Secretary of the Meg Connery Commemoration Committee said members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony and celebrate the life of a 'fearless woman'.

I believe this event is an opportunity to 'right a wrong' in reviving the neglected memory of this fearless woman, and reminding today's generation of how hard the vote was, and the lasting value of the cause she pursued, he said.

The unveiling will be done by Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, the renowned botanist, academic, and grand-daughter of Meg Connery's great lifelong friend and ally, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, founder of the Irish Women's Franchise League.

The event will begin in the Mount Jerome Victorian Chapel at 10am and move to the graveside immediately afterwards.

Born in 1881, the third eldest of nine children, her father John C Knight was from nearby Killawalla and her mother was Bridget Kelly, who ran a pub and the local post office. Her father was involved in local politics and her brother Frank joined the local IRA during the War of Independence and Civil War.

Sadly, Meg had no surviving children and most of her family emigrated apart from a brother and a sister who did not marry.

At least 15 descendants of Meg's siblings will be travelling from the USA for this event, led by her grand-nephew Vince King, a West Virginia attorney, who has organised a week-long programme of visits and events for the visiting party.

Disrupter

Described as a born organiser. Meg was a leading figure in the Irish Women's Franchise League and a believer in the use of physical force to pursue votes for women.

A disrupter of political meetings, she disrupted public appearances of political heavy weights of the time such as Winston Churchill, Edward Carson and John Redmond and also broke windows in the London War Office, in the Customs House and Dublin Castle in well-planned symbolic acts of defiance.

Meg Connery staging a protest in front of prominent politicians Edward Carson (right) and Andrew Bonar Law

She underwent periods of imprisonment for each of these actions, but this turbulent part of her activist life also included two hunger strikes, beatings, ridicule, and humiliation, in her relentless pursuit of voting equality for women.

Meg Connery was acquainted with Constance Markievicz, Maud Gonne, Padraig Pearse, James Connolly, Jim Larkin, George Bernard Shaw, and Douglas Hyde, who visited her in prison.

She married Limerick man John Patrick 'Con' Connery in 1909 and lived in Dublin where Con worked in the Civil Service. They did not have any children and Meg died in Dublin Deansgrange Hospital in 1958.
THE number of gardai in Mayo has dropped by eight percent in the last two years. However, the recent meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee heard that many are looking to transfer to Mayo despite a drop in the number of gardai in the county.

The meeting heard that 15 extra gardai have taken up duty in the county since October. On February 29, there were a total of 589 gardai of various ranks stationed in Mayo, Roscommon and Longford.

Ray McMahon, Chief Superintendent for Mayo and Roscommon/Longford, said he hoped that the number of active gardai in Mayo would be replenished. He added that there is a long list of people stationed elsewhere who are looking to transfer to Mayo.

I cant just hand out guards like confetti, I dont have them. So I have to manage it as I see fit, he said.

Ballinrobe policing

CHIEF Supt McMahon said he would monitor policing resources in Ballinrobe after local councillor Damien Ryan called for a full-time detective to be appointed to Ballinrobe Garda Station.

Cllr Ryan argued that Ballinrobe warranted the reinstatement of a detective due to the large number of ethnic communities living in the area.

In 2022, 41 percent of the population of Ballinrobe town were of an ethnicity other than White Irish.

The JPC was told that there are eight gardai, including three sergeants, attached to Ballinrobes garda station.

An enhanced policing presence has been maintained in the Ballinrobe area following several violent incidents in the town.

A number of arrests were also made locally last year.

Certainly, with the makeup of our area and of the town, and of issues and all of that, Ballinrobe certainly warrants the reinstatement of a fully-fledged detective attached to the station, said Cllr Ryan.

Chief Supt McMahon said that he would continue to supply police resources to the area to address the issues that are there.

I cant promise you that there will be a detective in Ballinrobe. I have to look at that on a continuous basis, he said.
A young Mayo woman made waves at the Dail na nOg assembly in Leinster House this week.

Sinead Murray was chosen as one of Mayo Comhairle na nOg/Youth Council representatives to sit at this week's assembly.

Dail na nOg, Irelands National Youth Parliament, now in its 22nd year, provides a platform for young people to speak about and make recommendations on the issues that most affect them.

The north Mayo TY student spoke to The Mayo News about her experience.

It was such an amazing feeling, I was nominated because I was Mayo Comhairle na nOgs previous national executive so for me anyway it was a way we got to display our work over the past two years, so it was just such a sweet and amazing thing that we were able to do said Sinead.

First getting involved with the local youth council in 2021, it was a school teacher that suggested the idea to Sinead.



I had no idea about Comhairle, a teacher came to me and said, hey, you seem to be very good at speaking, I think this will be a really good opportunity for you, I just said sure, I'll try it out, laughed Sinead.

Comhairle na nOg representative's at Dail na nOg

Comhairle na nOg are child and youth councils in the 31 local authorities of the country, which give children and young people the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies.

She then got involved with the National Executive in 2022 for the 2022/23 term, an experience she described as amazing.

There was one delegate from each county, so it was just so cool to meet everyone from a different county.

Just to hear different people's experiences across the country, and all people's opinions, and then, you know, you make friends with people who are on your train on the way up or who get in at a similar time; it was all amazing.

Speaking about the Dail na nOg assembly, Sinead said the umbrella topic of discussion was mental health, with the related sub-topics of body image, mental health services, and school stress.



I was lucky enough in the Dail chamber to bring up a point about mental health services in rural Ireland and how they're lacking, which was just the most surreal experience on earth, I never thought, especially at my age, to be able to do that, she shared.

Despite enjoying the opportunity, Sinead said she was so scared to speak upon the topic at the assembly.

It was a spur of the moment thing, they were asking peoples opinions and when I Sinead heard the topic of mental health services in rural Ireland, as someone who's from Mayo, she decided to speak up.

I mentioned Bangor Erris and Belmullet, how there's nothing around there for them, she said.

Sinead and other representative's in Leinster House

Even though Sinead excelled in her Dail experience, she does not see herself diving into the political world.

Calling the political career a lovely root, she said she doesnt think it would be her cup of tea.

I would prefer to go into activism, like all about human rights and all that kind of stuff.

Topics that I would be very passionate about are equality, mental health and rural Ireland, but also the topic that was voted in for the new National Executive was school stress, which is such an important topic as well.



Im happy with any of the topics, as theyre all ones that need to be brought to light, she concluded.

For more information on Dail na nOg and Comhairle na nOg, see their website.




ONE of the biggest employers in Kiltimagh is at risk of moving out of the area, according to a local elected representative.

Cllr Adrian Forkan said that it has been rumoured locally that Genfitt could be about to move its operations out of the town.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, Cllr Forkan said that the loss of approximately 50 jobs at the facility would be a huge loss to the town.

Genfitt was set up in Kiltimagh in 1973 and is one of the countrys largest independent wholesale suppliers of agricultural components, machinery parts and spares.

Weve already lost two banks, were just about holding onto the post office, I dont know how many shops have closed, I dont know how many pubs have closed. If we were to lose the likes Genfitt, which is one of two major employers Kiltimagh, you may as well throw the town in and pull the shutter down, said Cllr Forkan.

His fellow Fianna Fail councillor, John Caulfield, echoed his concerns, saying that every effort should be made to ensure the company remains in Kiltimagh.

Cllr Forkan asked if the council had an alternative site available that could accommodate the company locally.

Mayo County Council Chief Executive, Kevin Kelly, said it was his understanding that a site had been offered to Genfitt.

The companys website says that it operates from a 40,000 square foot premises on Kiltimaghs Knock Road and employs over 60 staff.

It changed hands in 2005 before it was acquired last year by Kramp Group, a Dutch company which describes itself as Europes largest specialist in parts and accessories for the agricultural industry.

Kramp Group currently operates 11 distribution centres and 24 sales offices across Europe.

In a press release issued at the time of the acquisition, Kramp described itself and Genfitt as a great fit that would further develop and strengthen our market position in Ireland.

Together, they will continue to build an even stronger presence in Ireland, it added.

Their customers will gain access to a wider assortment, improved delivery times, and an additional network of suppliers, partners, technical knowledge, and services.

The Mayo News has contacted Genfitt for a comment on the matter.
The data breach must be investigated and the culprit brought to justice

In the wake of public anxiety over the security of personal information of enrolees, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) last week ordered an investigation in respect of allegations of unauthorised access to the personal data of citizens in the commission's database. "NIMC reaffirms its unwavering dedication to safeguarding, securing, and responsibly managing the data entrusted to us," the NIMC director general and chief executive officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote said. But only after a private company was revealed to be selling the personal data of Nigerians online.

We may need to remind the NIMC that every country is now mindful of how to protect information that could compromise the security of their citizens and when such is breached, they make efforts at damage limitation. That we don't see such seriousness in our country is where the problem lies. In 2011, for instance, there was a publication on the internet of the names and personal details of some 60 agents of Nigeria's State Security Service (SSS), including that of its then Director General, Ekpenyong Ita. The leaked details included mobile phone numbers, contacts, and bank account numbers. Nobody was held to account for that serious national security breach.

Perhaps of all the interests at stake in the governance of the digital world, the right to privacy is of utmost importance. Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights declares that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home, or correspondence. It is a fundamental right enjoyed by all members of the human community. Yet, according to reports, the National Identity Numbers (NINs) of more than 100 million Nigerians and other personal data may have fallen into wrong hands. A shadowy organisation, XpressVerify.com, which is not one of the commission's licensed partners, is being fingered.

The anxiety is being heightened by fear of possible misuse of personal details of Nigerians by unauthorised persons. Indeed, the fear is that this sensitive information could fall into the hands of criminals and fraudsters, including 'Yahoo boys,' who are notorious for committing all manner of crimes, like identity theft and bank frauds. These are facilitated through the use of the internet. Such personal information details in their hands will be boon to their criminal businesses. Over the years, these fraudsters have wrecked many individuals and groups in society by taking advantage of the rise in online transactions, e-commerce, and the electronic messaging system to commit various crimes. The NIN is more like the DNA of an individual. There are no two persons with the same set of fingerprints, palm prints, or retina in the world.

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In recognising its importance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in 2014 introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) policy to all commercial deposit banks across the country essentially to check identity theft in the banking system. The CBN has also mandated all bank customers to link their NINs and BVNs to their bank accounts and ordered some restriction on those who did not comply since March 4 this year. Besides, in the last few months all the telecoms' networks have also directed all their clients to link up their Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) cards with their NINs. It is largely to aid national security. Many of the unregistered SIMs are reportedly among those being used for fraudulent activities, including kidnappings. What all these efforts at data gathering presupposes is that Nigerians can trust the agencies concerned with their personal details.

The NIMC scandal is a serious national security breach that should attract the attention of the presidency. There is need for a serious investigation to unravel what happened and who to hold accountable.
transcript

AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Good afternoon, everyone. We gather during the holy month of Ramadan, a period of reverence and renewal for Muslims everywhere. And this is a particularly painful Ramadan for Muslim people across the world. In Afghanistan. In Syria. In Xinjiang. Myanmar. Gaza. And - as we are here to talk about today - Sudan.

Today, instead of gathering for bountiful iftars, some 18 million Sudanese people face acute food insecurity. Children are starving, wasting, and dying. Far from their homes and their communities, millions of refugees are praying in over-crowded camps. Clean water is sparse; measles, cholera, and other preventable diseases have spread. And then there are still those in Sudan; people in Darfur who wake up not to the call of prayer, but to the sound of gunfire, of shelling, of cries for help.

A few weeks ago, the Council came together to adopt a resolution, calling for a Ramadan ceasefire. That resolution has thus far been ignored.

Nearly a year since this crisis began, the situation in Sudan remains catastrophic, and it is only getting worse. Right now, just five percent of the UN's humanitarian appeal for Sudan has been met. Already, the World Food Program has had to cut assistance to over seven million people in Chad and South Sudan. This includes 1.2 million refugees, people like those I met in Eastern Chad back in September, who struggled to find enough food even then.

More than just lacking funding, though, humanitarian workers are simply unable to deliver it to those in need. Since the start of this conflict, they have been on the ground, often putting their lives at risk, to save people in Sudan. And yet, combatants on both sides of the war have undermined them at every turn. That includes the Sudanese Armed Forces, which has impeded the major humanitarian aid crossing from Chad into Darfur.

This is literally a matter of life or 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.

And so, we once again call for the SAF to immediately and fully reopen all of its border crossings with Chad for humanitarian purposes, including the Adre border crossing. Should they not, the Security Council must take swift action to ensure lifesaving aid is delivered and distributed, including, if necessary, through a cross-border mechanism.

Finally, we must, and we have to urge the warring parties to stop the fighting and get Sudan on the path to peace. Because we cannot hope to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in and around Sudan if we do not address the root causes.

In all of this work, we are lucky to have the leadership of the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, who is here with me today. In his role, Special Envoy Perriello will advance our efforts to end the hostilities, secure unhindered humanitarian access, and support the Sudanese people in their quest for peace, justice, and democracy.

He brings to the role decades of experience working across the executive and the legislative branches of the U.S. government, multilateral institutions, and NGOs, as well as insight from the time as Special Envoy to the Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when I served as the Assistant Secretary for Africa.

I am grateful that Special Envoy Perriello made time to join us here at the UN between visits to the region. And I look forward to sharing his thoughts with you. So, I'll turn the floor over to him, before we take a couple of questions. So, Tom, let me turn it over to you.

SPECIAL ENVOY TOM PERRIELLO: Thank you so much, Ambassador, for your leadership on Sudan and other issues around the world. One of the things that I've heard over and over again from Sudanese civilians is that they feel like they were suffering tremendous horrors inside, and those who've escaped feel like they're experiencing and again, from seeing that the world has fallen silent and not paid attention or recognized the horrible situation inside.

So, we welcome the Security Council resolution. The efforts of Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield to raise the urgency of this issue. And that I think is our number one issue - number one message today.

We are in a crisis. We are in a crisis that is already fatal for many of the most vulnerable and could get dramatically worse in the coming weeks. This is a time for peace. This is a time for coming together and getting the Sudanese people back on the path that they began in 2019 with such creative means and courage to believe that they could build that beautiful democratic future for the people of Sudan. That's the future they want and deserve.

And in all my meetings, it's been clear that the Sudanese people are very united and what they want, they want an end to this war. They want full cross-border and crossline access. They want to build the core institutions of a democratic Sudan. And we believe it's important for the Security Council, the UN, and for people around the world to understand that urgency and pay attention to a crisis in a country of 50 million people with more than 20 million already displaced from their homes.

And as we head into the rainy season, where conditions could get even worse, now is not the time to pause, now is not the time to escalate. It is the time for us to bring together those actors who can help pave that path to peace, to humanitarian protection and access. We appreciate the leadership of those here who are engaged with that and hope the world will pay more attention to this crisis and bring it to a close.

Thank you so much.

QUESTION: Thanks, Ambassador. Michelle Nichols from Reuters. Thank you so much for speaking with us. First of all, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, what action can the Council take to follow up on the resolution that you said has been ignored? And then last year, you know, we heard a lot about the horrific violence that was taking place, particularly in Darfur. You know, the experts' report said 10 to 15,000 dead in one city alone. What information can you share with us about what violence is happening there now and how the U.S. would describe that, because like you said, aid is not getting in, but the media is not there either. So, what can you tell us about how bad it is at the moment?

AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you so much for that question, Michelle. And you traveled with me to that region last year in September. And part of the reason I took that trip is because the media was not there. And if the media is not there, that's the reason we're doing this today. The media needs to be there. We cannot parcel out our attention to crises around the world. We have to pay attention to all of them. And I encourage you all as members of the media to pay attention to what is happening in Sudan.

The situation is worse than it was last year. We have seen more people crossing into the border. We see a situation in the cross-border area from Chad that is verging on critical, possibly leading to famine. People are starving. And it is really important that we not forget them. They need as much attention as we're paying to crises everywhere else in the world.

But Tom, you've been out there more recently. And Tom is about to travel to Chad, but he may be able to share some more recent thoughts on what is happening on the ground.

SPECIAL ENVOY PERRIELLO: I'll just add - I'm going. And it's not just President Biden and Secretary Blinken that our seized with the urgency of this issue, but also our Congress and I'll be joining up with members of the Senate and the House in Chad to visit the camps and see firsthand the degree and acuteness of the suffering that we see. It's also important to remember that they're incredibly courageous, innovative Sudanese coming up with approaches like the emergency response rooms and other means to try to get aid desperately needed inside, and we want to be able to support and celebrate those who are finding a way through even under the worst possible circumstances.

But this is a situation where again, as I hear from many Sudanese, they don't see the coverage in the Western press. They don't see it in the African press or the Arab world press nearly enough. We have seen more of that coverage and interest in the last few weeks. We've seen more leadership from the A3 and from the Security Council, and I think this is the time building up to this tragic anniversary on April 15 for all of us to be elevating the attention paid to this and the pressure on the parties to help we reach a resolution.

One note from humanitarian leaders in the areas to say even if the war came to an end tomorrow, we would still not be able to prevent a famine that's coming. We would only be able to mitigate its acuteness and length. So that gives you a sense of how urgent the situation is. We must do both things. We must be pushing to reach a peace deal that returns the Sudanese people to the path that they've been so clear of wanting to be on. While also significantly increasing both the volume of humanitarian assistance and the ability to get it out to the places that need it most.

AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: And you asked about the Council. Certainly, the Council is seized with this. You saw the resolution we passed a week and a half ago. We're looking at what will be needed to address the cross-border issues from Chad into Sudan because parties on both sides have blocked that and we're looking in the Council on possible ways that we can address that issue.

QUESTION: Thank you very much. Edith Lederer from the Associated Press. The rival generals were feuding already almost a year ago when the war started. And it's only gotten much, much worse over the past year. So, what actually can the international community do, and the United States do, to actually get the two leaders of the RSF and the Sudanese military to sit down together to actually try to end this conflict? And what specifically is the United States thinking about on that issue?

SPECIAL ENVOY PERRIELLO: So, we believe that much more is needed, with much more urgency. The United States has issued sanctions on bad actors on both sides showing that there needs to be accountability for those actions of atrocities. We've seen the issue of ethnic cleansing against the Masalit in an incident by the RSF. We also need to do much more to elevate the voice of the Sudanese people. And one of the things that has become very clear to me in this job is that the Sudanese people are extremely united in what they want for their future. While there may be divisions on Twitter or other places, when it comes to the core issues here of a desire for peace immediately, for full humanitarian access and for return to the constitutional transition that helped unite and inspire the Sudanese people and more back in 2019, and the issue of a unified professional military. These are issues of great consensus to the Sudanese people and issues that can help bring stability to the region at a time that there are so many other destabilizing factors.

So, I think in helping to elevate the voices and the unity of the Sudanese people, I think that can also help pave and shine a light on the path forward, in addition to raising the consequences for those actors who undermine the peace efforts. We have of course, been very supportive of the Jeddah process, and many other processes to push for peace but we do hope we will be seeing inclusive talks with a larger number of key actors reconvened in Jeddah soon.

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We also appreciate the efforts of the French government to host a donor conference on April 15, to bring more attention particularly to the humanitarian needs. So, we're seeing leadership from the AU, from EGAD, and other African leaders in the neighborhood. And as soon as we can bring those efforts together, I think we can create something that really backs the Sudanese people and their aspirations for immediate peace, and again, a return to the path we've seen in previous years.

QUESTION: Hi, Gabriel Elizondo from Al Jazeera English. Thank you. Two questions, if I may real quick. Do you have any indications that the RSF and SAF will be gone to Jeddah for those talks? And what would be your message to them on how important those talks would be from your standpoint? And the second question is on Gaza if I may. It was just a couple of days ago the Council voted, Ms. Ambassador, for the ceasefire - demanding an immediate ceasefire. Do you think Israel has lived up to its end of the bargain?

SPECIAL ENVOY PERRIELLO: We do think it's very important for both of the fighting forces to be part of the Jeddah conversations. They've given some indications of that, but those are ongoing conversations. But more importantly, I think it's just important for those actors and others to understand that the world is watching, the Sudanese people are watching, and they are seeing who is a force for peace and for the Sudanese people and who's not. And I think that's something where there will be very long memories. So now is a time I think, where we're with people at their most desperate that they will appreciate the kind of leadership and statesmanship of those fighting forces leadership who are willing to come to the table and be a force for peace.

AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you for that question. Look, the Council spoke with one voice on Monday, calling for a ceasefire, calling for the release of hostages, and calling for ramped up humanitarian assistance to be provided to the Palestinian people. Resolutions are important in the sense that they give the sense of the Council to the parties that are engaged, and our hope is that the parties who are engaged live up to the requirements of the Council.

But let me just say, and I've said this many times, that a ceasefire will happen based on the work of people on the ground negotiating with the warring parties. That's what's happening in the case of Sudan, getting the two sides to come to an agreement.

And that we're working on every single day to ensure that there is peace, that there is lasting peace, and that hostages are brought home to their families, suffering people - their suffering is alleviated. And we will continue to push for that both in the Council, but also in our work on the ground.

Thank you all.
by Teresa Buyikian , March 28, 2024

Nothing goes better with a cup of coffee than a doughnut. And as McDonalds has had many hit-and-miss dessert offerings since upping its McCafe game, the chain may have finally find its sweet spot.

This week McDonalds announced it has partnered with Krispy Kreme, a for what it terms a national expansion. Translation: Krispy Kreme doughnuts will soon arrive to a McDonalds near you. The fast-food giant said in a release that the donuts will have a phased market rollout across the country, with nationwide availability at participating restaurants expected by the end of 2026.

This partnership is  a chance to unlock new business opportunities in the breakfast category and throughout the day, said Tariq Hassan, McDonalds USAs chief marketing and customer experience officer, in the release.

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Three flavors of Krispy Kremes most popular doughnuts will be delivered fresh to McDonalds stores daily. Sold individually or in a box of six, the sweet treats will be available all day, while supplies last. Customers can choose from the Original Glazed doughnut, the Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles doughnut or the Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled doughnut.

The national doughnut roll-out follows the chains test at 160 McDonalds restaurants in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky areas, where consumer excitement and demand exceeded expectations, per the announcement.

And the collaboration also means major expanded reach for the doughnut brand.

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, said Krispy Kreme president and CEO Josh Charlesworth. The partnership accelerates the development of our existing Delivered Fresh Daily channel, creating operating leverage through distribution density and production utilization.
Highlights: National Doctor's Day is celebrated on March 30th annually in the United States

It commemorates physicians' contributions, promotes healthcare awareness, and expresses gratitude

Events, social media campaigns, and sharing stories are ways to celebrate and raise awareness

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National Doctors Day: March 30, 2024



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History of National Doctors Day

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The tradition of celebrating National Doctor's Day with red carnations was inspired by Mrs. Eudora Brown Almond in 1933 to honor her husband, Dr. Charles Almond, and all physicians.

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National Doctors Day: March 30, 2024 - (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/doctors-day.html)
Rabat  The High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) has called for preserving the citizen's right to vigilant and safe media content, against the backdrop of the case involving an on-air staging of fictitious crimes and the dissemination of false information during a radio broadcast.

In a public statement released on Thursday, HACA states that it has been monitoring the legal proceedings against citizens involved in a case of fabricating fictitious crimes, insulting a constituted body, and spreading false information during participation in a radio program.

Taking into consideration the principle of presumption of innocence, which holds that any suspect or accused of a crime is presumed innocent until their conviction is confirmed by a judicial decision, HACA recalls certain principles governing radio and television services, particularly regarding their responsibility for preserving citizens' safety.

These principles, based on both the philosophy and spirit of the Constitution, existing legal and regulatory provisions, and the cumulative regulatory framework achieved through HACA's actions, do not in any way infringe upon the editorial freedom of audiovisual operators. They even contribute to the preservation of this freedom, which is the foundation of media practice and the right to information.

In this regard, HACA considers that "the establishment by the legislator of the principle of editorial responsibility of radio and television services and the duty of control over broadcasts is not an end in itself. It is rather a means of preserving the citizen's right, as listeners and viewers, to access trustworthy, vigilant, and safe media content, which is not contradictory to the principle of freedom of audiovisual communication and the freedom of choice of operators in terms of program style and production."

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HACA constantly ensures the guarantee of honesty and integrity of information and programs, both in terms of editorial content produced and presented by radio and television professionals and in terms of collecting and broadcasting citizens' testimonies.

The ultimate goal of the regulator's action when intervening to prevent misleading the listener/viewer regarding both the accuracy of the information broadcast and the identity and quality of the persons interviewed is to extend the benefit of quality information that adheres to professional ethics.

HACA emphasizes that the principles and self-regulation mechanisms as defined by the specifications of audiovisual operators are not merely "regulatory luxuries." These principles are an important means, among others, for the consolidation of the regulatory culture.

Therefore, HACA urges all audiovisual operators to redouble their efforts in this area, to promote responsible media practices and to contribute to limiting the impact of certain harmful behaviors inherent in the unregulated digital space, which sometimes have serious repercussions in the real world.

HACA considers that the reminder of the principles and objectives of responsible radio and television practice is an integral part of its educational mission, which it carries out in complementarity with its regulatory competencies. This mission clearly distinguishes itself from the prerogatives of other institutions and aims to strengthen citizens' trust in the media.
A bus on Thursday plunged off a bridge into a ravine and caught fire in South Africa, killing 45 of the 46 people said to be headed for an Easter conference.

An eight-year-old child was the sole survivor and had been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The bus had been heading from neighbouring Botswana to Moria in the north of the country, the transport ministry said in a statement.

"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 statement said.

According to South African Broadcasting Corporation SABC, the passengers were pilgrims traveling from Gaborone - the capital city of neighboring country Botswana - to a church for an Easter conference.

Rescue operations had continued till late with some bodies burned beyond recognition, and others trapped inside the debris or scattered over the crash scene.

The bus had a Botswana licence plate, local authorities said, but the nationalities of the passengers was still being checked.

South Africa Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga went to the scene of the crash and promised a full inquiry would be held into its cause.

While South Africa has one of the African continent's 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.

"Let's 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.

The bus fell from a major bridge linking two hillsides near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo province, around 300 kilometres (190 miles) north of Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Yamashita: the greatest Japanese general of World War II?

Graham Goodlad reviews the career of Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Tiger of Malaya, who was responsible for the fall of Singapore in 1942.

Winston Churchill famously described the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 as the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history. Japanese troops had landed in Thailand and northern Malaya on 8 December 1941, marching south over 500 miles of hostile jungle terrain in less than two months.

By the time they reached Singapore, a combination of casualties and exhaustion meant that barely half of the original 60,000 strong force could be classed as combat-effective. Yet a British and Commonwealth garrison of 130,000 soldiers surrendered to them. Churchill had ordered the garrison to fight to the last.

Numerous books have been written on the campaign, and black and white images of the surrender are shown repeatedly in TV documentaries on the period. In the classic photograph, the British commander, Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Percival, is seen walking to meet the victors, accompanied by soldiers carrying the white flag alongside the Union Jack.

The Singapore base was at the centre of Britains Far East defences. Its loss was one of the darkest moments of the Second World War for the Allied cause, and a severe blow to Britains century-old imperial position in southern Asia. [quote]The worst disaster and largest capitulation in history.  Winston Churchill[/quote]

Less well known to a Western audience, however, are the personality and achievements of the Japanese general who led the invasion: Tomoyuki Yamashita. He is the confident individual, physically rather taller and heavier than the average Japanese soldier, who is to be seen in film footage of the time.

At Singapore Citys Ford automobile works, he is pictured facing a dejected Percival across the table and demanding an immediate ceasefire. Who was Yamashita and what part did his skills as a commander play in Japans remarkable victory?

The twisting path to high command

Yamashitas career almost exactly spanned the period of the rise and fall of Japans imperial army. Born in 1885, he graduated from the army academy at the age of 20, in the year that his countrys victory in the Russo-Japanese War marked its emergence as a great power.

Between the two world wars he held a variety of military and diplomatic posts. By 1932 he was chief of military affairs at the imperial headquarters in Tokyo, and two years later he was promoted major-general.

In 1936, however, his career experienced a setback when he found himself on the fringes of an attempted military coup. In the aftermath, however, Yamashita rebuilt his fortunes with field commands in Korea and China.

It was a tortuous path to the assignment which would make his reputation: command of the 25th Army for the invasion of Malaya at the end of 1941.

His striking success at Singapore incurred the jealousy of his great rival, Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, however, and this ensured that he was sent to a new posting in north-east China and denied the much-coveted honour of an audience with Emperor Hirohito.

After Tojos fall from power two years later, Yamashita was recalled to lead the Japanese defence of the Philippines against overwhelming American strength.

In circumstances which remain controversial, he was hanged in February 1946, following a trial conducted by the victorious US forces. The charges related to atrocities committed by Japanese forces in the Philippines, for which, his defenders have steadfastly insisted, he bore no direct responsibility. The Yamashita standard  implying a superior officers liability for offences carried out by his subordinates  remains an important legal precedent in war crimes cases.

An untypical general

In many respects Yamashita was untypical of the military caste through whose ranks he rose. He lacked many of the political skills necessary for successfully negotiating the complex factional struggles which beset the upper echelons of Japans officer corps from the 1920s onwards.

Although brave in combat and committed to the values of bushido  the code of self-sacrifice and loyalty to the Emperor which governed Japanese military conduct  Yamashita was more than a simple soldier. He was scholarly and well travelled, spending a significant proportion of the interwar period on military missions in Europe. In Vienna he embarked on a lengthy relationship with a German mistress.

More significant for his professional career, is that fact that on a visit to Western Europe he witnessed the aftermath of the 1940 German blitzkrieg. He was impressed by the potential of fast-moving warfare in which infantry, armour, and air support were co-ordinated to give the winning side a decisive advantage over an ill-prepared adversary. [quote]The most fragile point is the weakness of the mental solidarity among them, since the enemy is composed of two different races, Britons and Indians.  Tomoyuki Yamashita[/quote]

Tipped off about the imminent German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Yamashita returned home across Russia, ahead of Operation Barbarossa. His recommendations for a cessation of hostilities in China, where Japan had been engaged in fighting since 1937, and for an effort to maintain peace with Britain and the USA, were out of step with government thinking. His appeals for an expanded, better trained, and mechanised army, more effectively integrated with the navy and air force, also fell on deaf ears.

Planning for conquest

Yamashita undertook his most important campaign with troops who lacked up-to-date weapons and equipment, and were in fact heavily outnumbered. Japanese intelligence actually underestimated the size of the opposing forces. But numbers were not the key to victory.

In line with Japanese military tradition, Yamashitas forces were heirs to a warrior culture which emphasised fighting spirit and disdain for self-preservation. Superior morale and training would decide the outcome.

Only in two areas did the Japanese possess material superiority: 25th Army began the invasion of Malaya with 80 tanks, whereas the British had no tanks and few armoured vehicles; and the Japanese were supported by more than 600 aircraft, compared to 158 British machines (though the latter were reinforced in January 1942 by Hurricane fighters, it was too late to make a difference).

By striking ruthlessly at the outset against British airfields, the Japanese air force gave Yamashita virtually unlimited freedom to operate on the ground. His prospects were also enhanced when, in a devastating blow to British naval pride, Japanese torpedo-bombers sank the two capital ships sent to reinforce the Singapore base, the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, within a week of their arrival in the region.

Tropical warfare

Thorough preparation preceded the Japanese assault on land. A specialist unit based in Formosa (modern Taiwan), in which the key figure was Yamashitas chief operations officer, Colonel Masanobu Tsuji, had been working on all aspects of tropical warfare.

A pamphlet issued to the troops, entitled Read this alone  and the war can be won, covered every conceivable feature of the coming operation, from the hazards of amphibious landings, to issues of personal health and sanitation, and the mechanical problems encountered by vehicles in extremely hot conditions. It also explained the rationale behind the invasion of Malaya, portraying it not only as a struggle to gain control of vital resources such as oil, rubber, and tin, but also as a crusade on behalf of subject Asian peoples against white colonial domination.

Yamashita was certain that a key weakness of the defending forces was the lack of unity between the British and the Indian Empire troops, who comprised a significant proportion of the Malaya garrison. In an address to his men before the operation, he asserted that the most fragile point is the weakness of the mental solidarity among them since the enemy is composed of two different races, Britons and Indians. Accordingly he urged his troops to hit the British decisively, declaring his conviction that the colonial forces would then collapse.

Yamashitas ability to convey his own confidence in ultimate victory to his troops was a crucial element in his success. From the outset he also made clear his intention to share the hardships they faced, making a point of accompanying the first wave of attackers. He moved his staff to tears on the eve of the invasion with his passionate declaration that this was the day they had dreamed of and planned for so long: the supreme opportunity to smash the British and Americans and establish a new order in the Far East under the glorious sun of Japan.

Invasion

The Japanese invasion plan centred on landing troops in southern Thailand and north-east Malaya, and then moving down the peninsula as rapidly as possible in a driving charge which would take the enemy by surprise.

Yamashita had not devised the overall plan for the conquest of Malaya  this was the responsibility of the operations section of the Japanese general staff  but he was responsible for a crucial insight which ensured its success. Aware that he lacked the resources for an advance on more than one front, he decided to concentrate his forces on the main route that led southward towards Singapore on the western coast. On reaching the stretch of water, up to two miles wide, that separates Singapore from the mainland, he would then bring in a fresh division to support the final assault on the British island citadel.

Like most successful generals, Yamashita ruthlessly exploited his opponents mistakes and weaknesses. It is not true, as was maintained in some older accounts, that the British had anticipated only an attack from the south, against Singapores seaward-facing defences. There was a plan to mount a defence of northern Malaya; it was simply that the British commanders botched its execution by dispersing their forces too widely. Some troops were tied down in the defence of northern airfields, which were of little value because the British lacked adequate aircraft to use them.

Moreover, even when it became clear that the main Japanese thrust would be down the west coast, General Percival insisted on spreading his forces out in case another assault came further east. This enabled Yamashita, with his smaller army, to achieve the vital advantage of local superiority.

Bicycle blitzkrieg

Japans chances of victory depended on speed and mobility. Contrary to popular belief, the Japanese were not experienced in jungle fighting, but they adapted better to the physical challenges of the heavily forested peninsula than did its more timid defenders.

Yamashitas approach was to launch a ferocious artillery and air assault on a British position, whilst some of his forces temporarily left the road, emerging from the jungle behind the enemys lines to outflank him and cut off his communications.

Japanese command of the sea enabled them to use boats to leapfrog down the coast, disrupting the British defences. The pace of the invasion was maintained by using trucks and, in a simple innovation, which was particularly well suited to the conditions, large numbers of bicycles.

Teams of engineers rapidly repaired bridges demolished by the retreating British. In some cases men waded across rivers carrying their bicycles on their shoulders, or crossed on makeshift log bridges held up by engineers standing in the water. When cycle tyres were punctured, soldiers often rode them on the rims, the noise on the asphalt roads making the British think that they were Japanese tanks in the distance.

The effect of Yamashitas version of blitzkrieg was to spread uncertainty and panic, so that retreat appeared the only option. One of his armys strengths was a determination to keep going in conditions which the British considered inconceivable for fighting.

In his memoirs Colonel Tsuji recalled one instance where British troops had abandoned their guns in the middle of a road to take shelter from monsoon rain in a nearby rubber plantation. Japanese tanks promptly destroyed the dispirited mens heavy equipment, whilst infantry pressed home the attack amidst the dripping wet trees.

The Japanese were more adept at improvisation than their opponents and more willing to take the initiative in small-unit operations. They were also for the most part hardier, requiring less food and rest, though they were quick to make use of captured supplies, which were popularly known as Churchill rations.

At the Straits of Johore

The same relentlessness was sustained in the last and most testing battle of the campaign, the assault on Singapore itself. By the time Yamashita reached the Straits of Johore, the stretch of water between the mainland and the island, his ammunition, fuel, and food were close to exhaustion.

He realised that his only chance of final victory lay in resisting the appeals of advisers who called for time to consolidate. Any delay would give Percival time to strengthen his own sides position. Instead the Japanese commander masked his intentions by moving his troops in a loop by night along the coast opposite Singapore, creating the impression that he was massing his forces for an attack on the islands north-east shore. Then, on 8 February, he launched his entire force against the more thinly defended north-west coast.

Once ashore, the Japanese advanced on a narrow front, just as they had done on the mainland, relying on the terror and confusion caused by an unremitting frontal assault. Used against already demoralised opponents, the bayonet compensated for shortages of ammunition. [quote]This is the supreme opportunity to smash the British and Americans and establish a new order in the Far East under the glorious sun of Japan.  Tomoyuki Yamashita[/quote]

The Japanese benefited from the fact that the garrison consisted largely of poorly trained troops, many of them newly arrived, inexperienced reinforcements who had not yet adjusted to their new environment.

The British defence lasted a week, as the invading forces drove steadily inland, seizing key positions, including the area around the reservoir which provided Singapores water-supply. By 15 February, with his forces pushed into a narrow perimeter surrounding the town and its waterfront, Percival had concluded that surrender was preferable to further pointless loss of life.

Moral dominance

The fall of Singapore illustrates the truth of Napoleons celebrated saying that in war the moral is to the physical as three to one. At an early stage Yamashita secured a psychological advantage over Percival and he never relinquished it.

Reflecting on the campaign, he admitted that his greatest worry was that the British might discover his numerical weakness and lack of supplies. That they never considered such a possibility was crucial to the success of the man who would become known as the Tiger of Malaya. This was an accolade, incidentally, with which he was not comfortable, insisting that, unlike the stealthy jungle cat, he attacked his prey openly in a fair fight.

Recent studies of the fall of Singapore have tended to downplay the mistakes made by the British commanders on the ground. They argue with some justice that Percival was made a scapegoat for wider strategic failures.

For understandable reasons, Britain had chosen to concentrate on the war in Europe and North Africa, sending fewer resources to the Far East and relying on an empty posture of deterrence. The security of Singapore depended on a Royal Navy whose resources were overstretched in the conditions of 1941, with multiple threats across the globe. Once the Prince of Wales and the Repulse had been sunk, the base was left naked to its enemies.

As far as the defence of the Malayan mainland was concerned, British military doctrine, which relied on fighting static, set-piece battles, was unsuited to the terrain.

None of this, however, should be allowed to diminish Yamashitas achievement in matching his tactics to the conditions he faced, in eking out scarce resources, and in maintaining the momentum of his armys driving charge. To have secured the unconditional surrender of his adversaries in a mere 70 days entitles him to rank with the greatest commanders of his age.

Graham Goodlad would like to thank his friend, Yasuharu Sato, for assistance in locating and translating sources from the Japanese in the preparation of this article.

[Htab]

[tab title=Further Reading 1]A Great Betrayal? The Fall of Singapore revisited by Brian Farrell and Sandy Hunter[/tab]

[tab title=Further Reading 2]The Generals: from defeat to victory  leadership in Asia 1941-45 by Robert Lyman[/tab]

[tab title=Further Reading 3]Japans Greatest Victory, Britains Worst Defeat by Colonel Masanobu Tsuji[/tab]

[/Htab]
The Army has officially fielded its brand-new Next Generation Squad Weapon rifles to its first unit, bringing an end to the service's decades-long effort to replace its M4 and M16 family of military firearms.

Army Futures Command announced Thursday that soldiers from 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, accepted delivery of the XM7 Next Generation Rifle and XM250 Next Generation Automatic Rifle ahead of training in April.

Produced by firearm maker Sig Sauer, the XM7 is intended to replace the M4 carbine in close combat formations, while the XM250 will replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW. Both new rifles are chambered in 6.8 mm to provide improved range and lethality against enemy body armor.

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The Next Generation Squad Weapon series also includes the XM157 Fire Control smart scope, built by Vortex Optics, which integrates advanced technologies such as a laser range finder, ballistic calculator and digital display overlay into a next-generation rifle optic.

The fielding "is a culmination of a comprehensive and rigorous process of design, testing and feedback, all of which were led by soldiers," Col. Jason Bohannon, manager of soldier lethality for the Program Executive Office Soldier project, said in a statement. "As a result, the Army is delivering on its promise to deliver to soldiers the highest-quality, most-capable small-caliber weapons and ammunition."

The XM7 rifle. (U.S. Army photo)

Based on Sig Sauer's MCX-Spear rifle, the XM7 features a 13-inch barrel, both standard and left-side non-reciprocating charging handles, a collapsible buttstock, a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard, and AR-style ergonomics. The XM250, based on Sig's LMG 6.8 mm machine gun, features quick-detach magazines and increased M1913 rail space. Both weapons come with Sig Sauer suppressors designed to reduce the blowback from toxic fumes.

Soldiers should know that the XM7 is noticeably heavier than the M4 carbine -- 9.8 pounds suppressed in a basic combat load compared to the M4's 7.4-pound combat load, per the Army -- and delivers increased recoil compared to the M4 on par with a weapon system chambered in 7.62 mm, according to Sig Sauer officials.

According to the Army's fiscal 2025 budget request, the service has a long-term plan of buying 111,428 XM7 rifles, 13,334 XM250 automatic rifles, and 124,749 XM157 Fire Control devices stretching into the 2030s.

The XM7 and XM250 "ensure increased lethality against a broad spectrum of targets beyond current/legacy weapon capabilities; increased range, accuracy, and probability of hit; reduced engagement time; suppressed flash/sound signature; and improved controllability and mobility," the Army's budget says.

The XM250 automatic rifle. (U.S. Army photo)

The service has been pushing for a new family of infantry rifles since the mid-1980s when it kicked off the Advanced Combat Rifle, or ACR, program to identify a replacement for the M16 family of assault rifles. The canceled ACR program was followed by the XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon program in the 1990s and the XM8 assault rifle effort of the early 2000s, both of which were also abandoned.

The M4/M16 replacement effort took on new urgency during the war in Afghanistan, where American soldiers found that the M16 family of rifles and their standard-issue 5.56 mm ammunition -- designed for the close-quarters combat of Vietnam and well-suited for urban warfare during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq -- proved ineffective against Afghan insurgents engaged at longer distances amid the country's mountainous terrain, as The Associated Press reported in 2010.

That issue led to the 2010 fielding of the upgraded 5.56 mm cartridge, the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round, as a temporary solution to bolster U.S. troops' lethality in Afghanistan. Eventually, the Defense Department's 2017 Small Arms Ammunition Configuration Study determined that an intermediate 6.8 mm cartridge would likely outperform both standard-issue 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rounds, inducing the Army to establish the Next Generation Squad Weapon program in 2018 to replace both the M4 carbine and the M249 in its arsenal.

From there, the Army selected three gunmakers to furnish the service with prototypes of the NGSW-Rifle (the M4 replacement) and the NGSW-Automatic Rifle (the M249 replacement): General Dynamics-OTS Inc., AAI Corporation Textron Systems and Sig Sauer, the last of which had won the Army's Modular Handgun System program contract in 2017 to replace the M9 Beretta across every service in the U.S. armed forces.

Sig Sauer eventually clinched the contract in 2022. Since then, the Army has been conducting ongoing user testing on the rifles, putting them through their paces in extreme environments. In late March, days before revealing the initial fielding to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, the service announced plans to build a 6.8 mm ammunition plant in Missouri to support the proliferation of the weapons across the force.

According to the Army, soldiers have spent more than 25,000 hours testing the next-gen weapons from initial development to fielding.

"The process of developing and fielding new equipment is never without challenges and setbacks and speed bumps, so we're celebrating the fact that we're delivering on schedule, as promised," Lt. Col. Mark Vidotto, the program lead for the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team at Fort Moore, Georgia, said in a statement.

Related: Army Aims to Buy 29,000 Next-Gen Rifles and Machine Guns for Grunts to Test
BALTIMORE  The largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard was being transported to Baltimore so crews on Friday can begin removing the wreckage of a collapsed highway bridge that has halted a search for four workers still missing days after the disaster and blocked the city's vital port from operating. As the sun rose Friday, a crane could be seen at the site.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the large crane, which was to arrive by barge and can lift up to 1,000 tons, will be one of at least two used to clear the channel of the twisted metal and concrete remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and the cargo ship that hit it this week.

"The best minds in the world are working on the plans for removal, Moore said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Baltimore District told the governor that it and the Navy were mobilizing major resources from around the country at record speed to clear the channel.

This is not just about Maryland, Moore said. This is about the nations economy. The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in America.

He warned of a long road to recovery but said he was grateful to the Biden administration for approving $60 million in immediate aid. President Joe Biden has said the federal government will 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.

Thirty-two members of the Army Corps of Engineers were surveying the scene of the collapse and 38 Navy contractors were working on the salvage operation, officials said Thursday.

The devastation left behind after the cargo ship lost power and 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 can reach the bodies of four other missing workers.

State police have said that judging by sonar scans, the vehicles appear to be encased in a superstructure of concrete and other debris.

Federal and state officials have said the collision and collapse appeared to be an accident.

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.

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 cargo ship 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 Thursday.

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.

Of the 21 crew members on the ship, 20 are from India, Randhir Jaiswal, the nations Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters, saying one was slightly injured and needed stitches but all are in good shape and good health.

Scott Cowan, president of the International Longshoremens Association Local 333, said the union was 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, almost 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, the Key Bridge Joint Information Center said, and there was no immediate threat to the environment.

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.

Booms were placed to prevent any spreading of oil, and state environmental officials were sampling the water and air.

Containers are hanging dangerously off the side of the ship, Gilreath said, adding, Were trying to keep our first responders  as safe as possible.

The sudden loss of a road that carried 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.

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.

___

Witte reported from Annapolis, Maryland. Associated Press writers Sarah Brumfield in Washington, Krutika Pathi in New Delhi, and Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed.
A Fort Cavazos soldier was charged last week with arson, possession of child pornography and vandalism after allegedly damaging property and setting a fire in the Texas base's barracks last year.

The soldier, Pvt. 2nd Class Javier Pantoja Tinoco, was arraigned nearly a year after Military.com first reported that two soldiers were suspected of setting a barracks laundry room on fire and defacing barracks walls with spray-painted racial slurs, male genitalia and apparent gang signs.

Pantoja Tinoco's charge sheet alleges he intentionally damaged at least $1,000 of military property after he drunkenly set fire to washing machines. He was also discovered to "knowingly and wrongfully possess child pornography," including at least one video of what appeared to be a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct, according to the charges.

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Pantoja Tinoco pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces a court martial by an enlisted panel.

"The Army thoroughly investigated an incident involving a fire in the barracks on April 22, 2023," 1st Cavalry Division public affairs wrote to Military.com in a statement Friday.

"As a result of that investigation, PV2 Javier Pantoja Tinoco was charged with possession of child pornography, arson, damaging military property, drunk and disorderly conduct, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice," the statement said.

Pantoja Tinoco joined the Army in late 2022 and is part of the Regimental Engineer Squadron of 3rd Cavalry Regiment.

It is not clear whether the other soldier who was allegedly involved was disciplined or not, though they are no longer in the military, according to the 1st Cavalry Division. It declined to comment further on the unnamed soldier, citing privacy concerns.

Military.com reviewed photos of the vandalized barracks, which included the N-word written at least three times on different barracks walls. One photo showed a torched washing machine, with spray-painted male genitalia on the rear wall.

"These people have done harm to their community and made their fellow soldiers feel unsafe; they're revealing the military has done nothing to weed these people out," Kris Goldsmith, an Army veteran and CEO of Task Force Butler, a nonprofit focused on combating extremism in the military, told Military.com last year. "The victims are fellow service members and deserve to see these guys spend a few years in [prison], and the Army needs to rehabilitate these guys."

It's unclear whether Pantoja Tinoco has faced any unit-level punishment, such as reduction in rank or extra work. His court-martial is slated to begin April 9.

Last month, two Marine lance corporals at Marine Barracks Washington, Hayden Pritchard and Sergio Delgado, were charged with hate crimes related to anti-Semitic and racist slurs they allegedly wrote inside a residence hall at the University of Maryland last year.

In a separate incident last year at North Dakota's Minot Air Force Base, a military family's home was vandalized with racial slurs, swastikas and profanity.

-- 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: 2 Months After Army Identified Suspects Who Allegedly Painted Racial Slurs on Barracks, No Punishment Yet
BEIRUT  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.
Were in a Norwegian valley, high above the Arctic Circle. Its late afternoon in early March and a group of more than a dozen infantry Marines are standing around two chaplains, one American and the other Norwegian. Its windy, cold. The Marines hold laminated prayer cards in dense gloves, and some are shifting back and forth to stay warm. A radio chatters in the background with reports from the front.

That symbol  that cross  came to signify that Rome could force people to obey out of fear, obedience out of fear of being raised upon that cross, a Marine chaplain said. And Christ says, 'I will destroy the fear of death and dying. I myself will be raised upon that cross in order to evoke life and hope.'

Article Five of the NATO agreement  if one is attacked, all are attacked  is a provision that binds these NATO countries together. The last  and only  time it has been invoked was in the aftermath of 9/11 when NATO rallied in support of the USA, according to Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of Joint Force Command-Norfolk. Decades later, he said the alliance is now more relevant than ever because of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

We spent time with the Marines miles above the Arctic Circle in Norway as part of the largest NATO exercise in the region since 1988. We spoke to Norwegians, Swedes and Finns as well  all nations that contributed to Americas fight in Afghanistan, and all lost troops to it, too. Now, those countries are on the brink of an uncertain future.

Main Topics

Host Drew F. Lawrence travels to Norway to cover the Marine Corps and its training with U.S. allies in the High North.

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Transcript:

SPEAKERS

Norwegian Chaplain, LT Kathleen Laboa, MONTAGE, Drew F. Lawrence, American Chaplain, Former President Donald Trump, Ville, Vice Adm. Doug Perry, HM2 Zachery Matthews, Marine Sergeant

Norwegian Chaplain

[Singing]

Drew F. Lawrence

Were in a Norwegian valley, high above the Arctic Circle. Its late afternoon in early March and a group of over a dozen infantry Marines are standing around an American and Norwegian chaplain. Its windy, cold. The Marines hold laminated prayer cards in dense gloves, some are shifting back and forth to stay warm. A radio chatters in the background with reports from the front.

American Chaplain

That symbol  that cross  came to signify that Rome could force people to obey out of fear, obedience out of fear of being raised upon that cross. And Christ says, I will destroy the fear of death and dying. I myself will be raised upon that cross in order to evoke life and hope.

Drew F. Lawrence

Roughly 150 miles from the Russian border, it is a spiritual moment for the weary Marines who have been working, shoveling snow, and practicing their military tactics in Norway for over a month and in Nordic countries for even longer.

American Chaplain

So I challenge you not only to think on that cross, but on your roleas United States Marines, as members of NATO, as members of this allied group of people  that we are a symbol of hope.

MONTAGE

Former President Donald Trump

Will you protect us? I said, you didn't pay? You're delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry

NATO's adversaries and potential adversaries should and I'm certain are taking notewe are willing to defend every inch of our allied territory.

Drew F. Lawrence

Two years ago, Russia embarked on a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Since then, at least 10s of thousands of Ukrainians are estimated to have been killed. Two countries  Sweden and Finland have joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO as Russia proves to be an increasingly unstable neighbor. NATO leaders, like Vice Adm. Doug Perry, who you just heard, and even some Marines on the ground in Norway Fire Watch spoke to said they would protect NATO if attacked, fulfilling promises made in international treaties. Others, like former President and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, have indicated otherwise. One Marine, a sergeant who maintains HIMARS rocket launchers put it in his own words.

Marine Sergeant

If Putin decides to get ballsy and go off and do worse things and he's doing right now, I'm gonna be back out here fixing these for us and for other countries, helping them out.

Drew F. Lawrence

Article Five of the NATO agreement  if one is attacked, all are attacked  is a provision that binds these NATO countries together. Perry told Fire Watch that the last  and only  time it has been invoked was in the aftermath of 9/11 when NATO rallied in support of the USA. Decades later, he said the alliance was now more relevant than ever because of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry

The message is clear. We are all stronger together.

Drew F. Lawrence

We spent time with the Marines miles above the Arctic Circle in Norway as part of the largest NATO exercise in the region since 1988. We spoke to Norwegians, Swedes and Finns as well  all nations that contributed to Americas fight in Afghanistan, all nations that lost troops to it, too. Now, those countries are on the brink of an uncertain future. For Military.com, my name is Drew Lawrence. It is March 29. And this is Fire Watch. At a small defensive position in a Norwegian valley Marines were at work. Digging tent positions, trudging through snow, listening, watching. Snowmobiles and Bandvagn  tracked Norwegian vehicles made specifically for traversing the snow  came in and out of the outpost with supplies and troops. The Marines and their Norwegian counterparts were expecting contact with a simulated enemy. The operation was part of the second largest NATO exercise since the early 50s, just years after the alliance formed. The exercise is taking place as partner Nordic nations face an increasingly aggressive Russia in the frigid north. That is part  a large part  of why U.S. forces are in the Arctic supporting NATO, according to experts, American service members, U.S. allies and NATO leaders Fire Watch heard from for this episode. But its not just about Russia. Heres Vice Adm. Perry again.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry

Even climate change, which is driving increased access to the Arctic region, opening up the Northern Sea Route, creating a demand signal for access to resources in the Arctic, to generating claims by nations to resources on the seabed, that is driving competition in the Arctic.

Drew F. Lawrence

Becca Wasser, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said that competition in the Arctic is expanding.

Arctic is part of sort of the broader global commons. It's not just the United States and NATO who are present in the Arctic, you have Russian presence and to a certain extent burgeoning Chinese presence as well. So if you're looking at the Arctic, it's a critical region.

Drew F. Lawrence

But not everyone in the U.S. sees that. Fire Watch asked Perry to address a small, but loud group of Americans that are advocating for reduced participation in NATO and in an even smaller minority wanting to get out of the alliance altogether. In a statement, he emphasized the decades-long alliance that ties the continents together. He said NATO contributes to American homeland security on a daily basis in that it continually works with other units to protect American airspace. If Russia invades one of these Nordic countries, it would be calling for U.S. help using the exact same treaty language America turned to when leaning on NATO after New York City was attacked. In light of that, does America owe these countries?

So I dont think its a debtI think that this has been an alliance that the United States has been a part of, since its inception and played a role in its inception. And the United States has had long standing treaty alliances, and this is one and when we say an attack on one is an attack on all we need to mean it. And 9/11, with Article Five being invoked, that is a great example of an attack on one is an attack on all. It's not that we owe them a debt, it's that when we were attacked, they understood that it was an attack on them.

Drew F. Lawrence

We also interviewed a member of the Finnish military. His name is Ville, he runs a channel called Mighty Finland. Were only going to refer to him by his first name. You know, if you don't mind me saying like, why, you know, why is that important?

Ville

So you can never be too careful. We live in very precarious times. And Russia is definitely trying to influence us and anybody who really works in this field, so just taking my precautions.

Drew F. Lawrence

Ville told us about Finland, its culture which is integrated with the military as a collective defense against Russia. Finland has been dealing with its problematic neighbor for centuries on its own but joined NATO in 2023 in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Ville

We have the saying: It's all fun and games until the snow starts speaking Finnish. We can't change anything about the fact that we have a long border with Russia. We will always have to deal with that and we have to deal with it in a very realistic manner. There's no daydreaming about it.

Drew F. Lawrence

As a member of the Finnish military, he worked side by side with the U.S. in exercises similar to Nordic Response 24. He understands that collective deterrence first hand and the defense against global threats to the West. On NATO supporting the aftermath of 9/11, he said:

Ville

I personally wouldn't look too much back into history and kind of like a tit for tat thing. You know, what happened back then was a great show of solidarity. But right now we need to live in this moment and look into the future. If you want peace, you got to prepare for war No amount of running away from the realities of international power politics is going to make the possibility of war go away any further, in fact, quite the contrary.

Drew F. Lawrence

Miles away from the infantry Marines hunkered in the valley, a Navy shock trauma platoon, basically an emergency room on the battlefield, was practicing how it would treat and evacuate casualties in the event of a possible international conflict, preparing for war, as Ville said. While the exercise was simulated, the shadow of a current war  the Ukraine war  was back of mind as Navy corpsmen and Norwegian troops got to work.

LT Kathleen Laboa

Were trying to simulate in a lot of these exercises what we would see. Unfortunately, a lot of this is based off of the data that we had from the last conflicts in the last 10-20 years.

Drew F. Lawrence

That's Navy Lieutenant Kathleen Laboa, a trauma nurse in charge of the platoon.

LT Kathleen Laboa

Theres not a ton of data of the patterns were seeing now. Believe it or not, we're getting a ton of data from the casualties coming out of Ukraine. With that it's a lot of IDF, indirect fire, and also, like armory type: mortars, blasts, things of that nature.

Drew F. Lawrence

She told Fire Watch that her units eyes were on the war in Ukraine as an estimated tens of thousands of Ukrainians  including civilians have been killed. Mines, drones, artillery shells, heavy ordnance used by Russia have caused many of these deaths, and with it traumatic injuries resulting in amputations, for example.

LT Kathleen Laboa

We're learning that our medical assets are going to have to be more maneuverable and a lot more flexible. It's looking like gone are the days of being able to set up massive field hospitals, that won't be a target. And where you're going to need to pack up and move quickly.

Drew F. Lawrence

Patients at the Norwegian field hospital are brought into a medical tent and evaluated by the shock trauma platoon. Theyre given fluids, some corpsmen simulate putting in breathing tubes. They snap x-rays and bring casualties into an operating room where a Norwegian surgical team wields shiny medical instruments  even practicing simulated abdominal surgery.

Installments like this will take 6 hours to set up and who knows how long to tear down  you can't really afford to waste that time. So the goal is we're trying to push higher skilled providers to the front, closer to the front, so that way patients can receive care sooner. And hopefully, we're able to stabilize them.

Drew F. Lawrence

also looking at what it would be like to treat patients in massive urban environments, like Theyre also looking at what it would be like to treat patients in massive urban environments, like some cities in Ukraine that have been hit with Russian rockets and artillery. That includes working out of undesignated vehicles, like turning vans into an ambulance if need be. The Norwegian contingent of the field tent added a surgical unit, something that the shock trauma platoon would not have on its own. Plus, they were knowledgeable in how to keep much needed medication and blood at appropriate temperatures in the often-freezing Arctic. Here's Hospital Corpsman Second Class, Zachery Matthews.

HM2 Zachery Matthews

So the friction points would be medications and blood. I think that's the biggest question. If anybody could figure out that answer, I think they would, they would solve a lot of issues coming forward into a cold weather environment. What are we going to do with these blood units that were taken out with us because blood is the first thing that needs to get on that patient?

Drew F. Lawrence

All of the troops we talked to said that they were preparing for potential conflict as part of deterring Russia. But the only way military deterrence works is if action is plausible. The little details U.S. troops are learning in exercises like this are what make it possible to say that the NATO alliance would be prepared to respond collectively if Putin decides to attack another neighbor. Thank you for listening to this episode of Fire Watch. Thank you to our guests, as well as executive producers Zach Fryer-Biggs and Jared Keller. If you enjoyed this episode, and want to let us know, give us a rating, wherever your get your podcasts. And as always, thanks for listening.
The Navy said beginning Friday it's allowing boot camp recruits to use their cell phones for family calls after a small test of the new policy rolled out in late November.

Recruits are typically allowed five standard phone calls during their training, the Navy's statement announcing the policy change said. "Now, recruits will utilize their personal devices to contact their family or friends," it added.

"We decided it is time for recruits to connect with their loved ones in a more modern way," Capt. Ken Froberg, the head of the Navy's Recruit Training Command, said in the statement announcing the change that was released Friday.

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Lt. Nicholas Lingo, a spokesman for Recruit Training Command, told Military.com in a phone interview Friday that the plan is for recruits to keep their phones in separate lockboxes where they will be away from everyday access. In the future, the lockboxes will also have the ability to keep the phones charged.

Then, every couple of weeks, when recruits would normally be taken to the Recruit Training Command's massive banks of pay phones, they will now get their phones and make their calls home from their own devices.

Lingo stressed that recruits will be told not to use any other functions on their phones like video calling or apps.

"You want to afford them the opportunity to be responsible adults, to be good sailors, and this is just yet another opportunity for them to adhere to the rules and understand that we're doing this so that you can do what you need to do to talk to your family and take care of your loved ones," Lingo said.

The change will also bring the Navy in line with both the Army and the Air Force, which already give recruits some access to their phones.

Lingo also said that the change in policy was driven in part by concerns that cell phones and their apps have become deeply intertwined in the lives of every American, and asking recruits to completely ditch their phones for 10 weeks is no longer practical, specifically citing functions like two-factor authentication for banking or financial reasons.

"We have family members outside of boot camp. ... Some of these recruits may have children," Lingo said. "They need to ensure that the family members are going to be able to continue to do the things that they need to do to survive outside of the boot camp environment."

According to the Navy's statement, most recruits who drop out of basic military training do so during the first two to three weeks. Lt. Eren Roubal, the Recruit Training Command's clinical psychologist, noted that leaders are "hopeful that allowing recruits continued but limited access to their cell phones and digital identities may help reduce this attrition."

The shift is also just the latest in a series of major changes that the Navy has made to its boot camp experience in recent years that aim to both modernize the process but also address the service's struggles to recruit and retain sailors.

In March 2023, the Navy duplicated an Army program that takes would-be recruits who don't quite meet physical fitness or academic standards at the time of enlistment and gives them additional training before they begin the formal 10-week boot camp training.

Early in 2022, the sea service also lengthened the boot camp training to 10 weeks from eight in order to add more life skills and personal development training after recruits complete the boot camp curriculum.

"I used a pay phone and phone card calling home from overseas in 1994," Froberg said in the Navy's statement. "We can do better in 2024."

Related: Cell Phones at Boot Camp: Navy Will Let Some Recruits Use Their Devices
COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Five-month-old William Danley wore blue corduroy overalls with a white shirt and red-tipped socks to the National Infantry Museum. His family dressed him in those patriotic colors for National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which fell on Good Friday.

They visited the museum for the dedication of a newly renovated replica Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. It bears the name of William's great-grandfather, Maj. William Callinan, along with more than 58,000 other U.S. service members who died or were reported missing during the war.

An Army aviator, Callinan was killed in a helicopter crash on Nov. 11, 1966, after helping rescue and resupply besieged friendly forces in Vietnam's central highlands. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism.

Three generations of his family attended Friday's ceremony. The infant's mother, Meagan Danley of Columbus, cradled him in her arms as she watched the ceremony beside her husband, Mike, and their three other children, Charles, Zoe and Jack.

"For all of our kids, we wanted them to think of him and remember him and say his name," Meagan Danley said of her grandfather. "We just wanted to keep his memory alive and for our kids to consider the sacrifice. Today being Good Friday, it is kind of a beautiful thing with remembering people who have given everything for us to be able to live the lives we live."

Like the original memorial wall in Washington D.C., the replica features the names of Vietnam veterans in chronological order by the dates of their deaths. Standing eight feet high and stretching more than 200 feet, it also includes photos of Callinan's family and his funeral.

Dignity Memorial, the cemetery and funeral service provider that commissioned the three-fourths scale replica, donated it to the museum in 2017 after it had traveled to more than 200 cities nationwide.

The wall's renovation included a granite refacing as well as the addition of panels providing history about the war. The project is part of a $2.8 million overhaul of the museum's outdoor plaza, which is planned to eventually feature new memorials honoring Korean War veterans and Gold Star families.

As a bugler sounded taps, members of the Marine Corps League placed a wreath with red, white and blue flowers beside the wall.

Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who later led U.S. Southern Command, served as Friday's keynote speaker. As he spoke, McCaffrey gestured to dozens of uniformed soldiers standing in formation. They were about to attend their infantry graduation ceremony.

"We are standing here with these young soldiers who have also stepped forward," McCaffrey said. "God bless all of you who have served in uniform before and for those who are now serving."

After listening to McCaffrey speak, retired Army Capt. Dennis Cherry watched his 23-year-old grandson graduate. Cherry, who served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, said many men from his unit are listed on the wall.

"The wall is very moving to me," said Cherry, who owned a business after his military career. "I was one of the lucky ones to walk home."

After the dedication ceremony, Meagan Danley found her grandfather's name on the wall. She grasped her son William Danley's tiny hand and placed it on his great-grandfather's name. When the baby turned to her, his expressive face lit up. He seemed to be smiling.

 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Visit at ajc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
press release

Stop Harassment, Ensure Independent Investigation into Maseko's Killing

On March 27, immigration officials at the Ngwenya Border post between South Africa and Eswatini stopped Tanele Maseko, widow of murdered human rights lawyer and opposition activist Thulani Maseko, along with her two young children and her helper while they were trying to enter Eswatini.

Immigration officials flagged Tanele's passport as belonging to a wanted person and confiscated it along with her mobile phone. Officials then called the police, who interrogated Tanele for about four hours before releasing her pending an appearance at the Mbabane police headquarters on March 28.

But after Tanele arrived at the headquarters Thursday, police delayed her further interrogation until April 2, after her lawyers challenged how many officials could interview her without a lawyer present. The police are now seeking legal advice about interviewing her without her lawyers. Throughout all this, however, officials have yet to provide the reason why Tanele has been labeled a wanted person to begin with.

Since Thulani Maseko was brutally killed in his home in front of Tanele and their children on January 21, 2023, the government of Eswatini has been unrelenting in what appears to be a harassment campaign against Tanele to dissuade her from pursuing justice and accountability for her husband's murder and continuing his legacy of promoting rights and democracy in Eswatini.

Some media have published reports that Eswatini state forces are targeting and monitoring Tanele and her life may be in danger. On December 29, 2023, the government released a statement in which it made untrue and defamatory remarks against her.

Regional human rights networks have condemned Tanele's detention and targeting and are calling for an independent and transparent investigation into Thulani Maseko's killing. The government of Eswatini should ensure transparency and accountability for the Maseko family instead of harassing and intimidating Maseko's widow for seeking answers to her husband's death.

Authorities should stop retaliating against Tanele for raising awareness about the situation in which her husband was killed. It has been 14 months since Maseko's murder and authorities need to demonstrate greater commitment towards apprehending his killers and ensuring justice.
After opting out of his minor league contract with the Rangers a few days ago, Matt Duffy has re-signed with the team on a new minor league deal (per his player page on MLB.com). He was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.

Duffy has never been able to live up to the high bar he set for himself in his rookie campaign with the Giants. He hit .295/.334/.428 with 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases that season, finishing as the runner-up for the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year. Still, he had a handful of productive seasons from 2016 to 21. The righty batter made the most of his above-average contact skills to compensate for limited power; over 366 total games, he put up a .708 OPS and 98 wRC+. He also held his own at all four positions around the infield.

Unfortunately for Duffy, things have gone downhill over the last two seasons. He spent 2022 with the Angels and 23 with the Royals, putting up equally disappointing offensive numbers each year. The veteran has continued to field all three bases serviceably, but his versatility has hardly been enough to make up for his meager bat. Duffy continued to struggle at the plate this spring, and the defending World Series champions were unable to offer him a job on their Opening Day roster. The spot he might have earned went to fellow NRI Jared Walsh; Walsh also had a rough couple of years in 2022 and 23, but he significantly outperformed Duffy this spring.

Now, Duffy will report to Triple-A. With first baseman Nathaniel Lowe already on the injured list, Duffy provides Texas with some extra depth in case another infielder suffers an injury. Considering his versatility and extensive MLB experience, he could be one of the first names the Rangers call upon. Still, he has to start hitting again at Round Rock if he wants to make his way back to the majors.
This DraftKings promo can get you as a new user $150 in bonus bets after placing just a $5 wager, which comes just in time for Fridays Gonzaga-Purdue game.

You can only benefit from this welcome offer if you are a brand new customer at DraftKings Sportsbook who is also physically located in one of the participating jurisdictions, which can be found below:

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Use our personalized bonus link Register for DraftKings Sportsbook Deposit $5+ Bet $5+ on any sport

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Gonzaga vs. Purdue betting preview

The No. 5 seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs will look to take down the No. 1 seeded Purdue Boilermakers in one of the Midwest Regions Sweet 16 matchups.

Tip-off is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 29 at approximately 7:39 p.m. ET, live from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

**All of the odds in the table below were provided by DraftKings on March 27, 2024**

Team Moneyline Spread Total Gonzaga +190 +5.5 (-112) O 154 (-112) Purdue -230 -5.5 (-108) U 154 (-108)

Mark Few and his Gonzaga Bulldogs are back in the Sweet 16, despite not having quite as good of a regular season compared to recent years.

The Zags defeated both McNeese State and Kansas by 21 points each, but they will almost certainly face a 40-minute battle this Friday. Gonzaga is led by big-men Graham Ike and Anton Watson, along with guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman.

Of course, Purdue cant be discussed without bringing up Zach Edey, who will own a five-plus-inch height advantage of Ike and Watson in this matchup.

It has been the guard play by the likes of Braden Smith, Lance Jones, and Fletcher Loyer that has really allowed Purdue to break their March Madness curse. Edey is almost always going to get his, but the Boilermakers need their guards to play well in order to keep advancing.

Moneyline: Purdue -230

Spread: Gonzaga +5.5 (-112)

Total: Under 154 (-108)

Summary

Remember that the current DraftKings promo for March Madness will reward new users who bet just $5 with $150 in bonus bets instantly. Gonzaga and Purdue will face off this Friday.

Sidelines Group provides MLive with original sports betting, lottery and casino content including odds, analysis, predictions and reviews to educate bettors. Please bet responsibly.

If you have a gambling problem and are located in Michigan, call 1-800-GAMBLER or contact the 24-hour helpline chat at http://www.michapg.com/treatment/.
LIVONIA, MI - This is no April Fools joke. You can indulge in a free milkshake at Michigans first Guy Fieri Chicken Guy location to celebrate its one-year anniversary, opening on April 1, 2023.

The restaurant, located at 30130 Plymouth Road, is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Monday, April 1st, guests dining at the restaurant will receive a free hand-spun shake with the purchase of a combo meal.

Flavortown shake flavors include: Triple-Double Mint, Apple Cinnamon Cereal, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Oreo and Oreo Strawberry Cheesecake.

The menu also features chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, salad bowls, fries and loaded fries and mac and cheese. There are also nearly two dozen dipping sauces to choose from, incluing Sweet Sriracha BBQ, Nashville Hot Honey and Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ.

There is one other Chicken Guy in Michigan located at 6800 East Soaring Eagle Blvd. in Mount Pleasant. It recently opened and is not taking part in the free shake promotion.
MADISON HEIGHTS, MI  Two people who were already dead when they were rescued from a burning Michigan home on Wednesday apparently died in a murder-suicide, police said.

Fire crews responded to a house fire around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Madison Heights. Candace Hawkins, 42, and Christopher Spicer, 40, were already dead when they were pulled from the home, WDIV Local 4 reports.

Following autopsies, police believe that Spicer allegedly stabbed Hawkins to death before killing himself. They had previously been in a relationship, police said. Authorities also believe the fire was set intentionally.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Madison Heights Police Department at 248-585-2100.
ANN ARBOR, MI - More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters blocked North University Avenue Thursday after the University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting. The goal was to demand the university completely divest from Israeli companies.

If a policy aimed to curb disruptive protests becomes official, such Ann Arbor campus demonstrations could result in major punishment for those involved.

Multiple students and other community members expressed frustration at the drafted policy, found here, saying it would curb free expression on campus and is moving forward with little community input.

Meera Herle, president of Central Student Government, told regents and President Santa Ono during the March 28 meeting that shes concerned about overreach when it comes to student speech expression.

This (policy) made me concerned that leaders at our university are subverting years of precedent to amend the statement of student rights and responsibilities without following proper process, Herle said.

The policy addresses disruptive activity that either impairs the universitys ability to engage in university operations or prevents others from participating in them. Violations could lead to dismissal of students or termination of employees, pending university appeal processes to disciplinary decisions.

Read more: Free speech or disruption? University of Michigan drafts protest policy

Part of Herles concern about the policy is the lack of feedback from the student body. There is a survey that seeks input from students, faculty and staff open until 11:59 p.m., April 3. It can be accessed here.

A survey sent out (on March 27) is not a meaningful, constructive way to interact with students and to really engage student input, Herle said. Please take the appropriate amount of time to have genuine conversations with those with those with whom you may disagree before changing students rights on campus.

Regent Chair Sarah Hubbard said there is no set timeline for a final decision on the drafted policy, leaving room for more feedback to be considered.

Pro-Palestinian protests have intensified this month on the Ann Arbor campus, with protesters disrupting the March 24 Honors Convocation congratulating high-performing students. The protesters yelled chants such as: You are funding genocide.

Ono called the disruption unacceptable in a Tuesday, March 26 message to the Ann Arbor campus.

Like many of you, I am proud of our universitys history of protest. But none of us should be proud of what happened on Sunday, Ono wrote. We all must understand that, while protest is valued and protected, disruptions are not. One groups right to protest does not supersede the right of others to participate in a joyous event.

Pro-Palestinian groups on campus, such as the Tahrir Coalition, have been demanding divestment from Israel since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, the day Hamas killed more than 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis according to the Associated Press. More than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza and 74,000 wounded, the AP reports.

Read more: University of Michigan stands firm amid Israel divestment demands, counters protest claims

Alum Tina Al-Kherson called Onos statement chilling during her public comment at the regents meeting.

President Ono issued a chilling statement that stifles the free speech of activists on campus instead of acknowledging legitimate concerns, she said.

There is no consensus among faculty on the drafted policy, said Faculty Senate Chair Tom Braun. He expressed concern that the policy arrived without any prior input from faculty government, but that some policy to curb disruptive action is needed.

Some faculty certainly feel the policy is too strong; others, like myself, feel it is needed, he said. What I witnessed on Sunday at Honors Convocation was completely unacceptable and cannot be allowed to occur as a general acceptable norm. It was not peaceful and it was not respectful.

Asher Lopatin, a parent of a current honors student and director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, called the Honors Convocation disruption a violation of a sacred space for students.

No one should exploit the rights of free speech to violate other peoples right to feel safe, he said at the regents meeting.

Protests that disrupt are necessary to force change, wrote doctoral student Daisy Haas in a post on X in response to the policy announcement.

This policy will (without a doubt) limit movement toward justice and be inequitably over-applied to surveil and punish minoritized student protesters on campus, Haas wrote. Protests that advocate for the oppressed need to be disruptive for their voices to be heard.

The new policy is a sign that university leaders value some students and outside political views over other students, Herle said.

Im frustrated with leadership for not treating students of different perspectives equally and not valuing student input above the opinions of people external to our university, she said.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
analysis

It's finally official. Gauteng motorists can now breathe a sigh of relief following the government's official announcement and gazetting of its decision to scrap the disastrous Gauteng e-toll system, more than a decade after it was first launched.

Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said stakeholders including Finance minister Enoch Godongwana and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had reached an agreement to delink the e-tolls from gantries on midnight of April 11, 2024.

"This will effectively bring the urban e-tolling in Gauteng to an end. However, the ring roads that were part of the scheme shall remain the national roads," she said in a statement released on Thursday afternoon.

For several years the Gauteng government has been under pressure from residents to scrap the system and, over the years, had made many false starts to putting an end to the system.

Key sticking points were the differences on issues related to the user-pay principle of debt related to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), past capital expenditure costs and yearly maintenance costs.

Chikunga did not go into the specific details of these issues except to say, "parties agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to formalize alternative funding solutions for the GFIP debt repayment and deal with the backlog of maintenance and rehabilitation costs".

Sanral's debt stood at more than R42-billion as of 31 December 2023.

In a previous agreement, the Gauteng government had committed to paying 30%...
ANN ARBOR, MI - Oh my! By George! Actor, author and activist George Takei will visit University of Michigan next week to speak with students and the public.

The actor best known as Lt. Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek will hold a talk at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at the Power Center, 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor, which is free to the public. He will also speak with School of Music, Theatre and Dance students on Monday, April 1.
FLINT, MI -- Egg hunts arent only for children.

If you are in the Flint-area and are looking for something to do for Easter weekend, this list has you covered. Several Easter egg hunts, for children and for adults, have been scheduled throughout the county.
Former Michigan Rep. and Sen. Mike Green has died at the age of 75 after a bout with cancer.

Green graduated from Goodrich High School, attended Flint Junior College and was a tool and die maker for General Motors for 28 years prior to his election to the Michigan House in 1994.

He was later elected to the state Senate in 2010, representing a district that included parts of Arenac, Bay, Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties, according to a Thursday, March 28 news release.

Outside of the state Legislature, Green served Tuscola County on several boards and commissions, including as chairman of the Michigan Association of Counties and a member of the Tuscola County Mental Health Board.

He also served as Tuscola County Commissioner for eight years and was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners.

Green was an avid outdoorsman, craftsman and traveler.

Current state Rep. Phil Green issued a statement after his fathers death.

Over the past year, Dad has exhibited incredible resilience in battling lung cancer. However, after successfully overcoming the initial tumor, the cancer had unfortunately spread to various parts of his body and his treatment options were exhausted, said Phil Green. Through his service to his fellow community members, he showed an incredible and unwavering selflessness. He worked hard to make our state and our region a better place for people to live, work and raise their families.

He knew what worked for our rural communities because thats where he came from. He lived and breathed what mattered to these areas  and he was an outstanding voice for them. He also worked hard to protect unalienable Constitutional rights we all hold dear.

Our family truly appreciates the many thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort as weve engaged in this difficult journey  and we continually appreciate the many kind words in celebration of his life and service to others.

Funeral arrangements for Mike Green are being made through Avram Funeral Home in Mayville.
FLINT, MI  Sixteen-year-old Zearon Bradshaw had been missing for about four days when his family began looking for him across the city, visiting the homes of people they knew were his friends.

The missing person report they filed on May 14, 2019, was still fresh when they visited the home of Demetrius McGlown on Josephine Street on Flints north side and encountered the man authorities would later claim is responsible for Bradshaws death.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Services for Ruby Garcia, 25, who was allegedly killed by a man she was dating, are Friday, March 29.

The family will meet with visitors at 11 a.m. at Beuschel Funeral Home, 5018 Alpine Ave. NW in Comstock Park until the funeral service begins at 1 p.m.

She cared so deeply for the people around her- so kind and passionate. Shes made an impact on many lives. She will be forever missed. We love you - until we meet again, her obituary said.

She had an affectionate smile that illuminated the room or contagious laughter that recreated the atmosphere, it said.

Related: Man charged in womans killing was in U.S. illegally after being removed to Mexico

State police said Brandon Ortiz-Vite, 25, killed her late Friday, March 22, during an argument. He allegedly shot her multiple times while they were in her car on U.S. 131 before he left her body on the shoulder of the expressway near Leonard Street NW.

They had been dating, police said.

The victims sister, Mavi Garcia, said in a statement to FOX 17 that Ruby Garcia was a great person all around.  She would brighten up the room with her beautiful smile.

Her sister loved being with her family, traveling and worked hard at her job at a local greenhouse in quality control.

She was a great daughter, sister, aunt and friend, the sister said in the statement to FOX 17. She will be remembered as being full of life and laughter. Those who were around her [knew] she was silly and made everyone laugh. Her loss has impacted the lives of many people. Her life was taken too soon. She deserved to live life, travel the world, have kids and follow her dreams.

Two days after the killing, Ortiz-Vite called 911 in Allegan County to turn himself in. State police said he confessed to killing her.

Garcias death has become a rallying point over border protection, with former President Donald Trump planning a visit on Tuesday.

Related: Trump visiting Grand Rapids after man in U.S. illegally accused of murder

Authorities said he had lived most of his life in Kent County but was in the U.S. illegally. He was deported to Mexico in fall 2020 but returned to the U.S. at some point without permission, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, said.

Related: Michigan Republicans blast immigration policies after man in U.S. illegally accused of murder
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -Sheriffs deputies arrested two suspects in a burglary early Friday, March 29, in Holland Township.

Ottawa County sheriffs deputies responded to a 2:50 a.m. report of a burglary at Pipeline, at 610 Riley St., between 142 and 144th avenues.

Police determined that someone forced entry into the locked business and stole multiple items.

Deputies spotted two men in the area. Based on evidence at the scene, both of the men were arrested and taken to the Ottawa County Jail.
HOLLAND, MI -- As vacationers start filling up their calendars with beach stays, one Lake Michigan town is looking to capture the economic impact of short-term rentals.

Rental owners in Park Township, the beach town home to Holland State Park, say the tourism dollars that come with the two million beachgoers each year have funded property maintenance for decades and are essential part of their economic ecosystem.
PORTAGE, MI  Former Portage Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Lisa Brayton pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge related to a residency issue that led to a judge removing her from the ballot last fall.

Brayton, 53, was arraigned on Tuesday, March 19 in Kalamazoo County District Court, on a felony charge of false swearing to register/vote, which is a violation of election law. She pleaded guilty Thursday, March 28, to a lesser misdemeanor charge of fraudulent change of address on license.
NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI -- Anglers and boaters on the Muskegon River are asked to watch out for state employees who are working to collect 23 million walleye eggs.

The annual collection by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expected to conclude by April 12, according to a notice from the DNR.
SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw woman has been hospitalized after an intruder shot her in her home.

About 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, police responded to a house in the 2600 block of North Michigan Avenue for a reported home invasion in progress. As police were on their way, dispatchers advised them a female resident had been shot, and the shooter had fled on foot.

The woman was taken to Covenant HealthCare for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds.

Saginaw police and Michigan State Police troopers searched the surrounding area with a K-9 but did not locate the assailant. Police believe the victim and her shooter knew each other and the crime was not random.
opinion

Anthony Hazlitt Heard, who died on 27 March aged 86, was an indefatigable fighter for social justice and media freedom with an impish sense of humour and an innate human empathy.

Tony Heard's loathing for injustice of any kind combined with unshakeable idealism was based on the belief that South Africa would overcome its post-apartheid challenges and that a nonracial democracy based on fair play would prevail in the long run.

One of the two key drivers in Heard's life was living through the horror of the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 and witnessing and then reporting on the historic protest march nine days later from Langa township to police headquarters in Cape Town led by Philip Kgosana, a UCT student and regional leader of the Pan Africanist Congress

The second was Heard's lifelong quest to resolve the mystery of his father, George's disappearance in Cape Town while he was on active service against Nazi sympathisers during the closing days of World War 2. Heard was seven at the time of his father's disappearance.

But the defining moment in Heard's professional life was his decision to travel to London in October 1985 to interview Oliver Tambo, the outlawed leader-in-exile of the banned African National Congress in defiance of the banning laws in South Africa.

I had been writing a column from London as bureau chief for the Morning Newspaper Group.

On several...
BRIDGEPORT TWP, MI  Shot while defending his mother from her estranged husband, a Bridgeport Township teen is now in stable condition at a local hospital. Meanwhile, police are working to bring the man who allegedly shot the teen and killed his mother back to Michigan to face charges.

Shortly before 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, the 11-year-old son of Chasity T. Jackson, 38, called 911 to report his mother had been shot inside their home at 3509 Studor Road. Not long after, a neighbor called 911 to report Jacksons 17-year-old son was at her door, holding his stomach and seeking help.

When police responded, they found Jackson deceased from three gunshot wounds, allegedly fired by her estranged husband, according to Bridgeport Township Police Lt. Jeff Roberts.

The 17-year-old had been out of his house the night before and had called his 42-year-old stepfather seeking a ride home, Roberts said. The stepfather obliged but on arriving at the Studor house, he got into an argument with Jackson regarding their looming divorce.

The dispute escalating, the suspect pulled a gun and opened fire, one of his bullets striking the teen as he tried to intervene.

Several other children, one as young as 2, were present in the house but were not physically injured.

The shooter fled in a gray Chevrolet Impala, with police issuing an all-points bulletin for it and notifying the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team. Police in Bowling Green, Ohio, pulled over the Impala about four hours after the shooting and arrested the suspect without incident.

Roberts said a firearm has not been recovered, though he was on his way to Ohio to search the Impala on Friday, March 29. The suspect is lodged in jail in Wood County, Ohio, and wont be moved to Saginaw County for arraignment until next week.

Chasity T. Jackson, a registered nurse and mother of five, killed in her Bridgeport Township home on March 28, 2024.Cole Waterman

Jackson, a mother of five, has been a licensed registered nurse since 2014. In January she filed for divorce against her husband, with custody hearing regarding their children set for May.

The same day Jackson filed for divorce, her husband was arraigned on a five-year felony count of third-offense domestic violence, Jackson being the listed victim. Freed on bond, he was initially allowed to have peaceable contact with Jackson, according to court records.

Two bench warrants had been issued for him since, most recently on March 15, alleging he violated bond conditions.

Jacksons homicide is the eighth in Saginaw County so far this year, and the seventh to result from gunfire.
An avian flu that has killed millions of birds over the past two years was confirmed in a herd of Montcalm County dairy cows.

This is the first time the virus has infected Michigan cattle.

Its been a rapidly evolving situation, said Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Director Tim Boring.

The infection stems from a herd of Texas cattle that were brought to a Michigan commercial farm on March 7. State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said the cattle were perfectly healthy at the time and passed all veterinary inspections. When the first animal got sick on March 20, samples were submitted to the state lab.

Results confirmed Tuesday, March 26 it was the highly pathogenic avian flu. Further testing established it came from Texas.

Related: A deadly bird flu raised egg prices. Michigan farms vigilantly protect flocks.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported this week that the avian flu had spread to dairy cows in Texas and Kansas through wild birds. Health officials say the risk to the public remains low because there has been no change in the virus that would make it transmissible to humans.

The whole genome sequence has been looked at by both us on the animal health side as well as our colleagues on the public health side, Wineland said. They say they are not seeing any changes in the whole genome sequence to indicate that it is any more a threat to mammals.

MDARD did not detail how many Michigan cows were affected.

But Tim Slawinski, director of the Michigans Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health, said officials dont believe the infection will impact the commercial milk supply.

There are measures in place to prevent this type of thing from being a threat to the supply  measures both at the farm level in terms of keeping milk from unhealthy cows out of the supply but also at the processing level, he said.

Dairy farms are required to divert or destroy any milk from infected animals. State and federal pasteurization requirements are also proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses in milk, according to the USDA.

More than 82 million birds have died since a deadly strain of the avian flu started spreading around the globe in January 2022  making it the deadliest bird flu in U.S. history. It also caused egg prices to soar last year.

Related: A chicken started gasping for air. Three days later, more than 60 birds were dead.

Wild birds carry the virus that can then infect backyard and commercial flocks. The flu spreads easily through contact with infected poultry, equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of farmers. Nearly 118,000 birds have been infected in Michigan at three commercial farms and 25 backyard flocks.

One infected bird means the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires the entire flock to be depopulated, or killed, to keep the flu from spreading. Its particularly deadly for chickens with a 90% to 100% mortality rate, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Infected cattle do not need to be depopulated.

Cattle recover from this, Wineland said. Depending how quickly theyre noticed to not be doing well, the recovery window is either fairly short, a few days, up to a little bit longer.

The avian flu has been detected in other mammals like foxes, raccoons and skunks.

Federal and state agencies are doing additional testing for the bird flu and conducting genome sequencing of infected animals.

Were learning more about this virus and what caused it to get into cattle after more than two years of not seeing that, Wineland said.

The risk of humans getting sick from the avian flu remains low, according to the CDC, and no infected birds will enter the food chain.
CHICAGO -- The Detroit Tigers designated right-handed pitcher Miguel Diaz for assignment hours before Opening Day.

His next destination is unknown.

The Tigers informed Diaz on Tuesday that he wouldnt make the 2024 Opening Day roster, so the DFA was merely a formality.

But by waiting until the last moment to put him on waivers -- something many teams do -- the Tigers made it less likely that he would be claimed by another team.

The Tigers had to remove Diaz from the 40-man roster because he is out of options, meaning he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without clearing waivers.

But in this case, even if Diaz clears waivers, theres no guarantee hell remain in the organization.

Diaz has been previously outrighted in his career, meaning he has the right to reject an assignment to Triple-A Toledo this time around. (Players are outrighted to the minor leagues when they are removed from the 40-man roster and clear waivers).

The Tigers have saved Diaz a spot with the Mud Hens, but he might consider other clubs. The Tigers bullpen is deep, with 40-man roster relievers like Beau Brieske and Brendan White likely high in the pecking order, followed by non-roster options like Trey Wingenter, Drew Anderson and Andrew Vasquez.

Diaz, 29, has received a September call-up to Detroit in each of the last two seasons. After he allowed just one earned run in 14 innings last September, the Tigers opted to carry him on the 40-man roster through the winter.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Diaz was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft and then traded to the Padres, where he made his big-league debut despite having no upper-level minor-league experience.

After missing most of two seasons with knee injuries, he pitched well in 2021, posting a 3.64 ERA in 42 innings, striking out 46 and walking 19.

When the Padres let him go after the 2021 season, he signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers and has been here ever since.

In another pre-Opening Day move, the Tigers placed right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain. Because Gipson-Long was injured during spring training while a member of the 40-man roster, he was placed on the Major League injury list. Hell continue to earn a big-league salary and big-league service time until hes healthy and can be optioned to Toledo.

TIGERS 40-MAN ROSTER (39)

Left-handed pitchers (4): Andrew Chafin, Tyler Holton, Tarik Skubal, Joey Wentz.

Right-handed pitchers (16): Beau Brieske, Mason Englert, Alex Faedo, Jack Flaherty, Wilmer Flores, Jason Foley, Sawyer Gipson-Long*, Alex Lange, Kenta Maeda, Matt Manning, Shelby Miller, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Will Vest, Brendan White.

Catchers (3): Dillon Dingler, Carson Kelly, Jake Rogers.

Infielders (9): Javier Baez, Andy Ibanez, Colt Keith, Buddy Kennedy, Ryan Kreidler, Eddys Leonard, Zach McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson, Gio Urshela.

Outfielders (7): Akil Baddoo, Mark Canha, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez, Matt Vierling.

Players on the active roster are in bold.

*Player on 10- or 15-day injured list.
Young women and girls living in Nigerian camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) say they have to deal with sexual harassment every day. Now they are calling for more protection from their host communities.

This article includes accounts of rape and physical assault

Having escaped attacks by violent criminals and armed gangs known as bandits in their villages, many displaced women and girls in Nigeria are now facing a new challenge.

Sexual harassment is rife in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) across northern Nigeria -- mostly when it comes to access to food or money.

With little protection, IDPs are also at risk of being kidnapped by bandits and jihadists.

What are IDPs fleeing from?

A bloody conflict between the army and jihadist groups, including Boko Haram, has been raging in Nigeria since 2009.

It is estimated that more than 40,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million more displaced -- 80% of whom are women and children who live in government-registered or unregistered camps for IDPs.

Amina Rabo, who lives in an unofficial camp in the northern Nigerian city of Katsina, fled her village after it was attacked by bandits.

Since arriving there, Amina says she has suffered various forms of violence. Apart from sexual harassment, she also lives with the fear of being kidnapped.

"We experience different kinds of harassment from bad actors within our host community. Our rooms don't have doors, making it easy for the attackers," Amina told DW.

"They rape our girls in the night, and the older women are not spared either," Amina said, adding that that seeing her young daughters being assaulted every night has left her distraught.

Amina told DW that she had to marry off one of her daughters outside the camp. After the wedding, she said that several people tried to rape her.

A call for more protection

To prevent further sexual assaults on IDPs, Sani Barau, who works for a humanitarian agency, told DW that his organization is now working closely with the police to monitor the safety of displaced people.

"We call the police whenever we see suspicious people lurking around the camp or individuals trying to harass young girls," Barau said. "And indeed the police have carried out some arrests."

Despite plans to guarantee protection against sexual assault and possible kidnapping by resettling individuals currently sheltering in IDP camps -- challenges remain.

Jihadists target women in IDP camps

Since the beginning of March, more than 100 people -- mostly children and women -- have gone missing after jihadists in conflict-torn northeastern Nigeria carried out a mass kidnapping that targeted mostly women from IDP camps, officials told AFP news agency.

Nigeria's northeast remains the heart of an insurgency that has left more than 40,000 people dead and 2 million displaced since 2009.

Several details about the attack on the IDP camp in rural Ngala are still unclear and officials have given conflicting accounts. The number of people reported missing does not necessarily reflect the number held in captivity.

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the attack took place a week earlier than reported and estimated that over 200 people had been abducted from IDP camps.

The organization said armed attackers took the women while they were out collecting firewood.

"The United Nations strongly condemns the reported abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women, boys and girls," it said.

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Kidnapping -- a lucrative business

Kidnapping is a major problem across Nigeria, which is also grappling with criminal militias in the northwest and a flare-up of intercommunal violence in central states.

On March 7, more than 130 schoolchildren were kidnapped from a school in Kaduna but later freed after two weeks in captivity.

Arrests are rare as most victims are released only after ransom payments by their families or through deals that sometimes involve the release of gang members.

The government, however, does not admit to such deals.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power last year promising to address insecurity in Nigeria, but critics say the violence is still out of control.

This article has been adapted by Isaac Mugabi from a radio report that was broadcast on DW's daily radio show AfricaLink
A bus went over a cliff in South Africa's northern province of Limpopo. South Africa's transport minister expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

A bus carrying worshippers from Botswana has plunged off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people on board.

An 8-year-old girl is thought to be the sole survivor and was airlifted to Johannesburg for treatment.

"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," South Africa's transport ministry said.

The bus was headed to an Easter weekend church service in Moria when it veered off the road between the towns of Marken and Mokopane in the northern province of Limpopo.

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga went to the scene of the crash and promised a full inquiry would be held into its cause.

Rescue operations continued until the late hours of Thursday evening, as some bodies were burned beyond recognition, others trapped inside the debris and scattered on the scene, Limpopo's Department of Transport said in a separate statement.

South Africa's startling Easter road death toll

While South Africa has one of the continent's most developed road networks, it also has one of the worst safety records.

Last year, 225 people died on the country's roads over the four-day Easter long weekend in 185 fatal crashes.

Just hours before the crash, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to be cautious when traveling during Easter weekend.

"Let's 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.

lo/wd (Reuters, AFP)
Recently, a Brazilian delegation made up of educational experts visited Beijing. The group included management from the University of Campinas and Federal University of Santa Catarina as well as representatives from other walks of life in the South American country.

The term "New quality productive forces" reflects Chinas shift of focus to high-quality growth and its transition to technology-intensive economy, said Celio Hiratuka, director of the Institute of Economics at the University of Campinas in Brazil, in an interview with China News Network.

He added that there is plenty of room for collaboration between China and Brazil in the sector of science and technology. (Wu Jiaju and Xue Lingqiao)
Washington  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 country's 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 government's deputy information minister, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala.

There was no independent confirmation of the death toll, reported by Adala and Somalia's 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.

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"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.
Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,656 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 862 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises about 0.8% of Clear Harbor Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th largest position. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $8,810,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Bollard Group LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Mastercard Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE:MA traded up $3.62 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $481.57. 2,207,475 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,443,068. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $464.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $426.46. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $355.82 and a 1 year high of $490.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $449.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.08.

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $6.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.46 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.60% and a return on equity of 191.22%. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.65 EPS. Analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program 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 shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 8th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. Mastercards payout ratio is 22.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 8,900 shares of the 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 transaction, the insider now owns 46,491 shares in the company, valued at $20,003,217.66. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 8,900 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $430.26, for a total value of $3,829,314.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 46,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,003,217.66. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.25, for a total value of $97,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 97,543,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,527,976,823. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 50,628 shares of company stock valued at $23,309,067. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Mizuho reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $480.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday. Monness Crespi & Hardt started coverage on Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Mastercard from $530.00 to $545.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Mastercard from $425.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Mastercard from $432.00 to $499.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $479.62.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Mastercard

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.

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H.B. Fuller (NYSE:FUL  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.03, Briefing.com reports. H.B. Fuller had a net margin of 4.39% and a return on equity of 12.97%. The firm had revenue of $810.42 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $823.04 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.55 earnings per share. The businesss 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 Stock Down 3.4 %

Shares of FUL traded down $2.84 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $79.74. The company had a trading volume of 757,823 shares, compared to its average volume of 264,586. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $78.32 and a 200-day moving average price of $75.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a current ratio of 1.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.52. H.B. Fuller has a 52-week low of $62.57 and a 52-week high of $84.31.

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H.B. Fuller Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th were given a dividend of $0.205 per share. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 6th. H.B. Fullers dividend payout ratio is currently 29.82%.

Insider Transactions at H.B. Fuller

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other H.B. Fuller news, VP Heather Campe sold 3,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.83, for a total value of $265,063.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 19,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,516,316.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . In related news, VP Muhammad Shahbaz Malik sold 14,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total transaction of $1,067,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 9,089 shares in the company, valued at approximately $693,308.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, VP Heather Campe sold 3,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.83, for a total value of $265,063.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 19,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,516,316.88. 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 quarter. 1.96% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake 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 worth $29,170,000 after purchasing an additional 85,716 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its holdings in H.B. Fuller by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 17,496 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,251,000 after buying an additional 933 shares during the period. Kennedy Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in H.B. Fuller by 14.5% during the 2nd quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 68,945 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $4,930,000 after buying an additional 8,707 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in H.B. Fuller by 150.1% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 34,336 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,455,000 after buying an additional 20,608 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in H.B. Fuller by 5.8% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 999,922 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $68,445,000 after purchasing an additional 55,005 shares during the period. 95.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on FUL shares. Vertical Research started coverage on shares of H.B. Fuller in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $88.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price 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. Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of H.B. Fuller in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of H.B. Fuller from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, H.B. Fuller currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $84.20.

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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.

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Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) shares shot up 7.1% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $4.82 and last traded at $4.81. 5,543,127 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 13% from the average session volume of 6,394,384 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.49.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform market weight rating on shares of Hecla Mining in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $6.45.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on Hecla Mining

Hecla Mining Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $3.01 billion, a PE ratio of -32.00 and a beta of 2.16. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $4.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.06.

Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The basic materials company reported ($0.04) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $160.69 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $151.51 million. Hecla Mining had a negative return on equity of 0.27% and a negative net margin of 11.69%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.02 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Hecla Mining will post 0.01 EPS for the current year.

Hecla Mining Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th were paid a dividend of $0.006 per share. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 11th. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -20.00%.

Institutional Trading of Hecla Mining

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hecla Mining during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. US Bancorp DE raised its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 107.9% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 7,637 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 3,963 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 104.3% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 9,659 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 4,932 shares in the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Hecla Mining in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in shares of Hecla Mining in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Institutional investors own 63.01% of the companys stock.

Hecla Mining Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Investment (LON:INV  Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 314 ($3.97) and last traded at GBX 314 ($3.97). 861 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 64% from the average session volume of 2,398 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 312 ($3.94).

Investment Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of 5.78 million, a PE ratio of 2,093.33 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 307.71 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 309.69.

Investment Company Profile

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The Investment Company plc is a closed-ended balanced fund launched and managed Fiske Plc. The fund invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the United Kingdom. It primarily invests in a portfolio of equities, preference shares, loans, stocks, and long-term debentures. The Investment Co plc was formed in 1868 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom.The Investment Company plc is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched by Miton Asset Management Limited.

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Petro Matad Limited (OTCMKTS:PRTDF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,200 shares, a growth of 1,100.0% from the February 29th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 15,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Petro Matad Stock Performance

PRTDF stock remained flat at $0.06 during trading on Friday. Petro Matad has a 1-year low of $0.02 and a 1-year high of $0.11. The firms fifty day moving average is $0.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.05.

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About Petro Matad

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Petro Matad Limited, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, and produces oil in Mongolia. It holds 100% interests in production sharing contract blocks, including Ongi Block V that covers an area of approximately 7,937 square kilometers; and Matad Block XX that consists of an area of approximately 218 square kilometers in Mongolia.

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Ritholtz Wealth Management raised its position in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) by 51.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,046 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after buying an additional 2,745 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $2,510,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Union Savings Bank bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Lee Financial Co bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the third quarter valued at $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the second quarter valued at $37,000. 77.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on SHW shares. Barclays boosted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $285.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $310.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Argus boosted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $330.00 to $378.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Wolfe Research started coverage on Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Friday, March 1st. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird reiterated a neutral rating and set a $300.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $320.39.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Justin T. Binns sold 1,563 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $338.87, for a total value of $529,653.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 14,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,935,302.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Sherwin-Williams news, insider Justin T. Binns sold 1,563 shares of Sherwin-Williams stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $338.87, for a total transaction of $529,653.81. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 14,564 shares in the company, valued at $4,935,302.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Karl J. Jorgenrud sold 2,690 shares of Sherwin-Williams stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.50, for a total value of $867,525.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,941 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,173,472.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 32,050 shares of company stock worth $10,340,237 in the last quarter. 0.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Sherwin-Williams Trading Up 0.1 %

SHW traded up $0.44 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $347.33. 937,135 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,430,159. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $322.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $289.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $88.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 52 week low of $211.91 and a 52 week high of $348.37.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.23 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 74.72% and a net margin of 10.36%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.89 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 11.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th were paid a $0.715 dividend. This represents a $2.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 23rd. This is a boost from Sherwin-Williamss previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.92%.

About Sherwin-Williams

(Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report).

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Sampo Oyj (OTCMKTS:SAXPF  Get Free Report) rose 2.5% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $43.63 and last traded at $43.63. Approximately 6,328 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 338% from the average daily volume of 1,446 shares. The stock had previously closed at $42.55.

Sampo Oyj Price Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $43.03 and a 200 day moving average of $42.37.

About Sampo Oyj

(Get Free Report)

Sampo Oyj, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of non-life insurance products and services in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through If, Topdanmark, Hastings, Mandatum, and Holding segments. It offers property, casualty, liability, accident, sickness, household, homeowner, motor, travel, marine, aviation, transport, forest, livestock, health, workers compensation, car, van, and bike insurance services, as well as reinsurance services.

Featured Articles

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Seiko Epson Co. (OTCMKTS:SEKEY  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,400 shares, a growth of 383.6% from the February 29th total of 6,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 28,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Seiko Epson Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of OTCMKTS SEKEY traded up $0.08 during trading on Thursday, hitting $8.71. 6,910 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,348. Seiko Epson has a 1 year low of $6.75 and a 1 year high of $8.74. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $8.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.28 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 2.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23.

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Seiko Epson (OTCMKTS:SEKEY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Seiko Epson had a net margin of 4.23% and a return on equity of 7.49%. The company had revenue of $2.50 billion during the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that Seiko Epson will post 0.63 EPS for the current year.

About Seiko Epson

Seiko Epson Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, sells, and provides services for products in the printing solutions, visual communications, manufacturing-related and wearables, and other businesses. It operates through three segments: Printing Solutions, Visual Communications, and Manufacturing-related and Wearables segments.

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press release

Responding to news of the arrest of Tanele Maseko, widow of the late human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, and a number of her relatives, on 27 March at the Oshoek Border post while entering Eswatini from South Africa, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, said:

"Eswatini authorities must stop weaponizing the criminal justice system to target and harass her. Authorities must return her passport and mobile phone without delay.

Eswatini authorities must stop weaponizing the criminal justice system to target and harass her. Authorities must return her passport and mobile phone without delay.Vongai ChikwandaAmnesty International's Deputy Regional Director, East and Southern Africa

"The judicial harassment of Tanele Maseko and her family is a clear violation of her human rights including the rights to liberty, freedom of expression and freedom of movement.

"The confiscation of Tanele Maseko's passport and mobile phone without proper authorization constitutes a flagrant breach of her rights to freedom of movement and freedom of expression, as guaranteed under the human rights treaties including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which the country is a state party.

Instead of using the criminal justice system to target, intimidate and harass Tanele Maseko, Eswatini authorities should focus on promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigating Thulani Maseko's murder and bringing to justice those suspected to be responsible.Vongai Chikwanda

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"Instead of using the criminal justice system to target, intimidate and harass Tanele Maseko, Eswatini authorities should focus on promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigating Thulani Maseko's murder and bringing to justice those suspected to be responsible."

Background

On 27 March at 21:41, Tanele Maseko was informed by border officials in Eswatini that her passport was flagged as belonging to a wanted individual and was detained. The officer cited an investigation into the killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko as the reason for her arrest, and her mobile phone was seized.

She was released on 28 March after submitting herself for questioning at the Manzini Regional Police Headquarters.

On 21 January 2023, Thulani Maseko was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his home in Luyengo, Mbabane. His killing came amid an escalation in attacks on state critics, many of whom had called for political reforms in Eswatini or exposed abuses of power. Tanele Maseko has been vocal in campaigning for justice for her husband.
press release

The Tunisian authorities' growing judicial harassment and intimidation of lawyers solely for discharging their professional duties violates their rights and undermines access to justice and effective remedies for victims of human rights violations, said Amnesty International, a day ahead of the verdict in the case of lawyer Abdelaziz Essid who is being tried on spurious charges.

Authorities have targeted at least 20 lawyers representing members of political opposition groups, activists and victims of human rights violations with criminal investigations under bogus charges that range from "offending others", "accusing public officials of illegal acts without proof or the discharge of their duties as lawyers," "verbally assaulting a public officer" and "spreading fake news". The charges fall under Tunisia's Telecommunication Code, the Penal Code and Decree Law 54 respectively. If convicted, the lawyers could face up to 20 years in prison and hefty fines.

It is a travesty of justice to target lawyers solely for discharging their professional duties. Everyone, including lawyers, are entitled to their human rights.Fida Hammami, Amnesty International

"Undermining the independence of the legal profession and targeting lawyers who represent victims of human rights violations is yet another blow to the right to defence and fair trial rights more generally in Tunisia," said Fida Hammami, Amnesty International's Tunisia Research and Advocacy Advisor.

"The authorities must end their judicial harassment of the 20 lawyers who are being investigated solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. Lawyers should be able to perform their professional duties and freely express themselves without any intimidation, harassment or fear of reprisals."

On 29 March, the Tunis Court of First Instance will issue its verdict in the case of Lawyer Abdelaziz Essid who is being tried for "offending others through telecommunications networks" and "accusing public officials of illegal acts without proof," under article 86 of the Telecommunications Code and article 128 of the Criminal Code, respectively based on a complaint by the Minister of Justice

Essid is one of three members of the legal defence team of six detained political opposition members in the high profile "conspiracy case" who are themselves now being investigated or tried for the statements they made to the media about the case.

The charges against Essid are based on statements that he had made during a press conference claiming that there were discrepancies in the dates and facts in the "conspiracy case" casefile indicating the possibility that the file has been tampered with.

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In one example the prosecution opened an investigation against 14 members of the legal defence team of Noureddine Bhiri, prominent member of the Ennahda opposition party, after a complaint against the group from a national guard officer following an argument between the lawyers and the national guard. An investigative judge banned the 14 lawyers from traveling under this investigation.

In four cases the investigations were opened soon after the lawyers had publicly criticized the Minister of Justice or made allegations of corruption against her.

"It is a travesty of justice to target lawyers solely for discharging their professional duties. Everyone, including lawyers, are entitled to their human rights," said Fida Hammami.

These rights include the rights to liberty, security of person and freedom of expression, as guaranteed under articles 9 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and articles 6 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights to which Tunisia is a state party.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers has urged public prosecutors "to closely monitor situations and cases in which lawyers might be criminalized for performing their duties. When such circumstances arise, appropriate orders should be issued to prevent public prosecutors from maliciously prosecuting members of the legal profession who criticize State officials and institutions in the exercise of their independence and freedom of expression."
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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 community's 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.
March 29, 2024 / 10:19 PM IST

Pockets in south Mumbai plunged into darkness for a second consecutive day late Friday evening following a snag, electricity officials said.

The snag was caused at a 33 kilovolt (kv) feeder of city power discom Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking near Crawford Market, they said.

Localities around the Mahapalika Marg, GT Hospital, Crawford Market, and Marine Lines witnessed power failure at around 6.45 pm.
The Russian Pacific Fleet frigate, Marshal Shaposhnikov, arrived today, 28 March, for a five-day port call in Massawa, commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Russian Federation and Eritrea.

Upon its arrival at the Massawa port, the naval frigate was warmly welcomed by Eritrea's Navy. The welcoming ceremony was attended by senior government officials, Commanders of the Eritrean Defense Forces, and Mr. Igor Mozgo, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Eritrea.

Senior government officials and military Commanders toured the naval frigate and received a briefing on the objectives of its tour and its history.

It is worth recalling that India's naval ship conducted a similar tour to the port city of Massawa.
Erin Lowry is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering personal finance. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Sarah Green Carmichael is a Bloomberg Opinion editor. Previously, she was managing editor of ideas and commentary at Barrons and an executive editor at Harvard Business Review.
Amitabh Tiwari Is a former corporate and investment banker-turned political strategist and commentator. Twitter: @politicalbaaba. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security on Monday officially launched visas on arrival at the Oshikango, Mohembo, Oranjemund, Ariamsvlei, and Noordoewer border posts.

The launch was officiated by minister of home affairs Albert Kawana in Windhoek.

He said this was triggered by a boom in tourism.

The number of tourists visiting Namibia is partly thanks to measures the government has put in place, such as online visas and visas on arrival, Kawana said.

Previously, visas on arrival were only possible at Hosea Kutako International Airport, followed by Walvis Bay Airport, and the Katima Mulilo, Ngoma, Impalila Island and Trans-Kalahari border posts.

"I am also pleased to inform the nation that the Oshikango/Santa Clara border posts will soon operate on a 24-hour basis," Kawana said.

He said he has no doubt that the Ohangwena, and //Kharas regions would experience increased tourist arrivals through the five selected border posts.

"Upon entry into Namibia, our visitors are requested to pay for their visas online, because we have installed speedpoints at designated border points. The money is paid directly into the state revenue account, thereby eliminating temptations associated with handling cash," he said.

Kawana said tourists from countries where Namibia has no diplomatic representation no longer need to apply in advance before departing their countries.

He said the government has exempted over 60 countries worldwide from visa requirements when visiting Namibia for tourism purposes.

In 2019, 45 countries' nationals started benefiting from visas on arrival.

During 2023, 11 countries were added to the list.

"Today, 58 countries can receive visas on arrival," Kawana said.

He said this arrangement excludes people coming to Namibia for work purposes, who would still require a visa.

"Upon approval of the visa application, the immigration officer will request the applicant to make a payment of N$1 200," he said.
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The year 2024 is a very special one. As many as 76 out of 196 countries are going to hold elections this year, in which nearly 4bn (billion) or 400 crore voters will participate. What will make...
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 Attorneys 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.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa on Thursday said the construction of the party's national headquarters is nearing completion.

Shaningwa was reacting to a report published in The Namibian on Thursday, titled 'Swapo headquarters project stopped over unpaid N$100m'.

"The construction of the Swapo party national headquarters is nearing its completion, and work to that effect is in full swing," she said without mentioning when the building would be completed.

Shaningwa's statement contradicts a Swapo politburo report tabled at the central committee this month, which confirmed that the party is struggling to finance the headquarters project.

Shaningwa is a member of the politburo.

The report said "the party is grappling with a precarious financial position in respect of the finalisation of its headquarters building".

The Namibian said Unik Construction Engineering, the company that won the tender in 2019 to construct the building, downed tools last year after Swapo failed to pay its bills of over N$100 million.

Shaningwa was given the chance to comment on the report since 12 March, but did not.

In her statement released from Katima Mulilo on Thursday, Shaningwa said the headline was sensational and misleading.

"We are not aware of any problems with regards to the construction of the Swapo party national headquarters, and our contractor has not brought forth any complaints regarding any breach of the contractual agreement on the side of the Swapo party," she said.

Unik Construction Engineering employees have confirmed that construction work has stopped and that only minor work resumed on 6 December 2023.

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Unik, a well-known player in Namibia's construction industry through government tenders, was reluctant to go public due to fear of victimisation, according to sources.

In its report, The Namibian said the ruling party used one of its entities to take out a loan at a local bank, estimated between N$110 million and N$180 million, to settle its debt to Unik Construction Engineering towards the end of last year

Part of the loan was allegedly used to pay Unik.

"Swapo is a juristic body that is fully compliant with the laws of the Republic of Namibia, including honouring its contractual obligations, as safeguarded by the government it leads," Shaningwa said.

The project's cost has escalated from N$900 million to over N$1 billion.
While upholding an order passed by the Telangana state consumer disputes redressal commission, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed HDFC Life Insurance Co Ltd to pay the Rs50 lakh insurance claim with an interest of 6%pa (per annum) to the family of the deceased policyholder. HDFC Life Insurance had rejected the claim, citing the wrong date of birth and concealment of diabetes by the deceased life insured (DLA).

In an order earlier this month , the NCDRC bench of justice Ram Surat Ram Maurya (presiding member) says that the 10th mark memo submitted by the DLA has the same date of birth as mentioned on the insurance policy proposal form. Also, before issuing the policy, HDFC Life Insurance had obtained a blood test report of the DLA, in which blood sugar was found normal, the bench says.

The case is related to the HDFC Life Click 2 Protect policy which was bought by Mehboob Nagar-based K Prabhakar on 13 March 2014 by depositing the premium with HDFC Life Insurance. After conducting necessary medical investigations and tests to ascertain Mr Prabhakar's health condition, on 18 March 2014, the insurer issued the policy. He continued paying annual premiums for the insurance policy.

On 16 August 2017, Mr Prabhakar expired. His wife, K Pushpavati and three children filed an insurance claim with HDFC Life Insurance. However, the insurer rejected the claim, saying that Mr Prabhakar, the DLA, had given age details in the proposal form which were found to be false and he had diabetes which was concealed in the proposal form.

Ms Pushpavati then approached the state commission seeking an insurance claim of Rs50 lakh and Rs4 lakh as compensation for mental agony and litigation costs.

During the hearing, HDFC Life Insurance submitted that Mr Prabhakar had also applied for an insurance policy from Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Ltd, for which the premium was charged at a higher rate, inasmuch as the deceased was suffering from diabetes. "Thereafter, Mr Prabhakar got that policy cancelled but this fact has not been disclosed in the proposal form dated 13 March 2014. As such, the material fact has been concealed and the insurance policy was voidable for concealment of material facts," the insurer contended.

However, in its order on 3 October 2022, the state commission held that the grounds taken for repudiation of the claim were not correct. "So far as the withdrawal of policy issued by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance is concerned, it is not proved that the insurer has rejected the policy due to health conditions of Mr Prabhakar, nor it is proved that he was suffering from diabetes and hypertension."

HDFC Life Insurance challenged the order before the NCDRC. After perusing the claim rejection letter issued by the insurer and 10th class mark memo of Mr Prabhakar submitted before the state commission, NCDRC noted that the finding of fact does not suffer from any illegality.

HDFC Life Insurance contended that Mr Prabhakar was suffering from diabetes and, after being charged higher, had withdrawn from the policy of Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance. It also submitted the policy and application for withdrawal filed by Mr Prabhakar with Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance.

In the application, Mr Prabhakar mentioned that he had taken Easy Protect Plan (from Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance) and, after going through it, he found that in the mediclaim, extra premium was required to be deposited. Therefore, he decided to cancel the policy (of Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance).

"From these documents, it is not proved that Mr Prabhakar was suffering from diabetes. It is not disputed by HDFC Life Insurance that before issue of the policy, blood test report was obtained by it in which blood sugar (of Mr Prabhakar) was found normal. The reason assigned for repudiation of the claim that due to diabetes, he was rated at a higher rate by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance is also incorrect inasmuch as in the application of Mr Prabhakar, he sought cancellation only on the ground that the policy does not include the mediclaim for which extra premium was required, (this) reason was entirely different," justice Maurya says.

While dismissing the appeal, NCDRC directed HDFC Life Insurance to pay the insurance claim of Rs50 lakh with 6% interest and Rs10,000 as compensation and litigation cost to Ms Pushpavati and her three children.

(First Appeal No6 of 2023 Date: 1 March 2024)
Although there are fines and penalties levied for each act of littering across cities in India, there are still situations where residents living in a cooperative housing society (CHS/Society) simply chuck their garbage out of their balcony windows. It is often difficult to trace the culprit, as all residents would deny any wrongdoing. Catching them in the act is only possible by installing a closed-circuit TV (CCTV) camera system. Complaints made to the managing committee can also be ignored if the garbage is thrown onto the footpath, with the Society claiming it to be a municipality issue.

This week, I will address one such problem, providing a simple and effective solution. We will also look at the guidelines for a restaurant that wishes to operate within a housing society's premises and the different methods with which one can follow up on their complaint to the deputy registrar. This week, I will address one such problem, providing a simple and effective solution. We will also look at the guidelines for a restaurant that wishes to operate within a housing society's premises and the different methods with which one can follow up on their complaint to the deputy registrar.

Residents Throw Garbage from Flats onto Footpath

Question: I am a shop owner in a CHS. Recently, some members of the Society have been throwing garbage, diapers, and water from plant pots onto the footpath in front of my shop. Although I am not entirely sure which flat owner is the culprit (as they all deny any wrongdoing), I am sure one of them has been creating this nuisance.

I have verbally complained about this to the managing committee, who say that I need to approach the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for this because whatever is being thrown is on the footpath, which is owned by BMC. As such, BMC also maintains its cleanliness. The managing committee says that since the footpath is not part of the Society premises, they cannot help me. Please guide me as to what can be done in this situation.

Answer: You should first give a written notice to all the flat owners who have a road-facing flat on each floor of your Society's building, stating that you will put a video camera at a discrete place in front of your Society's building to capture the culprit on camera.

In this notice, you should say that you will also file a complaint against such a person at the BMC ward office, which will fine the person responsible for causing such a nuisance to the residents or shops on the ground floor.

Before sending this notice, go to your municipal ward office and find out to whom you can make such a complaint and how much would be the fine that they charge when there is video evidence of the nuisance created by residents. Mention this amount in the written notice that you give to the residents.

With this notice, surely the residents will stop throwing their garbage on the footpath in front of your Society's building. If the nuisance continues, you may install a video camera with the help of a professional. Then, once you have video evidence of the act being committed, file a written complaint with the BMC.

In your complaint, you should mention that video footage of the person throwing garbage onto the footpath is available, and the recording can be shared with them. Also, mention that you have already given the residents a written notice, a copy of which should be attached to your complaint. You will have to be persuasive in your complaint to the municipal ward office so that the officers can take action against the culprits.

Such nuisance will certainly be stopped, the moment the municipality fines a resident.

Guidelines for Restaurant Operating Within Society Premises

Question: Our Society has given a no objection certificate (NOC) to a restaurant that wishes to operate within the premises and as we understand it, it will use at least 6 to 8 burners. Our managing committee has mentioned that the shops operating within the Society are already marked off as commercial areas within the residential Society, so there is nothing wrong with the Society giving a NOC to the restaurant.

The restaurant owner has now started working on a chimney duct inside the premises. Can you clarify whether the expenses for this chimney duct are to be borne by the restaurant owner or the Society?

Answer: A separate chimney for removing burnt fuel gases should be built at the cost of the restaurant owner. Also, a separate garbage disposal bin with segregation and disposal by an independent garbage disposal system (not part of the regular Society's garbage disposal) should be built and followed by the restaurant owner.

If this is not done, or if the fuel gases from the restaurant on the ground floor of your Society's building are causing heat and suffocation, then you can make a complaint against such a restaurant to the municipal ward office, stating how the restaurant is operating by flouting municipal guidelines.

NOTE We will not be answering queries posted in the comments. Only questions sent through the Moneylife Foundation's Legal Helpline will be answered. If you want to seek guidance or ask questions to Mr Shanbhag, kindly send it through Moneylife Foundation's Free Legal Helpline. Here is the link: We will not be answering queries posted in the comments. Only questions sent through the Moneylife Foundation's Legal Helpline will be answered. If you want to seek guidance or ask questions to Mr Shanbhag, kindly send it through Moneylife Foundation'sHere is the link: https://www.moneylife.in/lrc.html#ask-question

Following up with the Deputy Registrar on Complaints

Question: Our housing Society, which has 25 members, conducted elections around three months ago, but the committee was elected uncontested for lack of a quorum. The present secretary, who is only an associate member, has more than two children born after 2001, which disqualifies him under Sections 73CA & 154B23. We have written to the committee but have received no response from their end, as they are ignoring our letter under the secretary's instruction.

We have also lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra Housing Federation but have not received a response. The deputy registrar's office does not seem interested in this matter, as they have just received my complaint and responded with an acknowledgement. Please advise.

Answer: In order to receive a response from the deputy registrar (DR) within 30 days, please file an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to the public information officer (PIO) of DR, with a copy of your original complaint attached. In this RTI application, you should request information regarding the action taken against your complaint (a copy of which should be attached).

PIO has to reply to you within 30 days of receiving the application. If you do not receive a response during this period, you can file a first appeal with the appellate officer (AO), which will allow you to get a response within 45 days. If you still have not received a response, you can file a second appeal with the state information commissioner. However, in my experience, you will not have to go this far, as the PIO will respond to your RTI.

In the unlikely situation where you do not receive a response to the RTI application, you can complain to the district deputy registrar (the officer above the deputy registrar) and also simultaneously file a Lokshahi Din complaint with the district collector.

Disclaimer: The guidance provided in these columns and on our Legal Helpline is on the sole basis of the facts provided by the reader/questioner and does not amount to formal legal advice in any form whatsoever.

(Shirish Shanbhag has an MSc in Organic Chemistry, a Diploma in Higher Education, and a Diploma in French and has completed his LL.B. in first class in 2021. Before his retirement, he was a junior college teacher at Patkar College from July 1980 to May 2012, teaching theoretical and practical chemistry. Post-retirement in 2012, he started providing guidance and counselling to people on several issues, specifically focusing on cooperative housing society-related matters. He has over 30 years of hands-on experience in all matters about housing societies and can provide out-of-box solutions for any practical issue.)
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cancelled the certificate of registration of Karvy Investor Services Ltd for failing to meet 'fit and proper' criteria as a merchant banker.

In an order , G Ramar, chief general manager (CGM) of SEBI, says, "From the findings and wordings of Regulation 6 of Merchant Bankers Regulations, I find that by not having necessary infrastructure like adequate office space and equipment and minimum two employees having the experience to conduct the business of merchant banker and having a director who is involved in a litigation connected with the securities market which has an adverse bearing on the business of the applicant and by not being fit and proper person, Karvy Investor Services is not meeting eligibility criteria as laid down in Regulation 6(aa), (b), (e),(f) and (gg) of Merchant Bankers Regulations. Further, Karvy Investor Services has not paid the renewal fee for the block 13 December 2022 to 12 December 2025."

During an onsite inspection conducted between 15th and 17 March 2023, SEBI found that Karvy Investor Services was not functioning or operating at its registered as well as correspondence address. On 27 April 2023, through an interim order, the market regulator barred Karvy Investor Services from taking any new clients or assignments until further orders.

After further investigation, SEBI issued two show cause notices and a hearing notice to Karvy Investor Services. However, there was no response from the merchant banker.

After learning that Karvy Investor Services has shifted to another place, SEBI's inspection team visited the new address but found only Karvy Data Management Services Ltd (KDMSL) operating from there. Finally, V Mahes, managing director (MD) of KDMSL, informed the inspection team that no operations of Karvy Investor Services had been carried out from the registered address since FY19-20.

The SEBI CGM observed that Karvy Investor Services' holding company Karvy Stock Broking Ltd (KSBL), and its common director are involved in litigation, which has an adverse bearing on the business of the merchant banker. "Thereby, Karvy Investor Services has allegedly contravened Regulation 6(e) of Merchant Bankers Regulations read with Regulation 9(1)(e) of Intermediaries Regulations. Hence, Karvy Investor Services is no longer a fit and proper person and, therefore, is allegedly in violation of Regulation 6(gg) read with Regulation 6A of Merchant Bankers Regulations, Regulation 9(1)(e) and Schedule II of the Intermediaries Regulations."

Last year in June, SEBI cancelled the certificate of registration of Karvy Stock Broking. The SEBI order said that a sample fund trail exercise was undertaken by the forensic auditor of the bank statements of KSBL, and it was observed that there were transactions from the bank accounts earmarked as 'client bank accounts' by KSBL to the 'own bank accounts' of KSBL.

It is noted from the records that, as on 22 November 2019, KSBL had not settled funds to the extent of Rs527.18 crore and securities worth Rs2,862.05 crore which were returnable to its clients, the order said.

Read: Karvy Stock Broking Pledged Client Securities, Diverted Funds to Group Companies; SEBI Cancels KSBL's Registration ) It is noted that out of the additional borrowings of Rs1,531.90 crore, during the period 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2019, Rs1,228.36 crore was given as loan/advances/investments to group companies (Rs428.36 crore were given as advances for investment in subsidiaries and Rs 800 crore was given towards loans/receivables from subsidiaries). (

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Two former members of parliament of the United People's Movement (UPM) will hear in three weeks' time if they have succeeded with legal action to have their withdrawal from the National Assembly by the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) declared unconstitutional and invalid.

Judge Boas Usiku postponed the delivery of his judgement on an urgent application that the UPM and two former parliamentarians of the party, Jan van Wyk and Frans Bertolini, filed against the PDM, following their withdrawal from the National Assembly to 19 April, after hearing oral arguments on the matter in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday.

The UPM, Van Wyk and Bertolini are asking the court to declare the PDM's decision to withdraw Van Wyk and Bertolini from the National Assembly on 5 March as unconstitutional and invalid.

They are also asking the court to declare the swearing-in of PDM members Loide Iipinge and Katrina Benz as members of the National Assembly is invalid and to set it aside, and to direct that Van Wyk and Bertolini should again be sworn in as members of the assembly.

Van Wyk and Bertolini became members of the National Assembly through the PDM's list of candidates in terms of a cooperation agreement the UPM and PDM concluded before the national elections in 2019.

In a sworn statement filed at the court, PDM secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says his party decided to remove Van Wyk and Bertolini from the National Assembly after the UPM formed an alliance with another organisation, National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC), around December last year, and after the UPM and NEFC announced near the end of February this year that they endorse the candidacy of Ally Angula in Namibia's presidential election that is set to take place near the end of November this year.

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By forming an alliance with the NEFC and endorsing Angula as presidential candidate, the UPM "breached its allegiance of trust towards the PDM", Ngaringombe claims.

He also states in his affidavit: "The UPM cannot be in bed with two opposite political parties at the same time or have its bread buttered on both sides, so to speak. [...] UPM members cannot continue to occupy seats in the National Assembly on a PDM ticket where they have clearly and publicly demonstrated that their allegiance lies elsewhere."

Van Wyk says in an affidavit also filed at the court that he and Bertolini occupied seats that were allocated to the UPM under his party's cooperation agreement with the PDM in 2019.

He says nowhere in the alliance agreement between the two parties was the PDM given the power to withdraw members of the UPM from the National Assembly in the event of a breach of the agreement.

Van Wyk also says the agreement stipulated that the UPM would support the PDM's candidate in the presidential election in 2019, and did not refer to the UPM's support of a presidential candidate in 2024.

The UPM's new alliance with the NEFC does not affect the current functioning of the party's agreement with the PDM, Van Wyk says as well.

He further says in terms of the agreement, a vacancy that arises in the National Assembly among members elected through the joint list of candidates of the PDM and UPM should be filled by a member of the specific party that held a seat that became vacant.

Iipinge and Benz, who replaced Van Wyk and Bertolini, are PDM members, though, and since they were sworn in as members of the National Assembly, the UPM does not have any representation in the assembly any more, Van Wyk says.
Maputo  Mozambique's relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD) has deployed technical teams to monitor tropical storm "Gamane', which has swept across Madagascar, leaving a trail of destruction behind it.

According to INGD chairperson, Luisa Meque, who was speaking to reporters on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the working visit she paid to the households affected by last weekend's torrential rains in Maputo city, "we have already pre-positioned teams in the provinces' and they are "working on reinforcing prevention mechanisms.'

It had been feared that Gamane would head for the Mozambican coast.

According to an alert from the National Meteorological Institute (INAM), "Gamane' could affect the weather with moderate to locally heavy rainfall in central and northern Mozambique.

But the main victim of this storm is undoubtedly Madagascar, where at least 11 people have died.

On Wednesday the storm strengthened and was described in some quarters as a tropical cyclone. But it then left Madagascar, and veered back over the Indian Ocean.

The storm is moving in a southeasterly direction towards Mauritius. On its current course, Gamane is moving away from Mozambique, and so is unlikely to have much impact on the Mozambican weather.

During her visit, Luisa Meque revealed that the preliminary figures from INGD point out that the floods caused by the torrential rains of last Sunday and Monday (which reached 300 millimeters in 48 hours), affected, in Maputo city alone, at least 46,555 people, corresponding to 9,000 households.

The thousands of people flooded out of their homes are now taking refuge in 22 accommodation centres set up by the central and municipal governments.
By Ellie Krouse | Mar 29, 2024

Murray State University Nursing Professor Dr. Mike Perlow has been selected as the 2024 Murray State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) Distinguished Professor.

MURRAY, Ky.  Murray State University Nursing Professor Dr. Mike Perlow has been selected as the 2024 Murray State University Alumni Association (MSUAA) Distinguished Professor.

Perlow started his teaching journey at Walton-Verona Schools in Walton, Kentucky, after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Purdue University in 1970. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Eastern Kentucky University in 1976, and went on to work as a registered nurse at Chandler Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

His career in nursing education started not long after that, as he taught as an assistant professor of nursing at Illinois Eastern Community College and then at the University of Evansville. While teaching nurses in the classroom, he also continued working in the field at Community Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky, and the Evansville State Hospital in Indiana.

He earned his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 1979 from the University of Evansville and then went on to pursue his Doctor of Nursing Science degree from Indiana University, which required a four-hour commute while earning his advanced education.

His teaching journey led him to apply to Murray State, where he was hired in 1984.

Perlow has spent much of his academic career teaching adult health nursing and nursing research. Students describe him as challenging, but caring. The content that he teaches can be difficult, but he always maintains an open-door policy and welcomes the opportunity to help.

Dr. Perlow has been one of the most influential professors in my nursing journey, said Hope Ware, one of Perlows students who nominated him for the award. He teaches a very daunting nursing course in the first of five semesters. Doing well in his class takes a lot of determination and focus. He made me laugh every day in class while also teaching me information I will need throughout my whole nursing career. He would send you a personal message after each exam if you had done well. He recognizes how hard the major is and also gives you the space to struggle to become stronger as a student and nurse. I am so thankful for his course and the work ethic I built throughout it.

Each year, the MSUAA recognizes the Universitys Distinguished Professor as nominated by Murray State students. The award is reserved for those faculty members who have served the University unselfishly, have distinguished themselves professionally and have been recognized by students as outstanding teachers and mentors.

A lot of the nursing faculty had Dr. Perlow as a professor, said Dr. Dina Byers, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. We all agree that he is kind, patient, and cares a lot about the students. We are thankful for the 40 years that he has given to Murray State University and to the nursing profession.

Dean Byers, Perlows wife, Carol, and University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tim Todd joined Alumni Director Carrie McGinnis and many other colleagues, friends and students as they surprised him with the MSUAA Golden Apple Award during his first class of the day on March 27. As part of a longstanding tradition, the Distinguished Professor serves as the mace-bearer during commencement exercises, leading the academic procession and placing the mace in its holder on stage. The mace, which symbolizes order and authority, was designed and hand-crafted by Murray States department of industrial education in 1968.
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.

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 Maudi's and Mallam Aibo's 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 Bilal's 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.

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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)
The Andersen Air Force Base main gate is seen on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Yigo.
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. 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. 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."
In his terse condolence message in the register, Mr Obasanjo wrote, "The late Olubadan carried the position very well, he was Gbobaniyi. Kabiyesi Balogun, sleep in your creator's bosom."

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 won't 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.

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In his terse condolence message in the register, Mr Obasanjo wrote, "Kabiyesi Balogun, sleep in your creator's 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.

"There's 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.
Thai court acquits dozens of protesters who shut down Bangkoks airports in 2008 View Photo

BANGKOK (AP)  A Thai court on Friday acquitted nearly 70 people of all charges related to mass protests that shut down Bangkoks two airports in 2008 for about 10 days.

The ruling by the Bangkok Criminal Court was the second this year finding that the protesters, who opposed a government headed by allies of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had not committed serious criminal offenses in their activities.

Members of the group, the Peoples Alliance for Democracy, also briefly seized a state television station and occupied Government House for three months.

The court ruled Friday that the airport protests were protected under the constitution because they were peaceful and the protesters were unarmed, public broadcaster Thai PBS and Thai Rath newspaper said.

Witnesses to the 2008 protests, including Associated Press reporters, saw acts of violence and intimidation by sometimes-armed guards employed by the PAD, though not by the people acquitted in January and on Friday.

The 67 people in Fridays case had been indicted on serious charges including rebellion and terrorism, which carry a possible death penalty.

Panthep Puapongpan, a former PAD spokesperson and a defendant, welcomed the court ruling. He said they were acquitted because their actions were considered to be for the greater good of the country since they were rallying against a government that was accused of abuse of power and corruption.

Our ordeal is not wasted. The ruling helps heal our feelings, and many of the defendants shed tears, he posted on Facebook.

Several dozen defendants involved in the 2008 airport protests were divided into two groups and indicted in 2013. The first group was acquitted in January, although about a dozen of them were given 20,000 baht ($550) fines for violating an emergency decree that had banned public gatherings.

The protesters  popularly known as Yellow Shirts for wearing shirts with that color that shows loyalty to the Thai monarchy  had occupied Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. They demanded the resignation of the government loyal to Thaksin, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup that followed large Yellow Shirt protests accusing him of corruption and disrespect of the monarchy.

Thaksins ouster set off years of sometimes violent contention for power between his supporters and his opponents.

The protesters shut down airport operations and defied an injunction calling for them to leave. The siege ended only after a court ruling forced Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat  who is Thaksins brother-in-law  out of office.

In 2011, the Civil Court ordered the leaders of the group to pay 522 million baht ($14.7 million) in damages to the state airport authority. They were declared bankrupt and had their assets seized last year in partial payment of the sum.

Thaksin returned to Thailand last year from self-imposed exile to face an eight-year prison term on several criminal convictions. He was immediately moved from prison to a state hospital because of reported ill health. He was released on parole after six months of hospital detention.
Russia launches barrage of 99 drones and missiles on Ukraines energy system, officials say

Russia launches barrage of 99 drones and missiles on Ukraines energy system, officials say View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Moscow launched a large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure Friday, with a mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across the country, Ukraines armed forces said.

Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 Ukrainian regions coming under fire, the countrys interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraines eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the citys thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on March 22.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraines defense industries.

Ukraines state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, said Fridays attack deliberately targeted thermal and hydroelectric power plants across central and western regions.

In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraines Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power stations had come under attack and accused Moscow of risking an ecological disaster similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused the other of destroying the dam, but the various Russian allegations  that it was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives  fail to account for a blast so strong that it registered on seismic monitors in the region.

The dams destruction led to deadly flooding, endangered crops, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an environmental catastrophe.

Zelenskyy also warned that other countries would be threatened if the dams were hit. Dnister Hydroelectric station, located near the city of Novodnistrovsk, Ukraine, is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Moldova.

Not only is Ukraine under threat, but Moldova too, Zelenskyy said. The water will not stop in front of the border.

DTEK, Ukraines largest private electricity operator, also said that three of its thermal power plants had been damaged in the attacks. It announced emergency power shutdowns in the city of Odesa, leaving several neighborhoods without power.

Five people, including a 5-year-old girl, were wounded during the attack in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, said local Gov. Serhii Lysak.

He later said that another man had been killed and one more injured in a separate drone attack Friday.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian police said rescuers had recovered the body of a 66-year-old woman from a building in the Mykolaiv region that was hit by a Russian missile Thursday night.

The bombardment in the west of Ukraine caused the Polish Armed Forces to scramble its own aircraft, the countrys operational command said on social media.

Last week, Warsaw demanded an explanation from Moscow after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting the NATO member to activate F-16 fighter jets.

Romanias defense ministry also said on Friday that an investigation has been launched after fragments that appeared to be from a drone were identified on its territory Thursday evening in an agricultural area of Braila county, close to the border with Ukraine.

It did not provide additional details, although since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, NATO member Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions.

Belgorod also came under fire Friday, Russias Ministry of Defense wrote on social media. It said that it shot down 15 Ukrainian shells, with falling debris damaging a number of residential buildings. No casualties were reported.

Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov later said on social media that one man had died as the result of a separate drone attack which struck an apartment block. ___

Associated Press writer Stephen McGrath in Sighisoara, Romania, contributed to this report.
Greeces conservative government survives a no-confidence motion called over deadly rail disaster View Photo

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greeces center-right government survived a motion of no-confidence late Thursday that was brought by opposition parties over its handling of the countrys deadliest rail disaster a year ago.

Four left-wing opposition parties accused the government of hindering an investigation into the rail crash that left 57 people dead, many of them university students returning from a spring break.

Parliament voted 159-141 against the motion following an acrimonious three-day debate. The government also rejected opposition calls to hold a snap election.

The Feb. 28, 2023 crash occurred when a passenger train smashed into an oncoming freight train which had been mistakenly placed on the same track.

Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to respect the results of an ongoing judicial investigation into the crash, and denied any wrongdoing.

There was no cover up, he told lawmakers ahead of the vote. What exactly has all this debate (in parliament) contributed to the investigation?

Opinion polls suggest that a majority of the public believe the government had not honestly addressed its responsibilities regarding the crash.

Despite its defeat, the no-confidence motion was the result of a rare collaboration between Greeces center-left and left-wing parties ahead of European Parliament elections in June.
Mob in Mexico brutally beats suspected kidnapper to death hours before Holy Week procession View Photo

TAXCO, Mexico (AP)  A mob in the Mexican tourist city of Taxco brutally beat a woman to death Thursday because she was suspected of kidnapping and killing a young girl, rampaging just hours before the citys famous Holy Week procession.

The mob formed after an 8-year-old girl disappeared Wednesday. Her body was found on a road on the outskirts of the city early Thursday. Security camera footage appeared to show a woman and a man loading a bundle, which may have been the girls body, into a taxi.

The mob surrounded the womans house Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police took the woman into the bed of a police pickup truck, but then stood by  apparently intimidated by the crowd  as members of the mob dragged her out of the truck and down onto the street where they stomped, kicked and pummeled her until she lay, partly stripped and motionless.

Police then picked her up and took her away, leaving the pavement stained with blood. The Guerrero state prosecutors office later confirmed the woman died of her injuries.

This is the result of the bad government we have, said a member of the mob, who gave her name as Andrea but refused to give her last name. This isnt the first time this kind of thing has happened, she said, referring to the murder of the girl, but this is the first time the people have done something.

We are fed up, she said. This time it was an 8-year-old girl.

The mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, said he shared residents outrage over the killing. Figueroa said a total of three people beaten by the mob  the woman and two men  had been taken away by police. Video from the scene suggested they had also been beaten, though The Associated Press witnessed only the beating of the woman.

The state prosecutors office said the two men were hospitalized. There was no immediate information on their condition.

In a statement issued soon after the event, Figueroa complained he did not get any help from the state government for his small, outnumbered municipal police force.

Unfortunately, up to now we have not received any help or answers, Figueroa said.

The Good Friday eve religious procession, which dates back centuries in the old silver-mining town, went off as planned Thursday night.

People crowded Taxcos colonial streets to watch hooded men walking while whipping themselves or carrying heavy bundles of thorns across their bare shoulders in penitence to emulate the suffering of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.

But the earlier flash of violence cast a pall over the already solemn procession, which draws thousands to the small town.

Many participants wore small white ribbons of mourning.

I never thought that in a touristic place like Taxco we would experience a lynching, said Felipa Lagunas, a local elementary school teacher. I saw it as something distant, in places far from civilization  I never imagined that my community would experience this on such a special day.

Mob attacks in rural Mexico are common. In 2018, two men were torched by an angry crowd in the central state of Puebla, and the next day a man and woman were dragged from their vehicle, beaten and set afire in the neighboring state of Hidalgo.

But Taxco and other cities in Guerrero state have been particularly prone to violence.

In late January, Taxco endured a days-long strike by private taxi and van drivers who suffered threats from one of several drug gangs fighting for control of the area. The situation was so bad that police had to give people rides in the back of their patrol vehicles.

Around the same time, the bullet-ridden bodies of two detectives were found on the outskirts of Taxco. Local media said their bodies showed signs of torture.

In February, Figueroas own bulletproof car was shot up by gunmen on motorcycles.

In Taxco and throughout Guerrero state, drug cartels and gangs routinely prey on the local population, demanding protection payments from store owners, taxi and bus drivers. They kill those who refuse to pay.

Residents said they have had enough, even though the violence may further affect tourism.

We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up. There will be a lot of people who wont want to come anymore, said Andrea, the woman who was in the mob. We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us.

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Associated Press writer Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

By FERNANDA PESCE

Associated Press
The Winter Storm Warning issued for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada will remain in effect until 11 AM Easter Sunday. The Winter Storm Warning issued for Yosemite National Park above 4,500 feet, will continue until 5 PM Easter Sunday.

The heaviest snow is forecast this morning (Saturday), with additional periods of moderate snowfall through the day.

The snow levels early this morning are near 4,500 feet. That will be rising throughout the day to 4,500 to 5,500 feet by this evening.

Additional snow accumulations above the 4,500 foot elevation, will range from four inches to one foot. The higher you go, the more the snow.

The winds could gust as high as fifty mph on exposed ridgetops and along the crest. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible this weekend from delays, snow-covered roads, and chain controls. The hazardous conditions will impact Easter Holiday weekend travelers.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle, in case of an emergency. Also consider alternate strategies. Remember to carry tire chains, plenty of food, a good deal of water, warm clothing, and a flashlight in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Senator Marie Alvarado Gil View Photo

Sonora, CA  In a new myMotherLode.com blog, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil references a recent incident involving Belleview Elementary School board member Jason Vassar as a central reason for proposing a new law.

We reported earlier that a restraining order was placed against Vassar after disturbing materials emerged that he had written that expressed threats to harm children and anti-government rantings.

Senator Alvarado-Gil writes, My Senate Bill 796 would make it a serious crime for anyone to make a threat towards a school or a place of worship, whether or not there is intent to carry out the threat. The incident involving Vassar is a prime example for why we need to implement stricter laws to hold individuals with nefarious intentions accountable; we cannot afford to wait for a tragedy to occur before deciding it is the right time to address safety in schools and places of worship.

Alvarado-Gil adds that she is planning a town hall meeting in the coming months in Tuolumne County to discuss school safety and hear from constituents, law enforcement, and faith-based organizations.

You can read the full blog by clicking here.
Hezbollah fires heavy rockets at northern Israel after deadliest day of Israeli strikes on Lebanon View 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.

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Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington and Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.

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Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

By BASSEM MROUE

Associated Press
Israeli court halts subsidies for ultra-Orthodox, deepening turmoil over mandatory military service View Photo

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israels Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an end to government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who do not serve in the army  a blockbuster ruling that could have far-reaching consequences for the government and the tens of thousands of religious men who refuse to take part in mandatory military service.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces the most serious threat yet to his government as he struggles to bridge a major split over military service in the shaky national unity government cobbled together in the days after Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

Inside his coalition, the powerful bloc of ultra-Orthodox parties  longtime partners of Netanyahu  want draft exemptions to continue. The centrist members of his War Cabinet, both former military generals, have insisted that all sectors of Israeli society contribute equally during its war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

If the ultra-Orthodox parties leave the government, the country would be forced into new elections, with Netanyahu trailing significantly in the polls amid the war.

Most Jewish men are required to serve nearly three years in the military, 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 while studying full time in religious seminaries.

The exemptions  coupled with government stipends many seminary students receive through age 26  have infuriated much of the general public. These longstanding tensions have grown during nearly six months of war  in which over 500 Israeli soldiers have been killed.

The Supreme Court has ruled the current system discriminatory and given the government until Monday to present a new plan and until June 30 to pass it. Netanyahu on Thursday asked the court for a 30-day extension to find a compromise.

The court did not immediately respond to his request. But it issued an interim order barring the government from funding the monthly subsidies for religious students who are between the ages of 18 and 26 and have not received a deferral from the military in the past year. Funds will be frozen starting April 1.

The ruling will affect about a third of the 180,000 seminary students who receive subsidies from the government for full-time learning, according to Israels Channel 12 TV. It said the subsidies could be temporarily covered by the governing coalitions discretionary funds.

Benny Gantz, Netanyahus top political rival and a member of the three-man War Cabinet, praised the courts decision and said it recognized the need for soldiers during a difficult war, and the need for everyone in our society to take part in the right to serve the country.

Among Israels Jewish majority, mandatory military service is largely seen as a melting pot and rite of passage, and the army has said it is suffering from manpower shortages because of the war in Gaza.

The ultra-Orthodox say that integrating into the army will threaten their generations-old way of life and that their devout lifestyle and dedication to upholding the Jewish commandments protect Israel as much as a strong army. Religious leaders have vowed to fight attempts to force ultra-Orthodox men into the army and have staged mass protests against similar attempts in the past.

Aryeh Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, called the courts decision unprecedented bullying of Torah students in the Jewish state.

In his letter to the Supreme Court requesting the extension, Netanyahu said additional time is needed to come to an agreement, because it has been proven in the past that enlistment without an agreed-upon arrangement actually has the opposite effect.

By MELANIE LIDMAN

Associated Press
press release

The Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Mahmoud Hussein who is facing 25 years in prison simply for wearing a T-shirt with an anti-torture slogan, 15 Egyptian and international human rights organizations said today.

Mahmoud Hussein has been arbitrarily detained since August 2023. Since then, his mental and physical health has seriously deteriorated. This is the second time he has been unjustly detained since 2014.

In 2014, Mahmoud Hussein was arrested in the aftermath of peaceful protests marking the third anniversary of the 25 January 2011 Revolution for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "A Nation without Torture" and a scarf with the "25 January Revolution" logo. He then spent two years in arbitrary pretrial detention before being released on bail in 2016, following global campaigning for his release. In 2018 however, he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in his absence.

If convicted, he [Mahmoud Hussein] faces up to 25 years in prison, which would be a gross injustice and is an indication of how low the Egyptian authorities will stoop to crush any and every notion of dissent.Philip Luther, Amnesty International

Security forces rearrested Mahmoud Hussein at a checkpoint on 30 August 2023 and subjected him to enforced disappearance for five days, holding him at various facilities controlled by the National Security Agency (NSA). During this time, he was interrogated while blindfolded without a lawyer. He was subsequently moved to Badr Prison 1, notorious for its inhuman detention conditions and for denial of adequate healthcare to prisoners. Since then, he has been held in pretrial detention. The prison authorities have been withholding his prescribed medication for post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his first detention in 2014.

Because he was tried in his absence, Mahmoud Hussein is now facing a retrial on bogus charges of membership of a "terrorist" group and involvement in violence, stemming from the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly which led to his first arrest in January 2014.

"It is outrageous that Mahmoud Hussein is once again being tried for the simple act of wearing an anti-torture T-shirt. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison, which would be a gross injustice and is an indication of how low the Egyptian authorities will stoop to crush any and every notion of dissent," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Mahmoud Hussein's retrial is once again being held in front of the Emergency State Security Court (ESSC). ESSC's proceedings are inherently unfair, including because their verdicts are not subject to appeal, only ratification by the President. His next hearing is scheduled for 23 April.

TORTURED AND DREAMS KILLED

When Mahmoud Hussein was first arrested at the age of 18 in 2014, NSA agents subjected him to torture and other ill-treatment in detention through beatings and electric shocks to his hands, back and testicles to force him to sign a "confession". As a result, he has suffered from chronic health conditions requiring two hip replacement surgeries and dependency on crutches.

In November 2023, he underwent an anal fistula surgery at prison hospital, but his family fear that he is not receiving the adequate follow-up care he needs.

A relative of Mahmoud Hussein has described the devastating impact of his renewed detention: "Mahmoud's return to prison is a nightmare that the family is currently living. He has returned to the place where dreams are killed once again, at a time when he was trying to survive from the effects of his initial imprisonment and look towards his future. This time, he faces even greater health challenges. Please do not forget about him there."

"Mahmoud Hussein's life has been upended twice solely for dreaming of a nation without torture. Instead of investigating his complaints of torture and other ill treatment and providing him with adequate reparations for the harm suffered during his first unjust detention, the Egyptian authorities are doubling down in their absurd injustice. They must immediately and unconditionally release him and drop all charges against him as they solely stem from the exercise of his human rights," said Mohamed Abdel Salam, AFTE'S executive director.

Background

Mahmoud Hussein is among thousands of individuals who continue to be arbitrarily detained in Egypt solely for exercising their human rights or following proceedings violating fair trial rights or without legal basis. Those held include human rights defenders, political activists, members of opposition parties, trade unionists, workers, peaceful protesters, journalists, lawyers, social media influencers, members of religious minorities, and medical professionals.

The UN Committee against Torture reached "the inescapable conclusion" in 2017 that "torture is a systematic practice in Egypt". The Egyptian government has not taken any serious steps to address the issue. Most recently, in its 2023 concluding observations, the Committee highlighted the "numerous and consistent allegations of systematic use of torture and ill-treatment" by Egyptian authorities, emphasising the deeply concerning lack of accountability contributing to a climate of impunity. The Committee further underscored that various human rights violations in Egypt are "widespread" including prolonged pretrial detention.

In October 2023, a coalition of national and international NGOs, namely REDRESS , the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF), Dignity, the Committee for Justice (CFJ) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), concluded that that the Egyptian's authorities' use of torture is so widespread and systematic as to amount to a crime against humanity.

In March 2023, the UN Human Rights Committee called on Egypt to "ensure that statutory limits to the duration of pretrial detention are enforced, including by putting an end to the involvement of security agencies in the decision-making process on the release of detainees and the practice of "rotation" under which detainees are added to new cases on similar charges". According to human rights organizations (the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Committee for Justice, El Nadeem Center, the Egyptian Front for Human Rights, the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights), at least 251 defendants were rotated to new cases in 2023, and another 620 defendants in 2022, demonstrating the continued involvement of the judicial authorities in violations of the right to fair trial.

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The UN Human Rights Committee as well as Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council have repeatedly raised concerns about systematic violations of fair trial rights and called repeatedly raised concerns about systematic violations of fair trial rights and called on Egypt to ensure that proceedings, including in terrorism cases, are in line with international law and standards.

Signatories:
DENVER (AP)  A Denver truck driver has been convicted of five counts of vehicular homicide for crashing a semi tractor-trailer into a sport utility vehicle carrying a Wyoming family in June 2022, killing all five of them.

A Weld County jury also convicted Jesus Puebla of five other counts on Wednesday, including reckless driving and not having a valid commercial drivers license, for the crash on Interstate 25 north of Denver, KUSA-TV reported.

Investigators say Pueblas truck was traveling 76 mph (122 kph) when it slammed into an SUV that was traveling about 6 mph (10 kph) due to backed up traffic. The truck also struck other vehicles, injuring another person. Puebla was not injured, court records said.

Pueblas attorney argued the company that owned the truck was at fault. Puebla testified that the brakes didnt work and he tried to downshift to slow the truck down. The Colorado State Patrol found the brakes were not working.

Prosecutors argued that Puebla had been driving recklessly for miles before the crash and failed to notice that traffic had slowed. He should not have been driving with an expired license and a pre-trip inspection should have revealed the truck wasnt safe to drive, prosecutors said.

The crash killed Aaron Godines and Halie Everts of Gillette, Wyoming, and their 3-month-old daughter, Tessleigh Godines. Aaron Godines parents, Emiliano and Christina Godines, were also killed.

Pueblas sentencing is set for June 21.
Republican states file lawsuit challenging Bidens student loan repayment plan View Photo

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A group of Republican-led states is suing the Biden administration to block a new student loan repayment plan that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.

In a federal lawsuit filed Thursday, 11 states led by Kansas argue that Biden overstepped his authority in creating the SAVE Plan, which was made available to borrowers last year and has already canceled loans for more than 150,000.

It argues that the new plan is no different from Bidens first attempt at student loan cancellation, which the Supreme Court rejected last year. Last time Defendants tried this the Supreme Court said that this action was illegal. Nothing since then has changed, according to the lawsuit.

The Education Department declined to comment on the lawsuit but noted that Congress in 1993 gave the department the authority to define the terms of income-driven repayment plans.

The Biden-Harris 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, the department said in a statement.

Biden announced the SAVE repayment plan in 2022, alongside a separate plan to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for more than 40 million Americans. The Supreme Court blocked the cancellation plan after Republican states sued, but the court didnt examine SAVE, which was still being hashed out.

The new lawsuit was filed this same week the White House hosted a day of action to promote the SAVE Plan. The Biden administration says more than 7.7 million borrowers have enrolled in the plan, including more than 5 million who have had their monthly payments reduced to $100 or less because they have lower yearly incomes.

The challenge was filed electronically in federal court in Kansas by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who requested that any trial be in Wichita, the states largest city. The lawsuit asks a judge to halt the plan immediately. Along with Kansas, the suit is backed by Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

In a completely brazen fashion, the president pressed ahead anyway, Kobach said during a news conference at the Kansas Statehouse. The law simply does not allow President Biden to do what he wants to do.

Bidens new repayment plan is a modified version of other income-based repayment plans that the Education Department has offered since the 90s. The earliest versions were created by Congress to help struggling borrowers, capping payments at a portion of their income and canceling any remaining debt after 20 or 25 years.

The new plan offers more generous terms than ever, offering to reduce monthly payments for more borrowers and canceling loans in as little as 10 years. Unlike other plans, it prevents interest from snowballing as long as borrowers make their monthly payments.

The plans provisions are being phased in this year, and the quicker path to cancellation was originally scheduled to take effect later this summer. But the Biden administration accelerated that benefit and started canceling loans for some borrowers in February.

Biden said it was meant to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt.

Instead of creating a new plan from scratch, the Education Department amended existing plans through federal regulation. Supporters saw it as a legal maneuver that put the plan on firmer grounding, anticipating a challenge from Republicans.

But in the new lawsuit, Kobach argues that Biden needed to go through Congress to make such significant changes.

The states argue that Bidens plan will harm them in many ways.

With such a generous repayment plan, fewer borrowers will have an incentive to go into public service and pursue the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the states argue. They predict more state employees will leave their jobs, and it will worsen public schools struggles to recruit and retain teachers.

They argue the plan will inject hundreds of billions of dollars in loan relief into the U.S. economy, which would require states to increase fraud protection efforts. The plan will create enormous opportunities for fraudsters to exploit student debt borrowers that would not otherwise exist, according to the suit.

If successful, it would effectively kill the last remnant of Bidens first attempt at widespread student loan relief. After the Supreme Court blocked his wider plan last year, Biden ordered the Education Department to craft a new plan using a different legal justification. The agency is now pursuing a more limited plan for mass cancellation.

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Binkley reported from Washington

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The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

By COLLIN BINKLEY and JOHN HANNA

Associated Press
4th person charged in ambush that helped Idaho prison inmate escape from Boise hospital View Photo

A fourth person has been charged in connection with an ambush that allowed a white supremacist Idaho prison gang member to escape as he was being discharged from a Boise hospital.

Tia J. Garcia, 27, of Twin Falls, owned the car that inmate Skylar Meade and his accomplice, Nicholas Umphenour, fled in after Umphenour shot and wounded two corrections officers who were preparing to bring Meade back to prison early on March 20, Shawn Kelley, of the Ada County Prosecutors Office, told a judge Thursday.

She falsely reported the car stolen less than an hour after the ambush, Kelley said, and text messages from the day before showed that Umphenour had instructed her to do so.

Police tracked Meade and Umphenour down about 36 hours after their escape, but the pair is also suspected in the killings of two men while they were on the run. They have not been charged in the killings.

Heres what to know about the case.

WHO IS THE LATEST PERSON ARRESTED?

Garcia is an acquaintance of Umphenour and Meade, Kelley said, and she picked up Umphenour from the airport when he arrived in Boise on March 17. Its not clear where Umphenour had travelled from, but prosecutors have said he recently spent time in Florida and intended to return there. Umphenour and Garcia were seen in surveillance video from several places around Boise that day.

Garcia lives with her sister and is unemployed, according to a public defender who represented her during an initial court appearance Thursday. Her criminal record includes six felonies and four misdemeanors, including battery and drug charges as well as fleeing and eluding.

She is being held on $1 million bail on a charge of aiding and abetting escape. She did not enter a plea. The Ada County public defenders office, which represents Meade, Umphenour and Garcia, declined to comment Thursday.

HOW WAS THE ESCAPE PLANNED?

Authorities are still looking into exactly how the ambush was planned and executed. Idaho Department of Correction officials have said that Meade and Umphenour were both members of the Aryan Knights white supremacist prison gang, which federal prosecutors have described as a scourge within the states prison system.

Meade, 31, was serving 20 years in prison for shooting at a sheriffs sergeant during a chase. Umphenour was released from the same prison  the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna, south of Boise  in January after serving time for theft and gun convictions.

The two had at times been housed together and had mutual friends in and out of prison, officials said. Meade had recently been held in solitary confinement because officials deemed him a security risk.

The attack on the corrections officers came just after 2 a.m. on March 20 in the ambulance bay of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Meade had been brought to the hospital earlier in the night because he injured himself, officials said. Kelley told the court on Thursday that Meade refused all treatment once he got to the hospital.

Two corrections officers were wounded by Umphenour and a third by responding police who mistook the officer for the gunman. All are expected to recover.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE AMBUSH?

The Idaho State Police say that while on the run, Umphenour and Meade apparently killed two men in northern Idaho  Gerald Don Henderson, the 72-year-old resident of a remote cabin near Orofino who had taken Umphenour in about a decade ago, when Umphenour was in his late teens and having trouble at home; and James L. Mauney, 83, of Juliaetta, who was reported missing when he failed to return from walking his dogs.

Investigators found shackles at Hendersons cabin. Mauneys minivan was located about seven hours south, in Filer. As agents secured that area, Meade and Umphenour fled in separate cars but were apprehended, police said.

A woman identified as Tonia Huber was driving the truck Meade was in, according to investigators. She has been charged with harboring a fugitive, eluding police and drug possession. Hubers attorney, Daniel Brown, said Thursday his client is presumed to be innocent and we stand by that presumption.

WHATS NEXT?

Meade, Umphenour and Garcia face preliminary hearings before Ada County Magistrate Judge Abraham Wingrove on April 8. Huber, who is charged in Twin Falls County, faces a preliminary hearing April 5.

Correction Director Josh Tewalt has promised to review its policies and practices in light of the escape. The attack came amid a wave of gun violence at hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the rise of threats.

Were channeling every resource we have to trying to understand exactly how they went about planning it, Tewalt said last week.

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Johnson reported from Seattle, Thiessen from Anchorage, Alaska.

By GENE JOHNSON and MARK THIESSEN

Associated Press
Mississippi Senate passes trimmed Medicaid expansion and sends bill back to the House View Photo

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 chambers proposal would insure fewer people and bring less federal money to the state than the version approved by the House last month. But the Senates 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 Ive 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 Senates 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.

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG

Associated Press/Report for America
Tennessee politicians strip historically Black university of its board View Photo

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Trustees of Tennessees only publicly funded historically Black university were removed Thursday under legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee. Black lawmakers and community leaders said state leaders, a majority of whom are white, are unfairly targeting Tennessee State University.

The legislation cleared the state GOP-controlled House on Thursday in a 66-25 vote, and Lee signed off a few hours later without commenting on the controversial decision to vacate the board. He instead praised TSU as a remarkable institution as he unveiled that he already had selected 10 new replacements.

Im pleased to appoint these highly qualified individuals who will work alongside administrators and students to further secure TSUs place as a leading institution, Lee said.

The new appointees, largely from the business community, are now subject to confirmation by the Legislature. Their selection will be critical as TSU is already seeking a new leader because President Glenda Glover plans to retire at the end of this school year.

All were talking about is the board  Its vacating some personalities and bringing others in, House Majority Leader William Lamberth told reporters. The goal is to make TSU successful.

Republican leaders have long grumbled about TSUs leadership as multiple state audits have found student housing shortages, unsustainable scholarship increases and lingering financial discrepancies. Audits released Thursday morning ahead of the House vote found 56 significant procedural deficiencies ranging from the school failing to follow its own procedures, to not properly documenting transactions or identifying improvements to its budgeting procedures.

However, one review stated that it did not identify evidence indicative of fraud or malfeasance by executive leadership.

Democrats and others say Republicans are focusing on the wrong issues, pointing out that TSUs problems are primarily due to its being underfunded by an estimated $2.1 billion over the last three decades. They also allege that the majority-white Legislature distrusts a Black-controlled universitys ability to manage itself.

Rep. Bo Mitchell, a Democrat whose district includes TSU, also questioned removing the board of a historically Black college that the state has failed to adequately fund. Ive seen many audits of many universities that look horrendous, Mitchell said. Have we ever, ever vacated an entire board of a university before? Have we ever done that?

Multiple Democrats filed last minute motions and amendments that would have delayed the vote or cut the number of board seats to be vacated to five rather than 10. Ultimately, the GOP supermajority voted down each of the proposals.

Instead of us rectifying the problems that we created through racist policies by underfunding Tennessee State University, were now advocating to vacate their board, said Rep. Justin Pearson, a Democrat from Memphis, raising his voice as he criticized his Republican colleagues.

Last year, the Tennessee Legislature provided TSU with a lump sum of $250 million for infrastructure projects to help fix a portion of the shortfall.

Republican Rep. Ryan Williams said that money was completely blown through after officials gave too many student scholarships, so many that students were placed in hotels because there wasnt enough housing. Other universities, including University of Tennessee in Knoxville, have also been required to house some students temporarily in hotels without the same criticism from state lawmakers.

The challenges are dire, Williams said. But we have to have assurances that future investment, or that remedy to this problem, is going to be well taken care of.

TSU supporters and students watched from the galleries Thursday and cheered at times when Democrats criticized the bill. Some booed Republicans once the legislation cleared, while others lamented at the Legislatures punishing response to the universitys challenges.

We have people who realize it takes a bridge sometimes to get where youre trying to go, Barry Barlow, a pastor and TSU grad said during a news conference after the vote. But we have people in the Tennessee General Assembly who will take your bridge of promise and stick dynamite to it.

___

Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise contributed to this report.

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI

Associated Press
Convicted ex-New Orleans mayor has done his time. Now, can he get the right to carry a gun?

Convicted ex-New Orleans mayor has done his time. Now, can he get the right to carry a gun? View Photo

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who was convicted on federal bribery, money laundering and other corruption charges in 2014, has completed his 10-year sentence and is asking a federal judge to restore his rights to carry a gun and vote.

But prosecutors said Thursday that the New Orleans-based judge has no authority to restore Nagins federal firearms rights, and that its up to the state of Texas, where he now lives, to decide on his voting privileges.

Nagin, 67, recently filed a court motion in New Orleans, noting that his federal prison time and supervision were officially over on March 15. Filing without an attorney, Nagin said he wants his firearms rights restored because he is still a high-profile individual and is recognized just about everywhere he goes and that he is concerned about his familys safety with our country experiencing so much violence.

Hes asking for relief that she doesnt have the power to grant, Herbert Larson, an attorney and Tulane Law School professor said in an interview.

His comments were echoed in prosecutors Thursday filing. It notes that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has the power to restore federal firearm rights but that Congress hasnt approved ATF spending for investigating and acting on applications.

Congress has never funded the means, the mechanism, for relief, said Larson.

As for voting rights, prosecutors said Nagin will have to contact Texas election officials.

A felons eligibility to vote is determined by the law of the state in which the felon seeks to vote and not by the federal court that presided over the felony conviction, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in Thursdays filing.

Texas allows felons to vote once they have fully discharged their sentence, according to the Texas State Law Library.

Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in 2014 after his conviction on charges including bribery, money laundering, fraud and tax violations. The charges stemmed from his two terms as New Orleans mayor from 2002 to 2010. The crimes outlined in the charges began before Hurricane Katrina and continued after the 2005 storm.

Nagin was granted supervised release from prison in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His March 19 motion also seeks return of his passport, which he surrendered before his trial. Prosecutors said surrendered passports are routinely forwarded to the State Department. They said they wouldnt oppose the passport being returned but noted that passports expire after 10 years.

By KEVIN McGILL

Associated Press
Judge questions Border Patrol stand that its not required to care for children at migrant camps View Photo

SAN DIEGO (AP)  A federal judge on Friday sharply questioned the Biden administrations position that it bears no responsibility for housing and feeding migrant children while they wait in makeshift camps along the U.S-Mexico border.

The Border Patrol does not dispute the conditions at the camps, where migrants wait under open skies or sometimes in tents or structures made of tree branches while short on food and water. The migrants, who crossed the border illegally, are waiting there for Border Patrol agents to arrest and process them. The question is whether they are in legal custody.

That would start a 72-hour limit on how long children can be held and require emergency medical services and guarantees of physical safety, among other things.

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee said evidence presented by migrant advocacy groups appeared to support the definition of legal custody. Are they free to leave? she asked.

As long as they do not proceed further into the United States, answered Justice Department attorney Fizza Batool.

Gee, who was appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton, acknowledged it was complicated  like dancing on the head of a pin  because some children arrive on their own at the camps and are not sent there by Border Patrol agents.

Advocates are seeking to enforce a 1997 court-supervised settlement on custody conditions for migrant children, which includes the time limit and services including toilets, sinks and temperature controls. Gee did not rule after a half-hour hearing in Los Angeles.

Children traveling alone must be turned over within 72 hours to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, which generally releases them to family in the United States while an immigration judge considers asylum. Asylum-seeking families are typically released in the U.S. while their cases wind through courts.

The legal challenge focuses on two areas in California: one between two border fences in San Diego and another in a remote mountainous region east of San Diego. When the number of migrants was particularly high last year, they waited for several days to be arrested and processed by overwhelmed Border Patrol agents. From May to December, agents distributed colored wristbands to prioritize whom to process first.

Advocates say the Border Patrol often directs migrants to the camps, sometimes even driving them there. Agents are often seen nearby keeping a loose watch until buses and vans arrive.

The Justice Department, which rejects advocates label of open-air detention sites, says smugglers send migrants to camps. It says agents giving them water and snacks is a humanitarian gesture and that any agent who sends, or even escorts, migrants there is no different than any law enforcement officer directing heightened traffic to avoid disorder and disarray.

The Border Patrol generally arrests migrants at the camps within 12 hours of encountering them, down from 24 hours last year, Brent Schwerdtfeger, a senior official in the agencys San Diego sector, said in a court filing. The agency has more than doubled the number of buses in the San Diego area to 15 for speedier processing.

On Friday, 33 migrants, including two small children, waited between border walls in San Diego until agents came to ask they empty their pockets, remove shoelaces and submit to weapons searches before being taken in vans to a holding station. They were primarily from China and India, with others from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Agents spoke to them in English.

Pedro Rios, a volunteer with American Friends of Service Committee, delivered turkey sandwiches and hot tea and coffee through spaces in the border wall. He gave pain relievers and ointment to a limping Chinese woman who had fallen from the wall.

Kedian William, 38, said she left a 10-year-old daughter with family in Jamaica because she couldnt afford the journey, including airfare to Mexico, but that asthma would have made the trip difficult for her child anyway. She planned to apply for asylum and settle with family in New York, having fled her home after her sister-in-law, her sister-in-laws husband their child were killed last year.

William said she attempted to reach the camp on Wednesday but fled back into Tijuana to avoid Mexican authorities in pursuit. She tried again a day later, waiting six hours on U.S. soil for agents to pick her up for processing.

By ELLIOT SPAGAT

Associated Press
Former Justice Eileen ONeill Burke wins Democratic primary in Chicago-area prosecutors race View Photo

CHICAGO (AP)  Eileen ONeill Burke, a former appellate judge, has won the Democratic primary for Cook County states attorney over Clayton Harris III, an attorney with party backing.

The race is open because States Attorney Kim Foxx decided not to seek a third term. It was among the most spirited and competitive contests in the March 19 Illinois primary. The Associated Press called that race Friday.

It was worth the wait, ONeill Burke said in a statement Friday. I am so honored to be the Democratic nominee for Cook County States Attorney. Id like to congratulate Clayton Harris on a hard-fought campaign. While we may have had our differences in this election, we share a love for our beautiful city and Cook County.

Harris conceded Friday night and said he called ONeill Burke to congratulate her on her victory.

We have more to do. Well keep pushing for effective prosecutions of hate crimes, carjacking, armed robbery, and gun violence that plague our communities, Harris said in a statement.

ONeill Burke led in fundraising, in part with money from top Republican donors, but Harris had numerous endorsements including from labor unions and progressive and establishment Democrats.

The race is the latest example of how the legacy of progressive Democrats who swept into big city prosecutor offices over the past decade has fractured. In other cities, progressive Democrats have faced tough reelection bids with blame on progressive policies for perceptions that cities are less safe. Candidates in the Chicago area both praised and criticized Foxxs leadership.

Across every neighborhood and every town in Cook County, people told me the same thing: we want a fair criminal justice system that works for everyone, ONeill Burke said in her statement. We want a professional and effective States Attorneys Office. We want illegal guns and assault weapons off our streets. We want less crime and safer communities, not by locking everyone up, but by turning people around.

ONeill Burke served as judge both in appellate court and in Cook County. She was also an attorney in the states attorneys office.

Since Cook County is largely Democratic, ONeill Burke is expected to win the November election. Republican Alderman Bob Fioretti and Libertarian Andrew Charles Kopinski are also running.
California proposal would change how power bills are calculated, aiming to relieve summer spikes View Photo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Its 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 Californias 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 states 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 Californias 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 peoples 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 Californias 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.

By ADAM BEAM

Associated Press
California man convicted of killing his mother is captured in Mexico after ditching halfway house

California man convicted of killing his mother is captured in Mexico after ditching halfway house View Photo

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California man convicted of killing his mother as a teenager was captured in Mexico a week after he walked away from a halfway house, violating the conditions of his probation, authorities said.

Ike Nicholas Souzer, 20, was arrested Wednesday in the coastal city of Rosarito by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Mexican officials, the Orange County District Attorneys Office said. He was returned to California.

During the weeklong manhunt, the district attorneys office described Souzer as dangerous and violent.

Souzer had already served his sentence for stabbing his mother to death in 2017, when he was 13. He was subsequently convicted on a vandalism charge and served a short sentence, then released from custody March 20, prosecutors said.

The judge in that case also sentenced Souzer to two years of probation.

This was the second time Souzer disappeared from a halfway house. In 2022, he was let out of jail and moved to a halfway house in Santa Ana where he removed his electronic monitor and left. He was later captured by police.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said Souzer deserved harsher sentences and blamed judges who have handled his cases.

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, Spitzer said in a statement.

Souzer was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the death of his mother. His defense attorney argued that the killing was in self-defense and said the teen had experienced years of abuse, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Souzer has also been charged with three attacks on correctional officers, possessing a shank in jail, and most recently, drawing graffiti on a freeway underpass, prosecutors said.

He also escaped a juvenile detention facility in 2019.
Ousman Saidybah, a spokesperson for the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (DLEAG) on Wednesday said six (6) individuals who were currently detained for allegedly possessing kush (deadly substance killing West African young people) and cannabis saliva locally called "yamba" are facing drug related charges.

The individuals, he said, are four (4) Gambians and two (2) foreign nationals. He added the suspects are still detained pending further investigation into the case.

The six men are scheduled to soon appear before a court when DLEAG investigators are done with the examination and analysis of the drugs.

A statement from the Agency, stated: "29-year-old Ibrahim Samura, a Sierra Leonean residing at Kotu and a Chef by profession was arrested by Brusubi DLEAG station on the 24th of March 2024 at around 21:30 hours GMT onwards with (16) plastic bags and (3) wraps of suspected kush which was concealed in white papers and placed inside a yellow transparent nylon bag respectively.

27-year-old Lamin Touray, a resident of Jambur Village and an artist by profession was arrested by Brusubi DLEAG station on the 25th March 2024 at around 02:50 hours GMT onwards with (1) big bundle, (149) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa which was concealed in white and cement papers respectively.

21-year-old Faburama Jammeh a Senegalese residing at Giliron (Casamance) was arrested by Sibanor DLEAG at Bullock Checkpoint on the 25th March 2024 at around 05:55 hours GMT onwards with (2) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa which was concealed in cement paper and placed inside a black and red colour travelling bag respectively.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

23-year-old Mbye Njie a resident of Dippa Kunda was arrested by Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force at Ghana Town (Brufut) on the 25th March 2024 at around 15:00 hours GMT onwards with (10) wraps of suspected kush, which was concealed in white papers and placed inside a transparent medical sachet.

25-year-old Muctarr Baldeh, a resident of Brikama Gidda was arrested by Brikama DLEAG station at Brikama New Town on the 27th March 2024 at around 00:40 hours GMT onwards with (1) stone of suspected cannabis resin (harshes) which was concealed in yellow and transparent nylon bag respectively.

20-year-old Baboucarr Sidibeh, a resident of Banjul and a businessman by profession was arrested by Kotu DLEAG station on the 21st March 2024 at around 18:45 hours GMT onwards with (43) wraps of suspected kush which was concealed in white papers and placed in medical sachet respectively.

Meanwhile, all the suspects are in custody while further investigations continue.
Brazils Bolsonaro requests court permission to accept Netanyahus invite to Israel View Photo

SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazils former President Jair Bolsonaro has requested federal authorities return his passport and authorize travel to Israel so he can accept an event invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit in May, Bolsonaros lawyers said Thursday in a statement.

The attorneys submitted Bolsonaros 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 Hungarys 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.

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.

Bolsonaros 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.

Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Israels 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 Bolsonaros rival and successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Last month, Israels foreign minister said Lula would not be welcome in his country until he apologizes for comments he made comparing Israels war in Gaza to the Holocaust, accusing him of a very serious antisemitic attack. Netanyahu said Lulas comments trivialized the Holocaust and crossed a red line.

In his petition to the Supreme Court for authorization to travel to Israel from May 12 to 18, Bolsonaros lawyers said the proposed trip wouldnt jeopardize the ongoing legal processes he faces, as he has scheduled appointments after his planned date of return.

The request didnt specify which event Bolsonaro aims to attend, but the proposed period coincides with Israels Independence Day.

As is public knowledge, part of political activity involves international relations as well as expanding dialogue with global leaders, Bolsonaros lawyer Fabio Wajngarten said on X, formerly Twitter.

The Supreme Courts press office said it will analyze the request and that there is no deadline for a decision.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

By GABRIELA SA PESSOA

Associated Press
The Australian government has put forward controversial legislation that may result in a complete visa ban for several countries, including Zimbabwe. The Herald Sun reports that Iraq, Iran, South Sudan, and Russia are also being considered for the visa ban. In addition, the proposed laws could lead to a five-year jail sentence for asylum seekers who resist deportation after exhausting all legal avenues.

The introduction of this bill coincides with a case in the High Court involving an Iranian man, known as ASF17, who is refusing to return to his home country due to concerns about persecution based on his xulity.

The legislation primarily targets nations that are uncooperative in accepting the return of their citizens who have been denied asylum in Australia. Under the proposed laws, the Home Affairs Minister, Clare ONeil, would be granted the power to block visa applications from these countries.

Furthermore, Australia is taking steps to tighten regulations on student visas in order to manage the influx of immigrants. The aim is to ensure that students come to Australia for legitimate educational purposes and to alleviate pressure on housing.

The changes include stricter English language requirements for student visas. Additionally, the government will be authorized to suspend educational institutions that repeatedly violate visa regulations when enrolling international students.

In a statement, the Home Affairs Minister expressed that these measures will contribute to reducing migration levels while fulfilling their commitments to address issues in the immigration system.

To further deter international students who primarily seek work opportunities, a new genuine student test will be introduced. Moreover, no further stay conditions will be imposed on a larger number of visitor visas.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a 60% increase in net immigration, reaching a record high of 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023. This figure exceeds the 518,000 recorded for the year ending June 2023.

Breaking News via Email
A suspected armed robber appeared in court yesterday for allegedly killing a passer-by only to be caught while selling the deceased phone.

Tendai Mafidi (29) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi charged with murder.

He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court and returns to court on April 12.

Prosecutor Mr Rufaro Chonzi alleged that on January 11 at around 10pm Mafidi met now deceased Ngonidzashe Chabvuta who was walking along the road near house number 34266 East View in Harare.

He attacked him with an unknown object on the head, resulting in his death.

Mafidi then stole the Samsung Galaxy M13 and went away.

The deceaseds body was later found and a report was made to the police.

The court heard on January 12 at around 11am, a few hours after the murder, Mafidi went on to sell the deceaseds cellphone to Godknows Chikwengo a second hand cellphone dealer at OK Mbare supermarket.

The cellphone was later sold to Owen Gava, a bus conductor who began to use it.

Investigations led to the recovery of the cellphone and the subsequent arrest of Mafidi.

Breaking News via Email
Baltimore bridge ship crash fatalities: 2 confirmed dead, 4 still missing

All crew members of the ill-fated cargo ship that collided with and caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, March 26, have been located and found unharmed, ship management company Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.

Unfortunately, a construction crew working on the bridge suffered casualties, with eight individuals plunging into the icy waters of the Patapsco River, where temperatures were as low as 8 C. Of the eight, two were rescued  one unharmed and the other critically injured.

Baltimore police said Wednesday, March 27, that they had found the bodies of the two, leaving four individuals still missing.

Maryland State Senator Johnny Ray Salling, hailing from the affected area, emphasized the crucial role of the bridge not only in transportation but also in commerce. "Losing this bridge will devastate the entire area, as well as the entire East Coast," said Salling, a Republican. (Related: Baltimore bridge collapse due to ship strike will have sweeping economic repercussions.)

Baltimore harbor pilots were reportedly directing the vessel at the time of the crash, as per customary practice during port or canal entries. However, radio transmissions from emergency responders indicated difficulties in steering the ship shortly after the collision, highlighting potential challenges faced by the crew.

Coast Guard halts search and rescue operation for missing individuals

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has decided to halt its search and rescue operation for the missing individuals. Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath announced the decision, citing the extensive search efforts, prolonged duration and cold water temperatures as factors.

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The collapse occurred after the large cargo ship lost power and collided with the bridge, resulting in vehicles and people plunging into the frigid river.

"While we are suspending active search and rescue efforts, the Coast Guard and our partners will continue to be present, transitioning to a different phase," said Gilreath.

Efforts will now shift toward locating the missing individuals to provide closure to their families, according to Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., secretary of Maryland State Police.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed solidarity with the families of the presumed victims, emphasizing their personal stories and the profound impact on the community. He also acknowledged the warning issued by the ship's crew before the collision, highlighting the potentially life-saving actions taken.

The investigation into the incident continues, with the U.S. Coast Guard searching for hazardous materials among damaged shipping containers onboard the vessel.

The pilot efforts to prevent the collision were detailed by Clay Diamond, executive director and general counsel of the American Pilots Association, highlighting the rapid response despite a blackout onboard the ship.

As multiple agencies investigate the incident, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy assured a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the crash and collapse.

While the road to recovery and rebuilding may be lengthy and costly, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed confidence in the nation's resilience. He emphasized the unique circumstances of the Key Bridge collapse and reassured the public regarding bridge safety nationwide.

Visit Disaster.news for more stories like this.

Watch Dave Walsh explain why the bridge collapse in Baltimore will affect the port and economy.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

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Sources include:

InformationLiberation.com

Edition.CNN.com

Brighteon.com
Drag queen feted by Kamala Harris accused of multiple sexual assaults

A drag star feted by Kamala Harris at the Biden White House and Vice Presidents residence has been accused of multiple sexual assaults between 2012 to 2020.

(Article by Debra Heine republished from AMGreatness.com)

Darius Jeremy DJ Pierce, better known as Shangela, has appeared on numerous television series and is best known for competing on RuPauls Drag Race and Dancing With the Stars.

The accusations are described in sordid detail in a Rolling Stone expose following a 16 month investigation researching the allegations, reviewing court documents, and interviewing several accusers.

BREAKING: Drag Queen 'Shangela' who was invited by Kamala Harris to the White House to celebrate Pride Month was just accused of multiple s*xual ass*ults.https://t.co/ZaDFxlPkKmpic.twitter.com/eWMvyGXAnx  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 18, 2024

The report features five people who accused Pierce of sexually assaulting them or attempting to have sex with them while they were too inebriated to consent. The alleged offenses took place over a period of six years in Louisiana, Texas, California and the United Kingdom, and sometimes involved a second assailant, according to a Rolling Stone investigation. Three of the five accusers, who ranged in age at the time of their alleged assaults from 18 to 23, said they were aspiring drag queens at the time.

In a letter to Rolling Stone, Pierces lawyer Andrew Brettler denied all accusations of sexual assault, calling the allegations false and unsupported by any evidence or reliable witness testimony.

Separately, Daniel McGarrigle, a former production assistant on HBOs Were Here accused Pierce in May of 2023 of committing sexual assault, gender violence false imprisonment, negligence, and sexual harassment, among other offenses while they worked on the show in 2020.

McGarrigle alleged in the lawsuit that he threw up after drinking with Pierce before waking up to the drag star rubbing his penis against his buttocks, attempting to insert himself into his anus. The lawsuit claimed Pierce thrust inside of McGarrigle while saying, I know you want it, and youre going to take it.

In a statement last year, Pierce said the allegations were entirely meritless, and that they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that are harmful not only to me but also to my entire community.

This newest filing is nothing but an attempt to shake down both me and a well-regarded television company, Pierce said. No one should be fooled: it has no basis in fact or in law, and it will not succeed.

According to Rolling Stone, all parties reached a settlement in February and the case was dismissed, though details remain undisclosed.

This case has been resolved, and the defendants and their counsel acted in good faith, Daniel M. Gilleon, McGarrigles lawyer, told Rolling Stone. As such, I feel it would be inappropriate to discuss this matter or its resolution. I dont know anything about the new allegations, but I certainly recognize the courage it takes for a victim to come forward.

While Pierce and his lawyer deny that the alleged assaults and attempted assaults happened as described, what appears undeniable per Rolling Stones investigation is that throughout the years he has made a habit of engaging in lewd sexual acts with much younger males after allegedly plying them with alcohol.

This is the person Kamala Harris chose to invite to the VP residence in June of 2022 to attend an LGBTQ Pride event. Harris specifically requested that Pierce come dressed as his drag queen persona Shangela.

Drag Queen Shangela, who has now been accused of multiple sexual assaults, gave the welcome speech to Vice President Kamala Harris Pride event hosted at the VPs home in 2022. pic.twitter.com/hVW3IUYoDQ  The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) March 18, 2024

The event apparently marked the first time the VP residence had hosted a pride event featuring a transvestite.

Pierce gushed about the experience in an Instagram post, writing, I woke up today asking myself did that really just happen?  Thank you Madame @vp for being an authentic ally and for not only holding this LGBTQ event at ur residence, but for also inviting me to make a few welcoming remarks.

After laughing and sobbing on the phone with my Mom this morning, I took a sec to take this in. Me  the lil, country gay kid from Paris, TX just helped introduce the highest ranking female leader ever elected in our Country, Pierce continued. And I did it standing in my Truth. Proudly representing my community. Heres to all the dreamers. Im doing it, and so can YOU.

Later, in December of 2022, Joe Biden invited Pierce and other LGBTQ celebrities to the White House to celebrate the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and required the federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex and interracial civil marriages in the United States.

Dressed in drag, Pierce donned a purple sequin dress and a pink and lilac coat and posed with Harris again for a photo posted on Instagram.

What an honor to be invited to the White House by our @potus and @drbiden yesterday to witness the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act, Pierce wrote on Instagram. The weather was chill but the emotions were warm and fuzzy  and as a drag queen whose community is specifically targeted right now, this type of inclusion meant A LOT. Thank you @vp Harris, President Biden, @speakerpelosi and those involved for always being such a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Harriss first run-in with Pierce occurred in West Hollywood in 2019 while she was campaigning for president and trying to drum up support from LGBTQ voters.

During an appearance at a gay night spot called the Abbey, Pierce showed Harris how to snap a fan.

Pierce endorsed her for president in an interview with the the Los Angeles Blade.

Im always staying abreast of whats going on. I want myself and all of my followers  I want the millennials  I want everyone to be informed, Shangela told the Blade. And as I continue to learn more about the senator  Im an advocate for her. I think shes intelligent. I think she has a voice thats not backing down and I think shes been a longtime advocate for our community  an ally. So for that  she definitely has support from me, for sure.

Elon Musk registered his disgust for Pierce in a post on X:

The woke hide their evil in a moral cloak, he wrote in response to Libs of TikToks post about the story.

Read more at: AMGreatness.com
Globalists unleashing AI-powered control grid to END independent journalism and eradicate online free speech

The speed with which the American police state is now able to round up political dissidents and punish them for alleged "crimes" against the state is a testament to the power of the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven surveillance and control grid.

Independent journalist Leo Hohmann says banks are colluding with Big Tech to not only censor but silence dissidents by blocking offending customers from accessing their money like something out of 1984.

He tells the story of Rebel News reporter David Menzies, who was arrested recently while trying to interview attendees at a pro-Hamas rally in Toronto. Menzies was arrested just three days after the announcement of his lawsuit against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) "for a pattern of intimidation and exclusion following shocking displays of police brutality against David."

Even though Menzies was in full compliance with the law, presenting his identification upon request, as evidenced by camera footage, he was arrested and detained simply for exercising his right to document a public event.

Similar such incidents are occurring in the United States as well, one of the most notable recent ones being the arrest of Blaze Media's Steve Baker for covering the January 6 "insurrection." Infowars' Owen Shroyer was similarly arrested and thrown in jail for two months for his covering of the "insurrection."

"Globalist politicians and judges are colluding with big corporations throughout the formerly free Western world to remove certain bedrock rights and God-given freedoms and replace them with government-issued privileges," Hohmann writes.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"They will tell you that you still have a right to free speech and freedom of the press, until you do what journalists have always done in the past and challenge the government narrative. If you do this, you lose your status and free-speech protections as a journalist and the government rebrands you as a conspiracy theorist, making you vulnerable to arrest."

(Related: Some believe that in less than five years from now, nearly half of all human skills will be replaced by AI.)

AI-powered tyranny

It is important to note that Shroyer's conviction came with a declaration that he is not really a journalist, but rather a "conspiracy theorist." This somehow legitimizes, in the eyes of the state, that Shroyer should not be a free man.

The way the police state is able to nab these people so quickly and with such seeming ease has to do with how the AI-powered control grid is watching them both in real-life and online.

"For more than five years now, journalists and citizen journalists alike have seen Big Tech censor and bury their work behind unfavorable algorithms," Hohmann explains. "Some have even been banned or suspended from social media platforms."

"But now the globalists are taking their war against the truth to a new level. They are going for the kill shots by having journalists and citizen truthtellers actually arrested and removed from society altogether ... In short, real journalists, people who question the facts and narratives provided by those in positions of power and authority, are being banned."

The directives that have unleashed such tyranny across the U.S. seem to come from higher-up sources such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Both of these entities have said that their top priority in 2024 and beyond is to stamp out "disinformation," at least as they define the term.

WEF founder Klaus Schwab continues to brag about how he has "penetrated the cabinets" of Justin Trudeau's regime in Canada, as well as Emmanuel Macron's in France via his WEF Young Global Leaders program. (Related: Did you know that Ivanka Trump attended the Young Global Leader program at the WEF in 2015?)

The latest news about the shift away from humans towards AI can be found at Transhumanism.news.

Sources for this article include:

LeoHohmann.substack.com

NaturalNews.com

WinePressNews.com
How Operation Mockingbird, an undercover CIA initiative, manipulated public perception through the media

Fox News host Jesse Watters recently shed light on Operation Mockingbird, an undercover Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) initiative aimed at manipulating public perception through the media.

This operation involved the infiltration of journalists and informants into prominent U.S. media outlets, to advance the federal government's viewpoints and political agendas. (Related: MEDIA MARCHING ORDERS: White House orders media to cover up Joe Biden's corruption bombshells.)

"Langley was laundering narratives to the press and into the public's veins," Watters remarked, emphasizing the extensive influence of the CIA on the media landscape. According to Watters, at least 22 American news organizations, including the New York Times, Life magazine and CBS, had individuals on the CIA payroll, serving as conduits for disseminating disinformation, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

The discussion on Operation Mockingbird was sparked by a recent acknowledgment from the New York Times, which acknowledged the existence of a "Deep State" networka term often used to describe a clandestine group of government and media personnel working to undermine elected officials or promote specific agendas.

The newspaper portrayed this network positively, suggesting it played a beneficial role within the federal government.

Watters also referenced the 1975 Church Committee hearings, a significant moment when the public became aware of Operation Mockingbird's existence.

During these hearings, William Colby, the outgoing CIA director at the time, testified about the agency's efforts to embed assets within major media outlets, revealing details that shocked the American public.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

This revisitation of Operation Mockingbird by Fox News underscores ongoing concerns about the relationship between the media and government agencies.

It raises doubts about the integrity of news organizations and highlights the potential for covert operations to influence public discourse and opinion. These discussions echo historical instances where the line between journalism and state influence became increasingly blurred.

The clandestine American endeavor unfolded during the early years of the Cold War.

This covert project aimed to sway the influence of major media outlets by enlisting and compensating news organizations and journalists. These individuals essentially acted as undercover operatives for their country, utilizing propaganda and subversion tactics.

Ramifications of Operation Mockingbird may still resonate within the media realm

Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, wrote that Operation Mockingbird was indeed a real initiative orchestrated by the CIA in the late 1940s. Without veering into conspiracy territory, Kennedy said the ramifications of Operation Mockingbird may still resonate within the media realm.

One can only fathom the level of distrust that arose when this covert scheme was exposed to the public. Suddenly, friends and colleagues were revealed to be operating against the very principles of journalism they purported to uphold.

It's akin to the fallout experienced when journalists like Stephen Glass are unmasked. The public's already fragile trust in journalists is further eroded when impostors and wrongdoers are uncovered among the hardworking ranks.

What the government perhaps failed to consider at the time were the enduring effects of planting deceptive journalists to advance their agendas.

Who can forget the early 2000s debacle surrounding government-controlled information regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq? It seemed as though no alternative sources were investigating the matter. Despite mounting suspicions, it took years before a comprehensive investigation was conducted, revealing the truth  there were no WMDs.

When the sole source of information is the entity under scrutiny, verifying facts becomes an arduous task. One would hope that in the aftermath of a major scandal like Operation Mockingbird, measures would be implemented to circumvent gatekeeping and ensure governmental transparency.

However, the Iraqi War/WMD saga suggested otherwise  it appeared that no lessons from Operation Mockingbird had been internalized or applied. The media is often referred to as the unofficial fourth branch of government for a reason. Yet, when efforts are made to impede press freedom, trust is fractured across the board.

Watch this video discussing the media's claim that Trump wants a "bloodbath."

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Media outlets blame innocent American VICTIM for being murdered by an illegal alien.

Media now blaming COVID jab-related heart attacks and strokes on CLIMATE CHANGE.

Media heavily reported on Alexei Navalnys death, but completely ignored Gonzalo Liras death  HERE'S WHY.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Ereleases.com

Brighteon.com
SXSW accused of using copyright, trademark claims to suppress criticism of its ties to the military weapons industry

South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual conference and music festival in Austin, is facing backlash after it was revealed that the popular event has ties to arms manufacturers that supply weapons to Israel.

When news about the event's Israel ties broke headlines, SXSW did not respond directly to the claims. Instead, its organizers started waging war on critics using copyright and trademark claims to try to suppress their speech.

SXSW is reportedly unleashing legal hell against Austin for Palestine Coalition, a local advocacy group that is organizing protests against SXSW through social media using an altered version of the SXSW logo.

The altered logo being used by Austin for Palestine Coalition features jets stained with blood and other images that mimic the event's official logo, but that are juxtaposed with symbols like bombs and bleeding doves to highlight the innocents in Gaza that are being slaughtered amid Israel's war on Hamas.

Rather than make any kind of statement about Austin for Palestine Coalition's point, SXSW instead took the legal route by sending a cease-and-desist letter to the advocacy group claiming trademark and copyright infringement while demanding the removal of all posts.

Instagram got involved as well, issuing a notice to Austin for Palestine Coalition that a claim was filed on their posts.

(Related: Remember back in 2018 when Steven Crowder crashed SXSW's "gender fluid" panel by self-identifying as a computer man, complete with "beep, beep" noises?)

EFF says no copyright infringement took place

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which evaluates cases like these and has taken on this particular one, SXSW's copyright infringement claims against Austin for Palestine Coalition are baseless.

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.

"Fundamental elements like their arrow logo do not qualify for copyright protection. Even if SXSW's allegations targeted the group's adaptation of their promotional style, such mimicry is arguably not eligible for copyright protection," EFF said.

EFF sent a letter to SXSW explaining that the event's allegations are "groundless," adding that SXSW needs to "immediately retract the claim you lodged with Instagram and any you have submitted elsewhere."

"The graphics identified in your claims were created by Austin for Palestine as an act of political protest aimed at SXSW  expression that lies at the very heart of the First Amendment," EFF added.

"Austin for Palestine's political message is conveyed in part through parody of SXSW's marketing materials, a mode of expression that Congress and the courts have been careful to protect from overzealous copyright and trademark enforcement."

The EFF letter goes on to explain to SXSW that its trademark claim "fails at the threshold level" because the Lanham Act strictly regulates commercial speech, "not pure political expression" which is what Austin for Palestine Coalition is doing.

"Even if the Lanham Act did apply here, use of a trademark is not infringing unless it is likely to confuse consumers. Your February 23 email does not explain the basis for your trademark allegations, but we will assume for purposes of this letter that they refer to Austin for Palestine's parodies of SXSW's arrow logo ..."

"No reasonable consumer would interpret Austin for Palestine's renditions of the arrow logo  which add fighter jets and details evoking of blood splatter  as indicating that SXSW produced, sponsored, or endorsed graphics criticizing its own business practices. Indeed, courts readily recognize that successful parodies

carry little risk of consumer confusion. Without a likelihood of consumer confusion, there is no infringement."

EFF emphasized once again in its letter that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the use of trademarks "in expressive works so long as the use of the mark is relevant to the work and not explicitly misleading."

The latest news about the establishment's assault on free speech can be found at FirstAmendment.news.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

NaturalNews.com

ReclaimTheNet.org
Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy of the Brikama Magistrate's Court has on Wednesday, 27th March 2024 issued a bench warrant order for the arrest of Alasana Janneh, a staff of the Gambia College accused of abducting a college student.

Alasana Janneh, the accused person, is an administrative assistant at the college. He is charged with abduction contrary to section 124 of the Criminal Code and Assault contrary to section 228 of the Criminal Code. The alleged incident happened on the 19th of September 2023 at the Brikama Campus. The victim is a student at the college (name withheld).

He failed to appear in court for three (3) times. Assistant Superintendent Buteh Sawaneh for the Inspector General of Police asked the court to revoke the bail of the accused person and for the court to issue an arrest warrant against him

ASP Sawaneh told the Court that the Accused Person failed to appear in December 2023 and on the 29th February 2024. He stressed that the charge is a serious offence and the accused person should be compelled to appear. Prosecutor Sawaneh added that he does not know whether he is in the country at the moment.

"We want the accused Mr. Alasana Janneh be arrested and kept in Mile 2 Prison so that we can have a speedy trial otherwise he may leave the jurisdiction of the country, and if sure, the sureties will bear the burden of his action which wouldn't be fair to them because they are innocent in the matter," he said.

Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy in her ruling granted the application of the prosecution saying it has merit and adjourned the case to 18th April 2024.
U.K. museum claims birds are queer, dinosaurs were LGBTQ

Literature from the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery in Britain has come under scrutiny for disseminating inaccurate information, particularly regarding animal behavior and historical contexts. The museum-endorsed guide, authored by the Hastings Queer History Collective, contains misleading assertions

One such claim suggests that certain bird species, like pheasants, exhibit "queer" behavior by changing sex from female to male.

"Despite queer behavior in the animal kingdom being observed as far back as the 18th century, it is often ignored or hidden from the public. One example is of female pheasants changing their sex when they stop laying eggs and turn their brown feathers into the brightly colored feathering typical of males," the guide states. "Pheasants feature in some of the earliest European studies of queer behavior in animals. With queerness visible in the natural world, the argument that it is somehow 'unnatural' begins to unravel."

However, this assertion is scientifically unfounded. Dr. Emma Hilton, a development biologist, has dismissed these claims, clarifying that birds, including pheasants, do not possess the ability to change sex. "Often in the process of aging, female animals can produce male features as a result of hormonal changes, we can also see this in humans following menopause, but we would not say that older women had changed sex if they have a bit of a moustache," Hilton explained.

Additionally, the guide implies that dinosaurs may have had an LGBTQ history, citing a fossilized dinosaur footprint alongside a personal anecdote about the individual who discovered it. "We cannot comment on the sexuality of the dinosaur who made this footprint, but we do know that the 11-year-old boy who found it is now grown up, happily married to his husband Greg in a pink house in Hastings," it states.

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.

Museum makes questionable historical assertions

Moreover, the guide makes questionable historical assertions, such as attributing the destruction of ancient gender systems to eighteenth-century colonialism. It erroneously suggests the existence of a "third gender" in Japan called "wakashu," when, in fact, wakashu referred to adolescent boys in Japanese society.

It says that children starting puberty in ancient Japan were deemed a different gender and entered into a sexual relationship with adult masters, without indicating that this is pedophilia, not some kind of transgender history. While there were cultural nuances regarding sexuality during the Edo period, it does not align with the characterization presented in the guide.

Without presenting any proof, the guide also claims that important personalities and cultures in the past have a "queer history" and believed in a "third gender."

Moreover, the guide claims that some Greek gods were bisexual. It said King William II was certainly gay because he was a little feminine and had no wife or children, and that an 11th century Archbishop had "queer sensibilities" and might be "considered a defender of gay rights."

Overall, the dissemination of inaccurate information in the museum's literature raises concerns about the accuracy and credibility of its educational resources. It underscores the importance of ensuring that information presented to the public is rigorously fact-checked and grounded in verifiable evidence.

Visit GenderConfused.com for more stories like this.

Watch this video that talks about whether dinosaurs are a product of evolution or a creation.

This video is from the END THE GLOBAL RESET channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Georgian MP introduces bill that seeks to ban LGBT propaganda and indoctrination efforts (most of which target youth).

Obama denounces "profoundly misguided" bans on sexually explicit and pro-LGBT books from public school libraries.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

HMAG.org.uk

Brighteon.com
What is happening in Haiti will come here too

The kind of rampant civil unrest that has thrown Haiti into turmoil will happen in the United States and other wealthy western nations too. At this point, it is just a matter of time. Here in the United States, we have been adding millions upon millions of extremely desperate people on top of the millions upon millions of extremely desperate people that we already had. Politicians in major cities such as New York and Chicago openly admit that they cant possibly take any more migrants because the social services available for them have been completely overwhelmed, but more migrants just keep coming anyway. We are creating an extremely explosive environment, and the pressure that is coming in 2024 and beyond could push things over the edge.

(Article republished from TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com)

If you want an idea of what is coming, just look at what is happening in Haiti right now. Following years of disastrous policies, the entire nation has descended into a state of chaos

The Republic of Haiti has been sliding toward failed state status for much of the 21st Century, but over the past few weeks, the collapse escalated at a blistering pace. Following the assassination of president Jovenel Moise in 2021, the prime minister and acting president Ariel Henry has failed to control the gang violence wreaking havoc on the capital, Port-au-Prince. With gangs now controlling as much as 80 percent of the city, Henry traveled to Guyana in February to sign a treaty allowing a contingent of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to patrol Port-au-Prince. But after the gangs shut down the airport and released thousands from prison, Henry was forced to announce his resignation from exile  and delay the police force deployment that could help bring order to the capital.

It would be hard to overstate how nightmarish conditions have become in Haiti.

One British news source is comparing the current state of affairs to the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max

Haiti has been compared to the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max as gang chaos continues. Gang leaders are still fighting despite absentee Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreeing to resign last week. With Haitians awaiting the formation of a Transitional Governing Council that is set to take power before elections are held, gangs looted aid supplies over the weekend. UNICEF said containers with essential items for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, including resuscitators and related equipment were snared by gangs in the capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday.

Apparently the Biden administration decided that it would be a good idea to open the floodgates for those that wish to leave Haiti and come here.

According to the Washington Examiner, so far the Department of Homeland Security has helped to relocate more than 130,000 migrants from Haiti in dozens of U.S. cities

The Department of Homeland Security has guided over 130,000 illegal immigrants from gang-ravaged Haiti into dozens of unidentified American cities, but it wont say where. Many of the 133,000 arrived in just one city that the Biden administration wont identify, according to a federal report reviewed by the Center for Immigration Studies. The Washington-based CIS, which backs ending illegal immigration, said that many immigrants flew themselves to the unidentified cities, while others arrived through land ports only to be released to wherever they wanted to go.

Of course a lot more are heading our way.

Read more at: TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com
10 People arrested, others escape as another boatload of illegal immigrants washes up in California

Ten migrants who jumped off a boat that washed ashore in California yesterday and attempted to flee have been arrested , according to Customs and Border Protection's San Diego Air and Marine branch. However, several other illegals on the same boat are still believed to be at large.

The boat washed ashore in Solana Beach, making landfall just before 7 a.m. It can be seen in video footage landing on the shore; several people can then be seen running away from the shore toward the bluffs. It is not known how many people escaped.

Authorities have seized both the boat and a vehicle nearby that is believed to have been involved in attempting to smuggle the individuals into the country.

A similar incident took place last month, when a resident of La Jolla filmed a speedboat filled with illegal immigrants landing in the neighborhood's beach. The migrants disembarked and fled into a nearby wealthy seaside village. Around eight men can be seen jumping out of the boat, storming the beach and then running into the village and scattering. The resident said he was recording waves with his GoPro camera when the boat took him by surprise, and he feared the migrants may have been armed.

La Jolla is 10 miles north of downtown San Diego and 23 miles north of the southern border.

San Diego has become a popular landing spot for migrants arriving by boat. A mass release last month flooded San Diego with around 1,500 migrants, who were left at a bus stop in the border neighborhood of San Ysidro after a nearby migrant processing center suddenly closed.

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.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond (R-Oceanside) said: "Weve got a legal system in place, where people can apply online throughout the world, they can go to an embassy, they can come in with dignity, without having to cross through a fence or go through a river.

And right now, what were allowing to happen is, were allowing people who just walk across the border to jump ahead of the line. And I dont blame them for doing it if were allowing it to happen. Why apply legally, if you can just jump ahead of the line?"

Between September and November of last year, border authorities dropped off more than 42,000 migrants on the streets of San Diego without any assistance or direction, according to a report by the San Diego Tribune. However, these numbers do not factor in those who arrived by boat and fled into the United States.

Retired Border Patrol officer feels like "entire career was for nothing"

A retired longtime Border Patrol officer, Mike Syzdek, recently told The Daily Signal that the many sacrifices he made during his career to keep the nations border secure were all for nothing because of President Joe Bidens open borders policy.

He said: I think of all the agents, myself included, who were injured on the job and agents who were killed  only to find out that everything was for nothing.

He estimated that, in his entire career, he has caught 20,000 illegal aliens, but that is just a drop in the bucket compared to the 10 million who have been let in recently, making him feel like his entire career was for nothing.

Not only has it never been easier for illegals to enter the U.S., but they are also being rewarded for doing so. A pilot program in New York City that cost taxpayers $53 million involves giving illegals MasterCards loaded with $1400, while the state of Michigan is giving residents $500 a month to house illegals in their homes. In some parts of the country, these individuals are also taking advantage of squatters rights laws that enable them to occupy empty homes that don't belong to them and live there indefinitely without paying a cent.

Sources for this article include:

Modernity.news

FoxNews.com 1

FoxNews.com 2
Florida passes law banning social media for children under 14 years old

Florida has passed a law banning children under 14 years old from having social media accounts regardless of parental consent

Under the law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, social media corporations must close accounts used by minors under 14 as well as cancel accounts at the request of parents or minors. All information from the locked accounts must then be deleted.

Minors who are 14 or 15 will be able to acquire a social media account with parental consent. Accounts already belonging to teens within that age range must be deleted if parents do not give their consent.

"Being buried in those devices all day is not the best way to grow up  it's not the best way to get a good education," Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Monday, March 25, during an event to celebrate the signing of the bill, known as House Bill 3 (HB 3), the "Online Protection for Minors" Law.

Companies violating the law would be accountable for up to $50,000 per violation

Companies that fail to delete the existing accounts of those under 14 could be sued on behalf of the child who makes an account on the platform.

The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in damages. Corporations determined to violate the law would also be accountable for up to $50,000 per violation, including attorney's fees and court costs.

"Ultimately, [we're] trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids, and so I appreciate the work that's been put in," DeSantis stated. He earlier vetoed a more prohibitive version of the bill that would have banned social media accounts for children under 16.

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.

HB 3 called for Florida residents to submit an ID or other identifying materials to join social media. This comes as attempts to control social media continue to build up across the United States amidst concerns from several parents that the platforms don't do enough to keep their children safe online.

Supporters of the law have pointed to new studies connecting social media use among young adults to a greater risk of depression and mental health challenges. It can also make them susceptible to online bullying and predators. (Related: Social media use linked to TEENAGE DEPRESSION, warn mental health experts.)

"A child, in their brain development, doesn't have the ability to know that they're being sucked into these addictive technologies and to see the harm and step away from it. And because of that, we have to step in for them," said Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.

In answer to the law, TikTok said it has policies to protect teens and will continue to work to keep the platform safe.

Critics warn that the Florida state government's attempt to control who uses social media is an example of government overreach. NetChoice VP and general counsel Carl Szabo said the Florida law "forces Floridians to hand over sensitive personal information to websites or lose their access to critical information channels," adding "this infringes on Floridians' First Amendment rights to share and access speech online."

"There are better ways to keep Floridians, their families and their data safe and secure online without violating their freedoms," Szabo added.

Florida expects to be sued over the recent law, but Renner is confident it will endure any legal scrutiny. "We're gonna beat them, and were never, ever gonna stop," Renner said.

Watch the video below about the dangers of online social media on children featured in the documentary "Childhood 2.0."

This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Meta intentionally got children and teens ADDICTED to social media to exploit them for profit.

New York lawmakers propose new bills to mitigate the negative impact of social media on minors.

Social media influencers pushing ASSISTED SUICIDE on children: "It's OK to pass away today."

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

WSJ.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Whats unfolding right now in Michigan proves the Great Replacement theory is real, and its happening today

The skeptics who brushed off the Great Replacement Theory as nothing more than fearmongering and a baseless conspiracy are having to eat a lot of crow today. Now, this isnt a moment for us to take a victory lap.

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

When they tell you that the great replacement is a wild conspiracy theory, watch this. ?????? pic.twitter.com/eh0m2F71Lr  David Vance (@DVATW) March 21, 2024

Instead, its a chilling wake-up call that our government seems hell-bent on sidelining white, working-class voters in favor of illegal immigrants.

The Biden Administration has hauled away materials to finish the Otay Mesa border wall gap. This proves the Great Replacement is 100% fact. Stop calling it a theory.pic.twitter.com/q7Ct8eyxfB  Silver and Cold (@SilverAndColdX) March 23, 2024

And theres no clearer evidence of this agenda at play than whats happening right now in Michigan. The states Newcomer Renter Subsidy policy is unfolding as a textbook case of the Replacement Theory turning into a stark reality.

This whole setup is essentially a gimmick where eligible households are offered up to $500 of taxpayer money each month to accommodate newcomersa term used for what are, actually, illegals. What were really seeing here is American tax dollars being handed over to non-Americans. Its a globalist strategy thats choking the life out of the middle class. As it stands now, were on a collision course, where were bankrolling our own demise. This kind of policy isnt just misguided; its a direct hit to the principle of putting Americans first. Its the exact opposite of what were fighting for, and thats why theyre pushing it.

This is the Newcomer Rental Subsidy in Michigan. They don't care about Americans. It's all about finding new replacement voters. pic.twitter.com/XCGr57wqEn  Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) March 26, 2024

Heres what Michigan.gov has to say about this new program:

Eligibility and Immigration Status A beneficiary must have an eligible immigration status as defined by the Office of Refugee Resettlement which includes: Refugees

Asylees

Special Immigration Visa (SIV)

Victims of Human Trafficking

Cuban and Haitian entrants

Afghan Nationals, and

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees. Other immigration statuses include individuals who arrived under the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) program; individuals who arrived under the Family Reunification Parole Process for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia, individuals with a pending asylum application, and other immigrant individuals on a case-by-case scenario.

Tucker was right. The Great Replacement Theory is happening now. We can all see it with our own eyes.

? The All-In Pod Reacts to Tucker Carlsons Theory on the Border Crisis Democrats will say this and say its a good thing but then when someone like Tucker says it, theyll say its Great Replacement Theory, its a conspiracy, its racistNo, hes basically saying the same pic.twitter.com/4DxH5873tU  Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 26, 2024

These days, it seems like anyone invading our border gets slapped with a refugee tag or placed in the pending asylum category. Its turned into a massive free-for-all, and heres the kicker: the US government wants you to play host to their new left-wing voting bloc. Oh, and theyre willing to toss you $500 a month for your troubles. Its as if theyre not just opening the doors wide but also putting out a red carpet welcome mat with our money.

Read more at: Revolver.news
Ivermectin can kill cancer cells and boost immune response, suggest health experts

Ivermectin was used as an alternative treatment amid the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and now researchers are saying that the drug can also help fight cancer by boosting immune response

Rick Alderson, a retired sawmill worker, was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in November 2020. He endured agonizing pain in his bowels for months. After a consultation, a gastroenterologist discovered a large tumor in his rectum. Alderson and his wife were told that he only had six months to live.

Eve Alderson, Rick's wife, said that his oncologist saw him as "a dead man walking." Other doctors were against starting Alderson on treatment because of his age and the severity of his cancer, but the couple didn't want to give up.

Alderson started with 10 rounds of radiation therapy. Initially, his carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a marker for tumor activity, was significantly elevated at 480 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).

One month later, he started chemotherapy. After that, his CEA levels skyrocketed to 1,498 ng/mL. By the time Alderson started treatment, his colon cancer had metastasized and spread to his liver. The latter had 25 tumors.

In an interview with The Cancer Box, a cancer diagnosis blog, Alderson shared that he started researching preventative medication, which led him to ivermectin.

Further research suggested that ivermectin could likely enhance the effectiveness of his chemotherapy and radiation therapy, with data also showing that the medication was relatively safe.

In February 2021, Alderson started taking ivermectin. Ten days later, his CEA levels had gone down to 184 ng/mL. By April 7, it was 20.7, and by April 21, it had dropped to only 13.9 ng/mL.

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By midsummer, Alderson's CEA levels had decreased into the normal range. Out of the 25 tumors in his liver, only three remained. (Related: FDA is NOT a physician: Appeals court sides with doctors on the use of ivermectin for COVID-19.)

Alderson lived for two more blessed years before succumbing to liver failure due to the progression of his three remaining liver tumors.

His wife was grateful, adding that his survival beyond his grim prognosis was because of his success with ivermectin and fluorouracil, a chemotherapy drug.

Ivermectin has several anti-cancer effects

Dr. Alfonso Duenas-Gonzalez, an oncologist and senior researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, explained that there are at least nine "perfectly defined cancer targets affected by ivermectin."

The first reports of ivermectins anti-cancer properties were released in 1995. At the time, two French researchers discovered that the Nobel Prize-winning anti-parasite drug ivermectin could reverse multidrug resistance in tumors.

Ivermectin targets tumor stem cells, a driver of cancer tumors and relapses, and promotes cancer death. The drug was also found to boost the effects of chemo and radiation therapy.

Ivermectin has a broad impact on the immune system, particularly boosting immune offense against cancers. Additionally, it inhibits cancer cell cycles, helping prevent the formation of new cancer cells.

Ivermectin also promotes the killing of cancer cells by inducing mitochondrial stress. It also helps prevent cancer survival by preventing new blood vessels that transport energy and fuel to cancers from forming near cancer cells.

Even though several studies have shown that ivermectin has impressive potential as an anti-cancer drug, only a handful of clinical studies have examined the use of ivermectin for cancer.

In a Japanese study, scientists observed three patients with different cancers, breast, bone and lung cancer, who were taking a combination of ivermectin and other drugs, including an anti-cancer hormonal therapy.

Ivermectin was added last in the therapeutic combination for two of the patients. Their doctors observed considerable improvements in their symptoms.

After ivermectin was added, the study authors reported that "all the symptoms were relieved" in one patient.

As for the other patient, he was prescribed ivermectin with other drugs. After one treatment cycle, he was well enough to walk to the clinic by himself.

Ivermectin may help boost immunity

Dr. Peter P. Lee, the chair of immuno-oncology at the City of Hope, is also a leading researcher in the U.S. on ivermectin as an immunotherapeutic drug for cancer.

Conventional anti-cancer therapeutics like chemotherapy and radiation therapy focus on damaging the DNA of cancer cells and killing them. Unfortunately, these treatments also kill a patient's immune cells and suppress their immune system.

Immunotherapy, on the other hand, is a relatively new form of anti-cancer therapy that enhances the body's immune system to fight cancer. And even though some immunotherapies have broad immune-strengthening effects, the most commonly used ones only focus on a specific subset of the immune system.

According to Lee, ivermectin can kill cancer cells and drive the host immune response, or immunogenic cell death (ICD).

Lee's research revealed that when animal subjects mice with breast cancer were given ivermectin, immune cells would begin to appear in tumors that previously had none. This process is known as turning "cold" tumors "hot." He explained that patients with hot tumors have "better clinical outcomes with a lower risk for recurrence and live longer."

But during the course of the study, tumors continued to grow in mice given ivermectin alone, suggesting that the drug alone is not enough. Lee suggested that ivermectin could work well with immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD1, an immunotherapy drug.

After the mice were injected with cancer cells again, the animals whose tumors were cleared after this combination therapy no longer formed new tumors. Lee clarified that only ivermectin and pembrolizumab together could completely clear out metastasis and that the former might not be as effective as a stand-alone treatment.

Researchers are studying ivermectin as therapy for different cancer types

Dr. Lee's team has started a clinical trial of ivermectin combined with immunotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. The researchers have also discovered that ivermectin was effective against other types of cancer cells, suggesting that additional patients may participate in future trials.

The interaction of the two therapies could be due to "a highly complex process dependent on timing, dosage and drug combinations."

Lee said that ivermectin could be "a very powerful drug in the context of really carefully developed immunotherapy combinations."

Dr. Kathleen Ruddy, a breast cancer surgeon who trained at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, started studying ivermectin after three patients she consulted with experienced a notable improvement in their condition after taking the drug with other adjunctive therapeutics.

The first patient had stage 4 prostate cancer. The cancer came on abruptly, and after trying all possible treatments within nine months, his doctors announced that he only had three weeks left to live.

The first patient started taking ivermectin with other nutraceuticals. Within two months, his prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a potential marker for prostate tumor, became insignificant.

After six months, the patient's metastatic lesions started to disappear. In less than one year, Ruddy reported that the first patient was well enough to go dancing for hours three nights a week.

The same was observed in the two other patients.

Ruddy, who has been a cancer surgeon for over 30 years, was impressed because she had never observed this in one patient, let alone three in succession.

There are also doctors who have been treating cancer using ivermectin, with varying degrees of success.

Dr. Duenas-Gonzalez, a doctor based in Mexico, has prescribed ivermectin at his private clinic. He said that many of his patients also received chemotherapy treatments and that some saw reductions in their tumor marks after they were given ivermectin.

According to Ruddy, ivermectin has had some degree of anti-cancer effect in every cancer type it has been tested on.

Findings from Duenas-Gonzalez's research have suggested that at least 26 different cancer cell lines, including bladder, breast, colon, esophageal, glioblastoma, kidney, liver, lungs, lymphoma, ovarian, pancreas, prostate, stomach and uterus, respond to ivermectin in laboratory studies.

Visit IvermectinScience.com for more stories about the potential benefits of ivermectin.

Watch the video below to learn more about the doctor who sued the FDA for ivermectin misinformation.

This video is from the True Conservative Minutes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

12 Potent ANTICANCER agents found in edible plants.

Ivermectin helped people RECOVER FASTER from COVID-19 infections, study finds.

FDA settles ivermectin lawsuit, agrees to delete posts discouraging its use against COVID-19.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

TAndFOnline.com

Brighteon.com
Obama-appointed judge dismisses lawsuit against D.C.s non-citizen local election participation law which allows illegals to vote and run for office

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Washington, D.C. law that permits noncitizen participation in local elections

In May 2023, seven American citizen voters represented by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE) and the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.

The law, which was passed by the D.C. Council in 2022, removed the citizenship requirement for voting in local elections provided that these noncitizens met all other requirements for voting, such as being over 18 and having lived in the district for at least 30 days. (Related: New York Citys noncitizen voting law struck down as unconstitutional.)

No distinction was made on whether or not their migration status is legal, which means that anyone from undocumented immigrants to staff members of the more than 170 foreign embassies in D.C. could not only vote in local elections but also run for D.C. government roles and serve on boards.

"It follows from our national independence that United States citizens have a right to govern, and be governed by themselves," the plaintiffs stated in their complaint, arguing that noncitizens lack the fundamental right to vote, citing Supreme Court precedents that support their claim.

The IRLI filed a petition to Congress seeking an injunction to halt the implementation of the law and prevent the DCBOE from registering noncitizens to vote or counting their votes. Additionally, the IRLI argues that the law breaches both the equal protection and due process clauses of the Fifth Amendment by allowing noncitizens to vote, which "dilutes the vote of every U.S. citizen voter in the District."

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However, Senior Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia argued against the plaintiffs, dismissing the case.

In a 12-page opinion, Jackson, appointed by former President Barack Obama, said the IRLI's case lacked grounds because the complaint "does not include facts showing plaintiffs' right to vote has been denied, that they have been subjected to discrimination or inequitable treatment or denied opportunities when compared to another group or that their rights as citizens have been 'subordinated merely because of [their] father's country of origin.'"

"In sum, plaintiffs have not alleged that they have personally been subjected to any sort of disadvantage as individual voters by virtue of the fact that noncitizens are permitted to vote, too," Jackson wrote.

"They may object as a matter of policy to the fact that immigrants get to vote at all, but their votes will not receive less weight or be treated differently than noncitizens' votes," she continued. "They are not losing representation in any legislative body; nor have citizens as a group been discriminatorily gerrymandered, 'packed' or 'cracked' to divide, concentrate or devalue their votes. At (the) bottom, they are simply raising a generalized grievance, which is insufficient to confer standing."

IRLI vows to appeal case's dismissal

In response, Christopher Hajec, IRLI director of litigation, vowed to appeal the federal judge's decision.

"This case is only just beginning. It was always going to be decided at a higher level than a U.S. district court. We will appeal this flawed and limited decision to the D.C. Circuit, and ask that court to decideas the district court refused even to considerwhether American citizens have a right to govern themselves and what that right entails," said Hajec.

"The very notion of our nation's independence is threatened by this law and others like it. The sovereignty of the people  and that means citizens  is basic to our theory of democratic self-rule, as the Supreme Court has held again and again. We seek a precedent spelling that out at the highest level," he added.

Dale Wilcox, the executive director of IRLI, also echoed similar concerns. He argued that such laws could pave the way for noncitizens to vote in statewide and federal elections.

Learn more about voter fraud and attempts to secure America's elections at VoteFraud.news.

Watch this video showing millions of illegals flooding into America, many of whom could end up voting in elections.

This video is from the EARTH SHAKING NEWS channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Sen. Bill Hagerty accuses Democrats of plotting to use illegals to gain more congressional seats.

Coming soon: Noncitizens to outvoted Americans as San Francisco names first noncitizen as election official.

Rep. Chip Roy introduces bill cracking down on illegal immigrants voting in federal elections.

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:

YourNews.com

TheHill.com

DemocracyDocket.com

Washington.org

MSN.com

Brighteon.com
Putin promises to DESTROY all those U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets piloted by Ukrainian soldiers

Any United States-made F-16 fighter jets that are spotted making their way into Ukraine in the coming days, or that are being piloted by Ukrainian soldiers anywhere in the world, are open game for Russia to destroy them, warned Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.

After several NATO member states announced that they would be donating F-16s to Kyiv in order to get Ukrainian pilots trained to fly them, Putin put the world on notice that he would not allow this to happen under his watch.

So far, no F-16s have arrived in Kyiv, but it is expected that some soon will. Because the aircraft can be equipped with nuclear weapons, something the West has already warned they would be, Putin is getting ahead of their delivery with a serious warning about the escalation that will ensure once they arrive.

"If they deliver the F-16s, I think you know better than others that this will not change the situation on the battlefield," Putin said. "And we will destroy these planes just as we have destroyed tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems."

Even U.S.-made F-16s that are piloted by Ukrainian soldiers in countries outside of Ukraine are legitimate targets, Putin further emphasized.

"Of course, if they are used from airfields of third countries, they become a legitimate target for us, wherever they are located."

Putin delivered these ominous words during a visit to Torzhok air base in Russia's Tver Region, which is home to the 344th Training Center for Russian combat pilots. Personnel at Torzhok are being trained to participate in the Ukraine conflict.

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.

(Related: Putin just put the world's globalist "elite" on notice that their time is up: "The vampire ball is over.")

F-16s a no-go for Putin

Russia knows full well that the F-16, designed in the 1970s, is fully equipped to carry nuclear weapons, hence why Putin delivered the warning. It is also known by Russia that Kyiv has all but depleted its entire air force over the past two years, including several Soviet-era jets that were donated by NATO members as replacements for other lost equipment.

Ukraine's loss of its air force prompted the Zelensky regime to beg the U.S.-led bloc for a fleet of F-16s, which are single-engine fighter jets originally manufactured by General Dynamics before that company was acquired by Lockheed Martin.

To safely take off and land, the F-16 requires pristine runways, which are in very short supply in Ukraine. Because of this, some, including Putin, speculate that the jets will be operated by Ukrainian soldiers in nearby NATO countries instead of in Ukraine.

"Hitting these aircraft on foreign territories will trigger Article 5," one commenter warned about Putin's statements. "Hitting the aircraft over Ukrainian airspace will not."

"That is true! Which is why the founders of NATO need to be very cautious in how far they provoke Russia," responded another. "Russia, like any nation, has a right to defend itself. If that invokes Article 5, then we are all soon to be piles of radioactive ash."

Another wrote that he had sent a letter to his senators and representatives urging them to stop these reckless provocations now as they would only lead to World War III.

"There is only one way to stop it, and that is to stop these reckless provocations now," the commenter's letter reads in part.

"Does the senator support an end to this war on Russia? Or, does he support expanding it into WWIII? If he supports WWIII, I think he owes his constituents an explanation beyond the typical 'Good Guy fighting Bad Guy' nonsense."

As things continue to heat up on the world stage, we will keep you informed about the latest at WWIII.news.

Sources include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
RFK Jr. destroys candidacy with far-left VP pick

It seems as though Robert F. Kennedy Jr. does not actually want to win the 2024 election, this after he chose a criminal justice reform advocate by the name of Nicole Shanahan to be his vice president.

Shanahan has donated thousands of dollars to the campaign of Joe Biden and other Democrats, and she has also been recognized for her endorsement of leftist-aligned "criminal justice" initiatives.

A 2021 issue of San Francisco Magazine lauded Shanahan for her noteworthy contribution to Los Angeles County's Measure J, which amended "the County charter, requiring at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue (to) be reinvested into community development and alternatives to incarceration."

Measure J also, by the way, prohibits "using funds for carceral systems and law enforcement agencies."

San Francisco Magazine's profile of Shanahan also mentions Black Lives Matter (BLM), stressing that Shanahan was involved in similar such things "long before the Black Lives Matter movement."

"Another important area of investment  criminal justice reform  is one that Shanahan has been devoted to for years," the article explains.

"I'm happy that I could be a major donor for Measure J in Los Angeles County, which was voted in and will be rerouting some of the law enforcement budget toward mental and social support services," Shanahan herself is also quoted as saying in the piece.

(Related: Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Kennedy abandoned his free speech principles by calling on college campuses to impose "zero-tolerance policies" for "antisemitism.")

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Shanahan gave $30,000 to Biden's 2020 campaign

According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Shanahan contributed a whopping $30,000 to Joe Biden's 2020 election campaign  you know, the one in which he "won" over Donald Trump under suspicious circumstances.

Shanahan has also contributed to the Democrat fundraising platform ActBlue, as well as to the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Perhaps Kennedy is trying to give the election to Trump with this pick, seeing as how recent polls suggest that the Kennedy campaign is far more beneficial to Trump's campaign than to Biden's.

In several key swing states with Kennedy included in the race, Trump is said to be leading, according to a recent Morning Consult survey. The Biden campaign, meanwhile, is said to be "panicking" over Kennedy's participation in the 2024 presidential race.

The Associated Press (AP) seems to be thrilled with Kennedy's choice of Shanahan as his VP, calling her a "philanthropist" who "is little known outside Silicon Valley."

The current leader of the Bia-Echo Foundation, Shanahan is profiled by the AP as someone who cares about "women's reproductive science," meaning abortion, as well as criminal justice reform and environmental causes, the latter of which is Kennedy's forte.

Shanahan is also a Stanford University fellow who founded and served as chief executive of ClearAccessIP, a patent management firm that was sold in 2020.

Shanahan says she had a tough upbringing in Oakland with a mother who immigrated from China and a father of Irish and German origins who was "plagued by substance abuse" and "struggled to keep a job."

Though she is "very wealthy" now  her own words  Shanahan grew up on government assistance, which she says helps her feel as though she can relate to other Americans who are "just one misfortune away from disaster."

"The purpose of wealth is to help those in need," Shanahan said. "That's what it's for. And I want to bring that back to politics, too. That is the purpose of privilege."

Shanahan is also a vaccine skeptic who suffers from "chronic disease," which she links to "toxic substances in our environment," "electromagnetic pollution" from things like cellphones and childhood vaccines.

The latest news about the 2024 election can be found at BigGovernment.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NaturalNews.com

APNews.com
Turkey detains 147 ISIS-linked suspects following deadly Moscow attack

Turkish authorities have arrested 147 individuals suspected of having ties with ISIS as part of a crackdown following a deadly attack in Moscow last week. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detentions, which were carried out as part of the "BOZDOGAN-17" operation spanning 30 provinces.

Between June 1, 2023, and March 25, 2024, Turkey conducted 1,329 operations against ISIS militants, resulting in the detention of 2,919 suspects. Of these, 692 were arrested, 531 were subjected to judicial control decisions, and legal proceedings are ongoing for 187 individuals.

Yerlikaya emphasized Turkey's ongoing commitment to combating terrorism. "We organize operations 365 days a year, 4 seasons, 12 months, day and night. Our fight against terrorism will continue with determination until the last terrorist is neutralized," he said.

The terrorist attack in Moscow on March 23, where gunmen opened fire at concertgoers in Crocus City Hall, has been claimed by the ISIS affiliate group Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K).

Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack and utilizing militants as proxies, with the death toll reaching 140 as of Wednesday, March 27. (Related: Russian media group head insists ISIS was not behind attack on Moscow concert hall.)

Two of the suspected attackers visited Istanbul

Investigations have revealed that two of the attackers had visited Istanbul from Moscow before the attack to renew their visa-free stay in Russia. Turkish authorities, however, stated that there were no alerts against the suspects, allowing them to freely travel between Turkey and Russia.

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Both gunmen, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda and Shamsidin Fariduni, are of Tajik origin and traveled to Turkey from Russia in February, returning to Moscow on the same flight on March 2. Turkish officials believe that the individuals were radicalized in Russia, given the briefness of their stay in Turkey.

Turkish authorities have conducted a thorough investigation into the militants' activities during their stay and have shared their findings with Moscow.

The attack has already become another battleground in the ongoing information war among Russia, Ukraine and Ukraine's Western allies, including the United States. The circumstances and timing of the attack, along with the alleged perpetrators, have created fertile ground for conspiracy theories.

The assault took place at the Crocus City Hall theater just outside Moscow during a concert by the Russian rock band Piknik.

Gunmen wearing tactical gear and armed with automatic weapons opened fire on concertgoers and set fire to the building. The horrifying videos circulating on social media depict the attackers firing on defenseless individuals crouched on the ground.

With over 100 people wounded, the death toll is expected to rise.

The attack already surpasses the death toll of the 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis, bearing disturbing resemblances to that event. It is likely to be the second-worst terrorist attack in Russian history after the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, which resulted in over 300 deaths.

The Islamic State terrorist network, particularly its Afghan affiliate known as the Islamic State in Khorasan (ISIS-K), has claimed responsibility for the attack. U.S. intelligence officials believe it to be the work of ISIS-K, a claim supported by the release of bodycam footage of the attack by ISIS.

The attack has triggered a flurry of accusations and denials between Russia and Ukraine. While some Russian officials hint at Ukrainian involvement, Ukrainian authorities firmly deny any connection.

The timing of the attack, shortly after Putin's reelection and amid a shift in the rhetoric regarding the conflict in Ukraine, has fueled speculation about its motives and perpetrators.

While there is little evidence to suggest Ukrainian involvement or a false flag operation by Russia, the attack has intensified the ongoing propaganda war between the two countries. It has also drawn attention to the U.S. embassy warning issued earlier, leading to speculation about American involvement in the attack.

Watch this report about the 40 suspected ISIS members detained in Turkey.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia probes Ukraine's possible involvement in concert hall terrorist attack.

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:

TheCradle.co

Vox.com

Brighteon.com
According to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, the Government of the Gambia has been in consultation with the National Assembly to uphold the law prohibiting the practice of FGM in The Gambia.

The anti-FGM law was enacted in 2015 during the Yahya Jammeh regime. The law prohibits FGM practices in the country.

The bill that seeks to repeal the existing law is introduced by Foni Kansala National Assembly Member, Almameh Gibba.

'Despite the government's position to maintain the law, it had to allow the Private Member's Bill to follow the due parliamentary process to demonstrate the government's adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law,' The Genders Ministry stated.

The Women's Amendment Bill 2024 has now been referred to the select committee for further consultation and expert opinion from specialised ministries.

'In its drive to protect the welfare, health and well-being of women and girls, The Gambia will continue social mobilisation at the community level on the health and reproductive health consequences of FGM as well as the human rights violation of the practice,' the Ministry added.

The Ministry reiterates its strong commitment to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls in The Gambia.
Report finds U.S. military violated rules in handling COVID-19 vaccine mandate exemption requests

Different branches of the United States Armed Forces violated their own rules in handling requests for exemptions from the military's Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate.

This is according to a report from the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, which found that both the Army and the Air Force went well over time requirements for processing exemption requests.

In a sampling of 12 religious exemption requests submitted to the Army, the average processing time was 192 days. The Army requirement is to complete reviews for exemption applications within 90 days.

In a sampling of 35 religious accommodation requests submitted to the Air Force, the branch took an average of 168 days to process them despite the branch's requirement being 30 days for processing. (Related: Active-duty and retired military members call for accountability over harms caused by VACCINE MANDATES in open letter.)

"Prolonged delays in addressing requests for religious accommodations could impact a service members job placement and impede the commands ability to make well-informed deployment and assignment choices," said Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch in a statement.

The Navy and Marine Corps generally met timeline requirements, according to the Pentagon Inspector General's investigation. The audit began in early 2022, after Storch received complaints regarding the processing of exemption applications.

Sean O'Donnell, Storch's predecessor, reportedly told Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin later in that year that the military was violating federal law by assessing exemption requests generally, instead of on an individual basis.

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In Storch's report, he said that it "found no evidence of a lack of individual review by the decision authorities" even though it said officials have acknowledged drafting template letters that were often used in denying exemption requests and that some servicemembers were not satisfied with the general nature of the letters.

Of the 116 requests analyzed by the inspector general that had received a decision as of June 2022, just 11 were approved  with nine being approved because the member was due for a voluntary discharge or retirement  while the rest were denied. Authorities said the denials came because they found that vaccination was the least restrictive means to further compelling military interests, an exception to religious freedom allowed in federal law.

Officials with the branches attributed the problem to the spike in exemption requests after the military imposed a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in 2021. The typical three or four requests skyrocketed into the thousands after the mandate was announced.

Less than 400 religious exemptions approved before mandate was rolled back

As of January 2023, when the mandate was pulled because of a new law, more than 16,200 religious exemption requests had been filed. Just 339 had been approved.

Storch issued several recommendations, including that the military improve how it handles the religious exemption request system. The Pentagon said it would work to improve how it handles religious exemption requests during "high-volume" periods such as pandemics.

The watchdog also went over medical exemption requests and found that officials usually approved those exemptions in line with law and policy. The 79 requests analyzed by the inspector general included 73 that were approved correctly.

The watchdog found that the military failed to maintain adequate supporting medical records in those cases, which included requests for temporary or permanent exemptions, and for 13 administrative exemptions.

Army and Air Force officials said theyre not required to keep records for some medical exemptions. According to Army guidance, officials are supposed to "document appropriately" in cases of temporary medical exemptions, and Air Force guidance directs personnel to use specific medical codes for such cases. But military guidance does not require keeping records for administrative exemptions, the inspector general said.

The watchdog recommended defense officials require keeping documents supporting exemptions. A military official agreed with the recommendation.

Watch this video of podcaster and author Bret Weinstein speaking with military whistleblowers about the adverse costs of military vaccine mandates.

This video is from the TruthParadigm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Over 200 servicemembers demand accountability for how COVID-19 vaccine mandates violated their rights.

U.S. servicemen who refused COVID-19 vaccines sue federal government, demand billions of dollars for lost pay.

Former U.S. troops punished for rejecting COVID "vaccination" SUE Biden for billions in lost wages.

U.S. Army now begging UNVAXXED soldiers it once dismissed to return to service.

Vaccine mandate adverse effect: Army falls 25% short of 2022 recruitment goal.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

DocumentCloud.org

Brighteon.com
If you watch the wrong things on YouTube, the Feds could demand that Google reveal your identity

Privacy experts are sounding the alarm about two recent court orders that allowed the federal government to order Google to release private information about users who watched certain unapproved videos and livestreams on YouTube.

According to the orders, the feds demanded information on all viewers of select YouTube videos that Washington says involve criminal activity like the selling of Bitcoin for cash.

Undercover agents spoke with an account called "elonmuskwhm" whom they suspect is breaking money laundering laws around the unlicensed transmitting of money, sending the account links to YouTube tutorials for mapping via drones and augmented reality software. After doing this, the feds petitioned Google for information about everyone who watched the videos, which collectively amassed 30,000 views.

The purpose of this baiting by the feds was to out "elonmuskwhm" via the linked videos by forcing Google to reveal everyone who watched said videos, allowing the feds to narrow down the pool to their target.

"The court orders show the government telling Google to provide the names, addresses, telephone numbers and user activity for all Google account users who accessed the YouTube videos between January 1 and January 8, 2023," reports explain.

"The government also wanted the IP addresses of non-Google account owners who viewed the videos."

(Related: Remember back in 2022 when YouTube unveiled a new certification program for videos containing any type of health information  everything on YouTube must align with WHO dictates or else it could get removed.)

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.

Are police watching you over YouTube?

Federal law enforcement's argument was that it needed this information to finish conducting an "ongoing criminal investigation, including by providing identification information about the perpetrators." Privacy experts, meanwhile, warn that this back-door effort is a privacy invasion of unconstitutional magnitude.

"No one should fear a knock at the door from police simply because of what the YouTube algorithm serves up," said Albert Fox-Cahn, executive director at the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.

The court granted the order anyway, allowing Google to keep it a secret that the feds had asked for this private information. Only after court records were unsealed did the public learn that federal law enforcement is doing this kind of thing, which could put anyone at risk of having their privacy invaded.

In another unrelated case, police investigating an unknown male who supposedly placed an explosive in a trashcan in Portsmouth, N.H. Police utilized a YouTube livestream to watch the trashcan, which apparently happens all the time across America.

Concerning similar such bomb threats, police have reportedly asked Google to provide a list of accounts that "viewed and / or interacted with" eight YouTube livestreams, as well as all associated identifying information during specific timeframes of the livestreams.

One such livestream is called Boston and Maine Live, a YouTube channel with 130,000 subscribers run by IP Time Lapse. Owner Mike McCormack said he is aware of the police order and that it pertains "to swatting incidents directed at the camera views at that time."

"With all law enforcement demands, we have a rigorous process designed to protect the privacy and constitutional rights of our users while supporting the important work of law enforcement," said Google spokesperson Matt Bryant about law enforcement prying into who is watching what on YouTube.

"We examine each demand for legal validity, consistent with developing case law, and we routinely push back against overbroad or otherwise inappropriate demands for user data, including objecting to some demands entirely."

Privacy experts say these law enforcement requests violate the 1st and 4th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which cover free speech and freedom from unreasonable searches.

"It's unconstitutional, it's terrifying, and it's happening every day," warned Fox-Cahn. "I'm horrified that the courts are allowing this."

The latest news about Big Tech censorship and corruption can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Forbes.com

NaturalNews.com
Earthquake is defined as any sudden shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through Earth's rocks.

Seismic waves are produced when some form of energy stored in Earth's crust is suddenly released, usually when masses of rock straining against one another suddenly fracture and "slip."

Experts said earthquakes usually occur along geologic faults, narrow zones where rock masses move in relation to one another.

Here are the most deadly and devastating earthquakes that happened since 1950:

Sumatra, Indonesia (December 26, 2004)

A magnitude 9.1 submarine earthquake occurred along the Indian Ocean subduction zone, which later triggered a massive tsunami that destroyed 800 km of the coastal areas of Aceh Province.

Experts said that there was ah inundation observed as far as 6 km inland.

Authorities bared that post damage and loss assessment had staggering numbers on the calamity that included more than 220,000 human fatalities and the destruction of 139,000 houses, 73,869 hectares of agricultural lands, 2,618 kilometers of roads, 3,415 schools, 104,500 small-medium enterprises, 13,828 fishing boats, 119 bridges, 669 government buildings, and 517 health facilities.

Records have also shown that a total of 1,089 worship places, 22 seaports, and 8 airports and airstrips had been damaged. Further, more than half a million tsunami survivors were internally displaced and hundreds of thousands more had lost their livelihoods.

The epicenter was 250 km southeast of Band Aceh, Indonesia, at a depth of 30 km. Several days later, a mud volcano began erupting near Baratang, Andamar Islands, which was thought to have been associated with the earthquake.

Haiti (January 12, 2010)

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Port au Prince in which an estimated 3,500,000 people were affected by the quake. Authorities said that around 220,000 individuals were killed during the powerful quake while more than 300,000 have been wounded.

Further, more than 188,383 houses were badly damaged and 105,000 were destroyed by the earthquake (293,383 in total), with 1.5 million people became homeless.

After the earthquake, there were 19 million cubic meters of rubble and debris in Port au Prince - which was enough to fill a line of shipping containers stretching end to end from London to Beirut.

Peru (May 31, 1970)

The epicenter of the earthquake was under the Pacific Ocean about 15 miles (25 km) west of Chimbote, a fishing port in the department of Ancash, north-central Peru. It occurred at about 3:20 PM local time and had a magnitude of 7.9.

The adverse effects of the earthquake could be felt from the northern city of Chiclayo south to the capital city of Lima, a distance of more than 400 miles (650 km). The most damage occurred in the coastal towns near the epicenter and in the Santa River valley.

It was said that approximately 70,000 people died following the strong quake.

Read Also: Deadly Earthquakes Can Strike 75% of US Based on USGS Map, With California Being At Risk

Sichuan, China (May 12, 2008)

The Sichuan earthquake claimed the lives of at least 90,000 individuals, with 375,000 injured, and more than 5,000,000 homeless across the region.

Further, more than half of the town of Beichuan was destroyed by the initial seismic event and the release of the water from a nearby lake.

The quake brought enormous devastation to the mountainous central region of Sichuan province that is located in southwestern China. The epicenter of the magnitude-7.9 quake (measured as magnitude 8.0 by Chinese scientists) was in the city of Wenchuan, about 60 miles (100 km) north-northwest of Chengdu, the provincial capital.

Kashmir, Pakistan (October 8, 2005)

The magnitude-7.6 quake took place in the Pakistan-administered portion of the Kashmir region and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of the country.

It had affected adjacent parts of India and Afghanistan and it also left at least 79,000 people dead. More than 32,000 buildings collapsed in Kashmir, with additional fatalities and destruction reported in India and Afghanistan.

Due to its effects, this quake is considered as one of the most destructive in the contemporary period. The timing of the earthquake added to the misfortune because it left hundreds of thousands of survivors exposed to the coming winter weather.

Sendai, Japan (March 11, 2011)

The magnitude 9.0 earthquake resulted in the death of at least 10,000 individuals.

The aftershocks and tsunami also resulted in adverse conomic impacts, with the shutting down of nuclear reactors that many industries rely on for power.

The earthquake was caused by the rupture of a stretch of the subduction zone associated with the Japan Trench, which separates the Eurasian Plate from the subducting Pacific Plate.

Related Article: 5 Deadliest Earthquakes Ever Recorded Across the World
Mothers in the animal kingdom resemble some traits seen in certain human moms that we know, such as caring for their offspring by providing food, shelter, and security. When it comes to animal parenting, these traits are still common in some species. However, since the setting where baby wild animals are born are different and more dangerous, animal moms also exercise precautions against external threats, especially other animal predators.

Parenting or parental care is not only a human thing. In fact, animal parenting is evident across different animal classes, ranging from mammals to birds and reptiles. A product of evolution, the practice of caring of an offspring not only increases the latter's chance of survival but also ensures the continuance of the species. Yet, the survival of an offspring is not always assured due to various threats, including diseases, predators, and harsh environments.

Mothers in Animal Kingdom

Being an animal mother is seemingly a tough job, especially when protecting newborn babies or eggs before they even hatch. Amid the risk of their natural predators, animal moms are on the lookout to ensure that their babies also survive into adulthood. Due to this feat, scientists and wildlife experts recognize some of the world's hardest-working mothers in the animal kingdom. Below are some of them:

Giant Pacific octopus

African elephant

Gray kangaroo

Virginia opossum

Emperor penguin

Strawberry poison dart frog

Killer whale (orca)

Taita African caecilian

Tailles tenrec

Frilled shark

In addition to the list, experts rank lion and orangutan mothers as some of the top mothers of the animal kingdom. When it comes to animal parenting, the lioness is known to always protect its lion cubs even spending most time away from the lion pride. It is during this period when young lions are dependant on their mother for up to two years or until the cub can already look after itself.

Also Read: Mother's Day Special: Top 5 Animal Moms That Will Do Anything for their Youngs

Threats to Young Animals

As mentioned earlier, there are various threats to baby wild animals that make some animal moms be on a constant lookout to their surrounding environments. While animal predation is considered a threat to young animals but is part of the natural cycle of life, the one threat that stands out among the rest if wildlife crime. These activities include illegal wildlife trade, poaching, and wildlife trafficking.

For the past several decades, wildlife crime has resulted in the disruption or deaths of native wildlife populations, including in Africa and Asia. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), wildlife trafficking has significant repercussions to both animal and plant life, affecting also human livelihoods, biodiversity, and governance.

The threat posed by wildlife trafficking to the wild animal population, including young ones, is significant. This seems to be the case although deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change are also some sources of the threats to wildlife and plant species, according to UNODC.

Related Article: Herd Matriarch Helped Struggling Baby Elephant Whose Mom Was Briefly Sidetracked During Journey
Male pregnancy among humans is a concept often portrayed only in science fiction and other forms of popular culture. After all, biologists tell us that only natural females are capable of getting pregnant and giving birth.

While there are instances of birth from asexual reproduction across the animal kingdom, male animals, including humans, are not known to undergo labor and give birth to a child, at least that is what we know.

However, male animals that give birth turn out to be a reality rather than fiction, as scientists have recorded in previous years that male seahorses and male creatures are capable of delivering a baby.

The exact mechanisms behind this biological phenomenon remain a mystery, especially since they do not apply to all male species in the kingdom Animalia. Without human intervention, evidence shows that several male animals are capable of this.

Male Animals That Give Birth

Amidst technological advancement in the field of science, male pregnancy is becoming more common than one might think, according to Healthline. This phenomenon involves the incubation of one or more embryos or fetuses by male sex organisms in some species. Since most species reproduce through sexual intercourse, scientific evidence still asserts that it is impossible for natural male Homo sapiens to get pregnant.

Yet, the case is different for other male animals, which can make male pregnancy a reality even without the use of genetic experiments or related procedures by humans. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), seahorses and their close relatives such as sea dragons are the only species of male animals that gives birth. This confirms that evolution works in mysterious ways.

Also Read: Virgin Birth Now Possible for Fruit Flies as Genetic Engineering Induce Parthenogenesis

Seahorses, Sea Dragons and Pipefish

The NOAA explains that seahorses, which are members of the pipefish family, possess unique attributes such as having specialized structures within their skin cells. Still, male seahorses and sea dragons truly gained fame for their remarkable ability to get pregnant and bear young. In the case of seahorses, a female seahorse transfers her mature eggs into the male's brood pouch, where the eggs are fertilized.

In addition, pipefish is one of the male animals among seahorses and sea dragons that give birth. Other than these animals, there has been no record of male animals, including male mammals, that can give birth by natural means. In a 2023 research paper, scientists used seahorse male pregnancy as a conceptual model to further examine pregnancy, immune adaptations, and environmental effects.

Aside from male animals that give birth, the animal kingdom has also witnessed the unusual phenomenon of "virgin birth" or officially known as "parthenogenesis" in some animal species. In recent years, scientists have found this phenomenon to occur in crocodiles, sharks, Komodo dragons, stick insects, and even the microscopic tardigrades. Parthenogenesis pertains to the occurrence of birth when an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg cell.

Related Article: Male Seahorses Are the Only Animals to Get Pregnant and Give Birth
On March 29, 2024, the Peruvian Navy awarded a contract to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), valued at $463 million, for the co-construction of one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), and two 1,500-ton Landing Craft Units (LCUs), with a completion target set for 2029. For this project, the largest defense deal for a South Korean company in Latin America, HHI will collaborate with Sima Shipyard, a Peruvian local shipyard.

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The Peruvian Navy will receive one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), and two 1,500-ton Landing Craft Units (LCUs), with a completion target set for 2029. (Picture source: HHI)

The arrangement between HHI and the Peruvian Navy is part of Peru's larger initiative to advance its national industries, with a particular emphasis on the naval sector. Sima Peru S.A., a state-owned Peruvian shipbuilder, conducted a global search for a suitable shipyard partner, extending invitations to major naval yards and defense industries across various countries, including Germany, Korea, Spain, the USA, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK.

The significance of the contract is viewed in the context of a broader market opportunity, given the aging state of many ships in the South American region and the consequent future demand for modern naval vessels. Won-ho Joo, the Vice President and head of HHI's special ship business unit, remarked on the contract's importance for establishing a foothold in the South American warship market. He pointed to HHI's intention to leverage its export experience and technological capabilities to enter and expand within this market.

The selection process for this partnership evaluated a range of factors, including technical capability, cost, timeline, the potential for technology transfer, and the level of involvement from the Peruvian industry. The assessment process involved input from CENTRUM PUCP and culminated in HHI's selection, a decision facilitated by the support of several South Korean government bodies, such as the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korean Embassy in Peru, and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

This contract potentially paves the way for future opportunities for HHI in the region, as the company anticipates it might lead to more contracts over the next 15 years, particularly as the Peruvian Navy plans to acquire additional vessels, including five frigates, four deep-sea patrol ships, and two landing ships.

The vessels set for construction under this contract include one 3,400-ton frigate measuring 127 meters in length and 14.9 meters in width, capable of reaching speeds of up to 26.5 knots and covering distances of 6,000 nautical miles. This frigate is equipped with anti-ship missiles, vertical launchers, and an AESA radar, enhancing its anti-aircraft detection capabilities.

Complementing the frigate is one 2,200-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), with dimensions of 95 meters in length and 14.3 meters in width. With a maximum speed of 20 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles, this vessel can operate a medium-sized maritime operation helicopter. Additionally, plans include integrating a mission module allowing for the flexible adaptation of onboard equipment to fulfill various mission requirements. Alongside these vessels, the Peruvian Navy will benefit from the addition of two 1,500-ton Landing Craft Units (LCUs), each with a length of 58 meters, a width of 13.2 meters, and a maximum speed of 10 knots. These LCUs have a range of 1,500 nautical miles and the capability to transport more than seven large armored vehicles or over 20 20-foot containers, underscoring their significance in supporting amphibious operations and logistical missions.
Sweden has announced its intention to enhance its naval capabilities with the purchase of eight new mortar vessels equipped with the Patria NEMO mortar system. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) is overseeing this procurement, having selected Swede Ship Marine AB for the construction of the vessels, with Patria acting as a subcontractor for the project.

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The Patria NEMO Navy system offers a 120 mm turreted mortar solution ideal for rapid naval maneuvers. (Picture source: Patria)

Mats Hamrin, the Key Account Manager for the Nordics at Patria, emphasized the effective collaboration between Sweden and Finland in achieving this goal. "Our joint efforts will result in an optimal solution for the Swedish Armed Forces, demonstrating the effective collaboration between Sweden and Finland in the defense sector," he stated.

The Patria NEMO Navy system is known for its innovative, compact, and lightweight design, offering a 120 mm turreted mortar solution ideal for rapid naval maneuvers. The FMV's order includes two Patria NEMO Container systems, intended to enhance the Swedish Armed Forces' indirect fire capabilities from maritime platforms.

The Patria NEMO mortar is designed to provide a flexible and powerful fire solution on the battlefield. This system is capable of engaging in network-centric warfare operations, with indirect, direct, and Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing capabilities thanks to a direct lay functionality. It can be mounted on various vehicles, as shown here on a ship.

Weighing 1900 kg, the mortar's turret features an automatic aiming system and can perform a full 360-degree rotation, allowing for significant action flexibility. The elevation range of the barrel goes from -3 to +85 degrees, with an aiming system that can be operated electrically, with a manual backup option. The mortar, with a caliber of 120 mm smoothbore and a barrel length of 3000 mm, is equipped with an electrical or semi-automatic loading system and a hydro-pneumatic recoiling system to reduce the stresses on the carrier.

The ammunition carrying capacity varies depending on the carrier vehicle but typically ranges between 50 and 60 rounds. The secondary armament system includes a machine gun and smoke launchers, increasing the mortar's versatility in various combat situations. The firing performance is impressive, with a time to open fire of less than 30 seconds and the ability to move immediately after firing, supporting a maximum rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute and a sustained rate of 6 rounds per minute. The first three rounds can be fired in 15 seconds, with a maximum range of over 10 kilometers and the ability to launch up to five rounds for simultaneous impacts.

Intended for use by the amphibious forces based in Stockholm and Gothenburg, these new vessels are part of the Amfbat 2030 initiative, aimed at enhancing combat forces' mobility, speed, and striking power. "The addition of these mortar vessels is crucial to the realization of the Amfbat 2030 vision," Hamrin confirmed.

In collaboration with Swede Ship Marine, known for its extensive expertise in shipbuilding, Patria plans to deliver the first fully equipped vessel to the FMV by the beginning of 2027, with the completion of the order expected by the end of 2028. Hamrin highlighted the significance of this project as a major international benchmark, underscoring the high-quality standards demanded by the Swedish Armed Forces.
In their unrelenting advocacy to raise awareness and strengthen the capacities of people on issues related to human trafficking, the National Agency Against Trafficking-In Persons (NAATIP) convened a day's session recently for scores of Magistrates from the judiciary. The event which was held at a local hotel was designed to arm participants with the requisite knowledge for them to be able to recognise cases of Trafficking-In Persons in their pursuit of justice in upholding victims' fundamental human rights.

The forum also sought to serve as an avenue to provide magistrates with essential knowledge relating to TIP, thus fostering a legal environment that upholds human rights and ensures justice for victims.

Joseph Y. Mendy, head of investigation at NAATIP, underscored the importance of the training especially for magistrates, saying combating human trafficking calls for the collective participation of all and sundry, adding that this is the reason why the agency is keen on conducting series of training to arm people with knowledge on human trafficking. He described the practise as a heinous one and said combating the menace is not just a legal obligation but a moral one in view of its severity to mankind. He maintained that human trafficking is a crime that preys on the most vulnerable of society, and acknowledged that with dedication and commitment of all, this lucrative enterprise will be suppressed.

Isatou Dabo, the executive director of NAATIP, explained that this is a refresher training for all judicial officers, which they have split into two. She said the first phase, is the forum for the magistrates, while the next phase, has plans in place for the same to be conducted for judges of the superior courts.

Ms Dabo explained that the training is necessitated by the fact that when she joined the agency, they conducted counsel sessions for victims of trafficking in persons, every Tuesday.

"On one of these Tuesdays, I walked into the room as the session was ongoing. We had twelve girls who had been trafficked sitting in one room, but my attention was on one of them, who was sitting right at a corner in pale blue jeans, white 'T' shirt and braided hair that she probably had for about two to three weeks," she said. She however lamented that the interesting thing was not the outfit that the girl wore, but the sorrow, frustration, lack of courage and everything that was manifesting itself from the girl's demeanour and character at that very corner where she sat on that day; That as the session progresses, the girl was allowed to express why she was feeling that way and what she narrated was heart breaking and unimaginable.

Ms Dabo maintained that this calls for action not as judicial officers, but for the sake of humanity because everyone is vulnerable to trafficking in person pointing out that in most cases, perpetrators use very impressive and persuasive tactics to lure people in what seems legitimate but end up being very dangerous and detrimental to the human race.

To this end, Ms Dabo spoke about the gains registered by the agency amid challenges which include the setting-up of a hotline for victims of Trafficking In Persons; 9 cases presented to the Ministry for Justice for legal opinion four of which have been mentioned at the High Court this month and other convictions on trafficking in persons, among a host of others.

Deputising for the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Mary Mam Yassin Sey, deplored that Trafficking in Persons also referred to as human trafficking, is a form of modern-day slavery in which victims are subjected to force, fraud or coercion to compel them to provide commercial sex, debt bondage services or involuntary services.

"Invariably, any minor under the age of 18, involved in commercial sex is a victim of human trafficking,"

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Justice Sey said and reminded that in keeping with the terms of her international obligation, The Gambia enacted the Trafficking-In Person Act, of 2007, which she said applies throughout the country and punishes all forms of human trafficking. The Act, she added, criminalises both sex and labour trafficking and prescribed a penalty of 15 years to life imprisonment and a fine of between D50,000 and D500,000. She however pointed out that it is pertinent to note that Trafficking-In Persons (Amendment) of 2010 has amended Section 28 of sub-section (4) of the 2007 Act by substituting the word (fifteen) to the word (fifty) and in sub-section 5 by substituting the word (life imprisonment) with the word sentence of death. This she added, undoubtedly reflects the seriousness of the offense under the Act, affirming that human trafficking is a global issue that requires coordinated effort from various stakeholders including the judiciary.
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Mogadishu, Somalia  Prices for private maritime security guards onboard have shot up this year, a new analysis from sister title Splash Extra shows.

With the Red Sea disruption created by the Houthis latterly combined with resurgent pirate attacks off Somalia, demand for armed guards has leaped in 2024, and with it prices have shot up with three-day transits costing as much as $20,000 today.

The rise in demand for private maritime security companies (PMSCs) has once again brought calls for this industry to face greater regulation.

Elsewhere in the March issue of Splash Extra, there's regular markets commentary, an interview with the head of the Baltic Exchange, the best analyst commentary plus a look at how secondhand bulker tonnage prices have jumped this month.

March's in-depth feature looks at the thorny issue of ship valuations. Prices given by two platforms for arguably the most famous ship in the world, the Ever Given, vary by more than 25%, a stark example of how assessing vessel prices is very unclear.

"The marine appraisal profession is not regulated in the international shipping market, and banks tend to accept appraisals from any broker, without requiring any qualifications - just the premise that brokers have the pulse of the market. Brokers make more money in brokerage commissions than in appraisal fees, thus, some appraisals may be biased," commented Basil Karatzas, CEO of New York-based Karatzas Marine Advisors.
Arnie shares pic of 'pacemaker', says he'll be ready for 'Fubar 2' shoot next month

Los Angeles, March 29

H ollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger has given a health update and shared that he will be ready to shoot for the second season of Fubar by next month.

The actor shared a picture of himself with a thank you note for those who sent him messages.

Schwarzenegger went on to assure his fans that the health issues will not keep him from shooting.

Absolutely not, Schwarzenegger said about whether hed be prevented from shooting. I will be ready to film in April, reports deadline.com.

The actor shared a photo of himself reclining on a chair, with a red wire running out of his ear into what seemed to look like a cartoonish dynamite.

Of the pacemaker, he wrote sarcastically, you can only see it if youre really looking for it.

Talking about 'Fubar', it revolves around a CIA operative on the verge of retirement, who discovers a family secret and is forced to go back into the field for one last job.

The series also has Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Andy Buckley and Jay Baruchel.

Arnie shares pic of 'pacemaker', says he'll be ready for 'Fubar 2' shoot next month

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Tamannaah all praise for designer Rahul Mishra; says his creativity is pure genius

Mumbai, March 29

A ctress Tamannaah Bhatia has heaped praise on renowned fashion designer Rahul Mishra and said that his creativity is pure genius.

Tamannaah had shot with Mishra in Singapore in the designers exclusive bridal collection for a cover.

Mishra, who is the first Indian designer to be invited to showcase at the Haute Couture Week in Paris, took to Instagram and shared details related to the shoot, which he described as spectacular.

Taking to her Instagram stories on Friday, Tamannaah complimented the designer and wrote: Dearest Rahul you and your creativity is pure genius, I had a magical time shooting for this.

Praising the actress, he had written: With a fascinating balance of nature and technology, Singapore became a perfect backdrop for the garments. Our pieces are typically for a global woman of today, who much like Tamannaah, is traditionally rooted but also extremely cosmopolitan in her approach to fashion.

The designer also said he was glad to see that the vibrant and multicultural city of Singapore highlights similar values of modernity and cultural preservation.

Tamannaah all praise for designer Rahul Mishra; says his creativity is pure genius

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Addis Abeba  In the heart of East Africa, a surprising powerhouse is rising in the world of cryptocurrency.

Ethiopia, long overlooked in the tech world, is suddenly capturing global attention as a powerhouse on the cryptocurrency frontier.

With vast untapped renewable energy resources, rock-bottom electricity costs, and a government hungry for foreign direct investment (FDI), Ethiopia is becoming a magnet for Bitcoin miners worldwide.

In recent times, renowned international media outlets have been reporting regarding Ethiopia's emergence as a focal point for Bitcoin miners worldwide.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that 21 Bitcoin miners, of whom 19 hail from China, have successfully procured cost-effective power supply agreements within the confines of the East African nation.

These miners are aligning themselves with other cryptocurrency enterprises that are already leveraging Ethiopia's significant hydroelectric resources, as well as those intending to relocate their mining operations from various regions across the globe.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Nuo Xu, the founder of the China Digital Mining Association, expressed his optimism, stating, "Ethiopia is poised to emerge as one of the most sought-after destinations for Chinese miners."

In mid-February 2024, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, a state-owned entity, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Data Center Service, a subsidiary of the West Data Group based in Hong Kong.

The MoU outlines collaboration on a project valued at $250 million aimed at developing advanced infrastructure to support data mining and artificial intelligence training operations in Ethiopia.

A recent announcement by Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has revealed that the state utility has garnered in excess of $2 million in foreign currency payments from merely two recently sanctioned Bitcoin mining enterprises.

This influx of financial resources signifies a growing trend, as EEP has disclosed that 25 mining firms have petitioned to collaborate with the state electric utility. Among them, four companies have initiated operations, five are in the process of constructing data centers, and ten others are in the preparatory stages for launch.

Of considerable significance within the forthcoming investments in the cryptocurrency sector, which exemplify the profitability of the endeavor, is the planned development of a $250 million Bitcoin mining facility on the outskirts of Addis Abeba by the Russian company BitCluster.

Ethiopia is poised to emerge as one of the most sought-after destinations for Chinese miners." Nuo Xu, the founder of the China Digital Mining Association

However, the concepts of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining remain unfamiliar to most Ethiopians.

What precisely is this digital currency that has garnered significant international interest and investment?

Moreover, how does the "mining" process function to generate valuable digital assets from computational power?

Lastly, what implications does this hold for Ethiopia?

Delving into Bitcoin mining

Fundamentally, Bitcoin embodies a significant departure from conventional fiat currencies such as the Ethiopian birr or U.S. dollar. While these currencies are issued and regulated by central authorities, Bitcoin operates as a decentralized digital currency within a peer-to-peer network, devoid of any overarching governing body.

Kal Kassa, CEO of Hashlabs Mining in Ethiopia and Bitcoin educator at BitcoinBirr, elaborates, "Bitcoin signifies a paradigmatic shift from traditional fiat currencies."

It is a protocol-based digital asset characterized by a finite total supply of 21 million bitcoins, each divisible down to 100 million smaller units known as Satoshis.

The origins of this revolutionary technology can be traced back to the 1970s and the emergence of cryptography, the field of mathematics governing secure communications.

"During this period, computer scientists began exploring the potential applications of cryptography beyond mere encryption," explains Kal. "This included early experiments aimed at developing digital cash systems founded on cryptographic principles."

It wasn't until nearly four decades later, in 2009, that these endeavors culminated in the inception of Bitcoin by the enigmatic figure known as Satoshi Nakamoto.

"After years of unsuccessful endeavors, Nakamoto ultimately deciphered the code and disseminated the original Bitcoin white paper, heralding the advent of the world's inaugural decentralized cryptocurrency," remarks Kal.

In stark contrast to fiat currencies, which derive value from the credibility of their issuing governments, Bitcoin's value stems from its scarcity, decentralized architecture, and widespread acceptance as both a store of value and a medium of exchange on a global scale.

"With its finite supply and absence of centralized governance, Bitcoin presents a distinct value proposition--a seamless, permissionless mechanism for transferring value directly between parties without the need for intermediaries," asserts Kal.

At the foundation of this peer-to-peer system lies blockchain technology--a publicly accessible, decentralized ledger designed to record and verify all Bitcoin transactions within the network.

As Kal elucidates, "The blockchain performs the functions of conventional record-keepers such as banks and accountants by authenticating and documenting transactions."

Kal continues, "However, instead of relying on a central authority, it accomplishes this through an extensive network of interconnected computers."

Nonetheless, ensuring the validation of these transactions and upholding the integrity of the blockchain necessitates a sophisticated incentive mechanism; herein lies the role of Bitcoin mining.

Miners assess whether new transactions comply with the network's regulations by verifying their legitimacy, the sender's solvency to complete the transaction, adherence to specified formats, and possession of valid signatures.

However, unlike traditional accountants, Bitcoin miners employ specialized computer hardware and consume significant amounts of energy as they endeavor to solve cryptographic puzzles and validate transactions.

Ibsa G, a Bitcoin enthusiast, explains, "Miners aggregate pending Bitcoin transactions from across the network and consolidate them into blocks for validation through an intensive computational process known as Proof of Work."

The process of mining in the context of cryptocurrencies bears little resemblance to traditional resource extraction industries such as gold, oil, or coal mining.

While these industries primarily generate value through the provision of raw materials, Bitcoin miners engage in computations aimed at securing and preserving the decentralized network of the cryptocurrency.

"Bitcoin miners employ specialized hardware to compete in solving highly intricate cryptographic puzzles," explains Ibsa. "The first to successfully solve the puzzle earns the privilege of appending a new block of authenticated transactions to the blockchain and is rewarded with newly generated bitcoins."

This mining process is exceedingly energy-intensive, necessitating miners to consume substantial quantities of cost-effective and reliable electricity to power their mining equipment continuously.

"Regions endowed with abundant renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power, such as Ethiopia, possess a significant competitive advantage in attracting mining operations," observes Ibsa.

It is this relentless demand for computational power and electricity that has drawn miners to exploit Ethiopia's plentiful renewable energy potential.

Miners flock to Ethiopia amid global shift

In September 2021, regulatory authorities in China imposed a comprehensive ban on all cryptocurrency transactions and mining activities, subsequently intensifying their crackdown on the digital currency industry.

The regulators cited Bitcoin's energy-intensive operations and their potential to undermine the nation's environmental objectives as primary reasons justifying the stringent measures.

As a result of the ban, Bitcoin miners were compelled to either permanently cease their operations or relocate to jurisdictions more favorable to cryptocurrency activities.

With China housing roughly half of the world's Bitcoin mining capacity before the ban came into effect, the global Bitcoin economy unavoidably felt the impact of China's mining prohibition, whether positively or negatively.

Following China's crackdown on cryptocurrency mining, certain countries stand to benefit, with Ethiopia notably emerging as a new frontier for this energy-intensive industry in Africa.

With its abundant renewable energy potential, low electricity costs, and cash-strapped governments keen on investment, the continent presents an enticing prospect for the energy-intensive process of mining digital currencies such as Bitcoin.

At the core of the exodus lies an immense appetite for cheap and abundant electricity to power the colossal computational demands of mining bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

"Within prominent mining centers, such as the United States, electricity expenses tend to be high. However, in Ethiopia, the rates for electricity are considerably more affordable," elucidates Kal Kassa, CEO of Hashlabs Mining.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, electricity in Ethiopia costs approximately 3 cents per kWh, whereas in the United States, it reaches a maximum of 10 cents per kWh.

Beyound the 2021 Chinese ban on all cryptocurrency transactions and mining activities, Kal highlights the latest economic incentives motivating Bitcoin miners to seek new destinations, such as Ethiopia. He asserts that this motivation arises from the fundamental architecture of Bitcoin's code.

"Every 10 minutes, mining operations that successfully validate and append new transaction blocks to Bitcoin's blockchain are rewarded with newly minted bitcoins," he explains. "However, this reward is programmatically halved every four years through an event dubbed 'the halvening', ensuring scarcity."

The impending Bitcoin halving, a highly anticipated event within the cryptocurrency community slated for April 2024, is forecast to halve mining rewards on the Bitcoin network, thereby diminishing the profitability associated with transaction validation.

Recent reports suggest that the Bitcoin halving possesses the capacity to substantially alter the landscape of global cryptocurrency mining.

These reports propose that this alteration could lead to the obsolescence of older mining machinery, especially in regions characterized by elevated operating costs, such as the United States. Consequently, this could trigger a broad relocation of mining equipment on a global level.

A recent article by Bitcoinist, a reputable platform specializing in decentralized digital currency, blockchain technology, and financial technology, delved into how the Bitcoin halving phenomenon is poised to benefit developing nations such as Ethiopia, while many miners in the United States are already adapting their strategies in response to this impending event.

According to the report, due to the effects of the Bitcoin halving, a considerable quantity of mining rigs from series like the S19, which presently form a substantial portion of the machinery utilized in the United States, are being sold to investors already present in Africa and considering investments in countries such as Ethiopia and Tanzania, along with South American nations like Paraguay.

Bloomberg has estimated that the potential exodus of S19-series machines from the United States could reach approximately 600,000 units.

In light of this recurrent decline in mining rewards, industry stakeholders underscore the critical significance of access to low-cost electricity for ensuring sustained long-term profitability.

They highlight Ethiopia's hydroelectric generating capacity, currently surpassing 4,500 megawatts and projected to expand by an additional 6 megawatts upon the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as presenting a compelling value proposition.

Kal estimates, "If the Ethiopian government were to allocate its existing 2,000-megawatt energy solely to cryptocurrency mining activities, it could potentially generate annual revenues of $1.8 billion."

This potential revenue surpasses earnings from key exports such as coffee, which amounted to a maximum of $1.1 billion annually.

Kal indicates that a considerable portion of these mining revenues would directly enhance the financial resources of Ethiopia's electric utility.

In addition to cost-effective energy, Ethiopia's elevated terrain and moderate climate alleviate the cooling expenses associated with heat-producing mining equipment. "The optimal temperature range of 5-25 C is readily provided by Ethiopia's highlands," observes Ibsa G, a Bitcoin enthusiast.

For the financially constrained Ethiopian government grappling with acute foreign currency shortages amid ongoing internal conflicts, the economic advantages of embracing cryptocurrency mining are too substantial to overlook, according to Ibsa.

"Cryptocurrency mining enterprises typically remunerate for electricity in U.S. dollars, thereby furnishing a consistent influx of foreign currency, which Ethiopia is in dire need of," elucidates Kal.

Ethiopia enters the crypto sphere amid environmental, regulatory worries

According to Statista, a German online platform specializing in data aggregation and visualization, the global user base of cryptocurrencies experienced a surge of nearly 190% between 2018 and 2020, followed by a further acceleration in 2022.

Currently, there are over 295 million cryptocurrency users worldwide, with approximately 33 new cryptocurrencies being introduced each week.

The value of Bitcoin has exhibited a resurgence since last year, following a decline in 2022 triggered by the notorious bankruptcy of FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange based in the Bahamas.

As of now, the price of Bitcoin hovers around $69,000, while research conducted by the firm Bernstein suggests that the price may escalate to $90,000 by the conclusion of 2024.

While the economic incentives are considerable, this surge in digitized resource extraction is not immune to scrutiny.

Environmental activists have articulated concerns regarding the carbon emissions and strain on resources resulting from large-scale Bitcoin mining operations.

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Lingering issues concerning regulation, taxation, and broader economic instability stemming from internal conflicts further compound the complexity of the situation.

Ibsa acknowledges the environmental apprehensions surrounding the carbon footprint of mining activities and the intensive utilization of energy, potentially exacerbating pressures on the national grid.

"Despite the renewable nature of hydropower, the substantial energy requirements of large-scale mining operations could inadvertently impede domestic energy accessibility if not subject to appropriate regulation," he remarks.

Ethiopia's current infrastructure constraints and absence of advanced digital expertise pose challenges in the establishment and maintenance of large-scale mining facilities." Ibsa G, a Bitcoin enthusiast

Moreover, infrastructural deficiencies and shortages in skilled labor present additional hurdles.

"Ethiopia's current infrastructure constraints and absence of advanced digital expertise pose challenges in the establishment and maintenance of large-scale mining facilities crucial for this sector," notes Ibsa.

For Kal, effective governance is pivotal in mitigating risks while maximizing benefits.

He contends, "Instead of directly competing with the populace, responsibly regulated mining endeavors could efficiently capitalize on Ethiopia's surplus energy while stimulating investments in power infrastructure enhancements to bolster domestic accessibility over time."

Kal attributes past instances of outright bans in other nations, like China, to misunderstandings and inadequate regulatory frameworks.

"Many countries reversed their stances after realizing the missed economic opportunities and domestic discontent triggered by energy demands," he noted.

Kal argues such missteps are the result of a disconnect between generations, with policymakers grappling to comprehend emerging technologies. "The age disparity contributes to this phenomenon, with older leaders hesitating to embrace innovations like Bitcoin due to a lack of comprehension."

Legal experts such as Geda Yoseph, Associate at Dagnachew & Mahlet Law Firm Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), also point out another obstacle, highlighting deficiencies in Ethiopia's legal framework to regulate Bitcoin.

"Ethiopia has yet to pass legislation permitting the use of cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, individuals involved in Bitcoin activities are actively expanding their operations within the country," remarked Geda in his commentary published in February 2024.

The utilization of Bitcoin and other digital currencies for transactions is prohibited in Ethiopia, as stipulated by a directive issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) in 2022. Violators of this regulation are subject to severe legal repercussions.

However, Kal reveals that the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) and other entities are in the process of formulating guidelines aimed at providing comprehensive supervision over the operations, economic ramifications, and environmental implications of this sector.

Ibsa corroborates the burgeoning interest, acknowledging the enthusiasm within the private sector as well as the endeavors of the government to establish a regulatory framework. "There is a growing curiosity among developers, entrepreneurs, and government officials regarding the fundamental technologies underlying Bitcoin and their potential applicability across sectors beyond the realm of finance."

However, Ibsa cautions that ongoing unrest poses risks to the sustainability of mining operations and complicates regulatory oversight.
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Attorneys defending The Pavilion of negligence accusations called two expert witnesses to the stand Wednesday. The jury is scheduled to hear closing arguments today and decide whether to award the plaintiff the requested millions in damages.
Dequanta Wooten was charged Monday with armed violence for allegedly having the gun when he possessed the drugs, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and possession with intent to deliver oxycodone, Xanax and cannabis.
Unit 4 responds Thursday: "Champaign Unit 4 Schools is extremely proud of our diverse student body and workforce. While we vehemently deny the accuracy of the information shared by Mr. (Ron) Langacker, we will not offer further comment at this time out of respect to our employees." Says Langacker: "Ill stand by everything Ive said, and the truth will come out in the end."
All Brad Underwood's team has to do to reach the Final Four is knock off one of the most dominant defending national champions in years.
Lori A. DeYoung is clinical social worker and three-degree graduate from the University of Illinois. She recently retired from the Department of Veteran Affairs and has returned to her private practice as a contractual therapist/parent educator for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She resides in Fithian in the childhood home that her parents, Tony and Bette Cushwa Davis, built when they adopted her in 1961. She is the parent of three adult children.
The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has suspended Mathias Mpuuga from his position as Deputy President Central Region with immediate effect.

"In accordance with Articles 6.3 (h) and 7.1 (e) of the Party Constitution," Kyagulanyi said in a statement.

"I hereby suspend you from the position of Deputy President of the National Unity Platform for Central Region with immediate effect, and accordingly refer the matter to the National Executive Committee for further action."

The decision to suspend Mpuuga comes as a result of corruption allegations leveled against him.

Kyagulanyi specifically referred to an incident that took place on May 6, 2022, during Mpuuga's tenure as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

During a meeting involving Mpuuga and three NRM-nominated Parliamentary Commissioners, Kyagulanyi revealed that an allocation of 1.7 billion Ugandan Shillings was made under the guise of "Service Awards." It was alleged that Mpuuga personally received an allocation of 500 million Shillings.

"This act of corruption and abuse of office violated numerous laws, including Section 9(1) of the Leadership Code Act (2002)," Kyagulanyi stated, emphasizing that Mpuuga's actions contradicted the party's vision, mission, and objectives, as well as the Party Constitution's provisions on accountable leadership and maintaining the party's reputation.

Mpuuga had previously vowed to resist internal intrigues and manipulations within NUP that could hinder the party's growth.

In response to mounting pressure and calls for his resignation, Mpuuga accused certain elements within the party of orchestrating a deliberate and well-funded campaign to tarnish his reputation.

Despite facing persistent attempts to undermine his work, he maintained his commitment to serving above personal interests and prioritizing the restoration of integrity in national and party politics.

Recent developments within the NUP saw the National Executive Committee meeting on March 15, 2024, passing a resolution to recall Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission due to allegations of corruption, dishonesty, and abuse of office.

The NUP accused Mpuuga of engaging in corrupt practices and abuse of office when, together with the NRM Parliamentary Commissioners, they irregularly allocated themselves 1.7 billion shillings under the pretense of "Service Awards" during Mpuuga's tenure as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. Mpuuga personally received 500 million shillings from this allocation.

The NUP demanded that Mpuuga return the money, issue an apology to the Ugandan people, and step down as a Commissioner of Parliament. However, Mpuuga has not fulfilled these requests.

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On March 18, 2024, the NUP Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, wrote to Speaker Among, informing her that the Party's National Executive Committee had decided to withdraw Mpuuga's nomination and subsequently recalled him from the position of Commissioner of Parliament.

Mpuuga was replaced by Francis Zaake, the lawmaker representing Mityana Municipality.

Speaker Among responded, stating that the NUP does not have the authority to recall Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission.

She explained that Parliamentary Commissioners are elected by Parliament according to the law, and the role of political parties is limited to nominating candidates for the election.

In recent media interactions, Mpuuga expressed his determination to remain within the party while criticizing its lack of direction and inability to guide disheartened members.

He highlighted the party's indifference towards significant events, such as the renewal of Electoral Commission Commissioners.

Mpuuga outlined his vision for the NUP, promising to address issues such as nepotism, corruption, and lack of internal democracy through a reform process.
A single application of the novel compound AC102 almost completely restores noise-induced hearing loss in preclinical models. This is the key finding of a recent publication in the prestigious scientific journal PNAS by the Berlin-based start-up AudioCure Pharma. Sudden hearing loss is often treated with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids without regulatory approval or reliable evidence of effectiveness. Therefore, new treatment options are urgently needed for this condition.

Noise-induced hearing loss was used to evaluate the efficacy of AC102 in a preclinical model. A single middle ear application of AC102 after noise trauma restores hearing to near pre-trauma levels after 14 days. In contrast, treatment without the active compound resulted in a profound hearing loss. Further experiments show that AC102 targets the two suspected main causes of sudden hearing loss in the inner ear: It prevents the death of outer hair sensory cells and protects the connections between neurons and the auditory nerve. "It is fascinating how a single molecule has such diverse effects in the inner ear. In laboratory experiments, we see that AC102 protects neurons by increasing their energy production and reducing the production of free radicals. At the same time, it stimulates the regeneration of neurons and sensory cells enabling the reformation of lost connections," explains Professor Hans Rommelspacher, CSO and founder of AudioCure Pharma.

Sudden hearing loss is a debilitating condition that can severely impair speech understanding and have a negative impact on a patient's life. Corticosteroids have been used to treat this condition for 50 years, despite lack of approval. Also, their effectiveness has been questioned. Recently, a large study (HODOKORT) showed that more than 60% of patients with sudden hearing loss did not fully recover after corticosteroid treatment. Dr. Reimar Schlingensiepen, CEO of AudioCure Pharma, explains, "The HODOKORT study highlights the treatment gap for sudden hearing loss. We are therefore very excited about the promising effects of AC102 in our preclinical models and hope that patients will also benefit from it." Following successful safety and tolerability testing, AC102 is currently being evaluated for efficacy in a pan-European Phase 2 clinical study in patients with sudden hearing loss.
A stroke often impacts a person's ability to move their lower body from the hips down to the feet.

This leads to diminished quality of life and mental health in addition to increased susceptibility to falls. But now, UBC Okanagan researchers are exploring new treatment methods to help bridge the service delivery gap, and recovery outcomes, for patients after a stroke.

Shortened length of inpatient stays and continued challenges in transitioning back to the community-;including poor access to continued stroke rehabilitation services-;have resulted in substantial unmet recovery needs. This is especially true for lower extremity recovery. People can struggle to regain balance, stability and gait coordination for daily life activities and even proper ambulation." Sarah Park, master's student with the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CCDPM) based at UBC Okanagan

Dr. Brodie Sakakibara, CCDPM Investigator, recently led a national team of researchers, clinicians and people with lived experiences to evaluate the feasibility of a telerehabilitation program with aims to improve lower extremity recovery poststroke.

"More people are surviving a stroke and the need for accessible rehabilitation regardless of geographic location is increasingly important," says Dr. Sakakibara. "This program harnesses technology, the expertise of clinical therapists and the motivation of individuals to improve stroke recovery."

For the study, more than 32 participants, all who had experienced a stroke within the past 18 months, received eight telerehabilitation sessions via videoconference with a trained physical therapist. The research team focused their efforts on improving lower body mobility through standardized exercises combined with self-management supports.

"Overall, participants saw improvements in their mobility and strength, and made noticeable progress towards their rehabilitation goals," says co-investigator Dr. Ada Tang, an Associate Professor with the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University. "They also gained self-management skills to empower themselves and maintain their achievements moving forward."

While many virtual rehabilitation programs developed out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, programs like this have demonstrated feasibility and increased accessibility to patients. Especially those living in rural and remote areas.

However, researchers have noted therapeutic benefits are not maintained if additional therapy is not sustained after the end of a formal program, explains Park, who was also lead author of the study. It is important to incorporate self-management skills in post-stroke rehabilitation interventions, which empower participants to continue exercising and maintain those benefits after the program ends.

"Overall, self-management programs aim to improve health outcomes by helping people adapt to their circumstances through newfound skills, which could prevent or offset some of the difficulties individuals face when discharged from care," Park explains. "Virtual rehabilitation programs, with a level of self-management, can ultimately enhance the continuum of care for patients transitioning back into the community and help improve their overall quality of life."

The study was published recently by the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal.
With nearly 5 million deaths linked to antibiotic resistance globally every year, new ways to combat resistant bacterial strains are urgently needed.

Researchers at Stanford Medicine and McMaster University are tackling this problem with generative artificial intelligence. A new model, dubbed SyntheMol (for synthesizing molecules), created structures and chemical recipes for six novel drugs aimed at killing resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, one of the leading pathogens responsible for antibacterial resistance-related deaths.

The researchers described their model and experimental validation of these new compounds in a study published March 22 in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence.

There's a huge public health need to develop new antibiotics quickly. Our hypothesis was that there are a lot of potential molecules out there that could be effective drugs, but we haven't made or tested them yet. That's why we wanted to use AI to design entirely new molecules that have never been seen in nature." James Zou, PhD, associate professor of biomedical data science and co-senior author on the study

Before the advent of generative AI, the same type of artificial intelligence technology that underlies large language models like ChatGPT, researchers had taken different computational approaches to antibiotic development. They used algorithms to scroll through existing drug libraries, identifying those compounds most likely to act against a given pathogen. This technique, which sifted through 100 million known compounds, yielded results but just scratched the surface in finding all the chemical compounds that could have antibacterial properties.

"Chemical space is gigantic," said Kyle Swanson, a Stanford computational science doctoral student and co-lead author on the study. "People have estimated that there are close to 1060 possible drug-like molecules. So, 100 million is nowhere close to covering that entire space."

Hallucinating for drug development

Generative AI's tendency to "hallucinate," or make up responses out of whole cloth, could be a boon when it comes to drug discovery, but previous attempts to generate new drugs with this kind of AI resulted in compounds that would be impossible to make in the real world, Swanson said. The researchers needed to put guardrails around SyntheMol's activity -; namely, to ensure that any molecules the model dreamed up could be synthesized in a lab.

"We've approached this problem by trying to bridge that gap between computational work and wet lab validation," Swanson said.

The model was trained to construct potential drugs using a library of more than 130,000 molecular building blocks and a set of validated chemical reactions. It generated not only the final compound but also the steps it took with those building blocks, giving the researchers a set of recipes to produce the drugs.

The researchers also trained the model on existing data of different chemicals' antibacterial activity against A. baumannii. With these guidelines and its building block starting set, SyntheMol generated around 25,000 possible antibiotics and the recipes to make them in less than nine hours. To prevent the bacteria from quickly developing resistance to the new compounds, researchers then filtered the generated compounds to only those that were dissimilar from existing compounds.

"Now we have not just entirely new molecules but also explicit instructions for how to make those molecules," Zou said.

A new chemical space

The researchers chose the 70 compounds with the highest potential to kill the bacterium and worked with the Ukrainian chemical company Enamine to synthesize them. The company was able to efficiently generate 58 of these compounds, six of which killed a resistant strain of A. baumannii when researchers tested them in the lab. These new compounds also showed antibacterial activity against other kinds of infectious bacteria prone to antibiotic resistance, including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and MRSA.

The scientists were able to further test two of the six compounds for toxicity in mice, as the other four didn't dissolve in water. The two they tested seemed safe; the next step is to test the drugs in mice infected with A. baumannii to see if they work in a living body, Zou said.

The six compounds are vastly different from each other and from existing antibiotics. The researchers don't know how their antibacterial properties work at the molecular level, but exploring those details could yield general principles relevant to other antibiotic development.

"This AI is really designing and teaching us about this entirely new part of the chemical space that humans just haven't explored before," Zou said.

Zou and Swanson are also refining SyntheMol and broadening its reach. They're collaborating with other research groups to use the model for drug discovery for heart disease and to create new fluorescent molecules for laboratory research.

The study was funded by the Weston Family Foundation, the David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, M. and M. Heersink, the Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, and the Knight-Hennessy scholarship.
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, published by Elsevier, 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 because  in addition to AF  many 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."



Coauthor Rafik Tadros, MD, PhD, 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.

Source: Elsevier Journal reference: Roberts, J. D., et al. (2024) Clinical Genetic Testing for Atrial Fibrillation: Are We There Yet?. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2023.11.022.
Scientists at The Florey have developed an mRNA technology approach to target the toxic protein tau, which builds up in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

To date, mRNA has been predominantly used for vaccines, including those used to fight COVID-19.

New research published today in Brain Communications establishes The Florey as a key player in the mRNA field, with Dr Rebecca Nisbet taking the technology in a new direction.

This is the first time mRNA has been explored for use in Alzheimer's disease. Our work in cell models demonstrates that this technology can serve purposes other than vaccine development." Dr. Rebecca Nisbet

She likened mRNA to an instruction manual for cells.

"Once delivered to the cell, the cell reads the mRNA and makes an antibody."

The Florey team used mRNA to instruct cells in cell models to create RNJ1, an antibody Dr Nisbet developed to target tau, a protein that clumps in the brain cells of dementia patients.

"This is the first time, to our knowledge, a tau antibody has been able to directly engage tau within the cell."

First author on the paper, PhD student Patricia Wongsodirdjo said: "Our technique can be applied to any therapeutic antibody, and we envision that this strategy, when combined with nanoparticle packaging, will enhance targeting of toxic molecules in the brain and improve patient outcomes compared to conventional strategies."

Dr Nisbet said RNJ1 still needed further research.

She said emerging Alzheimer's treatments, such as lecanemab, which is approved in the USA and under consideration in Australia, are promising but expensive to make and are not an efficient way of getting an active antibody into brain cells.

"With conventional antibodies, such as lecanemab, the small amount of antibody that does enter the brain can remove some harmful plaque that lies outside our brain cells but can't access toxic proteins such as tau, which is located in our brain cells," Dr Nisbet said.
A groundbreaking study published in the journal iScience presents crucial insights into the ocular effects of Zika virus infection during pregnancy and offers promising avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Produced by a team of researchers in the Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, the paper, "Targeting ABCG1 and SREBP-2 mediated cholesterol homeostasis ameliorates Zika virus-induced ocular pathology," provides compelling evidence of the involvement of cholesterol metabolism in ZIKV-related eye abnormalities.

Zika virus, or ZIKV, has emerged as a public health threat and poses significant challenges to reproductive health worldwide. While congenital ZIKV infection has been shown to cause neurological disorders, primarily microcephaly  abnormal shrinking of the head circumference  several clinical studies have linked ZIKV to ocular deformities in infants. These include retinal lesions, microphthalmia, hemorrhagic retinopathy, retinal pigmented epithelium mottling, optic neuritis and hypoplasia of the optic nerve.

Despite the ZIKV infection causing severe neurological and ocular abnormalities in infants, no specific vaccines or antiviral treatments are available. In their research, the team conducted a transcriptomic analysis of ZIKV-infected retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, revealing significant alterations in the cholesterol pathway.

Our study aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying ZIKV-related eye abnormalities, with a focus on cellular metabolism. By elucidating the roles of key players in cholesterol metabolism, we sought to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention." Ashok Kumar, Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology, visual and anatomical sciences, and senior author of the study

The researchers investigated the functional roles of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) and sterol response element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), two critical regulators of cholesterol metabolism, during ocular ZIKV infection. Their cell culture experiments demonstrated that increased ABCG1 activity, mediated via liver X receptors (LXRs), led to reduced ZIKV replication, while inhibition of SREBP-2 reduced viral replication by lowering cholesterol levels.

In vivo studies using mouse models of ZIKV-induced chorioretinal lesions revealed that treatment with an LXR agonist or SREBP-2 inhibitor mitigated ocular abnormalities associated with ZIKV infection. These treatments were accompanied by decreased expression of inflammatory mediators and increased activation of antiviral response genes.

"This study highlights the intricate interplay between cholesterol metabolism and ZIKV infection in the eye," explained Sneha Singh, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in Kumar's lab. "Our findings suggest that targeting cholesterol pathway components, such as ABCG1 and SREBP-2, could offer promising therapeutic strategies for mitigating ZIKV-induced ocular complications."

"The implications of our study extend beyond Zika virus, as the mechanisms uncovered can potentially apply to other enveloped viruses such as West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and Dengue virus," Kumar said.

Kumar's team is utilizing a lipidomics approach to pinpoint lipid molecules possessing both proviral and antiviral properties, with the overarching goal of unearthing novel antiviral therapeutics.

The publication of this paper underscores Wayne State's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing pressing global health challenges. The interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative methodologies employed in this research exemplify the institution's dedication to excellence in scientific inquiry.

"Through the innovative research team that Dr. Kumar has established, they are at the forefront of developing breakthroughs that will play a vital role in therapeutic interventions in eye abnormalities caused by the Zika virus," said Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research at Wayne State. "This study is an excellent example of how Wayne State's research is making discoveries that can impact lives in Detroit and around the world."
ARIES

Ganesha says you will spend today making some new plans for your business, which will benefit you in the future and increase your social reputation. With the help of friends, you will be happy to complete your long-pending work today. However, seeing your progress, some of your enemies will become jealous, so you need to be careful as they may create obstacles. Today, you may also consider making some changes in your workplace, which will be beneficial for you.

Lucky Colour: Magenta

Lucky Number: 10

TAURUS

Ganesha says today is going to be a favourable day for you. You will receive desired benefits from the business you run in partnership, deepening your trust in your partner. However, tensions may arise among those in love relationships, so pay attention to what your spouse says during conversations. Theres a possibility of injury in the evening, so if you have travel plans, its advisable to postpone them. Those seeking employment may receive good news today, bringing happiness.

Lucky Colour: Blue

Lucky Number: 6

GEMINI

Ganesha says today will be a normal day for you, but one of your enemies may try to cause trouble at work, potentially leading to arguments with your superiors. Legal matters may not yield favorable outcomes today. Pay attention to your childrens company to prevent them from falling in with the wrong crowd. If theres a dispute in your neighborhood tonight, its best to remain silent.

Lucky Colour: White

Lucky Number: 15

CANCER

Ganesha says today will be a happy day for you as your childs marriage may be confirmed, bringing joy and festivity to the family. Youll feel content and peaceful at home. You may make efforts to recover lost money today, and youll succeed. Students considering participating in competitions can apply today, as its auspicious. Business travel may be on the agenda as well.

Lucky Colour: Cream

Lucky Number: 13

LEO

Ganesha says youll spend today undertaking significant tasks, boosting your self-esteem. Youll be busy finalizing a major business deal, likely concluding it by evening. Consider investments in stocks or mutual funds, as they may prove profitable. However, youll worry about your childrens increasing expenses, which youll need to control. Youll also share your thoughts with your spouse and find solutions easily.

Lucky Colour: Violet

Lucky Number: 11

VIRGO

Ganesha says today will be a mixed day for you, so avoid rushing through tasks. Property disputes may face hurdles today, but family members can offer assistance. Small businessmen will be happy with desired profits but should spend wisely considering their income.

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Number: 9

LIBRA

Ganesha says today will be moderately fruitful for you. Those with jobs may face excessive workloads but can manage with help from colleagues. Solutions to family problems may come easily today. Disappointing news from your children may require patience and anger management. Beware of friends who may hinder your progress today.

Lucky Colour: Green

Lucky Number: 8

SCORPIO

Ganesha says today will be progressive as youll receive support from family and others. However, be cautious about making important decisions; consult siblings and parents. Profit opportunities will arise, but you must act swiftly to benefit. Beware of misguided colleagues who may lead you astray.

Lucky Colour: Yellow

Lucky Number: 1

SAGITTARIUS

Ganesha says today will be challenging due to past hasty decisions causing problems. Avoid disputes to prevent future trouble. Excessive busyness may lead to fatigue-related issues in the evening. Employees should negotiate carefully with superiors.

Lucky Colour: Black

Lucky Number: 5

CAPRICORN

Ganesha says today will see an increase in your social prestige. Avoid taking on major tasks today, as they may pose problems. Friends will offer support during difficulties, boosting confidence. Delay making new decisions and focus on completing pending tasks. You may face some trouble due to a family members nature.

Lucky Colour: Purple

Lucky Number: 3

AQUARIUS

Ganesha says today will be a joyful day, with good news for those with jobs. Property investments may bring significant benefits, but beware of dishonest partners. Avoid making decisions hastily to prevent future regrets. Consider a short journey in the evening for important matters.

Lucky Colour: Brown

Lucky Number: 4

PISCES

Ganesha says today will be busy as you seek ways to increase income, potentially delaying important tasks. Business endeavors will be beneficial. Your sweet speech will garner goodwill from both family and outsiders. Consider a picnic with friends, including old acquaintances, for a joyful reunion.

Lucky Colour: Maroon

Lucky Number: 2

(The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla).
It appears that road trips will become more expensive starting in April 2024.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will raise tolls on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway by 5 to 10 per cent beginning April 1.

Light vehicles are likely to incur an additional 5 per cent toll levy per journey. However, the toll fee for big vehicles is likely to rise by 10 per cent.

This change would affect thousands of commuters using the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. The toll on this expressway is currently Rs 2.19 per km.

Given that the expressway is 135 kilometres long, this surge will significantly increase the cost of travel on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. According to reports, this increase is intended to produce additional income for infrastructure development and upkeep on this expressway.

The expressway features six entry and exit points: Sarai Kale Khan, Indirapuram, Vijay Nagar, Dasna, Rasulpur Sikrod, and Bhojpur. The major toll plaza on this expressway is located in Kashi, Meerut. The current toll for a car drive from Meerut to Sarai Kale Khan is Rs 160 and for light vehicles, it is Rs 250. With the price increase in April, this is likely to go up to Rs 168 for cars and Rs 262.5 for light vehicles.

According to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, tariff adjustment occurs on an annual basis. As per reports, the proposal for revised toll prices was delivered by the NHAIs Project Implementation Unit (PIU) on March 25. The revised tariffs will come into effect on April 1 following clearance from the Ministry of Road and Transport, according to the statement.

In 2022, the toll tax range was increased by 10 to 15 per cent, raising the tariff charges of all sorts of cars travelling on national highways by Rs 10 to Rs 60.

MONTHLY PASS:

According to Livemint, the monthly pass facility, which is cheaper for individuals who live within 20 km of the toll plaza, would be increased by 10 per cent.

INCREASE IN THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TOLL COLLECTION:

The toll collected on National Highways in fiscal year 2022 was Rs 33,881.22 crore, which was at least 21 per cent higher than the previous year, according to data examined by News18. Since 2018-19, the amount of toll collected on national highways in the country has increased by 32 per cent, totaling Rs 1,48,405.30 crore.
India Yamaha Motor (IYM) celebrates a big achievement as it opens its 300th Blue Square showroom across India.

This marks a significant step for Yamaha in strengthening its network and providing top-notch service to customers under the Yamaha Blue theme.

Since its launch in 2018, the Call of the Blue campaign has been pivotal in boosting customer engagement and establishing Yamaha as a premium brand. Introducing Blue Square showrooms in 2019 was a game-changer, offering customers a one-stop solution for all their biking needs.

As per the Press Release, these showrooms go beyond just selling bikes. They serve as lively hubs for Yamaha enthusiasts to connect, share experiences, and enjoy thrilling rides together. The Blue theme signifies Yamahas racing legacy, while Square symbolizes a platform for its sporty and stylish range of two-wheelers.

Mr. Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, expressed his delight, saying, Hitting 300 Blue Square showrooms is a big win for us. It shows Yamahas commitment to customer satisfaction and elevating the ownership experience.

He added, Expanding our Blue Square outlets nationwide is key to establishing Yamaha as a global brand with a strong racing DNA. Were confident this milestone will drive further growth, ensuring every Indian Yamaha customer gets a world-class experience.

Exclusive models like the R3, MT-03, and AEROX 155 scooter are available only at Blue Square stores. These outlets also showcase Yamahas lineup featuring the Traction Control System (TCS), offering high performance and fuel efficiency.

With 300 Blue Square showrooms across India, Yamaha has a significant presence in the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northern regions, making it easier for customers to experience the thrill of riding a Yamaha.
"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 I'm talking to you, I can still feel the numbness in my right hand and leg," Mr Olatunji narrated.

FirstNews editor Segun Olatunji, who regained his freedom on Thursday after 14 days in military detention, has recounted his ordeals in the hands of his abductors.

Mr Olatunju was abducted from his Lagos home on 15 March by the military, taken to Abuja and held incommunicado until his release.

While in detention, the journalists' unions and his 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 ordeals 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 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 home.

He said he was immediately arrested and whisked away to an 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 bait to arrest.

He would later learn while being incarcerated by the military that intelligence officers had lodged at a hotel near Mr Olatunji's wife's shop days before the arrest.

Giving further insights into the event of 15 March, Mr Olatunji said he identified a top military officer amongst the menacing soldiers simply called Colonel Lawal, 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 wife's 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 t, 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 Defense Corps (NADC) where we waited for about three hours. I didn't 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 I'm 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 was using to address journalists.

The next day, the journalist was presented at a military clinic where a doctor examined him, and his urine and blood samples were taken.

Allegations

Days after he was thrown into the dungeon, Mr Olatunji was called into the interrogation room.

"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 didn't say much on 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 Olatunji's release only began after a thorough search on his phone to ascertain the sources of his outlet's 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 Olatunji's 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 had been 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 have been trailing me and watching me for about two or three weeks. They even lodged in a hotel close to my wife's shop, and it was from there they arrested her and my one-year-old son," he said.

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Mr Olatunji said the military's baseless allegation of terrorism against him further fuelled his worry about his family's safety.

He, however, expressed gratitude to individuals and organisations who relentlessly demanded for his release from the Gulag

"I want to thank everybody once again. I'm 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 other's keepers.

He praised Nigerian journalists for standing up and demanding Mr Olatunji's 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 military's initial denial of Mr Olatunji's abduction portends danger for the country's democracy.

"The DIA's action is a direct attack on press freedom. Without freedom of the press, our democracy is endangered."

Mr Uwugiaren said Mr Olatunji's 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 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.
In a path-breaking move, Kerala Kalamandalam, the prestigious deemed-to-be university for art and culture, decided on Wednesday to admit students to its various courses regardless of gender. An executive meeting held on campus unanimously approved the decision, which will be implemented in the next academic year, the university registrar said in a statement.

With this decision, men, women and transgenders can now enroll in all the courses offered by Kalamandalam, including classical dance forms such as Mohiniyattam, which had been strictly reserved for women until now, a Kalamandalam source said. The executive meeting was attended by vice-chancellor B Ananthakrishnan and various dance exponents, including Kalamandalam Gopi, Kalamandalam Kshemavathi, Dr Neena Prasad and so on.

The eminent institution took the historic decision at a time when the state has been witnessing a raging row over recent racist remarks made by a senior Mohiniyattam dancer against a fellow artist on a YouTube channel. As the video of the racial remarks by Sathyabhama went viral on social media and was aired on news channels last week, noted Mohiniyattam dancer Dr RLV Ramakrishnan had alleged that her comments were directed at him, and threatened to initiate legal action against her.

The video and her subsequent statements defending what she had said were severely criticised by many on social media, cutting across political lines. The Kerala Kalamandalam, a premier public institution that preserves Keralas artistic heritage, had also condemned Sathyabhamas remarks.

Ramakrishnan performed Mohiniyattam at Kalamandalam on Tuesday after being invited by its students union.
The University of Madras has announced the results for various UG and PG courses. Students, who took the exams, can their scores online through the official website at unom.ac.in. The varsity has announced the results for all the semesters which include semesters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Those who have appeared for the university exams in November/December will be able to access their mark sheets online by entering their login credentials such as application number and password.

Madras University has announced the results for these subjects:

 BCOM/BCOM(CA)/BCOM(A&F)/BCOM(HONS.)/PG/PROFESSIONAL Examination Results.

 BA/BBA/BSC/BCA/BCOM(CS)/BCOM(ISM)/OT Examination Results.

Madras University Result 2024: How to Check?

Step 1: Visit the Madras University official website at unom.ac.in.

Step 2: Search and click on the semester exam results link on the homepage and select the particular semester you appeared for.

Step 3: Then login with the roll number and date of birth.

Step 4: The results will appear on the screen.

Step 5: Check and download the result. Take a print out for further use.

Madras University Result 2024: Important Things to Check on Marksheet

Once released, students must cross-check their online report cards carefully. In case of any error, they must report to the varsity authorities immediately. The mark sheet will contain the following information:

 Students name

 Fathers name

 Semester number

 Roll code

 Registration number

 Subject-wise full marks

 Passing marks

 Total marks

 Remarks

 Result status and division

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadus Anna University has released the results for The Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) 2024 on March 28. It is available on the official website of the institute at tancet.annauniv.edu. Candidates can download their scorecards between April 3 and May 3. 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.
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) recently concluded the Class 10th examination on March 26. According to the latest reports, it is anticipated that the Maharashtra Board will likely release the SSC (Class 10th) results in June. Once released, candidates can access their results on the official website of the Maharashtra Board, mahahsscboard.in

This year, MSBSHSE conducted the School Certificate (SSC) Class 10 examinations starting from March 1. Comparatively, last years Class 10th or SSC exams were held by the board from March 2 to March 25, with the results being announced on June 2. In 2022, the Class 10th result was released on June 17.

Following the trend from previous years, the Maharashtra Class 10th Result 2024 is expected to be available in June. Here are the release dates from the previous years:

Year 2023: June 2

Year 2022: June 17

Year 2021: July 16

Year 2020: July 29

Year 2019: June 8

For the current academic session, the board has discontinued the extra ten minutes previously allotted for reading the question paper before the exam. Instead, students were given ten minutes at the end of the examination.

The Maharashtra SSC Exam Pattern 2024 comprised five compulsory subjects: Science, English, Hindi, Social Science and Mathematics. The exams were conducted in a pen-and-paper format. Science and Mathematics papers carried 150 marks each, with a passing score requirement of at least 52 marks in each subject. For the remaining subjects, each exam was worth 100 marks, with a minimum passing score of 35 marks.

Students can check the Maharashtra SSC Result 2024 on various websites, including mahresult.nic.in, sscresult.mkcl.org and msbshse.co.in. However, it is advisable for students to regularly monitor the boards official website or stay in touch with their school officials for further updates and information regarding the Maharashtra SSC Exam Results 2024.

In 2023, a total of 15,49,666 regular students from the nine divisional boards of the state had registered for the exam. Among them, 15,29,096 students appeared for the exam, with 14,34,898 students passing, resulting in an overall pass percentage of 93.83 per cent.
The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) is set to release the class 10th in April. Ahead of the result declaration, the UPMSP has made a crucial announcement for the students. As per the reports, lakhs of students who have appeared in the mathematics examination of the 2024 UP board are going to get bonus marks. In the mathematics examination held on February 27, question number 4 in the Paper series IA is outside the mentioned syllabus. Similarly, all four options given in question number 17 in the same question set are wrong. As both the questions carry one mark each, the students who appeared in the examination will be rewarded 2 marks by the board.

All the students who have got question Paper series IB will be getting 1 mark each, as more than one option was given in question number 5 of the mathematics exam was found to be correct. The board officials announced the details on rewarding bonus marks to the class 10th students due to the authoritys fault.

As per the reports, 20,93,548 students have registered for the examination of mathematics in the state. Earlier, a similar type of mistake was found in other subjects as well. According to the officials, this time a significant improvement has been seen as the question papers are set by the experienced teachers in the state.

The state board secretary, Dibyakant Shukla said, The rule of the UP Board is that if any question is wrong or has been asked from outside the approved syllabus, then in such a situation the marks prescribed for that question are awarded to all the candidates, Hindustan Times reported.

The board secretary has also mentioned that the teachers will not ferry the answer sheet bundles. From this year, the teachers will be relieved from the duty of delivering the answer sheets from the evaluation centre to the state boards regional offices. The decision has been taken amid the protests against the murder of Dharmendra Kumar, who was a teacher in a government high school.
Amid a massive row over Congress leader Supriya Srinates derogatory comments on BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut, Rahul Gandhi said the party will ensure 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs is voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The former Congress President also asserted that powerful women have the capability and strength to change the destiny of India and asked why even today only one in three women is employed.

Isnt the population of women in India 50%? Is the presence of women in higher secondary and higher education not 50%? If so, then why is their share in the system so less? the former Congress chief said. Congress wants  Aadhi Abaadi Poora Haq, we understand that womens potential will be fully utilized only when women have equal contribution in the government running the country, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

  3    1       ? 10      1     ?      50%  ?           50%  ?            Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 29, 2024

Therefore, the Congress has decided that half the recruitment in all new government jobs should be reserved for women, he said.

We are also in favour of immediate implementation of womens reservation in Parliament and assemblies, Gandhi said.

Women with secure income, future, stability and self-respect will truly become the strength of the society, he asserted. Having women in 50% of government posts will give strength to every woman in the country and powerful women will change the destiny of India, Gandhi asserted.

Congresss Poll Promises to Women

Under its five guarantees of Nari Nyay, the Congress has promised Rs 1 lakh per annum direct cash transfer to be made to one woman from each of Indias poorest families.

The party has said 50 per cent of all new recruitment to the central government positions will be reserved for women if it comes to power.

It has also promised that the central governments contribution to the monthly pay of ASHA, Anganwadi, and Mid-Day Meal workers will be doubled.

The party has further promised to appoint an Adhikaar Maitri in every panchayat to serve as a paralegal to educate women and assist them in the enforcement of their legal rights, he said.

The Congress has also promised to set up Savitribai Phule Hostels, under which the central government will double the number of working womens hostels in the country, with at least one hostel in each district.
He (Rahul Gandhi) is a big person. He has relationships in India and abroad. What is his contribution? What funding has he brought to Wayanad? What is his prestigious project here? Apart from spending his MPLAD funds, what is he doing," asked K Surendran, Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate from the high-profile constituency, launching an attack against his primary target.

For decades, Amethi was with the Gandhi family. What happened there? No development. The same thing is happening here. Its a tribal district. PM Narendra Modi has made Wayanad an aspirational district. There is a committee headed by DM here. BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani [who defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi] came here twice to follow up on the aspirational district activities. Till date, Rahul Gandhi hasnt come for any meeting," alleged BJPs Kerala chief Surendran, who has been given the tough task of beating the Congress partys biggest face in Wayanad in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi Will Face Same Outcome As In Amethi, Says BJPs Wayanad Candidate Surendran

The contest although is not straightforward. Like last time, the Communist Party of India (CPI) is very much in the mix. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has also put up a candidate, Annie Raja, from Wayanad, leaving the Oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc unity in the state in tatters.

227 CASES AGAINST SURENDRAN OVER SABARIMALA

Where does the BJP fit into this? Does it have any chance? In 2019, the BJP did not even have a candidate in Wayanad. The Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), fought the contest, ending up third with just over 7% votes.

Annie Raja of the CPI is also a big leader. But who has the time for this constituency? That is why I say that I have a permanent visa, but they have a visitors visa. They cant help Wayanadu people."

Surendran thunders, I can, I will. Because I am the soldier of Narendra Modi ji. Main sipahi hoon Narendra Modi ji ka. With the help of the PM, I can bring development here within five years. I will make Wayanad a constituency like Varanasi or Ayodhya."

Surendran, who became the party state president in 2020, has found great support from the top brass of the party over the years. He was once described by Modi as the bada fighter" in Kerala. He was one of the partys leading faces against the Left government in the agitation against bringing non-believer and anarchist women" into the Sabarimala temple.

Surendran has 227 cases against him related to the Sabarimala agitation, while his affidavit reveals he has as many 242 overall cases related to agitations and protests.

BL Santosh, national general secretary of the BJP, hailed him as a nationalist" recently on X: Its hard to be nationalists in some parts of Bharath . Its everyday struggle . But its worth the struggle . Form C7 of Sri @surendranbjp , WAYANAD candidate .One person  Hundreds of cases."

Its hard to be nationalists in some parts of Bharath . Its everyday struggle . But its worth the struggle . Form C7 of Sri @surendranbjp , WAYANAD candidate .One person  Hundreds of cases . https://t.co/hWFmvJpyBO B L Santhosh ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@blsanthosh) March 28, 2024

Surendran has the added responsibility of shouldering BJPs Mission South. The party has publicly set a target of 400 paar this time and will have to make rapid, unprecedented gains in southern states for to achieve it. Not many believe this is possible in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. But Surendran is confident.

Wait to see whats happening in Kerala. The aspiration of the public, the enthusiasm, the affection towards Modi ji is growing day by day. In many constituencies, we are in winning position. Last time, we gave a tough fight in five constituencies. This time, the PM has set a target of double digits," he said, adding, In 2019, the impression was that Modi magic is a one-time thing. That Rahul Gandhi will be the PM. That the PM will be from Wayanad and Kerala. Today, the Congress is talking about whether they can get 40 seats. Our target is 400 paarKeralites know Modi is coming again. The agenda in Kerala now is Modi guarantee. We are confident that we will get MPs in double digits from Kerala."
The Congress party on Friday released its ninth list of 5 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, bringing the total number of candidates declared by the party to 211.

In this new list, the party named three candidates for Karnataka and two for Rajasthan.

Congress Party releases another list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.CP Joshi to contest from Rajasthans Bhilwara, Damodar Gurjar to contest from Rajasthans Rajsamand. pic.twitter.com/61Rb6gIxXZ  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

In Rajasthan, former Union Minister C.P. Joshi will contest for the Bhilwara seat, replacing Damodar Gurjar. Gurjar will instead run for the Rajsamand seat, replacing Sudarshan Rawat. The state has 25 parliamentary constituencies and will vote in two phases. Phase 1, scheduled for April 19, will see polling on 12 seats, while the remaining 13 seats will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

In Karnataka, the party has fielded Sunil Bose in the Chamarajanagar (SC) reserved constituency. MLA E. Thukaram has been given the party ticket for the Ballari (ST) reserved constituency, and Raksha Ramaiah will contest from Chickballapur. The party has declared candidates for 27 out of the 28 constituencies in the state, with only Kolar left.

Earlier today, the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced their seat sharing formula for the upcoming general elections at a joint press conference. After a series of meetings between the top brass of both the parties, the tussle between the two has come to an end. RJD bagged the biggest share with 26 seats, while Congress got nine seats and the left parties will contest on five seats.
The two major alliances in Maharashtra are struggling to finalise their seat-sharing formula despite the first phase of voting being just around the corner.

All the parties in the Mahayuti and MVA have not released their full and final list as talks are still underway in both the alliances. Mahayuti was supposed to announce their seat-sharing formula and list of all candidates last week but the meeting was postponed due to lack of consensus on Satara, Nasik, South Mumbai and a few other seats. As per sources in Mahayuti, the leadership is using the wait-and-watch strategy as they are keeping an eye on the Maha Vikas Aghadi camp.

Though MVA says there is no dispute in the alliance, Congress being miffed with Uddhav Thackeray announcing the Sangli seat without taking the former into confidence revealed the cracks in MVA.

Now, another point of dispute among MVA partners is the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha seat. Till 2014, Bhiwandi was considered the bastion of the Congress but, since then, state minister and BJP leader Kapil Patil has established his dominance. Congress wants to contest again on this seat, given that it is their traditional constituency, but the Sharad Pawar-led NCP is aggressively pitching for Bhiwandi. The local Congress workers have threatened the leadership that they will quit the primary membership of the party if the seat goes to the NCP(SP).

Infighting has also rocked the Mahayuti. In Buldana, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad decided to file his nomination without the consent of the party leadership. This upset Shinde who has asked Gaikwad to withdraw his nomination as the party has officially announced the ticket to Prataprao Jadhav.

There is also a tussle over the South Mumbai seat in Mahayuti between the BJP and Shinde camp. The latter wants a Shiv Sena vs Shiv Sena UBT battle in South Mumbai as since the last two terms, a combined Shiv Sena has won this seat. Raj Thackeray-led MNS is also eyeing the South Mumbai seat. Sources indicate that Thackerays meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and later with Devendra Fadnavis was to put forth this demand as voters unhappy with Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant will have an option to pick MNS. So far, there has been no further discussion about the inclusion of MNS into Mahayuti.

On Thursday evening, Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders held a meeting in Mumbai, but sticky issues related to seat-sharing were kept for the next meeting.
Bollywood actor and Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, held a roadshow in the constituency on Friday and said that everyone is my family.

Speaking to reporters before starting her roadshow, Ranaut said that the people of Mandi are proud that daughter of Mandi, the nationalist voice from Mandi will represent the constituency in this election.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Ranaut said, Development is the main issue for BJPThe people of Mandi will show what is in their heart.

The actor asked the people of Mandi to not think of her as a heroine or star. Consider Kangana your sister, your daughter. Everyone is my family, she added.

The BJP candidate also hit out at the derogatory post made by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and said that those who put a price on your daughters can never be yours. Jibing at the Opposition, Ranaut said, Those who couldnt be of Lord Ram, will never be able to be yours.

People will tell what Mandi is, people will given an answer to the Congress when they vote, Kangana Ranaut said.

On the sidelines, the actors mother, Asha Ranaut, also expressed discontent over Shrinates post.

She too has daughters and daughters-in-law at home, Asha said, adding that a person should think that if someone speaks like that against their children, how they would feel

I too have that same pain in meWhy should I call out the entire party if one individual speaks derogatory language? Not everyone is bad, Kanganas mother added.

BJPs Mandi candidate on Tuesday had responded to the row over Shrinates objectionable social media post against her and had said she would discuss the further court of action on the matter in a meeting with BJP President JP Nadda.

The now-taken down derogatory post on Instagram showed a photo of scantily-clad Kangana Ranaut, with a derogatory caption.

Shrinate later claimed that the social media post was made by someone who had access to her Facebook and Instagram accounts. The Congress leader also blamed a parody account that was misusing her name on X.

Ranaut had responded to the derogatory post on social media, saying every woman deserves her dignity.

The saffron party fielded actor Kangana Ranaut from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi in its fifth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Bollywood star is contesting from her birthplace.

She was born in Bhambla near Manali, which is a part of the parliamentary constituency of Mandi.

Last year, Kangana Ranaut had hinted at entering politics, saying if Lord Krishna blesses her, she would contest the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
2024 General Elections Updates: The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced their seat sharing formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at a joint press conference on Friday. After a series of meetings between the top brass of both the parties, the tussle between the two has come to an end. RJD bagged the biggest share with 26 seats, while Congress got nine seats and the left parties will contest on five seats.

In Maharashtra however, the seat sharing talks are at a standstill in both the ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA). Sources said that the MVA is confident of finalising the seat-sharing formula by this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Veerashaiva Lingayat seers on Thursday in Karnatakas Hubballi have demanded the replacement of union minister Pralhad Joshi as a BJP candidate from the Dharwad constituency. They have given the saffron camp a deadline of March 31 to arrive at a decision, failing which they will field their own candidate.

In Punjab, days after the BJP announced that it would contest all the seats in the state by itself, the Shiromani Akali Dal on Thursday named five candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab. It also named two candidates for Haryana.
Salesman Wu Keli is considering trading his gasoline car for a smart electric vehicle at the urging of his wife, Zhang Qing, who was recently given a ride by her friend in an Aito M7, a model codeveloped by the Chinese technology giant Huawei and carmaker Seres. "My wife said our 2017 vehicle is nothing but a product of a previous era. She is impressed by all the flashy features in the M7, from voice command to automatic parking," said Wu, 35, who is from Beijing. Despite initial resistance, Wu has taken to the "electric gadgets" after several test drives of models from car manufacturers such as Nio, Xpeng, Zeekr and Aito. "You can't resist the new-generation products. They can respond to your orders. In some scenarios, they can drive themselves. They are more than a car," he said. Wu and his wife are not alone. A survey of 2,499 potential car buyers in late 2023 by the consulting company McKinsey showed that 77 percent of the respondents were interested in buying a vehicle with automatic parking. In the same survey, 76 percent said they would like a car that can drive autonomously on expressways, and 64 percent agreed that it is important for a vehicle to be able to navigate independently in urban traffic. In 2023, a total of 14.65 million new energy vehicles, including electric ones and plug-in hybrids, were sold globally, of which 9.5 million were bought in China, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. "It is possible to introduce some basic driving-assist functions into gasoline vehicles, but electric vehicles have their natural advantages in terms of precise control," Ouyang Minggao, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said at an industry forum in March. Nearly 40 percent of new energy vehicles sold in China in the first half of 2023 had advanced driving-assist features, and they were standard in most priced from 160,000 yuan ($22,231), China Passenger Car Association statistics show. In contrast, only 18 percent of gasoline vehicles had such features, and the figure was 20 percent for those priced at 160,000 yuan. The growth in advanced vehicle features has improved technology and cut costs, which in turn has spurred further development in the sector. Industrial Securities auto analysts said in a report that the cost of hardware required for autonomous driving on expressways is 25,000 to 30,000 yuan. The priciest component is the lidar (light detecting and ranging) unit, which uses laser light to measure distances and map surroundings. However, with the emphasis on visualization technologies, "the number of high-cost items may be cut, resulting in a drop in costs by up to 50 percent," the report said. Levels of autonomy New energy vehicles will account for 70 percent of new vehicle sales in 2030 in China, with annual deliveries reaching around 20 million units a year, Ouyang said. Smart functions, with autonomous driving features at the core, are proving to be more important as automakers try to distinguish their products from others on the market. As these functions become more commonplace, more car buyers expect them to be offered as standard features, which will push automakers to make them a major focus of their technological development strategies. He Xiaopeng, CEO of Xpeng, said his company will spend 3.5 billion yuan this year alone on research and development of smart functions. "Today, the job entails a lot of computing power, a huge amount of data, a lot of money and a lot of people," he said. Investment across the sector will see the technology make huge strides in the coming years, he said. A high-level smart-driving system requires 0.1 human interventions per 100 kilometers on the expressway, but it requires over 10 per 100 km on urban roads, the CEO said. "The system will do as good a job in urban traffic as on expressways in 18 to 36 months," he predicted. Xpeng offers vehicle functions capable of urban navigation in over 240 cities in China. Relying on visualization  instead of high-precision mapping  it takes a few days for the company to make such functions available in a city. However, to date, all such functions available in the market have been legally defined as Level 2, or "combined driver assistance" autonomous driving. At this level, a vehicle can control steering, acceleration and deceleration, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers. But Level 2 falls short of self-driving, as a driver sits in the car and can take control of the vehicle at any time. The society divides autonomous driving into six levels from 0 to 5, with Level 5 classified as true fully autonomous driving. Some automakers argue that their vehicles have functions that are more advanced than Level 2, and want a "plus" category between levels 2 and 3. From a technological perspective, the jump from Level 2 to Level 3 is substantial, according to Synopsys, an electronic design automation company based in California. Level 3 vehicles have "environmental detection" capabilities and can make decisions for themselves, such as accelerating past a slow-moving vehicle or braking to prevent crashing into obstacles. However, they need driver intervention when necessary. Tipping point Gu Huinan, president of Aion, the new energy vehicle arm of GAC Group, believes major change is just around the corner. He estimates that Level 3 functions will be ready in terms of both hardware and software this year, and Level 4 vehicles, which do not need human intervention, will make a big impact in 2026. A number of automakers are already testing Level 3 vehicles in China. In late 2023, Mercedes-Benz gained permission from Beijing municipal authorities to test such functions on designated highways in the capital. To adapt its Level 3 system to local infrastructure and traffic conditions, the German carmaker involved its Chinese research team from the beginning of the project. Since 2021, it has been working to adapt the system to local infrastructure and traffic conditions, such as the country's unique road signs, and markings, construction zones and special lanes, such as those for buses. IM Motors, an electric vehicle company jointly established by Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor and e-commerce giant Alibaba, has also been given permission to test Level 3 vehicles on highways and expressways in Shanghai. BMW, which is testing Level 3 vehicles in China, said it has started taking orders for such vehicles in the German market. As more vehicles with varying levels of autonomy hit the roads, calls are also mounting for clearer legislation on their use. Issues already raised include the length of time a driver's hands can be off the steering wheel, and who should be held accountable for traffic accidents  the driver or the car manufacturer. Drivers on expressways and major roads have said they have spotted autonomous vehicles with the drivers checking messages, making phone calls or even dozing off. "There have been fatal accidents involving such vehicles. It is crucial to clearly tell their owners that the functions are to assist them, not replace them as drivers," said Zhang Yinuo, an office clerk in Beijing. Li Xiang, founder and CEO of Chinese NEV startup Li Auto, said the industry should not exaggerate the capabilities of such vehicles, and remove words like "autonomous" from advertisements. Greenlight ahead While automakers are gradually advancing from Level 2 functions, autonomous driving companies are placing a greater emphasis on driverless vehicles, classified as Level 4 or above, although some tailor Level 2 systems for car manufacturers as well. Despite their ambitions, they are less widely known among the public than the carmakers who sell such vehicles. "Compared with driving-assist features found in private cars, autonomous driving will start from designated zones and gradually expand," said Thomas Fang, a partner at McKinsey's Shanghai office. One example is self-driving startup Pony.ai, which is backed by Toyota, the world's largest vehicle maker by sales. Pony.ai runs fleets of driverless taxis in designated zones in four of China's tier-one cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province. In Shenzhen, it offers 200 such rides a day. Local government authorities are helping facilitate the technology's development. Pony.ai and Baidu were given permits in February to offer driverless-vehicle services at Beijing Daxing International Airport. The two companies are also able to provide autonomous vehicles on the 40-km expressway connecting Beijing Daxing International Airport and the city's urban areas, as well as in some designated areas within the airport. The Beijing municipal government has also unveiled plans to expand the scope of demonstration zones for high-level autonomous driving this year and promote self-driving services in areas such as airports and railway stations. Chen Zhuo, general manager of Baidu's self-driving business unit, said the company is concentrating on expanding its commercial robotaxi fleet. Like Pony.ai, Baidu's Level 4 autonomous vehicles are currently operating in designated zones in several cities, including Beijing, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hubei province and Shenzhen. The company plans to expand its fleet size and operational area, and build the world's largest fully driverless ride-hailing zone, he added. In the third quarter of 2023, its robotaxi fleet, Apollo Go, provided 821,000 rides, up 73 percent year-on-year. Didi offered 2.87 billion rides in the same period. Call me a cab Despite a lack of clear business prospects so far, consulting firms are optimistic about the robotaxi sector in the long run. China will be home to the largest fleet of robotaxis, according to BloombergNEF's Electric Vehicle Outlook, and there will be 12 million self-driving vehicles in the country by 2040, followed by the United States with around 7 million units. Besides robotaxis, which are still in their infancy, Level 4 vehicles are already found at ports and mines, where safety requirements are less strict because there are a much smaller number of vehicles compared with urban roads. Eacon, a Chinese startup specializing in transportation at mines, expects its fleet to reach 1,000 Level 4 trucks. Established in 2018, it has inked deals with five major open mines in the country. Long-haul heavy transportation is another sector that Level 4 vehicles are expected to have a major impact on, as drivers' salaries are one of the largest expenditures for logistics companies, said industry experts. Earlier this year, Pony.ai obtained the country's first cross-provincial demonstration permit for its self-driving heavy-duty trucks. The permit allows the company to conduct vehicle tests at speeds of up to 90 km on the Beijing and Tianjin sections of the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu expressway. Before obtaining the permit, Pony.ai had tested vehicles in several other cities, with its accumulated tests reaching almost 4 million km. However, there is still a long way to go, for both robotaxis and highly autonomous trucks, to become part of everyday life on China's roads. Level 4 robotaxis are expected to become commercially available on a large scale by 2030, and fully autonomous trucking is expected to reach viability between 2028 and 2031, according to a McKinsey report.
A welcome reception, organised by the Australian High Commission, yesterday evening, in honour of Australia's new High Commissioner to Mauritius, Ms Kate Chamley, was graced by the presence of the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

The reception, held at Le Suffren Hotel & Marina in Port Louis, was also attended by other eminent dignitaries including the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, the Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Maneesh Gobin, as well as members of Government, the private sector, the civil society, and the Australian community.

In her address on the occasion, the Australian High Commissioner highlighted that Mauritius and Australia are natural partners as both are Indian Ocean Island nations and immigration nations that are made up of diverse multicultural societies. 'We share similar values in terms of our support for political, economic, and religious freedoms, democracy, the rule of law, racial and gender equality, and mutual respect', she added.

High Commissioner Chamley remarked that while both countries' diplomatic relations date back to 1970, their people-to-people links go back to the 1800s. This, she further emphasised, show that Mauritius and Australia share a longstanding and warm relationship that is underpinned by collaboration in mutual interests.

Moreover, she expressed pride to be now the caretaker of this relationship as she assumes the role of High Commissioner of Australia, whilst reaffirming her commitment to continuing that cooperation to ensure the security, stability, and prosperity of the region.

Mrs Chamley dwelt on key areas of collaboration including trade, education, climate change, gender equality and equity, youth leadership, along with blue economy and maritime security whereby both parties can tap into new avenues of collaboration. Australia's intent to deal with shared problems through shared solutions was also underlined.

To conclude, the Australian High Commissioner renewed Australia's resolve to support Mauritius in reaching its next chapter aspirations and coordinating with development partners in this regard.
The battle for supremacy in Karnatakas Kolar district between a group of Congress MLAs and a cabinet minister continues to disturb the schedules of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the partys state unit president DK Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had to spend a few hours to resolve the crisis that has brought the dynasty politics factor into sharper focus. The party had no problems when progenies of several cabinet ministers were nominated to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. But the efforts of Food and Civil Supplies minister KH Muniyappa to get his son-in-law Chikanna Pedanna the party ticket has run into serious trouble with five MLAs and two MLCs, who are threatening to resign.

The primary objection of the legislators is that the Muniyappa family cannot be having a ministerial post, chairmanship of a state board for the daughter who is already an MLA and now potentially a Lok Sabha for the son-in-law.

The legislators meeting with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also the deputy chief minister, has only led to the former saying they will discuss the issue with Congress national president Mallikarjuna Kharge. A confident Siddaramaiah has claimed that the matter would be resolved shortly and that every disgruntled MLA would be spoken to individually.

Those protesting against the nepotism of the Muniyappa clan are Karnataka minister MC Sudhakar, Kothur MLA G Manjunath, Malur MLA KY Nanjegowda, Bangarpet MLA SN Narayanaswamy, and MLCs Anil Kumar and Naseer Ahmed.

Congress insiders close to the developments told News18 that Siddaramaiah appealed to the dissenting leaders not to take any harsh decisions and wait for the final decision to come from the Congress high command. It is learnt that the Chief Minister is expected to speak to Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi to communicate why the protesting Congressmen are against Pedannas candidature.

We continue to say that any worthy candidate, be it from the SC Left or SC Right, should be given the Kolar Lok Sabha ticket, but we are totally opposed to Muniyappa and his familys dominance, said one of the MLAs, referring to the Dalit Right and Dalit Left sects that Scheduled Castes are divided into in Karnataka.

Another senior party leader privy to the developments said: The CM has communicated to the dissenting leaders that he and Shivakumar will do all that they can to convince the high command on their demand. Ultimately, Muniyappa will have to relent as the Karnataka Congress will have to listen to what the local leaders are demanding. They are the ones who work on the ground. It only looks like Muniyappa is putting pressure, but will ultimately be checkmated.

During their discussion with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, the dissenting leaders also expressed that they would withdraw their protest if a candidate from the SC Left or SC Right is chosen, but not if a member of Muniyappas family is picked. The group is reportedly leaning towards a candidate from the SC Right to be given a ticket this time from Kolar, but an SC Left name is also acceptable to them. There are around 4 lakh SC Right voters in Kolar district, and the community needs representation, say the leaders.

A week ago, Muniyappa held a meeting with top officials of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, where the minister claimed he was promised that the Kolar ticket would be given to his son-in-law. Later, in a another meeting with Mallikarjun Kharge, when the demand was made by the leader, he was assured by the Congress high command that it would be fulfilled.

Within days of reports surfacing that Muniyappas son-in-law Pedanna may get the ticket, revolt broke out within the Karnataka Congress where leaders from the Kolar district were seen up in arms against Muniyappa and any other family member getting the ticket.

Another dissenting leader told News18 that Muniyappas son-in-law had a series of corruption cases against him and has been on the radar of the Karnataka Lokayukta. Apart from this, Pedanna is also a serving government official who is yet to resign from his job. It would take him at least a month to resign and be relieved from his duties, by which crucial campaigning time would be lost.

Muniyappa has dug in his heels on getting a ticket for his son-in-law. He reacted saying that at least 10 relatives of ministers and Congress MLAs have been given tickets for the Lok Sabha polls this time. I am insisting on one as well. My decision will depend on what the final outcome would be. I reiterate that I will follow what the high command says on the issue. But let me tell you that giving a ticket to a person who does not win would prove useless. You need a winner and I have faced many elections and know how to win one, Muniyappa said.

He also took a jibe at the dissenting legislators and called their protest a drama. None of them will resign. Its just drama. The idea is to stage one like this and threaten the ruling government as they are afraid that if Muniyappa is given a ticket, its a sure-shot win, he added.

Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, defended the protesting leaders and took objection to the dissent being called a drama.

Who is saying this? It was not drama. It is natural that if one group says something, the other will react with something else. The issue has not been resolved yet, the CM said.

Shivakumar also tried to quell the dissent by stating that no final decision has been taken yet and some of the legislators panicked as they assumed that a ticket to Pedanna was final.

We have not announced the ticket for anyone and it will be a decision taken collectively. Everyone has to toe the party line. Our priority is to maintain discipline within the party, the deputy CM said.

The dissenting leaders have decided to wait for the final decision from the Congress high command and remain silent on the issue until then.
While former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, who merged his Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) with the Congress last week hoping to contest Lok Sabha polls from Purnea in Bihar, has not been given a ticket as the seat went to ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), he is now looking for a friendly fight.

Edited excerpts from interview with CNN-News18:

Why were you not given a ticket?

I am comfortable because I have the support of people of Purnea and people are very close to my heart. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are very close to me. They are very important to me. I believe in the Congress ideology.

Do you sense any conspiracy of the RJD?

The RJD is an important ally of Congress. The Congress has sacrificed on many occasions as for them power is not the only aim. They work for youth employment, farmers and women security. The Congress has respected the RJD like an elder brother.

Do you regret merging your party with the Congress?

I have no regret of merging my party with the Congress because I have done this for a larger cause. My aim is to abolish discrimination, to save democracy, institutions and other organisations. To do this, a larger platform was needed, which is why I merged my party with the Congress.

Why did you not opt for Madhepura on RJD ticket?

I have worked in Purnea, Patna, Kosi and many other places. I have served these places like a son. Purnea is my birthplace and I have special connection with the people here, so there is no question of leaving my people.

What next?

I am in the Congress and I will be there. I will fight on the Congress symbol and from Purnea, for sure. I have been working in this constituency for the past two years. Purnea is the capital of Seemanchal and the whole country looks at it with hope. Purnea has never distanced me, so how can I leave Purnea? I had the offer for the Madhepura and Supaul seat, but I said no.

Do you think the Congress failed to take a stand for you, despite your wife being a strong Rajya Sabha member?

When it comes to saving democracy and the country, the party becomes secondary. My party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and people of Purnea are with me. I have never surrendered and I will never bow down.

Do you think the contest with the BJP is a challenge for you? Whats your USP?

I dont challenge anyone. I have won five times. You can ask the forwards, poor and businessmen. I have made a place in the hearts of people. I dont challenge anyone and no one can challenge me.

You were an MP from Madhepura on RJD ticket, why did you leave the party and form your own? Are you being punished for that?

I have been struggling since the 1980s. I have always stood for Lalu Yadav and I will be with him in the future too, but everything is fair in love and war. This is the fight for Seemanchals freedom. I have told my party leadership. Very soon, you will know the decision of the leadership.

Are you ready to contest from Purnea?

D Rajas wife is contesting against Rahul Gandhi as a friendly fight, CPI(ML) has also indicated that they will fight from Siwan seat. Certain other constituencies are seeing friendly fights, so why not Purnea?

What do you have to say on the death of gangster Mukhtar Ansari?

There should be a High Court inquiry. Postmortem should be done by doctors of AIIMS. Democracy is in danger. There is a challenge for the judiciary and it is our responsibility to save democracy. The government has become a challenge for law and order in the country. Whatever happened was not right.

Your agenda and message to people?

I will die in Purnea. It is my responsibility to bring Kosi and Seemanchal on top. I will end the animosity between Hindus and Muslims. Corruption in governance, negligence in health services and goondaism in the area in three months and everyone will see what development looks like.
More than 3,000 nominations were filed for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections to be held for 102 seats across 21 states on April 19. The list of names includes union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Nisith Pramanik and major Tamil Nadu politicians as the state will have single-phase polling for all 39 Lok Sabha seats.

The total number of candidates in the fray for the first phase will be less than the total nominations as the list also includes multiple affidavits filed by many candidates. Further, there will also be rejections of candidature.

As of 2 pm on Thursday, 41 applications were rejected and 331 were accepted. The process of submitting nominations began last week with Thursday kept for scrutiny of papers. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is March 30.

Tamil Nadu

Out of the 102 Lok Sabha seats across India going for polls in the first phase, 39 are in Tamil Nadu alone. At least 1,403 candidates filed 1,747 affidavits in the state.

The list of big leaders taking part in the battle includes TTV Dhinakaran, the founder of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam  a breakaway faction of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam  former chief minister and former AIADMK member O Panneerselvam.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai and former governor of Telangana Tamilisai Soundararajan. From DMK those in the fray are Kanimozhi, A Raja, and Dayanidhi Maran.

O Panneerselvam is an independent candidate from Ramanathapuram. Four more candidates with the same name are contesting for the seat.

Dhinakaran, contesting from Theni, has declared movable assets worth Rs 19.82 lakh and immovable assets worth Rs 57.44 lakh. He owns no gold. As per his affidavit, he passed class 12 an later discontinued his BE (Civil Engineering) course. He is facing six criminal cases.

On the other hand, Raja is facing seven criminal cases, including in the alleged 2G spectrum scam. He owns no immovable assets. The worth of his movable assets stood at Rs 3.73 crore. Contesting from Nilgiris, Raja has completed a Bachelor of Science and Law course.

BJPs Annamalai, who filed his affidavit in Tamil language for the Coimbatore seat, says that he is facing 24 FIRs and holds an MBA degree.

Soundararajan, contesting from Chennai South, does not have any criminal cases against her, as per her documents. She owns moveable assets worth Rs 1.57 crore and holds an MBBS degree.

Maharashtra

Five Lok Sabha seats in the state will be going for polls on April 19, including Nagpur which will be in the limelight for its candidate Nitin Gadkari who is aiming for a third term.

The Congress has fielded its MLA from Nagpur West, Vikas Thakre, against Gadkari.

Gadkari, holding BCom and LLB degrees, is facing 10 criminal cases, up from four in 2014, as per his affidavits from the respective years. He owns movable assets worth Rs 1.32 crore, up from Rs 86.16 lakh in 2014. The worth of his immovable assets stood at Rs 4.95 crore, up from 3.78 crore in 2014.

Gadkari and his wife owned gold worth Rs 21.96 lakh and Rs 10.80 lakh in 2014 respectively which have increased to Rs 31.88 lakh and Rs 24.13 lakh as of now. The worth of his wifes movable assets stood at Rs 1.24 crore, up from Rs 63.88 lakh in 2014.

Thakre, a BCom graduate, is facing four criminal cases and has movable assets worth Rs 1.29 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 69.10 lakh.

West Bengal

In West Bengal, 42 candidates filed 65 nominations. The list includes union minister Nisith Pramanik. As per his documents, he is facing 14 criminal cases, owns movable assets worth Rs 49.22 lakh, and immovable assets worth Rs 43 lakh. Pramanik, who is passed class 10, is contesting from Cooch Behar. He will be facing TMC nominee Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia and 16 other candidates.

Basunia is facing one criminal case. The BA degree holder owns movable assets worth Rs 89.46 lakh.

Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh

Eight seats in Uttar Pradesh will be going for polls. More than 200 nominations were filed in the state.

In Chhattisgarh, a single seat is going for polls  Bastar. A total of 18 nominations were filed for the seat, including by the BJP and Congress.

BJPs Mahesh Kashyap will be facing Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma here. The two leaders are not facing any criminal cases. Tribal leader Lakhma is literate and has movable assets worth Rs 25 lakh. Kashyap has cleared class nine and owns moveable assets worth Rs 13.28 lakh.

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases. The first phase will cover the highest number of seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an interesting piece of trivia about the Statue of Unity with philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during their interaction this week after learning that the latter is planning to visit the architectural marvel in Gujarat.

The Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Patel, was inaugurated in Narmada districts Kevadia by PM Modi on October 31, 2018. At 182 metres, it is the worlds tallest statue.

I heard you are visiting Gujarat and are planning to see the Statue of Unity. Since you are going there, have you read about it? Modi asked Gates during their conversation.

Replying to the PM, Gates said: I am very much looking forward to that. I understand that its quite grand, much bigger than the Statue of Liberty. That will be fun to see. And also to meet some of the womens groups there; how they have gotten involved in tourism and see all the work that they do.

The PM then proceeded to share an interesting fact about the Statue of Unity with Bill Gates.

I want to share a piece of information on its background. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is renowned for his pivotal role in unifying India. As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I had initiated a mass movement by asking people to donate an iron tool which has been used in their fields. Each village should give one such tool. We collected iron from farmers in more than 6 lakh villages across India, melted it and then used it in the construction of the statue. Additionally, I gathered soil from each village to create a unity wall, embedding it with the essence of Indias 6 lakh villages to represent unity. This statue, symbolising our unity amid diversity, stands as the worlds tallest statue, Modi said.

#BreakingNews: 'Looking forward to visiting the Statue Of Unity in Gujarat. I want to meet some of the women groups to learn how they got involved in the tourism sector,' said Bill Gates to PM Modi in a candid chat #StatueOfUnity #PMModi #BillGates pic.twitter.com/Otp8dKaCeg News18 (@CNNnews18) March 29, 2024

Earlier in their interaction, the PM identified agriculture, education and health as three sectors where he believes technology can play a big role, and highlighted efforts of his government.

He noted how he used AI in the G20 Summit for translating speeches and also his addresses in different languages in several events. Technology like ChatGPT should be used to constantly improve oneself, he added.

Highlighting his use of AI, Modi asked Gates to take a selfie through his NaMo App and then showed him how it could be located through the face-recognition technology.

Modi said he believed in democratisation of technology as it gives everyone an equal opportunity and added that he is taking technology to villages.

To a query from Gates, he said he is fascinated by technology but is not a slave to it. I am not an expert but have childlike curiosity for technology, he said.

Speaking of digital revolution in India, the Prime Minister said he believed that nobody should have monopoly over it and it should be driven by the common people.
Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died due to cardiac arrest on Thursday at Banda Medical College in Uttar Pradesh. While the Opposition has raised questions over Ansaris death, his son Umar Ansari has alleged that his father was given slow poison in jail. A purported phone call between Ansari and his son, reportedly two days before his death, is making the rounds on social media.

In the phone call that is going viral with claims of it being the last between the gangster and his family, Ansari can be heard telling his son that his health had not been well for the past ten days. Meanwhile, Umar can be heard saying that his family was making all efforts to get permission to meet him in jail at the earliest and get him dates during the month of Ramzan.

#BreakingNews | My father was given slow poison: The last audio call between #MukhtarAnsari and his kin is going viral on social platforms. Tune in! @AmanKayamHai_ shares more details on the political showdown over #Ansaris death with @JamwalNews18 pic.twitter.com/PwX1PY67k0 News18 (@CNNnews18) March 29, 2024

While Ansari can be heard telling his son that he has not passed motions for ten days and needs a wheelchair to move, Umar reassured Ansari that he will be well and out of the jail soon in this holy month of Ramzan. In the entire audio clip, the voice claimed to be of Ansari is faint and not clear. News18 cannot verify the authenticity of the audio clip.

The clip comes in the backdrop of a raging controversy over the once-dreaded strongmans death that has prompted authorities to boost security measures in several pockets of the politically sensitive state. A section of politicians in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar alleges that Ansari was slow-poisoned in captivity. The five-time former MLA from Mau Sadar had been behind the bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases against him.

Pankaj Singh, an Uttar Pradesh MLA and a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rejected the charges. The Opposition keeps saying things. Nobody takes them seriouslyA post-mortem is being doneEverything will be clear, he said on Friday.

Lodged in Banda jail, Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday after he suffered a heart attack in the prison. He was admitted to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda after his health deteriorated. An official medical bulletin from the hospital noted that Mukhtar died of cardiac arrest.

However, his son Umar and his brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari alleged that he was given slow poison in jail.

Mukhtar Ansaris older brother Sibgatullah Ansari told news agency ANI that he found out about his brothers death through the media, adding that he was not informed by the administration.

He had been very unwell since 18th March and he was not being given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again. On 25-26 March night, he was in a very bad condition, so he was brought to medical college for a few hours as a formality, Sibgatullah said, adding that his brother was sent back as he was stable and that no treatment was given to him.

Inquiry Ordered Into Ansaris Death

Bandas Chief Judicial Magistrate ordered an inquiry by a judicial magistrate into Ansaris death. A three-member panel has been formed to conduct a magisterial investigation into the death of Mukhtar Ansari. The postmortem of the mafia, set to be conducted by a panel of two doctors, will be videographed.

A former official of the state police said Ansari had received proper medical treatment. This is a serious matter. An inquiry will take place. Earlier too, senior advocates made the court aware of the health of Mukhtar Ansari and that he needed medical support. After that, he was provided with all proper medical treatment. Its unfortunate as despite that he died due to cardiac arrest, former director general of police Vikram Singh said.
Hours after granting permission to the Oppositions INDIA bloc for a rally at Ramlila Maidan to protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday sanctioned a CBI inquiry against jailed AAP leader Satyendar Jain under the Prevention of Corruption (PoC) Act.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal News Live Updates

According to government sources cited by news agency ANI, the inquiry pertains to allegations of extorting Rs. 10 crores from conman Sukash Chandrashekhar, who was then imprisoned in Tihar Jail.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has accorded sanction for CBI inquiry against jailed AAP Minister, Satyendar Jain, under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act, for allegedly extorting Rs. 10 Crores from notorious conman Sukash Chandrashekhar, who was then lodged in Tihar Jail. ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

In February of this year, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena forwarded the proposal for a CBI inquiry to the Home Ministry seeking approval to prosecute/investigate Jain, who was arrested in May 2022 in a money laundering case.

On Friday, the Election Commission and Delhi Police granted permission to the Oppositions INDIA bloc to hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital on Sunday, March 31. The rally will be held to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai said that top leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Champai Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, and others, have been confirmed to attend Sundays rally.

All big leaders of the INDIA alliance partners are coming to Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 31. People of Delhi are also preparing to come. We have received the permission for the rally. So far, names of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Farooq Abdullah, Bhagwant Mann, Champai Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, Derek O Brien, Trichy Shiva, D Raja, Dipaknkar Bhattacharya, Kalpana Soren and G Devarajan have been confirmed, Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai told new agency PTI.

VIDEO | Heres what Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) said on INDIA blocs maha rally called on March 31 at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital.All big leaders of the INDIA alliance partners are coming to Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 31. People pic.twitter.com/6nOHSAqo5k  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 29, 2024

Earlier in the day, jailed CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal launched AAPs new WhatsApp campaign titled Kejriwal Ko Aashirwaad Do and called on people to rally behind her husband. She provided a WhatsApp number where supporters of Kejriwal can send their wishes and messages of support for their leader.

           WhatsApp   8297324624 https://t.co/UwcZuL90KE Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 29, 2024

Similarly, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai held a door-to-door campaign and distributed an invitation pamphlet, Mai Bhi Kejriwal, appealing to people to attend the INDIA alliance rally that is to be held on March 31 at Ramlila Maidan to protest Arvind Kejriwals arrest.

After the United States and Germany, the United Nations made a statement on Delhis Chief Minister and said that it hopes all democratic rights are protected. What we very much hope is that in India, or any other country.. everyones rights are protected and everyone can vote in the atmosphere free and fair.

Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi while addressing a press conference on Friday said ED Counsel revealed its real motive while arguing in court. Atishi said ED in court argued that Kejriwal refused to provide his phones password, which he possessed when the policy was implemented, to the probe agency.

She also added that the probe agency wants access to Kejriwals phone to understand AAPs strategy for Lok Sabha Elections.

Addressing an Important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/I70ahaSumy Atishi (@AtishiAAP) March 29, 2024

Arvind Kejriwals Wife Sunita Kejriwal on Thursday made a big claim about the AAP supremos condition in Enforcement Directorates (ED) custody and said he is being harassed a lot adding that the leaders health is deteriorating

On the other hand, the Delhi High Court, on the same day, rejected a PIL seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of CM due to his arrest adding that there is no bar on running a government from jail.

The developments came on the day when a Delhi court extended the chief ministers ED custody till April 1, saying the agency provided sufficient reasons, such as the need for him to be confronted with material collected and statements recorded, to permit his further custodial interrogation.

In the court, Kejriwal alleged that the actual excise scam started after the ED probe and not when the policy was made and that the agencys two main motives were to crush his Aam Aadmi Party and to declare it corrupt.

Here Are the Top Updates on Arvind Kejriwals Arrest and Interrogation in the Delhi Liquor Policy Case:
It is the end of an era in Purvanchal  Eastern Uttar Pradesh  with the two big dons or bahubalis, as they were known colloquially, dying under controversial circumstances within the last year. While Atiq Ahmed was shot dead in police custody by miscreants, the family of Mukhtar Ansari alleges he was slow poisoned to death inside prison.

For decades, under political patronage, Ahmed and Ansari ran their fiefdom in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, stretching from Ghazipur to Prayagraj, and were accused of high-profile killings. The entire region knew them as mafia with land grabbings, hired killings, kidnapping and extortion being a cottage industry attached to their henchmen. It was the real-life adaption of the Mirzapur web series or the movie Gangs of Wasseypur.

Both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have leaned on Ahmed and Ansari in the past for political gains in Purvanchal. This area came to be feared for such mafia and organised crime. Ansari served as an MLA from Mau for five consecutive terms from 1995 to 2022, and retained his assembly membership for nearly 27 years, without being convicted.

The fortunes, however, changed since 2014  and more so after 2017  as BJP came to power in the Centre and then the state under Yogi Adityanath. The chief minister was keen to change the image of Purvanchal since he too came from Gorakhpur.

A sustained campaign by the Yogi government saw properties of both Ahmed and Ansari being confiscated or razed to the ground, which is how the Babas Bulldozer model became famous in Uttar Pradesh. Ahmed and Ansaris long-pending cases were pursued aggressively in courts by the Yogi government, ensuring they face justice finally. Both their financial and legal protection were broken. Ahmed and Ansari saw their first convictions under Yogis rule. Ansari has been in jail for the last 18 years since 2005, facing 66 cases but not as a convict. Since 2017, he has been convicted eight times.

Ansaris conviction for life in 32-year-old Awadhesh Rais murder in May last year put an end to his delaying tactics of disrupting the court proceedings or influencing witnesses or turning them hostile to buy time. In Rais murder, he was convicted after 32 years. Charges were framed against him in another 1997 case registered at Bhelupur police station, Varanasi (after 24 years) in 2021. In another case registered at Jagdishpura police station of Agra in 1999, charges could only be framed (after 23 years) in 2022. Also, in a case registered against him with Alambagh police station of Lucknow in 2000, the charges were framed (after 21 years) in 2021. This showed his influence earlier on the police as well as the judicial system.

Earlier, a key gangster and shooter of Mukhtar Ansari, Munna Bajrangi, was also killed inside the Baghpat jail in 2018. Atiq Ahmed also saw sustained police action against him since 2017 before he was shot dead last year along with his brother, Afzal Ansari. Hum Toh Mitti Mein Mil Gaye  so said Atiq Ahmed just after the death of his son Asad Ahmed in a police encounter days before his killing. The police confiscated Atiqs property and assets worth Rs 1,400 crore and nearly 50 shell companies were sealed on charges that Atiq used them to convert black money earned from extortion to white money.

Before 2017, Atiq had always managed to get bail and be a free man despite over 100 criminal cases pending against him. The first case was lodged way back in 1979 but no government in UP could get him convicted in any case as either witnesses turned hostile or disappeared. It was the Yogi government that ensured strong prosecution in the case of the abduction of key witness Umesh Pal which led to a first-ever conviction for Atiq, who was handed a life term.

Yogi Adityanaths assertion that hum mafia ko mitti mein mila denge seems to have come true both in the case of Ahmed and Ansari, albeit their death is shrouded in controversy. Ansaris family had been complaining lately that he was being slow poisoned to death in the jail. These charges could see a detailed probe now after his death.

However, the bigger picture remains that Purvanchal is now free of its two biggest mafias, who have represented two major parties SP and BSP in the state assembly. The era of bahubalis and gangster-turned-netas in East UP is over.
Hours after gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari died following a cardiac arrest in jail, former Deputy Superintendent of Police (SP) Shailendra Singh, who invoked the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against Ansari in January 2004, on Friday recalled how he was forced to resign within 15 days allegedly by the then Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh.

Detailing Ansaris time in jail, the ex-police officer revealed that under SP rule, the then gangsters used to run their empire from inside the prison.

20 years ago, in 2004, Mukhtar Ansaris empire was at its peak. He (Ansari) would move around in open jeeps in areas where curfew was imposed, Singh said, adding, I recovered an LMG from him. No recovery was made before or after that. I imposed POTA on him. But the SP government wanted to save him at any cost. They pressured me. Infact, officials like the IG-range, DIG and SP-STF were transferred to Lucknow. Even I was made to resign within 15 days.

Revealing the reason behind his resignation, the ex-cop said, Mukhtar wanted his name to be removed from POTA at any cost. He had the support of the then-UP government. When I resigned, I even wrote to the governor that when the Mafia starts directing police then we cannot work.

#WATCH | Lucknow: Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death | Former DSP Shailendra Singh says, "20 years ago, in 2004, Mukhtar Ansari's empire was at its peak. He would move around in open jeeps in areas where curfew was imposed. That time I recovered a Light Machine pic.twitter.com/tMIAycGCXj ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

When the regime changed Mukhtar started begging for his life. He paid for his own bad deeds. With the help of the Mulayam government, they used to run their own rule inside or outside jail, but when the regime changed the situation was different for them, Shailendra Singh claimed.

Notably, in February 2004, Shailendra Singh under political pressure had to resign from service. He was also slapped with a case of vandalism a few months later. However, the UP government in May 2021 withdrew the case of vandalism against the former DSP in Varanasi.

The End of Eastern UPs Bahubali

Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari on Thursday night died after his health deteriorated in jail. Ansari was shifted to Banda Medical College Hospital in UP after he complained about pain in the abdomen. As per the hospital, Ansari died during treatment after suffering a heart attack.

Ansari, a former five-time legislator, was facing about 63 criminal cases involving murder, kidnapping, and extortion.
India is facing a serious ISIS threat and is definitely the target of the global terrorist group because of the presence of radical elements, intelligence agency sources told CNN-News18 on Friday.

Recent threats by the Islamic State Pakistan Province (ISPP) cant be taken lightly, they said.

Islamic State (ISIS) and Pakistans spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have joined hands after the weakening of the Taliban, the sources added.

The Ab Kiski Baari Hai (Who Is Next) poster issued by Nashir media, affiliated with ISPP, threatened India, the United States, China, and Denmark.

Alongside were released images from this months devastating Moscow and Kandahar attacks.

On March 21, ISIS targeted the top leadership of Afghanistans ruling Taliban and its supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.

The next day, gunmen sprayed concertgoers at Moscows Crocus City Hall with automatic weapons and set the venue on fire, killing at least 130 people, with many still reported missing.

We cant take this threat lightly, an Indian intelligence official told CNN-News18. ISIS is trying its level best to instigate Indian youth regularly from a particular community. We are dismantling their ability to attack India regularly with the help of state police. We are on high alert and everyone who is into these activities is under scanner.

Pakistans ISI is regularly helping and instigating Indian youth on social media and other VoIP platforms to carry out these attacks, the sources said. They are also cultivating people with criminal records like Bengaluru cafe blast suspect Mussavir Shazeeb Hussain to do such activities, they said.

At least nine people were injured in the blast around 1 pm on March 1 at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in the citys Whitefield area. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the case.

With the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan, said the sources, ISIS has gained strength because it doesnt face much of a challenge from any other terror group.

Also, they said, the Taliban and Pakistan army are regularly fighting at the borders, and to gain an upper hand, the ISI has been using ISIS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Friday discussed how India has progressed in the energy sector. India has made rapid strides in the development of solar and wind energy, and is now eager to accelerate in the nuclear sector, said PM Modi in an interaction with Gates.

The Prime Minister also told Gates how India is looking to accelerate in the nuclear sector. Our efforts are concentrated on fast-tracking solar and wind energy, but now we also want to accelerate in the nuclear sector. Similarly, our efforts also extended to making significant progress in Green Hydrogen, said PM Modi, adding that the government had recently launched a Green Hydrogen-powered boat service in Tamil Nadu. We also plan to launch this environment-friendly, pollution-free boat for tourists travelling from Kashi to Ayodhya. This will also support the Clean Ganga movement, Modi said. The G20 Summit, hosted by India last year, also concluded with a call for tripling renewable energy capacities by 2030, which was later announced at COP28 in UAE.

The two conversed on a range of topics including technology innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Digital India, and climate action also featured on top of the agenda. The US businessman and former CEO of Microsoft said that the world will probably miss the 1.5C target of limiting global warming and even the 2C goal is not going to be easy.

Over 195 countries including India and the US had signed the Paris Accord in 2015 to limit the rise of global temperature increase to well below 2C while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5C. However, the world already temporarily breached the 1.5C target last year which also ended up as the hottest year on record globally.

The Prime Minister said that it is time the world looks at a new concept of Green GDP within the overall GDP. We should change the terminology of development. All growth-metrics are anti-climate, its about steel consumption or per capita electricity consumption. But its time we develop a concept of Green GDP (Gross Domestic Product) within the overall GDP, for example how many of the total jobs (employment) are green, said PM Modi.

Gates also pressed on the need to make green technologies cost-effective for easy adoption. If its expensive, then the question is who will pay. Should the rich countries pay? It is not right to tell India to not build basic infrastructure just because the West had those emissions, but there is need for adaptation, because there will be some warming which farmers will have to take into account, he said.

Modi said the government has been promoting technology innovation in sunrise sectors through Rs 1 lakh corpus fund to youth and interest-free loan for up to 50 years to work on upcoming, futuristic technologies. We have also launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) for encouraging sustainable lifestyles, he said, also highlighting Indias rich story of being environment-friendly, as well as push for reuse and recycle, which the government intends to promote.
press release

According to local news reports, armed men arrived at Olatunji's residence a few minutes past 6:00 pm and forcefully took him away without any explanation. The journalists' wife, who witnessed the abduction, said that Olatunji's abductors searched for his phone and seized it immediately "before bundling him into a van like a common criminal. They refused to state his offence and where they were taking him," according to the journalist's wife.

The publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso Markson, said that during his detention, Olatunji apparently disappeared. "His phone line was switched off, nor did anyone speak to his family orthe Management of FirstNews to explain his whereabouts. If he was thought to have committed a crime relating to national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather than this gestapo-style of arrest that reminds us of the dark days of the military era".

The Management of FirstNews, wrote a letter to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa on 21 March 'demanding to know the whereabouts of its editor and appealing to the CDS to help them ascertain the exact location of Segun Olatunji'.

There are indications that Olatunji's abduction might be linked to a story that was published by FirstNews titled 'Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business'.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said that the arrest of Olatunji was a brutal act of intimidation that appears designed to silence the media and journalists, particularly from reporting on corruption and other stories that are of interest to the public. "Olatunji did not commit any crime and his abduction is a direct attack on freedom of speech and a deliberate attempt to silence the media from exposing the truth. Such acts of banditry and repression cannot be allowed to happen in a democratic state as they run contrary to the principles of the rule of law and good governance".

The IFJ calls on the Nigerian Government to take concrete action to guarantee the safety of journalists in Nigeria.
Kerala police on Friday arrested a man who allegedly spread false propaganda on social media that a lockdown would be declared in the country for three weeks to tamper with electronic voting machines (EVMs). The State Police Media Cell in a statement said that the arrested man  M V Sharafuddin  hails from Malappuram district of the state.

The man had allegedly shared on social media a screenshot of a news story published during the COVID-19 lockdown as part of his propaganda, police said. This was discovered during a social media patrol conducted by Kochi Cyberdome branch of Kerala police, the statement said.

It also said that social media monitoring cells have been formed at cyber police headquarters, all ranges and all police districts under the leadership of the cyber division to detect those who are posting and spreading false news on social media, in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections in the state on April 26.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given approval for a CBI probe against Delhis former prisons minister Satyendar Jain in a matter under the Prevention of Corruption Act, official sources said on Friday. Jain, who is behind bars in connection with a money laundering case, was accused of extorting Rs 10 crore from an inmate, Sukesh Chandrashekhar, for providing him protection in the jail, they said.

Apart from Jain, former director general of Tihar prisons Sandeep Goel and some other staff members were charged with demanding and extorting protection money from high-profile inmates in Delhi jails. The ministry on March 22 approved the CBI inquiry against Jain after which Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena forwarded the file to the chief secretary for further appropriate action, an official confirmed.

A complaint was filed by Chandrashekhar after which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had begun inquiring into the matter and sought sanction from the competent authority to prosecute the former minister under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he said.

Chandrashekhar, lodged in Tihar jail in a money laundering case, alleged in his complaint that Jain had extorted Rs 10 crore from him in tranches during 2018-21, either personally or through his accomplices, as protection money so as to help him live peacefully and comfortably in different jails of Delhi, he said.

It was also alleged that some jail officials had allegedly extorted Rs 12.50 crore from him in instalments during 2019-22, he stated.
Security personnel in several districts of Uttar Pradesh are on alert after jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda on Thursday.

Mukhtar Ansari Funeral LIVE Updates

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed across the state and teams of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) along with the local police have been deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said.

Ghazipur SP Omvir Singh told ANI, Since this news flashed last night, the entire district administration is on alert. We are in touch with the family and they have said that the last rites will be done after morning prayers. A crowd is expected as people will come to pay tribute and the arrangements are made for the same. But, I appeal to the people that the Model Code of Conduct is in effect for general elections and if it is violated by any means or statements made by anyone, action will be taken as per law.

According to reports, Mukhtar Ansaris jailed son, Abbas Ansari, has approached the Supreme Court seeking parole to attend his fathers last rites.

His elder brother Sibgatullah Ansari said, We received the body after some delay so the last rites cannot be performed tonight. It will be done tomorrow morning in Ghazipur. I request everybody to pray for him.

#WATCH | Ghazipur, UP: On the demise of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, his elder brother Sibgatullah Ansari says, We received the body after some delay so the last rites cannot be performed tonight. It will be done tomorrow morningI request everybody to pray for pic.twitter.com/MbojQwzsb6 ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Meanwhile, autopsy reports have revealed that the gangster-politicians death was caused due to cardiac arrest, reported TOI and HT.

Currently, a viral phone call conversation between Mukhtar Ansari and his kin is going around on social media. Meanwhile, the deceased dons son Omar Ansari has also written a letter to the District Magistrate of Banda demanding that the postmortem of his father should be done by the doctors of AIIMS, Delhi.

A large force of police personnel was also deployed outside Banda Medical College Hospital, where Mukhtar died. Meanwhile, a crowd of Ghazipur residents thronged outside the gangster-politicians home as cops kept a close vigil.

A magisterial investigation will be carried out by a three-member team and a panel of two doctors will conduct the post-mortem on the gangsters death.

#WATCH | On the death of Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari after suffering a cardiac arrest, Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari says, Post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow, after that they will give us the body. We will then follow with the further process pic.twitter.com/4by2OS5aUz ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024

Developments Related to Mukhtar Ansaris Death

Uttar Pradesh ADG Law & Order, Amitabh Yash said, In view of the Jumme ki Namaz today and yesterdays incident in Banda jail, a high alert was made across the state. Extra forces were sent to several districtsEveryone has been directed to maintain peace. There is peace across the state. Namaz is still going on at a few places, so alertness is being maintainedThere is no problem anywhere.

In a viral phone call conversation between Mukhtar Ansari and his kin that is going around on social media right now, the gangster was heard sharing about weaknesses in health.

#BreakingNews | My father was given slow poison: The last audio call between #MukhtarAnsari and his kin is going viral on social platforms. Tune in! @AmanKayamHai_ shares more details on the political showdown over #Ansaris death with @JamwalNews18 pic.twitter.com/PwX1PY67k0 News18 (@CNNnews18) March 29, 2024

Mukhtar Ansaris son Omar Ansari wrote a letter to the District Magistrate of Banda demanding that the postmortem of his father should be done by the doctors of Delhi, AIIMS. In his letter, Ansari has written that his family does not trust the medical system of Banda

Talking about Ansaris death, JDU MLC Dr Khalid Anwar said, As per the news we have received seems that it was a natural death, however, since he is a citizen, his brother held a press conference and even in a video conferencing, Mukhtar Ansari said that there is a risk to his life, so an inquiry must be ordered and their family members, people of this country should be satisfied that his death was natural and he didnt die due to any conspiracy.

Former BJP MLA who was killed by Mukhtar Ansari, Krishnanand Rais wife 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 after the incident (the murder), I felt that today is Holi for us.

BSP president Mayawati on Friday demanded a high-level inquiry into the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, saying the truth of the case needs to come before the public.

On the death of Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari after cardiac arrest, BJP leader Hari Sahani said, Due to disease, his death occurredNow whats the point of presenting it in a big way..In Bihar, a priest was murdered brutality, but they didnt find it plausible to raise voices for him, however, several cases were registered against that person (Deceased Mukhtar Ansari) and today he died due to cardiac arrest, now they have so much pain for him

A magisterial investigation will be carried out by a three-member team and a panel of two doctors will conduct the post-mortem on Mukhtar Ansaris death.

Mukhtar Ansaris lawyer Chandrajeet Yadav said, Documentation process is going on. A panel of doctors is being formed and the postmortem will start soon. Some documents had to be signed for which we have come here. We will give updates as soon as we receive any.

UP Minister and Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad spoke to the media on Ansaris death and said, Death is natural for every body that is born People should believe in science because forensic examination is the only thing which can be trusted The opposition has got nothing left but to blame. They should wait for the postmortem report.

On the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari after a cardiac arrest, SP Mau said, As soon as we received information of Mukhtar Ansaris death, Mau Police immediately deployed personnel in sensitive areas. Today, we are on high alert because Friday namaz will also be offered Some rumours have been doing the rounds that a curfew has been imposed in the region. Section 144 of the CrPC has already been imposed in Mau. The SP also appealed to everyone to maintain peace and not believe in rumours. He further said that action will be taken against those who spread rumours.

The driver of the ambulance, carrying the body of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, said that the administration will tell him the route as they will be leading the convoy. He further said, I am taking the body of Mukhtar Ansari The administration will be able to tell where the body is to be taken.

In connection to the case, former DSP Shailendra Singh told media, 20 years ago, in 2004, Mukhtar Ansaris empire was at its peak. He would move around in open jeeps in areas where curfew was imposed. That time I recovered a Light Machine Gun, no recovery was made before or after that. I even imposed POTA on him But the Mulayam Government wanted to save him at any cost. Singh said that Ansari pressurised officials and IG-Range, DIG, and SP-STF were transferred. Even I was made to resign within 15 days. But in my resignation, I wrote my reasons and put it before the people that this is the government you chose, which is protecting and working on the orders of mafias I wasnt doing a favour to anyone. It was my duty, he added.

Another Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav asked whether the UP government will order a judicial inquiry into Mukhtars death.Taking to X, professor Ram Gopal Yadav wrote, The circumstances under which former MLA Mukhtar Ansari died are extremely worrying. He had already filed an application in the court and expressed the fear of his murder by poison. In the current system, no one is safe in jail, nor in police custody, nor in their home.By creating an atmosphere of administrative terror, people are being forced to keep their mouths shut. Is anyone safe on the basis of the application given by Mukhtar Ansari in the court? Will UP government order judicial inquiry? he added.

Congress leader Surendra Rajput hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government and said, Today Mukhtar Ansaris death in the jail raises a big question BJP-led UP GovernmentThis should be investigated thoroughly so that everyone gets to know what is going on.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted to Mukhtar Ansaris death and said that Ghazipur people lost their favourite son and brother.In a post on X, Owaisi said Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajiun. I pray to Allah to forgive Mukhtar Ansari and give patience to his family and his loved ones. @AfzalAnsariMP @yusufpore The people of Ghazipur lost their favorite son and brother. Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he was poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable.

Samajwadi Party leader Ameeque Jamei demanded thorough investigation into Mukhtars death and said, We stand with the family of Mukhtar Ansari Recently he said that he can be murdered anytime Why he was not given a proper medical facilityWe will demand a thorough investigation of the incident

Mukhtar Ansaris elder brother Sibgatullah Ansari said that he was not informed about the death by the administration, adding that he saw it in media and came to know about it. He had been very unwell since 18th March and he was not being given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again. On 25-26 March night, he was in a very bad condition, so he was brought to medical college for a few hours as a formality, Sibgatullah said.

He added that Mukhtar was sent back as he was stable and was not given treatment. The Ansari familys apprehensions were given in written to the High Court as well as the Supreme Court, however, no cognisance was taken, Sibgatullah said.

Visuals from Ghazipur showed that preparations for the funeral of Mukhtar Ansari 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

According to news agency ANI, a three-member team will conduct a magisterial investigation of gangsters death. A panel of two doctors will do the post-mortem, which will be video-graphed.

BSP supremo Mayawati posted in a Hindi message of X (formerly Twitter) said, The apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansaris 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

(with agency inputs)
In a candid conversation with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about what keeps him going and how he is used to taking little rest. Calling PM Modi one of the most hard-working leaders in the world, Gates asked him what he does to relax, to which the Prime Minister replied saying that relaxation remains for him in autopilot mode.

This energy doesnt come from physical strength, but from my dedication and my emotional connection to the mission at hand. My commitment to my mission keeps me going. My body is now trained to what I do. For example, I can work late into the night and wake up early morning. I dont have to make an extra effort to relax, it happens on autopilot, PM Modi said.

In the Himalayas, I followed the tradition of bathing in the Brahma Muhurat which is between 3:20 am and 3:40 am. These things have conditioned my body over time, PM Modi told Gates.

The Prime Minister also spoke about how he led the fight against COVID-19 from the front and took the vaccine to lead by example for the country. When Gates asked how India witnessed little resistance to vaccination, PM Modi said, Its not virus vs the government. I viewed it as a life vs virus fight from the beginning.

He also added how he began communicating openly with the nation from day one. I publicly followed all COVID-19 protocol to gain peoples trust, he added.

He said that even though people made fun of things like his calls for clapping, clanging utensils or lighting a lamp, it was important for him to unite the nation in the fight against coronavirus.

I built peoples faith by being among the first to get vaccinated. My mother who was 95 years old then, took the vaccine publicly. I led by example and gained peoples trust that the vaccine could save their lives, PM Modi told Gates.

In a 45-minute interaction, PM Modi and Gates spoke to each other on several topics including Artificial Intelligence, technology, Statue of Unity and more.
In a free-wheeling chat with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi illustrated Indias adoption of artificial intelligence in the fields of governance, economy, education and medicine, quipping that AI is among the first words of children born in the country today.

AI is very important. In our country, we call mothers aai in many states and languages. Sometimes I jokingly say that now when a child is born in India, he says aai and AI, the Prime Minister said in a lighter vein.

During the conversation with Gates, the PM also shared recent practical use-cases of AI, particularly during the G20 event.

Let me share the exciting use of AI. It will make you happy to see how a common man demonstrates its practical benefits. Our G20 campus featured AI-based solutions for language interpretation. We equipped all chauffers with a mobile app, enabling seamless communication with the guests. For instance, if a guest spoke French, the app would allow the chauffer to understand. This facilitated smooth conversations between speakers of different languages.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and Bill Gates discuss the role and benefits of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The PM also tells him how AI was utilised during 2023 G20 Summit, how his Hindi speech was translated into Tamil during Kashi Tamil Sangamam event and the use of pic.twitter.com/Ur5eUkC7Gs ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Recently, I went to the Kashi Tamil Sangam event. As I cant speak Tamil, I delivered my speech in Hindi which was translated into Tamil real-time using AI, allowing attendees from Tamil Nadu to understand me clearly, Modi said.

Lauding Indias adoption of AI in different fields, Gates said: I think the key point is that the digital infrastructure keeps getting richer. A lot of people know about the identity system and the payment systems But as you are moving into the different areas for farmers, registering their land, tutoring for kids and the health records, thats kind of a second phase.

And we are just at the beginning now of the third phase where these advances in artificial intelligence will come on top of that and make the value even better, he added.

PM Modi also described the digital boom as the fourth industrial revolution. Historically, during the first and second industrial revolutions, we lagged behind because we were a colony. Now, in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, the digital element is at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot in this, the Prime Minister said.

The interaction between Modi and Gates at the formers official residence saw discussions over a range of topics, including artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and climate change.

The PM also encouraged Gates to take a selfie using the Photo Booth on the NaMo App, which recently introduced a new AI-powered feature that allows users to find their pictures with the Prime Minister using facial recognition technology.

The Prime Minister has repeteadly declared that India will lead the world in AI capabilities, and has exhorted young entrepreneurs and startups to work on Indian solutions for global applications to solve challenges faced by nations across the world.

The Union cabinet has already approved a Rs 10,000 crore plan for India AI Mission which will be leveraged for building computer infrastructure and providing funding as well as other support to startups for innovation.

Modi and Gates had previously met in February and said they discussed AI for public good, women-led development and innovation in agriculture and health.

It is always inspiring to meet with @narendramodi and there was a lot to discuss. We talked about AI for public good; DPI; women-led development; innovation in agriculture, health, and climate adaptation; and how we can take lessons from India to the world, Gates had posted on X (formerly Twitter).
India has a robust judicial system that is fair and independent, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Thursday. His remarks came in the backdrop of comments by the US, Germany, and the United Nations on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a case related to a controversial liquor policy in the national capital.

India summoned a senior US diplomat and German deputy chief of mission. Reports had it that a US State Department official had said that Washington encouraged a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Kejriwal. On March 23, India lodged a strong protest against Germanys foreign ministrys remarks on the arrest of the Delhi chief minister.

Addressing an event organised by a Bar association, Dhankhar said, There are people in the world who want to lecture us on our judicial behaviour. Without referring to the case linked to the excise policy scam, he said India has a robust judicial mechanism.

Dhankhar urged people to have a firm commitment towards nationalism. We are not a nation to get scriptures from others, he asserted. He asked the youth to speak against such things on social media and other platforms. He called upon the young minds to enlighten the countries trying to teach us lessons out of their ignorance.

Speaking at an event at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Dhankhar said India is a democratic nation with a robust judicial system which cannot be compromised by any individual or group. We have to be extremely careful, sensitive and proactive in neutralising anti-national narrative with respect to our robust judicial system, our democratic fabric and what we have attained, Dhankhar said.

It is that institution of Judiciary that has met at midnight, that has met on a holiday (and) imparted relief. Can we target our institutions because they conduct themselves in a particular manner, he added. He said the Judiciary can have a point of view on a particular issue which will not be palatable to the government and it has happened on several occasions.

It is their (Judiciarys) job, he said. But if a group of people without being registered or recognised party act as a political party. What do we do? They are not accountable. They get traction. We must rise above it, he said.

In an apparent swipe at the United States and Germany for their remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said India is a democratic nation with a robust judicial system. He said a country in Europe, a developed democracy, they need to think within. They need to attend to their own affairs. India is a democratic nation with robust judicial systems.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and is in its custody till April 1. Referring to the debate around the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the rules for which were framed recently, Dhankhar said the law is not discriminatory.

(with inputs from PTI)
In todays digest, News18 evening digest brings you the latest updates: Will Mukhtar Ansaris Wife Afsa Attend His Last Rites? Cops to Keep an Eye Out for Wanted Lady Don; This Mumbai Indians Fan Is Going Viral For Her Photos With Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and others.

Mukhtar Ansari News Updates: Don-Netas Post-mortem Done; Judicial Probe Ordered into His Death Amid Slow Poison Claim

Security personnel in several districts of Uttar Pradesh are on alert after jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda on Thursday. READ MORE

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: BJPs 8th List Likely Today, Odisha & Punjab on Cards; RJD-Congress Seat Sharing Done

The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced their seat sharing formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections at a joint press conference on Friday. After a series of meetings between the top brass of both the parties, the tussle between the two has come to an end. RJD bagged the biggest share with 26 seats, while Congress got nine seats and the left parties will contest on five seats. READ MORE

Will Mukhtar Ansaris Wife Afsa Attend His Last Rites? Cops to Keep an Eye Out for Wanted Lady Don

Afsa is wanted in multiple cases, including under the Gangster Act, and has been on the run for over a year now. Although the UP Police last year increased the cash reward on her head to Rs 75,000, it failed to bring success. READ MORE

Israeli Soldiers Seen Toying With Gaza Womens Underwear In Online Posts: Report

Israeli soldiers have been reportedly posting photos and videos of themselves playing with lingerie found in the homes of Gazans, causing outrage among Palestinian supporters amid the ravaging war. READ MORE

When Kareena Kapoor Refused to Pose With Rani Mukerji, Twinkle Khanna Because They Were | Watch

Kareena Kapoor starrer Crew has finally been released in theatres today, March 29. As Kareena basks in the films success, fans are lauding her for her powerful screen presence and stellar acting prowess. Amid this, an old interview of Kareena has resurfaced on social media, in which Twinkle Khanna said that the actress wants to be eternally young. READ MORE

This Mumbai Indians Fan Is Going Viral For Her Photos With Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya

No word is enough to describe the popularity of Mumbai Indians not only in India, but also in other parts of the world. Since the introduction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, the franchise has secured the silverware five times and is currently the joint-most successful team in the tournament alongside arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings. From Sachin Tendulkar to Sanath Jayasuriya, Zaheer Khan to Lasith Malinga, many legendary players have donned the Mumbai kit over the years. The team has been going through much turbulence this season regarding a shift in leadership. However, it has hardly made any impact on its fandom. READ MORE
In the wake of criticism from the Latin Catholic Archdiocese about lack of proper government intervention in violence against Christians in the country, Union Minister V Muraleedharan said here on Friday that religious minorities were not facing any threat in the country.

Minister of State for External Affairs Muraleedharan, who is also the BJP-led NDA candidate from Attingal Lok Sabha constituency, said he has interacted a lot with senior priests of the church and has never got the feeling that they were concerned the Christian community was not safe in the country. The violence against Christians in the country, especially in Manipur, is being used by the Congress and the Left, during the LS poll campaign, to target the BJP which is striving to woo the Christian community in the southern state to end their electoral drought in Kerala.

The BJP leader also claimed that even senior priests have said incidents of violence were not a religious issue, but a racial one. He was responding to queries from reporters at the BJP office here where it was announced that he would be filing his nomination on Saturday.

It was also announced that the deposit amount of Rs 25,000, to be submitted along with the nomination, was being given by students who were rescued from Ukraine after the war with Russia broke out there.

After the announcement, reporters pointed out that Latin Catholic metropolitan Archbishop Thomas J Netto in the morning said Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Manipur and north India, were being subjected to cruelty and violence by dark forces and alleged there was no effective intervention against it by government authorities. Muraleedharan said he cannot respond to it without hearing what the Archbishop said in its entirety.

However, under the Narendra Modi government, religious minorities in India are not facing any threats. That is the reality, he contended.
A candid conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Business Tycoon and philanthropist Bill Gates about the AI revolution, Indias potential as a tech leader and more was live-streamed on Friday.

The teaser of the interesting conversation, where Gates told PM Modi that Indians are not only adapting to technology, but also leading the way, was released a day later building heavy anticipation.

One of the themes that India brings to the table is that technology should be for everyone, the billionaire said.

During a discussion, Prime Minister Modi expressed his ambition to establish digital public infrastructure for rural India.

On Artificial Intelligence (AI), Modi explained to Gates that AI presents considerable challenges globally. He also emphasised the importance of comprehensive training for AI systems and proposed the idea of adding a watermark to AI-generated content.

The prime minister also highlighted his governments initiatives aimed at empowering women, such as the Namo Drone Didi program, which equips women with drone piloting skills, thereby fostering economic independence and rural development.

When I used to hear about the digital divide in the world, I used to think that I would not allow anything like that to happen in my country. Digital public infrastructure is a major requirement in itselfWomen are more open to adopting new technology in India. I have started the Namo Drone Didi scheme. This is going on very successfully, said Modi.

On his last visit to India in February 2024, Gates said he discussed several local and global issues and was blown away by the countrys strong focus on issues like digital public infrastructure, women-led development and innovation.

The billionaire said he was optimistic that India would lead the way in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for public good.
A former DCP of the Commissioners Task Force and another police official were interrogated on Thursday about a case of phone tapping and the destruction of official digital data from government records.

The suspects are accused of allegedly tapping the phone of the opposition leaders at the behest of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi government and also destroying computer systems and official data.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to order a probe even as the Congress and BJP said their phones had been tapped.

Earlier, two additional superintendents of police were arrested for allegedly colluding with a suspended DSP of the SIB named Praneeth Rao.

Rao is accused of erasing intelligence information from electronic devices and engaging in unauthorised phone tapping during the previous Telangana governments tenure.

As part of the probe, the police issued a lookout circular against the former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao, the then deputy commissioner of police P Radhakrishna, and a senior executive of a Telugu TV channel. They are suspected of not cooperating with the investigation and may have left the country.

Praneeth Rao, who was recently suspended by the Telangana government, previously worked as a DSP and later in the office of the Director General of Police. He has been accused of tapping the phones of opposition party leaders.

Based on a complaint filed by an additional superintendent of police from the Special Intelligence Bureau, a case has been registered against Praneeth Rao and others for criminal breach of trust, causing the disappearance of evidence, criminal conspiracy, and other charges.

It was reported that Praneeth Rao was detained on March 13 by the police. They claimed that he had created profiles of unknown people, secretly and unlawfully monitored them, and deleted certain computer systems and official data.

The case involves the alleged destruction of computer systems and official data from the SIB, as well as the unauthorized collection of intelligence information.

(With PTI inputs)
Police have said they are in the process of selling off the 9-seater 5XPEF/P180 PIAGO AVANTI bought in 2019 for shs28 billion.

On Friday, police led journalists to a guided tour of the aircraft at the police wing in Entebbe.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said despite having the capacity of remaining airborne for up to 8 hours while providing aerial support, the aircraft has failed to achieve any positive outcome since its acquisition.

"Since its acquisition, it has only covered a total flying time of 117hours, because it is not designed for non-tarmacked runways, undergoes expensive mandatory inspections, insurance and AMO with no benefits realised. In addition, the aircraft parts are very expensive given the nature and category of luxury," Enanga said.

He explained that after realizing this, the matter was reported to the Internal Affairs minister who gave no objection to the disposal of the unserviceable aircraft and procurement of the new compatible helicopter.

He explained that a board of survey on October, 19, 2022 inspected the aircraft and valued it at $4.2 million, a value that includes depreciated replacement cost valuation, technical condition, based valuation, Blue book values, current marketing running prices, a minimum of $100, 681.79 to replace expired parts and it being the only aircraft on the African continent.

"Therefore, the replacement of the fixed wing aircraft will provide the Police Airwing with an additional operational and effective crime fighting tool. So far, several types of aircraft have been reviewed, with manufacturers and in total consideration of the aircraft possible loads and operations of the Uganda Police."

Police however dismissed claims that the aircraft has already been disposed of and in silence.

Enanga explained that the process to dispose of the aircraft follows the PPDA process.

"It is considered option of the police force that the Paggio Avanti 11 Evo is disposed of and a new generation compatible aircraft acquired through the trade-in procurement sourcing method, ans in line with the PPDA laws and regulations."
India and Ukraine on Friday discussed efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict which began on February 2022 during the visit of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

During his two-day visit that ended on Friday, Kuleba met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Deputy National Security Adviser, Vikram Misri.

According to the contents of the MEA statement shared by news agency ANI, the meeting between Jaishankar and Kuleba focused on fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening bilateral relations between India and Ukraine, including in areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, defence, agriculture, health, culture, and education.

Both ministers also held a separate discussion on matters related to the India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, industrial, and cultural cooperation, and its working groups.

New Delhi and Kyiv also promised to work towards arranging the seventh Inter-Governmental Commission meeting later this year.

The exchange of views on regional and global matters involved a comprehensive discussion on the ongoing conflict and efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement, the statement added.

The two sides also acknowledged that regular interactions at various levels and meetings of bilateral mechanisms have contributed to the strong and multifaceted partnership that exists between India and Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian FM Kuleba said on social media platform X that he held comprehensive talks with EAM Jaishankar on bilateral ties and global security. The two leaders paid special attention to the Peace Formula and the next steps to be adopted for its implementation.

In New Delhi, I had sincere and comprehensive talks with @DrSJaishankar about Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations, the situation in our regions, and global security.We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula and next steps on the path of its implementation. We also pic.twitter.com/2aLQQBuqAJ  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 29, 2024

He added that the two sides agreed to restore the level of cooperation between our countries that existed before the conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in 2022.

EAM Jaishankar stated on X that the two sides had a wide-ranging conversation focussing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its wider ramifications. They also reiterated their commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation.

Pleased to co-chair the review meeting of our Inter-Governmental Commission with FM @DmytroKuleba of Ukraine.Noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation in all domains. Our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels. Perspectives on trade, health, pic.twitter.com/2nJ7RQiERN  Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2024

At the meeting, Jaishankar said that he looks forward to the visit, adding that India looks forward to hearing the Ukrainian perspective on their regional situation.

We have been looking forward to this visitIn recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created certain momentum in our bilateral relationship. Today, after this discussion, we look forward also to the meeting of the intergovernmental commission, Jaishankar said.

Your visit gives us an opportunity to understand the situation in your own region and I look forward to hearing your perspective on that. Our teams have prepared a very substantial agenda for discussions, he added.

While the Ukrainian FM stated that Kyiv will be looking forward to discussing new areas of cooperation with New Delhi.

We will be looking forward to restoring what had existed before the large-scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine began, existed between us. We will be looking forward to discussing new areas and projects of our cooperation because I do believe that this relationship has a strategic perspective, he said.

In 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first presented Ukraines 10-point peace formula to world leaders at the G20 Summit in Indonesias 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.

Ukrainian FM Kuleba arrived in India at the invitation of EAM Jaishankar on Thursday and said he will look to boost bilateral ties between the two countries and build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He also paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat in New Delhi.

In December last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised steps Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking to ensure a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Putin told Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar that he discussed the ongoing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war with PM Modi on several occasions and said he will delve deeper into the Ukraine issue when both leaders meet in person once again.

Many times, I advised him of how things have been going there and I know that he (PM Modi) is willing to do his utmost so that the issue is resolved by peaceful means. So, we probably will delve into that deeper now, and we will give additional information to you at that time, Putin was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Indias role in the Ukraine war has been consistent despite having to engage in a tightrope act in order to maintain close ties with allies Russia and the United States.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday listed the challenges of Artificial Intelligence as he discussed the future of the technology with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, noting that he too had been on the receiving end of deepfakes.

Gates, while discussing AI, said one was surprised at how good this is and you are also surprised at how bad it is.

It will do things you think are hard and then will fail to do some things you feel are easy. I started my trip from Hyderabad which was a nice occasion because Microsoft is celebrating 25 years in the country and that has been such a fantastic experience. So I was challenging the team there that we have to make the accuracy better. For now, AI is a co-pilot that helps suggest things but the final decision about medicines, about writing letters etc rests with us. It seems AI is a huge opportunity but there are several challenges that come with that, he said, posing a question to the prime minister: How do you think India will approach that?

I have observed that without proper training, theres a significant risk of misuse if such a powerful technology is placed in unskilled hands, PM Modi said.

He added: I have engaged with leading minds in AI. I suggested that we should start with a clear watermark on AI-generated content to prevent misinformation. This isnt to devalue AI creations but to recognise them for what they are. In a vast democratic country like India, anyone can misuse deepfake technology For example, if they misuse my voice initially people will believe it, leading to widespread uproar.

Its crucial to acknowledge that deepfake is AI-generated and mention its source. These measures are really important, especially in the initial days. We need to establish some dos and donts. Moreover, one should first engage AI within a field of expertise. Simply using it because one is tired or over-utilising it is not the best approach. If I fail to make decisions and risk merely entertaining myself with the technology, then rather than utilising it for meaningful value addition, it would be just a way to pass time.

This is not the first time the prime minister has brought attention to deepfakes. Speaking at a BJP Diwali event last year, PM Modi revealed that he had asked the ChatGpt team to flag deepfakes and put out a warning when such videos were circulated online.

The Prime Minister illustrated his point by citing a deepfake video of him doing Garba, a festival dance of Gujarat that is popular across the country. I recently saw a video in which I was seen playing Garba. I have not done Garba since school, he shared.

There are many other such videos online, said PM Modi, addressing journalists at the Diwali Milan programme at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. The Prime Minister also urged the media to educate people on such fake videos.

During the times of Artificial Intelligence, it is important that technology should be used responsibly, he cautioned.

In a lighter vein, while discussing Artificial Intelligence, the prime minister said: AI is very important. In our country, we call mothers aai in many states and languages. Sometimes I jokingly say that now when a child is born in India, he says aai and AI.

Meanwhile, praising Indias quick adoption of AI across fields, Gates said: I think the key point is that the digital infrastructure keeps getting richer. A lot of people know about the identity system and the payment systems But as you are moving into the different areas for farmers, registering their land, tutoring for kids and the health records, thats kind of a second phase.And we are just at the beginning now of the third phase where these advances in artificial intelligence will come on top of that and make the value even better.
India hosted the 71st Miss World 2024 pageant, marking its return after almost 30 years. The spotlight was on Sini Shetty, the winner of Femina Miss India 2022, as she represented India globally. While every Indian was rooting for Sini this year, lets take a look at some countries that have excelled at Miss World pageant, producing maximum winners known for their grace, intelligence, and kindness. From India to South Africa, here are five top countries that have won the most Miss World titles over the years.

India

India has won six Miss World titles, setting a remarkable record. Winners like Reita Faria Powell, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey, Priyanka Chopra, and Manushi Chhillar have not only captivated with their beauty but have also made significant contributions through charity and advocacy. Theyve made India proud! And who knows, Sini Shetty might continue this tradition if she clinches this years title.

Venezuela

Venezuela holds a prominent position in beauty pageants, sharing the spotlight with India with six Miss World titles. Renowned for their striking beauty, poise, and commanding stage presence, Venezuelan contestants have made a lasting impression. Iconic winners like Susana Duijm, Pilin Leon, Astrid Carolina Herrera, Ninibeth Leal, and Jacqueline Aguilera have captivated audiences worldwide.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has earned five Miss World titles, highlighting its grace and charm internationally. British contestants, radiating elegance and confidence, have consistently impressed judges of the pageant. Icons like Ann Sidney and Helen Morgan have left an indelible mark on the pageant world. The UKs most recent triumph was in 1983, secured by Sarah-Jane Hutt.

United States of America

The United States of America has seen three winners in the Miss World pageant. American winners are lauded not only for their charisma, intelligence, and dedication to social causes but also for their diverse backgrounds and talents. Alexandria Mills, who clinched the latest title for the country in 2010, continues to inspire future contestants with her advocacy and accomplishments beyond the stage.

South Africa

South Africa proudly holds three Miss World crowns in its history. Rolene Strauss, Anneline Kriel, and Penelope Coelen clinched the prestigious titles in 2014, 1974, and 1958, respectively. Renowned for their grace, beauty, and unwavering determination, South African contestants emerge as formidable contenders on the global stage.

These countries have left a strong impression on the Miss World stage. Theyve had many winners who displayed beauty, grace, intelligence, and a dedication to helping others.
The origin of Holi is depicted as a play of colours between Krishna and the Gopis, including Radha, and is about the Gopis desire to get coloured in their beloved Krishnas hue. Colour is a metaphor for acquiring the hues of the Lord, meaning acquiring His qualities in order to become one with Him. Apne hi rang mein rang de is their plea.

This forms the basis of Bhakti Yoga  aspiring for divine qualities to elevate oneself. Says Yogashree NV Raghuram, Chairman of Yoga Bharti, California, USA, a master of Bhakti Yoga and an expert in neuroscience: People misunderstand bhakti as love for God, but bhakti is simply love. Godliness, and not God, is important here.

Patanjalis definition of Yoga is Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha, or controlling the fluctuations of the mind, with the main goal being to see that one goes back to ones original self. Raghuram says this principle should apply to any kind of Yoga that we do.

He shared with us in an interview, how to use the emotion of love for the ultimate experience. Below are edited excerpts.

YOGA FOR INTROVERTS VS YOGA FOR EXTROVERTS

Patanjali gives us two ways to attain the goal of approaching the self  Abhyasa and Vairagya (practice and non-attachment).

Psychologist Carl Jung has categorised people into two kinds: extroverts and introverts. Extroverts, such as those in corporate or leadership roles, do well with the discipline of Abhyasa. Techniques of Yama-Niyama, Ashtanga Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Kriya Yoga Meditation and Cyclic meditation are for them.

For introverts, Vairagya is more suitable, attained through the path of either Jnana Yoga or Bhakti Yoga. Of these, Jnana Yoga requires much effort into reading and contemplating. For Bhakti, nothing is required. It is, in fact, the easiest path, better than even Karma and Raja Yoga. Even a great scholar like Shankaracharya became childlike, humble and simple on seeing the Goddess in Kashi. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one fine day, realising that all that intellect had given him no happiness for everyone was scared of him, turned into a bhakta.

It is not God-centric, but is self-centric just like other forms of Yoga. And it does not necessitate the practice of rituals.

BHAKTI YOGA IS SIMPLY ENRICHING THE EMOTION OF LOVE

Loving God, an entity we dont know, is not easy. What we do know is love  Prem. We are born with it, as demonstrated by babies when they start smiling within days of being born. Animals and plants also know love. This fact is picked up by Sage Narada, who defines bhakti as the exalted state of love. Narada Bhakti Sutras contain the formula for bhakti.

Enriched and ennobled love is bhakti. Prem enriched becomes Param-prem (Supreme love), and this makes one God-like. The practice of this first brings joy, peace of mind and a blissful state, and then leads us to our true self  our original state or Atma Ramau sthiti.

OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLE FIRST

Without ennobling, love is kama (lust)  for power, money or sensual pleasures  and results in qualities like jealousy, comparisons, and hatred. This is because of the presence of the ego. The obstacle to enriching love is therefore, the ego or `I, and this needs to be addressed.

All of Yoga deals with the I:

 In Raja Yoga  I is disciplined;

 In Karma Yoga  I is sacrificed;

 In Jnana Yoga  correct the I;

 In Bhakti Yoga  dissolve the I.

If I is dissolved, Divinity alone exists. In surrendering the ego, the individual empties himself of his self, while retaining an identity externally in order to function in the world. Internally, he is devoid of I.

 WAYS TO ENRICH AND ENNOBLE LOVE: Reading scriptures of ones culture and adopting qualities of the good characters described. Those qualities make for Godliness.

 Looking for opportunities to practice selfless love in day-to-day living.

 Developing Shraddha, a form of love where we look at someone as God: It could be for ones mother, father, teacher or any other role model. The brightness in someone helps develop Shraddha. Seeing innocence in someone also helps develop love. Making these as the source, pour out love into the world.

 Practising compassion and helping someone with their need, rather than to satisfy our ego. Having love for helpless animals.

 Through Seva or selfless caring: seva of the poor is considered seva to Divinity. Seva to the wise and learned is to facilitate them so that they dont need to come down from their exalted state for mundane requirements, and we continue to get their pearls of wisdom. We provide a gradient for the good to flow to us: so, the seva is really to ourselves.

 Overcoming biases with love: we first move from complaining to tolerating. Mere tolerating, though, has an underlying assumption that one is superior. Overcome this superiority by fuelling the relationship with more love, which would change tolerance to acceptance. Accepting means both are average and have some good qualities. This is how we grow.

 The Upanishads tell us to not stop at accept, but to appreciate. This is done by actively spotting and focussing on goodness in the other person. Here, one can remember several instances of Rama appreciating Ravana.

 Remind yourself of how Nature, the trees, rivers, Sun give, unmindful of themselves and unconditionally.

 By living life as a disciple, such that everyone and everything is a teacher to you. This wish to learn keeps us humble.

 By training emotions through various arts and music, especially classical compositions.
Alia Bhatt hosted the Hope Gala in London on Thursday evening to raise funds for underprivileged adolescents in India through the Salaam Bombay foundation. The event was attended by musician Harshdeep Kaur, comedian Rohan Joshi and director Gurinder Chadha, among others. The Mandarin Oriental, the venue for the gala, shared a video on Instagram featuring Alia in two different outfits: a maroon dress for the red carpet and an cream, embroidered lace saree for the gala. The gala saw Alia backing the Salaam Bombay charity, which focuses on helping Mumbais most vulnerable children through in-school programs for leadership and advocacy, as well as after-school academies for skill-building. These initiatives aim to boost their confidence and self-esteem and encourage them to stay in school.

Meanwhile, Alia was caught blushing when the paparazzi called her Vahini (Bhabhi, in Marathi) when they spotted her leaving for the gala in London. She was seen at the Mumbai airport on late Wednesday evening. In a video shared on Instagram, the Gangubai Kathiawadi star was seen rushing to board her flight. Despite her schedule, Alia stopped to take a photo with a young fan. As she made her way to the departure gate, the cameramen present at the airport greeted her.

Vahini namaskar, said a cameraman. The greeting left her blushing. She smiled for the cameras and headed to her flight. A paparazzi also asked her about Ranbir Kapoor.

The actress has just finished shooting her upcoming film, Jigra, where she stars alongside Vedang Raina. This movie is co-produced by her production house and directed by Vasan Bala. Additionally, she has recently signed on for another project with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, titled Love and War, where she will be working again with her Gangubai Kathiawadi director. This film also stars Vicky Kaushal and Ranbir Kapoor.
Its only been a few days since director Siddharth Anands aerial actioner Fighter was released on Netflix. Within 48 hours of its OTT release, the Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone started trending, thereby grabbing the first spot on the platform. Anil Kapoor, who played a pivotal role in the film, recently celebrated the success of the film in the OTT space, thanking his fans for showering love on both his last releases  Fighter and Animal.

Anil Kapoor, on Thursday, dropped a poster of the film Fighter on his Instagram handle and accompanied it with a text filled with gratitude. The actor wrote, Animal and now fighter thank you for all the love.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by anilskapoor (@anilskapoor)

Recently, Netflix rolled out data suggesting that the Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer has reigned first spot in India, Bangladesh, Mauritius and Maldives. On the other hand, it has charted in the list of the top 10 in other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil among others.

In the film Fighter, Anil Kapoor played Group Captain Rakesh Jaisingh for which he received immense praise and appreciation from the audience. As Fighter continues to soar in popularity on Netflix, it must be noted that the actors last released film with Ranbir Kapoor also performed extensively well on the OTT platform. Before Fighter, the Jug Jug Jeeyo actor nailed it with his performance in the film Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Ranbir Kapoors film, upon its release on Netflix, earlier this year, was welcomed with a warm response, making it trending for the longest time in the OTT space.

Coming back to Fighter, the film features Hrithik Roshan playing squadron leader Shamsher Pathania, aka Patty, whereas Deepika essays the role of Minal Rathore. The plot of the film is set against the background of a terror attack in Srinagar. The film, besides Deepika, Hrithik and Anil, also stars Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi in key roles. Produced under the banners of Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures, the film garnered over Rs 337 crore worldwide.
Kannada star Dhananjayas upcoming movie Uttarakaandas filming is expected to begin soon. The auditioning process for its additional cast members concluded on March 28. Many young men and women gathered at Sawai Gandharva Hall in Hubballi (Karnataka) to audition for various roles in the Dhanajaya-starrer movie. The film is directed by Rohit Padaki and stars Dhananjaya, Dignath Manchale and actress Ramya in the lead roles. A wild gangster drama set in the northern region of Karnataka, the makers were hiring local artists to increase the authenticity of the film. The movie will be filmed in North Kannada language.

Dhananjaya, who is also known for his role in the film Tagaru, attended the audition hall and encouraged the actors who were giving auditions since morning. The casting process reportedly started at 9:30 am. He welcomed the aspiring actors and said that North Karnataka harbours so much talent and hence it needs to grow. So many people auditioned. I dont know what character you are playing. But come, lets work together in this Uttarakaanda movie, he reportedly said and inspired the auditioners.

While reflecting on his previous ventures, Dhananjaya said that they tried to bring the North Kannada language into the movie Gurudev Hoysala last year. Some characters spoke the Bengaluru language which spoiled the true authenticity of the North Kannada district dialect in the film. Hence, Dhananjaya ensured that his upcoming movie Uttarakaanda will harbour the true North Carnatic dialect as it is set in the North Kannada region of Karnataka. Gurudev Hoysala was directed by Vijay Nagendra and was produced under the banner of KRG Studios.

Dhananjaya wished the aspiring actors good luck and took selfies with them before leaving the audition hall.

The makers of Uttarakaanda took auditions on March 27 and 28. The first audition call for the local artist was made at BLDEAS VP Dr PGHalakatti College of Engineering and Technology in Vijaypura.

Dhananjaya will be portraying the fictional character of gangster Gabru Sathya in the movie as showcased by the makers in the character introduction video. It was released a few months ago by the makers.
A monster-verse fan is in for a treat with Adam Wingards latest directorial titled Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. The film starring Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle, Dan Stevens and Brian Tyree Henry is a perfect fantasy-come-true moment for anyone who has been in love with the legends of Godzilla and King Kong. The movie starts with how Kong is slowly settling in his new found home in Hollow Earth, while Godzilla is still on the surface of the Earth and battling some monsters that are disrupting the routine life on the planet. Kong, being an emotional animal, is in search for his new family. But the search through the first half only ends in vain as he is left to live a lonely life with other species on Hollow Earth.

Hottle, who plays the pivotal role of Jia, the lone survivor from the Iwi Tribe of Skull Island, steers the film to a direction where it is discovered that Hollow Earth is not a world that is untouched by mankind. A strange yet persistent signal keeps disrupting the MONARCH computers through the first half. However, the team later discovers that the same pattern of signals are also disturbing Jias life on the surface. The action starts from the minute Godzilla makes his presence on the screen. Funnily, the monster is seen getting cozy and comfortable within the premises of Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

While we were all taken by surprise at how Godzilla charges itself with nuclear power sources, this time Wingard has taken things a notch higher than his 2021 release. Godzilla, the king of monsters, is no more donning a crystal white body. His body is now supercharged and his eyes, scales on the back turn pink. One can only wonder what made Wingard go with Pink as the colour for a super angry and super charged monster on the run to kill yet another threat to the planet. But I guess, fantasies allow you to do that.

As the movie progresses, Kong finally meets another giant apes in Hollow Earth, but the only difference is that they are all ruled by their alpha and the main antagonist Skar King, who wishes to conquer the surface world. Kong soon realises that he needs another Titan to fight Skar King and thats when he decides to lure Godzilla into the Hollow Earth to fight against Skar King. But Skar King is not alone. The demon ape has captured another legendary Titan, Shimo, who can freeze anything with its breath. However, twists and turns and the action sequences from there on will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.

A lot of us would argue that the previous edition that released in 2021, featured a lot more emotional aspects of the monster as well as the characters involved. But this one is fast-paced, to the point, and has amazing wide shots of Kong and Godzilla flying together. Overall, the movie is a must-watch if you are monsterverse fan.
Filmmaker Kabir Khan began his journey in Bollywood with Yash Raj Films. Despite his debut film Kabul Express being an experimental project for YRF, it was well-received. When Kabir began working on New York, Aditya Chopra suggested he cast Katrina Kaif, but Katrina wasnt too interested in the film.

Kabir, during a chat on Mashbale Indias YouTube channel, said, When Katrina came in, this was going to be her first film with Yash Raj, so she came and I think, she was a little disappointed by the film when she heard it. She was wanting to hear maybe a love story, song and dance, and she was like what kind of film is this? During the production of Kabul Express, Kabir had a chance encounter with Salman Khan, which later helped in the casting of Katrina in New York.

The filmmaker shared, Those days, she was seeing Salman. Salman asked her how was the meeting? She said there is a new filmmaker who has made one film and he offered me a film. Its interesting but I dont know. Salman asked who is the filmmaker? so she said theres this guy called Kabir Khan. So apparently, Salman said aankh band karke picture sign kar lo, I have met the boy (sign the film with your eyes closed, I have met the boy). Its so sweet that he remembered that one meeting.

Kabir also remembered filming New York, which starred Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham alongside Katrina. He shared that they spent 100 days shooting in New York, and the experience was quite new for Katrina. For a long time, when she came on the set, she kept calling me sir. I finally had to say yaar, your boyfriend is four years older than me, please dont call me sir, he rememebered.

Kabir also said that he would often accidentally address Katrina as Kareena. For the first 20 days, I would call her Kareena and then slowly when we became friends, I became used to Katrina. Then during Bajrangi Bhaijaan, for a long time, I called Kareena, Katrina, he said.
Marathi director Vijay Kondke, acclaimed for his work on the iconic film Maherchi Sadi, is returning to the directors chair after 24 years with his latest project, Lek Hawaira Ter Ashi, set to hit cinema halls across Maharashtra on April 26. Reflecting on his journey, Kondke expressed gratitude for the opportunity to helm Maherchi Sadi, attributing the chance to his desire to direct and the encouragement he received from his late uncle, actor Dada Kondke.

Addressing speculation about a potential sequel to Maherchi Sadi, Kondke clarified in an interview with the Times of India, stating, While I did announce the sequel, the project hasnt progressed yet. Lead actors are yet to be finalised and the absence of key cast members such as Vikram Gokhale, Ashalata Wabgaonkar, Ramesh Bhatkar and Bhalchandra Kulkarni has temporarily put the project on hold. In the meantime, Kondke is fully focused on Lek Hawaira Ter Ashi.

Interestingly, during the development of Maherchi Sadi, Kondke had hoped to cast actress Bhagyashree in the lead role. Despite waiting for her response for eighteen months, the collaboration did not materialise, leading to Alka Kubal ultimately assuming the role alongside a talented ensemble cast including Ramesh Bhatkar, Vikram Gokhale and others.

Beyond his directorial ventures, Kondke has played a pivotal role in distributing several successful films associated with Dada Kondke, including Songadya Pandu Hawaldar, Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulya, Tumcha Aamcha Jamla, Ram Ram Gangaram and Aali Angavar. With a proven track record of box-office hits, anticipation is high for Lek Hawaira Ter Ashi to follow suit.

Vijay Kondkes return to directing after more than two decades, coupled with his rich legacy in Marathi cinema, promises an exciting chapter in Maharashtras film industry, as audiences eagerly await the release of Lek Hawaira Ter Ashi and the continued contributions of this veteran filmmaker.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said people who contribute to the development of a society should be remembered and appreciated.

"I want to salute Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo and his group for remembering to do this and following it up. I normally support them, but they are the ones who brought the idea and pushed it. I thank them because if you don't recognize people who do well, then you let down society. After all, if the ones who do well are not remembered and appreciated, you may create a situation where people don't bother to excel in doing well," he said.

The President made the remarks on Thursday 28th March 2024 during the Elders Mentorship/Leadership Awards luncheon 2024, held at State House Entebbe.

The awarding ceremony was organised by the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, headed by Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID). The ceremony ran under the theme: "Modelling the right behaviour for the youth of Africa in the 21st Century".

The Elders Mentorship/Leadership Awards aim to recognize individuals who have shown exceptional service and leadership in their respective fields, making a significant positive impact on Uganda's development. At the event, at least 16 elders were recognized for their immense role in the development of the country.

This ceremony also provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, the former Speaker of Parliament for his dedication and commitment to public service.

The President congratulated the awardees for their contribution towards the development of the country.

President Museveni further explained that to get the accurate mentorship, people must first understand the story of nature and society as well as the story of the human being as the primary changer of society.

"Advancement of science and technology is the primal of social change. In advanced societies, man is able to tame nature. Therefore, in your mentorship you must clarify the role of science and technology in any society to deal with the issue of oppression of man by nature," he advised the organisers.

"As you mentor the young people, it is very important that you get this story of the human race so that they know where we belong. The starting point of mentoring is getting an accurate understanding of the human story of society and nature."

President Museveni also revealed that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has been able to make progress because it accurately diagnosed the society and came up with the solution to the problems of Ugandans.

"Mentorship means accurate diagnosis of society, history and nature of the universe. Then you add in discipline. If you are disciplined on the wrong line, you will not get results. The NRM government has been able to make some progress because of that. That is why we have been able to bring stability. We were able to reject the politics of identity, we said this is not what you want, what you need is to solve people's needs and to solve them better you need a united Uganda, a United East Africa and a united Africa. Then, you can add discipline," he said.

"Once you have got a correct analysis which people call vision, you add discipline, you will be able to make a correct contribution. Spirituality is also very crucial because it adds to the discipline; it makes people know that there's a superior force that is looking at what we are doing."

On the other hand, the President disclosed that the late Oulanyah was a good Cadre who listened to the message of the NRM government that enabled him to turn out to be one of the top leaders in the country before his demise.

"You remember he started off from UPC, but when he listened to the message of the NRM he was honest enough to say that I think these people are right. He was able to listen intellectually to what we were saying, and he was persuaded by the accuracy of what we were describing and eventually joined the NRM and became very prominent in the party; that is how he ended up becoming the Speaker which is position number 3 in the whole country after President and Vice President," President Museveni said.

"Oulanyah was able to do what he did because of a correct vision and if you all follow what we have been saying, the country will move very first because we have got everything here, but the main problem has been what should be done and why; you find people doing things which are not answering that question. What is the correct thing to do? We have told you about the commercialization of Agriculture with "ekibaro", industries and artisanship, services and ICT."

The Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo congratulated the awardees upon receiving recognition for their fundamental role in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda.

"Your Excellency the theme of today's ceremony resonates very well with what you are known for in the African Union, i.e. the champion of integration because the theme underscores the role of the youth in the transformation of the African Continent," H.E Alupo said.

Delivering his keynote speech, the Speaker of the House of People's Representatives of Ethiopia, Hon. Tagesse Chafo Dullo, conveyed greetings from the people of Ethiopia to the President and people of Uganda.

"We are brothers and sisters from another mother. Allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the people and government of Uganda for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to me and my delegation," he said.

Hon. Chafo also thanked President Museveni and his government for establishing a national platform to recognise public servants who have served their country with integrity and courage that the future generation of this great country will undoubtedly look up to for the modelling of a character.

"We must empower and pave a way for the African youth to assume their rightful positions through the right mentorship and guidance. As we strive for economic growth, innovation, peace and stability, we must not just include young African leaders but also actively engage and empower them," he said.

Hon. Chafo also praised the late Rt Hon. Oulanyah that he was a brilliant and ambitious African leader who led by example.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao thanked Mr. Rwabwogo for organising the event, saying that it keeps getting better each year.

"This year, the spotlight is on Speaker Jacob Oulanyah but within that same spotlight are people who personify those qualities that made him a celebrated figure. In reality we are celebrating the potential of Jacob Oulanyah; I don't think we got the best of him and that is why the nation mourned," Hon. Mao said.

"Leadership is not about Office but mission," he added.

On his part, Mr. Rwabwogo informed the President that the mentorship Awards ceremony also aims to remind the young generation of the value of dignified and exemplary service by the older retired public servants, who exit Uganda's public service to pave the way for the young ones.

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"I want to thank Mr. President for allowing us to host this luncheon and award some few people he chose this year. I ask you, the young people, to look at those people who have done well before us by serving our country and learn from them, don't back down from doing the right thing," Mr. Rwabwogo said.

Speaking on behalf of the former Speaker's family, Hon. Andrew Ojok who also serves as Omoro County Member of Parliament, said the late Oulanyah was of no doubt a mentor to many who worked towards the development of Uganda.

"Mr. President, permit me to thank you in a special way not only for opening your door to make this event possible this year but also taking deliberate steps to ensure that the special interest groups especially the youth are involved in the leadership management of this country," he said.

"Permit me to also thank you for standing with the family of the late Jacob Oulanyah both when he was still alive and when he passed on. Our father's legacy is one of integrity, reconciliation, institutionalism and Ubuntu," he added.

The father of the late Oulanyah, Mr. Nathan Okori thanked the government for honouring the late Speaker.

"I'm really grateful that my late son is still remembered."

The event was also attended by former Prime Ministers, Rt.Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Rt. Hon. Kintu Musoke, Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, Minister for General Duties, Hon. Kasule Lumumba, among other dignitaries.
Patna Shuklla Review: This weekend, Disney+Hotstar is streaming an interesting film titled Patna Shuklla. Directed by Vivek Budakoti and Rajendra Tiwari, the film skipped the theatres for an OTT release. It intelligently explores the horrific scam that destroys the lives and careers of underprivileged students and is headlined by Raveena Tandon.

Raveena Tandon plays the role of Tanvi Shukla, a lawyer in the Patna District Court who has been reduced to writing affidavits. Although Raveena headlines the film, Patna Shuklla revolves around Rinki Kumari. Played by Anushka Kaushik, Rinki is the daughter of an impoverished rickshaw puller. When her Bachelors examination results are declared, she finds herself on the failed list. She is certain that she should have scored over 60 percent. She had worked hard for it.

Patna Shuklla veers into the courtroom where a battle is fought between Tanvi Shukla (Raveena Tandon), a lawyer in the Patna District Court representing Rinki Kumari (Anushka Kaushik), the daughter of an impoverished rickshaw-puller, and the over-confident Neelkanth Mishra (Chandan Roy Sanyal), who is representing Vihar University, where Rinki had been a student.

Patna Shuklla strongly resembles Jolly LLB in which Boman Irani plays an arrogant lawyer defending a guilty young man, charged with running his car over men and women sleeping on the pavement. He was clearly drunk. Sanyal appears to be strongly inspired by Boman, and Raveena has traces that we noticed in the character, Jolly, which Arshad Warsi portrayed. The movie itself has many facets that run parallel to Jolly LLB. Judge Jha (late Satish Kaushik) in Patna Shuklla looks very similar to Judge Tripathi (Saurabh Shukla).

However, this is not to reduce Patna Shuklla to some kind of non-entity. It has its moments, and they are compelling. It is lovely to watch Raveena in a completely new avatar  as a lawyer pleading for a poor girl, whose life and future are at stake in the hands of a corrupt university administration surreptitiously exchanging the mark sheets of rich students, (with poor academic record) with those of academically brilliant young men and women who have no money power or political backing.

Patna Shuklla is undoubtedly one of the better films I have seen in recent months, but it sinks a little in my estimation because it tends to borrow a tad too much from Jolly LLB. But, examination scam is a huge business and the film arrives at a very appropriate time.
Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas were mobbed by a massive crowd as they arrived at Mannara Chopras birthday party in Mumbai. Priyanka was also joined by her mother Madhu Chopra for her cousins birthday celebrations. A video of Priyanka and Nick arriving at the birthday venue amid high security has surfaced on social media.

As soon as Priyanka got down from her car, she was mobbed by a swarm of paparazzi. The actress was visibly struggling to walk her way inside the venue. Nick then came to her rescue and protected her from the massive crowd.

Meanwhile, Mannara, who became a household name after participating in Bigg Boss 17, arrived in style for her 33rd birthday bash. She opted for a very plunging red hot ruffle dress. She completed her look with silver danglers and heels.

Mannara and Priyanka also enjoyed Holi together. They were joined by Nick and Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. Mannara took to her Instagram handle to share the photos from their Holi celebrations. In one of the photos, Mannara and Priyanka are seen making goofy faces as they pose for the camera with Nick. In another picture, Mannara is seen playing with Malti as Priyanka holds her daughter in her arms.

Sharing the pics, Mannara wrote, Thankyou Mimi Didi, Jiju, and Mm for an amazing Holi get together. Its always feels so good to be spending time with family. Cheers to endless dance sessions, scrumptious food, and the countless happy moments.

Hailing from Ambala, Mannara Chopra is the cousin of Bollywood actresses Parineeti and Priyanka Chopra. Mannaras mother, who is a jewellery designer by profession, is the sister of Parineeti and Priyankas fathers. While Mannaras father is a lawyer, she also has a younger sister named Mitali.
In the latest episode of What the Hell Navya podcast, Shweta Bachchan opened up about her equation with her children Agastya Nanda and Navya Naveli Nanda. Shweta revealed that she fights with her kids very often. However, she said that despite their arguments and fights she has learnt so much from her kids.

Read More: Shweta Bachchan Reveals She Fights With Her Kids Navya And Agastya Very Often: When I Argue

Filmmaker Kabir Khan began his journey in Bollywood with Yash Raj Films. Despite his debut film Kabul Express being an experimental project for YRF, it was well-received. When Kabir began working on New York, Aditya Chopra suggested he cast Katrina Kaif, but Katrina wasnt too interested in the film.

Read More: Kabir Khan Reveals Salman Khan Asked Katrina Kaif To Sign New York: She Was Seeing Him And

Randeep Hoodas Swantantrya Veer Savarkar was released this Friday and marked the actors debut as a director. The actor recently recollected having an eerie experience on the film sets, when he was shooting at Kaala Paani. A part of the film was shot at the Colonial era Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Read More: Randeep Hooda Recalls Having A Haunting Experience While Shooting For Veer Savarkar: Used To See A Shadow

Jaya Bachchan, who is known for her unabashed and unapologetic personality, admitted that she and Amitabh Bachchan have been extremely protective about their kids, actor Abhishek Bachchan and entrepreneur Shweta Bachchan. On the latest episode of her granddaughters podcast What The Hell Navya Season 2, the veteran actress along with Navya and Shweta, navigated through a witty conversation on age vs experience.

Read More: Jaya Bachchan Admits She And Amitabh Are Very Protective of Their Kids; Shweta Bachchan Says Im Not

Ananya Pandays rumoured relationship with Aditya Roy Kapur often hits headlines. While the duo have never confirmed out loud about their relationship, their public appearances, and several confessions during interviews have given enough proof of their dating. Recently, they collaborated on an advertisement shoot for a sunglass brand. Aditya posted the photo on his official Instagram handle and it has gone viral.

Read More: Aditya Roy Kapur Holds Ananya Panday Close, Drops FIRST Photo To Make Relationship IG Official? See Here
Tom Holland broke the hearts of a million fans after he announced a year-long sabbatical from films last year. Now, nearly a year after his statement, The Spiderman: No Way Home alum is finally back at his professional commitments. However, instead of making a movie comeback, he has returned for a debut stage production of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. The actor will be essaying the titular role of Romeo scheduled to be held at the Duke of Yorks Theatre in London from May 23 to August 3. With the plays director-producer Jamie Lloyd announcing the cast, Tom Holland has expressed his excitement about being part of the project.

In a press statement by Deadline, an overjoyed Tom Holland said, Beyond excited to announce our cast for Romeo and Juliet. I cant wait to get started and I know well create something really special together. The previews of the stage play will begin on May 11.

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Besides Tom Holland, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers has been roped in to play the female lead of Juliet. Francesca Amewudah-Rivers was a part of the 2012 BBC sitcom Bad Education for two seasons. In a statement, the actress expressed her enthusiasm to be a part of Romeo and Juliet. Im so grateful to be making my West End debut as Juliet with The Jamie Lloyd Company. Its a dream to be joining this team of incredible artists with Jamie at the helm, she said, as quoted by Deadline. She also promised to bring a fresh energy to the plays narrative alongside her co-star Holland and was ready to welcome new audiences to the theatre.

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As per the cast poster released on the official Instagram handle of Jamie Lloyd Company, the other members of Romeo and Juliet include Freema Agyeman as the Nurse, Tomiwa Edun as Capulet, Michael Balogun as Friar, Daniel Quinn-Toye as Paris, Mia Jerome as Montague, Nima Taleghani as Benvolio, Ray Sesay as Tybalt and Joshua-Alexander Williams as Mercutio.

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Meanwhile, Tom Holland and Zendaya are reported to be joining hands again for another Spiderman movie, tentatively titled Spiderman 4, claims insider Jeff Sneider, as cited by Comicbook. Presumably, Fast and Furious 9 director Justin Lin will be helming the film.
South star Daali Dhananjaya is set to start working on his upcoming, titled Uttarakaanda. As per the latest updates, the Kannada actor visited the Temple of Lord Anjaneya in Dharwad ahead of the films shoot.

Ahead of the commencement of Uttarakaandas shoot, the films lead, Daali Dhananjaya, paid a visit to the Temple of Lord Anjaneya or Hanumanthappa, located in Madikeri, Dharwad. The actor visited the holy site to get the blessings of Lord Anjaneya before he started the shoot of his upcoming film in a few days.

As per reports, the films director, Rohit Padaki and the producer, Karthik Gowda, also came to the place for blessings. The Uttarakaanada makers visited Lord Hanumanthappas place on March 28.

Director Rohit Padaki is showcasing a gangster drama set in North Karnataka in the film Uttarakaanada, hence the title. As per the reports, the films auditions took place in Vijayapura and Hubbali on March 27 and March 28, respectively. The shooting of the film is expected to start in April.

Initially, actress Ramya was cast as the female lead in the film but she opted out of the project, as per the latest updates. The actress took to her official social media handle to announce her decision to depart from the film. According to her, she decided due to unavailability of dates. Furthermore, she wished the makers the best for the release.

Uttarakaanada is being helmed by the directors Sharath Manjunath and Rohith Padaki. The films cast includes Dhananjaya, Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar and Atul Kulkarni in important roles. Karthik Gowda and Yogi G Raj are producing the film under the banner of KRG Studios. Charan Raj is composing the music, while Advaitha Gurumurthy is doing the cinematography.

The lead Daali Dhananjaya was last seen in the film Thothapuri: Chapter 2. Some of his upcoming works include films like Zebra, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Anna From Mexico.
Vijay Deverakonda is currently awaiting the release of his highly anticipated next Family Star. His rumoured girlfriend Rashmika Mandanna cheered for him and recently gave him a shoutout on social media. As Rashmika called him darling while sending him support, Vijay too had the cutest reaction for the same.

Rashmika took to her X handle and wrote, I wish my darlings @ParasuramPetla and @TheDeverakonda the bestestestestttt for #FamilyStar ..  April 5th it isssss! So exciteddddd! You guys definitely have a winner on hand! party kavaliiiii!  @mrunal0801 all the best my love! 

Vijay then reacted to her message and called her cutest and dropped a heart emoji.

Have a look at the same :

Not long back, Rashmikas reply on a post that mentioned that her husband should be like VD went viral. Rashmika had replied, Thats very true, leaving her fans excited and wondering.

For those who may not know, VD is the nickname for actor Vijay Deverakonda, given by his fans. Speculation about Rashmika and Vijays relationship began after they worked together in the 2018 film Geetha Govindam. Despite this, both have always refuted the rumours and said that they are good friends and a strong support system for each other. They have been rumoured to have been dating and even getting engaged. It was said that the families of both the actors have agreed to the marriage. The couple recently went to the Maldives together to spend their vacation. This led the fans of the duo to anticipate a possible marriage announcement from their favourite couple.

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandannas link-up rumours often make headlines. The duos on-screen chemistry in the films Geetha Govindam (2018) and Dear Comrade (2019) has piqued viewers interest, leading to speculations about their connection off-screen. They have been rumoured to have been dating and even getting engaged.
Besides being a talented actress, Shilpa Shetty is known for her impressive dancing skills and impeccable fashion sense. The actress has been captivating audiences with her alluring looks, performances on the big screen and humble personality in real life. Going beyond her star status, Shilpa is also very devoted to her personal life, especially her husband, Raj Kundra, and her kids, Viaan and Samisha. The actress never misses a chance to spend quality time with her family and is often spotted hanging out with them, going on holidays and foreign trips and engaging in family get-togethers.

In a recent one, the Bollywood actress took some time off from her busy routine and embarked on an exciting trip into the wild. Shilpa, along with her sister Shamita Shetty and her children, visited Ranthambore National Park and enjoyed a tiger safari. Pictures of the actress also surfaced on the internet, showing the family going on a safari, dressed in proper casual outfits for the day outing.

A day after that, Shilpa was spotted returning to Mumbai with her sister and her kids. A video of the event has now gone viral. In the footage, the actress can be seen bringing her kids to the car while her sister, Shamita Shetty, accompanied them.

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The actress was dressed in a white T-shirt paired with flared denims and a matching shirt.

The actress, who often jets off for vacations with her family, also went to Singapore recently and shared pictures from her family trip on Instagram. The photos showed Shilpa, along with her husband Raj Kundra and kids Viaan and Samisha, enjoying a gala time at Universal Studios and later, also indulging in some delicious treats. The actress was celebrating her daughters 4th birthday.

Besides, she was also seen celebrating the Holi festival with her family. Shilpa shared a fun-filled video of her Holi celebrations on Instagram.

On The Work Front

The Bollywood diva was recently seen in Rohit Shettys web show, Indian Police Force. She played the role of a tough police officer. The show also features actors Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi in the lead roles. While Shilpa is yet to make an impactful return to the big screen, her recent ventures also include films like Nikamma and Sukhee.
Women are the embodiment of Shakti (Power). I will put my life at stake to protect Shakti  PM Narendra Modi

The participation of women in Indian politics was less compared to men for several decades. A significant proportion of women active in Indian politics belonged to political families. Most of them were continuing the legacies of their parents or husbands. A positive change was palpable in the last decade which gained momentum slowly. PM Modi was very keen on increasing the participation of women in politics. He inducted 11 women into the cabinet, the highest ever in 17 years. Women were given important portfolios like defence, finance, external affairs, human resources department, etc. India got the first tribal woman president in 2022.

In 2023, the Modi government successfully enacted the long pending and much-demanded womens reservation bill which ensures 33 per cent seats for women legislators. It will be implemented after the delimitation of seats. The BJP also ensured that women from all walks of life should be represented. President Droupadi Murmu comes from a very humble background and has fought many battles to reach the esteemed position. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a postgraduate in Economics and a scholar from JNU, Delhi. Ex-governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan is a renowned gynecologist. These women have inspired many women across India till now. But, a look at the list of women candidates finalised by BJP shows that PM Modi wants to take womens representation in Indian politics to even greater heights.

BJP  Party of Common Woman

Rekha Patra from Sandeshkhali

No person with a heart can even imagine the horrific ordeals that the women of Sandeshkhali have gone through over several years under the rule of a woman chief minister. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters have deprived the women of their lands, modesty and dignity. West Bengal is a state which is caught in the shackles of anarchy of the ruling party. Violence has become the hallmark of the state in the past few decades with hundreds getting killed over years. Several women had come out on the streets and protested against the brutalities of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. Rekha Patra, with a girl child in her arms, protested with grit and also boldly recorded the statement in front of the district magistrate.

Patra is the candidate for upcoming elections from the Basirhat constituency, under which falls the Sandeshkhali area. The way she spoke with PM Modi showed that she is a woman of mettle, vision and courage. She said that she was one of the unfortunate women who faced the atrocities. The culprits have been arrested and should be punished. She said that there was no work at her place, her husband was working in Chennai and she would work for the progress of all with the intent to create jobs locally. She also requested to conduct a free and fair election in West Bengal.

PM Modi hailed her as Shakti Swaroopa. The PM asked her to educate people about the lack of implementation of Central government schemes in West Bengal. He also assured her that the BJP will stand with her at every step.

Rekha Patra, a rural woman in her thirties, once a victim, is now standing bravely as a contestant to take on the ruthless, corrupt and rich opponents in the political arena. She is the epitome of real womens empowerment. The BJP has always stood with women and continues to do so.

Nari Shakti from diverse fields

The BJP has fielded women from various sectors across the country. The list below shows some women who are entering the arena of political battle for the first time representing the BJP-

38-year-old teacher and polyglot, ML Ashwini, who is proficient in multiple languages is the BJP candidate in Kasargod, the land of seven languages in Kerala. She is a dedicated party activist of Mahila Morcha at the national level.

37-year-old actress, national award winner and Padma Shri awardee Kangana Ranaut is a Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Coming from an ordinary family not affiliated with movies, the talented actress worked hard and attained a successful career.

Madhavilatha will lock horns with Asaduddin Owaisi, the tall figure of AIMIM, in his own bastion Hyderabad. The newcomer Madhavilatha is a graduate, social activist, entrepreneur and owner of Virinchi Hospital. Over the years she has been doing social service in old city Hyderabad. She also is a fierce supporter of Hinduism and womens empowerment.

40-year-old Bansuri Swaraj is a distinguished lawyer who is making her poll debut from the New Delhi constituency. She is the daughter of the legendary late Sushma Swaraj.

Rajmata Amrita Roy Vs expelled rabble loudmouth, Mahua Moitra in Krishnanagar. BJP candidate Amrita Roy belongs to the royal family of Krishna Nagar.

The veterans have also been given due respect and importance.

Smriti Irani, who created history by defeating the heir of the Congress party Rahul Gandhi in their fort Amethi, is again contesting from Amethi. Dr Tamilasai Soundrarajan, ex-governor, is contesting from Chennai South. Daggubati Purandeshwari is the state president of Andhra Pradesh, former Union minister and daughter of late N.T. Rama Rao, founder of Telugu Desam Party. She is contesting from Rajahmundry. D.K. Aruna is contesting from Mehaboob Nagar in Telangana.

Political empowerment of women

Women have not had adequate representation in legislative bodies for decades. It was impossible for an ordinary woman from a normal background to even think about being an MP. Today, all women of India will look up to Rekha Patra and other female candidates of the BJP. They will inspire the girl children to pursue greater heights in politics also. Political empowerment will enable women to uplift several women.

If non-violence is the law of our being, the future is with women  Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Modi is implementing the thought of father of the nation and securing the future with women.

Dr Vinusha Reddy is the author of the book India Before & After 2014, Delegate of BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue Summit, Official Spokesperson, in charge of policy & Research, Mahila Morcha BJP Andhra Pradesh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Centuries before the Christian Era, Central and West Asia were predominantly Sanskrit cultures. And they continued to flourish till the advent of Islam. Such has been the affinity and closeness that Kumarajiva (344-413 AD), a foremost Sanskrit scholar and translator, studied Buddhism in Kashmir, but for Vedas, he chose to visit Kashgar, todays Xinjiang region, located near Chinas border with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The story of Kumarajiva, born to a Kashmiri father and a Kuchean mother, is a stark reminder of not just Indias deep connection with the Central Asian region but also how much its civilisational/cultural spread has shrunk in the last two millennia. For those not well averse with Indias real history, Kucha, in the northern Tarim basin, was a centre of Buddhist learning, and it was from here that Indian music had spread to China. Here it needs to be mentioned that Yarkand and Khotan (which tradition says was built by King Ashokas son Kutsan) in northern Tarim valley were centres of Mahayana Buddhism, while Kashgar, Kucha and Turfan were the hub of Hinayana Buddhism.

Kumarajivas story is significant because it singlehandedly  and quite forcefully  brings out in the open the civilisational/cultural footprints of Hindu/Buddhist India. Historically and civilisationally, thus, Indias claim over Tibet and Xinjiang has been far stronger than Chinas.

Cut to March 2024, China renewed its claim over Arunachal Pradesh for the fourth time within a month, saying the state has always been its territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, Zangnan (the Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) in the eastern sector has always been Chinas territory. China had all along exercised effective administrative jurisdiction over the area until Indias illegal occupation, he said, claiming this as a basic fact that cannot be denied.

In 1987, India formed the so-called Arunachal Pradesh on Chinas territory under Indias illegal occupation. China issued a statement right then to firmly oppose it and stress that Indias move was illegal and null and void. Chinas position remains unchanged, Lin continued.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar took the Chinese challenge head-on, denouncing its repeated claims on Arunachal Pradesh as ludicrous and that the northeastern state was a natural part of India.

Jaishankar is right in calling Chinas claim ludicrous and ahistorical. Bharat should, therefore, not waste its energies in telling the deaf whats obvious. Instead, the time has come for the Narendra Modi government, under the able generalship of S Jaishankar, to open a new front: To cross the diplomatic Lakshman Rekha unilaterally drawn by the Indian leadership in 1949 and question the one-China policy.

In fact, historically, as the Kumarajiva saga suggests, Indias claims over Tibet and Xinjiang are far stronger and credible than Chinas. But then Jaishankar and his team need to realise that this Chinese characteristic of loot and scoot of both resources and territories isnt an aberration. Unlike the China of the past, which saw its relationship with Bharat in a guru-shishya terminology, the communist dispensation of the day has long discarded such civilisational mores. While ancient China would fight its neighbours for getting a scholar  in 383 AD, Chinese forces attacked Kucha when it refused to send Kumarajiva to China; the Sanskrit scholar was later taken to the Chinese court where he taught and translated Buddhist scriptures into Chinese  todays China invades its neighbours for land and resources. Communism has altered Chinas DNA beyond recognition.

So, who is this Dragon today? And, what makes it so difficult for China to never say never to its neighbours territories, which it believes it can annex, intrude into, or at least lay claims at?

To understand todays China, we need to realise that its a heady mix of the old and communist China. In 1965, historian RC Majumdar wrote in an article in Organiser: Thanks to the systematic recording of historical facts by the Chinese themselves, an almost unique achievement in oriental countries we are in a position to follow the imperial and aggressive policy of China from the third century BC to the present day, a period of more than 2,200 years It is characteristic of China that if a region once acknowledged her nominal suzerainty even for a short period, she would regard it as a part of her empire forever and would automatically revive her claim over it even after a thousand years whenever there was a chance of enforcing it.

Todays China is a blend of traditionally imperialistic China with communist deception and doublespeak  and the result is outright dangerous, to say the least. This has allowed China to act as an agent of imperialism and then pretend to be a victim of the same too. While it claims to have lost its territories to its neighbours, including Bharat, it in reality has grabbed two-thirds of the land that makes todays China  historically, traditional China was just a third of the area it occupies today. No wonder, Han China has nothing in common with Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Its time we start asking these inconvenient questions to Xi Jinping and his men. Also, Bharat should start engaging more closely and constructively with Taiwan. One-China is a myth. Its time new India calls this Chinese bluff.

In the past seven-and-a-half decades since Indias Independence, China has had it easy. While it continued to openly question this countrys territorial integrity, whether in Arunachal Pradesh or Jammu and Kashmir, India, in a good neighbourly manner, continued to be generous and graceful. China sees this as a weakness. A weakness in Indian character. China only understands tough language, something which new India has started using in recent years, whether it is at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) where Indian and Chinese troops have been standing face to face for the past four years, or in the neighbourhood, as one witnessed this very month when India openly and decisively sided with the Philippines against growing Chinese hegemony.

Once the Dragon knows that it would get as hard as it gives, it would be tempted to act responsibly. Till now, it has not even been encouraged to be reasonable. Being a bully has worked to its advantage. New India, under Prime Minister Modi, should go as far as Xi Jinpings China has gone. So, if the latter questions the one-India policy, time has come to give them back by debunking the one-China notion, which is in any way a lie.

Arun Shourie has brilliantly deconstructed the Chinese bully psyche. In Self-Deception: Indias China Policies, he writes, Make no mistake: China watches the feeble, confused, contradictory ways in which our governments, and even more our society reacts each time it advances a claim. And it pursues its policy: Claim; repeat the claim; go on repeating the claim; grab; hold; let time pass. And they will reconcile themselves to the new situation. Has the policy not succeeded in regard to Tibet?

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As the sun sets on the political landscape of India, casting long shadows on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections of 2024, a pertinent question looms large: what exactly is the Congress and Opposition offering to the people? The Indian National Congress, once the vanguard of the Indian freedom struggle and the architect of modern India, now finds itself in a labyrinth of existential crises. The partys ideological moorings seem to be adrift in the turbulent seas of contemporary politics. The Grand Old Party appears to be caught in a time warp, unable to shed its historical baggage or embrace the future with a clear vision.

The Congress predicament is symptomatic of a larger malaise afflicting the Opposition. The Opposition parties, in their quest to counter the ruling dispensation, seem to have lost sight of their own identities. Their political discourse is reactive rather than proactive. They are seen more as a counterfoil to the government than a viable alternative. The Oppositions narrative is dominated by what they stand against rather than what they stand for. Their agenda seems to be defined by the governments actions rather than their own convictions. This reactive stance puts them on the back foot, always playing catch-up with the governments narrative.

The Opposition needs to realise that criticism, while necessary, is not sufficient. People look to the Opposition not just to critique the government but to provide a credible alternative. It needs to articulate a clear visiona roadmap for the future that resonates with the aspirations of the people. The Congress and the Opposition need to reflect and reinvent themselves. They need to move beyond the politics of protest to the politics of proposition. They need to shift from negation to affirmation, from opposition to proposition. They need to offer a positive, inclusive, and forward-looking vision that can galvanise the people and inspire them to dream of a better tomorrow. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections offer the Congress and the Opposition a golden opportunity to redefine their role and relevance in Indian politics. The question is, will they rise to the occasion, or will they remain clueless about what they are offering to the people?

Only Critiquing Modi Will Not Work

In the grand tapestry of Indian democracy, the upcoming general elections beckon as a pivotal chapter. Yet, the Oppositions strategy seems to be woven with a single thread: an unyielding critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This approach, however, is akin to navigating the vast ocean of politics with a narrow lens, potentially missing the broader horizon of governance and policy that truly shapes a nations course.

The essence of democracy is choice, and it is the diversity of ideas, not the singularity of personalities, that enriches this choice. When the Opposition confines its battle to one individual, it inadvertently diminishes the democratic dialogue to a personal vendetta, overshadowing the collective aspirations and challenges of over a billion souls. The electorate seeks a beacon of hope, a manifesto of change that resonates with their daily struggles and dreams, not just a counter-narrative to a leaders persona.

Moreover, the fabric of Indias democracy is woven with threads of various hueseach representing different ideologies, cultures, and voices. To expect the electorates endorsement without presenting a coherent and inclusive vision is to underestimate the discerning power of the voter. The Opposition must articulate policies that address the pressing issues of economic growth, social justice, and sustainable development. It must extend beyond the realm of criticism into the constructive territory of solutions.

In conclusion, the Congress and its allies stand at a crossroads. To regain the trust of the people, they must transcend the politics of personality and engage in the politics of possibilities. It is only through a robust and resonant vision for Indias future that the Opposition can hope to steer the ship of state towards the shores of progress and prosperity. Democracy is a symphony of diverse voices, and it is time for the Opposition to compose a narrative that captures the imagination of the nation, not just the critique of one man.

Idea of BJP Harassing Opposition Is Not Working

In the political theatre of India, the script often weaves a tangled tale of power plays and accusations. Recent events, marked by the Bharatiya Janata Partys ascendancy, have spurred a symphony of claims regarding the alleged suppression of Opposition voices through agency raids and detentions. However, behind this narrative lies a nuanced reality that deserves a closer look.

The Oppositions chorus, painting these actions as a clampdown on dissent orchestrated by the BJP and its leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seems to echo through the hallowed halls of governance. Yet, this melody fails to strike a chord with the masses traversing the rugged terrain of political allegiance.

Delve deeper into the narrative, and the canvas reveals intricate brushstrokes of accountability. Instances such as the excise policy case involving the Aam Aadmi Partys Arvind Kejriwal or the labyrinthine scams entangling the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, allude to a broader sentiment. A sentiment not of stifled voices, but of a populace awakened to the echoes of misdeeds and malfeasance.

The essence of democracy lies not in theatrical accusations but in the unwavering pursuit of truth and transparency. The Oppositions struggle to paint these political figures and entities as paragons of virtue is akin to weaving silk from sand. The people, discerning in their judgement, have already cast their verdict on the integrity of these actors in the political drama.

As the pendulum swings between allegations and counterclaims, it becomes imperative for the Opposition to pivot towards a narrative grounded in reality. The resonance they seek can only be found in acknowledging the peoples judgement, not in peddling illusions of victimhood.

Oppositions Mirage: A Lack of Cohesion and Vision

In the political chessboard, the Opposition parties appear to be knights without a strategy. Their promises, akin to scattered stars, lack the constellation of a cohesive idea. The Congress party, for instance, pledges justice for all  youth, women, farmers, workers. Yet, these promises seem to evaporate in the heat of their political rallies.

Recall the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the Congress Nyay scheme fell flat on the ground of implementation. Similarly, regional parties like the TMC are caught in the whirlpool of state-centric ideas, failing to present a national vision.

Despite the Opposition alliances unsuccessful run, some parties have managed to unite. However, their collective vision for the countrys future remains shrouded in ambiguity. They must remember that they are up against the BJP, a formidable opponent with a clear vision for the nations present and future.

In conclusion, its high time the Opposition parties weave their scattered promises into a cohesive tapestry of vision and strategy. Only then can they present a credible alternative to the electorate.

Labyrinth of Confusion and Contradictions

The Opposition parties in India are caught in a paradoxical dance, leaving the public in a whirl of confusion. Trinamool Congress, for instance, declares its intent to battle solo in Bengal, yet paradoxically, it joins hands with the Congress to lodge complaints against the ED and CBI. The concept of alliance has become a Gordian knot for the Opposition. Their inability to unite on the streets, despite their unanimous outcry against the arrest of the Delhi chief minister, is a glaring testament to this confusion. This lack of unity and clarity not only undermines their credibility but also raises questions about their courage and integrity.

In conclusion, the Oppositions current stance is akin to a ship lost in a storm, with its compass spinning wildly. Its high time they chart a clear course and present a united front, lest they continue to sail in circles, leaving the public adrift in a sea of confusion.

The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xaviers College (autonomous), Kolkata. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Dodoma  PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead top government officials and other delegates at special national prayers to commemorate 40 years since the abrupt demise of former Prime Minister, Edward Sokoine.

The late Sokoine died at the age of 45 years in a road crash on April 12, 1984 at Dakawa area, just a few kilometres from Morogoro as he was heading to Dar es Salaam from Dodoma after attending a parliamentary session.

The national prayers will be held at the late Mzee Sokoine's Enguik village located at Monduli juu in Monduli District, Arusha Region on Friday, April 12, 2024, according to the family spokesperson, Lembris Kipuyo.

Briefing journalists on the envisaged memorable event, Mr Kipuyo noted that the national prayers which will be coordinated by the late Sokoine's family in partnership with the Sokoine Memorial Foundation kickking off at around 8:00 a.m.

"The prayers will be attended by different top government officials led by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan," noted Mr Kipuyo.

Mr Kipuyo who is also a retired District Commissioner (DC) further took time to eulogise the former PM who served under former President and the Founding Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere for two consecutive terms (1977-1980 and 1983-1944).

"The late Sokoine was a true patriot who loved his nation and his people, he ensured that the country's resources benefited all Tanzanians, he served all the people without any discrimination and above all he was truly a God-fearing individual," said Mr Kipuyo.

The family spokesperson who is equally working with the Sokoine Memorial Foundation also said that Mr Sokoine's family was working closely with the foundation which decided to partner with them in organising the envisaged prayers.

The late Edward Moringe Sokoine was born on August 01, 1938 at his home village of Enguik in Monduli district, Arusha region. He received his primary and secondary education in Monduli district and Umbwe in Kilimanjaro region respectively.

In 1961 he obtained membership in the party that fought for Tanganyika's independence-Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). Between 1962 and 1963 he went to Germany (East Germany by then) to pursue his education in Public Administration.

Immediately after returning to the country, he was appointed as Masai District Executive Officer in charge of Manyara, Arusha, Kiteto, Simanjiro, Longido and Ngorongoro.

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Later in 1965, Mr Sokoine was elected as Member of Parliament for Monduli constituency and in 1967 he was appointed by former President Nyerere as Deputy Minister for Communications, Works and Labour.

In 1970, he was re-elected as Moduli MP and later appointed as the Minister in the President's Office and later in 1972 he was appointed Minister of Defence and National Service. In 1975 he also reinstated his position as Monduli lawmaker and reappointed as minister of Defence and National Service.

On February 13,1977 Former President Nyerere appointed him as Prime Minister, a position he held until November 7, 1980 when he resigned and went to Yugoslavia for further studies.

The late Sokoine returned back to the country in 1983 and luckily enough, the former President reappointed him as Prime Minister on February 23, 1983, a position he served until his abrupt death on April 12, 1984. He died in a road accident at Dakawa in the outskirts of Morogoro region.
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut on Friday said that the Congress is unable to accept her nomination from Mandi and is resorting in cheap politics. She made these remarks during her debut Lok Sabha election campaign in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

Referring to the recent controversy sparked by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinates comments about her, Ranaut remarked, Congresss top leader Rahul Gandhi talks about annihilating the shakti among the Hindus. Their spokesperson used condemnable words about the women of Mandi. The same Mandi which has been named after Rishi Mandavya, where Rishi Parashar sat in tapasya, the place which organises the biggest Shivratri fair every year. But what else can be expected of them.

The actor, born in Mandis Bhambla town, began her rally with a roadshow and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jai Shri Ram. She emphasised that the BJPs main agenda is development.

Development is the BJPs main agenda, and we will spare no effort to win the elections under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, she said, adding that the people of Mandi will reveal what is in their hearts. This was Ranauts first public appearance in her constituency after receiving the BJP ticket on March 24.

Currently, the Mandi Lok Sabha seat is held by Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Pratibha Singh, wife of former CM state Virbhadra Singh and mother of Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh. She won the 2021 Lok Sabha bypolls

Earlier on Wednesday, Singh had announced that she would not contest the Lok Sabha elections as the situation was not favourable and that workers were disheartened. However, after the announcement of Ranauts name, she has left the decision to contest to the Congress High Command.

The election for four Lok Sabha seats of Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur, and Kangra will be conducted alongside by-elections in six assembly seats in the final phase on June 1. While the BJP has announced its candidates for the four Lok Sabha and six assembly seats, the Congress has not yet announced its candidates.

(With inputs from agencies)
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Income Tax Department issued a demand notice of Rs 1,700 crore to the Congress party. As per sources, the fresh notice issued to the party is for assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21 and includes penalty and interest.

This comes a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed the partys petition challenging the tax notices, sources said.

The Grand Old Party has alleged that the Centre wants to freeze bank accounts.

Commenting on the Income Tax Department notice, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the ruling BJP-led Central government, accusing it of engaging in tax terrorism and warned that when the government changes, action will be taken against those who have destroyed democracy.

When the government changes, action will definitely be taken against those who violate democracy! And such action will be taken that no one will dare to do all this again. This is my guarantee, Gandhi said in a social media post on X.

Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Ajay Maken also said, BJP in serious violation of tax laws, IT department should raise demand of over Rs 4,600 crore from it. He further said that on April 1 the party will go to the Supreme Court again over this matter.

On Congress press conference on IT notices to the party, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, Congress party thinks that it is above the Constitution and law of the country. It thinks that it can become a tax defaulter, lie and play victim. Common people have to pay tax but Congress keeps itself in a special VVIP category. When their theft was caught, they didnt want to pay tax. The question is when they received the 2021, you delayed challenging it and when you challenged it you received no reliefWhile opposing PM Modi and BJP, today Congress has started attacking institutions of the country too. This shows the frustration levels of Congress. Rs 350 Crores was found on the premises of their MP Dhiraj Sahu. Their 50 MPs will collectively have a lot of money. It is not the lack of money, Congress party lacks candidates and intentions.

On March 28, the Delhi High Court rejected petitions by the Congress that challenged the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it for four years by tax authorities. The pleas were dismissed in terms of its earlier decision refusing to interfere with the opening of reassessment for another period, a bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said.

In the petition which was dismissed last week, the Congress party had challenged initiation of reassessment proceedings pertaining to assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17.

Last Friday, the Delhi High Court had noted that the Income Tax Department appears to have collated substantial and concrete evidence regarding unaccounted transactions worth Rs 520 crore involving the Congress party with respect to Lok Sabha Elections 2019 and Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections in 2018 and 2013.

The court also dismissed the Congress petition that IT department must not re-open the assessments of the years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 filed by the party. The HC has said that Congress chose to approach it only a few days before the time of completion of assessment would expire (March 31) and at the proverbial fag end of proceedings.

The IT Department wanted to re-open assessments of the Congress from 2014 until 2021 after it found incriminating evidence in searches showing unaccounted transactions of the party.
A three-member team will conduct a magisterial investigation into the death of the gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. The postmortem of the mafia, set to be conducted by a panel of two doctors, will be videographed.

Following the postmortem, Mukhtars mortal remains will be handed over to his son, Umar Ansari.

Lodged in Banda jail, Mukhtar died on Thursday after he suffered a heart attack at the prison. He was admitted to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda after his health deteriorated.

An official medical bulletin from the hospital noted that Mukhtar died of cardiac arrest.

Mukhtar Ansaris older brother Sibgatullah Ansari told news agency ANI that he found out about Mukhtars death through media, adding that he was not informed by the administration.

He had been very unwell since 18th March and he was not being given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again. On 25-26 March night, he was in a very bad condition, so he was brought to medical college for a few hours as a formality, Sibgatullah said, adding that his brother was sent back as he was stable and that no treatment was given to him.

The gangster-turned-politicians brother also said that despite expressing the familys apprehensions to authorities months back and also in writing to the High Court and Supreme Court, no cognisance was taken.

POLITICIANS REACT

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, taking to microblogging site X, pressed on the requirement of a high-level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed.

The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansaris family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed, she wrote.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister further said, In such a situation, it is natural for his family to be sad. May nature give them the strength to bear this sorrow.

                      -  ,                            Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 29, 2024

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government and said that a state that cannot protect life has no right to remain in power.

He said that protecting a persons life in every situation and place is the states first responsibility. All such doubtful cases should be investigated under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge, Yadav added.

                               ,       ,        :          Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 29, 2024

Samajwadi Party leader Ameeque Jamei also demanded a thorough investigation of the incident and raised questions over provision of proper medical facility to Mukhtar.

SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav also asked whether a judicial inquiry will be ordered into Mukhtars death.

In a post on X, Ram Gopal wrote The circumstances under which former MLA Mukhtar Ansari died are extremely worrying. He had already filed an application in the court and expressed the fear of his murder by poison. In the current system, no one is safe in jail, nor in police custody, nor in their home.

By creating an atmosphere of administrative terror, people are being forced to keep their mouths shut. Is anyone safe on the basis of the application given by Mukhtar Ansari in the court? Will UP government order judicial inquiry? he added.

Amid the oppositions accusations, UP Minister and Nishad party chief Sanjay Nishad noted that death is a natural event, he said that people should believe in science because forensic examination is the only which can be trusted.

The opposition has got nothing left but to blame, they should wait for the postmortem report, Nishad added.

BJP leader Hari Sahani hit out at the Opposition and asked whats the point of presenting it (Mukhtars death) in a big way?

Due to disease, his death occurredNow whats the point of presenting it in a big way Sahani told ANI.

He further said, In Bihar, a priest was murdered brutality, but they didnt find it plausible to raise voices for him, however, several cases were registered against that person (Deceased Mukhtar Ansari) and today he died due to cardiac arrest, now they have so much pain for him

POLICE REACT

Former UP Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh said that accusation of Mukhtar being poisoned is absolutely a baseless allegation.

He said that everything will be clear once Mukhtars postmortem is done.

Singh addressed the rumours being spread in the state and noted that a high alert was also issued. Cops are on absolute alert in areas like Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur and Varanasi.

He also took note that when Mukhtar was in Punjab jail, he had submitted many such applications on medical grounds to avoid appearing in UP courts. He has not always been healthy and has been ill for long, Singh added.

Mukhtar Ansari was a criminal, a don, and a mafia, and his death should not be thought of extensively the former DGP said.

Former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shailendra Singh told news agency ANI about he was made to resign when he tried to take action against Mukhtar in 2004  when the gangsters empire was at its peak.

He would move around in open jeeps in areas where curfew was imposed. That time I recovered a Light Machine Gun, no recovery was made before or after that. I even imposed POTA on him, the former DSP recounted.

But, he said, the Mulayam government wanted to save him at any cost. Shailendra Singh said that several senior officials  IG-Range, DIG, and SP-STF  were transferred, officials were pressurised and he himself was made to resign within 15 days.

But in my resignation, I wrote my reasons and put it before the people that this is the government you chose, which is protecting and working on the orders of mafias I wasnt doing a favour to anyone. It was my duty Shailendra said.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (Mau) said that action will be taken against those who spread rumours.

He noted that the region is on high alert, keeping in mind the Friday namaz.

Some rumours have been doing the rounds that a curfew has been imposed in the region. Section 144 of the CrPC has already been imposed in Mau, the SP said appealing to the people to maintain peace and not believe in orders.

(With ANI inputs)
Google has added three new features to Maps as the summer travel or holiday season approaches. Not only that but according to Google, users will begin to see new design upgrades that offer Maps a fresh new look. The new design offers a cleaner home page with fewer tabs as well as new pin colours to help you discover places on the map. Google Maps is a commonly used navigation tool or app around the world. One reason is that it is packed with useful features that Google keeps updating to make it better.

To begin with, Google Maps is simplifying the process of locating the ideal spots for dining and sightseeing. Google has collaborated with professionals and residents in certain cities across the United States and Canada to provide you with curated restaurant recommendations. Search for your desired city and swipe up to get recommendations. You will find listings from reputable sources such as The Infatuation and Lonely Planet, as well as hidden gems and trendy spots.

The Trending list highlights the hottest new restaurants, which are updated weekly depending on what people are talking about on Maps. The Top list covers the communitys all-time favourite restaurants, the tried-and-true staples. Finally, there are hidden gems, which are local favourites that may not yet be popular.

Furthermore, Google Maps makes it easier to organise and share your favourite destinations. You may now make lists to keep track of where you wish to travel or where youve gone. Creating a list is simple: just touch New list on the Saved tab. Then, if you locate an interesting location on Maps, you may add it to your list.

In addition, you can also include links to your social media posts such as a review you made on a fantastic restaurant. This will help you recall why a location merits a spot on your list and make your recommendations more useful. This update will be available for Android and iOS devices worldwide later this month, as per reports.

You can also get a quick feel for a location before you go. Googles artificial intelligence (AI) evaluates reviews and photographs to show you what people love the best. AI can now identify dishes in photographs, which is ideal for navigating new menus. Look up the name of that delectable food, its price, its popularity, and whether its vegetarian or vegan. Google says that all of this information might help you decide whether you need to book a reservation or not.
PM Narendra Modi and Bill Gates engaged in an interactive chat on Friday which was livestreamed online for the public. PM Modi shared his insights about the countrys growth in the field of AI, what he thinks about the evolving technology and how AI could help improve people and their skills in the long run.

However, the tete-a-tete between Gates and PM Modi also gave us a chance to get more personal details about the Microsoft co-founder and how he sees technology moving in the years to come.

Gates also talked about his origin into the tech industry, for which he feels very lucky and excited in equal measure. I am so lucky I was born at a time when the chip miracle happened. I got a very good education. Because I have an optimistic view in life, dropping out of school to take the risk didnt seem that dangerous to me, Gates mentioned during his interaction with PM Modi.

The Microsoft co-founder then touched upon his passion for tech and what inspires him to keep going in this arena. The most exciting thing for me is to see people use technology. When I go into a classroom and see them using it. I wanted software for my own curiosity, so that I could take courses online, and to see people being empowered by these tools, it is very gratifying to see how technology is improving peoples lives, he adds.

And finally, PM Modi speaks to him about books and asks which book had the greatest influence on him. Gates said, One of the books I can talk about is The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker. He further explains the reason for liking this book by saying, If you learn about the world, you see all the shortcomings such, children are still dying and the more you read, you see things are bleak. But the truth is we have made an incredible progress. So, I felt that book captures the duality of life in a brilliant way.

Bill Gates is visiting India as a part of Microsofts 25 years in the country and during his time, he also met with Microsoft employees at the Hyderabad base recently.
Samsung has finally issued the latest One UI 6.1 update for a host of its existing flagship devices in India on Thursday. The biggest feature addition that you get with this update is the AI tools that the company announced with the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year. Samsung has worked with Google once again that has given it first rights on the Gemini AI model that runs on mobile devices.

And now, people using the older Galaxy S series phones can try out the innovative AI features thanks to the new update coming their way. Samsung and Google have been recently working on projects and platforms and after WearOS this is the latest association from the brands.

Samsung One UI 6.1 Update Brings AI Features To These Devices

 Samsung Galaxy S23

 Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

 Samsung Galaxy 23 Ultra

 Samsung Galaxy 23 FE

 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 lineup

Samsung AI Features Coming To More Galaxy Devices

The company has shared the list of devices that will support the new AI features from the company, powered by Googles Gemini AI. But what are these features that Galaxy phone users will get to use?

Circle to Search  This feature allows users to draw a circle around an image or text displayed on any application that supports screen capture. Once the desired portion is outlined with the S Pen or your finger, it will automatically take you to a Google result page, showing details about the object or text.

Live translate  Samsung uses AI to give you two-way results for real-time translations of your phone calls.

Note Assist  Help you in a better and summarised way to take notes on the phone

Generative Edit  Edit photos that have been captured and change the size of the subject or its position.

Users are suggested not to use the Circle To Search feature in banking or other sensitive apps owing to security concerns. You can also revisit the search history and erase the previous quarries by tapping the three-dot menu available in the top-right corner of the Circle to Search page.
US-based neuroscientist and professor Andrew Huberman is the host of the well-known podcast Huberman Lab. Recently, he made headlines after many women accused him of being manipulative, acting strangely and cheating. One of the ladies additionally alleged that his infidelity resulted in a sexually transmitted disease. As the podcaster faces global condemnation, unexpected support has come from Bengaluru.

The poster endorsing the controversial Stanford neuroscientist was pasted on an Indiranagar lamp post and had Hubermans picture on it. The text on the poster read, I stand with you. Dr Andrew Huberman. We are with you.

The user who shared the picture on microblogging platform X, captioned it saying, Only in Indiranagar.

The post has 1,47,000 views on the social media platform. People expressed their disapproval of this clear endorsement of purportedly toxic masculinity in the comments section.

A user wrote, Only in India are toxic men celebrated.

Only in India are toxic men celebrated. Divya Kanwar (@DivyaKanwar14) March 28, 2024

Another user said, Ngl. I would rip these out.

Ngl. I would rip these out. Sohom.txt (@sohom83) March 28, 2024

This is peak Bengaluru, said another user.

This is peak Bengaluru. Aditya Kumar Saroj (@AdiKumarSaroj) March 28, 2024

Who is Andrew Huberman?

Andrew Huberman, 48, is an associate professor of ophthalmology and neurology at Stanford Universitys School of Medicine. He has been at the institution since 2016. Prior to that, from 2011 to 2015, he was a professor at the University of California, San Diego.

According to its website, he started The Huberman Lab podcast in 2021 and it is frequently ranked among the top 10 podcasts worldwide. However, according to The Sun, it was among the top 10 podcasts on Spotify and Apple in the US for 2023.

What is the Andrew Huberman controversy?

In a recent expose, New York Magazine revealed Hubermans double life as a wellness advocateone that encourages both physical and mental healthwhile also acting strangely around friends and acquaintances and secretly dating five different women at oncewho all connected through a group chat.

Among the many charges, he was accused by one of his ex-partners of telling her that being together with her was like bobbing for apples in faeces.

The woman, Sarah (name changed), presented various charges against Huberman, including specifics about his anger issues and her suspicion that she caught HPV (Human papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted disease, from him. According to his office, Huberman has never had a positive HPV test.

After speaking with several women who said they were seeing Huberman simultaneously, The New York Magazine learned that the neuroscientist had flown one of them to his California home and had a serious conversation about a relationship with another, all the while having his live-in girlfriend awaiting him back in Berkeley.

Sarah said to the publication that during their camping vacation together, she discovered Huberman messaging a different woman about commitment. At the same time, he was frequently injecting her for in-vitro fertilisation since they were attempting to have a child together.
In South Africas Marloth Park, IT consultant Travis Carreira had an extraordinary wildlife experience. He spoke about the incident with Latest Sightings which involved a leopard, hyenas and crocodiles, while Impala was the unfortunate victim. Things began when Carreiras friends spotted a leopard in the park. Eager to witness the scene live, the IT consultant joined them after work. Upon arrival, he observed the leopards unsuccessful hunting attempts. As the sun was setting, they noticed a group of Impalas were approaching a pack of hyenas and instantly sensed something exciting was about to happen. As he began recording, the leopard suddenly caught an Impala, however, his meal was stolen by a hyena. The leopard continued to snatch his feast back but ended up attracting more hyenas and two crocodiles.

According to Carreira, The impala was still alive at this point and the hyena began dragging it up the hill to a safe spot to eat it. The hyena had a firm grip on the impala, even though it was still kicking there was no way it could break free. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed more movement. Two massive crocodiles emerged from the river, complicating the situation. The larger crocodile went straight for the impala that was still kicking in the hyenas jaws. Once the crocodile got a hold of the impala and crushed it with their powerful jaw that was the end of the impalas life."

Travis Carreira elaborated the scene further and explained that the leopard initially made a few attempts to reclaim the Impala but was unsuccessful. The chaos then attracted another, larger hyena, which appeared more confident and immediately engaged with the crocodiles to steal the dead animal. Encouraged by its companion, the first hyena joined the fight. Despite their efforts, the hyenas were only able to snatch some leftover meat, as the majority of the Impala was already eaten by the crocodile.

Reacting to the clip, a user wrote, The impala wasnt even in the fight, she was the prize."

Another shared, These videos make me appreciate just how good my days really are."

Those crocodiles showed up with such swagger," a comment read.

An individual wrote, Africa is a constant battle royal."

A user added, Everyone moved back as soon as the crocodile entered."

Since the video was shared on Latest Sightings YouTube channel, it has gone viral and garnered over 8 million views.
Who said that if you dont find love for yourself, you dont find love for others? A Chinese man proved exactly this, after going on 20 blind dates and ended up becoming a matchmaker who has to date, helped 346 couples.

Zhou Shipeng, a 34-year-old resident of Hebei province in northern China went on as many as 20 blind dates in 2016, after his parents pressured him to get married. But, when he found himself unable to meet his match, instead of looking hard to find a suitor for himself, he became a successful matchmaker who has helped other couples find love in the last seven years.

It was in 2017 when Zhou Shipeng started to visit his local matchmaking area to find that the majority of the advertisers were grandparents or parents seeking out partners for their loved ones. It is important to note that this is quite a common practice in China. As Zhou Shipeng visited this place more, he realised that he could step in as the middleman.

Zhou Shipeng recorded the parents desires for their future in-laws like profession, height or even dating history. He started to look up to such people who matched up to the expectations of his clients. Soon, he helped his first couple to find love. The South China Morning Post quoted him saying, The happiness I felt then was more than if I were getting married.

This one successful attempt further motivated him to continue with his work. He was determined to help more and more people find love and by April 2018, he was a full-time matchmaker.

While finding love for others, quite magically, he also found a match for himself. As per reports, his wife had come to find a suitor for herself. They discovered that they had great chemistry and began dating. They took their nuptial vows. Now, they have a daughter.

Normally, in China, the matchmakers are middle-aged men or elderly women. Zhou Shipeng was successful because he was young and he made genuine efforts to understand every person and their needs and help them find a suitable partner. Till now, he has helped 346 couples to find love.
Making a living by working as a food delivery agent is not an easy task. Recently, an X (Formerly Twitter) user came across a distressed Zomato worker who claimed that his Zomato account was blocked by the company just before his sisters wedding. The X user Soham Bhattacharya shared the Zomato workers photo and wrote, He was sobbing like anything near GTB Nagar, going to everyone and asking for some money. He told me he didnt eat anything, saving it all for her wedding. Bhattacharya added that the man told him that he had been working for Rapido since his Zomato account was blocked. He urged people to help the delivery man by sharing the QR code for his account.

This post, shared on March 28, soon went viral with over 2.9 million views in less than 24 hours. In the response, the food delivery company wrote, We deeply value our delivery partners, and we understand the impact that actions like blocking an ID can have. Rest assured, we take such matters seriously. We assure you, well look into this. Our delivery partners are as important to us as our customers. There has not been any update on the issue so far, either from Zomato or by Soham Bhattacharya.

We deeply value our delivery partners, and we understand the impact that actions like blocking an ID can have. Rest assured, we take such matters seriously. We assure you, we'll look into this. Our delivery partners are as important to us as our customers. Zomato Care (@zomatocare) March 28, 2024

In the comments, many people criticised Zomato for putting their delivery partners in a difficult position. An X user wrote, Please unblock his zomato account, the working class is the backbone of our society & economy. They earn money for their survival first, thats their everyday struggle. They dont have enough money at their disposal to lead a carefree life. How can somebody live without money?

Please unblock his account @zomato, working class is the backbone of our society & economy. They earn money for their survival first, that's their everyday struggle. They don't have enough money at their disposal to lead a carefree life. How can somebody live without money? https://t.co/uIomLsaA2t PhoenixIAS by NITIN SHRIWAS (@PhoenixIASbyNS) March 29, 2024

Another wrote, You better value delivery partners. The way you treat them only shows how much you value your customers. This is not the first incident that brought the helplessness of a delivery partner to light.

You better value delivery partners. The way you treat them only shows how much you value your customers. @zomatocare this is not the first incident that brought the helplessness of a delivery partner to light. muse (@musing111) March 29, 2024

An X user demanded better policies from Zomato and wrote, Its so sad to see that this is probably happening on a daily basis, riders getting blocked and they have no reason why or how to reverse this action. zomato should be doing a lot better considering theyve become a mammoth in employment at this rate, riders need more support.

its so sad to see that this is probably happening on the daily, riders getting blocked and they have no reason why or how to reverse this action@zomato should be doing a lot better considering theyve becoming a mammoth in employment at this rate, riders need more support. https://t.co/a8DwqyMHRk Samyukta.eth (@samyukta_eth) March 29, 2024

On several occasions, delivery agents have protested against companies like Swiggy and Zomato for exploitative wages and unfair penalties. The non-compliance with the companys opaque policies or failure to meet difficult targets often results in Zomato blocking a riders account which means they can no longer work for the company.
Luanda  The National Security Council met Thursday, in Luanda, in its first session, under the guidance of the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Angolan Armed Forces, Joao Lourenco.

The meeting addressed specific topics within the scope of the National Security Council, which is a consultative body of the President of the Republic on matters relating to the conduct of National Security policy and strategy.

The National Security Council deals with the organization, functioning and discipline of the Angolan Armed Forces, the National Police and other bodies that guarantee the constitutional order and the State's intelligence and security bodies.

Members of this body include the Vice-President of the Republic, the presidents of the National Assembly, the Constitutional and Supreme Courts and the Attorney General of the Republic.

Ministers of State and ministers appointed by the President of the Republic are also part of the National Security Council, in addition to other entities that the Holder of the Executive Power determines. VIC/DOJ
Despite the praises from Baltimore and US authorities for the Indian crew operating Dali who issued an early mayday call preventing further loss of life following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a racist cartoon depicting Indians has sparked outrage.

Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact pic.twitter.com/Z1vkc828TY Foxford Comics (@FoxfordComics) March 26, 2024

The Dali, a Singapore-flagged container ship, lost power and crashed into the pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday leading to the collapse of the bridge within a few seconds and the deaths of six people.

US President Joe Biden, Maryland governor Wes Moore and other officials praised the ships crew, most of whom were Indians for their prompt emergency response despite lack of power in the cargo vessel which allowed officials to shut down traffic to the bridge, saving lives of many others.

But the cartoon released by US-based webcomic Foxford Comics has outraged many. The cartoon shows unkempt men wearing only loincloths looking distraught while attempting to steer a ship with the caption Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact.

The photo is overlaid with an audio recording of men hurling expletives at one another but in a very thick Indian accent. The background audio possibly lifted from a viral road rage video where an Indian-origin man is seen arguing with an Indian-origin person.

The image is likely AI-generated as per a scan run on AI content detection website isitAI.com.

The image was met with criticism by netizens. When shared on X, the image also drew a Community Notes warning from the social media site which highlighted that the pilots were local knowledge experts, and they give commands to the bridge team for rudder and engine settings, and for what course to steer, citing an article from the Washington Post.

There were 2 local US Pilots in the ship responsible for operating the ship. The 22 other crew members were of Indian origin and the ship is Singaporean-owned, the Community Notes said.

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 minimize the disasters impact, something rightly acknowledged by POTUS Biden. Having said that this isnt merely jumping to conclusions; but goes to show how Racism against Indians has been normalized, a social media user commented.

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.
Chinese contractors halted construction on two major dam projects in Pakistan following the suicide bomb attack that killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver this week. The companies are demanding for new security measures to be drawn by the Pakistan authorities before reopening the sites where around 1,250 Chinese nationals are working.

The security of Chinese workers are important to both Beijing and Islamabad, as terrorists have frequently been targeted by Chinese nationals as they remain hostile to outside influence.

The suicide bomber on Tuesday targeted workers by ramming a vehicle laden with explosives onto their vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites. The explosives were detonated by the suicide bomber on impact while plunged their vehicle into a deep ravine.

China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam in the province and Power China has stopped work on Diamer Bhasha dam, Pakistani news media outlets as well as AFP reported, citing a senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They have demanded new security plans from the government. Around 750 Chinese engineers are engaged in the Dasu Dam project, while 500 are working on the Diamer Bhasha Dam, he said.

The movement of Chinese engineers has been restricted to the compounds where they live, close to the sites, he further added. China repeatedly urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of its nationals this week.

Chinese engineers are still working at the site of the Mohmand Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Resentment against China is not a new phenomenon in often-struggling Pakistan, even though Beijing is Islamabads closest regional ally and has readily provided financial assistance to the country.

China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

But Pakistanis have long complained that they are not getting a fair share of jobs or wealth created by the projects.

Tuesdays attack sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the foreign and interior ministers offering condolences in quick succession.

Chinas foreign ministry declared the countries iron-clad friends but asked Pakistan to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions.

The attack on Tuesday comes days after militants attempted to storm offices of the Gwadar deepwater port in the southwest. The Gwadar deepwater port is the bedrock of Chinese investment in Pakistan.

In 2019, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Balochistan province overlooking the flagship Chinese-backed deepwater seaport in Gwadar that gives strategic access to the Arabian Sea  killing at least eight people.

In June 2020, Baloch insurgents targeted the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which is partly owned by Chinese companies, in the commercial capital of Karachi.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called out New York authorities for what he described as a failure to prosecute growing crime in the Big Apple and other major cities in the United States.

This comes as hoards of young female TikTokers raised concern online with a series of viral videos recounting random assaults they experienced on the streets of New York. One influencer, Halley Kate Mcgookin, with over a million followers, detailed an incident where she was punched while walking in Manhattan.

You guys, I was literally just walking and a man came up and punched me in the face, she said in a video viewed over 46 million times. Police later confirmed an arrest matching the details of Mcgookins case. According to The New York Post, similar experiences were shared by others on TikTok.

Failure to prosecute crime in New York (and many other US cities) allows violent criminals to assault women at will!The governor had to call out the national guard just so people could ride the subway. https://t.co/G6cx8X0GAc  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2024

Failure

Failure to prosecute crime in New York (and many other US cities) allows violent criminals to assault women at will! The governor had to call out the national guard just so people could ride the subway, Musk said in a post on X.

Musk also referred to New York Citys plans to intensify a crackdown on subway fare-beating by sending at least 800 police officers specifically to keep watch on turnstiles. The move, which was announced on Monday. is the latest in a string of recent moves to address concerns about safety and unruliness in the nations busiest subway system.

The NYPD said earlier Monday it plans to deploy hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes officers this week to deter fare evasion. Data shows the crackdown on fare-skippers is already underway. Over 1,700 people have been arrested on a charge of turnstile-jumping so far this year, compared to 965 at this time in 2023. Police have issued fare evasion tickets to over 28,000 people so far this year.

Police and Mayor Eric Adams, a former transit officer himself, in recent weeks have suggested some links between fare-skipping and violence on the trains. Subway safety fears have proven difficult to put to rest since people in New York and other cities emerged from Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns to a 2021 spurt in crime.

(With agency inputs)
The Indian Navy rescued at least 23 Pakistani fishermen from Somali pirates during a 12-hour-long operation in the Arabian Sea. After more than 12 hrs of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked FV were forced to surrender. The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, have been safely rescued, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

The rescue mission unfolded in the early hours of March 29. Indian Navy warship INS Sumedha intercepted the hijacked vessel FV Al-Kambar. Missile frigate INS Trishul soon joined the operation.

#INSSumedha intercepted FV Al-Kambar during early hours of #29Mar 24 & was joined subsequently by the guided missile frigate #INSTrishul. After more than 12 hrs of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked FV were forced to surrender. https://t.co/2q3Ihgk1jn pic.twitter.com/E2gtTDHVKu  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 29, 2024

The Indian Navy, without any bloodshed, coerced the Somali pirates to surrender. This is the second operation where the Indian Navy has coerced pirates to surrender without any bloodshed. Earlier this month, Indian Navy coerced over 30 Somalian pirates to surrender and rescued the crew without any firefight or bloodshed. The INS Kolkata coerced all 35 pirates to surrender and safely evacuated the 17 crew members from the merchant vessel which pirates were using as a mother ship.

The Indian Navy on Friday responded to the piracy attack on an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea. It said at the time that two naval ships were diverted to intercept the hijacked vessel after receiving inputs regarding the piracy incident on-board the Iranian fishing vessel.

At the time of the incident, the Iranian fishing vessel was approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra and nine armed pirates had boarded the fishing vessel. The hijacked vessel was intercepted on March 29.

The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and safety of seafarers, irrespective of their nationalities, the Indian Navy further added.

The Indian Navy has carried out several operations to thwart piracy in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Indian Navy earlier this year also responded to a distress call from the Gulf of Aden where a merchant vessel was set ablaze after being hit by a missile. The navy rescued the 21 crew members which also contained one Indian national.

The Indian Navy is committed to maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters. This action by the Indian Navy serves as a testament to Indias resolve to combat piracy and uphold international maritime laws, The Indian Navy said in a statement.
ISIS spokesman Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari called on lone wolves worldwide to slaughter Christians and Jews en-masse during the month of Ramadan. In his chilling new push for terrorism, he declared the holy month of Ramadan as the month of jihad and told extremists to launch attacks in the US, Europe and Israel.

In a 41-minute-long audio recording marking the 10-year anniversary of ISIS declaration of a caliphate in Iraq and Syria, Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari urged Muslims to leave their homes and join and strengthen the jihadists.

He heaped praise on Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) for the Moscow concert hall terror attack that killed at least 143 civilians. The ISIS spokesperson launched a campaign in January entitled Kill Them Wherever You Find Them where he asked followers to refocus on terror attacks and said that the Israel-Palestine conflict is a war on Jews and is not limited to Israel.

It is a religious ideological war that will continue until we kill their antichrist under the banner of the Prophet of Allah tighten the plans and diversify operations: Blow them up with explosives, burn them with incendiary bombs, shoot them with bullets, slaughter their necks with knives, and run them over with buses, he said in his audio message.

Following his previous announcement on January 4, the ISIS-K claimed responsibility for a series of terror attacks which also included the bombing of Kerman in Iran which killed over 100 people at a memorial service for Qassem Soleimani, a top commander of the Iranian Quds Force.

ISIS grew weak following protracted battles with American, Iraqi, and Kurdish forces in 2019 but continues to wield major influence in some central and west African nations and in areas adjoining Afghanistan.

ISIS-K is the most potent threat to have emerged from the main group, which has splintered into many factions and takes its name from an old Persian term for the region, Khorasan, that included parts of Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, as well as areas of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its propaganda, translated into regional languages as well as English, vows to establish a caliphate spanning that area. The other potent group is Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Chad basin which comprises of the nations of Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.

(with inputs from Daily Mail and Reuters)
Israeli soldiers have been reportedly posting photos and videos of themselves playing with lingerie found in the homes of Gazans, causing outrage among Palestinian supporters amid the ravaging war.

An Israeli soldier, in a viral video, sits in an armchair in a room 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. The video shot by Israeli soldiers is among dozens of posts in which troops in Gaza are shown displaying lingerie, and mannequins, according to media reports.

The lingerie images were reposted by Younis Tirawi, who describes himself as a Palestinian reporter. News agency Reuters then verified eight posted on Instagram or YouTube. The posting of such images is demeaning to Palestinian women, and all women, said Ravina Shamdasani, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson.

The UK-based news agency 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 Israeli military reportedly declined to say whether it was referring to any of the concerning images, or whether any of the soldiers responsible have been disciplined. These objectionable posts come at a time when Hamas and Israel are both being accused of grave war crimes. A team of UN 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 October 7 attack by Hamas.

The UN 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 UN 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.

(With agency inputs)
A mob in the Mexican city of Taxco beat a woman to death on Thursday because she was suspected of killing a young girl. The mob formed after an 8-year-old girl disappeared Wednesday. Her body was found on a road on the outskirts of the city early Thursday, The Associated Press reported.

Security camera footage appeared to show a woman and a man loading a bundle, which may have been the girls body, into a taxi, the report said. The mob surrounded the womans house Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police took the woman into the bed of a police pickup truck, but then stood by, as members of the mob dragged her out of the truck and down onto the street where they stomped, kicked and pummeled her until she lay, partly stripped and motionless.

Police then picked her up and took her away, leaving the pavement stained with blood. This is the result of the bad government we have, said a member of the mob. This isnt the first time this kind of thing has happened, she said, referring to the murder of the girl, but this is the first time the people have done something. We are fed up, she said. This time it was an 8-year-old girl.

 Mario Figueroa, alcalde de Taxco, asegura que quieren dar justicia y no venganza en el caso de la nina CamilaHace un llamado a la gobernadora de Guerrero ya que solo cuentan con 40 policias en la zona Los detalles con @SeleneFlores_ pic.twitter.com/OE0O02WyfI  Milenio (@Milenio) March 29, 2024

The mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, said he shared residents outrage over the killing. Figueroa said the mob thrashed a total of three people. Video from the scene suggested they had also been beaten, though AP witnessed only the beating of the woman. The state prosecutors office said the two men were hospitalized. There was no immediate information on their condition.

In a statement, Figueroa complained he did not get any help from the state government for his small, outnumbered municipal police force. Unfortunately, up to now we have not received any help or answers, Figueroa said. The Good Friday eve religious procession, which dates back centuries in the old silver-mining town, went off as planned Thursday night.

People crowded Taxcos colonial streets to watch hooded men walking while whipping themselves or carrying heavy bundles of thorns across their bare shoulders in penitence to emulate the suffering of Jesus Christ carrying the cross. But the earlier flash of violence cast a pall over the already solemn procession, which draws thousands to the small town.

Many participants wore small white ribbons of mourning. I never thought that in a touristic place like Taxco we would experience a lynching, said Felipa Lagunas, a local elementary school teacher. I saw it as something distant, in places far from civilization  I never imagined that my community would experience this on such a special day.

Residents said they have had enough, even though the violence may further affect tourism. We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up. There will be a lot of people who wont want to come anymore, said Andrea, the woman who was in the mob. We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us.

(With agency inputs)
An image of Hamas members parading a slain Jewish womans near-naked body through the streets of Gaza has been awarded a photo-of-the-year prize, sparking a fierce outrage on social media.

The graphic photo featuring Shani Louks body was among several images that helped the news agency Associated Press (AP) secure first place in one of the Pictures of the Year International award categories earlier this month.

US-based Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute gives this award and describes it as the worlds oldest photojournalism competition, the New York Post reported. The report of this award prompted a severe backlash on social media, with people slamming the use of Louks image as an outrageous desecration of Jewish life.

The person who took this photo was part of the jihadist gang who murdered, tortured and raped civilians.The family didnt want her remembered like this. This award celebrates her continued desecration. Her name was Shani Louk pic.twitter.com/n6epjfE6lN  Alex Hearn (@hearnimator) March 28, 2024

READ MORE: My Daughter Is No Longer Alive: Mother of German-Israeli Woman Who Was Paraded Naked by Hamas

Who Was Shani Louk?

She was a German-Israeli woman who was reportedly abducted to the Gaza Strip during Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack that triggered Israels large-scale military campaign in the Palestinian territory. The music festival bordering Gaza, which the 22-year-old had attended, was reportedly one of the first sites to be attacked by Hamas. She was among the dozens of people captured by the members of the Palestinian outfit and paraded through the streets in the back of a pickup truck.

The person who took this photo was part of the jihadist gang who murdered, tortured and raped civilians. The family didnt want her remembered like this. This award celebrates her continued desecration. Her name was Shani Louk, said one of the people outraged by the award.

The Associated Press Hamas photographer who took a picture of the body of Shani Louk being paraded by terrorists, won a prestigious photography award. Photographers working for AP, CNN, NYT, and Reuters accompanied Hamas terrorists into Israel on 10/7 and knew about the attack, another user said on X.

This is how Shani Louks family asked for her to be remembered. Smiling and alive.The biggest photojournalism competition in the world decided to trample on the familys wishes in favor of giving a photo of Shanis mutilated body a prestigious award. She wasnt even named in pic.twitter.com/y4L4R35bdA  Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) March 28, 2024

One of the videos, which surfaced on the internet in late October, showed a half-naked woman lying unconscious face-down in the back of a pickup truck in Gaza filled with armed men. It was later reported that Shani Louk was taken hostage when terrorists attacked a rave party in the desert near the border with the Gaza Strip. Though Louk has been declared dead, her body has not been returned from Gaza.
Sri Lanka was put on high alert on Friday and security beefed up in major cities across the country, with special surveillance around the Churches having Good Friday services, according to a senior police official Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said over 6,000 police personnel, over 3,000 military soldiers and over 400 elite special task force members had been deployed across the country on the occasion on Good Friday.

We have identified 2,268 churches having Good Friday services to provide special security, Thalduwa said.

Police have also set up a special hotline to report any suspicious movements near the churches.

The police said they were taking all precautions given the fifth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings which killed 270 people, including 11 Indians.

Meanwhile, the Magistrates Court in central Colombos Maligawatta has issued a summons to former president Maithripala Sirisena to appear before the court on April 4 to record a statement.

This was following the polices CID reporting to court a statement recorded from Sirisena last week over his public comments that he was aware of who carried out the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

Sirisena as the president then held the defense ministry and he was accused of inaction to prevent the attack despite the availability of prior intelligence. Sirisena was ordered to pay 100 million rupees as compensation to the kith of the 2019 bomb attack victims.

A local jihadi group with links to ISIS was originally blamed for the attacks.
Lisa Archbold, an American woman, said she was threatened with being kicked off a US Delta Air Lines flight because she was not wearing a bra. She and her attorney demanded a meeting with the companys top boss on Thursday to protest what she thinks is a discriminatory policy, according to a report by AFP.

Lisa Archbold said she wore baggy jeans and a loose white t-shirt  with no bra. Shortly after she boarded the plane, a female gate agent temporarily escorted her off the flight and demanded she cover up even though her breasts were not visible.

It felt like a scarlet letter was being attached to me. I felt it was a spectacle aimed at punishing me for not being a woman in the way she thought I should be a woman as she scolded me outside of the plane, Archbold, 38 and a DJ by profession, who was flying from Salt Lake City in conservative Utah to the famously liberal San Francisco, said in a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred.

She claimed that the Delta agent said her attire was revealing and offensive and that airline policy was not to allow passengers dressed that way to travel.

She said that the agent told her if she put a jacket over her t-shirt, she would be allowed to continue her journey. Attorney Gloria Allred said she had written to Delta on behalf of Archbold demanding a meeting with the companys president to discuss the discriminatory policy.

Male passengers are not required to cover up their t-shirts with a shirt or a jacket. They also do not have to wear a bra to board or remain on a plane and women should not have to wear one either. Last I checked, the Taliban are not in charge of Delta, she said.

Allred said US federal rules allow airlines to remove passengers who present a safety or security risk to the plane or its passengers, but that was clearly not the case with Archbold.

Neither her breasts nor any other womans breasts have ever tried to take over a plane. Breasts are not weapons of war, and its not a crime for a woman or girl to have them, Allred said.

The attorney said there were currently no plans for a lawsuit and that all she and Archbold wanted was a meeting with Deltas president to ensure assurances their policies would be updated.

In response to AFP inquiries, a spokesperson for the company said: Earlier this year, Delta representatives contacted this customer with an apology.
Luanda  The Constitutional Court (TC) granted Thursday the unspecified precautionary measure in which the Social Renewal Party (PRS) activist, Sapalo Antonio, invoked the practice of acts contrary to the statutory norms of the political formation during the preparation of its Fifth Congress.

In Ruling No. 880/2024, to which ANGOP had access, the Constitutional Court concluded that the legal prerequisites for enacting the aforementioned measure were met, as there was a well-founded fear of serious and difficult to repair damage to the right invoked by the applicant, having consequently, the party was ordered to refrain from holding the announced Congress.

In the petition, Sapalo Antonio requested the validity of this Unspecified Precautionary Measure, without prior hearing of the defendant, the suspension of the acts carried out by the National Executive Secretariat of the PRS and the annulment of the deliberations taken by its preparatory committee.

In his reasons, Sapalo Antonio explains that the IV PRS Congress held in May 2017 elected its management bodies, whose mandate, after 6 years, ended on May 31, 2023.

He adds that, for the purpose of renewing the elective bodies, the party president called for the Fifth Ordinary Congress, in accordance with paragraph i) of article 42 of the Statutes.

However, in order to prepare the V Congress, the president appointed a commission made up of members of the National Executive Secretariat, which constitutes a serious violation of paragraphs a), b), c) and i) of article 39 of the PRS Statutes.

It also states that for the constitution of the preparatory committee, the president met only with the executive secretary, vice-president, general secretary and some main secretaries, when he should have convened the 201 elected members who make up the National Committee, a body with competence to deliberate on the convening of the congress, as established in paragraph 1 of article 37 and paragraphs a), b), c) and i) of article 39 of the PRS Statutes.

Regarding the composition of the commission, he states that the president selected and integrated individuals he trusted with the purpose of deceiving public opinion, leaving out the members who make up the National Committee (Central Committee) and the Political Council (Political Bureau).

Likewise, he argues that he was verbally disciplined for having expressed his intention to run for president in the next election.

As a result, he argued that a complaint was made to the Ethics and Audit Commission (CEA), with an appeal to the president, to find out the reasons that determined the application of the aforementioned sanction, but these bodies remained silent.

Sapalo Antonio also says that the commission, coordinated by the National Executive Secretariat, to the detriment of the statutory powers of the PRS National Committee, prepared a Preliminary Draft Directive/2023, which establishes the procedures to be observed for holding the Nucleus Assemblies, District, Communal, Municipal, Provincial and Congress Conferences, as well as candidacies, in the election of delegates and candidates, within the scope of the V Ordinary Congress.

He argues that the National Executive Secretariat does not have the competence to present and approve the aforementioned Preliminary Project, which establishes the procedures and subjects of the Congress's agenda and the approval of the regulations necessary for the application of the party's Statutes.

On December 28, 2023, in confrontation with the party's rules, the president met the National Executive Secretariat and from this meeting decisions were made on issues relating to the preparation of the V Congress, as well as the approval of regulations and election of committees at the same.

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He also says that, in this meeting, the National Committee and the Political Council of the PRS, statutorily equivalent to the Central Committee and the Political Bureau of a political formation, did not take part.

In this context, the politician states that, in this preparation led by the aforementioned commission, serious irregularities are noted, especially in the way in which the acts leading to the holding of the V Ordinary Congress are being implemented.

For this reason, he reports that the immediate consequence is the challenge to the holding of the V Ordinary Congress due to the violation of statutory norms in its preparation. SC/DOJ
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is being criticised by Opposition parties on Friday for a surprise honours list which confers a knighthood on an Egyptian-born businessman who is a major donor to the governing Conservative Party. The list, announced late on Thursday just before the long Easter weekend in the UK, honours Mohamed Mansour, a senior treasurer for the Tory party, for his business, charity and political service.

Further recommendations from Sunak to King Charles III include knighthoods for other senior Tories Farming Minister Mark Spencer and Conservative MP Philip Davies as well as damehoods for former ministers Tracey Crouch and Harriett Baldwin. Oscar-winning Oppenheimer filmmaker Christopher Nolan and his producer wife, Emma Thomas, are also on the list for a knighthood and damehood for services to the film industry.

This is either the arrogant act of an entitled man whos stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesnt expect to be Prime Minister much longer. Either way, it shows a blatant disrespect for the office he should feel privileged to hold, said Labour Party chairperson Anneliese Dodds. The reason the list comes as a surprise is because usually honours are published by the UK Cabinet Office at New Year and on the Kings official birthday in June. They are based on recommendations from the Prime Ministers office and conferred in the name of the British monarch.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: Sunak has once again shown just how out of touch he is by handing out gongs to donors bankrolling his party who have plunged the economy into a recession. Downing Street sources pointed to Mohamed Mansours extensive public and charity service, including his support for the Princes Foundation, now the Kings Foundation.

This award is the greatest honour of my life. I am thrilled and hugely grateful, said Mansour. This award would have meant so much to my father and mother. I wish they could have lived to see this day. This honour is for them, for the values they taught my siblings and I and for everything they did for us, he said.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Gregory Campbell and Ted Sarandos, co-Chief Executive Officer of Netflix, receive CBEs in the honours list. Tech experts Dr Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of AI firm Google DeepMind, Matthew Clifford, a government adviser on artificial intelligence (AI), and Ian Hogarth, chair of the AI Safety Institute, have also received honours.
There is a very long road ahead to recover from the loss of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned Thursday as the Biden administration approved $60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.

This announcement came as the US Army engineers were moving the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to help remove the wreckage of the bridge to clear the channel and reopen the key shipping route. The machine, which can lift up to 1,000 tons, was expected to arrive Thursday evening. The state is deeply grateful for the federal funds and support, Moore said at an evening news conference.

Moore promised 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.

Join us for live updates on our ongoing response to the Key Bridge collapse: https://t.co/7DkdgS3atX Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) March 28, 2024

Rebuilding cost

US 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. US media reports said that 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. 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.

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.

Best minds coming together

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, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters. One was slightly injured and needed stitches, but all are in good shape and good health, Jaiswal 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 was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk. Synergy extended sympathies to the victims families in a statement early Thursday. 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.

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. Thirteen of those were destroyed, officials said. About 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.

Divers sent to work beneath the bridge debris and container ship will encounter challenging conditions, including limited visibility and moving currents. 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 US consumers.

(With agency inputs)
Marking the first official communication with a Pakistani premier during his tenure, US President Joe Biden has dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing continuous support and highlighted that the ties between the two nations are critical for bilateral and regional peace and security.

After assuming office in January 2021, President Biden neither telephoned former prime minister Imran Khan after his election victory nor spoke to Sharif when he succeeded Khan in April 2022, The Express Tribune said on Friday.

Sharif took oath as the countrys prime minister for a second time earlier this month after a controversial election that his rival and former prime minister Imran Khan dubbed as rigged. Khan, who is the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: party, had also openly accused the US of orchestrating his downfall after he was removed through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.

Though more than 90 independent candidates backed by the PTI won the maximum number of seats in the National Assembly, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto struck a post-poll deal and formed a coalition government in the country.

PML-N supremos younger brother Shehbaz Sharif became the prime minister while PPPs co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari became the President, both for second term, as part of the quid-pro-quo deal.

According to the contents of Bidens letter, shared by the US Embassy, The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people  and people around the world and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time. Biden said the support includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health, security, economic growth, and access to education for all.

He added that through the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, the two nations would continue strengthening their climate resilience, supporting sustainable agriculture and water management and advancing Pakistans recovery from the devastating floods of 2022.

He wrote that the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress. Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations and a close bond between our people, the letter concluded.

The two sides are trying to reset ties as Pakistan on March 21 said that the concerns a top US official raised over last months general elections and its outcome were due to a misunderstanding of its internal situation and election laws.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, who spoke about the misunderstanding of Pakistans internal situation while responding to queries about the remarks by US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu at a congressional hearing that if the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to investigate allegations of irregularities in the February 8 elections, it will retard Americas relationship with Pakistan.

Before that on March 15, US Ambassador Donald Blome said that Pakistan was considered an important partner and expressed hope in working with the newly-elected government to continue building stronger bilateral ties.

Earlier, barely two days after the February 8 polls, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna had led US lawmakers in alleging that the Pakistani military has been rigging the just-held general elections to prop up its candidate and deny the victory secured by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

On February 15, Khan sought the help of the US with a special message to Washington that it should play a role and voice concern about his countrys rigged general elections.

It was around that same date that the White House said it is concerned about the reports of intimidation and suppression of voters during the recently held general elections in Pakistan and is closely watching the situation there while a US lawmaker urged the State Department to delay recognising the winner.

Were concerned, and we share our concerns about some of the reports that weve heard coming out of Pakistan in terms of intimidation, voter suppression, that kind of thing. And so, we are watching this very, very closely, said John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council at the White House.
Russian artist Alyona Kazinskaya likes to fill her social media feed with cheerful messages and vivid floral paintings. For 30 minutes last Friday night, it turned into a timeline of terror.

Kazinskaya and a friend had bought last-minute tickets to see Soviet-era rock group Picnic perform in front of 6,200 people at a concert hall near Moscow. They thought about taking their daughters but decided to go by themselves.

It was at 8:01 p.m. that Kazinskaya posted a first 10-second audio message on her Telegram channel, sounding breathless and frightened as loud bursts of gunfire rang out. I love you all. Im in Crocus City Hall  Picnic. Theyre shooting here, at the concert. Im in the hall. Call the police.

As four Kalashnikov-toting gunmen rampaged through the building, spraying concertgoers with bullets, Kazinskaya found herself caught up in the deadliest attack on Russia for 20 years. As of Thursday, 143 people were confirmed killed in the massacre, which has been claimed by Islamic State militants but which Russia is attempting  despite emphatic denials from Kyiv  to link to Ukraine.

In an interview with Reuters, Kazinskaya said she understood quickly that the sounds she was hearing were gunshots, not special effects. With her friend, she tried to get the people around them to leave their seats and run. We tried to get people up, we got them up, but people had already run to the exit and we couldnt get through. At that moment they (the gunmen) entered the hall. Then I threw my friend to the floor and I said lets crawl.

SCRAMBLED MESSAGES

Her first thought, Kazinskaya said, was to get out of the hall, at any price. My second thought was Im wearing white, Im a good target. She paused briefly, and laughed. And finally, the third thought was Im going to write something now  yes Im frightened but Im going to put these messages in my (Telegram) channel because that way someone, somewhere will definitely hear them, find them and call someone.

At 8:08 p.m. she wrote three messages in quick succession, scrambling the letters as her fingers trembled on the phone. Please ring the police!!!!! Crocus City Hall Shooting By now, the pair of them had escaped the hall but was still trapped inside the building. The shooting stopped, but now there was another hazard. 8:17 p.m. A one-word audio message. Fire!

The gunmen had used gasoline to set the huge concert hall ablaze. The two friends took refuge in a toilet. There was smoke everywhere. They tried half a dozen times to get out, but they couldnt see anything and had to keep retreating. Kazinskaya was losing hope. At 8:23 p.m. she left a four-second audio message she thought would be the last one. I love you. Goodbye.

Disorientated, the pair of them found themselves in another toilet where more people were hiding. There was a man there who said he thought he could find a way out. They followed him and managed to escape the building  but even then, Kazinskaya did not feel safe.

I had only two thoughts. First, I need first aid because I cant breathe. I had burning to my lungs, and an asthma attack. And the second thought was I have to get as far away from the building as I can. At 8:31 p.m. she left a new audio message. Im alive. Im getting first aid. I got out. Thank you.

Returning home, Kazinskaya says she just hugged everyone. Now, she says, it will be a long time before she goes to clubs or big concerts again. But she draws comfort from the amount of support she has received. I think society itself needs to be kinder, she said. Because we remember were human when something bad happens, but we need to be human every day.
Luanda  The Chinese Ambassador to Angola Zhang Bin expressed Thursday in Luanda his country's interest in strengthening cooperation in the field of security and public order.

Speaking to the press, at the end of a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Eugenio Laborinho, the diplomat thanked the individual and collective protection provided to Chinese citizens and companies operating in Angola.

"China is very grateful for the security protection work towards Chinese citizens and companies in Angola, so we will continue to demand that they observe the country's laws and regulations and carry out business in accordance with current law", he highlighted.

The ambassador praised the visit, this month, of the President of the Republic, Joao Lourenco, to China, which allowed the signing of several agreements.

For his part, the Minister of the Interior considered the cooperative relations between the ministerial department he heads and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to be excellent, stressing that they are developing normally, with a view to pursuing common interests and objectives.

"The cooperation relations between the two institutions are carried out within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement on Security and Public Order, signed in Beijing in April 2012. We will always be grateful for the contribution that the people and Government of China have been providing to Angola in the process of diversification and development of its economy", he added.
The trial of gospel musician Ivy Kombo and her husband Admire Kasi, who are accused of fraudulently acquiring conversion certificates to practice law in Zimbabwe, continued this week with the State leading evidence from the investigating officer Owen Mutembwa.

Kombo and Kasi are being jointly charged with the suspended executive secretary for the Councilor Legal Education, Huggins Hardwork Duri, who allegedly provided their fraudulent conversion certificates.

In his evidence in chief, Mr Mutembwa explained to the court how the accused persons landed in the dock.

Accused 1 and 2 (Kombo and Kasi) lied that they wrote and passed exams and Duri facilitated the provision of certificates of completion when he knew very well that they never wrote and passed the conversion exams, he said.

Duri was allegedly paid US$1 100.

When asked by the State prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu how he linked Kombo to the crime Mr Chitembwe said it was through the affidavit she deposed.

From my investigations, l managed to retrieve a founding affidavit of Kombo under oath that she deposed that she had written and passed eight modules and she was therefore asking the High Court to grant her permission to practice law in Zimbabwe, said Mr Mutembwa.

He retrieved the document from the High Court. Immediately, Kombos lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya raised an objection relating to the alleged founding affidavit arguing that the document in question was disowned by the examinations coordinator and research assistant Vimbainashe Rutendo Sigauke who testified last week in court.

State wants to introduce new evidence to be read into the record of the alleged affidavit. This is contaminated information or evidence and State ought to know that the person who commissioned this, Sigauke, told the court that she is not the one who signed the forged document.

So this means that this document is not an affidavit its just a document hence the investigating officer is not competent to talk of this document , said Mr Rubaya.

He added that Kombo was alleged to have signed the affidavit on 11 January last year yet she was not even in Zimbawe by that time as she arrived on February 3 last year.

Kasis lawyer Mr Everson Chatambudza concurred with Mr Rubayas submissions.

He added that at the relevant time the document in question was allegedly signed his client was still in the United Kingdom hence allowing the State to tender this document would be prejudicial to the accused persons.

Duris lawyer, Mr Tamutsa Muzana, also made the same submissions raised by his co-lawyers.

Trial continued in the afternoon and magistrate Chakanyuka ruled that the objections raised by the defence were sustained .

However,the trial failed to continue on Tuesday as Mr Mutembwa was unavailable and the trial was adjourned to April 9.

The State did not lay any foundation in respect of the document that the investigating officer was supposed to comment on. This is not an official document for it to be legally binding. The objection raised has been sustained, said Chakanyuka.

When Mr Mutembwa was asked to comment on the claims that Kombo and Kasi were exempted from writing exams, Mr Rubaya raised an objection again indicating that the investigating officer was supposed to tell the court what he investigated not what he heard or was told. The objection was sustained. Herald
Kenya has formed an avocado taskforce committee comprising exporters, farmers, shippers, and aggregators aimed at addressing pertinent issues within the sector, with a deadline of 30 days to propose actionable solutions.

Chaired by the Chief of Staff in the office of Deputy President, Wanjiku Wakogi, the task force has been entrusted to scrutinise concerns raised during a recent stakeholders meeting held earlier this month and to devise effective remedies for implementation.

In a communication obtained by Business Day Africa, Ms Wakogi articulated the mission of the taskforce, highlighting its mandate to assess challenges hindering the full exploitation of opportunities within the sub-sector.

Representatives from key avocado-growing regions including Central Kenya, North Rift, and Western region form part of the task force, indicating a broad spectrum of industry involvement.

The task force's inception follows a convened meeting last week, orchestrated by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in response to farmer outcry over the Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) imposition of taxes on avocado farmers.

During the meeting, Mr Gachagua underscored the adverse impact of the current finance Act on farmers, advocating for dialogue between avocado stakeholders and the National Treasury to delineate parameters for extending a tax moratorium to farmers.

Members of the task force include Munyi Wanjohi, Chairman of Avocado Aggregators of Kenya, Ojepat Okisegere, CEO of Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya, and Beth Ihomba representing MAERSK Shipping.

Convening for its inaugural meeting on Wednesday at the Harambee House Annex, the taskforce embarked on its mandate against a ticking clock, demonstrating a sense of urgency in addressing the raised concerns.

Furthermore, Mr Gachagua reiterated the government's commitment to addressing farmers' grievances in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, with the overarching goal of maximising returns from avocado farming.

The government has signaled its intention to extend tax relief to avocado farmers through proposed amendments to Section 23 of the Finance Act of 2023, which necessitates farmers to file through the Electronic Tax Invoice Management Systems (e-TIMS).
It's not the easiest mistake to correct. It seems a construction company hired by a developer in Honolulu built a home on the wrong vacant lot. The kicker is that the owner of the lot is among those being sued over the mess, reports HawaiiNewsNow . The saga began in 2018 when Annaleine "Anne" Reynolds bought the undeveloped land for about $22,000. She planned to build on it someday, and was surprised to get a call from a real estate agent during the pandemic informing her that he had just sold a three-bedroom house valued at $500,000 that was belatedly discovered to be on her land.

"I'm like, what? Are you kidding me?" she tells the outlet. The home was built by PJ's Construction, which was hired by Keaau Development Partnership, per the AP. Apparently, the lots look similar in the Paradise Park subdivision, and the construction company says the developer didn't want to hire a surveyor. The developer, meanwhile, offered to give Reynolds a different empty lot or to sell her the house at a discounted price. She rejected both ideas.

"It would set a dangerous precedent, if you could go on to someone else's land, build anything you want, and then sue that individual for the value of it," says her attorney. Now the developer is suing everybody involved, including the construction company, Reynolds, and the county for approving the building permits. Keaau accuses Reynolds of trying to profit from an honest mistake, and she has countersued for "unauthorized construction." (More Honolulu stories.)
With the Republican impeachment inquiry stalling, the House Oversight Committee's chairman might have thought its target would agree to give it a push. So Rep. James Comer wrote to President Biden on Thursday, the Hill reports. "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 family's sources of income and the means it has used to generate it," the seven-page letter says. The invitation suggests Biden call on the committee on April 16.
A federal court on Thursday ruled that this year's congressional elections in South Carolina will be held under a map that it had already deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory against Black voters, with time running out ahead of voting deadlines and a lack of a decision on the case by the US Supreme Court. In an order, the AP reports, a panel of three federal judges from South Carolina 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."

South Carolina's primary elections are June 11, and early voting starts May 28. The deadline for overseas absentee ballots is April 27, ahead of which the judges wrote that it's "plainly impractical" to make changes to the maps. The case hinges on the state's 1st Congressional District, currently held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, per the AP. Last year, the same three-judge panel ordered South Carolina to redraw the district, which runs from Charleston to Hilton Head Island, after finding that the state used race as a proxy for partisan affiliation in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.

When Mace first won election in 2020, she edged Rep. Joe Cunninghamwho two years earlier had been the first Democrat to flip a House seat in South Carolina in 30 yearsby 1%, less than 5,400 votes. In 2022, following redistricting, Mace won reelection by 14%. After South Carolina's GOP-run legislature redrew the district, civil rights groups sued, saying lawmakers had removed Black voters and made it a safer seat for Republicans. Last year, a three-judge panelthe same one that issued Thursday's orderconcluded that the legislature "exiled" 30,000 Democratic-leaning Black voters from the 1st District to help Mace. The state appealed that ruling, and the Supreme Court heard arguments in October but has yet to issue a decision. The state and the civil rights groups had requested a decision by Jan. 1.

(More redistricting stories.)
Scientists have long suspected that childhood obesity could play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis down the line, but now they appear to have verification, according to a new study. Per the Guardian , research out of Sweden's Karolinska Institute has found that kids who were obese had more than double the risk of coming down with the central nervous system disease later in life, even after adjusting for parents who had MS. "There are several studies showing that MS has increased over several decades, and obesity is believed to be one major driver for this increase," the researchers say in a release . "Thanks to our ... study design, we can confirm this theory."

Tapping into the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register, aka BORIS, scientists looked at data on more than 21,600 kids ages 2 to 19 who were considered obese, as well as that for more than 100,000 slimmer children. Researchers kept tabs on the kids in the study for six years, and during the follow-up period found that 0.13% of the kids in the obesity group had been diagnosed with MS, while just 0.06% of the subjects in the nonobese group received the same diagnosis. Dr. Clare Walton, head of research at the UK's MS Society, says the study is important to gain a deeper understanding on how obesity may be tied to multiple sclerosis.

Walton tells the Independent that scientists speculate MS is likely set off "by a mix of genetic and environmental factors," citing viruses, low levels of vitamin D, smoking, and yes, being medically obese as possible factors. "However, none of these alone will cause someone to develop MS," she says. Scientists say that "low-grade but chronic" inflammation brought about by obesity may boost the MS risk, as they believe it does for other diseases like diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and some cancers. The findings from the study will be delivered in May at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice, Italy. (More discoveries stories.)
A Georgia Republican Party official who falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen himself voted illegally nine times. Brian Pritchard, first vice chairman of the Georgia GOP, violated state election laws by voting while on probation. His explanations for doing so were neither "credible or convincing," Administrative Law Judge Lisa Boggs ruled Wednesday, per USA Today . Back in 1996, Pritchard was sentenced to three years' probation for forging checks in Pennsylvania. After he moved to Georgia, his probation was revoked in 1999, in 2002 and again in 2004, when a judge imposed a new seven-year probationary sentence, per the Washington Post . As felons in Georgia can only vote once their probation or parole is complete, Pritchard was unable to vote in the state until 2011.

Yet on a 2008 voter registration form, Pritchard affirmed he was "not serving a sentence for having been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude." He voted illegally in four Georgia primary and general elections in 2008 and five special, primary, and general elections in 2010, per the Post. The conservative talk show host and owner of political news site FetchYourNews.com, who echoed former President Trump's false claims of election fraud and accused Georgia election officials of being "complicit," claimed he thought his sentence wrapped up in 1999 and that his criminal sentence was converted to a civil judgment. "Do you think the first time I voted, I said, 'Oh, I got away with it. Let's do it eight more times?'" he said, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Boggs said Pritchard's "self-described experience as a businessman handling complex projects as well as million-dollar contracts and budgets" made it hard to accept his claim that his "grasp of legal proceedings was so unsophisticated that he did not understand the basic terms of his probation," per USA Today. She ordered Pritchard to pay a $5,000 fine$500 for each time he voted illegally, plus $500 for illegally registering to voteand $375 in investigative costs. He will also be publicly reprimanded by the State Election Board. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fellow Republican, called Thursday for him to "resign immediately or be removed." "Our state party should be the leading voice on securing our elections," she wrote on X. (More voter fraud stories.)
The Republican National Committee has warned NBC News could pay for its dramatic firing of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel at the Republican National Convention in July. The network is already facing anger from Republicans, including some sources, upset by the decision to fire McDaniel as a contributor after intense backlash from hosts, Semafor reports. Now, the RNC is considering whether to restrict the network's access to the convention. "It appears that it's up to Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow as to whether NBC will participate in the convention since we just learned that NBC is held hostage by their 'talent,'" RNC and Trump campaign rep Danielle Alvarez said Thursday, per Politico . "We are taking a hard look at what this means for NBC's participation at the convention."

In 2016, the RNC canceled a debate deal with NBC over questions directed to Republican presidential candidates. But barring the network from the Republican National Convention would be a dramatic step, and one that could backfire. There would likely be "strong pushback from top brass" at NBC as well as rival outlets, journalists, and media groups, per Politico. It adds that "a major showdown with the press at the biggest political event of the election cycle could prove to be an unwanted distraction for Republicans" and particularly "a presidential nominee who takes heavy interest in the media coverage he receives."

It's not clear the RNC even has the authority to block NBC's access. The House Periodical Press Gallery oversees the credentialing process. "[If] the publication is credentialed on Capitol Hill, and one of the parties asked that the publication not be credentialed for the convention, we would credential the publication anyway," director Rob Zatkowski tells Politico. "To my knowledge this has never happened before." But sources say the RNC could instead limit access to interview subjects, locations around the convention centerincluding hotelsand transportation. That could hurt NBC, which may need all the access it can get. According to Semafor, its firing of McDaniel "threatens to undo years of repositioning itself as friendly to Republican officials and viewers." (More Republican National Convention stories.)
A mob in the Mexican tourist city of Taxco brutally beat a woman to death Thursday because she was suspected of kidnapping and killing a young girl, rampaging just hours before the city's famous Holy Week procession, the AP reports. On the eve of Good Friday, men walk through the colonial streets of Taxco wearing hoods, whipping themselves or carrying heavy bundles of thorns in penitence. That and other Holy Week processions date back centuries in the old silver-mining town. The mob formed after an 8-year-old girl disappeared Wednesday. Her body was found on a road on the outskirts of the city early Thursday. Security camera footage appeared to show a woman and a man loading a bundle, which may have been the girl's body, into a taxi.

The mob surrounded the woman's house Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police put the woman into the bed of a police pickup truck, but then stood byapparently intimidated by the crowdas members of the mob dragged her out of the truck and down onto the street where they stomped, kicked, and pummeled her until she lay, partly stripped and motionless. Police then picked her up and took her away, leaving the pavement stained with blood. The Guerrero state prosecutors' office later confirmed the woman died of her injuries.

The mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, said he shared residents' outrage over the killing. Figueroa said a total of three people beaten by the mobthe woman and two menhad been taken away by police. Video from the scene suggested they had also been beaten, though the AP witnessed only the beating of the woman. The state prosecutors' office said the two men were hospitalized. Residents said they have had enough, even though the violence may further affect tourism. "We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up. There will be a lot of people who won't want to come anymore," says one woman who was in the mob. "We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us."

(More Taxco stories.)
Good Friday was not great for the UK's longest-serving MP from Northern Ireland who resigned as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party following his arrest for alleged sex offenses. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's social media accounts vanished hours before police announced a 61-year-old male had been charged with "non-recent sexual offences," per the BBC . Shortly after, the DUP said Donaldson had confirmed he was charged "with allegations of an historical nature," stepped down as leader, and been replaced by deputy leader Gavin Robinson. "In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr. Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process," the DUP said.

Donaldson, the Lagan Valley MP and a married father of two, was arrested and charged Thursday alongside a 57-year-old woman who is accused of "aiding and abetting additional offences," per the BBC and Guardian. No more has been said about the alleged crimes. Both individuals are due in court April 24. Then a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, Donaldson became the youngest person elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1985 at age 22, per the Telegraph. He was first elected to the UK House of Commons in 1997 before joining the DUP in 2003. He was awarded knighthood for political service in 2016 and became the party leader in 2021.

His arrest came only "weeks after one of the most significant decisions of [Donaldson's] career when he chose to bring his party back to power sharing," per the Telegraph. Since 2022, the DUP had boycotted Northern Ireland's political institutions in protest of post-Brexit checks on goods moving between the UK and Northern Ireland. But Donaldson helped negotiate a deal that restored the government, with an Irish nationalist at its head, causing "deep divisions within the ranks of the DUP," per the New York Times. Tory MP Julian Smith said he didn't expect "any change in the momentum behind power sharing" following Donaldson's resignation, which came "a big shock to everybody," per the Telegraph. (More United Kingdom stories.)
On the one-year anniversary of the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia, the newspaper has paid tribute to him in unique fashion. Friday's front page has an enormous block of white space under the headline, "His Story Should Be Here" in all caps, reports the Hill. See the image here.

Family letter: The Journal has comprehensive coverage, including a letter from Gershkovich's family on what it's been like for them. "It has felt like holding our breath," they write.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams marked Good Friday by receiving a jailhouse baptism from the Rev. Al Sharpton, joining in on the religious rite with a group of men incarcerated at the troubled Rikers Island jail complex. The ceremony came as part of a visit to the jail complex where Adams was scheduled to meet with detainees. "Having been arrested and then elected mayor, I reminded these young men that where you are is not who you are," Adams said in a statement. "For the first time in their lives, their mayor didn't look down at themI sat side by side with them to be cleansed and recommit ourselves to getting on the right path."

Images from the event, provided by the mayor's office, appear to show Adams interlocking hands with Sharpton during a prayer, washing Adams' feet, and Adams being baptized. Adams and the civil rights leader have close ties through their long tenures in New York politics. Plagued by violence and neglect, the city-run jail complex has been the subject of an ongoing legal battle that could result in a federal takeover. The mayor also visited Rikers earlier this week to meet with detainees. In an interview on the New York City radio show "The Breakfast Club," Adams said he met with "a group of 12 young brothers who recommitted themselves to Christ." He added: "I've been on Rikers Island more than any mayor in the history of the city talking with inmates and correction officers to turn around what's happening on Rikers Island."

(More Eric Adams stories.)
Nairobi  In a significant development for the East African financial landscape, PayAngel, a global fintech company, has chosen Kenya as its entry point into the region.

The UK-based firm specializes in cross-border payments and remittances and has established a presence in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, Joseph Elvis Lamptey, PayAngel's Head of Growth and Strategy, highlighted Kenya's status as a global technology hub as a key factor in the company's decision to enter the Kenyan market.

Lamptey expressed confidence that PayAngel's entry will significantly boost diaspora remittances, which currently amount to approximately Sh645 billion per year according to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

"We are excited to be in Kenya. We are interested in Kenya because it is the hub for technology in Africa, " he said.

He is in the country for the Forty under 40 Africa awards, with PayAngel being the headline sponsor.

One of PayAngel's distinguishing features, he said, is its focus on security and simplicity. It is also free to send funds while using the platform.

The company is among other things licensed by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring compliance with international financial regulations.

"PayAngel is a platform for the people in diaspora and also businesses looking into doing business in Africa and Kenya in particular," he said.

PayAngel application can be downloaded on Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore.

"PayAngel is that platform that gives the diaspora seamless access to be able to send their money into Kenya eliminating all third party involvement," Lamptey said.

While sending money using the PayAngel platform, he said it will only take a maximum of up-to 10 minutes for the recipient to receive it either on M-pesa wallet or bank account.

Chebichi Shariffa, the firm's Growth Manager for East Africa, emphasized that PayAngel's platform will enable diaspora funds to be used for their intended purpose, addressing concerns about mismanagement or misuse.

Speaking during the press conference, Shariffa highlighted the platform's benefits for Kenyans living abroad, noting that some are already using PayAngel to pay their staff back home and make direct purchases of goods and services.

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This direct approach, she said, not only streamlines the remittance process but also reduces the risk of funds being mishandled.

"If I am sending home a thousand dollars, I should be able to see the return on investment," she said.

"There is satisfaction in knowing money sent for a certain purpose was not diverted and indeed was used to address that. It is exciting times for Kenyans and East Africans."

In order to further expand its services in Kenya, PayAngel is in the process of obtaining a license from the Central Bank of Kenya.

This license will allow the firm to collaborate with local banks and institutions to provide financial solutions tailored to the needs of Kenyans.

PayAngel's entry into the Kenyan market is expected to have a positive impact on the economy.

By simplifying and securing diaspora remittances, the officials said PayAngel is facilitating financial inclusion, literacy and empowerment.

The platform's ability to create job opportunities in Kenya adds another layer of positive impact, contributing to economic growth and stability, they said.

"The company's innovative approach to diaspora remittances has the potential to transform the way Kenyans living abroad support their families and contribute to the local economy," she said.

Financial experts say PayAngel's commitment to security, simplicity, and social impact positions it as a key player in the East African financial landscape, with the potential to drive positive change.

The company has been in operation for more than a decade.
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.



US District Judge Lewis Kaplan handed down the sentence at a Manhattan court hearing after rejecting Bankman-Fried's claim FTX customers did not actually lose money and finding he lied during his trial testimony. A jury found Bankman-Fried, 32, guilty on November 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 US 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 defence lawyer Marc Mukasey briefly before being led out of the courtroom by members of the US 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 US authorities on malfeasance in cryptocurrency markets.

"There are serious consequences for defrauding customers and investors," US 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 FTX customers lost $8 billion, its equity investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders to the Alameda Research hedge fund Bankman-Fried founded lost $1.3 billion. He imposed an $11 billion forfeiture order and authorised 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.
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%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Security is an essential pillar of development, which requires a safe environment to achieve its set goals. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister, highlighted the importance of continuing to develop the Ministry of Interiors services and adopting the latest practices and modern technology aimed at enhancing community security and the development of the criminal justice system.

HRH Prince Salman made the statements as he hosted yesterday an iftar banquet for senior officers and officials of the Ministry of Interior, at the Public Security Officers Club. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister highlighted the significant contributions of the Ministry of Interior and its role as an integral part of Team Bahrain, working towards advancing the Kingdoms comprehensive development goals, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

His Royal Highness affirmed the ministrys pivotal role and the efforts of its personnel in safeguarding public security, preserving rights, and enforcing the law. He commended the Kingdoms advanced security efforts, as well as the achievements of the Ministry of Interior and its agencies.

In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister extended his gratitude to the Minister of Interior, His Excellency General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and the ministrys personnel. Royal support On behalf of the Ministry of Interior personnel, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah expressed his gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister for his support for Interior Ministry personnel.

The Minister wished His Royal Highness success in furthering the Kingdoms development, under the leadership of HM King Hamad. He affirmed that the ministry is continuing its advancement within its modernisation strategy by increasing the competence of its personnel.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company (BKIC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the financial year 2023 on Thursday at the Companys Head office in Seef District with a quorum of 86.20 per cent, and in the presence of representatives of the relevant regulatory authorities.

The General Assembly approved the Board of Directors recommendation to distribute a cash dividend of 25% equivalent to 25 fils per share amounting to BD 3,726,095 (excluding the treasury shares).

The General Assembly also approved the rest of the agenda items of this meeting. Murad Ali Murad, Chairman, stated in his report that having collaborated more extensively within the consideration for the current environment and the expected trends ahead, the Board alongside the Management have implemented sound insurance, investment, and operational strategies with the main objective of strengthening both the market and the financial position.

The financial results for 2023, based on the new IFRS17 standards, indicate a decline of 12% compared to last years reinstated results due to changes in accounting assumptions which resulted in a one-time exceptional increase in 2022 reinstated results.

The company achieved earnings of 34 fils per share compared to restated 38 fils in 2022. Total comprehensive income attributable to the shareholders for the year stood at BD 5.59 million compared to BD 4.49M in 2022, showing an increase of 24pc.

The total shareholders equity as at end of December 2023 is BD 44.23M compared to BD 42.48M (restated) as at end of last year, representing an increase of 4pc. Investment income driven by the companys strategy to restructure the investment portfolio to earn optimum returns increased by 50pc.

Dr. Abdulla Sultan, CEO, said that despite the challenges faced by the company in 2023, BKIC continued affirming its lead position in the local market and maintained its strong presence in Kuwait by achieving the historical records on growth, profitability and returns to shareholders.
Export Bahrain hosts Bahrains Creative Business Cup 2024 in collaboration with BDB and The Collective Hub

Export Bahrain hosts Bahrains Creative Business Cup 2024 in collaboration with BDB and The Collective Hub

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Export Bahrain announces hosting Bahrains Creative Business Cup 2024 in collaboration with Bahrain Development Bank and The Collective Hub to support and empower Bahrains entrepreneurial ecosystem and showcase its creative potential on a global stage.

The competition will take place on April 17, 2024 at the Collective Hub, with a focus on promoting startups in sectors such as Creative Industries, Sustainable Development, and Social Impact.

The Creative Business Cup is an esteemed annual global competition that attracts participants from over 80 countries worldwide. It serves as a platform for creative and innovative startups to connect, compete, and gain exposure.

With a history spanning 12 years, the competition has become a cornerstone in promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development. The competition will include a panel of experts to assess and select 10 founders from Bahrain, who will proceed to compete in front of a jury on April 17th, 2024.

The selected startups will then pitch and present their innovative ideas and business models. The winner of Bahrains Creative Business Cup 2024 will earn the opportunity to represent the Kingdom at the CBC Global Finals in Copenhagen in June 2024.

We are excited to host the National Creative Business Cup in Bahrain, said Mrs. Safa Akhaliq, CEO of Export Bahrain. This event presents a unique opportunity for Bahraini entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit and present it on a global scale.

We believe that supporting local entrepreneurship is essential for driving economic growth and prosperity in Bahrain. We are proud to partner with Export Bahrain to further support Bahrains vibrant startup ecosystem, said Mrs. Dalal Al Qais, CEO of Bahrain Development Bank.

Through initiatives like the National Creative Business Cup, we aim to nurture Bahrains creative talent, promote innovation, and empower startups to reach internationalization.

Mr. Nawaf AlKoheji, CEO of Tenmou and The Collective Hub, emphasized the importance of supporting startup initiatives in Bahrain, stating, Bahrains Creative Business Cup 2024 is a testament of our commitment to foster entrepreneurship as we contribute to the growth and diversification of Bahrains economy, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

For more information and to register for the competition, please visit Export Bahrain Social Media accounts or visit our website export.bh.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) convened its Ordinary General Meeting on Wednesday at Al Dana Hall in Gulf Hotel, during which all recommendations put forth by the Banks Board of Directors were duly endorsed.

During the meeting, the Banks shareholders unanimously approved all items on the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting. This included the endorsement of the minutes from the previous Ordinary General Meeting held on March 28, 2023, as well as the approval of the Board of Directors report on the Banks activities for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

Subsequently, BBK convened an Extraordinary General Meeting where the shareholders ratified the minutes of the previous meeting held on March 28, 2023.

Empowering the Board

The shareholders empowered the Board of Directors, or its designee, to undertake all necessary procedures with the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain to secure the official approvals essential for amending the Articles of Association.

After the conclusion of the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting, BBKs Board of Directors assembled and elected Tariq Jaleel AlSaffar as the Chairman of the Banks Board of Directors. Before assuming the role of Chairman, AlSaffar held memberships in BBKs Risk Committee, the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Nomination, Remuneration, and Governance Committee, as well as the Banks Independent Board Committee.

BBK announced that Mohammed Abdulrahman Hussain, a Board Member, has tendered his resignation from his position due to personal reasons. BBK also announced the appointment of replacements for departing members to its Board of Directors, Munther Abdulaziz Al-Kooheji and Dr. Ghania Mohsen Al-Derazi. Tariq AlSaffar, Chairman of BBK, expressed his profound pride in gaining the trust and confidence of the Banks Board of Directors and the shareholders representatives.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

International Motor Trading Agency, the sole authorized distributor for Mazda passenger vehicles in Bahrain, announces the launch of exceptional Ramadan offers on new 2024 models, exemplifying its commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service and value.

Suzan Salman Kanoo, President of IMTA, expressed her enthusiasm about the promotion, stating, This year, we are thrilled to unveil our exclusive Ramadan deals. Our offers not only boast competitiveness but also deliver superior value, ensuring our beloved customers can drive home a brand new, stylish Mazda at unbeatable prices during this auspicious month.

IMTA Vice President, K.N. SINGH added: Mazda vehicles excel in combining style, performance, safety and comfort seamlessly. This year, our Ramadan offers are created to offer unparalleled savings, value and stress-free after-sales services to our valuable customers.

We welcome customers to our showrooms across Bahrain to capitalise on our special deals. Frankly speaking, were thrilled with the response so far. Many customers have already secured their cars as we launched our Ramadan offers earlier than usual this year, starting in mid-February.

The Mazda brand has experienced remarkable growth in the GCC region, with Bahrain emerging as a pivotal market. This is evidenced by Mazda Bahrain (IMTA) receiving the prestigious highest volume growth award for 2023 by Mazda Corporation, Japan.

Renowned for its ability to cater to the diverse needs of modern families and driving enthusiasts alike, Mazda stands out for its insightful solutions and driving pleasure. Competitive pricing on the new 2024 Mazda models and special auto finance rate of interest makes it easier to drive home your dream Mazda.

Complimentary 5-year or 100,000kms service package ensures peace of mind for years to come, while free extended warranty for 7 years enhances protection and confidence in the investment. IMTA experts simplify the ownership process with complimentary insurance and registration services.

Drive comfortably during harsh climate and boost the aesthetics of your vehicle with Mazdas complimentary window tinting and rust-proofing treatments. Due to limited stock and high demand, interested individuals are encouraged to secure their Mazda early to avoid disappointment. This limited-time offer is valid until the end of Ramadan.

During this period, customers have the opportunity to book their favorite Mazda and secure the offer for later deliveries. Terms and conditions apply. Prospective buyers are welcome to visit their nearest Mazda showroom for more information. Call Arad on 17 875 799, Sitra on 17 706 010, and Whats app Tubli on 17 875 777. Additionally, customers can explore the latest Mazda models and features by visiting the website http://mazda.kekanoo.com.
The mind-bending new Netflix series 3 Body Problem, an attempt to adapt Liu Cixin's epic novel The Three-Body Problem for Western audiences, has earned a new wave of overseas cheers for the Chinese author's science fiction masterpiece. The English translation of the book, which earned Liu the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015, became the No 1 best-seller in Amazon's literary fiction section and rose to the 11th spot on the list of general best-sellers on Wednesday. The Three-Body Problem is the first book in Liu's San-Ti trilogy, and is followed by The Dark Forest and Death's End. Chen Feng, rights manager at China Education Publications Import & Export Co, the international agent for the trilogy, said this is the book's best performance ever on Amazon, and a record for Chinese literature. The Japanese version of The Three-Body Problem topped the charts on Amazon Japan, while Liu's works dominated half of the Kindle e-book sales chart for Chinese literature, according to Chinese magazine Science Fiction World, which first ran the trilogy before it was published as books in 2008 and 2010. After the first season of 3 Body Problem started streaming on Netflix last week, it sparked intense discussions in countries including Japan, the United States, France and Germany, where the book has gained a huge fan base. Hideo Kojima, a renowned Japanese game developer, recommended Liu's novel on social media after watching the Netflix series, along with the highly acclaimed Chinese TV drama based on the book. The domestic adaptation is rated 8.7 out of 10 by more than 457,000 viewers on Douban, a major review aggregator in China. The Chinese TV drama was first released in China in January 2023. It also premiered on the NBC Universal streaming platform Peacock in the US on Feb 10, which was the first day of the Year of the Dragon. Before that launch, the domestic series was already available on international streaming platforms, including Amazon, with its distribution extending worldwide. On March 21, Netflix released all eight episodes of the first season on its streaming platforms, which reach audiences in more than 190 countries and regions. According to reports, the series was produced with a total investment of about $160 million, with an average budget of $20 million per episode, making it one of the most expensive single-episode investments in the history of Netflix. The novel introduces an expansive narrative that intertwines physics, astrophysics and extraterrestrial life with human history and philosophy. The story focuses on scientists discovering an alien civilization on Alpha Centauri, endangered by its unstable orbit around three suns, which is causing severe environmental chaos, known as the "three-body problem". The narrative explores the implications of the first contact with an alien civilization, including the social, political and technological changes that follow. "Notably, (the novel) does not rely on many of the traditional tropes you would expect from an alien sci-fi, to invoke fear and awe, but rather comes with an entire new arsenal of imagination to remind us that we are very fragile and insignificant within the universe," said a reader, who goes by the online name Gemlarin and has given Amazon's highest rating to the book. The English version of the novel, translated by Ken Liu, was published in 2014, making Liu Cixin's work accessible to a broader audience base and allowing it to earn further international acclaim. It has garnered a group of celebrity fans including former US president Barack Obama. The book, which became the first Asian novel to win the Hugo Award, has been praised for its innovative ideas and complex scientific concepts, as well as its unique blend of hard science fiction with Chinese historical and cultural elements. As of June 2023, the trilogy, translated into 35 foreign languages, had sold about 4 million copies worldwide, setting a record for overseas sales of contemporary Chinese literature, according to Science Fiction World. Apart from this trilogy, other major works by Liu Cixin have been translated into a number of languages, including novels such as Ball Lightning and The Supernova Era, and the short story collections To Hold Up the Sky and The Wandering Earth. yangyang@chinadaily.com.cn


London  The Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Sudan and South Sudan, Conservative Party MP Rt Hon Vicky Ford, alongside her colleagues, issued a call for urgent action to address the escalating crisis in Sudan and South Sudan.

In a recent statement posted yesterday on her X page (formerly Twitter), Ford shared the decisions taken during their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 20, the bipartisan group of UK parliamentarians expressed deep concern over the dire situation unfolding in the region.

"We remain deeply concerned about the dire and escalating situation in Sudan and South Sudan," the APPG statement read.

The group urged for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire from all parties involved in the conflict in Sudan. They also called upon external countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to halt all funding and arms provision to the warring factions.

"For all external countries, including the UAE, to end all funding to the warring parties and end all provision of arms to the conflict in Sudan," said by the British parliamentary group.

The APPG stressed the critical need for unrestricted humanitarian access to all areas of Sudan to assist civilians in need. They emphasised the urgency of addressing the dire food security situation and increasing financial contributions to humanitarian aid efforts.

"The international community must step up their financial contributions to humanitarian aid," the statement read.

Additionally, the group demanded an end to the culture of impunity, advocating for accountability for those responsible for crimes against humanity, including those committed during the previous genocide in Darfur.
AFP | Paris

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

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.
AFP | Gaza

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Battles and bombardment pounded the Gaza Strip yesterday, after Washington said Israel agreed to reschedule cancelled talks with tensions worsening between the allies. United States criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mounted over Gazas civilian death toll, dire food shortages, and Israeli plans to push its ground offensive against Ha

mas into the far-southern city of Rafah, which is packed with displaced civilians. World leaders have warned against a Rafah offensive which they fear would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation for the Palestinian territorys 2.4 million residents.

The United Nations reported late Wednesday that famine is ever closer to becoming a reality in northern Gaza, and said the territorys health system is collapsing due to ongoing hostilities and access constraints.

Bombardment and fighting have continued despite a binding United Nations Security Council resolution passed on Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Netanyahu scrapped an Israeli visit to Washington to discuss the Rafah plan, in protest of the UN ceasefire resolution from which the United States abstained, allowing it to pass. Netanyahus government has since backtracked and agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah, according to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.

She added that they were working to find a convenient date. US officials say they plan to present Israel with an alternative for Rafah, focused on striking Hamas targets while limiting the civilian toll.

Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,490 people, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The health ministry, in a preliminary toll issued early yesterday, said 66 people were killed overnight.

Fighting continued around three of the Strips hospitals, raising fears for patients, medical staff and displaced people inside them. The Al-Amal hospital in Khan Yunis, near Rafah, has ceased to function completely, the Palestine Red Crescent said earlier this week, following the evacuation of civilians from the medical centre.

Israels military accuses Hamas fighters of hiding in medical facilities and using civilians as shields. Early yesterday, the army said Hamas had been firing on troops from within and outside the emergency ward at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Troops began raiding Al-Shifa early last week, and on Wednesday night carried out an air strike on the emergency ward while avoiding harm to civilians, patients, and medical teams, the army said.

The UN has reported intensive exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and armed Palestinians. It cited the health ministry as saying the army has confined medical staff and patients to one building, not allowing them to leave.
Marcos says Philippines will not be 'cowed into silence' by China

Marcos says Philippines will not be 'cowed into silence' by China

AFP | Manila

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

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.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning informed taxpayers of a one-time limited opportunity to voluntarily disclose their tax liabilities for the tax periods before 2023. This will allow them to pay only the disclosed principal tax, free of penalties and interest for late payment.

These incentives are effective only from March 22, 2024, to June 22, 2024, and are available to individuals, companies, and organizations, after providing all necessary information regarding the undeclared taxes.

ALSO READ: RRA calls on taxpayers to ensure early declaration of annual income tax

According to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) Commissioner General Pascal Bizimana Ruganintwali, this decision was taken as part of various tax reforms aimed at enhancing tax compliance and bringing human face to taxation.

"In those reforms, the government has provided that a one-time period may be opened so that anyone can voluntarily disclose any undeclared tax and pay it without being punished. When we talk about punishments, we mean penalties and interests for late payment," he said.

ALSO READ: RRA launches nationwide campaign to promote EBM usage

However, the voluntary disclosure does not give the right to any VAT refund or tax credit, or loss.

Why you should disclose voluntarily

This is a unique opportunity for taxpayers who didn't declare their taxes but want to comply with their obligations before the Tax Administration informs them about an impending audit.

According to the RRA Commissioner General, it is a one-time opportunity that taxpayers need to seize, as the institution is deploying different IT systems to collect and analyze data, making it easier to identify non-compliant individuals and companies. This is all aligned with RRA's broader plan to become a data-savvy organization, supported by data science and analytics teams to analyse and match the data to guide decision-making in taxation.

Since Rwanda signed agreements with other countries regarding sharing information in taxation, RRA has been benefiting from the exchange of information on request (EOI) with international tax jurisdictions.

The country is also progressing with a system of automatic exchange of information (AEOI), to be implemented by early 2025. This system will avail financial information on taxpayers, especially multinational companies, and prevent tax evasion, profit shifting, or money laundering.

On the other hand, the government continues to sign agreements to eliminate double taxation. This will contribute to discovering non-compliant businesses.

ALSO READ: Rwanda, France sign double taxation avoidance agreement

Who is eligible?

This opportunity is available to anyone who has conducted a taxable activity, whether registered or not, but has undeclared taxes related to any tax period before 2023.

To be eligible, the taxpayer has to voluntarily declare and pay tax before being notified of an imminent audit.

Also involved are taxpayers who have submitted their declarations but need to revise submitted tax returns to increase the tax amount.

RRA emphasizes that these incentives concern all domestic taxes such as income tax, immovable property tax, value-added tax, withholding taxes, gaming taxes, tax on minerals, and others, except Customs duties.

Taxpayers who have been audited can still disclose additional tax liabilities beyond what the audit discovered.

A taxpayer also retains the right to disclosure at any time following the prescription of the audit powers.

Who is not eligible?

A taxpayer loses the right to incentives from voluntary disclosure on a certain tax if they have received an audit notice.

These incentives are also not applicable on any tax liabilities related to the fiscal year 2023.

How to apply for voluntary disclosure

RRA announced that it simplified the process for taxpayers who need to use this opportunity through its website. (https://etax.rra.gov.rw/landingPage).

The related request must clearly indicate the relevant tax type and period, the tax amount, in addition to uploading related supporting documents. This information must be complete and accurate.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning officially announced that taxpayers who want to disclose must apply from March 22, 2024, to June 22, 2024. This means that after this period has elapsed, there will be no more incentives. RRA will use the information available and its powers to recover all the taxes from taxpayers who did not seize the given opportunity.

The Commissioner General assesses the taxpayer's application for voluntary disclosure of undeclared taxes and responds within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

How to pay the disclosed tax

Ministerial Order n 001/24/03/TC of 08/03/2024 determines that a taxpayer who is granted the voluntary disclosure incentives pays the total amount of principal tax disclosed within 30 days from the date of approval.

However, the Tax Administration may allow the taxpayer to pay in instalments if they present valid reasons.

A taxpayer who discloses and pays 50 % of the total amount of tax disclosed in the first month of opening of the voluntary disclosure, is eligible for a five instalments payment plan for the remaining amount of tax not paid.

When the taxpayer discloses and pays 50 % in the second month, he or she is eligible to pay the remaining amount in three instalments; whereas those who disclose and pay 50% in the third month will be eligible for a single instalment payment plan.

These granted incentives can be revoked if the taxpayer either fails to pay the disclosed tax, fails to respect the payment plan granted, or submits false or incomplete information that leads to the payment of understated tax.




Clement Ikolo Oghenerukevwe, monarch of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom in Delta, has reported to the police, hours after the military named him as one of the wanted persons for the murder of 17 army personnel in Okuama.

Bright Edafe, Delta state police spokesperson, confirmed Oghenerukevwes surrender on Friday.

Edafe said the monarch turned himself in on Thursday.

We have already handed him over to the military, they were the ones that declared him wanted, the spokesperson said.

The Defence Headquarters had on Thursday declared Oghenerukevwe among eight persons wanted in connection to the murder of the army personnel.

Among those declared wanted are Ekpekpo Arthur, a professor of physics at the Delta State University; Akeywiru Omotegbono, Andaowei Bakrikri, Igoli Ebi, a lady; Akata David, Sinclear Oliki, and Reuben Baru.

Before turning himself in, the monarch released a statement to plead his innocence.

I am very surprised that my name as the monarch of the kingdom will appear in the list of wanted persons. I have no hand in the killings, I have no hand in encouraging anybody to kill anybody, it is against my philosophy as a human being and my faith as a Catholic, he said.

It is a serious crime against humanity and they need to look at the appropriate places and do thorough investigation to know all those who have committed this and bring them to book and let justice prevail.

I am not a party to this and like I have said earlier, the state government is aware of the turbulence I have been going through and as I speak, an arrangement was made by the government to invite the opponents recently just before this happenings.

After the killing of the army personnel, President Bola Tinubu and the military high command promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Speaking during the burial ceremony of the late personnel, Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), said it was highly demoralising that the soldiers were killed by those they were equipped to protect.

The army chief added that it took over 72 hours of search to recover the vital organs of some of the deceased soldiers.




The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, on Wednesday disclosed that deploying soldiers on missions which may claim their lives is his toughest job.

The Army chief spoke during the burial of 17 soldiers killed in Okuama community of Delta State.

Lagbaja said: As the chief of Army Staff, I consider putting fine men and women in harms way sometimes, knowing that they will not return to their families and loved ones, my toughest job.

My men know that when I send them out, despite the equipment, training, and other forms of preparation, some may not make it back alive, while some may return handicapped and invalid.

Recall that the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma Community were ambushed and killed by some irate youths.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call following a communal crisis between Okuoma and Okoloba communities in Delta State.

The personnel comprised one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers.




After much back and forth, an independent medical doctor on Thursday examined Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Kanus lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, said the doctor was competent and was personally chosen by the IPOB leader.

Ejimakor disclosed this after leading the legal team on a routine meeting with Kanu at the facility of the Department of State Services, DSS.

Posting on X, Ejimakor wrote: The jinx is finally broken. Today, a very competent doctor, personally chosen by Onyendu #MNK, met & examined him.

It wasnt easy, counting from last year when this shouldve happened. The indomitable #MnkLegalTeam also met with MNK today. Its tough but we must not relent.

In the past, Ejimakor had accused DSS operatives of refusing to allow Kanu access to an independent medical practitioner.

During his last court outing, the IPOB leader said he is suffering from congestive cancer, adding that the DSS are not taking his health condition seriously.

Kanu said: The Court is entitled to change its mind. They will change their mind. My right must be respected. My right to fair hearing must be respected.

I have congestive heart failure. Basically they want to keep me alive so that when they calculate that Im about to give up, that my heart is about to pack up, theyll now say go.




The police command in Anambra says gunmen attacked its Neni divisional police station in Anaocha LGA of the state.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the commands spokesperson, said the gunmen attacked the police station with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which affected a part of the building.

He added that police officers on duty resisted the attackers and forced them to desert the area.

No life was lost, no policeman was whisked away and no arm was taken away. Instead, the hoodlums threw IEDs into the police facility which touched part of the building, Ikenga disclosed

Our operatives gallantly resisted the attackers which made them flee; operations are still ongoing.

Last month, the Anambra police command said it recovered AK-47 rifles stolen by gunmen in a 2021 attack on the police headquarters in the state.

Ikenga added that one of the rifles was stolen from the area command headquarters in Ogidi in 2023 when some assailants attacked the formation.
Florian Hartzenberg has made history by becoming the first professional accountant in Namibia to attain both the Chartered Accountant Namibia (CA(NAM)) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designations.

This achievement follows the recent Membership Pathway Agreement between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Namibia (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

As a member of CIMA, the world's leading professional body, and a founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Hartzenberg's accomplishment underscores the significance of the collaboration between ICAN and CIMA.

Fenni Nghikevali, Chief Executive at ICAN, described Hartzenberg's achievement as a milestone for the Membership Pathway Agreement, expressing satisfaction in seeing tangible results from the collaboration. "Congratulations to Hartzenberg for his remarkable accomplishment. Holding both the CA(NAM) and CGMA designations will set him apart in the industry and afford him the respect and benefits associated with these prestigious titles," added Nghikevali.

In response, Hartzenberg expressed his gratitude for the historic achievement, emphasizing his long-held ambition to become a chartered accountant in Namibia. He credited the completion of CIMA's CGMA Professional Qualification as instrumental in realizing this dream.

Acknowledging the collaboration between CIMA and ICAN, Hartzenberg highlighted the empowerment of finance professionals in Africa and expressed hope that his journey would inspire fellow accountants and aspiring professionals. He pledged to continue advancing the accounting profession both locally and internationally.

CIMA emphasized the benefits of the dual designation agreement, highlighting the proficiency in finance, operations, strategy, and management that comes with the CGMA designation. Eligible ICAN members seeking the CGMA designation will benefit from exemptions from 15 of CIMA's 16 CGMA examinations, further streamlining their path to dual certification.




Human Rights lawyer Femi Falana has reacted to the Nigerian Army declaring eight suspects wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community, Delta State.

According to him, it is illegal for them to declare murder suspects wanted.

Falana has warned the military not to bungle the case of the slain soldiers.

He said on Thursday: The decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.

Let the federal government direct the defence headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers.

It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the defence headquarters.

If the federal government fails to call the defence headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.

Speaking during the burial ceremony on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu vowed to punish the culprits.

Tinubu urged the Okuama elders and chiefs, to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the heinous crime.




Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, bought the frontpages of a slew of national newspapers to celebrate the 72nd birthday of President Bola Tinubu, even though the celebrant had pleaded for a low-key anniversary.

Tompolo is the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an oil pipeline surveillance firm that tackles crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Last Sunday, the presidency announced that Tinubu will not celebrate his 72nd birthday on March 29 in deference to the challenging times in the country.

The presidency said the president does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.

Tinubu also enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name.

However, on Friday, Tompolo placed birthday messages for Tinubu on the frontpages of at least eight national dailies.

A frontpage newspaper advert of the size Tompolo splurged on costs an average of N10 million.

This is not the first time the Tantita boss will use the frontpage of dailies to celebrate Tinubu.

In October 2023, after the supreme court affirmed Tinubus victory in the 2023 presidential election, Tompolo bought the frontpages of several dailies to celebrate the judgment.

See pictures of the frontpages of todays dailies below.








The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has assured Nigerians who wanted to embark on journey to their hometowns and other places during the Easter celebrations not to entertain any fear as adequate measures have been put in place to guarantee their security.





The Police chief assured Nigerians that they are safe whether they are travelling by road, air, waterways, or rail.





Egbetokun said this in a statement released by Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi while assuring Nigerians of police commitment to ensure the safety and security of all citizens and visitors during the Easter celebrations.





According to the statement, the IGP has ordered round-the-clock security and protection of public spaces across the country with all State Commissioners of Police (CPs) and their supervising Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) tasked with deploying police personnel and operational assets to areas of likely security threats within their respective areas of responsibility (AoRs).





Intensive and proactive visibility patrols will be conducted at all worship centres, train stations, highways, motor parks, airports, waterways, recreation centres, banks, and other financial institutions, as well as other critical infrastructures and public spaces.





The IGP has also assured all travellers who will be visiting their hometowns and other places within the country for the festivities of adequate security irrespective of the medium of such travels whether by road, air, waterways, or rail, as deployments have been increased and visibility patrols intensified in all areas including aerial patrol and surveillance.





The Nigeria Police Force emphasizes the importance of professional conduct among its officers deployed for these duties. While ensuring courteousness to law-abiding citizens, officers will maintain firmness and ruthlessness towards criminal elements seeking to exploit the festive period for their unlawful activities.





The IGP felicitates with Nigerians, especially the Christian community, on the occasion of the Easter celebrations. He appreciates the citizens for their support and calls on them to cooperate continually with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies by providing prompt and actionable information to prevent and detect crime.





As we commemorate the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us come together in unity and vigilance to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to serving and protecting the public, and we urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station/Post, Adejobi said in the statement.




The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday said President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda is not just theory but practical.

Wike spoke after inspecting ongoing rural road projects in Bwari and Abuja Municipal area councils in Abuja.

He commended Tinubu for the opportunity to be part of his administrations quest to renew the hope of Nigerians.

The minister also commended Tinubu for what he described as tremendous support to the FCT Administration to provide critical infrastructure and quality services to residents of the capital territory.

Wike noted that Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda was not meant for only the people in the cities but was designed to also ensure that those in rural communities feel the impact of his administration.

I am 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; it is also to make sure that those in the rural areas feel part of the administration.

We have been to Bwari and we attest to the fact that is a very difficult terrain. No wonder people talk of insecurity.

But with the construction of that road, you can say that there is hope. I feel so happy that I am part of this administration and that people can see changes.

Again, we are here in Saburi, and you can see the work going on. When we came to inaugurate the road, you could see the enthusiasm among the people.

We are happy that everything we have started will be completed soon.

This attest to the fact that Tinubus Renewed Hope agenda is not just in theory; its practical  seeing is believing, Wike said.




Former President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, and other dignitaries have hailed President Bola Ahmed on his 72nd birthday.





Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the sustained efforts by Tinubus administration to overcome the many challenges of Nigeria.





My family and I pray to God that you remain healthy and happy and continue to work for the betterment of the country. Happy birthday to you! Buhari said.





On his part, Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his media aide Gboyega Akosile, described Tinubu as a courageous, audacious, and passionate leader committed to the progress, growth, and development of Nigeria.





He added, President Tinubus financial wizardry and economic intellect, which he put to good use as the Governor of Lagos State, have taken our dear state to a greater height. Today, Lagos is the pride of Nigeria, occupying an enviable position as the fifth largest economy in Africa.





Similarly, Fubara described President Tinubu as a selfless leader, an advocate of peace and unity, and a bridge builder who has engendered the countrys growth of democracy.





Fubara disclosed this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, on Thursday.





Also, the House of Representatives Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, felicitated Tinubu.





In a congratulatory message by his media aide, Musa Krishi, Abbas described Tinubu as a grandmaster of progressive politics.





Likewise, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, congratulated Tinubu, describing him as a visionary leader.





Recall that last Sunday, Tinubu asked well-meaning friends and family members to keep his birthday low-key due to the countrys mood.
A 16-year-old was arrested earlier this week and charged with aggravated assault after authorities said he punched a man in the head, leaving him hospitalized, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said Thursday.

Mt. Ephraim police responded to the Walgreens at 20 West Kings Highway at about 10:40 p.m. on Mar. 23 for a report of an unconscious man, authorities said. Police found a 46-year-old Mount Ephraim man on the ground suffering from an apparent head injury, authorities said. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, according to officials.

Investigators alleged a teenager from Collingswood had punched the man in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground, authorities said.

U.S. Marshals arrested the 16-year-old in Cherry Hill on Monday without incident. He was remanded to the Camden County Youth Detention Center, according to officials.

The investigation is ongoing and the prosecutors office declined to provide charging documents based on the defendants status as a juvenile.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the prosecutors office major crimes unit at 856-225-8414 or the Mount Ephraim police department at 856-931-2225.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X.
Hes 88, shes 87, and they hold hands like newlyweds. Because thats what they are.

The decade-long romance between Gerald Pomper and Sandra Bergelson started in a New Brunswick classroom at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University in a course on Japanese literature.
Congress has added Rutgers University to the list of schools it is investigating for antisemitism.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Rutgers leaders, the chairwoman of the House education committee asked New Jerseys state university for documentation of alleged antisemitic incidents on campus and the universitys response over the last four years.

I have grave concerns regarding the inadequacy of Rutgers response to antisemitism on its campuses, wrote U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Original Anthrax bassist Dan Lilker will fill in and replace Frank Bello on the iconic heavy metal bands upcoming tour, which marks a return to the group after leaving 40 years ago.

Bello will not join the band on its upcoming South American dates and festival dates in the United States due to personal reasons, according to a press release.

Im really looking forward to jamming with Anthrax again, Lilker said in a statement. When we parted ways back in 1984, they told me to stick around because they might need me in 40 years.

Were all very excited about with playing with Danny again, and we really appreciate his filling in for Frank, the band also said in a statement. Its been way too long since we played South America, so you dont want to miss these shows, theyre going to be insane.

The band also announced the news via an Instagram post which featured a photo of Lilker performing at a previous show.

Lilker was one of the original co-founders of Anthrax in 1981 as the bassist and occasional guitarist. He co-wrote and performed on Anthraxs 1984 debut album Fistful of Metal before saying farewell to fellow bandmates Scott Ian and company.

Lilker and Ian stayed in touch and later formed Stormtroopers of Death with Charlie Benante in 1985. Lilker also filled in as the bassist for thrash metal band Nuclear Assault, grindcore band Brutal Truth, and more.

The U.S. festival shows include Welcome to Rockville May 9 in Daytona Beach, Florida, followed by Sonic Temple May 17 in Columbus, Ohio.

More music coverage

Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @saleyley and Instagram.
Ramy Youssef is excited to become the first in a promo for his upcoming hosting debut on Saturday Night Live.

That is, until Kenan Thompson stops him.

I am honored to be the first ever Arab host of Saturday Night Live, says Youssef, an Egyptian American actor and comedian, proudly introducing the promo.

One problem: Thompson explains hes not actually the first Arab host.

Thats embarrassing, Youssef says. Sorry, thank you for the feedback.

With that, the New Jersey talent tries another first.

Im thrilled to be the first ever Egyptian host of Saturday Night Live, he says with a smile.

Again, Thompson stops him.

Youre not the first Egyptian host, either, he says.

Youssef tries a third time.

OK, Im thrilled to be the first ever Egyptian host named Ramy to host Saturday Night Live.

Thompson interjects  wrong again.

Rami Malek, he says (the Oscar winner hosted in 2021).

Whatever man, whatever, Youssef says. Who cares? Being first, its dumb anyway. It doesnt matter whos first, it just matters that theres room for all of us, right? Thats what diversity is.

But he cant resist another try  from the heart.

My name is Ramy Youssef and Im just thrilled to be hosting Saturday Night Live .... as the first ever Egyptian named Ramy from New Jersey.

Bingo!

As he walks off set with Thompson, Youssef feels compelled to insist that Jerseys been voted the most beautiful state in the country.

Thompson: Who said that?

Youssef, who grew up in Rutherford, turned 33 Tuesday. He hosts SNL this Saturday, March 30, when the musical guest will be Travis Scott.

The actor, who rose to fame in 2019 as the star and co-creator of the North Jersey-set Hulu series Ramy, won a Golden Globe in 2020 for best actor in a comedy for his performance in the show.

Last year, Youssef made his film debut opposite Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo in the Oscar-winning Yorgos Lanthimos film Poor Things.

His second HBO comedy special, More Feelings, which was filmed at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, premiered March 20.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup.
Luanda  Issues linked to peace and security in the Great Lakes region, mainly political instability in the east of Demoratic Republic of Congo (DRC), dominated the meeting this Wednesday, in Luanda, between the Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs, Tete Antonio, and Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General.

According to a note sent to ANGOP, during the meeting the two personalities also talked about the conflict in Sudan and South-Sudan, the Luanda Peace Roadmap and the Nairobi Declaration, in addition to the recent tripartite ministerial meeting, which brought the Luanda high-level delegations from DRC and Rwanda.

Likewise, they spoke about the meetings held, on different days, between the Angolan Head of State, Joao Lourenco, and his counterparts from the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi, and from Rwanda, Paul Kagame, which also took place in the Angolan capital.

The two statesmen analyzed, in detail, all the diplomatic efforts that have been made, both by the African Union (AU) Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and Angolan Head of State, and by the facilitators for Peace appointed by the continental organization, as well as by international mediators.

The assessment made on the situation in the Great Lakes Region, mainly on the DRC-Rwanda political conflict, continues to be considered of great concern, which requires special attention and incessant combination of efforts from all actors in the international arena involved in the process.
Hudson County critics of the county line were jubilant Friday when a federal judge abolished the controversial ballot design policy for the June primaries, while the powerful county Democratic organization slammed the ruling that effectively curbs a tool it has used to for decades to maintain control of local elected seats.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi to abolish the line this year sent immediate shockwaves throughout Hudson County politics.
A YouTube blogger focused on exposing alleged corruption in Union City filed a misdemeanor complaint against the citys police chief, and is also being cited in citizen complaints after a kerfuffle earlier this month at an event hosted by the citys mayor.

It could not be determined who filed the complaints against Leonard Filipowski, known by his stage name Leroy Truth, for harassment and simple assault. The YouTube gonzo journalist believes it was a city commissioner that filed one of the complaints.
This would have been a lot to ask of the Easter Bunny.

Christ Church in Rockaway Township needs to scatter more than 15,000 plastic eggs for an Easter egg hunt on its 107-acre campus in Morris County on Saturday, church officials said.

Instead of relying solely on the Easter Bunnys helpers, the church will be using two commercial-sized drones to help drop the eggs.

It is expected to take about an hour to disperse the eggs filled with candies and fidget-type toys, said Ray Velez, chief operating officer of Christ Church. The drones will take care of scattering about half of the eggs. About 30 to 40 volunteers will spread the remaining eggs.

Weve done this before, but we havent used drones, Velez told NJ Advance Media.

The two drones each weigh approximately 100 pounds and are courtesy of church member Kelvin King, a United Airlines pilot and owner of Alpha Drones USA, Velez said. King runs an aviation group that meets at the church.

Velez said he did not know how many Easter eggs were used in prior years at Christ Church, but the total was nowhere close to the current plan to drop 15,000.

The churchs Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 12:30 p.m. It is free to participate, but registration is required for the event at the non-denominational church, which also has locations in Clifton and Montclair.

Saturdays hunt in Rockaway Township is divided into two events, based on age.

The Easter Jam Egg Hunt is for children from ages 3 to 11. The more intense Extreme Easter Egg Hunt is for those in grades 6-12 and features a gladiator run, among other challenges.

Doors will open at 12 p.m. Other attractions will include bounce houses, face painting for young children, pizza and snacks.

The event is expected to conclude by 1:30 p.m., Velez said.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
Before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority took a final vote on congestion pricing, its CEO detailed a program that addresses a major rider concern, helping homeless people in the subway system who have mental health disorders or are homeless.

The idea isnt new. NJ Transit police have had an outreach program since before the COVID pandemic, which works with community social services to talk to homeless people in the systems train stations and pairs them with social services to address their needs.

There are contrasts between two programs. NJ Transits program relies on a person voluntarily accepting social services. The MTA has a similar voluntarily component, except in extreme cases where a person deemed to be a danger to themselves or the public can be involuntarily sent for treatment.
Three Philadelphia man admitted they were part of a group that stole about $1.6 million in electronic devices from 55 United Parcel Service warehouses, including at least four in New Jersey.

Sekou Fofanah, 20, Shamaire Brown, 19, and Quamaire Brown, 19, pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit cargo theft, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said.

The burglary ring broke into warehouses in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Rhode Island from January 2021 to April 2023 by smashing the window of the loading bay door or prying open a loading bay door, according to federal prosecutors.

Once inside, they looked for parcels marked with lithium-ion battery warnings, which meant the packages contained electronic devices like cell phones.

Fofanah and others entered a UPS warehouse in Lawnside on June 20, 2021 and left with $27,707 in products, court papers state. A week later, they stole $87,741 in electronics from a facility in Vineland, charging documents said.

The following year, the Browns and others swiped $84,741 in goods from a warehouse in Monroe, Middlesex County on June 5, 2022, according to court papers. Then on June 12, they removed $40,100 in packages from a facility in Bridgewater.

Three of the four New Jersey burglaries took place in the overnight hours. The Lawnside burglary took place in the later afternoon.
A 41-year-old New Jersey man tried to use blast open an ATM with fireworks at a bank in Prospect Park nearly two years ago, authorities said Friday.

Nicolas Torres, of Passaic, lit the device at the Chase Bank ATM shortly after midnight on July 5, 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. He and two other people not named in the federal complaint then fled in an SUV, authorities said.

An investigation revealed that a day earlier Torres traveled to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania to purchase $1,000 worth of fireworks, authorities said. He showed identification and provided his email address when making the purchase, authorities said.
Its as simple as picking up the phone.

Veteran political reporter and senior political columnist for POLITICO, Jonathan Martin, made the argument Friday that President Joe Biden is dropping the ball in an easy way to possibly bring more people, including Repbuclans, into his circle and keep former President Donald Trump out of the White House.

Reach out to them

Martin used former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as an example. After Christie dropped his latest presidential campaign, he flirted with a third-party bid with No Labels that Martin argued is part of an indictment of Biden.

It has been well over two months since Christie dropped out of the Republican presidential primary. How has Biden not called Christie, whom hes known since the former governor was in student government as a University of Delaware undergraduate, to ask for his support? Or, if he thought that too soon or too direct, he could at least have asked Christie to get together. But that ask has not been made, Martin wrote.

Martin added: I reached out to every current Republican lawmaker who has refused to commit to Trump in the general election. Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) Mitt Romney (Utah), Todd Young (Indiana), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) all said the same: theyve not heard from Biden. It is surprising, Collins told me. Its especially surprising because President Biden does understand the Senate, he has personal relationships with some of us.

Other seasoned reporters agreed.

Some congressional Democrats have a similar complaint that the former lawmaker doesnt do this kind of thing anymore. @jmart on lack of outreach by President Biden, The New York Times Maggie Haberman posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Some congressional Democrats have a similar complaint that the former lawmaker doesnt do this kind of thing anymore. @jmart on lack of outreach by President Biden https://t.co/QbHFLwPq5p  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 29, 2024

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A Georgia Republican Party official who echoed claims by former President Donald Trump that the 2020 election was fraudulent was himself recently found guilty of illegally voting nine times over several years.

Brian Pritchard, the Georgia GOPs first vice chairman, must pay a $5,000 and be publicly reprimanded for his conduct by the State Election Board after a judge ruled he voted while on probation for forgery and other felonies, according to reports.

Investigations consistently have found no evidence of mass fraud in 2020.

Trump is charged alongside 18 other people in Georgia  including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows  with violating the states anti-racketeering law by scheming to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss.

The indictment, handed up in August, accuses Trump or his allies of suggesting Georgias Republican secretary of state could find enough votes for him to win the battleground state; of harassing an election worker who faced false claims of fraud; an, attempting to persuade Georgia lawmakers to ignore the will of voters and appoint a new slate of Electoral College electors favorable to Trump.

In the months since, several of the defendants, including lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, have pleaded guilty.

A trial date for Trump and the others has not yet been set, and the case in recent weeks has been consumed by revelations of a personal relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose office brought the case, and an outside prosecutor she hired.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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As Donald Trump attacks on social media the daughter of the Manhattan federal judge who is hearing the election interference and hush money case against the former president, a former prosecutor is calling out the judiciary for its cowering.

In a social media post, Trump  already under a gag order  has suggested without evidence that Judge Juan M. Merchan is influenced by his daughters interests as a Democratic political consultant. Trump also made a claim  later repudiated by court officials  that she had posted a social media photo showing Trump behind bars.
Members of the media: Put down the engraved wine glass with the Air Force One insignia on it and leave it on the plane.

Its apparently just one of the items that have been stuffed into the bags of reporters who follow President Joe Biden when he travels on Air Force One. Apparently, enough has been taken as souvenirs that it prompted NBC correspondent Kelly ODonnell, the president of the White House Correspondents Association, to fire off a terse reminder to colleagues to, well, stop stealing, according to POLITICO.

The rampant thievery makes sense when you remember that Washington is a town populated by a lot of ambitious, status-seeking dorks. Many people who fly with the president on Air Force One really want you to know theyve flown on Air Force One, POLITICO wrote in a recent Playbook newsletter.

For years, scores of journalists  and others  have quietly stuffed everything from engraved whiskey tumblers to wine glasses to pretty much anything with the Air Force One insignia on it into their bag before stepping off the plane, the wrote. On my first flight, the person next to me was like, You should take that glass, one current White House reporter told West Wing Playbook. They were like: Everyone does it.

It appears that every single White House reporter is stealing stuff off of Air Force Onehttps://t.co/EdJOKxZvBf  Sam Stein (@samstein) March 29, 2024

POLITICO added: When we raised the subject with current and former White House correspondents, stories spilled forth. Theres one about the senator in the front of the plane who  as a chatty aide told reporters  was taking everything not bolted down. Several colleagues of one former White House correspondent for a major newspaper described them hosting a dinner party where all the food was served on gold-rimmed Air Force One plates, evidently taken bit by bit over the course of some time. Reporters recalled coming down the back stairs after returning to Joint Base Andrews in the evening with the sounds of clinking glassware or porcelain plates in their backpacks.

Time will tell if ODonnells warning will do the trick.

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Luanda  The Angolan parliamentary delegation headed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, on Wednesday in Brasilia, Brazil, took part in the session of the Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee of the Federal Chamber of Deputies of the Brazilian Congress.

After expressing their happiness at the presence of the Angolan parliamentary delegation, the Brazilian MPs who spoke emphasised the historical ties of friendship and brotherhood that unite the two peoples and countries.

The privileged space that Angolan culture occupies in Brazil through literature was emphasised, with the publication of works by Angolan writers, particularly Agostinho Neto, Pepetela and Ondjaki.

As part of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Senate of Brazil, on Tuesday the Angolan parliamentarians took part in the international seminar on "Democracy and New Technologies - Challenges of the Digital Age", in conferences and panels where topics such as "Technology and Democracy - How to guarantee fundamental values", "Digital Democracy - Lessons and Challenges", "Artificial Intelligence" and "Democracy - Prospects for the Future, Minimum State, Democracy, Labour and Artificial Intelligence" were discussed.

On the last day of its working agenda in Brazil, the Angolan delegation took part in debates on "Constitutional Design - Governing Technology and Digital Agents in the 21st Century", "Defence of Democracy in the Technological and Interconnected World" and "Electoral Campaigns - Deadlocks and Alternatives".

The Angolan Parliament delegation on Monday attended a musical artistic show named "Senate 200 years - A Journey Towards the Future".

The delegation includes MPs Angela Braganca, Americo Chivukuvuku and Vigilio Tyova.
Former President Barack Obama came to President Joe Bidens defense Thursday night when protesters interrupted a record-setting $26 million-plus New York fundraiser that also headlined former President Bill Clinton.

There were reportedly at least a half-dozen interruptions from people calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as Biden and the former presidents had a conversation moderated by comedian Stephen Colbert.

No, listen  you cant just talk and not listen, Obama told the crowd after he was interrupted by protesters while talking about Gaza. Obama reportedly received a standing ovation.

Biden, during another interruption, said, Thats alright, let them go. ... There are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian.

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 didnt need to raise the most money to seize the presidency.

During the nearly hourlong conversation, Obama and Clinton explained just how hard Bidens job is. They spoke of loneliness and frustration over policies that work but arent immediately felt by the public. They gave an insiders 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. Thursdays event also brought together more than three decades of Democratic leadership.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Paige sat in the nurses station at the Winnebago County Jail in shock. Her pregnancy test had just come back positive. Paige, who asked that her last name not be used in this story, did not want to have a baby.

In 2021, she was awaiting trial in Illinois for drug charges that could bring possible prison time, and was already worried about what would happen to her four kids at home. The pregnancy would be high-risk. Shed had three cesarean sections before, and doctors told her that her scar tissue from a recent surgery had attached to the placenta. She didnt believe the county would provide the quality medical treatment she needed.

My own life was at stake at that point, she said.

Paige said she used the jails electronic messaging system to send a medical request for an appointment to get an abortion. But the response she got back was so baffling, she said, she almost had to laugh. It consisted of a sad-face emoticon, like this: :(

Approximately 3% of women in jail the United States in 2017 were pregnant at the time of admission, according to data collected by researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. But with thousands of jails nationwide, and no central oversight, astonishingly little is known about peoples access to abortions. A new report released Tuesday offers a glimpse at how jails in Illinois provide reproductive care and found that fewer than one-third of the states jails have written policies on abortions. The policies that do exist are often vague and confusing and may include steep barriers, like requiring a person to make arrangements for or pay for the procedure themselves, even though they are locked up.

A Marshall Project review of pregnancy policies in 27 jails across 12 states found similar patterns elsewhere, as did a recent study in Oregon. The studies suggest that even in places where abortion remains legal after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights in jail are precarious and limited.

Carolyn Sufrin, an obstetrician-gynecologist and author of the 2017 book Jailcare: Finding the Safety Net for Women Behind Bars, said the stakes of access to abortion are especially high for incarcerated people. Their access to nutritious food, good health care and support from friends and family are compromised. They may be shackled during birth or separated from their newborn just hours after delivery. Each of these steps is laden with trauma. So for those who cannot access abortion because they are incarcerated, they are prevented from trying to avoid pregnancy, prevented from having a say in their birth, and prevented from parenting, all in one pregnancy, Sufrin said. Emily Werth, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois and one of the new reports authors, said the fact that so few jails provided written policies regarding abortion was troubling. Without clear guidance, staff can make decisions based on their personal beliefs instead of the wishes of a pregnant person.

If there are not written policies setting out these standards in the first place, we can and should assume that there will not be respect for legal obligations or best practices, she said.

The jail where Paige was incarcerated, for example, provided no written guidelines to the reports authors. Paige never got an abortion.

Officials at the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office did not provide a comment in response to a Marshall Project request and did not confirm or deny Paiges account. The Marshall Project was unable to access Paiges jail medical records or messages, but her mother confirmed that Paige told her about the incident at the time.

It was supposed to be my decision. Not anybody elses but mine. And I felt like that did get taken from me, Paige said.

Alexis Mansfield, senior advisor at the Womens Justice Institute, a nonprofit advocacy organization for incarcerated women in Illinois and a co-author of the new report, said pregnant people should be released from jail whenever possible. Most people are in jail before their trials and are presumed innocent. But if they are detained, they should be entitled to good access to reproductive care, guided by clear written policies. Leaving decisions to staff, who may disagree with a persons right to abortion, is dangerous.

Rebecca Shlafer, associate professor at the University of Minnesota, studies policies that affect families affected by incarceration. The fundamental problem is that there are no mandatory standards for reproductive health care in jails or prisons in this country. And I think that shocks people, Shlafer said.

The Illinois Sheriffs Association, the American Jail Association and the National Sheriffs Association would not comment or respond to questions about abortion policies for local jails.

One of the largest barriers to abortion access in jails is the requirement that patients pay for the abortion themselves. These rules make access arduous for people in jail, who are more likely to be poor. Even if someone has Medicaid coverage, and they live in a state where Medicaid covers abortion, federal policy requires that coverage be terminated or suspended while a person is incarcerated.

The Marshall Project identified jails across the country that require an incarcerated person to pay for an abortion, including Frederick County, Maryland, and Maricopa County, Arizona. A study of Oregons 31 county jails found most had policies that required a person to pay for the procedure, sometimes even requiring full payment in advance.

Many reproductive rights advocates consider Illinois to be the safe haven of abortion in the Midwest, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker has even taken steps to ensure the state covers abortion costs for people in its prisons. But county jails arent bound by the same rules and practices. With so many different counties, each with its own policy, this creates a patchwork of policies (and lack of policies) across the state.

In some Illinois counties, people are also required to pay for costs beyond the procedure itself, like an officers time, transportation, medications and costs of any future complications.

Brittney Plesser, co-director of the Fair Law Project at the Oregon Justice Resource Center and author of the Oregon report, said costs were not the only barrier in Oregon jails. Yamhill County has a law that forbids county officials, including jail staff, from facilitating an abortion by any means. That directly contradicts a state law banning officials from interfering with abortion rights. Yamhills new sheriff said the jail is currently updating its policy, and he has directed staff to handle abortions like any other medical appointment.

Besides restrictions instituted by jails, statewide laws limiting or banning abortions disproportionately affect incarcerated people. Amy Hagstrom Miller, founder of Whole Womans Health, which provides abortion care, said regulations like mandated waiting periods create a gantlet that can be especially difficult for people behind bars.

Still, before the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization striking down national abortion rights, Hagstrom Millers organizations clinics were able to serve incarcerated people in Texas, and even had a positive relationship with some jails. But now, that kind of assistance is impossible. Hagstrom Miller said while some other Texas residents can travel to their clinics across state borders, she is unaware of any jail officials providing transport for women in their care.

Of the six county policies in Texas reviewed by The Marshall Project, only one had an official policy regarding abortion. The Bexar County Detention Health Care Services policy says staff are prohibited from making referrals for abortion and do not have the authority to authorize patients to travel out of state for elective medical services.

After Louisiana instituted a near-total ban on abortion, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said she would defy the states law and refuse to accept anyone into custody at the jail for seeking or performing reproductive healthcare services. In response to Marshall Project questions about how they would handle abortion requests in the jail, a spokesperson said they try to get pregnant people released, but they do not get directly involved in care except for transport. The jail would not clarify whether that could include transportation to states where abortion is legal.

A 2020 census of abortion clinics, conducted by the reproductive rights group the Guttmacher Institute, found that 67 clinics across 25 states and the District of Columbia provided more than 300 abortions to incarcerated patients in a single year. Eleven of those clinics were in states that now have total or near-total abortion bans.

Because so few abortion clinics answered questions about serving incarcerated people, the studys authors say this is likely a vast undercount of incarcerated people who could once receive services, but will now have to give birth against their will.

Sometimes that may pose real medical danger. Shlafer said people in jail are more likely to have high-risk pregnancies and face conditions where abortion is needed. The very social conditions that are driving ones risk for incarceration are also the things that compromise pregnancy, she said.

Paige said her pregnancy was difficult in jail; she had trouble getting proper nutrition and timely appointments, despite the high-risk nature of her pregnancy. In April 2022, she began having contractions and went to the hospital. Because she was not dilated enough, she was sent back to jail and continued having contractions for two days. When the jail finally took her back to the hospital, she said she was so close to giving birth that she almost had to do a dangerous vaginal delivery instead of a C-section, which she eventually received.

After Paige gave birth to a baby girl, she was allowed to go home on a furlough to be with her newborn for three months. But after that, she had to go to prison. While she served eight months for a drug charge, her mother cared for all five of her children so they would not risk going into foster care.

Paige said she should have been given the same reproductive care that she would have had on the outside, especially in a state that prides itself on strong reproductive rights. But, she said, Once youre labeled as a criminal, and you are in custody, they feel like they own you and you dont have those rights.

Editors note: This article was published in partnership with The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. Sign up for their newsletters, and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Facebook.
A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment.

TW: This article mentions suicide and suicidal ideation.

One in three Black men living in rural America reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, according to a new study by the University of Georgia. Disproportionate racism and childhood trauma may be a large part of the reason.

The study, published in February, found that people who grew up with low resources and who faced racial discrimination as children and into young adulthood were more likely to feel mistrust or isolation in social relationships, leading to suicidal thoughts. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for all African Americans ages 15 to 24, but it impacts Black men at a rate four times more than Black women.

We often dont look at where the disparities are and who the individuals most at risk are when were talking about suicide ideation, Michael Curtis, a co-author of the study and a graduate of UGAs Human Development and Family Science Department, said in a statement Tuesday. Historically, research has not invested a lot of time and effort in looking into what are the unique cultural contexts that make certain men more at risk for suicidal thoughts than other men.

Racism has been declared a serious threat to public health by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with people of color experiencing the detriments through higher rates of poverty, mass incarceration and less access to health care and housing. Black youth were more at risk of developing PTSD (about 65 percent) compared to their peers in other ethnic groups (30 percent).

For the study, researchers followed more than 500 African American men from their late teens through their early 20s in rural Georgia, asking them to reflect on their childhood experiences through the years. Participants were asked whether they experienced or witnessed physical or emotional abuse, if they felt loved and if they had access to food and medical services as children.

An overwhelming number of people in the study were found to be deeply impacted by their childhood experiences with trauma, deprivation and racism. Researchers already knew that racial discrimination increases the risk of depression and anxiety among Black children, teens and adults. Still, they found that racism predicted higher rates of suicidal thoughts compared with other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Adverse childhood experiences are potentially traumatic incidents that occur before age 18  between 30 and 50 percent of American youth will experience an ACE by adulthood. Some examples include physical and sexual abuse, neglect and dysfunctional households that expose children to domestic violence or divorce.

Black youth were more likely to experience ACEs (53 percent) than their white peers (36 percent), according to data from the 20182019 National Survey of Childrens Health. Researchers found that culturally specific traumatic experiences, such as racial discrimination, are particularly harmful to the mental health of Black youth, who may have dealt with more adversity in their childhoods.

Black men exposed to childhood adversity may develop an internal understanding of the world as somewhere they are devalued, where they could not trust others, and they could not engage the community in a supportive way, Curtis, who works as a family therapist, said.

The study aims to inform best practices in clinical interventions to address suicidality in a culturally sensitive way that validates racist and traumatic experiences and promotes mental health in Black communities.

Researchers said healthy interpersonal and community relationships can also help improve mental well-being.

More research is needed, but one finding is unequivocal: Loving yourself as a Black person is foundational, said Steven Kogan, lead author of the study and a professor at UGAs College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Teaching children and youth to be proud of being Black counters the potential for them to internalize negative messages about Blackness that pervade U.S. society.
A Middlesex County man was arrested and charged with attempted murder in a stabbing from last weekend, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Thursday.

Thomas E. Carter, 61, of Highland Park was charged with attempted murder after authorities say he stabbed a New Brunswick man during an argument in the area of Hamilton Street in Franklin Township last Sunday.

Franklin Township police were called to an area hospital by security personnel at 8:03 p.m. on Mar. 24 with concerns about a patient that was allegedly stabbed in Franklin Township, officials said.
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Luanda  The secretary of State for the Ministry of Higher Education, Sciences, Technologies and Innovation (MESCTI), Alice de Ceita e Almeida has recommended the young generation from the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) to create a true network of scientific cooperation, committed in dealing with priority issues for Member States.

Speaking at the 3rd meeting of CPLP Young Researchers, Alice de Ceita e Almeida highlighted that the encouragement aims to give true meaning to science for the development of Portuguese-speaking communities.

"At a national level, the practice of scientific research, with a view to developing applications and products for the market, will be boosted for the country to reach the top 120 of the Global Innovation Index", she higlighted.

She also informed that the Ministry of Higher Education aims to push and accelerate the training of researchers and future professionals, through the promotion of scholarships.

Alice Ceita e Almeida recalled that by hosting this event, the country intends to bring the experience of young CPLP scientific researchers and provide an opportunity for Angolans to interact and create bonds of friendship and work.

The meeting runs until March 28th, under the motto "science to achieve the sustainable development objectives of the 2030 agenda".

The event is promoted by the Center for Studies on Africa and Development of the Higher Institute of Education and Management of the University of Lisbon, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Association of Municipalities for Sustainable Development in Italy (FELCOS - UMBRIA).

The activity aims to promote the participation and protagonism of young researchers as agents of change and give voice to their scientific work.
Its not easy to stand out during a Mardi Gras Indian march. The procession of suits is like a feathery fireworks show, one loud explosion of color and sound after another. But, as anybody along the curb during last weeks Uptown Super Sunday parade can tell you, Big Chief Shaka Zulus Monkey Mosaic suit was a showstopper.

Trimmed with thousands of turquoise and coral-colored glass beads and gems, the suit was stunningly beautiful to begin with, and the craftsmanship was exquisite. But what caused the crowd to gasp in delight was the troupe of beaded monkeys that seemed to cavort amid the suits chartreuse-green feathers.

There were at least a dozen of the little sequined simians glinting from gaps in the suit. A few of them were suspended from springy wires, so that they seemed to be leaping in space, just like the real thing. Chief Zulu said he intended to capture the vivacity and agility inherent in these creatures.
In trials, the gene therapies offered freedom from the disease's notorious pain crises, a stabbing, pressurized agony that lands some patients in the hospital frequently. Beyond pain relief, the treatments offer respite from the risk of organ damage, infections, and stroke, rewriting the narrative for sickle cell patients who face an average life expectancy of 50 years.

The early cost of therapies, however, means many may not have swift access to them. In the first year, Children's expects to treat between one and three patients.

Dr. Benjamin Watkins, the director of Childrens pediatric stem cell and cell therapy program, said the hospital is starting conversations with a handful of the 1,500 Louisiana kids with sickle cell disease who stand to benefit most from the therapies. The earlier that treatment can begin in children with frequent pain crises, the better the chance there is to prevent the serious damage sickle cell causes to the kidney, heart and liver.
Luanda  The Angolan Head of State, Joao Lourenco, spoke on the phone on Wednesday in the Province of Luanda with the Acting Chairman of the African Union (AU), Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

According to a press release, the conversation centred on regional issues, in which Mohamed Ould Ghazouani expressed his support for Joao Lourenco's mediation efforts to restore peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The phone conversation also discussed the coordination within the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union, a structure in which Angola holds the First-Vice Presidency.

At the last Summit of Heads of State in February, Mauritania took over the rotating presidency of the African Union.

President Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani pledged to make every effort to respond to the continent's challenges.

Mauritania was appointed to take over the African Union's helm and Angola, a candidate for the presidency of the organisation in 2025, occupies the first vice-presidency, the Republic of Congo occupies the second presidency, while Ghana is the third.
Swakopmund  Labour minister Uutoni Nujoma has sought approval in the National Assembly to reappoint the Employment Equity Commissioner, advocate Otniel Podewiltz, whose term expires at the end of this month.

The EEC was established to enquire whether a relevant employer has adopted and is implementing an affirmative action plan, and whether any affirmative action plan or measures meet the objectives of and take actions prescribed by the law.

The EEC also addresses imbalances at the workplace arising from the discriminatory socio-economic dispensation which had previously existed in this country.

Currently, every institution employing 10 or more people in Namibia must register with the EEC, as the aim is to ensure that the government's affirmative action principles are applied and controlled, and that no unfair labour practices exist at the workplace.

It falls under the labour ministry.

Nujoma, who took to the floor on Tuesday, indicated that the commissioner was appointed for a five-year term in 2019, and that he be reappointed for another year to ensure a smooth transition and stability of office. The term of office of the commissioner is five years, but the commissioner is eligible for reappointment.

However, the previous commissioner was in office for 20 years, so an extension was granted for three consecutive terms.

"The principal consideration here is that the future of the EEC is at risk if we fail to ensure a smooth transition and stability. At present and for a considerable period now, the commission is operating without the immediate subordinate, the deputy director, who was promoted and joined the ministry of health. The recruitment process is underway, but not yet completed," he told the august House.

Nujoma said the next-level employee after the commissioner currently is a senior employment officer.

Hence, with the commissioner out of office, there will be a serious leadership gap and more importantly, no opportunity for a smooth transfer. The term of office of the 7th Employment Equity Commission will also come to an end on 31 October 2024, and Podewiltz, although appointed for a five-year term, never had the opportunity to complete five years as commissioner because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Him acting as the executive director at the ministry from January 2023 to 30 September 2023 also impacted his ability to render a full service to the EEC.

"The EEC under the leadership of the commissioner conducted a thorough review of the systems and processes at the EEC since its inception about 20 years ago. Consequently, the commission developed a turnaround strategy. This programme is effective in the 2022/2023 financial year in the implementation stage. The role and involvement of Podewiltz in the transformation agenda and his involvement in its implementation cannot be underestimated, and will surely have an impact on the operations if he must exit at this early stage," the minister reasoned.

He said to develop and implement an Integrated Review Scorecard (IRSC) assessment for the review and rating of compliance by employers, and the 2023/2024 financial year is a test year for the full implementation of this new system.

The expectation is that further adjustments and improvements may be required for the new system, which puts the whole process in jeopardy if the key architect is no longer available.

In addition to the scorecard and following the reduction of the reporting threshold, new reporting templates and mechanisms have been put in place at the EEC. AA report submissions by the newly-identified employers, those employing between 10 and 19 people, are expected from mid-March 2024. The commission expects well over 3 000 new submissions in this regard.

"To expect a newly-appointed commissioner, no matter the level of competence and expertise, to walk in and handle this, especially without a deputy director or management support available, will be a tall order. The work on the EEC 2024 annual report for 2022/2024 and 2023 is at an advanced stage, and is spearheaded by Podewiltz. This report was delayed for close to four years due to the collapse of the EEC electronic case management system. We foresee serious challenges with the commissioner out of the picture at this stage," Nujoma appealed.

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He added that the commission is about to submit the amendments to the Act to his office for consideration and further action.

Major changes are introduced in this Bill, and the final drafting is being attended to by Podewiltz.

"His presence in navigating the challenges with the new legislative framework is paramount. The commission is in the process of consultations with stakeholders, especially employers and workers, on the above changes, and many other improvements introduced at the EEC. He has firsthand information on many of the pertinent issues, and is an expert in his field. We are asking for a one-year extension instead of a full five-year reappointment. He is prepared to continue for one more year only. Cabinet support in this regard is required," Nujoma motivated his request.
Oshakati  The Government Institutions Pension Fund has raked in N$4.7 billion in contributions from its members during the 2023 financial year.

The fund's CEO Martin Inkumbi said the contributions were received from 97 512 active members, as the fund's asset value stands at N$151 billion. "The Fund's investment return has increased with 7.7% to N$6.5 billion, compared to an increase of 10.8%, which amounted to N$11.6 billion in the previous year," he noted.

Inkumbi further revealed that the fund disbursed N$6.9 billion in benefits to active pensioners and annuitants. The GIPF head revealed these figures during the official launch of its 2023 Integrated Annual Report at Oshakati on Tuesday.

Vice chairperson of the GIPF board of trustees Evans Maswahu stated that the fund has produced integrated annual reports since 2018 to enhance the way it communicates its business narrative, providing a coherent account of how all its resources contribute to value-creation.

He said in their assessment of the risks, opportunities and outcomes that materially impact value-creation, they expanded their focus beyond the financial reporting boundaries.

Maswahu observed that the broader perspective allows them to address the material interests of their stakeholders, and consider the significant risks.

"Also, it involves the opportunities and impacts associated with our activities across the short-term (less than 12 months), medium-term (one to four years), and long-term (beyond four years) horizons," said Maswahu. He added that the report discloses information about matters which can potentially impact their long-term value- creation significantly.

"This was achieved through the identification and prioritisation of material aspects for inclusion in this report, which involved a comprehensive review of several aspects, including the GIPF's business model, their interaction with the capitals, the operating environment, and the expressed interests of their key stakeholders as expressed during our ongoing business engagements," he said.
CROWN POINT  A deputy prosecutor commended a 15-year-old girl for coming forward about multiple incidents of molestation she experienced when she was 11 during a sentencing hearing for her abuser Thursday morning.

"If the victim hadn't been brave enough to tell," Deputy Prosecutor CJ Washington said, "we might not know today that these things were happening."

Aaron Seidel, 39, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and four years on sex offender probation three weeks after a Lake Criminal Court jury found him guilty of two counts of child molesting, a level four felony. Level four felonies carry a possible sentence of between two and 12 years in prison.

He was given a six-year prison sentence and two year probationary sentence on each count. The sentences are to be served consecutively, Lake Criminal Court Judge Gina Jones said.

The victim testified at trial that Seidel molested her once in March 2019 and again in September 2019. He touched her chest, stomach and genitals over her clothing, she told the jury. On the second occasion, he used a flashlight to look at her genitals and touched her over her pants.

In a victim impact letter read to the court by Washington, the teenager said she is happy to see him go to jail after what he did and hopes he doesn't come out of prison.

The girl's father wrote in a letter that his daughter's worldview has been tainted by the abuse; however, despite the abuse she endured, his daughter is still "as loving as ever."

"[She] still tries to see the best in people," Washington said tearfully as she read the statement. "I am beyond proud of her."

Washington said Seidel deserved a harsher sentence because he took advantage of his role as a trusted adult in the victim's life. He specifically told her not to tell her mother after each instance of abuse.

"These crimes were carried out in secrecy and a clandestine way," Washington said.

Defense attorney Joseph Roberts said Seidel maintains his innocence. He said he believes Seidel would respond affirmatively to probation because he complied with all of his pretrial requirements when he was out of jail on bond and has a work opportunity set up for him if he were to be given probation.

Seidel said in court that he was sorry for the situation and vowed to live a law-abiding life in accordance with probation if he was given the chance.

Jones determined there were no factors to mitigate his sentence. In addition to the age of the victim and nature of the offense, he had two felony convictions, one related to a sex offense, prior to the incident. He was on probation for that offense at the time he was charged with child molestation in 2020.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Marcus Roberson Brittany Smith Davion Stephenson Tyler Sweet Ezekiel Nettles Wayne Rivera Kurt McCammon Jr. Molly McIntosh Shauntrelle Lockhart Dalvin Kimmons Sr. Linda Lear Antoine Hull Jr. Jakobie Jackson Perry Jackson II Chance Jamerson Andrew Jones Miguel Gonzalez Lori Dennis Herbert Foust Salvador Arevalo Chagoya Stephen Bonner Lardarius Thomas Bernard Scott Juan Padilla Fernando Rosas Ricky Jackson Taurice Lancaster Toni Lindsey Malachi McClendon Jesse McGarr Justin Heinzel Maurice Dickey Jr. Troy Crosby Andrew Caradonna Larry Crocker III Bridgette Bailey Robertson Lindsey Spangenberg Jennifer Spisak Marian Zak Olorunleke Oshiga Jason Neal Aaliyah Boyce Emanuel Echavarria Garcia Marcus Hartman Augustine Karikari Michael Bass
GARY  Indiana University Northwest students, staff as well as local residents came together to discuss a book that tackles the current issue of immigration with its author as part of an annual reading initiative from the university.

Luis Alberto Urrea, author of "The Devil's Highway" visited IUN to talk about his book, give insights to the themes of it and discuss his background as a writer and living near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The book recounts the journey of 26 Mexican men who attempted to cross the U.S. southern border through the desert of southern Arizona known as The Devil's Highway. 14 of the men ended up dying while attempting the crossing.

Urrea told audience members that since he had written about the southern border previously, at first he did not want to write the book. However, he was ultimately convinced by a book publisher.

"He said, 'Do you trust anybody else to write this book?' And I said no," Urrea told the audience.

While doing research for the book, Urrea said he spent time with Border Patrol officers. And while initially they met him with suspicion, he was eventually able to earn their trust and hear from them the horrors they had witnessed.

"I have no idea what these people go through," Urrea said, recounting a story told by one border agent of a migrant who still attempted to walk after his legs had been ran over by a train.

Urrea also discussed keeping a positive attitude despite instances when his book was banned in Arizona and also received death threats from strangers.

"And I just thought, my only weapon is writing," he said.

In addition to the discussion, Urrea also read excerpts from "The Devil's Highway.

Urrea's visit and discussion were part of IUN's One Book, One Campus, One Community reading program.

According to Doug Swartz, chair of the program, the annual reading initiative is meant to bring students, faculty and community members together to discuss current social issues through one common book.

Swartz noted how the issue of migration discussed in "The Devil's Highway" has been prominent recently.

In addition to the discussion with Urrea, IUN hosted in September Martin Espada, a poet who writes about migration, and a Chicago reporter who has been covering the ongoing migrant crisis happening in the city.

Social issues discussed in previous years through the One Book, One Campus, One Community program have included climate change and racism.

Matt Keane, an IUN student, said he originally read the book as part of his creative writing class. He said he liked the book because of how relevant it still was in the present day, despite being published 20 years ago.

Keane also said the book portrayed Border Patrol in a way he hadn't seen previously.

"This was a story about how the Border Patrol was really looked at as heroes in the eyes of people that were crossing it," Keane said.

Following the discussion, attendees had the opportunity to get a signed copy of Urrea's book.

Close Lecturer of Special Education Adra Young, left, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink speaks at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink gives a presentation at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Hammond's Scott Miller, left, and Duneland's Chip Pettit were among the superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Associate Professor Sharon Pratt, right, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. PHOTOS: Superintendent Luncheon at IUN Lecturer of Special Education Adra Young, left, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink speaks at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Vice Chancellor Dorothy Frink gives a presentation at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Hammond's Scott Miller, left, and Duneland's Chip Pettit were among the superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Indiana State Rep. Vernon Smith addresses the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest. Associate Professor Sharon Pratt, right, collects suggestions from area school superintendents at the Northwest Indiana School Superintendents' Luncheon at Indiana University Northwest.
LAKE STATION  A Hispanic tradition reenacting a grisly torture and execution was relived Friday, as people accompanied an innocent man to his death.

Members of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church presented the Via Crucis Viviente, or Living Way of the Cross, on Good Friday.

The Via Crucis is a living representation of the Stations of the Cross, a series of 14 episodes in the life of Jesus, from his sentencing by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to Jesus death and burial.

Sergio Orduna, who played Pilate, noted, This is exciting. Every day I pray so we can make this better.

Jolanda Orduna, Sergios wife, played Pilates spouse. I feel blessed, she said. Its the memory of what Jesus did for us, and I want to help.

Constantino Perez, playing Herod, added, Im a funny and crazy person, just like Herod was, and I just play the character.

For Perez, Via Crucis represents the love Jesus gives us. He died for us on the cross, and we should be loving people. Just love people every year.

The Via Crucis is celebrated in Latin America and in Spain, Italy, and the Philippines. In this country, churches with large Hispanic immigrant populations observe the service, which in some churches, including St. Francis Xavier, is bilingual. Several parishes in the Diocese of Gary conducted the service.

The crowd processes to each station with the performers, praying and singing. Through prayer, reflection, and dramatization, the service seeks to enable the faithful to meditate on Jesus suffering, sacrifice, and love for all.

Enriqueta Velasco not only directed the production, she played Jesus mother Mary. She also convinced Eric Mendez to play her condemned son.

I feel the Holy Spirit moving in me, Velasco said. I feel very unworthy.

Velasco sees Mary as a perfect woman, humble, loving, the best mother in the whole world. For me, to play Mary is a dream.

For Mendez, playing Jesus for the first time is a huge role I never thought I would play. I just pray and practice every day. I just hope people can see (Jesus) through me.

Velasco added, I want people to see the power of Mary through this Passion.

The reenactment allows individuals to immerse themselves in the Gospel narrative on Jesus suffering and death. Preparation for the Via Crucis took several months, with as estimated 60 people in the cast.

The cast included young people, including Adrianna Reyes, 17, who played Veronica, the woman who wiped Jesus face and was left with his image on the cloth.

Im nervous, Reyes, a Hobart High School junior confessed. I dont want to mess up.

The Via Crucis is seen as a powerful expression of faith, allowing participants to walk alongside Jesus during his final moments and contemplate the depth of his sacrifice. Some roles were tougher than others, due to the character or duties.

Guillermo Castillo, who has been in all 15 St. Francis Xavier Via Crucis productions, played Judas, who betrayed Jesus.

Its a blessing from God to serve here, Castillo admitted, but Im fighting in my mind, because I cant see myself betraying Jesus.

Christian Ayala played one of the Roman soldiers assigned to escort, whip, and ridicule Jesus.

I have to be mean, Ayala said. You think its easy, but beating Jesus is not easy. Ive prayed a lot last night so I could focus on what I have to to.

The Via Crucis is important, Ayala added, because we know Jesus is king and we want to touch people.

The production began in the church parking lot with the Last Supper, followed by Judas betrayal and Jesus arrest and sentencing before Pilate. The procession continued onto nearby streets, eventually returning to St. Francis Xavier grounds for the crucifixion.

The production included the apostle Peters three denials of knowing Jesus.

Peter was the right hand of Jesus, said Ramiro Rodriguez, who played the frightened apostle. He is the person who loved God, and what he did was part of Gods plan.

Although Via Crucis is a Hispanic tradition, others attended the service. Craig Hanusin of Munster, a member of Msgr. Weis Council Knights of Columbus 10596, said he would not miss the afternoon program.

Its the true meaning of Good Friday, Hanusin said. Its the Passion Play, and they do an extraordinary job. It really puts you in the mindset of what transpired on Good Friday.

Hanusin added, This is the core of our faith, to see what Jesus did. For our salvation, he gave up his life. What Enriqueta does with this cast, its just an extraordinary experience.

Close Bishop Robert J. McClory leads thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Five-year-old Genna Biskner touches the face of Jesus Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Five-year-old Genna Biskner tries to get a closer look at Jesus Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory prepares to lead thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. As thousands look on, Bishop Robert J. McClory reads from the Gospels at the base of Jesus' cross Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. As thousands look on, Bishop Robert J. McClory prays at the base of Jesus' cross Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory greets Maiza and Ron Sebastian of Chicago Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory leads thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Thousands participate in the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Thousands participate in the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory leads thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. PHOTOS: Shrine of Christ's Passion Stations of the Cross Bishop Robert J. McClory leads thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Five-year-old Genna Biskner touches the face of Jesus Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Five-year-old Genna Biskner tries to get a closer look at Jesus Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory prepares to lead thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. As thousands look on, Bishop Robert J. McClory reads from the Gospels at the base of Jesus' cross Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. As thousands look on, Bishop Robert J. McClory prays at the base of Jesus' cross Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory greets Maiza and Ron Sebastian of Chicago Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory leads thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Thousands participate in the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Thousands participate in the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John. Bishop Robert J. McClory leads thousands on the Stations of the Cross trek Friday at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John.
With less than three weeks to go before Indiana's priority deadline of April 15 to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the state's Commission for Higher Education is encouraging all high school seniors to file as soon as possible.

As of March 15, less than a third of Indiana high school seniors have submitted their FAFSA form, according to data from the National College Attainment Network.

That's approximately a 20% decrease in submissions compared to this point last year.

However, the decrease in the number of FAFSA filings this year has been seen nationwide, with only approximately 32% of high school seniors submitting the FAFSA form across the country as of March 15, nearly a 31% drop.

Allison Kuehr, CHE's associate commissioner for marketing and communication, notes two factors that have led to the decline in financial aid applications.

First, changes meant to simplify the FAFSA form led to the application's opening being pushed back from early October to late December.

And technical issues with the application have complicated matters and have delayed when students will receive their financial aid offers.

"There was just a lot of bumps along the way that we in Indiana we didn't really have a lot of control over," Kuehr said.

Given the issues and delays, many colleges and universities have pushed back their admissions deadlines, with Purdue University West Lafayette and Indiana University Bloomington extending their deadlines to May 15.

As for local higher education institutionsm, including Purdue University Northwest, Indiana University Northwest and Valparaiso University, they operate on a rolling admissions process, meaning they review applications continually.

However, despite the decline in FAFSA forms submitted, Indiana's decrease has been smaller than most other states.

Kuehr credits that, in part, to a new mandate approved by the state legislature last year requiring all high school seniors to file FAFSA starting this year.

The new requirement doesn't come with penalties if a student fails to submit the application, and parents can decide to opt-out by submitting a signed waiver.

Indiana is the eighth state to have some type of FAFSA filing mandate for high school.

However, one area that is "alarming" for the commission, according to Kuehr, is the filing rates for low-income and underrepresented students, with approximately 25% of students from both these groups submitting their FAFSA form, which is lower than the overall state and nationwide rates.

Kuehr said CHE is making intentional outreach to students who are part of the 21st Century Scholars program, which provides low-income students in Indiana with tuition and fees fully covered if they attend an in-state college or university.

As part of the requirements to receive the scholarship, they must file the FAFSA form.

Kuehr encourages students and their families to visit learnmoreindiana.org if they need information or assistance with completing FAFSA.

CHE set the goal of having 60% of high school seniors submit their FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 15. While students can still file after the priority deadline, state financial aid will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Boomers could work minimum wage and pay off college debta feat that would take Millennials at least twice as long Boomers could work minimum wage and pay off college debta feat that would take Millennials at least twice as long Public college Private college
In 1978, the Russian dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn gave a commencement address at Harvard, warning us about the loss of American self-confidence and will. A decline in courage may be the most striking feature that an outside observer notices in the West today, he declared.

Today, those words ring with disturbing force. The enemies of liberal democracy seem to be full of passionate intensity  Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, campus radicals. Meanwhile, those who try to defend liberal norms can sometimes seem like some of those Republicans who ran against Trump in the 2016 primaries  decent and good, but kind of feckless and about to be run over.

Into this climate emerges Fareed Zakarias important new book, Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash From 1600 to the Present. One of the powerful features of this book is that Zakaria doesnt treat liberal democratic capitalism as some set of abstract ideas. He shows how it was created by real people in real communities who wanted richer, fuller and more dynamic lives.

His story starts in the Dutch Republic in the 16th century. The Dutch invented the modern profit-seeking corporation. The Dutch merchant fleet was capable of carrying more tonnage than the fleets of France, England, Scotland, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain and Portugal combined. By the 18th century, Amsterdams per capita income was four times that of Paris.
Jose Lopez was one of the first in his family to leave Guatemala for a new life in the United States. He wanted work that would give him a better life. So in the early 2000s he found his way to Baltimore, a city where strivers have long found a home and where Mr. Lopez made one for himself and his family.

He found fellow Guatemalans along with Mexicans and others who had left their countries with similar aspirations. He and his wife settled in a house with a porch, his brother Jovani said. The couple had two children, and Jose Lopez often picked them up from school.

About two years ago, he took a new job, working late nights for a contractor repairing roads on Maryland bridges.

He didnt mind the arduous hours because he viewed his purpose in life as providing food and shelter for his family, Mr. Lopezs older brother said.
Georgia lawmakers voted on Thursday to tighten the states already strict immigration laws in response to the killing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, whose death became ensnared in the broader fight over immigration policy after a man from Venezuela who entered the country illegally was charged with her murder.

In the frenzied final hours of the legislative session, the states House of Representatives gave final approval to a measure that would require local law enforcement agencies to scrutinize the immigration status of people in their custody and to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The legislation was the result of a vow from Republican lawmakers to crack down after Ms. Rileys body was found last month in a wooded area on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Her death rattled the community that is the home of the states flagship university, roughly 70 miles from Atlanta.

The case quickly reverberated beyond Georgia, with Republicans arguing that her killing exemplified a failure by President Biden to adequately respond to an influx of migrants.
Eagle Italian Shoes (Pvt) Ltd director Francesco Marconati and his son, Alessandro will perform 105 hours of community service following their conviction on charges of disorderly conduct by intimidating their business partner to withdraw a case against them.

The two were given a three-month jail term which was wholly suspended on the condition that they perform community service.

Prosecutors alleged that the two attempted to intimidate Marconati business partner, Li Song into withdrawing charges against him.

Li was accusing Marconati of illegally removing her from her position in the company and the matter was before the courts when the parties had a confrontation.

During the trial, State prosecutor, Anesu Chirenje, told the court that Marconati and his son used abusive or insulting words to threaten Li at the Harare Magistrate's Court premises.

In his ruling, the Magistrate Kandiyero said a custodial sentence was too harsh.

The magistrate said a fine would also only trivialise the offense which showed disrespect to the court system.

The magistrate also said first-time offenders should be spared from incarceration.

"The accused committed the offence outside the courthouse soon after attending the court session.

"This shows blatant disrespect of the courts. The accused tried to stifle the complainant's right to get legal redress.

"The court finds no reason why the offenders should be incarcerated or given a suspended sentence given that there is no sign of reoffending," said the magistrate.
The epicenter of the presidential campaign shifted to New York on Thursday, as the incumbent president and three of his predecessors descended on the area for dueling events that illustrated the kinds of political clashes that could come to define the general election.

For Democrats, it was a high-profile, celebrity-studded fund-raiser for President Biden in Manhattan. On Long Island, former President Donald J. Trump attended a wake for a New York City officer who was killed during a traffic stop on Monday. Together, the days events struck an unusual contrast in a general election campaign that has so far been largely defined by appearances in courtrooms and at small, invitation-only events.

Mr. Biden, along with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, appeared before 5,000 donors at a Radio City Music Hall event that campaign aides said raised $25 million. The eye-popping number set a record for a single political event, according to the aides, and offered a star-studded show of Democratic unity as the president heads into a difficult re-election campaign.

The three Democratic presidents spent much of their time in New York City wrapped in the glitz of their celebrity supporters. Tieless and in matching white shirts, they sat for an interview on a celebrity podcast, were roasted by the comedian Mindy Kaling and interviewed by Stephen Colbert, a late-night host.
In a case that has prompted outrage from voting-rights activists for years, a Texas appeals court reversed itself on Thursday and acquitted a woman who had been sentenced to five years in prison for illegally casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election.

The decision came two years after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the states highest criminal court, ruled that the lower appeals court, the Second Court of Criminal Appeals, had misconstrued the illegal voting statute under which Crystal Mason was found guilty in 2018.

Ms. Mason, 49, of Fort Worth, had been charged with illegally voting in the 2016 general election by casting a provisional ballot while she was a felon on probation. That ballot was never officially counted, and Ms. Mason insisted that she did not know she was ineligible to vote and had acted on the advice of a poll worker who said she could cast the ballot.

Ms. Mason, who has remained free on bond, appealed her conviction. In 2020, the Second Court of Appeals ruled that whether or not she knew she was ineligible to vote was irrelevant to the prosecution.
Although Richard Serra seems destined to be remembered as the man of steel, when he died this week, I found myself thinking back to a story he had told me about his younger and more vulnerable self.

In 1969, he received his first commission for a sculpture. The request came from the artist Jasper Johns. Serra considered the event a turning point in his life, and when we spoke about it over the years  first in 1989, when I interviewed him at his house in the wilds of Nova Scotia, Canada  he confirmed a suspicion of mine: Good artists impress the viewing public, while great artists impress their fellow artists.

This story begins on May 19, 1969, when a now-historic group show entitled Anti-Illusion: Procedures/Materials opened at the Whitney Museum of American Art, which had just moved into Marcel Breuers fortresslike building on Madison Avenue. The 22 artists in the show were then known as Process artists and interested in dismantling the fanatic geometry and high gloss of Minimalist sculpture reigning in New York.

When visitors to the Whitney stepped off the elevator onto the fourth floor, the first work they saw was Serras startling Splash Piece: Casting. It looked nothing like a traditional sculpture. It had no clear shape or decipherable subject. There was no pedestal beneath it to proclaim its importance. Instead, it lie directly on the floor, a scattering of assorted metal fragments.
In the sprawling world of Black pop culture podcasts, its own media ecosystem covering the story lines and people central to the hip-hop genre, the one topic that dominated conversation this week was, unsurprisingly, the latest in the saga of Sean Combs.

On Monday, federal agents raided the Los Angeles and Miami homes of Combs, the hip-hop mogul who has been accused in several civil lawsuits of sexual assault. He has vehemently denied all the claims. The news spurred days of freewheeling and varied reactions from radio personalities and podcast hosts whose discourse veered toward humor, speculation and denial, far from the tone struck by traditional news outlets.

The rapper Mase, who topped charts as an artist signed to Combss Bad Boy record label in the late 90s before their relationship soured, avoided addressing him by name on the sports-centric It Is What It Is podcast a day after the raids, but laughed and said that reparations is getting closer and closer.

The same day, hosts of the popular morning radio show The Breakfast Club criticized the actions of the authorities  which Combss lawyer called an unprecedented ambush, paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence  as unnecessary: Charlamagne Tha God said he was curious about what information they had to justify the raids. Jessica Moore, known as Jess Hilarious, implied that the federal action was reminiscent of a television show. The third host, DJ Envy, agreed, and said the authorities acted like they were going for the mob.
At the St. Thomas Choir School in Manhattan the other morning, more than two dozen boys, dressed in matching white polo shirts and gray pants, gathered in a gymnasium to rehearse hymns for Holy Week services, as their predecessors have for more than a century.

When Jeremy Filsell, the churchs organist and director of music, asked the boys for more precision when they sang the line about the voice of an angel calling out from Sive Vigilem by the Renaissance composer William Mundy, the boys tried again, their high, clear voices ringing out in Latin.

Lovely! he said. Thats it!

For 105 years, the St. Thomas Choir School has been something of an anomaly: a residential school that steeps boys in centuries-old choral traditions that are more generally associated with the great English cathedral towns than they are with Midtown Manhattan. The boys, between the ages of 8 and 14, live at the school and sing five services a week at St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue.

Now St. Thomas, an Episcopal church that is venerated for its music program, is considering closing the choir school, one of only a few remaining boarding schools for young choristers in the world. The church said that its endowment, annual fund-raising and tuition fees were no longer sufficient to cover the roughly $4 million a year it costs to operate the school  which accounts for about 29 percent of the churchs $14 million budget.
It begins slowly, almost soundlessly. As an oil tanker glides through the Panama Canal, the flow of a hose slows to a trickle. The hose has been sliced in two. Then the man holding the hose falls apart, his body severed at the knees and waist. Strands of nanofibers, each a hundredth the thickness of a human hair and strung across the canal at its narrowest point, knife through the ship, cutting smoothly through walls, through pipes, through flesh and bone. The sundered ship fans out like a deck of cards then collapses, smoldering. Every soul onboard  a thousand people, many of them children  has been killed.

This harrowing sequence occurs in the fifth episode of the first season of 3 Body Problem, the new Netflix adaptation of a popular science-fiction trilogy by the Chinese author Liu Cixin. Occurring in the first book, it lasts just a few pages and as a plot driver, it is minor. (The ship is destroyed to obtain a hard drive containing messages from an alien race.) But onscreen, as a marvel of televisual imagination and an example of a seamless integration of practical and computer-generated effects, the scene is unforgettable.

Its basically an egg slicer going through this big tanker, Stefen Fangmeier, a supervisor of visual effects, said. Youve never seen anything like that.

In the episode, nanomaterials created by Auggie Salazar (played by Eiza Gonzalez as perhaps the worlds most beautiful materials physicist) are employed to deadly effect. To understand how the science might work, the series creators  David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo  consulted Matt Kenzie, a physics professor at the University of Cambridge whose father had worked with Benioff and Weiss on Game of Thrones.
Spoilers follow.

About halfway through the new National Geographic three-part docuseries Arctic Ascent With Alex Honnold, a vibe shift starts to creep in.

Honnold is one of the greatest living big-wall climbers, whose fame ballooned after his historic ascent of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot climb in Yosemite National Park that was chronicled in the 2018 Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo. Here, he is outnumbered by his five adventure-mates as they cross the Renland ice cap, a vast sheet of ice in Greenland, the first known time it has been traversed by foot.

They are in the thick of a harsh 100-mile, six-week trek to Ingmikortilaq, an untouched sea wall that measures nearly 4,000 feet  about the height of three Empire State Buildings. Honnold and two of the team members, Hazel Findlay and Mikey Schaefer  both superstar big-wall climbers themselves  are planning to scale it. For any elite mountaineer, it would be a daunting, perilous and most likely inadvisable undertaking. Honnold told CNN that he had never done a first ascent of that magnitude, of a wall of that size.

About 90 minutes into the days march across the ice cap, whiteout conditions and howling winds bear down on them, zapping all visibility and prompting a pointed back-and-forth.
A year in a Russian prison for a U.S. reporter

One year ago today, the Russian authorities detained Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and accused him of spying for the U.S. government. He is the first American reporter since the end of the Cold War to be held on espionage charges in Russia.

The Journal and the U.S. government have vehemently denied that Gershkovich is a spy, saying he was an accredited journalist doing his job. But he is still incarcerated today, held in the same notorious prison as the people arrested in connection with last weeks terror attack in Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia said in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson that he wanted to trade Gershkovich for Vadim Krasikov, a Russian citizen imprisoned in Germany for an assassination in a Berlin park.

Putin is practicing transactional diplomacy, but countries worry that such exchanges could potentially encourage more incarcerations, said my colleague Valerie Hopkins, who covers Russia.
We were hoping this was some kind of error, that everything is going to be fine, the older Mr. Gershkovich recalled. But the stunning reality became clear: The Russian authorities had detained Evan and accused him of spying for the American government, making him the first American reporter to be held on espionage charges in Russia since the end of the Cold War.

Since his arrest, Mr. Gershkovich, 32, has been held in the notorious high-security Lefortovo prison in Moscow, the same facility holding the people accused in the deadly attack at a concert venue in the city this month. The Journal and the U.S. government have vehemently denied that Mr. Gershkovich is a spy, saying he was an accredited journalist doing his job.
A troubled heart pump that has now been linked to 49 deaths and dozens of injuries worldwide will be allowed to remain in use, despite the Food and Drug Administrations decision to issue an alert about the risk that it could puncture a wall of the heart.

The tiny Impella pumps, about the width of a candy cane, are threaded through blood vessels to take over the work of the heart in patients who are undergoing complex procedures or have life-threatening conditions.

The F.D.A. said the manufacturer of the device, Abiomed, should have notified the agency more than two years ago, when the company first posted an update on its website about the perforation risk. Such a notice, the F.D.A. added, would have led to a much broader official agency warning to hospitals and doctors.

The alert is the latest of concerns raised in recent years about the deadly side effects of cardiac devices, especially those that take over the hearts role in circulating blood. It is the third major F.D.A. action for an Impella device in a year.
SEEF Zimbabwe is set to host the premier Zimbabwean property showcase in the United Kingdom in the next four months.

The event which is being organised by Zim Inspired Limited on behalf of Seef Zimbabwe is scheduled to take place on July 13 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel.

The Zim Diaspora Property Showcase aims to connect property businesses from Zimbabwe with the Zimbabwean community in the UK, addressing the challenges diasporans face in managing and investing in property from afar.

With horror stories of lost investments due to untrustworthy agencies and family members, this event seeks to offer reliable solutions and encourage investment back into Zimbabwe through real estate.

Attendees will have the chance to engage with over 40 exhibitors, including top developers, financial institutions, conveyancers, suppliers, property consultants and a lot more real estate stakeholders.

The event will feature discussion panels, presentations by property experts and networking opportunities, all designed to empower Zimbabweans in the UK to invest securely in their homeland.

Seef Zimbabwe managing director and licensee, Patience Patongamwoyo expressed excitement over the opportunity presented by the event.

"We are really excited about this property showcase and the opportunity to bring the whole real estate industry to the UK market as a show of faith, something we believe will strengthen and bridge the gap between the Zimbabwean diaspora, a huge and developing market for us and the property industry in Zimbabwe.

"We are grateful to the other companies within the industry that have chosen to partner on this journey. It is certainly a win-win situation for all parties involved," she said.

The showcase has garnered support from industry giants who will soon be announced alongside the programme of the day in the coming days with such collaborative efforts within the industry highlighting the commitment to fostering economic growth in Zimbabwe through diaspora investment.

"In line with the spirit of community and support, entry to the Zim Diaspora Property Showcase is free. Guests are encouraged to register in advance and are welcome to bring friends and family to explore the wealth of opportunities and insights available," added Seef Zimbabwe.
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Kyle McConaghys knockout neo-noir thriller is a sinister yet humane parable about blind faith and religious manipulation. Its one of my favorite movies of the year so far.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury in a brutal attack, Mansa (Aaron Phifer) takes a job editing videos for a struggling church led by the young and charismatic Pastor (Nick Heyman). Mansa, who is Black, disregards a neighbors warning that the white Pastor is a bootleg preacher who suckers Black people out of money. When Pastor, enraged, kills a parishioner, he convinces the trusting Mensa that God uses sinners for his will and wants Mensa to help Pastor get rid of the body in the California desert.

This film, with a screenplay by McConaghy and Phifer, is about two people but contains many contradictions; its twists take you down paths that are unnerving but tender, specific yet universal, bleak but not without hope. Race underscores it all: In a filmmakers statement, Phifer said he was inspired by the convenient allyship of white people he never heard from again after they reached out during the George Floyd protests, and by the lack of substantive action in the white church of his youth. This film may look lean and humble, but it speaks a mighty word.
Paula Weinstein, a movie producer, studio executive and political activist who became a fierce advocate for women in her industry, died on Monday at her home in Manhattan. She was 78.

Her sister Lisa Weinstein confirmed the death. She said the cause was not yet known.

In the boys club of Hollywood, Ms. Weinstein was the rare female top executive: Over her long career, she was president of United Artists, a vice president of Warner Bros. and an executive vice president at 20th Century Fox. She was just 33 when she was hired at Fox in 1978, and when she was promoted to vice president a year later, The Los Angeles Times called her the highest-ranking woman in the motion picture industry.

A man can be mediocre in almost everything, but a womens got to be perfect, she told Life magazine that year, when she was included in an article about Hollywoods Young Tycoons.
During Ramadan, the backyards of Fulton Street buzz like a busy restaurant kitchen, as teams of young African men chop vegetables, stir pots and bake bread.

These outdoor iftar factories, where the cooks prepare a charity meal to break the fast at sunset, are in Bedford-Stuyvesant, one of New York Citys most rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.

In recent months, its hip white newcomers and longtime African American residents have been joined by African migrants, mostly young men, who are part of an influx that is slowly reshaping the city.
In the wake of the terrorist attack at Moscows Crocus City Hall last Friday, which killed at least 143 people, Russia is in mourning. The countrys leaders, on the other hand, are doing something else: Theyre plotting.

The target is clear. Despite ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack, the Russian leadership has repeatedly blamed Ukraine and its Western backers. Even when President Vladimir Putin grudgingly acknowledged on Monday that the attack was carried out by radical Islamists, he suggested they were operating at somebody elses behest. For now, the Kremlin is keeping its options open: Its spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said that it was too early to discuss Russias response. Yet the cacophony of unsubstantiated Kyiv-blaming, accompanied by fresh strikes on Ukraines civilian infrastructure, is a clear sign of intent.

From Mr. Putins perspective, escalation in Ukraine  involving an intensification of attacks on Ukrainian troops across the front lines with the aim of claiming as much territory as possible, along with increased aerial bombardment on Ukraines cities to wear down the population  makes a lot of sense. It would show ordinary Russians that those who harm them will be punished, divert attention from the security establishments failure to prevent the attack and perhaps even generate greater support for the war.

But even without the Crocus City Hall attack, Mr. Putin was primed to step up his assault on Ukraine. After his landslide victory in this months rubber-stamp presidential election, Mr. Putin is more secure than ever in his position and free to focus fully on the war effort. Militarily, Russian forces now hold material and manpower advantages over Ukraine. The timing is good, too: With Western military support for Kyiv mired in uncertainty, the next few months offer Moscow a window of opportunity for new offensives.
It is a sign of the polarizing nature of the current Supreme Court that even knowledgeable critics of its opinions make diametrically opposed arguments.

This week, for example, the former Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer, in a new book, Reading the Constitution, chides the current courts approach to the law, which he says fixates on the text of the Constitution and attaches too much significance to the meanings of its provisions at the time they were ratified. If only, Justice Breyer urges, justices would soften this originalist approach and take into account how our values as a society evolve over time  including by respecting the longstanding practice of the court and other organs of government.

Justice Breyers criticism follows on the heels of that of another judge, Kevin Newsom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. In a talk last month at Harvard Law School, Judge Newsom made the opposite argument: He criticized the Supreme Court, when considering matters such as handgun regulation and abortion rights, for being insufficiently faithful to originalism and overly attuned to social practices that occurred or continued after constitutional ratification. Such traditions, he warned, have no demonstrable connection to the original, written text.

The current Supreme Court is the object of considerable controversy and confusion. To understand its decisions properly, especially over the past three or four years, the key is to realize that each critic is half right. Justice Breyer is right that the Constitution should be interpreted, in part, in light of practices that persisted after its ratification, but wrong to think that the current court is not doing this. Judge Newsom is right that the current court is doing this, but wrong to think that it should not be.
Simultaneously historic and perhaps a big nothing, the shot was snapped on Thursday in New York City when President Biden and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton gathered, before a Democratic fund-raiser, for the taping of SmartLess, a podcast hosted by the comedians Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett.

With his beard and rumpled corduroy pants, Mr. Bateman was clearly the odd man out in a group of radiantly healthy alphas dressed in crisp blazers or suits. As one social media quipster put it, Mr. Bateman, the Arrested Development star who is soon to appear in a limited series with Jude Law, looked as if he was celebrating his release from the hoosegow. The other dudes were on hand to help cut the cake.

It was not Mr. Bateman, though, who generated online buzz with his attire. It was those three presidents appearing without ties. (Messrs. Arnett and Hayes also skipped the neckwear, and as it happened, the three presidents remained without ties straight through the evenings event.) Were we once again at the precipice, as some commentators seemed to suggest? Was civilization nearing its end? Or were we yet again being reminded of the inexorable march from casual Friday to casual everyday, and to a world in which chief executives dress like field hands and the only people who can be relied on to sport a suit and tie outside a courtroom are bodyguards and limo chauffeurs?
Applications to Harvard College were down this year, even as many other highly selective schools hit record highs.

The drop suggests that a year of turmoil  which went into overdrive with a student letter that said Israel was entirely responsible for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks  may have dented Harvards reputation and deterred some students from applying.

Harvards announcement on Thursday evening came as all eight Ivy League schools sent out their notices of admission or rejection, known as Ivy Day.

While Brown University also saw a drop in applications, applications rose at many other elite colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Columbia, M.I.T., Bowdoin, Amherst and the University of Virginia.
President Biden and Donald J. Trump are trying to defang some of the most damaging lines of attack against them, another sign that the tight campaign for president is intensifying as the country moves into the election year.

Mr. Biden on Thursday joined his two Democratic predecessors  Barack Obama and Bill Clinton  at a splashy New York City fund-raiser, where he assailed Mr. Trumps ideas as a little old and out of shape. It was an effort to transform concerns on Mr. Bidens age into an attack on his rival.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump used a visit with the family of a slain New York City police officer to lean into his tough-on-crime message, a twist for a candidate facing 88 felony charges.

The dueling events in the New York City area hinted at the campaign to come, where the full force of the Democratic Party establishment will face off against the passion of Mr. Trumps MAGA movement.
President Biden said on Friday that he would travel to Baltimore next week as officials race to manage the fallout from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The president will join Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, a close political ally, as he visits the city a week after a cargo ship struck a pylon early Tuesday, plunging the bridge into the water below. The bodies of two construction workers who were fixing potholes on the bridge have been recovered, and four others are presumed dead.

The disaster has paralyzed shipping in and out of the Port of Baltimore. The Biden administration has scrambled officials from multiple agencies  including the Transportation Department, the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Transportation Safety Board  to investigate and begin the major task of clearing the wreckage and restoring traffic through the shipping channel.

On Thursday, the administration announced it would provide $60 million in quick release emergency relief that it described as a down payment toward initial costs. Mr. Biden has said the federal government would pay the entire cost of reconstructing the bridge.
Through the most tense encounters with President Vladimir V. Putins Russia over the past decade, there has been one project in which Washington and Moscow have claimed common cause: keeping North Korea from expanding its arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Now, even that has fallen apart.

On Thursday, Russia used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to kill off a U.N. panel of experts that has been monitoring North Koreas efforts to evade sanctions over its nuclear program for the past 15 years.

Russias discomfort with the group is a new development. Moscow once welcomed the panels detailed reports about sanctions violations and considered Pyongyangs nuclear program to be a threat to global security.

But more recently, the panel has provided vivid evidence of how Russia is keeping the North brimming with fuel and other goods, presumably in return for the artillery shells and missiles that the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, is shipping to Russia for use against Ukraine. The group has produced satellite images of ship-to-ship transfers of oil, showing how the war in Ukraine has proved to be a bonanza for the North.
Two Tanzanian nationals have been arrested on allegations of breaking into parked vehicles around Harare and stealing valuables.

The two are Majali Aribi Saidi (45) and Shimdavala Mohammedi Shorai (37).

They appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with theft.

They were remanded in custody until April 3 for bail application.

According to court papers, on March 11 at around 10:20 am one of the complainants Bongani Masuku parked his Toyota Hilux along Sam Nujoma, locked all doors, closed windows using the remote system and proceeded with other business.

"Upon returning to the car about 10 minutes later he discovered that his black satchel which contained HP Pavilion valued at US$270 was missing," read court papers.

In the second count it is alleged that on March 22 at around 0900 hours, at Ministry of Mines Park Street, Harare, the complainant Edson Ngoroma parked his vehicle a Landcruiser and locked it using a remote.

After some time he discovered that his HP laptop worth US$270 and an adapter were missing.

They two also allegedly stole from Tapiwa Chingozho using the same modus operandi.

They stole his iPhone 15 and his iPad worth US$600.

Chingizho did not report the matter but on March 23 at around 1:30 pm, Chingozho had his vehicle parked at Food Lovers in Avondale.

He left the vehicle parked and locked and in less than 30 minutes, he drove off without noticing anything.

He later discovered that his ear pods worth US$250 were missing.

He went on to file a report at ZRP Avondale police station.

On March 24 at around 6 pm, Chingozho discovered his cellphone connecting to his stolen EarPods and detectives from CID TFC Harare to track them.

The GPS located the stolen earpods at Umuzi Guest House along Eastlea Harare.

Detectives visited the place and arrested the accused persons who were found in possession of four Laptops, iPods, and cellphones among other things.
When I joined The New York Times as a columnist in 2022, I hadnt worked in an office in over two decades. Before, I wrote freelance articles and books at home; my only co-worker was Tux, my tuxedo cat.

On my first day, I was shown to my cubicle and given a computer. Feigning confidence, I sat down, opened my laptop and found myself unable to log in. I tried again. I started to sweat. Then, I called our I.T. department. The person who answered volunteered to assist me over the phone.

Please, no, I whispered. Everyone will hear me fumbling. Cant I just come to you?

I grabbed my computer and hurried upstairs, where a man named Adnan gently asked if I was OK. In his five years working at The Times, he told me, he had seen a lot of colleagues feeling overwhelmed.

So he shared something that he thought might help. He told me to imagine a jar and suggested that I add a metaphorical penny to it every time I achieved something  even a task as small as finding my way back to my desk.
Lauryn Siako is the rare 8-year-old who springs out of bed to get herself ready for church, her family said. She loves the singing, the dancing, the worshiping.

So when leaders of her church announced that they were resuming the enormous annual Easter pilgrimage to church headquarters in South Africa this year, after a four-year hiatus for Covid-19, Lauryn pleaded with her mother to let her go for the first time.

Lauryn and her grandmother boarded a bus in their home village of Molepolole, Botswana, on Wednesday night with 43 fellow members of the St. Engenas Zion Christian Church, excited for the experience of a lifetime.
The United States-funded news service Radio Free Asia said on Friday that it has closed its office in Hong Kong because of concerns about the citys recently enacted national security law that targets so-called foreign interference.

Hong Kongs new national security law, which was passed with unusual speed earlier this month, raised serious questions about our ability to operate in safety, the broadcasters president and chief executive, Bay Fang, said in a statement. Radio Free Asia said that it had relocated some employees from Hong Kong to Taiwan, the United States or elsewhere and laid others off.

The authorities in China have long accused Radio Free Asia, also known as R.F.A., of being a front for the U.S. government. In its statement, the news organization noted that officials in Hong Kong had also recently referred to R.F.A. as a foreign force in the context of how it covered the discussion over the new security law.

Hong Kong enacted the security law on March 23, giving the citys authorities more power to investigate such offenses as external interference and the theft of state secrets. The citys officials, including its security chief, Chris Tang, have insisted that freedoms would be protected and the law would target only national security threats. The government declined a request to comment on Radio Free Asias departure, pointing instead to national security laws in other countries to justify legislation in Hong Kong.
The Czech Republic has frozen the assets of two men and a news website it accuses of running an influence operation in Europe that supports the foreign policy interests of the Russian Federation, the countrys Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry identified the men as Viktor Medvedchuk, a high-profile, pro-Russian Ukrainian politician and the leader of the effort, and Artem Marchevskyi, a Ukrainian-Israeli citizen who allegedly ran the website, the Czech-registered Voice of Europe. Long known as an ally of the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, Mr. Medvedchuk was arrested in Ukraine and handed over to Russia in a prisoner exchange in 2022.

We cracked down on a Russian influence operation that was directed by Viktor Medvedchuk directly from Russia, Jan Lipavsky, the Czech foreign minister, said in a statement. The aim was to spread pro-Russian narratives undermining Ukraines sovereignty while infiltrating the European Parliament.

While the Czech authorities refused to provide immediate comment on how expansive the effort was or how richly financed, officials promised further revelations.
Days after Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, Germanys chancellor, Olaf Scholz, was one of the first Western leaders to arrive in Tel Aviv. Standing beside the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, he declared that Germany had only one place  and it is alongside Israel.

That place now feels increasingly awkward for Germany, Israels second-largest arms supplier and a nation whose leadership calls support for the country a Staatsrason, a national reason for existence, as a way of atoning for the Holocaust.

Last week, with Israels deadly offensive continuing in Gaza, the chancellor again stood next to Mr. Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, and struck a different tone. No matter how important the goal, he asked, can it justify such terribly high costs?

With international outrage growing over a death toll that Gazan health authorities say exceeds 32,000, and the looming prospect of famine in the enclave, German officials have begun to question whether their countrys support has gone too far.
The scene is as spectacular as it is dangerous: flowing rivers of shimmering lava and a dramatic plume of toxic gas.

That image has been the reality for much of the past four months in the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland, which the countrys tourism website has called a geological wonder where lighthouses outnumber villages.

A series of volcano eruptions began in December after hundreds of earthquakes shook the peninsula, cracking open a fissure that sent lava spewing into a residential neighborhood for the first time in more than four decades. The volcanic system has erupted several more times since then.
Israel and Gaza. Yemen and the Red Sea. Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan and Syria.

At flashpoints in conflicts spanning 1,800 miles and involving a hodgepodge of unpredictable armed actors and interests, there has been a common thread: Iran. Tehran has left its imprint with its behind-the-scenes backing of combatants around the region.

On Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that tracks the war in Syria, said that an Israeli strike killed at least 36 soldiers and hit multiple targets, including a weapons depot belonging to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militia that also has a presence in Syria. Israel did not comment on the claim.

Heres a look at Irans proxies.

Whats the back story?

Ever since the 1979 revolution that made Iran a Shiite Muslim theocracy, it has been isolated and has seen itself as besieged.

Iran considers the United States and Israel its biggest enemies  for more than four decades, its leaders have vowed to destroy Israel. It also wants to establish itself as the most powerful nation in the Persian Gulf region, where its chief rival is Saudi Arabia, an American ally.

With few allies of its own, Iran has long armed, trained, financed, advised and even directed several movements that share its enemies. Iran calls itself and these militias the Axis of Resistance to American and Israeli power.

Why does Iran outsource its conflicts?

Although Iranian forces have been involved directly in wars in Syria and Iraq, Tehran has mostly fought its enemies abroad by proxy.
Airstrikes killed a number of soldiers near the northern Syrian city of Aleppo early Friday, Syrias state news media and an independent organization reported, in what appeared to be one of the heaviest Israeli attacks in the country in years.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that tracks Syrias civil war, said that the dead included 36 Syrian soldiers, seven Hezbollah fighters and a Syrian from the pro-Iranian militias. The group said the attack appeared to have hit multiple targets, including a weapons depot belonging to Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia that Iran supports and has a presence in Syria.

The airstrikes stoked fears that have unsettled Western officials for months: that Israels war against Hamas in Gaza could escalate into a broader conflict against Syria, Iran and its proxies across the region, which could entangle allies of those involved, like Russia and the United States.

American officials have sought to tamp down tensions, and Iran has tried to rein in its network of militias after a drone fired by one of the groups killed three U.S. Army reservists in January. But fears of a wider conflict have persisted as Israel and Hezbollah have clashed for months along the border, and as Israel has carried out assaults on Iran-linked targets in Syria.
Although the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on Monday that demands an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, it remains to be seen whether it will have a concrete effect on the war or prove merely to be a political statement.

The measure, Resolution 2728, followed three previous attempts that the United States had blocked. It passed by 14 votes, after the United States abstained from voting and did not employ its veto.

The resolution also calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and the end to barriers to humanitarian aid.

Israels government condemned the vote, and early indications are that the U.N.s action has changed little on the ground or spurred diplomatic progress.

Days after the vote, heres a look at what has changed and what might happen next:

Has the resolution affected fighting?

Senior Israeli officials said that they would ignore the call for a cease-fire, arguing that it was imperative to pursue the war until it has dismantled the military wing of Hamas, the militant group that led the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Since Monday, there has been no apparent shift in the military campaign. Israels air force continues to pound Gaza with strikes, and Hamas is still launching attacks.
Erin Schaff/The New York Times

Force of Ship Impact Was on the Scale of a Rocket Launch

The container ship Dali appeared to move sluggishly before striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday. Yet it delivered a force so large that one reasonable comparison is to a rocket launch.

How could something traveling slower than a casual bike rider cause such a devastating impact? The answer lies in its mass: roughly a third to a half of the Empire State Building.

It may be months or even years before engineers conduct careful simulations of this disaster that take into account all the variables. But we used the limited available data to start to understand how strong the collision might have been.

And even our most oversimplified calculations show the impact was enormous.

Our lowest estimate of how much force it would take to slow the Dali, if it were fully loaded, is around 12 million newtons, about a third of the force it took to launch the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo moon missions.

And our higher-end estimates, reviewed by several civil engineering experts, suggest it is realistic to put the force of the impact with the pier at upward of 100 million newtons.

Its at a scale of more energy than you can really get your mind around, said Ben Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering at Johns Hopkins.

Comparing very large forces

EXAMPLE APPROXIMATE FORCE

(IN NEWTONS) Fully loaded 18-wheeler colliding with a bridge at 80 m.p.h. 1 million Force required to slow the fully loaded Dali over 38 seconds 12 million Saturn V rocket thrust at launch 35 million Earth's gravitational force on 100 female blue whales 110 million Force required to slow the fully loaded Dali over 4 seconds 115 million Force required to slow the fully loaded Dali over 2 seconds 230 million Figures for the Dali container ship are initial estimates based on preliminary and incomplete data.

Experts disagreed on whether it was reasonable for any bridge pier to withstand a direct collision with a massive container ship.

Depending on the size of the container ship, the bridge doesn't have any chance, said Nii Attoh-Okine, a professor of engineering at the University of Maryland. He said that Baltimores Key Bridge had been performing perfectly before this accident occurred, and that he thought 95 to 99 percent of bridges would be damaged if such a container ship were to strike them.

But Sherif El-Tawil, an engineering professor at the University of Michigan who reviewed our calculations, said it was feasible to design a pier that would stay standing after such an impact: If this bridge had been designed to current standards, it would have survived.

Modern bridges, designed in the age of ultralarge shipping containers, are typically built with stronger piers or protection systems around the piers that can either absorb or deflect the force of ship collisions.

But the Key Bridge was completed in 1977, when standards were different and ships were far smaller.

Doing the Math

To work through our estimate, we started with an equation familiar to anyone who has taken a physics class.

F = ma force mass acceleration F = ma force mass acceleration

Our first task, and a major source of uncertainty, was finding those numbers.

First, mass:

We estimate the mass of the Dali to be somewhere between 195,000 metric tons fully loaded and 78,000 metric tons empty, based on ship records and maritime standards for how much weight a typical container ship can take on. We know the ship was carrying at least some cargo, so even with a light load its mass was probably at least 100,000 metric tons, our low-end estimate.

Next, acceleration:

To estimate how quickly the ship slowed, we pulled data from two ship tracking websites, MarineTraffic and My Ship Tracking, which provide regular snapshots of the movements of ships.

How fast was the container ship moving? Sources: MarineTraffic and My Ship Tracking. Note: Data points are represented as circles. Lines are intended as guides only. (That is: We dont know the true speeds in between our data points.)

Before the collision, the data indicates that the ship was moving around 7.8 miles per hour. (Ship speed is measured in knots, but we converted the numbers.) The next data point that we could find, 38 seconds later, shows it moving at 2.5 m.p.h.

In the absence of definitive data from the ships black box, lets plug these numbers into our formula.

F= (100,000 to 195,000 metric tons)  (7.8 mph - 2.5 mph) / 38 seconds mass acceleration F= (100,000 to 195,000 metric tons)  (7.8 mph - 2.5 mph) / 38 seconds mass acceleration For the actual calculation, we used metric units.

Based on these figures, we estimate that the average force required to slow the ship is between 6 million and 12 million newtons.

Heres the catch, though. That calculation assumes the ship slowed at a pretty consistent rate over those 38 seconds.

In reality, we think the ships speed dropped precipitously in the first few moments of the collision as it made contact with the pier. Videos of the collapse indicate that most of the action took place in just a few seconds, from when the ship first struck the pier to when the pier toppled, kicking off the bridge collapse.

The ship probably did most of its slowing down in those first few seconds. (The data and photos suggest it continued to travel some distance, but not far, after first making contact with the pier.) But for now, we can only use video evidence to make a guess at exactly how long that part of the collision took.

I think this is the biggest uncertainty, said Themistoklis Sapsis, a professor of ocean engineering at M.I.T. who reviewed our calculations. Based on video footage, he estimated that the collision time was probably between one and four seconds.

You can see below how much our force calculation varies depending on the duration of the collision and how much cargo the ship is carrying.

On one end of the spectrum, if the deceleration took place over four seconds and the Dali was lightly loaded, the average force experienced by the ship would have been around 60 million newtons.

But a full Dali and a quick one-second deceleration would have meant a force above 400 million newtons.

Somewhere in the middle, assuming most of the slowdown took place over two seconds, we are left with an estimated force of 120 million to 230 million newtons.

We tried one more method: using a formula to calculate the ship collision force published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the organization that publishes bridge safety standards. If we plug in our numbers for the mass and speed of the Dali, we get 142 million newtons.

Engineering experts warned that while this formula provides a ballpark estimate based on the limited data that we have, it is also an oversimplification with a lot of uncertainty.

Our own calculations are also an oversimplification. We dont try to account for the ships rotation, the angle of the collision, and exactly how and where it collided with the pier (a smaller force applied in the wrong place can be more damaging than a large force applied elsewhere). The container ship would have also dragged a sizable amount of water with it, which would add its own momentum.

But the point is: Even the widest reasonable range is on the order of tens to hundreds of millions of newtons  a mind-bogglingly large force, by any estimate.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via Reuters

What it means for bridges

Rather than designing a pier to withstand an impact of tens or hundreds of millions of newtons, engineers said, you can help safeguard a bridge by creating protective systems  such as fenders, artificial islands, or structures called dolphins  that would spread out the force, slow the ship prior to impact or divert it from the pier.

Safety standards could also be revised to require that tug boats accompany large ships for longer periods, until they are safely away from infrastructure.

In 1980, a ship collision caused the collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay in Florida, and in the decade following that disaster, the industry passed guidelines that bridges or their protective structures should withstand larger forces.

Collisions between ships and bridges causing this level of damage are exceedingly rare, Mr. El-Tawil said. Still, he said he was surprised that a protection system had not been added to the Key Bridge.

The protection system would have diverted the ship away from the piers, protected the bridge, protected the community from the loss of a critical bridge, and protected the ship itself, he said.
Lawyer Ida Drammeh, counsel for Sheikh Tijan Hydara, has on Wednesday 27th March 2024 addressed the Supreme Court in the case filed by the United Democratic Party (UDP) seeking court order nullifying the appointment of the defendant as Gambia's Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.

She said UDP misconstrued the provisions of the Constitution. Lawyer Drammeh explained that UDP called two witnesses who gave evidence and tendered videos containing "screen recordings" that Kemo Bojang said he obtained from the internet, Kerr Fatou and You Tube. She added that a newspaper was also tendered through Kemo Bojang. The second witness was Miss Niie, who tendered transcripts of the videos.

"The first comment we wish to make is that in as serious a case as this which calls for the Supreme Court to interpret and apply constitutional provisions, it is our submission that it would be unsatisfactory and in fact somewhat dangerous to accept the pedigree of evidence that has been offered by the Plaintiff (UDP) as a basis for making the orders sought by the Plaintiffs," she said.

"We submit that the law is clear on the burden of proof in a civil case; that he who asserts must prove. The burden of proof rested on the Plaintiffs (UDP) to prove the allegations in their statement of case," she added.

She cited Section 142 of the Evidence Act provides: "The burden of proof in a suit or proceeding lies on the person who would fail if no evidence at all were given on either side."

She said the failure to prove an allegation that forms an essential part of his case would fail.

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"We submit that the Plaintiffs (UDP) herein have failed to establish their case," she said.

"We submit that the Plaintiffs have not proved by any credible or acceptable evidence, that the allegations made in their statement of case are true and therefore have failed to establish any right to the relief sought."

She said there is no evidence before the court as to when was SHEIKH TIJAN HYDARA appointed as Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Cuba by the President. She added that there is also no evidence that Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU) is a registered political party or even that it is a political party at all.

Lawyer Drammeh said Sheikh Tijan is a politician and a founding member of GANU and he had resigned from GANU since his appointment.

She said the Independent Electoral Commission is the entity that should be approached, and they should be the ones to produce evidence of who the registered officers of a political party are.

"We submit that no matter how many rallies, speeches, Facebook posts or Kerr Fatou posts, there are, just saying you are an officer of a party does not make you such an officer. In the first place it is a Constitution that determines the offices and the registration records, the details of appointments to the office," she said.

"We submit, that there was no evidence produced or offered to suggest that the 1s Defendant (Sheikh Tijan Hydara) was holding any office in any political party," she said.

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Made with rare Nacional cacao harvested from just 14 farms in Ecuadors Piedra de Plata valley, Toak chocolate is undoubtedly the worlds most valuable chocolate.

From truffle-infused ice cream to gold-plated sandwiches, the world is full of expensive sweets and treats. But while most of them are gimmicky creations designed to attract attention, a few do more than simply add outrageously expensive ingredients that hardly affect the experience of eating them. Ecuadorian chocolate brand Toak claims that its products are among these few, although judging whether the price of its most expensive offerings is actually justified is ultimately up to the consumer. Toak is most often referred to as the most expensive chocolate in the world, which is technically true, as its small chocolate bars can sell for up to $490 per 50-gram bar, but the company believes that simply referring to its product simply as expensive doesnt really tell the whole story of Toak.

Photo: Toak Chocolate

If it were up to us, we would rather be called the worlds most valuable chocolate, Toak co-founder Jerry Toth wrote on the company blog. Price is just a means to an end. At the end of the day, what were really trying to do is create for the world something utterly unique and beautiful, something that transcends merely being an expensive chocolate bar and enters into the realm of experience.

So what makes Toak so special that you would even consider spending hundreds of dollars on a small chocolate bar? Well, its not just one thing, but rather a collection of factors. First of all, the company only uses the finest Nacional cacao, an ancient variety that was classified as extinct in 2009. Luckily, the people behind Toak were able to find some of the oldest cacao groves in the world in Piedra de Plata Valley, some of which were later confirmed by DNA analysis to be 100% Nacional cacao.

According to Galavante, Toak pays the highest rates in the world to its select cacao growers, and that factors into the price of the end product as well. Then there is the chocolate-making process. The cacao beans are selected by hand, to ensure that only the best ones make it into the processing stage. Apart from its pricing, Toak is most famous for pioneering chocolate aging, a process inspired by the aging of spirits like whisky and cognac.

When whisky is stored in an oak barrel, it extracts these chemical compounds from the wood and draws them into the whisky, which imparts flavor and color, a Toak blog post explains. When aging chocolate in wood barrels, a similar process unfolds. Even in solid form, chocolate has an interesting advantage in extracting flavor and aroma from the wood: namely, the absorptive oils that are naturally present in cacao.

Toak has experimented with a number of aging techniques, putting the chocolate in different kinds of barrels (ex-cognac, ex-whisky, etc.), as well as in Ecuadorian wood containers, for various periods of time (from a few months to eight years). The company also mixes its chocolate with aromatic compounds like Cambodian Kampot pepper, Ecuadorian Palo Santo wood, or Galapagos orange, and is constantly experimenting new ways of enhancing the flavor of its chocolate.

Its worth noting that the artistic packaging and the hand-made wood containers that most Toak products are shipped in also factor into the price of the chocolate. The Ecuadorian company likes to say that it is selling a complex experience, and judging by the international success of the brand, some people dont mind paying hundreds of dollars for that.



Not everyone is willing to pay upward of $60 and up to $490 for a chocolate bar, so youre unlikely to find Toak chocolate on the shelves of your local supermarket, but if it sounds like something youd like to try, the official Toak website is a good place to start.

Since youve made it this far, you must be a true chocolate enthusiast, so can we interest you in some less ordinary types of chocolate, like pink chocolate, or this chocolate that allegedly alleviates menstruation symptoms?
A Nigerian woman is facing up to seven years in prison for allegedly breaking her countrys cyber crime laws by posting a negative online review for a can of tomato puree.

In September of last year, 39-year-old Chioma Okoli took to Facebook to voice her opinion about a can of tomato puree she had recently bought, claiming that it contained too much sugar and asking her friends and followers to express their opinions as well. Somehow, Okolis post went viral on Metas social network, generating over 3,000 comments, including one from a person claiming to be the sister of the founder of Erisco Foods Limited, the company that made the canned tomato puree. They asked Okoli to stop bashing the product and just try something else, but the woman doubled down on her claims, asking the person to ask their brother tostop ki***ing people with his product. That ended up costing her, as she was arrested just days later and she is now facing up to seven years in prison.

Photo: Christin Hume/Unsplash

I went to but Tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew, but didnt see my favourites, so I decided to buy this one, Chioma Okoli wrote in her original Facebook post. When I opened it, I decided to taste it omo! Sugar is juat too much! Haa biko let me know if you hav used this tin tomato before because this is an ikegwuru situation! [sic].

On September 24, while she was at church in Lagos, Okoli was approached by policemen in plain clothes and taken into custody for allegedly instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false under Section 24 (1) (B) of Nigerias Cyber Crime Prohibition Act. She was kept in a leaky cell for a day before being flown to Nigerias capital, Abuja, where she was released on administrative bail.

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, Chioma Okoli told CNN Africa. 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.

On October 5, 2023, the police filed their case against the woman, and the first court hearing took place two months later. A judge issued a restraining order that Okoli couldnt be arrested without a court order, but the pregnant mother claims that police still found ways of harassing her, like when they entered her home in January and spent an entire day there.

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, Okoli said.

Erisco Foods Limited, the company that makes the tomato puree Chioma Okoli referenced in her Facebook post, is also going after the Nigerian woman. It filed a N5 Billion ($3 million) lawsuit against her, claiming that the bad publicity caused it serious problems like the loss of several suppliers and multiple credit lines. And, despite pressure from the general public, the founder of Erisco, Eric Umeofia, said he would rather die than allow anyone to tarnish the reputation he spent 40 years building.



Chioma Okoli has filed her own lawsuits against both Nigerian police and Erisco Foods Limited, asking for 500 million naira ($361,171) in damages. Her lawyer described her struggle as a David vs. Goliath battle.

For voicing her opinion on social media, Chioma now faces up to seven years in prison, a fine of 7 million naira ($5,000), or both. She is due in court on April 18 for her arraignment.
The Dominican Republics Ministry of Tourism has signed on Montieth & Co. for strategic communications and media relations.

The Caribbean nation shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, which has descended into anarchy. Gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier controls Haitis capital of Port-au-Prince.

In response to the Haitian chaos, the DR is speeding up construction of a 250-mile 12-foot-high border wall between the two countries.

M&Cs pact also calls for monitoring media coverage and social posts related to the Ministry.

The firm received an initial $100K retainer, which covers work through June. It also got a $50K project fee for paid media planning and management for three months.

M&Cs DR team includes Montieth Illingworth, CEO; Perry Goldman, senior director; Ioana Veleanu Botzoman, senior manager; and Carla Fortuna, senior associate.
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which is composed of 16 two-year colleges with 70+ campuses and more than 80K students, wants to enroll a PR firm to enhance its reputation via a strategic communications campaign.
Binga Dinshiya, the Director of Civil Litigation at the Ministry of Justice appearing for the Attorney General in the Supreme Court said Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay (FJC) is not the Secretary General of APRC as opposed to UDP's claims.

UDP have asked the Supreme Court to nullify the appointments of FJC, Ousman Rambo Jatta, Sheikh Tijan Hydara and Lamin Bojang in the foreign services. The position of the UDP is that they are serving executive members of political parties and therefore, their appointment in the public service was unconstitutional.

Foroyaa has in the last edition on Wednesday published the arguments of the lead lawyer for the UDP. Director Binga D. made the argument on behalf of the Attorney General.

Binga D. said the UDP failed to provide evidence to warrant the court to declare their appointments unconstitutional. He submitted that the videos submitted and played by UDP were mere speculations and there were inconsistencies in the date of the congress.

Binga said the Court should not rely on video clips obtained from social media to prove issues of constitutional importance. He added that UDP should have obtained the information about party leaderships from IEC to furnish the court rather than rely on social media videos to prove their case.

The State Lawyer said UDP sought to prove that FJC is the General Secretary of APRC by bringing three videos and a newspaper article.

"The authenticity of the videos was challenged during cross examination of the witness P1 Kemo Bojang. The witness could not authenticate the source of his videos and further, it is clear that the video he brought was a copy of another copy and possibly several other copies. This is hearsay and is contrary to the Evidence Act. The said videos ought to be disregarded," he said.

Binga added: "The first video purported to show a gentleman making general statements. The transcript (exhibit P5) refers even to "handsome" Secretary General, which is an attribute bestowed to a male.

He said the second video purports to be Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay giving a statement at an APRC congress.

"The date of this congress is in controversy. The Plaintiffs (UDP) in their pleadings at paragraph 9 have stated that the congress in Janjanbureh was held in December 2022. The Plaintiff's witness Kemo Bojang (PW1) has testified that the congress was held between the 6th and 8th of January 2022. He had previously said it was December of 2022 and when it was put to him during cross examination that he had said it was December 2022 he clarified that it was actually in January 2022," Binga said.

He submitted that Haddy Jagne, the second witness for UDP was brought to court to testify on the transcripts of the videos she made.

"Some of those recordings were in Mandinka and PW2 admitted during cross examination that she does not speak mandinka and that it was a court staff, who assisted her in the translation. The court staff who conducted the translation was not called as a witness, and the court has no reason to believe the person is a competent interpreter and there is no way to test the veracity of the interpretation in the transcripts. We submit that the transcript is also hearsay and its contents should be disregarded by the Court," he said.

UDP also tendered a newspaper article.

"The newspaper article that was tendered we submit is opinion evidence and we submit that this cannot be relied on to establish the fact of the matters contained therein. The video of Ousman Jatta does not show when it was recorded. The dates of these events are significant because they need to be tied to the appointments of the Defendants to their positions in public office. When they were appointed to public office is not clear, and when they were purportedly holding political office is also not clear," he said.

"My Lord, in the case of Rambo Jatta, his appointment is proper in foreign services and the regulation of the foreign. There is no justification why his appointment violates the rules of Foreign Service," the State Lawyer said.

On the appointment of Lamin Bojang, Binga said "A military attached at Guinea Bissau. My lord the plaintiff alleged that Lamin Bojang is a military attached to Guinea. My Lord, it's our submission that Lamin Bojang is competent by virtue of his experience and expertise. My Lord, it is our submission the plaintiff didn't prove otherwise on the issue of Lamin Bojang being a party leader has not been proved, my lord we submit that there's no evidence before this Court that Lamin Bojang holds any position of in a political party which the plaintiff is claiming been a political leader."

He submitted that UDP failed to substantiate the claim that Lamin Bojang is a political leader. He relied on section 103, 104 and 105 Elections Act.

"My Lords, there is no evidence that the said person belongs to any political party and all we hear is speculation and the court has not disregarded it," he said.

He referred the court to Section 102 of the Evidence Act, which provides that a person who asserts must prove.

The State Lawyer said considering the law under sections 166, 170 and 179 of the Constitution and the General Order 3104 of the Republic of The Gambia and reference to section 102 of the Evidence, the UDP did not prove their case.

Binga said Section 23 of the Public Service Act makes communications between the Public Service Commission and other persons privileged in any legal proceedings unless the Minister consents in writing to such production or disclosure.

He said the provisions UDP relied on to bring the case refers to a public officer, seeking to be elected to political office. He added that there is nothing in all these legislation that provides for the reverse as we have in these situations. He explained that the reverse being, a person who is purportedly holding a political office, seeking to take on a public office.

"The law is settled that if the legislators wanted to put something in the law, they would have. The fact that they did not means that there is a lacuna in the law in this regard," he said.

Binga said General Order 03104 provides that "Every officer is entitled to his/her own political views, and may, if qualified, vote at elections. He/she may become a member of a political party or organization, but may not accept any office, whether paid or unpaid, permanent or temporary, in any political party or organization, nor may he/she make speeches, join demonstrations or in any other way indicate publicly his/her support for any political party, organization, person or policy, nor shall he/she be required to do so in the course of his/her duties."

Also General Order 03106 provides that "If a person who has obtained leave of absence in accordance with G.O 04119 is elected to a Political Office, he/she shall immediately resign or retire from his/her office in the public service and, if he/she fails to do, he/she shall be removed from such office.

Binga submitted that the General Orders simply reflect the provisions of the Constitution on the issue. He said section 170(2) of the Constitution also states "any person who holds an office in a public service who wishes to contest an election for a political office", but it is important to note that there is no definition of what a political office is. He added that General Order 03104 permits a public servant to be a member of a political party but states that they should not hold a political office.

"A reading of G.O 03106, we submit puts it to rest as to what is a political office because it states "is elected to a political office". From this provision it is clear that the political office in question is one that the person must be elected to," Binga said.

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"The court cannot merely presume that the office of General Secretary or whatever position the Defendants are alleged to hold are political offices to which they have been elected to in order to fall under the provisions of the Constitution and the General Orders. It is our submission that the Plaintiffs have not proved these facts," he said.

Binga said the reliefs being sought by UDP are not tenable considering the law, as well as the practicality of the situation at hand.

"Relief 1 seeks, in effect an injunction against the 1st Defendant from carrying out their office to which they have been appointed. If as per their argument, the Defendants are public servants, then the State Proceedings Act makes it clear that an injunction cannot be obtained against an officer of the state where the effect would be an injunction against the State. We refer the Court to section 17(4) of the State Proceedings Act on this point," he said.

He made a different argument from the position of the UDP saying this case is different from Ya Kumba Jaiteh's case against the Clerk of the National Assembly because she was not a public servant, but a National Assembly member.

"We submit also that in the event that it is considered that the Constitution and the G.O apply in this situation, the practicality of the situation would require the Defendants to elect which office they get to keep and which one they get to leave. It is not for the Plaintiff to decide which office the Defendants should maintain. It is also clear that it is only after the appointments have been accepted that the Defendants can resign from the office they previously held. This being the case, we submit, there can be no void appointment "ab initio" as is being canvassed by the Plaintiffs, and we submit that the prayer for a declaration in that regard cannot be granted. Because even the GO requires that a person who has been elected to public office should subsequent to that election resign from public office. So it is clear the person would have held both positions for a time before resigning from one."
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court has passed an order directing the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) to represent Arona Tine, the alleged murderer of a staff of a forex bureau in Westfield, Kanifing Municipality.

The prosecution alleged that the accused person on the 19th of January 2024 at Westfield stabbed one Fatoumatta Kargbo in the chest with a knife which resulted in her death.

Arona Tine had earlier informed the court that he could get a lawyer to represent him in the case.

In the last adjourned date Justice Jaiteh told the accused person that he was charged with a very serious crime (murder) which requires him either to get a lawyer on his own or for the State to provide him with one. He was given a week to conclude his discussion with the lawyer he claimed he was talking to. Yesterday, he informed the court that he could not have a lawyer. This was when the Judge ordered NALA to represent him.

The case was adjourned till 22 April 2024.
More than 100 schoolchildren, kidnapped two weeks ago from their school in Kaduna, are back with their families. Most of the schoolchildren who were abducted are aged between 11 and 15

press release



Africans Rising notes the release of nearly 300 girls who were abducted earlier this month. We call on the Nigerian government to offer critical medical and psychosocial support to enable the girls to deal with the trauma they must have gone through.

The kidnapping that took place on Thursday 7th March is one of the largest school mass abductions since 2021. A day after this raid, an armed gang abducted another 15 boarding school children in northwestern Sokoto in the wee hours on Saturday 9th March. This happened days after over 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs), mostly women and girls, were kidnapped in Ngala in northeastern Borno State.

Since 2018, this town has suffered a series of terror attacks and mass abductions.

We strongly condemn the recent surge in kidnappings and other acts of terror in Nigeria and call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and all the security agencies to hasten the search and safely rescue all the abductees.

Abductions constitute just one of the security concerns in Nigeria. Sixteen soldiers were murdered on 14th March in Ughelli South in Borno State. The army on their part went on rampage and razed the whole community. This extrajudicial action of the army must be condemned in no uncertain terms.

All perpetrators must be pursued, arrested and dealt with according to the law. We further demand justice and accountability for all the victims of kidnappings and ask the President to dismantle these criminal operations across the country and enforce stringent measures to ensure the safety of the students and all Nigerians.
Paris, France  As the appeal of a former commander of the rebel group Ulimo, of his 2022 war crimes conviction enters its final days, defense lawyers for Kunti Kamara called on the three judge panel and nine jurors to overturn the conviction saying there is a lack of evidence Kamara committed the crimes.

According to Kamara's lawyers, his earlier sentence of life imprisonment should not be upheld because the evidence provided by prosecutors and civil parties is largely based on the unreliable testimonies of victims and witnesses from events that happened 30 years ago. Unlike in English/American based judicial systems including Liberia, where the prosecution must convince the jury of the defendant's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt", prosecutors in the French system must convince the jurors that they have an innate belief that the defendant is guilty.

Unlike the English-based system where the jury needs to be "unanimous" - meaning juror must agree - for a conviction. The French system just needs a simple majority - 7 of the 12 judges and jurors must find him guilty.

The defense has tried to persuade the jury that they - an all white jury - cannot have enough confidence in the evidence to sentence a man to 30 years in prison only based on the testimonies of people remembering traumatic events from 30 years ago.

"I am asking you that Mr. Kamara should be acquitted after this hearing. I am asking you to acquit him because the proceeding is not rigorous," Marilyn Secci, the lead defense lawyer for Kamara told the jury.

Secci cautioned the jury that they should not be carried away with sympathy for the extraordinary experiences described by the victims, urging them to base their verdict on evidence.

She cited two rape incidents explained by two of the witnesses, arguing that prosecutors had not proved Kamara was the perpetrators of the rapes, but instead two other Ulimo commanders who are not in the defendant's protective glass box with Kamara in the court.

Secchi said Kamara should not be held as an accomplice of the crimes of rape since he was not the one who raped the two women.

She argued that the two victims who testified did not say Kamara was the one who directly raped them, but instead another Ulimo commander who she claimed Kamara may have not had control. She also pointed out there there is no forensic evidence - no corpses or medical evidence - to prove what the victims were saying.

Secci pointed to one witness who earlier testified before the court that six young men were killed by Kamara and other soldiers and their corpses were dumped into a well near the Foya Market. She argued the prosecutors did not provide forensic investigation to establish the corpses of the six victims alleged to have been dumped in the well were true.

In another plea on the charges of murder, Secci countered prosecution witnesses' testimonies which she told the court were marred by inconsistencies. She was referring to the murder of a schoolteacher and a woman that witnesses had earlier claimed Kamara shot, and killed, and her corpse set ablaze being accused of her being a witch.

"We heard six witnesses who told this court that they were not on the scene at the time (the man) was killed, but all said that when (he) was killed, his heart was removed and that Kamara and other commanders ate (his) heart", is not credible."

About the looting of the generator from the Borma Hospital, Kamara's lawyers also told the court that there was no research report to refer to that was done by the Swedish organization containing information about the looting of the looting of the hospital or that the generator was looted. They contended that there is also no evidence to link their client to the looting.

"We see many variations, we, therefore, call on this court to say to the declaration by (another witness) on the death of six men killed and thrown into a well," Secci said. "We also want you to say no to an allegation of the women's murder, there is no death certificate or any evidence to link Kamara."

Secci told the court they find it difficult to understand how a court would apprehend their client when there is nothing that proves the argument of the presence of Kamara in the places told by witnesses.

Kamara in the earlier weeks of this appeal had told the court that he was not based in Foya, but instead on the frontline in Menikoma, where he said he was leading Ulimo fighters to push back the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels which had links with Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia, (NPFL) fighters from taking over Foya.

However, almost all the prosecution witnesses, including two defense witnesses, had confirmed before the court that Kamara was based in Foya.

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Following the defense lawyers' presentation of their plea in favor of the accused, they then asked that the sentence of life of imprisonment handed down by the first jury in 2022, be rejected and Kamara be set free.

Referring to the Gibril Massaquoi acquittal by the Finnish court, who was acquitted following his war crimes conviction due to the lack of sufficient evidence provided by the prosecutor in Jaunary, Kamara's defense lawyers pleaded with the court to do the same.

Gibril Massaquoi is a Sierra Leonean man who was accused of war crimes in Liberia.

"We cannot generalize what Ulimo did in Foya to what Mr. Kamara did," Secci said. "We are not here in the trial of Ulimo, we are not here in the trial of all the crimes that were committed in Liberia, but we are here in the trial of one man- Kunti Kamara," Secchi told the Tuesday.

The trial continues Wednesday with the jury deliberation.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project.
Online platform targeting swift removal of child sexual abuse content launched

Posted by Editor on March 29, 2024 - 10:21 am

An online platform enabling the swift removal of websites, photos, and videos containing or potentially containing instances of child sexual abuse was launched yesterday (March 28) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing child abuse in cyberspace, this initiative targets the dissemination of nude photos and indecent videos of children through internet and social media channels.

Implemented by the National Child Protection Authority in collaboration with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), renowned for its expertise in internet child safety enforcement, this program receives financial support from Save the Children and Child Fund.

Following the implementation of this online system, individuals can now visit the website of the National Child Protection Authority at www.childprotection.gov.lk to report incidents of indecent photos and videos of children exchanged online.

These reports will be handled by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority. Subsequently, the offending videos will be promptly removed from the internet, and legal action will be pursued against the perpetrators.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing this event said:

For several decades, this sector has been neglected. The government has indeed neglected it, and the attention it warranted has not been provided. The magnitude of the problem now is such that resolving it within a year seems implausible. We lack the capacity to address the issue comprehensively; therefore, we must employ a variety of strategies.

Firstly, short-term recommendations must be promptly implemented. We propose that the existing committee include stakeholders from the government, specifically authorities in child care and probation services, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and the police force. Strengthening police numbers, particularly in women and childrens desks at every police station, is imperative. This effort must be coordinated with measures against drugs.

Additionally, we must consider establishing a new structure and enacting new legislation. I advocate for the formation of a Childrens Council to oversee both the promotion of childrens interests and their protection. The management of probation and child care services should be devolved to the nine provinces, as I believe this responsibility does not necessarily belong to the central government.

He added that immediate action should be taken on short-term recommendations, while the process of enacting new legislation pertaining to childrens rights should also be expedited.

For further information, contact the Law Enforcement Division at 011-2778911 extension (269) or visit the official website www.childprotection.gov.lk.

The launch of this online initiative was attended by Minister of State for Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Ms Geeta Kumarasinghe, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority, Senior Lecturer Mr Udayakumara Amarasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Ms Yamuna Perera, and representatives from various organizations dedicated to ensuring child safety.

(Presidents Media)
The last time Nick Melvoin faced the voters was to defend his LAUSD School Board seat in 2022. Despite the teachers' union, UTLA, failing to put up a candidate, his two far-right opponents spending no money on their campaigns and his holding the advantage as the incumbent, the Charter School Industry had to spend $2,182,977.77 to get him reelected. This massive spending only secured him the votes of 59.28% of the electorate for a cost per vote of approximately $34.22.

Like a trust fund baby being born on third base and thinking he hit a triple, Melvoin looked at the election results and had the brilliant idea that he should get a promotion. Just weeks after being sworn in to represent the constituents of LAUSD's Board District 4, Melvoin announced that he was running for the Congressional seat currently held by Senatorial candidate Adam Schiff. The field in this race eventually grew to 15 candidates.

If races were determined solely by the amount of money raised by the candidates, Melvoin would have done well in the contest for CA-30. Bested only by Anthony Portantino, he secured $1,428,681 from donors. However, his lack of commitment toward winning might be indicated by Open Secrets saying he left $429,880 unspent. He did not leave it all on the field.

When outside spending is added, more was spent on the Melvoin campaign than his competitors. Unfortunately for the children of the LAUSD, this money did not translate into votes as he came in eighth place with only 2.68% of the electorate voting for his promotion. Even "Boy Meets World" actor Ben Savage received 1,998 more votes than he did. Laura Freidman and Republican Alex Balekian will face each other in the runoff in November.

As the early voting began Melvoin provided an example of why the Charter School Industry is willing to dump millions into his campaign. For months the Los Angeles School Board discussed a proposal to regulate how these publicly funded private schools take space on LAUSD campuses. At one meeting Melvoin admitted that he had "seen occupational therapy happening in closets". He also said he encountered situations where space used for "sensory rooms... are in jeopardy of being taken" by a charter school using PROP-39.

While the thought of children with Special Education needs having their classrooms removed and then being relegated to closets would have been appalling to most people, even someone with a heart two sizes too small, Melvoin did not let this deter him from his unwavering support of Charter Schools. He, Kelly Gonez, and Tanya Ortiz Franklin voted against implementing reforms. This vote not only provided an example of Board Members placing the needs of campaign donors above those of the District's most vulnerable children, but it also showed why voting for public education advocates is so important.

This is not the only time Melvoin has done the bidding of the charter schools that fund his campaigns. In 2019, he pushed back against my demand that Jose' Cole-Gutie'rrez and the Charter School Division be held responsible for waiting until Community Preparatory Academy (CPA) applied for a charter renewal before holding it responsible for financial irregularities and health and safety violations. The following year the charter school's Executive Director, Janis Bucknor, pleaded guilty to embezzling $3.1 million in school funds while Cole-Gutie'rrez looked the other way.

In 2020, Melvoin expressed "concerns" about the performance of Prepa Tec, a charter school that was $485,718 in debt with no cash reserves and where only 3.26% of the school's students were meeting state standards in math. This did not stop him from joining Monica Garcia in voting to renew the school's charter.

Documents obtained by Michael Kohlhaas dot org revealed that Melvoin was meeting privately with the California Charter School Association (CCSA) so that the trade group could present a resolution they wrote to make it easier for charter schools to obtain LAUSD facilities. During these meetings, he also provided the association with confidential information from closed-door LAUSD Board meetings. This information related to how the Office of General Council was defending the District against a lawsuit filed by the CCSA over the implementation of PROP-39.

The 80% of Los Angeles students attending LAUSD public schools deserve to have Board Members who are looking out for their interests. Instead, with Melvoin, they have a politician who does not hide that he would rather represent the charter schools that pay for his campaigns. While his humiliating loss in the Congressional race means that another crooked politician will not be going to Washington, this means the LAUSD is still stuck with him.

Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

Mother's Day in the Middle East is March 21. Yesterday in Gaza, mothers and their families faced war, death and starvation: not the best environment for a cake, gifts and flowers. While people across the Middle East were celebrating with their mothers, the people in Gaza were wondering why Arab leaders were unable to come to their aid.

Nearly 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and more than 74,000 injured amid mass destruction and the UN warns starvation has begun.

One woman in Gaza said, "Why are they worried about starvation? Is that worse than instant death from a bomb dropped on our heads?"

Blinken wasting time

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel today from Egypt on the third leg of his latest Middle East tour.

Blinken will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials after visiting Cairo on Thursday for talks with Arab foreign ministers about a Gaza cease-fire.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas is underway in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt and with the participation of the US, aimed at reaching a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal.

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Legacy Health is again warning 200,000 of its customers that their health care could jump significantly in price in a matter of days.

It all depends on whether Legacy can reach an 11th-hour agreement with Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon on a new contract. If the two sides dont budge, the contract will expire at the end of Sunday.
The Director of Banking Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Hamisu Abdullahi, has highlighted the merit-based selection of Remita to provide an electronic platform essential for facilitating payments from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to beneficiary accounts across commercial banks.

He made this assertion when officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria appeared before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee today, March 28th, to respond to queries about Remita's operation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) platform.

The hearing was presided over by Bamidele Salaam, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts who said that there is a House resolution that has mandated the PAC to investigate an allegation concerning revenue leakages through the Remita platform as well as none adherence to service level agreements between parties on the Remita gateway platform.

According to Abdullahi "The CBN was directed to provide an electronic platform that would facilitate payments on behalf of MDAs to beneficiaries accounts in the commercial banks."

"CBN deemed it fit to source for an alternative way of doing this and engaged two companies and out of the two, Remita, was selected based on merit and based on the fact they had been rendering similar services to commercial banks."

In a previous report, Salawu Zubairu who was Director of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had said that Remita was chosen as the preferred platform to manage the TSA after a rigorous evaluation process that included other candidates like the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). The selection, steered by a joint evaluation committee's competitive presentations and deliberations, was based on Remita's superior capabilities in handling TSA's electronic payments and collection of government receipts, satisfying all the stringent requirements of the Office of the OAGF, the CBN, and their external consultants.

The Managing Director of Remita Payment Services Limited, Mr. 'Deremi Atanda, also highlighted the previous system's shortcomings, where government agencies independently received funds and arbitrarily decided the timing and amount of operating surplus to remit, a practice that has been streamlined by the TSA.

"There has been an evolution and it has been positive for the country on account of TSA. Some things that started manually have now become automated. What MDAs were doing was that they were receiving inflows and at their instance determine what is operating surplus when to they remit," he said.

Mr Atanda said the TSA initiative is designed to create a single window through which all inflows and outflows of government can be monitored in real-time for transparency and accountability and especially for the effective management of the government's cash assets.

It is pertinent to note that the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Dasuki Arabi, in the past reported that the TSA has been instrumental in uncovering and removing approximately 70,000 non-existent employees from the civil service payroll. The government has realized savings of at least N220 billion through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS)

Mr Atanda further explained how the government can track and account for every single transaction through a unique Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) code assigned to each revenue inflow.

"It allows the government to identify the receiving MDA, the destination account, the date and time of the transaction, the purpose of the payment, and the name of the payer. The RRR has become the ultimate reconciliation reference point for all payers, banks, and MDAs involved in government revenue collection."

The TSA was lauded by the last administration for being instrumental in Nigeria's financial reform, enhancing governance and supporting the anti-corruption drive. The former Minister of Information and Culture praised the TSA for preventing fiscal crisis, stating that it "saved Nigeria from collapse." Through effective resource management and transparency, the TSA has helped eliminate ghost workers and reduce financial discrepancies. Its preservation is vital for Nigeria's continued economic progress and integrity.

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As Nigeria continues its march towards economic stability, some government forex revenue collections still occur outside the TSA framework. Mr. Atanda highlighted the importance of adhering to the TSA's original intent of consolidating all government inflows and outflows, regardless of currency. This is vital to prevent the diversion of the federal government's foreign exchange revenues into the hands of unscrupulous entities.

"At a time when the Nigerian Government is seeking ways to generate Forex and prevent the devaluation of the Naira amid increased demand for the US Dollar, allowing such diversions is inadvisable," he stated.
Southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Portland closed around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday for an emergency repair to a bridge joint, Oregon Department of Transportation officials announced.

Travelers headed south to Portland were being diverted to southbound Interstate 405 over the Fremont Bridge, and the closed portion of I-5 isnt expected to reopen for hours  or possibly as late as midnight.

In a press release at 5:30 p.m., transportation officials called the problem regular wear and tear. Bridge joint problems will cause an area to bounce, which causes concrete to crack, they wrote. Some concrete dropped onto the ground below, essentially creating a hole in the deck. This happens often and must be repaired immediately, as it is unsafe for people to drive over what is essentially a large pothole.

A view of what #PDXtraffic crews are working to repair in the SB lanes of I-5 at MP 303. This is the result of normal wear and tear to the deck's joint, eventually causing the concrete to crack, and forming a large "peekaboo" pothole that's clearly unsuitable for traffic. pic.twitter.com/CiRn2ccuBp  OregonDOT (@OregonDOT) March 29, 2024

Repairs will take several hours in part because new concrete takes three to four hours to cure.

 Beth Slovic is a deputy editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com.

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Columbia County Sheriffs deputies searched a house in Goble last Friday and found 18 frozen puppies allegedly being used as snake food, the sheriffs office said.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the home after the sheriffs office received a tip that the resident was freezing puppies, authorities said.

Goble is about 40 miles northwest of Portland.

The sheriffs office confiscated the puppies remains. However, there is no law in Oregon that prohibits feeding dogs to other animals, an animal law expert told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Oregon does not have a law specifically prohibiting the slaughter of dogs for food, Joyce Tischler, a professor of animal law at Lewis & Clark Law School, wrote in an email.

Federal law makes it illegal to commercially slaughter dogs or cats for human consumption, she added. Animal cruelty is also illegal. Depending on how the puppies were killed, Tischler said, there may be the potential for charges for cruelty.

The sheriffs office turned over the remains to the Oregon Humane Societys Animal Crimes Forensic Center, where forensic veterinarians were working to determine the puppies cause of death, said humane society spokesperson Laura Klink.

Sheriff's officials found several snakes that were being kept at the residence as pets, including a protected common kingsnake. Courtesy of Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Sheriffs officials said deputies also found several live snakes in the home, including a common kingsnake that was turned over to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Common kingsnakes, which typically eat birds, frogs and small mammals, are prohibited from being kept as pets in Oregon unless theyve been bred in captivity and have markings that are different from wild kingsnakes, said Beth Quillian, a spokesperson for the fish and wildlife department.

The common kingsnake is native to southwest Oregon and classified as protected wildlife in the state, Quillian wrote in an email, adding that the fish and wildlife department is likely to rehome the snake with a zoo or other accredited facility.

The sheriffs office has not announced any arrests in the case and has not released the name of the homes resident.

 Tanner Todd covers crime and public safety. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com, or 503-221-4313.
A Portland man is accused of using the handle smokeyinpdx on the social messaging platform Telegram to sell an assortment of drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy and psilocybin mushrooms, to children and adults.

Rocky Allan Rainwater, 24, was arrested last Friday after FBI and Clackamas County investigators arranged four undercover drug buys from Rainwater.
A headless robot about the size of a labrador retriever will be camouflaged as a coyote or fox to ward off migratory birds and other wildlife at Alaskas second largest airport, a state agency said.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has named the new robot Aurora and said it will be based at the Fairbanks airport to enhance and augment safety and operations, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

The transportation department released a video of the robot climbing rocks, going up stairs and doing something akin to dancing while flashing green lights.

Those dancing skills will be put to use this fall during the migratory bird season when Aurora imitates predator-like movements to keep birds and other wildlife from settling near plane infields.

The plan is to have Aurora patrol an outdoor area near the runway every hour in an attempt to prevent harmful encounters between planes and wildlife, said Ryan Marlow, a program manager with the transportation department.

The robot can be disguised as a coyote or a fox by changing out replaceable panels, he said.

The sole purpose of this is to act as a predator and allow for us to invoke that response in wildlife without having to use other means, Marlow told legislators last week.

The panels would not be hyper-realistic, and Marlow said the agency decided against using animal fur to make sure Aurora remained waterproof.

Alaska Department of Transportation program manager Ryan Marlow demonstrates the agency's robotic dog in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 26, 2024. The device will be camouflaged as a coyote or fox to ward off migratory birds and other wildlife at Alaska's second largest airport, the DOT said.Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP

The idea of using a robot came after officials rejected a plan to use flying drones spraying a repellent including grape juice.

Previous other deterrent efforts have included officials releasing pigs at a lake near the Anchorage airport in the 1990s, with the hope they would eat waterfowl eggs near plane landing areas.

The test period in Fairbanks will also see how effective of a deterrent Aurora would be with larger animals and to see how moose and bears would respond to the robot, Marlow told the Anchorage newspaper.

Fairbanks is leading the country with wildlife mitigation through the use of Aurora. Several airports across the country have implemented robots for various tasks such as cleaning, security patrols, and customer service, agency spokesperson Danielle Tessen said in an email to The Associated Press.

In Alaska, wildlife service teams currently are used to scare birds and other wildlife away from runways with loud sounds, sometimes made with paintball guns.

Last year, there were 92 animal strikes near airports across Alaska, including 10 in Fairbanks, according to an Federal Aviation Administration database.

Most strikes resulted in no damage to the aircraft, but Marlow said the encounters can be expensive and dangerous in the rare instance when a bird is sucked into an engine, potentially causing a crash.

An AWACS jet crashed in 1995 when it hit a flock of geese, killing 24 people at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage.

If the test proves successful, Marlow said the agency could send similar robots to smaller airports in Alaska, which could be more cost effective than hiring human deterrent teams.

Aurora, which can be controlled from a table, computer or on an automated schedule, will always have a human handler with it, he said. It can navigate through rain or snow.

The robot from Boston Dynamics cost about $70,000 and was paid for with a federal grant.

-- The Associated Press
A group of Grants Pass voters who have contended in court that state Rep. Christine Goodwin doesnt live in her district will drop their effort to remove her from her House seat.

However, they will move forward with an effort to prevent her from seeking a seat in Senate District 2, which has the same boundary as her current district.

Steve Joncus, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the local voters dropped their push to remove Goodwin from her seat representing House District 4 after lawyers from the Department of Justice argued that only the Legislature has the authority to remove sitting lawmakers. The Department of Justice is representing Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, the defendant in the case.

Joncus said its also too late to remove Goodwin from the May ballot, but that his clients still plan to challenge her eligibility for Senate District 2 if she prevails in the primary.

Goodwins campaign said in a news release Friday that the lawsuit was political theater. She says that allegations she lives outside of her district were manufactured by supporters of her Senate primary opponent, Noah Robinson.

The lawsuit alleges that Goodwin lives at a home she has owned for decades in Myrtle Creek, which is just north of the boundary for House District 4 and Senate District 2. Goodwin contends she lives at an address in Canyonville, which is within those districts. She switched her voter registration to the Canyonville address from her Myrtle Creek home just days before the January 2022 deadline to run for House District 4.

Im in this race because I am the best fit to fight for the people of Senate District 2, Goodwin said in the news release. I will not back down to bullies.

In court this week, the Department of Justice lawyers asked a judge to deny a request from the plaintiffs for a temporary restraining order to keep Goodwin off the May primary ballot. By the time the court hears arguments on the matter, counties may have already sent out their ballots to overseas voters, lawyers argued.

Entering a temporary restraining order at this stage of the election process would either disrupt the administration of the election, create voter confusion, or both, the lawyers wrote in court documents.

The Department of Justice lawyers also submitted a declaration from Lydia Plukchi, a state elections compliance specialist, who confirmed that she verified Goodwins eligibility to run for the state Senate in November, the same day Goodwin filed. Plukchi checked Goodwins voter registration, which lists her address as the Canyonville property inside Senate District 2.

In December, Plukchi received a complaint in the mail alleging that Goodwin did not live inside her district, she wrote. She forwarded the complaint to investigative staff in the elections division, but wrote that she doesnt think they acted on it because they are prohibited from accepting anonymous complaints.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
A North Portland family that received a $17,000 water bill two weeks ago learned Wednesday that a new, adjusted bill will bring their financial responsibility down to a much more manageable $650.

The family that lives in the modest house on North Seneca Street had no idea anything was amiss until they opened a bill from the Portland Water Bureau and learned they owed $17,281.57.

Typically, they owe about $500 per billing period.

The family, according to the outsized bill, had used 627,572 gallons of water between November and February.

An on-site investigation by water bureau crews over the past week led the team to conclude the high usage probably came from a leak in a forgotten pipe that hadnt been used for years.

Now that the leak has been fixed, the city plans to take the family off the hook, standard water-bureau policy in such cases.

The real mystery is what happened to all that water.

Where did it go? How did it disappear without anyone noticing it was ever there?

No one  not even officials at the water bureau  knows for sure.

***

When Talasinga and Lineni Eteaki received the massive bill, they asked the daughter-in-law, Tiana Atiki, for help. From Tonga, the Eteakis dont speak English and knew theyd have difficulty communicating with the city.

The couple told their daughter-in-law there was no way they could pay the bill, and they were afraid theyd lose their house.

Atiki, 28, called the water bureau, and a customer-service representative told her to look for a leak and prove it had been fixed, and then the city likely would reduce the bill.

Atiki, her in-laws and her husband searched the house, the backyard, the front yard and the basement.

No water.

She pried open the cover to the water box on the parking strip.

No water.

The family hired two different plumbers to see what they could find.

The plumbers also found nothing.

They checked in and around the house, found no leaks and said the water-meter dial was not abnormally spinning, a sure sign of a leak.

After The Oregonian/OregonLive reported on the shockingly high bill, Portland Commissioner Mingus Mapps, who oversees the Water Bureau, asked his team to get to the bottom of it.

On Wednesday, Quisha Light, the Portland Water Bureaus customer service director, had the answer.

Well, most of the answer.

***

Light said that unexpected huge water bills ultimately are always traced to a leak.

Because a leak is hidden, she said, people dont know about it until the bill comes.

Light sent out crews to check the water meter, the main line and a new fire hydrant installed a block away to see if that had somehow caused a problem.

They checked everything, she said. There was nothing in the physical infrastructure that was causing a problem.

But then crews walked along the back of the property  and discovered an exposed water pipe. Atiki, translating for her in-laws, told the crew an old, dilapidated outbuilding had been there until theyd recently demolished it.

For the crew, the huge water bill suddenly made sense.

We just had a freeze a couple of months ago and this piping probably burst because the pipe was shared with the home, said Light. They noticed recent capping had been put on the pipe and the meter reading now was normal.

So water apparently leaked from that burst pipe after the freeze lifted.

The water is just going into the ground, Light surmised. The water was invisible to the family initially because the snow (on the ground was) melting, and then the rains came.

She said the family was told to cut the pipe closer to the home and insulate it so it will not be exposed to the elements.

What my team has done is look at their normal bill they received last year and issued a bill based on that usage, said Light.

But the mystery, at least at the home on North Seneca, remains.

***

When the family moved into the home in 2003, said Tiana Atiki, there was a structure behind the house.

The roof had caved in, and no one had used it for years, she said. It was basically just two walls. At the end of last October, we decided to demolish it.

When they did so, they cut and capped the pipe to a laundry sink that had been in the outbuilding.

It was that pipe that the water bureau crew believed began leaking in November.

But that answer isnt entirely satisfying.

More than 600,000 gallons  enough to fill 35 standard-size swimming pools  escaped from the house over three months, even though thats more than the family typically uses? And it disappeared out of an abandoned, broken pipe behind the house without producing any visible damage?

It didnt make sense because there was never water back there, Atiki said. It doesnt explain the amount of water that theyre saying is coming out of it.

But its over.

Ill never know, she said with a sigh. It is what it is.

The family hired a plumber to cut the pipe to make it flush with the home. It has been insulated and recapped. Proof of the work will be sent to the water bureau.

The past few weeks, Atiki said, have been stressful, but the experience, strange as it might seem, has been good.

This has restored my faith in the city, she said. Maybe there are some people out there that care.

And now she waits.

The magic question is where the water went, said Atiki. Its definitely not in or on our house or property.

Shes puzzled that it all came down to a leak in a small pipe the family capped off.

I just hope this really is the problem, she said. I guess well know in three months when we get our next bill.

-- Tom Hallman Jr. is a member of the public safety team. You can reach him at 503 221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com
Jesse Woods stepped onto his former friends porch half an hour before sunset on a warm July day in 2022, rang the doorbell and announced himself.

Its me, he said, leaning toward the houses Ring camera and pointing at his face, covered partially by a motorcycle helmet. Yeah, its me.
A burned puppy on the southern Oregon coast is making headlines after locals rescued, healed and adopted him following a devastating fire that claimed three adult dogs, including his mother.

The 13-week-old lab mix, now called Smokey, is in safe hands following a harrowing ordeal in Curry County.

The story, like so many these days, played out on Facebook, in posts by both the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the South Coast Humane Society in Brookings.

It started with a house fire in Curry County this winter, on a day when high winds were strong enough to prompt an urgent warning from the National Weather Service. The Feb. 28 fire destroyed a home and displaced a family, KTVZ reported Thursday, as winter storms knocked out power and downed trees across the region. No people were hurt in the fire, but multiple pets died, including the mother of the puppy.

While investigating the fire, Deputy State Fire Marshal Aubrie Krause stumbled upon an unharmed puppy going in and out from underneath a trailer, the state fire marshal said on Facebook. That puppy, nicknamed Blaze, was given care until she could be reunited with her family.

But as Krause continued her work, she learned that other puppies might be nearby. Determined to find them, she soon spotted one, a little black pup watching from a distance.

I went to pick up the puppy and could smell severely burnt flesh from feet away, Krause was quoted as saying in the fire agencys Facebook post. When I picked him up, I could see he was swollen in the face, and one eye was completely shut. He had all his puppy pads burnt away. The other firefighter and I assisting in the investigation got in my pickup and took the puppy to the local vet.

Smokey's wounds were tended to for three weeks after the fire.South Coast Humane Society

Corey Bryant, fire chief of the Greenacres Fire & Rescue in Coos Bay, adopted the burned puppy.South Coast Humane Society

Krause called her friend Jennifer Alcorn, the executive director of the South Coast Humane Society, for assistance. Alcorn, in her own Facebook post, said she worked with Dr. Jeffrey Tribble at the Brookings Harbor Veterinary Hospital, which recommended a course of intensive treatments that included cold baths, medicated salve, skin removal and wound management  as well as a lot of love.

Within a few weeks, the puppy was healed. Now, he just needed a good home. As much as Krause wanted to keep him, she couldnt, the fire marshal said. Thankfully, she knew somebody who could.

That somebody was Corey Bryant, fire chief of the nearby Greenacres Fire & Rescue in Coos Bay. Bryant and his wife visited the injured puppy multiple times while he healed, Alcorn said, and finally took him home last weekend. According to the Oregon Fire Marshal, Bryant named the little lab Smokey Bear, or Smokey for short, and plans to train him to educate the public about fire prevention, using his own scars as a powerful reminder of the importance of fire safety.

Smokeys journey is a testament to resilience and hope, turning tragedy into an opportunity to save lives through education, the Oregon Fire Marshal post said. Let his story inspire us all to prioritize fire safety and cherish the furry heroes who teach us invaluable lessons along the way.

--Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.

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A few isolated and spotty rain showers could linger over the Portland area early Friday morning, but once they move off, the weather will take a decidedly sunny turn going into the weekend.

The National Weather Service is tracking a weak system that will likely push a few showers into the region early in the day Friday before it moves southward, swallowed by a larger system moving into northern California. This will clear out the rain from the Portland/Vancouver area and leave skies partly sunny by mid-morning. The high temp will reach about 61 degrees.

Some moisture from the California system could wrap around and return into Oregon bringing another period of showers to the Eugene/Springfield area in the afternoon and evening. Cities to the north of Eugene should stay dry, and no afternoon rain is expected from Salem northward to Portland.

Early morning light frost is possible in outlying rural areas and regularly cool spots including Hillsboro, Battle Ground, and Corvallis both Saturday and Sunday.

After a cool start, Saturday will offer plenty of sunshine for your Easter weekend events. High pressure over the region will warm afternoon high temperatures pushing most areas into the mid 60s. Theres even a 5-10% chance Portland reaches the upper 60s on Saturday. The forecasted high is 64.

Sunday will be mostly sunny after some light morning cloud cover. Temperatures may cool a few degrees to a high of about 63 due to lingering clouds. There may even be a stray sprinkle or two early in the day in some locations.

Extended forecasts show high temps running anywhere from 5-15 degrees above normal to kick off next week. Monday will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid-to-upper 60s and Tuesday may even hit 70 degrees depending on when clouds from an approaching cool and wet system move into the region.
Port Louis  His Excellency Mlondi Solomon Dlamini, the new High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Eswatini with residence in Maputo, Mozambique, presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of the Republic, on 27 March 2024. He also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Honourable Pravind Jugnauth, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Honourable Maneesh Gobin.

The meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade provided an opportunity to briefly review bilateral relations between Mauritius and Eswatini. Both sides, inter-alia, explored avenues to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries, particularly stressing the potential of the African Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in boosting trade and economic integration within Africa. Minister Gobin highlighted the AfCFTA's potential to add value to African economies and promote local transformation industries and business linkages through regional supply chains.

They also discussed about the security situation in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, recognising the crucial importance of maintaining stability. Both sides emphasized that peace and prosperity were essential elements for enhancing regional cooperation and development, and expressed their respective commitments in this regard.

Eswatini, which shares its borders with South Africa and Mozambique, has a population of 1.2 million, with a per capita GDP of $3,958 (2021). Slightly more than half of the economy is concentrated in services, and industry, particularly manufacturing, comprises another third.

Mauritius and Eswatini have signed bilateral agreements with regards to air access and bilateral air services, mutual exemptions of visa requirements and double taxation avoidance.

Trade connections between Mauritius and Eswatini remain limited, with Mauritius' exports to Eswatini averaging Rs 100 million annually in recent years. These exports primarily comprise textile products such as cotton yarn, men's jackets, and t-shirts.

In addition to trade, there are investment prospects in Eswatini, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, agro-processing, ICT, High-end fashion garments manufacturing, tourism and healthcare.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade
New York, US (PANA) - The UN and aid partners are assisting Malawis efforts to respond to a severe drought in the African nation which has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency
Photo: (Photo : Pexels/Hebert Santos)

Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel first captured the nation's attention when they appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1996. Since then, their lives have been chronicled through the TLC reality series Abby and Brittany, which showcases their unique journey through life as conjoined twins. Now, a major milestone has been reached as Abby, one half of the duo, has entered into marriage.

Following their initial television appearance, Abby and Brittany went on to star in their own reality series, "Abby and Brittany," which depicted their everyday lives, including driving, traveling, and pursuing their education. After graduating from college with degrees in education, the twins embarked on their careers as fifth-grade teachers in their home state of Minnesota.

Abby's Marriage: A Personal Milestone

In a heartwarming turn of events, Abby Hensel, now 34, has tied the knot. Records show that Abby, a dedicated teacher, exchanged vows with Josh Bowling, a nurse and United States Army veteran, in 2021. The couple resides in Minnesota, where they enjoy spending time together amidst nature hikes, indulging in ice cream, and engaging in snow tubing adventures.



As dicephalic conjoined twins, Abby and Brittany share a bloodstream and all organs below the waist. They have learned to navigate life with remarkable harmony despite their physical connection. Abby controls their right arm and leg, while Brittany controls the left, showcasing their extraordinary bond.

Read Also: Former Conjoined Twin Grows up To Become an Influencer Who 'Channels' Her Sister

Motherhood Aspirations and Privacy

Abby and Brittany have expressed aspirations of becoming mothers, but they have chosen to keep their private lives out of the spotlight. In a statement to the Daily Mail, Brittany emphasized their desire for privacy, stating, "The whole world doesnt need to know who we are seeing, what we are doing and when we are going to do it." Despite their shared fame, the twins remain committed to maintaining boundaries around their personal lives.

"Yeah, we're going to be moms," Abby said in Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16 in 2006. "We haven't thought about how being moms is going to work yet."

As Abby and Brittany Hensel continue to inspire awe with their resilience and unwavering bond, Abby's marriage marks a significant chapter in their extraordinary journey. From their early days in the public eye to their current roles as dedicated educators and now Abby's marriage, the twins continue defying expectations and inspiring countless individuals worldwide.

Abby and Brittany Hensel: The Unspoken Curiosity Surrounding Their Intimate Lives

Despite widespread speculation, the twins have maintained privacy regarding this deeply personal aspect of their lives, leaving many questions unanswered. Alice Dreger, a respected professor of clinical medical humanities and bioethics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, delves into the intricacies of the twins' situation in a thought-provoking piece for The Atlantic. According to Dreger, as the Hensel twins share one set of genitals, any sensation experienced in that area would be felt by both individuals.

Dreger acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding whether both twins would experience an orgasm simultaneously. With shared nerves, muscles, and blood vessels, some speculate that such a scenario is plausible. However, the variability in each twin's sensory perception makes it challenging to predict with certainty.

Questions extend beyond orgasm, encompassing everyday acts of intimacy such as kissing. Dreger ponders whether both sisters would feel the effects of a kiss, suggesting that the hormonal response to such an act could potentially affect both brains. However, she acknowledges the emotional complexities that arise in such situations.

From her extensive studies, Dreger offers insights into the intimate lives of conjoined twins, suggesting that their experiences may differ from those of average individuals. While the challenges of finding a romantic partner are evident, she also suggests that conjoined twins may not perceive the same need for such relationships due to their unique bond.

Related Article: Formerly Conjoined Twins AmieLynn, JamieLynn Celebrate One-Year Milestone After Historic Surgery
Prime Videos The Baxters, premiering this week, offers a refreshing portrayal of family dynamics, faith, and the resilience of the human spirit. Veteran actor Ted McGinley, known for his roles in Do You Believe?, Happy Days and Gods Not Dead: A Light in Darkness, stars alongside Roma Downey (Touched By an Angel).

McGinley, who plays a foundational character in The Baxters, expressed his enthusiasm for joining a series that revolves around the timeless theme of family. Reflecting on iconic family-centric shows like The Waltons and Seventh Heaven, McGinley acknowledges the appeal of portraying a character integral to the narratives core. I wanted to be a part of the Baxtersone where the character is this foundational rock, they cant do the show without him, which is fun as an actor, he shares.

However, it wasnt just the premise of the show that drew McGinley in; it was also the camaraderie he felt with Downey, who portrays one of the shows central characters. Describing Downey as warm, generous, and kind, McGinley emphasizes the genuine connection he shares with her both on and off the screen. I met Roma, and just felt like I met a friend, an old friend that Ive known forever, he says, highlighting the authenticity of their friendship.

Ginley humorously remembers that Mark Burnett, Downeys husband, aptly describes the series as Melrose Place meets the Bible, a juxtaposition that encapsulates its unique blend of drama and faith-based themes. McGinley acknowledges this quality, noting, Theres nothing like it. He expresses curiosity about how the show will resonate with a faith-based audience, recognizing its potential to provide viewers with valuable insights into navigating lifes challenges.

One of the defining aspects of The Baxters is its portrayal of real-life struggles within the context of faith and family. McGinley emphasizes the shows ability to tackle difficult topics such as infidelity with sensitivity and authenticity. Theres someone cheating, youre sitting youre watching, its hard to watch. But it shows you how to get through it and get to the other side, he explained. Through its nuanced exploration of adversity, the series offers viewers hope and guidance in overcoming obstacles.

Downey herself coined the term hope opera to describe The Baxters, a fitting descriptor for a show that combines elements of traditional soap opera storytelling with themes of hope and redemption. McGinley echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the shows uplifting message amid lifes challenges. Its a flat-out soap opera, and I love that she calls it a hope opera, he said.

The Baxters aims to connect with audiences by portraying the complexities of life through the lens of faith and family. McGinley emphasizes the universal nature of the shows themes, noting, Theres no escape. Life comes at you, and life happens. Through its portrayal of love, understanding, and resilience, the series offers viewers a reflection of their own experiences and a source of encouragement in times of adversity.

Its beautiful to watch, he said. Its not going to be for everybody, probably, but there will be an audience thats thirsty for something like this, and they will see themselves in it.

The Baxters is currently streaming on Prime Video.
River Cess  As the search for victims in the Chio Town disaster continues, family of the victims have begun pointing fingers at officials of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in the county over the incident. Ten people are confirmed dead with more than 30 still missing and either trapped beneath the ground or dead.

"We are told that more than 30 people are still under there," said Steve Tequah, River Cess Second District Representative.

On Thursday there were no family members of the missing at the site. People here said that was likely because they had come from other places further away in Liberia. Many of the ten whose bodies have been recovered came from locals towns. There have been emotional scenes as family began burying them.

"In the night I was sleeping when the people started calling saying the dirt na break," cried Naomi Chappy, sister of Tardeh Chappy, who was among those found dead. "When we heard that deposit burst, we came to hustle. We spent the whole day here."

Volunteer rescuers were used shovels and diggers during the search that saw 10 lifeless bodies recovered but authorities put a halt to it saying it had become dangerous. A team from the National Disaster Management arrived late Wednesday night, even though Liberia's Information Minister had told the public that they were already on the ground in a press briefing in Monrovia on Tuesday. The River Cess Legislative Caucus had constituted a committee to take charge of the situation in the absence of the National Disaster Management team.

"As we await national government, the county administration has contacted an individual who owns an excavator," Isaac Williams, River Cess County Information Officer told NN/FPA. "By tomorrow, we will use the excavator to uncover those who are presumed trapped underground."

But the excavator did not arrive. Williams said the owner of the equipment informed them he has no means of transporting it to the site.

Mines and Energy Authority officials here said Bea Mountain Mining Company which is rebuilding a road in the county, has agreed to make one excavator available but it has to be transported from its current location to the site but the truck that is to transport it will have to come from Monrovia.

The County health team and the Liberia National Red Cross have begun arrangements with locals for a location that could be used for mass burial in the case the bodies are discovered.

As the search goes on, survivors have started to point the finger of blame at local Mines Ministry authorities. They said that instead of preventing people from entering the pit, the regional coordinator of the Ministry, instructed some miners to go into the mine on Monday and get some of the gravel, potentially bearing gold, for him.

"The regional coordinator of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, after he saw that the people were plenty, he made us form a line and he say we should go in the hole two, two," said Trokon Nurse, a motorcyclist and miner, who had just left the mine when it collapsed. "I chose my partner, and we went in the hole and got our own of dirt. But before that, the DEA and the mining agent finished taking their own dirt and they were washing the gravel."

"The mining agent put the people in line and say they mun (should) go in the hole," said Naway. "I tried stopping them, but the Lands and Mines people did not listen to me because they had people in the hole working for them."

Fahnseth B. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Planning at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, who arrived at the site on Wednesday, said an investigation will be launched and anyone found liable will be dealt with according to the law.

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"The allegation is grave," said Mulbah. "What we will do is to launch an investigation, and we will surely deal with anyone who is involved as claimed by the people here."

Residents of Chio Town woke up early Tuesday morning to the news of a mudslide that occurred an artisanal mine on the outskirt of the town about 11pm Monday. Local authorities in River Cess confirmed the death of at least ten people. No new dead have been discovered since Tuesday.

Ansu V. Dulleh, head of Liberia's Disaster Management Agency said in a phone call that, "it is even possible there are people who are still alive under there."

He said his agency is working with the Ministry of Public Works to secure some earthmovers for the rescue search.

This story is a collaboration with New Narratives.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr., the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, has disagreed with those criticizing the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).



The GRA Workers' Union criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, for his comments on revenue mobilization methods used by the Authority.



Harassing businesses



Dr. Bawumia during a meeting with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, voiced concerns about the alleged use of aggression and harassment during tax collection by GRA staff.



They are harassing businesses. That harassment is coming from the sort of targets that are created at their office. They are setting unrealistic targets. And this is because the tax base is so narrow; you say to them, 'this is your target for this month', and they are trying to figure out where do I go.



Then for them, it is very easy; you go back to where you had it the last time. You go to taxpayers, the people who are already paying taxes and then you have to come up with a new reason why they should pay more and so you come up with all sorts of stuff," he said.



Bawumia's statement unfortunate



In response to this, the Organized Labour, in a statement dated Friday, March 22, 2024, described Dr Bawumias comments as unfortunate, viewing them as a slight against the diligent efforts of GRA employees.



We would like to state unequivocally that we, the workers of GRA, find this statement unfortunate and consider it as an attack on the efforts of the hard-working staff of the Authority, which, if not discontinued, would incur the displeasure of workers, disrupt revenue collection efforts, and breed industrial disharmony.



However, communicators of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have condemned the statement, insisting Bawumia said nothing wrong.



Kwesi Pratt's defense



Kwesi Pratt, speaking to this on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', said the workers were only expressing their disagreement with the Vice President, which is allowed under the law.



"Under this democratic dispensation, everybody has the freedom to speak their mind, and so I see nothing wrong with what they said. Should they have kept quiet for them to be wrongly accused?" he questioned.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, founder and leader of the Movement for Change and an independent presidential hopeful in the December 2024 polls, has pledged to address the issue of corruption by instituting an anti-corruption Czar with robust prosecutorial powers.



Kyerematen articulated his commitment to combat corruption during discussions with the leadership of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Accra on Wednesday, 27, 2024, at a meeting with organized labour.



He emphasized his intention to amend the Constitution and establish an independent anti-corruption Czar, separate from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, empowered to rigorously tackle corruption without bias.



Asserting the importance of personal integrity in leading the fight against corruption, Mr. Kyerematen highlighted his own track record, stating, "I have never been corrupt and I will never be corrupt."



In addition to his anti-corruption agenda, Mr. Kyerematen outlined plans for an agricultural revolution, including an "Operation Own a Farm" initiative to encourage both citizens and non-citizens to participate in farming activities.



"If you go to Botswana, everybody owns a cow and at the weekend they are encouraged to go and farm," he buttressed his point.



He was resolute about introducing the concept of "Farm for Life as a Business" and pledged government facilitation of this program if elected, urging the involvement of faith-based organizations in driving Agricultural development.



Furthermore, Mr. Kyerematen promised to strengthen this initiative, positioning it as a flagship policy of his government to bolster the agricultural sector and create opportunities for all.







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.

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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has announced some tax reforms he intends to implement if he becomes president in January 2025.



He plans to simplify tax payments for businesses and promote growth by implementing a tax amnesty and a flat tax rate in 2025.



"My new, friendly tax reforms are aimed at boosting indigenous businesses," he noted.



Professor Kofi Agyekum, popularly known as Opanyin Agyekum, speaking to this during a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', urged the Vice President to implement the tax reforms now.



"If we want things to change, it can be done...Bawumia is part of this government. He is the Vice President, so if he intends to do something, it can start now, before the election. if you push it to 2025, you're trying to take yourself out of what is happening in your government. He (Bawumia) shouldn't wait until he becomes President," he urged.



Meanwhile, he has backed plans to widen the tax net.



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

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Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that he has delivered on almost all his promises, hence the need to give him the nod to lead the country in the upcoming December 2024 elections.



The 2024 presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) outlined about thirty initiatives he has promised and fulfilled during his tenure as vice president in the last seven years.



Speaking at an engagement with traders associations and magazine leaders at Sunyani in the Bono Ahafo Region on Wednesday (March 27)), Dr. Bawumia cautioned the electorate not to make the mistake of voting the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) into power.



He stated that, "I have never been president; Im just the vice-president, but I have really worked. My opponent has been president before, but I have really delivered on my promises.



Outlining his achievements as vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said, When I said we will roll out Ghana Card, we delivered. When I said children will be issued a Ghana Card at birth, it has come to pass. When I promised a digital address system, it was fulfilled.



When I said we will introduce a paperless port, it came to pass. When I said Zipline will deliver medicines with drones in Ghana, it was fulfilled. . . I promised to remove ghost names from government payroll; we executed it, Bawumia said.



As part of his campaign to solicit votes for the upcoming elections, the vice president interacted with some market women in the capital. He promised that, once he is elected president, he will undertake many projects that will change the lives and livelihoods of the citizens.



He added that, it will be backward to vote the NDC into power come December 7.

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

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Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah cannot fathom why the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is dilly-dallying with the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.



The bill, which upholds Ghanaian family values and right human sex orientation, has been passed by Parliament prohibiting homosexual activities in Ghana.



The bill prescribes a minimum sentence of six months to 5 years imprisonment for any person involved in the promotion, advocacy, and/or practices of the LGBTQ+ community.



However, the bill has not yet become law as it awaits the President's assent.



Many Ghanaians, including Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a governance lecturer at the Central University, have called on the President to sign the bill, while the international community, on the other hand, advises him not to assent to it, describing the bill as inhumane and a danger to LGBTQ+ people.



In response, the President has admonished Parliament not to transmit the bill for his assent, citing Supreme Court cases challenging its constitutionality.



Touching briefly on the president's attitude and reaction to the bill, Dr. Otchere-Ankrah, on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo" issued a stern caution to Nana Akufo-Addo.



"Whether the President will sign or not, may posterity judge him," he accentuated.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Parliament has officially requested the Chief Justice to expedite the hearing of cases related to the Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQI+ Bill.



In a petition submitted on Thursday, March 28, Parliament's legal representatives emphasised the significant public interest surrounding these cases and stressed the importance of a prompt resolution to ease tensions among Ghanaians.



Highlighting the precedence set by the recent hearing of Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor's case, Parliament underscored the need for consistency in addressing similar legal matters.



The letter reads, It will accordingly be appreciated if the parties are given a very early date to expedite the hearing of the applications pending before the Court. We trust that as the applications raise matters of public interest, you will give our letter the attention it deserves.



The petition specifically referenced ongoing lawsuits filed by Richard Dela Sky and Dr. Amanda Odoi, both challenging the anti-gay bill on grounds of constitutional violations of homosexual rights.



Their legal actions seek to prevent President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from assenting the bill into law.



Already, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Apex court of bias for its decision to prioritise the hearing of the application by South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, over the approval of ministerial and deputy ministerial nominees, while the case against the anti-LGBTQ Bill filed earlier by Richard Sky remains pending.



The NDC alleged that this move reflects a conspiracy by the court to aid the government in facilitating their nominees' approval in Parliament while delaying executive action on the anti-LGBTQ bill.





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A 58-year-old Lebanon man was arrested and charged with terroristic threats this week, one day after police said he threatened a maintenance supervisor at Cahill & Son Furniture & Appliance, leading to a police standoff and road closures in the area.

Police standoff in Lancaster. Gill Earle photoPennLive

The Lebanon City Police Department responded to the furniture store around noon on Tuesday, March 26, and spoke with the maintenance supervisor, who said Thomas Cahill Jr. threatened him before asking him to leave the property.

The worker also told officers Cahill Jr. was possibly in possession of multiple long guns, the police report said.

Although Cahill Jr. refused to exit the store and would not allow authorities inside, he spoke with officers on the phone throughout the incident, the press release said.

The report noted it was immediately apparent Cahill Jr. was intoxicated.

Police eventually cleared the scene, due to the departments prior police contacts with Cahill Jr. and continued to monitor the area without uniformed officers present.

On Wednesday, Lebanon police obtained an arrest warrant for Cahill Jr. and a search warrant for the furniture store. Cahill Jr. was arrested without incident on the 900 block of Chestnut Street around 8:13 p.m.

On Thursday, police served the search warrant and found three long guns on the property.

The Lebanon Police Department say they are working with the county district attorneys office to determine if additional charges are warranted.

As of Friday afternoon, Cahill Jr. was in the Lebanon County Prison unable to post his $75,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 4.
Several threats emailed to the Lancaster Public Library and others on Saturday that prompted an evacuation of a section of the city are believed to have come from outside the United States, the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office said in a release.

The threats were made the day the library was supposed to host a drag queen storytime.

The threats were sent via email around noon and threatened detonation at 1:30 p.m., the district attorneys office said Thursday. They targeted the library, Lancaster Online  including specific employees at the news outlet  and Lancaster Pride.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has challenged women to embrace renewable energy for social-economic development to make meaningful strides within their respective homes and communities.

UNDP's Gender and Development Specialist in Malawi, Juliet Sibale made the call at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre during a Gender, Entrepreneurship and Financial training for women from Mulanje and Zomba mini-grid sites.

According to Sibale, time has come for women in the rural areas across the country to start using renewable energy productively. She said women can generate good and profitable business ideas from clean and renewable energy.

"We are trying to build entrepreneurship skills for women who are our beneficiaries under our access to clean and renewable energy project in Zomba (Chisi Island) and Mulanje mega min grid site in Traditional Authority (TA) Mabuka.

Generally we want to empower Women Entrepreneurs from the two mini grid sites on productive use of renewable energy for them to be able to improve their livelihoods," said Sibale

One of the participants Julita Kholiyo from Mulanje district commended UNDP Malawi for the training describing it as "timely". She said the entrepreneurship skills gained from the training will help her to boost her shop business.

Among others, the participants at the two days long training which started on Tuesday and end on Wednesday, will be drilled on productive use of energy, business idea generation, market research and financial management.

UNDP Partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone.
WILLIAMSPORT  Charges in a sexual abuse case related to the January double homicide in Williamsport were sealed because investigators feared the victims could be physically harmed or killed.

That was learned Thursday when PennLive obtained a copy of the previously sealed arrest affidavit that supports the Jan. 24 abuse charges against Troy Bennett Bailey Sr., 57, of Williamsport.

Neither the charges nor the affidavit were made public when Bailey was ordered held for trial following a Feb. 16 preliminary hearing.
Using the recent by-election held in Karonga, our political expert Joshua Mweneko, uses how MCP and DPP have been faring in Karonga since 2014 and questions how Afrobarometer generate its facts.

While AfroBarometer reserves the right of generating its own opinion on the landscape and feed the population with that, the Malawi Barometer herein presents a quick reality check on the spheres of elections.

DATA RECORDS

Data, below, is presented without prejudice and emotions, with focus between MCP and DPP for the purposes of scaling their relative popularity growth or decline. The said data has been retrieved from the Malawi Electoral Commission website.

PERFORMANCE IN 2014 (IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES)

KAPORO WARD

DPP: 38.55%

MCP: 10.43%

CHILANGA WARD

DPP: 27.28%

MCP: 19.37%

RUKURU WARD

DPP: 38.47%

MCP: 11.18%

PERFORMANCE IN 2019 (IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES)

KAPORO WARD

DPP: 25.49%

MCP: 7.2%

CHILANGA WARD

DPP: 42.94%

MCP: 35.64%

RUKURU WARD

DPP: 22.98%

MCP: 15.04%

PERFORMANCE IN 2024 BY-ELECTIONS (IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES)

KAPORO WARD

DPP: 16.1%

MCP: 42.1%

CHILANGA WARD

DPP: 12.0%

MCP: 37.8%

RUKURU WARD

DPP: 18.5%

MCP: 32.2%

Observation

In relation to KAPORO WARD, the DPP's data shows a decline of 22.45% from 2014 data and a decline of 9.39% from 2019 data. On the other hand, the same data shows MCP's growth of 31.67% from the 2014 data and a growth of 34.9% from the 2019 data.

In relation to CHILANGA WARD, the DPP's data shows a decline of 15.28% from 2014 data and another decline of 30.94% from the 2019 data. On the other hand, the same data shows MCP's growth of 18.43% from the 2014 data and another growth of 2.16% from the 2019 data.

In relation to RUKURU WARD, the DPP's data shows a decline of 19.97% from the 2014 data and another decline of 4.48% from the 2019 data. On the other hand, the same data shows MCP's growth of 21.02% from the 2014 data and another growth of 17.16% from the 2019 data.

Commentary

It is now, now, a circumstantial fact, as inferred from the given sets of primary facts above, that DPP is a party cruising horribly and nicely on its downward path to political extinction and oblivion.

The trend can further be upheld as circumstantial evidence that DPP did not only manipulate the Presidential Election figures during the disputed 2019 election, but also extended its fraud activities to the other strata of the general election thereof (i.e. both the Local Government and the Parliamentary Elections).

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Without any fraud in its favour and without any fraud in favour of any side, the DPP appears to stand no chance whatsoever in asserting electoral victory of any kind at any level (including the Presidential level). This can be inferred from the several by-elections outcomes, including at Parliamentary level, that have implicated DPP as a perfect loser.

Conclusion

AfroBarometer may wish to re-interpret the data in a manner that would augment its bold statement of claim that Malawians (and I believe it refers to Facebook accounts) do not want the ruling MCP. In that interpretation, evidence might be necessary to support any inference that the ones who have voted the MCP candidates to victory are non-Malawians of known or unknown different nationality/nationalities.
There is no need for NATO troops to join Ukraines war effort against Russia while Kyiv holds the frontlines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated, after weeks of tentative speculation over whether alliance boots on the ground will be necessary to stem Russian advances.

In late February, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested it was not possible to rule out the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine to support Kyivs grinding war effort.

It is not unthinkable to put NATO boots on the ground, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski claimed.
By Julia Terruso, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Clout has learned heres been some serious turnover in Sen. John Fettermans office. In the last month, all three of Fettermans top communications staffers have left Capitol Hill.

Nick Gavio, who was deputy communications director, will leave the office at the end of March to take a new role with the Working Families Party. Fettermans former communications director, Joe Calvello, left earlier this month to work for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

And Emma Mustion, a press and digital aide, also left Fettermans office to work on the reelection of Sen. Bob Casey.

Gavio and Calvello, two veterans of Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign and Fettermans Senate campaign, offered nothing but nice comments about their new jobs. But Clout doesnt believe in coincidences, and it seems relevant that both are going to more progressive spaces, given that Fetterman has recently made a big deal of denouncing that ever-nebulous political label.

Fetterman has alienated some of his supporters on the left with his defense of Israels war against Hamas and his criticism of cease-fire activists. His office did not comment on the departures, but chief of staff Adam Jentleson said the office has already hired replacements.

Gavio said he is grateful for his time with Fetterman and is extremely proud and excited to become Mid-Atlantic communications director for the Working Families Party, overseeing the partys expansion into statewide and regional contests.

Calvello, who is from Chicago, said earlier in the month that he was deeply honored to work for Johnson, whom he described as a true progressive.

Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics.
One Pennsylvania congressman is not happy about plans to repair a Baltimore bridge that collapsed earlier this week.

During an interview on Fox Business with Maria Bartiromo on Thursday, Rep. Dan Meuser (Pa.-09) said he didnt think federal funds should be used to fix the bridge and criticized President Biden for pledging to do just that.

Yea, 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 thein the entirety, Meuser said. You know, he doesnt refer to it as the American taxpayer dollars on anything. The first reaction, frankly the only reaction, tends to be to spend.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed on Tuesday after a cargo ship lost power and struck a support pillar. Six roadway workers were killed in the collapse. Two other people were rescued from the water with injuries.

Biden said on Tuesday that the government would send whatever resources were necessary to Baltimore and promised to rebuild the area.

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, Biden said in remarks at the White House, according to The Hill. This is going to take some time, but the people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt.

Meuser, who served as Pa. Revenue Secretary under Gov. Tom Corbett, suggested instead using money set aside for electric vehicle infrastructure to help pay for repairs, or to seek funds from the Singapore government, where the cargo ship is registered, or pursuing the shipping companys insurance.

He didnt mention that the bridge carries Interstate 695, an alternative route passing Baltimore on I-95  and that both interstates are part of the federal highway system, according to The New Republic  funded as much as 90 percent by the federal government.

The New Republic also noted that the closure of the Port of Baltimore is costing about $15 million a day in economic activity.

We just cant take the easy route all the time and just try to spend the taxpayers money, Meuser said. Theres no thought. Just spend.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Wednesday that the federal government has about $950 million in funds authorized for emergency use but that money could cover only part of the final bill, which officials estimate could be as much as $2 billion.
Billboards are popping up around the Capital Region promoting a little-known state agency that some people may only learn of when they are accused of cheating the system.

The Office of State Inspector General has begun a pilot $240,000 marketing campaign to raise awareness of its mission, although it has some questioning whether the message it chose is getting the job done.
President Lazarus Chakwera has praised the enduring alliance between Malawi and the United States during bilateral discussions with members of the USA Congress consisting of five Senators, on Wednesday.

Highlighting significant contributions across various sectors including education, agriculture, and healthcare, President Chakwera emphasized the pivotal role of US support in addressing pressing issues such as the current food crisis in the country.

Led by Senator Patty Murray, (WA). Chair; Senate Appropriations Committee the congressional delegation reiterated the commitment to bolster cooperation, focusing on leveraging technology and modern agricultural practices.

Reflecting on the historical ties dating back to 1964, President Chakwera expressed optimism for further expansion and deepening of the relationship, despite challenges such as disasters and rising commodity prices stressing those fruitful discussions are what strengthen bilateral ties.

His Excellency stressed that the country needs a "paradigm shift" in terms of the financing for development that currently exists, adding that it is time for transformative strategies for Malawi and the continent in line with the Vision 2063 agenda.

President Chakwera went further by offering suggestions for areas of collaboration between the US and Malawi that need to be magnified, including comprehensive investment in the mining sector; enhancing capacity building; leveraging expertise in technology and software engineering by supporting partnerships with institutions like MUBAS; investing in infrastructure development including establishing efficient and sufficient road networks and sustaining open engagement and discussions on matters of mutual benefit including international peace and stability.

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Meanwhile the US delegation hailed the vast potential for collaboration in many areas in Malawi including mining and water and sanitation as well as partnerships in the agro-industry citing Macademia nuts as a prospective commodity that could open doors for partnership between the two countries, given the quality of the product in Malawi.

One of the senators also pointed out that the collaboration should provide solutions to not just the growing of Macademia nuts, but also the production.

Min of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nancy Tembo also hailed the collaboration with the US, saying the two nations share common areas of interest including children's welfare, and investment in minerals. Hon Tembo also said that the US' 2025 development strategy aligns with Malawi's 2063 blueprint.

Also in attendance during the discussions was Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Sam Kawale who thanked the US delegation for the existing partnerships that Malawi has benefited from including one with North Carolina State University, which provides for investment in research at Malawian academic institutions."
Resolute in helping conserve Kasungu National Park, Kasungu Wildlife Conservation for Community Development Association (KAWICCODA) is implementing a MK300 million project, seeking to enhance food and income securities of the people around the park.

Funded by Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme, interventions under the project include growing of high value crops, goat rearing and promoting household level woodlots, among others.

There is also a revenue sharing agreement between KAWICCODA and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) over the management of the park, with the association getting 25 percent of the profit from the tourism business, which it also invests in community empowerment enterprises.

KAWICCODA executes the interventions through its well-structured organogram, which, from top to bottom, comprises the following: a board of trustees, a 12-member executive committee, nine zone committees under nine Traditional Authorities (TAs) and 160 Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRCs).

Board Chairperson, Malidadi Langa, says the aim is co-management of Kasungu National Park with DNPW and "proving the contribution of working together as communities at all levels" in conserving the park.

Langa says the structures are "well-coordinated and networked" to effectively help implement community empowerment interventions and solve wildlife problems, including human-wildlife conflicts.

"The result is increased awareness and behaviour change towards wildlife in the park as our natural resource and our heritage and our identity. There is increased understanding that this is our own resource we can benefit from.

"There is also a decrease in actual negative coping behaviours towards conservation and deliberate or unknowingly encroaching into the park, for people now know this is a crime. They value the park, resulting in increased numbers of wildlife, among other visible benefits".

KAWICCODA is part of a success story involving nine community-led associations co-managing Malawi's national parks and wildlife reserves, found to be such well-organized and prudent structures, useful in sustaining the protected areas and wildlife.

Others on the spotlight are Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Association (NAWIRA) and Majete Wildlife Reserve Association (MWRA).

With inherent organograms--comprising village, zone and executive committees and boards, among others--the nine associations are anchored in the National Wildlife Policy as organs of community participation to benefit from conservation of parks and wildlife reserves they surround.

Established under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the associations help govern enterprises and interventions that economically empower communities to refrain from committing wildlife crimes.

MWRA, on the other hand, has 21 community-based organizations, above these are four zone committees under TAs Kasisi, Mwanza and Chapananga, then an executive committee and a board of trustees.

Davis Fredson Kaliza, Chairperson, says African Parks, which manages Majete Wildlife Reserve, uses these structures when providing health and education infrastructure and scholarships, among other community benefits.

According to Kaliza, the association annually gets 50 percent of the profit from a Game Capture Community Campsite inside the reserve, which attracts scores of tourists. MWRA, which invests the money in community development, got at least MK15 million in 2023 alone.

"Our aim is to ensure equal benefit sharing among the locals for their contribution to reduction of poaching, among other wildlife crimes. So, among other things, we build Community-Based Childcare Centres, under five clinics and school shelters.

"We also invest, for instance, in goat and chicken pass on and bee keeping, targeting at least 5000 households every year, which improves their livelihoods to stay away from poaching, encroachment and other wildlife crimes".

NAWIRA's organogram is similar to KAWICCODA's, except that this association has much more VNRCs and 18 zone committees under 14 TAs around Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. These structures implement community empowerment enterprises alongside African Parks, which manages the reserve.

The Kulera Landscape REDD+ Program--signed for a 30-year period between DNPW, US based Terra Globe and Total Land Care to generate and sell Verified Emission Reductions (VER)--earns NAWIRA at least MK150 million every two years, which it invests in community livelihoods improvement.

Chairperson, Crosby Gome, says the association, therefore, implements a farm inputs program through which it lends out seeds of high value crops to farmers.

"We lend out bean, soya and groundnut seeds and cassava cuttings, targeting 50 farmers per zone every year. Each farmer gets 20 kgs and returns 25 kgs to us so that we help other farmers in the same area in the next farming season.

"We also have a livestock pass on initiative involving chickens, goats and pigs. For instance, last year, we distributed 120 goats to 60 people, each received 2 goats. We also distributed 100 treadle pumps for irrigation".

Other associations are: Mangochi-Salima Lake Park Association, Nyika Vwaza Association, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve Association, Elephant Marsh Association, Lengwe Marsh Association and Upper Shire Association for the Conservation of Liwonde National Park.

The nine associations have mostly similar organograms and operation trajectory and achieving the same objective, resulting in the formation of Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Forum, a national umbrella body of all wildlife associations, aimed at enhancing the work and sustainability of the associations.

Joseph Nkosi, Ministry of Tourism Spokesperson, says the government, through DNPW, sees these associations as valuable partners to help with public education and awareness for conservation, hence they ought to be sustained.

"They are crucial as they offer various benefits including collaboration and advocacy. Their local knowledge proves crucial in addressing human-wildlife conflicts.

"The ministry is highly committed to sustaining revenue sharing agreements with KAWICCODA, Nyika Vwaza and other associations, for these agreements recognize the critical role associations play in conservation and tourism success".

John Adendorff, Park Manager for Majete Wildlife Reserve, says "the mutually beneficial partnership between MWRA and African Parks is a very successful program, which satisfies communities and requires sustaining, more especially the association".

"Consequently, Malawians are now proud of Majete as an incredible model, showing communities and conservationists working hand in hand while benefiting from the conservation happening around this place".

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Park Manager for Kasungu National Park, Ndaona Kumanga, says key is increasing revenue to KAWICCODA through increased tourism business, "for this will balance community livelihoods support with conservation".

"The association is an entry point, enabling us to sensitize communities, more especially on human-wildlife conflicts involving elephants. We want people to know the behaviour of elephants".

Timothy Chana, Community Development Manager for Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, says African Parks "is pleased to implementing community-owned enterprises originating from the bottom up approach amplified through NAWIRA, which makes the efforts sustainable".

"NAWIRA's own interventions are also crucial for, as African Parks, we cannot meet all the needs and demands for the different projects communities have".

Malidadi Langa, who is also CBNRM Forum Executive Director, says the network is, therefore, important for improvement of coordination, effectiveness and sustainability of all the associations, through their own "nerve center" of fundraising and service provision, focusing on capacity building, among other areas.

"Most of our members do not have any professional staff. They also need to be trained on basic financial management, basic programming, project supervision, leadership and business management for improved co-management and sustainability of protected areas".

Nkosi says the Ministry of Tourism "strongly supports" the CBNRM Network Forum "as it allows wildlife conservation associations to connect, share knowledge and develop best practices, leading to significant improvement of conservation across Malawi".
Fifteen Cloquet middle school students and three high school students and their research mentors attended the state science fair last week. From left to right back row first: Johanna Bernu, Alex Ren (East HS), Kalli Buskala, Annastyn Hagen, Carly Ross, Aili Wilkinson, Anna-Sofia Bocanegra, Raelynn Wuollet. Middle row: Ethan Lavan, Simon Langer, Dr. Cynthia Welsh, Easton Mathews and Gabriel Bradley (Hermantown MS). Front row: Grace Lavan, Peyton Demenge, William Bauer, Jeremiah Bents, Finley Holz, Melanie Buhs, Isabelle Christensen-Macor, and Gianna Stahl.

There was much scientific banter about last week as 15 Cloquet middle school students, three high school students and their research mentors William Bauer and Dr. Cynthia Welsh attended the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair.

It was the 87th state science fair on March 22 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Each year, hundreds of middle and high school students from across Minnesota present original research to STEM professionals and compete for prestigious awards.

Cloquet students won the following awards.

 Grace Lavan, a senior, was awarded a bronze Grand Award medal, which is given to the top 15 percent of the projects at the fair for her project, "Meet the New Neighbor: Can Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) Establish Territories in Areas of Higher Human and Road Density Than Expected." Lavan also was awarded the Kailey Soller Woman in Science Impact Award, presented to a student who is expected to make an impact in the scientific world as demonstrated by their creative project idea, strong presentation skills, or unique way that they demonstrated the potential for their project to transfer into a product.

 Johanna Bernu, a junior, was also awarded a bronze Grand Award for her project, "Disinfectant Properties of Nuphar advena: An Ethno-pharmaceutical Approach." Bernu also won three special awards, the Community Innovation award, which recognizes a high school student whose project will better humanity and improve conditions in the local community; the Minnesota Environmental Health Association award, for excellence in environmental health science; and the Regeneron Biomedical Science award, which recognizes an exceptional high school student scientist who demonstrates an impressive command of biomedical science.

 Raelyn Wuollet and Melanie Buhs, both eighth-graders, were awarded the American Fisheries Society Aquatic Sciences Achievement Award, which recognizes projects focusing on aquatic science; winners receive a book and a fishing pole.

 Jeremiah Bents and Finley Holz, eighth grade, won the bronze Grand Award medal for their project, "Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) Movement Before, During, and After Deer Season on and Around the Fond Du Lac Reservation."

Contributed Students had the chance to explore the Science Museum of Minnesota when they were done presenting. Pictured L-R: Melanie Buhs, Gianna Stahl, Isabelle Christensen-Macor

 Also attending the fair from Cloquet was junior Ethan Lavan, and middle school students Anna- Sofia Bocanegra, Kalli Buskala, Isabelle Christensen-Macor, Peyton DeMenge, Simon Langer, Carly Ross, Gianna Stahl, Aili Wilkinson, Annastyn Hagen, Patrick Hill, and Bristol VanGuilder.

Lavan, Bents, Holz, Bradley and Mathews received professional support from Mike Schrage, a wildlife biologist with the Fond du Lac Resource Management Division.

Bernu was mentored and given lab space by Dr. Jessica Sieber, a University of Minnesota Duluth microbiologist.

Cloquet students' participation was supported by Cloquet Public Schools and the Cloquet Educational Foundation.
The time has arrived for Day 1c of the 2024 1,150 Irish Poker Main Event, sponsored by PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker. Last year, a whopping 1,108 entries were made at the Royal Dublin Society on the penultimate flight, leading to a new record in overall attendance. This year, every Day 1 has been record-breaking already, with 1,212 entries across the first two starting flights and a guarantee-smashing 1,395,225 in the prize pool, and time will only tell how big the field will get.

All players who register will be chasing Irishman Glen Keogh, who bagged the overall chip lead on Day 1b with a stack of 393,000 chips. Being only one of two Irish representatives in the top ten so far, the hosting country will be looking to add some more names to the upper regions of the leaderboard.

Irish Open Main Event Day 1a & 1b Top Ten Chipcounts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Glen Keogh Ireland 393,000 98 2 James Wickens United Kingdom 384,000 96 3 Firat Baltaci Netherlands 370,000 93 4 Jakob Linden Sweden 355,000 89 5 Alexander D'Souza Australia 353,000 88 6 Samuel Klocker Austria 341,500 85 7 Brian Moore United States 340,000 85 8 Pascal Baumgartner Switzerland 329,500 82 9 Aidan Quinlan Ireland 328,500 82 10 Niclas Thumm Germany 322,500 81

Glenn Keogh

With the likes of Irish all-time money leader Andy Black, EPT Prague champion Padraig O'Neill, and poker author and podcast host Dara O'Kearney, alongside many lesser-known local heroes, not having found a bag yet, Ireland still has some irons in the fire.

Day 1c will kick off at noon local time, with a 30,000-chip starting stack and blinds starting at 100/100. One reentry is allowed per player during the ten levels of late registration, and for those who get unlucky twice or simply prefer fast-paced poker, a turbo flight Day 1d will commence at 8 p.m. local time, with 20-minute levels instead of the regular 45-minute levels.

Irish Open Main Event Day 1c Structure

Level Small Blind Big Blind Big Blind Ante Duration 1 100 100 45 min. 2 100 200 45 min. 3 100 200 200 45 min. Break 20 min. 4 100 300 300 45 min. 5 200 400 400 45 min. 6 200 500 500 45 min. Break 20 min. 7 300 600 600 45 min. 8 400 800 800 45 min. 9 500 1,000 1,000 45 min. Dinner Break 60 min. 10 600 1,200 1,200 45 min. 11 800 1,600 1,600 45 min. 12 1,000 2,000 2,000 45 min. Break 20 min. 13 1,000 2,500 2,500 45 min. 14 1,500 3,000 3,000 45 min.

The PokerStars cards-up live stream will also begin today, operating on a 30-minute security delay. The action of Day 1c will be streamed live on their YouTube and Twitch channels, with the iconic duo of James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton providing commentary

The PokerNews live reporting team will be on the floor for the entirety of Day 1c, and will provide the chip counts of Day 1d once it finishes. So stay tuned to not miss any of the poker action from the Irish capital.
Trump showed up at a wake for a police officer to talk about how the killing of police officers must stop, after he incited the 1/6 attack that killed police officers.

Trump said, 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 way too often.

Video:

President Trump: We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and orderbecause this is not working. This is happening too often. pic.twitter.com/k5MQutyEsw To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.  MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) March 28, 2024

This is same Donald Trump whose actions before and during 1/6/2021 resulted in the deaths of five police officers.

As The New York Times reported, the 1/6 attack led to the deaths of five police officers:

In the days and weeks after the riot, five police officers who had served at the Capitol on Jan. 6 died.

 Officer Brian D. Sicknick of the Capitol Police, who was attacked by the mob, died on Jan. 7.

 Officer Jeffrey Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department killed himself after the attack.

 Officer Howard S. Liebengood of the Capitol Police also died by suicide four days afterward.

A bipartisan Senate report, released in June, found that the seven deaths were connected to the Capitol attack. But the report was issued a month before two Metropolitan Police officers  Gunther Hashida and Kyle DeFreytag  died by suicide in July.

If Donald Trump doesnt organize and incite the mob to attack the Capitol as part of his plot to remain in power by delaying the certification of the 2020, it is possible that each of these five police officers might still be alive today.

Donald Trump is currently being sued by seven Capitol police officers for the 1/6 attack.

Friends and family of the officers who lost their lives due to the 1/6 attack or the trauma caused by the attack have said that Trump played a significant role in the deaths.

Trump is no friend of law enforcement and his publicity stunt on Thursday should not reported on without mentioning the police blood that he has on his hands from the 1/6 attack.

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In what should be viewed as a last gasp move to revive his impeachment investigation, Rep. James Comer has asked President Biden to testify.

Comer asked Biden a bunch of questions that have already been answered, then closed his letter to the President by asking him to testify:

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. 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.

The Committee is open to accommodating your schedule but proposes April 16, 2024, for the hearing to occur. The White House may contact James Mandolfo or Jake Greenberg with Committee staff at (202) 225-5074 to ask any questions regarding this hearing. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate any matter at any time under House Rule X. Further, pursuant to article I, section 2, of the Constitutionthat the House of Representatives . . . shall have the sole Power of Impeachmenton December 13, 2023, the House of Representatives formalized an impeachment inquiry into this and other matters.

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Once President Biden stops laughing, the answer to Comers request will obviously be no. If Chair Comer had any evidence of an impeachable offense, he wouldnt need Bidens testimony.

Comer has no evidence that Biden did anything wrong, so his letter is basically asking Biden to save his impeachment investigation by testifying.

Joe Biden wont be testifying before the Oversight Committee. Biden isnt going to help Comer revive his dead impeachment investigation by lending it credibility with his testimony.

Chair Comers letter was one of the final moves from a desperate man who knows that his impeachment investigation is dead and gone.

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In a clever new ad, President Biden made an appeal to Nikki Haley specifically in the states and areas where Trump struggled the most.

Video:

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The Clever Strategy Behind The Appeal To Haley Voters

In a statement, the Biden campaign explained their strategy:

Using the recent Republican primary results to determine the ads placement, this seven-figure, video-centric ad flight will run for three weeks in eight key battleground states, targeting Nikki Haley voters in predominantly suburban ZIP codes where she performed well against Trump. The ad will run across a wide array of digital platforms including Meta, YouTube, connected TV, and online video.

Donald Trumps campaign is cash-strapped and bleeding the voters needed to win this election  particularly in the suburbs. Trump has consistently underperformed with moderates and suburban voters in the primaries  losing moderate voters outright to Haley in North Carolina and underperforming in key suburban counties, including Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham and Orange counties. In Michigan, Trump saw his margins in the suburbs dwindle, namely in Oakland and Washtenaw counties near Detroit and Ottawa and Kent counties near Grand Rapids. As Trump loses ground, derides women, and threatens to ban abortion nationwide  Joe Biden is reaching across the aisle to Haley voters, inviting them to join his growing and winning coalition of voters who will decide this election.

It is a very smart strategy that will appeal to voters that Donald Trump keeps saying that he doesnt want. Trump should want every voter. He lost the election by acting like and his MAGA fans were enough to win and they werent. However, Donald Trump has learned nothing, and his making the exact mistake that cost him in 2020.

The 2024 presidential election is looking like a base election that might be decided in swing state suburbs. While Trump prepares for his criminal trial, President Biden is appealing to voting and laying the groundwork for success in November.

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A sitting federal judge took the extraordinary step of warning of tyranny after Donald Trumps attacks on Judge Juan Merchan and his family overseeing the criminal hush money case.

Its very disconcerting to have someone making comments about a judge, and its particularly problematic when those comments are in the form of a threat, especially if theyre directed at ones family, US District Judge Reggie Walton told Kaitlan Collins on CNNs The Source. We do these jobs because were committed to the rule of law and we believe in the rule of law, and the rule of law can only function effectively when we have judges who are prepared to carry out their duties without the threat of potential physical harm.

This might be a good time to remind everyone that throughout his career, Walton has been appointed by Republican presidents including George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan.

I think its important in order to preserve our democracy that we maintain the rule of law, Walton stressed. And the rule of law can only be maintained if we have independent judicial officers who are able to do their job and ensure that the laws are, in fact, enforced and that the laws are applied equally to everybody who appears in our courthouse.

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Walton explained the importance of speaking out, warning that without a viable court system, we have tyranny.

I think its important that, as judges, we speak out and say things in reference to things that conceivably are going to impact on the process, because if we dont have a viable court system thats able to function efficiently, then we have tyranny. And I dont think that would be good for the future of our country, and the future of democracy in our country.

Donald Trump is barred from publicly targeting witnesses, prosecutors, jurors and court staff in the hush money case, but that didnt stop him from targeting the Judge and his daughter.

You know Donald Trump. Hes the guy who will target someones kid with stochastic terrorism if he thinks it will buy him something he wants. And so it is that the ex-president has been attacking Judge Merchans daughter.

Trump was told by the limited gag order in the Manhattan DAs criminal case against him that he cant talk about the DAs staff, court staff, witnesses, jurors, or the lawyers and their staff. But he *can* talk about the DA and the Judge.

And the Judges family.

Former President Donald Trump lashed out against Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan and his daughter, ***** Merchan, once again Thursdayan attack that comes just weeks ahead of Trumps first criminal trial and two days after the judge issued a limited gag order in the case, Forbes reported (edited original quote to remove daughters name).

Forbes continued, Trump furthered his scrutiny of Merchans daughteridentifying her by name and saying she is a Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me, though the former president didnt provide evidence to back up his claim.

The former president claimed Merchans daughter works for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, extending a criticism he made on Truth Social earlier this week noting she worked as an executive at a progressive political consulting firm, Authentic Campaigns, which Biden is a client of, according to the firms website.

Joyce Alene pointed out, When Trump paints a bullseye on a Judges back, his followers respond. He knows this. His followers have demonstrated their propensity towards threats and even violence over and over again, as when a Texas woman threatened to kill Judge Chutkan.

5/When Trump paints a bullseye on a Judges back, his followers respond. He knows this. His followers have demonstrated their propensity towards threats and even violence over and over again, as when a Texas woman threatened to kill Judge Chutkan. https://t.co/cgRGd4QU1M  Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) March 29, 2024

Lest anyone think this is hyperbole (which would require forgetting January 6th, the caravan lies, and so much more), recall that Republican Senator Mitt Romney was paying $5,000 a day to protect his family from his partys own voters after the insurrection. Additionally:

Other Republicans were warned off of voting to convict Trump in the second impeachment with echoes of terrorism in effect: Think of your personal safety, said another. Think of your children.'

THINK OF YOUR CHILDREN. This is the world in which Republicans are willing to operate, that they cede power to this dangerous, anti-American inciter of a terrorist attack against the U.S. government, because they are AFRAID.

These elected Republicans are not heroes; rather, they are the worst kinds of cowards  people who knowingly allow this man to continue to target other peoples family so long as their own is safe.

If Donald Trump isnt specifically prohibited from aiming his violent supporters at someone, he will do it. This is the man the Republican Party has ceded all control and power to. They are fine unleashing him on the U.S. and her people, so long as they themselves arent targeted.

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A Black grandmother from Texas can finally move on from the states aggressive prosecution of her provisional ballot cast in 2016 that was never counted as a vote. Yes, there is finally justice for Crystal Mason as her conviction for illegal voting was reversed, resulting in an acquittal, in what is seen as a major victory for voting rights.

The Texas Second Court of Appeals on Thursday reversed the conviction on Thursday evening after the court said the condition that there is proof the person knew they were ineligible was not met in this case, as there was no evidence Crystal Mason knew she was ineligible to vote when she cast her ballot.

Mason was originally sentenced to five years in prison for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion, even though she believed she was fulfilling her civic duty and didnt realize she was ineligible to vote.

I am overjoyed to see my faith rewarded today, said Crystal Mason. I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no one else has to face what Ive endured for over six years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack. Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman. I thank everyone whose dedication and support carried me through this time and look forward to celebrating this moment with my family and friends.

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The case thrust Mason, who is Black, into the political fray amid a Republican-led crackdown on voter fraud, partly fueled by baseless claims of rampant illegal voting, the Texas Tribune pointed out.

Its a victory that Mason was finally acquitted of this obvious voter intimidation tactic, but it also never should have happened. If we look at the larger point of laws like Texas voter laws, we see that they have a chilling effect on Black voters, which serves Republicans purposes. So Republican laws are working to intimidate voters who often do not vote for them.

The conviction of Mason and subsequent harassment is meant to serve as a warning to others not to vote.

We are very glad that the court followed the rule of law. It is clear that the states prosecution against Crystal was malicious and purely politically motivated, Kim T. Cole, the civil attorney for Crystal Mason said.

The states prosecution specifically stated that they wanted to send a message to voters. They deliberately put Crystal through over six years of pure hell. She woke up every morning not knowing if that would be the day that her freedom would be stolen from her.

And that is exactly the point of these laws: To send a message to voters who tend to vote for Democrats. It is nakedly partisan and wickedly anti-freedom.

It shouldnt be lost on people that it is Republicans who keep getting convicted for intent to commit voter fraud. Just yesterday, a Georgia judge ruled that Brian K. Pritchard, the vice chair of the state Republican Party and a conservative talk show host, voted illegally nine times by voting while on felony probation for check forgery. Even though he claimed that the 2020 election was fraudulent, he will only need to pay $5,000.00, so his life is not being upended, nor is he being subjected to harassment as the face of illegal voting.

This kind of thuggish attempt to frighten opponents into not voting is a clear indication of the authoritarian leanings the Republican Party has embraced under Donald Trump. Freedom is precious, and very hard to keep.



Image: American Civil Liberties Union
The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has commended National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) for taking an active role in raising awareness and promoting water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services at the grassroots level.

Speaking in Lilongwe when she opened a two-day learning event on WASH in health facilities, Chiponda observed that NICE is working closely with other organizations in improving sanitation by creating demand for sanitation services and promoting good sanitation behaviors.

"I didn't know that NICE is also involved in water issues. I was thinking that NICE would only come out to provide civic and voter education in 2025," jokingly said the minister.

Chiponda assured NICE of her ministry's commitment to working with the organization to raise more awareness on WASH services in all the corners of the country.

NICE District Programme Officer for Zomba, Kondwani Newa, said using its rights-based approaches to water and sanitation as well as maternal health service delivery, the organization has been promoting the aspect of governance in the water sector.

Newa said NICE believes that service delivery can only improve through good governance.

"NICE is building the capacities of citizens on the demand side of governance to be able to identify vulnerabilities and claim their rights. At the same time, we are building the capacity of the duty-bearers on the supply side of governance to be responsive," he narrated.
Cesar Chavezs family endorsed President Joe Biden on Friday, after RFK, Jr claimed that the civil rights leader would have voted for the Independent who is flirting with running on the Libertarian ticket.

Fernando and Paul Chavez, the sons of the late co-founder of the United Farm Workers, are endorsing the president on Friday, the Biden campaign told CBS News. The family already has close ties to the campaign as Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the granddaughter of Chavez, serves as the presidents campaign manager, Ed OKeefe reported for CBS News.

The bonds of affection and respect for a president who by his character and actions consistently reflects the genuine legacy of my father, Cesar Chavez, Paul Chavez said in a statement.

The Biden-Harris campaign manager is actually Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who is the granddaughter of the late civil rights leader. She told CBS, Today, my grandfathers bust sits in the Oval Office  a reminder that President Biden understands the power of organizing and working people and recognizes the impact of my grandfathers legacy to continue to mobilize our communities into action. In an election that will determine the fate of organized labor, our Latino community, and our democracy, I could not be more humbled to accept the support of my family as one of many that will power us to victory in November Si se puede!

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is hoping to ride to whatever victory means to him on the power of his name, which evokes Camelot for many American voters  but his own family do not support his candidacy.

However, the Chavez family were outraged after RFK, Jrs campaign used a photo of his father sitting with Chavez in 1968.

When we saw Bobby Kennedy begin to use images of my father, and then when we heard about this event in L.A., it really prompted us to stand up and to make sure that people understood that the Chavez family does not support his campaign, Paul Chavez, Fernandos brother, said to the LA Times. Weve never seen anybody go as far as using that image for political gain, Andres Chavez, Pauls son, said of Kennedys campaign event invitation.

The Libertarian Party and RFK, Jr. have been in discussions for him to run on their ticket, something they are said to see as mutually beneficial.

Libertarianism, however, stands against Civil Rights and its not quite as oblique a stance as they have tried to whitewash it to be.

In 1991, the libertarian economist who co-founded and named the Institute was complaining about protections against sexual harassment noted that the start of the evil can be pinpointed precisely: the monstrous Civil Rights Act of 1964, specifically Title VII, prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, sex, and other possible characteristics.

It is impossible to reconcile the hostility toward any kind of legislation protecting against violations of civil rights with a stated support for civil rights. The entire reason we need laws to protect civil rights is because people traditionally in power (white men of money  the face of the beneficiaries of Libertarian policy positions) abuse and violate these fundamental freedoms without laws prohibiting it.

Libertarianism is about freedom for those who already have it. Its about maintaining the status quo and protecting the wealthy elites behind it from having to be accountable for respecting other peoples freedom. But it sounds great on the surface and is an easy sell to mostly young white men and women who havent faced personal adversity.

From the basement of ones parents home in the suburbs, donning a cowboy hat to wax on about freedom can be part of growing up. But at some point, most peoples growth encompasses learning about history and having experiences outside of their own that open their eyes to why laws protecting civil rights are needed.

Those reasons and that compassion and growth are why people of integrity support laws that protect EVERYONES freedoms, not just those currently in power.

Cesar Chavezs family endorsed President Biden, sending a clear message to voters that only one candidate in this race embodies the compassion, respect, and integrity that Cesar Chavez led with. Aligned with Cesar Chavezs legacy, President Biden has shown unwavering support for labor rights and civil rights  this endorsement confirms just that, the Biden campaign said in an email.

President Biden earned the support of those who value civil rights and champion the rights of workers through decades of support, which he has continued as president. And thats really the point. Anyone can use an image to sell themselves to voters as some kind of Civil Rights hero, but do their actions support that? Do their policies protect those rights?

If not, voters should ask why they are trying to mislead people.

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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.
As North Augusta heads into a high stakes public hearing on April 1, the meat of the matter  a changed development plan for Riverside Village  was aired before City Council March 25 after gaining a half-hearted recommendation by North Augustas planning commission the week prior.

That hesitance among commissioners, shared by many citizens, stemmed from the anticipated parking and traffic concerns that could arise from a project that yields 25% more housing than it was initially designed to hold.

The main trouble? Per citizens comments last week, its the 170 apartments proposed for Parcel K, the property next to the Crowne Plaza parking deck and closest to Hammonds Ferry.

But the change for Parcel K, to those 170 apartments, isnt a big change from the 168 units of senior living originally intended for the property.

Though somewhat of a catch-all, senior living, according to city administrator Jim Clifford, would have manifested not as assisted living or a nursing home but as age-restricted independent living  more akin to the market-rate apartments now being proposed  this due to certain acreage and siting requirements of the other two designations.

North Augusta City Council members whove been involved with Riverside Village from the beginning  Pat Carpenter, David McGhee and Eric Presnell  affirmed this understanding.

Still, officials say they get it, the wariness over parking and traffic.

I would put the fault on us that we have not proven the parking down there, so when you see extra development coming in you automatically assume that Its not going well down there right now  how do we trust that it will go well in the future? But I think thats what the council is committed to, Councilwoman Jenafer McCauley said.
Charleston International is earning its naming stripes again as Air Canada resurrects a dormant route between its homelands most populous city and the Lowcountry.

The carriers first cross-border flight to Toronto from South Carolinas busiest airport is set to depart March 29. The inbound leg, which was scheduled to arrive late Thursday, was sold out.

Air Canada is putting the international back into Charleston International, said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston and chair of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, which owns and operates the airport. The international connectivity from this flight is exciting.

The Montreal-based airline previously served the Lowcountry with the same connection to Toronto Pearson International from 2001 to 2002. It was the local airports first regularly scheduled nonstop flight to a city outside the U.S.

More than two decades later, the carrier is making its return with daily nonstop service to the Ontario capital and business metropolis northwest of Buffalo.

At the same time, the airline is simplifying the process for travelers. Passengers flying into Canada, back to Charleston or connecting for an overseas flight will clear customs in Toronto. Travelers with layovers will have their bags cleared to be checked to their destination.

Elliot Summey, CEO of the aviation authority, called the convenience a big deal, by streamlining the process for passengers while also cutting the extra costs associated with international flights, which typically require CHS to open its Federal Inspection Security area.

Summey noted that when British Airways served Charleston with nonstop service to London in 2019, it cost the airport an additional $5,000 per flight. He said hed like to see the day when multiple overseas flights keep the inspection area open all the time.

Maybe one day well get there but, in the meantime, this process is a great opportunity for us, Summey said.
Google isnt wasting any time getting to work on one of its two planned data center sites in Dorchester County.

The Silicon Valley internet search and marketing company has filed for a permit this month that would allow it to clear timber and install erosion controls on property in a rural area near St. George.

The subsidiary of technology giant Alphabet Inc., using the alias Project Pecan, has asked the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control for approval that would also allow the mass grading of 325 acres and construction of access roads to the site.

The permit application, which the agency is reviewing, would also allow construction of four stormwater detention ponds. Nearly 9 acres of wetlands would be filled by the work if approved, according to the request.

A Google spokesman said March 28 that the company had no update on potential construction of the data center at the intersection of U.S Highway 78 and Pecan Tree Road. In February, Google said it planned to hold on to the property near the county-operated Winding Woods Commerce Park for future needs, depending on business conditions.

Google, which uses numerous aliases in its economic development pursuits, bought the property through Gannett Enterprises LLC. Its part of a pair of land deals near rural St. George that netted the company roughly 567 acres for about $25.5 million.

The data center would join another that Google has planned for the countys Pine Hill Business Campus, located on U.S. Highway 17-A west of Summerville. That $510 million project is also in the permitting stages and appears to be further along, with both water and electric deals lined up.

Data centers like the ones Google operates use large amounts of power and water to run and cool their banks of computer servers, although the company and the utilities providing those resources say the totals are a secret.

Google has not said how many jobs the Pine Hill project will create, but data centers typically arent big employers.
Most humanistic settings require a certain posture from the participants. A boxer enters the ring with his fist clinched and somewhere near his chin. A baseball player places a glove on the non-throwing hand and leaves the dominant hand free to throw the baseball once caught. The guitar play Read moreOur posture tells the story
Parliament passed a Cannabis Regulations Amendment Bill on Thursday which seeks to authorize the cultivation and production of local variety also known as Chamba.

The bill met a stiff opposition from other members of the August House including Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo and other members of DPP who proposed a reference back to the Legal Affairs Committee and other relevant committees.

The House witness DPP members briefly walking out of the chamber to protest against the bill when it was going into committee stage but they came back.

In his comment, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo explained that government wanted the bill to be taken to local authorities for consultations as there have been some growing fears of assessment on mental health in the country.

Mvalo said, "We have been told by health experts that consumption of Chamba really cause mental health hence we need to do comprehensive consultations."

Then, Member of Mangochi South West Shadreck Namalomba concurred with minister to allow further consultations on the bill.

Namalomba persuaded, "We need to consult tradional and religious leaders because laws are made from traditions."

But mover of the motion MP for Lilongwe South Peter Dimba dismissed the Minister's idea to refer back the bill for more consultations and revealed that on Wednesday he met the minister and other committee members and it was agreed to pass the bill.

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During winding up, Dimba emphasized that the is no any clause on the provisions of the bill which stipulates about cannabis to be used for recreation. He said if the bill operationized Malawi shall realize over $700 million yearly.

"It is of my conviction and my believe as a religious man, that this bill shall not affect anyone else. It is about making local people benefits and change our mind set." He added.

He therefore pleaded with the authorities to make licenses for cultivation of local variety to every one and ensure control of the practice.

In his comment, Member for Machinga North East Idi Kalosi supported the bill and gave an example that he has grown tobacco for over 30 years but none of his children have taken a smoke of cigarrate.

He alleges, "Those people trying to broke this bill are very rich than anyone else because of this crop, so let it people grow and share the benefits.
LADSON  After years of back and forth over using part of the fairgrounds for a county bus system park-and-ride location, the story could soon be coming to an end.

The Charleston Area Transportation Authority, CARTA, is looking to present a final offer on six acres owned by the Charleston Exchange Club  a parcel the club worries will cost more in lost revenue than it would gain in Coastal Carolina Fair attendees that would ride to the annual event.

The property along Highway 78 by the main fairgrounds entrance represents 3 percent of the Exchange Clubs total 180-acre fairground property and about 10 percent of the current parking availability.

One of the first things (fair leadership) said is they dont make money off parking cars, they make money off the gate, Ron Mitchum, executive director of Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, told The Post and Courier. So if we bring more people to the gate who dont have to park, thats a good thing for them.

Todays leadership isnt so sure.

Plans to purchase fairgrounds property dates to a 2016 CARTA study to assess the best stops for the area's first Lowcountry Rapid Transit Line. The currently designated 21.3-mile route would extend from downtown Charleston to Summerville, connecting residents to not only the fair, but jobs, health care and education year-round.

A portion of the Ladson fairgrounds was identified as a prime park-and-ride location after years of review and other land considerations failing to size up.

CARTA and BCDCOG started a conversation with the Charleston Exchange Club in April 2020 hoping to build a partnership so they'd all be on the same page when the time came to make a final deal, Mitchum said.

An email from an Exchange Club member in December of that year stated the board was eager to make this project a success and believed the land conversion "will be very beneficial to the public and the Fair.
"This case has very important consequences for South Carolina beaches," Cedzo said. "The Conservation Leagues members will be affected by its outcome on Isle of Palms and our interests are not adequately represented because DHEC is a regulatory agency."

After Hurricane Idalia in 2023, Rom Reddy said he built the wall to protect the foundation of his Ocean Boulevard home, then buried the wall under sand. When the December 2023 nor'easter exposed the wall, Reddy began to reconstruct it.

The states Office of Coastal Resource Management issued the Reddys a cease-and-desist directive for the unauthorized work in January, and again in February.

Reddy claims the wall is on his private property, not in a critical area or on the active beach, and that DHEC is using its power to convert private property into public property by claiming jurisdiction over the area where the wall is built.

DHEC filed a petition for injunctive relief in the South Carolina Court of Administrative Law in February  along with a temporary restraining order  to prevent the Reddys from further installing the retaining wall in the critical area of the beach.

The Conservation League fully supports the legal arguments made by DHEC, James said. Through this request for intervention, we aim to validate the department in its efforts to remove this seawall from the beach.

Reddys attorneys asserted in a response filed on Feb. 23 that DHEC's actions are an "unconstitutional exercise of power."

If allowed to intervene in the proceedings scheduled for April 18, the Coastal Conservation League and South Carolina Environmental Law Project intend to support DHEC's arguments.

"This is by far one of the most flagrant and egregious violations of the state's ban on new sea walls on our beaches, said Amy Armstrong, executive director of S.C. Environmental Law Project. For over 30 years, since the legislature explicitly banned sea walls, the law has acted to protect the beach, which belongs to the people of South Carolina. These actions have taken that public resource and converted it to private use. This cannot stand."
A 24-year-old man will spend 40 years in prison for the 2021 slaying of a Georgia construction worker at a West Ashley apartment complex.

A Charleston County jury on March 28 found Karseem Hardaway, 24, guilty of murder and possessing a weapon during a violent crime.

Circuit Judge Deadra Jefferson said Hardaway will receive credit for the nearly three years he spent in jail waiting for trial.

The sentencing concluded a four-day trial where prosecutors laid out the case that Hardaway shot David Conner, a 59-year-old Statesboro, Ga., resident after Conner returned home after work on July 13, 2021.

Conner was in Charleston for a construction job with Sack Construction as an onsite foreman. He was living in a short-term rental at Bolton's Landing with another foreman at the time of the shooting. Hardaway was staying at his sister's apartment in the same building.

Prosecutors said that on the evening of July 12, 2021, Conner confronted a man about talking too loudly on the phone outside of his front door. When asked to quiet down and move away, the man told Conner to "go (expletive) himself."

Conner reported the confrontation to property management in a voicemail before 10 p.m., asking for the man to be removed from the area because Conner worried "it was not a good situation."

Prosecutors said the man Conner complained about was Hardaway. Call log evidence indicated he was on his phone around the time of Conner's complaint, they said.

Conner was found dead in his doorway less than 24 hours later with a gunshot wound to the back of the neck. Law enforcement found a 10 mm casing nearby.

Ring camera footage and phone records showed Hardaway walking out of his sister's apartment a few minutes after 5 p.m. on July 13. Hardaway told police he left to go a gym on Daniel Island. Conner arrived home at about 5:30 p.m. after finishing a call with his wife on the ride home. Leasing office security footage and roadway cameras captured Hardaway's vehicle at the apartment complex until after Conner's return.
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
CLOVER  For the second time in five months, Jason Manos is on the ballot.

But he's enjoying the additional campaigning, battling against native Clover resident Darnella Lindsay in the April 2 Town Council special election.

"I don't mind running again," said Manos, 51, who moved to York County's northernmost municipality less than three years ago. "I get to meet more great people. I love the people here and I am humbled by their support."

Clover's open seat became available after then-Councilman Bo Legg won the mayor's seat in November. In that same election, Manos' first council campaign came up six votes shy of success. Incumbent Amy Nivens retained her seat with the narrow margin, confirmed after a York County Elections Office recount.

Tuesday's winner joins the council in the middle of the town revamping its comprehensive plan. A draft of the plan was posted on March 20 on the town's website, and public meetings are scheduled May 10 and June 5.

Lindsay could not be reached for comment.

Clover's population grew by 31% between 2010-20, according to the 2020 Census, or 1,577 new residents that decade, ballooning the town to 6,671 residents. It's projected to approach 9,000 by the end of the decade. Town officials attribute growth to its proximity to Charlotte and the job opportunities there.

"Sometimes growth happens so quickly government forgets about the people who've been living here their whole lives," Manos said. "I want to make sure we're doing it right."

He related his experience watching his small town in New York grow to a point that it became a different, less friendly place.
Monrovia  Opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Acting Chairman Janga Augustus Kowo has urged ex-officials to resist members of the Assets Recovery Team when their actions are not backed by the court's order.

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Asset Recovery Team, established by President Boakai through an Executive Order to identify and retrieve stolen government assets as well as assets acquired through acts of corruption, seized a vehicle belonging to the former Inspector General of Police, Col. Patrick Sudue, and several taxis reportedly owned by the former Chief of Protocol of George Weah's administration, Madam Finda Bundo.

Speaking early Thursday morning on Voice of Liberia Radio Station, the CDC Acting Chairman described the action taken by the Assets Recovery Team over the seizure of a vehicle belonging to former Inspector General of Police, Col. Patrick Sudue, and several taxis with the inscription "Gracious Ride," believed to be owned by the former Chief of Protocol to former President George Weah, Madam Finda Bundo, as a political process that does not bode well for Liberia.

Mr. Emmanuel Gonquoi, a member of the Asset Recovery Team, told reporters that the team is carrying out investigations on some properties that were bought or acquired using stolen money from the government.

"So, those yellow cars you see, we have some intelligence and we're using that intelligence to investigate how those vehicles were acquired. We're not jumping to a conclusion; these vehicles are plying the streets without proper documents. We're now beginning to see that something might have happened," Gonquoi said.

Another vehicle impounded by the team was a Toyota Land Cruiser which the former Inspector General of Police, Col. Sudue claimed to have purchased from the General Services Agency in line with its policy on depreciated vehicles.

According to the Deputy Director-General of the GSA, Mr. Robert Wilson, the vehicle belongs to the Liberia National Police. He said the Asset Recovery Team would carry out its investigation to ascertain the condition of the vehicle vis-a-vis the amount for which it was purchased from the GSA and if it was acquired through the right procedure.

Said Wilson: "According to Patrick Sudue, he bought the car using the GSA process, we saw it, we'll verify. It is a fact that you can purchase any asset from GSA... This car, they'll evaluate it as GSA based on how much it was purchased, if the investigation shows that we can reclaim it, we'll reclaim it and turn it over to the government. If the investigation shows that the process used was dubious and the money paid in government revenue was too insignificant compared to the condition of the car, we'll reimburse and take the car back."

Wilson said the Asset Recovery Team would leave no stone unturned in retrieving government's assets, irrespective of who may be in possession of them.

"Even people connected to the President will not be allowed to carry any vehicle that was acquired illegally or stolen from any ministry or agency, we'll not allow that. We have put our lives on the line to ensure that we do things differently. If nobody would do things differently, Wilson who is the Deputy Director-General for Operations and in the asset recovery team will ensure that I do things differently," Wilson said.

CDC Acting Chairman, speaking early Thursday morning during a radio presentation, urged ex-officials to use force and resist the Assets Recovery Team when their actions are not backed by the laws of Liberia.

"If the government is taking the law into its own hands by harassing private citizens, it is very dangerous. If they are doing things without going to court, if they get in the streets without a court order and they harass people, the people have the right to self-defense" - CDC Acting Chairman Kowo said.

He added: "The government does not have the right to see people's property and seize it. There are processes laid down in the country. If you have the situation where citizens must be evoking the self-defense right against the government, you can imagine that you (government) are trying to incite chaos and we are saying that the government is the author of that chaos."

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According to the CDC Acting Chairman, the taxis that are believed to be owned by the former Chief of Protocol of George Weah's administration, Madam Bundo, are operating legally. He urged the team to go to court and produce their evidence before making any arrest.

"I saw some yellow taxis. Those taxis belong to private individuals and those taxis were registered and issued licenses by the government of Liberia, and we see the Assets Recovery Team without a court order take those taxis to GSA. That is shameful, that is reckless, and it is unacceptable. They should desist from that because if you think a taxi belong to the government, you must go to court and adduce your evidence in court and the court will send an order to arrest it but if the government is taking the law into its own hands and harassing private citizens - it's very bad," Kowo said.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 22:00:56

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JERUSALEM, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / 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. 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 SecurityC2A 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 ContactEstee YaariC2A Security estee.yaari@gmail.com SOURCE: C2A
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 22:34:37

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From hydrogen to energy hungry data centers, chemistry is essential to solving the biggest challengesNORTHAMPTON, 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 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: The Chemours CompanyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chemours-companyEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: The Chemours Company
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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 /Elite Credit Counsel , whose dedicated specialists help people to take back control of their credit profiles, has added a new service to its client-focused programs: Identity Theft Protection. The innovation continues the company's commitment to empowering its clients and joins a full suite of services that include Credit Counseling, Credit Analysis, Credit Score Improvement, Expedited Repair, and Credit Monitoring. Founder Alonzo Gallaread says, "We are thrilled to offer one central location for all individuals who need expedited help with their credit repair, whether it is personal or business. We cannot wait to assist them so that they can achieve their own goals through the power of credit." Elite Credit Counsel was created to solve an industry-wide issue: how individuals could repair their credit quickly and without the need for multiple agencies. Alonzo, who has worked for over seven years in the industry, says that while credit impacts many aspects of a person's life, until now it has been difficult to find a one-stop shop that could efficiently help with all of them."Whether a person aims to buy a home or a car or perhaps start a business, their credit score is important," he confirms. "The problem was the lack of convenience. When they tried to fix their score in order to get a mortgage, they worked with one agency. Then, when that was done and they wanted to have their own company, they had to search for another agency for help. That doesn't even include identity theft protection. It was very inefficient and even chaotic, so we created Elite Credit Counsel as the one place they can go no matter the credit issue that they have." Since its establishment, Elite Credit Counsel has grown quickly and largely organically, which Alonzo explains is due to the company's emphasis on practicality, speed, and education. The company's team works closely with individuals so that they fully understand the process and procedures behind repairing credit scores, crafting action plans, implementing strategies that potentially lead to expedited repair, and monitoring suspicious activity that can impact credit scores.Identity Theft Protection, the latest service offered by Elite Credit Counsel, is designed to safeguard the identities of clients and protect their sensitive information. "We have created a range of tools and resources that can lock in the identity of a client and keep it out of the hands of thieves," says Alonzo. "It represents our belief that in order to be successful, we must be the one place that clients can turn to when they need help concerning their credit." Alonzo invites everyone to visit www.Elitecreditcounsel.com so that they can learn more about the company's fast-growing credit repair services. "We understand that good credit is very personal and a lifelong priority," he says. "No matter what life stage they are in, we will always be there for our clients and have their back." About Elite Credit CounselElite Credit Counsel is committed to helping clients to repair their credit with its expedited programs and has helped thousands of clients to achieve their goals and build lives of stability. Its team of specialists understand that credit repair is more than just sending a letter to the bureaus - it is about having the proper education and procedures to get the job done correctly and quickly. By staying up to date with the latest trends, regulations, and strategies as well as prioritizing knowledge, integrity, and authenticity, Elite Credit Counsel's team is redefining the credit repair industry.To learn more about Elite Credit Counsel and its services, please visit itswebsiteor contact:Alonzo Gallaread877-405-6183support@ elitecreditcounsel.info SOURCE: Elite Credit Counsel
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BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Haven Health Care Services, a company that provides a wide range of specialized home healthcare services, is pleased to announce that it has now grown to 37 locations, has achieved over $100 million in revenue, and is recognized as one of the largest Medicare billers in the state of Arizona. This is part of the company-wide expansion in the works since early 2022.Haven Health co-founder, co-owner, and managing partnerAlexander VanScoyksays that these significant milestones were reached as of Q4 2022. Since he acquired the company as a startup in 2016, the goal has always been to grow the team, expand services, and move into additional regions."At this point, we're up to a strong team of 1,500 employees, we've just hit $100 million in revenue, and we're now serving multiple states," says VanScoyk. "The business has truly transformed. We've grown our patient reach and now offer many services - home health, hospice, palliative care, and telehealth, among others." VanScoyk exited successfully in 2023 but remains invested in the company's progress and continues to consult for his former partners. "Haven was created with a mission to help patients receive life-changing care and comfort," says VanScoyk. "The goal was always to reach as many people as possible who needed these services, so it's been so exciting to expand the business with more and more services." He adds that the company's growth has led to even more jobs in Arizona and the other states that Haven Health now services. A primary focus of the expansion was to help the business grow to the point where it could support the associated nonprofit, the Haven Foundation."My business partner and I created The Haven Foundation to serve patients in rural communities in Arizona," says VanScoyk. "These patients have limited access to medical services because of a lack of health insurance. The foundation has grown because the company has grown - and that means more needy patients have been served with life-giving care." The Haven Foundation's growth has echoed the business side; as of Q1 2024, the foundation has donated over $250k worth of healthcare annually, equating to 1.5 million in total care provided. "Having grown up in a rural area, I am passionate about our work to help remove the typical barriers rural residents have to encounter when trying to obtain the medical care they need," VanScoyk shares.Due to the company hitting its growth milestones, Haven Home Health has been able to provide services to Medicare patients in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, and Illinois. VanScoyk and the rest of the team at Haven were driven to help patients receive the care they needed in the comfort of their own homes, and the entire team is elated by the company's success."We are optimistic about the company's sustained growth," says VanScoyk. While he has since refocused his attention to other startups, hoping to achieve the same level of exciting growth, VanScoyk believes that the future holds more expansion for Haven Home Health, and he trusts that the team he left behind will continue to grow the business and help as many patients as possible.About Haven Health CareHaven Health Care provides a wide range of services, primarily focused on offering senior care through a quality continuum of care in the comfort of their homes. This organization operates in various states, including Arizona, Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and Indiana, and seeks to provide excellence in healthcare and well-being for all patients. From its initial 3 locations in 2016, Haven Health has grown to a thriving network of over 40 facilities, including home health offices, hospices, telemedicine healthcare providers, and nursing services.Website: https://havenhealthservices.comwww.havenhhc.com Media contact: Alexander VanScoyk (480) 856-9779SOURCE: Haven Health Care
PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 23:01:24

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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 STATESTORONTO, 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 PelangioPelangio 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 CEOTel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@ pelangio.com Forward Looking StatementsCertain 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
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MISSISSAUGA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / On March 27, 2024, Pride Group Holdings Inc. and other applicant companies (the "Applicants") sought and obtained protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA") pursuant to an Initial Order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the "Initial Order"). Other companies affiliated with the Applicants (the "Additional Stay Parties", and together with Applicants, the "Pride Group"), although not applicants themselves, were granted a stay of proceedings as part of these proceedings under the CCAA (the "CCAA Proceedings") for the duration of 10 days, subject to extension thereafter as the Court deems appropriate.Certain companies in the Pride Group will file cases under Chapter 15 of Title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Chapter 15 Cases") seeking recognition of the CCAA Proceedings within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and other related relief.We have taken these steps to commence the CCAA Proceedings and to seek recognition under the Chapter 15 Cases so that we can maintain our current operations, stabilize our business, establish governance controls and monitoring, and develop a plan to restructure for the benefit of our stakeholders. We believe this is in the best interests of all of our employees, customers, business partners and other stakeholders.During the course of the CCAA Proceedings and Chapter 15 Cases, it is expected to be business as usual for the Pride Group as we continue to operate in the ordinary course under the protection of the Initial Order. We do not anticipate any disruption to the products and services we provide.The Pride Group intends to use the protections afforded to it by the Initial Order to reorganize and/or restructure its businesses to address short- and long-term goals. We are optimistic and confident that the Pride Group will emerge from these proceedings as a stronger company with stronger overall financial health.Ernst & Young Inc. has been appointed as Monitor in the CCAA Proceedings, and has retained Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as its legal counsel. The Pride Group has retained Thornton Grout Finnigan LLP as its Canadian legal counsel, and Linklaters LLP as its U.S. legal counsel, to assist the company with this restructuring process.About Pride GroupThe "Pride Group" is a family-owned, diversified group of companies that operates a number of business lines, including new and used truck and tractor sales, truck leasing and financing, logistics, maintenance and fuel sales.The business was founded in 2010 by Sam Johal and Jas Johal in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada), from one location as a used truck retailer. Since then, the company has grown to over 50 locations in North America and started various other lines of business that vertically integrate the companies services.After the pandemic, the North American trucking industry experienced a significant downturn that negatively impacted transportation asset values and increased delinquencies in the leasing business.Contact InformationJeevan SandhuMarketing and PRmedia@ pridegroupenterprises.com SOURCE: Pride GroupView the original press release on newswire.com
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ANCHORAGE, AK / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 /Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP) received a $150,000 grant from KeyBank to support its new Teacher Apprenticeship program, an effort to train and support new educators in attaining required certifications.The goal of the program is to respond to the workforce challenges facing education providers in Alaska and improve the retention of staff who might otherwise reach the end of Head Start's 3-year waiver period without certification. In alignment with University of Alaska Anchorage courses, Federal Head Start standards and developmentally appropriate practices"Early childhood education is the bedrock upon which our communities are built, and we realize how challenging it is to attract and train qualified educators who will help nurture and educate our next generation," said Alaska KeyBank President Lori McCaffrey. "We are delighted to support RurAL CAP's efforts to improve support and training for these much-needed professionals. Our mission is to help our communities thrive, and this program addresses a wide range of positive outcomes by helping committed teachers gain secure employment, with enhanced support throughout the challenging first years as early childhood educators, as they work to set our youngest neighbors on the path to success." "This grant will help foster a better work experience for new educators and create a pipeline to ensure ample early childhood education staffing on a consistent and reliable basis throughout Alaska," said RurAL CAP CEO Tiel Smith. "We are so grateful for this funding partnership with KeyBank that allows Early Childhood Education to be prioritized for our state. We are looking forward to our Teacher Apprenticeship program supporting Alaskans as educators of future generations." About Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc.Founded in 1965, Rural Alaska Community Action Program is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization with a mission to empower low-income Alaskans through advocacy, education, affordable housing and direct services that respect our unique values and cultures. RurAL CAP is one of the largest and most diversified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Alaska and the only Community Action Agency serving Alaska.About KeyBankKeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/ . KeyBank is Member FDIC.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Sandline Global, a leading agile advisory firm specializing in eDiscovery and investigations services, and KonaAI, a leading provider of anti-corruption and compliance management solutions, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering the capabilities of corporations in pro-actively monitoring and combating fraud.Sandline Global Logo Sandline Global LogoKonaAI is the leading, AI-driven solution for anti-corruption, risk, and compliance professionals. Kona AI offers an innovative solution tailored for corporations and law firm white collar investigations practices, providing advanced analytics for compliance, investigations, and internal audits. The easily deployed platform, built on decades of investigative and academic experience, utilizes machine learning and real-world transactional data to drive fact-based decisions that focus on the risk areas that matter most.Sandline Global, renowned for its innovative digital evidence solutions and global network of offices and data centers, will integrate KonaAI's robust AI-driven platform. This integration will enhance Sandline's ability to support complex investigations and proactive compliance matters by providing clients with state-of-the-art tools to identify and mitigate risks associated with corruption and fraud."Our partnership with Kona AI, paired with our eDiscovery and investigations services, uniquely positions us to assist law firms and corporations in managing their structured and unstructured data. This integration establishes Sandline as a distinctive one-stop shop for clients' compliance, disputes, and investigations needs," said Jon Canty, CEO of Sandline Global."KonaAI is thrilled to partner with Sandline Global. KonaAI's award-winning, AI-powered solution assists Compliance, Internal Audit, and Legal Professionals. We provide clients with accurate, actionable insights around white-collar investigations, anti-corruption, and fraud risk management. Sandline's reputation and global footprint will amplify KonaAI's entrance into new markets with a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive offering," said Vincent Walden, CEO of KonaAI.The partnership between Sandline Global and KonaAI represents a unique opportunity allowing both firms to support clients' unstructured and structured data needs. This joint venture offers organizations comprehensive, data-driven solutions to address these critical challenges.About Sandline Sandline Global is a premier agile advisory firm helping global legal teams escape the ups and downs of the eDiscovery quality rollercoaster. Sandline specializes in delivering innovative digital evidence solutions supported by a team of agile, proactive, and tenacious problem solvers. With a global network of offices and data centers in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific Regions, Sandline utilizes leading technology, custom workflows, and deep industry experience to support complex investigations and litigation matters. In addition to providing forensics, eDiscovery, and document review services, Sandline designs and supports iManage deployments for law firms and legal departments. For more information, visit https://www.sandlineglobal.com/ About KonaAI KonAI is the leading AI-driven solution for anti-corruption, internal audit, and compliance professionals. KonaAI's easy-to-use software and secure deployment models drive fact-based decisions that focus on the risk areas that matter to the regulators and stakeholders. For more information, visit https://konaai.com/ Contact Information Cara LemireVice President, Sales & Marketingnews@ sandlineglobal.com Patrick Grobbel, CAMS, CFEVice President, Business Development, KonaAIpgrobbel@ konaai.com Related ImagesSandline Global Logo Sandline Global Logo Kona AI Logo Kona AI Logo SOURCE: Sandline GlobalView the original press release on newswire.com
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / E Mortgage Capital, Inc. (EMC), NMLS# 1416824, is delighted to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the esteemed Potempa Team. This partnership is set to completely change the homeownership landscape by offering unheard-of growth and opportunities, with a client first mindset.Under Tim Potempa's direction, the Potempa Team contributes a history of success and brilliance to this collaboration. The team lead, Tim Potempa, has been recognized for his leadership and the team's commitment to providing exceptional customer service by being awarded the esteemed Top Originators Award by the Scotsman Guide for Most Loans Closed. The Potempa Team was named the #1 Team overall at their former brokerage, OneTrust Home Loans, demonstrating that their outstanding performance has not gone unnoticed. The Potempa Team secured the most volume of purchase business in the entire United States in 2023, reaffirming their position as leaders in the mortgage sector.The Potempa Team, having partnered with E Mortgage Capital, is now ready to take advantage of EMC's vast network of more than 200 investors. Through this partnership, they will be able to provide their clients with the greatest programs available and an even wider selection of services, making it easier than ever to realize their dream of homeownership. With E Mortgage capitals unique platform, loan officers can shop on their clients behalf, resulting in a white glove experience for all clients.The Potempa Team's remarkable array of achievements and dedication to excellence highlight the partnership's high upside potential. With the abundance of tools at EMC's disposal, the team is excited to help even more clients reach their homeownership goals in 2024.We are excited about this new phase and the marriage of the powerful platform of E Mortgage Capital with the award-winning service of The Potempa Team. This collaboration not only represents development and fresh starts, but it also reaffirms our shared commitment to making homeownership accessible and fulfilling for more families.Come celebrate The Potempa Team's arrival to the EMC family with us. We're about to set out on a joint journey that will bring about major accomplishments and enduring effects in the mortgage lending industry.Join E Mortgage Capital Today:Media Contact:Mary ReneContact: +1(855) 569-3700Email:help@ emortgagecapital.comWebsite:https://www.emortgagecapital.com/ SOURCE: E Mortgage Capital
-- As CSA Slashes Consultancy Budget by $2 Million

The Civil Service Agency has requested the General Auditing Commission to conduct a thorough audit of payroll compliance across all 103 spending entities in Liberia. This audit, covering the period from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, aims to uncover financial mismanagement and irregularities within the system, as highlighted by CSA Director General Josiah Joekai at a recent press briefing in Monrovia.

Concerns have surfaced regarding discrepancies, inefficiencies, and potential irregularities in the government's payroll system, with an excessive monthly wage expenditure of US$23,543,874.64 for 67,746 personnel.

An employee headcount exercise conducted in certain entities revealed discrepancies, including individuals unaccounted for and suspicions of ghost employees, the CSA boss revealed at the MICAT's press conference.

Citing an example was the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, the Office of the President, where 69 individuals could not be properly accounted for, signifying the presence of ghost employees. At the Liberia National Police, 98 employees remain untraceable, raising suspicions of fictitious personnel on the payroll.

Internal audits by the Internal Audit Agency consistently reveal issues that undermine the integrity and efficiency of the system, Joekai told reporters. These issues include payments for services not rendered, fraudulent payments, payments to ghost employees, and the continued payment of salaries to employees who have left their positions. The CSA Director General also highlighted the previous administration's spend of US$6.1 million on consulting services in the last fiscal year, despite the lack of quality provided.

He stressed the need for comprehensive reforms to address these issues is paramount, with the CSA requesting a forensic audit of its governance and fiscal operations from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023.

This audit, scheduled for July 2024, aligns with efforts to enhance the integrity and efficiency of fiscal operations. In a move towards fiscal prudence, the CSA has also reduced the consultancy budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal period by US$2 million, resulting in US$4.1 million in savings, compared to the previous administration's expenditure on consultancy services.

Additionally, the CSA will reverse all promotions and salary increments made during the period of the presidential directive in collaboration with the concerned spending entities.

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These measures aim to address the rampant financial mismanagement and irregularities within the civil service and pave the way for a more accountable and efficient system, according to the CSA Director General.

Moreover, the agency has taken steps to emulate former President George Manneh Weah's directive to suspend new employment and service contracts, ensuring accountability and efficiency within the civil service.

Weah, during the transitional period, issued a directive, suspending all new employment and service contracts across government institutions -- and regarding this directive, the CSA says it has blocked the salaries and removed from the payroll all individuals employed as of December 18, 2023.Joekai noted that his entity is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to finalize the payroll automation process. This initiative aims to transition from the manipulated Alternative Temporary Automated Pay System (ATAPS) to the more efficient Civil Service Management system. In the meantime, he disclosed that the CSA intends to keep the ATAPS version of the payroll accessible for the upcoming audits to ensure all discrepancies are appropriately captured.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Boeing Company ("Boeing" or "the Company") (NYSE:BA) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Boeing securities between October 19, 2019 and January 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA Case Details:The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period Boeing and certain of its executives failed to disclose material information in violation of federal securities laws including:(1) On January 5, 2024, a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines experienced an in-flight departure of an in-cabin door plug, causing the cabin to become depressurized and forcing an emergency landing.(2) On January 7, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a grounding order, stating that "Boeing 737-9 aircraft will remain grounded until operators complete enhanced inspections which include both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners" and that "[o]perators must also complete corrective action requirements based on findings from the inspections prior to bringing any aircraft back into service." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $20.00 per share, or 8%, to close at $229.00 per share on January 8, 2024.(3) Then, on January 9, 2024, news outlets reported that United Airlines had found loose bolts on exit door plugs during their FAA-mandated inspections of Boeing 737 Max planes. The reports also noted that Alaska Airlines said its initial inspections of the jets had turned up "loose hardware." On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $3.24 per share, or 1.4%, to close at $225.76 per share on January 9, 2024.(4) On January 11, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had informed Boeing it had launched a formal investigation into whether Boeing had failed to properly ensure its aircraft were safe for operation.(5) On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $5.18 per share, or 2.3%, to close at $222.66 per share on January 11, 2024. on January 12, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA would increase oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing processes. The FAA stated that a comprehensive audit set to be conducted on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 production line and its associated suppliers, specifically to assess Boeing's adherence to approved quality procedures, which could result in further audits.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $4.96 per share, or 2.2%, to close at $217.70 per share on January 12, 2024.(6) On January 16, 2024, Wells Fargo downgraded Boeing, citing risks associated with the FAA's inspection of Boeing's production.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $17.18 per share, or 7.9%, to close at $200.52 per share on January 16, 2024.(7) Finally, on January 24, 2024, news outlets reported that the FAA had announced it would not allow Boeing to expand production of the 737 MAX due to safety concerns related to the January 5, 2024 incident.On this news, Boeing's stock price fell $12.25 per share, or 5.7%, to close at $201.88 per share on January 25, 2024.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/BA or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Boeing you have until April 1, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / WalknTours, a company whoseappoffers smartphone-guided walking tours, has announced a significant expansion of its offerings with the launch of twenty new tours across Europe, starting with eight premier destinations as of spring 2024. The travel company seeks to transform the travel experience through their patented location-aware technology, and hopes to redefine exploration for tourists worldwide with its entry into Paris, Stockholm, Vilnius, Sarajevo, Verona, York, Athens, and Krakow.Explore European cities like Stockholm, Sweden with WalknToursThe new tour options will join WalknTours' current lineup of tours, which are offered in over sixty cities across the US, including Boston, Salem, Charleston, Savannah, Deadwood, Los Angeles, San Antonio and many more.Each walking tour is designed to be engaging, and they are all professionally produced. All tours, including the new European options, are intended to provide travelers with the freedom to explore at their own pace, guided by professional narration infused with thematic music and sound effects. The upcoming European tours will extend this immersive experience to some of the continent's most storied cities, each rich in history, culture, and beauty.The decision to expand into Europe makes a notable milestone in WalknTours' mission to empower travelers. The company's self-guided tours combine the flexibility of solo travel with the depth and engagement of a guided tour, and the app caters to a growing trend of independent, experience-seeking travelers."Our mission has always been to revolutionize the way people explore and experience cities," said Ezra Dunn, founder of WalknTours. "With our new European tours, we're inviting travelers to discover the rich tapestry of history, art, and culture at their own pace, guided by the stories and sounds that make each city unique." The company's offerings center around its proprietary app, which utilizes GPS technology to provide location-aware audio tours. Travelers can navigate through cities and receive narratives and insights as they move.WalknTours has over one hundred new tours currently in development. As the company has grown, Dunn says that WalknTours' vision extends far beyond its current library, with plans to cover cities around the globe. "We want to branch out into new cities all over the world," Dunn explains. "Our expansion strategy reflects our desire to grow our platform for self-guided walking tours. And we feel that our method offers solo travelers truly unparalleled access to the world's most captivating destinations." Discover hidden treasures like this wall art on a Svarco Street, near the former Jewish ghetto of Vilnius in LithuaniaDunn continues that WalknTours' self-guided smartphone tours offer options unavailable with conventional tours, which require adherence to preset schedules and routes. WalkinTours' patented location-aware technology provides a more flexible and personalized exploration experience, so that travelers can choose their own path through selected cities.WalknTours' autonomy is enriched with professionally produced audio, and the app's GPS-guided navigation ensures users never lose their way. This provides both freedom and guidance. In addition, the tours - including the new European tours - never expire. This lets users experience unlimited revisits to their favorite destinations, an ideal option for those seeking privacy and flexibility in their adventures."Our technology and content are constantly evolving," Dunn added. "We're working to craft experiences that inspire, educate, and connect travelers to the places they visit." He adds that the company will also soon be adding to their themed tours, which currently includeCivil Rightstours throughout cities such as Birmingham and Atlanta; andHaunted Historytours, with locations in Key West, San Antonio, and - of course - New Orleans.About WalknToursWalknTours is a company whose proprietary smartphone app offers self-guided tours in over sixty US cities. New tours are about to open in Europe. WalknTours uses GPS technology to narrate information about surroundings as users move so that solo travelers can explore at their own pace, on their own schedule, without depending upon group tours.Website: https://www.walkntours.com/ Contact:Ezra Dunninfo@ walkntours.com617-991-3269 SOURCE: WalknTours
Saudi Arabia has made its inaugural entry into Miss Universe 2024, Al-Monitor, a Middle East news platform, is reporting. This will be the first time the Arabic nation will compete in this global pageant.

The country, known for being reticent in social affairs, has shifted its conservative position in pageants.

Leading this historic move is Rumy Alqahtani, a model and influencer from Riyadh.

With a Bachelors degree in Dentistry, Ms Alqahtani is a prominent figure in the Saudi beauty industry and has participated in multiple global pageants.

She shared her enthusiasm for representing Saudi Arabia in the upcoming Miss Universe 2024 competition with her one million-plus Instagram followers.

This is the first participation of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe competition. I am honoured to participate in Miss Universe 2024.

I hold in my hands the colours of gratitude and love in my heart, appreciation and praise to all my friends worldwide. This support made me happy in gathering social media, and I hope to be in good faith.

I am happy because I am the first Miss Saudi Arabia to represent my country in international competitions. I love you. Thank you to all my friends for your support. I love you all, she wrote Wednesday.

Meet Rumy Alqathani

Ms Alqahtani is a 27-year-old model and influencer from Riyadh who has etched her name in history as the premier contestant to represent Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe 2024 contest.

Born in Riyadh, Ms Alqahtani has gained recognition for participating in global beauty pageants, including the recent Miss and Mrs Global Asian contest in Malaysia.

With a vast following exceeding one million on Instagram, Alqahtani unveiled her surprising participation through a post that depicted her standing alongside the Saudi Arabian flag, clad in an exquisite silver sequin gown, adorned with a tiara, and draped with a sash bearing the title Miss Universe Saudi Arabia.

She holds a bachelors degree in dentistry, and she is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.

Her career as a model has given her the chance to visit many cities and nations across the world, such as Egypt, Algeria, Rome, Naples, Cambodia, and Rome.

Pageantry Journey

Ms Alqtanis journey in the pageantry space is attributed to a roll of accomplishments.

Her achievements include winning prestigious titles such as Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia).

She has represented Saudi Arabia in various global competitions, including Miss Europe, Miss Planet, Miss Arab Unity, and Miss Asia.

In January, she graced the stage at the Miss & Mrs Global Asian beauty pageant in Malaysia, displaying Saudi Arabias rich cultural heritage through traditional attire.

Although she did not clinch the crown, Ms Al-Qahtanis popularity soared, raising her Instagram following from 870,000 to over a million by March 2024.

Personal Life

Ms Al-Qahtani has two sisters, Razan Al-Qahtani and Gedai Al-Qahtani.

Ms Al-Qahtani often shares her love for travel and her fondness for beautiful jewellery on her Instagram.

Her collection includes pieces from Bulgaris Diva Dreams collection and Cartiers Love bracelet.

Global Responses to Saudi Arabias Entry

The announcement of Saudi Arabias participation in the Miss Universe pageant has received widespread acclaim as a progressive move towards gender equality and openness.

Many see this decision as a reflection of the countrys evolving stance and efforts to champion womens rights.

However, the move has also sparked controversy and criticism among conservative Muslims, particularly in nations like Nigeria and Islamic countries.

Crown Prince Mohammeds Social Reforms

This move follows reforms implemented by Saudi Arabias 38-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which relaxed stringent social and religious laws.

Recent changes, such as lifting the ban on women driving, allowing women to attend mixed-gender events, and enabling them to apply for passports without male guardianship, have garnered international attention.

Expectations for more progress in freedoms, particularly for women, were raised when the Arabic nation, known for its strict interpretation of Islamic law and its allegiance to conservative factions, lifted its long-standing ban on women driving.

The Miss Universe 2024 competition, scheduled to be held in Mexico on September 18, will feature contestants from around the globe, including Iran, which is also making its debut.

The 2022 edition was significant, including transgender contestants and the first plus-size contestant to reach the semi-finals, highlighting the pageants commitment to inclusivity and representation.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to support the training of personnel in teaching hospitals and other tertiary health institutions to address emerging challenges in healthcare delivery.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this when he received a delegation of the management of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital at the presidential villa.

He noted that enhanced healthcare delivery is a top priority in President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to a post by the presidency on its X handle, Mr Shettima commended the institutions leadership for the strides recorded over the years. He reiterated that the current administration supports human capacity development in hospitals nationwide.

The delegation was led by the hospitals Chief Medical Director (CMD), Ahmed Ahidjo. Others were the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Sanusi Ibrahim; Director of Administration, Idris Omar; Director of Clinical Services, Modu Kagu; Director of Research and Ethics, Faruk Buba; Director of Training, Abubakar Mohammed; and Director of the hospitals Kidney Centre, Ibrahim Ummate.

Impact of training

Mr Shettima noted that training is essential and that Tinubus administration will explore all available opportunities to support the UMTH and other teaching hospitals in the country.

He added that they would seek partnerships from the private sector to help in that regard.

I want to commend the CMD and his team for providing quality leadership to the hospital and all their subordinates. There have been remarkable improvements witnessed in UMTH since his assumption of duty, he was quoted to have said.

In terms of staff morale, capacity building and the general outlook of the teaching hospital. The improvement has been massive. The expansion of the hospital from 600 beds to a 1305-bed facility and equipped with modern facilities.

The CMD has been proactive and aggressive in all he does, including sourcing for external funding.

Impact of support

Mr Ahidjo, earlier in his remarks, said the visit was to thank the vice president for his continuous support to the institution over the last 15 years or more and to present the scorecard of the hospital as well as plans.

He also noted that with the support of the federal government and other stakeholders, the hospital has transformed from a 600-bed to a 1305-bed facility equipped with state-of-the-art machines.

Besides building new centres for trauma, dialysis, cancer and stroke treatment, among others, the hospital boasts of over 100 professors in different areas of specialities, he said.

The CMD further requested more support from the government to enable the institution to achieve its objectives of being an international centre of excellence in healthcare delivery and personnel training through the construction of an electronic health institute to facilitate its digitalisation project.

Priority areas

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, had said building a resilient, equitable, affordable, and quality health system is one of his major priorities for the countrys health sector.

Mr Pate, in October 2023, listed his priority areas in a series of messages posted on his X page, noting that under his leadership, there will be smart and effective regulations and digitalisation of the health system.

Strengthening health sector governance and institutions, smart and effective regulations, digitisation, enhancing citizen voices and our responsiveness, and making sure no one is left behind, he noted.

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Birnin Kebbi to a teaching hospital for the College of Health Sciences, Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK).

According to the institutions Head, Information and Public Relations, Jamilu Mohammed, the approval was conveyed to the Vice Chancellor, Muhammad Umar, a professor, in a 13 March letter signed by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa.

This approval is a further testament to the passion and commitment of Mr President aimed at ensuring that Nigerians get the best healthcare at an affordable cost, and to increase much-needed Human Resources for Health in our country, the letter reads in part.

The minister mandated the university to engage the management of the Federal Medical Centre, now known as Federal University Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, to upgrade their facilities for teaching and research purposes.

Appreciation

The vice-chancellor expressed delight over the development and said the university would do all it takes to consolidate the gains that the upgrade provides.

The statement further noted that the university has set up a committee headed by the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Katsina State, Bello Shehu, a professor, to work out modalities for implementing the upgrade.

The Committee is co-chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of FUBK, Aliyu Turaki, a professor, he said.

Similar steps

Last month, Mr Tinubu directed the upgrade of certain health facilities across the country including cancer-treatment infrastructure in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

He also said 10 critical healthcare service expansion projects would be carried out across the fields of radiology, clinical pathology, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac catheterisation in 10 hospitals across the country.

FUBK was established in 2013 alongside the federal universities in Gashia, Yobe State and Gusau, Zamfara State.

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A Nigerian nurse, identified as Elizabeth Offier, who was suspended over misconduct by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) now risks being struck off from the agencys register.

A panel of the Fitness to Practice Committee of the NMC had earlier suspended Ms Offier for six months for impairment of her fitness to practice arising from misconduct, but this was questioned by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA).

PSA filed an appeal in March 2023 because it said the penalty imposed by the panel was not sufficient for the protection of the public. It asked the court to quash the decision and substitute a striking-off order.

This was revealed in a 21-page judgement exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, which Justice Sheldon approved on 26 March 2024 after a hearing held on 6 March at the Royal Court of Justice, London.

Another panel review hearing held on 23 August 2023 which Ms Offier failed to attend decided to impose a further period of suspension for 12 months, with a further review to be held at the end of the new punishment period.

The NMCs panel found that Ms Offier was dishonest on different occasions with her employers, and she admitted to having breached the order due to financial reasons.

How it happened

Ms Offier was admitted to the NMC register in March 2004, having worked as a nurse in Nigeria for several years. In November 2018, she registered with Pulse Healthcare Limited  a nursing agency and worked through them at two Foundation Trusts.

On 11 April 2019, the registrant worked a night shift at a hospital that was part of South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. During this shift, it was alleged that she signed a patients chart with another nurses initials to indicate that both she and her colleague had attended to the patient.

On 22 and 23 April 2019, she also worked the night shift at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, where it is alleged that she failed to give three patients intravenous antibiotic medication and failed to give insulin to two other patients.

She is alleged to have signed patient records indicating that she had administered medication when she had not.

Ms Offier failed to attend any of the meetings scheduled by Pulse to discuss whether she had been in breach of contract, after which her contract was terminated.

However, on 11 October 2019, Pulse made a referral to NMC and on 27 August 2019, the registrant applied for employment with another agency- First Call Healthcare Agency, and refused to disclose in the application form that she had worked for Pulse or Standby Agency  another agency with whom she had been registered.

She confirmed that the information provided was accurate and completed a Qualified Staff Questionnaire, where she indicated No that she had never been the subject of a disciplinary or investigation by an employer, or had been referred to NMC.

NMC conditions

The NMC Investigating Committee imposed some conditions in relation to the administration of medications and imposed an interim condition of practice order on the registrant for 18 months.

The conditions imposed by the committee were that the registrant should ensure that she was supervised by another registered nurse at any time that she was working and that she had to give a copy of these conditions to any agency with whom she was registered to work.

However, Ms Offier did not notify First Call of the conditions and in December 2019, through a routine check of NMC records, First Call discovered that the registrant was subject to conditions imposed by NMC.

On learning of the conditions imposed by the agency, First Call examined its records and realised that the registrant had worked one-night shift on 7 December 2019 as the only nurse in charge at a care home.

In reaction, Ms Offier explained that she had never intended to hide anything as such conditions of practice are all made public by NMC. I am sorry if it has caused inconvenience.

ALSO READ: US charges 18 Nigerian nurses with certificate forgery

Ms Offier was eventually dismissed by First Call and a referral was made to NMC, leading to her being subjected to an interim suspension order by NMC. This continued to be in force until the hearing before the panel.

As of 3 May 2020, Ms Offier reached out to an investigator at NMC stating that she had not intended to breach the terms of the order when she worked a night shift alone.

She explained I was in such a financial difficulty that I went to do a shift in a nursing home where a senior carer was also on duty. I sincerely apologise for having done this out of financial desperation and I strongly state here that I will never do such a thing again.

Ms Offier failed to appear and was not represented at a hearing before the panel on 9 March 2023.

Appeal, panel findings

According to the court document highlighting the panel findings and Ms Offiers work history and proven misconduct, NMC, as the first respondent in the case, has conceded the appeal.

While Ms Offier, the second respondent did not appear before the Court, Mr Sheldon noted that she indicated that she was not prepared to consent to being struck off the register and that she made no representations as to why the appeal should be dismissed.

However, the appeal proceeded in the absence of the registrant after the counsel for the PSA, David Hopkins, indicated that he would seek to put before the court the arguments that the registrant might have put had she attended.

The NMCs panel found that Ms Offier had dishonestly failed to disclose information to a future employer about the existence of two previous employers and that she was subject to investigation by that previous employer.

It also found that she had dishonestly failed to disclose information to her employer that conditions had been imposed on her by NMC.

The panel also found that the registrant had worked one shift for the employer in breach of the condition that she should be supervised by a registered nurse.

Court disposal

Mr Sheldon in his comments admitted that the panel fell into error by finding that none of the six forms of dishonesty that are most likely to call into question whether a nurse should be allowed to remain on the register were met.

While PSA contends that any sanction less than one of striking off was not sufficient for the protection of the public, it also argued that the panel failed to give adequate reasons that striking off was disproportionate.

I do not need to reach a final view on this ground, as I have already found that the panel made several errors and so its decision was wrong, the judge said.

In his conclusion, Mr Sheldon said: Accordingly, I will allow the appeal but remit the decision so that the question of sanction can be looked at in light of the findings that the panel made, but also the findings that the panel should have made. I shall consider further submissions from the parties as to the appropriate form of the order for remittal and on any other consequential matter.Exclusive: UK authority suspends Nigerian nurse over dishonesty, may strike name off register

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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.

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The Nigerian government has announced a support package worth N1.6 billion for ginger farmers in three states and Abuja.

The Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this at the launch of the Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce support Initiative in Kaduna on Wednesday.

The support falls under the GRATE package, which stands for Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment.

Mr Ibrahim said 15,000 ginger farmers from Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the FCT were affected by the recent ginger blight epidemic in the country, which coincided with a period of significant growth in ginger exports.

He said the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) reported an increase in revenue from ginger exports, reaching N10 billion in Q2 of 2023, compared to N4.6 billion in the same period in 2022.

He emphasised that the task force was established in response to the epidemic crisis.

At the first instance, the federal government through the NADF is providing support valued at N1.6 billion, starting with 1 ha input packs aptly named the GRATE package, which is the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment.

The recent ginger blight epidemic affected an estimated 15,000 farmers across Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa States, and the FCT, occurring at a time when our country had started to experience significant growth in ginger exports, he said.

Mr Ibrahim detailed the support package for ginger farmers, which includes 1pc 20kg bag of high-yield seed variety, 4pcs 50kg bags of NPK fertilizer, 2pcs 50kg bags of urea, 2pcs 1kg bag of fungicide, 1pc 1ltr of insecticide, 2pcs 1 litre of herbicide, and 1pc 2 litre of post-emergence herbicide.

He expressed the teams eagerness to witness ginger being grated in rural communities again in the immediate term.

In her remarks, the Technical Assistant on Agriculture, Office of the Vice President, Marian Moon, said the presidency is addressing agriculture and ginger farming as part of the governments renewed agenda programme.

She highlighted the global demand for Nigerian ginger, citing Mexicos efforts to grow it due to its high quality.

She also encouraged farmers to boost ginger production in the country.

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, represented by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, praised the federal government for its support for the affected farmers in the state.

He lauded the quality of the states ginger, describing it as one of the best in the world, and urged farmers to remain committed to their farming endeavours.

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Greetings

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his 72nd birthday.

Mr Aiyedatiwa stated this in his heartfelt message titled: Happy 72nd Birthday to our President and Leader on Friday in Akure.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, who likened the President to the late sage and former Premier of the Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, said it was no coincidence that they shared the same birth month.

The governor also described Mr Tinubu as an incurable subscriber and executioner of progressive politics meant for the advancement of humanity and the society at large.

As our leader, I am in awe of your uncanny ability to take bold decisions in the overall interest of the people and live with the consequences that may come off thereafter without caving in under pressure.

Your leadership of the country at these trying times and the stability you have brought despite the myriad of challenges further validate the litany of stellar achievements you recorded when you governed Lagos from 1999 to 2007.

We will continue to appreciate your genuine interest in and commitment to the development of Ondo State as exemplified by the fatherly role you played in entrenching political stability in our state when we needed it the most.

As you celebrate your birthday today, it is my prayer and the prayer of the good people of Ondo state that you continue to lead the country to a safe harbour in good health and comfort, Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

President Tinubu turned 72 on Friday, though he had earlier told his friends, political associates and supporters not to place congratulatory advertorials in his honour to mark the day.

The President said he would not celebrate the day given the countrys mood but dedicate himself to rebuilding the country by providing effective leadership.

NAN

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Residents of Enugu metropolis have expressed concern over the consistent poor power supply to parts of the city as they begin preparations for the Easter celebration.

A cross-section of electricity consumers in Agbani Road, Achara Layout, Uwani and Coal camp areas told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that their businesses were collapsing.

In separate interviews, some said they stayed several days without electricity, and even when it came, it barely lasted as long as one hour.

A welder, Hyginus Nweze, whose workshop is at Agbani Road, Awkunanaw, told NAN that he has been having sleepless nights over the lack of electricity.

I am suffering due to a lack of power supply for about five days now, and I have collected many jobs from people, and unfortunately, I cannot do them because there is no light.

Honestly, it is very bad. Let EEDC please help us. I am begging, Mr Nweze said.

A liquor operator in the Uwani area, Maduka Ezeani, also said that the lack of electricity has drastically affected his business.

In this hot season, if your drinks are not chilled, you lose customers, and that is exactly what I am passing through.

Sometimes, we stay days without light, and even when they bring it, it will be in the middle of the night and before 5 a.m., they take it again. It is terrible, Mr Ezeani said.

A hotel manager, also at Uwani, Agnes Okoro, said the case of hospitality operators was worse as they spend most of their little profits on diesel, trying to satisfy their customers.

It has been very difficult for us in this hotel business due to irregular power supply.

To keep customers happy, you need to run at least 12 hours on diesel; if not, you lose your guests regularly, she said.

Meanwhile, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has assured its consumers of steady power during the Easter celebration.

The EEDCs Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, gave the assurance in an Easter message in Enugu on Friday.

Mr Ezeh assured the people of the South-east of the preparedness of the organisations technical team to attend to any fault that might occur during the period.

Customers are equally encouraged to use the convenient, easy and safe electronic payment channel EnergyPay to recharge their meters and pay their bills during the holiday period, he added.

(NAN)

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-- Says the President is favoring his kinsmen over other Liberians; Claims that 14 Out of every 20 appointments the President makes come from his native Lofa County

The Resident Judge of Criminal Court 'C', Blamo Dixon, has added his voice to a debate over the alleged inclusion of several members of President Joseph Boakai's tribal members into top governmental positions.

Judge Dixon raised concerns regarding the alleged prevalence of nepotism and tribalism in President Joseph Boakai's appointments, citing a disproportionate representation of individuals from Lofa County in government roles.

"I have observed that every ten (10) persons appointed in government by President Joseph Boakai, seven (7) of those persons hail from Lofa County," Dixon claims. "For every twenty (20) persons appointed in the government, fourteen (14) of those persons hailed from Lofa County. Yet, there are blunders made in the appointment process that need to be corrected," Judge Dixon noted. Adding, "President Boakai's latest batch of appointments is no exception."

Judge Dixon spoke on this issue during an event at the D. Twe Memorial High School last week, when he served as a guest speaker at the Induction and fundraising program of the leadership elect of the D. Twe Memorial High School in the New Kru Town Community, Monrovia.

While Dixon did not provide details to justify his claims against the President, he emphasized the need for transparency and fair practices in the appointment process.

While the Constitution grants the President of Liberia the authority to nominate and appoint officials with the Senate's consent, Dixon highlighted a historical pattern of relatives and kinsmen serving in government positions under past administrations, spanning various political backgrounds.

The most famous examples, Judge Dixon said, were Presidents Samuel K. Doe, Late Dr. Amos C Sawyer, Gyude Bryant, Charles Taylor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and George M. Weah.

"The True Wig Party, Charles Taylor, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government were all dominated by Americo-Liberian inhabitants," Dixon noted. "Samuel K Doe's government was for the Krahn people. Amos Sawyer Government was for the Movement of Justice in Africa and the Students' Unification party at the University of Liberia Group. Gyude Bryant's government was for the disbanded Warring Factions and George Weah's government was for the South Easterners."

Dixon further informed the students that it was under the People's Redemption Council regime of President Samuel K Doe that constituted the People's Theft Court, after the 1980 coup d'etat, which court is referred to as the first judicial circuit, Criminal Court 'C' for Montserrado County to fight corruption.

"The said court remains the only Anti-Corruption court responsible for adjudicating corruption and economic crimes cases; such as Economic Sabotage, Money Laundering, Theft, and theft related cases," Dixon emphasized.

Discussing corruption as a societal issue, Judge Dixon stressed the importance of combating practices like tribalism, nepotism, and favoritism as forms of corruption

He described corruption as a social menace that is gradually eating the fabric of the Liberian Society and needs to be eliminated.

"Corruption is not only limited to stealing money, but tribalism, nepotism, and favoritism are all forms of corruption," Dixon noted.

An evaluation of the President's appointments thus far indicates a notable concentration of officials from Lofa County, the President's place of origin.

The appointments have seen various key positions filled by individuals from Lofa County, including roles like the Mayor of Monrovia, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Internal Affairs-designate, Ministry of Youth and Sports, LISGIS, Deputy Minister of Public Works, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the head of the Liberia Revenue Authority, the Minister of Education, Deputy Minister for Administration, General Services Agency, Assistant Minister for Special Services, Minister of States without Portfolio, Managing Director, Liberia Telecommunications Corporation, Director, and General Corporation Development Agency.

Out of the initial 39 government officials appointed before February 8, 2024, fifteen hail from Lofa County. There has been more since that time -- an indication that there is no clear departure from the past when it comes to Presidents favoring their kinsmen for top jobs.

However, other counties, as of February, had received varying numbers of ministerial positions. Bong County was allotted three ministers; Bomi, Grand Bassa and Nimba Counties, two cabinet officials each; and Sinoe and Grand Cape Mount Counties had one cabinet minister each.

Southeastern Liberia, which comprises six counties, including Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, Maryland, Grand Kru, Rivergee, and Rivercess, had received a single ministerial position at that time.

These developments contrast a commitment President Boakai made that he would ensure a fair distribution of ministerial positions across counties to prevent any single group from dominating the government. He emphasized the importance of promoting national unity and inclusivity in governance during his campaign. However, the current composition of the government has stirred differing opinions among Liberians and various groups nationwide.

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Meanwhile, Judge Dixon also commented on the process of dismissing tenure holders, recommending a fair and transparent approach that aligns with administrative law and civil service regulations. He said the process was marred by inefficiency and errors.

He said that if President Boakai was interested in dismissing tenure holders, he should have invited them to a meeting and requested a performance report for the period they had served under President George Weah.

"Thereafter, a way forward can be derived because under the administrative law or the civil service code, you have to dismiss an employee before he or she can be replaced with another employee," Dixon argued.

"Two persons cannot do the same job at the same time or simply put it two persons cannot occupy the same office at the same time."

Judge Dixon's remarks underscore the significance of ethical governance and accountability in public service appointments and the need to address corruption in all its forms for the betterment of Liberian society.
Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support the fight to end the Tuberculosis epidemic in Nigeria by 2030.

Mrs Tinubu made the donation Thursday during her investiture as the Global and National Stop TB Champion at the State House in Abuja.

According to a statement signed by Mrs Tinubus media aide, Busola Kukoyi, other first ladies from the 36 states were also honoured as Stop TB champions in their various states.

Mrs Tinubu, a former lawmaker, also dedicated the investiture to Daniel, one of my staff, who unfortunately lost his life to the disease and to others who we have lost just like him by remaining silent.

Starting from now, let us work together by showing compassion, and understanding to end stigma and discrimination.

According to the World Health Organisation, TB is a disease caused by a bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that often affects the lungs.

WHO said a total of 1.3 million people died from TB in 2022, including 167,000 people with HIV. Globally, TB is the second leading infectious killer disease after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS).

Nigeria is ranked sixth and first country with a high burden of TB in the world and Africa respectively.

Nigerias commitment

Mrs Tinubu applauded the role of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in raising awareness which has led to a significant improvement in case finding, treatment, and coverage of the disease.

Let me acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels towards addressing the TB epidemic, following the adoption of the Political Declaration at the United Nations High-Level Meeting held in New York in September, 2023, she said.

She added that President Bola Tinubu is also fully committed to the fight against tuberculosis and achieving the goals outlined in the Political Declaration, alongside other national goals towards ensuring a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.

Speaking to the Stop TB champions, she said: This designation is not just a title, but it carries with it the power to make a difference.

I kindly appeal that you all use your exalted positions to amplify awareness about Tuberculosis, to end the stigma associated with it, and to help patients in your respective states access the available treatments and support.

Progress

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Global Stop TB Partnership, Geneva, Lucica Ditiu, appealed to Nigeria to mobilise domestic resources for the purpose of addressing the scourge.

While she commended Nigerias efforts in eradicating TB, Ms Ditti said: Nigeria has a huge burden of TB, it is not a shame, it is not a problem.

There is a big ambition, and there are amazing achievements that have taken place. Nigeria used to have about 70 per cent missing cases of TB but in 2023, Nigeria had 70 per cent TB notification. So, the country cannot go back. Nigeria cannot afford to perform worse afterward.

She said: Nigeria doesnt need technical assistance to fight TB. Nigeria knows how to diagnose, detect, and treat their people. There are innovative ways to source the needed funds for TB response, especially from the private sector.

Nigeria has leaders who care about the health of their people. The African nation needs a lot of push, lets do what we can to end TB. This is a collective effort.

Nigerias response

On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the government is currently equipping the Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) with essential facilities and personnel to deliver comprehensive services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of preventable diseases such as TB.

Mr Pate stated that efforts at ending the TB epidemic in Nigeria resulted in the expansion of TB treatment services (DOTs centres) to about 22,000 health facilities and GeneXpert equipment  a rapid molecular test for TB.

We are scaling up the use of digital X-ray with artificial intelligence for TB screening among key and vulnerable populations (including children) as we currently boast of 51 mobile digital X-ray platforms nationwide within the program, and an additional 350 digital X-ray machines will be available before the end of June 2024, he said.

As part of our diagnostic optimisation plan, we have also instituted a strong specimen referral network utilising a hub-and-spoke model that was responsible for the transport of over 2.4 million samples in 2023 for TB tests.

The minister added that the government is adopting an all-of-society approach through collaborations with the private sector and the community in the fight to end TB in the country.

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President Bola Tinubu has joined the Christian faithful to commemorate Easter, a significant moment and glorious celebration of the triumph of life over death.

This was contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President on media and publicity, on Friday in Abuja.

He said the President greeted Christians in Nigeria and around the world on this occasion, emphasising love, sacrifice, and compassion as the patent themes of this solemn season.

Mr Ngelale said that Mr Tinubu noted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity as a lesson for leaders and Nigerians to yield to selflessness and compassion and be steadfast in pursuing a united, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

He said the President commended Nigerians for the sacrifices they made in the past few months for the nation to be steered to the path of recovery and sustainable growth.

The President is assuring Nigerians that the seeds of patience they have sown are beginning to sprout and will, in no time, bring forth an abundance of good fruits.

As Christians celebrate the victory of life over death as exemplified by the resurrection of Christ, President Tinubu assures all citizens that Nigeria will triumph over its challenges as his administration remains firmly committed to this end, Mr Ngelale said.

(NAN)

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A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has faulted the declaration of eight suspects wanted over the killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State.

Some suspected residents of the Okuama Community, on 14 March, 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.

In response, the Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, declared eight suspects wanted over the murder of the military personnel.

Lawyers kick

Reacting via a post on X handle, on Thursday, Mr Effiong said the declaration by the Nigerian military authority was illegal.

The Lagos-based lawyer said the police, not the military, ought to have made the declaration.

These individuals (wanted suspects) are not members of the Armed Forces and therefore not subject to service law.

It is illegal to declare anyone wanted without a court order, he said.

He stressed that if the military authorities have suspicion that the suspects had committed a crime, they should have passed the information to the police for action.

Mr Effiong said the declaration by the military authorities amounted to bastardising Nigerian institutions.

This Gestapo behaviour has to end, he stated.

Similarly, Stanley Alieke, another Nigerian lawyer, told PREMIUM TIMES that although military personnel were the ones murdered, military authorities have no power to declare civilians wanted over the incident.

Marshall Law only applies to those in the military. The military has no jurisdiction over the issue. The best thing they should have done was to report to the police.

It is the police that have the jurisdiction to arrest and prosecute offenders, he said.

Mr Alieke said even the police have no right to declare anyone wanted without obtaining such power from the court.

Both the police and the military have no right to declare anybody wanted without a court order, the lawyer said.

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The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of police personnel and operational assets to areas of likely security threats nationwide ahead of the 2024 Easter celebration.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed the IGs order in a statement in Abuja.

The inspector-general also ordered round-the-clock security and protection of public spaces across the country before, during and after the Easter celebration

Commissioners of Police (CPs) and their supervising Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) are directed to deploy personnel and operational assets to areas of likely security threats within their respective areas of responsibility (AoRs).

Intensive and proactive visibility patrols will be conducted at all worship centres, train stations, highways, motor parks, airports, waterways, recreation centres, banks, and other financial institutions.

The patrol will also cover other critical infrastructures and public spaces.

He assured all travellers visiting their hometowns and other places within the country for the festivities of adequate security, irrespective of the medium of such travels.

Mr Egbetokun said adequate security arrangements had been made to cover passengers travelling by road, air, waterways, or rail.

He said deployments had been increased, and visibility patrols intensified in all areas, including aerial patrol and surveillance.

The inspector-general felicitated with Nigerians, especially the Christian community, during the Easter celebrations.

He commended citizens for their support and continuous cooperation with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies by providing prompt and actionable information to prevent and detect crime.

As we commemorate the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us come together in unity and vigilance to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to serving and protecting the public.

We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station/Post, he said.

NAN

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The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has signed a $75 million loan agreement with Nigerias Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited.

The loan will enable Indorama to increase its fertiliser production and develop a port terminal for exports, supporting food production and food security across regional and international markets while fostering job creation in Nigeria.

The expansion will include developing a third urea fertiliser production line and a new shipping terminal at Indoramas facilities in Port Harcourt. The new production line is expected to have an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons of urea, one of the most widely used fertilisers worldwide.

Indoramas two operational urea fertiliser lines serve Nigerias domestic market, supporting the countrys agricultural sector, which accounts for a quarter of its GDP and employs about a third of its labour force. The new production line and terminal, which will help meet the growing global demand for fertiliser, are expected to create up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria.

The African Development Bank is proud of its continued partnership with Indorama, the IFC and other lenders on this critical project as it is aligned with our strategic priorities to Feed Africa and Industrialize Africa while generating significant development outcomes in Nigeria, said Ousmane Fall, Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development Department at the African Development Bank.

Regarding the development, Manish Mundra, group director for Africa, Indorama Corporation, said, The establishment of this fertiliser plant underscores Indoramas unwavering commitment to Nigerias industrial growth, economic diversification, and leveraging its strategic geographic location. This landmark financing represents a pivotal moment in Nigerias journey towards becoming a major player in the global fertiliser market. With the addition of this third line, Nigeria is prepared to significantly ramp up its export capacity, thereby enhancing its position as a key exporter of fertilisers to Africa and the world. Furthermore, the establishment of this fertiliser plant will not only address critical issues such as broader food security but will also stimulate agricultural growth and create employment opportunities in Nigeria.

The African Development Banks loan follows a strategy to support investment in private sector development to promote real sector growth.

The $75 million senior loan is part of a $ 1.25 billion facility arranged by IFC.

The financing package includes a $215.5 million loan from IFCs own account, a $94.5 million loan through the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP), and $940 million in parallel loans mobilised from other development finance institutions and commercial banks, such as the African Development Bank, Bangkok Bank, British International Investment, Citibank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), DZ Bank, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), Rand Merchant Bank, Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO), Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank), Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the Standard Bank Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

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Members of the defunct Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 general elections have declared support for President Bola Tinubu.

The group at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, also declared their total loyalty and support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The group coordinated the 2023 campaign activities of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Rivers State.

Abiye Sekibo, the former director general of the campaign council in Rivers and former minister of transport, made the declaration on behalf of former members of the council.

Mr Sekibo said elections were over and that it was time for governance, particularly after the Supreme Court confirmed the electoral victories of President Tinubu and Governor Fubara.

It is for this reason that we call on all our supporters to give total support and unalloyed loyalty to the Governor of Rivers State and Mr President.

What we will do to Wike

Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of the state and now FCT minister, had aspired to become Nigerias president but lost the primary to Atiku.

After losing at the primary, Mr Wike formed G5, a group of five PDP governors that worked against the success of Atiku at the 2023 presidential polls.

Mr Wike, who backed the APC candidate, Mr Tinubu, in the election, also frustrated the efforts by the PDP campaign committee in Rivers to have Atiku hold a campaign in the state, including denying them a campaign venue.

But despite not supporting the PDP at the national level, Mr Wike aided the victories of PDP candidates in the state, including Governor Fubara.

He, however, fell out with Mr Fubara because of disagreement over the control of politics and governance in Rivers, a development that triggered a crisis in the state.

The former members of the PDP campaign, in a text of the press briefing, berated Mr Wike, whom they said publicly threatened to destabilise the peace of the state. They called on the president to call the minister to order.

The FCT Minister has threatened publicly to destabilise the peace in Rivers State. The President has a duty to call him to order. We, the Rivers people, will not stand by while an individual decides that we will not sleep with our two eyes closed. The Holy book says, He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind. If Wike troubles Rivers people, he shall surely inherit the wind in overdose

Today, we are sad because, in the last few months, the peace of our state has been disturbed by the foolish actions of one selfish man who believes that more than 7 million Rivers people are his slaves for electing him as their Governor for eight years. Our people are not a conquered lot and would never subscribe to the mentality of conquest. We also refuse to be divided along tribal or ethnic lines.

We have nothing against Mr President compensating Mr Wike with the office of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. However, we owe the President a duty to explain some facts and advise him on the character and machinations of his appointee.

We wish to let the President know that this appointee ran a kleptocratic government when he reigned supreme as governor of Rivers State and may do the same in the Federal Capital Territory if the President looks the other way. We strongly advise Mr President to keep a close watch on the FCT Administration.

The remark by the PDP leaders shows that the feud between Governor Fubara and Mr Wike is far from being over despite a peace deal midwifed by President Tinubu in December last year.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Wikes spokesperson, Anthony Ogunleye, he declined to comment on the allegations against the minister.

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The wanted traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Clement Ikolo, has surrendered himself to the police in the state.

Some suspected residents of the Okuama Community, on 14 March, 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.

In response, the Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, declared eight suspects wanted over the murder of the military personnel.

Surrendering to the police

The monarch reportedly arrived at the Delta State Police Headquarters in Asaba at exactly 6:41 p.m. on Thursday and surrendered himself to the State Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda, Channel TV reported.

The police spokesperson in Delta State, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development, according to the broadcast station.

The monarchs action came barely 10 hours after he and others were declared wanted by the military authorities.

Apart from Mr Ikolo, 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, Ogenerukevwe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi, the only woman among the wanted suspects.

Im innocent

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Ikolo had told reporters that he was never involved in the murder of the 17 military personnel.

The monarch said he was shocked that the military authorities declared him wanted over the murder, pointing out that he had been unable to access the community since his installation in November 2023 due to the crisis in the area.

A video clip which showed him making the remarks was uploaded on Channels TVs YouTube channel on Friday.

I have no hands on such a thing. I am not in a way, shape or form connected to this, he said of the murder of the military personnel.

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday announced the successful restoration of the collapsed national electricity transmission grid.

The TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement Friday.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN ) has successfully restored the national grid following a system disturbance that occurred at 4:28 p.m. on Thursday, 28th March 2024, with full recovery achieved by 10:00 p.m. that same day.

According to a report from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, the system disturbance was triggered by a significant reduction in generation capacity, primarily due to gas constraints, Ms Mbah said.

She explained that this reduction led to a rapid decline in system frequency.

This created a sudden imbalance in the grid. The imbalance in grid stability was exacerbated by the sudden tripping of Egbin generation turbine 3, resulting in an additional loss of 167MW load and the subsequent grid collapse.

The grid has, however, since been recovered and is stable and is currently transmitting all the generated power to distribution load centres nationwide, she added.

She said TCN emphasises its unwavering commitment to addressing grid challenges and actively working to mitigate disruptions.

In instances where challenges extend beyond TCNs control, the company collaborates with other stakeholders in the power sector value chain to minimise the impact and swiftly restore the grid to normal operation, she said.

Background

Nigerians were on Thursday afternoon thrown into darkness after the national grid system collapsed.

The system is operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) from Osogbo, Osun State.

Some of the nations electricity distribution companies confirmed that the grid collapsed in the early hours of Thursday, as most of their feeders were out.

The latest collapse occurred less than a month after the national grid system collapsed in February, and Nigerians were thrown into darkness.

In recent years, the power sector has experienced many challenges related to electricity policy enforcement, regulatory uncertainty, gas supply, transmission system constraints, and significant power sector planning shortfalls.

In November 2013, the federal government privatised all generation and 11 distribution companies, with the FG retaining the ownership of the transmission company. This was to improve efficiency in the sector.

However, since privatisation, the grid has collapsed more than 140 times.

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The Nigerian army has whisked away the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Clement Ikolo.

Mr Ikolo was declared wanted alongside seven others over the ambush and murder of 17 army personnel in the state on 14 March by armed men suspected to be residents of Okuama Community.

Those ambushed and murdered included 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.

In response, the Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, declared eight suspects wanted, including Mr Ikolo, over the murder of the army personnel.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Ikolo surrendered himself to the police in the state on Thursday.

Whisked away

The Nigerian army flew Mr Ikolo to their headquarters in Abuja on Friday, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper.

The police in Delta State handed over the monarch to army personnel on Friday morning, the paper reported.

The police spokesperson in Delta State, Bright Edafe, did not respond to several calls and a text message from PREMIUM TIMES seeking his comment.

Meanwhile, some top officials of the Nigerian army and those of the police in the state were said to have accompanied Mr Ikolo to Asaba International Airport, from where they departed to Abuja.

The monarch, it was learnt, was flown in an Air Peace aircraft, which departed at about 9 a.m. on Friday to the countrys capital.

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered telecommunication companies to bar calls from phone numbers that are yet to be linked to their National Identity Numbers (NIN) from Friday, 29 March.

Subscribers whose SIM cards have not been linked to their NINs will not be allowed to make calls until the linkage is done.

Reuben Muoka, the director of public affairs of the commission disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES during a telephone interview Friday evening.

Mr Muoka said the directive for disconnection is being rolled out in stages, with the second phase set for 29 March as earlier announced.

He said the initial phase took place at the end of February.

We issued a publication that you can refer to. We specified certain deadlines and stipulated that subscribers who do not comply with the directive would be barred. And that has not changed.

29th of February was when those that have not submitted their NIN to be linked to the SIM to be barred and those have been barred.

We published another deadline for those who have submitted their NIN but it failed because it has not been verified, that is the one that is due for disconnection today. While another set is the ones with ghost verification, these are for those who have more than five numbers, Mr Mouka said.

A source within the commission who is also familiar with the matter said the commissions position was hinged on its objective to clean the countrys SIM ownership database.

He explained that the commission is committed to ensuring that criminals do not take advantage of having multiple unlinked SIMs to carry out their nefarious activities.

The Max-4 rule announced by the Federal Government in April 2021 provides that telecom subscribers cannot have more than four lines per mobile network operator.

The NCC has also provided Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) an extension till 31 July, to verify all NINs submitted by subscribers with four or fewer SIMs, as well as bar those whose NINs fail verification with NIMC.

The compulsory linkage began in 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to block calls from unregistered and unlinked lines.

The policy was expected to help the authorities in fighting bandits and terrorists who kidnap and kill innocent people daily. Despite the extension of deadlines, many phone lines are yet to be linked.

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DAR ES SALAAM  Former President of the Fourth Phase, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete has expressed his satisfaction with the growth rate and stability of financial institutions in the country, urging the institutions to continue operating with even more professionalism in order to increase productivity in promoting investment and economic growth in various sectors, including business.

Speaking at a brief iftar event organized by NBC for its customers in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, Dr. Kikwete used NBC as a significant example to demonstrate the strength of the institutions, which, in addition to increasing lending rates and providing various services to customers, have also been able to generate significant profits and thus continue to strengthen themselves.

"When I give congratulations and thanks, I mean it sincerely because many financial institution reforms took place when I was Minister of Finance, so I know well where we are now and where we came from. Today, when I see banks announcing billions of shillings in profit, it clearly proves that the reforms we implemented at that time have been successful," stated Dr. Kikwete, citing NBC Bank, which made a profit of 122 billion shillings last year, as an example.

Using more examples and historical context, Dr. Kikwete spent a considerable amount of time explaining how customers faced difficulties in accessing financial services at the institutions before the government intervened and took various measures, including closing and restructuring the ownership and management structure of some banks.

"All those challenges are now history. All I wanted to share with you is, financial sector is the lifeblood of the economy. If the sector falters, it will cause the economy to decline. Therefore, I congratulate NBC and all other institutions for continuing to provide services professionally while also strengthening their capital," he added.

Commenting on the bank's iftar events for its customers in various locations across the country, Dr. Kikwete stated that such events increase trust among the bank's customers, as it is evidence that the relationship between the bank and the customer extends beyond business and also touches on their faith.

"Iftar events like these make your customers feel good because we see that we are being served by a bank that also values our spiritual interests," he added.

Earlier, in his remarks about the event, the Managing Director of NBC Bank, Mr. Theobald Sabi, stated that the move has been a tradition of the bank for the past 15 years, aiming to join and unite with its customers as a way of showing solidarity during the holy month of Ramadan.

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He emphasized that the bank highly respects the holy month of Ramadan because it is a time when individuals draw closer to their Creator through fasting and prayer.

"This is also a month that reminds us to do what is good in front of our God. Since NBC is always close to the faith of its customers, we decided to organize these iftar events to join our fellow Muslims in achieving that," Sabi said.

Sabi also highlighted the bank's special service, "La Riba," which is designed for customers who adhere to the Islamic faith, following the principles of the religion regarding financial matters and the view of the religion on interest.

"NBC is the first major bank to establish banking services based on Islamic legal principles through La Riba Banking that include savings and business accounts for individuals, entrepreneurs, and large businesses. The bank also offers a special fixed deposit account that follows the principle of "Mudharaba." Additionally, through La Riba, we provide loan services to large and medium-sized traders, small-scale entrepreneurs, and public and private sector employees," explained Sabi.

The iftar event was attended by various guests, including government officials, religious leaders led by the Chief Sheikh of Dar es Salaam, Sheikh Walid Alhad Omar, political party leaders, customers, agents, and employees of the bank.
Nigeria is a country beloved by me. It has a splendid ancient culture, peace-loving and hardworking people, and immeasurable development potential. As I am about to complete my tour of duty as Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, I will miss every precious moment of my stay here. On the occasion of parting, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to my friends in Nigeria, my Chinese compatriots, and people from all walks of life who have cared for and supported China-Nigeria friendship.

In March 2021, with a lofty mission on my shoulder and great excitement in my heart, I landed in Abuja and my journey as the 14th Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and the sixth Chinese Ambassador to ECOWAS began. In the past three years, I have visited different states in the country, made friends from all walks of life, and devoted myself to the growth of China-Nigeria friendship.

China is the second largest economy and the most populous country in the world. Nigeria is the largest economy and most populous country in Africa. The importance of the bilateral relations between China and Nigeria cannot be overstated. In order to foster the relations between our two countries, I proposed the 5-GIST: Growth, Development and Progress Strategy, aiming at promoting all-round relations between our two countries, crossing from political trust to people-to-people exchange.

With our joint efforts, the past three years have witnessed more frequent high-level visits between our two sides, and our mutual political trust has been continuously consolidated. In particular, HE Kashim Shettima, vice president of Nigeria attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October last year and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice President Han Zheng respectively. Leaders of both sides mapped out the blueprint of the future development and cooperation of our two countries. Besides, the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee was established and five sub-committees held their first meetings successfully. China-Nigeria legislative exchanges, political party exchanges and local, provincial and state cooperation continued to advance. China firmly supports Nigeria in exploring a path of development in line with its national conditions, and appreciates the Nigerian government for upholding the one-China principle and supporting China in the international arena. I would like to say that China and Nigeria are now partners standing to rise and fall together.

Meanwhile, China-Nigeria practical cooperation has been significantly fostered. Nigeria has long ranked as Chinas largest project contracting market, second largest export market, major trading partner and investment destination in Africa. China and Nigeria have achieved fruitful outcomes in the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, featuring a series of infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises such as the Zungeru Hydropower Project, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the AjaokutaKadunaKano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, the Lagos Blue Line and Red Line, the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road dualisation, the Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project, Kano Galaxy Backbones National Tier IV Data Centre, etc. The Lekki, Ogun, and Shagamu Free-trade zones (industrial parks) are attracting many companies worldwide to invest in Nigeria. The China-aided Nigerian Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre and the second phase of the solar traffic lights project in Abuja are being put into operation, and the construction of ECOWAS secretariat building aided by the Chinese government is under good progress. Our practical cooperation is far more than the above. Its also covering agriculture, mining, industry, infrastructure, the digital economy, talent cultivation, finance, and other fields. China-Nigeria practical cooperation has become a role model of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Since the new administration of Nigeria took office last year, China-Nigeria relations opened a new chapter. This year, China will host the meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in autumn, during which Chinese and African leaders will gather in Beijing again after six years to plan our future development and cooperation. Nigeria has always been a steadfast partner of the FOCAC, and we keenly look forward to the participation of Nigeria in this important event.

The friendship of nations lies in the affinity of people, and the affinity of people lies in the affinity of hearts. Driven by my initiative of Sharing Chinese Harmony, Performing Nigeria-China Symphony, the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries have dramatically increased over the past three years. We organised a series of culture events including the Happy Chinese New Year Temple Fair, Chinese Film Festival, China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta Singing and Dancing Competition, the Chinese Bridge-Proficiency Competition, etc., which greatly brought the hearts of our two peoples closer. In 2023, the China Central National Orchestra and the Sichuan Orchestra of China visited Nigeria, and together with the Nigerian Orchestra, they played a strong beat of Harmony and Symphony between China and Nigeria.

Since the new administration of Nigeria took office last year, China-Nigeria relations opened a new chapter. This year, China will host the meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in autumn, during which Chinese and African leaders will gather in Beijing again after six years to plan our future development and cooperation. Nigeria has always been a steadfast partner of the FOCAC, and we keenly look forward to the participation of Nigeria in this important event. I firmly believe that as long as our two countries continue to work together to promote traditional friendship, expand practical cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, the cake of China-Nigeria cooperation will grow bigger, and the tree of our China-Nigeria friendship will become evergreen.

Nigeria is a country beloved by me. It has a splendid ancient culture, peace-loving and hardworking people, and immeasurable development potential. As I am about to complete my tour of duty as Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, I will miss every precious moment of my stay here. On the occasion of parting, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to my friends in Nigeria, my Chinese compatriots, and people from all walks of life who have cared for and supported China-Nigeria friendship. I hope that you will, as always, support the work of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and contribute your valuable strength to China-Nigeria friendship.

I sincerely and firmly believe China and Nigeria will grow, develop, progress and prosper together, and wish us a happy Chinese Lunar New Year; a dragon year!

His Excellency CUI Jianchun is the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria.

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Whatever it is, in the fog of uncertainty across Africa, including wars and dictatorship, Senegal has lit a fire to give us some illumination. As it is, Senegal itself has little time as Diomayes presidency begins on 2 April, heralding a possible new age for Africa.

It is in the genre of fairy tales. A virtually unknown 43-year-old in 2023, makes a Facebook post alleging that Macky Sall, the ubiquitous president of his country, Senegal, was trampling on the fundamental rights of citizens.

His post was in support of jailed opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, and the manipulation of the judiciary to send him to prison for allegedly colluding with terrorist groups, instigating insurrection and endangering state security.

Now, Sall, backed by the power and might of super power, France, was not a man to annoy. For his insolence, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was seized and thrown into jail like Sonko. It was to intimidate those who opposed the autocrat.

Then, events began to move at a dizzying pace independent of those who sat in prison or the Presidential Palace. Sall was following in the footsteps of fellow French stooge in Africa, Alassane Ouattara of Cote dIvoire. The latter is on an unconstitutional and illegal third term in office. However, Sall failed in his bid to run for an unconstitutional third term. He then devised an insidious way to remain in power; simply postpone the presidential election indefinitely. That was his greatest undoing.

Although backed by the Senegalese parliament, state power, external forces, and the quiet acquiesce of many West African presidents, he could not impose his will as power had left the Presidential Palace for the streets. The dictates of the streets, as expressed by popular mass protests, was that the election must hold and Sall must leave at the expiration of his tenure on 2 April.

The parliament, bowing to the pressures of the masses, on Wednesday, 6 March, granted amnesty to political detainees. Clearly in order to reduce the electoral chances of Diomaye and give the ruling party candidate and former Prime Minister, Amadou Ba, better chances, Sall did not release the opposition leaders from prison until Thursday, 14 March, ten days before the Sunday, 24 March presidential election. Diomaye was on the ballot as Sonko had been barred. His message to the people was simple: Diomaye is Sonko.

The man who was sitting in prison while other candidates were campaigning, and whose face was virtually unrecognisable, emerged from the shadows and was given a one-way ticket to the Presidential Palace by the electorate. He received more than 54 per cent of the vote, while Amadou Ba came a distant second with over 35 per cent and, third placed candidate, Aliou Mamadou Dia, won 2.8 per cent.

The campaign against him that he had never held any high office, was never a parliamentarian, minister and, as such, has zero leadership experience, counted in his favour. He has never been part of the rot that saw Senegal to its underdeveloped and malnourished state. He emerge as a Mister Clean. Who better to midwife change than a person who has not been part of the rotten past?

The man who was sitting in prison while other candidates were campaigning, and whose face was virtually unrecognisable, emerged from the shadows and was given a one-way ticket to the Presidential Palace by the electorate. He received more than 54 per cent of the vote, while Amadou Ba came a distant second with over 35 per cent and, third placed candidate, Aliou Mamadou Dia, won 2.8 per cent. Diomaye said: By electing me, the Senegalese people have chosen to break with the past. I promise to govern with humility and transparency.

Diomaye is now set to send President Sall packing for the good of the Senegalese and African people and to the glory of humanity.

For me, in order to strengthen democratic principles and make dictatorship unattractive, Sall should be tried for his manifest crimes. First, he endangered Senegal by subverting democracy, including the fundamental rights of the people to freedom of movement and fair hearing. Secondly, he illegally detained people without a right to have their days in court. Thirdly, his government reportedly murdered at least 20 Senegalese for daring to protest against growing dictatorship. Fourthly, he illegally dissolved the opposition, Patriots of Senegal, PASTEF, party. Fifth, for unilaterally, unconstitutionally and illegally postponing the 25 February presidential election. Sixth, for illegally attempting to extend his presidential tenure by postponing the presidential election and handover date indefinitely.

The Senegalese did not vote for Diomaye, a man they hardly knew nor could recognise. Rather, they voted for an idea, for hope, and for a desired future. The pathway to that future, according to the Pan Africanist President-elect, include constitutional changes, which will separate the judiciary from the executive, drastically reduce the powers of the President, and create the office of the Vice President. It includes an uncompromising war against corruption and drastic reduction of the 20 per cent unemployment in a population of 17 million.

But the ultimate goal is to snatch the sovereignty of the country from France; a sort of second independence that would transform the flag independence that Senegal was given on 2 August, 1960, into a real independence that would include economic, financial and social independence from France.

In the past two decades, West Africans have clamoured for change from the rotten past. In some cases the change was stalled, in some it was delivered through the barrel of the gun. However, what Senegal has shown us is that, despite the odds, true change can be delivered through the ballot box.

The plan of the emergent powers in Senegal include a currency change from the French-controlled CFA Franc because, as Diomaye argues: Theres no sovereignty if theres no monetary sovereignty. Although the proposed currency transition might have been made easier by the 16 September, 2023 decision of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to exit the Franc and establish a new common currency, the Eco, Senegal would need to be tactical, as its funds are in the bowels of the French Central Bank.

Other plans include renegotiating mining rights, as Niger recently did with spectacular economic gains, and revisiting energy contracts, as Senegal is set to become an oil producing country this year.

These are the real issues that would define the Diomaye Presidency; whether it will be a success or a failure like that of Sall. The steps will also determine whether France and its Western allies would allow Senegal develop or try to strangulate it through little-veiled sanctions, vile propaganda, falsehood, instigation or even a coup.

Interestingly, Senegal is the only country in the 16 West African countries that has never witnessed a coup. But faced with real change and a shrinking neo-colony made smaller by the military revolts in Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, France would do anything to keep Senegal, a subservient neo-colony like Cote dIvoire.

Whatever it is, in the fog of uncertainty across Africa, including wars and dictatorship, Senegal has lit a fire to give us some illumination. As it is, Senegal itself has little time as Diomayes presidency begins on 2 April, heralding a possible new age for Africa.

In the past two decades, West Africans have clamoured for change from the rotten past. In some cases the change was stalled, in some it was delivered through the barrel of the gun. However, what Senegal has shown us is that, despite the odds, true change can be delivered through the ballot box. But there is a caveat: as United States President John Kennedy said on 13 March, 1962: Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent change inevitable.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

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Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi has extended his heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 72nd birthday.

A statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the spokesperson to the governor, quoted Mr Namadi as extolling President Tinubus leadership, vision, and dedication to the progress and development of our great nation, Nigeria through exemplary leadership.

The statement further praised the President Tinubu: His efforts in promoting democracy, fostering economic growth, and advocating for social justice have been the hallmarks hes known and identified with over the years.

As President Tinubu celebrates this milestone, Governor Namadi joins millions of Nigerians in expressing gratitude for his invaluable contributions to our country. Under his leadership, Nigeria has started to witness significant strides in various sectors, thereby restoring confidence in Nigerians and paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all citizens.

Governor Namadi prays for President Tinubus continued good health, wisdom, and strength as he continues to serve our beloved country. May the Almighty Allah continue to guide him aright and grant him many more years of fruitful service to Nigeria and its people.

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The Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), W Shaibu, a major general, has urged the Nigerian government and security operatives to employ the use of a non-kinetic approach in tackling insurgency in the North-east region.

Mr Shaibu said this at the Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State on Friday when he received a delegation from the Accra Initiative (AI) for Regional Strand on Non-kinetic Strategy in Combating Insurgency.

The delegation was led by the National Coordinator Security Governance Initiative and Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff on non-kinetic, Aliyu Gebi.

According to a statement by the commands Deputy Spokesperson, Reuben Kovangiya, Mr Shaibu, who was represented by his deputy, K.E. Chigbu, a major general, said the kinetic approach alone was not enough to curb insurgency, but rather compelled insurgents to surrender.

He said the use of force or the kinetic approach had had its effect which was minimal but not enough to tackle the situation.

Mr Shaibu said the command had seen the result of such an approach after engaging in the construction and renovation of schools, drilling of boreholes, medical outreaches, as well as school and Quranic recitation competitions in some parts of the country which led to the surrender of many insurgents.

He appreciated the Borno State Government for its support in using the non-kinetic approach through establishing a North-east Development Commission.

In a podcast interview with PREMIUM TIMES, security experts had advised that the use of a non-kinetic approach should be employed by the Nigerian government to tackle insecurity.

Read the full statement by the JTF

NON-KINETIC APPROACH, KEY TO COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS  THEATRE COMMANDER

The Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Maj Gen W Shaibu, has said the non  kinetic approach is a panacea to enhancing counterinsurgency operations in the NE.

He disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Accra Initiative (AI) for Regional Strand on Non-kinetic Strategy in Combatting Insurgency, led by the National Coordinator Security Governance Initiative and Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff on non-kinetic, Hon Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi @alouibrahim92 at the Headquarters Theatre Command Maiduguri, today 29 March 2024.

Represented by the Deputy Theatre Commander Maj Gen KE Chigbu, the Theatre Commander noted that the kinetic approach alone was not enough to curb insurgency, but rather compelled insurgents to surrender.

He added that the Theatre Command was deeply engaged in non-kinetic activities, such as the construction and renovation of schools, drilling of boreholes, medical outreaches, as well as school and Quranic recitation competitions, which have yielded results and led to the surrender of many insurgents.

He further stressed that these feats were achieved in collaboration with other components of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security agencies in the NE.

The Commander further lauded Borno State Governments efforts, supported by the federal government in non-kinetic activities, through organisations such as the North East Development Commission.

He used the medium to thank the team for the visit, saying the visit was a testimony that the military was a major stakeholder in the restoration of peace in the NE, which he said was the mandate of OPHK.

Earlier, the team leader Hon Aliyu Gebi stated that the purpose of their visit, was to acquaint the Command with what the organisation was doing, which he said, was mainly non-kinetic line of action in support of operations.

He said the organisation was ever ready to fully interface with the military for non-kinetic support and engagements.

Hon Gebi further requested a representative from the Command to be part of the Fusion Cell, as it was customary. He equally used the medium to convey the organisations condolences over the recent killing of Nigerian Army personnel in Delta State and thanked the Nigerian military for their sacrifices.

High points of the visit were; interactive session, signing of visitors book, exchange of souvenirs and group photograph.

In attendance were; Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Accra Initiative Maj Gen Michael Amoah, Commander Operation SAFE CORRIDOR Brig Gen S Adamu, Component Commanders, Chief of Staff Headquarters Theatre Command, senior officers and other personalities from the Accra Initiative amongst others.

REUBEN KOVANGIYA

Captain

Acting Deputy Director

Army Public Relations

Headquarters Theatre Command

28 March 2024

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The FCT Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu, has inaugurated the agencys Female Strike Force to protect schools in the territory.

A statement by the commands Public Relations Officer, Samuel Idoko, on Thursday in Abuja, said the inauguration followed the completion of a three-day training for the personnel.

Mr Odumosu said that the primary responsibility of the strike force was to ensure the safety of all schools in the territory.

He said the training had equipped them with the needed skills and capabilities to carry out their duties.

According to him, the training is a follow-up to the recent meeting of all FSF Unit Commanders with the Commandant General, Ahmed Audi.

Mr Audi had charged them to be up and doing, given the reported cases of kidnapping in some parts of the country.

The training is imperative to ensure compliance with the CGs directive on the mandate of securing schools for the safety of students and staff.

Cases of abduction in schools must come to an end, that is the primary purpose of this training.

We need to restore the confidence of the people in our ability to secure schools in the FCT, the commandant said.

He therefore called on schools in the FCT to register with the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre, so that they could be added to the system.

Mr Odumosu explained that the registration was free and meant to ensure better coordination and make responses to emergencies quicker and more efficient.

He assured that the training and retraining of the personnel would be held regularly to ensure prompt response to any security threat.

We must make schools safe haven once again for children, he added.

He charged the female strike force to conduct routine patrol and surveillance of schools to prevent threats and attacks.

He also enjoined the strike force to hold periodic security awareness and enlightenment talks for students and teachers.

Mr Odumosu also directed the operatives to abide by the corps Standard Operational Procedure in discharging their duties and avoid overzealousness in the use of force or firearms.

(NAN)

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Maiduguri  The First Class Emir of Gwoza local government area in Borno state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta on Friday confirmed that the top wanted commander of Boko Haram who has been terrorizing Gwoza and other surrounding Mandara Mountain communities, Mallam Yathabalwe has surrendered to troops of 'Operation Hadin Kai' in the North East.

Sources revealed that Yathabalwe before surrendering, had been responsible for a series of attacks and killings, including the slaughtering of farmers on their farmlands, thereby depriving farmers to fend for themselves in Gwoza town and its environs.

Incidentally, this was not the first time the top Boko Haram Commander surrendered, he once laid down his arms, but later rejoined the terrorist group.

According to the Gwoza Monarch, HRH Alhaji Timta in an exclusive interview with our Correspondent said, "We are happy to inform you and confirmed that the most top wanted commander of Boko Haram who have been terrorizing Gwoza and other surrounding Mandara Mountain communities in my domain, Mallam Yathabalwe has surrendered to troops of 'Operation Hadin Kai' in the North East.

"He willingly came out from his enclave on Friday morning with two AK47 rifles and some ammunition. He was then handed over to military troops in Gwoza, after which he may be taken to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital for further questioning or action.

"Yathabalwe, before surrendering has been terrorizing my people for many years, especially making it very difficult for farmers to access their farmlands.

"With this new development, we are hopeful that total peace will return to Gwoza and its environs," said the First Class Emir.
HOUSTON and TUPELO, Miss., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) today announced changes to its organizational structure, as well as new and increased responsibilities for several key executives, that will build on the company's success, create efficiencies and position it for future growth.

Hank Holmes , chief banking officer, has informed the company of his decision to pursue outside opportunities in entrepreneurship, start-up ventures and building organizations. Effective immediately, he will assume the role of special advisor to the chief banking officer through June 30, 2024 . Holmes is an exceptional leader, and the company is greatly appreciative of his strategic value and many outstanding accomplishments.

, chief banking officer, has informed the company of his decision to pursue outside opportunities in entrepreneurship, start-up ventures and building organizations. Effective immediately, he will assume the role of special advisor to the chief banking officer through . Holmes is an exceptional leader, and the company is greatly appreciative of his strategic value and many outstanding accomplishments. Sheila Ray , chief talent officer, has announced her planned retirement from the company on June 30, 2024 . The company is grateful for her long-standing commitment, exemplary leadership and valuable contributions over the past two decades.

, chief talent officer, has announced her planned retirement from the company on . The company is grateful for her long-standing commitment, exemplary leadership and valuable contributions over the past two decades. Jerrell Moore will take on the role of chief human resources and diversity officer on May 1, 2024 , and will become a member of the company's Management Committee on June 30, 2024 . Moore joined the company in 2023 as chief diversity officer, bringing extensive experience in human resources and diversity with brands such as Google, Nike, Assurant, Spectrum and Burger King, and a career dedicated to the people space. The decision to incorporate the company's diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging function within human resources aligns with its overall strategic focus on talent development and sustainability.

will take on the role of chief human resources and diversity officer on , and will become a member of the company's Management Committee on . Moore joined the company in 2023 as chief diversity officer, bringing extensive experience in human resources and diversity with brands such as Google, Nike, Assurant, Spectrum and Burger King, and a career dedicated to the people space. The decision to incorporate the company's diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging function within human resources aligns with its overall strategic focus on talent development and sustainability. Valerie Toalson , chief financial officer, will maintain her current role and acquire responsibilities for the company's Mortgage and Wealth Management business lines, including Asset Management & Trust, Cadence Investment Services, and Linscomb Wealth, a Cadence Bank subsidiary. Additionally, the Financial Institutions Group will transition to Corporate Treasury, joining the Alternative Investments and Foreign Exchange teams. The realignment of these revenue-generating business lines follows the retirement of Mike Meyer , former senior executive vice president and president of banking services, in December 2023. Toalson's proven aptitude for and involvement in business strategy will support the continued growth in these areas. With these changes, she will adopt the new title of CFO and president, banking services.

, chief financial officer, will maintain her current role and acquire responsibilities for the company's Mortgage and Wealth Management business lines, including Asset Management & Trust, Cadence Investment Services, and Linscomb Wealth, a subsidiary. Additionally, the Financial Institutions Group will transition to Corporate Treasury, joining the Alternative Investments and Foreign Exchange teams. The realignment of these revenue-generating business lines follows the retirement of , former senior executive vice president and president of banking services, in December 2023. Toalson's proven aptitude for and involvement in business strategy will support the continued growth in these areas. With these changes, she will adopt the new title of CFO and president, banking services. Chris Bagley will continue as president, overseeing the company's Community Banking and Technology & Operations teams, and accept the dual role and title of chief credit officer. Bagley's extensive background in credit provides the depth of understanding necessary to maintain the company's high credit standards.

will continue as president, overseeing the company's Community Banking and Technology & Operations teams, and accept the dual role and title of chief credit officer. Bagley's extensive background in credit provides the depth of understanding necessary to maintain the company's high credit standards. Billy Braddock will transition from chief credit officer to chief banking officer and will remain a member of the company's Management and Executive Management Committees. In this new role, he will continue to grow and develop the company's Corporate Bank following the successful operating model on which it was built. Braddock will also oversee the Treasury Management and Private Banking divisions, which deliver services important to its corporate clients.

will transition from chief credit officer to chief banking officer and will remain a member of the company's Management and Executive Management Committees. In this new role, he will continue to grow and develop the company's Corporate Bank following the successful operating model on which it was built. Braddock will also oversee the Treasury Management and Private Banking divisions, which deliver services important to its corporate clients. Cathy Freeman will remain chief administrative officer with the added responsibility of overseeing the company's Experience Office. Freeman will continue to oversee the Corporate Communications, Corporate Facilities, Internal Audit and Marketing divisions.

will remain chief administrative officer with the added responsibility of overseeing the company's Experience Office. Freeman will continue to oversee the Corporate Communications, Corporate Facilities, Internal Audit and Marketing divisions. Mary Katherine Franklin will transition from private banking executive to chief credit officer of the Corporate Bank, reporting to Chris Bagley .

Bagley, Braddock, Freeman, Moore and Toalson, along with Shanna Kuzdzal, chief legal officer, and Ty Lambert, chief risk officer, will report directly to Chairman & CEO Dan Rollins. Jeff Jaggers, chief operating officer, Brian Walhood, president of Community Banking, Keith Vandersteeg, chief lending officer, and Franklin will report to Chris Bagley. Kevin McMahon, deputy chief operating officer and chief information officer, will continue to report to Jaggers. The changes take effect April 1, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

"I am committed to realizing our company's vision of helping people, companies and communities prosper," said Dan Rollins. "This organizational realignment afforded us the opportunity to simplify our operating model and further the development of some of our most senior leaders. The additional responsibilities will not only empower these leaders, it will provide a foundation for driving growth and efficiencies while strengthening our focus on putting customers at the center of our business."

The new management structure streamlines the organization and eliminates management layers to expedite decision making, enhance accountability and further a laser-focused approach to client relationships. Since the merger of legacy BancorpSouth Bank and legacy Cadence Bank in October 2021, the company's Management Committee has been consolidated from 15 to 12 members.

"I could not be more encouraged for the future of Cadence Bank," added Rollins.

About Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a leading regional banking franchise with approximately $50 billion in assets and over 350 branch locations across the South and Texas. Cadence provides consumers, businesses and corporations with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Services and products include consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, credit cards, commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing, correspondent banking, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning and retirement plan management. Cadence is committed to a culture of respect, diversity, inclusion and belonging in both its workplace and communities. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

SOURCE Cadence Bank
BEVERLY, Mass., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Connolly Brothers Inc., a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients, recently completed a 52,000 square-foot design-build fit-up project for Calare Properties. The facility, located in Milford, MA, will serve as a new Commonwealth of Massachusetts 911 Public Safety Answering Point, State 911 Training Center, Municipal Police Training Committee Academy and Offices for the Massachusetts Department of Correction Professional Standards Unit.

Photo by Camille Maren.

"This project provides a state-of-the-art facility for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support its public safety initiatives," says Bailey Duffy, associate at Calare Properties. "We are very grateful to have partnered with Connolly Brothers and the user state agencies in successfully completing this complex redevelopment."

The two-story building was vacant for seven years, thereby presenting challenges for Connolly's design team. At first, it was critical to ascertain an understanding of the existing infrastructure, such as underground plumbing and structural components. Connolly proceeded to update the structural requirements, such as reinforcing second-floor and roof bar joists, strengthening steel column brace frames and creating four new grade beams, in order to meet updated building code requirements for use group risk category of the building. Connolly provided additional accessible entrances and replaced the exterior stairs with new granite.

The electrical requirements to support the 911 Communication Center required a high level of coordination between Connolly's design and construction teams, as this included design of twenty-two workstation consoles that support the intricate technological infrastructure needed to support the operating requirements for a 911 emergency dispatch center.

"This project exemplified how outstanding teamwork delivers a successful project," says Connolly Brothers President and CEO, Jay Connolly. "Each and every member of this project from preconstruction through design & engineering and then construction was fully committed to the group effort and the results showed. The project was delivered on time and on budget and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Calare Team in the future."

Connolly served as both Architect of Record and Construction Manager for this design-build project. The project team also included Platinum Fire Protection, D+D/DNET and Tech Mechanical.

Calare Properties, built by Connolly Brothers Inc. Photos by Camille Maren.

For more information about Connolly Brothers Inc., visit https://www.connollybrothers.com/.

About Connolly Brothers Inc.

Connolly Brothers Inc. is a construction management firm serving private commercial, industrial and institutional clients. A five-generation family business established in 1880, Connolly is based in Beverly, Mass. and operates throughout the New England region. For more than a century, clients have turned to Connolly for all aspects of their construction projects, from planning and design to real estate development.

Media Contact:

Julia Kelley

978-927-0053, ext. 328

[email protected]

SOURCE Connolly Brothers Inc.
SINGAPORE, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX Ventures , the investment arm of leading Web3 technology company OKX , has issued updates for March 29, 2024.

OKX Ventures Announces Investment in StakeStone, an Omni-Chain Liquidity Distribution Network

OKX Ventures today announced its investment in StakeStone , an omni-chain liquidity distribution network. Stakestone focuses on establishing STONE as the standard for omnichain liquidity assets and advancing its use cases on various chains.

By wrapping ETH staking and potential bluechip restaking rewards into STONE and distributing them to the application layer of various ecosystems. Currently, there are a total of 342,704 ETH locked on the network, and a total value locked (TVL) of approximately US$1.2 billion on Stakestone. StakeStone is also exploring STONE BTC to integrate BTC liquidity into its distribution network.

OKX Ventures Founder Dora Yue said: "Today, there are over 900,000 validator stakes. The rise of new chains and ecosystems is driving a growing demand for ETH liquidity. However, Layer 2s face the challenge of high staking costs for ETH. This is where StakeStone comes in, offering compatibility with various restaking strategies. We've witnessed Stakestone's 100x surge in TVL at the beginning of 2024; the network also bootstrapped with the Manta Network and emerging Bitcoin Layer 2s, including B Network, Merlin Chain and BounceBit, among others. The StakeStone community could yield extra rewards on over 25 chains in 2024. This will involve exploring strategies with DEXs, market makers, lendings, Collateralized Debt Positions (CDP - Stablecoin), derivatives, and even GameFi. OKX Ventures has always advocated for innovative yet secure use-cases in DeFi, which can pave the way for the growth of the chains."

About OKX Ventures

OKX Ventures is the investment arm of global leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, with an initial capital commitment of USD100 million. It focuses on exploring the best blockchain projects on a global scale, supporting cutting-edge blockchain technology innovation, promoting the healthy development of the global blockchain industry, and investing in long-term structural value.

Through its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of the blockchain industry, OKX Ventures helps build innovative companies and brings global resources and historical experience to blockchain projects.

Find out more about OKX Ventures here .

SOURCE OKX Ventures
$100,000 in Scholarships Presented to Next-Generation Leaders Committed to Improving their Communities Across the U.S.

PLANO, Texas, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frito-Lay today announced it awarded $25,000 to four scholarship recipients, each actively leading and uplifting their local communities and contributing to a brighter future. The Frito-Lay Community Builder Scholarship serves to help each student with their higher-education goals and education-related expenses.

To select the recipients, a diverse group of employees across the Frito-Lay organization  including frontline workers, DEI leaders and executives  reviewed applications from 500 students in the U.S. Each employee offered a unique perspective based on their tenure and experience. They also demonstrated a commitment to pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), a strategic transformation focused on winning with purpose and giving back to the communities that Frito-Lay and parent company PepsiCo serve. Education creates multiple pathways to meaningful opportunities and remains key in fueling PepsiCo's long-term growth.

"As a first-generation college student, I also received a life-changing scholarship while pursuing my degree. I know the impact this scholarship will make on these students, who are each pioneering change through their own passions," said judge and Frito-Lay North America DEI HR Manager Jesus Gutierrez. "Each winner has had their own unique path to finding their purpose through community, education and their personal backgrounds. Based on my own lived and professional experience, I've seen the value diverse thinking and backgrounds can bring to leadership."

The recipients were:

Mehar Bhasin  Lakeville , Connecticut

Mehar is passionate about STEM and after noticing widespread gender and race disparities in the field, she co-founded the non-profit STEAM Bloom. The organization has provided over 2,000 students free access to computer science resources. She will be a sophomore at Dartmouth College in the fall.



According to Mehar, "To me, community conveys a sense of belongingness, togetherness and collective growth. I truly enjoy contributing to their success, uplifting them, serving them, leading them and trying to make an impact."

Jaelyn Hardaway  San Antonio, Texas

Jaelyn served on the Mayor of San Antonio's Youth Climate Council and is the Co-Founder of the First Antonian branch of Cancer Kids First. She recently organized and led an initiative to deliver personalized care packages to pediatric patients locally and internationally. Graduating from high school in 2024, Jaelyn is currently deciding where she'll attend college next year.



According to Jaelyn, "Community signifies a sense of belonging, support and shared identity among individuals who come together around common interests, values, or goals, fostering connection, collaboration and mutual aid."

Caleb Oh  Gambrills, Maryland

Caleb co-founded the non-profit Kid Changemakers while in elementary school. He's raised thousands of dollars to help support food insecurity initiatives and at-risk populations, such as foster children and the homeless. He also successfully lobbied state senators to remove the tax on baby diapers, collectively saving families millions of dollars. He will be a Sophomore at Harvard University in the fall.



According to Caleb, "Volunteering has affirmed my belief that all kids can make a difference in an adult world, no matter their circumstances."

Ramon Perez  New Rochelle, New York

Ramon is currently a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, in addition to attending college and volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. He enlisted in 2019 and now oversees 120 Marines. He first started volunteering with his local Boys & Girls Club in high school and found he could make a big impact on his community through mentorship. He will be a senior at Baruch College in the fall.



According to Ramon, "I hope to continue to impact my community and make it a better place for everyone; I want New Rochelle to be united."

As an organization with 60,000 dedicated employees, Frito-Lay understands the importance of preparing the next generation and is proud to consistently invest in education and career training, seeking to break systemic barriers and provide equitable opportunities for all to thrive. Since 2022, Frito-Lay has provided $600,000 in scholarship funds to students across the country.

"It was inspiring to learn more about each of these change-makers, plus the challenges they've overcome fueled by grit and determination," said judge and Lay's Global marketing director Tionna Cunningham. "As a student with a tough path to college, this was an opportunity to pay it forward in honor of the people and financial resources that supported me."

About Frito-Lay North America

Frito-Lay North America is the $25 billion net sales convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP). For decades, Frito-Lay's portfolio of beloved products has brought smiles to millions of families across the world, including Fritos corn chips, Lay's and Ruffles potato chips, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips and branded dips, Cheetos snacks, Stacy's pita chips, PopCorners air popped snacks and SunChips multigrain snacks. The company operates more than 40 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, along with a vast distribution network that services over 315,000 retail customers weekly through its direct-store-delivery model. Through pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), Frito-Lay is committed to creating positive change for the planet and people. Learn more about Frito-Lay at FritoLay.com, on X (@FritoLay), on Instagram (@FritoLay) and on Facebook (FritoLay).

SOURCE Frito-Lay North America
DUBLIN, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global AI Data Center Switch Market: Analysis By Type, By Enterprise Size, By Region, Size, Trends and Forecast to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global AI data center switch market was valued at US$2.78 billion in 2023, and is expected to be worth US$19.38 billion in 2029, registering CAGR of 38.23% over the years 2024-2029.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI data center switches, several trends are poised to shape the market. One significant trend is the increasing demand for AI-driven automation and optimization capabilities to manage the growing complexity of data center networks efficiently. AI-powered switches are expected to offer more advanced features such as predictive analytics, self-learning algorithms, and automated network optimization, enabling data center operators to streamline operations and improve performance.

Moreover, there's a rising focus on enhancing network bandwidth and speed to support the burgeoning data traffic generated by emerging technologies like 5G, IoT, and AI applications. Ethernet switches with bandwidths of 600+ gigabits per second (Gbps) are gaining traction as they provide the necessary throughput to handle large volumes of data with low latency, facilitating smooth and reliable data center operations.

Market Segmentation Analysis:

By Type: Over time InfiniBand switches have enjoyed widespread adoption due to their swift and effective communication pathways between AI data center switches and storage systems. However, the Ethernet switches are gaining significant traction in the AI data center networking market and are expected to become the dominant technology. Cloud service providers are increasingly considering Ethernet, particularly RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), as a substitute for InfiniBand due to factors like economies of scale, a broader supplier base, and interoperability. InfiniBand and Ethernet are both expected to be utilized in the back-end, with the choice influenced by customer and vendor preferences. The ongoing debate between InfiniBand and Ethernet for AI deployments is expected to persist, with valid arguments on both sides such as performance versus economies of scale. However, it's noteworthy that the deployment of high-bandwidth Ethernet data center switches is projected to grow at a double-digit rate regardless of AI deployments.

By Enterprise Size: Large enterprises accounted for the highest share in the AI data center switch segment. Large enterprises typically comprise established organizations with extensive infrastructure requirements and complex networking needs. They often operate multiple data centers or large-scale cloud environments to support their operations. Factors driving the growth of AI data center switches in large enterprises include the need for high-performance, scalable, and resilient network infrastructure to handle massive data volumes, diverse workloads, and demanding applications. Simultaneously, small & medium enterprises segment is anticipated to exhibit the fastest CAGR during the forecasted period.

By Region: North America remains a powerhouse in the global AI data center switch market, driven by a mature technology landscape, substantial investments, and a concentration of leading tech companies. The US, with Silicon Valley at its core, is a major influencer in AI data center switch development and adoption. The competitive nature of industries in North America, especially in areas like e-commerce, social media, and autonomous vehicles, intensifies the need for cutting-edge AI infrastructure. The synergy of 5G, IIoT, and advanced technologies within the expansive cloud ecosystem in the region not only signifies a technological evolution but also underscores the pivotal role of cloud services in shaping the future landscape of the AI data center switch market in the country.

Asia pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecasted period. The demand and adoption of the cloud in the Asia Pacific are forecasted to exceed the rest of the world, as the effects of COVID-19 linger and businesses look to lay a foundation for increased agility and resilience. There is a steady increase in the percentage of IT spending that is devoted to the cloud. The AI data center switch market would witness rapid growth in the forecasted period, spurred by a rise in cloud computing usage by companies. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region stands out as a significant driver of the global AI data center switch market, characterized by a dynamic and rapidly expanding tech landscape. China, with its ambitious AI development plans, is a major contributor to the growth, leveraging AI data center switches in applications ranging from smart manufacturing to facial recognition systems. The country's focus on becoming a global AI leader is reflected in the substantial investments in AI research and development. The Chinese government has launched a three-year plan for the data center industry that requires new facilities to have a PUE (power usage effectiveness) of 1.3 and a utilization rate of 60% by the end of 2023. In addition, nations throughout the region are deploying ARM-based services. These factors generate demand for AI data center switches, likely stimulating market expansion.

Market Dynamics:

Growth Drivers: The market has been growing over the past few years, due to factors such as increasing adoption of AI and machine learning (ML), favorable government regulations, GPU acceleration, surge in data generation, demand for high-performance computing and need for scalability and flexibility. The surge in AI and machine learning (ML) tech adoption fuels growth in the AI data center switch market. Organizations leverage AI and ML to analyze vast data for insights, driving demand for high-performance computing infrastructure. AI data center switches enable seamless integration of AI applications, providing low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity for massive data transfer. Offering features like deep packet inspection and traffic prioritization, they optimize network performance. With AI and ML initiatives expanding across sectors like healthcare and finance, the market anticipates substantial growth ahead.

Challenges: However, some challenges are also impeding the growth of the market such as lack of advanced data center infrastructure and high upfront investment required for deploying Ai-enabled switches. The AI data center switch market faces a significant hurdle due to outdated infrastructure. Traditional architectures lack the scalability, agility, and intelligence needed for AI workloads. This leads to performance bottlenecks and latency issues as conventional switches struggle with the vast data volumes. Legacy setups may not seamlessly integrate with AI-driven technologies like intent-based networking and advanced security measures. This mismatch hinders AI switch adoption, forcing organizations to choose between costly upgrades or compromising AI deployment efficiency.

Trends: The market is projected to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period, due to various latest trends such as edge computing and distributed AI, rising cloud adoption, increasing bandwidth size, increasing adoption of intent-based networking (IBN), programmable switching fabrics, rise of new generative AI applications, sustainability and green data centers and increasing focus on energy efficiency. Edge computing entails deploying computational power closer to data sources, slashing latency and enabling real-time decisions at the network edge. This shift demands AI data center switches adept at managing data flows between edge devices and centralized repositories, ensuring smooth connectivity and resource use. Distributed AI models, spreading tasks across edge devices and data centers, rely on intelligent networking for effective communication. AI switches are pivotal in enabling edge computing and distributed AI, furnishing connectivity, scalability, and security. This convergence fuels demand for flexible networking tech, optimizing performance and integrating with cloud AI seamlessly.

Competitive Landscape:

The AI data center switch market is dominated by three major players, holding approximately 90% of the market share. These leaders utilize their expertise in networking technologies, AI algorithms, and software-defined networking (SDN) to create advanced AI-powered switches with improved performance, automation, and security features. Strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and investments play a significant role in shaping the competitive landscape, facilitating product portfolio expansion, innovation acceleration, and market presence reinforcement.

The key players of the global AI data center switch market are:

Nvidia

Cisco Systems

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Dell Technologies Inc.

Huawei Investment

Broadcom

Arista Networks

Juniper Networks

Celestica

Marvell Technology

Quanta Computer

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary



2. Introduction

2.1 AI Data Center Switch Overview

2.2 AI Data Center Switch Segmentation Overview



3. Global Market Analysis

3.1 Global AI Data Center Switch Market: An Analysis

3.2 Global AI Data Center Switch Market: Type Analysis

3.3 Global AI Data Center Switch Market: Enterprise Size Analysis



4. Regional Market Analysis

4.1 North America AI Data Center Switch Market

4.2 Europe AI Data Center Switch Market

4.3 Asia Pacific AI Data Center Switch Market

4.4 Rest of the World AI Data Center Switch Market



5. Impact of COVID-19



6. Market Dynamics

6.1 Growth Drivers

6.1.1 Increasing Adoption of AI and Machine Learning (ML)

6.1.2 Favorable Government Regulations

6.1.3 GPU Acceleration

6.1.4 Surge in Data Generation

6.1.5 Demand for High-Performance Computing

6.1.6 Need for Scalability and Flexibility

6.2 Challenges

6.2.1 Lack of Advanced Data Center Infrastructure

6.2.2 High Upfront Investment Required for Deploying AI-enabled Switches

6.3 Market Trends

6.3.1 Edge Computing and Distributed AI

6.3.2 Rising Cloud Adoption

6.3.3 Increasing Bandwidth Size

6.3.4 Increasing Adoption of Intent-Based Networking (IBN)

6.3.5 Programmable Switching Fabrics

6.3.6 Increasing Focus on Energy Efficiency

6.3.7 Rise of New Generative AI Applications

6.3.8 Sustainability and Green Data Centers



7. Competitive Landscape

7.1 Global AI Data Center Switch Market Players: Competitive Landscape

7.2 Global AI Data Center Switch Players by Market Share

7.3 Global AI Data Center Switch Market Players: Market Opportunity Comparison

7.4 Global Ethernet AI Data Center Switch Players by Market Share



8. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lics30

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

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SOURCE Research and Markets
WASHINGTON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, April 8, most of North America will have the chance to see the Moon pass in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse. NASA is inviting the public to participate with in-person events, opportunities to do NASA science, and multiple ways to watch online.

The April 8, 2024, solar eclipse will be visible in the entire contiguous United States, weather permitting. People along the path of totality stretching from Texas to Maine will have the chance to see a total solar eclipse; outside this path, a partial solar eclipse will be visible. Credits: NASA

Millions of people along the path of totality  which stretches from Texas to Maine in the United States  will see a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely covers the Sun. Outside the path of totality, people across the contiguous United States will have a chance to see a partial solar eclipse, when the Moon covers part of the Sun. Learn how to safely view this celestial event.

Watch Through Eyes of NASA

NASA will host live coverage of the eclipse starting at 1 p.m. EDT. The agency's eclipse coverage will include live views of the eclipse from across North America, special appearances by NASA experts, astronauts aboard the space station, and an inside look at NASA's eclipse science experiments and watch parties across the country. NASA's broadcast will last three hours, and features live locations from across the nation including the agency's only center in the path of totality, NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio, as well as:

Carbondale, Illinois

Dallas

Houlton, Maine

Indianapolis

Kerrville, Texas

Niagara Falls, New York

Russellville, Arkansas

The NASA broadcast will stream on NASA+, air on NASA TV, and the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media and the agency's app.

NASA also will host a watch party of the eclipse in Spanish starting at 1:30 p.m. on YouTube.

NASA will provide a no-commentary, telescope-only feed of the eclipse on NASA Television's media channel and YouTube, starting at 1 p.m. and running for three hours. The telescope feed will incorporate views from multiple locations, and will be switched based on weather, the eclipse's progress, and feed availability. Locations may include:

Carbondale, Illinois

Cleveland

Dallas

Houlton, Maine

Indianapolis

Junction, Texas

Kerrville, Texas

Mazatlan, Mexico

Niagara Falls, New York

Russellville, Arkansas

Torreon, Mexico

Tupper Lake, New York

NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia will provide a commentated livestream of three sounding rocket launches for the Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path mission. The livestream will begin at 2:30 p.m. on NASA Wallops' YouTube channel and conclude after the last of the three sounding rocket launches.

NASA's interactive Eclipse Explorer Map will allow users to track the total solar eclipse in real time on April 8 as it moves across North America. Use the tool ahead of time to search by zip code or city for eclipse timing, get real-time weather updates, percent of eclipse coverage, and even a corona prediction for locations in the path of totality.

Media Resources

Media resources are available on NASA's eclipse website. To request a remote or in-person eclipse interview with NASA, please contact [email protected].

Details about in-person eclipse events and registration requirements for media are available online.

NASA eclipse photos will be shared on the Flickr account.

To learn more about the total solar eclipse, visit:

go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024

SOURCE NASA
Wynton Marsalis once called 5x-GRAMMY Nominated Jazz Pianist and Composer CHRISTIAN SANDS a "jazz star of the future," and that future has arrived. "Christian Sands is an extraordinarily complete musician," says the LONDON JAZZ NEWS. Tickets for the CHRISTIAN SANDS QUARTET at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Wednesday April 24 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2024 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features 5x-GRAMMY Award Nominated Jazz Pianist & Composer CHRISTIAN SANDS and his Acclaimed Quartet on Wednesday April 24 at 7:30 P.M. Christian Sands is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz. Whether it's stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the presentand for the future.

"[Christian] Sands is one of the most profoundly rhythmic young pianists in jazz today." Post this 5x-GRAMMY Nominated Jazz Pianist CHRISTIAN SANDS and his Acclaimed Quartet performs at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Wednesday April 24 at 7:30 P.M. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com and www.JimmysOnCongress.com.

"In addition to being a technically adroit, harmonically sophisticated player, Sands is one of the most profoundly rhythmic young pianists in jazz today."

 DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

"Christian Sands plays with a restrained touch and a rolling command across the entire keyboard."

 NEW YORK TIMES

"Though he really made his debut as leader at thirteen on 'Footprints' (Stanza, 2002), Sands' growth has been exponential'Be Water' is his latest giant step forward, encompassing not only our shared experience and imagination but our humanity too, and that is a triumph no matter what age you are or find yourself in."

 ALL ABOUT JAZZ (2021 Album Review of 'Be Water' - GRAMMY Nominated)

A deeply rich and soulful feeling can be heard in Christian Sands' music, characterized by his infectious energy and spirit. It was that same spirit that caught the attention of 8x-GRAMMY Award-Winning Jazz Bassist, Christian McBride, who asked Sands  then 20 years old  to sit in at the Village Vanguard with his big band, Inside Straight. That appearance led to Sands becoming a member of bassist Christian McBride's Trio, with whom he has toured throughout the world. Their 2013 CD release, Out Here, received a GRAMMY Award Nomination for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album".

Since arriving on the scene, Christian Sands has shared the stage with such jazz luminaries as: Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Sheila E., Tia Fuller, Gary Burton, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jason Moran, Geri Allen, Ben Williams, Randy Brecker, Terence Blanchard, Louis Hayes, Patti Austin, Kirk Whalum, and Wycliffe Gordon, among others.

Christian Sands has released 5 acclaimed albums on Mack Avenue Records since 2017. In 2021, Sands was Nominated for a 2021 GRAMMY Award for "Best Instrumental Composition" for his album Be Water.

CHRISTIAN SANDS Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows

Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2024 Schedule of Shows now includes 5 NEA Jazz Masters, 34 GRAMMY Award-Winning Artists, 36 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 325+ GRAMMY Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for the CHRISTIAN SANDS QUARTET at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Wednesday April 24 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2024 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.

ABOUT JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB

The mission of Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests with a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.JimmysOnCongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Brunch. In June 2023, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club was given the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its' outstanding Wine List.

PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S

An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach, provided by professional and experienced event staff, ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form.

JOIN THE TEAM AT THE LABRIE GROUP FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS

Motivated by a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, founders Michael and Peter Labrie and their leadership team understand it is essential to seek out talented team members for each of The Labrie Group family of restaurants  Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, The Atlantic Grill, The River House, and Waterview Grille  all in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Career opportunities and current job openings can be found at www.TheLabrieGroup.com.

Website:

http://www.jimmysoncongress.com

Contact:

Suzanne Bresette

[email protected]

888-603-JAZZ

SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club
Public Event to Be Held at the JW Marriott Marquis on April 3, with Exclusive Experiences and Insights into the Country's Tourism Scene

MIAMI, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic has announced the return of its D.R. Tourism Tradeshow in Miami, FL. Scheduled for April 3 at the JW Marriott Marquis, the Tradeshow is set to showcase the Dominican Republic's undeniable allure and adventurous offerings, further establishing its position as a premier tourist destination.

Now in its second year and hosted by Minister David Collado Morales, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, the D.R. Tourism Tradeshow serves as a platform to promote and position the country to leaders in the tourism industry and a broad audience of travelers. This year, the D.R. Tourism Tradeshow anticipates welcoming more than 500 travel agents, and other allies from the North American and Latin-American market, with a focused effort on targeting the whole American continent.

The event will offer attendees key insights into the country's growing tourism landscape, diverse attractions, a firsthand look at exclusive packages and networking opportunities for travel leaders to explore future collaborations. It will also feature an interactive section designed to imitate elements of the Dominican Republic, like its famous white-sand beaches and exotic minerals, providing attendees with a sneak peek of the island.

"The Dominican Republic Tradeshow is an event meant to bring together tourism leaders and world travelers intrigued by the offerings and splendor of the Dominican Republic," said David Collado Morales, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. "Our country is a paradise with an abundance of experiences for both leisure and business purposes, promising a truly unique experience in the Caribbean. We look forward to connecting and sharing insights on the Dominican Republic, one of the Caribbean's most sought-after destinations and the country I am proud to call home."

The Dominican Republic Tradeshow is a public event that welcomes everyone who wants to learn more about the country.

For more information about the Tourism of the Dominican Republic, please visit https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/.

Media Contact:

5W Public Relations

[email protected]

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SOURCE The Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
DUBLIN, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care. By Application, Technology, Place, Product and by Country. With Executive Guides and Customization 2023 - 2027 " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Infectious disease Dx is changing and will change more in the future. Can a rapidly growing market expand even faster? Find out all about it in this comprehensive report on Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care.

Are targeted tests for specific pathogens going to be obsolete? Will diagnostics replace physicians? Will Point of Care testing move into the Physician's Office or even the Home?

Point of Care testing is proving itself in the market. Players are reporting double-digit growth. Lowering costs, improving outcomes and even helping in the battle against Anti Microbial Resistance. Learn about this market including the issues and outlooks.

The two key trends of Point of Care Testing and Molecular Diagnostics are merging with spectacular success. It could possibly displace most frontline test protocols AND save money at the same time. The report forecasts the market size for five years.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Market Guides

1.1 Strategic Situation Analysis

1.2 Guide for Executives, Marketing and Business Development Staff

1.3 Guide for Management Consultants and Investment Advisors

2 Introduction and Market Definition

2.1 What are Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care?

2.2 The Diagnostics Revolution

2.3 Market Definition

2.3.1 Revenues

2.4 Methodology

2.4.1 Methodology

2.4.2 Sources

2.4.3 Authors

2.5 Perspective: Healthcare and the IVD Industry

2.5.1 Global Healthcare Spending

2.5.2 Spending on Diagnostics

2.5.3 Important Role of Insurance for Diagnostics

3 Instrumentation, Automation and Diagnostic Trends

3.1 Instrumentation and Automation

3.1.1 Traditional Automation and Centralization

3.1.2 The New Automation, Decentralization and Point Of Care

3.1.3 Instruments Key to Market Share

3.1.4 Bioinformatics Plays a Role

3.1.5 PCR Takes Command

3.1.6 Next Generation Sequencing Fuels a Revolution

3.1.7 NGS Impact on Pricing

3.1.8 Whole Genome Sequencing, A Brave New World

3.1.9 Companion Diagnostics Blurs Diagnosis and Treatment

4 Industry Overview

4.1 Players in a Dynamic Market

4.1.1 Academic Research Lab

4.1.2 Diagnostic Test Developer

4.1.3 Instrumentation Supplier

4.1.4 Chemical/Reagent Supplier

4.1.5 Pathology Supplier

4.1.6 Independent Clinical Laboratory

4.1.7 Public National/regional Laboratory

4.1.8 Hospital Laboratory

4.1.9 Physicians Office Lab (POLS)

4.1.10 Audit Body

4.1.11 Certification Body.

4.2 The Clinical Laboratory Market Segments

4.2.1 Traditional Market Segmentation

4.2.2 Laboratory Focus and Segmentation

4.3 Industry Structure

4.3.1 Hospital Testing Share

4.3.2 Economies of Scale

4.3.2.1 Hospital vs. Central Lab

4.3.3 Physician Office Lab's

4.3.4 Physician's and POCT

5 Profiles of Key MDx Companies

5.1 Abacus Diagnostica

5.2 Abbott Laboratories

5.3 Accelerate Diagnostics

5.4 Access Bio

5.5 Ador Diagnostics

5.6 ADT Biotech

5.7 Akonni Biosystems

5.8 Alveo Technologies

5.9 Anitoa

5.10 Antelope Dx

5.11 Applied BioCode

5.12 Aureum Diagnostics

5.13 Aus Diagnostics

5.14 Autonomous Medical Devices

5.15 Baebies

5.16 Beckman Coulter Diagnostics

5.17 Becton, Dickinson and Company

5.18 Binx Health

5.19 Biocartis

5.20 BioFire Diagnostics (bioMerieux)

5.21 bioMerieux Diagnostics

5.22 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

5.23 Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH

5.24 Cepheid (Danaher)

5.25 Credo Diagnostics Biomedical

5.26 Cue Health

5.27 Curetis N.V./Curetis GmbH

5.28 Detect

5.29 Diagenode Diagnostics

5.30 Diasorin S.p.A.

5.31 Domus Diagnostics

5.32 Enzo Biochem

5.33 Eurofins Scientific

5.34 Fluxergy

5.35 Fusion Genomics.

5.36 Genedrive

5.37 Genetic Signatures

5.38 GenMark Dx (Roche)

5.39 Genomadix

5.40 Getlabs

5.41 Grip Molecular Technologies

5.42 Hibergene Diagnostics

5.43 Hologic

5.44 Immunexpress

5.45 Inflammatix

5.46 Invetech

5.47 Iollo

5.48 Janssen Diagnostics

5.49 Karius

5.50 LightDeck Diagnostics

5.51 Lucira Health

5.52 Luminex Corp (DiaSorin)

5.53 LumiraDx

5.54 Maxim Biomedical

5.55 Meridian Bioscience

5.56 Mesa Biotech (Thermo Fisher)

5.57 MicroGem

5.58 Millipore Sigma

5.59 Minute Molecular

5.60 Mobidiag (Hologic)

5.61 Molbio Diagnostics

5.62 NanoDx

5.63 Nanomix

5.64 Novacyt

5.65 Novel Microdevices

5.66 OnsiteGene

5.67 Operon

5.68 Oxford Nanopore Technologies

5.69 Panagene

5.70 Perkin Elmer

5.71 Prenetics

5.72 Primerdesign (Novacyt)

5.73 Prominex

5.74 Proof Diagnostics

5.75 Qiagen

5.76 QuantuMDx

5.77 QuidelOrtho

5.78 Roche Molecular Diagnostics

5.79 Salignostics

5.80 Saw Diagnostics

5.81 SD Biosensor

5.82 Seegene

5.83 Siemens Healthineers

5.84 Sona Nanotech

5.85 SpeeDx

5.86 T2 Biosystems

5.87 Talis Biomedical

5.88 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

5.89 Veramarx

5.90 XCR Diagnostics

5.91 Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech

6 Market Trends

6.1 Factors Driving Growth

6.1.1 New Genotypes Creating New Markets

6.1.2 Aging Population a Boon for All Diagnostics

6.1.3 Developing World Driving ID Dx Growth

6.1.4 Point of Care - Why Centralization is Losing Steam

6.1.5 Self Testing

6.1.6 The Need for Speed

6.2 Factors Limiting Growth

6.2.1 Lower Costs

6.2.2 Infectious Disease is Declining

6.2.3 Wellness Hurts

6.2.4 Economic Growth improves Living Standards

7 Molecular Dx - Infectious Disease Recent Developments

7.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section

7.1.1 Importance of These Developments

7.1.2 How to Use This Section

7.2 Domus Diagnostics Wins NIH RADx Tech Contract

7.3 Llusern Scientific to Launch POC MDx UTI Panel

7.4 Altratech Enters POC MDx Testing Space with Unique Tech

7.5 BioMerieux SpotFire MDx POC System Leverages Novel Approach

7.6 Katalyst Labs to Distribute ProtonDx Dragonfly Rapid IVD System

7.7 LEX Diagnostics Developing Ultra-Fast Low-Cost PCR

7.8 Sherlock Biosciences Adds to Infectious Disease Dx Toolkit

7.9 NanoDx Prepares for Point-of-Care Commercialization

7.10 Paragraf to Study New POC Test to Guide Antibiotic Selection

7.11 MicroGEM to Expand 30-Minute RT-PCR System

7.12 Startup Detect to Roll Out Next-Gen Molecular Instrument

7.13 Diagnostics for the Real World Third-Generation POC Platform

7.14 Salignostics Closes Funding Round

7.15 Cue Health Targets DTC Market in 2022

7.16 Grip Molecular Developing Home Respiratory Panel

7.17 Mainz Biomed Developing Home ColoAlert Assay

7.18 MFB Fertility Closes Series A Financing Round

7.19 Home Test Company Prenetics to go Public

7.20 Roche to Acquire TIB Molbiol to Expand Infectious Disease Portfolio

7.21 BforCure Preparing Multiple Panels for Point-of-Care qPCR Platform

7.22 Talis Biomedical Discusses Point-of-Care

7.23 Roche to Acquire GenMark Diagnostics for $1.8B

7.24 Pandemic Pushes Handheld qPCR Devices Closer to Commercialization

7.25 Hologic to Acquire Mobidiag

7.26 Lucira Health Focuses on User Friendly Approach to Home Testing

7.27 Infectious Disease Dx Firm Talis Biomedical Raises $254M in IPO

7.28 Fluidigm Plans 'Durable' Diagnostics, Clinical Business

7.29 Thermo Fisher Scientific to Acquire Mesa Biotech for Up to $550M

7.30 Mammoth Biosciences Developing Pathogen Detection Tech

7.31 Illumina, IDbyDNA Developing Sequencing-Based Respiratory Tests

7.32 Scanogen Developing 90 Minute Infection Test

7.33 Malaria Assays Use CRISPR for Point-of-Care Multispecies Detection

7.34 FDA Provides Self Testing SARS-CoV-2 EAU Guidance

7.35 Mammoth Biosciences Announces Rapid, CRISPR-Based COVID-19 Diagnostic

7.36 Genetic Signatures Gets CE Mark for Coronavirus Molecular Test

7.37 Qiagen Respiratory Panel with Coronavirus Receives CE Mark

7.38 Lumos Diagnostics Closes $15M Series A Funding

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xa3p6x

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



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SOURCE Research and Markets
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus announced today that it has been awarded a contract for its advanced energy portfolio by Provista Inc. This new, nationwide agreement provides Provista members with negotiated pricing for Olympus energy products, including the POWERSEAL sealer/divider, the SONICBEAT ultrasonic portfolio and THUNDERBEAT hybrid energy portfolio.

The multi-year agreement was effective as of July 1, 2023.

Olympus' advanced energy portfolio, including the POWERSEAL sealer/divider, the SONICBEAT ultrasonic portfolio and THUNDERBEAT hybrid energy portfolio, is available under a contract awarded by Provista Inc.

The Olympus advanced energy portfolio is available under this contract, including:

The Universal Surgical Energy Generator (EPF-1), which provides common forms of surgical energy and eliminates the need for multiple generators.

The SONICBEAT Ultrasonic Energy Portfolio, which offers precise dissection with 5mm sealing and secure tissue grasping thanks to unique wiper jaw design. 1

The THUNDERBEAT Hybrid Energy Portfolio, which offers efficiency through fast cutting and versatility and 7mm sealing and precise dissection. 2

The POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider, which features a curved, tapered and double-action Maryland dissector/grasper design and vessel sealing up to and including 7mm, including pulmonary vessels, tissue bundles and lymphatics.3

"Contract awards are important to our business," said Jay Sullivan, Group Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, Medical Systems Group, Olympus. "But even more important is that the Provista awards create opportunities for customers such as ASCs to access state-of-the-art equipment toward improving patient care in a value-based framework. The ASC market is important for healthcare providers and the communities they serve, and we are focused on growing our presence there."

Olympus offers an array of energy options such as the THUNDERBEAT hybrid energy devices portfolio that deliver ultrasonic and bipolar energy simultaneously for tissue management, including hemostatic cutting and dissection, in laparoscopic surgery and open surgery. Olympus' POWERSEAL devices can be used in general surgery and gynecological, colorectal, bariatric, urological, thoracic and vascular surgical procedures.

The EPF-1 generator, with its accessories and ancillary equipment, is intended for cutting and coagulation of tissue in open, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery and should only be used by a qualified physician in an adequate medical environment. Improper use or use of incompatible equipment with these generators may lead to excessive or incorrect HF and cause thermal or other injuries for the patient and/or operator.

All plugs must be securely inserted into the corresponding sockets for proper use. Be aware that if the main plug is accidentally disconnected during a procedure, the electrosurgical generator immediately turns off and this may result in complications for the patient should it occur during energy delivery. Please refer to the instructions for use prior to usage.

For more information about Olympus' energy portfolio, visit the SONICBEAT, THUNDERBEAT, POWERSEAL and EPF-1 Generator product pages.

About Olympus

At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states.

For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.

1 Data on file with Olympus (869-2368, 869-2512)

2 Data on file with Olympus (868-4375, 868-4378, 868-3710)

3 Data on file with Olympus (DN004705, DN0044706)

SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas
As the nation celebrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 72nd birthday, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming gubernatorial election in September 2024, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, has joined other well-meaning Nigerians in extending heartfelt prayers and well wishes to the Nigerian President.

In a goodwill message from his Media Office in Benin City, the candidate offered prayers for President Tinubu's continued health and success, while appreciating the president's dedication to improving the lives of the people and his efforts in building a more stable, secure, prosperous, and united Nigeria.

"May God grant you good health to fulfill your renewed Hope Agenda," the candidate expressed, acknowledging President Tinubu's enduring commitment to the betterment of Nigeria and its people.

His words, "President Tinubu's leadership has been instrumental in advancing the principles of democracy, unity, and progress of the nation.

"On this auspicious occasion, we pray for your continued health, wisdom, and success in all your endeavors," the candidate said."

Continuing, he said, "Mr. President's tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to addressing the myriad challenges facing our nation deserve commendation. His decision to prioritize the welfare of the people over personal celebrations on his birthday reflects true leadership and empathy. Through bold reforms and decisive policies, he has tackled economic hardships and security concerns head-on, demonstrating a clear vision for a better future.

"The initiatives introduced by Mr. President, such as the Pulaku initiative and the release of palliatives to ease economic burdens, highlight his dedication to improving the lives of citizens. Additionally, his proactive approach to security issues, including the introduction of state police and efforts to address farmer-herder conflicts, demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians.

"Mr. President's call to citizens to support government efforts and emulate examples of positive contributions to society underscores his belief in the collective responsibility of building a prosperous and united nation. It is through collaborative efforts and shared determination that we can overcome challenges and achieve lasting progress", he said.
SALT LAKE CITY, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Parker Migliorini International (PMI Foods) announced that it is again partnering with City of Refuge to help feed victims of human trafficking and women and children in need this Easter season. This latest donation is aimed at providing support to the most of the most vulnerable in our society.

City of Refuge has transformed the lives of more than 35,000 people City oRefuge

PMI Foods is donating 10,000 lbs pounds of high-quality prime rib that City of Refuge will use to feed members of Atlanta's Westside community this holiday season. The donation of thousands of meals will feed victims of human trafficking, homeless individuals, and many families served by the City of Refuge in Atlanta, Georgia.

"At PMI Foods our mission is to feed the hungry and we delighted to be able to once again support City of Refuge" said Darin Parker, President of PMI Foods. "This Easter as we gather with our loved ones to celebrate, we all must continue to work to help those most in need."

City of Refuge is in the middle of one of Atlanta's most historic and struggling neighborhoods, where nearly 40% of the residents live below the Federal Poverty Level. The organization has been a lifeline for Atlanta's Westside community for over a quarter of a century, providing transitional housing to more than 240 homeless women and children and supporting and sheltering nearly dozens of victims of human trafficking.

"Our support starts with getting people stable which means housing, clothing, healthcare, and food," said Bruce Deel, founder and CEO at City of Refuge. "Let me applaud PMI Foods for their generous donation that will help us continue to do God's work in one of the most deprived zip codes in Atlanta."

PMI Foods is committed to supporting its local community and has a long-standing tradition of giving back, being good corporate citizens and feeding millions all over the world. In 2024, PMI Foods is working hard to support food banks, homeless shelters, and other non-profit organizations around the world.

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. Learn about PMI Foods at https://www.pmifoods.com/

About City of Refuge

Since the organization was founded in 1997, City of Refuge has transformed the lives of more than 35,000 people by providing the tools they need to break down barriers through a strategic mix of supportive services that target health & wellness, housing, vocational training, and youth development. The nonprofit is headquartered in Atlanta's historic Westside and has several satellite campuses across the country. Additional information about City of Refuge is available at https://www.cityofrefugeatl.org/

SOURCE PMI Foods
ST Telemedia Global Data Centers India (STT GDC India) provides cost-effective, best-in-class solutions with state-of-the-art technology and sustainable practices.

MUMBAI, India, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the data center colocation services industry and, based on its findings, recognizes STT GDC India with the 2023 Indian Company of the Year Award. STT GDC India is a pioneer data center solutions provider that delivers cutting-edge solutions and services, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and technological innovation.

2023 Indian Data Center Colocation Services Company of the Year Award

STT GDC India stands out through its commitment to establishing long-term, sustainable business practices, with a strong focus on building and operating environmentally sustainable data centers. The company has strengthened its market leadership through its sustainable practices and significant investments in data center footprint expansion, technological advancement, and innovative solutions development. The company currently holds the coveted preferred partner status with customers across industries, including global hyperscalers and Fortune 500 companies.

STT GDC India bolsters its strategic growth by continually investing in multiple locations, ensuring its capacity to meet the increasing demand for edge data centers. The company seamlessly integrates automation and new technologies into its construction and operational processes to optimize outcomes and improve delivery times. This commitment is evident in the company's integration of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and liquid immersion cooling systems, enhancing its data center energy efficiency and operational effectiveness.

"As an industry pioneer instrumental in leading the country's data center market, STT GDC India follows best practices that enable it to provide exceptional solutions and services. The company's replicable, integrated project management framework underpins its highly structured approach to data center development, helping it deliver best-in-class facilities on time," said Rubini Kamal, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

"STT GDC India is honored to receive Frost & Sullivan's 2023 Indian Company of the Year Award, recognizing our commitment to innovation and sustainability in the data center industry. We are dedicated to providing cutting-edge solutions while upholding ethical and eco-responsible business practices. This award reaffirms our position as a leader in the market and motivates us to continue delivering exceptional services to our valued customers," said Sumit Mukhija, CEO and Executive Director, STT GDC India.

STT GDC India's remarkable growth and success are largely attributed to its comprehensive approach toward customer-centric solutions and proactive customer relationship management. By offering a broad spectrum of services, ranging from customized racks to entire build-to-suit buildings, the company can cater to its clients' diverse and specific needs.

Additionally, the company's emphasis on regular communication and customer satisfaction evaluations has played a critical role in understanding and adapting to clients' dynamic needs. By leveraging advanced service desk solutions, STT GDC India has effectively streamlined its incident reporting and customer support processes, resulting in enhanced customer experiences and increased efficiencies in issue resolution and service requests.

"As a testament to its industry-leading data centers, solutions, and services, in 2022, STT GDC India added over 45 customers to its portfolio. Notably, the company won two double-digit capacity orders from hyperscalers, while its contracting capacity increased by 40% compared to the previous year. Moreover, its revenue grew by almost 26%, making way for robust expansion and continued growth," noted Kapil Baghel, Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence, in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies and the resulting leadership, in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion .

Contact:

Tarini Singh

P: +91- 9953764546

E: [email protected]

About STT GDC India

ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (India), a leading co-location data center services provider in India, is a majority-owned subsidiary of ST Telemedia Global Data Centers, Singapore. The company has been at the forefront of the Indian colocation market for more than two decades with an impeccable record in the design, build and operations of data centres. It currently manages one of the largest white space areas, with more than 318MW of critical IT load spread across 28 facilities including facilities under development, across 10 cities in India. The company has a well-diversified portfolio of customers, including many Fortune 500 companies, and holds around 30% of the market share by revenue. Its mission-critical solutions comprise best-in-class offerings, delivering industry-leading quality of services and uptime to its customers.

The company is committed to becoming carbon neutral in terms of operations by 2030 and emphasizes responsible growth through focus on ESG, Safety, ethics, integrity and inclusion.

For further details, please contact:

Anju Williams

STT GDC India

[email protected]

Homesh Bawari

Adfactors PR

[email protected]

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
GUANGZHOU, China, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In Liwan district, Guangzhou, there is a place called Fangcun famous for its tea and flowers. At present, Fangcun tea market has 26 main operators and nearly 4,000 merchants, which is the professional tea distribution center with the largest scale, the most concentrated shops, the most complete varieties, the largest trading volume and the widest radiation surface in China. It is also the national tea circulation hub and brand incubator, according to Investment Promotion Center of Liwan District. As the vane of the national tea industry and tea economy, Fangcun tea market has the reputation of "the world tea relies on China, and the Chinese tea industry relies on Fangcun".

Fangcun tea source has a long history. Thousands of years ago, famous families from Zhejiang Province migrated south to settle down here and multiply with their ancestral tea growing skills, thus giving birth to "Chajiao Village". Remembering the good scenery of tea and flowers in Jiangnan in the old days, the villagers planted flowers in addition to tea, and gradually developed into "the first flower town in Lingnan" due to favorable climatic conditions, which was named "Flower Land" and later renamed "Fangcun".

Fangcun has been an important tea trade port since ancient times. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Fangcun was an important producer of jasmine tea, and its products sold well at home and abroad. Fangcun Dachongkou is also the fermentation test base of Pu'er tea, creating the era of ripe tea of Pu'er tea. The rise of Fangcun tea wholesale market in the 1990s brought together a large number of experienced and unique industry stallions, representing the highest level of the industry.

Facing the challenges and opportunities of the new era, the innovation of industrial model, the cohesion of brand power and the deepening of cultural communication constitute the new driving force for the development of Fangcun tea industry. This vital place of tea industry, full of vitality, will surely be the future of the integration of tea industry with culture, tourism, e-commerce, creativity and other industries, and will certainly be the future of helping to cultivate and build an international consumption center city, spreading Lingnan culture, and promoting the transformation and upgrading of China's tea development.

SOURCE Investment Promotion Center of Liwan District, Guangzhou
MIAMI, March 29, 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.

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.

this sets 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.

the idea behind 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.

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 body shape.

: 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 body shape. Pranayama / Breath-work: 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.

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.

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.

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 trialling 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.

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 Journe y 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.

apart from other online yoga platforms is it's unique 7-stage Journe 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.

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
WASHINGTON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universities Space Research Association today announced the appointment of Dr. Robert O'Brien as Director, Center for Space Nuclear Research.

Rob brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of space and nuclear science. As an internationally recognized Principal Space and Nuclear Scientist/Engineer, Rob has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both research and programmatic management.

Rob comes to USRA from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) where he served as Senior Technical Advisor for Defense and Space Nuclear Technologies. Prior to that he was a USRA Senior Scientist leading nuclear fuel and radio isotope technology development efforts and also served as CSNR's Interim director in 2015. Rob's leadership experience at INL includes R&D on special reactor concepts, advanced nuclear instrumentation, nuclear fuels, various national and international programs, and other initiatives for NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense.

His extensive research and programmatic management experience span across advanced manufacturing, space systems and instrumentation design/development, experimental payload development, defense systems and infrastructure protection, nuclear fuel performance, nuclear instrumentation, nuclear safety, irradiation testing, directed energy and laser systems, radioisotope source design, and nuclear power system design and development.

Rob's academic background is equally impressive--he holds a PhD in nuclear engineering and physics of radioisotope and nuclear power/propulsion systems for space exploration from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, as well as a master's degree in physics in Space Science and Technology. He holds several patents and patents pending and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

We are thrilled to welcome Rob back to USRA as the Director of our Center for Space Nuclear Research," said Bernie Seery, Vice President for Science and Technology at USRA. "We anticipate Rob's return to USRA as the Director of our Center for Space Nuclear Research will greatly benefit our research initiatives and enhance our position in the field of space nuclear research."

About USRA

Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. It is an association with 117 university members. It engages the broader university community, employs in-house scientific talent, and offers innovative research, development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.

PR Contact:

Suraiya Farukhi

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SOURCE Universities Space Research Association
DUBLIN, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing Markets by Application, Organism and Product with Executive and Consultant Guides. Includes Direct to Consumer Analysis. 2023 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Will all newborns receive Whole Genome Sequencing at birth? How fast will Direct to Consumer Testing grow? What sequencing technology will take the lead? What's holding the industry back? Where are the over 800 locations that have high throughput devices?

The plummeting costs for Whole Genome Sequencing are creating a gold rush for market players. New consumers, new technologies, new specializations. In a situation reminiscent of the birth of the internet industry a wide range of well funded players are racing for market share on a truly global stage. The report forecasts the market size out to 2023. The report includes detailed breakouts for 14 countries and 5 regions.

Tumor Cell Sequencing? Direct to Consumer? Gene Expression? Find out about the technology in readily understood terms that explain the jargon. What are the issues? Find the opportunities and the pitfalls. Understand growth expectations and the ultimate market forecasts for the next five years.

Make investment decisions and valuations with confidence using the latest data.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Market Guides

1.1 Whole Genome Sequencing Market - Strategic Situation Analysis & COVID Impact

1.1.1 Selected Genetic Testing Companies Revenue & Growth

1.1.2 Selected Companies Growth Chart

1.2 Guide for Executives, Marketing, Sales and Business Development Staff

1.3 Guide for Management Consultants and Investment Advisors

2. Introduction and Market Definition

2.1 Whole Genome Sequencing Definition In This Report

2.1.1 Whole and Exome Sequencing

2.1.2 Research and Clinical

2.1.3 Clinical Tumor

2.1.4 Clinical Pathogen

2.1.5 Agri/Other

2.1.6 Direct to Consumer

2.2 The Genomics Revolution

2.3 Market Definition

2.3.1 Revenue Market Size

2.4 Methodology

2.4.1 Methodology

2.4.2 Sources

2.4.3 Authors

2.5 Perspective: Healthcare and the IVD Industry

2.5.1 Global Healthcare Spending

2.5.2 Spending on Diagnostics

2.5.3 Important Role of Insurance for Diagnostics

2.6 Sizing the Genome - Not What You Think

2.6.1 Cost, Price and Genome Size, Pricing Practice

2.7 GLOBAL LISTING OF HIGH THROUGHPUT SEQUENCING ESTABLISHMENTS INSTALLED BASE - Location & Contacts

3 Market Overview

3.1 Market Participants Play Different Roles

3.1.1Instrument Manufacturer

3.1.2 Independent lab specialized/esoteric

3.1.3 Independent lab national/regional

3.1.4 Independent lab analytical

3.1.5 Public National/regional lab

3.1.6 Hospital lab

3.1.7 Physician lab

3.1.8 DTC Lab

3.1.9 Sequencing Labs

3.1.10 Audit body

3.2 Whole Genome Sequencing - Markets, Examples and Discussion

3.2.1 Direct to Consumer - Two Approaches

3.2.1.1 The New Age of Medical Information

3.2.1.2 Dangers in DTC-WGS - Health Costs and Regulation

3.2.1.3 Newborn and Prenatal - A Brave New World

3.2.1.4 DTC - How Many Segments?

3.2.2 Research Markets

3.2.2.1 Research Funding and Capital Expense

3.2.2.2 WGS Datasets Preferred

3.2.2.3 Existing research repurposed

3.2.2.4 Organism Wide Market

3.2.2.5 Service Suppliers Respond

3.2.3 Clinical - Understanding Germline and Somatic

3.2.3.1 Somatic - Chasing Mutations and Pharmacogenomics

3.2.4 Pathogen Testing

3.2.4.1 The Hepatitis C Story

3.2.4.2 Will the Microbiology Department Disappear?

3.2.5 AgriBio - Big Business

3.2.5.1 GMO is Here to Stay

3.2.5.2 WGS Benefits and Risks

3.2.5.3 The New Agriculture

3.3 Industry Structure

3.3.1 Hospital's Testing Share

3.3.2 Economies of Scale

3.3.3 Instrument Manufacturer Role

3.3.4 Healthcare Industry Impacts - Still Struggling

3.3.4.1 Can the Healthcare Industry Adapt?

3.3.4.2 Genetic Counselling as an Industry

3.3.4.3 WGES Adoption and Cannibalization

3.3.4.4 The Meaning of Grail

4 Market Trends

4.1 Factors Driving Growth

4.1.1 Diagnostic Factors

4.1.2 Interpreting the Code Otherwise

4.1.3 Changes in Agriculture

4.1.4 Fertility Technology Comes of Age

4.1.5 Pathogen Challenges

4.2 Factors Limiting Growth

4.2.1 Increased Competition Lowers Price

4.2.2 Lower Costs

4.2.3 Healthcare Cost Concerns Curtail Growth

4.2.4 Wellness has a downside

4.2.5 GMO Opposition Movement

4.3 Sequencing Instrumentation

4.3.1 Instrumentation Tenacity

4.3.2 Declining Cost Changes Industry Structure

4.3.3 LISTING of CURRENT NGS INSTRUMENT SPECIFICATIONS

4.3.4 llumina

4.3.5 ION

4.3.6 Pacific Biosystems

4.3.7 Roche

4.3.8 SOLiD

4.3.9 Oxford Nanopore

4.3.9.1 What is Oxford Nanopore Sequencing?

4.3.9.2 What can Oxford Nanopore Sequencing be used for?

4.3.9.3 Oxford Nanopore Products

4.3.10 Long Reads - Further Segmentation

4.3.11 Linked Reads

4.3.12 Targeted Sequencing Adopts CRISPR

4.3.13 New Sequencing Technologies

4.3.13.1 RNAP sequencing

4.3.13.2 In vitro virus high-throughput sequencing

4.3.13.3 Tunnelling currents DNA sequencing

4.3.13.4 Sequencing by hybridization

4.3.13.5 Sequencing with mass spectrometry

4.3.13.6 Microfluidic Sanger sequencing

4.3.13.7 Microscopy-based techniques

5 WGES Recent Developments

5.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section

5.1.1 Importance of These Developments

5.1.2 How to Use This Section

5.2 Myriad Genetics to Study MRD Testing

5.3 Adela Developing Epigenetic Multi-Cancer Detection

5.4 Epic Sciences Expanding Infrastructure for Liquid Biopsy Test

5.5 Bionano Laboratories Announces New Prenatal Whole Genome Tests

5.6 Myriad Genetics Plans Product Launches

5.7 Genomics England, Aims to Sequence 100K Newborns

5.8 Juno Diagnostics NIPT With At-Home Sample Collection

5.9 Cardio Diagnostics Launches Genetic Cardio Risk Test

5.10 Universal Genetic Testing in Breast Cancer Further Supported

5.11 Aniling Gets CE-IVD Marks for Cancer Sequencing Tests

5.12 MyOme Lands Investment for WGS

5.13 GenomSys Gains CE Mark for New Genomic Analysis Software

5.14 WGS Finds Lung Cancers Fall Into Molecular Subtypes

5.15 Testing Distinguishes Benign Tumors From Precancerous Condition ..

5.16 Plan to Sequence All Newborns in UK

5.17 Clear Labs Raises $60M for Nanopore Sequencing

5.18 Variantyx Expands Into Prenatal, Cancer Testing

5.19 Whole-Genome Sequencing Aids Diagnosis in Stockholm

5.20 Variantyx Raises $20M

5.21 Nonacus WGS Service for SARS-CoV-2 Laboratories

5.22 Center to Report Risk Scores in Clinical WGS

5.23 Stanford Launches WGS for Cardiovascular Testing

5.24 Illumina and NY Healthcare Partner on Clinical WGS

5.25 Increased Adoption of WGS Needs Acceptance by Payors, Providers ..

5.26 Veritas Intercontinental Completes 5M Series B Financing Round ..

5.27 M2GEN and Discovery Life Sciences in Bioinformatics Agreement

5.28 Genomics England Adopts Quantum ActiveScale Object Storage

5.29 GenomiQa, Icon Group to Validate Genomic Analysis Platform CapeDx

5.30 NHS Wales Introduces WGS for Critically Ill Newborns

5.31 Illumina Achieves EAU for NGS-Based SARS-CoV-2 Test

5.32 C2i Genomics to Launch Trials for MRD Detection Tech

5.33 Roche Acquires Sequencing Company Stratos Genomics

5.34 UK COVID-19 Sequencing Consortium Launches

5.35 Invitae Acquires Three Companies: YouScript, Genelex, Diploid

5.36 Experience From Centralized Genomic Medicine Lab

5.37 MGI to Enable $100 Human Genome

5.38 Nebula Genomics offers $299 WGS

5.39 Team to Study Campylobacter Omics

5.40 Veritas Genetics Restarts US Business

5.41 NEOGEN, Gencove partner to advance animal genomics

6 Profiles of Key Companies (Partial List of 136)

10x Genomics, Inc

1928 Diagnostics

23andME Inc

Abbott Laboratories

AccuraGen Inc

Adaptive Biotechnologies

Admera Health, LLC

Agilent/Dako

Akonni Biosystems

Baylor Miraca Genetics Laboratories

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics

Becton, Dickinson and Company

BGI Genomics Co. Ltd

Bioarray Genetics

Biocept, Inc.

Biodesix Inc.

BioFluidica

BioGenex

Biolidics Ltd

bioMerieux Diagnostics

Bioneer Corporation

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc

Bio-Techne

C2i Genomics

Caris Molecular Diagnostics

CellMax Life

Day Zero Diagnostics.

Diasorin S.p.A.

Element Biosciences

Element Biosciences

Epic Sciences

Epigenomics AG.

Genetron Holdings

Genewiz

Genomics England

Genomics Personalized Health (GPH)

GenomOncology

Genzyme Corporation

Grifols

Human Longevity, Inc.

iCellate

Illumina

Incell Dx

Inivata

Invitae Corporation

Invivoscribe

Karius

MNG Labs

NantHealth, Inc.

Natera

Nebula Genomics

NeoGenomics

New England Biolabs, Inc.

Novogene Bioinformatics Technology Co., Ltd.

Omega Bioservices

Oncocyte

OncoDNA

Precipio

PrecisionMed

Promega

Protagen Diagnostics

Qiagen

QuantuMDx

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Revvity

Roche Molecular Diagnostics

Roswell Biotechnologies

Seegene

Sequencing.com

Siemens Healthineers

simfo GmbH.

Ultima Genomics

Variantyx

Volition

Vyant Bio

Zymo Research Corp

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u3exej

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Tehran, March 29 : Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has called on governments and international organisations to fulfill their "human, legal and historical responsibility" and take action to stop Israel's "genocidal crime" against Palestinians in Gaza.

He made the remarks on Thursday in a post on social media platform X, citing as proof of Israel's "genocidal crime" in Gaza a report titled "Anatomy of a Genocide" presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Tuesday by Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Israel's "genocidal crime against the Palestinians has now been confirmed and asserted by the special rapporteur at the UNHRC," Kanaani said, stressing, "Now governments and international political and legal assemblies and institutions are not only subject to the judgment of the world public opinion, but also to the judgment of history."

A total of 32,552 Palestinians have been killed and more than 74,980 others were injured in the Gaza Strip since Israel began its offensive against Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The war began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 people as hostages, according to the Israeli authorities.

Condemning Israel's attacks against medical centres in Gaza in another post on X on Wednesday, Kanaani said the war against hospitals in the Gaza Strip was a "tragic and painful part of the process of the war crimes" of the Israeli army against the people of the coastal enclave.

He added official reports said that since the outbreak of the war against Gaza, Israel had made "33 hospitals completely unable to provide medical services".
Warsaw, March 29 : Poland and Ukraine had moved a step forward in finding solutions on agricultural imports, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal.

He said on Thursday that the two governments were close to solutions on the number of agricultural products that can flow to Poland, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that the issue of the transit of Ukrainian goods through Poland was also discussed to ensure the transit does not disrupt the Polish market.

Shmyhal hailed the talks as "constructive," saying the two sides had made progress regarding lifting the border blockade.

He said that the Ukrainian government had suspended the granting of grain export licenses so that corn, rapeseed, sunflower, and wheat would not be exported to Poland.

"We do not issue such licenses now, we will issue them after consultation with the Polish government," Shmyhal added.

Polish farmers have been staging protests against cheap agricultural imports from Ukraine by blocking border crossings and tensions have grown between Kiev and Warsaw. The new Polish government led by Tusk had pledged to solve the issue after it came into power last December.
Tunis  Tunisia will host the first Mediterranean Decarbonisation Forum by the end of September 2024, announced the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA).

A preparatory meeting was held on Friday in Tunis, the confederation said in a press release.

This event will be an occasion to present the decarbonisation ecosystem in Tunisia and in the Mediterranean.

Participants will learn about innovative and effective solutions for making a successful transition to carbon neutrality.

The forum will also be a timely opportunity for discussion, mutual learning and joined-up action in support of the low-carbon strategy and fight against climate change.

"An organising committee bringing together all the stakeholders will be set up in the next few days," UTICA added.

The preparatory meeting was attended by UTICA President Hichem Elloumi, Technical Centre for Mechanical and Electronic Industries (FEDELEC) President Adel Manaa, United Nations Development Programme (UNPD) Resident Representative in Tunisia Celine Moyroud and National Energy Management Agency (ANME) Director General Fathi Hanchi, as well as representatives of the various organisations and institutions involved in the issue of decarbonisation.
Lucknow, March 29 : The Lucknow unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the house of a preacher in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district and questioned him for several hours after picking him up in connection with the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on March 1, senior police officials said.

The officials added that the preacher came on the NIA radar as his mobile phone location was found in Karnataka on the day of the blast.

They said the NIA team had been camping in Bareilly and raided the preacher's house in Dhaura Tanda town under the Bhojipura police station limits after tracing his mobile phone location.

They added that the preacher was not found at his house and was later picked up from a place of worship and taken to the Bhojipura police station in Bareilly.

A senior police official said the NIA team questioned the suspect for around five hours at the police station. The local police were kept away from the entire process.

He added that the NIA team left after questioning the suspect, issuing instructions that he should not leave the city without informing the police.

He said the local police have been asked to keep a vigil on the suspect and inform the NIA if he ventures outside Bareilly.

The NIA team also asked the suspect the reason for his presence in Karnataka on the day of the blast and why he moved to Bareilly afterwards.

The official added that the suspect was said to be preaching at a Karnataka centre, following which he stayed there for some months and returned to Bareilly after completing his work.

The NIA team obtained contact numbers from the preacher's mobile phone book and was likely to check the credentials of all the persons who were in touch with the suspect.

The official said the agency could initiate action against the suspect if his involvement surfaced in the investigation.

The investigation agency suspected Al-Hind Islamic State module was behind the blast and apprehended that it was linked with the Mangaluru cooker blast of November 2022 due to a similarity in the timer and detonator devices in the IEDs used in the Rameshwaram Cafe and the cooker blasts.
Lucknow, March 29 : The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have arrested four persons, including three women, allegedly of Rohingya origin, on charges of illegally crossing the India-Bangladesh border and entering India under false identities, a top police official said.

The suspects impersonated themselves as Indian citizens using forged documents, ATS claimed.

The arrested individuals were identified as Aamir Hamza, 21, Meena Jahan, 19, Sukura Begum, 22, and Onatra Begum, 19, all residents of Myanmar.

Director Beneral of Police (DGP), Prashant Kumar, said that the Uttar Pradesh ATS had been gathering intelligence regarding the illegal entry of Rohingya citizens into India through the porous India-Bangladesh border.

"These individuals were suspected of using forged documents to establish themselves as Indian nationals and engaging in anti-national activities across various states in India. Upon receiving credible information, the Uttar Pradesh ATS team intercepted a group of Rohingya citizens, including women, travelling from Silchar, Assam, to New Delhi via train on March 27," Kumar added.

Sources in the ATS disclosed that the girls were being trafficked to Jammu and Kashmir.

Senior police officers revealed that Aamir Hamza used to lure girls from Myanmar on the pretext of good job opportunities and salary.

Later, he provided them with fake Indian identities and sent them to states like Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana and Karnataka.

Sources further said Aamir would be subjected to further questioning. He would be questioned about his associates in Bangladesh as well as in India and how many young girls he had trafficked from Myanmar to India.
Beirut, March 29 : The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has urged Lebanon and Israel to stop escalation in southern Lebanon, calling for a diplomatic solution to the border conflict.

"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," the UNIFIL said on Thursday in a statement.

The UNIFIL also expressed its concern over the surge of violence across the Blue Line, which has caused a high number of civilian deaths and the destruction of homes and livelihoods, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UNIFIL added that it remains ready to support a diplomatic solution in any way, including by convening a tripartite meeting at the parties' request.

Earlier on Thursday, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, expressed concerns over repeated attacks on health facilities and health workers in southern Lebanon.

"Attacks on healthcare violate international humanitarian law and are unacceptable," he said.

"The rules of war are clear: civilians, including healthcare workers, must be protected."

The statement came a day after Israeli attacks killed 11 civilians in southern Lebanon, including 10 paramedics.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 last year. In response, Israel retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.
The Hague, March 29 : The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has 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 said on Thursday 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 January 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, Xinhua news agency reported.

On December 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 January 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 said 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 added.
Schwarzenegger shares pic of 'pacemaker', says will be ready for 'Fubar 2' shoot next month. Image Source: IANS News

Los Angeles, March 29 : Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger has given a health update and shared that he will be ready to shoot for the second season of 'Fubar' by next month.

The actor shared a picture of himself with a thank you note for those who sent him messages.

Schwarzenegger went on to assure his fans that the health issues will not keep him from shooting.

"Absolutely not," Schwarzenegger said about whether he'd be prevented from shooting. "I will be ready to film in April," reports deadline.com.

The actor shared a photo of himself reclining on a chair, with a red wire running out of his ear into the pacemaker.

Of the "pacemaker," he wrote sarcastically, "you can only see it if you're really looking for it."

Talking about 'Fubar', it revolves around a CIA operative on the verge of retirement, who discovers a family secret and is forced to go back into the field for one last job.

The series also has Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Andy Buckley and Jay Baruchel.
Yangon, March 29 : One person was killed and 27 others were injured in multiple vehicles collision in Myanmar's Mandalay region, rescue officials said on Friday.

The accident occurred in Meiktila town around 4:20 p.m. local time on Thursday when a car initially hit a bicycle and then collided head-on with another vehicle carrying garment factory employees, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The one riding the bicycle has died. A total of 27 people from both vehicles were injured," Kyaw Ko Ko, an official from the Myoset Thit Myat Parami Rescue Organization, told Xinhua.

He said the deceased was a female.
Sydney, March 29 : A man has been shot dead in the Australian state of Melbourne on Friday, police said.

"A man was injured outside a property on Justin Avenue in Glenroy shortly after 4.30 a.m. local time. Paramedics tried to revive the victim but he was declared deceased at the scene," Victoria Police said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

A crime scene has been established and investigators are currently working to determine circumstances surrounding the death, the police said.

The authority is also appealing for witnesses to collect information.

With a usual resident population of around 23,000, Glenroy is located about 12 km north of Melbourne's central business district.

"At this stage, we haven't yet confirmed the identity of the deceased. However, we're working on the belief that he is a particular individual that is known to us," said Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas.

He told a press conference that the shooting occurred outside a strip of shops in a car park and the man was found lying next to a vehicle with fatal injuries.

"It appears at this stage to be a targeted attack. The deceased is known to police and does have a criminal history," Thomas added.
New Delhi, March 29 : The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Friday issued an advisory to citizens about calls impersonating DoT, threatening people to disconnect mobile numbers.

Calls are being received by the citizens wherein callers, in the name of DoT, are threatening that all of their mobile numbers would be disconnected or their mobile numbers are being misused in some illegal activities.

The DoT also issued advisory about WhatsApp calls from foreign origin mobile numbers (like +92) impersonating government officials and duping the people.

"Cyber criminals through such calls try to threaten/steal personal information to carry out cyber-crime/financial frauds," the DoT said.

The DoT said it does not authorise anyone to make such calls on its behalf and has advised people to stay vigilant and asked not to share any information on receiving such calls.

The government has also advised citizens to report such fraud communications at 'Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communications' facility of Sanchar Saathi portal.

Further, citizens can check the mobile connections in their name at 'Know Your Mobile Connections' facility of Sanchar Saathi portal and report any mobile connection not taken by them or not required.
New Delhi, March 29 : The Delhi High Court has said that it will examine whether the terms of Google's advertising programme unjustly restricts advertisers from seeking legal remedies or opting for arbitration within India.

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has said that it will examine whether the terms of Googleas advertising programme unjustly restricts advertisers from seeking legal remedies or opting for arbitration within India.

Justice Pratibha M. Singh was hearing a plea filed by Startupwala Private Limited against Google India Private Limited, challenging the conditions under which their digital advertisements were disapproved or labelled as 'Limited'.

Startupwalaas legal action, invoking Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, demands that Google India reinstate all the company's digital advertisements disapproved or marked as 'Limited' in December 2023 and January 2024.

Additionally, it seeks to prevent Google from disapproving any remaining ads under the same classification.

The contention revolves around the disapproval of Startupwalaas advertisements based on Google's 'Government Documents and Official Services' policy.

Startupwala argues against Clause 13 of the Advertisement Terms, which mandates arbitration in Santa Clara County, California, USA, claiming it effectively denies them the opportunity to pursue legal remedies in India.

Justice Singh's notice to Google calls for a thorough evaluation of whether such a clause truly inhibits Indian entities like Startupwala from accessing their legal rights or mandates that arbitration should occur within India.

Google has been directed to respond within two weeks, during which, it is ordered that advertisements currently not blocked and labelled aEligible (limited)a should not be altered or removed.

This order comes with the stipulation that the content of these advertisements remains unchanged until the next hearing.

"Since the Respondent is yet to file a reply and there are no reasons on record as to why any of these advertisements are disapproved or marked as Eligible (limited), the Court has considered the irreparable loss which can be caused to the petitioner and its business," the court noted.

"Hence, it is directed that those advertisements which have currently not been blocked and are labelled as 'Eligible (limited)'....shall not be blocked or taken down till the next date of hearing," it added.
New Delhi, March 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India is making rapid advancements in the renewable energy sector, like solar, wind energy and green hydrogen, thus building 'Green GDP' which the world economies should embrace to tackle the burning issue of climate change together.

The Prime Minister said that the world should develop the concept of Green GDP to measure economic development.

"We must ask how much green GDP is out of the total GDP of a country. We need to think about changing the terminology around economic development," the Prime Minister told Microsoft Co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.

As India aims to become a $5 trillion economy, the concept of green GDP becomes a crucial factor, which takes into account the environmental costs of production.

PM Modi said that we should aim for nature-friendly innovation.

"India has created a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus fund to boost technological innovation in sunrise sectors, which provides 50-year interest free innovation to young entrepreneurs for research on future technologies, including how to save the climate."

According to the Prime Minister, living a climate-friendly life is crucial too.

"All growth metrics are anti-climate today like which country is consuming more energy or using steel and we tend to follow that. This mindset needs to be changed," PM Modi told the billionaire philanthropist.
It was an honor to lead the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) Trade and Investment mission to Nigeria, visiting Abuja, the nation's capital, and Lagos, the commercial center, from February 21-26. CCA is a business association focused solely on promoting U.S - Africa business, trade, investments and partnerships.

In Abuja, the delegation met with His Excellency Bola Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and met with multiple ministers and heads of agencies. The president acknowledged that the country is facing headwinds but assured the delegation that he was committed to creating investment opportunities and growing the economy. Our team at Axxess and Cavista Holdings sponsored a dinner for the delegation, senior government officials and business leaders to celebrate the successful trade and investment mission. It was an opportunity to showcase the best of CCA and our upcoming summit.

In Lagos, the delegation met with the H.E Jide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State. The governor shared the investments they have made in transportation, health and technology. We had the pleasure of hosting the CCA team at our Cavista Holdings office in Lagos and we concluded the mission trip with a reception at the Consul General's residence.

It was an immense honor for CCA's Trade & Investment Delegation of CCA member companies to meet with H.E. President Tinubu and his team today. - @CorpCnclAfrica on X

We officially invited the President of Nigeria, the Governor of Lagos and Nigerian business leaders to attend the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas from May 69 and look forward to hosting a large delegation from Nigeria. Congratulations to Florie Liser, the team at Corporate Council on Africa, and our valued members for an outstanding and successful mission trip. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas in May. Source: LinkedIn Post

John Olajide, who chairs the CCA Board of Directors, is founder and CEO of Axxess , the leading home healthcare technology company in North America, based in Dallas.



Read: President Tinubu  Meeting with Trade Mission from the Corporate Council on Africa

From CCA LinkedIn Post:

During CCA's trade and investment mission to Nigeria - its first since the COVID pandemic - we were pleased to meet with H.E. President Bola Tinubu. CCA member companies representing a range of sectors shared their current business ventures and planned investments with President Tinubu and key members of his cabinet.

We welcomed President Tinubu's commitment to enacting significant reforms that will enable the business environment and unlock the potential for further investmentsin Nigeria while effectively overcoming significant macro-economic economic challenges and eradicating poverty. CCA is proud to build on its longstanding partnership with Nigeria, and to lead the charge in enhancing U.S.-Nigeria trade, investment, and business. Join us as we pave the way for a prosperous future, benefiting both Nigerian and American businesses and people alike!
US soldiers suffer brain injuries in missile attack on airbase in Iraq. Image Source: IANS News

Sanaa, March 29 : The US forces have shot down four drones launched by the Houthi group in Yemen, the US military said.

These drones were directed at a US-British coalition vessel and a US warship in the Red Sea, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, adding this incident marked the second day of attacks on US naval ships in the region.

The coalition intercepted and destroyed four drones targeting a US warship in the Red Sea on Wednesday, it said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in retaliation for Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip.

In response, the US and Britain have conducted air and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January, leading to escalation of attacks by Houthi forces even on US or British warships.

Many shipping companies have changed routes to avoid the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest waterways, to reach African destinations.
Islamabad, March 29 : In quick succession, official voices are emerging from Pakistan on resumption of trade with India.

Within a week, first Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and now the Pakistan Foreign Office have talked about a proposal for resuming trade with India.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that the Foreign Office was reviewing a proposal for resumption of trade with India, Dawn reported.

Recalling a statement by Dar about the business community expressing interest in review of restrictions on trade with India, the spokesperson said, "Examination of such proposals is a regular exercise in the government of Pakistan, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where we continue to consider all such requests and assess our policy."

The spokesperson said that so far there was no change in Pakistan's position on the issue.

On March 24, Dar said that the relevant stakeholders would "seriously examine" the trade situation with India as he highlighted the concerns of the business community.

In December, last year, former Pakistan PM and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had stressed the need to improve relationships with Pakistan's neighbours, stating, "We have to fix our affairs with India and Afghanistan as well, [and] strengthen them further with Iran and China."

Dar highlighted that the business community often made appeals and demands with regards to the trade situation with India.
New Delhi, March 29 : In order to prevent hoarding and speculation by unscrupulous elements, the Central government on Friday announced that all retail and wholesale traders of wheat in the country will have to declare their stock position on the official portal with effect from April 1.

The official portal can be accessed at https://evegoils.nic.in/wheat/login.html)

The stock position will have to be updated every Friday until further orders, the directive said.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution said it is maintaining a close watch over the stock position of wheat and rice to control prices and ensure easy availability in the country.

The order is applicable to traders/wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors in all states and union territories.

All the respective legal entities will have to ensure that stocks are regularly and correctly disclosed on the portal.

The order states that the Wheat Stock Limit is expiring on March 31 for all categories of entities in states and UTs. Thereafter, the entities have to disclose the wheat stock on the portal.

Rice stock declaration by all categories of entities is already in place. Any entity which is not registered on the Portal, may register themselves and start disclosing the wheat and rice stock on every Friday. Now, all legal entities have to declare their Wheat and Rice stock on the portal regularly, the order added.
Pulkit makes halwa for first time, wife Kriti says she has fallen in love all over again. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, March 29 : Actress Kriti Kharbanda has fallen in love all over again with her actor-husband Pulkit Samrat, as he cooked his 'first rasoi' and made halwa for his wife.

Tagging him as a "green flag", Kriti shared a string of pictures of Pulkit from the kitchen, while he made the halwa.

The actress also shared images of the dish after it was plated.

"Green flag alert! Ok so something major happened yesterday and I fell in love all over again. I didn't think this was possible, but yet, It happened. Pulkit ki pehli rasoi happened yesterday. I walked into the kitchen and realised he's making halwa," she wrote alongside the images.

Kriti added: "I asked him what he was doing, and he casually responded, "halwa bana raha hoon, it's my pehli rasoi. I giggled and told him, pehli rasoi ladki ki hoti hai baby. To which his response was, 'that's so silly, we've both decided to share equal responsibility in this relationship'."

"You cooked for our family back home in Delhi, I'll cook for our family here in Bengaluru. Simple! He used the word simple. Yes. So casually he changed everything around and used the word simple. And in all honesty it was. It was that simple," she further added.

Kriti then thanked her husband for showing that she made the "best decision".

The actress said: "@pulkitsamrat you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. Thank you for showing me that you're the best decision l've ever made.

"Tu sabr ka phal hai baby, sabse meetha! Thu Thu Thu P.S. the pictures aren't so great coz I was too blurry visually from being supremely emo, but really wanted to share this with the world."

The couple got married in an intimate wedding on March 15, after dating for a few years. They have never shied away from talking about their relationship and have often been spotted at events and dinner dates and taking vacations together.
Islamabad, March 29 : Judicial bodies are gearing up to shield six siting IHC (Islamabad High Court) judges, who have alleged interference of spy agency operatives in judicial matters, against any "targeted assault".

A press release of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Thursday gave out a clear position the judiciary will be taking on the matter.

"Interference by the Executive in the affairs and judicial workings of Judges will not be tolerated and under no circumstances can independence of the judiciary be allowed to be compromised," read the press release.

Moreover, other important judicial bodies have also come forward to back their judges on their allegations.

Pakistan Bar Council has summoned a meeting of the executive committee on April 5 to discuss the situation.

"The posturing of the judiciary and its bodies, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan is giving out a clear and strong message to the intelligence agencies that judiciary is not weak like the political governments. That it would back its judges and protect them. Judiciary is a strong institution and it is showing its preparedness and strength against as powerful opponent in the military establishment," said political analyst Nasir Iqbal.

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has called for a formation of a proper committee, comprising at least three senior judges of the Supreme Court.

"There has to be a thorough investigation by a proper committee which should be constituted by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Isa, since the allegations of interference and intimidation are serious and significant," said Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Riazat Ali Sahar and Farooq Naek.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has also come out with its backing of the six judges, asserting and affirming its commitment to the independence of judiciary.

"Such issues should be addressed in a befitting manner and any apprehensions/misgivings which might be in the minds of the judges should adequately addressed," said SCBA President Shahzad Shaukat.

"Particular concerns are the incidents such as alleged coercion of judges by operatives of intelligence agencies, including instances of surveillance, abduction, and intimidation directed at judges and their families. These actions, if proven true, represent a direct assault on the rule of law and the principle of justice that form the bedrock of any democratic society," Shaukat added.

The accusations and claim by the six IHC (Islamabad High Court) judges have not gotten an all out opposition or criticism.

However, a strong support base is certainly being witnessed for the judges by the institution, hinting clearly that the judiciary is standing with its judges and would not bow down to the influence and pressure of the military establishment and its intelligence agencies.

The Shehbaz Sharif government on Thursday had formed a committee to probe allegations against the spy agencies.
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 29 : 70-year-old Jayaprakash and his 60-year-old wife Valsala, from Ettumanoor in Kottayam, are still waiting to hear the voice of their younger son, Jithin, after nearly seven years.

Valsala told IANS that Jithin Jayaprakash, after he did his Bachelor's degree in Management, told them that he wishes to go to Australia. After pooling their meager resources, they gave him five lakh Rupees.

On May 23, 2016, the then 25-year-old Jithin left for Australia from Kochi, through Indonesia .

The then happy parents bid good bye to Jithin, but are now sitting in their rented home, both unemployed. People extend some relief to them and their noon meals are from the famed Ettumanoor Temple.

"The last call from him was on June 15, 2017, and we do not know from where he was calling, as we believed he was in Australia. At times he used to send money, but till date after June 15, 2017, we have no clue about where he is," said Valsala.

After hearing the story of Valsala, kind-hearted Keralite's based in Melbourne started to look out for Jithin in Australia.

Thiruvallam Bhasi, a senior journalist based in Melbourne approached the migration authorities in Australia. After a detailed probe, it was found that no one by the name of Jithin bearing his passport number ever landed in Australia.

"We have now written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Union Minister of State for External Affairs to take up the case of missing Jithin," said Bhasi.

A distraught Valsala said that a few times, they were unable to face the insinuations of people from whom they borrowed money, and even thought of committing suicide.

"But we have decided that we will fight it out and we just wish to know about our son and what happened to him. Both of us have health issues and the meager income of our elder son helps us to pay our rent," said Valsala, still hoping that they will hear some news of Jithin.
New Delhi, March 29 : Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a wanted man in connection with the death of a Bank employee following a quarrel that broke out between "Yaaran Da Adda" restaurant workers and customers over some misunderstanding during birthday celebrations in the outskirts of the national capital last month, an official said on Friday.

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a wanted man in connection with the death of a Bank employee following a quarrel that broke out between "Yaaran Da Adda" restaurant workers and customers over some misunderstanding during birthday celebrations in the outskirts of the national capital last month, an official said on Friday.

The accused was identified as Aman (27), who was on the run since the commission of the crime on the intervening night of February 20-21.

According to police, in the intervening night of February 20-21, Jatin Sharma (23), a resident of Budh Vihar, was stabbed to death while his two friends sustained injuries at "Yaaran Da Adda" a restaurant bar in Vardhman Mall, Pitampura.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Satish Kumar said that recently, specific information regarding absconding Aman that he would be coming near Jai Mata Store, Budh Vihar to meet his acquaintance.

"A trap was laid and Aman was nabbed," said the DCP.

On interrogation, Aman disclosed that on the night of February 20, around 11:30 p.m., Jatin Sharma came to the bar to celebrate his birthday along with his friends.

"After cutting the cake, an argument broke between Jatin and a girl (an employee of the bar). The altercation turned into a physical fight between them. Bar owner Kishore Kumar, accused Aman along with Abhi, Dilip, Vishal, Shoaib, Gyan, Kaif, and Ali (all employees of the bar) attacked Jatin and his friends with iron rods, sticks, and a knife which they poked in Jatin's abdomen and also fired a gunshot with a country-made pistol," said the DCP.

Later, Jatin was shifted to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

"Aman was actively involved and assaulted the Jatin with his friends with an iron rod and absconded," the DCP added.
Mumbai, March 29 : Nationalist Congress Party (SP)'s sitting MP from Satara, Shriniwas D. Patil has decided to bow out of the Lok Sabha 2024 race owing to ill health, party supremo Sharad Pawar announced here on Friday.

Patil (83) won in the 2019 LS by-polls, trouncing the royal contender Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle, in the keenly contested election when Pawar was seen sporting a white shirt, fully soaked in pouring cold rain, while addressing a massive rally there, grabbing national headlines.

A senior former bureaucrat, 3-time MP and ex-governor of Sikkim, Patil will not contest the Satara seat, but assured his support and services for any candidate fielded by the NCP (SP), said Pawar.

The party Chief said that in view of Patil's stepping out of the poll race, "We have to be very careful about our candidate," adding that many leaders are contenders for the Satara seat, an erstwhile royal seat of the Chhatrapati clan.

However, Pawar said that the party will discuss all aspects and announce its Satara candidate in the next couple of days who would lock horns with the Bharatiya Janata Party's likely nominee, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhonsle.

In the adjoining former royal seat of Kolhapur, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)'s united candidate, Chhatrapati Shrimant Shahu Maharaj will contest on a Congress ticket.
Jaipur, March 29 : The BJP in Rajasthan has directed its workers to contact each house on April 6, the party's foundation day, to carry forward the 'Modi Ka Parivar' campaign.

"The BJP leadership has decided to implement the 'Modi Ka Parivar' campaign on ground and has directed its workers to take BJP stickers and flags to each house in each booth on this day. The aim is to take the message of PM Modi to each family and to strengthen and extend the 'Modi ka Parivar'," BJP Vice President Narayan Panchariya told IANS.

"In each booth in the city, around 200 families live...so around 200 flags and stickers will be sent to these houses. They can put up these on April 6," he said.

"The idea is to give the message of 'Yeh Ghar, Modi Ka Parivar'. We will ask the residents questions like -- how much do you love PM Modi? Do you feel like a member of the Modi family? If they say yes, then the stickers and flags will be pasted and hoisted on their houses. We have ordered stickers to be pasted on scooters and cars as well," he added.

"We have around 52,000 booths in the state and have deputed our workers accordingly so that this campaign reaches each family in every house," he said.

"Lakhs of stickers have been ordered for April 6. So for each booth a maximum of 500 stickers have been ordered for a city," the BJP leader said, adding that the campaign will be run across the nation.

He said the voter list will go to booth president and surveys will be done simultaneously to know the feedback on PM Modi policies. On April 6, this campaign will be taken across the nation and all party workers will be engaged in the programme, said Narayan Panchariya.

Speaking on a query that Congress is launching its manifesto from Jaipur in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on April 6, he said, "Let them carry on with their work in Jaipur city. But we will reach out to every booth in every village to strengthen and extend 'Modi ka Parivar."
Jaipur, March 29 : Amid geological tensions impacting the global economy, India has maintained its pace of having the fastest-growing GDP rates among major economies, thanks to the political stability that the country enjoys today which has given it a new sense of confidence, said JKLU Laureate awardee Deepak Parekh.

"We have already witnessed the impact of ongoing wars on the global economy. India could not have been more fortunate to have the kind of political stability it enjoys today. The tone at the top has percolated down and this has given the country a new sense of confidence and belief in itself, Parekh said in his address after receiving the award on Wednesday.

"India has turned centre stage globally, not only because of its growth momentum, but also because of its ability to create strong ties and relationships with other countries," he added.

The JKLU Laureate Award 2024 was conferred on Parekh by JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), an initiative of the JK Organisation. The prestigious event, hosted at the sprawling campus of the university in Jaipur, was graced by the presence of distinguished dignitaries. Additionally, a global audience tuned in via a live webcast on the official JKLU YouTube channel.

Delivering the Hari Shankar Singhania Memorial Oration, titled 'Viksit Bharat/Vision India 2047: Opportunities for Youth', Parekh said that India's youth are the luckiest to see the country grow like never before.

"It is true that some generations are luckier than others. All you youngsters here, you are undisputedly the luckiest of generations, given how India is developing and being perceived by the global community. Perhaps you had little control over the time of your birth, but you have control over witnessing and harnessing this once in a generation opportunity of seeing India grow like never before," Parekh said.

"We all know that India is likely to be the third largest economy within the next three years overtaking Japan and Germany. Look at the trajectory, it took 60 years after independence for India to become a 1 trillion-dollar economy. We became a 2 trillion-dollar economy in 2014, and a 3 trillion-dollar economy in 2019. While the pandemic set us back, the next big leap of a 5 trillion-dollar economy is estimated to be in 2027-28. Many forecasts now estimate that this growth thrust will enable India's stock market capitalisation to touch 10 trillion dollars by 2030 from the current level of 4.4 trillion," he said.

"What has brought about this rapid change? India has held the tag of being the fastest growing major economy for a while now. The tailwinds of improved institutional strength and governance, the rise of entrepreneurship and stable political leadership has catapulted India into a zone where the world wants India and not the other way around," Parekh stressed.

Renowned for his pivotal role as the former Chairman of Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), Shri Deepak Parekh propelled HDFC to global acclaim, ranking among the top 10 banks worldwide. Beyond HDFC, he serves as the non- executive chairman of Siemens Ltd. in India and on the board of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Internationally, he has roles on the boards of DP World - UAE and advisory boards of Accenture, Investcorp International Ltd, Warburg Pincus LLC, and Fairbridge Capital Pvt Ltd.

Esteemed figures such as former President Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Lord Meghnad Desai, Bestselling Author Ram Charan, former SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya, and former Director General, CSIR R A Mashelkar are among the previous recipients of the Laureate Award, recognised for their invaluable societal contributions.

Throughout his illustrious career, Parekh has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Padma Bhushan, 'Bundesverdienstkreuz' (Germany's Cross of the Order of Merit), and 'Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honour' by the French Republic, solidifying his legacy as a visionary leader of global stature.

Speaking at the event, Parekh observed, "Though JKLU is a young university, much of its inspiration is attributed to the futuristic vision of Lala Lakshmipat Singhania, the founder of the Lakshmipat Singhania Education Foundation."

Offering advice to the youth, he emphasised, "Beware of the pitfalls of financial greed and arrogance. Cultivate kindness, for while your work may fade, the impact of how you make others feel will endure. Embrace change fearlessly, and never cease learning. Take time to connect with both the elderly and the young, as they offer invaluable wisdom and perspectives."

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dheeraj Sanghi, Vice Chancellor of JKLU, setting the stage for an inspiring evening. R.P. Singhania, Pro-Chancellor of JKLU, eloquently highlighted the profound significance of the JKLU Laureate Award.

The evening's highlight was Deepak Parekh receiving the award, complemented by a poignant film honoring the extraordinary life and vision of Hari Shankar Singhania, the revered former President of the JK Organisation.

"Today, as we pay tribute to Deepak Parekh and commend the accomplishments of exceptional individuals, we embrace the ethos of advancement and ingenuity. With a vision for an empowered India by 2047 and a pledge to cultivate the potential of our youth, we chart a course towards a future brimming with opportunities and transformative progress. Let us forge ahead with unwavering resolve and perseverance, knowing that progress is assured when fueled by dedication and integrity," noted R.P. Singhania, Pro-Chancellor, JKLU.

"The Laureate Award symbolises excellence and distinction, representing JKLU's most esteemed accolade. It is our privilege to announce Deepak Parekh as this year's recipient," remarked Dheeraj Sanghi, Vice-Chancellor of JKLU.

He added, "As a titan in the realm of financial services, Shri Parekh embodies an institution unto himself. When such a personality receives an award, it's not just about him being honored, but also about him honoring us by accepting the award."

Speaking on the occasion, Shri H.P. Singhania, Pro-Chancellor of JKLU, expressed, "It is an honor for us to recognise Parekh amidst this esteemed gathering and to have him graciously accept the JKLU Laureate Award. Our deepest gratitude to him for his distinguished presence here today. We also extend our appreciation to Mr. Parekh for his insightful remarks, particularly his emphasis on embracing change, continuous learning, and fostering diverse collaborations, including his valuable advice to engage with individuals over 70 and below six years of age."

Through this meaningful tradition, JKLU reaffirms its commitment to acknowledging and celebrating visionary leaders who have played pivotal roles in shaping the course of our nation's journey.

Established in 2011 by J.K. Organisation (JKO), JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU) is a pioneering institution committed to bridging the industry-academia gap, carrying forward JKO's illustrious 125-year legacy of nation-building.
press release

The Inkatha Freedom Party in Gauteng (IFP Gauteng) welcomes the official government gazette announcing the end of e-tolls in Gauteng, with effect from the 1 April 2024.

From the onset of the e-tolling system, the IFP Gauteng was firmly opposed to its implementation based on the principle that it was an irrational and unfair system, that only tolled Gauteng motorists, for the use of urban freeways that are used by all. This system caused undue financial burden for motorists, who face other rising transport-related costs such as fuel hikes.

The IFP Gauteng views the end of this e-tolls as a victory for the people of Gauteng, who have been defiant against it for nearly a decade. Gauteng motorist have been the ones who were unfairly saddled with this unworkable system. The IFP salutes citizens for their resolve in not paying for a system that only sought to abuse their right to fair access and use public of freeways in their province.

At last sanity and sound-reasoning has prevailed. And finally, the motorists will travel freely on their roads without the worry of e-toll bills.
North 24 Parganas: Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali village, being produced at the Basirhat court. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, March 29 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) will approach the district court in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district for seeking permission to question Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind of the January 5 attack on ED and CAPF personnel in Sandeshkhali.

Shahjahan, after the completion of his custody with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, was remanded to judicial custody for 12 days by the Basirhat Sub-divisional Court.

Sources said that on Saturday the ED will move the same district court for permission to question Shahjahan at the correctional home in connection with the ration distribution case.

Subsequently, sources added, the ED officials will also approach a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata next week to get the custody of Shahjahan for more detailed and in-depth interrogation.

The ED and their accompanying CAPF personnel were attacked by Shahjahanas associates in front of his residence in Sandeshkhali after the central agency sleuths attempted a raid and search operation in connection with the ration-distribution case.

The ED has confiscated property worth Rs 13 crore owned by Shahjahan.

On Thursday, the CBI counsel informed the district court at Basirhat that Shahjahan had arranged local anti-social elements over the phone to carry out the attack on ED and CAPF personnel.

During the hearing, the CBI counsel named two persons -- Ziauddin Molla and Didarbux Molla -- with whom Shahjahan had interacted before the attack.

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Daler Mehndi praises Ram Charan, says his passion for music and dance is truly inspiring. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, March 29 : Daler Mehndi has collaborated with star Ram Charan for his latest track 'Jaragandi' from the film 'Game Changer'.

The Punjabi pop sensation has heaped praise on the actor and said that his passion for music and dance is truly inspiring.

'Jaragandi' is a fusion of Punjabi beats and South Indian flavour.

The songas title, which translates to 'Let it happen', is a vibrant and energetic track that seamlessly blends Daler Mehndi's signature bhangra beats with Ram Charan's charismatic presence.

Mehndi said in a statement: "Working with Ram Charan has been an incredible experience. His passion for music and dance is truly inspiring, and I believe our collaboration has resulted in something truly special."

'Game Changer' is a political action thriller film directed by S. Shankar.

The film stars Ram Charan in double roles. It also has Kiara Advani, Anjali, S. J. Suryah, Jayaram, Sunil, Srikanth, Samuthirakani and Nassar.
Lucknow, March 29 : Hours after the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a magisterial probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Banda has ordered a judicial probe into the matter.

Garima Singh, Additional CJM, has been asked to carry out the probe and submit her report within one month.

Mukhtar Ansarias family members have alleged that Ansari died due to "slow poisoning" through the food served to him in Banda jail.

The opposition parties have also demanded a judicial probe into Ansarias death since he had already voiced his apprehension before the court that he was being poisoned in jail.

Ansari (60) suffered a massive heart attack in Banda jail on Thursday during a medical check-up and fell unconscious. He was immediately taken to the Banda Medical College where he died.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ansarias health had deteriorated and he was admitted to the ICU at Banda Medical College. However, he was discharged the same evening after doctors declared him fit.

Ansari had earlier told the court that he was being given food laced with poison in jail, after which the court had sought a report. He had alleged that he was also given food laced with poison 40 days ago.

Ansari, a five-time former MLA from Mau Sadar seat, had been behind bars in UP and Punjab since 2005. He has over 60 criminal cases pending against him.
Lucknow, March 29 : Majid Ali, brother of Kamaal R Khan - known for his controversial criticism of Indian film personalities - will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Saharanpur constituency on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket.

Lucknow, March 29 (IANS) Majid Ali, brother of Kamaal R Khan  known for his controversial criticism of Indian film personalities  will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Saharanpur constituency on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket.

Ali is the richest candidate in eight constituencies of the state going to the polls in the first phase on April 19, with declared total assets of around Rs 160 crores.

In 2019, Haji Fazlur Rehman of BSP won the Saharanpur constituency with a margin of more than 23,000 votes. However, he has been dropped from the list this time.

Back then BSP was in alliance with SP. However, this time SP has joined Congress, while BSP is contesting without any allies.

Majid Ali said that BSP will win the Saharanpur constituency with more than 5.50 lakh votes in the Lok Sabha polls

"We have done our calculations. In 2019 too, our candidate won due to our strong vote bank. Parties like the BJP are contesting elections on Ram Mandir and on communal lines, rather than on burning issues like unemployment, and education. If I win the election, I will raise the issue of unemployment in parliament and will make sincere attempts to generate job opportunities," he said.

Asked if Kamal R Khan is on the same page, Majid said, "Will discuss with Kamaal on this matter."

Family sources said that in 2016, when Majid Ali contested and won the panchayat elections, Kamaal had campaigned for him.

"This time the stakes are higher so Kamaal Bhai will definitely campaign and is also likely to bring his 'friends' from the industry here," said a family member.

The people of Saharanpur are excited at the idea of seeing some film stars during the campaign as it has been years since film stars campaigned in Saharanpur.

"We are waiting to see who comes with Kamaal Bhai," said Rafeeq, a distant member of the family.
Congress gets fresh notice from I-T dept, calls it 'tax terrorism'. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 29 : The Congress has received a fresh notice of Rs 1,823 crore from the Income Tax Department for its alleged failure in complying with the tax returns.

The notice, adding to the party's tax woes, comes a day after the High Court rejected its plea challenging tax notices.

The fresh I-T notice is for the Assessment Years 2017-18 to 2020-21 and also includes interest and penalty.

The grand old party has accused the BJP-led government of hatching conspiracy and squeezing its funds, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"The systematic process to thwart Indian Democracy by the BJP proceeds at an alarming rate. Yesterday, we received fresh notices from the IT department to pay Rs 1823.08 crore. Already, the IT department has forcibly taken away Rs 135 crore from our bank account," the party said in a press note.

The Congress equated the I-T notice to "tax terrorism" and alleged that it was a blatant attempt to cripple the party financially ahead of the elections.

The party accused the I-T department of singling it out in tax recovery while bypassing BJP's tax violations to the tune of Rs 42 crore.

Addressing a press conference, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said, "I-T dept snatched Rs 135 crore from Congress accounts for alleged violation of Rs 14 lakh but closed its eyes on a similar violation of Rs 42 crore by BJP,"

The Congress has already lodged a protest against the I-T department for freezing its bank accounts and imposing a penalty of Rs 200 crores in February. The party has spoken about its cash crunch and claimed in a recent press conference that it does not have money to fund its election campaign.

The party had also appealed against Rs 200 crore tax notice to Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) but failed to get any reprieve as it was told to pay taxes and outstanding dues.

On Thursday, the party got another jolt as the High Court dismissed its petition challenging initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it.

-- IANS

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Bengaluru, March 29 : The Mandya Parliamentary Constituency in south Karnataka is turning out to be one of the most high-profile seats in the state where the contest is primarily between former CM and JD(S) state President H.D. Kumaraswamy and Congress' Venkataramane Gowda aka Star Chandru, a close associate of Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.

The Mandya district is considered to be a Vokkaliga heartland, with the Deve Gowda family and the JD(S) having dominated over the years. However, Shivakumar emerged as the face of the community and succeeded in tilting the community vote bank towards the Congress in the 2023 Assembly election.

Kumaraswamyas contest has been strategized to win back the Vokkaliga vote bank. With the BJPas support and PM Modias wave, the former CM is hoping to defeat the Congress party in the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP leaders and the Gowda family are planning to put up a mega show in the first week of April during Kumaraswamy's nomination filing. Sources said that the BJP and JD(S) have sent a message to the community by fielding Kumaraswamy as the face of NDA. The BJP is making all efforts to win the south Karnataka regions.

The Mandya Lok Sabha Constituency comprises Malavalli, Maddur, Melukote, Mandya city, Srirangapatna, Nagamangala, Krishnarajapete, and Krishnarajasagar Assembly seats.

The JD(S) could win only one seat in the 2023 Assembly election in Mandya. Congress won six Assembly seats, and a Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha candidate supported by Congress won the Melukote seat. One Assembly segment is SC reserved constituency.

BJP has never won the seat and the Congress registered victory in 2013. In 1996 and 1998, Janata Dal bagged the seat. In the 2009, 2014 and 2018 general elections, JD(S) was victorious. In 2019, independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh won the seat against Kumaraswamyas son, actor and politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy. BJP had then declared support for Sumalatha Ambareesh.

BJP polled 2.44 lakh votes in the Mandya in the 2018 Parliamentary by-election, raising hopes of the party.

The Congress is facing heat in view of releasing water to Tamil Nadu from Karnataka. The farmers of the Mandya region had to primarily bear the brunt. Though the issue of Cauvery River water has not been a major issue in elections in Karnataka, the failure of rain and release of water to Tamil Nadu are likely to affect the Congress party in the region.

Shivakumar, on the other hand, wants to assert himself as the face of the Vokkaliga community by winning the Mandya Seat and also the majority of seats in south Karnataka. He is all set to stake claim to the post of the CM presently held by Siddaramaiah for the rest of 2.5-year term.

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra is stationed in Mysuru to resolve the differences between the party and JD(S) workers. On the other hand, there are talks about changing the candidate for the Congress party in the backdrop of political heavyweight Kumaraswamy being the contestant.

The BJP leadership is in talks with sitting MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, who wants to contest as the BJP candidate from the Mandya seat. She had warned of contesting as an independent candidate if not given the ticket by the BJP. Sumalatha Ambareesh has not issued any statement yet. Sources said that even if she decides to contest as an independent candidate, it wonat affect the prospects of the NDA candidate.

Winning the Mandya Seat with a huge margin has become a matter of prestige for the BJP-JD(S) combine.

Congress candidate Star Chandru is an industrialist and realtor. Deputy CM Shivakumar has clarified that the candidature of Star Chandru wonat be changed, and Congress is going to win the seat.
New Delhi, March 29 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday submitted a supplementary charge sheet at a special court in Visakhapatnam against the eighth accused in a conspiracy case related to radicalisation of vulnerable youth towards Maoist ideology and extension of support to the banned outfit, CPI (Maoist).

The accused identified as Ramakkagiri Chandra has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Arms Act by the agency in its first supplementary chargesheet.

A senior NIA officer said that the accused was a state committee member of the Pragathisheela Karmika Samakhya (PKS), a frontal outfit for the CPI (Maoist).

"Chandra was found in possession of a pistol and ammunition provided by the CPI (Maoist)," the officer said.

According to officials, the NIA investigation revealed that Chandra had conspired with the underground leaders of CPI (Maoist) to further the activities of the proscribed outfit.

"As part of the bigger conspiracy hatched by the CPI (Maoist) cadres, he had also constructed a bust of slain Maoist leader S.A. Rauf at Kutigalla village in Andhra Pradesh," the officer said.

In May 2021, the NIA had filed its first chargesheet in the case, which is known as the Munchingput conspiracy case, naming seven persons as accused.

IANS

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Islamabad, March 29 : After five Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide blast in Besham in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Beijing has offered help to Islamabad to contain terrorism.

After the deadly attack, the Chinese government has called on the Pakistan government to ensure more security for its nationals.

"The Chinese military is willing to work with the Pakistani side to enhance the capability of the two countries to tackle various security risks and challenges, including terrorist attacks and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," said Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson of the China Ministry of National Defense.

Moreover, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson also urged Pakistan to enhance security measures to safeguard Chinese nationals, projects and institutions.

A Chinese investigation team is also in Islamabad to work with the Pakistani side to probe further into the terrorist attack.

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi visited the Chinese Consulate in Islamabad on Friday and had a brief meeting with the Chinese investigating team.

As per official sources, Naqvi briefed the Chinese team about the ongoing investigation and assured complete and full cooperation by Pakistan in getting those involved in the heinous attack, to accountability and justice.

"Besham attack has opened up new domains for military level cooperation between Pakistan and China that will be discussed and explored in the coming days. The strategic partnership between the two countries has a strong history," said political analyst Adnan Shauqat.

Millitaries of both the countries have maintained frequent, close and high-level exchanges, resulting in successful outcomes including joint-military exercises and training professional exchanges, personnel training and equipment and technological cooperation.

The most recent show of strong ties between the two countries was evident with the 36-member PLA Guard of Honour escorting the Chinese national flag while marching on the Pakistan Day Parade military on March 23.

Lin Jian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "China opposes all forms of terrorism, firmly supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism and will work with it with even stronger commitment to do everything possible to project the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan".
New Delhi, March 29 : In an open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the Kiev's ongoing conflict with Russia and exchanged views on various initiatives.

In a first high-level visit by a Ukrainian leader since the start of Russian invasion of Kyiv in 2022, Kuleba began his two-day official visit to India on Thursday to reinvigorate bilateral ties with India.

"An open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukraine FM @DmytroKuleba this afternoon. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various initiatives in that context," EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

"Spoke as well on global and regional issues of interest to both of us. Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation," the minister added.

In his opening remarks at the meeting at Hyderabad House, S. Jaishankar said that Kuleba's visit gives India "an opportunity to understand the situation in your own region. And I look forward to hearing your perspectives on that".

Speaking of "momentum" in the bilateral relationship, the EAM said that the two nations have had interactions at various levels in recent months.

"I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created a certain momentum in our bilateral relationship," he said.

On his maiden visit to India, Kuleba said in a post on X on Thursday that he is in India to build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for peace.

Further, he said that his talks in India will include the peace formula proposed by Zelensky, which follows a 10-point plan to restore just and long-lasting peace in Ukraine.

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 Kyiv 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.
A 22-year-old man named Adewale Adenekan has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for his involvement in a secret society.

Adenekan, residing at No 3 Olaoluwa Close, Arigbanla Arigbajo area in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, was found guilty on two counts of conspiracy and belonging to an unlawful society.

According to Inspector Olaide Rawlings, the prosecutor, Adenekan committed the offence on November 6 in the Arigbajo area of Ifo LGA.

Rawlings told the court that Adenekan was brought in for questioning by the police after some of his fellow cult members were arrested during a clash between cult groups.

The prosecutor said during interrogation, Adenekan confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity cult group.

She said Adenekan's actions violated sections 45(b) and 35(b) of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and other Anti-Violence Related Matter Law, 2016.

The magistrate, Mr O.L Oke, after reviewing the evidence, found Adenekan guilty as charged and sentenced him to seven years in prison, with no option of a fine.
New Delhi, March 29 : Indian Institute of Management-Rohtak (IIM-Rohtak) has concluded the placement season for the 13th batch of its flagship 2-year postgraduate programme with the top 10 per cent of the students receiving an average of Rs 37.25 lakh per annum package.

According to the IIM, the average CTC received by the students stands at Rs 19.27 lakh per annum (LPA). The IIM said it showed a 3 per cent year on year (YoY) growth over the past yearas average. The top 25 per cent were offered an average of Rs 29.28 LPA and and the top 50 per cent got Rs 24.13 LPA respectively.

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, Director, IIM-Rohtak told IANS, aThis placement season experienced the participation of sizeable number of faithful loyal recruiters and engagement of numerous new companies. This year, the institute forged alliances with more than 200 companies. This includes new recruiters like Airtel Payments Bank, Bloomberg, Decathlon, Dell, Havells, IDBI Bank, and Maruti Suzuki. Loyal recruiters like Adobe, Aditya Birla, Tata Steel, Amazon, Barclays, Tata Steel, Capgemini, Cognizant, ICICI Bank, Mahindra and Mahindra continued to exhibit their faith in the ability of our students. This year also witnessed a good number of pre placement offers being given by various recruiters."

Prof. Koustab Ghosh, Dean said the sales and marketing was the most sought after domain and accounted for 30 per cent of the received offers, compared to 21 per cent last year, indicative of its popularity among students. Notably, the highest CTC has also been offered in the domain.

The General Management and HR were the second most sought after domain and accounted for 27 per cent of the offers, compared to 21 per cent in the previous year. Product Management, IT and Operations constituted about 20 per cent of the received offers, up from 15 per cent last year. As many as 15 per cent of the offers received were in the BFSI and FinTech domains, and eight per cent of the students received offers from the Consulting domain.
Hyderabad, March 29 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) senior leader and MLA Kadiyam Srihari along with his daughter Kadiyam Kavya, who opted out of contest as BRS candidate for Warangal Lok Sabha seat, held talks with senior Congress leaders here on Friday.

AICC in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, and AICC secretaries Rohit Choudhary and Vishnu Nath met them at their residence and invited them to join the Congress party.

Srihari, former Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, told media persons that he will discuss with his followers and take a decision.

"In a day or two, I will take a decision after consulting my followers and well-wishers and my workers," said Srihari, who was elected to the Assembly from Station Ghanpur constituency in the recent Assembly elections.

"I have not yet taken a decision. I have to take a decision first," he said when asked if he would be contesting Lok Sabha elections from Warangal as the Congress candidate.

On several leaders including MP K. Keshava Rao leaving BRS, Srihari said that for various reasons the party is losing ground. "For various reasons, people are moving away from BRS. To serve the people and do something for the constituency, we have to take a call," he said.

Dasmunshi said they had a detailed discussion. She said the Congress was waiting for a response from Srihari and his daughter.

Earlier, Dasmunshi along with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met the BRS General Secretary K. Keshava Rao, who along with his daughter and Hyderabad Mayor Vijayalaxmi Gadwal are set to join Congress on March 30.

Kadiyam Srihari, who was associated with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for a long time and served as a minister in united Andhra Pradesh, joined TRS (now BRS) in 2013. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Warangal on TRS ticket in 2014 but the next year BRS President and then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao inducted him into the Cabinet as Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister.

On Thursday, Kadiyam Kavya announced her decision to withdraw from contesting for the Warangal Lok Sabha seat.

Kavya wrote to KCR that recent media reports about party leaders regarding allegations of corruption, encroachments, phone tapping and the liquor scam have damaged the party's image. She also mentioned that the lack of coordination and cooperation among BRS leaders in the district caused more damage to the party.

BRS had decided to field Kavya after denying the ticket to sitting MP Pasunuri Dayakar. Peeved over this, Dayakar has joined the Congress.

Dayakar was elected in the 2015 by-election and in 2019 from Warangal, a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes.
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 29 : Good Friday was observed across churches in Kerala with a record turn out of the laity.

The ocassion of Good Friday is observed as a day of prayers, penance and fasting to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary Hills more than 2,000 years ago.

Christians in Kerala account for around 18 per cent of the 3.30 crore population of the state and belong to various denominations; the Catholics accounts for over 50 per cent of all Christianas and the remaining belong to the Syrian Orthodox, Jacobite, CSI, Mar Thoma besides the various Pentecoastal churches as well as the new generation prayer groups.

The churches have their own protocols for Good Friday service and for all, the mass on Good Friday is the longest of all the various masses in their religious calendar.

While in some churches, the Good Friday mass begins around 8. 30 a.m. and end around 1 p.m., in the Orthodox and Jacobite churches it ends after 2 p.m.

The most important event on Good Friday in churches is the 'Way of the Cross' -- the 14 stations on Christ's journey to Mount Calvary from Pilate's palace are enacted with the laity moving to each station, singing hymns as the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ is narrated by the priest.

The second significant ritual that happens in all churches is the customary ritual of drinking achorukaa (a concoction of bitter gourd juice and vinegar) by all.

When the Good Friday mass reaches its last lap, the priest pours out a spoon of 'choruka' into the mouth of each and every person who has come for the mass.

This symbolises the cry, a crucified Jesus made just before he died, and how some onlookers took a piece of cloth, dipped it in cheap wine, put it on a piece of stick, lifted it to his mouth and tried to make him drink.

And at the end of the mass is drinking of akanjia (the steaming hot gruel made with rice).

The other highlight of this Good Friday was with the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Kerala on April 26, candidates from the three political fronts was seen moving from one church to the other, wishing and greeting their voters.
New Delhi: TMC leaders Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen, Shashi Panja, Saket Gokhale and Sagarika Ghose address the media outside the Nirvachan Sadan (Election Commission of India). Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, March 29 : The Trinamool Congress on Friday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) accusing the BJP of deliberately trying to spoil its poll campaign in West Bengal by unleashing different central agencies against its leaders.

Instead of registering the complaint with the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), a member of the West Bengal cabinet flew to Delhi and lodged the complaint directly with the ECI at its headquarters there.

A Trinamool delegation led by state minister Shashi Panja went to the office of the ECI in the national capital on Friday afternoon and submitted a memorandum to the poll panel in the matter.

aThe issue will be discussed on Monday when our delegation will revisit the ECI office," Panja said.

Panja was accompanied by four Trinamool Rajya Sabha members -- Derek OaBrien, Saket Gokhale, Dola Sen, and Sagarika Ghosh.

aAt a time when the Model Code of Conduct is already in place, our leaders like LS candidate Mahua Moitra and state minister Chandranath Sinha, among others, are being harassed time and again by the different central agencies.

"Other than the CBI and ED, other agencies such as the NIA and the Income Tax Department have also been unleashed (against Trinamool leaders). And all this is happening only in West Bengal. We feel the ECI has the authority to control this since it is the poll panel's duty to ensure that elections are held in an unbiased manner in the country. We made the same appeal to the Commission," Panja told reporters in Delhi.
Peshawar, March 29 : After Tarbela Dam, Chinese companies have also suspended civil work on the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha Dams, local media reported.

Five Chinese engineers working on the Dasu Dam perished when an explosive-laden vehicle hit the bus they were travelling in on the Karakoram Highway in the Bisham area on Tuesday.

Approximately, 991 Chinese engineers working on both projects have stopped operations. Local staff of both projects have been directed to stay home till further orders, The News reported.

However, the Chinese engineers are still working on the Mohmand Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Chinese company stopped work on Dasu Dam and local staff was asked to stay at home. Around 741 Chinese and 6,000 locals are working on the 4,320 MW Dasu Dam in District Upper Kohistan.

The Chinese company had also stopped work on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam (DBD). The Diamer-Bhasha Dam would produce 4,800 MW of electricity through hydropower generation.

An official of Mohmand Dam said that 250 Chinese continue to work on the Mohmand Dam and they have not stopped work.

"Chinese workers have shown satisfaction over the security situation in the project area and they are working on the site," he said.

Once completed, the Mohmand Dam will generate 740 MWs of hydroelectricity, irrigate 15,100 acres of land and control floods downstream, The News reported.
Lucknow, March 29 : In order to curb the exploitation and sexual harassment of female government employees in the workplace, the Complaint Committee (Vishakha Committee) within the Uttar Pradesh Secretariat has been restructured as the 'Internal Complaint Committee'.

Earlier, only the employees of the Secretariat Service were included in the scope of this committee. However, under the revised structure, the entire Secretariat is considered a single unit, encompassing all officers and employees except those belonging to the IAS cadre.

Leena Johri, the Principal Secretary of the AYUSH and Stamp and Registration Department, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committee. This decision is expected to enhance the safety and security of women employed within the secretariat while also boosting their self-confidence.

The Complaint Committee was constituted by the Secretariat Administration on February 4, 2021, with the aim of addressing instances of sexual harassment against women in the workplace.

Initially, its jurisdiction was confined solely to Secretariat Service personnel. However, the scope has now been expanded to encompass all officers and employees from various service cadres stationed in the Secretariat, excluding IAS officers. This extension includes members from the Secretariat Service Cadre, Provincial Public Service, and Indian Forest Service.

As per the office memorandum issued by the Secretariat Administration, Leena Johri, who serves as the Principal Secretary of the AYUSH and Stamp and Registration Department, will assume the role of chairperson of the committee. Additionally, the convening member of the committee will be the Special Secretary/Joint Secretary of the Secretariat Administration.

Jai Prakash Bharti, Special Secretary, Information Department, has been named a member of the committee. Furthermore, the Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives (AALI) has been included in the committee as a non-governmental organisation (NGO). AALI is recognized as a feminist legal advocacy and resource group dedicated to women's causes. The committee was formed in 2021.

In 1997, during a case hearing, the Supreme Court introduced guidelines aimed at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, commonly referred to as the Vishakha Guidelines.

The Court directed that these guidelines should be followed as law as per the Indian Constitution. Later, these guidelines became the basis of a de facto law called the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

In accordance with a government directive issued by the Uttar Pradesh Women and Child Development Department in 2014, the Secretariat Administration had established a Complaint Committee on February 4, 2021, to address the issue of sexual harassment faced by women in the workplace.
Jaipur, March 29 : Prahlad Gunjal, the Congress candidate from Rajasthan's Kota who recently joined the party from the BJP, engaged in a war of words on stage with former state minister and senior Congress leader Shanti Dhariwal during an election rally in Kota on Friday.

Addressing the gathering, Dhariwal asked Gunjal to take back all the allegations which were levelled against him by the latter when he was with the BJP.

"Now that you have joined the Congress, you must tell the people that all the allegations you levelled against me were wrong," Dhariwal said.

To recall, during his tenure in the BJP, Gunjal had accused Dhariwal of corruption in a river-front project.

Dhariwal also reminded Gunjal that after joining the Congress, he will have to follow secular norms.

"The constitution of the Congress is anti-communal, and you will have to adopt it. A person must be secular to be a Congressman. The Hindu-Muslim card does not work here," Dhariwal said.

Hearing this, Gunjal stood up and interrupted Dhariwal, saying: "You are a senior leader and such comments do not suit you."

At this point, the supporters of Gunjal and Dhariwal started raising slogans against each other, even as the Congress nominee left the meeting venue.
Chandigarh, March 29 : Nuhash Humayun, the director of 'Moshari', the first film from Bangladesh to have been accepted for the Oscars, has said that short films are not only a good way to learn filmmaking, but they also become a filmmaker's calling card.

The Bangladesh-based writer and director, Humayun, has an undying love for blending genres with a South Asian identity. He is the son of Humayun Ahmed, who was a Bangladeshi filmmaker, screenwriter, and songwriter.

In conversation with IANS, Humayun, who was present here for the Cinevesture International Film Festival 2024 (CIFF), talked about his filmmaking journey, short films, and the success of 'Moshari'.

Humayun, whose debut film 'Sincerely Yours, Dhaka' had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2018, shared his views on how short films make an impact in the filmmaking journey.

He said: "People usually say they write a feature film script and that's how they enter into filmmaking. But, I think there is another very helpful way to move forward which is if you have a short film it's like your calling card.

"Like businessmen give their business cards, so as a filmmaker what is your business card? Nobody cares about your bio, what achievements you have, what awards you have won, they want to see your films."

Humayun said: "So, if you have a good short film, people can watch it and if it is good, they will fund your feature film. I think it's a good platform, not just for festivals, but putting it online. It's a good way to learn filmmaking, and also show other people what you are capable of, and move up in life."

The director is known in his country for his short films, notably 'Paperfrogs', 'Pizza Bhai', '700 Taka' and 'Lipstick'.

Speaking about his journey, Humayun said: "I have a very culturally inclined family. My father was a writer, my mother is a poet. I was watching films from a very early age, I used to watch sci-fi films, complex movies that my father introduced me to when I was a kid."

Explaining why he dabbles in different genres, Humayun said: "I was 13 when I started making short films with my friends just using a very low-budget digital camera. So, yeah I always had a passion for it, but I think I wanted to tell stories -- the short films I made when I was 13, which I made with my friends -- some of them were in the horror genre, some were about superheroes, we just made silly random things. So I wanted to experiment in different genres and styles."

Nuhash went on to note: "But when I was growing up there was not much of a fiction industry in Bangladesh. So what I did was I worked in advertising. There were good budgets for the commercials.

"For commercial films, you have to make pitches and then direct. So, directing commercial films gave me financial stability, and it made me learn how to deal with bigger budgets, and how to pitch to people. I think these were the skills that came in handy when I started making my own fiction projects and started funding my own short films."

Humayun's short film 'Moshari' is a 22-minute horror film, which revolves around two sisters Apu and Ayra spend their nights inside a mosquito net to protect themselves from monsters. The movie has won awards in many international festivals and is the first-ever Oscar-qualifying film from Bangladesh.

Elaborating on the film, Humayun said: "It was kind of an unexpected adventure for the film, we won 11 film awards and qualified for the Oscars. It helped me get an agent and a manager in Hollywood. It sort of created a new network that I never had as a filmmaker in Bangladesh. Like having a manager in Hollywood changes the fabric of your career."

"So, I think you don't think of all that when you are making a film, when you are on normal ground, sweating all day, you are just trying to do your job, you have no money, it's an independent short film, so at the moment you just try to do the best job possible. You are not thinking about awards, or you are not thinking that you will get a manager, or all these things are going to happen. So it's definitely not something I expected at all and I think it's a beautiful once-in-a-lifetime experience."

On how things have changed for him after the success of 'Moshari', Humayun said: "It has definitely made the path forward easier in a lot of ways. I can't talk about the specific projects yet as they haven't been announced, but I am working on multiple projects with Hollywood studios. Those are the projects that are being developed."
New Delhi, March 29 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday co-chaired the review meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission (ICG) with Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all domains.

Agreeing to prepare for the seventh IGC meeting later this year, both leaders noted that the immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels.

"Pleased to co-chair the review meeting of our Inter-Governmental Commission with FM @DmytroKuleba of Ukraine. Noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation in all domains. Our immediate goal is to get trade back to earlier levels," EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

"Perspectives on trade, health, S&T, and agriculture cooperation shared today were useful. We agreed to prepare for the 7th IGC meeting later this year," he added.

In the year 2021-22, India's total export of agricultural and allied commodities to Ukraine was around $85.49 million, which was 0.3 per cent lower than the previous year ($85.76 million in 2020-2021).

The total import of the same commodities from Ukraine in 2021-2022 was of the order of $2,117.38 million, approximately 23 per cent higher than the previous year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Major exports from India to Ukraine are pharmaceutical products, reactors/boiler machinery, mechanical appliances, oil seeds, fruits, coffee, tea, spices, iron and steel etc.

According to the Embassy of India in Kiev, the country is Ukraine's largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific and the fifth-largest overall export destination.

The sixth session of the India-Ukraine IGC on trade, economic, scientific, technical, industrial, and cultural cooperation was held in Kiev on February 5-6, 2018.

In his first telephone call with EAM Jaishankar in January 2024, Kuleba discussed holding the IGC and said that the "rejuvenation of this primary mechanism of our bilateral ties will allow us to jointly move forward in a comprehensive manner".

As the two leaders met in the capital on Friday, they discussed the ongoing conflict with Russia and its wider ramifications.

In his opening remarks at the meeting with Kuleba and his delegation, EAM Jaishankar said that the Ukrainian leader's visit gives India an opportunity to understand the situation in Kiev, and he looks forward to hearing his perspectives on the same.

The two leaders spoke on global and regional issues of mutual interest and Delhi reiterated its commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Kuleba began his two-day official visit to India on Thursday to reinvigorate bilateral ties and build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for peace.
Bengaluru, March 29 : The BJP and JD-S parties held a coordination meeting on Friday at a private hotel in Bengaluru and resolved to face the Parliamentary election unitedly with the goal of winning all 28 seats in Karnataka.

The coordination committee meeting was attended by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Karnataka BJP Election In-charge Radha Mohan Das, former Chief Minister and JD-S State President H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka.

"The blessings of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has brought great strength to the alliance. This meeting should have been held long ago. After the meeting, we are confident of achieving great results in the Lok Sabha election," Vijayendra told media persons.

He said that earlier, there was an alliance with JD-S, however, due to ideological differences, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda did not give his consent to the alliance with BJP at that time.

"In view of making Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda has blessed us," Vijayendra said.

He said that the people have taken the BJP and JD-S alliance seriously as Kumaraswamy has taken up tours and campaigns despite health issues.

He said that the message of unity by Deve Gowda has brought new strength and spirit to the workers of BJP and JD-S across the state.

"He has given the message that workers should forget that they are either BJP or JD-S members but are working for Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted that the reported reelection of the Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, won't stand, describing the national convention of the party as "illegal".

No fewer than seven members of the National Working Committee of the party alongside Abure were re-elected at the convention, which was held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday while 14 other NWC members were dropped.

Although, the chairman on the occasion and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, declared Abure re-elected, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dissociated itself from the convention, saying it didn't monitor it.

In a chat with Daily Trust on Thursday, the Head of Information at the headquarters of NLC, Benson Upah, maintained that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure that what he described as "illegality" did not stand.

"It was an illegality and cannot stand. You would be hearing from us shortly," Upah, who subsequently shared a release on the position of the Labour Party Board of Trustees, simply told our correspondent during the chat.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party says it has taken over the affairs of the party, arguing that the new position is in line with the constitution of LP and that it will reclaim the party from Julius Abure.

The Chairman of the BoT, Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor, in the statement, said major stakeholders in the party would soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party.

Ejiofor said the move was in line with the March 20, 2018 Federal High Court consent judgment delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole which recognised the NLC as the owners of the LP and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the party be held.

It read, "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 into steer the affairs of the Labour Party.

"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 judgment delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owners 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.

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"Unlike the charade that took place yesterday 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 deodorize 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."
Bengaluru, March 29 : Karnataka BJP has slammed Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah, on Friday, for making objectionable comments on Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

BJP state President B.Y. Vijayendra said: "I strongly condemn the statement against BJP leader Amit Shah. Yathindra should apologise. If asked who is carrying out 'goondaism' in the state, people across the state will give answer."

"Fearing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress party is encouraging such statements through leaders and it is condemnable," he added.

Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda stated that some think that making loose comments on others is a big achievement and that "It is unfortunate that Yathindra joined the list."

"Yathindra is a young politician and has a long way to go in politics. Let him talk about the achievements of his father CM Siddaramaiah, no one will oppose it. Why is he making comments against Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah?"

"BJP leaders have decided to not make comments on leaders of other parties. The achievements of PM Modi for 10 years is the strength of BJP, following which, the party is going to get more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha election," he stated.
New Delhi, March 29 : The Manipur government has informed the Delhi High Court that it will not organise transportation facilities for students from hill districts to UPSC Civil Services Exam centres located outside the state.

This decision, presented in response to a PIL filed by the Zomi Students Federation, cited security concerns and suggested that students arrange their own transport and accommodation, while the government would offer reimbursement.

Agreeing with the state's stance, a division bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, appreciated the government's reasoning.

The court noted the provision of financial assistance to students opting for exam centres beyond Manipur and stressed the importance of respecting the government's assessment of security situations in the hill districts.

The Manipur governmentas counsel submitted that there are security risks associated with transporting groups of students together, prompting the court to accept the state's decision.

Moreover, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) assured the court that candidates from Manipur's hill districts who initially selected Imphal as their exam centre could opt for alternative centres, such as Aizawl, Kohima, Dispur, Jorhat, Kolkata, and Delhi.

The UPSC portal will be re-opened for this purpose from April 8 to April 19, with candidate details shared with the Manipur government.

The court was presented with a letter from Manipur's Chief Secretary affirming the state's commitment to providing financial assistance to candidates. Considering the security risks involved in government-arranged transportation, the bench accepted the state's position and disposed of the PIL, while allowing the petitioner federation to seek further clarification or modification of the order if needed.
Damascus, March 29 : Thirty-six Syrian military personnel were killed in multiple Israeli airstrikes that targeted military bases in Syria's northern city of Aleppo early Friday.

The strikes hit a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks, which reverberated across the northern Aleppo countryside for about three hours, resulted in the most deaths of Syrian military personnel due to Israeli airstrikes, Xinhua news agency reported.

Defence factories in the Safira area were also targeted, the watchdog added.

A statement from the Syrian Defense Ministry said that around 1.45 a.m. local time on Friday (2245 GMT Thursday), the Israeli military launched aerial attacks from the direction of Athria, southeast of Aleppo, targeting multiple locations in the Aleppo countryside.
Beirut, March 29 : Seven Hezbollah members were killed on Friday in Israeli raids targeting several areas in Syria and Lebanon.

Six of them were killed in Israeli dawn raids on locations in the countryside of Aleppo city in northern Syria, while a seventh was killed in an Israeli drone attack on a car on the main road between Bazourieh, a municipality, and Wadi Gilo in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

According to medical sources, the civil defense crew and ambulances, equipped with bulldozers and cranes, had rushed to Bazourieh and transported a body and two wounded to Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern city of Tyre.

Civil defence teams also transported the six dead from Syria to Lebanon on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked Israeli targets in the disputed Lebanese Shebaa Farms and Al-Malikiyah site with several missiles.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since October 8, 2023, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets towards 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 395 people on the Lebanese side, including 254 Hezbollah members and 73 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources.
New Delhi, March 29 : Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Friday that he had "sincere and comprehensive talks" with his counterpart S. Jaishankar on the Peace Formula and its implementation.

Landing in the capital on Thursday on a two-day official visit, Kuleba said he intends to build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for peace.

"In New Delhi, I had sincere and comprehensive talks with @DrSJaishankar about Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations, the situation in our regions, and global security," Kuleba said in a post on X after meeting EAM Jaishankar.

"We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula and next steps on the path of its implementation," the leader, on his first visit to India, said.

On October 11, 2022, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a "peace formula" before the leaders of G7 nations for "just and long-lasting peace" in the region.

It calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the release of all prisoners of war, and restoration of the country's territorial integrity.

Kuleba's remarks came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday dismissed the 10-point plan, asserting that it is pointless to ask Moscow to withdraw its troops from areas it currently occupies.

In an interview published in Russian daily Izvestia on Friday, Lavrov said: "We are in any case ready to hold discussions but not on the basis of (President Volodymyr) Zelensky's "peace formula", The Kyiv Independent reported.

"How could any serious politician in Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, or Berlin say that there is no alternative to the Zelensky formula," Lavrov added.

Ukraine also hopes for India's participation in a peace summit to be held in Switzerland later this year to discuss the peace formula.

The Kyiv Independent reported that "over 160 countries will be invited to discuss Kyiv's peace formula and create a joint document on what must be done to restore the country's sovereignty".

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar said that his "open and wide-ranging conversation" with Kuleba focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications.
Kolkata, March 29 : Tension gripped the Bermajur locality at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal on Friday following an attack on the All India Secular Front (AISF) workers who tried to hoist the party flag there.

Incidentally, the leader of the local Trinamool Congress workers accused of launching the attack on AISF activists is the namesake of the now-suspended Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind behind the attack on ED and CAPF teams in the area on January 5.

The Trinamool leader is known in the locality as 'Chota Sheikh Shahjahan', an influential ruling party activist in the area, who is also accused of being part of the mob that had attacked the ED and CAPF teams at Sandeshkhali on January 5.

Now, questions are being raised in the political circles of the state over the continuing reign of terror at Sandeshkhali, despite the arrest of Shahjahan, who was widely regarded as the uncrowned king of the area.

According to the local people, two AISF workers -- Jakaria Molla and Hakam Molla -- who were trying to hoist the party flag in the area were attacked with sharp-edged weapons by Chota Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides. Even some women AISF workers present on the spot were reportedly not spared.

Besides Jakaria Molla and Hakam Molla, two women AISF activists -- Afsana Biwi and Roksana Biwi -- reportedly received injuries in the attack.

As tension gripped Sandeshkhali, a large contingent of police has been deployed in the area.
Itanagar/Agartala, March 29 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will undertake an election campaign in several northeastern states next week.

He would be the first top BJP leader to launch the campaign in the region after the announcement of the 7-phase poll schedule by the Election Commission.

BJP sources said on Friday said Home Minister Shah would address an election rally at Aalo in West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh on April 6, and hold meetings with the state BJP leaders to discuss election-related affairs.

From Arunachal Pradesh, the Home Minister would come to Tripura on April 7 for a two-day election campaign.

In Tripura, he would address one or two election rallies and hold a roadshow in Agartala.

Before leaving the state on April 8, Home Minister Shah would hold a meeting with the state party leaders. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday night held a meeting with the party leaders and discussed the visit of Home Minister Shah and his election related campaign in the state.

The Union Home Minister will also join the BJP campaign in other northeastern states, including Assam. Besides HM Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sarbananda Sonowal, Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and several central leaders and MPs including Hema Malini are likely to visit the northeastern states to intensify BJP's campaign in the region.

BJP leaders said that visits of PM Modi, Union ministers and leaders are yet to be finalised.

The BJP and its allies have put up candidates in all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the eight northeastern states, including Sikkim.

The BJP also fielded candidates in the elections to the 60-member assembly in Arunachal Pradesh and 32-member Assembly in Sikkim.

Assembly elections in both northeastern states will be held on April 19.
Bhubaneswar, March 29 : BJP MLA from Odisha's Nilgiri constituency, Sukanta Kumar Nayak, on Friday tendered his resignation from the party.

Nayak, a two-time MLA from the constituency - from the Biju Janata Dal in 2014 and from the BJP in 2019 - submitted his resignation in a letter to state BJP chief, Manmohan Samal.

"I do hereby tender my resignation today (i.e 29.03.2024) from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party," he said.

However, Nayak, who is considered a powerful leader of the Balasore district, has not given any reason for his sudden decision to snap all ties with the BJP.

"Today I resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party and will soon hold discussions with our members to decide the future course of action. We will also soon reveal the reason for leaving the BJP," he said.

Nayak joined the BJP after leaving the BJD in March 2019 and sources claim that he may return to the BJD.
New Delhi, 29 March : The cVIGIL app launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) received over 79,000 complaints since the announcement of general elections on March 16, the poll panel said on Friday.

cVIGIL is part of ECI's steps to leverage digital tech to ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections, which has become an effective tool in the hands of the people to flag election code violations.

According to the ECI, over 99 per cent of the complaints have been resolved, including close to 89 per cent within just 100 minutes.

More than 58,500 complaints (73 per cent) received were against illegal hoardings and banners, while over 1,400 complaints pertained to money, gifts, and liquor distribution.

Close to 3 per cent of the complaints (2,454) pertained to defacement of property. Out of the 535 complaints received for display of firearms and intimidation, 529 have already been resolved.

As many as 1,000 complaints were against campaigning beyond the prohibited period, including the use of speakers beyond the permitted time.

The user-friendly app connects vigilant citizens with the district control rooms, returning officers, and flying squad teams.

As soon as a complaint is sent to the app, the complainant receives a unique ID through which he/she can track the complaint on his/her cellphone, the ECI said.

The app automatically enables a geo-tagging feature as soon as the users switch on their cameras in the cVIGIL app to report a violation. This means that flying squads could know the precise location of a reported violation, and the image captured by the citizens could be used as evidence in the court of law. The citizens can also lodge their complaints anonymously.
Panaji, March 29 : Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik on Friday attacked Congress for failing to develop the country, while they were in power for more than 60 years.

"They (Congress) during their regime of 60 to 62 years failed to develop the country. It is an irony that they gave promises of 'Garibi Hatao', and other developments, but failed to act upon them. People need to judge, what they have done to the country. We lacked development when they ruled," said Naik BJP's North Goa candidate for Lok Sabha election while addressing a workers' meeting in his constituency.

He said that the platform of politics should be used for the betterment of society. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed the British era laws, which were not in the interest of the people. We brought new laws, which can help people. Nobody thought to repeal them in the last 75 years," Naik said.

He said that after coming to power in 2014, PM Modi decided to make people self-sufficient and worked towards achieving the goal. "Results of development is visible," Naik said.

Naik said that due to the dedication of PM Modi, the country became the fifth-largest economy in the world.

Naik thanked people for electing him for the last five terms and said that he is confident of victory in the upcoming elections again.
The Senate's Chief Whip, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has criticised the increase in the 2024 Hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying it was unjust and a deliberate move to prevent Nigerian Muslims, particularly first-time participants, from participating in the holy pilgrimage.

NAHCON recently announced the rate adjustment, citing the current exchange rate of N1,474.00 to a dollar as the reason for the hike.

This adjustment affects almost 50,000 intending pilgrims who had initially paid N4.9 million each, based on the previous exchange rate of N897 to a dollar.

The commission asked intending pilgrims who wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj to pay an additional N1.9 million by March 28.

Senator Ndume, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed concern that compelling pilgrims to pay nearly N2 million more just a week before the registration deadline is unfair.

Highlighting the significance of hajj as one of the five pillars of Islam, Ndume emphasised that every Muslim should have the opportunity to perform this sacred pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider subsidising the extra cost to facilitate first-time pilgrims' participation.

Ndume also called on state governments to cover the additional expenses for intending pilgrims who cannot afford the new fees set by NAHCON.

He said: "The sudden hike in the fees intending pilgrims are expected to pay by NAHCON is unfair. You cannot impose such on them. They had already paid ahead of time. If there are any changes, the burden should be on NAHCON and not on the intended pilgrims.

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"Something urgent needs to be done about this. I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the payment of the extra fee as directed by NAHCON. This is the right thing to do to save the situation.

"I am also calling on state governments to subsidise the fees for first-timers. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is unfair to deny first-timers the right to perform this spiritual exercise, especially after they have already paid the old fee set by NAHCON.

"I do not think it is fair to ask them to pay almost N2 million again. Many of the pilgrims saved up the money for many years to enable them to participate in hajj. You cannot deny such people the right to participate.

"I strongly believe that the right thing to do is to subsidise the fee and take the extra burden away from pilgrims, especially first-timers who deserve to participate in this year's hajj exercise. We need to help them."
TDP will continue to work for golden future of Telugu people: Chandrababu Naidu. Image Source: IANS News

Amaravati, March 29 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) celebrated its 42nd formation on Friday with the party's national president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reiterating the party's commitment to work for the golden future of the Telugu people with the same dedication.

Naidu, who is currently leading the party's election campaign, celebrated the occasion with the party leaders and cadres at Kadiri in Satya Sai district by cutting a cake and paying tributes to party's founder and former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao.

He greeted TDP supporters, workers and leaders.

"TDP completed 42 years since its formation. This is the day that Telugu people got recognition, self-respect, and both welfare and development programmes were introduced for the people. As a regional party, we went forward with national feelings and created a unique place in the country. It is the Telugu Desam era for the Telugus. People will remember it as before and after TDP," he said.

Naidu recalled that it was on this day in 1982 that N.T. Rama Rao floated TDP with inspiration from great heroes like Kandukuri Veereshalingam, Gurajada Apparao, Potti Sriramulu, BR Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule.

Naidu said that NTR introduced welfare rule in the politics of the country by declaring that politics is not about enjoying power but it is about serving the people.

"He believes that people from weaker sections and backward classes should not remain mere voters but should reach the positions of power and for this he gave them posts in the party and the administration," he said.

"From that day till today, Telugu Desam has been engaged in the service of the Telugu people with the aim of promoting the recognition and progress of the Telugu people," he said.

The TDP celebrated its 42nd formation day a few weeks before simultaneous elections to Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha.

The polls are considered crucial for the future of the party as 73-year-old Naidu has already called it last election of his political career.

Naidu's wife and NTR's daughter N. Bhuvaneswari paid tributes to the late leader by garlanding his statue at their residence at Undavalli in Amaravati. She also cut the cake to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, Naidu's son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh posted on X that TDP was born for self-respect of Telugu people.

He asserted that the yellow flag stands for the oppressed classes.

He said that TDP is working tirelessly for the development of Telugu states and the welfare of the people.

On March 29, 1982, N.T. Rama Rao, a popular Telugu actor, formed the TDP on the slogan of Telugu self-respect.

NTR, as he was popularly called, created a record of sorts by coming to power within nine months of forming the party.

NTR died in January 1996, a few months after his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu led a revolt against him to become the chief minister of then undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu led TDP to power in 1999 and remained chief minister till 2004, when Congress wrested the power. After bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, TDP formed the first government in the residuary state.

In 2019, the party lost power to YSR Congress led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Srinagar, March 29 : J&K Peoples Conference (PC) President Sajad Lone on Friday lashed out at National Conference (NC) for its role in Jammu and Kashmir over the last 30 years.

"In Kashmir, in the last 3 decades, there have been two types of people. The 'Victor' and the 'Victim'," Sajad Lone wrote on X.

He said that the 'victor' in the last three decades has been the ruling class who has ordered killings, pellet guns to be fired, ordered arrests, ordered encounters, ordered PSAs, and rigged elections.

"Then they (victors) arrested those whose elections were rigged and placed them under PSA and packed them off to far-off jails. The 'victors' were merciless," Lone said.

He said that the 'victors' even jailed the family members of those who were on their hit list.

"Mothers of dissidents were jailed. Sisters of dissidents were jailed," the PC President said.

He further accused them of opportunism, noting that their alliances with parties like the BJP and Congress had further exacerbated the suffering of Kashmiris.

"They teamed up with BJP. They teamed up with Congress. Relentless in their pursuit of the helpless Kashmiri as canon fodder," Sajad Lone said.

He said that today in every village has a special graveyard and the 'victims' of the 'victors' rest in these graveyards.

"The 'victim' was the common man, the common Kashmiri who was killed, tortured, arrested, blinded, handicapped, widowed and orphaned," he added.

"Put you hand on heart, is NC the 'victim' or the 'victor'?" he concluded.

On Thursday, PC General Secretary Imran Reza Ansari also attacked former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his comments at a rally in central Kashmir's Budgam and asked him to stop heaving like a 'feudal'.

"Stop behaving like a feudal. Stop convincing yourself that after the Maharaja it was your family's turn. And please don't refer to religion. You neither have the knowledge nor are you a practitioner," Ansari wrote on X.

He said that during a rally Omar Abdullah said that the A team B team may get a certificate of election but they will not get a certificate of Jannat.

"May I tell Omar Abdullah that only the Almighty Allah will decide who goes to Jannat. That is the essence of our faith, of our religion. Please do not make fun of religion. Omar Abdullah will not decide who will go to Jannat and who won't," he said.

"I have to caution him the era of astagfirullah - " la-ila-ha il lalah sheikh Mohammed Abdullah" is over and so is the era of myths that Sheikh Abdullah's name was written on chinar leaves. That deception is simply not possible now."

He said that Omar Abdullah is lucky to have magnanimous political rivals like the Peoples Conference (PC) who do not talk about your religiosity.

"In any other place questions would have been asked. How can you be so audacious when someone could question you on so many things. If you ask me, you have done everything that qualifies for the exit of a person from Islam. We have never touched your personal life," he said.

Sajad Lone is the PC candidate from north Kashmir's Baramulla constituency which will go to polls on May 20 in Phase 5 of the elections.
New Delhi, March 29 : Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Anurag Thakur on Friday explained in great detail about India's giant strides on economic, infrastructure and technological fronts while making an elaborate presentation on the swift changes during ten years of Modi government.

The I&B Minister briefing the Viskit Bharat Ambassador event participants also took a moment to call out the incompetency of previous governments, especially on the digital front and told the audience that today India enjoys a numero uno position in the world in digital payments.

An undated video clip of P Chidambaram, the acclaimed finance minister of the UPA era, run during the event showed him taking taunts over the possible penetration of digital payments into villages and the rural ecosystem.

The minister said that the previous governments failed because they didn't have the will but the Modi government's vision and focus turned the country into a digital economy.

"Today, India is world's no 1 digital payment country. It alone accounts for 46 per cent of digital payments in the world. Rupay Cards are facilitating Indian citizens to make payments in foreign nations in our own currency. All that looked far beyond possible is reality," he said.

Anurag Thakur also listed out many ground-breaking initiatives of the Modi government and how they are reaping fruits within ten years.

Previously, the non-performing assets of banks were 15 per cent, today it is 3 per cent. State Bank of India's profit margin has surged from Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore. Today, the m-cap of banks has soared from Rs 4 lakh crore to Rs 17 lakh crore," he pointed out.

He further said that some Indian techie could have invented Google maps, had the government taken initiative in this direction.

He said that today India boasts more than 100 unicorns, and multi-national firms are setting up bases for semi-conductors and chips making. "All this has been possible because of government's faith in our youth power and encouragement of their potential," he added.

"India was the second largest mobile phone importer some years ago, today it is the second biggest mobile phone manufacturer. iPhone manufacturing company has accelerated its production in the country to unprecedented levels and very soon, India would be a hub for the same," he pointed out.

Highlighting the improvement in the plight of marginalised workers, he said that schemes like PM SVANidhi and Vishwakarma Yojana have gone to great lengths in handholding the workers belonging to lower strata including street vendors, masons, craftsmen and supporting them in their business endeavours.
Amaravati, March 29 : Four-time MP from Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, who is in the middle of the Delhi excise policy case, is among the four Lok Sabha candidates announced by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday.

Srinivasulu Reddy, who was elected from Ongole on a YSR Congress Party ticket in 2019, has been fielded from Ongole. He quit the ruling party and joined the TDP last month after he was denied a ticket for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Srinivasulu Reddyas son Raghava Magunta Reddy was also named as an accused in the Delhi excise policy case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that the father-son duo, who own Balaji Distilleries, are part of the aSouth Groupa, whose members allegedly received undue benefits under the Delhi excise policy in exchange for kickbacks paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Srinivasulu Reddy was questioned by the ED, but was not named as accused in the case.

The MPas son had turned approver and based on his statements, the ED is reported to have built its case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAP, and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha.

Kejriwal and Kavitha were recently arrested by the ED in the case.

Raghava, who was arrested in February 2023 on money laundering charges, was allowed to turn an approver and granted pardon in October 2023. He got anticipatory bail in a CBI case last month.

Kejriwal claimed in the court that it was after Raghavaas arrest that his father changed his previous statement to the ED.

Srinivasulu Reddy was earlier elected to the Lok Sabha from Ongole on a Congress ticket in 1998, 2004, and 2009. He had joined the TDP after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and contested unsuccessfully from the same seat on a TDP ticket in 2014. He later switched loyalties to the YSRCP.

Meanwhile, the TDP has also named Kalisetti Appalanadiu as its candidate from the Vizianagaram constituency, while Ambica Lakshminarayana is the party candidate from Anantapur, and Chidipiralla Bhupesh Reddy from Kadapa.

With its second list, the TDP has now announced candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha seats it is contesting in the state in alliance with the BJP and the Jana Sena.

Under the seat-sharing agreement, the BJP was allotted six Lok Sabha seats and the Jana Sena two.

The TDP also announced a third list of nine candidates for the Assembly elections. Former minister Kala Venkat Rao will contest from Cheepurapalle, while another former minister, Ganta Srinivas Rao, has been fielded from Bhimili.

In the 2019 elections, Srinivas Rao was elected on a TDP ticket from the Visakhapatnam North constituency. He, however, resigned as an MLA in 2021 over the Centreas move to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. However, his resignation was accepted by Speaker Tammineni Sitaram only in January this year.

Gummanur Jayaram, who was the Minister for Labour and Employment in the Jagan Mohan Reddy Cabinet and had quit the YSRCP to join the TDP earlier this month, has been named the TDP candidate from the Guntakal constituency.

Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy had asked Jayaram to contest the Lok Sabha polls, but he refused.

Under the seat-sharing arrangement, the TDP is contesting 144 out of the 175 Assembly seats. It has left 10 Assembly seats for the BJP and 21 seats for the Jana Sena.

Simultaneous elections to the Assembly and the Lok Sabha are scheduled on May 13.
Despite our positive contributions, we don't feel safe in Canada: Hindus to Trudeau. Image Source: IANS News

Toronto, March 29 : Urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to keep Canada free from "the glorification of terrorism", a prominent Hindu advocacy group in the country said on Friday that Ottawa's current political discourse regarding India's alleged interference in the country further emboldens extremist elements.

In a letter addressed to PM Trudeau, the Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) said that despite the community's positive contributions, they don't feel safe in the country and their concerns have remained "unaddressed".

"...we don't feel safe in Canada. Our community expresses deep concern about our safety and security amidst the ongoing political controversies surrounding alleged foreign (India) interference in Canada," HFC said in its letter.

"We, as Canadian Hindus, are deeply troubled by the remarks of organisations such as Sikhs for Justice and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun... Regrettably, our concerns have not been addressed by Canadian authorities," the letter, written on behalf of Hindus in the country, added.

Pannun, declared a 'designated individual terrorist' in 2020 by New Delhi, has stepped up his anti-India rhetoric following the death of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey last year.

He has asked Canadian Hindus to leave the country followed by threats to disrupt Air India flights from Canada to India even as extremist elements targetted Hindu temples and Indian Mission with pro-Khalistan graffiti and anti-PM Modi slogans.

PM Trudeau's September last year claim on the role of Indian agents in the killing of a "Canadian citizen on Canadian soil" has further emboldened the stance of Pannun and other extremist groups operating in the country.

"The current political discourse regarding India's alleged interference in Canada exacerbates the situation, further emboldening extremist elements," the letter read.

Additionally, HFC has "advised the Canadian government against interfering in Indian democracy through ill-considered statements, yet such actions persist".

India has categorically denied "baseless" allegations levelled by the Canadian agencies of ainterferencea in their elections and inturn blamed Canada for interfering in New Delhi's affairs.

The group said that the Hindu community is dismayed by the misrepresentation of a proposed motion -- M-112 -- by MP Sukh Dhaliwal, "which has left a lingering dissatisfaction among community members."

The motion names India, China, Russia, Iran, and a few other countries for political interference, violence, and intimidation on Canadian soil.

The passage of such a motion sets a "dangerous precedent" where mere allegations are legitimised by the Canadian Parliament, spelling trouble for Hindus and the broader Canadian population.

"It is both disappointing and concerning that the current Liberal government appears to struggle with distinguishing between evidence-based claims and unfounded allegations," HFC told Trudeau.

Further, it said that the actions of Dhaliwal appear motivated more by a "political strategy aimed at garnering support within anti-Hindu and anti-Indian communities than by a genuine commitment to fostering peace or understanding of the matter."

Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Canada, which is followed by approximately 2.3 per cent of the country's total population. As of 2021, there are over 830,000 Canadians of the Hindu faith.
Chandigarh, March 29 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Friday said the winds of change had started in Punjab.

The SAD President received a warm welcome during the Punjab Bachao Yatra in Rampura Phul and Maur constituencies.

He was accompanied by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, besides Sikander Singh Maluka and Harinder Singh Mehraj in Maur and Rampura Phul, respectively. Badal said "now the contest has become one of Punjab di fauj -- the SAD against the Delhi-based parties".

Urging the people to stay steadfast in their resolve to support their own regional party, he said "if you do not do this future generations will not forgive you".

Stating that the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had taken Punjab back by decades during the last seven years, the SAD President said "the erstwhile Congress government befooled farmers with false oaths of complete loan waiver".

He said AAP had promised to eradicate drugs within days, but the scourge of drugs had increased manifold during the last two years with hundreds of youth dying of drug overdose.

He also cited how AAP had bankrupted Punjab by taking on a debt of Rs 1 lakh crore in the last two years even as no development or infrastructure creation had taken place in the state.

Asserting that the farmers and the poor had been the hardest hit, Badal said "this government not only failed to implement its promise to ensure minimum support price (MSP) on all crops, but has even failed to release compensation for crop losses".

He said similarly, the poor were being denied social welfare benefits like 'aata-daal' and 'shagun'.

Appealing to the people to give a decisive mandate, Badal said "SAD alone represents your interests and your aspirations. We are committed to safeguarding the interests of Punjab. For us Punjab is first".

He said for Delhi-based parties, power was the most important, due to which they had consistently compromised the interests of the state.
Kolkata : The Eastern Railway (ER) has once again reached out to the people living around the Bhabadighi pond in Hooghly's Goghat for a quick resolution of an ongoing land-acquisition process for the Tarakeswar-Bishnupur new line project.

The important project has been delayed by several years due to the reluctance of a few landowners to hand over their plots to the Railways.

The Tarakeswar-Bishnupur project has great potential to bring about socio-economic development in the areas it passes through, apart from bringing down the travel time to Bishnupur, an important tourist destination in West Bengal's Bankura district, famous for its terracotta temples and silk sarees.

The route is also dotted with other tourist attractions like Joyrambati and Kamarpukur. While Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was from Joyrambati, Ma Sarada belonged to Kamarpukur. Both locations are now pilgrimage spots, just like Tarakeswar due to its famed Shiva temple.

"This is an 82.47 km project. Tarakeswar is already connected to the Howrah station by a 57 km train route. After completion of this project, the distance between Howrah and Bishnupur will be 139.47 km. At present, the distance from Howrah to Bishnupur along the South Eastern Railway route is nearly 156 km.

"Shortening of the distance will also bring down travel time. Even an EMU local between Howrah and Bishnupur, with stoppages at Kamarpukur, Joyrambati, Baragopinathpur, Maynapur, and Gokulnagar-Joypur, will cover the distance in just three hours as compared to at least five hours by bus. The train fare (EMU local) would be around Rs 30 while a bus ticket costs Rs 150," said a senior ER official.

The ER now requires just 0.78 acres of land to complete the project that would involve laying 950 metres of tracks.

The Bhabadighi pond spans an area of 17.48 acres of which the Railways requires just 3.05 acres.

Of the 268 landowners, 191 have already handed over plots to the ER. The remaining 77 are yet to do so, despite a Calcutta High Court order in favour of the Railways.

"We shall continue our efforts to convince the local population about the importance of this project and its benefits. We shall also hold a fresh round of talks with the state authorities," the official added.
New Delhi: BRS leader K. Kavitha being produced at Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 29 : A Delhi court has sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on a plea by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC, K. Kavitha alleging that despite previous orders, she wasn't provided with home-cooked food, a mattress, and medicines, or allowed to wear jewellery, among other things.

Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court had on Tuesday sent Kavitha, the daughter of BRS President and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, to judicial custody till April 9 on expiry of her Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Last week, the court had allowed Kavitha to have home-cooked food, and on Tuesday, the Jail Superintendent was directed to permit her to have home-cooked food, books, pen and paper, medicines, clothes, slippers, a mattress, bed sheets, and allow her to wear jewellery.

Kavitha has said that it is necessary for her health that she be allowed home-cooked food and provided mattresses. She alleged that none of the articles was provided or allowed to be carried by her, not even her spectacles and prayer beads, to the jail.

"In complete defiance of the order dated March 26, none of the articles as directed by the court were provided or allowed to be carried by the applicant (Kavitha)," the application said.

Now, the judge has sought a response from the jail authorities and is set to hear the matter on Saturday.

The ED, while seeking her judicial custody, said that it is still further investigating the role of Kavitha in the case and is unearthing the further proceeds of crime (PoC) and identifying the other persons who are involved or connected with the process or activities related to PoC.

The ED had arrested Kavitha on March 15 after searches at her residence in Hyderabad.

Special Counsel for ED Zoheb Hossain had argued that Kavitha conspired with other people and was actively involved in the payment of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore. He had claimed that she was involved in establishing the money laundering ecosystem i.e. M/s Indo Spirits through her proxy, which generated proceeds of crime worth Rs 192.8 crore.
Shimla, March 29 : Two-time Himachal Pradesh legislator Rajinder Rana, who learnt political lessons for years from BJP's two-time Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal before defeating his 'mentor' in the 2017 Assembly elections as a Congress candidate, met the latter on Friday.

Earlier this week, the BJP gave tickets to all the six Congress rebels, including Rana, who had supported the party in the Rajya Sabha polls, for the June 1 bypolls to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections to the four seats in the state.

"Today, I paid a courtesy visit to senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Chief Minister, respected Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal at his residence and took his blessings," Rana wrote on X.

Rana had defeated BJP's CM candidate Dhumal as a Congress nominee in a straight contest by 1,919 votes from Sujanpur in Hamirpur district in 2017.

Rana, who was quite vocal against the Centre's Agnipath scheme for defence recruitment, had said that there is strong resentment among the youth and the people of Himachal Pradesh, who feel proud to serve the nation by donning the army uniform, as opposed to the contractual recruitment in the armed forces.

"In my constituency, every third house has a family member in the armed forces. In some of the houses, two to three members are serving the nation," Rana had told IANS.

A realtor-turned-politician, Rana had won the Sujanpur seat for the first time in 2012 as an Independent candidate.

Rana had vacated the Assembly seat and unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Hamirpur as a Congress nominee against BJP's Anurag Thakur, who retained the seat following his victory by a margin of 98,330 votes.
Mumbai, March 29 : Miffed at the collapse of talks with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for the past few weeks, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar has said he would form a 'third front' in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha polls here on Friday.

The VBA chief said that discussions are going on at an advanced stage with several parties and organisations ready to join hands, with the new 'third front' likely to be launched early next week.

Ambedkar has already roped in Maratha leader and Shivba Sanghatana chief Manoj Jarange-Patil and OBC Bahujan Party chief Prakash Shendge who will be part of the proposed 'third front'.

Akin to the 2019 parliamentary elections when the VBA had an alliance with the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen, the new 'third front' in 2024 Lok Sabha polls could pave the way for three-cornered contests in the state -- the ruling MahaYuti of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Congress Party, the opposition MVA of Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP), and the upcoming VBA-led grouping of Dalits, Marathas, Minorities, OBCs, etc.

"We shall launch a strong new front by early April and unite all the like-minded parties to defeat the BJP... just wait for the next two-three days and everything will be clear," Ambedkar told the media.

On the collapse of the multiple rounds of talks with the MVA, Ambedkar claimed that "things did not proceed beyond the proposal for three LS seats" -- though the MVA has contended that the VBA had been offered between four-six seats, which it spurned.

The VBA leader pointed an accusing finger at the SS (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut of fomenting troubles in the MVA by making wrong statements and false claims on various issues.

However, Ambedkar said that "our doors are still open for the MVA for proper discussions", reciprocating what the MVA leadership has also said.

Ambedkar also hinted that senior Pune politician, Vasant More, who recently quit the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), could be the VBA nominee from the Pune LS constituency and a decision on it would be taken in the next three-four days.
opinion

Vice President Kashim Shettima has hailed the role of youths and their creativity in shaping Nigeria's future, promising that the federal government will provide the enabling environment for them to thrive.

Speaking yesterday during the official launch of the National Design and Innovation Competition at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the vice president emphasised that, "The future belongs to the youth and the creatives."

He said Nigeria's youthful population, with an average age of just 19 years old, "is an age group that is pregnant with ideas for innovation and for the social and economic transformation of Nigeria", adding that, "Innovation drives manufacturing and Nigeria is brimming with possibilities and opportunities."

The National Design and Innovation Competition which aims to spur entrepreneurship and creative ventures among Nigeria's youth population is organised by the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), and other related industry sector players.

The vice president pledged the federal government's support for youth aspirations and entrepreneurship, commending the financial institutions' backing of the creative sector.

He announced plans to include young innovators in the government's $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme.

On the prevailing economic situation, the vice president declared that, "The worst is over", noting that the naira would continue to stabilise in the coming weeks and months, as the President Bola Tinubu administration tackles issues like food security, nutrition and insecurity.

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making robust plans to see that all issues of insecurity are addressed."
Hyderabad, March 29 : A Hyderabad court on Friday sent Telangana Police's former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Task Force, Radha Kishan Rao, to 14 days judicial custody in the phone-tapping case.

After questioning him since Thursday, the police produced him before a magistrate at his residence on Friday evening.

The official, who worked as an officer on special duty (OSD) in the Task Force following his retirement, appeared before investigators on Thursday after a look-out circular was issued against him as a suspect.

Kishan Rao was grilled for several hours at Banjara Hills Police Station along with Gattu Mallu, a Circle Inspector, who worked under his supervision.

The former DCP is the fourth police officer to be arrested in the case of the phone-tapping of opposition leaders and businessmen during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in Telangana.

During the recent Assembly elections, Kishan Rao was shunted out of his post by the Election Commission.

As the OSD, he was allegedly taking action in the field based on the phone interceptions by the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) against opposition leaders.

The phone-tapping matter came to light with the arrest of DSP, SIB, D. Praneeth Rao.

He was suspended and arrested on March 13 for destroying evidence. He had allegedly erased data by destroying 50 hard disks after the defeat of the BRS in Assembly elections. The arrest was made on a complaint by ASP, SIB, D. Ramesh, on March 10, alleging clandestine monitoring of individuals, unauthorised access to official records, and misuse of intelligence information.

During the questioning of Praneeth Rao by the SIT, names of other officers allegedly involved in the case surfaced.

Based on the information gathered during Praneeth Raoas questioning, police carried out searches at the premises of other officials including former Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) chief Prabhakar Rao, who was allegedly supervising the entire operation.

As Prabhakar Rao and Kishan Rao were not available, police served look-out circulars. While Kishan Rao appeared before investigators on Thursday, Prabhakar Rao reportedly reached out to the probe team saying he was in the US for medical treatment and would be in touch with the investigating officer.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Bhupalpally, N. Bhujanga Rao, and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, City Security Wing, Hyderabad city police, Tirupathanna, were arrested in the same case on March 23. The next day, a court sent them to judicial custody.

They had earlier served as Deputy Superintendents of Police in the SIB. The officials were booked under the Indian Penal Code's (IPC) section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and section 70 of the Information Technology Act.

On March 28, the Nampally court sent the duo to police custody for five days. The probe team on Friday started questioning them. The officials are suspected to have been involved in illegally recording phone conversations and using the audio clips to extort money from businessmen.

The SIT is also mulling to summon some key BRS leaders for questioning in the phone-tapping case. It was at their direction that the accused allegedly tapped the phones of leaders of opposition parties.

SIB is an anti-Maoist intelligence unit but Praneeth Rao was tasked with the job of gathering political intelligence along with a 10-member team. He was allegedly keeping tabs on the opposition leaders and directly reporting to Prabhakar Rao.

Prabhakar Rao, considered close to then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, resigned as SIB chief after the Congress party came to power.
New Delhi, March 29 : The Indian Navy is carrying out an "important operation" against an attempt to hijack and rescue a fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea from armed pirates, an official said on Friday.

"Based on input about an incident onboard the Iranian fishing vessel 'Al Kambar', two Indian Naval ships deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel," the official said.

According to the Indian Navy, the fishing vessel at the time of incident was approximately 167 km from Socotra (Yemen) and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates.

The hijacked fishing vessel has been intercepted.

An operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy to rescue a hijacked fishing vessel and its crew, the official said.

The Indian Navy said that it remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of nationalities.
New Delhi, March 29 : The Indian Navy is carrying out an "important operation" against an attempt to hijack a fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea, and rescue it from armed pirates, an official said on Friday.

"Based on input about an incident onboard the Iranian fishing vessel 'Al Kambar', two Indian Naval ships deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel," the official said.

According to the Indian Navy, the fishing vessel at the time of incident was approximately 167 km from Socotra (Yemen) and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates.

The hijacked fishing vessel has been intercepted.

An operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy to rescue a hijacked fishing vessel and its crew, the official said.

The Indian Navy said that it remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of nationalities.
Mumbai, March 29 : Days after he met NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar chief Sharad Pawar, NCP legislator from Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, Nilesh Lanke on Friday announced he was quitting the Ajit Pawar-led party and also resigning from the Assembly.

In an emotionally charged address to his supporters, the Parner MLA also declared that he would join the Sharad Pawar-led party and contest the Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar as its candidate, taking on BJP's Sujay Vikhe-Patil, the son of state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

Lanke has hinted that he will cash in on resentment among farmers against the sitting MP's "neglect".

He also announced that he would soon forward his resignation as legislator to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

With tears in his eyes, Lanke tendered an apology to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar saying that he has taken this decision to present farmersa views in the Lok Sabha and is resigning as a legislator to avoid any legal battle.

"I have taken this decision by placing a stone on my chest. Whether I will be MLA or not, Ajit Pawar should stay in politics," he opined.

"I am resigning from the Assembly today. I am going to send my resignation to the Assembly Speaker. I will contest the Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar chief Sharad Pawar."

Lanke reiterated that he would be able to take up the farmers' issues more aggressively in the Lok Sabha. He told his supporters, who gathered in large numbers, that they had elected him for years but he is resigning in the middle as the time is opportune to take a tough decision.

"If I want to contest the Lok Sabha elections, I will have to resign as a member of the Legislative Assembly," he said in a choked voice.
New Delhi, March 29 : Delhi Police is likely to submit a charge sheet, running to over 9,000 pages, in the NewsClick case in a court here on Saturday, sources said.

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) Delhi Police is likely to submit a charge sheet, running to over 9,000 pages, in the NewsClick case in a court here on Saturday, sources said.

The sources told IANS that a significant sum of money was used to destabilise the country through news articles, and the charge sheet reportedly contains details about seized electronic devices.

NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha, along with its Human Resource Department chief Amit Chakravarty, were arrested by Delhi Police on October 3 last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following allegations of receiving funds for "pro-China propaganda". NewsClick has denied the charges.

"During a raid, the police seized around 480 electronic devices. The police are filing charges under UAPA against Prabir Purkayastha," a source said.

An FIR was filed against the founder of NewsClick on August 17, 2023. Multiple raids were conducted on its premises in October.

Allegations against NewsClick claim they received approximately Rs 38 crore in funding from abroad, sources said.

The FIR alleges that American billionaire Neville Roy Singham was continuously funding NewsClick.

On August 5, The New York Times published an article titled "A US Tech Mogul Linked to a Global Web of Chinese Propaganda," alleging that NewsClick, a news portal, was part of a global network receiving funding from American millionaire Singham, who was purportedly closely associated with Chinese government media.

Citing the NYT report, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur asserted that Congress, China, and NewsClick had an "anti-India umbilical cord" and were pushing the agenda of the Communist Party of China through the website. After the NYT report, NewsClick issued a statement two days later, denying the allegations as baseless and lacking factual or legal support.
New Delhi, March 29 : President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday will confer Bharat Ratna upon five eminent personalities including two former Prime Ministers (posthumously) and veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, an official said on Friday.

Among the five personalities to be awarded Bharat Ratna, except for former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, four others -- ex-Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and P.V. Narasimha Rao, eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan, and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, would be awarded posthumously.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had posted on X: "Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities.

"He is equally remembered for the work he did as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and as a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced and laying a solid foundation for the country's prosperity and growth. While announcing the honour for Chaudhary Charan Singh, PM Modi wrote on X: "It is the good fortune of our government that former Prime Minister of the country, Chaudhary Charan Singh, is being honoured with Bharat Ratna. This honour is dedicated to his incomparable contributions to the country. He had dedicated his entire life to the rights of farmers and their welfare."

PM Modi had also announced Bharat Ratna for agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan.

"It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on M.S. Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers' welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernising Indian agriculture," the Prime Minister said.
Know the Bangladeshi scribe who questioned US & UN spokespersons on Kejriwals arrest. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, March 29 : Amid the raging row over foreign nations commenting on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the excise policy case, it has emerged that a Bangladesh-based journalist, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, posed questions to the US and UN spokespersons, prompting answers on these lines.

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) Amid the raging row over foreign nations commenting on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwalas arrest in the excise policy case, it has emerged that a Bangladesh-based journalist, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, posed questions to the US and UN spokespersons, prompting answers on these lines.

Ansarey made a deliberate attempt to elicit anti-India statements by posing questions on Kerjriwalas arrest and the freezing of Congress' bank accounts.

It has emerged that the Bangladeshi scribe questioned the US State Departmentas spokesperson Mathew Millar on March 27 and posed the same question to the spokesperson of the United Nations on March 28.

Notably, Arvind Kejriwalas arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on alleged money laundering charges in the excise policy case sparked a political slugfest in the country, besides garnering global attention, as a German diplomat and the spokespersons of the US and UN made a mention of it in their speeches while expressing hope for a 'fair trial' in the case.

According to reports, the journalist has had a past of spreading anti-India narratives and also remains an absconder in his own country. Ansarey, in his articles, has often blamed India for the political developments in Bangladesh.

In his Facebook profile, Ansarey describes himself as a journalist from Bangladesh and claims to be working as the Executive Editor at South Asia Perspectives, a monthly opinion-based magazine published from Washington.

He also describes himself as a White House correspondent for a Bangladeshi portal named Just News BD.

He is a regular columnist with the Indian portal aThe Wirea.

His portal News BD reportedly promotes the Jamaat-e-Islami, a banned outfit in India.
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 29 : A delegation of students from Kerala, who were brought back from war-torn Ukraine in 2022, on Friday handed over the security deposit amount needed to be submitted along with the nomination papers to Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, who's contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The students' delegation led by Sourav and Sai Sruthi, who were air-lifted from Ukraine after the country was attacked by Russia in 2022, handed over Rs 25,000 - the deposit amount - to Muraleedharan.

The parents of the students also accompanied the delegation that met the Union Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had named India's evacuation programme aOperation Gangaa, while Muraleedharan was the pointsman for the hapless students and their parents from Kerala.

At that time, the Kerala government had informed the Centre that there were 2,320 students from the state in Ukraine, who were safely brought back to the state.

Muraleedharan is pitted against sitting Congress MP Adoor Prakash and CPI-M legislator V. Joy in Attingal.

Kerala will go to the polls in the second phase on April 26 to elect 20 Lok Sabha members.
Mumbai, March 29 : Power sector experts on Friday hailed the collaboration between the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and the Adani Group headed by Gautam Adani following RIL's move to pick up 26 per cent stake in Adani Group's power plant in Madhya Pradesh.

Mumbai, March 29 (IANS) Power sector experts on Friday hailed the collaboration between the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and the Adani Group headed by Gautam Adani following RILas move to pick up 26 per cent stake in Adani Groupas power plant in Madhya Pradesh.

They claimed that it is one of the major chapters in Indiaas power sector, especially with its installed capacity of 4,28,000 MW and an ambitious plan to add 500,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The power sector experts hoped that many more such collaborations will take place in the wake of a further push by the Centre and different state governments to liberalise the sector.

As per the collaboration, RIL will purchase 26 per cent in Mahan Energen, a subsidiary of Adani Power, for Rs 50 crore and procure 500 MW of electricity for the Madhya Pradesh plant.

According to Adani Power, one of the 600 MW capacity of the Mahan thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh will be designated as a captive unit as per the stipulated norms.

Commenting on the development, former Power Secretary R.V. Shahi said, "The collaboration between two of the largest groups in the country is bound to provide a fillip to not only such cooperations, but also to other collaborative efforts, leading to even higher heights of success."

"What has been achieved post the Electricity Act, 2003 is more than three times of what was achieved during the 50 years prior to that," he added.

"This is the era of renewable energy, which is also facilitated by the de-licensing of power generation which took the growth in the power sector to a different orbit. By 2032, we are geared to achieve more 800,000 MW of capacity.

"The entire capacity could be doubled in the following 10 years after 2032, taking the capacity to more than 1,500 GW. This will be at the core of Indiaas development strategy of raising the GDP to $5 trillion and subsequently higher," said Shahi.

Ashok Khurana, Director General, Association of Power Producers, said "This collaboration has happened because of the liberalised captive power supply framework coupled with the change in transmission licensing system, where the consumers have been allowed transmission licences while the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has simplified the procedures for the same. In fact, we will see many such collaborations coming up between the generators and the consumers."

Jayant Deo, a former member of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), asserted that the two top business houses of India collaborating in the power sector is a good omen for the country's march towards energy security.

The Founder of the Independent Power Producers Association of India, Harry Dhaul, pointed out that such collaborations are positive steps for the growth of the Indian power sector from the energy security point of view.
Mumbai, March 29 : A day after filing his nomination in Maharashtra's Buldhana constituency, Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Gaikwad on Friday clarified that there was no division in the party and hinted that he will withdraw it.

Gaikwad exhorted the party workers to strive for the victory of Shiv Sena nominee and sitting MP Prataprao Jadhav from Buldhana seat.

"I had no intention to contest the Lok Sabha election. However, I filed the nomination as a part of my plan (he did not reveal further details about his plan). Now my plan has been successful," said Gaikwad after addressing the party rally in Buldhana.

He further added: "I did not submit any application to the party for nomination. However, whatever I had to achieve, I have achieved."

Gaikwad's clarification came after Shiv Sena on Thursday declared a list of eight candidates including Prataprao Jadhav from Buldhana seat.

Party insiders said Gaikwad had filed his nomination to avoid claims by other aspirants as he and the local party workers were unanimously in favour of the renomination of Prataprao Jadhav.

However, Gaikwad's unilateral move to file a nomination shocked the party leadership.
Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper, has regained freedom after spending 12 days in custody.

Gunmen in military uniform had invaded Olatunji's residence at Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state, on March 15, and abducted him.

While the journalist's family did not receive any communication from his abductors, the management of the media platform linked the incident to a story published by FirstNews.

Concerns about his location continued until the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) said its checks showed the editor was in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), an agency under the command of Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who, in turn, reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa.

Hours after the IPI made this disclosure, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, told some editors that the military had confirmed that the editor was in their custody.

Meanwhile, in a strongly-worded statement on Wednesday, IPI called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to activate the powers of his office as Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to direct the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to produce Olatunji.

"IPI Nigeria has received inquiries about this matter from all over the world. The Institute has also contacted the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Defence Headquarters, and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation seeking information on Mr Olatunji and demanding his release. All efforts in this direction have so far failed."

"That 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 journalist's safety.

"IPI is therefore calling on President Tinubu to direct the Nigerian military authorities to immediately release Mr Olatunji or charge him to court if he has committed any offence. The international community should also pay attention to the unjust detention of Mr. Olatunji by the Nigerian military," read the statement signed by IPI President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Tobi Soniyi, its secretary.

On Thursday morning, Olatunji was released to the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), according a message by the Secretary of the Guild, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren.
(State of the state package) Dogged by defections, Goa's leftover Cong puts up brave face against BJP. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, March 29 : The Congress on Friday announced tickets to three out of the remaining four Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka but has denied a ticket to former Union Minister Veerappa Moily from the Chikkaballapur parliamentary constituency.

The Congress despite facing backlash from local leaders has given ticket to Raksha Ramaiah, National General Secretary of Youth Congress, from Chikkaballapur Lok Sabha constituency, who will be pitted against BJP candidate and former Minister K. Sudhakar.

Along with Veerappa Moily, former Minister N.H. Shivashanakara Reddy was also hoping to get a ticket.

Sunil Bose, the son of Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, was given a ticket by the Congress from the Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency and will be pitted against BJP candidate S. Balaraj.

Minister Mahadevappa is a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

E. Tukaram, the MLA from Sandur Assembly constituency, has been fielded from the Bellary Lok Sabha constituency and will contest against former Minister and BJP leader, B. Sriramulu.

The Congress is yet to announce the candidature for the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency due to infighting within the party. Five legislators, including a cabinet minister, had threatened to submit their resignations if tickets are given without consulting them.

Congress has announced candidature for 27 out of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
Constituency Watch: Cong 'insider' Praniti Shinde to take on BJP's 'outsider' Ram Satpute in Solapur. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, March 30 : Although the contest in Solapur (SC) is between the traditional political rivals Congress and BJP, for now, it is being projected by both sides as a contest between two young leaders.

The Congress has fielded its firebrand leader and legislator Praniti Shinde -- daughter of former Union Home Minister and ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, while the BJP has nominated MLA Ram Satpute.

Both Congress and BJP have made the contest a prestige issue.

The Congress has already launched an aggressive campaign making it an "outsider versus local" contest. The obvious target is Satpute, who is a native of Beed district and is being fielded from the Solapur reserved seat.

On the other hand, BJP and Satpute have launched a counter while turning the fight into "a daughter of the former chief minister against a son of a sugarcane labourer".

For the Congress, it's an opportunity to strike back and regain its past glory by winning the seat as former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had lost in 2014 and 2019.

Solapur district had been the Congress bastion but since 2014, the BJP has made inroads and gained supremacy while outsmarting the grand old party.

Praniti, who is taking on BJP inside and outside the state legislature, wants to counter the party by aggressively taking up the development agenda.

However, the BJP by fielding Satpute, who is a close confidant of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, plans to retain the seat.

The BJP also plans to seek votes over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma and his vision for India to become a $5 trillion economy and a developed nation by 2047.

Praniti Shinde has stepped up outreach with the voters, projecting herself as the daughter of Solapur against the "outsider".

Political observers believe that even as Satpute enjoys strong support from the BJP cadres and the RSS, he will have to spend time countering his "outsider" tag.

Furthermore, the Congress and Praniti during campaigning have been questioning Satpute over his wealth despite being the first time legislator from Malshiraj constituency in Solapur district.

But Satpute is also quite pro-active in responding to Congress' campaign asking Sushilkumar Shinde to reveal details of his property and assets.
Israel to send delegations for new round of Gaza ceasefire talks. Image Source: IANS News

Jerusalem, March 30 : Israel is ready to send delegations to Qatar and Egypt for negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

After speaking with David Barnea, Head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency, and Ronen Bar, Chief of the internal security agency Shin Bet, Netanyahu approved the next round of talks "with guidelines for moving forward in the negotiations," according to the statement released on Friday as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

The new round of talks will be held in Doha and Cairo in the coming days, it added.

Israel withdrew most of its negotiating team from Doha on Tuesday after Hamas rejected the latest offer, while a small, mid-ranking Mossad team remained in Qatar for negotiations, Israeli media reported.
Kiev, March 30 : Energy infrastructure in six Ukrainian regions suffered damage from Russian missile and drone strikes, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Power facilities in central Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, western Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions have been harmed, Shmyhal wrote on Friday on social media Telegram.

The raids caused power outages in several regions, the Prime Minister said, without giving more details.

The Ukrainian state-run energy company Ukrenergo said earlier that thermal and hydroelectric power plants were damaged in the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the Russian forces attacked 10 Ukrainian regions, injuring at least six people.

More than 150 rescue workers and 35 units of equipment have been deployed across Ukraine to eliminate the consequences of the strikes, Klymenko added.

The Russian side has yet to respond to the claim.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia used 39 missiles and 60 Shahed combat drones against Ukraine in the latest attack, with the Ukrainian air defence intercepting 26 missiles and 58 drones.
Damascus, March 30 : The death toll from Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo has risen to 42, a war monitor reported, updating the previous report of 36 fatalities.

The airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport before dawn on Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Friday.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks, which reverberated across the northern Aleppo countryside for about three hours, were the deadliest Israeli airstrikes in Syria in the past three years, Xinhua news agency reported.

Defence factories in the Safira area were also targeted, the watchdog added.

The fatalities in Aleppo also included six members of Hezbollah, unnamed Lebanese military sources told Xinhua news agency on Friday.

A statement from the Syrian Defence Ministry said that around 1:45 a.m. local time on Friday, the Israeli military launched aerial attacks from the direction of Athria, southeast of Aleppo, targeting multiple locations in the Aleppo countryside.
Islamabad, March 30 : In a first official communication, US President Joe Biden has broken with tradition and has written a letter to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing readiness to work together for regional peace and counter-terrorism efforts.

Biden, who till Friday, has carried a tradition of not engaging with any of the Prime Minister in Pakistan during his tenure, has not only reached out to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but effectively has also put forward the lens through which US looks at its relationship with Pakistan along with expectations from the new government in Islamabad.

The US President emphasised the sensitivity and critical nature of "pressing global and regional challenges," assuring Islamabad that it would continue to work with it and Shehbaz Sharif-led government to counter the menace of terrorism.

"The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people -- and people around the world -- and the US will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time," said Biden's letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"That includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health, security, economic growth, and access to education for all. Through our US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, we will also continue to strengthen our climate resilience, support sustainable agriculture and water management, and assist with Pakistan's recovery from the devastating floods in 2022. And, the US remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress," Biden's letter added.

Biden did not interact with former Prime Minister Imran Khan after his victory during 2018 nor did he speak to Shehbaz Sharif when he took charge of the Prime Minister's office after removing Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.

While Biden's letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif signifies the value Washington gives to Pakistan in terms of its regional relevance and importance; one thing that the letter also indicates is that Washington still looks at Islamabad through the lens of counter-terrorism, regional and global security in reference to terrorism.

Despite the fact that US is not longer engaged in Afghanistan and its level of priority for Pakistan is not what is used to be after its withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021; Pakistan's regional role in countering terrorism retains it as a key player for the Biden administration.

The Biden administration seems to be ready to work with the newly-elected Pakistani government, despite the widespread allegations of rigging and ballot fraud.

It should also be noted that despite difference of opinion about the current government set-up in Pakistan and broadly debated power centre still with the military establishment; the American military establishment still seeks a working cooperation with Pakistan.
Visualizing Household Health

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In 1256, the countess of Provence, Beatrice of Savoy, enlisted her personal physician to create a health handbook to share with her daughters. Written in French and known as the, this health guide would become popular and influential, with nearly seventy surviving copies made over the next two hundred years and translations in at least four other languages. Inart historian Jennifer Borland uses theto show how gender and health care converged within the medieval household.

Visualizing Household Health explores the nature of the households portrayed in the Regime and how their members interacted with professionalized medicine. Borland focuses on several illustrated versions of the manuscript that contain historiated initials depicting simple scenes related to health care, such as patients consultations with physicians, procedures like bloodletting, and foods and beverages recommended for good health. Borland argues that these images provide important details about the nature of womens agency in the homeand offer highly compelling evidence that women enacted multiple types of health care. Additionally, she contends, the Regime opens a window onto the history of medieval women as owners, patrons, and readers of books.

Interdisciplinary in scope, this book broadens notions of the medieval medical community and the role of women in medieval health care. It will be welcomed by scholars and students of womens history, art history, book history, and the history of medicine.
The United States has a hate problem. In recent years, hate speech has led not only to deep division in our politics but also to violence, murder, and even insurrection. And yet established constitutional jurisprudence holds that all speech is protected as content neutral and that the proper democratic response to hateful expression is not regulation but more speech. So how can ordinary citizens stand up to hate groups when the state will not?

In Combating Hate, Billie Murray proposes an answer to this question. As a participant in anti-racist and anti-fascist protests, including demonstrations against the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, and the Westboro Baptist Church, Murray witnessed firsthand the limitations of the more speech approach as well as the combative tactics of anti-fascist activists. She argues that this latter group, commonly known as antifa, embodies a radically different strategy for combating hate, one that explodes the myth of content neutrality and reveals hate speech to be a tactic of fascist organizing with very real, highly anti-democratic consequences. Drawing on communication theory and this on-the-ground experience, Murray presents a new strategy, which she calls allied tactics, rooted in the commitment to affirm, support, and even protect those who are the victims of hate speech.

Engaging and sophisticated, Combating Hate contends that there are concrete ways to fight hate speech from the front lines. Murrays urgent argument that we reconsider how to confront and fight this blight on American life is essential reading for the current era.
Two controversial measures in Huntington Beach, Calif., both related to the future of public libraries, are drawing criticism from censorship opponents. On March 28, five YA author members of Authors Against Book Bans held a press conference with three city council members to raise awareness of public libraries and the freedom to read.

The press conference was held after Huntington Beachs conservative-led city council voted 43 in favor of City Council Ordinance 4318, which would establish a committee to audit childrens library materials, along with a separate plan to seek bids from private companies interested in managing the Huntington Beach Public Library. Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, mayor pro tem Pat Burns, and council members Tony Strickland and Casey McKeon voted in favor, while Rhonda Bolton, Dan Kalmick, and Natalie Mosier were opposed.

Ordinance 4318 is up for a final introduction at the upcoming April 2 council meeting, and would go into effect 30 days after approval. The ordinance establishes a 21-member Community Parent-Guardian Review Board for Procurement of Childrens Library Materials, made up of three appointees per council member.

The board would serve as a decision-making authority to the city to ensure that books that children have access to in city libraries meet the citys community standards. Board appointees would purchase and preview library titles for sexual content or sexual references, before such books are purchased by the city and would nominate childrens books currently in circulation for audits as well.

Freedom to read organizations EveryLibrary and PEN America have joined the group Friends of the Huntington Beach Library to cry foul. In a statement, AABB said the review process meant diminished access to materials, and that books curated for libraries by expert professionals are now being put into a limbo state pending banned review.

While the library privatization plan has been described by supporters as an efficient, cost-saving measure rather than a partner to book banners, opponents see it as a means of exerting control over civic decision making. Library Systems and Services, with headquarters in Riverside, Calif., and Rockville, Md., has proposed managing Huntington Beach Public Library system, with the city retaining ownership of the system and materials.

If approved, Ordinance 4318 would be at odds with the provisions in Assembly Bill 1825, the California Freedom to Read Act, presently under consideration to become part of the state education code. According to the California legislatures description, AB 1825 would require a written policy for the selection of library materials and the use of library materials and facilities in accordance with the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations and would prohibit proscribing the circulation of books or other resources in a public library because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval of the ideas contained in those materials.

California Authors Stand with Councilmembers

During the March 28 press conference with AABB, moderated by author and activist Maggie Tokuda-Hall (Love in the Library) and organized by political staffer-turned-author Jess Huang, council member Dan Kalmick called Ordinance 4318 and the management plan intertwined. He expressed concern that privatizing the library will give censors more control over the collection, with fewer protections allotted to authors and librarians. During council meetings to review the related proposals, we had 102 public commenters [show up in person], and we had almost a thousand emails basically saying, don't do this.

Council member Mosier concurred that both items attempt to undermine the professional judgment of our librarians and disregard their expertise. She said Ordinance 4318 would put trained librarians decisions in the hands of laypeopleparents and guardians from the community, with no requirements for any type of qualifications.

Kalmick and Mosier's colleague Bolton argued, Having one group of political leaders decide what you can access in your public library is un-American. Intellectual freedom is a First Amendment right. Bolton said the proposed changes were an attempt to hoodwink our citys residents into believing theres something wrong with our public library and that librarians present a danger to children.

Following the three members statements, AABBs participating authorsall Californiansurged Huntington Beach residents to trust library professionals and facilitate childrens critical thinking. Elana Arnold (What Girls Are Made Of) described herself as a graduate of Huntington Beachs Ocean View High School and a longtime Huntington Beach library patron. Censors rob readers of their freedom, and they cheat them of an opportunity to engage safely with information and art, Arnold said. Gretchen McNeil (Four Letter Word) said, Censors undermine one of the basic functions of education, teaching students how to think for themselves.

Comics creator MariNaomi (I Thought You Loved Me) was horrified by Ordinance 4318, noting that two Asian American booksThe Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear and illustrator Gracey Zhang and Everyone Poops by Taro Gomihad been singled out for sexual content. Graphic novelist Molly Knox Ostertag (The Deep Dark) said, Today I'm asking the people of Huntington Beach to stand up against book banning and to trust the librarians who have studied and worked their entire lives to become experts in getting kids the right books at the right time.

This story has been updated with additional information.
At Boao forum, China reiterates commitment to opening up, shared development

Xinhua) 08:18, March 29, 2024

* China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

* China is committed to open development, further widening its door to the world.

* 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.

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.

This photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

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.

This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows a view of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) International Conference Center in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

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."

A logo is seen at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

"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.

(Video reporters: Zheng Xin, Li Duojiang, Deng Lanyu, Guo Liangchuan, Zhao Yuhe, Mei Yuanlong, Jiang Sai; video editors: Zhu Cong, Hui Peipei, Zheng Qingbin, Wang Houyuan, Luo Ruoshi)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has commenced aerial spraying of farms in Kebbi and several other frontline states as part of the federal government's national pest control programme.

The frontline states are Kebbi, Adamawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Taraba.

Speaking yesterday during the launch of the spray against migratory agricultural pests in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital, the Minister, Abubakar Kyari, emphasised the threat posed by quelea birds and other transboundary pests to food security.

The pests, he said, had a devastating impact on crops, especially rice and wheat, and that if left unchecked they would significantly harm farmers' livelihoods and the nation's food security.

He said the choice to commence the spray in Kebbi State was based on the state's high level of farming activities, particularly in rice and wheat cultivation.

Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State commended the timely aerial spray against quelea birds, acknowledging the challenges faced by farmers.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would secure crops, leading to increased harvests and enhanced food production.
Kristin Graham.

Dr. Subodh Jain.

Kristin Graham (right) checks in with a member of her team.

Amy Sheele.
Kristie Azzoli reviews The Rapid routes.

Kristie Azzoli at work at The Rapids' Information Center.
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Model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss plans to bring back LIFE magazine, more than two decades after it ceased production.

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Bedford Media, the holding company founded by Kloss and her husband, billionaire investor Joshua Kushner, announced Thursday that it acquired publishing rights to LIFE from Dotdash Meredith.

The company said LIFE will relaunch as a print magazine with a "vibrant" digital and video presence.

"We see LIFE as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape," Kloss said in a statement. "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."

Under the deal, Bedford will manage full operations of the magazine, including editorial strategy, revenue and media initiatives. Dotdash Meredith will continue to own the magazine's photo library and content archives dating back to the 1930s.

Dotdash Meredith also will continue to publish single-topic, special interest magazines under the LIFE brand, which are available on newsstands.

LIFE first launched in 1883 and published weekly issues. Time Magazine founder Henry Luce acquired the brand in 1936 and gave it a new editorial focus centered around photography-based news.

Time Inc. suspended the publication in 2000 due to its general interest focus, and Dotdash Meredith acquired Time Inc. in 2021.

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"Life's legacy lies in its ability to blend culture, current events and everyday life -- highlighting the triumphs, challenges and unique perspectives that define us," said Kushner, who will serve as the magazine's publisher.

The deal comes after Kloss and Kushner acquired i-D Magazine from Vice Media last year. Kushner also is the founder of venture-capital firm Thrive Capital and the younger brother of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and former White House adviser.

Bedford Media's said it is focused on "artisanal storytelling, authenticity and shared cultural resonance," and that its strategy is to blend "iconic brands with new ways of doing business and reaching audiences."
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.
Since the 1800s, the University of Georgia has been home to several secret societies and or
The Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG) has said that it is important for Nigeria to standardise its agro commodities grading system to meet international benchmarks.

The Director General of NABG, Jafar Umar, made the call Wednesday in Abuja at a media briefing on the forthcoming "Agro Commodities Standard Grading System National Validation" programme scheduled for Abuja.

He said the organisation believed that agriculture being a major player was capable of lifting Nigeria out of its socio-economic crisis.

He also highlighted NABG's ongoing efforts in collaborating with various stakeholders, including public, private and donor institutions, to enhance the business environment for agribusiness.

Also speaking, the DG/CEO of NiNAS, Celestine Okanya, said that NABG was focused on ensuring that agribusiness people and smallholder farmers got the best out of their investments.
'China is somewhat disappointing in its recovery, and slow growth, and India is reporting strong growth numbers.'

Photograph: Kind courtesy Linde Plc

Linde Plc is bullish on India's growth story and has investment plans of $1 billion for three to five years.

Sanjiv Lamba, chief executive officer, Linde talks to Amritha Pillay/Business Standard in Mumbai about the global chemical company's blueprint for India, which ranges from an AI campus and more manufacturing facilities, to service semiconductor makers and plans to explore green hydrogen production.

What does the global picture look like before we get to India as a market?

Overall, the world is slowing. The US has been a very resilient market. I can see it flatten off. Mexico is a bit of a bright spot in Latin America.

And beyond that, things are all stable. Europe is a story of a continued small decline but has been more resilient than expected.

I don't see any catalyst that's going to change that. The Middle East is a different story. I see that as a growth story.

I always say Asia is a story of two countries - China is somewhat disappointing in its recovery, and slow growth, and India is reporting strong growth numbers.

India is the bright spot. We're seeing consistent growth in India and that gives me a lot of hope for the next two decades.

How much of the China-Plus-One strategy has played out?

I see a China-Plus-Two policy or strategy. Essentially China-Plus-One comes into Asia, and Plus-Two goes into the Americas, primarily Mexico, and a little bit of reshoring back in the US.

As far as Asia goes, you hear about Vietnam, but it is not in the same league as India.

A bulk of these investments are coming into India, and that momentum will only grow. So, we are pretty bullish from that point of view.

What kind of investments are you planning for Indian market?

The growth trajectory in India is very strong for us. I'd be disappointed if we don't make investment decisions of more than $1 billion in the next three to five years in new plants and facilities, creating employment and building the ecosystem.

This would be the highest-ever investment we have made in that time span in plants, facilities, creating employment, and developing an ecosystem.

And which are the industries in India where you see this growth coming from?

Our traditional end markets, and clean energy. India needs more steel, refining, and petrochemicals.

I am also very excited about the potential for growth in electronics and semiconductors.

On the semiconductor investment cycle, we will be right there and we are pre-investing in facilities to be prepared for that investment cycle.

We are also in the advanced stages of prospecting for a global AI campus in India, our investment in that will sit outside the $1 billion investment plan.

On servicing the semiconductor business, would most of your planned new facilities be in Gujarat?

Gujarat is very important to us. We were in Ahmedabad this week, and I'm excited about the prospects for us.

On the new energy segment, you have an interesting view, where you are not bullish on green hydrogen. Why so?

For our world, and in India, we should not talk about colours because it's misleading and misguided.

We should be focused on carbon intensity and see hydrogen in two buckets, low carbon intensity hydrogen and renewable hydrogen.

To build scale with electrolysers, there is some way to go.

The capital cost of electrolysers based on the technology roadmap that we have needs to come down by about 60 per cent.

Electrolysis needs a lot of water; the world is headed for a water crisis.

So, if you're going to produce renewable hydrogen with electrolysers, you have to be thinking potentially of infrastructure line desalination and that's added to the investment cost.

India right now is heavily focused on green hydrogen, so where does Linde fit in?

My view is we will build small-scale electrolysers because it allows us to test the technology.

We want to kick the tires and see if the thing is going to run long enough for us to get the confidence that we can invest and not worry about it.

So, from an Indian perspective, we will invest in electrolyzers in India.

We are happy to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives for supplies to refineries, fertiliser, and others.

As soon as we have an off-taker, you will see us announce investments.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Will we see a Chennai-Bengaluru hyperloop?

IMAGE: Union Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw inspects the demonstration of the Hyperloop pod model during his visit to the Indian Institute Of Technology-Madras Research Park, in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo

While India's first bullet train is expected to chug off by the end of 2026, an early move has now been made for what is being touted as the future of transport -- Hyperloop.

Once called the 'fifth mode of transport' by Elon Musk -- the originator of the concept -- the technology uses magnets to levitate pods inside an airless tube, creating conditions in which the pods can shuttle people, and freight, at speeds up to 1,000 kmph.

Last fortnight, Swiss hyperloop startup Swisspod Technologies and India's TuTr Hyperloop, incubated by Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate for making Hyperloop a reality in India.

In an interview with Business Standard, Swisspod's CEO Denis Tudor said the two companies share the same vision -- to build a sustainable and practically implementable hyperloop model for India, which is energy efficient and cost effective.

With Swisspod's technology likely to be tested at a full scale in the coming two years, Hyperloop could soon become a reality for India as well, Tudor said.

As a stepping stone, Tudor wants to collaborate with the IIT-Madras startup to build a freight transport solution based on the moonshot technology, which could cover 100-200 km at a speed of 200-300 km per hour.

According to Tudor, the capsule under his model is energy autonomous in terms of power generation and does not require separate electrification infrastructure, which can significantly reduce the cost of operating the hyperloop.

Both Swisspod and Tutr's concepts are expected to cost around $8 million per kilometre, which is much less than the cost of building high-speed rail ($27 million per km).

Tudor says this cost will reduce significantly in India, making two assumptions -- economies of scale reducing prices, and labour and commodities in India being cheaper.

IMAGE: An IIT student-M explains the working of the Hyperloop to Ashwini Vaishnaw. Photograph: ANI Photo

At an average speed of 600 km per hour, Hyperloop's consumption will be 50 watt hour per passenger per km, compared to a high-speed rail, which is nearly double in consumption.

A plane's consumption on the same scale is 12 times that of a hyperloop.

"While it is more sustainable than other modes of transport, the only stumbling block is that it requires major investment. But then, it is an investment, which will eventually beget a return," the Swiss innovator said.

"In India, a hyperloop line along with stations and allied infrastructure would cost $2 billion," Tudor said. "Considering India invested $30 billion in infrastructure just last year, a $2 billion investment in Hyperloop would make sense."

However, several officials in the ministry of railways and sector experts have pointed out in the past that the technology will take a long time to see the light of day.

In December 2023, Hyperloop One, earlier known as Virgin Hyperloop, shut its operations citing financial constraints and its inability to secure any contract for a working Hyperloop system.

"(Questions on feasibility) are not fully wrong, but they may be missing how much the technology and our company has grown over the years. A few years down the line, we will also have a solution for India," Tudor said.

In 2022, the ministry of railways had given a grant of Rs 8.34 crore (Rs 83.4 million) to IIT-Madras to delve deeper into the technology.

According to people in the know, more funding is likely to be pumped into the venture, which is working on building a Chennai-Bengaluru hyperloop channel.

The freight project would be a stepping stone for eventual usage in passenger transit, as the technology is too nascent for a high-stakes affair like passenger movement.

Swisspod is currently building a full-scale model of its own hyperloop. A few tubes are in place, but the model has not been finalised, Tudor said.

Swisspod has been financed by the Swiss government to the tune of 8 million Swiss francs, and has 25 private investors.

The final tests of the company's full-scale facility are likely to fructify over the next couple of years, after which on-ground movement on the freight transport project may take place.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Aston University

The GREAT Scholarships 2024 programme, launched by the British Council together with 72 UK universities, supports postgraduate students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam to access world-class UK higher education opportunities.

Aston University, along with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering a scholarship worth 10,000 pounds towards tuition fees for one-year postgraduate-level courses to one student from India, Pakistan or Vietnam who would enrol at Aston University in 2024 (excluding MBA and postgraduate diploma for overseas pharmacists courses).

Who can apply

To be eligible for the scholarship:

Your nationality and current residency should be in one of these countries: India, Pakistan or Vietnam.

You must have a minimum academic score of 60 per cent or more (equivalent to a UK 2:1 degree).

How to apply

Interested candidates may visit the official website or click HERE to apply.

Important dates

The last date to apply for the scholarship is April 30, 2024.

Have career-related questions? Ask rediffGURUS HERE.

The above information is provided by Rediff.com as a reader service. Rediff.com does not benefit monetarily from such information.
'Democracy cannot be taken for granted. It has to be fiercely guarded.'

IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit A Shah at a meeting of BJP polling booth workers at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Political parties can take however much money from whoever, but they should disclose it," says Jagdeep Chhokar, former professor at the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad.

Professor Chhokar is among the founding member of the Association of Democratic Reforms established in 1999.

ADR was one of the petitioners to challenge the electoral bonds scheme in the Supreme Court in 2017.

"Transparency is a value in itself so that people can make up their mind whether there is any quid pro quo or not," Professor Chhokar tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in the concluding part of a phone interview.

Part 1 of the Interview: 'There's concrete proof of corporate-political nexus'

Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr S Y Quraishi had proposed that every voter contribute Rs 100 to an election fund that would then be channeled to political parties.

Would such a scheme be feasible or is it too Utopian?

This scheme is not very different from what is often called State funding of elections. The word 'State funding' is a misnomer. Where would the State get this money from?

The State would get this money from the people.

Therefore, should it not be called 'public funding' rather than 'State funding'?

In India, unfortunately, we have a situation where people feel that anything done by the government is 'free' and funded by the State so let it be spent however the government wants.

But if it is called 'public funding', then people will realise that this is the public's money.

What Dr Quraishi proposes is like public funding because there is not much difference between the two schemes.

Secondly, let us say that it is agreed that public funds will be given to political parties. Should they then be allowed to accept money from other sources?

No, I don't think they should.

Will any political party then accept this condition?

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party campaign vehicles in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

No, I don't think so.

Then, where are we? [laughs] What will then happen is that public money will be given to political parties and they will pocket the funds and continue to get money from other sources.

Political parties are very good at making promises and even if they agree that they will not accept money from other sources, how will this be enforced?

And do we even know how much money should be budgeted for this? We need a base figure to start with, but does anybody know how much political parties spent in the last election?

It is estimated by a group that Rs 55,000 crores to Rs 60,000 crores (Rs 550 billion to Rs 600 billion) were spent on the 2019 election. But if you read the full report of that group, the report itself says that there are several activities that are not included in the estimates which means that the reports are not accurate.

Only political parties themselves know how much they have spent. There is no way to realistically estimate how much money should be provided for this purpose. Therefore, these schemes are not practical.

What is the solution then?

The only answer is transparency. Political parties can take however much money from whoever, but they should disclose it.

Transparency is a value in itself so that people can make up their mind whether there is any quid pro quo or not.

IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders at a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, March 18, 2024, following the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Photograph: ANI Photo

Do you think the electoral bond disclosure will impact the coming election?

We filed this petition in 2017 as soon as the electoral bond scheme was announced. The scheme was notified in 2018. Nobody questioned if this petition would influence the 2019 election?

We five gave applications to the Supreme Court to hear the case earlier which were not accepted. The Supreme Court decided to hear the case in October 2023 and reserved their judgment on November 2, 2023.

In their wisdom they gave the judgment in February 2024 which happens to be very close to the general election. Therefore, we did not file this petition to impact any election.

Secondly, in our petition we had only asked for the scheme to be declared unconstitutional. This disclosure has happened on the order of the Supreme Court which we appreciate very much.

Our intention was to bring transparency to political financing.

Therefore, I don't know whether this will impact elections because we are not in the business of forecasting elections.

We are in the business of improving democracy.

Several people are interpreting it that we did this to hurt or help a political party which was not our intention. We are neutral and don't even think about who will win or who will lose.

Do you think people will have the disclosures on their mind when they press the button on Election Day?

Our job is to help the voter make an informed choice. So I don't know if the voter will be influenced by this or not.

There is concern about India being increasingly described as an 'electoral autocracy'. Do you agree with this description?

Our democracy needs to be improved and we have been trying to do this for 25 years. We have been trying to improve our democracy since 1999.

Democracy is not a destination, it is a journey. There is no perfect democracy. We are on our own democratic path. This is so for every country.

We are trying to make the country move forward on the democratic path and this is something that can never be fully achieved.

IMAGE: Professor Jagdeep Chhokar IMAGE: Professor Jagdeep Chhokar

Aren't political parties hypocritical? For example, the Congress condemns the electoral bonds, but it was a recipient and did not spurn the money.

Every political party is hypocritical. Every party criticises something at one time and says it is good at another.

Opposition leaders have claimed this could be our last free and fair election. Do you share this concern that is felt in some quarters?

It is very difficult to say what could happen. Anything could happen. Democracy has to be fiercely guarded. Democracy cannot be taken for granted.

We have to be on guard that our democracy remains effective, healthy and efficient.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Ten people, including eight from Bihar, were killed after an SUV skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and fell into a gorge in Ramban district on Friday, officials said.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI on X

The vehicle, a Tavera, was on its way to Jammu from Srinagar and it fell into a 300-foot gorge at the Battery Cheshma area of the district around 1.15 am, they said.

The bodies of nine passengers and the car's driver have been retrieved, they said.

The driver of the vehicle was Balwan Singh (47) of Amb Ghrotha in Jammu while one of the passengers -- Sandeep -- was from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh. The remaining eight occupants hailed from Bihar's West Champaran, officials said.

They were identified as Raju Kumar, Avadhesh Bin, Belas Bin, Indrajit Bin, Bipin Mukhiya, Raj Kumar Bin, Hari Bin, and Rajan Mukhiya.

The operation to retrieve the bodies was carried out by police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel amid heavy rains in the area and ended at around 1.30 pm, they said.

Senior officials, including Ramban deputy commissioner Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, Ramban senior superintendent of police Anuj Kumar and deputy inspector general of police in Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Shridhar Patil visited the site.

According to officials, an FIR under relevant sections has been registered and a probe has been launched in the case.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief about the accident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

The Prime Minister's Office said an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased.

President Droupadi Murmu mourned the loss of lives in the road accident and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families.

"The news of people getting killed after a vehicle fell into a gorge in the Ramban area on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is very sad. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families," Murmu said in a post in Hindi on X.

Union Minister and Udhampur MP Jitendra Singh in a post on X said, "My sincere condolences to the bereaved families".

"Spoke to Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq after learning about the tragic road accident in which a passenger taxi rolled down a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Battery Chashma leading to loss of 10 lives," Singh said.

In his condolence message, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, "I am deeply shocked to learn of the unfortunate road accident in Ramban today, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families."

Political parties in Kashmir too expressed grief over the accident with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah urging the administration to reach out to the affected families with adequate relief and compensation.

Party's vice president Omar Abdullah said the promised four-lane highway must be completed at the earliest so that the people can undertake their journeys with the assurance of greater safety.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone and CPI-M leader MY Tarigami too expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
The ministry of home affairs has given approval for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe against Delhi's former prisons minister Satyendar Jain in a matter under the Prevention of Corruption Act, official sources said on Friday.

IMAGE: Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain leaves his residence for Tihar Jail after the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea in the money laundering case, in New Delhi, March 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Apart from Jain, former director general of Tihar prisons Sandeep Goel and some other staff members were charged with demanding and extorting "protection money" from high-profile inmates in Delhi jails.

The ministry on March 22 approved the CBI inquiry against Jain after which Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena forwarded the file to the chief secretary for further appropriate action, an official confirmed.

A complaint was filed by Chandrashekhar after which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had begun inquiring into the matter and sought sanction from the competent authority to prosecute the former minister under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he said.

Chandrashekhar, lodged in Tihar jail in a money laundering case, alleged in his complaint that "Jain had extorted Rs 10 crore from him in tranches during 2018-21, either personally or through his accomplices, as protection money so as to help him 'live peacefully and comfortably' in different jails of Delhi," he said.

It was also alleged that some jail officials had allegedly extorted Rs 12.50 crore from him in instalments during 2019-22, he stated.
Investigators from China on Friday reached Pakistan to probe the death of five Chinese nationals in a major terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as more Chinese firms have stopped work on hydropower projects in the restive north-west region.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI on X

Five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide attacker rammed his explosives-laden car into a vehicle in the Bisham area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday when they were being driven to a construction site of the Dasu Hydroelectric power station in Kohistan district of the same province.

This was the latest attack on Chinese interests in the cash-strapped country.

On Friday, an official statement said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the investigators at the Chinese embassy here and briefed them on the investigation so far.

The visit comes two days after Pakistan officials shared with the Chinese embassy the preliminary findings of their investigation into the attack.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered a thorough joint investigation into the deadly terrorist attack on Chinese nationals, as Beijing pressed Islamabad to speed up the hunt for the perpetrators and take effective steps to protect Chinese personnel working in the country.

No group has taken any responsibility for Tuesday's attack as yet.

However, rebels affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan Liberation Army of ethnic Baloch nationalists in the past have carried out such attacks against foreign nationals.

Pakistan has blamed enemies of ties with China as responsible for the latest attack but restrained from naming any country or group.

"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," foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch said at a weekly press briefing on Thursday.

She said Pakistan was "fully committed to bringing terrorists, and their facilitators and abettors to justice" and vowed that such attacks would further strengthen Pakistan's resolve in combating terrorism.

Chinese security experts believe the latest attack is a copy of the July 2021 Dasu terror attack in which nine Chinese nationals and four Pakistani people were killed.

Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects under the aegis of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani media reported on Friday that two more Chinese companies have stopped work on hydropower projects in the unruly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

On Thursday, the Power Construction Corporation of China suspended civil works at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project in the Swabi district in the province and laid off over 2,000 workers.

After the Tarbela project, the Chinese companies have now suspended civil work at the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha dams due to security concerns and about 1,000 Chinese engineers working on both projects have stopped operations.

The local staff for both projects has been directed to stay home till further orders, The News International newspaper reported.

An official working on the Dasu dam project confirmed that the Chinese company stopped work and local staff were asked to stay at home. The project employed around 741 Chinese nationals and 6,000 locals.

Similarly, General Manager of the 4,800 MW Diamer-Bhasha Dam Nazakat Hussain also confirmed that the Chinese company had stopped work and said around 500 Chinese nationals were engaged in DBD but the Frontier Works Organisation staff, of about 6,000 locals, continues to work.

However, 250 Chinese engineers are still working on the Mohmand Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the newspaper said, quoting Asim Rauf, the general manager of the dam.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita on Friday launched a WhatsApp campaign, 'Kejriwal ko Aashirwad', asking people to send their blessings and prayers, even as the Aam Aadmi Party announced a mega rally at the Ramlila Ground against the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 31 to be addressed by top Opposition leaders.

IMAGE: Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, delivers a video statement launching a Whatsapp campaign titled 'Kejriwal ko Aashirwaad', in New Delhi, March 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress, Tiruchi Siva of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren of the Jhakhand Mukti Morcha are scheduled to attend the rally, the AAP said.

According to the Aam Aadmi Party, it has received permission from the authorities concerned to hold the rally of more than 20,000 people.

It is being held in the backdrop of Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

In a digital media briefing on Friday, Sunita Kejriwal said her husband has challenged the "most corrupt and dictatorial forces" in the country and asked people to support him through their blessings and prayers.

Issuing two WhatsApp numbers -- 8297324624 and 9700297002 -- Sunita said people can send their blessings, prayers or any other messages to the AAP national convenor and she will communicate those to him.

Messages sent to one of these numbers generate a customised response from Sunita that reads: "Received your message sent for Kejriwal ji. Heartfelt gratitude for this. I will get them to read your message and inform you. - Sunita Kejriwal."

Sunita Kejriwal, a former IRS officer, who has high prospects of stepping into the shoes of her arrested husband as well as national convener of the AAP Arvind Kejriwal, is seemingly learning the ropes of her new role.

In her two digital press briefings since Kejriwal's arrest on March 21, she has defended her husband calling him a patriot and courageous man.

Sunita on Friday said the way Kejriwal was fighting against the "most corrupt and dictatorial forces" was exactly "how our freedom fighters fought the British tyranny".

Meanwhile, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri compared Sunita Kejriwal to former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, and said she is perhaps preparing to hold the post of her husband.

"The madam you are naming is perhaps preparing to hold the post like Rabri Devi did in Bihar," the senior BJP leader told reporters here at the inauguration of the Delhi BJP's election office.

Puri was responding to a question about Sunita who has been briefing the media on behalf of her husband since his arrest.

Giving details about the 'Kejriwal ko Aashirwad' WhatsApp campaign on Friday, the chief minister's wife said if anyone wants to send any other message, they can do so.

"You have called Arvind your brother, your son, will you not support your brother and your son in this fight? I have full confidence that we will all fight this battle together," Sunita said.

"Arvind will be very happy to read your messages," she said, adding that she will share each of the messages with him in custody.

"And to send him a message, you do not need to belong to the Aam Aadmi Party; you may be from any party," she said.

Talking to reporters about the mega rally, AAP leader Gopal Rai said that top INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, will attend it.

The call on whether Sunita Kejriwal will address the rally will be taken later, Rai said.

Kalpana Soren, the wife of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, who is currently in jail, will also attend the rally, he said.

The party leaders said they are also in touch with PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who may join the rally.

Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, AAP leader and Delhi cabinet minister Atishi alleged that the ED is working as the BJP's political weapon and it wants to get details of the AAP's Lok Sabha election strategy by accessing Arvind Kejriwal's phone.

The insistence of the Enforcement Directorate to look into Kejriwal's mobile phone, which is a few months old and did not exist when the policy was formed and implemented, proves that the agency is working as a "political weapon" of the BJP, she alleged.

She also alleged that "actually it is the BJP and not the ED that wants to know what is there on Kejriwal's phone".

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged the AAP minister was "bluffing" over the matter.

Sachdeva said, "AAP leaders must tell what is the reason for Kejriwal and earlier former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia changed their phones frequently. Both admitted to have changed many phones."

Kejriwal, whose ED custody was extended till April 1, on Thursday himself made submissions in a court here during the hearing in the excise policy case, and alleged that the federal agency's objective was to crush AAP.

The chief minister also alleged that a smoke screen of AAP being corrupt has been created before the nation by the ED.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar on Friday announced its formula for seat-sharing, with Lalu Prasad's party laying claim on nearly two-thirds of the state's 40 parliamentary constituencies, virtually steamrolling allies -- the Congress and three Left parties.

IMAGE: Bihar RJD president Jagdanand Singh along with Congress state president Akhilesh Singh and others join hands after releasing the grand alliance candidate lists for the Lok Sabha election during a press conference, in Patna, Bihar, March 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The RJD will be contesting 26 seats, nine more than it had fought in 2019 when it drew a blank.

The Congress has got nine seats, as many as it had contested in the last elections, followed by Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist-Liberation (three) and the Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India-Marxist (one each).

The belated announcement, coming a day after filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls was over, was made at a press conference in Patna addressed by RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh and state-level leaders of CPI-ML-Liberation, CPI and CPI-M.

Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's leader in the state legislature, was scheduled to address the press conference but remained conspicuous by his absence.

Jha said names of candidates would be announced soon and claimed: "We have arrived at a unanimous decision, demonstrating a cohesiveness that you may not find in the NDA. We will defeat them at the hustings".

Notably, the RJD had fielded its candidates for the four seats of Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui and Nawada, which go to polls in the first phase, much to the annoyance of its allies, particularly the Congress which wanted to give ticket to former MP Nikhil Kumar.

Moreover, CPI and CPI-M have already announced their candidates for Begusarai and Khagaria seats.

According to the seat-sharing formula, the RJD has also wrested from the Congress Purnia, a seat the latter has been contesting in the past few Lok Sabha polls.

Recently, Lalu Prasad, the RJD president, gave party ticket for the seat to JD-U turncoat Bima Bharti, stopping short of making a formal announcement.

The Congress had last week inducted Pappu Yadav, a three-term former MP from Purnea, whose wife is also a Rajya Sabha MP of the party. Yadav had been hopeful of getting the ticket from the seat claiming that an assurance to the effect was given to him by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

There were murmurs that Prasad, whose "blessings" Yadav had sought before he went to Delhi and merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress, was suggesting that the former Purnea MP try his luck from Madhepura, which he had won on an RJD ticket in 2014, or Supaul which his wife had represented more than once.

However, that option, too, seems closed as both seats have been claimed for itself by the RJD and it remains to be seen what is going to be the next move of Yadav who has been dropping hints that he will not flinch from fighting as an Independent from Purnea if the need arose.

Among the seats given to the Congress are Kishanganj, Bihar's lone Muslim-majority constituency that the party has been winning for some time, and adjoining Katihar where senior leader Tariq Anwar lost by a thin margin in 2019, having won in 2014 on an NCP ticket.

Other seats given to Congress include Patna Sahib, where the BJP has been seemingly invincible, Bhagalpur, where party MLA Ajeet Sharma wanted to field Bollywood actress daughter Neha Sharma, who has refused, and reserved constituency Sasaram, a bastion of late Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, whose daughter and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, has won the seat a few times but reportedly excused herself this time on account of old age.

Other seats assigned to the Congress are Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, West Champaran and Maharajganj.

The CPI-ML-Liberation has been given Nalanda, a pocket borough of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD-U has had an uninterrupted run on the seat for decades.

The Left party has also been given Arrah, where the sitting BJP MP is Union minister RK Singh, and Karakat, which the NDA has assigned to former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

However, the RJD has denied the CPI-ML-Liberation Siwan, where the Left party has for long been involved in a bloody feud with late strongman Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Having fielded Shahabuddin's widow Hina Shahab in the last two general elections, without success, the RJD is now understood to have given up on her and looking for other candidates.

Hina Shahab has, meanwhile, received support from Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM which has said it will campaign for her if she contested as an Independent or on ticket of "a like-minded party".

The RJD has also kept with itself Saran, formerly represented by Lalu Prasad, where his Singapore-based daughter Rohini Acharya is likely to make her debut.

Also in the RJD kitty is Pataliputra, where his eldest daughter Misa Bharti may again try her luck after tasting defeat two times on the trot.

A high-decibel contest seems on the cards in Hajipur, where the RJD will be challenging Chirag Paswan's bid to claim his late father Ram Vilas Paswan's political legacy, amid fears that estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, the sitting MP, could play spoilsport.

RJD will also contest Munger, which it seeks to wrest from former JD-U president Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan".

The party has given ticket to the wife of gangster Ashok Mahto for the seat.

Other RJD seats are Buxar, Banka, Valmiki Nagar, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Ujiyarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur and Araria

.
Security personnel in several districts of Uttar Pradesh remained on alert on Friday, a day after jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda.

IMAGE: Superintendent of police Omvir Singh speaking to media about the security arrangements being done after Mukhtar Ansari's death, in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, March 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed across the state and teams of the Central Reserve Police Force along with the local police have been deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh director general of police Prashant Kumar said earlier.

People had also started gathering at Mukhtar Ansari's residence in Ghazipur and there was a large deployment of security personnel around the house.

Principal of the Banda Medical College Hospital Suneel Kaushal said the postmortem of Mukhtar Ansari is underway at the hospital and the entire process is being videographed.

A panel of doctors is performing the postmortem and the viscera will be preserved, Kaushal said, adding the Chief Medical Officer is present at the spot.

Senior officials, including district magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal, superintendent of police Ankur Agarwal and a large number of security personnel are present at the hospital.

Paramilitary forces and central forces have been deployed as a precautionary measure outside the medical college, officials said.

The 63-year-old Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in "an unconscious state" on Thursday evening and died at the hospital following a cardiac arrest, Kaushal had said.

Family members of Mukhtar Ansari, including his son Umar Ansari, and counsel Naseem Haider will take the body to his home town Ghazipur for last rites after the postmortem.

His counsel Haider said the body will be taken to Ghazipur via Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj and Varanasi and the last rites will be performed at the Kali Bagh family burial ground there.

Speaking to reporters, Umar Ansari alleged that his father was subjected to slow poisoning in jail. However, authorities have denied the charge.

"We got the news of his demise only through the media. We will demand a high-level inquiry and do whatever we have to do through court. We have full confidence in the court," he said.

Asked whose role he sees in the incident, he said it is a matter of investigation. "We will get justice from the court," he added.

Authorities have chalked out a route plan for the safe transit of the body via road from Banda to Ghazipur, a distance of around 380 Km.

Security has also been stepped up in parts of the state in view of Friday prayers.

Mukhtar 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 cardiac arrest, the medical bulletin stated.

Afzal Ansari, who is also the Ghazipur MP, on Tuesday alleged that his brother was given slow poison in 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, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad," Afzal Ansari said.

Afzal Ansari said that during the virtual hearing of a case in a Barabanki court on March 21, Ansari's lawyer had filed an application in the court alleging that his client had been given "slow poison" in jail due to which his condition was deteriorating.

Earlier, Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain.

While condoling the demise of Mukhtar Ansari, many parties in Uttar Pradesh demanded a probe into his death.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said it is the responsibility and duty of the government to protect someone's life in every situation and place and demanded a probe under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge into the death of the former MLA.

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati also demanded a high-level inquiry into the death of the gangster-turned-politician.

In a post on X, she said, "The persistent apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Anasari's family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the true facts of his death can be revealed."

Bhim Army founder and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) president Chandra Shekhar Aazad demanded a CBI investigation into the death of Ansari.

"Earlier he had expressed apprehension that he will be murdered. I demand from the High Court of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh for a CBI investigation into his death," the Dalit leader added.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former deputy Bihar chief minister Tejashwi Yadav also expressed grief at Ansari's death.

"A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously. Prima facie this does not seem justifiable and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents," Tejashwi Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.

Former Bihar MP Pappu Yadav, who joined the Congress recently, termed Ansari's death an "institutional murder" and demanded a court-monitored probe into it.

The Chief Justice of India should take "suo motu cognizance of this. There should be a court-monitored impartial investigation," the Congress leader said.

Ansari, a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar seat, was behind bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005.

He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him.
The Lagos State Police Command said it arrested 2,329 suspected criminals during different operations in the metropolis in the last three months out of which it prosecuted 2,253.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adegoke Fayoade, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen about crime statistics in the state since he resumed office on December 14, 2023, said that in the past month the command also arrested 64 suspects who engaged in crimes including armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms, as well as illicit drugs.

He said, "Items recovered from them include 20 firearms, 120 rounds of toy ammunition, 28 live ammunition, 15 live cartridges and three expended cartridges. Others are four vehicles, POS machines, seven cutlasses, illicit drugs and charms."

He added that, "Our marine police division is working very hard with the assistance of the Nigerian Navy to frustrate the activities of criminals, especially kidnappers, on our waterways."
Ram Vilas Paswan was no fool. He knew very well about the ownership tussle going on beneath this veneer of congeniality.

At all costs, he wanted to keep the lid on the family drama. He did not want it to come in the way of his son's coronation.

A fascinating excerpt from Sobhana K Nair's Ram Vilas Paswan: The Weathervane of Indian Politics.

IMAGE: Ram Vilas Paswan, right, with his son Chirag Paswan in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

Political fortunes are fickle and Ram Vilas Paswan's life was a testimony to this. But this didn't stop him from getting complacent in the last few months of his life. One could blame it on old age or perhaps on the diseased body, he was certainly not the nimble footed novice of the 1970s.

In the months leading to his death, Paswan was content in the quiet belief that he had secured his party's future and his son, Chirag's political career.

On 5 November 2019, Chirag succeeded him as the national president of the party. At a press conference at 12 Janpath that day, the father placed the ceremonial turban on his son's head and benevolently smiled with relief having handed over the burden.

He would later brag that this was by far the most bloodless and convivial transition. 'Look at the Samajwadi Party. What an unseemly tug-of-war the father [Mulayam Singh] and son [Akhilesh Yadav] had.'

All this happened to the LJP too. Son and uncle Pashupati Paras [Paswan's younger brother] clashed. Within a year of his death, the twenty-year-old party that he had founded and built split into two - his son's Lok Janshakti Party (Paswan) and his brother Paras' Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party. But Paswan wouldn't live to see it.

The warmth between Paswan and Chirag was visible and often advertised. The critics say it was the love for his son that blinded Paswan.

He perhaps willingly shut his eyes to trouble simmering within. He possibly could not have ignored his brother Paras' impassive face at the press conference held for Chirag's coronation. Paras was told to garland the new president, a gesture meant to convey his approval of the change. But any casual observer could see that even a perfunctory smile didn't escape his lips.

But Paswan was no fool. He knew very well about the ownership tussle going on beneath this veneer of congeniality. At all costs, he wanted to keep the lid on the family drama. He did not want it to come in the way of his son's coronation. And the best way, he perhaps thought, was to ignore it. It was his way of avoiding a very public showdown.

Paras felt that he was the rightful heir to his brother. He was just four years younger than Paswan. In all these years, it was he who carried forward the Paswan legacy. When Paswan went to Parliament in 1977, he handed over the Alauli assembly seat to Paras.

As Paswan pursued his national dreams, it was Paras who held the fort in Bihar. In 2000, when the party was formed, it was again Paras who managed the logistics. He was LJP's state president in Bihar, the only state where the party really mattered. He was not being presumptuous to expect that he would succeed his brother.

But for Paswan, Paras was his colleague and contemporary. He argued that the party reins need to be handed over to the next generation, to his sons and nephews. It was time for them to retire.

IMAGE: Then Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan being felicitated by his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras at the party's 20th foundation day celebration in Patna, November 28, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo

Chirag's investiture left little elbow room for Paras. After Chirag took over, it was felt that it would be difficult for Bihar President Paras to answer to a much younger National President Chirag. So Paras had to make way for his nephew Prince Raj, son of the youngest Paswan brother, Ram Chandra.

Paswan meanwhile was happy to take the back seat and leave all political decisions for Chirag to handle.

On 9 July 2020, Paswan addressed what would be his last media interaction. Coming in the backdrop of Chinese transgression at the LAC in Ladakh, he was addressing the press conference as Union consumer affairs minister.

It was part of the concerted attack by the Narendra Modi government on 'Made-in-China' products. The minister wanted to announce the government's policy to make it mandatory for e-commerce Web sites to declare the 'country of origin' for every product sold on their portals.

With the Bihar assembly elections just three months away, obviously, Paswan could not escape political questions. There was still a lot of confusion on LJP's stand. Chirag had already opened a front against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar levelling several allegations.

IMAGE: Narendra Modi meets Ram Vilas Paswan and Chirag Paswan in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Paswan sidestepped all the questions saying that he no longer led the party and the political questions would have to be directed at his son Chirag who was leading the party. But that did not stop him from making fawning remarks about Prime Minister Modi. He was keeping the door open for his son, just in case, he felt that the dare he was throwing at Nitish was far beyond his capacity.

A month later, on 23 August, he was admitted to Escorts Hospital. The hospitalisation was for routine scans and check-ups. Before leaving for the hospital, he called the entire family over to 12 Janpath, including Paras. They sat down to have a cup of tea and snacks.

When he rose to leave, Paras who was sitting close to him held his arm to support him. He immediately shrugged him off. 'I am alright. There is nothing wrong with me.'

He told his staff not to touch the file kept at his bedside. He meant to return.

Even when the disease is eating away at the body, the mind stays alive till the very end. He kept himself busy working the phone -- calling up family, friends, reporters, his department officials, and fellow politicians. He even attended the Cabinet meetings, connecting virtually, from his hospital bed.

He did let his son make the final call, but he remained engaged on the question of LJP's political future.

IMAGE: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan being garlanded by supporters at the Milan Samaroh in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

On 4 September, the LJP put out the first indication of what was in the store with a full-page advertisement in all Delhi newspapers with the slogan, 'Woh Lad Rahe Hai Bihar Par Raj Karne Ke Liye, Aur Hum Lad Rahe Hai Bihar Par Naaz Karne Ke Liye.' (They are fighting to rule Bihar, we are fighting to have pride in Bihar.)

Though the JD-U was not mentioned, the reference was clear. Paswan was thrilled to see his party back on the centre stage. It took him back to the spring of 2005 when for a few weeks at least he was the kingmaker, wooed and pursued by all sides.

Fifteen years later, he hoped to see history repeat itself. He dialled many journalists that day enquiring for their feedback trying to take a straw poll to assess the reaction to his party's move to stand against Nitish Kumar.

'Kaisa tha?' (How was it?) was all he asked but refused to get into the details of what the party, he or Chirag had planned.

On 11 September, from his hospital bed, he tweeted, 'I stand firmly with every decision of his. I am confident that with his youthful thinking, Chirag will take the party and Bihar to new heights.'

IMAGE: Ram Vilas Paswan and Nitish Kumar greet each other at an iftar party in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

Four days before his death, the LJP announced its final decision. By then Paswan was already on a ventilator, his vital organs were shutting down. A particularly twisted stand -- pro BJP but anti-Nitish. With the slogan 'Modi se bair nahi, Nitish teri khair nahi,' which roughly translates to 'No enmity with Modi but won't spare [Bihar Chief Minister] Nitish Kumar.'

The party declared that it would contest against the JD-U but not the BJP. This move had covert support of the BJP. Many of the BJP leaders joined LJP overnight to contest under their symbol and soon after the elections returned to their parent party.

Was he on board with the final divorce? Chirag, along with Paswan's wife Reena emphatically say yes! If the party does not strike out on its own, it can't ever carve out a space for itself. He did regret that all his life, the LJP played only a supporting role. But more importantly, Paswan did not want to contest on the same side as Nitish Kumar.

Paras claims that he could not speak to Paswan while he was in hospital, because he was himself down with COVID and had been admitted to AIIMS.

'Till the very end, we didn't know that Chirag was planning to contest alone. Whenever we asked questions, we were told that his comments about Nitish Kumar are only meant for posturing, to equip the party to negotiate more seats for the party.'

On 10 November 2020, the Bihar assembly results were declared and clearly, Chirag's calculations had gone awry. He wanted to play the kingmaker's role but ended with total annihilation. The LJP won a single seat and got just 5.66 per cent of the total votes polled. (The lone MLA who won on the LJP ticket moved to the JD-U).

He was satisfied with the results. His campaign against the JD-U had hurt Nitish on more than fifty seats. It also elevated the BJP's status, with 74 seats they were 30 seats ahead of the JD-U and could dictate terms, rather than the other way round.

Chirag's decision didn't sit well with the party. Uncle and nephew had fallen out within days of Paswan's death. And the results only further hastened the demise of their already tenuous relationship.

On 14 June 2021, less than a year after his death, in an internal coup, Paras walked away with five of the party's six MPs leaving Chirag isolated.

The split was formalised in October 2021. Chirag's faction was now called Lok Janshakti Party (Paswan) and Paras' faction was known as Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party.

History tells us only capable legatees are able to carry forward the name and thoughts of a leader. It remains to be seen who between the son and the brother carries forward the mantle.

Excerpted from Ram Vilas Paswan: The Weathervane of Indian Politics by Sobhana K Nair, with the permission of the publishers, Roli Books.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
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The military high command on Thursday morning declared eight persons wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers and officers in Okuama Community of Delta State.

Among those declared wanted include a professor, Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur; a woman, Mrs Igoli Ebi; Reuben Baru; Akata Malawa David and four other persons.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a Major-General, who disclosed this at an ongoing press briefing at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said no bounty was placed on the wanted persons.

Buba called on the stakeholders and traditional rulers across the country particularly in the Niger Delta to help the military in fishing out those who had been declared wanted.

Daily Trust had reported how the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State were surrounded by some youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024 while on peace mission to Okuoma Community.

The incident, which occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between Okuoma and Okoloba communities both in Delta State had generated outrage nationwide.

The murdered officers were buried at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja on Wednesday. The burial was attended by President Bola Tinubu and other top government functionaries.
Paul Tse deletes posts criticizing the government after his comments are labeled 'dangerous' by the city's leader.

Hong Kong lawmaker Paul Tse (2nd from R) leaves North Point Community Hall after an oath-taking ceremony for the first group of district council members in Hong Kong, Sept. 10, 2021.

Hong Kong lawmaker Paul Tse, who was among dozens of pro-government legislators who voted in favor of the city's Safeguarding National Security Ordinance last week, has removed posts from his Facebook page for fear that comments he had posted there earlier could be used to prosecute him under the law.

Tse's Facebook account was unavailable when checked by RFA Cantonese on March 27.

The move came after Tse, who represents the tourism sector in Hong Kong's Legislative Council, was criticized by Chief Executive John Lee in January for sounding like an opposition politician after he accused the city's government of caring more about the opinions of social media users in mainland China than those of Hong Kong's tax paying citizens.

Tses move underscores fears among Hong Kongers that the new law, which critics say will undermine human rights protections, will mean ever-widening definitions of what constitutes a crime, and leave people vulnerable to malicious reporting to the authorities.

Hong Kong lawmaker Paul Tse appears to have hidden or deleted all posts from his Facebook account as of March 29, 2024. (Image from Facebook)

Lee warned that Tse's criticism of the government's law enforcement tactics was "dangerous," and reminded him of rhetoric from the 2019 protests, as well as "soft confrontation," the government's term for subtler forms of opposition and criticism that it also regards as potentially criminal.

"Soft confrontation" was one of the terms used by Lee and his officials as justification for a second national security law under Article 23 of Hong Kong's Basic Law, which functions as a constitutional framework for the city's government.

Social media criticism

Tse told a question and answer session in the legislature on Jan. 25 that the Hong Kong government seemed more responsive to social media criticism from the rest of China than to its own people.

"Law enforcement forces have seemingly given the public the impression that they value the online opinions of Xiaohongshu users, who are not taxpayers, more than Hong Kong citizens, who actually pay tax," Tse said, referring to a social media and e-commerce platform described as "China's answer to Instagram."

He quipped that the attempt to placate mainland Chinese public opinion would lead to "Xiaohongshu running Hong Kong," a play on the government's insistence that only "patriots" loyal to Beijing should run Hong Kong.

Tse singled out heavy-handed police enforcement of jaywalking penalties and heavy fines on restaurants for creating obstructions, as well as "cracking down on bookstores."

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee (C) applauds with lawmakers following the passing of Article 23 legislation at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on March 19, 2024. (Louise Delmotte/AP)

"Some Hong Kongers feel that the government's style of governance is far removed from the reality of actual Hong Kongers who pay their taxes," Tse said.

Repeated calls to Tse's phone rang unanswered during office hours on Wednesday.

However, Tse wrote in a column in the Economic Journal newspaper that he had deleted his Facebook account due to fears that his past posts about Xiaohongshu running Hong Kong and other topics would be used to accuse him of "incitement to hatred," possibly through a malicious tip-off via the much-used national security hotline.

Tse's Facebook account was visible again by noon GMT on Friday, but all posts appeared to have been hidden or deleted.

'No need to panic'

By contrast, fellow LegCo member Doreen Kong said she wasn't worried about her recent comments criticizing the government for spending HK$50 million, or US$6.4 million, on an illuminated egg art installation in the Central business district.

"If you do not intend to endanger national security, you will not break the law," Kong told the Hong Kong Economic Journal. "There is no need to panic."

The article also quoted lawmaker Lau Chi-pang as saying that he isn't worried about keeping books banned under the national security crackdown for private use.

"I research riots, so it's normal for me to have historic data about riots," the paper quoted Lau as saying. "Any research into Hong Kong between 2010 and 2020 will inevitably involve inflammatory propaganda and publications from that era."

Interactive installations of the 'teamLab: Continuous' by Japanese brand teamLab, an interdisciplinary group of artists are placed by Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, March 25, 2024. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Documentary films depicting the 2019 protest movement have been banned from public screening in Hong Kong, because they are deemed to glorify a protest movement that the government has said was an attempt by hostile foreign forces to overthrow the government.

Lau said a historian who privately read Guerilla Warfare by Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara but didn't try to put its ideas into practice wouldn't be committing "incitement" under the national security law.

RFA Cantonese reached out to fellow lawmaker Gary Zhang, who has also made some remarks that are critical of government policies, and to former pro-democracy lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen, regarded as the only token "opposition" member of LegCo, for comment on Wednesday, but neither responded.

The current Legislative Council was elected under new rules that only allow patriots approved by the government to run, and has no remaining opposition members, with many former pro-democracy lawmakers in exile or on trial under the 2020 National Security Law.

'Seditious' speech

Meanwhile, Albert Chen, chair professor of law at the University of Hong Kong, was at pains to reassure people that they were unlikely to run afoul of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance unwittingly.

The law's provisions regarding "seditious" speech were most worthy of the public's attention, Chen said in comments reported in the Ming Pao newspaper on March 27, reminding readers that Hong Kong's courts heard more than 30 cases of "sedition" in 2020 alone.

Citizens should "pay attention to relevant legal standards" in their speech, to avoid accidentally running afoul of the law, he told the paper.

But he said "constructive criticism" was unlikely to be judged to be "incitement of hatred or contempt of the government" under the new law, without detailing what criteria might be used to gauge if criticism was "constructive" or not.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.


Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China next week at the invitation of President Xi Jinping for what will be his first official overseas visit since his election last month, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.

By inviting Prabowo  currently Indonesias defense minister  Beijing is trying to gain an edge over Washington and strike first in wooing the future leader of Southeast Asias largest economy, analysts in Jakarta said.

During Prabowos three-day visit starting Sunday, Xi will hold talks with the Indonesian president-elect on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, Lin Jian, Chinas foreign ministry spokesman, told a regular daily press conference in Beijing on Friday.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Indonesias President-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China from March 31 to April 2, Lin said, according to a transcript posted on the ministrys website.

Mr. Prabowos visit to China will be his first overseas visit as president-elect. It fully demonstrates the robustness of China-Indonesia ties.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman also confirmed Prabowos China visit, saying its aim was to strengthen bilateral relations and increase cooperation in the defense sector.

This visit is part of the two countries ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic dialogue and cooperation, which is vital for regional security and stability, Brig. Gen. Edwin Adrian Sumantha told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news service.

President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo (second from right) walks with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left), military chief Gen. Agus Subianto (second from left), and police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit after a meeting with high-ranking military and police officers at military headquarters in Jakarta, Feb. 28, 2024. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]





Regional political observers see Prabowos upcoming visit to China mostly in the context of Sino-U.S. competition for influence in Southeast Asia, and Beijings investment of billions of dollars in Indonesia.

During the nearly decade-long presidency of outgoing leader Joko Jokowi Widodo, Indonesia and China drew closer, many analysts said.

Al Azhar University Defense Analyst Raden Mokhamad Luthfi cited Chinas big projects in Indonesia.

One example is the Belt and Road Initiative project in the form of the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train and the nickel downstreaming industry, Raden told BenarNews.

He was referring to Chinas flagship Belt and Road Initiative project, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, which began commercial operations in October 2023.
The money vouchers were issued during the pandemic, and workers fear they may become worthless.

A photo provided exclusively to RFA by the J.M. Missionary Union in Seoul shows the obverse of a new 50,000 won money voucher produced by North Korea's central bank.

North Korean workers returning from China with hopes of a big payday are incensed because the government is not paying them in cash. Instead, its giving them bank-issued money vouchers, which the workers are worried might end up being worthless, residents told Radio Free Asia.

The vouchers, essentially IOUs, were issued in 2021 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities explained that they could be used just like cash, and that they would be phased out once the pandemic ended.

Until then, the vouchers  printed on lower quality paper than the currency  are supposed to be traded with cash on a 1:1 ratio, but nobody knows how long they will be good.

North Koreans are already distrustful of their government on money matters because in 2009 it revalued the won, issued new currency and limited the amount of older currency that could be traded for the newer one, wiping out the life savings of many.

Since then, faith in the won has been shaky, so dollars, euros and yuan are therefore freely traded in North Korean marketplaces. Faith in the vouchers is even shakier than the won.

Most of the workers feel like they have returned empty-handed, so they are angry, a resident of the northwestern province of North Pyongan told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Although the party emphasizes that the money vouchers should be used without restrictions like cash, people distrust them because the authorities clearly stated that they are a temporary measure due to the prolonged COVID-19 crisis, she said.

Assumptions

When workers are sent overseas  mostly to China  theres already an understanding that the lions share of their wages will be forwarded to the cash-strapped government in Pyongyang.

The remainder, however, is several times more than what they would earn doing the same job in North Korea.

So the Chinese companies get cheap labor, the government gets a lot of foreign cash, and the workers still come out ahead  or such was the assumption.

The workers, mostly young women working in factories, had been in China since before the pandemic, some for six years or more.

Because they were earning yuan in China the workers thought they would be paid in yuan upon their return.

But they are now told to accept payment in money vouchers, which the people have very little confidence in, the North Pyongan resident said.

Red tape and unfair exchange rates

On top of this, the government appears to be exploiting the workers further through red tape and unfair exchange rates, the sources said.

The market exchange rate is 1,700 to 1,800 won per Chinese yuan, she said. But the announced rate is fixed at 1,260 won per yuan, so the workers are getting screwed.

The Chinese companies paid 2,500 yuan (about US$350) for each worker every month, but about two-thirds of this money was sent to the state.

The workers were said to be earning about 800 yuan ($110) per month, but then red tape fees cut into even that amount.

Theres management fees at headquarters, maintenance costs at the consular department, insurance costs, social subsidies, and accommodation fees, the resident said. When all is said and done the workers are said to be getting between 100 and 300 yuan (US$13-41) for the whole month.

Remarkably, that is still above the paltry salaries for government-assigned jobs in North Korea.

Another North Pyongan resident said that the workers are getting a raw deal after putting in 14-hour days in China and now have to accept payment in money vouchers.



The selection of workers dispatched overseas is still ongoing these days, but not many workers are willing to go to China, she said. The poor working environment and intensive labor exploitation in China, as well as the fact that the payment is not properly compensated, have become widely known facts.

She said that some of the workers who returned this time gave up all of their wages and returned with nothing, after the authorities compelled them to donate to various funds and subsidies.

These include supporting national and local construction projects, condolence donations for the late former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on their death anniversaries, and funds to strengthen national defense.

They wont see even a single yuan coin for all their hard work in China, the first resident said.

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
Guards have been doubled to stop the theft, driven by a dearth of imports from China.

Its planting season in North Korea, and farmers are stealing plastic film from each other so that they can protect their rice seedlings from frost as they worry about meeting their quotas, residents told Radio Free Asia.

The plastic film and other farm supplies such as fertilizer are in short supply as imports from China have not picked up after the shutdown in trade during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In rural areas of our country, where farming material shortages are chronic, the number of thieves of plastic film from farms increases every spring, a resident from the northwestern province of North Pyongan told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

North Korean farm workers transplant rice seedlings at Tongbong Cooperative Farm, May 29, 2013 near Hamhung, North Korea. (AP)

The rice seedlings, often laboriously planted by hand due to a scarcity of machinery, can die if they go just one cold night without the protective cover, he said. During the day, the plastic sheets are removed so that the plants can absorb the warmth and sunshine.

Theft of crops and farming equipment is a common problem in North Korea so the government usually stations guards near fields.

Beefed up security

But because plastic film theft can ruin an entire field, authorities are doubling the number of guards, the source said.

Police were looking for the plastic film thieves, but it is unlikely that they will be caught because it's virtually impossible to tell if a plastic cover has been stolen from somewhere else, he said.

RFAs sources estimate that the government has only been able to supply about a third of the fuel, fertilizer and plastic film that the farmers need. Some farms have the plastic film and others dont.

Two North Korean boys row their boat on the Pothong River where rice is planted June 19, 2017, in Pyongyang. (Wong Maye-E/AP)

Each farming security guard, most of whom were in their 60s, has been replaced by two younger ones, a resident of nearby South Pyongan province told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

The first source said he noticed the same thing: That an influx of younger guards have replaced fewer, older guards.

The sudden increase in security personnel on the farms is due to the fact that recently three seedbeds had the plastic film stolen in the middle of the night, he said.

Even with the enhanced security, some thieves stole the plastic film from a seedbed in the vicinity, the second source, from South Pyongan, said.

So the guard removed the plastic film from the seedbed of another work unit that night and placed it on the seedbed where its plastic film had been stolen.

Farmers on the Chongsan-ri cooperative farm plant rice May 12, 2020, in Nampho, North Korea. (Cha Song Ho/AP)

The thieves are not to blame though, he said.

Ultimately, the reality of this country,  is a product of the self-reliance policy emphasized by the authorities, he said, referring to the cash-strapped governments mantra that state enterprises should procure what they need on their own.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
The practice is illegal, and experts warn it threatens fish populations in the region.

An animation created from a Facebook video posted March 28, 2024 shows a Lao fisherman using an explosive to catch fish in Bokeo province.

Fishermen in northern Laos are using grenades to haul in large catches that otherwise might take hours of work to net, according to residents and officials, who say the practice threatens to impact fish populations in the region.

It is also illegal.

Two videos posted to Facebook in recent days show fishermen whose identities are obscured, hurling grenades from outboard motor boats into the Mekong River and the Namtha 1 Dam reservoir in Bokeo province.

In the videos, underwater concussive blasts churn sediment to the surface before they cut to fishermen displaying several sizable fish gathered on their vessels. In one video, a grinning fisherman flashes a thumbs up to the camera, celebrating his catch.

A resident of Houayxay districts Pak Ngao village who, like other sources in this report requested for anonymity for safety reasons, told RFA Lao that a fellow villager was involved in the grenade fishing, despite warnings from the village chief and laws that prohibit the practice in Laos.

A resident of this village, who threw grenades into the water, posted those videos on Facebook and then deleted them, he said.

Other fishermen electrocute the fish, he said.

A method used by some is to tie an electrical cable to a long stick and attach it to a motorcycle battery before dipping it into the water, according to sources.

The resident said the use of explosives and electric shocks should be eradicated because we should conserve fish for our children.

He said that professional fishermen in the area using traditional methods might stay out on the water all day and all night, but only catch a few fish.

Prohibition flouted

The Lao criminal code prohibits the use of explosives, poison, chemicals and electrocution to catch fish. Violators face up to one year in jail and fines of up to 10 million kip (US$500).

Despite the prohibition, a resident of another village in Houayxay told RFA that most of the fish at the local market are not caught by net, but by explosives or electrocution, noting that the fish dont exhibit any of the signs typically associated with net catches, such as damage to their scales and heads from struggling against cordage.

Another villager from Pak Ngao said an area fishmonger confirmed that most of the fish at the market had been obtained illegally, through these means.

She said that most fish at the market come from the area where explosives and electrocution are used to catch fish, he said.

The fishermen that use grenades do so in secret, said a third resident of Pak Ngao.

The village authorities cant do anything to stop them and the higher-level authorities are too far away from the area, he said, adding that the fishermen are too dangerous to be confronted about the practice.

But a provincial official said the cases in the videos are now under investigation.

If we find the suspects, theyll be prosecuted according to the law, he said. The Mekong River has many fish conservation zones and those fishermen are breaking the rules by illegally fishing in those areas.

Translated by Max Avary. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Traffickers transported them from Mumbai to work in the Golden Triangle.

Three Indian nationals duped by fake job offers in Laos are seen in this image posted to Facebook, Feb. 28, 2024, after they were rescued by authorities.

Sixteen Indian nationals who said they were lured in Mumbai to work as online scammers in Laos were rescued this week from the Chinese-run Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, an official with knowledge of the situation told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

The zone, which sits along the Mekong River in northwestern Bokeo province, is a gambling and tourism hub catering to Chinese tourists and has been described as a de-facto Chinese colony.

It has become a haven for cyber scams, prostitution, money laundering, drug trafficking, and human and wildlife trafficking by organized criminal networks.

The Indians had been told by recruiters in Mumbai that they would get jobs related to cryptocurrency in Thailands Chiang Rai province, said the official, who like others in this report, did not want to be identified so he could speak freely.

But when they arrived, the Chinese bosses loaded them on a boat that crossed the Mekong River to Bokeo province, where the Indians said they were forced to work as online scammers or fake call center workers in the zone.

Their plight came to light after one of the Indians managed to escape and return to India, where he filed a complaint with Mumbai police on March 24, The Laotian Times reported.

One Lao official said that they had received a tip-off email from someone who knew about their predicament, and took action right away to help these youngsters.

Hurt and abused

An official involved in anti-human trafficking efforts said the Chinese running the operations physically abused some of the Indians, denied them food, and locked them up if they didnt generate revenue.

The Chinese bosses physically hurt the Indian nationals with hammers and sticks, he told RFA. They simply had to work for free or without getting paid.

Anti-human trafficking agents in India arrested two people believed to be in charge of agents who recruited up to 40 young Indian nationals so they could be sent to Laos to work as online scammers, said the official.

The Indian Embassy in Laos posted on its website an advisory for Indian youths to beware of fake job offers from Laos. (India Ministry of External Affairs)

Other Indians in the zone who find themselves in the same predicament contact Lao government officers daily for help, said a second official involved in anti-human trafficking activities.

Since the beginning of the year, about 30 Indians have contacted a Lao anti-human trafficking office, which can help them find a safe temporary place to stay and send them home once authorities receive a tip about them, he said.

Some information comes from India's Ministry of External Affairs asking for help to get Indian nationals out of the zone, the second official said.

It is unknown how many Indians are still working in the zone, he added.

South Korean and Malaysian nationals have also fallen victim to traffickers who hand them over to Chinese in the zone to engage in cyber fraud, said the official with knowledge of the situation.

The Embassy of India in Vientiane issued a recent notice on its website that it was aware that Indian nations were being lured for employment in Thailand or Laos as digital sales and marketing executives and customer support services by dubious companies involved in call-center scams and cryptocurrency fraud in the Golden Triangle SEZ.

Translated by Phouvong for RFA Lao. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcom Foster.
The Kachin Independence Army says it captured five junta camps in two days.

An ethnic army seized five military junta camps near the Myanmar-Chinese border, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

During an offensive, the Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, captured encampments under junta Battalion 366 near Kachin states Momauk township. The seizure also gave the ethnic armed group partial control of a China-Myanmar border trade road after the Thursday offensive.

Since Myanmars February 2021 coup, fighting between the KIA and junta forces has raged for weeks at a time over the states lucrative jade mines and the rebel armys historical stronghold near its headquarters on the Myanmar-China border.

The KIA now controls portions of two major trade roads in the state since its partial capture of the domestic Myitkyina-Bhamo highway in early March, in addition to a junta camp under Battalion 142 in Momauk township. A battle further north in Lai Zar caused shells to land in China, burning down several houses, residents said.

One resident told RFA that the junta retaliated with air strikes after Yaw Yung Artillery and Hpaleng Hill camps were captured Thursday.

Yaw Yung was entirely captured and Hpaleng camp was also captured yesterday, he said, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. The juntas air force came to open fire while KIA troops were confiscating things in these camps after the captures.

Yaw Yung is an important strategic camp because of the high-level commander stationed there and its proximity to trading posts with China, residents living near the captured camps said.

Kachin army troops are currently stationed in Lwegel city, about 11 kilometers (seven miles) from Yaw Yung Artillery camp, residents said, adding that they are negotiating with junta troops and administration staff on their exit from the city.

RFA contacted Kachin states junta spokesperson Moe Min Thein and KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu on the juntas surrender, but neither responded.

A statement on the KIA's Facebook page on March 28, said three camps were captured on the 27th and two on the 28th, namely Shan Tai, Bang Yau, Law Mun, Hpaleng and Yaw Yung.

The KIA and joint guerilla armies have captured over 40 junta camps in Momauk and Waingmaw townships near the KIAs headquarters in Lai Zar city in Kachin state as of Thursday.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
But USAID says theres not much money left for the 1.2 million refugees after their $10 monthly food ration.

Rohingya Muslim activists representing fellow refugees forced out of Myanmar and into prison-like camps in Bangladesh said in Washington on Thursday that foreign aid to the camps would go further if some of it was given directly to refugee-run groups.

But a representative of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, said little money was left over after aid cuts that currently see the refugees provided with only $10 worth of food a month.

About 90% of the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh struggled to have acceptable food consumption late last year, according to the World Food Programme, when their monthly ration of food was bumped up from about $8 to about $10 per person.

Speaking at an event on Capitol Hill to mark two years since the United States labelled Myanmars atrocities in 2017 against the Rohingya a genocide, the activists said aid was not always spent in ways most helpful for the Rohingya refugees living in Coxs Bazar.

There are ways to do it effectively, said Yasmin Ullah, a Canada-based rights activist born in Myanmars Rakhine state and the director of the Rohingya Maiyafuinor Collaborative Network.

Yasmin Ullah of the Rohingya community is interviewed outside the International Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Jan. 23, 2020. (Peter Dejong/AP)

The activist said her group had raised $20,000 through crowdfunding to be disbursed by refugee-run groups in the camp to improve livelihoods there. But she noted global aid flows were far larger.

We know our issues. We know how and where to put this money. We can run with $10,000 farther than any other humanitarian groups can, she said. We are asking for aid to be utilized and to directly go to refugee-led initiatives and refugee-led organizations.

Unsolved problems

Aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh has dwindled, with less than two-thirds of the approximately $850 million in annual aid requested by aid agencies in the country being fulfilled, a U.N. report said.

Lucky Karim, a Rohingya refugee who resettled in the U.S. state of Illinois in 2022 and now works with the International Campaign for the Rohingya, said that any international aid sent to help people in the camps means a lot to us as refugees and was appreciated.

But she questioned why the hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into the camps each year were not improving conditions.

Its not about how many years the U.S. has been supporting Rohingya, Karim said. What are you guys able to solve?

Did you solve the labor issue? Did you solve the sexual and domestic and the other violence in the camps? Did you solve the human trafficking issue? Did you figure out the security risks at the camp? Did you figure out and identify the gangs and the nonstate actors in the camp at night? she said. Those are the only questions we have.

Requests for more help, she added, were not just about increasing funding, with many Rohingyas understanding funds are limited.

When it comes to the funding issue, when I talked to USAID, for example, they're like, Oh no Lucky, we have other places in war, like Gaza, for example, and Ukraine, for example, Karim recounted, noting there were many other cases coming up every few years.

Like Ullah, she said some aid could be spent more effectively.

The amount of funding you're sending to Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and elsewhere should go to the right people at the right time to the needed situations, she said. How do you ensure it without Rohingyas involvement in the decision making process?

Limited funds

Peter Young, the USAID director for South and Central Asia, told the event that the United States had sent more than $1.9 billion in aid to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh since the 2017 genocide.

Brothers Mohammed Akter, 8, and Mohammed Harun, 10, pose for a photograph on the floor of their burned shelter after a fire damaged thousands of shelters at the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, March 25, 2021. (Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters)

But he acknowledged the global aid being made available is not sufficient to meet the needs of people in the refugee camps. What was once a $12 monthly food ration to the refugees, he explained, was cut to just $8 last year before the eventual bump back to $10.

At the end of the day, he said, aid groups were left grappling with the fact they have few funds left after disbursing those meager rations.

We certainly agree with  as Lucky said  the importance of working with and through the Rohingya community, Young said. We do make sure our projects that are implemented there are staffed by Rohingya there [or] developed in consultation with community leaders.

At the same time, if you do the math, $10 a month for a million people consumes our entire budget pretty quickly, he said. So the bandwidth that we have to do other programming besides food is limited.

One of the first priorities for the refugee camps outside of food would be durable shelters, Young said, due to both the propensity of the camps to be hit by devastating disasters and the understanding that there will be a lot of people there for some time into the future.

But for the Rohingya activists, thats only a start.

Karim, the Illinois-based refugee, said little will change in the camps until Rohingyas are given some decision-making powers  and not just coming to D.C. every six months for forums on Capitol Hill.

You take a bunch of notes, you leave us, you forget us, the activist said. We want a specific seat at the table.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Vietnamese police have arrested four more Buddhist monks from the Khmer Krom indigenous group in an ongoing clash over a pagoda in the countrys south.

Authorities in Vinh Long province also arrested an activist during a raid on Thursday at Dai Tho Pagoda, known as the Tro Nom Sek pagoda in Khmer, police said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The nearly 1.3-million strong Khmer Krom indigenous community live in a part of Vietnam that was once southeastern Cambodia. They face discrimination in Vietnam and suspicion in Cambodia, where they are often perceived not as Cambodians but as Vietnamese.

Thursdays raid comes two days after Vietnamese police arrested the head of the pagoda, Thach Chanh Da Ra, and two other followers.

The dispute with local authorities stems from an incident last November when Thach Chanh Da Ra and others wouldnt allow a task force from the Tam Binh District Peoples Committee to enter the pagoda.

Thach Chanh Da Ra is accused of filming their visit to defame local authorities and divide national unity. He was dismissed from the government-recognized Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in December.

Vietnamese police arrested activist Thach Nha. (Soc Trang province police via Facebook)





On Tuesday, Thach Chanh Da Ra and follower Kim Khiem were accused of posting slandering and insulting videos on social media and charged with abusing the rights to democratic freedom, in violation of Article 331, a law that rights groups have said is vaguely written and often used to stifle dissent.

Police also arrested Thach Ve Sanal, another member of the pagoda, on charges of illegally arresting, holding, or detaining people, for his alleged role in the November incident.

Cell phones seized

The five men arrested on Thursday were also being detained on suspicion of abusing the rights to democratic freedom under Article 331, police said.

A monk who witnessed the arrests told Radio Free Asia that about 10 police officers entered the pagoda, defrocked the four monks and arrested them and the one activist.

By Buddhist law, monks can only be defrocked by senior monks if they breach Buddhist law  not by police.

When other monks tried to prevent the arrests, the officers responded with violence and confiscated everyones cell phones, the witness said.

The persecution is brutal, he said. It is against our tradition and it is inhuman.

The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation condemned Thursdays arrests, saying in a statement that the actions of the Vietnamese authorities against these revered spiritual leaders and their supporters are a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of religion, expression and association.

Translated by Anna Vu and Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

RFA Khmer contributed to this report.
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The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) said it has offered N1.6 billion in support to ginger farmers in three states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, the Executive Secretary of the fund, made this known during the inauguration of a task force aimed at controlling the ginger blight epidemic held yesterday in Kaduna.

He said the support was provided under the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) initiative.

He also said the recent ginger blight epidemic affected around 15,000 ginger farmers from Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the epidemic happened when the country started witnessing considerable growth in ginger exports.

According to Ibrahim, data from the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS) shows that revenue from ginger exports surged by 17%, reaching N10 billion in the second quarter of 2023 compared to N4.6 billion during the same period in 2022.

He said under the support programme, each ginger farmer will receive one 20kg bag of high-yield seed variety, four 50kg bags of NPK fertiliser, two 50kg bags of urea, and two 1kg bags of fungicide to aid in the improvement of ginger production.
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.


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An Abeokuta Magistrates' Court on Thursday sentenced a 26-year-old man, Hassan Gafar, to 18 months in prison for stealing 48 birds and a power generator.

Gafar, who resides at No. 23, Iyana Cele Car Wash in Abeokuta, was convicted on a four-count charge bothering on break-in and stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Odumosu, sentenced Gafar following his guilty plea and evidence provided by the police.

She sentenced the convict to 12 months in prison for unlawful entering and six months jail term for stealing.

Odumosu did not give the convict an option of fine but held that the sentence should run concurrently.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the convict committed the stealing March 4 at 6:00 a.m. at No. 9, Labaiwo Oke-Odo in Abeokuta.

Shonibare said that the defendant broke into the residence of one Mrs Olawunmi Mudashiru and stole 48 birds worth N152, 000

He also added that the convict, on the same date, about 6:30 a.m. at No. 14, Labaiwa Oke-Odo in Abeokuta, entered into the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church and stole one big generator worth N330,000.

He said that the defendant was caught and arrested when he was selling the birds at the Lafenwa Market.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 411 and 390 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.
Luanda  The secretary-general of the Angolan Journalists Union (SJA), Teixeira Candido, said Thursday that the organization remains faithful to its object, based on the defense of Press Freedom and the rights of its members.

Speaking to ANGOP on the 32nd anniversary of the SJA, Candido said that during its existence, the organization has been based on the defense of press freedom which culminated in the creation of the Portfolio and Ethics Commission in 2019.

In his opinion, it is necessary to continue to defend press freedom and strengthen the competences of the Media Regulatory Authority, to enable it to intervene in the local market as established by the law.

He emphasized that in the last six years the SJA's focus has been on the social dignity of professionals.

As regards to the implementation of the professional qualifications assessment, the SJA general secretary said it is one of the union's focuses, which in 2018 began the movement to establish careers, a goal it wants to see achieved in 2024.

Teixeira Candido said that today we have a union focused on the social issues of professionals, with a presence throughout most of the country.

Recalling the history, Teixeira Candido said that a daring group of journalists from almost all public media organizations (the only ones that existed until then) challenged themselves and set up the first union in independent Angola. ANM/ART/TED/AMP
Luanda  The president of the US Senate, Patty Murray, on Thursday in Luanda expressed her enthusiasm for the good results achieved by US investment in public health in Angola.

Speaking at the end of an audience with Angolan president Joao Lourenco, the US Senator said the United States of America has Angola as a great partner, although there is still a lot of work to be done.

"We are very excited to be here and to see the results achieved through our investments in the public health sector. Over the last 25 years, we've invested around 700 million dollars and it's satisfying to see the results, particularly in terms of improving the public health sector in Angola." The politician said.

Patty Murray also said that the US will continue to support the development of the Lobito Corridor because of its key role in Angola's development, since it should benefit everyone from small farmers to large investors.

According to Senator Christopher Coons, the US should make it easier for American companies to attract investment to the Lobito Corridor and, through the Corridor, invest in public health and agriculture, in order to make cooperation between the two states more fruitful.

Today's agenda also includes a visit by the US senators to the Technical Institute of Health in Luanda, in order to highlight US assistance programs in Angola such as Community Development and Health Agents (ADECOS), management of the medicines supply chain, training of health specialists and family planning.

The US has been a partner in improving health services for Angolans, with the purchase of essential medicines and vaccines and the strengthening of laboratories.

The US delegation includes Senators Gary Peters, Catherine Cortez Masto and Peter Welch. MR/ADR/DAN/AMP
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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.

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Several hundred people turned out for a town hall rally in Vista Tuesday night, chanting and cheering in support of Obamacare.

The invited guest, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, did not attend the gathering, held at the Jim Porter Recreation Center at Brengle Terrace Park, about 5 miles from Issas district headquarters.

His absence wasnt surprising  earlier in the day hed met with more than 225 people, including about 75 Trump supporters and 150 protesters who were camped outside of his office, taking questions on a range of topics, from immigration to the travel ban to healthcare. His spokesman said last week that Issa had other commitments that made it unlikely he would attend the town hall.

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Nationwide, there has been increasing pressure on members of Congress to hold such meetings, primarily from people concerned about President Donald Trumps policies.

The group that organized Tuesdays event has held weekly protests at Issas office and raised $6,000 for a full-page newspaper ad urging him to attend the town hall, which focused on the Affordable Care Act. Labor unions and healthcare advocacy groups funded the event.

Fallbrook resident Holly Nelson, a licensed clinical social worker, said she was disappointed that Issa did not show  but still, she left heartened after hearing from other like-minded people.

As a constituent, I want my voice heard, Nelson said. But (it was good) to see that I wasnt alone in my feelings, that other people want to fight for this important issue.

Among the roughly 350 people inside the rec center was 27-year-old paramedic Kyle Thayer from Carlsbad.

I know what its like for people without access to healthcare, he said. They end up in the back of my ambulance, on the way to the ER (emergency room).

Outside the building, perhaps 500 to 1,000 others crowded together, chanting and waving signs in support of the Affordable Care Act.

It wasnt important to hear speeches, 56-year-old Vista resident Tom Averell said, leaning on his cane outside the rec center. Its important to be a part of a crowd that is positive.

Vista resident Samantha Bell, 23, came alone, smiling as she walked through the crowd, impressed by the turnout.

Congress is not representing us, so weve got to speak louder, Bell said.

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Pressure for town halls ratchets up; Issa not biting

Issa appears at morning rallies, addressing supporters, critics

Earlier Tuesday, Issas office released a draft of the bill the congressman is proposing as a replacement to the Affordable Care Act. Highlights of his proposal include some of the ACAs most popular elements, including guaranteed coverage for preexisting conditions and coverage for dependents under 26 years old.

In the Nov. 8 election, the nine-term congressman only narrowly defeated challenger Doug Applegate, winning re-election by just .6 points  roughly 1,600 votes. The National Republican Congressional Committee has already promised extra help in the 2018 campaign to help him retain his seat.

Applegate, who has announced his intention to run again, attended the town hall.

As the event ended, organizers asked people to attend a peaceful candlelight vigil outside Issas Vista home Thursday night.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
The deplorable conditions took their toll. Skittish little Millie, a full-bred Yorkshire terrier, has no teeth, and just had six tumors removed from her tummy. The dark scares her. Move too fast and she will drop to the floor and snake away.

Then theres Buddy, who had to have his back paw amputated, the result of poor circulation. Lucy, a 2-year-old Yorkie mix, has limited eyesight and Lacy, 1, has lost all her bottom teeth.

They are among 170 Yorkies that the San Diego Humane Society rescued from a Poway couple earlier this year. It was the largest hoarding rescue in the agencys 137 years.

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The number of animals and their squalid surroundings quickly made headlines when dozens of the animals were first pulled from a mice-infested home with feces on the walls and debris covering the floor.

The Humane Society of San Diego estimates it spent roughly $250,000 to take in and treat the dogs, removing teeth from some, limbs from a few, and spaying or neutering all of them. Some had lost hearing or eyesight.

Months after their rescue, the Yorkies are moving toward recovery and their new owners have formed a community, meeting up for play dates, sharing tips and encouragement, and raising thousands for the San Diego Humane Society.

On a private group Facebook page, they post photos of their Yorkies sporting new haircuts, and revel in small victories  like the day that Flower took her first trip to the park, or when Floki actually responded when her new owner called her over.

You get to see these dogs recuperating, said Lucys owner, Holly Goulart. Im telling you, it is truly a happily-ever-after story. We have taken something negative, and turned it into something that is positive. At least we are trying to.

The story of rescue started in January, when Mark Vattimo, one of the dog owners, called the San Diego Humane Society and asked for help, said agency spokeswoman Kelli Schry.

He estimated like 30 to 35 dogs, she said, and we just kept pulling out more and more and more.

Authorities would take 92 Yorkies or Yorkie-mixes from the four-bedroom home that day; the smell of feces and urine so strong that officers were forced to wear masks.

Many of the dogs were suffering from ear infections, fleas and hair loss. Their coats were severely matted and caked with excrement  so bad that the amount of matted fur removed from them actually weighed more than the tiny dogs themselves, Schry said.

1 / 24 Close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 24 Close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 24 Serene Pakton holds 9-month old Rylee who she recently adopted from the San Diego Humane Society. Rylee a disabled Yorkie was born with a deformity with her hip. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 24 Kitty Kizziar recently adopted Mini who was part of the 186 Yorkies rescued from a couple in Poway. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 24 Janice Smith (l) holds Cali as she re-acquaints her with Holly Goulart (r) and her two adopted Yorkies, Lacy and Lucy. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 24 Buddy was too nervous to leave the comfort of his new family. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 24 During an event at the San Diego Humane Society, several of the recently adopted Yorkies found more comfort standing next to their adopted owners. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 24 Close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 24 Close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 24 Serene Pakton holds 9-month old Rylee who she recently adopted from the San Diego Humane Society. Rylee a disabled Yorkie was born with a deformity with her hip. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 24 Staci Hurley a volunteer at the San Diego Humane Society, spends time with 10 year old Franco. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 24 10 year old Franco, a 2-pound Yorkie was among the 186 dogs rescued. At the time of his rescue, Franco had pneumonia and all of his teeth were rotted out. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 24 Close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 24 Close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 24 During an event at the San Diego Humane Society, several of the recently adopted Yorkies found more comfort standing next to their adopted owners. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 24 Buddy was recently adopted by Daniel and Dorothy Bertram, after he was rescued from a home in Poway where the owners reportedly hoarded 186 dogs. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 17 / 24 Daniel Bertram place a paw sock on the right rear leg of Buddy. Because of the lack of care given to Buddy, his right rear foot was amputated. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 24 Buddy was recently adopted after he was rescued from a home in Poway where the owners reportedly hoarded 186 dogs. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 19 / 24 Buddy a two year old Yorkshire Terrier sits with his owner, Dorothy Bertram at their home in Little Italy of San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 20 / 24 Buddy a two year old Yorkie follows his owner, Daniel Bertram around their home in Little Italy of San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 21 / 24 Buddy was recently adopted after he was rescued from a home in Poway where the owners reportedly hoarded 186 dogs. Because of the lack of care given to Buddy, his right rear foot was amputated. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 24 Daniel Bertram and Dorothy Bertram enjoy their pair of Yorkies, Scrappy (left) and Buddy (right). (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 23 / 24 Buddy a two year old yorkie sits with his owner, Dorothy Bertram at their home in Little Italy of San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) 24 / 24 Buddy a two year old Yorkie was one of the 186 dogs rescued from a home in Poway. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Days later, authorities would find and seize another 30 or so dogs that had been hidden from them, and several weeks after that, discover Vattimos girlfriend, Christine Calvert, had fled the state with even more dogs. They found and arrested her in Primm, Nev., just across the California line, with 46 little dogs in a motor home.

In all, the San Diego Humane Society rescued about 170 dogs from the couple, but the number rose to 186 after some of the pregnant Yorkies had puppies.

Three of the dogs were so unhealthy they had to be euthanized, and five of the puppies died of natural causes. Seven of the dogs are still at the San Diego Humane Society and 171 have been adopted.

More than 1,800 people filled out applications for the animals. Goulart was among the lucky few tapped to take a dog.

I felt like I won the Lotto when they called and said I could adopt one, she said. I was like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Janice Smith (l) holds Cali as she re-acquaints her with Holly Goulart (r) and Lacy and Lucy. The three dogs were part of the 186 Yorkies rescued from a couple in Poway. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Like all the adoptive owners, she was strongly warned that these were dogs with special needs, medically and psychologically. After bringing Lucy home, Goulart quickly noticed little quirky behaviors. And I thought, What have I gotten myself into here?

Within a week, Goulart set up a private Facebook page for fellow owners of the rescued Yorkies, a place to share tips, concerns and ideas as to how to socialize the scared dogs. She called it #92 Yorkies Happily Ever After.

I thought maybe we could teach steps to each other, Goulart said. There were people who were so overwhelmed, they might have returned the dogs.

There, she asked basic questions  does your dog bark, does it hide and shake, does it know how to drink water out of a bowl? What Goulart got back were tales of dogs whod never been in grass, who refused to drink water, and who were so anxious that they would throw up. And none of the owners had heard their dogs bark.

The best word I can use to describe these dogs is broken, Goulart said.

Of the 186 rescued Yorkies, close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview on Thursday. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune)

After Debbie Parker took home Millie, she realized the 6-year-old Yorkie refused to drink from a bowl. Parker initially had to use a syringe to get water into her mouth. The dog, who had to have all her teeth removed, would pace in the dark at night and howl when Parker went to work.

The Vista woman joined the Facebook group, and found answers, suggestions and support. She also went back and got a second dog, the effervescent Rosie.

Millie is coming along, but its a matter of 10 steps forward, five steps back, said Parker, who believes the little dog is scared of the dark because it reminds her of the crowded, fetid room.

I dont think Millie wants to remember, Parker said.

In a row house in Little Italy, 2-year-old Buddy is learning to navigate without his hind right paw.

Hes a sweetheart, owner Dorothy Pecoraro Bertram said. He just runs back and forth all day. He must think this is the biggest place hes ever had.

Husband Daniel Bertram said they hope to outfit the 7-pound dog with a prosthetic. Like the other rescues, he is quite timid. But I think hes a pretty resilient and spunky little guy, Bertram said.

Buddy was recently adopted by Daniel and Dorothy Bertram, after he was removed from a Poway home where the owners reportedly hoarded 170 dogs. Because of poor blood circulation resulting from cramped conditions, a section of Buddys right rear leg had to be amputated. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Scores of the owners are now part of the Facebook group, and a few even went back to the Humane Society and adopted a second of the rescued pups. The owners also started to get together in person, forming a team for a Humane Society fundraising walk in May. They raised more than $4,500  third highest fundraising team of the event.

They also teamed up last week for a Facebook livestream, to be part of a fundraiser for what the agency dubbed the Day of Giving. The donations topped $300,000.

When the owners get together, the dogs come too. The pups absolutely recognize each other.

When my little Lacy sees Rosie, they kiss and climb and play. It brings tears to your eyes, Goulart said. The two dogs were part of the bunch taken from the RV.

Of the 186 rescued Yorkies, close to a dozen Yorkies gathered with their new families at the San Diego Humane Society for a reunion and for a live Facebook interview. The dogs were among the 186 rescued dogs from a Poway couple (Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Schry said her agency is buoyed by the community the Yorkie owners have formed.

You can tell that they (the Yorkies) are the center of these peoples worlds, she said. Its great to see them finally get to live the life that they deserve.

Calvert, 62, and Vattimo, 72, each pleaded guilty two felony counts of animal neglect. They had to relinquish the motor home, and will probably receive three years probation when they are sentenced in a San Diego courtroom later this month. A few of the adoptive owners plan to be there.

People get mad at the (couple), Goulart said. But we all have our dogs.They are safe and loved and healthy, and at the end of the day that is what counts.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
Just as they have for the last 35 years, hundreds of people converged on Balboa Park as dawn broke on Sunday for an Easter service featuring a mix of inspiring music and prayer.

One of San Diegos most consistent traditions, the parks annual sunrise service at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion didnt disappoint those who braved the early morning mild chill  many of them wearing beanies or carrying blankets for their laps.

Some used their smart phones to film parts of the hour-long service, particularly musical performances by St. Stephens Cathedral Choir, and post them on social media for others to experience.

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Overcast skies deprived the celebration of whats typically the highlight of an early morning Easter service: the sun rising as a metaphor for the resurrection of Jesus Christ that the holiday celebrates.

But no one complained or seemed to mind, with the booming organ music, traditional choir vocals and thoughtful sermon by Elder Fred Johnson carrying the day.

Johnson, an elder at St. Stephens Cathedral Church of God in Christ, urged those in attendance to embrace Christ as a way to quench their thirst for satisfaction and meaning in life, warning them that likes on Facebook and other social media affirmations will never do the trick.

Only Jesus can satisfy the longing thirst of the soul, said Johnson.

The church is among five that annually rotate handling the program at the organ pavilions sunrise service.

Faith Presbyterian is scheduled to handle the 2019 ceremony. The others are La Jolla Presbyterian, Mount Sinai Baptist and Grace Lutheran.

The ceremony is one of many Easter sunrise services across the county, including large gatherings at Mount Helix, Cabrillo Monument and the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

But the Balboa Park event has had a unique twist since it began in 1984: all of the proceeds go to homeless services every year, with the San Diego Rescue Mission receiving all of this years donations from the audience.

The event raises between $10,000 and $15,000 in a typical year, even with crowds dwindling somewhat recently, said Cindy Peterson, a La Jolla resident who has coordinated the event every year since founding it.

We dont have as many people as in the past because religion is not as important in some peoples lives, said Peterson, who sings in the La Jolla Presbyterian choir.

Thats not to say Sundays crowd was sparse. Every bench surrounding the iconic organ pavilion had at least one person on it and people continued to arrive after the 6:30 a.m. service began, but there was no need to sit shoulder-to-shoulder.

The crowd was also an eclectic mix of local residents, some of whom brought their dogs along, and out-of-towners visiting San Diego on spring break.

Virtually all age groups and ethnicities were represented, with some folks dressing up for the holiday service and others choosing to wear sweats and other casual clothing.

Peterson, 87, said she has no plans to stop coordinating the annual event or to turn it over to someone else. But other congregations have expressed interest in having Easter sunrise services, so the long-term future isnt totally clear, she said.

Peterson raises the $500 it costs each year to have the Sunday service at the organ pavilion, plus a Saturday rehearsal. She could take the money out of the collections received, but she wants every cent of that to go to the Rescue Mission.

Its hard, but we scrape it all together, she said.

The event began when Peterson, inspired by an Easter sunrise service held each year at the Hollywood Bowl, suggested something similar at Balboa Parks Starlight Bowl outdoor theater.

The College Avenue Baptist Church hosted the first of four sunrise services Peterson coordinated at the Starlight, which gave way to the organ pavilion in 1988.

I think its a nicer, warmer place, Peterson said. That organ is so magnificent.

Organ music opened Sundays service, which also included hymns, readings from scripture, Johnsons sermon and several songs by the St. Stephens choir whose members were dressed all in white.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
Lubango  Mozambique's Secretary of State for Youth and Employment, Osvaldo Petersburgo on Thursday in Lubango, expressed interest in the incubation system of the Local Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employment Services (CLESE) located in Lubango city, with the aim to implement it in his country.

Speaking as part of a visit by SADC employment and labour ministers and social partners, the Mozambique official said he has been "impressed" by the Centre's business incubator process, an experience that will be put to good use in his country.

"We saw the incubators at CLESE, an important aspect and it's an experience that we're going to take from Angola, to continue and improve in Mozambique," he said.

Osvaldo Petersburgo said there were similarities and experiences to be shared between Angola and Mozambique, especially in the Angolan government's commitment to giving young people the means to work and tools to start their first job.

He congratulated Angola on its employability measures, which are similar to what they are doing in Mozambique, with the "My kit, my job" programs, which in Angola is called the Action Plan for Promoting Employability (PAPE).

Operating since 2011, the centre has created more than 80 companies and hundreds of jobs.EM/MS/TED/AMP
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) says its inability to pay some invigilators and supervisors is due to the government's indebtedness of GH57.3 million for examinations conducted in 2022 and 2023.

The indebtedness for 2022 is GH 9.9 million while that of 2023 is GH47.4 million, comprising GH40 million for the main examination and GH7.4 million for practical.

The WAEC National Office Director of Finance, Cornelius Azumah, who disclosed this in Accra yesterday, has therefore, assured the service providers that efforts were underway to get the money from the government in order to pay them.

"In 2022, we had to use some fees received for 2023 examination to pay supervisors and invigilators for 2022. We have been following upon that and they promise that they will release funds to add soon so that we can pay the supervisors and invigilators for 2023 and get them ready for 2024 examination," he said.

i"So far we have taken some funds from them and we still have some arrears to receive," he said in response to a question on the Council's delay in paying service providers of the examinations conducted in the period.

The press conference was to announce the opening of the WAEC portal for registration of candidates for the three examinations to be conducted by the Council this year.

The Head of Public Affairs of the WAEC National Office, John Kapi, said the portal for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for school and private candidates, opened on March 11, and costing GH214.01 for registration, would be closed on Friday, April 19, 2024.

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He said the examination would be written from July 8 to 12, 2024, noting that the school candidates would be examined on the common core curriculum and the private candidates on the old syllabus.

For the West African Secondary School Examination (WASSCE), which would once again be a Ghana only examination, he said, it would be administered from August 5 to September 27, 2024.

"Despite the difference in period for the conduct of the examination, the standard of the examination remains unchanged," he said.

Mr Kapi cautioned school authorities that they would be sanctioned for registration of non-school/unqualified candidates for school examination and the fabrication of continuous assessment scores for the candidates.

The General/ Advanced Business Certificate Examination (G/ABCE), he said, would be conducted from August 2 to September 2, 2024 and that registration portal, which was already opened, would be closed on April 19.

The portal for the WASSCE for private candidates, scheduled to take place from October 25, to December 18, would be opened from Tuesday, April 2 to Friday, August 30.

Mr Kapi cautioned that the WAEC's rules and regulations for dealing with cases of irregularity in examination would be applied and thus, stakeholders should be law abiding.

"The Council calls on all and sundry especially stakeholders to ensure that the registration process goes on smoothly," he said.
The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced an okada rider, Kofi Sumaila, to 10 years imprisonment for robbing a commercial tricycle rider, at Bompieso in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.

The 22-year-old convict, also known as Blackman, pleaded guilty and prayed the court, presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, for forgiveness.

The judge passing judgement, said: "Sumaila is a first-time offender, he has been truthful and did not waste the court's time."

Prosecuting, Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, said the complainant, Francis Wuri, 22, lives at Abukofi, while Sumaila resides at Aposo, near Aboso.

The court heard that Sumaila hired the complainant to transport him on a tricycle to Bompieso Cemetery Road, to convey gold bearing stones in sacks to Aboso.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said when Sumaila and complainant got to a section of the road, the convict ordered the complainant to stop, and he obliged.

The court heard that the convict started shouting as if he was calling someone, but nobody responded.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said Sumaila returned to where the complainant was standing, and he pulled out a pair of scissors and ordered the complainant to surrender everything in his possession.

The prosecution said Sumaila dipped his hands into the complainant's pockets and removed GH1,200 and Tecno spark 8C mobile phone valued GH700 and fled into a nearby cocoa farm.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said the complainant reported the matter at the Aboso police post.

The court heard that while investigations were ongoing, the complainant and his colleagues arrested Sumaila at his hideout and handed him over to the police.

Sup Essel-Dadzie told the court that when the police interrogated Sumaila, he confessed to the crime.

The prosecution said Sumaila told the police that he sold the mobile phone to a man in Tarkwa, but failed to assist them to arrest and retrieve the phone from the alleged suspect. --GNA
A team of researchers from Fudan University and elsewhere has successfully generated a genome of the Chinese Emperor Wu (Wudi) of the Xianbei-led Northern Zhou dynasty. The authors have determined that Emperor Wu possessed a typical East or Northeast Asian appearance and faced an increased susceptibility to certain diseases, such as stroke.

The emperor of China was endowed with symbolic significance for over 2,000 years, considered the Son of Heaven bestowed with the Mandate of Heaven and, as such, enjoyed what was perceived as a divinely ordained rule over the state.

The title of Emperor first appeared in 221 BCE, beginning with Ying Zhengs self-proclamation as the First Emperor.

The position lasted until the abdication of the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, Aisin-Gioro Puyi, marking a total of 2,132 years and 83 feudal dynasties.

Emperor Wu, named Yuwen Yong (543-578 CE), was a highly influential emperor who reformed the system of regional troops, pacified the Turks, and unified the northern part of ancient China after defeating the Northern Qi dynasty.

He was ethnically Xianbei, an ancient nomadic group that lived in what is today Mongolia and northern and northeastern China.

Some scholars said the Xianbei had exotic looks, such as thick beard, high nose bridge, and yellow hair, said Dr. Shaoqing Wen, a researcher at Fudan University.

Our analysis shows Emperor Wu had typical East or Northeast Asian facial characteristics.

In 1996, archaeologists discovered Emperor Wus tomb in northwestern China, where they found his bones, including a nearly complete skull.

With the development of ancient DNA research in recent years, Dr. Wen and his colleagues managed to recover over one million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on his DNA, some of which contained information about the color of Emperor Wus skin and hair.

The researchers were also able to reconstruct the emperors face in 3D.

Their results show Emperor Wu had brown eyes, black hair, and dark to intermediate skin, and his facial features were similar to those of present-day Northern and Eastern Asians.

Our work brought historical figures to life, said Dr. Pianpian Wei, also from Fudan University.

Previously, people had to rely on historical records or murals to picture what ancient people looked like.

We are able to reveal the appearance of the Xianbei people directly.

Emperor Wu died at the age of 36, and his son also died at a young age with no clear reason, the scientists said.

Some archaeologists say Emperor Wu died of illness, while others argue the emperor was poisoned by his rivals.

By analyzing Emperor Wus DNA, they found that the emperor was at an increased risk for stroke.

The finding aligns with historical records that described the emperor as having aphasia, drooping eyelids, and an abnormal gait  potential symptoms of a stroke.

The genetic analysis shows the Xianbei people intermarried with ethnically Han Chinese when they migrated southward into northern China.

This is an important piece of information for understanding how ancient people spread in Eurasia and how they integrated with local people, Dr. Wen said.

The results were published this week in the journal Current Biology.

_____

Panxin Du et al. Ancient genome of the Chinese Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. Current Biology, published online March 28, 2024; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.059
Two men, who attempted to escape from Bawdie police cells, in the Western Region, have each been sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.

Evans Sarpong, 24, and Desmond Ampong, 23, both unemployed, who conspired and broke part of the wall of the cells in an attempt to escape from lawful custody, pleaded guilty.

Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie, prosecuting, told the court that the complainants are police menstationed at Bawdie.

She said Sarpong was arrested at Bawdie for stealing a goat, while Ampong was grabbed over motorcycle theft, at Fahia Korbor, near Obuasi.

The prosecution told the court, presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, that the police detained Sarpong and Ampong, who were arrested at different locations, in the Bawdie police cells.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said while the station officer was at post, he heard an unusual noise in the cells.

The prosecution said the officer rushed to the cells and found Sarpong in the toilet room chiseling the wall with a shower head.

The court heard that Ampong was at the entrance of the cells keeping guard for Sarpong to complete the unlawful act so that they could escape.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said when the two were arrested and brought out from the cells and interrogated, they admitted to the offences in their caution statements. --GNA
A man, who defiled and impregnated a 15-year-old student, has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment in hard labour, by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.

The convict, Kingsley Acquah, 24, pleaded not guilty to the charge, but he was found guilty at the end of the trial.

Prosecuting, Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie told the court, presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu, that the complainant is a seamstress and mother to the victim.

The court heard that Acquah used to teach at a private school, located in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, which the girl attended.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said convict lived in the same vicinity with the victim and the parents.

The prosecution said the girl was a final year Junior High School student, who together with her colleagues lodged at the school campus, to enable them to effectively prepare for the Basic Education Certificate Examination.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said Acquah took advantage of the situation, lured the victim into his room and had sexual intercourse with her.

The prosecution said when accused again had sexual intercourse with the girl, she bled, and he (Acquah) asked her to leave his room.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said after the victim had completed school and was home, she fell sick, and did not realise she was pregnant.

The court heard that the girl had admission to a Senior High School, and while on campus, the senior house mistress detected that she (victim) was pregnant, and the authorities asked her to go home.

Sup Essel-Dadzie said the girl narrated her ordeal to the complainant, and she (complainant) reported the matter to the police.

The prosecution said the police issued a medical report form to the complainant to take the victim to the hospital for examination. --GNA
Negotiations between the three teacher unions and the government to resolve the ongoing strike by teachers has hit a snag again.

The meeting which lasted about an hour at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations in Accra yesterday did not achieve the desired result as the teachers stormed out tight-lipped about what transpired at the closed-door meeting.

It was attended by the leadership of the three unions - the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) - the Ministers of Employment and Labour Relations and Education and officials from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).

The National Labour Commission on Tuesday directed the teacher unions to call-off the strike and return to the negotiating table for a resolution.

"The government side will brief you," Thomas Musa, the General Secretary of the GNAT said as the media attempted to solicit information from him on what transpired at the meeting.

Giving details of the meeting, however, Professor Charles Adabo Opong, Director, Grievances and Negotiations at the FWSC said the teachers have refused to comply with the NLC's directive to call-off the strike.

"Because the teacher unions have not called-off the strike, we cannot continue with the negotiations," he stated.

According to him, the teachers explained that they needed to go through some procedures in order to call-off the strike including consulting their respective councils.

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"Because of that, we have also indicated that they have to comply with that directive by the NLC for us to continue with the engagement.

"If they are able to call-off the strike, we are ever ready as a government team to meet them even today or tomorrow," Prof. Oppong stated.

To him, the decision by the teacher unions not to call-off the strike despite the directive by the NLC was disappointing as students continue to suffer the brunt of the industrial action.

The government, Prof. Oppong, said remain committed to the plight of teachers as 10 out of the 16 concerns have been addressed.

"Indeed, this should tell you that government is committed," he said.

The teacher unions on March 20, 2024 declared a nationwide strike to press home their demands for improved conditions of service.

The concerns of the unions include the failure of government to provide some of their members laptops despite monies deducted from their salaries, thereinstatement of salaries of some teachers blocked by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), and the establishment of terms of service for teachers.

The strike has left students at the pre-tertiary level without teachers with final year students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination being the hardest hit.
Katya Apekina

(photo: Lena Rudnick)

Katya Apekina was born in Moscow and moved to the United States as a young child. Her debut novel, The Darker the Water the Uglier the Fish, was widely praised for its originality and willingness to tackle the dark edges of humanity. In addition to writing novels, she has worked as translator and a screenwriter in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and daughter. In Mother Doll (Overlook Press), she nests stories within stories--both of individual struggles like becoming a mother and of collective struggles like the Russian Revolution of 1917.

How did you land on Mother Doll as the title?

The title came at the very end. I had a different working title that I didn't like, and I was trying to come up with something. It was actually my agent who suggested Mother Doll, and I agreed that it was perfect. I like that it invokes the baby doll/mother doll element as well as the matryoshka or nesting doll without being so direct about it. It brings in the generational stuff, this idea that we're containing multiples inside of us, that is present in the book. Both in terms of our ancestral experiences but also the different aspects or eras of our own life, that we contain nestled inside of us. And then there's the physical experience of Zhenia being pregnant, so she's literally containing another generation inside of her.

There are unexpected elements in this story, communication with the dead through a medium being one. Was that level of supernatural always present in the work, or did it take that shape as you wrote?

The seed for the book came from my grandmother. She had given her memoirs to me before she died, but I started reading them after she died. So that sense of talking to the dead through a text was an entry point, but I wanted it to feel more alive than an interaction with a text. I wanted it to feel more embodied. Of course, we're constantly haunted by metaphorical ghosts of our ancestors, so I made it literal as a way of exploring that. Mother Doll is talked about sometimes as being a ghost story, which it literally is, but people have expectations from a ghost story that this book is probably going to subvert. The kind of haunting and scary stuff that happens in this book is more about abandonment and generational trauma. And it's also probably more funny than scary in some ways.

The book does such a good job of showing the act of listening to be a physical, fully engaging process. The medium Paul physically secluded himself in a closet to allow Irina's story to pass through his body into the phone, with Zhenia on the other end to receive it. There are layers of listening here. Do you feel listening is critical to the act of creation?

Absolutely. As I was writing this book, I was also with my grandfather in his last weeks, and he was dictating his memoir to me. It was this act of receiving, and I was affected physically by the intense listening, by the taking on of another person's story. That bearing witness is not a neutral thing. It does take a lot of energy--emotional and physical energy. So I was thinking about that as I was writing. There's a difference between the listening that might happen as an eavesdropper versus as a journalist who is actively engaging with and taking on the responsibility for someone's story.

I actually took some mediumship classes and psychic meditation classes as research, and it's a strange physical feeling of receiving a story that feels external from you, and you're almost just transcribing. That's what writing sometimes--at its best--feels like. When it works, it feels so good to feel that you have a connection with something outside yourself that you're just letting pass through you.

Becoming a mother changes a person, in obvious and less obvious ways. What would you say are some of those transformational changes?

When I had a daughter of my own, I started thinking concretely about myself as part of this generational chain. Maybe I would have thought about that anyway at a certain time in my life, but for me, having my daughter made me think about my mother's experience, my grandmother's experience. Being on the other side of daughterhood, it made me think a lot about them. Similarly for Zhenia, it helps her begin to process this ancestral trauma that has made her feel like her life has no agency. When this big--almost external--event of having a child happens to her, it forces her to think about things differently, and it leads to her making choices where she begins to be more connected with what it is she wants, with what her desires are.

In the book, desire is often born out of a deep lack of something--food or connection or stability. But there is a more positive form of desire, one born out of a sense of hope. As Zhenia figures out what she wants, does that negative desire transform into something more positive?

At the end, when Zhenia is with Chloe and Anton, the desire she experiences is more hopeful. It's a complicated relationship because it's not very honest, and she's afraid of losing what she has by being honest about it. But the desire there feels satiated. And her relationship with her baby is very joyful and satisfying to her. A lot of times when you read about parenthood, there's a lot of emphasis on how difficult it is, which it is, but it is also often very fun and joyful, and I wanted to show that.

Irina often struggles with her own sense of cowardice, times when she felt she acted bravely and others when she did not. How would you define bravery, especially as seen through some of those different perspectives?

The idea of bravery in the context of the Revolution is one thing. But what does it mean to be brave in the context of Zhenia's life? Maybe it means to live the life that she actually wants and understand what that is. In the beginning of the book she's just doing what's expected of her. When she begins to do things that from the outside might look like a bad idea, but to her, feel like the right thing, that is a form of bravery. Obviously being brave in her life looks very different, but confronting your ancestral baggage is difficult, and it does require courage. To be honest about things requires a certain amount of courage, and it's courage that Zhenia may not have yet, but it seems she will soon. --Sara Beth West
Helpful 2020 display at Octavia Books in New Orleans.

Imagine there was a week--let's say mid-March, 2020--when states in the U.S. began implementing widespread precautions and even shutdowns (trying desperately to avoid the word "lockdowns") in order to prevent the spread of a mysterious new virus called Covid-19.

In a Shelf Awareness column published March 13 of that year, I wrote: "Ever tossed by the roiling seas of public information, misinformation and disinformation regarding Covid-19, independent booksellers are doing what they have always done best: communicate with customers in informed, constructive, helpful and sometimes even entertaining ways. Sanctuaries take many forms, including virtual, so here in my little corner of the plague I've been collecting some online words of wisdom from indies as they update friends and patrons."

Stockpiling at Janke Books in 2020.

Among those booksellers were Fiction Addiction, Greenville, S.C. ("So I know you all have been working on your quarantine kits because there was no soap or toilet paper anywhere in the store yesterday. Remember, you're going to need books too!"), Janke Book Store, Wausau, Wis. ("Two very important things to stockpile during coronavirus."), and Riverstone Books, Pittsburgh, Pa. ("We are regularly sanitizing surfaces and high-trafficked areas.").

Words and phrases suddenly came into terrifying common usage: quarantine, masking up, isolating, social distancing, handwashing, sanitizing. Some of them have gradually lost their ubiquity while others remain, shadows on the edge of diminished, but not quite vanquished, fears. At our house, we still have a basket of face masks and a Purell dispenser near the entrance, and I can't imagine a time when we won't.

It's history now, that week in March 2020, but it was a chilling present tense at the time. And even as history, it has a very, very long tail. Four years ago, neighborhood kids left messages of hope in chalk at the end of driveways here. Ours was "Stay Strong!"

Deborah Langston remembers sitting on the floor of her bookstore, Beach Town Books in San Clemente, Calif., with her family and staff "reorganizing books in the dead of night while the doors remained closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic," Voice of OC reported.

"Almost every book came off the shelves and we evaluated every book. We cleaned every book, we stickered every book and, you know, we had many nights that we were there until three in the morning with just books on the floor finding a system. And so the rebuild was family," she said.

They used the shutdown as a time to reorganize their bookstore and establish more efficient processes, including color-coding different sections and cleaning books with essential oils. "If the store wasn't shut down, maybe we wouldn't have put those systems in place because we wouldn't have had a slow enough moment to properly evaluate and be really critical of how we do business," she added.

In many ways, we've moved on. Jacks Thomas, guest director of BolognaBooksPlus, told the Bookseller recently: "Post-pandemic, there certainly seems to be a place in people's calendars for book fairs, and I am delighted by the success of the major players over the past two post-pandemic years.... So yes, I think that at last we are getting to a pre-Covid climate. Book fairs remain an intriguing mix of relentless and serious trading, the serendipity of the chance meeting, the passion of a much-anticipated launch and the gratification of the big acquisition. What's not to like?"

And yet, two days ago my neighbor tested positive for Covid. TIME magazine just reported that the virus killed roughly 1,000 people in the U.S. during the week ending March 2, 2024, and "has left about 7% of U.S. adults with Long Covid--but despite its continuing toll, real-time data on infections are limited, most mask mandates are gone, and isolation guidance has been scaled back."

At Under the Umbrella Books

As I scan social media, I do occasionally notice booksellers wearing face masks (the Booksmiths Shoppe in Danbury, Conn; High Five Books in Florence, Mass., for example). And some bookstores still have active face mask policies, like Under the Umbrella in Salt Lake City, Utah, where many of their Instagram posts feature masked-up booksellers and customers.

Four years ago this week, as Covid shutdowns of varying intensity took hold nationwide, I wrote that I'd been thinking about one of my cave-dwelling ancestors, surveying the distant terrain beyond the entrance while making daily calculations: the family's survival depended upon how far he was willing to venture out on the open savannah, or into the forest, to hunt and gather. Stay in the cave too long and his family died of hunger. Venture too far out and he became prey. That he survived long enough to keep threads of my DNA going is a testament to his ability to strike a balance between refuge and prospect.

"With the microscopic predator Covid-19 on a worldwide hunt for us now, we all wake each morning and squat near our own cave entrances, calculating how much we're willing to risk to get through another day safely," I noted. "A bookshop traditionally provides the temporary refuge of a quiet and cozy space, while simultaneously offering limitless prospect within the pages of books on its shelves. Now the terrain has shifted dramatically. Indie booksellers, however, have always ventured a little farther from the cave in search of ways to survive... and to evolve. They will continue to sustain, and be sustained by, their extended families."

And so they have been.
A security man has been fined GH3,600 by the Adentan Circuit Court for stealing electrical appliances and two water pump machines belonging to his uncle, a senior lecturer, at the University of Ghana, Legon.

He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal and not guilty on the second count of stealing.

The presiding judge, Mrs Angela Attachie, said in default, James Bamwina, 27, would go to prison for one year in hard labour.

Bamawina, pleaded to the court to tamper justice with mercy and give him a lesser punishment.

Two lawyers, who were also in court on a different mission, entered a plea of mitigation on behalf of the convict, and pleaded with the judge to consider his age and seek justice with mercy.

A scrap dealer, Nuhu Munkaila, who was charged together with the convict, was however, remanded in police custody.

The accused, who pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to steal, stealing and dishonestly receiving, will appear again on April 15.

Police Chief Inspector Juliana Awuku, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant, Naa Professor Bruce Banoang, is a senior lecturer, at the University of Ghana, Legon, and resides at Ogbojo.

The prosecution said Bamwina wasa security guard at Mempeasem, company at East Legon, and Muntaila, a scrap dealer, and both of the residents at Ogbojo.

Chief Insp Awuku said the lecturer is the uncle to Bamawina, and he was staying with him since 2023.

The court heard that in January, this year, the complainant sacked Bamawina from his house when he detected a change in his behaviour.

Chief Insp Awuku said Munkaila and Bamwina in conversation exchanged their mobile phone numbers.

The prosecution stated the two accused went to complainant's house and stole two water pumping machines, two air conditions, one ceiling fan, waterheater, and a CCTV monitoring flat screen and its accessories.

The court heard that Munkailabought all the items at GH500.

Prosecution said the complainant report the case to the police and when the Bamwina was arrested, he mentioned Munkaila as his accomplice.
Adani Green Energy, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, has announced the commencement of operations for its 775 megawatts (MW) solar power projects in Khavda, Gujarat. The company disclosed this development in a filing to the stock exchange.

These solar power projects have been operationalized following the acquisition of necessary clearances, according to Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL). The capacity has been brought online through various wholly-owned step-down subsidiaries of AGEL.

The company stated, " Adani Green Energy , through its various wholly-owned step-down subsidiaries, has operationalized an aggregate 775 MW solar power projects at Khavda, Gujarat".

The decision to operationalize the plant and initiate power generation was made at 00:12 am on March 29, 2024, in accordance with the obtained clearances. Consequently, power generation from the plant commenced on the same day.

This milestone reinforces AGEL's commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio across India. AGEL currently boasts the largest operating renewable portfolio in the country, with projects spanning 12 states.

Adani Green Energy's significant investment in renewable energy projects aligns with India's broader goals of increasing clean energy generation and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The operationalization of these solar power projects contributes to Gujarat's renewable energy capacity and supports the state's efforts towards sustainable development.
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has reported significant growth, closing the financial year 2023-24 with a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of Rs 4 lakh crore. This figure represents a doubling compared to the previous fiscal year (2022-23), highlighting the platform's digital capabilities in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and seamlessness in public procurement, as stated by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

A notable surge of 205 per cent in services procurement contributed nearly 50 per cent to this GMV, showcasing GeM's success in breaking down barriers for small domestic entrepreneurs to participate in government tenders. Central entities, including ministries and Central public sector enterprises, played a crucial role, contributing around 85 per cent to the total GMV milestone. Among them, the Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas emerged as the highest procuring entities.

Moreover, increased engagement from states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi has further propelled the growth in GMV, surpassing the public procurement target for the year. GeM's extensive network of government buyers and sellers, along with its integration of Panchayats, cooperatives, and various initiatives like 'Vocal for Local', 'One District, One Product', and 'Startup Runway', has fostered inclusivity and provided opportunities for marginalized seller segments.
ISRO has introduced a new online training initiative called 'Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START),' designed to engage young individuals in the realm of space science and technology. Geared towards postgraduate and senior undergraduate students studying physical sciences and technology, the program aims to attract them to the field.

The space agency plans to conduct the START 2024 program in April and May. In this regard, it is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from educational institutes, universities, and colleges in India that offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in physical sciences and technology to host START-2024.

The program will encompass various fields of space science, including astronomy and astrophysics, heliophysics and the interaction between the Sun and Earth, instrumentation, and aeronomy, which focuses on studying the upper atmospheric regions of Earth and other bodies in the solar system. It will be carried out by scientists from Indian academic institutions and ISRO centers.

The START program is a component of ISRO's initiatives aimed at nurturing Indian students into skilled professionals in the field of space science and technology. This endeavor aligns with ISRO's ongoing expansion of its space science exploration program into novel domains.

The training will emphasize the interdisciplinary aspects of space science, providing students with an understanding of how their unique skills can be utilized in the field. The program aims to develop human resources that will be pivotal in shaping the future of space science and research.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A once-empty storefront in St. George at 95 Stuyvesant Pl. opened its metal gates for business last week as Mavi Turkish restaurant. Since then, a fresh new food life has been breathed onto the block.

Borough President Vito Fossella cut the ribbon at Mavi. (Courtesy of Mavi)Pamela Silvestri

Indeed, the family-owned business was welcomed in full force by locals from Curtis High School, the court system, neighborhood residents and Borough Hall workers.

Congress member Nicole Malliotakis loves Mediterranean food and was more than delighted to have Mavi join the borough's restaurant community. (Courtesy of Mavi)Pamela Silvestri

Borough President Vito Fossella and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis even stopped by for the ribbon cutting.

Mavi co-owner Asia Uzdenova said the name means Blue in Turkish. She expressed how the name reminds of water. And there a few lines of thinking by such inspiration, notably with Staten Island being an island itself. From the ferry, for instance, the view of Manhattan across the bay seems enshrouded in a beautiful color blue, Asia explained. Those blue waters are a connection as well with Turkish natural beauty.

Falafal and a delightful hummus plate (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

Mavi is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Southeast European fare crafted by Chef Beytullah Kilic.

And no prouder could this kitchen maven be then to point out his knife skills with exacting details. As an example, take the even concasse of vegetables in sauces like esme, a tomato- and pepper-based condiment with bell peppers, onions and garlic.

Fresh borek bread with hand-crafted condiments (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

Tzatziki, hummus and babaganoush also come from Kilics skilled hands, accoutrements for Mavis sandwiches, from-scratch gyros and pillowy bread.

Kofte sandwich (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

As far as other pastry-type offerings, there are fried cigar borek filled with feta, phyllo dough-wrapped around spinach and cheese, plus sumptuous triangles of honey-soaked baklava. All these items are suggested for enjoyment with a cup of Turkish coffee.

Bucky, a bartender at The Coupe in Stapleton, came to support Mavi after his all-night shift. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

Asia has partnered with Ufik Isik and her family  Bella and Magomed Uzdenova  after working together in Canarsie. The South Shore residents collective hope is to live out the restaurant life with dreams for growth. Just in the past week theyve expanded the menu with three new entrees  lamb chops, steak and Iskender, Turkeys most famous dish made with lamb or chicken.

Cigar borek filled with feta (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Pamela Silvestri

Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The restaurant is located at 95 Stuyvesant Pl. and can be reached at 929-607-5323.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A presentation about the sun and the rare April 8 total solar eclipse will be held on Saturday, April 6, at the Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, Charleston.

Harold Kozak, a NASA solar system ambassador and a retired college astronomy professor, will lead the free presentation, The Mysteries of the Sun,' in the Clay Pit Ponds Interpretive Center, 2351 Veterans Rd. West, at 2 p.m.

It is appropriate for all ages.

On April 8, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth during an historic solar eclipse, visible across North America.

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.

During the free event, Kozak will discuss the sun and share details about what to expect on April 8. Hell also share his knowledge about the sun and point out interesting features about it.

Free NASA eclipse glasses for safely viewing the April 8 event will be available, along with other NASA souvenirs, Kozak said.

He added that Staten Islanders can expect most of the sun to be blocked by the moon, but it wont be a total eclipse.

CAUTION URGED

Its very exciting to see it,' said Kozak, a Great Kills resident, stressing the importance of people viewing the eclipse safely, while protecting their eyes with special eclipse glasses. Not doing so is very dangerous, he said.

Itd be very easy for you to look up at the sun, because itll be hidden by the moon, but thats when you dont look,' he said. If you look at the sun during an eclipse, the radiation from the sun will go through the pupil of your eye ... and youll burn out your retina.

The American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force recently stated that counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses are now polluting the marketplace.

Here are three solar eclipse glasses, approved by the AAS, sold on Amazon.

LUNT SOLAR 5 Pack Premium Eclipse Glasses, AAS Approved 2024 Solar Glasses  $14.95

Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024 - Made in the USA CE and ISO Certified Safe Shades for Direct Sun Viewing (2 Pack)  $14.99

Medical king Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024 (10 Pack) CE and ISO Certified Safe Shades for Direct Sun Viewing  $14.99

Kosak said hell also ask a host of trivia questions about the sun. (Well keep those classified, to prevent cheating.) A NASA lecturer for more than 20 years and a retired Wagner College professor, Kozak said the trivia is always the best part.

It gives them a chance to show how smart they are,' he said.

TIMING OF THE ECLIPSE

On April 8, the path of totality will start in Mexico and move across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, before heading out over the North Atlantic. Small portions of Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee will also experience almost the entirety of the eclipse.

According to NASAs interactive map that traces the path of the eclipse, Staten Island should have full sun until 2:10 p.m. and will have totality, when the sun is nearly completely blocked, at 3:25 p.m. Full sun will return at 4:36 p.m. Staten Island should experience 89.5% totality, according to the NASA map.

Registration for the presentation is required, as seating is limited to 100 guests.

To register, visit the the Clay Pit Ponds Eventbrite Page.
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San Mateo, CA (94402)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some evening rain. Low near 45F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Becoming partly cloudy after some evening rain. Low near 45F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
In pursuit of fostering gender diversity and promoting women's participation in the rapidly evolving field of technology, the University of Kigali hosted an 'Internet of Things (IoT) Work Exposure Day' to empower women in technology for innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The event took place on March 26, 2024, at the UoK Kigali campus and was attended by aspiring female technologists passionate about IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The initiative, organised by the university's School of Computing and Information Technology in collaboration with industry partners, sought to bridge the gender gap prevalent in ST (Science and Technology) fields, particularly within the burgeoning domains of IoT and AI.

Dr Wilson Musoni, Dean of the School of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Kigali, emphasised the significance of empowering women in technology, stating that the purpose of the event was twofold; firstly, to provide a platform for women in tech to explore and engage with cutting-edge advancements in AI and IoT, and secondly, to empower and inspire the next generation of female innovators to pursue careers in these transformative fields, adding that "by amplifying the voices and contributions of women in tech, we aim at driving innovation forward and creating a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem."

Prof. Ogechi Adeola, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics at UoK, expressed her excitement about students who presented their projects at the event, stating that having such a diverse and talented group of individuals underscores the importance of promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the tech sector to drive positive change and shape the future of AI innovation.

The IoT Work Exposure Day also featured panel discussions and networking opportunities, allowing participants to engage with industry professionals, share experiences, and seek mentorship opportunities. Such interactions go a long way to foster a supportive ecosystem for women in tech, nurture their aspirations, and facilitate their professional growth in the dynamic landscape of digital innovation.
BIOGRAPHY

The Showman: The Inside Story of the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky

Simon Shuster

William Collins, $42.99

The face of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is staring at me, this time from the cover of a book. The image is arresting. Minimalist. Humourless. Zelensky looks straight into the eyes of the reader, with an expression that is solemn but resolute.

It is a mesmerising image that beckons us to open the book by Simon Shuster, long-time correspondent covering Ukraine and Russia for Time magazine. The narrative describes the year 2022 and includes major moments of the first 10 months of full-scale war  invasion day on February 24, the Battle of Kyiv, and the September counteroffensive and subsequent liberation of Russian-occupied areas in and around Kherson and Kharkiv.

Simon Shusters biography of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shows his human aide as well as focusing on his role as a wartime leader. Credit: AP

Shusters work is informed by time spent with the Ukrainian president, starting from the campaign trail in 2019, continuing through the first two years of Zelenskys presidency and then the first year of all-out war. Given unprecedented access to the president and his team, the author affirms that they let him gather information with no preconditions.
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 In Dev Patels new thriller Monkey Man, his character the Kid earns his living in an underground fight club in an unnamed Indian city. Wearing a monkey mask and going by the name the Beast, hes beaten bloody in the ring every night by bigger, stronger opponents. It doesnt matter, the Kid is working towards something bigger: revenge. Dev Patel stars as the Kid in Monkey Man, which he also wrote and directed. Its a story inspired by the Hindu deity Hanuman, the god of wisdom, strength, courage, devotion and self-discipline  and its a story Patel was told by his grandfather many times. Growing up in Greater London, I was someone that sort of ran away from my cultural heritage, says Patel. I didnt want to be bullied. I wanted to fit in, all of that. But every once in a while my granddad would fly in from Kenya and tell me the stories of the Ramayana [a Hindu epic] and then I was like, God, this is so cool. They stuck with me. And even when you go to India, youll see dangling on every mirror in the cars these Hanuman little trinkets and youll go to gyms and see [pictures of Arnold] Schwarzenegger, this bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman and Hanuman in the gyms and hes the embodiment of nobility and strength and courage. Dev Patel on the set of Monkey Man. The movie was shot in India and Indonesia. For me, when I dove into those mythologies as an adult, I was like, Wow, the story of young Hanuman is exactly like Icarus [the Greek mythological figure who flew too close to the sun]. We could be talking about the caste system, we could be talking about all these things, but at its core, hes an underdog, hes an outsider.

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The 33-year-old Brit is talking over Zoom from Los Angeles. Its just a week or so after Monkey Man, which he also wrote and directed, premiered at the South By Southwest festival in Texas to a standing ovation and won the audience award. For Patel, the reaction has been overwhelming. Theres a lot of insanity involved in this process, he says. I think everyone within a 10-foot radius of me probably thought I was insane at one point or another. But I am a huge fan of the action genre. Im a consumer of it. I was just desperate to see a story like this, with substance and culture and vibrancy and bombastic action, and just through all the trials and tribulations and bumps and whatever, it was a joy. Jordan Peele (left) and Dev Patel, at the world premiere of Monkey Man during the South by Southwest festival in March. Credit: AP Patel has been a familiar face in Australia for many years, living in Adelaide with his Australian girlfriend Tilda Cobham-Hervey during lockdown, which is where they met when filming Hotel Mumbai in 2016. He also filmed Lion here, with Nicole Kidman, which scored him a best supporting actor nomination at the 2017 Academy Awards. But apart from an appearance in Wes Andersons short film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Monkey Man is his first big-screen role in a few years, and he doesnt waste a moment. It is a film so thrilling and violent  with Patel inventively using every kitchen implement he could lay his hands on in one scene  that as I was cowering in my seat, the security guard checked to see if I was OK. (I was, eventually). Its bonkers, but I also couldnt stop thinking about it for days, wondering from where quietly spoken Patel had channelled so much rage. It comes from having salmon, lettuce and sweet potato three times a day for nine months, he says, laughing. That will get you that kind of rage. He jokes hes created a new breed of hero  his tall, lean frame not quite the burly builds you usually see in this genre. Toothpick action hero, he says. We inquired about the budget of airbrushing my face onto Chris Hemsworths body, but it was out of our price bracket.

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At a base level, Monkey Man is John Wick in India  Patel even wears a suit and befriends a puppy (if you know, you know)  but it also pulls from Bollywood and Korean action cinema, with a training montage that would make Rocky sweat (and sent the audience wild at South By Southwest in the scene where Patel ripped his shirt off). A young Dev Patel with Freida Pinto in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire. I wanted to put my own stamp on things and do things my way, says Patel. Im a huge fan of action cinema spanning from Bruce Lee to Jet Li to Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen. You know, Iko Uwais from the Indonesian Raid films, then youve got John Wick and all the Korean auteurs that have made the best revenge films with guys in cool suits, brooding action heroes. So Im kind of tipping my hat to all of those guys and standing on all of their shoulders. With Monkey Man though, Patel has very much carved his own path. Hes thrown everything at it  Hindu mythology, police corruption, a thrilling high-speed rickshaw chase and a soundtrack that even includes Phil Collins. He paints India as a country where obscene wealth rubs shoulders with extreme poverty. A country where sectarian violence, which triggers the Kids quest for revenge, has resulted in death or displacement of thousands. It is not, in other words, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or Slumdog Millionaire. Dev Patel as Kid with the hijra community in Monkey Man. I just wanted to make a film that had some substance, you know, says Patel. Were showcasing some of the most vibrant parts of the culture  the classical music, this legend, Zakir Hussain, who taught with the Beatles and Ravi Shankar, and the hijra [eunuch, intersex, transgender people] community and the beautiful parts of the mythology. I didnt want to shoot a tourism video. I wanted to talk about things that do fill the columns of the newspapers there  violence against women, religious tensions, the mass monetisation and weaponisation of religion and politics and the caste system and all of those things.

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But thats not just an Indian kind of problem, we are facing that [kind of violence] here in America, in London and all over the world, sadly. In the film, that violence  albeit fictional and choreographed  did come at a cost. Before and during filming in India and Indonesia, Patel broke several bones and ignored doctors orders to lay off the rough stuff. David Wenham. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman in 2016s Lion. Two weeks before production, I got my foot stomped on, he recalls. I broke a couple of toes, which sounds minuscule, but when youre doing action, having those toes broken was very painful. And then, during the first action sequence in the bathroom, I broke my hand and that was really tough, production was basically going to grind to a halt. So I told my DP [director of photography] and my producer, I was like, Dont tell anyone, lets just film and get the rest of the day in and my hand swelled up to the size of an elephant foot. And then we went on this private plane, to keep this COVID bubble alive, to this hospital in Jakarta and they put a screw in my hand, and the doctor was like, If you put any pressure on this hand, more than two pounds [just under a kilogram] of pressure, youre going bend that screw, and its going to be like pulling a bent nail out of wood, and youre going to ruin your bone. I was like, Totally, copy that and then we went straight back into the action. And we shot everything. It was madness. You can see on the film, sometimes Im wearing a bandage and the hand is puffier and its all there for everyone to see.

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For a first-time director, Patel had a crack everything, shooting one car chase on his iPhone, and basically living out his dream, filming complicated fight sequences where he was the centre of the action. Loading The performer in me wanted to [do it], he says. Its the pauses between the action, its the reactions, its the way you take a hit. That, for me, is where action lives and becomes drama. And so, at the beginning, its comedy action when hes less prepared, not as in tune with his instrument, and then when we get to a place where hes learned to harness his emotions, he becomes this great avenger character. Hes steelier and can move more fluently, and we hold the camera throughout those sequences. Theres one whole sequence where I fight these men in an elevator with knives and its three men and a camera operator  without cutting  in this tiny elevator, trying not to smash the lens. It took 21 takes to nail, but it was so much fun to do. How was he at the end of each days filming? I was aching in places that I never knew you could ache, he says, laughing. For Patel, one of the great joys of Monkey Man came after filming had finished. It had originally been sold to Netflix, and was heading straight to streaming with no cinema release. It was then that uber producer Jordan Peele of Get Out fame stepped in  and gave Monkey Man its second chance with a deal at Universal and a big-screen release. You know that scene in Pretty Woman when she gets turned away from that shop on Rodeo Drive? says Patel. I felt like that [rejected] and then in comes Richard Gere, aka Jordan Peele, with [the film studio] Universal. Universal is like his black Amex card, basically  and I got to walk in that shop. It was pretty amazing.

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After several years of rapid expansion, chef-restaurateur Josh Niland has announced the sudden closure of two of his businesses.

In sour food news for the Good Friday fish-eating faithful, seafood chef Josh Niland has announced he is closing Charcoal Fish, his experimental barbecue fish eatery at Rose Bay, and Paddingtons Fish Butchery, this Sunday, March 31.

When Charcoal Fish opened in 2021, it created a new genre by treating fish in much the same way a charcoal chicken shop treats chicken. Niland, the wunderkind of Sydney seafood with his two-hatted gastrotemple, Saint Peter, was pushing boundaries at the takeaway-heavy spin-off.

Chef Josh Niland at Charcoal Fish Rose Bay, which will close on Sunday. Nikki Short

But there had been recent rumblings that Charcoal Fish would vacate its New South Head Road site. A spokesperson for Niland blamed the variable seasonality of that location, which sits back from the harbour.

Fish Butchery, a fish and chip shop that also sells fresh seafood, ready meals and kitchen tools, opened in a former Oxford Street hair salon, a few doors along from Saint Peter, in April 2018. It will close almost exactly six years later on Sunday.
What I often see is that despite the best intentions, families fall through the grain because theyre not getting timely support with their queries. And so I see families that are looking for those services but dont know where to go. In Sydney, GP Dr Eliza Hannam is also trying to help families falling through the cracks. As a medical professional, Hannam did not expect to struggle with postpartum depression when she had her first child. The shock of having a new baby and how unprepared I felt surprised me because I was already working as a GP, says the Sydney-based mother of three. Founder of Nurtured, Dr Eliza Hannam (centre) with practitioners Holly Swinnerton, Dr Ali Hodgkinson, Lauren Downes and Dr Melissa Tang. After her second child Hannam struggled with breastfeeding, which she says led to post-natal depression. I found it really hard to get the support that I needed, she says. I realised the gap in training and knowledge for GPs when it came to things like breastfeeding. Spurred by this experience, Hannam launched Nurtured in 2022, a medical clinic in Sydneys inner west that specialises in perinatal care. Post-natal services they provide include infant feeding, sleep and maternal mental health.

Importantly, Nurtured acts as a kind of starting point for families, connecting them with a network of community services like womens health physios, naturopaths, doulas, paediatricians and pathologists. Loading Hannam believes GPs are uniquely placed to serve as a foundational role in womens pregnancy journeys. Whilst I think that postpartum care should be multidisciplinary and holistic, GPs are in a really good position to be a central point of coordination where they can provide continuity of care from preconception, she says. She says GPs need to be provided with greater and more in-depth training to support parents postpartum. While most of Nurtureds services are eligible for a Medicare rebate, she says this isnt enough and postpartum care should be accessible for all Australians.

The retreat A dedicated space for post-birth rest and recovery is not an entirely new concept. Across South and East Asia, where a period of confinement after birth is an important cultural practice, post-natal hotels are common. There have been a few experimentations with this model in Australia, including a now defunct luxury retreat in Sydney launched by Sarah Murdoch in 2007. Several private hospitals across the country have partnerships with hotels, although these often serve as overflow for crowded maternity wards. Leones hope for Homb is that it functions preventatively and not as a last resort for burnt out new mothers. Shes concerned about the rising incidence of post-natal anxiety and depression in Australia and worries that were almost at a point where were normalising severe mental health and exhaustion as just part of giving birth.

Leone says a key difference with Homb is its charitable arm, where mothers can access Hombs facilities for free or at a 50 per cent discount via means testing, based on the governments family tax benefit framework. Outside this, the cost of admission is steep at $5200 for the minimum four-night stay. She says the business has been lucky to receive philanthropic funding, and is now working to integrate itself with other health services. Were banging on the doors of Medicare and all the private health insurers and hospitals to step up and come to the party. Borne founder Avalon Nethery (left) with lactation consultant Lynne Hall at the Intercontinental in Double Bay where she will host her post-natal care space. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos A similar postpartum rest space, Borne, is set to open in Sydney at the Intercontinental Double Bay this June. Like Leone, its founder Avalon Nethery struggled after the births of her two kids and found herself burnt out and dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety. Ive always been extremely career-driven. Im very much a perfectionist and goal oriented. So for me, having children and not having any structure or control over how and what was going to happen was extremely challenging, Nethery says.

Being half-Chinese, Nethery was familiar with the care typically devoted to mothers in her culture. She says Borne will offer personalised support to new mothers and fathers, focusing on personalised service and restorative sleep with a strong focus on wellness. Guests receive daily meals, supplements, teas as well as access to a team of consultants made up of midwives, lactation consultants and psychologists. Were almost at a point where were normalising severe mental health and exhaustion as just part of giving birth. Larissa Leone, founder of Homb She acknowledges Borne is in the luxury market ($7200 for the minimum four-night stay), but says the cost of care in Australia is currently too high, and her pricing is the only way to keep the business viable. My ultimate goal is to make this an accessible service for all, and to be able to do that, Im going to prove this model works in a luxury market and show the impact it can have on peoples lives.

The mothers group Keshia Hutchens and Ariel Bryant met towards the end of Melbournes lockdowns and bonded over the fact they were both having their third child. We really felt that as third time mums, it didnt necessarily get any easier even though wed been through postpartum before, Hutchens says. Earlier this month, the pair launched From Day One, a first-of-its-kind space for mothers from pregnancy to postpartum in inner Melbourne. The membership-based club (one-off sessions go for $35, while memberships start at $20 per week) offers weekly mothers groups and masterclasses, as well as access to on-site facilities like a breastfeeding room, change table and kitchen. Keshia Hutchens (front left) and Ariel Bryant (front right), founders of From Day One in Melbourne, with members of one of their mothers groups. Credit: Wayne Taylor Hutchens and Bryant spent two years conducting focus groups with mothers, learning about the ways in which their experiences of motherhood had been lacking. Some of the biggest challenges were feelings of isolation and a lack of knowledge about support that was available, particularly among mums who went through their first birth during COVID.

Divided by baby ages and first time and second time mothers, each group has a facilitator, sleep specialist and lactation consultant present, as well as a guest speaker who might present on everything from mental health to fashion. Ashton Wynn, a buyer at online parenting and baby site The Memo and first time mum, says From Day One has been a vital support network given her and her partners families live interstate. It has given me the confidence boost I was lacking from not having my village close by. I always thought I wanted two children. But after that experience, we were one and done and it broke my heart. Dr Renee White The doulas Hear the word doula and you might think of crystals and harem pants, but Dr Renee White, the founder of Fill Your Cup, Australias first doula village, wants to change this perception. A doula, she explains, is a non-medical support person who provides emotional and physical support to a mother postpartum.

Indeed it was her own postpartum experience that led her to found Fill Your Cup in 2020. I had researched the hell out of pregnancy and thought I was prepared, she says. I didnt even think about postpartum life  I had two batches of spaghetti bolognese in the freezer and thought, Ive got this. Ultimately, the exhaustion and stress from her postpartum experience meant White and her husband decided against having another child. I had a really, really rough time and I always thought I wanted two children. But after that experience, we were one and done and it broke my heart. Dr Renee White was inspired to found Fill Your Cup, Australias first doula village, after her own postpartum experience. Credit: Kate Cracknell Instead, White set out to help other new mothers by gaining a qualification as a postpartum doula, and eventually founding Fill Your Cup. The directory has 14 doulas across Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Geelong and Hobart, with pricing typically ranging from $450 to $4050. She hopes the service can give much-needed oxygen to postpartum support in Australia. Everyones heavily invested in the actual birth, but thats a snapshot in this huge event. It seems like weve got it the wrong way around.

Her doulas are all mothers themselves, and are trained in evidence-based research on the best way to support new parents, which can include emotional support, light housework, nutrition and sleep training. Loading Its about having that familiar face and beautiful relationship of trust to build confidence and empowerment. Most clients, she says, either have little familial support, pre-existing mental or psychological challenges, are time-poor business owners or have a history of tough postpartum experiences. Perinatal mental health support is available from the PANDA National Helpline on 1300 726 306.
Children have long stolen cars for joyrides, but police say incidents are becoming more violent, and the perpetrators are becoming younger. In Bourke in the early hours of Saturday morning, we had a five-year-old child with two 12-year-old children breaking into a property and stealing a car, says Paul Pisanos, deputy commissioner of NSW Field Operations. Ive never in 30 years of the police service seen anything like that. Regional newspapers are peppered with incidents like the one involving Moree man Noel Smith, 85, whose house was broken into by balaclava-clad intruders while he and his wife were in bed. It was the latest of about half a dozen break-ins to their home over the past six months. As Noel tried to defend himself, [the intruder] shoved me back, and he just kept on swinging the jimmy bar at my head, as a girl demanded the car keys, he told the Nine Network (this masthead is owned by Nine).

Across NSW, motor vehicle theft by juveniles has risen almost 25 per cent a year in the past five years. In 2019, police were called to 593 incidents. Last year, it was 1480. In Dubbo, one boy faced court 70 times before his 12th birthday, upper house MP Dugald Saunders told parliament. Under pressure in the media and from police, who were privately furious that repeat and violent offenders were being given bail only to re-offend again straight away, Premier Chris Minns flew to Moree earlier this month to announce controversial bail laws making it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to get bail if they commit a crime while already on bail for a serious offence. Last week, the riot squad rolled into Moree as part of a police show of strength. We were surging a whole range of specialist police to support the frontline police, says Pisanos. You cannot underestimate the severity these crimes are having on the communities. Each one is leaving terrible memories, terrible fear, emotional, physical, psychological injuries. They are really breaking people. Were talking people in their mid-80s who are frail and too frightened to go to sleep. Mekayla Cochrane, the first Gomeroi woman councillor to be elected to Moree Plains Shire Council. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But the tough-on-crime approach hits a nerve in Moree, a town with a long history of tension between the Indigenous community, the non-Indigenous community and the police. Moree has always had a problem with social division and racism, says Mekayla Cochrane, the first Gomeroi woman to be elected to the shires local council. Its a product of our history. That history includes a famous 1965 standoff over a council by-law banning Indigenous people from swimming at the local pool and the Slaughterhouse Creek massacre in the late 1800s, involving the deaths of dozens of Aboriginal people at nearby Waterloo Creek at the hands of mounted police. Moree Artesian Baths and Olympic Pool, February 1965. Credit: Courtesy of The Tribune Archive, SLNSW The tension remains, fed by events such as last weeks trial and an inquest into the 2021 death of Gordon Copeland, a 22-year-old Gomeroi man who waded into and drowned in the Gwydir River in Moree while fleeing from police who had been following him and his friends as they drove down the highway. No one in the car had done anything wrong, and NSW State Coroner Teresa OSullivan found police acted reasonably in chasing it because so many vehicles were being stolen in the area.

However, she also found police did not show the mans family the respect and empathy they deserved when they reported him missing, and recommended the NSW Police Force review its training to ensure it comprehensively addressed the ongoing impact of colonisation on First Nations peoples today. Moree is a wealthy town, grown rich from agriculture due to its fecund soil. As the saying goes, you could plant a match in the ground at night and find a walking stick in the morning. But its crime rates are among the highest in the state. It ranks first for robbery, break and enter, motor theft, and malicious damage and for non-domestic violence-related assault (its third for domestic violence-related assault). Morees First Nations community mostly lives in a dilapidated part of town to the south of the river, where disadvantage is concentrated. If there is a youth crime problem in Moree, its a sign that the community needs support, says Cochrane. I think the riot squad was ridiculous. As if a small group of teenagers is like the mafia. This is an example of police and government taking action based on how it looks, not how it works.

Karly Warner, the chief executive of the Aboriginal Legal Service  which opposes the new bail laws  warns sending children to jail will not resolve the problem (the nearest juvenile detention facility is hundreds of kilometres away). She wants better co-ordinated services equipped to tackle issues with housing, education and trauma. Anyone who has been to Moree knows this is a community that has had so much social division and racism, she said. Loading Moree Plains Shire Mayor Mark Johnson is trying to address the problem while keeping the community united. He admits that Moree has a youth crime problem, but other towns do, too. He believes the police are doing a good job and acknowledges that many residents believe the courts are allowing too many repeat and violent offenders back into the community. But Johnson also wants to ensure that these kids have something positive in their future. The council did its own research and found that there was not enough collaboration between the many services in Moree. Most closed at 5pm, and were not available in the wee hours when they were most needed. It was the councils work that made it an obvious choice for the NSW government to fund a $13.4 million pilot into intervention strategies for at-risk young people. They include a bail accommodation facility, which will give courts greater confidence that children will be supervised while on bail.

Now, theyre taken back to their home and its not uncommon to find these youths back on the street reoffending, Johnson said. Sometimes these kids are going back to spaces that are simply not safe, so the safest place is being back on the street. The bail accommodation is somewhere the courts and police can send them; theyll have domestic services, meals, medical checks, 24-7 supervision and the services that they need to try to encourage them not to re-offend. Police are cognisant of the tension. Pisanos says all briefings to officers involved in regional youth crime  known as Operation Mongoose  involve reminders to act professionally. We expect all our officers to operate in a proportionate way, in terms of a diligent use of force, he said. We remind them that they are dealing with minors, even though they are dealing with serious offences. Any language or use of force thats excessive is not going to assist any of these complex situations. If anything, it exacerbates them. Its not helpful. With Nigel Gladstone
As the nights get cooler, private school open days are in full swing, and inside a Facebook group dedicated to education options in Sydney, the discussion is heating up. Some parents are smug about their decision to stick with public education. Others, who have been eyeing off high-fee private schools, are starting to panic.

One mother who put her daughters name down at a $30,000 school at just three weeks old is now doubting if she will secure a spot at all. Another parent, with no religious affiliation, is considering faking Catholicism and having a child baptised in a bid to secure a spot at their school of choice.

Shore school is considering other options to the waitlist system. Credit: Jim Rice

Numerous high-fee schools across Sydney report growing waiting lists, as more parents leave the public system amid widespread concern about a shortage of teachers. With a limited number of places and a growth in applications, competition is getting fiercer.

One of the hardest schools to gain entry to has long been Shore School in North Sydney: it has the social cachet of being a GPS school, is on eight hectares of land overlooking Sydney Harbour, and has excellent academic results.
Australians are backing a federal plan to toughen the law against hate speech in a bid to shield minority groups from attack, as 57 per cent of voters perceive there has been a rise in racism because of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The exclusive findings of the Resolve Political Monitor poll highlight the rising anxiety about racial and religious vilification after months of protests against both sides of the war, lending support to a Labor pledge to impose criminal sanctions on those who target people in malicious online attacks.

Protests about the ongoing conflict in Gaza are regularly held in Australia. Credit: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

But voters are split on whether the fierce debate is threatening community safety, with 40 per cent saying the country was less safe  up from 36 per cent in November  but 34 per cent saying there was no change, while the remainder were unsure.

The conclusions, in the latest Resolve Political Monitor conducted for this masthead, show that only 15 per cent of voters believe there has been no increase in racism and religious intolerance as a result of the conflict, while 57 per cent thought there had been a rise.
Well, wasnt that totally predictable? Less than a fortnight after the appointment of a controversial Seven Network producer to an executive role at NSW Police, the hire has now been reversed. Equally predictable was the cynical manner in which NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb made her backdown public: right on the eve of the Easter long weekend.

Webbs decision to recruit Steve Jackson for the vacant role of executive director of public affairs went down like a lead balloon within the force and most Sydney media outlets. Jackson, a media veteran who most recently worked on Sevens uber-grubby Spotlight program, was hired for a six-month contract and no one else was interviewed. The position pays somewhere between $300,000 and $350,000 a year. One of the many reasons the appointment raised eyebrows was because a personal acquaintance recommended him for the gig. That personal acquaintance just happened to be Ross Neilson, the chief-of-staff for Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley, Steve Jackson, and Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

It takes a special kind of incompetence to drag your government into another jobs for the boys scandal (remember the saga surrounding Transport Minister Jo Haylen last year?) but Neilson, Catley and Webb have managed to mangle the handling of this key appointment at every step of the process.

Following a series of scandals and self-inflicted damage, the commissioner entered March in desperate need of a circuit breaker. For Webb, selecting a new senior executive to help restore her reputation and with it the publics confidence in NSW Police top brass required an appointment that was nothing short of a masterstroke.
Southbank (east) now has 23,435 people per square kilometre, up from 5846 people in 2003, while the area known as CBD (west) has 20,027 people per square kilometre, up from just 2974. The density of Docklands has grown by an extraordinary 827 per cent, from about 797 people per square kilometre, to 7385. Density has also increased significantly in many of Melbournes surrounding suburbs. Collingwood has 8065 people per square kilometre, almost double the 4259 in 2003, while in Carlton the population density has risen from 5895 people per square kilometre to 11,876. Density in Maribyrnong is up 85 per cent; Footscray 72 per cent and Brunswick 45 per cent. Premier Jacinta Allan on Thursday said Melbournes population growth was something to be celebrated. I think we need to come at this from a frame of how do we support a growing population, not putting artificial caps and going into a debate about migration, Allan told ABC radio. Its a positive that people want to  be living in Melbourne and Victoria.

Michael Buxton, professor of environment and planning at RMITs School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, said consolidation in Melbourne had started in 2005, but accelerated in 2012. If you look at what has happened in the middle-ring suburbs in particular, it is just a myth that there hasnt been urban consolidation, Buxton said. There is a myth, that has been perpetuated by some of the development interest groups and the government, that the middle-ring suburbs and even parts of the inner suburbs havent redeveloped. But it is completely fallacious. I mean, you dont even need to look at the statistics to prove that. Anyone who drives around Brunswick, parts of Hawthorn, down the Burwood Highway, there are multi-unit developments going up everywhere.

Melbournes consolidation surge has been so great that even the Commonwealth Grants Commission was caught off guard. Earlier this month, the commission revealed it had been forced to lift its estimates of Melbournes urban density after getting results from the 2021 census, boosting the states GST share by $702 million in 2024-25 because of the extra transport spending needed to help tackle it. Melbournes total population surged by a record 165,974 in 2022-23, equivalent to 3192 new arrivals a week, using the bureaus narrower significant urban area definition. This excludes areas counted in the definition of greater Melbourne beyond the fringe, such as Bacchus Marsh, Mount Macedon, Lancefield and Wallan. Under this definition, preferred by planning experts, Melbourne overtook Sydney as Australias largest city in 2018. Its previous one-year record increase in population was in 2016, when it added about 126,000 residents. For recent immigrant Aparna Thakur and her husband Neeraj Kumar, Docklands feels like a sleepy hamlet compared to the tech hub city they previously called home.

Thakur and Kumar moved from India to Australia with 20-month-old daughter Manasvi Bharadwaj for Kumars software engineering job in Melbourne. Kumars employers put them up in the city while the family shifted from Pune, a city of more than 3 million people. After a big job for him trying to find a rental, the family has settled into a quieter life in a Docklands apartment. Thakur said being able to walk to Elizabeth Street to eat, take Manasvi to play in nearby parks and for visits to The Dock library were a plus. The couple sold their car in India and havent needed to buy a new one.

Melbournes weather is unpredictable, and childcare is expensive, but the family is happy calling the city home for now. Where they settle next will come down to schools, friends, and access to good food. We went to the suburbs one or two times with friends  we find it is ... quite peaceful. So sometimes you dont like that peace  you need to see peoples faces! Thakur said. Angel Wang, 23, moved into the Docklands apartment she purchased for her and pooch Hong Bao three months ago. Credit: Darrian Traynor The government last year announced an overarching ambition to deliver an average of 80,000 new homes a year, or 800,000 over a decade. As a first step, it is promising to build 60,000 new homes in 10 established suburban centres, with a view to eventually expanding its urban consolidation ambitions to 120 locations across greater Melbourne.

Angel Wang and her dog Hong Bao  it means red pocket in Chinese  moved in to a Docklands apartment about three months ago, when Wangs city employer asked workers to return to the office. Loading Moving from Templestowe has saved Wang about three hours a day on public transport. She strolls across the street to her programming job. Theres lots of young people around Docklands  mostly students, young couples and some young families, she said. Theres more people coming to the office now, pushing the numbers up, but after office hours and on the weekends, its still fairly quiet.
The House of Representatives' Committee on Public Accounts has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks of complicity in the sharing of the N15 billion remittance paid to Remita, from the Office of the Accountant General for the Federation (OAGF).

The Chairman of Committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam made the accusation at the resumed investigative hearing on revenue leakages in Abuja on Thursday.

Remita is a payment solution that helps individuals and businesses make and receive payment, pay bills and manage their finances.

Salam said that the payment of N15 billion to Remita from the OAGF from 2016 to 2018 was questionable, adding that the OAGF paid the money without agreement or contract.

While describing the payment as illegal, he said the money was an illegal payment without budgetary provision, querying the source of the money.

"The CBN also shared in the money. The money is an illegal payment; there was no budget provision, so where did they source the money from?

"System Spec and Remita, both collecting revenue for the federal government, will share 50 percent, while the banks and the CBN will also have their share," Bamidele said.

The Director Banking Services, CBN, Ahmed Abdullahi, said they deemed it fit to source for an alternative way of remitting revenue, and Remita and System Spec were selected because they had been rendering similar services to banks.

According to him, Remita was engaged in 2011 and operations commenced in 2012 with system module names, saying the CBN only finalized the transaction.

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He said that the fees charged under the TSA were in line with the structure of banking adding that the volume of revenue collection that passed through Remita was N86 million.

The Director, Remita Payment Services Ltd, Aderemi Atanda while reading the summary of the TSA collection record, said that 10, 20, and 50 percent were shared among CBN, commercial banks, and Remita.

Meanwhile, the Committee has warned the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, over his continuous disregard for the invitation of the panel, saying his actions amount to contempt of parliament.

The chairman, while giving this warning said, this 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, they have also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mail box and his WhatsApp number.

"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," Salam said.
A V2food burger. The challenge were focused on is taking plant proteins and making meat out of it. Were using purpose-built hardware that weve built over five years, were effectively an engineering company thats been working on making a hunky, tasty chunk of meat. Sunfed is not the only plant-based meat outfit facing difficulties. V2food, a joint venture between CSIROs venture capital fund Main Sequence Ventures and billionaire Hungry Jacks founder Jack Cowin, last year closed its $20 million Wodonga facility and CEO Nick Hazell departed the company. V2food opened the factory just two years earlier and it employed 30 staff. The start-up, which raised $77 million in funding in 2020, created a meat alternative using protein extracted from legumes to make mince that looks, tastes and cooks like meat. Its products are still available on supermarket shelves and in Hungry Jacks stores, and the company now supplies about half of Australias plant-based meat.

The market has seen an enormous hype curve and volume of companies and products emerge in the market. Ive honestly never seen anything quite like the surge that happened, Main Sequence Ventures partner Phil Morle said in an interview. Theres a couple of things that we all got wrong. We got the timing wrong ... We made the classic assumption that VCs can make, which is that the market will change faster than it actually will. Phil Morle from Main Sequence Ventures speaking at the Sofitel Wentworth. Credit: Christopher Perace Especially when thinking about what people eat, if you think about what guides our eating decisions and the habits that we have, these are hard, entrenched habits and any change in the market happens over a long period. The second thing that investors got wrong, said Morle, was that consumers would be moved to buy products because of their benefits to the planet  such as buying a Tesla over a combustion engine car. He said V2food was growing its revenue by about 6 per cent a year, despite subdued consumer sentiment.

I dont think the consumer market is there yet, he said. So, now what youre seeing is the consolidation happen. There were hundreds of products that appeared over the past couple of years, which in the end werent great food companies. Theyre starting to fall away and the products that are ultimately food that people like to eat, theyve continued to grow. Those sentiments were echoed by George Peppou, chief executive and co-founder of Australias first cell-based meat start-up Vow. George Peppou, founder and CEO of Vow and Ines Lizaur, head of manufacturing at Vow. Credit: AFR Founded in 2019 and backed by venture capital firms Square Peg, Blackbird and Grok Ventures, Vow creates new meats from animal cells, including those that have never existed on supermarket shelves before. The company made headlines for its woolly mammoth meatballs that debuted last year, although no human can eat them, given their cells are 1000 years old. In my view, what were seeing now is theres been an inevitable realisation that their approach to behaviour change was the wrong one, Peppou said of the current crop of alternative protein start-ups. Youre not going to change consumer behaviour by offering them something which is a similar enough version of what they already consume.

If youre in the supermarket and youre making spaghetti bolognaise for dinner, grabbing beef mince is the thing youve done for decades. Grabbing a pack of meat-free mince is something that adds no value to you  All these companies have just misunderstood the way people choose what they eat. Vow is first targeting the luxury market, said Peppou, with products that are novel and distinct from typical meats, and boast extra nutritional benefits. We think we can offer a rich and tasty red meat, but with the nutritional profile of a salmon fillet. The lack of demand for plant-based meats has flowed through to US-based giants of the sector. Beyond Meats share price has collapsed by 90 per cent over the past three years, falling from a record high of $US234.90 in July 2019, to $US8.29 today. The lack of a clear route to profitability for the business in the short term is keeping investors away, with gross margins deeply negative, eToro research analyst Josh Gilbert told this masthead. Progress is being made to improve margins, but this will take time. Quite simply, there are far better investment opportunities than Beyond Meat for investors right now.

Gilbert said companies such as Beyond Meat are struggling, given plant-based meats are still more expensive than the average protein, and simply dont taste as good. Plant-based meat companies main challenge is achieving the level of consumer adoption necessary to scale and lower prices  a hurdle thats becoming increasingly unlikely under current market conditions. Their products high production costs, coupled with the macro environment, have significantly increased expenses, leading to substantial cash outflows in recent years. Beyond Meat burgers, made by Beyond Beef, on the shelves in New York. Credit: Bloomberg Despite the challenges, the alternative meat industry has legs, but the road ahead will be challenging, and long-term adoption may still be years away, Gilbert said. For both Morle and Peppou, the alternative meat sector is still potentially lucrative, as well as an environmentally pressing one.
The Danish port of Aalborg is more than 16,000 kilometres from Sydney but the two cities have a similar treasure: a waterfront building designed by Jorn Utzon.

A beautiful idea: The Sydney Opera Houses 50th is being celebrated at an exhibition in Denmark.

Aalborg was Utzons childhood home and its foreshore hosts the Utzon Centre, the celebrated architects final project completed in 2008. His greatest work, the Sydney Opera House, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

To commemorate that milestone, the Utzon Centre has created a stunning Opera House exhibition including a trove of sketches, drawings, photographs, models and other objects from the centres collection.

The show, called Sydney Opera House: A beautiful idea, kicked off in October 2023 and will be open until late 2028  so theres plenty of time to plan a visit.
London: An Australian-Algerian jihadist has been named by police as the main suspect in the murder of a former British paratrooper found shot dead in Ukraine.

Daniel Burke, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, travelled to Ukraine in 2022 to help fight against Russian invading forces.

British ex-soldier David Burke was found dead in Ukraine.

But the 36-year-old was found dead about 50 kilometres 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.
London: Polands Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Europe has entered a pre-war era reminiscent of the late 1930s and says if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, then nobody in Europe will feel safe.

Tusk, who previously served as prime minister between 2007 and 2014, used his first foreign interview since his return to office to urge the leaders of his neighbouring countries to do more to bolster their defences.

Donald Tusk says literally any scenario is possible in Europe because of Russias war in Ukraine. Credit: AP

His comments come amid a fresh barrage of Russian missiles targeting Ukraine, which has intensified its bombardment of several cities, including the capital, Kyiv, in recent weeks.

Ukraines air force said it had shot down 58 drones and 26 missiles, and the government said energy infrastructure had been damaged in six regions, in the west, centre and east of the country. Last week, a Russian missile also entered Polish airspace, prompting Warsaw to activate F-16 fighter jets.
The WeConnect Foundation has received a donation of over 17 thousand euros from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) in The Hague. This is part of the ministry's year-end gift. On March 28, WeConnect chairman Gilbert Isabella and director Tanja Fraai accepted the festive check. It was handed over by Mark de Boer, deputy secretary general of the ministry, and Roald Lapierre, director general of Kingdom Relations.



Extra workshops

With the money, workshops will be organized for students on Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. The goal is to increase the equality of opportunities in their further development as students in the Netherlands and later as professionals in the labor market in Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. WeConnect director Tanja Fraai: "With this donation, we can continue what we do but a little more intensively. We teach the students skills and give them insights so they will be more resilient when they come to the Netherlands. That is needed," Tanja stressed. Director General of Kingdom Relations Roald Lapperre adds, "WeConnect is doing valuable work for Caribbean students, both here in the Netherlands and on the islands."



Vulnerable

WeConnect president Gilbert Isabella, also the mayor of Houten, also points out the vulnerability of young people. "I lived in Bonaire. There, you always have your family around you. And then suddenly the Netherlands is very big. Here, you have to arrange things like opening a bank account. That vulnerability is really big. We also see this in the high dropout rates during studies." He points to WeConnect's workshops and networking meetings: "The students see each other, feel strengthened, and make appointments. Then I hope I have given them something that makes them feel more solid," Gilbert said.



Debate on discrimination

In addition, a somewhat more significant event for Caribbean students in the Netherlands will be organized at the end of June with the theme of dealing with and resisting discrimination. "This will include questions such as 'how do you feel in the Netherlands?', 'what could you still do if you don't feel at home somewhere?' and 'how can you deal with that'. Tanja adds, "The great thing is that with this, we are also wrapping up the year of the commemoration of slavery on July 1."
Determined to prove his innocence in the controversy surrounding the murder of 17 military men in Okuama, the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, has surrendered himself to the State Police Command.

The monarch is one of the eight persons declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for their role and connection with the gruesome killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom of Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.

Ikolo reported Thursday evening at the Delta State Police Command in Asaba and was received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi.

The monarch had been living in London, United Kingdom, before his recent selection and crowning as Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.

He was presented with a staff of office by Delta State governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in November last year.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the monarch had not returned to his kingdom since his coronation ceremony over a legal tussle arising from his selection following the passage of the former traditional ruler.

Briefing journalists before surrendering himself to the Police, the monarch denied any involvement in the killing of the 17 soldiers, comprising four senior officers and 13 soldiers of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

He called on the federal and Delta State governments to constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of the military personnel within the Okuama community of his kingdom.

HRM Ikolo further stated that he decided to present himself to the authorities to prove to the Nigerian government and the international community that he had no hand or connection with those who murdered the soldiers.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, confirmed that the monarch had surrendered to the Police.

Okuama, an Urhobo community, is one of the over 40 communities under the rulership of the monarch in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.
Calls for 'smartphone free' childhood grow in UK



London, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



It is the question many adults dread being asked by their children: when can I have a smartphone? But as fears grow about the impact of the gadgets on young minds, some UK parents are fighting back.

The challenge is being led by mother-of-three Daisy Greenwell after a casual school gate conversation spurred her into action.

Greenwell, who had been privately mulling the issue with a close friend for some time, was told by another mother that her own 11-year-old son already had a smartphone, as did a third of the boy's class.

"This conversation has filled me with terror. I don't want to give my child something that I know will damage her mental health and make her addicted," she wrote on Instagram.

"But I also know that the pressure to do so, if the rest of her class have one, will be massive," added the journalist from Woodbridge, eastern England.

The post in February triggered a tidal wave of reaction from parents similarly gripped by anxiety about providing their children with a device they fear will open them up to predators, online bullying, social pressure and harmful content.

Greenwell and her friend Clare Reynolds have now launched the Parents United for a Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.

Academic research combined with parents' own experiences have created a sense of dread about a child's request for a phone.

At the same time parents say they feel powerless to refuse, with phones for school-age children "normalised", supposedly on safety grounds.



- 'Snowballed' -



UK schools minister Damian Hinds told a parliamentary committee recently almost all pupils now got a mobile phone around the age of 11 or 12.

"There seems to be something of a rite of passage about that," he told MPs, adding that some children got one "quite a lot earlier".

After Greenwell finally broached the subject on Instagram, a WhatsApp group she set up to discuss the issue with Reynolds quickly filled with like-minded parents relieved that others felt the same way.

Then the reaction just "snowballed", she added.

Greenwell said there is now a group in every area of the country as well as a few working groups for people with professional expertise on the issue.

"We've got an education one which has got lots of headteachers from across the country," she added.

"They are talking about how we can roll this out, how we can help parents and schools to collaborate and stop people from getting a smartphone at such a young age."

Other working groups are full of people who "are really knowledgeable and experienced in their fields", including an advocacy group to talk about policy change.

Those signed up include a tech company policy director and a staffer at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's 10 Downing Street office.

"They're people who really, really know the lie of the land," she said.



- Childhood rewired -



Many of the parents' concerns are echoed in US social psychologist Jonathan Haidt's just-published book "The Anxious Generation".

In it, Haidt argues that the "complete transformation of childhood that took place between 2010 and 2015" as smartphones really took off has led to a "great rewiring of childhood".

He links the rise of the "phone-based childhood", continual supervision by adults and the loss of "free play" to spikes in mental illness in young people.

"Things were getting better and better in mental health and then everything goes haywire in 2013.... we have to basically rip the smartphone out of the lives of kids," he said.

According to American College Health Association figures highlighted by Haidt, since 2010 the percentage of US undergraduates diagnosed with anxiety has soared by 134 percent while the number being diagnosed with depression has also spiked, by 104 percent.

A similar picture has also emerged, Haidt says, in all major English-speaking countries and many other European countries as well.

He advocates no smartphones before the age of 14 or social media before 16.

Crucially, he says, parents must act together to prevent them caving in when a child "breaks our heart" by telling us they are excluded from their peer group by being the only one without a phone.

"These things are hard to do as one parent. But if we all do it together -- if even half of us do it together -- then it becomes much easier for our kids," he said.
Chinese telecoms giant Huawei says profits more than doubled in 2023



Beijing, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



Chinese telecom giant Huawei on Friday said its profits more than doubled in 2023, a year that saw the company defy US sanctions with the release of a high-end smartphone.

Last year, the Shenzhen-based firm generated a profit of 87 billion yuan ($12 billion), more than double 2022's 35.6 billion yuan but short of its record profit of 113.7 billion yuan in 2021.

Revenues also surged by 9.6 percent.

"We've been through a lot over the past few years," Rotating Chairman Ken Hu said. "But through one challenge after another, we've managed to grow."

Huawei has been at the centre of an intense standoff between China and the United States, with Washington warning its equipment could be used for espionage, an allegation the company denies.

Sanctions since 2019 have cut Huawei's access to US-made components and technologies, forcing it to diversify.
Israeli strike kills 36 Syrian soldiers near Aleppo: war monitor



Beirut, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



An Israeli air strike on Syria's Aleppo province killed at least 36 Syrian soldiers on Friday, according to a war monitor, which added that Hezbollah weapons depots were located in the area.

The Israeli attack targeted an area "near rockets depots belonging to Lebanese group Hezbollah", said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has an extensive network of sources in Syria.

"At least 36 soldiers were killed and dozens wounded," it said.

Syrian state news agency SANA said the pre-dawn strike killed and wounded civilians as well as military personnel.

A Syrian military source told SANA that "at approximately 1:45 am, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of Athriya, southeast of Aleppo", adding that "civilians and military personnel" had been killed and wounded in the strike.

Contacted by AFP from Jerusalem, the Israeli military said it would "not comment on reports in the foreign media".

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on targets in Syria since civil war broke out in 2011, mainly targeting Iran-backed forces including militants from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement as well as Syrian army positions.

The strikes have increased since Israel's war with Palestinian militant group Hamas, a Hezbollah ally, began on October 7.
Israeli strike kills 36 Syrian soldiers near Aleppo: war monitor



Beirut, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



An Israeli air strike on Syria's Aleppo province killed at least 36 Syrian soldiers on Friday, according to a war monitor, which added that Hezbollah weapons depots were located in the area.

The Israeli attack targeted an area "near rockets depots belonging to Lebanese group Hezbollah", said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has an extensive network of sources in Syria.

"At least 36 soldiers were killed and dozens wounded," it said.

It also said that the targeted area is located near Aleppo's international airport.

Syrian state news agency SANA said the pre-dawn strike killed and wounded civilians, as well as military personnel.

A Syrian military source told SANA that "at approximately 1:45 am, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of Athriya, southeast of Aleppo", adding that "civilians and military personnel" had been killed and wounded in the strike.

Contacted by AFP from Jerusalem, the Israeli military said it would "not comment on reports in the foreign media".

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on targets in Syria since the civil war began there in 2011, as it seeks to cut off Hezbollah supply routes to Lebanon.

The frequency of these strikes has increased since Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza began on October 7.

The war began with Hamas's unprecedented attacks that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

The militants also took about 250 hostages. Israel says about 130 captives remain in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,552 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.



- Fears of spillover -



Israel has exchanged near-daily, cross-border fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah since the Gaza war began, sparking fears of a major regional conflagration.

At least 346 people have been killed in Lebanon -- mostly Hezbollah fighters, but also including at least 68 civilians -- in clashes with Israel over the last six months, according to an AFP tally.

The fighting has also displaced tens of thousands of people in southern Lebanon and in northern Israel, where the military says 10 soldiers and eight civilians have been killed.

While Iran-backed Hezbollah is Lebanese, it has sent militants into Syria to support its ally President Bashar al-Assad since an uprising against his rule erupted in 2011.

The uprising quickly morphed into a civil war drawing in regional and global players.

Hezbollah has continued to operate in the country since.

On Thursday, two people were injured in an air strike on a residential building in a Damascus suburb, according to Syrian state media, which blamed Israel.

The Sayyida Zeinab area targeted in the strikes is a stronghold of pro-Iran armed groups, including Hezbollah.
Taiwan leader asks defence chief to stay on after offering to resign



Taipei, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has asked her defence minister to stay on the job after he offered to resign, her office said Friday, following local media reports that his son hired sex workers.

Chiu Kuo-cheng verbally tendered his resignation to Tsai on Thursday night over "matters involving his family", presidential spokeswoman Olivia Lin said in a statement.

"Considering the current complex regional security situation and the transitional period of the government team, the President believes that the minister should stay in his post to ensure the stability and comprehensiveness of various important national defence affairs," she said.

Lin added that relevant agencies will investigate "the matters" in accordance with the law, without providing any details.

Tsai is due to step down on May 20 after serving the maximum two four-year terms.

She will be succeeded by her current deputy Lai Ching-te, who won the January 13 presidential elections.

The defence ministry also said in a statement on Friday that Chiu orally tendered his resignation over "family matters" but was asked by the president to stay.

"Minister Chiu will follow the instructions and fulfil his duties... during the handover period," it said, adding that his family "will fully cooperate" with the investigation.

Local media reported Thursday that Chiu's son, who works for the National Security Bureau, allegedly hired sex workers.
Israeli strikes kill 42 in Syria's Aleppo province



Beirut, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



A war monitor said Israeli air strikes Friday on Syria's Aleppo province killed at least 42 including 36 Syrian soldiers, the deadliest toll for the army since the Israel-Hamas war began.

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes in Syria since civil war there broke out in 2011, targeting army positions as well as Iran-backed forces including Hezbollah, an ally of Damascus and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The strikes have increased since Israel's war with Hamas began on October 7, and Friday's was the second such attack in 24 hours.

"Israeli strikes" targeted "a rockets depot belonging to Lebanon's Hezbollah" close to Aleppo airport, said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources inside Syria.

It reported "42 killed, including six from Lebanon's Hezbollah group" and "36 soldiers", the highest Syrian army toll in Israeli strikes since the Israel-Hamas war began.

State news agency SANA, quoting a military source, reported that "at approximately 1:45 am, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of Athriya, southeast of Aleppo", adding that "civilians and military personnel" were killed and wounded.

Contacted by AFP from Jerusalem, the Israeli military said it would "not comment on reports in the foreign media".

The Observatory also reported strikes targeting "defence factories" controlled by pro-Iran groups elsewhere in Aleppo province.

The attack came just hours after a reported Israeli strike in the Damascus countryside.

Syrian state media said "two civilians" were killed in an "Israeli air attack that targeted a residential building" on Thursday, also reporting material damage.

The Observatory said the Sayyida Zeinab area, a stronghold of pro-Iran armed groups including Hezbollah south of the capital, was targeted.

Israeli raids in Syria also seek to cut off Hezbollah supply routes to neighbouring Lebanon.



- Fears of spillover -



The Israel-Hamas war began with the Gaza-based Palestinian militants' unprecedented attacks that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,623 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.

Israel has exchanged near-daily cross-border fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon since the Gaza war began, sparking fears of a major regional conflagration.

In Lebanon, cross-border fire since October has killed at least 346 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, but also including at least 68 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people in southern Lebanon and in northern Israel, where the military says 10 soldiers and eight civilians have been killed.

Hezbollah has fought alongside ally Damascus in Syria's civil war since at least 2013, and continues to operate in the country.

The Syrian government's brutal suppression of a 2011 uprising triggered a conflict that has killed more than half a million people and drawn in foreign armies and jihadists.

On Tuesday, strikes on eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province killed 19 people, mostly pro-Iran fighters including two advisers from Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the Observatory said.

The World Health Organization reported one of its workers was killed in the strikes, which the Observatory blamed on Israel, after initially not saying who carried them out.

A US defence official told AFP the United States "did not conduct any airstrikes" at the time.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria, but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria.
Israeli strikes kill 42 in north Syria: monitor



Beirut, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



A war monitor said Israeli air strikes Friday on Syria's north killed 36 soldiers and six Hezbollah fighters, the latest deadly raid on Iran-backed forces in the country since the Israel-Hamas war began.

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes in Syria since civil war there broke out in 2011, targeting army positions as well as Iran-backed fighters including Hezbollah, an ally of Damascus and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The strikes have increased since Israel's war with Hamas began on October 7, and Friday's was the second such attack in 24 hours.

"Israeli strikes" targeted "a rockets depot belonging to Lebanon's Hezbollah" close to Aleppo airport, said the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources inside Syria.

It reported "42 killed, including six from Lebanon's Hezbollah group" and "36 soldiers", the highest Syrian army toll in Israeli strikes since the Israel-Hamas war began.

State news agency SANA, quoting a military source, reported that "at approximately 1:45 am, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of Athriya, southeast of Aleppo", adding that "civilians and military personnel" were killed and wounded.

Contacted by AFP from Jerusalem, the Israeli military said it would "not comment on reports in the foreign media".

The Observatory also reported strikes targeting "defence factories" controlled by pro-Iran groups elsewhere in Aleppo province.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the strikes were a "violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are a serious threat to regional and international peace and security".

He called the attacks "a blatant and desperate attempt to continue and expand the crisis in the region".



- New Lebanon strike -



The attack came just hours after a reported Israeli strike in the Damascus countryside.

Syrian state media said "two civilians" were killed in an "Israeli air attack that targeted a residential building" on Thursday, also reporting material damage.

The Observatory said the Sayyida Zeinab area, a stronghold of pro-Iran armed groups including Hezbollah south of the capital, was targeted.

Israeli raids in Syria also seek to cut off Hezbollah supply routes to neighbouring Lebanon.

The Israel-Hamas war began with the Gaza-based Palestinian militants' unprecedented attacks that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,623 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.

Israel has exchanged near-daily cross-border fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon since the Gaza war began, sparking fears of a major regional conflagration.

A military security source said an Israeli strike on Friday on a car in south Lebanon killed a Hezbollah official, while the group claimed attacks on an Israeli position.

Hezbollah on Friday announced the deaths of six of its fighters, without specifying where or when they were killed.

In Lebanon, cross-border fire since October has killed at least 347 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, but also including at least 68 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people in southern Lebanon and in northern Israel, where the military says 10 soldiers and eight civilians have been killed.

Hezbollah has fought alongside ally Damascus in Syria's civil war since at least 2013, and continues to operate in the country.

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What does Russia's veto on N. Korea sanctions monitoring mean?



Seoul, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



For years, North Korea has been under a sprawling, complex network of UN sanctions over its banned nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programmes, with violations carefully tracked and monitored by experts.

But with one veto, Russia has put a stop to much of this work -- not lifting the sanctions but ending the UN's monitoring, a major win for North Korea's Kim Jong Un, according to experts.

AFP takes a look at what we know:



What happened?



After North Korea tested a second nuclear weapon in 2009 and UN sanctions were imposed on Pyongyang, a panel of experts was set up -- with support from Russia and China -- to monitor and report on any sanctions-violating activities.

The panel's mandate expires annually at the end of April, and this year Russia blocked its renewal. Weeks before, the panel said it was investigating reports of arms transfers between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Pyongyang has shipped significant quantities of weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, Seoul and Washington claim.

Russia's veto is "almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed", Hwang Joon-kook, Seoul's UN ambassador, said.



Why did Russia veto?



Russia claims the body was not doing its job.

The panel's "work is increasingly being reduced to playing into the hands of Western approaches", Moscow's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said, accusing it of "reprinting biased information".

Moscow has drawn closer to Pyongyang in recent years, particularly since Russia was placed under Western sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine.

"Russia has revealed its opposition to sanctions against its own country through North Korea," Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP.



What about China?



Beijing, long Pyongyang's most important ally, abstained from the vote rather than joining Russia in vetoing.

"A political solution is the only way," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Friday in explaining the abstention.

"The current situation on the (Korean) Peninsula remains tense, and blindly imposing sanctions cannot solve the issue," he said.

China has supported easing sanctions on the North, and prior to the vote, had backed Russian proposals to introduce so-called sunset clauses on them and reduce the frequency of panel reports.

But "to Beijing's dismay, trilateral cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo may actually increase" due to the panel's demise as the allies seek to counter Pyongyang, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

In addition, "more evidence of sanctions violations could be released to the public since the restraining influence Russia and China had over headline-generating reports will be gone with the UN panel," he said.



What will change?



Sanctions on the North are becoming increasingly ineffective, experts say, thanks largely to Russia and China.

As global rivalries heated up, since around 2019, Moscow and Beijing began lobbying for sanctions relief at the United Nations.

At the time, Russia "used North Korea as leverage to protest NATO's eastward expansion in Europe and the strengthening of US forces in the Western Pacific," the Korea Institute for National Unification's Hong said.

Former US President Donald Trump -- who had historic but ultimately failed meetings with the North's leader Kim Jong Un -- also employed aggressive anti-Beijing rhetoric during his time in office.

The only significance of Thursday's veto was that "finally the real position of Russia (and China) towards the Panel and the wider sanctions regime has been made clear," said Eric Penton-Voak, who was coordinator of the panel until last year.

"The only real surprise to those who follow this issue is that this didn't happen earlier," he told Seoul-based specialist site NK News.

Recently, Pyongyang has moved to take advantage of gridlock at the United Nations, ramping up missile tests and weapons development and declaring itself an "irreversible" nuclear power in 2022.

If Washington wants to change this trajectory, "cooperation from China and Russia, which have the most interactions with North Korea, is crucial," Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.



And Russia-North Korea ties?



Kim met Russian President Vladimir Putin in September last year, with Pyongyang's leader declaring Moscow ties his country's "number one priority".

The two countries have subsequently stepped up cooperation, with Seoul claiming earlier this month that the North has now sent 7,000 containers of arms to Russia for its war with Ukraine.

North Korea's border remains largely closed due to pandemic-era restrictions, but a group of Russian tourists visited Pyongyang last month -- the first known foreign tour group since Covid. Moscow's spy chief visited this week, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

Russia's veto marks a real victory for Kim Jong Un, Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, told the Yonhap News Agency.

"Kim Jong Un's Kremlin courtship pays off. Pyongyang wants to end sanctions without slowing its strategic weapons programs," he said.
Ukraine warns power supply under threat amid deadly Russian attacks



Kyiv, Ukraine, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



Ukraine warned Friday that Russian air attacks were putting its electricity supply under "increasing threat", hours after strikes damaged power stations and killed at least one person.

Moscow has stepped up aerial bombardment of Ukraine in recent weeks, targeting energy infrastructure in response to deadly Ukrainian assaults on Russia's border regions.

A Russian drone killed a 39-year-old man and wounded another person near the southeastern city of Nikopol, while an air attack on Kamianske further north wounded five people, including a child, authorities said.

"Last night Russia continued its barbaric attacks against the Ukrainian energy system. Emergency blackouts have been introduced in some regions," Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said.

He said the strikes showed Ukraine urgently needed more air defence systems, a demand Kyiv has repeatedly made to its Western allies as its energy sector buckles under pressure.

"Enemy attacks are becoming more frequent and massive, posing an increasing threat to Ukraine's energy security," Ukraine's foreign ministry said.

Russia's defence ministry said in a briefing it had used "long-range air, sea and land-based precision weapons" to target energy facilities, but said they were being used by Ukraine's "armed forces".



- 'Use electricity sparingly' -



Russia has battered Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the two-year war, in attacks that President Volodymyr Zelensky has called "energy terrorism" and that the United Nations has described as illegal.

The air force said Moscow had targeted Ukraine's "fuel and energy sector" with 99 missiles and drones overnight, 84 of which were shot down.

"Russian missiles hit thermal and hydroelectric power plants," national grid operator Ukrenergo said in a statement.

"Currently, restrictions are in place in the regions of Kryvyi Rig and Kharkiv. In the evening, restrictions are possible in the eastern and Dnipro regions," it said.

"Please use electricity sparingly," the company added.

One of the country's main energy providers, DTEK, said three thermal power stations had been attacked in the barrage, leaving facilities "severely damaged".

"After the attack, the power engineers promptly started to deal with the consequences," the company said in a statement online, adding that one employee had been wounded.

The energy ministry said the attack damaged power infrastructure in four regions across central and western Ukraine, causing blackouts and disrupting train traffic.

On the frontlines, Ukraine has been forced onto a defensive footing in the past few months as it struggles with ammunition shortages amid delays to a $60 billion aid package from Washington.

Its armed forces commander Oleksandr Syrsky said Friday the situation in some areas of the battlefield was "tense".

"The Russian occupiers continue to increase their efforts and have a numerical advantage in personnel," he said.

"In addition, the enemy is conducting heavy artillery and mortar fire," he added.

"Just a few days ago, the enemy's advantage in terms of ammunition fired was about six to one."
A 20-year-old Rabi'u Adamu, resident in Magama-Gumau of Toro local government area of Bauchi State, has allegedly abducted and murdered a 12-year-old Christopher Bala.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the victim, Christopher, was a son of ASP Bala Yarima serving in Gumau Police Division under Bauchi State Police Command.

The suspect had collected N200,000 as ransom but later decided to murder and bury the victim in a shallow grave for fear of being caught.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Muhammed Wakil, said detectives attached to Toro Police Division tracked and arrested the suspect.

"Further inquiries uncovered disturbing details of extortion and a blood relationship between the suspect, the victim, and the victim's family.

"Adamu eventually confessed to the kidnapping and the tragic murder of young Christopher.

"He admitted to having extorted a two hundred thousand Naira (NGN200,000) ransom from the victim's father, ASP Yarima.

"He admitted that fearing that the murdered Christopher recognized him, he went ahead to strangle the 12-year-old victim and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill," the PPRO said.

He noted that having followed established procedures, the Police Command exhumed the victim's remains, adding that a postmortem examination conducted at the General Hospital Toro confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.

Wakil added, "Subsequently, the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the State Commissioner of Police."
Iraq to import electricity from Jordan



Baghdad, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



Iraq said Friday a power line would soon bring electricity from Jordan to the border area as authorities aim to diversify energy sources to ease the country's chronic outages.

With its generating capacity ravaged by decades of conflict and underinvestment, Iraq has long relied on imports of both gas and electricity from neighbouring Iran.

The 340-kilometre (210-mile) power line from Jordan will officially start operating on Saturday, the electricity ministry said in a statement.

In a first phase, it will provide 40 megawatts (MW) of power to the Al-Rutbah area near the border. Its capacity will then be boosted to 150 MW and finally 500 MW to cover "several large parts" of Anbar province, west of the capital Baghdad.

Despite its vast oil reserves, Iraq suffers rolling power cuts that can can last up to 10 hours a day, forcing those households that can afford it to subscribe to neighbourhood generators as a back-up.

Iraq's imports from Iran are carefully monitored by the United States to make sure they do not breach US sanctions on Tehran, which regularly cuts supply to punish non-payment.

Power outages are particularly severe in the summer when temperatures regularly hit 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) and demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning surges.
Indian navy says intercepted hijacked vessel near Somalia



New Delhi, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



India's navy said Friday it intercepted a fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea after a suspected hijacking, its latest anti-piracy operation after a spate of regional attacks on shipping.

Two Indian vessels had approached the Iranian-flagged FV Al Kamar 786 around 165 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of the Yemeni island of Socotra, not far from the eastern tip of Somalia.

An operation was "currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV & its crew," the navy said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The statement added that nine armed pirates were believed to have taken over the vessel. It did not say how many crew members were aboard.

India's navy has been deployed continuously off Somalia since 2008.

It stepped up anti-piracy efforts last year following a surge in maritime assaults, including in the Arabian Sea and by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels in the Red Sea.

This month, the Indian navy rescued 19 crew members off the Maltese-flagged cargo ship MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates in December.

On Saturday, it brought 35 Somali nationals accused of the hijacking to Mumbai aboard the warship INS Kolkata, which had led the rescue operation, to face a piracy trial in an Indian court.
DR Congo soldiers risk death penalty for 'cowardice'



Goma, DR Congo, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



Prosecutors on Friday urged a military court in the war-torn east of the Democratic Republic of Congo to sentence to death 11 soldiers accused of "cowardice" and "fleeing the enemy", a lawyer said.

It was the first such call for capital punishment since the authorities decided on March 13 to resume executions with a rebellion seizing swathes of land around the North Kivu provincial capital Goma.

Alexis Olenga, lawyer for Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Paluku Dunia -- one of five officers facing the charges -- said the trial had been adjourned till April 5 when the case for the defence would be heard.

Olenga said the soldiers were based at Lushangi-Cafe, a federal army position close to the strategic town of Sake, 20 kilometres (12 miles) down the road from Goma.

"They never fled from the enemy nor abandoned their position -- on the contrary," he said.

If found guilty the 11 men could be the first to be executed since a 2003 moratorium on carrying out death sentences was lifted, ending the practice of commuting death sentences to life in jail.

The failure of the army and its auxiliaries to halt the advance of the mainly Tutsi-led M23 rebels has raised suspicion that the security forces have been infiltrated.

Several military personnel as well as members of parliament, senators and business leaders have been arrested and accused of "complicity with the enemy".

Human rights groups and the Catholic Church have called on the government to abolish capital punishment for any crime.
Murder probe exposes Rio's dirty web of politics and crime



Rio de Janeiro, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



Six years after the killing of outspoken Rio de Janeiro politician, Marielle Franco, the arrests of the alleged masterminds have laid bare nefarious links between politics and organized crime in the city.

The charismatic, black, lesbian city councilor was a vocal critic of police brutality and corruption, and her murder in a drive-by-shooting stunned Brazil.

The federal police's nearly 500-page investigation report is packed with astonishing revelations about a decades-old problem in a city plagued by violence.

It recounts in minute detail the functioning of the militia squads that sow terror in Rio's working-class neighborhoods, with the complicity of police officers and high-ranking political figures.

The militias -- which gained notoriety in Brazil's popular "Elite Squad" movies -- first formed around four decades ago when former police officers and soldiers banded together to offer protection from violent drug cartels.

They then transformed into powerful criminal organizations that control large swathes of the city.

Franco often spoke out against the militias, before she was gunned down in her car, at the age of 38, along with her driver, in 2018.

Former leftist lawmaker Marcelo Freixo, who was a mentor to Franco, said the investigation was "fundamental... to understand the depth of the abyss in which Rio finds itself."

The probe "shows that the militias retain a strong influence in the highest echelons of the police and that political power plays an active role in favoring their influence", Carolina Grillo, a sociologist with the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), told AFP.

- 'Ensure impunity' -



Two of the alleged masterminds of Franco's murder -- the brothers Domingos and Chiquinho Brazao -- are veterans of Rio politics whom the investigation links directly to the militia.

Chiquinho had been a city councilor and is currently a national congressman while Domingos served as a municipal congressman and is currently an advisor with the state auditor.

The third suspect arrested on Sunday was none other than the former head of Rio's civil police, Rivaldo Barbosa, who was initially in charge of the investigation.

All three men proclaim their innocence.

Two former police officers -- the gunman and getaway driver -- were arrested a year after the crime.

Investigators say the Brazao brothers roped Barbosa into their scheme to "ensure impunity beforehand."

Barbosa, who was appointed to the role of civil police chief the day before the murder, was to ensure "that the investigation was stillborn" by covering the killers' tracks.

It was he who spoke to and comforted Franco's family in the wake of her death, and his alleged involvement came as a shock to her loved ones.

"He told me that it was a matter of honor for him to solve this crime," Franco's mother, Marinete da Silva, told the Globo news channel.

The investigation dragged on for five years, before being taken over by the federal police after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva returned to office in January 2023.

- Land grabbing -



Beyond the rampant extortion of residents, the militias have seized public land to illegally build housing or commercial buildings.

Grillo explains that real estate has become their "main source of income."

The investigation report also mentions "numerous clues" to their involvement "in the criminal activities of militias linked to the illegal appropriation of land."

Franco fought hard against land-grabbing in communities controlled by the militia.

The federal police believe that the Brazao brothers had Franco killed because she "threatened their interests."

This investigation "showed the key importance of the land question" in the influence that the militias have in neighborhoods under their control, including "on the political level," said David Marques, of the NGO Brazilian Public Security Forum.

Areas dominated by these criminal groups have become electoral strongholds for politicians like the Brazao brothers.

In 2008, the lawmaker Marcelo Freixo established a parliamentary commission of inquiry in Rio's Legislative Assembly that dealt a heavy blow to the militias.

Dozens of people were arrested, including local elected officials.

But these criminal groups "quickly reformed and resumed their growth," said Grillo.

Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida said that the turmoil unfurled by the revelations within the Franco investigation presented an opportunity to take back control of territory controlled by the militias.

"To do this, we need public policies, because it is by taking advantage of this vacuum that the militias move in and sow terror," he said Tuesday during a tribute to Franco.
Opt for a Junior Suite and youll enjoy a spacious and stylish place in which to lay your head. Decked out in calming blues and whites, the dreamy suites feature one king size bed or two queen beds, a living area with a pull out sofa and a bathroom, plus amenities such as a Keurig coffee maker, mini-fridge and microwave. Another great choice is the two-bedroom Goop Villa  the result of a collaboration with the actress-turned-entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow, whose lifestyle brand partnered with New York design firm Ronen Lev in the reimagining of one of The Colonys seven villas. The beautifully renovated abode takes inspiration from the romance of a Parisian pied-a-terre and is the perfect place to check in to with all the family.
If you believe you have been a victim or recognise the man from any of the material released please come forward. Any information  no matter how small  could help us with our investigation.
Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front-row taxi ride.
This is possible, in part, because we are once again being supported by colleagues from other forces across the UK and Id like to thank all of the officers and staff who will be working this weekend to keep London safe.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: The UK is doing all it can to get as much food into Gaza as possible. Todays airdrop will provide over 10 tonnes of food supplies to civilians in need.
Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud said: From collaborating on projects related to the preservation of Saudi heritage, to cooperating to combat illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts, and facilitating participation in cultural festivals and events between our two countries, this expansive partnership demonstrates our shared passion for, and dedication to, elevating culture and the arts. By collaborating, we look forward to reaching new cultural heights together.
YEREVAN, 29 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Pavel Knyazev, Russian Ambassador on Special Assignments discussed cooperation and the regional peace agenda on March 29.

According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the meeting centred on the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, alongside addressing the prevailing regional circumstances.
Fifteen non-governmental organisations, including two student federations, call on the Ministry of Education and universities to take concrete and effective measures to combat violence in the university environment, after the murder of a student in medicine in Timisoara.

"In a period of mourning for the academic community in Romania, we signal a serious problem that has deeply affected the academic community and the entire higher education system: violence in the university environment. It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we send this open letter following the recent tragedy at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timisoara, where a dear colleague of ours, a student in medicine, was brutally murdered. We need this moment to unite the academic community in Romania even more to prevent other victims. This shocking and tragic act, in which a young student was attacked and killed with multiple stab wounds by another student, has triggered a wave of consternation and concern among students and teachers. It is a clear warning signal that the university environment is not always a safe place and that we must take firm and effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future," reads an open letter signed by the 15 organisations and associations.

The signatories call on the Ministry of Education and Romanian universities to take concrete and effective measures to combat violence in the university environment and to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

Measures requested by NGOs:

*implementation of violence prevention and psychological counselling programmes for students, providing support and resources for those going through difficult or conflict situations;

* strengthening security and surveillance measures on campuses and in educational institutions to prevent unauthorised entry and ensure a safe environment for all members of the university community;

*promote a culture of respect and non-violence through educational progams and awareness campaigns that encourage dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution;

*supporting victims of violence in the university environment through clear policies and procedures for reporting and managing incidents, providing appropriate support and assistance to those affected

Among the signatories of the letter are the Agora Centre for Democracy, the Romanian Students' Union and the Federation of Romanian Medical Students' Associations.
Romania is "an ally fully committed to preserving NATO values," says the country's Defence Minister Angel Tilvar in a message on the 20th anniversary of Romania's NATO membership.

In his message published by the Defence Ministry (MApN) he also says that he is convinced that NATO "will stand the test of time, providing freedom and security for future generations."

At the time of accession, the minister says, Romania "received the strongest security guarantees, due to its membership in the strongest political and military alliance in the world and became stronger and more visible at Euro-Atlantic level."

He also speaks of the Romanian military.

"Today, we are paying tribute to the heroes who fell in the line of duty in war zones and became anchors in time for generations to come. At the same time, I would like to voice my respect and gratitude for the soldiers wounded in combat, for the veterans in the war zones, as well as for the personnel of the Ministry of National Defence who contributed to the evolution of our country within the Alliance. Last but not least, I would like to thank the Romanian soldiers who are currently participating in missions, operations and exercises under NATO banners and demonstrate that Romania is not only a beneficiary, but also a security provider alongside its strategic partners."

Tilvar also mentions the NATO member states' troops deployed on Romania's soil, "who contribute to ensuring an efficient and consolidated deterrence and defence posture in the Black Sea region and on the entire eastern flank."

"The contribution of our allies to ensuring Romania's security is a strong proof of allied solidarity and cohesion, as well as NATO's capacity for collective defence," says Tilvar.

He adds that "NATO membership is one of the fundamental pillars of Romania's defence and security system, along with EU membership and the strategic partnership with the US."

"The North Atlantic Alliance celebrates this year 75 years since its establishment. In the seven and a half decades of existence of the Alliance, there have been more or less troubled periods in terms of security. NATO's values, transposed into securing peace, freedom and attachment to democratic values, are the most important achievements of this political-military alliance."
The Romanian Government welcomes the 20th anniversary of Romania's accession to NATO, saying that during this time Romania has strengthened its profile as a responsible ally, actively involved in promoting democratic values and principles, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond.

According to a press release issued by the government, to Romania, integration with the Euro-Atlantic organisations represented a moment of special significance, by achieving a major desideratum of foreign policy and security having enjoyed broad support at the level of the political class and of the entire Romanian society.

"In 2004, on March 29, Romania deposited in Washington the ratification instrument for its accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, and on April 2, the ceremony of raising the Romanian flag at NATO Headquarters took place. These two moments marked, formally and symbolically, our country's winning NATO membership and confirmed the fact that Romania is an integral part of the Euro-Atlantic community. In its 20 years of membership, Romania has strengthened its profile as a responsible ally, actively involved in promoting democratic values and principles, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. Our country's valuable political, conceptual, practical and operational contributions are now clearly reflected in NATO's actions and profile.

Today, more than ever, the eastern flank, the eastern neighbourhood, the Black Sea have become subjects of central importance on NATO agenda and Romania benefits from a consolidated allied presence and a strengthened NATO deterrence and defence posture on its national soil and in the region.

In its 20 years of NATO membership, Romania has proved to be a genuine provider of security and stability. We have been actively involved in NATO operational efforts and have consistently promoted an increase in the Alliance's involvement in support of vulnerable partners, especially those in the Eastern neighbourhood. We will continue to act as decisively and as actively involved in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security."
Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu declared on Friday, in western Timisoara, regarding the drone fragments identified on Thursday evening on an agricultural land in southeastern Insula Mare a Brailei, that an investigation is underway, the respective perimeter having been closed and no one's life was endangered.

"A few minutes ago I spoke with the minister of Defense, since last night the perimeter has been closed, an investigation is underway. It is not the first, I would like it to be the last, it did not put anyone's life in danger," declared Marcel Ciolacu.

Asked about the origin of the drone and what would have happened if it had fallen in a residential area, the prime minister reaffirmed that he is waiting for the investigation, but the drone would not have caused damage even if it had fallen in other areas because its crater shows that it was no explosion.

"At the moment we have no victims and there are no such problems. We hope that they are as small as possible or that we avoid these events as much as possible. Let's wait for the investigation. If we look at the crater, it did not have an explosion. That is why it could not cause damage even if it had fallen in another area. Let's wait for the investigation," said the prime minister.

The Ministry of National Defense (MApN) informed that on Thursday evening, fragments that seem to come from an aerial device (drone) were identified on an agricultural land in Insula Mare a Brailei.

In this context, MApN, together with specialized structures from the National Defense System, public order and national security, will conduct, on Friday, the investigation of the incident, according to the specific operational procedures
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said in Timisoara on Friday, at the inauguration of the new terminal of the "Traian Vuia" International Airport, that the investment is a spectacular one, carried out to the highest standards and, together with other projects concerning airports and ports, shows that Romania is ready to join the Schengen area.

"Today I came here again for the inauguration of the new terminal of Timisoara International Airport. It is obvious, it is clear, I think for everyone, that finally, after more than 30 years, investments have started to keep the pace with the development needs of the community. We see here a spectacular investment, at the highest standards and the same thing is happening in many other cities in the country, whether we are talking about the airports of Iasi, Craiova or Targu Mures," said Ciolacu.

Marcel Ciolacu mentioned that in the next few years hundreds of millions of euros will be invested in the Port of Constanta and in the Danube ports.

Marcel Ciolacu participated on Friday in the inauguration of a new terminal for external departures at the "Traian Vuia" International Airport in Timisoara, the event was also attended by Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu and Senate President Nicolae Ciuca.
NATO is the most important and strongest political and security organisation in history, and its relevance is so much greater in the extremely difficult context we are going through, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday for the celebration of 20 years since Romania's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

In the 20 years since Romania's accession, "the number of security international crises has significantly grown, culminating with the illegal, illegitimate and unprovoked war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine," the head of state points out in a message sent by the Presidential Administration.

Iohannis brings to mind that since 2004 Romania has contributed to all the Alliance's efforts to ensure the security and the prosperity of the member states.

"For Romania, the affiliation to NATO, the European Union and the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America represent the pillars of defence and economic development," Iohannis says.

Iohannis shows that the anniversary also marks "Romania's important role in consolidating security and promoting stability as a NATO member."

"Our country has proven it is an essential partner in developing the Alliance's deterrence and defence efforts on the Eastern Flank, including by making operational the anti-missile shield at Deveselu and by strengthening, together with the NATO allies, the security at the Black Sea," says Kaus Iohannis.

In time, he shows, Romania has proven "the status of security provider on a regional and Euro-Atlantic level, thus contributing to a significant number of NATO missions and operations."

"Today, our thoughts go out with gratitude to those who made the supreme sacrifice, defending the values defining the Alliance. We are bringing a homage to those who fell on duty for security, peace and protecting democracy," the head of state adds.

Klaus Iohannis evokes Romania's "continuous, sustained and dedicated" commitment, which "highlights the firm conviction that unity, solidarity and cooperation are essential to counteract the severe security threats and challenges that we are currently confronted with."

"Romania will remain deeply involved in NATO's permanent adaptation process, so that the Alliance becomes stronger, more resilience and better prepared for the future," the president shows.

Romania is celebrating on Friday 20 years since the accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

"Two decades ago, the ceremony of filing the ratification instrument, in Washington, and then hoisting the national flag at the NATO headquarters in Brussels unequivocally marked Romania's reintegration in the transatlantic family, to which our country is linked through the firm commitment to the values laying at the foundation of the Alliance: democracy, individual freedoms, human rights and rule of law," President Iohannis points out.
YEREVAN, 29 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of defense cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United Kingdom, discussions on combating corruption were held in London from March 28 to 29, the Armenian Defense Ministry said.



The Armenian delegation was headed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, Hamlet Batikyan.



During the event, a meeting with the delegation of the UK Ministry of Defense led by the Director General of Security Policy, Paul Wyatt, and the Director of Defence Assurance, Guy Lester, took place.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Varuzhan Nersesyan, also participated in the meeting.



During the meeting, issues related to Armenia-UK cooperation in the fight against corruption were discussed.



Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense Hamlet Batikyan presented the current anti-corruption programs of the Ministry of Defence. The British delegation shared their expertise and methodologies in this field, expressing readiness to provide necessary assistance to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia.
ST. LOUIS  A Missouri laboratory agreed this week to a $13.6 million settlement to resolve allegations that it performed expensive and unnecessary urine tests and billed Medicare for them. The company and two of its owners will be barred from federal health care programs for 15 years.

Poplar Bluff-based Gamma Healthcare offered clinical lab testing and digital radiology services in eight states, and a large portion of its business was in providing lab tests for nursing homes. The company was accused of providing more expensive urine tests than doctors ordered.

According to documents filed in the case, when physicians ordered a cheaper form of urinalysis tests, the lab ran the more expensive polymerase chain reaction tests, or PCR tests. Medicare paid $11, on average, for the more basic tests, and an additional $573 for a PCR panel.

The Department of Justice announced the no-fault agreement this week. The case involved a physician whistleblower, who will receive $2.3 million from the settlement.

An attorney representing Gamma did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

The feds suspended Gammas Medicare payments in September of 2020. In November of 2020, the whistleblower filed a qui tam complaint against Gamma  an action that allows private individuals to sue on behalf of the federal government.

At the time, KCUR reported that 900 long-term care facilities in Missouri used Gammas services, and that the sudden federal suspension sent nursing homes and assisted living facilities scrambling to line up other options.

The company shut down that month.

Gamma and its owners had reached a previous settlement, in 2018, when the lab agreed to pay $525,000 to resolve allegations that it overbilled Medicare for mileage fees for picking up specimens, according to previous Post-Dispatch reporting.
ST. LOUIS  Brittany Dimeler and Chelsea Robinson have been best friends for over two decades; but because they live about 500 miles away from each other, they dont see each other as much as theyd like.

So when Dimeler, 37, and Robinson, 41, were planning their joint St. Louis vacation, they decided to memorialize the trip. On a recent March morning, they picked out matching gold chains to be fused around their ankles as permanent jewelry at Inked Beauty Bar in Midtown.

No matter if we go months and months without seeing each other, its a way for us to think of each other, said Robinson, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The permanent jewelry trend started several years ago on the coasts, in Los Angeles and New York City, and quickly found its way to St. Louis thanks to social media. Retailers say consumers are excited about unique in-store or on-site shopping experiences.

Jewelry artist Leia Zumbro said she thinks permanent jewelry is popular because its an activity people can do together to create a shared memory. A lot of the clientele who walk into her Tower Grove shop are mothers and daughters, best friends, people who are visiting from out of town or celebrating a life event.

People are seeking out experiences more than making a purchase, Zumbro said. Its less serious than a tattoo but like a tattoo, its marking this moment in time, which people do anyway with jewelry, but its more accessible.

Inked Beauty Bar began offering the service in 2022, said owner Emily Thomas. The studio soon saw customers who had traveled hours to get the forever accessory, she said.

Inked Beauty Bar offers around 40 chains that range in price from $45 up to $750, and vary in link size, link shape and metal type. Every month, Inked Beauty Bars permanent jewelry technician, Eve MacDonald, welds hundreds of bracelets, anklets, necklaces and more.

The studio also sells small charms, add-ons that have gained popularity on the heels of a recent charm necklace fad.

This is kind of taking over everyday jewelry, MacDonald said. I talk to a ton of people everyday and theyre like I wear this chain everyday. I wear this necklace or bracelet every single day. Im just like Why not get it welded on to you?

Though the studio takes walk-in customers at the Locust Street store, most of the Inked Beauty Bars permanent jewelry business comes from pop-ups and community events. They do up to five events a month and at a recent outing in February, MacDonald zapped about 250 customers.

Permanent jewelry has become so popular that Michaela Godwin, owner of Forevermore Fused, quit her job as a patient care technician at Missouri Baptist Medical Center last September to pursue her pop-up business full-time.

I took a big leap but I think its something that does better at events, Godwin said.

Though many local entrepreneurs now offer welding services, Godwin isnt concerned about oversaturation. Even at fairs or festivals with multiple other permanent jewelry vendors, Godwin said she sees plenty of business.

You just always have to have something that sets you apart, Godwin said. Its like how theres a whole bunch of spas or tattoo places in St. Louis and theyre all fine.

Permanent jewelry as an experience is simple, painless and quick, the whole process takes less than 15 minutes.

And it doesnt impede on the wearers lifestyle. The metal is able to pass through airport security with ease and though the chains may need to be cut off for medical procedures, some permanent jewelry sellers will reweld it for free.

I tell people, Youre going to wake up feeling fabulous, Zumbo said. Its low maintenance. You just wake up with it on.

Since Lake Saint Louis Jewelers began offering permanent jewelry in 2021, owner Melanie Hasen said the style has grown from just a trend to a mainstream fashion statement.

Its just not going anywhere, Hasen said. I think it will become the new friendship bracelet.

Permanent jewelry is a growing trend
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This years Ramadan is different.

Of course, its different. How could it not be? Were flooded with images of starving babies, reports of parents scrounging for grass to feed their families and scores of children dead from hunger or dehydration in Gaza.

This holy month of self-imposed fasting for Muslims is happening against the backdrop of state-imposed starvation.

For those of us watching this war unfold from a distance, our temporary hunger pangs are a reminder of unrelenting hunger on the other side of the world. One of the purposes of fasting is to increase ones empathy for those who lack basic needs like food and clean water. But this physical reminder comes on top of months of grief at the bombardment that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly 2 million.

People die in wars every day, the world over. But this one has been broadcast in excruciating and graphic detail on our phones and televisions.

Imagine theres a bruise on your heart. And every day, it gets hit again.

To outsiders, Ramadan may look like a month of deprivation. After all, those who are fasting are abstaining from food and drink every day from dawn to sunset. But its also a month of excess. People host parties inviting family and friends to break their fasts together. Special congregational prayers are offered each evening. Charitable giving is far more generous. There is an undercurrent of renewal and community that creates a feeling of festivity.

This year is different.

I dont see people sharing pictures of their predawn meals or the evening iftars. The Facebook groups where crafty moms would post their elaborate holiday decorations are subdued. Prayers at large gatherings start with our imam pleading for mercy for people in places of oppression and extreme suffering  in Gaza, Congo, Yemen and Sudan; for the Uyghurs in China and Rohingya in Myanmar.

It makes me think of what this past Christmas season must have been like for Palestinian Christians. The war led dozens of church leaders to cancel Christmas celebrations in the biblical birthplace of Jesus.

The Associated Press reported in December that Palestinian Christians around the world were gripped with helplessness, pain and worry. Suzan Sahori, who lives near Bethlehem in the West Bank, said, Were broken, looking at all these children, all this killing.

I can relate to this pervasive and palpable sense of guilt. It feels wrong to sit with an overfilled plate of food. Ive spent time reading more about the crises threatening masses of humanity in distant places. Im trying to understand the situations that have led to millions being displaced, the extreme violence and atrocities being committed.

But Ive also looked away from images that come across my social media feeds that are just too painful to bear. Its excruciating to look in the eyes of a child who has starved to death while trucks full of aid line up at a blocked border. I quickly scroll by the videos of broken parents cradling slain babies.

A friend recently shared a poem by New Zealander Em Berry that stopped my scrolling. It read:

This morning I learned

the English word gauze (finely woven medical cloth)

comes from the Arabic word [...] Ghazza

because Gazans have been skilled weavers for centuries

I wondered then

how many of our wounds

have been dressed

because of them

and how many of theirs

have been left open

because of us.

I sat with this poem for a minute.

In past years, I had decorated our fireplace mantel with light-up letters spelling out Ramadan Mubarak in an arabesque font.

This year, the letters stayed in a box in our basement.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Authorities have referred eight more teenagers to family court and recommended they be charged with assault in connection with the after-school fight near Hazelwood East High that hospitalized a teen girl.

Also, on Thursday, the family of the 15-year-old already charged with assault in the fight identified her as Maurnice DeClue, and said she is a diligent and helpful teen and an honor roll student, in their first public statement since the 15-year-olds arrest.

The DeClue family has maintained a respectful silence since the March 8 fight, said the teens cousin, Tina DeClue, in the statement sent to the Post-Dispatch.

While we deeply appreciate the overwhelming solidarity we have received, regrettably, we have also encountered negative and threatening behavior, DeClue wrote. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the other family involved in this situation, and we share in their moments of positivity.

Kaylee Gain, 16, was severely injured in the fight. She was in an intensive care unit for several days, suffering from a skull fracture and brain bleeding, her family said. This past weekend she began breathing on her own and was moved out of the hospitals ICU.

Footage of Kaylees beating went viral after it was posted on social media. The video showed the other teen beating Kaylees head into concrete on a residential street near Hazelwood East High.

Calls from the public and government officials mounted to charge Maurnice as an adult. That decision will ultimately be up to a St. Louis County juvenile court judge; a status hearing is set for Monday.

The eight other teens were referred to the court on Monday for assault charges. They include three 16-year-old boys, a 17-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl, two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old girl. The teens were not in custody on Thursday and their names will not be released by authorities unless they are certified as adults.

There is a disconnect between our children and acceptable conflict-resolution behaviors, St. Louis County police Chief Kenneth Gregory said in a statement Thursday. Its crucial that we as parents and citizens continue to talk to our children about violence and the grave consequences that can occur when we resort to fighting it out or picking up a weapon.

Video of the fight has attracted national attention, and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched an investigation last week into how the Hazelwood School Districts diversity, equity and inclusion practices contributed to the fight, which appeared to involve a Black student beating a white student.

Neither police nor the school district have said race was a factor in the fight, which happened about a quarter-mile from the school.

Cindy Reeds Ormsby, a lawyer representing Hazelwood School District, accused Bailey of racial bias and elevating political narrative above student safety.

The Missouri chapter of the NAACP also criticized Baileys investigation. Attorney General Baileys blind eye to racism when the victim is Black is telling, but the use of the investigative power in his office to lift the harm suffered by a Caucasian student while ignoring the Black victims is nothing short of Jim Crow, President Nimrod Chapel Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday. It is outrageous that our tax dollars are funding his racist political talking points.

Maurnices defense attorney, Greg Smith, on Thursday said she had no previous involvement with the juvenile court.

He said the request to certify Maurnice as an adult was filed about the same time as her assault charge. The law requires a certification hearing for juveniles who are charged with specific crimes, including first-degree assault.

But the hearing to determine whether shell be transferred to adult court wont happen for some time. The juvenile officer has to investigate and produce a report, which is then provided to the defense lawyer before the hearing. A judge will make the final determination.

Its an incredibly serious situation when youre saying that a child should be prosecuted and treated as an adult, Smith said.

DeClue said her cousin has excelled academically  speaking multiple languages, playing volleyball and also the violin. She comes from a family full of doctors, lawyers and NAACP officials, she said.

Maurnice was described by her teachers as a diligent and helpful student who never caused any disruptions, DeClue wrote. She said Maurnices parents take immense pride in her achievements.

She said the family attempted to raise funds for her legal defense through GoFundMe, but the campaign was removed by the website.

Maurnice is scheduled to appear in a status hearing on Monday.
JEFFERSON CITY  Notwithstanding any decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, Republican candidate for Missouri governor Bill Eigel says he wont be deterred in enforcing Missouris sovereignty.

The state senator from Weldon Spring, who has proposed legislation to remove people in Missouri who have entered the U.S. illegally, made the comments earlier this week as a federal court weighed how far states can go in policing immigration.

Were going to be aggressive about detaining and deporting folks who are here in this state illegally, Eigel told the Post-Dispatch in an interview. I expect the Supreme Court to reaffirm that right. In the event that the Supreme Court has a different perspective, well, well cross that bridge when we come to it; however, I will say that thats not going to deter me from enforcing the sovereignty of the state of Missouri.

Eigels bill, which has been heard in a Senate committee, would create the offense of improper entry, which subjects the offender to an order of removal.

In addition to his legislation, Eigel said if he is elected governor, he will declare an invasion under Article IV of the Missouri Constitution, which permits the governor to call out the militia to execute the laws, ... and repel invasion except when the militia is called into the service of the United States.

Anders Walker, a professor of constitutional law at St. Louis University, said Congress had absolute power over immigration under the U.S. Constitution.

There is no such thing as state sovereignty when it comes to immigration because Congress has plenary power over immigration. That is Article I of the United States Constitution, Walker said. The story might be good political theater, but its doomed.

Walker said if Missouri were to defy an order from the Supreme Court, anyone incarcerated under the invalidated state law could file a writ of habeas corpus in federal court seeking release.

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down parts of an Arizona law that created state-level offenses for illegal immigration. And President Joe Bidens administration is currently challenging a Texas law allowing for the arrest and attempted removal of individuals crossing the southern border illegally.

A federal appeals court has placed the law on hold following an order from the Supreme Court last week that briefly allowed it to take effect. Its unclear how a Supreme Court that has shifted to the right in recent years will ultimately address the issue.

Eigel, asked if defying the Supreme Court would result in a constitutional crisis, responded that the country has already been in one.

Weve seen certain, you know, branches of government not respect the independence of other branches, Eigel said.

Eigel has not led in publicly available polling, trailing Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe among candidates seeking the Republican nomination. During his eight years in the Senate, Eigel has cultivated an uncompromising persona and currently helps lead a hard-right faction of Republicans in the recently launched Missouri Freedom Caucus.

Immigration has emerged as a central issue in the upcoming election, with rising numbers of Americans viewing it as the countrys top problem. Homeland Security data show the nature of illegal border crossings has evolved, with significantly more migrants from countries other than Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras entering illegally through the U.S. southern border in recent years.

Democrats are walking a line between voicing encouragement for enhanced border security and admonishing rhetoric from Republicans such as Eigel.

Candidate stances

When asked about Eigels position, the campaigns for Kehoe and Ashcroft stopped short of embracing the type of aggressive detain-and-deport program Eigel has pitched.

Our country needs to restore the Trump executive order, which was working, and enforce the law, Ashcroft said. Secondly, we need to hold Mexico responsible and cut off all remittances into the country until they do their part to patrol their side of the border.

Ashcroft went on to say that he would declare an invasion under Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, which states the federal government will protect states against invasion.

I will support Texas and other border states efforts with additional personnel, I will stop state tax dollars from subsidizing illegal aliens, and I will make sure we prosecute this fight in the federal courts, Ashcroft said.

Michael Hafner, a spokesman for Kehoe, said when Kehoe is elected, no illegal migrants will receive state funded benefits of any kind and said he would cut off funding to cities acting formally or informally as sanctuary cities. (Missouri banned municipalities from enacting sanctuary policies more than a decade ago.)

On the Democratic side, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said she would support bipartisan border legislation at the federal level, like the one torpedoed in Congress for political gain.

Quade said she supports Parsons decision to send National Guard troops to the border.

We can, and should, take action to secure our borders without taking children from families and vilifying immigrants, Quade said. We need a common sense roadmap to citizenship, especially for our dreamers, spouses of American citizens, and the workers we desperately need to support our farming communities.

Michael Hamra, a Springfield businessman challenging Quade for the Democratic nomination, said, We need to put aside the political fights and secure the border with a sensible system for people to come here legally and be treated humanely.

Sadly, all we are getting is mean-spirited political stunts from extremist Republican politicians like Senator Eigel that do nothing to secure our border or make anyone safer, he said in a statement.

Legal arguments

In its lawsuit against Texas, the U.S. Department of Justice argues federal law preempts the Texas law.

The federal government argued the Constitutions Foreign Commerce Clause is one source of authority for the U.S. government, and that it restricts states from engaging in immigration regulation.

The Supreme Court in 2012 previously recognized the federal governments exclusive power over certain immigration matters, but the question of whether states may arrest and deport people remains partly unresolved, said Katie Herbert Meyer, director of the Washington University School of Laws Immigration Law Clinic.

She said while the court previously stopped Arizonas state-level crimes for violating U.S. immigration laws, the court still allowed the state to detain individuals suspected of not having documentation.

Meyer said the court did not take issue with a state merely cooperating with immigration authorities by turning over suspected undocumented immigrants to federal officials.

But the high court did rule state action crosses a constitutional line when the state enacts its own laws and/or attempts to enforce federal immigration laws on their own (such as by charging or attempting to deport an individual), Meyer said in an email.

Opponents of these state bills make additional strong claims that such laws are illegally discriminatory and are against public policy, Meyer said. One thing is crystal clear: if these laws pass they will be mired in expensive litigation for years to come.

Walker said the current Supreme Court could ultimately uphold Texas approach.

This court might say as long as state law coincides with federal law  it does not defy it  then, thats fine, he said.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  The family of the teenager charged with assault in the Hazelwood East after-school fight said on Thursday that the teen is a "diligent and helpful" honor-roll student, in their first public statement since the 15-year-old's arrest.

The DeClue family has "maintained a respectful silence" since the March 8 fight, said the teen's cousin, Tina DeClue, in a statement sent to the Post-Dispatch.

"While we deeply appreciate the overwhelming solidarity we have received, regrettably, we have also encountered negative and threatening behavior," Tina DeClue wrote. "Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the other family involved in this situation, and we share in their moments of positivity."

DeClue named her cousin, Maurnice DeClue, as the teen charged in the fight. She said Maurnice is in custody and her parents visit every day.

Kaylee Gain, the teenager severely injured in the fight, began to breathe on her own this weekend and was moved out of the hospital's intensive care unit more than a week after she suffered a skull fracture and brain bleeding, her family said. Her GoFundMe campaign has raised about $400,000.

Footage of Kaylees beating went viral after it was posted on social media. The video showed another girl beating Kaylee's head into concrete on a residential street near Hazelwood East High School.

Maurnice's defense attorney, Greg Smith, said she has no previous involvement with the juvenile court.

He said the request to certify Maurnice as an adult was filed about the same time as her assault charge. The law requires a certification hearing for juveniles who are charged with specific crimes, including first-degree assault.

But the hearing to determine whether she'll be transferred to adult court won't happen for some time. The juvenile officer has to investigate and produce a report, which is then provided to the defense lawyer before the hearing. A judge will make the final determination.

"It's an incredibly serious situation when you're saying that a child should be prosecuted and treated as an adult," Smith said.

Last week Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched an investigation into how the Hazelwood School District's diversity, equity and inclusion practices contributed to the fight, which appeared to involve a Black student beating a white student.

Neither police nor the school district have said race was a factor in the fight, which happened about a quarter-mile from the school.

Cindy Reeds Ormsby, a lawyer representing Hazelwood School District, accused Bailey of racial bias and elevating political narrative above student safety.

On Thursday authorities announced that Maurnice may not be the only teen facing charges. Police announced that they referred eight more teenagers to family court and recommended they be charged with assault.

Those charges had not been filed as of Thursday afternoon and the eight were not in custody.

DeClue said her cousin has excelled academically  speaking multiple languages, playing volleyball and also the violin. She comes from a family full of doctors, lawyers and NAACP officials.

Maurnice was "described by her teachers as a diligent and helpful student who never caused any disruptions," DeClue wrote. She said Maurnice's parents take "immense pride in her achievements."

She said the family attempted to raise funds for her legal defense through GoFundMe, but the campaign was removed by the website.

Maurnice is scheduled to appear in a status hearing on Monday.
A federal judge sharply criticized Ameren in a St. Louis courtroom Thursday, expressing impatience with the pace of the yearslong push to identify legal solutions that atone for more than a decade of continued Clean Air Act violations at the utilitys coal-fired power plant in Jefferson County.

But the drawn-out legal proceedings were just one of the complaints expressed by Judge Rodney Sippel. Pointing to new legal filings from the St. Louis-based utility, he said Ameren continues to ignore the courts authority to impose a remedy for the years of illegal air pollution at its Rush Island Energy Center.

Sippel also accused the company of ignoring his previous rulings in its case before state regulators, as Ameren now seeks to have customers pay for the plants retirement.

Weve been at this for two years, said Sippel. We need to have concrete ideas for what we can do, not just what we cant do.

The companys legal team pointed to its proposal for Ameren to fund certain fixes, such as 20 electric buses  a number that Sippel and a plaintiff lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice said is insufficient.

I dont know how to get to yes here, said Ron Safer, the lawyer who spoke on Amerens behalf Thursday.

In legal filings, the company has also touted $28 billion in anticipated social benefits from its proposal to retire the plant early, rather than install pollution controls that would cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

But closure, by itself, isnt seen as a fix that will pass legal muster.

Stopping violating the law is not a solution to the harm done, said Sippel.

The legal drama surrounding Rush Island has dragged on for well over a decade, tracing back to Amerens decision to make significant modifications to the plants generators in 2007 and 2010, without obtaining proper permits. The changes boosted the plants electrical output and its emissions of air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, or SO2, kicking off a continuous chain of Clean Air Act violations.

Though the changes were ruled to be unlawful years ago, lawyers representing Ameren and plaintiffs from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Sierra Club continue to battle through the long, drawn-out process of trying to devise a legal remedy that corrects public harm from the plants 270,000 tons of illegal SO2 emissions, which continue. The process has also been complicated, and delayed, by concerns from the operator of the regions electric grid about what the closure of Rush Island could mean for power reliability unless other upgrades are made first.

Some of the latest documents in the court case outline the pursuit of two main categories of solutions that are available, such as having Ameren distribute air filtration devices around the region, or developing renewable energy generation or battery storage to reduce regional reliance on SO2-emitting generation, according to a March 14 filing from the Department of Justice. Ameren is also invited, however, to develop alternatives in either category, subject to plaintiff review and court approval.

But Sippel and the Department of Justice both expressed layers of frustration with Amerens latest filings.

On one hand, for example, the company asserted that a remedy is unavailable as a matter of law  an argument that Sippel said has already been thoroughly rejected in court.

And, on another hand, elements of Amerens existing proposal were accused of being highly insufficient, such as its offer to pay for 20 electric buses.

Twenty buses is not serious, given the amount of pollution in the last 14 years, and certainly the delay in the last seven, Sippel said, referencing the time that has elapsed since his initial ruling in the case. Twenty buses is not the answer, so what is it?

Thursdays discussion also addressed Amerens ongoing pitch to Missouri utility regulators to have its customers pay for costs tied to Rush Islands proposed retirement  a process moving in parallel to the court proceedings before Sippel.

The Department of Justice accused Ameren of providing inaccurate and contradictory information to the Missouri Public Service Commission.

The company has committed to maintaining its position that it never did anything wrong, said Elias Quinn, a senior attorney for the Department of Justice, adding that, in actuality, the company committed legal wrongdoing that cost people their lives.
ST. LOUIS  Authorities charged a Dutchtown man on Thursday with shooting and killing a man this week.

Robyn Simmons, 32, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was arrested Wednesday evening and remained in custody Friday morning, according to court records.

Investigators said Simmons went with a woman to her home around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to help her break up with her boyfriend, who also lived at the home in the 3200 block of North Dakota Street in the city's Dutchtown neighborhood.

The woman had been locked her out of the house, so Simmons kicked in the front door, police said.

The woman's boyfriend was sleeping on the second floor, police wrote in court documents. She woke him up and told him to leave.

While the two were arguing, investigators wrote, Simmons struck the man with a gun and then shot him while he was lying on the ground.

Simmons ran from the house but later returned to get the shell casing, police said.

The man died at the scene of the shooting, police said. Authorities had not released his name as of Friday morning.
JEFFERSON CITY  An effort to crack down on motorists attempting to flee police has won approval in the Missouri House and is now awaiting action in the Senate.

The proposal, which moved out of the House Wednesday on a 107-25 vote, creates the felony offense of aggravated fleeing a police stop. A person could be charged with the crime if they keep driving when they know a law enforcement officer is attempting to detain or stop the vehicle.

The legislation has been named Valentines Law in honor of St. Louis County Police Detective Antonio Valentine who was killed Dec. 1, 2021, in a head-on car crash in Bellefontaine Neighbors while working with other drug unit detectives conducting an investigation in the area.

It has bipartisan backing in the Senate with support from Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, and Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance.

In the House, the sponsor of the measure, Rep. Justin Sparks, R-Wildwood, said tougher penalties could ensure people who endanger public safety are held accountable.

Doing what any police officer would, Detective Valentine knew what was coming and willingly took the hit to prevent a chase from causing any further risk or harm. Valentines Law is a testament to our commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the brave men and women who serve on the front lines, said Sparks, who formerly served as a St. Louis County police officer.

A Senate version of the proposal was sent to the House in early March. Senate Bill 754 is part of a larger package of crime-related changes sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville.

Police and members of the public say they are seeing an alarming increase in motorists driving erratically and fleeing from the police after committing a crime, placing the public and police officers in danger.

During floor debate, Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, urged his colleagues to vote in favor of the measure. Roberts, who was police chief of Joplin and served as the states director of the Department of Public Safety, said he has experienced the grief of losing officers under his command.

When you look at their faces and you see the pain and you hear the anguish, and then youre given an opportunity like this to actually do something about it, it would be irresponsible to the point of dereliction for us to fail to do something about it, Roberts said.

In St. Louis County, officials said they counted 2,700 incidents in which people sped away from police last year.

In Valentines case, the vehicle that crashed at high speed into the detectives unmarked van was fleeing from police near Chambers Road and Crete Drive.

The crash happened near a shopping center with a Family Dollar store, and left car parts and other debris strewn across the road.

Valentine, who was assigned to the countys Bureau of Drug Enforcement, also was a combat veteran of the Iraq War and had recently retired from the Air Force Reserve.

Specifically, the offense of aggravated fleeing a police stop kicks in if the driver operates a vehicle at a high rate of speed or in a way that creates a risk of serious physical injury or death.

A motorist could be charged with a class D felony without eligibility for probation, parole, or conditional release until the person has served at least one year of his or her sentence.

If a death is caused, the charges could be increased to Class A felony carrying a sentence of a minimum 10 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years or life imprisonment.

Valentines Law pays tribute to Detective Tony Valentines legacy and serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers across the state each day, said House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, in a statement.

The legislation is House Bill 1692.
Aussie four-wheel-driving enthusiasts are being warned to practise caution this Easter long weekend as experts reveal an increase in cars becoming bogged on the sand due to people "really having no idea at all what they're doing".

Western Australian man Peter Fullarton, of 4WD Recovery and Charters, said "inexperienced" drivers often end up in need of help and require rescuing due to misconceptions over four wheel driving. He said "there's a perception" that a four-wheel drive "is a magic carpet and it can take you anywhere"  but that's not always the case.

"Some of the biggest mistakes people make is tyre pressures are too hard," Fullarton told the ABC. "They use their right foot too much, use too much accelerator in soft sand and they're just digging themselves in.

Peter Fullarton from WA said often people attempting to four-wheel drive on the beach have 'no idea what they're doing'. Source: ABC

Aussie man warns over 'simple mistakes' 4WDs make on the sand

"I got into the four-wheel drive recovery [business] because I could see the need that there was a lot of people that were having a lot of trouble on the beach, and I could teach them some simple, basic driving skills and that'd [help them to] do a lot better on the beach.

Fullarton said he believes that "a lot of people these days haven't had the experience of their father or their grandfather" teaching them how to drive on the beach, like in his day.

"So [people] go out, they buy a brand new four-wheel drive, they get down to the beach and they really have no idea at all what they're doing," he said. "And they get on the beach and their tyres are too hard, they're driving the wrong ways."

Rick Williams said that beach rescues have increased lately as severe weather batters Queensland. Source: Facebook / AAA 4WD Beach & Offroad Recovery

People have 'no idea what they're doing', expert says

He explained modern cars have a lot of "these driver assists that aren't really that helpful in the sand" and new cars don't have the ground clearance. "They're heavier because of all the safety requirements, with airbags and all that sort of stuff," he said. "The tyres are road tyres, they don't necessarily have all the traction and that, that they want on the sand as well."

Story continues

Fullarton's advice comes following a number of recent 4WD boggings across the country, with people from Western Australia to Queensland requiring help getting off the sand.

Range of 4WD incidents taking place across Australia

Earlier this month, Rick Williams based on Bribie Island, told Yahoo he'd been called to a skyrocketing number of beach rescues as storms batter Queensland, filling up lagoons that spill out and cause hazardous conditions for those venturing onto the sand in their vehicle.

To be towed back to safety, it can cost anywhere between $200 to $700. Source: Facebook / AAA 4WD Beach & Offroad Recovery

On March 5, a man's Toyota Land Cruiser became half submerged in the water after only having been on the beach "for five minutes". Williams said although he's "helped a lot of locals over the years" he's also rescued tourists "from really almost every country around the world".

Also in March, a popular Aussie beach spot that's been "smashed" by four-wheel drivers of late announced it may soon charge for vehicle access to the sand, after visitors left behind mountains of rubbish, vandalised bathrooms, parked where they shouldn't and mistreated public amenities.

A driver that raced through raging currents in their four-wheel drive has attracted criticism. Source: Facebook

In February, a motorist was filmed driving through a channel of water that suddenly formed after a lagoon broke its banks. The driver was slammed for the "dangerous" act, as experts warn people not to try to emulate similar stunts.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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ST. LOUIS  Aldermen this week advanced a plan to make it easier to open homeless shelters in city neighborhoods.

The bill would require operators to gather signatures on a petition from 33% of the registered voters or property owners within 500 feet of a proposed shelter before setting up shop. Currently, they need a majority of either group.

The plan is left-wing lawmakers effort to address one of the citys prickliest issues: Advocates for the homeless say there arent enough good shelter beds for all of the people who need them.

But operators struggle to persuade residents to allow them to open up new shelters in their neighborhoods. Backers of the bill say that leaves people to suffer needlessly  and has to change.

If anyone in your community is hurting and suffering, then everyone is suffering in some kind of way, said Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, who is sponsoring the bill.

Sonnier, of Tower Grove East, and Aldermanic President Megan Green tried to eliminate the petition requirement entirely this fall, but their proposal collapsed amid a wave of opposition from neighborhoods and business owners.

In a committee hearing Thursday, however, Sonnier said she thinks shes got it right this time.

She said the plan makes concessions to people worried about eliminating public input: Shelter providers who reach the new signature threshold will still go through a public hearing before beginning operations. Even then, they will only be eligible for temporary permits good for a year. After that, they will go through another public hearing where city officials will examine their performance and impact on the safety of their area before deciding whether to grant a full, three-year license.

Green praised the plan. I think were getting to a place where this is a solid bill, she said, and were getting to the goal where its at least possible to be able to open shelters in this city.

Some aldermen on the committee remained skeptical.

Alderman Michael Browning, of Forest Park Southeast, said technical issues in the bill could wind up causing more problems. He also said he didnt like having one standard for all shelters. It should be easier, he said, to open small shelters that can blend into a neighborhood, but harder to open a larger shelters that cant.

Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, of Boulevard Heights, agreed. She said making all shelters meet the same standard didnt make sense.
ST. LOUIS  It is about to get easier for many bars and restaurants to secure liquor licenses here  and harder for residents to block them.

It took nearly a year of debate, and pitted the mayors office, restaurateurs and supportive aldermen against neighborhood leaders.

But on Friday, aldermen are expected to approve plans to stop requiring many restaurants to petition residents before getting licenses. The bill instead tasks city staff alone with making liquor license decisions. Supporters say the move will unleash investment in the city, enrich the local food scene, and expand opportunity for city residents.

What were really seeking to support is the family restaurant, the people shoestringing along, pursuing the American Dream, said Alderman Bret Narayan, the bills sponsor.

Restaurateurs cheered the forthcoming action.

Danni Eickenhorst, who co-owns Steves Hot Dogs on South Grand Boulevard and sparked reform efforts last year with complaints about delays in the citys licensing process, said more work needs to be done and the city needs to work with residents to ensure their voices are still heard.

But I am excited for this, she said. Its going to reduce a lot of the red tape, and thats an important first step.

Opinions of neighborhood leaders are mixed.

Matt OLeary, a longtime downtown resident and advocate, credited backers for listening to his concerns and making compromises in the bill. But he said the changes will be catnip for less-than-honest bar and nightclub owners looking to bypass neighbor opposition, and he doesnt trust the city will be able to stop them.

I have no confidence whatsoever that they will enforce anything, he said.

Jim Dwyer, who serves on multiple neighborhood boards in the Central West End, was more encouraged by concessions.

Its a better bill than it started out being, he said. Well live with it.

The petition process for liquor licenses has been the law of the city for decades. Any prospective bar or restaurant owner gets a list of addresses within 350 feet of where they plan to set up shop, and must gather a majority of signatures from two groups in that area: property owners, for one, and, second, a combination of business operators and registered voters.

Similar rules apply to homeless shelters. Until recently, they applied to tattoo parlors, pawnbrokers and bathhouses, too.

Current rules, supporters say, force business owners to hear residents concerns about noise or rowdiness, and address them up-front.

But it has not been universally beloved. Restaurateurs have complained among themselves for years about the time it takes compared to other cities around the region, and the cost of hiring consultants to knock on doors or mail postcards to potential petition-signers.

Last spring, that frustration came to a head. A short-staffed city Excise Division was taking longer to verify petitions, which employees do by calling signers one by one. Eickenhorst, the hot-dog restaurateur, posted on social media that six- to nine-month waits for liquor licenses  versus two- to four-weeks elsewhere in the region  were killing investment in the city. She said she was writing a letter to City Hall.

More than a dozen business owners signed on. They complained of having to spend dozens of hours playing politician. They lamented paying thousands of dollars to consultants. They said theyd gotten inaccurate information from the city about who they needed to sign their petitions, further complicating an already infuriating experience. The issue caught fire.

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones sympathized, recalling opening a bar in the Central West End in the 1990s, and said a fix was on the way.

Narayan introduced the bill in June. He stressed that the new rules were aimed at restaurants and neighborhood bars  the big nightclubs would still have to get signatures. He said the bill would also give the city excise commissioner new power to crack down on troublemakers.

But leaders of more than a dozen neighborhood associations were unimpressed, especially those in areas like downtown, where businesses mix seamlessly with residents homes. OLeary, for instance, said years of fighting with nightclubs  and restaurants that turned into nightclubs  linked to fistfights, shootings and other mayhem taught him that being stingy with signing petitions was the surest way to avoid trouble.

The pushback stalled the bill for months.

Then, earlier this year, Narayan unveiled a new proposal. Restaurants skipping the petition process would operate on a trial basis for the first six months. After that, they would go before the excise commissioner in a public hearing to review their performance before getting a full, three-year license.

Under pressure from downtown Alderwoman Cara Spencer, he also incorporated changes requested by neighborhood leaders, including a provision requiring the excise chief to immediately revoke a restaurants license if it becomes a nightclub.

Narayan also pushed back on claims the bill would kick off open season for bad actors. The bill, he said, gives the commissioner new power to immediately suspend a license without a hearing after a big fight or a shooting. It requires departments to work together to solve problems. And aldermen, he said, just boosted the liquor control divisions budget, so it should have more officers on the street soon.

Erica Park and Sean Lee are looking forward to the change.

They opened Chicken Seven in the Carondelet neighborhood in 2022 planning to offer patrons ice-cold beer to wash down their Korean fried chicken. But they couldnt get their liquor license. After three rounds of mailers in their area, which features at least three apartment buildings where they couldnt go door-to-door, their consultant told them only 15% of people were responding.

After limping along for a while, they closed this month, with vague hopes of reopening.

Then, on Wednesday, she got a call about Narayans bill. She was silent for a moment.

Im getting goosebumps, she said. I cant believe its happening.
Cahokia Heights has still not received most of the millions of dollars that state and federal leaders said two years ago would be available to fix broken infrastructure in the community that causes sewage to spill into streets and homes.

The city will soon have to provide a public report about what it has done to follow up with the state and federal government since that funding was announced in 2022.

The requirement from a federal judge comes after a town hall meeting and court hearing this week about Cahokia Heights progress on infrastructure repairs where residents pressed the city for more details about the money.

Decadeslong infrastructure issues in Cahokia Heights have caused sewage to back up in toilets, sinks and bathtubs or spill into homes with floodwater because heavy rain forces sewers to overflow onto the streets and residents properties.

Local, state and federal officials have been working together to find the funding to fix it since media coverage and lawsuits starting in 2020 drew more attention to the issue.

The city has so far received a $9.9 million grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to begin work on the sewer system.

Residents want to know about the rest of the $21 million in state funding for sewer infrastructure that Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Aug. 3, 2022, and $28 million in federal funding for water infrastructure that U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, announced Aug. 15, 2022.

Getting the money is a process, city employees overseeing community outreach and engineering for the projects said during Wednesdays town hall meeting. Cahokia Heights has to apply to the various agencies that control the money for approval on how its spent, according to the employees.

That news left some town hall attendees questioning whether the funding is guaranteed.

Resident Jacquelyn Austin asked what would happen to the money lawmakers promised to Cahokia Heights if those people left office or lost reelection bids. And Pastor Barry Simmons, of New Visions World Ministry Church in Cahokia Heights, asked what citizens could do to make sure the city gets the rest of the money for infrastructure repairs, like signing a petition.

An estimated 100-150 people filled the pews at Miracle Deliverance Temple in Cahokia Heights for the town hall meeting. Residents asked questions for the majority of the meeting  about 45 minutes  and most of them asked about the money.

If you said we only got $10 million, when are we going to get $49 million, if you put those two together? Simmons asked.

Jim Nold, senior project manager for Cahokia Heights engineering firm Hurst-Rosche Inc., said legislators can sometimes roll funding back but typically once its approved in the state or federal budget, its secured for the community and all thats left is going through this process to access the money.

Antonio Baxton of Baxton and Associates, the company handling community outreach for the city, said residents could send an email to his team at communityoutreach@cahokiaillinois.org, which would work like a petition and get forwarded to officials.

Its not the citys first funding delay.

The $9.9 million Illinois EPA grant is part of the $21 million that Pritzker committed to Cahokia Heights. At the news conference where the governor announced the funding in 2022, he said the $9.9 million would be delivered that day. But it didnt reach the city until seven months later.

That money also required an application and approval process, the governors office later said.

At Thursdays court hearing, residents lawyers argued they should have more information about when the city applied for the outstanding money and the status of those applications.

In response to the lawyers request, Judge David W. Dugan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois said he would issue an order that requires the city to file a report on the funding in federal court. He said he would give the city 21 days to complete it. Dugan had not yet issued the order as of Thursday night.

A lack of clarity about the hang-ups in getting money to the city is the main reason U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, pushed for the EPA to appoint a coordinator to work in Cahokia Heights last year, according to the congresswomans office.

Beth Murphy, an EPA scientist, was given the job of coordinating the response and funding from all levels of government. Murphy was not immediately available this week to provide an update on what she has learned about the funding since she started working in October, according to the EPA.

In his Aug. 3, 2022, announcement, Pritzker stated that the $21 million in state funding for Cahokia Heights sewer infrastructure was coming from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

The $28 million in federal funding that Durbin announced Aug. 15, 2022, includes $26.5 million of the city, county and state shares of federal COVID-related relief funds from the American Rescue Plan for water infrastructure projects and a $1.5 million earmark for projects identified as part of the HeartLands Conservancys Prairie Du Pont Watershed Plan study. HeartLands study focused on finding solutions to persistent flooding in Cahokia Heights.

What $9.9 million Illinois grant will pay for

The Illinois EPA grant isnt enough to fix everything thats wrong with the sewer system. The city is prioritizing the areas that have the most issues with service like back-ups, according to Nold.

He said the $9.9 million will be used to repair 22 sewer breaks and 35 pump stations, which help move sewage through the system to the treatment plant. The city has a total of 69 pump stations.

According to Nolds presentation to the community, the city has completed two sewer break repairs in the Piat Place and Parkside neighborhoods in the former city of Centreville. Centreville consolidated with the villages of Cahokia and Alorton in 2021 to become the city of Cahokia Heights.

The next project will repair nine more sewer break. It is expected to begin in mid-April.

The city is halfway through the design phase of repairing 16 pump stations and will soon submit permits to the Illinois EPA. Nold estimated that the city would start accepting bids from contractors for the work this summer.

He said all the contractors selected for work so far have been from local companies.

Part of the $9.9 million grant is also being used to satisfy a matching funds requirement for an additional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers grant to repair a portion of the main sewer, called a trunkline, which collects the wastewater from all the other pipes in the system.

Nold said the entire truckline is about 12 miles long. The $3.5 million Army Corps of Engineers grant, which Durbin secured, will repair three and a half miles of it.
ST. LOUIS  A church building that is more than 100 years old is being demolished after it caught fire for the third time in two years.

St. Augustine Church was built 126 years ago. It caught fire on March 17; an inspection after the fire found the remaining structure was too dangerous, and had to be torn down.

The Land Reutilization Authority, which owns the building, contracted the work to Premier Demolition for $123,000. Demolitions is expected to continue for the next two weeks at 3114 Lismore Street.

The cause of the fire was still undetermined earlier this week, fire officials said.

Another fire scorched the building in December 2022, leading to the collapse of some walls and thwarting a nonprofits effort to build a community center there.

The citys land bank took ownership of the building. Then, in January this year, the building caught fire again. It was built in 1896 and served as a Catholic church until the 1970s, when it was taken over by other, smaller congregations from other denominations, according to historic preservation nonprofit Missouri Preservation.

Photos: Demolition begins on fire-damaged St. Augustine Church
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel will return to the table for cease-fire talks with Hamas.

The announcement marks yet another attempt to reach a deal to pause Israels devastating war in Gaza against Hamas militants in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.

Efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a cease-fire appear stalled as the war grinds through its sixth month.

Hamas is believed to be holding roughly 100 hostages, as well as the remains of about 30 people killed in the groups Oct. 7 attack or who died in captivity. Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the surprise attack, which triggered the current conflict.

Hamas previously suggested a phased release of all remaining hostages in return for an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the opening of its borders for aid and reconstruction, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants serving life sentences.

Netanyahu has called these conditions delusional, and says that after any hostage release, Israel will keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

Israels war in Gaza has killed more than 32,000 people and wounded 74,000, according to the the territorys 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.

The U.N. has reported that 100% of Gazas 2.3 million people are at severe levels of food insecurity. Aid deliveries are impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order, according to the U.N. and international aid groups.

Police break up protest

Israeli police violently dispersed a small group of anti-war protesters Friday in Jerusalem.

Fridays gathering of about 50 demonstrators holding signs calling for a cease-fire quickly devolved into scuffles between demonstrators and officers as police attempted to wrestle megaphones and posters out of demonstrators grasp.

Amateur video showed police punching at least one protester while kneeling on his legs.

Officers arrested five people, including a journalist, the police said. It said protesters did not register the gathering with the authorities and ignored calls to disband.

Since the war in Gaza began, tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to demand the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as for Netanyahus ouster.

Smaller Israeli protests calling the Israeli campaign in Gaza a genocide of Palestinians have been met with a forceful police response.

Strike in Rafah

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.

More than 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.

Flyover canceled

The Israeli military said it canceled the traditional jet aircraft flyovers on independence day as its forces concentrate on the war in Gaza.

In Fridays statement, the military said a naval flotilla in the Red Sea port of Eilat was also canceled, but a flight honoring soldiers killed in the 1948 war on Israeli memorial day, which takes place ahead of independence day, would go ahead as scheduled.

Each year, Israeli jets streak through the nations skies as part of independence day celebrations. The holiday is marked on the Hebrew calendar and this year falls on May 14  coinciding with the date on the Western calendar in 1948 that Israel signed its declaration of independence.

Palestinians mark the period as the Nakba, or catastrophe, when an estimated 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israels creation.
As a recently retired economics professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who has taught statistics for more than 40 years, I admit to being befuddled by the (Hamas-controlled) Gaza Health Ministrys daily numbers of new Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza.

Nevertheless, non-statisticians of the world  including prominent news outlet reporters and our nations top officials  have not hesitated to repeat and thereby validate these numbers as an accurate gauge of the wars impact on innocents (women and children) in Gaza.

Its not just the well-accepted fact that these numbers include the 13,000 or so Hamas fighters who have been killed because of their unwillingness to lay down their arms. Or the countless civilian casualties caused by the 12% failure rate of Hamas and Islamic Jihad rockets, translating into more than 1,200 rockets to date landing in Gaza. The oft-quoted numbers disturb me for other reasons.

On March 6, world-renown statistician Abraham Wyner, professor of statistics and data science at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, reported the results of his extremely well-reasoned and detailed analysis of the daily deaths reported during the first weeks of the war.

His conclusion? The likelihood that the reported numbers were truthful is virtually zero, given glaring internal inconsistencies in the numbers. This study articulates many of the reasons that the death numbers reported have puzzled me for so long.

Specifically, Professor Wyner points out that during this period, the number of total deaths reported grew daily at a remarkably constant rate (270, plus or minus about 15%). In other words, while the Israel Defense Forces campaign varied tremendously day-to-day in terms of ground versus air versus tunnel operations, the daily growth in total deaths did not vary by much.

Another anomaly Wyner identifies relates to the daily number of deaths reported separately for children and women. One would expect that when the IDF targets residential areas, the risk to women and children would be highest (assuming that at least the youngest children are under the watchful care of their mothers); in contrast, when the IDFs focus is on tunnels, the risk to both groups would be much lower. As it turns out, Wyner shows that the pattern in daily numbers reported for children killed in no way tracks the pattern in the number of women reportedly killed on the very same day.

Wyner identifies several other inconsistencies in the reported data. While he admits that all of this evidence is circumstantial, he proposes an alternative methodology by which Hamas generated its reported numbers.

Based on the period of his analysis, he suggests that the Ministry of Health in Gaza picked an arbitrary number for additional deaths each day, took 70% of this number to substantiate its claim that 70% of casualties were women and children, and then randomly split these between the two groups. Using this method, he is able to explain all of the reported numbers and the breakdowns by group.

The issue here is not whether one life lost from war is too many. Anyone with the least bit of humanity would rail against Hamas barbaric treatment of Israeli victims on Oct. 7; their cruelty in holding civilians as hostages in subhuman conditions for more than five months; and the innocents killed in Gaza because Hamas places no value on their lives and no Muslim state is willing to intercede to stop Hamas.

Rather, the issue at hand is whether responsible Western leaders and media outlets should continue to naively accept and repeat potentially fake information, supplied directly by Hamas and unsubstantiated by any third-party to date.

Worse still is the increasing pressure to formulate policies that threaten Israels right to defend itself, with these numbers taking center stage as justification. Such actions fan the flames of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish public sentiment, deepen the schisms in this country and threaten the long-term survival of the only democracy in the Middle East.
At the age of 38, I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. Premature menopause is a condition that affects egg production in 1% of people who can become pregnant. For those of us in that 1%, in vitro fertilization is the bridge between our reality and our dream of starting a family.

The process of retrieving, fertilizing and implanting eggs has been physically and emotionally stressful. IVF doesnt follow a predictive timeline or guarantee a healthy pregnancy. Given that factors like age, genetics, and other medical conditions play a role in reproduction  regardless of the method  I have no way of knowing what might happen after my next round of IVF.

Equally unsettling is the success that restrictive, reproductive health policies are having across the nation  including in Missouri. Earlier this year the Missouri House of Representatives introduced HB 1558, which threatens to give courts the power to determine the best interests of an embryo by arguing that embryos have more protected rights than personal property. The same reasoning was applied in a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling, forcing fertility clinics to suspend services and leaving families to defer their dreams indefinitely.

Missouris political environment has long been a battleground for access to reproductive health care. In recent years, that fight has escalated beyond rhetoric and ideology to include the exploitation of patient health care data.

In 2019, the director of the Missouri State Health Department tracked menstruation cycles using patient data to identify individuals who may have had an abortion in the state. Former Director Randall Williams used that data to justify the revocation of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis abortion license.

Its not unthinkable that, if given access to residents health care data, other authorities in Missouri would use that information to monitor residents who travel across state lines to access abortion, IVF, hormone replacement therapy, gender-affirming care, or other reproductive health care.

Government surveillance technologies and the data they produce have become increasingly powerful and common tools. At best, they inform thoughtful decision-making that can drive positive change in our communities. At worst, they can be abused to justify harmful policies that have lasting implications.

This is precisely why St. Louis citys Board of Aldermen must pass Board Bill 185.

Sponsored by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge of the 14th Ward, BB 185 requires the city to disclose the surveillance technologies it deploys to the public. Further, it creates oversight of how those tools are used and establishes how residents data is shared and stored.

Most importantly, the bill allows the public and their duly elected representatives to closely examine the citys data-sharing agreements with other state and federal authorities  authorities who may not share the same values as St. Louis residents.

While data-sharing agreements may seem innocuous, the potential risks must not be ignored. Government authorities, including our police department, should not be solely responsible for evaluating these agreements. The potential impacts, whether intentional or unintentional, should be discussed with those who will be affected by them.

Its important to act before harm is done. Simply put, increasing public participation in policy-making leads to better government policies.

In the weeks ahead, the Board of Aldermen will vote on automated traffic cameras as part of the citys strategy to reduce dangerous driving on our streets. This type of government surveillance has the potential to save lives if its implemented effectively.

But it also has the potential to collect data about the movements of people seeking reproductive care, gender-affirming care, or asylum in the absence of safeguards BB 185 would establish.

The reality is we can create safer streets without undermining peoples civil liberties in the process and suggesting otherwise is misleading.

Holding governing authorities accountable through policy measures does not compromise our safety. BB 185 does not remove resources from the police or any other city department. It allows the police to access the tools they need while ensuring residents have a meaningful, informed say in how their communities are surveilled and how their data is used and shared.

It creates a process that leverages perspectives and experiences outside of traditional law enforcement which can narrowly focus on the important task of solving crime at the expense of peoples fundamental rights. It also recognizes that artificial intelligence and other technologies are evolving rapidly and we must establish baseline policies to protect residents and their information.

Most importantly, this bill ensures that expanded governmental power is matched with equal public accountability, regardless of intent. As the saying goes: with great power, comes great responsibility.
Its a hallmark of the current political era that putatively serious pronouncements by putatively serious public figures are often impossible to distinguish from the most outlandish of dark satire.

For example, the message emanating from across the political right in the days after the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore could be summarized as: Wokeness did it!

Yes, populist politicians and right-wing media figures have really, truly suggested that the deadly bridge collapse was somehow the result of racial diversity, the Biden administrations immigration policies and (figure this one out) its increased infrastructure spending. As the satirist Dave Barry likes to say, we are not making this up.

It wasnt that long ago that the only acceptable response to a national tragedy from any politician, of any party, was to set aside partisan rancor and bring the country together. Today, one edge of our political spectrum views every topic, no matter how catastrophic or heartbreaking, as fair game for disinformation and demagoguery. Thats the darkest joke of all.

A little after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, the MV Dali, a 980-foot container ship, lost power as it was departing the Port of Baltimore and approaching the Key Bridge. With the crew helpless to navigate, the ship drifted into one of the bridges pillars, collapsing it.

Before the collision, the ship radioed a mayday, prompting local authorities to divert traffic from the bridge and undoubtedly saving many lives. But construction workers filling potholes on the bridge were thrown into water below.

The bodies of two of them were recovered Wednesday. Four others were missing and presumed dead as of Thursday. What caused the power failure that caused the collision isnt yet clear, though investigators quickly determined it wasnt deliberate.

Still, wondering about terrorism is natural in the immediate aftermath of such tragedies. Responsible political leaders, though, should always refrain from reckless public speculation.

Its unsurprising that among those who chose recklessness anyway was conspiracy-mongering Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who tweet-suggested it might be an intentional attack before anyone knew anything.

What was more surprising, but perhaps shouldnt have been, is how many of Greenes right-wing fellow travelers chose to go even further down various rabbit holes, most of them filled with partisan opportunism and some of them truly bonkers.

The latter includes references to DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) policies. These are efforts by many in both the private and public sectors to foster racial and other forms of tolerance and diversity among their workforces. But the political right has designated it as their latest racial bogeyman, in the mold of CRT (critical race theory).

DEI did this, tweeted Florida congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini, above a video of the bridge collapsing, with no further explanation of his reasoning.

DEI = DIE, tweeted the campaign of Utah gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman, currently a Republican state legislator.

His rationale? One of the ports six commissioners happens to be a Black woman whose biography mentions her support of DEI policies. [T]his is what happens when you have Governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens, Lymans campaign tweeted over a post of the commissioners photo  without explaining what could possibly be the connection.

Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, discussing the bridge collapse on air, managed to raise the specter of the potential for wrongdoing or the potential for foul play given the wide-open border. Because everything is the border.

American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp wondered in a NewsMax interview whether the collision was possibly caused by workers who were unqualified due to COVID lockdowns. Because everything is COVID lockdowns.

Then there was the especially galling suggestion by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., in a Newsmax interview that wasteful federal spending was somehow to blame  specifically, spending from the Biden administrations massive infrastructure and climate reform package.

Were not spending it on roads and bridges  it was mostly Green New Deal, she said, instead of things that are the governments purpose, just like this.

Two problems: One, the Biden package (which Mace voted against, before returning to her home state to take credit for the resulting projects) has in fact added some $110 billion to road and bridge infrastructure and another $17 billion specifically to port infrastructure  this after the Trump administrations utter failure to achieve any of its stated goals on infrastructure.

And, two, theres been no indication there was anything structurally wrong with the bridge before it was struck by a 100,000-ton ship.

This accident presents a tragic loss of life, a major economic challenge to the Baltimore region and an alarming technical failure that requires thorough investigation, in that order. That so many political or media figures would see it as an opportunity for clicks or votes is its own kind of tragedy.
March 29, 2024: The Israel Defense Force (IDF) used their new Lahav MLRS utilized their new Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) for the first time during the October 2023 battles with Hamas. Lahav is a truck-mounted system that can launch rockets varying in size from 122mm to 370mm from sealed canisters. Lahav is mounted on an American HEMIT 8x8 military truck and entered service in 2020. The first combat use of Lahav involved firing hundreds of rockets at Gaza, including the advanced Romah rockets that could hit any part of Sinai when fired from Israel.

Originally Lahav was supposed to take a year to enter service and replace the American tracked M270 MLRS. Lahav can be prepared for firing within an hour after stopping at a given location. Lahav was capable of faster firing and enhanced accuracy compared to previous M270 launchers. This was demonstrated during combat with Hamas in Gaza. A typical firing mission could be completed in less than a minute. While primarily operating within Israel, Lahav and Israeli soldiers can also move into enemy territories as necessary for missions. Lahav currently fires two types of rockets, Romah and the Ra'am Eitan. The Romah pod carries 18 122mm rockets, each with a 20 kg explosive warhead and range of 35 kilometers. This enables Romah rockets to hit any target in the Gaza Strip. Romah rockets will soon be replaced by more capable Bar rockets. All rockets are stored in waterproof canisters, protecting rockets from the weather and potential damage.

The larger 227mm Ra'am Eitan rockets are launched from pods containing six rockets. These rockets have a range of 40 kilometers and employ cluster submunitions. The older 306mm EXTRA rocket pods contain four rockets, each carrying a warhead with 120 kg of explosives. These rockets have a max range of 150 kilometers. Then there are the 370mm Nitz Dors rockets, which come two to a pod. Each rocket has a warhead with 140 kg of explosives. These rockets have a range of 300 kilometers.

Each HEMITT truck can carry two pods. The truck uses the PULS rocket launcher system that has a rotating mount and space for two rocket pods. HEMITT uses self-deploying stabilizing legs to stabilize the launcher during firing. This makes certain the maximum precision and accuracy. An integral crane enables swift reloading of rocket pods, a process that takes about 10 minutes. The Lahav is equipped with fire control systems, including C4ISTAR capabilities that make possible quick and precise targeting.

The Lahav's advanced navigation systems, incorporating both INS (inertial navigation) and GPS, provides accurate positioning of the vehicle and effective targeting even difficult terrain or bad weather. Control of the vehicle and launcher is centralized within the driver's compartment, which also serves as an operator compartment, providing added protection for personnel against gunfire or shell and bomb fragments.
March 29, 2024: In the United States, new aircraft carrier USS Kennedy, CVN (nuclear-powered aircraft carrier) 79, the second of the new Ford-class carriers, is 18 months late, in part because the navy decided to delay ordering additional Ford-class carriers. The navy cannot afford to build as many Fords as it wants as quickly as it wants. This is in part due to the many problems the USS Ford CVN 78 encountered on its way to active service. The delay in buying more Fords also costs more money because suppliers can only offer discounts if they are guaranteed long-term orders. The navy has a difficult time getting those discounts because the primary budget problem is unpredictable financing. Congress has more demands for funding than can be afforded. The political process is one of continual negotiations to determine who gets what. In the last few years, the defense budget has been increasing, as a result of the Ukraine War. The current budget is $842 billion. Thats up from the pre-Ukraine 2021 budget of $705 billion. Aircraft carriers are the most important and expensive ships for the navy. The navy also needs destroyers and frigates to provide the escort component of a Carrier Task Force. Theres usually at least one SSN (nuclear powered attack submarine) for the escort force. Another major expense is the new F-35 fighter-bombers replacing many of the existing, and older, aircraft carried on all nuclear carriers, including the Nimitz class carriers the Fords are replacing. Buying carriers in groups or blocks must be guaranteed in order to get the billions block buying discounts. Congress doesnt like to see so much of the military budget tied up with block buy guarantees. If the navy can make a convincing case for block buys, the legislators will go along. Its a difficult process to negotiate and the Ford negotiations are not over yet. The navy is also building three more Fords, CVN-79 Kennedy, CVN-80 Enterprise and CVN 81 Doris Miller, which should benefit from the problems encountered by the and Ford and apparently solved by the time USS Kennedy enters service in 2025. Ford entered service in 2017 and the next three are expected to enter service in 2024, 2029 and 2032.

Introducing a new ship, especially a large ship like a carrier, is a complex and often painful process. Fords are finally emerging from that process. At the end of 2022 the first Ford, USS Ford (CVN 78) finally left for its long delayed operational stress test cruise. This meant two months at sea, operating as a fully functional aircraft carrier. This cruise revealed more equipment flaws, the main ones being continued problems with the EMALS catapults and the associated arrestor gear. That was not expected as the recent repairs to four JBD (Jet Blast Deflectors) mounted on the flight deck were monitored and found to have worked. The JDBs are relatively ancient tech, first introduced in the 1950s as more powerful jet aircraft became standard on aircraft carriers and deck crews needed protection from the dangerous blasts of heat coming out of jet engines as the aircraft prepared to take off. In August 2022 the Ford JBDs were found to have defective components that corroded and caused JBDs to fail prematurely. Substandard components have long been a problem in shipbuilding, especially when it comes to warships. These require a lot of exotic components not found on commercial vessels. Suppliers will often deliver substandard parts, either because of incompetence or fraud. This is another item on the long list of failures by the navy shipbuilding bureaucracy. The Ford-class ships were not exceptional when it came to these problems. The Fords were just the most expensive ship ever to be plagued by these problems.

There seemed to be no end of problems that delayed this operational stress test cruise, which is meant to demonstrate that the Ford, the first of a new class of carriers, is ready for decades of service. The stress test cruise showed that the Ford could operate under simulated combat conditions, but not as effectively as existing Nimitz class CVNs. Nimitz uses older tech while the Fords were equipped with updated versions of many key items, some of which didnt perform as expected and, of those, some were predicted to fail with those predictions ignored. There were several reasons for this, starting with poorly thought out new technology that was not adequately tested before being accepted for installation on the Ford. These flawed items included new catapults, arrestor systems and elevators that brought munitions to the flight deck where they were attached to aircraft. There were some other problems with radars and engines, but these proved easier to fix than the flight deck equipment. The JBDs were not new tech and failures were the result of substandard parts. There may be other substandard components in the Ford that would not perform reliably for as long as expected.

The growing list of problems grew, and delays kept Ford from entering service. The original deployment date was 2018 and many of the delays involved getting all the problems resolved for the 2022 cruise. Until 2021, it was feared that 2024 might be a more realistic deployment date. Ford made its first deployment in May 2023 and it lasted eight months because the carrier was sent to the Mediterranean where there was unrest in Gaza and Lebanon because of unexpected Hamas attacks on Israel.

Meanwhile, work continued on the other three Fords. The USS Ford avoided construction delays by borrowing components from those stockpiled for the second Ford-class carrier, the USS Kennedy. None of the borrowed parts were exotic, but the Ford did not have enough available to deal with all the needed modifications and repairs required to meet the 2022 deployment date. The parts problem was resolved in time to meet the 2022 deadline, or so it was thought.

Ford has successfully completed many tests initially. Ford underwent the three required FSST (Full Ship Shock Trials) test explosions in mid-2021 and examination of the Ford after the last explosion was described as successful, with less damage than expected. USS Ford had developed a reputation for being the cause of unwanted firsts. This applied to the frequent delays in carrying out the Ford FSST. In early 2020 the navy asked for another delay in performing mandated shock tests because it was feared that, while most of the ship could probably handle the explosion, this would damage some of the equipment with problems that were still being fixed. An FSST was supposed to reveal what equipment was not sufficiently built or installed to handle shock as well as confirming that the hull and ship can handle the stress.

One of those sensitive systems was the new AWE (Advanced Weapons Elevators). These high-speed elevators were more sensitive to shock damage. The navy wanted to delay shock tests until the second Ford-class carrier entered service in the mid-2020s because, it admitted, it was unsure how badly shock tests would damage new systems and design features unique to the Ford class. Five of the seven elevators were fixed by the time the first shock test took place. Work was still under way with one of the radar systems that was not at risk because of FSST. The results of the first shock test were reassuring but did add to the list of replacement components that the Ford builders did not have handy, thus the need to borrow those components from the Kennedy rather than wait for new ones to be manufactured and delivered.

A ship, especially a warship that has a lot of problems, is often referred to as a cursed ship. The USS Ford, the first of the class, became a major disaster rather than a more effective new ship design. The number and severity of problems were certainly cursed at often enough by those who built or now serve on the Ford. It was not supposed to be that way.

Several innovative new technologies were supposed to have made the Fords more effective and cheaper to operate than the previous Nimitz class. Two of those new technologies; EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) catapults and the new AAG (Advanced Arresting Gear) that handles landings more effectively, were disappointing. The navy believed it solved these problems after they had carried out more than 10,000 launches with the problem prone EMALS and AAG. One thing the first cruise provided was more practice for launch with recovery crews and was the case this time.

The AWE high-speed electromagnetic ammunition elevators, for getting explosive items to the deck more quickly, failed multiple times. All the elevators are now operational and able to move more munitions from the magazines to the flight deck twice as quickly as the elevators used on the previous Nimitz CVNs.

There were lesser problems with the nuclear propulsion system, the new dual (X and S) band radar and several other systems have all combined to make the Ford unable to do the job it was designed for. The propulsion and radar problems were eventually fixed.

The Ford flaws also caused some unexpected modifications to the new F-35C stealth fighter. This made it possible for the F-35C, the model designed for carrier operations on the existing Nimitz class CVNs, to survive using the cranky landing equipment unique to Fords. Eventually the navy compiled a list of 60,000 lessons learned while building and trying to get the Ford ready for service. That ultimately meant Ford was four years behind schedule.

As of 2022 the navy believed the EMALS problems were solved. Just to be sure the Ford underwent months of intensive use to confirm that the capability and reliability problems EMALS suffered from were indeed fixed. Many EMALS problems were fixed but some major ones remained. The worst of these is the fact that if one EMALS catapult develops problems, all four EMALS catapults are out of service until the malfunctioning one is fixed. That was not a problem with steam catapults. Testing and tinkering with EMALS had, by 2021, led to over 8,000 successful launches with EMALS and recoveries with AAG. Despite that, more work was required before the EMALS could match and then exceed the steam catapult when it came to handling heavy use, like during combat operations. An EMALS failure became less of a problem when fixes were made so one EMALS catapult failing only put two catapults out of service until the problem was found and fixed. Eventually that is being reduced to one EMALS catapult failing and not causing another catapult out of service as well.

The two-month cruise was the final test to see if the EMALS was reliable enough for heavy use.

Fixing the AWE weapons elevators was still underway at the time of the FSST. At that point all eleven of the elevators were moving, which was progress, but several of them were still not certified for regular use. By the end of 2021, all elevators were for service. That was tested when all eleven elevators were used to load 1,200 tons of munitions into the magazines. This required 1,400 trips by the elevators over nearly three days. This was much faster than using the older elevators found in the Nimitz.

The older elevator design, used successfully for decades on existing Nimitz class carriers, moves up to 2.3 tons of ammo from the magazines to the deck at a speed of 30 meters (100 feet) a minute. The new elevators each move 10.9 tons to the deck at 45 meters a minute. The new elevators were meant to increase the number of combat sorties by 30 percent over 24 hours. At the end of 2018, the navy said all the elevators would be working by July 2019. That did not happen because it turned out the elevators were not built to spec and major repairs were still underway to fix that. This was a problem that could have been avoided if the navy had built an elevator ashore to test the design before proceeding with the construction of the carrier. That was predicted would be a mistake and it was. Many of the problems with the current errors are because construction was sloppy and not caught by quality control personnel.

The nuclear propulsion system problems were the kind that only get discovered once the ship is at sea for an extended period. To a certain extent that is also true with the new dual-band radar. The EMALS problems were more fundamental and even though a test EMALS was installed on land first and tested, it was not tested thoroughly enough. The AAG landing arrestor system also used new technology like EMALS and performed poorly at sea for the same reasons, sloppy design, and testing. The AAG is now considered reliable. There are still questions about how well EMALS will perform once the Ford is declared ready for deployment. That means heading overseas with its Carrier Task Group escorts and operating at least as effectively as the older Nimitz class carriers it is to replace.

The nuclear reactor problems were fixed but there were still problems with the dual-band radar. In the meantime, the next Ford class carrier will revert to the original two separate radar systems instead of the theoretically more efficient and less-expensive new design.

Some of the F-35C problems were minor in comparison. Sturdier jet blast deflectors had to be installed to deal with much higher heat levels generated. It was necessary to rearrange space on the hangar deck to provide secure limited access areas for work on highly classified F-35 components. The needed F-35C mods have already been made, tested, and approved on one Nimitz class carrier. This problem was mainly allocating enough time and money to do it for the first Ford class carrier and all subsequent ones.

USS Ford was six years late. Many of those delays could have been avoided if many of these new technologies were not installed on the first of the Ford class. Originally these new technologies were to be introduced separately in the first three Fords. Those early CVNs could have the new tech installed during the major refurbishment/upgrade periods that take carriers out of service for a year or more every decade.

Before construction began on the USS Ford it was decided to try and save some money by introducing all this new tech in the first ship. That may still produce cost savings in the long run, but in the short run it exposes the navy and the shipyards that build its ships to more criticism for poor management and shoddy construction and testing practices. That is nothing new, its been happening more and more since the 1970s. That is a key problem that has not been fixed and keeps getting worse.

Some of the problems with EMALS were of the sort that could be fixed while the new ship was in service. That included tweaking EMALS operation to generate less stress on aircraft and modifying the design of EMALS and reorganizing how sailors use the system to attain the smaller number of personnel required for catapult operations. But the fatal flaws involved basic reliability. An EMALS catapult was supposed to have a breakdown every 4,100 launches but even after some initial fixes, in heavy use, EMALS failed every 400 launches. By the end of 2017, the Navy concluded that an EMALS equipped carrier had only a seven percent chance of successfully completing a typical four-day surge, which involves maximum aircraft launches for a major combat operation. Ford had only a 70 percent chance of completing a one-day surge operation. That was mainly because when one EMALS catapult went down all four were inoperable. In effect, the Ford-class carriers are much less capable of performing in combat than their predecessors. The navy soon came up with solutions and those fixes were implemented and tested. The 2022 cruise demonstrated that EMALS was able to operate nearly as effectively as existing steam catapults. Until EMALS reliability problems are completely resolved, the new Ford carrier is less useful than older CVNs.

There were no easy solutions. The most worrisome part of this is the apparent inability of Navy shipbuilding and design experts to come up with a solution for the problem they created. This EMALS catastrophe was avoidable, and the problems should have been detected and taken care of before Ford was on sea trials.

The EMALS disaster calls into question the ability of the navy to handle new, untried, technologies. That is not a new problem and has been around since World War II. In retrospect, not enough was done to test and address what are now obvious problems. The current solution was to delay the moment of truth if possible and then conclude that it was unclear exactly how it happened but that measures would be taken to see that it never happens again. That approach is wearing thin because more people understand it is just a cover for the corruption and mismanagement that has been developing within the industries that build warships. The navy has been having a growing number of similar problems with the design of the LCS, the DDG 1000 and a lot of smaller systems.

Meanwhile, there is a critical need for new carriers. The first ship of the new class of carriers, the Ford, is about the same length of 333 meters and displacement of 100,000 tons as the previous Nimitz class but looks different. The most noticeable difference was the island being set closer to the stern, or rear end of the ship. The internal differences are much more obvious, including the power generation and electrical system. The Nimitz ships are rapidly wearing out and, with the EMALS disaster, the Navy had to fix the problems or be forced to improvise and do without for a decade or more.

The Fords were not just replacements for the aging Nimitz class; they were designed to be cheaper to operate. There is a lot more automation and smaller crews. The Ford will be the first modern American warship built without urinals. There are several reasons for this. The Ford will have a smaller, by at least 20 percent, crew and more of them will be women. Currently, about ten percent of American warship crews are women, but the Ford crew will be at least 15 percent female. Since women sleep in all-female berthing areas, a toilet was attached to each berthing area instead of being down the hall. Berthing areas were more spacious because of the smaller crew and held a third to half as many bunks as previous carriers. Finally, drainpipes for urinals more frequently got clogged than those coming from toilets. Eliminating the urinals meant less work for the plumbers. There are a lot of other visible changes to enhance habitability and make long voyages more tolerable.

Before the EMALS crisis, the Ford was expected to cost nearly $14 billion. About 40 percent of that is for designing the first ship of the class, so the actual cost of the first ship (CVN 78) itself will be at least $9 billion and about the same for subsequent ships of the class. Except, that is, for the additional cost of fixing unexpected crises like the EMALS and high-speed ammo elevators. Against this, the navy expects to reduce the carrier's lifetime operating expenses by several billion dollars because of greatly reduced crew size. Compared to the current Nimitz class carriers, which cost over $5 billion each, the Fords will feel, well, kind of empty because of the automation and smaller crews. There will also be more computer networking, and robots, reducing the number of people, about 6,000, constantly moving around inside a Nimitz class carrier. The most recent Nimitz class ships have a lot of this automation already but adding EMALS was considered too expensive because of the major engineering changes to the power plant and electrical systems.

As early as 2018 the navy realized it needed a plan to deal with major delays in getting the USS Ford, and the other three Fords, under construction, into service before older CVNs were scheduled to retire. Currently only two Fords have been built and the second one, the Kennedy, was still fitting out by having all its equipment installed and tested and will not be ready for service until 2025. In mid-2019 the U.S. announced that it was not going to retire the aircraft carrier Truman (CVN-75), which entered service in 1998. Two months earlier the decision had been made to retire the Truman to save the cost of its mid-life upgrade and refueling (of the nuclear reactors). The mid-life upgrade costs $3.5 billion and takes five years to complete. At that point, Truman would be able to operate another 25 years. That would come to $20 billion in operating costs. By retiring Truman, the navy would save about $24 billion over 30 years and that money would be used to build new, smaller, ships and buy new weapons. Retiring Truman early also allowed the navy to order and build two new Ford class CVNs at once, which would save time and money.

The decision to keep Truman in service was not about money, but the fact that the new Ford class CVNs faced major problems that delayed these ships from entering service. Keeping the Truman was also about the seemingly intractable problems the navy has building ships and developing new designs. Keeping the Truman is seen as a positive move towards fixing some fundamental management problems. As of 2024, the plan to keep Truman in service includes the mid-life refueling operation that includes making repairs and installing updates. The five-year long refueling process will begin in 2024 and be completed by 2026 or 2027.
A Chinese student has been identified as the man who died in a motorbike crash outside the University of NSW in Sydney on Thursday afternoon, with police revealing they are investigating whether speed was a factor.

Gordon Wang, 20, died after the motorbike he was riding crashed into a pole in Anzac Parade in Kensington, Sydney. The international student was treated by NSW ambulance paramedics but died at the scene  with police later establishing a crime scene to commence an investigation.

International student Gordon Wang died in the motorbike crash outside UNSW on Thursday afternoon. Source: XiaoHongShu

NSW police confirmed to Yahoo News it was investigating whether speed contributed to the crash alongside other factors such as fatigue, alcohol consumption, weather conditions and road conditions.

Wang appeared to be a car and motorbike enthusiast online. The last video on his Chinese social media shows a man who is heavily featured on his account riding a motorbike through a tunnel, with the rider not holding the handlebars. Another video shows a rider weaving in and out of traffic on a highway.

A rider who is heavily featured on Wang's social media account was shown weaving in and out of traffic and riding without holding the handlebars. Source: XiaoHongShu

Friends at car rental company 'very upset' over death

Yahoo News spoke to an employee of rental hire company Exotic Automatic Club who had a "very close relationship" with the student, admitting everyone was shocked and saddened by his death.

"Everyone is feeling very upset and sad that he is gone," the employee said. "We are very, very sad, everyone in the company."

He admitted he often offered advice to Wang as he navigated life in Australia, saying "if he had some questions" then employees at the rental company "would let him know" how to deal with it. The employee extends his "respect" and condolences to the student's loved ones.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Story continues

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by Austin Bay March 28, 2024

The Baltimore bridge catastrophe, which dominates this week's news, is at best an instructive disaster.

It definitely illustrates the fragility of human life. When the container ship MV Dali smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, the collision and bridge collapse presumably killed at least six people. The six were in a repair party of eight men working on the bridge's roadway. The eight fell 185 feet into icy water. Miraculously, two survived the fall.

As for vehicle passengers crossing the bridge? The Dali's crew managed to send a mayday signal to the Maryland Department of Transportation. The crew had lost control of the nearly 1,000-feet-long, 95,000-ton vessel -- a propulsion problem -- and the ship was on track to hit the bridge. Alert security personnel immediately closed the bridge and diverted traffic.

Quick, professional action can save human lives. As I write this column, it appears that no vehicles with passengers were lost, which is truly miraculous given the bridge is part of Interstate 695 and every day some 30,000 vehicles cross it.

That is a lot of traffic that will have to use other routes. I-95 and other East Coast highways are already clogged.

The FBI and Maryland security agencies say there are no signs of foul play -- as in a terrorist attack or a pirate hijacking. The collision was a terrible accident.

Accidents happen, we know that. The Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform disaster (April 2010) was a maritime accident, ultimately blamed on defective cement in the well and "systemic" causes, including iffy equipment and poor safety practices. Eleven workers died, and it cost between $75 billion and $80 billion.

Did the MV Dali's collision involve poor maintenance or, as several commentators have asked, substandard fuel fouling the engines? A thorough investigation will eventually answer those questions.

But piracy (violent economic crime) and terrorism (violent political crime) also happen, and they are not accidents. The terrorists' war on everyone continues. The March 22 Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) terrorist attack in Moscow killed around 140 people and injured 100 more. Somali pirates are once again preying on commercial ships off East Africa. Recently, the Indian Navy captured 35 Somali pirates near the entrance to the Red Sea and took them back to India for prosecution.

The Red Sea -- the Houthis, an Iranian proxy force, are seizing commercial vessels but also waging war on global commerce. Striking Israeli and Western commercial ships and attacking Western naval vessels are specific acts of war. They also spike maritime insurance costs -- which attacks every nation's economy.

The Houthis leverage a geographical chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. Their attacks can close the narrow strait.

The Key Bridge has closed the narrow passage connecting Baltimore's harbor to Chesapeake Bay. A terror attack could have happened. Deepwater Horizon was an accident -- but terrorists can attack offshore platforms. Mexican cartels have seized Mexican oil platforms, for ransom.

In 2020, the port of Corpus Christi, Texas, handled 55% of market share of U.S. crude exports. A study of the canal connecting Corpus Christi to Port Aransas and then the Gulf of Mexico determined the canal can be blocked in several places. Close Houston's or Corpus Christi's connecting channel and American energy and chemical supplies suffer an instant blockade, without an enemy risking naval forces. The entire U.S. economy suffers, and so does U.S. military defense.

What will the Key Bridge catastrophe cost the U.S. economy? Two sources say the macro-effects will be minimal. The Port of Baltimore, however, directly employs some 15,000 people and is very important to the U.S. auto industry. The Detroit Free Press reported around 850,000 vehicles are shipped in and out of the port annually: "General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis said they were working on making shipping alternatives."

That takes time and money.

Now imagine an enemy nation (China?) or crime organization (drug cartel?) identified 30 "critical bridges" or transportation nodes. The I-10 Mississippi River bridge at Baton Rouge is one example. The disruption caused by the detonation of 30 one-ton bombs hidden in trucks near or on the targets would cause immense devastation and economic destruction. It could also kill thousands.

America's transport and logistics chain is vulnerable.
Is the AVC/H.264 Codec Finally Fading?

Emerging codecs like AV1, VP9, and HEVC are hardly newcomers to the streaming scene, and their implementation and breadth of industry supportparticularly AV1shas grown by leaps and bounds. Yet the long-in-the-tooth AVC/MPEG-4 Part 10 just wont go away, largely because of its tried-and-true every-device support, even though the superior efficiencies of more advanced codecs are legion. So, how close to obsolescence is AVC in 2024?

Tim Siglin, Founding Executive Director, Help Me Stream Research Foundation, and Contributing Editor, Streaming Media, discusses this topic with Sean Gardner, Head, Video Strategy & Market Development, AECG, AMD, Hassene Tmar, Technical Program Manager, Video Infrastructure, Meta, Software Coordinator, AOM, and Andrey Norkin, Senior Research Scientist - Video Algorithms, Netflix, in this clip from Streaming Media Connect 2024.

Siglin says to the panelists, The question seems to come up every five to seven years because AVC is the majority of what we encode in. Is there a crossover point that we're reaching, not just for another codec that would be encoding the same amount as AVC but also for a combination of other codecs that would be encoding the same as AVC? We've constantly said we will replace AVC, yet we still seem to encode in AVC [regularly]. So where's that crossover?

Gardner says, AVC will continue to be a dominant codec for quite some time, [but] its share is certainly dropping. I think AV1 [works best] for some applications. And I do think we'll see some VVC, and there are even additional things like LCEVC, which could work in combination with AVC. So we're going to see more splintering, [and] I don't think we'll ever get to the same single codec ideal that we had hoped for. Some applications have significantly different pain points or economics and different application requirements, whether it be latency or other [factors]. So, some applications will continue to use AVC. I think in order to make the economics work, we'll need to move to a newer codec. Cloud gaming, for example, really couldn't make sense economically using AVC.

Tmar says, From the Meta side, I think we're getting to a point where we are seeing that AVC is not enough anymore, although we still encode every video as of today into an AVC rendition due to the lack of support of other codecs, specifically mobile devices, which is the biggest population of target client devices that we see. But as of this year, we are starting to see that cross point. We stream it to VP9 and AV1 as well. And we're at a point where we're hoping to move from the minimum codec requirement from being AVC to VP9. And so AVC will be only [be used] as a legacy support as compared to every video. Then, VP9 will probably be the main portion. I know that our set of applications is a little different, but this is what we see on our side. It's been quoted publicly that more than 70% of our watch time on iOS is already in AV1, and that number is growing.

Norkin says, For Netflix, the [amount] of devices that we have to stream to is somewhat bigger. So it includes a lot of TVs, for example. What we see is that in the past year, there has been quite an uptake in AV1 streaming, but we still have AVC as a fallback. So when nothing else can be streamed, you fall back to AVC, and I expect that at least some AVC decoders will be there because of [older] devices. Basically, for Netflix, at least for the VOD distribution of the codecs, it primarily depends on the devices' decoder support. So when we see more devices coming with newer codecs, then we'll see more streaming with these new products.

See videos of the full program from Streaming Media Connect February 2024 here.

We'll be back in person for Streaming Media NYC May 20-22, 2024. More details here.

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Cresa secures strong lease terms, performs due diligence to enable best-in-class employee experience for growing technology firm

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / The Cresa Boston office is thrilled to announce that the Aspen Technology, Inc. headquarters project has been named the Suburban Office Deal of the Year by the Commercial Brokers Association. These annual achievement awards celebrate notable deals in Greater Boston that demonstrate creative thinking and achieve game-changing results for space users.

Facing a lease expiration after a decade at 20 Crosby Drive in Bedford, MA, the AspenTech team partnered with Cresa to assess space opportunities in the area. After an extensive tour of the market, the team elected to renew the lease, expand the current footprint, and execute an end-to-end redesign and reimagination of the space. Cresa led thorough lease negotiations to secure significant base building and site improvements, including relocating common amenities to an adjacent building, creating a new roof deck, and expanding the front parking lot. As a result, AspenTech will now occupy the entire 155,000 SF within the existing building.

Cresa's team proved integral in not only representing the interests of AspenTech's leadership and employees in lease negotiations, but also in leveraging its in-house project management team to perform due diligence and review the extensive renovations and retrofits against the client's schedule and budget parameters. From ensuring the design addresses the changing needs of a hybrid workforce to specifying energy-efficient systems and attractive furnishings that will support recruitment efforts, the Cresa team continues to wear multiple hats to bring the project from concept to reality - in addition to securing ideal terms for its client.

"This achievement is a testament to the collective effort and effective collaboration among all parties involved," said Tim Myllykangas, a Managing Principal with Cresa. "We look forward to seeing AspenTech continue to build upon its success from their reimagined Bedford home."

Cresa's Tim Myllykangas, Vicki Keenan, Mark Coelho, and Allison Hoffman represented AspenTech in the building search and lease negotiations. 20 Crosby Drive is owned by Anchor Line Partners.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Cresa's senior leadership, please contact:

Jeff Lavery, Principal

Pedigree Public Relations

[email protected]

508.361.7539

# # #

About Cresa

Cresa is the world's only global commercial real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents occupiers and specializes in the delivery of fully integrated real estate solutions. Our purpose is to think beyond space, strengthening those we serve and enhancing the quality of life for our clients. Delivered across every industry, Cresa's services include Transaction Management, Workplace Solutions, Project Management, Consulting, Lease Administration, Technology, Investment Banking & Capital Markets, and Portfolio Solutions. In partnership with London-based Knight Frank, Cresa provides service through 16,000 people, across 380 offices in 51 territories. For more information, please visit www.cresa.com .

SOURCE: Cresa Boston

View the original press release on accesswire.com
SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / Din Development Corporation (DDC), a premier IT, professional, and environmental solutions provider, proudly announces the appointment of Jen Creamer as Vice President of Operations, bolstering its commitment to operational excellence. In this role, Jen will accelerate organizational performance while leading business operations in alignment with strategic objectives.

Jen Creamer, Vice President of Operations

Jen Creamer, Vice President of Operations

Jen brings two decades of expertise in spearheading large-scale organizational strategies and transformations across defense and commercial sectors. Her extensive background is highlighted by leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies, where she championed diverse education, training, and change management programs. Notably, she served as the Business Manager of Worldwide Sales Operations at a Fortune 5 company, demonstrating her prowess in driving operational efficiency.

Since joining DDC in 2022, Jen has been instrumental in fortifying the organization's growth. Her achievements are reflected in the orchestration of a multi-million-dollar acquisition and community enhancement efforts to create employment opportunities and promote revitalization. Jen's strategic vision and adept leadership have catalyzed organizational expansion for DDC and its family of companies.

"As Vice President, Jen will play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operations of our organization to support our valued clients," stated Jackie Murray, DDC Chief Operating Officer. "Her understanding of our growth trajectory, coupled with a track record of driving impactful change, uniquely positions her to optimize standardization and propel growth across DDC."

The announcement comes as part of DDC's recent organizational restructure aimed at propelling business expansion. In collaboration with DDC's leadership team, Jen will execute operational strategies and engagement initiatives to drive the organization's growth trajectory. Her role will be focused on cultivating and empowering its team and enhancing performance, underscoring her commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence.

Contact Information

Katie von Allmen

Senior Marketing Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE: Dine Development Corporation

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / GoDaddy



GoDaddy President of U.S. Independents, Gourav Pani delivers the keynote address to attendees at the Las Vegas Microbusiness Summit on 2/24/2024. Credit: Justin Nealey

As originally published by GoDaddy's Venture Forward Research Initiative

The first of its kind Microbusiness Summit took place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Las Vegas City Hall.

GoDaddy Venture Forward research, an initiative launched in 2018 that quantifies the impact 20+ million online microbusinesses have on their local economies, identified Las Vegas as having the second-highest number of microbusinesses in the country after New York City and three times the national average.

Inspired by the massive presence and growth of businesses with fewer than 10 employees (known as microbusinesses) found in Southern Nevada, GoDaddy, the City of Las Vegas, Workforce Connections and Bank of Nevada collaborated to design an impactful agenda based on the top three challenges facing Las Vegas entrepreneurs according to local Venture Forward surveys.

Featured speakers included GoDaddy President of U.S. Independents, Gourav Pani; GoDaddy Sr. Director of Marketing, Amy Jennette, who presented a cutting-edge GoDaddy Airo" demonstration; multiple Las Vegas city council members; a Nevada state senator; experts in finance and business licensing; and several local entrepreneurs. The event was hosted by motivational speaker Desirae King.

GoDaddy Venture Forward's mission is to leverage data to better understand entrepreneurs and their impact, thereby enabling greater support for them.

Learn more about the event from GoDaddy President of U.S. Independents Gourav Pani in a podcast hosted by Workforce Connections.

About GoDaddy Venture Forward

GoDaddy's Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics.

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GoDaddy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: GoDaddy

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / CNH Industrial

CNH reinforces its commitment to open and collaborative innovation by receiving, for the second year in a row, the Golden Cube Seal. The award highlights companies, startups, partners and investors of Cubo Ita (an international startup community in Brazil) that have stood out in the last year. This time, the company was recognized in the Engagement category, which integrates connections, challenges, and proofs of concepts carried out in the last year.

The award event took place at the end of February, in Sao Paulo (SP), at the headquarters of Cubo Itau. "This award shows that our approach and culture of decentralized innovation is generating tangible results and becoming a differentiator for CNH. Our people are increasingly involved and engaged, making connections that go beyond the sector, being trained and sharing knowledge and technology to create, face challenges and foster business growth," said Mauricio Infantini, Innovation PMO at CNH.

Last year, CNH was awarded in the Challenge Generator category, as the company that published the most challenges on the Cubo Network platform in 2022. The company is also among the 10 largest applicants of invention patents in 2023, in a survey released by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), also being among the leaders of private companies that invest the most in patents, in addition to being recognized as the most innovative in the Automotive and Large Vehicle Sector and the tenth most innovative in Brazil by the Valor Innovation Award 2023.

With more than 40 employees from different areas acting as focal points in the Cube, CNH and its brands developed projects, created connections and business opportunities with the innovation ecosystem. This award is a demonstration of the company's commitment to innovation in technology for a brighter future for farming and construction work.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: CNH Industrial

View the original press release on accesswire.com
With technology's increasing footprint within our built environment today and in the future, CBRE's Su-Fern Tan and Taronga Ventures' Julian Kezelman explore its true potential in the ESG space.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE

Technology forms the fabric of everything humans interact with, including their built environment.

At the Property Council of Australia's first Technology Summit in Sydney, CBRE's Phil Rowland underscored the importance of harnessing the potential of technology to shape the diversity of our future surroundings.

"It's important that we make our industry more productive, our places and precincts more relevant and inclusive to our tenants and the public. This involves making our buildings more intelligent, softening the footprint on our environment and developing the capabilities that we'll need in the future to thrive in a technological society."

Today's technology is already being used to reach some of the boldest ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) targets today by proactive building operators.

It's a scenario in which Julian Kezelman, Innovation Director at Taronga Ventures, and Su-Fern Tan, Pacific Head of ESG at CBRE, understand the true potential of. During their Technology Summit keynote, the duo explained how technology was being used to maximise the ESG impacts on the built environment.

Technology's role in ESG strategy

As the case for reaching net zero takes precedence across the commercial property sector, there's been increasing demand for ESG solutions amongst clients, investors and tenants.

"We help them understand what that strategy looks like and then develop the roadmap to get there," says Tan.

"Take property management for example. I can spend time in front of a BMS trying to diagnose a building and how we can run it more efficiently, but how scalable is that?

"With technology, I can analyse 200 buildings in a day, so it's about trying to scale that impact. I think the role that technology plays when it comes to delivering sustainability is about scale, data and integration."

The current client demographic for supporters of ESG and technology is diverse, ranging from the tech savvy through to those who are completely foreign to the concept. Their priorities commonly revolve around energy, water and waste efficiencies.

"Energy efficiency is essentially the old sustainability game that's becoming more mature. We're now starting to talk about water efficiency, waste, embodied carbon, and nature repair. It's all interconnected, interdependent and getting pretty complicated, and underneath all of this lies the data."

Read more on the CBRE website

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CBRE Group, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CBRE Group, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cbre-group-inc

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: CBRE Group, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BURLINGTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anaergia Inc. (Anaergia or the Company) (TSX: ANRG), a global renewable fuels leader, is pleased to announce that, following the initiation on March 28, 2024 by Marny Investissement SA (Marny) of a C$13.6 million wire payment and its bank confirmation of the same, the second tranche of the previously announced equity investment of C$40.8 million (the Strategic Investment) from Marny has closed, in escrow.

The 34,000,000 units of the Company (Units) in respect of the second tranche will be released from escrow following Anaergias receipt of the gross proceeds expected forthwith. Each Unit consists of one subordinate voting share of the Company (each a Subordinate Voting Share) and 1/5 of one Subordinate Voting Share purchase warrant of the Company (each a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Subordinate Voting Share at an exercise price of C$0.80 for a period of three years following the closing of the first tranche of the Strategic Investment.

In connection with the closing of the second tranche of the Strategic Investment, Assaf Onn, a nominee of Marny, will be appointed to the Companys board of directors to fill the vacancy to be created by the resignation of Douglas Fridrik Parkhill. The Company would like to sincerely thank Rik for his service and contributions to the Company.

The third tranche of the Strategic Investment, with respect to 36,750,000 Units for gross proceeds of C$14.7 million, is expected to close by April 5, 2024, subject to a limited number of customary conditions.

Please refer to the Companys news releases dated December 18, 2023, January 2, 2024, January 19, 2024, January 25, 2024, February 2, 2024 and March 13, 2024 for more information with respect to the Strategic Investment.

About Marny

Marny is a Luxembourg-based holding company which focuses on investment properties in central and eastern Europe. Marny invests in high-quality projects that utilize advanced technology and materials and through Marnys collaborations with its partners it ensures that its investments are well-managed and yield maximum value.

About Anaergia

Anaergia was created to eliminate a major source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by cost effectively turning organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG), fertilizer and water through the use of proprietary technologies. With a track record of delivering innovative projects, Anaergia is uniquely positioned to provide solutions to todays most pressing resource recovery challenges using a broad portfolio of proven technologies and multiple project delivery methods. Anaergia is one of the worlds only companies with a proprietary portfolio of end-to-end solutions that integrate solid waste processing as well as wastewater treatment with organics recovery, high efficiency anaerobic digestion, RNG production and recovery of fertilizer and water from organic residuals. The combination of these technologies enhances carbon-negative biogas, clean water and natural fertilizer production, utilizes a minimized footprint and lowers waste and wastewater treatment costs and GHG emissions.

For further information please see: www.anaergia.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Anaergias current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited to, statements regarding the closing of the remaining tranches of the Strategic Investment and the release of Units thereunder upon Anaergias receipt of the gross proceeds and the timing thereof. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, the timeliness of Anaergias receipt of the gross proceeds; the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions required to close the remaining tranches of the Strategic Investment; the Companys ability to meet its financing and liquidity requirements on a continuing basis. The Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risk related to any unexpected delay in Anaergias receipt of the gross proceeds; counterparty risk exposure and the risk that the remaining tranches of the Strategic Investment may not be completed or may not be completed in a timely manner; the risk that any enforcement actions taken by Anaergia and/or the preservation of all other legal rights and remedies available to it may be unsuccessful; and the factors discussed under Risk Factors in the Companys annual information form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and under Risks and Uncertainties in the Companys most recent managements discussion and analysis. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Anaergia does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Anaergias operations or financial results are included in Anaergias reports on file with Canadian regulatory authorities.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328460446/en/

For media and/or investor relations: [email protected]

Source: Anaergia Inc.
The deal will mark approximately $1 billion of investments in acquisitions since Q4 2023 and positions Blue Yonder to provide a unified end-to-end supply chain platform and collaboration ecosystem

DALLAS & SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Yonder, a leader in digital supply chain transformations, continues its forward momentum to revolutionize the supply chain and has today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire One Network Enterprises (One Network) for approximately $839 million, subject to adjustments. One Network, provider of the Digital Supply Chain Network, is known for its autonomous and resilience services and is a leading global provider of intelligent control towers. Upon completion, Blue Yonder will be well positioned to serve customers needs across planning, execution, commerce, and networks.

Supply chains have become more complex, and as more and more companies reduce risk by diversifying sourcing of products globally, there is an increased demand for the sharing of information and resources across the whole value chain. This, along with increased disruptions and geopolitical risks, have put the pressure on organizations to build more resilient and robust supply chains, said Duncan Angove, CEO, Blue Yonder. Combined with One Networks capabilities, Blue Yonder will establish itself as a leading supply chain solutions company that can offer a unified, end-to-end supply chain ecosystem that is resilient enough to withstand todays challenges, and synthesized with innovative, future-focused technologies.

The combination of One Networks Digital Supply Chain Network and Blue Yonders supply chain capabilities create an ecosystem that:

Offers real-time, multi-enterprise optimization, orchestration, and collaboration both inside and outside an organization  across multi-tiers from customers to carriers to suppliers to the suppliers suppliers.

Allows customers to move from the order planning phase to the fulfillment phase instantly, eliminating the time gap that normally occurs from entering the order to beginning the physical fulfillment. Customers can also tap into a more complete and actionable data set across the multi-enterprise ecosystem by setting up alerts, benefiting from automation, and leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Provides real-time visibility across the supply chain, allowing customers to take immediate action via upstream and downstream collaboration.

Unifies disparate data silos, enabling a holistic, executive-level view into the entire supply chain  resulting in the ability to automatically optimize and execute through prescriptive real-time decision-making technology.

In addition, carriers and suppliers will be able to leverage a range of services designed specifically for their needs, including: advanced shipment scheduling management, telematics tracking and predictive insights, real-time visibility to on-time delivery trends (by site, lane, carrier, distribution center), and the ability to manage by exception.

Supply chains continue to be fragmented and overwhelmed with disruptions. Whats needed is a unified platform that enables multi-tier orchestration, planning, and collaboration that accelerates processes with autonomous and semi-autonomous decision-making and execution across trading partners. This is the next step to creating a resilient and collaborative supply chain, said Greg Brady, chairman and founder, One Network. Blue Yonder offers the most complete portfolio in the industry, spanning from planning to execution. Coupled with our network and multi-enterprise, multi-tier platform, were poised to form a backbone of this new supply chain of the future.

By tapping into One Networks revolutionary platform and multi-party network, leveraged by over 150,000 trading partners, Blue Yonders customers will benefit from an ecosystem that:

Accelerates end-to-end decision-making, with increased visibility into materials, resources, loads, routes, and capacity.

Offers real-time insights and predictions, enabling the ability to take action across the supply chain ecosystem, leading to fewer disruptions and a more resilient supply chain.

Shares data seamlessly across the entire multi-tier supply chain, including suppliers and carriers, allowing for streamlined insights into potential disruptions and the ability to mitigate risk.

Improves supplier and carrier collaboration processes  from order creation through scheduling and fulfillment  from days to minutes, removing inaccuracies, reducing time, and decreasing cost.

Enables the journey to autonomous supply chain management through Smart Prescriptions, adaptive flows, and interactive visualizations, powered by proprietary AI technology.

The closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent in transactions of this type, including necessary regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in Q2 or Q3 2024. This deal is indicative of Blue Yonder's momentum in the supply chain management space, and when completed, will mark approximately $1 billion in M&A investments covering three acquisitions since Q4 2023. This announcement comes on the heels of Blue Yonders acquisition of flexis, offering factory planning, sequencing, and slotting capabilities, and Doddle, offering returns management and reverse logistics solutions.

About One Network Enterprises

One Network Enterprises (ONE) is a leading global provider of intelligent control towers and the Digital Supply Chain Network. Its solutions give supply chain managers and executives end-to-end visibility and control with one data model and one truth, from raw material to last-mile delivery. Powered by NEO, One Networks machine learning and intelligent agent technology, it enables seamless planning and execution, across inbound supply, outbound order fulfillment, and logistics, matching demand with available supply in real-time. Lead your industry by providing the highest service levels and product quality at the lowest possible cost. Visit: www.onenetwork.com

About Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder is a world leader in digital supply chain transformation. Global retailers, manufacturers, and logistics providers leverage Blue Yonder to optimize their supply chains from planning through fulfillment, delivery, and returns. Blue Yonders AI-embedded, interoperable supply chain solutions are connected end-to-end via a unified platform and data cloud, enabling business to collaborate in real time across functions, which supports more agile decision-making, improved customer satisfaction, profitable growth, and more resilient, sustainable supply chains. Blue Yonder  Fulfill your Potential blueyonder.com

Blue Yonder is a trademark or registered trademark of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. Any trade, product or service name referenced in this document using the name Blue Yonder is a trademark and/or property of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of the companies with which they are associated.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328293246/en/

Blue Yonder Public Relations Contacts:

Marina Renneke, APR, Global Corporate Communications Sr. Director

Tel: +1 480-308-3037, [email protected]

Rossella Benti, EMEA Corporate Communications Director

Tel: +39 335 7849149, [email protected]

Source: Blue Yonder
Microsoft Dynamics partner Calsoft Systems intensifies pursuit of social responsibility into core of technology business as reflected in B Corp Recertification results.

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Calsoft Systems has received recertification as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), earning a score of 119.2, a significant increase from their previous score of 87.4. These results reaffirm Calsofts commitment to the B Corp Movement, which is a global movement of People Using Business as a Force for Good. The median score across all companies who complete the B Impact Assessment is 50.9.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240329576966/en/

According to Nem Bajra, CEO of Calsoft, the company's decade-long journey as a B Corp has been a great source of inspiration for them. We have been able to transform our desire to be a socially responsible company into measurable actions that align with our goals, Bajra said. Everything we do now aligns with this objective. He expressed his pride for Calsoft employees for their innovative thinking in redefining how a business can operate. They have led the way in driving change through their B Corp initiatives while delivering exceptional service to their clients. The new score is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire company, he said.

Calsoft was initially certified as a B Corp in 2015, a pioneering move as a Microsoft Dynamics partner. Calsoft must go through a recertification process every three years to maintain their B Corp status where its business practices are assessed against the highest social and environmental performance standards. In this recertification, Calsoft achieved increases across most categories, and exceptional scores in the Workers and Governance, with 56% and 88% increases, respectively.

Bo Shao, Calsoft's President, expressed appreciation for the B Lab framework, as it has helped the company define its contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Calsoft is proud of its contribution to SDG 17, which involves building a fair and transparent institution. The company achieved this in 2017 when it became 100% employee owned. Calsoft's governance structures are built on the Management by All philosophy, where every employee has a sense of ownership, said Shao. The company is delighted that B Lab recognizes these efforts and they are reflected in their score. Calsoft is a devoted member of the B Lab community and looks forward to supporting other B Corps.

"Calsoft's impressive score increase demonstrates their commitment to embedding social responsibility into the core of their company's DNA," said Jodi Beasley, Senior Director of Community at B Lab U.S. & Canada. "We congratulate Calsoft on this milestone and celebrate their contributions to the movement."

Calsoft continues to use the B Impact Assessment to carve a path for the future and set goals for the next three years, including integrating social and environmental metrics into its business models and service offerings to customers.

About Calsoft Systems

Calsoft Systems is a globally recognized industry leader and award-winning Microsoft Dynamics partner, specializing in providing comprehensive cloud-based ERP solutions. With a proven track record of success worldwide, Calsoft has established themselves as the preferred partner for organizations seeking a seamless transition to the cloud and the achievement of their productivity goals. Calsoft initially specialized in servicing Japanese multinationals and has since expanded its reach worldwide, with global offices across the U.S., Japan, China, UK and Mexico.

Established in 1994, Calsoft Systems has continually demonstrated its dedication to transforming the economic landscape into one that benefits all stakeholders. We are deeply committed to social and environmental responsibility, making us a trusted and forward-thinking choice in the industry.

About B Lab

B Lab is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, tools, and programs for business, and we certify companiesknown as B Corpswho are leading the way. To date, our community includes more than 700,000 workers in over 7,800 B Corps across 92 countries and 161 industries, and more than 200,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240329576966/en/

Sam Meloeny

[email protected]

Source: Calsoft Systems
A wave of Coles customers have come forward with more claims they've been told by staff of a new self-checkout "policy," allegedly handed down from head office, in another attempt to mitigate theft across its stores.

Yahoo News Australia previously reported how some customers have been told there's a particular way they must scan items, with workers "demanding" bulkier items, such as drink cases, be scanned before other smaller, individual items with many shoppers questioning the reason why.

While shopping at the Waterloo store in Sydney recently, one shopper claimed they were even made to "void" the transaction and start over at the self-service checkouts to ensure the bulky items appeared first. They went on to say the retailer's control over how people shop is "completely out of hand".

Several shoppers claim they've been told they must scan bulky items, including drink cases, first. Source: Getty

Shoppers claim 'new checkout policy' is in place to mitigate theft

The supermarket previously told Yahoo News team members will "offer assistance" to shoppers when it comes to bulky items at the checkout which would help with "faster transactions," but wouldn't clarify if it was an effort to mitigate theft as claims suggest. They also wouldn't elaborate on whether or not it's being enforced.

However, several customers have contacted Yahoo with claims workers at multiple stores are confirming they're being made to watch customers. Mick, from Scarborough, in Western Australia, said he's "encountered such absurd behaviour in the self-serve checkout" recently when questioning why bulky items must be scanned first. Each time he claims a staff member said they've "been told" to make sure customers scan correctly.

"Yesterday I was again putting through a carton of soft drink this time I was informed that it was an anti-theft initiative, and that management monitored a printout every day to ensure staff were enforcing the directive," he told Yahoo.

Story continues

"So weve been socially herded to use these facilities and are now being forced to abide by an order of processing our purchases. It's baffling. This is crazy".

'The highest rate of theft is on bulk drinks,' staff reportedly claim

Another customer Maddi, from Taylors Lakes, Victoria, said she's had similar experiences over the past two months.

"I have been told to stop scanning my groceries, my shop has been voided and I have been told I must scan my drinks first. It has been really irritating but I have just gone with it," she told Yahoo.

In her most recent shop, she claims a worker explained, "it was new Coles policy as the highest rate of theft is on bulk drinks".

"She went on to explain that head office is now analysing each receipt to ensure bulk drinks are scanned first with the stores not doing this penalised," she added.

Coles shoppers say they're being made by staff to always scan bulky items first. Source: Getty

Victorian man Peter Wiegard said, after taking it up with customer service, he was informed this "policy" was not a store policy, but "one being dictated from head office". After it happened again at another store he claims he was told that "staff hated having to enforce it" but are being made to with Peter slamming the poor level of customer services he received.

"I don't go to the supermarket to steal, I can afford to pay for my purchases," he said.

Coles address 'new policy' claims

Coles did not provide a statement to Yahoo News this week about these claims made by customers and said it stands by its initial statement. However, Yahoo understands stores are not being penalised for not enforcing the alleged rule as suggested.

It's also understood customers do not need to scan heavier items first if they dont wish to, but it is, however, the recommended process.

Coles had said earlier the supermarket implements a whole host of anti-theft security measures in a bid to keep shoppers honest. "While most of our customers do the right thing, unfortunately, a small number dont," a spokesperson told Yahoo.

The supermarket, along with its main competitor Woolworths, has implemented a range of controversial anti-theft initiatives, most notably smart gates, body cameras for staff and overhead cameras at the checkouts.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Core Bethesda, MD Multifamily Property Trades for First Time in Generations

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corner Lot Advisors, a privately-owned real estate investment firm and operating partner specializing in the acquisition and repositioning of multifamily assets, announced today its purchase of 8200 Wisconsin Avenue, a 245-unit property anchoring the east end of Battery Lane, a major artery in downtown Bethesda, MD. The acquisition offers Corner Lot a unique opportunity to reposition a core Bethesda property and capture growing market demand for larger units in a highly desirable, suburban-urban environment.

For us, 8200 Wisconsin Avenue represented a generational opportunity to acquire and reposition a core multifamily asset in an A+ location, said Michael (Chip) Davis, Managing Principal, Corner Lot Advisors. After completion of our extensive, planned improvements, 8200 will be well-positioned to aggressively compete with new class-A product currently under development in the area but at a basis of less than 50% of their costs. Its a great capstone to our other recent acquisitions and demonstrates our ability to transact in even the most austere real estate environment.

When complete, 8200 will offer large, luxury units and elevated amenities with 25% of the building designated as affordable housing. Planned renovations include significant upgrades to flooring, countertops, cabinetry, appliances, and fixtures as well as reconfiguring the unusually large floor plans to add additional bedrooms in approximately 40% of the units. Building amenities will be expanded to include a fitness center with Peloton and yoga rooms, an activated resident lounge, co-working spaces, programmed recreational areas as well as media and podcast rooms. Corner Lot also plans to enhance the resident experience with curated outdoor environments including communal gathering spaces, grilling stations, a sun decks with cabanas, and integrated green space.

Not only will we deliver a world-class living environment and experience, 8200s location is a key attraction attribute, added Davis. The property is located next door to the neighborhood Harris Teeter and a block from Trader Joes, is in walking distance to Bethesdas best restaurants, lifestyle amenities, two Red Line Metro stations and future Purple Line light rail and sits in close proximity to major area employers including NIH, Walter Reed Medical Center, and Marriott headquarters. Davis concluded, these location fundamentals and demand drivers were not only critical factors in our acquisition analysis and pursuit strategy but, also, to the future we envisioned for the asset.

Cliff Mendelson of Metropolis Capital Advisors, Alan Zuckerman of Highland Realty Group, and Karen Priesman of K2M LLC advised the partnership and took an ownership position with Corner Lot in the asset. Corner Lot would also like to thank its brokers on the transaction, specifically Ari Firoozabadi and Kyle Tangney of Greysteel, who helped bring the deal to fruition.

ABOUT CORNER LOT ADVISORS

Corner Lot Advisors, LLC, is a privately-owned real estate investment firm and operating partner specializing in the acquisition and repositioning of multifamily assets across Maryland and Florida. From its inception, the Company has purchased more than 1,000 units and currently controls a portfolio with an aggregate market value of $250M.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240329100526/en/

MEDIA:

Sofia Braunstein

[email protected]

212-402-3530

Source: Corner Lot Advisors
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC (ISIN: AED001801011) (Symbol: DEWA), the Emirate of Dubais exclusive electricity and water services provider and majority owner of the largest cooling services provider, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), reported that its shareholders have, in the general assembly held on March 28th, 2024, approved the payment of total dividend of AED 3.1 billion with a record date of April 8th, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240329162756/en/

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC shareholders approve payment of AED 3.1 billion in dividends (Photo: AETOSWire)

General Assembly Details

The meeting, chaired by HE Matar Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEWA, was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Members of the Board of Directors of DEWA as well as 85.9% of the shareholders. The assembly was held on Thursday (28th March 2024) at the Kempinski Boulevard Hotel in Dubai as well as virtually.

Attractive Dividend Yield

For shareholders who are invested in DEWAs shares prior to the dividend record date of April 8th, 2024 (with a Last Entitlement Date of April 4th, 2024), the next twelve-month dividend yield is 5.0% with reference to IPO share price of AED 2.48 per share.

Thanks to the insightful vision and wise directives of our wise leadership, Dubai has become a global hub for trade, finance, tourism, and green economy. DEWA plays a crucial role in ensuring that Dubais infrastructure keeps pace with the increasing demand for energy and water. Our unwavering efforts have contributed to DEWAs record of achievements, highlighted the transition to clean energy and established DEWAs global leadership, said HE Matar Al Tayer.

Looking ahead, I am optimistic about our operating and financial outlook for 2024. The surge in tourism, growth in the residential and commercial demand for our services and the rising active day-time population in the Emirate are promising indicators of further opportunities to grow our business. In 2023, DEWAs annual revenue exceeded AED 29 billion, operating profit was over AED 8.7 billion and EBITDA was over AED 14.7 billion, all figures reflecting the highest in its history, said HE Saeed Al Tayer.

More information on DEWAs website: https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/investor-relations

and DFMs website

https://www.dfm.ae/en/issuers/listed-securities/securities/company-profile-page?id=DEWA

Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240329162756/en/

Shaikha Almheiri

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

00971552288228

For investor relations, please contact: [email protected]

For media, please contact: [email protected]

Source: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC
PITTSBURGH & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Resco Products, Inc. (Resco), a portfolio company of Balmoral Funds LLC (Balmoral), today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by RHI Magnesita (RHIM) for an enterprise value of up to $430 million. RHIM, which is headquartered in Austria and listed on the London Stock Exchange, is a leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions that are critical for high-temperature processes in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass.

The combined company will deliver significant customer benefits, including an expanded North American footprint with 15 production sites across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, along with comprehensive combined basic and non-basic product portfolios. Resco customers will also benefit from RHIMs vertically-integrated business model, creating a shorter, more resilient and more secure supply chain. As part of RHIM, Resco will have access to enhanced resources to continue investing in technology and innovation, enhancing its product portfolio and making ongoing circular economy advancements to support the industrys ambitious sustainability efforts.

This transaction is a testament to our successful transformation over the past two years, all underpinned by a safety-first culture. Our focus and disciplined execution  coupled with operational improvements to increase manufacturing reliability, uptime and output  have driven significant tangible benefits, including all-time low incident rates, profitability improvement and customer growth, said Mark G. Essig, Resco CEO. We are confident that RHIM shares our core values, including a deep-rooted commitment to safety, quality and innovation. As we enter this next chapter, joining forces with RHIM will enable us to accelerate this progress and drive our next phase of growth.

We are grateful to Mark, Chairman of the Board Dr. Kevin Handerhan and the entire Resco team for their terrific partnership over the past two years, said Robin Nourmand, a Managing Director at Balmoral. Working together, we significantly improved Rescos operations, ultimately transforming the business and realizing a successful outcome for this investment. Looking ahead, we are confident that, together, RHIM and Resco will continue to deliver the high-quality products and services for which they are known and continue to meet the evolving needs of customers around the world. As gratifying as this success is for the company, its employees, customers and stakeholders, the dramatic improvement in environmental, health and safety culture and metrics leaves a lasting legacy that we are all most proud of.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Jefferies LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Resco. Vedder Price served as Rescos legal advisor.

About Resco Products

Resco Products, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, PA, is a refractory manufacturer that services many diverse end markets, including steel and cement production and petrochemical processing. Resco has been in the refractory industry for over 75 years and operates 11 facilities across North America and the United Kingdom. Rescos distinct footprint enables it to service customers quickly and efficiently. Resco is a product leader within the refractory industry, creating enhanced products that reduce customers downtime and increase productivity.

About Balmoral Funds

Balmoral is a Los Angeles, CA based private equity firm, founded in 2005, with approximately $1.5 billion of assets under management. Balmoral partners with talented, aligned and committed management teams to invest in and revitalize companies. Balmoral typically invests in companies that have revenues between $30 to $400 million and require equity investments of $20 to $125 million but is capable of executing larger transactions.

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Media

Jenny Gore/Jeff Huber

FGS Global

[email protected]

Source: Resco Products, Inc.
LITTLE ELM, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Retractable Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: RVP) reports the following information relating to the year ended December 31, 2023. Further details concerning the results of operations as well as other matters are available in Retractables Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2024 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our revenues for 2023 decreased 54.0% as domestic and international COVID-19 vaccination sales decreased. We had revenues of approximately $43.6 million as compared to approximately $94.8 million in the prior year. Domestic revenues decreased 33.7% and international revenues decreased 78.9%. In addition to the decline in demand for COVID-19 vaccination products, we experienced a decline in demand which may be due to customer retention of inventory from prior periods. Cost of manufactured product decreased 49.0% due to a decline in units sold and operating expenses decreased 29.2% primarily due to the lack of stock option expense in 2023.

Comparability of 2023 to 2020-2022 financial results is challenging due to the unusual volume of pandemic sales. Below is a table which details our revenues as well as gross profit, total operating expenses, and income or loss from operations since 2018. As previously reported, a 2020 agreement with the U.S. government enabled us to significantly expand our facilities but increased our overhead costs in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, we reduced our workforce in an effort to reduce our expenses, but expenses remain higher than prior to 2020.

(Amounts in Millions) 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 U.S. sales (excluding U.S. government) $ 34.6 $ 36.5 $ 53.9 $ 42.2 $ 31.9 $ 28.7 Sales to U.S. government  15.7 113.7 31.6   North and South America sales (excluding U.S.) 6.1 29.1 14.5 6.9 8.2 3.6 Other international sales 2.9 13.5 6.3 1.2 1.7 1.0 Total sales $ 43.6 $ 94.8 $ 188.4 $ 81.9 $ 41.8 $ 33.3 Gross profit $ 9.1 $ 28.3 $ 95.4 $ 37.0 $ 14.1 $ 10.2 Total operating expenses $ 20.6 $ 29.1 $ 22.8 $ 12.9 $ 11.2 $ 11.8 Income (loss) from operations $ (11.5) $ (0.9) $ 72.6 $ 24.1 $ 3.0 $ (1.3)

The Company has adequate liquidity and is focused on sales efforts and new product development. In addition, the Company has continued investing in securities. We purchased a net amount of $9.9 million in securities during 2023, resulting in ownership of $34.6 million in debt and equity securities by year-end. Our income statement reflects an unrealized loss of $10.5 million and a realized gain of $5.6 million on our debt and equity securities.

ABOUT RETRACTABLE

Retractable manufactures and markets VanishPoint and Patient Safe safety medical products and the EasyPoint needle. The VanishPoint syringe, blood collection, and IV catheter products are designed to prevent needlestick injuries and product reuse by retracting the needle directly from the patient, effectively reducing exposure to the contaminated needle. Patient Safe syringes are uniquely designed to reduce the risk of bloodstream infections resulting from catheter hub contamination. The EasyPoint is a retractable needle that can be used with luer lock syringes, luer slip syringes, and prefilled syringes to give injections. The EasyPoint needle also can be used to aspirate fluids and for blood collection. Retractable's products are distributed by various specialty and general line distributors.

For more information on Retractable, visit its website at www.retractable.com.

Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and reflect Retractable's current views with respect to future events. Retractable believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are accurate. However, Retractable cannot assure you that such expectations will materialize. Actual future performance could differ materially from such statements.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: supply chain disruptions, Retractables ability to scale up production volumes in response to an increase in demand, potential tariffs, Retractable's ability to maintain liquidity; Retractable's maintenance of patent protection; Retractable's ability to maintain favorable third party manufacturing and supplier arrangements and relationships; foreign trade risk; Retractable's ability to access the market; production costs; the impact of larger market players in providing devices to the safety market; and other risks and uncertainties that are detailed from time to time in Retractable's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Retractable Technologies, Inc.

John W. Fort III, 888-806-2626 or 972-294-1010

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer

Source: Retractable Technologies, Inc.
On April 2, States High Court to consider whether the survivors, both 109, can continue their fight for justice

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Oklahoma Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on April 2 in a case brought by the two last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Nine justices will determine whether the Survivors can be blocked from seeking justice for one of the worst racial incidents in US history. The highly anticipated decision could have far-reaching implications for all Oklahomans who've suffered rights violations, with the potential to either uphold everyday peoples access to the civil court system, or curtail it significantly.

Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Ford Fletcher, both 109, continue to make history by pressing on with their lawsuit against the City of Tulsa and other institutions that played a direct role in carrying out the massacre, which left hundreds of Black people dead and one of the countrys most affluent Black communities in ruins. They are hoping that the states Supreme Court will swiftly direct the Tulsa District Court to move the case forward  thereby giving them a shot at seeing justice during their lifetime.

We are grateful that our now-weary bodies have held on long enough to witness an America, and an Oklahoma, that provides Race Massacre survivors with the opportunity to access the legal system, Randle and Fletcher said in a joint statement. Many have come before us who have knocked and banged on the courthouse doors only to be turned around or never let through the door.

Now, our pursuit of justice rests in the hands of our Oklahoma Supreme Court. They have the power to open the doors of justice and give us the opportunity to prove our case.

The lawsuit, filed in 2021 under Oklahomas public nuisance law, cleared historic legal hurdles and sparked hope that, for the first time in over a century, the massacres perpetrators would be brought to trial.

In August, the decision by a Tulsa district judge to dismiss the Survivors lawsuit on dubious procedural grounds sent shockwaves across the country. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court quickly revived the case, agreeing to consider the Survivors argument that they were being held to a standard that no other plaintiff in Oklahoma is required to meet.

It breaks my heart that even after suffering through a state-sponsored atrocity and its demoralizing aftermath, the last two Tulsa Race Massacre survivors are devoting the fleeting time they have left to a battle that the defendants hope will break their spirits, said Damario Solomon-Simmons, lead attorney for the survivors. But the City of Tulsas shameful plan will not work.

To be clear, the fight facing Mother Fletcher and Mother Randle is about more than just Black Wall Street. It is about the right of every person in Oklahoma to be rest assured that if they are ever abused, swindled, or exploited, they will have a reasonable chance to prove their case in court. This is what every American deserves, and it's what the City of Tulsa, one of the main culprits behind the Tulsa Race Massacre, is trying to take away. I look forward to the Oklahoma Supreme Court hearing our arguments, and pray that they uphold the rights of my clients, and all victims in the state, by swiftly directing District Judge Caroline Wall to proceed with the case.

"We look forward to the opportunity to explain to the court why our clients have met Oklahomas pleading requirements and why the case should continue expeditiously in the trial court. said Michael Swartz, Partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel, co-counsel on the case representing the two remaining survivors. The defendants are asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to hold Mother Randle and Mother Fletcher to a higher pleading standard than any other plaintiff who seeks justice in Oklahoma courts, which would be a grave injustice.

If the justices find that the survivors did not meet the pleading standard and uphold the Tulsa District Courts dismissal, the decision could fundamentally change Oklahomas pleading standard for all future plaintiffs. Such a holding would make it harder for any victim in the state to move a lawsuit forward.

Further, if the justices delay in making a decision, the April 2 hearing could be the survivors final courtroom appearance while theyre still alive. Hughes "Uncle Red" Van Ellis, who was the youngest of the remaining massacre survivors at 102, died in October. In 2021, he participated in a Congressional hearing, where he made the tearful plea: Please do not let me leave this earth without justice.

Ellis sister, Viola Fletcher, turns 110 on May 10.

Justices will hear oral arguments April 2 at 1:30pm CST/2:30 EST at the Oklahoma State Capitol (2300 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK), in the Supreme Court Room on the 2nd Floor.

The hearing will be open to the public and live streamed at JusticeforGreenwood.org/watchparty

Media interested in interviews should contact:

Gerry Johnson

[email protected]

609-923-1816

Stanton

Mike Goodwin

[email protected]

646-502-3595

Sneha Satish

[email protected]

646-502-3556

ABOUT THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE

The Tulsa Race Massacre took place in 1921 when a mob of white individuals, deputized and armed by municipal and county officials, killed, looted, and burned down the Greenwood area. The Massacre resulted in the murder of more than 300 Tulsans and the destruction of the prosperous Greenwood neighborhood, often referred to as Black Wall Street.

ABOUT GREENWOOD

Greenwood, most revered for Black Wall Street was co-founded by Black Creeksit became one of the most prosperous, organized, and successful Black communities in United States history, and a place for Black people to escape the political, economic, and social oppression of southern lawmakers post-civil war.

ABOUT JUSTICE FOR GREENWOOD FOUNDATION

Justice for Greenwood is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization with a big vision: to get Respect, Reparations, and Repair for the Greenwood community for the near century of historical omissions and continued harm caused by the 1921 Massacre, through survivor and descendant support, public education, and advocacy.

ABOUT SCHULTE ROTH & ZABEL

With a firm focus on private capital, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP ("Schulte") comprises legal advisers and commercial problem-solvers who combine exceptional experience, industry insight, integrated intelligence and commercial creativity to help clients raise and invest assets and protect and expand their businesses. The firm has a long history as a leader in pro bono legal work and a legacy of contributing to the greater good. Schulte embraces its professional and moral obligations to seek justice through the legal system. The firm directly represents and empowers the most vulnerable and marginalized; brings impact litigation to fuel social change; and supports social entrepreneurs to form the next generation of mission-driven organizations that will advocate for the underserved.

RECOGNIZING OUR ACCOMPLISHED LEGAL TEAM, AND NATIONAL & LOCAL PARTNERS

Damario Solomon-Simmons and Kym Heckenkemper of Solomon Simmons Law; J. Spencer Bryan and Steven Terrill of BryanTerrill, P.C.; Professor Eric Miller of Loyola Marymount College of Law; Maynard M. Henry, Sr.; Lashandra Peoples-Johnson and Cordal Cephas of Johnson Cephas Law PLLC; Michael Swartz, Randall Adams, Sara Solfanelli, McKenzie Haynes, Erika Simonson, Lea Dyce, Sedinam Anyidoho, Alex Mason-Pazmino and Ben Lewson of Schulte; Tiffany Cross (American television personality, political analyst, and author); Gerry Johnson (Human Rights Watch); Dr. Tiffany Crutcher (Executive Director and Founder, Terence Crutcher Foundation); and Cassidy Fallik (ACLU OK).

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Gerry Johnson, [email protected]; Michael Goodwin, [email protected]; Sneha Satish, [email protected]

Source: Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information

Disclosure of shares repurchases from 22 March 2024 to 28 March 2024 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume per day (number of shares) Weighted average price per day Market (MIC Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 22/03/2024 FR0013230612 1,200 20.3197 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 25/03/2024 FR0013230612 778 20.3047 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 26/03/2024 FR0013230612 1,850 20.2325 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 27/03/2024 FR0013230612 978 20.1538 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 28/03/2024 FR0013230612 1,226 20.3061 XPAR TOTAL 6,032 20.2614

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Tikehau Capital

Source: Tikehau Capital
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Treaty Oak Equity LLC (Treaty Oak), a private investment firm investing in lower middle-market companies with the potential to grow rapidly through investments in talent, capabilities and strategic acquisitions, announced today it has completed the sale of Stans Home Services Holdings, Inc. (Stans or the Company) to The Master Trades Group (MTG).

Stans is a leading provider of residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical services in the Austin, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico metro areas. Since acquiring Stans in 2018, Treaty Oak supported the significant long-term growth and success of both the Company and its management team. Over this time, Stans tripled its revenues, growing from a single location, single trade operation to one of the largest home service providers in both the Austin and Albuquerque markets, providing a full suite of HVAC, plumbing and electrical services. To accomplish this growth, Stans made meaningful investments in platform infrastructure including implementing an industry leading ERP system, building an in-house marketing team with digital advertising expertise and rolling out a real-time business intelligence platform, all while maintaining industry-leading employee retention and customer satisfaction. Stans success was also accelerated by several strategic acquisitions that provided access to new markets and service offerings, including the acquisition of Wagner Mechanical, Inc. in 2020.

John Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Stans noted, It was a pleasure to partner with the Treaty Oak team over the last five years. They cared deeply about the employees of Stans and supported our leadership team in doing the right thing for our customers. While they helped our team realize Stans potential, I never felt like they put profits before people. Williams, added, We are excited to continue Stans journey as part of the Master Trades Group (MTG) family. MTG is an impressive organization with a strong culture of prioritizing employee well-being and caring for customers. The partnership is the right fit for Stans and will accelerate our next phase of growth.

Ben Williams, Managing Director and Founder of Treaty Oak, said, We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success and tradition of Stans. It is a special group of people and we are humbled by their friendship and collaboration. On behalf of our institution, we thank the Stans team for our wonderful five-year partnership, serving our customers and community.

Chris Mason, Managing Director Treaty Oak, added, Stans is a remarkable team with the highest quality leadership and talent. Its been a privilege to support them during a period of significant change in the home services industry. We are proud of the results they have accomplished, while staying true to their core values of treating people as Customers for Life and upholding the Stans Standard.

TD Cowen served as the financial advisor to Treaty Oak and the Company.

About Stans Home Services Holdings

Stans Home Services is a leading residential services platform serving Austin, TX and Albuquerque, NM, with a focus on all facets of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical. Stans Home Services boasts a combined 165-year history of continuous improvement and a commitment to superior customer service that has solidified Stans and Wagner as market leaders in the Austin and Albuquerque regions. For more information about Stans Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical, please visit https://www.stansac.com. For more information about Wagner Mechanical, please visit https://www.wagnermechanical.com.

About Treaty Oak Equity

Treaty Oak is an Austin-based private investment firm with capital commitments from two Texas family offices. Treaty Oak invests in lower middle-market companies that occupy leading positions in viable market niches and that have the potential to grow rapidly through investment in talent, capabilities and strategic acquisitions. Treaty Oak partners with privately held and family owned businesses to address funding needs, ownership transitions and succession planning issues while preserving legacy, existing culture and values. For further information, please visit www.treatyoakequity.com.

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Ben Williams

[email protected]

Source: Treaty Oak Equity LLC
Scholarship successes reflect experience provided by dissertation to publication workshop and other support offered through mentoring, sessions and workshops held by leaders, academic counseling, career advising and on-demand resources

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies is pleased to highlight the published scholarship of its working adult learners and alumni. In 2023, 44 doctoral graduates along with their faculty from University of Phoenix reported the publication of 26 articles in peer-reviewed journals. The published articles were developed based on the authors doctoral dissertations and crafted during the Colleges Dissertation to Publication workshop, showcasing the impact of the workshop and the potential of hard work and dedication in achieving one's goals.

While we have a practitioner focus, scholarship is a critical measure of success for students and faculty alike, as an opportunity to influence communities of practice and increase awareness of their contributions to industries, states Hinrich Eylers, Ph.D., P.E., vice provost, College of Doctoral Studies.

The College supports a dissertation to publication pathway through its suite of support services for students in practitioner doctorate programs, including its annual series, Dissertation to Publication Workshop, led by Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D., chair, Center for Educational and Information Technology Research (CEITR). The workshop is a four-month web-based workshop that teaches the art of developing a publishable manuscript based on a dissertation and supports the participants in submitting their manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals. The workshop focuses on the process and the finished product  a publishable manuscript.

Our doctoral students are leaders in their chosen fields, and their dissertation reflects years of work at the doctoral level as well as deep understanding of their fields, Kebritchi shares. It is important that their efforts have the opportunity through scholarship, as well as through practice, to influence knowledge and understanding.

Operating from the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model, the College places students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem with experts, resources, and tools to help them prepare to be a leader in their organization, industry, and community, including a recently expanded Alumni Mentor Program designed to connect current doctoral students with College alumni.

Melissa Shank, Ed.D., a 2020 doctoral graduate who served as a fellow in CEITR, had a second article based on dissertation findings published, Novice teachers training and support needs in evidence-based classroom management, published in a 2023 issue of the journal, Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth. I felt it was important to get my research out in a format that was usable and readable, so I took the workshop led by Dr. Kebritchi, she shared. Shank found that the workshop helped break the academic publication process down into achievable steps, and she was inspired to aim high: I was very excited as my first-choice journal accepted my article, which inspired me to write additional articles based on my research findings.

Lucinda Hines, DHA, MBA, associate faculty in the College of Health Professions, was a doctoral graduate in August 2022 and had her article, Educating patients on value-based health care to improve clinical outcome, published in a 2023 edition of Management in Healthcare: When I learned my manuscript had been accepted, I immediately called my family and closest friends to share the news.

Hines found the workshop motivating, sharing that, The weekly briefings were informative and provided the tools and techniques necessary to assist attendees with publishing their dissertations. She feels that being published helped validate her research and the importance of her work in healthcare and bolstered her future plans: Being published has expanded my network and visibility within the academic community, paving the way for future scholarly endeavors.

In addition to dissertation to publication support, the College offers a Research to Publication Workshop focusing on turning a research project into a publishable manuscript. Led by Kebritchi, this and the Dissertation to Publication workshops are both also open to external registrants unaffiliated with the University.

College leadership organizes a series of sessions in several areas of support. Kebritchi also leads the Research Methodology Group each year that provides a forum and community for students to polish their research skills. Kimberly Underwood, Ph.D., chair, Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research (CWDIR), leads a formal Writing Support team of seven faculty members that opens with participants engaging in Socratic dialogue to generate critical thinking and behaviors needed to successfully progress through each stage of the doctoral journey.

Faculty at College of Doctoral Studies offer both academic credentials and industry experience to the students they serve, with an average of 27.7 years of professional experience and 12.2 years of teaching experience with University of Phoenix. Professional experience of College faculty include that of chief executives, presidents, consultants, executive directors, and principals.

Learn more here about the ways in which the College of Doctoral Studies supports its students.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenixs College of Doctoral Studies focuses on todays challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The Colleges research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelors and masters degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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Sharla Hooper

University of Phoenix

[email protected]

Source: University of Phoenix
New York, NY, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MOUNT VERNON, NY, March 29, 2024  As Key Digital celebrates its 25th anniversary, Masha Tsinberg, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the award-winning developer and manufacturer of leading-edge digital video processing and video signal distribution solutions, is also marking 25 years with the company and five as its Chief Operating Officer. Tsinbergs ascent to the role of COO was paved by her tenure of fifteen years in the firms marketing department, during which she exhibited exceptional leadership, consistently driving growth, fostering innovation, and forging lasting connections with clients and colleagues alike.

As Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Tsinberg played a pivotal role in the company's trajectory, spearheading the development and meticulous execution of strategic marketing campaigns and comprehensive corporate branding initiatives, enhancing the customer experience while ensuring a cohesive and impactful presence in the marketplace. Upon assuming responsibility for Key Digitals overall strategy and execution for marketing, engineering, and operations, says Tsinberg, The goal was to hone the architecture and processes of the company for continued growth while maintaining the established excellence in every department, including a focus on an enhanced customer experience. As a direct link between Key Digital and end users employing its products, loyalty in the field has always been monumentally important to Key Digital, so she focused on improving the customer experience by implementing a customer feedback system and establishing a dedicated customer support team. This led to a 40% increase in customer satisfaction ratings and a significant reduction in customer attrition.

Another important element for Masha was looking at Key Digitals staff. I have always believed in the philosophy that companies are made of people, and we have some of the best in the business, stated Tsinberg. Recognizing that company employees represent the brand to the marketing and are the direct connection to key customers, she prioritized employee development by launching training and mentorship programs aimed at enhancing skills and fostering leadership qualities among Key Digital staff. As a result, employee satisfaction and retention rates increased by 25% over the course of her tenure.

Upon Masha Tsinberg's elevation to the role of COO, Key Digital founder and CEO Mike Tsinberg hailed her appointment as a significant milestone, marking the company's strides in fostering diversity and embracing female leadership within the AV industry. He emphasized that her promotion exemplified Key Digital's commitment to progress and excellence. We knew that Masha had the credentials and proven operational background that would lead to that goal being realized, says Mike Tsinberg. It delights me to confirm that weve exceeded all of our expectations. Her initiative and expertise have been crucial to our growth and her positive influence permeates our corporate culture.

There is no glass ceiling at Key Digital, says Masha Tsinberg. I had a voice and the opportunity for growth from the very start 25 years ago, and were proud of our record of empowerment as Key Digital grew from a one-product company to take a leadership role in the AV industry that ranges from technological innovation in the R&D lab to diversity in the board room.

For more information: Key Digital

Attachment

Masha Lakhter Key Digital Systems 914.667.9700 x 216 [email protected]

Source: Key Digital Systems
TORONTO, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Partners Value Investments Inc. (the Company, TSX: PVF.WT, PVF.PR.V) announced today its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023. All amounts are stated in U.S. dollars.

The Company recorded a net loss of $333 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $1.9 billion in the prior year. The decrease in income was primarily attributable to the absence of a one-time special distribution received from Brookfield Corporation (the Corporation) in the prior year, current year remeasurement losses associated with the retractable shares and warrant liabilities, as well as lower foreign currency gains and tax recoveries compared to the prior year. The Companys retractable common shares are classified as liabilities due to their cash retraction feature. The remeasurement gains or losses in a given period are driven by the respective appreciation or depreciation of the Partners Value Investments L.P. (the Partnership) unit price as the exchangeable shares are recognized at fair value based on the quoted price of the Partnerships Equity LP units. During the year, the Partnership unit price increased by $4.96 compared to a decrease of $8.09 in the prior year. The financial results reflect the impact of the re-organization finalized on November 24, 2023.

Excluding retractable share and warrant liability remeasurement gains and dividends paid on retractable shares, Adjusted Earnings for the Company was $27 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to Adjusted Earnings of $121 million in the prior year. Adjusted Earnings were lower in the current year as a result of lower foreign currency gains and tax recoveries.

As at December 31, 2023, the market prices of a Brookfield Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BN) and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (the Manager, NYSE/TSX: BAM) share were $40.12 and $40.17, respectively. As at March 27, 2024, the market prices of a BN and BAM share were $41.58 and $41.80, respectively.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the years ended December 31(Thousands, US dollars) 2023 2022 Investment income Dividends $ 96,269 $ 1,131,797 Other investment income 11,802 6,694 108,071 1,138,491 Expenses Operating expenses (5,843 ) (1,677 ) Financing costs (35,210 ) (33,205 ) Retractable preferred share dividends (35,456 ) (34,379 ) (76,509 ) (69,261 ) Other items Investment valuation (losses) gains (6,237 ) 10,653 Retractable share remeasurement (losses) gains (281,451 ) 495,073 Warrant liability remeasurement (losses) gains (52,694 ) 215,219 Amortization of deferred financing costs (3,380 ) (3,363 ) Foreign currency (loss) gain (15,983 ) 62,415 Current tax expense (1,270 ) (19,990 ) Deferred tax (expense) recovery (3,280 ) 21,439 Net (loss) income $ (332,733 ) $ 1,850,676

Financial Profile

The Companys principal investments are its interest in 121 million Class A Limited Voting Shares of the Corporation and approximately 31 million Class A Limited Voting Shares of the Manager. This represents approximately an 8% interest in the Corporation and an 8% interest in the Manager as at December 31, 2023. In addition, the Company owns a diversified investment portfolio of marketable securities and private fund interests.

The information in the following table has been extracted from the Companys Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

As at(Thousands, US dollars) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 199,856 $ 185,711 Accounts receivable and other assets 31,456 47,260 Deferred tax assets 4,309 1,604 Investment in Brookfield Corporation1 4,853,261 4,149,188 Investment in Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.2 1,237,554 934,183 Other investments carried at fair value 889,398 606,223 $ 7,215,834 $ 5,924,169 Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 34,916 $ 36,861 Corporate borrowings 225,789 220,711 Preferred shares3 757,254 752,727 Retractable common shares 3,718,510 3,447,021 Warrant liability 218,051 363,707 4,954,520 4,821,027 Equity Accumulated deficit (3,034,013 ) (2,698,663 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income 5,283,347 3,801,805 Non-controlling interest 11,980  $ 7,215,834 $ 5,924,169 The investment in Brookfield Corporation consists of 121 million Corporation shares with a quoted market value of $40.12 per share as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022  $31.46). The investment in Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. consists of 31 million Manager shares with a quoted market value of $40.17 per share as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022  $28.67). Represents $767 million of retractable preferred shares less $10 million of unamortized issue costs as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022  $681 million less $13 million), and $nil of three series of preferred shares of a subsidiary of the Company (December 31, 2022  $84 million).

For further information, contact Investor Relations at [email protected] or 416-643-7621.

Note: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words potential and estimated and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking information.

Although the Company believes that its anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond its control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forwardlooking statements and information include, but are not limited to: the financial performance of Brookfield Corporation, the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rates; limitations on the liquidity of our investments; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation; changes in tax laws; risks associated with the use of financial leverage; catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the Companys documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada.

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Companys forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: Partners Value Investments Inc.
In scenes reminiscent of a 90s horror movie Aussies have been astonished to discover huge, often metre-long creatures invading their gardens after a wet summer.

Queenslanders from across the state have been sharing their impressive discoveries in often confronting photos online, but an expert told Yahoo News Australia these worms have always been around, living deep underground and some individuals could be up to 20 years old.

Aussie wildlife photographer Austin Stevens wrote online: Recent heavy rain on our property caused the emergence of a creature that we had never seen before. I noticed it when its head began to poke out of the grass and we were astonished to discover the animal was approximately 40 centimetres long and nearly two centimetres wide.

In a photo shared by Stevens, two hands are holding a giant earthworm.

Wildlife photographer Austin Stevens was astonished to come across this giant earthworm. Source: Facebook/Austin Stevens

While in Hervey Bay, another local had discovered one even longer.

Anyone seen a worm this big? the man asked Facebook users, alongside a photo of a creature next to a pile of flowers. Over one metre long, he added.

Other residents were quick to jump in and share their experiences with the worms. My pool floor was covered with them last week, someone said. I found one marooned in the middle of a backyard patio area, another wrote. I was astonished. I thought it was a snake at first!

While fellow users commented in horror. Creepy! one person said. Have you seen the movie Tremors? Might be time to move, wrote another. "Heart skips a beat or two when you step over them, before you realise they aren't a snake," a third remarked. Someone else added: Imagine the size of the hook you need for that worm, and the size of the fish youll catch!

Others said the people that found them were "lucky". "[They're] making good soil for you."

Story continues

Where are the worms coming from?

While Australia has some big worms, there is a special species found in southeastern Queensland called Longmans giant earthworm, according to Dr Phillip Barton, Associate Professor of Zoology at Deakin University.

This species can be two centimetres wide and up to a metre long! They hatch from eggs as small but already fully formed worms a few centimetres long. They grow in length by adding segments to their rear end, and can live for many years. The biggest worms might be up to 20 years old.

However, its not the biggest. The best known giant earthworm is the Gippsland giant earthworm in eastern Victoria which can reach over two metres, perhaps up to three metres!

Queensland locals have shared photos of giant earthworms they found in their yards online. Source: Facebook

Why are we seeing giant worms now?

Well, its got a lot to do with the weather.

These giant earthworms have emerged after heavy rain, Barton said. They live in permanent burrows deep underground and are very rarely seen except after wet weather when their burrows flood. They breathe through their skin and flooded burrows can become low in oxygen, so they come to the surface after heavy rains, often at night.

So, despite the surprise of locals discovering them for the first time, these creatures have always been there and theyve always been able to reach such great lengths.

The giant earthworms have emerged from deep soils due to the wet weather. Source: Supplied

Barton said residents should be careful not to damage their reclusive neighbours.

They are quite delicate and can easily break if stretched, Barton added, saying theyre only found in areas with deep moist soils.

Sometimes its possible to hear the worms squelching underground as they move through their burrows. They feed by swallowing soil and the organic matter it contains like plant roots, decaying leaves and fungi.

And while there seems to be plenty of people online who have seen them lately, its not that common to come across one, according to Barton.

Finding a giant earthworm is very rare, so people should count themselves lucky! If you find one, be sure to return it from where you found it and cover it with some moist leaves so it can go back to doing what it does best in the soil.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of JBS S.A. (OTC: JBSAY) resulting from allegations that JBS may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.



SO WHAT: If you purchased JBS securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims. The article stated, in pertinent part, that JBS, the worlds largest beef producer, was sued on Wednesday by New York states attorney general, which accused it of misleading the public about its impact on the environment in order to boost sales. Attorney General Letitia James said JBS USA Food Co, the Brazilian companys American-based unit, has no viable plan to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, making its stated commitment to achieving that goal false and misleading.

On this news, JBS American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) fell $0.22 per ADR, or 2.4%, to close at $9.02 per ADR on February 28, 2024.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the 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
13 of the New WBCs Will Be Hosted by Minority Serving Institutions

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens Cabinet for Americas more than 33 million small businesses, announced the selection of 17 new Womens Business Center s (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across ten states.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, we have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men, said Administrator Guzman. The SBAs expanding network of Women's Business Centers is meeting these new and established businesses where they are with resources to help them get funding to grow, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. As we celebrate Womens History Month, the Biden-Harris Administration is proud to double down on its commitment to expanding opportunity and leveling the playing field for women and all those who have been underinvested in for too long.

The SBAs WBCs offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics, including business startups, financial management, marketing, and procurement. Through the SBAs Office of Womens Business Ownership (OWBO), the 17 new WBCs  including 13 hosted by MSIs  will help diverse entrepreneurs pivot, grow, and navigate SBA resources they can use to ensure their businesses thrive.

Through WBCs, the SBA provides practical help to women working hard to build successful businesses of their own, said Christina Hale, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women's Business Ownership. Women entrepreneurs are out front leading the way, driving record numbers of small business applications all around the country, and the SBAs WBCs empower their efforts through training, technical assistance, and access to credit and capital. WBC resources can be game-changing for women just starting or for those scaling up and growing their businesses as well.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, America is enjoying a historic Small Business Boom with more than 16.8 million new business applications filed since President Biden took office. Women are starting businesses across industries at higher rates than their male counterparts. Since President Biden took office, total SBA loans to women-owned businesses are up 70 percent. Total loan dollars to women-owned businesses are up 61 percent, totaling more than $5 billion in lending in FY23 alone.

Below is the full list of new WBCs:

California: Pasadena Area Community College District (MSI) - Pasadena, CA Vermont-Slauson LDC, Inc. (MSI) - Los Angeles, CA New Economics for Women (MSI) - Los Angeles, CA



Connecticut:

Women's Business Development Council - Stamford, CT



Washington, D.C.:

Washington Area Community Investment Fund - Washington, D.C.

Florida: The Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce (MSI) - North Miami, FL

Hawaii: YWCA Oahu (MSI) - Honolulu, HI

Illinois: The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (MSI) - Chicago, IL Womens Business Development (MSI) - Chicago, IL

Louisiana: Urban League of Louisiana (MSI) - New Orleans, LA

Ohio: Economic and Community Development Institute (MSI) - Columbus, OH

Oregon: Livelihood NW - Portland, OR

South Carolina: Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce (MSI) - Barnwell, SC

Tennessee: Kingsport Chamber Foundation - Kingsport, TN

Texas: Houston Womens Business Council, Inc. (MSI) - Houston, TX

Virginia: Old Dominion University Research Foundation (MSI) - Norfolk, VA

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corporation (MSI) - Milwaukee, WI



To find other WBC locations and additional SBA resources, visit www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance.

###

About the Office of Womens Business Ownership (OWBO)

The Office of Womens Business Ownership (OWBO) mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education, and support. Since it was established in response to an Executive Order in 1979, OWBO has provided training, counseling, technical assistance, access to credit and capital, as well as marketing opportunities to women.

To learn more about SBAs programs and services for women entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/women. To find other WBC locations and SBA resources, visit www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) (Western or the Company) first quarter 2024 financial and operating results will be released on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.



Western will host its first quarter 2024 analyst conference call on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. PDT (3:00 p.m. EDT).

Steven Hofer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Bruce Alexander, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Manufacturing and Glen Nontell, Vice President, Corporate Development, will discuss the Companys first quarter 2024 results followed by a question and answer session with the analyst community.

To join the conference call, dial:

Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-952-5114

From Toronto: 416-340-2217

Passcode: 7950035#

To access the instant replay of the call, dial:

Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-408-3053

From Toronto: 905-694-9451

Passcode: 1087490#

The instant replay will be available until June 8, 2024 at 8:59 p.m. PDT (11:59 p.m. EDT).

About Western Forest Products Inc.

Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.0 billion board feet from seven sawmills, as well as operates four remanufacturing facilities and two glulam manufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen Williams

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(604) 648-4500
NEW GLASGOW, Nova Scotia, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two decades of failure to hold employers accountable for thousands of workplace deaths and injuries expose the need for greater action from federal and provincial governments to enforce the Criminal Code, Canadian labour leaders say.

Sunday, March 31, marks the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Westray Law, which strengthened the Criminal Code of Canada to make it easier to impose criminal liability on corporations for workplace injuries and fatalities, notes Marty Warren, National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW).

Since the Westray Law came into effect in 2004, workplace deaths have claimed the lives of some 20,000 Canadian workers, and tens of thousands of other workers have been seriously injured or made ill on the job, says Warren.

The overwhelming majority of these workplace fatalities and injuries were preventable, yet the Westray Law has rarely been used to prosecute employers and hold them criminally accountable. The law simply has not been enforced. This is an ongoing, 20-year travesty, he says.

The Westray Law was named in memory of 26 coal miners who were killed in the Westray Mine explosion in Nova Scotia in 1992. The law was enacted in Parliament following a decade-long political lobbying campaign led by the USW, other unions, former Westray miners and family members of the workers killed in the mine.

A ceremony marking the Westray Laws 20th anniversary was held this week at a memorial park for the miners in New Glasgow, N.S., near the site of the former mine. Former miners and relatives of those who were killed were joined by representatives of the USW, other unions, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

The Westray Law was a historic achievement that promised greater corporate accountability for workplace safety and greater protection for workers, says Allen Martin, whose brother Glenn, 35, was one of the miners killed in the Westray Mine explosion.

Our governments have betrayed this promise to workers and grieving families. A historic achievement has become a historic failure, Martin said.

In 2014, the USW launched a national campaign, Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law, calling on provincial and federal governments to ensure greater enforcement of the Criminal Code in cases of preventable workplace fatalities and injuries.

On the Westray Laws 20th anniversary, the USW, supported by the CLC and other labour federations, is ramping up the campaign to pressure governments to take action to address the failure to enforce the law.We have been denied justice, by governments, regulators, police and Crown attorneys, who have not known enough, or decided against using the Westray Law, says Myles Sullivan, the USWs Director for Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Corporations cant be allowed to simply pay a fine whenever a worker is killed, while families and survivors are left to suffer needlessly. Every worker who is killed at work deserves to have their death investigated through a criminal lens, just like every other death in society, Sullivan says.

In the last 20 years, we have seen some 460 workplace deaths in our province, but not a single corporation or employer has been held accountable under the Westray Law, says Nova Scotia Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanagh.We are demanding that the law be restructured and enforced with ruthless pursuit to ensure it serves its purpose  to deter negligent employers and safeguard workers, Cavanagh says. Whats the value of a law if its not enforced or respected?

Enforcing the Criminal Code is crucial to ensure that corporations take their obligations more seriously, says CLC President Bea Bruske.

When an employer fails workers, they deserve to go to jail. When theres criminal negligence, the employer deserves to pay that price and go to jail, not just pay a fine, Bruske says.

Workers deserve to be safe at work.

The USW and other unions and labour federations are lobbying governments to take decisive, meaningful action, including:

the appointment of dedicated investigators and prosecutors for workplace deaths, along with mandatory, standardized training for such positions

having Crown attorneys educated, trained and directed to apply the Westray amendments to the Criminal Code

mandatory training for police and health and safety regulators, supported by the necessary resources, on the proper application of the Westray amendments

mandatory procedures, protocols and co-ordination in every jurisdiction for police, Crown prosecutors and health and safety regulators

Contacts:

Sylvia Boyce, United Steelworkers Health, Safety and Environment Department, 416-544-5951, [email protected]Shannon Devine, United Steelworkers Communications, 416-938-4402, [email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03adcbf3-484f-4ef0-8ec4-43893788893d

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a828cc1a-a68d-4297-a8ee-cebdf8cbc559

Westray monument Their Light Shall Always Shine Memorial Park is dedicated to the 26 miners who lost their lives in the Westray Mine explosion, located at the Westray Miners Memorial Park. Westray memorial ceremony Labour leaders and Westray families gathered to recognize the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Westray Act, on March 31, 2004.

Source: United Steelworkers union
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 29, 2024) - CredibleX, MENA's pioneering embedded finance platform and zypl.ai, a trailblazer generative AI fintech, have partnered to deploy zypl's artificial intelligence software powered by proprietary synthetic data to optimize loan underwriting for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Flagship credit decision software from zypl.ai (the "zypl.score") enhances CredibleX's instantaneous risk assessment and pre-approval engine for SMEs. The uniqueness of zypl.score lies in a 'no data' AI approach centered on generation of synthetic data to complement other data sources for fintechs such as CredibleX.

Ahmad Malik, Co-founder of CredibleX and Azizjon Azimi, Founder and CEO of zypl.ai



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10432/203650_signing_c.jpg

CredibleX Co-Founder, Ahmad Malik, said, "Data is at the heart of CredibleX's strategy, to drive instantaneous and accurate credit decisioning, ensuring creditworthy SMEs can easily access the financing they need to grow their businesses. We are delighted to partner with zypl.ai to further enhance the value to our customers and the SME economy in the UAE."



Founder and CEO of zypl.ai, Azizjon Azimi, commented, "Synthetic data is at the core of generative AI revolution sweeping through the world of finance. We are proud to go live with CredibleX to demonstrate the value of synthetic data in adapting scoring engines to 'black swan' conditions across macro cycles - ensuring seamless decisioning for SMEs at all times."



zypl.ai's AI-as-a-service platform includes a three-part machine learning model consisting of future cash flow forecasting, simulation of macroeconomic scenarios and SME sentiment analysis through alternative data parsing. Over 35 banks across 12 markets globally have deployed zypl.score to unlock macro-resilient credit decisioning in an era of increasing economic volatility.



More than $100 million in a diversified portfolio of retail and SME loans has been disbursed through zypl.score at minimal default rates by financial institutions. To fuel its credit decisions, zypl.ai has built a proprietary generative adversarial network, zGAN, on a cumulative dataset of over 54 million traditional and alternative data points.



Rigorous backtesting and dynamic model training in production have demonstrated zypl.score's capability to reduce the rate of nonperforming loans by up to two-thirds while increasing customer approval rates across both advanced and emerging economies.



CredibleX is addressing a critical sector of the economy in line with the UAE's National Agenda for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, with the number of SMEs projected to double by 2030 to more than 1 million across the UAE alone. CredibleX powers businesses to provide their SME customers and suppliers with instant access to regulated credit solutions at scale. During 2024, CredibleX is aiming to reach 20,000 SMEs with its easy-to-use, embedded finance approach.



zypl.ai is pioneering generative AI in lending through application of proprietary synthetic data. Launched by a Stanford University and Forbes 30U30 alum in 2021, zypl.ai has moved its global headquarters to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) AI & Web3 campus. With a 50-person team of primarily machine learning engineers and an R&D lab in Tajikistan, zypl.ai is backed by global investors in its ongoing expansion across MENA, North America and Southeast Asia this year.

Madina Ashurova

Executive office of zypl.ai

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203650
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - INCA ONE GOLD CORP. (TSXV: INCA) (OTCQB: INCAF) (FSE: SU92) ("Inca One" or the "Company") a gold producer operating two mineral processing facilities in Peru, (the "Plants") announces today the resignation of Mr. Adrian Morger from the Company's Board of Directors, who is pursuing other business interests.

Adrian has been a valued board member for the prior seven years, playing a pivotal role in shaping Inca One's strategic direction and contributing to the Company's growth and success in its early years with his financial support. His dedication and commitment to the organization is appreciated.

"We extend our gratitude to Adrian for his service and contributions during his time on our Board of Directors," stated Edward Kelly, CEO of Inca One Gold Corp. "His vision and commitment to our Company have been instrumental, and we are grateful for his years of service."

The entire Inca One Gold Corp team wishes him the best in all his future endeavors.

About Inca One

Inca One Gold Corp is an established gold producer operating two permitted, gold mineral processing facilities in Peru. The Company possesses a combined 450 TPD permitted operating capacity at its two fully integrated plants, Chala One and Kori One, generating over US$200 million in sales from its processing operations. Inca One is led by an experienced and capable management team that has established the Company as a trusted leader in servicing permitted, Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Miners (ASGM). Peru is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and its ASGM sector is estimated by government officials to be valued in the billions of dollars annually. Through the Company's partnerships with the UN backed PlanetGold Program and the Swiss Better Gold Initiative, Inca One supports the sustainable development and mining practices of the ASGM sector and the responsible gold supply chain from mine to market. To learn more, visit www.incaone.com.





Figure 1. Inca One's gold processing facilities in Peru (left: Chala One facility; right: Kori One facility

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2645/203549_9ab0f4b004641826_001full.jpg

On behalf of the Board,

Edward Kelly

President and CEO

Inca One Gold Corp.

For More Information, Contact:

Konstantine Tsakumis

[email protected]

604-568-4877

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.

Statements regarding the Company which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties by their very nature. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements due to factors such as: (i) fluctuation of mineral prices; (ii) a change in market conditions; and (iii) the fact that future operating results may not be accurately predicted based on this limited information to date. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to update any changes to such statements. Inca One believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203549
Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - March 29, 2024) - Rotmans Consultancy, a leading provider of data-driven marketing strategies and financial expertise, has announced a strategic partnership with Energy Rogue, the premier co-pilot platform offering insights, advice, and data in the energy market, including Crude Oil and Natural Gas.

Tom Rotmans

This partnership marks a significant milestone in the growth of Energy Rogue as it aims to provide unparalleled market insights and analytics for professionals and traders in the energy sector. Rotmans Consultancy will play a pivotal role in supporting Energy Rogue's data platform and spearheading data-driven marketing and commercialization efforts.

Energy Rogue subscribers, including producers, financial analysts, forecasters, and commodity traders, will benefit from the combined expertise of both companies, leveraging advanced data analytics and cutting-edge marketing strategies to navigate the complexities of the energy market more effectively.

Brian Pieri and Bill Shanahan, the founders of Energy Rogue, expressed their excitement about the collaboration, stating, "This partnership with Rotmans Consultancy represents a significant step forward in enhancing our platform's capabilities. With their expertise in data-driven marketing and deep financial and trading expertise, we are confident that Energy Rogue will continue to deliver unparalleled value to our subscribers."

Tom Rotmans appears to be the Vice President of Data Governance for Goldman Sachs and brings extensive experience in data, finance, marketing, and trading to this collaboration. "We are thrilled to partner with Energy Rogue," said Rotmans. "By combining our strengths, we aim to revolutionize the way professionals in the energy sector access and utilize market insights and data. All of our subscribers will benefit, whether they are producers, analysts, energy exploration or trade-driven companies or individuals."

Through this partnership, Energy Rogue and Rotmans Consultancy are committed to empowering industry professionals with the tools and insights to make informed decisions, optimize their strategies, and stay ahead in the dynamic energy market landscape.

About Rotmans Consultancy

Rotmans Consultancy is a data governance & management, business development, and strategic consultancy firm. It specializes in data-driven trading consultancy, project management, investment management, and executive management. Founded by Tom Rotmans, a seasoned executive consultant with international expertise in data management, investment, and market analytics, the consultancy advises clients across diverse sectors, helping them achieve their objectives with precision.

Contact Information:

Name: Tom Rotmans

Email:[email protected]

Website: https://www.rotmansconsultancy.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198060
Flensburg, Germany--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Softstack, a leader in Web3 technical consultancy services, is revolutionizing the startup funding process with its cutting-edge Technical Due Diligence (TDD) offerings. Aimed at bridging the gap between innovative startups and discerning investors, Softstack's TDD service is designed to rigorously assess the technological foundations and market viability of tech startups, thereby accelerating their journey towards securing vital funding.

In a recent success story, Softstack's comprehensive TDD process played a pivotal role in propelling MC Finance, a dynamic startup in the Web3 finance sector, towards successful funding. By meticulously evaluating MC Finance's technical capabilities, infrastructure scalability, and competitive positioning, Softstack provided the startup with the leverage needed to gain investor confidence.

Christopher Richter, founder of MC Finance, highlighted the impact of Softstack's services, stating, "Engaging in the TDD process with Softstack greatly accelerated our fundraising efforts, offering potential investors the confidence they needed in our technology and vision." This statement not only underscores the efficacy of Softstack's TDD services but also exemplifies the importance of thorough technical scrutiny in the contemporary fundraising landscape.

Softstack's TDD service encompasses a holistic evaluation framework, covering essential aspects such as team expertise, product and technology assessment, infrastructure analysis, and market viability. This comprehensive approach ensures that startups not only validate their technological innovations but also effectively communicate their value proposition to potential investors.

"Our mission at Softstack is to empower Web3 startups to navigate the fundraising landscape with confidence and to help venture capital funds make informed, swift investment decisions," said Yannik Heinze, CEO of Softstack. "Our TDD services are meticulously designed to highlight a startup's technical and market potential, making it an indispensable tool for both startups seeking investment and venture capitalists in search of promising opportunities."

As the tech startup ecosystem continues to evolve, Softstack is at the forefront, offering TDD services that underscore the mutual benefits of comprehensive technical due diligence for startups and investors alike. Through its innovative services, Softstack is setting a new standard in startup funding, ensuring a smoother and more transparent pathway to success for tech innovators.

About Softstack

Softstack, founded in 2017 and based in Flensburg, Germany, stands at the forefront of the Web3 service landscape, specializing in Technical Due Diligence, software development, and cybersecurity services for the tech startup ecosystem. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, scalability, and strategic market positioning, Softstack empowers startups and investors to achieve mutual success. Softstack is committed to providing cutting-edge services that meet the dynamic needs of the Web3 industry.

For further information, please contact:

Yannik Heinze

CEO at Softstack, Web3 Veteran and Mentor

[email protected]

softstack GmbH

Schiffbruckstrae 8

24937 Flensburg

www.softstack.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203551
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Steppe Gold Ltd. (TSX: STGO) (OTCQX: STPGF) (FSE: 2J9) ("Steppe Gold" or the "Company") announces today that Aneel Waraich has resigned as a director and executive vice president of the Company and Greg Wood has resigned as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, each effective March 28, 2024, and the board of directors has accepted their resignations. The Company would like to thank Mr. Wood and Mr. Waraich for their contributions and wishes them every success in their future endeavors.

In connection with Mr. Waraich's resignation, Steppe Gold has issued an aggregate of 1,250,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.77 per share, in addition to a cash payment of US$100,000, to settle all amounts owing by Steppe Gold to Mr. Waraich (the "Waraich Settlement Transaction"). The Toronto Stock Exchange has not approved the Waraich Settlement Transaction at this time. The common shares issued to Mr. Waraich are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation, and such further restrictions as apply under foreign securities laws.

In connection with Mr. Wood's resignation, Steppe Gold has issued an aggregate of 1,250,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.77 per share, in addition to a cash payment of US$300,000, to settle all amounts owing by Steppe Gold to Mr. Wood (the "Wood Settlement Transaction" and, together with the Waraich Settlement Transaction, the "Settlement Transactions"). The Toronto Stock Exchange has not approved the Wood Settlement Transaction at this time. The common shares issued to Mr. Wood are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation, and such further restrictions as apply under foreign securities laws.

Bataa Tumur-Ochir, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, "We are very grateful to Greg Wood and Aneel Waraich for their dedication and effort in helping Steppe Gold progress from a greenfield project to a successful IPO and now to one of Mongolia's leading precious metals companies. We wish them success in their future ventures.

"Upon the successful closing of the Boroo Gold transaction, we will have transitioned to a multi-asset producer and our focus shifts to maximizing cash flows and building for future growth. Our senior management team and new compensation plan has already reduced management costs by 45%. We will continue to explore ways to improve efficiencies both at the mine sites and at head office as we continue our mission to grow our precious metal production levels as well as our resource base."

The Settlement Transactions constitute "related party transactions" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as Mr. Waraich was a director and officer of Steppe Gold at the time of the Waraich Settlement Transaction and acquired an aggregate of 1,250,000 common shares of the Company and Mr. Wood was an officer of Steppe Gold at the time of the Wood Settlement Transaction and acquired an aggregate of 1,250,000 common shares of the Company. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the common shares issued to Mr. Waraich and Mr. Wood does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

The Settlement Transactions were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

About Steppe Gold

Steppe Gold is Mongolia's premier precious metals company and 100% owner of the ATO gold mine and the Uudam Khundii project in Mongolia.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information, such as obtaining regulatory approval for the appointment of a new president, as well as those factors disclosed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "embark", "expect", "promise", "plan", "commitment", "continuous" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved.

These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release such as the consummation and timing of the Boroo Gold transaction. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Contact Information

Steppe Gold

Bataa Tumur-Ochir, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy South, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Shangri-La office, Suite 1201, Olympic Street 19A, Sukhbaatar District 1, Ulaanbaatar 14241, Mongolia

Tel: +976 7732 1914

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203559
HIROSHIMA, Japan, Mar 29, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - - Mazda Motor Corporation's production and sales results for February 2024 are summarized below.

I. Production

1. Domestic Production

Mazda's domestic production volume in February 2024 decreased 9.4% year on year due to decreased production of passenger vehicles.

[Domestic production of key models in February 2024]

CX-5: 29,357 units (up 4.1% year on year)

MAZDA3: 8,082 units (down 23.2%)

CX-30: 7,342 units (down 12.4%)

2. Overseas Production

Mazda's overseas production volume in February 2024 increased 9.0% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.

[Overseas production key models in February 2024]

CX-30: 13,443 units (up 6.9% year on year)

CX-50: 8,929 units (up 115.6%)

MAZDA3: 4,663 units (down 24.4%)

II. Domestic Sales

Mazda's domestic sales volume in February 2024 decreased 25.5% year on year due to decreased sales of passenger and commercial vehicles.Mazda's registered vehicle market share was 4.1% (down 1.1 points year on year), with a 3.0% share of the micro-mini segment (up 1.0 points) and a 3.7% total market share (down 0.3 points).

[Domestic sales of key models in February 2024]

CX-5: 1,541 units (up 27.4% year on year)

CX-3: 1,415 units (up 115.4%)

CX-30: 1,336 units (down 39.7%)

III. Exports

Mazda's export volume in February 2024 decreased 7.1% year on year due to decreased shipments to North America, Europe, and Oceania.

[Exports of key models in February 2024]

CX-5: 27,899 units (up 9.4% year on year)

MAZDA3: 7,312 units (down 17.6%)

CX-30: 5,142 units (up 2.7%)

IV. Global Sales

Mazda's global sales volume in February 2024 decreased 0.8% year on year due to decreased sales in Japan and Europe.

[Global sales of key models in February 2024]

CX-5: 24,850 units (down 7.5% year on year)

CX-30: 20,401 units (up 27.6%)

MAZDA3: 13,840 units (up 11.6%)

https://newsroom.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2024/202403/240328a.html

Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
A young Aussie McDonald's employee is calling for better workplace protections after he was attacked by a group of rowdy and allegedly drunken teenagers while working a night shift earlier this month.

It was a normal night like any other for 22-year-old Khoby Dawson at the Raymond Terrace Macca's, in the NSW Hunter, when a group of youths allegedly attacked him from within the store after being asked to take what appeared to be alcohol outside.

The group then allegedly became agitating and started to verbally assault Dawson, before the situation escalated and it turned physical, with the group seen in CCTV footage throwing cutlery at four staff members. Dawson can then be seen trying to diffuse the altercation, but video shows the the group continued to make trouble.

A group of teens have been charged after allegedly starting a brawl at a McDonald's restaurant in NSW. Khoby Dawson, 22, is pictured here with facial injuries. Source: 9 News

Allegedly drunken teens cause chaos at McDonald's

"They started getting up in my face and said 'do you want a fight?'" Dawson told 9 News. Several boys are seen on video throwing punches at Dawson, as he steps out in front of the counter to try and de-escalate tensions.

It's then when his co-worker Luke steps in wielding a grill scraper, coming to the defence of his colleague. "If [Luke] wasn't there I don't know what the outcome could've been," Dawson said.

"My manager was on the phone to [the police] the entire time [we were] trying to get them out, but they didn't arrive until 20-25 minutes after the fight. What are we supposed to do in that situation?"

One of the McDonald's employees was forced to use a grill scraper to defend his colleague. Source: 9News

In the wake of the incident Dawson  an apprentice plumber who works shifts at McDonald's for extra cash  said the fast-food giant needs better protections in place for workers.

Employee calls for 'changes to safety policies'

"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 said. " It'll cost them more in the long run if someone gets injured worse than I got injured."

Story continues

A spokesperson for McDonald's Australia said there are already "a number of safety" and security measures in place for staff.

"McDonald's Raymond Terrace has a number of safety procedures in place including 24-hour CCTV surveillance, alarm systems and security guards on overnight shifts from Friday to Sunday," the spokesperson said.

Six teenagers, aged 13 to 17, have been charged in relation to the alleged attack.

The Raymond Terrace Macca's is located in the NSW Hunter region. Source: 9 News

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

NFTactics brings its NFT Platform to Life



NFTactics is pleased to introduce its NFT platform to the world, it is inspired by Shooter Game, a widely popular multiplayer online first-person shooter game. It is renowned for its thrilling gameplay and its ingrained gaming culture and beloved community. Particularly, the in-game skin market, where players trade and collect unique weapon skins and other items, has become a significant aspect of the gaming experience. These skins are not merely in-game adornments but symbols of player identity and achievement.

NFTactics is committed to providing the community with a comprehensive NFT platform, utilizing the uniqueness of NFTs to enable users to enjoy a complete experience of collecting, trading, and interacting. NFTactics goes beyond the boundaries of traditional NFT marketplaces, offering an immersive experience through an integrated ecosystem that includes collectibles, gamified elements, and community interaction.

Core Advantages of NFTactics

Innovative Integrated Gaming Experience: Combining popular shooter game elements with NFTs, offering unique gaming and collecting value.

Diverse Asset Ecosystem: Featuring a variety of NFTs, including limited edition game skins, artworks, and other game-related assets.

Community-Oriented Development: Emphasizing community participation, giving users a say in the platform's development direction.

Secure Transaction Environment: Utilizing blockchain technology to ensure transaction transparency and security, providing a trustworthy trading experience.

Key Products and Services

NFT Issuance and Trading: Allowing users to buy, sell, or trade unique NFTs, encompassing game props, artworks, and more.

Mystery Boxes and Fusion Mechanisms: Acquiring random NFTs through mystery boxes, or merging multiple NFTs to upgrade into rarer and higher-value items.

Battle Royale Game: A competitive platform based on NFT assets, where players can win tangible rewards.

Virtual Store: Users can purchase game items and related products online using NFTs or cryptocurrency.

Ecosystem Construction

NFTactics aims to build a multi-tiered ecosystem that fosters collaboration among players, collectors, and developers. The platform leverages NFT technology to enhance players' engagement and sense of ownership, while also providing new monetization avenues for content creators and developers, driving innovation and economic growth in the gaming industry.

Through continuous technological innovation and community development, NFTactics is shaping the future of digital collectibles and gaming assets, establishing a sustainable, scalable, and highly participatory blockchain gaming ecosystem. As technology evolves and the community grows, NFTactics will become a significant bridge in the worlds of gaming, art, and investment, delivering unparalleled value and experiences to all participants.



Contact Info:

Name: Erin Adlina

Email: Send Email

Organization: NFTactics

Website: https://web.tactics.fun



Disclaimer:



This press release is for informational purposes only. Information verification has been done to the best of our ability. Still, due to the speculative nature of the blockchain (cryptocurrency, NFT, mining, etc.) sector as a whole, complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.



You are advised to conduct your own research and exercise caution. Investments in these fields are inherently risky and should be approached with due diligence.

Release ID: 89125641

In case of identifying any problems, concerns, or inaccuracies in the content shared in this press release, or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our dedicated team will be readily accessible to address your concerns and take swift action within 8 hours to rectify any issues identified or assist with the removal process. We are committed to delivering high-quality content and ensuring accuracy for our valued readers.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Australias Leading Laser Clinic Redefines Grooming Standards with Results Express Clinics, Tailored for Busy CBD Workers.



Established in 2005 by Paulina Saliba, Results Laser Clinic has emerged as the premier destination in Australia for laser hair removal and cosmetic procedures. Renowned for its expertise in laser hair removal, the brand is excited to announce the launch of Results Express Clinics, now available in Sydney CBD, Melbourne CBD, and Brisbane CBD. These convenient Express CBD Clinics are designed to streamline and expedite the laser hair removal journey for both men and women.

Results Express Clinics delivers a seamless and time-efficient laser hair removal experience tailored to suit the fast-paced lifestyles of clients. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and highly skilled therapists, registered nurses, and staff, these clinics ensure top-tier hair removal treatments that yield exceptional results in record time. Conveniently situated in Sydney CBD, Melbourne CBD, and Brisbane CBD, appointments can be booked in just 30 seconds, guaranteeing instant availability and swift service for CBD professionals. Offering flexible scheduling options, clients can seamlessly integrate hair removal sessions into their busy routines, achieving silky-smooth, hair-free skin with minimal disruption. Whether focusing on specific areas or opting for full-body treatments, Results Express Clinics prioritize client comfort and satisfaction, guaranteeing a swift and effective journey towards hair removal success.

"Men's laser hair removal, once considered taboo, has become a bi-weekly routine for many. At Results Laser Clinic, we're proud to be at the forefront of this shift, providing men with a comfortable and effective solution to their grooming needs. Our Express Laser Clinics offer a convenient and discreet environment where men can confidently embrace laser hair removal as part of their regular grooming regimen." - Paulina Saliba, Founder of Results Laser Clinic.

Founder Paulina Saliba emphasizes that the growing trend of men's laser hair removal reflects a shift in grooming habits and an increasing desire for a sleek, well-groomed appearance. The brand is at the forefront of meeting this demand with its innovative Results Express Clinics. Their specialized facilities cater specifically to the needs of male clientele, offering discreet and efficient laser hair removal services. By providing a comfortable environment and utilizing state-of-the-art technology, Results Laser Clinic ensures that men can confidently embrace laser hair removal as a routine aspect of their grooming regimen.



The introduction of Results Express Clinics complements Results Laser Clinic's comprehensive range of services, which includes:

- Men's and Women's Laser Hair Removal Packages

- Skin Treatments

- Body Treatments

- Cosmetic Injectables

- Rejuvenation Therapy

- Facial Threads

- Hair Regrowth

Customers have praised Results Express Clinics for their outstanding service and transformative treatments.

"As a male, I was initially hesitant about trying laser hair removal, but Results Express Clinics made the entire experience comfortable and efficient. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the results speak for themselves. I'm thrilled with the outcome!"

"I've been a regular at Results Laser Clinic, and I couldn't be more excited about their Results Express Clinics. The convenience of fast service tailored for CBD workers is truly a game-changer for me. It's a winning solution that perfectly aligns with my busy lifestyle."

"I've tried other laser hair removal clinics, but none compared to Results Laser Clinics. Their expertise and attention to detail are unmatched, and I've seen a noticeable difference after just a few sessions. Highly recommend to anyone considering laser hair removal to try out their Express Clinics."

Results Laser Clinic's introduction of Results Express Clinics marks a significant milestone in laser hair removal and grooming services. With a focus on meeting the needs of busy CBD workers, these clinics offer unparalleled convenience and efficiency without compromising on quality. Clients can now save precious time by accessing Express Laser Packages for both men and women online, enabling them to schedule appointments during weekends or after hours, achieve laser hair removal, and save time.

To learn more about Results Express Clinics or to shop their express laser packages for men and women. Please visit the Results Laser Clinic website today.

About Results Laser Clinic

Results Laser Clinic, established in 2005, is Australia's foremost hair removal clinic. Boasting over two decades of expertise and having served over 300,000 satisfied customers, the brand prides itself on a team of highly skilled therapists and registered nurses. Results Laser Clinic is committed to delivering innovative and cutting-edge treatments, empowering clients to feel confident in their skin. With nearly 50 clinics nationwide, the clinic remains at the forefront of the industry, setting the standard for exceptional service and delivering remarkable results.



Contact Info:

Name: Paulina Saliba

Email: Send Email

Organization: Results Laser Clinic

Address: Shop 5011/159-175 Church St, Parramatta NSW 2150

Phone: 0278098865

Website: https://resultslaserclinic.com.au/



Release ID: 89125639

Should you come across any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within this press release's content, we urge you to reach out without delay by contacting [email protected]. Our committed team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information remains our utmost priority.
TOKYO, Mar 29, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - - The TANAKA Memorial Foundation's Representative Director, Hideya Okamoto, announced the recipients of the FY2023 Precious Metals Research Grants.

Following a rigorous screening process, the Umekichi Tanaka Award, for 10 million yen, was presented to Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University, and the Gold Award, for 2 million yen, was presented to Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University. In addition, one research project received the Silver Award, and three Young Researcher Awards were presented.

The TANAKA Memorial Foundation undertakes programs designed to foster developments in new precious metal fields while contributing to the advancement of science, technology, and socio-economics for the overall enrichment of society. The research grant program was launched in FY1999 and has continued each year since with the goal of supporting the various challenges of the "new world opened up by precious metals." This year, the program's 25th year, the Umekichi Tanaka Award was established in honor of the founder, Umekichi Tanaka, who was instrumental in expanding the industrial use of precious metals, and researchers were invited to apply for the program in a wide range of fields where precious metals can make contributions to the research and development of new technologies, and research and development can be applied to precious metals. As a result, a total of 210 applications were received, and a total of 19 research grants of 19.9 million yen was awarded.

The names of the recipients of the Umekichi Tanaka Award and Gold Award, their research, and the reasons for their selection are below.

Umekichi Tanaka Award

Professor Haruichi Kanaya of Kyushu University

Research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function

This research engages in development to make it possible to use bonding wire in the high-frequency band, which was not previous possible, by coating the surface of bonding wire with a magnetic thin film containing precious metals. It is an extremely groundbreaking advancement that further applies the unprecedented phenomenon of magnetic thin films under study. It is expected to be applied to general electric wires, and the great potential for the expansion of precious metals into new material fields was also highly rated.

Gold Award

Professor Seiji Ogo of Kyushu University

Development of precious metal hydrogen energy electron carriers

This research seeks to create a single hydrogen-derived electron (precious metal complex) that can extract electrons from hydrogen under mild conditions and directly use the electrons when needed, as an unprecedented concept. It was highly rated not only as innovative energy carriers for the realization of carbon neutrality, but also as a potential for direct use in various catalytic reactions.

One Silver Award, three Young Researcher Awards, and 13 TANAKA Special Awards were also granted. The recipients and an overview of the Precious Metals Research Grants are indicated below. Applications for the FY2024 research grants are scheduled to open in the fall.

List of FY2022 Precious Metals Research Grants Recipients

- Umekichi Tanaka Award (1 award: 10 million yen)

Haruichi Kanaya, Professor, Kyushu University

Research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function

- Gold Award (1 award: 2 million yen)

Seiji Ogo, Professor, Kyushu University

Development of precious metal hydrogen energy electron carriers

- Silver Award (1 award: 1 million yen)

Hitoshi Ogihara, Professor, Saitama University

Pioneering of green electrolysis processes based on precious metal catalysts

- Young Researcher Awards (3 awards: 1 million yen each)

Aki Kitaori, Research Associate, The University of Tokyo

Realization of next-generation computational magnetic materials using platinum compounds

Naoki Inomata, Associate professor, Tohoku University

Creation of unlabeled sensing technology for biogas using terahertz metamaterials

Shohei Tada, Assistant Professor

Hokkaido University Elucidation of the inhibition mechanism of side reactions in the synthesis of methanol from CO2 using precious metal catalysts

- TANAKA Special Awards (13 awards: 300,000 yen each)

Tatsuya Joutsuka, Lecturer, Ibaraki University

Rie Umetsu, Professor, Tohoku University

Shinji Koyama, Associate professor, Gunma University

Kowa Koida, Associate professor, Toyohashi University of Technology

Makoto Hasegawa, Professor, Chitose Institute of Science and Technology

Tsukasa Torimoto, Professor, Nagoya University

Shogo Nakasumi, Team Leader, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Kazuya Suzuki, Assistant Principal Researcher, Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Koji Yamamoto, Lecturer, Shujitsu University

Takamasa Mori, Professor, Hosei University

Yukihiro Shimogaki, Professor, The University of Tokyo

Akira Nagaoka, Associate Professor, University of Miyazaki

Toshinori Fujie, Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

(Affiliated organizations and job titles correct as of time of presentation)

Overview of the 2023 Precious Metals Research Grants

[Conditions]

Research content that falls under any of the following

- New technology related to precious metals (new materials, processing methods, process development, etc.)

- Research that brings about innovative evolution in product development (new functions, process development, computational science, etc.)

- Research and development of new products using precious metals

- Effective technologies for creating a well-balanced and prosperous society

* Precious metal refers to eight elements of platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.

* If development is conducted jointly (or planned to be) with other material manufacturers, please indicate so.

* Products that have already been commercialized, put to practical use, or that are planned are not eligible.

[Grant Amounts] (Maximum amounts from a grant pool of 20 million yen)

- Umekichi Tanaka Award (New): 10 million yen

- Gold Award: 2 million yen

- Silver Award: 1 million yen

- Young Researcher Award: 1 million yen

- TANAKA Special Award (Previously Encouragement Award): 300,000 yen

* The grant amount is treated as a scholarship donation.

* Awards may not be granted in some cases.

* The Platinum Award was discontinued from this year.

[Eligible Candidates]

- Personnel who belong to (or work for) educational institutions in Japan (universities, graduate schools, or technical colleges) or public and related research institutions may participate.

* As long as the applicant is affiliated with a research institution in Japan, the base of activity can be in Japan or overseas.

* The Young Researcher Awards are for researchers under the age of 37 as of April 1, 2023.

[Application Period]

- 9am, September 4, 2023 (Mon) - 5pm, November 30, 2023 (Thu)

[Inquiries Concerning the Research Grant Program]

Precious Metals Research Grants Office

Global Marketing / R&D Supervisory Department, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6422

E-mail: [email protected]

TANAKA Memorial Foundation website: https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp

TANAKA Memorial Foundation

Organization Name: TANAKA Kikinzoku Memorial Foundation

Address: 22F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Hideya Okamoto (Special Advisor, TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.)

Incorporated: 2015

Purpose of Business: To provide grants for research related to precious metals to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals, and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy.

Areas of Business:

- Provision of grants for scientific and technological research related to precious metals.

- Recognition of excellent analysis of precious metals and holding of seminars and other events.

TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 22F, Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Founded: 1885

Incorporated: 1918*

Representative: Koichiro Tanaka, Group CEO

Capital: 500 million yen

Net sales of consolidated group: 611,100 million yen (as of the fiscal year ended December 2023)

Employees in consolidated group: 5,355 employees (as of the fiscal year ended December 2023)

Main businesses of the group: The holding company at the center of TANAKA PRECIOUS METALS is responsible for strategic and efficient group management and management guidance to group companies.

Website: https://www.tanaka.co.jp/english (TANAKA PRECIOUS METALS)

https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en (Industrial products)

* Tanaka Holdings adopted a holding company structure on April 1, 2010.

Press Inquiries

TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.

https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/

Press Release: http://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20240329EN.pdf

Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
BEIJING , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 was held in Boao, south China's Hainan Province on Thursday, with China's top legislator Zhao Leji stressing China's economic potential, appealing to international investors and calling for Asia solidarity and cooperation for regional prosperity in his keynote speech.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, highlighted that China is pursuing a path of high-quality development and is deepening reform and opening up, which he said will provide great development opportunities for Asia and the world.

'Investing in China is investing in the future'

China has set an economic growth target of around five percent for 2024 and the country's GDP grew by 5.2 percent last year, one of the highest among major economies. The Chinese economy has accounted for about one-third of global growth, and the International Monetary Fund last year projected that a 1 percentage point increase in GDP growth in China will lead to a 0.3 percentage point increase in other Asian economies.

To transform its economy and achieve sustainable development, China now is deepening reforms. For example, China has pledged to further shorten the negative list for foreign investment, remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector and deliver national treatment for foreign businesses.

On March 22 , the Chinese Commerce Ministry rolled out the first negative list for cross-border trade in service sectors at the national level, in which sectors that are not listed are, by default, open to foreign service suppliers under the same conditions as for domestic service suppliers, a major step for China's further opening up.

China also promised to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Official data shows that China's installed solar capacity accounted for nearly half of the world's, the number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) registered in China accounts for over half of the world's and at least 25 percent of the foliage expansion since the early 2000s globally came from China . Zhao said China's green and low-carbon development is expected to nurture a 10-trillion-yuan (about $1.4 trillion ) market for investment and consumption each year.

In addition, new drivers of China's economy resulting from tech innovation are also growing fast. At the just concluded China Development Forum, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the added value of China's strategic emerging industries increased from 7.6 percent of GDP 10 years ago to more than 13 percent last year, the scale of China's digital economy has exceeded 50 trillion yuan , and China has as many as 24 of the world's top 100 sci-tech innovation clusters.

"The potential of China's supersized market with over 1.4 billion people will be further unlocked," said Zhao. "Investing in China is investing in the future."

Cooperation is vital for global prosperity

Zhao also expressed optimism for Asia's development at the forum, saying it's the "most dynamic and promising" region in the world, but he warned that protectionism and a cold-war mindset are undercutting some countries' efforts for development and pushing the world toward division and confrontation.

A report published by BFA Academy on Tuesday predicted that the Asian economy will sustain a strong growth rate in 2024, accounting for 49 percent of the world's GDP, and its growth rate is expected to reach 4.5 percent.

Although the growth of Asia may face pressures from a global economic slowdown, geopolitical conflict and other factors, positive factors including accelerated digital trade, recovery of tourism and advancements of regional economic integration such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will add new impetus to Asian trade and investment, the report predicted.

Zhao stressed that peace is a prerequisite for Asia's development in the face of intertwined and complex global security threats. He 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.

During the 2022 Boao Forum, China proposed the Global Security Initiative, promoting the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. In 2021, China proposed the Global Development Initiative, which promotes globalization, multilateralism and free trade, aiming to build a just, equitable, open and inclusive world.

"No country is able to develop itself behind closed doors," said Zhao, adding "We must oppose trade protectionism and all forms of erecting barriers, decoupling or severing supply chains, but instead share opportunities in opening up and seek win-win outcomes through cooperation."

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-03-28/China-deepens-reform-and-opening-up-appeals-to-global-investors-1sl0CI4gKDm/p.html

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SOURCE CGTN
A delegation from Estonia , including Minister Tit Lysalo and Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede , visited DeepBrain AI headquarters.

Introduce AI human solutions and discuss cooperation plans to implement a virtual assistant at the Estonian Information System Agency

PALO ALTO, Calif. , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepBrain AI (CEO Se-young Jang ), a domestic company specializing in generative artificial intelligence (AI), announced on the 22nd that we met with a visiting delegation from the Estonian Ministry of Economy, Information and Communication to discuss ways to apply AI human in local public services.

This discussion took place when a visiting delegation from the Estonian Ministry of Economy, Information and Communication, who came to Korea to attend the 3rd Democracy Summit held in Seoul , visited Deep Brain AI headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 20th. This visit was made possible after the Estonian Minister of Economy, Information and Communication's office directly requested a meeting with Deep Brain AI from the local business office.

The Estonian Ministry of Economy, Information and Communication is seeking to improve the competitiveness of public services by introducing a virtual assistant using AI technology at its affiliated organization, the Information Systems Agency of Estonia (RIA). In keeping with the trends of the times, the plan is to use AI technology to build a system where the country and citizens can communicate freely.

As part of this, the Estonian visiting delegation, including Estonian Minister of Economy, Information and Communication Tit Lysalo and Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede , held detailed discussions on AI human technologies applicable to RIA, including the introduction of virtual assistants.

DeepBrain AI introduced the company and demonstrated AI human technology and various services using it, and the visiting delegation from the Estonian Ministry of Economy, Information and Communication showed particular interest in deep learning-based virtual human implementation technology. In addition, various ways of cooperation were discussed, including availability of Estonian language, operational solutions, and service advancement.

Jang Se-young , CEO of DeepBrain AI, said, "We plan to hold additional detailed working-level discussions with Estonia as soon as possible to ensure that virtual humans can be successfully introduced", "This will set a precedent for strengthening communication between state agencies and citizens using virtual humans," he said.

Meanwhile, Deep Brain AI is recognized for its global top-level AI human solution capabilities by participating in major global tech events such as CES 20222023 and NAB 2022, and repeatedly winning awards. Recently, it has been expanding its global influence by participating in MWC 2024, the world's largest mobile communications fair held in Barcelona, Spain , and conducting business discussions with officials. (end)

1. Homepage: https://www.deepbrain.io/

2. Service: https://app.deepbrain.io/dashboard

3. Description page: https://www.aistudios.com/

Contact:

Name: John (Jungwook) Son

Email: [email protected]

Phone No.: +1 650 279 9646

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SOURCE DeepBrain AI
HONG KONG , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "We are even more clear that we must focus on building sustainable, predictable, and enterprise with stable growth. "

Speaking at the 2023 annual results conference on March 28th , Fosun International Chairman Guo Guangchang said, "We are even more clear that we must focus on building sustainable, predictable, and enterprise with stable profit growth. Our core strategy revolves around directing our efforts towards enterprises where we have already established advantages. We used to "prospecting" and "exploration" across various industries and locations worldwide, and now we have evolved to 'deep mining' and 'developing good mines'. We will actively invest and expand particularly in sectors where we hold competitive edges. Looking ahead, amidst all uncertainties, we must rely on our own stronger capabilities and greater certainty to navigate challenges."

Chairman Guo, along with Co-Chairman of Fosun International Wang Qunbin, Co-CEOs Chen Qiyu and Xu Xiaoliang, and CFO Gong Ping , engaged in in-depth discussions on company strategies, operational performances, innovation and technology investment, and global operations, addressing queries from investors.

In 2023, Fosun continued to implement core business-focused strategy, maintain steady development and improve its operating capabilities in advantageous industries During the Reporting Period, the Group achieved a total revenue of RMB198.2 billion , profit attributable to owners of the parent was RMB1.38 billion . Meanwhile, Fosun has continued to optimize its debt structure and strengthen liquidity management to prepare for the next phase of steady development. As a result, total debt continued to reduce both at consolidated statements of the Group and at the Group level. International credit agency S&P raised Fosun's rating outlook to "stable", recognizing Fosun's financial strategy and the sustainability of future development.

In addressing investors' questions about the financial situation, Wang Qunbin said Fosun will maintain its strategic focus and continued to promote its business streamlining strategy, with the goal of upgrading the rating to "investment grade" by S&P. He elaborated further, saying, "Firstly, we will continue our 'asset-light strategy' and continue to push forward the implementation of the divestment of non-strategy and non-core assets; Secondly, we will concentrate on development, focusing on our advantageous and sustainable growth businesses, especially those with cash flow and profit growth."

Guo Guangchang also emphasized future focus on asset-light operation. "We need to continue reducing the proportion of heavy assets, not because we are not developing, but to concentrate our development on asset-light ventures, generating profits through such endeavors. Simply put, we need to rely on our "operational capabilities" to make money, not just by money itself. It's about earning through capability and expertise, and this is our unwavering commitment."

Speaking at the conference, Co-CEO Chen Qiyu elaborated on Fosun's technology innovation strategy, stating, "In this new strategic cycle, we prioritize the development of globally competitive businesses and continuously enhance product competitiveness through technology innovation. Take Shanghai Henlius as an example, we not only invest in research and development but also focus on being 'smart and efficient.' Shanghai Henlius has become a pioneer in achieving sustainable profitability through product management, which is also empowered by technology innovation. In the future, we will continue to adhere to this approach and increase technology innovation investment across all sectors of Fosun."

When discussing global business presence, Co-CEO Xu Xiaoliang said, "Fosun has now basically completed its global industrial deployment and entered the second stage of globalization, which is global operations. From initially 'viewing the world from China ' to now 'viewing the world from the world,' there are significant operational opportunities and areas for product research and development, supply chain integration, and global marketing. In the future, Fosun will further leverage global operations to unearth more valuable ' good mines' and achieve sustainable business growth."

Gong Ping , the CFO, introduced Fosun's financial performance for the full year of 2023 and elaborated on the future financial strategy. He stated that Fosun aims to maintain a well-balanced financial portfolio through high-quality global business combinations and revenue from the four major sectors to provide effective hedging. Fosun will also continue to diversify its financing methods, reduce liabilities through divestment of non-strategic and non-core assets, adhere firmly to the asset-light operational approach, and support industrial growth through the development of industry funds.

Guo Guangchang emphasized, "We must be proactive, yet we also frequently remind ourselves and others to tread cautiously, as if walking on thin ice or standing at the edge of an abyss, approaching our tasks with utmost care and dedication."

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SOURCE Fosun
IRVINE, Calif. , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a Department of Justice press release , a South Carolina man was recently sentenced to serve time in federal prison after a criminal tax conviction. This story should serve as a reminder that the consequences of intentionally dodging tax obligations can be life altering. If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years, or have taken a position on a tax return that cannot be supported upon an IRS or state tax examination, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to discuss your options.

Defendant Failed to File Tax Returns for Several Years

Court documents reveal that a self-employed contractor from Daniel Island, South Carolina , was engaged in construction and remodeling services in Auburn, New York . Between 2007 and 2010, he failed to file income tax returns and did not pay income taxes. Following the initiation of a criminal investigation into his tax affairs in June 2010 , the defendant knowingly filed a late 2007 tax return that underreported his business's total gross receipts and income.

After his conviction, he was sentenced to two years in federal prison. Additionally, he was ordered to serve one year of supervised release, commencing upon the completion of his physical incarceration.

Coming Into Compliance After Failing to File Tax Returns or After Filing Fraudulent Returns Without Facing Criminal Tax Prosecution

This case underscores the importance of compliance with federal and state tax laws. Noncompliance can lead to significant legal penalties, including physical imprisonment. Individuals facing potential tax issues are advised to seek the counsel of an experienced tax attorney . Working with a professional can help clarify the facts of one's case, identify legal risks, and allows for the development of a strategy to come into tax compliance, thereby avoiding the daunting prospect of facing criminal tax prosecution.

If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years or have taken a position on a tax return that could not be supported upon an IRS or state tax authority audit, eggshell audit, reverse eggshell audit, or criminal tax investigation, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your best route back into federal or state tax compliance without facing criminal prosecution.

Note: As long as a taxpayer that has willfully committed tax crimes (potentially including non-filed foreign information returns coupled with affirmative evasion of U.S. income tax on offshore income) self-reports the tax fraud (including a pattern of non-filed returns) through a domestic or offshore voluntary disclosure before the IRS has started an audit or criminal tax investigation / prosecution, the taxpayer can ordinarily be successfully brought back into tax compliance and receive a nearly guaranteed pass on criminal tax prosecution and simultaneously often receive a break on the civil penalties that would otherwise apply.

It is imperative that you hire an experienced and reputable criminal tax defense attorney to take you through the voluntary disclosure process. Only an Attorney has the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Privileges that will prevent the very professional that you hire from being potentially being forced to become a witness against you, especially where they prepared the returns that need to be amended, in a subsequent criminal tax audit, investigation or prosecution.

Moreover, only an Attorney can enter you into a voluntary disclosure without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (a crime in itself). Only an Attorney trained in Criminal Tax Defense fully understands the risks and rewards involved in voluntary disclosures and how to protect you if you do not qualify for a voluntary disclosure.

As uniquely qualified and extensively experienced Criminal Tax Defense Tax Attorneys, Kovel CPAs and EAs, our firm provides a one stop shop to efficiently achieve the optimal and predictable results that simultaneously protect your liberty and your net worth. See our Testimonials to see what our clients have to say about us!

We Are Here for You

Regardless of your business or estate needs, the professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing are here for you. We are open for business and our team will help ensure that your business is too. Contact the Law Offices of David W. Klasing today to discuss your business with one of our professionals.

In addition to our fully staffed main office in downtown Irvine California , the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing has unstaffed (conference room only) California based satellite offices in Los Angeles , San Bernardino , Santa Barbara , Panorama City , Oxnard , San Diego , Bakersfield , San Jose , San Francisco , Oakland , Carlsbad , Sacramento . We also have unstaffed (conference room only) satellite offices in Las Vegas Nevada , Salt Lake City Utah , Phoenix Arizona & Albuquerque New Mexico , Austin Texas , Washington DC , Miami Florida and New York New York that solely handle Federal & California Tax issues.

Our office technology allows clients to meet virtually via GoToMeeting . With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords, and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link . Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client. We also now offer a convenient scheduling option, where you can secure David W. Klasing, Esq M.S.-Tax CPA's undivided attention for a 4-hour consultation at any of his satellite offices.

See our Audit Representation Q and A Library

See our Criminal Tax Law Q and A Library

Here is a link to our YouTube channel: click here!

Public Contact: Dave Klasing Esq . M.S.-Tax CPA, [email protected]

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SOURCE Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, PC
Honda North earns Top Honda Dealership for the 16th Time overall

DANVERS, Mass. , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda North, a proud member and flag ship of the ICL family of dealerships, has once again secured the prestigious President's Award for 2023 from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. This esteemed recognition, bestowed upon top-ranking Honda dealerships nationwide, marks the 16th time Honda North has clinched the title of Top Honda Dealership over a 24 year span!

The President's Award is Honda's highest dealership honor, reflecting excellence across all aspects of a dealership's operations. Criteria include outstanding customer service and satisfaction, sales performance, training initiatives, and facility standards.

"We are deeply honored to receive the prestigious Honda Presidents Award", says General Manager, Bryan Laskin . "Our team of dedicated employee owners has always strived to deliver the utmost level of service, and we are thrilled to see our efforts recognized once again. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire Honda North team for their unwavering commitment to excellence every single day, as well as to our incredibly supportive and trusting customers. This achievement would not have been possible without their continued support and trust in us!"

Honda North's 16th win of the President's Award places it among an elite group of Honda dealerships. Only 13% of the 1,073 Honda dealers nationwide win this customer centric and hard-earned award.

"As the CEO, I am very grateful for the team at Honda North; the employee owners are dedicated to serve customers as best as possible while making it look seamless," added President and CEO, Joseph Hajjar .

The Honda President's Award Program aims to promote greater customer satisfaction each year by adjusting its objectives to match market dynamics. To further enhance and to continually improve the in-store experience, Honda North is currently under a renovation to update all aspects of the facility and customer areas with modern amenities.

"I could not be more-proud of our team for not only the service they provide our Honda customers but also how they believe in giving back to the local community", says Dealer Principal, Marshall Jespersen . "It is an honor to serve the public and their families but to be recognized further supports our belief in being Employee Owned and Customer Focused!"

Honda North offers the complete lineup of Honda vehicles. For more information on Honda's award-winning vehicles, visit www.honda.com. To learn more about Honda North, visit www.hondanorth.com.

About International Cars, Ltd:

International Cars, Ltd., is an employee owned company comprised of seven New England area dealerships including Audi Stratham , Honda Stratham and Porsche Stratham , in Stratham, New Hampshire , Dover Honda and Dover Chevrolet in Dover, New Hampshire , and 1 North Pre-Owned and Honda North in Danvers , Massachusetts.

In 2024, International Cars, Ltd., will be opening Portsmouth Volkswagen in Greenland, New Hampshire as well as Kia North in Danvers, Massachusetts .

Honda North has been recognized as a 2023 Honda President's Award recipient for the 16th time in 24 years! Honda North has also previously advanced to the prestigious Master Circle . The Honda Masters Circle recognizes the top 50 dealerships in new vehicle sales nationally.

Dover Honda has also won Honda's President's Award 8 total times.

International Cars has won several industry awards, including the Audi Magna Society Award a total of 7 times. Also, Porsche Stratham has been recognized as past Porsche Premier Dealer.

Company-wide values focused on ownership, accountability, and high-level customer service and satisfaction are an integral part of employee ownership success. Together, International Cars earned several AACE (Annual Award for Communications Excellence) Awards through The National ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Association. For more information on International Cars, please call Michael Nadeau at (978) 539-5006 or visit www.iclautos.com.

Contact: Michael Nadeau

Honda North

(978) 539-5006

[email protected]

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SOURCE Honda North
New Exhibit Explores Local and Regional Indigenous Cultures

SEATTLE , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Science Center (PacSci) presents its new exhibit Pollinator Path to the public today. Pollinator Path encourages visitors to reflect on the intertwined and cyclical relationship between plants, pollinators, animals, and themselves. PacSci worked closely with Owen Oliver ( Quinault / Isleta Pueblo ) of Headwater People to create this outdoor exhibit with a Native-led interpretive approach.

"Pollinator Path is important because it centers Indigenous stories that have been told in and outside of the Pacific Northwest ," said Oliver. "Pollinators are a piece of these stories that call us to reflect on how and if we are being good stewards to our non-human kin. Chinuk Wawa (Chinook Jargon) used here highlights a collaboration of Native/non-Native words and syntax in the Northwest. I wanted to use it here to emphasize the vast and unique Indigenous languages that are still spoken and being revitalized in Washington ."

Indigenous knowledge, historically excluded and still underrepresented in STEM, takes center stage in this multi-sensory exhibit, such as the story of the "three sisters" corn, beans, and squash  that have long been planted together, highlighting Indigenous agricultural expertise and tradition. Berries, ferns, and other native plants used for food and medicinal purposes also attract native pollinators such as birds and bees.

"Supporting community-driven narratives is just one way that Pacific Science Center's exhibits prioritize inclusion and representation. Collaborations such as the Pollinator Path are a step towards developing deeper relationships with Indigenous communities, who have had ties to this land since time immemorial," said Isabelle Heyward , Director of Exhibits at Pacific Science Center. "We have a lot to learn. I hope the Pollinator Path inspires curiosity in our guests about different ways of knowing and being, and about the environment we live in, its history, and the impacts we all have on one another."

Native plant, pollinator, and animal names that have been used for millennia  and are still used today  by local and regional Indigenous communities will be on display, and Chinuk Wawa, a Native Pacific Northwest language, will be written, read, and heard throughout the exhibit.

Visit PacSci.org to learn more.

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SOURCE Pacific Science Center
BEIJING , SHANGHAI and BOSTON , March 28, 2024 Jacobio/PRNewswire/ -- Pharma (1167.HK), a clinical-stage oncology company drugging the undruggable targets, today announced its 2023 annual results. The revenue was RMB63.5 million , the R&D investment was RMB372 million , the cash and cash equivalent at the end of 2023 was RMB 1.2 billion . Jacobio Pharma also announced its recent business progress and expected milestones.

Dr. Wang Yinxiang , Chairman and CEO of Jacobio Pharma, said: "In the past year, Jacobio continued to make progress in our projects. We received approval for registrational phase III clinical trial of the combination therapy between our SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312 and KRAS G12C inhibitor glecirasib. Our JAB-3312 became the first SHP2 inhibitor to enter into registrational trial. This milestone is consistent with our mission of 'drugging the undruggable'. Meanwhile, the patient enrollment for pivotal trial of our core product glecirasib has been completed, and the NDA application expected to be submitted in the first half of 2024. This marks that Jacobio will enter into the commercial stage."

Development of core clinical stage products

KRAS G12C inhibitor Glecirasib (JAB-21822)



Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

The patient enrollment for pivotal trial of glecirasib monotherapy in 2L NSCLC patients harboring KRAS G12C mutation was completed. The NDA application is expected to be submitted to CDE ( Center for drug evaluation, NMPA) in Q2 2024 as planned.

for drug evaluation, NMPA) in Q2 2024 as planned. 1L NSCLC is in combination with SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312. The phase III registrational trial was approved by CDE.

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC)

The pivotal trial of glecirasib monotherapy in 2L PDAC patients was activated in China .

. The results were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) GI Annual Meeting. The cORR was 41.9% (13/31) and the DCR was 93.5% (29/31). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 5.6 months.

Colorectal cancer (CRC)

The clinical results of glecirasib monotherapy and glecirasib combined with cetuximab in advanced colorectal cancer were presented at the Second JCA- AACR Precision Medicine International Conference .

. Phase III pivotal trial design of glecirasib monotherapy or glecirasib in combination with cetuximab is expected to be approved by CDE in Q2 2024.

Multi-tumors basket

Multi-tumors basket includes biliary tract cancer, gastric cancer, small bowel cancer, appendices cancer, etc.

The results were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) GI Annual Meeting. The cORR was 57.9%11/19), DCR was 84.2%16/19), mPFS was 7.0 months.

Annual Meeting. The cORR was 57.9%11/19), DCR was 84.2%16/19), mPFS was 7.0 months. A phase II single arm pivotal trial is under communication with CDE.

SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312

The Phase III pivotal trial of JAB-3312 in combination with glecirasib to treat 1L NSCLC patients has been approved by CDE, and this study in China is expected to initiated in Q3 2024. JAB-3312 is the very first SHP2 inhibitor entering a phase III registrational trial worldwide.

is expected to initiated in Q3 2024. JAB-3312 is the very first inhibitor entering a phase III registrational trial worldwide. The clinical data of glecirasib in combination with JAB-3312 was published at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO 2023). Glecirasib (800mg once daily) + JAB-3312 2mg (once daily for 1 week on, then 1 week off) dosage yielded ORR of 86.7% (13/15) and DCR of 100% (15/15).

(ESMO 2023). Glecirasib (800mg once daily) + JAB-3312 2mg (once daily for 1 week on, then 1 week off) dosage yielded ORR of 86.7% (13/15) and DCR of 100% (15/15). Long term safety and efficacy data have submitted to the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

Development of other clinical products

P53 Y220C activator JAB-30355: The IND has been approved by U.S. FDA ( Food and Drug Administration ), and phase I clinical trial is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2024. Preclinical data will be presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024.

FDA ( ), and phase I clinical trial is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2024. Preclinical data will be presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024. BET inhibitor JAB-8263: A Phase II trial of JAB-8263 monotherapy or combination therapies is planned to be initiated in the second half of 2024. Clinical data will be published at the 2024 European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress .

inhibitor JAB-8263: A Phase II trial of JAB-8263 monotherapy or combination therapies is planned to be initiated in the second half of 2024. Clinical data will be published at the 2024 . Aurora A inhibitor JAB-2485: RP2D is anticipated to be determined in Q2 2024. The preclinical study of JAB-2485 was presented at the 2023 AACR.

Anti-CD73 humanized monoclonal antibody JAB-BX102: RP2D is anticipated to be determined in Q2 2024. The preclinical study of JAB-2485 was presented at the 2023 AACR.

PARP7 inhibitor JAB-26766: Preclinical data will be presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024.

We are optimizing the clinical development strategy for PARP7 inhibitor JAB-26766, GUE (glutamine-utilizing enzyme) inhibitor JAB-24114, and LIF mAb JAB-BX300 considering the current treatment landscape and our resources available.

Development of other pre-clinical products

KRAS multi inhibitor JAB-23E73: The IND application is expected to be submitted in Q2 2024.

inhibitor JAB-23E73: The IND application is expected to be submitted in Clinical candidate for HER2-STING iADC JAB-BX400 is expected to be nominated in the second half of 2024.

As of December 31, 2023 , Jacobio owned 340 patents or patent applications that are filed globally, of which 82 patents have been issued or allowed in major markets globally. During the performance period, Jacobio raised HKD159 million through public placing, and obtained RMB150 million from Beijing E-town Capital. As of December 31, 2023 , Jacobio has RMB 1.2 billion cash and cash equivalent, providing sufficient cash reserves for R&D investment in the next 30-36 months. Jacobio repurchased and canceled 1.807 million shares, continuing to increase shareholder value.

Conference Call Information

Jacobio Pharma will hold a live conference call at 10:30 AM March 29 2024 Beijing time. Participants please register in advance through https://s.comein.cn/AkyBh.

About Jacobio

Jacobio Pharma (1167.HK) is committed to developing and providing new and innovative products and solutions to improve people's health. Our pipeline revolves around novel molecular targets on six major signaling pathways: KRAS, immune checkpoints, tumor metabolism, P53, RB and MYC. We aim for our key projects to be among the top three in the world. Our vision is to become a global leader recognized for our impact in drug R&D together with our partners. Jacobio has R&D centers in Beijing , Shanghai and Boston with our Induced Allosteric Drug Discovery Platform (IADDP) and our iADC Platform.

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SOURCE Jacobio Pharma
A mysterious fluorescent liquid flowing into a stormwater drain baffled residents this week after one questioned why the gutters in one street had turned bright green.

Photos shared on Facebook on Thursday show Commonwealth Parade in the beachside suburb of Manly in Sydney with puddles of fluro liquid sitting in the gutter's edge. The road sits above Manly Cove beach with residents concerned the liquid may spill out into Sydney Harbour.

"Any idea what this green stuff flowing into the drains is?" asked the poster who seemingly snapped the photos as he walked by.

One suggested it could be "coolant from a car" which "should have a distinctive smell" but the poster confirmed there's no odour suggesting it's likely something different.

The stormwater in a street in Manly was a bright shade of green. Source: Facebook

Green substance likely 'plumber's dye' often used in drains

It's believed this substance may be fluorescein dye which is commonly used in plumbing or drain testing and dissipates quickly once diluted.

Northern Beaches Council was not aware of the fluorescent water when contacted by Yahoo News Australia and suggested contacting Sydney Water which looks after stormwater outlets across the city. Sydney Water confirmed it was not their doing on this occasion and suggested it was likely a local or private plumber.

"Fluorescein has low toxicity but even small amounts can be highly visual and for this reason its use should always be minimised," an Environment Protection Authority spokesperson previously told Yahoo.

Must 'tread with caution' expert says

Similar reports have been made in waterways across the country. First in a creek in the Yarra Valley and in Rushcutters Bay Park in Sydney. One woman admitted it looked "very strange" as she shared a video on Facebook.

Story continues

In the past, some residents have expressed concern over its potential toxicity. Fluorescein is said to be "non-toxic to the environment and is odourless," the product's manufacturer says. But we should still tread with caution, Ian Wright, a water scientist and associate professor at Western Sydney University, told Yahoo.

He noted the safety data sheet for the product shows it has several human health risks and should be used very carefully. It also warns "do not let this chemical enter the environment," he pointed out.

"Any chemical product should be used very cautiously. Being able to see a visible stain is a cause for concern," he said. "But perhaps also it has helped a plumber stop a leak of sewage or other wastewater from a natural waterway".

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Public Event to Be Held at the JW Marriott Marquis on April 3 , with Exclusive Experiences and Insights into the Country's Tourism Scene

MIAMI , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic has announced the return of its D.R. Tourism Tradeshow in Miami, FL. Scheduled for April 3 at the JW Marriott Marquis, the Tradeshow is set to showcase the Dominican Republic's undeniable allure and adventurous offerings, further establishing its position as a premier tourist destination.

Now in its second year and hosted by Minister David Collado Morales , Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic , the D.R. Tourism Tradeshow serves as a platform to promote and position the country to leaders in the tourism industry and a broad audience of travelers. This year, the D.R. Tourism Tradeshow anticipates welcoming more than 500 travel agents, and other allies from the North American and Latin-American market, with a focused effort on targeting the whole American continent.

The event will offer attendees key insights into the country's growing tourism landscape, diverse attractions, a firsthand look at exclusive packages and networking opportunities for travel leaders to explore future collaborations. It will also feature an interactive section designed to imitate elements of the Dominican Republic , like its famous white-sand beaches and exotic minerals, providing attendees with a sneak peek of the island.

"The Dominican Republic Tradeshow is an event meant to bring together tourism leaders and world travelers intrigued by the offerings and splendor of the Dominican Republic ," said David Collado Morales , Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic . "Our country is a paradise with an abundance of experiences for both leisure and business purposes, promising a truly unique experience in the Caribbean . We look forward to connecting and sharing insights on the Dominican Republic , one of the Caribbean's most sought-after destinations and the country I am proud to call home."

The Dominican Republic Tradeshow is a public event that welcomes everyone who wants to learn more about the country.

For more information about the Tourism of the Dominican Republic , please visit https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/.

Media Contact:

5W Public Relations

[email protected]

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Test of enhanced software succeeds against sophisticated medium-range ballistic missile

PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, Hawaii , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) built by Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea in its final seconds of flight, after being fired from the USS Preble (DDG 88). This test verified some of the missile's enhanced capabilities when launched from a Baseline 9.C2 variant of the Aegis Combat System.

The SM-6 missile can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and advanced ballistic missile defense at sea. This latest flight test, designated as Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM)-32, involved the SM-6 Dual II (Block IA) configuration with newly qualified software that significantly enhances the missile's capabilities for the U.S. Navy fleet.

"This test demonstrated that the latest versions of the SM-6 and combat system provide the critical capability to destroy an incoming sophisticated missile threat," said Kim Ernzen , president of Raytheon Naval Power. "Raytheon is committed to ensuring our technology stays ahead of evolving threats and is available to sailors as quickly as possible."

FTM-32 was the seventh flight test of the SM-6 against ballistic missile targets and the fourth test utilizing the Dual II (Block IA) configuration.

Deployed on U.S. Navy ships, SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon offensive and defensive capability by leveraging the time-tested Standard Missile airframe and propulsion system. It's the only missile that supports anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense in one solution, and it's enabling the U.S. and its allies to cost-effectively increase the offensive might of surface forces.

The U.S. Department of Defense has approved the sale of SM-6 to several allied nations.

About Raytheon

Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of offensive and defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, offensive and defensive cybersecurity tools, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.

About RTX

With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses  Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon  we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion , is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia .

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected]

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SOURCE RTX
SHENZHEN, China , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Timekettle, a fast-growing cross-language communication solutions innovator, has successfully wrapped up its #SpringTravelWithTimekettle campaign on Instagram. Running from March 18 to 24 , Timekettle encouraged global travelers to share their cherished travel dreams and memories, emphasizing how language should never be a barrier to exploring the world. This initiative not only fostered a meaningful connection between the brand and its users but also celebrated the spirit of travel and the richness of experiences it brings; all made more accessible through Timekettle's groundbreaking technology.

The campaign focuses on spring travel, inviting users to express their wanderlust and reminisce about their past adventures. In a special collaboration with a Spanish-speaking influencer based in Japan , Timekettle encouraged participants to share their travel aspirations. Numerous Spanish-speaking users have shared their diverse aspirations, each unique and vibrant.

Among these, one dream shines brightly: the desire to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights, but with a twist - they wish to do so in the Netherlands . Another user is fueled by the spirit of adventure, longing to independently explore the rich cultures and landscapes of France , Germany , Italy , and China . Meanwhile, there's a passionate individual who dreams of taking their cake decorating art to new heights. They envision themselves in France and Italy , not just showcasing their skills but also seeking to enhance their craft through further training. These aspirations are bound by a common thread - the hope to transcend language barriers, opening doors to a world of possibilities abroad.

This campaign showcases Timekettle's fundamental belief in enriching travel experiences by allowing travelers to deeply explore local cultures and have meaningful interactions with locals, thanks to its advanced technology. It also highlights the brand's continuous commitment to improving the user experience and encouraging community involvement, with ongoing plans to focus on interactive activities for users.

As a brand that stands at the forefront of linguistic innovation, Timekettle is dedicated to bridging communication gaps through its diverse product portfolio including earbuds translators and handheld translators, catering to the needs of individuals across various sectors such as business, travel, and education.

Timekettle's groundbreaking X1 AI Interpreter Hub, celebrated with the CES 2024 Innovation Award, revolutionizes communication by offering the world's first multi-language simultaneous interpretation system for meetings of up to 20 people across five languages. Complementing this innovation, Timekettle's WT2 Edge Real -time Translator Earbuds adapt to various dialects, supporting online translation for 40 languages and 93 accents, covering 85% of the global population. Alongside, Timekettle's diverse product range, including the WT2 Plus, M3, M2 earbuds, and handheld devices like the ZERO Language Translator Device and Fluentalk T1 series, showcases their commitment to breaking down language barriers.

By focusing on the seamless integration of language, culture, and technology, Timekettle aims to foster natural communication in one's native tongue, thereby strengthening human connections. Through innovative technological solutions, Timekettle is on a mission to eradicate the obstacles posed by language differences, paving the way for a more interconnected global community.

About Timekettle

Established in 2016, Timekettle is an industry-leading and award-winning provider of cross-language communication solutions. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China , Timekettle also operates a customer center in Los Angeles , United States . Its exceptional products have been recognized with numerous international accolades, including the CES Innovation Award, iF Design Award, and Japan Good Design Award.

For further information, please visit https://www.timekettle.co/ or contact [email protected].

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SOURCE Timekettle
Groundbreaking Project Utilizes Advanced AI to Combat Financial Misconduct Among U.S. Lawmakers, Garnering Esteemed Recognition for Social Good Efforts.

BERKELEY, Calif. , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of graduate students from the University of California, Berkeley's School of Information (iSchool) has been honored for their innovative project designed to combat congressional insider trading. Their initiative, known as PoliWatch, was recently awarded the prestigious Sarukkai Social Impact Award.

Established in 2021 by Sekhar and Rajashree Sarukkai , the Sarukkai Social Impact Award recognizes exceptional contributions to social welfare made by iSchool students. The award specifically celebrates excellence within the iSchool Master's Capstone Projects, honoring initiatives with the potential to make significant progress in resolving critical social challenges.

PoliWatch: Utilizing AI to Address Insider Trading

PoliWatch leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to identify instances of insider trading among members of the U.S. Congress. The project represents a pioneering effort to address the challenge of illicit financial gains made by government officials.

The PoliWatch team  comprised of Matthew Dodd , Aditya Shah , Jocelyn Thai , and Connor Yen  embarked on their research with a mission to expose and rectify this concerning issue. Their project utilizes AI algorithms to detect and monitor potential conflicts of interest in securities transactions involving active members of Congress.

Significance of PoliWatch

The project's leaders highlight the importance of their work in promoting ethical conduct among elected officials. "When elected representatives conceal conflicts of interest, it undermines the integrity of legislation and public policy, ultimately harming society at large," Aditya Shah , one of the project leaders, is quoted in the press release. "Our commitment to addressing this issue aligns closely with the principles of social good, and we are deeply honored to receive recognition through the Sarukkai Social Impact Award."

Matthew Dodd emphasizes the urgency of tackling congressional insider trading, noting the negative impact it has on public trust. "The prevalence of unethical market practices among elected officials not only incites public outrage but also erodes trust in the judicial process," he says. "Despite overwhelming evidence, perpetrators often evade accountability, leaving citizens feeling disenfranchised and powerless."

Looking Forward

The PoliWatch project is a significant step forward in promoting transparency and accountability within the U.S. Congress. The team's innovative approach to utilizing AI to detect insider trading has the potential to make a real difference in restoring public trust in our government institutions.

For more details and to learn more about the strides PoliWatch is making in combating congressional insider trading, visit the PoliWatch Project Page https://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/projects/2023/poliwatch

Press Contact:

Smita Shaw

4082607320

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SOURCE PoliWatch
Company launched refugee hiring program in 2021, has 200+ refugees working airport operations in multiple states

ATLANTA , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Unifi Aviation is making a pledge to employ 500 refugees over the next three years, a commitment the company made at the second annual TENT U.S. Business Summit on Refugees hosted by Pfizer at its global headquarters in New York City on March 26 .

" Unifi Aviation is making a pledge to employ 500 refugees over the next three years..."

The largest aviation services company in the United States  Unifi already employs more than 200 refugees at its operations in Seattle , Atlanta , Houston and Minneapolis . In 2023, the company hired a former refugee to join the corporate recruitment team in Atlanta , to not only improve its refugee employment efforts but also ensure that a member of Unifi's HR team understood the specific challenges these employees face and how to help overcome them.

Since joining TENT in 2022, Unifi has developed and improved its hiring and onboarding practices to ensure refugee applicants are considered. The company offers translation services, assistance with transportation to work and eased requirements for a high school diploma, recognizing many refugees don't have access to the same level of education.

Akshay Loomba , Vice President of Talent Acquisition: "We have operations in 200 locations in the U.S. , and TENT helps us build relationships with resettlement agencies around the country, so we can make sure refugee communities know when and where we are hiring. It's been a great partnership. We're proud that Unifi's growth over the last five years has led us to a place where we can make such a strong, important pledge of employing 500 more refugees."

The company is already working on hitting that goal  with more than 120 people applying for positions at a refugee hiring event in Houston on March 28 .

Dr. Archana Arcot , Chief People Officer : "Unifi takes immense pride in our diverse and multicultural, frontline workforce of more than 27,000 individuals whose unique backgrounds are pivotal to our achievements. Our culture shapes how we work, and our commitment to embracing refugees from Afghanistan , Myanmar , Ukraine and more, further strengthens our culture of inclusion. Their exceptional contributions to the company's success are a testament to the enriching impact of hiring and elevating the refugee workforce at Unifi."

Unifi Aviation, LLC is the largest aviation services company in North America , servicing more than two million flights annually. The company has stations in over 200 airports and provides a full range of services, including ground handling, passenger transport, security, cabin services, ground support equipment maintenance, and much more. Unifi is a part of the Argenbright Group and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia . For more information, visit unifiservice.com.

Media Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Unifi Service
WASHINGTON , March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universities Space Research Association today announced the appointment of Dr. Robert O'Brien as Director, Center for Space Nuclear Research.

Rob brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of space and nuclear science. As an internationally recognized Principal Space and Nuclear Scientist/Engineer, Rob has demonstrated exemplary leadership in both research and programmatic management.

Rob comes to USRA from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) where he served as Senior Technical Advisor for Defense and Space Nuclear Technologies. Prior to that he was a USRA Senior Scientist leading nuclear fuel and radio isotope technology development efforts and also served as CSNR's Interim director in 2015. Rob's leadership experience at INL includes R&D on special reactor concepts, advanced nuclear instrumentation, nuclear fuels, various national and international programs, and other initiatives for NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense.

His extensive research and programmatic management experience span across advanced manufacturing, space systems and instrumentation design/development, experimental payload development, defense systems and infrastructure protection, nuclear fuel performance, nuclear instrumentation, nuclear safety, irradiation testing, directed energy and laser systems, radioisotope source design, and nuclear power system design and development.

Rob's academic background is equally impressive--he holds a PhD in nuclear engineering and physics of radioisotope and nuclear power/propulsion systems for space exploration from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom , as well as a master's degree in physics in Space Science and Technology. He holds several patents and patents pending and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

We are thrilled to welcome Rob back to USRA as the Director of our Center for Space Nuclear Research," said Bernie Seery , Vice President for Science and Technology at USRA. "We anticipate Rob's return to USRA as the Director of our Center for Space Nuclear Research will greatly benefit our research initiatives and enhance our position in the field of space nuclear research."

About USRA

Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. It is an association with 117 university members. It engages the broader university community, employs in-house scientific talent, and offers innovative research, development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.

PR Contact:

Suraiya Farukhi

[email protected]

443-812-6945

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SOURCE Universities Space Research Association
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during his visit at the Chavis Community Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S., March 26, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Joe Biden on Friday acknowledged "the pain being felt" by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and over U.S. support of Israel and its military offensive that has left Arabs, Muslims and anti-war activists angry and disappointed.

Many Muslims and Arabs in the United States have urged the Democratic president to call for a permanent ceasefire, stop the sale of weapons to Israel and use more leverage to protect civilian lives as a humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza.

"We must also pause to reflect on the pain being felt by so many in the Arab American community with the war in Gaza," Biden said in a proclamation on Arab American Heritage Month released by the White House, adding he was "devastated" by the suffering.

However, hours after Biden's Friday statement, the Washington Post reported that his government had signed off on additional bombs and warplanes for Israel in recent days worth billions of dollars.

Israel is the leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid, and the U.S. vetoed multiple votes at the United Nations calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza assault, before abstaining from a vote in late March.

The Biden administration has issued proclamations since 2021 ahead of April, which is observed as Arab American Heritage Month. This year's proclamation was longer than previous ones due to Biden's comments on Gaza.

Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza have occurred in many U.S. cities in recent months, including near airports and bridges in New York City and Los Angeles, vigils outside the White House and marches in Washington.

Demonstrators have regularly interrupted Biden's campaign events and speeches, including a high profile fundraiser in New York City on Thursday.

They have asked Biden to meet their demands or risk losing their support in November's election. Arab and Muslim Americans are unlikely to back Biden's rival, Republican former President Donald Trump, but observers note they could sit out the election and deny Biden crucial votes. They had overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020.

Biden said on Friday he was working to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza, free hostages taken by Hamas and establish an immediate ceasefire lasting at least six weeks.

Biden also said Arab Americans have been a target of hate crimes while noting the fatal October stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Illinois, the November shooting of three students of Palestinian descent in Vermont, and the February stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas.

Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed over 32,000 people, according to the local health ministry, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million population, put the enclave on the brink of starvation and led to accusations of genocide that Israel denies.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Doaa Rouqa

GAZA (Reuters) - Before the Gaza war, Palestinian fisherman Jalal Qaraan navigated his small boat for long distances in search of a good catch. These days he says merely casting his nets could be deadly if he draws the wrath of the Israeli navy.

Israeli airstrikes and shelling have reduced large swathes of the densely populated coastal Gaza Strip to rubble and killed more than 32,000 Palestinians as the war with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas rages.

There are also plenty of dangers at sea for fishermen like Qaraan, who must nevertheless support his family.

"When we attempt to go out.. we are besieged with gunfire, bombarded with shells, sound bombs. It's always a risk, entering the water is a risk," he said as he pulled his boat to shore after catching a few fish.

"There is not a day that goes by without them coming at us. It's all fear and terror, but despite this, I go in to be able to provide a secure living for my children."

The Israeli military was not immediately available for comment.

Qaraan is especially eager to work the seas during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when families usually enjoy large meals together after fasting. But festivities are hard to come by these days.

At least 32,623 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground offensive into Hamas-run Gaza, according to the health ministry there. Thousands more are believed to be lying dead under rubble, and more than 80% of the 2.3 million population have been displaced, many of them at risk of famine.

The war began when Islamist Hamas militants broke through the border on Oct. 7 and rampaged through nearby communities, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies.

Judges at the International Court of Justice on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel to take all the necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies without delay to the Palestinian population in Gaza.

The court said the Palestinians in Gaza face worsening conditions of life and famine and starvation are spreading.

"As for the fishing, there is no quantity. Today in Ramadan, I'm fasting, risking my life to get one or two kilos of fish to eat or to sell them to buy household necessities," said Qaraan, preparing his fishing net.

Other Gazans are feeling the effects of the fishing crisis.

As she prepared for the breaking of the fast Umm al-Zein, one of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans, said her children craved fish.

"Palestine is known for its great fish and seafood but due to the war fish is not available. Unfortunately, we haven't eaten fish since before October 7th," she said.

(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of financial firm Morgan Stanley is pictured on the company's world headquarters in New York, U.S. April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday dismissed seven lawsuits by investors who accused Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley of misconduct that fueled the rapid March 2021 collapse of Bill Hwang's $36 billion firm Archegos Capital Management.

U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan dismissed the investors' market manipulation and insider trading claims with prejudice, meaning they cannot be brought again.

A different judge had dismissed the lawsuits last March, but let the investors sue Goldman and Morgan Stanley again. The Wall Street banks had been two of Archegos' prime brokers.

Archegos' collapse stemmed from Hwang's use of financial contracts known as total return swaps to take outsized stakes in his favorite holdings including ViacomCBS, Discovery and Baidu, building an estimated $160 billion of stock exposure.

Investors in Hwang's stocks sought to hold Goldman and Morgan Stanley liable for selling those stocks, based on their inside knowledge that Hwang would also be a seller because he was unable to meet margin calls.

The investors said the combined selling saddled them with huge losses, while Goldman and Morgan Stanley escaped billions of dollars of losses of their own.

In a one-paragraph order, Rakoff did not explain his reasoning and said an opinion would follow in due course.

Lawyers representing the investors did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Goldman did not immediately respond to similar requests. Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Archegos' collapse caused billions of dollars in losses for banks such as Credit Suisse, which was later bought by Swiss rival UBS, and Japan's Nomura Holdings.

Hwang and former Archegos Chief Financial Officer Patrick Halligan face a scheduled May 8 criminal trial in Manhattan over their roles in the collapse.

Both pleaded not guilty to securities fraud, wire fraud and racketeering conspiracy charges. Hwang has also pleaded not guilty to separate market manipulation charges. The trial could last months.

The investor lawsuits in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York are Tan v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 21-08413; Florio v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 21-08618; Merson v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 21-08752; Ulanch v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 21-08897; Felix v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 21-10286; Scully v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 21-10791, and Lee v. Goldman Sachs Group Inc et al, No. 22-00169.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip March 29, 2024. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel sustained its aerial and ground bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Friday, killing dozens of Palestinians, as fighting raged around Gaza City's main Al Shifa hospital, Palestinian officials and the Israeli military said.

Palestinian health officials said two Israeli strikes on the Al-Shejaia suburb in eastern Gaza City killed 17 people, while an Israeli air strike on a house in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed eight people.

Gaza's Hamas-run government media office said at least 10 policemen, tasked with securing aid to the displaced in northern Gaza, were among those killed in Al-Shejaia.

The Israeli military said its forces continued operations in around Gaza City's Al Shifa complex "while mitigating harm to civilians, patients, medical teams, and medical equipment", adding that over the past day it killed a number of gunmen and located weapons and military infrastructure.

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.

The Israeli statement said its forces conducted raids in central and southern areas including Khan Younis and Al-Karara, where troops exchanged fire with Palestinian gunmen before they killed them and located weapons and rockets.

The armed wing of Hamas said their fighters targeted Israeli forces near to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the city's two hospitals blockaded by Israeli soldiers for several days.

In the far south of the Strip, Israel continued its bombardment in Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people were sheltering. An air strike on a house killed 12 Palestinians late on Thursday.

More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, with 71 killed in the last 24 hours, according to health authorities in the territory.

Thousands more dead are believed to be buried under rubble and more than 80% of Gazans have been 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.

In the northern Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has warned famine is imminent as early as May, an elderly man died of malnutrition and lack of medication, Palestinian media said.

On Thursday, the World Court unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies to Gaza's population and halt spreading famine.

"The renewed binding order from the @ICJ (International Court of Justice) yesterday is a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made and worsening. It can however still be reversed," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, said on X.

"(This) means that Israel must reverse its decision and allow @UNRWA to reach northern Gaza with food and nutrition convoys on a daily basis and to open additional land crossings," he added.

Earlier this week, UNRWA said Israel told it that it would no longer approve its food convoys to north Gaza. Four such requests were denied since March 21, it added.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem; Editing by Ros Russell)
An alleged plant thief has been caught by an incredibly determined homeowner who used Apple Airtags to track down the person to their home after a two-month ordeal.

The purported plant burglar is said to have begun their spree two months ago, coming at night to steal a potted monstera off the Adelaide resident's front porch. They returned on two separate occasions  each time taking a potted philodendron before the owner decided they needed to step things up a notch.

"I decided to go all in. I bought a pack of Apple Airtags and planted them on the best-looking plants I have left," the distressed plant owner shared online. "It was quiet for a month and a half and then she turned up again at 11pm two days ago."

The alleged plant thief was caught on camera multiple times. Source: Reddit

A plant-stakeout ensued

Though the plant owner had reported the alleged thefts to the police already, they were told there was minimal evidence so not much could be done. But, after allegedly stealing the third pot, planted with an Airtag, the owner was able to find where it had been taken to  then camped for a total of "six hours" waiting for the vehicle they knew so well to return to find out exactly who the culprit was.

"I immediately provided the address and license plate and updated my case with the police," they revealed.

Finally on Wednesday, after months of worrying about the safety of their plants, the owner claimed a "patrol team of three officers" informed them that they were going to "retrieve the plants".

"They went to the house, but no one answered the door, so they checked the backyard and found those plants," they claimed. "The thieves repotted two plants, but the patrols could still recognise them. After getting approval another two officers rocked up in a Ute and returned those plants to me."

Police are still investigating the incidents and the alleged victim has said they plan on pressing charges following the ordeal. "Police located the plants on March 27 and were able to return them to the owner. Investigations are continuing," a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia

Story continues

Aussies celebrate 'perseverance'

After continuing to keep a local group of Adelaide residents updated on Reddit, many have celebrated the news of the plants being found and returned.

"You are an absolute legend," praised one Aussie.

"I would love to hear the final outcome of the thieves getting their comeuppance in court. There is so much injustice perpetrated by a**holes these days that [we] can do nothing about  it's so satisfying to hear when finally a good outcome occurs. I applaud you on your perseverance and hard work," one exclaimed.

"Good! Now let's all sip on some soothing tea and celebrate a great outcome for ops tenacity for their beloved plants," another proclaimed.

Police were able to get the plants back to the owner and are investigating the incidents. Source: Reddit

Police encourage 'extra security' usage

This was a perfect example of how technology can help protect property and other beloved items, with Police encouraging Aussies to keep their details up to date when using the security tags.

"Technology like Airtags can be used to provide extra security for property and valuable items," a Police spokesperson said. "Police recommend that users keep their details up to date to assist in tracking the items if they are stolen."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
ROME (Reuters) - The Italian airforce said on Friday it intercepted unidentified aircraft flying over international waters in the Baltic Sea, and two defence sources in Rome identified them as Russian planes.

The two interceptions were carried out on Thursday and Friday morning by Italian Eurofighter jets based in the Polish base of Malbork as part of a NATO air policing mission, a statement said.

After completing their activity, the Italian jets returned to the Polish base, the airforce added, without giving further details.

The two defence sources said the Russian aircraft were spotted by radars but did not respond to radio signals and requests to communicate.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Alvise Armellini and Ros Russell)
Cillian Murphy poses with the Oscar for "Best Actor" as "J. Robert Oppenheimer" in "Oppenheimer" in the Oscars photo room at the 96th Academy awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

By Irene Wang

HIROSHIMA (Reuters) - Best picture winner "Oppenheimer" finally premiered in Japan on Friday, eight months after a controversial grassroots marketing push and concerns about how its nuclear theme would be received in the only country to suffer atomic bombing.

The biggest winner at this month's Academy Awards, the film directed by Christopher Nolan about U.S. physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the race to develop the atomic bomb, has grossed nearly $1 billion globally.

But Japan had been left out of worldwide screenings until now, despite being a major market for Hollywood. Nuclear blasts devastated its western city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the south at the close of World War Two, killing more than 200,000.

"Of course this is an amazing film which deserves to win the Academy Awards," said Hiroshima resident Kawai, 37, who gave only his family name.

"But the film also depicts the atomic bomb in a way that seems to praise it, and, as a person with roots in Hiroshima, I found it difficult to watch."

A big fan of Nolan's films, Kawai, a public servant, went to see "Oppenheimer" on opening day at a theatre that is just a kilometre from the city's Atomic Bomb Dome.

"I'm not sure this is a movie that Japanese people should make a special effort to watch," he added.

Images on social media showed signs posted at the entrances to some Tokyo theatres, warning that the movie featured images of nuclear tests that could evoke the damage caused by the bombs.

Another Hiroshima resident, Agemi Kanegae, had mixed feelings upon finally watching the movie.

"The film was very worth watching," said the retired 65-year-old. "But I felt very uncomfortable with a few scenes, such as the trial of Oppenheimer in the United States at the end."

The film quickly became a global hit after opening in the United States last July. But many Japanese were offended by fan-created "Barbenheimer" online memes that linked it to "Barbie", a frothy blockbuster that opened around the same time.

Universal Pictures initially left Japan off its global release schedule for "Oppenheimer". Eventually picked up by Bitters End, a Japanese distributor of independent films, it was given a release date for after the Oscar awards ceremony.

Speaking to Reuters before the movie opened, atomic bomb survivor Teruko Yahata said she was eager to see it, in hopes that it would re-invigorate the debate over nuclear weapons.

Yahata, now 86, said she felt some empathy for the physicist behind the bomb. That sentiment was echoed by Rishu Kanemoto, a 19-year-old student, who saw the film on Friday.

"Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the atomic bombs were dropped, are certainly the victims," Kanemoto said.

"But I think even though the inventor is one of the perpetrators, he's also the victim caught up in the war," he added, referring to the ill-starred physicist.

(Reporting by Irene Wang in Hiroshima; Writing by Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, March 28, 2024. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Sukhni

By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) - Thousands of Jordanians rallied near the Israeli embassy on Thursday in a fifth day of large protests against Israel, calling for an end to Jordan's unpopular peace treaty with its neighbour to the west.

The protesters in an affluent neighbourhood of Amman carried Palestinian flags and chanted: "They said Hamas is terrorist. All of Jordan is Hamas."

"No Zionist embassy on Jordanian land," protesters also cried, demanding that authorities close the embassy and end a 1994 peace treaty that normalised ties with Israel.

Placards declared "Amman-Gaza one destiny", while other posters depicted Hamas' masked military spokesman, Abu Obaida, who has become a folk hero for many in the Arab world.

The Israeli embassy, where protesters have gathered for five straight days, has long been a flashpoint when violence has escalated between Palestinians and Israel.

Heavy security on Thursday was aimed at curbing the number of protesters, and the rally went peacefully, unlike earlier this week when riot police fired tear gas and struck protesters with batons to prevent them from storming the embassy.

Hundreds of demonstrators, however, defied police orders to disperse and sat on the streets saying they would remain until the early hours of Friday morning.

Authorities in Jordan have stepped up arrests and harassment of demonstrators in a months-long campaign that has been slammed by international rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for restricting freedom of expression.

Passions have run high among Jordanians, many of whom are of Palestinian origin, over Israel's relentless Gaza bombing campaign against Hamas that has killed tens of thousands of civilians, according to Gaza officials, and flattened many parts of the densely populated enclave.

Jordan has seen some of the biggest outpourings of public anger in the region since the war was triggered when Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Authorities in Jordan say peaceful protests are allowed but that they would not tolerate any attempt to exploit anger against Israel to create havoc or efforts to reach a border zone with the Israeli-occupied West Bank or Israel.

Jordan's peace treaty with Israel is widely unpopular among many citizens who see normalisation as betraying the rights of their Palestinian compatriots.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Tom Hogue)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) attends a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the 2025 budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo

By Nate Raymond and Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) -A federal judge on Friday forced New Jersey to scrap its unique primary ballot design that gives party-backed candidates an advantage, in a decision that could significantly upset the state's political system.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi in Trenton was a victory for Democratic U.S. Representative Andy Kim, who along with two congressional candidates had sued various county clerks earlier this year arguing the ballot design was unconstitutional.

The ballot design at issue was used in 19 of the state's 21 counties and placed candidates endorsed by county party leaders in a single column, which the plaintiffs said allowed them to be more prominently featured and gave them an edge.

Candidates without that backing could be relegated to obscure parts of the ballot.

Kim, a Democrat who is running to be elected to the U.S. Senate seat currently held by indicted U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, sued alongside two candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Sarah Schoengood and Carolyn Rush.

They argued the ballot design to be used in the state's June 4 primary violates the U.S. Constitution by burdening their First Amendment right to associate with other candidates of their choosing and exceeding the state's right to regulate the manner of federal elections.

Quraishi, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, agreed, saying they had put forward credible evidence their rights were being violated. While he acknowledged that ordering a redesign would be "extraordinary," he said they had shown the counties would suffer minimal harm by implementing a new design.

"The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake," Quraishi wrote.

He ordered the use instead of a ballot that is organized by office sought, with a randomized system that gives each candidate for a given office an equal chance at obtaining the first position on the ballot.

Kim in a statement hailed the ruling as a "victory for a fairer, more democratic politics in New Jersey."

Defense lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

Kim had for months been expected in the Democratic primary to face Tammy Murphy, Democratic New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy's wife, who within a week of launching her campaign had secured the endorsement of numerous county leaders.

She dropped her Senate bid on Sunday, likely paving the way for Kim to secure the Democratic nomination. Menendez last week said he would not run for reelection as a Democrat, but suggested he could run as an independent.

Menendez is facing federal charges that he took bribes from New Jersey businessmen to impede law enforcement probes into them and illegally acted as an agent of the Egyptian government and obstruction of justice. Menendez has pleaded not guilty.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Alexia Garamfalvi and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles reads cards and messages, sent by well-wishers following his cancer diagnosis, in the 18th Century Room of the Belgian Suite in Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, February 21, 2024. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS/File

By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, told Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis on Thursday that he hopes to visit the Commonwealth nation next year, the prime minister's office said in a statement.

The visit would possibly coincide with The Bahamas' independence celebration in July 2025, the statement said.

Charles, who serves as monarch of The Bahamas, called the Bahamian prime minister to tell him of the possible visit, the prime minister's office said, and Davis wished "good health" to Charles and Kate, the Princess of Wales, who is also undergoing treatment for cancer.

"After offering wishes for a Happy and Blessed Easter, the King offered profuse apologies for not being able to attend the 50th Anniversary Independence celebrations," the statement said, referring to last year's marking of The Bahamas gaining independence from Britain in 1973.

Both of Charles' sons have made royal visits to The Bahamas in recent years. Prince Henry visited in 2012 during a tour to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, and Prince William visited in 2022 for the then monarch's Platinum Jubilee.

A visit by Charles would mark the first visit by a reigning monarch since Queen Elizabeth visited in 1994 for the eighth Conference of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth.

Queen Elizabeth visited The Bahamas five times during her reign.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Tom Hogue)
TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's Niagara region has proactively declared a state of emergency ahead of a rare total solar eclipse on April 8 that is expected to gather massive crowds to areas in and around the region's popular waterfalls.

The Niagara region said in a statement on Thursday that Regional Chair Jim Bradley had declared a state of emergency "out of an abundance of caution."

"Declaring a state of emergency ... strengthens the tools the region has at its disposal to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors and protect our critical infrastructure in any scenario that might arise," a Niagara region press release said.

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.

The mayor of Ontario city of Niagara Falls Jim Diodati 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.

The region will also be modifying some of its programs and services and closing some facilities to keep traffic off the roads on April 8.

(Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
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, March 5, 2024. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/ File Photo

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is not seeking a fight or trouble in the South China Sea but will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience, its defence ministry said Friday, in its latest show of defiance in a heated row with China.

Recent Chinese statements show their isolation from the rest of the world on their "illegal and uncivilised activities" in the South China Sea, the Philippine defence ministry said in a statement.

"It also shows the inability of the Chinese government to conduct open, transparent, and legal negotiations. Their repertoire consists only of patronising and, failing that, intimidating smaller countries," the ministry said.

The statement was in response to its Chinese counterpart accusing the Philippines on Thursday of provocations, misinformation and treachery after Manila accused Beijing of aggressive conduct in Manila's exclusive economic zone.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian on Thursday said the Philippines was to blame for the breakdown of relations, demanding its neighbour to cease what it calls were acts of infringement and provocation.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Thursday upped the stakes in the escalating row, saying his country would implement unspecified countermeasures against "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks" by China's coastguard. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea.

The battle of words stems from a series of standoffs near the Second Thomas Shoal during Philippine resupply missions to a group of soldiers posted to guard a decaying warship that was intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago to push a sovereignty claim.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Martin Petty)
(Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview published on Friday, said Ukraine's proposed peace plan was pointless as it was based on unacceptable notions like Moscow's withdrawal from areas it has captured.

Lavrov told the Moscow daily Izvestia that a proposed peace summit would not succeed until its fundamental bases were changed, including allowing Russia to participate.

"We are in any case ready to hold discussions but not on the bases of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy's 'peace formula'," Lavrov told the daily.

"How could any serious politician in Washington, Brussels, London, Paris or Berlin say that there is no alternative to the Zelenskiy formula," he said.

Lavrov dismissed as unacceptable the plan's provisions, which call for Russia to withdraw from territory it has captured, including Crimea, annexed in 2014, and the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 post-Soviet borders. It also calls for a means to bring Russia to account for its February 2022 invasion.

Zelenskiy rejects any notion of negotiations with Moscow on any basis other than the peace plan.

Lavrov said he had met officials and diplomats from Switzerland who had assured him that a peace summit which Bern has agreed to host would include Russian participation and be conducted on realistic terms.

He said Swiss officials had told him "we understand that nothing can be solved without you, that's unfair." And once the plan was turned into a "collective product", Russia would be invited.

Lavrov also said U.S. proposals to discuss arms deals, uncoupling the issue from the Ukraine conflict, made little sense.

"It is a joke and does not reflect well on those in the Administration in Washington dealing with foreign policy," he told Izvestia. "All this boils down to the fact that foreign policy in the United States is being directed by people who don't know how to engage in diplomacy."

(Reporting by Ronald Popeski; editing by Miral Fahmy)
FILE PHOTO: Senegal's president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaks during a press conference in Dakar, Senegal March 25, 2024. REUTERS/ Luc Gnago/File Photo

DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal's Constitutional Council on Friday confirmed the presidential election victory of opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, paving the way for his inauguration as the country's fifth president.

The top court validated provisional results announced on Wednesday based on vote tallies from 100% of polling stations.

Faye won more than 54% of votes in last Sunday's delayed presidential poll, with ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba taking over 35%.

He is expected to be sworn in to replace outgoing President Macky Sall on April 2.

(Reporting by Bate Felix, Writing by Sofia Christensen, Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: Women and children wait to be registered prior to a food distribution carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Thonyor, Leer state, South Sudan, February 25, 2017. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola/File Photo

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Immediate action is needed to "prevent widespread death and total collapse of livelihoods and avert a catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan," a United Nations-backed global authority on food security warned on Friday.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) had been due to issue an update to its December analysis that found nearly 5 million were on the verge of catastrophic hunger. But it was unable to do so due to the war.

Instead, the IPC said it reviewed the latest evidence available and published the alert on Friday "to express major concern" about the deteriorating situation and to push for immediate action "to prevent famine."

War erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese army (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The U.N. has said nearly 25 million people - half Sudan's population - need aid and some 8 million have fled their homes.

"Without an immediate cessation of hostilities and significant deployment of humanitarian assistance ... the population of Khartoum and Gezira States, Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, is at risk of reaching the worst levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition during the upcoming lean season starting from April  May 2024," the IPC said on Friday.

The U.N. Security Council this month called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The U.S. warned on Thursday that it would push the council to take action to get aid to starving people in Sudan, possibly by authorizing cross-border deliveries from Chad.

The IPC estimated that nearly 5 million people were acutely malnourished, of whom 3.6 million are children under the age of five and 1.2 million are pregnant and lactating women.

It estimated cereal production was 46% lower than the previous year due to fighting in primary crop production areas during the peak of harvest season, with food prices in markets 73% higher than in the same period last year.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by David Gregorio)
We all miss the community leadership and knowledge Bob Brower so willingly contributed to the betterment of our region. He was a mentor to many, patiently explaining Owasco Lakes behavior and its dependence on the health of its surrounding large watershed. Each year since Bobs passing, we have commemorated him with a scientific symposium at which experts present and explain in plain English important research and findings about the lake and/or its watershed.

On Saturday, March 9, five speakers offered Owasco Lake and watershed research and observational findings. The symposium was held at Auburn Public Theater and online via Zoom. Carey Eidel, director of finance and grants at the theater, served as master of ceremonies, welcoming everyone to the event and introducing each speaker. Approximately 50 people attended in person and another 60 participated online.

Ken Kudla and Julie Lockhart led off the presentations. They and their families are long-term lakeside residents. Ken and Julie reminded everyone of the unique freshwater resource we all are fortunate to live near. Owasco Lake and the other 10 Finger Lakes are part of the Great Lakes basin. Some 21% of the worlds accessible freshwater is in the Great Lakes basin. That is 95% of the accessible fresh water in the United States! Ken and Julie emphasized that we all live in multiple watersheds: that of Owasco, Lake Ontario and, even larger, the overall Great Lakes. We were reminded that we all have responsibilities to be good watershed stewards, whether immediate lakeside residents or residents some distance from a waterbody itself. We must be mindful of what we do on the land because much of our activities contribute to compounds of phosphorus and nitrogen and/or sediment that wash down streams or are deposited from the air into a waterbody. The website flrwa.org/lake-friendly-living is a ready resource of advice.

The attendees welcomed Seth Jensen as the symposiums second speaker. Seth is the director of municipal utilities for the city of Auburn. He and his staff are responsible for providing safe drinking water to more than 45,000 residents of Auburn and many outlying districts. Seth is a 2005 SUNY-ESF graduate, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental resource engineering. Seth pointed out that Owasco Lake is a great source of fresh raw water. Turbidity is usually low. The lakes limestone bedrock provides very good pH. Taste and odor are generally very acceptable. The powdered carbon filtration system installed six years ago continues to remove soluble microcystin. Seth underscored the importance of preserving or installing buffers along waterways, and of not fertilizing or applying pesticides close to water.

Kirsten Workman is a nutrient management and environmental sustainability specialist with Cornell CALS PRO-DIARY. Kirsten discussed the role of New York agriculture in environmental stewardship and the progress the dairy farmers in our state have made to adopt water quality practices. She shared the importance of science to that work and shared some recent data looking at the nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) balances for New York state, counties and individual farms. She and her colleagues strive to work with farmers to maximize the benefit of nutrient applications, especially manure, to agricultural land, thus reducing the need for commercial fertilizer.

The symposium also was pleased to welcome Dr. Lisa Cleckner, director of the Finger Lakes Institute located at the Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva. Dr. Cleckner presented some of the recent findings from the instrumented buoy the institute operates in Owasco Lake. The institute buoy is resident on the lake from April to November. A sonde is lowered twice every 24 hours. It measures several parameters every 1.5 meters from the surface to the lake bottom, and reports its measurements back to the lab at FLI. These measurements include temperature, salinity and oxygenation.

Questions were welcomed from those physically in the theater and online. Time prevented answering all of the questions during the symposium. OWLA is preparing a detailed response to each.

For more information, or to join OWLA, please visit our website, owla.org.
FILE PHOTO: A warplane carries out a bombing run above Syria near the Israeli-Syrian border as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights , Israel July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel carried out its deadliest strikes in months on northern Syria's Aleppo province early on Friday and said it killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, stepping up its campaign against Iran's proxies in parallel with its war in Gaza.

Israel has ramped up airstrikes in Syria against both the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since the Iranian-backed Palestinian faction Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct. 7. In recent days its pilots have resumed regular practice for "deep" raids into Lebanon.

Tehran and its proxies have entrenched themselves across Syria, including around Aleppo and the capital Damascus.

The Israeli military said on Friday it had killed Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missiles unit, in an airstrike in the area of Bazouriye in Lebanon.

It said he was one of the Iranian-backed militia's leaders in heavy-warhead rocket fire and said he was responsible for conducting and planning attacks against Israeli civilians.

Israel and Hezbollah have also been trading fire across Lebanon's southern border in the biggest escalation since they fought a month-long war in 2006, as Hezbollah has tried to show its support for Hamas with volleys of rockets into Israel.

About a dozen Israeli troops and half a dozen civilians have been killed in northern Israel, while nearly 270 Hezbollah fighters and 50 civilians including medics, civilians and journalists have been killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.

Israel has repeatedly struck international airports in both Damascus and Aleppo over the years to disrupt weapons flows to Iran's allies in the region, but strikes since Oct. 7 have been deadlier and prompted Iran to withdraw some of its top officers from Syria.

Syria's defence ministry said Israeli strikes hit several areas in the southeastern part of Aleppo province around 1:45 a.m. (2245 GMT on Thursday), killing a number of civilians and military personnel.

It said the airstrikes coincided with drone attacks carried out from Idlib and western rural Aleppo that the ministry described as having been conducted by "terrorist organisations" against civilians in Aleppo and its surroundings.

The Israeli military declined comment. In a post on X, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Israel's attacks on Syria were a "blatant and desperate attempt" to expand the war, without saying if there were Iranian casualties.

Russia also condemned the Israeli strikes and considered them a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

Three security sources told Reuters that 33 Syrians and six Hezbollah fighters had been killed in the strikes. One of the Hezbollah fighters was a local field commander whose brother had been killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon in November, one of the sources said.

It represented the single highest death toll in Israeli strikes on Syria since Oct. 7.

ISRAEL-LEBANON BORDER FIGHTING

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon on Friday killed a Hezbollah fighter, security sources in Lebanon said.

The head of the IRGC's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, met Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in February to discuss the risk if Israel were to launch a full offensive against Hezbollah, and received an assurance that the group did not want to drag Iran into war with Israel, sources have said.

Hezbollah has said it would stop firing into Israel if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza. Israeli and U.S. officials, however, have said a ceasefire in Gaza would not automatically extend to Lebanon.

Hezbollah said that it had fired across the border at Israel eight times on Friday.

Israeli Air Force (IAF) pilots have stepped up practising long-range strikes across the northern border as normal training activities have resumed in recent weeks after being suspended at the start of the Gaza war, the military said this week.

"The training program will focus on increasing the IAF's readiness for war in the northern arena and in other arenas during prolonged combat," it said in a statement.

The drills include rehearsing for "massive, long-range strikes, flying deep into enemy territory," it added.

(Reporting by Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Hatem Maher; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Miral Fahmy, William Maclean and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
FILE PHOTO: Airplane fuselages bound for Boeing's 737 Max production facility await shipment on rail sidings at their top supplier, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc, in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. December 17, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

(Reuters) - Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into a supplier of parts for Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc after what he said were recurring issues with certain of those parts, his office said on Thursday.

On Monday, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would leave by the end of the year, following concerns from regulators and airline customers after a panel flew off a 737 MAX 9 jet in January.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward and Dan Whitcomb)
The seal of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 14, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

By Jody Godoy

(Reuters) - A federal judge in a Texas court that has become a favorite for conservative challenges to Biden administration policies transferred a lawsuit challenging a rule curbing credit card late fees to a court in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman said half of the business groups that sued are based in Washington, as are most of the lawyers representing them and the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which wrote the rule the groups are seeking to block.

The CFPB had asked the judge to transfer the case, as no card issuer subject to the rule is based in Fort Worth.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which sued with five other groups, countered that potentially affected cardholders reside there.

Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, rejected that argument on Thursday, saying it would allow the lawsuit to be filed anywhere in the country, instead of where the underlying events occurred.

"Venue is not a continental breakfast; you cannot pick and choose on a plaintiffs' whim where and how a lawsuit is filed," Pittman said.

Spokespeople for the CFPB and Chamber of Commerce did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The groups had urged Pittman to block the rule, which is set to take effect in May, while the lawsuit plays out, arguing that in order to make changes that may be necessary, they will need to send out notices to consumers starting on Friday. They have asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review Pittman's decision not to expedite the case.

The rule deals with what the CFPB has called "excessive" fees credit card issuers charge for late payments, something the consumer protection agency estimated costs consumers $12 billion a year.

Under that rule, credit card issuers with more than 1 million open accounts can only charge $8 for late fees, unless they can prove higher fees are necessary to cover their costs. The previous rule allowed issuers to charge up to $30 or $41 for subsequent late payments.

Pittman, one of two active federal judges in Fort Worth, had raised concerns about whether the lawsuit belonged in his court after the federal court administrators announced a new policy aimed at curbing "judge shopping."

The Fort Worth courthouse has become a popular destination for conservative litigants and business groups challenging the policies of President Joe Biden's administration, including on student debt, guns and LGBTQ rights.

Pittman said Thursday several factors supported transferring the credit card case, including that his court is busier than the one in Washington, and that taxpayers would pay for CFPB lawyers to travel to Texas.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the 2024 Senior Club Championship award ceremony at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. March 24, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File

By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump on Friday asked a Georgia appeals court to disqualify the district attorney prosecuting him for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat in the state for a romantic relationship the prosecutor had with a former top deputy.

The legal filing from the Republican presidential candidate and eight co-defendants asks the appeals court to reverse a judge's ruling this month that allowed Fani Willis, the District Attorney of Fulton County, to continue prosecuting the case.

The appeal presents another opportunity for the former U.S. president to delay or derail one of the four criminal cases he faces.

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee was sharply critical in his ruling of the relationship between Willis and Nathan Wade, an outside lawyer contracted to help lead the prosecution. But he rejected claims from the defense that the romance posed a conflict of interest that would require Willis' office to be removed from the case.

Wade stepped aside from the case after the judge said he would need to withdraw for Willis and her office to continue.

Trump defense attorney Steve Sadow said in a statement on Friday that McAfee should instead have dismissed the indictment outright and, "at a minimum," disqualified Willis and her office from prosecuting the case.

In a brief submitted to the court, Christopher Anulewicz, a lawyer representing co-defendant Robert Cheeley, argued that the failure to disqualify Willis and her office should be reversed because, if allowed to stand, "it would render each and every trial in this case a nullity."

The appeals court has 45 days to decide whether to take up the issue. McAfee gave Trump and the other defendants permission to immediately appeal his ruling, but said he would continue moving the case toward trial during the appeal.

If the court accepts the case, Trump could seek to pause the proceedings while the appeal plays out. A trial date has not yet been set.

McAfee's ruling came after a tumultuous period for Willis, who was grilled by defense lawyers in dramatic testimony about whether she improperly benefited from the relationship through vacations booked by Wade while he was being paid by her office.

Trump's lawyers also accused Willis of "stoking racial animus" in her response to the allegations and misleading the court on when the romantic relationship began.

Willis denied receiving any improper benefit from the relationship, arguing that expenses were divided roughly evenly between her and Wade, and said the romance had no impact on the criminal case.

Willis has cast the disqualification bid as an effort to distract from racketeering and other charges against Trump and 14 co-defendants who are accused of scheming to overturn Trump's narrow defeat in Georgia in the 2020 election. Four others who had been co-defendants in the case have pleaded guilty in deals with the prosecutors.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone, Bill Bekrot and Daniel Wallis)
-Tupperware Brands on Friday warned it was not certain its business could continue as a going concern and faced a liquidity crunch due to slumping demand for its iconic food storage containers.

Founded in 1946 by chemist Earl Tupper, the company's popularity exploded in the 1950s as women of the post-war generation held "Tupperware parties" at their homes to sell food storage containers as they sought empowerment and independence.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a boost in sales from families who sheltered at home, cooked more and produced lots of leftovers. Sales have declined in recent quarters as the world re-opened.

In a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Friday, the company flagged doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year and forecast inadequate liquidity to fund operations.

The company has reported ballooning losses and also has been facing higher costs of resins for its products, labor and logistics.

Tupperware first raised substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern nearly a year ago.

Since then, it appointed consumer goods industry veteran Laurie Ann Goldman as its CEO, hired investment bank Moelis & Co to explore strategic alternatives following the discovery of prior period misstatements in financial reporting, and struck an agreement to restructure its debt.

The company, which had earlier delayed its 10K filing for 2022, also filed a NT10-K on Friday to notify that it will delay the 10-K filing for 2023.

It plans to complete its due processes and file its 10K for 2023 "as promptly as possible," the company said, but added that "there can be no assurance with respect to the timing of completion of the filing."

Tupperware blamed ongoing material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, its challenging financial condition, and significant attrition resulting in resource and skill set gaps for multiple delays in its annual report filings.

Earlier this year, Tupperware was required to retain KPMG as its new independent auditor after the former auditor declined re-appointment. It also entered into a forbearance agreement with its lenders that reduces its weekly minimum U.S. liquidity requirement under credit agreement to $10 million.

(Reporting by Granth Vanaik and Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Bill Berkrot)
(Reuters) - Ukraine's air force downed two Russian missiles in the southern port city of Odesa on Friday afternoon, officials said, but debris hit civilian infrastructure, injuring five people.

A 15-year-old boy who was outside at the moment of the strike was among the injured, Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov added on Telegram.

"The enemy insidiously directs missile strikes on industrial and residential areas of Odesa," the southern military command said on the Telegram messaging app.

Moscow denies deliberately attacking civilians in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that it launched in February 2022, although many have been killed in frequent Russian airstrikes across the country.

Russia carried out a major airstrike on Ukraine's energy system on March 22, part of what Moscow said was "revenge" for Ukrainian attacks on Russian border regions. Russian forces continued targeting energy facilities this week as well.

Moscow has increased its use of ballistic missiles, which are much faster than regular cruise missiles and harder to shoot down, to attack Ukrainian cities over the past few days.

A little over two years after starting its invasion, Russian forces have been slowly advancing of late and currently control about one fifth of its neighbour in eastern and southern regions.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; editing by Mark Heinrich)
FILE PHOTO: The Gulfstream G700 is unveiled during a news conference at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. October 21, 2019. REUTERS/David Becker/File Photo

By Allison Lampert and David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday said it certified General Dynamics Corp's Gulfstream flagship G700 business aircraft, driving fresh competition in the top end of the market for luxury jets.

Gulfstream had previously expected to obtain certification of the large-cabin jet, which competes with Canadian private planemaker Bombardier's Global 7500, in late 2023 and had planned to deliver 19 of the aircraft.

The process for certifying new aircraft in the United States has come under greater scrutiny following the fatal crashes of two flights involving the Boeing 737 MAX in October 2018 and March 2019. Industry officials expect that to persist after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 mid-flight in January.

Gulfstream President Mark Burns in 2019 said he believed the FAA would seek more information during the G700 certification, following the crashes, but did not expect any unreasonable requests.

Gulfstream said the G700 will have takeoff and landing distances shorter than originally anticipated.

"We have successfully completed the most rigorous certification program in company history with the G700," Burns said.

In September, the company announced performance improvements, saying the G700 range increased to 7,750 nautical miles (14,353 kilometers) at Mach 0.85, as has its maximum operating speed to become the fastest Gulfstream jet.

Business jet makers expect sustained customer appetite for private planes after a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, but slowing 2024 global growth and the increasing availability of pre-owned planes could weigh on demand.

Boeing has been awaiting certification of its smaller 737 MAX 7 and larger MAX 10 for years, and now faces new hurdles after it withdrew in January a request for a key safety exemption that could have allowed the FAA to speed approval for the MAX 7.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Allison Lampert; Additional reporting by Mike Stone; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Berkrot)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip March 29, 2024. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot

By Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. in recent days authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, two sources familiar with the effort said on Friday, even as Washington publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated Israeli military offensive in Rafah.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, said the sources, who confirmed a report in the Washington Post.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally.

The package comes as Israel faces strong international criticism over its continued bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza and as some members of President Joe Biden's party call for him to cut U.S. military aid.

The United States has been rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticized the Biden administration's steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.

Biden on Friday acknowledged "the pain being felt" by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and over U.S. support for Israel and its military offensive.

Still, he has vowed continued support for Israel despite an increasingly public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The White House declined comment on the weapons transfers.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The decision on weapons follows a visit to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week when he discussed Israel's weapons needs with U.S. counterparts.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gallant, apparently seeking to cool U.S.-Israeli tensions, said he stressed the importance of U.S. ties to his country's security and of maintaining Israels "qualitative military edge" in the region, including its air capabilities.

The war erupted on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated by launching an air and ground assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 32,000 people, health authorities in Gaza say.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Writing by Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
(Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Thursday that it had destroyed four unmanned drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

The U.S. Central Command said on the social media site X that the drones "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region."

The drones were aimed at a coalition vessel and a U.S. warship and "were engaged in self defense over the Red Sea," the statement from the U.S. Central Command said, adding there were no injuries or damage reported to the U.S. or coalition ships.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward and Dan Whitcomb)
FILE PHOTO: Ukraine supporters protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine during a demonstration near the White House in Washington, U.S., March 1, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

By Karen Freifeld

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. is asking American companies to stop shipping goods to more than 600 foreign parties over fears the items could be diverted to Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

The Commerce Department sent letters in recent weeks to at least 20 companies with the warning, the latest effort to stymie the Russia war effort in Ukraine, a U.S. Commerce Department official said.

The companies make and sell products found in missiles and drones recovered inside Ukraine.

Since Moscow invaded Russia in 2022, the U.S. and a more than 30 other countries have put in place a raft of sanctions aimed at degrading Russia's ability to wage its war by cutting off access to Western technology. Yet American components continue to be found in Russian weapons left on the battlefield in Ukraine.

"In the last several weeks, we've sent letters to more than 20 American companies, each containing a list of more than 600 foreign parties," Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod said at the department's annual export control conference in Washington, D.C. "In those letters, we've requested that the American companies voluntarily stop shipping to these parties due to the high risk of transshipment to Russia."

Axelrod said senior U.S. officials in the Commerce, State and Treasury departments have also been reaching out directly to senior leaders in U.S. companies to discuss further steps they can take to help prevent their products from ending up inside Russia.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; additional reporting by Alexandra Alper in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Beijing (Gasgoo)- JAC Group recently established a strategic partnership with Uber in Brazil, offering favorable purchase policies for the E-JS1 electric vehicle to Uber drivers nationwide.

Photo credit: JAC Group

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles not only helps users save on daily travel costs but also contributes to Brazil's efforts in promoting green transportation and energy efficiency in urban mobility.

In mid-December last year, Uber officially released the strategic partnership program on its official website and app, leading to a breakthrough in sales for the JAC E-JS1 in Brazil. This rapid growth has significantly increased the exposure and recognition of the JAC brand in the country.

As the world's first online ride-hailing company, Uber aims to become a fully electric vehicle, zero-emission green platform by 2040, with 100% of its vehicles in public transportation being zero-emission.

This strategic partnership between JAC Group and Uber in Brazil not only effectively realizes Uber's mission of becoming a "green public platform" but also contributes to JAC Motors' ongoing efforts in promoting Brazil's low-carbon transition and green development.
By James Pomfret

HONG KONG (Reuters) -U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia said on Friday it had closed its Hong Kong bureau citing concerns over staff safety after the enactment of a new national security law known as Article 23 in the China-ruled city.

"Actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to RFA as a 'foreign force', raise serious questions about our ability to operate in safety with the enactment of Article 23," Bay Fang, its president said in a statement.

The law came into effect on March 23 after it was unanimously passed by Hong Kong's pro-Beijing legislature, updating a broader China-imposed national security law in 2020.

It comes with stiffer punishments from several years up to life for crimes including treason, sedition, state secrets, espionage and external interference.

Critics like the U.S. government say the law gives authorities broader powers to clamp down on dissent. Beijing says the law is necessary to restore order to the financial hub after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said "RFAs decision represents the latest consequence of Hong Kong authorities continuing suppression of media freedom."

"We remain deeply concerned about the deterioration in protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the systematic dismantling of Hong Kongs autonomy under the National Security Law and recently passed Article 23 legislation," the official said.

In a statement earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials over the crackdown on rights and freedoms.

The closure of RFA's bureau and the removal of full-time staff is a sign of eroding media freedoms in Hong Kong, critics say, and reflects concerns among some businesses and entities with links to foreign governments that they may be vulnerable under the new laws.

(RFA) was "among the last independent news organizations reporting on events happening in Hong Kong in Cantonese and Mandarin", RFA's Fang added.

In recent years, liberal Hong Kong media outlets like the Apple Daily newspaper, Stand News and Citizens' Radio were forced to shut down under pressure from authorities.

The Apple Daily's publisher and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, 76, is now on trial for allegedly endangering national security and publishing seditious materials - a landmark case that could see him jailed for life.

The Hong Kong government said in an emailed response to Reuters that it would not comment on RFA's decision, but it "condemn(s) all scaremongering and smearing remarks".

"To single out Hong Kong and suggest that journalists would only experience concerns when operating here but not in other countries would be grossly biased, if not outrageous," it added.

In recent weeks, Hong Kong authorities have issued statements criticising some international media outlets including the BBC for their reporting on the new security law, while stressing they continue to respect media freedoms.

Media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Hong Kong 140th out of 180 in its annual global media freedom index in 2023, down from 73 before the 2020 security law.

In January, the Hong Kong police criticised RFA for an interview with an exiled activist, Ted Hui, saying it should not provide a platform for Hui to slander the police.

RFA had been operating its Hong Kong bureau since 1996, a year before the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule.

(Additional reporting by Jessie Pang and David Brunnstrom; editing by Mark Heinrich and Marguerita Choy)
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. ____)*

Wilhelmina International, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

968235200

(CUSIP Number)

December 29, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 Rule 13d-1(b)

x Rule 13d-1(c)

 Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

Page 1 of 9

CUSIP No. 968235200

1. Names of Reporting Persons

Omni Retail Enterprises, LLC 1

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a) 

(b) 

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5. SOLE VOTING POWER 950,000 6. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 950,000 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

950,000

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

18.4%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

OO

1 Omni Retail Enterprises, LLC holds these securities for the benefit of certain holders of rights as lenders under certain secured notes.

Page 2 of 9

CUSIP No. 968235200

1. Names of Reporting Persons

Sage Prince Enterprises, LLC

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a) 

(b) 

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5. SOLE VOTING POWER 950,000 6. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 950,000 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

950,000

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

18.4%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

OO

Page 3 of 9

CUSIP No. 968235200

1. Names of Reporting Persons

Rajesh Gupta

2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

(a) 

(b) 

3. SEC Use Only

4. Citizenship or Place of Organization

United States of America

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5. SOLE VOTING POWER 950,000 6. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 950,000 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

950,000

10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 

11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

18.4%

12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IN

Page 4 of 9

Item 1.

(a) The name of the issuer is Wilhelmina International, Inc. (the Issuer).

(b) The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at 5420 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Box #25, Dallas TX 75240.

Item 2.

(a) This Schedule 13G is filed by the following (the Reporting Persons): (1) Omni Retail Enterprises, LLC (ORE), for the benefit of certain holders of rights as lenders under certain secured notes (in such capacity, the Record Owner); (2) Sage Prince Enterprises, LLC (SPE); and (3) Mr. Rajesh Gupta (Mr. Gupta). SPE is the managing member of ORE. Mr. Gupta is the sole member of SPE. The Record Owner directly beneficially owns the Common Stock (as defined below) reported in this Statement. SPE and Mr. Gupta may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Stock directly beneficially owned by the Record Owner. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to any Common Stock other than the Common Stock directly beneficially owned by such Reporting Person.

(b) The principal business office of the Reporting Persons is 424 Fort Hill Drive, Suite 144, Naperville, IL 60540.

(c) For citizenship information see Item 4 of the cover page of each Reporting Person.

(d) This statement relates to the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Issuer (the Common Stock).

(e) The CUSIP Number of the Common Stock is 968235200.

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

(a)  Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o). (b)  Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (c)  Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (d)  Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8). (e)  An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f)  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

(h)  A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

Page 5 of 9

(i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k)  Group, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:___________________

Item 4. Ownership.

See Items 5-9 and 11 on the cover page for each Reporting Person, and Item 2, which information is given as of the close of business on the Event Date.

The percentages of beneficial ownership contained herein are based on 5,157,344 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 9, 2023, as reported by the Issuer in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 9, 2023.

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: 

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

See Item 2.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Not applicable.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.

Not applicable.

Page 6 of 9

Item 10. Certification.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11.

Page 7 of 9

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: March 28, 2024

Omni Retail Enterprises, LLC

Sage Prince Enterprises, LLC

By: /s/ Rajesh Gupta

Name: Rajesh Gupta

Title: Authorized Signatory

/s/ Rajesh Gupta

Rajesh Gupta

Page 8 of 9

EXHIBIT INDEX

Page 9 of 9

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 1
The Bernie Beck Gate at Fort Cavazos, Texas, on May 23, 2023. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

AUSTIN, Texas  A soldier at Fort Cavazos faces charges for painting racist graffiti on walls and setting fire to washing machines in a barracks laundry room at the Texas Army base, as well a charge of possessing child pornography.

Pvt. Javier Pantoja Tinoco pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 21 before military judge Col. Maureen Kohn, according to the Armys online court docket. His trial with an enlisted jury panel is scheduled for April 9.

Pantoja Tinoco is assigned to the Regimental Engineer Squadron of 3rd Cavalry Regiment and is charged with possession of child pornography, arson, damaging military property, drunk and disorderly conduct, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, according to the 1st Cavalry Division, which is the convening authority of the court-martial.

The arson incident occurred April 22, 2023, in a laundry room of a barracks building and damaged military property valued at more than $1,000, according to the soldiers charge sheet. He is accused of willfully and maliciously setting fire to washing machines.

That same night, he also wrote racial slurs on the walls of the barracks that was specifically derogatory to Black people, according to court documents. He also wrote gang signs, though the court documents do not describe them in detail.

Pantoja Tinoco is also accused of knowingly and wrongfully possessing one or more videos of a minor, or what appears to be a minor, engaging in sexually explicit conduct, according to court documents.

He is not in pretrial confinement, according to court documents.

Officials at Fort Cavazos have said in the days following the incident that two soldiers who had recently arrived to the base were in custody. The 1st Cavalry Division said the second soldier is no longer in the military and would not provide further information about him.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian Mulvihill, right, meets Royal Australian Navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Australia, on March 24, 2024. (Cristian Bestul/U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marines have returned to northern Australia to train as an air-ground task force for six months across the continent and in the Philippines and Indonesia, a Marine Corps spokesman said Thursday.

This years 2,000-strong Marine Rotational Force-Darwin is the 13th contingent to arrive in the Northern Territory since 2012, according to a Marine Corps statement that day.

The Marines and Sailors of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin are honored and excited to continue the legacy of cooperation, force commander Col. Brian Mulvihill said in the statement. Our strong Alliance contributes to stability in the region and enables the readiness of our forces to respond to any crisis or contingency that arises.

Led by an infantry regiment from Camp Pendleton, Calif., for the third year in a row, the Marines are scheduled to train until October with Australian troops and counterparts throughout the region.

The force will be supported by Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group with a command element from 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Lt. Colton Martin, a spokesman for the rotational force said by email Thursday.

The ground combat element for the force is comprised of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, with artillery from 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and engineers from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, he said.

Theyll be supported by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 out of Hawaii flying MV-22 B Osprey aircraft, he said.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Formano, a hospital corpsman with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, prepares to disembark at Royal Australian Air Force Base in Darwin, Australia, on March 24, 2024. (Cristian Bestul/U.S. Marine Corps)

Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force Ospreys began flying again this month after being grounded following the Nov. 29 crash of an Air Force Osprey off the coast of Japan that killed eight airmen.

An Osprey crash in Australia in August killed three Marines attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 during last years rotation to the Northern Territory.

Marines of the Darwin rotation will participate in the annual Balikatan drills in the Philippines, Martin said.

Balikatan will include 11,000 U.S. and 5,000 Filipino troops training from April 22 to May 8, the state-run Philippine News Service reported March 20.

The Darwin Marines will join Marine Aviation Support Activity, another drill in the Philippines that will follow Balikatan, Martin said.

Later, the rotational Marines will participate in Super Garuda Shield in Indonesia, he said. The exercise in September involves 5,000 troops from seven nations.

These rotations  serve to increase regional cooperation with partner nations in the Indo-Pacific, Australian navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone, who leads the Darwin-based Headquarters Northern Command, said in the Marines statement.

In Australia, the Marines will join numerous training events, including Southern Jackaroo, which typically involves Japanese troops; Bhakti Kanyini AUSINDO, which involved Indonesian forces last year; and the aviation-focused Pitch Black, Diamond Storm and HELICON LUK, Martin said.

The rotational force will train across a full spectrum of missions, including expeditionary operations, geographically distributed communications, non-combatant evacuation operations, embassy reinforcements, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and rapid projection of combat power, according to the Marines statement.
Workers with Joint Task Force-Red Hill set up protective curtains before cutting into pipelines at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii on March 11, 2024. (ZaBarr Jones/U.S. Department of Defense)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The Navy on Thursday assumed full oversight of the permanent closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii and the long-term cleanup of petroleum contaminated soil and groundwater left after decades of use.

Joint Task Force-Red Hill, the Defense Department entity that had been tasked with emptying roughly 104.4 million gallons of fuel from the facility, transferred responsibility to the Navy Closure Task Force during a ceremony at Ford Island.

As you know, for more than 80 years, the facility has kept our ships sailing and kept our aircraft flying, Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, who commands the Navy task force as well as Navy Region Hawaii, told the audience.

Its enabled the United States of America to safeguard our nation and its most important assets: our people. But right now, today, its time for us to move to the next phase. To do this, Navy Closure Task Force will safely, expeditiously decommission this facility.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2022 ordered the World War II-era facility permanently closed after a jet fuel leak contaminated the Navys water distribution system in late 2021.

Thousands of people living in military housing communities on or near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam were forced to temporarily relocate as the Navy flushed the entire system.

Hundreds of residents and former residents have filed suit in federal court seeking compensation for medical conditions and other hardships they say arise from the contamination.

The Defense Department established Joint Task Force-Red Hill to empty the 20 massive underground tanks, which first required extensive repair and upgrading of pipelines to preclude any leaks during defueling.

Some members of the first task force have been transitioning to the Navy group over the past few months.

Candidly, frequently, transparently

The Navy task force will remove about 4,000 gallons of residual fuel in the pipelines accessible only by destroying or dismantling the infrastructure. The Navy task force will undertake the multiyear task of emptying about 28,000 gallons of sludge at the bottom of the tanks, cleaning them and removing contaminants that have leeched into the soil and aquifer.

The Department of Defense and the United States Navy remain deeply committed to protecting the publics health and preserving the environment, Austin said in Pentagon news release Thursday. Rear Admiral Barnett is determined to close Red Hill safely, and Ive directed him to continue to communicate with our personnel and the people of Hawaii candidly, frequently, and transparently.

Some critics, however, say that the Navy has not been as open to communication as it should be, particularly regarding the services participation in recent meetings of the Red Hill Community Representative Initiative, or CRI.

The 10-member group was established last year by federal consent order to liaison directly with the Navy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Defense Logistics Agency regarding issues of the facilitys closure and water quality.

Navy officials skipped the January meeting and in a Jan. 16 news release called for revising operating procedures and ground rules that will ensure civil discussion among CRI participants for future meetings.

Navy officials attended the February meeting, but in a March 18 release, the service said the meeting did not live up to its standards of a safe and respectful information sharing forum.

Marti Townsend, the CRI chairwoman, responded with a terse statement the same day.

The Navys attempt to strong-arm the CRI is a significant setback in the Navys stated mission to rebuild trust with the people of Oahu after their water supply was permanently poisoned by a jet fuel spill from Red Hill, she said.

Kathleen Ho, director for environmental health for the Hawaii Department of Health, the state entity overseeing the closure, congratulated the commanders of both task forces Thursday for the work done so far.

Although we concur that the [Joint Task Force-Red Hills] defueling obligations are complete, there is still much work to be done to permanently close the Red Hill facility and remediate the environment, Ho wrote in a letter.

The department will hold the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill accountable to complete this work and expect that they will execute these tasks with the same diligence and commitment to community involvement exhibited by [Joint Task Force-Red Hill], she wrote.
A life-size Transformer stands tall in the bumper car arena at Jumping Go in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2023. (Christopher Green)

Spring in South Korea can be rainy, and if the damp weather is keeping your children indoors, you might try Jumping Go, a perfect place for kids to run around, meet other kids and have fun.

Jumping Go is in the heart of Sosabeol, a Pyeongtaek neighborhood with tons of restaurants, shops and fun activities. Its name suggests the place is all trampolines, and it has a few, but its more than that.

The indoor park takes up the entire fourth floor of a shopping complex. A life-size statue of a character from the Transformer film series will greet you as you enter; surrounding it are child-size bumper cars to get your young racer started.

When you arrive, you must exchange your shoes for sandals the venue provides. Lockers are available for your important items.

Arcade games stand ready at Jumping Go in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2023. (Christopher Green)

Jumping Go also offers virtual reality games, an arcade and a huge jungle gym.

While the kiddos are exploring those activities, parents may sample the snacks and coffee at the cafe.

A large trampoline area is broken into age-appropriate trampolines to keep the smaller children safe.

Jumping Go has everything you need for a great afternoon.

This park is a paradise for your little ones, so next time you feel housebound, give Jumping Go a try.

On the QT

Address: 120-66 Bijeon-dong, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do

Directions: A 30-minute drive from Osan Air Base and 25 minutes from Camp Humphreys.

Times: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays.

Costs: Childrens admission is 8,000 won for one hour, or $5.95, 13,000 won for two hours and 18,000 won for three hours. Adult admission is 3,000 won. Another 1,500 won every 10 minutes over the time limits.

Food: Snacks and drinks in the fourth-floor Jumping Go cafe; the buildings first floor has several restaurants.

Information: 031-654-8688
People displaced by the ongoing fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels gather in a camp on the outskirts of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on March 13, 2024, (Moses Sawasawa/AP)

UNITED NATIONS  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 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 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 communitys 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 Rwandas credibility as a constructive partner in peacekeeping.

The U.S. State Department last month called for the withdrawal of Rwandas 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 countrys troops are defending Rwandan territory as Congo carries out a dramatic military build-up near the border.

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 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 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.

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 initials of Congos 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 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.
Surveillance cameras are seen as a visitor looks at Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on March 11, 2024. (Louise Delmotte/AP)

HONG KONG  The president of U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia said Friday that its Hong Kong bureau has been closed because of safety concerns under a new national security law, deepening concerns about the citys media freedoms.

Bay Fang, the president of RFA, said in a statement that it will no longer have full-time staff in Hong Kong, although it would retain its official media registration.

Actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to RFA as a foreign force, raise serious questions about our ability to operate in safety with the enactment of Article 23, Fang said.

RFAs move is widely seen as a reflection of the citys narrowing space for a free press following the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, locally also known as Article 23 legislation.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concern over RFAs shutdown and said the new law not only represents a significant escalation in efforts by Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to suppress free speech and expression, but also undermines media freedom and the publics ability to obtain fact-based information.

Cedric Alviani, the Asia-Pacific bureau director for Reporters Without Borders, called the broadcasters withdrawal a consequence of the chilling effect applied on media outlets by the new security law.

We urge democracies to build up pressure on Chinese authorities so that press freedom is fully restored in the territory, Alviani said.

The U.S. State Department on Friday announced it was taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on a number of unspecified Hong Kong officials responsible for the intensifying crackdowns on rights and freedoms in the territory, following its annual assessment under the Hong Kong Policy Act.

The State Department said the new security law could be used to suppress dissent inside Hong Kong and further Beijings campaign to intimidate activists abroad.

Hong Kong, once seen as a bastion of media freedom in Asia, has already changed drastically since Beijing imposed a similar security law in 2020, following anti-government protests in 2019.

Since the introduction of the 2020 law, two local news outlets known for critical coverage of the government, Apple Daily and Stand News, were forced to shut down after the arrest of their senior management, including Apple Daily publisher Jimmy Lai.

Hong Kong ranked 140th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders latest World Press Freedom Index.

The new home-grown security law, which was enacted through an expedited legislative process last week, has expanded the governments power to stamp out challenges to its rule.

It targets engaging in espionage, disclosing state secrets and colluding with external forces to commit illegal acts, among others. Some offenses, such as treason and insurrection, carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The legislation has sparked worries among many journalists over a further decline in media freedom. They fear the broadly framed law could criminalize their day-to-day work.

RFA, funded by the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media, has recently been under the Hong Kong governments attack. In January, police issued a letter to RFA and condemned it for quoting false statements by wanted activist Ted Hui that they said smeared the police force.

Hui, a former pro-democracy lawmaker, is one of the overseas-based activists for whom police have offered awards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) for information leading to their arrest. He is accused of requesting foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.

In February, Hong Kongs security minister, Chris Tang, said some comments quoted in reports by RFA about the new legislation were fake and false.

He did not specify the comments or reports, but said they suggested that some provisions of the law were targeting the media. He insisted there were protections for the media in the legislation.

When asked whether the work of RFA is considered external interference or espionage, Tang said any violation of the law should be judged on a case-by-case basis. If someone deliberately used false information to defame the governments legislative work, he said he had to let Hong Kongers see clearly the intention of these external forces and those who have fled and want to endanger Hong Kongs security.

The Hong Kong government on Friday refused to comment on operational decisions of individual organizations. But it condemned all scaremongering and smearing remarks against the new law in an email response.

It said many other countries also have security laws. To single out Hong Kong and suggest that journalists would only experience concerns when operating here but not in other countries would be grossly biased, if not outrageous, it said.

The government insisted the new law only targets an extremely small minority of people who endanger national security and that most journalists will not unwittingly violate it.

Fang said RFAs Hong Kong bureau has operated as a private news organization since its launch in 1996 and that its editorial independence was safeguarded by a firewall endorsed by the U.S. Congress.

This restructuring means that RFA will shift to using a different journalistic model reserved for closed media environments, she said.

But she assured RFAs audience in Hong Kong and mainland China that its content would continue without disruption.

Hong Kong authorities have not announced any arrests under the new law. But the government on Wednesday condemned the BBC for what it called an extremely misleading report about an activist who was blocked from a remission of sentence, or early release, under the law. Tang also wrote a letter to condemn an opinion piece by The New York Times.

Over the past months, articles by other international media outlets, including the Washington Post and The Times, also have been criticized by officials.

Associated Press writer Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report.
An overturned vehicle lies amid debris on highway A72 near Plauen, Germany, after a crash May 22, 2023. U.S. soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment assisted the crash victims after the multi-car collision injured at least four people. (Zwickau Police)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  German police honored six U.S. soldiers this week for rushing to the scene of a horrific highway crash and rendering lifesaving first aid last year.

On Wednesday, the Zwickau Police Directorate acknowledged the actions of Staff Sgt. Joseph Williams, Pvt. Isaac Salsberry, and Sgts. Brandon Williams, Nicolas Gomez, Jarrett Long and Ulises Magana-Hernandez, all members of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based in Vilseck.

I was incredibly scared, but thanks to my training I was able to overcome my fear and concentrate on the accident and the injured, Magana-Hernandez told German broadcaster MDR Saxony on Wednesday. To receive this honor and recognition today means a lot to me.

Following a NATO exercise in Poland on May 22, 2023, the crew was making its way south through the eastern German state of Saxony to their base in Bavaria, when they came upon the multi-car wreckage on highway A72 near Plauen.

A 71-year-old German, driving a Fiat and seemingly unaware of the halted traffic ahead, crashed into a Volkswagen at full speed.

The impact set off a domino effect. The Volkswagen crashed into a Skoda, which then slammed into a Porsche, according to a German police report.

Four people, including the 27-year-old Volkswagen driver, his 33-year-old passenger, and the Skoda passenger, 42, suffered serious injuries. Information on the current health status of the victims was unavailable.

The 2nd Cavalry soldiers extracted the accident victims from the mangled vehicles and gave them first aid until emergency responders arrived.

On Wednesday, the soldiers received commendation certificates, German police caps and a tour of a local museum.

U.S. Army Sgt. Ulises P. Magana-Hernandez, attached to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, speaks at a recognition ceremony at the Zwickau Police headquarters, Zwickau, Germany, March 27, 2024. Magana-Hernandez thanked the German police for recognizing him and the five other soldiers following their involvement in assisting civilians with emergency medical treatment during a traffic incident in May of 2023. (Andrew Clark/U.S. Army) U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment stand for a group photo at the August Horch Museum in Zwickau, Germany, March 27, 2024, following a guided tour of the museum and a recognition ceremony at the Zwickau Police headquarters. The soldiers were recognized by the Zwickau Police Department for aiding four injured local citizens following a traffic incident in May of 2023. (Andrew Clark/U.S. Army)

You saved peoples lives that day, Steffen Doebric, head of the Zwickau traffic police, told the soldiers during the ceremony, MDR reported.

Dirk Lichtenberger, the head of Zwickau police, deemed the soldiers efforts a gesture of friendship that went beyond the call of duty.

One thing is that these soldiers selflessly provided first aid in such an accident, Lichtenberger told MDR. But I also think about the fact that they are doing their duty many thousands of kilometers away from home and are doing this duty for our safety. That is another reason why we would like to thank them.
Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine accused of espionage, listens to the verdict in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, June 15, 2020. Arrests of Americans in Russia have become increasingly common as relations between Moscow and Washington sink to Cold War lows. Some have been exchanged for Russians held in the U.S., while for others, the prospects of being released in a swap are less clear. (Sofia Sandurskaya, Moscow News Agency photo via AP)

TALLINN, Estonia  A journalist on a reporting trip in a Ural Mountains city. A corporate security executive traveling to Moscow for a wedding. A dual national returning to her hometown in Tatarstan to visit her family.

All of them are U.S. citizens, and all are behind bars in Russia on charges of varying severity.

Arrests of Americans in Russia have become increasingly common as relations between Moscow and Washington sink to Cold War lows. Washington accuses Moscow of targeting its citizens and using them as political bargaining chips, but Russian officials insist they all broke the law.

Some have been exchanged for Russians held in the U.S., while for others, the prospects of being released in a swap are less clear.

It seems that since Moscow itself has cut off most of the communication channels and does not know how to restore them properly without losing face, they are trying to use the hostages.  At least thats what it looks like, said Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat who quit after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Who are the Americans in custody?

Friday marks a year since the arrest of Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old reporter for The Wall Street Journal who is awaiting trial in Moscows notorious Lefortovo Prison on espionage charges.

Gershkovich was detained while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg and accused of spying for the U.S. Russian authorities havent revealed any details of the accusations or evidence to back up the charges, which he, his employer and the U.S. government all deny.

Another American accused of espionage is Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan. He was arrested in 2018 in Russia and sentenced to 16 years in prison two years later. Whelan, who said he traveled to Moscow to attend a friends wedding, has maintained his innocence and said the charges against him were fabricated.

The U.S. government has declared both Gershkovich and Whelan to be wrongfully detained and has been advocating for their release.

Others detained include Travis Leake, a musician who had been living in Russia for years and was arrested last year on drug-related charges; Marc Fogel, a teacher in Moscow, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, also on drug charges; and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.

Kurmasheva, a Prague-based editor for the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Tatar-Bashkir service, was arrested October 2023 in her hometown of Kazan, where she traveled to see her ailing elderly mother. She has faced multiple charges, including not self-reporting as a foreign agent and spreading false information about the army.

Khavana, of Los Angeles, returned to Russia to visit family and was arrested on treason charges. According to Pervy Otdel, a rights group that specializes in treason cases, the charges against her stem from a $51 donation to a U.S. charity that helps Ukraine.

A path to freedom via prisoner swaps

The precise number of Americans jailed in Russia is unclear, but the cases of Gershkovich and Whelan have received the most attention.

Gershkovich was designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department less than two weeks after his arrest, unusually fast action by the U.S government. The designation is applied to only a small subsection of Americans jailed by foreign countries.

Prisoners who get that classification have their cases assigned to a special State Department envoy for hostage affairs, who tries to negotiate their releases, and must meet certain criteria  including a determination that the arrest was done solely because the person is a U.S. national or as part of an effort to influence U.S. policy or extract concessions from the government.

The U.S. has had some success in recent years negotiating high-profile prisoner swaps with Russia, striking deals in 2022 that resulted in the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Marine veteran Trevor Reed. Both Griner and Reed were designated as wrongfully detained.

In the exchanges for them, Moscow got arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S., and pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, given a 20-year prison term in the U.S. for cocaine trafficking.

Its unclear whether there are any negotiations in the works on swapping other Americans held in Russia, such as Leake, Fogel, Kurmasheva or Khavana.

Kurmashevas husband, Pavel Butorin, told The Associated Press shortly after her arrest that he hoped the U.S. government would use every avenue and every means available to it to win her release, including designating her as a wrongfully detained person.

Is the West holding Russians that Moscow wants?

In December, the State Department said it had made a significant offer to secure the release of Gershkovich and Whelan, which it said Russia had rejected.

Officials did not describe the offer, although Russia has been said to be seeking the release of Vadim Krasikov, who was given a life sentence in Germany in 2021 for the killing in Berlin of Zelimkhan Tornike Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen of Chechen descent who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya and later claimed asylum in Germany.

President Vladimir Putin, asked this year about releasing Gershkovich, appeared to refer to Krasikov by pointing to a man imprisoned by a U.S. ally for liquidating a bandit who had allegedly killed Russian soldiers during separatist fighting in Chechnya.

Beyond that hint, Russian officials have kept mum about the talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly said that while certain contacts on swaps continue, they must be carried out in absolute silence.

Whether there are any other Russians held in the West that Moscow might be interested in is unclear.

When Russia agreed to release Griner but not Whelan, a senior Biden administration official lamented to reporters that Russia had rejected each and every one of our proposals for his release.

Those scenarios  in which one detainee is released but not another  weigh heavily on officials in the U.S. government, said Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, speaking in a January interview with AP.

Unless someones coming off a plane, onto a tarmac, in the United States of America and into the arms of their loved ones, were not getting a win, Carstens said.

Historically, when the relationships (between countries) are better, the exchanges seem to be smoother, said Nina Khrushcheva, a Moscow-born professor of international affairs at the New School in New York and the great-granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

She pointed to prisoner swaps between the Soviet Union and Chile during the detente period of the 1970s, as well as those with the U.S. and Germany shortly after Mikhail Gorbachev took office in the 1980s. Prominent Soviet dissidents Vladimir Bukovsky and Natan Sharansky were released in these exchanges.

Ultimately, however, the fate of those imprisoned in Russia is only in Putins hands, Khrushcheva said.

Carstens echoed her sentiment.

These are tough cases. The fact is that Russia holds the key to the jail cell, he told AP in a statement this week. The United States continues to have conversations with allies and partners about what we can do to secure Evan and Pauls freedom. These efforts are sensitive and it doesnt help Evan and Paul to have negotiations in public. The United States will continue our efforts until we can bring Evan and Paul home.

Tucker reported from Washington.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 29, 2024, the China Automotive New Supply Chain Statistics Product Launch Conference, organized by the Gasgoo Auto Research Institute ("GARI"), was successfully held in Shanghai.

At this event, GARI officially launched three sets of original database products: the "Passenger Vehicle Intelligent Driving Configuration Database," the "Passenger Vehicle Intelligent Cockpit Configuration Database," and the "Passenger Vehicle Electrification Configuration Database," along with relevant monthly market analysis reports.

Simultaneously, GARI initiated the "Supply Chain Database Product Co-creation Plan" aimed at industry and market partners, in a bid to assist the industry in innovation and development through data. The event received strong support from 22 media outlets, 11 securities firms, and 49 industry partners.

Welcome Address & Launch of Co-creation Plan on "China Automotive New Supply Chain Statistics Product"

At the beginning of the conference, CEO of Gasgoo, Ms. Zhou Xiaoying, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. Ms. Zhou emphasized that the core mission of Gasgoo is to "discover promising companies, promote innovative technologies, and empower automotive professionals." In recent years, Gasgoo has organized multiple conferences and forums to help partners gain profound insights into the industry's development direction and identify emerging players, and also introduce cutting-edge technologies and outstanding talents into the industry through numerous training programs.

Ms Zhou Xiaoying, CEO of Gasgoo

As China's new energy vehicle industry rapidly evolves, Chinas domestic auto parts suppliers are gradually emerging as leaders in electrification and intelligence areas. Concurrently, the vertical supply chain is undergoing a transformation towards more interconnected and adaptable operation models characterized by a blurred boundary. The relation between automakers and suppliers is speeding up the shift towards collaborative, co-creative ecosystems. Ultimately, this convergence is expected to strike a new balance between ecosystem co-creation and traditional vertical supply.

Ms Zhou Xiaoying expressed that Gasgoo aims to construct a supply chain data co-creation platform through the "Data Co-creation Plan," encouraging more partners to engage in data cross-validation and opportunity exploration. The initiative seeks to establish standardized data formats and functional definitions, so as to refine database product definitions. The statistics product launched today will primarily focus on increment data and emerging companies.

Simultaneously, Gasgoo will initiate a "Resource Partner Recruitment" drive, seeking out standout enterprises in emerging sectors and uncovering exemplary cases of new technology applications. This endeavor aims to continuously expand the influence of data products, empower development across different domains, and cater to the needs of various industry ecosystems and investment institutions.

Intelligent Driving Development Goes into New Stage

Following China's release of the "Notice on the Pilot Work of Access and On-Road Communications for Intelligent Connected Vehicles" in November 2023, the 2024 version of C-NCAP (China New Car Assessment Programs) has undergone optimizations and upgrades in existing scenarios based on the 2021 version. This also includes modifications and updates to testing parameters, as well as the addition of multiple active safety test projects, further elevating the importance of ADAS in vehicle safety.

Mr. Wang Xianbin, Senior Director of GARI, noted that with the refinement of regulations, there will be effective support for the development of the autonomous driving industry. Several leading automakers have successively announced the acquisition of licenses for conditional highway or expressway autonomous driving road tests. From an ecosystem perspective, rapid growth has been observed around software algorithms, high-performance chipsets, and ADAS suppliers. Market-wise, with the continuous maturity of driver assistance functions, cost reductions, and increased consumer acceptance, the L2 system has become the primary driver assistance solution. In 2023, the L2 (including L2+ and L2++) ADAS solution was applied in 3.7 million vehicles as standard equipment, representing a market penetration rate of over 51%. Notably, the rate for the models in the 200,000- to 500,000-yuan price range has exceeded 85%. In the future, car models priced below 100,000 yuan will also see growth in ADAS installation.

Regarding the "Passenger Vehicle Intelligent Driving Configuration Database," Wang Xianbin introduced that this database currently includes information on over 7,500 vehicle models, more than 70 intelligent driving configurations, and relevant suppliers. The data covers functionalities related to L0/L1/L2/L2+/L2++ ADAS systems, involving suppliers of cameras, millimeter-wave radars, LiDAR, high-precision maps, autonomous driving domain controllers, intelligent driving SoC, brake-by-wire system, steer-by-wire system, air suspension, etc. Additionally, Gasgoo has launched the "Monthly Analysis Report on Passenger Vehicle Intelligent Driving Market," continuously contributing to the development of the intelligent driving domain.

Mr. Wang Xianbin, Senior Director of Gasgoo Auto Research Institute

Furthermore, Wang Xianbin stated that China's leading domestic automakers have hammered out multi-tier development approaches for intelligent driving technology solutions. He shared case studies and forward-looking predictions regarding the implementation of intelligent driving solutions by companies such as Tesla, Huawei, and XPENG, as well as the future development directions for the intelligent driving industry.

Outlook on the "Human-Car-Home" Intelligent Cockpit Ecosystem

Human-machine interaction, network services, and intelligent expansion have become the three key words for the development of intelligent cockpits. According to data from GARI, the current overall penetration rate of intelligent cockpits in China is close to 60%. Nearly 90% of users in China take intelligent cockpit configurations into consideration when purchasing a car, and over 60% of users express willingness to pay for cockpit functions.

Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, Deputy Director of GARI, stated that in the past two years, automobile manufacturers have highlighted the intelligent cockpit as a sales point that set their new cars apart from other products. The diversification of intelligent cockpit components has also led to a significant increase in penetration rates. To be specific, the penetration rates of the voice interaction and V2X (vehicle-to-everything) features in the cockpit both exceed 75%, while the rate of the central control screen has exceeded 90%. Meanwhile, with the increasing richness of cockpit functions, the penetration rates of cockpit domain controller, HUD, and DMS have also been lifted.

Regarding the "Passenger Vehicle Intelligent Cockpit Configuration Database," Zhang Zhiwen mentioned that this database has already included information on over 7,500 vehicle models, over 68 intelligent cockpit configurations, and relevant suppliers. It covers core functional configuration data of intelligent cockpits, and the industry is welcome to download and use the "Monthly Analysis Report on Passenger Vehicle Intelligent Cockpit Market."

Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, Deputy Director of Gasgoo Auto Research Institute

In the future, with the trend towards intelligence and networking, the boundary between mobile phones and in-car systems will become increasingly blurred. They are about to be merged to form a full-scenario closed-loop ecosystem based on a same operating system.

Zhang Zhiwen noted that the participation of such cross-industry players as Xiaomi EV and Huawei is accelerating the formation of the "Human-Car-Home" intelligent cockpit ecosystem.

High-Quality Development of Passenger Vehicle Electrification Industry Chain

In 2023, China's sales of new energy passenger vehicles totaled 8.97 million units, representing a penetration rate of 34.5%. Wang Jian, Senior Analyst at GARI, pointed out that the A00 and D car segments currently feature the highest penetration rate of new energy vehicles, while the penetration rate in the mainstream A and B car segments is still less than one-third. Therefore, these two segments still have substantial rooms for new energy vehicle sales to further climb.

Mr. Wang Jian, Senior Analyst of Gasgoo Auto Research Institute

Wang Jian said, in terms of price distribution, with the successive introduction of new energy vehicle models with prices comparable to oil-fueled vehicles in the similar segment, the new energy vehicles priced between 100,000 yuan and 150,000 yuan witnessed a rapid growth with over 2 million units sold in 2023. The market priced below 200,000 yuan will become an important segment. Furthermore, as competitively priced new energy vehicle models gain traction, cities in the third and below tiers are expected to see accelerated promotion of new energy vehicles. Wang Jian emphasized the importance of focusing on these lower-tier markets and urged companies to strategize their sales efforts accordingly.

Looking ahead, Wang Jian believes that the overseas market expansion and new energy vehicle development will help China's passenger vehicle market surpass the 30-million-unit mark by 2030. He added breakthroughs and challenges will emerge in power batteries, while electric drive system will continue to be optimized in performance, efficiency, and costs.

Regarding the "Passenger Vehicle Electrification Configuration Database," Wang Jian introduced that this database currently includes information related to over 2,000 vehicle models and more than 72 electrification configurations, as well as relevant suppliers. The Monthly Analysis Report on Passenger Vehicle Electrification Market will also contribute to the development of electrification in the passenger vehicle market.

GARI is committed to becoming a leading think tank in the automotive industry, focusing on offering in-depth insights into the intelligent automotive industry chain and continuously providing comprehensive research results and systematic industrial data resources to assist industry users in making informed business decisions.

In addition to the welcome speech and certain subject sharing, this event also featured a Q&A session where experts from GARI addressed hot topics in the industry such as intelligence and electrification. The purpose of this event is to jointly build the automotive new supply chain database with partners based on the service platform provided by GARI, to grasp the trend of industry development in real time, and to help more industry partners, investment institutions, and media professionals understand the automotive industry, thereby contributing to the construction of China's automotive supply chain ecosystem.
People lay flowers and light candles standing next to the Crocus City Hall, on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Russias top state investigative agency says the death toll in the Moscow concert hall attack has risen to over 133. The attack Friday on Crocus City Hall, a sprawling mall and concert venue on Moscows western edge, also left many wounded and left the building a smoldering ruin. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

MOSCOW  Nine people have been detained by Tajikistans state security service over suspected contact with the perpetrators of last weeks attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed 144 people, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said Friday.

The reported arrests came exactly a week after the massacre in the Crocus City Hall, in which gunmen shot people waiting for a show by a popular rock band and then set the building on fire. The four suspected attackers were arrested and identified as Tajik nationals.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest on Russian soil in years. The Kremlin, however, has insisted that Ukraine and the West had a role, something Kyiv has vehemently denied.

RIA Novosti said Friday, citing an unnamed source in Tajikistans security services, that those detained in the Central Asian country were residents of the Vakhdat district that lies east of the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. The report said those detained are suspected of having connections with IS. Russian security forces were also involved in the operation to detain them, according to the agency.

In Russia, a total of nine suspects have faced court so far and were remanded in pre-trial detention. The latest hearing took place Friday, with a judge in the Basmanny District Court ruling that suspect Lutfulloi Nazrimad should be held in custody until at least May 22. Russian independent news site Mediazona cited Nazrimad as saying in court that he was born in Tajikistan.

Russian officials previously said that 11 suspects had been arrested, including four who allegedly carried out the attack. Those four, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.

Russias Investigative Committee additionally said Thursday it had detained another suspect in relation to the raid on Crocus City Hall, on suspicion of being involved in financing the attack. It did not give further details of the suspects identity or alleged actions.

Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin have persistently claimed, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine and the West had a role in the attack.

The Investigative Committee said Thursday that it has confirmed data that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack received significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, which were used in preparing the crime. On Friday, the agency also claimed that the suspects said they were instructed to head to Kyiv after the attack to collect their payment.

Ukraine denies involvement and its officials claim that Moscow is pushing the allegation as a pretext to intensify its fighting in Ukraine.

The death toll from the raid continues to rise, with the number of deaths increasing to 144 on Friday when a severely injured victim died in a hospital, according to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko.
A child climbs on a rusty armored personnel carrier, part of a display of destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

KYIV, Ukraine  Moscow launched a large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure Friday, with a mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across the country, Ukraines armed forces said.

Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 Ukrainian regions coming under fire, the countrys interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraines eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the citys thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on March 22.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraines defense industries.

Ukraines state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, said Fridays attack deliberately targeted thermal and hydroelectric power plants across central and western regions.

In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraines Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power stations had come under attack and accused Moscow of risking an ecological disaster similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused the other of destroying the dam, but the various Russian allegations  that it was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives  fail to account for a blast so strong that it registered on seismic monitors in the region.

The dams destruction led to deadly flooding, endangered crops, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an environmental catastrophe.

Zelenskyy also warned that other countries would be threatened if the dams were hit. Dnister Hydroelectric station, located near the city of Novodnistrovsk, Ukraine, is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Moldova.

Not only is Ukraine under threat, but Moldova too, Zelenskyy said. The water will not stop in front of the border.

DTEK, Ukraines largest private electricity operator, also said that three of its thermal power plants had been damaged in the attacks. It announced emergency power shutdowns in the city of Odesa, leaving several neighborhoods without power.

Five people, including a 5-year-old girl, were wounded during the attack in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, said local Gov. Serhii Lysak.

He later said that another man had been killed and one more injured in a separate drone attack Friday.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian police said rescuers had recovered the body of a 66-year-old woman from a building in the Mykolaiv region that was hit by a Russian missile Thursday night.

The bombardment in the west of Ukraine caused the Polish Armed Forces to scramble its own aircraft, the countrys operational command said on social media.

Last week, Warsaw demanded an explanation from Moscow after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting the NATO member to activate F-16 fighter jets.

Romanias defense ministry also said on Friday that an investigation has been launched after fragments that appeared to be from a drone were identified on its territory Thursday evening in an agricultural area of Braila county, close to the border with Ukraine.

It did not provide additional details, although since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, NATO member Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions.

Belgorod also came under fire Friday, Russias Ministry of Defense wrote on social media. It said that it shot down 15 Ukrainian shells, with falling debris damaging a number of residential buildings. No casualties were reported.

Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov later said on social media that one man had died as the result of a separate drone attack which struck an apartment block. ___

Associated Press writer Stephen McGrath in Sighisoara, Romania, contributed to this report.
The flight deck crew prepares to launch an E-2 Hawkeye command and control plane off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 19, 2024. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

For a second day in a row, the U.S. Navy downed four unmanned aerial drones Thursday over the Red Sea, according to U.S. Central Command.

The drones, launched by Houthi militants from areas they control in Yemen, were aimed at a coalition vessel and a U.S. warship, between 6 p.m. and 10:56 p.m. local time, according to a news release Thursday from Central Command in Tampa, Fla.

The Navy considered these weapons an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region, according to the release. No injuries or damage were reported by U.S. or coalition ships.

The release did not identify any of the vessels involved in the attack.

U.S. and U.K. forces in the Red Sea have struck the Iranian-back Houthis at military targets in areas the group controls in Yemen and at missiles and drones launched at shipping in the Red Sea, a vital commercial waterway

Although more than 20 countries agreed in December to participate in a efforts to safeguard the Red Sea, a vital commercial waterway, not all have sent naval vessels to patrol the area.

On Wednesday, the Navy also downed four Houthi drones that targeted a Navy vessel that Central Command did not identify. Efforts by Stars and Stripes to reach the command by phone and email for further information on Wednesday and Thursday in Florida were unsuccessful.

U.S. Navy vessels have been targeted repeatedly by the Houthis, either by drones or by close-range ballistic missiles. The destroyer USS Laboon, part of the group escorting the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, was unsuccessfully targeted March 12 by a missile; in January the destroyers USS Gravely in the Red Sea and the USS Carney in the Gulf of Aden were also targeted but downed both missiles.

The Houthis have claimed the missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping are acts of solidarity with Palestinians under attack by Israeli forces in Gaza. Some global shipping firms, including Danish container giant Maersk, have diverted their ships from the Red Sea and along a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, instead.

Regretfully, both our internal analysis, as well as insight we received from external sources, still indicates that the risk level in the region remains elevated, the company said in a statement posted March 22 on its website.

It cited the attack March 6 on the True Confidence that killed three crew members, and the attack Feb. 19 on the Rubymar, a cargo ship that later sank with 21,000 metric tons of ammonium phosphate sulfate fertilizer aboard and now poses a navigation and environmental hazard.
Pallets of food and other humanitarian aid wait in a warehouse in Jordan on March 20, 2024, to be airdropped into Gaza. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  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 Israels 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.

Israel declared war in response to a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage. Israel responded with a campaign of airstrikes and a ground offensive that have left over 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but say roughly two-thirds of the dead are women, children and teens. Israel says over one-third of the dead are militants, though it has not provided evidence to support the claim, and it blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the group operates in residential areas.

The fighting has displaced over 80% of Gazas population, caused widespread damage and has sparked a humanitarian crisis. The U.N. and international aid agencies say virtually the entire Gaza population is struggling to get enough food, with hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine, especially in hard-hit northern Gaza.

South Africa welcomed Thursdays decision, calling it significant.

The fact that Palestinian deaths are not solely caused by bombardment and ground attacks, but also by disease and starvation, indicates a need to protect the groups right to exist, the South African president said in a statement.

Hamas, an Islamic militant group sworn to Israels destruction, said the ruling must be enforced by the international community.

It must be implemented immediately, so that this decision does not remain a dead letter, it said.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry thanked South Africa, calling the case a vital step in the global effort to hold Israel accountable for perpetrating genocide.

After initially sealing Gazas borders in the early days of the war, Israel began to permit entry of humanitarian supplies. It says it places no restrictions on the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza and accuses the United Nations of failing to properly organize the deliveries. On Tuesday, the army said it inspected 258 aid trucks, but only 116 were distributed within Gaza by the U.N.

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.

The world court said earlier orders imposed on Israel after landmark hearings in South Africas case do not fully address the consequences arising from the changes in the situation in Gaza.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, has also run pilot programs 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 devastated northern part of the Strip. The agency had no immediate comment on the ICJ ruling.

Federman reported from Jerusalem.
People recover the body of a child from a destroyed building following Israeli air strikes on March 29, 2024, in Rafah, Gaza. Overnight, Israel launched rockets southeast of Aleppo, where at least 42 died, including six Hezbollah fighters. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Israeli airstrikes in Syria killed dozens of people including members of the Hezbollah militant group, one of the deadliest attacks on the war-torn country since Oct. 7.

Syrias state-run news agency said Israel launched rockets overnight southeast of Aleppo, killing and wounding a number of people. At least 42 died, including six Hezbollah fighters, according to the U.K.-based Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks developments on the ground in Syria.

The Friday strikes also hit a missile depot near Aleppo airport and a defense compound, said the group, which estimates the attack as Israels biggest in Syria in three years.

Israel rarely comments on such incidents in Syria but officials have repeatedly said they would seek to obstruct the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah and other Iran-allied militias via Syria.

Israel has for years routinely struck targets in Syria, mainly to thwart Hezbollah or secure its own north-eastern border. Those strikes have increased since Israels war with Hamas, another Iran-backed group, erupted in October in Gaza.

Since then, hundreds of Iran-backed militiamen have moved from the Iraq-Syria border to be nearer Israel.

Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the latest Israeli attacks, calling them a blatant and desperate attempt to prolong and expand the crisis in the region, according to a statement on Telegram.

Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Israel, who fought a 33-day war in 2006, have engaged in almost daily cross-border fire since the Oct. 7 invasion of Israel by Hamas. The skirmishes have been mostly confined to army targets and the militias fighters and warehouses.

Tensions escalated this week after Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles at a northern Israeli town. The group, which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., said the attack was in retaliation to Israeli strikes that killed civilians.

Hamas killed about 1,200 people and abducted 250 others during its incursion into southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. A fierce retaliatory land and air campaign has since left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

With assistance from Patrick Sykes.

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Space Force Col. Christopher Putman, left, U.S. Space Forces Central commander, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Deane Lake, leader of combat detachment 3-1, at a ceremony March 12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force)

A Space Force unit recently stood up in the Middle East is making its mark by giving a heads-up to U.S. troops being targeted by enemy missiles.

Combat Detachment 3-1, which has roughly 24 guardians, uses satellite-based sensors to give deployed troops as much time as possible to protect themselves, said the units first commander, Lt. Col. Deane Lake.

The guardians have been instrumental in protecting U.S. troops in the region, Lake said in a recent interview at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He assumed command of the detachment March 12, a statement Wednesday from U.S. Air Forces Central said. The unit is the first Space Force combat detachment to activate in one of the militarys component commands, the statement said. Deployed guardians will be co-located at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at Al Udeid.

Lake deployed to the Middle East a few weeks before Oct. 7, when the Israel-Hamas war started. Shortly thereafter, militant groups angered by American support for Israel began launching drone and rocket attacks on U.S. troops in the region.

Lt. Col. Deane Lake, U.S. Space Forces Central combat detachment 3-1 commander, delivers remarks during an activation and assumption of command ceremony, March 12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force)

One drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan on Jan. 28 left three soldiers dead and dozens more injured.

Weve been a part of watching all that and trying to provide notification when we can of any launches, Lake said.

While Lake declined to provide specific examples of missile launches that the deployed guardians have detected, a U.S. Central Command statement in February said Space Force warning systems had helped defend ships in the Red Sea from missiles fired by Houthi militants in Yemen.

The network of sensors the guardians use can detect the telltale heat signatures of rockets and missiles, said Masao Dahlgren, a Missile Defense Project fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Its almost certain that theyve already saved lives, Dahlgren said.

Consolidating deployed Space Force personnel into a unit located in the same room as military decision-makers will speed up information sharing about missile launches, and Combat Detachment 3-1 could be the prototype for deployed Space Force units, he said.

This is really the proving ground for the Space Forces new organization, for missile detection and this mission, Dahlgren said.
While leprosy remains rare in the U.S., more cases are popping up across the country, including in Florida, where the disease may have become endemic, experts say. A disease is considered endemic when it is consistently present in a place. A pandemic, like COVID, can spread far and quickly. (Pratchaya Leelapatchayanont/Dreamstime/TNS)

MIAMI (Tribune News Service)  Leprosy, a disease of the skin and nerves, hearkens back centuries, all the way to its reference in the Bible in the Book of Leviticus.

People in Florida are talking about leprosy again  and not just in church or Sunday school.

While leprosy remains rare in the U.S., more cases are popping up across the country, including in Florida, where the disease may have become endemic, experts say. A disease is considered endemic when it is consistently present in a place. A pandemic, like COVID, can spread far and quickly.

Even though most people have natural immunity against the ancient bacteria that causes leprosy, thousands across the world get ill with the disease every year. And in the U.S., which sees about 150 cases a year, infections in the southeastern U.S. have more than doubled in the last decade, according to research published last year in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Emerging Infectious Diseases peer-reviewed journal.

The report was written by Central Florida doctors Aashni Bhukhan, Charles Dunn and Rajiv Nathoo.

But there is a cautionary tale at work here.

The ultimate message for the general public, is do not panic, Dunn, chief resident of the ADCS Orlando Dermatology Residency Program, said in a telephone interview with the Miami Herald. This is a very rare disease process that is still very uncommon in the United States and something that is highly treatable if caught early, and not something that people need to be anxious or nervous about. Its actually incredibly hard to contract  95% of the population is genetically not susceptible to contracting it.

The study, he said, was primarily aimed at educating the clinical community given the strong geographic predilection for leprosy. Theres still much to be learned about leprosy and why it is endemic in some states and wholly absent in others.

The bacteria that fuels the disease is slow growing and can take 5 to 20 years for symptoms to appear, which can make it slip under the radar in routine medical visits, Dunn said.

Theres some misconceptions within the clinical community about how its contracted and how its transmitted, he said.

Another takeaway from recent reports is to tell your doctor if you suspect something is wrong.

If you have any questions about your skin, or if you have any clinical concerns about your exposure history that make you nervous, that you could potentially have it, find your local physician, find your local dermatologist, and ask them questions and well be able to answer them. But this is not something that you need to panic about. Its not something that is spreading or rampant or anything that the population needs to be concerned about, Dunn said.

What the numbers reveal

In 2022, 136 leprosy cases were reported in the U.S., mostly in Florida, Texas, New York, California, Arkansas, Louisiana and Hawaii, according to the most recent data available through the National Hansens Disease Program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Florida recorded eight cases in 2022, or about 6% of the cases reported in the country that year, and three of those cases were in Brevard County in East Central Florida, state data shows.

In 2020, Central Florida accounted for nearly one-fifth of the 159 cases reported in the country, according to the CDC report. Floridas Reportable Diseases Frequency Report found that of the 27 cases that year in eight counties, 20 of those were in Brevard and none in South Florida.

There are just three cases of leprosy in Florida in 2024, through March 26, out of a population of nearly 23 million people, according to U.S. Census data  one leprosy case each in Polk, Sumter and Volusia counties, all in the Central Florida region.

Theres this common misconception within the medical community that leprosy only occurs in people that were born in countries outside the United States, Dunn said.

The majority of cases of leprosy are diagnosed and occur outside the United States. Most cases occur in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, he said.

Heres more to know about leprosy in modern times:

What is leprosy?

Hansens disease, or leprosy, is a disease that affects the nerves and skin. Its one of the oldest infectious diseases in human history, and is caused by a slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. About 95% of people are naturally immune against the bacteria that causes leprosy, according to the Florida Department of Health.

 Symptoms: Leprosy causes discolored patches of skin, lumps and ulcers, and numbness in affected areas. If left untreated, leprosy can lead to paralysis, crippling of hands and feet, disfigurement and blindness.

 What to look for: Dunn says leprosy can appear as patches or plaques that are well marked. I can take a pen and I can draw a circle around them perfectly, he said. These skin patches or plaques tend to be lighter in color, but not always. And if you rub your finger over that area it tends to have less sensation than the surrounding skin, Dunn noted. One mimicker of this is actually psoriasis. So it can look a little like a psoriatic plaque, Dunn said. Other presenting signs to look for include a loss of the eyebrows and eyelashes and a kind of thickening or furrowing of the facial features. The ear lobes can start to elongate a little bit as the nerves and the connective tissue kind of gets softer, Dunn said.

 Treatment: Leprosy is typically treated with two or three antibiotics simultaneously for one to two years to help prevent the bacteria from developing resistance against the drugs, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. While treatment can cure the disease and prevent the illness from getting worse, it cannot reverse nerve damage or physical disfiguration from the illness.

 The bottom line: In the past, Hansens disease was feared as a highly contagious, devastating disease, but now we know that its hard to spread and its easily treatable once recognized, according to the CDC. Still, a lot of stigma and prejudice remains about the disease, and those suffering from it are isolated and discriminated against in many places where the disease is seen.

How does leprosy spread?

Even though leprosy has ancient roots, doctors still dont know how leprosy spreads between people. What they do know is that leprosy doesnt spread easily and is easy to treat if detected early, according to the CDC.

Scientists believe leprosy can spread by inhaling infected respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and COVID spread. However, unlike with flu and COVID, you need to inhale these infected respiratory droplets over a long period.

Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease, which means you cannot get leprosy through casual contact, such as by shaking hands, sitting next to each other on the bus or sitting together for a meal, according to the CDC. Leprosy is also not spread by sex nor can it be passed on to an unborn child during pregnancy.

How do armadillos factor in?

Some nine-banded armadillos in the southern United States, including in Florida, are also naturally infected with the bacteria that causes leprosy. The CDC say its possible that contact with the animal could cause a human to get infected although the risk is very low and unlikely. The public health agency still cautions people to avoid armadillos when possible.

There are pockets where nine-banded armadillos appear to carry this particular strain of Mycobacterium leprae that also appears in humans but we dont know how it gets from armadillos to people. But when they tested the armadillos in different pockets, they showed that for whatever reason, armadillos in Central Florida, as well as five or six other locations, harbored the strains of Mycobacterium leprae that people get, said Dunn, the expert at the ADCS Orlando Dermatology Residency Program

But in some other U.S. locations where people and nine-banded armadillos also mingle, and where there are no reported cases of leprosy, those armadillos didnt harbor the Mycobacterium leprae strain.

The transmission is really poorly understood, Dunn acknowledged.

Is leprosy endemic in Florida?

The research report published in the CDC journal indicates that theres growing evidence leprosy has become endemic in Florida, according to a report published recently in Newsweek.

The report noted that many of the recent cases reported in the eastern United States, including Georgia and Central Florida, lacked typical transmission routes, such as traveling to a country where the disease is widespread and having contact with armadillos.

Endemic in and of itself is a hot word, Dunn said, concurring with the research report. By definition, the CDC defines endemic disease as the constant presence of a disease or an infectious agent within a given geographic area or population group that is neither spiking nor decreasing. Its just kind of like present. The idea of endemic leprosy looks like it is endemic in certain pockets of the United States and I would say that Central Florida is included in that.

The report published in Newsweek noted that there is some support for the theory that international migration of persons with leprosy is a potential source of autochthonous transmission. It also noted that while leprosy cases are increasing, the rates of new diagnoses among people born outside of the U.S. have declined since 2022.

Who is most susceptible?

The age range of people diagnosed with leprosy in the research studies have been 9 to 75. But most patients tend to be older than 50, Dunn said. As you get older, your immune system starts to shift and change and your susceptibility to particular things becomes increased.

Why are most people immune?

Despite the biblical age of this disease, experts remain stumped as to why 95% of the population has a natural immunity to leprosy.

The classic mantra for leprosy is that you need a susceptible patient, you need prolonged contact, and you need a sufficient bacterial load, Dunn said. In the vast majority of patients, when the disease invades the bodys skin and nerves, the immune system recognizes the foreign entity and attacks it, nullifying it. In 5% of the population, these individuals dont have the genetic makeup or the genes that are key to recognizing this bacteria and thus fight it, Dunn said. Its a genetic polymorphism or its a genetic trait that people inherently have, but we dont know exactly why.

Is there a vaccine for leprosy?

A vaccine cant be formulated because the bacteria is so slow replicating that scientists have yet to even culture it in a petri dish, according to Dunn.

Its whats called a non-culturable disease. We know it exists. Were able to get whats called a PCR and test and prove its existence, but weve never been able to culture it because it replicates so slowly, and thats part of the challenge with these diagnoses that we have in the United States, he said.

Is contact tracing possible?

Contact tracing, which became a household phrase during the COVID pandemic, is next to impossible to conduct for leprosy to pinpoint the origin of its transmission.

Were talking about an exposure that occurred years ago  5, 10, 15, 20 years ago, right? So thats different than something like COVID where you can walk back a week to two weeks and discover where it was that the contact occurred. But for leprosy, whenever youre trying to figure out where it happened its hard to figure out exactly where it happened, Dunn said.

Are there travel advisories?

The CDC has not issued any travel advisories for Florida or other states due to leprosy, the public health agencys website states.

A breakdown of leprosy cases in Florida

Florida has confirmed 203 cases of leprosy since 2013 and 11 of them were in South Florida, according to the states web-based reportable disease surveillance system. While state officials still dont know where many of the infections originated, theyve determined that at least 63 of the 203 cases, or about 31% of the reported cases, were acquired in Florida. Nineteen of the cases, or 9%, were acquired in another country.

So far, Florida has confirmed three cases of leprosy this year, state data shows.

 One person in Sumter County who is between the ages of 20-24. State health officials dont know if the person was infected in Florida, another state or another country.

 One person in Polk County who is between the ages of 25-29. State health officials say the person acquired the infection outside of the U.S.

 One person in Volusia County who is between the ages of 55-59. State health officials believe the person acquired the infection in Florida.

When was the last time South Florida recorded leprosy cases?

 In Miami-Dade, the most recent confirmed leprosy case was in 2014. A person between the ages of 50-54. State health officials dont know where the person was infected.

 In Broward, the most recent confirmed leprosy case was in 2021. A person between the ages of 50-54 was infected outside of the U.S.

 In Palm Beach County, the most recent confirmed leprosy case was in 2023. A person between the ages of 65-69 was infected in Florida.

 Monroe County hasnt recorded a leprosy case in more than 10 years. The last time a case was reported in the Florida Keys was in 2010. The case involved a person between the ages of 55-59 who acquired it in Florida.

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In this 2012 photo, Lance Cpl. Nathanial Fink, left, and Lance Cpl. Garrett Camacho burn trash in Afghanistan. The military used the open-air pits to dispose of unwanted items, including chemicals, human waste, medical items and food leftovers. (Alfred V. Lopez/Marine Corps)

WASHINGTON  More than 400,000 veterans signed up for health care with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the past year  a 30% increase from the prior year  with higher enrollments driven by a new law covering illnesses from toxic exposure during military service.

The year-over-year increase spanned every state, with Texas topping the list with approximately 41,200 new enrollees, followed by California at 33,500, Florida with 33,000, Virginia with 20,500, and North Carolina at 17,500, the VA said.

Approximately 93,000 more veterans have signed up for VA health care compared to last year, when enrollment topped 307,000. VA provides free and low-cost health care for qualifying veterans.

Veterans who come to VA are proven to have better health outcomes and pay less than veterans who dont, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Friday, when the enrollment numbers were announced.

The VA said these are the most new enrollees since 2016 and represent a 50% increase from signups for VA health care during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the VA said.

The higher numbers are the result of health coverage and disability compensation granted to eligible veterans under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, known as the PACT Act, which became law nearly two years ago.

In fiscal 2025, the VA is proposing to spend $25 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund to pay for health services and disability benefits for veterans with toxic exposures. The amount is about $5 billion more than the 2024 request, and represents about 10% of all mandated spending at the VA.

Under the PACT Act, veterans exposed to hazardous substances during active duty can enroll in VA health care and qualify for monthly disability compensation for medical conditions connected to their exposure to environmental hazards from military duty.

The list of identified environmental hazards includes burn pits, radiation, Agent Orange, and firefighting foams, among other toxins.

The VA pointed to the experience of Adam Coyle, a former Army staff sergeant whose military career was cut short in 2016, after he developed severe asthma from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he came in close contact to burn pits and other airborne hazards.

Coyle, who served for nine years, now oversees veteran outreach activities for the Providence VA regional office in Rhode Island.

My asthma is still bad and requires me to use an inhaler several times a day, he said.

Since the PACT Act was signed into law in August 2022, more than 860,000 claims for coverage have been approved, the VA said. The approval rating for claims is 75%. Veterans most frequently file medical claims for hypertensive vascular disease, rhinitis (similar to a chronic cold), asthma and chronic bronchitis, which are presumed to have resulted from toxic exposure during military service.

The VA announced in March that it is waiving a requirement for veterans to first have an approved claim for a toxic exposure-related medical condition to qualify for VA health care.

The open enrollment applies to veterans from the Vietnam War, Gulf War, conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Global War on Terrorism or any other combat zone after 9/11, the VA said.

Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the U.S. also are eligible to enroll.

To be eligible for VA health care benefits, veterans must meet basic service and discharge requirements. Veterans with a discharge that is dishonorable, other than honorable or from bad conduct might not qualify.

Veterans can apply for a discharge upgrade, if they can show their discharge was related to a medical condition, traumatic brain injury, sexual orientation, sexual assault or sexual harassment, according to the VA.
A wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  Since 2017, March 29 has been designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, and dozens of veterans, active-duty service members and other visitors to the nations capital marked the occasion Friday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall.

Soldiers from the Military District of Washington prepare the colors for a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) A tribute left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) Maj. Gen. Edward J. Chrystal Jr., director of the Vietnam War Commemoration program, speaks at a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) A U.S. Navy wreath awaits a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

March 29 was selected because on that date in 1973, the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, was disestablished and the last American troops left for home.

The event was part of an ongoing 50th anniversary commemoration of the war that began on Memorial Day 2012 and will run through Veterans Day next year. Opening remarks at Fridays event were delivered by Maj. Gen. Edward J. Chrystal Jr., director of the commemoration effort.

Rick Holland, whose father, Tech Sgt. Melvin Holland, remains unaccounted for decades after a March 11, 1968 North Vietnamese attack on a U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Navigation system facility in Laos, is overcome with emotion after a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday in Washington. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) Vietnam veteran Philip Todd, from Arizona, takes a photo of the Three Soldiers statue at the the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) Attendees bow for the invocation at a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes) Bagpipers play during a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2024. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)

In addition to several Vietnam veterans, several of whom came in from Arizona, participants included Rick Holland, representing POW/MIA families. Hollands father, Tech Sgt. Melvin Holland, is still listed as unaccounted for in the wake of a March 11, 1968 attack on an Air Force Tactical Air Navigation system site in Houaphan Province, Laos.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Continental AG announced on Mar. 29 its new intelligent factory in Qufu city, Shandong province, which is operated by Road-Broad Automotive Electronics (Qufu) Co. Ltd. ("Road-Broad"), has already gone into operation.

New Qufu factory; photo credit: Continental AG

Covering an area of approximately 30,000 square meters, the new facility boasts a production area of nearly 10,000 square meters. With over fifty production lines already installed, the factory will manufacture a diverse range of products including wheel speed sensors, camshaft/crankshaft position sensors, and electronic parking wire harness assembly, extensively utilized in motorcycles, new energy vehicles, and conventional oil-fueled automobiles. The new factory's operation is expected to boost overall production capacity of Road-Broad by 150%, effectively meeting the escalating product demand in both the Chinese and global markets.

Constructed in accordance with green factory and Industry 4.0 standards, the new Qufu factory comprises essential infrastructures such as workshops, R&D centers, office buildings, laboratories, dining facilities, and warehouses. The first batch of production lines was in place on Nov. 10, 2023, only nine months after the factory's groundbreaking on Feb. 8, 2023.

Looking ahead, the factory will advance the development of new quality production through advanced automation equipment, including collaborative robots, 3D printing, AI camera-based quality inspection, BI data processing, and warehouse distribution utilizing AGVs (automated guided vehicles), thereby enhancing production efficiency. Additionally, the factory will incorporate rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems and introduce green intelligent equipment, furthering its commitment to green operations and sustainable development.

Established in 2013, Road-Broad is a joint venture between Continental AG and Qufu Temb Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a prominent local parts supplier in China. It serves as one of Continental AG's crucial global production bases for passive safety sensors, manufacturing various products such as wheel speed sensors, camshaft/crankshaft position sensors, and electronic parking wire harnesses. Presently, the factory supplies products to over 60 customers in China.
The court appearance followed a Garda operation where upwards of 25,000 worth of cocaine was seized

A Defence Forces soldier has appeared before a special district court sitting charged with having cocaine for sale or supply at an army barracks.

The court appearance followed a Garda operation where more than 25,000 worth of cocaine was seized at Collins Barracks on the Old Youghal Road in Cork earlier this week.

Shane Scanlon (34), a member of the Irish Defence Forces, with an address at Cooline Heights, Ballyvaloon, Cobh, Co Cork, appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court charged with two offences.

Scanlon is charged with possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, at Old Youghal Road in Cork for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another on March 27.

He is also charged with having cocaine unlawfully in his possession at Old Youghal Road on March 27.

Both alleged offences are brought contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Evidence of his arrest, charge and caution was given to the court by Garda Derry OBrien of Anglesea Street Garda Station.

The short hearing took place on Thursday evening.

Judge John King was told that the State had no objection to bail being granted in the matter.

Judge King remanded Scanlon on bail to appear again before Cork District Court on July 15 next.

Gardai hope to have instructions in the matter from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by that date.

Scanlon had been arrested at Collins Barracks last Wednesday.

The Defence Forces confirmed that its Military Police unit had been assisting An Garda Siochana.

On March 27, it is alleged that both cash and a controlled substance were seized following a targeted search at Collins Barracks.

The Defence Forces also confirmed that a vehicle was handed over to gardai as part of their ongoing investigation.

A spokesperson stressed that it was now a matter for An Garda Siochana.

No further comment will be made while court proceedings are under way, the spokesperson said.
Derek Kavanagh admitted threatening and abusive behaviour and resisting arrest.

A Christmas partygoer soiled himself and told gardai you cant search me now before smearing faeces on a cell mattress, a court heard.

Derek Kavanagh (53) refused to co-operate with gardai, who had to carry him into a garda station cell.

He was humiliated by his behaviour, his solicitor said.

Judge Stephanie Coggans said she would leave Kavanagh without a conviction if he made a donation of 500 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.

The defendant, of Collinstown Crescent in Clondalkin, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour and resisting arrest last December 21.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai received reports at around 8.30pm that a male was causing annoyance by banging on the front doors of houses.

Sgt Callaghan said gardai went to the area, but did not initially see the defendant, and he was pointed out to them as he was hiding in the bushes.

Gardai spoke to Kavanagh who was highly intoxicated and appeared agitated.

He was verbally abusive, and he tried to square up to an officer. Kavanagh was told he was going to be arrested, and he tried to initiate an altercation.

Sgt Callaghan said Kavanagh resisted arrest, and had to be taken to the ground and handcuffed.

He continued to be unco-operative, and had to be carried into the station cell by gardai.

He soiled himself, telling gardai you cant search me now.

He then smeared faeces on a cell mattress, and refused to clean up or change his clothing.

Sandra Frayne, defending, said Kavanagh was very embarrassed about the way he had behaved.

Ms Frayne said the defendant, a father of three, had not taken any alcohol since this incident.

On the day in question, Kavanagh, a forklift driver, had attended a Christmas party and had far too much to drink.

He could not remember the incident, and he had let himself down by the way he behaved, Ms Frayne said.

Kavanagh had apologised to gardai the next day, and officers had treated him very well, providing him with a change of clothing,
The Sunday World tracked O Aidicin, A.K.A Gregory Atkins, down to a luxury 400,000 home on the outskirts of Carrick-on-Shannon.

These are the first images of teacher and Walter Mitty-style serial con man Gregoir O Aidicin, who has clocked up 20 convictions for deception and fraud offences over the past 14 years.

The Sunday World tracked O Aidicin, A.K.A Gregory Atkins, down to a luxury 400,000 home on the outskirts of Carrick-on-Shannon.

Just days earlier he had appeared before Sligo Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to an attempt to defraud a credit union out of a 52,000 loan.

The 55-year-olds listed address when he appeared in court was given as Somerfield in Lavally, Ballintogher.

But when the Sunday World called to the farmhouse on Thursday morning, the gates were wired together, and neighbours said they hadnt seen him for several months.

Undeterred, we tracked O Aidicin, who has never been pictured before in spite of his numerous court appearances, to the property on the outskirts of Carrick on Shannon by Thursday evening.

Approaching him as he exited a 182-registered Toyota Rav4, O Aidicin appeared shocked to be confronted about the scale of his lies.

Sorry, Im not talking to you about the case, he said.

Our reporter speaks to Gregoir O Aidicin

Asked whether he was still working as a teacher, he responded: Dont worry about it.

Asked if he had been garda vetted to work as a teacher given the substantial number of convictions he has clocked up for deception-type offences, he let himself into the house and closed the door behind him.

O Aidicins offending over the past 15 years has been for relatively small sums of money until now.

In September 2012, he appeared before Ballymote District Court under the named Gregory Atkins where he was convicted of paying for goods with bounced cheques on three different occasions.

Inspector Mick Coppinger told the court how, at Walshs Pharmacy, O Aidicin had photos developed to the value of 148 and paid with a cheque drawn on an account in which he had no money. The inspector added that Atkins knew there had been no funds available.

Atkins then went to WIP Trailers some days later where he hired a trailer and paid for this by cheque which also bounced.

At the Trade and Discount Centre, Atkins wrote a cheque for 1,155 for furniture for a house in Athenry but there were again no funds to cover it.

The furniture was recovered following a garda investigation.

In September 2016, O Aidicin was given 240 hours community service in lieu of four months in prison at Sligo District Court for 12 similar matters.

And in March 2021, he was given a five-month-sentence, suspended for two years, for leaving Harveys Point Hotel in Donegal without paying and giving false credit card details on two separate occasions.

The court heard he made off without payment of 332 and 312 respectively. On that occasion, solicitor for the defendant, Tom McSharry, said the crime was opportunistic in nature and he had sent a letter of apology to the hotel and had 650 compensation with him.

He said Mr O Aidicin was fully cooperative with the investigation and indicated an early plea and apologised to the court.

O Aidicin said he realised how serious it was and gave an undertaking that it wouldnt happen again. But it has now happened again and O Aidicin is facing a real risk of jail for the first time.

Appearing before Sligo Circuit Court last week, O Aidicin was charged with using a fraudulent EBS bank statement which he knew or believed to be false with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as genuine.

The offence occurred at Sligo Credit Union, Stephen St, Sligo on November 27, 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of using a false instrument.

Carmel Maloney, Sligo Credit Union Risk and Compliance manager, said in her statement the defendant came in seeking a car loan and provided a bank statement from an EBS bank account. She noticed a very healthy balance and he said he needed a car as he was a teacher and needed it for driving.

Ms Maloney became suspicious as the bank account format and font type looked suspicious, and she informed her colleagues.

The accused said he inherited a family home.

The statement showed a balance of 52,000 while the genuine balance was 1,000.

The court heard O Aidicin said he applied for a car loan as he was stuck for money and had a bad debt of 17,500 after doing renovations.

He went on to say that he had gone through a difficult separation and divorce and had mental health problems as a result.

Judge Johnson said to have 19 previous convictions for deception was appalling.

What does it take for the penny to drop? Judge Johnson asked.

He said the accused struck him as a bit of a Walter Mitty type character.

The case was adjourned to July 9 for medical reports and an element of restitution in court.
A house was targeted in the Limerick town last week amid reports another man was attacked as he tried to make peace in a feud

GARDAI are investigating after a house was damaged by fire in suspected feud-related violence in Rathkeale Co Limerick.

But any retaliation is likely to happen outside of Ireland with rival clan members based abroad including in the UK and Germany, according to sources.

A house was targeted in the Limerick town last week amid reports another man was attacked as he tried to make peace in a feud between members of the rival factions.

Gardai received report of an incident of criminal damage by fire at approximately 8:35pm on the 19th of March 2024, according to the Garda Press Office.

No injuries were reported. No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing at this time.

It is not the first time members of the two wider clans have clashed, according to Sunday World sources.

Although best known for their international business skills there have been outbreaks of feud violence in the past between members of the Rathkeale Rover clans.

In December 2020 there was a three-way fight for dominance between criminal gangs leading to serious violence in the town.

A 4x4 was used to ram at least six other SUVs and 4x4s in a shocking incident that saw armed gardai flood the Co Limerick town.

It came just hours after a wild brawl between rivals at a venue in the area, according to Sunday World sources at the time.

The broad daylight attack also left vehicles belonging to innocent people badly damaged, while a number of elderly people were described as being trapped by fear in their homes.

Parties planned in the town for the festive season were cancelled and some traders who returned for Christmas left in fear.

Videos of the aftermath showing the badly damaged vehicles and a machete lying on the tarmac left no doubt as to the criminal intent behind the attacks.

Criminal gangs linked to the Co Limerick town have, in recent years, evolved into international drug trafficking and money laundering operations.

Local criminals, such as John ODonoghue and those linked to The Dead Zoo Gang who specialised in stealing rhino horns, have been the target of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

John O'Donoghue.

Operation Oakleaf, originally announced in 2010 by Europol, targeted the Organised Crime Groups with links to the Limerick town which operated across Europe

ODonoghue, whose Rathkeale home was previously raided as part of Operation Oakleaf, was named in a High Court action by CAB in 2022 aimed at having 820,000 declared the proceeds of crime.

He was named as one of three men who controlled Bawn Motors, which CAB said had been set up for the purpose of laundering drug money from criminal gangs in Limerick.

ODonoghue last month saw a conviction for a machete attack quashed by the Court of Appeal and was released from a ten year sentence to great celebration.

In 2013, the Sunday World obtained footage of a house being attacked by a mob, some armed with slash hooks, as they smashed up the property.

In another incident, a pipe bomb exploded at the home of a member of The Dead Zoo gang who was in custody in the US over rhino horn smuggling.
Crimestoppers is offering the reward for information on the whereabouts of James Carthy

A 1,000 reward has been offered for information regarding a man who speaks with an Irish accent after he went on the run in the UK.

James Carthy from Dunsfold, who is wanted for breach of court bail, has been missing for about a month.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to 1,000 for information on the 32-year-olds whereabouts, which could lead to his arrest and charge.

James is described as a white man with short dark hair, who speaks with an Irish accent, the independent charity states. He is around 5' 7" tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

He has connections to Cranleigh and Redhill. It is believed he has been missing for about a month.

Surrey Police said: If you've seen James or have any information which could help, please direct message us or report online".

You can do so using on their website, quoting crime reference number PR/45240016454.

Information can also be given 100 per cent anonymously at any time via freephone 0800 555 111 or by completing a simple and secure anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Only information passed to Crimestoppers will qualify for a reward.

In an unrelated case, police in the UK released images of another man who spoke with an Irish accent who they want to speak to after a woman was subjected to an alleged sexual assault earlier this month.

The man can be seen with his hand in his pocket and wearing a chain in the late night images released by Cheshire Police.

He is described by police as having dark hair, was wearing a dark-coloured jumper, was of an average build, and spoke with an Irish accent.

In a statement, Cheshire police said they received reports of an incident in Runcorn Old Town at around 3.45am on Sunday 28 January.

It was reported a woman had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man.

Enquiries have been ongoing since the incident and as part of their investigation, officers have now released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to.

DC Nathaniel Walkowiak of Cheshire Police said: If anyone recognises the man pictured, please get in touch with us, as we believe he may hold vital information.

We would also like to appeal directly to the man pictured to contact us.

The same goes for anyone with any dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident, or anyone who witnessed what happened.

Cheshire Police can be contacted via cheshire.police.uk/tell-us.
Sources said Mr Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment

Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex offences.

Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

The party confirmed his departure in a statement released on Friday afternoon.

It came hours after the PSNI confirmed a 61-year-old man had been charged with non-recent sexual offences.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences.

Both are due in court next month.

It said: "The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader."

Sources said Mr Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment.

He has been suspended by the Orange Order.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: Jeffrey Donaldsons membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made."

There had been mounting speculation about his future on Friday morning with reports of an unscheduled DUP party officers meeting.

Sir Jeffreys social media accounts had also disappeared overnight.

It is further understood that the Lagan Valley MP also withdrew from a number of public appearances at late notice yesterday.

Earlier, a PSNI spokesperson said: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences. A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

"Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April.

"As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Jeffrey Donaldson joined the DUP in 2003, having defected from the Ulster Unionist Party.

He was appointed DUP leader on June 30 2021, replacing Edwin Poots, who briefly held the role following the resignation of Arlene Foster.
The building in Rosscahill had been earmarked for housing 70 asylum seekers

The arson attack at the Ross Lake House Hotel

Four people who were arrested over a fire last December at a disused hotel in Co Galway have been released without charge.

The building in Rosscahill had been earmarked for housing 70 asylum seekers.

Two men, in their 40s and 50s, were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and were being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Two women, also in their 40s and 50s, were arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and were being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

They were arrested on Thursday and held at a garda station in the north western region.

They were all released without charge on Friday.

Files will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and investigations are continuing.
Nicole Beauchamp was shaken by what she saw and heard during her visit to several scary spots here.

The US woman pictured during her visit to Mount Masonic Hall.

Nicole has been investigating the paranormal world for 20 years.

A US ghost-hunter says she was terrified during a recent trip to haunted locations in Ireland.

Nicole Beauchamp has been a paranormal investigator for more than 20 years and has published a number of books about the supernatural world.

However, despite her many years of experience with ghostly goings-on, Nicole was shaken by what she saw and heard during her visit to several scary spots here.

Top of the fright list was Cairndhu House near Larne in Co Antrim.

The now-derelict grand house was built in the 1880s and was once among the most prestigious addresses in Northern Ireland, regularly hosting high society events.

During World War 2, the property was used as a hospital and after the war its owners handed Cairndhu House over to the government for permanent use as a hospital.

However, the hospital closed in the mid-1980s and the huge building is now in a terrible condition.

In recent years, there have been a number of ghostly sightings around the dilapidated property.

Nicole Beauchamp Crumlin jail

These have included a woman in a nurses uniform staring out sadly from a window, while dog-owners have reported their pets barking uncontrollably at an unseen presence around the house.

Having read about the history of Cairndhu House, Nicole was keen to visit the property and recently went along one night with a ghost-hunting pal.

We walked up kind of like a gravel road to the house and walked around it, she said.

It sounded like we could hear someone at the front of the house but we couldnt find anyone.

We walked up a cement staircase that led up to the stables and it was kind of shrouded by shrubs, thorn bushes and trees.

It was a grueling process to get up there but once we got up there, we started doing a spirit box session.

The US woman pictured during her visit to Mount Masonic Hall.

Spirit boxes, also known as ghost boxes, are used by paranormal investigators to communicate with those on the other side.

Those who believe in ghosts claim the machines allow spirits to communicate with the investigators using their own voices.

We asked if anybody was there and what their name was, said Nicole.

We got the name George and we got the name Colin. It was just clear as day.

We were making our way back to the main house and, based on the spirit box session that we were doing, the entity apparently knew we were leaving because it said things like walking away or goodbye, indicating it knew we were heading away.

It was all really terrifying because the sounds we heard on the property and around the house were so abnormal.

It sounded in a lot of respects like a person walking around or making strange noises, but at the same time it didnt sound like a person and it also didnt sound like an animal.

It was really creepy. I would say the Cairndhu House and estate was by far one of the scariest places Ive ever been.

The US ghost-hunter also visited the former Crumlin Road jail in Belfast and the disused Mount Masonic Hall in the east of the city.

She believes she came in contact with supernatural spirits in both locations.

Nicole Beauchamp

Crumlin Road jail opened in 1845 and continued operating as a prison until 1996.

Of the thousands of prisoners who spent time in the jail, 17 of them were executed for their crimes.

In the jail I was just looking around, reading the signs when one of the cell doors started to shut on its own, said Nicole.

I opened it back up and said do it again but nothing happened.

However, then the door closed itself again and I actually was able to record it on my phone.

The Mount Masonic Hall was used as a base for the secretive Freemasons Society for many years but is now derelict.

It was also on Nicoles destination list after being told by friends of the things they had experienced in the building.

She was not disappointed by her trip.

I was up in the attic and I could hear in the crawl space above what sounded like a dog barking.

I had inspected the crawl space and there was no dog.

Then I went outside and walked around the building to see if I could hear any dog barking, but I couldnt.

So whatever that sound that I heard was coming straight from the crawl space.

We were using some equipment and there were figures appearing on the camera where you could see a figure standing on the doorway or sitting down.

In addition to that, we were using these cat toys that light up when theres movement or motion, and basically they were moving on their own and going off randomly throughout the night.

During her recent visit to Belfast, Nicole stayed at the Titanic Hotel.

While staying at the same hotel in 2022, the US woman had what she believes was a supernatural experience.

I saw what looked like a dark figure in a suit walking in the chairmans office near the fireplace.

I was in the hallway by the bar bathrooms and saw that it had walked towards the fireplace.

I thought this person looked a little odd like something wasnt quite right, so I walked straight into the chairmans office to check and see if it was an hotel employee and the figure walked clean through the wall and out of sight.

I saw the same figure that same trip on the third floor walking in the darkened corridors of the hotel nearby our hotel room. It was really eerie.

I didnt see it again this trip sadly but I did experience intense cold spots in the same office where I saw the apparition.

Nicole has written books about haunted locations in her home town of Bay City and Detroit in the US state of Michigan.

She says she would love to write a book about haunted locations in Ireland and Britain.

Ghosts have been her passion for a long time.

I have been a paranormal investigator for almost 20 years now, she said.

I got into the paranormal as a child. It was just something I was always really interested in.

I loved horror movies and I used to watch Most Haunted all the time when I was a kid.

Her passion has continued into adulthood, although she admits many people may find it difficult to understand her interest in the supernatural.

I think a lot has to do with the fact Im kind of a thrill-seeker in a lot of respects.

Im very fascinated with this whole idea that there could be something more than just us and it is kind of a personal journey for me.

I want to kind of figure out if there really is some sort of a continuation after we pass, maybe another stage of existing.

Im also into architecture so having the chance to explore buildings like these in Northern Ireland was a dream experience for me.
It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate lasting ceasefire and the return of all hostages

A campaign group has hit out at Irelands Bambie Thug and other contestants for their failure to boycott Eurovision 2024 over Israels inclusion.

It comes after the UKs Eurovision entry, Olly Alexander, released a joint statement along with eight other Eurovision contestants, including Bambie Thug, on their decision to participate.

There have been calls for countries to boycott the Eurovision, which is taking place in May in Malmo, Sweden, over organisers refusal to exclude Israel over its conduct in the war in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed.

We want to acknowledge the privilege of taking part in Eurovision. In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza and in Israel we do not feel comfortable being silent, the artists statement began.

They said it is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate lasting ceasefire and the return of all hostages.

The statement adds that they stand against all forms of hate including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The statement continues: We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections.

We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater and compassion.

The statement was signed off by contestants Bambie Thug (Ireland) Gate (Norway), iolanda (Portugal), Megara (San Marino), Nemo (Switzerland), Olly Alexander (UK), SABA (Denmark), Silvester Belt (Lithuania) and Windows95Man (Finland).

In response, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) said in a statement that they welcome the refusal of nine Eurovision contestant to remain silent but said they would be complicit in art washing Israels crimes.

Earlier this month, the group called on broadcasters, competitors, crew members and viewers to boycott Eurovision 2024 due to Israels genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza.

It released that statement earlier this month following what they said was the refusal of the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to ban genocidal Israel.

PACBI and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate had called on Eurovision organisers to ban Israel just as Russia was banned for its illegal invasion of Ukraine  or face widespread boycotts.

PACBI said in its statement that contestants who take part would be complicit in art washing Israels crimes.

Feigning symbolic gestures of support while dismissing the call of the oppressed reflects a patronising and colonial attitude on part of the contestants that is familiar to Palestinians and many oppressed communities globally, they said.

The group said Israel is defying the world court and the UN security council.

This means everyone has a responsibility to end complicity in supporting or covering up its crimes.

We call on all Eurovision contestants to withdraw from the contest, as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and to fulfil this moral responsibility to do no harm, they added.

South Africa has taken a case to the UNs top court alleging Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and Ireland has joined that case.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to the October 7 attacks in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took around 250 hostages, with around 100 of them believed to still be in Gaza.

This week, with increasing numbers of children in Gaza now dying of starvation, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to allow the free flow of food, medicine and other essential supplies into the territory, amid allegations from aid agencies, including those belonging to the UN itself, that it is deliberately blocking aid.

Oxfam and Human Rights Watch are among the organisations that have accused Israel of committing war crimes by using starvation as a tool in its campaign.
On Friday, April 5, New Zealand will witness what is beingdescribed as a historic moment, as individuals from all corners of the nation come together to demand urgent climate justice.

"The Climate Strike will see tens of thousands of people take to the streets, and is expected to be as big as the 2019 mobilisations. Currently, over 10 events are organised," says School Strike 4 Climate NZ communications advisor Nate Wilbourne.

"Spearheaded by a coalition of organisations including School Strike 4 Climate NZ and Toitu Te Tiriti, this nationwide climate strike aims to amplify the voices of the people and demonstrate the scale and strength of momentum for courageous leadership that puts people and planet first," he says.

"In the face of the ever-escalating climate crisis, the urgency for action has never been clearer.

"From extreme weather events to biodiversity loss, the impacts of climate change are felt across the globe, including here in New Zealand.

"Recognising the need for immediate and decisive action, diverse groups and communities are joining forces to send a powerful message to the new Government, and also to leaders and policymakers at all levels," says Nate.

Nate says the April 5 Climate Strike will be a testament to the strength of collective action.

"Students, activists, indigenous communities, environmental organisations, businesses, and concerned citizens will unite in solidarity, calling for bold measures to address the climate emergency.

"By coming together, they aim to inspire change, raise awareness, and mobilise support for policies that prioritise sustainability, equity, and justice.

Nate says the demands of the strike include:

1. Oil and gas ban to remain in place: A transition away from using oil and gas, and other greenhouse gas-emitting industries. Keep the ban on oil and gas exploration!

2. Toitu te Tiriti: Hands off Te Tiriti, it's our guiding star. Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all policies and actions.

3. Slow down the fast track: Prioritize people over profit. End legislation that fast-tracks environmentally damaging projects without environmental assessments and community consultation.

4. Protect our moana and conservation land: Oppose mining and drilling activities. Support Indigenous-led conservation efforts and initiatives that promote sustainable practices. NO new mines and keep your drills off our seabed and conservation land.

5. Climate education for all: Inspire rangatahi to become advocates for environmental protection, climate action, and the preservation of our planet for future generations. Ensure that climate education is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or location.

"Additionally, the strike stands in solidarity with the call to Free Palestine, demanding emergency humanitarian visas to Palestinians with family in Aotearoa, providing urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and demanding an end to Israels illegal occupation and blockade of Palestinian Territories," says Nate.

"The April 5 Climate Strike will feature a range of events, including marches, rallies, educational workshops, and community-led actions, taking place across cities and towns nationwide."

Information can be found on the SS4C NZ Facebook page here.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BYD, a global frontrunner in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, unveiled its complete brand portfolio at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show. This magnificent showcase underscores BYD's dedication to Thailand and the broader ASEAN market.

Photo credit: BYD

Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, emphasized BYD's dedication to advancing the global NEV industry and its belief that new energy technology is crucial for addressing environmental issues and achieving sustainable development. "We're honored to display some of the most advanced new energy technologies and products to consumers here and worldwide." He said.

At the motor show, BYD introduced the 2024 version of the BYD ATTO 3 (known as the Yuan PLUS in China) long-range edition and announced the commencement of blind reservations for the Denza D9. Additionally, BYD showcased its newest right-hand drive model, the Song Max EV, alongside the BYD SEALION (named the Sea Lion 07 in China) and the BYD SEAL U (named the Song PLUS EV in China). Furthermore, the YANGWANG U9 and the BAO 5 models under its premium brands YANGWANG and FANGCHENGBAO were also presented for the first time in Thailand.

BYD said this auto show serves not only as a platform for its product display but also as a stage to demonstrate corporate responsibility and vision. It allows BYD to offer Thai consumers the opportunity for up-close interaction and experience with advanced new energy vehicle technology, showcasing its prowess in the field and commitment to green transportation on a global scale.

Meanwhile, BYD announced that its passenger vehicle manufacturing base in Thailand is set to complete the construction and commence operation in the third quarter of this year.
Flying a helicopter at the Southern Hemispheres largest airshow will be a big deal for Flying Officer Callum McNally.

Originally from south Auckland, the 22-year-old graduated his pilot training last year and will co-pilot an A109 helicopter with the Royal New Zealand Air Forces (RNZAF) No. 3 Squadron at Warbirds Over Wanaka this Easter weekend.

Warbirds is my first big event with No. 3 Squadron. I feel pretty lucky to get the opportunity to take on a display like this so early in my career, says Flying Officer McNally.

He will fly an A109 aircraft in a two-ship handling display before teaming up with a SH-2G (I) Seasprite and NH90 helicopters for a combined winch display.

The synchronised display is essentially two helicopters moving simultaneously. The A109 is really manoeuvrable, its great for learning on and from a training perspective its fantastic, its got everything we need.

While it will be his first taste of flying in an airshow, Flying Officer McNally already has plenty of experience in the air alongside the aircrafts captain.

He was my instructor when I was on my course and he did a lot of my training flights. We also flew a formation flight together while I was training on the Texan aircraft, so its really cool to fly with him at Warbirds.

Ive found it really rewarding to go from flying the Texan on Wings course - which is all single pilot - to flying in a team dynamic on the A109s.

Hes hoping to gain captaincy on the A109 aircraft in the future.

Squadron Leader Jim Rankin is the RNZAF Air Display Director and says its exciting for the Air Force to be back at the airshow after a six-year break following Covid-19 disruptions.

The demonstrations and handling displays are a chance to practise and sharpen the flying skills required to operate our aircraft across the range of outputs we deliver for the New Zealand Government.

Whenever an aircraft got airborne it requires more than just aircrew to fly them  it required technical staff to maintain the airframes, logisticians, refuellers, security forces and firefighters.

Everyone has a part to play in delivering our military air operations and a deployment such as Wanaka is just like any other military exercise.

Every current RNZAF aircraft type will be seen at the airshow, subject to availability.

Some will carry out flying displays, while others will be on static display for the public to get up close to. Some will be working to provide transport support to the biennial event.

The Air Force Heritage Flight will also be at Wanaka, including a recently restored P-51 Mustang in its first public flying display.

Every RNZAF aircraft type, subject to availability, should be on display at this years Wanaka air show (Photo from 2018 Warbirds over Wanaka).

Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, says airshows like this support the preservation of New Zealands aviation past and present.

Events such as Warbirds Over Wanaka provide an opportunity for the RNZAF to display its aircraft capability, showing how it can support the people of New Zealand. Domestic airshows and display activities enable RNZAF to inspire, educate and engage with the communities they serve.

A new RNZAF P-8A Poseidon will also be seen in action for the first time, demonstrating a simulated raft drop with a low pass down the airfield.

It will also be the final airshow for the retiring fleet of C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, which will be celebrated with a Formation Thunder flypast, handling display, the RNZAFs Kiwi Blue parachute display and a lakefront flare drop that promises to be spectacular.
Netball fans will soon be able to watch their favourite sport on free-to-air TV.

Netball New Zealand confirm Saturday afternoon games during the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball season will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and shown free-to-air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.

NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie says they are delighted this agreement with Sky and TVNZ means that one match a week will be available to all New Zealanders.

Were excited to be able to offer free-to-air netball at a family friendly time of 4pm on Saturday afternoons in the knowledge that the next generation of young New Zealand netballers have the opportunity to watch their idols in action on television.

Its going to be a Super Saturday for our netball fans with afternoon games at an ideal time to sit back and watch the action live on TVNZ 2 or TVNZ+.

It means 15 free-to-air round robin matches will be broadcast live to fans around the country during the 2024 season, with all 45 matches of the regular season available on Sky Sport.

TVNZs General Manager, Sport and Events, Melodie Robinson says it's great to once again partner with NNZ and Sky.

The ANZ Premiership showcases incredible netballers taking to the court with their skills and flair. Were excited to be working with Netball NZ and Sky to offer Kiwis the opportunity to watch their much-loved sport across the motu each Saturday on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.

Sky CEO Sophie Moloney says theyre delighted to work with Netball NZ and TVNZ to offer Saturday afternoon netball to all New Zealanders, live on Sky and shown on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.

We are keen to support our partner Netball NZ to grow the fan base for netball across Aotearoa NZ, and this initiative is one way we can look to attract more Kiwis to watch the best netballers in action in the ANZ Premiership in 2024. 



The 2024 ANZ Premiership opens on Saturday, April 13, when AVIS Magic host the defending champion MG Mystics in Hamilton, while the Stars go up against Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse on 14 April, and the Trident Homes Tactix host the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel on Sunday, April 15.
Waikato Police Search and Rescue are continuing to search for a missing 79-year-old woman in the Pureroa Forest, who was reported missing on Saturday March 23.

She is described as medium height, of a slim build, around 167cm with grey hair, she was last seen wearing trail type shoes, black pants, and possibly a silver jacket.

"LandSAR, and Police SAR remain in the area today working to locate the 79-year-old Auckland woman who went missing while with a group setting bait-lines in the Pureroa Forest," says Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley.

"Police would like to thank land owners who have assisted Police and Land SAR in accessing and searching areas of their land and everyone who has provided information to assist in our search."

Detective Inspector Pitkethley is asking trampers or hunters that were in the area on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24 to contact police on 105.

"We would like to remind any hunters or trampers who are planning to be around this area, during the start of the Deer Hunting roar session, to be extra vigilant due to the increase of people searching in the area and to contact Police on 111 if they see anything that may help to find the missing woman, and reference P058194666."

Map of search area in Pureroa Forest. Image: Supplied.
Jose Luis Piedra Seville Friday, 29 March 2024, 08:21 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Andalucia region in the south of Spain is to have its first rural development strategy', which will address the challenges of depopulation and making progress with digitisation, among other issues. It will also help with the promotion of actions taken by any organisations, institutions, groups, agents and socially-conscious individuals capable of influencing the rural world. The strategy, recently approved by Junta regional government, has the year 2030 as its target to have everything in place. The strategy is a roadmap for regional policies across this area, also meeting the objectives set by the European Union to create stronger rural areas.

According to the regional ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, this planning will also focus attention on key groups for the future of the rural environment, such as young people and women, as well as continuing the fight against energy poverty. In the case of young people, the aim is to get this group into work programmes and to receive specific training and even retraining.

With regard to women, the aim will be to broaden their employment and training opportunities, as well as to develop measures to find a work-life balance within their chosen profession and family commitments. Both young people and women are fundamental to keeping rural areas populated and thus avoiding a mass exodus from the countryside.

The strategy also plans to promote investment in digital infrastructure to close the current digital divide between rural and urban areas, and to promote training in this domain among the rural population. It will also help to promote food security based mainly on the consumption of local and organically-produced products.

The department headed by Carmen Crespo will open a participatory consultation process to incorporate the best available knowledge and the best proposals through various working groups, encouraging public-private collaboration as this develops.

It also aims to design projects and actions to be included in community policies in order to find lines of financing for their implementation with the objective of promoting environmentally- and socially-sustainable, economic development.

The role of the rural world is key in Andalucia because 528 municipalities have less than 5,000 inhabitants, a figure that represents 67% of the 785 existing localities in the region. In total, more than 900,000 inhabitants live in these municipalities, which represents 10.63% of the total population in this region. The lands they occupy also exceed 50% of the total surface area of Andalucia. According to data from the regional institute of statistics, only 11.5% of the population lives in the rural areas of Andalucia, a figure that has been decreasing in recent years in favour of cities, metropolitan areas and large towns.

This strategy aims to bring together various strands of work already included in different plans implemented by the Junta that relate to development in this area, as well as taking on board a sense of the European Rural Pact recently signed in Brussels.
Eugenio Cabezas Torrox Costa Friday, 29 March 2024, 23:32 Compartir Copiar enlace

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"I understand that in Torrox we need more hotel accommodation, and there are vacant hotels in 'empty Spain', and El Morche is not exactly the best place to house them." That is what the mayor of Torrox, Oscar Medina, said at the last ordinary plenary session, held on Easter Monday. 'Empty Spain' is a phrase that refers to the country's rural areas that have suffered from underinvestment and depopulation over a number of years.

The statement comes amid a situation that has been ongoing since last October at the Urban Beach Hotel Torrox Costa in El Morche, on the eastern strip of the Costa del Sol in Malaga province, after its owner reached an agreement with the Spanish government to convert it into a temporary stay centre for migrants arriving by boat from the Canary Islands.

In response to a question from the PSOE spokesperson and national socialist deputy, Mari Nieves Ramirez, about the failed project of the businessman Francisco Javier Martin, who was investigated in the Rubiales case, to build another 200-room, four-star hotel, the Torrox councillor said that after this decision "I stopped having any relationship with him".

"There are many hotels in empty Spain and El Morche is not the best place. I do not understand that a hotel on the beachfront has to house migrants, there was no geographical justification, they came to Madrid by plane from the Canary Islands and are transferred by road to Torrox, I see it's wrong that, as a businessman, he preferred to make a pact with the Spanish government of Pedro Sanchez and did not bet on tourism which is what we are interested in," Medina said.

The councillor announced the Granada businessman has extended the contract with the government to extend the stays of migrants "even in the summer months". "I think PSOE and Sumar-IU should have considered contracting with hotels in municipalities with less occupancy in the high season," he wrote on his social media account.

On the failed hotel project proposed by Francisco Javier Martin at the 2019 international tourism fair Fitur, Medina said "it was not viable". Looking ahead to several sporting events planned for the coming summer, the mayor said the decision to extend the accommodation of migrants during high season is going to complicate putting up the athletes. "I don't agree with him, this hotel is needed and we continue to work so that there are more hotel places," he added.

In a comment to his message posted on Wednesday 27 March to his Facebook profile, the mayor of Torrox responded to a member of the public who asked him: "And what can we do to change this?" "Convince Pedro Sanchez that migrants arriving in Madrid from the Canary Islands, instead of coming to the Urban Beach Hotel Torrox Costa by bus, should be accommodated with the same dignity in hotels in 'empty Spain', where there is less overcrowding and demand... a contract is signed by two parties, the central government and the owner of the hotel (as a town hall we can do nothing)," he replied.
Irene Quirante Malaga Friday, 29 March 2024, 16:25 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The group of 'narco-boats' - powerful vessels usually used by organised crime gangs - that were seen anchored at sea off the coast of Manilva on the Costa del Sol on Wednesday (27 March) have fled the area after allegedly ramming a police patrol boat that was sent to the scene. The Unified Association of Guardia Civil (AUGC) police officers' union condemned the incident which happened at about 11.30am yesterday.

The Guardia Civil's Rio Belelle patrol boat was sent from Algeciras to intercept the boats, which had been anchored close to shore in rough seas, due to the effect of storm Norman, according to police sources. "On spotting the patrol boat, they showed no qualms about ramming the vessel and intimidating the crew," the union claimed.

The police patrol boat was rammed on its starboard side, but no one was injured. The latest incident sparked the AUGC to call on the Spanish government for "more patrol boats and extra personnel".

Manilva mayor Jose Manuel Fernandez echoed the calls after witnessing the events unfold from the shore. "They waited, calmly, for the Guardia Civil to arrive before shooting off, and one of them even circled around the police boat before fleeing out to sea," he told SUR.

On Wednesday, the councillor expressed his anger after a dozen of the narco-boats - typically used by organised crime gangs - were anchored barely a kilometre and a half from Sabinillas beach. "This morning there were only five, and by the time the patrol boat arrived, there were three," Fernandez said. A surveillance system was set up by the Local Police to monitor the boats' movements until the Guardia Civil intervened, he added.

"They move along the Costa del Sol with a feeling of total impunity, so much so that we could see perfectly well how the people aboard were looking at us and recording us from the narco-boats," the mayor pointed out. Fernandez said neither the Local Police nor the Guardia Civil have sufficient maritime or land resources, which is why it is necessary for the Spanish government to provide extra reinforcements to "put an end to this scourge".

"We must acknowledge the titanic efforts of the officers, specifically the Guardia Civil and the Local Police of the municipality, who put their own lives at risk and that without more means there is little more they can do," he added.

Fernandez insisted he will continue to demand more resources from the subdelegation of the government in Malaga province, central government in Madrid and the ministry of the Interior.

The latest incident comes after the tragedy that happened in February in Barbate (Cadiz province), when two Guardia Civil officers were killed after their boat was continually rammed by alleged drug traffickers.
Matias Stuber Malaga Friday, 29 March 2024, 13:21 | Updated 13:29h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Rocamar beach bar in Huelin, one of Malaga city's classic chiringuitos, had a distinguished guest on Holy Thursday (28 March): no other than Spain's Queen Sofia. And it is not the first time she has visited, the owner of Rocamar, Sofia Lucas, told SUR. She didn't make any fuss, or have any special demands, she simply dined with the other diners as if she wasn't a distinguished guest, Lucas added.

"This is the second time she has come to Rocamar beach bar. She says it is her favourite. Queen Sofia is magnificent, friendly and very grateful," Lucas, who has owned the bar for nine years, pointed out. Queen Sofia arrived at midday, after witnessing the disembarkation of the Spanish Legion in Malaga city on Thursday morning, followed by their parade.

Related news Semana Santa 2024 In video and pictures, the disembarkation of the Spanish Legion in Malaga port and their emotional transfer of the Cristo de Mena Marilu Baez / Migue Fernandez

She was accompanied by her sister, Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, and they both took their seats with the rest of the guests. They ordered skewered sardines, fried fish and baked sole, among other plates. "She personally congratulated the chef. She said they were the best sardines she had ever eaten," Lucas said.

And there is one more anecdote to tell about her visit. Among the diners, there was a birthday celebration. A guest was celebrating his 62nd birthday with other family members. After singing "Happy Birthday", Queen Sofia apparently approached him to congratulate him in person.

Although Lucas is proud of the Queen's visit on Thursday, he said: "For me, all customers are equal. I don't make distinctions between anyone. Even Queen Sofia. I think that's why she also feels so comfortable here".
Isabel Mendez Malaga Friday, 29 March 2024, 06:47 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Unpleasant weather will once again be the main feature this Good Friday in Malaga province, which includes the Costa del Sol. The skies will be cloudy and moderate rainfall is not ruled out in the morning and late afternoon, according to the forecast from Spain's state Met Office (Aemet). The most rainfall is expected in the Serrania de Ronda, which is why Aemet has activated a yellow 'risk' warning in that area, which will initially remain in force from the early hours of this 29 March until midday. During this period some 40mm of rainfall is forecast.

In addition, the winds will blow moderately southerly, with strong intervals and very strong gusts during the first half of the day. From midday onwards they will turn west, before turning south again in the afternoon in the eastern half of the province.

Storm Nelson will put all provinces of Andalucia on the alert, with the exception of Huelva, while nationally there will be 37 provinces that will be on alert for heavy downpours, strong winds, thunderstorms, snow or rough seas.

The areas of Spain under 'risk' warnings this 29 March. Aemet

The areas of the Andalucia region under 'risk' warnings this 29 March. Aemet

According to information gathered by Europa Press, in Andalucia a rain warning for downpours will be active until 12 noon in the inland areas and the coast of Cadiz, Sierra and Pedroches of Cordoba and the northern mountains of Seville, areas where 15mm of rain are expected in one hour. The yellow level alert for strong winds will affect the coast and the Strait of Gibraltar until 12 noon in Cadiz, with south-westerly winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour. These areas will also be at risk from sea swell, with combined south-westerly seas of four to five metres.

Gusts of up to 70 kilometres

In addition, westerly winds with maximum gusts of 70 kilometres per hour will activate the yellow warning in Jaen until 3pm, specifically in Morena, Condado, Cazorla, Segura, the capital and the Guadalquivir valley. In Almeria - Almanzora Valley, Los Velez, Nacimiento, Campos de Tabernas and the east - and in Guadix and Baza (Granada province) the yellow risk for winds from the south will be in force until 6pm.

The Almeria coast will be under a swell alert until 10pm this Good Friday, with winds from the west and southwest and waves of up to three metres. This warning will also be active on the coast of Granada province until 6pm.
Patricia Romero Madrid Friday, 29 March 2024, 22:27 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Unmarked police motorcycles will be patrolling roads this summer, Spain's Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT) has warned.

"The motorcyclist next to you may be Guardia Civil," the traffic authorities said. The warning comes in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais on Wednesday 27 March with the DGT's chief Pere Navarro. He went on to say that part of the new crackdown this summer is to stamp out drivers hogging the middle and left-hand lanes on major carriageways, which should only be used for overtaking, in case of heavy snowfall, or to facilitate the passage of emergency service vehicles.

Asked about speeding at the wheel, Navarro told the newspaper the DGT plans to install "88 more speed cameras" this year. On Spanish roads, "they have led to a huge reduction in average speed". "Someone overtaking you while absolutely zooming is a thing of the past," Navarro said.

Easter week with the most cars in 20 years

Between 3pm on Friday 22 March and Monday 10 April, the DGT will launch a targeted operation to mark Easter week, a period during which traffic authorities are expecting some 16.55 million road trips, the highest number of vehicles expected during this period in the past 20 years.

According to Servimedia, the DGT's travel forecasts for Easter week operations show 17 million journeys were predicted for Easter 2004, a figure which fell to 15.5 million in 2005. That was the last Easter period which comes close to this year's forecasts.

According to the DGT, this holiday period is "one of the most complicated of the year, as the number of road journeys made increases in a short space of time, with similar origins and destinations and carried out on the same days".

Last year there were 29 fatal accidents on Spain's roads at Easter, in which 35 people died.
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By Sara Rathner | NerdWallet

Visa and Mastercard reached a settlement with U.S. merchants this week that could have some trickle-down effects for consumers if the deal is approved. The agreement would lower credit card interchange fees, which merchants pay to process credit card transactions, and hold them at that reduced rate for several years. It also would limit the surcharges that merchants could impose on customers who pay with credit cards.

This settlement isnt connected to the Credit Card Competition Act, bipartisan legislation that seeks to introduce greater competition among credit card payment networks in the hopes of lowering interchange fees.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- The boyfriend of a Syracuse mother charged with beating her 5-year-old daughter to death has been charged with helping to dispose of the girls body.

Corrice Parks, 27, of Syracuse, was arrested Friday after turning himself in and was charged with disposal of a corpse, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said. He is still the subject of an ongoing investigation, Fitzpatrick said.

Parks was charged just days after the body of Nefertiti Harris was found in a field/wooded area behind an apartment building off of Salt Springs Road on the citys East Side. Parks has previously been uncooperative with the investigation, Fitzpatrick said at a press conference Wednesday.

Nefertitis mother, Latasha Mott, is accused of hitting the girl multiple times with a belt while she was in the shower at their home at 127 W. Beard Ave., police said.

Mott, 29, has been charged with manslaughter and disposal of a corpse.

Nefertiti was killed on Jan. 6. Mott hid her childs death for three months.

Concerned family members contacted Syracuse police Sunday after worrying about the childs whereabouts. Mott allegedly lied to family, friends and the school district about where the child was.

Mott is currently being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center jail.

On Friday, a judge ordered Mott to undergo a competency exam to determine if she is mentally fit to stand trial. If she is found incompetent she will be transferred to a mental health facility until she is deemed fit to stand trial.

The exam will determine whether Mott understands the charges against her and whether she can assist with her own defense. It is rare for defendants in New York State to be found incompetent.

Parks was released on an appearance ticket. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the felony charge on April 5, prosecutor Rob Moran said.

Parks has been arrested multiple times in the past including drug and gun charges.

In 2017 he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was released in 2020.

In 2016, he was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and again charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

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.
Dr. Juan F. LaManna, general director of Oswego Opera Theater, said that when he visited the site of Terezin, a World War II Nazi concentration camp, he suffered. Not only did he loathe the cruelty of the genocide in which Hitler and his minions murdered six million Jews, but he also felt an intimate connection to the camp outside Prague.

In 2001, when LaManna first conducted a production of Brundibar, a Holocaust survivor traveled to Oswego to meet the cast and see the show. As a child detained at Terezin, she had been in one of the presentation of Hans Krasas childrens opera there. Krasa, who was later murdered by the Nazis, had also been confined to the camp.
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.
When is Good Friday 2024? What is Good Friday?

Good Friday 2024 falls on Friday, March 29. The religious holiday, also known as Holy Friday, is observed by Christian and Catholic churches to honor the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The day kicks off Easter weekend, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and follows the 40-day period known as Lent; Easter falls on Sunday, March 31, this year.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A pregnant woman received deficient and negligent care at the Onondaga County Justice Center jail in 2022 that may have led to the death of her baby, according to a state report.

The care given to Cheree Byrd by the jails health care provider at the time was harshly criticized in a report from the state Commission of Corrections Medical Review Board. The commission investigates deaths inside county and state jails.

Byrd was not properly assessed nor was she transferred to a hospital in a timely manner, the report said, even after she told the staff for several days that she was in labor.

Byrd, 35, ultimately gave birth prematurely in her jail cell to a daughter, Ayanna, in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2022. Ayanna died less than an hour later at a local hospital.

The report, which was heavily redacted, did not discuss in detail the role of sheriffs deputies. The state Attorney Generals Office previously determined deputies did not cause Ayannas death.

David Henderson, a lawyer representing Byrd in her pending lawsuit, said he was shocked at how Byrd and her daughter were treated by medical staff.

They knew that someone whos living with significant mental delays and disabilities was pregnant, and was in need of help. And they didnt provide it to her, he said.

Medical services at the jail were provided at the time by a partnership between NaphCare and Proactive Health Care Medicine, which did not try to renew its three-year contract after it expired at the end of 2022.

State officials have been critical in the past of NaphCares staff at the jail. The company currently faces several lawsuits, including a wrongful death suit from Byrd.

NaphCare did not immediately respond to a request for comment. State records show Proactive has dissolved; a lawyer listed as representing the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A new contractor  Wellpath Care, formerly known as Correct Care Solutions  took over at the start of 2023.

Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley, who was not in office at the time of the babys death, said he keeps on top of the health care in the jail. He said he meets every two weeks with Karen Buck, the contract compliance administrator for the sheriffs office, to discuss inmate health care needs.

Subpar care, delays, state finds

A Syracuse City Court judge ordered on July 1, 2022, that Byrd be held in the jail after she was charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor. She did not post a $5,000 cash bail or bond.

Byrd began receiving subpar care soon after arriving at the jail, the report said.

Medical staff never completed an intake screening, according to the report. There was also an unacceptable delay in getting a full psychiatric assessment, the report said.

As Byrd was demonstrating signs and symptoms of active psychosis and delusional behavior, prompt screening was essential to rule out other possible related causes, the report said.

Byrd began telling staff July 27, 2022, that her water had broken, the report said. A nurse saw there was a half-dollar size area of clear liquid on Byrds bedsheet, but did not tell the on-call doctor, it said.

Byrd had to wait 30 hours to see a doctor, which the report said was another unacceptable delay. The doctor that evaluated Byrd was negligent in not sending her to a hospital and not ordering any follow-up testing or monitoring, the report said.

Byrds ability to get around, and not appearing to have any discomfort, shouldnt have been viewed as contradicting the fact she said she was in labor, the report said.

Over the course of six days, Byrd made multiple complaints that her water had broken and her babys head was in the birth canal. The report questioned whether medical staff repeatedly dismissing her was due to implicit bias toward a mentally ill person.

Byrd was only provided with Tylenol, according to a lawsuit filed last fall in state Supreme Court against Onondaga County, the sheriffs office, Proactive and NaphCare.

Byrd was eventually taken to the hospital Aug. 2, 2022, the report said, after telling a deputy checking cells that she was bleeding and giving birth.

Her daughter died less than an hour later.

In its report, the Medical Review Board requested misconduct investigations into the doctor and four registered nurses who treated Byrd. The names of the medical staff were redacted in the report.

The state Department of Education, which handles licensing for various professions, did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Health said she could not confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation into the doctor.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
The manager of a Western New York grocery store has been accused of selling drugs at the business.

WIVB reports Ashley Bertino, 35, of Silver Creek, N.Y., was arrested Wednesday at the North Collins, N.Y., grocery store where she works. The Erie County Sheriffs Office said it obtained an arrest warrant after a complaint from a citizen prompted an investigation into possible sales of illegal narcotics.

According to WGRZ, investigators said their Narcotics and Intelligence Unit were able to make drug buys from Bertino, who was working as a manager at the time.
A chainsaw-wielding man wearing a costume and mask resembling the attacker in the Scream horror movie franchise admitted to stabbing his neighbor in the head in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, according to police.

Victim Edward Whitehead Jr. was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital in the Monday afternoon attack in the Carbon County community of about 5,270 people located 25 miles north of Allentown. Public records say Whitehead was 59.

The suspect, 30-year-old Zak Russel Moyer, was taken into custody and admitted to having gone to Whiteheads house next-door for the purpose of scaring him, while armed with a knife and small battery-powered chainsaw and wearing the costume complete with a mask and black cloak, according to court records filed by Pennsylvania State Police.

Moyer further admitted to stabbing Whitehead in the head with the black Reapr fixed-blade knife, the court records state.

Lehighton Borough officials about 3:34 p.m. called state police for assistance with an active assault incident, drawing authorities to the scene in the 200 block of Carbon Street, near North Third Street. State police said they took over the response and investigation at the direction of Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek.

Troopers learned Whitehead was struck with a chainsaw and a knife in the head by a male who was observed on surveillance video footage exiting the rear of Whiteheads home on the block, court records say; the suspect was described as male and wearing a mask and a black costume-like garment, consistent with the Scream movie character.

Whitehead was taken to St. Lukes Hospital-Carbon Campus in nearby Franklin Township and pronounced dead, according to police. He had suffered a cut to his right arm, a cut to the head above his right eyebrow, a large wound to the right side of his head and injuries to his hands consistent with defensive wounds, police said.

Police said troopers canvassing the neighborhood learned the perpetrator, identified as Moyer, was inside a home next-door. The Lehighton Area School District went into a lockdown for after-school activities, with police escorting students at dismissal, The Times News reported at tnonline.com.

Moyer began communicating with police via a notebook, making claims about Whitehead being involved in crimes. State police spokesman Trooper Anthony Petroski III told lehighvalleylive.com those claims are not something we are looking into.

Police subsequently took Moyer into custody. An interview with his sister revealed Moyer had told her about a week ago he wanted to kill Ed the neighbor, court records state.

Moyer admitted after the attack to returning home and watching a movie until police arrived, and to hiding the chainsaw in his attack and the knife in a desk drawer, the record say. Investigators executing a search warrant recovered the knife, 20-volt lithium battery-powered chainsaw and Halloween costume, police said. Asked about a bandage under his eye, Moyer claimed to have been struck during an altercation with Whitehead, police said.

Moyer was arraigned before District Judge Eric M. Schrantz on a single count of homicide and sent to the Carbon County prison, with bail denied. A preliminary hearing was tentatively scheduled for April 3 to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the charges toward trial in county court.

Court records were not immediately updated with an attorney for Moyer.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
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JIN DING/CHINA DAILY



The Chinese leader emphasized on Wednesday that China's economy is healthy and sustainable, and that China will consistently improve its business environment to provide broader development space for enterprises from various countries, including the United States.

At the Nov 2023 summit in San Francisco, US President Joe Biden assured the Chinese side that the United States does not seek to suppress China's development or disengage from it, and instead it is willing to sustain bilateral economic and trade relations. But the US administration has failed to honor this pledge, repeatedly using national security as a pretext to discriminate against, rather hound out, Chinese companies.

On Feb 21, Biden signed an executive order claiming Chinese-manufactured cranes used in US ports posed a threat to national security. The US administration plans to invest $20 billion over the next five years to upgrade US ports, including replacing Chinese cranes with those produced by a US subsidiary of Japan's Mitsui.

Currently, 80 percent of the cranes used in US ports are made by Chinese companies, which are known to produce affordable and high-quality products. Allegations that the Chinese-made cranes have been fitted with remote control devices and thus pose a "national security risk" are baseless, especially because there is no evidence to prove such allegations. In fact, the US Coast Guard Cyber Command inspected 92 Chinese-made port cranes but has not shown any evidence of the cranes being fitted with illegal or suspicious devices.

In reality, the executive order aims to "reshore" manufacturing to the US. But by trying to revive US manufacturing by suppressing Chinese companies, the US president is going back on his promise.

Besides, in February, Biden ordered the US Department of Commerce to investigate Chinese-made cars, alleging that their software could collect sensitive information on US citizens or remotely control vehicles.

Such national security trope has nothing to do with reality. Few cars used in the US are made in China, and their software is primarily developed by Western companies such as Bosch and Harman. Gaining access to data from car cameras and sensors, let alone remotely controlling vehicles, would be extremely challenging. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's remarks on MSNBC, suggesting that Beijing could remotely turn off 3 million Chinese-made cars in the US is incredible and irresponsible and groundless.

National security pretext used by the US is aimed at preventing Chinese electric vehicles from entering the US market and protecting US automakers against potential failure in their competition with Chinese companies.

As Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in January, Chinese automakers will "demolish "global rivals without trade barriers. Faced with intense competition from Chinese automakers, the US government has resorted to using excuses such as "national security" to suppress them.

Moreover, on March 13, the US House of Representatives passed a bill by a 352-65 vote, which is aimed at banning the video-sharing app TikTok in the US, or forcing its parent Chinese company to sell its US operations to an American company.

But this reasoning is baseless. About 60 percent of TikTok's shares are held by global investors, three Americans are on its five-person board, and TikTok already stores US user data on servers operated by Oracle. Also, and strangely enough, some US lawmakers, referring to the Israel-Palestine conflict, allege TikTok videos are biased toward Hamas and have anti-Semitic content. What they refuse to understand or realize is that the videos don't reflect TikTok's policy or intention; instead, they reflect the different views of young US users who don't necessarily think like US politicians.

Many in the US oppose the government's use of national security as a pretext to target TikTok. They see the bill as being purpose-driven and in violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution. A recent survey by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed only 31 percent of US adults support a ban on TikTok, while 35 percent oppose it. Former US president Donald Trump, too, opposes any ban because, he said, it would benefit TikTok's competitor, Facebook. Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, also opposes the bill, arguing against government censorship of newspapers, broadcasters and social media platforms.

The US administration's suppression of Chinese companies using national security as an excuse is nothing new. Since 2017, the US has been calling China the US' main "rival" and Sino-US ties as "strategic competition", abandoning the previous policy of "engagement" with China.

Emphasizing strategic competition and downplaying economic engagement have led the US administration to prioritize security over economic considerations in its China policy. The US has been increasingly securitizing economic issues, asserting that Sino-US economic interdependence threatens national security and pushing for "decoupling" or "de-risking" with China.

The US administration's use of national security harms not only China's legitimate interests but also overall Sino-US relations. The Chinese government has always opposed the US administration's abuse of power to obstruct normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US. Using "national security" as an excuse for trade protectionism will weaken the international competitiveness of US businesses and increase costs for US consumers.

The author is a research associate at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Recap: Reports have swirled for months, indicating that Apple plans to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in the second quarter of 2024. The new tablets should include processor upgrades, an OLED panel for the iPad Pro, and more changes. Other iPad variants could also receive revisions later this year.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has revised his projections for Apple's reportedly upcoming 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air updates, indicating that the Cupertino giant has delayed the new devices to May. The iPad Pro is expected to receive its first-ever OLED screen.

Reports surrounding Apple's tablet updates initially emerged last year. Since then, multiple leakers have said that the company will kick the iPad Pro up to an M3 processor and the iPad Air up to M2.

The new iPad Pro's OLED screen isn't the only upcoming display adjustment. Future iPads might feature optional matte panels similar to the Studio XDR and Studio Display.

CAD drawings for the 11-inch (top) and 13-inch iPad Pro. Image credit: MacRumors

Furthermore, size adjustments are coming. The iPad Air will gain a 12.9-inch option for consumers who want the extra screen real estate without the iPad Pro's other features or price tag. Additionally, the new iPad Pro's OLED screen makes the device thinner but more expensive. The final price tag remains unclear, but it could still start at under $1,000. OLED panel orders from Samsung indicate that Apple plans to ship 8.5 million OLED iPad Pros this year.

Interface upgrades are also planned. A new Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard might accompany the new iPad variants. The keyboard is rumored to be more "laptop-like" with a larger trackpad. Other reports suggest Apple will move the front-facing cameras to the side of the tablet to support FaceTime in landscape mode, like the 10th generation iPad.

Mark your calendars for #WWDC24, June 10-14. It's going to be Absolutely Incredible! pic.twitter.com/YIln5972ZD  Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) March 26, 2024

Rumors initially indicated that Apple would launch the new models in late March or April without a major PR event.

Further out, the company did confirm that it will hold WWDC24 from June 10 to June 14. An announcement on X from marketing senior vice president Greg Josiwak hinted that the event will focus on AI  an emerging area of competition that Apple has sat out so far.

In February, CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the company will introduce its major push into generative AI this year. However, it remains unclear how or if the spring iPad models will benefit. Cupertino is reportedly negotiating with big AI players like Google, OpenAI, and Baidu to help run some of the new functionality coming in iOS 18. Later in 2024, new iPad and iPad mini variants could also emerge.
In a nutshell: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently met up with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and shared a photo of the two of them together. The viral Instagram post, which has already received over 170,000 likes, shows the two billionaires wearing each other's jackets.

In the image, Zuckerberg can be seen wearing Huang's trademark black leather jacket, while Huang is sporting Zuck's brown and cream winter coat. Zuckerberg had shared the photo with the caption "Jersey swap." The post has received thousands of comments from Instagram users but Zuckerberg's reply to one of them has seemingly won the internet over.

Replying to Instagram user Weston Koury who said he didn't know who Zuck was standing with, the Meta CEO said "He's like Taylor Swift, but for tech." Replying to another user, Zuckerberg said he was considering getting a similar black jacket himself. He also said that he got Jensen a black shearling coat that he will give the Nvidia boss the next time they meet. He also revealed that his brown jacket is from a brand called Overland Sheepskin.

While the Taylor Swift analogy may seem a little out of place at first, it does make sense when you think about it. Just as Swift has dominated the music industry over the past few years with chart-toppers like Anti-hero and Cruel Summer, Huang has also been instrumental in transforming Nvidia from a consumer GPU-maker to the undisputed king of advanced chips that are driving AI applications globally.

With a net worth of $170.3 billion, Mark Zuckerberg is currently the 4th-richest person in the world, while Huang is ranked #18 with a fortune estimated to be around $79.4 billion, according to Forbes.

Meta is one of Nvidia's biggest customers, and is apparently planning to buy many more AI accelerators from the Santa Clara-based chipmaker in the near future. Replying to a user who asked if Meta is planning to buy Nvidia's H100 AI accelerators for its AI applications, Zuckerberg said that he is thinking about getting the company's B100 chips instead. He didn't share any more details, but all indicators suggest that the Nvidia stock will likely remain a hot property on Wall Street in the foreseeable future.
Tag, you're it: Police departments across the country are exploring safer alternatives to risky car chases, drawing inspiration from technology commonly depicted in spy movies to achieve their objectives.

The Old Westbury Police Department in New York has implemented a novel approach to address fleeing vehicles during car chases. They have outfitted some cruisers with vehicle-mounted launchers that deploy foam projectiles containing heat-activated sticky glue from a company called StarChase.

The non-lethal projectiles are equipped with a wireless GPS tracker, enabling law enforcement to monitor a tagged vehicle's location in real-time without having to give chase. The darts are fired using compressed air, and travel at roughly 30 mph. Because they are made of foam, they should not cause any permanent damage to vehicles or the public.

Departments in Washington, Texas, Michigan, and Tennessee have also adopted the system, but not everyone is convinced of its legality.

As The Drive highlights, some have wondered aloud whether or not the tracking system violates Fourth Amendment rights. If used "in the kind of way that everyone probably imagines," like catching up to a suspect as soon as possible (not letting them drive around so police can learn things about them) and removing the dart as soon as the suspect has been apprehended, then it should not be an issue, said ACLU senior policy analyst Jay Stanley.

To be clear, the tracking system is not going to end all chases. A decision on whether or not to terminate a pursuit will no doubt involve the severity of the alleged crime committed. What's more, police will still have to tail a suspect vehicle long enough to successfully deploy a tracking dart. And should the anti-chase measure gain widespread traction, you can be sure that criminals will eventually start to pull over and check their vehicle for trackers after police have stopped chasing them.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Would you rather police tag fleeing cars with GPS darts instead of chasing them and risking innocent lives, or is this too much of a privacy concern?




Ren'ai Reef. [File photo/China Daily]



In June 1914, the major European powers were forced into a war by the shooting down of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, in Sarajevo, which was part of the relatively small country of Serbia at the time. The ensuing World War I was one of the darkest moments in history, leaving indelible scars that still haunt many countries across the world.

Exactly 110 years later, another relatively small country, the Philippines, has been making provocative moves and engaging in reckless brinkmanship, in an attempt to draw major powers into a conflict, which will have unprecedented consequences for the Asia-Pacific region.

The Philippines provocative moves are targeted some islands and reefs in the South China Sea, including Renai Jiao (Reef), Huangyan Dao (Island) and Tiexian Jiao (Reef). For example, Manilas abnormal rotation and resupply to Renai Jiao far exceeds the normal humanitarian supply, encouraging fake fishermen to live on maritime features around Huangyan Dao.

In total violation of the commitment it has made in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea on refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features, Manila has organized a large number of personnel to raid Tiexian Jiao.

Although the Philippines has launched several such assaults, there is a common feature to them: they all highlight the military factor, in order to test whether the United States will fulfill the promises it has made in the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951. To put it simply, the Philippines has been resorting to military aggression, on the pretext of its armed forces being attacked by their Chinese counterparts, in a bid to prompt the US military to intervene in the matter, without bothering that this could spark a confrontation, leading to a war between the two major powers.

On Tuesday, Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro publicly consoled the Philippine soldiers wounded during the Renai Jiao abnormal resupply mission and claimed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines are under attack. By declaring that these actions and injuries will have strategic implications, Manila, it seems, is preparing to play the trick-and-trap game.

On March 21, a Philippine Coast Guard brigadier general led a team to land on Tiexian Jiao and claimed China had launched helicopter airflow attack on the Philippines maritime features. And on March 5, Manila announced that the commander of the Western Military Region of the Philippines was reportedly wounded in a Chinese water cannon attack while hiding in the resupply vessel.

Apart from selling misery to the international community and blackmailing Beijing, Manila has a lot more dirty tricks up its sleeves, such as claiming its armed forces (are) under attack to test the commitment of Washington to intervene on its behalf in any military conflict.

The 1951 US-Philippine security treaty, a remnant of the Cold War era, provides the Philippines with the US security umbrella and says that joint action should be taken against armed attacks. But the Philippines provocative actions targeting China has prompted the US to gradually extend its interpretation from the geographical scope to cover the disputes over the islands and waters in the South China Sea, and the Philippines official vessels. As a matter of fact, the US has repeatedly confirmed that it is committed to helping the Philippines in case of a conflict.

Philippine politicians flirtation with the US in the hope of gaining the upper hand in the maritime dispute with China is extremely dangerous. The lessons of World War I should be heeded, especially by small states, because triggering a conflict will serve no countrys interest.

As for the US, it will commit a grave mistake if it intervenes in any confrontation between Beijing and Manila. The US has no incentive in backing the Philippines in the latters illegal, aggressive territorial ambitions. Also, falling into the trap of a regional conflict laid by Manila would be detrimental to the US national strategy.

US decision-makers should realize that before Gavrilo Princip fired that fateful shot in Sarajevo, no one had imagined that Europe would be caught in a bloody World War I. They should also realize that the US military intervention on behalf of the Philippines would also be disastrous for neighboring countries. The South China Sea has been a sea of peace and cooperation. Thanks to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the countries around the South China Sea are seizing the opportunities to advance their economic development, improve the livelihoods of their peoples, and maintain peace in the region.

Only a handful of leaders in the Philippines, ignoring the increasing challenges, such as rising prices, at home, are stirring up the extreme sentiments of the people by feeding them anti-China rhetoric. What they dont realize is that once the Sarajevo gunshot is fired in Asia, the innocent people in East and Southeast Asian countries will become the biggest victims of war.

China follows the principles of peace, development and win-win cooperation. And its exemplary restraint in the face of the Philippines brinkmanship has prevented the situation in the South China Sea from spiraling out of hand. Therefore, the international community should persuade the Philippines to stop playing the dangerous game and, instead, return to the path of peace, cooperation and development.

The Sarajevo gunshot should not be heard in the 21st century  in Asia or elsewhere.

The author is deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
Apple's plans to adopt RCS for its iPhone's iMessage app is coming this Fall 2024, and Google was the one that revealed this information on its latest update on the Google Messages Android website. Here, the internet company said that Cupertino already announced that it is targeting this adoption to come later this year, but is yet unknown how the integration would change the experiences.

RCS has long been touted by Google as an advancement compared to Apple's SMS and MMS usage, centering on the iMessage platform.

Apple's RCS is Coming by Fall 2024 says Google

Google's latest landing page for Android's Google Messages revealed that Apple will make the RCS change come "fall of 2024," but did not specify which date it will come. The company said that RCS is "Coming soon on iOS," despite Apple not yet officially announcing this on their end, and may do so come the June WWDC 2024 event it already confirmed.

The latest revelation from Google, as it talked about the benefits of RCS, revealed that Apple announced the arrival of the integration later this year.

However, it is still unknown when Apple would drop the RCS integration exactly this Fall, but it is also known to be the same time when Cupertino is dropping the iOS update and new iPhones.

Read Also: Apple Gets Google Support for RCS Adoption, But Cupertino Wants GSM Association Collab

Will iMessage be cross-compatible with Google?

Not much was revealed by Google, and certainly did Apple, about this upcoming integration of RCS to the iPhone's messaging system this fall, especially as it is expected that iMessage may soon be cross-compatible with this change.

That being said, Google's excitement over this integration may indicate that a possible interoperable experience may be coming for its Messages app and Cupertino's iMessage.

Google vs. Apple: Green and Blue Bubbles

For many years, Google has shaded Apple in its focus on using SMS and MMS services for its iMessage, with iPhone users getting the blue bubbles while other devices may only send and receive green bubbles. This is because of its exclusive features and reluctance to adopt RCS, something which Google reiterated with the 'Get the Message' campaign.

Many were also enraged against Apple when its CEO, Tim Cook, said that the solution to avoiding the green and blue bubble fiasco on the iMessage is to "Buy your Mom an iPhone," when presented with a question about RCS.

In the latest antitrust case of Apple vs. the US DOJ, AG Merrick B. Garland highlighted this infamous quote from Cook that highlighted the iMessage in the alleged monopolistic tactics of the company.

That being said, Apple already announced its RCS adoption late last year before this complaint, which may mean that other aspects of the company would be targeted by the antitrust case.

While it remains unknown what will happen to iMessage once Apple brings RCS by the fall of 2024, Google is one to spill the beans behind it, awaiting this adoption by Cupertino.

Related Article: Apple iMessage: Post Quantum Encryption Upgrade Now Available, More Private and Safe

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A former iOS engineer, Andrew Aude, is now facing a lawsuit from Apple for allegedly leaking confidential and insider data to news agencies regarding previous upcoming releases of the company.

This included the Journal app for iPhones, spatial computing, the Vision Pro, and other information that Apple kept behind closed doors for specific reasons.

Former iOS Engineer Faces Lawsuit from Apple for Confidential Leaks

9to5Mac revealed that a former iOS engineer is now facing a lawsuit from Apple for leaking "information about more than a half-dozen different Apple policies and products."

Aude was said to be in cahoots with The Information and the Wall Street Journal with the said leaks, sharing massive information behind its closed-door developments for years using his work-issued iPhone.

The lawsuit said that at one point, Aude had over "1,400 encrypted communications with a single WSJ journalist" in four months.

Moreover, Aude allegedly said that another journalist at The Information received as many as 10,000 text messages, with the engineer traveling across the continent to meet with her.

Read Also: Apple's iPad Pro M3 OLED, iPad Air Coming This May: Report

Journal App, Vision Pro Spatial Computing, and More Leaked

In one screenshot that Apple released, Aude was notified by the WSJ reporter about a story on Cupertino's Journal app being published in the early morning, with the contact named "Homeboy."

This story was released in April, months before the WWDC 2023, when it was formally introduced.

Other of his leaks included spatial computing information directly related to Vision Pro, several Apple policies, regulatory compliance, and more.

Apple first caught and confronted Aude in the Fall of 2023, with the engineer said to have gone to the bathroom to delete evidence. Aude joined Apple in 2016 and worked on optimizing battery performance on iOS, which is why he had access to confidential and sensitive information.

Since then, Apple has terminated Aude.

Apple's Secretive Developments and Leaks

Apple is known for not being that fond of leaks, with the company previously cracking down against it via its anti-leak campaign, which prevents unreleased devices from being known to the public.

Also known for being secretive about its developments, the company reportedly sent a cease-and-desist order to a Chinese leaker after discovering that it was selling iPhone prototypes in 2021.

With the company putting a lid on all of its developments, it was said to aim to reveal its new features, devices, apps, and more once they are released.

Previously, a former Apple employee, Weibao Wang, faced six counts of theft and attempted theft by Cupertino after he allegedly stole trade secrets behind the 'Project Titan,' a.k.a. the Apple Car.

For many years, Apple has been known for facing leaks from rumors, analysts, speculations, and former employees sharing the company's developments with various news agencies.

However, in Aude's case, the former iOS engineer did so for years, using his work-issued iPhone to prominent media outlets, with evidence of his connections and accurate leaks allegedly shared by him.

Related Article: Former Apple Employee Jailed, Fined for Stealing Secret Self-Driving Car Plans

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Convicted FTX fraudster and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has received the prison sentence that would have him serve 25 years behind bars for his crimes.

Judge Lewis Kaplan of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York brought down the sentencing earlier today, noting that this applies to the disgraced co-founder.

Bankman-Fried previously appealed for a shorter prison time and pleaded for lenience for his "charitable works" and help to others.

Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Reports now share the recent events to Sam Bankman-Fried's case, with the court now handing him a 25-year sentence for defrauding FTX customers and investors, money laundering, and other charges against the disgraced CEO.

Initially, Bankman-Fried's team asked for around five to six and a half years of incarceration as he is a "good" person.

Judge Kaplan forfeited the $11 billion but did not order restitution because of the number of victims and the complexity of the case.

Moreover, the judge claimed that Bankman-Fried perjured himself amidst the trial regarding Alameda spending FTX customer's money, alongside witness tampering before he was taken into custody when he reached out to FTX's general counsel.

Read Also: Sam Bankman-Fried Wants a 5-Year Sentence To Still Appeal 'Innocence'

FTX Fraudster Conviction: No Remorse

The judge further said that the FTX fraudster had no remorse for his actions despite knowing that "it was wrong."

"The defendant's assertion that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading, it is logically flawed, it is speculative," Kaplan was quoted as saying. "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."

Kaplan ordered Bankman-Fried to be sent to a medium-security prison.

Sam Bankman-Fried FTX Saga

The cryptocurrency industry was shocked when the largest crypto exchange platform, FTX, declared bankruptcy in late 2022, and Sam Bankman-Fried stepped down as its CEO. Despite the investigations behind the downfall of the company, SBF's colleagues and ex-girlfriend testifying against his actions during his tenure, and other accounts, Bankman-Fried continuously denied his guilt of what went wrong within FTX.

After a month-long trial, Bankman-Fried was found guilty of all the seven charges against him, centering on fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering, and misappropriating customer funds.

Despite this, Bankman-Fried continued to assert his innocence. Notable moments during the trial showed that he could not answer questions about what happened at FTX.

It is known that SBF's legal team pleaded with the court to give him leniency and reduce his sentence from 63 to 78 months while they were looking to plead his innocence.

After FTX CEO John Ray III's earlier letter to Judge Kaplan, the court now gives Bankman-Fried an extensive prison sentence of 25 years, finding him without remorse for his actions and still not admitting his crimes.

Related Article: FTX CEO: SBF Did 'Vast' Harm to Customers, Lied About Funds, Solvency

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New York City is set to trial artificial intelligence-based gun detection systems in its subway system. The scanners the company responsible for supplying the technology, are currently under investigation by both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

AI-Powered Gun Detection in NYC Subway

Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City will commence testing a novel technology employing artificial intelligence to detect firearms at subway turnstiles. The decision follows a recent incident at a Brooklyn subway station where a passenger was shot with his own weapon during a confrontation.

The city's initiative, as first seen by CBS News, involves a partnership with Evolv, a Massachusetts-based company specializing in weapons detection systems widely deployed in educational institutions and public venues nationwide.

However, Evolv has faced scrutiny regarding the accuracy of its devices, alongside ongoing investigations by government agencies and a shareholder lawsuit. Under the pilot program, slated to begin in 90 days, the New York City Police Department will adhere to the POST Act's requirements.

This legislation mandates the disclosure of surveillance technologies employed by the department and the publication of impact and usage assessments before implementing new technologies. During the waiting period, the city also plans to evaluate alternative vendors.

Adams expressed a keen interest in embracing technological innovations, inviting companies to submit their technologies for testing and evaluation.

Also read: NYC Subway's Contactless Payment System Raises Privacy Concerns

Regarding the deployment specifics, Adams did not disclose the exact locations or the quantity of scanners to be installed.

However, Evolv scanners are currently operational in various prominent venues such as Citi Field, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Notably, in 2022, Adams took proactive measures by temporarily installing an Evolv scanner outside City Hall following a shooting incident on a subway car in Brooklyn.

Furthermore, the city conducted a pilot program with Evolv scanners at a Bronx hospital in response to a shooting incident within the ER waiting room. Additionally, numerous school districts nationwide have adopted Evolv scanners in their efforts to enhance campus security and mitigate the risk of shootings.

Scrutiny & Concerns

Evolv's scanners incorporate advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, resembling conventional metal detectors. The company claims these scanners utilize "safe, ultra-low frequency, electromagnetic fields, and advanced sensors" to detect hidden weapons.

CEO Peter George asserts that the scanners can identify various weapons, including firearms, explosives, and large tactical knives.

However, concerns have been raised about the technology's effectiveness. Reports indicate instances where Evolv's scanners have mistakenly identified harmless items as weapons.

For example, umbrellas have been flagged as firearms, while aluminum and steel tubes designed to resemble gun barrels have gone undetected.

Last year, certain school districts expressed frustration over the scanners' failure to detect knives in students' backpacks or their tendency to misidentify harmless objects like lunchboxes as explosive devices.

Related Article: New York City Pulls Out Controversial Subway Surveillance Robot

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Allegations against Meta and Google have surfaced, suggesting their involvement in limiting reproductive health advertisements and perpetuating misinformation.

A recent report has pointed fingers at these tech giants, alleging misconduct across regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Allegations of Reproductive Health Restrictions

A recent study conducted by MSI Reproductive Choices and the Center for Countering Digital Hate has shed light on Meta and Google's actions in limiting access to reproductive health information across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

According to the report, these tech giants have been accused of curtailing local abortion providers' advertisements and allowing the spread of misinformation to persist, among other transgressions. Meta's restrictions prevent MSI from disseminating abortion-related advertising content due to existing bans.

Moreover, local reports indicate that other content related to sexual and reproductive health has also faced censorship. Similar challenges were echoed by MSI's teams in Nepal and Vietnam, where Meta allegedly removed ads promoting cervical cancer screenings and information on IUDs and contraceptive pills, respectively.

MSI claims that Meta has imposed a "blanket advertising ban" in these countries without providing clear justification. Additionally, in Ghana, Google reportedly blocked ads containing the phrase "pregnancy options," as reported by the local MSI team.

Whitney Chinogwenya, a marketing specialist at MSI Reproductive Choices, emphasized the neglect faced by women and girls due to major tech platforms prioritizing profits over the public good.

She highlighted the critical importance of accurate online information for individuals seeking timely reproductive care and factual knowledge about their options.

Chinogwenya expressed concern over the ease with which anti-choice groups disseminate disinformation and harmful narratives online, with platforms like Google and Meta facilitating and profiting from such dangerous propaganda.

Also read: Researchers Claim Disinformation Poses Huge Threat to US Democracy as Election 2024 Approaches

In Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal, MSI teams faced hurdles in reaching out to Meta and acquiring explanations for the restrictions on their ads. Conversely, the team in Bangladesh managed to establish contact and resolve their issues effectively.

However, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam encountered a distinct challenge: the proliferation of counterfeit Facebook pages and websites, often indistinguishable from authentic ones except for a contact number.

MSI's Efforts and Meta's Response

MSI urged Meta and Google to remove these fraudulent entities, some of which solicited money from potential clients. However, the companies allegedly delayed or neglected to take any action in response to these requests.

Meta is currently reviewing the findings, with spokesperson Ryan Daniels informing The Guardian that they allow posts and ads promoting healthcare services, as well as discussions and debates surrounding them.

Content concerning reproductive health must comply with their regulations, including guidelines on prescription drugs and misinformation. Ads promoting reproductive health products or services are limited to individuals aged 18 and above.

They explicitly prohibit ads containing misinformation or that mislead individuals about a business's services and promise to thoroughly review the report's contents.

Related Article: Google to Run Ads Helping EU Citizens Identify Manipulative Content, Months Before EU Elections

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The expansion of 5G technology has surged globally, reaching 1.76 billion connections in 2023, according to a report by 5G Americas.

5G Continues to Gain Steam Worldwide

Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas, highlighted the industry's momentum, emphasizing the collaborative efforts driving innovation and connectivity.



With Fixed Wireless Access playing a crucial role in meeting broadband demands, the industry continues to push boundaries, enhancing global connectivity.



"The wireless telecommunications industry stands at the cusp of a new era, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for a connected future. With Fixed Wireless Access continuing to drive consumer broadband demand, new technology milestones are advancing unparalleled connectivity experiences worldwide," Pearson said in a press release statement.



North America emerged as a frontrunner in 5G adoption, witnessing a remarkable 64% year-over-year growth in connections. By the end of 2023, North America boasted 197 million 5G connections, representing 29% of all connections in the region.



Latin America also experienced notable progress, with LTE connections reaching 582 million and 5G connections reaching 39 million by the close of 2023. Despite 5G's emergence, 4G LTE remains robust across the region, laying the foundation for future growth.



"4G LTE is still the strongest technology across the region," said Jose Otero, Vice President of Latin America, and the Caribbean for 5G Americas. "Although various factors, including 5G handset mass market availability and completion of spectrum auctions will see an increase in 5G coverage, and subscriber growth in the coming year."



Omdia predicts a transformative decade for telecommunications, with global 5G connections projected to soar to 7.9 billion by 2028. North America is expected to host 700 million 5G connections by the same year, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

Read Also: MWC 2024: 5G Connections Continue to Surge, Growing to 5.5 Billion by 2030, GSMA Intelligence Says





5G Will Continue to Dominate Until 2028

Kristin Paulin, principal analyst at Omdia, highlighted the monumental shift expected, with 5G projected to account for more than half of all connections globally by 2028, surpassing 80% in North America.



Moreover, 5G data traffic is anticipated to dominate technology data traffic, reaching 76% of all traffic by 2028, marking the exponential growth trajectory of 5G connectivity.



Amidst the focus on 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem remains integral to the digital landscape, with global IoT subscriptions standing at 3.1 billion.



Forecasts suggest a surge in IoT subscriptions to 4.5 billion and smartphone subscriptions to 7.4 billion by 2026, underscoring the interconnected nature of the digital world.



The deployment of 5G networks worldwide has showcased considerable strength, with 314 commercial networks as of March 18, 2024, expected to grow to 450 by 2025.



This signifies substantial investments in 5G infrastructure globally, shaping the future of telecommunications.

Related Article: AMD Expands 5G Telco Market Leadership with New High-Performance and Adaptive Computing Products and Testing Services at MWC 2023





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Huawei Technologies reported a substantial earnings increase last year despite US penalties. The major Chinese tech company credits its strong performance to its cloud and digital divisions.



Huawei's net profit rose to 87 billion yuan ($12 billion) in its latest financial report from Shenzhen. Strong sales and product advancements drove this significant growth. Huawei also increased sales by nearly 10% to 704.2 billion yuan ($97.4 billion), according to AP News.



Huawei's rotating chairman, Ken Hu, said the company's financial results met expectations and overcame many hurdles and "managed to grow." Huawei reported gains from the sale of several businesses in addition to its core activities.



Huawei's profit growth coincides with escalating US-China technological and security concerns, with US companies facing restrictions in doing business with Huawei owing to harsh sanctions from the US government. Consequently, Huawei has faced restrictions on computer chips, software, and Google services for its devices.

Recalibrating Business Strategy

To address the challenges, Huawei has refocused its business on cloud computing and digital transformation solutions for diverse sectors to address these problems. In 2023, its cloud computing division earned 55.3 billion yuan ($7.7 billion), up 22%. Digital power sales rose 3.5%, but automotive services income quadrupled.



Huawei smartphone sales rose 17.3% in 2023 despite U.S. restrictions for Huawei's consumer division. Chinese semiconductor manufacturer Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation's revolutionary CPUs drove the company's high-end Mate 60 smartphone series.

(Photo : PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

People visit the stand of Huawei Chinese corporation during the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona on February 26, 2024.

TechTimes previously reported that Huawei's smartphones doing well in China, while Apple witnessed a 24% dip in iPhone sales in the first six weeks of 2024. Huawei, its primary premium smartphone competitor, enjoyed a 64% increase. The Chinese tech firm's market dominance is changing China's smartphone sector.



Moreover, Huawei seeks to develop new goods and services with global ecosystem partners to enhance its high-end market position. However, recent charges and investigations have cast doubt on the company's 5G chip production.

Read Also: Apple Vision Pro Mainland China Debut Confirmed as Tim Cook Reveals Launch Plans, Potential Date



Huawei strives its research and development despite regulatory constraints and geopolitical pressures. The firm spent 164.7 billion yuan ($22.8 billion) on R&D in 2023, roughly a quarter of its revenue. Huawei is one of the IT industry's top innovators, with over half of its personnel dedicated to R&D.

Huawei Controversy

It is important to note that Chinese tech firms Huawei Technologies Co. and SMIC reportedly used US technology to create a cutting-edge microprocessor in China last year.



Shanghai-based SMIC used Applied Materials Inc. and Lam Research Corp. equipment to make a 7-nanometer chip for Huawei in 2023. As China relies on foreign components and equipment for semiconductors despite its technical self-sufficiency initiatives, this chip fabrication uses US technology, highlighting China's difficulties in replacing foreign inputs.



This chip, an indigenous semiconductor fabrication feat, propelled Huawei's Mate 60 Pro and boosted Chinese smartphone sales. The chip may not match global corporations' components, but it shows development beyond what the US expected in slowing China's semiconductor technology.



In addition to ASML Holding NV technology, Lam and Applied Materials equipment were used to make the chip. This use of foreign technology shows China's efforts to meet chip production requirements.



The US has blacklisted Huawei and SMIC for potential military links, limiting their access to US technology. After the Mate 60 Pro's release, the US investigated Huawei's CPU for national security reasons as the US Department of Commerce officials doubt SMIC can mass-produce 7nm semiconductors without ASML's sophisticated lithography tools.

Related Article: Vodafone Germany Announces Restructuring Plan: 2000 Jobs Impacted in 400M Cost-Cutting Drive

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In Japan, a health crisis has broken out with five people dead and over 100 hospitalized after taking a recalled health supplement pill.

The supplement, manufactured by Osaka-based Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., has prompted widespread concern and investigations into its safety.

5 Dead After Taking Recalled Health Supplement

According to reports, the controversy surrounding these health supplements stems from the presence of benikoji, a red mold, as an ingredient.

The supplement in question, known as Benikoji Choleste Help, was marketed to aid in lowering cholesterol levels. However, instead of providing health benefits, it has led to severe consequences for numerous consumers.

The situation has escalated rapidly, with the number of affected individuals rising sharply within a week. Initially, the company faced criticism for its delayed response in making public the internal problems associated with the supplements. It was not until March 22 that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. issued the first public announcement regarding the recall.

(Photo : Alexander Grey on Unsplash)

A health crisis in Japan caused by a recalled supplement pill has led to five deaths and over 100 hospitalizations, prompting investigations into its safety.

Investigations Continue

The specific cause of the health issues, including kidney problems reported by some consumers, is still being investigated. The firm is working with government laboratories to identify the roots of these developments.

The health ministry determined that the National Institute of Health Sciences will take the lead in figuring out what chemicals in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical goods caused the health issues.

President Akihiro Kobayashi expressed profound regret and offered sincere apologies to the affected individuals, their families, and the broader community. He emphasized the company's commitment to rectifying the situation, improving crisis management, and preventing further harm.

The repercussions of this health crisis extend beyond the specific supplement in question. Dozens of other products containing benikoji have also been recalled, including everyday items such as miso paste, crackers, and vinegar dressing.

The Japanese health ministry has taken proactive measures by publishing a comprehensive list of recalled products on its official website.

Read Also: Lenmeldy Sparks Controversy as World's Most Expensive Medicine, Debating the $4.25 Million Price Tag

Health Ministry Issues Warning

One of the most concerning aspects of this situation is the potential for further fatalities. The health ministry has issued a stark warning, indicating that the death toll may continue to rise. Compounding the issue is the accessibility of these supplements, which could be purchased without a prescription from drug stores.

Additionally, there is the possibility that some products were exported or purchased by tourists before the recall, exacerbating the health risks.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. has been a longstanding player in the health supplement industry, with a significant volume of benikoji products sold over the past few years. However, the current crisis appears to have originated from supplements produced in 2023, raising questions about quality control and regulatory oversight.

Analysts have pointed to recent deregulation initiatives as a contributing factor to the unfolding crisis.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Obesity Drug Ozempic's Pricetag Under Fire as Study Exposes Manufacturing Costs

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple strongly denies any resemblance to Microsoft's 1990s antitrust case after a major US Department of Justice lawsuit. Drawing comparisons between the two cases, US Attorney General Merrick Garland sought to restrict business actions the US government considers as monopolistic.



A partial overturn of United States v. Microsoft Corp. forced Microsoft to alter its business practices. Garland and 16 other attorneys general in the Apple complaint want a similar resolution to address unfair tactics. The suit cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' criticism of Microsoft's monopoly and "dirty tactics," alleging dishonesty. Apple responds by highlighting its lower worldwide iPhone market share than Microsoft's.



Apple rejects the Department of Justice's assertion of over 65% dominance in the US smartphone market, citing revenue versus units sold, despite strong domestic performance. Apple App Store control, Apple Watch's Android compatibility, and "green bubbles" are the lawsuit's main issues, according to TechCrunch.



The complaint claims Apple's activities hurt Amazon, HTC, LG, and Microsoft's mobile businesses. Apple denies this, blaming businesses for market failures.



Regarding smartwatch compatibility and "green bubbles," Apple cites technological restrictions and privacy concerns for iOS exclusivity. The business claims that requiring modifications will destabilize iOS.



Apple sees the case as an attempt to turn iOS into Android, underscoring its freedom to choose its partners. Apple will strongly fight the complaint, claiming it is factually and legally erroneous.

Apple Sues Former iOS Engineer

Apple's comments on DOJ's lawsuit come after another recent legal issue wherein the tech giant has sued former iOS engineer Andrew Aude for disclosing secret information about planned corporate releases to press outlets. Apple accuses Aude of divulging confidential Apple policies and products, such as the Journal app for iPhones, spatial computing, and the Vision Pro.



Aude used his work-issued iPhone to leak Apple's innovations to The Information and the Wall Street Journal for years, as reported by TechTimes.

Read Also: US Authorities Issue Urgent Warning: Stop Use of Fire-Extinguishing Balls

(Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

iPhones are displayed at an Apple store on March 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. The Justice Department sued Apple claiming the iPhone maker has a monopoly over the phone market.

The complaint alleges that Aude retained over 1,400 encrypted contacts with a Wall Street Journal writer over four months. He reportedly exchanged several text conversations with a writer from The Information and went across the continent to meet with her.

Intel and Microsoft Team Up v. Apple

In a related update, Intel and Microsoft are reportedly collaborating to produce Intel Lunar Lake processors aimed at the thin and light laptop market, which could pose a threat to Apple. According to digitaltrends, Intel has designed Lunar Lake, its next-generation mobile processor, to compete with the best.



Igor's lab leaked Intel Lunar Lake's tiny laptop SoC. TSMC's N3B node manufactured the chips, in contrast to Intel's usual process. Featuring Intel's next-gen Arc Battlemage integrated graphics, the SoC may have 64 Xe2 execution units (EUs) and eight cores. Lunar Lake may also include a six-tile neural processing unit and 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory in the SoC.



Lunar Lake's CPU has eight cores-four performance and four efficiency-compared to high-end CPUs like the Core i9-13900K, yet it can compete with Apple's M3. Intel's Lunar Lake alignment with Microsoft's Windows 11 ecosystem suggests a shared goal of optimizing Windows laptop performance.



Intel and Microsoft's alliance is a deliberate move to improve Lunar Lake's Windows compatibility and performance. This advancement may challenge Apple's dominance in the slim and light laptop industry, offering customers a compelling alternative. The IT sector awaits Lunar Lake's debut later this year to determine if this alliance will change the competitive environment.

Related Article: Renault Invests $320 Million in France to Make New-Generation Electric Vans, Adding 550 Employees to Sandouville Plant

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple AirTags have dreadfully transformed Canada's fight against auto theft gangs as law enforcement authorities report that criminals are now using these tracking devices, originally meant to assist users in retrieving lost objects, to select and monitor automobiles for theft.

Auto theft has become widespread in Canada, with the Insurance Bureau of Canada reporting over 105,000 thefts in 2022, according to Apple Insider. Among the recent victims is Ethan Yang.



While returning from Montreal, Massachusetts resident Yang shared that when he reached the border, his phone detected a tracking device. Upon inspection, he discovered an AirTag hidden on his car's front grill.



Yang's case is among many complaints the Burlington, Vermont officials received wherein visitors found GPS monitoring devices in their vehicles in March. According to Vermont Intelligence Center cyber specialist Ryan McLiverty, these devices might identify automobiles for theft and export as part of bigger car theft schemes.

Apple AirTag: A Double Edged Sword

The use of Apple AirTag technology to track and choose targets has raised concerns about auto theft. Criminals in Montreal are using AirTags to track and steal cars, leading to an increase in automobile theft.



Finding an unfamiliar AirTag on a car might seem intrusive and vulnerable. If thieves track a stolen car from Toronto to Dubai, they may entice victims to use the gadget. Apple, law enforcement, and experts advocate reporting theft occurrences to the police rather than confronting culprits.

Notably, in an effort to prevent car theft using the tracking technology, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser implemented an Apple AirTag distribution program for high-risk communities.

Mayor Bowser acknowledged that the abuse of AirTags shows that the fight against automobile crime is evolving, posing new problems for law enforcement and communities. Hence, in Novemner, DC started offering free Apple AirTags to its residents to minimize the case of car theft, as previously reported by TechTimes.

Read Also: New York City OKs Robotaxis; Requires Human Safety Drivers for Autonomous Vehicle Tests

(Photo : BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

This photo illustration taken on February 13, 2023 shows an Apple Air Tag in Washington, DC.

Northeastern University researchers have raised concerns over Apple AirTags' privacy and safety due to surveillance and harassment. AirTags were designed to help users find their items, but they may also be hidden in luggage or cars to monitor people without permission, experts say.



There were more than 37 class-action lawsuits filed against Apple, alleging that stalkers and abusers used the devices to track their victims, per a TechTimes news story.



The researchers found that AirTags use Bluetooth to continually emit signals that neighboring devices identify and send to Apple servers for exact position monitoring. The issue lies in the owner's complete control over these devices, which enables their covert use in vehicles or baggage to monitor individuals.

Experts Urge Tech Companies to Address Safety Concerns

For safety, iPhones detect continuous transmissions from unassociated AirTags and notify users of an unusual device. Users may then locate and disable the AirTag. Despite this protection, the research indicated that unknown AirTag messages may take 30 minutes to nine hours to reach consumers. Nighttime or frequented areas like home or work trigger faster alarms.



The researchers also found ways to alter AirTags to bypass these safety features, enabling users to stay close to an unfamiliar AirTag without alerting them.



With these Apple AirTag security issues, researchers urge Apple and other developers to implement modifications to enhance the security of tracking these devices.

Related Article: Apple Dismisses Comparison to Microsoft Antitrust Case Amid DOJ Suit

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lori Policky of Beatrice received the Spirit of Hospice award at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association conference last week.

Policky is a social worker and bereavement coordinator at Cottonwood Hospice. She works in Gage, Jefferson, Pawnee and Saline.

Policky said the award was a surprise.

It was a surprise, she said. Im honored and humbled to receive this award.

She said her job as a social worker includes learning more about the family and the patient at the time they are admitted into the hospice program and sharing it with other staff.

Each of us has a story and I am thankful to share them with and for them, she said.

Policky also provides emotional support and community resources as needed for the family. After the patient passes, the family is offered bereavement services and an invitation to a support group. She works with volunteers to provide memory bears for family members that are made from the patients clothes.

She said the best part of her job was getting to know the families as they process through the end of life.

Sometimes that is also the hardest part of my job, she said. I wish there was more time to spend with each patient and family.

In her nomination, Cottonwood Director of Hospice Chavonn Mailahn said she couldnt imagine providing hospice care without Policky.

I can honestly say that I cannot imagine working in hospice without Policky, she said. She is such a positive and empathetic person; she shines a true light on our staff and our patients. Her kindness, ability to be raw and vulnerable with patients and families and exceptional work ethic make her an absolute gift to our agency and community.

Mailahn noted that Policky goes above and beyond each day for patients in some capacity.

Policky has worked independently to achieve level four status of the We Honor Veteran's Program.

Mailahn noted Policky is always looking for educational opportunities.

She searches for educational opportunities to better herself. She offers community education opportunities by sharing her knowledge of hospice to our surrounding communities and she is the first to volunteer her time to sit with a patient or assist with a Cottonwood event, Mailahn said.

She wears the social worker and bereavement coordinator hat and works so very hard each and every day, all while wearing a smile on her face and ensuring that those around her-patients, families and staff alike, feel loved, heard and supported.

Administrator Anne Paulmeyer said Policky is compassionate and caring.

Her compassion and caring go beyond measure, she said. Her work ethic is unmatched. She is able to provide patients and families with social services while juggling Medicaid applications, VA benefit access, providing bereavement services and running grief groups. This demonstrates her dedication to not only hospice, but service to people as a whole.

Her character is one we should all strive for. We are so fortunate and grateful to have her on our team.
Disappearance of little Emile: the child's bones have been discovered, announces the prosecution

Initial research, role play, discovery of bones... The key dates of the disappearance of little Emile

Medical innovation: New tests make it possible to detect cancer long before symptoms appear

The week of God Twitter: from the tragedy on the Baltimore bridge to Holy Week that looks like the Flood

Death of little Emile: how to explain the discovery of his bones near Haut-Vernet?

Do you know what your Bach flower is according to your horoscope? Answers Josep Guarch, floral therapist, homeopath and astrologer

Israeli bombing of displaced people and journalists in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah

The revolution of the hungry is coming... even if it is delayed

Pension payments will be reduced in real terms, and changes to the social security system for the new fiscal year will be

The employment rate of people with disabilities required by companies will be raised to 2.5% or more.

Journal de l'Afrique - Second reading of the New Constitution in Togo, a setback in the face of opposition pressure?

The execution of young Palestinian men in Khan Yunis...a crime filmed by the killer who failed to bury the evidence

Tour of Flanders: Mathieu van der Poel wins for the third time in his career

Loudly slamming the door: Shevchenko won the mass start at the Chechen Biathlon Championships, and Garanichevs team won the relay

Premier League: City and Arsenal pave the way for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to the top of the table

A curious own goal by Suleymanov and a saving strike by Glushenkov: Krasnodar missed out on victory over Lokomotiv in the RPL match

Tennis: Sinner triumphs at the Masters 1000 in Miami by crushing Dimitrov in the final

Lebanon: Easter celebrations tarnished by the situation in Gaza and the south of the country

New employees take on the challenge of shearing sheep at a unique joining ceremony Shizuoka Fujinomiya

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Hebei Chongli received more than 4.4 million tourists in the first full snow season after the Winter Olympics

Chicken and egg or egg? The industry is hotly discussing in Shanghai how the domestic computing power industry will rise.

China Eastern Airlines will add new and expanded routes to many airports in Guangdong during the 2024 summer and autumn flight season

The price of electricity will remain negative for several hours this Monday

In response to the 2024 issue, the maximum speed for large trucks on expressways will be increased to 90km/h

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?

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Until May 22: a court in Moscow arrested four accused of the terrorist attack in Crocus

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Bandidos: a series so tacky that it seems taken from the Disney Channel of the 90s

The Russian Embassy in Seoul condemned the cartoon of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Antibes: an orca dies at Marineland park, the second death in five months

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Daily Shincho: Mariupol residents do not feel the impact of the conflict on the life of the city

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Will Haniyeh and Nakhla's visit to Iran affect the course of the negotiations?

 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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France eyes spent uranium plant to bypass Russia: ministry



Paris, March 29 (AFP) Mar 29, 2024



The French government has said it is "seriously" studying the option of building a plant to convert and enrich reprocessed uranium to cut its reliance on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

The only plant in the world that currently converts reprocessed uranium for use in nuclear power plants is in Russia.

"The option of carrying out an industrial project to convert reprocessed uranium in France is being seriously examined," the French industry and energy ministry told AFP late Thursday.

"The associated conditions are still being studied," the ministry said.

The announcement came after French daily Le Monde said that state-owned power utility EDF had no immediate plans to halt uranium trade with Russia, as Moscow's war against Ukraine stretches into its third year.

Environment and climate NGO Greenpeace condemned the continuing uranium trade between Russia and France despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, and urged France to cut ties with Russia's state nuclear power company Rosatom.

"If Emmanuel Macron wants to have a coherent stance on Ukraine, he must stop the French nuclear industry's collaboration with Rosatom and demand the termination of Russian contracts," Pauline Boyer of Greenpeace France said in a statement to AFP on Friday.

"For the time being, his 'support without limits' for Ukraine has one limit: his business with Rosatom," she said.

According to Le Monde, Jean-Michel Quilichini, head of the nuclear fuel division at EDF, said the company planned to continue to "honour" its 2018 contract with Tenex, a Rosatom subsidiary.

The contract stipulates that reprocessed uranium from French nuclear power plants is to be sent to a facility in the town of Seversk (formerly Tomsk-7) in western Siberia to be converted and then re-enriched before being reused in nuclear plants.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the West has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow, but Russia's nuclear power has remained largely unscathed.

Contacted by AFP, EDF said it was "maximising the diversification of its geographical sources and suppliers", without specifying the proportion of its enriched reprocessed uranium supplies that comes from Russia.



- 'Neither legitimate nor ethical' -



Greenpeace said it was "scandalous" that EDF insisted on continuing honouring its agreement with Rosatom.

"It is neither legitimate nor ethical for EDF to continue doing business with Rosatom, a company in the service of Vladimir Putin, which has illegally occupied the Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine for over two years, and is participating in the nuclear threat whipped up by Russia in this war," Boyer said.

EDF said it and several partners were discussing "the construction of a reprocessed uranium conversion plant in Western Europe by 2030".

"The fact that the French nuclear industry has never invested in the construction of such a facility on French soil indicates a lack of interest in a tedious and unprofitable industrial process," Greenpeace said in a report in 2021.

It accused France of using Siberia "as a garbage dump for the French nuclear industry".

In recent years France has been seeking to resuscitate its domestic uranium reprocessing industry.

In early February, a reactor at the Cruas nuclear power station in southeastern France was restarted using its first recycled uranium fuel load, EDF said at the time.

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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.
Within financial markets, Doctor Copper refers to the idea that the price of the metal can be used as a barometer for the health of the world economy.

So ingrained is the substance in our everyday lives  used in everything from construction and electronics to power transmission and more  that its price is a good bellwether for how well things are going.

China is already the worlds largest producer and consumer of the metal, and it is tightening its grip on the industry. Credit: Bloomberg

To look at copper over recent months, youd think the world is on the up. The price of the metal has risen by nearly a tenth over the last six months.

But what this rally may in fact be pointing to is something quite different: China tightening its grip on supplies.
These companies are brazen, aggressive and highly adaptable as they look to illegally exploit the vulnerable, she said. Dr Helen Gniel heads the academic integrity unit at TEQSA, which was set up after Australia outlawed selling and advertising cheating services in 2020 and now monitors Australian traffic to such sites. Theyre predatory, she said. Students are inundated with their offers to help, she said, sometimes via their university email, advertised as study support. Syndicate members will infiltrate social media and messenger groups pretending to be new students. In Australia, where higher education is a booming export, international students are particular targets, Lancaster said. They are seen as cashed up but likely to struggle with English and often under pressure to perform.

Cheating can pose risks to the wider community, said Federal Education Minister Jason Clare. Students in medicine and engineering, for example, could graduate without the proper knowledge. But it also opens them to compromise. They expose themselves to criminals and potential blackmail, Clare said. University of Canberra law professor Sascha-Dominik Dov Bachmann said that risk increased throughout their career. If you were told you could not just lose the degree behind your job, but your job, what would you be willing to do? he said. Students and graduates who spoke to this masthead anonymously to protect their identity or posted in online forums with verified university email addresses have described threats arriving from those claiming to have written their assignments many years after they contacted a cheating service.

Dr Helen Gniel investigates contract cheating sites as head of TEQSAs Higher Education Integrity Unit. Often, increasing demands for cash were accompanied by screenshots of a students original assessment order. One student said they were sent the contact details of the university dean who the syndicate planned to hand the evidence over to, with a countdown of threatening messages pinging through over WhatsApp: Two hours til disclosure, one hour. Twenty minutes. Ive heard of some high-profile cases of people fired over past cheating, Gniel said. Its a real worry. Organised crime groups running such cheating syndicates could sell compromising information on former student cheaters to rival nations, warned La Trobe University law professor Louis de Koker, who studies how these groups work.

Or maybe their internal databases will be hacked, he said. Its a ticking time bomb. Bachmann  a former military officer in Sweden  pointed to warnings from ASIO that more foreign agents were trying to recruit Australians for intelligence. Contract cheating should be treated as a national security threat, not just a threat to academic integrity, he said, especially in the age of [the AUKUS defence pact]. Bachmann wants to see enforcement efforts to shut down syndicates, calling for Australian authorities to work with global counterparts if the trail leads to known syndicate countries such as Pakistan, Kenya and Russia. Gniel said TEQSA had blocked nearly 300 sites targeting Australian students, 841 social media accounts and helped set up an international consortium named GAIN to better track the syndicates behind them.

Misconduct expert Professor Cath Ellis has found that while essay mills will often craft networks of different sites to give the illusion of a competitive marketplace, often there is just one syndicate behind them all. Loading There are a few big fish and theres a lot of traffic redirection, Gniel said, back to these very sophisticated operations run by criminal gangs from multiple countries. But we know theyre onshore too. Lancaster said there were sometimes cases of impersonators hired to sit tests for students. Stickers and posters, often in different languages, will appear on campuses advertising cheating services.

Theyll be places you wouldnt look, like the back of toilet doors, said Gniel. With QR codes. One university here was clever. They stuck their own QR code over the top and instead of being taken to a cheating site, people were redirected to student support services. Ellis said some on-shore providers were swooping in to help cover a students tracks when essays and exams were flagged for potential misconduct. Tell-tale signs of cheating  such as particular patterns in phrasing  were also beginning to appear in student responses to an allegation. I know investigators who say if the student brings a support person, often they suspect that person is from the contract cheating group, she said. Its a full service. Deakin University is the only Melbourne university to release cheating data publicly, telling this masthead that while plagiarism cases had fallen of late, contract cheating had increased considerably to 514 cases reported in 2022, something the university attributes to better detection, including its own Overcast software and Turnitins authorship analysis tools. At the University of Melbourne, where contract cheating advertising will sometimes appear in posters on campus, a spokesman told this masthead it had recorded fewer cases of suspected contract cheating in 2023, 299, down from 533 the year before, as academic misconduct overall fell.

The University of Sydney recorded 940 reports of potential contract cheating last year, 473 of which had so far been substantiated, but it also attributed this recent surge in reported cases to its own significant boost in detection resources and student and staff education. Loading If we suspect blackmail or unscrupulous behaviour from a cheating service, the students safety is our first concern, Wright said. The vast majority of our students do the right thing.  Lancaster said Australian universities were among the best in the world at monitoring contract cheating. Some now have special programs to support students who are blackmailed, including UNSW, which said it will contact the person blackmailing them to put a stop to the threats if [the student] fully discloses all their past cheating. The default penalty is a 0 per cent score on the assessment, a spokeswoman said.
Following a major Montana Supreme Court ruling on ballot access and voter rights, the president of the state Senate is planning to form a new legislative committee addressing "judicial overreach."

The Montana Supreme Court is operating so far outside its constitutional boundaries that more and more justices are breaking from the majority to condemn their colleagues overreach," Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, wrote Wednesday in a statement after the court's decision was filed. "Todays court decision is just the latest in a troubling string of rulings intruding into the Legislatures constitutional lawmaking role. In the coming days I plan to announce the formation of a new legislative committee tasked with addressing our out-of-control courts.

The court's ruling struck down four bills passed during the 2021 legislative session: House Bill 176, Senate Bill 169, House Bill 530 and House Bill 506 which sought to end election day voter registration, add new voter identification restrictions, limit paid third-party ballot collection and prevent 17 year olds from voting even if they were 18 by election day, respectively.

"The general theme (of the committee) is judicial overreach," he said.

The panel would be a "special select committee" which the president of the senate has the power to form during the interim without a vote in the Senate, according to a 2021 memorandum from the Legislative Services Office.

The same memo states that the joint rules of the Montana Legislature "do not provide authority to form and appoint a joint special select committee" meaning that House representatives would not be able to participate as voting members.

Ellsworth hopes that citizens and Democrats will participate on the committee, but the Democrats have not yet committed to participating because they are awaiting more details about the committee, said Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade.

But this is not the first time the Legislature has formed a special select committee in an attempt to regulate the judicial branch. In 2021 and 2022, the state Legislature convened a Special Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency. It produced a 31-page report that in part found that "the branch has strayed from its judicial role into the legislatures policymaking role."

All four laws were struck down by the high court under Montana's constitutional "fundamental right to vote," but the ruling was split among the different bills.

Four justices, including Chief Justice Mike McGrath, 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.

When asked why this decision goes beyond the typical checks and balances the branches of government engage in, Ellsworth pointed out that a dissenting justice made the separation of powers argument himself.

"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 dissenting opinion.

The majority also addressed the separation of powers.

Notably, Montanas Constitution is a prohibition on legislative power rather than a broad grant of power, McGrath wrote. "... although the Legislature is given power regarding elections, it may not exercise that authority in a way that violates the freedom and openness of our elections or interferes with the free exercise of the right of suffrage, he later continued.

Republicans made a similar separation of powers argument in the ongoing kids climate case.

In a landmark decision, a Montana District court judge ruled in 2023 that the group of young plaintiffs' constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment is being violated by not accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts when granting permits under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). The case came after the Legislature passed a statute barring agencies from considering the climate effects of fossil fuel project leases.

The case is on appeal to the state Supreme Court, and Republican legislative leadership filed a brief that argues that combating climate change and making energy decisions is a task for the Legislature, not the courts.

"The judiciary's constitutional authority does not allow the district court to determine how the Legislature should provide for the promise of a 'clean and healthful environment,'" the brief reads. "The Legislature is entrusted to consider how these bills implement a constitutional directive. It is uniquely poised to understand and evaluate environmental laws, some of which intend to help fulfill the promise of a clean and healthful environment."

The planning for this committee is still in its early stages, Ellsworth said, so the timeline is unclear.

"It's a very dangerous road that we're going down in the judiciary," he said. "This is sacred ground that can not be crossed and it is being crossed."
Female, a finance professional, Millennial and a renter: Amelia Hamer represents the very demographic that helped topple former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the inner-Melbourne seat of Kooyong at the last federal election.

Last weekend the Liberal Party overwhelmingly endorsed the 31-year-old from a prominent political dynasty to win back the seat that had  until 2022  been in conservative hands since Federation.

Amelia Hamer with her dog Juno. She will take on teal Monique Ryan as the Liberal Partys candidate for Josh Frydenbergs former seat of Kooyong. Credit: Eddie Jim

Hamer is the grandniece of former Victorian premier Rupert Dick Hamer  Uncle Dick, as she says fondly. Her grandfather, David Hamer, was a senator for Victoria and her great-grandfather, Sir William McPherson, served as Victorian premier in the late 1920s.

But she wants voters to know one thing: Shes not a nepo-baby.
Rio de Janeiro: If social media is to be believed, French President Emmanuel Macrons trip to Brazil this week left him swooning.

Pictures showed him and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ambling through the Amazon and posing beneath the soaring canopy in white button-down shirts. Then there they were again, standing close and clasping hands on a boat as Macron looked adoringly at Lula, both leaders faces lit by a gentle sun.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive on Combu Island, Para state, Brazil, on Tuesday. The image was co-opted by memes poking fun at their very close relationship. Credit: AP

There were hugs and handshakes aplenty; smiles and selfies, too. Lula on Thursday (Friday AEDT)bestowed the highest honour for a non-citizen on Macron, draping a medal around his neck.

Brazilian social media gobbled up the bonhomie with gusto, and users posted photos of the duo that many said looked more like a wedding album than a state visit. On the last evening of his trip, Macron joined in.
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This weeks contribution is from Mike Stickney, director of the Earthquake Studies Office at the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.

The landscape of the greater Yellowstone region has evolved gradually over millennia, punctuated by rare cataclysmic events such as volcanic eruptions, major earthquakes, and glacial outburst floods.

The only recent such historical event occurred 65 years ago. The M7.3 Hebgen Lake earthquake took place at 11:37 p.m. local time on Monday, Aug. 17, 1959, and unleashed the largest seismically triggered landslide in North America in recorded history.

Centered near the mouth of Madison Canyon west of Hebgen Lake, the Madison Slide extends a mile (1.6 kilometers) from head scarp to toe and is 3/4 mile (1.2 kilometers) wide. A section of the south canyon wall 1,300 feet (400 meters) high collapsed northward into the Madison River Canyon, sweeping 430 feet (131 meters) up the north canyon wall in places and creating a dam 220 feet (67 meters) high across the Madison River, behind which Earthquake Lake immediately began filling. The volume of the slide mass is estimated at 37 to 43 million cubic yards (28 to 33 million cubic meters) and covers 130 acres (0.5 square kilometers).

A thick layer of Precambrian dolomite dips steeply northward along the base of the south canyon wall. This hard layer apparently formed a buttress that bolstered the deeply weathered and weak schist and gneiss of the slopes above. The strong shaking of the earthquake caused the dolomite buttress to fail, and the entire canyon wall slid. The slide mass maintained its stratigraphic order such that the dolomite forms a prominent tan-colored band along the leading edge of the slide, and the dark gray schist and gneiss followed behind. The toppled trees and topsoil of the north canyon wall came to rest on top of the slide mass, demonstrating a lack of churning and mixing as the slide mass moved.

According to eyewitnesses, the Madison Slide occurred from just a few seconds to perhaps half a minute after the strongest shaking of the Hebgen Lake earthquake had subsided. Tragically, the eastern (upstream) edge of the Madison Slide buried the overflow camping area just below the U.S. Forest Services Rock Creek Campground. Twenty-six people died there, including 19 whose bodies were never recovered and are presumed entombed in the slide mass.

A wave of muddy water accompanied the slide on the upstream edge, carrying trees, driftwood, and small rocks up to 100 feet (30 meters) above the river on the north canyon wall. The violent wave and the accompanying hurricane-force air blast that was displaced by the slide mass accounted for many of the casualties and destruction of vehicles and trailers in the Rock Creek campground.

By 6:30 the following morning, the waters in the newly forming Earthquake Lake had covered all the cars and trailers in Rock Creek Campground and was at least 20 feet (6 meters) deep. About 250 survivors assembled on Refuge Point, the highest ground between Madison Slide and Hebgen Dam. They were effectively trapped in the area because the earthquake also damaged the road in the upstream direction, so there was no way out of the Madison River Canyon. The most seriously injured were evacuated by Air Force helicopters around midday, and by late afternoon, a rough road bulldozed around the road-cutting landslides along Hebgen Lake, upstream of the Madison landslide, allowed the remaining survivors to escape. Twenty-five people with serious injuries were treated at hospitals in Bozeman, Ennis, Butte and Sheridan.

The U.S. Forest Service maintains a number of geological sites in the Hebgen Lake area, including a visitor center built on the Madison Slide and interpretive signs noting where survivors gathered on the night of the earthquake and the scarp formed during the earthquake itself.

Next week, well continue the story of the Madison Slide with a look at the dangers the slide posed once it blocked the Madison River, and how engineers worked to stabilize the slide and mitigate those hazards.

For more information on landslide hazards in the United States, check out the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Program.
The Bismarck Public Library will celebrate the upcoming partial eclipse Monday with craft kits, a guest speaker and eclipse glasses.

At 9 a.m., attendees can pick up craft kits and eclipse glasses while supplies last, and from 1-3 p.m. Hope Burdolski from North Dakotas Gateway to Science will offer activities and answers to cosmic queries.

The events in the Children's Library are free and open to all ages. The library is at 515 N. Fifth St. The eclipse is April 8.
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%.
Voters in North Dakota's South Central Judicial District in November won't see Bruce Romanick's name on the ballot for the first time in 24 years.

Romanick announced in January that he won't run for reelection this year.

"If you look on the Supreme Court website there's only one judge who's been on the bench longer," Romanick, now 63, said during a recent interview with the Tribune. "I was 40 and I think I was the youngest one (judge) at the time."

First elected in 2000, Romanick won reelection to six-year terms of office in 2006, 2012 and 2018.

"It seems like a good breaking point," he said of his decision.

School and Reserve

The Washburn native literally grew up in the law. His father served as McLean County state's attorney, and Romanick recalls that law enforcement officers were frequent visitors to the family home.

He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor of science degree in 1982 and earned his law degree from UND four years later. That led to stints in private practice in both Washburn and Bismarck, followed by 3  years of active duty service in the U.S. Army as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps. After active duty, Romanick joined the U.S. Army Reserve while transitioning back into private practice, then joined the Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office before running for and winning his judgeship in 2000.

While in the Reserve, Romanick left his elected judgeship for a year in 2007 when he was deployed.

"With the war on terror, they deployed a lot of judge advocates," he said.

Deployed in Romanick's case meant Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, Texas. His tour was spent dealing with medical issues involving service members.

"Whether it was folks from overseas or even local, they were backlogged," Romanick said of the work. "You can imagine there was a ton of medical problems."

With another possible deployment looming and a young family, Romanick decided to leave the Reserve in 2009, but hinted he might be willing to "help them out a little bit" once his term ends.

"I'll find something to do, I imagine," he said with a grin.

He spoke of being able to spend more time at the family's lake cottage and visit a son who runs a ranch.

"Its very quiet," he said of the ranch. "Nobodys there but animals."

Explosion of work, technology

Caseloads have increased dramatically since Romanick's early days in the Burleigh County State's Attorney's Office. When he was there the office had four assistants. Now, he said, "there's 12 or 13, and the office is shorthanded."

"On the bench there were eight judges and a part-time judicial referee. Now there are 10 judges and two full-time referees," Romanick said.

Burleigh County cases make up about 77% of the matters coming before the judges in the South Central District, according to Romanick. Morton County cases run about 21%, and the remainder comes from cases in Emmons, Grant, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties.

While the U.S. judicial system was designed so all parties in a matter came together at the courthouse, Romanick said that's not always possible these days, especially during winter months. More and more, he said, many proceedings are handled remotely, with parties getting together via electronic means such as Zoom meetings.

"That's really a benefit," Romanick said. "We struggle with that though. There's good and bad things; it's better to be in person."

Under certain circumstances, a remote appearance by an attorney or suspect at a court proceeding is not only more efficient but saves taxpayers money, "by not having the Sheriff's Department pushing people back and forth from the detention center, which is 5 or 7 miles from the courthouse," he said.

These days remote appearances are routine for attorneys who might have multiple appearances in multiple courts in different counties.

"If a person wants to appear and they're willing to appear by Zoom, we make it happen," Romanick said.

One place interactive video isn't used, he said, is in criminal trials. Constitutional guarantees require a person charged with a crime having the right to face his or her accuser and to be able to have an attorney question witnesses in person.

Digital technology has also had a big effect on document management. Instead of having individual case documents stored in manila folders in file cabinets, they're stored digitally, and available to multiple parties simultaneously.

On the downside, Romanick said, failures in that system can render the court system virtually "blind" until repairs are made.

"It's a lot easier here (Burleigh County) because the people who do that work are here, but it can really slow things down in the other counties because of travel," Romanick said. "Proceedings get delayed sometimes."

Finding balance

Romanick said the most difficult cases he's handled involved families and divorce proceedings.

"If anybody's ever been in divorce court they know that," he said. "Nobody's happy. One side leaves unhappy. Always."

On the upside, Romanick has enjoyed adoptions because those were "happy times."

He said part of the difficulty of being a judge is having to make decisions based solely on court appearances and documents relating to matters that might have taken place over years.

Romanick said it also can be difficult in criminal matters to find balance between punishing a suspect and correcting behaviors. Correcting might mean sentencing someone to prison, but he said it might also mean putting a person on probation and allowing them access to tools such as treatment programs under the court's supervision while remaining free.

"There's failures there too, but there's a lot of successes where those people come in and we're keeping them out of the penitentiary," he said.

Romanick said he and the other district judges are not hesitant to send offenders to prison, but that in reality there's a kind of balancing act.

"I think it's easy to say 'everyone should be locked up' -- until the Legislature meets, and they don't give DOCR (Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) the funding to lock everybody up," Romanick said.

Looking back

Serving as a district court judge has had its share of ups and downs, as any profession does, Romanick said while reflecting on his time on the bench.

"There's been trials that are just horrendous, but then there's cases that aren't so serious where something humorous happens and you have to laugh and you do, otherwise you lose your sanity to some extent," he said.

Above all, Romanick said, a judge has to remain neutral.

"I hope I've done what I was supposed to do," he said with a laugh. "It's been a good run as far as I'm concerned."
The North Dakota Public Service Commission has set the details for public hearings on a route permit for Summit Carbon Solutions' planned multistate carbon dioxide pipeline.

This will be the second round of public hearings the PSC has held on Summit's siting application. The first round started last spring, taking place in numerous communities near the pipeline's more-than-300-mile proposed route across the state. The commission ultimately denied the project in August.

The PSC cited several reasons for its initial decision, including that Summit had not adequately addressed how the project would impact sensitive areas including cultural sites, some wildlife areas and unstable geological areas. The PSC in its order also said that Summit has not taken the steps to address outstanding legitimate impacts expressed by landowners during the public comment or demonstrated why a reroute is not feasible.

The PSC last September granted Summit a petition for a reconsideration. At the time, one commissioner cited the desire to maintain the record given that Summit would have likely reapplied if the petition was denied.

Almost 2,000 additional pages of information have been submitted since the PSC granted Summit its petition for reconsideration. This includes large and small reroutes across the pipeline's footprint, and the company's attempts to address the other issues.

The first set of hearings will begin April 22 starting at 9 a.m. in the ballroom at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Mandan. This will primarily focus on portions of the project in Burleigh, Morton and Oliver counties, and it could last multiple days. The largest changes to the route are in Burleigh County.

At an earlier meeting commissioners indicated this would also be when many of the other aspects of the application would be discussed.

The second public hearing is set for May 24 at the Harry Stern & Ella Stern Cultural Center at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. This will primarily focus on route adjustments in Dickey, Sargent, Cass and Richland counties in eastern North Dakota.

The final public hearing is set for June 4 in the Our Club in Linton. It will primarily focus on adjustments in Emmons, Logan and McIntosh Counties in central North Dakota.
Indo-Bhutan Ties Revived





By Lt General M K Das

PRIME Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Bhutan from March 22 to 23, 2024, his second visit to the Himalayan kingdom. The PM had visited Bhutan in 2014, his first visit to a foreign nation on assuming power in May 2014. His second visit has indeed been path-breaking. Bhutan is a beautiful but a small landlocked country located towards the eastern extreme of the Himalayas mountains range with Tibet Autonomous Region (under the control of China) to its North and States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal and Sikkim to its East, South and West. It is a democratic country headed by a Prime Minister but the major decisions have the stamp of the monarchy. A Buddhist country, Bhutan follows the unique concept of Gross National Happiness for its people. India has always placed huge premium on special relationship with Bhutan, guided by the principles of Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in the year 1949. This treaty stood the test of time for almost six decades till its revision as Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007. As per earlier treaty, Bhutans interests were largely looked after India with few parallels in the diplomatic history.

But with change in the international scenario and a more proactive society, the scope of the treaty was reviewed in 2007 which permitted Bhutan to expand its diplomatic footprint with more nations. India as a genuine well-wisher, supported Bhutan including its more interaction with China. Bhutan maintains a small Army called Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) and Royal Bhutan Guard (RBG) for exclusive duty towards the monarchy. India has permanent military footprint in terms of Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) headed by a Major General rank officer. IMTRAT trains and prepares RBA and RBG personnel in discharging their duties along with Bhutanese counterparts. In addition, our Border Roads Organisation called Project DANTAK is headed by a Brigadier rank officer which has played a sterling role in developing roads in difficult terrain, telecommunication network, other infrastructure projects and the lone airport at Paro. During my military career, I was fortunate to serve as part of the IMTRAT in the year 1995 to 1997. It was a great professional experience and towards the end of my tenure, I worked towards gathering Intelligence about the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), a militant outfit which had made safe havens deep inside the Bhutanese territory.

Later Bhutan launched a rare military operation, called Operation All Clear in December 2003 to flush out the ULFA cadre from its territory. As Commanding Officer of my battalion deployed as part of anti-insurgency Operation RHINO from the year 2003 to 2006, the experience of dealing with the ULFA came handy to me. In the districts of Kokrajhar and Dhubri in the Lower Assam, we eliminated the footprint of the dreaded ULFA which ushered near normalcy in the region. Here once again, the Indian Army provided security to the Bhutanese people travelling through the States of Assam and North Bengal including transit facilities enroute. All this is testimony of the assistance and close support provided by India in every crisis situation in Bhutan. China has always eyed the strategic location of Bhutan and its close relations with India has irked China in more ways than one. While Bhutan accepted financial assistance from China, it came at some cost and China started construction of roads close to the Bhutanese territory. China has made claims on the Bhutanese territory based on its notorious historical precedent, right from the time of annexation of Tibet in the 1950s. But the main concern of India has been about Doklam, a disputed territory located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China.

Doklam lies close to the Siliguri corridor, a narrow corridor which is the only land-based gateway to Indias North East. In 2017, China pursued aggressive road construction activity almost inside the Bhutanese territory towards Doklam. This led to the intervention of the Indian Army at the behest of Bhutan, called Doklam stand-off. The resolute action of the Indian Army to safeguard serious security implications led to the Chinese backing off after a 72 day stand off in 2017. But Bhutan surely realised that only India can help it in any crisis situation and relations with China has to be viewed more pragmatically in the changing world order. During the current visit, His Majesty of Bhutan bestowed its highest civilian award called Order of the Druk Gyalpo to PM Modi, the first head of Government recipient of such rare top honour.

This step may be the true indication of the revival the unique and enduring relationship between two neighbours which share a deep cultural connect rooted in common Buddhist heritage. India and Bhutan inked several pacts in the trade, connectivity, energy, infrastructure and space projects during the current visit. All this will not be taken kindly by China. As is the trademark of PM Modis diplomacy, he has finally established a great personal rapport with Bhutans royal family, evident from the type of special gestures made during the visit. For long-term safeguarding the strategic security interests of India and for Bhutan to become economically independent, the revival of the Indo-Bhutan relations can be harbinger for greater heights of time-tested relationship and for Indias other neighbours to follow suit. (The author is retired Lt General, PVSM, SM**,VSM)
KEEP OFF !





THE message from India to the world is clear -- Keep off the Arvind Kejriwal issue, which is none of your business; it is Indias internal matter and is being handled as per the law of the land, and nobody else has anything to do with it; no one else can decide the right or wrong of the issue. So, first, it was Germany whose diplomat was told in no uncertain terms what India officially felt about the German interference in Indias internal matters. Then came the turn of the United States (US) to get piece of Indias mind on the issue. That Mr. Arvind Kejriwal proved to the be the first-ever sitting Chief Minister to be arrested, cannot be denied. But then, it also cannot be denied that he had the temerity to bunk summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for as many as nine times. The patient wait the ED demonstrated showed that it was in no hurry to push things illogically or immorally. Obviously, it was following its mandate to the hilt and gave a loose leash to Mr. Kejriwal to keep ducking the summons on absolutely flimsy pretexts. The action came only after the EDs approach got the blessings of the judiciary.

Thus, on ground of so-called political morality, nobody can place at Indias doorstep. Unfortunately, however, some external powers have been nursed carefully by the Opposition whose leaders have often indulged in making appeals for help to protect democracy in the country. These leaders -- including Mr. Rahul Gandhi -- have been known to have delivered speeches at select forums in a few countries and appealed to powers that be there to help in restoring democracy in India. Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, too, is known to have developed such links with anti-India lobbies in a few countries around the world. It must be noted that the political lobbies in many countries are in the habit of making selective choices about politics in India. One such lobby had, more than 12 years ago, had blocked the visit of Mr. Narendra Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, to the United States by denying him the Visa.

It is common knowledge that such lobbies are still operational in a few countries and keep making attempts to destabilise India every now and then. A few reputed universities, too, have such lobbies operating against Indias national interest. The attempt to question the wisdom behind the decision to arrest Mr. Arvind Kejriwal appears to have stemmed from such lobbies. India has done well to thwart any such attempts. The Indian stand is clear: Do not mess up with Indias internal matters. Do not meddle in Indian affairs. Do not try to preach India, the mother of democracy, what democracy is. At this moment, the Indian message may have the tone and tenor of diplomacy, but its deeper meaning is clear -- that no lobby, whether in governments or elsewhere in any country, should try to interfere in Indias internal issues.

If that is done, India will treat that as an infringement of its sovereign spirit and right. Indias domestic politics, as the message stresses, is its own business and others should never indulge in it. Some powers elsewhere have linked Mr. Arvind Kejriwal as a symbolism of the fight against corruption. That he launched such a fight, is a matter of the past. Presently, he -- and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- stands doused in charges of serious corruption with no justification whatsoever. Many of Mr. Kejriwals colleagues also are languishing in prisons for their involvement in cases of corruption. Many more may follow suit soon. In such a situation, it is only unacceptable that a few lobbies outside India try to interfere in internal affairs. They must remember that their indulgence will be treated with equal disdain by the Indian authorities at all levels.
Rashmi Barve disqualified from Ramtek Lok Sabha candidature





Staff Reporter

Maha Vikas Aaghadi sufffered a major setback as Tushar Thombare, Additional Collector and Returning officer for Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency, rejected the nomination of Rashmi Barve, Congress candidate for Ramtek. The Social Justice Department had cancelled her caste validity certificate during the daytime, on the basis of which the Returning Officer disqualified her from the candidature. Shyamkumar Barve, whose name was written on Form B, would now contest as Congress nominee from Ramtek. As the constituency comes under reserved category, Congress had fielded Barve and had submitted her documents of caste. However, as soon as the candidature of Barve was declared, the issue of her caste validity certificate came up. A person named Sunil Salve filed a complaint in this regard.

After the complaints, the Social Justice Department ordered the Caste Scrutiny Committee to take appropriate action. District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee had issued notice to Rashmi Barve on the basis of the complaint lodged against her alleging that she had submitted false documents in support of her caste. A letter duly signed by Dr Mangesh Wankhede, Deputy Commissioner and Member of District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee had asked her to submit her explanation at Social Justice Department. The complaint stated that Rashmi Shyamkumar Barve (nee Rina Somraj Sonekar) submitted fake documents to the Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee. She is a resident of Pandhurna, Madhya Pradesh. The complainant argued that she provided false documents to the committee. Subdivisional Police Officer conducted an enquiry on the directions of State Information Commissioner, Nagpur division.

After studying all the aspects, the Social Justice Department on Thursday gave a verdict where it termed her documents fake and cancelled her caste validity certificate. Barve approached High Court which refused to hear the case on Thursday and asked her to come on Monday. Later, a hearing was conducted at the Collector office where Returning Officer for Ramtek Tushar Thombare heard both sides and gave verdict of rejecting her nomination papers. Near the Collector office, a drama was witnessed where stalwart leaders from both the sides, including Nagpur District Congress President Rajendra Mulak, Praful Gudadhe, Avantika Lekurwale from Congress while Ramtek MLA Ashish Jaiswal and others stayed put throughout the day. The last date for filing nomination for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections was March 27. Barve submitted her nomination papers on March 27. While filing the application, Barve accompanied by Sunil Kedar, Rajendra Mulak, Nana Gawande had demonstrated her strength.
Swami Smarananandas principles are our source of strength





By Narendra Modi :

Prime Minister of India AMIDST the hustle and bustle of the grand festival of Lok Sabha elections, the news of the demise of Srimat Swami Smaranananda Ji Maharaj brought my mind to a standstill for a few moments. Srimat Swami Smaranananda Ji Maharaj was a pioneer of Indias spiritual consciousness and his demise is like a personal loss. A few years ago, the demise of Swami Atmasthananda Ji and now the departure of Swami Smaranananda Ji on his eternal journey has left many people bereaved. My heart, like that of crores of devotees, saints and followers of Ramkrishna Math and Mission, is deeply saddened. During my visit to Kolkata earlier this month, I had gone to the hospital to enquire about Swami Smaranananda Jis health. Just like Swami Atmasthananda Ji, Swami Smaranananda Ji too dedicated his entire life for spreading the ideas of Acharya Ramkrishna Paramahamsa, Mata Sharada Devi and Swami Vivekananda across the world. While writing this article, the memories of meetings and conversations with him are getting refreshed in my mind. In January 2020, during my stay at Belur Math, I meditated in the room of Swami Vivekananda. During that visit, I had a long conversation about Swami Atmasthananda Ji with Swami Smaranananda Ji. It is widely known that I had a close relationship with Ramakrishna Mission and Belur Math.

As a seeker of spirituality, I have met different saints and mahatmas and been to many places over the period of more than five decades. Even in Ramkrishna Math, I got to know about the saints who dedicated their lives to spirituality, among whom personalities like Swami Atmasthananda Ji and Swami Smaranananda Ji were prominent. Their sacred thoughts and knowledge provided contentment to my mind. In the most important period of my life, such saints taught me the true principle of Jan Seva hi Prabhu Seva. The lives of Swami Atmasthananda Ji and Swami Smaranananda Ji are an indelible example of the motto of Ramkrishna Mission Atmano Mokshaartham Jagaddhitaaya Cha.

We all are inspired by the work being done by Ramakrishna Mission for the promotion of education and rural development. Ramkrishna Mission is working on Indias spiritual enlightenment, educational empowerment and humanitarian service. In 1978, when the disastrous flood struck Bengal, Ramkrishna Mission won the hearts of everyone with its selfless service. I remember, when an earthquake ravaged Kutch in 2001, Swami Atmasthananda Ji was among the first people to call me and offer all possible assistance for disaster management on behalf of the Ramkrishna Mission. Under his direction, Ramakrishna Mission helped many people who were affected by the earthquake. Over the past years, while holding various positions, Swami Atmasthananda Ji and Swami Smaranananda Ji laid great emphasis on social empowerment. Those who know the lives of these great personalities will definitely remember how serious these saints were towards modern education, skilling and women empowerment.

Among his many inspiring traits, one thing that impressed me the most was Swami Atmasthananda Jis love and respect for every culture and every tradition. The reason for this was that he used to travel continuously and had spent a long time in different parts of India. He learned to speak Gujarati while living in Gujarat. He used to even speak with me in the language and I loved listening to his Gujarati! At different points in Indias development journey, our motherland has been blessed by many saints and seers like Swami Atmasthananda Ji, Swami Smaranananda Ji who have ignited the spark of societal change. They have motivated us to work with a collective spirit and address all the challenges our society faces. These principles are eternal and will act as our source of strength as we embark on developing a Viksit Bharat during the Amrit Kaal. Once again, on behalf of the entire nation, I pay homage to such saintly souls. I am confident that all the people associated with the Ramkrishna Mission will further move ahead on the path shown by them. Om Shanti. n
Unwarranted MEA after US remarkson Kejriwals arrest





NEW DELHI :

India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protect them from any forms of undue external influences, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said.

INDIA on Thursday said the US State Departments recent remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is 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. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query during his weekly press briefing on New Delhis stand on the remarks made by Washington on the arrest. 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, he said.

The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson said. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable, he said on Thursday. India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protect them from any forms of undue external influences, he added.
Bismarck State College will partner with the global defense engineering company BlueHalo LLC on a new federally funded research project that will support hypersonic missile testing and prepare students for defense industry jobs in North Dakota, the partners announced Tuesday.

The partnership will be supported by $8.3 million in federal funding that will go toward research and development of digital phased arrays for satellites to support the testing of Sky Range hypersonic missiles  a testing program that expanded some processing operations to Hector Field in Fargo last year in support of a testing program at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

It will also fund the creation of a space engineering and manufacturing hub in Bismarck that will provide a college-to-career pipeline for students.

"BlueHalo will use the $8.3 million we secured to research, develop and build equipment to put into space, leveraging BSCs polytechnical facility and with help from BSCs students," U.S. Sen. John Hoeven's office said in describing the hub.

Hoeven, R-N.D., said the partnership will allow BlueHalo to take advantage of underutilized high-tech capabilities in the area while also bolstering the states presence in the defense industry.

It isnt just about developing these things here at BSC, Hoeven said. It's about training you so that you can work in careers here in North Dakota, and other places, to continue to develop all these amazing things that we're going to need to stay ahead of our adversaries.

Construction of the complex for the Sky Range missile testing process is ongoing at Grand Forks, with plans for the more than $500 million complex being unveiled last August at the Grand Sky drone park at Grand Forks Air Force Base. This program will mark the latest expansion of the U.S. militarys footprint in North Dakota  and the Sky Range facility will allow the military to replace a fleet of ships in the Pacific Ocean that is currently used to test the missiles with unmanned aircraft, increasing deployment speed and testing capacity, according to Hoeven's office.

Unmanned aircraft operated from Grand Sky will collect data from the ocean missile tests, with the data being processed in Fargo.

BSC President Doug Jensen said the BlueHalo partnership will mark the colleges first collaboration with the defense industry. He said BSC was looking for an industry leader who is invested in helping develop students  and BlueHalo fits the bill.

We are so proud that we've been able to find that partner, Jensen said. Together we are committed to developing a focused curriculum providing students with hands-on learning experience and propelling graduates successfully into defense technology careers in our community.

The federal government is investing more than $100 million in defense research and development across North Dakota in the 2024 fiscal year. Congress recently passed an $825 billion defense spending budget for fiscal 2024.

BlueHalo Chief Growth Officer James Batt said the partnership is an opportunity to embrace the possibilities that come from doing something different. This research, he said, will allow BSC and its students to participate in the development of state-of-the-art defense technology.

We're going to test the outer limits of space and aerospace applications and we will grow together as a result of the partnership, Batt said.

As the announcement event came to a close, Hoeven stressed that the technology and skills being developed in the partnership are immediately relevant and will impact the defense tech landscape.

This isnt someday, Hoeven said to the audience as he posed for a photo with BSC students. This is now.
Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided EPS guidance of 0.670-0.710 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 0.680. The company issued revenue guidance of -.

Amcor Stock Performance

NYSE:AMCR opened at $9.51 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $9.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.27. Amcor has a 1-year low of $8.45 and a 1-year high of $11.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of $13.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.78.

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Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.01. Amcor had a net margin of 4.59% and a return on equity of 24.28%. The firm had revenue of $3.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.29 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Amcor will post 0.68 EPS for the current year.

Amcor Dividend Announcement

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Amcor

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.26%. Amcors payout ratio is currently 113.64%.

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 10.2% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 112,644,781 shares of the companys stock worth $1,276,265,000 after purchasing an additional 10,472,157 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,742,108 shares of the companys stock worth $642,887,000 after purchasing an additional 358,145 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 30,845,588 shares of the companys stock worth $350,227,000 after purchasing an additional 585,881 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 40.9% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 27,078,220 shares of the companys stock worth $306,797,000 after buying an additional 7,854,257 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,967,874 shares of the companys stock worth $271,556,000 after buying an additional 1,564,919 shares in the last quarter. 45.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Amcor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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Shares of Centerspace (NYSE:CSR  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the seven research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $65.57.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and set a $63.00 target price on shares of Centerspace in a research report on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $63.00 price target on shares of Centerspace in a research note on Friday, March 22nd.

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Insider Activity at Centerspace

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centerspace

In other news, Director John A. Schissel acquired 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $56.40 per share, for a total transaction of $28,200.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 9,522 shares in the company, valued at $537,040.80. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . 0.86% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Centerspace by 3.8% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 247,845 shares of the companys stock worth $14,935,000 after acquiring an additional 9,179 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Centerspace during the 3rd quarter worth $549,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Centerspace in the 3rd quarter valued at about $886,000. New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Centerspace by 6.6% in the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 18,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,115,000 after purchasing an additional 1,146 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss National Bank boosted its holdings in Centerspace by 1.2% during the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 32,900 shares of the companys stock worth $1,983,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. 79.00% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Centerspace Trading Up 1.5 %

NYSE:CSR opened at $57.14 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $859.96 million, a PE ratio of 24.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.93. Centerspace has a 52-week low of $46.74 and a 52-week high of $66.99. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $55.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $55.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 0.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74.

Centerspace Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.75 per share. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.25%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is a boost from Centerspaces previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. Centerspaces dividend payout ratio is 125.32%.

About Centerspace

(Get Free Report

Centerspace is an owner and operator of apartment communities committed to providing great homes by focusing on integrity and serving others. Founded in 1970, as of September 30, 2023, Centerspace owned interests in 71 apartment communities consisting of 12,785 apartment homes located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

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Birchcliff Energy Ltd. (TSE:BIR  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$6.33.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. National Bankshares downgraded Birchcliff Energy from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lowered their price target for the stock from C$9.25 to C$6.50 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Raymond James downgraded Birchcliff Energy from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price target for the stock from C$11.50 to C$9.00 in a report on Friday, January 19th. TD Securities lowered their price target on Birchcliff Energy from C$6.00 to C$5.50 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Birchcliff Energy from C$8.00 to C$7.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, CIBC increased their price objective on Birchcliff Energy from C$5.00 to C$5.75 in a report on Thursday, March 14th.

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Birchcliff Energy Price Performance

Shares of TSE:BIR opened at C$5.34 on Friday. Birchcliff Energy has a 1-year low of C$4.61 and a 1-year high of C$8.68. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 133.50, a PEG ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 2.04. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$5.26 and its 200-day moving average is C$6.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.29.

Birchcliff Energy (TSE:BIR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The oil and natural gas company reported C($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.07 by C($0.09). The business had revenue of C$183.30 million during the quarter. Birchcliff Energy had a net margin of 1.40% and a return on equity of 0.42%. Sell-side analysts predict that Birchcliff Energy will post 0.0900794 earnings per share for the current year.

Birchcliff Energy Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th were issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.49%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. Birchcliff Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 1,000.00%.

Insider Activity at Birchcliff Energy

In other Birchcliff Energy news, Senior Officer Christopher Andrew Carlsen sold 200,000 shares of Birchcliff Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$5.00, for a total transaction of C$1,000,000.00. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Birchcliff Energy

(Get Free Report

Birchcliff Energy Ltd., an intermediate oil and natural gas company, acquires, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, light oil, condensate, and other natural gas liquids in Western Canada. The company holds interests in the Montney/Doig resource play located approximately 95 km northwest of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

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Canoo Inc. (NYSE:GOEV  Get Free Report) dropped 1.7% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $3.25 and last traded at $3.38. Approximately 2,603,482 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 66% from the average daily volume of 7,767,949 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.44.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on GOEV shares. Wedbush initiated coverage on shares of Canoo in a research report on Friday, January 5th. They set an outperform rating and a $92.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Canoo from $34.50 to $17.25 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Alliance Global Partners cut their price objective on shares of Canoo from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 15th.

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Canoo Stock Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Canoo

The firms fifty day moving average price is $3.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.20 and a beta of 1.17.

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Canoo by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,036,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,697,000 after buying an additional 904,907 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Canoo by 49.1% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 18,750,337 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,236,000 after purchasing an additional 6,178,847 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Canoo by 122.7% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,342,854 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,139,000 after purchasing an additional 3,494,923 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canoo by 57.7% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,297,765 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,110,000 after purchasing an additional 2,303,981 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Canoo in the first quarter valued at about $2,780,000. 36.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Canoo Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canoo Inc, a mobility technology company, designs, engineers, develops, and manufactures electric vehicles for commercial and consumer markets in the United States. The company offers lifestyle delivery vehicles, lifestyle vehicles, multi-purpose delivery vehicles, and pickups. It also provides multi-purpose platform architecture is a self-contained, fully functional rolling chassis that directly houses the critical components for operation of an EV.

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Fidelis Insurance (NYSE:FIHL  Get Free Report) is one of 93 publicly-traded companies in the Fire, marine, & casualty insurance industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Fidelis Insurance to related companies based on the strength of its profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Fidelis Insurance and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fidelis Insurance 0 4 4 0 2.50 Fidelis Insurance Competitors 630 3166 2959 208 2.39

Fidelis Insurance currently has a consensus target price of $18.00, suggesting a potential downside of 7.60%. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies have a potential downside of 1.86%. Given Fidelis Insurances rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Fidelis Insurance has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Fidelis Insurance $3.60 billion $2.13 billion 1.02 Fidelis Insurance Competitors $16.47 billion $3.05 billion 75.33

This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Fidelis Insurances rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Fidelis Insurance. Fidelis Insurance is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

82.0% of Fidelis Insurance shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.0% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by institutional investors. 14.8% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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 rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fidelis Insurance 59.30% 20.23% 4.22% Fidelis Insurance Competitors 3.64% -11.65% 0.89%

Summary

Fidelis Insurance beats its rivals on 8 of the 14 factors compared.

About Fidelis Insurance

(Get Free Report)

Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It operates in three segments: Specialty, Reinsurance, and Bespoke segments. The Specialty segment offers aviation and aerospace, energy, marine, property direct and facultative, and other specialty risk solutions. The Reinsurance segment provides property, retrocession, and whole account reinsurance solutions. The Bespoke segment offers customized risk solutions for clients that include credit and political risk, and other risk transfer opportunities. The company is also involved in specialty treaty reinsurance, and surety bonds and guarantees activities; and upstream energy, energy liability, and marine businesses; and provision of product recall and contamination, and marketing services. Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda.

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Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $95.35 and last traded at $95.15, with a volume of 3640138 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $93.42.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on EW shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $95.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 21st. Citigroup cut Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Edwards Lifesciences from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $94.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $82.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $93.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, March 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Edwards Lifesciences has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $88.80.

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Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 3.38, a quick ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.52 billion, a PE ratio of 41.53, a PEG ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 1.05. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $85.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.99.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.64. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 23.35% and a return on equity of 23.56%. The business had revenue of $1.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.64 EPS. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 7,255 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.29, for a total value of $567,993.95. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,506,925.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 14,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.01, for a total value of $1,319,645.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 39,503 shares in the company, valued at $3,595,168.03. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 7,255 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.29, for a total transaction of $567,993.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares in the company, valued at $1,506,925.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 182,349 shares of company stock valued at $15,334,555. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edwards Lifesciences

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in EW. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,181 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,081,000 after buying an additional 941 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 34.7% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,738 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $204,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 18.2% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,223 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $144,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. boosted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 53.5% in the 1st quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 7,182 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 2,503 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 3.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 655,567 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $77,173,000 after acquiring an additional 19,798 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock.

Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names.

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Franco-Nevada Co. (TSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) Director Paul Brink sold 3,445 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$158.93, for a total value of C$547,513.85.

Paul Brink also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, March 25th, Paul Brink sold 2,315 shares of Franco-Nevada stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$157.33, for a total value of C$364,221.50.

Franco-Nevada Stock Performance

Shares of Franco-Nevada stock opened at C$161.40 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$148.65 and a 200 day moving average of C$160.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 41.21 and a quick ratio of 23.26. The stock has a market capitalization of C$31.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -48.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.59. Franco-Nevada Co. has a 12 month low of C$139.19 and a 12 month high of C$217.70.

Franco-Nevada Increases Dividend

Franco-Nevada ( TSE:FNV Get Free Report ) (NYSE:FNV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 5th. The company reported C$1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.07 by C$0.16. The business had revenue of C$412.95 million during the quarter. Franco-Nevada had a negative return on equity of 7.65% and a negative net margin of 38.33%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Franco-Nevada Co. will post 4.038591 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 14th were paid a $0.477 dividend. This represents a $1.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 13th. This is a boost from Franco-Nevadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -58.91%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on FNV shares. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$146.00 to C$138.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$186.00 to C$182.00 in a research note on Friday, January 26th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Franco-Nevada from C$200.00 to C$195.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Franco-Nevada from C$141.00 to C$139.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Finally, National Bankshares lowered their price target on Franco-Nevada from C$172.50 to C$170.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$189.46.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Franco-Nevada

Franco-Nevada Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in South America, Central America, Mexico, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids through a third-party marketing agent.

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Shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:INTF  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $29.81 and last traded at $29.78, with a volume of 30012 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.67.

iShares International Equity Factor ETF Stock Down 0.1 %

The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of 10.65 and a beta of 0.87. The businesss fifty day moving average is $28.75 and its 200 day moving average is $27.33.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares International Equity Factor ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in iShares International Equity Factor ETF during the first quarter worth about $71,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Cowa LLC raised its position in shares of iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 9,901.8% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 5,344,258 shares of the companys stock worth $1,479,000 after purchasing an additional 5,290,825 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 38.8% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 22,878 shares of the companys stock valued at $633,000 after buying an additional 6,394 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its stake in iShares International Equity Factor ETF by 111.2% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 220,946 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,114,000 after buying an additional 116,345 shares in the last quarter.

iShares International Equity Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares International Equity Factor ETF (INTF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX International Equity Factor index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap equities in developed markets outside the US. Stocks are selected and weighted to maximize exposure to five factors: momentum, quality, value, low volatility, and size.

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WASHINGTON  Voting ends Saturday in North Dakotas Democratic presidential primary, with President Joe Biden looking to add the states handful of delegates to his insurmountable lead for his partys nomination. The party-run contest rounds out the busiest month of voting on the presidential primary calendar, with 30 states plus the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories holding primaries and caucuses in the last 30 days.

The primary was conducted mostly by mail, from Feb. 20 through Saturday at noon CT. Ballots received after that time will not be counted. Voters may hand-deliver their mail ballots to the state partys centralized drop-off point in Fargo but must call ahead to make sure a party staff member is available to receive them. A very limited amount of in-person voting was held March 22-24 at a different location each day to accommodate residents of Native American reservations.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party will host in-person voting locations for the primary on Friday and Saturday in Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks. In Bismarck, voting will be at the Rock'n 50's Cafe entrance at Gateway Fashion Mall, 2700 State St., from 4-7 p.m. Friday and 8-11 a.m. Saturday.

In 2020, Biden lost North Dakotas Democratic caucuses, which functioned like a small-scale, in-person primary. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont won the state with 53% of the vote, to 40% for Biden. The March 10 contest was one of the last primaries or caucuses held before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted several states to postpone their elections.

This time around, Biden is poised to win his first election in North Dakota against seven other candidates who collectively have not made much of an impact at the ballot box this season. The state party had originally planned to use ranked-choice voting, in which voters rank the candidates on the ballot in order of preference, but it was forced to scrap the idea when the Democratic National Committee rejected the proposal. Now, the primary will use traditional vote-counting methods: Voters vote for one candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins.

North Dakota Republicans held presidential caucuses on March 4. Former President Donald Trump handily won that contest on the eve of Super Tuesday with 84% of the vote, to 14% for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Biden and Trump won enough delegates to unofficially lock up their parties nominations on March 12.

Trump carried the state in the 2016 and 2020 general elections, with 63% and 65% of the vote, respectively.

Heres a look at what to expect on Saturday:

PRIMARY DAY

North Dakotas party-run Democratic presidential primary will conclude Saturday. Mail ballots must be received by Saturday at noon Central time.

WHATS ON THE BALLOT

The Associated Press will provide coverage for the Democratic presidential primary. The ballot lists Biden, Jason Palmer, Marianne Williamson, former candidate Dean Phillips and four others. There is no Republican presidential contest on Saturday.

WHO GETS TO VOTE

Any person qualified to vote in North Dakota in the November general election may participate in the party-run primary, with two conditions: They must complete a form declaring themselves as Democrats, and they may not have participated in the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on March 4. There is no voter registration system in North Dakota.

DELEGATE ALLOCATION RULES

There are 13 pledged Democratic delegates at stake in North Dakota. Three at-large delegates are allocated in proportion to the statewide vote, as are two PLEO delegates, or party leaders and elected officials. Eight delegates are designated as district-level delegates, but since North Dakota has only one congressional district, they also are awarded according to the statewide vote. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for any delegates.

DECISION NOTES

The state party is expected to release one vote update after polls close with complete vote results. The Associated Press will make a winner call based on the state partys announcement.

WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE

The primary is mostly conducted by mail, with very limited in-person voting.

Saturdays primary marks the first time the North Dakota Democratic Party has held an event of this type, so there isnt a similar recent event to make an apples-to-apples comparison for turnout purposes. However, there were 14,413 votes cast in the partys 2020 presidential caucuses, which functioned like an in-person party-run primary.

HOW LONG DOES VOTE COUNTING USUALLY TAKE?

The state party says it expects to provide an update of final vote results on Saturday evening or by Sunday evening if the vote-counting process takes longer than expected. The final vote certification deadline is Tuesday.

ARE WE THERE YET?

As of Saturday, there will be 142 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 220 days until the November general election.

Follow the AP's coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
Austin Private Wealth LLC decreased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 19.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 293,950 shares of the companys stock after selling 70,238 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF comprises approximately 3.6% of Austin Private Wealth LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Austin Private Wealth LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $28,469,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sage Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 32.8% in the 4th quarter. Sage Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,035 shares of the companys stock worth $681,000 after purchasing an additional 1,737 shares in the last quarter. Professional Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 11.1% in the 4th quarter. Professional Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,095 shares of the companys stock worth $300,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth $648,000. First Pacific Financial lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 46,257 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,480,000 after acquiring an additional 2,549 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Courier Capital LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 366.7% during the 4th quarter. Courier Capital LLC now owns 40,417 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,914,000 after acquiring an additional 31,757 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of BATS:EFG opened at $103.76 on Friday. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $67.58 and a 1-year high of $85.81. The stock has a market cap of $13.90 billion, a PE ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $100.67 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $93.91.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Company 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.

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Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $2.63 and last traded at $2.63, with a volume of 13751708 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.58.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Bank of America upgraded shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $64.17.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on LYG

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Down 1.5 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $41.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.20.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 11.29% and a net margin of 17.97%. The business had revenue of $19.05 billion during the quarter. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Lloyds Banking Group plc will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Lloyds Banking Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a $0.046 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.50%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LYG. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,986,428 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,491,000 after buying an additional 228,359 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,363,000. UBS Group AG boosted its position in Lloyds Banking Group by 21.9% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,285,047 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,867,000 after buying an additional 411,188 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its position in Lloyds Banking Group by 16.2% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 5,281,855 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,250,000 after acquiring an additional 735,219 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Timber Creek Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 26.1% during the 3rd quarter. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 1,320,588 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,813,000 after buying an additional 273,526 shares during the last quarter. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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Morgan Stanley restated their equal weight rating on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $20.00 price target on the mining companys stock.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on CLF. Argus lowered Cleveland-Cliffs from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Citigroup downgraded Cleveland-Cliffs from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $22.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. StockNews.com downgraded Cleveland-Cliffs from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. TheStreet downgraded Cleveland-Cliffs from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, BNP Paribas downgraded Cleveland-Cliffs from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $16.50 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.30.

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Cleveland-Cliffs Price Performance

Cleveland-Cliffs stock opened at $22.74 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $20.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.07. The stock has a market cap of $11.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 2.02. Cleveland-Cliffs has a 12-month low of $13.61 and a 12-month high of $22.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The mining company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $5.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.16 billion. Cleveland-Cliffs had a return on equity of 6.79% and a net margin of 1.81%. The companys revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.30) earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Cleveland-Cliffs will post 1.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Cleveland-Cliffs

In other Cleveland-Cliffs news, CEO Lourenco Goncalves sold 187,136 shares of Cleveland-Cliffs stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.19, for a total value of $3,778,275.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,699,089 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,494,606.91. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Cleveland-Cliffs news, Director Arlene M. Yocum purchased 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of $20.02 per share, with a total value of $40,040.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 94,887 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,899,637.74. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Lourenco Goncalves sold 187,136 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.19, for a total value of $3,778,275.84. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,699,089 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,494,606.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 221,066 shares of company stock valued at $4,464,688 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.57% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cleveland-Cliffs

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 218.1% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,088 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 746 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 83.7% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 1,571 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 716 shares in the last quarter. HighMark Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.68% of the companys stock.

Cleveland-Cliffs Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The company is vertically integrated from mining through iron making, steelmaking, rolling, finishing and downstream with hot and cold stamping of steel parts and components. The company was formerly known as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc and changed its name to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc in August 2017.

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Strathcona Resources Ltd. (TSE:SCR  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is C$32.43.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. ATB Capital set a C$31.00 price target on Strathcona Resources and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$25.00 to C$33.00 in a research note on Thursday. Scotiabank reduced their target price on Strathcona Resources from C$40.00 to C$32.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a C$26.00 target price on Strathcona Resources and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th.

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Strathcona Resources Stock Up 0.5 %

Insider Activity at Strathcona Resources

SCR stock opened at C$28.42 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 11.09, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 67.47. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$25.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$27.77. The company has a market cap of C$6.09 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.95. Strathcona Resources has a twelve month low of C$20.16 and a twelve month high of C$30.48.

In other news, Director Connie De Ciancio purchased 3,606 shares of Strathcona Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$22.53 per share, for a total transaction of C$81,243.18. 8.01% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Strathcona Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Strathcona Resources Ltd. acquires, explores for, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas reserves in western Canada. It operates through three segments: Cold Lake Thermal, Lloydminster Heavy Oil, and Montney. The Cold Lake Thermal segment includes three producing assets in the Cold Lake region of Northern Alberta; and Lindbergh, Orion, and Tucker.

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U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GOAU  Get Free Report) rose 3.1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $17.47 and last traded at $17.45. Approximately 18,752 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 29% from the average daily volume of 26,565 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.92.

U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $100.68 million, a P/E ratio of 8.94 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a 50 day moving average of $15.84 and a 200-day moving average of $15.90.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF

An institutional investor recently raised its position in U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF stock. OLD Mission Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GOAU  Free Report) by 128.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,682 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 16,712 shares during the period. OLD Mission Capital LLC owned approximately 0.53% of U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF worth $505,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF Company Profile

The U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in materials equity. The fund tracks an index of 28 precious metal mining firms listed in the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong or South Africa. Holdings are selected by fundamental factors and weighted in fixed tiers.

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Editor's note: This is the third in a series of three stories on the Republican candidates for North Dakota's lone U.S. House seat.

North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak knows a thing or two about energy. Shes been a member of the PSC helping regulate facets of the state's energy infrastructure among other responsibilities for more than a decade.

But now shes focusing her energy on something different: Winning election to North Dakotas sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fedorchak announced her bid for office in mid-February, a few weeks after outgoing U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., said he wouldnt seek another term in Washington and would instead mount a gubernatorial bid. Fedorchak joined a competitive Republican primary, where shell have to face off against two other candidates to win the party nomination.

She first joined the PSC in 2012 when she was appointed by then-Gov. Jack Dalrymple, and was reelected most recently for an additional six-year term on the three-member commission in 2022.

Shes a trustee of the University of Mary and the current president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. If elected, Fedorchak would be the first woman to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House.

Fedorchaks time on the PSC has shaped much of her approach to governing. Its also given her a roadmap of where she would focus her policy work early on: She said she would specialize in energy and agriculture policy  and she thinks that in Washington, theres a real lack of understanding about how our energy systems work.

The role has also tested her mettle when challenged by the federal government, she said, citing her time pushing against Obama- and Biden-era efforts to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, a controversial pipeline that transports oil across the Midwest.

I'm a leader in my industry, fighting for reliable and affordable energy in North Dakota, in our region and nationally, and I'll be a credible leader with real extensive experience on this issue on day one, she said.

Fedorchak said she sees border security as a key issue in this years race  a point other candidates have raised as well. But she also wants to prioritize American energy growth, calling the matter a national security issue as well as an economic matter. And shes critical of the debt the country is in, saying its a symptom of a bloated, unresponsive government.

If elected, Fedorchak would be entering a U.S. House thats struggled to pass key pieces of legislation since the beginning of 2023. Turmoil within the Republican Party has fueled much of that dysfunction, which resulted in the historic expulsion of a speaker of the House.

Fedorchak said she intends to focus on being a governing-oriented member and has reached out to groups such as the Republican Study Committee  a caucus that includes more than three-fourths of House Republicans  and the Republican Main Street Partnership, a group of Republicans who bill themselves as focused on "commonsense legislation," for potential collaboration.

I'm going to affiliate with those in Congress who want to work on problems and solve problems and get things done, Fedorchak said. There's other groups that are not so much that way  they might want to celebrate the problems, use a lot of rhetoric, get famous on social media  and I'm going to steer away from those.

When Fedorchak announced her campaign, she indicated that she would pursue the state partys endorsement at its convention, which is set for early April in Fargo. But she also indicated she would continue to the primary no matter the conventions results.

That decision has come as her competitors have taken a range of approaches to the party endorsement process. Military veteran and former federal employee Alex Balazs is seeking the endorsement and didnt address a path forward when the Tribune asked if he would continue if he lost the partys backing. Former Bismarck state Rep. Rick Becker cant seek the endorsement, according to party rules, because he ran as an independent in North Dakotas 2022 U.S. Senate race. And former Grand Forks state Sen. Tom Campbell had said he would skip the convention entirely and head straight to the primary  but he ended his campaign on Tuesday.

Fedorchak said she has never wavered about her commitment to attend the convention. This years electoral landscape has seen candidates eschewing or deprioritizing the endorsement process, but Fedorchak said the convention is one of very few opportunities to connect to voters from every district at once, making it the perfect organizing ground for developing the grassroots foundation for my campaign.

My race is going to be all about grassroots support, Fedorchak said. So going to the convention is a great first step in developing a statewide grassroots network. That's got huge value to me.

Fedorchak said she was inspired to run, in part, because she felt the U.S. House was where she could make the most impact. She had previously mulled a gubernatorial bid but decided against it. She also said shes worried about the direction the country is taking.

As a mother of three with kids who are preparing to enter the workforce, Fedorchak said she wants to deliver results and think about what were leaving them. She also wants to bring her North Dakota sensibilities to Congress as the states only voice in the U.S. House.

Washington D.C., I like to say, needs a good dose of North Dakota, Fedorchak said. Our federal government is stale. It's desperate for leaders with a new approach. And I think I have that approach.
A former North Dakota lawmaker accused of child sex tourism left a voicemail for then-Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem the same day a search warrant was executed in the case, a court transcript obtained by the North Dakota Monitor states.

The hearing transcript sheds light on why federal investigators sought a search warrant for Stenehjems cellphone data in connection with the federal investigation into former state Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks.

Federal prosecutor Jennifer Puhl and Mark Friese, Holmbergs defense attorney, met with U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland over the phone on March 6 to talk about updates in the case.

During the telephone hearing, the attorneys and Hovland discussed rescheduling the trial to allow the defense additional time to examine Holmbergs iPad and cellphone, the transcript indicates.

Meanwhile, the prosecution was waiting on a forensic examination of Stenehjems cellphone data, which was discovered by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation in February.

A few weeks prior to the hearing, the prosecution executed a warrant to search data from Stenehjems phone, Puhl said in the transcript. According to Puhl, the scope of the warrant was fairly limited.

So what impact, if any, is this recent disclosure of Wayne Stenehjems data from a cellphone going to have on this trial and the discovery in this case? Hovland asked.

The defendant left a voicemail with Mr. Stenehjem shortly after the search warrant was executed that same day and we interviewed Mr. Stenehjem as part of that  recovery of that voicemail, Puhl told Hovland. He then passed away. So we were looking to obtain the voicemail as well as anything else about the investigation on that phone.

Investigators searched Holmbergs Grand Forks home in November 2021, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead first reported in May 2022.

At the time of the March hearing, the trial was slated for April 29. The same day as the telephone conference, Friese filed a motion to push it back. Puhl indicated during the hearing that federal prosecutors did not object to a delay. Hovland then issued an order postponing the trial to Sept. 9.

The five-day trial is set to take place in Fargo. It was originally scheduled for Dec. 5, 2023.

Holmberg announced in April 2022 he planned to resign from the North Dakota statehouse effective June 1, 2022. He served in the Senate for more than 45 years, and at the time of his resignation held the powerful seat of chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Federal court documents accuse Holmberg of repeatedly traveling to the Czech Republic to have sex with children between 2011 and 2016. The indictment also alleges that the former lawmaker received and attempted to receive child pornography in 2012 and 2013. Holmberg has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Stenehjem was a close associate of Holmberg, Attorney General Drew Wrigley has said. He has also said Stenehjem did not recuse himself from the Holmberg investigation. The attorney general oversees the BCI.

The BCI discovered in February that Stenehjems personal cellphone data had been backed up by investigatory technology used to unlock the phone for Stenehjems family in 2023.

The voicemail isnt the only reason investigators are interested in the phone. After obtaining the search warrant, authorities found copies of emails from Stenehjems state account.

The messages were thought to have been lost forever. Immediately after Stenehjem died in January 2022, his executive assistant, Liz Brocker, directed IT staff to wipe the account.

After review from the investigators and the attorney generals office, more than 2,700 pages of emails were released to media on Wednesday. Those emails covered November 2021 through late January 2022. A North Dakota Monitor review of those emails found no reference to the investigation of Holmberg. An assistant attorney general did send Stenehjem an email with the criminal complaint for Nicholas Morgan-Derosier, a Grand Forks man who last year pleaded guilty to federal child porn charges and is linked to Holmberg.

In searching the phone, police also discovered that Stenehjem used his personal email to conduct state business, Wrigley said Thursday.

The BCI also obtained Stenehjems personal laptop from his family in early March. The laptop was handed over voluntarily, Wrigley said. The device contains additional emails from Stenehjems state account.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, met with the Ambassador of Hungary to Georgia, Anna Maria Siko.According to the Prime Minister's press service, Kobakhidze expressed gratitude to Hungary for its active support of Georgia in the international arena. He also highlighted that the historic decision to grant Georgia the status of a candidate for EU membership clearly affirmed the progress the country has made on the path of European integration.The Prime Minister expressed hope that Hungary will continue to support Georgia in this endeavor, especially as the country aims to transition to a new stage and commence negotiations on joining the European Union.The significance of backing Hungary as the upcoming EU Presidency in this process was underscored. Additionally, the parties deliberated on enhancing sectoral ties between Georgia and Hungary. They emphasized the importance of fully leveraging the existing potential to deepen cooperation across various domains, including trade, economy, energy, education, and culture.Foreign Minister of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, met with his Argentine counterpart, Diana Mondino, during his official visit to Argentina. According to the Foreign Ministry, the meeting highlighted the strong and friendly ties between the two countries.Darchiashvili emphasized deepening relations and increasing high-level contacts with Argentina, recognizing its importance as a regional and global playerThe ministers discussed the impact of the security environment on the international agenda and Georgia's enhanced regional and international role following its EU candidate status. They also explored trade and economic ties, highlighting Georgia's favorable trade potential and its increased role in the Black Sea economic and security space. Additionally, they praised Georgia's participation in Latin American and Caribbean cooperation formats and underscored the importance of maintaining this tradition.
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.
Every two years, a bunch of piano players come to Kalamazoo in the spring.

Some play grands, some play barroom uprights, some on exotic keyboards like a harpsichord or a Hammond B3. They play jazz, classical, funk, Broadway, pop renditions of Japanese film scores, Celtic sounds, and Zulu-influenced storytelling/jazz. You know, the usual.

Yet, after 34 years, and 16 festivals, counting this year, some people might be feeling a bit jaded about the Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival. If you are one of those people, slap yourself. Talent like this doesnt come to Kalamazoo most years.

I think, really, truly, the big deal is the fact that something like this even exists here in Kalamazoo, says Pierre van der Westhuizen, Gilmore executive and artistic director. This is the sort of thing that you would see in major metropolitan markets like New York, Chicago, San Francisco.

This year at The Gilmore, which runs April 24May 12, youll have a chance to see the kind of talent thats so astounding that scientists have scanned the brain of one of the musicians to see how it ticks.

Neurologists actually put Venezuelan classical pianist and composer Gabriela Montero in MRI machines with a small keyboard and asked her to play.

Montero, whose festival performance is May 1, can on-the-spot improvise very complex classical forms, which seems impossible, says van der Westhuizen. Her mind is so extraordinary that scientists from MIT, Harvard and Johns Hopkins have studied her brain to figure out whats going on when shes improvising. They figured out that she actually goes into a trance-like state.

With each festival, The Gilmore brings in many artists whove never played in Kalamazoo, and some who rarely play in the U.S. such as Nduduzo Makhatini who is from van der Westhuizens home country of South Africa. When he performs here April 30, Makhatini will bring a spell-binding mix of John and Alice Coltrane-influenced, Zulu-based jazz, bound in the oral and musical culture of his home of the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Even without lyrics, Makhatinis music is storytelling, he really truly thinks of his playing as that, because thats in the African culture, explains van der Westhuizen. Everything is about storytelling, music is just part of their everyday life, and this is the way that many traditions and history are brought forward from one generation to another. Itll be very much a different kind of jazz than what weve had here before.

The 2024 Gilmore will also include a number of familiar names.

Gilmore Artists Piotr Anderszewski (2002), Ingrid Filter (2006) and Kirill Gerstein (2010) will all return to Kalamazoo to perform and Yuja Wang, the Gilmore Young Artist in 2006, will show on May 8 why shes developed superstar status in the years since. Crowd favorite Pink Martini, with vocalist China Forbes, will be back for their third Gilmore performance; the first two were nearly sold out. And Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires, who is celebrated in Europe but rarely plays in this country, will be familiar to those who saw her perform her first Gilmore set in 2023 at Stetson Chapel.

And then theres Patti LuPone, the Broadway great who will present her one-woman show, A Life in Notes, at Miller Auditorium on May 12, performing numbers from her acclaimed roles on Broadway.

With more than 100 live music and other keyboard-themed events, including master classes, talks, family concerts and film screenings, its hard not to keep dropping names.

But those who peruse the 40-page program brochure for the festival are encouraged by festival leaders to not just pick what they like or are familiar with, but to seize the chance to broaden their musical horizons. Think of it like a chance to eat at a fine restaurant, savoring dishes created by a chef skilled at cuisine from around the world.

Thats a great way of describing it, van der Westhuizen says. I read an interesting article about how fine dining was very exclusive a couple decades ago, and now fine dining has become so much more accessible and about trying cuisines from different cultures.

Toward that end, van der Westhuizen suggests people sample as much of the festival as possible, such as seeing a concert in each genre. The Gilmore is about the experience and not just sitting there and hearing one thing, he says.

I would invite people to really experience the festival as a full immersion. Go see a master class in the morning, catch a film at noon, catch one of our lectures.

But, what about those of us who have jobs?

Its a good time to put in some vacation time, he says, laughing.

What it brings to Kalamazoo

There are, in fact, many people who probably do just that in order to attend The Gilmore. And among those taking in the festival, a large portion come from beyond Kalamazoo County, contributing a significant economic impact to the area.

Based on the zip codes of ticket purchasers, 38% of the visitors who attended the 2022 festival were from outside of Kalamazoo County. And of those who attended the 2018 festival, 41% came from out of the county, according to numbers provided by Discover Kalamazoos director of marketing and communications, Dana Wagner.

The 2022 festival pumped an estimated $4 million into the local economy, 13% more than the 2018 festival (the last in-person festival, as the 2020 festival was presented onlline due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

Some of that impact came from the musicians and their entourages. Anders Dahlberg, the festivals Director of Operations, says a simple visual to see the impact of the festival is by counting hotel rooms. For the 2024 artists and their entourages, for example, more than 300 rooms had to be booked.

I started last July getting the hotel rooms held so that we would be certain to have everyone in our accommodations partner, the Radisson Hotel, Dahlberg says.

The economic impact is greatest, however, from the audience members  from locals to out-of-towners  somebody who comes in, goes to a concert, has a meal, stays at a hotel, walks around downtown, spends their money here, says van der Westhuizen.

That jibes with what Wagner says. Visitor spending is a key measure of the economic impact of tourism to local economies and includes all purchases made by travelers during their visits, not just at hotels but also at restaurants, retail shops, attractions and other businesses that support the visitor experience.

This spending creates job and entrepreneurship opportunities and helps sustain the businesses that both residents and visitors enjoy.

In 2022, visitor spending in Kalamazoo County reached an all-time high of $681 million which directly supported 7,131 jobs or 8.9% of the county employment.

Its cultural impacts

Aside from giving the area an economic boost, The Gilmore strives to have cultural impacts, both big and small, on its home community, Dahlberg and van der Westhuizen say, and this starts with the youngest community members.

The Gilmore offers free Baby Grands concerts for children from 0 to 5, so that they can come and hear live music on their own terms, Dahlberg says. Gilmore musicians perform concerts in a venue without stages or seats, allowing kids to crawl around, play, dance and engage with the music. During Octobers Baby Grands performance by jazz pianist Esteban Castro at the Willard Library in Battle Creek, Castro performed a little call-and-response with a child. The young musician was hitting the high keys while Castro tried to match the improvised solo on the lower register.

That kind of experience for that kid, and for the people watching it, is the kind of thing that you take with you for your entire life, Dahlberg says.

Making the festival accessible for as many other community members as possible is also important to the organizers.

While the festival attracts music aficionados from around the world, the organizers want locals to attend too, so The Gilmore makes an effort to keep ticket prices affordable, van der Westhuizen says.

Tickets for Gilmore performances, with a few exceptions, range between $18 and $50 and are a fraction of the price you would typically pay in metro markets, he says. (Two exceptions this year are tickets for Patti LuPones and Pink Martinis appearances which range from $30 to $80). Student tickets for most performances are only $7.

And thanks to a grant from the Stryker Corp., there is a Gilmore Community Pass that gives people free access to concerts and other events. Its available to participating organizations that serve people who might otherwise be unable to attend a concert and organizations devoted to educating youth and adults. Past participating organizations include Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan; the Bureau of Blind Persons Training Center; Ministry with Community; Merze Tate Explorers; and Kalamazoo Public Schools Adult Education.

Its also intentional that The Gilmore brings a diversity of musical genres and cultures to Kalamazoo.

Seeing someone like yourself on stage, no matter what your background is, where youre from or what your socio-economic status, is a very powerful thing, van der Westhuizen says. We firmly believe that that diversity makes the festival so much stronger, that it changes the narrative about The Gilmore and what its for and who its for.

This (festival) at its core is designed to broaden horizons for the community here. As a kid growing up in South Africa, I didnt even have awareness of Japan, let alone meeting somebody from there or seeing them in my hometown. I just think it brings the world closer.

At the same time, international musicians get to experience the Kalamazoo community as well. We make space for them to interact with the community. Thats different from other festivals where they kind of just helicopter in and out and off they go. This is a chance for them to connect, Dahlberg says.

For example, when 26-year-old French pianist Alexandre Kantorow came here last September after being named the 2024 Gilmore Artist, he didnt have a clue about this city with the unusual name in a U.S. state he had never visited.

He had no idea what to expect, Dahlberg says Kantorow told him, but he didnt expect this much love, this much warmth, friendliness. He was really blown away by people who made him feel part of the community.

Its getting jazzier

The Gilmore always has a variety of genres, but this years festival puts an increased focus on jazz. There will be an equal number of jazz and classical sets, which is intentional, van der Westhuizen says.

The festival will open April 24 with a melding of jazz and classical performed by Hiromi and PUBLIQuartet. Hiromi puts the piano jazz of the past century into a blender, and reconstructs it into something new, adding international sounds and modern pop elements. Shes been known to stand and dance as she plays, reaching into the grand piano to pluck at its strings as if the keys werent enough.

Shell be backed by the PUBLIQuartet, a string quartet whose Grammy-nominated album What Is American (2022) explores blues, jazz, rock and contemporary sounds, all in a look at Dvo?aks American string quartet.

What really excites me about that event is it kind of represents the future of The Gilmore, where were going with this balance, this fusion between classical and jazz, van der Westhuizen says.

This new emphasis on jazz is thanks to retired Kalamazoo brewmaster Larry Bell, who gave the $8 million that created The Gilmores new Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award and its new Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Award. Secret jurors have been out at clubs and concert halls around the world looking for the winners, who will be announced in 2026.

Im envisioning a day in the not-too-distant future where the (classical) Gilmore Artists and the Bell Jazz Artists would start interacting and having musical conversations, with new things being born out of that  kind of like Hiromi is having this conversation with this string quartet, van der Westhuizen says.

An increased emphasis on jazz seems like a natural extension for the festival, at least to Seth Abramson, who says hes wondered why Kalamazoo  being right between two historically jazz-centered cities, Chicago and Detroit  doesnt host more jazz sets.

Based in New York City, Abramson became the Gilmore director of jazz awards in 2022. Hes a guitarist whos played alongside Terence Blanchard and has worked as an agent, producer and presenter for a long list of jazz names. Until the pandemic closed the club, Abramson was the founding artistic director at the Jazz Standard in Manhattan for over 20 years.

For most of his life hes enjoyed the spoils of New York City, where theres a selection of live jazz most nights but says he has become familiar with Kalamazoo in the past couple of years.

Ive been incredibly impressed with the community of Kalamazoo in terms of just how much its an arts culture, and supportive of this arts culture in the community, he says.

Kalamazoo might not be a jazz hotbed, but it does have Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College teaching jazz players in their music departments and hosting jazz concerts, Abramson points out. And it has its own jazz history  vocalist Abby Lincoln, for whom Abramson served as an agent before she died in 2010, was a 1949 graduate of Kalamazoo Central and had her first public performance at Chenery Auditorium.

Which is incredible, Abramson says. Thats great history right there.

In addition to overseeing the Bell award, Abramson has helped The Gilmore fill out the 2024 festivals jazz schedule, which includes Shai Maestro (a very interesting and unique pianist, Abramson says); Paul Cornish, a finalist at last years Herbie Hancock International Piano Competition, who was recently nabbed by saxophonist Joshua Redman to be his touring pianist; and Isaiah J. Thompson, another young cat, Abramson says, who has been winning awards and working with the likes of Wynton Marsalis.

In his short career, he is already turning some heads, or ears, if you will. He is a pretty exciting new jazz pianist on the scene, Abramson says.

Abramson isnt about to pick-and-choose his favorites, but on his must-see list is, of course, Kenny Barron, a legend and a master  Any opportunity to see him with his trio is one not to be missed. And Helen Sung, he says, is an incredible pianist and always delivers a fantastic show.

Some Gilmore jazz artists are new even to Abramson. Hes looking forward to his first time seeing the soul jazz of organist Delvon Lamarr, whos really taking a look back and forward with a retro sound that connects with the current neo-soul world, thats all jazz and funk and soul and groove-oriented.

Abramson says hes also never seen Makhatini, who, he notes definitely has his own individuality and approach. This is an amazing opportunity to catch someone whos a really special performer. He doesnt tour a lot in the States.

Abramson hopes even hardcore jazz fans will hear something new at The Gilmore. Its important for us as an organization, in addition to highlighting the established, legendary names, to provide options for people to discover artists they arent familiar with as well.

He recommends jazz fans bring friends, bring a young person get them away from their video games and their TikToks, he says with a laugh, to hear sounds from this century that should be fresh, new and alive.

Yeah, thats the beauty of it. Its a living breathing art form. Its on a constant evolutionary course.

Just like The Gilmore itself.
Delhi Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi alleged that the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) wants AAPs LS poll strategy from Arvind Kejriwals phone.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Atishi claimed on Thursday, during the court hearing of the Delhi CMs remand, EDs counsel ASG SV Raju unwittingly disclosed the real purpose of the agency before the court and before the world.

The counsel said the ED needs Kejriwals custody for some more time as the Delhi CM has not yet revealed his phone password.

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She claimed that the ED had said that the phone used by Arvind Kejriwal during the formulation and implementation of the liquor policy could not be found by them.

The AAP leader asked how the ED could know anything related to the probe through Kejriwals phone which is barely some months old and was not with him during the liquor policy formulation and implementation.

The AAP leader, however, said the strategy for the elections would be found in Kejriwals phone which contained his conversations with INDIA bloc leaders, the constituency survey where the AAP is to contest.

They will find social media and communication plans for the upcoming polls, she said. They want to know through Kejriwals phone about AAPs preparations for the seats going to be contested by the AAP in alliance with the INDIA bloc,  Atishi said, adding this proves the ED has become a tool for the BJP.

Delhi CM Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the AAP, was arrested by the ED on March 21 from his residence in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Kejriwal was initially sent to EDs custody till March 28, and on Thursday his custodial remand was extended till April 1 by a Delhi Court.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM moved the high court challenging his arrest and remand, but was not given any relief by the court for now, and the matter will be heard on April 3, as the court had given time till April 2 for the ED to file a response to Kejriwals petition and the main plea.
Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely on Friday asserted that the country is seeking a change as it is fed up with the hollow and unfulfilled promises of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

Reviewing the preparations for the INDIA bloc rally, scheduled to be held at the Ramlila Maidan on 31st March, he said that the Congress party would focus on ensuring justice to people based on the five Nyay guarantees, which will be a game changer in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Attacking the BJP, the Delhi Congress chief said, BJPs guarantees were a bunch of lies while Congresss five Nyay (justice) - Bhagidari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Nari Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Yuva Nyay - giving 25 guarantees, five under each category, will empower all sections of people.

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He said that the Congress is determined to sweep all the three LS seats it would be contesting besides ensuring the victory of the INDIA alliance partners in the other four parliamentary constituencies in Delhi.

As per the seat-sharing arrangements between the AAP and Congress, the former will contest four seats and the latter three seats in Delhi.

In the 2019 LS elections, both the parties drew a blank.
The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police on Friday arrested two foreign nationals for their involvement in the trafficking of banned drugs.

A total of 31 grammes of MDMA drug, commonly known as ecstasy pills, were recovered from their possession, the police said, adding that the approximate value of the recovered contraband is Rs 10 lakh in the international market.

The arrested persons were identified as King Okorie Johnson Arinze and Chibuzdo, natives of Nigeria and currently residing in Delhi.

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The police said that their visas had expired long back. The duo was nabbed from Chander Vihar, Nihal Vihar of Outer Delhi, based on input received by the Western Range-II of the Crime Branch regarding the sale and supply of the banned drug in the area.

A police team accordingly laid a trap near Chander Vihar and apprehended the duo. After verifying their identity, and pursuing legal procedures of law, the police registered a case against them under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act. Further investigation is underway, the police said.

During interrogation, the accused, King Okorie and Chibuzdo disclosed that they had come to India seven years ago on tourist visas.

After their visas expired, they did not return to their country and ventured into small business in India.

After facing heavy losses in business, they thought of making easy money which led them to drug trafficking, the police quoted them as saying.

The duo also revealed the details about their other associates who were into the illegal drug business and supplied them the contraband.

Efforts are being made to apprehend their associates, the police said.
The Delhi Police arrested three thieves, including a woman, who used to allegedly target businessmen and collection agents, the police said on Friday.

According to the police, around Rs 2 lakh in cash has been recovered from the so-called Gujrati Gang, out of the Rs 5 lakh stolen by them.

The accused were identified with the help of technical surveillance by the team of Police Station Kotwali, while they scanned footage from over 150 CCTV cameras.

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Equipment like gold bangle cutter, jewellery weighing scale has also been recovered from their possession along with six stolen cell phones.

On March 6, a complainant informed the police about Rs five lakh cash stolen from him while he boarded an e- rickshaw which already had three women on board.

During the course of investigation, technical scanning was conducted and around 150 CCTV cameras were closely observed on the route of the rickshaw.

Consequently, an e-Rickshaw (without number plate) was identified in which the complainant was sitting.

The police could see three women already sitting on the e- rickshaw wearing a veil (Burka) and one male was sitting adjacent to the e-Rickshaw driver.

Since there was no registration plate on the e-Rickshaw and it was tough to identify the culprits, on continuous checking of CCTV footages, the best picture of the face of the driver of the e-rickshaw matched with the dossiers of accused persons involved in similar cases previously.

The driver was identified through technical surveillance, who was also found involved in a previous case of Police Station Pashchim Vihar, Delhi.

With intensified efforts and technical surveillance one person named Rohit of Raghubir Nagar was traced on March 23. During questioning, he disclosed that he was the one who used to give tip-off about those carrying money to his associates.

Later, two accused persons, including the woman, Pooja and Akshay, were also apprehended from their rented accommodation at Village Mangolpuri, Delhi.

At their instance, part of the stolen money was recovered.

On sustained interrogation, the trio disclosed that on the date of incident, six persons i.e. three males and three females, arrived in e-rickshaw at the place where Rohit gave a tip-off on the transportation of money being carried by the victim in his bag, on which the driver Shaym offered ride to the complainant in his e-Rickshaw and his other associates were already sitting in his e-rickshaw.

The women used their Burka-like cloth to cover the bag of the complainant and stole whole cash and absconded.

All the accused never communicate with each other while travelling on the e-rickshaw along with their victims to pose as passengers to hoodwink them and steal their valuables from the bags.

Meanwhile, the other accused, including the females, were currently on the run.

It was found that Pooja is a habitual criminal with a history of involvements in four criminal cases with the same modus operandi registered against her in Police Stations, Paschim Vihar, Mangolpuri and Kirti Nagar, Delhi.

Efforts are on to arrest the other three absconding co-accused persons, the police added.
In yet another major accident on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, at least 10 passengers were killed when their SUV plunged into a 300 ft deep gorge in the early hours of Friday in Ramban area of Jammu and Kashmir.

The ill-fated vehicle was on its way to Srinagar when the accident took place near Battery Chashma in Ramban district at about 1.15 am, police said.

Two of the deceased  driver Balwan Singh (47) of Amb Gharota in Jammu and Vipin Mukhiya of west Champaran in Bihar  have so far been identified, they said.

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President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

The news of people getting killed after a vehicle fell into a gorge in the Ramban area on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is very sad. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families, Murmu said in a post in Hindi on X.

Police said rescue operations are continuing in the difficult terrain amidst heavy rain and 10 bodies have so far been shifted to the hospital.

Senior officials along with SHO Ramban, UT DRF team and civil Quick Reaction Team (QRT) Ramban reached the spot and started the rescue operation.

The highway stretch between Ramban and Banihal has recorded several deaths in numerous accidents ever since the road was widened into four lanes.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the road accident. He issued instructions to the district administration and the divisional commissioner to render all assistance, as provided in rules, to the kin of victims.

Union minister Jitendra Singh spoke to Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq. The police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil QRT (quick response team) are at the spot. Rescue operation is going on. I am in constant touch, he said.

Former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and several leaders of other political parties mourned the tragic accident.

Notably, a division bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, headed by Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh, had recently directed an expert committee to visit the accident prone spots for which the divisional commissioner, Jammu, shall take necessary steps and submit the report by April 22. The court was hearing a PIL on the large number of road accidents on the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban stretch and the Mughal Road.

The division bench had expressed displeasure over the delay in the visit of the expert panel, constituted by the court vide its order dated December 17, 2023, to the vulnerable spots and submit its recommendations by the second week of February 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with BJP workers in Tamil Nadu via NaMo app and said All political analysts are saying that BJP is going to turn the tables in Tamil Nadu. Public anger against the ruling party (DMK) in Tamil Nadu will be vented out during the election.

He told the party workers that governance in Tamil Nadu has been in bad shape since the DMK government and its allies came to power in Tamil Nadu. Corruption, law and order, and drugs are given by them only. All such issues need to be communicated to every family in the booth.

The Prime Minister said Drugs will ruin the lives of our children and our families. All the drug caches that have been seized in the past days, somewhere in its godfather is linked to Tamil Nadu, this is a matter of great concern and hence all of you must also inform people that we have to save our families, our children, and our future generations. BJP is enough to fight against the drugs that are entering Tamil Nadu and the drug mafias.

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Mr Modi said political parties like the DMK fear the welfare schemes of the Modi government, and hence they do not let benefits of these schemes reach the people.

Parties like the DMK paste the stickers of their schemes on all the schemes of the Modi government. Therefore, it becomes the duty of all the Karyakartas of the BJP to make the people aware of the schemes and their benefits. This, in turn, will instill confidence in the people of Tamil Nadu, he said.

He said As you are aware that BJP is working on a model of women-led development. Our commitment is to make India the third largest economy in the world and women will play a crucial role in it. Im happy that women Karyakartas of the BJP are working hard.

He said he decided to talk to the party workers As the election campaign (for Lok Sabha) is moving forward, the candidates have been decided and the issues are clear.

When I last visited Tamil Nadu for public events, I got the blessings of the people and it made me very happy. I could see the hard work of Karyakartas, and I felt proud to have such Karyakartas, he said.

The Prime Minister said Although whenever I come to Tamil Nadu, I start my talk with Vanakkam, but todays Vanakkam is very special for me, because when one worker greets another worker with Vanakkam, then there is a sense of belonging among the workersNo matter how big a person is.

Interacting with the party workers, Mr Modi said the workers of BJP Tamil Nadu are doing really good work for a very long time. Enathu Booth, Valimaiyana Booth means my booth is the strongest. This programme will connect all BJP workers and help us learn from each other.
Union minister V Muraleedharan on Friday dismissed reports of the Christian community being miffed with the central government in light of the Latin Catholic Archdioceses criticism that Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Manipur and north India, were being subjected to cruelty and violence by dark forces.

Speaking to the media here, Muraleedharan said Christians have not been attacked under the Modi administration.

I do not think the Christian community is miffed with the Centre. As for Manipur, what is happening there is a tribal issue, he asserted.

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Meanwhile, BJP Kerala chief K Surendran asked the critics of the Narendra Modi government to think about which community is trying to invade and convert Christian countries into Muslim countries.

He said the Centre has not questioned anybodys citizenship. It is the Islamic terrorists who are causing problems in the country, he added.

Archbishop Thomas J Netto of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese on Friday raised concerns against the attacks faced by Christians in Manipur and north India.

Archbishop Netto, during the special prayers on the occasion of Good Friday at the St Josephs Metropolitan Cathedral here, said, Christians in various parts of the country, especially in Manipur and north India, were being subjected to cruelty and violence by dark forces. There was no effective intervention against the attack against Christians by the authorities.

Auxiliary Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil of the Archeparchy of Changanacherry under the Syro Malabar Catholic also said there is a need to be wary of the forces that frighten the people in the name of religion and caste. He said fear weakens man and it is easier to subjugate a scared person. The Bishop said if even one person in a country lives in fear, it should be seen as a failure of the nation.
The Income Tax Department (I-T) has served a notice to the Congress of nearly Rs 1,823 crore, including penalty and interest, for the assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-2021, the party claimed on Friday.

Adding to the partys woes, the notice comes after the High Court rejected its plea challenging tax notices. The Congress accused the BJP-led government of hatching conspiracy and squeezing its funds, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The grand old party equated the I-T notice to tax terrorism and alleged that it was a blatant attempt to cripple the party financially ahead of the elections.

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The systematic process to thwart Indian Democracy by the BJP proceeds at an alarming rate. Yesterday, we received fresh notices from the IT department to pay Rs 1823.08 crore. Already, the IT department has forcibly taken away Rs 135 crore from our bank account, the party said in a press note.

Congresss senior leader and former Union Minister, Jairam Ramesh, said, The notices are being sent to cripple us financially. This is tax terrorism, and this is being used to attack the Congress, This has to stop.

He asserted that the Congresss campaign for the upcoming parliamentary polls will continue and the party will take its guarantees to the people of the country.

We will not be scared of these notices. We will be more aggressive and fight these polls, he added.

As per the reports, Congress lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha said that the party will further challenge the notices, terming it undemocratic and unreasonable.

Addressing a press conference, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said, I-T dept snatched Rs 135 crore from Congress accounts for alleged violation of Rs 14 lakh but closed its eyes on a similar violation of Rs 42 crore by BJP.

Notably, the tax department has already recovered Rs 135 crore from Congress Delhi bank accounts towards tax arrears and interests for the assessment year 2018-19.

The Congress had lodged a protest against the I-T department for freezing its bank accounts and imposing a penalty of Rs 200 crore in February.

It had appealed against the notice to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) but failed to get any reprieve as it was told to pay taxes and outstanding dues.

Recently, the party has also spoken about its cash crunch and claimed that it does not have money to fund its election campaign.

Congress got another jolt on Thursday as the High Court dismissed its petition challenging the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it.

A bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav cited its earlier decision and refused to interfere with the opening of reassessment proceedings for another period. The bench said the reasoning for the earlier verdict (2014-15 to 2016-17) applied to the latest petition as well.

A petition by the Congress was dismissed last week by the High Court where the party challenged the initiation of reassessment proceedings pertaining to the assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17.

Rejecting the plea, the Delhi HC observed that the I-T department had submitted substantial and concrete evidence that warranted further scrutiny and examination.

It is to be noted that the Tax authority had claimed that during its searches on entities, including a few allegedly linked to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and a company in Surat, cash transactions involving Congress were also revealed. The I-T department cited it as a violation to enable tax exemptions available to political parties.
At 10.45am on Wednesday 15 March, an explosive email landed in the inboxes of all of Anthony Albaneses cabinet ministers.

Dear cabinet colleagues, wrote Paul Keating, the Labor luminary turned chief Aukus critic.

My views will not please the prime minister, the foreign minister nor the defence minister but the country is entitled to a rationale for such a radical and dangerous policy.

The purpose of the email was to forewarn ministers that he would be tipping a bucket on them  and the nuclear-powered submarine plan they had endorsed  when he fronted the National Press Club in Canberra two hours later.

Never one to mince his words, Keating gave the cabinet a taste of some of his most blistering lines against the Aukus deal announced by Albanese in San Diego just the day before.

This included Keatings claim that the governments complicity in joining with Britain and the United States in building nuclear submarines for Australia is the worst decision any Labor government has taken since the government of Billy Hughes sought to conscript Australian men and women for service in world war one.

In the 300-word email, obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws, Keating also warned ministers that the off the scale plan to spend up to $368bn on nuclear-powered submarines would seriously maim the budget and jam all manner of social spending into the foreseeable future.

The decision to proceed down this path is terrible, the former prime minister wrote. In my view, the proposal is uncalled for and given its huge expense and concomitant lack of explanation  an affront to public administration.

Keating notified ministers he was going to release a public statement at the same time as the speech, a copy of which I have attached here for your benefit.

He signed off: Yours sincerely, Paul Keating.

Sure enough, when he addressed the National Press Club later that day, Keating took aim at Albanese and his most senior ministers.

Keating ridiculed the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, for running around the Pacific islands with a lei around [her] neck handing out money, and said the defence minister, Richard Marles, was completely captured by the idea of America.

Wong responded to Keating in April by stating: I think in tone and substance he diminished both his legacy and the subject matter.

But the 15 March email to all ministers was not the first time Keating had sought to raise concerns directly with the upper echelons of the government.

Guardian Australia has also obtained a paper titled Aukus, Australia and China that Keating sent to the prime minister. It was dated 24 January, seven weeks before the San Diego announcement.

In the paper, also released after an FOI application, Keating said Chinas ability to take Taiwan and control the South China Sea was undeniably growing. Keating contended that China was now capable of challenging American military primacy in East Asia, meaning Washingtons ability to move its forces at will.

It is the potential loss of that primacy that has caused Washingtons rapid policy shift towards military and economic containment of China, Keating wrote.

Even so, the chance that the US will be able to preserve strategic primacy in East Asia, while protecting its critical interest in Europe and Nato, is fading.

But Keating argued China would always be surrounded by a group of strong large and middle powers - Japan, India, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia and Russia and would never be free to do as it pleases.

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Keating said Australias interests were well-served by a close relationship with the US, because that enabled Canberra to have political influence in Washington and access to advanced weaponry and intelligence.

But Australian and US interests are different. You dont need to be a conspiratorialist to acknowledge that powerful industry and national forces are pushing for Australia to go in one direction.

Keating argued Australias capacity to protect its sovereignty would be found in a broad diplomatic and security effort with its Asian neighbours to give the region the resilience it wanted and the economic growth it needed.

He said the Morrison governments Aukus announcement in 2021 was structured and presented in a way designed to draw Australian and US forces closely together.

But Keating warned: Designing Australias future defence force around the objective of deterring China, principally from an invasion of Taiwan, by means of integrating Australian defence assets into those of the United States is contrary to our interests. It constrains Australian decision-making and shreds its sovereignty.

Keating pointed to growing dysfunction in the US political system. For the first time in 70 years, he said, Australia cant be confident that the general direction of US grand strategy will remain unchanged over the next eight years.

Australians have glossed over our role in Washingtons poor decision-making since the end of the cold war, convincing ourselves that the contribution we made was minor. But we cant let ourselves off the hook. We have to be sure that we are not again standing by while major and dangerous decisions are being made.

Albanese, Marles and Wongs offices were all offered the opportunity to respond on Wednesday but did not provide any new comments.

The prime minister has previously said he retained utmost respect for Keatings achievements but disagreed with his predecessors attitude towards the state of the world in 2023.

Albanese has repeatedly said Australia is investing in relationships across the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to investing in defence capabilities.

The government says Australia will maintain sovereign control of the new submarines and that it wants to contribute to a balance in the region that ensures the risk of conflict will always far outweigh any potential reward.

In a speech in Singapore last Friday Albanese warned against harmful assumptions that the US and China were heading towards an inevitable war and called for dialogue and practical structures to prevent a worst-case scenario.

Australias goal is not to prepare for war but to prevent it, through deterrence and reassurance and building resilience in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India was able to achieve the digital revolution because he democratised digital technology, ensured there was no monopoly over it, and that it was accessible to common people so that they could do value addition with their talent.

The prime minister disclosed this to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in a free-wheeling interaction at his residence, recalling what he had told G20 leaders in Indonesia, curious to know about Indias digital success.

Mr Modi told Mr Gates, appreciating Indias contribution to making G20 inclusive and leading the world in digital innovations, that he was keen to bring technology to health, agriculture, and education.

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I opened two lakh Ayushman Arogya mandirs in villages across the country and they are linked to the best hospitals by technology. People have developed faith that doctors sitting hundreds of kilometres away are listening to their problems and can give advice. This is the achievement of the digital platform, the Prime Minister said.

He said, I also want the best education for children; shortcomings in teaching are being met through technology. What is of childrens interest is found and content is adapted accordingly.

Similarly, Mr Modi said in agriculture too, he was attempting a revolution and a change in mindset. Mr Gates said technology is available to all; India is trying, and this is lifting up those who need it the most.

The prime minister said he was determined that there should be no digital divide in the country. Women accept changes, he said, and this was his experience. I want technology to suit their needs; I want three crore women to become Lakhpati Didis in villages, he said.

His plan was to give technology into the hands of women, Mr Modi said. I want to modernize agriculture, and take technology to villages; the women need not just look after cattle. I talked to the Drone Didis, and they are excited. They said they could not run bicycles but are pilots now, flying drones.

The prime minister said he had offered African governments help in digital technology. This would democratize, and give equal opportunity to all, he said. During Covid, many countries could not give vaccination certificates. India developed the Cowin app which could not only tell where vaccination was available and what time but also give certificates in minutes. This benefited people a lot, he said.

The prime minister said India missed the first few industrial revolutions but did not want to miss the fourth one where digital technology will play the key part. I am sure India will be able to achieve a lot, he said.

Mr Gates said the key point is digital infrastructure is being nurtured in India, and people know about the identity system and payment systems. The government is digitizing many things, and it will save a lot of money and give equal access. Now you are getting into new areas like advice for farmers, registering lands, tutoring kids, and health records, he said.

Talking about artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister said, In India, a childs first words are Aai (mother) and AI. He said there are challenges in Artificial Intelligence that demand the utmost attention. From countering deep fakes to preventing misuse, uniform labelling of AI-generated content is crucial, he said.

To improve the ease of living for people, the Prime Minister said the Government had reduced compliances, and facilitated that all university certificates be put on the cloud. Technology has been used for ease of living, after services.

Advancing his vision for a Viksit Bharat, Mr Modi emphasized the elimination of Cervical Cancer as his forthcoming mission, aiming to safeguard the Nari Shakti through extensive vaccination campaigns.

Mr Modi told Mr Gates India is making rapid advancements in renewable energy. We want to make advancements in Green Hydrogen. In Tamil Nadu, I launched a hydrogen-powered boat. I am thinking about using this boat to strengthen the Clean Ganga movement and to send out a message to the environment-conscious society.

After their interaction, Mr Gates presented a few nutrition books to PM Modi as gifts. Mr Modi gifted him Vocal for Local gift hampers.
Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a magisterial investigation into the death of Mukhtar Ansari.

The inquiry will be conducted by a three-member team, said a government spokesman.

Mukhtar Ansaris son Umar Ansari claimed that the gangster-turned-politician was subjected to slow poisoning in prison.

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A similar claim was also made by Ansaris brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari. However, the charge has been denied by the authorities.

Last week, Mukhtar, the former five-time MLA from Mau, submitted an application in Barabanki court, saying he was given some poisonous substance along with his food.

Ansari claimed that on March 19, his nerves and limbs started to pain after he consumed the food.

Police officials said that Ansaris post-mortem is underway and is also being videographed. His viscera will be preserved if needed, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for his cremation at the Kalibagh burial ground in Mohamadabad in Ghazipur district.

The convoy carrying Ansaris body will start its journey after Friday prayers, said a district official.

Section 144 has been imposed across Uttar Pradesh, banning large gatherings. Additional security personnel have been deployed in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts.

Mukhtar Ansari was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in an unconscious state on Thursday. A team of nine doctors attended him but he died of cardiac arrest.

On Tuesday, Mukhtar Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours after he complained of abdominal pain.

Ansari was born into a family with roots in the independence struggle. His grandfather served as the Indian National Congress President in 1927.
Uttar Pradesh government on Friday ordered a judicial probe into the death of mafia-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, who was lodged in Banda jail.

According to officials here, Addl Chief Judicial Magistrate Garima Singh, Banda ( MP- MLA) court will investigate the reason behind the death and will submit her report within one months time.

Mafia Mukhtar Ansari, who was lodged in Banda jail for about two and a half years, died of cardiac arrest late on Thursday night.

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Mukhtar was brought from Divisional Jail to Banda Medical College for treatment about three hours before his death. A team of nine doctors was engaged in his treatment.

At around 10:30 pm, the administration made the information public about Mukhtars death, and till then no member of Mukhtars family had reached the medical college.

According to reports, Mukhtars health deteriorated in jail at around 6.30 pm on Thursday. After this, the administration officials reached the jail and at around 8.30 pm, he was brought to the medical college, where he was treated for two hours. He was shifted from ICU to CCU, where he died at around 10:30 pm.
Amidst the chaos and horror of the recent massacre at a Moscow concert hall, one thing is abundantly clear: the finger-pointing and blame game have already begun. As the smoke clears and the grim reality of over a hundred lives lost sinks in, the question of who is responsible looms large. Islamic States claim of responsibility has sent shockwaves through an already shaken community, but the attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to implicate Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to an already murky situation.

Its easy to see why Mr Putin would want to shift the blame away from his own doorstep. Such is the tangled web of geopolitics and power dynamics at play. The Kremlins involvement in conflicts, such as its contentious actions in Ukraine and its intervention in Syria, has left a trail of resentment and animosity. Russias assertive foreign policy has garnered both allies and adversaries, contributing to a complex landscape where alliances shift and tensions simmer. The timing of the attack, coming just weeks after warnings from Western embassies of potential terrorist threats in Moscow, adds another layer of intrigue.

It begs the question: could this massacre be a calculated move by those seeking to destabilise Russias power and influence? While Islamic States assertion of responsibility cannot be dismissed outright, its imperative to explore alternative motives and potential actors involved. The interconnected nature of global politics demands a nuanced understanding, one that acknowledges the multifaceted nature of conflict and the myriad forces at play. The timing of the attack, just weeks after warnings, raises suspicions. Could this have been a calculated move by those looking to undermine Russias stability and sow chaos within its borders? The fact that the venue targeted was owned by a businessman with close ties to Mr Putin only adds fuel to the fire.

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But perhaps most concerning is the attempt by Mr Putin to pin the blame on Ukraine. The suggestion that Ukraine provided an escape route for the terrorists, without providing any evidence to support such a claim, reeks of political manoeuvring. It is a dangerous game to play, one that risks escalating tensions between the two nations at a time when diplomatic efforts are needed more than ever. Ukraines swift denial of any involvement in the attack should come as no surprise. The last thing the war-torn nation needs is to be dragged into a conflict of this nature, especially when it relies so heavily on support from the West. On the face of it, Ukraine has little reason to target civilians.

As the investigation into the massacre unfolds, it is crucial that we resist the temptation to jump to conclusions or assign blame without concrete evidence. The lives lost in this senseless act of violence deserve justice, and that can only be achieved through a thorough and impartial investigation.
Indias decision to allocate a staggering sum of over Rs 3 lakh crore towards fortifying its border with Myanmar undoubtedly reflects the gravity of the challenges it faces in safeguarding its territorial integrity and national security. This substantial investment underscores the governments resolve to confront issues of smuggling, illegal immigration, and other transnational threats that have long plagued this porous frontier.

The porous nature of the India-Myanmar border has been a cause for concern for decades, allowing illicit activities to thrive and posing significant security risks. The recent escalation of tensions in Myanmar following the military coup in 2021 has further exacerbated these concerns, with a surge in refugees fleeing to neighbouring Indian states, particularly those sharing ethnic and familial ties. Beyond immediate security concerns, Indias decision to erect a physical barrier along this border also reflects broader geopolitical considerations. With the rise of Chinas influence in the region, India must assert its presence and secure its borders to prevent any encroachment on its sovereignty. By fortifying its eastern frontier, India sends a clear message of its commitment to defending its territorial integrity and asserting its strategic interests in the region. Doubtless, the troubles in Manipur would have influenced decision-making.

However, the decision to allocate such a substantial budget towards border fortification raises questions about priorities and resource allocation. At a time when the country faces pressing challenges on multiple fronts, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, the allocation of billions towards border fencing may appear disproportionate to some. But the same guns or butter argument would apply to every aspect of strengthening security. Furthermore, the decision to end the decades-old visa-free movement policy for border citizens raises concerns about its impact on the communities living in the border regions. While the rationale behind this policy shift is undoubtedly rooted in national security concerns, and the situation in a sensitive border state, it risks alienating and disrupting the lives of those who have long benefited from cross-border interactions. The exorbitant cost of approximately Rs 3 lakh crore for the border fence, more than double the cost of the fence with Bangladesh, underscores the formidable challenges posed by the difficult terrain and the need for advanced technological solutions.

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While ensuring the effectiveness of border security measures is paramount, it is imperative that such investments are made judiciously and transparently, with due consideration for cost-effectiveness and accountability. Indias decision to invest heavily in fortifying its border with Myanmar reflects the complex security dynamics of the region and the governments commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity. However, it also raises important questions about priorities, resource allocation, and the impact on local communities. As India navigates these challenges, it must strive to strike a balance between security imperatives and broader developmental goals, ensuring that its border management policies are both effective and equitable.
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is revered as the City of Dreams, symbolizing boundless aspirations and opportunities. Countless individuals have realized their ambitions and attained prominence within its embrace, while many others navigate its lanes amidst unfulfilled dreams and disillusionment. Yet, the city perpetually surges forward, heedless of those struggling to keep pace with its relentless rhythm.

It was on the night of 26 November 2008 that Mumbai became synonymous with tragedy as ten militants orchestrated an unforgivable assault etched deeply into the collective memory of every Indian. Although not the first time that it had become victim to such an attack, 26/11 saw attacks that were not only unprovoked but also aimed at multiple soft targets simultaneously such as luxury hotels, railway stations, hospitals, and cinemas. The militants held the city captive for over 48 hours, claiming the lives of nearly 160 innocent people. By the end of it, all of them except one had been killed. In response to this, the State Government of Maharashtra convened a committee led by former Home Secretary, RK Pradhan and former IPS officer V. Balachander.

The revelations from the lone captured terrorist unveiled chilling details of the militants infiltration into India via sea routes. Beginning their journey from Karachi, Pakistan aboard the vessel AlHussaini, the militants embarked on a perilous route covering four days to reach Porbandar, Gujarat. Here, they hijacked an Indian fishing vessel named Kuber and killed all the men on board. They kept the Captain alive so that he could speak the local vernacular should the Coast Guard stop them. Once he had fulfilled this role, he was also ruthlessly slain. Their journey culminated in Mumbai, where they docked near a fishing village, marking their first steps on Indian soil.

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From here, the 10 fanned out to different locations, proceeding to hold the city hostage for close to two days. Despite intelligence alerts warning of potential maritime assaults, including specific threats to Mumbais coastal establishments, the attacks transpired with devastating efficacy. Six alerts had been released by the Intelligence Bureau about a sea-bound attack on Mumbai aimed at soft targets. Eleven alerts were also made on possible simultaneous attacks in commando mode. This underscores the critical importance of bolstering coastal security measures The matter of coastal security came up first in the aftermath of the Kargil War.

It was regrettably relegated until tragedy struck on 26/11. In 2009, immediately after the attack, the Indian government initiated the construction of 26 Coastal Radar Stations and 16 Command and Control Rooms as part of the Indian Coast Surveillance Systems. These installations play a pivotal role in regional coastal security within the Indian Ocean Region by facilitating the detection, location, and monitoring of maritime activities. They also keep track of all movement on seas including that of small boats, dinghies, and vessels. Additionally, most of these radars operate on software that facilitates Data Fusion. Radars can exchange information with each other and keep track of a particular vessel irrespective of the pace at which it moves. Areas can be designated as sensitive zones that then trigger an alarm when a boat arrives in such locations. In 2018, India also set up these stations in Seychelles and Maldives.

If we were to apply this technology in 2008, this is how it would have worked. This means that when AlHussaini (the boat the militants used to travel from Karachi) entered Indian waters, the radar along Mumbai and Gujarat would have picked up that information: that a boat from Pakistan had crossed over and that it needed to be watched. Since 2018, the Automatic Identification System or AIS has also been mandatory which means a boat without AIS entering the borders would have been located as well, causing officers to be on alert. The radars through data fusion would have picked up the highjacking of the Kuber. Automatic Identification System would have meant that the men on board Kuber would have had the chance to send distress calls to the Coast Guard who would then have been alerted early enough to intercept and stop the militants from getting close to the coast. It is an admitted fact that no terrorist attack, through the sea or otherwise, has taken place in India since the deadly night of 26 November.

This gives much credence to the steps that were taken to preserve maritime security. However, security is an ongoing project and not a one-stop shop. Given the immense importance that international organizations such as Quad and BIMSTEC give to maritime security, the country seems to be moving in the right direction in its quest to attain the spot of First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

(The writer is Assistant Professor of Law, Jindal Global Law School.)
Embattled edtech company Byjus on Friday held its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called by the board of directors to raise the capital via the rights issue without any hassles.

The EGM, called to increase Byjus authorised share capital, met with no objection and none of the key investors who went to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against the rights issue and to oust its Co-founder CEO Byju Raveendran, were present at the EGM, sources told IANS.

The meeting saw about 20 investor representatives in attendance, along with Think & Learn management, the parent company of Byjus.

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Few questions regarding the postal ballot were asked and resolutions were called out while no objections were raised in the 30-minute meeting.

According to sources, further details on the voting and culmination of the rights issue (about $250-$300 million)will be shared later by the company.

Earlier, in a breather for the embattled edtech company NCLT on Thursday refused to stay EGM.

According to sources, the tribunal judge was convinced by the evidence submitted and arguments made by Byjus counsels, who made a case that the only objective of the petitioners is to be restrictive.

Last month, the NCLT directed Byjus to keep funds received from the rights issue in an escrow account till the disposal of the case.

As funds remain stuck, Byjus has mandated all its employees to work from home as it gives up office spaces across the country amid severe cash crunch.
In a bid to enhance the capability of effective counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the J&K Police, is conducting a joint training programme at the White Knight Corps Battle School at Bhalra in the Doda district.

This initiative that commenced on 19 March aims to further the coordination and combined operational capabilities of both forces.

The training is focused on operational tactics, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism strategies, drawing on the Indian Armys extensive experience in these fields, a defence spokesman said.

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For over three decades, these two institutions have combated terrorism together. Notable joint operations such as the successful counter-terrorism strikes in Pulwama and the strategic containment in Sopore are testaments to their collaborative excellence. These operations have not only disrupted terror activities but also restored law and order, paving the way for peace and stability.

The current batch of trainees includes 62 Deputy Superintendents of Police and more than 1,000 Police Sub Inspectors, with a significant representation of women in both ranks.

This joint training marks a continued commitment to security and the well-being of the regions residents. It is a stride towards a future where the alignment of the Indian Army and the Jammu & Kashmir Police plays a pivotal role in maintaining peace and safety.

The synergy achieved during training will pave the way to restore peace and normalcy in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This will also facilitate J&K Police in emerging as a more potent and well-trained force.

This integrated training programme is expected to solidify this partnership, leading to even more effective counter-terrorism operations, the spokesman added.
Goodbye globalization?

Keynes then describes how this Londoner could speculate on the markets and travel wherever he wanted without a passport or the bother of changing currency (the gold standard meant that his money was good everywhere). And then the famous economist delivers his coup de grace by going inside the privileged Londoners head:

A book published in 1919 on  The Economic Consequences of the Peace  isnt the obvious starting place for understanding the economic consequences of the current war in Ukraine. But its worth taking a little time to read John Maynard Keyness famous description of the leisurely life of an upper-middle-class Londoner in 1913  just before the Great War changed everything:

An excellent read. "Unless the U.S. and its allies mobilize to save it, the second great age of globalization is coming to a catastrophic close."



"A book published in 1919 on The Economic Consequences of the Peace isnt the obvious starting place for understanding the economic consequences of the current war in Ukraine. But its worth taking a little time to read John Maynard Keyness famous description of the leisurely life of an upper-middle-class Londoner in 1913  just before the Great War changed everything:



The inhabitant of London [in 1913] could order by telephone, sipping his morning tea in bed, the various products of the whole earth, in such quantity as he might see fit, and reasonably expect their early delivery upon his doorstep; he could at the same moment and by the same means adventure his wealth in the natural resources and new enterprises of any quarter of the world, and share, without exertion or even trouble, in their prospective fruits and advantages.



Keynes then describes how this Londoner could speculate on the markets and travel wherever he wanted without a passport or the bother of changing currency (the gold standard meant that his money was good everywhere). And then the famous economist delivers his coup de grace by going inside the privileged Londoners head:



[The Londoner] regarded this state of affairs as normal, certain and permanent, except in the direction of further improvement, and any deviation from it as aberrant, scandalous and avoidable. The projects and politics of militarism and imperialism, of racial and cultural rivalries, of monopolies, restrictions and exclusion, which were to play the serpent to this paradise, were little more than the amusements of his daily newspaper, and appeared to exercise almost no influence at all on the ordinary course of social and economic life, the internationalization of which was nearly complete in practice.



Keyness cosmopolitan Briton, completely unaware that the first great age of globalization was about to be shot to pieces at the Somme, is the urban equivalent of the cavorting toffs in Gosford Park, Robert Altmans movie about a weekend in a grand country house just before the outbreak of war. One of us possesses a photograph of the Bullingdon, Oxfords poshest dining club, in 1913: The future rulers of the world stare out at us with frozen arrogance. Within a year most of them were in the trenches.



Foppish aristocrats werent the only ones who were complacent. Intellectuals agreed. Norman Angells The Great Illusion, the Edwardian bestseller published in 1909, argued that war was impossible given the interconnectedness of the world. The great businesses of Europe and the U.S. operated on the same assumption. "

Ukraine Is Changing the World Order, Just Not How Putin Hoped

Two days after President Vladimir Putin sent his armed forces into Ukraine, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published an article that assumed imminent victory. It celebrated a new era, marked by the end of Western domination, the severing of bonds between the U.S. and continental Europe and the return of Russia to its rightful space and place in the world.

As the war rages on, heralding the arrival of a single Russian World to unite Ukraine with Belarus and Russia looks at best premature. RIA Novosti soon took the article down. But the author was right about one thing: Putins decision to invade does appear to be changing the international order, just not necessarily in the way he planned.

From Berlin to London and Baltic capitals like Tallinn, the metrics of defending Europe have been torn up. A large scale war is no longer unthinkable and nations are reconsidering what they spend, what they buy, and how they would need to fight.

Rather than split from the U.S., NATOs European members have cleaved to it. Rather than shrink to its pre-expansion size of the 1990s  as Putin demanded before his invasion  the alliance is positioning more personnel on its frontiers. NATO has sent about an additional 3,000 troops to its eastern flank, as well as helicopters, tanks and fighter jets, to deter any potential Kremlin decision to expand the battlefield.

No matter how this war turns out  and as cynical as it sounds now  historians will say that Putins attack on Ukraine gave Europe the time it needed to recover so it could confront Russia and, further down the road, China, said General Richard Barrons, a former commander of the U.K.s Joint Forces Command. Ukraine is paying a high price to buy us time.

The big question for Europe will be what it does with that time. Germanys commitment to spend an additional 100 billion euros ($110 billion) is only the most obvious example of stepping up militarily, one that has implications for the balance of power within Europe, as well as with Russia.

Others are upping their defense budgets, too, including the three tiny Baltic States, which have long rung the alarm bell over Putin. They are also asking NATO for permanent bases, as well as long-range anti-aircraft systems, even if its less clear theyll get them.

None of that suggests a return to stability in Europe, but a recognition of its loss. Putins invasion of Ukraine is a post-imperial, post-colonial land grab, Fiona Hill, the former senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, said last week at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. If we let this happen, were setting a precedent for the future.

Those extra billions can be spent effectively, or not. As the initial shock of the war and inspirational impact of the Ukrainian resistance inevitably fades, NATOs unity and determination may do so too.

From Opinion: Putin and Xi Exposed the Great Illusion of Capitalism

Putin may yet be able to achieve some of his goals and theres every indication he may choose isolation for Russia  and permanent instability for Ukraine and Europe  over acknowledging his mistake. Defeat could call into question his political survival.

It is still a race, said David Shlapak, senior defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, a U.S. think tank. It is a race where they have motivated us to start running, but it is still a competition that neither side is pre-ordained to win or lose. There are a lot of cards that still need to be played on the NATO side to figure that out.

Shlapak was responsible for a war game Rand conducted after Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, to predict what would happen if Russia were to invade the three Baltic states. The results made news headlines because they were sobering: Russian forces would reach the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian capitals in 60 hours.

In a fait accompli, they would also close the so-called Suwalki Gap  a land corridor that runs from the border of Belarus to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad  before other, larger NATO allies had time to respond.

Its natural to be skeptical of such a lightning attack after the events in Ukraine over the past three weeks, but also too early to say what the war will change among the assumptions fed into Rands war game, said Shlapak. Russias leaders and commanders would surely go about an attack on NATO very differently.

Still, the Russian military has been mauled and its stock of precision guided missiles depleted. Barring a catastrophic escalation of the current conflict, that should make a Russian war of choice with NATO less likely in future than it was before Feb. 24, according to Michael Mazarr, a former special assistant to the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

For sure, in three or five years, Putins generals will have learned lessons, regrouped and rearmed, he said, but theyll be hobbled by sanctions that limit access to technologies and finance. On Tuesday, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that allies would seek to tighten and expand sanctions on Russia when they meet later this week.

That, said Mazarr, is where the more worrying change to Europes security order comes in. Stability between great powers depends on reaching some mutual agreement to maintain the status quo, he said. That was achieved even with the Soviet Union after the 1960s, but never with Putins Russia. And, whatever the wisdom of NATOs post-Cold War expansion, such a deal may now be impossible.

After Ukraine, there is no treating the kind of regime thats in the Kremlin as a geopolitical partner, said Mazarr. We are now locked into an indefinite confrontation with an increasingly humiliated, hyper-nationalistic and dangerous great power in decline.

Concern in Washington has focused on whether China decides to help Russia evade sanctions and reequip, a move that would invite further U.S. sanctions and accelerate the worlds redivision into economic and geopolitical blocs. China has denied Moscow even asked for help and so far there are few concrete signs that it will.

In front-line NATO states, defense officials are less focused on Russian military snafus in Ukraine and more on the evidence that Putin can act on false assumptions.

Russia wants to restore this Soviet type bloc of states in this part of the world, said Brigadier General Riho Uhtegi, commander of the Estonian Defense League, a volunteer reserve of 19,000 adults and 6,000 cadets. Maybe we are not next  there is Moldova and still Georgia, theres a frozen conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and theres Kazakhstan  there are many places Russia has to do something. But we have to be ready.

Uhtegi said hes received about 1,000 applications to join his force since the invasion of Ukraine began, half from women. Hes also planning to buy more of the anti-tank weapons and shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles that the Ukrainians have deployed to such effect.

Most of all, though, Uhtegi is convinced that events have proved wrong Rands assumptions about how such a war would in fact play out in the Baltics. No doubt Russian forces would move quickly to the capitals, but the war would  as in Ukraine  be fought behind Russian lines and in cities. It would not be a done deal. If NATO forces took a while to come they would not be coming to occupied territory, said Uhtegi. They would be coming to a war zone.
Two Views: When it comes to the gig economy, the only thing to fear is fear itself
Oppenheimer finally premiered Friday in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film. Japanese filmgoers' reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.



Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima when he was 3, said he has been fascinated by the story of J Robert Oppenheimer, often called the father of the atomic bomb for leading the Manhattan Project.

What were the Japanese thinking, carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbor, starting a war they could never hope to win, he said, sadness in his voice, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

He is now chairperson of a group of bomb victims called the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization and he saw Oppenheimer at a preview event. During the whole movie, I was waiting and waiting for the Hiroshima bombing scene to come on, but it never did, Mimaki said.

Oppenheimer does not directly depict what happened on the ground when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, turning some 100,000 people instantly into ashes, and killed thousands more in the days that followed, mostly civilians.

The film instead focuses on Oppenheimer as a person and his internal conflicts.

The film's release in Japan, more than eight months after it opened in the US, had been watched with trepidation because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

Former Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka, who spoke at a preview event for the film in the southwestern city, was more critical of what was omitted.

From Hiroshima's standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted, he was quoted as saying by Japanese media. The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans.

Some moviegoers offered praise. One man emerging from a Tokyo theatre Friday said the movie was great, stressing that the topic was of great interest to Japanese, although emotionally volatile as well. Another said he got choked up over the film's scenes depicting Oppenheimer's inner turmoil. Neither man would give his name to an Associated Press journalist.

In a sign of the historical controversy, a backlash flared last year over the Barbenheimer marketing phenomenon that merged pink-and-fun Barbie with seriously intense Oppenheimer".

Warner Bros Japan, which distributed Barbie in the country, apologised after some memes depicted the Mattel doll with atomic blast imagery.

Kazuhiro Maeshima, professor at Sophia University, who specializes in US politics, called the film an expression of an American conscience.

Those who expect an anti-war movie may be disappointed. But the telling of Oppenheimer's story in a Hollywood blockbuster would have been unthinkable several decades ago, when justification of nuclear weapons dominated American sentiments, Maeshima said.

The work shows an America that has changed dramatically, he said in a telephone interview.

Others suggested the world might be ready for a Japanese response to that story.

Takashi Yamazaki, director of Godzilla Minus One, which won the Oscar for visual effects and is a powerful statement on nuclear catastrophe in its own way, suggested he might be the man for that job.

I feel there needs to an answer from Japan to 'Oppenheimer'. Someday, I would like to make that movie, he said in an online dialogue with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan.

Nolan heartily agreed.

Hiroyuki Shinju, a lawyer, noted Japan and Germany also carried out wartime atrocities, even as the nuclear threat grows around the world. Historians say Japan was also working on nuclear weapons during World War II and would have almost certainly used them against other nations, Shinju said.

This movie can serve as the starting point for addressing the legitimacy of the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as humanity's, and Japan's, reflections on nuclear weapons and war, he wrote in his commentary on Oppenheimer published by the Tokyo Bar Association.
The AAP suffered another setback on Friday as the ministry of home affairs (MHA) granted permission for a CBI inquiry against jailed party leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act.

According to news agency ANI, the CBI will be looking into the alleged extortion of Rs. 10 crore from notorious conman Sukash Chandrashekhar, who was lodged in Tihar Jail.

There were allegations that Jain and former Tihar Jail DG Sandeep Goel were running an extortion racket from Tihar. They allegedly demanded protection money from high-profile inmates.

Earlier this year, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena granted sanction for a CBI probe against Jain in a complaint of extortion filed by Chandrashekhar. The LG had then referred the matter to MHA for necessary action.

Jain, former home minister in the Kejriwal government, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case in May 2022 and is lodged in Tihar Jail.

The move by MHA comes even as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal continues to be in ED custody. Kejriwal was arrested last week by the ED in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy in which former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and another party leader Vijay Nayar are behind bars.
The Congress, on Friday, accused the BJP of indulging in "tax terrorism" to financially cripple the opposition party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier in the day, the party said it received fresh notices from the I-T department, asking it to pay Rs 1,823.08 crore for assessment years 2017-18 and 2020-21, and included penalty and interest.

Addressing a press conference, party treasurer Ajay Maken alleged that the BJP is in serious violation of income-tax laws and added that the I-T department should raise a demand of Rs 4,617.58 crore from the ruling party for such violations.

He said political parties have to fill up a proforma of Form 24A, in which two basic and important pieces of information have to be furnishedthe names and addresses of their donors. "We have analysed all the submissions of the BJP to the Election Commission (EC). The party has faltered every year."

Maken claimed that Congress and other like-minded opposition parties are being selectively targeted by the I-T department.

"An illegal attempt to freeze the bank accounts of the principal opposition party in February has gone on for more than a month on the eve of the general election," he said.

Before the dust could settle on that unprecedented "vindictive" action, in an "illegal and undemocratic" move, the "frontal organisation of the BJP" has launched its next "premeditated" and "diabolical" campaign against the Congress, Maken added.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that through the "electoral bonds scam", the BJP collected Rs 8,200 crore and used the "route of pre-paid, post-paid, post-raid bribes and shell companies".

Further, he accused the saffron party of engaging in "tax terrorism". "Efforts are being made to financially cripple the Congress, but we are not going to be cowed down," he added.

"We will not be scared of these notices. We will be more aggressive and fight these polls," he said.

Rahul Gandhi's guarantee

Reacting to the IT notice, party leader Rahul Gandhi said when the government changes after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, action will be initiated against those who assaulted democracy.

Taking to X, Gandhi said exemplary action would be initiated to ensure that such steps would not be taken by government agencies and added that this is his guarantee.

Nationwide protest

The party also said it will stage a nationwide protest against the notice on Saturday.

Party general secretary organisation K.C. Venugopal directed all the state units to hold demonstrations at PCC headquarters and at district Congress Committee headquarters on the issue.
Among many things, Shashi Tharoor is an amusing author. The noted works of the Congress MP include 'Nehru: The Invention of India'. In the 2003 short biography of Jawaharlal Nehru, Tharoor narrates the life and major milestones of the first Indian Prime Minister's political career.



As the senior Congressman seeks people's mandate yet again from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram constituency, words of Jawaharlal Nehru are being used against him. The curious incident happened in the Gowreesapattom neighbourhood of Kerala's capital city where the Left Democratic Front (LDF) used a quote by Nehru at an election committee office.

The office set up in the shape of the Red Fort is decorated with Constitutional values in both Malayalam and English. The famous Nehruvian quote "Who lives if India dies? Who dies if India lives?" is used inside a blank Indian map inside the office alongside a mini-library.

According to the LDF, the decision to use Jawaharlal Nehru's quote was a means to communicate to the voters the pathetic level the Congress as stooped down to politically. Kerala's leading front wants to tell the people that only the Left can ideologically take the BJP-led NDA head-on.

"The Congress can't take on the Sangh Parivar any longer, because they have become ideologically pauper. One can't take on Hindutva with soft Hindutva. The only remedy to Hindutva is secularism. One must understand the concept of India to win the people's trust. This is an effort to remind the voters what the idea of India originally is," CPM's Nandagopal Suresh said.

The LDF election committee office was given the look of the Red Fort

Thiruvananthapuram constituency: A closely fought seat

Thiruvananthapuram is among the closely-watched constituencies in the southern state as sitting MP Tharoor is gearing up for a tough three-sided contest. The state capital is among the seats the BJP fancies its chances to upset the Left-Congress duopoly. Pitted against Tharoor are CPI veteran Pannian Ravindran for the LDF, and Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar for the NDA.

A former state secretary of the CPI, the second biggest constituent of LDF, veteran leader Pannian Ravindran represented Thiruvananthapuram in the Lower House from 2005 and 2009. During the 2019 general elections, CPI's C Divakaran finished third (2,58,556) behind BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan (3,16,142) and Shashi Tharoor (4,16,131).
A chief judicial magistrate's court in Uttar Pradesh's Banda on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari. This comes as Ansari's son wrote to the District Magistrate that the postmortem examination be carried out by the doctors of AIIMS, Delhi.

The investigation team will be headed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (MP-MLA Court Banda) Garima Singh, said the order issued by Banda Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bhagwan Das Gupta. The CJM has sought the probe report within a month.

As for the postmortem examination, a panel of two doctors will do the post-mortem, which will be videographed.



Earlier the day, Ansari's son had demanded that the postmortem procedures be carried out by doctors at AIIMS, Delhi. "It (post-mortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter saying that it should be done by doctors at AIIMS Delhi. We don't trust the medical system, government and administration here. You know why I am saying this...Panchnama is done. District Magistrate has to make a decision. Let's see what he decides. The postmortem has not begun," he told ANI.



"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," he added.



Ansari, 63, was brought to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail in "an unconscious state" on Thursday evening and died at the hospital following a cardiac arrest. His family alleges that Ansari was poisoned in the jail.



Ansari's brother, Afzal Ansari, who is also the Ghazipur MP, alleged that his brother was given slow poison in 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, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad," Afzal Ansari had said.



Meanwhile, Ansari's body will be taken to Mohammadabad Yusufpur township in Ghazipur district, Ansari's native place. The town is under tight security cover to maintain law and order.



The convoy carrying Ansari's body would pass through Fatehpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj and Varanasi districts, before arriving in Ghazipur.



Hundreds of Ansari's supporters are waiting for the arrival of his body as a grave is being prepared at the Ansari family's burial ground in Kali Bagh. Gulab Ram, the former Ghazipur unit chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), told PTI Videos that "people are heartbroken". "Shops are closed. He (Ansari) used to be with people in their happiness and sorrow," Ram said.



The councillor of ward number 25, Lohatia Sanjeev Kumar Gihar, told reporters that "the market is closed not because of anyone's advice but due to our sympathies with the Ansari family".



Mohammadabad police station circle officer Atar Singh and Pawan Kumar Upadhyaya told PTI that Ansari's family members have informed them that the last rites will be performed on Friday if the body reaches here by 10 pm. Otherwise, the last rites would be performed on Saturday morning.



Meanwhile, Ansari's political rivals have reacted to his death, stating justice has been served. Anand Rai, the nephew of Mohammadabad's former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai, who was killed in 2005, told reporters that "der hai andher nahin (this is god's justice)".



Krishnanand Rai's wife Alka called the news "a blessing of the Almighty". In 2005, Ansari and his family members were named as accused in the killing of Krishnanand Rai.


Ten people were killed when a taxi travelling from Jammu to Kashmir veered off the road and plunged into a 300m-deep gorge near the Battery Chashma area of Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The vehicle, identified as a Tavera, met with the accident around 1am.

Rescue operations are underway despite challenging terrain and continuous rain, with Ramban Police, SDRF, and local volunteers pitching in. 8-10 bodies have been recovered from the scene. The identities of two victims have been confirmed as Balwan Singh, the driver, from Jammu, and Vipin Mukhiya, a resident of Bihar. The search for survivors is on, said the SHO of Ramban.

Most of the deceased are reported to be non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. "My sincere condolences to the bereaved families,'' Singh said in a post on X. He said that authorities, including the DC Ramban, are coordinating rescue efforts, with police, SDRF, and civil QRT teams at the site.

Further details are awaited.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down with hilanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on Friday, discussing a variety of topics, including science, technology and climate. The interaction also saw Gates praising India's digital revolution, hailing that the country was not only adapting technology but leading the way.

Stating that technology can play a big role in agriculture, health, and education, the Prime Minister detailed about the digital revolution in India which saw more women participation. "Women are more open to adopting new technology in India. I have started 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme which is going very successfully. I interact with them these days and they are delighted. They say that they didn't know to ride a bicycle but they are now pilots and can fly drones. The mindset has changed," Modi added.



He also spoke about how his government strive to avoid the digital divide in India. "During the G20 Summit in Indonesia, representatives from around the world expressed their curiosity about the digital revolution in the country. I explained to them that we have democratised technology to prevent monopoly. It is by the people and for the people," he added.



Modi said he believed in the democratisation of technology as it gives everyone an equal opportunity and added that he is taking technology to villages.



Modi also stressed how technology is being used to plug the shortcomings of teachers in education. He said digital technology will have a big role in the fourth industrial revolution and he is confident that India will do well.



He also noted how India used the CoWin platform to provide COVID-19 vaccination slots and certificates to people while the world was struggling to do it during the pandemic.



On G20 Summit



Modi spoke about India's successful presidency of the 2023 G20 Summit. "We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit and as you might have seen, the Summit's proceedings took a lot of turns. I believe we have now aligned with G20's core purposes and objectives, bringing them to the mainstream. I hope your first-hand experience echoes this sentiment," Modi said.



To this, Gates said the G20 was way more inclusive, and it "was fantastic to see India hosting it. "It really raised things like digital innovations and how the south-south collaboration can be far more than just the dialogue with the north. Our foundation is so excited about the past results that you have achieved here in India, that we would be a partner in trying to take that into many other countries," he added.



Climate change

Speaking on the issue of climate change, Modi said the world needs to change parameters like use of electricity or steel to define development as it is anti-climate and should instead adopt terminologies like green GDP and green employment.

AI is not to be seen as a 'magic tool'

On the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Modi said it should not be seen as a magic tool or as a replacement for people's laziness to do some work.



The Prime Minister also noted how he used AI during the G20 summit for translating speeches and his addresses in different languages at several events. "A technology like ChatGPT should be used to constantly improve oneself," he added.

Highlighting his use of AI, Modi asked Gates to take a selfie through his (NaMo) app and then showed him how it could be located through the face-recognition technology.
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Brazil, culminated on Thursday. Social media, however, is having a field day with the pictures from the visit. Several images of Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have been turned into memes.



Internet trolls have said the images that exude bromance seem like wedding pictures. The French president has taken the memes in their stride. Leaning into the memes, he posted a meme featuring the two, which makes it seem that they're in a dance sequence from the movie La La Land.

Sharing the image, Macron wrote, Some people compared the images of my visit to Brazil with those of a wedding, and I tell them: it was a wedding! France loves Brazil and Brazil loves France!



Thank you, @LulaOficial and @JanjaLula, thank you to all the Brazilians I met for the welcome.

He went on to mention the talking points between the two leaders during the visit and wrote, We set an important goal for April 2025: resume the intercultural seasons between Brazil and France. We also decided to increase scientific, artistic and student exchanges.

We share values at the core of our common history. We just opened a new chapter in our relationship! Long live the friendship between Brazil and France! he wrote.

One of the images turned into a meme included one from a cruise they took on the Amazonian river, where Macron seems to be looking adoringly at Lula. In another one, the two leaders are seen holding hands while looking up at a soaring canopy of trees.

Lula, before Macron departed from Brazil, bestowed the highest honour for a non-citizen on Macron, draping a medal around his neck. This was Macron's first visit to Brazil as president. In 2023, Lula had commented on the Ukraine-Russia war and said that the US and European Union were stimulating the fighting. In 2023, Macron skipped the Amazon Summit in the Brazilian city of Belem last year. He instead sent France's ambassador.

During the visit, Macron and Lula agreed on a green investment plan to spend 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) on the Amazon. While Lula's predecessor Jair Bolsonaro remained indifferent towards deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, during Lula's first year, deforestation fell by half.
Two Indian naval ships, deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, were diverted to intercept and thwart the hijacking of a fishing vessel, on Friday.

According to news agency ANI, the ships were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel based on the inputs on a potential piracy incident onboard the Iranian fishing vessel 'Al-Kambar 786'.

At the time of the hijacking incident, the fishing vessel was approximately 90 Nm southwest of Socotra. According to reports, nine armed pirates had boarded the vessel.

The operation to rescue the hijacked fishing vessel and its crew is currently underway.

(Further details awaited)
Patna Shuklla is a courtroom drama that traces its ancestry to, among others, director Hansal Mehtas 2010 film, Shahid, Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumars Jolly LLBs, Richa Chaddha-starrer Section 375, and to last years Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (in which Manoj Bajpayee played real-life lawyer P.C. Solanki who represented Asaram Bapus underage victim and fought for justice despite immense pressure and threats).



All these films are about small-time lawyers getting the case of their life, and how they rise to the occasion and shine. But at their core, these films are about one woman's, or a mans, moral courage to stand up against all odds and the many powers that be. Director Vivek Budakotis Patna Shuklla is just that  a film about one womans gentle determination to get justice for her client.



The film credits three writers  Vivek Budakoti, Sammeer Arora and Farid Khan yet its screenplay is klutzy, the plot is predictable and its lead character is beset with so much goody-goody, cliched stuff about the ideal mummy, the ideal wife and an adarsh woman that it suffocates the lawyer, not letting her breathe.



Thankfully, the film has a talented ensemble of actors and it's to their credit  especially Raveena Tandon, (late) Satish Kaushik and Chandan Roy Sanyal  that they add warmth, sparkle and some joy to an otherwise dull film.



Patna Shuklla begins on a homely note. We are at the house of Tanvi Shuklla (Raveena Tandon), in Patna, Bihar, and go from her kitchen to the dining room to the bedroom as she rushes about serving breakfast to her son, handing her husband his shirt, and instructing the cook. Dressed in a court-appropriate white-and-black saree, she gets on her scooty to race behind her son's school bus, carrying the lunch box hes forgotten, before heading to court.



There too she plays the role of a nurturer. After setting her table, she takes out boxes of ladoos and hands them around, including to Judge Arun (Satish Kaushik), who comments that he considers her a better cook than a lawyer.



Tanvi wilts a bit, but soldiers on, fighting a laughable case in his court that involves an undergarment and an unscrupulous tailor. She wins, and in the evening excitedly tells her husband (played by Manav Vij) that they should go out to celebrate. His response, like Judge Aruns, makes her wilt a bit more, but again she soldiers on, this time in the kitchen.



Since we are familiar with the craft of courtroom dramas, we know that from all this ash of humiliation and disappointment, Tanvi will rise, phoenix-like. That moment comes when Rinki Kumari (Anushka Kaushik), a college student, approaches her, saying she has been cheated of her future and wants to sue her college.



The case is simple enough. A BSc student, Rinki is the daughter of a rickshaw puller who claims that she should have got 60 per cent marks in her finals, but has failed. She suspects negligence or foul play that her apathetic college is uninterested in rectifying despite her repeated requests.



Tanvi takes up Rinkis case and finds herself facing off with a big-time lawyer, Neelkanth Mishra (Chandan Roy Sanyal). His instructions are to get the case quashed. This is the beginning of the David Vs Goliath story, and we sense that something is amiss.



Pressure on Tanvi mounts, a creepy politician (played by Jatin Goswami) tries to intimidate her, and we finally begin to understand the scam and whats at stake.



Threats are carried out, dark secrets and fragility of the men around Tanvi are revealed, but Tanvi, gently dogged and determined, continues to fight for Rinki.



Patna Shukllas screenplay weaves in a lot of contemporary, familiar politics about Beti Padhao, gifting cycles to school-going girls, bulldozers and demolitions. It creates a real, believable world in which Tanvi and Rinki's fight for justice feels daunting, even a self-harming, reckless move. Yet that is where the films power lies  in the empowering courage of one against the disempowering might of many rich, well-connected VVIPs.



Director Vivek Budakoti doesnt go for much melodrama, but he doesnt go for human drama either, often wasting scenes that could have added heft to the film and made it stand out.



Chandan Roy Sanyal is an excellent actor who can make the screen sparkle. Though the screenplay doesnt give him much to play with, he brings panache to Justice Aruns humble court, and is a worthy opponent for Tanvi to beat. Her victory in the end is sweet because Sanyal is so sharp and good.



Vidhi Gupta, the star of Crash Course series, has a small, meagre role here, yet she makes it memorable.



Patna Shuklla is reportedly the last film that Satish Kaushik, who passed away in March last year, shot. The film's last scene, in which the camera captures him walking away, is very poignant and brought tears to my eyes.



Patna Shukllas star is Raveena Tandon. The film sees and treats her character, Tanvi Shuklla, as a super mom, a super caring wife, annapurna to the world at large and a scooty-riding advocate in a lower court on whose moral strength rests the relevance of the criminal judicial system.



This is the patriarchal imagination of an ideal woman with eight arms, carrying a tiffin box, an ironed shirt, a serving spoon, a broom, boxes of ladoos and a copy of the Code of Criminal Procedure, while her other two hands are on the handle of a scooty made me cringe.



Why must female characters, who are supposed to be real, be framed as impossible fantasies? Why cant a lead female character be complete and perfect without all this burden?



Whats worse is that the film cant stay and applaud Tanvi in her big moment of victory. It doesnt let her or us savour that moment, preferring to acknowledge it with a half smile and then quickly returning her to domesticity.



This discomfort of allowing women to enjoy their moment of triumph, of watching them enjoy it, undermines Patna Shuklla's main character, drags the film down, and does injustice to Raveena and to us.



Despite that, a luminous Raveena Tandon carries the burden of a heavy role and a clumsy film with graceful lightness.

Movie: Patna Shuklla

Cast: Raveena Tandon, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Satish Kaushik, Anushka Kaushik, Manav Vij, Jatin Goswami

Direction: Vivek Budakoti

Streaming on: Disney+Hotstar

Rating: 2.5/5
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.
A 2,000-person migrant caravan is en route to the US border, expected to reach El Paso, Texas, in the next few days, as videos online show crowds marching through southern Mexico, urged on by leaders.

Organized by Mexican activists in Chiapas, the Migrants Via Crusis aims to ensure migrants safety. The group left Tapachula on Monday, with shelters along the border preparing for their arrival.

Church-run shelters in Juarez, Mexico, are bracing for at least 2,000 migrants, with one shelter already at 75% capacity. El Paso Catholic Diocese Bishop Mark J. Seitz assures that resources will be marshaled for the migrants.

In response, the Texas National Guard has deployed 200 members to El Paso, specializing in civil disobedience incidents. This deployment follows a recent breach at the border, resulting in charges against nine migrants for inciting a riot and property damage, among others.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Russias top investigative body said Thursday that another suspect has been detained as an accomplice in the attack by gunmen on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed 143 people.

A statement from the Investigative Committee said the latest person detained was involved in financing Fridays attack on the Crocus City concert hall in which gunmen shot people who were waiting for a show by a popular rock band and then set the building on fire. It did not give further details of the suspects identity or alleged actions.

Officials previously said that 11 suspects had been arrested, including four who allegedly carried out the attack. Those four, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.

A faction of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the massacre. But Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin have persistently claimed, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine and the West had a role in the attack.

The Investigative Committee statement said it has confirmed data that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack received significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, which were used in preparing the crime.

Ukraine denies involvement and its officials claim that Moscow is pushing the allegation as a pretext to intensify its fighting in Ukraine.

Health officials said Thursday that about 70 people remain hospitalized from injuries in the attack, many of them in severe condition.

(AP)
Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution Thursday in a move that effectively abolishes the monitoring by United Nations experts of U.N. sanctions against North Korea aimed at reining in its nuclear program, though the sanctions themselves remain in place.

Russias vote sparked Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its weapons purchases from North Korea for use in its war against Ukraine, which violate U.N. sanctions.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have heightened with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatening nuclear conflict and escalating tests of nuclear-capable missiles designed to target South Korea, the United States and Japan. The three countries have responded by strengthening their combined military exercises and updating their deterrence plans.

The vote in the 15-member council was 13 in favor, Russia against, and China abstaining. The Security Council resolution would have extended the mandate of the panel of experts for a year, but Russias veto will halt its operation when its current mandate expires at the end of April.

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 word 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.

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)
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(AP)
After years of research and advocacy, Agudath Israel of America is pleased to announce that New York State has, beginning this (2023) tax year, expanded its Empire State Child Tax Credit to include children under age four.

With tax preparation season in full swing, what this change means in practical terms is that many Jewish and other families will, for the first time now, receive an additional, refundable tax credit for eligible children under four, putting real dollars directly back into families pockets. The tax credit can refund hundreds or even thousands of dollars to parents, dependent on income and number of children. Consult your tax professional for eligibility and details.

Agudath Israel applauds Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi for leading the effort to expand the tax credit in their respective houses. Agudath Israel thanks Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, who after hearing directly from Agudah activists, first incorporated the measure into the Assembly One House budget back in 2022.

Helping growing, young families is a longstanding, nationwide priority at Agudath Israel. Young Orthodox Jewish families are typically larger than average, and pay more for kosher food, to live in areas within walking distance to a shul, and, perhaps most consequentially, to self-fund their childrens education through yeshiva tuition.

In looking at this puzzle  how to directly help Jewish families in New York, I was encouraged to study the tax code, said Mr. Avrohom Weinstock, Agudahs Chief of Staff. I found a counterintuitive loophole in the Empire State Child Tax Credit, which excluded children under four. Paradoxically, young children are most likely to experience poverty, and parents of young parents have the most challenging time returning to work. In fact, in a 50-state survey Agudath Israel performed, New York was the only state in the nation to specifically exclude young children from a tax credit.

Senator Cooney and Assemblymember Hevesi have been true champions of this cause. They had written about and independently recognized this issue and fought for its rectification to do right by New Yorks families, said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudahs Director of New York Government Relations. We will continue to fight for our families, and to help forge stronger, safer, autonomous Jewish institutions.
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.

(AP)
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was unceremoniously tossed from the wake of fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller on Friday afternoon. Hochul had arrived at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island for the second day of viewings, but her presence was met with disapproval from those in attendance.

According to the New York Post citing law enforcement sources, Hochul was only in the venue for approximately 10 minutes before being asked to leave. A person was overheard saying Get her outta here from inside the crowded funeral home.

As Hochul departed, she was confronted by a man in a black suit who spoke intensely and gestured towards her. Several police officers waiting outside the funeral home clapped as the man walked away.

The incident comes amid intense criticism of Hochul and other New York lawmakers over bail reform, which has been linked to the shooting death of Officer Diller. One of the suspects implicated in the shooting was released on a gun charge last spring, sparking outrage among law enforcement and the community.

In a letter ahead of the weekend services, Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent J. Vallelong blasted City Council members, warning them not to attend the services. Vallelong argued that their presence would be a stain on the legacy of a true hero and that they should feel morally responsible for Officer Dillers killing.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Louis Har, one of the two hostages who was rescued by the IDF from Gaza last month, spoke to the Daily Mail about the harrowing experiences he endured.

Har was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak on October 7th together with four family members.

He described their journey at gunpoint into Gaza in a white pick-up truck as they passed hordes of armed youths rushing into Israel looting everything they saw as bodies lay scattered by the roadside.

It was like a movie. Their barbarism They didnt consider us at all, as if we were animals or dogs. They just trampled all over us freely. Real barbarians. As if we werent human beings. A crowd of youths with a large cleaver threatened to slaughter us. They were going to lynch us, then the car started driving at high speed.

When they arrived in Gaza, the five of them were taken into a tunnel with terrorists in front, in the middle, and at the back, with guns.

They were forced to walk barefoot, at times crawling on their hands and knees, through the tunnel network for three hours. At one point another group of terrorists started chasing them, shouting Jews! Jews! Har, who was born in Argentina, quickly shouted back: Argentinians, Argentinians! Messi, Messi!

They eventually emerged from the tunnel and after two days in one building they were kept in a windowless room for 50 days under the gaze of cruel armed guards who taunted them. They were fed scraps of pita bread.

There was constant psychological warfare. They told us it wasnt advisable to wander outside, that they would beat us to death.

They really made sure to tell us every failure of the IDF or every time soldiers were killed. They told us we had nowhere to return to, that Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak no longer existed.

They kept telling us not to speak loudly because the UAVs, if they heard us, would pass the information to Netanyahu and Netanyahu would send planes to bomb us because he doesnt want any deal, he wants to kill us. They kept repeating this to us, every day. Eventually it gets into your head.

After 52 days, Hars three female relatives, two women and a 17-year-old, were released and it was just him and his brother-in-law Fernando for the next three months. It was during these long, monotonous days alone with Fernando that Mr Hars dreams of his 10 grandchildren, aged between one and 17, become so vivid.

I felt their hug in my body, the warmth of their bodies, he said. I felt them all the time. Many times it was like I was talking to them, a feeling of closeness.

Often, they were so real he would awake in tears, but quickly wipe his eyes so the guards, and his fellow hostage, would not see. Even the day before our release, I really felt one of the kids hugging me, he said.

Har had a dream after 120 days that he was rescued by IDF commando soldiers. His dream came true just days later.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
New York State Senate Republicans have introduced a series of laws aimed at combating antisemitism, proposing that tearing down pro-Israel posters and flyers be classified as a misdemeanor. This move comes in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents.

Under the proposed legislation unveiled on Wednesday, removing pro-Israel posters and flyers, which has become common following the Hamas terror attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza, would also be prohibited. Senate Republican Minority leader Robert Ortt emphasized the need for action to ensure the safety of all individuals, particularly in New York, home to one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel.

The proposed bills would define antisemitism under the state Human Rights Law and facilitate the prosecution of antisemitic acts such as incitement of violence or vandalism as hate crimes. Additionally, they would block state tuition assistance for those engaged in anti-Jewish harassment, mandate antisemitism awareness and prevention training at SUNY and CUNY campuses, and broaden the definition of harassing conduct to include Nazi symbols.

During a press conference in Albany, Senator Ortt called on Democrats to support these measures, referencing Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumers remarks criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and certain leftist Democrats alignment with Hamas.

The Senate GOP had established a working group to address antisemitism in March of the previous year, well ahead of the October attacks by Hamas. Despite these efforts, antisemitic incidents have increased significantly since the attacks and ensuing conflict, according to senators speaking at the press conference.

Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick expressed dismay over the escalating antisemitism, expecting more solidarity with the Jewish community.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Progressive billionaire George Soros has been accused of funneling at least $1 million in grants to a Gaza-based group with strong ties to the Hamas terrorist organization. According to the Washington Examiner, Soros Foundation to Promote Open Society and Open Society Institute (OSI) have sent money to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights since 2012.

The Al Mezan Center claims to promote human rights in Palestinian territories, but public records show that it has hosted events with terrorists and is led by individuals connected to Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Despite this, Soros Open Society Foundations defended its funding of Al Mezan, stating that it is proud to be among the many international funders of the group, alongside the European Union and governments such as Sweden and the Netherlands.

Terrorism expert Marc Greendorfer argues that Soros funding demonstrates why U.S. laws need to be strengthened to prevent tax-exempt groups from funding terrorist-linked foreign organizations.

This is not the first time Soros has been accused of supporting controversial groups, having previously been reported to have sent millions of dollars to Iranian-sympathizer groups with influence in the Biden White House.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The IDF have eliminated Ali Naim, the deputy commander of Hezbollahs rocket unit, in southern Lebanon earlier today. Naim was pulverized by a drone strike while in a car in the town of Bazouriye, near Tyre, this morning.

Five other Hezbollah terrorists  Ahmed Shehimi, Mustafa Makki, Ibrahim al-Zein, Ali al-Haf, and Mustafa Nassif  were also killed in the strike.

According to the IDF, Naim was a highly knowledgeable and experienced leader in the field of rockets, responsible for planning and conducting attacks against Israeli civilians. He was also instrumental in heavy-warhead rocket fire.

Hezbollah has confirmed Naims death, although they did not refer to him as a commander.

263 Hezbollah terrorists have now been killed since the beginning of the Gaza war.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Customers seeking compensation from wealth manager St Jamess Place (SJP) could face soaring legal fees costing them thousands of pounds.

AMK Legal, which represents about 19,000 SJP clients, will take a 40 per cent cut of the compensation from successful cases on top of VAT, its website states.

As a result, compensated customers will pay nearly half  48 per cent  to the law firm and the taxman.

An example on AMKs website is of a customer receiving 10,000 compensation who would net 5,200 after fees and tax.

The charge exceeds the 30 per cent fee cap imposed on claims management companies in 2022 by the City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Payouts: AMK Legal, which represents around 19,000 St Jamess Place clients, has said it will take a 40% cut of the compensation received from successful cases on top of VAT

Under the rules, they can charge up to 30 per cent on the first 1,499 of compensation excluding VAT. This then falls to 15 per cent on anything over 50,000.

But AMK Legal is not a claims management company and is exempt from the fee cap.

It follows a warning from the FCA last month that SJP customers should avoid using intermediaries to extract compensation, saying SJP would contact them directly.

SJP, Britains largest wealth manager, stunned investors last month by setting aside 426million for potential refunds following customer complaints about inadequate levels of service.

The shares fell and are down 31 per cent this year.

It then emerged that as many as 100,000 customers could be in line for a refund for annual reviews they never received.
North Sea oil producer Enquest is to buy back shares from investors for the first time, claiming the windfall tax is hurting the industry.

The energy firm, which was set up in 2010 and operates in the UK and Malaysia, is to launch a 12million repurchase programme this year.

Enquests finances improved in 2023 as debt fell to 381million, from 567million the year before. It has since fallen to 324million.

Revenue was hit by lower oil and gas prices while its losses narrowed to 24million from 33million.

Yesterday its shares rose 0.7 per cent, or 0.1p, to 14.1p.

Tax squeeze: Energy firm Enquest, which was set up in 2010 and operates in the UK and Malaysia, is to launch a 12m repurchase programme this year

But it warned that it is operating in a challenging UK fiscal environment as the Chancellors decision to extend the energy profits levy by a year to 2029 represented the fourth change in the last two years.

Chief executive Amjad Bseisu said the levy has resulted in a number of industry participants accelerating their shift in focus away from the UK North Sea.

The windfall tax was introduced in 2022. Oil and gas firms pay a 40 per cent tax rate. With the levy raised to 35 per cent in January last year, they now pay 75 per cent.

Capricorn Energy also wants to return cash to its shareholders.

It has proposed paying a special 40million dividend by the end of June. Shares rose 4.8 per cent, or 8p, to 175p.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.3 per cent, or 20.64 points, to 7952.62 and the FTSE 250 was up 0.4 per cent, or 74.07 points, to 19,884.73.

Stock Watch - Northamber Shares in a technology distributor plunged 22.8 per cent, or 10.5p, to 35.5p after an industry-wide downturn. Northamber, which sells laptops, keyboards and memory cards, said industry data showed that UK distribution sales fell 10pc in the six months to the end of December. Stock levels increased as demand weakened. Revenues fell 14 per cent to 29million in the first half of its financial year while losses rose from 250,000 to 413,000.

AO World also had a stellar day after the online electrical retailer said its profit for the year to the end of March should be at the top end of its 28million to 33million range.

Shares surged 12.2 per cent, or 10.95p, to 100.8p.

Investors in Direct Line should be comforted by new boss Adam Winslow whose appointment is a useful step in re-establishing credibility, according to Deutsche Bank Research, which urged its clients to buy the insurers stock  it climbed 0.3 per cent, or 0.65p, to 195.05p.

Vodafone chairman Jean-Francois van Boxmeer bought more than 500,000 worth of shares in the telecoms giant, snapping up 823,500 at 69p each. Vodafone rose 1.5 per cent, or 1.04p, to 70.46p.

Troubled music firm Hipgnosis, which owns the rights to songs by artists such as Shakira and Blondie, said that its portfolio has been independently valued at nearly 1.6billion, lifting it 8.3 per cent, or 5.3p, to 69p.

It will be outlining proposals for its future by April 26 and will ask shareholders to vote on any decision.

Molecular diagnostics firm Genedrive is hoping its genetic kit that can prevent babies going deaf will be approved by US regulators. It added that it need to raise fresh funds, as shares rose 3.9 per cent, or 0.13p, to 3p.

Podcast publisher Audioboom has added six shows to its network, including one hosted by Arnold Schwarzeneggers daughter Katherine  and gained 5.4 per cent, or 12.5p, to 245p.

Kitwave, which sells and delivers goods, bought wholesaler Total Foodservice for 21million, and rose 4.2 per cent, or 15p, to 371p.
High anxiety is spreading through the world of luxury fashion as focus turns to which businesses will win and lose over the coming years.

As the sector returns to pre-pandemic normal, there has been a renewed effort by top brands to forge deeper relationships with clients, both in-store and online.

Struggling are high-end e-commerce fashion platforms like loss-making Yoox Net-A-Porter, as shoppers demand personal in-store experiences again.

Matchesfashion, initially a small Wimbledon boutique business, has faced a similar fate. Valued at about 800million on its 2017 acquisition by Apex Partners, it fell into administration this month.

Matches, which sells items from designers such as Balenciaga and Prada, was the latest messy reckoning for companies that sell luxury goods online.

Tie-up: Kate Moss for Saint Lauren. High-end e-commerce fashion platforms like loss-making Yoox Net-A-Porter, are struggling as shoppers demand personal in-store experiences again

Many are in financial free fall.

Mamta Valechha, analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said: Maybe one way to look at this is by asking why would you want to settle for ordering a high-end handbag online from a multi-brand retailer when you could visit the luxury brands website, or go to its flagship store and get treated to a glass of champagne while you make your purchase?

In LVMH, there are exclusive suites, with fine art on the walls, for top tier shoppers. Others finding it difficult include Kering, the luxury group controlled by Francois-Henri Pinault, who is married to actress Salma Hayek.

Two weeks ago, it revealed a 20 per cent decline in sales at Gucci, which contributes 70 per cent of Kerings profits.

Gucci has been slow to roll out the more simple styles of its new designer Sabato De Sarno; his predecessor Alessandro Michele was famed for his flamboyant creations.

Swetha Ramachandran, manager of the Artemis Consumer Brands fund, said: In the post-Covid revenge spending spree, all luxury names were lifted. But the environment is returning to the pre-pandemic normal, where there will be winners and losers.

Ramachandran adds that Asian consumers are especially sensitive to newness and the lack of availability of the De Sarno quiet luxury collection in stores is likely to have frustrated them.

Kerings other houses include Yves Saint Laurent and McQueen, a line that is favoured by the Princess of Wales. A year ago, consultancy Bain forecast that the global luxury goods market will be worth a whopping 580billion (496billion) by 2030, against 353billion (302billion) in 2022.

But a hierarchy of brands is set to develop. Shares in Hermes, maker of Birkin bags, are still 31 per cent higher than a year ago.

Also up, by more than 20 per cent over the same period, are shares in Brunello Cucinelli, celebrated for its cashmere pullovers.

This reflects the move away from sportswear.

Valechha says category leaders such as LVMH, and Richemont have momentum and the leverage to protect margins.

But there are considerable challenges for British house Burberry  its handbags are considered insufficiently exclusive. Valechha said: These companies will find it tough to find a balance between driving top-line growth in a moderating environment, while also trying to protect margins at a time when they have no other option but to invest to elevate their brands and re-engage with consumers.

Challenges are also coming from unexpected quarters. Inditex, the Zara group, rose to eminence through fast fashion and is now entering the elite with 569 leather coats. At Reiss, you will find Atelier, where blouses are 245.

And the holder of a 72 per cent stake in Reiss is Next, the consummate high street and online retailer which may have more elevated ambitions.
Huawei's profits more than doubled last year as it shrugged off US sanctions.

The Chinese telecommunications giant said its earnings for 2023 swelled by 144.5 per cent to 9.54billion compared to a year earlier, thanks to sales of 77billion, which were up 10 per cent.

The US restricted Huawei's access to 5G technology in 2019 due to spying fears. Britain also insisted in 2020 it would sanction Huawei from this technology by 2027.

Bouncing back: The US restricted Huawei's access to 5G technology in 2019 due to spying fears

But it has continued to bounce back, with last year marking its third year in a row of growth after a torrid 2021.

'We've been through a lot over the past few years but through one challenge after another, we've managed to grow,' said chairman Ken Hu.
A leading activist investor has sued Disney over its relationship with another shareholder, as the long-running boardroom battle intensifies.

In a lawsuit filed this week, US hedge fund Blackwells Capital has laid out concerns about whether fellow shareholder ValueAct was paid to take a pro-Disney position in a brewing fight with activists.

It follows the media giant's decision in January to agree an 'information sharing' deal with ValueAct, which ultimately secured backing for the company's leadership team.

Magic Kingdom: Mickey and Minnie at DisneyWorld in Florida

Blackwells has requested 'books and records' to 'determine whether wrongdoing, mismanagement, or breaches of fiduciary duty' have taken place.

But the legal clash comes days before Disney's annual meeting where shareholders will vote on the direction of the business.

The company behind Mickey Mouse and Marvel has come under mounting pressure as Blackwells and Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management push for seats on the board.

Both funds argue that Disney has lost its sparkle under chief executive Bob Iger, with New York-based Trian criticising reckless spending and 'over-the-top' executive pay. And Blackwell's legal action is undoubtedly another setback for Disney.

A spokesman for the company said the claims made by Blackwells were 'baseless' and described the complaint as an 'attempt to gain attention for their slate of director candidates.'

But despite the pressure, Iger has attracted some heavyweight backers, including Star Wars creator George Lucas.

'Creating magic is not for amateurs,' Lucas said last week. 'When Bob recently returned to the company during a difficult time, I was relieved. No one knows Disney better.'

Lucas is a major Disney shareholder, having received 37.1m shares as part of its 3billion takeover of Lucasfilm in 2012.

Other defenders include JP Morgan boss Jamie Dimon and members of the family of Walt Disney himself.

Last week Peltz defended the boardroom battle. 'I'm not trying to fire Bob Iger, I want to help him,' he said.
Good Life Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 17,810 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 358 shares during the period. Good Life Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $2,610,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PG. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 0.8% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 103,104,467 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,645,072,000 after acquiring an additional 817,674 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 46,754,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,936,343,000 after purchasing an additional 510,559 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 12.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,717,246,000 after purchasing an additional 4,959,527 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 96,526.4% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,535,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,840,449,000 after acquiring an additional 38,495,676 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 9.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 35,608,913 shares of the companys stock worth $5,193,916,000 after acquiring an additional 3,047,557 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE PG traded down $0.36 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $162.25. 6,791,781 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,902,217. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $158.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $152.16. The company has a market cap of $381.78 billion, a PE ratio of 27.19, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 12 month low of $141.45 and a 12 month high of $163.14.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 34.04%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.59 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a dividend of $0.9407 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.32%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is currently 62.98%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,097,637.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $15,618,683.28. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at $25,097,637.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 3,865 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.60, for a total value of $620,719.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,886 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,908,891.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 279,063 shares of company stock valued at $43,187,745. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Truist Financial upgraded Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $160.00 to $175.00 in a report on Monday, March 11th. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.41.

Get Our Latest Analysis on PG

Procter & Gamble Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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StockNews.com cut shares of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE:MMI  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday.

Marcus & Millichap Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of MMI opened at $34.17 on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $36.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -38.39 and a beta of 1.22. Marcus & Millichap has a twelve month low of $26.81 and a twelve month high of $44.24.

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Marcus & Millichap (NYSE:MMI  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.28) by $0.01. Marcus & Millichap had a negative net margin of 5.27% and a negative return on equity of 5.16%. The business had revenue of $166.24 million for the quarter.

Marcus & Millichap Announces Dividend

Insider Transactions at Marcus & Millichap

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 11th. Marcus & Millichaps payout ratio is currently -56.18%.

In other news, COO John David Parker sold 9,716 shares of Marcus & Millichap stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.83, for a total transaction of $318,976.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 12,376 shares in the company, valued at $406,304.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, COO Richard D. Matricaria sold 9,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.32, for a total transaction of $316,540.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 7,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at $235,838.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO John David Parker sold 9,716 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.83, for a total transaction of $318,976.28. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 12,376 shares in the company, valued at $406,304.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 39.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Marcus & Millichap

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MMI. Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of Marcus & Millichap by 42.9% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 27,112 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,428,000 after acquiring an additional 8,141 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Marcus & Millichap by 16.5% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 7,913 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $403,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Marcus & Millichap by 54.3% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 13,471 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $710,000 after acquiring an additional 4,743 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in Marcus & Millichap by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 67,158 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,538,000 after buying an additional 413 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its stake in Marcus & Millichap by 14.1% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 21,545 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,135,000 after buying an additional 2,657 shares during the period. 62.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Marcus & Millichap

(Get Free Report)

Marcus & Millichap, Inc, an investment brokerage company, provides real estate investment brokerage and financing services to sellers and buyers of commercial real estate in the United States and Canada. The company offers commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services for multifamily, retail, office, industrial, single-tenant net lease, seniors housing, self-storage, hospitality, medical office, and manufactured housing, as well as capital markets.

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BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of TMX Group (TSE:X  Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has C$41.00 price objective on the stock, up from their prior price objective of C$36.00.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on X. CIBC raised their price objective on TMX Group from C$34.00 to C$35.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. TD Securities lifted their target price on TMX Group from C$34.00 to C$35.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. National Bankshares lifted their target price on TMX Group to C$37.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on TMX Group from C$36.00 to C$38.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on TMX Group to C$34.00 in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TMX Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$36.57.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on X

TMX Group Stock Down 2.0 %

Shares of TSE:X opened at C$35.73 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$34.30 and a 200 day moving average price of C$31.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.67. The company has a market capitalization of C$9.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.91, a PEG ratio of 12.65 and a beta of 0.39. TMX Group has a 12-month low of C$26.73 and a 12-month high of C$36.93.

TMX Group (TSE:X  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 5th. The company reported C$0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of C$0.37. The firm had revenue of C$301.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$300.05 million. TMX Group had a return on equity of 9.10% and a net margin of 12.28%. Sell-side analysts expect that TMX Group will post 1.6204276 EPS for the current year.

TMX Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th were paid a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.02%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. TMX Groups payout ratio is presently 55.47%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Senior Officer Luc Fortin sold 15,140 shares of TMX Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.32, for a total value of C$534,744.80. In related news, Senior Officer Luc Fortin sold 15,140 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.32, for a total transaction of C$534,744.80. Also, Senior Officer Jayakumar Rajarathinam sold 95,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$33.78, for a total value of C$3,234,636.08. Company insiders own 5.57% of the companys stock.

About TMX Group

(Get Free Report)

TMX Group Limited operates exchanges, markets, and clearinghouses primarily for capital markets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Global Solutions, Insights & Analytics; Capital Formation; Derivatives Trading & Clearing; and Equities and Fixed Income Trading & Clearing.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Free Report)  Research analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q4 2024 EPS estimates for Core Laboratories in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, March 26th. Zacks Research analyst T. Saha now forecasts that the oil and gas company will post earnings per share of $0.25 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.24. The consensus estimate for Core Laboratories current full-year earnings is $0.81 per share.

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Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.01). Core Laboratories had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 8.03%. The business had revenue of $128.21 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $127.80 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.23 EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Core Laboratories from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 20th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Core Laboratories currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $19.88.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CLB

Core Laboratories Stock Up 0.5 %

CLB opened at $17.08 on Wednesday. Core Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $13.82 and a fifty-two week high of $27.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 2.53. The company has a fifty day moving average of $15.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of $18.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $800.37 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.86, a PEG ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 2.39.

Core Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Monday, February 12th were given a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 9th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.23%. Core Laboratoriess payout ratio is presently 4.65%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Core Laboratories

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Core Laboratories by 39.7% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 328,435 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $7,886,000 after acquiring an additional 93,354 shares during the last quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC boosted its position in Core Laboratories by 6.1% during the second quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 12,806 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $311,000 after acquiring an additional 740 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Core Laboratories by 25.3% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 436,459 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,479,000 after purchasing an additional 88,013 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG raised its stake in Core Laboratories by 18.2% during the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 27,524 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $661,000 after purchasing an additional 4,247 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Core Laboratories during the second quarter worth about $576,000. 97.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Core Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock and reservoir fluid samples to enhance production and improve recovery of crude oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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CCL Industries (OTCMKTS:CCDBF  Get Free Report) and Ball (NYSE:BALL  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership.

Dividends

CCL Industries pays an annual dividend of $1.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Ball pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. CCL Industries pays out 18.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ball pays out 35.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. CCL Industries is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

37.2% of CCL Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.5% of Ball shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Ball shares 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.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CCL Industries N/A N/A N/A Ball 5.04% 23.81% 4.63%

Analyst Ratings

This table compares CCL Industries and Balls net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for CCL Industries and Ball, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CCL Industries 0 1 0 0 2.00 Ball 1 8 4 0 2.23

CCL Industries currently has a consensus target price of $77.67, indicating a potential upside of 50.49%. Ball has a consensus target price of $65.17, indicating a potential downside of 3.26%. Given CCL Industries higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe CCL Industries is more favorable than Ball.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares CCL Industries and Balls gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CCL Industries N/A N/A N/A $5.45 9.47 Ball $14.03 billion 1.52 $707.00 million $2.24 30.07

Ball has higher revenue and earnings than CCL Industries. CCL Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ball, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Ball beats CCL Industries on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About CCL Industries

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CCL Industries Inc. manufactures and sells labels, consumer printable media products, technology-driven label solutions, polymer banknote substrates, and specialty films in Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. It operates through four segments: CCL, Avery, Checkpoint, and Innovia. The CCL segment offers pressure sensitive and extruded film materials for decorative, instructional, security, and functional applications in the consumer packaging, healthcare, chemicals, consumer durables, electronic device, and automotive markets. This segment also provides extruded and labeled plastic tubes, aluminum aerosols and specialty bottles, folded instructional leaflets, precision decorated and die cut components, electronic displays, polymer banknote substrate, and other complementary products and services. The Avery segment offers printable media products, including address and shipping labels, marketing and product identification labels, indexes and dividers, business cards, and name badges supported by customized software solutions; and organizational products, such as binders, sheet protectors, and writing instruments. This segment also provides direct to consumer digitally imaged media products, such as labels, business cards, name badges, and family oriented identification labels supported by unique web-enabled e-commerce URLs. The Checkpoint segment offers technology-driven loss-prevention, inventory management, and labelling solutions, including radio frequency and radio-frequency identification solutions to retail and apparel industries. The Innovia segment provides specialty, high-performance, multi-layer, and surface engineered biaxially oriented polypropylene films for pressure sensitive label materials, flexible packaging, and consumer packaged goods industries. CCL Industries Inc. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Ball

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Ball Corporation supplies aluminum packaging products for the beverage, personal care, and household products industries in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells aluminum beverage containers to fillers of carbonated soft drinks, beer, energy drinks, and other beverages. It also manufactures and sells extruded aluminum aerosol containers, recloseable aluminum bottles, aluminum cups, and aluminum slugs. Ball Corporation was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Westminster, Colorado.

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Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued an equal weight rating and a $19.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other analysts have also commented on the company. Compass Point decreased their price objective on Physicians Realty Trust from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Physicians Realty Trust from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 22nd. StockNews.com lowered Physicians Realty Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, March 16th. KeyCorp reiterated a sector weight rating on shares of Physicians Realty Trust in a report on Friday, January 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada started coverage on Physicians Realty Trust in a report on Friday, March 8th. They set an outperform rating and a $21.00 price objective for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.44.

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Physicians Realty Trust Stock Up 2.4 %

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Physicians Realty Trust

Physicians Realty Trust stock opened at $18.75 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $14.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market cap of $13.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.48, a P/E/G ratio of 4.11 and a beta of 1.01. Physicians Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $15.24 and a twelve month high of $22.38.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in Physicians Realty Trust by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 80,734 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,416,000 after purchasing an additional 7,698 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its position in Physicians Realty Trust by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 181,899 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,317,000 after purchasing an additional 13,307 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Physicians Realty Trust by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,118,102 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $54,693,000 after purchasing an additional 15,264 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in Physicians Realty Trust by 67.4% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 139,127 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,443,000 after purchasing an additional 56,006 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in Physicians Realty Trust by 77.4% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 17,778 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 7,754 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.57% of the companys stock.

About Physicians Realty Trust

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Physicians Realty Trust is a self-managed health care real estate company organized to acquire, selectively develop, own, and manage health care properties that are leased to physicians, hospitals, and health care delivery systems. The Company invests in real estate that is integral to providing high quality health care.

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Truist Financial reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT  Free Report) in a report published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $117.00 price objective on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised Federal Realty Investment Trust from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $110.00 to $112.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 19th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust from $116.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Scotiabank cut their price objective on shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust from $110.00 to $109.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the company from $104.00 to $108.00 in a report on Monday, November 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Federal Realty Investment Trust presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $112.60.

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Federal Realty Investment Trust Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust stock opened at $102.12 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 2.64 and a current ratio of 2.64. The company has a fifty day moving average of $100.90 and a 200 day moving average of $97.50. Federal Realty Investment Trust has a fifty-two week low of $85.27 and a fifty-two week high of $107.61.

Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.64 by ($0.88). Federal Realty Investment Trust had a net margin of 20.93% and a return on equity of 8.35%. The firm had revenue of $291.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $292.05 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.58 EPS. The companys revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Federal Realty Investment Trust will post 6.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Federal Realty Investment Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be issued a $1.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 12th. This represents a $4.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.27%. Federal Realty Investment Trusts payout ratio is 155.71%.

Institutional Trading of Federal Realty Investment Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FRT. RB Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust during the 1st quarter worth about $272,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Federal Realty Investment Trust by 119.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 19,465 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,376,000 after purchasing an additional 10,601 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Federal Realty Investment Trust by 25.4% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 19,396 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,368,000 after purchasing an additional 3,929 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Federal Realty Investment Trust by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,123 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $625,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its stake in Federal Realty Investment Trust by 7.7% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 9,467 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,156,000 after purchasing an additional 679 shares during the last quarter. 93.86% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Federal Realty Investment Trust Company Profile

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Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, DC to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, Federal Realty's mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in communities where retail demand exceeds supply.

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Mizuho began coverage on shares of Cedar Fair (NYSE:FUN  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $56.00 price objective on the stock.

FUN has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Oppenheimer began coverage on Cedar Fair in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. They set an outperform rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley reissued a buy rating and set a $52.00 price target (up previously from $50.00) on shares of Cedar Fair in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Cedar Fair from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. StockNews.com began coverage on Cedar Fair in a research report on Wednesday, March 20th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on Cedar Fair from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Cedar Fair currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $50.30.

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Cedar Fair Stock Performance

FUN opened at $41.90 on Tuesday. Cedar Fair has a 52-week low of $34.04 and a 52-week high of $45.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.14 billion, a PE ratio of 17.10 and a beta of 1.41. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $41.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $39.18.

Cedar Fair (NYSE:FUN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.24 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $371.12 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $365.13 million. Cedar Fair had a negative return on equity of 21.06% and a net margin of 6.96%. On average, research analysts forecast that Cedar Fair will post 3.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Cedar Fair Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th were given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.86%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 5th. Cedar Fairs dividend payout ratio is currently 48.98%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cedar Fair

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FUN. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its position in Cedar Fair by 9.7% during the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 2,997 shares of the companys stock worth $123,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Cedar Fair by 10.0% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $131,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. lifted its position in Cedar Fair by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 15,685 shares of the companys stock valued at $580,000 after acquiring an additional 353 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Cedar Fair by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 68,228 shares of the companys stock worth $2,727,000 after buying an additional 401 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in shares of Cedar Fair by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 27,960 shares of the companys stock worth $1,035,000 after buying an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.65% of the companys stock.

About Cedar Fair

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Cedar Fair, L.P. owns and operates amusement and water parks, as well as complementary resort facilities. Its amusement parks include Cedar Point located on Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo in Sandusky, Ohio; Knott's Berry Farm near Los Angeles, California; Canada's Wonderland near Toronto, Ontario; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina; Kings Dominion situated near Richmond, Virginia; California's Great America located in Santa Clara, California; Dorney Park in Pennsylvania; Worlds of Fun located in Kansas City, Missouri; Valleyfair situated near Minneapolis/St.

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Intercorp Financial Services Inc. (NYSE:IFS  Get Free Report) major shareholder Peru Ltd Intercorp bought 437,369 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 26th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $19.60 per share, for a total transaction of $8,572,432.40. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 1,253,535 shares in the company, valued at $24,569,286. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Intercorp Financial Services Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of IFS stock opened at $23.80 on Friday. Intercorp Financial Services Inc. has a 1 year low of $17.94 and a 1 year high of $30.59. The businesss fifty day moving average is $26.06 and its 200-day moving average is $22.56.

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Intercorp Financial Services (NYSE:IFS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.40. Intercorp Financial Services had a return on equity of 11.20% and a net margin of 17.52%. The company had revenue of $426.13 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $430.96 million. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Intercorp Financial Services Inc. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Intercorp Financial Services from $29.00 to $28.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on IFS

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Intercorp Financial Services

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of Intercorp Financial Services by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,953,858 shares of the companys stock worth $66,521,000 after acquiring an additional 293,910 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Intercorp Financial Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $848,000. Helikon Investments Ltd grew its position in Intercorp Financial Services by 119.9% during the third quarter. Helikon Investments Ltd now owns 101,888 shares of the companys stock worth $2,295,000 after buying an additional 55,550 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC bought a new stake in shares of Intercorp Financial Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $530,000. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its position in shares of Intercorp Financial Services by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 720,754 shares of the companys stock worth $16,231,000 after acquiring an additional 25,601 shares during the period.

About Intercorp Financial Services

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Intercorp Financial Services Inc provides banking, insurance, wealth management, and payment services for retail and commercial clients in Peru. The company provides loans, credit facilities, deposits, and current accounts; life annuity products with single-premium payment and conventional life insurance products, as well as other retail insurance products; and brokerage and investment management services.

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Evercore ISI upgraded shares of PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS  Free Report) from an in-line rating to an outperform rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has $18.00 target price on the stock, up from their prior target price of $12.00.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price objective on PagSeguro Digital from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, March 4th. New Street Research upgraded PagSeguro Digital from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $15.00 to $18.00 in a report on Monday, March 18th. Citigroup raised their price objective on PagSeguro Digital from $13.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded PagSeguro Digital from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the company from $7.40 to $13.80 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on PagSeguro Digital from $15.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, PagSeguro Digital has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.98.

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PagSeguro Digital Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE PAGS opened at $14.28 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $13.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.94. PagSeguro Digital has a twelve month low of $6.93 and a twelve month high of $14.98. The company has a market capitalization of $4.71 billion, a PE ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.78.

PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.04. PagSeguro Digital had a return on equity of 13.94% and a net margin of 10.37%. The firm had revenue of $877.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $786.91 million. Equities analysts predict that PagSeguro Digital will post 1.28 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in PagSeguro Digital during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in PagSeguro Digital during the 4th quarter valued at $62,000. Quarry LP raised its stake in PagSeguro Digital by 51.2% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 4,994 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 1,690 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in PagSeguro Digital by 34.9% during the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after acquiring an additional 1,330 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. bought a new stake in PagSeguro Digital during the 4th quarter valued at $69,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.88% of the companys stock.

PagSeguro Digital Company Profile

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PagSeguro Digital Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial technology solutions and services for consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, and small and medium-sized companies in Brazil and internationally. The company's products and services include PagSeguro Ecosystem, a digital ecosystem that operates as a closed loop where its clients are able to address their primary day to day financial needs, including receiving and spending funds, and managing and growing their businesses; PagBank digital account, which offers payment and banking services through the PagBank mobile app, as well as centralizes various cash-in options, functionalities, services, and cash-out options in a single ecosystem; and PlugPag, a tool for medium-sized and larger merchants that enables them to connect their point of sale (POS) device directly to their enterprise resource planning software or sales automation system through Bluetooth.

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Shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Reduce by the fourteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$28.70.

LB has been the subject of a number of research reports. Cormark reduced their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$28.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Friday, March 1st. Desjardins cut shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a hold rating to a sell rating and reduced their price objective for the company from C$27.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$25.00 to C$24.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 1st. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$28.00 to C$26.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$43.00 to C$33.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 8th.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Down 1.7 %

Shares of TSE LB opened at C$28.02 on Friday. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a twelve month low of C$24.92 and a twelve month high of C$48.23. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$27.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$27.27. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.23 billion, a PE ratio of 7.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.27.

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported C$0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.93 by C($0.02). Laurentian Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 5.84% and a net margin of 17.33%. The firm had revenue of C$258.34 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$257.80 million. As a group, equities analysts expect that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8429752 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 1st will be paid a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.71%. Laurentian Bank of Canadas payout ratio is 52.96%.

About Laurentian Bank of Canada

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Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients.

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Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSE:CVE  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CVE) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the nine research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$31.54.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on CVE shares. Desjardins upped their price objective on Cenovus Energy from C$28.00 to C$29.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 22nd. National Bankshares decreased their target price on Cenovus Energy from C$36.00 to C$29.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on Cenovus Energy from C$31.00 to C$28.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Cenovus Energy from C$29.00 to C$33.00 in a research report on Thursday. Finally, CIBC upped their price objective on Cenovus Energy from C$30.00 to C$31.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, March 22nd.

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Cenovus Energy Trading Up 0.6 %

CVE opened at C$27.08 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of C$50.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 2.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.64. The businesss 50 day moving average is C$23.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$24.33. Cenovus Energy has a 52 week low of C$19.82 and a 52 week high of C$29.18.

Cenovus Energy (TSE:CVE  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CVE) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The company reported C$0.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.33 by C$0.06. Cenovus Energy had a return on equity of 14.60% and a net margin of 7.87%. The firm had revenue of C$13.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$13.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.39 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Cenovus Energy will post 2.6896208 EPS for the current year.

Cenovus Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th were paid a dividend of $0.14 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.07%. Cenovus Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 26.42%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Cenovus Energy news, Senior Officer Andrew Dahlin sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$25.99, for a total transaction of C$649,657.50. In related news, Senior Officer Jonathan Michael Mckenzie bought 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$23.49 per share, for a total transaction of C$1,174,500.00. Also, Senior Officer Andrew Dahlin sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$25.99, for a total value of C$649,657.50. 31.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Cenovus Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Cenovus Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, refines, transports, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum products in Canada and internationally. The company operates through Oil Sands, Conventional, Offshore, Canadian Refining, and U.S. Refining segments.

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Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) were down 1.8% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $24.30 and last traded at $24.45. Approximately 18,793,323 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 71,522,453 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.89.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on PLTR. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Palantir Technologies from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. HSBC cut Palantir Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $22.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Palantir Technologies from $24.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an underperform rating and set a $5.00 target price on shares of Palantir Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Palantir Technologies from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.35.

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Palantir Technologies Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $50.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 255.70, a PEG ratio of 6.01 and a beta of 2.82. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $22.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.06.

Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by ($0.01). Palantir Technologies had a return on equity of 6.17% and a net margin of 9.43%. The company had revenue of $608.35 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $603.48 million. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Palantir Technologies Inc. will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Palantir Technologies

In related news, Director Lauren Elaina Friedman Stat sold 6,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.68, for a total value of $142,080.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 175,830 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,163,654.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Shyam Sankar sold 29,168 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total transaction of $729,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 752,786 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,819,650. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Lauren Elaina Friedman Stat sold 6,000 shares of Palantir Technologies stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.68, for a total value of $142,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 175,830 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,163,654.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 7,455,273 shares of company stock valued at $184,293,942. 13.96% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Palantir Technologies

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PLTR. Qsemble Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the third quarter worth about $1,178,000. Trexquant Investment LP purchased a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies in the third quarter worth $4,446,000. Van Cleef Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Palantir Technologies by 82.9% during the second quarter. Van Cleef Asset Management Inc now owns 690,267 shares of the companys stock worth $10,582,000 after buying an additional 312,767 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Palantir Technologies by 3.9% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 684,953 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,959,000 after buying an additional 25,787 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Korea Investment CORP raised its stake in Palantir Technologies by 148.4% in the 3rd quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 193,957 shares of the companys stock worth $3,103,000 after acquiring an additional 115,876 shares during the last quarter. 45.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Palantir Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Palantir Technologies Inc builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company provides Palantir Gotham, a software platform which enables users to identify patterns hidden deep within datasets, ranging from signals intelligence sources to reports from confidential informants, as well as facilitates the handoff between analysts and operational users, helping operators plan and execute real-world responses to threats that have been identified within the platform.

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Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,832 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF comprises about 0.9% of Yarger Wealth Strategies LLCs holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $1,079,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Horrell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 180.4% in the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 401 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Price Performance

Shares of USMV opened at $83.58 on Friday. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 1 year low of $47.44 and a 1 year high of $55.45. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $81.23 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.26. The firm has a market cap of $32.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USMV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report).

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WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) issued an update on its first quarter 2024 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 1.890-1.910 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 1.770. The company issued revenue guidance of -. WEC Energy Group also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 4.800-4.900 EPS.

WEC Energy Group Stock Performance

Shares of WEC opened at $82.12 on Friday. WEC Energy Group has a 1 year low of $75.13 and a 1 year high of $99.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.55. The companys fifty day moving average is $79.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $81.74.

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WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The businesss revenue was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.80 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that WEC Energy Group will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on WEC Energy Group from $93.00 to $91.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $90.00 to $84.00 in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Bank of America restated an underperform rating and set a $78.00 target price (down from $84.00) on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $86.17.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on WEC

Insider Buying and Selling

In other WEC Energy Group news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total transaction of $223,258.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,125 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,402,131.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total value of $223,258.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 43,125 shares in the company, valued at $3,402,131.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Gale E. Klappa sold 37,180 shares of WEC Energy Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.69, for a total value of $2,925,694.20. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 274,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,622,595.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WEC Energy Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of WEC Energy Group during the 1st quarter worth $64,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 19.9% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 6,272 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $626,000 after buying an additional 1,040 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 848,405 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $84,682,000 after acquiring an additional 65,287 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 10.2% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 34,679 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,461,000 after acquiring an additional 3,224 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of WEC Energy Group by 11.8% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 8,765 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $875,000 after acquiring an additional 923 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.20% of the companys stock.

About WEC Energy Group

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WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments.

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Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) and HydrogenPro ASA (OTC:HYPRF  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Crane and HydrogenPro ASA, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Crane 0 3 5 0 2.63 HydrogenPro ASA 0 0 0 0 N/A

Crane presently has a consensus price target of $113.67, indicating a potential downside of 15.88%. Given Cranes higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Crane is more favorable than HydrogenPro ASA.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Earnings & Valuation

85.9% of Crane shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.4% of Crane shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares Crane and HydrogenPro ASAs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Crane $2.09 billion 3.70 $401.10 million $3.69 36.62 HydrogenPro ASA N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Crane has higher revenue and earnings than HydrogenPro ASA.

Profitability

This table compares Crane and HydrogenPro ASAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Crane 13.10% 24.45% 10.14% HydrogenPro ASA N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Crane beats HydrogenPro ASA on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Crane

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Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts for commercial aerospace, as well as the military aerospace, defense, and space markets. This segment also offers pressure sensors for aircraft engine control, aircraft braking systems for commercial aircraft and fighter jets, power conversion solutions for spacecraft, and lubrication systems. The Process Flow Technologies segment provides engineered fluid handling equipment for mission-critical applications. It offers process valves and related products, such as lined pipe, fittings and hoses, air-operated diaphragm and peristaltic pumps, instrumentation and sampling systems, valve positioning and control systems, and valve diagnostic and calibration systems; commercial valves; and pumps and systems. The Engineered Materials segment manufactures fiberglass-reinforced plastic panels and coils for use in the manufacturing of recreational vehicles, as well as in commercial and industrial building applications. This segment sells directly to RV, trailer, and truck manufacturers, as well as through distributors and retailers. The company provides its products and solutions to end markets, including commercial and military aerospace, defense, and space; chemical and pharmaceutical production; water and wastewater; non-residential and municipal construction; energy; and other general industrial and consumer-related applications. The company was formerly known as Crane Holdings, Co. Crane Company was founded in 1855 and is based in Stamford, Connecticut.

About HydrogenPro ASA

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HydrogenPro ASA designs and supplies customized hydrogen plants. It provides high-pressure alkaline electrolysers. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Porsgrunn, Norway.

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Klepierre (OTCMKTS:KLPEF  Get Free Report) and W. P. Carey (NYSE:WPC  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation and dividends.

Volatility & Risk

Klepierre has a beta of 1.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, W. P. Carey has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Klepierre and W. P. Careys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Klepierre N/A N/A N/A W. P. Carey 40.68% 7.78% 3.80%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

73.7% of W. P. Carey shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of W. P. Carey shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Klepierre and W. P. Carey, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Klepierre 1 2 1 0 2.00 W. P. Carey 2 8 1 0 1.91

W. P. Carey has a consensus price target of $63.36, suggesting a potential upside of 12.27%. Given W. P. Careys higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe W. P. Carey is more favorable than Klepierre.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Klepierre and W. P. Careys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Klepierre $1.30 billion N/A $437.45 million N/A N/A W. P. Carey $1.74 billion 7.09 $708.33 million $3.30 17.10

W. P. Carey has higher revenue and earnings than Klepierre.

Summary

W. P. Carey beats Klepierre on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Klepierre

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Klepierre SA is the European leader in shopping malls, combining property development and asset management skills. The Company's portfolio is valued at 19.3 billion at December 31, 2023, and comprises large shopping centers in more than 10 countries in Continental Europe which together host hundreds of millions of visitors per year. Klepierre SA holds a controlling stake in Steen & Strm (56.1%), Scandinavia's number one shopping center owner and manager. Klepierre SA is a French REIT (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris and is included in the CAC Next 20 and EPRA Euro Zone Indexes. It is also included in ethical indexes, such as Euronext CAC 40 ESG, Euronext CAC SBT 1.5, MSCI Europe ESG Leaders, FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, and features in CDP's A-list. These distinctions underscore the Group's commitment to a proactive sustainable development policy and its global leadership in the fight against climate change.

About W. P. Carey

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W. P. Carey ranks among the largest net lease REITs with a well-diversified portfolio of high-quality, operationally critical commercial real estate, which includes 1,424 net lease properties covering approximately 173 million square feet and a portfolio of 89 self-storage operating properties as of December 31, 2023. With offices in New York, London, Amsterdam and Dallas, the company remains focused on investing primarily in single-tenant, industrial, warehouse and retail properties located in the U.S. and Northern and Western Europe, under long-term net leases with built-in rent escalations.

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First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN  Free Report)  Research analysts at Wedbush reduced their Q4 2024 EPS estimates for First Horizon in a report issued on Wednesday, March 27th. Wedbush analyst D. Chiaverini now anticipates that the financial services provider will earn $0.39 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.40. The consensus estimate for First Horizons current full-year earnings is $1.42 per share. Wedbush also issued estimates for First Horizons Q1 2025 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $0.41 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.41 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $1.60 EPS.

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A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on FHN. StockNews.com lowered shares of First Horizon from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of First Horizon from $17.00 to $17.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Raymond James upgraded shares of First Horizon from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $13.00 to $17.00 in a report on Friday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of First Horizon from $11.50 to $14.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of First Horizon from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $15.50 to $16.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, First Horizon presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.92.

First Horizon Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE FHN opened at $15.40 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $14.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.00. The firm has a market cap of $8.55 billion, a PE ratio of 10.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 0.93. First Horizon has a 1 year low of $8.99 and a 1 year high of $18.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.94.

First Horizon (NYSE:FHN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $784.20 million. First Horizon had a net margin of 17.80% and a return on equity of 9.94%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Horizon

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in First Horizon by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,946,272 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $806,359,000 after acquiring an additional 171,222 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in First Horizon by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 24,689,257 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $281,883,000 after acquiring an additional 1,321,075 shares in the last quarter. North Reef Capital Management LP lifted its stake in First Horizon by 14.2% during the 4th quarter. North Reef Capital Management LP now owns 10,162,500 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $143,901,000 after acquiring an additional 1,262,500 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in First Horizon by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 9,641,140 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $136,526,000 after acquiring an additional 883,503 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management lifted its stake in First Horizon by 62.2% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 8,898,809 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $126,007,000 after acquiring an additional 3,411,600 shares in the last quarter. 80.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

First Horizon Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. First Horizons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.22%.

First Horizon announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, January 23rd that allows the company to buyback $650.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About First Horizon

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First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through Regional Banking and Specialty Banking segments. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments.

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Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) fell 1.3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $127.29 and last traded at $127.73. 1,160,650 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 5,211,740 shares. The stock had previously closed at $129.41.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on NVO. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, March 20th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $120.00 price target on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $126.25.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 0.3 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a market cap of $576.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.47, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.41. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $121.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $104.38.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.14 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 36.03% and a return on equity of 90.36%. Sell-side analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be paid a $0.664 dividend. This represents a yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is presently 49.17%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NVO. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 83.3% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,428 shares of the companys stock worth $130,000 after acquiring an additional 649 shares during the period. Kranot Hishtalmut Le Morim Tichoniim Havera Menahelet LTD acquired a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter worth approximately $2,408,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 182.2% during the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,494,214 shares of the companys stock worth $135,883,000 after buying an additional 964,640 shares in the last quarter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 94.0% during the third quarter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 44,292 shares of the companys stock worth $4,028,000 after buying an additional 21,457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 111.6% during the third quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 6,004 shares of the companys stock worth $546,000 after buying an additional 3,166 shares in the last quarter. 11.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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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 dated Tuesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$70.28, for a total value of C$365,867.79.

CCL Industries Trading Down 0.4 %

CCL Industries stock opened at C$69.23 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$64.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$59.69. The stock has a market capitalization of C$11.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.47, a PEG ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.37, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.89. CCL Industries Inc. has a 52 week low of C$52.82 and a 52 week high of C$74.49.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on CCL.B shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of CCL Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from C$65.00 to C$79.00 in a research report on Monday, February 26th. Raymond James upgraded CCL Industries from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from C$74.00 to C$78.00 in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Pi Financial lifted their target price on CCL Industries from C$74.00 to C$75.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. National Bankshares increased their price target on CCL Industries from C$79.00 to C$81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, CCL Industries has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price 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.

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Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC increased its holdings in First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN  Free Report) by 20.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,083 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,200 shares during the period. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NCs holdings in First Horizon were worth $270,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in First Horizon by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,775,050 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $625,661,000 after purchasing an additional 2,276,977 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in First Horizon by 16.0% during the third quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 994,511 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,960,000 after buying an additional 137,525 shares during the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in First Horizon during the third quarter worth about $1,189,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its position in First Horizon by 2.0% in the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 312,183 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,440,000 after acquiring an additional 6,197 shares during the period. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in First Horizon by 721.6% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 110,607 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,219,000 after acquiring an additional 97,144 shares during the last quarter. 80.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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First Horizon Stock Performance

First Horizon stock opened at $15.40 on Friday. First Horizon Co. has a 1-year low of $8.99 and a 1-year high of $18.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.55 billion, a PE ratio of 10.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $14.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.00.

First Horizon Dividend Announcement

First Horizon ( NYSE:FHN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $784.20 million. First Horizon had a net margin of 17.80% and a return on equity of 9.94%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that First Horizon Co. will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. First Horizons payout ratio is currently 39.22%.

First Horizon declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Tuesday, January 23rd that allows the company to buyback $650.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to reacquire up to 7.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently commented on FHN. StockNews.com cut shares of First Horizon from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. UBS Group raised First Horizon from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $15.50 to $16.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Raymond James raised First Horizon from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $13.00 to $17.00 in a report on Friday, January 5th. Citigroup began coverage on First Horizon in a research note on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $14.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of First Horizon from $17.00 to $17.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.92.

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First Horizon Profile

(Free Report)

First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through Regional Banking and Specialty Banking segments. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments.

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GenTrust LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSEARCA:EWZ  Free Report) by 8.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,566 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares during the quarter. GenTrust LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF were worth $649,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 35.6% during the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 9,253,730 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $283,812,000 after acquiring an additional 2,428,079 shares in the last quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 7,535,887 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $210,779,000 after acquiring an additional 36,304 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 3,637,406 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $111,559,000 after acquiring an additional 22,200 shares in the last quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 34,384.6% during the 3rd quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. now owns 3,336,044 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $102,363,000 after acquiring an additional 3,326,370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 699.4% during the 1st quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,604,980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $98,585,000 after acquiring an additional 2,279,121 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Stock Performance

EWZ opened at $32.42 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.34 billion, a PE ratio of 5.86 and a beta of 0.97. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $32.86 and a 200-day moving average of $32.64. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF has a 52-week low of $26.50 and a 52-week high of $35.74.

About iShares MSCI Brazil ETF

iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Brazilian market, as measured by the MSCI Brazil Index (the Index).

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Terra Nova Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR  Free Report) by 1.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,731 shares of the construction companys stock after buying an additional 219 shares during the period. Quanta Services makes up about 2.4% of Terra Nova Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Terra Nova Asset Management LLCs holdings in Quanta Services were worth $2,747,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PWR. Grove Bank & Trust grew its stake in Quanta Services by 75.6% in the third quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 158 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Quanta Services during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Quanta Services by 1,730.0% during the 3rd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 183 shares of the construction companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. 90.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Quanta Services Stock Performance

Shares of Quanta Services stock opened at $259.62 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $225.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $201.92. Quanta Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $153.74 and a 12 month high of $262.01. The company has a market capitalization of $37.84 billion, a PE ratio of 51.82 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

Quanta Services Dividend Announcement

Quanta Services ( NYSE:PWR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The construction company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.21. Quanta Services had a return on equity of 16.46% and a net margin of 3.57%. The firm had revenue of $5.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.54 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 31.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Quanta Services, Inc. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.14%. Quanta Servicess payout ratio is presently 7.19%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on PWR. TD Cowen upped their price target on Quanta Services from $205.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Quanta Services from $227.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Quanta Services from $237.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. DA Davidson increased their target price on Quanta Services from $190.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI started coverage on Quanta Services in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $237.00 price target on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $239.54.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Quanta Services

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Donald Wayne sold 1,101 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.94, for a total value of $288,395.94. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,065 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,494,626.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Quanta Services news, EVP Donald Wayne sold 1,101 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.94, for a total transaction of $288,395.94. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,065 shares in the company, valued at $10,494,626.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Derrick A. Jensen sold 18,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.90, for a total value of $4,382,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 263,725 shares of the companys stock, valued at $62,476,452.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 47,125 shares of company stock worth $11,270,215. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

About Quanta Services

(Free Report)

Quanta Services, Inc provides infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, and pipeline and energy industries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The company's Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment engages in the design, procurement, construction, upgrade, repair, and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure and substation facilities; installation, maintenance, and upgrade of electric power infrastructure projects; installation of smart grid technologies on electric power networks; and design, installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial and industrial wirings.

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TDCX Inc. (NYSE:TDCX  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 553,431 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 66% from the previous sessions volume of 334,223 shares.The stock last traded at $7.20 and had previously closed at $7.20.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TDCX has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on TDCX from $13.80 to $12.40 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. HSBC cut TDCX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TDCX

TDCX Trading Down 0.4 %

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TDCX

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of 11.56 and a beta of 0.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $6.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $5.73. The company has a current ratio of 7.64, a quick ratio of 8.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in TDCX by 41.8% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,253,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,534,000 after buying an additional 958,863 shares during the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC grew its holdings in TDCX by 106.5% during the 1st quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 1,748,374 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,285,000 after buying an additional 901,605 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in TDCX by 82.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 927,065 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,263,000 after buying an additional 420,246 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in TDCX during the 4th quarter valued at $10,771,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in TDCX by 69.9% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 868,623 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,213,000 after buying an additional 357,278 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.95% of the companys stock.

About TDCX

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TDCX Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides outsource contact center services for technology and other blue-chip companies in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, China, Spain, India, Colombia, South Korea, and Romania. It offers digital customer experience solutions, including after-sales service and customer support across various industry verticals, such as travel and hospitality, digital advertising and media, fast-moving consumer goods, technology, financial services, fintech, government and non-governmental organizations, gaming, e-commerce, and education.

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Saxon Interests Inc. acquired a new stake in Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 10,000 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $677,000.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Planned Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Cultivar Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in Prosperity Bancshares during the 4th quarter valued at $583,000. Tectonic Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Prosperity Bancshares during the 4th quarter valued at $373,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 79.2% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 14,086 shares of the banks stock valued at $954,000 after purchasing an additional 6,227 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 19,115 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,295,000 after purchasing an additional 2,188 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.69% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

PB has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley raised Prosperity Bancshares from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $69.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays assumed coverage on Prosperity Bancshares in a research report on Friday, March 8th. They set an equal weight rating and a $68.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $65.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $65.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $68.79.

Prosperity Bancshares Stock Up 1.1 %

NYSE PB traded up $0.72 on Friday, hitting $65.78. The companys stock had a trading volume of 640,488 shares, compared to its average volume of 524,518. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.60 and a 1-year high of $68.88. The companys 50-day moving average is $63.33 and its 200 day moving average is $60.57. The firm has a market cap of $6.15 billion, a PE ratio of 14.52, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.93.

Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The bank reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.15 by $0.04. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 26.24% and a return on equity of 6.62%. The company had revenue of $413.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $279.34 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.51 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. will post 5.06 EPS for the current year.

Prosperity Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.56 per share. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Prosperity Bancsharess dividend payout ratio is presently 49.45%.

About Prosperity Bancshares

(Free Report)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery.

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Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC decreased its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 5.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 32,654 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 2,036 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific makes up about 1.4% of Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest position. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $17,332,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of TMO. Halpern Financial Inc. grew its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% in the third quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 53 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the third quarter worth about $38,000. 89.23% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE TMO opened at $581.21 on Friday. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 12-month low of $415.60 and a 12-month high of $603.82. The company has a market cap of $221.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $565.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is $520.22.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.64 by $0.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.78% and a net margin of 13.99%. The company had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.73 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.40 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is a positive change from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.10%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TMO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TheStreet raised shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. HSBC assumed coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, December 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $610.00 price target for the company. Raymond James increased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $515.00 to $605.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Barclays downgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $475.00 to $555.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $575.00 target price for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $599.00.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $597.98, for a total transaction of $5,979,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 123,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $74,039,491.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $597.98, for a total value of $5,979,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 123,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $74,039,491.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $562.00, for a total value of $8,186,092.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,250,362. 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. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Traynor Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 1,318 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $466,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of EG. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in shares of Everest Group during the 4th quarter valued at $1,866,000. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of Everest Group during the 4th quarter valued at $1,016,000. Finally, Red Door Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Everest Group during the 4th quarter valued at $237,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

EG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Everest Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $421.00 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on Everest Group from $465.00 to $445.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Everest Group from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $484.00 to $402.00 in a report on Friday, February 9th. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Everest Group in a report on Thursday, December 14th. They set an inline rating and a $431.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup cut Everest Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $452.00 to $375.00 in a report on Monday, February 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong 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 $434.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Mike Karmilowicz acquired 285 shares of Everest Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $352.39 per share, for a total transaction of $100,431.15. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 10,586 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,730,400.54. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Mark Kociancic acquired 1,000 shares of Everest Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $349.00 per share, for a total transaction of $349,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 25,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,980,817. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Mike Karmilowicz bought 285 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The shares were bought at an average price of $352.39 per share, with a total value of $100,431.15. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 10,586 shares in the company, valued at $3,730,400.54. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have bought 2,485 shares of company stock worth $874,786. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Everest Group Price Performance

NYSE EG traded up $1.71 during trading on Friday, reaching $397.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 240,127 shares, compared to its average volume of 370,095. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.24 billion, a PE ratio of 6.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.73 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $376.32 and a 200 day moving average of $381.06. Everest Group, Ltd. has a one year low of $331.08 and a one year high of $417.92.

Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $25.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $14.63 by $10.55. The business had revenue of $3.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.85 billion. Everest Group had a return on equity of 25.05% and a net margin of 17.26%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $12.21 EPS. Analysts expect that Everest Group, Ltd. will post 62.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Everest Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th were paid a $1.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 18th. This represents a $7.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.76%. Everest Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 11.72%.

Everest Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC lessened its position in Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT  Free Report) by 2.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 531,629 shares of the shipping companys stock after selling 14,000 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC owned about 0.25% of Nordic American Tankers worth $2,424,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Nordic American Tankers by 1.0% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 12,245,230 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $44,940,000 after buying an additional 126,557 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Nordic American Tankers by 28.3% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 8,121,066 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $29,803,000 after acquiring an additional 1,793,493 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in Nordic American Tankers by 41.7% during the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 7,525,850 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $27,620,000 after acquiring an additional 2,214,790 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in Nordic American Tankers by 42.5% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 7,464,144 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $22,840,000 after purchasing an additional 2,225,910 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Nordic American Tankers by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,792,916 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $20,786,000 after purchasing an additional 57,089 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 44.29% of the companys stock.

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Nordic American Tankers Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE NAT traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $3.92. The stock had a trading volume of 1,801,191 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,249,680. The firm has a market cap of $818.50 million, a P/E ratio of 8.34 and a beta of -0.10. Nordic American Tankers Limited has a fifty-two week low of $3.26 and a fifty-two week high of $4.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $4.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.20.

Nordic American Tankers Increases Dividend

Nordic American Tankers ( NYSE:NAT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 1st. The shipping company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.06). Nordic American Tankers had a return on equity of 18.12% and a net margin of 37.65%. The firm had revenue of $59.25 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $68.90 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.17 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Nordic American Tankers Limited will post 0.63 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.24%. This is an increase from Nordic American Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 19th. Nordic American Tankerss payout ratio is 102.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on NAT shares. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $5.50 price objective on shares of Nordic American Tankers in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. TheStreet lowered shares of Nordic American Tankers from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Nordic American Tankers from $5.00 to $4.50 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $5.33.

View Our Latest Research Report on NAT

Nordic American Tankers Profile

(Free Report)

Nordic American Tankers Limited, a tanker company, acquires and charters double-hull tankers in Bermuda and internationally. It operates a fleet of 19 Suezmax crude oil tankers. The company was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,750,000 shares, a drop of 27.7% from the February 29th total of 2,420,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,270,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days. Approximately 3.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Scorpio Tankers Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE:STNG traded up $1.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $71.55. 959,659 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 875,651. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.13. The company has a market cap of $3.80 billion, a PE ratio of 7.20 and a beta of 0.21. The firms fifty day moving average price is $68.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.01. Scorpio Tankers has a twelve month low of $40.34 and a twelve month high of $73.67.

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Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The shipping company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.62 by $0.13. Scorpio Tankers had a net margin of 40.78% and a return on equity of 22.86%. The firm had revenue of $336.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $335.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.24 EPS. The firms revenue was down 31.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Scorpio Tankers will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Scorpio Tankers Increases Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.24%. This is a positive change from Scorpio Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Scorpio Tankerss payout ratio is currently 16.10%.

STNG has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $89.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. StockNews.com cut shares of Scorpio Tankers from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $74.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on STNG

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Scorpio Tankers

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STNG. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Scorpio Tankers in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 1,985.7% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 584 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 556 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 1,037.0% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 523 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares during the last quarter. Headinvest LLC bought a new stake in shares of Scorpio Tankers in the 3rd quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Scorpio Tankers in the 3rd quarter worth about $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.64% of the companys stock.

Scorpio Tankers Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Scorpio Tankers Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products in the shipping markets worldwide. As of March 23, 2023, its fleet consisted of 113 owned, finance leased, or bareboat chartered-in tankers, including 39 LR2, 60 MR, and 14 Handymax with a weighted average age of approximately 7.2 years.

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Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:BKRIY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of 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 short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Bank of Ireland Group Stock Performance

Shares of BKRIY stock traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $10.14. The company had a trading volume of 22,509 shares, compared to its average volume of 56,456. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $9.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.30. Bank of Ireland Group has a one year low of $8.38 and a one year high of $11.12.

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About Bank of Ireland Group

(Get Free Report)

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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.

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Inscription Capital LLC bought a new position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 2,445 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $202,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Studio Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Aflac by 471.4% during the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on AFL shares. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Aflac from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Aflac from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Aflac from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI cut shares of Aflac from an in-line rating to an underperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $76.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $80.36.

Insider Activity at Aflac

In related news, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total transaction of $2,436,695.63. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 86,090 shares in the company, valued at $6,879,451.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Aflac news, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.73, for a total value of $239,190.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,592 shares in the company, valued at $445,850.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total transaction of $2,436,695.63. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 86,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,879,451.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 46,493 shares of company stock worth $3,765,706. 0.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Aflac Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of AFL stock traded up $0.24 on Friday, hitting $85.86. 2,564,010 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,365,773. Aflac Incorporated has a one year low of $63.08 and a one year high of $86.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.91. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $81.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $80.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a current ratio of 0.06.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.22). The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.44 billion. Aflac had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 24.92%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.29 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.43 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report).

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Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,387 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $237,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF in the first quarter worth about $27,000. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $422,000. Mariner LLC boosted its holdings in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 296.0% in the 1st quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 51,355 shares of the companys stock worth $2,801,000 after buying an additional 38,388 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 4.0% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 228,937 shares of the companys stock worth $12,489,000 after buying an additional 8,747 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 30.8% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,152 shares of the companys stock worth $226,000 after purchasing an additional 978 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:NYF traded up $0.03 on Friday, hitting $53.81. The stock had a trading volume of 67,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 56,451. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $53.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $52.86. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $50.15 and a 1-year high of $54.32.

About iShares New York Muni Bond ETF

iShares New York AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF, formerly iShares S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond 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 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series 2016 IndexTM (the Index).

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At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stephane Sejourne will visit China on April 1.

China News Service: China has announced the scheduled visit by Indonesias President-elect and Great Indonesia Movement Party General Chairman Prabowo Subianto to China. Could you share with us the program of the visit? How does China view the current China-Indonesia relations? Whats Chinas expectation for the visit?

Lin Jian: At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Indonesias President-elect Prabowo Subianto will visit China from March 31 to April 2. President Xi Jinping will hold talks with him. He will also meet with Premier Li Qiang. They will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

Both China and Indonesia are important major developing countries and emerging economies. We share a deep traditional friendship and close and strong cooperation. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Joko Widodo, bilateral relations have sustained a strong momentum of growth and entered the new stage of jointly building a community with a shared future. Mr. Prabowos visit to China will be his first overseas visit as President-elect. It fully demonstrates the robustness of China-Indonesia ties. The visit is a great opportunity to further enhance traditional friendship, deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, and better synergize development strategies to provide a good example of major developing countries embracing a shared future and working in solidarity for common development and a source of stability and force for good in the region and beyond.

Reuters: According to people familiar with the matter, the United States is drawing up a list of Chinese advanced chip-making factories barred from receiving key tools from the US. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comments to offer on this matter?

Lin Jian: The US launched tech blockade and restrictions on China and sanctions and suppression against Chinese companies with an intent to contain Chinas development. They gravely harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, violate market economy principles, undermine international trade rules, and destabilize the global industrial and supply chains. China remains firmly opposed to those US actions. We urge the US to correct the wrongdoings at once and stop illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against Chinese companies. China will continue to closely follow the developments and firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

CCTV: Following the Dasu terrorist attack in Pakistan, has China sent a special team to Pakistan to handle the incident?

Lin Jian: Right after the March 26 terrorist attack, China sent an inter-agency working group to Pakistan. After arriving in Pakistan on March 28, the working group immediately started engaging fully in the emergency response work with the Embassy in Pakistan and the company concerned. The head of the working group, Director-General of the Department of External Security Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Bai Tian met with Pakistani officials, including the Foreign Secretary, the Foreign Minister and the Minister for Interior. He asked the Pakistani side to conduct speedy and thorough investigations into the attack, properly handle ensuing matters, step up security with concrete measures, completely eliminate security risks and do everything possible to ensure the utmost safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan.

The Pakistani side said that investigations and efforts to handle the ensuing matters are fully underway and they are taking all possible steps to step up security for Chinese personnel, projects and institutions. The working group will undertake further related work in Pakistan.

Global Times: It was reported that the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) announced recently that 13 candidates from 37 political organizations have registered for this years presidential election in the country. On March 27, the US government issued a statement, expressing concerns over CNEs decision to prevent opposition parties from registering successive candidates, calling on the Venezuelan government to allow all candidates to run and campaign, and claiming that actions that run counter to the spirit and letter of the Barbados Agreement will have consequences. What is Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: We respect Venezuelas national and sovereign independence, support Venezuela in advancing the election in accordance with its constitution and laws, and oppose external interference in Venezuelas internal affairs. China wishes Venezuela a steady and smooth election and calls for a positive and constructive role from the international community to that end.

CCTV: The China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Xian in May, 2023, marking a milestone in the history of exchanges between China and Central Asian countries. President Xi Jinping announced in Xian that the six countries agreed to set up a secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism in China. It has been almost one year since the summit, can you brief us on the latest development of China-Central Asia mechanism and the preparation for establishing a secretariat?

Lin Jian: Four years ago, China and the five Central Asian countries jointly set up the China-Central Asia mechanism to meet cooperation need and respond to the prevailing trend of the times. Over the past four years, the mechanism has been developing rapidly with fruitful cooperation outcomes in various fields. In May last year, the China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Xian, elevating the China-Central Asia mechanism to presidential level and ushering in the new era of China-Central Asia cooperation.

Guided by the consensus reached at the summit, fruitful results have been achieved in the cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. Over the past year, trade between China and the five Central Asian countries amounted to almost USD 90 billion, up by 27.2 percent year-on-year hitting a new record high. While cooperation in traditional areas, such as economy and trade, energy and agriculture, is booming, cooperation in emerging areas, such as high tech, green energy and e-commerce, shows numerous highlights. The capacity of China-Europe freight trains has been enhanced. Major projects including the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and key section of the China-Tajikistan Highway Phase II project are well underway. Direct passenger flights connecting China and Central Asian countries have been increased to 68 with an improving multi-dimensional interconnectivity paradigm. The first Chinese culture center in Central Asia was launched in Kyrgyzstan, the Luban Workshop in Tajikistan is operating soundly and Confucius Institutes are popular among local people. There are now 80 pairs of sister cities between China and Central Asian countries. These tangible cooperation results showcase the unique advantage and enormous potential of the China-Central Asia mechanism.

Setting up a secretariat as soon as possible is an important step to deliver on the consensus reached by leaders of the six countries and a priority in developing the China-Central Asia mechanism. Taking this opportunity, I would like to announce: as agreed by China and the five Central Asian countries, the launching ceremony of the secretariat of the China-Central Asia mechanism will be held in Xian, Shaanxi province on March 30.

China is convinced that with joint effort of all sides, the China-Central Asia mechanism and its secretariat will continue to develop, promote high-quality cooperation between China and Central Asia and make greater contribution to building an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

Reuters: Taiwans navy chief will visit the United States next week to attend a military ceremony and discuss naval cooperation, according to sources. Would the Foreign Ministry wish to comment?

Lin Jian: Weve noted the reports. China firmly opposes military collusion between the US and Taiwan.

There is but one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations. China urges the US to fully recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan question and the grave harm of relevant issues, deliver on its commitments with concrete actions, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, immediately stop official interactions and military contact with Taiwan, and refrain from sending any wrong message to Taiwan independence separatist forces.

CCTV: The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 released the other day the Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2024. It stresses that Asia stands as a cornerstone for global economic growth in the post-pandemic era, and China will remain a major contributor to global economic growth. Many participants at Boao said they felt in Boao the magnetic effect of the Chinese market and are full of hope for Chinas development and the opportunities it will bring. Could you share with us more details about the forum?

Lin Jian: Thank you for your interest in the forum. The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 was held in Boao, Hainan on the morning of March 28. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress Zhao Leji attended the opening plenary and delivered a keynote speech. At the forum, more than 1,500 political figures, business leaders and think tank scholars from over 60 countries and regions shared insights on the development outlook of Asia and beyond by focusing on this years theme Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities.

In his keynote speech, Chairman Zhao Leji noted, our world today is going through accelerated transformation unseen in a century; Peace and development face grave challenges; We should jointly maintain security in Asia, promote the development of Asia, champion cooperation in Asia, advance openness in Asia, carry forward Asian civilization, and build an Asian community with a shared future; Openness is the hallmark of contemporary China; Chinas door to the world will never close, but will only open wider; 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.

Let me stress that as an important member of the family of Asian nations, China will firmly advance high-standard opening up, drive high-quality growth by growing new quality productive forces, and actively promote regional cooperation. We hope to work with other countries to come up with more good solutions at Boao, draw on our Asian wisdom, and make new contribution to a brighter future of Asia and beyond.

Ukrainian News Agency: International Atomic Energy Agency yesterday issued statement regarding Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, occupied by Russia, in which said that the Russian military is firing artillery from the territory of the plant. Military activity at industrial site of ZNPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, may cause a large-scale nuclear disaster, the consequences of which are difficult to predict. Can you comment on such actions of the Russians at the occupied Ukrainian ZNPP, and can you say whether the Chinese side called on Russian authorities to behave more carefully at this nuclear plant?

Lin Jian: China attaches great importance to nuclear safety in Ukraine. China specifically called for keeping nuclear power plants safe in its position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

The issue of nuclear safety is one aspect of the Ukraine crisis. Its resolution ultimately depends on the prospects for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Only by cooling down the situation and restoring peace as soon as possible can nuclear safety risks be fundamentally eliminated. All parties need to work in a responsible way for the proper settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China will continue playing a constructive role to this end.

Beijing Youth Daily: A follow-up question on French Foreign Ministers visit to China. Could you share with us the program of the visit? Whats Chinas expectation for the visit?

Lin Jian: During his visit to China, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Sejourne will hold talks and meet the press together.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. In recent years, under the joint guidance of the two presidents, bilateral relations have sustained a sound momentum of growth. The two countries have had frequent high-level interactions, made steady progress in exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and maintained sound multilateral communication and coordination. The two sides have also worked together to respond to global challenges.

This will be Foreign Minister Sejournes first visit to China after he assumed the office of Foreign Minister. China looks forward to exchanging views with France on bilateral ties, China-EU relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. We look to work with France to sustain the sound momentum of dialogue and make more progress in bilateral cooperation.

Hubei Media Group: The session on the Global Security Initiative of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 was held yesterday afternoon. Could you share with us more details on the session?

Lin Jian: The Global Security Initiative: Addressing Security Challenges and Promoting World Peace session of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 was held on the afternoon of March 28. Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong attended the session and delivered a keynote speech. The session was also attended by close to 100 guests, including Chinese and foreign political figures and heads of international and regional organizations.

As the Global Security Initiative is about to celebrate its second anniversary, the session is an important event held by China in Boao where the initiative was first announced by President Xi Jinping. China shared in detail the essence and defining features of the initiative and called on the international community to enhance the international consensus on safeguarding common security and advancing the peaceful settlement of hotspot issues. We call for promoting more practical cooperation for international security, zooming in on the key regions and turning Asia into a case in point of the Global Security Initiative cooperation.

The Chinese and foreign guests present spoke highly of what we have achieved since the initiative was put forth and expressed expectation for the global efforts in upholding peace and security in world. We will continue working in solidarity with all parties in the international community to further implement the Global Security Initiative and build a better world with lasting peace and universal security.

Xinhua News Agency: Its reported that on March 28, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the Cambodian King delivered a speech at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024. He expressed worry about the geopolitics dominating the narrative on the global economy, and criticized some countries for suppressing the development of other countries by piecing together countries, destabilizing on purpose global industrial and supply chains, and sabotaging global governance and the interests of other countries. He called on all countries to uphold multilateralism and oppose decoupling and severing of supply chains. Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke highly of Chinas model of development that benefits other countries without sacrificing their interests. Whats your comment?

Lin Jian: China appreciates Samdech Techo Hun Sens statement. It fully demonstrates that some countries attempts to serve their own geopolitical strategies by politicizing economic issues, piecing together various kinds of small circles, pushing for decoupling and severing of supply chains, and harming other countries interests have triggered the sharp vigilance of and firm opposition by regional countries. Meanwhile, it also shows that commitment to strategic independence, stability, and faster development is the aspiration shared by regional countries.

Asia is the region with the greatest vitality and potential of development. It should be a big arena of mutually beneficial cooperation instead of be severed into isolated and exclusive small circles. In the face of a world full of turbulence and change, China will stay committed to be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world. China stands ready to work with other countries to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits,jointly keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and move toward an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

AFP: Russia blocked the renewal of panel of UN experts monitoring international sanctions on North Korea. Can you explain why China didnt block or support the veto?

Lin Jian: The Chinese side has fully elaborated our position in the Explanation of Vote at the Security Council. I would like to stress again that reasonable views of Russia have not been taken on board. The draft resolution has been forced to a vote and members of the Security Council had to lay their cards on the table when the co-sponsors still had time for consultations. This does no good to safeguarding the authority of the Security Council. Amid continued tensions on the Korean Peninsula, blindly imposing sanctions and pressure will not solve the problem. Political settlement is the only viable way out. We hope the Security Council and relevant parties will make constructive effort to this end.

RIA Novosti: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Russia is ready for negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but not on the basis of the peace formula proposed by Kyiv. He also pointed out the document proposed by China is more rational and Moscow positively responded to it. Mr. Lavrov also noted that Russia is ready to guarantee the legitimate security interests of other participants in the process if the same guarantees are provided to Moscow. Whats Chinas comment on his words?

Lin Jian: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We stay committed to our constructive role for a ceasefire and political settlement of the crisis. We will continue to promote peace talks in our own way for the political settlement of the crisis as soon as possible.

Dragon TV: Its reported that Japan enacted the Fiscal 2024 Budget on March 28, including a record-high defense budget of JPY 7.95 trillion (around RMB 410 billion) with a year-on-year increase of 16.7 percent. Whats your comment?

Lin Jian: Given Japans not-too-distant history of militarist aggression, Japans military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms export and seeking military breakthroughs. Japans neighboring countries and beyond have to strongly call into question Japans commitment to the exclusively defense-oriented policy and the path to peaceful development. We urge Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of neighboring countries, deeply reflect on its history of aggression, commit itself to the path of peaceful development, and avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and beyond.
Blue Trust Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 44.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 6,841 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 5,528 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Danaher were worth $1,697,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Apella Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Danaher by 2.0% in the third quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 2,332 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $579,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV increased its position in shares of Danaher by 0.8% during the first quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 6,064 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,779,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Danaher by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Peddock Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,523 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,370,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. IMS Capital Management boosted its holdings in Danaher by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. IMS Capital Management now owns 11,046 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,651,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. Finally, New Hampshire Trust grew its position in Danaher by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 14,438 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $3,582,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. HSBC assumed coverage on Danaher in a research note on Monday, December 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Danaher in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. KeyCorp increased their target price on Danaher from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Barclays lowered shares of Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $266.00.

Danaher Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of DHR stock traded up $0.95 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $249.72. 2,560,205 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,726,755. The companys 50 day moving average is $247.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $230.53. Danaher Co. has a 1 year low of $182.09 and a 1 year high of $259.00. The firm has a market cap of $184.72 billion, a PE ratio of 39.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.91 by $0.18. Danaher had a return on equity of 12.25% and a net margin of 17.26%. The firm had revenue of $6.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.10 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.87 earnings per share. Danahers revenue was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Danaher Co. will post 7.62 EPS for the current year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is a boost from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. Danahers payout ratio is currently 16.90%.

Insider Transactions at Danaher

In other news, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total value of $816,724.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,898,360.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total value of $816,724.48. Following the transaction, the director now owns 19,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,898,360.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total value of $636,280.74. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,244 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,029,891.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 32,957 shares of company stock valued at $8,265,802. 11.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Danaher Profile

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Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 8.8% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 11,500 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 928 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Aflac were worth $883,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AFL. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Studio Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC raised its stake in Aflac by 471.4% in the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new position in Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Aflac Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of Aflac stock traded up $0.24 on Friday, hitting $85.86. 2,564,010 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,365,773. The firms 50-day moving average is $81.72 and its 200 day moving average is $80.77. Aflac Incorporated has a 52-week low of $63.08 and a 52-week high of $86.26. The stock has a market cap of $49.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.08, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Aflac ( NYSE:AFL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.22). Aflac had a return on equity of 17.59% and a net margin of 24.92%. The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.44 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.29 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.43 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total transaction of $2,436,695.63. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 86,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,879,451.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Aflac news, Director Arthur Reginald Collins sold 3,000 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.73, for a total value of $239,190.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,592 shares in the company, valued at approximately $445,850.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total value of $2,436,695.63. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 86,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,879,451.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 46,493 shares of company stock valued at $3,765,706 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Evercore ISI downgraded shares of Aflac from an in-line rating to an underperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $76.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Aflac from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. StockNews.com raised shares of Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Aflac from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Aflac from $61.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $80.36.

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Aflac Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

Further Reading

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Shares of Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (ETR:DBAN  Get Free Report) traded down 0.2% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as 25.20 ($27.39) and last traded at 25.25 ($27.45). 16,261 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 61% from the average session volume of 42,193 shares. The stock had previously closed at 25.30 ($27.50).

Deutsche Beteiligungs Stock Down 0.2 %

The companys 50-day moving average is 26.39 and its 200 day moving average is 28.35. The company has a market capitalization of $484.10 million, a PE ratio of 8.28, a P/E/G ratio of -0.78 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.69, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 1.03.

About Deutsche Beteiligungs

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in direct and fund of fund investments. Within direct investments the firm specializes in expansion capital, management buyout, emerging growth, middle market, mid venture, late venture, growth capital, add-on acquisitions, bridge financing, PIPES, management buy-ins for experienced executives, corporate spin-offs, succession arrangements and generational transition in a family-owned business, small and medium-sized companies, and pre-IPO stage investments.

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MBL Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 5,269 shares of the natural resource companys stock, valued at approximately $224,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of FCX. Cape ANN Savings Bank lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank now owns 15,588 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $624,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,252 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $200,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 10,606 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $451,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 38.8% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 965 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PFG Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 16,844 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $717,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. 80.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

NYSE FCX traded up $1.14 on Friday, reaching $47.02. The companys stock had a trading volume of 20,168,968 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,259,128. The firm has a market cap of $67.45 billion, a PE ratio of 37.00 and a beta of 2.02. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $40.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.67. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.83 and a 52 week high of $47.19. The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 8.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.52 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.53 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.28%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is 23.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on FCX. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. 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 report on Thursday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.95.

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Freeport-McMoRan Profile

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, March 29th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 17th will be given a dividend of 0.15 per share by the electronics maker on Wednesday, May 1st. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 16th.

Acuity Brands has a payout ratio of 3.9% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Acuity Brands to earn $14.87 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 4.0%.

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Acuity Brands Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE:AYI traded up $1.14 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $268.73. 315,311 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 225,846. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $247.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $205.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.49. Acuity Brands has a 1 year low of $149.30 and a 1 year high of $270.95. The company has a current ratio of 2.45, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

Insider Activity

Acuity Brands ( NYSE:AYI Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 9th. The electronics maker reported $3.72 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.49. The business had revenue of $934.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $935.14 million. Acuity Brands had a return on equity of 21.43% and a net margin of 9.56%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.04 EPS. Analysts predict that Acuity Brands will post 13.72 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Acuity Brands news, SVP Barry R. Goldman sold 1,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.01, for a total transaction of $429,419.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 8,611 shares in the company, valued at $1,946,172.11. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, SVP Barry R. Goldman sold 1,900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.01, for a total transaction of $429,419.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 8,611 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,946,172.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Dianne S. Mills sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.11, for a total value of $1,350,660.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,554 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,925,590.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Acuity Brands

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FIL Ltd grew its position in shares of Acuity Brands by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 427,012 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $87,465,000 after acquiring an additional 2,382 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Acuity Brands by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 22,681 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $4,646,000 after acquiring an additional 1,163 shares during the period. GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Acuity Brands during the 4th quarter valued at about $2,160,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in shares of Acuity Brands by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 15,375 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $3,149,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the period. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its holdings in Acuity Brands by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 6,068 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $1,243,000 after buying an additional 282 shares during the last quarter. 98.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on AYI shares. StockNews.com raised Acuity Brands from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Acuity Brands from $200.00 to $236.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on Acuity Brands from $236.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $215.00.

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About Acuity Brands

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Acuity Brands, Inc provides lighting, lighting controls, building management system, location-aware applications in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL); and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). The ABL segment provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting solutions, as well as lighting controls and components for various indoor and outdoor applications under the A-Light, Aculux, American Electric Lighting, Cyclone, Dark to Light, eldoLED, Eureka, Gotham, Healthcare Lighting, Holophane, Hydrel, Indy, IOTA, Juno, Lithonia Lighting, Luminaire LED, Luminis, Mark Architectural Lighting, nLight, OPTOTRONIC, Peerless, RELOCWiring Solutions, and Sensor Switch.

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General American Investors Company, Inc. (NYSE:GAM  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,700 shares, a decline of 34.6% from the February 29th total of 2,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 19,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

General American Investors Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of GAM traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $46.51. The company had a trading volume of 8,935 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,326. General American Investors has a 52-week low of $37.73 and a 52-week high of $46.61. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $44.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $42.74.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Priest purchased 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, January 8th. The stock was purchased 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 in the company, valued at approximately $4,034,039.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders bought a total of 1,830 shares of company stock valued at $79,148 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 8.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

General American Investors Company Profile

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Peoples Bank KS purchased a new position in shares of General American Investors during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of General American Investors during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $51,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in shares of General American Investors during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $78,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of General American Investors during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $88,000. Finally, Stolper Co boosted its position in shares of General American Investors by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Stolper Co now owns 5,779 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $248,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 36.85% of the companys stock.

(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.

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TFB Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 4,467 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $236,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Provence Wealth Management Group acquired a new stake in iShares Europe ETF in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 511.3% during the third quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 758 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 634 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in iShares Europe ETF during the third quarter valued at $45,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 305.5% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,249 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 941 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Systematic Alpha Investments LLC bought a new stake in iShares Europe ETF during the third quarter valued at $76,000.

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iShares Europe ETF Stock Down 0.2 %

IEV traded down $0.13 during trading on Friday, reaching $55.67. 132,588 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 315,280. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a PE ratio of 14.45 and a beta of 0.92. The stocks 50-day moving average is $53.65 and its 200 day moving average is $51.00. iShares Europe ETF has a 12 month low of $45.43 and a 12 month high of $55.82.

iShares Europe ETF Company Profile

iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index 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 Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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Housing Minister Darragh OBrien has said homelessness rates in Ireland are the first thing he thinks about every morning, as the country reached a new record of people in emergency accommodation.

There were 13,841 people accessing emergency homeless accommodation by the end of February, according to the latest figures.

This includes 4,170 children  also the highest number recorded  across 1,994 families.

In the wake of the figures, homelessness charities urged the Government to make social housing a priority while Sinn Fein called for an urgent general election.

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.

Almost 6,000 men and more than 3,700 women were accessing emergency accommodation during that period.

The majority (72%) of the adult service users were in Dublin.

The latest figures also show an increase of 2,099 people (18%) in emergency accommodation in the 12 months since February 2023, including a 24% increase in children.

Mr OBrien acknowledged that developing sufficient permanent homes is the ultimate solution to homelessness but said we are moving in the right direction and at pace.

He has pointed to a 16% year-on-year increase in the provision of social homes to 12,000, and a doubling of affordable homes  at 4,000 in 2023.

He said homelessness was the single best challenge facing the Government, adding: Its the first thing I think about every single day when I get up and go to work.

Speaking on RTEs Prime Time: And what is the solution to that is that we provide more homes which were doing  since I took over as minister over 100,000 new homes.

Its a big challenge, there is no question, our population is growing, theres complexities around homelessness as to why people fall into homelessness, it can be through family break up, it can be new arrivals, it can be for a multitude of reasons.

So it remains the number one challenge but there is hope there.

Sinn Feins housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said other figures released on Thursday show that the Government missed its targets for new-build social housing in 2023.

He said: Homelessness is rising because the Governments social and affordable housing targets are too low and are being missed every single year.

This Government is not capable of solving this crisis. The longer they are in Government the worse the housing crisis is going to get.

He added: We urgently need a general election, a change of Government and crucially a change of housing plan to deliver the volume of social and affordable homes that are needed to tackle this escalating crisis.

Focus Ireland described the figures as distressing and called on the Government to make tackling homelessness a political priority.

The charity said there was an urgent need for more decisive action to reverse the trend of rising monthly homelessness figures since the end of the pandemic.

Chief executive Pat Dennigan said: 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.

He added: 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.

Focus Ireland said it is writing to incoming taoiseach Simon Harris next week to ask him to set clear goals to help end the human crisis of homelessness.

These goals are as follows: prioritising homelessness as a key agenda item, setting more realistic targets for home building, and ensuring a fairer share of social housing supply is allocated to homeless households, the organisation added.

Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, 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.
Hasan Abuolba was 14 when he escaped Gaza and sought asylum in Rochester. He left behind his mother, his five sisters and several other relatives but brought with him severe PTSD and memories of the 2014 war.

A decade later, with almost 150 family members dead, Abuolba is back on the same prescribed PTSD medication as he seeks to rescue what is left of his family in the Middle East.

This war is just a lot different than any war weve seen, he said of the Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7 and the war that has followed. Weve never had these many civilians killed.

Trying to continue to focus attention on the war and the calls for a cease-fire are behind Lindsay Ackers plan to organize a solidarity walk Saturday. The Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Buffalo is a 25-mile walk from Niagara Square to Niagara Falls, a distance that mirrors the length of the Gaza coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.

Were walking to mourn, to remember and to witness, said Acker, an Amherst resident who has cousins in Palestine.

With prayers, songs and blessings along the way, route details can be found at gcpilgrimagebuff.weebly.com. Interested participants are encouraged to register.

The funds raised through the walk will be split among donations to the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, the Refugee Alliance International and to Abuolbas GoFundMe page.

On Oct. 9, two days after the invasion, Abuolba received a call from his mother.

She broke down, telling me to forgive her. ... She believed that she was going to die, he said Thursday.

With her five daughters, aged between 11 to 22, Hasans mother, Rihab, 52, attempted to leave their house in Tal-alhawa in the southern part of Gaza to reach safer places as designated by Israeli Defense Forces. Since it was still unsafe, they walked to Khan Yunis, one of the largest urban centers in the Gaza Strip. They stayed with 27 other people in a small apartment there.

They didnt have food. They were hungry most nights. There werent any beds, they were sleeping on the floor. There was no heat, Abuolba said, while his sister Yara nodded along.

A medical device engineering student at Gaza who was three months shy of graduation when the war hit, Yara is one of the few who was able to use a tourist visa to flee to the United States, reuniting with her brother Feb. 14.

Once her college was destroyed, she just felt hopeless, she felt like the effort she put in for five years, all the money that we spent, was gone in a blink of an eye and there was no future for them, Abuolba translated for his sister, who spoke to The News in Arabic.

Abuolba eventually decided to start a GoFundMe to raise the money required to get his family the aid they needed to travel to a safer location. Another GoFundMe is now being used to raise funds for his other relatives, including his uncle and aunts families who are stuck in both Gaza and Rafah.

Im supporting them while theyre in Egypt. Right now, because their stay has expired, she cant even receive money through Western Union. So, by next month, if theyre not here, they will be homeless, he said.

Abuolba will break his Ramadan fast with his sister before the sun rises Saturday before embarking on the nearly 12-hour walk. He said he has received a lot of support from his friends across the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities, many of whom will be a part of this walk.

We are rooting for a cease-fire, he said.
Interim Buffalo State University President Bonita Durand didnt even want the job full time when the school was searching for a new president.

But after Buffalo States choice to lead the school, Chance Glenn, lost his job this week  months before he even started  the university is turning again to Durand, a familiar face with years of experience as one of its top administrators.

I think its safe to say that her staying on is the silver lining to this whole situation, said Ken Fujiuchi, emerging technology librarian at the E. H. Butler Library at Buffalo State and chair of the College Senate. We are really happy to have her on board.

Durand, 74, came out of retirement to take over on an interim basis after Katherine Conway-Turner retired after nine years as president in June. Durand led the school during the national search for a new president last year, but declined to be a candidate for the permanent role.

Now that Glenn, who landed the job in December, is out, Durand has agreed to stay on for two more years while the university embarks on another search.

Buffalo State presidential pick is out after SUNY investigation Chance Glenn, the Buffalo State presidential pick who was due to take office July 1, is out of the job, SUNY announced in a statement Wednesday.

People who know her say that is a coup for SUNY, whose confidence in Durand made persuading her to stay a better choice than investing in someone whose judgment was being questioned.

I think Bonita Durand is the best and, probably, the only person for the job, given all the circumstances, said Fred Floss, a Buffalo State economics professor and a campus labor leader.

SUNY did not say why it rejected Glenn, who had planned to leave his job as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Houston-Victoria to take over at Buffalo State in July.

But SUNY made the decision after investigating concerns raised by a UHV marketing professor, Jeff Blodgett, about discrepancies in Glenns application for a $272,000 National Science Foundation grant for his private research and development firm.

A familiar face

In announcing the move to keep Durand on and release Glenn, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. praised Durand for her wisdom and service.

Dr. Durand takes every opportunity to promote higher education as a path toward upward mobility, meeting with high school students where they are and getting them to campus to show them what college has to offer, King said. Enrollment for first-time students is now growing under her leadership, and a financial plan to ensure a bright future is coalescing thanks to her guidance. Boni has our full support and confidence.

When I was asked by SUNY to stay on in this role, there was no hesitancy in committing, Durand told The Buffalo News. It is an honor to lead Buffalo State University and something I am immensely proud of doing.

We are continuing with a collaborative process by engaging our College Senate, College Council and Foundation Board in our discussions with SUNY about eliminating the structural deficit, she added. Through shared governance and including the input of our faculty, staff, student body, collective bargaining partners and other stakeholders, we believe we are positioned to seize this opportunity and position ourselves as SUNYs flagship comprehensive university.

Although she has been interim president for less than a year, Durand is well known at Buffalo State, where she had served for 22 years, including as chief of staff for five previous presidents, before retiring in 2018.

She came back as top administrator at a time when faculty, staff and students were still digesting revelations that the university faced a $16 million deficit that had been building for years as enrollment shrank, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, while staffing did not.

Buffalo States College Senate had voted no confidence in a strategic plan created under Conway-Turner and was poised to also vote no confidence in her when she announced her retirement in late 2022. At the time, Floss described the relationship between the administration and faculty as an us versus them situation.

Durand came out of retirement to change that. She took over as SUNY was about to put Buffalo State and several other schools with long-term structural deficits  including SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Potsdam  on warning that they needed to erase their shortfalls in the next five years.

For the past nine months, Durand has worked closely with faculty and staff on all levels to ensure they feel included and invested in turning things around, Floss said.

She has told everyone, If you have an issue or problem, feel free to reach out to me, Floss said. She has been meeting with departments and schools and talking frankly about what we need to do and asking for our help.

She is approachable and someone we feel (we) can at least share our ideas with, Floss added. Whether or not they get used, we know she cares about the place, she cares about the students and she cares about the faculty and staff, and I think thats all we can really ask for.

SUNY report issues new strategies for recruitment, programs, sustainability The SUNY system had its first uptick in enrollment in a decade last year, but a report issued Tuesday recommends a broad series of moves to expand the system's research initiatives and increase its potential economic impact across the state.

A down-to-earth approach

Colleagues describe Boni Durand as a down-to-earth person who treats everyone as a peer whose viewpoints matter.

Unlike past Buffalo State presidents, Durand turned down the free car that comes with the position and declined to live in the stately Buffalo State Presidents House, a mansion-like residence on Lincoln Parkway. Instead, she prefers to stay in the modest suburban home she and her late husband bought in 2014.

Durand is known for the annual Second and Third Shift Pizza Party, a late-night party for the evening and overnight custodial, information technology and campus safety staff that she started when she was chief of staff.

This is a tradition at Buffalo State that celebrates the staff we dont often see, Durand said at last years midnight party, which several of her administrative team also attended. It is a small token of our gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

Durands approach has boosted morale and improved transparency, Fujiuchi said. For many years, Buffalo State was a model of shared governance, in which the president and cabinet worked hand-in-hand with the College Senate, which represents faculty, staff and students, he said.

But in recent years, he said, that collaboration eroded and complaints grew that the universitys administration had become more autocratic.

Floss said Durand helped ease campus fears that Buffalo State might address its deficit by announcing cuts to staff and programs without faculty or student input, as SUNY Fredonia did. Instead, Durand imposed a hiring freeze as a way to reduce staff by attrition, for now.

Durand also worked with Buffalo States enrollment team on creative approaches to supporting students who most benefit from a college degree: low-income, underrepresented and first-generation students who would not be able to afford most larger schools.

Last year, Buffalo State introduced two new student grants and additional support services that helped draw a freshman class of 2,045 students, a nearly 20% increase from the prior year and the largest incoming class since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Glenns downfall

As for Glenn, SUNY has not said why it concluded he wouldnt be the best leader for Buffalo State. But earlier in the month, SUNY said it was investigating issues raised by faculty at UHV.

Glenns main accuser, Blodgett, began speaking out against him in January, shortly after Glenn removed him as interim dean of the UHV business school, a position Blodgett reportedly hoped would become permanent.

Several members of the UHV faculty senate described Blodgett as having a grudge against Glenn, and said his claims that Glenn misrepresented his company to get an NSF grant were overblown. The University of Houston legal counsel told The Buffalo News there had been some compliance issues on Glenns grant application, but that it worked with him to resolve them.

Glenns business, Morningbird Space Corp., has a history of changing its name and officers. The NSF grant he obtained required him to perform research aimed at proving the possibility of distorting spacetime to achieve warp speed through lab experiments, supposedly a full-time job.

Although he was working full time at UHV, Glenn initially listed himself as the grants principal investigator and said he was employed full time at his company. He then changed the application to give his daughter the principal investigator role. The companys website claims to offer technology solutions and products, but features only one product, a 3-D printer that Glenn patented in 2022.

Glenn, a physicist and electrical engineer, has had many research papers published in scientific and engineering journals, and previously held deanships at Alabama A&M University and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Durand is much more of a known quantity in Buffalo. She and her husband, the late Henry J. Durand, were high school sweethearts in her native Cincinnati who married in 1979. In 1990, they moved to Buffalo so Henry could take a job overseeing the University at Buffalos Equal Opportunity Program, where he served for 24 years.

Durand held a bachelors degree in business administration from Union Institute in Cincinnati and went on to earn a masters in public affairs and a doctorate in higher education administration from UB.

Durand and her husband founded a scholarship fund at UB and were active in the Greater Buffalo Community Foundation, whose board she serves on.

She has also served as faculty adviser for the collegiate chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, and as campus adviser for Buffalo States chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a Black sorority founded at Howard University in 1913.

Durand may be making a personal sacrifice to lead Buffalo State for two more years, but Floss said he is glad she said yes.

She had the background with the faculty, staff and students, but she also has a strong background with the Western New York community, and that will be crucial for Buffalo State moving forward as we try to find our way out of our financial problems, he said.

As the end of her interim presidency seemed to be in sight, Durand booked a vacation cruise for this summer.

I really hope she wont have to cancel it, Fujiuchi said.

He recalled Durand saying that she looked forward to retirement.

But she said if she needed to, she would stay on to make sure that Buffalo State stays on track. She was partly kidding, but we know she has a strong commitment to make sure Buffalo State has good leadership, Fujiuchi said.
Once again and apropos for #TBT . . . We notice Kansas City old school politicos attempting to flex on the electorate as the upcoming vote comes down to the wire.

By now VOTERS HAVE HEARD ALL OF THE TALKING POINTS AD NAUSEAM but the smiling faces from days gone by might be a nice touch in opposition to so much angry outcry.

And so we ask about www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community . . .



HOW MUCH WILL FORMER KANSAS CITY MAYORS INFLUENCE VOTERS?!?!

Don't be too dismissive . . . At one time all of these three power players operated with a stranglehold on the local electorte.

Now . . . Voters might be a little bit more skeptical about their intentions.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com image . . .

Developing . . .
We've covered a couple of these topics in other posts but for right now we wanted to include another glimpse at ALLEGED local misdeeds, court cases and all manner of metro crime reporting.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Both landlord, tenant cited during eviction incident at KCMO home Multiple were detained while police determined if shots were fired during a towing incident in Kansas City, Missouri, police said.

Overland Park Police say shoplifting has become a 'crisis.' But what does the data say? Despite a few headline-grabbing incidents in Overland Park, public records show that reports and arrests for shoplifting and theft remain below their pre-pandemic peaks. But police officials are raising concerns about what they call "organized retail crime."

Man charged in Chiefs parade shooting, also accused in teen's 2021 killing A man accused in a teen's death in 2021 is now charged in connection to the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally shooting last month.

KC man sentenced to 11 years after bragging to FBI informant about cocaine connections One man will spend the next 11 years in federal prison after he bragged about his cocaine connections at Kansas City bars to a confidential informant for the FBI.

Kansas City, Missouri police continue crack down on expired tags, 200 people cited in 1 day Kansas City, Missouri police continue to crack down on drivers with expired license plates. Officers recently issued 200 citations in one day.

Suspect charged in Independence police officer, court worker's deaths requests pretrial release Larry Acree's attorney filed a motion in Jackson County court on Wednesday seeking pretrial release on personal recognizance or a bond reduction.

KC tax preparer pleads guilty to years-long tax fraud scheme during tax season A tax preparer from the Kansas City area could face 50 years in federal prison after a 6-year-long scheme to file fraudulent tax returns.

Olathe choir teacher kissed student at school, had 'sexual relations' in home, police say The fired Olathe North High School choir teacher is accused of sexting, kissing & having oral sex with a student at school & at his home.

Developing . . .
Antarctica, the coldest, windiest, and driest continent, holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth, a bone-chilling minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit. But do not let these extremes fool you; this icy wonderland is teeming with life and adventure that await the bold.

Imagine the huge landscape of this continent, home to wildlife, including seals, penguins, and whales that thrive in its harsh conditions. Every year, thousands of travelers defy the ordinary and step into the extraordinary, journeying to Antarctica to witness its extraordinary natural beauty.

You could be one of them, though! Getting to Antarctica has become more accessible than ever, with various expeditions setting sail from South America. These trips offer thrill and peacefulness, unlike any other destination. So, if you are itching for an adventure that breaks the mold, pack your bags and set your sights on Antarctica. Trust me, it is an experience that you do not want to miss.

Start Your Journey to Antarctica

Traveling to Antarctica might seem like an expedition reserved for the most intrepid explorers. However, the journey to this remote continent is now more accessible than many people realize. You typically begin your adventure from Ushuaia in Argentina, known as the gateway to Antarctica. From there, you embark on a ship that navigates through the Drake Passage, famous for its challenging seas but also for its breathtaking sightings of marine life.

For those looking for a quicker route, flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island offer a direct path to the Antarctic Peninsula. This accessibility means that the once distant dream of setting foot in Antarctica is now a tangible reality for travelers.

Experience the Wildlife of Antarctica

The wildlife in Antarctica provides an unparalleled spectacle that alone makes the journey worth it. This icy continent is home to several species that have adapted to its extreme conditions. From huge colonies of penguins waddling on the ice to seals lounging along the shorelines and whales breaching the icy waters, the continent teems with life. Visitors often find themselves mere meters away from these animals, observing their behaviors in their natural habitat. It is a privilege that comes with the responsibility to respect and preserve their environment.

Related Article: Antarctica21's Latest Ship Magellan Discoverer Revolutionizes Polar Travel

Watch the Beauty of Antarctic Landscapes

Antarctica's landscapes are nothing short of ethereal. Icebergs the size of cities float in its surrounding seas, displaying shapes and colors. The continent itself is covered by ice that in some places, extends over 2,000 meters thick. Glaciers carve through the terrain, creating dramatic scenes that are both imposing and beautiful. The midnight sun during the Antarctic summer offers endless daylight, illuminating the scenery in a surreal, continuous glow. For those who venture here, the views offer a sense of scale and an understanding of the term "pristine wilderness."

Activities and Adventures in Antarctica

The activities available in Antarctica ensure that your time on the continent is both thrilling and educational. Zodiac cruises take you between icebergs and close to shorelines, where you can witness wildlife in their natural habitats.

Many expeditions offer the chance for visitors to kayak in the icy waters, providing a peaceful and intimate experience with the environment. For the more adventurous, there are opportunities for snowshoeing, ice-climbing, and even camping on the ice. Each activity offers a different perspective of Antarctica, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in its wonders.

Read Also: Here's Why Stornoway Might Just Be the UK's Friendliest Town
A man convicted in 2009 of stalking, who also spent time in federal prison for threatening the same victim, has been arrested on a cyberstalking charge accusing him of targeting the victim again, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Federal prosecutors said Daniel Richter, 45, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if he is found guilty on the charge.

In 2002, Richter sent what authorities described as bizarre emails to the female victim he was acquainted with at the University at Buffalo, and followed her around. In 2007, Richter began sending her postcards with strange messages and leaving harassing voicemail messages on her work phone. Richter was arrested by Niagara County Sheriffs Office deputies on April 23, 2008, after which he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree stalking and was fined. An order of protection was issued against him on behalf of the victim.

Despite this, Richter renewed communications with the victim through telephone calls and emails. In September 2020, Richter was convicted of interstate communication of threats to injure the victim and sentenced to 24 months in federal prison. After completing his term of supervised release on that conviction in December, Richter renewed his attempts to make contact with the victim.

Authorities said that between Dec. 25 and Feb. 6, Richter left about 94 voice messages for the victim, and sent more than 600 emails to her between Feb. 6 and his arrest on Thursday. The emails include what authorities described as incoherent rambling, along with sexual and/or threatening comments directed at the victim. In one of the emails, Richter threatened to travel to Western New York to see the victim in person.

Law enforcement located Richter early Thursday at a hotel in Amherst, after he had flown to Buffalo from Los Angeles. Inside Richters hotel room, investigators found a photograph of the victim, along with her contact information, a ski mask and hair dye.

Richter was held in custody after he made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy, who scheduled him to return for a detention hearing on Monday.
Things are starting to look up at the Tuscarora Indian School, which for years was ignored by New York State when it came to building maintenance.

'Closing the gap' is vital at Tuscarora Indian School. New York State funding is key New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed considerable state school aid for the third straight year for the Tuscarora School and two other Native American schools owned by the state.

The past two state budgets allocated millions for the school on the Tuscarora Nation, and the New York Power Authority recently completed two projects that will provide clean water and warm classrooms for years to come.

The authority spent nearly $934,000 for a new water treatment system and 11 electric heating units in classrooms, the cafeteria and the staff room.

Work was completed through its Environmental Justice Program, which coordinated with the Tuscarora Nation and the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District, and came at no cost to the district.

Today, we gather to show our appreciation to the New York Power Authority for stepping up to make a difference in the learning environment for those who attend and those who work in the Tuscarora Nation School, Superintendent Daniel J. Ljiljanich said Wednesday during a program at the school to acknowledge the contribution and improvements.

Tuscarora Indian School in line for more state funding Last year, the state budget set aside $11.8 million for repairs, replacements and upgrades at the school. Gov. Kathy Hochul has suggested another $6.6 million in this year's budget for Tuscarora.

While the other schools in the district had millions of dollars of renovations and sprucing up, Tuscarora had less than $200,000 over a seven-year period.

When Dan Ljiljanich saw what was happening to the Tuscarora school, I believe he was shocked, said Neil Patterson, Tuscarora Nation Council representative.

Tuscarora is one of three Native American schools owned by New York State, which is responsible for maintaining them. The school on the Tuscarora Nation educates about 70 Native American children from prekindergarten through sixth grade, maintaining a strong connection to their language, culture and history.

Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll said it is rewarding to complete projects that have a concrete benefit of cleaner energy and, hopefully, a lower cost.

We all understand the need to address the impacts of a challenging climate and focus on energy use and sustainable living, he said, adding that the authoritys justice program plans to continue partnering with the school.

'Dilapidated' Tuscarora Indian School in line for major repairs Gov. Kathy Hochul has included $35.7 million in her proposed 2022-23 budget for repairs at three state-owned schools on native reservations.

Our partnership supports the next generation, and it brings us another step closer to achieving New York States nation meeting clean energy goals, Driscoll said.

With the improvements being made to the school, the next generation will learn to study and learn, and study you will, Patterson told the students.

The Power Authority also engaged with fifth and sixth graders, who learned about the energy upgrades and ways to conserve energy and developed their own conservation campaigns to share with their peers.

Gov. Kathy Hochul raised the funding for the three Native schools to $35.7 million in 2022, with Tuscarora receiving $11.8 million.

Last years total was $20.1 million. The Tuscarora school got $6.6 million. The governor proposed $20.1 million for the three schools next year. It is not known how much might be included when the 2024-25 budget being deliberated is approved.

The first job completed with state funding was repointing crumbling brick on the building. Sidewalks and aprons around the building were resurfaced, and the railing on an exterior stairwell was repaired.

The roof is to be replaced, a new fuel tank will be installed and new playgrounds will be built this summer, according to the superintendent.
The country is tonight mourning the loss of one of its legal luminaries... who also served i
By Jeff Murphy, March 28, 2024







WARRENSBURG, MO  Transfer students pursuing careers in design and drafting have a new opportunity to seamlessly advance their higher education from a two-year to a four-year program thanks to a new articulation agreement between Waubonsee Community College (WCC) in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and the University of Central Missouri, with educational opportunities in Warrensburg and online.



Documents formally establishing this initiative were recently signed by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Phillip Bridgmon, Ph.D., at UCM, and the Executive Dean for Business, Technology, and Workforce Education, Ne'Keisha Stepney, MBA, at WCC. The agreement, to be reviewed every five years, establishes guidelines and requirements for students to transfer from WCCs Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting to UCMs Bachelor of Science in Design and Drafting Technology.



We are thrilled to partner with Waubonsee Community College to provide and enhance opportunities for transfer students pursuing a bachelors degree in Design and Drafting Technology, said Roya Azimzadeh, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Design and Drafting Technology at UCM. Through this partnership, transfer students from Waubonsee Community College will benefit from a seamless transfer process and specialized tracks. This articulation agreement ensures a smooth transition.



WCC students who transfer to UCM will have the opportunity to specialize in either Civil and Architectural Design Technology or Mechanical Design Technology allowing them to focus their studies in their area of interest, and to develop expertise in their chosen field. They also will have access to all university resources and facilities and will benefit from the in-state tuition rate at UCM.



According to Azimzadeh. upon admission to UCM as transfer students, applicants will automatically be considered for various scholarships upon completing the online application and submitting application materials. Applying to UCM is simple, she added. All that is required for admission is to submit the application, request official transcripts from each college attended, and file FAFSA. UCM FAFSA code is 002454. It is also important to keep track of transfer deadlines for financial aid, housing, orientation, and other opportunities.



Housed in UCMs College of Health, Science and Technology, the B.S. in Design and Drafting Technology encompasses architecture, building information modeling (BIM), civil 3D modeling and site development, structural design and detailing, and manufacturing and mechanical design. Students will develop a strong foundation in diverse design and drafting disciplines while exploring cutting-edge technologies to ensure they are primed to enter the specialized field of their choice. In addition to coursework, students will gain valuable hands-on experience through internships, collaboration with industry partners, participation in student organizations dedicated to their academic discipline, and opportunities at UCM to study abroad.



The University of Central Missouri is committed to providing transfer students with a seamless pathway to success, and were excited to welcome Waubonsee Community College students into our Design and Drafting Technology program, said Azimzadeh. We want to help them achieve their academic and professional aspirations.



The search for a four-year college that offered a bachelors degree in Drafting Technology was initiated by a CAD student at Waubonsee, explained Randall Hines, associate professor of Computer Aided Design at Waubonsee. Upon discovering several similarities between our respective programs two years ago, we were thrilled at the possibilities and ultimately found a partner in the University of Central Missouri. This partnership will provide Waubonsee students numerous opportunities to strengthen their education and reach their career goals in infrastructure engineering.



To learn more about opportunities available in the B.S. in Design and Drafting Techology at UCM, contact Dr. Roya Azimzadeh at 660-543-4062 or azimzadeh@ucmo.edu. For information about the WCC Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting, contact Randall Hines at 630-466-2930 or rhines@waubonsee.edu.
The situation at the front remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are holding back the enemy despite the lack of ammunition and air defense systems.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

The situation at the front is really difficult. However, it cannot be any different at the front. Undoubtedly, every day requires maximum effort from our soldiers and officers. But we not only are on the defensive, but also move forward in different directions every day. In addition, the number of positions we have returned exceeds the number of lost positions. The enemy did not manage to advance significantly in strategic areas, and his territorial gains, if any, are of tactical importance. We are monitoring this situation, said Syrskyi.

At the same time, he noted that the current situation in certain sectors remains tense. The Russian occupiers continue to increase their efforts and have a numerical advantage in manpower. They traditionally do not count on losses and continue to use the tactics of massive assaults. In some areas, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces repel several dozen attacks.

According to him, in the past several months and weeks, the enemy has significantly increased aircraft activity, using KABs - guided air bombs that destroy Ukrainian positions. In addition, the enemy resorts to dense artillery and mortar fire. Several days ago, the enemy's advantage in terms of ammunition was about six to one. However, as ammunition arrives from Western allies, the situation is equalizing.

We learned to fight not by the amount of ammunition, but by the skill of using the weapons that we have. In some areas of the front, we managed to equalize the situation with artillery, and this immediately affected the situation as a whole. In addition, we make the most of the advantages of unmanned aerial vehicles, although the enemy is trying to catch up with us in this effective weapon, said Syrskyi.

According to him, the enemy continues to carry out offensive operations on a wide front, trying to reach the borders of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions at any cost and pushing us back on the left [east] bank of the Dnipro in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraine's Armed Forces are holding their positions, and assistance from partners could make a big difference in this battle.

We are fine with the skill of military personnel. We hope to receive from our partners a greater number of air defense systems, and, most importantly, missiles for them, especially given that the enemy has switched to the tactics of massive air strikes against Ukrainian troops, civilian infrastructure, and peaceful Ukrainian cities. We have a duty to protect them, said Syrskyi.

As reported, in the coming days, Germany will transfer 10,000 artillery rounds from the Bundeswehr's stockpiles to Ukraine.

Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi/Telegram
The capacities of the Ukrainian defense industry should be included in the European military production plan.

This was emphasized by the Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, who spoke at a meeting in Kyiv with the Speaker of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet, the Defense Ministry press service reports.

Umerov thanked his interlocutor for the comprehensive support that France provides to Ukraine, in particular for the signing of the bilateral security agreement.

"I support the views regarding the ways of repelling Russian aggression against Ukraine, which were recently expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron," the minister noted.

He said he highly valued fruitful cooperation with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, with whom he is in close contact.

The Ukrainian delegation briefed their French partners on the current situation at the front and the urgent needs of the Ukrainian military, including air defense capabilities and artillery ammunition.

In addition, Umerov noted that Ukraine is ready to co-invest in French defense technologies and directly buy French products.

"I am convinced that the capacities of the Ukrainian defense industry should be included in the European military production plan," he emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported, since the beginning of 2023, France has trained 8,800 Ukrainian soldiers.

Photo: Ministry of Defense
Ukraine has withstood another Russias massive attack, the power system is intact, but the situation is very difficult.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said this at a government meeting, Ukrinform reports.

"Last night Russian terrorists carried out another massive missile and drone attack against our country, with our energy sector being the primary target," he said.

The Prime Minister stated that Ukraine had successfully resisted another Russian attack and that the power system remained intact. However, there are difficulties as some regions are experiencing problems with power supply.

He assured that the problem with the power supply is being resolved, and Ukraine is importing electricity from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Moldova to keep the system running steadily.

"Today's attack again severely damaged the equipment. Once again, the attack was aimed at both electricity generation facilities and the distribution system. All of us need to reduce electricity consumption now. This applies especially to evening hours," emphasized Shmyhal.

According to him, all services are currently working to overcome the consequences of the attack. Some of the facilities that were damaged during last week's attack have already been restored.

As reported, on the night of March 29, the Russians launched another large-scale attack on energy facilities in Ukraine. In particular, three thermal power plants belonging to DTEK Group were damaged.

The previous massive strike took place on March 22, with thermal power plants, Dnipro hydroelectric power plants and high-voltage substations being affected.

Photo: Cabinet of Ministers
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Postal Service announced Friday that it has canceled its proposal to transfer mail processing operations from Buffalos William Street Postal Facility to Rochester.

After careful review, the Postal Service will maintain existing originating processing operations at its Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Buffalo, NY, the Postal Service said in a statement. There will be no changes at the Buffalo facility. ... Business mail entry, Post Office, station, branch retail services and delivery services will remain unchanged.

The move prompted a spirited reaction from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat who repeatedly called U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to oppose the Postal Service proposal.

Victory! Schumer said. Today is a massive win for Western New Yorkers that will ensure more efficient mail delivery for the regions seniors, families and businesses and that will ensure job security for our hardworking postal workers at the Buffalo William Street facility.

The Postal Services sudden turnabout came more than two months after it announced a public meeting where it was set to discuss converting the William Street facility from a regional processing and distribution center into a local processing center.

The Buffalo (local processing center) will be a critical node to the unified movement of mail and packages across the regional processing and transportation ecosystem, the notice said. The facility will offer expanded and streamlined package processing capabilities in the local market and new workplace amenities for USPS employees. Additionally, the business case supports transferring some mail processing operations to the Rochester (processing and distribution center).

That announcement prompted an outcry from the union representing postal workers as well as politicians, which prompted the Postal Service to postpone the meeting.

When the meeting was eventually rescheduled, more than 500 people showed up to protest the move, said Frank Resetarits, president of the American Postal Workers Union local in Buffalo as well as its statewide operation. Citizens also peppered the Postal Service with letters and emails complaining about the proposed move.

That, combined with political pressure from local leaders, likely doomed the Postal Services plans, Resetarits said  who added that theres a lesson to be learned from the experience.

Anytime that theres a bad idea or a concept that just isnt in the interest of the public, as long as you have people that have the intestinal fortitude and the strength to challenge it, and hold firm, good things can come, he said.

In addition to Schumer, then-Rep. Brian Higgins and State Sen. Timothy Kennedy, both Buffalo Democrats, objected to the move.

Todays decision will not only protect the services that the William Street facility oversees, but it safeguards the dedicated workforce who faced uncertainty throughout the discussion to transfer operations down the Thruway, Kennedy said. I firmly believe this resolution was reached because we had every level of government standing with our American Postal Workers Union and National Association of Letter Carriers, and our greater community, to push back against these arbitrary threats.

Rep. Nick Langworthy, a Republican who represents Buffalos suburbs and who also opposed the proposal, said he was proud to have pushed the Postal Service to maintain the current facility.

The U.S. Postal Services decision to maintain current operations at the William Street Mail Processing Facility is the right move for our region, Langworthy said. I want to thank the USPS for considering the concerns raised by myself and others, and ultimately making the decision that best serves the interests of Western New York.

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand also lauded the Postal Services decision.

Following my direct advocacy to Postmaster General DeJoy, USPS has decided to keep mail processing operations at the Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center, she said. They made the right decision  this will make sure that jobs stay in the local workforce and that Western New Yorkers will continue to get their mail on time. Im proud to have secured this win for Buffalo.

Schumer said on Friday that the Postal Service committed to him that it would not make any plans that would result in the transfer of jobs, equipment or operations out of the Buffalo postal facility.

I personally called Postmaster DeJoy because our hardworking postal workers work day in and day out to deliver high-quality mail service throughout Western New York, and USPSs planned transfer of operations for the Buffalos William Street Postal facility would put our local mail service and dedicated postal workers jobs at risk, Schumer said.

Fridays turnabout by the Postal Service marks the second time in 14 years that the agency proposed downgrading the Buffalo facility, only to reverse course after pressure from Schumer and other local political leaders.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said it was silly for the Postal Service to have even considered the move.

This is not the first time that this has been tried, he noted. And I imagine it wont be the last, but hopefully its the last one for quite a number of years.

News staff reporter Sandra Tan contributed to this report.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved the candidacy of former Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov as Ukraine's ambassador to Moldova.

The head of state announced this in his evening video address, Ukrinform reports.

"Oleksiy Danilov will continue to work in the diplomatic sector, and more specifically, I have approved his candidacy as the new Ambassador of our state to the Republic of Moldova," Zelensky said.

He noted that Danilov had told him about this vision of his future work for Ukraine.

"For us, Moldova is an extremely important state - both in terms of security challenges in the region and in terms of our bilateral cooperation," Zelensky said.

Read also: Zelensky introduces newly appointed NSDC Secretary

As reported, earlier President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Mark Shevchenko from the post of Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova.

On March 26, Oleksiy Danilov was dismissed from the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, which he had held since October 2019.
It must become a joint task to ensure that environmental disasters no longer occur in Europe.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his evening video address, Ukrinform reports, referring to the presidents website.

The full text of the address is provided below:

"I wish you all good health, dear Ukrainians!

Today, I chaired the Staff Meeting, largely focusing on the aftermath of the Russian strikes last night and in recent weeks. The primary target for the enemy in this missile terror is our energy sector, various parts of our energy system. Calculatedly vicious Russian strikes, particularly targeting hydroelectric power.

At the Staff Meeting, we discussed all aspects of protecting these facilities, both within Ukraine and with our partners. It's crucial not only for our state but also for our neighbors and the continent as a whole. There were strikes on the Dniester Power Plant, the Kaniv Power Plant, indicating Russia's intention to replicate the catastrophe they caused at the Kakhovka Power Plant. It must become a joint task  not only Ukraine's  to ensure that such environmental disasters no longer occur in our Europe. Besides Ukraine, Moldova is under direct threat.

I am grateful to all partners who assist us in ensuring an adequate supply of air defense. This is extremely important. On the diplomatic front, we expend much effort not only to counter Russian influence but also to persuade partners to increase the supply of air defense systems and missiles to them.

Of course, there is a lot of work being done in various regions regarding the physical protection of energy facilities. Today, we received reports from representatives of energy companies and government officials.

The second issue discussed at the Staff Meeting was the supply of weapons and ammunition to the front, for our current and upcoming actions. We clearly understand what Russia is preparing for. They are obsessed with war  they won't stop themselves. And we are doing everything possible to ensure enough rebuffs.

Today, I introduced the new Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Lytvynenko. One of his top priorities now is more coordination, more quality draft solutions  everything that will strengthen our state in defense against Russian ambitions and, indeed, our ability to counter hostile ambitions.

Oleksii Danilov will continue his work on the diplomatic front, more specifically  I have approved his candidacy as the new Ambassador of our state to the Republic of Moldova. He discussed with me his vision for his future work for Ukraine. Moldova is an extremely important state for us  both from the point of view of security challenges in the region and our bilateral cooperation.

And one more thing.

Today, the petition regarding casinos, namely online gambling platforms, got the necessary number of signatures very quickly. It addresses the prevalence of such platforms and their impact on part of society. I tasked the chief of the Security Service of Ukraine, State Special Communications Service, Ministry of Digital Transformation, and the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council to compile all analytics on this matter for me, with a proposal for a solution by next week.

And last.

Today started early  at night, due to Russian missile strikes. I kept in contact with Air Force Commander Oleschuk and Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, listening to extensive reports. Responses to the enemy will be extensive too.

Glory to our strong nation!

Glory to Ukraine!"
| By Alex Likowski

Pharmacies are not OK. Your local Walgreens and CVS and Rite Aid are not OK. Its a soup of danger, with ingredients from companies who have lost the core belief of what we do, which is patient care and patient focus.

Those words of frustration were uttered by an Oklahoma pharmacist explaining the impetus behind last Novembers Pharmageddon, as thousands of pharmacists in 15 states walked off the job to protest increasing workloads, rising stress, and more frequent encounters with overwrought and distressed patients.

The past few years certainly have been tough ones for many pharmacists and pharmacy schools, made even harder by the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many experienced Baby Boomers and even older Gen X pharmacists in the retail sector have called it quits or moved to less-demanding non-retail jobs. At the same time, enrollments in professional practice  PharmD  programs have plummeted at schools all over the country.

Thats a big change from just a few years ago. A Pharmacy Times headline in 2016 worried, Are Pharmacy Schools Growing Too Fast? The website noted that from 2005 to 2012, a minimum of 4 new pharmacy schools opened each year and several existing programs expanded.

And no wonder. The Baby Boom generation was headed for retirement, and the pharmacists scope of practice was continuing to expand into medication therapy management, monitoring chronic diseases, ordering and administering vaccines, and even prescribing medication.

And that demographic shift isnt over. The World Bank recently predicted by 2050 1.5 billion people will be 65 or older, facing more chronic conditions than ever and likely no end to high health care and prescription costs and other barriers to care.

Analysts expect that will push the job market somewhat away from dispensing roles toward positions in health care settings and patient care-oriented roles like ambulatory care. The most recent Demand Report from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacies (AACP) showed 61,000 job openings for pharmacists during the first three quarters of 2023, about 18 percent more than the previous year. Somewhat more than half of those were in the retail sector and about a third in clinical or hospital roles.

But as the number of available jobs continues to rise, pharmacy school enrollments are headed the other way. Ten years ago, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) had 635 spring semester PharmD students. Today, that number has fallen to 329. And its the same everywhere. AACP says the number of graduates from four-year pharmacy programs dropped from 14,223 in 2021 to 13,323 in 2022  the largest single-year drop since 1983.

All of that, and certainly some residual impact from Pharmageddon, is spurring the industry to action. Last month, Walgreens announced the creation of the Walgreens Deans Advisory Council, aimed at strengthening relationships with colleges of pharmacy across the United States. According to a news release from the company, the goal is to better support pharmacists care to their local communities.

But pharmacy education is not just a numbers game, and its not all about PharmD programs either. Anyone whos been around the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) knows about all the other groundbreaking aspects of our own School of Pharmacy.

UMSOP is one of the top research schools in the country. The school launched the nations first masters program in medical cannabis science and therapeutics in 2019, just in time for faculty experts and graduates to guide Marylands transition to legal cannabis. UMSOP has very strong masters programs in regulatory science, palliative care, and pharmacometrics, as well as PhD programs in health services research and pharmaceutical sciences. There is an array of dual-degree programs aimed at preparing students to fill the needs in all areas of pharmacy science.

And of course, UMSOP is the exclusive home of Pharmapreneurship. Entrepreneurial pharmacy is nothing new, of course. Thered be no Merck, Sharp, and Dohme without UMSOP graduates Alpheus Sharp and Louis Dohme (Class of 1842 and Class of 1857, respectively), no Covergirl or Noxema without George Bunting (Class of 1899), and no CorrectRx Pharmacy Services without Ellen Yankellow (Class of 1996).

No, Pharmapreneurship is not new, but it has been reinvigorated at UMSOP  and now trademarked.

So, whats the plan for attracting pharmacy students and preparing them for a changing future? That was the topic of the March 28, 2024, edition of Virtual Face to Face. Joining UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, was UMSOP Dean Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD.

Although Michel is in just her sixth month as UMSOP dean, she is in her 20th year as a member of the UMSOP faculty. During that time, Michel has served as chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, associate dean for graduate programs, president of the faculty senate, interim dean after Dean Natalie Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, stepped down, and also is highly regarded as a pharmaceutical researcher.

Watch the entire discussion, including questions and answers with the live audience, by clicking the link above.
03/29/2024

By Ed Brennen

More than a century after his great-grandparents emigrated from the Azores to Lowell, digital media major Wyatt Da Cunha became the first in his family to return to the Portuguese islands, located about 870 miles off Portugals North Atlantic coast.

Da Cunha chronicled his two-week trip by taking nearly 3,000 photos  all part of the Photography in the Azores study abroad program.

It was important for me to get a physical understanding of where they came from and what their lives were like, says Da Cunha, a junior from Lowell. You can read stories and look at records, but you cant get a material sense of what type of people they might have been.

Da Cunha was among 11 UML students who studied abroad in the Azores last spring, led by Pavel Romaniko , an associate teaching professor of art and design and director of the digital media program, and Anna Isaak-Ross, a former instructor at UML.

An exhibition of the students photography work, Postcards from the Azores, is on view on the second and third floors of University Crossing until May 12.

Image by Ed Brennen



Its nice to see work thats printed and not just show the work digitally, says Romaniko, who has led the annual trip for four years and will be taking another group of students to the Azores in May.

Last spring, students visited four of the Azores nine islands, starting in Sao Miguel, where they photographed the colorful Santo Cristo festival. The group also visited an active volcano and were immersed in Azorean culture as they shot still photos and captured drone footage.

Samantha Richards, a senior sound recording technology major with a minor in digital media, says the three-credit course connected her interests in music and photography. During the exhibits opening reception, she shared some of her favorite close-up photos from the trip and explained how they were analogous to detailed sounds in music.

When mixing music, you have to think of the big picture and the space. But the things I tend to focus on are the little textures, like a gritty synth bass that melds well with a smooth vocal  stuff that clicks together, she says. I gravitate toward these (close-up) photos.

Image by Ed Brennen



Richards had never traveled abroad before. The Lowell native says she always thought she wanted to live in a city, but she gained a new appreciation for nature in the Azores.

I need to be able to walk somewhere with grass. Imagine not seeing this every day, she says.

It was also the first time abroad for Megan McCarthy, a junior digital media major from Medway, Massachusetts.

I love street photography, and this was a great way to interact with that in a place other than my home city, says McCarthy, whose favorite image from the trip was a photo she took of a young girl at the Santa Cristo festival called Child in Horta, 2023.

I gravitate toward people. Its easier to find those unique moments of intensity, she says.

Image by Ed Brennen



Jordan Gladstone, a junior digital media major from Marblehead, Massachusetts, took about 4,000 photos in the Azores  including 600 on the first day.

Having that hands-on experience for two weeks straight, just taking photos day and night, was fantastic, says Gladstone, whose mother and grandfather are also photographers.

One of Gladstones favorite images was of two young girls who were making handprints with white paint on a wall.

I realized that the camera isnt something between you and the other person, but its something that can bring you together, he says.

The exhibit also includes work by Kamila De Los Santos, Emy Hartshorn, Hope Parker, Josephine Parsons, Matt Limoli, Sofia Santos and Justin Yung.




Statistically, its been a mild March despite a chilly feel in the air the last few days abetted by a stiff breeze. That included the Bisons home opener Friday with game-time temperatures in the mid-40s and a west wind of 12-20 mph with some stronger gusts adding a bite to the otherwise seasonable temps.

As we approach the months end, Buffalo snowfall will run a little below average, totaling 11.2 inches, and rainfall will be close to a half-inch below average. The monthly mean temperature will end up around 7.5 degrees milder than average, which is a large anomaly. Despite Buffalo yearly rainfall running just a bit above average, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions over a large portion of Western New York, and moderate drought continuing in a portion of the Genesee Valley, causing problems for some families and farms depending on well water.

On Saturday, morning sunshine will fade with increasing clouds. A weak ripple of low pressure will pass just to our south, bringing some light rain to the Southern Tier, and maybe a few sprinkles farther north. With a lighter breeze, highs in the upper 40s-50 will feel a little milder.

Any sprinkles will be suppressed to our south on Sunday, with partial sunshine returning by midday. Temps in the upper 40s under a weak ridge of high pressure will make for a decent day, with only a light breeze.

A little moderation should arrive Monday, with highs recovering to the low to mid-50s. A wavy frontal boundary will stay far enough to our south to keep its shower activity well southward as well.

The wavy front will bulge northward Monday night into Tuesday, and an area of low pressure will send more moisture our way. Showers will become more widespread by and during Tuesday, with a seasonably mild high near 55 on an east-southeast breeze.

With a vigorous low pressure system passing close to us Wednesday, periods of rain will still be likely, before the colder wraparound circulation behind the low begins to cause a transition in the precipitation over to snow.

It turns out that although we are through with snow for March, April gets to take a shot at us by Wednesday night into Thursday morning, as the primary low jumps to the New England coastline.

A raw northerly breeze will add a wintry feel, making for shivery grumbling by a restive populace. The saving grace to the backside of this system will be the marginal temperatures, peaking in the upper 30s-low 40s, allowing abundant melting of the accumulated snow. Modeled actual snow depth by late Thursday, which accounts for the melting, is rather minor when compared to the accumulation of 2-3 inches prior to melting.

By Friday, the low will be replaced by a ridge of high pressure, returning partial sunshine and a bit of moderation to the upper 40s, albeit with a brisk northwest breeze.

Next weekend, upper air model ensembles are in good agreement of warmer ridging returning to the Great Lakes, bringing milder than average temps at the surface, as depicted for Sunday, April 7.

The most encouraging sign in these early distant ensemble depictions for the afternoon of April 8 is good agreement on a ridge of high pressure in the East and a warming south to southwest surface flow. Here is the American GEFS ensemble mean (21 individual runs, each with slightly different initial conditions due to inherent uncertainties). This ensemble is not much different from the European and Canadian ensembles.

Very important caveats must be kept in mind. So far in advance, ensembles cannot yet detect any short waves in the flow that may put a kink in a seemingly big picture. They cannot yet see temperature inversions a few thousand feet up that can trap cloud-producing moisture for at least a portion of the day. In other words, while these early, fuzzy signs of optimism are good to see, they should be accepted as uncertain. In my own view, if April 8 were an ordinary day, I would not yet attempt to speculate on cloud cover and precipitation this far out in time.

The weather element in which there is somewhat more confidence is temperatures, which are usually less volatile elements than clouds and precipitation. On that matter, there is good ensemble agreement in comfortably mild afternoon temperatures, depicted at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

If these temperatures verify, here is a tip from the Erie County EMS director, who spoke at the recent Eclipse Preparedness Workshop: Bees will be active in such temperatures. If you or family and guests are venturing to a crowded venue, and anyone suffers from bee sting allergies, have your Epi pens with you. Due to potential traffic gridlock, getting an EMS crew to your location to deal with anaphylaxis could be critically slow.

Most likely eclipse weather impacts

These impacts will be most noticeable if we are fortunate to have a mostly clear sky. The quick transition to darkness will likely cause a sharp temperature drop-off. During totality on Aug. 21, 2017, Carbondale, Ill., saw its temperature tumble from the low 80s to the lower 60s, noted in a Weather Underground article.

If people arent talking too loudly in a crowded setting, you may notice an eerie silence as the eclipse sets in, as illustrated in a Weather Channel video. Changes in animal behavior, including birds and insects, can produce this silence, as creatures experience sudden nighttime conditions.

During totality, winds may decrease at first in the sudden cooling, shift in direction and then increase rapidly as heating returns following totality.

If we are unfortunate enough to have a solid overcast with opaque cloud cover, the changes will not be as noticeable. Darkening may seem less extreme, and the temperature decline would be smaller, since the overcast would have retarded the pre-eclipse heating.

Finally, heres another arcane possible phenomenon that could occur. Flying insects and bats are often detected by National Weather Service radars at sunset when set in whats known as clear air mode. Its not certain this will occur in the sudden darkening of totality, but it is a possibility, especially if the weather is dry and tranquil.

If you have access to a multiple radar site source, or even just our local NWS Buffalo radar, I would wait until the spectacle of totality is over. There are several minutes of delay in the delivery of Doppler radar data, so there would be no need to sacrifice any of the precious time during totality to try to look for this kind of imagery.
By Azernews

Elnur Enveroglu

In recent years, the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor for transportation in Eurasia has increased dramatically. Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of North-South and East-West transport routes, implements numerous measures.

These views were voiced by Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - head of the foreign policy affairs department of the Presidential Administration, in an interview with China's "Phoenix" TV channel.

"Azerbaijan is becoming an important transport and logistics center in the South Caucasus with the expansion of commercial seaports, increasing the number of manufactured ships, modernization of railways, and the continuous increase in the volume of sea and land cargo transportation," H. Hajiyev said.

Recalling that Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to support the "One Belt, One Road" initiative put forward by the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, the assistant to the President said that this project had a positive effect on the general well-being of the countries located along the route, strengthened cooperation between them, and also promoted inter-civilizational dialogue; and thanks to this, the international community benefited from the ancient Chinese civilization.

"We see this project as a cooperation, partnership and mutual prosperity that can bring prosperity to the countries along the route. Azerbaijan, located between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, is a natural bridge connecting Central Asia and Europe," the Azerbaijani official noted.

Touching on the recent arrival of the train from Xi'an, China, passing through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea and reaching Azerbaijan in just 11 days, the Presidential Assistant stressed that this route proved once again that it is very important, competitive and possible from the point of view of transport. At the same time, this route is safe and reliable. We are working hard with our Chinese friends to further improve the efficiency and competitiveness of this trade route.

It was brought to attention that Azerbaijan is also making efforts to increase the transmission capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Because goods are transported not only from East to West, but also in the opposite direction. European companies and the continent's trade institutions can use this route to enter the Chinese and Central Asian markets. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is developing the North-South route along with the East-West route. Due to all this, Azerbaijan is considered a transport and logistics center on the Eurasian continent.

Noting that in recent years, Azerbaijan has paid attention to the development of the non-oil economy and is trying to achieve economic diversification, the foreign policy department head drew attention to the solar power plants created in our country. He said that this is an important stage in cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the field of green energy.

COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan this year, was also touched upon in the interview, and it was noted that the issue of climate financing, which did not make progress at the previous conference, will become the main topic at the Baku conference.

At the same time, it was stated that Azerbaijan is the guarantor of European energy security, and exports oil and natural gas to many European countries. It was noted that there is close cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the field of energy, and Chinese companies participate in oil and natural gas projects. Besides, in his interview H.Hajiyev emphasized that Chinese companies are good partners in the diversification of our country's economy, as the green transition has become a priority area for Azerbaijan.

It was pointed out that in Azerbaijan they are very happy to see China taking the lead in the field of global green transformation. Also, China has actually proven the possibility of a green transition.

"Transition to green energy is one of our priorities. We look forward to actively working with our Chinese friends at COP29 and beyond," added Hikmat Hajiyev.

Saying that COP29 demonstrated Azerbaijan's determination as a country that has fossil fuels, as well as its diplomatic and political courage, the President's assistant emphasized that it also shows Azerbaijan's strong and firm will.

"Azerbaijan has shown that we are determined, we want to be a supporter of green energy in addition to hydrocarbon resources, and we are ready to contribute to this concept," he said.

In the interview, it was also mentioned that China and Azerbaijan have always cooperated closely in the international world, firmly support multilateralism and protect the interests of developing countries.

In the end, China-US relations were touched upon, and it was emphasized that unfair competition against official Beijing does not contribute to globalization and the well-being of world citizens.
Patrick Gallivan

Gustavo Rivera

As politics has grown more polarized in recent years, it often takes a critical issue to bring agreement across both sides of the aisle. Supporting New Yorkers who care for aging or disabled loved ones, who too often serve as unpaid caregivers, is an issue that all of us can support.

In this case, a Democrat from the Bronx and a Republican from Western New York, are in full agreement that drastic cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program are just wrong.

CDPA was created in 1995 and empowers Medicaid recipients with physical disabilities and those who are older to take charge of the care they need and self-direct their health care service providers. The program is less expensive than institutionalization, boasts higher user satisfaction and has better health outcomes. Its growing popularity is no surprise, especially when other areas in the health care system are struggling with workforce shortages.

The program empowers New Yorkers eligible for personal care at home to recruit, hire, train, schedule and sometimes terminate their own home care workers, called personal assistants. New Yorkers who cannot self-direct their care workers due to their age or cognitive disabilities can appoint a designated representative to do it for them. Individuals who are already providing care to a loved one can be hired to continue that work while earning wages through the program.

The governors budget proposal would cut over $1 billion from CDPA. It would slash wages and benefits for the personal assistants in downstate New York to the lowest compensation rate since 2018.

It would also eliminate the ability of parents, legal guardians and others to direct services for children and those who have dementia, Alzheimers, severe developmental disabilities or otherwise cannot do so themselves. Other cuts would actually raise costs to the state by eliminating key policies that allow consumers to self-direct their own care.

CDPA helps New Yorkers make ends meet when they are forced to give up work due to the increased demands of caregiving. If implemented, these proposed changes to CDPA will have serious consequences for consumers and caregivers alike who benefit from this program.

We are committed to working with our colleagues across the political spectrum to reject the harmful cuts in this years budget and safeguard CDPA and home care overall.
For many students like Jocelyn Pearson, the pursuit of college scholarships can be both promising and perilous. While the allure of quick and easy money may seem enticing, the reality is often far from what it seems. Pearson's experience, much like countless others, serves as a cautionary tale in a landscape fraught with scams and deceptive practices.

The Perils of Scholarship Scams: A Growing Threat

As a junior in high school, Pearson diligently applied to numerous scholarships, hoping to alleviate the financial burden of higher education. However, what initially appeared as a straightforward process soon spiraled into a deluge of marketing emails and dubious offers. Despite her efforts, the promises of lucrative scholarships proved elusive, leaving her disillusioned and wary of the hidden pitfalls lurking within the scholarship ecosystem.

Pearson's journey ultimately led her to found The Scholarship System, a platform dedicated to empowering students and families with the knowledge and resources to navigate the scholarship landscape effectively. Through her own trials and tribulations, Pearson recognized the importance of discernment and vigilance when vetting scholarship opportunities-a lesson she is now determined to impart to others.

With the rising cost of college tuition and the increasing demand for financial aid, students have become prime targets for scholarship scams. Exploiting the vulnerabilities of inexperienced applicants, scammers employ sophisticated tactics to lure unsuspecting individuals into their web of deceit. From enticing promises of guaranteed awards to requests for sensitive personal information, these scams prey on the hopes and dreams of aspiring scholars.

Will Geiger, co-founder and CEO of Scholarships360.org, emphasizes the prevalence of scholarship scams, particularly during periods of heightened financial anxiety such as delays in federal aid disbursement. In their quest for financial assistance, students may overlook subtle warning signs and fall victim to the allure of seemingly lucrative offers.

READ ALSO: Malaysia Launches MyBIG-India Scholarship Initiative To Attract Indian Students

Spotting the Telltale Signs: How to Avoid Scholarship Scams

Identifying scholarship scams requires a keen eye and a healthy dose of skepticism. While some scams may masquerade as legitimate opportunities, certain red flags can help students distinguish between genuine scholarships and fraudulent schemes.

One of the most glaring indicators of a scam is the demand for upfront fees or personal financial information. Legitimate scholarships never require applicants to pay for the opportunity to apply, nor do they solicit sensitive data such as bank account numbers or Social Security information.

Additionally, students should be wary of scholarships that employ deceptive language or make unrealistic promises of guaranteed awards. Sweepstakes-style scholarships, which rely on luck rather than merit or need, often lure applicants with enticing cash prizes but rarely deliver on their lofty claims.

Denard Jones, lead counselor at Empowerly, stresses the importance of thorough research and careful consideration when evaluating scholarship opportunities. Taking the time to read through application instructions and scrutinize the details can help students avoid falling prey to scams disguised as legitimate scholarships.

Empowering Students and Families: Tips for a Safe Scholarship Search

As students embark on their scholarship search journey, Pearson advocates for a collaborative approach between students and parents. By leveraging the collective wisdom and experience of both parties, students can navigate the scholarship landscape more effectively and avoid potential pitfalls along the way.

Pearson recommends prioritizing scholarships with clearly defined eligibility criteria and transparent selection processes. While quick and easy applications may seem appealing, they often lack the legitimacy and credibility of more rigorous scholarship programs.

Furthermore, students should seek guidance from trusted sources such as school counselors and reputable scholarship databases. These resources can provide invaluable insights and assistance in identifying legitimate scholarship opportunities while steering clear of potential scams.

In the event that students encounter a fraudulent scholarship or suspect foul play, it is imperative to report the incident to the appropriate authorities. By taking swift action and reporting suspicious activity, students can help protect themselves and others from falling victim to scholarship scams.

The quest for scholarships is a journey fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but with the right knowledge and awareness, students can navigate the landscape safely and confidently. By exercising caution, conducting thorough research, and seeking guidance from trusted sources, students can maximize their chances of securing legitimate scholarships while avoiding the pitfalls of scams and deceptive practices. As Pearson's experience demonstrates, empowerment and vigilance are the keys to a successful scholarship search journey.

RELATED ARTICLE: US, PH Collaborate To Provide Higher Education Opportunities For Burmese Youth
Community colleges often find themselves overshadowed by their four-year counterparts in the realm of higher education. However, for students like those at Los Angeles Pierce College, the community college experience offers a distinct blend of inclusivity, opportunity, and vibrant community.

Dispelling Misconceptions: Community College Perceptions

Despite their valuable contributions to higher education, community colleges often face misconceptions and stereotypes. Many individuals perceive them as inferior or less prestigious than four-year universities. However, this perspective fails to acknowledge the unique benefits and opportunities that community colleges provide to students of all backgrounds.

At Los Angeles Pierce College, students are welcomed into a diverse and supportive environment that reflects the multicultural tapestry of the surrounding community. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie among students, creating a vibrant and dynamic campus atmosphere.

READ ALSO: Community College Bachelor's Programs Bridge Higher Education Gap For Latino Students, UCLA Study Finds

A Contrast in Academia: Transitioning Environments

For students who transition from prestigious four-year universities like Northwestern University to community colleges like Pierce, the experience offers a stark contrast in academic environments. While four-year institutions often prioritize academic rigor and research, community colleges focus on accessibility, flexibility, and personalized learning.

At Pierce College, students benefit from smaller class sizes and more intimate learning environments. Accessible professors and dedicated support services ensure that students receive individualized attention and support. This personalized approach to education allows students to thrive academically and develop essential skills for future success.

Unlike the competitive and sometimes isolating atmosphere of four-year universities, community colleges foster a sense of community and collaboration among students. Whether engaging in classroom discussions, participating in campus activities, or forming study groups, students at Pierce College have ample opportunities to connect with their peers and build lasting relationships.

Flexible Academics, Rigorous Learning

One of the hallmarks of the community college experience is the flexibility of academic programs. Community colleges offer a wide range of courses and programs tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of students. Whether pursuing a degree, certificate, or transfer credits to a four-year university, students at Pierce College have access to a variety of academic pathways.

Despite the perception that community colleges offer a less rigorous education, the reality is quite the opposite. Community colleges uphold high academic standards and provide rigorous coursework designed to prepare students for their chosen careers or further education. The hands-on learning experiences and practical skills gained at community colleges are highly valued by employers and transfer institutions alike.

Student Perspectives: Embracing Diversity and Growth

First-year student Juliette Hagobian reflects on the opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth at Pierce College. She values the collaborative nature of community college and the chance to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Hagobian's experience highlights the transformative impact of community college on students' personal and academic development.

Psychology major and student government president Gayane Zazyan embodies the spirit of community and service at Pierce College. She shares her journey from enrolling in ESL classes to becoming a leader on campus, advocating for her peers and promoting student success. Zazyan's story exemplifies the resilience and determination of community college students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Susanna Cooper, executive director of the Wheelhouse Center for Community College Leadership and Research at UC Davis, underscores the vital role that community colleges play in fostering academic excellence and social cohesion. Cooper emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions of community colleges to higher education.

Community colleges serve as engines of opportunity and pathways to success for millions of students across the country. As students continue to navigate their academic journeys, it is essential to acknowledge the invaluable role that community colleges play in shaping the future of education and empowering students to achieve their dreams.

RELATED ARTICLE: Hybrid State Funding Model Bolsters Community College Enrollment
UNODC supports developing anti-corruption training curriculum for Justice Academy in Kazakhstan

On 27-29 March UNODC organized the training-of-trainers course (ToT) to build the capacity of the faculty of the Justice Academy under the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan and local legal experts to design the effective anti-corruption training programs for judiciary.

The ToT sessions led by the experts from the Legal Policy Research Centre Public Foundation and covered such topics as anti-corruption international standards and national legislation, as well as related judicial practice and ethics of judges in considering corruption-related crimes cases. The expert from Lithuania shared an overview of the judicial practice on corruption-related cases in European countries.

As a result of the ToT, the participants strengthened their skills in assessment and analysis of the needs of the target audience which would be useful in structuring an anti-corruption training curriculum for judges. They learned different tools on developing methodology of effective training, including how to prepare memorable presentations, use interactive learning platforms, facilitate group discussions and create a positive learning environment.

The ToT course concluded with the short simulation exercise where participants modelled and presented their own scenario of training activity to be included into wider anti-corruption curricula of the Justice Academy.

The event is carried out with financial support from the U.S. Embassys International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Office in Astana.
March 29 2024

The city of Perth is gearing up for the long-awaited opening of its new museum this weekend following an extensive overhaul of the former City Hall by Mecanoo Architects.

Opening to the public on Saturday the 27m Perth Museum will be heralded by a series of events to celebrate the attraction, headlined by the Stone of Destiny.

Having narrowly escaped demolition in 2005 the B-listed building has been revamped inside and out to facilitate increased security and change of use.

Signalling the changes are 'light touch' interventions including newly expanded entrances framed in bronze metal and a three-story bronze pavilion framing a Pictish Cross in the main hall.

Standing as a gateway to the city the changes seek to build on the existing character of the hall while improving accessibility and through connections, including level access and wider openings to improve transparency on all sides.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Chinese tech giant Huawei said on Friday its profits more than doubled in 2023, as it ramps up efforts to bounce back in a year that saw the company apparently defy US sanctions with the release of a high-end smartphone

Beijing, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) Chinese tech giant Huawei said on Friday its profits more than doubled in 2023, as it ramps up efforts to bounce back in a year that saw the company apparently defy US sanctions with the release of a high-end smartphone.

The Shenzhen-based company has been at the centre of an intense standoff between China and the United States -- Washington has warned that its equipment could be used for espionage by the Chinese government, an allegation Huawei denies.

Sanctions since 2019 have cut the firm's access to US-made components and technologies, forcing it to diversify its growth strategy.

Huawei said it generated a profit of 87 billion yuan ($12 billion) last year, more than double 2022's 35.6 billion yuan but short of its record 113.7 billion yuan profit in 2021.

Revenues also surged by 9.6 percent to 704.2 billion yuan.

"We've been through a lot over the past few years," Rotating Chairman Ken Hu said Friday.

"But through one challenge after another, we've managed to grow.

"

Highlighting Huawei's efforts to diversify as it finds itself cut off by Western sanctions, the firm said revenues from its smart car business had more than doubled, bringing in 4.7 billion last year.

More than half its revenue came from its ICT infrastructure business, followed by consumer products and cloud computing.

"A new journey awaits us in 2024," Hu said.

Huawei's surge in profits follows a year in which the firm raised eyebrows in Washington with the release of its Mate 60 Pro smartphone.

Powered by an advanced domestically produced chip, it sparked debate about whether US attempts to curb China's access to semiconductor technologies had been effective.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Bloomberg in December the development was "deeply concerning".

The Mate 60 Pro has shown the ability to bite into key competitor Apple's profits in China, analysts cited by Bloomberg have said.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) on Friday expressed concern about the recent misinformation spread across the media regarding loss to the national exchequer due to non-payment of taxes by legitimate tobacco companies.

PTC officials have expressed their concerns about the figures presented by an Islamabad-based think tank, showcasing a substantial revenue loss inflicted upon the national exchequer by legitimate tobacco companies around Rs 567 billion, said a news release.

It is important to note that this figure is incorrect, misleading and detached from ground realities. The only loss incurred to the Government of Pakistan by the tobacco industry is because of tax evasion of illicit manufacturers as the legitimate industry pays all applicable duties and taxes.

The misrepresented number is for accumulated loss over a decade, which has unfortunately been overlooked in much of the discourse following the report's release.

This oversight has led to misconceptions and potentially skewed perceptions of the legitimate tobacco industry's economic impact.

The nuanced context of these findings is crucial for informed public dialogue, as the portrayal of the data, without explicitly clarifying its decade-long spread, might contribute to a narrative that seems to align with the interests of certain entities advocating for the illicit tobacco sector.

Representatives from PTC questioned the legitimacy of such a report, which downplayed the impact of the illicit tobacco trade in the country.

They shared that the introduction of a 3-tier system in 2017 was the need of the hour for the government due to the fall in revenue collection, and this regime not only allowed revenues to increase and illicit market share to decrease but also paved the way for a level playing field and sustainability for the industry.

However, the illicit tobacco sector operates outside the stringent regulatory framework and yet, paradoxically, seems to evade the scrutiny and regulatory actions that are promptly applied to their legitimate law-abiding counterparts.

There is a growing concern within the relevant segment that this portrayal and the ensuing public narrative might be steering the government towards policy decisions that inadvertently favour these non-compliant entities.

The report also cited the Senate Special Committee on the causes of the decline in Tax Collection of the Tobacco Sector, to highlight the issue of lower tax collection. Ironically, in the same minutes, the FBR claimed the illicit market share to be more than 36 per cent, which caused tax revenues to fall.

The representatives urged the law enforcement agencies to initiate a nationwide crackdown against illicit cigarette trade, causing the Government of Pakistan losses of Rs 300 billion annually rather than what the impact the report has claimed spread out over a decade and raised questions regarding the intentions behind publishing such a report.

Contrary to the report's impression and subsequent coverage, the legitimate tobacco industry has significantly contributed to the national exchequer, with substantial payments in the fiscal year, Rs 148 billion in 2021-22 and Rs 173 billion in 2022-23.

This financial input underscores the legitimate industrys commitment to fulfilling its budgetary responsibilities and adhering to the agreed-upon tax structures, which were meticulously designed to ensure fair and substantial revenue generation for the country's development.

They said that it is paramount to acknowledge that the legitimate tobacco sector has consistently complied with every regulation imposed by the government, including implementing the Track and Trace System (TTS).

This compliance starkly contrasts with the illicit sector, which continues to defy these laws with apparent impunity.

This discrepancy in regulatory enforcement undermines the rule of law and places the legitimate industry at a competitive disadvantage, challenging the principles of fair trade and market competition.

The representatives highlighted that the Government of Pakistan recently recognized PTC as one of the country's top tax-paying entities that showcasing the companys strict adherence to the laws of the land and good corporate citizenship.

It was emphasized that provision of a level playing field is crucial for the legitimate sector to ensure sustainability which is currently undermined by the unchecked operations of the illicit sector.
Senior biodiversity expert, naturist and Chairman Scientific Committee of the Islamabad Widlife Management Board, Prof. Dr. Z.B. Mirza, 88, passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) Senior biodiversity expert, naturist and Chairman Scientific Committee of the Islamabad Widlife Management Board, Prof. Dr. Z.B. Mirza, 88, passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday.

The funeral prayers of the deceased would be held after prayers at 5 pm, H-11 Graveyard.

Professor Zahid Baig Mirza, affectionately known as Prof. Z. B. Mirza, made significant contributions to the fields of ornithology, conservation, and biodiversity in Pakistan, earning both national and international recognition.

Throughout his career, Prof. Mirza authored over 60 research publications and penned 27 books, including the acclaimed "Field Guide to Birds of Pakistan" and the "Illustrated Handbook of Animal Biodiversity of Pakistan."

He held key roles in various conservation organizations, such as serving as a senior member of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board and chairing its Scientific Committee.

Additionally, he chaired the Snow Leopard Foundation and provided expert consultation for environmental impact assessments and management plans in Pakistan. His involvement extended to being an Executive Member of the WWF Scientific Council in Pakistan.

Prof. Mirza's dedication earned him two Lifetime Achievement Awards, highlighting his commitment to conservation. He played a foundational role in organizations like WWF-Pakistan, serving as a founding member, and served as the inaugural Director of the Pakistan Museum of Natural History in Islamabad.

His legacy lives on through the impact of his work on Pakistan's natural heritage and the inspiration he provided to future generations of scientists and environmentalists.
(@Abdulla99267510)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says federal and provincial governments as well as all the institutions, including the armed forces, should join hands in preventing massive leakages in revenue, electricity and gas sectors.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 29th, 2024) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for joint efforts to check smuggling, power theft, revenue evasion and other leakages to put the country on path of economic stability.

Chairing a meeting to curb smuggling in Islamabad on Friday, he said Federal and provincial governments as well as all the institutions, including the armed forces, should join hands in preventing massive leakages in revenue, electricity and gas sectors.

He said smuggling and illegal trade have adversely affected country's economy.

The Prime Minister mentioned that 58 billion rupees were recovered in the power sector, while smuggling was also reduced during the interim government. He said it shows that any sort of challenges can be overcome if there is a will.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Against the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks in Russia and Pakistan, diplomats and representatives from international and organizations are convening in South China's Hainan to discuss the importance and potential impact of China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI) on global peace effort

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) Against the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks in Russia and Pakistan, diplomats and representatives from international and organizations are convening in South China's Hainan to discuss the importance and potential impact of China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI) on global peace efforts.

Former special envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Zafar Uddin Mahmood told the Global Times the GSI is of great importance in this context as it provides a fundamental path for achieving lasting security.

The initiative is dedicated to respecting and safeguarding the security of every country, rather than seeking dominance in international security affairs, let alone taking sides. This is the fundamental reason why the initiative is widely welcomed, Chen Xiaodong, China's deputy foreign minister, said at the panel session during the Boao Forum for Asia.

The concept and the key points proposed in the GSI are very persuasive, conducive to handling conflicts between countries, and promoting trust and dialogue is a cornerstone, which enables us to establish trust in Asia, Sarybay Kairat, Secretary General of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, said in his speech.

On the recent terrorist attacks in Russia and Pakistan, Zhang Ming, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), told the Global Times that he noted that those attacks resulted in significant casualties.

The SCO strongly condemns such terrorist acts, which prompted more agreements in the SCO to unite with the international community to resolutely combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, Zhang said.

Highlighting the importance of the GSI against the background of severe terrorist acts shaking the region, Zafar Uddin Mahmood, former special envoy for the CPEC, told the Global Times that the GSI is of utmost importance to achieving permanent security.

Zafar elaborated it by saying that "we cannot assume that our security guarantee is already sufficient, as recent terrorist incidents have shown the need for increased vigilance.

It is clear that we must raise our alert level and be prepared at all times.

"The solution must be a long-term process, requiring a plan to ensure permanent security. In this regard, China's Global Security Initiative provides us a path to consider and research common solutions," Zafar said.

Zhang said the GSI has contributed Chinese wisdom to making up for the deficit of peace in the world. China has provided solutions for countries around the world to address international security challenges and achieve common development and progress, Zhang noted.

In order to promote the international community's efforts to eliminate conflicts through negotiations and resolve disputes through consultation, China has demonstrated its responsibility and commitment as a major country, Zhang said.

China is willing to work hand in hand with other Asian countries to coordinate the management of regional security affairs, combat terrorism and transnational crimes in a reasonable manner, strengthen security cooperation in areas such as nuclear facilities, cyberspace, outer space, public health, food and energy, Chen said in his speech.

As for how to further carry forward the GSI into practice, Zafar said he hoped that the SCO, an organization that continues to expand, will play a larger role in addressing security threats and challenges in order to advance the GSI. The SCO not only organizes joint drills in combating security risks, but also pays great attention to nurturing talents in this field, impacting both regional security as well as a broader global sphere.

Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told the Global Times during the Boao Forum that he highly recognizes China's GSI and Global Development Initiative, as they are also focused on restoring livelihoods in fragile situations and preventing violations of international humanitarian law.

APP/asg
(@FahadShabbir)

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has spent a year behind bars in Russia, is awaiting a trial on espionage charges the White House says are fabricated but could still see him jailed for decades.

The US-born son of Soviet emigres covered Russia for six years, including a stint with AFP, as the Kremlin made independent, on-the-ground reporting increasingly dangerous and illegal.

His arrest in March 2023 on charges of spying -- the first such charge against a Western journalist since the Soviet era -- showed that the Kremlin was prepared to go further than ever before in what President Vladimir Putin has called a "hybrid war" with the West.

The Wall Street Journal and the White House vehemently deny Russia's accusation, which they see as a false pretext to secure the release of Russians in custody in the US.

President Vladimir Putin said last month he would like to see Gershkovich released as part of a prisoner exchange, but cautioned certain "terms" were being discussed.

The 32-year-old, who has been remanded in custody until at least the end of June, faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
I had to look at my calendar recently to confirm the current year is 2024.

After reading the New York Times piece regarding the outrageous Jackson, Mississippi goon squad trial, I found it unfathomable that any part of the United States still lives under a Jim Crow mentality where supposed officers of the law use Ku Klux Klan tactics. This contemptuous behavior puts to rest the denials that racism no longer exists in our nation.

It bears noting that Mississippi has the highest poverty level among all 50 states, is one of the 10 states that refused expanding Medicaid coverage for its constituents under the Affordable Care Act and, not surprisingly, is a red state.

Meanwhile, the Clarence Page commentary questions why there is an increase in Black male voters enamored with Donald Trump. They may want to review his past comments and rethink this inclination.

Helen Shoff

West Seneca
Munich, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Mar, 2024) Some 366 clocks cover the walls in the living room of 76-year-old Werner Stechbarth's apartment in Munich, the haul from a life spent criss-crossing the globe.

The yearly move to daylight saving time is a busy period for the pensioner, who has to manually adjust every one of his timepieces.

Work started well ahead of the beginning of European summer time early Sunday morning, when the continent's clocks will skip forward an hour.

"I start one or two weeks before and I continue after the clocks change, stress free," Stechbarth told AFP, sitting in his lounge.

His collection includes not just classic mechanical clocks but a few digital models with LED displays.

Each timepiece is set to a slightly different time to avoid them striking in unison at the top of every hour.

All the same, the room is filled with the sound of ticking and the intermittent whistle of a cuckoo.

As a chef for the German national carrier Lufthansa, Stechbarth had access to cheap airline tickets, which he used to travel the globe collecting clocks.

"The first is from Mexico, I brought it back in 1975. It was my mother's idea," he said, picking out a Coca-Cola branded piece in pride of place by the window.
Drew Bennett

Drew Bennett, the Whitney MacMillan Professor of Practice of Private Lands Stewardship in the University of Wyomings Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, has received a U.S. Fulbright Scholarship to conduct natural capital investment research in Australia.

His project, titled Investing in Natural Capital: Rural Livelihoods and Resource Conservation in Australia and the U.S., will compare the approaches each country takes to investing in sustainable land management practices.

Natural capital refers to the suite of natural resources that provide benefits to people, such as water filtration for cities, forage for livestock and natural pollination for crops. Incentivizing land management that enhances natural capital can not only yield environmental dividends, but also support the livelihoods of private landowners.

Australia and the United States have made significant investments to restore ecosystems to enhance natural capital, such as through efforts to thin forests to mitigate against catastrophic wildfires. These investments also hold the potential to support habitat conservation and provide significant economic opportunity through increased jobs for restoration work and economic incentives to landowners for sustainable land management practices, Bennett says. However, these investments are in the early stages and have been implemented in distinct ways in the two countries, which provides an ideal situation for shared learning between the two countries.

Bennett is among 800 U.S. citizens selected by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to teach, conduct research and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2024-25 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on their academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.

Bennetts project will begin in January 2025 and run through May 2025. The research will be based in Canberra, Australia, and hosted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australias national science agency. The project will take place in collaboration with CSIRO and will involve research in rural Queensland and other rural regions of Australia.

It is an incredible honor to be recognized as a Fulbright Scholar and a tremendous opportunity to build partnerships between the University of Wyoming and world-class researchers in Australia, Bennett says. Im excited for the potential for this award to lead to career-long collaborators and, hopefully, lifelong friendships.

Dr. Bennetts work is truly cutting-edge and, while this is an exceptional honor, its no surprise that he has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar in the coming year, says John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School. Drew understands the importance of collaborations that engage local communities and landowners in land management, and he continues to provide visionary leadership in this area. What demonstrates the spirit of collaboration more than a Fulbright that highlights and facilitates the importance of working together to share and learn?

Bennett says his initial inspiration for applying for a Fulbright was the fantastic team of researchers at CSIRO, and I was excited about the opportunity to further collaborate with the team.

Bennett says he originally got to know the team remotely by providing external feedback on a portfolio of projects it currently has underway. Through this experience, Bennett learned about the world-class research the team leads and how Australia and the American West face so many similar economic and environmental challenges, including diversifying economic opportunities in rural communities and conserving iconic species of concern.

Given so many parallels, it seemed like a fantastic opportunity to develop a partnership between the University of Wyoming and CSIRO, Bennett says. And we have plans to bring a CSIRO postdoctoral researcher to campus and to visit study areas in Wyoming this fall to further advance this emerging partnership.

Bennett has been a member of UWs faculty since 2018. He received his Ph.D. in geography from Oregon State University; his masters degree in geography from the University of Texas-Austin; and his MBA and bachelors degree in environmental science, both from the University of Denver. To learn more about Bennett, go here.

About the Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. governments flagship international educational exchange program and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, scientists, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research; exchange ideas; and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

For more information on the Fulbright Program, go to www.fulbrightprogram.org.
OTTAWA  Canadian exports of thermal coal increased another seven per cent last year, reaching the highest level in almost a decade.

The boom in exports of the kind of coal burned to make electricity comes as Canada leads a charge to end the use of coal as a source of power worldwide.

The Liberals also promised three years ago that all thermal coal exports will stop from Canada by 2030, but exports have risen almost 20 per cent since that promise was made.

Statistics published this month by the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert show 19.5 million tonnes of thermal coal were exported through their terminals last year.

That's up from a little more than 18 million tonnes in 2022 and is almost twice the amount Canada exported in 2015 when the Liberals took power.

Fraser Thomson, a staff lawyer at Ecojustice, says he thinks some companies know their days of shipping thermal coal are numbered and are trying to get out as much as they can before they get cut off.

Coal is considered the dirtiest fuel for making electricity when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. It produces almost twice the amount of carbon dioxide when burned as natural gas to make the same amount of energy.

Global coal use expanded in 2022, partly as the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a spike in gas prices. The International Energy Agency said in its most recent forecast that it believes thermal coal demand may have peaked in 2023.

China accounts for more than half the world's use of thermal coal, and India almost 15 per cent.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said last month he expects to announce a plan to phase out coal exports later this year.

NDP MP Laurel Collins got tired of waiting for Guilbeault to act and in February introduced a private member's bill to force the end of coal exports. The bill has not yet been debated.

Canada and the United Kingdom also launched the global Powering Past Coal Alliance seven years ago to encourage all countries to cut back on the use of coal as a source of power.

Story continues

Canada's domestic use of coal power has fallen dramatically, helped by Ontario's decision to close all its coal power plants. The last one in that province closed in 2014.

Alberta's last two coal plants are transitioning to natural gas this year.

Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are the only other provinces with significant reliance on coal, but regulations require them to close them, transition them to gas, or equip them with emissions capture technology by 2030.

Despite all that, Thomson said Canada continues to ship coal overseas.

"What happened when the Liberals brought in the effective ban on burning coal domestically, the idea was that the coal mines that were supplying those plants would be shuttered and eventually that industry would transition," he said.

"What we've seen since that time is domestic production of coal has skyrocketed threefold, and the government seems to not be doing anything about it despite promises to tackle it."

Almost all of the thermal coal Canada produces comes from coal mines in Alberta and is exported, mainly to Asia, from ports in B.C.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 29, 2024.

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press
Over 1,500 killed in Haiti this year as gangs recruit children, violate human rights, UN says
Artificial Intelligence for good is the subject of a new exhibit at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, showing how Swedish companies and organizations are using AI for a more open society, a healthier world, and a greener planet.

Ambassador Urban Ahlin told an embassy reception that Swedens broad collaboration across industry, academia and government makes it a leader in applying AI in public-interest areas, such as clean tech, social sciences, medical research, and greener food supply chains. That includes tracking the mood and health of cows.

Fitbit for cows

It is technology developed by DeLaval, a producer of dairy and farming machinery. The firms Market Solution Manager in North America Joaquin Azocar says the small wearable device the size of an earring fits in a cows ear and tracks the animals movements 24/7, much like a Fitbit.

The ear-mounted tags send out signals to receivers across the farm. DeLavals artificial intelligence system analyzes the data and looks for correlations in patterns, trends, and deviations in the animals activities, to predict if a cow is sick, in heat, or not eating well.

As a trained veterinarian, Azocar says dairy farmers being alerted sooner to changes in their animals behavior means they can provide treatment earlier which translates to less recovery time.

AI helping in childbirth

There are also advances in human health. The developing Pelvic Floor AI project is an AI-based solution to identify high-risk cases of pelvic floor injury and facilitate timely interventions to prevent and limit harm.

It was developed by a team of gynecologists and women's health care professionals from Swedens Sahlgrenska University Hospital to help the nearly 20% of women who experience injury to their pelvic floor during childbirth.

The exhibition is a great way to showcase the many ways AI is being adapted and used, in medicine and in many other areas, said exhibition attendee Jesica Lindgren, general counsel for international consulting firm BlueStar Strategies. Its important to know how AI is evolving and affecting our everyday life.

Green solutions using AI

The exhibition includes examples of what AI can do about climate change, including rising sea levels and declining biodiversity.

AirForestry is developing technology for precise forestry that will select and harvest trees fully autonomously. The firm says that harvesting the right trees in the right place could significantly improve overall carbon sequestration and resilience.

AI & the defense industry

Outlining the development of artificial intelligence for the defense industry, the exhibit admits that can be controversial.

There are exciting possibilities to use AI to solve problems that cannot be solved using traditional algorithms due to their complexity and limitations in computational power, the exhibit states. But it requires thorough consideration of how AI should and shouldn't be utilized. Proactively engaging in AI research is necessary to understand the technology's capabilities and limitations and help shape its ethical standards.

AI and privacy

Exhibition participant Quentin Black is an engineer with Axis Communications, an industry leader in video surveillance. He said the project came out of GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation; an EU policy that provides privacy to citizens who are out in public whose image could be picked up on video surveillance cameras.

The regulations surrounding privacy are stricter in Europe than they are in the U.S., Black said.

In the U.S. the public doesnt really have an expectation of privacy; there's cameras everywhere. In Europe, its different. That regulation inspired Axis Communications to develop AI that provides privacy, he explained.

Black pointed to a large monitor divided into four windows, to show how AI is being used to set up four different filters to provide privacy.

The Axis Live Privacy Shield remotely monitors activities both indoors and outdoors while safeguarding privacy in real time. The technology is downloadable and free, to provide privacy to people and/or environments, using a variety of filters.

In the monitor on display in the exhibition, Black explained the four quadrants. The upper right window of the monitor displays privacy with a full color block out of all humans, using AI to distinguish the difference between the people and the environment.

The upper left window provides privacy to the persons head. The bottom left corner provides pixelization, or a mosaic, of the persons entire/whole body, and the immediate environment surrounding the person. And the bottom right corner shows blockage of the environment, so an inverse of the personal privacy, Black explained.

So, if it was a top secret facility, or you want to see the people walking up to your door without a view of your neighbor's house, this is where this can this be applied.

Tip of the iceberg

I think that AI is on everybody's thoughts, and what I appreciate about the House of Swedens approach in this exhibition is highlighting a thoughtful, scientific, business-oriented and human-oriented perspective on AI in society today, said Molly Steenson, President and CEO of the American Swedish Institute.

Though AI and machine learning have been around since the 1950s, she says it is only now that we are seeing the contemporary upswing and acceleration of AI, especially generative AI in things like large language models.

So, while large companies and tech companies might want us to speed up and believe that it is only scary or it is only good, I think it's a lot more nuanced than that, she said.
Human rights experts accuse all parties to the conflict in the Central African Republic of perpetrating serious human rights abuses and violations against the civilian population.

The experts, who held a high-level dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council Thursday to assess developments in the CAR, warned that the ongoing violence and instability in the country have adversely affected the human rights of civilians and kept the country mired in poverty.

Nada Al-Nashif, the U.N. deputy high commissioner for human rights, blamed armed groups for 51% of the abuses and state actors for the remaining 49% of violations.

She said between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, 2,100 abuses and violations were reported by U.N. peacekeeping forces, known as MINUSCA, affecting 4,676 victims.

Among the victims, she said, were hundreds of women and girls who were subjected to conflict-related sexual violence.

These violations were mainly attributable to armed groups, but also to the military and other security personnel, she said, adding that the warring parties have committed other serious violations, as well, such as extrajudicial executions, trafficking, forced recruitment and use, and forced marriage.

She said children also are victims of grave human rights violations, with the recruitment and use of children and abduction and sexual violence being the most frequent. Armed groups remain the main perpetrators in this regard.

Al-Nashif pointed out the government has taken some steps to improve the countrys deplorable human rights situation. However, she stressed that was only a first step, saying strengthened measures are urgently needed to eliminate all forms of exploitation and abuse.

Responding to the deputy high commissioners remarks, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, CARs minister of state for justice, explained that his countrys years of experience with recurrent conflict and turbulence have led to serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law of which women and girls are the main victims.

He said President Faustin-Archange Touadera was intent on rectifying the situation, noting that the president has placed the promotion and protection of human rights at the epicenter of his public policy, with particular emphasis on the rights of women and girls.

He listed and recounted in detail the many new and revised constitutional laws and other legal remedies that have been implemented by his government related to gender-based violence. Some, he said, are aimed at ending discrimination, strengthening the rights of women, protecting women and children from abuse, and seeking justice for crimes against them.

During the criminal sessions of the Bangui Court of Appeal in 2020 and 2023, several criminal cases of rape were tried, and the perpetrators and accomplices found guilty were severely punished, he said, adding that several cases are currently being investigated at the level of the courts.

Joanne Adamson, deputy special representative of the secretary-general of the United Nations for MINUSCA, praised the government for the significant progress it has made on human rights, including the adoption of a national human rights policy, the extension of a plan of action to combat conflict-related sexual violence, and the governments commitment to combat against impunity for sexual violence linked to conflict.

However, despite these efforts and the improvements in certain areas, the security situation remains volatile throughout the country and continues to bring challenges in the context of human rights, particularly in remote areas where armed groups remain active, she said.

Conflict-related sexual violence remains a reality because of the ongoing gender inequalities and harmful traditional practices, and that often causes abused women to remain silent.

Adamson said many victims do not seek justice because they fear reprisals, are ashamed or fear stigmatization and do not speak out.

She said allowing women to participate more fully in political and public life would help to consolidate peace, reconciliation and development.

Deputy High Commissioner Al-Nashif noted that the Central African Republic ranks 188th out of 191 countries in terms of gender equality.

Gender-based discrimination and exclusion from public and political life remain deeply entrenched, she said.

It is regrettable that the revised Electoral Code, adopted by the National Assembly in January 2024, did not include a provision on the implementation of a 35% quota for women in line with the Gender Parity Law of 2016.

Adamson called on the government to ensure the political participation of women in all decision-making bodies through effective legal frameworks and policies.
Donald Trump attended Thursday's wake of a New York City police officer gunned down in the line of duty and called for "law and order" as part of his 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.

The visit by Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, came as Biden was also in New York for a previously scheduled fundraiser with former Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Trump has accused Biden of lacking toughness, and his campaign sought to contrast his visit with Biden's fundraiser.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a post on X, noted Trump's 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 City's mayor, but she said she didn't 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 administration's hearts go out to the officer's family.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, she said Biden has supported law enforcement throughout his entire career and took a dig at Trump's record.

"Violent crime surged under the previous administration," Jean-Pierre said. "The Biden-[Vice President Kamala] 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 Diller's 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.

"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.

He did not elaborate.

Mixed views on law enforcement

Trump has deplored crime in heavily Democratic cities, has called for shoplifters to be shot immediately, and wants to immunize police officers from lawsuits for potential misconduct. But he's 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 campaign's interactions with Russia.

He has also embraced those imprisoned for their roles on the January 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. 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.

On Thursday, prosecutors in Queens charged Dillers alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, with first degree murder and other charges. Rivera, who was shot in the back when Diller's partner returned fire, was arraigned from his hospital bed. Rivera's lawyers at Legal Aid declined to comment, according to spokesman Redmond Haskins.

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 released 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 FBI's 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.
Washington and Tokyo are gearing up to unveil plans to restructure the U.S. military command in Japan in what would be the biggest upgrade to their security alliance in decades.

China has already objected, saying it does not want to be a target of the defense plans that Washington and Tokyo are expected to announce at a summit in April.

"China always believes that military cooperation between states should be conducive to regional peace and stability, instead of targeting any third party or harming the interests of a third party," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Tuesday via email to VOA.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson pushed back in an email to VOA's Korean Service on Wednesday. "The U.S.-Japan alliance has served as the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and across the world for over seven decades and has never been stronger," the spokesperson said.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and his Japanese counterpart, Akiba Takeo, met at the White House on Tuesday to discuss "next steps to finalize key deliverables" that President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will announce when they meet April 10 in Washington.

During a news briefing Monday in Tokyo, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said his country was in discussion with Washington about strengthening the command and control of their militaries to enhance readiness.

The discussion comes as Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral John Aquilino told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on March 20 that the Chinese People's Liberation Army is preparing to invade Taiwan by 2027.

'Long overdue'

Ralph Cossa, president emeritus and WSD-Handa chair in peace studies at the Pacific Forum, told VOA via email on Wednesday, "The time is long overdue to upgrade the command structure in Japan so that the U.S. and Japanese militaries can operate together more seamlessly" in the region.

The plan to restructure the command is meant to "strengthen operational planning and exercises" between the two and is seen as "a move to counter China," according to the Financial Times, which first reported about the plan on March 24.

James Schoff, senior director of the U.S.-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, said, "This is probably the single most important step that the allies can take to enhance deterrence against regional threats and respond to any sort of major crisis."

"This is especially true at this moment as Japan prepares to stand up its first joint operational command and introduces longer-range counterstrike capabilities," he said via email to VOA on Wednesday.

Japan plans to set up a joint operations command by March 2025 to improve coordination among its air, ground and maritime Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The updated command structure within U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) is expected to complement Japan's establishment of its joint operations command.

Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, senior nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Indo-Pacific Security Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said, "Although the details are yet to be determined, the plan is to enhance the USFJ's authority within INDOPACOM [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command]."

He continued via email to VOA on Tuesday that the revised U.S. military command "will also have greater institutional ability to communicate and coordinate with the JSDF."

Currently, USFJ has limited authority to conduct joint operations with Japan. The commander of USFJ needs to coordinate its operation with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, located in Hawaii.

On Tuesday, Biden nominated Air Force Major General Stephen F. Jost as the new commander of USFJ and promoted him to lieutenant general.

Schoff said that "the existing parallel chain of command would remain" in the U.S. and Japanese militaries rather than "a single allied chain of command for both U.S. and Japanese forces."

This will be unlike the South Korean-U.S. Combined Forces Command led by a U.S. general during wartime.

James Przystup, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and its Japan chair specializing in alliance management in the Indo-Pacific, said the upgrades in U.S. military command in Japan "would serve to enhance U.S.-Japan defense cooperation and deterrence in Northeast Asia, both with respect to North Korea and China."

He continued via email to VOA on Wednesday, "As for what this might look like in practice, the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command could be one model, but not necessarily the one [into which it] eventually evolves."
China joined a Pakistan probe Friday into the killing of five of its nationals in a suicide car bombing. That attack has led to the suspension of work on a multibillion-dollar Chinese-funded hydropower project.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's office said that he met with a "special investigation team from China" at Beijing's embassy in Islamabad and "briefed them on the investigation so far" into Tuesday's deadly attack.

According to a statement, they also discussed efforts to enhance the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan during the meeting.

The deadly violence occurred when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on the 4,320-megawatt Dasu hydropower project in northwestern Pakistan.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack that also killed the Pakistani driver of the slain foreigners.

"The perpetrators of the attack will be held accountable and brought to justice," Naqvi was quoted as assuring the Chinese investigators and diplomats.

'Eliminate security risks'

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Beijing told a news conference Friday that the head of its "inter-agency" team engaged with senior Pakistani officials immediately upon arrival.

"He asked the Pakistani side to conduct speedy and thorough investigations into the attack, properly handle ensuing matters, step up security with concrete measures, completely eliminate security risks, and do everything possible to ensure the utmost safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan," Lin Jian said.

"The Pakistani side said that investigations and efforts to handle the ensuing matters are fully underway, and they are taking all possible steps to improve security for Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions," Lin added.

China has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects in Pakistan, including road networks, power plants, and a deep-water Arabian Sea port in Gwadar district in southwestern Baluchistan province.

The estimated $62 billion bilateral collaboration, known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is an extension of Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure program.

Chinese and Pakistani officials confirmed Friday that work on the Dasu project had temporarily been suspended but not stopped following Tuesday's attack. They said work on all other Chinese-funded projects, including CPEC, is still ongoing.

In mid-2021, a suicide car bombing targeted a bus convoy of Chinese engineers working on the biggest hydropower project in the South Asian nation, killing nine Chinese nationals and three of their local co-workers. No group claimed responsibility for that attack.

Pakistan has lately experienced a dramatic surge in insurgent attacks, killing hundreds of civilians and security forces, particularly in Baluchistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Dasu is located.

Over the past week, separatist insurgents stormed a government building in Gwadar and a significant naval aviation base in nearby Turbat. The ensuing gun battles killed around a dozen assailants and left several Pakistani security personnel dead.

Both attacks were claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army or BLA, which the United States has listed as a global terrorist organization.

The BLA and allied insurgent groups in Baluchistan, which is central to CPEC investments, defend their violent campaign, alleging that Pakistan and China are depriving Balochistan of its natural resources, charges both countries reject.
A journalist on a reporting trip in a Ural Mountains city. A corporate security executive traveling to Moscow for a wedding. A dual national returning to her hometown in Tatarstan to visit her family.

All of them are U.S. citizens, and all are behind bars in Russia on charges of varying severity.

Arrests of Americans in Russia have become increasingly common as relations between Moscow and Washington sink to Cold War lows. Washington accuses Moscow of targeting its citizens and using them as political bargaining chips, but Russian officials insist they all broke the law.

Some have been exchanged for Russians held in the U.S., while for others, the prospects of being released in a swap are less clear.

It seems that since Moscow itself has cut off most of the communication channels and does not know how to restore them properly without losing face, they are trying to use the hostages.  At least thats what it looks like, said Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat who quit after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Who are the Americans in custody?

Friday marks a year since the arrest of Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old reporter for The Wall Street Journal who is awaiting trial in Moscow's notorious Lefortovo Prison on espionage charges.

Gershkovich was detained while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg and accused of spying for the U.S. Russian authorities havent revealed any details of the accusations or evidence to back up the charges, which he, his employer and the U.S. government all deny.

Another American accused of espionage is Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan. He was arrested in 2018 in Russia and sentenced to 16 years in prison two years later. Whelan, who said he traveled to Moscow to attend a friend's wedding, has maintained his innocence and said the charges against him were fabricated.

The U.S. government has declared both Gershkovich and Whelan to be wrongfully detained and has been advocating for their release.

Others detained include Travis Leake, a musician who had been living in Russia for years and was arrested last year on drug-related charges; Marc Fogel, a teacher in Moscow, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison, also on drug charges; and dual nationals Alsu Kurmasheva and Ksenia Khavana.

Kurmasheva, a Prague-based editor for the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Tatar-Bashkir service, was arrested October 2023 in her hometown of Kazan, where she traveled to see her ailing elderly mother. She has faced multiple charges, including not self-reporting as a foreign agent and spreading false information about the army.

Khavana, of Los Angeles, returned to Russia to visit family and was arrested on treason charges. According to Pervy Otdel, a rights group that specializes in treason cases, the charges against her stem from a $51 donation to a U.S. charity that helps Ukraine.

Path to freedom via prisoner swaps

The precise number of Americans jailed in Russia is unclear, but the cases of Gershkovich and Whelan have received the most attention.

Gershkovich was designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department less than two weeks after his arrest, unusually fast action by the U.S government. The designation is applied to only a small subsection of Americans jailed by foreign countries.

Prisoners who get that classification have their cases assigned to a special State Department envoy for hostage affairs, who tries to negotiate their releases, and must meet certain criteria  including a determination that the arrest was done solely because the person is a U.S. national or as part of an effort to influence U.S. policy or extract concessions from the government.

The U.S. has had some success in recent years negotiating high-profile prisoner swaps with Russia, striking deals in 2022 that resulted in the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Marine veteran Trevor Reed. Both Griner and Reed were designated as wrongfully detained.

In the exchanges for them, Moscow got arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S., and pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, given a 20-year prison term in the U.S. for cocaine trafficking.

It's unclear whether there are any negotiations in the works on swapping other Americans held in Russia, such as Leake, Fogel, Kurmasheva or Khavana.

Kurmashevas husband, Pavel Butorin, told The Associated Press shortly after her arrest that he hoped the U.S. government would use every avenue and every means available to it to win her release, including designating her as a wrongfully detained person.

Is the west holding Russians that Moscow wants?

In December, the State Department said it had made a significant offer to secure the release of Gershkovich and Whelan, which it said Russia had rejected.

Officials did not describe the offer, although Russia has been said to be seeking the release of Vadim Krasikov, who was given a life sentence in Germany in 2021 for the killing in Berlin of Zelimkhan Tornike Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen of Chechen descent who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya and later claimed asylum in Germany.

President Vladimir Putin, asked this year about releasing Gershkovich, appeared to refer to Krasikov by pointing to a man imprisoned by a U.S. ally for liquidating a bandit who had allegedly killed Russian soldiers during separatist fighting in Chechnya.

Beyond that hint, Russian officials have kept mum about the talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly said that while certain contacts on swaps continue, they must be carried out in absolute silence.

Whether there are any other Russians held in the West that Moscow might be interested in is unclear.

When Russia agreed to release Griner but not Whelan, a senior Biden administration official lamented to reporters that Russia had rejected each and every one of our proposals for his release.

Those scenarios  in which one detainee is released but not another  weigh heavily on officials in the U.S. government, said Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, speaking in a January interview with AP.

Unless someones coming off a plane, onto a tarmac, in the United States of America and into the arms of their loved ones, were not getting a win, Carstens said.

Historically, when the relationships (between countries) are better, the exchanges seem to be smoother, said Nina Khrushcheva, a Moscow-born professor of international affairs at the New School in New York and the great-granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

She pointed to prisoner swaps between the Soviet Union and Chile during the detente period of the 1970s, as well as those with the U.S. and Germany shortly after Mikhail Gorbachev took office in the 1980s. Prominent Soviet dissidents Vladimir Bukovsky and Natan Sharansky were released in these exchanges.

Ultimately, however, the fate of those imprisoned in Russia is only in Putins hands, Khrushcheva said.

Carstens echoed her sentiment.

These are tough cases. The fact is that Russia holds the key to the jail cell," he told AP in a statement this week. "The United States continues to have conversations with allies and partners about what we can do to secure Evan and Pauls freedom. These efforts are sensitive, and it doesnt help Evan and Paul to have negotiations in public. The United States will continue our efforts until we can bring Evan and Paul home.
India's navy said Friday it intercepted a fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea after a suspected hijacking, its latest anti-piracy operation after a spate of regional attacks on shipping.

Two Indian vessels had approached the Iranian-flagged FV Al Kamar 786 around 165 kilometers (103 miles) southwest of the Yemeni island of Socotra, not far from the eastern tip of Somalia.

An operation was "currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV & its crew," the navy said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The statement added that nine armed pirates were believed to have taken over the vessel. It did not say how many crew members were aboard.

India's navy has been deployed continuously off Somalia since 2008.

It stepped up anti-piracy efforts last year following a surge in maritime assaults, including in the Arabian Sea and by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

This month, the Indian navy rescued 19 crew members off the Maltese-flagged cargo ship MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates in December.

On Saturday, it brought 35 Somali nationals accused of the hijacking to Mumbai aboard the warship INS Kolkata, which had led the rescue operation, to face a piracy trial in an Indian court.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Twitter

A television host for Iran International, a London-based Iranian news organization, was stabbed multiple times by a group of attackers outside his home on Friday.

Journalist Pouria Zeraati is in a stable condition in hospital, despite receiving stab wounds all over his body, according to Iran International.

Zeraati hosts the Last Word, which reports critically on Irans Islamic Republic government, among other geopolitical issues such as Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The identities of the attackers are unknown, but the brutal incident is being investigated by a specialist counter-terrorism unit of the Londons Metropolitan Police, according to the BBC.

The decision to assign counter-terrorism officers was based on the victims occupation as a journalist at a Persian-language media organisation based in the U.K., and coupled with the fact that there has been a number of threats directed towards this group of journalists, police told the outlet.

The attack against Zeraati comes just months after an ITV report uncovered a secret plot by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to assassinate two of the outlets anchors. The plot, codenamed the Wedding, targeted anchors Sima Sabet and Fardad Farahzad, and was allegedly planned by Mohammed Reza Ansari, the commander of the IRGC. Orders were sent to simply stab [the presenters] using a kitchen knife, according to ITV.

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Observers say Israel launches a new attack on Aleppo, killing more than 30 people and wounding others. The news comes as Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel is ready to resume cease-fire talks with Hamas. Overnight, Russian forces launched 99 drones and missiles targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure while President Zelensky announced Ukraine is preparing for a new major Russian assault in the upcoming months. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to go to France and Belgium next week to enhance unity among close U.S. allies in their support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and for Israel in its war against Hamas militants. Analysts say he faces a tough task. Russia on Thursday vetoed the annual renewal of a panel of experts that oversees the enforcement of long-standing United Nations sanctions against North Korea. VOA's Scott Walterman discusses with Gregg Brazinsky of George Washington University. And it's cherry blossom season in Washington D.C., and amidst the blooming trees along the Tidal Basin stands 'Stumpy,' a cherished figure among the 1,400 cherry blossom trees adorning the area's monuments.
A mob in the Mexican tourist city of Taxco beat a woman to death Thursday because she was suspected of kidnapping and killing a young girl, rampaging just hours before the city's famous Holy Week procession.

On the eve of Good Friday, men walk through the colonial streets of Taxco wearing hoods, whipping themselves or carrying heavy bundles of thorns in penitence. That and other Holy Week processions date back centuries in the old silver-mining town.

The mob formed after an 8-year-old girl disappeared Wednesday. Her body was found on a road on the outskirts of the city early Thursday. Security camera footage appeared to show a woman and a man loading a bundle, which may have been the girl's body, into a taxi.

The mob surrounded the woman's house Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police took the woman into the bed of a police pickup truck, but then stood by  apparently intimidated by the crowd  as members of the mob dragged her out of the truck and down onto the street where they stomped, kicked and pummeled her until she lay, partly stripped and motionless.

Police then picked her up and took her away, leaving the pavement stained with blood. The Guerrero state prosecutors' office later confirmed the woman died of her injuries.

"This is the result of the bad government we have," said a member of the mob, who gave her name as Andrea but refused to give her last name. "This isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened," she said, referring to the murder of the girl, "but this is the first time the people have done something."

"We are fed up," she said. "This time it was an 8-year-old girl."

The mayor of Taxco, Mario Figueroa, said he shared residents' outrage over the killing. Figueroa said a total of three people beaten by the mob  the woman and two men  had been taken away by police. Video from the scene suggested they had also been beaten, though The Associated Press witnessed only the beating of the woman.

The state prosecutors' office said the two men were hospitalized. There was no immediate information on their condition.

In a statement issued soon after the event, Figueroa complained he did not get any help from the state government for his small, outnumbered municipal police force.

"Unfortunately, up to now we have not received any help or answers," Figueroa said.

Mob attacks in rural Mexico are common. In 2018, two men were torched by an angry crowd in the central state of Puebla, and the next day a man and woman were dragged from their vehicle, beaten and set afire in the neighboring state of Hidalgo.

But Taxco and other cities in Guerrero state have been particularly prone to violence.

In late January, Taxco endured a days-long strike by private taxi and van drivers who suffered threats from one of several drug gangs fighting for control of the area. The situation was so bad that police had to give people rides in the back of their patrol vehicles.

Around the same time, the bullet-ridden bodies of two detectives were found on the outskirts of Taxco. Local media said their bodies showed signs of torture.

In February, Figueroa's own bulletproof car was shot up by gunmen on motorcycles.

In Taxco and throughout Guerrero state, drug cartels and gangs routinely prey on the local population, demanding protection payments from store owners, taxi and bus drivers. They kill those who refuse to pay.

Residents said they have had enough, even though the violence may further affect tourism.

"We know the town lives off of Holy Week (tourism) and that this is going to mess it up. There will be a lot of people who won't want to come anymore," said Andrea, the woman who was in the mob. "We make our living off tourism, but we cannot continue to allow them to do these things to us."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a return to cease-fire talks with Hamas on Friday, one day after the International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered Israel to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians facing famine in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahus announcement marks yet another attempt to reach a deal with the militant group, which would pause Israels military offensive in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.

With the war nearing the six-month mark, the United States, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to mediate another cease-fire and hostage release since the first one in November.

Netanyahu, who has been under domestic pressure over his failure to bring home all the hostages seized by militants on October 7, said he has spoken with Israels lead negotiators and authorized Israeli delegations to join the cease-fire talks in Qatar and Egypt over the coming days.

Hamas has previously proposed a gradual cease-fire process during which it would release all the remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the opening of its borders for aid and reconstruction, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants serving life sentences.

Netanyahu has called Hamas terms delusional and vowed to resume Israels offensive after any hostage release and keep fighting until the militant group is destroyed.

Hamas is believed to be holding roughly 100 hostages, as well as the remains of about 30 people among the approximately 1,160 people killed in Israel during Hamas October 7 terror attack that triggered the war, according to a tally by Agence France-Presse.

So far, Israel's retaliatory campaign to destroy Hamas has killed at least 32,623 people, mostly women and children, and has injured upwards of 70,000, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.

Large parts of the enclave have been reduced to rubble, and most of Gaza's population is sheltering in Gazas southern border city of Rafah.

Food insecurity and famine

The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to "take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay" the supply "of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, warned in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday that the ruling by the ICJ was a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man-made + worsening."

All of Gazas 2.3 million people are at severe levels of food insecurity, as aid deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order, according to the United Nations and international aid groups.

Famine is quite possibly present in parts of the northern Gaza Strip, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Friday, adding that a scarcity of food convoys was an obstacle to getting more aid into the Palestinian enclave under Israeli siege.

"While we can say with confidence that famine is a significant risk in the south and center but not present, in the north, it is both a risk and quite possibly is present in at least some areas," the official told Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

The U.N. has warned that Gaza faces famine and has complained of "overwhelming obstacles" to getting aid in and distributing it around the enclave.

This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal Mohsen Muammar carries the body of his 3-year-old son Muhammad, who was killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, to his family house to bury him in Rafah, on March 29, 2024.

The war continues

The binding ICJ ruling, which has little means of enforcement, came as Israel's military said Friday it was continuing operations at the Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, for a 12th day.

Palestinian health officials said two Israeli strikes on the Al-Shejaia suburb in eastern Gaza City killed 17 people, while an Israeli air strike on a house in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed eight people.

The Israeli military said its forces continued operations in and around Gaza City's Al Shifa complex, "while mitigating harm to civilians, patients, medical teams and medical equipment." The Israel Defense Forces said that over the past day it killed about 200 militants in its Al-Shifa operation and located weapons and military infrastructure.

Near Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, Israeli troops carried out "targeted raids on terrorist infrastructure," killing dozens in combat backed by air support, the army said Thursday.

"We have bisected the Strip, and we are preparing to enter Rafah," Netanyahu said Thursday.

The armed wing of Hamas said their fighters targeted Israeli forces near to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the city's two hospitals blockaded by Israeli soldiers for several days.

In the far south of the Strip, Israel continued its bombardment in Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge, where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people were sheltering. An air strike on a house killed 12 Palestinians late Thursday.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Oppenheimer finally premiered Friday in the nation where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film. Japanese filmgoers' reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.

Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima when he was 3, said he has been fascinated by the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, often called "the father of the atomic bomb" for leading the Manhattan Project.

"What were the Japanese thinking, carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbor, starting a war they could never hope to win?" he said, sadness in his voice, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

He is now chairperson of a group of bomb victims called the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization and he saw Oppenheimer at a preview event. "During the whole movie, I was waiting and waiting for the Hiroshima bombing scene to come on, but it never did," Mimaki said.

Oppenheimer does not directly depict what happened on the ground when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, turning some 100,000 people instantly into ashes, and killed thousands more in the days that followed, mostly civilians.

The film instead focuses on Oppenheimer as a person and his internal conflicts.

The film's release in Japan, more than eight months after it opened in the U.S., had been watched with trepidation because of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

Former Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka, who spoke at a preview event for the film in the southwestern city, was more critical of what was omitted.

"From Hiroshima's standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted," he was quoted as saying by Japanese media. "The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans."

Some moviegoers offered praise. One man emerging from a Tokyo theater Friday said the movie was great, stressing that the topic was of great interest to Japanese, although emotionally volatile as well. Another said he got choked up over the film's scenes depicting Oppenheimer's inner turmoil. Neither man would give his name to an Associated Press journalist.

In a sign of the historical controversy, a backlash flared last year over the "Barbenheimer" marketing phenomenon that merged pink-and-fun Barbie with seriously intense Oppenheimer. Warner Bros. Japan, which distributed Barbie in the country, apologized after some memes depicted the Mattel doll with atomic blast imagery.

Kazuhiro Maeshima, professor at Sophia University, who specializes in U.S. politics, called the film an expression of "an American conscience."

Those who expect an anti-war movie may be disappointed. But the telling of Oppenheimer's story in a Hollywood blockbuster would have been unthinkable several decades ago, when justification of nuclear weapons dominated American sentiments, Maeshima said.

"The work shows an America that has changed dramatically," he said in a telephone interview.

Others suggested the world might be ready for a Japanese response to that story.

Takashi Yamazaki, director of Godzilla Minus One, which won the Oscar for visual effects and is a powerful statement on nuclear catastrophe in its own way, suggested he might be the man for that job.

"I feel there needs to an answer from Japan to Oppenheimer. Someday, I would like to make that movie," he said in an online dialogue with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan.

Nolan heartily agreed.

Hiroyuki Shinju, a lawyer, noted Japan and Germany also carried out wartime atrocities, even as the nuclear threat grows around the world. Historians say Japan was also working on nuclear weapons during World War II and would have almost certainly used them against other nations, Shinju said.

"This movie can serve as the starting point for addressing the legitimacy of the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as humanity's, and Japan's, reflections on nuclear weapons and war," he wrote in his commentary on Oppenheimer published by the Tokyo Bar Association.
Last weeks concert hall massacre in Russia demonstrates not only the capacity of Islamic State-Khorasan to stage complex attacks beyond its base in South-Central Asia, but also the inability of the Taliban and regional countries to counter its threats, experts say.

The Islamic State group claimed the attack on a music venue near Moscow Friday that killed 143 people and wounded more than 180. Although it was the Islamic State, not its offshoot IS-Khorasan, that took the responsibility, U.S. officials said that IS-Khorasan was behind the murderous rampage.

The Talibans foreign ministry spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as a blatant violation of all human standards.

The regional countries must take a coordinated, clear & resolute position against such incidents directed at regional destabilization, Balkhi said Friday on X, previously known as Twitter.

The Islamic State, in a 30-page statement published on social media platforms and sent to journalists Monday, praised the attack and mocked the Taliban for seeking relations with the United States, Russia, China and other countries.

Homayoun Mohtaat, former Afghan deputy ambassador to Russia, told VOA that the attack made it clear that IS has the ability to launch complex attacks that could inflict heavy casualties.

Using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State, he said the Daesh attack shows the groups maneuverability and ability to move from one place to another.

Mohtaat said that IS-Khorasan, also known as ISKP, has been able to expand its activities within the region and beyond.

But we can see that Afghanistan, because of its geopolitical location, has become an operational platform for Daesh, he said. It allowed the group to expand its operation to the Central Asian states and beyond, in Russia.

He said that the Taliban neither has the will nor resources to fight IS-Khorasan.

The Taliban, however, have claimed success against the IS affiliate in Afghanistan.

The Talibans defense minister, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, claimed at a press conference in Kabul in December that because of their operations against IS-Khorasan, the number of the groups attacks decreased by 90%.

But a U.N. report released in January said IS-Khorasan "continued to pose a major threat in Afghanistan and the region.

In another report released in June 2023, the U.N. estimated that IS-Khorasan's fighters and their families number between 4,000 and 6,000, including citizens of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Central Asian countries and a small number of Arabs who traveled from Syria to Afghanistan.

Kamran Bokhari, senior director of the Eurasian Security and Prosperity Portfolio at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, told VOA that IS-Khorasan is taking advantage of weak security, weak governance and strategic vacuums in the region.

Afghanistan is the strategic vacuum, Bokhari said. Yes, the Taliban are there, but it's not a robust state. The Taliban regime is still trying to consolidate power. Pakistan is in meltdown mode on all levels  political, social, economic and security wise. And Iran has its challenges internally.

IS-Khorasan is a major rival to the Taliban and has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power.

In January, the group said it was behind twin blasts in the Iranian city of Kerman that killed at least 95 people. Iranian Intelligence traced back the attacks to the Tajik fighters of IS-Khorasan.

Russia has said that its security forces arrested four Tajik nationals for allegedly carrying out the Moscow massacre.

Attacks will help recruitment

Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA that the attacks in Russia and Iran would certainly help IS-Khorasan to recruit more militants.

Those spectacular attacks have a great effect on recruiting. ... So, they might be able to poach some fighters from [other extremist] groups, the disaffected or those who want to see the result now, Roggio said.

The United Nations says that there are around 20 militant groups active in Afghanistan.

Most of these, including al-Qaida and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, have close ties to the Taliban. But even before seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban considered IS-Khorasan as an adversary and conducted military operations against the group.

Riccardo Valle, Islamabad-based analyst and director of research for The Khorasan Diary, told VOA that the Taliban have been successful in their fight against IS-Khorasan.

The Taliban were able to decapitate the Islamic State leadership in several instances. They have been able to infiltrate Islamic State in Afghanistan and thus it has been able to prevent several attacks, said Valle.

But he said the group has been able to move across Turkey, Central Asia and Afghanistan. This is coupled with the fact that [the relationship] between Afghanistan and Pakistan is extremely tense, which makes it easy for the militants to move across that border.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring and supporting TTP fighters involved in attacks in Pakistan, a charge the Taliban deny.

Valle said that the Taliban alone would not be capable of tackling the issue of containing IS-Khorisan.

The real threat posed by the ISKP in Afghanistan and the whole region is fueling instability within the region, fueling mutual distrust between the countries and posing a major threat to the civilians, Valle said.

Ali Jalali, a former Afghan interior minister, told VOA he believes the threats will continue until the Taliban cut ties with all foreign extremist groups in Afghanistan.

During their war against the republic, they allied with many extremist groups. These groups supported them. Now they are in [Afghanistan], and they cannot cut their ties with them, he said.

Jalali said that the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has not brought stability and the formation of a lawful government. And unless there is [political] stability, this will continue.

This story originated in VOA's Afghan Service.
Rebuilding Baltimore's collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge could take anywhere from 18 months to several years, experts say, while the cost could be at least $400 million  or more than twice that.

It all depends on factors that are still mostly unknown. They range from the design of the new bridge to how swiftly government officials can navigate the bureaucracy of approving permits and awarding contracts.

Realistically, the project could take five to seven years, according to Ben Schafer, an engineering professor at Johns Hopkins University.

"The lead time on air conditioning equipment right now for a home renovation is like 16 months, right?" Schafer said. "So, it's like you're telling me they're going to build a whole bridge in two years? I want it to be true, but I think empirically it doesn't feel right to me."

Others are more optimistic about the potential timeline: Sameh Badie, an engineering professor at George Washington University, said the project could take as little as 18 months to two years.

The Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday, killing six members of a crew that was working on the span, after the Dali cargo ship plowed into one its supports. Officials are scrambling to clean up and rebuild after the accident, which has shuttered the city's busy port and a portion of the Baltimore beltway.

The disaster is in some ways similar to the deadly collapse of Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which was struck by a freighter in Tampa Bay in 1980. The new bridge took five years to build, was 19 months late and ran $20 million over budget when it opened in 1987.

But experts say it's better to look to more recent bridge disasters for a sense of how quickly reconstruction may happen.

Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, cited the case of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minnesota, which collapsed into the Mississippi River in 2007. The new span was up in less than 14 months.

"It's the best comparison that we have for a project like this," Tymon said. "They did outstanding work in being able to get the approvals necessary to be able to rebuild that as quickly as possible."

Tymon expects various government agencies to work together to push through permits, environmental and otherwise.

"It doesn't mean that all of the right boxes won't get checked  they will," Tymon said. "It'll just be done more efficiently because everybody will know that this has to get done as quickly as possible."

One looming issue is the source of funding. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said the federal government will pay for the new bridge, but that remains to be seen.

"Hopefully, Congress will be able to come together to provide those resources as soon as possible so that that does not become a source of delay," Tymon said.

Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota helped to obtain funding quickly to rebuild the I-35W bridge in her state. But she said replacing the Baltimore span could be more complicated.

She noted that the I-35W bridge, a federal interstate highway, was a much busier road with about 140,000 vehicle crossings a day, compared with about 31,000 for the Maryland bridge.

"But where there's a will there's a way, and you can get the emergency funding," Klobuchar said. "It's happened all over the country when disasters hit. And the fact that this is such a major port also makes it deserving of making sure that this all gets taken care of."

Badie, of George Washington University, said the cost could be between $500 million and $1 billion, with the largest variable being the design.

For example, a suspension bridge like San Francisco's Golden Gate would cost more, while a cable-stayed span, like Florida's Skyway Sunshine Bridge, which handles weight using cables and towers, would be less expensive.

Whatever is built, steel is expensive these days and there is a backlog for I-beams, Badie said. Plus, the limited number of construction companies that can tackle such a project are already busy with other jobs.

"A project like this is going to be expedited, so everything is going to cost a lot more," Badie said.

Hota GangaRao, a West Virginia University engineering professor, said the project could cost as little as $400 million. But that's only if the old bridge's pier foundations are used; designers may want to locate the new supports farther away from the shipping channels to avoid another collision.

"That's going to be more steel, more complicated construction and more checks and balances," GangaRao said. "It all adds up."

Norma Jean Mattei, an emeritus engineering professor at the University of New Orleans, said replacing the Key Bridge likely will take several years. Even if it's a priority, the process of designing the span, getting permits and hiring contractors takes a lot of time. Then you must build it.

"It's quite a process to actually get a bridge of this type into operation," she said.
After nearly three decades in Hong Kong, VOA's sister outlet Radio Free Asia has closed its physical bureau in the city and no longer has full-time staff there due to the declining press freedom landscape, the outlet announced in a statement Friday.

"Concerns about the safety of RFA staff and reporters in Hong Kong have led us to restructure our on-the-ground operations there. While RFA will retain its official media registration, at this time we no longer have full-time personnel in Hong Kong and have closed our physical bureau," RFA President Bay Fang said in the statement.

The announcement comes less than a week after Hong Kong enacted Article 23, a national security law that media watchdogs warn will further erode press freedom in the city.

The new law is a domestic extension of the controversial national security law that Beijing imposed in 2020 that criminalized secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Article 23 builds on that legislation to also criminalize acts such as espionage, external interference and theft of state secrets.

Press freedom groups, including Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, expressed concern about the new law.

"By transposing the national security provisions imposed by Beijing into Hong Kong's domestic laws, the government hopes to restore the illusion of a territory governed by the rule of law while carrying on its campaign against independent voices," Cedric Alviani, RSF's Asia-Pacific bureau director, said in a statement before the law was enacted.

"We urge democracies to build up pressure on Chinese authorities so that full press freedom is restored in the territory," Alviani continued.

RFA, which opened its Hong Kong bureau in 1996, specifically cited Article 23 as a reason behind its departure from the city.

"Actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to RFA as a 'foreign force,' raise serious questions about our ability to operate in safety with the enactment of Article 23," Fang said in the statement.

VOA has reached out to the Hong Kong Security Bureau for a comment.

For years, Hong Kong was lauded for its lively and free media environment, but the city's press freedom, along with other civil liberties, quickly deteriorated following the introduction of the national security law in 2020.

Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have denied that the law is harming Hong Kong's media environment and instead say it has helped stabilize the city.

The threats facing independent media in Hong Kong are exemplified by the ongoing national security trial of pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai.

The 76-year-old British national stands accused of "collusion with foreign forces" under the national security law and sedition, both of which he rejects. If convicted, Lai faces life in prison.

Hong Kong officials have denied that the trial against Lai is unfair, but press freedom groups and Western governments have condemned the charges as politically motivated and baseless.

Although RFA is physically leaving Hong Kong, the outlet said it would continue to cover the city.

"This restructuring means that RFA will shift to using a different journalistic model reserved for closed media environments," Fang said in the statement.

"For our audiences in Hong Kong and mainland China, who rely on RFA's timely, uncensored journalism: rest assured, our programming and content will continue without disruption," she said.
Russia on Thursday vetoed the annual renewal of a panel of experts that oversees the enforcement of long-standing United Nations sanctions against North Korea. The move comes amid U.S.-led accusations that North Korea has transferred weapons to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine. We talk with Gregg Brazinsky, a professor of history and international affairs at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. More trouble for Israel as the news service Retuers has investigated numerous examples of Israeli soldiers posting photos and videos of themselves toying with lingerie found in Palestinian homes. And traditional Easter chocolate eggs have transformed into sports-themed characters in some Paris chocolate shops, as chocolatiers concoct pieces with a nod to the nearing Olympic Games.
Senegal's Constitutional Council on Friday confirmed anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye as president-elect, releasing final official results giving him a first-round victory of 54.28 percent in the March 24 vote.



The governing coalition's candidate, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, finished with 35.79 percent, and the council other contenders had raised no objections.



Faye, 44, is due to be sworn in as Senegal's youngest president on Tuesday in the city of Diamniadio, according to the presidency.

The handover of power from outgoing leader Macky Sall is then scheduled at the presidential palace in the capital, Dakar.

Faye's victory is the first time a Senegalese opposition candidate has won the election in the first round since independence in 1960.
Millions of Turkish citizens will head to the polls Sunday to elect mayors and local administrators for their cities and districts.

The elections come less than a year after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured his term for another five years last May.

"Now we have 2024 ahead of us, Erdogan said in his victory speech, adding, Are you ready to win both Uskudar [a district in Istanbul where Erdogans personal residence is] and Istanbul in the local elections in 2024?

Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) aims to win back key cities, including Turkeys largest, Istanbul, and its capital, Ankara, which it lost to the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) in 2019 through its alliance with the nationalist IYI Party.

Istanbul race

Winning Istanbul and Ankara, two cities that account for a quarter of Turkeys population, gave the CHP a key position in power for the past five years.

Some analysts observe that the Istanbul race will be one of the main contested races.

This election largely revolves around Istanbul. In the presidential elections, [opposition alliance candidate] Kemal Kilicdaroglu received more votes than Erdogan in both rounds in Istanbul, political scientist Ismet Akca told VOA.

Istanbul, with its 15 million population, is symbolically important for political parties. An old saying in Turkish politics - Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey - was used by Erdogan a couple of times. Early in his career Erdogan was the citys mayor, from 1994 to 1998.

The current Istanbul mayor and CHP candidate Ekrem Imamoglu was considered one of the possible vice presidents if the opposition alliance had won the May 2023 parliamentary and presidential elections.

However, after Erdogans victory in May 2023, the opposition alliance, headed by CHP and IYI, collapsed. The two parties are running their own candidates in the local elections.

Also, new political parties, including the center-right DEVA, the far-right Victory Party and the Islamist New Welfare Party, have emerged over the past five years, and they will compete in the Istanbul race with their own candidates.

In the 2019 election, the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP, which is using a new name, DEM Party) did not announce a candidate and supported the opposition alliances Imamoglu. However, this year, the DEM Party has campaigned for prominent Kurdish politician Meral Danis Bestas, its candidate for Istanbul.

Erdogans AKP selected Murat Kurum, 47, former minister of environment and urbanization, who was one of the leading figures in the governments response to the February 2023 earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in southeastern Turkey.

Main opposition CHP has Imamoglu, 52, seeking a second term. Already one of the most prominent figures in Turkeys opposition, he is expected to run for president in 2028 if he wins.

With the lack of a broader alliance and Kurdish votes, Imamoglu is facing a tough race against Kurum, as Erdogan and his Cabinet officials are quite active in his campaign.

Erdogans last election

During a meeting of the Turkish Youth Foundation on March 8, Erdogan, 70, asked for support in the local elections, saying, This is a final for me; under the mandate given by the law, this is my last election.

The eyes of the entire Islamic world are on Turkey. What will happen in Turkey? What result will the AKP get in these elections? the president continued.

Erdogan came to power in 2002 and served as prime minister until 2014, when he became the first president elected by the public. He was re-elected in June 2018 and May 2023.

The Turkish constitution, which was last amended in 2017, enables the president to serve only two terms of five years. However, according to Article 116, if the parliament decides to repeat the elections during the presidents second term, the president may run for election again.

Erdogan hinted in November 2023 that his party aimed to work on a new constitution. Political scientist Akca thinks Erdogans statement was meant to consolidate his partys voters.

Erdogan does not want to lose this election to Imamoglu for the second time. The latest elections reveal that the lower classes and young people dissatisfied with the AKP are looking for other options, Akca told VOA. Many of those voters have shifted allegiance from AKP to the Islamist New Welfare Party.

The president is trying to overcome this problem with his emphasis on the Islamist cause and his speech with a high emotional tone.

Gonul Tol, director of the Middle East Institutes Turkey program, said Erdogan is involved as if he were the one on the ballot box.

So he is intervening in the electoral process so often and attacking the incumbent, CHP Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, almost on a daily basis. It sounds like this is turning into a referendum on Erdogan, which I personally believe is a bad strategy, Tol said Thursday in a webinar.

Kurdish votes

Several prominent Kurdish politicians, including Ahmet Turk, Leyla Zana and the imprisoned former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas, have recently named Erdogan as one of the vital actors in the solution to the conflict with the Kurds.

Our door is closed to terrorists and those who play a political game under the guidance of a terrorist organization, Erdogan said Wednesday while campaigning in Diyarbakir.

Some analysts think that Erdogan ended the possibility of a peace process.

Considering Erdogans speech, I do not expect anything like a new compromise, negotiation or a meeting between DEM Party and Erdogan, Reha Ruhavioglu, director of the Diyarbakir-based Kurdish Studies Center, told VOA.

The Turkish government says the DEM Party has links with the PKK, which the United States, European Union and Ankara have designated as a terrorist group. The party denies this allegation.

In 2019, the then-HDP won 65 municipalities, but later, the mayors of at least 48 municipalities were sacked over terror accusations and placed under the control of government-appointed trustees.

This story originated in VOAs Turkish Service. VOA Turkishs Hilmi Hacaloglu and Mahmut Bozarslan contributed from Istanbul and Diyarbakir.
Jannik Sinner is first player on the ATP Tour to win 20 matches this season

Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner reached the Miami semi-finals by ending Tomas Machac's stunning run at the ATP Masters event.

Second seed Sinner used his explosive power and precision to win 6-4 6-2 against his 60th-ranked Czech opponent.

Machac beat Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev to play a first Masters quarter-final but Sinner's level was too good.

The 22-year-old Italian faces Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev or Chile's Nicolas Jarry in the semi-finals.

Sinner won the first Grand Slam title of his career at Melbourne Park in January and has continued his fine form since.

The world number three won another title in Rotterdam before reaching the semi-finals in Indian Wells, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz for his only defeat of the 2024 season.

Sinner and Alcaraz are forming a burgeoning rivalry and, with the 20-year-old Spaniard playing Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight on Thursday, they remain on course to meet again in the Miami final.

After recovering an early break of serve against the 23-year-old Machac, Sinner found his rhythm to reach the last four without any further major problems.

He converted four of 11 break points, without facing another himself, to reach the semis for the third time in his career.

"Physically I feel good, I'm just happy to compete," said Sinner, who lost to Medvedev in last year's Miami final.

"We practice very hard to be in these positions and I'm happy to be in the semis again."
Taiwan's navy chief, Tang Hua, will visit the United States next week to attend a military ceremony and discuss how to boost bilateral naval cooperation as China raises threats toward the island, six people briefed on the trip said.

While Taiwan and the United States have a close relationship, it is unofficial, as Washington formally recognizes China, not the democratically governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. Taiwan rejects China's territorial claims.

The six security sources said Tang would visit Hawaii, home of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, for a Pacific Fleet change-of-command ceremony. Three of them said Tang was then expected to attend the April 8-10 Sea-Air-Space conference near Washington and that talks were under way to arrange a meeting with the U.S. chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

The sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity given the trip's sensitivity.

Taiwan's navy and the Pentagon declined to comment.

China's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment. China's foreign ministry said it firmly opposed "military collusion" between the United States and Taiwan and that Washington should "refrain from sending out any erroneous signal to the forces of secession for the independence of Taiwan."

Unlike visits to the U.S. by senior officials from allies like Japan and Britain, conducted openly, those of Taiwanese officials, especially military, are kept low key and often not officially confirmed.

Washington and Taipei have had no official diplomatic or military relationship since 1979, when the U.S. switched recognition to Beijing, though the United States is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

China has not renounced the use of force to take Taiwan, where the defeated Republic of China government fled in 1949 after it lost China's civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists, who established the People's Republic of China.

Taiwan's navy is dwarfed by that of China, which is adding nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. Under a modernization effort President Tsai Ing-wen has overseen, Taiwan is developing its own submarines, the first unveiled last year.

Without fanfare Taiwan and the U.S. have expanded their military cooperation since Tsai took office in 2016, especially since China began ramping up military pressure over the past four years. Beijing now regularly sends fighter jets over the median line of the Taiwan Strait that once served as an unofficial barrier.

Previous U.S. trips by senior Taiwan officers to the United States have included then-navy chief Lee Hsi-ming in 2015 and Deputy Defense Minister Hsu Yen-pu, who last year attended a Taiwan-U.S. defense industry conference in Virginia.

Taiwan typically holds annual security talks in the United States, which neither government officially confirms, and which were attended last year by Taiwan's foreign minister and the head of its National Security Council, according to Taiwanese media.

Tang's visit, two sources said, is part of a U.S. effort, called the Joint Island Defence Concept, to coordinate with Taiwan, Japan and others to counter China's armed forces within the "first island chain" - a string enclosing China's coastal seas that connects Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo, an island split between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan and the U.S. are trying to line up a Tang-Franchetti meeting, which has not been confirmed, said one source, a U.S. official.

Tang on Tuesday accompanied Tsai to a navy base on Taiwan's east coast for a handover ceremony for two new Tuo Chiang-class corvette warships, which Taiwan's navy calls "carrier killers" for their high maneuverability, stealthiness and anti-ship missiles.
Donald Trump on Friday asked a Georgia appeals court to disqualify the district attorney prosecuting him for trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat in the state for a romantic relationship the prosecutor had with a former top deputy.

The legal filing from the Republican presidential candidate and eight co-defendants asks the appeals court to reverse a judge's ruling this month that allowed Fani Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, to continue prosecuting the case.

The appeal presents another opportunity for the former U.S. president to delay or derail one of the four criminal cases he faces.

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee was sharply critical in his ruling of the relationship between Willis and Nathan Wade, an outside lawyer contracted to help lead the prosecution. But he rejected claims from the defense that the romance posed a conflict of interest that would require Willis' office to be removed from the case.

Wade stepped aside from the case after the judge said he would need to withdraw for Willis and her office to continue.

Trump defense attorney Steve Sadow said in a statement on Friday that McAfee should instead have dismissed the indictment outright and, "at a minimum," disqualified Willis and her office from prosecuting the case.

In a brief submitted to the court, Christopher Anulewicz, a lawyer representing co-defendant Robert Cheeley, argued that the failure to disqualify Willis and her office should be reversed because, if allowed to stand, "it would render each and every trial in this case a nullity."

The appeals court has 45 days to decide whether to take up the issue. McAfee gave Trump and the other defendants permission to immediately appeal his ruling but said he would continue moving the case toward trial during the appeal.

If the court accepts the case, Trump could seek to pause the proceedings while the appeal plays out. A trial date has not yet been set.

McAfee's ruling came after a tumultuous period for Willis, who was grilled by defense lawyers in dramatic testimony about whether she improperly benefited from the relationship through vacations booked by Wade while he was being paid by her office.

Trump's lawyers also accused Willis of "stoking racial animus" in her response to the allegations and misleading the court on when the romantic relationship began.

Willis denied receiving any improper benefit from the relationship, arguing that expenses were divided roughly evenly between her and Wade, and said the romance had no impact on the criminal case.

Willis has cast the disqualification bid as an effort to distract from racketeering and other charges against Trump and 14 co-defendants who are accused of scheming to overturn Trump's narrow defeat in Georgia in the 2020 election. Four others who had been co-defendants in the case have pleaded guilty in deals with the prosecutors.
Weaknesses in the power model built by Russian President Vladimir Putin were exposed by the states inability to protect people against last weeks terrorist attack on a Moscow concert hall or respond to advance warnings from Western special services, a Ukrainian defense spokesperson said Tuesday.

Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, told VOAs Ukrainian Service that Putin's vulnerability became apparent, including to his closest circle.

Yusov noted during an interview in Washington that the military intelligence of Ukraine has no reason not to trust the conclusions of the U.S. intelligence that the Islamic State-Khorasan group is responsible.

Earlier, a U.S. State Department official confirmed to VOA that the United States gathered intelligence suggesting IS-Khorasan was planning an "imminent" attack in the Russian capital, leading to a warning earlier this month from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Russia continues to try to shift blame to Ukraine for the attack. On Tuesday, Russian media quoted Alexander Bortnikov, the director of Russia's FSB, saying that American, British and Ukrainian special services may be involved in the attack.

Yusov once again denied Ukraine's involvement and suggested the attack itself and the Russian disinformation campaign around it might help the Kremlin to mobilize more Russians for war against Ukraine and recast Russia's image from an aggressor to a victim.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: Putin and his subordinates are trying to tie the terror attack near Moscow with Ukraine. Considering their new arguments, do you have anything to add to the original response, denouncing it as nonsense?

Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense: [Russian minister of foreign affairs, Sergey] Lavrov's refusal to accept Interpol's aid in investigating this crime tells a lot. It is typical for Putin's regime to try to use any situation in their war against Ukraine, even such a tragedy.

Ukraine unequivocally responded, saying that Ukraine is liberating its territory from invaders and fighting with the military; we are not at war with civilians. Anything else  whether Putin's regime was involved in the attack and to what extent because it did not take the necessary measures despite being warned, or whether there are other more compelling reasons to blame it  are matters of separate investigations.

VOA: How much threat do you see in the Kremlin's attempts to blame this terrorism on Ukraine? Will it help them mobilize more soldiers and escalate the war?

Yusov: Putin and Putin's Russia are waging a genocidal war against Ukraine, using the entire arsenal of weapons, except weapons of mass destruction. They destroy our critical objects of civil infrastructure, energy, cultural objects, social sphere and public health. Putin's tanks are killing our civilians and our defenders. What can they escalate?

At the same time, they will try to mobilize the population politically. Also, they will try to use this terrorist attack to reset the image of Russia worldwide from an aggressor  a state that kills peaceful Ukrainians, attacks a neighbor that did not commit any aggressive actions and violates international humanitarian law  into the image of the victim. Putin is trying to do that today. But neither Putin, Lavrov, nor [Minister of Defense Sergei] Shoigu nor other killers look like victims.

VOA: Can you tell us about the degree of cooperation between Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces and Russian volunteer battalions  Russian Volunteer Corps, Free Russia Legion and Siberia Battalion  when they operate on the territory of Russia? Do you plan the operations together and provide any support?

Yusov: In Ukraine, these units operate within the framework of Ukrainian legislation and are components of our security and defense forces. These people help fight Putin's invaders, the Russian occupying army, within the ranks of our security and defense forces. They are citizens of the Russian Federation. Inside the Russian Federation, at home, they try to implement principles and values and fight for their rights, which Putin's dictatorship deprived them of. There, they act autonomously and independently.

VOA: But military weapons, heavy weapons  they didn't buy them in a store.

Yusov: The full-scale war lasted more than two years. These people captured many arms in the battle, including the Russian equipment used against the Russian army today.

VOA: Do you see a practical benefit for the defense of Ukraine from their actions?

Yusov: We can confirm that it benefits us. Undoubtedly, the military actions on the territory of the Belgorod and Kursk regions helped somewhat stabilize the situation in other areas of the front, diverted the enemy's forces and means and demonstrated the vulnerability of the Putin regime and its security forces.

VOA: What is the primary purpose of your visit to Washington?

Yusov: One of the tragic components of this genocidal war against Ukraine is the humanitarian aspect  thousands of kidnapped civilians. Russia kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children. These are, of course, prisoners of war, both combatants and noncombatants, taken in violation of the Geneva Conventions. The International Committee of the Red Cross does not have access to their places of detention; there is no way to check the condition of our prisoners of war. Their rights are violated; they are abused and tortured. The world needs to know about it. Fortunately, many in the United States are ready to hear us  in the government, among nongovernmental public organizations and in mass media. One crucial component is increasing the pressure of the international community on Russia to comply with the Geneva Conventions.

VOA: What about the military aid to protect Ukrainian territory from occupation and its consequences?

Yusov: For sure, it is another aspect. Every meter of lost land means additional deaths of our civilian children and women; it means more hostages and prisoners of war. Also, we need assistance in verifying people on the territory of the Russian Federation who were kidnapped or illegally convicted  prisoners of war and civilians. In the end, bringing war criminals to justice is also important.

Additionally, thousands of family members of those who are in captivity in Russia need support. Already, thousands of Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity. They all need support and social, psychological and medical help. This is another subject of our interaction with our international partners.
The U.S. Department of State has strongly condemned the Iranian governments imposition of harsh sentences on 11 women's rights activists in Gilan province. The department's spokesperson denounced the sentences as "unjust" and characterized them as "an attempt to intimidate and suppress their voices."

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the Department of State, criticized the legal proceedings concerning human rights activists in Iran as "fabricated," in response to a query from Voice of Americas Persian Service during a press briefing on Thursday. He asserted, "The Iranian regime aims to intimidate and silence the voices of these brave women through such verdicts."

On Wednesday, Irans Third Branch of the Revolutionary Court in the city of Rasht handed down a combined 60-year prison term to 11 women's rights activists who were arrested in Gilan in August 2023.

Zohreh Dadras was given a prison term of nine years and six months, while eight other women  Forough Samieenia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shahsia, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, Azadeh Chavoshian and Zahra Dadras  were individually sentenced to over six years in prison. Two other women  Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri  were each given a year of imprisonment.

The State Department spokesperson said the rulings lack "any credibility and legitimacy," citing the conduct of the judiciary and courts of the Islamic Republic.

Miller also highlighted widespread reports of torture, coerced confessions and restrictions on legal counsel, further eroding any semblance of credibility in the judgments rendered by Iranian courts.

The activists were convicted in February 2024 on charges that included "gathering and collusion, forming a group with the intent to undermine national security," and "membership in a group."

Miller reiterated the Biden administration's commitment to supporting the Iranian people and stated that the United States will continue to take action to support the people of Iran in practical ways  both seen and unseen.

He added the United States continues to coordinate with our allies and partners to condemn sham trials and to pursue accountability for Iran's human rights abuses.

Iranian rights activist Gohar Eshghi, in reaction to the sentencing of the 11 women, posted on Instagram, "This regressive government stands as the foremost enemy of women's rights."

This government fears the influence of women. What wrong have my daughters in Gilan committed to warrant over sixty years of imprisonment? Why aren't the thieves and embezzlers being imprisoned? Why do all corrupt individuals end up as ministers and lawyers?"

Gohar Eshghi, whose son, Sattar Beheshti, died while in custody of the "cyber police" in 2012 for his "blogging" activities, emphasized in her message, "My children, bear in mind that this anti-women government offers nothing but execution, whipping, and torture.

She added, "The leaders of the Islamic Republic are mistaken. Eventually, they dissolve like snow, while these courageous women are the ones who ultimately prevail."

According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, in 2023, a minimum of 22 women were executed in Iran, 325 women activists were detained, and 147 women activists were sentenced to imprisonment, flogging, and execution.

The report further reveals that a total of 139 women activists have been sentenced to over 553 years of imprisonment, with 10 of them collectively receiving 557 lashes.
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 Islamic extremist 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 Russia's 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 Russia's presence does not appear to have changed since Wagner's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a suspicious plane crash last year.

"Mali's 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, said 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 heads, the report said.

Amnesty International said in a 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 Mali's 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 day's 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 don't agree with their approach.

Although the militaries had promised to end the insurgencies in their territories after deposing their respective elected governments, conflict analysts say the violence has worsened under their regimes. They share borders and their security forces fighting extremist violence are overstretched.
The future of international efforts to restrain Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program is in question after Russia voted on Thursday to dismantle a body meant to monitor the implementation of United Nations sanctions against North Korea.

Since its creation in 2009, the so-called Panel of Experts has played a key role in attempts to enforce U.N. Security Council resolutions against North Korea. Most notably, the eight-member panel produced regular reports outlining alleged violations of U.N. sanctions, keeping the issue in the public eye and prompting follow-up reporting by independent news outlets.

Though Security Council cooperation on North Korea had already eroded, and North Korea has steadily found ways to evade existing sanctions, the dismantling of the expert panel could remove remaining barriers to North Korea's weapons program and undermine global non-proliferation efforts.

How did we get to this point?

The Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea following its initial nuclear test in 2006. It expanded the measures as North Korea ramped up illicit weapons development in subsequent years.

As permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council, Russia and China voted for the North Korea sanctions. But as their respective ties with the United States deteriorate, both countries are calling for sanctions to be eased or lifted, leading to questions about whether the expert panel will survive.

During recent negotiations, Russia and China pushed to add sunset clauses to at least some of the North Korea sanctions, which would allow them to expire after a fixed amount of time if a consensus is not reached on their extension, according to several media reports.

With those efforts having apparently failed, Russia on Thursday voted against renewing the annual mandate of the expert panel, while China abstained from the vote. Without unanimous support, the panels mandate will expire on April 30.

Why did Russia kill the UN sanctions panel?

For years, Russia has argued that the North Korea sanctions are outdated and counterproductive. In Moscow's view, not only did the sanctions fail to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons, they instead created a humanitarian crisis in the country.

U.S. officials disagree, saying North Korea is to blame for spending vast sums of money on weapons rather than food for its people.

In recent years, Russia has grown bolder about conducting activities that may explicitly violate U.N. sanctions. Most notably, U.S. officials say Russia has imported at least 10,000 containers filled with North Korean munitions, including ballistic missiles, for use in its war in Ukraine.

Both Russia and North Korea deny the weapons transfers, despite mounting evidence in the form of commercial satellite photos appearing to show repeated deliveries of North Korean weapons.

Britains Financial Times newspaper this week reported that Russia also started supplying oil directly to North Korea in defiance of U.N. sanctions. In 2017, the Security Council imposed a strict limit on the amount of oil products North Korea can import.

By effectively killing the panel, Russia may be trying to make it easier to hide its sanctions-violating activities with North Korea, suggested U.S., South Korean and other Western diplomats who made public statements after Russia's Thursday vote.

This is almost comparable to destroying a CCTV (closed circuit television) to avoid being caught red-handed," said Hwang Joon-kook, South Koreas ambassador to the United Nations.

Russia itself has hinted at selfish motives. Asked Friday whether the vote means Russia has changed its policy regarding enforcement of U.N. sanctions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, Such a position is more in line with our interests. The talk was about a group of experts. The issue is that we do not agree with the practical aspects of this project.

Will this move make it easier for North Korea to evade sanctions?

Possibly, according to many Western diplomats and analysts. One reason: The effort to gather and disseminate information about sanctions evasion could become more complicated.

Expert panel reports included vast amounts of exclusive information from member states  as well as correspondence, photos and data obtained through panel communication with relevant parties, Chad OCarroll wrote on NK News, a North Korea-focused website he founded. In many cases, journalists, private companies and individual governments lack the authority or clout to secure such materials.

In the absence of the expert panel, Washington and its allies are vowing to find workarounds. At a briefing Thursday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States will continue to work to secure information about North Koreas pursuit of illegal weapons.

And we will continue to work to make that information public and make it available to other members of the Security Council, Miller added.

Earlier this week, the United States and South Korea announced the formation of a task force meant to prevent North Korea from obtaining oil in violation of U.N. sanctions, which are imposed indefinitely.

Trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan and South Korea may also increase, according to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

And more evidence of sanctions violations could be released to the public since the restraining influence Russia and China had over headline-generating reports will be gone with the U.N. panel of experts, he added.

However, it is not clear if those smaller initiatives can replace the pressure created by a unified Security Council. If they cannot, many fear North Korea will more easily find the financial means to accelerate its nuclear buildup  perhaps even emboldening other countries to follow its example.

Hwang, the South Korean ambassador, said Russias vote represents a setback to the international non-proliferation regime.

A permanent member of the Security Council and depository of the non-proliferation treaty completely abandoned its responsibility, he said.
What is normally a time of celebration is turning to one of anxiety, as counterterrorism officials are on high alert for the Islamic State terror group to build on its deadly Moscow attack with new plots targeting Easter.

Already, some European countries have issued heightened threat alerts while increasing security. Italy, in particular, cites the approach of the Easter holiday as one reason for additional concern.

The latest propaganda from Islamic State, also known as IS or ISIS, has only served to reinforce such worries.

In a statement Thursday marking 10 years since IS first announced its now-defunct caliphate in Iraq and Syria, spokesperson Abu Huthaifa al-Ansar called on followers to target crusaders, especially in Europe and in the United States.

Even in its claim of responsibility for the attack near Moscow, the groups Amaq news agency said its operatives have targeted a gathering of Christians. And this past January, IS claimed responsibility for an attack on a Catholic church in Istanbul that killed one person.

IS also has a history of attacking Christians celebrating Easter, notably claiming responsibility for Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka in April 2019 that killed more than 300 people and wounded at least 500 more.

Easter and/or Easter-related activities would absolutely be high on the hit list for a potential attack, said Colin Clarke, director of research at the global intelligence firm the Soufan Group.

ISIS is on a roll, and there could be a real push to sustain the momentum by launching another high-profile assault, especially on a symbolic target, Clarke told VOA. I'd also be concerned about Orthodox Easter the following weekend, and the logical place to look would be where ISIS has struck Christian targets before.

'Substantial' threat risk

Other countries, while acknowledging the threat, say they have long been on high alert for such plots and that sounding additional alarms will do little good.

The security authorities risk assessment of the Islamist threat in Germany has not yet changed as a result of the terrible attack in Moscow, a German government spokesperson told VOA, speaking on the condition they not be named.

It was already high before, the official added, calling the Islamic States Afghan affiliate currently the most aggressive of the terror groups branches while adding it currently poses the greatest Islamist threat in Germany.

Britain has taken a similar stance.

The threat level to the U.K. from terrorism is already currently substantial, meaning an attack is likely, a spokesperson told VOA, speaking on the condition of anonymity. This assessment has not changed.

In the United States, as well, nothing has changed.

Last May, U.S. officials warned the country was stuck in a "heightened threat environment." In September 2023, the Department of Homeland Securitys annual threat assessment said the U.S. was at high risk for a terror attack, specifically pointing to the threat from the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate, also known as IS-Khorasan, ISIS-K, or ISKP.

"While we do not have specific and credible intelligence indicating a threat to the United States at this time, the Department of Homeland Security continues to work with our partners to evaluate the threat environment, provide updates to the American public, and protect our homeland," a department spokesperson told VOA on Friday.

"We urge the public to stay vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activity to their local law enforcement," the DHS spokesperson added.

U.S. officials charged with looking out for the safety of American citizens abroad said they are working to prevent any possible attacks.

"We remain vigilant against the evolving threat posed by terrorist groups, including ISIS-K," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday, adding, We have maintained an unwavering focus.

US assessment

The Pentagon issued a similar assurance.

The Department of Defense has not taken its eye off of ISIS, press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said Thursday in response to a question from VOA.

Recent U.S. intelligence assessments have portrayed IS as a terror organization that may be at a turning point, underscoring what the intelligence communitys annual threat assessment, issued earlier this month, described as cascading leadership losses in Iraq and Syria.

But the same report warned that regional affiliates will continue to expand. And while the U.S. report cited a shift to Africa, U.S. and other current and former Western officials see IS leadership in Afghanistan as taking on a more prominent role.

Most plots that we are aware of go back to ISIS-K, a former senior Western counterterrorism official told VOA earlier this year.

There has been long-running concern about IS-Khorasans efforts to expand its sphere of influence beyond Afghanistan.

Some Western officials and regional observers warn that as far back as 2021, the IS Afghan affiliate was seeking to seed Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with small but highly capable cells and networks that could serve as the basis for future attacks.

Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy who specializes in jihadism, said, There was a large cohort of Central Asian foreign fighters that went to Syria last decade when IS was controlling territory there. So, those that survived were likely a backbone to this broader facilitation and plot/attack network.

There was also a smaller cohort of Central Asians that joined up with ISKP in Afghanistan, Zelin told VOA. Then there are Central Asian migrant communities in Russia that IS can recruit from in the same way they do with Arab migrant populations in Western Europe.

Focus on Central Asia

One humanitarian official in Central Asia, who asked that their name be withheld because of fears they could be targeted, told VOA that IS has managed to establish small, high-quality cells and networks across the region.

The networks still exist, but they are not going to be recruiting more [big] numbers, the official said, adding that there are signs that the recruitment might happen more outside of Central Asia.

The vulnerabilities and push factors [that move someone to join IS] are a lot stronger in Russia, especially in light of the current situation in Russia toward migrants, the official said, noting those same factors exist across many European countries that host Central Asian diaspora communities.

There are indications that IS-Khorasan has found ways to leverage other terror groups.

Andrew Mines, a program specialist at the United States Institute of Peace, said, ISKP doesn't just attract foreign recruits, it also cooperates with Central Asian-dominated groups like IMU [Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan] and  ETIM/TIP [Turkistan Islamic Party] to a more limited extent.

Mines told VOA that IS-Khorasan has proven to be adept at maximizing its resources.

ISKP has shown it is capable of receiving, training and deploying assets within and outside of Afghanistan, as well as using the virtual planner and inspiration attack planning models.

Current and former officials say it is those types of capabilities, combined with high-profile attacks, such as the one near Moscow and Januarys double suicide bombing in Kerman, Iran, that make IS-Khorasan a formidable threat even as some data suggest the affiliates exploits in Afghanistan itself have been on the decline.

The IS-Khorasan attack in Russia, along with foiled plots in Germany late last year, both of which appear to have relied on ethnic Tajiks, could also be an indication that groups efforts to build an extended network is coming to fruition.

This could even be the first sort of real flowering of a developed ISIL-Khorasan capability, according to Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former senior U.N. counterterrorism official, using another acronym for the IS Afghan affiliate.

And Fitton-Brown, now a senior adviser for the New York and Berlin-based Counter Extremism Project, worries IS leaders will want to capitalize on the momentum they likely see from this years successful terror attacks.

They got that attention for Iran. They've got a lot more attention for doing it in Russia. And they would get even more attention if they could bring off something on this scale in Western Europe, he told VOA.

But whether they can bring it off is a question, because up to now there have been a lot of abortive attempts where they've had active terrorist plots in Western Europe, particularly in Germany, but they've been detected and prevented and disrupted, Fitton-Brown said.
It was supposed to be a relaxing dinner with friends in Tbilisi, Georgia, before a move to Berlin. But things didnt turn out as planned for Irina Babloyan.

That evening, the Russian journalist suddenly fell ill. By morning, her head hurt, her hands and feet were red and burning, and her mouth tasted like metal.

Doctors later determined poisoning was the most likely cause for the symptoms. The top suspect: Moscow.

The incident occurred in October 2022. When Babloyan spoke with VOA this February, she was still suffering the physical and emotional consequences. Her experience underscores the lengths Moscow goes to in order to silence its critics, analysts say.

For a while, Babloyan said, she stopped going to restaurants, fearing she might be targeted again. Now, she goes out just to feel normal, albeit with a degree of caution. If I dont do it, I will go crazy, she said.

Letting the attack disrupt her life is exactly what the perpetrators wanted, she believes, and Babloyan refuses to give in.

When someone wants to kill you, its kind of a difficult thing to understand.

When someone wants to kill you, its kind of a difficult thing to understand, she said.

Babloyan is one of a handful of Russian exiles who are believed to have been poisoned since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. More suspected poisonings took place before then.

In Berlin, Babloyan was treated at the same hospital as Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who was poisoned in 2020.

VOA traveled to the German capital just days after Navalnys death in a Siberian prison. Memorial flowers and candles had already piled up outside the Russian Embassy.

Berlin police are investigating the cases of suspected poisonings of Russians in Germany.

The Kremlin dismisses claims of being involved in such attacks. Russias Foreign Ministry and its embassy in Berlin did not reply to VOAs emails requesting comment.

Threats to journalists, inside and out of Russia, have increased since the invasion of Ukraine, watchdogs say, and independent media in the country quickly found themselves bound by new laws that effectively made coverage impossible.

Outlets have been branded as foreign agents and undesirable organizations, and 22 journalists  including two Americans  were in jail at the end of 2023, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists. The choices for Russias independent journalists are to continue working in Russia and risk prison, or to go into exile, where safety still is not a guarantee.

Life on the outside

When Babloyans symptoms began that night in October, the journalist was preparing to move to Berlin, where colleagues from her outlet, Echo of Moscow, were regrouping after Russian authorities forced them to close several months earlier.

Resettling is difficult, and transnational repression only makes it harder, said Penelope Winterhager, managing director at the JX Fund.

The threats facing exiled outlets means Winterhager and her entire team are conscious of security and wary of sharing their office address.

But from the groups Berlin building, the sound of the citys afternoon traffic drifted up to the windows as she described how the JX Fund helps news outlets to regroup in exile and to navigate transnational repression.

The phenomenon  in which hostile governments use legal action, threats or attacks to try to target critics outside their borders  aims to intimidate critics, Winterhager said.

They dont want them to report anymore. They want to frighten them. And if people break into your apartment, if poisonings are happening, if you can only walk around with a bodyguard, this does make you afraid after a while, she said.

Its [an] illusion that when youre not in Russia, youre absolutely safe.

Journalists in exile agree.

Its [an] illusion that when youre not in Russia, youre absolutely safe, said Katerina Abramova, who heads communications at the exiled outlet Meduza. She moved to Latvia before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, then resettled in Berlin.

In one of Berlins many parks, Abramova spoke about how Meduza decided to spread its staff across several countries. Given the prevalence of Moscows transnational repression, they thought it would be safer than having everyone based in one city.

But harder still was preventing attacks on their website and coverage. Meduza has faced cyberattacks, and its website is blocked in Russia.

The latter tactic, said Anastasiya Zhyrmont, threatens the very survival of exiled Russian media. Zhyrmont, who covers Eastern Europe for the digital rights group Access Now, met with VOA in Berlins Treptower Park.

The result is the media is simply dying out in exile because they cannot reach an audience within Russia, Zhyrmont said.

Trauma of exile

When it comes to transnational repression, the media often cover the immediate incidents and their direct effects. But the protracted harassment leaves a mark on these journalists. In conversations with them, their deeper trauma is evident in their feelings of paranoia and guilt, loneliness and grief.

In the age of Putins war in Ukraine, sacrifice is a way of life for Russias exiled reporters, said Ekaterina Fomina, who fled Russia shortly after it invaded Ukraine.

"We left everything behind, Fomina said. For me, maybe it took even a year to realize that your past is erased.

Youre sacrificing everything in order to continue your job, Fomina told VOA. A journalist who has worked for various independent Russian outlets, Fomina left her home country for Latvia before moving to the Czech Republic, and then on again.

Now, Fomina wont publicly say where shes based out of fear that she would be physically surveilled by Russian authorities.

She is already under investigation for spreading what Moscow views as false information about the Russian military. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years behind bars.

After these two years, you simply realize that there is no country and no place in the world where you belong.

The accusation stems from a 2022 story Fomina published at the independent outlet iStories. In it, a Russian soldier confessed to killing a Ukrainian civilian.

Speaking with VOA in what was her seventh apartment in two years, Fomina said, Youre still a hostage in their hands, because they can influence your life. They can prosecute you even without you being there.

As she spoke, her rescue dog, Cooper  all black save for his white chest and front paws  paced uneasily. Fomina spoke to him soothingly in Russian. The frequent relocations have made it hard for them both to re-create a semblance of home.

For Fomina, the legal harassment has only exacerbated the challenges that come with starting life over and over.

After these two years, you simply realize that there is no country and no place in the world where you belong, said Fomina, who currently reports for the exiled outlet TV Rain, known in Russian as Dozhd.

None of the exiled journalists who spoke with VOA feel particularly comfortable in exile.

Part of the reason is that their lives still revolve around Moscow. As Meduzas Abramova said, You have two different lives.

To try to feel at home, Fomina brings two pieces of art by a Ukrainian artist to each new apartment. But those efforts can feel futile.

I live abroad, but psychologically, I live somewhere in between Russia and Ukraine, and probably on the battlefield, she said. You find a flat. You put your pictures there. And technically its your home, but its not a home for your heart.

With family and friends still in Russia and Ukraine, Fomina said she has a hard time enjoying her personal life as she puts all her energy into her work.

The question that hangs over many exiled Russian journalists: Who would do this work if not for them?

Your readers need you now more than ever, Abramova said.

Babloyan agreed. They need to have information. They need to listen to the truth. They need us, she said.

Babloyan still works for Echo. But even as coverage of her suspected poisoning passed, her life and health are far from normal. She still has problems with her skin, she said, and she doesnt have the same energy that she had in the past.

But much better than a year ago. A year ago, I thought Im going to die, Babloyan said.

One thing that helped keep Babloyan going is reporting. The work  oh, my God, I cant live without it, she said. If I stopped doing it, I would go crazy.
Turkey's flagship carrier, Turkish Airlines, has resumed flights to Libya's capital, almost 10 years after they were suspended over security concerns in the conflict-torn country.

The airlines's chief executive, Bilal Eksi, attended a ceremony at Mitiga International Airport on Thursday to mark its first flight to Libya since 2015.

"We are delighted to start flights again to Libya, with which we have historical ties," Eksi said.

"We will continue to bring cultures together in Africa, as in many continents," he added.

A company spokesman told AFP on Friday that Turkish Airlines will operate flights to Tripoli three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Turkish Airlines flies to 130 countries and 346 destinations.

Libya is still struggling to recover from years of war that followed the overthrow and death of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The country's rule is split between rival administrations -- Tripoli in the west and Benghazi in the east.

Turkey has backed the Tripoli government but Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in February that Ankara would soon reopen its consulate in Benghazi.

"We want Libya to resolve its problems through dialogue. We also do not want the current existing division between the east and west to become permanent," he said back then.

fo/lth
Ukraine 'not fully satisfied' with new EU grain deal but can make it work, says agriculture minister

In a compromise reached on Wednesday evening, member states agreed to harden the free-trade regime with Ukraine by expanding the list of "sensitive products" that can be subject to tariffs, which now includes poultry, eggs, sugar, oats, maize, groats and honey.

The deal increases oversight over market trends to allow the use of "remedial measures," a vague term that opens the door for bans on a national level.

Altogether, it is estimated the tweaks will make Kyiv lose an additional 86 million on top of the 240 million foreseen under the original proposal.

But for Mykola Solskyi, Ukraine's minister of agrarian policy and food, the news is not as bad as the headlines might suggest.

"It's a compromise between many countries, including my country, Ukraine. All of us understand this is a unique situation because of the war we have at the moment," Solskyi told Euronews in an interview.

"Honestly, of course, we are not fully satisfied. We would like some other conditions for the continuation of this agreement. But at the same time, we want to say 'thank you' for these opportunities to trade again," he added.

"We understand that when you discuss a compromise, nobody can be fully satisfied. So it's more or less possible to continue trade in such a difficult situation."

Solskyi agreed with the projection of 330 million in economic losses for the country but noted it was "difficult" to calculate a precise amount due to the ever-changing trajectory of Russia's aggression, which can further hinder the country's ability to commerce.

"We are in a war situation now. Nobody knows what can happen tomorrow," he said.

For the past year, the EU has been immersed in a fraught debate about Ukrainian agricultural products, which the bloc exempted from tariffs and quotas to prop up the war-torn nation's economy. The special regime has been met with fierce contestation from farmers in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, who say the goods represent unfair competition, depress prices and take up too much storage.

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Currently, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have unilateral bans in place to restrict the flow of Ukrainian grain, despite repeated pleas from Brussels and Kyiv.

"The agriculture sector has always been and will always be very sensitive in most countries in Europe," the minister said.

'No time for emotions'

Diplomatic attempts to resolve the yearlong dispute have so far yielded mixed results.

Poland, under the new government of Donald Tusk, a politician who has declared himself an avowed pro-European, has maintained the prohibitions to contain the ire of farmers and truckers, who have staged blockades along the border.

Warsaw has shown a willingness to achieve a lasting solution with Kyiv and the two sides held a high-level meeting on Thursday, which Solskyi described as "serious and honest," although no breakthrough was announced.

Polish officials have proposed a licensing system to control agricultural flows and suggested transit of Ukrainian wheat and maize could cease as of 1 April. Such a move would be painful for Kyiv as Poland is the main route towards Western Europe.

"Our opinion is that it's impossible to forbid" transit, said Solskyi. "We understand that there are a lot of emotions around these questions but it's not time for emotions."

While the backlash on Ukrainian foodstuffs has been concentrated in Eastern Europe, the recent weeks have shown a shift in France's thinking, a country that last year joined a letter denouncing the Polish, Hungarian and Slovak bans. Now, Paris warns disruption in the markets risks eroding public support for Ukraine and stronger action is required.

In the latest negotiations on free trade, France joined Poland to push for one key amendment: the automatic safeguard to apply tariffs on "sensitive products" if they exceed the average levels of 2022-2023 had to be extended to 2021.

By adding a pre-war year to the equation, the coalition wanted to reduce the threshold and make it easier to slap back duties. France and Poland also demanded a longer list of "sensitive products" to cover wheat, a widely sold commodity.

"We understand the French government, like other governments that are under pressure from farmers," Solskyi said. "France is very agrarian. They have a lot of farmers there. They have a lot of interest in this area. That's why they are very sensitive with the poultry and eggs discussions."

The compromise reached on Wednesday excluded wheat but prolonged the reference period to the second semester of 2021, a half-win for the pro-restrictions camp.

"I don't think it'll happen very soon," the minister said about the likelihood of tariffs. "Of course, it's not what we want. But we have much more capacity."

Throughout his interview, Solskyi appeared confident the long-lasting agricultural tensions would be contained in 2024 as Ukrainian companies gradually return to their "traditional" markets in Asia and Africa and therefore reduce trade with European clients.

"We have a war and everything can change. That's why everybody wants to be very careful with EU rules. But, in my opinion, there is much less risk," he said.

Asked if European solidarity with Ukraine will decrease or increase in the coming months, Solskyi said: "I hope that it's at least the same."
You can practically smell the Black Flies director chain-smoking behind the camera, muttering about spitting in the face of humanity. Photo: FilmNation Entertainment

This review originally published on May 19, 2023 out of the Cannes Film Festival (back when the movie was titled Black Flies). We are recirculating it timed to its theatrical release.

Starring Tye Sheridan and Sean Penn as a pair of EMTs making their way through an endless gauntlet of violence, cruelty, and blood, Asphalt City is the kind of movie that could fuel a years worth of wet dreams for any politicians eager to portray New York as a crime-soaked hellscape. But the film, directed by Jean-Stephane Sauvaire, isnt trying all that hard to be realistic, as evidenced by its stylized passages featuring flashing, kaleidoscopic sirens, inchoate shrieking, and surging Wagner overtures. The film is bleak and depressing even by Cannes standards, but it has just enough of an art-film vibe that its also kind of perfect for Cannes. You can practically smell the director chain-smoking behind the camera, muttering about spitting in the face of humanity.

Based on a 2008 novel by Shannon Burke, Asphalt City has a pretty familiar set-up. Wide-eyed rookie Ollie Cross (Sheridan), a young, aspiring doctor eager to get some real-world experience while studying for the MCATs, is matched with the profane and perpetually pissy Rutkovsky (Penn), whos diligent at his job but has been doing it for so long that he feels nothing for those hes supposed to be saving. These men both have pasts, of a sort. Ollie has memories of his mothers suicide, and of his inability to help her. Now, hes doing penance, like some kind of Paul Schrader character, living in a tiny room in a cramped Chinatown apartment. Thats how it starts for a lot of guys, Rutkovsky observes, seeing someone they love draw their last breath. He himself is long past that stage. Hes lost count of his ex-wives (his most recent one is played by Katherine Waterston), and counters the horrors of existence by telling dirty jokes and fantasizing about opening doors on bicyclists. Rutkovsky isnt a particularly well-defined character  hes mostly just a collection of attitudes  but Penn does bring some bitter charm to the part. Few actors are as convincing at being just generally angry at the world.

Despite a repetitive, episodic structure, Asphalt City is never boring. Sauvaire films each encounter like a vision of hell. Gang members bleeding out. Addicts passed out on laundromat floors. Abused wives being screamed at by their shithead husbands. Purple babies born to dying moms. Dogs shot for no reason (and then used as props for gruesome practical jokes by the EMTs). The movie wants to rub our faces in the blood and the grime, to traumatize us, and on that level, it often succeeds. But its also sometimes ridiculous. As Ollie and Rutkovsky intubate a 63-year-old meat worker who cant breathe, the director, apparently worried that hes been too tasteful up until now, cuts away to shots of lambs being slaughtered.

Burkes novel, which I havent read, was acclaimed for its terrifying authenticity; the author had spent five years working as an EMT and had based much of it on his real-life experiences. The movie, by contrast, feels purposefully stylized. There are nods to Terrence Malick throughout: Hes thanked in the credits, the Wagner cues are the same ones from The New World, and Sheridan and Penn represent a Tree of Life reunion. That makes for an odd reference point for this kind of material: Malicks cinema is nothing if not compassionate, while Asphalt City is mired in the misery of its milieu. Locked into the perspective of its protagonists, the film denies the people around these EMTs their humanity. They dont have names, and they barely have faces. Theyre just body parts and screams.

Obviously, EMTs get called for emergencies; they dont get called for birthday parties. But as these white EMTs make their way through these incessant horrors, Sauvaire unsettles us with the sheer anonymity of the faces around them, mostly belonging to people of color and immigrants. Its tough to watch, and even tougher to take. We sense that this is a structural gambit, designed to pay off later when our heroes will surely be confronted by the fact that these people are, in fact, people. That is exactly what does happen  but when the moment comes, it feels strangely cursory. So much so that one cant help but feel that the directors real interests lie elsewhere, back in the films intense, gore-soaked spectacles of depravity and pain. Theres style and skill to spare in Asphalt City, but the movie also feels like a victim of the very numbness and emotional emptiness it seeks to expose.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture

Sarah J. Maass A Court of Thrones and Roses series is well on its way to becoming a cult classic in the book world  at least for fans of the romantasy (romance plus fantasy) genre. Maas has confirmed the series is incomplete, promising at least three more books in the ACOTAR universe. The wait has been a torturous one for fans, with the most recent release, A Court of Silver Flames, being published in 2021. While impatient readers could curse the Mother and Cauldron for the holdup, taking a note out of noted smut fan Nesta Archerons book might (shockingly) be a healthier coping mechanism.

While the fan base anxiously awaits news of the next installment of the Night Courts adventures, cozying up with this list of thrilling romantasy books just might take the edge off all that pent-up angst. Chase the high of the ACOTAR universe by delving into these thrilling, twisty, and salacious stories that will have you going just as feral as the all-consuming tales of Prythian.

The Throne of Glass series, by Sarah J. Maas

Maas isnt just revered for her ACOTAR series  shes proved herself to be at the forefront of faerie fantasy worlds with several other romantasy sagas that fans speculate may or may not have overlapping plots. Maass first foray into the genre was with her debut novel, Throne of Glass, in 2012. The story follows young assassin Celaena Sardothein as she attempts to win her freedom from a ruthless king who rules the land  and discovers a mysterious evil lurking in the castle that might just end them all. The TOG series is comprised of eight books, extending your stay in the authors romantasy universe (dubbed the Maasverse by fans) a while longer.

The Crescent City series, by Sarah J. Maas

Months before releasing the final book in the TOG series in 2018, Maas revealed she was developing a third romantasy saga: the Crescent City series. The first installment of the incomplete three-book story, Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood, follows half-fae, half-human Bryce Quinlin and fallen angel Hunt Athalar. The two must work together to hunt down the vicious demon that is on a murder spree in the city  with Bryces closest friends being among the victims. While seeking out the illusive murderer, Bryce and Hunt discover something much darker lurking within the city  a monstrous power that could destroy everything, including their burgeoning passion for one another. The third installment was recently published in January, so its top of mind for Maass most passionate fans!

The Four Horsemen series, by Laura Thalassa

If youve devoured the Maasverse, keep the depressive book-mourning phase at bay with Laura Thalassas Four Horsemen series. The four-book tale chronicles the apocalypse of the Four Horsemen: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Thalassas first installment, Pestilence, follows the titular horseman as he carries out his mission to end humanity at the orders of God. But when Sara, a young firefighter, shoots Pestilence down as he spreads disease through her town, he takes her prisoner while continuing his journey across North America. While traveling together, Sara desperately tries to keep Pestilence from wiping out humans across the continent  and Pestilence reckons with the fact that humanity might still be worth saving after all.

The Shadow and Bone series, by Leigh Bardugo

The first book of Leigh Bardugos Shadow and Bone trilogy follows Alina Starkov, an orphaned refugee whose country has been ravaged by the Shadow Fold: a dark realm containing brutal monsters with an insatiable taste for human flesh. When Alinas regiment is attacked and her best friend is gravely injured by the beasts of the Fold, she discovers a staggering power thats been quietly lying within her  a power that not only saves her friends life but may also be the missing element needed to set her nation free. When the leader of the kingdoms element-wielding Grisha, the legendary Darkling, learns of Alinas newfound abilities, shes forced to train as a warrior of the magical legion. But the secrets of the kingdom  and the Darkling  set Alina on a path of discovery that threatens everyone she loves, along with the future of her entire nation.

The Red Queen Collection series, by Victoria Aveyard

Comprised of five books, Victoria Aveyards Red Queen collection begins with its namesake novel that details a world divided into Red-blooded commoners and Silver-blooded elite born with supernatural gifts. When Mare Barrow, a poor Red-blooded thief struggling to survive in a rural village, is brought upon the Silver court by an unlucky twist of events, she discovers she has a power of her own  one that shows itself in front of the noble court. The king of the Silver, desperate to cover up the narrative-destroying apparition of Mares abilities, forces her to play the part of a lost Silver princess, betrothing her to one of his sons. Mare puts her life on the line as she acts as a spy for the Reds rebellion group, but the longer she lives among the Silver, the more her heart reckons with all she thought she knew.

The Empyrean series, by Rebecca Yarros

Perhaps the biggest breakout romantasy series since Maass A Court of Thrones and Roses is Rebecca Yarross BookTok-breaking Empyrean series, beginning with Fourth Wing. Forced to attend a war college for dragon riders who aspire to join the elite force known as the Navarre, small and fragile Violet Sorrengail must compete with other cadets for a coveted spot in the legions ranks. While fighting to stay alive among unforgiving dragons and bloodthirsty Navarre candidates  including Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless among the Riders Quadrant  Violet begins to suspect her kingdoms leadership is hiding a grave secret as war grows, protective wards fail, and death runs rampant.

The Kingdom of Fire series, by Jessica Cluess

A Shadow Bright and Burning, the first installment of Jessica Cluesss Kingdom of Fire trilogy, follows Henrietta Howel  the first and only female sorcerer of her time. To save her friends life, Henrietta is forced to reveal her power to her citys rulers. While she believes she will be executed for her ability to control fire, Henrietta is instead invited to train among the royal courts all-male sorcerers. Christened as the chosen one and charged with saving her people from terrible demons who torture and murder, Henrietta discovers she is not, in fact, the chosen one. Despite her realization, the flame-wielding sorceress decides to commit to a dangerous game of deception to unearth the sorcerers secrets and save her city  and the sorcerer she comes to love.

The Beautiful Quartet series, by Renee Ahdieh

Twilight girlies rejoice: Renee Ahdiehs Beautiful Quartet series follows a forbidden romance between human Celine Rousseau and vampire leader Sebastien Saint Germain. The first of the four-book tale, The Beautiful, chronicles Celines journey as she flees life as a dressmaker in 1870s Paris for the safe haven that is New Orleans  a city that Celine seeks out despite it being ruled by the undead. Joining the sisterhood of the Ursuline convent, the young woman finds herself fascinated by the New Orleans underworld run by Sebastien  and by the undead leader himself. But when one of the convents sisters is found dead in Sebastiens lair, Celine is forced to ignore the spark between herself and the vampire while she harbors suspicions about his involvement in the recent murder spree plaguing women in the city  and conceals her own horrible secret.

The Hades x Persephone series, by Scarlett St. Clair

If youre a Greek-mythology buff, Scarlett St. Clairs Hades x Persephone saga is a must-read. The seven-book series begins with A Touch of Darkness, a modern retelling that follows the Goddess of Spring as she relocates to New Athens under the guise of a mortal. Persephones hopes for a new start as an unassuming human journalist are dashed when she plays a round of cards at a dangerous nightclub with the God of the Dead himself. Hades, who has established himself as the kingpin of a gambling empire, loves to make impossible bets  and his enchantment with Persephone finds the pair entering a bargain that wages the goddesss unrealized powers to create life against her freedom. Persephone must generate life in the Underworld if she wants to remain free, and she must fulfill her side of the impossible bargain while battling an unadvisable attraction to the powerful and enigmatic Hades.

The Gods and Monsters series, by Amber Nicole

Amber Nicoles unfinished Gods and Monsters series begins with The Book of Azrael, and honestly, that should be reason enough for ACOTAR stans to dive into the series. When Dianna desperately begged the universe to save her dying sister, her plea was heard by a cruel human turned beast. While Kaden spares Diannas sister, she is expected to do his bidding in return. Upon his request to retrieve an ancient relic, Dianna searches for the Book of Azrael long ago hidden by deadly creatures  and gets captured by Liam, a reclusive king once known as the World Ender. Though Liam has neglected his responsibilities as king for millennia, he must reemerge as the powerful leader he once was, while working with Dianna to prevent an old enemy from razing the world as they know it.

The Crowns of Nyaxia series, by Clarissa Broadbent

The Serpent and the Wings of Night, the first installment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series by Clarissa Broadbent, follows Oraya  the adopted human daughter of a vampire king, living among vampires who would love nothing more than to kill her. To secure her safety in the ruthless society, Oraya is forced to enter the Kejari, a tournament of bloodshed in which the most brutal warriors of the kingdoms three houses fight for survival and dominance over the rest. To outlast the competition, Oraya forges an unlikely alliance with the vicious vampire killer Raihn, who is a known enemy of her father and her most deadly competitor. As an unexpected romance develops between the two and unrest grows in the kingdom, Oraya learns nothing is as she believed it to be  and her enemies are closer than she knew.

The Blood and Ash series, by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer L. Armentrouts Blood and Ash series received a glowing endorsement from Maas herself when the first of six books, From Blood and Ash, was released. Protagonist Poppy was chosen at birth to fulfill the role of the Maiden, an untouched savior who must wait for the day of her ascension to right the wrongs of the world. Warring with her personal desires and the expectation of duty, Poppys precarious commitment to fulfilling her alleged prophecy is further tested when she meets Hawke, a guard charged with ensuring her ascension. While distracted by a forbidden attraction to Hawke, a fallen kingdom begins to stir, hell-bent on violently reclaiming what they believe to be theirs. As the threat of vengeance draws ever closer, the world Poppy knows just might turn on its head in the most life-shattering way.

The Of Flesh and Bone series, by Harper L. Woods

Readers who love faeries more than any other fantasy creature should look to Harper L. Woodss Of Flesh and Bone series. The first installment, What Lies Beyond the Veil, is set in a world that was once dominated by fae but has kept them separate from humans for 400 years  sound familiar? While they may have been safe from the wicked creatures, human life has been nothing more than a destitute battle for survival for centuries. When the protective veil between human and faerie lands shatters, the fae begin marking humans they intend to hunt  Estrella included. The human harvester flees her village, and while shes running for her life, she meets fae-marked Caellum. They continue their desperate escape together, and while Caellum is first charming and alluring, Estrella begins to question his true motives as the threat of the fae looms closer than ever.

The Kingdom of the Wicked series, by Kerri Maniscalco

The first book of Kerri Maniscalcos four-part Kingdom of the Wicked series follows twin sisters Emilia and Vittoria. The women are witches living among humans, concealing their true nature in the name of survival. But when Vittoria is found dead and desecrated, Emilias need for answers and vengeance eclipses all else. Desperate to avenge her sister, Emilia is willing to do anything it takes, including using forbidden dark magic. While on her bloodthirsty quest, Emilia meets one of the princes of hell, Wrath. Though he claims to have been sent by his master to find the murderer who killed Vittoria and other women in the area, trusting Wrath may be a grave mistake with the potential to set Emilia on a destructive path.

The Witch Walker series, by Charissa Weaks

The Witch Collector, the first of Charissa Weakss Witch Walker quartet, is another tale of revenge in the name of sisterhood. After Raina Bloodgoods sister is taken by Alexus Thibault, the Witch Collector, to forever remain with the immoral Frost King, her sole mission in life is to slay both the collector and the king. But when the chance for revenge on Alexus comes, Raina is forced to let her grudge fall to the wayside to prevent her sister  and the entire empire  from being claimed by a bigger enemy. As she works alongside the Witch Collector, Raina realizes what she believed to be true may be a lie and Alexus may not be the villain she thought him all along.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty

Call her Bee-yonce, the way she cant stay away from bouquets. From the 50,000 to 60,000 white orchids that reportedly decorated her wedding with Jay-Z to the blooming background of her second pregnancy reveal, flowers have been a consistent part of Beyonces brand long before she ran for BOTUS.

No one can accuse her of keeping them to herself, though. Beyonce has developed a reputation for sending floral arrangements to other people so frequently that stans joke the hardest worker in Hollywood is her florist. And thats just based on the deliveries we know about (were sure Mama Tina, for example, has gotten flowers from her daughter many more times than weve seen). But dont worry, there (probably) isnt one overworked person pumping out an arrangement for everybody Bey appreciates. As evidenced by company logos in the cards attached to the flowers, shes hired florists from Pennsylvania to Australia. Wherever you are, if she wants to give you your flowers, she will.

So, wholl be the first to receive them from Cowboy Bey? Ahead of her next album, we analyzed every publicly shared Bey bouquet. Heres a full rundown of everyone whos gotten one, along with the six main reasons why. If youre a celebrity and fit one of the following areas, your chances of becoming the next recipient might be higher than you think.

1. BDays

If it wasnt already clear from her find-every-rare-celebrity-baby-photo era, Beyonce takes birthdays very seriously.

.@Beyonce sent flowers to Natalia Bryant for her birthday.



Thank you Auntie BB  I love you pic.twitter.com/JjHAr7A32V  Beyonce Press. (@beyoncepress) January 22, 2022

 Tina Knowles

 Natalia and Vanessa Bryant

 Halle Bailey

 Olivier Rousteing

 Yvette Noel-Schure

 Missy Elliott

 Marsai Martin

 Cardi B

 Lizzo

 Kim Kardashian

 Bianca Lawson

Not only does Beyonce celebrate when her friends get a year older, she also sends flowers to thank others who commemorate her own trips around the sun. These four all also happened to have worked with her on Black Is King.

 GuiltyBeatz

 NOVA Wav (Brittany Chi Coney and Denisia Blu June Andrews)

 Nija

2. Baby Boy(s and Girls)

Beyonce likes to celebrate new additions to a family  not surprising for a mother of three. Maybe its for early networking, considering her own firstborn has grown up to be a mini manager?

Beyonce sent flowers to @katyperry congratulating her on the birth of her daughter.  pic.twitter.com/38jO1T6b89  BEYONCE LEGION  (@BeyLegion) September 2, 2020

 DJ Khaled, after the birth of his son, Asahd.

 Katy Perry, after the birth of her daughter (who has the appropriately floral name Daisy Dove Bloom) with Orlando Bloom.

 Keyshia Kaoir and Gucci Mane, after welcoming their first baby together, Ice. (Bey threw in a Tiffany & Co. fork and spoon set too.)

 Warsan Shire, the poet quoted in Lemonade, after the births of each of her two children.

3. Well Wishes

The saddest reason to hear from Beyonce by far, these bouquets come after injury, illness, or death.

 Chelsea Lee Jamess family, after their daughter, a Beyonce fan, died at age 15 following a decadelong battle with cancer. Bey previously brought her onstage and dedicated Halo to her during a 2009 concert and later reunited backstage with her in 2013.

 Lady Gaga, after she revealed that she has fibromyalgia and decided to postpone her 2017 European tour.

 Megan Thee Stallion, while she was recovering from being shot in the foot by Tory Lanez.

 Lyric Chanel, a young fan with brain cancer and anaplastic ependymoma, after having surgery and posting a throwback video of herself singing Love on Top.

 The Bryant family, seemingly to mark the first anniversary of Kobe Bryants death. Beyonce performed at his memorial service the year before.

 Tori Kelly, after she reportedly collapsed due to blood clots. She later shared that flowers from Beyonce were waiting for her when she returned from the hospital. (Kelly didnt say which bouquet was from whom when she shared a photo of multiple deliveries, but our moneys on the white ones.)

 Honey Balenciaga, after getting carried away while dancing in the Renaissance world tour and having to take a break from performing to rest.

4. Career Moves

Beyonce, the most-awarded artist in Grammys history and the first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboards country chart, is constantly setting new records, so she is sure to congratulate others for their own career milestones and history-making achievements.

 Ben Platt, after concluding his run in Dear Evan Hansen. (Beyonce previously came to a performance of the musical after weeks of Platts public groveling.)

 Andra Day, after she became the second Black woman to ever win Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama at the Golden Globes.

 Taylor Swift, after becoming the first female artist to win Album of the Year three times at the Grammys. In a departure from Beys signature white arrangements, this colorful bouquet appeared to be inspired by the floral Oscar de la Renta dress Swift wore to the 2021 ceremony.

calling cards Beys Best Sign-offs Ranking the words that come with the flowers. 7. Love, Beyonce

Simple and classic. 6. God bless, Beyonce

A more active version of thoughts and prayers. 5. All my love, Beyonce

An upgrade of No. 7. 4. Love, B

Just one letter, because were close like that. 3. xoxo, B

Its giving Gossip Girl. 2. Sending you all of our love. Hov and B Holla

B Holla alone bumps it up. 1. Sincerely Me, B

This rhyme cannot be beaten.

 Michaela Coel, after becoming the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Best Writing in a Limited Series for I May Destroy You. I dont even know how she got my address, Coel recalled, adding, I said thank you just in case she could hear me.

 Katie Couric, after publishing her memoir, Going There.

 Chloe Bailey, after making Beyonce proud with her first BET Awards performance as a solo act.

 Nicki Minaj, after thanking both Jay-Z and Beyonce in her acceptance speech for the 2022 VMA Video Vanguard Award.

 Sheryl Lee Ralph, after becoming the second Black woman to ever win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Beyonce sent her congratulations with a bouquet addressed to the original Dreamgirl.

 Chloe Bailey, after releasing her debut solo album, In Pieces.

 SZA, after winning three awards at the 2024 Grammys. Coco Jones, who won Best R&B Performance, also received flowers (@beyonce you know where i live?? come over for scones , she wrote on Instagram). Victoria Monet didnt post about it, but later told Variety that Beyonce sent flowers to toast her Grammys success as well.

 Nicki Minaj, after launching her press-on line, Pink Friday Nails and sending Beyonce a set.

5. Work Friends

If you collaborate with Beyonce, you might get flowers and a note (which conveniently doubles as promo if posted).

 Reese Witherspoon, after asking Beyonce and Jay-Z for Champagne when her table at the Golden Globes ran out of water. The Carters later sent her a bouquet of flowers  plus a case of Jay-Zs Ace of Spades Champagne with a note jokingly explaining, More water.

 Megan Thee Stallion, after her Savage remix with Beyonce topped Billboards Hot 100 and earned Meg her first No. 1.

 Kaash Paige, for being so incredible at the shoot, in seeming reference to a 2021 Ivy Park promo video she starred in.

 Kennedi Carter, after shooting Beyonce for British Vogue and becoming the youngest cover photographer in the history of the publication at age 21.

 Robin S received a bouquet after an interview in which she thanked Beyonce for sampling her on Break My Soul and giving me my flowers while Im still alive.

 Madonna, after the release of Break My Soul (The Queens Remix), for which she gave Beyonce permission to sample Vogue.

 Syd, who co-wrote Plastic Off the Sofa, got the Beyhive buzzing about Renaissance visuals after she received flowers for contributing so much to the film.

 Coi Leray got a floral co-sign from Beyonce, who called her a very talented young lady after DJ Khaled brought her out on the first night of the Renaissance tour. 2 Chainz, one of the other guests in Khaleds opening set, also received flowers for murder[ing] the stage.

6. You Gave Her Flowers

Thats supposed to be her thing!

 J Wortham, a New York Times Magazine writer, for praising Formation after its release. Beyonce thanked Wortham for her beautiful words and for understanding my heart.

 Laverne Cox, after dressing up as Beyonce and performing Lose My Breath on Lip Sync Battle. Thank you for blessing this world with your slayage, Bey said.

 Ts Madison, whose voice is sampled on Cozy, for making Beyonce a birthday song with Kevin Jz Prodigy.

 Ts Madison, Victoria Monet, Gabrielle Union, and Winnie Harlow, for attending the Renaissance films Beverly Hills premiere.

 Vivica A. Fox, for attending the Renaissance films London premiere. In addition to flowers and Ce Noir perfume, Fox also got a lengthier card from Beyonce, who expressed gratitude, love, and respect.

 Renee Rapp, after covering Daddy Lessons while touring in Paris.

 Gayle King, after spotlighting Beyonces hair-care line, Cecred, during a segment on CBS.

 Zoe Erianna, a former Americas Got Talent contestant, for posting an Instagram video of her figuring out the notes to cover Texas Hold Em on piano. The rendition brought Beyonce so much joy that she sent the 7-year-old a bouquet telling her to keep it up!!!
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Even Beyonce couldnt resist cherry-blossom season. For the release of her all-American album, act ii: Cowboy Carter, she celebrated with an autograph signing for 150 fans at Tower Records in  Japan? She can never let us know her next move. Just a few hours ago, Sony Music Japan announced that Beyonce was on her way for a special meet and greet, and naturally, everyone immediately wished teleportation was real. beyonce is the most unpredictable artist ever because why would she take a flight to JAPAN out of all countries to sign CDs of her new COUNTRY album on release day, wrote one fan on Twitter. After all, the most American thing to do is to go to another country to celebrate your success. Below are some of the lucky cowboys who got to tip their hat to Bey.

Beyonce shaking hands with fans at her #CowboyCarter signing event in Japan. pic.twitter.com/QtxSyD0JJm  Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 29, 2024

BEYONCE HAS BEEN SPOTTED IN JAPAN GET UP pic.twitter.com/cgO8trohOp   (@beyoncegarden) March 29, 2024

WATCH TILL THE END



 pic.twitter.com/ov0O21vc9s  BEYONCE JPN (@BeyJapan) March 29, 2024

Beyonce interacting with fans at her #CowboyCarter event in Japan. pic.twitter.com/EglrK7tE2w  Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 29, 2024
Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft to Roll Out Copilot Enhancements for Teams

Microsoft is updating how users interact directly with Copilot in Microsoft Teams with a handful of new and optimized features.

Set to be released over the next few months, key enhancements will be coming to Copilot in Teams built around customer feedback. First is an update to Copilots in meetings that will now display improved insights, like highlighted action items and timelines, in the same view pane as the transcript and Copilot-created meeting summary.

[Click on image for larger view.] Figure 1. Microsoft will provide more context and insight into meetings.

The company's Intelligence call recap, which is already available in Teams video meetings, will extend to VoIP and Public Switched Telephone Network calls for Teams Premium customers. This feature will bring Copilot insights, recaps, summaries, and recommended action items to more types of calls through the service. The new capability is planned for release in June.



Microsoft Teams messages will receive an upgrade this April, with new tools to help in rewriting and composing chat messages to customize them with a range of different tones and styles. "For example, Copilot can adjust your message to add a call to action, or even to make you sound like a pirate," wrote Microsoft. "Soon, you will also be able to generate a new message with a prompt by typing just a few words in Teams chat."

Microsoft is also bringing tweaks to Teams that aim to improve voice and video meetings. First, the company announced that its IntelliFrame feature, which enhances video feeds of in-room participants using Cloud AI to provide a clear view of all meeting participants, will be activated by default for video calls. Audio will also get a boost with a preview in April of its speaker recognition tool for Teams Rooms, which will enhance the recording capabilities of those talking during a meeting for improved meeting transcripts and insights.

Finally, Microsoft will be improving IT management of Teams with new capabilities in Windows Autopilot, which will decrease the time it takes to set up Teams Rooms and automatically apply the latest Microsoft Teams updates at initial device setup. These new capabilities will be hitting preview later this week.

Microsoft's vision for Copilot is to democratize access to generative AI to cut out time-wasting facets of the day-to-day workload. "Our vision with Copilot is to bring the power of generative AI to everyone. We are committed to continue to improve the Copilot experience in Teams to help everyone be more creative and productive," the company said.
Photo: Nicole Rivelli/Max

Whenever I try to open WarnerMedias screener app to watch as-yet-unaired episodes of television for work, it starts autoplaying episodes of the Max TV series The Girls on the Bus. Because of this, I have watched so many episodes of The Girls on the Bus. The shows a meld between the real-life experience of reporting on a campaign trail  its based on Amy Chozicks book about covering Hillary Clinton in 2016  and a late-2010s ABC Network ShondaLand show. The political commentary and light soapy nonsense dont exactly mix, but like oil and water just sort of slosh against each other.

Melissa Benoist plays an overly chipper reporter named Sadie McCarthy for an ersatz New York Times who is covering a variety of ersatz Hillary-like candidates (Joanna Gleason and Hettienne Parks characters both fit the type) during a primary, as well as a Trumpy movie star (Mark Consuelos) and an uncomfortably sexy and straight take on Mayor Pete (Scott Foley). The gist of the thing is that Sadie has all sorts of serious journalistic aspirations, but also she has feelings, and she is always struggling to reconcile the two. And of course, inevitably, she hooks up with a guy who becomes the press secretary for a candidate she covers. This is where we get to my favorite part of the show, which, to its credit, I simply cannot stop watching. No, not the total tropiness of this plot device  in Sadies defense, she points out that she didnt know he was going to be working with someone she was covering at the time  but the fact that shes caught by Dale. Dale, played by Cole Escola, star of Off Broadway sensation Oh, Mary!

Dale, a devious yet stuffy reporter covering a Biden-esque figure (who, by the way, tries to prove hes fit enough to run a 5K, then dies) at this in-universe Times, is introduced in the shows third episode as an immediately antagonistic presence toward Sadie. (She also has a rival/mentor in Carla Gugino, a scoop expert a generation older at a fake version of the Washington Post. I have only good things to say about Gugino, and I hope this paycheck funds several more exciting new plays for her Off Broadway.) Dale and Sadie already hate each other for reasons of competitiveness  whoever covers the candidate who wins the primary might get a shot at the White House beat  and the natural enmity that lies between twinks and ingenues who wear quirky hats. Hows that Styles story coming? he asks her in the middle of a press huddle about his candidates collapse. Hows the food on Spirit Airlines, Dale? she goes. Then, at the end of the episode, Sadie kisses that press secretary again, just as Dale is wandering down the hallway and stumbles upon them. Escola delivers a gasp for the ages while wearing a Creamsicle-colored sweater and cross-body bag.

Photo: Max

The material is far below Escolas talent, yet they elevate it into high melodrama, as if nothing could be more important in the world than one starchy reporters vendetta against this breach of journalistic ethics. In the next episode, Dales antagonism escalates: He slides onscreen at a party going, Helllllooo, Sadie. He tells her that hes not mad about being sent back to New York (because his candidate is dead) because, I havent had a good Grindr date or a bagel in months. He sings Youre So Vain at a media karaoke party at her in the middle of a crowded room. I have to respect the pettiness.

Eventually, this does convince Sadie to fess up to her editor, but surely Dale is not yet done with his revenge mission. I must know what he does next. Will Sadie get fired for this? Who will be the next president in this fictional universe? Will Sadie eventually hook up with this fake Mayor Pete guy? (Seems uncomfortably plausible.) Who cares! All that matters is Dales pursuit of maniacally beige revenge.
Alice Rohrwachers playful, rambling new film follows a man who robs graves to find his way into the next world. Photo: The Match Factory

Alice Rohrwachers La Chimera begins with a dream  and its entirely possible the dream never really ends. The film follows Arthur Harrison (Josh OConnor), a strange man with a strange gift for robbing graves, for finding and lifting the antique knickknacks the ancient Etruscans of central Italy used to bury with their dead. These are not meant for human eyes, runs a refrain in the movie, and the reluctant, withdrawn Arthur himself might agree. A former archaeologist, he seems haunted by his own exploits, and this occasionally rambling, often gorgeous films queasy dream logic suggests that were watching a man halfway between this world and the next, struggling to find his place.

Even Arthurs costuming sets him apart: His white linen suit appears at first to be the wardrobe of an aloof aristocrat, but over the course of the picture we see how ratty and grimy it really is. He lives in a makeshift shack  you cant really call it a home  built against the ramparts of an old town, but he spends more time, it seems, in the elegant villa belonging to Flora (Isabella Rossellini), an aging matriarch and music teacher and the mother of the oft-mentioned, mostly unseen Beniamina, a long-lost love of Arthurs. The rest of his time is spent with his merry band of tombaroli, a lively group of impoverished local tomb raiders who sell their wares to a mysterious, all-knowing merchant known as Spartaco. (To be clear, theyre merry; Arthur is not.)

Rohrwacher, one of Italys foremost filmmakers, makes earthy movies with a dash of what we might call magical realism. The performances are naturalistic, the location shooting authentic and ground level, but the stories often hover on the edge of fantasy. The director fills the picture with folk ballads, naif art, playful asides to the camera, and bursts of sped-up slapstick, giving it all the quality of a ramshackle operetta.

But OConnors concave, melancholy demeanor undercuts the pictures levity, likely by design; the more the film goes on, and the more fanciful it becomes, the more Arthur seems at odds with everything around him. A burgeoning relationship with a vivacious young woman named Italia (Carol Duarte), a servant-student who lives with Flora, promises an emergence into the light, but it also underlines just how irreconcilable Arthur might be with this world. He spends his life digging up objects meant for the beyond not because he wants to exploit them but because he wants to commune with them. He was looking for a passage to the afterlife, someone opines. Hes a sad, walking embodiment of the notion that those who spend their lives worrying about the next life will never feel peace in this one.

La Chimera often recalls the work of Rohrwachers Tuscan compatriots, the late Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, most notably in a scene during which an argument between the tombaroli and one of their patrons descends into animal noises and inchoate grunts. We can also see nods to the work of Pier Paolo Pasolini and Federico Fellini, filmmakers who regularly mined the collision between postwar Italys boom-and-bust cycles and the stony solidity of its classical heritage. La Dolce Vitas immortal opening sequence of a statue of Christ being pulled out of some ruins by helicopter and flown over a modern cityscape gets its own small homage here with the spectacle of an ancient statue, found in the shadow of a power plant, being boxed up in a shipping container. Rohrwacher is a singular artist, but La Chimera is still rich with such allusions and evocations. At times, it feels as though it has emerged  dusty, tattered, and beautiful  from the storied earth of Italy itself.
Manhunt The Secret Line Season 1 Episode 4 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * *  Previous Next  Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Apple TV+

Secretary, did you order an assassination of President Davis?, Conover asks Stanton point blank as Baker looks on in the first scene of The Secret Line. Its a question that will hang over the entire episode both in its particulars  did Stanton place the order?  and in its implications. How far would Stanton and, by extension, Lincoln go to win the war? And what is the moral difference, if any, between assassinating the president of the Confederacy and assassinating the president of the United States? Theres another question, too: If Stanton did place the order, why shouldnt he suspect the remains of the Confederacy would do the same using Booth as their assassin?

Stanton denies ordering Davis assassination, more or less, telling Conover that the Dahlgren order is Confederate propaganda. And, for a fee, Conovers willing to tell his readers exactly that. Hes referring to orders found on the body of Col. Ulric Dahlgren after a failed attack on Richmond in 1864 that revealed his mission was not only to free Union soldiers but to burn Richmond to the ground and kill Davis and his cabinet. Whether or not it was a forgery remains an open question, historically speaking, though a later flashback will pretty much confirm that, in the universe of Manhunt at least, Stanton was behind it, having previously argued to Lincoln that the Rules of Engagement dont apply because Davis is not a legitimate head of state. But true or not, its resurfacing provides Stanton with a reminder of the importance of controlling the narrative. And the narrative he wants to win out is the one tying the Confederacy to Booths actions via the snide George Sanders. No holes, he tells Baker.

If it were true this would hardly be the only action to break the rules of engagement. A flashback finds Sanders speaking to the Confederate Army of Manhattan, a grandiloquently named group of Confederate sympathizers who attempted to destroy Manhattan by setting a series of fires across the city  mostly at hotels but also at P.T. Barnums museum  in the hopes of overwhelming the citys fire department. This did not go well, and tying Sanders to it seems to be a dramatic invention, but it provides another example of just how blurry the battle lines could be and that actions in Manhattan and Montreal could be just as meaningful as direct conflicts.

At the wake for the president, Mary takes comfort from a surprising source: Edwin Booth, John Wilkes Booths more famous brother. Or, maybe its not so surprising. Like Edwin, Mary has Southern sympathizers in her family and she understands his concern to be real. Others are also concerned about her, but in different ways. Robert fears for his mothers well being and is looking into mental institutions. This squares with history, but Manhunts intriguing choices include the decision to portray Mary not as a screaming madwoman. A flashback to an argument with Abe about Roberts intent to enlist in the army is perfectly understandable, particularly when she points out the hypocrisy of having a fighting force heavy on Irish and Black men and light on the sons of the wealthy. Perhaps the men in Marys life have a different definition of madness than she does.

Over at Dr. Mudds place, the other Mary has had enough. Not only does he track mud (appropriately enough) across the floor she just cleaned, hes well, a huge jerk. Thanks to the land grant she finds the confidence to quit. Land dont make everything hunky-dory, girl, he snarls. And maybe hes right, but Mary wants to find out for herself. Marys new life includes being a teacher as part of a community of newly freed Black citizens who, like her, are looking toward the future with optimism for the first time in their lives.

While Edwin worries about his reputation  and flashes back to his tense, later encounters with John, one set against the backdrop of the Manhattan fires  John and Herolds journey has reached a standstill. They pass the time bonding over Johns poetry recitation, the previous nights horse slaughter now apparently forgiven, if not forgotten. Their sojourn ends with the arrival of the River Ghost, who brings them to the next stage of their journey.

Stantons current pursuit of Sanders hits snag of its own. Sanders is rich enough to be untouchable, a federal judge tells him. This is America, Stanton replies. No one is untouchable. (And, again, that sound you hear is contemporary resonance.) The judges advice: stop the flow of money. That means siccing Baker on Wall Streets gold room, where Confederate sympathizers trade gold against the U.S. dollar for profit. These include Jonathan Lamson (Bill Kelly) who, awkwardly, is also (sort of) Stantons father-in-law via Stantons late first wife Mary Ann.

Sanders, it would seem, is not happy about this raid and launches one of his own on Bakers headquarters. Having kept his files locked up, Baker loses nothing, but his own raid seems to have yielded little as well, just some talk about Sanders being at an oil meeting in which oil may or may not have been code for assassination. But Stanton wont give up, meeting Larson for lunch and pressing him for information on the deal he suspects Sanders has made with Andrew Johnson. What he offers is unexpected. The rumor is Johnson has given Sanders a contract to make the armys summer uniforms. Their lunch meeting, which includes Eddie, ends with an awkward toast to Mary, the woman each lost, followed by insults. No ones getting added to the Christmas list this year.

Except, oops, its Stanton who approves the uniform budget, as we learn in a subsequent scene in which Conover, apparently a man with no firm allegiances, tells Sanders hes made a mistake and that Conover could have gotten him a better deal. With a promise that hell continue doing deals with Conover in the future, Sanders asks for an in-person meeting with Stanton, a pretty bold request. Does his agreement to meet at Stantons office have anything to do with the thugs who beat him up on the street? Probably!

Nonetheless, Stanton shows up at the meeting to talk things over. Specifically, hes willing to give Sanders the contract if he can give up the location of Booth. Either Sanders cant or wont, but either way he seems guilty as hell. Then we get a bookend to the opening scene as Stanton asks, Look me in the eye and tell me you didnt have Abe killed. And, unlike Stanton, he cant, offering instead that capturing Booth would be futile because Confederate sympathizers are everywhere. He even pulls a gun and brags that he could kill Stanton and not be called a killer. He could kill someone on Wall Street in broad daylight and get away with it (a claim that sounds oddly familiar). But for now he finds himself in a standoff and, when Stanton pulls the trigger, its not with the intent to kill but to signal Baker, who then arrests him. This at least seems like a victory.

Elsewhere, Eddie tries to figure out why the Lincoln familys security detail has disappeared and this, too, seems to have something to do with uniforms, specifically uniforms laden with smallpox. And where did these uniforms come from? Sanders Clothiers. Meeting his father there later they interrupt Sanders men as they prepare to burn a shipment, while also finding a map of shipments that appears to double as the secret line, of the title, the route used to carry supplies and info to Confederate sympathizers. This, too, seems like a victory. But whether either will be what they appear remains to be seen.

Clues and Codes

 Were past the halfway point with Manhunt now and it continues to alternate between different plot strands and players  Booth and Stanton but also Mary, Baker, Conover, and others  while making connections between each. Its an impressive bit of storytelling that moves steadily toward a conclusion we know from history but arrives there by an unfamiliar route.

 This route includes some side trips that stray from established historical fact, however. Sanders, for instance, seems to have been a true villain but positioning him as a kind of Moriarty to Stantons Holmes involves a lot of creative extrapolation from historical facts.

 The Dahlgren letter, however, only seems like an invention. Its a truly intriguing bit of history that raises many questions. Manhunts narrative, in which Lincoln himself okayed the assassination attempt, is one possible answer. The Weekly accusing Stanton of drafting the orders after the war would have been old news, however. They were published in the Richmond Examiner in March, 1864. This prompted a mob to dig up Dahlgrens corpse and place it on public display.

 The River Ghost: a man of few words.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Matthew Baker/Getty Images

John Frusciante is the heart of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a fact that the Knives Out sequel made sure to include while Daniel Craig strutted around in his one-piece swimsuit. Now if only Patrick Carneys scar tissue got the memo. In a March 13 interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, the Black Keys drummer recalled a recent chance meeting with Frusciante and Flea at a restaurant in Madrid, where the Chilis duo were enjoying dinner together and having the most nerdy conversation about chords. (Jump in the comments if you like to augment the seventh.) I went over and I shook Fleas hand, and then I went to go shake John Frusciantes hand and hes like, I dont do that, Carney said. And then Flea was like, Excuse me, Im going to go wash my hands. And theyre like, Were germaphobes. Arent these guys legendary ex-heroin addicts and shit? And yet theyre still not addicted to the shindig of fraternizing with this particular Ohio player.
Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Theres something exhilarating and also a little bizarre about Tommy as both time capsule and time traveler. Pete Townshends music and the otherworldly hero its wrapped around clearly have legs for days: Who doesnt want to headbang when that Pinball Wizard guitar riff starts? At the same time, and for all its zealous energy, the Whos heady rock opera cant help feeling like a curio, one that seems to come back around every three decades or so. The album is from 1969; Townshend and director Des McAnuffs stage musical first hit Broadway in 1993, and this revival marks the latters 30th birthday, with McAnuff again behind the bullhorn. (At intermission, I met up with a fellow Vulture writer and her dad, a serious Who fan who saw the original Broadway production in 93. Were you alive? he asked.) Its not that theres anything offensive about Tommys datedness  McAnuff and co. have made sure of that. Rather, its that the story and its form arose from and carry with them a cultural sensibility so vastly different from our own that theres always a thin current of friction crackling between them. After all, when the album debuted, the grand age of opera was as old as this one is now  a person could conceivably have seen the premiere of Madama Butterfly and bought the Whos double LP on its release day. Classic rock is becoming, like most classical music, a product of a remote era.

This is the risk, or simply the fact, of live theater: Watch Elton John and Tina Turner in Ken Russells 1975 film of Tommy, and youre watching something fixed in time. Go to the Nederlander, and youre watching strata of time interact via living bodies sweating in a real space, which will always give rise to the question of why this thing now? But this friction isnt necessarily a bad thing  it can produce results across the spectrum in terms of a plays resonance. With Tommy, if the dissonance is sometimes distancing, its also fascinating. Though I spent long stretches of the show intrigued and amused rather than earnestly rocking out, I was never not entertained. I had plenty of questions, but I also had a damn good time.

First, one of my questions: Did McAnuff have to get Daft Punks permission for this show? Is that secretly Daft Punk up there wailing when a live band is revealed during the big Act One finale? No, no, I know its not (or, I mean, do I? Daft Punk could be anywhere, or anyone. Like Banksy). But there is, from the jump, a Tron: Legacy vibe to this Tommy, which begins with the stage concealed by a crackling blanket of dark visual static inside a bright LED frame. Vaguely sci-fi reverb pulses and rumbles under the preshow audience chatter (It sounds like Godzilla is playing next door, said my partner). Then, with the smash of that first chord, we see the cast through the shadowy scrim, reigned over by Ali Louis Bourzguis Tommy, up on high, Evita-style, on a rolling staircase. A projection in a typeface that could believably belong to Enders Game or Event Horizon tells us were IN THE FUTURE. Everyone puts on weird silver helmets that look like the mash-up of an umpire mask and those sunglasses Kanye used to like. Were not in the Grid for long  as soon as the beat drops, the projections (which will be kept unsurprisingly busy) let us know that were now IN THE PAST. But even as the clock winds back to 1941, McAnuff and his designers keep a heavy whiff of cyberpunk in the air. More neon frames iris in and out across the stage; whole line sets of flashing, spinning lighting instruments descend from the flies, blasting the action with what feel like disco balls that have been through a warp drive; and Sarafina Bushs costumes feature egglike silver masks that render ensemble members menacingly faceless (and harder-better-faster-stronger) as they enter to whisk away furniture or manhandle the title character.

And boy, does Tommy get handled! As his 4-year-old self, Olive Ross-Kline is twirled and flipped like a baton, her stiff little form tossed between actors as if its so much pizza dough (Cecilia Ann Popp also plays the role on certain nights). As 10-year-old Tommy, Reese Levine (who alternates with Quinten Kusheba) is stuffed in a trash can, swung, hauled, and hoisted. Bourzgui, too, is frequently lofted, caught, and carried by the ensemble, and this running thread of the manipulation of Tommys body makes for some of Lorin Latarros most exhilarating choreography. Its a visual metaphor thats just obvious enough without losing its edge  its fun to watch bodies fly through the air!  and one thats designed to shift in meaning as the story advances. That story is half trauma narrative and half celebrity parable: As a young child, Tommy witnesses his father, Captain Walker (Adam Jacobs), kill his mothers lover. Its a casualty of war  the captain is a British airman, believed dead after being taken prisoner in WWII, and Mrs. Walker (Alison Luff) thinks shes moving on with her life until her husband arrives back on her doorstep in 1945. You didnt hear it / You didnt see it, the panicking couple sings to Tommy after Captain Walker has shot a man dead in their living room. You wont say nothing to no one / Ever in your life.

Their warning works too well. Toddler Tommy goes catatonic, rendered psychosomatically deaf, dumb, and blind by the event. Like Dr. Caligaris somnambulist  whom Bourzgui at times calls to mind more than theoretically, with his dark mane and haunted stare  the boy becomes a kind of living shell, which renders him first victim and then messiah. This is the symbolic fulcrum on which Townshends opus turns: Once Tommy is discovered to be a preternatural genius at pinball, his body still isnt his own, but it goes from being molested and abused  by the likes of his wicked Uncle Ernie (John Ambrosino) and thuggish cousin Kevin (Bobby Conte)  to becoming the object of reverence and mania. People still surround him, grab him, and carry him around, but now its because hes famous.

Townshend wrote the majority of Tommy deeply influenced by the guru Meher Baba, who didnt speak for 44 years, from the time he was 31 until his death in 1969. The album and the musical are interested in whom we worship and why, be it holy men or rock stars, and in the ways worship dehumanizes even as it elevates. While theres plenty to mine there, the more broadly allegorical this Tommy gets, the shakier it becomes. At least in its current iteration, the show has a touch of Sunday in the Park With George syndrome: Its first act is a pretty consistent rush, ending  with Pinball Wizard as its climax  on an exultant, smash-the-guitars high note. The second act struggles to refind that sense of momentum and sheer musical euphoria, perhaps because now it has to start making sense. Thats the potential bummer of converting a purely musical project, even something with an inherent arc like a rock opera, into narrative performance: Moments that could be aurally understood in a more slippery and figurative way suddenly have bodies enacting them. The possibility for both confusion (Wait, what exactly is happening?) and cliche (Why would you want to be more like me? Tommy asks a fan. For 15 years I was waiting for what youve already got.) mount up when metaphor takes on flesh. If a show isnt careful, the anchor of literalism is going to start dragging it down.

Weve already felt a tinge of this awkwardness in Act Ones Acid Queen: While the number is gamely sung by Christina Sajous, its hard not to stifle a giggle while watching Jacobss stern-faced Captain Walker take his 10-year-old son to what appears to be a heroin den/brothel so a writhing junkie can tear his soul apart with her spider womans kiss. Much later on, when Bourzguis now megafamous Tommy starts feeling the weariness of stardom, the staging of his song Welcome comes across as similarly a little  silly. Come to my house / Follow me into the deep past, he sings, and the ensemble does just that. They all pour into the house Tommy has, it would seem, shared with his parents since childhood. Postman, come in! /  Little old lady, welcome /  Come to this house! sings Tommy as his fans crowd around him on the couch that hasnt changed position since he was 4. Which is especially odd considering that, while Tommys fame has mounted, a series of projected dates, ever increasing in speed, has accelerated us into the 1960s, then the 70s, then 80s, then onwards into that Tron-like future-present. So, is this Tommy  singing to his fans with their selfie sticks and their monochrome, the future as pictured by The Jetsons fashion statements  84 years old? If so, why do his parents look the same? (Well, his dad does have glasses now  clearly hes at deaths door.) Or have we moved into an allegorical space, where Tommy is ageless, his celebrity a kind of divinity? Thats fine, but how does it square with a bunch of actual people, playing actual Tommy-maniacs, hanging out in his actual house?

I told you I had questions. But also, Im not really that bothered. Especially not when Bourzgui has the stage. While the material occasionally creates contemporary glitches with its child-of-69 programming, Bourzgui has something about him that feels un-modern-Broadway in a completely exciting way. Theres a youngTim Curry energy at work, an aura thats thrillingly ambiguous but not at all twinky. Whatever his literal voice part is, Bourzgui is not giving tenor. Hes got a touch of rock-star sibilance and a Matt Berry vocal plumminess that emanate something at once weird, sexy, and subversive. (Hes also wearing the hell out of a turtleneck.) His younger selves are likewise a delight: When Ross-Kline and Levine get to move on from being human juggling pins and start singing in Act Two, the three Tommys together nail the mixed sensation of isolated heartache and aspirational glory that lies at the heart of the show. Is Tommy for all time? What will it look like in the next tridecennial production in 2055? Who can say? (Who, who; who, who?) But now, I kinda really want to know.

The Whos Tommy is at the Nederlander Theatre.

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Theres a great psychosexual drama lurking inside this otherwise serviceable trifle starring Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. Photo: Sony Pictures

For the most part, Wicked Little Letters is a serviceable trifle. Its a bouncy English countryside jaunt that would be perfect as a weekend PBS movie  if it werent for the sexually graphic profanity driving the plot, of course. This is more critique than praise, because the film wastes the very clear assets it has, including a premise bursting with possibility and a cast headlined by Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. Indeed, hiding somewhere in this seaside caper is a genuinely interesting psychosexual drama, buried beneath suffocating layers of treacly comedy.

Set a few years after the first World War, the film follows the scandalized goings-on in Littlehampton, a coastal British village, after a number of residents start receiving poison pen letters from an anonymous sender. Paradoxically handwritten with flowery penmanship, the missives are prodigious in their vulgarity and often aggressively sexual in nature: Her Majesty Ms. Swan sucks ten cocks a week minimum. Dear Gladys, thank God your dad got shot, you smelly bitch, so on and so forth. The story opens on an especially targeted recipient of the pornographic postage: the aforementioned Swan, first name Edith (Colman), a pious spinster who still lives with her domineering father (Timothy Spall) and timid mother (Gemma Jones). Mores of the time are such that the letters constitute criminal conduct beyond simple harassment. Shocked and bothered, the Swans call in the police, and through Ediths quiet suggestion, suspicion and blame begins to fall on their neighbor, Rose Gooding (Buckley), an Irish immigrant and single mother whose free-spirited nature has already drawn wary looks from the towns genteel population. Gooding is promptly jailed for the offense, and as she awaits trial, a chase to find the truth ensues.

The film is broadly based on a real-life scandal, dubbed the Littlehampton Libels, that commanded national attention and even resulted in several courtroom dustups during its time. (Edith Swan and Rose Gooding were real people, and at least some of what happens is based on actual events.) It was most recently written about in a 2017 book by the academic Christopher Hilliard, who explored the incident through the relationship between Britains controlling obsession with manners and its lowly perception of women. Wicked Little Letters fixates on those sociological themes, laboring to construct a setting where dumb, misogynistic men run rampant and women are persistently placed in subservient positions. But in the hands of director Thea Sharrock (Me Before You, The One and Only Ivan), who works off a script by Jonny Sweet, those ideas are presented with the thundering nuance of a sledgehammer.

The film also shares a sledgehammers reductive nature. Just about every aspect of this scandal is interpreted through the lens of gender, much to the detriment of the storys other layers. The Littlehampton of Wicked Little Letters is one of those jewel-box worlds populated by color-blind casting in a way that ends up working against the films intended social critique. Case in point: a female police officer named Gladys Moss, who doubts the blame on Gooding and endeavors to solve the central mystery. Moss is played by Anjana Vasan (We Are Lady Parts), a British Singaporean actress of Tamil origin whose face and background draw to mind the countrys history as a colonial empire. The story of this poison-pen scandal is, in part, about the decline of a historical British way of life and social structure that had been tied up with the countrys sense of self as an imperial power. With this in mind, theres an inherent symbolism baked into Vasan appearing in a period piece like this, but alas, the film does nothing with this choice. In Wicked Little Letters, Moss is completely defined by her womanhood, a fact that ultimately sands down all the racial power associated with placing Vasan in this role.

It wouldve been easy to write Wicked Little Letters off as purely forgettable if it werent for one particular thread. Unfortunately, you cant really talk about it without spoiling the (exceedingly obvious) twist. (Im about to talk about, so consider this a spoiler alert.) Halfway through the film, we learn that the anonymous writer of those poison pen letters is in fact Edith herself, and the scene communicating this plays to the very best aspects of Colmans face. Her eyes brighten and enlarge with forbidden delight as she scribbles out another profane letter, her singsong voice reading aloud its filthy contents. Suddenly, an utterly fascinating figure emerges: Edith Swan as a middle-age woman who ultimately finds power and release  after being suffocated by religion and the patriarchy for much of her life  in the production of violent, obscene, sexually charged words. Its such an interesting idea, and it adds great texture to the character: a woman who weaponizes what little she can against another woman of lower class. This is why you bring in Colman, whose most potent weapon as a performer is conjuring the look of someone barely controlling volcanic swells of emotion. For one glorious scene, I was convinced I was watching a movie with more on its mind. But the moment quickly dissipates, and as the story barrels through its formulaic final act, I, too, start to feel the stifling constraints of British manners. Wicked Little Letters delights in its naughtiness, but it really shouldve embraced its perversion.
People

Montclair State University Taps David Chun as Chief Information Officer

David Chun

Montclair State University in New Jersey has appointed David Chun as its chief information officer (CIO) to oversee all aspects of information technology for the university. He will assume the role on May 1, 2024.

Chun brings decades of experience in public and private institutions as a CIO as well as a professor committed to student success, the university said.

He most recently served as CIO and associate vice president at Sonoma State University. Before that he was CIO and associate vice president at Hamline University in St. Paul, assistant dean at the University of Miami's Herbert Business School, and in charge of IT for several Fortune 500 companies.

In his new role at Montclair, Chun will be responsible for IT planning, management, and oversight across all divisions on campus and the university's Division of Information Technology, including personnel management.

Specifically, his duties will include planning and managing wired and wireless networks, IT security, the student information system, human resources and payroll, the application portal, the identity and access management system, and providing technical support for students, faculty, and staff.

Chun received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing an advanced degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.

"I am honored to join the Montclair State University community, where technology fuels educational excellence, research, and social mobility," Chun said. "My wife, Wendy, and I share many of Montclair's core values of serving the public interest and advancing student success. We are very pleased to return to the tri-state area."

To read more about Chun's appointment, visit the release page.

Learn more about Montclair's IT services at its IT Division page.
Tight security at Via Crucis after Moscow attack.

Rome is increasing its security measures over the Easter weekend, security officials said on Thursday, in light of the deadly terror attack in Moscow on 22 March.

Security is to be heightened around crowded events such as the Via Crucis Good Friday ceremony at the Colosseum on 29 March, which will be attended by Pope Francis, and the Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square on 31 March.

Under the security plan, which came into force on Friday, extra police will be on duty around "sensitive" sites including churches, with additional security checks in the historic centre and the Vatican area.

Security has also been raised at Rome's airports, subways and train stations under the measures introduced by the city's prefect Lamberto Giannini.

#Roma, posti di blocco dei #carabinieri potenziati sulle strade della capitale per il weekend di #Pasqua: i controlli dei militari in via del Teatro di Marcello, al Circo Massimo e in zona Colosseo pic.twitter.com/M6jgmZ69kn  Local Team (@localteamit) March 29, 2024

The move comes after Italy's national committee for public order and security recently announced an "intensification of surveillance and control activities" following the Moscow attack.

The torchlit Via Crucis ceremony takes place at the Colosseum on Friday at 21.00, while the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass will be celebrated at St Peter's in the Vatican.

Photo credit: AM113 / Shutterstock.com.
There was no mistaking that this was the face of a dying man. In 2006, a photograph of Russian refugee dissident Alexander Litvinenko lying in a British hospital bed, weak, hairless and obviously in pain, appeared on the front of every newspaper in the West.

A couple of days later, Litvinenko was dead. He had been poisoned with Polonium 210, a radioactive element that was slipped into a pot of tea at a London hotel two weeks earlier by a former colleague from Russia. For Litvinenko, however, his real murderer was Vladimir Putin.

David Tennant as Alexander Litvinenko, recreating a famous photograph in Litvinenko. Credit: ITVX

David Tennant, slumped on a pillow in a new four-part drama about the murder and its investigation, immediately returns us to that image. That photo went around the world, says the series director Jim Field Smith. I think, for us, it felt like a way in  a door to all the things you dont see in that photo. Through that moment, you could open up the rest of the story.

Two Met officers and a translator were also in that hospital room, where they recorded 16 hours of interviews with the dying man, known to his family as Sasha. His wife Marina, who pushed after his death for an inquiry against a wall of political and commercial resistance, waited in the corridor until they broke protocol to bring her inside with them.
Eight members of a notorious bikie gang in Western Australia have been arrested and charged, following raids on their clubhouse in Perths south-east.

The men, members of the Gypsy Jokers, have been charged with a number of serious offences, including allegedly supplying a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine and illegally possessing just under half-a-million in cash, after police raided their Maddington clubhouse.

WA Police plan a raid on the Gypsy Jokers clubhouse in Maddington. Credit: WA Police

Two associates, a man and a woman, have also been charged.

Footage of the raid showed armed officers ramming down a secure gate and starting angle grinders, as one man is escorted away from the clubhouse shirtless and in handcuffs.
The Chippewa Falls school district's handling of threats made by students has left some voters wary of voting in favor of an operational referendum on Tuesday, while others support the ballot question and believe it is necessary to maintain staffing levels, programs, services and facilities.

The referendum would allow Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District to exceed the revenue limit specified by Wisconsin statutes by $2.5 million per year for three consecutive years beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. The funds would be used for operational and maintenance expenses to maintain staffing levels, programs, services and facilities.

After three years, the total of $7.5 million in referendum-based support would cease and the funding would sunset.

Bill Wilkens said Thursday that he was concerned about spending money on the school district because he worries about school safety and the districts handling of security incidents in 2023.

School safety

While Bill and his wife, Sue Wilkens, expressed concern about the school districts handling of school threats in 2023, they are less clear about how to send that message to the school board.

To be honest, I dont think these kids should have to pay for our mistakes and, you know, the lack of planning by the school district. I dont want to take out my frustration on the students when they arent the problem. They are victims, Bill said. But, that said, I am pretty unhappy with the school board right now. They have not handled some safety issues well in the last few years, and I dont want to vote Yes if it means that theyll continue to get away with bad behavior. Im not sure what Ill do Tuesday.

Sue Wilkens said the school district needs funds from the operational referendum.

Bill and I looked everything over. The schools did a good job of answering questions about the referendum and getting information on it to the public. I know which way Ill vote Tuesday. I dont think its asking too much to fund our schools. I mean, they need help, Sue said. But the school administration did not do a good job of handling those students last year who made threats, appropriately. It is not OK.

In February, the public became aware of an October 2023 incident where a student threatened to blow up their Chippewa Falls classmates, among other threats.

This week, a second police report surfaced referencing another incident in April 2023, when a student allegedly wrote a hit list of students who they wanted to see dead, threatened to shoot up their school and cut the throat of a teacher.

Chippewa Falls superintendent Jeff Holmes has defended his decision to not inform parents of the situations in 2023, saying he had an obligation to protect to identity of the students involved.

Both 2023 police reports found that the students being investigated referred to the Columbine mass shooting in personal manifestos. The public was not made aware of either situation at the times of the incidents.

I dont think the security issues or the way the school board mishandled those school threats last year is a good reason to vote against this. But the board does need to do better, thats a given, Sue said.

The Wilkenses arent the only voters who have brought up two 2023 incidents that threatened the safety and wellbeing of Chippewa Falls students and teachers. Others in the area have taken to Facebook to debate the handling of the threats.

Mary Byrd said her kids graduated from Chippewa Falls public schools two decades ago. She said she was sad to see current students get caught in debates about school security when their programming and funding was at risk.

Do I think that the school superintendent handled these security incidents appropriately? No. I do not. Not at all. Its criminal that parents werent warned, Byrd said. Do I think that this is a good reason for teachers to be laid off and classes to get larger if we vote down the referendum. No. They are two separate issues. But I know a lot of locals who feel that this referendum is, well, it's a way to send a message that theyre unhappy with the school.

Keeping informed

Michel Gerber attended the school districts information session on the referendum at the Chippewa Falls High School Wednesday evening. He said he felt pretty informed before the meeting.

I'd seen some of the interviews and the information online and then read some of the stuff in the paper, he said. People didnt ask a lot of questions tonight because the information was already out there. We knew what was happening.

Gerber said even though he doesnt have kids in the schools, he wanted to be well-informed on the issue as an alum of the public school system in Chippewa Falls and as a voter.

I want my neighborhood kids to have a good place to go to and get an education. Yeah, I want them to grow up to be the managers and supervisors and, you know, future doctors and electricians and everything else, he said.

Cindy Johnson also attended the meeting Wednesday.

I dont have kids here and I went to school in Bloomer, but I think kids need the programs and staffing and everything else. We cant be cutting this stuff. Mental health programs are huge right now, and we need to keep this stuff funded, Johnson said. I see the kids out in the neighborhood coming to school, and they need us to support them.
Ulviyya Shahin

The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, who has been appointed as the president of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), travelled to Saudi Arabia, where he met with the leaders of the Arab companies "KAUST", Saudi Power Procurement Company, and "ACWAPower", Azernews reports, citing the official "X" account of COP29.

It was reported that within the framework of the visit, meetings were held with high-ranking officials of "KAUST" and "ACWAPower".

The parties discussed innovative approaches to renewable technology, emission management technologies, water desalination, and the progress made in addressing Azerbaijan's water scarcity issue.
A bill authored by a Menomonie legislator to establish crisis urgent care facilities across the state has been signed into law.

The legislation aims to provide immediate care for mental health and substance abuse crises.

The first crisis center will be located in western Wisconsin. The closest facility to the region is presently located in Oshkosh.

Act 249 creates crisis urgent care and observation centers designed to provide immediate service to those experiencing mental health and substance abuse crises that may lead them to harm themselves or others, according to state Rep. Clint Moses, R-Menomonie.

As chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care, it has been my honor writing and shepherding this bill through the legislative process, said Moses. When I realized there was need for these types of facilities for western Wisconsinites, I knew something could and had to be done.

The act comes at a time when western Wisconsin faces unprecedented struggles with a variety of health care concerns as HSHS recently closed two hospitals in the area. HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Josephs in Chippewa Falls both closed for good March 22.

Bringing these types of facilities closer to more Wisconsinites has a variety of benefits. The patient will receive immediate care, cutting down on the severity and lasting impacts of that crisis, Moses said. Our law enforcement officials will not need to spend the whole day transporting the person to Winnebago Mental Health Institute, resulting in more time serving their communities.

The bill was crafted with input from stakeholders across the mental health care continuum, including the Department of Health Services.

Counties and health care groups have expressed interest in opening a regional facility, a release states.

While sometimes it can seem as though our politics are irreparably polarized, good bills like this can get passed with full support of the Wisconsin Legislature, Moses said. It passed out of both houses unanimously and gained the signature of Gov. (Tony) Evers. Act 249 is a prime example why I go Madison to make positive changes for western Wisconsin.

Moses represents the 29th Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly, which includes the majority of Dunn and portions of St. Croix and Polk counties.
Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as leader of the DUP with immediate effect after he was charged with historic sexual offences.

The 61-year-old politician was arrested and charged by the PSNI in relation to non-recent sexual allegations.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences in relation to the same police investigation.

They were both arrested on Thursday morning by detectives and were questioned before being charged on Thursday night.

They are due to appear in court in Newry, Co Down next month.

Mr Donaldson was suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process and Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

The DUP said it had received a letter from Mr Donaldson stating that he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature and would be stepping down as leader.

Gavin Robinson (left) has replaced Jeffrey Donaldson as DUP leader. Photo: PA

In a statement, the DUP said: In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after Mr Donaldson made the decision to bring the party back to powersharing in the North.

His departure will have a major impact on the stability of the institutions.

Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill issued a brief statement following Mr Donaldsons announcement and said it was her priority to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve.

She said she wanted to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system, she added.

In a response to the resignation of Mr Donaldson, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin told The Irish Times: We note the appointment of an interim leader of the DUP. We will continue to work with all parties to ensure the full and effective functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions.

On Thursday evening, Mr Donaldsons social media accounts appeared to have been deleted.

Mr Donaldson, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

Jeffrey Donaldson's departure will have a major impact on the stability of the political institutions in the North. Photo: PA

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The 61-year-olds relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

In 2009, Mr Donaldson apologised for claiming for pay-to-view films on his parliamentary expenses during hotel stays.

He denied the films were adult in nature and repaid the 555 while saying he was wrong to submit the claims.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin met Thursday with law enforcement, first responders and health care professionals in La Crosse to discuss the opioid epidemic.

The feedback wasnt encouraging.

Its not getting better, said Chris Eberlein, an emergency health specialist with Gundersen Health System in Onalaska. Its getting worse.

Baldwin, a Madison Democrat, met privately with local officials at the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center before speaking to the press. She said drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for people ages 18-49.

Make no mistake, this is a crisis, Baldwin said. There are lives that are cut short far too early and families that are devastated.

La Crosse County reported a record 55 overdose deaths in 2023.

If there were 55 deaths from house fires in the city of La Crosse, I think that would be a tragedy that would make the national news every night, said La Crosse Fire Chief Jeff Schott.

Baldwin said Congress addressed the issue in a recent appropriation bill that allocates $4.6 billion to support substance use prevention and treatment efforts. The bill provides $2 billion for substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services block grants; $1.5 billion for state opioid response grants; and $145 million for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.

Congress also provided additional funding for additional border security. Baldwin said the federal government needs to do more to disrupt the flow of chemicals from China and the activity of Mexican drug cartels.

We need to look at every outlet of the supply chain, she said.

Baldwin made a pitch for a border security bill that passed the Senate but has languished in the House. The proposal would overhaul the asylum system and give the president new powers to expel migrants if authorities become overwhelmed.

Sadly, partisan politics got in the way, Baldwin said. A significant bipartisan bill got tabled because of politics.
More than 1,600 second-level students from schools across Mayo are signed up to attend an upcoming road safety show, the first of its kind in the county since before the Covid-19 pandemic and the only one being held in Ireland.

Road safety officer with Mayo County Council Gary Smyth told last weeks meeting of Mayo Co Council's Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow will take place in the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre in Castlebar on Thursday, April 11.

The AXA Roadsafe Roadshow mixes theatre, video and first-hand accounts from Gardai and emergency services to highlight the dangers of driving. Family members of victims of road accidents also share their stories.

Among the special guests at this years AXA Roadsafe Roadshow is Stevo Timothy, who is also known as online comedian Farmer Michael, who became wheelchair-bound after being involved in a motorcycle accident in which his passenger and friend died in 2005. Mr Timothy will tell students of the impact this incident had on his life.

Mr Smyth said Mayo was successful in securing the event ahead of several other counties and it is currently the only such event set to take place in Ireland.

It is also the first such event to take place in Mayo for four years and more than 1,600 second-level students have signed up to attend the roadshow.

It is our main event for the year at engaging younger drivers who are preparing to or have just started driving, he said.
An Post brought more than 20 prosecutions for the non-payment of the television licence fee before a sitting of Castlebar District Court last Thursday.

Nine cases were withdrawn by the prosecution and 14 were adjourned with one case dismissed after it was contested by the accused.

Fines and expenses totalling 793 were issued to four individuals who admitted not having a TV licence at the time inspections were carried out in 2023.

A licence inspector called to the home of Patrick Melliot at Rosmor, Castlebar on April 26, 2023. He admitted having a TV and no licence.

Judge Fiona Lydon ordered him to repay 147 for the lost revenue and 75 in costs. Mr Melliot obtained a licence this month.

On June 13, 2023, an inspector called to home of George Secara at Chapel Lane, Castlebar. He had a TV and no licence. Mr Secara, a Romanian national, claimed he did not fully understand the law at the time and bought a licence last month. He was fined 120 for lost revenue and must pay 75 in costs.

In the same month - June 2023 - an inspector called to home of Robert Velze at Springdale, Claremorris. He had a TV and no licence. Mr Velze, a Dutch national, told the court he only used the TV for Netflix and did not realise it required a licence. He purchased a licence in February 2024.

He was ordered to pay 106 for lost revenue and 75 in costs.

On June 16, 2023, an inspector called to Alan Nevilles residence at Lisnaboley Lane, Claremorris. He did not have a licence for his television set. He was fined 120 and ordered to pay costs of 75.

Mark Kiernan, of Lisbaun, Claremorris, contested the prosecution brought against him.

TV license inspector Stephen OHara told the court he visited Mr Kierans address on June 15, 2023. He said Mr Kiernan admitted having a TV but no licence. This version of events was disputed by Mr Kiernan.

Giving evidence in court, Mr Kiernan said that on the date in question he heard a loud bang at his door at 8.30pm and the noise woke his sleeping baby. Mr Kiernan said he asked three times who was at the door before opening.

He said no questions were put to him about whether he had a TV or a licence. Mr Kiernan said he was just asked if he lived at the address. He claimed the licence inspector laughed and told him "Unlucky". Mr Kiernan said the inspector saw that his baby was crying and told him he would be contacted in two weeks. Mr Kiernan told the court he downloaded a form from the An Post website stating that he did not own a TV and also sent a letter of complaint to An Post about the conduct of the inspector.

Judge Fiona Lydon decided to dismiss the prosecution against Mr Kiernan.

Figures obtained by the Irish Independent revealed that more than 13,000 were summonsed to appear before the courts last year for non-payment of the television licence, with the numbers facing prosecution since the RTE controversy broke in June increasing by 33% a month.
Tributes have been paid to retiring Mayo Garda Superintendent Gabriel Moran.

Supt Moran retires from his post as Superintendent for Mayo South with Supt Brian Hoey set to take his place.

The Aghagower native served with the Metropolitan Police in London and the PSNI in Belfast prior to joining An Garda Siochana and swiftly climbed the ranks.

At a meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee, Chief Supt Ray McMahon praised Supt Moran for his efforts in the county over the past five years.

A thorough professional of the highest integrity, said the Chief Supt.

Local councillors were also fulsome in their praise for Supt Moran and the work he carried out in the county.

"I want to acknowledge the work and close co-operaration of Supt Gabriel Moran," said Cllr Damien Ryan. " I want to thank him for his time and dedication," he added.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, said Chief Supt Moran.

Retiring Det Sgt Jim Caden was also wished well on his retirement after 38 years on the force. Det Sgt Caden previously headed up the Mayo Drugs Unit during his time in Ballina.

Cllr Michael Loftus said when Det Sgt Caden arrived in the county from Dublin he was gung ho and maintained that attitude throughout his career.
Why would anyone do it? Would you do it? Would you encourage your son or daughter, or niece or nephew to do it? To do what? To become a politician that is.

What? A politician! Chances are that most readers are recoiling in horror. Run? For politics? One of mine? Not a chance.

On the other hand, many people assume that all the pay and pensions and expenses and allowances and long holidays - the Dail is not sitting now until after Easter - must make it the handiest job in the world. So, why not encourage someone you know?

There is no more devalued line of work in Ireland than politician, perhaps only rivalled by that of priest. Why has that come about? A collapse in trust in authority. An assumption that they are all at it. The idea that the activity of politics is an inherently - as opposed to just potentially individually  corrupt practice. These things are hard-wired into our culture right now.

But still some come forward and others - though not our outgoing Taoiseach - plough on. Why? Some like the prestige, some like the public service, some dont know what else they would do if they left it. Despite that, many are concluding that enough is enough, deciding that 20 years or fewer is a long enough stint.

There has always been some element of this in politicians, but as the criticism of politicians has become sharper, so the practice of politics has become shallower.

In 1986, Garret FitzGerald proposed the introduction of divorce, not just because he was a liberal, but because he felt it was necessary to extend an olive branch to unionists: to counter and ultimately overcome their view that the Roman Catholic Church controlled independent Ireland. He lost the referendum and took a lot of criticism, but many admired him for trying, because there was strategy and vision and courage about it. Now, if a politician was to raise an idea - any idea - that required short-term unpopularity in order to achieve some strategic aim, they would be howled out of it, relentlessly.

This is why politicians spend so much of their time now either ferociously criticising everything (if in opposition), or promoting some gimmick (if in government). Is political courage dead and gone, with OLeary, in the grave? It is, of course, easy to be the brave hurler on the ditch and make this point just another criticism of politicians. But any politician who does anything actually brave these days has their motives questioned, they may well find themselves physically threatened, their children may even be targeted for attack. In such circumstances, would you be brave? Would you want a family member to? So politicians have to choose cautiously what issues to get involved with.

Also, politicians have always known that leadership doesnt come from shouting your mouth off at the first meeting on an issue. And they know that you dont bring people along with you by telling them how wrong they are on this, that or other issue. And - clutch your pearls here now, folks - they also know that telling people the unvarnished truth all the time isnt always a wise strategy. Once upon a time these realities were appreciated, or at least acknowledged. Now such approaches are treated with contempt.

So, what does that all mean for anyone going into politics?

The first thing is that a politician in this era needs a narrow emotional range. If you get too worked up about things, it is no longer a business for you. Once upon a time if you were like this all you had to do was learn to bite your tongue at a public meeting, or learn to say yes, yes, good point, you said much that is sensible there, when in fact every part of you just wanted to say you absolute eejit, if we listened to you we would be ruined. That strategy of managing public restraint for a short spell is no longer available, for of course the phone cannot be ignored.

The politician of today must post on social media. But having posted, you must not respond to the replies, because so many of them will be more of the nonsense and outrageous personalised criticism that follow you everywhere through that little device. Imagine that, sitting at home, on the train, with your family, hovering over the phone, tempted to reply to the most vicious attacks. And stopping yourself. Over and over. This is why they need a narrow emotional range. You can judge if that is a good thing.

None of this is good for anyone. The art of politics and the practice of being a politician is something which is badly needed. We need people who can help us overcome the divided views that exist in any society, that can help us navigate challenges, that can lead us when we need it, and manage us when we dont. We need people who can talk to us about serious things, and explain to us that there are choices in this world, with pros and cons whatever you do, and that we - the people - have to make them.

So, if you do have a relative thinking about it, here are some suggestions you might give them.

From your first day in politics, start on the basis that if someone is hostile to you personally, rather than to your views, that you wont engage with them. Dont placate them, dont plamas them. Ignore them.

Be sure and have some views and some idea of how you want to help the community. If you dont, dont run. Have the courage to hold informed views about the world and dont be afraid to state them, even if you think they will cost you votes. If you succumb to agreeing with things you think are nonsense, you will be a dinghy on the Atlantic.

Try and develop some understanding of what the other side think  and why  before you criticise them. And if someone invites you to say excessive things about your own side or unkind things about your opponents, have some self respect and respect for others and dont do it.

Dont think that you always have to be taking action or talking tough in response to whatever is the latest issue. Take some time to read and think and tell people that is what you are doing. If they complain, tell them that is what you are paid to do  whether they like it or not. It is your judgment not your outrage that is valuable.

Have a time every week when you are off duty and put the phone away. Take a holiday and dont apologise for it. If invited to talk down your own profession, decline. If anyone calls to your house looking for service, send them to the office. Do that on your first day and they will get used to it. They can always vote for one of the other politicians they went to on the same matter.

And if someone tells you that they wont vote for you because of some position you hold, shake their hand and wish them well.

I cant tell you how many votes your relative would get. It might not be many. But they would get mine, as well, no doubt, as yours.
By Rebecca Black, PA

Two masterpieces by the painter Caravaggio are set for a rare reunion at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

The Supper at Emmaus and The Taking of Christ, painted in 1601 and 1602 respectively by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, have rarely been seen together since the first quarter of the 17th century.

The reunion comes thanks to the National Treasures project, which will see The Supper at Emmaus loaned to the Ulster Museum, while the Jesuit Community in Dublin, with the support of the National Gallery of Ireland, will facilitate the loan of The Taking of Christ.

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da) (15711610), The Taking of Christ, 1602  on indefinite loan to the National Gallery of Ireland from the Jesuit Community, Leeson St, Dublin, who acknowledge the kind generosity of the late Dr Marie Lea-Wilson, 1992 (National Gallery of Ireland)

The National Gallery developed the National Treasures programme as part of a series of events to mark its bicentenary and bring masterpieces across the UK for wider audiences to enjoy.

Anne Stewart, senior curator of art at National Museums NI, said announcing the exhibition in the lead-up to Easter holds profound meaning.

The Taking of Christ portrays the arrest of Christ after Judas identifies him with a kiss, while The Supper at Emmaus captures the initial recognition of Christ by two disciples following the crucifixion and resurrection, she said.

The connection between the two Caravaggio paintings is remarkable.

Both were painted for the same patron, Ciriaco Mattei, and originally displayed in the same family palace in Rome.

Reuniting Caravaggios The Supper at Emmaus and The Taking of Christ is a highly ambitious and unusual event.

Both paintings very rarely travel and they have hardly ever been seen together since the first quarter of the 17th century.

We are truly honoured and grateful to the National Gallery, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Jesuit Community in Dublin for allowing us the opportunity to bring together two rare artworks and provide our audiences and the public with a rare chance to access these masterpieces.

Alexandra Kavanagh, head of national touring at the National Gallery, voiced excitement about the exhibition as a fresh perspective to a much-loved painting.

To get a chance to see it alongside the National Gallery of Irelands equally excellent Caravaggio sums up exactly the sort of dialogues we hoped to spark with National Treasures, she said.

Dr Caroline Campbell, director of the National Gallery of Ireland, described The Taking of Christ as one of the most popular works on show at the gallery.

While well miss it when it travels to Belfast, we eagerly anticipate its display at the Ulster Museum alongside the artists The Supper at Emmaus from the National Gallery, London, she said.

It will be the first time these great masterpieces are shown together in Northern Ireland, and its a really exciting moment for art lovers there.

Kathryn Thomson, chief executive of National Museums NI, said: This is a wonderful example of bringing together strong east/west and north/south partnerships at the same time, and we are extremely grateful to colleagues in both London and Dublin who have helped make this happen.

National Museums NI chief executive Kathryn Thomson (Darren Kidd/National Museums NI/PA)

To be able to see both paintings together in the one location is almost unprecedented, and as such creates a genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local audiences, as well as an undoubted draw for visitors from further afield.

It also demonstrates how heritage and arts can help celebrate our shared history and cultural diversity in a way that is inclusive and accessible to all.

The Supper at Emmaus and The Taking of Christ will be on display at the Ulster Museum from Friday May 10, the 200th birthday of the National Gallery, London, and is sponsored by EY. For more information visit ulstermuseum.org/whats-on/national-treasures-caravaggio-belfast
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.
The Rural Recognition Banquet, held earlier this month, was originally a 4-H awards banquet. While the focus has shifted more to celebrating local ag contributors, the 4-H awards are still involved and still very important.

"I think it's important that we foster that positive and supportive environment and motivate people to continue to contribute to the 4-H program and to continue (the awards) for the kids. It gives them a little bit of motivation to continue working towards those goals of being and becoming citizens of our community that are leaders," Associate Extension Educator Sheila Hoppe said.

There is a category for "Friends of 4-H" for families, individuals, organizations or businesses that have supported 4-H in a charitable manner. This year, Artzy Haven was given that honor for their helping organize crafting exercises for the 4-Hers.

"We tried to create workshops that they could create something that they could use as their exhibits so that that's not put on the families to create all of these exhibits if kids want to put them into the fair. Artzy Haven has been a great partner for us to prepare workshops with them," Hoppe said.

Another business, Pinnacle Bank, was recognized with the Meritorious Service Award for its commitment to 4-H and the community. As far as individuals go, Brigen Kinnison and Tricia Kersting were recognized for 10 years of leadership with 4-H and Beau Klug and Renee DeLaCruz for 15.

The Nebraska 4-H Gives Back Award carries with it at least 100 hours of service over a two-year span. Columbus High School Senior Lillian Hudnall received this honor for this year with a significant amount of her efforts going to Quilts of Valor, which supplies veterans with quilts signifying their service.

Kristi Spawn, leader of the Fantastic 4-H Club, said she believes recognizing 4-H is important because it's a commitment for the whole family, from the parents to the kids themselves. For the 4-Hers, it's a recognition that their efforts mean something.

"I think it's good to recognize the 4-Hers because what they do involves a lot of hard work and commitment. A lot of what they do is beyond their school hours, on the weekends and evenings during the summer," Spawn said. "It's a big commitment to set goals to decide which projects to do, complete and exhibit those projects."

The 4-H Council Scholarships for 2023 went to the following: Adyson Groteluschen, Lillian Hudnall, Eli Kreikemeier and Amber Spawn. These are given to participants who exhibit dynamic leadership and scholarship.

The Diamond Clover program is a tiered program with different levels of knowledge and goals, from simply learning the pledge to complex crafts and organization work. The levels are recognized at the banquet.

"The Diamond Clover award program is crafted to inspire kids to engage in diverse projects and activities, just cultivating life skills for their roles in the future as citizens contributing to our communities." Hoppe said.

This year's Diamond Clovers were listed as the following:

Level 1: Rayetta Anderson, Brooke Faltys, Claire Hellbusch, Marissa Hellbusch, Hunter Niedbalski, Evie Noyd, Knox Paulsen, Jada Rosendahl, Charlie Wilke, Cooper Wilke

Level 2: Lucy Faltys, Natalie Faltys, Sydney Kosch, Brooke Kreikemeier, Ellorie Renner, Gavin Rosendahl

Level 3: Delaney Cheloha, Karis Kersting, Alivia Kreikemeier, Cooper Niedbalski, Aliana Rosendahl

Level 4: Adelle Kinnison, Callista Reichmuth, Justine Reichmuth

Level 6: Abby Schumacher, Amber Spawn, Rachel Spawn

In addition to the recognition of their efforts, the banquet is a good opportunity for the kids to see how these activities may build their futures. It's also a fun chance for the kids to be involved in a formal banquet-style event.

"It's good for them to see other people in our community being honored for like Farmer of the Year or Business of the Year so they can see that what they're doing at a younger age can impact what they do at an older age and maybe future careers or life paths," Spawn said.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Witte reported from Annapolis, Maryland. Associated Press writers Sarah Brumfield in Washington and Krutika Pathi in New Delhi contributed.
READING, Pa.  Family and friends were remembering a man shot and killed by Reading Police, as they gathered outside the Berks County Services Center Thursday night.

The family and friends of 50-year-old Damon Stern say his death has caused them an insufferable amount of grief. Now, they're using their voices to call on law enforcement for answers.

"Release the body camera! Release the body camera!" chants could be heard.

"Damon is my father," said Aigner Smith, Stern's daughter. "We just want to make awareness to this situation. That's all what we want. That's all what we're here for. We're here for justice."

Just three days before the gathering, Reading Police said they responded to the 400 block of Windsor Street in Reading for a call about a suicidal man armed with a knife.

Officials say Stern ignored officers' directions to put down the knife, causing an officer to pull the trigger.

Stern was then taken to Reading Hospital, where he later died.

"I want to bring awareness to little old Reading, Pennsylvania, that this has to stop," Smith said. "We're not going anywhere until they release the footage."

Berks County District Attorney John Adams provided a statement to 69 News that read, in part, "We do have bodycam footage, and we are reviewing the bodycam footage as part of the investigation."

Stern is described as a friend, a veteran and a Reading native who worked around the clock to take care of his family.

"I just want to say how much my dad did a great job being a parent and a husband," said his daughter, Jailyn Stern. "I couldn't have been more blessed to have him as a father.

"This is last minute, and people still came out, and we're going to keep going, we're going to keep marching. We're going to keep going until justice is served," said Christopher Tucker, Damon Stern's son.

The DA has called it early in the investigation, and said it will proceed as usual.
EASTON, Pa. - The City of Easton might soon evict renters who run afoul of the law.

During its meeting on Wednesday night, City Council introduced an amendment to an ordinance that  if passed in two weeks  would force landlords to evict tenants who allow serious crimes to take place in their homes. Those crimes would include drug dealing, gun possession, human trafficking and possession of child pornography.

The mandatory evictions would be the result of the execution of a search warrant following an investigation.

Tenants would have five days to leave the property.

As part of Ordinance 456, landlords who fail to evict their tenants would have their residential rental licenses suspended, and the property would not be eligible for rent.

Councilmember Frank Pintabone, who proposed the ordinance, says the City of Easton would also maintain a database available to licensing landlords, listing all evicted tenants and their charges. That way, evicted tenants wouldn't be able to rent elsewhere in Easton without their new landlords knowing about the criminal charges, Pintabone said.

Easton Chief of Police Carl Scalzo Jr. said, if enacted, the new law would go a long way to deter people from getting involved in criminal activity.

Scalzo tells 69 News he believes it would be a great step to eliminating drug crimes specifically and other crimes that could negatively impact the health and safety of the community.

Chief Scalzo says the effort dates back several years.

Mayor Sal Panto says the resolution will come up for a vote at the next City Council meeting.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A federal judge on Friday agreed to block New Jerseys unique primary ballot design, which has been widely criticized as boosting the prospects of party-backed candidates. The judge acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the order and said the integrity of the democratic practice was at stake.

The ruling shakes a foundational component of New Jerseys primary election ballots, which in most of the states counties are designed by grouping the candidates with party support in a single column. That means the names of those running without establishment backing could be left in places on the ballot that are difficult to find.

Opponents of the system argued it put a thumb on the scale for party-preferred candidates. The defendants in the suit - most of the state's county clerks who design ballots - argued primarily that they didn't have enough time to redesign the ballots.

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi granted a preliminary injunction sought by Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and two other candidates in the suit.

The Court wishes to make clear that it recognizes the magnitude of its decision. The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake and the remedy Plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary, Quraishi said.

Kim called the ruling a victory in an emailed statement. An attorney representing a defendant declined to comment.

Kim's suit came amid a contentious primary contest against first lady Tammy Murphy in a race to succeed federally indicted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez. The issue, for Kim, was that Murphy had won party leader backing in populous counties, meaning she would have had favorable ballot positioning.

Murphy dropped out of the race on Sunday.
NEW YORK (AP)  When No Labels' critics got the loudest, it was Joe Lieberman who came to the group's defense.

The former Connecticut senator was a founding chairman of the centrist organization that focused, above all, on promoting bipartisanship in national politics. Despite its benign stated mission, No Labels inflamed many people across politics by working to recruit a third-party presidential candidate that some fear might tilt the 2024 election in Donald Trump's favor.

At almost every major turn, Lieberman served as the group's chief public defender. He was also a private force in No Labels' presidential recruitment push. He insisted repeatedly in interviews, as recently as last week, that the nation is craving an alternative to Trump and President Joe Biden.

"This is the moment for a bipartisan unity ticket," Lieberman told Bloomberg Television last Thursday. Now, we've just got to find a strong bipartisan ticket to recommend to the No Labels delegates in the next couple of weeks. That's not easy.

Now, Lieberman is gone. He died on Wednesday due to complications from a fall. He was 82.

Lieberman's death not only marks an irreplaceable loss for No Labels, it injects a new level of uncertainty into the organizations 2024 ambitions.

Just hours before news of his death was reported this week, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who twice ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination, announced his decision not to join No Labels' presidential ticket. It was the latest in a string of high-profile rejections for the group, which has nonetheless secured a spot on presidential ballots in more than a dozen states.

Already, No Labels had courted and been denied by would-be White House contenders in both parties including Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

On Thursday, a fresh wave of critics called on No Labels to abandon its 2024 plans.

At this point Im not sure what else the No Labels crowd needs to hear. Every serious person who has taken a look at this gambit immediately sees they would just be helping to elect Donald Trump, Sarah Longwell, who founded Republican Voters Against Trump, wrote on X. Time for No Labels and its donors to pull the plug.

No Labels' leadership declined to address its 2024 plans on Thursday given Lieberman's passing. His funeral was scheduled for Friday.

But new details emerged in the group's struggle to persuade strong candidates to join its presidential ticket.

Lieberman was intimately involved in recruitment conversations with potential candidates. He participated in introductory Zoom calls and maintained regular contact with top prospects, including Christie.

The former New Jersey governor's team looked seriously at a potential No Labels' bid. His advisers did polling, modeling and studied the fundraising challenges, according to a person familiar with Christie's thinking, granted anonymity to disclose private conversations.

Ultimately, Christie determined that a No Labels' ticket was not viable, despite the organization's insistence to the contrary.

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 Wednesday in a statement.

Another high-profile Republican Trump critic, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, was also in regular contact with No Labels in recent months. Sununu, who briefly considered a Republican White House bid, has announced he will not seek reelection this fall.

Sensing opportunity, No Labels repeatedly reached out to Sununu and indicated that he was one of their top choices based on focus group data, according to a Sununu adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose private discussions.

Sununu repeatedly told No Labels advisers that he wasn't interested, the adviser said. No Labels reached out again in early March to gauge Sununu's interest, and the New Hampshire governor again said no.

Still, No Labels appears to be pushing forward.

The group announced on Wednesday, just before news of Lieberman's death emerged, that it had secured ballot access in Wyoming. That makes 19 states, including swing states Arizona and Nevada, in which No Labels says it has officially qualified for the presidential ballot.

While that's more than third-party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has confirmed so far, it's far from the number of states a candidate will need to have a legitimate chance to win the presidency.

Yet it was Lieberman himself who penned a message earlier in the month outlining a path forward.

He wrote that he was part of a No Labels committee dubbed, Country Over Party," which was in charge of identifying candidates for the unity ticket.

If we find two candidates that meet our high threshold, we will recommend that ticket to No Labels delegates for a nomination vote at a National Nominating Convention that will be held later this spring, Lieberman said just two weeks ago. If No Labels is unable to find candidates who meet this high threshold, then we simply will not offer our ballot line to anyone.

We remain undeterred and confident in our mission, Lieberman continued, because we know we have Americas vast commonsense majority behind us.

Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix and Jill Colvin in New York contributed.
Former President Donald Trump's campaign is seeking to outraise President Joe Biden next week, aiming to take in more than $33 million to top a new single-event fundraising record set by Biden on Thursday with $25 million, said a person familiar with the Trump event who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning.

Trump is inviting wealthy donors to Palm Beach, Florida, home to his Mar-a-Lago estate, for an April 6 fundraiser hosted by New York hedge fund billionaire John Paulson and listing as co-chairs other high-dollar donors such as Las Vegas-based businessman Robert Bigelow, casino mogul Steve Wynn and New York grocery billionaire John Catsimatidis. Guests are being asked to contribute $814,600 per person as a chairman contributor or $250,000 per person. Perks of attendance include a personalized copy of Trumps coffee table book with photographs from his administration.

The plans to reach the fundraising goal of $33 million were first reported by the Financial Times.

Assuming that Trump succeeds in raking in the jaw-dropping sum, the glitzy event offers Trump an opportunity to shift the narrative following months of negative headlines that have focused on his dwindling political cash hauls and his use of tens of millions of dollars in donations to pay legal fees from a myriad of court cases he faces.

We are not only raising the necessary funds, but we are deploying strategic assets that will help send President Trump back to the White House and carry Republicans over the finish line, said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung.

Trump is also scheduled to hold political rallies Tuesday in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Throughout his career in business and politics, Trump has a well-established reputation for inflating, or understating, his cash position  depending on need. His political committees, too, have relied on accounting gimmicks, including the recent clawback of an over $50 million donation  used to seed a pro-Trump super PAC, it was later refunded to help pay his mounting legal bills.

The haul would showcase Trumps newfound ability to rake in massive checks now that he is the Republican Partys presumptive nominee. Effectively controlling the RNC, Trump and his political operation can take advantage of the far higher contribution limits that apply to party committees. While candidates alone can accept a maximum donation of $3,300, under a new joint fundraising agreement between his campaign and the RNC, a single donor could stroke a check for just over $800,000.

The campaign says it has been increasingly raising more money, taking in more than $1 million a day online for six days in a row, and raising over $10.6 million last week from more than 280,000 digital donations.

Even though the event is slated to give his campaign a massive infusion of cash, it doesnt alter the fact that Trump still faces considerable financial headwinds.

His main campaign account and the Save America PAC, which has paid many of his legal bills, reported raising a combined $15.9 million in February and ended the month with more than $37 million on hand, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission last week. Democrats, meanwhile, had $155 million on hand.

And while Trump can now collect massive sums in conjunction with the RNC, the fine print of a fundraising invitation for the event shows that Save America  the committee that has been paying his legal bills  will be given a cut of the money before the RNC.

 Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report from New York.
A Texas appeals court has overturned a Fort Worth womans voter fraud conviction and five-year prison term for casting an illegal provisional ballot.

Crystal Mason did not know that being on probation for a previous felony conviction left her ineligible to vote in 2016, the Second District Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ruled on Thursday.

Appearing near tears at times, Mason said during a Friday news conference that it has been a long seven years since the voting charge. Ive been out for six years on an appeal bond, one foot in one foot out, not knowing if I was going back to prison, Mason said.

When I got the news ... I was just overwhelmed in joy, its been a long journey, Mason said. I cried and hollered when I got the news."

Prosecutors maintained that Mason read and signed an affidavit accompanying the provisional ballot affirming that she had fully completed her sentence if convicted of a felony.

Justice Wade Birdwell wrote that having read these words on the affidavit didn't prove Mason knowingly cast the provisional ballot illegally.

"Even if she had read them, they are not sufficient ... to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew that being on supervised release after having served her entire federal sentence of incarceration made her ineligible to vote by casting a provisional ballot, the decision said.

Thomas Buser-Clancy, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, called the ruling a victory for democracy.

Mrs. Mason never should have been prosecuted for what was at worst an innocent misunderstanding, said Buser-Clancy. He noted that the ballot wasn't counted because she was not a registered voter, and said the case should have ended there.

Mason, a former tax preparer, had been convicted in 2012 on charges related to inflating refunds for clients and served nearly three years of a five-year sentence in prison. Then she was placed on a three-year term of supervised release and had to pay $4.2 million in restitution, according to court documents.

Because of the initial conviction, Mason was returned to federal prison for 10 months to complete the original sentence and given two more years of supervised probation.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals previously ordered the court to review whether there was sufficient evidence to convict Mason, ruling that Texas election law requires that individuals know they are ineligible to vote to be convicted of illegal voting.

Buser-Clancy said the state could ask the Court of Criminal Appeals to review the case, but hopes prosecutors will accept the ruling.

Prosecutors did not immediately return a phone call for comment Friday.

Kim Cole, an attorney for Mason, called the prosecution malicious and politically motivated.

The states prosecution specifically stated that they wanted to send a message to voters. They deliberately put Crystal through over six years of pure hell, Cole said in the statement.

Masons long sentence made both state Republican and Democratic lawmakers uneasy. In 2021, after passing a new voting law measure over Democrats objections, the GOP-controlled state House approved a resolution stating that a person should not be criminally incarcerated for making an innocent mistake.

Critics of the states voting laws contend that Texas has targeted Black and Latino voters who have tended to vote for Democrats so that Republicans can stay in power.

The Sentencing Project, which advocates for reducing punishment and expanding voting rights of felons nationwide, says Texas leads the nation by disenfranchising 450,000 citizens, or 2.5% of the states voting age population, about two-thirds of them Black or Latino.

Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Ron Reynolds said Masons case shows the systemic challenges marginalized voters face as they try to cast ballots.

While her vindication is a step in the right direction, it highlights the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reform to ensure equitable access to the ballot box for all citizens, Reynolds' statement said.

Texas is among dozens of states that prevent felons from voting even after they leave prison, while in 22 other states, felons can vote as soon as theyre out of prison, and two states -- Vermont and Maine  allow felons to vote while still incarcerated, according to the ACLU.

Attorney Alison Grinter Allen said she doesnt know how many Texas citizens are ineligible because they are on parole or still owing fines, but she said the state's laws confuse people.

A great number of people on probation in Texas are on pre-conviction probation, and those folks are all eligible to vote, "Allen said. "So a lot of people are swept into believing they cant vote because theyre on a kind of probation that is not disqualifying.
Binance Executive Sues Nigerian Authorities for Alleged Rights Violations

Detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has sued two Nigerian agencies, accusing them of infringing his basic human rights.

Local media outlet Premium Times reported Thursday that the suit was filed against the Natural Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 18.

Meanwhile, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binances regional manager for Africa, has also lodged an individual lawsuit for rights enforcement with Justice Ekwo. Anjarwalla, who eluded lawful detention on March 22, is pursuing the same legal remedies as Gambaryan.

Binance didnt return Cryptonews request for comment by press time.

The lawsuits follow the detention of both executives and the confiscation of their passports in February as part of a wider crypto exchange crackdown in Nigeria. Nigerian authorities alleged that Binance violated local tax regulations by failing to provide proper documentation (VAT invoices) and hindering tax collection from its users.

This crackdown was related to Nigerian Naira experiencing frequent depreciation compared to the US dollar.

Binance Exec Demands Release and Passport Return in Nigerian Legal Saga



According to Premium Times, Gambaryan (a US citizen) argued that his detention and passport confiscation violated his right to personal liberty enshrined in Articles 35(1) and (4) of the Nigerian Constitution. He petitioned for his immediate release and the return of his passport.

He further requested a permanent court order barring the authorities from detaining him in connection with any future investigation or demands related to Binance. Additionally, he sought a public apology from the authorities and compensation for all legal expenses incurred.

In a supporting affidavit, Gambaryan clarified that he visited Nigeria on Feb. 26 solely as a Binance representative, attending a meeting requested by the authorities to discuss relevant issues.

He further asserted that he neither committed any offense during the meeting, nor received prior written notification of any alleged wrongdoing in Nigeria.

Nigerian Court Sets New Hearing Date



During the hearing on Thursday, a senior Nigerian lawyer, TJ Krukrubo, appeared on behalf of both executives, but clarified they lacked official legal representation. He notified the court of a previously submitted withdrawal notice filed for Anjarwalla on March 26.

In light of the missing representation, Justice Echo postponed the case until April 8. This adjournment allows the applicants to secure legal counsel and provides the respondents with additional preparation time.
Bybit Launches Regulated Digital Asset Platform for Trading in the Netherlands

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Bybit, one of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volumes, announced the launch of Bybit.nl as a new regulated crypto and digital assets trading platform in the Netherlands.

Bybit is expanding operations in Europe after facing regulatory scrutiny in Hong Kong. Its goal is to serve the Dutch while enhancing the user experience and embracing Web3 features.

Bybit Launches Regulated Platform in the Netherlands Amid Regulatory Scrutiny



On March 28, Bybit announced the official launch of its digital asset platform, Bybit.nl, in the Netherlands. This new local trading platform is regulated in the country and aims to provide Dutch users with access to cryptocurrency trading, educational resources and advanced trading tools, empowering them to trade with ease and efficiency.

The launch of Bybit.nl is made possible through a collaboration with SATOS, one of the oldest Bitcoin-focused companies in the Netherlands. Through this partnership, Dutch Bybit users can deposit and withdraw fiat currency, trade over 300 cryptocurrency pairs, and enjoy enhanced security measures for their crypto assets.

According to the announcement, SATOS, which the Dutch National Bank supervises, guarantees top-notch security and reliability for its users. By launching Bybit.nl, Bybit said its 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.

Bybit also stated that it is committed to providing tailored support to the Dutch crypto community, offering localized assistance, and fostering collaboration and innovation through community initiatives. Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit, said,

We are thrilled to launch our regulated digital asset platform in the Netherlands, furthering our commitment to serving users while upholding regulatory compliance.

The announcement follows a public warning issued by Hong Kongs Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) on March 14 regarding Bybit. The SFC highlighted that Bybit provided crypto-related products in multiple jurisdictions without obtaining the necessary licenses.

The regulator expressed concerns that these products were also being offered to investors in Hong Kong. It emphasized that no entity within the Bybit group possessed a license or registration from the SFC to engage in any regulated activity within Hong Kong.

Bybit Ceases Derivatives Services in the Netherlands to Comply with Regulatory Guidelines



Reports indicate that Bybit adjusted its services in February 2024, with the exchange discontinuing some offerings. Precisely, Bybit ceased its derivatives services in the Netherlands to comply with guidelines set by the Dutch Central Bank.

Indy Rottier, head of communications at Cryptotag, mentioned in a LinkedIn post on February 20 that the first changes to the new regulations would take effect on March 5.

Since the implementation of AMLD5, DNB has actively enforced compliance, resulting in notable actions against significant exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and KuCoin for operating without proper registration or compliance.

As a result, Binance, Gemini, and other major global exchanges were forced to terminate their operations in the Netherlands in 2023 to comply with local laws. Notably, on March 13, the Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) fined the cryptocurrency trading platform crypto.com 2.85 million euros for offering cryptocurrency services to people in the Netherlands without first registering with the DNB.
Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, March 29th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 17th will be given a dividend of 0.15 per share by the electronics maker on Wednesday, May 1st. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 16th.

Acuity Brands has a payout ratio of 3.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Acuity Brands to earn $14.87 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 4.0%.

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Acuity Brands Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of Acuity Brands stock traded up $1.14 on Friday, hitting $268.73. The stock had a trading volume of 315,311 shares, compared to its average volume of 225,846. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.99, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $247.46 and a 200 day moving average of $205.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 2.45. Acuity Brands has a twelve month low of $149.30 and a twelve month high of $270.95.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Acuity Brands ( NYSE:AYI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 9th. The electronics maker reported $3.72 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.49. The business had revenue of $934.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $935.14 million. Acuity Brands had a net margin of 9.56% and a return on equity of 21.43%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.04 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Acuity Brands will post 13.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AYI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Acuity Brands from $200.00 to $236.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Acuity Brands from $236.00 to $286.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Acuity Brands from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $215.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on AYI

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Acuity Brands news, SVP Dianne S. Mills sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.11, for a total transaction of $1,350,660.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,554 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,925,590.94. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Acuity Brands news, SVP Barry R. Goldman sold 1,900 shares of Acuity Brands stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.01, for a total transaction of $429,419.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,946,172.11. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Dianne S. Mills sold 6,000 shares of Acuity Brands stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.11, for a total transaction of $1,350,660.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,554 shares in the company, valued at $1,925,590.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Acuity Brands

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Acuity Brands by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,313,389 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $627,225,000 after acquiring an additional 60,541 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Acuity Brands by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,982,396 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $564,568,000 after buying an additional 25,598 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in Acuity Brands by 19.3% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,208,990 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $228,862,000 after buying an additional 195,515 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Acuity Brands by 620.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,197,721 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $198,355,000 after buying an additional 1,031,432 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its holdings in Acuity Brands by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 959,447 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $181,623,000 after buying an additional 38,316 shares in the last quarter. 98.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Acuity Brands

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Acuity Brands, Inc provides lighting, lighting controls, building management system, location-aware applications in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL); and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). The ABL segment provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting solutions, as well as lighting controls and components for various indoor and outdoor applications under the A-Light, Aculux, American Electric Lighting, Cyclone, Dark to Light, eldoLED, Eureka, Gotham, Healthcare Lighting, Holophane, Hydrel, Indy, IOTA, Juno, Lithonia Lighting, Luminaire LED, Luminis, Mark Architectural Lighting, nLight, OPTOTRONIC, Peerless, RELOCWiring Solutions, and Sensor Switch.

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Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited (LON:BOCH  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 317 ($4.01) and last traded at GBX 315 ($3.98), with a volume of 164689 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 312.50 ($3.95).

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Stock Down 1.1 %

The company has a market cap of 1.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 333.51 and a beta of 0.78. The companys fifty day moving average price is GBX 300.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 282.81.

About Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public

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Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of banking, financial, and insurance services. It offers current, demand, savings, time, notice, instant access, and fixed deposits; housing, student, vehicle, mortgage, consumer, business and business premises, term, and home or investment loans; and asset finance, factoring, trade facilities, European financial, project finance, shipping finance, and syndicated and corporate lending services, as well as hire purchase services for car and equipment.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as C$25.02 and last traded at C$130.42, with a volume of 306303 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$130.35.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on BMO. TD Securities lowered their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$140.00 to C$135.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. National Bankshares reduced their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$141.00 to C$137.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Desjardins reduced their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$135.00 to C$133.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. CIBC reduced their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$125.00 to C$120.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$134.00 to C$130.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$132.39.

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Bank of Montreal Trading Up 1.1 %

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$126.89 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$120.02. The stock has a market capitalization of C$95.94 billion, a PE ratio of 18.22, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.17.

Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The bank reported C$2.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$3.03 by C($0.47). The business had revenue of C$7.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$8.57 billion. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 17.71%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Bank of Montreal will post 11.3700787 EPS for the current year.

Bank of Montreal Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 28th. Investors of record on Monday, April 29th will be paid a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.57%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 26th. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is currently 83.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of Montreal

In other Bank of Montreal news, Director Darrel Hackett sold 3,297 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$91.76, for a total transaction of C$302,532.72. In other news, Director Darrel Hackett sold 3,297 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$91.76, for a total transaction of C$302,532.72. Also, Senior Officer Nadim Hirji sold 2,882 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$130.46, for a total value of C$375,985.72. 0.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Bank of Montreal Company Profile

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Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The company's personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) traded up 1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $53.69 and last traded at $53.10. 2,721,278 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 84% from the average session volume of 16,740,408 shares. The stock had previously closed at $52.55.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on BMY. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Redburn Atlantic lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $77.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Finally, Societe Generale downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.12.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BMY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 1.8 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $50.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $52.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The firm has a market cap of $109.91 billion, a PE ratio of 14.05, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.38.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. The company had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.82 EPS. The firms revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Friday, April 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.8% in the second quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd now owns 9,161 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 5,691 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $330,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Vicus Capital increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 4,824 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $280,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 17.5% in the 4th quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 1,222 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $88,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cassia Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.3% during the third quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,931 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $460,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE:FC  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Barrington Research dropped their Q3 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Franklin Covey in a research note issued on Thursday, March 28th. Barrington Research analyst A. Paris now anticipates that the business services provider will earn $0.35 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.47. Barrington Research has a Outperform rating and a $45.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Franklin Coveys current full-year earnings is $1.69 per share. Barrington Research also issued estimates for Franklin Coveys Q4 2024 earnings at $0.91 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $1.68 EPS.

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A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on FC. Roth Mkm dropped their target price on shares of Franklin Covey from $61.00 to $59.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Franklin Covey from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Northland Securities dropped their price objective on shares of Franklin Covey from $100.00 to $95.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Franklin Covey presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $66.33.

Franklin Covey Price Performance

Shares of FC stock opened at $39.17 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The company has a market capitalization of $520.57 million, a P/E ratio of 31.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.22. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $39.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.07. Franklin Covey has a one year low of $32.19 and a one year high of $48.76.

Franklin Covey (NYSE:FC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 4th. The business services provider reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.17. Franklin Covey had a net margin of 6.13% and a return on equity of 22.94%. The company had revenue of $68.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $65.88 million.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in FC. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Franklin Covey in the first quarter worth $27,000. Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new position in Franklin Covey in the second quarter valued at $29,000. CWM LLC purchased a new position in Franklin Covey in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Franklin Covey by 289.5% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,075 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 799 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alpha Paradigm Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Franklin Covey in the third quarter valued at about $62,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.88% of the companys stock.

Franklin Covey Company Profile

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Franklin Covey Co provides training and consulting services in the areas of execution, sales performance, productivity, customer loyalty, and educational improvement for organizations and individuals worldwide. The company operates through Direct Offices, International Licensees, and Education Practice segments.

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Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, March 29th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a dividend of 0.14 per share on Friday, April 26th. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th.

Caledonia Mining has increased its dividend by an average of 18.7% annually over the last three years. Caledonia Mining has a dividend payout ratio of 69.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings.

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Caledonia Mining Price Performance

Shares of Caledonia Mining stock traded up $0.24 during trading on Friday, hitting $11.07. 44,349 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 38,916. The firm has a market capitalization of $142.03 million, a P/E ratio of 25.79 and a beta of 0.68. Caledonia Mining has a 1-year low of $8.91 and a 1-year high of $17.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Caledonia Mining

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Invesco Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Caledonia Mining during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $182,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Caledonia Mining by 8,650.7% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,776 shares of the companys stock valued at $148,000 after buying an additional 12,630 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new position in Caledonia Mining in the 2nd quarter valued at $139,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Caledonia Mining by 72.3% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 9,053 shares of the companys stock valued at $138,000 after buying an additional 3,800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Caledonia Mining by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 9,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $118,000 after buying an additional 964 shares in the last quarter. 31.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Separately, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a hold rating on shares of Caledonia Mining in a research report on Thursday.

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Caledonia Mining Company Profile

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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.

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Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,435 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $553,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GS. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% in the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $13,633,000 after acquiring an additional 38,727 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $39,153,000 after acquiring an additional 18,540 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $273,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $102,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.39, for a total transaction of $1,129,170.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,121 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,443.19. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $380.15, for a total transaction of $1,634,645.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 11,463 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,357,659.45. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.39, for a total transaction of $1,129,170.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 10,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,809,443.19. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 38,907 shares of company stock worth $15,080,021 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on GS shares. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted 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. HSBC lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $432.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Edward Jones initiated coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $411.10.

View Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

The Goldman Sachs Group stock traded up $2.44 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $417.69. The stock had a trading volume of 2,409,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,330,199. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $289.36 and a 12 month high of $419.20. The firms 50-day moving average price is $388.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $357.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $135.55 billion, a PE ratio of 18.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 8.03% and a net margin of 7.85%. The business had revenue of $11.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.32 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 33.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were given a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 48.20%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report).

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Vitalik Buterin Says Worldcoin Doing Good Job at Taking Privacy Criticism Seriously

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has recently commented on Worldcoins attempt to ensure user datas privacy, acknowledging their effort.

Replying to a users post on social media Buterin addressed to the project co-founded by OpenAIs Sam Altman, saying that Worldcoin has done quite a good job when it comes to protecting personal information with cryptography.

IMO [In my opinion] they actually have been doing quite a good job of taking the privacy critiques seriously and designing their system to be more and more data-minimal, said Buterin.

IMO they actually have been doing quite a good job of taking the privacy critiques seriously and designing their system to be more and more data-minimal. Modern cryptography is truly amazing.  vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) March 29, 2024

Modern cryptography is truly amazing, he said.

Buterins Concerns and Skepticism



In October 2023, Vitalik Buterin expressed concerns about Worldcoin, especially its fundamental mechanism that verifies human identity via iris scanning. He discussed its digital passport that differentiates humans from AI but raised privacy and accessibility issues.

Buterin noted the systems potential to solve anti-spam and anti-concentration-of-power problems, yet he cautioned, If proof of personhood is not solved, decentralized governance becomes much easier to capture by very wealthy actors, including hostile governments.

His primary worry was the extensive data collected through iris scanning, potentially revealing personal details like sex, ethnicity, and medical conditions.

Regarding Worldcoins global accessibility, Buterin was skeptical, pointing out, Even with much higher-scale distributed manufacturing, it would be hard to get to a world where theres an Orb within five kilometers of everyone.

Governments Act to Regulate Worldcoin



Worldcoins biometric data collection practices have recently faced regulatory actions globally.

In Portugal, the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) temporarily halted Worldcoin for 90 days on March 26, due to concerns over collecting iris and facial scans without adequate consent, particularly from minors.

Similarly, in Spain, the Data Protection Agency (AEPD) issued a three-month ban on Worldcoins data collection starting March 6, citing similar issues. Legal appeals by Worldcoin were rejected by a local court, affirming the AEPDs decision.

These instances reflect a growing scrutiny of Worldcoin by regulators in different jurisdictions, including Hong Kong and Kenya, where concerns over privacy risks and biometric data collection have led to investigations and restrictions on the platforms activities.
Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited (NYSE:CCM  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,000 shares, an increase of 218.2% from the February 29th total of 2,200 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 7,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Concord Medical Services Trading Down 5.8 %

Shares of NYSE:CCM traded down $0.03 on Friday, hitting $0.55. The company had a trading volume of 11,260 shares, compared to its average volume of 24,023. Concord Medical Services has a 1-year low of $0.38 and a 1-year high of $1.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $0.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.60.

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About Concord Medical Services

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Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited, together its subsidiaries, operates a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in the People's Republic of China. The company operates in two segments, Network and Hospital. Its services include linear accelerators and external beam radiotherapy, proton therapy system, gamma knife radiosurgery, head gamma knife system, and diagnostic imaging services.

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Curtiss-Wright Co. (NYSE:CW  Get Free Report) VP Paul J. Ferdenzi sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $625,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 15,942 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,985,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Curtiss-Wright Stock Performance

NYSE:CW opened at $255.94 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a market cap of $9.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.82 and a beta of 1.17. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $235.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $218.62. Curtiss-Wright Co. has a twelve month low of $157.72 and a twelve month high of $257.37.

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Curtiss-Wright (NYSE:CW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The aerospace company reported $3.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.24. Curtiss-Wright had a return on equity of 16.61% and a net margin of 12.46%. The firm had revenue of $785.79 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $737.09 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.92 EPS. Curtiss-Wrights quarterly revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Curtiss-Wright Co. will post 10.16 EPS for the current year.

Curtiss-Wright Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.31%. Curtiss-Wrights dividend payout ratio is currently 8.70%.

Several research firms recently weighed in on CW. Truist Financial restated a hold rating and set a $240.00 price target (down previously from $250.00) on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a research report on Monday. StockNews.com lowered shares of Curtiss-Wright from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Curtiss-Wright from $244.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $238.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Curtiss-Wright

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Curtiss-Wright

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CW. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Curtiss-Wright during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $212,009,000. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 18.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,300,543 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $645,770,000 after acquiring an additional 680,850 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Curtiss-Wright during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $113,885,000. Select Equity Group L.P. bought a new position in shares of Curtiss-Wright during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,468,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright by 31.7% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 756,894 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $113,655,000 after acquiring an additional 182,125 shares during the period. 82.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Curtiss-Wright

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Curtiss-Wright Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides engineered products, solutions, and services mainly to aerospace and defense, commercial power, process, and industrial markets worldwide. It operates through three segments: Aerospace & Industrial, Defense Electronics, and Naval & Power.

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Shares of CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Limited (LON:CCPG  Get Free Report) fell 2.7% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 93.20 ($1.18) and last traded at GBX 93.20 ($1.18). 174,302 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 28% from the average session volume of 135,646 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 95.80 ($1.21).

CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Trading Down 2.7 %

The business has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 93.20 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 93.20.

CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Company Profile

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CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund of fund launched by Goldman Sachs International. The fund is managed by CVC Credit Partners Investment Management Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets of Western Europe. The fund seeks to invest in securities of companies across diversified sectors.

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,300 shares, an increase of 217.8% from the February 29th total of 4,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 132,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

DLAKY has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Deutsche Lufthansa from an overweight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Deutsche Lufthansa in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an equal weight rating on shares of Deutsche Lufthansa in a research note on Monday, February 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Deutsche Lufthansa presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Deutsche Lufthansa

Deutsche Lufthansa Price Performance

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Deutsche Lufthansa stock. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Deutsche Lufthansa AG ( OTCMKTS:DLAKY Free Report ) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 43,040 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $480,000.

Shares of Deutsche Lufthansa stock traded up $0.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $7.85. 41,588 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 56,642. The company has a market capitalization of $9.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.25. Deutsche Lufthansa has a 52-week low of $6.93 and a 52-week high of $11.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.12.

Deutsche Lufthansa (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The transportation company reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.06. Deutsche Lufthansa had a net margin of 4.76% and a return on equity of 22.19%. The business had revenue of $9.43 billion during the quarter. Sell-side analysts expect that Deutsche Lufthansa will post 1.57 EPS for the current year.

Deutsche Lufthansa Company Profile

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Deutsche Lufthansa AG operates as an aviation company worldwide. It operates in three segments: Passenger Airlines; Logistics; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services (MRO). The Passenger Airlines segment offers products and services to passengers of Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.

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Shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) traded down 0% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $767.38 and last traded at $774.61. 685,312 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 3,209,096 shares. The stock had previously closed at $774.90.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $775.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $850.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $805.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $689.52.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $730.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $637.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market cap of $739.19 billion, a PE ratio of 134.13, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.34.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The company had revenue of $9.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.09 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total value of $21,821,453.78. Following the sale, the insider now owns 99,719,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Lipe & Dalton purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Thompson Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Retirement Group LLC lifted 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 valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Tidemark LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Core Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 188.2% during the 4th quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 49 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Get Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

Further Reading

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Ellsworth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm bought 20,077 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $773,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of VST. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Vistra by 19,070.8% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 5,566,621 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,426,000 after acquiring an additional 5,537,584 shares during the period. Steadfast Capital Management LP bought a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at about $67,462,000. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. bought a new position in Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at about $57,218,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in Vistra by 2,443.7% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,781,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,418,000 after acquiring an additional 1,711,407 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its stake in Vistra by 509.3% during the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,734,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,554,000 after acquiring an additional 1,449,905 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the companys stock.

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Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VST traded up $1.34 during trading on Friday, hitting $69.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,824,947 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,136,572. The company has a 50-day moving average of $51.92 and a 200-day moving average of $41.00. Vistra Corp. has a 12 month low of $22.67 and a 12 month high of $73.05. 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 firm has a market cap of $24.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.03.

Vistra Increases Dividend

Vistra ( NYSE:VST Get Free Report ) last released 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 firm had revenue of $3.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.48 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 20.05% and a net margin of 10.10%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 20th will be issued a $0.215 dividend. This represents a $0.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.23%. This is a positive change from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 19th. Vistras dividend payout ratio is currently 24.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling

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 value of $4,556,207.24. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 184,201 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,536,508.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 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 value of $4,556,207.24. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 184,201 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,536,508.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 98,020 shares of the 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 $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 valued at $15,404,397. 1.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $42.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $78.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $61.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on VST

Vistra Company Profile

(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.

Further Reading

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Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,002 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $327,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 118,562,086 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,766,428,000 after acquiring an additional 2,174,829 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.7% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 82,442,666 shares of the companys stock worth $8,487,472,000 after buying an additional 5,196,914 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 41,850,081 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,643,267,000 after buying an additional 4,000,816 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,363,385,000 after buying an additional 39,289,404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 31,951,714 shares of the companys stock worth $3,289,429,000 after acquiring an additional 1,246,705 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.07% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.89, for a total value of $124,890.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 19,569 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,443,972.41. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Steven Mizell sold 50,694 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.65, for a total value of $6,420,395.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 23,619 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,991,346.35. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Joseph Romanelli sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.89, for a total transaction of $124,890.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,569 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,443,972.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on MRK shares. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $142.00 price target (up previously from $139.00) on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday. StockNews.com upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a b+ rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.71.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $131.92 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $124.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $112.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The stock has a market cap of $334.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 942.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 0.37. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $99.14 and a 12-month high of $133.10.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.09) by $0.12. The company had revenue of $14.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.49 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 0.61% and a return on equity of 9.33%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 8.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.33%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is 2,200.00%.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes under the Keytruda, Bridion, Adempas, Lagevrio, Belsomra, Simponi, and Januvia brands, as well as vaccine products consisting of preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines under the Gardasil/Gardasil 9, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, RotaTeq, Live Oral, Vaxneuvance, Pneumovax 23, and Vaqta names.

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Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report)s share price rose 1.1% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $116.45 and last traded at $116.24. Approximately 18,482,055 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 5% from the average daily volume of 17,651,866 shares. The stock had previously closed at $114.97.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on XOM. TD Cowen raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $116.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $142.00 to $130.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $120.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $128.18.

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Read Our Latest Report on XOM

Exxon Mobil Price Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average price is $105.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $105.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $461.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.08, a PEG ratio of 4.21 and a beta of 0.96.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The business had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.40 earnings per share. Exxon Mobils revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.11 EPS for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th were paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is currently 42.74%.

Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In related news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the companys 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 transaction, the vice president now directly owns 30,189 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,169,845. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Exxon Mobil

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of XOM. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 17.4% in the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,909 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $680,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc bought a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 1st quarter worth about $275,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 318.8% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 17,163 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,417,000 after purchasing an additional 13,065 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 95.6% in the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 15,843 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,308,000 after purchasing an additional 7,744 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 1st quarter worth about $237,000. Institutional investors own 61.80% of the companys stock.

About Exxon Mobil

(Get Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Gafisa S.A. (OTCMKTS:GFASY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in 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 daily volume of 400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days.

Gafisa Stock Performance

GFASY stock opened at $2.85 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $3.88 and a 200-day moving average of $2.97. Gafisa has a 12 month low of $1.45 and a 12 month high of $6.94.

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Gafisa Company Profile

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Gafisa SA operates as a development and construction company under the Gafisa brand name in Brazil. The company is involved in residential, commercial, and hotel projects. It also provides technical consultancy services, and real estate management and construction services to third parties. Gafisa SA was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday morning.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on ASR. Barclays downgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. Bank of America upgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a sell rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $274.00 to $326.00 in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Citigroup cut Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a neutral rating to a sell rating and dropped their price target for the company from $228.00 to $222.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $274.00.

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View Our Latest Report on ASR

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE ASR opened at $318.68 on Monday. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. has a twelve month low of $165.00 and a twelve month high of $320.70. The company has a current ratio of 4.26, a quick ratio of 2.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $298.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $264.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.56 billion, a PE ratio of 16.28, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.17.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 26th. The transportation company reported $4.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.78 by ($0.79). The company had revenue of $392.31 million during the quarter. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. had a net margin of 39.55% and a return on equity of 20.77%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. will post 23.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 12,500.3% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 619,305 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,201,000 after purchasing an additional 614,390 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 706.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 71,046 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $16,553,000 after buying an additional 62,241 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 116.7% in the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 92,230 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $27,134,000 after buying an additional 49,668 shares during the period. Quadrature Capital Ltd raised its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 180.9% in the 2nd quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 59,715 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $16,622,000 after buying an additional 38,453 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 360,238 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $79,830,000 after buying an additional 32,860 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.57% of the companys stock.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. holds concessions to operate, maintain, and develop airports in the southeast region of Mexico. The company operates airports that are located in the cities of Cancun, Cozumel, Merida, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Tapachula, and Minatitlan.

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Four springs ago, Ashleigh Goss saw a light crowd on St. Patricks Day weekend and knew luck was not on her side.

Market Cross Pub, the classic slice of England she owns on North Hanover Street in Carlisle, was about to face its biggest challenge in three decades of existence.

A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic would soon shutter indoor dining nationwide, so at the earliest sign of disruption, Goss prepared for the worst. She purchased an online ordering platform and stocked up on takeout supplies.

When the first lockdown hit a few days later, Goss made deliveries herself until she could get enough help. She was determined to keep food on the table  both at work and at home.

This is what feeds my kids, she said of her familys business.  ... There was no question whether or not we could stay open. It was just, What do we need to do to stay open?

Those darkest days of COVID-19 are literally history now. Its been a whole presidential term since the first stay-at-home orders and nearly three years since Pennsylvania dropped its statewide mask mandate. But for the independent restaurants that pump oxygen through the heart of Carlisle, that pre-pandemic normal never quite returned.

Instead, its a new normal. Gone are the deadly health concerns, but still hanging are bothersome costs, worker shortages and a culture shift to American dining that may be the hardest to overcome.

Quite frankly, its never going to be like it was before, Goss said, just because people have changed.

High costs and labor pains

Americas restaurants were resilient last year, the National Restaurant Association said in its annual report, released in February. The same number of people now work in restaurants as they did before the pandemic, association data shows, and food and beverage sales should hit a record high this year.

But this recovery is not created equal. The Northeast, where population gains also lag other parts of the country, has been slower to rebound than the South and West. The type of restaurant matters, too.

Chain restaurants are on a quicker comeback than independent places, noted Bank of Americas 2024 restaurant outlook for 2024, because cash reserves help chains better fight economic headwinds.

Profits are higher since COVID, but compared to last year, its not as high, said Shamma Alam, associate professor of economics at Dickinson College.

Alams students last fall interviewed 58 local businesses and nonprofits  including 14 restaurants  to learn how Carlisles economy was rebounding from the pandemic. Students presented their findings last month.

Half of the restaurants say they have recovered  or kind of back to the pre-pandemic state  and half said they didnt, Alam said.

Restaurant owners told Dickinson students that rising costs and labor shortages were their biggest continuing challenges. Eighty-three percent said they experienced worker shortages over the past year, although turnover rates stayed the same or decreased for 66% of owners compared to previous years.

Staffing, I would say, just started to turn, Goss told The Sentinel. Were finally getting applicants. Were finally getting people that want full-time hours.

Prices, however, are still troublingly high, even as the Consumer Price Index has stayed around 3% since last summer. Two summers ago, it was at a pandemic peak of 9.1%. Average food costs are up more than 20% nationwide, according to the restaurant association, while four in 10 U.S. restaurants still carry debt accumulated during the pandemic.

Goss said its not just the price of ingredients but also the costs of equipment, dry goods and handyman services like plumbing and carpentry that eat into her pubs recovery.

Restaurants are competitive, said Matt Hicks, owner of Helenas Cafe and Creperie on West High Street, so theyre reluctant to raise prices on customers in return, but prices are constantly being raised on us.

I make money five dollars at a time here, he said of Helenas.  ... And so, when my customers have to pay $10 more a week at the gas tank or $20 more a week at the grocery store, I lose customers pretty quick like that.

Foot traffic changes

Delivery orders  crucial during social distancing  still make up a larger share of restaurant spending nationwide than before the pandemic, USDA researchers reported in January. But on-premises spending  meaning inside the restaurant  remains sluggish.

Even before the pandemic, a 2019 restaurant association survey of customers found a majority of their dining occasions  60%  were off-premises. Translation: delivery and drive-thru are beating date night.

The culture has definitely changed, Hicks said. And we had to change with it a little bit and try and be available to do business with our customers online.

Hicks took over Helenas in October 2022 to lead a post-COVID resurgence. He revamped the menu, increased hours and partnered with other local businesses. Hicks hoped foot traffic  especially at night  would return to pre-pandemic levels, but instead new partnerships with delivery apps DoorDash and Uber Eats have been essential.

Whether I like it or not, people are ordering in and not coming out to get their food, Hicks said.

Downtown Carlisle functions like its own ecosystem, Hicks said, so fewer people dining out means fewer eyeballs on other businesses, especially new ones trying to grow. For example, someone out for dinner may be piqued by a specialty shop or a clothing boutique and have reason to come back next week.

They have to be here to see it, to know they want to come back to it, Hicks said. That in-person dining loss, then, is more exponential.

Food service future

Carlisle businesses have a surprisingly positive outlook on the future, Alam said. On a five-point scale, more than 8 in 10 owners in Dickinsons survey rated their optimism about their establishments future at a 4 or above.

Theres of course some businesses that struggle; that will always be the case, Alam said. But we felt, at least from the interviews, they are in good shape, even though they are facing all these challenges.

New places are also opening after a handful of permanent closures during the pandemic. One newbie is One13 Social, a restaurant on West High Street that co-owner Kevin Rockwood and his partners opened in January 2022 when the pandemic began to wane.

I feel very confident in the future, Rockwood said. I like to think that COVID is far in our rearview at this point.

Rockwood, who also just opened Pitt Street Station, has seen a resurgence in foot traffic the past few months, and he expects more people as the weather warms. Goss said Market Cross Pubs foot traffic is back, although she cut back on night hours because people arent staying out as late anymore.

The nationwide reality after COVID-19, according to the restaurant associations annual report, is that convenience and technology are now driving forces affecting how all restaurants operate, especially as digital natives become a larger share of clientele. More than seven in 10 adults aged 18-27 use third-party delivery services, the association found.

This shift appears in the Dickinson survey, too. Sixty-two percent of Carlisle restaurants said theyre making more deliveries and 46% are seeing fewer in-person diners. Forty-six percent also have new loyalty programs to apparently incentivize people to still come in, Alam said.

It might not be a reverberation, Hicks, owner of Helenas Cafe and Creperie, said about how the pandemic changed dining. It might be a full shift in cultural norm.
Hannover Ruck SE (FRA:HNR1  Get Free Report) traded up 1.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as 250.70 ($272.50) and last traded at 250.40 ($272.17). 84,752 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at 247.50 ($269.02).

Hannover Ruck Trading Up 0.1 %

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is 234.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is 220.65.

About Hannover Ruck

(Get Free Report)

Hannover Ruck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Europe, the United States, Asia, Australia, Africa, and internationally. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance; and Life & Health Reinsurance segments.

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Howden Joinery Group Plc (LON:HWDN  Get Free Report) insider Paul Hayes purchased 3,964 shares of Howden Joinery Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 869 ($10.98) per share, for a total transaction of 34,447.16 ($43,532.36).

Howden Joinery Group Price Performance

Howden Joinery Group stock opened at GBX 906.80 ($11.46) on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 824.08 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 759. The stock has a market cap of 4.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,971.30, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.88. Howden Joinery Group Plc has a 52 week low of GBX 605 ($7.65) and a 52 week high of GBX 908.60 ($11.48).

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Howden Joinery Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 24th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be issued a dividend of GBX 16.20 ($0.20) per share. This is an increase from Howden Joinery Groups previous dividend of $4.80. This represents a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. Howden Joinery Groups payout ratio is currently 4,565.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HWDN has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 930 ($11.75) price target on shares of Howden Joinery Group in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Howden Joinery Group from GBX 670 ($8.47) to GBX 680 ($8.59) and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Howden Joinery Group to a neutral rating and set a GBX 865 ($10.93) price target on the stock. in a report on Friday, March 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given 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 GBX 810.83 ($10.25).

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Howden Joinery Group Company Profile

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Howden Joinery Group Plc manufactures and distributes various kitchens, joinery, and hardware products in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Belgium. It offers worktops, sinks and taps, flooring, appliances, and handles; internal and external doors, including fire doors, flooring, stair parts, and general joinery items; and cooking, cleaning, and cooling appliances.

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Shares of Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $38.19.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on INVH shares. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating and set a $39.00 price target on shares of Invitation Homes in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Evercore ISI restated an in-line rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of Invitation Homes in a report on Monday, March 18th. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Invitation Homes in a report on Monday, January 22nd. They issued an outperform rating and a $39.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Invitation Homes from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $33.00 to $41.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of Invitation Homes in a report on Thursday, February 15th.

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Insider Activity at Invitation Homes

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invitation Homes

In other Invitation Homes news, CFO Jonathan S. Olsen sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.75, for a total value of $347,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 37,037 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,287,035.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . 0.21% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of INVH. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,346,883,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Invitation Homes by 78.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 16,553,036 shares of the companys stock worth $569,424,000 after buying an additional 7,252,150 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Invitation Homes by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 29,070,728 shares of the companys stock worth $1,168,062,000 after buying an additional 3,310,121 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners acquired a new stake in Invitation Homes during the 4th quarter valued at $105,282,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Invitation Homes by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 86,649,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,481,574,000 after purchasing an additional 2,784,696 shares in the last quarter. 96.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Invitation Homes Price Performance

Shares of NYSE INVH opened at $35.60 on Friday. Invitation Homes has a twelve month low of $28.49 and a twelve month high of $36.53. The company has a market capitalization of $21.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $33.22.

Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.23). Invitation Homes had a return on equity of 5.06% and a net margin of 21.34%. The business had revenue of $624.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $623.51 million. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Invitation Homes will post 1.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Invitation Homes Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.15%. Invitation Homess payout ratio is 133.33%.

Invitation Homes Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences.

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Accel Wealth Management reduced its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 30.2% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,684 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,164 shares during the quarter. Accel Wealth Managements holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $1,282,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Studio Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the third quarter worth $54,000.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock traded up $0.01 during trading on Thursday, hitting $525.73. 4,714,874 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,835,024. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12 month low of $400.45 and a 12 month high of $527.16. The stocks fifty day moving average is $505.43 and its 200 day moving average is $469.87. The stock has a market cap of $406.73 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $153.01 and last traded at $152.93, with a volume of 600289 shares. The stock had previously closed at $150.38.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on J shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Truist Financial assumed coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a hold rating and a $154.00 target price on the stock. Argus raised their price target on Jacobs Solutions from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a sector weight rating for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Jacobs Solutions has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $154.27.

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Jacobs Solutions Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market cap of $19.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $144.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $136.09.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.46. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.02 billion. Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 4.20%. The companys revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.67 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. This is a boost from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.75%. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.71%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Jacobs Solutions

In other news, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total value of $274,096.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 28,791 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,261,068. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Jacobs Solutions news, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,791 shares in the company, valued at $4,261,068. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,486 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total transaction of $817,414.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 57,233 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,527,717. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Jacobs Solutions

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 1st quarter worth about $125,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 22.6% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,472 shares of the companys stock worth $478,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 17,290 shares of the companys stock worth $2,383,000 after purchasing an additional 933 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 14,801 shares of the companys stock worth $2,040,000 after purchasing an additional 680 shares during the period. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 8,445 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,179,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. 85.65% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Jacobs Solutions

(Get 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.

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Lockerman Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm bought 3,200 shares of the consumer goods makers stock, valued at approximately $207,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of BUD. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust purchased a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the 2nd quarter worth about $96,594,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC increased its position in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 12.6% during the third quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 1,887 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 211 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,449,000. Savoir Faire Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the third quarter valued at approximately $4,790,000. Finally, Pittenger & Anderson Inc. grew its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 295.5% in the third quarter. Pittenger & Anderson Inc. now owns 19,600 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $1,084,000 after purchasing an additional 14,644 shares in the last quarter. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Down 0.1 %

NYSE:BUD opened at $60.75 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $62.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $60.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.63. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a fifty-two week low of $51.66 and a fifty-two week high of $67.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.13.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ( NYSE:BUD Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $14.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.34 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 8.99% and a return on equity of 13.57%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.98 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. BNP Paribas lowered Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. UBS Group upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $60.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $71.70.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on BUD

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Profile

(Free Report)

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, exports, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands.

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McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Pentair plc (NYSE:PNR  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 1,455 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $106,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Pentair by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 16,329 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $885,000 after purchasing an additional 1,554 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its position in Pentair by 54.2% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 16,188 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $879,000 after acquiring an additional 5,692 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its position in Pentair by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 22,141 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,200,000 after acquiring an additional 1,371 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its position in Pentair by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 126,084 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $7,146,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in Pentair by 17.3% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 14,212 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $770,000 after acquiring an additional 2,098 shares during the last quarter. 92.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Pentair Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE PNR traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $85.44. 1,938,177 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,720,001. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $77.15 and a 200 day moving average of $69.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Pentair plc has a 1 year low of $51.38 and a 1 year high of $85.81. The stock has a market cap of $14.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.20.

Pentair Announces Dividend

Pentair ( NYSE:PNR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The industrial products company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.01. Pentair had a return on equity of 20.80% and a net margin of 15.17%. The company had revenue of $984.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $975.36 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.82 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Pentair plc will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 19th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 18th. Pentairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.53%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PNR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Pentair from $88.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Pentair from $72.00 to $83.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Bank of America raised Pentair from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the stock from $46.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Barclays increased their price target on Pentair from $83.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on Pentair from $82.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Pentair presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $84.36.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PNR

About Pentair

(Free Report)

Pentair plc provides various water solutions in the United States, Western Europe, China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, and Japan. The company operates through three segments: Flow, Water Solutions, and Pool. The Flow segment designs, manufactures, and sells fluid treatment and pump products and systems, including pressure vessels, gas recovery solutions, membrane bioreactors, wastewater reuse systems and advanced membrane filtration, separation systems, water disposal pumps, water supply pumps, fluid transfer pumps, turbine pumps, solid handling pumps, and agricultural spray nozzles for fluid delivery, ion exchange, desalination, food and beverage, separation technologies in the oil and gas industry, residential and municipal wells, water treatment, wastewater solids handling, pressure boosting, circulation and transfer, fire suppression, flood control, agricultural irrigation, and crop spray in residential, commercial, and industrial markets.

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Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) in a research note released on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued an outperform rating and a $400.00 price target on the communications equipment providers stock.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on MSI. StockNews.com raised Motorola Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Barclays increased their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $333.00 to $352.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, January 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $350.00 price objective for the company. Finally, William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, February 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $337.25.

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Motorola Solutions Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of MSI stock opened at $354.91 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $331.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $311.68. Motorola Solutions has a fifty-two week low of $269.64 and a fifty-two week high of $355.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.90. 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 announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The communications equipment provider reported $3.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.63 by $0.27. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 441.65% and a net margin of 17.12%. The business had revenue of $2.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.38 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Motorola Solutions will post 11.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is 39.48%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Cynthia Yazdi sold 4,744 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $334.30, for a total transaction of $1,585,919.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,858 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,961,229.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Motorola Solutions

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSI. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 4,754 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,488,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,032 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $636,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 21.3% during the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 188 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the period. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 275 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 9.4% in the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 444 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $121,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.17% of the companys stock.

About Motorola Solutions

(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.

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) shares traded down 1.3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $127.29 and last traded at $127.73. 1,160,650 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 5,211,740 shares. The stock had previously closed at $129.41.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on the company. UBS Group started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $160.00 target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, March 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Novo Nordisk A/S presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $126.25.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $576.20 billion, a PE ratio of 47.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $121.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $104.38.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.14 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 90.36% and a net margin of 36.03%. Sell-side analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a $0.664 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. This represents a yield of 0.9%. This is an increase from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is currently 49.17%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 801.4% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,390 shares of the companys stock worth $454,000 after buying an additional 3,903 shares during the last quarter. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,876,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 647,614 shares of the companys stock worth $66,996,000 after purchasing an additional 22,669 shares during the period. M3 Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth approximately $210,000. Finally, Walden Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter worth approximately $445,000. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Traynor Capital Management Inc. lessened its position in Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY  Free Report) by 20.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,748 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 941 shares during the quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $224,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its position in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 156,279 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $10,139,000 after acquiring an additional 12,349 shares in the last quarter. J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,665,000. Calamos Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $5,758,000. Kentucky Retirement Systems acquired a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $3,391,000. Finally, Mitchell Capital Management Co. increased its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 100.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mitchell Capital Management Co. now owns 123,287 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $7,999,000 after buying an additional 61,705 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.70% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

OXY has been the topic of several research reports. Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $74.00 price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $78.00 to $73.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 8th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $70.20.

Occidental Petroleum Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:OXY traded up $0.79 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $64.99. 7,159,609 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,885,965. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $60.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $60.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.61 billion, a PE ratio of 16.62 and a beta of 1.63. Occidental Petroleum Co. has a 12 month low of $55.12 and a 12 month high of $67.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.92.

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.74. The company had revenue of $7.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.93 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.24% and a return on equity of 20.63%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Occidental Petroleum Co. will post 3.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Occidental Petroleum Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. This is an increase from Occidental Petroleums previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.51%.

About Occidental Petroleum

(Free Report)

Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas.

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The proportion of English learner students enrolled in the Carlisle Area School District is three times the statewide average, the school board learned recently.

The 438 students receiving English language development services represents about 7.6% of the districts total enrollment, said Heather Bosnyak, supervisor of the world language and English language development department.

The Future Ready Index reports the average among Pennsylvanias 500 school districts as about 2.35%, she told the board earlier this month during an education committee meeting.

The past year saw an increase of almost 100 English learners from 340 in 2022-23 to the current figure, with the most growth reported in the first grade, according to district enrollment data.

The number of English learners in first grade increased from 30 last year to 50 this year. There are also 16 more in the fourth grade, 12 more in the 11th grade and 11 more in the ninth grade.

While other grades saw single-digit increases, the number of English learners in the 12th grade went from 18 last year to 17 this year.

If we look back even further, we were about half of our current percentage just five years ago, Bosnyak said. So, our population of English learners has drastically increased.

Years ago, Spanish and Arabic were the main language groups of English learners entering Carlisle school district, she said. Now, three out of every four registrations I get is Nepali.

This reflects a broader trend at work in this part of Cumberland County. Two years ago, the number of English learners enrolled in neighboring South Middleton School District doubled during the summer of 2022, prompting that district to double its number of teachers certified in English-as-a-Second-Language instruction.

In early August 2022, The Sentinel interviewed Truong Phuong, executive director of the International Service Center in Harrisburg. He provided background information on the influx of Bhutanese refugees coming into South Middleton Township.

Refugees from Bhutan were displaced by camps in Nepal, Phuong said. With help from assistance programs, the first wave of Bhutanese refugees emigrated to the U.S. about 10 years ago and found that the Harrisburg area offered good jobs and the opportunity to establish their own businesses, he said. The Bhutanese set up a support network and a community within south-central Pennsylvania.

In trying to forecast the affect of this trend, Carlisle Area School Board member George Stroud had some questions for district administrators during the education committee meeting.

What are the potential staffing and budgetary implications that we have to consider? he asked. If this grows by 100 students per year, how do we address that? Thats a concern. We have to educate these kids.

Its more than just enrollment numbers. There is the challenge of trying to educate hundreds of students speaking diverse languages from a variety of cultures and countries of origin, all learning English from varying degrees of proficiency.

Coming in, each new English learner is tested in reading, writing, listening and speaking English. In each area, the student is assigned a skill level from one to six, with one being the least proficient.

The numbers attached to each assessment area are guides to what a teacher can expect from that student. In Pennsylvania, educators have can-do descriptors, statements that allow them to gauge what the student is capable of in reading, writing, listening and speaking English tied to the curriculum.

English as Second Language specialists help content-area teachers adapt and modify instructional materials and assessments to meet each student on the caseload based on where they are at in proficiency, Bosnyak said. We continuously review student needs and work to ensure that our staffing covers those needs. We had added teachers as our numbers have increased.

Carlisle offers English language development services at Carlisle High School, Wilson Middle School and four of its seven elementary schools  Bellaire, Crestview, Hamilton and Mooreland. During the committee meeting, Bosynak included in her presentation a staffing chart based on 424 students.

The chart shows that the Bellaire, Crestview and Hamilton buildings each have one full-time English as Second Language specialist and one part-time instructional aide serving about 50, 55 and 52 students, respectively. Meanwhile, Mooreland has two specialists and one aide serving about 80 English learner. The student-to-teacher ratio drops at Wilson to two specialists and one aide serving about 68 students. At the high school, two specialists and an aide serve about 119 students.

Once in the system, English learners are tested every year to determine their proficiency level. The presentation earlier this month included a chart listing the number of English learners in each grade at proficiency level one through six. The data is based on the 340 learners enrolled in Carlisle schools during the 2022-23 school year.

Of that number, 140 students or 41% had achieved an average proficiency of level three. This compares to 64 students or 19% at level one; 59 students or 24% at level two; and 68 students or 20% at level four.

By the time students reach level five or six proficiency, they have advanced out of English language development services into the mainstream classroom.
Peak Financial Management Inc. lowered its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV  Free Report) by 60.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,878 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,505 shares during the quarter. Peak Financial Management Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $338,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF during the third quarter valued at $40,000. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF in the third quarter worth about $48,000. Sheets Smith Wealth Management purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF in the third quarter worth about $49,000. EPG Wealth Management LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 427.8% in the third quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLC now owns 760 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 616 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF in the second quarter worth about $50,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Down 0.4 %

BATS EFAV opened at $70.86 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $7.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.01 and a beta of 0.60. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $69.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $67.79. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $64.68 and a twelve month high of $76.51.

iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of developed-market equities, ex-US and Canada, selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio subject to constraints including sector exposure.

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SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 32.0% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 28,127 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,820 shares during the quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $2,681,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 26,141 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,456,000 after buying an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 35.6% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,939 shares of the companys stock worth $463,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its stake in Philip Morris International by 24.7% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 3,065 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 608 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 54.9% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 525 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.7% in the 1st quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 8,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $844,000 after purchasing an additional 1,154 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Societe Generale upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. UBS Group lowered shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and decreased their target price for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Argus restated a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $105.40.

Insider Activity at Philip Morris International

In related news, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total transaction of $457,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 102,918 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,412,880.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 8,250 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.63, for a total transaction of $772,447.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 94,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,860,113.27. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total value of $457,300.00. Following the completion of the 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. Insiders sold a total of 15,250 shares of company stock worth $1,411,128 in the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM stock traded down $0.61 during trading on Friday, reaching $91.62. The company had a trading volume of 5,311,911 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,349,124. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $91.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.47. Philip Morris International Inc. has a one year low of $87.23 and a one year high of $101.92. The company has a market capitalization of $142.24 billion, a PE ratio of 18.25, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.61.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.39 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current 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 given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.68%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 103.59%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC reduced its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 10.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,690 shares of the companys stock after selling 308 shares during the quarter. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $253,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,476 shares of the companys stock worth $421,000 after buying an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,363 shares of the companys stock worth $1,728,000 after buying an additional 1,012 shares in the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 32.0% during the 4th quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 28,127 shares of the companys stock worth $2,681,000 after buying an additional 6,820 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 35.9% during the 4th quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 4,261 shares of the companys stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 1,125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Austin Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Austin Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,028 shares of the companys stock worth $285,000 after buying an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of Philip Morris International stock traded down $0.61 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $91.62. 5,311,911 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,349,124. The company has a 50 day moving average of $91.53 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.47. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.23 and a fifty-two week high of $101.92. The stock has a market cap of $142.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.61.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.39 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.68%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 103.59%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total transaction of $181,380.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 9,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $882,050.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Philip Morris International news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total value of $181,380.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 9,726 shares in the company, valued at $882,050.94. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total transaction of $457,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, 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. Insiders sold 15,250 shares of company stock worth $1,411,128 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on PM. Societe Generale upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, UBS Group cut shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $105.40.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PM

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC grew its stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 6.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,681 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the quarter. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLCs holdings in Southern were worth $258,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Southern by 0.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 99,572,665 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,444,343,000 after acquiring an additional 352,023 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Southern by 5.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 38,906,760 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,518,045,000 after acquiring an additional 1,838,857 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Southern by 1.6% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 10,737,843 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $694,953,000 after acquiring an additional 163,986 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in shares of Southern by 3.7% in the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 9,811,307 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $634,988,000 after acquiring an additional 349,122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in Southern by 38.5% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 7,547,188 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $488,461,000 after buying an additional 2,096,988 shares during the period. 64.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Southern Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE SO traded up $0.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $71.74. 4,731,193 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,381,521. The Southern Company has a 1-year low of $61.56 and a 1-year high of $75.80. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The company has a market cap of $78.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.76, a P/E/G ratio of 4.44 and a beta of 0.49.

Southern Dividend Announcement

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The utilities provider reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.05. Southern had a return on equity of 11.40% and a net margin of 15.79%. The company had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.26 EPS. Southerns quarterly revenue was down 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 4 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 77.14%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on SO. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Southern from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Barclays reduced their target price on Southern from $68.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $80.00 target price on shares of Southern in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Southern from $75.00 to $72.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on Southern in a research note on Friday, December 8th. They set a buy rating and a $82.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $73.46.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Southern

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 899 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $60,286.94. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 22,502 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,508,984.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,099 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total value of $706,526.04. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,007,222.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christopher Cummiskey sold 899 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $60,286.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,502 shares in the company, valued at $1,508,984.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 25,998 shares of company stock valued at $1,806,063. Insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

Southern Profile

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Strong Tower Advisory Services lifted its holdings in L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX  Free Report) by 0.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,363 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services holdings in L3Harris Technologies were worth $1,130,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cowa LLC purchased a new position in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the first quarter worth $26,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the third quarter worth $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the first quarter worth $27,000. KB Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 96.5% in the third quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 167 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the second quarter worth $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.76% of the companys stock.

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L3Harris Technologies Price Performance

Shares of L3Harris Technologies stock opened at $212.97 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $210.91 and a 200 day moving average of $196.10. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $160.25 and a 12 month high of $218.34. The firm has a market cap of $40.49 billion, a PE ratio of 33.07, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59.

L3Harris Technologies Increases Dividend

L3Harris Technologies ( NYSE:LHX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The company reported $3.35 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.31 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a return on equity of 12.68% and a net margin of 6.32%. The firms revenue was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.27 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that L3Harris Technologies, Inc. will post 12.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th were paid a $1.16 dividend. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.18%. This is a positive change from L3Harris Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.14. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. L3Harris Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.05%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.22, for a total value of $8,488,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 116,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,654,658.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Edward J. Zoiss sold 3,707 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.47, for a total value of $783,919.29. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 28,644 shares in the company, valued at $6,057,346.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.22, for a total value of $8,488,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 116,175 shares in the company, valued at $24,654,658.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 48,362 shares of company stock valued at $10,261,360 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.82% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LHX has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on L3Harris Technologies from $235.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com cut L3Harris Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. TheStreet upgraded L3Harris Technologies from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. UBS Group upped their price target on L3Harris Technologies from $222.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on L3Harris Technologies from $224.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, L3Harris Technologies presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $229.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. The company's Integrated Mission Systems segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, passive sensing and targeting, electronic attack, autonomy, power and communications, and networks and sensors, as well as advanced combat systems for air, land, and sea sectors.

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Summit Investment Advisory Services LLC lessened its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 9.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,525 shares of the companys stock after selling 154 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for about 0.5% of Summit Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Summit Investment Advisory Services LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $728,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IVV. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 117,228.0% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195,582,257 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,144,659,000 after buying an additional 195,415,560 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 86.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,890,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,682,737,000 after buying an additional 8,316,251 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $2,335,886,000. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 42.9% during the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 17,592,483 shares of the companys stock worth $7,554,741,000 after purchasing an additional 5,277,616 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $2,101,052,000.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of IVV traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $525.73. 4,717,027 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,835,052. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $505.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $469.87. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a twelve month low of $400.45 and a twelve month high of $527.16. The stock has a market cap of $406.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00.

About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Good Life Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 2.1% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 17,810 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 358 shares during the quarter. Good Life Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $2,610,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of PG. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC increased its stake in Procter & Gamble by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 1,728 shares of the companys stock worth $276,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 7.2% in the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,461 shares of the companys stock worth $529,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management increased its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 5.7% during the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 18,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,842,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the first quarter worth $3,073,000. Finally, Wsfs Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 12.0% during the 1st quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,256 shares of the companys stock valued at $650,000 after buying an additional 455 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:PG traded down $0.36 on Thursday, reaching $162.25. 6,791,781 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,902,217. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1-year low of $141.45 and a 1-year high of $163.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The company has a 50-day moving average of $158.42 and a 200-day moving average of $152.16. The firm has a market cap of $381.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.44.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 34.04%. The businesss revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.59 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th were given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.98%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on PG. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Barclays raised their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Truist Financial raised Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $160.00 to $175.00 in a report on Monday, March 11th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.41.

Check Out Our Latest Report on PG

Insider Transactions at Procter & Gamble

In other news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,097,637.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Gary A. Coombe sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.32, for a total value of $3,549,040.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 36,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,943,835.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,097,637.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 279,063 shares of company stock valued at $43,187,745. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Traynor Capital Management Inc. cut its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) by 43.0% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,435 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,081 shares during the period. Traynor Capital Management Inc.s holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $274,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of GLD. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 67,584.6% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,037,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $515,198,000 after buying an additional 3,032,521 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $206,432,000 after buying an additional 821,773 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 111.3% in the 2nd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 68,532 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $12,217,000 after buying an additional 672,400 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 14.5% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 4,660,292 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $799,007,000 after buying an additional 591,368 shares during the period. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in SPDR Gold Shares in the 1st quarter worth approximately $100,880,000. 42.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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SPDR Gold Shares Stock Up 1.3 %

GLD traded up $2.62 on Friday, hitting $205.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,194,473 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,013,539. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $192.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $186.34. SPDR Gold Shares has a 12 month low of $168.30 and a 12 month high of $206.05.

SPDR Gold Shares Company Profile

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

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Several books with LGBTQ themes have been pulled from the Boiling Springs High School library pending an internal review by South Middleton School District administrators.

Local resident Carol Yanity opposed the move during a school board meeting in late March. She said the books in question had previously been approved by school librarians and the board.

They were not required reading, but they were available, Yanity said, adding that the titles were removed from the shelf because some individuals were uncomfortable with having these types of books available to students. The titles Yanity mentioned included All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo.

In a series of personal essays, Johnson explores his childhood and adolescence growing up as a gay Black man, according to the description from Macmillan Publishers.

The book by Lo is a historical fiction coming-of-age story about a Chinese American teenager learning to understand herself, her sexuality and her culture in 1954 San Francisco, according to a description on Barnes & Noble.

The titles referenced were ones that were brought forward as a concern and have been set aside to hold for an internal review, said Jason Baker, assistant to the superintendent. We continue to refine our administrative regulations on this topic. Once these administrative regulations are complete, we will conduct the internal review and make a decision about the future of these particular titles utilizing the process outlined in the regulations.

Yanity cited the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case of Island Trees School District vs. Pico in which Justice William Brennan said that school boards could not determine the content of school libraries based on their personal political ideology.

You need to support your school librarians and your administration to make the choices that are best for the students, not based on your political ideology, Yanity said. Board members did not respond.
Traditional Qingming Festival snack gets makeover with novel stuffings, earning it appreciation beyond the Jiangnan region, Lin Shujuan reports.

Customers line up to purchase qingtuan at Shendacheng, one of the century-old delicacy brands in Shanghai that is keen on innovating new varieties of the spring snack. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Every year, from mid-March to early April, as the Qingming Festival approaches, Zhang Min's life revolves around the green glutinous rice balls known as qingtuan.

A native of Shanghai in her early 50s, Zhang previously ran a restaurant for over a decade. Thanks to her culinary expertise, she has garnered a loyal following on WeChat for her homemade seasonal delicacies, with qingtuan being one of her most sought-after treats.

The delicacy's shiny green exterior is made of glutinous rice flour mixed with freshly extracted green grass juice, and emits a delightful aroma. Typically, it contains stuffing like sweet red bean paste. First made about 1,000 years ago, qingtuan originated as a sacrificial offering and has evolved into a seasonal street snack popular in southern China during the annual Qingming Festival.

In recent years, driven by endorsements from key influencers on social media and the publicity generated by the new fillings introduced every year by established Shanghai food brands, the appeal of this seasonal delicacy has transcended its traditional production area in the Jiangnan, or the region south of the Yangtze River along its lower reaches, to get to nearly every corner of the country.

This surge in popularity is evident not only in the long queues forming outside Shanghai's venerable stores but also in the hundreds of thousands of orders placed on e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD, as well as on fresh grocery delivery apps like Dingdong.

For Zhang, the growing popularity of qingtuan means an influx of orders from her friends and relatives in the three weeks leading up to Qingming, which falls on Thursday. Nevertheless, she embraces the busiest season of the year and celebrates the resurgence of qingtuan, which she says embodies the magic of Chinese culinary tradition.

Many traditional delicacies, like tangyuan (glutinous rice balls stuffed with black sesame or peanut butter) for the Lantern Festival and zongzi (sweet or savory stuffed rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) for the Dragon Boat Festival, use glutinous rice as a primary ingredient. What sets qingtuan apart is its use of the green juice extracted from tender grass, which is only available in spring. This makes it a seasonal delicacy. With its soft, sweet texture and fragrant grassy aroma, it symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of warmer weather.

While qingtuan has long been cherished as a taste of spring by the people of the Jiangnan region, in 2016, Xinghualou, a century-old Shanghai brand, introduced a novel filling  salted egg yolk and pork floss  which was quickly championed by key social media influencers.

Since then, the delicacy has broken free of its status as a regional snack, and has become a must-buy for foodies around the country every Qingming. Despite initial doubts about its sustained popularity, it has proved to be an exception. New fillings have been introduced every year, and this creativity has prompted a reconsideration of the magic of this traditional yet seemingly mundane snack.

Each year, established Shanghai names, including Shendacheng, Wangjiasha, and especially Xinya, introduce new varieties, attracting novelty-seeking customers. The range of fillings has expanded from the traditional sweet red bean paste to include salted egg yolk with shredded pork, hairtail fish, dried bean curd with Indian aster, pickled freshwater fish, hairy crab roe, and even beef curry.

Xinya has been at the forefront of the most innovative offerings, with its new varieties often being the most unexpected. This year, it has incorporated hairtail fish and Chinese toon, both seasonal ingredients, into its list of fillings. According to Chen Jie, the store manager at the Xinya branch on Nanjing East Road, it has proved particularly popular.

Currently, the daily sales at the store range from 7,000 to 8,000, peaking at close to 20,000 during busy times, Chen says.

A similar level of popularity can be seen at the Changli branch of Dexingguan, a time-honored brand that dates back over 100 years, which primarily serves qingtuan with traditional flavors.

A tourist takes a photo of qingtuan bought at Shendacheng with the storefront as a background. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Zhang Jian, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage at Dexingguan, emphasized that their qingtuan are made and sold on the spot, following traditional methods and using pure natural barley grass juice, which imparts a fresh aroma and retains the traditional taste. The sales of qingtuan currently range from 3,000 to 5,000 a day, with an estimated peak of around 10,000 during Qingming.

"The traditional method of making green rice balls allows residents to taste the spring in a timely manner," Zhang Jian says.

One resident, also surnamed Zhang, who has been a regular customer for years, agrees. He says purchasing qingtuan at Dexingguan has become a family tradition to welcome the arrival of spring.

Qingtuan also appeals to the younger generation. One tourist recently purchased eight at Dexingguan, saying that her daughter, who previously studied in Shanghai, had been feeling nostalgic for freshly made qingtuan from the old brand stores.

While many attribute the rise of new flavors and the enduring appeal of old sentiments to the longstanding popularity of the delicacy, Zhang Min slightly disagrees.

Though she is a Shanghai native, Zhang Min disliked the delicacy until 2018, when she participated in a small qingtuan workshop where her interest was piqued. It was then that she realized that it was a tradition, rather than a cheap snack.

"Once you understand the culture and tradition qingtuan embodies, you'll appreciate it as a seasonal delight," Zhang Min says. "It is generally believed that the essence of Chinese cuisine is to consume the right food in the right season. Qingtuan is the very embodiment of that essence."

Since then, she has become an enthusiastic maker of the delicacy and has devised a number of new fillings. Following numerous trials, she introduced new varieties featuring fillings such as jujube paste and pine nut, that have earned her a constant following.

Zhang Min is careful to use only high quality ingredients and takes a precise, caring approach to making the qingtuan.

"In qingtuan, I see the respect our ancestors had for food and nature, which is its enduring appeal for me," she says.

Liu Kexin contributed to this story.

(Source: China Daily)
The photo shows a child feeding an alpaca. [Photo/Official Wechat account of Ministry of Civil Affairs]

Thanks to a "small zoo" established in October, children from a welfare house in Qingdao, Shandong Province can see the animals even without leaving their rooms, Jimu News reported.

The Qingdao Children's Welfare House accommodates 127 children, with 92 percent of them having severe disabilities, according to Cui Xueqing, head of the welfare house."The zoo is located near the buildings where the children live and they can observe animals through the windows even while lying in bed," Cui said.

When talking about the reasons for building the zoo, Cui shared the story of a 16-year-old boy in the welfare home whom he often visited last year, especially during the time the boy's health condition deteriorated.

"During one visit when his condition had temporarily improved, I asked him what he wants to do after recovery, and he said wants to see animals," Cui recalled. Then Cui promised that he would take him to the zoo after he recovered. However, the next day, the boy suddenly became critically ill and died shortly after being sent to the hospital.

"I deeply regretted that he had gone away with unfulfilled wishes," Cui said.

According to Cui, most children living in the welfare home suffer from congenital diseases, and some even need assistance for basic movements like turning over in bed.

Noticing the children's longing for animals, Cui decided to establish a small zoo in the welfare house, to bring more joy to the children.

With the support of some compassionate businesses, the welfare home now has small animals such as ponies, goats, alpacas and peacocks. "They are also responsible for monthly vaccinations, and the feed for the animals is donated by kind-hearted people," Cui said.

"Our welfare home has also arranged for an experienced animal caregiver to take care of the animals full-time," Cui added.

"Whenever the weather is good, our staff will take the children to the zoo to interact with the animals and provide detailed explanations about animal behaviors to the children," said Yang Suhong, the director of the nursing department of the welfare house. "I can feel their happiness. And through interactions with animals, their language abilities, observational skills and imagination are also improved," said Yang.

The photo shows a staff leading children to watch sika deers. [Photo/Official Wechat account of Ministry of Civil Affairs]

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
After multiple reports of violent student behavior, an Albemarle High School employee says, "Teachers don't feel safe."

Within one week, two students at the school were charged with crimes: one for punching a teacher in the face so hard they needed to seek medical treatment and another for issuing threats against students and teachers online via social media and email.

A teacher at Albemarle, who spoke with The Daily Progress on condition of anonymity in order to protect their job, said conditions at the school are much worse than those two isolated incidents, which the school division has said were unrelated to one another.

Students are roaming halls unchecked," the teacher in an email. Students are regularly cursing teachers out with NO repercussions. Consequences are inconsistently applied, if applied at all.

Nearly identical circumstances were described at Charlottesville High School in the neighboring school district this past fall, just before a student brawl at that school prompted a police response and a teacher walkout that cut classes short days before the Thanksgiving break. Charlottesville High School has since hired a new principal, held teacher workdays to address the underlying issues contributing to the discord and discussed installing weapons detectors. The violence has died down, school division employees have said.

But at Albemarle High School, things appear to be worsening.

On March 22, as a teacher attempted to "redirect" a student in one of the school's hallways, the student reportedly punched the teacher in the face so hard that they needed to seek medical treatment at the school nurse's office.

In a message sent to parents about the assault, Albemarle Principal Darah Bonham said staff had to respond to a separate but similar "situation" earlier that day.

"In addition to this incident, we had another situation today where a student inappropriately touched a staff member in the face," Bonham wrote.

The school division would provide no additional details about the other "situation," other than to say the two were related.

However, the teacher who reached out to The Daily Progress disagreed with the characterization of the other "situation" as inappropriate touching, saying a world language teacher was slapped in the face.

Police were called on March 22, and the student, whose identity has been withheld due to their age, was charged with three three counts of assault.

A mere four days later, police were called to the school again.

At about 8 p.m. Tuesday, Albemarle County school staff alerted police to a social media post and email that contained threats to students and staff at the school. Officers said they were able to identify the suspect, another student at the school, arrest them and charge them with making threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property, a Class 6 felony in Virginia.

The threat was communicated in writing (social media and email) which is why the charge is a Class 6 felony, police spokeswoman Logan Bogert told The Daily Progress in an email. The potential penalties for a Class 6 felony in Virginia can range from a 15-year sentence and/or a fine that can range up to a maximum of $2,500.

The second student, whose identity has also not been disclosed because of their age, is currently being held at the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center just south of Charlottesville.

Albemarle County police have said the incidents on March 22 and Tuesday do not appear to be connected.

Bonham has told parents that both students will face consequences on and off school grounds.

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, he said in his message to parents.

The teacher who spoke with The Daily Progress, though, said not enough has been done and that both incidents are part of a concerning rise in disorder at the school.

A few weeks ago, a chair was thrown at a teacher, they said. And on a separate occasion, a student entered a classroom twice without permission and maliciously threw an uncapped water bottle across the room, they said.

Albemarle County Public Schools reintroduced a school resource officer in the division last year after reports of fights, truancy, vaping and sexual misconduct at Albemarle High School. Officers had been removed from both Albemarle County and Charlottesville schools in 2020, with school officials citing their ineffectiveness and incidents of discrimination.

Funding was only authorized last year for a single officer to cover 11 schools in Albemarle's northern feeder pattern, which includes Albemarle High School.

Neither the school division nor Albemarle High School made any mention of a school resource officer in statements they provided regarding the two most recent incidents.

Administrators have assured teachers there would be both administrator and student support presence in halls at all times, the teacher who spoke with The Daily Progress said. However, that support has been inconsistent, they said, only occurring about half of the time.

The first day, I personally called for support and nobody ever came to help me, said the teacher. If teachers don't feel safe, how can students? If teachers don't feel safe and supported, how can they do their jobs effectively?
Evan Gershkovich has spent a year behind bars. The Wall Street Journals top editor hopes it will be his last
Clwyd South MS welcomes plans for baby loss certificates for bereaved parents

The Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South has welcomed the Welsh Governments intention to make baby loss certificates available to bereaved parents.

Last month the UK Government launched a voluntary scheme in England to allow parents whose baby died before 24 weeks of pregnancy to apply for a free certificate to provide recognition of their loss.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates raised the issue with Health Minister Eluned Morgan after being contacted by constituents who wanted the option made available in Wales, and said he was pleased to be told the wheels are already in motion.

He said: I welcome the Health Ministers confirmation that her officials are working closely with their UK Government counterparts to extend the certification process across Wales later this year.

Baby loss at any stage of pregnancy is always going to be incredibly sad for those involved and I think something recognising their childs life can provide much-needed comfort to parents in Wales.

In her response to Mr Skates, the Minister said: Thank you for your email of February 26 on behalf of your constituents regarding the introduction of baby loss certificates in Wales.

Baby loss at any stage of pregnancy is distressing and I recognise the impact it can have on the entire family.

The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring every family is appropriately and compassionately supported and understands the importance for parents to have their pregnancy loss formally recognised.

On February 22, the UK Government launched a voluntary scheme to allow parents whose baby died before 24 weeks of pregnancy to apply for a free certificate to provide recognition of their loss.

This is currently available to any parent who has experienced a loss before 24 weeks in England since September 2018.

The UK Government plans to extend the eligibility criteria when it is able to do so.

Officials are working closely with UK Government counterparts to extend the certification process across Wales later this year.

Currently, all families who experience pregnancy loss at maternity units in Wales are supported by bereavement midwives, and in conjunction with the charity Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) are offered memory boxes which include a commemorative birth certificate.

The Welsh Government is also collaborating with parent organisations including Sands and other experts to implement the National Bereavement Care Pathways across Wales specifically for miscarriage, stillbirth and baby loss.

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Level crossing safety plea to North Wales holidaymakers this Easter

Network Rail is urging level crossing users at Talwrn Bach to remain vigilant as the busy Easter holiday period begins.

The crossing near Llanbedr station on the Cambrian Line in North Wales provides access to Shell Island, one of the largest campsites in Europe which welcomes up to 80,000 visitors each year.

More than 900 road vehicles use the crossing daily, as well as more than 100 pedestrians and cyclists, while 16 timetabled trains pass through every day.

According to Network Rail there have been three near-misses involving trains and cars at the crossing in the past two years  and in July 2023 a driver was convicted of dangerous driving after crossing in front of a train when the lights were on red.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: Many people who use this crossing are visitors to the Shell Island Campsite and therefore unfamiliar with the crossing and its operation.

As Easter approaches, when the campsite will welcome thousands of guests, we want to urge all users of the level crossing to remain vigilant and approach the crossing with extreme caution.

Bethan Lloyd, Network Rail route level crossing manager, said: There are no barriers provided at this crossing, so its imperative that all users are prepared to stop at the crossing.

Unless your vehicle has already crossed the stop line, you must stop when the amber lights come on. You must stop when the red lights flash and remain stationary until the lights stop flashing.

It is surprisingly easy to end up on the tracks, so make sure your exit is clear before driving onto the crossing. It might be tempting to jump the lights but dont do it  youre putting lives, including your own, at risk.

The main safety advice for crossing users is as follows:

Approach the crossing with extreme caution

Be prepared to stop at the crossing

Unless your vehicle has already crossed the stop line, you must stop when the amber lights are on

You must stop when the red lights flash and remain stationary until the lights stop flashing

Make sure your exit is clear before driving onto the crossing  dont risk being stopped on the crossing

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Our thirty-year dreams have come true and we are happy for that, Azernews reports, citing Gulnara Talibova, a former IDP who left Baku for Fuzuli, as saying in an interview with the local media outlets.

"I was 10 years old when I left the region. I have memories of my childhood there. I walk towards them. How can you not be happy about such an event?! I think this is true happiness. I am a martyr's sister, my brother was martyred in the first Karabakh war. I think that the souls of my brother and all our martyrs are now happy, their blood is not left on the ground," Gulnara Talibova said.

I am eager to reach my native land and I hope we will have more beautiful days from now on, another former IDP Elmira Hajiyeva said.

"Although our state has created all the conditions for us in Baku, my native land attracts me. I am returning to my native El-Obama - Fuzuli district. I express my gratitude to Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, who made us live these days. I wish God's mercy to our martyrs and healing to our veterans," she said.
Mike Johnsons grip on the speakers gavel in the U.S. House of Representatives was already loose, but now two of the hard-right Republicans responsible for the coup that ousted his predecessor are not ruling out doing it again.

Four members of the 42-strong conservative House Freedom Caucus were in Scottsville Wednesday as part of Rep. Bob Goods Freedom Fighters Tour reelection campaign.

While the congressmen had traveled down from Washington to make the case for Good, who represents Virginias 5th Congressional District and leads the Freedom Caucus, they spent plenty of time railing against the $1.2 trillion deal Johnson made with Democrats to avert a government shutdown.

On Friday, virtually every one of us was on the floor of the House calling out every one of those 101 Republicans who sided with funding the very tyranny that is destroying your lives, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas told a crowd of 50, shielded from the rain by the awnings of the Scottsville Pavilion. Funding the FBI, funding the United Nations, funding the World Health Organization.

While neither Roy nor Good nor their colleagues mentioned the Louisiana representative by name, the animosity against Johnson was palpable, and they spent significant time criticizing his spending package, calling it a win for President Biden and other Democratic leaders.

Some of us believe that the debt and the spending is unsustainable. And were not willing to go along with it and say that, On our watch, were going to just continue to increase spending and do what Democrats want to do, Good told the crowd.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida said too many Republicans are willing to compromise with Democrats. After the rally, he told The Daily Progress that he wants to see Johnson be tougher.

Weve got to set a line and hold it against the Biden administration. And the speaker doesnt need to be so accommodating to some of the demands of Chuck Schumer, he said, referring to the Democratic senator from New York and the leader of the left in Congress upper chamber. I want Johnson to succeed. He hasnt yet. But I want to work hard to see him succeed.

Gaetz was instrumental in the historic ouster of Johnsons predecessor Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California last fall. In an October interview with The Daily Progress, Gaetz listed Johnson as one of the Republicans he wanted to see replace McCarthy as speaker. On Wednesday, he wouldnt say whether he wants Johnson out.

While clearly not pleased with the $1.2 trillion spending package that Johnson helped pass, Gaetz did appear to cut him some slack.

Were in a divided government with a one-vote margin. So I dont know that you can judge Johnson by the same rubric that we judged McCarthy, who had a majority four times the size. It sure would be nice if people stopped walking off the job though, Gaetz said.

That was a reference to Republican Reps. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Ken Buck of Colorado, both of whom recently announced they would resign from Congress early, leaving the Republican House majority hanging by a thread. Buck was among the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy.

So was Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, who was with Gaetz and Good in Scottsville Wednesday. Like Gaetz, he was noncommittal on Johnsons future. He said that hes not particularly focused on the speakership, but there has been a lack of progress and movement on policy priorities.

Im not happy, and [Johnson] knows that. But Im more focused on trying to get some good policy done, Biggs told The Daily Progress.

Is Johnson the right man to achieve those policy goals?

Im pushing him that way. Well see if he goes the way Im pushing him, Biggs said.

While Biggs is pushing Johnson to hold the line, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is trying to push Johnson out. Greene filed a motion to vacate the speakers chair on March 22. While safe for now, that could change when the House returns from recess in early April. If brought for a vote, Johnson could see himself following in the footsteps of McCarthy, just six months after taking the gavel.

While Johnsons spending package got its fair share of attention on Wednesday, the real focus was on Good, who is running for a third term in a district that stretches from Charlottesville in the north to Danville in the south, the Richmond suburbs in the east to Lynchburg in the west, and has been represented by a Republican for the past 13 years.

Along with Gaetz, Biggs and Roy, the Virginia congressman was joined by Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde, Virginia Del. Tom Garrett  himself a former Freedom Caucus member who left Congress in 2018 due to his alcoholism before reentering politics last year  and Mark Meadows  a former chair of the Freedom Caucus who later served as President Donald Trumps chief of staff and played a significant role in Trumps doomed attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

It was significant star power for a cold and rainy morning.

Do you realize how unusual it is to have seven Congress members right here? Good asked the crowd.

Standing next to Good was not just a show of support for their colleague but a message to his primary challenger: state Sen. John McGuire of Goochland.

Their race has led to some bitter intraparty warfare among Central Virginia Republicans, with the Cook Political Report recently writing that, Goods reelection prospects dont look great right now.

Gaetz told The Daily Progress that the Good-McGuire matchup is the most important primary in the country.

Bob Good is the leader of the Freedom Caucus. He is the masthead for House conservatives. And if an establishment-backed candidate like McGuire were to prevail, it would deflate a lot of the fighting spirit throughout the Republican conference in the House, he said.

Gaetz and his colleagues Wednesday made a point of countering one of McGuires most effective attack lines: Good is not loyal to Trump.

McGuire and his supporters frequently point out that Good was slow to endorse Trump in 2016, and that he originally put his support behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this primary season.

Good wholly rejects the narrative. His campaign website highlights a Trump endorsement  albeit from 2022, as Trump has yet to make an endorsement this year  and large campaign signs posted on Wednesday included Goods name and Trumps name side by side.

While Good says the frequent Never Trump attacks lobbed from McGuires camp are bogus, theyve at least been effective enough that his surrogates felt the need to address the accusations unprompted on Wednesday.

A lot of people are going to say Bob doesnt stand with President Trump. Its a lie, Roy said. All of us endorsed President Trump. All of us are standing behind President Trump.

It was the very first thing Gaetz spoke of when he stepped to the microphone.

I take a back seat to no man and no woman when it comes to supporting President Donald Trump, and the best way to animate and illuminate and execute the Trump agenda is to send Bob Good back to the United States House of Representatives, Gaetz said.

Passing the Trump litmus test has become a defining characteristic of the race as both candidates claim to be more loyal to the former president than the other. That was illustrated during a February incident when Good was asked to leave a Trump store in Farmville which was hosting a McGuire event.

Good has been on the counterattack, arguing that it is not him but McGuire who is not aligned with Trumps policies.

This race represents more than just the 5th District. This represents defeating the swamps efforts to strike back, and they have found a willing candidate in liar McGuire, Good told the crowd, invoking a Trump-esque nickname for his opponent.

The crowd that turned out in Scottsville Wednesday either didnt buy or didnt care about McGuires attacks. Some agreed with Good that McGuire was a liar who couldnt be trusted.

But they said they could trust Goods conservative values.

These men up here are the ones that are loyal to the conservative cause, Connie Sylvester told The Daily Progress. I believe that these men are doing good. I believe that in November of 2024 weve got to make a change.

While Scottsville resident Jim Tatangelo doesnt know how Good feels about Trump, he does believe that Goods values align with his own.

Its more important to have a conservative in the 5th District, and we go from there, Tatangelo told The Daily Progress. Good, he said, is the better conservative candidate.

Questioning ones loyalty to Trump has become a fairly common Republican tactic this primary season, according to Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginias Center for Politics.

If you define conservatism, as I think many do these days, as essentially whether youre loyal to Trump or not, then you can undermine their conservatism, Kondik told The Daily Progress. Though Good is very conservative ideologically, McGuire can undercut that by saying hes not loyal.

With that in mind, Good and McGuire will likely continued to claim Trump as their own until the primary on June 18. And even if Trump does make an endorsement this year, Kondik doesnt expect that will necessarily determine the victor.

On Wednesday, Gaetz framed the 5th District primary as crucial to the future of the GOP, comparing it to the Revolutionary and Civil wars, in which Virginia played a significant role.

The battle about the type of Republican Party we are going to have is being waged here in the 5th District of Virginia. I want a fighting Republican party. I dont want a sellout Republican party, Gaetz said.
A vehicle on the assembly line at Stellantis Mirafiori plant in Italy in 2020 [Photo by Stellantis]

Auto giant Stellantismaker of Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot and other brandsis escalating its global restructuring, producing thousands more casualties to workers jobs.

Stellantis announced this week 2,510 job cuts across three of its major plants in Italy: 1,560 at Turins historic Mirafiori plant, 850 at the Cassino factory and 100 at the Pratola Serra facility. On Wednesday, more deals were closed with the unions to cut an additional 1,087 workers at the Melfi, Pomigliano dArco, Termoli, Cento and Verrone plants.

In Italy as in other countries, CEO Carlos Tavares has been able to rely on the trade union bureaucracies to ram through redundancies.

Just a little over a week ago, during a press conference in Italy, Tavares boasted about the companys record profits in 2023 and reassured that Stellantis presence in Italy is not at risk.

I want to say this loud and clear, Tavares said. Italy is one of our countries of origin, we love Italy and we feel an ethical responsibility toward our employees, whom I want to thank for everything they are doing.

Significantly, he emphasized that we have a good collaboration with the trade unions with whom we discuss daily about a responsible transition.

The CEO went on to state that Stellantis was going to produce 1 million new vehicles in Italy by 2030 on the basis of a 1 billion incentive from the Italian government, and that billions more were to be invested, including a battery giga factory, to support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

None of this was ever meant to improve the lives of workers. On the contrary, the transnational corporation is carrying out a jobs massacre in country after country, for the purpose of enriching its major stockholders and executives, including Tavares himself.

In collusion with the CGIL-CISL-UIL trade unions, Stellantis is seeking to liquidate workers through what it calls a voluntary incentivized exit, in essence a glorified firing with the main goal of getting rid of older workers through an early retirement offer and an option to lay off younger recruits as well.

Since its formation via the merger of Fiat Chrysler and the PSA Group in early 2021, Stellantis has decimated jobs in Italy through such voluntary redundancies. In 2021, Stellantis employed roughly 55,000. Today, the number stands at 43,000, a fall of more than 21 percent.

For those eligible for retirement, they will get a six-month pay incentive. If a worker is within four years of retirement eligibility and takes the buyout, the first two of those years would be paid at 90 percent of gross wages including unemployment benefits (NASpI), and the remaining two years would be paid at 70 percent.

The offer extends well beyond workers close to retirement:

For those between 35 and 39 years: 12 monthly payments plus 20,000.

Between 40 and 44 years: 18 monthly payments plus 20,000.

Between 45 and 49 years: 24 monthly payments plus 30,000.

Between 50 and 54 years: 30 monthly payments plus 30,000.

From 55 years and over: 33 monthly payments plus 30,000.

The union confederations are fully responsible for this Faustian bargain. After UIL and CISL signed off on the layoff arrangement, their statements were the final stab in the workers back.

Luigi Paone, General Secretary for UILM-UIL, declared: The numbers demanded by the company in Turin are high and this must make us reflect on the fact that the situation is increasingly dramatic. What is omitted from the statement is the fact that, by signing, the union facilitated this situation to develop.

Even more revealing is the statement from Rocco Cutri, General Secretary for FIM-CISL: The agreement allows the possibility of incentivized exits exclusively on voluntary basis by workers. This excludes the ability of Stellantis to fire unilaterally. In other words, CISL wants to be part of the firing squad to make sure the company is not left alone with such a task!

FIOM-CGIL technically did not sign the deal. However, it continues to appeal to the most reactionary and dangerous forces. In a joint statement, General Secretary Michele De Palma and National Secretary Samuele Lodi appealed to the Italian government, led by the neo-fascist Giorgia Meloni: The Prime Minister [Meloni] must summon Tavares before its too late.

FIOM issued a more desperate appeal on Wednesday in light of the new wave of layoffs: Theres no more time to waste. It is urgent that a meeting be convened at Palazzo Chigi with the Prime Minister and the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares. Its time for everyone to assume their responsibilities to save the automotive industry in Italy.

The reality is that it is Tavares who has been summoning governments around the world, extorting billions of dollars in incentives. Prime ministers and politicians of every stripe have facilitated this redistribution of wealth from the bottom to the top with disastrous social consequences. Entire areas that used to thrive as centers of production are now devastated by a process of deindustrialization, while social programs are sacrificed in favor of measures to boost the financial elite.

Large conglomerates like Stellantis have acquired an immense concentration of economic and therefore political power. In Italy, this is even sharper, since Stellantis is the only automaker in the country. As the government scrambles for hopeless national solutions to a global situation, it is trying to engage a second car producer, which according to rumors could be Tesla or Chinese automakers BYD, Great Wall Motors or Chery.

Tavares response to these possibilities was nothing short of a threat: Should Italy make certain decisions, we will draw our own conclusions.

The layoffs are the prelude to a new era of precarious work. In the name of flexibility and protecting national jobs, more experienced workers are expended while new, cheaper hires will be utilized on a temporary basis, with limited or any benefits. Casualization is threatening an entire generation of workers.

In the US, a similar process is taking place. After terminating more than 2,000 temporary workers, Stellantis is now hiring new ones. At Ford, hundreds of jobs are being cut at the Dearborn, Michigan, EV pickup plant, with workers forced to transfer to other plants or accept the loss of their jobs. At General Motors, senior workers were offered a $50,000 bonus if they retired, but they are now being kept on hold indefinitely.

In all of this, the United Auto Workers union apparatus and UAW President Shawn Fain hold full responsibility.

The objective situation forcefully outlines the international character of the struggles ahead. There is no way forward on the basis of national measures by any bourgeois political leaders. Nor can there be any illusions in the trade union apparatus, deeply rooted in the nation-state and its unconditional acceptance of the capitalist system.

What is needed is the formation of internationally coordinated rank-and-file committees where workers democratically exercise their full power and take the decision-making process into their own hands.

Italian Stellantis worker: The corporations exploit workers, enrich themselves and at the end they leave a pile of rubble

Tommaso Pirozzi, a worker at the Stellantis plant in Pomigliano dArco, one of the plants affected by the incentivized layoffs, shared his views: There is no political or confederal trade union organization that is truly opposed to Stellantis. You asked if unions are complicit: from a standpoint, that is true, even if FIOM is saying they didnt sign. Now UIL is starting to drag its feet, this shows that things are really bad off.

He continued: [You cant] limit yourself to saying you dont agree, without engaging in real struggles to reduce this corporation to its knees. What they [confederal unions] are doing is very serious because they give illusions to workers that they are oppositional, when in reality they are not.

Asked about the current waves of layoffs, he said: Stellantis has given incentives in the past as well. This is a smart way to avoid workers industrial disputes. The law establishes that a company can lay off workers in times of crisis, according to certain characteristics such as new hires, workers with fewer family dependents or those not affected by labor related pathologies.

He explained that in such cases, Stellantis would have had to keep older unionized workers, many with health issues after 20-30 years on the assembly line and get rid of the younger ones.

Tommaso further explained: These attacks on rights, on wages, on work itself, are not only by Stellantis, but the entire world production system. Capitalism has become ravenous, out of control and while the powerful accumulate wealth and power, there are many attacks on the working class. We see it in the hundreds of new forms of precarious contracting that have emerged like teleworking and casualization. At the same time, there was an increase in the retirement age. These are just some of the policies imposed on the working class.

He also strongly opposed war: Article 11 of the Italian Constitution states that Italy rejects war as an instrument of offense against the freedom of other peoples and as a means of resolving international disputes. But they have always conjured up mechanisms to disguise through humanitarian wars, or with the excuse to bring help or similar idiocies. This has happened tens of times: Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia. Everything is delegated to corporations, which exploit workers, enrich themselves and at the end they leave a pile of rubble to the community.

He concluded: We are always at war because today someone decides in place of the people. What we need to do is break down this system.
The Northern Territory (NT) Labor government this week introduced a draconian youth curfew in Alice Springs, banishing anyone under the age of 18 from the town centre after dark for at least the next two weeks.

Eva Lawler, NT chief minister, declared an emergency situation at a press conference Wednesday, announcing the curfew and the deployment of around 60 additional police officers to the Central Australian town with a population of less than 30,000.

Police auxiliary liquor inspectors in Alice Springs supermarket in November 2019. [Photo: Richard Phillips/WSWS]

The announcement was ostensibly prompted by an attack on an Alice Springs pub on Tuesday, although it occurred in broad daylight and involved people as old as 50. The NT government described this as the final straw.

This single incident, involving a few dozen people, is being used by the Labor government as a pretext to implement racially targeted martial-law policies, in line with the demands of the Murdoch press and the far right.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy claimed the main objective of the curfew was to suppress behaviour in line with unspecified unlawful conduct that had taken place in the town centre over the past month, and make sure that sort of offending does not occur.

Murphy insisted that there would be no reduction in the highly visible police presence in Alice Springs during the day.

Lawler claimed that children found in the CBD after dark would not be arrested, unless they refused to cooperate with police efforts to remove them to a safe place.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with the safety of children. NT Police and the territory criminal justice system in general have a notorious record of brutality towards Indigenous youth.

Instead it is about blaming and punishing vulnerable and oppressed young people for the government-imposed social crisis in Alice Springs and throughout the NT, of which they are among the worst-affected victims.

While Lawler tried to play down the punitive character of the curfew, NT authorities have admitted that young people could be charged under the Emergency Management Act if they refuse to leave the town centre.

The reality is that for many youth in Alice Springs, no such safe place exists.

Almost six percent of young people in the town were recorded as homeless in the 2021 Census, although this is likely a substantial undercount. Across the territory, homelessness affects 16.5 percent of people under 18.

Police will also be empowered to remove young people to supported bail accommodation facilities, which function essentially as minimum-security detention centres.

The harsh law-and-order measures, clearly targeted at the towns oppressed indigenous youth population, were met with general bipartisan approval in the federal and territory parliament. The only critical comments levelled against the move have been to argue that they dont go far enough.

Federal Labor Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour suggested that the curfew could potentially be extended both in duration and geographical scope.

Scrymgour said on ABC Radio National yesterday: If it looks like things are settling down and its not infiltrating out in the suburbs under stealth and out of the eye of the police do we broaden this and does it go longer than [two] weeks? I think with the extra capacity into Alice Springs theres no reason why that shouldnt continue.

As a federal member, Im going to try and call on CLP [Country Liberal Party] members and Labor for us all to try to work together because its not just Alice its right throughout the Northern Territory. Were seeing this issue in Katherine, Tennant [Creek], Darwin is having this unrest.

In other words, an Indigenous member of the federal Labor government is calling for young people to be banished from the streets after dusk indefinitely and throughout the NT.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney welcomed the curfew announcement, declaring on Wednesday, I hope this is a circuit breaker that will improve community safety.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney addresses National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, July 5, 2023. [Photo: ABC iview]

Burney endorsed the actions of the NT government, saying it was taking the situation very seriously.

Burney played the lead role in advocating a Yes vote in last years failed Voice referendum. The fact that she is now completely on board with the institution of police-state measures targeting Indigenous youth is a revealing demonstration of the fact that the Voice had nothing to do with improving the lives of the majority of Aboriginal people, who are among the most oppressed layers of the Australian working class.

Instead, the Labor-backed Voice was about furthering the privilege and power of a tiny layer of upper middle-class Aboriginal academics and business people, while covering over ongoing and deepening attacks on the conditions of the broader Indigenous population and the working class as a whole.

Also revealing is the fact that Burneys position on the Alice Springs curfew differs only in degree from that expressed by the most right-wing opponents of the Voice.

Jacinta Price, shadow minister for Indigenous Australians in the federal Liberal-National opposition, and a prominent No campaigner, is now demanding a federal police-military intervention in Alice Springs, whether its a riot squad or the presence of ADF [Australian Defence Force personnel] on our streets for some time.

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson concurred, calling for the federal government to take over control of the NT.

Lawler had previously refuted the call for the deployment of federal police on the most reactionary racist grounds, saying, they probably dont have the skill set to be managing violent Aboriginal people.

She continued: Weve got absolutely outstanding police in the Northern Territory they understand what needs to be done.

The disturbing reality of this understanding was made explicit in the publication of text messages written by Zachary Rolfe, the police officer who fatally shot Aboriginal youth Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 and was subsequently found not guilty.

Rolfe wrote: Alice Springs sucks ha ha. The good thing is its like the Wild West and f*** all the rules in the job really but it is a shit hole.

This understanding has not only been endorsed, but expanded, by Labor governments at state and territory level over the recent period.

Early last year, the Albanese government announced $14.2 million in funding for additional police in Alice Springs, as well as $2 million for CCTV cameras and lighting. At the same time, a paltry $2 million was earmarked for services to aid victims of domestic violencea significant contributor to the high rate of youth homelessness.

Police patrolling Hidden Valley town camp, just outside Alice Springs, Northern Territory, April 2008. [Photo: Richard Phillips/WSWS]

The Alice Springs curfew is only the latest example in a long history of governments imposing authoritarian and discriminatory law and order measures in an attempt to protect business interests from the symptoms of a massive social crisis.

Overall median weekly household income in Alice Springs at the time of the 2021 Census was $2,142 (higher than national average of $1,746). But the situation is very different among the 20.6 percent of the population that is Indigenous. The median weekly income of households with at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander member was just $1,355, less than two-thirds of the overall average.

Total unemployment in Alice Springs is relatively low3.5 percent at the time of the 2021 Census, when the national rate was 5.1 percent. But at the same time, 14.4 percent of Indigenous adults in Alice Springs were unemployed. The rate of youth unemployment across the NT is 9.9 percent, and 13.3 percent in the NT Outback region, which includes Alice Springs. These official figures, which only include those who have actively looked for work in the preceding week, massively understate the scale of joblessness.

The indigenous population of Alice Springs and the NT more broadly, especially the youth, are already subjected to aggressive over-policing and high incarceration rates. With 749 police officers per 100,000 residents, the Territory has almost three times as many police per capita as the country as a whole.

According to a report published yesterday by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), on an average day in the Territory, 1.75 percent of Indigenous children aged 10-17 are in youth detention or under community-based supervision. This is 44 times the rate at which non-indigenous children are incarcerated.

While there was a slight downturn in mandatory supervision and detention of Territory children in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sharp increase over the past two years, with the 202223 rate almost 50 percent higher than that recorded in 201819.

These dire conditions were in large part created by the 20072012 NT intervention, launched by the Howard Coalition government, but supported and continued by the Labor governments of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. Military personnel were deployed to the NT to enforce discriminatory measures, including alcohol bans and welfare quarantining.

The curfew now introduced in Alice Springs by NT Labor, with the enthusiastic support of the federal government, is entirely in line with this history.

Labors attitude to the most oppressed sections of the working class is also sharply expressed in its attempt this week to ram through harsh deportation laws, building upon previous legislative attacks on immigrant and refugee rights. This is of a piece with Labors full-throated support for the Israeli regime as it murders tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, many of them children, and seeks to starve the rest.

These actions are a warning of what Labor, as a pro-business party of the ruling elite, has in store for the working class as a whole.
On Wednesday, the University of Michigan unveiled a proposal for a new administration policy that could be used to effectively prohibit public protests on campus, as part of an escalating nationwide and global crackdown on opposition to Israels genocide in Gaza.

Students demonstrate against the Gaza genocide on March 28, 2024 at the University of Michigan.

The policy document states:

No one has the right to infringe on the exercise of others speech and activities by disrupting the normal celebrations, activities, and operations of the University (University Operations).

Students who are determined to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion.

This attack on free speech follows a public condemnation from university president Santa Ono of a March 26 protest against the Gaza genocide. Ono declared:

We all must understand that, while protest is valued and protected, disruptions are not. One groups right to protest does not supersede the right of others to participate in a joyous event.

The banning of protest in the guise of preventing disruption of public order and economic life is the stock in trade of every authoritarian regime in modern history. For that reason, from a democratic legal standpoint, the permissibility of disruption has always been understood as essential to freedom of speech and expression.

As the United Nations Human Rights Committee has explained:

Private entities and the broader society  may be expected to accept some level of disruption, if this is required for the exercise of the right of peaceful assembly.

According to the draft text circulated Wednesday, inviting feedback through April 3, the new policy would ban any actions that disrupt university activities of any kind, including by obstructing lines of sight, making loud or amplified noises, projecting light or images, or otherwise creating substantive distractions. It would also be a violation of the policy to prevent or impede the free flow of persons about campus, or to refuse to leave the campus when ordered to do so by a university official.

Does a picket by striking workers prevent or impede pedestrian traffic? Does holding up a banner outside an event obstruct lines of sight? Does yelling boo instead of applauding when a war criminal takes the stage constitute a substantive distraction?

The vagueness of the policy is deliberate. The intended effect is to give the university a license to ban any protest whatsoever, since all protests by their very nature involve substantive distractions.

The policy also provides that in the event of an alleged violation, students will summarily be given notice of charges and encouraged to voluntarily accept responsibility or else face a one-sided university-controlled process to determine their punishment. The policy also threatens to refer students to the police and local prosecutors by making requests for misdemeanor charges under Article XII of the Regents Ordinance and state trespass law.

The universitys threat to involve the police and prosecutors is directed particularly against the universitys many international students, whose visa status is often precarious and can be revoked for any number of reasons, or for no reason at all.

In addition to students, the new disruption policy also expressly applies to staff, faculty and visitors. Students who violate the policy can face expulsion, while faculty members can face termination. The policy also purports to override all other conflicting policies to the contrary. This presumably includes the Statement of Student Rights, which upholds the long tradition of student activism and values freedom of expression, which includes voicing unpopular views and dissent.

The University of Michigan, in fact, was a center of student protests during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights periods. The new proposed policy, if it had been in effect at that time, would have virtually criminalized entire graduating classes of the student body.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality at the University of Michigan issued a statement Thursday condemning the latest moves by the administration to intimidate and silence opposition to the US/Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The IYSSE stated:

We unconditionally defend all students, faculty and staff who are targeted by the university thought police and victimized for the crime of protesting against an ongoing genocide that recalls the Nazi Holocaust.

Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore spoke to many students and issued a statement to those attending a 1,000-strong rally against the university administration in Ann Arbor yesterday. He called the proposed policy an outrageous attack on democratic rights and the right to protest.

Kishore continued:

It is a continuation and escalation of the efforts to criminalize and to smear protests against the genocide in Gaza. This is a response of the ruling class to growing opposition among workers and among young people to the horrific crimes that are being carried out with the active support, with the financial support, with the political support of the Biden administration and the Democratic Party.

The present crackdown occurs as sentiments in the US population have shifted sharplyfrom 45 percent disapproval of Israels actions in Gaza in November to 55 percent disapproval in March, according to a Gallup poll published Wednesday. Among students and young people, who are more exposed to direct reporting from Gaza on social media, the shift has been even more overwhelming. On Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, hashtags critical of the Israeli government regularly outpace pro-Israel hashtags by ratios of twenty to one, thirty to one, and more.

The response of the university authorities, corrupted by innumerable ties to the ruling capitalist political parties and the military-intelligence apparatus, has generally been heavy-handed repression.

The U-M administration unveiled its new policy against disruption the same week that some two dozen students and a journalist were victimized in connection with an anti-genocide demonstration at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. That protest was called after the administration blocked a vote on a resolution that would have prevented student government funds from being spent at businesses that support Israel.

These crackdowns are only the latest manifestations of an accelerating process. Since the onslaught against Gaza was launched last October, demands for the repression of campus protests have been issued from top levels of both the Democratic and Republican parties under the phony guise of combating antisemitism. As part of this campaign, university presidents were hauled before inquisitorial hearings in Washington, during which legislators harangued them for failing to do more to censor student speech, leading to the resignation of former Harvard president Claudine Gay.

More recently, the Democratic Party announced that it would wage an all-out war on third parties and independent candidates this year, specifically in an effort to prevent them from obtaining ballot access. This process is mirrored throughout the world, including in Rishi Sunaks new extremism legislation in the UK and the ban on demonstrations related to Algeria in Paris.

These increasingly desperate efforts at censorship and repression are not hallmarks of a stable, self-confident social order. They are a sign of weakness, a function of the crisis of world capitalism and all of its traditional institutions, especially in the United States, which is boiling over with unresolved social grievances.

Unable to attract any genuine mass support for its policies, or to offer anything resembling a reform, the ruling class is turning to more direct repression. In the US, this is true of the faction headed by Trump and the Republicans no less than the faction headed by Biden and the Democrats.

The ongoing Gaza genocide occurs in the midst of a bloody escalation of global conflict that is already raging in Ukraine and that threatens to expand into other parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, escalating toward the use of nuclear weapons. In this context, the Gaza genocide has exposed US-NATO imperialism for what it truly is. Americas politiciansthe would-be champions of democracy and defenders of the so-called rules-based international orderstand before the worlds population as a blood-drenched pack of hypocrites and mass murderers.

The social order they represent is likewise exposed. It does not exhibit a tendency toward equality and progress, but toward repression and destruction. All the great historical problems associated with capitalism, which produced two world wars, fascism and genocide in the last century, are back with a vengeance, notwithstanding all the efforts to claim that those problems had been solved and would never again recur.

In this context, all of those political tendencies and individuals that have sought to sow illusions that the Democratic Party can be pressured and capitalism reformed are likewise exposed. The American president who had been hailed from these quarters as one of the most left-wing and pro-worker in history will likely be remembered by his richly-deserved nickname Genocide Joe.

As the democratic veneer of capitalism crumbles and its reactionary essence looms increasingly into view, the social force capable of defending and expanding democratic rights and of waging a struggle against capitalism itselfthe international working classmust take center stage. This requires a turn away from hopeless appeals to all the discredited accomplices and enablers of genocide. Instead, all efforts must focus on developing the necessary collective class consciousness and organization for a struggle against the capitalist system itself.
Figures from the Department of State and Pensions (DWP) show 25 percent of children in the UK in 2022-23 were living in absolute poverty, up from 23.8 percent the previous year. This is the largest annual increase since records began in 1994-95.

Several charities have referenced the impact of the two-child limit on welfare benefits and the benefit cap, making the most vulnerable sections of society pay for the economic crisis. The two-child limit restricts child universal credit and tax credits allowances to the first two children in a family, unless the children were born before April 2017 when the policy was introduced. Low-income families have lost around 3,200 a year for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017.

A mother with two children sitting on the pavement. Photo taken on November 15, 2012 [Photo by Neil Moralee/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Peter Matejic, chief analyst from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said these statistics show just how far away our social security system is from adequately supporting people who have fallen on hard times.

A January report by the Resolution Foundation think-tank, Catastrophic caps: An analysis of the impact of the two-child limit and the benefit cap, projects that the percentage of children in larger families in poverty will rise to a staggering 51 percent by 2028-29an increase of 17 percent since 2014.

These two policies together affected nearly half a million families in Britain in 2022-23, including 34,000 affected by both, up from 26,000 in 2013-14 (when only the benefit cap was in operation).

A study by academics at universities in York and Oxford found the continuation of the two-child limit during the cost-of-living crisis was creating an almost impossible context for affected families, with a risk of long-lasting harm for millions of children.

The research found that two-child families in poverty would remain at around 25 percent. For larger families in 2021-22, 75 percent were in material deprivation compared with 34 percent with two or less children. Food insecurity is higher among the larger families16 percent compared to 7 percent.

The Resolution Foundations cost of living survey in October 2023 shows that people in families with three or more children were over four times as likely to have used a food bank in the last 30 days (13 percent) compared to those with no children, or one or two children (3 percent).

Scrapping the two-child limit and the benefit cap would boost the incomes of the poorest families by 1,000 next year.

Adam Corlett, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, estimates the figure for those impacted will rise from 70,000 families in 2018 to about 750,000 by the time the policy has fully taken effect in 2035.

The cost of abolishing the two-child limit in 2024-25 is just 2.5 billion, and abolishing the benefit cap with it would bring the cost up to 3 billion. Britain spends over 50 billion on the armed forces.

Olivier De Schutter, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to Food, said of Britain that the single most important investment would be to remove the two-child benefit cap, adding that Universal Credit should rise at least 50 per cent to guarantee a decent standard of living. Universal Credit is Britains main monthly benefit payment for low-income households.

As social care services have been almost destroyed, many schools and various charities are being forced to play a key role in ensuring that children are fed and clothed.

In September 2023, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) reported that 4.2 million children nationwide were growing up in povertyequivalent to nine children in an average classroom of 30.

Almost all respondents from the schools surveyed for CPAGs report, There is only so much we can do: School staff in England on the impact of poverty on children and school life, believe that child poverty in their school has increased in the last two academic years. Comments recorded include:

[Ive noticed] students not having basics of equipment when coming to school. Students waiting for buses in the pouring rain without any raincoats. Pupils lack of concentration as they are hungry. (Secondary school governor, South West).

Two pupils [were] caught stealing food from other pupils lunchboxes. (Primary school governor, South West).

Children come to school concerned about their housing and home situations. (Primary school governor, Yorkshire and the Humber).

More children are expressing feeling worried about their family finances, or overhearing conversations or arguments about money at home. Children seem more aware of the financial pressures adults are under.

Some children tell me they avoid asking their parents for essential equipment, or telling them about clubs and trips, as they do not want to add to their financial stress. (Secondary pupil support and welfare, West Midlands).

Pupils [are] desperate to find after school or weekend jobs to support family finances. (Counsellor, North West).

Children [are] tired and lethargic, extremely hungry. (Primary teaching assistant, South West).

Children [dont have] a water bottle because they don't want to ask parents to buy one, children [are] worrying about the cost of trips. (Primary teacher, North West).

A report in the Observer this month described how schools are finding beds, providing showers for pupils and washing uniforms in addition to tackling the hunger children are struggling with. A primary school head in a deprived area in north-west England said, We have a child who we put in the shower a couple of times a week. The newspaper reported, His school routinely washed uniforms for children whose families didnt have a washing machine. A school recently stepped in to help after discovering a pupil begging outside a supermarket|

Katrina Morley, chief executive of Tees Valley Education trust, told the newspaper, We have children without beds or they might have to share with siblings Some dont have enough bedding and no heating so they cant sleep because they are cold. The Observer revealed, The trust works with local charities to provide families with support on issues like finding beds, and has also discreetly donated blankets over the winter.

School budgets have been squeezed to breaking point, as social services budgets have been devastated by local authority cuts pushed through by mainly Labour-Party run councils on behalf of the Conservative government.

Increasing demand for social support is happening at the same time as pastoral staff with more experience are being cut. One in eight local authority schools were in deficit in 2023.

Analysis from the New Economics Foundation reveals that levels of child poverty have risen almost six (5.6) times faster in the most deprived areas since 2014/15 compared to the richest.

Laura, a social worker in Bradford told the WSWS, The city I work in, like many others in the UK is experiencing the worst deprivation it has ever had in modern times. Where there is deprivation there are vulnerable children and their families. It is heartbreaking to see more and more children living in substandard housing causing them lifelong health issues, their parents only able to provide the basics out of foodbanks and parental mental ill health on the rise as a result. What is more heartbreaking is the inability of a broken childrens social care and education system failing them daily.

Teachers and social workers are organising food, clothing and toy collections amongst family, friends, and colleagues to support children. Teachers are having to perform what were traditionally social work welfare tasks because of safeguarding thresholds rising and the Childrens Trust being on the verge of bankruptcy.

We have very few services left that can help at an early stage and the brunt of that falls on teachers and social workers. Me and my colleagues work long hours and pay for things out of our own pockets to ensure a child is safe for that day, we dont have any longer-term solutions. I know that my colleagues in education do the same things and do things that are way out of their teaching remits to protect children.

Both professions know that this is not sustainable and both services are creaking at the seams. The system pits teachers and social workers against each other, but really they are facing the same horrendous dilemmas daily and should work together to challenge and fight the rottenness of both childrens vital organisations.

The terrible social crisis tearing apart the lives of children will only worsen with the expected election of a pro-austerity Labour government this year. Labour is committed to retaining the two-child limit on welfare benefits and benefit cap. The Financial Times noted when party leader Sir Keir Starmer announced the policy last June that he was sticking to its pledge of responsible spending, with Starmer saying Labour had to be even tougher, even more focused, even more disciplined with the election nearing.
Clouds float over the Patapsco River near the container ship Dali as it rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Maryland. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

On Thursday, emergency divers were forced to cancel search and rescue operations around Baltimores Francis Scott Key bridge after officials observed a sheen of hazardous chemicals around the M/V Dali.

In a press conference late Wednesday evening, Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, confirmed that the cargo ship M/V Dali was carrying 56 containers of HAZMAT, or hazardous materials when it struck the bridge, Homendy estimated this was about 764 tons of hazardous materials including corrosives, flammables and lithium ion batteries.



Early Tuesday morning just before 1:30 a.m., one of the three spans that comprise the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed upon being struck by the Dali after it appeared to lose power. Eight construction workers, from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, were working on the bridge when it suffered a catastrophic failure after being struck by the ship.



All eight of the workers were employed by Brawner Builders. Two of the workers were rescued alive on Tuesday, while the other six are presumed dead.



On Wednesday, divers discovered the bodies of two of the construction workers. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, from Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, from Guatemala, were found together in a red pickup truck about 25 feet below the water.



Fellow workers Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a husband and father from Honduras, and Miguel Luna, a father of three from El Salvador, have yet to be recovered. The last two missing construction workers have yet to be publicly identified or located. Besides the cold, dark waters, emergency divers were also contending with thousands of tons of debris, including sharp metal, from the bridge and containers that went overboard.



Part of the difficulty in locating the workers is the ongoing danger of chemical exposure. Chair Homendy confirmed on Wednesday that some of the containers the ship was carrying had been punctured and that officials with the NTSB had observed a sheen of chemicals on top of the water.



Some of the Hazmat containers were breached, we have seen sheen on the waterway, Homendy said. Questioned by reporters on the breach of the containers, Homendy replied, federal, state and local authorities are aware of that and they will be in charge of addressing those issues. She added that part of the ongoing NTSB investigation would be documenting that type of release.



On Thursday, multiple media outlets reported that the Unified Command, which is in charge of overseeing the response to the bridge collapse, had paused dive and recovery operations due to the hazardous conditions around the accident site. The Unified Command includes elements from the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Authority, Witt OBriens (a private corporation that specializes in risk management and emergency response) and the Maryland State Police.



Due the release of chemicals, the Unified Command has established a 2000-yard Safety Zone around the M/V Dali. Additionally, in an attempt to contain the spillage that has already occurred, emergency crews have already deployed 2,400 feet (731 meters) of absorbent boom. Investigators have been observed collecting water samples for testing.



While officials remain tight-lipped about the extent of possible chemical exposures, in their press conference Wednesday, Homendy of the NTSB confirmed that the Francis Scott Key Bridge was one of 17,468 fracture critical bridges in the Untied States.



A fracture critical bridge, Homendy explained, means, if a member fails that would likely cause a portion of, or the entire bridge to collapse. There is no redundancy.



Newer bridges Homendy explained, have some sort of redundancy built in. Whether that is transmitting loads to another member or some sort of structural redundancy. This bridge did not have redundancy.



This begs the obvious question: why did the bridge not have any redundancy built into it over the last 40 years?



In an interview with Reuters, Erin Bell, chair of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire, argued along these lines. The construction code has got to do better, she said.



Refuting excuses from US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that the Key Bridge was simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel that weighs about 200 million pounds, Bell responded, Why wasnt there a retrofit for the Key Bridge? Especially when you see that the nearby Delaware Memorial Bridge is undergoing a vessel collision protection upgrade right now?



There should have been planning for this, given the size of vessels that were going by, she added.



Donald Dusenberry, a longtime forensic structural engineer also interviewed by Reuters, questioned the lackluster barriers around the main members that held up the bridge.



It looks like there was some cushioning in the form of wooden or some other kind of barrier, but it pretty much looks like it was attached to the pile cap at the bottom of the piers, he said. And that doesnt absorb much energy.
The blanket media coverage and public fascination over the absence of Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, from public duties since she underwent abdominal surgery in January has barely abated after the March 22 video announcement that she is undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Her two-minute address, watched by millions, dominated news, online and print media in Britain for days.

Video screenshot from the March 22 statement by Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales [Photo: The Prince and Princess of Wales/X]

Since January 17, when Kensington Palace issued a statement revealing the princess had been admitted to hospital for surgery and would be absent from royal duties until after Easter, media speculation had mounted. Gastrointestinal surgeons were invited by news anchors to offer possible diagnoses, while conspiracy theories on X, Tik Tok and Facebook exploded.

Buckingham Palaces January 17 announcement that King Charles was seeking treatment for an enlarged prostate, followed by news just weeks later that the 75-year-old monarch has cancer, plunged Britains monarchy into a full-blown crisis.

So tenuous has the connection between the Royal Family and that manufactured entity known as the British public become that when Prince William hastily withdrew from a memorial service for his Godfather, King Constantine of Greece, citing personal reasons, few believed statements from the palace that there was nothing to see.

Social media posts linking Williams absence to the death of Thomas Kingstonthe son-in-law of Prince Michael of Kent, formerly involved with Kates sister Pippa Middletonwere widely discussed (the 45-year-old financier was found dead with a gunshot wound on February 25). Rumours of an affair, a royal divorce and even domestic violence circulated.

When Kensington Palace acted to quell rumours, releasing a photograph on Mothers Day of the princess with her children, it backfired spectacularly. Social media commentators showed how the image had been altered, and news agencies withdrew the photo from circulation, with Middleton forced to issue an apology.

After Middletons video last Friday, the wilder conspiracy theories have been laid to rest but her illness alongside that of the king has underscored a sense of crisis for Britains slimmed-down monarchy following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Since mid-January, Charless public ceremonial duties have been performed by Queen Camilla. But the consort, not known for her work ethic, announced she would be taking a week-long break at the start of March, with scrutiny falling on the few remaining royals able legally to act in place of the king: his sister Anne the princess royal, aged 73, and their younger brother Prince Edward Duke of Edinburghwho is being hailed, desperately, as the Royals leading man (Time Magazine, Tatler, Telegraph).

Commentary in the British press has underscored the nervousness of the ruling class. The New Statesmans March 22 headline, Kate Middleton and the sickness of a nation described locust years at the House of Windsor, observing, Royalty truly is a mirror of the nation. Part-collapsed, sickened, dragged through the mud Not a consecrated symbol any longer. But an accurate one.

Political commentator Andrew Marr described a smaller and frailer royal family than Britain is used to, noting, The late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh produced a decades-long outward show of imperturbability and stability. How quickly it has collapsed.

Politico identified Britains royal vacuum, describing how the absence of senior royals was causing headaches for the Sunak government in an election year, and citing a former government aide that Particularly for Tory voters, part of feeling good about the country, and the direction of the country, is having stability in the royal household.

The royal family is currently bracing for next weeks Netflix drama Scoop, depicting Prince Andrews toe-curling Newsnight interview about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. So toxic are relations within this divided family that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan reportedly found out about Middletons diagnosis at the same time as the public, via the princesss video release.

Of the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, the World Socialist Web Site commented, Far from offering the chance for a renewal of the monarchy, restoring its popularity, the coronation will confirm the decline in support for this rotten institution, especially among the younger generation, marking its terminal crisis.

King Charles III, at the time the Prince of Wales, reading the speech on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. CC BY 2.0] [Photo by Annabel Moeller

After the Queens death on September 8, 2022, the WSWS noted, the earnest hope of the ruling class is that Charles time on the throne is short so that the carefully groomed and prepared Prince William can have a chance to restore a much-reduced monarchys public standing.

Even this hope has been battered by what the New Statesman described as reputation-shredding social media rumours that have altered perceptions of the prince, especially after the embarrassing revelations about his character in Harrys tell-tale memoir Spare.

But the monarchy in turmoil still plays a critical role. At a time of acute political crisis for the British bourgeoisie, with mass demonstrations against the Tory government and Labours backing for the Gaza genocide, the royal family has again proved its usefulness in distracting and degrading political and cultural life.

As far as the British media is concerned, Israels genocide in Gaza and NATOs war against Russia that threatens the nuclear annihilation of humanity pales beside the personal woes and misfortunes of the royal family. Media obsession with Middletons whereabouts and her cancer scare served to push aside (and last week obliterate) virtually everything beyond the bounds of Clarence House and Windsor Estate.

Middleton and King Charles III are among 393,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK every yearone every 90 seconds. While the royals are receiving the best treatment money can buy, tens of thousands are forced to take their chances in a National Health Service starved of resources through decades of budget cuts and outright looting by the financial oligarchy.

Cancer survival rates in Britain are lagging 15 years behind other major nations, with thousands of patients denied life-saving chemotherapy and radiation treatment, according to research by University of College London published February. 167,000 people die from cancer in the UK each year, 460 people on average every day.

In 2023, waiting times for cancer treatment were the worst on record, with just 64.1 percent of patients starting treatment within 62 days of cancer being suspected, according to NHS data analysed by the BBC. Macmillan Cancer Support CEO Gemma Peters called the figures shocking, saying they highlighted the desperate situation for people living with cancer.

Meanwhile in Gaza, cancer patients are being bombed in their hospital beds by Israels genocidal military assault, backed by the British government and the British military, headed by its Commander-in-Chief King Charles III.

Public preoccupation with the royals reveals unhealthy aspects of contemporary cultural and political life in Britain that are not easily brushed aside: an accepting attitude toward hereditary privilege, national insularity, and the role of social media platforms including X/Twitter in promoting right-wing conspiracy theories while censoring and suppressing socialist and left-wing views. But while deliberately sidelined, opposition to the monarchy and all it stands for is real.

By Sunday, senior Whitehall figures were blaming Russia, China and Iran for social media rumours targeting the royal family, accusations faithfully retailed by every section of British press. Part of the modus operandi of hostile states is to destabilise thingswhether that is undermining the legitimacy of our elections or other institutions, a senior government official told the Telegraph.

The crisis of British institutions has little to do with Russian, Chinese, or Iranian interference. It reflects the shattering of the economic, political and moral legitimacy of British and world capitalism.

In November 1992, Queen Elizabeth II marked the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne with a speech at Londons Guildhall that described an Annus Horribilis for the monarchy. Press headlines have used the phrase often in recent weeks (as a journalistic flourish) to describe the royal familys current predicament.

The queens speech to the London guilds in 1992 was unusually strained as she alluded to scandals which had rocked the family that year, including the separation of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Annes divorce from Mark Phillips, and the release of Princess Dianas biography exposing details of her unhappy marriage to Prince Charles, including his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. Windsor Castle was gutted by fire just days before the speech.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Germany, October 1992 [Photo by Bundesarchiv / CC BY-SA 3.0

The queen referenced months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty, appealing for understanding and seeking to connect with broader feelings of unease. While the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991 had been hailed as the death of socialism and triumph of capitalism, the post-war order was unravelling. The queen spoke at the height of a global recession (unemployment in Britain reached 12.1 percent in November) and just two months after Black Wednesdays collapse of the pound sterling. War erupted in the Balkans, stoked by the NATO powers, aimed at reducing the territories of the former Yugoslavia to the status of neo-colonial protectorates.

The royal familys troubles of the early 1990s appear a veritable golden age of stability compared to now. In her 1992 speech, Elizabeth appealed to the power of tradition, insisting that change could be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution, but since then the monarchys crisis has deepened. Historically speaking it is terminal. The monarchy and its leading figures are overwhelmed by processes beyond their control. Their retreat inwards, behind the secluded walls of their estates, speaks to a deeper political and ideological impasse. As BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole told Politico this month, the events of recent months have revealed just how bare the royal cupboard now is.
Appalachia may be mere miles away from the city of Charlottesville, but it can often feel worlds apart for the people living deep in the mountains and the people living in their eastern foothills.

For the Appalachian authors bridging those two worlds, its a delicate balancing act. For much of their audience, their hometown hollers are foreign places, and as a result, they are painted with broad brushstrokes: Deliverance, The Waltons and Hillbilly Elegy have, for many, defined the Appalachian experience.

But the Appalachian experience is not singular. And who would know that better than the Appalachian natives who themselves have felt different, othered, alternative growing up in the mountains? While others paint with broad brushstrokes, these alternative Appalachians have a diverse collection of colors with which to render works that reveal something more about the breadth and diversity of Appalachia.

It took me decades to balance my identities, and theyre not easy identities to balance, said writer Jeff Mann, known as the godfather of queer Appalachia. Its just nice to have gotten to a point where I finally did it. I feel perfectly comfortable. My joke is that I dont have enough energy to be anything but authentic.

Mann is a creative writing professor at Virginia Tech and is the author of Loving Mountains, Loving Men, a 2005 memoir chronicling his relationships with, naturally, other men, but also with Appalachian culture.

He was one of three Appalachian memoirists featured at Virginias Festival of the Book in Charlottesville on March 22. He was joined by Anya Liftig and Danielle Chapman. While Liftig and Chapman both reside in Connecticut today, where Liftig is a performance artist and Chapman teaches poetry and Shakespeare at Yale University, they are nevertheless tethered to the hollers of their home in the mountains.

Tethered yet distant. In her 2023 memoir Holler Rat, Liftig dives into the guilt and conflict she experienced straddling the divide between her middle-class life in Connecticut and her rural roots in Kentucky. In her 2023 collection of poems Holler: A Poet Among Patriots, Chapman straddles racial divides through the specific lens of her Southern upbringing in a military household in Tennessee.

The trio gave an audience of dozens packed into New Dominion Bookshop, the oldest independent bookseller in all of Virginia, an idea of how their works were written, published and marketed to a world outside of Appalachia.

The very first question that moderator Jeffrey Dale Lofton  a Georgia native and author of his own Appalachia-set novel, Red Clay Suzie  asked the panel was to elaborate on how they came to select the covers for their individual works.

Liftigs cover features a picture of her as a young girl perched on her mothers shoulders peering over a scarecrow, which she told the audience was taken in a potato field in Kentucky.

When I spoke to the publishing company about what the cover might be, we talked about the strangeness and, already, performing that I took on at a really young role, she said. As a little kid, I was always interested in playing roles and interested in trying to transform myself, particularly, making the inanimate animate.

Liftig began dancing as a form of physical therapy after experiencing a severe physical and neurological injury at the age of 6. Not long into her dance career, she started commuting into New York City in order to train with teachers from the New York City Ballet and earned a scholarship to study at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance when she was 15. A couple years later, she decided to focus on academics instead of dance and went on to study English and studio arts at Yale. Eventually, she focused on photography and live performance art, which often incorporates her interest of animating the inanimate, bringing everything  fish, lobsters, cactuses  to life.

Looking back on how his memoir came to feature himself front and center wearing a tight-fitted T-shirt emblazoned with Butch County Forest Service, Mann joked, I definitely cant get into that shirt anymore.

But perhaps it was something more than a joke for a writer whose work specifically reflects on making peace with the past, accepting himself after struggling for so long to be accepted in his West Virginia home.

For all three, writing was described as a cathartic experience.

Chapmans memoir, which took her roughly 12 years to write, originally started as a collection of poems she had composed as a way in which to cope with some of the more difficult chapters of her past.

It was a little bit like an exorcism. Some of those characters who had haunted me came out to the page, she said.

Her father, a former U.S. Marine, died in a scuba diving accident in Okinawa that she witnessed when she was just 3-years-old. To fill his absence, her paternal grandfather, himself the 24th commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, stepped in. She described her grandfather, Leonard Fielding Chapman Jr., and her family as both salt of the earth and problematic, especially on issues of race, gender and sexuality.

Like Mann, she described her path to coming to terms with her past, her family and her heritage, learning that the power of the written word is in connecting to others even when, and perhaps especially when, you feel other yourself.

Asked by the audience how they decided what to reveal of themselves in their memoirs, Chapman joked, Well, I didnt know I had to do a reveal.

But more seriously, she said she specifically explored her journey through adolescent liberal outrage.

I thought I was woke before woke existed, she said. One big theme of the book is my arguments with my grandfather.  We had a good relationship, but we argued a lot.

Plenty of those arguments, she said, were about institutional racism, something she saw her grandfather as supporting.

So, it was a shock when she saw his obituary in the New York Times claim his biggest legacy was his Civil Rights legacy.

Chapman looked into some Marine Corps records, where she found that while he served as commandant, from 1968 to 1972, her grandfather had issued an order that allowed Black Marines to wear their hair in a modified afro as well as do the first-in-air Black Power salute as a form of solidarity. For this, he received enough hate mail to fill 33 boxes.

He never mentioned it, said Chapman. He stuck to it; he never rescinded this order. He was pretty wise. He had a lot of self-control. The amount of self-control it would take to just think, She wont believe it unless she finds out for herself, is pretty extraordinary.

Extraordinary but emblematic of so many other Appalachian stories. Understanding the holler often means taking a deep dive.
The International Court of Justice issued a ruling Thursday ordering Israel to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gazas desperate 2.3 million inhabitants. The ruling, which starkly declares that famine is setting in for the Palestinians, amounts to a damning indictment of Israels far-right Netanyahu government and its imperialist backers in Washington and Europe.

Palestinians crowded together as they wait for food distribution in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Since the start of the its attack on Gaza, Israel has limited the amount of food and water allowed to enter the territory, causing widespread hunger across the strip (AP Photo/Hatem Ali) [AP Photo/Hatem Ali]

The ICJ first ordered Israel to adopt interim measures in January after South Africa brought a complaint alleging the commission of genocide in Gaza. South Africas presentation to the court was a devastating exposure of the genocide, demonstrating with reference to statements by senior Israeli government officials, and the brutality of military operations in Gaza, the Zionist regimes intent to eliminate the Palestinians. Israel was ordered, among other things, to increase aid deliveries and do more to reduce civilian casualties within a month.

Thursdays ruling declared, 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 of 26 January 2024, but that famine is setting in.

The ICJ also warned Israel to ensure that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) does not commit acts in violation of the Genocide Convention, including by preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.

Given the undeniable fact that Israel has systematically blocked aid deliveries into Gaza, and massacred Palestinians trying to access food from the few shipments that have made it through, the Courts statement implicitly accuses Israel of committing genocidal actions. Earlier Thursday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) noted that the clock is ticking fast towards famine and complained about the inability of its aid shipments to reach northern Gaza.

Responding to the court ruling, South Africas Presidency issued a statement declaring, The fact that Palestinian deaths are not solely caused by bombardment and ground attacks, but also by disease and starvation, indicates a need to protect the groups right to exist.

The most effective way to uphold this right is through prevention. The courts actions include specific responsibilities to prevent genocide.

At least 27 children have died due to malnutrition, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. A five-year-old boy became the latest reported victim Thursday at Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, where medical staff report a steady stream of malnourished patients. Describing a malnourished infant in his care, a nurse at the facility told Al Jazeera, You can tell that her age doesnt match her weight. Shes two months old and yet shes only two kilos [about 4.5 pounds] and a bit. We got used to receiving such cases in large numbers every day. They often result in death.

Israel is not only denying food, water, electricity and medical supplies to the Palestinians, but also continuing to deliberately target hospitals across the enclave. The World Health Organisation reported Thursday that just 10 out of 36 hospitals are partially functioning. The latest hospital to cease operating was the al-Amal hospital in Khan Younis, which IDF soldiers surrounded on Tuesday before ordering everyone to leave. The al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest in Gaza, has been under a 10-day siege by the IDF, which has killed at least 200 people during the bloody operation. Among the latest casualties was the journalist Muhammad Abu Sakhil, who was targeted by the IDF.

Conditions at those hospitals still functioning are miserable. According to Al Jazeera, al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir el-Ballah has 800 patients but only 160 beds.

The hellish nightmare facing Gazas population is the result of the unreserved support given by US imperialism and its European allies to Israels genocide. The US, Germany, Britain and France have supplied the bombs and military equipment with which the IDF has transformed Gaza into a killing zone. Amid an eruption of global outrage over the genocide, these same governments have viciously cracked down on all opposition to Israels war crimes, smearing protesters as antisemites and criminalising demonstrations outright.

The imperialist powers complicity in the genocide has been underscored once again by Mondays adoption of a non-binding resolution by the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and the events that followed. Bluntly admitting that Washingtons decision to abstain in the vote so that the resolution could pass was nothing more than a public relations stunt to assuage popular anger, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the resolution would have no impact at all on Israels military operations.

This fact has even been acknowledged by Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially showed his displeasure at Washingtons abstention by canceling a meeting of Israeli officials with the Biden administration to plot the invasion of Rafah. On Thursday, Netanyahus office confirmed it had reversed course and that the meeting was now being rescheduled.

Israel has continued to bombard Rafah following the UN resolution without interruption. Citing a local resident, Reuters reported that four houses were struck during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. On Thursday, at least 12 Palestinians were killed when another house was hit.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) international president Christos Christou told AFP, We havent seen any change after this resolution on the ground. We havent seen any impact inpeoples lives there every day.

Meanwhile, Israels channel 12 reported late Wednesday that preparations for assaulting Rafah continue unabated. The army is planning to deal with tunnels, attack command rooms, and houses where Hamas leaders are hiding. Taking note of Defence Minister Yoav Gallants visit to Washington, where he engaged in two days of talks with Biden administration officials, Channel 12 continued, Defense Minister Galant is coordinating the military operation in Rafah with his counterparts in Washington.

The report noted that Netanyahu has ordered the purchase of 40,000 tents from China ostensibly as part of dealing with the civilian population residing in Rafah. To describe this as a drop in the bucket under conditions in which over 1.5 million people are crammed into the enclaves southernmost city would be generous.

During a visit of US congresspeople to Israel Thursday, President Isaac Herzog praised the unbreakable bond between the US and Israel. We share the same objective of eliminating terror, he asserted.

The impending assault on Rafah, backed to the hilt by the imperialist powers, threatens to take Israels genocide against the Palestinians to a new and even bloodier level. Washington supports intensifying the mass slaughter because it views Israels final solution of the Palestinian question as a key part of its preparations for a region-wide war targeting Iran. Washington hopes through such a conflict to consolidate its dominance over the energy-rich and strategically important Middle East. The immediate danger of an expansion of the conflict was underlined Thursday when the IDF announced a surprise exercise including all of its units in the north to prepare for a potential war in Lebanon.

A further deepening of the calamity facing Gazas population can be prevented only by the independent political mobilisation of the international working class. The mass protests against the genocide involving millions of people that swept the globe over recent months demonstrates the widespread hostility to genocide and imperialist war. But these events have also demonstrated the bankruptcy of the protests self-declared leaderships. The claim that a ceasefire and an end to the onslaught could be accomplished by applying pressure to the imperialist powers and appealing to the United Nations has been thoroughly exposed. The urgent task for workers and young people outraged by the Gaza genocide is to unify their struggle with the powerful eruption of workers struggles in every major country over deteriorating working and living conditions in order to build an international anti-war movement led by the working class. This movement must base itself on a socialist and internationalist programme to put an end to capitalism, the source of imperialist war and genocide.
The war mania of Germanys coalition government has not spared schools. Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (Liberal Democrat, FDP) is planning to systematically school the younger generation for war. She is determined to implement the new erai.e., the militarisation of society as a wholeand in the education sector as well.

Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger at a pro-Israel event at Berlins Humboldt University [Photo by Dr. Frank Gaeth / wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

Stark-Watzinger told the Funke media group newspapers that it was necessary to prepare society for crises. Civil defence, which ranged from a pandemic to natural disasters to war, belonged in schools, she said. The so-called new era in German politics had changed a lot, and the aim must be to strengthen our resilience and make young people strong for the future.

The education minister makes no secret of the fact that this is not really about natural disasters or pandemics, which the government has long since given up combating. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the associated turning point must naturally be a topic in lessons.

This also included normalising the presence of the military in schools. A relaxed relationship with the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) was necessary. To this end, young officers should come into schools to explain to pupils what the Bundeswehr does for our security. As a reservist, she even was prepared in principle to take up arms herself.

Politicians, the media and educational organisations have reacted to this militaristic agitation with a mixture of open enthusiasm and attempts to play down the significance of Stark-Watzingers comments. The warmongering and spiteful tirade published by Alan Posener in Die Zeit under the title Bundeswehr into schools? Yes, please! It was supposedly not a sign of militarism if you can spell howitzer or calculate how long the Ukrainian army can hold out if it needs a million artillery shells next year, but the European Union only produces 300,000.

The German Teachers Association does not think the governments plans go far enough. A declaration of intent from the education minister was not enough, said association president Stefan Dull. Now the Ukraine war and the pan-European, even global threat situation must be taught in politics lessons. The war was creating a new awareness of military threats, which must also be taught in schools. In an interview with the tabloid Bild, he took a stand against an  atmosphere of peace, joy and pancakes.

Russias war of aggression against Ukraine had mercilessly demonstrated ... that military conflicts also directly affect our society and therefore the lives of pupils, said the chairman of the Bavarian Association of Secondary School Teachers, Ulrich Babl, to broadcaster Bayrischer Rundfunk. However, spreading panic unnecessarily and giving pupils gas masks and making them do exercises was nonsense.

Such comments are no less dangerous than openly calling for lessons in war. Instead of trivialising the dangers, it is necessary to issue a clear warning about what is really going on: the governments plans pose an enormous threat to the population.

Since Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrat SPD) announced his new era following Russias invasion of Ukraine, which NATO had deliberately provoked with its aggressive expansion to the east, and thus put long-held armament plans into practice, the ruling class has been advancing on its pro-war course at breathtaking speed. Not a day goes by without calls for more weapons for the slaughter in Eastern Europe and new plans for more direct involvement in the war.

Last week, Economics Minister and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) called for Germany to prepare for a land war in Europe. A few weeks ago, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) called for a return to compulsory military service based on the Scandinavian model in order to make Germany fit for war. If the Scandinavian model were extrapolated to the German population, millions would be forced to go to war.

In January, Pistorius declared that he expected a war against Russia in a period of five to eight years. Who would fight in this war?the generation attending school today.

After helping to systematically expend Ukrainian youth on the front line, and supporting the slaughter in Gaza, the government coalitioncomprising the SPD, FDP and Greensis now turning its attention to youth in Germany. They are to serve as cannon fodder in the race to redivide the world, to fight and diefrom Ukraine to the Hindu Kush and Southeast Asia to the land war in Europe. The foundations for this madness are to be laid through militaristic education at school.

The murky traditions of this militaristic initiative are well known, not least to pupils themselves in Germany. In history lessons, they still learn how militarism and the fight against opponents of war contaminated the entire society of the German Reich (Empire). The education of blind obedience to the Kaiser and the military pervades the accounts of pupils at the time. Todays schoolchildren also learn how even the youngest members of the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls were deprived of their youth for Hitlers plans of conquest and annihilation.

The return of German militarism is not limited to schools. Back in 2013, in its strategy paper New Power, New Responsibility, the government-affiliated German Institute for International and Security Affairs announced: German foreign policy will continue to utilise the entire range of foreign policy instruments, from diplomacy to development and cultural policy to the use of military force. The aim was to establish a landscape of thought that not only enables and cultivates political creativity, but is also capable of developing political options quickly and in an operationalisable form.

Shortly afterwards, Humboldt Professor Jorg Baberowski declared that Hitler was not vicious. His colleague Herfried Munkler described the idea that Germany bore the main responsibility for the outbreak of the First World War as a legend. Last month, Stark-Watzinger already called for the ban on military research at universities (the so-called civilian clause) to be removed. In this way, universities are to be put back at the service of foreign and war policy.

These circles want the terrible disasters of the last century to be forgotten. But the working class will not allow young people to be consumed in war again. For this it needs a party that has learnt from history and formulates a perspective to stop the warmongers.

The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) is standing in the European elections to build a mass movement of workers and young people against war, against the expending of schoolchildren as cannon fodder at the front and in favour of a socialist society. The cause of the wars of plunder and conquestthe capitalist systemmust be eliminated. This is what the SGP and its sister parties are fighting for worldwide.
The Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) controlled by President Nicolas Maduro blocked on Monday the registration of Corina Yoris as presidential candidate for the US-backed opposition in the elections programmed for July 28.

Nicolas Maduro and Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly and chief negotiator , announce the recent agreements with the US-backed opposition and the Biden administration, October 20 [Photo: @NicolasMaduro]

Yoris, an 80-year-old philosophy professor, was appointed at the last minute as the namesake representative for Maria Corina Machado, who was selected as candidate by the opposition Unitary Platform but remains disqualified by the courts.

On Tuesday, the CNE handed down an extension and allowed the coalition to register the former ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as candidate. The Unitary Platform accepted this as a provisional decision until we succeed in registering our unitary candidature. Machado said she will continue campaigning for Yoris to be placed on the ticket, given a rule that the candidate can be changed up to 10 days before the vote, that is, July 18.

Machado and her party Vente Venezuela represent the most radical and fascistic wing of the coalition. She has been one of the staunchest promoters of US-backed coup operations against Maduro, including socially devastating sanctions, appeals for a military coup, and even calls for a foreign military intervention.

Along with figures like Giorgia Meloni, Javier Milei, and Eduardo Bolsonaro, she is a signatory of the Madrid Forum charter launched by the fascistic Spanish party VOX, and Machado advocates privatizing the state oil company PDVSA and other enterprises.

The fact that such a figure is organizing increasingly large rallies, including in deeply impoverished areas, and that polls show she would defeat Maduro does not reflect mass support for her right-wing politics, but rather popular willingness to accept anybody with a chance of defeating Maduro and changing the current unbearable social and economic conditions. The election of fascistic Javier Milei against Peronism represented similar trends in Argentina.

The actions of the Maduro government lack all progressive content, however. It has been using the CNE merely as an instrument in the negotiations with US imperialism.

To divide the Unitary Platform, the CNE approved the candidacy of Manuel Rosales, governor of Zulia, and Enrique Marquez, a former electoral chief. It also approved the candidates for the traditional ruling parties before Hugo Chavez, the Social Democratic Action (AD) and Social Christian COPEI parties. Several other candidates of parties aligned with the Socialist United Party (PSUV) of Maduro were allowed to run. But as matters stand, it is widely expected that Maduro will win his third election.

The last-minute decision to let the Unitary Platform register a candidate serves to buy time. The Biden administration has declared that, unless the Unitary Platform is allowed to present its chosen candidate, it will allow the US license to let Venezuela sell oil and gas expire on April 18. This would mean a reimposition of the full sanctions regime. For his part, Maduro hopes for a renewal before the time runs out for Yoris to be on the ticket or, for that matter, Machado.

The Maduro administration has also repressed any opposition from the left, with the CNE blocking the candidacy of Manuel Isidro Molina for the Communist Party and the Popular Alternative Movement (MPA) electoral coalition it leads. The Stalinist PCV leadership broke with Maduro in 2020, at a time when the governments rapprochement with Washington and the AD, COPEI and other opposition parties, was imperiling its own position and privileges within the government.

At the same time, the governments shameful appeals to Washington and its special economic zones, massive corporate tax benefits, privatizations, attacks on wage levels and social cuts, all while its partners in the Boli-bourgeoisie continue to get wealthy through corrupt contracts, have made it all but impossible to provide a left cover to the PSUV.

While the brutal economic sanctions imposed under US imperialism are chiefly responsible for the massive impoverishment of Venezuelan workers, Maduros chief service to imperialism has been to impose a shock therapy that Argentine Milei could only dream of while suppressing the class struggle with the aid of the PCV and pseudo-left apologists.

After a limited recovery in 2022, the poverty rate estimated by the Andres Bello Catholic University has again stagnated. Last year, 82.8 percent of households were poor or could not afford the basic basket of goods and services, while more than half face extreme poverty, meaning they cant afford staple foods. Since 2014, moreover, over 7 million Venezuelans have left the country.

Now the PSUV is seeking to remain in power for the Boli-bourgeoisie to reap the rewards from the super-exploitation of Venezuelan workers.

The Joe Biden administration has had a somewhat muted response to the electoral crisis, hoping to solidify access to Venezuelan oil to offset the effects of its war on Russia in Ukraine, and a potential broader war in the Middle East, as well as other geo-strategic considerations.

The clandestine visit, by former British prime minister Boris Johnson to Venezuela to persuade Maduro not to deepen its relations with Russia, was undoubtedly carried out with approval from the British and US governments. UK-based Shell and British Petroleum, moreover, are negotiating the development of gas fields with Caracas.

Milei gives refuge to Venezuelan far-right

Acting at the behest of US imperialism, the governments of Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Peru issued a statement to protest the decision to block the Platform chosen candidates.

The governments of Presidents Lula da Silva of Brazil and Gustavo Petro of Colombia, usually friendly toward Maduro, joined in to demand Caracas to allow the candidacy of Corina Yoris. In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Colombia was acting by the need to please the wishes of the US Department of State.

Significantly, in December, Lula worked closely with Washington to confront Maduros threats to invade and take disputed territories of Guyana, a former British colony located between Venezuela and Brazil. Then, the fascistic President Javier Milei allowed six associates of Machado facing arrest warrants to take refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas on Tuesday.

Last week, the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN arrested the chairwoman and vice-chair of Machados party Vente Venezuela and issued arrest warrants against seven of her associates, including several who had been mentioned as possible replacements for Machado. This follows the arrest of six regional campaign managers for the opposition and dozens of others, including military personnel.

Government prosecutors claim that these figures have been involved in various plots to de-stabilize the government, carry out a coup, and assassinate the president.

Maduro said that two armed individuals who allegedly confessed belonging to Vente Venezuela, which he described as a far-right fascist party, were arrested on Monday a few feet away from where he was speaking on a stage in Caracas.

The Argentine presidency has denounced the cutting of the water supply and electricity from its embassy in Caracas and warned against any deliberate action that endangers the safety of Argentine diplomatic personnel and Venezuelan citizens under their protection.

The Milei government then announced that it was sending two gendarmes (military police) to the embassy and ambassadors residence in Caracas. Also, during an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Milei said that Venezuela had been reduced to carnage, while Israel had not committed any excess in Gaza.

He then went on a rampage against regional presidents. Regarding Colombian President Petro, Milei said not much can be expected from someone who was a murderer, a terrorist, a communist, referring to his past in the M-19 guerrillas during the 1980s. Finally, the Argentine president said about his Mexican counterpart, That an ignoramus like Lopez Obrador speaks ill of me is an honor to me.

These actions follow the visit by CIA director William Burns to Buenos Aires on March 20, confirming that the Argentine regime is becoming a hub for anti-democratic conspiracies at the behest of US imperialism, just like in the 1970s.

After the interview, Petro withdrew his ambassador in Buenos Aires and expelled all Argentine diplomats from Colombia.

The near rupture of diplomatic relations between the second and third largest countries in South America, however, cannot be explained by mere verbal insults.

The diplomatic flare-up in Latin America can only be understood as a birthing pain in the eruption of a world war. It reflects the maneuvers of factions of the ruling class between and within countries in response to the breakup of the post-WWII order and the drive by the US-NATO axis to recolonize and redivide the world, which currently takes the form of economic and military conflict with Russia, Iran and China.

Like all forms of bourgeois third-world regionalismPan-Arabism, Pan-Africanism, etc.the pretensions of Bolivarianism to achieve Latin American unity on a capitalist basis as a counterweight to imperialism have reached their final dead-end.

Moreover, while some like Maduro cover their underlying class interests in pro-worker demagogy, all factions are competing for a larger piece of the pie from the exploitation of the working class, while their pseudo-left apologists sweep the floor for the crumbs.

Already with the eruption of the NATO war in Ukraine against Russia, as explained by Eduardo Parati in last years WSWS May Day Rally, Latin America is being transformed into a stage of ever more intense diplomatic, economic, and military disputes. The speech continued:

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros oscillations between denunciations of the US sanctions regime imposed on the country and seeking a rapprochement with a US government that continues to seek his overthrow expresses in a most direct form the crisis confronting the bourgeois governments in every Latin American country.

With the ruling elites seeking to make workers pay through social attacks for the deepening geopolitical and economic crises, the same contradictions dragging the region and the world to war will feed new revolutionary struggles of the working class against imperialist oppression and the capitalist profit system.

To fight war and the threat of fascism, a Trotskyist leadership must be built armed with a program to unite workers across Latin America, the United States and internationally to overthrow capitalism. A fundamental step consists in drawing the necessary lessons from the betrayal of the mass social upheavals in the past quarter century behind promises of socialism and anti-imperialism under Hugo Chavez and other pink tide bourgeois nationalist movements.
Join the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee to fight against the closures! Email upsrankandfilecommittee@gmail.com, or fill out the form below this article.

UPS workers hold a rally, Friday, July 21, 2023, in Atlanta. [AP Photo/Brynn Anderson]

A member of the Teamsters national bargaining team at UPS declared that the company has a right to eliminate thousands of positions, in comments made to a local union meeting earlier this month.

The exchange underscores that the Teamsters bureaucracy is helping to carry out a jobs massacre at the company, months after pushing through a new contract at UPS that it falsely hailed as a historic victory.

By the time the meeting took place, UPS had already announced more than 12,000 layoffs nationwide, including the white collar job cuts and the elimination of numerous shifts of warehouse workers across the country. The cuts are part of a worldwide jobs bloodbath with corporations weaponizing automation and other new technologies to cut hundreds of thousands of jobs.

This, however, was only a down payment. In a conference Tuesday with investors, UPS executives laid out a plan to close more than 200 facilities around the country, using automation to eliminate every possible section of the workforce. This so-called Network of the Future would operate with less dependency on labor, one executive said, while CEO Carol Tome declared the company would seek to automate everything.

One of the facilities affected is the Swan Island hub in Portland, Oregon, where the meeting with Teamsters officials took place. The facilitys day sort shift was eliminated earlier this year.

The meeting of Teamsters Local 162, held to discuss the layoffs in the Portland area, took place on Saturday, March 16. It was held at 9:00 a.m. local time to deliberately depress turnout. Nevertheless, a few dozen workers attended.

Significantly, local President Mark Davison, who is also the unions Western Region Vice President and who heads its Western Package Division, was not present. Instead, the main report was given by Business Agent Ben Vedus, who was also a member of the bargaining committee for inside employees.

Vedus sought to minimize the scale of the layoffs. I was optimistic when all of this started that I could get  the amount of folks who [are] going to be laid off to a very low number. And because volume is down, its going to be a little higher than I anticipated, he claimed.

In other words, even while attempting to distance the union from responsibility, he still presented layoffs in one form or another as inevitable, accepting as the starting point UPSs bottom line. Copying company talking points, he falsely claimed the layoffs were due to a temporary decline in volume, rather than permanent changes in the UPS network.

Vedus absurdly tried to spin a region-wide hiring freeze as the company agreeing not to hire anyone off the street until we get everybody [laid off] back to workin other words, never.

A worker then rose from the floor to ask, The question I think a lot of people have is: Why isnt the union fighting against these day shift closures across the country? The worker was a member of the Independent Teamsters Organizing Committee, a newly-formed group opposed to the layoffs.

Vedus then responded derisively, snapping back, What theyre doing, they have a right to do.

This exchange is a highly revealing expression of the bureaucracys contempt for the workers they claim to represent. They defend not the rights of workers but the so-called right of management to do whatever it wants.

For decades, the pro-capitalist union bureaucracies have functioned as little more than extensions of management. Clauses outlining management rights and banning strike action have long been a staple of collective bargaining agreements.

The labor bureaucracy also functions as an extension of the capitalist political establishment, which works through it to uphold the two-party system and prevent workers from developing an independent struggle against capitalism. While the Teamsters executives have said almost nothing about the job cuts, the top leadership of the bureaucracy has held multiple meetings with both President Biden and Donald Trump .

Other elements from the meeting were significant. Vedus attempted to blame layoffs at a hub in Baltimore, Maryland, on an excess of 22.2 workers, the high-seniority workers hired before 1997 who are on a higher wage scale. In other words, those layoffs were the fault of workers for being too highly paid.

Another major issue that emerged was on Market Rate Adjustments. These are unilateral wage increases, given and withdrawn at local managements discretion, in cases where the contractual wage scale is so low that the company is unable to attract enough local workers. At the end of the last contract in 2023, large portions of the country, including Swan Island, were operating under MRAs.

One of the main highlights of the new contract was an increase in starting pay for part-timers to $21 per hour. But some workers at the time warned that the language on MRAs was so weak that the new wage increase could easily be canceled out by withdrawing MRAs.

In the meeting, Vedus admitted that workers who transfer to other facilities would not maintain their MRAs, essentially forcing them to accept a pay cut in order to keep their jobs. While he said the Teamsters were filing a class action grievance against this, this was the predictable result of the contract.

Bureaucracy lied to pass contract

To the extent that management has a purely contractual right to carry out the layoffs, this is only because the contract was passed through fraud. The Teamsters deliberately concealed the fact that their contract, which they claimed to be the best in UPS history and even the product of a credible strike threat after the union spent months pretending to prepare a national strike, contained no protections against the cuts.

Earlier this week, a video surfaced of Teamsters General President Sean OBrien falsely claiming at a rally last September that the union was able to utilize our  members employed at UPS  to fight, protect against autonomous vehicles, protect against artificial intelligence, to ensure that our members employed at UPS had a future that was not gonna be replaced by artificial intelligence and robots.

This was a bald-faced lie. The contract explicitly allows the company to close facilities and eliminate shifts without restriction so long as the company gives the union 45 days notice.

The Teamsters have not even issued a formal statement yet acknowledging the mass layoffs, months after they began. The only reference made by OBrien came during a contract update webinar held earlier in March, which lasted only nine minutes.

At the Portland meeting, Vedus refused to elaborate on the plans for automation when questioned by other workers. He also claimed that, as a member of the bargaining team for inside workers, he was unaware of these plans during the contract talks. This is absurd, given that inside workers would always have been the hardest hit by automation. But even if it were true, it only would indicate that the Teamsters made no attempt at all to protect workers from job cuts.

It must be said bluntly: The bureaucracy is not simply standing aside while UPS carries out job cuts. It is directly helping to impose them. In UPS presentations Tuesday, they emphasized that labor certainty was a key element in their plans. In separate comments to the press, CEO Carol Tome bragged that the new Teamsters contract secured a sharp decrease in cost growth after the first year of the deal.

While thousands of workers lose their jobs, the Teamsters are fighting vigorously against workers freedom of speech. Recently, the union filed a lawsuit against TeamsterLink, a popular independent message board used by members, for copyright infringement for its use of the Teamsters name and logo. This thuggish attack forced the messageboard to change its name.

At the same time, pseudo-left reform groups like Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), which entered the leadership of the Teamsters thanks to its endorcement of OBrien in the 2021 union election, are helping run damage control by claiming that layoffs can be fought through contract enforcement.

In fact, the layoffs can only be fought through a fight against the contract itself, which is not a collective bargaining agreement but a conspiracy between management and the bureaucracy. Both as a basic principle and as a matter of contract law, no deal passed through such levels of fraud can be considered legitimate.

The exchange in Portland underscores the correctness of the call by the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee for a counter-campaign by UPS workers against the job cuts.

In laying out the principles for this campaign, the statement declared:

First, the maximum initiative must remain in the hands of rank-and-file workers. We must not be chained to a perspective of pressuring this or that union bureaucrat or waiting on the outcome of backroom talks. We insist we have the right and the duty to take all actions which we deem necessary to defend our jobs, regardless of whether the bureaucracy sanctions them or not. Second, we must reject the right of UPS and other corporations to a profit at our expense.  The problem is not a lack of money but the domination of the logistics and delivery networks at the heart of the modern economy by massive corporations run by super-wealthy oligarchs. Third, we must unite with workers in logistics and other industries around the US and the world. Everywhere the policy of the major multinational corporations is the same: endless job and wage cuts to pay for profits and for wars in defense of profits. We must meet their global strategy with a global movement uniting workers across all countries in defense of our common interests.

For information on joining the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, fill out the form below.
Over 1,000 students at the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor demonstrated Thursday against the genocide in Gaza and growing attacks on democratic rights by the campus administration.

Demonstration against Gaza genocide at the University of Michigan on March 28, 2024

The protest was a significant expression of the intense and ongoing opposition, in particular among young people, to the US-backed Israeli genocide of the Palestinians, which has been ongoing for nearly six months. With over 30,000 Gazans slaughtered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the population facing the highest levels of famine of any territory in the world, the fascistic Netanyahu regime is determined to press ahead, with plans for a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah in the coming days.

Among students, faculty and staff at U-M and university campuses internationally, there is intense hatred for those responsible for this genocide, including many leaders of these academic institutions. As with college campuses across the US, the University of Michigan is deeply embedded in the American imperialist war machine and the IDF, with hundreds of millions of dollars of endowment funds invested in firms that manufacture and sell drones, surveillance technologies and other weaponry.

Since the beginning of the Gaza genocide last October, U-M students have protested repeatedly and come under attack by the administration, including U-M President Santa Ono, whose annual salary stands at over $1 million.

Protesters at the University of Michigan on March 28, 2024

Over the past week, the administrations attacks on democratic rights significantly deepened, with Ono and Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon each issuing campus-wide emails denouncing protests and threatening students with expulsion and staff with firing.

This was largely in response to a protest Sunday that disrupted a speech by Ono at a ceremony, video of which went viral on social media, as well as a popular campus-wide referendum calling for the divestment of the university from the US and Israeli militaries and the dropping of charges against anti-genocide protesters from last fall.

On Wednesday evening, U-Ms assault on the First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly qualitatively deepened with the release of a draft disruptive activity policy, which the administration aims to rubber-stamp into effect starting April 3. The policy gives the university carte blanche to ban virtually any activity on campus, and will be used to ruthlessly crack down on protests going forward.

At the rally, members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at U-M distributed copies of a statement opposing this policy and the administrations broader attacks on democratic rights. The statement notes:

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.

Almost every protester at the demonstration took a copy of the statement, with many speaking with IYSSE members and reporters with the World Socialist Web Site.

Zoe said the campus policies were so quickly written and so unclear that they take down every form of protesting, even peaceful protesting. It is based on their own subjective perspective on whats allowed and whats not, and whats stopping traffic and whats not. But there are things that the university does that inhibit the flow of traffic as well, so I just think that its very one-sided from their perspective.

Zoe (left) and Madisen (right)

Madisen said she felt that economics were a primary factor driving the genocide in Gaza, noting, I think the US and Israel are both big players in the global economy and it just stuns me every day how they just can continue killing and displacing and starving people.

Zoe added, I just want to see the value of people placed over the value of profit. I still feel like the root of all of it is money and maintaining allies, as many allies as they can. I dont know why, because all countries could just remain peaceful and not every issue needs to end in peoples lives ending.

A WSWS reporter explained that as socialists, we see the solution as ending capitalism and creating a socialist federation in the Middle East and globally, based on the international unity of the working class. Zoe commented, Im hoping to see change for the better in the future. Karl Marx laid it out in the Communist Manifesto that capitalism will fall eventually and the people will rise up for socialism or communism.

Protesters march through the University of Michigan on March 28, 2024

Another student, who declined to have a photograph taken for fear of retribution, commented:

I think if [the new rules] were to be adopted it would be just insane hypocrisy; to say in one breath that they support freedom of speech and peoples right to protest, especially students on campus, and then in the next to say if you do any sort of disruptive protest there will be action taken against you. I think money is behind this, a lot of money. I definitely think people are being influenced by economic interests and you know people that are providing money to the school that obviously want to keep their investments in Israel and not pull out.

Socialist Equality Party (US) presidential candidate Joseph Kishore and vice presidential candidate Jerry White participated in the protest, with Kishore stating in a video:

The U-M administration is deeply connected to the Democratic Party, which is waging this war on democratic rights of students. It has to be opposed through the development of a movement to defend democratic rights through the mobilization of the working class. The working class is the social force that must be mobilized to defend democratic rights and to oppose imperialism. That is what the Socialist Equality Party is fighting for. Were fighting for an orientation to the development of a movement in the working class, a break with the Democratic and Republican parties, and the fight for a socialist opposition to imperialism and war.

The protest and march were organized by the TAHRIR Coalition, which includes a broad range of over 80 student groups opposed to the genocide in Gaza. A media representative from the coalition refused to allow Kishore to address the rally.

The speeches given were politically amorphous, while largely omitting the central role of the Biden administration and the Democratic Party in orchestrating the genocide in Gaza. The anti-democratic measures of the U-M administration were only briefly referenced, with no serious examination of their far-reaching implications for students, faculty and staff at U-M, across the US and internationally.

Among the groups playing a leading role in the TAHRIR Coalition is the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), which also largely controls the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) union, and played a central role in the betrayal of the graduate students strike last year.

The role of the DSA is to block any challenge to the Democratic Party, while preventing the development of any broader movement extending outside the U-M campus and independent of the Democratic Party. DSA member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a representative in Congress, has insisted that young people and students support Biden, who has led US support for the genocide in Gaza.

After the rally at the Diag, protest organizers led demonstrators on a march through part of the campus, including two brief occupations of the Ross School of Business and the Michigan Union buildings. While political discussion and debate were drowned out with chanting and marching, members of the IYSSE and SEP found a strong response to the revolutionary socialist program they advanced.
Protests by artists and museum workers continue against the Israeli barbarism in Gaza, carried out with the Biden administrations full complicity, and the silence of leading arts institutions.

The death toll mounts and famine looms for the Palestinian population, alarming and horrifying millions across the globe. Meanwhile, official government spokesmen, in Tel Aviv, Washington, Berlin and elsewhere, hands dripping with blood, hypocritically decry antisemitism and apologies for terrorism.

Last Sunday, some 350 artists and cultural workers took part in an action outside the main entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) in New York City. They unfurled a 30-by-50-foot collective quiltentitled From Occupation to Liberationfeaturing, according to the Art Newspaper, sewn, painted and printed designs by more than 60 artists expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

From Occupation to Liberation quilt (Photo credit-Alexa B. Wilkerson (@alexabwilkerson))

The pro-Palestine quilts panels, most of which feature the red, green and black of the countrys flag, vary widely in style and tone, the online publication reported. Sara Erenthal, whose square of the quilt features two crying figures raising their hands in need, told the Art Newspaper that the images that keep sticking in my mind are of parents holding their children, siblings holding each otherpeople protecting their loved ones and begging for help.  As a Jewish person its important that I lend my voice to this cause.

ArtNews pointed out that the vast quilt calling for Palestinian liberation also honored the poet Refaat Alareer, who was killed in an airstrike in Gaza this past December.

The artist-led advocacy group Hope in the Art World explained in a statement that We ally ourselves in the global movement for a ceasefire and Palestinian liberation and the acknowledgment that the history of Palestinian subjugation is upheld by occupation and U.S. military funding.  We, furthermore, object to the argument of conflating the call for a ceasefire to be a baseless accusation of antisemitism.

The same group, in a press release, noted that they had organized the protest at the Metropolitan Museum entrance to make several clear demands: that the publicly funded museum (1) cut ties with board members who profit from the ongoing Israeli bombardment and settler-colonial occupation of Palestine, (2) support an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Gaza and (3) aid in the preservation of Palestinian cultural heritage sites being destroyed and desecrated by Israel.

Protesters handed out a mock brochure calling on museum visitors to Dump the Fine Art of Imperialism. They chanted Free Palestine and Art for Liberation, Not for Colonization. In its statement, Hope in the Art World inveighs against an institution whose board members and endowments are heavily invested in the war on Gaza and directly profit from the occupation of Palestine.

A Cry for Help, Sara Erenthal (saraerenthalart) on Instagram

On March 11, 158 staff, fellows, and volunteers at the Metropolitan, calling themselves Met Workers For Palestine, delivered an open letter to Chief Executive Officer Max Hollein urging the institution to take a public stand against the genocide.

The letter observes that since the Hamas raid of October 7, Israel has imposed massive destruction in Gaza. In addition to the tens of thousands of civilians killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), most buildings in Gaza have been destroyed, including precious cultural heritage sites and arts institutions. More than 100 mosques have been leveled, including Gazas oldest, the Great Omari Mosque. The third oldest church in the world, the Church of St. Porphyrios, was bombed, as was the Hamman al-Sammara, an ancient bathhouse in the historic Jewish Quarter.

The open letter adds that museums have also been attacked, including the Rafah Museum, the Rashad El Shawa Cultural Center, and the Al Qarara Cultural Museum which held pieces dating to the Bronze Age. Over 200 Palestinian cultural heritage sites have been destroyed.

The museum workers recall that the Metropolitan condemned Russias attack on Ukraine [in 2022] and the destruction of Kuindzhi Art Museum in Mariupol and President Donald Trumps threats in 2020 to destroy Iranian cultural heritage sites.  We ask that MMA take that stand again now.

The letter goes on to urge the museum to take steps to better attribute and showcase our collection of Palestinian artworks and to protect the voices of staff who express horror at the massive loss of life and who lament the destruction of Gazas cultural heritage.

Staff members at the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York have issued similar statements. More than 250 workers at the former institution issued a letter in November that read in part,

Israel has continued its merciless attacks on Gaza even while knowing Israeli hostages are held there, bombing hospitals, a refugee camp, holy sites, and blocking exit routes to effectively trap Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile, in the United States, cultural institutions have largely uplifted a narrative of recent events that erases or downplays Palestinian loss, discredits the Palestinian fight for self-determination, and dehumanizes Palestinians. This outlook contradicts the stated values of our institution and those that we personally hold as art workers, writers, and artists.

We refuse to make this issue more complicated than it is: the unrelenting killing of Palestinians must stop with a ceasefire and the occupation of Palestinian land must end.

The Museum of Modern Art workers released an open letter in February, which asserted that

It is imperative our collective statement clearly outlines that Zionism is neither synonymous with nor representative of Judaism, therefore a critique of the violence enacted in the name of Zionist rhetoric is in no way a suggestion of antisemitism. As museum and cultural workers, we condemn the heightened cases of both Islamophobia and antisemitism that have resulted as direct collateral of Israels crimes in Gaza.
In an interview with CBS News broadcast on Wednesday evening, the mother of former Boeing employee and whistleblower John Barnett said she holds the airplane manufacturer responsible for the death of her son.

John Barnett in the 2022 Netflix documentary "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing." [Photo: Netflix]

Vicky Stokes and her son Rodney Barnett spoke to CBS News in their first television interview since John Barnett, 62, was found dead from a gunshot wound in his vehicle in a Holiday Inn parking lot in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 9.

When asked by CBS News reporter Mark Strassmann if she blamed Boeing for her sons death, Vicky Stokes spoke through tears, saying, I think if this hadnt gone on so long, Id still have my son. My sons would still have their brother, and we wouldnt be sitting here. So, in that respect, I do.

She also said the company had deliberately tried to destroy the reputation of her son. He didnt go into a lot of detail, but I know he was embarrassed at meetings when he would be called out.  It would wear anybody down after seven or eight years.

Barnett was in Charleston to resume giving deposition testimony in his whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing over manufacturing quality and safety practices on its passenger airplanes on the day of his death.

While his death remains under investigation by Charleston law enforcement, County Coroner Bobbi Jo ONeal said John Barnett died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The mother and brother of the deceased former Boeing quality manager told CBS News that they want to see John Barnetts fight for the safety of the flying public preserved. Because the investigation into Johns death is still ongoing, Vicky and Rodney said they did not want to comment on whether they believe he died from a suicide or not.

The CBS News interview was the first instance that a major television network reported the death of Barnett amidst a series of midair safety failures by Boeing aircraft and the recent resignations of CEO David Calhoun and head of the companys airline division, Stan Deal.

Following a near-fatal midair blowout of a door plug on a Boeing 737 Max 9 in January, there have been at least seven other instances of Boeing aircraft equipment problems that have exposed lax manufacturing and maintenance processes at company facilities. These recent failures follow the catastrophic deaths of 346 people on two 737 Max 8 crashes in October 2018 in Indonesia and March 2019 in Ethiopia caused by a design flaw in an onboard autopilot system.

CBS News reporter Strassmann asked Rodney Barnett how his brother responded to the latest safety failures at Boeing. Rodney said, It wasnt joyful, I can tell you that. This whole thing was the flying public. He had their back. All these times, hes had their back trying to stand up and get the safety concerns straightened out.

John Barnett was employed by Boeing for 32 years and had become a quality manager responsible for ensuring aircraft were safe to fly before leaving production facilities. After working at the companys facility in Everett, Washington, Barnett transferred to the Boeing factory in Charleston, where the full line of 787 Dreamliner is produced.

As a quality manager at the North Charleston facility between 2010 and 2017, Barnett began filing numerous ethics complaints about a deep-rooted and persistent culture of concealment about declining quality practices at Boeing. He said the company failed to follow procedures required by the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeings own rules, and his complaints were ignored or dismissed by the company managers.

During an interview for a Netflix documentary on Boeing in 2019, Barnett said, Boeing quit listening to their employees. So, every time Id raise my hand and say, Hey, weve got a problem here, they would attack the messenger and ignore the message.

Barnett filed an administrative complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) before he resigned in 2017 and, in 2021, he filed a lawsuit alleging a long list of safety problems, including Titanium shavings falling into electrical wiring, defective oxygen tanks and managers urging him to cut corners. After seven years of litigation, the case was nearing a trial date when Barnett was found dead.

Strassman also interviewed Barnetts attorneys Brian Knowles and Robert Turkewitz about their former client. Knowles said, The retaliation John faced was something he endured constantly. Turkewitz noted, He wasnt trying to hurt Boeing, he was trying to save Boeing. He saw this coming, and he said, at some point, this is all going to come down on Boeing.

When asked about how she wished to continue her sons legacy, Vicky Stokes told Strassmann, That Boeing changes and makes things right in their factories.
A report of a drive-by shooting in Sweet Home turns out to have involved a paintball gun.

The Sweet Home Police Department posted a request for community assistance on social media after receiving a report of a handgun being fired at a pedestrian from a vehicle around 6 a.m. Sunday, March 24.

A Place to Sleep, episode 4: Sweet Home In Sweet Home, you'll find the region's only designated sleeping place for folks actively self-medicating with alcohol and narcotics.

The social media post asked for surveillance footage from those living in the area of the 4800 block of Main Street in hopes of identifying what appeared to be a newer model Chevrolet SUV. Officers reportedly obtained video of the vehicle from a nearby business and were working to identify suspects.

Later that day, the post was updated to say the vehicle was located and a person was in custody, noting that the handgun was determined to be a paintball gun.

We appreciate the assistance of the community resolving this incident quickly and safely, the post states.

The suspect, Nikolas Teoli, was charged with menacing, according to Sweet Home Police Department Chief Jason Ogden. Teoli was given a court date but not booked into jail, Ogden said via email.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today.
Lebanon's school board has a vacancy.

The Lebanon Community School District announced it was looking to fill a spot on the five-member panel earlier this month after longtime member Michael Martin resigned his position.

Martin was serving as the body's vice chair and had been on the board since 2009. His current term was set to expire next year.

A Place to Sleep, episode 5: Lebanon How did the last couple of elections change the way East Linn County interacts with its unho

In a statement, Martin said he was finalizing some real estate ventures in Central Oregon and was currently finding it difficult to meet the demands of his board duties.

Martin, a former public school teacher, encouraged the board to focus on increasing the district's graduation rate, supporting early childhood education, and growing career and technical education programs, among other priorities.

He also encouraged the board to "steer clear of frivolous issues" and focus on academic achievement. He also thanked the community for letting him serve for over 15 years.

"I have enjoyed the education and plan on future public service," he wrote in an email.

The district is now looking for candidates to apply for Martins Zone 3 position. Whoever is selected will serve out the remainder of his term, ending June 30, 2025.

That person would also be eligible to run for the seat for a full four-year term on next years May ballot.

Candidates must be registered voters in the district and reside in Zone 3, which encompasses South Lebanon. Applications for the seat are due by 4 p.m. April 29 and can be submitted directly to the superintendents office or online. The application is available on the district's website.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today.

Public interviews for candidates will be held at the school board meeting scheduled for May 9, and according to board Chair Tom Oliver, the body intends to name their newest member the same day.

At the latest school board meeting on March 14, the board voted to make current member Nichole Piland the bodys vice chair.

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The 8-year-old girl was seriously injured and was transported to a local hospital where she is being treated following the deadly accident in South Africa

Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety/Facebook Mmamatlakala Bridge

Forty-five people died, and one 8-year-old girl survived after a bus crashed over a bridge in South Africa, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety wrote in a Facebook announcement Thursday.

The Thursday mass casualty accident occurred on the Mma Matlakala Bridge between Marken and Mokopane in the northern province of Limpopo, South Africa about 200 miles north of Johannesburg.

The bus was transporting 45 passengers from Gaborone, Botswana, to a church in Moira, Limpopo Province, for Easter this coming weekend, per the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The vehicle was registered in the neighboring country. Currently, department officials are trying to confirm the victims citizenships.

According to reports, the driver lost control, and the bus fell onto a rocky surface some 50 meters [164 feet] under the bridge and caught fire, read the Facebook announcement.

Traffic Policing Affairs Limpopo/Facebook

Related: 10-Year-Old Girl Killed in New Jersey Bus Crash Laid to Rest: 'We Know That An Angel Was Needed'

Once the rescue teams responded, they discovered some of the victims bodies were burned beyond recognition, while other bodies were trapped inside the debris and others scattered on the scene.

Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety/Facebook Mmamatlakala Bridge

The sole survivor was seriously injured in the accident, the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). She was then transported to a nearby hospital, where she is currently being treated, per the Facebook announcement.

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Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety/Facebook Authorities at the scene of Mmamatlakala, South Africa bridge

Related: 3 Dead and 15 Injured in Ohio Bus Crash Involving Charter Bus Carrying High School Students

I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, Minister Chikunga Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.

We want really to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families but also to the government of Botswana and to the people of Botswana and as South Africa we will try everything to assist so that they go back to their country and families to be buried with dignity, said Minister Chikunga, per the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

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Tony Bobulinski, a former associate of Hunter Biden who recently testified against President Joe Biden in the GOP-led House impeachment inquiry, filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News co-host Jessica Tarlov on Thursday.

The complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, seeks $30 million in damages from the liberal pundit over comments she made on Fox News about Bobulinski and his legal representation. Stefan Passantino, a lawyer for Bobulinski, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Following Bobulinskis public testimony in an impeachment hearing last week, Tarlov said during the March 20 broadcast of The Five that a Donald Trump-associated political action committee had paid Bobulinskis legal fees. Tarlov, however, issued a clarification the following day after Bobulinskis attorney Jesse Binnall demanded a retraction and apology.

I would like to clarify a comment I made yesterday during our discussion of Tony Bobulinskis appearance at the congressional hearing. During an exchange with my colleagues about the hearing I said that Mr. Bobulinskis lawyers fees have been paid by a Trump SuperPAC as recent as January, she said on March 21. What was actually said during the hearing was that the law firm representing Mr. Bobulinski was paid by a Trump PAC. I have seen no indication those payments were made in connection with Mr. Bobulinskis legal fees and he denies that they were.

Bobulinski, however, was unsatisfied with Tarlovs remarks and sent Fox News another threatening letter the following day, adding that legal actions would be taken if his demands were not met.

To be clear, we demand a complete retraction and apology by Ms. Tarlov AT THE TOP OF TODAYS SHOW while showing this photograph in which Ms. Tarlov clearly states that she explicitly apologizes to Tony Bobulinski and Stefan Passantino for making a false claim on the air which harmed their reputations. Ms. Tarlov must further state, To be clear, it appears that Mr. Bobulinski has always paid all of his legal bills and there is no evidence that Mr. Passantino or his law firm accepted money from anyone other than Mr. Bobulinski for his representation. These statements must be made without the petulant innuendo or further attempted mental gymnastics as we saw from her yesterday, that letter read. Absent such statements, both he and Mr. Passantino will continue to be harmed.

Tarlov, meanwhile, did not issue the requested apology and retraction. Additionally, Fox News lawyers responded by noting that Tarlovs correction was accurate, and we will not be issuing any further correction. Adding that Tarlov had made clear that she had no indication that there was any such connection between a Trump PAC and Mr. Bobulinskis fees, Fox lawyers repeated Bobulinskis denial and reiterated that the network will not issue any further correction.

The network reiterated its position in a statement Thursday.

Jessica Tarlovs March 21st statements were accurate and made clear that she was not aware of anything to indicate that payments from a Trump PAC to Elections, LLC were made in connection with Tony Bobulinskis legal fees, a Fox News spokesperson told The Daily Beast. We stand by our decision to not issue any further corrections and will vigorously defend against these inaccurate claims.

Essentially repeating the claims made in the first two retraction demands to Fox News, the lawsuit accuses Tarlov of deliberately and maliciously defaming Bobulinski in an attempt to discredit his testimony before the House.

Ms. Tarlov was aware at the time she made them that these false statements invoking President Trump would inflame a segment of the country against Mr. Bobulinski and Mr. Passantino and would falsely cause her viewers to disbelieve Mr. Bobulinskis sworn testimony, the complaint alleges. As a Democratic strategist, and consistent with a well-established pattern of hostile and malicious intent to defame the character and reputation of anyone associated with President Trump, such as Mr. Passantino, and anyone who dared speak up against the Biden family.

The lawsuit also cites Tarlovs March 20 retweet of a Daily Beast article about a Trump PAC burning through donors money to cover the ex-presidents legal fees, claiming it was exemplary of her awareness and pattern of hostile and malicious intent against Plaintiffs.

While the complaint accuses Tarlov of three counts of defamation, the lawsuit notably does not name Fox News as a defendant but just The Five co-host individually.

In a statement through a spokesperson, Bobulinki said the following:

Today I filed a lawsuit against Ms. Jessica Tarlov of Fox News for defamation. Although I am seeking compensatory, special, and punitive damages from her for the damage her public remarks inflicted on my personal and professional reputation, this is not about money. This is about the truth, for which I have been fighting for four years. It is important for media personalities like Ms. Tarlov to understand that lies have consequences. I have consistently told the truth to the American people about the deep corruption of the Biden family and will continue to do, and I have paid my legal expenses arising from my decision to come forward out of my own pocket. I will donate every penny I may be awarded in this suit to a childrens hospital and to support our military Veterans. Ms. Tarlov refused to apologize and sincerely correct the record. I look forward to holding her accountable in a court of law and to continuing to bring the truth to the American people.

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Linajah Brooker was swept away after falling into Chester Creek in Pennsylvania on March 22

City of Chester, PA Linajah Brooker

Pennsylvania authorities announced Tuesday that they were ceasing search efforts for Linajah Brooker, who fell into Chester Creek last week

Authorities said that she was swept away in Chester Creek on the early evening of March 22 amid heavy rain in the area

She was a sweetheart, said dad Montez Brooker

After authorities announced that they have ceased searching for Linajah Brooker, the 6-year-old girl who fell into a Pennsylvania creek almost a week ago, her father remembered her as his angel.

She was a sweetheart, Montez Brooker said in an interview with NBC affiliate WCAU. Although the girl's dad told WCAU he feels his daughter is still out there, he recognizes that "shes gone.

Authorities said the 6-year-old girl was swept away in Chester Creek on the early evening of March 22 amid heavy rain in the area.

Related: Human Remains Found in Car Submerged in N.C. Creek Likely Linked to 1982 Cold Case, Police Say

Officials said that the girl was playing with her friends near the creek when she slipped and fell into the creek, ABC affiliate WPIV reported.

At a news conference over the weekend, Chester Fire Commissioner John-Paul Shirley said local emergency responders and the Coast Guard searched the creek with the assistance of drones and boats.

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Having exhausted all available resources to locate Linajah over the past three-and-a-half days, we are now ceasing search operations, read a press statement issued by the City of Chester and previously shared with PEOPLE. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.

Related: 3-Year-Old Boy Dies After Getting Swept Away While Trying to Cross the Rio Grande with Family

In a statement Tuesday, Chester Mayor Stefan Roots expressed his gratitude to the various agencies involved in looking for the missing child for the last few days.

Unfortunately, despite our collective efforts, we have been unable to locate the child, Roots said. It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge this outcome. Our hearts ache for the family as they navigate through unimaginable grief. To the family, please know that the entire community stands with you during this incredibly difficult time.

Meanwhile, Christian Aid Ministries, an Ohio group that assists in finding the lost and missing, has joined in the search for the missing WPVI reported, spending Thursday examining the creek. They were expected to resume looking for the child on Friday.

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Activist Disney investor Blackwells Capital is suing the media giant over what it sees as an inappropriately cozy relationship with another shareholder, ValueAct Capital.

In the lawsuit filed Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court (read it here), Blackwells lays out concerns about whether ValueAct has been paid to take a pro-Disney position in a brewing proxy fight with activists. Blackwells and Trian Fund Management have agitated for fresh voices on Disneys board of directors ahead of Wednesdays annual shareholder meeting, when ballots in board elections officially will be tallied.

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The lawsuit requests books and records in order to determine whether wrongdoing, mismanagement, or breaches of fiduciary duty, including potential violations of disclosure obligations under the federal securities laws, have taken place. Blackwells also maintains that ValueAct managed Disney pension funds from 2013-23, a fact that Disney neglected to disclose when proclaiming ValueActs support.

RELATED: Disney And Ron DeSantis Allies Reach Settlement Over Theme Park District As Mouse House Board Battle Looms

The Blackwells complaint is rooted in a January 3 announcement by Disney. It touted ValueActs support for the companys board nominees and management. In exchange, the company said it would provide information to the investment firm and consult with ValueAct on strategic matters, including through meetings with the Disney Board and management.

A Disney spokesperson called the suits claims baseless and described the complaint as merely their desperate attempt to gain attention for their slate of director candidates. The spokesperson went on to assert, No Disney pension plan funds are currently invested with ValueAct nor were they managing any Disney pension plan funds at the time of their entering into an information-sharing agreement with the company. Prior to Blackwells filing this litigation, Disney offered to meet with them and provide documentation confirming those facts, but Blackwells declined the meeting.

RELATED: Bob Iger And Disney Get Backing In Proxy Battle From Former CEO Michael Eisner

The legal clash comes after Blackwells publicly backed Chairman and CEO Bob Iger and the companys official slate of board nominees on the same day as the ValueAct agreement last January. Unlike Trian, which has traded blows with Disney and repeatedly aired its critiques, Blackwells has reserved most of its ire for Trian and its leader, Nelson Peltz, even though it has proposed three alternate picks for the board.

RELATED: In Blow To Disney, Leading Proxy Advisory Firm Backs Nelson Peltz For Board, Cites Critically Flawed Succession Process

Shareholders already have begun casting votes for board candidates, with tens of millions spent by Trian and Disney to promote their rival perspectives. When votes are counted up next week, it is likely to go down as the most consequential Disney shareholder meeting in 20 years, regardless of the outcome.

Shareholders have until 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday to cast ballots, with the results revealed at the meeting, which will be conducted virtually and livestreamed on Disneys investor relations website.

RELATED: George Lucas Comes Out In Support Of Bob Iger, Disney In Proxy Battle: Creating Magic Is Not For Amateurs

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Gypsy Rose Blanchard announced her split from Ryan Scott Anderson just three months after her early prison release in December 2023

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images; GYPSY-ROSE BLANCHARD-ANDERSON/INSTAGRAM Rod Blanchard and Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Gypsy Rose Blanchard's father had previously expressed reservations about his daughter's marriage to Ryan Scott Anderson before the couple's split was announced this week.

In an interview with PEOPLE ahead of Blanchard's early prison release in December 2023, Rod Blanchard opened up about Gypsys marriage to the special education teacher from Louisiana and shared his thoughts on the likelihood of the relationship lasting.



Personally, I give it a 50/50 chance that it's going to work, he told PEOPLE at the time. She can be spontaneous and make a quick decision and just jump into things without thinking."

Rod also shared his feelings on the couple moving in together after her prison release.

"I wish she would have came home here and when her being on parole was over, live with him, just live with him, learn him," he said. "She's grown, and she was told what to do all her life. We wish she wouldn't have, but like I told her, if it doesn't work out, I'll be there to help pick up the pieces. I really do hope it does work out. Ryan's a great guy. He loves her for all the right reasons."



On Thursday, Gypsy, 32, announced the split with Anderson in a statement obtained by PEOPLE from her private Facebook account.

Related: Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

People have been asking what is going on in my life. Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents home down the bayou. I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find who I am," the post read.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Instagram Ryan Scott Anderson and Gypsy Rose Blanchard

The pairs separation comes just three months after Gypsy was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri after serving more than eight years in prison for plotting to murder her mother, Clauddine Dee Dee Blanchard, with then-boyfriend Nicholas "Nick" Godejohn. (Godejohn, 32, was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2019 following his trial conviction for first-degree murder.)

Gypsy and Anderson  who first connected in 2020  tied the knot in a July 21, 2022, jailhouse ceremony with no guests. Prior to her release, Gypsy told PEOPLE she planned to marry him again and was looking forward to starting their life together.

"We do plan on having a reception/redo wedding with all of our family and our friends and the dress and the cake and everything because we deserve that. I deserve that. He deserves that," she told PEOPLE in 2023. "Our prison wedding was just something to where we can make our vows to each other. It was something that meant something to us. And I think the party is kind of for everybody else and us, but mostly for everybody else."

Related: Read PEOPLE's Cover Story on Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Prison Release After Murdering Mom: 'Ready for Freedom'

Gypsy was charged with the killing of her mother Dee Dee who was found dead in June 2015. Widely believed to be a victim of Munchausen by proxy, Gypsy was mentally and physically abused by Dee Dee throughout her entire life. It was revealed after her death that Dee Dee subjected Gypsy to unnecessary medical treatments and convinced her daughter and others that her daughter had a litany of illnesses as a child.

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Gypsy was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016 after she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in her mother's killing. In 2023, she qualified for early release after serving eight years of her sentence.

Earlier this month, Gypsy deleted all of her public social media accounts. A source explained to PEOPLE that she deleted her accounts at the advisement of her parole officer, so she wont get in trouble and go back to jail."



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In 2014, WIRED asked me to write a few lines about my most-used app as part of an internship application. I wrote about WhatsApp because it was a no-brainer. I was an international student from India, and it was my lifeline to my family and to my girlfriend, now my wife, who lived on the other side of the world. This cross-platform messenger gets all the credit for my long-distance relationship of two years, which is still going strong, I wrote in my application. Skype is great, Google+ Hangouts are the best thing to have happened since Gmail but nothing says I love you like a WhatsApp text message.

A few months into that internship, Facebook announced it was buying WhatsApp for a staggering $19 billion. In WIREDs newsroom, there were audible gasps at this seemingly minor player's price tag. American journalists werent exactly unfamiliar with WhatsApp. But much of the country was still locked in a battle between green and blue bubbles, even as the rest of the world had switched to an app created by two former Yahoo! engineers in WIREDs Mountain View backyard.

Text messaging was one of the few things you could do on WhatsApp in 2014. There were no emoji you could react with, no high-definition videos you could send, no GIFs or stickers, no read receipts until the end of that year and certainly no voice or video calling. And yet, more than 500 million people around the world were hooked, reveling in the freedom of using nascent cellular data to swap unlimited messages with friends and family instead of paying mobile carriers per text.

WhatsApps founders, Jan Koum and Brian Acton, launched the app in 2009 simply to display status messages next to peoples names in a phones contact book. But after Apple introduced push notifications on the iPhone later that year, it evolved into a full-blown messaging service. Now, 15 years later, WhatsApp has become a lot more  an integral part of the propaganda machinery of political parties in India and Brazil, a way for millions of businesses to reach customers, a way to send money to people and merchants, a distribution platform for publications, brands and influencers, a video conferencing system and a private social network for older adults. And it is still a great way for long-distance lovers to stay connected.

WhatsApp is kind of like a media platform and kind of like a messaging platform, but its also not quite those things, Surya Mattu, a researcher at Princeton who runs the universitys Digital Witness Lab, which studies how information flows through WhatsApp, told Engadget. It has the scale of a social media platform, but it doesnt have the traditional problems of one because there are no recommendations and no social graph.

Indeed, WhatsApps scale dwarfs nearly every social network and messaging app out there. In 2020, WhatsApp announced it had more than two billion users around the world. Its bigger than iMessage (1.3 billion users), TikTok (1 billion), Telegram (800 million), Snap (400 million) and Signal (40 million.) It stands head and shoulders above fellow Meta platform Instagram, which captures around 1.4 billion users. The only thing bigger than WhatsApp is Facebook itself, with more than three billion users .

WhatsApp has become the worlds default communications platform. Ten years after it was acquired, its growth shows no sign of stopping. Even in the US, it is finally beginning to break through the green and blue bubble battles and is reportedly one of Metas fastest-growing services. As Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the New York Times last year, WhatsApp is the next chapter for the company.

Will Cathcart, a longtime Meta executive, who took over WhatsApp in 2019 after its original founders departed the company, credits WhatsApps early global growth to it being free (or nearly free  at one point, WhatsApp charged people $1 a year), running on almost any phone, including the worlds millions of low-end Android devices, reliably delivering messages even in large swathes of the planet with suboptimal network conditions and, most importantly, being dead simple, free of the bells and whistles that bloat most other messaging apps. In 2013, a year before Facebook acquired it, WhatsApp added the ability to send short audio messages.

That was really powerful, Cathcart told Engadget, People who dont have high rates of literacy or someone new to the internet could spin up WhatsApp, use it for the first time and understand it.

In 2016, WhatsApp added end-to-end encryption, something Cathcart said was a huge selling point. The feature made WhatsApp a black box, hiding the contents of messages from everyone  even WhatsApp  except the sender and the receiver. The same year, WhatsApp announced that one billion people were using the service every month.

That explosive growth came with a huge flip side: As hundreds of millions of people in heavily populated regions, like Brazil and India, came online for the first time, thanks to inexpensive smartphone and data prices, WhatsApp became a conduit for hoaxes and misinformation to flow freely. In India, currently WhatsApps largest market with more than 700 million users, the app overflowed with propaganda and disinformation against opposition political parties, cheerleading Narendra Modi, the countrys nationalist Prime Minister accused of destroying its secular fabric.

Then people started dying. In 2017 and 2018, frenzied mobs in remote parts of the country high on baseless rumors about child abductors forwarded through WhatsApp, lynched nearly two dozen people in 13 separate incidents. In response to the crisis, WhatsApp swung into action. Among other things, it made significant product changes, such as clearly labeling forwarded messages  the primary way misformation spread across the service  as well as severely restricting the number of people and groups users could forward content to at the same time.

In Brazil, the app is widely seen as a key tool in the countrys former President Jair Bolsonaros 2018 win. Bolsonaro, a far-right strongman, was accused of getting his supporters to circumvent WhatsApps spam controls to run elaborate misinformation campaigns, blasting thousands of WhatsApp messages attacking his opponent, Fernando Haddad.

Since these incidents, WhatsApp has established fact-checking partnerships with more than 50 fact-checking organizations globally (because WhatsApp is encrypted, fact-checkers depend on users reporting messages to their WhatsApp hotlines and respond with fact checks). It also made additional product changes, like letting users quickly Google a forwarded message to fact-check it within the app. Over time, there might be more things we can do, said Cathcart, including potentially using AI to help with WhatsApps fact-checking. Theres a bunch of interesting things we could do there, I dont think were done, he said.

Recently, WhatsApp has rapidly added new features, such as the ability to share large files, messages that auto-destruct after theyre viewed, Instagram-like Stories (called Statuses) and larger group calls, among other things. But a brand new feature rolled out globally in fall 2023 called Channels points to WhatsApps ambitions to become more than a messaging app. WhatsApp described Channels, in a blog post announcing the launch, as a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers and polls. Theyre a bit like a Twitter feed from brands, publishers and people you choose to follow. It has a dedicated tab in WhatsApp, although interaction with content is limited to responding with emoji  no replies. There are currently thousands of Channels on WhatsApp and 250-plus have more than a million followers each, WhatsApp told Engadget. They include Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny (18.9 million followers), Narendra Modi (13.8 million followers), FC Barcelona (27.7 million followers) and the WWE (10.9 million followers). And even though its early days, Channels is fast becoming a way for publishers to distribute their content and build an audience.

It took a year for us to grow to an audience of 35,000 on Telegram, Rachel Banning-Lover, the head of social media and development at the Financial Times (155,000 followers) told Nieman Lab in November. Comparatively, we [grew] a similar-sized following [on WhatsApp] in two weeks.

WhatsApps success at consistently adding new functionality without succumbing to feature sprawl has allowed it to thrive, both with its core audience and also, more recently, with users in the US. According to data that analytics firm Data.ai shared with Engadget, WhatsApp had nearly 83 million users in the US in January 2024, compared to 80 million a year before. A couple of years ago, WhatsApp ran an advertising campaign in the US  its first in the country  where billboards and TV spots touted the apps focus on privacy.

Its a sentiment shared by Zuckerberg himself, who, in 2021, shared a privacy-focused vision for social networking on his Facebook page. I believe the future of communication will increasingly shift to private, encrypted services where people can be confident that what they say to each other stays secure and their messages and content wont stick around, he wrote. This is the future I hope we will help bring about.

Meta has now begun using WhatsApps sheer scale to generate revenue, although its unclear so far how much money, if any, the app makes. The business model were really excited about and one that weve been growing for a couple of years successfully is helping people talk to businesses on WhatsApp, Cathcart said. Thats a great experience. Meta monetizes WhatsApp by charging large businesses to integrate the platform directly into existing systems they use to manage interactions with customers. And it integrates the whole system with Facebook, allowing businesses to place ads on Facebook that, when clicked, open directly to a WhatsApp chat with the business. These have become the fastest-growing ad format across Meta, the company told The New York Times.

A few years ago, a configuration change in Facebooks internal network knocked multiple Facebook services, including WhatsApp, off the internet for more than six hours and ground the world to a halt.

Its like the equivalent of your phone and the phones of all of your loved ones being turned off without warning. [WhatsApp] essentially functions as an unregulated utility, journalist Aura Bogado reportedly wrote on X (then Twitter). In New Delhi and Brazil, gig workers were unable to reach customers and lost out on wages. In London, crypto trades stopped as traders were unable to communicate with clients. One firm claimed a drop of 15 percent. In Russia, oil markets were hit after traders were unable to get in touch with buyers in Europe and Asia placing orders.

Fifteen years after it was created, the messaging app now runs the world.

Engadget 20th anniversary banner

To celebrate Engadget's 20th anniversary, we're taking a look back at the products and services that have changed the industry since March 2, 2004.
Were all in a group chat. Were having the time of our lives, Brent tells 'House Beautiful'

Jonathan Van Ness/Instagram

The Queer Eye cast is in a good place, if you ask the newest member of the Fab Five.

Jeremiah Brent, who will Bobby Berk as the Netflix series design guru, is ready to start filming season 9. And despite a recent report claiming there have been tensions among the shows stars, Brent says he hasnt witnessed any beefs in the group.

Ive got to tell you, theres no drama with any of us, Brent told House Beautiful for its first digital cover story. Were all in a group chat. Were having the time of our lives.

Everybodys heads and hearts are in the right spot, he added. Its really healthy right now, and I think were all really excited about this season.

Frank Frances

In fact, Brent was seen smiling alongside his new castmates, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski and Karamo Brown, in a photo Van Ness posted on Instagram Thursday in honor of the grooming expert's 37th birthday.

"I love my friends," Van Ness wrote in the caption.

In a story published by Rolling Stone March 5, three unnamed sources told the outlet that France, the shows fashion expert, campaigned to replace Berk with alleged support from Porowski.

France disputed those allegations in an Instagram video posted later that week.

My former colleague getting fired had nothing to do with me trying to get my friend hired, France said. Netflix, the production companies, did a full on casting. I didnt pop my friend up for the job.

While Berk previously admitted to Vanity Fair that there was a "situation" between the two costars and hed unfollowed France on Instagram as a result, he said theyd moved past it.

Amy Sussman/Getty; Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty

Related: Tan France Reportedly 'Campaigned' to Replace Bobby Berk with Jeremiah Brent on Queer Eye

Brent told House Beautiful that his new costars have brought him some needed moments of levity.

I havent laughed this hard in a long, long time, says the father of two, who shares daughter Poppy, 9, and son Oskar, 6, with husband Nate Berkus. In some ways, Queer Eye is connecting me to a part of myself that I had left behind, because Im in dad mode and I run a business. With them, I get to be a little bit more free.

Rob Kim/Getty The 'Queer Eye' cast in 2018

And while the home renovations previously tackled by Berk mean that Brent has some big shoes to fill, hes not worried about whats ahead.

I love an install. I love the stress. I love the pressure. And this is not my first rodeoI know what I signed up for, Brent says. There is an amazing art department and team behind the scenes that are working hard around the clock. Im excited to get in there, roll up my sleeves, earn my keep, and hopefully show people some really beautiful designs.

Related: Tan France Says Queer Eye Dynamic Will Be Interesting After Jeremiah Brent Replaced Bobby Berk (Exclusive)

Frank Frances

Brent has starred alongside Berkus on HGTVs Nate & Jeremiah by Design and The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project, and appeared on Netflixs Say I Do, which was developed by the same creators as Queer Eye.

Netflix revealed in February that Brent would be taking over Berks spot, three months after Berk first announced hed be exiting the show  the first and only member of the Fab 5 to do so.

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Earlier this week, France told PEOPLE he cant wait to see how Brent fits in with the Queer Eye cast.

Its going to be really interesting to see how this dynamic is with a new cast member," he said. "However, we all know [Jeremiah], we all love him, so were feeling really confident about this season. I think its going to be fab.

Hes the best, France added of Brent. Love him so much. Were so excited about him. We havent all had a chance to get together, but we will next week, and Im really excited.



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At Bidens first G7 summit, France and Germany confronted him with concerns that the "leading democracy" was under threat. "I said, 'Americas back,'" Biden recalled, to which one responded: "For how long?"

Guido Bergmann/Bundesregierung via Getty President Joe Biden walks on the White House grounds with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel on July 15, 2021

President Joe Biden is remembering how the world reacted in the months after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, when he was still settling in as the nation's new commander-in-chief.

At that year's G7 summit  an annual meeting that consists of seven democratically elected heads of state and two European Union representatives  Biden said he was confronted about the message that Jan. 6, 2021, sent to democracies around the world.

"I went to the G7 meeting ... I sat down and I said, 'America's back,'" Biden recalled Thursday evening during an appearance with Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. "The French leader [Emmanuel Macron] looked at me and said, 'For how long?' It wasn't humorous, he was serious."

Related: 'Lock the Gallery Doors!': Congressman Describes Being Inside Capitol During Jan. 6 Riot

LEON NEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty President Joe Biden sits with fellow world leaders at his first G7 summit on June 11, 2021

Biden continued recounting the summit, saying that the "German chancellor"  who was Angela Merkel at the time  jumped in after Macron to try and put the situation in perspective.

According to Biden, the chancellor asked, "What would you think, Mr. President, if in fact you pick up the paper tomorrow and found out that in Great Britain, on the London Times, the headline says, Mob storms Parliament, breaks down the door to the House of Commons to protest the election and two bobbies were killed?"

Related: 4 Dead and 52 Arrested in Capitol Riots, Police Confirm: 'Shocking and Shameful Behavior'

"What would you think back in America? Think about that," he quoted her as saying. "What would you say if another democracy, not just a leading democracy, but another democracy went through this thing? What happened?"

Reflecting on his interaction with the world leaders and how it demonstrates the United States' duty to preserve democracy, Biden said, "The rest of the world looks to us like we are the essential nation, and that's not pounding our chest. Everybody in the world looks to us."

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Lawmakers are evacuated on Jan. 6, 2021, as Donald Trump supporters breach the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the 2020 election from being certified

After Biden told his story on Thursday, President Obama joined in on how the Capitol riot hurt the United States' global reputation.

"What has always made America exceptional is this radical idea that you can get people from every corner of the globe, don't look alike, don't have the same name, worship differently, speak different languages, have different cultural traditions, and somehow they're going to come together under a set of rules," Obama said. "And we're all going to pledge that that's our creed: that we can live together, self-governing, have a representative government, peacefully transfer power."

"That ideal matters," the former president continued. "It matters to our children and their grandchildren, but it also matters around the world. When we see a de-emphasis, when America's not forthright in speaking on behalf of those ideals, you see backsliding around the world. You see authoritarians emboldened around the world. You see aggression around the world because there's no check."

Related: Obama, Clinton and Biden Reunite for Most Lucrative Political Fundraiser in U.S. History: Photos

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton reunite for a fundraiser and conversation at Radio City Music Hall on March 28, 2024

The topic of the Capitol riot arose on Thursday when late-night host Stephen Colbert  who was moderating the conversation between Presidents Biden, Obama and Clinton  asked the president what was going through his mind on Jan. 6, 2021, as he prepared to assume control of a divided nation.

"We had no president on January the 6th," Biden began his response. "I was supposed to make a speech on the economy and I decided I couldn't remain silent. So what I did was, I made a speech about January the 6th, what was happening, and I said, 'There's an insurrection underway and it must be dealt with.' And I pleaded with [President Donald Trump] to stop and do his job, to call these people off."

Related: Trump and Kevin McCarthy Had a Screaming Match When President Refused to Call Off Capitol Rioters: Report

As the nation soon learned, Trump didn't tell his supporters to stand down until the damage had been done.

"He sat there in the dining room of the Oval Office for several hours and watched. Didn't do a damn thing," Biden said. "That's why I felt obliged  even though I wasn't sworn in yet, I was president-elect  but I went out and said, 'This is what we should be doing.' And laid it out."

Related: Trump 'Gleefully' Viewed Jan. 6 Insurrection on TV, 'Hitting Rewind' to Watch Again, Former Aide Says

Biden said that when he thinks of the November election, he sees it as a matter of democracy being "at stake," citing Trump's own comment that he would "be a dictator on day one" if elected president again.

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Joey King stressed that the heart of the ensemble family centered in Hulus We Were the Lucky Ones shines a different light on the events of World War II and the Holocaust in the limited series.

Adapted from the best-selling book by Georgia Hunter, the historical drama follows the Kurc family of Polish Jews as they spread out over continents during the onset of the war and genocide.

The best thing about what our industry is, is that theres so many different perspectives of this piece in history and theres so many different stories and films and television shows that show you different perspectives from World War II. Our family that we follow, we havent seen this perspective, and its a completely different kind of perspective, King told TheWrap in February during promo for the show at Television Critics Association press tour. Its a story that, yes, its still a tragedy, but is also filled with a lot of hope and a lot of really joyous moments.

Im so thrilled that our show exists and that were able to put it out into the world now because this family is so inspiring, but also their love and their joy is so infectious even in times of severe tragedy, the Emmy-nominated actress added. Which I found to be so unique, and its impossible not to love them when you watch the show. Everyone just is so lovable.

King recognizes the many layers to her character Halina, the youngest Kurc child; particularly the relatable, ordinary traits behind the survivor. Halina was Hunters great-aunt, the sister of Hunters grandfather Addy (portrayed by Logan Lerman). King described Hunters book as a Bible for all of us.

I found through her book, speaking with Georgia directly and having stories shared from her about Halina and from her grandkids that Halina, yes she was so resilient, she was so brave and she did all these things to keep her family safe and to keep herself safe, King told TheWrap. But, the core of her, she was so humorous and so joyous and she was so young when this all started she had to grow up so quickly.

Signs of antisemitism permeate the atmosphere of Radom, Poland, where the Kurc family lives from the beginning of the pilot episode. Thats where Halina excitedly hails her Addy, who lives in Paris, at the train station when he comes home for Passover in 1939.

I found that keeping connected to that joy that she has, obviously the show takes a lot of dark turns, but knowing where she first came from was important to me, King noted, because sometimes it made me realize how, even though she was being so brave in these situations, how scared she must have been and how different the personality that she had to exude in this moment is from who she is.

Physical extensions of Halinas characteristics included vibrant red lipstick and elaborate hairstyles in moments before the segregation of Jews into labor camps, ghettos and other harsh trials.

Halina (Joey King), in We Were the Lucky Ones (Photo by: Vlad Cioplea/Hulu)

Women of the 40s, it was just the norm of how you present that you value yourself or take care of yourself. As someone who has no experience or expertise in doing my own hair like that, it was so fascinating to have those signature styles and Halinas graceful way of holding herself in costume and hair and makeup, King added. Its historically accurate for the time and its pretty incredible. It was really powerful because I think Halinas such a confident person, and she can, even when shes not confident, shes able to appear so confident. It was really helpful as a person playing someone, to have all these elements helping me feel most in character and her hair, her makeup and the costume was all part of that.

A scene in Episode 2 of the series, titled Lvov, showcases another regular life aspect as Halina and her brothers girlfriend Bella (Eva Feiler) travel by wagon to where most of the Polish men had to go once Poland was invaded by the Germans. There, the pair of women have a classic gossip session about love and romance.

I love that scene because it shows that theres bizarre moments of normalcy when youre surrounded by chaos and tragedy, and it helps you get through these things. It feels like were just hanging out with these two girls basically having a sleepover, and then you zoom out and realize how scary and risky the situation is, King said. I love that moment between them because its Bella and Halina becoming closer and understanding each other more and also just having this moment together that feels safe and sacred in a world thats just full of chaos and risk.

The first three episodes of We Were the Lucky Ones are now streaming on Hulu.

The post Joey King Says Real-Life Family Behind We Were the Lucky Ones Is Impossible Not to Love appeared first on TheWrap.
Josh OConnor plays a troubled archaeologist obsessed with his dead girlfriend in La Chimera, the adventurous and ruggedly beautiful new Italian film from Alice Rohrwacher finally out this Friday from Neon.

In the haunted and haunting 2023 Cannes premiere, OConnors mopey, recently-freed-from-jail Arthur joins with a band of tombaroli, or gravediggers, to excavate ancient treasures that may include an Etruscan statue that Arthur feels homages his former partner. The statue is too beautiful for human eyes, as Arthur says. OConnor, the daffy and floppy-eared British actor beloved for his roles in films like the new queer classic Gods Own Country and already for Luca Guadagninos upcoming Challengers, went Method to play the part of an outsider adrift in the Italian countryside. Not only did he learn Italian  the actor speaks near-fluently in scenes that ask he do so  but OConnor also spent his nights between shooting days in a camper van he owns. That meant preparing his own food, bathing in a lake, and chopping his own wood. Arthur is living off the land, subsumed by locating an old flame named Beniamina.

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I lived for a section of the film in my camper van, and I drove it from England to Italy to see everyone, OConnor told IndieWire of La Chimera, which filmed in Italian locations including southern Tuscany in February 2022, not far from director Alice Rohrwachers own home. I grew up going around in camper vans and camping, but truly, when I first got to Alice in the winter of that year, Alice showed me Arthurs shack, and I wanted to live in that. And Alice was like, Wait til you see it. And I was like, I probably cant live in that. There was nothing there. I stayed in my camper van. I stayed [with] Alices great friend Marie. She has a restaurant on Lake Bolsena, and she has this kind of orchard next to it, and thats where I stayed, so I was washing myself in Lake Bolsena for a chunk of the movie. I had a great time.

But director Alice Rohrwacher, previously known for her 2018 Cannes Palme dOr contender Happy as Lazzaro, did not mandate OConnors particularly rigorous approach. Instead, diving into the character by absorbing what would be Arthurs real surroundings was all the actors own doing.

Naturally when Josh arrived, I immediately understood that he is an actor with such a degree of empathy and generosity that one cannot even believe it, Rohrwacher told IndieWire via a translator. He was so generous with all the people in the area. He immediately made it clear that he wanted to become part of this area. This is just priceless: He expressed the desire not just to live there but also to live the way Arthur would, without running water, heating up just with fire, and that immediately made me realize it was wonderful. But no, I did not force him to do that! Rohrwacher laughed.

La Chimera  Neon / Curtesy Everett Collection Courtesy Everett Collection

When I first arrived in Italy, I had a very clear idea that Arthur was either like a ghost, or that he was this other sort of ethereal, almost godlike spiritual being, OConnor said of his character. We probably agreed that theres an element of him being torn between two worlds, where Beniamina [Arthurs dead former lover] is and where reality is, but what I found so helpful is Alices note that he is human. He has to be a real person, and hes not a spiritual being. Hes not some ethereal thing, which meant by articulating that, I can make him rude, and I can also justify it by that hes extremely confused, and feeling this pull somewhere else.

OConnor, living in Italy and speaking Italian during the films shoot, was just as adrift as the character. Hes an outsider in this community. He lives outsides the walls of this town, but is also an outsider to this world. He doesnt know where he belongs. That tug of war would make me feel quite frustrated as Arthur. An isolation and a loneliness, and a sense that people dont understand him. That would be the motivation for the times where hes quite rude. Its not a particularly forgiving world, the world of the tombaroli. What theyre doing is not the best job going.

Isabella Rossellini, who co-stars as Beniaminas ailing, Miss Havisham-esque mother with five other daughters of her own, echoed praise for OConnors commitment to the role. Hes charming and very available. Its difficult to work in another country where everybody speaks Italian around you very fast, and youre the lead, and you dont know what people are saying  He was very dedicated to the role.

Rossellini, who plays Flora as a tart-tongued whirl of wisdom surrounded by her derelict mansion, hardly went as Method as OConnor did to play Arthur: He wanted to live a little bit like the character, so he was living in a trailer, she said. He parked it. He was cooking his own food. I stayed in a hotel! Then he rented a little house with no heat. He wanted to really live the life of the people that are in the film, really close to nature, chopping your own wood, warming the house, cooking your own food. The days shooting are quite long. Its always 14, a little less in Europe than in America, but still 12, still long. 12-14 hour days. I was full of admiration that he went home and cooked for himself from scratch, starting from the wood, chopping it and lighting it. I didnt! I stayed in a very nice little hotel, modest, but more comfortable.

OConnor spoke to IndieWire in between shooting days on The History of Sound, a gay romance filming in Brooklyn and co-starring his friend Paul Mescal, directed by Oliver Hermanus. The post-World War I love story was announced as early as fall 2021, but circumstances got in the way of the movie finally going until now. OConnor cant say too much about it, especially in response to Hermanus recent claims that his chemistry with Mescal is like fire.

I dont know what he means, OConnor said. Paul and I are friends and have been for years. Theres a great energy between us, and weve also been attached to that film for such a long time. We are just really excited to be making it. I cant talk to whether weve got real chemistry, but I think we have.

La Chimera is now in theaters from Neon.

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A new report found Meta and Google are restricting reproductive health information in Asia, Africa and Latin America. MSI Reproductive Choices and the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which partnered on the report, claim that the companies have restricted local abortion providers' ads and allowed misinformation to fester, among other misdoings.

Take Mexico, which decriminalized abortion in 2023 but where services are not yet legal in all 32 of its states. Meta won't allow MSI to share abortion-related ad content in the country due to remaining bans. However, the local team reported that other sexual and reproductive health content has also received blocks. MSI's teams in Nepal and Vietnam echoed this issue, with Meta allegedly removing ads promoting cervical cancer screenings and information on IUDs and contraceptive pills, respectively. MSI now has a "blanket advertising ban" from Meta in the two countries and claims the company provided no clear justification. Ghana's team reported Google blocked their ads with the phrase "pregnancy options."

"Women and girls are being neglected by these major tech platforms who are putting their bottom lines above the public good," Whitney Chinogwenya, marketing specialist at MSI Reproductive Choices, said in a statement. "Accurate online information is a lifeline for those seeking timely care and facts about their reproductive options. Yet anti-choice groups are able to spread disinformation and toxic narratives online with impunity. And what is worse, platforms like Google and Meta are currently enabling, and profiting from this dangerous propaganda."

MSI's teams in Ghana, Kenya and Nepal expressed difficulty connecting with Meta and receiving information on why their ads were limited  though Bangladesh's team was able to get in contact and resolve their issues. Kenya, Nigeria and Vietnam faced another problem: imitation Facebook pages and websites, sometimes with nothing different than a phone number. MSI requested that Meta and Google remove these scammers (some of which requested money from prospective clients) but claims the companies delayed action or took none.

Researchers gathered evidence through correspondence and interviews with MSI's teams in locations such as Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam. Further information came from an analysis of Meta's Ad Library, which the report claims showed evidence of the company displaying and profiting from false or misleading anti-abortion ads in Ghana and Mexico. Users reportedly in these two countries viewed these ads up to one million times between 2019 and 2024. Approved ads included claims that "global powers and international companies" paid for decriminalizing abortion movements to "eliminate the Mexican population."

The report also looks at abuse directed at MSI's workers in Kenya, which the organization claimed Meta turns a "blind eye" towards. Ghana's team reported anti-choice organizations have used WhatsApp, a Meta-owned platform, to pedal conspiracies around family planning being a method to depopulate Africa and MSI's workers "introducing 'satanic' sexual education in schools to 'destroy the youth.'"

The Center for Countering Digital Hate's CEO and founder, Imran Ahmed, accuses social media companies of mining "users' personal data in the Global South but take little care to protect local human rights and civil liberties. It reeks of colonialism  the greed, arrogance and double standards in how they treat less-wealthy markets. They have little regard or understanding of the complex cultural and political factors that can deprive people of their legal right to reproductive healthcare, nor do they grasp that the uneven application of their own content moderation policies greatly exacerbates these problems."

According to Google, it can't say why any ad or campaign was blocked without seeing the specific ad or advertiser account. It also said that ads targeting the term pregnancy options in Ghana and the other countries listed aren't prohibited. This report does not include a single example of policy violating content on Googles platform, nor any examples of inconsistent enforcement," a Google spokesperson told Engadget. "Without evidence, it claims that some ads were blocked in Ghana for referencing pregnancy options. To be clear, these types of ads are not prohibited from running in Ghana  if the ads were restricted, it was likely due to our longstanding policies against targeting people based on sensitive health categories, which includes pregnancy.

Meta is reviewing the findings, but spokesperson, Ryan Daniels told The Guardian: "We allow posts and ads promoting healthcare services, as well as discussion and debate around them. Content about reproductive health must follow our rules, including those on prescription drugs and misinformation, and ads promoting reproductive health products or services may only be targeted to people 18-plus. We prohibit ads that include misinformation or mislead people about services a business provides, and we will review the content of this report."

Engadget has reached out to Meta for further comment.

Update, March 28 2024, 10:20PM ET: This article has been updated to include a statement and further information from Google.
The feud between Michael Kassan and UTA over the MediaLink founders departure is intensifying, with Kassan suing the agencys lawyer for defamation.

Kassan, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, accuses attorney Bryan Freedman of trying to tarnish his reputation at the direction of UTA in a bid to prevent employees and clients from following him to his next venture.

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UTA has done everything in its power to attempt to destroy Kassan with the hope that while UTA does not have a contractual non-compete, it could create a non-compete by defamation, states the complaint, which seeks at least $125 million.

In a statement, Freedman said facts are not defamation and that Kassans continuous baseless filings and statements are nothing more than an attempt to create a false media narrative and divert attention from his fraudulent activities. He added, Today we filed our response rejecting all of Kassans arbitration claims. While MediaLink will continue to focus on providing excellent work for its clients, UTA will continue to pursue Kassan for the millions he stole. UTA didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kassans lawyer Sanford Michelman said in a statement that the complaint represents Michael Kassans intention to hold Mr. Freedman responsible for his strategically malicious and defamatory comment. He added, To render a statement such as he did, illustrates the fact that all Mr Freedman and UTA are doing are trying to block Mr. Kassan from competing by hurting him in the press as alleged in Mr. Kassans demand to arbitrate.

The filing of the lawsuit follows UTA last week withdrawing some claims against Kassan after it filed a complaint in court rather than in arbitration. Kassan sent Freedman a letter threatening sanctions if he didnt dismiss the lawsuit.

Kassans complaint, which brings claims for libel and slander, centers on statements from Freedman to Deadline in which he accused the MediaLink founder of being a pathological liar.

This statement was made as if it was relaying a fact, the complaint states. This statement by Freedman was malicious and intentional.

Kassan says Freedman, whos allegedly acting as a mouthpiece for UTA, made the claim in a broader effort to punish him for resigning his position from MediaLink and electing to compete. Whether Kassan must abide by the noncompete clause in his contract is among the primary issues in litigation between the two sides.

In an arbitration action initiated by Kassan on March 12 against UTA that names chief executive Jeremy Zimmer, he claimed that UTA fraudulently induced him to agree to a sale of MediaLink only to then walk back the very promises made regarding what he would oversee at the agency and allowances for his special expenses budget. He resigned March 6, preempting the agency terminating him the next day. In response, UTA accused Kassan of treating company money as a personal slush fund.

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In a ceremony at the Clark County Armory on Sunday, March 24, the Nevada National Guard honored Staff Sergeant Garrison Brown.

Garrison was a member of the 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry. The son of Kody Brown and Janelle Brown died in an apparent suicide on March 5. He was 25. Having watched Garrison grow from a pre-teen to manhood, Sister Wives viewers were also heartbroken at his passing.

Meanwhile, at the time of his death, Kody and Janelle released a joint statement. [We] are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown, they said. Further, 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.

A loving tribute

Additionally, on its official Facebook page, the National Guard shared several images of the ceremony and a tribute to Garrison. One of the most touching photos was of a guardsman saluting Janelle as he presented her with a folded American flag. The emotion in the faces of his family members is heartbreaking.

Brown, a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, was born to Janelle and Kody Brown, the post read. [He] was the sixth child of a large family. He is survived by his family and three cats, Catthew, Patches, and Ms. Buttons.

The tribute continued, Known for his adventurous spirit, Brown traveled extensively, exploring multiple countries and continents. He had a passion for comedy, amateur craftsmanship, and adventurous photography. With his night sky photography particularly moving those who viewed it.

Alongside photos of his loved ones, the post added, Browns friends and family remember him for his sense of humor and ability to connect with others. His passing has left a void in their hearts. His memory serves as a reminder to cherish loved ones and prioritize compassion.

In conclusion, The entire Nevada National Guard community shares in the sorrow of losing Staff Sgt. Robert Garrison Brown. We recognize the profound impact of his absence on our fellow members and the 221st Cavalry family, who are deeply affected by the loss of their trusted companion.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text STRENGTH to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Sister Wives is now streaming on Discovery+, Max, and several other platforms.

The post Nevada National Guard Pay Tribute to Garrison Brown Following His Death appeared first on Reality Tea.
It's crazy how everything kind of comes together full circle, mom Taylor Deras tells PEOPLE

The Deras Family From Left, Taylor, Ella, Drew.

Two nurses found love and became a family thanks to one Nebraska hospital.

Taylor and Drew Deras story began when they met working the overnight shift at Methodist Womens Hospital in 2017.

You have a lot of time, especially at night, to just kind of take care of your patients, but also get to know your coworkers and help them out when they need it, Drew, 35, tells PEOPLE. "We started talking more, and then that turned into us taking more of our lunch breaks together."

"It kind of blossomed from there," he adds. "I just really enjoyed being around her."

The couple wound up getting married in August 2020, but it was the arrival of little Ella at the hospital's NICU that allowed them to become parents.

The Deras Family From Left, Taylor, Ella.

Related: NICU Nurse Who Dreamt of Motherhood Adopts Patient Facing Medical Challenges: 'Im So Lucky' (Exclusive)

Ella weighed just over 1 lb. when she was born at 23 weeks in May 2021. A day later, Taylor, 31, tells PEOPLE that she signed up to be her consistent caregiver in the NICU.

Although Ella faced a "lot of risk factors" by being born so early, Taylor tells PEOPLE she "enjoyed taking care of her that day."

One of the biggest problems, which Ella still deals with, is her lungs. She was born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a form of chronic lung disease that affects newborns, per the American Lung Association.

She required so much support  blood transfusions, all these things," Taylor recalls. "I remember the neonatologist being like, I don't know if she's going to make it today. I don't know what else we can do for her at this point.' "

The Deras Family From Left, Ella, Drew.

Related: Nurse Provides Life-Saving Transplant to 5-Year-Old Girl: Her Daughter: 'I Did What Any Mother Would Do'

Drew, who also stepped in to take care of Ella on certain shifts, quickly formed a bond with her throughout the baby's 8-month stay at Methodist.

I would say the first four or five months was really critical with her, and I had her a lot of those days, so I just got to know her, and I got to know her biological mom, too, and she grew to trust me, and I grew to trust her and her choices that she was making, Drew says.

As time went on though, her biological mom stopped showing up, and Ella became a ward of the state in December 2021. That's when the couple stepped in.

Actually, her biological mom found out that we wanted to foster her, and she said, Yes, I want the Derases to take her home, " Taylor says.

The Deras Family Ella.

Becoming a foster parent was so different, but so fulfilling, too, according to Taylor.

You just felt so much closer of a bond," she explains.

As her health continued to improve, little Ella was finally ready to come home just in time for her first birthday in April 2022. And the happy celebrations continued on Nov. 18, National Adoption Day, when Ella was formally adopted by the couple.

While she still has a tracheostomy, which allows her to breathe more easily, Drew shares that it's "amazing" to see Ella, now 2, thriving.

Even though all these other things are going on, it's like she's like, I'm just going to become a kid, and let me be a kid,  he adds.

Related: 'Miracle' Mom Wakes from 5-Year Coma Thanks to Joke  Now Shes Making Up for Lost Time with Sons (Exclusive)

Drew and Taylor are still baffled by their hospital's impact on both of their lives.

I don't know how it happened," Taylor says. "I feel like it's a total God thing, that he's kind of like, This is your path with nursing, this is your place, and here's your husband, and then here's your daughter that you've been praying for.' "

My Extraordinary Family is PEOPLE's new series that explores fascinating families in all their forms. If you have a sweet story the world needs to know, send the details to love@people.com.



The family even paid an emotional return this month to the Methodist NICU this month.

Everyone knows her and loves her, Taylor says, especially since she's our child now and people know her whole journey.

She adds, "It's crazy how everything kind of comes together full circle."



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The Oscar-winning film depicts the development of the atomic bomb and the journey of the man who made it

YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Poster for 'Oppenheimer' in Japan on March 29, 2024

Moviegoers in Japan are officially able to see Oppenheimer in cinemas  eight months after the movie first premiered elsewhere globally.

On Friday, the Academy Award-winning film starring Cillian Murphy as father of the atomic bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer officially premiered in Japan, where Oppenheimer's nuclear weapons led to the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Several viewers opened up to local media, the Associated Press and The Guardian on Friday, with some detailing their feelings that the "horror of nuclear weapons" wasn't "sufficiently depicted," while others described how it was "right not to broaden it out too much to show the aftermath."

The Christopher Nolan blockbuster, which earned seven Academy Awards at this year's ceremony, was put on hold in Japan by distributors over backlash regarding Barbenheimer memes, per the AP. It has since premiered in the country this week, specifically at Hatchoza, a cinema in Hiroshima.

Takashi Hiraoka, former mayor of the city, told The Guardian that the film ultimately could have had "much more description and depiction of the horror of atomic weapons."

From Hiroshimas standpoint, there wasnt enough about the horror of nuclear weapons, but I would encourage people to go and see it," he said.

Related: Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer Named Best Picture at 2024 Oscars in Impressive Awards Season Sweep

Universal Pictures Cillian Murphy stars in 2023's 'Oppenheimer'

Atomic bomb survivor Prof. Masao Tomonaga told the outlet that he considered Oppenheimer to be an anti-nuclear film. I had thought the films lack of images of atomic bomb survivors was a weakness," he said. "But in fact, Oppenheimers lines in dozens of scenes showed his shock at the reality of the atomic bombing. That was enough for me.

The 80-year-old also called the film one for "young people," noting that "its now up to future generations to decide how to rid the world of nuclear weapons."

As previously noted, an estimated 140,000 people died by the end of 1945 as a result of Hiroshima's atomic bomb blast on Aug. 6 of that year, while a further estimated 74,000 died in Nagasaki, following the Aug. 9 explosion there.

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Hiroshima's Mei Kawashima also told the outlet that the film "triggered something in me" when he heard the name of his city. "This was really a film about Oppenheimer the man, and the way he wrestled with his conscience, so in that sense, I think it was right not to broaden it out too much to show the aftermath.

Related: Robert Downey Jr. Thanks His 'Veterinarian, I Mean Wife' Susan in Oscars Speech: 'You Loved Me Back to Life'

Speaking to the AP, Sophia University professor Kazuhiro Maeshima said the movie "shows an America that has changed dramatically," arguing that Oppenheimer's story would not have been told in this capacity decades prior.

Oppenheimer took home Best Picture at the Oscars earlier this month, where it was up against American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Past Lives, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest.

Murphy secured the Best Actor trophy, Robert Downey Jr. earned Best Supporting Actor and Nolan won Best Director, among other victories for the blockbuster.

"We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb. And for better or for worse, we're all living in Oppenheimer's world, so I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere," Murphy said during his acceptance speech.



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The new A24 series will be released on Max April 14

The latest look into HBO and A24s The Sympathizer features espionage, intrigue and four versions of Robert Downey Jr.

The trailer released by Max on Thursday places viewers in 1975 Vietnam, during the tail end of the war between the countrys north and south regions. Cutting between Vietnam and the U.S., the trailer shows North Vietnamese spy Captain (played by Hoa Xuande) encountering the likes of Sandra Oh and Downey Jr., 58, who plays four antagonistic roles in the limited series.

The Sympathizer also stars Fred Nguyen Khan, Duy Nguyen, Vy Le and Alan Trong.

Lets get down, lets get funky! Downey declares while dressed in tourist garb and a sun hat.

Beth Dubber/HBO Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Sympathizer'

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, the upcoming HBO series follows Captain, a mole embedded in the South Vietnam army. At the end of the war, he is forced to flee to the U.S. with his general (played by Toan Le). While in America, he continues to report back to the Viet Cong as he grapples with his dual loyalties.

Following his best supporting actor win at the 2024 Oscars, Downey teased his Sympathizer role to PEOPLE, saying, I got other tricks up my sleeve.

Related: Robert Downey Jr. Jokes 'It Only Took 50 Years' for Him to Be on Cover of PEOPLE: 'I've Finally Arrived'

Hopper Stone/HBO Sandra Oh as Ms. Sofia Mori in 'The Sympathizer'

It wasn't particularly subtle, it wasn't meant to be, but I'm already proud of what I've seen, the Oppenheimer actor said.

In a February 2024 trailer for the thriller, Xuandes Captain faces scrutiny from both his Vietnamese and American allegiances. Maybe there is no spy, Captain suggests.

Only the spy says theres no spy, one of Downeys villains then says.

Related: Robert Downey Jr. Reflects on His Hollywood Journey After Oscar Win: 'There Are Ways to Heal' (Exclusive)

Hopper Stone/HBO Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Sympathizer'

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The seven-part series was filmed in late 2022 and early 2023. During production, The Avengers star was snapped on set with bleached eyebrows and curly red hair over a receding hairline. The Oscar winner, who is also credited as an executive producer on the show, shared a video on Instagram of his kids shaving his head in preparation for the role.

The things we do for our work and our kids. #Sympathizer set ready, he captioned the clip.

The Sympathizer premieres April 14 on Max.



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Photo-illustration by Anthony Gerace; photos via Getty Images

A new wave of legislation is targeting the very legal existence of trans people, leaving LGBTQ+ advocates across the country to grapple with the implications.

Over 35 bills have been put forward in 2024 that seek to define trans people out of public life, according to an analysis from the Transformations Project, a grassroots nonprofit tracking anti-trans legislation. These right-wing bills are predominantly intended to change existing laws (or implement new ones) to redefine sex based on biological characteristics, thereby excluding trans and gender nonconforming people. This kind of legislation would impede trans peoples ability to move through daily public life, from using public restrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas to accessing domestic violence shelters and updating their identity documents.

Taken together, the bills would effectively require that trans and gender nonconforming people be misgendered in order to move through the world. This legislation also seems to be an early step at chipping at legal protections for trans people that already exist. When examining the wide swath of these bills, LGBTQ+ advocates believe the intent is to chip away at the gains made in the Supreme Courts ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected under the definition of sex in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. By redefining what that word means at the statewide level, lawmakers potentially have the ability to limit the scope of that decision, thereby slowing the LGBTQ+ equality movements pace.

Of the 19 states that have introduced such legislation, Mississippi and Oklahoma are currently leading the pack: At least five different proposals tabled to each states legislature seek to redefine words like sex to refer to ones biological sex at birth. For instance, Oklahomas HB 1449 defines the word female to mean a natural person whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova and says that a man is any individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female. The legislation also goes onto redefine other gendered terms, such as man, woman, boy, girl, mother, and father, in ways that intentionally exclude mention of the lived realities of trans people.

Some of these bills are rapidly advancing through their statehouses: Mississippis HB 1607 has already passed its House of Representatives, and Alabamas HB 111 is likely headed for a House vote within the coming weeks following favorable notices in committee hearings. These proposals, which are virtually identical to one another, also go out of their way to legally erase intersex people. Their respective bill texts state that individuals with differences in sex development, also known as DSDs or intersex conditions, are not a third sex.

"We know their intention is to not just erase trans people but make life incredibly difficult for folks across the board.

Jose Vazquez, communications director for the ACLU of Alabama, notes the heteronormative framing of these bills also ties legal manhood and womanhood to the act of biological reproduction, which could have direct impacts on LGBTQ+ people and individuals whose bodies dont conform to those standards. For example: Is a gay man not fertilizing an ova then a lesser man, legally speaking? Vazquez believes the open questions left unanswered by HB 111 are fully intentional.

A lot of times people want to assume that these lawmakers write these bills and aren't aware of the unintended consequences of the legislation they're writing, he tells Them. But we know their intention is to not just erase trans people but make life incredibly difficult for folks across the board.

LGBTQ+ advocates have largely been left befuddled by the potential implications of this novel wave of legislation, which are opening myriad legal cans of worms in states across the country. Few of these proposals even do what they claim: For instance, the first of these bills to be made law was Kansas SB 180, also known as the Womens Bill of Rights, which was forced through in April 2023 over the veto of Gov. Laura Kelly (D).

The majority of these bills share the same title, including the aforementioned proposals in Mississippi and Oklahoma. Alabamas bill does not have a name aside from its bill number, but HB 405, a 2023 bill that ultimately failed to pass, was referred to as the What Is a Woman Act, which is also the title of a 2022 anti-trans documentary from far-right pundit Matt Walsh.

Alana Jochum, policy director for the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, says this branding is intentionally misleading. She says these bills dont actually help in the many areas of disparities between men and women, failing to address subjects like bridging the pay gap, supporting paid family leave, or facilitating access to affordable childcare, birth control, or abortion, as she states. Instead, many of these bills are patterned after model legislation from the anti-trans organization Womens Liberation Front; she says they were then shopped around to state legislatures to score political points at the expense of trans people, especially trans youth.

What they are clearly trying to do with these is narrow the definition of sex in ways that counter established federal, state, or local laws and the rich body of case law that has evolved to protect transgender people, Jochum tells Them. These are absolutely aimed at trying to allow for legal discrimination against transgender people.

A Terrifying 300 Anti-LGBTQ\+ Bills Have Already Been Introduced in 2024

Its only January and the onslaught of legislation is already beginning.

While even LGBTQ+ advocates werent clear as to what SB 180 would actually do when the bill was being debated last year, the Kansas bill has been applied broadly to strip away basic resources from trans people. Following the passage of SB 180, the states conservative attorney general, Kris Kobach, shut down the established process allowing trans people to update the gender marker on their drivers license or state ID. Although it does not go so far as to retroactively void all existing identification that affirms trans peoples identities, trans applicants will reportedly see their gender markers revert to the sex they were assigned at birth if they renew their license in the future.

Denying trans people identification that matches their lived identity can be extremely dangerous, as 2015 data from the National Center for Trans Equality indicates. Overall, nearly a third of respondents (32%) who presented a license that didnt match their presentation had had a negative experience as a result, whether it was being verbally harassed, refused services, or even assaulted. It could also result in trans people being outed any time they apply for a job, get pulled over by a police officer, or are asked to show ID while using their credit card at the grocery store.

But SB 180 has affected even more than the ability of trans Kansas to access accurate identification, according to Justin Brace, executive director of Trans Heartland, a non-profit organization that works with trans people and families across Kansas. His nonprofit has received 15 reports from trans students across the state, Brace says, who say their schools stopped allowing them to use the bathroom that most closely aligns with their sense of self following SB 180s passage. Trans Kansans have also reported to the organization that theyve been turned away at single-sex domestic violence shelters or transferred to prisons that do not match their gender. Brace says the laws long reach has created tremendous anxiety among members of the states trans community, who dont know how it could be applied next.

It keeps us from being able to go out with friends, see family, or go to certain schools because theyre not safe for us anymore, Brace tells Them. It creates a fear, and were constantly afraid for our lives every time we walk out of our front doors. I dont go out alone at all anymore. When Im planning my day-to-day routine, I plan it around the law: Where am I going to use the bathroom? Where am I going to be safe?

At least six other states currently have laws on the books that narrowly define sex in ways that could be detrimental to trans people, according to the Movement Advancement Project. These include Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah, the majority of which already have statutes on the books limiting trans restroom use in schools. Montana and Nebraska do not have trans student bathroom bans, and it remains to be seen whether their trans erasure laws will be applied to deny affirming bathroom access to trans youth.

Although LGBTQ+ advocates in Montana say they are, in many ways, still waiting to see how the states 2023 trans erasure law will be enforced, early indications suggest it will be used similarly to the Kansas statute: targeting access to affirming documentation. In February, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement saying that it would no longer allow trans people to amend the gender markers on their birth certificates. This declaration defied a 2022 court ruling declaring the states birth certificate policies unconstitutional, over which Montana was held in contempt of court for violating last year.

While Montanas newly enacted laws restricting drag and trans youth health care have received a great deal of attention, Andy Nelson, executive director at Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center, says the trans erasure statute has largely flown under the radar. Because the wording is so vague, he worries that it could go even farther than the already horrific attacks on trans people the state has seen to date.

Its so much broader than just banning drag, Nelson tells Them. Its so much broader than just banning gender-affirming care. Erasing a whole group of people from the state code is so much more complicated than that and even more horrifying.

While LGBTQ+ activists are still in wait-and-see mode regarding these efforts, how far states are permitted to go in erasing trans people will likely be determined by the courts. Iowas proposed HSB 649 goes further than other trans erasure bills by explicitly justifying anti-trans discrimination. The bill text claims that the word equal is not synonymous with identical or same, adding: Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal. That language directly mirrors the Supreme Courts 1896 ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson, which argued that racial segregation was constitutional. The decision was ultimately overturned in 1954s Brown v. Board of Education, a unanimous verdict that served to desegregate schools and public spaces.

Keenan Crow, director of policy and advocacy at One Iowa, says that a major concern with Iowas trans erasure bill is that, since 2007, the government has had statewide protections in place outlawing discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity. That sets Iowa apart from other states that have legally erased trans people, which do not have LGBTQ+ civil rights laws on the books, and Crow notes that its not evident which of the two laws would take primacy.

It really did not take into account what the existing Iowa laws were, Crow tells Them. Its so haphazard that it's hard to figure out what it would do, what it would overrule, and how they would interact. It's just a big mess  maybe a bigger mess than almost any other bill Ive ever seen.

Whats At Stake for LGBTQ\+ Rights in 2024?

Anti-trans politicians will undoubtedly be busy once again this year, but LGBTQ\+ activists and advocates have no plans to back down.

Heron Greenesmith, deputy director of policy for the Transgender Law Center, believes that the aim of the trans erasure bills is ultimately about preventing trans people from partaking in any form of public life. If trans people cant get a job without facing harassment, go to the bathroom without worrying theyll be turned away, or even drive with the correct documentation, it makes it hard to participate in society with the rest of the world or even to simply exist. Trans peoples lives, as Greenesmith says, become unrecognizable without those extremely basic protections.

But what unnerves Greenesmith so deeply about this new line of attacks on trans people isnt just how much pain it would inflict but how unapologetic they say the anti-LGBTQ+ right is being about it. Those in power have, as they have made incredibly clear, intend this to harm trans people, Greenesmith tells Them. That is clear in their testimony, and that is clear in their personal messages. The vaguer the legislation is, the broader the license is to use it to harm.

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Originally Appeared on them.

More Stories from Them on Anti-Trans Legislation
The friends and family of Riley Strain gathered at his funeral Friday, one week after the 22-year-old's body was discovered in a Nashville river.

Some of Strain's favorite songs, including "Something in the Orange" by country star Zach Bryan, were played at the service in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri.

Mourners wore green, because Strain would often say, "Green makes you look good," said Sherry Adams, who works at the funeral home.

PHOTO: Riley Strain's family prepares for the college student's funeral in Springfield, Missouri, March 29, 2024. (Courtesy of Chris Whiteid)

MORE: Body of Riley Strain found in river, no evidence of foul play: Nashville police

Strain loved hunting, fishing, animals, exploring nature and the Kansas City Chiefs.

"One lesson I learned from Riley is to always stay in the present and don't overthink," his high school friend, Joey Cockell, said at the service. "He always told me to be in the moment, and everything else will come."

"Riley always found a way to make others smile," he said.

PHOTO: An undated photo of Riley Strain, 22, who disappeared on March 8 during a night out in Nashville. (Metro Nashville PD)

"I can't put into words how much I miss hearing his voice," Cockell said, overcome with emotion. "Without Riley, I'm lost."

Addressing his friend directly, Cockell said, "I want you to know how much I love you and will always be thinking of you ... and I hope I make you proud."

MORE: College student Riley Strain missing in Nashville: A timeline

Strain, a University of Missouri senior, went missing on March 8 after a night out at several Nashville bars.

Strain and his Delta Chi fraternity brothers were visiting Nashville for their fraternity formal.

PHOTO: An undated photo of Riley Strain, 22, who disappeared on March 8 during a night out in Nashville. (Metro Nashville PD)

Surveillance cameras and police body cameras captured Strain's last known movements from about 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Strain was reported missing on March 9 and authorities launched a massive search by foot, by drone and by boat.

Our helicopters continue to fly over the Cumberland River in the ongoing search for Riley Strain. MNPD & @NashvilleEOC boats were on the water again today. The Cheatham Co. Sheriff's Office is also assisting down river. See him? Pls call 615-862-8600. pic.twitter.com/qF96AQqzAO  Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 20, 2024

His body was found on March 22 in the Cumberland River. There was no evidence of foul play and nothing to suggest anything other than Strain accidentally falling into the river, police said.

Riley Strain's family, friends gather at funeral 1 week after college student's body found in Nashville river originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Digicels operators in Fiji and Samoa have followed up their announced plans to roll out 5G with safety assurances to customers in an apparent move to assuage worries over various Internet rumours and conspiracy theories about 5G health risks.

Earlier this month, Digicel Fiji and Digicel Samoa announced that they had both partnered with Nokia to upgrade their networks to 5G. This week, both telcos issued identical statements that aimed to address questions and concerns about the health and safety aspects of 5G technology.

We are taking every measure to ensure a safe and seamless rollout of 5G technology, the statement said.

Digicel said that there is no scientific evidence linking telecommunications technologies, including 5G, to adverse health impacts, which is consistent with the position of global health authorities, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Digicel also noted that existing electromagnetic energy (EME) safety standards encompass 5G technology, and that 5G devices and networks in both Fiji and Samoa have undergone rigorous testing to ensure compliance with established local safety regulations.

Due to advancements in network design and device power management, 5G technology emits lower levels of EME compared to previous generations like 2G, 3G and 4G, Digicel said.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) issued guidelines for 5G electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation in 2020, which state that while 5G generally complies with its original 1998 EMF guidelines, 5G is still an evolving technology. Consequently, the 2020 guidelines are set well below minimum safety levels, and add a few changes, including whole body average restrictions for frequencies above 6 GHz, restrictions for brief (less than 6 minutes) exposures for frequencies above 6 GHz, and the reduction of the averaging area for frequencies above 6 GHz.

ICNIRP also acknowledges in its 2020 guidelines that the higher frequencies used for 5G dont penetrate the human body as deeply as lower frequencies. The ICNIRP also noted that 5Gs use of beamforming can reduce overall exposure to EMF radiation in a given cell.

For several years now, the internet has been awash in misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding 5G health and safety risks. Various rumours claim without credible evidence that 5G kills birds, causes cancer, weakens immune systems and is the cause of COVID-19. Conspiracy theorists claim 5G is a weapons system that governments will use to monitor and control people.

We encourage individuals to rely on credible sources and expert opinions when assessing information related to telecommunications and health, Digicel said.

Digicel Fiji and Digicel Samoa have not yet given specific timelines for commercial 5G launch dates.

Digicel Samoa was granted conditional approval from the Government of Samoa earlier this month to launch 5G. Digicel Fiji has said it anticipates imminent completion of regulatory approvals by the Fiji Government. Its rival Vodafone Fiji received a 5G non-commercial license earlier this month to conduct live end-user trials on its 5G pilot network, with a full commercial license expected to be issued later this year.
Just say yes to those sun-and-moon pancakes.

Food & Wine / Getty Images / Ballreich / WNY Empanadas

Astronomy may explain the upcoming solar eclipse, but creativity is at the core of its festivities. Scattered across the path of totality, both local businesses and national chains have released eclipse-themed snacks, menus, and desserts. No food is off-limits from a cosmic makeover; the concept takes shape via solar wordplays, celestial designs, and culinary contradictions between light and dark.



Below are nine eclipse-themed foods available across totalitys path. Grab a bite if youre along the route  or draw inspiration for your own kitchen.



Driftwoods Vista Brewing is preparing a total solar eclipse wagyu burger, but the meat isnt the only representation of the moon. Rather, the burger comes on a squid ink bun from Easy Tiger Bakery, while toppings include black garlic aioli and a wasabi pub cheese made with the brewerys Dark Skies black pilsner.



Wing King Drew Cerza knows how to play to Buffalos strengths. The New York food personality more than earns his alias in Totality Wings: an eclipse specialty that stacks two classic flavors. On each chicken wing, Cerza overlays Webers honey mustard with a dark barbecue sauce  a combination that holds up under any sky.



Eclipse Chipse represent the eclipse in both rhyme and reason; Ohio-based snack brand Ballreich pairs white cheddar with black pepper for a celestial-inspired flavor. The chips come in equally thematic black bags that feature totalitys likeness.



Thanks to their smooth, circular nature, cookies present a blank canvas for creative additions. Syracuse bakery Cathys Cookie Kitchen plays with a buttercream sun and a chocolate shadow, while Dallas bakery Savor Patisserie imprints the eclipses image onto vanilla macarons.



Moon pies already feature the moon in name, so why not look the part? On April 7 and 8, Austins Tiny Pies is putting its own spin on the All-American treat. The bakerys moon pies come coated in Callebaut dark chocolate and topped with a white chocolate crescent moon.



In Bloomington, Indiana, experience more than a slice of the moon  alongside quite a few slices of pizza. With both an eclipse-themed brunch and dinner menu, FARMBloomington highlights a pies potential. Standouts include the No Sunlight bianca pizza and a bacon and egg House of the Rising Sun.



Like pizza, chocolate is the perfect candidate for a solar upgrade. Rochesters Laughing Gull Chocolates capitalizes on shades of white and dark in its eclipse collection. The shop offers a totality chocolate duo, as well as bars imprinted with eclipse art.



Marketside Restaurant in Niagara Falls serves a standard short stack, with one caveat. The topmost pancake comes in chocolate, so your pace of eating determines totalitys duration.



At Buffalos WNY Empanadas, the eclipse takes the form of specialty conchas: a crackly and sweet Mexican bread. The sun  also known as pastry cream filling  just barely peeks out from inside a dark craquelin made of corn husk ash.



One donut can represent either the sun or the moon, but The Donut Dudes box of seven depicts the eclipses progression. Raspberry, white cream, and custard donuts flank both sides of a chocolate custard-filled donut, leading up to  and out of  totality.







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The early days of Hollywood produced some remarkable women, but Anna May Wong  the Asian-American actress whose wild and shimmering life story is told in Katie Gee Salisburys Not Your China Doll  was in a class of her own.

Wong was the first non-Caucasian Hollywood star, and for decades, the only one from an Asian background. Born in 1905 in Los Angeless Chinatown to hard-working parents who owned and ran a laundry business, she began her career as an extra and quickly rose through the ranks. She was catapulted to fame aged 19, when she appeared in the lavish fantasy The Thief of Bagdad (1924). The camera loved her, and she moved gracefully between moments of comedy and those of high emotion.

But rather than showcasing Wong, 1920s Hollywood wasted her in supporting parts, in which she had to play second fiddle to white actresses  often white actresses in yellowface. European attitudes were different, at least, so when she was given the opportunity to play more prominent roles in films shot in Germany and London, she grabbed it. Notable among these were the romantic drama Song (1928), which was written for her, and the proto-film noir Piccadilly (1929).

As an actress who started out in the last decade of the silent era, Wong had to contend first with the advent of talkies, and later with the shift of focus away from cinema screens to television. Luckily for her, she was an early mistress of reinvention, and someone for whom fame was not the driving force.

Rather, as Salisbury, a magazine writer and photographer, makes clear, Wong was driven by both the desire to practise her art and the awareness that she was in the unique position of being able to represent her race on the big screen. As a fellow Asian-American, Salisbury is particularly interested in Wongs self-image. The actress once described herself as, an American-born Chinese girl  proud of her parents and of her race, yet so thoroughly Americanised as to demand independence, a career, a life of her own But though I love my father dearly, and am proud of my people, I can see their faults. It is the cause of much conflict in me. Salisbury explains: The conflict was not the fact of her being both Chinese and American No, the contradiction was in others insistence that she be one thing or another, that she live up to their expectations in lieu of the ones she had clearly set for herself.

Off-screen, in the 1920s, Wong was a flapper, a bright young thing who viewed herself as an American girl but was constantly othered in the media as a strange and exotic being. An early example was a Movie Weekly article that posed the rhetorical question: Does she, chameleon-like, become as thoroughly Chinese when among her own people? Are her Americanisms merely part of a clever pose? Throughout her career, Wong was criticised for not being what people expected. In England, she didnt sound Chinese enough; in China, her Cantonese had too much of an American twang.

The Wong who emerges from Salisburys lively and admiring account, however, is a character who brimmed with resilience, intelligence and wit. Even as a teenage starlet, she wasnt afraid to stand up for herself: she caused a delay to production on The Thief of Bagdad after she experienced a racial slur on the set. She pursued everything she wanted in life with a steely determination and grit, Salisbury writes. She didnt force things, but she didnt quit either. Wong rose above disappointments both professional, when Chinese parts went to Caucasian actresses or her characters were downgraded to supporting roles, and personal, not least the end of her love affair with the British writer and producer Eric Maschwitz.

Salisbury also paints an evocative picture of the ramshackle embryonic days of Hollywood, when movie-mad Wong would play truant from school and join the crowds watching crews filming in Chinatown. Later, we read about The Good Earth, an epic mid-1930s MGM drama set in China. Wongs name was regularly linked with the leading female role  but in the end, she was offered what amounted to a supporting role to a supporting role, and the lead went to the German actress Luise Rainer. Wongs response, Salisbury relates, was to undertake the trip that would fulfil her lifelong dream  to visit China. That she ever returned to Hollywood after such a snub is a measure of how pragmatic she was. She managed to achieve her ambition of promoting positive images of China and the Chinese in a number of Hollywood movies, culminating in King of Chinatown (1939), in which she plays Dr Mary Ling, a character inspired by the real-life surgeon and humanitarian Margaret Chung.

Heavy drinking led to ill health from the late 1940s, when Wong was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and for a few years she worked less frequently and became something of a recluse. Yet she continued to be a pioneer: the 1951 television series The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong was the first to star an Asian-American woman. Thereafter, her TV career blossomed, and she was about to appear in the movie version of the musical Flower Drum Song when, in 1961, she died in her sleep of a heart attack. Although her acting career never fulfilled its potential, Wong doesnt emerge as a tragic heroine. This Anna May Wong is a solo flyer who  more than anyone before, or for a long time after  helped to dismantle the Chinese stereotypes favoured by Hollywood, and paved the way for the Asian-American stars of today.

Not Your China Doll is published by Faber at 25. To order your copy for 19.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books

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40 Forgotten Pandemic Trends From 4 Years Ago That Feel Like They Are From An Alternate Universe

It's blowing everyone's minds that we are four years out from the p*ndemic.

Ayman Haykal / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Because it seems like "pandemic nostalgia" is a thing right now, let's take a look at all of the forgotten trends of the time...

1.Making dalgona coffee:

Reda&co / REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

2.People doing the "Pillow Challenge" on Insta:

3. The "nature is healing" meme:

with everyone on lockdown, the lime scooters are finally returning to the river. nature is healing, we are the virus. pic.twitter.com/I0IbCfiMnj  ronnie (@taladorei) March 26, 2020

Twitter: @taladorei

4.Changing your Zoom background to something "quirky":

5. Changing your Zoom avatar to something like a potato:

my boss turned herself into a potato on our Microsoft teams meeting and cant figure out how to turn the setting off, so she was just stuck like this the entire meeting pic.twitter.com/uHLgJUOsXk  clegg (@PettyClegg) March 30, 2020

@PeggyClegg / Via Twitter: @PettyClegg

6.And obviously, the dreaded Zoom Happy Hour:

Olivier Douliery / AFP via Getty Images

7.Obsessing over Tiger King:

Netflix

8.And also Carole Baskin:

Araya Doheny / Getty Images for NightFly Entertainment, Ltd.

9. Celebrities making songs about washing your hands:

Gloria Gaynor washing her hands to I Will Survive is the hand washing video I didnt know I needed pic.twitter.com/3HotD7RsS6  grant (@urdadssidepiece) March 12, 2020

@GloriaGayner / Via Twitter: @urdadssidepiece

10. Hoarding toilet paper:

OK Seattle, I literally just needed like a roll of toilet paper?   pic.twitter.com/oMiGBoCdgR  Jess T-R (@torrezriley) March 3, 2020

@Torrezriley / Via Twitter: @torrezriley

11.Hoarding meat:

Spencer Althouse

12. Basically, hoarding basically everything except Corona beer:

Corona: The perfect drink for social distancing because no one wants it #coronavirusuk pic.twitter.com/NWUH2Ck9i4  James Hurley (@jameshurley_) March 21, 2020

Twitter: @jameshurley_

13. Stores being sold out of all bottled water except Dasani:

Yall. Is Dasani really that bad?! This is literally the only water left of the shelves.  pic.twitter.com/Dfkk2P3Nip  Ty Jackson (@Ty__Land) March 12, 2020

@TY__Land / Via Twitter: @Ty__Land

14.Not being able to find hand sanitizer anywhere:

Smith Collection / Gado via Getty Images

15. The former Governor of New York's daily presentations:

Its Saturday. Wear a Mask. pic.twitter.com/9dvJ0Gxu4z  Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 27, 2020

Twitter: @NYGovCuomo

16. Everyone joining TikTok and doing dances, like the "Blinding Lights" dance:

@the.mcfarlands tiktok.com

17. March 1 vs. April 1 memes:

march 1 / april 1 pic.twitter.com/3zZpyutTGd  no (@zedonarrival) April 1, 2020

MGM/ Twitter: @zedonarrival

18.Buying a Peloton:

Onurdongel / Getty Images

19.Getting a quarantine dog or cat:

Valerii Apetroaiei / Getty Images

20.Baking sourdough bread:

Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Phot / Getty Images

21.Making fun of celebrities for doing embarrassing things:

22.Buying a Nintendo Switch and playing Animal Crossing:

23. Clapping for essential workers:

I hope this video of Priyanka clapping gets referenced on the WAP remix pic.twitter.com/BhceyDrymr  Frank Costa (@feistyfrank) August 19, 2020

@NickJonas / Via Twitter: @feistyfrank

24. Making fun of celebrities for clapping to empty fields for essential workers:

when Priyanka Chopra asked Nick Jonas to record a video of her clapping her hands on her balcony pic.twitter.com/uLYq7AJCRR  Hurt CoPain (@SaeedDiCaprio) March 24, 2020

Twitter: @SaeedDiCaprio

25.Becoming addicted to online shopping:

Robert Alexander / Getty Images

26. Doing lots of puzzles:

Throwback to that time I spent the first months of the pandemic working on a 9,120-piece puzzle.  pic.twitter.com/WHJBLLs17c  Jennifer Public Radio (@AmbientSynthy) February 21, 2022

Twitter: @AmbientSynthy

27. Hyper realistic cakes:

These Are All Cakes pic.twitter.com/ejArkJHaid  Tasty (@tasty) July 8, 2020

@Tasty/ @redrosecake_tubageckil / Via Twitter: @tasty

28. The memes about thinking everything is a cake:

I know a cake when I see one. https://t.co/iS3y3BPywD   TeeJay  (@AintEeenTrippin) July 12, 2020

Twitter: @AintEeenTrippin

29. Never knowing what day of the week it was:

When someone asks me what day of the week it is pic.twitter.com/tNH5QNucyC  R4 (@kupiy) May 9, 2020

Twitter: @kupiy

30. The "hope this email finds you well" meme:

"hope this email finds you well" pic.twitter.com/GtR4NhxLLF  emmad -  (@emmadmazhari) July 12, 2020

Twitter: @emmadmazhari

31.Love is Blind:

Netflix

32. Cottagecore:

I am living my cottage core fantasy today. pic.twitter.com/Wb3klm5D0W  Veronika (@mediocre_legend) May 2, 2020

Twitter: @mediocre_legend

33.Tie dye:

Melissa Ross / Getty Images

34.Cutting your own bangs:

Kemal Yildirim / Getty Images

35.And gay guys buzzing their hair off:

Eric Cahan / Getty Images

36. Taylor Swift Folklore/woods memes:

Taylor Swift out here really doing the most during a pandemic pic.twitter.com/nX1qBVvwgt  Nora Dominick (@noradominick) July 23, 2020

NBC / Via Twitter: @noradominick

37. Celebrities doing random online events:

4 years ago today, Charli XCX does a Instagram Live DJ set for Grindr. pic.twitter.com/XQg2plaMzE  hourly charli xcx (@hourlyXCX) March 27, 2024

Grindr/ Twitter: @hourlyXCX

38. Everyone you know doing Instagram Lives:

Jill Zarin is doing an Instagram Live with Cindy Barshop and everyone thinks its Carole Radziwill. pic.twitter.com/eNdfjXkyJm  Brendan (@notbrendan) July 3, 2020

Twitter: @notbrendan

39.Buying Crocs unironically:

Ucg / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

40.And lastly, the #2020challenge:


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I. FIRE

Its alive.

Thats how the neighbors alongside the landfill describe it: as a living creature, a growling menacethe modern-day incarnation of Typhon, the monster of Greek mythology with a hundred dragon heads, cast into the underworld but still capable of unleashing volcanic powers. It has resided 240 feet down in the Missouri earth, gurgling and hissing, for the past 13 years.

Republic Services, the Phoenix-based owners of the Bridgeton Landfill, where the beast resides, never uses the word fire. Company officials refer to it as a subsurface smoldering event or an underground exothermic heat-generation reaction. Surrounded by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire, the smoldering mass gorges on old drywall and broken shingles discarded by construction crews decades ago, opening fissures and tunnels of ash. Sometimes those underground shafts collapse, causing the ground to settle on top of the void, to sink like a punctured air mattress, so that what was once a small mountain is now a lumpy pancake of a 52-acre field.

The gurgling sound is from the vacuuming away of liquids the fire creates. Kevin Stuhlman, assistant fire chief of the Pattonville Fire Protection District, calls it the nastiest water runoff you could possibly have. The hissing is the sound of methane and other gases being sucked out to flares, where theyre burned off. Gas extraction wells poke up at regular intervals, making the site look like a tormented voodoo doll from high above. Much of the area is covered with a massive green tarpa fireproof, three-layer geo-membrane liner that holds in the gases and chokes off the beasts oxygen supply.

Republic Services crews monitor the fire around the clock, like stockbrokers sweating margins on a volatile trading day: watching ground temperatures, the state of the gases and liquids, the rate at which the ground is sinking. (Republic Services did not respond to multiple requests for comment.) This data is critical because the beast must be contained. If it spreads even a couple hundred yards, it could reach another landfill, West Lake, that is home to a different kind of nightmare. West Lake harbors the origins of the Manhattan Project47,000 tons of radioactive waste that was, according to an investigation by the Associated Press, MuckRock, and the Missouri Independent, dumped illegally.

Neeta Satam

Stuhlman grew up nearby and played in Coldwater Creek, the neighborhood hub of outdoor activity, which snaked through his backyard. He became a firefighter 20 years ago to help keep the community safe, but only after he took the job did he learn about the atomic bomb contamination. For two-thirds of his tenure, he has contended with the possibility that those twin menaces could collidesay, if the ground cracks open and fire plumes up, carrying radionuclides into the air currents above a metropolitan area of 2.8 million people.

What happens if that fire reaches that radioactive waste? No one knows, Stuhlman says. Its never happened.

II. WAR

On April 17, 1942, Edward Mallinckrodt Jr. sat down for lunch with a longtime friend, the esteemed physicist Arthur Holly Compton, at the Noonday Club in downtown St. Louis. These were rarefied dining quarters, but in terms of the future of humanity, no power lunch was quite like this one.

The nation had entered World War II four months earlier, and reports were trickling in that Hitlers researchers were two years ahead of the United States in the quest to develop the ultimate weapon. Working on behalf of the government, Compton asked Mallinckrodt, chairman of the board of Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, a local company, to take on a daunting task: extract 40 tons of purified uranium from ore freshly mined in the Belgian Congo to fuel the worlds first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction. Three other firms had deemed the untested process too dangerous. But now the stakes were unambiguously high: beating Nazi Germany to the atomic bomb.

Mallinckrodt quickly mobilized his company, and crews working around the clock were soon producing a ton of pure uranium daily. The eventual outcome of the Manhattan Projectthe fateful flight of the Enola Gayis forever etched in history; its ties to St. Louis, however, are lesser known.

Nuclear power and weaponry remained an important innovation beyond the wars end, and Mallinckrodt Chemical continued to enrich uranium until 1957. But officials were disinterested in the radioactive waste that the process created. In 1946, the government acquired a property of nearly 22 acres alongside LambertSt. Louis Municipal Airport, where they shipped barrels of toxic materials.

The northern reaches of St. Louis County were largely unpopulated then, consisting mostly of gently rolling farmland. The communities that were there, however, were not informed of the contents of the thousands of barrels moved to the site, and those who noticed trucks making mysterious deliveries were lied to. In 1946, the St. Louis Star-Times reported that the site had been used secretly for several months for storage of certain residue materials from the refining of uranium ores at Mallinckrodt. Factory officials claimed they were not radio-active and not dangerous. The mayor of nearby Berkeley told the newspaper: If they say the material is not dangerous, we have to take their word for it.

Although the science about the dangers of uranium was still emerging, the high stakes for public health were already apparent. In 1947, an Atomic Energy Commission panel reported that the uranium byproducts could pose the gravest of problems if they were thoughtlessly discarded in gradually disintegrating barrels. In the 1960s, AEC researchers found that the 121,050 tons of radioactive material near the airport contained the largest concentration of thorium-230 in the nation, and possibly the world. One scientist determined that the wastes thorium concentration was 25,000 times greater than what would exist in nature. Thorium-230 was known to be a health hazard on par with plutonium, and with a half-life of more than 77,000 years, it would decay to radium-226 and grow hottermore radioactive, and more dangerous.

As these barrels sat out in the open, developers began building homes throughout the surrounding area. The combined population in the towns of Florissant, Hazelwood, and Black Jack grew from about 4,000 in the 1950s to around 85,000 today. Virtually no one filling these suburban enclaves had any clue what the government had left behind.

Over time, officials overseeing the Mallinckrodt waste transfer discontinued the use of the barrels and the mirage of safety they implied. Crews heaped the radioactive material into piles that morphed the site into a moonscape, a third of which sat in a floodplain. Wind scattered dried-out uranium byproduct, and runoff from rainstorms washed directly into the groundwater system, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) noted. The terrain also tilted toward Coldwater Creek, which winds northward to the Missouri River. Rainwater that cascaded down the mounds of radioactive waste flowed directly into the stream.

III. PARADISE

The kids were always outside. That was one treasured part of growing up in Florissant in the 1960s and 70s: There were the parks and the woods and, especially, Coldwater Creek, which cleaved the landscape like a scalpel, slicing open a paradise for making mud pies, hunting for crawdads, and skipping rocks. As soon as it was warm enough, and often long before and after, neighborhood children were running barefoot and catapulting into the creek from rope swings.

Kim Visintine was one of those kids. Born in 1969, she grew up one of seven; her father owned two amusement parks. Summers were endless and golden. She went off to collegebecause you had toand earned an engineering degree before moving back home. Florissant, she says, is a place where some of us have pretty strong roots.

It took a job at DaimlerChrysler to finally lure Visintine away for good, to Michigan, but in certain ways shes never truly been able to leave. In 2000, her first child, Zach, was born with a brain tumor so rare that doctors told her there were only 50 documented cases recorded in medical journals. He underwent diagnostic neurosurgery a week after birth and started chemotherapy two weeks later. He died at age 6.

She didnt connect this tragedy with her childhood home until the 2010s, when a McCluer North High School friend started a Facebook page and made Visintine an administrator, along with a mutual friend, Jenell Wright. Soon dozens of classmates joined. After the usual hellos and how-you-beens, they noticed that almost everyone was grappling with illness.

Scott McClurg had a brain tumor. One of Wrights best friends was diagnosed with terminal uterine cancer. Another friend had appendix cancer, which was, like Zachs disease, exceptionally rare. Diane Schanzenbach had two ill family members. And so on. All of us were sick, Visintine says, or our friends were sick, but we had no idea why.

One common thread: Most everyone had lived along or around Coldwater Creek. As they compared notes, Schanzenbach, a Princeton-educated economist who was teaching at Northwestern at the time, pulled out a grade school yearbook and began checking off names, the statistician in her taking over. She created an online survey that the group distributed to everyone they could find from their old neighborhood, asking for dates, proximity to the creek, and illnesses.

She concluded that it was statistically impossible for the number of cancer cases to be random.

No one in the group knew anything about Mallinckrodt or the radioactive waste. We had no idea of the creek, Visintine says. She and many others refer to it as the areas dirty little secret.

Kay Drey Mallinckrodt Collection

In 2011, someone in the group stumbled upon the USACE website for whats called the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Programa government program with an impenetrable name that was created to deal with atomic-waste nightmares. The group learned that remedial work was being done on radioactive waste in the area. I knew there was a connection the moment we started reading about the thorium-230, uranium-235, and radium-226, Wright says. Their paradise had been ruined, and now it was on them to do something about it.

IV. FEATHERS

To understand what happened in North St. Louis Countyand whats still happening when Coldwater Creek floodsimagine shaking out the contents of a feather pillow on a windy day. Those feathers will blow away, then land and pick up again in later gusts. Some will float along currents, settling downstream and spreading via floodwaters into the surrounding landscape.

In March 1962, the Atomic Energy Commission, seeking to rid itself of its radioactive-waste problem, offered for sale the 121,050 tons of uranium-thorium source materials stashed next to the airport. In 1965, a task force studying the issue recommended removing the waste and closing the site, but the AEC reached a deal with Contemporary Metals, a firm that planned to extract valuable materials, such as copper and nickel, from the residues. The company paid about $1 a ton.

In 1966, a Contemporary Metals subsidiary, Continental Mining and Milling Co., began moving the waste a half mile away to a building in Hazelwood, spilling material from trucks en route. The company went bankrupt soon after, and its lender tried and failed to auction off the residues. In 1969, the creditor sold it to the Cotter Corporation, which planned to ship the waste by rail to its uranium plant in Canon City, Colorado. Cotter officials calculated that they could reduce shipping costs by drying the material, so they left it outside, again uncovered and exposed to the elements.

Meanwhile, Cotter used an inorganic compound called barium sulfate to recover leftover uranium from the Mallinckrodt residue. After shipping what they could extract to Colorado, Cotter officials were sitting on about 8,700 tons of barium sulfate contaminated with the several tons of uranium that remained.

To offload this slag heap of atomic dross, Cotter mixed it with about 39,000 tons of topsoilessentially concealing the radioactive material by diluting it with dirt. In 1973, Cotter trucked the toxic residues to the West Lake Landfill in nearby Bridgeton, where various industries had been disposing of municipal solid waste and construction debris since the 1950s. Some of the Cotter waste was used to cover the landfills trash.

The AEC knew Cotters uranium residue was too radioactive to meet its standards for conventional disposal. The company was clearly in violation of rules prohibiting it from diluting the waste in topsoil to avoid disposing of it safely and legally, according to Nuked: Echoes of the Hiroshima Bomb in St. Louis, by Linda C. Morice. But the AEC was under the false impression that the nuclear waste was buried under 100 feet of municipal waste, and took no action.

In 1974, Congress replaced the AEC with two agencies, one of whichthe Nuclear Regulatory Commissionwas tasked with overseeing civilian uses of atomic energy. The NRCs very reason for existence was to make sure companies like Cotter safely handled dangerous radioactive materials. Instead it cut Cotter loose, terminating its license to possess the wastein all, 47,000 tons of soil laced with radioactive materialand returning the toxic mess to the governments purview.

By the 1970s, the dangers lurking on the site were obvious, Bob Criss, PhD, a now-retired geologist and geochemist at Washington University in St. Louis, wrote in a searing 2013 report about the West Lake scandal.

The uranium, processed multiple times, had been reduced to tiny particles that permeated the region. Even one of these microscopic particles is a consequential dose, says Marco Kaltofen, PhD, a civil engineer and the owner of Boston Chemical Data Corp. He has conducted academic studies connected to the areas Manhattan Project legacy, including West Lake Landfill, dating back to 2014.

Greater proximity to the nuclear waste site means greater exposure to these particles is likely, Kaltofen says. Theres our problem. You have unseeable, microscopic particles, of which there are countless trillions and trillions that have gone into the environment.

V. SURVEILLANCE

We might get harassed by security again, Karen, Dawn Chapman calls out from the drivers seat of her SUV.

They like to follow us, Karen Nickel replies from behind her. She is referring to Republic Services, which closely monitors, via various remote cameras, the Bridgeton and West Lake landfills.

We are idling next to Bridgeton Landfill, the headliner of our tour of area waste sites. This is the back lot that we can get on, Chapman says as she pulls away. Were not supposed to, but were gonna try. Were just gonna say, Hey, were lost. This draws a round of laughter, the idea that this group of women mistakenly wound up here.

I am not Dawn Chapman, Dawn Chapman says, anticipating how shell answer questions from security personnel. Yes, that is Karen Nickel. More laughter.

As the founders of Just Moms STL, the two women are unlikely to go unrecognized. Since 2013 they have devoted themselves full-time to the task of shaming, cajoling, and browbeating the government into removing the radioactive waste, with a particular emphasis on West Lake. Christen Commuso, who joined forces with them a few years later, is in the back seat next to Nickel.

For Chapman, the surreal journey to this pointto parking alongside a dump on a frigid January daybegan with a ferocious stench. She and her family and neighbors were overwhelmed by a rotten-egg, moldy garbage smell that at first was hard to place: An asphalt plant, a compost center, and a methane supplier are all neighborhood fixtures. All she knew was that her kids were getting bloody noses, headaches, and red, teary eyes. Neighbors kept their children indoors even as summer rolled around, limiting their swimming pool time and packing eye drops, inhalers, and masks to the park.

Frustrated and baffled, Chapman called the city, which referred her to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. That led to a two-hour conversation that left her astonished. She learned that in December 2010, officials at Republic Services had notified authorities of a subsurface smoldering event at Bridgeton.

Landfills naturally release leachate and gases as the waste decays, but the fire had drastically accelerated that processin a location, Chapman learned, that was next to another dump filled with radioactive waste.

She would soon connect with Nickel, who was 10 years old when her family moved to Hazelwood in 1973, a town adjacent to Florissant along Coldwater Creek. One of her passions was softball. The only downside to playing, at least as it pertained to her, was the frequency with which games were flooded out: In spring and summer, Coldwater Creek regularly jumped its banks, especially after the sewer district built stormwater lines that emptied into it. After heavy rains, the stream looked fit for whitewater rafting, and it swamped the adjoining neighborhoods every yearincluding 64-acre St. Ferdinand Park, home to eight ballfields.

In 2000, Nickel was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and pain. She began hunting for an explanation and eventually learned that she was part of what St. Louis Magazine, in a story about the radioactive material left behind by Mallinckrodt, described as a human horror show spanning three quarters of a century.

Now a grandmother of seven, Nickel shivers at the edge of St. Ferdinand. Its a January day encased in a sheen of freezing rain, and she points out the ballfields proximity to the creek. Yellow caution signs that warn of radioactive material werent there when she was a kid. Im pretty sure I played ball on every contaminated field, Nickel says.

Since becoming activists, the women estimate that theyve worked full-time on the issue for a decade. Their Facebook pages have attracted more than 48,000 followers. They organized one listening session with the Environmental Protection Agency, which has been tasked with the West Lake cleanup, to which almost 1,000 people showed up.

Their involvement has ramped up in direct proportion to concerns over the Bridgeton fire. By 2014, it had crept within 1,000 feet of the radioactive waste, and Bob Crisss report for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment revealed that West Lake had none of the standard requirements for modern landfills: no basal clay liner, no plastic sheeting, no internal cells, no leachate collection system, no protective cap. He reported that all available data show that radionuclides are actively migrating in groundwater. An EPA analysis released that year found that the fire could react with radioactive substances, causing an explosion or the release of radon and other toxic substances.

The Associated Press

For all these reasons and more, the three women are a relentless public presence for government officials and Republic Services. During previous forays to the landfills, they were conspicuously followed by a car with what looked like government plates. Its intimidation, Chapman says, but were not doing anything, and they can come and talk to us if they want.

She is feisty and prone to outrage and profanity. Commuso has a sunnier disposition, tending to smile wryly at cruel twists of irony, whereas Nickel resorts to grimaces and eye rolls. Back at the Bridgeton Landfill, we walk to the chain link fencing surrounding the site. It used to be a giant mountain, Chapman says. I cannot believe how far in a month thats collapsed. Thats scaring the shit out of me.

Its freezing, and we hustle back to the vehicle. This is gonna make me go home and stress-eat, she says.

Within a couple of hours, Chapmans phone buzzes. The caller ID shows its from the public affairs office at Republic Services. They saw us on the monitors at the landfill, she explains. No, Im not gonna answer.

Later she texts a simple reply: Fill in your damn hole.

VI. TRIANGLES

Ashley Bernaugh had only lived in north St. Louis County for two years when she attended her first Army Corps of Engineers meeting about Coldwater Creeks radioactive waste problem, in 2015. It was a neighborly gesture; she expected to do nothing more than learn what was happening and show support.

Before the event started, she scanned a map of the area. Tracing the creeks sinewy curves, her eye passed right by her sons school, Jana Elementary, in Florissant. The map offered no indication that the property was contaminated, although it sits in the creeks floodplain.

Once the meeting began, she stood to ask the question anyway: Had the school been tested for radioactive material? As Bernaugh recalls it, the Army Corps had an odd answer: Jana wasnt contaminated because they hadnt tested it. If youre looking for a theres your sign kind of moment, she says, that was it.

Then one day in 2018, after she had become PTA president, she was sitting in her car waiting to pick up her son from school. She watched an official-looking white pickup truck drive through the parking lot, onto the playground, and toward the creek. The people who emerged appeared to be taking samples. Curious about the results, she filed a Freedom of Information Act request. The Army Corps responded that fulfilling it would cost at least $800, which neither she nor the PTA had to spend. Instead, she acted on her growing concerns about the situation by going back to school: Over the next few years she earned a masters degree in social responsibility and sustainable communities, followed by a second one in public administration.

In the meantime, COVID-19 descended and meetings with the Army Corps were stopped. When they resumed online in November 2021, she inquired again about testing; this time, the Army Corps said the data was only available to the property owner. She replied that they were in luck, because she was in fact a property ownerall local taxpayers were, Jana being a public school.

After she filed another FOIA request, the agency finally furnished a map showing testing locations marked by clusters of red triangles. She stared at them, uncertain what she was looking at, but fearful. Please, she thought, make me wrong.

Neeta Satam

Unbeknownst to Bernaugh, Christen Commuso at the Missouri Coalition for the Environment had heard her request during the meeting and filed her own FOIA letter. Commuso received a different map, with fewer hot spots marked but actual sample data included. The two women met in May 2022 and began to work together to unpack the information. Eventually they confirmed Bernaughs fears: Elevated levels of radon, thorium, and uranium in 38 percent of the 400-plus samples the Army Corps had taken along the creek. The agency acknowledged that its testing had indicated low-level radioactive contamination bordering the school property, but it asserted that the material did not pose an immediate risk to human health or the environment because the contamination was below ground surface.

When Bernaugh presented the information to the PTA, many residents and school alumni were stunned. Uncertain what to do next, the Hazelwood School District decided it would permit collection of samples on school grounds by an independent party: Marco Kaltofen of Boston Chemical Data Corp., who in 2016 had been hired by a law firm representing homeowners and residents along Coldwater Creek to periodically harvest samples in the area.

Kaltofen took 32 samples at Jana in August 2022. His data revealed that the kindergarten playground, which had been flooded by Coldwater Creek, contained 48 picocuries per liter of lead-210, a byproduct of uraniums decay, which is about 22 times above the expected level. (Picocuries are tiny units of measure of the radioactivity concentration in matter.)

The area also had high levels of radium and thorium microparticles. Its a high-impact spot because, clearly, Mallinckrodt waste got washed into that location, Kaltofen says.

In October 2022, the Hazelwood School District announced that it would shutter Jana Elementary indefinitely. And thats when things got weird.

VII. ANXIETY

Imagine for a moment that you live along Coldwater Creek, or near West Lake. Maybe your kids go to the schools. Maybe you moved in a decade ago and no one mentioned any of this, or maybe youre a fourth-generation resident whos seen and heard everything and you still dont know what to believe. Maybe youre worried about the fire reaching the radioactive waste, but you dont have the time to assess the odds of this happening. Or you dont know to read the EPAs Section 3.2 of the Responsiveness Summary attached to the 2018 Operable Unit 1 Record of Decision Amendment.

Quite possibly, you have no idea what that even means.

It feels like it all happened forever ago, because it did. But it also feels like things are still happening now, because they probably always will be.

If you were paying attention to the news in 2015, you learned that St. Louis County had quietly posted on its website a shelter-in-place and evacuation plan. Maybe you were among residents who were frightened when you read that the plans purpose was to save lives in the event of a catastrophe at the landfill. It noted that if the fire reaches the atomic waste, there is a potential for radioactive fallout to be released in the smoke plume and spread throughout the region.

Depending on where you lived, you could face either mandatory evacuation orif you were particularly close to the landfillbe ordered to stay inside, seal your doors and windows. This event, the document says, will most likely occur with little or no warning.

The plan is still in effect today.

Imagine now that you are Matthew Boenker, whose family owned the farm next to the landfills for five generations. You dreamed of starting a vineyard, but Republic Services wanted your familys property. The company must prevent the Bridgeton Landfill from sagging too far; if the site goes concave, it could compromise the gas lines and other critical infrastructure and render it inaccessible to rescue vehicles. They wanted your hilltop homestead for the dirt, to bulldoze it all onto the landfill. You moved away; you couldnt watch them finish the job. I think we all lost, and it wasnt just me, you say. The whole community lost.

Or imagine that youre Phil Moser, program manager of the USACE contingent doing the Coldwater Creek cleanup work. The Corps was a latecomer, sent in by Congress in 1997 to find and remove radioactive material from the stream and adjoining landscape where the radionuclides had spread. You are there to do a job thats clearly defined in whats called a record of decision that was published in 2005. This was agreed to by the Department of Energy, your boss on this project. Youre just following orders.

But people are scared, and based on conflicting reports about your efforts, some accuse you of being uncaring and negligent and crowd into public meetings to berate you. Like Dawn Chapman: You made this shit, put it in our community, didnt clean it up, let it get out, still arent really cleaning it up.

Explaining scientific nuances to a riled-up public is not your forte, but the DOE steadfastly refuses to comment, just leaves you twisting out there.

Finally, imagine you are Terry Briggs, Bridgetons mayor. You were elected in 2015, and your job is to deal with voters on one side and countless agencies on the other: the EPA, the DOE, the state government, the county. You try to be diplomatic, but until a few months ago, the DOE refused to even have a conversation.

Youre tired of the affable obliviousness of career government people from D.C. and everywhere else who dont see this as their problem. You release a letter in 2022 with a member of Congress saying, Weve pounded our fists on tables in frustration, demanded answers and accountability (but) the cleanup of the site is yet to begin.

You try to help, but no one agrees on what that even means. Some voters urge you to stand patno one in their family has gotten sick, so leave the landfill alone. Others are terrified, because they hear rumors and are worried that the water is contaminated, or that radionuclides have worked their way into their house.

You worry about the radioactive material in the groundwater every time it rains. Its been studied to death, almost, you sayyet the risk is still hard to quantify. Theres no budget for an atomic scientist on staff.

You ran for office to solve problems, but this one will almost certainly outlast you. You describe the debacle as confusing and frustrating. Because theres always that element of, Whats really happening? And who do I believe?

All you know for sure is that you may never know.

VIII. MAPS

Once Kim Visintines circle of friends zeroed in on the Mallinckrodt contamination, the ailments they had puzzled over suddenly made sense.

They formed a Facebook group called Coldwater CreekJust the Facts Please, and harnessed their various professional skills to collect a massive data set overlaid onto a map showing cancer cases clustered along the river. Their research revealed an almost dead-on match for illnesses that can result from long-term exposure to low-level radioactive material, Visintine says. Appendix cancer? Odds of coming down with it are one in 200,000; Visintines group logged more than 60 cases in a five-mile radius within their age group.

In 2013, a Missouri Department of Health and Human Services study found no evidence of health problems arising from the radioactive material. Diane Schanzenbach and Jenell Wright, a CPA, pointed out that DHHSs survey failed to account for people exposed to radiation in Coldwater Creek decades ago who eventually moved. And low-level ionizing radiation takes repeated exposure over years to pose a cancer risk. So youre missing all this data because youre pulling just from census databecause thats how epidemiology studies are created, Visintine says. Very flawed.

When the group presented its findings, the agency agreed to reexamine cancer cases in eight zip codes, from 1996 until 2011. A year later, the DHHS released a new report showing that compared with rates in the rest of the state, the number of leukemia cases was statistically significantly higher, as was the number of colon, prostate, kidney, bladder, and female breast cancer cases. In one zip code, the number of cases of brain and other nervous-system cancers among children 17 and younger was significantly higher. Scientific studies have authoritatively linked ionizing radiation exposure to the development of some types of cancer, particularly leukemia, the report states.

Kay Drey Mallinckrodt Collection

For three years, the group also held monthly conference calls with the federal DHHSs Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which concluded in 2019 that radiological contamination in Coldwater Creek could have increased the risk of some types of cancerincluding lung cancer, bone cancer, and leukemiafor people who played or lived there.

The Just the Facts group also shared its cancer map and data with the Army Corps of Engineers in a bid to convince the agency to expand its search for radioactive material beyond the creek bed to areas historically prone to flooding. Eventually, Visintine says, the Corps acknowledged to her group that the contamination went beyond what was originally known. Visintine describes it as one of the most profound, really positive things that our group has done.

For some, though, these accomplishments came years too late. As the parents of a baby girl, Mary and Gerard Oscko were happy to find a home on leafy Alma Drive in Hazelwood in the mid-1980s. They had both grown up in the area, and the house bordered St. Cin Park, a 10-acre green space with horseshoe pits, playgrounds, and a walking path that mirrors Coldwater Creeks undulations. There was only one apparent downside: The creek flooded almost annually, swamping the park, filling neighbors basements, and creating the impression that the Osckoswhose home was just high enough to stay dryowned lakefront property.

Mary walked on the parks trail every day. As the kids grew, she decided to return to school to become a nurse. Shed nearly graduated when she started experiencing severe back pain. On Thanksgiving 2013, she was in such agony that they chased the turkey and stuffing with an ER visit. X-rays and scans revealed nothing, and a doctor sent her home with pain meds. Two days later, she was back. Thats when they found the spots, Gerard says, and then it was confirmed through a biopsy. Mary had terminal stage 4 lung cancer.

After they processed the devastating news, the Osckos grew curious. Mary had never smoked, nor did any family members, and only after they began investigating potential causes did they discover the areas history. We knew what the Manhattan Project was, Gerard says. But we realized there was waste product all over North County because of it.

As Mary began treatments, she learned from the Just the Facts group that hundreds of her neighbors had come down with similar illnesses. Around the corner, in fact, on neighboring Palm Drive alone, there were more than 20 cancer cases.

IX. PIANO

In college, Dawn Chapman studied music education and performance, with a focus on piano and violin. Her goal was to teach music to children with special needs. She took time off to raise a family and help her husband through a protracted illness, but she was about to enroll in the nine course hours she still needed to graduate when she learned of the radioactive waste. The quest for facts became so all-consuming that her piano fell out of tune. Im like, Oh my god, I gotta call a tunerand then I was like, Whats the point? she says. Because I didnt even get out Christmas music last year.

Were sitting in Karen Nickels kitchen. In the adjoining living room, Nickels husband is playing with their grandson. She recalls a time several years ago when Chapman announced that she was starting a job. Im like, No youre not, Nickel says, laughing. Im gonna call and tell them you cant come. Chapman worked for two weeks before apologetically quitting.

Chapman and Nickel have surrendered 40 hours a week to this for more than a decade. Along with a third compatriot, Christen Commuso, they estimate theyve devoured tens of thousands of pages of dense reports by various government agenciesteaching themselves the science along the wayto know the material as well as the engineers do, so they can pose questions and call out incomplete or misleading responses. The idea, as Chapman puts it, is to know the answer before we ask.

The answers mean little if they dont have the right allies, so they must then solicit the involvement of members of Congress, mayors, environmental groups, and so on.

Theyve starred in an HBO documentary. Theyve been invited to the White Housetwiceand the United Nations. Theyve elicited bipartisan letters from members of Congress to federal agencies. Each letter opens a door, brings in new informationbut then guess what? Chapman says. Nobody but the three of us go through them. Each new batch of data and findings is digested and regurgitated for Congress which, inevitably, leads to another letter, more data, more reports. And so on, in a seemingly infinite loop.

Chapman and her husband sold their houseand I disclosed everything and lost my ass on itin part because they needed to lower their expenses for her to continue devoting herself to the cause.

Christen Commuso signed up for a photography class but only made it through two sessions. I would prefer to be out in nature somewhere, doing stuff, she says. Id probably be a biologist somewhere. There are so many rabbit holes to plunge down, she feels guilty reading for pleasure.

Have they helped? They believe so. In the past, the DOE or the Army Corps document-dumped, signaled that theyd done their job, moved on. The three women not only read each page, Chapman says, but also highlight the shit out of it. And were gonna find stuff we dont like. They believe they have created more accountability.

They hope for a Congressional hearing. But regardless of who else takes up the cause, they will remain vigilant for another decade, two if necessary. When people let down their guard, Chapman says, and community groups kind of say, Okay, were done, thats when the monkey business starts.

Neeta Satam

X. TIME BOMBS

For millions of Americans, weekly trips to the dump bring a sense of tangible satisfaction. Toss your garbage bags onto the heap, drive off. Chore accomplished, problem solved.

Thats what the Cotter Corporation hoped to do in 1973: Make the refuse go away. Thats largely what the DOE and its predecessors have done for decades: Let it be someone elses headache.

For those living with the Manhattan Projects toxic legacy, there is no such easy solution. After nearly two months of virtual learning in autumn 2022, the families of Jana Elementary School learned that students would be split up into five different area schools. Jana was a school of 400 kids, about 80 percent of whom are Black; it served a fair number of economically disadvantaged residents. To make matters more painful, there wasand continues to bevehement disagreement within the scientific community over the necessity of blowing up a school community.

Oddly, both the Army Corps of Engineers and a private contractor, SCI Engineering, came up with test results that hewed closely to those of Boston Chemical. The disagreement centered around a single question: How harmful are the levels of lead-210 they found?

Kaltofen found hundreds of test samples from the school propertyusing the same technology as the DOE and EPAthat are completely identical to Mallinckrodts own. He knows that because in 1955, a company report laid out the contents of its uranium waste using X-ray testing. You usually dont get a bullet that has been signed by the gunner, Kaltofen says. But essentially, thats what you have in this location.

The Army Corps forcefully disputed Kaltofens findings, insisting in three reports released during the first half of 2023 that the school grounds and building are safe from a radiological standpoint. In short, this doesnt mean theres no radioactivity there; it means the levels of radioactivity within the top six inches of soil are not at levels that meet the threshold for a cleanup. Though part of the school property is in a floodplain, the building itself is not and has never flooded, the Corps argued, and thus there could be no radioactive material inside.

The Missouri DHHS reported that there wasnt enough information to arrive at meaningful conclusions. Meanwhile, several local college professors held a public health forum at Saint Louis University to challenge the Boston Chemical findings. Roger Lewis, PhD, a professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health at the university, contends that the lead-210 levels not only pose no health hazard but appeared on the school property naturally, via precipitation. Radioactive substances have a chemical signaturelike a fingerprintthat indicates which isotopes are in the material, and the soil and dust samples present in the school findings did not support the claim that the [radioactive material] was from Mallinckrodt, he says. So [Kaltofen] is wrong on both points.

Furthermore, the International Commission on Radiation Protection and the American Health Physics Society have challenged the notion that microparticles can cause cancer, Lewis says. What Boston Chemical does is they dismiss the aggregate exposure of all of the particles that might be present in an area, he says, and are only interested in that sort of needle in a haystack to try to determine whats bad.

The scientists even disagree on whether the creeks proximity is an issue. The Army Corps contends that to be exposed to radioactivity, schoolchildren would have to wander 200 yards off campus and descend a steep and perilous embankment, then ingest the soil. But Kaltofen responds that shoes are known vectors of radioactive material and could easily bring it into their midst, where it could be inadvertently handled and ingested.

The question of whether the lead-210 is naturally occurring is moot, he says. The kids lung tissue doesnt care if it was Mallinckrodts or Mother Natures; the reaction is the same, Kaltofen says. Its much higher than average at that location and would need to be cleaned up even if it were completely natural.

How are citizens to unravel this Gordian knot of science? Popular Mechanics reached out to the DOEs Oak Ridge National Laboratory for an independent expert. A spokesperson referred questions to the DOE, where a spokesperson in turn referred them back to the Army Corpsan airtight and impenetrable bureaucratic loop.

Faced with sets of highly complex but contradictory facts, people get frustrated. Would-be allies become divided. Visintine believes the Jana crisis was created by newcomers acting on emotion and lacking adequate historical context or scientific understanding. When I was a kid in the late 60s and early 70s, she says, the house that Ashley (Bernaugh) lives in was not even built.

She also believes its pointless to attack the Army Corps, which is just the cleanup crew. But the women of Just Moms STL point out that the Corps is their only access point to the otherwise inaccessible Department of Energy.

Consider: The EPA plans to eventually leave the West Lake site up in a pristine, pre-contamination state, while the Army Corps orders for Coldwater Creek changed in 2005 to meet a lower standardone that the Missouri DNR says may not be safe for long-term exposures. The EPA and DOE have different cleanup standards; the former removes the waste to pre-contamination levels, while the DOE remediates to a level at which one out of 10,000 people will get terminal cancer. Its like, wait a minute: Who the fuck has the right to (decide) that, except for the person thats accepting the risk? Chapman says. The Army Corps, she says, is trying to make people comfortable with living with whats happened in their community, and that is way beyond what they should be worried about.

The conflicts and disagreements have only deepened the hurt and confusion, and the fear. Many of those who grew up around Coldwater Creek, Visintine says, are ticking time bombs. Are we going to end up with cancer, or not?

XI. TECHNOLOGY

For several years, while the fire in Bridgeton Landfill crept closer to West Lake radioactive refuse, the government moved indecisively. In 2014, the EPA proposed the creation of an isolation barriera kind of firebreakin a slender neck linking West Lake and Bridgeton. The agency would spend several months deciding how to proceed, and then another 14 to 18 months on its design. It never happened. The EPA determined that such a barrier was not feasible to safely install without creating the chance for a surface fire and may not remain intact and be effective in the longer term, agency spokesman Kellen Ashford indicated via email. The Just Moms group says the agency was too plodding and missed its chance.

In 2018, the EPA announced that it would remove 70 percent of West Lakes radioactive waste within four to five years. Then-Secretary Scott Pruitt proposed spending $236 million to partially excavate the site. That never happened either.

The state of Missouri sued Republic Services in 2013, alleging violations of state environmental regulations. This prompted the firm to continue work that was already underway, and which would eventually entail spending approximately $200 million on cutting-edge technology, including building what the company calls a world-class liquids-pretreatment facility. The underground leachate system pumps liquids into four one-million-gallon tanks for processing and treatment. Once neutralized, it can flush through the sewer system.

Republic installed odor monitoring and response technology and a massive gas-extraction system. With their sampling data, and its real-time, they can shift where they need to focus, says Kevin Stuhlman of the Pattonville Fire Protection District.

The firm also invested in an innovative heat-extraction barriera set of underground cooling coils designed to keep the fire from the radioactive waste. The system pumps chilled water underground to slow the incineration.

Neeta Satam

These technologies helped Republic Services settle the lawsuit in 2018 while agreeing to extensive ongoing monitoring of the air and groundwater. Stuhlman says the methane and leachate production has slowed, temperature readings have dropped, and the ground isnt sinking as quickly, resulting in what Stuhlman calls a quote-unquote managed state.

The fire department has updated its equipment to better measure radiation levels and detect radioactive particles to avoid carrying any off the landfill, Stuhlman says. It has emergency plans with contingencies for different scenarios, and then contingencies for those contingencies.

The worst-case scenario, as Stuhlman sees it: The fire reaches the waste and releases a plume of smoke filled with active isotopesa radioactive cloud, or dirty bomb. The emergency plans must factor in such variables as wind speed and direction. Were nowhere near that right now, in my opinion, he says. Things are better than they were.

Thats cold comfort for neighbors who worry about extreme weatherdrought or a tornadothat could collapse the delicate interior layers of the landfill. Were at the mercy of all this experimental technology, Dawn Chapman says.

The fire may now be within 300 feet of West Lakes radioactive wastebut thats a guess, because the Mallinckrodt material has dispersed over time. In March, the EPA reported that two years of sampling had revealed that the landfills contaminated areas were larger than previously known. This was bitter vindication for Just Moms STL, which had asked for additional testing for years. It felt like more of a punch in the gut, Commuso says. We were basically told we were right, but it never feels good to be right in this situation.

No one knows how long the fire will burn. Stuhlman is the third assistant chief to deal with the issue. When he retires in four years, a fourth will take over.

Fifty years after the Cotter Corporation dumped the radioactive waste, the EPA is drawing up a blueprint for its removal. Once thats done, the agency must get the responsible parties to sign an enforceable agreement to perform the cleanup, spokesman Ashford says. The EPA does not currently have an estimate of when that will begin.

Unsurprisingly, every step the agencies take is trailed by clouds of skepticism. Residents grapple with a maddening paradox: They must beg government entities to do a job that few trust them to actually do. We told you it was everywhere. You told us it wasnt, Commuso says. How can we trust you to clean this up?

As for Coldwater Creek? The Army Corps expects the cleanup to take until 2038and in the meantime, the radiation keeps getting hotter. U.S. Senator Josh Hawley introduced legislation that would provide compensation for victims of the contamination. Attached to the defense spending bill, it passed the Senate in July but still faces legislative hurdles. (His office did not respond to requests for comment.) All of these are hopeful signs, but in the meantime, the struggle continues.

We won the war, Dawn Chapman says, and were still out on the battlefield here in St. Louis.

XII. CONSEQUENCES

Since Kim Visintine started Just the Facts in 2011, the group has chronicled thousands of cancer cases: brain cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, leukemia, appendix cancer, and more. Exposure does not rate a slam dunk for cancer, but it does make you at a higher risk, she says. So you live in fear.

Thompson Davis, chair of the psychology department at the University of Alabama, says that in itselfthat unending, existential anxietycan take a toll. Hes not involved with the situation in North St. Louis County, but in general, he says, living with long-term uninterrupted stress over health issues is thought to contribute to risk factors for high blood pressure, cardiac problems, diminished cognitive abilities, depression, and anxiety disorders. If its a prolonged stressor, he says, it just wears you down, and eventually it will impact your immune system, your body, and your mental and physical health.

Who will ultimately bear the cost for all these lives lost, for families decimated, for careers derailed? Who will pay?

So far, the USACE has spent more than $700 million on Coldwater Creek. Thats taxpayer money. The EPA does not yet have an estimate for West Lake, but it will likely be in the tens or hundreds of millions. The DOE, Republic Services, and Cotter are all named potentially responsible parties and may be forced to bear the costbut again, the DOE is funded by taxpayers, including the people of North St. Louis County.

But who really is to blame? Five different federal agencies have been responsible for the Mallinckrodt atomic waste since 1946, from the Atomic Energy Commission to the DOE. All this agency shuffling and responsibility offloading has resulted in a predictable lack of coherence and accountability that has manifested in two ways. One has been obfuscation. The agencies have been willfully opaque. They operated in secret, prioritized nuclear production above all else, gave false assurances to the press and public, and hired contractors without closely supervising them, Morice wrote in Nuked. One AEC official admitted that the waste drew little attention because it was not glamorous; there were no careers; it was messy. The investigation by the Associated Press, MuckRock, and the Missouri Independent found that the government didnt inform the public about the creeks hazards until 1981, when the EPA listed it among the nations most polluted waterways.

The other common thread: an abiding awareness of a slow-motion public health disaster in the making. Knowing the risk connected with the radioactive waste, the federal government, for generations, did nothing. The AEC ignored its own panels of experts in both the 1940s and the 1960s. In 1988, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission study found that the landfill contained dangerous substances that posed major long-term health risks and will likely require moving the material to a carefully designed and constructed disposal cell. But the NRC did nothing, and in 1995 it shifted the purview of West Lake to the EPAs Superfund program.

Neeta Satam

Once, as an exercise, Bob Criss, the Washington University geologist and geochemist, created a chart of what material went where, sent by which party, and when. Its the biggest mess of spaghetti you ever saw, he says. Theres just arrows going every which way.

What galls him most is the total absence of any consequences. Where are the indictments? he says, his voice rising. Why hasnt anyone been held to account?

The saga is an all-time point of reference for the boundlessness of the nations ability to wage war but utterly fail at peace.

Criss proposes a thought experiment: Imagine driving down a city street, discarding trash as you go. Throw a few cans out the window and youre going to get a big fine, Criss says. Well, heres somebody that dumped 100,000 tons of stuff.

They sure make it look like the Keystone Kops, he says. Theyre just monsters.

XIII. SILENCE

Gerald Oscko knows something about consequences.

As Mary struggled with cancer, the couple learned more than they ever wanted to know about radioactive waste. They learned that when radioactive material spreads, the newly contaminated sites are called vicinity properties. From the three original sitesthe airport, Latty Avenue, and West Lakethe government has now identified more than 700 vicinity properties. The USACE confirmed in 2015 that St. Cin Parkthe park bordering the Osckos homewas one of them.

The Osckos also learned there were large quantities of thorium in that Mallinckrodt waste. As it decays, thorium becomes radium, which in turn becomes radonthe nations second leading cause of lung cancer. The park was eventually remediated, but in 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told people to avoid Coldwater Creek entirely.

Instead of pursuing a nursing career, Mary Oscko focused on fighting cancer and helping neighbors avoid a similar fate. She added her voice to those demanding that the government remove the contamination. In one photograph, shes sitting in St. Cin holding a sign that says, Im Dying. Ask Me Why??

In 2019, doctors found eight spots on her brainmore cancer. With more chemotherapy, she experienced another respite until 2022. Thats when the headaches began. This time the cancer had spread to her brain fluid, which is untreatable. Her final doses of radiation that spring served a singular purpose: to let her live long enough to attend her sons wedding in May. She died in February 2023, at 63.

When Gerard sees his four grandsons, they avoid the St. Cin playground. Hes 65 years old now and has no plans to move; the house is paid for, and hes made peace with life by Coldwater Creek.

But the in-between is what gets him. The house feels empty, as if it grew a new wing. The silence sometimes swallows him whole. Its just so quiet now because theresnobodys here, he says, haltingly. So Im still trying to get used to all that.

Maybe this is the hardest it will get. Maybe the community groups will prevail, and Congress will force action. Maybe the government will move quickly to finallyfinally, after 80 yearslift away the toxic cloud. Maybe the lowest ebb will be the turn of the tide.

But if you ask neighbors around north St. Louis, theyll tell you that all they know for sure is this: Generations come and go, life tumbles forward, and people die, often too early. Some wrongs can never be righted, and some holes can never be filled.

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Cara Delevingne has often been seen in heels on and off the runway. In 2023, she wore a pair of 6-inch heels on The Kelly Clarkson Show and in 2015, was seen in a variety of heels, some of which had pointed-toes, on multiple occasions.

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Delevingne was out in London last night celebrating the new cast of Cabaret At The Kit Kat Club. The actress, who is starring as Sally Bowles in the production, paired the shoes with knee-high black socks, emulating the looks seen in the show. The role was originally made famous by Liza Minelli in the 1972 film Cabaret.

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The shoes are a classic staple in womens fashion, a black heel with a feminine pointed toe. Eniko Hart wore a similar pair this week while attending the Mark Twain Prize ceremony in Washington, D.C., and on the same night as Delevingne, Cardi B wore a pair of satin pumps with a pointed toe at THRs 2024 Power Stylists in Los Angeles.

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While a black pointed-toe heel is a classic shoe, it has also been seen frequently this year. While the pointed-toe heel is a trend in and of itself, the pointy shape has also become trendy beyond just heels. Ballet flats, Mary Janes and sneakers have come out in 2023 and 2024 with a pointed toe and the style has been taken on by brands such as Vagabond, Steve Madden, Cos and more. The trend has been around for a few years now, but only seems to be growing in popularity.

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If you live anywhere in the world where the temperature has dipped below freezing in the past month, chances are youre swimming in a sea of black parkas right now. Here in New York, the streets are flooded with themshoulders adorned with Canada Goose patches, hunched torsos encased in puffy, arctic-proof down, and rosy cheeks haloed in coyote-fur trim. Its turned one of my favorite commuter pastimespeople-watchinginto a very dull experience. And, to be honest: Im over it.

Its not that Im judging anyone in a down parkabelieve me, Ive lived through two decades of Canadian winters and understand that those things are warm as hellbut I cant help but feel like all this uncreative outerwear is a missed opportunity, especially during one of the warmest winters on record.

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I caught the outerwear bug shortly after moving to New York City for college, when I realized that the trusty gray peacoat that got me through high school simply would not suffice in a neighborhood where one was liable to run into Chloe Sevigny on the street corner. Fortuitously, the vintage store two blocks down from my dorm was clearing out its stock of coats that fall, and I scored an ankle-grazing burgundy suede number with a fluffy white fox fur collar and matching cuffs for an insane five dollars. I felt like Penny Lane every time I wore it (and still do). Since then, Ive amassed a sizable collection: a crop-sleeve leopard-print coat with a fancy Russian lady vibe, one with fur trim and big, shiny buttons, a fuchsia one that ties up at the neck.

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Earlier this week we reported that three-time world champ Mick Fanning was mourning the tragic sudden death of his brother, Edward.

Ed was living and working at a surf camp in Madagascar. Ed's death is the third time the family has lost a brother and son since 1998.

Yesterday the Kirra Surfriders Club, which the Fanning brothers were members of, revealed Ed's cause of death in the post below.

Related: Surfer Mick Fanning Breaks Silence as He Mourns Brother's Sudden Death

The club revealed the cause in the post above, writing:

"It's with a very sad and heavy heart that we say goodbye to one of our great and beloved KSC members Ed Fanning

"As many of you know Ed had been living and working in Madagascar since covid and loved the place so much he took citizenship over there. Ed received a cut to his foot which unfortunately got severely infected to the point he had to be rushed by boat to the nearest major city an hour away, to be in hospital. The hospital did everything they could to help Ed but the infection was too strong and Eds heart gave away.

"Our biggest condolences go out to the whole Fanning Family in this very difficult time.

"And Id also like to say a massive thank you to another great KSC member in Blair Rodgers who was by Eds side thru out this whole ordeal and has been a massive help to the Fanning Family working their way thru this.

"RIP Legend"

According to reports, Mick is one of four brothers. In 1998, Sean Fanning died in a car wreck. Then in 2015, Peter tragically passed away too.

Shortly after the news of Ed's passing broke, Mick posted a heartfelt goodbye message on Instagram.

In the lengthy caption that you can read here, Mick wrote:

"Mick, one of four brothers, has seen his three siblings die prematurely after Peter died in 2015 while Sean died in a car crash at Coolangatta in 1998."

Rest in peace, Ed.

***

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It's official. After teasing local skiers, Mount Bohemia, Michigan, announced yesterday that it would reopen this Saturday through Monday thanks to the arrival of fresh snow.

The resort will have four areas open come SaturdayFront Side, Pirates Cove, Haunted Valley, and Grave Yardwith several others to be decided. Mount Bohemia's conditions report notes that skiers should be wary of "obstacles." Twenty-five inches of snow have fallen at the resort in the past week.

The resort hasn't shared what its operating hoursif anywill be beyond Monday.

Mount Bohemia initially closed this season on March 3rd due to a lack of snowfall and warm temperatures. It was the resort's earliest closing date in history. Usually, Mount Bohemia remains open until late April.

Looking ahead, the forecast looks mostly snowless for Mount Bohemia, which could prevent a sustained reopening. The resort relies entirely on natural snow, meaning it can't lean on snowmaking when the precipitation stops.

Extended or not, though, Mount Bohemia's reopening is worth celebratinggood on the resort for remaining steadfast during a challenging season.

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We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
The world of celebrity chefs and restaurants has been a fixture on TV for years, with shows like Chef's Table and The Bear, but now we finally have a series that shifts the focus off beautiful dinners and onto sippable cocktails with Apple TV+'s new hit "Palm Royale." The show centers around the high-end social scene of Palm Beach, Florida in 1969, where struggling divorcee Maxine Simmons (played by Kristen Wiig), tries to integrate herself into the world of the Palm Royale Country Club. Taking place amid the glamor of high society in Florida, the show is filled with stunning sets and impressive costumes, all steeped in the lively aesthetic of the era. But of all the period details, for us it's the popular cocktails of the era that stand out the most.

Maxine's signature drink is the grasshopper; she is seen sipping one in the first few moments of the first episode after she sneaks into the country club. The drink was invented at Tujague's in New Orleans in 1918, and went on to widespread popularity in the 1950s and 60s before falling out of favor with many of the other drinks of that era. Now, the strikingly green after-dinner cocktail has caught Palm Royale fans' attention, and if you want to make a grasshopper at home, or any of the other cocktails from the show, we've got the guide for you.

Read more: 23 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Gin

The Grasshopper

two grasshopper cocktails - Maurese/Shutterstock

The retro grasshopper cocktail gets its name from its unique green color; it combines a creamy texture with a bold mint flavor for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. It's also a delightfully simple cocktail with only three ingredients, so it's easy to make at home. The mint flavor comes from creme de menthe, which is balanced out by the sweetness of the chocolate liqueur, white creme de cacao, and the richness of heavy cream. To make it, all you have to do is mix 1 ounce of each ingredient in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain into a martini or coupe glass. Add a mint sprig to garnish for a classy touch.

Mai Tai

mai tai cocktail - 5PH/Shutterstock

The quintessential tiki drink, a citrusy Mai Tai is the sweet and sour tropical cocktail that helped launch the entire tiki subculture. Invented by one the two scions of tiki  Donn Beach and Trader Vic both claimed to have created it  it's a strong rum-based drink whose heyday also came during the first great tiki wave of the 1950s and 60s. The classic Mai Tai is made from aged rum, lime juice, orange liqueur, and almond orgeat syrup. Combine 2 ounces dark or aged rum,  ounce lime juice,  ounce orange liqueur like Cointreau or curacao, and  ounce of orgeat. Shake in a shaker with ice, strain into a tumbler with ice, then garnish with mint and lime.

Gimlet

gin gimlet cocktail - Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

A true cocktail classic, the gimlet is one of the oldest mixed drinks, and has been around since the 19th century. Its origins were with British sailors who used the lime juice to help ward off scurvy, and the drink supposedly got its name from Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette, who prescribed it while acting as a doctor.

The traditional gimlet recipe was supposedly made with Rose's Lime Cordial, a mixture of lime juice and sugar that is quite different from the modern Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice you find on store shelves. Now it's made with gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake 2 ounces of gin with  ounce of both fresh lime juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass, and garnish with a lime slice.

Mississippi Punch

Mississippi punch - 5PH/Shutterstock

Another truly historic cocktail, a recipe for Mississippi Punch dates all the way back to the 1862 cocktail guide "How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon Vivant's Companion" by one of the fathers of American bartending, Jerry Thomas, but it's likely even older than that. It's unknown whether the cocktail is named after the state or the Mississippi River, but what is known is that this is not the punch of light-hearted parties; it's the kind of punch made for people who were working hard in the early 19th century.

Mississippi Punch combines 2 ounces of cognac, with 1 ounce each of bourbon and dark rum. That's right, 4 ounces of three different liquors. It mixes those heavy hitters with  ounce of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of sugar to make sure it doesn't knock you out on the first sip. Shake everything with ice, and strain into a tall glass with crushed ice.

General Harrison's Eggnog

General Harrison eggnog cocktail - Ivan Cheremisin/Getty Images

This drink is named after the 9th President of the United States, General William Henry Harrison, who is famous for serving the shortest term of any President, dying in office after only a month. Don't worry, it wasn't the eggnog that killed him, it was pneumonia, but this recipe was documented as a favorite of the late, unlucky President Harrison.

General Harrison's eggnog is not eggnog the way we think of it, but it does use a whole egg. Whip up the egg and mix it with 1  ounces of apple brandy or Calvados,  ounce rich simple syrup, and 2 ounces dry apple cider. Shake carefully, as the mixture of carbonated cider and the egg can cause a lot of fizzing, but shake well to make sure everything is fully emulsified. Strain into a glass without ice and garnish with nutmeg. Some versions also include a few dashes of pimento bitters, but others do without.

Medford Rum Sour

rum sour - Bhofack2/Getty Images

This is one of the more obscure drinks on "Palm Royale," as it's gone by a few names. An old-school sour cocktail of the whiskey sour variety, it was named Medford rum sour after a brand of rum produced in Massachusetts during the 19th century. However, Medford Rum went out of business around the time of Prohibition, so old recipes of this cocktail from the 1930s also refer to it as a Boston Cooler, which is doubly confusing because Boston Cooler is also the name of an entirely different non-alcoholic drink that mixes ginger ale and ice cream.

Name confusion aside, this is a pretty straightforward sour cocktail. The original measurements were imprecise, but modern versions use 2 to 3 ounces of dark rum,  ounce lemon juice, and  ounce simple syrup, shaken together and topped with soda water or ginger ale.

Brandy Shamperelle

Brandy Shamperelle - 5PH/Shutterstock

We're unclear where people were getting their cocktail preferences in 1960's Palm Beach because the Brandy Shamperelle is truly obscure. This one also dates back to Jerry Thomas' 1862 bartenders' guide, where it was referred to as a French cafe drink. The original recipe uses equal parts brandy, curacao, and bitters. Yes, bitters.

A slightly updated version of the recipe appeared in the 1887 edition of the same guide, which may be closer to what they are drinking on the show, and is a more palatable drink. It mixes equal parts brandy (specifically French Benedictine), cognac, and curacao with just a few dashes of bitters. Stir with a mixing spoon in the glass.

Arf & Arf

arf and arf - Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Don't let the name fool you, you've probably actually heard of this one, as an Arf & Arf is just a black and tan. A black and tan refers to the mixing of a dark and light beer in 50/50 proportions, usually a stout like Guinness with a British-style pale ale. The name Arf & Arf comes from, you guessed it, Jerry Thomas' 1862 guide. Why did he call it that? We don't know.

Arf & Arfs, or black and tans, are made very specifically despite their simple ingredients. The correct pour of the black and tan beers is essential, with the light beer going in first, and the stout lightly poured so it sits on top, staying separate from the ale and giving the drink its signature two-toned look. If you can, buy a nitro version of the stout you're using, as it will help the dark beer from sinking into the light.

Gin Rickey

Gin Rickey - Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Back to a well-known classic: The gin rickey is a refreshing gin and lime cocktail from the 1880s, when it was created in the Washington D.C. bar Shoemaker's. It went on to be a favorite of famous drinkers like F. Scott Fitzgerald, and has remained a summertime staple for over a century. The gin rickey is essentially a variation on the Tom Collins, but with lime juice instead of lemon. Shake 1  ounces of gin with  ounce of lime juice, and an optional few dashes of simple syrup. Pour over ice and top with club soda. With such a cooling, sparkling flavor, we can see why they would love this at the Palm Royale.

Read the original article on Tasting Table
As the Easter holiday approaches, there's perhaps no meal more on every host's mind than the Easter dinner. Will you opt for a sweeter, fruit-forward glaze to brighten up the juicy ham, or choose an herb-forward rub to round out the ham's savory flavor? Either way, you'll need some wine to serve your hungry Easter guests on the side. And while you may be familiar with wine pairings for red meat or fish, pork is a different story. Luckily, wine expert Doreen Winkler, owner of Orange Glou in NYC, has a few tips to elevate your Easter ham with some delectable wine pairings.

Firstly, Winkler emphasizes how a wine pairing for your ham can fluctuate based on the ham itself. "It's like a blank canvas before seasoning it ... From white to red to orange to rose, the best pairing mostly depends on how the ham is prepared," Winkler shares with Daily Meal. Similarly, wine is a drink that pairs best with a pork chop, but exactly what type of wine will differ for your ham since they are different cuts of pork. Start with how you're glazing or cooking your ham, or if you're purchasing a ready-made ham, pay attention to how it's been seasoned and glazed already, and work from there.

Read more: The Ultimate Vodka Brands, Ranked

The Best Wines For Sweet Ham Glazes

white wine, corkscrew and glass - Chursina Viktoriia/Shutterstock

Many Easter hams are traditionally prepared baked instead of dry-cured or smoked, making them a perfect balance of sweet and salty. But often, the glaze is where the sweetness comes into play. When it comes to a sweeter ham glaze, Winkler believes a contrasting dry wine is best. "A dry Riesling from Germany is fantastic with a pineapple ham," Winkler says. A dry Riesling is already one of the best wines to drink at your Easter feast, as this crisp, slightly sweet wine will perfectly complement the syrupy-sweet glaze.

A rich glaze -- whether it's fruit-forward or honey-based -- benefits from any kind of dry wine. The acidity of a dry wine helps to balance out the sugary-rich sweetness of the glaze. However, if you prefer to load up on the sweetness, feel free to also try out a fruit-noted white wine or even a rose. Fruit-forward glazes will intermingle deliciously with these kinds of lighter, sweeter wines.

The Best Wines For More Savory Hams

ham with slices on plate - Mphillips007/Getty Images

If you're roasting a ham with an herb marinade or purchasing a savory ham, however, Winkler recommends turning towards a red wine. "A more savory preparation, like a Dijon mustard and herb-crusted ham, would work best with a low tannin, high acidity red like a Gamay from France, which offers some nice fruity notes to complement the ham," Winkler says. Low tannins mean a lighter-bodied wine, which makes sense to leave room for enjoying the taste of your savory main course: the ham. Apologies to any full-bodied red wine lovers, but it looks like it's best to save those heavier reds for another meal.

Overall, wines with a higher acidity are the way to go, which makes sense to cut through the saltiness of a savory baked ham. But, no matter the type of ham you choose, pair it according to your personal preferences and Winkler's recommendations, and you won't go wrong with Easter dinner.

Read the original article on Daily Meal
Last week, we shifted our attention to states in the bottom half of the South as bass started moving into the shallows to begin spawning. Now, as the calendar turns to April, the spawn is really revving up in the entire southern tier of the country. That's why we aren't venturing much further north this weekthe South as a whole is seeing big bass in shallow water, and right now is the time to catch them.

Historically, early April is the start of the spawn on excellent fisheries like Lake Guntersville in northern Alabama. Further south, this time of year usually sees peak spawning conditions on waters like Lake Seminole in Georgia. So, if you live in this areanorthern Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Texasyou better get out on the water ASAP. Big bass are reachablefrom shore and boatand they are extremely aggressive. We talked with pro bass angler Scott Martin about what regions to target during this time as he works his way north to fish the spawn.

The Region: Northernmost Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas

The Expert: Scott Martin

Scott Martin with two big largemouth bass at a tournament weigh-in.

We already sat down with world-champion bass angler Scott Martin to discuss the best days of the spawn in the southernmost regions of the country . His early-spawn tips were so helpful that we decided to consult the Bassmaster Series Elite competitor again to get some insight on fishing the spawn a little farther north. Martin discussed specific fisheries that are usually productive this time of year, but he focused on one key factor to dial in the spawn as you venture northwater temperature.

Typical Regional Spawning Conditions for April 1st

As you go farther north, bass are more conditioned to colder water. The optimal water temperature at, say, Lake Okeechobee is 68 to 72 degrees. But if you go to Harris Chain, it might be 65 to 68 degrees. At Lake Seminole, bass will move up onto beds at 64 to 65 degrees. And the farther north you go, the more northern strain bass you get, and the less temperamental they are.

Along with watching water temperature, Martin believes that the moon has a greater effect on the spawning process as you go norht. In the extreme south, bass can bed from November all the way to May, as long as the weather conditions and water temperatures are suitable. But moving into Georgia and Alabama, all the stars have to alignor rather, the moon, weather, and water temperatures. Keep an eye on these conditions to optimize your best days on the water.

Martin also believes that early April is the best day for the spawn from the St. Johns River to Lake Seminole on the Florida/Georgia line. While bass may certainly spawn before then, he predicts this is when youll see the hottest spawning activity. Look for water temps in the mid-60s and aim to fish on or around new and full moons.

Top Spawn Baits and Tactics for April 1st

As for bait selection, swim jigs, vibrating jigs, spinnerbaits, and frogs, all work well as search baits in this region. These lures allow you to cover water in search of productive areas with fish spawning in the shallows. Once you start getting a few bites or start seeing beds and/or bass shallow, you should slow down your approach and pick the area apart with a light Texas rig or weightless soft plastic. Creature baits and Senkos work well Texas rigged, while finesse and trick worms are better suited for wacky rigs and weightless presentations.

A floating worm, for instance, is a great finesse presentation when bass are spawning throughout this region. Simply take a trick worm and rig it the same way you would a Texas rig, but leave out the weight. Now, you have a stealthy approach that appeals to large bass without spooking themone that is productive in both clear and stained conditions.

A weightless Texas rig is a good way to slow down your approach for spawning bass.

As we move into April, anglers in the southeast, especially northern Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, should pay attention to water temperature and moon phase. These factors can trigger the spawn quickly, and you'll want to be on the water when it happens.

Anglers in these areas can expect bass to move up onto beds around April 1st, with spawning activity staying steady throughout the week and into the following weekend. Taking a tandem, power-finesse approach to the shallows will allow you to cover more water and pick apart productive areas when you find them.


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Every great horror movie has The Moment. Its a singular, unforgettable scene, one thats so terrifying that it lives in your nightmares forever. Hereditarys classroom possession. When Liv Tyler is asked if Tamaras home in The Strangers. Just about every time Clarice Starling visits Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, but especially the five seconds it takes him to say, I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

Ive been thinking a lot about The Moment in Jordan Peeles Us, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this month. The 2019 thriller follows the Wilson family, who travel to Santa Cruz for a relaxing beach vacationbut find a league of vengeance-seeking clones instead. The Moment comes about 20 minutes into the film, when the youngest of the bunch, Jason Wilson (Evan Alex), peers out of his window and spots a family in their driveway. And not just any family... his family. Jasons parents, Adelaide (Lupita Nyongo) and Gabe (Winston Duke), dont believe it. Sure enough, theres a gaggle of weirdos outside, and they look eerily familiar.

The first time I saw Us, I knew Peele created a masterpieceand certainly his best film. But five years later, not everyone agrees. Browse any ranking of the best horror movies of all time and its clear that Peeles debut effort, Get Out, reigns supreme. Even though Us was well-received by critics and fans alike, the fever pitch never quite reached the heights of its predecessors. Its a shame (and Im not just writing this as a fifth-birthday present for Us!), because the home-invasion thriller is the directors best film. Hear me out.

Peele is destined to finish his career as an all-time horror auteurand Get Out proved it. The project depicted racism in such a profound way that Peele won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2018. In the film, Daniel Kaluuya stars as Chris, a young Black man whose white girlfriend, Rose, brings him home to meet her family. The film takes a grisly, slave-trade-inspired turn when the Armitages try to hypnotize Chris and sell his body to their wealthy friends. Its horrifying, surebut expected. Not the body harvesting! Its the danger Chris faces as a Black man in a white environment. His fate was sealed from the moment he stepped inside their plantation-style house.

Universal Pictures

Get Out is meant to strike a chord in people who arent marginalized. The shock value lies in the understanding that racism is real, and ugly, and pervasive. Sure, Black people arent being harvested, but we are judged, fetishized, and profiled every day. You might even know a family like the Armitagesthey probably voted for Obama twice, too! Thats the beauty of Get Out: Its thought-provoking and uncomfortable. But Us is an entirely different beast. Its sleep-with-the-lights-on, call-your-mom-for-comfort scary. And its entirely unpredictabledue to its dueling storylines.

If you need a refresher: On the surface, Us is a classic intruder story. A happy family on a weekend getaway! Monsters in the driveway want to kill them! The doppelgangers menacing stares and extra-sharp scissors are frightening, sure, but Peele deftly flips home-invasion tropes upside down. The clonesotherwise known as tethersare forgotten Americans, born of a strange experiment gone wrong. Theyve been locked away for decadesand now, they want revenge.

For 121 minutes, the Wilsons defend themselves with household items and a dinky boat. Sometimes theyre successful; other times, not so much. In an Oscar-worthy twist (Im still mad about Nyongos Best Actress snub!), we learn that Adelaide isnt who we think she is. As a child, she met her tether, Red, who led her underground. Adelaide chained her up and swapped places. So the sweet, nurturing Adelaidewho sings music in the car and laughs at her husbands dad jokesis an imposter. Shes the tethered one, and you just spent the entire movie rooting for the wrong woman. Was Red wrong for swapping places with Adelaide? Sure, but wouldnt you do the same thing if you had the chance? Its a brilliant chess move from Peeleone that has no right answer.

Lets talk about Nyongo, who delivered one of the greatest horror-movie performances of all time. Shes both lovable and wickedmotherly in the way Red cares for her family and animalistic in the way Adelaide hunts them down. Nyongo somehow makes you sympathize with both versions of her character. Not to mention their fatal face-off, which... good luck removing that scene from your brain.

The supporting cast is pretty great, too. When fake Adelaide succumbs to her feral instincts, her son watches it all behind a closed door. He doesnt speak, but his eyes say everything. Meanwhile, Gabe and his daughter, Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph), deliver plenty of Peele-esque quips. Get Out finds its comedic relief in Rod, Chriss best friend/TSA agentbut in Us, that comedic flair is mastered by a family who cant stop bickering.

Just when you think you have Us figured out, theres the added twist of Peeles reference to Hands Across Americaa now-defunct fundraiser that prompted Americans to form a human chain. The purpose was to raise money to combat homelessness, but mostly it just raised eyebrows. Afterward, everyone went back to their cushy homes and lives, while the homeless remained homeless. In Us, Peele delivers searing commentary on what happens to the people we leave behind.

In that lies the true terror of Us. Peele is, quite literally, speaking to all of us. Theres no institutional system to blame. No wicked family to point fingers at. Were the ones who turn a blind eye to those who are suffering. Our tethered arent living undergroundand honestly, thats worse. Our tethered live among us. We see them every day and oftentimes do nothing to help. Really, whats scarier than a movie that can take our greatest weakness, mask it behind a common fearlike a home invasionand leave you feeling like a villain rather than a victim?

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Somewhere between Roppongi Hills and Toranomon Hills in central Tokyo, there exists what were pretty sure is one of the last, and possibly only, Tony Roma-Hard Rock Cafe combo-restaurants left on earth. Just down the road is something far less retro: Azabudai Hills.

More than 30 years and roughly $4 billion in the making, Azabudai Hills is a compact cluster of three vertically integrated high-rise and low-rise buildings punctuated by green spaces. Its a new, only-in-Japan city-with-in a city, and at its heart is the 64-story, all-glass JP Mori Tower, now the tallest building in the country. Designed by the late Cesar Pellis Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects (the man behind Brookfield Place in NYC and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur), the project has been opening in phases since November.

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For the 3,500 locals who will live here (its also home to the British School in Tokyo), and the thousands more who will commute into work here, thats all dandybut why should you, the world traveler, care?

Azabudai Hills is what happens when you put art, shopping, and hospitality in a blender.

The most obvious answer is Janu Toyko, which opened in Azabudai Hills this month. Amans little sister, Janu is aimed at younger Amanjunkies with 122 rooms and suites, eight restaurants, and a massive 43,000-square-foot wellness center. (For the, lets say, more experienced Amanjunkies, branded two- to six-bedroom Aman residences will fill the 54 to 64 floors of the JP Mori Tower).

But its not the only reason to add the district to your itinerary. The Azabudai Hills Market, while lacking the bewildering charm of the Tsukiji fish market, is tricked out with Japanese restaurants, chefs, and ingredients sourced from around the country. Its also in the running to become one of Tokyos premiere shopping districts. Yes, it will have the largest Hermes in the city, but also the full whos who list of French and Italian designer shops (Cartier, Bulgari, Dior, etc.). Elsewhere theres a center for preventive medicine, more high-end restaurants, museums, and art galleriesincluding the new teamLab Borderless.

The new Janu hotel is the citys most talked about stay.

This area has so much potential and we are excited to revitalize it, Masa Yamamoto, PR rep for the Mori Building Company, told Robb Report during our tour of the project. Weve assembled land that had been subdivided into small parcels into a large block, and then consolidated building needs in high-rise structures . . . that freed up a vast amount of open space at the ground level.

And thats the other reason Azabudai Hills differs from all of the other shopping mall-meets-hotel, hotel-meets-office tower monoliths in Tokyo: Its a lot greener.

Woven through the area are more than 320 species of plants in vertical orchards. Cherry blossom trees have been planted to create a sense of wellbeing and harmony. Theres even a mini Central Park at the heart of the complex.

By building up, the project could get down with massive green spaces.

Its the new cultural heart of the city and these exclusive experiences, the lush greenery, and the rich, communal atmosphere can only be felt here and makes the complex a must-see destination in Tokyo, Yamamoto said, point out Olafur Eliassons aptly titled exhibit A Harmonious Cycle of Interconnected Nows.

Little did the artist know, but Interconnected Nows also means you can still get ribs and Rock-a-Roma margaritas just around the corner.

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McDonald's customers are griping about the lack of dollar food items on the $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu. The complaints come as consumers who make less than $50,000 a year report eating less fast food.

McDonalds is getting a McRibbin.

Customers are feeling salty about the lack of dollar food offerings on the chains popular $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu.

McDonalds has a dollar menu right now without a single item that costs $1, TikToker Anna Arroyo grimaced after showing the limited Dollar Menu items at a Niles, Ohio, location.

The least expensive foods were a McChicken and small French fries for $1.99 each.

I think that the title Dollar Menu is a misnomer, Arroyo later told Insider. They are trying to capitalize on an old business model that no longer exists, and it just brings more attention to their inflated pricesI miss the days of being able to get a regular hamburger for 89 and a small fry for $1.

These complaints come as a quarter of consumers who make less than $50,000 a year report eating less fast food. And about half of these customers say they are visiting fast-casual and full-service restaurants less often, according to Reuters, which cited February polling numbers.

An Ohio McDonalds went viral for having no offerings of a dollar or less on the $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu. tiktok/@anna2morrow

McDonalds has been saddled with criticism over its steep price increases in recent months. Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

Its a stern pushback on McDonalds franchisees inflating their prices by about 10% in recent months, Reuters reported.

The chain was also blasted for $18 Big Mac meals last year.

Tennessee musician Lauren Oxford told Reuters this week that she used to indulge in two McDonalds double hamburgers, fries, and a drink for less than $5. Now she is eating there less often.

I dont know if I can justify that, she said about rising prices.

Another TikToker went on a tear after paying $20 for two Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel combos  extra hash browns would have been more than $2.

Yall are supposed to be dollar menu, budget-friendly, he ranted.

The Post reached out to McDonalds reps for comment.

Several customers have called out McDonalds for being too expensive. tiktok/@classiqmusic

Last month, company executives told investors that the fast-food behemoth will live or die by its value menu and that appealing to the already reluctant low-budget crowd  those who make under $45,000  is crucial.

The battleground is certainly with that low-income consumer, McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski said at the time.
Getty

I just cant do a lot of stairs.

My mother tells me this on our first afternoon in Puglia as were munching on eggplant-stuffed Panzerotti in Ostunis sprawling town square, the kick-off to what will be a two-week journey around Italy. Unfortunately for her, that fateful plea was the equivalent of trying to avoid sand in the Serengeti. We eventually walked up and down, and up and down, so many countless unavoidable steps over the next 14 days it was almost as if the vacation Gods heard my poor mother and giggled as they multiplied them. Im now certain that Positano itself translates to land of lots of blisters.

Whenever I'd tell people I was going on a trip with my mother, Id get the same wide-eyed reaction: Thats so cute! Is it, though? I guess guys around my age are supposed to embark on honeymoons in Italy. But we embody the cliched closeness of an Italian mother and son, and Im enough of an old soul that we meet in the middle. Plus, who better than my mother to visit the land of my ancestors with?

My late grandmother Olga immigrated from Naples to New York during World War II and barely looked back. And while Ive visited our homeland a handful of times, my mother has only been once, two long decades ago. I was with her on that Globus bus tour around the countrys most iconic sights, just a kid with nary an understanding of my heritage. Today I have a deeper appreciation of what it means to be Italian American, and wanted to show my mom that overseas excursions don't have to be once-in-a-lifetime endeavors. Were a duo because my father is in a better place: back home in the US. Traveling for him is as enjoyable as getting a double root canal, so hes just as content participating through FaceTime.

beachclub at Borgo Santandrea

The Timeless Allure of the Amalfi Coast

On the Amalfi Coast, centuries of stories prevail, from those of Odysseus to Sophia Loren.

Our next stop after Puglia was her request: a train and a car down to the Amalfi Coast to Praianos seaside Casa Angelina, where were met outside by the charming staff who lead us to the check-in desk. Youre booked in our Romantic Suite, the front desk worker coos in a charming accent before catching herself. I mean, well put you in a different room. (Im pretty sure we remained in the same room and they just stopped calling it romantic thereafter.)

That afternoon, we skip down to the pool, perched on a terrace overlooking a picture-perfect vista of the Amalfi. As lemon groves dangle above us, we sip Aperol Spritzes and Pellegrinos and take turns taking pictures of each other: me to make my friends jealous on Instagram, and her to make her friends jealous on Facebook. Or as we liked to say with a wink, to let everybody know we got to Italy safely.

But as the saying goes: If you think you are so enlightened, go and spend a week with your parents. Each time wed return to our suite at Casa Angelina, my mom would give me groundbreaking advice like: Dont forget to charge your phone. She also mercilessly packed her suitcases to the brim, including full-size heavy glass containers of whatever moms need when they travel. To this day, I wake up in a cold sweat with visions of myself hauling them down the narrow corridors of Trenitalia train cars. In fact, I say that one hasnt truly lived until theyve successfully navigated crowded Anacapri while wheeling heavy luggage over cobblestone streets in the relentless sun, another stop on our journey after the trademark ferry ride to Capri.

Courtesy Caesar Augustus

But for every strenuous afternoon there were tranquil evenings, like spending one night at the Caesar Augustus overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. It's here that we begin to find our travel rhythm. As she gets ready in the morning, I trot down to the hotels cliffside gym. Later, we spend the afternoon at the iconic hotels idyllic pool (me taking in the sun reading The Godfather, my mother under the shadow of an umbrella on her trusty iPad.)

The main entree of our trip is a handful of days in chaotic Naples, where a cavalcade of cousins kindly host us. While many of them barely speak English, somehow we all communicate just fine thanks to a mixture of Google Translate and the fact that hand gestures are as much the language of Italians as words themselves. Its many hot, one cousin would moan while fanning himself, alluding to a European heatwave that was making national headlines at the time. Our first night is dinner at a long table out in their humble, paved courtyard flanked on all sides by apartments. It's a Felliniesque scene as me and my mom find ourselves caught in an Italian crossfire of passionate conversation of which we can only catch one out of maybe fifty words. It was confusing. It was sweaty. I never wanted it to end.

While my mom bonds with my cousin Barbara back at the family apartment with a view of the Maradona Stadium, I hop in the car to check out a local open-air market with my cousin Fabrizio. We pick out fresh shellfish for a spaghetti alle vongole he later whips up, as good as in any quality trattoria.

On our last day in Naples, I decide to head out on my own on a sweltering Sunday afternoon. Just relax, stay inside, everythings closed! I was implored by my mother and family, as if I decided on a whim to climb Everest in socks. But how often does one find themselves with free time in Napoli? I eventually bust out and wind up finding a hole-in-the-wall bar with delicious ice cold glasses of wine on draftthe perfect precursor for when they later pick me up for dinner. As we cram into a car driving down those wild streets, I turn up Pino Daniles Napule e and we all sing along to its anthemic lyrics, Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance.

An unrecognisable woman is sitting on a train, with the focus on the scenery out of the window.

Sitting With My Grief on the Train From Milan to Rome

Shuttling between cities to care for her sick father, writer Marianna Cerini finds herself captivatedand comfortedby a world viewed through the train window.

After teary goodbyes to our family, we hop on a Trenitalia car, unwieldy luggage and all, to the Eternal City for one final hurrah: a stay at Romes Hotel Hassler. Its a special place considering Audrey Hepburn called the Hassler home when she filmed Roman Holiday. We watched the 1953 classic during pandemic-induced isolation together, when a trip like this was a distant dream. As the hotels doorman, complete with top hat and tails, opens the door to its opulent lobby and a piano player tinkles keys in the distance, that dream solidifies into reality.

In the evening, after we throw a coin into the nearby Trevi Fountain (as I play Frank Sinatras Three Coins in a Fountain on my iPhone), we relax on the Hasslers terrace with spectacular views of the cityscape. I sip on a lip-smacking dirty martini and sweat bullets; today is one of the hottest in the long history of the Eternal City, yet we still take selfies on the terrace with the citys famous landmarks in the distanceto let everybody know we got to Rome safely, of course.

But weve also changed over these past two weeks. Like the glasses wed draw together to clink, weve grown closer thanks to a shared array of once-in-a-lifetime memoriesand an ability to roll with the punches, whether that be the sweltering heat or an abundance of stairs. The latter is a welcome epiphany: The signature of the Hotel Hassler is its ideal location atop the mighty Spanish Steps. All 135 of them.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
The Pakistan offshoot of the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry is ramping up with the roll-out of a capacity-building initiative to equip newly hired engineers with the know-how and skills necessary to conduct effective factory inspections and flag remediation hotspots.

The program, according to the International Accord, is currently in session in the cities of Faisalabad, Karachi and Lahore, where an inaugural cohort of 14 fire, electrical and structural engineers are undergoing nine weeks of training facilitated by engineering consultants and overseen by Pakistan Accord chief safety officer George Faller and International Accord head of operations Colm Quinn.

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The curriculum is broken down into two phases: one focusing on classroom learning and the other on on-the-job training. Engineers, the International Accord said, will be instructed on fundamental Accord principles, the Pakistan Accord Building Standard and how to capture information about key safety hazards in corrective action plans. Theyll also rack up practical experience by visiting at least 10 factories covered under the Pakistan Accord. There, theyll learn how to conduct non-destructive testing, such as how to identify electrical hotspots through thermographic scanning.

These assessments will bring the number of factories covered under the Pakistan Accord, whose inspections and remediation work began in November, to more than 25 factories, the International Accord said. More than 420 facilities in the South Asian nationincluding textile mills, which arent included in the Bangladesh Accordhave been identified as falling under its purview.

The Pakistan Accord, which opened last January, has 116 brand signatories to date, including nameplates such as Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Uniqlo and Theory parent Fast Retailing, Gap Inc., H&M Group and Zara owner Inditex. A factory becomes part of the program once a brand sourcing from it signs the Pakistan Accord and lists it as a supplier. Inspections and remediations aside, covered factories also gain access to safety training and a worker complaints mechanism.

In November, the International Accord, which succeeded the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh on Sept. 1, 2021, was renewed for another three-year term, with an automatic renewal of an additional three years. So far, 193 brands have signed up to the umbrella Accord. As of Friday, 163 of these had also backed the Bangladesh-specific program as well.

The April 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, which killed 1,134 garment workers and injured thousands more, has become fashions foremost cautionary tale of what happens when lax workplace regulations are further undermined by non-existent enforcement. Seven months earlier, Pakistan experienced its own reckoning after 250 garment workers perished in a fire at Ali Enterprises, whose locked emergency doors and tightly grilled windows prevented workers from hurling themselves to safety. It remains the countrys worst industrial accident, killing almost twice as many workers as the New York Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, with whom it shares many parallels, a hundred years earlier.
Princess Charlene debuted a new hairstyle while sparkling in Elie Saab. The Princess of Monaco attended the 2024 Rose Ball to benefit The Princess Grace Foundation on March 23 in Monaco alongside her husband, Prince Albert II. Other attendees included designer Christian Louboutin, and Caroline, Princess of Hanover.

For the disco-themed festivities, Princess Charlene fashioned a 70s-inspired Elie Saab sequin and tulle jumpsuit. The look featured wide pant legs, a banded waist, fitted bodice and long sleeves, evocative of glamorous 1970s style.

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Princess Charlene accessorized with glittering string earrings. But the centerpiece of her look was her new haircut. The Princess of Monaco opted for a hybrid of the pixie cut and classic bob, a style that fell just below her ears and framed her face with added fringe that fell at her eyebrows.

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Rose Ball 2024 To Benefit The Princess Grace Foundation on March 23.

The Elie Saab jumpsuit highlighted several features the Lebanese fashion designer is known for, particularly his mastery of shape and sparkle. During Januarys Paris Fashion Week, the fashion house debuted its spring 2024 couture collection, which took inspiration from Moroccos geometric architecture. The shapes are not the same and the embroidery is different, but its a sister, the designer said, referencing his home country of Lebanon in contrast with Morocco.

Princess Charlene of Monaco attends the Rose Ball 2024 To Benefit The Princess Grace Foundation on March 23.

Elie Saab has been a favorite among celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, who sat front row for the spring 2024 couture collection showcase. Couture is not just a tool for us. Its not just an image-maker like it is for maybe other brands, said Elie Saab Jr., chief executive officer of Elie Saab Group.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco attend the Rose Ball 2024 to benefit The Princess Grace Foundation on March 23 in Monaco.

For us it is the core of our DNA and is an important part of our business. Of course, it has limitations in terms of growth and expansion because the clientele is very particular, but it remains an important business line.

Christian Louboutin, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco attend the Rose Ball 2024 To Benefit The Princess Grace Foundation on March 23.

More recently, Elie Saabs fall 2024 ready-to-wear collection hit the runway during Paris Fashion Week at the beginning of March. This time, Saabs designs pivoted in a new direction, finding inspiration in the world of country and rock n roll. The collection was titled Memories of Graceland, and looked to Priscilla Presley as its muse. Opening looks from the collection included swinging fringe on Western-style jackets, tops and a high-heeled cowboy boot, and a splash of rock n roll sensibility, featuring lightning-bolt zig-zags embroidered on gowns.

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2024

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2024

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2024

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Launch Gallery: Elie Saab Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear Collection

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Last Christmas, I did not wake up to the toasty aroma of mulling cider or the sound of youngsters rummaging beneath a tree. Instead I found myself in bed, slicked with sweat and flooding with relief. Moments earlier, I had been steering an SUV packed with my children and their friends. I was driving them along a bridge that suddenly jutted straight up into the sky. Just as we were all falling into a bottomless body of water, I startled awake.

Driving is a very common theme in anxiety dreams, Susan Kolod, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in New York, tells me. She lumps such nightmares together with dreams of flying or learning at the last minute that you have a test. But I love air travel and I dont mind tests. Its the crippling fear of driving that gets me.

I actually used to drive. Sometimes I even liked to drive. Eons before Olivia Rodrigo sang about it, I obtained a drivers license. That was when I was in high school, and I had a third-hand (or maybe it was fourth?) Toyota Camry during my final year of college. But I was quick to sell the car once I moved back to New York City. The subway system suited me just fine, thank you very much. But in the subsequent decades, my ever-paralyzing case of amaxophobia, as the fear of driving is called, had a chance to take root.

According to a 2010 study, anxious drivers are more likely than others to get in an accident. Meanwhile, road accidents are the leading cause of non-natural deaths in the US. According to a survey of 1,500 Americans by the Zebra insurance-comparison company, two-thirds of Americans experience driving anxiety, and 75% of female respondents identified as anxious drivers (as did 55% of male respondents).

And now here I am, a fortysomething mom, part of a family that owns a car but who firmly identifies as a non-driver. Or a passenger princess, as my new driving instructor, Everlina-Whynter Thomas, tells me. Thomas is roughly my age, though she likes to say with a wink that we are the exact same age: 22. We are foxy and courageous. Highways and interstates, hear us roar!

Thomas works out of an Upper West Side driving school. Id come to her via word of mouth  on Instagram, a friend had been singing the praises of this woman who could help a neurotic New York City native start to feel comfortable behind a wheel.

Women make up 85% of Thomass practice. The lions share of them already have licenses that they are nervous about putting to use. Her clientele also includes a teenage boy with Aspergers who confides in her about his love life, a 97-year-old lady and a clutch of professional therapists.

None of us are perfect drivers, Thomas assures me the first time we meet, outside of her driving school. I flash my license, strap into her nondescript Honda Civic and turn on the ignition.

As luck will have it, the president, Joe Biden, is visiting town. The streets are choked with traffic so were crawling along, waiting for red lights to turn green. The slow speed combined with Thomass commitment to banter distracts me from my fears. If she is worried, she does a good job of hiding it. Even as I run a red light, her calm disposition doesnt crack.

My original drivers ed instructor was a dyspeptic man who liked to direct his students to an alley called Love Lane and let off a creepy chuckle, then berate us over our terribly executed Y turns. Conversely, Thomas is basically a shrink on wheels  a mood stabilizer with limbs and a pulse. As I drive, we discuss our children, our shared love of Queer Eye and her roster of clients.

Just because were taking a little bit longer than he wants doesnt mean that were going too slow Everlina-Whynter Thomas

There are scads of other passenger princesses, such as the thirtysomething woman who eventually confided in Thomas that she was deeply depressed. We didnt drive that day. We just sat in the car for two hours and talked, she tells me.

My body relaxes as I maneuver the car around town. When our session comes to an end, I am shocked to realize that it has been without incident. No trips to the auto shop needed.

In the following weeks, I am able to move the family car on alternate side parking days without much stress. And one night, when my daughter and her friend have a self-defense workshop in another neighborhood, I dont order a Lyft. Youre not going to kill us, are you? my daughter checks as I rev the engine. I cut through the night and deliver them safely. Nothing tastes quite like freedom!

I share this incredible development with Thomas when I arrive for our second session. Im bragging, and also trying to calm my nerves. Today, well be spending two hours doing the thing I like least: driving on highways. It will be fine, she assures me as we sail up Broadway. Shes got my back (and an emergency brake).

Were on the West Side Highway when a van behind me lets off a rude honk. Just because were taking a little bit longer than he wants doesnt mean that were going too slow, Thomas says in her soothing voice. Let them honk  and if there is an emergency let them go around you, or they can take their helicopter or their private jet.

Next thing I know, I am cruising at 40mph. Perhaps this is nothing for you, but commanding a vehicle moving at such speed is downright terrifying. Youre veering to the left, Thomas tells me gently, taking hold of the wheel and guiding me back to the center of the lane.

You have to give yourself grace, Thomas says later, unbothered. Its going to take time.

Her confidence that I am not about to kill either one of us is infectious. An aggressive driver tries to nose his car in front of mine. Bless his heart, she coos. Let him go.

We are gliding across the George Washington Bridge. I land on the Cross Bronx Expressway. Then the Major Deegan Expressway, the 3rd Avenue Bridge and the FDR Drive. This is all familiar terrain, and its strange not to be relying on my husband to power through it. Theyre not exactly falling like dominoes, but my anxieties are definitely shrinking. You know how to drive, Thomas says. Its just building that confidence that is the problem.

Related: Magnesium is the latest buzzy supplement. Can it help with anxiety?

Soon enough, were back on safe ground  by which I mean the slower-moving streets of upper Manhattan. I can handle the city grid, so Thomas takes her eyes off the road to check her phone. She squeals. A couple of women she teaches passed their driving tests this morning. She gets on a conference call with them to share the news.

After our lesson, I take a selfie with Thomas and post it on Instagram. Me and my driving instructor! A ton of friends confess they are fellow non-drivers  all women, plus one who confides in me that her husband, an artist who gallivants around the world, shares my hangup. I send them all Thomass number.

I have yet to brave an expressway without Thomas, but Ive been tooling around my neighborhood, hearing her comforting you got this or muttered bless his heart every time a driver tries to mess with me. Driving to a Japanese grocery store thats a few neighborhoods and one short but super-fast stretch of highway away, I calm myself down by remembering that Kolod, the psychotherapist, was in her 30s when she overcame her own adversity to driving. I used to just hitchhike everywhere, she told me, but I finally got over the fear.

Ive done harder things, have I not?

I square my shoulders and step on the gas.
"Very small acts can make a world of difference."

Courtesy John Dawkins

A Texas nail salon owners act of kindness is inspiring others.

John Dawkins owns Absolute Nails in Lubbock, Texas.

Dawkins and his wife Tammy recently fulfilled a wish of Norma Hernandez, a cancer patient fighting for her life who wanted to have her nails done. Dawkins said his heart sank when he heard Hernandezs request had been turned down by her own nail salon and several others.

After work, Dawkins and his wife Tammy went to the hospital and treated Hernandez to a manicure and pedicure in her hospital bed.

Courtesy John Dawkins

Dawkins said Hernandezs kindness took him by surprise.

She stole our hearts, Dawkins told KCBD, Knowing that her life only has a number of days, and shes worrying about everybody else.

Dawkins relates to what Hernandez and her family are going through since he lost his own mother to cancer when he was only 20 years old. Before they left, Dawkins said he and Tammy prayed with Hernandez.

The salon owner told Southern Living that after a news report about him giving a pedicure and manicure to a woman battling cancer in the hospital hit the airwaves, he received a message and a check from a woman in Virginia.



Courtesy John Dawkins

Dawkins, unsure what the check was for, called the number on the check and spoke to Rebecca, who told him shed been crying for hours after hearing about what he did.

Rebecca, the woman who heard Dawkins story and sent him a check, said the amount of $69.30 was in honor of the Bible verse Psalm 69:30, which says, I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving."

Dawkins, touched by Rebeccas gesture, said he plans to frame the check to remind him of the verse and its meaning: Givers are more glorious than receivers.

He also hopes his story encourages others to commit random acts of kindness.

Very small acts can make a world of difference, Dawkins told KCBD.

We couldn't agree more.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
A woman took an immediate return after her pet dog, Moose, escaped before their Alaska Airlines flight from North Carolina to Seattle.

The passenger was forced to head back to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport to help the airline team look for Moose. According to a WRAL report, Moose was scheduled to depart with his owner on the same flight out on 26 March. However, he didnt end up making it on the aircraft.

Speaking to WRAL, a representative from Alaska Airlines attributed this to a misstep in the loading process. Instead of traveling with the passenger, Moose was kept at the airport overnight and scheduled to fly out the next morning.

On Wednesday, the staff took Moose for a walk before his flight. When they returned, Moose refused to go back in his crate.

When it was time to load it into the crate, it pulled away, shook loose from its collar and ran away, the airline spokesperson said. According to the WRAL report, officers watched as the airport workers chased the dog on the taxiway. Moose was then seen at various locations around the airport campus. But the chase did not interrupt the arrival or departure of any flights.

Alaska Airlines proceeded to pay for the owners flight back from Seattle, WRAL reported. Law enforcement officials and the fire rescue team were enlisted to help with the search and rescue of Moose. Luckily, Moose was safely returned to the passenger on 28 March.

Were happy that the dog is safely back with its pet parent. The airports fire rescue team picked up the owner yesterday, who had been searching in a different area, and brought her to Moose the dog, an Alaska Airlines representative told The Independent.

They continued: She coaxed him to her and hes safe and sound. The ports K9 officers fed him and he left with his owner.

Alaska Airlines requires any pet scheduled to fly in the baggage compartment to be no more than 150lb when combined with their carrier. According to their website, You must travel on the same flight(s) to your pets destination. However, if one isnt planning to fly with their pet, the airline asks that they go to alaskacargo.com.

Alaska Airlines accepts most domesticated pets for travel in our climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartments for a fee of $150, the website states. Accepted pets include cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish.
FOX 2 (WJBK) - In an exclusive interview with State Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, she reflected on her career and the barriers she has broken as a Black woman in law.

"I do my best to sit and reflect, although I don't have a lot of time between changing diapers and reading complex legal issues," Bolden said.

Before she became the first Black woman to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court on January 1, 2023, Bolden was a state representative for the 35th district.

Her decision to join Michigan's Supreme Court was inspired by Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Bolden told FOX 2.

Kyra Harris Bolden is the first Black woman on the Michigan Supreme Court.

"Sometimes people see things in you that you don't see for yourself, and that was my story. In June of 2021, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence asked me to her residence, and she sat me down and basically said to me, would you consider running for Michigan Supreme Court? The answer to that was no, I had not thought about it,'" Bolden said. "But she did plant the seed. I ran because I wanted to be able to tell my daughter that she could be anything, and I wanted that to be true for myself first."

Bolden initially lost her campaign for the state Supreme Court in 2022. However, shortly afterward, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Bolden to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Bridget Mary McCormack.

Upon becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Bolden was also newly embracing motherhood. She had given birth to her first child, Emerson Portia Bolden, only six days prior to accepting the position.

Kyra Harris Bolden, the first Black woman on the Michigan Supreme Court, had given birth only six days prior to accepting the position.

"I had no idea that Chief Justice McCormack was going to step down, and that there might be a position open for me regardless of if I won or lost this election," Bolden said. "But my loss really taught me that if a door closes, it's not for you. And if it's for you, it will happen. So, that was a great lesson to learn."

On April 28, 1939, Jesse Lee Bond, Bolden's great-grandfather, was lynched in Tennessee. Despite compelling evidence suggesting foul play, his death was ruled as an accidental drowning. No one was held responsible.

The injustice her great-grandfather experienced drives Bolden to this day, she said. She keeps his story in mind when trying to make good decisions.

"At the appointment announcement, I said in just a few generations, our family has gone from lynching to law school  from injustice, to a capital J justice,'" Bolden stated. "I think about that a lot, and I think about how my great grandfather would feel about the progress that we've made. I'd like to think he would be proud."

Watch the full interview in the player above.
One person is dead and another was injured in a shooting near the University of Cincinnatis campus.

Police confirmed to our news partners at WCPO that shots were fired at a large house party around 11 a.m. on Thursday night. The party was in the 200 block of Fosdick Street.

>> Area school district official accused of sex crime involving a student resigns from district

Dujawn Samuel McDaniel Foster III, 21, was shot inside the house and died. Police dont think Foster was a UC student.

A 16-year-old was shot in the arm, WCPO reported. They self-transported to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center and are in stable condition.

Around the time of the shooting, UC Public Safety sent a message to students telling them to stay at their location as police responded to the emergency. An all-clear was given to students are 11:30 p.m.

Everyone involved in the shooting ran from the scene, police told WCPO. No suspects have been identified at this time.












DENVER (KDVR)  Longmont police are investigating an early morning shooting that took place near a local bar.

According to a press release, two males had left a bar at 301 Main St. and were involved in a verbal and physical altercation.

After midnight on Friday, Longmont police responded to the two individuals in front of 321 Main St., just past the bar.

During the altercation, one of the individuals was shot. The shooter then called 911 and remained on scene until police arrived, according to Longmont Public Safety.

Christopher Johnston, 36, was pronounced dead.

1 killed in shooting on South Federal Boulevard

The shooting is under investigation, but as of Friday morning, no arrests have been made. Police say there is no threat to the community.

Longmont police are looking for any videos taken by businesses or bystanders of this incident.

Police ask anyone in the bar between 9:00 p.m. on March 28 and 12:30 a.m. on March 29 who hasnt spoken with police yet to contact Longmont Detective Jon High at 303-651-8584.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Nature's brutality is as jarring as its beauty, and nowhere is that on display more than in the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards .

Photographer Alexander Brackx was in Kenya when he witnessed a wildlife encounter that will remain seared into his memory forever. "That morning, we decided to follow four cheetahs on the hunt," Brackx said. "We followed them for hours. We passed herds of topis, gazelles, and zebras. We knew something was going to happen. When, five hours later, our Maasai guide whispered, they are going for the zebras, I was convinced they would attack the topis or gazelles dotted across the valley. Seconds later, the cheetahs burst into a small group of zebras . One cheetah ran towards us, clinging onto a foal. In those seconds, I took this picture of the mother zebra launching a last attempt to push her foal away from the attacking cheetah. She failed. I will remember those last seconds for the rest of my life.

[Related: New tiny gecko species named after Vincent van Gogh ]

The resulting photograph (seen below) took home first prize in the Behavior-Mammals category.

"Those last seconds."

Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Image: Alexander Brackx/World Nature Photography Awards

Tracey Lund took top honors overall, being named World Nature Photographer of the Year for her underwater image of two gannets battling for a fish in the Shetland Islands. Lund's riveting image also offers a reminder that capturing the perfect shot requires persistence, with Lund saying, "An unbelievable spectacle to witness, let alone photograph. I took 1800 images on that day but only had 2 that I could use."

All the honored photographs from this year's competition are also available to purchase as wall art .

"Underwater Gannets."

Location: Shetland Islands. Image: Tracey Lund/World Nature Photography Awards

"Head Massage."

Location: Galapagos Islands. Image: John Seagar/World Nature Photography Awards

"Guarding."

Location: Yellowstone National Park, USA. Image: Elizabeth Yicheng Shen/World Nature Photography Awards

"Living on the Edge."

Location: Negev desert, Israel. Image: Amit Eshel/World Nature Photography Awards

"Alike."

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Image: Michael Stavrakakis/World Nature Photography Awards

"Graceful Turn."

Location: East Rift Valley, Kenya. Image: Richard Li/World Nature Photography Awards

"Crowd Control."

Location: Skjervy, Norway. Image: Andy Schmid/World Nature Photography Awards

"Oxpecker and Water Buffalo."

Location: Kenya. Image: Lakshitha Karunarathhna/World Nature Photography Awards

"The Dangerous Toy."

Location: Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico. Image: Celia Kujala/World Nature Photography Awards

"Not So Silent Hill."

Location: Servia, Greece. Image: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos/World Nature Photography Awards

"Under a Mother's Guidance."

Location: Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Image: Tom Way/World Nature Photography Awards

"Lynx Pounce."

Location: Canada. Image: Thomas Vijayan/World Nature Photography Awards

"Cuckoo Wasp."

Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Image: Kevin Blackwell/World Nature Photography Awards

"Anger Fish."

Location: Kurnell, NSW, Australia. Image: Nicolas Remy/World Nature Photography Awards

"Among Bricks."

Location: Lucerne, Switzerland. Image: Roman Willi/World Nature Photography Awards

"Young Humpback Playing."

Location: Kingdom of Tonga. Image: Philip Hamilton/World Nature Photography Awards

"Budapest Beaver."

Location: Budapest, Hungary. Image: Adam Horvath/World Nature Photography Awards
(KRON) On Tuesday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced more than 27 felony charges against three men for their alleged involvement in an organized retail crime operation across the state, stealing over $300,000 in total.

Two of the men, Isaiah Abdullah, 26, and Nickolas Mallory, 26, stole more than $30,000 from high-end luxury stores in the Bay Area, two-thirds of which were stolen within the same week.

Concord driver in wild Grand Theft Auto style chase convicted

On June 1, 2023, Abdullah stole more than $15,000 worth of merchandise from a Louis Vuitton store in Santa Clara County. According to the complaint, he then stole $8,630 from the same Louis Vuitton store on June 8. On October 4, Abdullah and Mallory stole approximately $6,800 worth of merchandise from a Burberry store in Alameda.

During the course of their investigation, officers also seized five firearms, Bonta said.

According to a 2020 national survey, U.S. retailers lose approximately $700,000 for every $1 billion in sales to organized retail crime. Under California Prop 47, any amount stolen over $950 is considered grand theft, leading to higher cases of bail and sentencing.

The complaint said all three men currently face a $1 million bail and were charged with organized retail theft, robbery, and grand theft. All three men are booked into Los Angeles County Jail.

Organized retail theft harms businesses, retailers, and consumers  and puts the public at risk, said Attorney General Rob Bonta. Organized retail crime has been plaguing our state for far too long. I want to thank our local law enforcement partners for their work in apprehending the suspects in this case. The California Department of Justice and its partners will continue fighting to keep our communities, businesses, and consumers safe from retail theft and other crimes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Xizang commemorates 65th anniversary of democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom

Xinhua) 08:20, March 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Fatime Letifova

Azerbaijan and Cuba celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its official account.

"We reiterate our willingness to continue strengthening political, economic, and cooperation relations, based on historical ties of friendship between both peoples and nations," the ministry added.

Note that Cuba recognised the independence of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on March 27, 1992.

The Embassy of Cuba in Azerbaijan was established on October 12, 2007.
A suspect is in custody after a shooting that killed two people and seriously injured another Thursday.

After 4 p.m. the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Adams County Sheriffs Office were called to a shooting near East Fifth and Cemetery streets in Machester, Ohio, according to our news partners at WCPO.

Town Council President Christine Henderson said that two people were killed and a third person was flown to UC Medical Center.

>> U.S. Marshals searching for teen accused of killing 2 Dayton teens; Reward offered for information

Henderson said several roads near the scene of the shooting were closed for the investigation.

Around 9 p.m. Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed to WCPO that the suspect was arrested in Clinton County.

The identity of the suspect has not been released at this time.

We will continue to follow this story.




















Two people have been displaced after a house fire in Norwell early Thursday morning.

That includes Lisa Sylvester and her partner Rick.

Sylvester said around 2 a.m., there was a power surge at the house that woke them up. They went back to sleep but about an hour and a half later Rick woke Lisa up, screaming to get out.

I tried to get my phone, tried to find a phone to call 911, I knew I was losing time and I lost the time to even grab pants, said Sylvester. By the time they got outside, she said, I saw the level it was already at and I knew it was gone.

Fire crews had to work through tough conditions to extinguish the fire at the home on Upper Ferry Road.

The house was a dream home for Sylvester, which she said she bought when she was 20.

She said, I lost all my childrens childhood pictures. Everything I had, everything, 58 years of life was in there. They said nothing was recognizable.

Decades ago, Sylvester said she fell in love with the home and became friends with the homeowner. Eventually, she bought it from them and filled it with memories of her own.

You cant rebuild that. Its not rebuildable, its not like you can go to Home Depot and get the parts that were in that house. Everything was custom, everything was special, everything was unique, she said. I did it frugally and carefully over 30 years.

The Norwell Fire Department was joined by Scituate and Hanover to provide mutual aid for the fire.

Hoses were hooked up down the street to get enough water to the house.

Its about a third of a mile off the main road so it was a man-power-intensive operation, said Norwell Fire Chief David Kean.

Chief Kean said the fire possibly started outside but no cause is known at this time.

No one was injured from the fire but Sylvester is left with nothing.

I dont even have socks like I dont have a hairbrush. Where do you start? Like my wallet went up. I didnt even have time to grab my pocketbook. I dont even have a drivers license. I dont have a credit card. I dont have my eyeglasses, my medication. Which do you do, like how do people do this? said Sylvester.

The State Fire Marshals Office is also investigating.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Lisa and he partner Rick.

At 3:30 this morning, crews responded with 4 members for a reported structure fire on Upper Ferry Lane. The first... Posted by Norwell Fire Department on Thursday, March 28, 2024

Norwell Fire Chief Kean says two people were in the home when the fire started and they got out safely and uninjured. He says the house is a total loss. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/yz3JSQC02r  Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) March 28, 2024

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After eluding police in Lake Oswego, a man was arrested in Tigard Wednesday after crashing into six vehicles, which left two people hospitalized, authorities said.

David Rudge, 43, was taken to the Washington County Jail. He faces a multitude of vehicular assault charges and several counts of criminal mischief for each of the damaged cars.

City of Brookings cant stop churches from feeding the homeless, judge rules

Police say they responded to SW Pacific Highway (99W) near SW 78th just after 5:30 p.m. after witnesses reported that Rudge ran a red light, hit several cars and had been driving erratically before the crash.

Officers learned the driver actually hit five cars along southbound 99W, and after going through the light at 78th, he hit a sixth car, wrecking both the car and his pickup, police said. The two occupants of the sixth car that was hit were taken to the hospital with injuries that dont appear to be life-threatening.

According to authorities, Ruge got out of his truck with a knife after wrecking his car, but was held down by an off-duty Lake Oswego officer, along with other witnesses.

Southbound 99W was briefly closed due to the extent of the crime scene and crash investigation, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
DETROIT (FOX 2) - Two men, ages 26 and 33, were shot while inside a vehicle on Saturday, Detroit police said.

The shooting took place around 2 p.m., in the area of Conner Street and Harper Avenue in Detroit. Both victims survived and are in the hospital, being treated for their injuries.

"The unknown suspect fled the scene in a black SUV," according to a police release. "Detectives want to speak to the person-of-interest who was in the area at the time of the incident."

(Provided by the Detroit Police Department)

The person-of-interest is described as a male who appears to be around 25-30 in age. He has a medium Afro and was last seen wearing a black jacket, and black jeans, police released.

DetroitRewards.tv is offering a $500 reward to anyone who has information that leads to an arrest. The case number, 2403230021, must be included in your tip.

Those who recognize the man or the black SUV, or have any information about the shooting, are asked to call DPD's 5th Precinct at 313-596-5540, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up, or DetroitRewards.tv

(Provided by the Detroit Police Department)
Editors note: The story in the video player originally aired on Dec. 19, 2023.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11)  Two men have been arrested in connection with a violent home invasion on Staten Island last December that involved robbers allegedly pistol-whipping a woman and a 5-year-old girl, police said Thursday.

Michael Conley and Elliot Knight, both 28-year-old Staten Island residents, were arrested Wednesday and charged with burglary in connection with the Dec. 18 incident, according to the NYPD.

Conley and Knight were allegedly among four masked gunmen who stormed into a sleeping familys home on Livingston Avenue in the dead of night. The robbery was captured on home security video.

Police were looking for four suspects in connection to a home invasion on Staten Island on Dec. 18, 2023. (Credit: NYPD)

The robbers stormed upstairs with flashlights, searching four bedrooms, and found two sleeping children, their mother and nanny, Marlene Jones.

I was sleeping, then I heard the door kicked in. I jumped up and saw three men with guns pointed at me, Jones recalled in an interview with PIX11 News in December.

Jones said she immediately thought about the safety of the 4-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl and began to pray.

They went to the little girls room, pulled her out from her bed, hit her in the face with the gun and then they took her in the moms room, Jones said.

Man accused of killing NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller tried to shoot his partner: DA

With her husband away for the night, the 33-year-old mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was also pistol-whipped in the face.

The minute he brought [my daughter] to my room  when she showed up with the black eye, I thought he could kill us, the mother said.

The robbers left the home with only a cellphone, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Colorado board created to review prescription drug prices is headed to court after it moved to cap the price of arthritis medication Enbrel  and its not the only drug on the boards radar.

Pharmaceutical company Amgen filed a federal lawsuit last week against the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which in February declared Enbrel unaffordable. The drugmaker argues the move was unconstitutional and violates commerce and patent laws.

Bill to reduce Colorados mental competency waitlist passes committee unanimously

Enbrel is not the first prescription drug that went under review, and it will not be the last. The board has also found that two other drugs  the HIV treatment Genvoya and the cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta  were not unaffordable. Next up for review are Cosentyx, for psoriasis, and Stelara, for Crohns disease.

What other drugs could be under the microscope next?

Top 20 drugs on Colorado drug affordability boards list

The boards most recent report from October listed 604 drugs eligible for an affordability review. Some 244 were prioritized on a weighted scale based on the number of patients, the change in wholesale acquisition cost, patient out-of-pocket cost, total paid and average paid per person per year.

The list is neither binding nor required by law and is instead meant to be a tool to present data and spark discussion, according to the board.

Here are the top 20 listed:

Brand Name Strength Dosage Form Patient Out-of-Pocket Cost Humira 40 mg/0.4 mL Pen injector kit $2,982 Trikafta 100 mg-50 mg-75 mg (day)/150 mg (night) Tablet sequential $1,732 Enbrel 50 mg/mL (1 mL) Pen injector $2,812 Stelara 90 mg/mL Syringe $1,399 Humira 40 mg/0.4 mL Syringe kit $2,556 Genvoya 150 mg-150 mg-200 mg-10 mg Tablet $1,293 Aubagio 14 mg Tablet $4,207 Gilenya 0.5 mg Capsule $3,367 Xtandi 40 mg Capsule $3,078 Revlimid 10 mg Capsule $3,232 Imbruvica 420 mg Tablet $3,308 Enbrel 50 mg/mL (1 mL) Syringe $2,709 Cosentyx 150 mg/mL Pen injector $2,168 Takhzyro 300 mg/2 mL (150 mg/mL) Vial $4,999 Ibrance 125 mg Tablet $1,862 Opdivo 240 mg/24 mL Vial $1,001 Norditropin 15 mg/1.5 mL (10 mg/mL) Pen injector $3,398 Entyvio 300 mg Vial $2,447 Epclusa 400 mg-100 mg Tablet $1,887 Opsumit 10 mg Tablet $2,594

These are just the top 20 on the priority list, some of which have already gone under review. See the full list on the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Boards dashboard.

Could Colorado limit prescription drug price caps?

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board was created in 2021 to review prescription drugs and evaluate their affordability for Coloradans, and it has the legal authority to cap prices. But this session, lawmakers are considering a bill to limit which prescription drugs can get price caps.

Senate Bill 24-060 would exempt so-called orphan drugs. These are medications designated as such because they treat a rare disease or condition, typically one that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S.

Home values are appreciating fastest in these Colorado cities

Supporters of the bill argue this is about relatively few drugs for very rare conditions. Opponents are concerned that some of these drugs have multiple uses.

The bill passed out of a Senate committee but has been laid over three times since. Its next scheduled floor date is April 1.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
President Joe Biden was joined Thursday by two of his Democratic predecessors for a star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall that his campaign said brought in more than $26 million.

Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participated in the event in New York with more than 5,000 supporters in attendance  including several protesters who interrupted the program when the three presidents were speaking.

Actor and comedian Mindy Kaling hosted the program, which ended at around 10 p.m., and late night host Stephen Colbert moderated a conversation with Biden, Clinton and Obama. Special guests include celebrities like Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.

During the nearly hourlong moderated conversation, Colbert joked that the moment was historic because three presidents have come to New York, and not one of them to appear in court, taking a jab at former President Donald Trumps criminal indictments and civil trials.

Clinton also took a swipe at Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, arguing that he "had a good couple of years because he stole them from Barack Obama.

But the discussion was interrupted at least five times by protesters. Colbert acknowledged one protester and asked Biden about the U.S. role in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Biden said more needed to be done to get relief into Gaza but added that Israel's very existence was at stake.

"There has to be a train for a two-state solution," Biden said. "It doesnt have to carry today. There has to be a progression. And I think we can do that."

His response was met with a standing ovation and chants of "four more years."

Obama sternly addressed a protester when he was interrupted, saying, "You cant just talk and not listen."

"Thats part of democracy," Obama added. "Part of democracy is not just talking. Its listening. Thats what the other side does, and it is important for us to understand that it is possible to have moral clarity and have deeply held beliefs but still recognize that the world is complicated and it is hard to solve these problems."

The crowd erupted in applause.

Bidens team has taken steps to minimize disruptions, including making events smaller and withholding exact locations longer than usual, after a speech in January when pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted him about a dozen times.

Outside the New York venue Thursday, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters chanted slogans like Biden, Biden, youre a liar, and waved Palestinian flags and signs with anti-war messages.

The group Abandon Biden encouraged people to protest the president during his visit over the White Houses handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

We cannot idly sit by as our president aides and abets genocide in Gaza, the groups New York co-chair Mosaab Sadia said in a statement. The movement to Abandon Biden is only just beginning.

protest nyc pro-palestinian (Leonardo Munoz / AFP - Getty Images)

Inside Radio City Music Hall, the novelty of having three presidents in the same room was not lost on attendees.

Earlier in the program, Kaling joked about having Biden, Obama and Clinton in the same room, saying that when someone shouts Mr. President, three people turn around.

Ticket prices started at $250, but the largest contributions shot up to half a million dollars. Some of the biggest donors were to have their pictures taken with all three presidents by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

First lady Jill Biden called the program the fundraiser to end all fundraisers.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also delivered remarks.

For the three presidents, the fundraiser capped off a day of mobilization efforts that included sitting for an interview with the podcast "SmartLess," which the White House said would be available at a later, unspecified date.

politics political politician headphones smile (Courtesy Biden for President NCX)

They also sat for a discussion with Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, which was streamed to grassroots donors. The presidents talked about re-election efforts  both Clinton and Obama served two terms  as well as lighter topics, like favorite ice cream favors.

"You're all part of an incredible team we're building, and we're just getting started," Biden said in his closing message during the discussion. "So let's keep going. Let's win this November."

The trio arrived at Radio City Music Hall together in "The Beast"  the presidents car in the motorcade.

Biden also invited Obama to ride in The Beast after he landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where they enjoyed catching up on their personal and professional lives, an aide to Obama told NBC News.

The show of unity among Biden, Clinton and Obama stands in stark contrast to Trump, who faces opposition from members of his own administration, including former Vice President Mike Pence, as he seeks a return to the White House in November.

Former President George W. Bush  the only other Republican former president  declined to support Trump in 2020.

The Trump campaign has not held a major event since March 16. Earlier Thursday, Trump attended the wake for a New York police officer who was shot and killed in Queens on Monday.

Biden and Trump are polling neck-and-neck, with 46% of voters supporting Trump and 45% supporting Biden, according to a March poll by CNBC. That poll, however, had Trump leading Biden by 30 percentage points when respondents were asked which candidate was the best on economic issues.

During Thursday's moderated discussion, Colbert asked Clinton what he would say to voters who do not feel like the economy is strong. Clinton answered that the 2008 recession and Covid are still affecting voters and that Trump did not sustain economic growth spurred by Obama. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have methodically "put Humpty Dumpty back together again," Clinton said.

"We should not make 2016's mistake again," he added, referring to when Trump defeated his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A 35-year-old Ruskin man was killed in a fiery crash on U.S. 41 in Manatee County, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release Friday morning.

The crash happened at about 2:20 a.m. Friday when he was driving a Land Rover SUV south on U.S. 41 toward Piney Point Road in Palmetto. He drifted off the road and onto the shoulder, where he hit the back of a parked semitruck, a crash report said.

After the crash, troopers say both vehicles went up in flames.

The 35-year-old man was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene of the crash, according to an FHP crash report. The 45-year-old Georgia man in the semitruck escaped the crash with no injuries, the report said.

The identities of both men involved in the crash were not released Friday morning.

The crash remains under investigation, FHP said.
Pittsburgh police are investigating an incident where they say four boys tried to carjack a woman in a hospital parking garage.

Police say the incident happened around 6:50 p.m. Thursday at AHNs lot on Hemlock Street. A woman in her car on the third floor of the parking garage was reportedly approached by four boys who threatened her with a gun and demanded her keys and phones.

When the woman handed the items over, two boys ran and two got into her car.

The woman went into Allegheny General Hospital and reported the crime. When police arrived, they found the car still in the parking lot.

So far, police say theyve identified one person connected to the attempted carjacking. The investigation is ongoing.

Allegheny Health Network issued a statement to Channel 11, saying its increasing security across campus following this incident. The full statement reads:

In response to the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon in which no one was injured, heightened security has been implemented across the AGH campus including increased surveillance of all onsite parking garages. AGH leaders continue to work alongside Highmark police and City of Pittsburgh police as part of an investigation into this incident.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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Adapting books to the small or big screen is no easy feat, and oftentimes the visual version doesnt measure up to its source material. However, some adaptations of books not only capture the essence of their inspiration but also elevate the story. Many books written by Black authors that have been turned into movies or TV fall into that category  here are five that are worth a watch.

The Perfect Find

Romantic comedies are always a fun watch, and The Perfect Find is no exception. Inspired by Tia Williams 2016 book of the same title, the movie follows an out-of-work fashion journalist who falls for a much younger colleague who just so happens to be her new boss and nemesis son. Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers chemistry sparkles in the movie, and it also nails the books sensual and playful hookup-to-lovers story.

From Scratch

If Netflixs One Day was an emotional roller coaster, look out for Netflixs From Scratch, an adaptation of Tembi Lockes memoir. The series, which was backed by Reese Witherspoons production company Hello Sunshine, follows the love story of American student Amy and Sicilian chef Saro, who meet when the former studies abroad in Florence, Italy. The adaption captures the heart-wrenching beauty of Amy and Saros relationship, which is inspired by Lockes own relationship with her late husband. You may want to have a box of tissues close while watching this one  calling it a tearjerker would be an understatement.

Survival of the Thickest

Michelle Buteaus hilarious collection of personal essays about her life, Survival of the Thickest, got the Netflix treatment two years after its 2020 release. The eight-episode project tells an identical story to the comedians essay collection, following a stylist hoping to level up her career while navigating more challenges than expected. The charming small-screen adaption is a fun and easy watch, and its set to come back for a second season.

Waiting to Exhale

Adapted from Terry McMillans 1992 novel Waiting to Exhale, this big screen adaptation takes the original story to another level. Its unbelievably star-studded (including Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon, all of whom bring their A-games to the film), that Oscar-worthy soundtrack (produced by music legend Babyface), and the timeless story all make this adaptation a rare gem.

If Beale Street Could Talk

James Baldwin is the voice of a generation  one that continues to define and inform Black art. 1974s If Beale Street Could Talk is a wonderful example of his understanding of Black experiences and his prowess as a storyteller. The novel, which tells the story of a young Black couple destroyed by the American justice system in 1970s New York City, was turned into a movie in 2018 of the same title. Starring Kiki Layne and Stephan James, the big screen version is just as moving as its inspiration, including an Oscar-winning performance by Regina King. Sadly, its themes are as applicable in todays reality as they were 50 years ago.
Taken by Ben Lane & Sirjana Singh of Tinted Photography. Tinted Photography

Junebug Weddings chooses 50 of the best engagement photos every year.

Submissions come from around the world.

This year's winners were taken in car washes, record stores, and on black-sand beaches.

The average American couple spends just under $30,000 on a wedding, but for many, the celebrations start long before they walk down the aisle.

To mark the start of their happily ever afters, some couples take engagement photos, even traveling to an epic location  or a particularly meaningful spot  to get the perfect image.

Junebug Weddings has an annual photo contest to choose the best engagement photos worldwide.

Here are its winners from 2024.

A perfectly placed rainbow elevates this engagement photo taken in Glencoe, Scotland.

Taken by Simon Lees of SimonsStudio. SimonsStudio

In this image, the sunset frames a couple in Toronto.

Taken by Ashlyn Mondoux of JustTheDaisies. JustTheDaisies

This stunning photograph looks like it was taken in space.

Taken by Andra Lesmana of The Limitless Moment. The Limitless Moment

Yosemite National Park is an epic location for an epic life moment.

Taken by Christie Abascal of Summit and Sur Photography. Summit and Sur Photography

Similarly, the mountains of New Zealand provide a jaw-dropping backdrop.

Taken by Ben Lane & Sirjana Singh of Tinted Photography. Tinted Photography

The contrast between this Indonesian beach's pink sand and the blue ocean is striking.

Taken by Stephen Yau of Stephen Yau Weddings. Stephen Yau Weddings

This looks more like a piece of art than a photograph. It was taken in Iceland.

Taken by Mait Juriado of MJ Studios. MJ Studios

Getting married is like walking into the unknown together, which is visually represented in this photo taken on Australia's Mount Hotham.

Taken by Rochelle Hansen of Love Wilder. Love Wilder

No, this wasn't taken on Arrakis from "Dune." It's actually Ninh Thuan, a province in Vietnam.

Taken by Thien Tong of Thien Tong Photography. Thien Tong Photography

Engagement photographers also captured intimate moments of joy between couples.

Taken by Aisha Khan of Ama by Aisha. Ama by Aisha

After all, sometimes simplicity is the best choice for an engagement photo.

Taken by Yuliia Kosynska of YUKO.WEDDINGS. Yuliia Kosynska

This photo, which could be an album cover, shows a quiet moment between a couple.

Taken by Alex Samsonowska of Alex De Lucca Photography. Alex De Lucca Photography

This couple is the picture of serenity.

Taken by Giuliano Lo Re of Giuliano Lo Re Photography. Giuliano Lo Re Photography

The simple act of holding hands can be made swoon-worthy with the right photographer.

Taken by Joel Jaszczyszak of Joelsview Photography. Joelsview Photography

So can sharing a laugh with your fiance, shown in this snap taken in Bali.

Taken by Irezz Pratama of Terralogical. Terralogical

Jumping on the bed is an appropriate reaction to getting engaged, proven by this Kansas City couple.

Taken by Juliana Jumper of Juliana Noelle Jumper Photography. Juliana Noelle Jumper Photography

A carwash might not be the first place you think of when you think engagement photos, but maybe it should be.

Taken by Valerie Lisuk of Valerie Lisuk Photography. Valerie Lisuk Photography

This image was taken at Hudson Valley Vinyl in Beacon, New York.

Taken by Kathleen Whittemore of Kathleen Whittemore Photography. Kathleen Whittmore Photography

Feeding each other cake is a tradition at weddings  feeding each other sauce after getting engaged should be, too.

Taken by Sara Rogers of Sara Rogers Photography. Sara Rogers Photography

A Singapore couple celebrated their upcoming nuptials by flying a kite.

Taken by Amir Amran of The Honey Oaks. The Honey Oaks

A rainy London day didn't stop this couple from celebrating.

Taken by Chris Grandy of Isle + Oak Photography. Isle + Oak Photography

This couple in Kuala Lumpur didn't mind the rain, either.

Take by Jeremy Ong of Moments by Jeremy. Moments by Jeremy

Florence's Duomo provides a classic backdrop.

Taken by Federico Antonio Cutuli of Studio Fotografico Bacci. Studio Fotografico Bacci

This pair of fiances was joined by a pair of deer in Nara, Japan.

Taken by Jackson Leong of Plan A Production. Plan A Production

The seagulls in this photo taken in New Delhi, India, make it seem in motion.

Taken by Devansh Rangani of The Photo Lab. The Photo Lab

Shadows create a compelling photo taken in Yokohama, Japan.

Taken by Bonjo Abadi of Terralogical. Terralogical

Dramatic lighting was also key in this photo taken in Vienna.

Taken by Jennifer Grunauer of Jennifer Grunauer Photography. Jennifer Grunauer Photography

Las Vegas isn't just for eloping  there are plenty of proposals happening there, too.

Taken by Jim Lee of Jim Lee Vision. Jim Lee Vision

A pair of fiancees runs through a field in Colorado with their dog.

Taken by Brea Warren of Brea Warren Photo. Brea Warren Photo

It's easy to miss this happy couple with this view of Los Angeles from Griffith Park.

Taken by Darren Hendry of The Hendrys. The Hendrys

In this image taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the couple looks straight out of the show "Yellowstone."

Taken by Navodita Kc of Navodita Kc Photography. Navodita Kc Photography

The crowded streets of San Francisco are just as romantic as any national park, though.

Taken by Nayza Kuznetsova of Clouds Inside Photography. Clouds Inside Photography

Reynisfjara, Iceland's black-sand beach, is a popular site for wedding photos, but it's also perfect for engagement photos.

Taken by Jane Iskra of ISKRA Photography. ISKRA Photography

Guatemala's Santa Clara ruins also provide a dramatic location for photos.

Taken by Manuel Aldana. Manuel Aldana

A couple reaches for the stars in Comox, Canada.

Taken by Kristen Cook of Freya Photography. Freya Photography

These two only have eyes for each other in a crowded intersection in Tokyo.

Taken by Leonardus Aditya of Bare Odds. Bare Odds

A couple in Bratislava looked giddy while taking their photos.

Taken by Andrej Horsky. Andrej Horsky

A joyful photo taken in London gives us an up-close look at this happy couple.

Taken by Jasmine Andrews of Jasmine Andrews Photography. Jasmine Andrews Photography

These two future brides in Hamburg are also overjoyed.

Taken by Michelle Fiedler of Weddings and Other Stories. Weddings and Other Stories

Italy might be known for its pasta, but this bride-to-be prefers to take a bite out of her future husband.

Taken by Nico Vinx of The Ferros. The Ferros

Australia's Anna Bay provided white sands and clear skies for this photo shoot.

Taken by Mikhael Andarias of Bare Odds. Bare Odds

The lavender at Lake Ohau in New Zealand adds a little magic to this photo.

Taken by Traci Edwards of Adventure and Vow. Adventure and Vow

This intimate photo was taken in Positano, Italy.

Taken by Milly Baine of The Rose Reflective. The Rose Reflective

Love is beautiful at any age, proven by this couple popping a bottle in Australia.

Taken by Nicola Bodle of Fox & Kin. Fox & Kin

A couple in Berlin reaches for the light together.

Taken by Nina Twardowska-Lukasik of Nina & Darek. Nina & Darek

No engagement shoot in Amsterdam would be complete without bicycles.

Taken by Pam Kornreich of Pam Jeanne Photography. Pam Jeanne Photography

Drone photography made this dockside photo in Germanys Lake Chiemsee possible.

Taken by Sebastian Schwemmer of Schwemmer Photography. Schwemmer Photography

A bride-to-be wipes a tear from her fiances cheek in Bali.

Taken by Tania Salim. Tania Salim

This dramatic photo was taken by West Vancouver.

Mike Vallely, Shari + Mike Photographers, West Vancouver, BC Shari + Mike Photographers

Is this a cover of a romance novel or an engagement photo? It's hard to tell.

Taken by Bridgitte Terence of inka.bali. inka by bridgitterence

Read the original article on Business Insider
Harsh scrubs can cause even more irritation, triggering acne flareups. Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images

You probably thought your days of getting pimples were behind you once you reached adulthood, but acne is incredibly common for adults, and some of your skin care habits could be causing it or making it worse.

Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Dermatology. While about 85% of teens get at least minor acne, it can happen at any age.

Acne is surprisingly common in adult women, said Neil Farnsworth, a board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology in Houston, Texas. About half of women in their 20s are affected by acne, and the number goes up to 35% for women in their 30s. Its also prevalent for women during menopause.

There are several reasons you might see more breakouts as an adult. While many factors are outside of your control, you might be inadvertently making your blackheads, whiteheads and pimples worse by how youre caring for your skin. Dermatologists explain what you should and shouldnt do for your skin if you have acne.

Why do you get acne?

Acne occurs when your pores become clogged with dirt, oil and dead skin cells, which can cause whiteheads, blackheads and other kinds of pimples, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

As adults, acne breakouts are often triggered by fluctuating hormone levels, according to the AAD. Women tend to see their hormones shift around their periods, after taking (or stopping taking) birth control pills and during pregnancy, peri-menopause or menopause.

Stress, a family history of acne, certain medications and some skin and hair products can also cause acne.

What can make acne worse?

If youre dealing with acne and cant seem to get rid of it, dermatologists say your skin care routine could be to blame. Here are some habits to break:

1. Your products are too oily.

One of the most common acne contributors is using skin care products that are too heavy and rich, said David Kim, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City.

Hair care, skin care, and makeup products with a high comedogenic index, meaning theyll likely clog your pores, can cause or worsen acne, Farnsworth said. This includes items containing ingredients, like shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum or mineral oil, which can clog pores.

Choosing oil-free products or ones labeled as non-comedogenic will minimize breakouts, Farnsworth said.

2. Youre not showering after working out.

Getting excessively sweaty can cause oil, dirt and bacteria to build up on your skin, and that might trigger acne. Farnsworth said showering after a sweaty workout can minimize the effect.

3. Youre using a harsh scrub.

It may be tempting to scrub your skin when you have acne, but Kim said it can actually cause more irritation. Scrubs are harsh on the skin, and no one really needs a facial scrub because gentle facial cleansers are sufficient, he adds. If you do want to use a scrub, he recommends a mild one, such as Tatchas The Rice Polish, but only use it about once a week.

4. Youre not taking off your makeup.

Sleeping in your makeup or wearing it during a sweaty workout can trigger an acne breakout, as cosmetics can clog your pores, according to the AAD. Be sure to wash your face before going to sleep or use oil-free makeup remover wipes to lower your risk for breakouts.

A 10-step skin care routine could be doing more harm than good. Photosomnia via Getty Images

5. Youre using too many skin care products.

Browsing Sephora or following advice from skin care TikTokkers might inspire you to stock up on lots of different products. But layering on these items can break out your skin, Kim said.

People have more disposable income in their 30s and 40s and tend to buy more skin care products theyve seen in ads, he said. As a result, their skin can get irritated from using too many different types of products.

A basic skin care routine only needs three items: a gentle cleanser, a noncomedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen.

6. You change your skin care routine too often.

Its tempting to try the latest trendy skin care items, but switching things up too often also might irritate your skin. Kim said it could take a couple of months for your skin to respond to products, especially if youre using acne treatments.

Even when you start an acne-fighting skin care routine, you might see a breakout, but it should resolve in a week or two, Farnsworth said. Clogs are freed, and the materials trapped beneath are finally extruded from the skin.

You can typically treat acne at home.

You can usually treat mild acne at home using over-the-counter products. Heres how:

Benzoyl peroxide. The AAD recommends using a benzoyl peroxide face wash to minimize bacteria on the skin.

Adapalene. This over-the-counter retinoid used to be a prescription-only cream, Kim said. It helps with oil regulation and acne scarring. He suggested using adapalene 0.1% gel one to three times a week.

Salicylic acid. This substance helps flush out the oil, dirt and dead skin cells that clog pores, Farnsworth said. You can use a salicylic acid cleanser or serum.

Know when to see a dermatologist.

If youve tried acne products at home for about two months with no improvement, see a dermatologist, especially if you notice scarring. Depending on whats causing your acne, Farnsworth said doctors could prescribe oral or topical antibiotics, oral or topical retinoids, or hormone-effect modifying agents to help control acne.

Laser treatments to reduce redness and scarring are also available, Kim said. There is a lot we can do that you cant achieve with at-home devices or skincare products alone.

Dermatologists can also guide you on a proper skin care routine to prevent acne, Kim said. Acne is not all about treatment, but actually all about prevention. You want to get ahead of it so you can treat and prevent acne.

Looking for some acne-clearing products? Check out these top picks below.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

A benzoyl peroxide cream thats suitable for dry and sensitive skin

Amazon

A benzoyl peroxide cream thats suitable for dry and sensitive skin

Both Camp and Amin recommend La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo treatment, which has a 5.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide in a cream formulation that's suitable for dry and sensitive skin types. "The benzoyl peroxide in this treatment is micronized, [which] facilitates penetration," Camp said, noting that benzoyl peroxide is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and comedolytic, meaning it helps to treat clogged pores.

$22.99 at Amazon

A non-drying and self-dissolving micro dart pimple patch

Amazon

A non-drying and self-dissolving micro dart pimple patch

Amin said that acne patches have a triple mechanism of action when it comes to treating pimples: "[They] mechanically absorb oil and dirt, the occlusion of the patches delivers more localized penetration of the active ingredients, and they also prevent you from picking at lesions."



He recommended the ZitSticka Killa Kit because of the acne sticker's ability to not only help address already developed superficial zits, but also access up-and-coming ones.



"[These patches] feature salicylic acid and enhance product penetration through a micro dart system. The product is less drying than most because it includes hyaluronic acid," Amin said. They also contain niacinamide, which can help reduce redness and soothe inflammation.

$22.50 at Amazon

A cult-favorite drying lotion that draws out impurities from superficial pimples

Ulta

A cult-favorite drying lotion that draws out impurities from superficial pimples

"This popular acne treatment contains both sulfur and salicylic acid to treat acne synergistically," Camp said of the Mario Badescu drying lotion. The sulfur in this formula works by drawing impurities from the blemish, while the salicylic acid eliminates redness and zinc oxide absorbs excess oil to effectively dry out and reduce the appearance of the pimple overnight.

$18 at Ulta

A topical retinoid gel that helps to control the formation of acne

Amazon

A topical retinoid gel that helps to control the formation of acne

"Differin (adapalene) Gel is a great place to start when developing an acne regimen that prevents and treats breakouts. It is a mild, well-tolerated product, which is similar to retinol and can be used full-face, as well as for a spot treatment," Amin told HuffPost.



Camp explained that adapalene, formerly available by prescription only, is a retinoid and works by helping to regulate the process of cellular turnover in the skin, which ultimately helps to control the formation of whiteheads and blackheads.

$10.92 at Amazon

A translucent protective acne patch that can be worn during the day

Amazon

A translucent protective acne patch that can be worn during the day

Unlike the micro-dart-containing acne stickers mentioned earlier, these hydrocolloid patches lie flat on a blemish and, according to Camp, work by "employing hydrocolloid to draw moisture and oil from superficial acne bumps and shrink them."



He added that these patches are a good choice to disguise a pimple because they are ultra-thin, translucent, come in varying sizes and can be worn under makeup, making them difficult to see.

$17.29 at Amazon

A red and blue LED light therapy device with antibacterial properties

Target

A red and blue LED light therapy device with antibacterial properties

This isn't necessarily a spot treatment, but it can really get the job done and we couldn't leave it off the list.



"Light therapy sticks use blue and red LED lights to treat acne. Blue light has antibacterial properties and red light may act as an anti-inflammatory," Camp told HuffPost.



This USB rechargeable light therapy system by Spa Sciences Claro comes with both a red and blue light treatment head and is one of the more affordable light therapy systems on the market. It's suitable for sensitive skin, can possibly reduce the appearance of both acne and acne scars and improves skin clarity while also preventing the formation of new pimples. It also has a built-in timer so you know just how long to use it for.

$35.94 at Target
Troopers from six states will join forces to enforce distracted driving laws during the first week of April.

The enforcement project will begin on April 1 at 12:01 a.m. and continue through April 8 at 11:59 p.m.

It will include Ohio State Highway Patrol, Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and West Virginia State Police.

Troopers will focus on violations of driving while texting, use of devices under 18, distracted driving enhancement, and commercial vehicle safety, according to a media release.

>> Suspected drunk driver arrested after calling 911 on herself, crashing into loading dock

Ohios distracted driving law became enforceable in October 2023.

In the last three months of the year, state troopers said they issued 3,575 citations for distracted driving violations.

This is a 119 percent increase from 2022.

Ohio saw 28 distracted driving-related fatal crashes in 2023, the lowest total over the last five years.

Troopers have not released where exactly the enforcement will take place.
















In the days since hundreds of migrants breached the coiled concertina wire along the Rio Grande in El Paso, temporarily overwhelming Texas National Guard troops and crossing into Texas from Mexico outside of international ports of entry, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that he is stationing more Guard soldiers in the state's largest border city.

Abbott's announcement contained few specifics about what the governor called a "surge" in enforcement actions at the border. But the Texas Military Department confirmed to the American-Statesman that the surge includes both regular Guard troops and members of a new unit formed to carry out special border operations as part of Operation Lone Star.

"The Texas National Guard surged additional personnel and equipment to protect El Paso," the Military Department said in an unsigned email. "More than 700 additional Soldiers, including 200 Soldiers of the Texas Tactical Border Force (TTBF), have deployed to El Paso throughout the past week."

A migrant watches March 21 as others breach razor wire along the Rio Grande in El Paso while trying to turn themselves in to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The razor wire, meant to deter migrants from crossing into Texas, was breached along the Rio Grande in El Paso on the morning of March 21 amid a whirlwind day of federal court actions over the new Texas law known as Senate Bill 4, which lawmakers passed last year to give the state's law enforcement officers the power to arrest, detain and deport people suspected of entering the U.S. in Texas from Mexico without legal authorization.

The law remains on hold, by court order, pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the Biden administration against the state of Texas. A hearing in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled April 3 where the constitutionality of SB 4 will be contested.

In a post Friday on X, formerly Twitter, Abbott did not mention the lawsuit but did tout Texas' efforts to stanch the flow of unauthorized crossings at the Rio Grande.

"We continue to reinforce existing border barriers and repel illegal crossings. Texas will hold the line," Abbott said in the post that included a photo of troops exiting the belly of a Texas Air National Guard transport plane.

In a March 21 report by the El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, migrants told reporters that Guard troops were pushing them back behind the concertina wire barriers in U.S. territory. That led to skirmishes between migrants and soldiers, the report said.

Later that evening, Abbott said on X that Guard soldiers and officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety "quickly regained control" of the situation. The next day, and the days since, Abbott has posted several photos of additional layers of concertina wire being installed in El Paso.

The Military Department said in its statement that the latest troop deployment to El Paso did not require additional Guard units to be activated. The statement did not address how long the surge was expected to last.

In December, the Army Times cited internal planning documents it obtained to report that the Guard deployments to the Texas border as part of Abbott's $11 billion Operation Lone Star will continue at least through the 2024 election cycle.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: El Paso received 'surge' of National Guard troops after border breach
Some of the biggest high-touch surfaces in your office may be home to lots of bacteria. Experts share the biggest culprits and how to keep yourself healthy. Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images

Its a routine by now: You head into the office. You scan your keycard and reach for the door, fill a mug with coffee in the communal kitchen and take a quick-before-work bathroom break. Then, you head over to your desk and settle in for hours of typing away at your keyboard. As your day progresses, there are meetings, lunch, visits to your colleagues desks and so on.

But have you ever taken a moment to think about all the surfaces youre touching in the midst of all of this?

Between doorknobs, coffee pots, water coolers, communal tables and more, office workers are coming into contact with endless germs throughout the day. And encountering these microbes can expose you to everything from RSV to the common cold, E. coli, salmonella, and more, said Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, an infectious disease physician and associate hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center.

So which parts of the office are the worst? We tapped some germ experts to expose the most contaminated things youll encounter around the office, plus advice on how to keep them from getting you sick.

Your Desk

You may think of common tables like those in the break room or meeting rooms are dirty since others touch them, but your desk is also gathering germs.

The desk is an open surface that is frequently touched, usually with some pressure to hold up a portion of an individuals weight, said Jason Tetro, host of the Super Awesome Science Show and author of The Germ Code.

Even if a desk is personal, he explained, there is a likelihood others will touch it at some point and spread microbes along the way, like the cleaning crew, someone dropping off a file or your boss.

Your desk may also be open to airborne and droplet microbes that you could encounter and get infected by (hello unwanted cubicle visitors popping by to spread the latest office gossip), made worse by the fact that its rarely cleaned. Those germs can add up.

The best way to minimize germs is to avoid contact, said Tetro. But being a surface that you work on day in and day out, that is clearly unrealistic. Therefore, you want to occasionally give your desk a good wipe down with disinfectant spray every now and then.

Your Keyboard

You spend your Monday to Friday typing away, but have you ever stopped to think about the keys youre constantly typing on?

Over 3,000 organisms can be found per square inch on a keyboard, said Dr. Ron Brown, a 20-year emergency medical physician, former EMS medical director for Seminole County Florida, and founder of decontamination technologyAeroClave.

More and more of us are now working jobs where we are placed in front of computer screens and keyboards for up to eight hours a day, almost 2,000 hours each year, said Brown. If you think of workers who bring lunch to their desks without washing their hands, that bacteria is being transferred directly to their mouths.

So next time you wipe down your desk, its a good idea to also give your keyboard a little wipe down as well.

A medical physician said "over 3,000 organisms can be found per square inch on a keyboard." Luis Alvarez via Getty Images

Door Handles

You grab the door handle and twist it to enter the bathroom. You do the same to go into the break room, your boss office, the supply closet, the company gym ... see the pattern here? Now think about all the other people who do the same thing all day long.

Doorknobs, by far, are the germiest places in an office because of the sheer number of hands touching them daily, saidDr. Dhaval Desai, a primary care/hospitalist physician at Emory Hospital. The best way to head off the sickness they could expose you to is with hand hygiene.

You dont have to do it to the extent where you use hand sanitizer immediately after touching a doorknob  but its a great idea to sanitize your hands once you get settled at your workstation or equivalent, and again especially right before eating, said Desai.

Make sure to wash your hands with soap and hot water, or use hand sanitizer, and to scrub in between your fingers, too. Also sanitize when you get to your car: One study said the door push bar on the main exit of the building is one of the germiest spots in the office.

The Shared Microwave Or Refrigerator

The lunch room is a high-traffic area, with co-workers coming and going throughout the day. Think about all the people who pop in to grab something from the company fridge or heat up their leftovers.

These are the most vulnerable places because we touch these areas right before we eat, Desai said.

If you have doubts that your office is being cleaned vigorously, you can wipe these areas down with Clorox wipes, Desai added. He also recommended that you wash your hands immediately upon taking your food out of the microwave.

The Water Fountain

You visit your workplaces water cooler on a near hourly basis  to stay hydrated, gossip with co-workers and give your legs a stretch. But is all this filtered water youre drinking keeping you healthy or actually harming you?

Some studies suggest that these water coolers can be bacteria hot spots. How to get around this? Consider investing in a home filtration system and bringing your own reusable bottle. Or maybe campaign for some regular water cool maintenance.

The Bathroom

For public bathrooms and office bathrooms, many will spend more time and work than they do at their homes at times, which means that restrooms get a lot of use, and most times employers do not clean them as often as they should, said Shanina C Knighton, a research associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

Therefore, she said, it is important for you to minimize using your phones in the restrooms. And yes, wash your hands afterwards.

Elevator buttons can be a dirty surface, but it's nothing some hand sanitizer can't handle. Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images

Elevator Buttons

Research on elevator buttons in hospitals has found that the number of bacteria present on an elevator button is higher than that of a public toilet seat.

Elevators are often found in offices, airports, hotels, apartment buildings and more, where hundreds of people every day touch the same elevator buttons after theyve come into contact with different types and levels of bacteria, Brown said. If not cleaned regularly, these high-traffic touch points can easily become breeding grounds for the spread of bacteria and illnesses.

You can try to touch it with something that is not your bare hands, said Vazquez. I kind of do it every now and then.

You can also purchase a touchless elevator tool that you can pop on your keychain or store in your purse. Keep in mind that youll want to occasionally sanitize that as well.

Vending Machines

In the mood for a granola bar, a soda or a bag of chips? So are a lot of your co-workers. The germs on a vending machines buttons will verify this.

Vending machines are one of the germiest places in offices because they see high traffic and touch with little to no cleaning, Brown explained. To take it a step further, vending machines have several nooks and crevices, like buttons and food slots, that are difficult to clean and retain a significant amount of spreadable bacteria.

Wash your hands after touching vending machine buttons and doors, and definitely before eating the food item you just retrieved from your companys vending machine.

Your Phone

Studies have shown that smartphones can be quite dirty. You set your phone next to you at your desk and check it whenever you hear a ding. You take it into the bathroom with you and catch up on social media messages while on the toilet. And you sit down to eat your lunch with a sandwich in one hand and your phone in the other.

In one study, researchers deemed smartphones as Trojan horse devices which bypass gold standard hand hygiene practices, are likely linked to pathogen movement via cross-contamination transmission pathways during epidemics and pandemics,and contribute to global population infections and hospitalizations due to nosocomial infections.

Bottom line? Sanitize these often  especially before handling them while eating. And maybe just dont check your texts on the toilet.

Related...
Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide and death, topics that will be disturbing to some readers.

Emmy Martin was just several weeks into her first year at UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall of 2021 when a string of student deaths by suicide shook the university community. A year later, she watched from Chapel Hill as nearby NC State University experienced similar tragedy.

The deaths  and the broader issue of mental health among college students  left a lasting impact on Martin and her fellow students.

A student death is so impactful to a community, Martin told The News & Observer. But on the smaller and more personal scale, almost every single person I know has struggled with mental health. Its a very normal part of college life to talk about mental health, talk about your mental illnesses and how you struggled.

With the tragedies at both campuses in mind, Martin, who is a junior at UNC and the editor-in-chief of The Daily Tar Heel, applied last spring for a grant from the Solutions Journalism Network to cover the overwhelming issue  with an eye toward partnerships and putting a spotlight on answers and solutions.

She received the grant, and after months of work and reporting, the resulting project, the Mental Health Collaborative, launched online and in printed papers last week.

And The Daily Tar Heel, though certainly an integral part of the effort, is just one player in a much larger collaboration.

Collaborating on mental health

The Mental Health Collaboratives work includes more than 30 reported stories and seven opinion pieces, covered by The Daily Tar Heel and eight other college newsrooms across North Carolina: The Chronicle at Duke University, Technician at NC State, The A&T Register at NC A&T State University, The Niner Times at UNC Charlotte, The Seahawk at UNC Wilmington, The East Carolinian at East Carolina University, The Pendulum at Elon University and The Old Gold & Black at Wake Forest University.

The project is guided by a solutions journalism framework, described by the Solutions Journalism Network as reporting that investigates and explains, in a critical and clear-eyed way, how people try to solve widely shared problems.

Martin said the framework was key to grappling with the enormity of the issue, which transcends campus boundaries and is so big and so nuanced.

Looking at a problem thats so big with a solutions lens is tough, because theres no cure-all, right, for mental health, Martin said. But I think its so important to look at these big issues with that lens, because there could be small steps toward a future where students feel more provided for and more supported in their university community, but also within the larger North Carolina community.

The students pursued stories on their own campuses, but met weekly as a group to give progress updates and discuss their work. The Daily Tar Heel hosted an in-person brainstorming session for all of the newsrooms in November, using some of the grant funds it received.

The resulting stories cover a wide range of topics related to mental health, exploring how students, faculty, staff and administrators at the universities are addressing the issue through support groups, research, training and other efforts.

Individually, the stories show challenges  and successes  related to mental health at each campus. Collectively, they reveal commonalities among the colleges.

Mental health concerns are shared by people across the state, no matter what campus theyre on, Martin said. But also, students at every campus face more unique circumstances that make the mental health issue specific for that campus.

The News & Observer is publishing two of the stories in an effort to bring wider attention to the students reporting:

From Martin and Technicians Emily Vespa, an in-depth look at how NC State and UNC communicate with students and the broader campus about student deaths, and the steps both universities have taken to improve mental health resources after the spate of deaths and suicides at both campuses.

From Dasia Williams of The A&T Register, a look at the stress of borrowing federal student loans, which students at historically Black colleges and universities are more likely to do, and how addressing rising tuition costs could improve the problem.

Focusing on solutions, the future

Reporting on mental health can be daunting and exhausting, and it can even exacerbate journalists own mental health struggles for those who experience them.

Anticipating the project would require additional time and work by student reporters, Martin said The Daily Tar Heel used much of the grant funding it received to provide monetary bonuses to those involved with the effort. It wasnt a perfect solution, she admitted, but instead just one gesture to ease some of the burden.

Despite the demands, Martin said the reporters were enthusiastic to be involved.

This was a project we all took on together as this, I guess you could call it an extra burden, but everyone treated it as a opportunity and also a privilege, which was wonderful to see, Martin said.

The students work appeared to pay off, with a lot of great response pouring into the newsrooms since the project launched, Martin said.

Martin said the project opened the doors to additional collaborations among the newsrooms in the future, whether to report more on mental health or another topic that spans several campuses.

I find that sharing experiences like that really benefit every single newsroom involved, Martin said. I think there are so many issues that could benefit from a collaboration of student newsrooms and student journalists.

Find more Mental Health Collaborative stories

The Mental Health Collaborative, with links to stories from all nine newsrooms, is available online at dailytarheel.com/article/2024/03/mental-health-collaborative.

Mental health and suicide prevention resources

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with someone, dial 988.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HOME to 741741. This free, confidential service is available 24/7.
New Jersey governors between 1994 and 2022 granted clemency to 105 people serving time in prison, but Gov. Phil Murphy has not offered any pardons during his six years in office.

The ACLU of New Jersey is looking to change that.

The civil rights group's Clemency Project launched a campaign in February to lobby the Democratic governor to release more people serving time in prison, part of an effort by ACLU chapters nationwide to make clemency more prevalent.

In New Jersey, the effort focuses on freeing survivors of domestic violence as well as people who received "extreme trial penalties." The ACLU says that is anyone who received a longer sentence after going to trial than what is offered during plea negotiations.

Clemency occurs when a governor, president or administrative board reduces a defendant's sentence or grants a pardon.

Rebecca Uwakwe, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of New Jersey, leads the organization's Clemency Project. The public campaign is pressing Gov. Phil Murphy to make more use of his pardon power.

Rebecca Uwakwe, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of New Jersey, said in a recent interview with The Record and NorthJersey.com that the project launched in February came about due to the ACLUs nationwide Redemption Campaign.

"We're trying to get governors in every single state and other executive authorities to exercise their clemency powers," Uwakwe said about the campaign to free 50,000 people from federal and state prisons.

Uwakwe, who oversees the project in New Jersey, said ACLU of New Jersey staffers, with assistance from students at Rutgers University-Newark, identify and meet with currently incarcerated clients who fall into the categories for the project. Uwakwe said it will last until Murphy's term ends in January 2026.

The ACLU effort comes as the Murphy administration plans to launch its own clemency initiative in the coming months that "will ensure we live up to our promise as the state for second chances," as the governor announced on his X page, formerly Twitter, in January. He reiterated his initiative in February during radio station WNYC's monthly Ask Governor Murphy call-in show.

Murphy said during the show that he'd consider broad categories of individuals" but was not specific about who would receive clemency.

In 2021, former inmates Rebecca Austria and Tiera Piercy-Hollis hosted a vigil at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton after reports of violent abuse that left female inmates there with severe injuries.

The following transcript of the interview with Uwakwe has been edited for space and clarity.

What is it like seeing the Clemency Project launch and now underway?

I definitely think that it's encouraging to announce [The Clemency Project] and also to have the governor's promise to utilize categorical clemency. But I also feel that we cant celebrate anything yet because nothing has been done. I think the announcement is a step in the right direction. Obviously, all of these efforts are a step in the right direction. But until there are people walking out of prison, I really can't celebrate.

Has there been pushback by state officials or any officials from state prisons to this project?

Not that we are aware of. I unfortunately do foresee some opposition. But I believe that it's been proven that tough-on-crime policies do not work. There is no one-size-fits-all. The solution is not to further incarcerate or increase sentences for people. I challenge tough-on-crime people to actually speak to people who are currently incarcerated or returning citizens, or formerly incarcerated people. They will find out that most people are actually giving back to their community. They're trying to speak to younger people to break the cycle. They are really trying to dedicate their lives to their communities.

How many people in New Jersey prisons will this project impact?

We don't have any raw data to be able to report that. I can tell you based on the sentencing reports from the New Jersey Commission of Sentencing, just in regard to survivors of domestic violence who were first-time offenders, personal offenders, and convicted of violent offenses. At Edna Mahan [the correctional facility for women in Hunterdon County], there were 72% who attacked their abusers. I wouldn't be able to translate that into a number, but it does show the significant need for clemency for this particular category.

In regard to extreme trial penalties, what I can tell you is trial is very rare. When you have people who are charged with crimes and have to weigh taking a plea  most people take pleas. It is upward of 90%. So, there is a minority of people who exercise their right to go to trial. However, within that minority, those who are sentenced to extreme sentences after trial, post-trial, it's quite alarming. I don't have a percentage because we're collecting references and all those things.

How many people do you expect will receive clemency from Gov. Murphy based on the Clemency Project?

I hope hundreds. But we will remain hopeful. I would say that what we have up against us is time. We're running out of time if [Murphy] is done in January 2026, and we are in 2024. [Clemency] takes several months. If you put all those things together, we don't have time. We don't.

Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com

Twitter: @ricardokaul

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: ACLU Clemency Project focuses on domestic violence survivors in NJ
Just minutes after the Georgia General Assembly passed a controversial elections bill, the ACLU threatened to sue the state if the governor signed it into law.

Lawmakers passed the bill late Thursday night as the legislative session ended for the year. But before the confetti from the Sine Die celebration hit the floor, the ACLU of Georgia was threatening to sue the state over the controversial elections bill.

Late Thursday night, the House cobbled it together from a series of Senate elections bills. Among other things, it removes the Secretary of State from the State Elections Board.

It makes it easier for third-party presidential candidates to get on Georgias ballot.

Starting in 2026, it bans the state from using QR codes to count ballots.

It tweaks how activists can challenge voter eligibility and changes some residency requirements.

TRENDING STORIES:

Minutes after the final gavel ended the 2024 session, GOP leadership was defending the bill.

We will continue to take steps to give Georgians confidence in our elections process, House speaker Jon Burns said.

Burns told Channel 2s Richard Elliot that he believes the bill, SB 189, will make elections more secure.

With security, we took some steps with that in the budget today to make sure the Secretary of State and his team are able to do the job to give confidence in an election, Burns said.

The ACLUs Andrea Young said the new bill violates federal election law and the National Voter Registration Act and said it will not stand up to a legal challenge.

We were deeply disappointed as is often the case with bad bills, Young told Elliot. But we would really urge the governor to veto this bill. He has said over and over that, you know, Georgias election system is sound.

In a statement, the governors office says this bill, like all bills, will undergo a legal review before a decision is made.

IN OTHER NEWS:
In this aerial image released by the Maryland National Guard, the cargo ship Dali is stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore. (Maryland National Guard via AP)

Authorities removing twisted wreckage from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge are deploying nearly a mile's worth of barriers in the water, testing samples for contamination and monitoring the Patapsco River for oil and other hazardous spills as they confront the potential for environmental fallout.

The Unified Command, which includes state agencies and the Coast Guard, said Thursday they have unfurled 2,400 feet (732 meters) of an absorbent containment device, along with another 2,400 feet (732 meters) of barrier to try to prevent the spread of any hazardous materials.

It's a scenario that environmental experts are watching closely for a number of reasons, including the river's location in a metropolitan area that plays an important role in commercial shipping, as well as for marine life and migratory birds moving northward at this time of year.

Any time you have something like this happen, theres a risk of some sort of hazardous material getting in the water. And I think the question really is how much and to what extent, said Gary Belan of American Rivers, a national nonprofit that focuses on issues affecting rivers across the country.

The possibility for a major environmental problem could arise from the bridge materials that fell into the river or from the containers aboard the cargo ship, the Dali, he said. But a big concern would be if the ship's fuel container ruptured and spilled into the water.

If that gets ... into the river were talking about a pretty strong environmental catastrophe at that point, particularly going out into that part of the Chesapeake Bay," Belan said.

First responders have observed a sheen in the water near the site, according to the Unified Command, which said Thursday there was no immediate threat to the environment.

The ship carried 56 containers with hazardous materials, and of those, 14 that carried perfumes, soaps and unspecified resin had been destroyed. It's not clear if those materials had spilled into the water.

We have been conducting air monitoring on the vessel and around the vessel with our contractor. No volatile organic compounds or flammable vapors were observed, the Unified Command said in a statement posted online.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has begun sampling water up- and down-river and is on scene with first-responders to mitigate any environmental concerns, according to department spokesperson Jay Apperson.

Emily Ranson, the Chesapeake regional director for Clean Water Action, an environmental advocacy group, said it was too early to tell what the fallout could be. But she said the federal government should play a key role in enforcing regulations because of the interstate commerce at the port. The federal government has more tools than the state to enforce regulations, she said.

The big thing to keep in mind is that it certainly reinforces the fact that we need to make sure that we have adequate protections and safety precautions with shipping with our port, she said.

The crash happened in the early morning hours Tuesday, when the Dali, which had lost power, crashed into a pillar supporting the bridge, collapsing it moments later. The crash has closed off a major U.S. port and left six construction workers on the bridge presumed dead. Two people were rescued from the site.
The city of Boise and a private developer have collaborated to provide Boise residents with affordable housing in a new apartment complex on the Bench. Aimed at low- to middle-income tenants, those apartments are now leasing.

The Franklin apartments are not yet open, but the property manager is accepting applications for tenants to move in as early as summer 2024, according to the-franklin.com. The complex has 205 apartments on the southwest corner of Franklin and Orchard streets, across from a Fred Meyer store.







Under an agreement between the developer and the city, most of the apartments, 184, are reserved for residents making 60% or below Boises area median income. (More on that below.)

The Franklin will have 66 one-bedroom, 118 two-bedroom and 21 three-bedroom apartments. According to the website, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom units range from 631 square feet to 738 square feet. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom units range from 935 square feet to 1,033 square feet, and the three-bedroom, three-bathroom units are 1,393 square feet.

When completed the Franklin will also have a child care center for up to 80 children and infants, according to the city.

The apartments are next to the recently redeveloped Franklin Park. They are part of the Franklin Park development, which is planned to include ground-floor retail.

Do I qualify?

According to the city, the Franklin targets mostly individuals making 60% of the area median income or below. Sixty percent of that income is $37,440 annually for one person, $42,780 for a couple and $53,460 for a family of four.

A list of the Boise-area median incomes and affordable rentals are available at cityofboise.org/departments/planning-and-development-services/housing-and-community-development/income-guidelines.

The Franklin boasts 184 units that are mostly intended for people earning 60% or below the Boise area median income. That income $42,780 for a couple.

How much are the rents?

The city says an individual making 60% of area median income or lower shouldnt pay more than $936 per month in rent. For a couple that is $1,070 and $1,337 for a family of four.

% of AMI 1 person 2 people 3 people 4 people 100% $68,865 $78,653 $88,511 $98,300 Max rent $1,722 $1,966 $2,213 $2,458 60% $37440 $42,780 $48,120 $53,460 Max rent $936 $1,070 $1,203 $1,337 30% $18,750 $21,400 $24,100 $26,750 Max rent $469 $535 $603 $669

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Not all units are deemed affordable. The rents on available Franklin units listed as of Thursday, March 28, were higher than the amounts above. According to the Franklins website, one-bedroom apartments rent for $961 to $1,375, two-bedrooms for $1,152, and three-bedrooms for $1,850.

City officials directed questions from an Idaho Statesman reporter to the property management company, Olive West Properties. A spokesperson, Sarah Boyle, with developer, J. Fisher Co. told the Statesman in an email that the monthly price per unit varies depending on multiple factors.

How do I apply?

The Franklins website says people interested in renting a unit should contact the leasing office at 208-247-3111 or fill out the email form on the website.

What else should I know?

The Franklin is the first apartment complex to be built under Boises Housing Land Trust program. The program was designed to rent city-owned property to developers at nominal cost to encourage low-income housing.

A second Housing Land Trust development, a 97-apartment building named Wilson Station, is going up at State and Arthur streets on the former site of the Smoky Davis smoked-meat shop in the Veterans Park neighborhood.

Ada County, Boise leaders clashed over homelessness. Theyve just come together over this

Can you imagine this busy highway corridor in Boise as a walkable, bikeable neighborhood?
Jacob Zuma is now a fierce opponent of the ruling ANC, his former party (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA)

South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma survived a car accident overnight after a vehicle transporting him was hit by a drunk driver, police said on Friday.

The incident happened just hours after electoral officials barred Zuma from standing in the May 29 general election, further stoking tensions in the run-up to the polls.

The driver's car "collided with former president Mr Jacob Zuma's official armoured state vehicle", the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The 51-year-old man was arrested in KwaZulu Natal province "for drunken driving, as well as on a charge of reckless and negligent driving", SAPS said.

Zuma and his bodyguards escaped uninjured and the 81-year-old was taken to his place of residence.

Zuma, a former veteran of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was forced out of office in 2018 under a cloud of corruption allegations but still wields political clout.

In December he announced he would be campaigning for the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in an attempt to relaunch his career -- a major blow to the ANC.

On Wednesday the ANC launched a new court application against MK, after losing an initial bid to have it disqualified.

The ANC says that MK's name and logo are similar to those of the now disbanded apartheid-era military wing of the ANC once led by Nelson Mandela, and that this could deceive or confuse voters.

- Conspiracy theories -

MK's spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela alleged the car collision was not a coincidence.

"The police minister who is responsible for the former president's protection unit has not upgraded his vehicle for eight years and he is the same person that has previously uttered messages around burying Zuma," Ndhlela told AFP.

"There is underhand at play here," he said, alleging that Zuma's car was specifically targeted in the motorcade.

Political tensions are running high in the lead-up to the polls, in which the 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 in 1994.

The party is bleeding support amid a weak economy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Zuma's car accident, two months before the vote, has been sparked conspiracy theories across social media.

The driver of the other vehicle is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

When asked how Zuma was, Ndhlela told AFP: "He is in high spirits as always and was in laughter this morning about the accident.

"But it does not mean he took it lightly (or that) he is not aware of what's happening."

"Mr Zuma is in church today praying that the devil does not come into MK," referring to the ANC..

zam/gil
25 Ukrainian soldiers fell into Russian captivity during the battles for Avdiivka and the withdrawal from the town, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU), Oleksandr Syrskyi, said in an interview with Ukrinform on March 29.

The AFU made the difficult decision to pull back from the city to evade potential encirclement, influenced by factors such as the overwhelming Russian military presence, continuous heavy bombings, and an ammunition shortfall.

"This is war," Syrskyi said, expressing the stark reality of the situation. "Russian propagandists seek to exploit various videos featuring captured Ukrainian soldiers to discredit the Ukrainian Armed Forces, exert psychological pressure, and spread panic among Ukrainians."

Read also: Russia executes 32 Ukrainian POWs over winter  UN report

Russia lost more than 47,000 soldiers, 364 tanks, 748 combat armored vehicles, 248 artillery systems, and five aircraft since the beginning of the offensive on Avdiivka in October 2023 until Feb. 17, 2024, said Syrskyi. The AFU captured 95 Russian soldiers in this sector during the same period.

Ukrainian units withdrew from Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, after four months of intense fighting on Feb. 17, 2024.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Airbus' independent cargo airline flew its first BelugaST mission to the US in March.

The nose-loading freighter shipped an Airbus-made satellite from Toulouse, France, to Florida.

The mammoth BelugaST is deployed to transport oversized items like satellites and helicopters.

In 1994, Airbus built a mammoth aircraft called the Beluga "Super Transporter" to support the assembly of its line of commercial airplanes.

The beluga-shaped aircraft carried parts for the manufacturer's family of A320, A330, and A350 planes on behalf of its in-house subsidiary known as Airbus Transport International.

Aside from its main duties with ATI, the BelugaST also operated a handful of one-off cargo shipments for various companies.

This history prompted the founding of Airbus Beluga Transport, or AiBT, in 2022 as a new home for the BelugaST fleet as the planemaker replaced the original jet with the next-generation BelugaXL.

The startup received its own independent air operating certificate from French authorities in January and officially launched its first mission to the US as an independent cargo airline in March.

Take a look at the old-generation BelugaST plane and how Airbus is putting its five-strong fleet's outsize cargo-carrying capabilities to use.

Airbus Beluga Transport officially received its air operating certificate in January.

The Beluga resembles the white cold-water whale of the same name. Airbus

This allows Airbus to use the BelugaST for commercial cargo flights, meaning it no longer has to use ATI flight and ground crews for the operation  the reality before AiBT became an independent operator.

Flying under ATI, the BelugaST's flew six missions in its first year, per Airbus.

In mid-March, a BelugaST flew its first mission as an independent cargo carrier when it shipped an Airbus-made satellite from France to Florida.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is responsible for the satellite's transport to space. Airbus

Airbus said this was AiBT's first mission to the US as an independent cargo carrier, Simple Flying reported, transporting the satellite from its headquarters in Toulouse.

"With the advent of the new BelugaXL, based on the larger A330-200 platform, the A300-600 based BelugaST fleet is now fully available for outsize freight transport services globally," Airbus said.

The aircraft made three stops along the 5,200-mile journey: in Portugal, eastern Canada, and New Hampshire, before finally landing in Orlando.

The BelugaST taking off from Toulouse. Airbus

According to FlightAware data, the aircraft flew from Toulouse to Terceira Lajes Airport on an island in the Azores region of Portugal before flying across the Atlantic to St. John's International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada.

The BelugaST, registered F-GSTF, then flew to Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire and onward to its final destination of Orlando Sanford International Airport in central Florida. The entire journey was done over two days, from March 10 to March 11.

Only a handful of pilots are qualified to fly these awkward jets, so Airbus contracted 12 aviators from ATI to fly the BelugaSTs while it trains more.

BelugaST pilots were plucked from Airbus International Transport. Airbus

According to the planemaker, there are no "ready qualified" pilots available outside the company because the BelugaST is an exclusively Airbus product.

Therefore, it has to bring in external pilots and train them  but that can take time. In the interim, Airbus said it has hired 12 pilots from its BelugaXL fleet to fly the BelugaSTs for up to three years before returning to ATI.

AiBT is also continuing to look externally and has already brought on nine BelugaST pilots, with a goal to have the needed 36 by 2026.

AiBT plans to eventually operate all five BelugaST aircraft, with Planespotters data showing ATI has so far transferred four jets.

The BelugaST can use sustainable aviation fuel. Airbus

According data from Planespotters, three out of the five planes are in service with AiBT, and a fourth is stored.

Meanwhile, ATI still has one BelugaST alongside its fleet of six BelugaXLs. The fifth BelugaST has been stored since April 2021, per Planespotters.

While AiBT is a startup, the BelugaST already has experience in this sector as it completed a few contracts carrying large machinery during its days with ATI.

Loading a helicopter into a BelugaST. Airbus

According to Airbus, the first Beluga transport mission was in December 2021, when it carried a helicopter to Kobe, Japan. The helicopter did not have to be disassembled for transport.

AiBT, as a subsidiary company still using ATI resources, was officially established in June 2022.

According to Airbus, its cargo option is favorable for the BelugaST's fuel efficiency and versatility.

Loading the BelugaST in December 2021 for its mission to Kobe, Japan. Airbus

"We fly your outsized cargo in the shortest time possible while limiting risks of delays and damage and in a cost-efficient way," the planemaker touts on its website.

The company noted its experience flying oversized freight and the various sectors it can cover, like aerospace, gas, and military.

The plane may also fill the gap left behind after Russia destroyed the mammoth Antonov An-225 Mriya.

The damaged Antonov An-225 Mriya on April 2, 2022, months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Vadim Ghirda/AP Photos

The Ukrainian-made An-225 used to be the world's largest cargo plane.

Its sister aircraft, the An-124, could pick up the slack, but the jets are mostly owned by Russian carrier Volga-Dnepr, and the nation's airspace closures have limited its use, according to Aviacionline.

Equipped with two General Electric engines, the BelugaST can fly 2,500 nautical miles with up to 100,000 pounds of cargo.

A BelugaST loading an A380 tailcone in 2004. -/AFP via Getty Images

Initially, the aircraft would carry wings, tails, and fuselage parts to its various narrowbody and widebody assembly lines in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany.

It has a cargo volume of 53,000 cubic feet.

The jet stretches 147 feet wingtip to wingtip, stands 56 feet high, and boasts a 24-foot diameter fuselage.

Airbus BelugaST. Airbus

The aircraft is based on the A300-600, which was Airbus' first production plane and the first twin-engine, dual-aisle airliner. The BelugaST is also referred to as the A300-600ST.

Its world-leading interior cross-section allows the BelugaST to carry outsized freight like full helicopters, satellites, and tanks.

The BelugaST nose loading on display at the 1998 Farnborough Airshow in England. aviation-images.com via Getty Images

"The Beluga's wider cross-section will open up new markets and new logistical possibilities  which would not be feasible with other current airborne transport means," Phillippe Sabo, head of transport at Airbus, said in January 2022 after the helicopter delivery to Japan.

The plane's giant payload is also helpful for quickly replacing engines on grounded aircraft.

Airbus BelugaST freight loading. Airbus

Sabo explained the BelugaST would negate the need to disassemble, re-assemble, and re-test the engine  the latter two tasks Sabo said take "around two days" to complete.

Since its transition to contract flying, Airbus has developed more efficient machinery for loading and unloading the BelugaST.

A BelugaST delivering an Airbus satellite to a customer in Florida in October 2022, marking its first trip to the US since 2009. Herve Gousse-Master Films/Airbus

Airbus describes the aircraft's loading, unloading, and delivery design "to be fast, safe, flexible, and reliable."

To improve its turn-around time, the first enhancement is an automated on-board cargo loader.

Airbus BelugaST OBCL test. Airbus

The OBCL, which can be stored inside the BelugaST and hold up to 20 tons of payload, is favorable "where a loading/unloading platform is not available at the origin or destination airport," according to Airbus.

Complementing the OBCL is the BelugaST's redesigned outbound platform that can handle "the heaviest and longest cargo."

Airbus BelugaST outound platform. H. Gousse/Airbus

Airbus said the transportable machine will be "strategically pre-positioned" at airports across the globe and be "easily transportable prior to a mission at short notice."

Meanwhile, a multi-purpose platform has been deployed to lift cargo five feet above the ground to load directly into the BelugaST's nose.

Airbus BelugaST MMP. H. Gousse/Airbus

Nose-door loading is easier for oversized cargo than smaller side doors on traditional widebody freighters like the Airbus A330-200F or the Boeing 767F.

The BelugaST is not the only giant oversized freighter on the market. The An-225's sister jet, the An-124, is now the world's largest.

The An-124 being loaded. Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

The An-124 has a similar nose-loading door that is also found on aircraft like the Boeing 747 freighter and the C-5 Galaxy military transporter.

Meanwhile, Colorado startup planemaker Radia wants revealed plans to build the world's next largest cargo aircraft.

Radia wants to ship giant turbines around the world via a behemoth cargo plane called WindRunner. Radia

The WindRunner is expected to have 12 times the payload volume as a Boeing 747-400F freighter and is being created to carry giant wind turbine blades.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tata Group took over Air India in 2022 and has been investing in new jets, branding and transforming dated systems [Getty Images]

When India's Tata Group bought the country's national airline, it was welcomed as something of a miracle.

Air India had been mired in debt and under-funded state management for decades. No-one wanted even a piece of the iconic but loss-making carrier.

But a deal was struck in 2021, just as the world was emerging from the pandemic - and airlines were betting big on revenge travel once borders reopened.

They were right. The rebound is well and truly under way and air travel is off to a roaring start in 2024. There have been warnings of slower growth in the US, where spending is expected to plateau after a post-pandemic spike. But it is a different story on the other side of the world in Asia.

"If we look at the size of the opportunity in India, it's already the world's most populous country," Air India's chief executive Campbell Wilson told the BBC at a recent aviation event in Singapore. "It has the geographic advantage... connecting regions of the world together. And it is a hugely underserved market."

By 2042, India's domestic aviation market is expected to be five times the size it was in 2019, with Indians taking around 685 million trips every year, according to plane maker Airbus. That would make the South Asian nation one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets, and third after China and the United States.

It is not just India. By the middle of the century, Indonesia, which now ranks 13th globally in passenger numbers, is predicted to jump to the fourth spot, analysts say. Air travel is also expected to boom in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in the coming decades.

They are all emerging economies with young, growing populations that can afford to spend on travel. And it is showing: global air traffic jumped by 16% over the last year. But in Asia, the increase was almost twice as much, according to industry figures.

Governments in these places are also investing in infrastructure to improve connectivity, which is essential in vast archipelagos like Indonesia and the Philippines.

China, of course, is an obvious market - despite its currently sluggish economy, its travellers have emerged from zero-Covid rules to return to holidaying. Beijing is now offering visa-free travel to citizens of certain countries and some nations, like Thailand and Singapore, are reciprocating.

"We are pleased that people are beginning to travel out of China. It is probably one of the last countries to come back big in travel," says Glenn Fogel, chief executive of online travel agency Booking.com.

But airlines are looking for alternative markets because of China's slowing economy, the uncertainty of doing business there and a fall in consumer spending.

The Philippines one of the the fastest-growing markets for air travel [Getty Images]

Enter the Philippines.

"Asia is a very exciting place to be - the Philippines is one of the most exciting places to be. Great opportunity there," says Michael Szucs, chief executive of the Philippine budget carrier Cebu Pacific.

The airline struggled through the pandemic without government support. And like many competitors around the world, it is also facing groundings over faulty Pratt & Whitney engines.

But it has seen a revival in the last two years, expanding and cornering more than half of its domestic market. A new Philippine government is also helping - it is privatising the international airport in Manila and plans to add runways throughout the archipelago to receive larger and more aircraft.

Mr Szucs has high hopes for the country of around 115 million people, where per capita spending is rising: "We've got an increasingly educated population that is relatively young, it's growing, with an increasing propensity to travel."

India, on the other hand, is a trickier market to conquer. Air India faces a stiff domestic rival in Indigo, and a daunting challenge in matching Emirates and Qatar Airways, which regularly rank among the world's best airlines.

But the successful salt-to-software conglomerate Tata has started to turn the ailing carrier around. The company has already spent millions of dollars investing in new planes, new branding and restructuring old and inefficient systems.

South East Asia has returned as a regional rather than global hub [Getty Images]

Now it wants to consolidate its five airlines - three Air India subsidiaries, and two joint ventures, Air Asia India and Vistara (with Singapore Airlines). The goal: a highly regarded airline for international flyers, and a reliable low-cost option for domestic passengers.

Mr Wilson hopes to restore Air India's glory - it was India's first airline, started by the Tatas in the 1930s and rebranded as Air India and nationalised in the 1950s. He believes winning the international market is key but will need "connecting more cities around the world nonstop with India" - and that will involve starting more routes and, of course, buying more aircraft.

The company has already gone on a buying spree. It ordered more than 200 Boeing Max 8 and Max 10s in one of the largest airline deals in aviation history. But the Max family of planes is under scrutiny since a door plug blew off a 737 Max 9 plane mid-flight in the US, sparking concerns about the already delayed Max 10 model. This was after two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019 because of flawed flight control software. The crisis at Boeing over its safety record has also seen the resignation of its chief executive Dave Calhoun.

"When we have concerns, we raise it at the highest levels, including with Boeing," Mr Campbell said.

Mr Wilson sees Air India's future in turning India into a global transit hub, much like Dubai or Singapore.

That might be a challenge given that long-haul routes, especially to Europe, are yet to be reinstated after the pandemic. Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok no longer offer direct fights to London, Frankfurt and Rome, according to aviation data provider Cirium. So travellers in these countries are choosing to fly within East and South East Asia, driving up air traffic in the region.

But that could also be an opportunity for Air India, and for Delhi given that some South East Asian capitals are lagging behind other international aviation hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The industry, however, is upbeat because the pandemic is over, people are flying again and economies are bouncing back.

"The fact is people like to travel," Mr Fogel said. "As long as economies are growing, we know that travel is going to grow a little bit faster. And our job is to try and get a bigger part of that growing pie."
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)

This story originally appeared on Kansas Reflector.

TOPEKA, Kansas  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.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, also a Republican, said he intended to join with Arkansas in a separate student loan debt lawsuit.

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.

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 Alabama AG joins lawsuit challenging Bidens efforts to cut student loan debt appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, the chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, asks a question during a budget presentation in the Alabama Statehouse on Feb. 6, 2024. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

A bill introduced in the Alabama Senate would make it easier to receive a religious exemption from school vaccination requirements.

SB 246, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, states that a parent or guardian may not be required to explain the reason for the exemption, certify the exemption with any third party, or otherwise receive approval from the local board of education or any other entity.

The bill would also provide that a public institution of higher education must provide religious and medical exemptions to vaccination requirements.

This would prevent people from having to go explain their religious exemption motivations or their religious beliefs to government bureaucrats at the health department, Orr said in a phone interview on Thursday.

Currently, parents seeking an exemption must go to the county health department and get a certificate of religious exemption. They file a written objection and receive information about the consequences of not immunizing their child.

Orr feels that people shouldnt have to go to the government to validate [their] religious beliefs.

It ought to be simple: If were going to have a religious exemption, we ought to have a religious exemption. We shouldnt have parents having to explain their religious beliefs when it comes to vaccinations, Orr said.

Mark Jackson, executive director of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, said they have not taken a position on Orrs bill, but expressed concerns with exemptions. During the first two years of the COVID outbreak, vaccination rates dropped significantly. While they are coming up again, they arent where it needs to be.

We are concerned with the rising number of exemptions which means fewer vaccines being administered, Jackson said in an email.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination rate in Alabama was just under 94% in 2022-2023, down from 95% for the 2021-2022 school year.

The CDC says that at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated against measles to create herd immunity. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated people become infected after being exposed to the virus.

While medical exemptions have remained at a steady rate over the last decade, according to the CDC data, non-medical exemptions have increased significantly, from .5% of kindergarteners in Alabama in the 2011-2012 school year to 2% in 2022-2023.

Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer for Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), has expressed concern at the departments board meetings about the decreasing vaccination rates.

Rob Green, a spokesman for ADPH, declined to comment on the bill Thursday but said that decreases in childhood vaccination have led to increases in measles cases across the nation.



The last outbreak of measles in Alabama happened in late 2002, Green said, after one unvaccinated person spread the virus to 13 people who were unvaccinated or not old enough to be vaccinated.

We havent had any cases since 2002, but its concerning, Green said. Measles is very dangerous if youre an adolescent and you contract it and youre exposed to other adolescents that have not been vaccinated.

National MMR vaccination rates among kindergarten students have fallen below the target of 95% for the second consecutive year nationwide. The percentage of kindergarteners with all state-required vaccines nationwide has decreased over two school years since the pandemic began, dropping from approximately 95% in 2019-2020 to 93% in 2021-2022.

The decline, though small, represents the lowest MMR vaccination rate in nearly a decade, leaving roughly 250,000 school children unvaccinated against measles, according to an analysis from KFF, a non-profit organization that provides health policy research.

While Orr said that hes not aware of any request for religious exceptions being denied at the county health department, he still disagreed with parents having to go through the exemption process.

Government should not stand in the way of parents and their religious beliefs when it comes to vaccinations, he said.

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(KRON)  An Alameda man pleaded guilty to selling over $3.5 million worth of fan assemblies to the Department of Defenses Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) that were either counterfeit or misrepresented to be new, U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey said on Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, some of these counterfeit fans were intended to be installed on electrical components of a nuclear submarine, a laser system on an aircraft, and a surface-to-air missile system.

Concord driver in wild Grand Theft Auto style chase convicted

Steve H.S. Kim, 63, sold counterfeits to the DLA through a company selling fan assemblies Kim would claim as new. For each fan assembly kit he sold to the DLA, Kim created counterfeit labels that were used through the trademarks of a second, unaffiliated, distributor company.

When asked about the origin of the assemblies, Kim gave the DLA fake tracing documents that he created and often signed using a false identity, prosecutors said.

Criminals who cheat the U.S. military by selling deficient or counterfeit goods put our national security at risk. This case demonstrates the Justice Departments commitment to protecting the military supply chain and Americans security, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division.

On Wednesday, Kim pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. U.S. District Attorney Judge Haywood Gilliam scheduled a hearing for Kims sentencing for July 17.

Kim faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count and ten years in prison on the trafficking in counterfeit goods count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
People participate in voting in the upcoming midterm elections at a Native Alaskan voting station at Cook Inlet Tribal Council on November 01, 2022 in Anchorage, Alaska.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both clinched their parties' nomination on March 12, kicking off the first U.S. presidential election rematch in nearly 70 years.

Biden needed 1,968 delegates to win the Democratic nomination, and Trump clinched the 1,215 delegates required to secure the Republican presidential nomination.

While all eyes are on the general election on Nov. 5, not all states have voted in their presidential primaries and caucuses, which last through June.

Alaska, also known as "The Last Frontier," held its Republican presidential caucus on March 5, with Trump winning, and the Democratic Party caucus is scheduled for April 13.

The state's primary elections on Aug. 20 will include one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, 10 State Senate seats, and 40 State House seats.

Important dates to remember for Alaskas state primary election (other than presidential):

July 6: Ballots are mailed or faxed to U.S. citizens living or traveling overseas, active members of the armed forces, and their spouses and dependents.

July 11: Mail-in voters who intend to register or update voter information and submit a ballot must register or submit changes.

July 21: Voters who intend to vote at a polling location must register.

July 26: On this approximate date, ballots are mailed to voters who intend to submit mail-in ballots.

Aug. 10: Absentee mail-in applications must be received.

Aug. 5: The application period for online, fax, in-person, early, and absentee voting begins. Locations for in-person, absentee, and early voting can be found on the State of Alaska: Division of Elections website.

Aug. 19: The deadline for online and fax absentee ballot submission applications is 5 p.m. Alaska Standard Time.

Aug. 20: Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline for absentee mail-in ballots to be delivered in person is 8 p.m. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before this date.

More: Election 2024 calendar: Here are the dates to watch as Trump, Biden rematch gets closer

Important dates to remember in Alaskas General Election:

Sep. 21: Ballots are mailed or faxed to U.S. citizens living or traveling overseas, active members of the armed forces, and their spouses and dependents.

Oct. 6: Voters who intend to vote at a polling location must register.

Oct. 11: Ballots are mailed to voters who intend to submit mail-in ballots on this approximate date.

Oct. 21: Voter applications for online, fax, and in-person absentee voting become available. Locations for in-person, absentee, and early voting are available on the State of Alaska: Division of Elections website approximately one month before the election.

Oct. 26: Voters who intend to register or update voter information and submit a mail-in ballot must register or submit changes.

Nov. 4: The deadline for online and fax absentee ballot submission is 5 p.m. Alaska Standard Time.

Nov. 5: Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline for absentee mail-in ballots that are delivered by the voter is 8 p.m. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before this date.

Audio voting will be provided to Yupik, Inupiaq/Inupiaq, Koyukon, Gwichin, Spanish and Tagalog speakers via voting tablets. The tablets will also be available to disabled voters.

Who can register to vote in Alaska?

U.S. Citizens who are Alaska residents older than 18 or within 90 days of their 18th birthday and havent registered in another state can register to vote in Alaska. College students who intend to return to the state are considered residents for voting purposes. Residents with felony convictions can register to vote unless their conviction meets certain legal criteria. Visit the Alaska Division of Elections website for information on eligibility and restoration of voting rights.

How to register to vote in Alaska?

Alaskans can register to vote online or in person at any of the following locations:

With wire services

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A look at Alaska election dates
The Graphite Creek Deposit about 37 miles north of Nome on Alaska's Seward Peninsula, is revealed at Graphite Creek in this undated photo. A Graphite One Inc. exploration site is seen in the distance on the far left. Small-scale mining in this area occurred in the early 20th century. Graphite One's plans to develop a large-scale mine got a boost in July from a Department of Defense grant aimed at encouraging domestic production of critical minerals. The Graphite Creek deposit is the largest identified in the United States. (Photo by George Case/U.S. Geological Survey)

The Graphite Creek deposit near Nome is the largest identified deposit of graphite, a critical mineral, in the United States. (Photo by George Case/U.S. Geological Survey)

Alaskas state-owned development bank is asking state lawmakers for permission to borrow up to $300 million that could be spent to support mining projects statewide.

To date, officials at the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority have not provided legislators or the public with a precise spending plan.

Randy Ruaro, the authoritys executive director, said thats partly by design: The agency wants to stay flexible as it prepares for the possible need to provide state dollars to match billions in federal loans available for mineral projects.

Weve got this window of time in the next couple of years when theres going to be some really good federal funding available. It will require a match of some level, he said.

The bonds could also be used to make a direct investment in a mining project, Ruaro said, or it could involve AIDEA paying to build supporting infrastructure, such as a road to a mine site, a port to serve a mine, or a processing plant.

Josie Wilson, the authoritys communications director, said AIDEA officials are operating under non-disclosure agreements with mining companies, and those make it impossible to say which projects could receive financial support from AIDEA.

The request is part of a broader national and state push to develop American sources of critical minerals used in electronics, green-energy projects, and weapons.

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, is a cosponsor of the bill containing AIDEAs proposal to the Legislature. He cited the need for antimony, a metal used in artillery shells, among other uses.

Nova Minerals, a company developing a gold prospect west of the Susitna River, recently announced the discovery of large amounts of antimony during exploratory drilling.

Nova Minerals has said it intends to use an AIDEA-financed road through the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to explore the project, and McCabe said he believes part of the road could be financed with the bonds.

AIDEA is empowered by state law to issue bonds, but if its borrowing exceeds $25 million, the Alaska Legislature has to approve its plans. The bonds would be repayable with revenue AIDEA earns from loans it issues during the normal course of its business.

These bonds are not a moral obligation or a promise of the state of Alaska to pay, Ruaro said.

AIDEAs request was inserted March 14 by the House Transportation Committee as an amendment to House Bill 122, a measure originally written to allow the Alaska Railroad to borrow money for renovations to the cruise ship port in Seward. The move was first noted by Fairbanks writer Dermot Cole, a skeptic of the idea.

Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks, is sponsoring HB 122 and said he was surprised by the amendment.

Hes unsure about how the money will be used and said that if hes not satisfied with AIDEAs answers to his questions, hell remove the provisions from the bill when it arrives at the House Finance Committee. The Seward cruise ship port is too important to risk, he said.

The amendment also surprised Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage and a member of the House minority who sits on the transportation committee.

That was an amendment that was sent to us the morning of us voting on those amendments, she said.

When it came to the railroads borrowing plan, legislators first received plenty of reports and briefings about the topic.

That makes me feel comfortable to vote for the original bill on hand. And we did not have any of that at all for that AIDEA bond amendment, Mina said.

AIDEAs request, contained in HB 122, has been referred to the House Finance Committee, which has not yet scheduled it for a hearing.

Correction: McCabes role related to the bill was incorrectly described in the original version of the article.

The post Alaska-owned corporation asks Legislature to borrow $300 million for mining projects appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
The city of Alexandria has announced that its longtime director of the Alexandria Utility System (AUS), Michael Marcotte, is leaving for another position.

The city of Alexandria has announced that its longtime director of the Alexandria Utility System, Michael Marcotte, is leaving for another position.

Mayor Jacques Roy has named Marcus Connella, who served as an acting director of the system before it was known as AUS between October 2005 and May 2008, as the interim director.

Connella left the city to work at Procter & Gamble and, later, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development as an engineer.

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Marcotte is taking a job in the private sector, although the news released posted to the city's Facebook page on the Good Friday holiday did not state anything more, other than to thank him for his service.

No specific date was given for the transition, but the release said it would happen "over the next month."

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Michael Marcotte leaving; mayor taps Marcus Connella acting director
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said it was investigating a stabbing Thursday night.

APD said a man stabbed a woman in the 400 block of Mayflower Court. He then ran away.

Art of the deal: How Mayor Bowsers negotiations kept Wizards, Capitals in DC

The woman was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

APD said the man and the woman were familiar to each other.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Mr Wallace said 'biggest threat to recruitment' isn't a beard ban but 'signing up and being called forward' - PA/ALAMY/ALAMY

The Army is facing a backlash over plans to allow soldiers and officers to grow beards.

On Thursday, the King signed off on the head of the Armys decision to overturn the 100-year ban on facial hair.

The move has fuelled criticism from the former defence secretary and former head of the Army.

Ben Wallace, the former Defence Secretary, said while he was in favour of allowing personnel to sport beards, he did not believe this would fix the staffing problem.

Mr Wallace told The Telegraph: Its not going to make a difference to recruiting in any way.

The real issue around recruitment isnt about beards, its about medical conditions that take too long to deal with.

He added that the biggest threat to recruitment involved signing up and being called forward.

I dont believe this is a quick fix to recruitment challenges. They lie much more in medical conditions, timeliness and flexibility, he said.

Lord Dannatt, the former head of the army, said the subject of beards was 'irrelevant' to improving recruitment

In response to the announcement, Grant Shapps directly compared facial hair and recruitment. He tweeted: With army recruitment being a big priority and a recent YouGov finding most men (54 per cent) now say they currently have a beard or moustache, I asked the Army to formally review the outdated beard ban. Today this sensible change in rules has been made.

Mr Wallaces comments were echoed by Lord Dannatt, the former head of the army, who said the subject of beards was irrelevant to improving recruitment.

Official government figures unveiled by Labour showed nearly three-quarters of would-be soldiers dropped out of the militarys application process because it takes too long to join.

The figures found that while just over one million people applied to join either the RAF, Navy or Army since 2014, three in four gave up on the process of joining, resulting in the Ministry of Defence signing up just over 132,000 people and rejecting almost 170,000.

Recent suggestions to improve recruitment in the Army, put to Parliament by Capita, the outsourcing giant, included allowing the employment of soldiers with a record of asthma, hay fever and visible tattoos.

Currently, candidates with a history of asthma on their medical records have to prove that they have been cleared of the chronic lung disease for a minimum of two years.

Lord Dannatt told The Telegraph: Beards or not are irrelevant to improving the recruitment crisis.

The big problem with recruiting is cutting the delay for applications of people starting their training. The military needs to go back to recruiting offices on the high street manned by soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines. Applicants were processed quickly then and it was measured in weeks rather than months and, in some cases, years.

He added: The old system used to work and we didnt have a recruiting problem. The critical thing is cutting down the delay between applying and being rejected or accepted. We have lost far too many good applicants because it takes too long.

Mr Shapps has been vocal on the militarys poor recruitment figures and called the decision to ban beards ludicrous. He said more needed to be done to remove barriers that prevent people from signing up, and suggested that in an Amazon world the process needed to be speeded up.

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.
Jail records indicate Anne Lang, 41, remained in the Hendry County Jail on Friday morning without bond.

Less than three days after the Lakeland-area apprehension of an Alva woman accused of fleeing as her court date approached, she's again in Hendry County custody.

Jail records indicate Anne Lang, 41, remained in the Hendry County Jail on Friday morning without bond.

With the assistance of the U.S. Marshalls, Florida Highway Patrol troopers located Lang near Lakeland on Tuesday evening. She's accused in the drunken driving deaths of a LaBelle father and his teen daughters.

Lang faces seven counts of DUI, including three counts of DUI manslaughter and three counts of vehicular manslaughter.

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In the Jan. 20, 2021, crash, Lang was driving her 2011 BMW east on State Road 80, in the vicinity of County Road 78A, more than 100 mph.

The car she was driving rear-ended a Chevrolet, resulting in the death of the Chevrolet driver, Enedino Galindo, 42, as well as daughters Keanna, 13, and Aryana, 15, all of LaBelle.

Lang was the sole occupant of the BMW.

Troopers said her blood-alcohol level was 0.22. In Florida, the legal limit is 0.08.

Court records indicate Lang's next due in court Monday before Collier Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Alva woman returned to Hendry County to face DUI manslaughter charges
NASHVILLE  Amari Scott Keys has been singing seriously since she was 11 years old.

Homeless at the time, Keys spent two years looking for music studios in her home state of Connecticut and began writing songs for other people at 13 as a means to make money for her family.

Keys quit music three or four years ago, until recently when she auditioned for American Idol, a show that she had started watching from the very first season.

During her audition, she impressed celebrity judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry with her rendition of "She Used To Be Mine" to earn her golden ticket to Hollywood.

Why did she decide to audition?

Amari Scott Keys, a waitress at Wings and Rings in Richmond, appeared on the March 17 episode of season 22 of American Idol.

Keys, 29 and currently a waitress at Wings and Rings in Richmond, said she auditioned for the show after she and her mother had a breakdown in their relationship over Keys' transition to becoming a transgender woman.

"I think the genuine breaking point for me to audition and do this stuff probably had a lot to do with my mother and I no longer speaking," Keys said. "But also I think at the time I just wasn't happy. I was overwhelmed. I was stressed. And like I said, music became this coping mechanism for me."

Keys' mother was diagnosed with Moya Moya disease, a rare and progressive brain disorder that's caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain. Keys' mother was just 28 years old at the time and Keys was eight.

"What ended up happening was the spread of disease causes strokes when she gets stressed out," she said. "She couldn't watch the news, and she couldn't do a lot of things. But with that, she also had specific ways that she wanted me to be, states of being that she preferred for me."

With Keys being aware that her mom knew she was an honest person, Keys said that she felt she didn't have to keep her identity hidden, but she couldn't act on it, adding that the two had agreed that she would live in a way that was best for her mom.

That lasted until about a year ago, when Keys decided to "go through with everything" that would make her happy, which ultimately severed their relationship.

"My whole reason for singing and whatnot was to take care of my mom," Keys said. "For a while leading up to transitioning, I was not going to do music anymore. I wasn't really happy. Something about it wasn't clicking to me.

"Once that relationship was genuinely severed," she said, "I was given the opportunity to audition. I had somebody send me a link, and I was like, 'Why not do what I want to do and live like I want to live, and then I wound up on the show."

'Not a huge vocalist'

Keys has never considered herself "a huge vocalist," instead preferring to be considered a storyteller or poet that enjoys singing.

Growing up, Keys was involved in a number of extracurricular activities.

For a while, she sang in the church choir, but eventually quit after she said her mother's comments on "her existence" made her feel uncomfortable being there.

Beginning in eighth grade, Keys tried out musical theater performance, but didn't really do anything else until transferring to another high school in Waterbury, Connecticut, her senior year.

"The music teacher was like, 'You're a very talented individual, and you're not trained.' And then he started to feed me some of the bits and pieces of music education, understanding theory and whatnot, and then I kind of developed more of a passion to understanding music, and that's when I went to school," she said..

Keys attended Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, where she studied vocal performance before switching to musical theater.

On the day of the audition

Prior to performing in front celebrity judges Richie, Perry and Luke Combs, Keys had to audition for American Idol producers and advance past that round.

"You hear back from them, and you audition for the people that are really going to be like, 'You know, I can see this person,'" she said. "And then you go on and do your whole audition in front of the judges, which is crazy. Being on TV in and of itself is a whole process, so it was very interesting."

Keys wasn't scared or nervous to be performing in front of three of the music industry's biggest names. She was just tired after having waited to audition for about 15 hours.

"I was one of the last people on my date in my city, and I was falling asleep before I walked in," she said. "I was trying really hard not to because once you fall asleep, it takes about two hours for your voice to warm back up. And I was like, 'I cannot fall asleep. I have to stay awake, or I'm not going to be able to sing.'"

When she eventually auditioned in front of the judges, Keys said the experience was "extremely validating," adding that regardless of what they were going to tell her about her singing, the fact that she made it as far as she did gave her the push she needed.

As far as her song choice, "She Used To be Mine" actually was not the song that Keys auditioned with. She initially sang "Toxic" by Brittany Spears with jazz and bluesy undertones as a way of putting her own spin on the song.

Perry said she thought there was more however, suggesting a song that "encapsulates" Keys finding herself and everything that she had been through, leading to the Sara Bareilles song.

"'She Used To Be Mine' was a song that I sang often, especially when I was really down or lost in my relationships," Keys said. "I had been singing that song for several years, and I thought that song probably describes me and what I'm feeling the most."

After singing it, she received a standing ovation from Perry, compliments and constructive criticism from Combs and a comment from Richie calling it "an imperfect perfect rendition," earning the two votes she needed to get her golden ticket.

"I don't think that I believed it, I was so tired and so out of it," Keys said. "From that point onward, I think I was just kind of going through the motions trying to understand what was happening. I honestly don't think that I believed that I was even on the show until my audition aired two weeks ago."

Keys saw her audition live when Wings and Rings turned on the televisions to the show, saying that she screamed in front of the entire restaurant as the moment really set in that it was real.

Sharing her 'genuine story'

Amari Scott Keys, a waitress at Wings and Rings in Richmond, appeared on the March 17 episode of season 22 of American Idol.

While Keys understands that her story told on the show this season is one of the saddest ones, the "genuine story" that she didn't share with them is "really depressing."

When Keys was 8 and her mother had her first major stroke, Keys helped her with everything.

From teaching her how to read, write and talk again to bathing her and cooking and cleaning for her, Keys was one of her main caregivers.

When her mother had recovered enough, the family moved to Alabama for between six months to a year where they lived with a pastor.

"The pastor was an amazing guy," she said. "He had an amazing family, and it was probably one of the coolest places I've ever lived. They were always doing these Bible games, and I enjoyed that. We used to sing gospel together and handle worship stuff, and it was wonderful."

Shortly thereafter, Keys' life took a turn for the worse when her mom began a relationship with a man she had met, a man that Keys defined as a pedophile.

Keys said that over the course of six months, she was sexually assaulted every single day and there "was not a day that it didn't happen." Before they moved back to Connecticut, her mom asked her if she had seduced him.

"He used to tell me that like all these crazy things about how he believed he was God reincarnated. It was crazy, like literally insane," she said. "He would kill me and my mom if I told anyone and that my mom was going to have a stroke and die anyway because at that time, my mom was given five years to live.

"I lived my life saying I'm going to take care of my mom and love on my mom," she said, "and then when she goes I'm going to go. That was my mindset as a child.

"She has five years to live. I have five years to live and that's going to be it, like I'm done."

When they moved back to Connecticut, Keys turned 10. She was sexually assaulted by four different people while homeless for the two years, she said, and her relationship with her mom got worse.

"My mom's brain disease messes with her personality," she said. "So she started getting verbally abusive, and she just wasn't a good mom to me during those years at all.

"She would forget to feed me and feed her boyfriend whoever that was at the time," Keys said. "She was really mean and tell me how I was going to hell or that I was this horrible kid and she would brag to other people about me about how much I do for her and then to me, she would call me "ungrateful bitch" and stuff. It was just rough."

Keys' mom then "disappeared to go try out a relationship with someone else at the time," which led to Keys staying with her cousin for the remainder of the two years, before being moved into a house with another man who she said was "a good guy" and never did anything to her.

Her support system now

While she has eight siblings and is on good terms with her father and his side of the family, Keys said that, for the most part, her boyfriend has been her only support system.

"My dad is not super involved in a lot of things and is a very specific type of man, but he's still being very emotionally sheltered, and my sibling all have their own things going on," she said. "I know my family supports me, but as far as the whole Idol thing, we have so much going on. I think my boyfriend has been very supportive and he's probably the most consistently supportive person I have in my life right now."

Keys has lived in Richmond with her boyfriend since January 2023 after the two met on a dating app while living in Auburn, where her father lives.

After splitting time living with her father in Auburn and her mother in Connecticut, Keys eventually decided to stay in Indiana.

On representing the transgender community on American Idol

Amari Scott Keys, a waitress at Wings and Rings in Richmond, appeared on the March 17 episode of season 22 of American Idol.

While she isn't sure how true it is, Keys said that despite several LGBTQ+ participants on the show, she was told that she is one of the first openly transgender women to appear.

"There's amazing people on the show," she said. "Everybody was really nice specifically in production, and it wasn't a huge struggle.

I feel like a lot of straight men are not as open to finding transwomen, so a lot of straight men I wasn't close to, and I didn't make a lot of friends in general, but I was friends with the girls for my audition. That was pretty fun," she said.

Keys said her ultimate goal of being on the show is to experience financial stability for the first time in her life, while also being able to help others who can relate to her story through singing and being understood.

"I would love to be able to just live my life being authentic and helping people just by being myself," she said.

Evan Weaver is a news and sports reporter at The Palladium-Item. Contact him on X (@evan_weaver7) or email at eweaver@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: American Idol Amari Keys earns golden ticket to Hollywood
A young boy who was inside a car stolen in Massachusetts, prompting the activation of an Amber Alert, was found safe at a hotel in Connecticut on Friday and the suspect in the incident is now facing criminal charges, authorities said.

Vadim Vorobyov, 52, of Springfield, is facing charges of kidnapping, child endangerment, and fugitive from justice in Connecticut and is also expected to be charged with kidnapping, child endangerment, and motor vehicle larceny in Massachusetts, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Vorobyov is accused of stealing a red 2021 Toyota Camry that was parked outside a residence on Exchange Street in Chicopee with the motor running and a 3-year-old boy in the backseat around 8:40 a.m.

Surveillance video obtained by Boston 25 shows a woman walking out with the child and putting him in the car before walking away. Moments later, the suspect hops in the drivers seat and drives away.

The Camry was captured on a license plate reader heading south on Route 91 in Longmeadow and later found in a Stop & Shop parking lot at 1095 Kennedy Road in Windsor, Connecticut, around 10:30 a.m. but Vorobyov and the child werent inside of it.

A short time later, Sudhir Shrestha, the general manager of the Rodway Inn & Suites on Bridge Street in East Windsor contacted police to report that a child had been left on their property by Vorobyov, according to state police.

Video taken by the hotel shows the man exiting the drivers side, walking around to let the toddler out before driving off again, leaving the child free to wander the mostly empty parking lot.

Shrestha told Boston 25 he thought the boy belonged to a guest before going back to watch the surveillance video.

I saw the car stop and when the car stopped and left I saw the kid in the parking lot and was like Oh this is the kid and I told them this is the kid okay, Sudhir Shrestha, the general manager of the Rodway Inn.

Vorobyov was later found at the nearby Anytime Fitness and taken into custody, leading to the deactivation of the Amber Alert. The child was transported to a Massachusetts hospital for a precautionary examination.

We are grateful to the many members of the public and media outlets who quickly shared information, state police said in a statement.

State police didnt say when Vorobyov would be called to court.

An investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - Russia's move to effectively disband the panel of experts monitoring longstanding United Nations sanctions against North Korea points to a "grim future" for the sanctions enforcement, three former members of the panel told Reuters.

Russia vetoed the annual renewal of the multinational panel of experts on Thursday, which has spent the last 15 years monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

China, North Korea's only military ally and its largest trading partner, abstained. Beijing and Moscow have denied breaking sanctions but have blocked new measures at the UN Security Council and advocated lifting some existing sanctions on North Korea, blaming the West and its allies for exacerbating tensions.

Diplomats said it appeared unlikely there would be another vote to try to renew the mandate before it expires on April 30.

The veto highlights a rare diplomatic dividend for Pyongyang and underlines its deepening ties with Moscow, which have included unprecedented shipments of ballistic missiles and ammunition for use in the war in Ukraine as well as possible fuel supplies for North Korea, according to U.S. and South Korean officials and independent analysts.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied arms deals, but have vowed to deepen military relations and Russias spy chief visited North Korea this week to vow a united front against attempts to increase pressure from external forces.

The vote was significant and represents a major turning point in the international sanctions regime against North Korea, said Aaron Arnold, a former member of the panel who now works as a sanctions expert at Britain's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Russias vote, along with its blatant violation of sanctions by buying conventional arms from North Korea, years long history of ignoring their obligations, and at least tacit support from China suggest that the future is grim for the DPRK sanctions regime, he said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

PUZZLE PIECES

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the experts' work, saying before the vote that its reports had been reduced to "playing into the hands of Western approaches, reprinting biased information and analysing newspaper headlines and poor quality photos."

Even the panel's backers acknowledge that its work was increasingly constrained, but blamed it on Chinese and Russian members blocking or obfuscating unfavourable findings.

"The latest report is very interesting, because although it goes into some useful detail on finance and on overseas workers, China is barely mentioned," said one former senior member who asked not to be named because of diplomatic sensitivities. "If you're talking about breaching the sanctions, and not mentioning China, that's not really a terribly accurate reflection of what is really going on."

While the panel reports looked like a comprehensive summary, they were more like a small part of a larger puzzle, often with some of the most important pieces left out, the former member said.

The end of the panel could lead to more trilateral cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, and more evidence of sanctions violations could be released to the public since the restraining influence Russia and China had over headline-generating reports will be gone with the UN panel of experts, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Because global banks and insurance companies have come to rely on independent reports to freeze and close accounts associated with North Korean overseas sanctions evasion networks, continued reporting mechanisms will be found, said Hugh Griffiths, former head of the panel and now a sanctions consultant.

DEEPER RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA TIES

Griffiths said the veto suggests Russia does not want its illegal procurement of North Korean ballistic missiles and conventional artillery munitions to be reported by a UN Security Council body.

"Russia's veto indicates that Putin will intensify his ballistic missile and embargo-busting cooperation with North Korea," he said.

The vote illustrates how strong the ties between Russia-North Korea have become, said Jenny Town of 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring programme.

"It underscores that no new sanctions at the UN Security Council level should be expected in the current geopolitical environment, and the bigger burden on states now to handle sanctions monitoring efforts," she said.

The United States and South Korea launched a new task force this week aimed at preventing North Korea from procuring illicit oil, particularly from Russia.

The two countries also imposed unilateral sanctions on individuals and entities based in Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of channelling funds to Pyongyang's weapons programs.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles relations with the North, called the vote "extremely regrettable."

Most visible sanctions enforcement has already been headed by the United States and its partners, sometimes in conflict with China or Russia.

Canada accused Chinese jets of "recklessly" harassing its surveillance planes taking part in an U.N. operation to enforce sanctions against North Korea. Beijing called the Canadian flights "provocative."

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington and Michelle Nichols in New York)
Andy Kim had a really big smile on his face after his lawsuit to end New Jerseys controversial county line primary ballot was granted a preliminary injunction Friday.

It was a monumental decision in New Jersey politics and has the potential to alter the state's county boss system that's concentrated power with a small group of individuals, especially in primary elections.

Were starting right now with this injunction, but I'm really hopeful that this is going to create the kind of permanent change that we need in New Jersey,  he told reporters after the decision by U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi.

In his primary race against first lady Tammy Murphy  who dropped out of the race Sunday  Kim has taken on the unexpected role as a reformer of New Jersey politics, especially in his advocacy against the county line.

I'm very happy to play this role that I've been playing over the last six months, he said, trying to not just give the people in New Jersey a choice for the U.S. Senate position, but to try to try to fix this broken politics that we have in the state.

That can be traced back to the line, he and its critics argue. Instead of an office block ballot design that lists candidates by the office they are seeking, New Jersey groups candidates who are backed by county parties in a column or row. This gives those candidates an advantage over those who are not endorsed and shunted to other areas of the ballot, making them appear less legitimate to voters. Quraishi ordered counties to use office block designs in the June primary  in all races, not just for the Senate.

Murphy came into the Senate primary with huge amounts of institutional support as both sought to unseat indicted Sen. Bob Menendez. Although Kim won the line in some counties where low-level party officials voted in secret ballots, Murphy had the lines in vote-rich Democratic counties and was widely viewed as the front-runner for the nomination.

I had people telling me in November when the first lady jumped in that I should drop out in the race, go back to running for reelection in the House," Kim said in an interview with POLITICO prior to the decision.

In that same interview, he seemed optimistic that his and others' efforts to end the line system would have an impact.

I believe New Jersey politics has already changed. I think that that change was already set into motion by Menendez's indictment. But certainly the Senate primary and how it shaped up have really sustained that and is pushing that forward, Kim said.

But it's not the only element that we should be looking at, he added. How do we try to work to make our democracy here in New Jersey more inclusive, more participatory and certainly more fair?

Even before the judge's ruling, state leaders said that given the intense criticism of the line they would hold hearings on how to change ballot designs. They reaffirmed that commitment Friday and suggested long-lasting changes should come from the Statehouse, not the courthouse.

"Nothing in the decision  or any subsequent legal decision  will change the commitment we have made to a transparent process that will include a review of ballots in other states and input from the public. We remain convinced that if there are Constitutional problems with our balloting process, the Legislature is the appropriate body to remedy those issues," said a joint statement from Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate President Nick Scutari and the two Republican leaders, Assemblymember John DiMaio and Sen. Anthony Bucco.

An appeal to Quraishis ruling is all but guaranteed, and a further ruling could reinstate the line in elections after the June 4 primary. Kim plans to continue the fight. I'm going to see this through," he said. "Again, this wasn't just about my race.

County clerks seeking to maintain the county line argued that the decision came too late to make changes to ballots. Quraishi did not accept that argument, writing that it "would not require the drawn-out process" they said would happen.

There's a lot of interest in trying to push forward on an appeals process by some of the clerks, and they've continued to spend a lot of taxpayer dollars to try to stop this and slow this down, Kim said.
Editors Note: If you are in the US and you or a loved one have contemplated suicide, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to connect with a trained counselor. Outside the US, a worldwide directory of resources and international hotlines is provided by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, and you can turn to Befrienders Worldwide.

Camika Shelby says 2019 was the worst year of her life.

Never in a million years did I think I would pull up at home and find my child lifeless, Shelby told CNN. Her only child, Nigel, died by suicide on April 18 that year. He was 15.

Nigel was gay, Shelby said, but she never knew the impact that had on his life at school. She didnt find out until the Huntsville City Board of Education opened an investigation into Nigels death  and what she learned prompted Shelby to sue the board and an administrator at Nigels school.

Nigel was continuously bullied by his classmates both online and in-person for being gay  in some instances, even in front of faculty members, according to the civil lawsuit, filed in 2021. Nigel and his friends had reported the harassment Nigel was experiencing multiple times, but he was treated as a joke and brushed off as just having an episode by the lead administrator for freshman, according to the lawsuit.

The districts lack of adequate policies and training significantly harmed Nigel and placed him at unreasonable risk of harm, the suit stated. And, now, Nigel is gone.

Its a worry for many that is growing: Now advancing throughout the Alabama legislature are a series of bills that would slowly chip away the rights of the LGBTQ community, including by limiting LGBTQ discussions in classrooms.

An undated photo of Nigel Shelby - Courtesy Shelby family

Shelby ultimately reached an $840,000 settlement with the board and administrator, under which the board agreed to update policies on anti-bullying and harassment toward the LGBTQ community as well as teaching faculty and students ways to prevent bullying and harassment towards LGBTQ people. The board and administrator denied violating any legal duty, rights or federal, state, or municipal constitution, law, order or regulation.

Its our job to make kids feel safe, Shelby said. As a parent, any parent, whether your child is LGBTQ or not, no parent wants to worry about their child going to school with something happening.

The proposed legislation comes as Alabama has already sparked contention over an anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) law that prohibits public schools and universities from maintaining or funding DEI programs, and a top court ruling that fertilized embryos are children, which effectively shuttered in-vitro fertilization in the state until lawmakers passed a bill protecting the procedure.

The anti-DEI law, which was enacted in late March, also requires public universities to designate restrooms on the basis of biological sex  which Alabama law defines as the physical condition of being male or female, as stated on the individuals original birth certificate  and not the gender that aligns with how a person identifies.

Solutions in search of a problem

HB130  dubbed a Dont Say Gay bill by critics  is one of the bills currently working through the state legislature. It intends to broaden a 2022 law that limits discussions about LGBTQ topics for public K-5 classrooms to K-12. The legislation bans classroom instruction for public school students related to gender identity or sexual orientation.

HB130 would also remove the current language that teaching LGBTQ topics in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards is okay for educators, which in turn expands the scope of what isnt allowed to be discussed in the classroom.

For Neil Rafferty, a husband, combat veteran and the only Alabama state lawmaker who identifies as gay, the changes could once again trigger unintended consequences for the state.

There becomes this ambiguity with it that then goes down to the school districts to try to figure out how to comply with this (possible new law), Rafferty, whose bookshelf has a Bible beside Alabama state code books, said. Even saying something like Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic could become problematic in classrooms, he said.

Rafferty questioned Republican lawmakers motivation for the bill. Essentially these are solutions in search of a problem, the Democrat told CNN.

Rep. Neil Rafferty - Devon Sayers/CNN

The bill would also ban pride flags and LGBTQ insignias from being displayed in classrooms or on school grounds. Although it does not currently define any punishments for displaying LGBTQ insignias, the bill leaves it to the state board of education to dole out policing and punishment in these matters.

The bills author and sponsor, Republican Rep. Mack Butler, said the bills purpose is for schools to focus on reading, writing and arithmetic.

There is some indoctrination going on, Butler said at a state House Education Policy committee meeting earlier this month. We are destroying the family in teaching something of these things. Let it happen somewhere else other than our schools  all it is seeking (is) to purify the school a little bit. Butler later said he misspoke when talking about the need to purify but did not expand on his comments.

CNN reached out to the sponsors of HB130, who are all Republicans. None responded to CNNs questions about the bill or were available for an interview.

In an interview with AL.com, Butler said the restrictions are to protect childrens innocence. [Teachers] are infringing on the parents space by teaching about gender or sexual orientation, Butler told the outlet.

In addition to HB130, the legislature is considering HB111 and SB92: companion bills that would legally determine what gender is, that the only sexes are male and female, and the gender on your birth certificate must correlate wherever state law classifies individuals on the basis of sex if signed into law.

The legislature convenes again on Tuesday.

Alabamans broadly support some LGBTQ rights, data shows

Shelby questions how the bills will benefit Alabamans of all ages.

A majority of Alabamans support same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ people, according to 2022 data from the Public Religion Research Institute. That same research shows respondents are split when it comes to allowing businesses to refuse service for LGBTQ customers.

If these bills go into play, what was I actually fighting for? Shelby said. We all deserve protection. We all deserve to feel comfortable. We all deserve to feel love. So, my question is, who are these bills actually protecting? Because obviously its not parents of my situation. Its not kids of Nigels situation.

Adele Kimmel, Director of Public Justices Students Civil Rights Project, which represented Shelby, also expressed concerns about the way the bills are worded and how unconstitutionally vague they are.

Kimmel said she believes they could make students less likely to report any bullying or harassment, like what Nigel faced.

That would create a hostile learning environment for LGBTQ students and would likely cause significant trauma for them, since the bills target them and will make them feel unwelcome at school, Kimmel told CNN. And since the whole purpose of the Shelby settlement, and all of these terms about policies and training and procedures is to make sure that LGBTQ students feel safe and welcomed and included at school.

A similar Dont Say Gay bill that banned certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom was signed into law in Florida in 2022. Florida education officials and a group of LGBTQ advocates and families recently reached a legal settlement that clarifies the scope of the statute.

And Alabama and Florida are not alone in introducing such bills; according to the Human Rights Campaign, in 2023, state legislators introduced a record 520 anti-LGBTQ bills. Seventy were enacted  another record, the organization said.

Shelby grew up in Alabama and said she loves her state, just not the way people like her son are treated.

Its been nearly five years since her son died.

After his death, Shelby started The Nigel Shelby Foundation to help youth who may not have a support system, provide scholarships for students and help families with LGBTQ children. Shes working to get a business degree. She wrote a book about her son.

Camika and Nigel Shelby - Courtesy Shelby family

In a letter to his mother before his death, Nigel asked her to forgive him and keep living, Shelby said.

He said, Mama, please keep going, Shelby said. So, for me to just give up  it would feel like I was letting him down.

Hes no longer here, but theres still a million of (youth like) him that is here, and it does affect them, she said. I wouldnt wish this on anybody. So, if there is something that I can do to prevent this from happening to the next person, thats whats worth fighting for.

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A state appeals court overturned a Texas womans illegal voting conviction Thursday after she was sentenced to five years in prison in 2018.

The acquittal from Texass 2nd Court of Appeals comes after years of legal battles for Crystal Mason, who drew national headlines after being handed the sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion, according to The Texas Tribune.

The 2nd Court of Appeals agreed with the argument Mason and her lawyers had been making for years: that she did not intentionally vote illegally and was unaware of Texas voting law at the time, the Tribune reported.

The text of the statute Mason had been charged and convicted under outlines that a person commits an offense if the person  votes or attempts to vote in an election in which the person knows the person is not eligible to vote, according to court documents.

In the decision, the court said there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew that being on supervised release even after serving the entirety of her incarceration sentence made her ineligible to vote by casting a provisional ballot.

Its the second time the 2nd Court of Appeals reviewed the case  having upheld the initial conviction in March 2020. Mason then filed a petition to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and the states top criminal court instructed the lower appeals court to reconsider the case.

On its first review, the lower appeals court argued that a poll workers testimony saying he watched Mason read each line of an affidavit saying if a felon, I have completed all my punishment including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or I have been pardoned, before signing it and casting her provisional ballot was sufficient evidence to convict her.

Despite acknowledging Masons assertion that she had not read that part of the affidavit and did not know she was legally ineligible to vote, the court argued that she voted while knowing the existence of the condition that made her ineligible, according to the March 2020 decision.

The fact she wasnt actually aware of her ineligibility was irrelevant to her prosecution, the lower court had said.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in May 2022 that the lower appeals court erred by failing to require proof that the Appellant had actual knowledge that it was a crime for her to vote while on supervised release, according to the decision.

The top criminal appeals court for the state instructed the 2nd Court of Appeals to evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence under the correct interpretation of the statute.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SOMERSET, Wis. (FOX 9) - Nicolae Miu is charged in the fatal stabbing on the Apple River in July 2022. Here's a timeline of what happened.

Miu, 54, is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide for the death of 17-year-old Isaac Schuman and multiple counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide for his alleged role in the stabbings on July 30, 2022. His trial begins on April 1, 2024.

July 30, 2022

9:30 a.m.

Nicolae Miu and his wife leave their home in Prior Lake, Minnesota. They plan to meet friends and spend the day floating the Apple River, a popular destination for tubers in Wisconsin's St. Croix County.

10:45 a.m.

Miu arrives at Rivers Edge Campground.

11:30 a.m. - noon

The Apple River.

Miu's group starts their float. Sondra Miu later tells police "the only person that left the group" during the float was her husband Nicolae, who left to find a phone that someone in their party had lost. Using "scuba" gear, Mui starts searching the river near a bridge.

3:44 p.m.

A video recording shows Miu carrying goggles with a snorkel attached as he approaches a group of tubers. Miu is told "Get away." The group accuses Miu of "looking for little girls" and the situation escalates when a larger group approaches. The video shows multiple people yelling at Miu and at least one person touching his shoulder. "From the video, it does appear to show people on three sides of Nicolae at different distances. The video and elapsed time shows opportunity for Nicolae to leave the confrontation," court documents state.

3:47 p.m.

The first 911 calls come in, reporting a stabbing on the Apple River near the sunrise bridge in the Town of Somerset. Later reports from 911 calls indicated there were four victims with wounds to the mid to upper body. Deputies find 17-year-old Issac Schuman without vital signs and perform life-saving measures. Schuman later died at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minnesota. Another victim, Rhyley Mattison, later told FOX 9 she was stabbed during an altercation with Mui.

6:45 p.m.

Witnesses report seeing Miu downriver at a park where tubers exit the river. Police converge on a park and detain Miu. He is interviewed that same night and tells police "I was in self-defense mode" after the tubers attacked him.

The Apple River stabbing scene in July 2022.

July 31, 2022

Police obtain and review the 21-second video.

Aug 1, 2022

Miu is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and four counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

Aug 16, 2022

Celebration of life held for Isaac Schuman in Stillwater. His obituary states "Our hearts are forever broken for our sweet, amazing, talented, funny and loving Issac."

April 1, 2024

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the trial of Nicolae Miu. He faces up to life in prison.

Source: Court documents.
Apple pulled the plug on its electric-vehicle project last month.

One of its biggest Chinese smartphone rivals just started selling its own EV.

Xiaomi launched the SU7 in dozens of Chinese cities on Thursday.

Last month, Apple called it quits on its electric-vehicle dream. One of the iPhone maker's biggest rivals in China is showing it how it's done.

The Beijing-based smartphone maker Xiaomi launched its first line of EVs, the Speed Ultra 7  known as the SU7  on Thursday in a lavish event in Beijing.

The standard SU7 is priced at 215,900 yuan (about $30,000)  about 30,000 yuan less than Tesla's Model 3 in China. The Pro version is 245,900 yuan (about $34,000) and the Max is 299,900 yuan (about $41,500).

The company said it had 50,000 firm orders in less than 30 minutes after the launch, per CarNewsChina.

For Lei Jun, Xiaomi's billionaire cofounder and CEO, the launch marks an extraordinary feat: his EV managed to go on sale just three years after his company said it was venturing beyond consumer electronics into EVs.

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun launches the SU7 EV in Beijing. Michael Zhang/Getty Images

In December, Lei wrote on X about his experience driving 100 cars to "learn from the strengths of each one" and gain the "firsthand experience" he felt necessary to build a competitive car. The effort may have paid off: Xiaomi has said the SU7 can go from zero to 100 kilometers an hour in 2.78 seconds.

"As we approach the 3rd anniversary of our EV-manufacturing journey, 'Fight for Xiaomi EV' continues to fuel me and the team. We remain determined to make a great car!" the Xiaomi CEO said on X.

Like Apple, Xiaomi is best known for selling smartphones. Data from Counterpoint Research found that in the first six weeks of the year, Xiaomi has a 13.8% share of the smartphone market in China, putting it just behind Apple's 15.7%.

So it's worth asking how Xiaomi has managed to do what Apple spent a decade trying to do.

Apple's decision to end its EV project came after running into several production issues that pushed the company to consider a less ambitious design for its autonomous vehicles, having already risked delaying a launch until at least 2028.

Bloomberg reported that in 2020, Apple got an autonomous minivan prototype nicknamed the "Bread Loaf" up and running at a testing track in Arizona. But with a lot more work needed, it became increasingly difficult for Apple to justify spending roughly $1 billion annually on the car program.

Xiaomi SU7 cars at a launch event in Beijing. Michael Zhang/Getty Images

Xiaomi, meanwhile, has managed to use the existing EV industry base in China to its favor.

Xiaomi has benefited from a partnership with the Beijing Automotive Group, which allowed the company to quickly access a manufacturing permit, per Bloomberg. The partnership could help Xiaomi build about 200,000 EVs a year.

Of course, Xiaomi isn't guaranteed success just because it's ready to sell EVs now.

The market for EVs has been on the decline, and rival carmakers like Tesla and BYD are engaged in a price war to entice consumers.

Xiaomi is aiming at the upper end of the Chinese auto market  the world's largest. That could prove to be a challenge in China, where EV makers are battling slowing demand.

Still, Xiaomi has managed to pull off something Apple dreamed about for 10 years. Tim Cook might have to look on from Cupertino to see what could have been.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An Easter holiday storm system that brought Flash Flood Warnings to Los Angeles and heavy rain and mountain snow to much of the rest of California is setting its eyes on the nation's heartland to begin the first week of April as it develops an area of low pressure in the central Plains on Monday.

Forecast models show the first widespread severe weather event will be centered over the middle of the U.S. on Monday before sliding eastward and impacting areas such as the Tennessee and Ohio valleys on Tuesday. Thunderstorms could contain damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and tornadoes.

"What starts in the West must eventually come East," FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said. "All of that energy, as it shifts through the weekend over the Four Corners, gets a second life as it develops over the central U.S."

Nearly 50 million Americans are included in the severe weather risk zone on Monday.

This comes as an influx of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a favorable atmosphere are expected to contribute to the widespread severe threat through the evening hours for parts of the Southern Plains northeastward into the mid-Mississippi Valley.

All hazards, including large hail, wind damage and tornadoes will be possible. The severe threat is expected to impact parts of the Ohio Valley Monday night.

Communities such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman in Oklahoma, as well as Springfield and Columbia in Missouri, are facing a Level 3 out of 5 threat for severe weather, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center said.

THE 5-POINT SEVERE THUNDERSTORM RISK CATEGORY SCALE EXPLAINED

With the more dominant supercells in central and eastern Oklahoma, there is a possibility of hailstones exceeding 2 inches in diameter, the SPC said.

The severe weather threat is expected to continue well after sunset Monday, meaning that some tornadoes could be nocturnal. Nighttime tornadoes are more than twice as likely to result in fatalities than those that happen during the day.

NIGHTTIME TORNADOES FAR MORE LIKELY TO TURN DEADLY THAN DAYTIME ONES

On the northern side of the storm system, snow and freezing rain are potential threats from the north-central Plains on Sunday, stretching into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region Monday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Lingering showers and thunderstorms from Monday and the redevelopment of cells over the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys are expected to be the main themes Tuesday.

Tuesdays heightened threat zone stretches from Ohio into northern Mississippi and Alabama.

The zone includes communities such as Nashville, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Like Monday, the FOX Forecast Center has warned that all modes of severe weather will be possible. The geographic scope should be reduced compared to Mondays threat zone.

"The key messaging here is that as we follow what happens with the rain over the weekend in the West, dont lose sight of the start of the new week, the start of the new month," Minar said. "Come April, make sure you have your FOX Weather app downloaded, and those alerts turned on."

WHAT IS A WARM FRONT?

Beyond Tuesday, predictability is too low to categorize any one community as being in a heightened threat.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to erupt until the frontal boundary exists on the East Coast by Thursday.

April typically sees an increase in severe weather outbreaks as seasonal air masses clash over the eastern half of the country. In fact, the month is usually the second busiest for tornadoes, only outdone by May.

More active severe weather events in April typically happen when the El Nino-Southern Oscillation is in a La Nina phase, which is the opposite of the El Nino the world is currently in.





Original article source: April to kick off with strong severe weather threat for much of America's heartland
SANTIAGO, Chile  Argentina has signed an agreement to buy 24 surplus F-16 fighter jets from Denmark.

Denmark is replacing its F-16 fleet with new F-35 jets, both of which are made by the American company Lockheed Martin.

Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri and his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen signed a letter of intent for the sale in Buenos Aires on March 26. The U.S. ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, attended the event.

Denmark is donating 19 F-16 jets to Ukraine, and the government has decided to sell 24 Danish F-16 jets to Argentina, Lund Poulsen said in a statement, describing the transaction as a possible sale.

The decision to sell the Danish jets to Argentina has been carried out in close collaboration with the American government, who has approved the sale of the US produced aircrafts, the Danish Defence Ministry noted in the statement.

Local military sources in Buenos Aires, speaking to Defense News on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military deals, said Argentina will pay $320 million for the acquisition. They also said banks and the U.S. will provide loans to help finance the deal, which not only includes the aircraft but also weapon systems and other equipment made by U.S. businesses. Denmark is also set to provide simulators and a spares.

Those sources added that the final contract will be signed by the end of April in Copenhagen.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency will manage the sale and transfer of weapon systems such as AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, under the Pentagons Foreign Military Sales program.

Denmarks Acquisition and Logistics Organisation will handle the transfer of surplus F-16s, while the Argentine militarys logistics directorate will surpervise the procurement process.

Negotiations for the deal, which began under Argentinas previous government led by then-President Alberto Fernandez, also considered the procurement of newly built Chinese/Pakistani-made JF-17 fighter jets.

The potential acquisition of the JF-17 was rejected over concerns it could jeopardize relations with the U.S. military.
(Getty Images)

Arkansas officials are collaborating on outreach events and initiatives to fill gaps in womens health care services in response to the governors directive to improve maternal health.

Arkansas has the nations highest maternal mortality rate and the third highest infant mortality rate, according to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Black mothers are most at risk and are twice as likely as their white counterparts to die, according to a 2023 legislative report.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order earlier this month that created a committee tasked with increasing access to quality maternal health services as well as improving education; maternal health before, during and after pregnancy; and statewide coordination for maternal health data and reporting.

State officials told the Legislatures Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee on Friday that their pursuit of those goals includes a stakeholder meeting on April 22 and a womens health event at the Arkansas Capitol on May 2 where attendees can access health screenings and resources.

They also reiterated plans to launch a pilot program in five counties with high rates of pregnant Arkansans receiving no maternal health care: Crittenden, Garland, Phillips, Polk and Scott.

Cassie Cochran, deputy director for public health programs, said they will review clinic processes and services in these counties to better align the services that can be offered in Local Health Units.

All 75 of the states counties have at least one Local Health Unit operated by the Arkansas Department of Health where people can seek health care services like immunizations and testing for contagious diseases.

Cochran said they also plan to bring community stakeholders together to review locally available services and discuss how to better connect them to cover the entire spectrum of womens health.

Arkansas Health Secretary Renee Mallory said a major factor contributing to the states high maternal mortality rate is women starting their pregnancies unhealthy because of chronic conditions.

To change that dynamic is tough. Were not a healthy state, Mallory said. So its like what could we do that might move the needle a little bit faster and actually help these moms have healthy babies?

Mallory said one thing being considered is placing an Arkansas Department of Human Services representative at Local Health Units who could help women apply for Medicaid. DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam said more than half of Arkansas babies born each year are on Medicaid.

Sanders executive order directs state agencies to immediately work on enrolling all eligible Arkansans in existing health insurance programs that cover pregnancy and postpartum care, including Medicaid programs. The governor was criticized last month for saying she didnt believe expanding Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months was necessary.

Arkansas is one of three states that have not taken advantage of the federal option to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months after birth. A 2023 bill would have extended this coverage but did not advance in the Legislature due to cost concerns.

Public Health Committee chair Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, said Friday that its important to understand the specific nature of Medicaid programs, the timing of enrollment and how to make that more seamless and streamlined.

You want to be as effective with the programs that we have, but we also want to make sure that theyre being fully utilized to the best of the programs abilitythe biggest thing that we need to do better at [is] connecting the resources that are already available, Irvin said.

The post Arkansas agencies pursue initiatives to improve states maternal health appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas cryptocurrency mining law to face possible changes in 2025 regarding foreign ownership

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Aspects of a new crypto-mining law in Arkansas are now being reconsidered just one year after taking effect.

State lawmakers authorized a study this week regarding changes they can make to the current law in light of concerns that have come up over the last year.

Community members in DeWitt gather to stop cryptocurrency mining site from going in

The point of Act 851, sponsor Sen. Joshua Bryant (R-Rogers) said, was to limit local governments ability to pass regulations targeting crypto mining.

What the bill was, was really kind of a preemption bill that says hey local control exists, Bryant said. Once theyre up and operated, you cant just back down and shut them down.

When the law passed, crypto mining sites began cropping up and communities went to city council and local government authorities asking to stop these sites from going in.

Crypto mining site coming to Vilonia after new Arkansas law passed; residents concerned about noise

Bryant said Arkansans, whom hes calling the good actors, already had these crypto mining facilities up and running and had concerns that local governments were shutting them down without due process.

By that time, local government had already let them in and so Act 851 would provide those same protections for bad actors, he said.

As of the 2023 session, theres also a new law in Arkansas that prohibits foreign party-controlled businesses from owning agricultural land in the state.

As for crypto mining sites, Attorney General Tim Griffin has been investigating for months now, but so far there are no confirmed properties under this foreign leadership.

Locals react to investigations over two Arkansas companies possible ties to China

Bryant said the changes to the law following the study would likely come in 2025 through some amendments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Army Sec. Christine Wormuth on Thursday announced the creation of an office to better aid the stationing process for military families with members who have special needs.

The Army Exceptional Family Member Program will operate through a central office, and coordinate a variety of healthcare services, change of station processing and family support services. Soldiers enroll in the program when they have a family member with a physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disorder that requires specialized health care or educational services, according to an Army news release.

The creation of a central office builds on the Armys previous work with special needs families. The office will review complex cases received from installations, and focus on advocacy at the Army headquarters level and Department of Defense level, officials stated. The central office is one of the requirements for service officials in DOD guidance for the Exceptional Family Member Program issued last year, which was aimed to provide more consistency and better support for military families with special needs.

All branches of the military offer an Exceptional Family Member Program, which includes a variety of personnel, medical and family support functions. About 110,000 active duty service members are enrolled.

For years, military families with special needs have detailed their problems with the availability and quality of medical care and special education. Following a February 2020 congressional hearing, lawmakers mandated EFMP standardization and improvements in the fiscal 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.

The needs of an eligible family member are considered in the personnel assignment process, with the intended goal being to keep families together by allowing them to come with the service member to their duty location, reads the news release.

The foundation of Army readiness depends on taking care of our soldiers and families, Wormuth said in the release. Each Army family is unique, and the EFMP Central Office will provide tailored support for over 40,000 families enrolled in EFMP.

The Exceptional Family Member Program is a mandatory program that works with both military and civilian agencies to provide a variety of support, whether it be housing, healthcare, educational or other personnel services, according to the Army.

However, the service did note that military families should first approach their Army Community Service or military treatment facility professionals if they need help or encounter barriers to education or healthcare needs for their family. The Exceptional Family Member Program Office is available for additional support.

EFMP-support agencies at the installation level are well postured to assist families, but when a support agency or family member needs additional assistance to find the right resources, the EFMP Central Office team members are there to help, Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, Deputy Chief of Staff for G-9, said in the release.

The Defense Department also has an Office of Special Needs which provides support to military families with special needs, develops policy and provides oversight of the EFMP, and works with the military services to make sure their special needs families have the support and resources they need.
Soldiers in the British Army will be allowed to wear beards following years of discussion around the Army's policy on facial hair [BBC]

Soldiers and officers are now allowed to grow beards while serving in the British Army.

The beards and moustaches must be neat, properly groomed and will be routinely checked.

The policy comes into immediate effect as the Army becomes the last of the armed forces to allow its personnel to grow beards.

The new directive follows years of discussion around the Army's policy on facial hair.

The change follows a review into the Army's policy on the appearance of its personnel which lasted several months, an Army spokesman told the BBC.

Army leadership then looked at the findings before deciding to change the policy.

"We have listened to our people and acted," the spokesman said.

There may be specific occasions where the personnel are required to be clean-shaven, the Army said, and officers and soldiers will be "directed to shave as and when circumstances dictate".

It is thought that Army leaders hope the new policy will help attract new recruits.

Several foreign armies, such as those of Denmark, Germany, and Belgium, allow troops to grow a beard.

Troops of certain faiths, such as Sikhs, Muslims and Rastafarians, were already allowed to grow full beards as long as they did not put their operational effectiveness, health or safety at risk.

The Times reported that the new policy was announced by Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney, the most senior non-commissioned officer in a four-minute video message to troops.

"Getting to an outcome has taken a bit longer than expected due to the larger number of stakeholders that were involved, including His Majesty the King, our politicians and our allies," he is reported to have said.

"CGS [chief of the general staff] has taken account of your views and has decided the appearance policy will change with our officers and soldiers being allowed to grow beards."

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said in an interview with the newspaper last year that banning beards in the Army was "ridiculous", and called on the institution to "modernise".

"How is it we are still struggling with recruitment and then arbitrarily saying you can't join [if you grow a beard]," he said.

The Royal Air Force has permitted its personnel to sport facial hair since 2019, while the Royal Navy has allowed beards and moustaches for years.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia is focused on removing impediments to exports to China for live lobsters and beef from some suppliers, a government official said, one day after Beijing said it would lift tariffs on Australian wine.

Australia and China, its largest trading partner, are rebuilding ties after a period of strained relations which hit a low in 2020 after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origin of COVID-19.

Trade spats over barley, coal and now wine have been resolved but a Chinese ban on exports of Australian live lobsters is still in place as is a ban on shipments from eight meat export establishments.

"There is progress still to made in relation to beef, progress still to be made in relation to some categories of seafood," Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres told a media briefing.

"We are going to keep the focus on those sectors at official level and at ministerial level to resolve those differences," he said.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
In the grand design of corporate culture, the leadership team act as architects, tasked with building a resilient workforce foundation that stands the test of time.

In the war for talent retention, one simple thing can make all the difference: meaningful recognition. It turns out, acknowledgment is more than just a nice gesture its the cornerstone of employee loyalty, engagement and retention.

Given the current levels of engagement Australian employees are recently reporting, businesses must prioritise recognition more than ever. The statistics are clear, an eye-opening 56% of employees have contemplated leaving their jobs in the past six months, and the real kicker is that 35% point to a lack of recognition as a significant push factor.

Now, if these were the results of a customer satisfaction survey, businesses would be racing to revamp their service or product offerings. Just like customers need to feel valued and listened to, employees seek acknowledgment and recognition for their contributions. Its a stark reminder that in the workplace, appreciation is essential and not just a perk. Imagine, one in three of your workforce potentially walking out the door primarily because they dont feel recognisedthats a scenario no business can afford to ignore.

When thinking about recognition combined with rewards, its important to understand that

this transcends mere incentives, touching on the intrinsic motivations that drive people to excel. When employees feel recognised, their satisfaction and engagement levels soar, leading to increased loyalty and a reduced likelihood of seeking opportunities elsewhere. In the same vein, recognition that reinforces progress, both big and small, towards a specific goal helps managers continually motivate their people.

Important to note is this isnt a quick fix  by strategically embedding a continuous culture of recognition and rewards, organisations make a pivotal move towards bolstering productivity and performance, cultivating a sense of belonging and value amongst employees. This matters more than you might think as nearly half of Aussie employees think recognition is a must-have element that they seek in potential employers. To top it off, three out of five believe that a straightforward thank you for their hard work would improve their work wellbeing.

Implementing an effective recognition program involves more than sporadic gestures of appreciation. It requires crafting an approach where recognition is woven into the fabric of a companys culture. This includes creating platforms for peer-to-peer recognition and ensuring that rewards are meaningful and aligned with the values of both the employee and the organisation.

Additionally, leveraging technology can play a pivotal role in facilitating and tracking recognition efforts, making it easier to celebrate successes and milestones in real-time. Such tools free up HR and business leaders to focus on other goals and give managers the freedom and tools they need to use recognition to motivate their teams.

Take Suncorp Group Limited for instance. The organisation employs 13,400 employees across Australia and New Zealand and uses its recognition and reward scheme to issue an impressive 76,000 eCards, a digital version of a greeting card, annually, along with an average of 200 nominations for company awards each month.

We know that the direct correlation between recognition and employee retention points to a deeper understanding of humans at work  people thrive in environments where their contributions are seen and valued, so the question isnt whether businesses should adapt to changing needs, but how quickly they can do so. Central to this adaptation is fostering a workplace culture that seamlessly integrates moments of recognition with the companys broader brand identity. This approach ensures that employees experiences resonate with their expectations, reinforcing their commitment to the company. This isnt just a best practice; its a strategic necessity where the ability to attract and retain skilled professionals can make the difference between success and obsolescence.

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Yellow caution tape surrounds the Avalon Apartments on Sunday, a day after a two-alarm fire severely damaged the building in downtown Newark.

NEWARK  The historic Avalon building in downtown Newark, survivor of a demolition order 25 years ago, once again faces an uncertain future.

The three-story apartment building for income-eligible seniors sits vacant following a two-alarm fire Saturday morning, when part of the roof collapsed shortly after firefighters escaped.

The smoke, fire and water left the 123-year-old building on the corner of West Main and North Fifth streets with considerable damage and the owners and city officials with difficult decisions ahead.

There was a report of an attic fan on fire, but when firefighters arrived, all they could see was an attic fire, Assistant Newark Fire Chief Neal Murphy said. The call came in about 10:30 a.m. from an upstairs apartment after a fire alarm sounded.

LEADS Community Action Agency, which has owned the building since it saved the condemned structure in 2003, awaits an evaluation from experts whether it can be salvaged or should be demolished.

The city hired a structural engineer to inspect the building today who found it to be more sound than previously thought, LEADS CEO Nathan Keirns said Wednesday. The insurance company is bringing in an engineer and adjuster from Kansas later this week.

The east wall, facing Fifth Street, appears to have sustained the most significant damage.

Thats the area were concerned about  the area most impacted, Keirns said. At first, we hoped it was just going to be a minimal situation  in the attic and contained quickly. As it escalated, we were surprised, shocked and devastated. Were happy people were able to get out.

Keirns said a decision may need to happen quickly if there is an immediate danger.

Residents of the 20 apartments evacuated the building Saturday to the Licking County Library across the street, where the Red Cross set up a temporary shelter. Several residents found housing with family or friends, but the Licking County Coalition for Housing, Metropolitan Housing Authority and LEADS have been searching for housing options for the rest.

Rod Cook, director of the East Central Ohio chapter of the American Red Cross, said the Red Cross paid for hotel stays for residents in need of immediate shelter.

A majority that same day had a place they could go to, with family members or friends, Cook said. We started working with various organizations, depending on what the needs are. Were working with them on an individual basis.

Keirns said the city allowed pets to be rescued and may permit a security company to retrieve some items for residents. They are still searching for three cats, which may be hiding.

"While the future of the building is still unknown, I am over-the-moon happy to hear that many, or hopefully all, of the pets will be reunited with their loved ones," Keirns said.

Deb Tegtmeyer, executive director of the Licking County Coalition for Housing, said the loss of the Avalon, either temporary or permanent, will affect local housing availability.

Its a big loss to lose that number of units for seniors and those with disabilities, Tegtmeyer said. Were already in a tight housing market. We may have some funds we can assist with a deposit on a new place.

This is just devastating for folks and doubly devastating because of the lack of housing affordable for folks in our area.

Tegtmeyer was also searching for housing for Avalon residents in 1998, when the Newark Health Department, citing years of complaints, building code violations and health hazards, condemned the Avalon, declaring it a public nuisance and ordering its residents to vacate in 10 days.

It was LEADS CEO Ken Kempton who found a solution back then.

In 1998, I kept saying, theres got to be some way to save it, and sure enough he did, Tegtmeyer said of Kempton.

It wasnt until 2005 when LEADS finally ended the seven-year roller-coaster ride, when it showed off renovated Avalon apartments in a VIP tour.

The current challenge could be just as severe.

Theres some real concern about it and when it can be restored, Tegtmeyer said on Monday. It may be a total loss. I dont know. It was pretty bad. It had a good run, though.

"If its demolished, we need to quickly allow for new construction of units for seniors that need financial assistance.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-973-4539

Twitter: @kmallett1958

A history of the Avalon Building in downtown Newark

Sept. 16, 1998: The Newark Health Department, citing years of complaints, building code violations and health hazards, condemns the Avalon building, declaring it a public nuisance and ordering its residents to vacate their apartments in 10 days.

1999: Newark Board of Health orders Avalon building be demolished.

July 1999: Newark Board of Health rescinds order to demolish Avalon building.

2001: Avalon building 100 years old.

January 2001: Newark Board of Health removes latest order to demolish Avalon, giving MS Development an opportunity to obtain funds to renovate the structure.

July 2001: MS Development fails to obtain housing tax credits needed to renovate Avalon.

January 2002: Arson suspected in Avalon building fire. Motorist driving by at midnight spots the flames and calls 911. Fire contained by 12:30 a.m. and damage only $200.

March 2002: Newark City Council approves resolution supporting LEADS Community Action Agency in its pursuit of low-income housing tax credits to renovate Avalon.

July 2002: Gov. Bob Taft announces the Ohio Housing Finance Agency awarded housing credits to 69 developments, including the Avalon.

February 2003: The Ohio Housing Finance Agency approves $625,930 direct loan for LEADS to acquire and renovate the Avalon.

March 2003: LEADS approved for $240,000 loan from the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Trust Fund to acquire and rehabilitate the Avalon .

December 2003: LEADS begins rehabilitation work on building after obtaining $2.3 million in housing tax credits, $515,000 in historic tax credits and $240,000 loan.

Jan. 31, 2005: LEADS shows off renovated Avalon building in VIP tour.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark's Avalon building in danger of demolition, like 25 years ago
David Axelrod said his old boss, former President Obama, does not want the 2024 presidential race to be a tag-team match.

It isnt that customary for former presidents to be out there, actively campaigning, and Obama has done that because these are extraordinary times, Axelrod said Thursday in an appearance on CNNs Laura Coates Live.

But if you watch what hes done, he tends to get engaged in the fall when voters are engaged, and he tends to pick his spots because I dont think he wants to be  he doesnt want it to be a tag-team match.

President Biden held a multimillion-dollar fundraiser with Obama and former President Clinton on Thursday night in New York City. All three also joined the SmartLess podcast hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett; the episode will be released at a later date, according to the White House.

You and I are paying rapt attention to this race, now, Axelrod told Coates. Most Americans are not. And theyre gonna start paying attention after the conventions, in the fall. Thats when the final arguments are gonna be made that are gonna turn this race.

Its in that fall time frame, Axelrod said, that youll see President Obama out there, just as he was in 2020, just as he was in 2022.

Obama campaigned for his former vice president back in 2020, saying at a drive-in rally in Michigan at the time that then-President Trump hadnt shown any interest in doing the work or helping anybody but himself or his friends or treating the presidency as anything more than a reality show to give him the attention that he craves.

But unfortunately, the rest of us have to live with the consequences, Obama continued.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A woman looks at LIFE magazine copies as part of the show "Sorprendeme!", a retrospective of Philippe Halsman at CaixaForum in Madrid, November 30, 2016 (GERARD JULIEN)

The legendary American magazine Life, a 20th-century mainstay famous for its photography, will be revived by fashion model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, the company of which she is CEO announced on Thursday.

Bedford Media announced in a statement that the return of Life Magazine in print and digital distribution, as part of an agreement with (publisher) Dotdash Meredith, will lead to the relaunch of Life as a regular publication.

The financial details of the deal were not immediately disclosed, nor was a date for the relaunch.

In a world of dizzying social and legacy media possibilities, Kloss, one of the top models in the early 2000s, said Life could help bring people together, according to the statement.

"Josh and I are honored to continue @LIFEs legacy ," she said on Instagram.

She was referring to her husband, investor Joshua Kushner, the new owner of the magazine. Kushner is brother of former president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Created in 1883, and then bought and overhauled in 1936, Life has long been a flagship of photojournalism, publishing images captured by huge talents like Robert Capa, Alfred Eisenstaedt and Margaret Bourke-White. From movie stars to wars, Life chronicled the times for decades.

But after years of decline, it became a monthly, before dying out then reborn and finally surviving online with its archives in the 2000s.

Kloss recently went shopping for i-D magazine, a British fashion bimonthly.

For an old-school feel, the publisher will also continue to publish special editions stamped with the red and white Life logo.

iba/mdl/tjj
After Tuesdays tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after being struck by a malfunctioning cargo ship, online conversation about the deadly accident has included conspiracy theories, political attacks against officials in the Biden administration and those in state and local government, and racist comments. Now, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is taking the criticism head-on, calling out his detractors and their biases.

As news about the bridge collapse continued to develop on Tuesday, several social media posters chose to tweet criticism of Scott, who conducted an early morning press conference shortly after the disaster. One post that had over 25 million views as of Thursday morning included video of Scotts new conference with the message This is Baltimores DEI mayor commenting on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. Readers were quick to point out that the insult was both nonsensical and racist. Readers added a community note to the tweet stating that Brandon Scott was elected as Mayor of Baltimore in 2020 with > 70% of the vote. He did not come in to office through any DEI practices, appointments, etc.

This is Baltimores DEI mayor commenting on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. Its going to get so, so much worse. Prepare accordingly. pic.twitter.com/slw0lCooin  iamyesyouareno (@iamyesyouareno) March 26, 2024

Scott called out the criticism and the underlying racism directly when he appeared Wednesday on MSNBCs The ReidOut. Black men, and young Black men in particular, have been the boogeymen for those who are racist and think only straight wealthy white men should have a say in anything, Scott told host Joy Reid. Directly referencing the DEI slam, Scott said, And what they mean by DEI in my opinion is duly elected incumbent. Scott didnt ignore the underlying racism that has developed on social media, in which DEI is often used as an insult or way to undermine Black people in positions of power or authority. We know what they want to say, but they dont have the courage to say the N-word.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott responds to being called the citys DEI mayor What they mean by DEI, in my opinion, is duly elected incumbent.pic.twitter.com/wnrxjNicW1  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 28, 2024

The DEI mayor jab was not the only insult thrown at Scott or others. Scott was criticized for not wearing a suit during an early morning press conference shortly after the disaster.

Would it kill him to put on a suit? Or at least a quarter zip?  TalkingPointsPrince (@prince_points) March 27, 2024

Scott was wearing a City of Baltimore jacket; other social media users noted that he was dressed similarly to the way that various presidents, governors and other leaders tend to dress when visiting disaster sites.

What about George bush on 9/11 or Ron desantis during the hurricane or Rudy giuliano during 9/11? All didnt wear a suit so whats different now  ill slam you through a table (@blackNthrobbin) March 26, 2024

A social media user mocked Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for his past comments recognizing racial bias in the ways in which American infrastructure has been developed; his critic implied falsely that this attention to institutional racism was in any way connected to the bridge collapse.

I'm so thankful that TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Pete Buttigieg is concerned with solving racist bridges, roads, highways, and tunnels. I wonder if the Francis Scott Key Bridge was one of those racist bridges.

pic.twitter.com/JQPJD6Xhhj  Chad Prather (@WatchChad) March 26, 2024

These racist attacks have not taken away from the response to the bridge disaster, as recovery efforts remain for the construction workers who are believed to have died in the accident, and the federal government pledges to designate resources to rebuilding the bridge. But the online discourse does highlight how some people are eager to take any opportunity to promote racism or take shots at Black people in power.
Maryland's governor has provided early details of his plan to clean up wreckage after a cargo ship hit a major bridge Baltimore, killing six.

The Biden administration has approved $60m (47m) in emergency funds that Maryland had requested to help.

Governor Wes Moore outlined how they intended to clear debris, remove the ship, extract bridge pieces and rebuild it.

"We have a very long road ahead of us," he said.

Eight construction workers were on the bridge when it partially collapsed. Two of them were rescued from the water.

Speaking alongside lawmakers at a news conference on Thursday, Mr Moore outlined plans for each stage of the process, which he said will pose several challenges.

The cargo vessel, the Dali, that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge is nearly as long as the Eiffel Tower, he said.

He contrasted the situation to the 2021 incident in which it took five weeks to remove a cargo ship that became stuck in the Suez Canal. The difference here, the governor said, is that the Key Bridge is on top of the vessel.

"We're talking 3,000 to 4,000 tons of steel that's sitting on that ship," Mr Moore said.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore said it was an unprecedented challenge [Getty Images]

He added that the rivers' waters were dark, and the debris in the water so dense that divers could not see more than one or two feet in front of them.

"So most of the operation, they simply feel," he said. "These divers have been methodical, they've been disciplined, they've been courageous, diving in darkness with objects all around them."

The state has requested a host of resources to help with the clean-up process.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is covering the cost of clearing the channel and has 32 staff members and 38 US Navy contractors on the ground, said Maryland's Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

He added that a 1,000-ton (907-tonne) crane - the largest on the US eastern seaboard - would arrive around 0:00 EST (04:00 GMT) on Friday to help remove debris. A 400 ton crane would then come on Saturday to further aid in clearing the debris.

In the meantime, those involved in the clean-up process must figure out how to cut debris from the bridge into pieces so they can be lifted by the crane, said Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath of the US Coast Guard.

Authorities have also deployed 2,400 feet of water containment booms to protect against hazardous material from the boat, Mr Moore said.

The Dali was carrying thousands of cargo containers on board, including 56 that were holding hazardous materials, officials have said. That included items like lithium batteries and perfume, according to the governor.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said 764 tonnes of mostly corrosive and flammable materials were identified on the boat.

Mr Moore said the state is also planning to provide economic support to workers whose jobs have been affected by the crash - around 8,000 people, according to the state government.

The recovery cost will not be cheap, according to analysts, but the state is eligible for more federal emergency relief funds in addition to the $60m it has already received, Mr Van Hollen said.

He said that money would help cover the "lion's share of reconstructing the bridge".

Mr Van Hollen said he would introduce legislation to cover the remainder of the recovery costs. President Joe Biden has previously said the federal government should foot the bill to rebuild the bridge.

During Thursday's news conference, Mr Moore and others stressed the importance of fixing the structure as soon as possible.

Its long-term closure could pose a threat to global supply chains, experts have said.

"That's our number one priority, is to reopen the port of Baltimore as fast as we can - and safely," Mr Gilreath said.
Two of the Democratic Partys rising stars have been thrust into the national spotlight this week after the bridge collapse in Baltimore.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, 45, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 42  both of whom considered likely candidates for higher office in the future  face a key test with their handling of the aftermath of the disaster, which took six lives and will require a bridge reconstruction and port reopening.

It is a bright reflection of the talent we have within the Democratic Party and their ability to lead in times of crisis, said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist. Sometimes its a crisis that forces leaders to rise to the top and answer the call. I think this unfortunate tragedy has done just that.

The two young politicians have found themselves center stage nationally after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Interstate 695 in Baltimore on Tuesday. In addition to the lives lost, the tragedy has also opened up concerns about supply chain issues, commuting impacts and funding for rebuilding.

Buttigieg, for his part, is no stranger to the national spotlight, having run for president in 2020 when he was serving as the mayor of South Bend, Ind.

Moore, on the other hand, is newer to national politics. Before he was elected governor of Maryland in 2022, he worked as a nonprofit executive and author.

This is just another layer of exposure for [Moore], Seawright said. I think hes always demonstrated the ability to not only lead but lead in the light, and I think the world is seeing what a lot of people already know about Wes Moore.

Buttigiegs rise  from management consultant to Navy reservist in Afghanistan to Indiana mayor to Cabinet official  came after he outperformed many establishment Democrats in the primary in 2020 and instantly gained named recognition on the national level.

He ran a very credible primary back in 2020, said Jon Reinish, a Democratic strategist. This is a popular guy who has always been looked at as a rising star, one to watch, and one to follow.

There is a reason why Biden chose him for this job, he continued. He is good at this.

When Biden named Buttigieg as Transportation secretary, after the two ran against each other in the primary, it was considered an ideal opportunity for him to prove his chops amid questions about his future political prospects. The secretary has also been a surrogate for Bidens reelection campaign and is known by politics-watchers for his ease with TV interviews and willingness to push back on Republican criticism against the administration.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is seen during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 to give an update on yesterdays collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore caused by a crash from the container ship Dali. (Greg Nash)

Now, Buttigieg and Moore will be judged by how they handle the aftermath of the bridge collapse.

Gov. Moore and Sec Buttigieg are essential parts of the future of the Democratic Party. The situation in Baltimore is tragic, and having both of them leading the response is an opportunity for them to show what excellence is under pressure. Its an opportunity for them to shine at a time of need, said Ivan Zapien, a former official for the Democratic National Committee.

Moore and Buttigieg are among several Democratic hopefuls that have been floated for 2028, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D). All of the candidates have executive experience on the state or local level, including Buttigieg.

Strategists say this is not by chance.

Voters are pretty fed up with Washington, Reinish said. I think that voters are craving executive experience.

Top Stories from The Hill

The response to the bridge has led to images of Buttigieg in the Oval Office with President Biden and images of Moore day after day at the bridge site. Buttigieg joined the White House press briefing Wednesday, and Moore has been fielding questions from reporters in press conferences all week.

Both men are military veterans and represent key constituencies within the Democratic Party. Moore is not just Marylands first Black governor, but also the only Black governor currently serving in the U.S. Buttigieg was the first openly LGBTQ executive in Indiana and the first openly LGBTQ person confirmed to the U.S. Cabinet.

Buttigieg has faced this kind of pressure before. He has been spearheading the federal governments response to Boeing after incidents with the companys planes and has previously handled situations like the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and stranded holiday travelers.

Rachel Palermo, who served on Buttigiegs presidential campaign and is the former deputy communications director and associate counsel to Vice President Harris, said the secretary shines under pressure.

Secretary Buttigieg is one of best examples of a leader who thoughtfully responds to crises and demonstrates grace under pressure, and thats why hes such a critical part of the Biden-Harris Administration, she said. Leaders like Secretary Buttigieg and Vice President Harris make me optimistic about the future of the Democratic Party  they embody bold and forward-thinking leadership, and improving the lives of everyday Americans is at the center of everything they do.

For Moore, the tragedy is the first time many Americans outside of Maryland have been introduced to him. Moore has also served as a strong surrogate for Bidens reelection bid, with a focus especially on Black voter outreach.

So far in the near term, he is doing everything right, said Len Foxwell, a Maryland-based Democratic strategist. He has provided comfort and reassurance to the families of the victims. He has provided reassurance and strength to the people of Maryland who are shaken by this tragedy and he has made it abundantly clear that we are going to rebuild and we are going to rebuild better.

The next test is over the long term, how quickly and how efficiently is he going to be coordinating the rebuilding process, Foxwell added.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore smiles during his State of the State address in Annapolis, Md., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore smiles during his State of the State address in Annapolis, Md., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Gov. Moore testified Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in support of measures aimed at making housing more affordable and protecting renters, some of the governors top priorities this legislative session. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark, File)

While Buttigieg and Moore have received praise for their responses, the event has also led to partisan criticism.

Its clearly in no way based on fact, but social media, right-wing media, un-fact checked media, unhinged media on the right, Reinish said. Its just been so immediate today and thats whats been so striking.

Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D), who is also Black, have faced an additional layer of racist criticism online. Scott responded to the online criticism on MSNBC earlier this week, saying that the attacks 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, Scott told host Joy Reid, adding that those who are playing a role in recovery are ignoring the conspiracy theories and working together.

Seawright said Moore, Buttigieg, Scott and others leading the recovery efforts are showing that the process is not about politics.

There are always bad actors who are looking to spread division, and I think you see this playing out in real time, he said. These leaders are demonstrating that this is not about a political party, this is not about future political office potentials, this is about making sure in this moment that the country knows that their leaders are willing to put every other thing aside to do whats in the best interest of the American people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans are divided over how to approach rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge as federal and state officials race to assess the deadly collapse and make plans to restore the Port of Baltimore.

A Singapore-linked container ship collided with the bridge early on Tuesday, sending the structure into the water. Officials have not given a timeline when they expect the Maryland port, one of the busiest on the East Coast, to reopen.

President Biden vowed earlier this week that the federal government would foot the bill for reconstructing the bridge and called on Congress to back him up. Early reports have indicated it could cost as much as $2 billion.

Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who along with the rest of Marylands congressional delegation is calling for federal support, also argued the private companies involved in the incident should make up the cost.

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAYS IT'S TOO EARLY TO KNOW BRIDGE DEBRIS CLEANUP TIMELINE

Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., left, and Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., are among the House Republicans who are split over President Biden's promise that the federal government will cover the costs of the Baltimore Key Bridge reconstruction.

"It was easy for the president to promise someone else's money, American taxpayers money, but I think American taxpayers would kind of wish that he had the response he had after the East Palestine disaster, which is to call for the companies responsible to pay for the damages," Harris told Fox News Digital, referencing last years toxic chemical train derailment in Ohio.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He also noted that there is federal funding immediately available for situations such as this. The federal government approved $60 million in emergency dollars on Thursday.

"We should actually be seeking to get money from those foreign companies that operate the ship and chartered the ship," Harris said.

2 BODIES RECOVERED FOLLOWING BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE

Another conservative, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., called Bidens promise "absurd" and "idiotic" in a text message to Fox News Digital.

Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., noted that the event was a "tragedy," with six construction workers having lost their lives, but called on Biden to reallocate aid funds from his mammoth $1 trillion infrastructure law signed in 2021.

"While I mourn the lives lost in Baltimore, we cannot haphazardly spend over $1 billion as America is $34 trillion in debt. Before we spend one more dime for domestic infrastructure, we must build a domestic border wall," Duncan said. "Any funds used to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge should be reprogrammed from Bidens wasteful infrastructure bill."

Its a sign that House GOP leaders could have some trouble navigating their razor-thin majority with a supplemental relief bill  though opposition will likely only go so far, with any measure expected to get broad bipartisan support.

On the other hand, House Rules Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., who also chairs the House Appropriations Committees subcommittee on transportation, told Fox News Digital that hes open to supporting federal funding.

MARYLAND GOV. WES MOORE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WE WILL NOT DO ON RECOVERY EFFORTS

"Im not hostile to that at all," Cole said of Bidens vow, noting that the ports closure affects the national economy.

"I've learned more about the Port of Baltimore than I knew in the last 48 hours, in terms of how important it is whether it's moving automobiles through there, and moving agricultural  both exports and imports  in terms of supplies and machinery. It's a very important facility, and it's going to ripple through the national economy," Cole explained. "I'm not going to quibble with the President of the United States over thisand certainly, Baltimore has every reason to expect a full and robust federal response."

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early on Tuesday after it was hit by a container ship.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told MSNBC earlier this week that she expects insurance payments to cover some of the cost.

But GOP Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, who dealt with the after-effects of a tornado as mayor of Knox County, pointed out from experience that insurance payments take time to process. He told Fox News Digital he would keep "an open mind" about the federal government potentially paying the whole bill, if the insurance went to repayment later.

"With insurance claims, it's going to be a long, drawn-out process. If we had some agreement at some point that, you know, they would apply those funds back towards [the government], I wouldn't have a problem with it," Burchett said. "I believe it's a federal highway. And so it's going to need to be addressed. It's a huge detriment to those people."





Original article source: Baltimore Key Bridge: House Republicans divided after Biden vows feds will foot the bill
(The Hill)  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 rammed 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.

US gives Maryland $60 million in relief to rebuild Baltimore bridge

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 Queen City News.
Bangladesh's transgender hijra community have enjoyed greater legal and political recognition in recent years but still suffer from entrenched prejudice (REHMAN ASAD)

Kicked out of other prayer services, members of Bangladesh's transgender hijra community have been welcomed at a new mosque in the Muslim-majority nation with the promise of worship without discrimination.

The humble structure -- a single-room shed with walls and a roof clad in tin -- is a new community hub for the minority, who have enjoyed greater legal and political recognition in recent years but still suffer from entrenched prejudice.

"From now on, no one can deny a hijra from praying in our mosque," community leader Joyita Tonu said in a speech to the packed congregation.

"No one can mock us," added the visibly emotional 28-year-old, a white scarf covering her hair.

The mosque near Mymensingh, north of the capital Dhaka on the banks of the Brahmaputra river, was built on land donated by the government after the city's hijra community were expelled from an established congregation.

"I never dreamt I could pray at a mosque again in my lifetime," said Sonia, 42, who as a child loved to recite the Koran and studied at an Islamic seminary.

But when she came out as hijra, as transgender women in South Asia are commonly known, she was blocked from praying in a mosque.

"People would tell us: 'Why are you hijra people here at the mosques? You should pray at home. Don't come to the mosques,'" Sonia, who uses only one name, told AFP.

"It was shameful for us, so we didn't go," she added. "Now, this is our mosque. Now, no one can say no."

- 'Like any other people' -

Hijra have been the beneficiaries of growing legal recognition in Bangladesh, which since 2013 has officially allowed members of the community to identify as a third gender.

Several have entered Bangladeshi politics, with one transgender woman elected mayor of a rural town in 2021.

But hijra still struggle for basic recognition and acceptance, lacking property and marriage rights.

They are also often discriminated against in employment and are much more likely to be victims of violent crime and poverty than the average Bangladeshi.

Hardline Islamist groups have also lashed out at the recognition of transgender Bangladeshis in school textbooks, leading rallies to demand the government abandon its push to include them in the curriculum.

Mufti Abdur Rahman Azad, founder of a hijra charity, told AFP that the new mosque was the first of its kind in the country.

A similar endeavour planned in another city was stopped last month after a protest by locals, he added.

Dozens of local hijra women donated time and money to build the Dakshin Char Kalibari Masjid for the Third Gender, which opened this month.

It also has a graveyard, after a local Muslim cemetery last year refused to bury a young hijra woman inside its grounds.

The mosque's imam, Abdul Motaleb, 65, said that the persecution of the hijra community was against the teachings of his faith.

"They are like any other people created by Allah", the cleric told AFP.

- 'No one can be denied' -

"We all are human beings. Maybe some are men, some are women, but all are human. Allah revealed the Holy Koran for all, so everyone has the right to pray, no one can be denied."

Motaleb said that other Bangladeshis could learn from the faith and strength of the hijra.

"Since I have been here at this mosque, I have been impressed by their character and deeds," he said.

The new mosque is already tackling prejudice. Local resident Tofazzal Hossain, 53, has offered Friday prayers there for a second week in a row.

He said living and praying with the hijra community has changed his "misconceptions" about them.

"When they started to live with us, many people said many things," he told AFP.

"But we've realised what people say isn't right. They live righteously like other Muslims".

Tonu hopes to expand the simple mosque to be big enough to cater for more people.

"God willing, we will do it very soon," she told AFP.

"Hundreds of people can offer prayers together."

mma-sa/pjm/gle/mca
Theres just something about a clean bathroom that puts an extra pep in our step (and makes that bubble bath you owe yourself all the more inviting).

A sparkling clean bathroom does more than simply give the space a visual boost: Maintaining a clean bathroom is not just about aesthetics; its crucial for health and hygiene. Regular cleaning prevents the build-up of mold, mildew, and harmful germs that thrive in a bathrooms moist environment, says Diana Ciechorska, general manager at Park Slope Cleaning, a commercial cleaning company in New York City.

Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics, in Hunt, Texas, echoes this sentiment, stressing that since bathrooms are a hotbed for germs, its best to err on the side of cleaning more often rather than less. Generally, Nelson recommends doing a full clean of your bathroom at least once a week, with wipe-downs a couple of times in between or as needed. From toothpaste spatter to fingerprints, bathroom mirrors and surrounding appliances often need regular attention, says Nelson, adding that due to the general lack of ventilation in enclosed spaces, its essential to clean bathtubs and showers more frequently.

As far as how to accomplish this daunting chore, consistency is key. Create a cleaning schedule that breaks down tasks into manageable, routine activities, preventing the need for overwhelming deep cleans, suggests Ciechorska. You should aim to commit to easy, daily tasks like wiping down counters and vacuuming the floor, and set aside longer amounts of time for the bigger ones. If youre pressed for time, just focus on the areas that are the dirtiest until you can get everything in good shape, Raquel Kehler, an interior designer and house flipper at Roomcrush, tells TODAY.com.

To save yourself time (and steps), Kehler and Ciechorska suggest using a caddy to tote all of your cleaning supplies into the bathroom. This arsenal should include disinfectants, scrub brushes, a toilet brush, microfiber cloths and glass cleaner, as well as anything else you find helpful to clean and sanitize your space.

Not sure where and when you should start? Weve put together the ultimate bathroom cleaning checklist, complete with expert tips, to help you make sense of the tasks at hand. Use this as a guide, but remember: If something looks dirty to your naked eye, dont wait to clean it.

Daily

A daily wipe-down slows the build up of mildew, soap scum and grime. In addition to the shower and sink area, focus your attention on high-touch spots like the faucet handle and toilet seat.

Daily bathroom cleaning checklist. (TODAY illustration)

Wipe down counters

Water has a way of getting everywhere when we wash our hands. Same goes for toothpaste A quick wipe of the bathroom counters after each use wont take much out of your day, but it will go a long way in helping you maintain a clean bathroom.

Squeegee shower walls

Keep a squeegee in the shower to swipe moisture from walls and glass doors. Though you might not relish the idea of splitting your shower or bath time with a maintenance task, Armeka Townsend, cleaning expert and senior consumer relations representative at Zep, says its an excellent way to prevent soap scum.

Vacuum the floor and any rugs

Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, which is based in Irving, Texas, suggests keeping a small vacuum near the bathroom and giving the floor and rugs a quick once-over every day. Doing this helps to prevent the accumulation of dust, hair, and debris, she says. This easy-to-adopt habit not only helps maintain a clean appearance of your bathroom, but also contributes to a healthier living space by reducing allergens and bacteria buildup.

Weekly

Once a week, set aside time for a more thorough cleaning session. Along with the tasks down below, Townsend recommends tackling any areas that may be bacteria breeding grounds. "You should replace your toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, and other frequently used bathroom items on a regular basis to prevent bacteria buildup," she says.

Weekly bathroom cleaning checklist. (TODAY illustration)

Dust baseboards

Dust particles from rugs and towels can build up over time  and your baseboards are sure to show it. Remove loose dirt and dust with a vacuum brush attachment or broom, then wipe them clean with warm, soapy mixture. Or if you want a one-and-done solution, go over them with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove scuffs, stains and dust.

Launder hand towels

Its helpful to have backup hand towels so you can swap them out more frequently, depending on how frequently your bathroom is used. Be sure to hang them so they can air dry well between uses.

More on how to clean towels properly.

Folded towels closeup (Getty Images)

Dust light fixtures and furniture

Just as you wipe down shelving and furniture in the rest of your home, pay attention to your bathroom furniture, especially shelves and vanity cabinets. Dusting your light fixtures is also a great thing to do weekly to prevent grime from building up, Johnny Pallares, owner of De La Rosa House Cleaning in Phoenix, Arizona, tells TODAY.com.

Vacuum and mop floor

Vacuum the floor first, using a crevice tool to get into the nooks and crannies. Then break out your mop to wipe it clean. More frequent vacuuming is always welcome, especially if you have a robot vacuum.

Sanitize surfaces

Most cleaning experts would agree that wiping down bathroom surfaces after use is good practice, but you should commit to a more focused cleaning on the following surfaces each week:

Vanity: Clear everything so you can thoroughly sanitize countertops with the product of your choice.

Faucet: Spray and wipe down your faucet, including the spout and handles. Make sure to clean around the faucet because calcium builds up in these areas, Pallares says. Warm, soapy water works great for this.

Bathroom mirror: Give it a good wipe each week, or more frequently as necessary. When you brush your teeth, toothpaste can hit the mirror causing it to become dirty and it is easily seen, Pallares says.

Doorknobs: Dont forget to swipe these high-touch areas with a disinfecting cloth, suggests Townsend.

Attack soap scum and mold

Cleaning the toilet is a no-brainer. Pallares recommends a toilet cleaner that bubbles or foams for a deeper clean. But Townsend says disinfectant wipes will also get the job done (and you can use 'em on the seat, too).

Scrubbing the tub and shower is also a must-do. Use the bathroom cleaner of your choice  some set-it-and-forget-it sprays are also effective  to keep mold and mildew from building up on wet shower walls.

Kehlers cleaner of choice is hydrogen peroxide  yes, the same antifungal agent youd use on a cut will also take down fungus in your bathroom. Keep some in a spray bottle and spray down the walls after you shower. Use a brush to clean tile grout.

Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse, suggests the following to combat mold in your bathroom:

Look for leaks. Mold can grow in 24 to 48 hours, says Rubino. Address leaks quickly to reduce microbial growth.

Air out your bathroom. Bathrooms have notoriously high humidity levels, so keep that exhaust fan on or open a door or window when showering. Rubino recommends leaving the exhaust fan on for a half hour or more after a shower to ventilate the bathroom. If this level just will not go down, consider investing in a dehumidifier for the space, he tells TODAY.com

Inspect your toilet tank weekly. When youre disinfecting the toilet, take a peek in the tank. If you see mold, that means there could be microbial growth elsewhere in your space. While its not impossible for a spore to make it inside the toilet tank, its far more likely that a mold colony elsewhere is releasing high quantities of spores into the indoor air, Rubino says.

Clean often. Rubino says microfiber cloths (keep them slightly damp) and vacuums with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters are the most effective bathroom cleaners. For the EPA to categorize a filter as HEPA, it must remove 99.7% of airborne microscopic particles including mold spores.

Monthly

To help you keep track of your monthly tasks, aim to tackle all of these projects on the same day (or weekend, if you'd rather break it up a bit).

Monthly bathroom cleaning checklist. (TODAY illustration)

Clean shower curtain

Cleaning your shower curtains, whether plastic or cloth, should be something thats handled monthly in order to remove any stains and prevent mold and mildew growth, says Mock. Launder your shower curtain per manufacturers suggestions. Inspect your liner for mildew growth and replace seasonally or as needed.

Bathroom with Green Walls and Clawfoot Tub with a shower curtain. (Bryan Chavez / Getty Images)

Wash bath mats and decorative towels

Toss that bath mat into the washing machine at least once a month. If it can't go in the dryer, it might be helpful to have a spare one on hand to use while the other one is air-drying. Do the same for any decorative towels you might have hanging.

Clean and reorganize cabinets

Pallares recommends removing everything from cabinets and drawers to reorganize and neaten them. Before you put everything back, wipe the shelves and drawers down with a multipurpose cleaner.

Declutter, declutter, declutter

Along with cleaning and reorganizing the shelves themselves, take a few minutes each month to declutter them. Devote a few minutes to purging old personal care products, razors, hair ties, sponges, back scrubbers, broken hairstyling tools, makeup, applicators, expired medications, etc., says Nelson. Take it a step further by detoxifying your bathroom of harmful, chemical-laden personal care products, she adds. These days, more and more affordable products free of harmful chemicals are on the market, so its never been easier to stock up on effective products without parabens, formaldehyde and other icky ingredients.

Seasonal

New seasons bring new beginnings. That said, start things off with a blank slate, aka a clean bathroom.

Seasonal bathroom cleaning checklist. (TODAY illustration)

Clean the exhaust fan

Although experts recommend doing this every six months, you might need to do it more frequently. Remember: A dusty exhaust fan is an ineffective one. Its important to regularly check the ventilation system to ensure its working properly to prevent mold and mildew buildup, Townsend says.

Before you go near it, make sure you shut the power off at the circuit breaker. Don some protective goggles in case you get hit with dust, then take off the vent cover. Use a microfiber cloth to remove dust, then wash the cover in warm, soapy water and make sure to dry it completely before reattaching.

Replace shower liner

You might have to do this more often if your efforts to keep mold and mildew at bay are unsuccessful. But generally speaking, you should swap out your plastic shower curtain liners seasonally.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Son Thuy, once a bustling restaurant in HCMCs District 3, has seen business fall by 15-20% this year after authorities started to crack down on drunk driving.

To address this challenge, the restaurant began to take proactive measures by assembling a team of 200 drivers with motorbikes and cars to take home customers consuming alcohol.

"Around 20 of the drivers are servers at the restaurant. When we exhaust this pool, other staff [from the parent company] immediately come to support us," Son Thuys manager, Luong Huu Tri, says. "The team initially had 50-70 members, and then 200, as demand increased."

The time it takes to drive guests home is counted as part of employees' working hours and no one is forced to work overtime, he says.

The restaurant also reimburses the transport costs. It has even created a Zalo group that serves as a hotline to summon more drivers when needed.

Tri says the restaurant offers this service practically at all hours. "Meeting customer needs is paramount, especially as the business is losing revenues."

The decline in business is not unique to Son Thuy but reflective of the state of the liquor industry over the past year. In 2022 Vietnam topped Southeast Asia and ranked third in Asia in beer consumption. But since 2023 its beer and liquor market has witnessed an unprecedented decline.

Data from Bao Viet Securities Company shows revenues of listed breweries fell to VND45 trillion (US$1.8 billion) last year from over VND55 trillion in 2022.

At a conference in mid-March, the Vietnam Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Association said the beer industry saw an 11% decline in sales and a 23% decrease in pre-tax profits in 2023.

It pointed to the government's zero tolerance for drunk driving as one of the main reasons for last years massive drop in beer consumption, especially at eateries.

Analysts at SSI Securities SSI Research warn in a recent report that the downtrend might continue this year.

Hoang Tung, a food and beverage industry analyst, says the decrease in beer consumption is an inevitable outcome of the government's resolute efforts to combat drunk driving.

In this changing landscape, innovation is key to the survival of beer bars and restaurants.

They need to either be more creative in terms of services and products or be willing to shift to other models that are less dependent on alcoholic beverages, Tung says.

And they are doing exactly that.

In addition to the free pick-up and drop-off, Son Thuy also offers catering to boost sales as customers are hesitant to drink at pubs.

Though these additional services slice 5-10% off profits, Tri says footfall at the restaurant has almost returned to previous levels.

Since the beginning of this year Ta La pub on Pham Van Dong Street in HCMCs Thu Duc City has also been employing creative strategies to attract customers.

Nguyen Manh Anh Tuan, its owner, says he spends VND10-15 million a month to provide free overnight parking for customers so that they can take a taxi home after drinking.

They can return to the pub later to pick up their vehicle, he says. "If a customer wants someone to take them home, we always have at least a few drivers here. They are staff members whom I sent for driving lessons."

He himself is ready to become a driver should the need arise, he says.

The establishment has also tied up with ride-hailing platform Grab to get customers discounts when they book a ride to and from it.

The pub is busy on the gastronomic side too, researching and frequently unveiling exotic dishes, many of which become popular on social media, to attract young customers.

A prime example of this is the mangosteen chicken salad that went viral at the end of last year, Tuan recounts.

The restaurant also creates its own signature dishes to be sold in limited quantities to get repeat customers, he says, and is proud of one particular dish.

"Our crispy pork roast is a must-try. We only sell 5-10 portions a day. I have seen many groups of customers come back here multiple times but still unable to get a taste of it."

A couple of weeks ago he also ran promotions such as offering free beer equivalent to the customer's age when they book the place for a birthday party.

After several months of carrying out these strategies, the beer pubs revenues have increased by 10 - 15%, according to Tuan.

Tri says the anti-drunk driving policies have changed the way pubs and restaurants operate.

Even managers like himself have to double their working hours to do market surveys and research new solutions to navigate the business through the storm, he says.

"Change to adapt, adapt to survive. If a district has 30 restaurants, even if just one or two suddenly shut down, we must immediately strategize to avoid the same fate."

For the long term Tri says the restaurant is trying to improve its staffs competence and help them keep up with new trends by sending them for short-term management and marketing courses.

"We recently signed a contract with a specialized school to teach [our employees] marketing, specifically how to use Facebook and TikTok for advertising.

"They will provide a three-month course first, and then employees who want to learn further can sign up."

Tuan echoes the sentiment, saying constant innovation is the key for restaurants and pubs like his succeed.

"I have a few friends who are considering selling their restaurants even though they have invested a lot of money in them," he says. "In today's business environment, to meet customer needs is the cornerstone of success."
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  A man was sentenced to three years and ten months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Beckley man pleads guilty to fentanyl crime

According to court documents, on September 19, 2022 police officers saw that Quantel O. Saunders, 29, of Beckley, had a tucked gun in the front of his pants while outside a gas station on the 200 block of North Eisenhower Drive in Beckley. Police stopped him as he was getting back into his car. They took a Ruger-57 5.7x28mm handgun from the drivers side floorboard of his car. He then admitted to the police that the gun was his.

According to law, a person with a prior felony is not allowed to own a gun or any type of ammo.

Saunders was aware of this because of his prior felonies for possession of a firearm by a prohibited carrier and three counts of wanton endangerment with a firearm in Raleigh County Circuit Court on August 3, 2015.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a California beekeeper was indicted for conspiracy to receive and sell smuggled pesticides from Mexico through the United States.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement that Paulo Perez-Mendoza, 44 of Stockton, Cali., was given a two-indictment by a federal grand jury.

Court documents showed between Jan. 1, 2019, and March 18, 2024, Perez recruited someone to smuggle illegal pesticides from Mexico into the U.S.

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Doing so, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Perez had the pesticides, which were banned in the country, to deliver them to his residential business, Perez Generation Honeybee Ranch in Stockton.

From Sept. 29, 2020, to July 12, 2022, Perez bought 1,000 to 1,500 liters of pesticides at a time from Mexico and paid about $476,700 for the banned product, USDOJ said.

Then, Perez resold pesticides to beekeepers in the United States, including Georgia, Washington State, Oregon, and Florida.

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The pesticides involved in this conspiracy were primarily Taktic and Bovitraz, which contain the active ingredient amitraz at an emulsifiable concentration of 12.5%, which, in this form, is an unregistered pesticide in the United States, USAO said.

The EPA requires pesticides to be registered with the agency if they are being imported to or sold within the U.S., and they must have an EPA registration number on their labels with a label in English to be counted as a legal product.

Perez is scheduled for arraignment on March 29 and if convicted faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. He also faces a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted of unlawful sale and distribution of pesticides, according to the Justice Department.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Belarusians detained for commenting on the Moscow mass shooting, while Alexander Lukashenko torpedoes Putin's attempts to blame the attack on Ukraine.

Belarusian authorities launch a massive raid targeting over 100 "People's Embassies" activists who seek to represent exiled Belarusians in their countries of refuge.

Lukashenko inspects military drills held near the Lithuanian border.

Two more journalists are given harsh prison sentences in Belarus.

The Belarusian regime continues attempts to abuse Interpol's wanted lists to persecute opponents: Belarusian activists fight extradition from Serbia on trumped-up charges.

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Lukashenko undermines Putin's attempt to link Ukraine to Moscow mass shooting

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has claimed the suspected perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Moscow on March 22 initially tried to flee to Belarus  undermining Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempts to link the attack to Ukraine.

At the same time, three Belarusians were detained in the wake of the attack for commenting online about the massacre.

Lukashenko claimed that Belarus heavily increased security at the border with Russia immediately after the attack and that the terrorists thus "understood that it was impossible to enter Belarus" through Russia's Bryansk Oblast, according to a report that state-owned Belarusian news agency BelTA published on March 26.

The claim undermines the Kremlin narrative, spread by Putin, that alleged perpetrators were attempting to flee to Ukraine.

Read also: Putin seeking to blame Ukraine for Moscow shooting, despite ISIS taking responsibility

Meanwhile, at least three Belarusians were detained within the country for commenting on the attack online, according to a Telegram channel linked to Belarus' department for battling organized crime.

One of the detained Belarusians was pictured with a bandaged ear, and the message text insinuated that he had been tortured in a manner similar to that used against one of the alleged terrorists, who had his ear cut off and was then forced to eat it.

In the aftermath of the attack, Belarusian law enforcers deployed armed riot police officers in shopping malls in Belarus and made unsubstantiated claims that terrorists were trying to recruit Belarusian citizens to conduct attacks.

Several gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, a Moscow suburb, during a concert on the evening of March 22, killing 143 people. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, and the White House said there was no indication that Ukraine was behind it, despite Putin attempting to tie the two.

Belarusian authorities conduct massive raid linked to 'People's Embassies' activists

The Belarusian Investigative Committee has conducted dozens of searches in a criminal investigation into "People's Embassies" activists  diaspora activists advocating for exiled Belarusians in their countries of refuge.

As reported on March 20 by the committee's spokesman, Siarhei Kabakovich, over 100 activists are suspects in the case.

According to the investigators, the representatives of "radical diasporas" have created an extremist formation, seeking to "discredit the country" and interfere with Belarusian diplomats' contacts with foreign governments and organizations.

An official statement from the committee suggests that People's Embassies activists might be charged in absentia, facing up to a seven-year prison term and asset seizures. The committee claims its agents have identified 30 properties belonging to the activists.

Protesters wave flags used by the Belarus opposition and hold a banner that says "Glory to the Belarusian volunteers" (fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine). On March 24, a protest took place with hundreds participating, commemorating the 106th anniversary of the declaration of independence by the Belarusian People's Republic, a short-lived unrecognized state during World War I. (Marek Antoni Iwanczuk/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The People's Embassies network was launched on Dec. 10, 2020, with the aim of serving exiled Belarusians in 20 countries, including European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Brazil. People's Embassies advocate for Belarusians' rights in their respective countries, counter the use of the Interpol "Red List" system to persecute Belarusians abroad, and run cultural and information campaigns.

The Lukashenko regime's diplomatic presence in Europe has shrunk over the past four years.

In 2023, the Belarusian dictator banned Belarusian embassies from providing core consular services such as issuing new passports, to Belarusians who oppose the regime and who have taken refuge abroad.

Those of Lukashenko's opponents who return to Belarus to renew their passports risk losing their freedom: Viasna has recorded at least 207 cases of people being detained upon returning to Belarus.

Currently, according to Viasna's data, Belarus has 1,405 political prisoners.

Read also: What do we know about the Siberian Battalion that reportedly crossed into Russia?

Lukashenko inspects troops holding drills near Lithuanian border

While visiting a tank battalion deployed near the Lithuanian border, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has ordered his military "to meet any provocation with force," his press office reported on March 26.

The Belarusian Armed Forces have been conducting drills in the country's western regions since March 11. Over 5,000 soldiers took part in the training.

Lukashenko claimed that the NATO defense alliance was "provoking" Belarus to respond in some way."

The drills involved the 19th Mechanized Brigade of the Northwestern Operational Command, which was deployed to Ashmiany District in the westernmost part of the country, as well as the 6th Mechanized Brigade and artillery units of the Western Command.

Belarusian First Deputy Defense Minister Viktar Gulevich claimed the Belarusian military drills were a response to NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024 and Dragon-24 exercises.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko speaks with the countrys military command while dressed in full military gear and petting his dog on March 26, 2024. (Courtesy)

The Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise is taking place in Central Europe between January and May 2024, involving over 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO member states. It is claimed to be the largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War.

Two more journalists receive harsh prison terms in Belarus

Courts in Belarus sentenced former RFE/RL journalist Ihar Karnei and freelance cameraman Andrei Tolchyn to prison terms and fines in two separate cases on March 21-22.

Karnei's trial in a Minsk court resulted in the RFE/RL journalist being handed down a three-year prison term and a fine of roughly $6,000 on March 22.

The 56-year-old journalist was charged with "participating in extremist formation" due to his work with the Belarusian Association of Journalists, an independent union that was dissolved in 2021 and designated as an extremist organization in February 2023.

Diplomats from the European Union, Austria, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom went to the court to support Karnei. Belarus's Human rights activists declared Karnei a political prisoner on March 25.

Meanwhile, Homiel Regional Court handed down a two-and-a-half-year sentence to journalist Andrei Tolchyn for allegedly "aiding extremist activities" and insulting Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

The 64-year-old Tolchyn worked as a freelance contributor to the independent media. Prior to journalism, Tolchyn was involved in professional union activism and with the now-dissolved United Civic Party  a liberal political party that opposed the Lukashenko regime.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, 34 journalists are currently in custody in Belarus due to their work. They were jailed after fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus in 2020 produced another "landslide" victory for Lukashenko and sparked nationwide unrest.

Lukashenko unleashed a targeted campaign against journalists throughout 2020, with 477 journalists being detained for participation in the protests  despite being clearly identifiable as members of the press. Some 67 of them experienced violence in detention, human rights organizations say. In 2021, the majority of the independent news outlets in Belarus were raided and dissolved, their leadership detained, and over 400 journalists forced into exile.

Belarusian activist fights extradition from Serbia on politically motivated grounds

A new extradition trial began on March 26 in Serbia, where Belarusian film director and activist, Andrei Hniot, is fighting off an Interpol search warrant issued by Belarusian police.

Hniot was detained in October 2023 in Serbia based on tax evasion charges issued by Belarusian police. Belarusian prosecutor Anton Zaharouskiy, sanctioned by the European Union for prosecuting veteran politician Andrei Sannikov, insists that Hniot evaded paying EUR 300,000 in taxes.

Hniot maintains that the charges refer to his business activities between 2012 and 2018, while the law that laid grounds for such charges was introduced only in 2019 and has no retroactive effect. His defense insists that the prosecution is politically motivated and that Hniot may face torture if he is returned to his home country.

Yulia Haryachaya, spokeswoman for the People's Crisis Management, an organization of the Belarusian democratic opposition in exile, said that Belarus is using Interpol for repressive purposes.

In December 2023, the trial court in Serbia approved Hniot's deportation to Belarus, but in March 2024, the Superior Court (appellate) reversed the decision and sent the case for review.

Interpol temporarily blocked access to the director's data in its database on Feb. 27. Hniot has been in custody awaiting a decision on his extradition case for over five months.

Diplomats from the European Union, Austria, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom went to the court to support Karnei. Human rights activists in Belarus declared Karnei to be a political prisoner on March 25.

Hniot is a Belarusian journalist, filmmaker, and political activist. He is described as a co-founder of the "Free Association of Athletes SOS BY," which has been declared an "extremist formation" in Belarus.

The organization played an integral role in persuading the International Olympic Committee to terminate financing of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee, then headed by Lukashenko himself.





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The Belgian government approved the 25th assistance package for Ukraine, which contains 100 million euros ($107 million) for the maintenance and support of F-16 fighter jets through the international "fighter jet coalition," Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced on March 29.

Belgium was among the first countries to join the coalition established in the summer of 2023 to bolster Ukraine's Air Force. The initiative has been spearheaded by the U.S., Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Last October, Belgium said that it would provide Ukraine with several F-16 fighter jets, without specifying a number, and help with the training for Ukrainian pilots in EU countries.

Apart from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have also pledged to supply Ukraine with dozens of U.S.-made fourth-generation jets.

According to the Danish Defense Ministry, Ukraine could receive the first F-16 fighter jets from Denmark "this summer." The total number of the jets to be delivered has not yet been announced, but The Telegraph estimated that Ukraine may receive as many as 60 F-16s.

Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do?

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On Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson made two seemingly contradictory moves.

First, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he had spoken with Johnson and explained that quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital.

Later in the day, Johnson announced the managers for the Senate trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after the House voted to impeach him last month. Unsurprisingly, he named House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Homeland Security Committe Chairman Mark Greene as managers. He also threw a bone to the far-right by picking MAGA Republicans like Clay Higgins of Louisiana; Arizonas Andy Biggs, one of the chief election deniers who voted to boot Kevin McCarthy; and Harriet Hageman, who beat Liz Cheney in they Wyoming Republican primary after Cheney vocally criticised the GOP and Donald Trump.

But more surprisingly, he also named Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the firebrand conspiracy theorist and ardent opponent of Ukraine aid, who last week filed a motion to vacate to initiate a no-confidence vote against Johnson.

Johnsons decision to name Greene to the committee, especially after his talk with Zelensky, shows how the leader of the US House of Representatives has tried to balance keeping conservatives happy while also fulfilling his basic duties of governing: for every one act of governing, he has to pull one outrageous stunt that keeps the extremists in his conference from throwing him into the volcano the way they did his predecessors.

Johnson, of course, emerged as the consensus choice for Republicans after a three-week long feud triggered by Representative Matt Gaetz filing a motion to vacate to depose Kevin McCarthy after the then-Speaker passed a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. Since then, Johnsons majority has become even slimmer than McCarthys was, given the resignation of the former Speaker as well as Brian Higgins of New York, Ken Buck of Colorado and Bill Johnson of Ohio. The majority will stay slim as Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin heads for the exits on 19 April.

McCarthys ousting taught Johnson two lessons: the far-right will oppose anything resembling governing, but also that he cannot give them whatever they want because they will never be satisfied.

As a result, hes learned to ignore his right-flank on issues that matter while offering a sacrifice to the right-wing volcano in exchange for them not tossing him into the lava. This was the case last week, when the House Oversight Committee held a disastrous hearing for its impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden and then subsequently worked with a coalition of Democrats and more mainstream Republicans to pass spending bills to keep the government open until October.

That triggered Greene to file her motion to vacate. But Greene called her motion a warning rather than a pink slip for the Speaker and she did not call for a privileged motion, which would have required a vote to be held within two days. Some of the Republicans I spoke to that day, including some who voted to oust McCarthy, seemed uninterested in taking up Greenes motion, so his job remains safe for now.

But Ukraine funding might be what knocks him off the tightrope he has carefully navigated so far. Johnson has refused to put a bill that the Senate passed that provides aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on the House floor, given Republican opposition to supporting Ukraine.

As I wrote early last year, many far-right Republicans, including some of the loudest voices in Johnsons conference, oppose assisting Ukraine on principle. Then there are some who might support assisting Ukraine but hoped to use aid as leverage for other priorities.

That opposition manifested itself throughout the end of last year and the beginning of this year, when Democrats and Republicans in the Senate engaged in negotiations to restrict immigration and provide more security provisions at the US-Mexico border in exchange for aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. But when the deal dropped in February, Johnson and the rest of House Republican leadership, largely at Trumps behest, opposed it.

That led to the Senate passing a bill that only contained aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which has sat dormant in the House given right-wing opposition to it. Indeed, before she filed her motion to vacate on the budget, Greene had long threatened to target Johnson if he pushed for Ukraine funding.

But given that Greene has filed her motion, Johnson has the chance to call her bluff.

As friend of The Independents Inside Washington newsletter Steven Dennis at Bloomberg has noted, many Democrats have said they would oppose a motion to vacate  a contrast from when every Democrat present voted to kick McCarthy out  but they want aid for Ukraine.

Two discharge petitions, which would force legislation to go to the floor without the speakers consent, exist to put aid to Ukraine to the floor. But doing so would require a majority of members  meaning a coalition of Democrats and Republicans  to put it on the floor. And discharge petitions have never been initiated for foreign aid.

Furthermore, some progressives have objections about the fact it provides unconditional aid it provides to Israel. So any bill would need enough Republicans to negate opposition from the left and the right. And even then, sidestepping conservatives for a discharge petition could be the move that turns his conference against him.

Johnson has so far handled the balancing act. But Ukraine aid might be the final weight that pushes the scales too much against him.
Russia is not the best destination for an online flirt, Germans have been told - Silas Stein//DPA/Alamy

The German foreign ministry has warned tourists going to Russia to beware of Tinder honey-traps spying for Vladimir Putin.

Be careful on Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and co: there can be bad motives hidden behind new contacts, he said in a warning following embarrassing spy leaks to Russia.

Russia is not the best destination at the moment for a first date with your online flirt, the ministry added.

In Germanys biggest spy scandal in decades, confidential discussions about Taurus cruise missiles and British troops on the ground in Ukraine were recorded by Russian intelligence and leaked on social media.

Russia has not just been spying massively on Germany for years. Germany is at the centre of a Russian influence operation. Russia attempts to illegitimately influence politics, the economy and society on a number of levels, wrote Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the German parliamentary control board, a committee which oversees the countrys intelligence services, in mid-March.

Maximilian Krah, the AfD MP, is suspected of having been paid directly by pro-Russia website Voices of Europe - YouTube

On Friday, it was revealed that senior figures at the hard-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party had reportedly received tens of thousands of euros each via the pro-Russian news website Voice of Europe.

Czechia has sanctioned the website as a Russian influence operation aimed at destabilising Europe with far-Right propaganda.

Alexander De Croo, the prime minister of Belgium, claimed that Russia had approached MEPs - Oliver Matthys/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Raids have also have been carried across multiple European countries in relation to the website, with Poland searching houses and confiscating almost 90,000 (76,900) in cash.

Alexander De Croo, the Belgian prime minister, claimed that Russia had approached MEPs and paid them money through Voice of Europe.

The two German MPs suspected of having been paid directly are Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron, who top the AfDs list of candidates for the forthcoming European elections in summer 2024, effectively guaranteeing them jobs in Brussels, German tabloid Bild reports. The money is believed to have come through pro-Putin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk.

The German interior minister reacted by accusing the AfD of being part of the Russian propaganda apparatus.

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A New York City fundraiser for President Joe Bidens re-election campaign was interrupted several times on Thursday night by protesters critical of his support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Biden, who appeared onstage at Radio City Music Hall with former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, was heckled at least four times by activists inside the auditorium, reports say. Hundreds more protesters had joined crowds outside the venue denouncing the war.

The Trump-Biden Race Turns Into a Big-Dollar Cash Scramble

The Democratic leaders discussion at the event, attended by about 5,000 supporters, was moderated by Stephen Colbert, while people paying between $225 and $500,000 for a ticket were also treated to performances from the likes of Lizzo, Queen Latifah, and others. The evening raised more than $26 million for Bidens campaigna record total for a political event, according to the Associated Pressboosting his already substantial cash advantage over Donald Trump in the 2024 race.

Despite the runaway financial success, the evening gave Biden another reminder of the mounting discontent among Democrats and others who have been enraged with his support for Israel in recent months.

Shame on you, Joe Biden! one protester shouted during Bidens event in Manhattan, according to Reuters. Another reportedly received a response from Obama, who said: You cant just talk and not listen... Thats what the other side does.

Thats all right. Let them go. Theres a lot of people who are very, verythere are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian, Biden said after one of the interruptions, according to CNN. Weve got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians. 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.

Israel began its massive military operations in Gaza after Hamas Oct. 7 attacks which left 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli estimates, while another 250 were kidnapped. More than 32,600 people have been killed in Gaza during the ensuing war, according to Palestinian health officials.

At another point in the fundraiser event, Biden made a joke about Boeings recent safety issues, according to the New York Post. Asked by Colbert if Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had tightened the bolts on Air Force One before the Boeing 747 flew Biden and Obama to New York, Biden said: I dont sit by the door. Im only kidding, he added, I shouldnt joke about that.

The event also ended with Biden, Obama, and Clinton putting on Bidens signature aviator sunglasses, with the president declaring: Dark Brandon is real.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WASHINGTON  The federal government will soon stop docking disability benefits for people whose friends, family or roommates help them out with food.

The Social Security Administration finalized the rule change this week as part of a broader mini-makeover for the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides monthly benefits for more than 7 million Americans with disabilities.

The maximum SSI benefit is $943 per month, but the government can reduce the amount by a third if someone else in the household provides in-kind support in the form of food or shelter. Come September, the government will take food out of the equation.

Simplifying our policies is a common-sense solution that reduces the burden on the public and agency staff and helps promote equity by removing barriers to accessing payments, SSA commissioner Martin OMalley said in a press release.

The government did not say how many individuals would be affected, though an initial estimate last year said the proposed change would increase SSI spending by less than 1%. But the Social Security Administration is considering further changes to its in-kind support rules that would have a bigger impact, including one that would shield SSI recipients from benefit cuts if members of the household receive federal food assistance. Another proposal would reduce penalties for receiving help on rent.

Claire Grandison, supervising staff attorney for Community Legal Services, a Philadelphia organization that helps disability applicants and recipients navigate the system, said shes thrilled about the changes.

Theyre curtailing some of the harshest policies that punish people with disabilities just for getting help meeting their most basic needs, Grandison said. Its a win for our clients because theyre going to be able to receive the help they need from loved ones to make sure that they have enough food, and its a win for Social Security because we know that their staff are overburdened, and the SSI program is incredibly complex.

The changes reflect a more generous approach to the safety net under President Joe Biden than his predecessor Donald Trump, whose administration sought tighter eligibility rules for disability benefits. But since the changes are being done through regulation, they can be undone that way, and theyre much smaller than the reforms envisioned by anti-poverty advocates who want bigger benefits and smaller hurdles to eligibility.

Supplemental Security Incomes rules havent seen a major update in decades. Recipients have to let the government inspect their bank accounts and in some cases, to contact their landlords. They arent allowed to have more than $2,000 in savings, forcing them to remain poor if they want to maintain their income. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has been pushing to update the asset limit without much luck.

The SSI program is the federal safety net of last resort for Americans with the least ability to earn market income, but it costs money and most lawmakers arent interested in fussing with it.

Related...
Illegal ivory trinkets and creations are on display along with a tun of ivory before being destroyed as an ode to end the illegal trafficking and brutal mistreatment of elephants in Central Park, New York City in Aug. 2017. On Friday, the federal government took steps to protect the African elephant in dwindling decline. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

March 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday finalized a rule to improve conservation and other protections of African elephants imported to the United States.

Friday's rule change "will strengthen protections of internationally traded live African elephants, increase transparency of the Service's permit decision-making, and more closely align U.S. requirements with guidance from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Fauna and Flora," the agency said in a news release.

"The Service values collaborative conservation of wildlife all around the world and is committed to improving implementation of international conservation law," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said.

The changes require that countries that import elephants to the United States implement laws to increase conservation and protection including barring illegal trade and that authorized imports of both live elephants and "trophies" will contribute to conservation efforts and not cause the species to decline.

It also requires that elephants only be sent to facilities that are equipped to house and care for them when they arrive in the United States.

Lastly, the rule clarifies import regulations on sport hunting and permit requirements.

In 2017, the Trump administration lifted an Obama-era ban on the import of endangered elephant remains from Africa. This comes as the Biden administration has been taking steps to strengthen many animal conservation policy reversals under Trump.

"Our actions today will help support range countries' efforts to manage and conserve African elephant populations and will further protect African elephants that are imported to the United States," Williams added. "We are optimistic that with this final rule and by continuing to work in partnership with range countries, wild African elephant populations will be sustainable into the future."

The agency says the African elephant in the wild has been reduced down to an estimated 415,000 from roughly 26 million at the end of the 18th century.
The Biden administration released updated rules Friday for importation of live African elephants and trophies derived from them.

The final rule, set to take effect May 1, tightens the rules around imports but does not outright ban the trade. It restricts imports to only those countries that can certify that their elephant populations are sustainable and not in decline.

Another provision, which takes effect in 2026, would require exporting countries to have conservation laws on the books for their elephant populations.

The Service values collaborative conservation of wildlife all around the world and is committed to improving implementation of international conservation law U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement. Our actions today will help support range countries efforts to manage and conserve African elephant populations and will further protect African elephants that are imported to the United States. We are optimistic that with this final rule and by continuing to work in partnership with range countries, wild African elephant populations will be sustainable into the future.

Conservationists and wildlife advocacy groups expressed their chagrin that the rule stops shy of an outright ban on trophy imports, though.

Im truly crushed this rule doesnt ban trade in elephant hunting trophies to the United States, and it doesnt even require stable elephant populations to allow trophy imports, said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. These magnificent animals are globally cherished but under threat, and its high time we stop letting wealthy trophy hunters turn them into decor.

The rule comes the day after another Biden administration update, a partial rollback of a Trump-era loosening of an Endangered Species Act rule, also received mixed reviews from advocacy groups for its failure to fully undo the provisions of the Trump rule.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
How owner ran English center chain Apax Leaders into ground before his arrest

Apax Leaders operator Egroup, established by Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, has been raising trillions of dong (VND1 trillion = $40.33 million) from investors but failed to pay them their contracted interest.

Thuy, 41, was taken in on Monday for alleged fraud after many Egroup investors accused him of misappropriating their investment.

An entrepreneur known for his appearances on TV reality investment show Shark Tank Vietnam in 2018 and 2019, Thuy established Egroup in 2008 and turned it into a major education company with many well-known brands.

Its most popular is Apax Leaders, the chain of English teaching centers operated by its only listed subsidiary, Apax Holdings.

Since 2017 Egroup has been raising funds through two other subsidiaries, Egame and Ecapital, offering investors Egroup shares with a vesting period, usually of one year, during which they could not sell them.

Egroup promised that when the period expired it would find new investors to repurchase the shares or undertake the buyback itself at higher prices, or give the buyers more shares to prolong the vesting period.

The company said in 2017-18 that investors could earn 20-25% a year through this plan. It then reduced the returns to 17-18% in 2019-20 and 14-15% in 2021.

Until 2020 Egroup have been keeping its promises to investors and ensure that they have profits.

But then came Covid-19 and the company started to face financial difficulties as Apax Leaders centers were shut down, and it began delaying paying them their profits.

Egroup also sold bonds to investors and was again late in paying interest on them.

Between 2018 and 2021 it issued six tranches of bonds worth VND1.34 trillion with coupon rates of 12-15%, according to the Hanoi Stock Exchange.

Due to financial difficulties Egroup last year sought to delay its payment until 2028.

It also offered them other assets, even household appliances, in lieu of cash.

Broken promises

Egroup also delayed refund of fees students had paid to Apax Leaders centers, the backbone of its operations, since late 2019 after many parents in HCMC, Hanoi, Dak Lak Province, and Da Nang City accused it of failing to maintain the quality it promised.

With Apax Leaders struggling to record revenues, Egroup had to restructure it and said it completed the first round in March 2023 when it cut down the number of centers from a peak of 130 to 38.

But Thuy said parents in HCMC refused to let their children return to the centers and besieged them to demand refunds, and, without revenues, Egroup had to shut down many more.

Egroup chairman Nguyen Ngoc Thuy speaks to investors during an online meeting in August 2023. Screenshot taken by VnExpress

By the end of 2023 Apax Leaders owed parents refunds of VNVD94 billion ($3.79 million), according to the HCMC Department of Education and Training.

Following Thuys arrest Apax Leaders announced Tuesday that it would not continue refunds until the investigation is completed.

Thuy told investors in August 2023 that the company fell into a crisis by adopting a fast growth strategy with heavy dependence on debts.

But they demanded to know if Egroup and Thuy used their money to buy stocks, cryptocurrencies and properties.

Thuy replied that the company had never used investors money to buy stocks or crypto.

It had VND100 billion invested in stocks by 2022-end, which it said was the value of the shares of its subsidiary Ecapital.

Apax Holdings said it planned to invest VND300 billion in 2022 in a tourism project in the southern province of Ba Ria  Vung Tau, and in 2020 developed a residential project in the central province of Ha Tinh.

Thuy said the two were for a new product that combined travel and education.

Egroup and Apax Leaders also faced many complaints from staff, including foreign teachers, about non-payment of salaries.

As of February this year Egroup and its subsidiaries owed VND104 billion in social insurance debts, according to Hanoi authorities.

Many employees who quit have not received the salaries and insurance premiums they were promised.
President Joe Biden's reelection campaign is rolling out its Florida leadership team, amid ongoing questions as to how much the one-time battleground state will be in play during the 2024 elections.

The campaign is tapping Jasmine Burney-Clark as state director and Phillip Jerez and Jackie Lee as senior advisers, according to an announcement shared first with POLITICO.

Jasmine, Phillip, and Jackie are proven operatives who have been on the front lines pushing back against Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans in Florida, said Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez in a statement.

The announcement comes shortly after the Biden campaign announced the launch of a Hispanic outreach effort in Miami-Dade County, where Republicans have made significant inroads since 2016.

Who he hired

Burney-Clark is the founder and former director of Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund, which works to expand Black political power in the state. It is one of the groups that challenged Floridas congressional map in state court.

Jerez is currently executive director of the Florida Democratic Party and has been involved in statewide campaigns previously, including when he worked as political director for Charlie Crists 2022 campaign for governor. Lee is the founding partner of JLee Strategies and was the state director for the Biden campaign in Florida in 2020.

Is Florida really up for grabs?

Questions continue as to how much money and effort Democrats will eventually put into a state that appears to be slipping out of reach. Trump won the state by 3 points in 2020, while Gov. Ron DeSantis crushed Crist in the 2022 governors race. The last Democrat to win a statewide election was Nikki Fried in 2018 when she narrowly won the agriculture commissioners race.

Another big problem is that Democrats now significantly trail Republicans in voter registration.

"Phillip, Jackie, and Jasmine understand that we are the last line of defense and are ready to prove all the critics wrong. Florida is winnable and worth fighting for, Fried, now the state party chair, said about the hires.

Trump, who is now considered a Florida resident, already had state operatives in place as he battled DeSantis for the Republican nomination.

But there are signs that Trumps support among the GOP is not as strong as it was when he ran for reelection in 2020. During the recent March primary, nearly 20 percent of Republican voters cast a ballot for someone other than Trump, including DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, after both had dropped out of the race.
President Joe Biden's campaign, flush with cash after Thursdays $26 million fundraiser in New York, is putting some of that advantage into a new ad that will directly aim to sway supporters of Nikki Haley to support the Democrats re-election.

Senior members of the Biden campaign played the planned ad during a meeting of the National Finance Committee in New York on Friday, two sources in attendance told NBC News. The Biden campaign later posted a version of it to X.

Nikki Haley voters, Donald Trump doesnt want your vote.



I want to be clear: There is a place for you in my campaign. pic.twitter.com/EvKFANsAM6  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 29, 2024

The ad features former President Donald Trump, in his own words, calling the former South Carolina governor Birdbrain and saying her supporters were not welcome in his campaign.

In a January post on his Truth Social website, Trump said: "Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We dont want them, and will not accept them."

Trump walked back that threat after Haley exited the race, saying in a post that he would further like to invite all of the Haley supporters to join the greatest movement in the history of our Nation.

The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to comment about the new ad, including how widely it would air on paid television.

Trump never lost a Republican nominating contest this year, securing his partys nomination for the third consecutive presidential election earlier this month to set up the longest general election campaign in the nations history.

Biden advisers, though, have been closely tracking the level of support, both in earlier, contested Republican primaries and caucuses as well as those that followed Haleys decision to end her campaign for indicators of where Democrats can potentially pick up support from independent and even Republican voters who voted against Trump.

Moderate and anti-Trump Republicans contributed to Bidens victory in 2020. Some political observers told NBC News in March that former Haley voters could make a difference in some battleground states, including Pennsylvania, which Biden narrowly won in 2020.

Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign, Biden said in a statement after the South Carolina Republican ended her bid. Biden also praised Haley for having the "courage" to challenge the former president.

The Trump campaign is pushing back on the Biden campaigns efforts. A Trump campaign senior official said a good chunk of the people who voted for Nikki in some states were Democrats.

Weve made it clear that the door is always open to Republican Haley supporters, the official added. We have no doubt that were going to get them back because theyre facing a choice between continued slide downhill from an economic standpoint, from a security standpoint, from a border security standpoint, and more of the same.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Fresh off a record-breaking fundraiser, the Biden campaign released a digital ad Friday making a forceful appeal to voters who supported former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley  a coalition of Republicans and moderates turned off by Donald Trump that the Biden team is seeking to attract as the general election gets underway.

The ad features clips of the former president calling Haley a birdbrain, a very angry person and not presidential timber. Another clip depicts Trump being asked how to bring Haley voters into his coalition, to which he replies, Im not sure we need too many.

If you voted for Nikki Haley, text in the ad says, Donald Trump doesnt want your vote.

Save America. Join us, the ads on-screen text concludes.

The digital ad buy will target battleground states  specifically suburban areas favorable to Haley, who suspended her campaign earlier this month.

Using the recent Republican primary results to determine the ads placement, this seven-figure, video-centric ad flight will run for three weeks in eight key battleground states, targeting Nikki Haley voters in predominantly suburban ZIP codes where she performed well against Trump, the Biden campaign said in a release, adding that it will run on digital platforms, including Meta, YouTube, connected TV and online video.

The move comes as the Biden campaign has made overtures to Haley supporters and donors since she dropped out of the race. Campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg and finance chair Rufus Gifford have held discussions with some in Haleys donor network, sources familiar with the efforts told CNN.

There have also been discussions about possibly holding a fundraiser for former Haley supporters in the future, a campaign official said.

Moments after Haley suspended her campaign, President Joe Biden issued a statement saying there is a place for Haley supporters in his campaign.

It takes a lot of courage to run for President  thats especially true in todays Republican Party, where so few dare to speak the truth about Donald Trump. Nikki Haley was willing to speak the truth about Trump: about the chaos that always follows him, about his inability to see right from wrong, about his cowering before Vladimir Putin, Biden said in the statement.

The Biden campaign is looking to highlight areas of common ground with Haley, including issues of democracy, the preservation of NATO and the rule of law.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Joe Bidens campaign is attempting to lure in Nikki Haley voters, telling them in a new ad that Donald Trump doesnt want your vote.

The 30-second spot released Friday makes its case with comments straight from Trump, the presumed Republican nominee for president.

Im not sure we need too many, Trump says of Haley voters in one of the ads clips. He made that comment in January when a reporter asked him about bringing her supporters over to his side in the general election.

I dont need votes. We have all the votes we need, Trump says in another clip pulled from an event earlier this month.

The ad also features a January post from Trump on Truth Social, in which he says Haley voters will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp.

The ad is peppered with moments Trump insulted Haley, calling her birdbrain and a very angry person whos gone crazy and haywire.

Haley, who emerged as Trumps biggest challenger for the GOP nomination, dropped out of the race earlier this month after failing to win any primaries, except for Washington, D.C.s and Vermonts. The former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador has not endorsed Trump.

The Biden campaign may be onto something with its overture to Haley supporters. In the crucial swing state of Ohio, an ABC News exit poll found earlier this month that nearly half of Haley voters say theyd back Biden in November. Until Biden disrupted the trend in 2020, no presidential candidate since 1960 has won the general election without winning Ohio.

Nationwide polling on Haley voters looks good for Biden, too. An Emerson College poll earlier this month found that 63% of Haley voters now support Biden, compared to just 27% breaking for Trump.

Related...
President Biden's re-election campaign isn't revealing the full list of donors who attended its star-studded fundraiser in New York City with Biden and former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

A Thursday evening fundraiser with the three presidents pulled in over $26 million, according to Biden's campaign.

"An Evening with President Biden and Presidents Obama and Clinton" was held at Radio City Music Hall and was sold out, according to the campaign, welcoming more than 5,000 attendees. Those at the function included a combination of small grassroots donors and some of the campaign's highest donors and bundlers, a senior Biden adviser said.

A campaign spokesman said the event was open to the press and that a few donors uncovered by New York magazine did attend, including fashion designer Michael Kors, restaurateur Danny Meyer, and investor Alan Patricof. The campaign refused when asked by Fox News Digital to reveal the full list of donors who attended.

TRUMP AIMS TO TROUNCE BIDEN'S RECORD $26 MILLION HAUL AT UPCOMING FLORIDA FUNDRAISER: 'WE FEEL REALLY GOOD'

While President Biden, left, participated in a star-studded fundraiser, former President Trump, right, attended a wake for New York Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty.

A senior adviser for the re-election effort said the campaign does not routinely make the names of donors public.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

AXELROD ADMITS BIDEN FUNDRAISER LOOKS BAD RAISING HUGE CASH AMID LEFT-WING PROTESTS

While Biden participated in the event moderated by late-night TV host Stephen Colbert, former President Trump attended a wake for New York Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty.

Trump paid his respects to Diller's family Thursday evening.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital in a statement, "President Trump honored the life and legacy of Officer Diller and paid respects to his family, friends and the NYPD for their terrible loss.

"Meanwhile, the Three Stooges  Biden, Obama and Clinton  were at a glitzy fundraiser in the city with their elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors."

Biden's night included a program hosted by actress Mindy Kaling and performances from Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.

President Biden and former U.S. presidents Obama and Clinton participate in a discussion moderated by Stephen Colbert, host of CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York March 28, 2024.

First lady Jill Biden introduced the main event and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., each gave remarks.

"Were at a real inflection point in history, because things are changing," Biden told the audience during the event, before pivoting to Trump. "This guy denies there's global warming. This guy wants to get rid of not only Roe v. Wade, but he  which he brags about having done  he wants to get rid of the ability of anyone anywhere in America to ever choose.

"I mean, all the things he's doing are so old  speaking of old," he joked. "And, you know, he  a little old and out of shape. But anyway."

MAIL-IN BALLOTS MUST HAVE DATES ON ENVELOPES, PENNSYLVANIA APPEALS COURT RULES

The two events, both in New York, were quickly contrasted on social media.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) posted screenshots of headlines detailing each president's Thursday activities, writing on X, formerly Twitter, "Today in New York, President Trump visits with a grieving family. Joe Biden parties."

"Both Presidential candidates will be in New York City today," Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., noted on X. "President Trump will be attending the funeral of a heroic NYPD officer who was tragically killed. Joe Biden will be skipping the funeral to attend a globalist fundraiser with Obama and Clinton."

The Trump-aligned Indiana lawmaker is running for Senate in November.

FORMER US SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN TO BE HONORED WITH FUNERAL SERVICE IN HIS HOMETOWN OF STAMFORD

Diller was killed during a routine traffic stop.

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, similarly remarked on the starkly differing events attended by the 2024 competitors. According to the senator, Biden promotes "a culture that places criminals above victims and predators over cops."

But "Donald Trump offers a different path," he said.

BIDEN OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED OVER ISRAEL SAYS STAFFERS FEEL 'BETRAYED' BY BIDEN'S FAILED 'MORAL' LEADERSHIP

Republican strategist Doug Kochel told Fox News Digital the move was a "smart play by Team Trump."

Biden's fundraiser took place the same night as Diller's memorial.

"With all his challenges and tendency to go off script and say crazy things, Trump handles all these moments like a very smart executive producer," he added.

Even David Axelrod, a veteran Democratic strategist and former senior adviser to Obama, granted that the two competing occasions didn't look good for Biden.

However, fellow Democratic strategist Max Burns slammed the comparison from Trump's campaign as "sadly predictable." He further claimed, "Trump will be using every trick in the book to distract from President Biden's record-breaking $26 million fundraising haul, something Trump can't even dream of achieving."

Representatives for Obama and Clinton did not provide comment to Fox News Digital in time for publication.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.





Original article source: Biden campaign wont say who attended star-studded Manhattan fundraiser amid backlash
President Bidens reelection campaign released an ad Friday that focuses on courting supporters of Republican Nikki Haley while also bashing former President Trump for pushing away her backers.

The ad, first reported by The Washington Post, is a 30-second spot that includes the various times Trump has criticized Haley, including calling her birdbrain and not presidential material.

If you voted for Nikki Haley, Donald Trump doesnt want your vote, the ad reads.

Haley supporters will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp, it says, quoting Trump in a January post on Truth Social.

The ad also includes clips of Trump saying he isnt sure he needs too many Haley voters, and that he doesnt need more votes to win back the White House in November.

Save America. Join us, the ad says.

The campaign is spending more than $1 million on the ad, which will run for three weeks in battleground states, according to the Post. Its part of the $30 million ad buy that the campaign announced after the presidents State of the Union address to target the seven battleground states that are critical to Bidens reelection bid.

The campaign also released a statement earlier this week claiming Trump doesnt want Haley voters, adding that Trump has been clear that voters who arent part of the MAGA disciple arent welcome in his camp.

Trump Outreach to Haley Voters: Nonexistent, the campaign argued in an email. Donald Trump doesnt want moderate, independent, or Haley voters.

The campaign also noted that Trump hasnt called Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, since she dropped out. Haley did not endorse the former president when she left the race the day after Super Tuesday.

The campaign has claimed from the day Haley dropped out that Trump isnt interested in appealing to her voters. The Biden-Harris team see an opening to court those those Republicans into the Biden camp and argue that Trump is driving them away.

Donald Trump made it clear he doesnt want Nikki Haleys supporters. I want to be clear: There is a place for them in my campaign, Biden said in a statement March 6.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden informed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Friday that he is firing Martin Dickman, the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), on grounds of creating a hostile work environment, a source familiar told The Hill.

The termination, which Biden informed Johnson of by letter, comes after the president was presented with the findings of an investigation launched in January 2023 by the independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency after allegations against Dickman surfaced.

The investigation found evidence that Dickman created a toxic work environment and engaged in abusive treatment, including using crude and inappropriate language like slurs, and belittling employees, according to the source.

Dickman, who was confirmed for the position in 1994 under the Clinton administration, will be placed on non-duty status of administrative leave effective immediately. On April 28, his employment will be terminated.

According to the source, Biden is set to designate Ben R. Wagner, the inspector general of the Tennessee Valley Authority, as acting inspector general of RRB. Wagner will keep his other role while serving as acting inspector general.

Under the Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2022, the president must notify Congress 30 days prior to removing an inspector general. The Biden administration concluded that given the issues surrounding the toxic work environment  leading to Dickmans firing  there was a need to bring in independent leadership from outside RRB, which is why Wagner was selected, the source said.

The RRB office of the inspector general is responsible for conducting independent audits, reviews, and investigations. RRB, which is headquartered in Illinois, administers retirement-survivor pensions and unemployment-sickness benefits for railroad workers and their families, according to the agency.

The inspector general position requires a presidential appointment and Senate confirmation.

Dickmans firing marks the first time Biden has fired an inspector general for cause.

The president has terminated the employment of other presidential-appointed and Senate-confirmed federal employees, including the former Architect of the Capitol, Brett Blanton, in 2023 after an inspector general report found he misused a government vehicle and allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer.

Biden also fired former Social Security Commissioner, Andrew Saul, in 2021 after he refused to resign and has since appointed former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley (D), who was confirmed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Biden travels to New York to hold a fundraiser event with former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Bruce Cotler/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have jumped to the aid of incumbent Joe Biden in the election campaign.

The three Democrats appeared together at a major fundraising event in New York on Thursday evening. The event at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan also featured several music stars. Biden's campaign team said it raised more than $26 million.

The campaign show was accompanied by protests against the US government's Middle East policy, with hecklers interrupting the prominent Democrats on stage several times, and others demonstrating outside.

Several thousand people attended the event, having paid between $225 and half a million dollars for a ticket. Former president Obama flew from Washington to New York in the government aircraft Air Force One with his former vice president Biden. Clinton made his own way to the event. The three sat together on stage for a moderated panel discussion, talking about democracy, life in the White House, international conflicts and difficult decisions as president.

Obama and Clinton praised Biden's work. He, in turn, attacked the Republican former president Donald Trump, who wants to run against the incumbent in November's election. Biden warned that his rival denies climate change, is on good terms with autocrats around the world and wants to curtail fundamental rights.

Obama said that voters are faced with the question of who is really interested in their concerns and cares about them. "I'm pretty sure the other guy doesn't," he said of Trump. But on Biden, he said, "this guy does."

US President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Biden travels to New York to hold a fundraiser event with former US Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Bruce Cotler/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
President Biden said in a statement Thursday that he is horrified by a recent stabbing spree in Rockford, Ill.

[First lady Jill Biden] and I were horrified to learn of the brutal attack carried out in Rockford last night, which took the lives of four people, including one fifteen-year-old, Biden said in the statement. Seven others were tragically wounded as a result of this senseless violence. We are praying for the families of those who lost loved ones, and hoping that all those injured make a full recovery.

In the statement, Biden also said he is also grateful for the heroic actions of local law enforcement, who confronted the suspect and prevented the loss of more innocent life.

Authorities said Thursday that Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the Wednesday stabbing and beating spree that resulted in the deaths of four people, according to The Associated Press. Soto has also been charged with seven counts of attempted murder and home invasion with a dangerous weapon.

Federal law enforcement have offered all available assistance to local law enforcement as they investigate this heinous act, Biden said in the Thursday statement.

Biden also said his administration will do everything in its power to help the people of Rockford and the broader community recover from this traumatic event.

Families across America want the same thing: the freedom to feel safe in their community, Biden said. That is my priority and the reason weve made major investments to provide communities with resources and law enforcement officers to prevent and fight crime. This tragic event is a reminder that we must continue to ensure that our police and first responders have the support they need to do their jobs and keep us safe.

Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), whose district covers Rockford, said Wednesday in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he is grateful for quick actions of our police who were able to catch the suspect and prevent additional harm to our neighbors in Rockford.

I want the victims and their families to know I am keeping them in my thoughts and praying for those who are in recovery, Sorensen continued in his post.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Friday, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his administrations commitment to transgender rights by declaring March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility in a White House proclamation. This day, dedicated to honoring the courage and contributions of transgender Americans, arrives amid a backdrop of increasing legislative attacks on the community, particularly from Republican lawmakers at both state and federal levels.



Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our Nation, Bidens proclamation said. It noted that the Biden-Harris administration has taken significant steps to protect and affirm the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, including ending the ban on transgender people serving openly in the military, appointing transgender leaders within the administration, and signing executive orders aimed at bolstering civil rights protections.

However, these strides are challenged by a surge in anti-trans legislation and rhetoric spearheaded by Republicans in state legislatures and Congress. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the GOP has introduced 479 anti-LGBTQ+ bills nationwide this year alone. Such measures seek to curtail the rights of transgender people, affecting their access to healthcare, education, and public services.

No one should have to be brave just to be themselves, Biden said, condemning these efforts as fundamentally un-American and harmful.

USA President Joe Biden signing White House proclamation March 31st Transgender Day of Visibility

Shutterstock

Concurrently, the Human Rights Campaign is gearing up to celebrate trans joy, spotlighting the vibrance, diversity, and resilience of the transgender community. In a statement, HRC emphasized the joy and power within the transgender community, despite the ongoing challenges and the violence that has claimed lives in 2024, including those of Righteous TK Chevy Hill, Diamond Brigman, Kitty Monroe, and Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old student at Owasso High School.

HRC president Kelley Robinson reaffirmed the organizations commitment to combating anti-trans legislation and honoring the memory of trans individuals not for the circumstances of their passing but for their impactful lives. The orchestrated assault on transgender rights poses a direct threat to the well-being of trans individuals, Robinson said.

As the Biden administration and organizations like HRC stand in solidarity with the transgender community, the celebration of TDOV serves as both a testament to the progress made and a reminder of the battles that lie ahead.

Transgender Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31, was founded in 2009 by transgender activist Rachel Crandall. The day was established as a response to the lack of LGBTQ+ holidays celebrating transgender people, aiming to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments and resilience of the transgender community. It serves as a day to recognize the struggles and discrimination transgender people face, advocating for rights, acceptance, and equality.

We are making public services more accessible for transgender Americans, including with more inclusive passports and easier access to Social Security benefits, Biden said, noting, There is much more to do. He called on Congress to pass the Equality Act to enshrine civil rights protections in legislation.

Today, we send a message to all transgender Americans: You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back, Biden said.
Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan seen at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Quynh

HSBC and OCBC Bank Singapore said Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan has mortgaged the Capital Place building for loans totaling US$230 million at banks, disqualifying her from selling the property.

At Truong My Lan's trial on Thursday, representatives from both banks, said Twin-Peaks, a subsidiary of property developer Van Thinh Phat, used the property to secure loans from them and these loans have not been fully paid yet, with a repayment deadline set for April 30.

"Truong My Lan does not have the right to sell this building as it was pledged as it serves as collateral for the loans obtained by Twin-Peaks," the HSBC representative said.

Previously, Lan, 68, proposed that her daughter Chu Duyet Phan sell the Capital Place building, situated at 29 Lieu Giai Street, Hanoi, to repay the money she allegedly misappropriated from SCB.

She told the court it was worth $1 billion, but her daughter recently informed the court that a buyer is paying only $360 million for the property. Phan said the building has been mortgaged at four different banks for $230 million for loans. After paying off the banks, the remaining amount will be handed to authorities to pay SCB.

The Capital Place building in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the building

HSBC and OCBC representatives appealed to the court for permission to prioritize the use of the building to clear the existing loans.

They proposed that, after the building is sold and the loans are settled, any leftover funds should be transferred to authorities.

During the ongoing two-month trial, Lan faces charges of bribery, violating banking regulations and embezzlement, accused of misappropriating VND304 trillion ($12.31 billion) from SCB.

Prosecutors have recommended the death penalty for Lan for committing severe crimes over a long period and causing irrevocable consequences.

Between 2012 and 2022, she and her accomplices allegedly obtained 2,500 loans worth more than VND1 quadrillion ($44 billion), accounting for 93% of the banks total credit portfolio during the period.

She is accused of causing losses of VND498 trillion to the bank.

The trial commenced on March 5 and is scheduled to continue until April 29.
President Joe Biden made a joke about Boeing during a campaign reception on Thursday in New York.

During a discussion at the reception with Biden and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, talk show host and moderator Stephen Colbert posed a question about the three mens experiences riding on Air Force One, the Boeing jet that presidents usually fly on.

All three of you have been on Air Force One. You still have the keys, Mr. Biden. Thats made by Boeing, right? Do those doors stay on? Before you get on, do you send [over] Pete Buttigieg with a socket wrench set to tighten them? Colbert asked.

In response, Biden quipped: I dont sit by the door.

As the audience laughed and applauded, he continued, Obviously, Im only kidding. And I shouldnt even joke about it. I shouldnt even joke.

A fine American company, Colbert responded.

A spokesperson for Boeing declined to comment on the joke.

Boeing has been subject of scrutiny and investigation after a rash of safety incidents. On Jan. 5, a door-plug panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max just seven minutes after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane and forcing pilots to make an emergency landing.

According to investigators, four bolts that were supposed to secure the door were missing after the plane was worked on at a Boeing factory in Washington.

In a preliminary report in February, the National Transportation Safety Board said that the bolts were missing after the panel was removed so contractors could fix damaged rivets nearby last September.

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, testified in a Senate committee hearing in March that Boeing had refused to identify the employees that worked on Boeing 737 door panels and didnt provide documentation about the repair jobs done in September.

Boeing maintained that it had given employees names to the NTSB and had previously identified some of them to investigators.

The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation this month into the Jan. 5 incident to determine whether Boeing was in compliance with a previous settlement that resolved a probe into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft, after two 737 Max 9 crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Related...
President Joe Bidens reelection campaign is tapping three veteran Democratic operatives to head up its efforts in Florida amid a deeper debate over whether the state remains in play for Democrats in the November elections.

Jasmine Burney-Clark, the founder and former director of Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund, will serve as Bidens Florida state director, the campaign said, while Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Phillip Jerez and strategist Jackie Lee will take on senior adviser roles.

Jasmine, Phillip, and Jackie are proven operatives who have been on the front lines pushing back against Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans in Florida, Bidens campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

The announcement, which was first reported Friday by Politico Florida, is the second major campaign rollout for Biden this week. On Wednesday, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff traveled to Coral Gables to launch the campaigns Hispanic outreach initiative, Latinos con Biden, in Florida.

Bidens Florida leadership team brings three veterans of the states politics into the presidents formal campaign structure.

Burney-Clark previously worked as a senior adviser to the NAACP and state Sen. Geraldine Thompson. Jerez has held top roles in high-profile Florida campaigns, including Charlie Crists 2022 run for governor and former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillums 2018 gubernatorial bid.

Lee served as Bidens Florida state director in 2020 and held state leadership roles on former President Barack Obamas successful 2008 and 2012 campaigns in Florida.

Still, there are questions about just how big of a role Florida will play in the November presidential election, given the states rightward shift in recent years. Biden lost Florida to former President Donald Trump in 2020, and Gov. Ron DeSantis scored a massive 19-point reelection win in the state in 2022 that was widely seen as devastating to Democrats.

While Election Day is still roughly seven months away, nearly every recent poll of the state shows Trump beating Biden in a head-to-head matchup. The Biden campaign has indicated that it still plans to contest Florida, but its unclear exactly how much effort and money the presidents team and its allied groups are willing to give to win the state.

After the launch of Latinos con Biden in Florida on Wednesday, the campaign launched a round of targeted digital ads in Miami-Dade County and the Tampa area.

Nikki Fried, the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, applauded the Biden campaigns leadership team hires on Friday and insisted that Florida remains in play for Democrats.

Florida is the battleground for all our rights and freedoms and we are leading the fight to protect democracy  not just for our state but for the entire country, Fried said in a statement. Phillip, Jackie, and Jasmine understand that we are the last line of defense and are ready to prove all the critics wrong. Florida is winnable and worth fighting for.
President Biden and former President Trump were in the New York City area on Thursday, but they attended very different events.

Biden was in town for a Democratic fundraising event, while Trump attended a wake for New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller at a Massapequa Park, Long Island funeral home, some 40 miles from Manhattan.

Biden was slated to be at a glitzy Democratic fundraising event at Radio Music Hall that will be attended by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as A-list celebrities.

SUSPECTS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER IDENTIFIED, HAVE LENGTHY RECORDS

President Biden and former President Trump were in the New York City area on Thursday. Biden was in town for a fundraiser, while Trump attended the wake of a slain NYPD officer.

During a press gaggle on Air Force One en route to New York, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didn't address why Biden missed the wake, but said the president "grieves for them (the NYPD) and honors their sacrifice."

"The President has stood with law enforcement his entire career and continues to stand with them as they put their lives on the line for their communities," she said. "Under his leadership, we will continue to support police officers and ensure that they have resources they need to continue  to continue to do the work  the all-important that  work that they have to do on behalf of the community."

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and police unions.

Meanwhile, Trump attended Diller's wake, which had a massive law enforcement presence to pay their respects.

NEW YORKERS SHOUT AT SUSPECT IN FATAL SHOOTING OF NYPD OFFICER, WHO NOW FACES CHARGES

"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."

Jean-Pierre said violent crime under Trump surged while the Biden administration took "decisive action from the very beginning to fund the police and achieving a historic reduction in crime under his leadership. And so, were going to continue to do that."

Diller, 31, a father to a one-year-old boy, was killed Monday after Guy Rivera, 34, allegedly opened fire and killed him during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. Both the driver of the vehicle and Rivera, who was in the passenger seat, had at least 20 prior arrests, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Before his wake, the NYPD's Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) sent a letter telling far-left Democratic leaders in New York City to stay away from the funeral because of their soft-on-crime policies.

"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."





Original article source: Biden mingles with Obama, Clinton at ritzy NYC fundraiser on same day fallen cop is mourned just 40 miles away
The White House is moving forward with its campaign to confirm judicial nominee Adeel Mangi and pushing back on claims that he is antisemitic or against law enforcement, despite several Democratic senators expressing concern over the nominee's organizational ties and casting doubt on his chances of garnering enough votes.

According to a White House official, Biden's team is keeping the pressure on senators to confirm Mangi, who is nominated to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, dismissing attacks on him as false. The official said those focused on lobbying senators to support the nominee are White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Shuwanza Goff, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs Ali Nouri, White House Counsel Ed Siskel, and White House senior counsel in charge of nominations Phil Brest.

Zients said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "Some Senate Republicans and their extreme allies are relentlessly smearing Adeel Mangi with baseless accusations that he is anti-police."

President Biden, left, and Adeel Mangi.

TRUMP CAMPAIGN REVEALS BATTLEGROUND PLANS AMID 2024 CONCERNS

"That could not be further from the truth and the close to a dozen law enforcement organizations that have endorsed him agree," he said, pointing to several new endorsements of Mangi by three former attorneys general in New Jersey, two former U.S. attorneys who served in the state, the International Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

"The Senate must confirm Mr. Mangi without further delay," Zients said.

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DEMS TARGET FOUR COMPETITIVE HOUSE SEATS TO WRESTLE BACK MAJORITY FROM GOP

Chances of Mangi being confirmed have appeared grim in recent weeks as allegations of antisemitism have been spotlighted due to his previous role on the board of advisers for the Rutgers University Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR). The center has sponsored events, including one on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, with controversial speakers like Hatem Bazian, who in 2004 called for an "Intifada," according to video from an anti-war protest in San Francisco, and Sami Al-Arian, who in 2006 pleaded guilty to "conspiring to provide services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad," according to the Justice Department.

The CSRR has also hosted an event with Noura Erakat, who had previously been advertised as a panelist for a separate event alongside Hamas commander Ghazi Hamad.

Mangi has also been accused of being against law enforcement because of his role as a current advisory board member for the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ). The alliance's founding board member, Kathy Boudin, pleaded guilty to the felony murder of two police officers in 1981 after they died during the robbery of an armored truck. The robbery was carried out by Boudin's group, the Weather Underground Organization, which was recognized as a domestic terrorist organization by the FBI.

Neither the CSRR nor AFJ provided comments to Fox News Digital.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "It is unsurprising that Mangis record has split Senate Democrats, and the White House should recognize their error, withdraw Mangis nomination, and instead nominate a candidate who can garner widespread bipartisan support."

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Mangi's "well-known ties to this extreme organization that supports terrorists and cop killers makes him wholly unqualified to serve as an appellate judge."

JOHNSON TO FORMALLY HAND MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES TO SENATE, URGES TRIAL 'EXPEDITIOUSLY'

Biden's White House has previously hit back at criticism of Mangi, calling it a "malicious and debunked smear campaign" prompted by the nominee's potential to become the first Muslim appellate judge.

While Judiciary Republicans had already sounded alarm bells over Biden's pick last year after probing Mangi about his connections to the groups, Democratic senators appeared likely to fall in line behind the president's choice.

However, after a recent report indicated Biden was being privately warned that Mangi may not have enough votes for confirmation, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., revealed she was one of the lawmakers to reach out to the White House with concerns.

The senator previously confirmed her stance against the nominee to Fox News Digital, citing his connection to AFJ.

Several other Democratic senators recently refused to say whether they would support Mangi.

The office of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., confirmed to Fox News Digital that he is also committed to voting against Biden's pick.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., right, revealed she had concerns over Mangi's nomination.

Cortez Masto and Manchin were recently joined by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., who said in a statement, "Given the concerns Ive heard from law enforcement in Nevada, I am not planning to vote to confirm this nominee."

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, the law firm at which Mangi is a partner, did not provide comment to Fox News Digital.

The loss of any Democratic support is a concern for Mangi's confirmation prospects, given the Senate's close 51-49 split in favor of the Democratic caucus.

MAN SENTENCED TO 11 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR THREATENING PHONE CALLS TO PELOSI AND MAYORKAS

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called on Biden last week to withdraw the nomination, and now Republicans are reinforcing their campaign against Mangi's confirmation.

"The White House cant defend Adeel Mangis record. So, theyre launching personal attacks against anyone who notices the ties to cop-killers and antisemites that Mr. Mangi has forged of his own free will," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said in a statement.

He added, "Its not Islamophobic for senators to recognize" a nominee's failure to meet qualifications.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., requested President Biden withdraw the nomination.

"Now even his own Democrat party is rebelling against [Biden]," Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., remarked in a statement, attributing it to the president's "push for radical, anti-Israel nominees."

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary GOP revealed three additional law enforcement groups were opposing Biden's choice, bringing the total to 17. The Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and Pennsylvania State Troopers Association penned a joint letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Ranking Member Graham; and Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, who are both Democrats.

The court that Mangi has been nominated to serve on is located in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania-based groups noted their letter is on behalf of over 40,000 members requesting that the Senate "reject the nomination" of Mangi, citing his AFJ affiliation.





Original article source: Biden rolls out new endorsements for controversial judicial nominee as Dem support dwindles
President Joe Biden, right, and former presidents Barack Obama, left, and Bill Clinton participate in a fundraising event with Stephen Colbert at Radio City Music Hall, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

NEW YORK (AP)  Fresh off his largest-ever fundraiser, which featured Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden declared Friday that the big-dollar event shows that we are united in ways Republicans can't match.

The Biden campaign said it took in a record $26 million from the sold-out gathering at Radio City Music Hall, which also featured late-night host Stephen Colbert as moderator for the presidential trio. Biden spent the night in New York, then addressed a separate crowd of around 200 of his largest donors and fundraisers from in and around the city.

It's because of you that I can say that we've raised more money than previous Democratic campaign in history, said Biden, whose reelection bid said it already had $155 million in cash on hand through the end of February  before Thursday night's take was factored in.

A couple of us have been doing this for a year or two. I dont ever remember an event like last night, Biden said of himself and the past presidents. He added wistfully, Im the president but was looking out there, holy God."

Biden said that "last night showed the skeptics, it showed the press, it showed everyone that we are united." He is trying to present a stark contrast with former President Donald Trump, who is now seeking to win back the White House but has been shunned by his only living Republican predecessor, President George W. Bush.

Even Trump's former Vice President, Mike Pence, says he's unwilling to endorse his former boss. Trump and his Save American political action committee are also reporting having just $37 million in cash on hand through February.

Still, there were moments of disunity on Thursday night, when the event was interrupted by protesters objecting to the Biden administration's support of Israel in its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Larger groups of similar demonstrators massed outside the building.

Trump also has shown strength in some early polls in key swing states, and even Biden acknowledged that in his Friday comments to donors. The president predicted that he would see his standing in key areas improve in the weeks following his State of the Union address and noted that he'd visited every major battleground state in recent weeks, saluting our grassroots organization.

Biden also tried to seize on Trump and other top Republicans frequent question of whether the country is better off now than four years ago, a time when the coronavirus pandemic was still in its early stages and large swaths of the global economy were shutting down.

Well, Donald, Im glad you asked the question, Biden said, noting that his administration had helped tame the pandemic while keeping the economy strong and unemployment low.

I have a different focus," Biden said noting a new question he wants voters to ponder, Will we be better off four years from now?

___

Weissert reported from Washington.
President Biden told reporters Friday he will visit Baltimore next week following the partial bridge collapse that killed six people and has temporarily closed the citys port.

Biden said his visit will be alongside Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D). Hours after the collapse early Tuesday morning, Biden said he planned to go to the site as quickly as he can.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, on Interstate 695, was hit around 1:30 a.m. by cargo ship Dali, which was headed to Sri Lanka, causing nearly the entire steel structure to fall into the water.

Biden has vowed that the federal government will foot the bill to rebuild the bridge, but that has been met with backlash from conservative spending hawks. That includes those who are already angry that Congress approved a massive 2024 spending package, and liberals, who are arguing the blame for the tragedy lies, at least in part, with the owner of the cargo vessel.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Baltimore on Tuesday. He told reporters Wednesday there is no timeline for when the Port of Baltimore can reopen.

When asked about a timeline for the bridge reopening, Buttigieg said the administration needs to get a sense of the condition of its infrastructure, but it will be some time.

He also noted it took five years to build the original bridge but added it doesnt necessarily mean five years to replace.

Eight construction workers were fixing potholes on the bridge Tuesday when the container ship lost power and collided with the bridge. Two survived the collapse, two others were found by divers in the water and four are still missing.

Cranes were deployed to the wreckage Friday to clean up the scene and begin the recovery process.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden, right, and former presidents Barack Obama, left, and Bill Clinton participate in a fundraising event with Stephen Colbert at Radio City Music Hall, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New York. | Alex Brandon

An earlier version of this article was published in the On the Trail 2024 newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday mornings here. To submit a question to next weeks Friday Mailbag, email onthetrail@deseretnews.com.

Hello, friends. Wishing all a wonderful Easter weekend.

3 things to know

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. picked his VP on Tuesday: Bay Area lawyer and businesswoman Nicole Shanahan. It was a timely move for Kennedy  as an independent candidate, Kennedy needs to meet state-by-state requirements for ballot access; on Monday, Nevada announced his filing was invalid, because he hadnt yet selected a running mate. Read more here. Ronna McDaniels NBC tenure lasted only two days, after the network faced backlash for hiring the ex-Republican National Committee chair. Trump, who helped push McDaniel out of the RNC, was giddy: If I knew Ronna was going to troubled MSNBC, I would have advised her to change her name back to Romney, she would have had a better chance! More here. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman died on Wednesday at the age of 82. He spent 24 years in the Senate, first as a Democrat and later as an independent. He became the first Jew to run on a major-party ticket when he was Democrat Al Gores running mate in 2000. More here.

The Big Idea

Thanks, Obama

On Thursday night, beneath the bright lights of Radio City Music Hall, a bromance was restored.

President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama, the rivals-turned-collaborators-turned-friends, paired up for a big-money fundraiser in New York City. Bill Clinton attended, too, marking a rare group appearance from the three most recent Democratic presidents.

The event, by most metrics, was a smashing success. The Biden campaign claimed it raised over $26 million, making it the most successful political fundraiser in American history. Basic entry tickets cost $225, which got attendees in the main hall for an armchair conversation with the three presidents  led by Stephen Colbert  plus musical performances from Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt and others. For $100,000, a photo with the presidents. For $250,000 a reception with the presidents. For $500,000 an exclusive reception with the presidents.

Obama praised Bidens economic record and warned about the repercussions of a second Trump administration. When pro-Gaza protesters interrupted Biden on several occasions, it was Obama who interjected. You cant just talk and not listen, he told the demonstrators. Thats what the other side does. He pled for understanding toward Biden: Its a lonely seat, he said. One of the realities of the presidency is that the world has a lot of joy and beauty, but it also has a lot of tragedy and cruelty.

For Obama and Biden, whose relationship during their eight-year White House tenure was often called a bromance, it was a wildly lucrative hang-out. But it was notable for another reason: the relationship between the Obama and Biden camps isnt nearly as chummy as it may seem, and this newfound collaboration is huge for Bidens reelection hopes.

Obama and Biden are drastically different people, as the Times Katie Rogers documents here. Biden is the old-school Senate dealmaker; Obama, the young visionary. Biden went to state school; Obama, to Harvard. Obama is the cool head, Rogers writes; Biden, the Irish temper.

Those differences led to disagreements during the Obama administration, often on foreign policy. Biden famously opposed Obamas 2009 decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. Obama balked at Bidens vengeance toward Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2014. Now, with Biden in office, the two have taken a notably different posture on Israel.

President Joe Biden, center, and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participate in a fundraising event with Stephen Colbert at Radio City Music Hall, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New York. | Alex Brandon

The relationship hit a bump when Obama prepared to leave office in 2016. Biden, assuming he was the natural successor, geared up for a presidential campaign. Obama saw Hillary Clinton as a stronger candidate, and backed her. Biden has said publicly he understood the decision, but his staff  some of his closest aides and confidantes  still harbor resentments. And even Biden often uses Obama as a measuring stick behind closed doors. Obama would be jealous, Biden sometimes says when speaking about a perceived accomplishment, Axios reported.

The knife cuts both ways. One of Obamas top strategists, David Axelrod, caught fire late last year for publicly questioning whether Biden was capable of defeating Trump. Plenty of people in Obamas orbit  including Obama himself  made the same argument in 2016. Its nothing personal, they say, and can largely be chocked up to real strategic differences in running their campaigns: Biden relies on instincts and guts, and Obama is a technocrat, Politicos Holly Otterbein writes. Obamas on-the-ground strategy in 2008 and 2012 reinvented retail politics  so much so, that Trumps 2020 national political director told me they stole what they learned from the Obama campaign, tactics-wise. Biden, whose 2020 pandemic campaign was largely sidelined by COVID, leaves him with a staff unfamiliar with the complexities of a true national ground game, Otterbein writes.

But for Democrats, the Obama camp included, worrying about whether Biden is the right man or not is now irrelevant. Biden has all but secured the Democratic nomination, and its too late in the cycle for a candidate swap. Obama seems to realize this. Hes the most popular former president alive. He still maintains significant sway in his party, at a time when many progressives are souring on Bidens ability to handle the U.S. involvement in the Middle East. He has influence, and he doesnt want a second Trump term.

So, Obama seems to be shelving his difference with Biden and getting to work. Hes spending time on the phone with top Biden aides. Hes calling Biden himself, talking through strategy. And, as we saw last night, hes selling photo ops for $100,000-a-pop for his old vice president.

Weekend reads

Who is Nicole Shanahan? This account  written by a Silicon Valley beat writer whos known her for years  paints a good picture. For those surprised by RFK Jr.s VP pick, you arent alone: Indeed, Shanahans only-in-Silicon Valley transformation  from patent lawyer to scenester to philanthropist and now, suddenly, a vice presidential candidate  has floored those who used to party or talk politics with her, writes Theodore Schleifer. It has stunned me, too. Nicole in Wonderland (Puck) For a quick-hit, here are 55 Things You Need to Know About Nicole Shanahan (Peder Schaefer, Politico)

Bidens immigration policy centers on root causes for migration. As such, hes dispatched Kamala Harris to Latin America more frequently than hes sent her to the U.S.-Mexico border. But Biden is missing something Trump had: a mutually beneficial relationship with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Why not? The AMLO-Trump relationship bore fruit because the two populists are both transactional leaders who understand the value of cutting deals. Lessons of the AMLO-Trump Bromance (Juan David Rojas, Compact Magazine)

Trumps mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs, migrated to the U.S. from Slovenia. Newly unearthed documents suggest she followed a legal path that Trump attempted to end while in office. Knavs, who passed away in January, was sponsored by Melania Trump for a green card  a form of family-based immigration that Trump attempted to end with his 2017 Raise Act. Records confirm Trumps mother-in-law came to U.S. through process he derided (Maria Sacchetti, The Washington Post)

Finally, if you missed our John Stockton profile, catch up here. What pairs better with a weekend of March Madness than Stock? Finding John Stockton

Friday mailbag

Todays question is from reader Kerry H.:

I keep reading all of these articles (including yours) about all of the former Trump supporters who are campaigning against him in this election. What seems unclear to me is, are these people going to vote for Biden, simply not vote or write in some other candidate that effectively negates their vote?

Great question. Some will certainly vote for Biden, like many did in 2020. Bill Kristol, Sarah Isgur, Steve Schmidt ... all former Republicans who are openly supporting Biden.

I think a much larger group of voters, though, are repulsed by Trump but also dissatisfied by Biden. Many of those included in the Republican Voters Against Trump openly say they wont support Biden, either, and dont know how theyll vote in November. Anecdotally, Ive spoken in recent months with several Republican or ex-Republican voters who backed Biden in 2020 but wont in 2024, because they feel like hes gone back on his promise of being a transitional candidate.

Im not sure that I agree with your premise that writing in another candidate negates their vote, though. Sure, if someone writes in Mickey Mouse instead of voting for Trump or Biden, it could hurt Biden in swing states like Arizona or Nevada  but in Utah, for example, where Trump should win handily, write-in votes against Trump could actually benefit Biden (even if those dont equate to votes for Trump). If Biden gets the same 37% he did in Utah in 2020, and a third of Trump voters from 2020 decide to write in another candidate, Trump and Biden are now neck-and-neck. A hypothetical, but you get the point.

Whats more interesting to me here is the idea of third-party or independent candidates. If No Labels runs a candidate, they already have ballot access in 19 states. Cornel West and RFK Jr. are pushing for ballot access, too. West will draw from the progressive left  many of whom would otherwise vote for Biden. RFKs voters, however, are an enigma  early polling showed him pulling from Trump, but now hes selected a progressive as his running mate. While its nearly impossible that an independent candidate will win, they could certainly tip the scales a bit.

Editors Note: The Deseret News is committed to covering issues of substance in the 2024 presidential race from its unique perspective and editorial values. Our team of political reporters will bring you in-depth coverage of the most relevant news and information to help you make an informed decision. Find our complete coverage of the election here.
President Joe Biden said he plans to visit Baltimore following a deadly bridge collapse earlier this week.

Biden will visit next week with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), he told White House pool reporters Friday.

On Tuesday morning, a massive ship crashed into the Key bridge after experiencing power issues, sending the structure plummeting into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed are presumed dead.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the bridge wasnt made to withstand the force of a 984-foot-long cargo ship.

Its not just big as a building, its really as big as a block, Buttigieg said during a White House briefing on Wednesday. A bridge like this one, completed in the 1970s, was simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel that weighs about 200 million pounds, orders of magnitude bigger than cargo ships that were in service in that region at the time that bridge was first built.

Moore said there is a long road ahead after the bridges collapse.

This work will not take days, Moore said Thursday. This work will not just take weeks. We have a very long road ahead of us.

Related...
Some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticised Mr Biden's steadfast support of Israel - REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Joe Biden is withholding some weapons requested by Israel, the US has said as it faces angry protests over backing the war in Gaza.

The United States has been rushing air defences and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticised the Biden administrations steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Defense Writers Group, Gen Charles Q Brown, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said: Although weve been supporting them with capability, theyve not received everything theyve asked for.

Some of that is because theyve asked for stuff that we either dont have the capacity to provide or not willing to provide, not right now.

Activists in New York protest against Joe Biden's backing of the war in Gaza - SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

On Thursday, Navy Capt Jereal Dorsey, the joint staff spokesman, said Gen Browns comments were in reference to a standard practice before providing military aid to any of our allies and partners.

He added: We assess US stockpiles and any possible impact on our own readiness to determine our ability to provide the requested aid.

There is no change in US policy. The United States continues to provide security assistance to our ally Israel as they defend themselves from Hamas, Dorsey added.

More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israels devastating offensive, according to health authorities in the territory.

Lloyd Austin (far right) and Yoav Gallant (far left) meet at the Pentagon on Tuesday - AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Israel retaliated following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The Israeli offensive prompted opposition from within Bidens Democratic Party, leading thousands to vote uncommitted for him in recent party presidential primaries.

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, met with Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, in Washington earlier this week and the Pentagon said security assistance to Israel was discussed.

It is a constant dialogue, Brown said.

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A Big Sur nonprofit is asking Monterey County planners to temporarily stop approving any new lodging developments in the area to prevent irreversible traffic and land use impacts to this internationally renowned destination.

Keep Big Sur Wild is asking the Monterey County Planning commission to consider putting a moratorium in place on new visitor serving units while it considers proposed updates to the Big Sur Area Land Use Plan.

Big Surs natural beauty is such a compelling draw that unfortunately it has caused the area to become overrun with too many people, similar to destinations like Yosemite, Tahoe, Yellowstone and Zion National Park, Tim Green of Keep Big Sur Wild said in a news release. One way to set visitor limits is to simply freeze the number of lodging units at the existing level.

High-season travel along Highway 1 packs many Big Sur areas, such as Bixby Bridge, where illegal parking and heavy traffic clog the two-lane highway thats considered to be a crown jewel in the Americas Scenic Byways program thanks to its Pacific coastline views, steep cliffs, deep canyons and rugged landscapes.

Even a prolonged closure of the highway  like the one thats been in place for more than a year due to rain-caused landslides  doesnt prevent overcrowding on the narrow, twisting and often steep roadway, the group said.

Tourists pose for photographs at Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California.

The area already has several premium lodgings and many others, including campsites, reservations for which often fill up months in advance.

Big Surs 1986 land use plan dictates how many additional lodging units could be supported within the 90-mile stretch without damaging the landscape, natural resource and access for the public.

The county has been in the process of updating its plan since 2021 to address changes to issues such as fire safety, housing, highway capacity, visitor accommodations and more.

It will take the county and the (California Coastal Commission) months, if not years, to finalize its work on the plan updates, the nonprofits release continued. The group wants a moratorium in place until that work is done and the new plan is in place.

Read the letter to Monterey County from Keep Big Sur Wilds at bit.ly/BigSurLetterMarch2024.
Several Vietnamese trying to illegally emigrate to Laos are held at a border guard station in Quang Tri Province. Photo courtesy of the Quang Tri border guards

Two Chinese in central Quang Tri Province have been arrested for organizing the illegal emigration of 20 Vietnamese to Laos to work.

Zhu Gui Neng, 47, and Liu Fang Quan, 36, were detained by border guards of Quang Tri for brokering illegal emigration, the guards said Thursday.

At around 10 a.m. on March 25, Zhu and Liu were helping Vietnamese to illegally cross the Lao Bao border gate to Laos when they were caught red-handed by police.

Zhu said there was a demand to recruit workers to take care of trees for a China's paper company at a branch in Laos' Savannakkhet Province, so he asked a man named Ho Cha Tho in Ha Giang Province that borders China to look for people to bring to Laos.

Zhu and Liu then entered Vietnam through a border gate in Ha Giang to receive Tho and 20 people of ethnic minorities, bringing them to the Lao Bao border gate.

After bringing the 20 people to Laos, Zhu and Liu planned to return to China via the border.
ROME (Reuters) - Births in Italy dropped to a record low in 2023, the 15th consecutive annual decline, national statistics bureau ISTAT said on Friday, as the population continued to shrink.

Italy's ever-falling birth rate is considered a national emergency, but despite successive governments pledging to make it a priority, none have so far been able to halt the drop.

Last year Italy recorded 379,000 births, a 3.6% decline on 2022 and a 34.2% drop on 2008 -- the last year Italy saw an increase in the number of babies born. It was also the lowest number since the country's unification in 1861.

The fertility rate fell to 1.20 children per woman from 1.24 in 2022 -- far below the rate of 2.1 needed for a steady population.

By contrast, some 661,000 deaths were registered last year, a fall on the previous three years when COVID boosted the mortality rate in Italy. ISTAT said life expectancy also jumped last year to 83.1 years, up six months on 2022.

While there were some 282,000 more deaths than births in 2023, Italy's overall population only fell by 7,000 to 58.99 million thanks to the arrival of more foreign migrants and returning Italian emigres.

Foreigners made up 8.99% of the country's population in 2023, for a total of 5.3 million, up 3.2% year-on-year, with the majority living in the north of the country.

Italy's overall population has been falling steadily since 2014, with a cumulative loss since then of more than 1.36 million people, equivalent to the residents of Milan, the country's second biggest city.

ISTAT said last September that Italy could lose almost 10% of its residents in the next 25 years, with the population set to decline, under a baseline scenario, to 54.4 million by 2050.

Underscoring Italy's rapidly ageing population, ISTAT said on Friday that almost one in four residents were above the age of 65, with more people aged over 80 than under 10 for the first time. Half a century ago, the ratio was one to nine.

The number of centenarians hit a new high of 22,500.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer, Editing by William Maclean)
Black, Latino and Asian families face significantly more challenges getting either a diagnosis or targeted treatment for a loved one living with dementia than white families do, according to new research.

If were just talking about Black Americans,  we already know that Black Americans are at increased risk for dementia, said Ladson Hinton, a geriatric psychologist at the University of California, Davis. Our study really summarizes  that Black Americans are also, once they get dementia, less likely to get the kind of care that is really optimal.

Hinton and his team at UC Davis systematically reviewed U.S. dementia study results from the last 10 years, working alongside researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University, to gain a comprehensive picture of what health care access and quality has been like for people living with the condition.

Black and Hispanic American patients were less likely to be referred for neuro-psychological testing to determine the cause of their dementia, the researchers found, and Asian American older adults were less likely to receive a diagnostic work-up to determine whether they were showing signs of the cognitive impairments associated with dementia.

These findings came as no surprise to Elizabeth Edgerly of the Alzheimers Association, who said her organization has hired social workers and developed online resources to help because so many people of all races contacted them out of frustration.

Even in the best of circumstances, a timely dementia diagnosis can be elusive, said Edgerly, executive director of the Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.

Four out of five people she meets, she said, will begin by relating how challenging it has been to find out whats causing their condition or to obtain a referral to a neurologist. In fact, so many people have complained to the Alzheimers Association that they encountered skepticism or inertia when they sought testing that the group began offering care consultations to help families navigate the process.

When you add language and cultural differences into this equation, she said, delays in diagnosis could span years if the patient or caregivers arent persistent.

A diagnosis eluded this family for more than a year

Carlos Olivas III was in the dark for nearly two years about what was causing his fathers dementia, and hes still mystified about why his fathers health system didnt do more outreach to his family.

Olivas left a thriving career in the audiovisual industry in 2016 after receiving a phone call the year before from his dads dentist that hit him like a gut punch.

He was concerned about my dads overall hygiene, Olivas said, and that he was missing appointments or getting lost.

His now 83-year-old father, Carlos Olivas Jr., had an infection in his gum line, Olivas said, and the dentist said that if he didnt follow instructions on medication and care, it could lead to heart problems and potentially even brain damage.

Carlos Olivas Jr. creates new art in his studio at home in Sacramento earlier this month.

Olivas acted quickly to help his father navigate that health crisis while at the same time conferring with his younger brother, Cesareo, on steps they should take to get their father some help for his lapses in thinking, remembering and making judgments.

Two months after the call from the dentist, Cesareo flew back home to Sacramento from North Carolina where he was working as a mechanic on a NASCAR team. He joined their father on a trip to see his primary care doctor, determined to get some answers.

The doctor told him that Olivas Jr. was showing signs of mild cognitive impairment, and he prescribed a medication called Aricept as a way to help slow it down. But he offered no way to diagnose the cause of the problem, Olivas said.

There was no follow-up from the doctor, and mind you, he had a Latino surname and practiced at one of the major health systems here in Sacramento, Olivas said. There was no social worker.  There was no outreach to family members. There were just our names on the advanced care directive.

A son moves home, determined to get answers

Olivas figured the only way to get answers was to move back to his childhood home, he said, but that brought a whole new set of challenges.

He and his brother had learned so much from their dad. At Sacramento State, Olivas Jr. had provided audiovisual support across the campus, and at home, he tackled auto repair, plumbing, electrical wiring, yard work and more.

Their take-charge dad couldnt see why he should cede control of his health care or his finances to his kids, said Olivas. By this time, his father was forgetting to pay utility bills, and Olivas and his brother had to rush payment to avoid shut-off.

It was clear his father needed help, Olivas said, but he verbally attacked his son as he attempted to maintain control. Olivas went through some frustration, some despair, some depression, some anguish, he said.

After joining some Alzheimers Association support groups, Olivas began to understand his fathers behavior better and he also realized he had his own issues: The reality was I was very uneducated about dignity, about empathy. I had a strong ego and a bad attitude.

Carlos Olivas III laughs and listens while he records a video interview with his father, Carlos Jr., at home in Sacramento earlier this month.

In the support groups, there were lessons about how various forms of dementia affect people. Other caregivers shared their lived experience and the many obstacles they encountered in getting a diagnosis and the right treatment for their loved ones.

Very few of the caregivers in those groups looked like Olivas, he said, but he had much in common with all of them. After months of being pushed away by his father, he said, he finally managed to get the password to the online portal for his dads health system.

His fathers primary care doctor had retired about six months after giving them the news of Olivas Jr.s mild cognitive impairment, and the health system had assigned him a new doctor. When Olivas requested a referral to the systems memory care team for further testing, the new doctor readily agreed, but an appointment wasnt available for six to eight months.

Finally, their dad gets a diagnosis and specialty care

It wasnt until late 2017 when the Olivas family learned Olivas Jr. had Alzheimers disease, Olivas said, and finally, the health system assigned them a social worker. His father had been having stomach problems since he began taking Aricept, and they were able to work with a neurologist to refine the dosage for it and relieve that side effect. The neurologist also prescribed an antidepressant for him.

The Aricept has improved Olivas Jr.s memory and attention, Olivas said, and the antidepressants have lifted his mood. Thanks to the medications, he said, Olivas Jr. reclaimed his love of creative pursuits, producing artwork that they now sell at Artbeat Gallery, 1107 L St..

Carlos Olivas Jr. poses next to a sculpture he created of his profile at his home in Sacramento earlier this month.

Olivas volunteers at the gallery, answering questions for shoppers and ringing up purchases, and he said he hopes his familys story inspires other Latinos to speak up about how dementia is affecting their families and to join support groups where they can gain insights into the disease and treatment.

It takes Hispanic Americans 40% longer to get a diagnosis and Black Americans 11% longer than their white peers, Hinton said.

The health care disparities, however, go beyond testing. Among other findings from the UCD and Oregon Health & Science researchers:

 Black Americans with dementia were more likely to have increased hospital admission rates, longer lengths of stay and higher costs.

 Among dementia patients who entered long-term care facilities, people of color were less likely to be admitted to specialized memory care units.

 Minoritized populations had lower rates of prescriptions for anti-dementia medications..

Oanh Meyer, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Neurology, said she and the other researchers are hoping that understanding where the disparities exist will help us address why they occur and how to remedy them at the individual, clinical and health-system level.

These agencies can help you navigate the dementia journey

Edgerly said that social workers at the Alzheimers Association have helped so many people advocate for care that they have developed scripts and strategies to make the most of interactions with health providers and insurers. The organization has established a 24/7 help line, 800-272-3900, where families can get confidential support.

What people living with dementia also should know, Edgerly said, is that the state of California has established 11 Caregiver Resource Centers around the state  Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center in the Sacramento region  to help families at low or no cost. They offer specialized information and referrals, family consultations, legal help with advance directives, and much more.

If you plan to advocate for diagnostic testing for yourself or a loved, Edgerly said, there are practical steps you should take. Write down examples of how brain function or behavior has changed, what its normally like and the things you now struggle to do, she said.

If health providers agree that there are signs of dementia but dont offer diagnostic testing or a consultation with neurologists, Edgerly said, the patient or a caregiver could ask: How would one go about getting a diagnosis of Alzheimers? What does that process look like? ... How do you do it?

This prompts providers to think about the standard of care and what the next steps are, Edgerly said, but patients can also go to the help and support section of the Alzheimers Association website to find what types of testing is recommended.

More tips to get the dementia tests, care you need

Print out that list or call and ask that a brochure be mailed to you, Edgerly suggested, and take that along with you to the doctor.

Having some things in writing helps a little bit with the awkwardness if you dont want to be viewed as challenging ... the authority of the doctor, she said, so instead you can say the Alzheimers Association told me this is the process, right? So Im ready.

Carlos Olives III laughs and his listens and records video interviews while his father Carlo Jr. tells stories at home in Sacramento on Friday, March 22, 2024. His son Carlos said it took more than a year for the cause of his fathers dementia  Alzheimers disease  to be diagnosed. Since getting the diagnosis, a specialist has prescribed medications to improve Carlos Sr.s memory, attention and mood.

Sadly, some diagnostic tests may not be available in the primary language that patients speak, Edgerly said, but there are several ways to get answers. New break-throughs also might make it easier in future, she added.

There are bio-markers that are emerging (for Alzheimers) and under FDA review now, she said, so when we get to that point, which could happen in the next year or two where theres a blood test, this will be helped, in theory, tremendously.

Edgerly said that she uses in theory because shes learned that not all providers may know that new tests exist or offer them even if they do know: Just when I think weve overcome a major barrier, I realize theres three more barriers right there.

Assertiveness doesnt always result in equal access in health care, Edgerly said, and the Alzheimers Association social workers can guide patients through available strategies and let them know when it might be best to try a different provider.

For a long time, Edgerly wondered why so many people struggled to learn the cause of their dementia. Then one day, she was speaking with a physician who shared the time crunch he was under: I get seven minutes: seven minutes if theyre coming in with a runny nose, seven minutes if they think its Alzheimers. Theres no difference.
Minh Ha, assistive technology manager at the Perkins School for the Blind tries a LightSound device for the first time at the school's library in Watertown, Mass., on March 2, 2024. As eclipse watchers look to the skies in April 2024, new technology will allow people who are blind or visually impaired to hear and feel the celestial event. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)

WASHINGTON (AP)  While eclipse watchers look to the skies, people who are blind or visually impaired will be able to hear and feel the celestial event.

Sound and touch devices will be available at public gatherings on April 8, when a total solar eclipse crosses North America, the moon blotting out the sun for a few minutes.

Eclipses are very beautiful things, and everyone should be able to experience it once in their lifetime, said Yuki Hatch, a high school senior in Austin, Texas.

Hatch is a visually impaired student and a space enthusiast who hopes to one day become a computer scientist for NASA. On eclipse day, she and her classmates at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired plan to sit outside in the schools grassy quad and listen to a small device called a LightSound box that translates changing light into sounds.

When the sun is bright, there will be high, delicate flute notes. As the moon begins to cover the sun, the mid-range notes are those of a clarinet. Darkness is rendered by a low clicking sound.

Im looking forward to being able to actually hear the eclipse instead of seeing it, said Hatch.

The LightSound device is the result of a collaboration between Wanda Diaz-Merced, an astronomer who is blind, and Harvard astronomer Allyson Bieryla. Diaz-Merced regularly translates her data into audio to analyze patterns for her research.

A prototype was first used during the 2017 total solar eclipse that crossed the U.S., and the handheld device has been used at other eclipses.

This year, they are working with other institutions with the goal of distributing at least 750 devices to locations hosting eclipse events in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. They held workshops at universities and museums to construct the devices, and provide DIY instructions on the group's website.

The sky belongs to everyone. And if this event is available to the rest of the world, it has to be available for the blind, too, said Diaz-Merced. I want students to be able to hear the eclipse, to hear the stars."

The Perkins Library  associated with the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts  plans to broadcast the changing tones of the LightSound device over Zoom for members to listen online and by telephone, said outreach manager Erin Fragola.

In addition to students, many of the librarys senior patrons have age-related vision loss, he said.

We try to find ways to make things more accessible for everyone, he said.

Others will experience the solar event through the sense of touch, with the Cadence tablet from Indiana's Tactile Engineering. The tablet is about the size of a cellphone with rows of dots that pop up and down. It can be used for a variety of purposes: reading Braille, feeling graphics and movie clips, playing video games.

For the eclipse, "A student can put their hand over the device and feel the moon slowly move over the sun," said Tactile Engineerings Wunji Lau.

The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired started incorporating the tablet into its curriculum last year. Some of the schools students experienced last Octobers ring of fire eclipse with the tablet.

Sophomore Jazmine Nelson is looking forward to joining the crowd expected at NASA's big eclipse-watching event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the tablet will be available.

With the tablet, You can feel like youre a part of something, she said.

Added her classmate Minerva Pineda-Allen, a junior. This is a very rare opportunity, I might not get this opportunity again.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Two white aircraft joined together as one at the wing fly through a blue sky.

Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences are suing Virgin Galactic over unpaid work and the misappropriation of trade secrets.

The suit alleges that Virgin Galactic has not paid $26.4 million in invoices for work related to the development of a new "mothership" aircraft intended to power Virgin's next-generation suborbital space planes. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on March 21, according to a SpaceNews report.

Virgin Galactic argues that the lawsuit is baseless in both facts and law and intends to defend itself vigorously, according to comments made to SpaceNews by a company spokesperson.

Related: Virgin Galactic picks Boeing subsidiary to build new carrier planes for space tourism flights

Suborbital space tourism provider Virgin Galactic uses a carrier aircraft mothership to haul a space plane to an altitude of about 50,000 feet (15,000 meters). Then the space plane falls free and begins its rocket-powered journey to suborbital space.

The company selected Aurora Flight Sciences in 2022 to build two new motherships. These would be delivered in 2025 and replace the current VMS Eve and be rated to fly as many as 200 times a year.

However, work halted after the completion of preliminary design work in May 2023. Boeing and Aurora claim that the project's budget and timeline constraints led to the conclusion that the new mothership could not be developed as Virgin Galactic envisioned.

RELATED STORIES:

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 Virgin Galactic mothership loses alignment pin during space plane launch, FAA investigating

Additionally, Boeing and Aurora accuse Virgin Galactic of misappropriating trade secrets. These specifically concern technical specifications and modeling equations for aircraft performance, passed inadvertently to Virgin as part of the project. Boeing and Aurora have requested Virgin destroy this proprietary information.

Virgin declined to do so, claiming it had intellectual property rights to them as part of the agreement, according to the report.

The company has also shifted focus away from developing a new mothership, concentrating on producing its Delta-class space plane, with plans to continue using VMS Eve for upcoming test and commercial flights.
Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, seen here at a political rally on March 16, 2024 (Pablo PORCIUNCULA)

Former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under investigation as an alleged coup plotter, asked Brazil's high court for the temporary return of his passport to visit Israel, his lawyer said Thursday.

The request is "for a fixed term" so Bolsonaro may accept an official invitation to visit Israel between May 12 and 18 with his family, lawyer Fabio Wajngarten wrote on the social network X.

The lawyers made the request in a letter to Federal Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who leads a probe into whether Bolsonaro fomented a "coup attempt" to prevent his 2022 election opponent and current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming office in January 2023.

As part of that inquiry, police confiscated Bolsonaro's passport on February 8.

Bolsonaro's lawyers, who deny the coup accusations, said the "trip does not entail any risk to the process."

Courts have barred Bolsonaro from running for public office, and the ongoing scrutiny by prosecutors led his critics to consider him a flight risk.

The New York Times newspaper on Monday published a report that Bolsonaro had slipped into the Hungarian embassy in Brasilia for two days after his passport was confiscated.

Bolsonaro is a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who issued him an invitation to visit on February 26, amid a diplomatic crisis between Israel and Brazil.

Israel declared Lula a "persona non grata" after he compared Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip to the Holocaust.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Santa Teresa and Las Cruces Border Patrol agents arrested two migrants who are members of the Paisa Gang.

Photo Courtesy of Anthony Scott Good

U.S. Border Patrol Chief of the El Paso Sector Anthony Scott Good posted about the arrest on his X social media account on Thursday, March 28. He did not specify when the subjects were apprehended.

Good also said that one of the migrants was previously convicted of aggravated rape of a child in Kansas.

Both subjects will be facing criminal charges for illegal entry and will be removed from the United States, Good said via X.

The El Paso Sector includes all of New Mexico.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
SAYREVILLE, N.J. (PIX11)  A man is accused of setting a car on fire after his 9-year-son was found dead in the burning vehicle near a New Jersey school Thursday night, authorities said.

Police found Manuel Rivera, 43, with burns and a self-inflicted wound near the torched car on Washington Road near Sayreville High School at around 10:45 p.m., prosecutors said. Riveras son was found in the vehicle, which was doused with gasoline and engulfed in flames, officials said.

Im terrified something this bad can happen and people are capable of doing such things, a neighbor told PIX11 News. Its beyond evil.

Subway stalker chased woman into NYC building: NYPD video

Authorities said Rivera allegedly left his home with the child after a domestic dispute. He was charged with aggravated arson and could face additional charges depending on the autopsy report, officials said.

The father works for Sayreville Public Schools and the son was a student at a town elementary school, according to a statement from Sayreville War Memorial High School.

It is with great shock and sorrow that I report to you that a Wilson School student was tragically killed last night in a car fire behind Sayreville War Memorial High School, the statement said. If you are a person of faith, please take the time to pray for our student and his family, including his extended family at the Wilson School. If you are not, please take a moment to send your positive thoughts to him and his family.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Michael Pirigyi of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444 or Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745-3289.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
British Ambassador Martin Harris took to social media platform X to share his harrowing experience of spending Good Friday in a bunker due to an intense Russian military assault on Ukraine on March 29.

Ambassador Harris highlighted the escalation of attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians, especially poignant during the Easter season.

"Russia is stepping up its vile attacks on Ukraines cities and citizens this Easter. My Good Friday began in the bunker," wrote Harris.

March 29 Russian massive strike on power system - what we know so fa r?

The situation escalated with an air alert issued across several Ukrainian regions on March 28, in response to Russian drones penetrating the airspace. These drones, advancing westward, were linked to explosions reported in cities like Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Russia launched 99 targets on March 29, including 60 Shaheds, Kinzhal, Iskander, X-59, and X-101/X-555 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defense forces destroyed 84 targets: 58 Shaheds and 26 missiles.

Read also: Russia carries out missile attack on Chernivtsi Oblast

Poland's military confirmed the deployment of fighter jets to counter the Russian Kinzhal missiles aimed at Western Ukraine.

Ukrenergo, an electricity transmission system operator, reported damage to thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants in the central and western oblasts. Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that Russians attacked facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Energy company DTEK reported serious damage to three thermal power plants.

Read also: Russia seriously damages three thermal power plants in latest war crime attack on civilian energy

Russia attacked critical infrastructure of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, damaging several facilities, according to regional authorities. A total of 24 missiles and drones were shot down in oblast by Air Forces, said regional governor Serhiy Lysak.The enemy hit residential buildings near Kamianske, resulting in five wounded, a five-year-old girl among them.

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
BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS)  A generous award will be given to Bluefield State University to help with their healthcare training facility at the BSU Medical Education Center (MEC).

WVU Tech unveils latest plans for a new traffic pattern in Beckleys University District

The award, which totals $7.145 million, is a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award that was submitted by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Joe Manchin, and Congresswoman Carol Miller.

Bluefield State has been an educational cornerstone in southern West Virginia for generations. As the leading Republican on the subcommittee that funds these programs, Im pleased to help secure the support they need to create a new healthcare training facility. I will continue to use my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to work with entities across West Virginia to understand the needs they have to make the necessary improvements to benefit our state, especially our students, Senator Capito said.

This award will be used to build two wings at the MEC. It will also be used for classroom renovation, laboratory space, and offices for the BSU College of Health Sciences. The University now offers many different programs in healthcare and this training facility also has the opportunity to offer more healthcare programs as well.

Bluefield State is extremely grateful for the support of West Virginias Congressional delegation. This positions the Universitys College of Health Sciences to train more healthcare professionals who can address this healthcare access gap in the region, where residents often face a shortage of healthcare professionals and limited access to healthcare facilities, noted Dr. Darrin Martin, BSUs Interim President.

Latest phase of Z-Way in the works

As a Historically Black University and a STEM University, BSU is uniquely qualified to provide these vitally important educational training and postgraduate employment opportunities for West Virginians, Interim President Martin concluded.

Stick with 59News for updates on BSUs healthcare training facility.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Former Rep. Ken Buck had some choice words for fellow Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert at a recent Rotary Club meeting, according to a report by Politico.

Ive been asked about her moving across the mountains to run in the 4th Congressional District, and I have not said anything, Buck said in audio played on the radio show The Dan Caplis Show.

Ive been asked dozens of times. I have not said a single word about that.

Buck was at a local Rotary Club meeting when making the comments, according to Politico, which first reported the audios existence. He noted several incidents involving Boebert, including one in which she was escorted out of a Denver theater during a performance of a musical for allegedly causing a disturbance.

She makes George Santos look like a saint, Buck quipped in the audio, referring to the New York Republican who was expelled from the House late last year.

Boebert was asked by the radio show host to respond to the audio, to which she said that Buck is so irrelevant and such an embarrassment to Colorado.

The voters here are so frustrated with him, Boebert said. And, you know, I really dont care what hes asked about me.

Buck announced earlier this month that he would be retiring from Congress at the end of last week instead of at the end of his term, throwing a a wrench into Boeberts plans to take the seat he is vacating. A special election in June will occur to fill Bucks seat  meaning Boebert may be running against an incumbent, rather than for an open seat  and Boebert has said she will not resign from her current position as the representative for Colorados 3rd Congressional District to run in that election.

Ken Bucks announcement yesterday was a gift to the Uniparty. The establishment concocted a swampy backroom deal to try to rig an election Im winning by 25 points, Boebert said of his decision to retire early.

The Hill has reached out to Buck for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Fatime Letifova

Chairman of the Defence Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Hulusi Akar, discussed the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia with a delegation led by the chair of the House Armed Services Committee of the US Congress, Mike Rogers, in Ankara, Azernews reports.

He informed the US congressmen about the role of Turkiye in the normalisation process and the steps taken by Ankara in this direction.

"We informed that Armenia should hold the extended hand of peace. Our discussion took place in a constructive environment. The other side also stated its position. We agreed that the discussions should continue," he added.

The parties also discussed the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye.

"There is no problem in this matter. The necessary approvals have been obtained. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about this. The process continues," said Akar.
Seven international schools willing to take in AISVN students amid teachers' walk-out

Seven schools with the International Baccalaureate program have agreed to accept students at the American International School Vietnam (AISVN) amid the ongoing teachers' strike.

In a document sent from HCMC to the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the activities of AISVN on Wednesday, there are seven schools capable of receiving 1,088 students from AISVN.

They are the Australian International School, the European International School, the International School Ho Chi Minh City, the British Vietnamese International School, the International School of North America, the American School and the British International School.

The tuition at these schools range from VND500-900 million ($20,200-36,300) a year for those studying under the International Baccalaureate program.

HCMC authorities said the Department of Education and Training would continue to discuss with these schools, and there would soon be plans to increase the number of teachers for AISVN students in the International Baccalaureate program.

Over 1,200 students at the AISVN had to stay home on March 18 as teachers refused to go to work over unpaid salaries and insurance. The school later reopened, but there were not enough teachers to teach.

Several parents found themselves stuck in limbo as they had paid the school billions of Vietnamese dong, while switching schools is difficult as the second semester is about to end.

Nguyen Thi Ut Em, head of AISVN, on March 21 said that during the spring break (March 23-31), investment funds would be called upon to restructure the school.

Over 100 parents on Friday sent complaints to the school and the education department, requesting for their children to study online with an extra VND10-15 million a month so that the students could finish the school year.

AISVN, established in 2006, has over 1,210 students studying under the International Baccalaureate program.

The school's tuition is at VND280-350 million a year for kindergarteners, VND450-500 million a year for primary school levels, and VND600-725 million for middle and high school levels. The school has 129 foreign teachers, 26 Vietnamese teachers and 103 employees. But 85 teachers have stopped working.

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.
Several restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area had inspection violations due to bugs, holes in walls, dirt, and debris buildup.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control routinely inspects restaurants, with data up to date as of March 27, 2024.

Here were the worst restaurant inspections SCDHEC found.

Homewood Depot & Grill

Address: 2921 Highway 701 North, Conway

Score: 77 percent

Homewood Depot & Grill was inspected March 22, 2024, and several violations were found. SCDHEC found a build-up of dirt, debris and grime in the walk-in cooler, ice machine, dry storage room and prep cooler. SCDHEC also found a hole in the wall in the mens restroom.

Homewood Depot & Grill did not have an employee present with a food handler certificate, and the restaurant was missing written policies for issues such as employee health, vomiting and diarrhea clean-up.

According to the report, a refrigerator was also broken, and paper towels were missing from the hand sink, among other violations.

SCDHECs report concluded that the establishment is required to have an on-site follow-up inspection within 10 days.

Refuel 51

Address: 6151 Highway 707, Myrtle Beach

Score: 78 percent

SCDHEC inspected Refuel 51 March 22, 2024, and the report found several violations.

The report found that a cutting board, knives and drip sets were stored clean despite soiled surfaces. Foods were not kept at proper holding temperatures and ready-to-eat foods did not have date markings.

Along with other violations SCDHEC found, Refuel 51 must have an on-site, follow-up inspection within 10 days. SCDHEC concluded that the restaurant would be downgraded if violations were not corrected.

Roma Pizza

Address: 2699 Beaver Run Blvd., Surfside Beach

Score: 78 percent

SCDHEC inspected Roma Pizza March 18, 2024, and the report found several violations. Apart from foods not being stored at proper holding temperatures and ready-to-eat foods not having date markings, pesticide was found in the kitchen.

The report also found soiled surfaces behind a sink and burnt-out light bulbs in the front kitchen. Furthermore, in addition to other violations SCDHEC found, drink crates were being reused for shelving.

SCDHECs report concluded Roma Pizza must have a follow-up inspection within 10 days to address its violations. The report added Roma Pizza could be downgraded if they do not correct its violations.

Island Bar

Address: 2272 Glenns Bay Road, Myrtle Beach

Score: 80 percent

SCDHEC inspected Island Bar March 18, 2024, and the report found several violations. The chemical ware washer, a type of dishwasher, did not have sufficient levels of chlorine-based sanitizer, according to the report.

SCDHEC found several soiled surfaces in the kitchen and inside the bar keg cooler. The report also found a hole in the wall next to the cookline sink, and food improperly thawed and not kept to proper holding temperatures.

However, SCDHEC returned to Island Bar March 27, 2024, and found the restaurant had addressed many of its previous violations, giving the Myrtle Beach eatery a 99 percent.

3500 North Ocean Grill

Address: 3500 North Ocean Blvd., North Myrtle Beach

Score: 83 percent

SCDHEC inspected North Ocean Grill March 21, 2024, and found several violations. The restaurant was not keeping food at the proper holding temperature, according to the report. SCDHEC also observed roaches in the kitchen refrigerator and a bug light above a beverage machine.

SCDHEC also found food products on the freezer floor, and the buffet did not have sneeze guards. SCDHEC concluded that 3500 North Ocean Grill is required to have an on-site follow-up inspection within 10 days.

Soco Grille

Address: 619 Front Street, Georgetown

Score: 84 percent

SCDHEC inspected Soco Grille March 19, 2024, and found several violations. The inspection found raw chicken stored over produce, although the report concluded there were no signs of contamination.

SCDHEC also found food, grease and debris build-up in the kitchen, on the wall and in a microwave. The report also found food stored at incorrect holding temperatures and without a time mark.

However, SCDHEC returned to Soco Grille March 26, 2024, and gave the restaurant a 100 percent grade.

Little Caesars

Address: 4684 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach

Score: 84 percent

SCDHEC inspected Little Caesars March 22, 2024, and found several violations. The report found heavy grease and dust build-up on the underside hood over the pizza conveyor, ceiling and wall.

SCDHEC also found a table with a missing leg by the cookline, a self-closing window did not work and other violations were found.

SCDHECs report concluded that Little Caesars Socastee Boulevard location had been downgraded due to repeated violations. The report added that the site must also have an additional on-site follow-up inspection within 10 days.

Dragon Pan

Address: 201 Fresh Drive, Suite B, Myrtle Beach

Score: 85 percent

Dragon Pan was inspected March 20, 2024, and SCDHEC found some violations. In addition to food missing date labels and an employee using the wrong sink to wash their hands, SCDHEC observed a Palmetto bug in the dining room.

However, SCDHEC returned to Dragon Pan March 26, 2024, and received a 100 percent inspection score.

Market Express #7394

Address: 490 Highway 9 East, Longs

Score: 85 percent

SCDHEC inspected Market Express #7394 March 19, 2024, and found several violations.

These included foods without discard time labels, unclean equipment surfaces, grease build-up on the cookline floor and damage to a cookline wall. SCDHECs report concluded that Market Express will have an on-site follow-up inspection within 10 days.
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. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Rebuilding Baltimores collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge could take anywhere from 18 months to several years, experts say, while the cost could be at least $400 million  or more than twice that.

It all depends on factors that are still mostly unknown. They range from the design of the new bridge to how swiftly government officials can navigate the bureaucracy of approving permits and awarding contracts.

Realistically, the project could take five to seven years, according to Ben Schafer, an engineering professor at Johns Hopkins University.

The lead time on air conditioning equipment right now for a home renovation is like 16 months, right?" Schafer said. He continued: So its like youre telling me theyre going to build a whole bridge in two years? I want it to be true, but I think empirically it doesnt feel right to me.

Others are more optimistic about the potential timeline: Sameh Badie, an engineering professor at George Washington University, said the project could take as little as 18 months to two years.

The Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday, killing six members of a crew that was working on the span, after the Dali cargo ship plowed into one its supports. Officials are scrambling to clean up and rebuild after the accident, which has shuttered the city's busy port and a portion of the Baltimore beltway.

The disaster is in some ways similar to the deadly collapse of Floridas Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which was was struck by a freighter in Tampa Bay in 1980. The new bridge took five years to build, was 19 months late and ran $20 million over budget when it opened in 1987.

But experts say it's better to look to more recent bridge disasters for a sense of how quickly reconstruction may happen.

Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, cited the case of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minnesota, which collapsed into the Mississippi River in 2007. The new span was up in less than 14 months.

Its the best comparison that we have for a project like this, Tymon said. They did outstanding work in being able to get the approvals necessary to be able to rebuild that as quickly as possible.

Tymon expects various government agencies to work together to push through permits, environmental and otherwise.

It doesnt mean that all of the right boxes wont get checked  they will, Tymon said. Itll just be done more efficiently because everybody will know that this has to get done as quickly as possible.

One looming issue is the source of funding. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said the federal government will pay for the new bridge, but that remains to be seen.

Hopefully, Congress will be able to come together to provide those resources as soon as possible so that that does not become a source of delay, Tymon said.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar helped to obtain funding quickly to rebuild the I-35W bridge in her state. But she said replacing the Baltimore span could be more complicated.

She noted that the I-35W bridge, a federal interstate highway, was a much busier roadway with about 140,000 vehicle crossings a day, compared with about 31,000 for the Maryland bridge.

But where theres a will theres a way, and you can get the emergency funding, Klobuchar said. Its happened all over the country when disasters hit. And the fact that this is such a major port also makes it deserving of making sure that this all gets taken care of.

Badie, of George Washington University, said the cost could be between $500 million and $1 billion, with the largest variable being the design.

For example a suspension bridge like San Franciscos Golden Gate will cost more, while a cable-stayed span, like Florida's Skyway Sunshine Bridge, which handles weight using cables and towers, would be less expensive.

Whatever is built, steel is expensive these days and there is a backlog for I-beams, Badie said. Plus, the limited number of construction companies that can tackle such a project are already busy on other jobs.

A project like this is going to be expedited, so everything is going to cost a lot more, Badie said.

Hota GangaRao, a West Virginia University engineering professor, said the project could cost as little as $400 million. But that's only if the old bridge's pier foundations are used; designers may want to locate the new supports farther away from the shipping channels to avoid another collision.

Thats going to be more steel, more complicated construction and more checks and balances, GangaRao said. It all adds up.

Norma Jean Mattei, an emeritus engineering professor at The University of New Orleans, said replacing the Key Bridge likely will take several years. Even if it's a priority, the process of designing the span, getting permits and hiring contractors takes a lot of time. And then you have to build it.

Its quite a process to actually get a bridge of this type into operation, she said.
The wreckage off a bus lays in a ravine a day after it plunged off a bridge on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, around 300km (190 miles) north of Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, March 29, 2024. A bus carrying worshippers on a long-distance trip from Botswana to an Easter weekend church gathering in South Africa plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass Thursday and burst into flames as it hit the rocky ground below, killing at least 45 people, authorities said. The only survivor was an 8-year-old child who was receiving medical attention for serious injuries. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

MMAMATLAKALA, South Africa (AP)  An 8-year-old girl was the lone survivor after a bus full of pilgrims making their way to a popular Easter festival in rural South Africa slammed into a bridge on a mountain pass and plunged into a ravine before bursting into flames, killing all 45 others onboard.

It was a tragic reminder of how deadly South Africa's roads become during the Easter period, when millions crisscross the country during the long holiday weekend. Authorities repeatedly warn motorists of the danger and had issued multiple messages urging caution just a day before Thursday's horrific crash.

The girl somehow survived after the bus carrying worshippers from neighboring Botswana careened off the bridge, fell more than 150 feet (50 meters) and caught fire as it hit the rocks below, according to authorities.

The girl was in a stable condition in the hospital after being admitted with serious injuries and was "in safe hands, an official with the local health department said Friday. Details of her injuries were not released.

Forensic investigators retrieved what they believed were 34 of the 45 bodies but couldn't be certain of the exact number, reflecting the gruesome nature of the crash. Many of the victims trapped inside the bus were burned beyond recognition, authorities said.

Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, an official with the Limpopo provincial health department, said only nine of the bodies recovered were likely to be identifiable.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the victims, who appeared to all be from Botswana, were on their way to the rustic town of Moria in Limpopo province for the Easter weekend pilgrimage that attracts hundreds of thousands of followers of the Zion Christian Church.

The church has its headquarters in Moria and it was the first time the full pilgrimage was being held since the COVID-19 pandemic. Worshippers flocked to the small town which features a giant star  the churchs emblem  and the words Zion City Moria painted in white on a hillside.

The church was formed in South Africa in the early 1900s as a Christian denomination that also retains some African traditions. It has an estimated 7 million followers across the southern African region.

Ramathuba said South African authorities had asked church leaders from Botswana to come and help identify the victims.

Good Friday and Easter Monday are national holidays in South Africa and many of its neighbors, when millions travel into, out of and across the nation. For some South Africans, its a chance to return to their home towns and villages from jobs in the cities. Migrants also travel back to their home countries to see family. Some, like the pilgrims that died on Thursday, make religious trips.

Road travel can be treacherous; South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation reported that 252 people died in road crashes between Holy Thursday and Easter Monday last year.

Authorities said it appeared the bus driver lost control and the vehicle slammed into the barriers along the side of the bridge and then went over the edge. The driver was among the dead.

South African Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga was in Limpopo province attending a road safety campaign when she was informed of the devastating news of the crash, according to the national Department of Traffic.

Ramathuba said she had been at an Easter prayer meeting when she was called to the crash scene on the Mmamatlakala bridge near the town of Mokopane, which is about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the South African capital, Pretoria.

I attended the scene of the accident, but now our focus as the health department is on the brave little survivor. She is in safe hands in a hospital with experts looking after her, Ramathuba told reporters. She declined to give details of the child's injuries, but authorities released a photograph of the child lying in a hospital bed and being examined by a doctor.

Ramathuba also declined to say if the child's parents or other family members were on the bus, saying authorities needed time to trace and inform families of the dead, who were mostly in Botswana.

Meanwhile, forensic investigators worked through the wreckage amid the rocks and steep cliffs. At least 11 bodies were believed still inside what was left of the charred bus, which was almost crushed flat.

We were at the scene, said local resident Simone Mayema, who said he was one of the first to arrive after the crash. We tried to help (but) there was nothing we could do because there was flames.

___

Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
Family members and relatives of the bus crash victims gather at the ZCC Church, where victims used for church services in the Molepolole village near Gaborone, Botswana, Friday, March 29, 2024. A bus carrying Easter pilgrims from Botswana to Moria in South Africa crashed en route in Mokopane, South Africa, claiming the lives of some 45 people. An 8-year-old survived.

A bus traveling to an Easter gathering in South Africa crashed Thursday, killing at least 45 people.

An 8-year-old girl who was in the crash is currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital for serious injuries, according to a Facebook statement posted by the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety.

South African authorities claimed that the bus driver collided with bridge barriers after losing control of the vehicle, reported Reuters.

The accident occurred on the Mma Matlakala Bridge between Marken and Mokopane in the northern province of Limpopo, South Africa  roughly 200 miles north of Johannesburg, per People.

Bus crash in South Africa

Limpopos safety departments Facebook statement said that the bus caught fire after it fell onto a rocky surface, some 50-metres (about 164 feet) under the bridge. Some passengers died in the fire, while others died as a result of the fall.

Authorities have retrieved 12 bodies so far from the crash site, according to CNN. The survivor was airlifted from the scene.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation stated in a news release that the bus was carrying 45 pilgrim passengers traveling from Gaborone, Botswana, to an Easter conference held at Zion Christian Church in the town of Moria, Limpopo Province.

The wreckage of a bus lays in a ravine a day after it plunged off a bridge on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, around 300km (190 miles) north of Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, March 29, 2024. The bus carrying worshippers on a long-distance trip from Botswana to an Easter weekend church gathering in South Africa plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass Thursday and burst into flames as it hit the rocky ground below, killing at least 45 people, authorities said. The only survivor was an 8-year-old child who was receiving medical attention for serious injuries. | Themba Hadebe

Reactions to the bus crash

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly called and offered his condolences to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, per The Associated Press.

The areas minister of transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has also sent her condolences to the bereaved families.

I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala, Chikunga said in a statement, per CNN. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.

CNN reported that authorities have arranged a minibus to take relatives to the scene and visit the young girl who survived.

According to The Associated Press, the South African government often warns drivers to be careful during Easter weekend, as roads can be both busy and dangerous. More than 200 people died from traffic accidents over the holiday weekend last year, the article said.

Just a day before the bus crash, the South African government called on people to be extra careful on Thursday and Friday because of the expected high volumes traveling by road to Moria, The Associated Press reported.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The City of Topeka is expanding in new directions this year as seen in a recent growth and development report.

This week, the citys latest Development & Growth Management Report was published for February 2024. It shows positive growth for both residential and commercial areas in the Capital City.

Looking back at February 2023, the report indicates total building permits rose by 41% from 61 to 86. Residential permits increased by almost 64% while commercial permits were bumped up by 8%. This is accompanied by a rise in the value of building permits by a little more than 31% from $26,258,733 to $34,455,574.

What are the best Topeka, Shawnee County small businesses in 2024?

Several local buildings will be acquiring additions, according to the report. New businesses like Wingstop and La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor are also confirmed thanks to this report. The most valuable permits for new development listed in the report include:

Uptowner Parking Garage 635 SW Jackson Street $5,894,861

Cair Paravel Latin School addition 635 SW Clay Street $3,163,364

La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor 1935 SW Wanamaker Road $2,400,000

Valvoline Instant Oil Change 821 NW 25th Street $1,449,000

JM Smucker Building 119 addition 2200 NW Brickyard Road $1,300,000

First Watch  shell & site only 1831 SW Wanamaker Road $1,200,000

Hills Pet Nutrition restroom upgrade 320 NE Crane Street $600,000

Foley Topeka: component storage 1737 SW 42nd Street $546,000

Lot 30, block A, Stone Crest sub 4437/4439 SE Gemstone Lane $300,000

Wingstop  Topeka 2121 SW Wanamaker Road $300,000



Topeka company makes 2024 Top Workplaces USA list

Housing growth is also on the rise, according to the report. Compared to February last year, 2024 has seen an increase of nearly 43% (from 7 to 10) for new residential building permits. Additions and alterations are also increasing by almost 80% (from 29 to 52).

The City of Topeka was previously named the number one emerging real estate market in 2023 by the Wall Street Journal. You can read the full report online by clicking here or by checking out the document below:

February+2024 by Matthew Self on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Invasive species removed from banks of Kansas River in Topeka

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.
Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, a Donald Trump loyalist and one of the former presidents most trusted surrogates, is widely viewed to be on Trumps short list of vice presidential contenders.

But in 2011, Donalds posted to Facebook celebrating Trumps decision not to challenge then-President Barack Obama for the White House. Trump wont run. Thank God! Donalds wrote in one Facebook post in May 2011.

CNNs KFile unearthed numerous examples of Donalds directly criticizing Trump in social media posts and interviews in 2011 and 2012, when he was an outspoken tea party activist running  unsuccessfully, then  for a seat in Congress. He attacked Trumps protectionist stances on trade and called out Trump for his birtherism comments about Obama.

Byron Donalds/Facebook

Trump is a huge distraction, and cares more about himself than the country in my opinion, but I could care less about him, Donalds wrote in a Facebook post in April 2011 when discussing Trumps claims that Obamas birth certificate was fake.

I dont question his religion or his citizenship, Donalds said. Quite a few Democrats and liberals still think Bush caused 9/11.

Trump is a self-promoter yelling about 25% tariffs on China, Donalds said in the same string of Facebook posts.

In other public comments from the same time, Donalds argued against Trumps calls to boost US manufacturing, saying it was cheaper to make clothes in China than in Michigan, and said he favored privatizing entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which would be better as a voucher, along with raising the retirement age.

A spokesman for Donalds defended him in a comment to CNN.

President Trump is considering Byron as his running mate because of the Congressmans steadfast support for the 45th President and his historic policy agenda. The fact that these decade-old posts are now resurfacing in the middle of running mate deliberations is weak but typical of CNN.

Donalds is far from the only Republican vice-presidential contender to have criticized Trump in the past. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance called Trump a moral disaster in direct messages from the summer of 2017 that were made public in 2021. And New York Rep. Elise Stefanik criticized Trumps rhetoric in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for tapping into the fear of our security situation and his insulting comments about women and disparaging remarks on Muslims.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who has been floated as possible VP pick, harshly criticized Trump on a number of occasions when the two faced off for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.

But the Trump campaign views Donalds as among its most effective surrogates for the former president, one that could help him peel Black male voters from President Joe Biden.

Donalds rose to prominence in Trump world last year when the Florida congressman endorsed Trump over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who he had appeared closely aligned with. The decision stunned and unnerved the DeSantis team, but propelled Donalds to Trumps inner circle, where he remains.

Trump routinely praises Donalds during campaign rallies and has publicly thanked him for his support. Hes a frequent commentator on conservative media, with a 2023 analysis from the left-leaning Media Matters finding he appeared on Fox News weekday programs 193 times between August 2017 and October 2023.

While Trump has asked allies their thoughts on Donalds as vice president, advisers have acknowledged the complications of this scenario given they both are residents of Florida.

The 12th Amendment doesnt forbid a president and vice president from the same state, but it requires electors to vote for at least one candidate from a different state than theirs, meaning either Trump or Donalds would need to change their state residency in order to collect electoral votes from Florida. If Donalds changed his residency, he would need to resign from Congress.

Donalds past comments demonstrate just how much Trump has transformed the GOP. A decade ago, Donalds was espousing the virtues of free trade and the need to shrink the size of the federal government through cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Yet he now supports Trumps calls for tariffs on imports and the need to protect entitlement programs.

Donalds lost his 2012 race for Congress, failing to win the Republican nomination in a crowded primary field that year. But he would get elected in 2016 to the Florida House of Representatives. During his primary for the statehouse, he defended Trump as authentic and spoke at a rally for him in September 2016.

By the time Donalds was elected to Congress in 2020, he had fully embraced the Trump agenda, aligning himself closely with the then-presidents policies and rhetoric and solidifying his position as a staunch Trump supporter within the party.

When Donalds was first elected to Congress his websites homepage featured a picture of him embracing then-President Trump.

Hes everything the fake news media says doesnt exist: a Trump supporting, liberty loving, pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment black man, Donalds website read.

But Donalds embrace of Trump when running for Congress was a far cry from his tea party activism a decade ago.

Guest-hosting a radio show in 2012, Donalds defended Mitt Romney, then the Republican nominee for president by arguing in support of outsourcing after a co-host said Romney lacked corporate patriotism.

Corporate patriotism, what are you talking about corporate patriotism, Donalds said, when a host said Romney moved jobs overseas.

If that shirt is manufactured in, lets say Michigan, that shirt will probably cost you $50, Donalds said as a guest. How does that help middle income families who cant afford a $50 shirt but can afford a $30 shirt from Bangladesh or China or Taiwan wherever its made.

Free trade raises the standard of living every time it is done, Donalds added.

The comments on trade arent the only tea party-era policy issues that would set him at odds with Trump. During his 2012 campaign for Congress, Donalds heavily embraced calls to privatize Social Security and Medicare  two programs Trump (and Donalds) now promise not to cut.

And the videos of local campaign stops and musings on social media from his time as a tea party activist could prove a liability for Donalds in the jostling to be vice president occurring behind the scenes.

Im not afraid to call it a voucher because thats exactly what its gonna be: A voucher, Donalds said at one local Republican event in April 2012 when campaigning for Congress.

Democrats argued in 2012 that budget plans supported by Rep. Paul Ryan, Romneys vice presidential running mate, would turn Medicare into a voucher system, which Republicans typically called premium support, instead. Under the proposals, the government would subsidize seniors by partially paying for private plans or a traditional Medicare plan.

Unlike most Republicans, Donalds embraced the term.

I think we need to go to a private account system similar to what they did in the country of Chile, he added on Social Security in an appearance on a radio show in June 2012.

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(KRON)  A California lawmaker drafted new legislation that would lower speed limits in all school zones to 20 miles per hour, or lower.

Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) spoke outside Castlemont Elementary School in Campbell Thursday about AB 2583, the Safer School Zones Act.

Berman said Californias traffic laws for school zones need to be simple so drivers are not confused. The bill would change ambiguous when children are present road signs to signs with time periods, such as when students are arriving to or leaving from school.

A Castlemont Elementary School student was killed in 2022 while he was walking with his babysitter to school. The 8-year-old boy was inside a marked crosswalk outside the school when a vehicle failed to yield and struck him.

A third grade students photo is taped to a tree after he was killed in a crosswalk by Castlemont Elementary School in 2022. (KRON4 photo)

The babysitter was also struck on Castlemont Avenue but survived. Police said the speed limit was 25 miles per hour when children were present.

Berman said, Ive heard from too many parents concerned about close calls in front of schools or, tragically, kids being hit by cars and seriously injured, or even killed. We must take action to prioritize the safety of every child walking and biking to school.

San Jose police use decoy in crosswalk after students death

Kirsten Bladh, associate director of Streets for All, said, Traffic violence is the #1 killer of children in California. Our school zones should be a safe haven. AB 2583 will save lives.

A crossing guard works outside Castlemont Elementary School on March 28, 2024.

Studies found that one out of 10 pedestrians struck by a vehicle traveling at 40 mph will survive, but nine out of 10 pedestrians will survive when a vehicle is traveling at 20 mph, according to Bermans office.

A parent walks with a baby and student to school on March 28, 2024.

The assembly member said, Research shows that reducing speed limits in school zones brings significant safety benefits. But lowering speeds alone isnt enough. Our current school zone policies are confusing for drivers to follow and hard for public safety officials to enforce. School zones should be safe havens for all students, parents, teachers, and school employees.

The Castlemont community is still mourning the 3rd-graders death, Berman said.

Berman said when he was in middle school 30 years ago, another student was killed riding her bicycle to school. The devastation that has for the family  for the students of the school  and the broader community. Thats a deep, deep pain, he said Thursday.

Bermans district includes southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A bill introduced in the California Legislature seeks to lower speed limits within school zones statewide from 25 mph to 20 mph or less, regardless of whether children are present.

Specifically, the bill would have time-based standards for school zones speed limits rather than drivers only having to follow them when children are present.

The bill would also improve safety-oriented planning within half a mile of schools.

California bill could provide reparations for families displaced from site of Dodger Stadium

Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) formally introduced the bill, formally known as AB 2583 or the Safer School Zones Act during a press conference on Thursday.

Berman said he was inspired to introduce the legislation after 8-year-old Jacob Villanueva was hit and killed in a crosswalk on his way to Castlemont Elementary School, in Campbell, California. This is also where the press conference took place.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that this is a deeply personal and painful subject for the Castlemont Community, Berman said at a news conference. I know that the pain and trauma of losing a student in 2022 is still very real for the community.

Villanueva was on his way to school with his babysitter on Sept. 16, 2022, when a woman driving a 2022 Mercedes-Benz crossover turned left and hit them in the crosswalk of a single-lane road that neighbors warned was an accident waiting to happen, Mercury News reported.

Villanueva later died at the hospital and the babysitter suffered a broken leg.

California bill could prohibit schools from serving breakfast cereals, baked goods and other foods with artificial dyes

Research shows that reducing speed limits in school zones brings significant safety benefits, Berman stated. But lowering speeds alone isnt enough. Our current school zone policies are confusing for drivers to follow and hard for public safety officials to enforce. School zones should be safe havens for all students, parents, teachers, and school employees.

Should AB 2583 pass, the lower speed limits would be enforced from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Local authorities may enforce alternative hours as long as the hours are no less than one hour before or after the school is in operation and the alternative hours are posted on the SCHOOL warning sign, according to the bills text.

The bill would go into effect beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, should it pass the state Legislature and Assembly and be signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers are trying to find a way to fund Medi-Cal and other promised safety net programs while dealing with a projected deficit of $38 billion to $73 billion.

One solution is increasing a managed care organization, or MCO, tax on health insurers to raise an additional $1.5 billion in federal dollars through 2026. California uses the tax to draw down federal dollars and fund services related to Medi-Cal, the states version of the federal Medicaid program.

But Democratic budget leaders have been unclear about how exactly that new $1.5 billion will be spent, angering Republicans who are already unhappy about Newsoms continuing push to expand health coverage for undocumented Californians.

Heres where the funding will go and who will benefit from ongoing Medi-Cal spending.

How will the state spend the money?

Under the governors budget, the state will spend nearly $36 billion in general fund dollars on Medi-Cal during fiscal year 2024-25, down about $1.4 billion from the previous year, the Legislative Analysts Office reported.

To capture additional funding in a tough budget year, lawmakers during their final week of session before their spring recess approved a $1.5 billion increase to the MCO tax the Legislature signed off on last year. The federal government still needs to OK the extra money.

The tax is a mechanism to generate new state funds that can be used to match with federal funds to bring additional federal Medicaid dollars to California, according to the California Department of Health Care Services.

California last year was slated to get $19.4 billion from that tax, which the state Department of Health Care. The additional $1.5 billion brings the total to $20.9 billion through 2026.

Lawmakers during last years budget negotiations set aside about $11 billion of the states MCO tax money to increase reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal care providers. The governor in his January budget proposed spending $8 billion of the funding on provider increases, preserving the reimbursement hikes but spending the money over a shorter period of time.

During budget committee hearings, Republicans pressed Department of Finance representatives on how Democrats will spend the additional $1.5 billion they are seeking.

Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, during a March 19 Senate Budget Committee hearing, wanted more information on exactly how the new money would support health care providers. He grew frustrated when Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said that would be the subject of later budget negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders.

I dont get to be in those parties, Dahle said. And I would like to know. Because you exclude us, and this is my opportunity to find out if I can support this or not support it. If its going to help keep my rural hospitals open, then I might support it. If its not, I may not.

Department of Finance staffers suggested the $1.5 billion will go toward shoring up the general fund. More specifically, the money will go into a special fund thats used to support various aspects of Medi-Cal, said Laura Ayala of the Department of Finance.

H.D. Palmer, a Department of Finance spokesman, said the governors administration means for the $1.5 billion to go toward maintaining ongoing Medi-Cal base services, preventing reductions to rates and plans scope of coverage.

Instead of using general fund, or wherever the administration would find that additional $1.5 billion, were proposing to draw down the $1.5 billion and use that instead of general fund, said Laura Ayala of the Department of Finance during the hearing.

During the Senate floor vote on the proposal on March 21, Wiener said the plan does not include any language governing expenditures of the increased revenue from the MCO tax.

That issue, the expenditures, will be addressed in a trailer bill to be considered by this body in the June budget, he said.

Undocumented Medi-Cal expansion

Ahead of the Senate vote, Dahle again expressed frustration about the lack of information regarding how the additional money will be spent.

He was also critical of the states spending money to provide Medi-Cal for undocumented Californians. Other Republicans have complained about this since the beginning of the year, when an estimated 700,000 undocumented Californians ages 26 to 49 became eligible for comprehensive Medi-Cal benefits  the final piece of an effort to cover all income-eligible undocumented residents in the state.

I tried to get some answers during our budget hearing from the LAO and the administration on how this money is going to be spent, Dahle said. Unfortunately, I didnt get a very good answer. I did find out that approximately $3.6 billion will be going to undocumented folks coming into our state that havent participated in our tax program.

The federal Medicaid program, which insures low-income Americans, does not cover undocumented immigrants. California is one of a handful of states that funds insurance for populations that are ineligible for federal coverage.

The expansion is expected to cost about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, $3.4 billion in 2024-25 and $3.7 billion moving forward, according to an analysis from the California Budget and Policy Center.

California began covering Medi-Cal for all children under 19 in 2015. Low-income undocumented immigrants ages 19 through 25 became eligible in 2019, and those 50 and older received coverage in 2022.

Most of the people who started getting comprehensive benefits in January were already enrolled in Medi-Cal for the limited services they could previously get covered, including pregnancy and emergency care. The state will automatically enroll those already receiving restricted-scope coverage in the comprehensive plans.

Expanding Medi-Cal to all undocumented residents had been a decades-long goal of health and immigration advocates. Amid pushback and anti-immigrant rhetoric, they argued expanded coverage would close gaps in health disparities to those who contribute billions in taxes.

Several studies indicate immigrants without legal status are more likely to avoid medical care and experience higher rates of chronic health conditions.

Newsoms January budget estimates an average monthly Medi-Cal caseload of 14.8 million people during the 2023-24 fiscal year, the LAO reported. The states three previous undocumented Medi-Cal expansions covered about 651,000 people as of the latest data available in October and December 2023, according to Department of Health Care Services data.

That means about 1.4 million undocumented Californians could now get full Medi-Cal coverage, after adding in the 700,000 newly-eligible recipients. As a group, the full undocumented expansion population accounts for about 9.5% of the entire estimated 2023-24 Medi-Cal caseload.

Health Care Services data on the number of 26- to 49-year-old Medi-Cal recipients enrolled in the full-scope program since January will not be available until early April.

Newsoms budget estimates the states overall Medi-Cal caseload will drop to about 13.7 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year, mostly because California can now reassess recipients eligibility, which the federal government did not allow during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People are dying in custody at record rates across California. Theyre dying in big jails and small jails, in red counties and blue counties, in rural holding cells and downtown mega-complexes. Theyre dying from suicide, drug overdoses and the catch-all term natural causes.

The number of jail deaths is up even though the number of people in jail is down.

The state is aware. Reams of reports from oversight agencies have repeatedly pointed to problems in individual jails and the state board that oversees them.

Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged almost five years ago that the state would take a stronger hand to prevent deaths in the 57 jail systems run by California county sheriffs.

In every year since, more people have died in California jails than when Newsom made that pledge  hitting a high of 215 in 2022. Tulare, San Diego, Kern, Riverside and San Bernardino counties jails set records.

Tulare County's detention facility in south county.

Nor was the pandemic the driving factor: California in 2022 had the smallest share of deaths due to natural causes in the past four decades. A surge in overdoses drove the trend of increasing deaths. And almost every person who died was waiting to be tried. A previous CalMatters investigation found that three-quarters of those held in county jails had not been convicted or sentenced, with many awaiting trial more than three years.

A state board was supposed to put in place measures that would keep inmates safer. Newsom committed to working through that board when he said in 2020, Ive got a board thats responsibility is oversight. I want to see them step things up.

But in the years that followed, Newsom and the Board of State and Community Corrections were unable to slow the deaths. Until recently, the board was not even notifiedabout deaths inside the county-run lockups, and a 2021 State Auditors report criticized the board for failing to enforce its own rules and standards on mental health checks and in-cell wellness checks of inmates.

The state has begun to take a somewhat stronger role.

The governor appointed a formerly incarcerated person to the Board of State and Community Corrections, and also signed a bill last year that added to it a licensed health care provider and a licensed mental or behavioral health care provider.

Following through on his 2021 budget proposal to increase the frequency of jail inspections and allow the board to perform them unannounced, Newsom directed an additional $3.1 million each year to the oversight board. The board reported that last year it conducted 31 unannounced jail inspections, a change from past practice when it would visit jails just once every two years, and told jail authorities in advance when inspectors were coming.

And a new law in July will add a staff position to review in-custody deaths, a position to be appointed by Newsom and confirmed by the Senate.

But critics say those steps have been insufficient. For instance, the original bill would have put jail death monitors in every county.

CalMatters sent nine questions to the governor about jail deaths, the effectiveness of the state board, and his own 2021 pledge to strengthen jail oversight.

Newsoms office did not answer the questions, instead sending a list of accomplishments to reflect the Governors extensive record in this space. Those mostly applied to his policies for state prisons, such as a death penalty moratorium.

When CalMatters asked him about high statewide jail deaths at a March 1 press conference in the Inland Empire, Newsom responded by saying:

The governor, Newsom said, just signed legislation to actually be able to create a point person specifically responsible for overseeing whats happening in county jails, working with (Attorney General Rob Bonta), whos also been advancing investigations. One very close to home here in Riverside County, related to 18 in-custody deaths in 2022 with the current sheriff.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux announces Friday, February 3, 2023 the arrests of two suspects in the January 16 homicide of six people in Goshen. One was apprehended in Visalia, the other just blocks away from the crime scene.

The officials with the greatest influence over what happens in jails  the states elected county sheriffs  say additional state oversight is unnecessary. California State Sheriffs Association president Mike Boudreaux, who is also the sheriff of Tulare County, said he already answers to a state oversight board, the state Justice Department, county grand juries, federal courts, state courts and the media.

What we see is that people criticize jails, they criticize sheriffs offices, Boudreaux said. And the reality of it is, theyve never been inside a jail. Theyve never worked side-by-side with the sheriffs offices. Theyve never sat in meetings that we sit in to make sure that not only are we doing things right, were doing things that are for the safety and security of those inmates.

In 2011 California  as it thinned severely overcrowded state prisons by sending tens of thousands of recently convicted offenders to county-run jails  created an oversight board for prisons and jails. This 13-member Board of State and Community Corrections is composed mostly of people with law enforcement and probation experience. The governor appoints eight, with one each appointed by the Judicial Council of California, Speaker of the Assembly and Senate Rules Committee.

The other two current board members are the state prison systems chief and its director of parole operations.

The boards initial mission was to lend independent expertise to jails and prisons and act as a data and information clearinghouse. The board gives out $400 million each year to jails, prisons, tribes and community organizations. It also sets standards for correctional facilities, from the hourly checks performed on inmates to the time set aside for recreation.

Almost immediately after its formation, the board was confronted with the limits of its powers: It lacked authority to mandate that all California sheriffs report their data  including in-custody deaths.

That will change when the state boards new reviewer of in-custody death starts this summer.

When asked by CalMatters why more people are dying in California jails, despite a declining jail population, Board of State and Community Corrections representative Adam A. Lwin responded, The BSCC is not in a position to comment on this question with respect to deaths in jails.

Until the passage of (the new law adding a detention monitor), the BSCC did not have specific responsibilities related to deaths in custody, beyond inspecting for the local agencys policy and procedures related to reporting on any death in custody, Lwin wrote in response to CalMatters questions.

So why are so many dying in California jails?

The reasons people are dying at record rates in California jails are a matter of circumstance, although in interviews with more than 70 people involved in California jails systems, from sheriffs and prosecutors to inmates and nurses, some patterns emerged.

Natural causes have long accounted for the biggest share of jail deaths, followed by suicides.

Suicide prevention should be a higher priority for jail staff, said University of Texas School of Law professor Michele Deitch, among the nations foremost authorities on deaths in prisons and jails.

The vast majority of these deaths are preventable, she said.

The causes of a significant number of deaths for recent years are still pending  meaning that the sheriffs office hasnt yet identified the cause or the Justice Department hasnt updated the cause in its data collection.

But the recent increase in deaths came from the third largest cause overall, accidental deaths including fentanyl overdoses. Overdoses accounted for 43 deaths in 2022.

Fentanyl overdoses present a far deadlier challenge now than the previous dominant drug in jails, methamphetamine. Other factors are the same ones Newsom cited a few years ago: suicide; failures in health care or psychiatric evaluations; and less commonly, violence among inmates or by jail guards.

Shannon Dicus, San Bernardino Countys Sheriff and a member of the Board of State and Community Corrections, said the rise in deaths in part reflects trends that are unfolding outside of jails, including an overstretched mental health system and widespread use of potentially deadly opiates.

For his deputies, a persistent issue is people who know they are in violation of their probation terms hiding drugs in their bodies before theyre returned to jail.

So a lot of these folks are secreting opiates in their rectum, Dicus said. We run dogs through. We do a number of things. Were spending $250,000 on body scanners. And what happens is some of these people, theyll have it in their bodies where we cant detect it.

They go into the jail, they get housed in their general housing assignment, and then all of a sudden I have seven fentanyl overdoses. And thats the truth.

Dicus said jails also find letters sent to inmates in the mail that were dipped in diluted fentanyl or methamphetamine.

But sometimes the jail-keepers themselves are responsible. During the pandemic, when jails were closed to visitors, drugs still found a way in. Jail deputies in Riverside and Fresno counties have been charged with drug smuggling, and an Alameda County civil grand jury found that a private jail contractor fired the medical director of the countys jails for writing fake prescriptions to obtain opioids for herself.

Sheriffs have sometimes resisted outside pressure to more closely monitor their employees. In San Diego County jails, where according to Justice Department statistics 47 people died between 2021 and 2023, Sheriff Kelly Martinez and her predecessor have repeatedly refused requests from the local civilian law enforcement review board to put her deputies through scanners before they start their shifts. Two jail deputies pleaded guilty to drug-related charges last year, one for burglary of medication from a jail prescription medication drop-off box and the other for possession of cocaine on jail property.

Burned out jail medical staff

Jails could do a better job beginning at intake and reception, said Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project. She noted that people who have been arrested often are asked deeply personal questions about their substance use and history of self-harm, within earshot of jail deputies and other inmates.

If they dont disclose that they have drug or alcohol dependency  perhaps fearing that will lead to more charges  Kendrick said the immediate cutoff can pose an enormous health risk.

And for people who are on psychiatric medication but dont like the side-effects or dont want to disclose their condition, the cessation of their medication can send their mental health into a tailspin.

The pandemic also badly dented jails ability to provide quality health care, critics contend.

When jails reopened to their regular capacity, Kendrick said, the arrival of new inmates and the resignations of burned-out health care workers stressed the systems beyond their breaking points. A lot of jails have said that theyre having problems with correctional and health care staff who quit during the pandemic, she said.

One of those was Dr. Lauren Wolchok, who worked in Los Angeles County jails from 2016 to 2021. Before and during the pandemic, she said, the number of opioid-dependent patients she saw skyrocketed. But those jails strictly restricted opioid treatment, she said, confining it to a small subset of the population that needed it.

I was not able to offer the kind of medical care that I wanted to be able to offer and that contributed to burnout for me, Wolchok said. I had long struggled with the existential crisis of, am I doing more harm than good by working in this terrible setting or am I sort of fighting against the system and getting people care that they otherwise wouldnt have?

Especially as the quality of the care that I felt I was delivering declined, it became harder and harder for me personally to decide that I was fighting the good fight.

Drug overdoses, insufficient medical treatment, suicides  all of those causes of jail deaths could be minimized by more stringent policies. Academics, inmates and their advocates suggest scanning jail workers for drugs, providing a ready supply of the opioid-blocking naloxone nasal spray, ensuring inmates go through intake in a more private area, performing more frequent checks of inmates, and instituting local oversight boards.

Those decisions fall to one person: The county sheriff.

A photograph of Richard Matus Jr. who died in a Riverside County jail, is worn by his 13-year-old daughter outside the Banning Justice Center in Banning, Calif., on August 19, 2022.

An overdose? Or a heart attack?

Some of Californias deadliest jails are in Riverside County, where 45 people have died since Jan. 1, 2021. One of them was Richard Matus.

Matus knew he wasnt feeling well days before he died.

In journals he kept during his incarceration, which his family provided to CalMatters along with his medical records, Matus complained of feeling ill and receiving no medical help in jail.

Its hard to deal with being treated as a sick animalan feelinglike im just waiting to die, he wrote in one entry. Iv put in medical slips to see a doctor because I felt sick, very dizzy, bad head ack, felt like I was running fever and completely lost my sense of smell witch was really weird. They never followed up I believe it was twice I put in medical slips an no response so I gave up.

Matus, whose family said he hadnt used drugs besides marijuana before his incarceration, was found dead in his cell on Aug. 10, 2022, of a fentanyl overdose.

Trino Matus, the uncle of Richard Matus, rallies outside the Robert Presley Detention Center to demand answers about the 13 jail deaths that have plagued the county this year, in Riverside, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.

In a lawsuit filed in March 2023, Matus family alleges that Matus was lucid and communicative on the phone with his mother, Lisa, hours before his death. They allege that his dire need for emergency medical intervention went unnoticed by the (jails) custody staff.

An autopsy conducted eight hours after Matus death found something else. His left anterior descending artery, which provides half the hearts blood supply and is known colloquially as the widowmaker, was 80% to 90% blocked. A medical form filled out by Matus on Sept. 26, 2021, indicated that a doctor told him his cholesterol and blood pressure were far above normal.

Every time he complained to that (jail medical) office, they gave him cholesterol pills and told him to lose weight, Matus mother, Lisa, told CalMatters. They never sent him to the hospital, even though his blood pressure and cholesterol was (above normal). The whole time, he needed medical care and they just ignored him.

That contention became part of the familys lawsuit.

Due to the great delays in securing adequate emergency medical attention for Richard Matus, Jr., and the failures on behalf of the (jails) custody staff in performing the required safety and welfare checks, Matus family wrote in the lawsuit, Mr. Matus did not respond to medical intervention and died.

The Riverside County Sheriffs Office responded to the lawsuit by denying all liability and said that Matus death was his own doing.

If Plaintiffs sustained any injury or damages, they wrote, such injury or damages were solely caused or contributed to by the wrongful conduct of other entities or persons other than the answer Defendants.

Some sheriffs have changed their practices to avoid in-custody deaths. Others say theyre looking for solutions. But Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has instead taken an adversarial approach.

Criticism of his policy and practices, Bianco told the Riverside Press-Enterprise, are a political publicity stunt of the far left. He did not answer questions from CalMatters.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco speaks about the death of deputy Isaiah Cordero during a media conference outside of the sheriff's department building in Riverside, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. Deputy Cordero was fatally shot during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon in Jurupa Valley.

After an inmate died in 2022, the Riverside Press-Enterprise posted an interview with Bianco. In the comments under the story, someone who identified himself as Bianco  interacted with commenters, referring to the demands of people whose family members had died in his jails.

Did they demand their family members not commit suicide or consume drugs while they were in custody? he wrote. Did they ever demand that their family members not commit crimes in the first place? Did their parents ever demand that they take responsibility for their own actions?

The ACLU sent a letter in September 2021 demanding that the state investigate Riverside County jails. In 2022, another 19 people died, including Matus. After the ACLU wrote again demanding an inquiry by the states jail oversight board in early 2023, Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an investigation.

The Justice Department refused to answer any questions about its investigation. Bianco did.

This announcement comes as a shock but at the same time should have been expected from our California DOJ and the attorney general who cares more about politics than he does about transparency and the truth, Bianco said in a video the day the investigation was announced.

This investigation is based on nothing but false and misleading statements and straight out lies from activists, including their attorneys. This will prove to be a complete waste of time and resources.

All were doing is making recommendations to sheriffs

The attorney general has two open investigations into jails, one in Riverside County and one in Santa Clara County. But the organization charged with overseeing day-to-day operations of Californias jails is the Board of State and Community Corrections.

The board can wield significant power.

When it repeatedly found the Los Angeles juvenile hall were unsuitable for housing last year, it shut down the system and directed the county probation department to find new housing for about 300 young people.

But that was an exception.

A Feb. 9, 2023 board meeting turned contentious when it came to the Riverside County jail system, the 15th-largest in the U.S.

Avalon Edwards, a policy associate of Riverside-based social justice organization Starting Over Inc., said the board was not enforcing its own standards of inmate care.

If (Riverside County) can kill 20 people in 13 months and fail to provide any information to the families impacted, fail to report those deaths to the DOJ within the 10-day mandated reporting period, continue to lie to the public about the cause of death for all these people, he said, what are those minimum standards accomplishing?

Edwards urged the board to withhold funding from noncompliant departments or, if they wouldnt, he asked every board member to resign.

Critics argue that the board lacks the ability to effectively regulate jails.

It is not set up with the kind of enforcement power, or teeth, to be able to meaningfully hold accountable agencies that are failing to comply with standards, recently recalled San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin told CalMatters. So thats one problem. And I dont say that as a criticism of the organization or the people there so much as of the structure.

I mean, it doesnt have the ability to actually impose remedies even when it is aware of violations, he said.

Two independent state oversight agencies also have found fault with the board and the jail system. The Legislative Analysts Office found in 2021 that the boards effectiveness is hard to judge because its unclear what the boards mission is. It said this undermines the Legislatures ability to assess whether the program is operating effectively and is consistent with Legislative priorities.

The State Auditors Office, meanwhile, zeroed in on San Diego County jails in February 2022. It found that the San Diego Sheriffs Department failed to prevent deaths in its jails and that its practices likely contributed to incustody deaths. The auditors office also found fault with the state corrections board, saying its jail regulations are inconsistent and its answers to the audit were deficient or misleading.

Even one member of the state corrections board feels the boards hands are tied.

All were doing is making recommendations to sheriffs, said board member Norma Cumpian. Youre like, hey, 20 people have died in your jails. We recommend that you, you know, report it quicker. Like, thats not a lot.

Cumpian, a former inmate who served nearly 20 years in prison for killing her abusive partner, said she often senses indifference or complacency from her colleagues.

As for plans to add a detention monitor, a dubious Cumpian said I dont know, this bill is supposed to release reports to the public. Like, what is that gonna do?

Dicus, the San Bernardino sheriff who operates the seventh-largest jail system in the U.S., doesnt see a problem with the way the oversight board operates. He said the oversight board is doing its job in accordance with its mission: assessing the policies and procedures of the jails it oversees while ensuring facilities are up to code.

He said the blame for in-custody deaths extends beyond the jails.

Locally, try getting some help, Dicus said. Our local department of behavioral health, and this is not me throwing stones at them, but theyre 9 to 5. We live in a 24/7 environment where people are in crisis. And the crisis that were experiencing, the cops are there 24/7, but we need some of these other service providers to have the same level of response.

He said the state has to rethink how it operates the social safety net at the county level, especially for mental health and substance abuse.

Its just typically this is the way weve handled everything, and we need to break out of that, he said. I think we need kind of a statewide revisit of whats working and whats not.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: California jails hold thousands fewer people, but more die in them
Vietnam's water demand will increase by 32% by 2030, requiring around $9 billion worth of infrastructure investment for water treatment and drainage.

Nguyen Ngoc Diep, chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, said at a conference on Thursday on climate change response that around 80 wastewater treatment projects, with a capacity of over 2 million m3 a day, are being deployed, citing a report by the World Bank.

However, the collection rate and treatment rate of wastewater are only at 60% and 15%, respectively. There are also no long-term solutions for inundations in urban areas like Hanoi and HCMC, despite how urgent they might be, he added.

"The investment into drainage infrastructure has not been up to par. For 100% of the population to get clean water access, we need to make big investments," Diep said, citing the World Bank report that the investment should be around $9 billion until 2030. Diep said such an amount of money would be a challenge amid limited resources.

Vietnam currently has around 750 water treatment plants, with a total capacity at over 1 million m3 per day. The rate of urban population getting clean water access is at over 92%, while the national average rate is only at 17.5%.

Nguyen Viet Anh, head of the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, said the $9 billion investment would only be enough to cover basic needs.

Several international organizations have estimated that Vietnam would need $30 billion to complete its water drainage infrastructure. As such, authorities need to accurately evaluate the value of water to bring forth appropriate policies, and privatization would be needed to mobilize resources for such investments.

Halla Maher Qaddumi, senior water economist at the World Bank, said that amid increasing threats to water resources, Vietnam might lose 6% of its GDP every year until 2035. Water pollution alone may cause a drop of 3.5% of GDP, she added.

To resolve issues at the water sector, the World Bank said attracting investments from the private sector should be done to replace old infrastructures with new ones. To attract investments, the government needs to have strong financial policies and legal frameworks, Halla said.
A 52-year-old man in Ventura County could be spending nearly four years in prison after a jury convicted him of stalking, extorting and distributing intimate nude photos of his ex-girlfriend, authorities announced Thursday.

Jason Anthony Arnold, a resident of Simi Valley, and his former girlfriend broke up in 2019, at which point prosecutors say the 52-year-old launched a terrifying campaign of threats and harassment that lasted from November of that year to March 2020.

After demanding more than $50,000 from the victim, Arnold posted the nude photographs around her workplace and at the apartment complex of her new boyfriend when he failed to receive the money.

A sex advertisement accompanied the photos, along with the victims home address, business address and personal cellphone number, officials with the Ventura County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

Arnold also sent the photographs directly to the victims mother, brother and new boyfriend.

Stalker, extortionist convicted by jury in SoCal

Despite a domestic violence restraining order granted to the victim, prosecutors say the 52-year-old continued the relentless harassment with text messages and emails.

The victim was subjected to the defendants obsessive and vindictive stalking behavior for far too long, prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Tessa McCarty, a member of VCDAs Domestic Violence Unit, said. It is my hope that these convictions provide her with the closure she deserves.

Former O.C. education official who embezzled $16M bought jewelry, handbags, tequila

Arnold was convicted on one felony count of stalking, a felony count of extortion by threatening letter and three misdemeanor counts of distributing private, intimate photos.

The 52-year-old, who is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail is due to appear at a sentencing hearing on April 25.

He faces a maximum prison sentence of 3 years and 8 months.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on during a Senate budget hearing in 2023. A California man pleaded guilty to selling $3.5 million of fake or used electronics to the Defense Department Thursday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

March 28 (UPI) -- A California man has pleaded guilty for a scheme to sell more than $3.5 million worth of counterfeit or used electronics to the Defense Department, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

Steve Kim, 63, of Alameda County, controlled 'Company A,' which sold fan assemblies to the Defense Logistics Agency that were either counterfeit, used or surplus fan assemblies that he claimed were new, according to court documents.

"The defendant sold counterfeit and deficient fan assemblies for use in military systems to increase his profit," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

"Criminals who cheat the U.S. military by selling deficient or counterfeit goods put our national security at risk. This case demonstrates the Justice Department's commitment to protecting the military supply chain and Americans' security."

Documents show that after delivering used or counterfeit products, Kim tried to pass them off as real and presented invoices as though they were new. In an attempt to trick the DLA into accepting the products, Kim created counterfeit labels -- some of which used a third company's registered trademarks -- and then attached the labels to the fan assemblies he sold to the DLA.

When the DLA questioned Kim about the origin of the fan assemblies, Kim attempted to conceal the scheme by giving the DLA fake tracing documents that he created, and signed using a false identity, according to prosecutors.

Some of the counterfeit fans were installed or intended to be installed with electrical components on a nuclear submarine, a laser system on an aircraft and a surface-to-air missile system, the department said.

"Swindling our military is a sure way to find oneself in jail," said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Ismail Ramsey. "This office is always on the lookout for fraudsters and will prosecute anyone caught cheating our military by providing products that endanger our service people or compromise our readiness."

Kim pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count and 10 years in prison on the trafficking in counterfeit goods count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. His sentencing is scheduled for July 17.
Children are pressuring their parents to get smartphones at a young age (JUNG YEON-JE)

It is the question many adults dread being asked by their children: when can I have a smartphone? But as fears grow about the impact of the gadgets on young minds, some UK parents are fighting back.

The challenge is being led by mother-of-three Daisy Greenwell after a casual school gate conversation spurred her into action.

Greenwell, who had been privately mulling the issue with a close friend for some time, was told by another mother that her own 11-year-old son already had a smartphone, as did a third of the boy's class.

"This conversation has filled me with terror. I don't want to give my child something that I know will damage her mental health and make her addicted," she wrote on Instagram.

"But I also know that the pressure to do so, if the rest of her class have one, will be massive," added the journalist from Woodbridge, eastern England.

The post in February triggered a tidal wave of reaction from parents similarly gripped by anxiety about providing their children with a device they fear will open them up to predators, online bullying, social pressure and harmful content.

Greenwell and her friend Clare Reynolds have now launched the Parents United for a Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.

Academic research combined with parents' own experiences have created a sense of dread about a child's request for a phone.

At the same time parents say they feel powerless to refuse, with phones for school-age children "normalised", supposedly on safety grounds.

- 'Snowballed' -

UK schools minister Damian Hinds told a parliamentary committee recently almost all pupils now got a mobile phone around the age of 11 or 12.

"There seems to be something of a rite of passage about that," he told MPs, adding that some children got one "quite a lot earlier".

After Greenwell finally broached the subject on Instagram, a WhatsApp group she set up to discuss the issue with Reynolds quickly filled with like-minded parents relieved that others felt the same way.

Then the reaction just "snowballed", she added.

Greenwell said there is now a group in every area of the country as well as a few working groups for people with professional expertise on the issue.

"We've got an education one which has got lots of headteachers from across the country," she added.

"They are talking about how we can roll this out, how we can help parents and schools to collaborate and stop people from getting a smartphone at such a young age."

Other working groups are full of people who "are really knowledgeable and experienced in their fields", including an advocacy group to talk about policy change.

Those signed up include a tech company policy director and a staffer at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's 10 Downing Street office.

"They're people who really, really know the lie of the land," she said.

- Childhood rewired -

Many of the parents' concerns are echoed in US social psychologist Jonathan Haidt's just-published book "The Anxious Generation".

In it, Haidt argues that the "complete transformation of childhood that took place between 2010 and 2015" as smartphones really took off has led to a "great rewiring of childhood".

He links the rise of the "phone-based childhood", continual supervision by adults and the loss of "free play" to spikes in mental illness in young people.

"Things were getting better and better in mental health and then everything goes haywire in 2013.... we have to basically rip the smartphone out of the lives of kids," he said.

According to American College Health Association figures highlighted by Haidt, since 2010 the percentage of US undergraduates diagnosed with anxiety has soared by 134 percent while the number being diagnosed with depression has also spiked, by 104 percent.

A similar picture has also emerged, Haidt says, in all major English-speaking countries and many other European countries as well.

He advocates no smartphones before the age of 14 or social media before 16.

Crucially, he says, parents must act together to prevent them caving in when a child "breaks our heart" by telling us they are excluded from their peer group by being the only one without a phone.

"These things are hard to do as one parent. But if we all do it together -- if even half of us do it together -- then it becomes much easier for our kids," he said.

har/phz/rlp
Accusations flew and tempers were raised Thursday night between Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones and City Council members.

Second Ward Ald. Monet Wilson sent a message to the news media March 18 accusing Jones of having disabled her city email account. Wilson, the only woman on council, restated that belief multiple times Thursday during her opportunity to speak as chair of the Health, Education & Welfare Committee and during her opportunities for personal comment.

There is no way that I can vote. I do not know whats going on. I do not have the same resources, Wilson yelled, explaining she has not been able to read the packets that are sent to aldermen ahead of meetings because her email is disabled. I am being mentally raped and you all are allowing it.

She pounded her fist on the table and raised her voice, which broke with tears as she spoke. Wilson then looked at her colleagues and asked them to vote in favor of adjourning the meeting and picking up at a later date when her email is reinstated.

Alderman, can you finish your discussion please? Jones asked Wilson.

You see? Another episode of mental rape, Wilson said, looking at the crowd.

Wilson defined mental rape as a pattern of emotional abuse that she feels has been happening at the hands of the mayor when she complains about an injustice, such as her email being deactivated, and no one helps. The National Domestic Violence Hotline defines emotional abuse as non-physical behaviors that are meant to control, isolate, or frighten you.

I am asking you a question, alderman, said Jones.

Bullying from his pulpit, she said to the crowd again. I am asking my council to consider adjourning this meeting.

Five minutes later, Jones asked if anyone wanted to initiate a motion to vote on whether to adjourn the meeting. No one made a motion so the meeting continued.

Wilson provided the Daily Southtown with video and photos of what happens when she tries to log into her email. When she enters her email and password, the Microsoft Outlook page reads Taking you to your organizations sign in page but then kicks her back to the sign in window.

There is no indication that her username or password are incorrect. A screenshot of her account reads Your account has been locked. Contact your support person to unlock it, then try again.

Jones, city attorney Patrick Walsh and spokesman Sean Howard have not responded to questions about whether her email account is deactivated.

First Ald. Michael Navarrete also accused the Jones administration of improperly handling the publication of agenda items ahead of City Council meetings. He submitted a recommendation to the Ordinances & Resolutions Committee to create a new system for agenda planning.

Its been frustrating to continue to submit committee agendas and to see those committee agendas not get posted; to see those committee agendas get altered, said Navarrete. Its been a frustrating week and a frustrating three years really.

Jones, who took office three years ago in May and who is also the Democratic state representative for Illinoiss 29th District, thanked him for his comment but did not respond to the accusation.

Beyond the frustrations addressed by Navarrete and Wilson, the meeting included financial and community matters such as placement of additional parking signs, all approved without much debate. Wilson was the only no vote on these items, reiterating her lack of access to her city email account prevents her from making an educated vote.

An ordinance to add an E-mail Usage Policy was postponed by members without an explicit reason but did not receive pushback.

At the end of the meeting, more drama occurred after a line item to pay a workers compensation claim was passed. Jones then called for votes on items farther down the agenda, prompting Navarrete to question why two line items up for a vote were being skipped.

One was to approve a new design for the Veteran Center.

We need more information from Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Jones said.

The second item, a bill from a public finance firm, was removed because of previous questions from an alderman, Jones said.

Do we have to vote to remove that from the agenda, or no? asked Navarrete.

Jones responded by again calling for a vote on the items later on the agenda.

Attorney Walsh, do we have to vote to remove items from the agenda? Navarrete asked city attorney Patrick Walsh.

The chair has given his ruling, Walsh responded, before trailing off in a quiet voice. He did not answer Navarretes question of whether an agenda item can be removed without a vote from aldermen.

In the end, Jones won when he asked for a motion to move on to the later items and received a motion to do so.

Calumet Citys city ordinance appears to only discuss postponing an agenda item in one instance.

All motions to postpone may be amended as to time. If a motion to postpone indefinitely is carried, the principal question shall be declared lost, reads this portion of city ordinance.

The ability of one City Council member to unilaterally postpone a vote without a motion does not appear on the online version of the city ordinance. After the meeting, Walsh told the paper he stands by the mayors decision to postpone the votes without a motion. He said he would send the rule that supports this ability Friday morning, but did not.

The meeting occurred just hours after hours after 6th Ward Ald. James Patton announced his campaign to challenge Jones for mayor in the 2025 municipal election, which triggered a response in which Jones called him an ineffective and missing Alderman.

But both men were cordial Thursday evening. Patton and Jones shared laughs over a small procedural error made by Jones. Patton thanked the mayor when he was called on and when he concluded his talking points. The mayor thanked him back.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
A rewilding charity will plant more than 3,000 trees and hedges over the Easter weekend to more than double its planting target for the 2023-24 season.

Cambridgeshire-based Creating Nature's Corridors aims to plant 10,000 native trees and hedges a year, this season it has planted 21,247.

A final 3,400 plants will go in the ground at Huntingdon Racecourse on Friday and Saturday.

Founder, Vhari Russell, said it was "slowly starting to make a difference".

Ms Russell, from Brampton, Cambridgeshire, set up the charity three years ago to commemorate the life of her brother Rory, who died from sudden adult death syndrome, aged 37.

Rory was a carpenter who created structures out of green oak and, like his sister, was a "passionate advocate of spending time in the natural world", the charity said.

After he died, Ms Russell said she wanted to act to "protect the countryside, rebalance the natural habitat and provide a more appealing landscape for local communities affected by commercial developments".

In the past year, planting has taken place at 17 sites across the UK, including Elsworth Community Farm and Huntingdon Racecourse in Cambridgeshire, Pembrokeshire, Kent, Norfolk, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, with the support of 687 volunteers.

The number of projects has risen steadily and this year's efforts, which have also created 1.7km of new hedgerows, brings the total number of trees and hedges now in the ground to 31,389.

Ms Russell said she was "delighted with the scale of planting" that the charity had delivered, despite "challenging weather conditions".

"Slowly we are starting to make a real difference to both local communities and those farther afield," she said.

"Planting at the primary school attended by Rory's children - in Pembrokeshire - represented a particularly poignant milestone. I'm sure Rory was responsible for helping to make the sun shine that day.

"None of this would be possible without the help of our fantastic volunteers who turn out, often over the weekend, and literally, dig deep to support the charity."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
As the sun set in Gilbert, the orange sky complemented the shirts, bracelets, shoes, hats and ribbons that shared a similar shade of colordonned by those gathering in memory of Preston Lord.

But for Lord's loved ones: "The world isn't viewed in color anymore without you in it," Lord's stepmother Melissa Ciconte said to the crowd, on behalf of Lord's biological mother.

Community members flocked to the Gilbert Police Station on Thursday to walk in honor of Lord just a few weeks after a seventh suspect connected to Lord's death turned himself into authorities. Earlier in the day, Queen Creek police released recordings of a dozen 911 calls from the night 16-year-old Lord was fatally beaten during a Halloween party last year.

In one, a boy cries as he tells a dispatcher that one friend has a broken wrist and another is lying on the ground unconscious. He describes his attackers as strangers, saying there were at least 15 and they were wearing ski masks.

Im scared. I dont know what to do, he said. I need you here. I dont know where we are.

Police also released more than 1,000 pages of police reports and witness statements as part of a public records request by The Arizona Republic.

Both the march to honor Lord and the records release come on the five-month anniversary of the Oct. 28 beating. Lord died two days later. His death sparked community outrage and led to the arrests of four adults and three juveniles who, on March 6, were charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Lord, a Queen Creek resident, was fatally beaten in a gang-like attack, and the case that ensued has highlighted the prevalence of teen violence in the community in recent months.

The first arrests were made on March 6 when the Maricopa County Grand Jury indicted four adults and three juveniles on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping, which all seven defendants have since pleaded not guilty to.

Those charged were Treston Billey, 18; William "Owen" Hines, 18; Jacob Meisner, 17; Talan Renner, 17; Taylor Sherman, 19; Dominic Turner, 20; and Talyn Vigil, 17. Renner, Vigil and Meisner were to be charged as adults.

Read more: What to know about the people charged in connection with Preston Lord's death

Teen's violent death sparked community outcry in East Valley

Lords death had sent shockwaves across the southeast Valley communities since last fall. It also shed light on a string of attacks by teens that persisted for more than a year.

A Dec. 14 investigation by The Arizona Republic showed how the teens killing was tied to a gang called the "Gilbert Goons. The Goons would record their blitz-style attacks in parks, parking garages, outside fast-food restaurants and at house parties.

A handful of the individuals arrested have also been sued for assaults affiliated with 'Gilbert Goons' attacks, a series of random gang-like assaults on teenagers that have been going on for over a year.

The Goon attacks had largely occurred in Gilbert, but videos of other instances were documented in Chandler and Mesa, as well as in Pinal County. There was no evidence yet that any attack occurred in Queen Creek before Lord's assault.

Community reacts to gut-wrenching 911 calls from night of attack

Dawn McKnight volunteered at the walk event to run a #justice4prestonlord booth where orange bracelets, signs and shirts were sold. So far, the fundraising has brought in $5,111 from sales, all of it going to the Lord family.

After the police calls and dispatches were released, McKnight said she listened to a portion of the call on the way to Thursday night's event.

"I said, 'We have to stop because I can't listen to it anymore,'" McKnight said. Other attendees echoed being unable to finish listening to the audio.

Hearts are heavy, she said, and everyone was doing their best to console one another.

At about 9 p.m. on Oct. 28, police responded to the area of 194th Street and Via del Oro in Queen Creek for a "juvenile disturbance." When police arrived, they found multiple teenagers walking up and down the street, seemingly leaving a residence where they had gathered.

Listen: Preston Lord police report, chilling 911 calls released by Queen Creek police

Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice said in an earlier interview with The Republic that officers did not observe a party when they arrived and did not notice any illegal activity. Officers left after they were sent to a "high-priority" call about a crime in progress elsewhere, he said.

At 9:49 p.m., police received a 911 call about an assault in the same neighborhood, a few houses from the earlier call. When they arrived, they found Lord lying in the roadway.

On Dec. 28, the two-month anniversary of Lord's beating, Queen Creek police referred charges against seven people to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for prosecution. Billey, Meisner and Turner also were charged with aggravated robbery in connection with a necklace that authorities say was taken from Lord's friend as the attack unfolded.

Mar 7, 2024; Queen Creek, AZ, US; Community members hold a vigil for Preston Lord at the Queen Creek neighborhood location where he was attacked during a party in October 2023.

Each of the seven defendants entered pleas of not guilty to their charges.

On March 7, community members held the first vigil for Lord since Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced the indictment of the seven suspects. Gilbert resident Ann Doucette said the communitys efforts in organizing events honoring Lord wouldnt stop now that the teens attackers were in custody. In addition to the vigil, she said, there would be more events in April.

The night prior, more than two dozen Queen Creek and Gilbert residents had gathered outside Queen Creeks municipal services building for a press conference regarding the arrests. When the arrests were announced, many cheered, prompting a wave of emotions.

Ciconte, who has continued to speak on behalf of the family at gatherings honoring Lord, told Thursday night's crowd that they stand together not just to mourn, but to reaffirm a collective commitment to justice.

"For every lit candle, every prayer, every whisper, every march and every rally, you have shown that in the face of injustice, our community stands as a formidable force of love," Ciconte said.

As the sun finally set and the evening grew dark, about 75 attendees walked south on Gilbert Road, all illuminated with handheld candles and flashlights. Some carried signs that read, "Be an Upstander" and "#justice4prestonlord."

The route for the evening walk was mapped with intention, said Angela Rogers, a cofounder of nonprofit Project Lily. The organization sprouted from an incognito Facebook account known as Lily Waterfield that was meant to hold leaders accountable and acknowledge opportunities to improve the community. The nonprofit is aimed at spotlighting Lord's case and offering resources for those in need.

The crowd first gathered at the Gilbert Police Department and then walked to Gilbert Unified School District before ending at the Gilbert Civic Center, where Mayor Brigette Peterson's office is.

"It's the three connecting points that should work together," Rogers said. "If they had... Preston probably would still be alive."

Gilbert residents in a Feb. 21 letter demanded the immediate resignation of police Chief Michael Soelberg and Peterson, citing negligence and inaction related to ongoing investigations into the Gilbert Goons.

"Walking that long three-mile walk is just a physical reminder that we have a long road ahead of us with the court battles," Rogers said.

Kristine Brennan, also a co-founder of Project Lily, said she wants others to always remember Lord, not for how he died, but for how he "fixed the community."

"By coming out, especially after there were seven arrests... that just shows the community support that we all have for each other and the determination we have to move forward," Brennan said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 5 months after Lord's beating residents walk to honor his memory
Police are investigating an apparent smash-and-grab burglary at a Snohomish County cannabis store.

It happened at Rainier Cannabis in Mountlake Terrace on 64th Avenue West, next door to the Crazy Moose Casino.

A car was used to crash into the storefront. A Hyundai was towed away before our news crew arrived.

A stolen car is often used in these types of burglaries.

The stores owner told us the same type of crime has happened at the store four times in the last three months.

Cannabis businesses across Western Washington have been repeatedly targeted by burglars this year.

A top concern of dispensary owners has been an inability to access traditional banking, which means marijuana shops tend to have more cash on hand than other businesses.

Dispensary owners have repeatedly asked lawmakers to increase consequences for those convicted of burglaries at marijuana shops.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was severely injured after crashing his car into a pole in Cordova on Friday morning, according to the Memphis Police Department.

Around 7:23 a.m., officers say they responded to a one-vehicle crash in the 2600 block of Morning Sun Road.

Body found on Highway 51 identified as missing man

One man was found suffering from his injuries. He was then taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.

Police ask that drivers avoid the area while they work to clear the scene.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
(KRON)  A caretaker was arrested for identity thefts of multiple elderly people including residents at the facility where she was employed, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

A representative for an 82-year-old Santa Rosa care facility resident noticed multiple unauthorized online transactions of over $15,000 on the elderly mans account in Nov. 2023. According to police, it would be impossible for the man to make the purchases due to his physical state. The representative and the victim were unaware of who conducted the purchases, police said.

Man apprehended by police after shooting round of gunfire at San Jose PD

SRPD Property Crimes Investigations Team detectives served investigative search warrants to credit card companies, commercial businesses, online and electronic service providers, and online marketplaces. Detectives determined the suspect was responsible for over $19,000 in unauthorized credit card charges using the victims accounts. Detectives identified 32-year-old Santa Rosa resident Imelda Ruby Reyes-Medina from shipping and contact information linked to multiple transactions. Reyes-Medina was not a caretaker at the facility.

Detectives executed search warrants for the two residences associated with Reyes-Medina in March.

2700 block of Mohawk Street

1000 block of Bellevue Road

Officers located items Reyes-Medina purchased using the victims credit cards, including high-end electronics, baby accessories, jewelry, furniture, and other household items.

In the search of Reyes-Medinas property, detectives located personal identifying information and credit cards for two individuals not residing with Reyes-Medina. The individuals information belonged to residents of a Santa Rosa residential care facility where Reyes-Medina was employed.

Reyes-Medina was located at the Mohawk Street residence. Reyes-Medina was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for the following charges:

1st case:

Identity Theft

Theft by Use of a Credit Card

Grand Theft by Access Cards

Financial Elder Abuse

Commit a Felony While on Bail

2nd case:

Identity Theft (2 Counts)

Commit a Felony While on Bail

Grand Theft by Access Cards

Financial Elder Abuse

The investigations are active and ongoing.

According to police, Reyes-Medina was free on bail from a previous investigation involving charges of identity theft from an elder/dependent adult by a caretaker for a Sebastopol case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Democratic strategist James Carville said independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s candidacy may hurt former President Trump more than President Biden in their likely 2024 rematch.

I actually think Bobby Kennedy might hurt Trump more, Carville said Thursday on The Beat with Ari Melber on MSNBC in a clip highlighted by Mediaite.

Trump and his allies have welcomed Kennedys campaign, suggesting he is likely to pull votes from Biden in a general election.

Kennedy is a Radical Left Democrat, and always will be!!! Its great for MAGA, but the Communists will make it very hard for him to get on the Ballot, Trump said in a post on Truth Social, shortly after Kennedy announced entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate Tuesday.

Carville said other third-party candidates could be more problematic for Biden.

I think theres a certain percent of people in our country that are just like, Just F the whole thing, and Biden is not gonna get any of the F it all vote, OK? he said. Now what worries me is Cornel West and Jill Stein, because theyre going to get some of the F it all vote, too.

West is an independent candidate who launched the Justice for All Party in January. Stein is once again running under the Green Party banner.

Poll suggest RFK Jr. will hurt Biden more than Trump in a general election, but only by a slim margin.

Former GOP presidential primary candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said Wednesday that he thinks Kennedys bid for the White House could be a good thing for Trump.

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, he told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Farmers harvesting coffee in the Central Highlands. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Coffee prices surged 11.3% to a historic high of VND98,100 (US$3.95) per kilogram on Wednesday as inventories dwindle and production is forecast to decline.

The price represented a 110% increase from a year ago.

On online coffee business forums, many farmers and traders have expressed surprise at the unprecedented prices, which were around VND70,800 at the beginning of the year.

Prices also rose in the global market, with the May robusta LRCc2 futures contract rising to an all-time high of $5,999 per ton and the May Arabica KCc1 to $4,186.5.

The sharp increase in prices is due to a decline in production and record low levels of inventories, according to Nguyen Hai Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association.

Droughts in coffee growing countries caused by climate change and the El Nino phenomenon have caused a decline in global production, he said.

His association expects coffee harvests to be 10% lower this year since farmers have shifted to other crops due to low prices in recent years.

Shipping disruptions and freight hikes due to the Red Sea tensions also contribute to higher global prices, he added.

The skyrocketing prices have heavily impacted traders.

Nguyen Loan, a coffee merchant in Dak Lak Province, said she is cutting back on purchases due to the record prices, pointing out that even large traders are hesitant to stock up on coffee.

"I previously agreed to sell 1,000 tons [of coffee] to an exporter at VND70,000 per kilogram. At the current prices, I cannot procure enough stock to deliver."

Phan Minh Thong, chairman of agricultural products exporter Phuc Sinh Group, said coffee merchants are demanding as much as VND99,000 per kilogram.

The company had to make some small purchases and bear the losses to maintain its operations.

"The company has faced huge losses recently. We will incur bigger losses if we buy more."

According to traders, importers are now buying coffee from India and Brazil instead of Vietnam because of its high prices.

With Brazil set to harvest its coffee crop in April, prices might soon cool down in the global market.

In the first two months of the year Vietnam exported 438,000 tons of coffee for $1.4 billion, according to data from the General Department of Customs.

They represented increases of 28% and 85% year-on-year.
The room at the top of the stairs in Jeffrey Walds house probably wouldnt inspire any of the producers or viewers of HGTV. It is, as Wald describes it, clearly the creation of a do-it-yourselfer, not one with extraordinary skills.

The ceilings on either side slope excessively, so there is only about a foot-wide path down the middle on which I can stand and walk (Im six feet tall). There is no closet and barely enough room for a bed, Wald wrote recently for Plough magazine. There is also the matter of the occasional critter that flies or scampers in and has to be trapped with a fishing net.

But, as Wald tells it, the room at the top of the stairs has come to serve as the Wald familys Christ room  the most important room in the house.

Id never heard the term before, although I knew of Pope John Paul IIs description of a familys home as the domestic church. A Christ room, I supposed, is similar in that it bestows upon a home  or at least a single room within it  a kind of ministry.

Wald, who lives with his family in St. Paul, Minnesota, wrote that the French theologian and social activist Peter Maurin preached that every church should have a house of hospitality, and every home that can should have a Christ Room, where the ambassadors of Jesus can be housed, fed, clothed, and offered a bit of dignity. But more importantly, where they can be Christ to us.

With Dorothy Day, Maurin founded the Catholic Worker movement in 1930s. Day, whose case for sainthood is currently under consideration by the Vatican, herself wrote of the Christ room as shelter provided for a homeless person  a primary mission of early Catholic Worker groups. As an article about Day in The New York Times explained, the groups set up residences across the country to serve the homeless. These homeless people were served by young volunteers who shared their guests poverty  a modern version of the hospitality that Benedictine monasteries had provided in Europe before the Reformation.

This practice is still continued at many monasteries today, where visitors can rent a room and retreat from the world temporarily.

What Day and Maurin launched, however, was more of a Christ house. More recently, a Catholic Worker community in Charlottesville, Virginia, Casa Alma, began a project more in line with what Wald was talking about in his Plough essay: hospitality on a small scale as a spiritual practice.

Casa Almas Christ room ministry encourages singles, couples, or families of any economic level or faith background to open a room in their home to people who temporarily need help and a physical manifestation of Christs love: whether they be women recovering from domestic abuse, refugees, immigrants, young adults leaving foster care, and people recovering from illness, trauma or other difficult circumstances. These support households, as Casa Alma calls them, could provide help for any period of time, although the group recommends a minimum of 12 weeks.

Of course, many families generously take in refugees and foster children without thinking of the room they occupy as a Christ room. And perhaps this is not so different from people who freely open up their homes to travelers they dont know via Couchsurfing. But as Claire Burt told the National Catholic Reporter a few years ago, designating an empty room as a Christ room subtly changed how she viewed the space, making it more like a ministry than a guest room, a place of radical hospitality worthy of reverence. (When no one is there, she uses it as a prayer room.)

It also made her think more about how she could use the space to be helpful to others  in short, to be more Christ-like herself.

Casa Alma recommends that people thinking about setting up a Christ room read Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition by Christine Pohl. But one doesnt have to be affiliated with a Catholic Worker organization, or even a Catholic, of course, to adopt the custom for themselves.

And sometimes we might already have a Christ room without having recognized it as such. Thats what happened in the Wald household, as the small room housed one foster child after another.

I never intended the room at the top of the stairs to be a Christ Room, Wald wrote for Plough. I struggle to dignify it by even calling it a room. Cave seems more appropriate. But then again, the king of kings was born in a cave. Was buried in a cave. And rose from the dead in a cave. Maybe a rooms dignity is not so much what it looks like but who occupies it.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  $100 million is missing from a local nonprofit, the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. Money that was placed in a trust that was supposed to care for the most vulnerable.

On Thursday afternoon, the case went before a federal judge. Last week, Attorney Michael Goldberg was appointed as the Chapter 11 Trustee to oversee the center. Goldberg is looking to move the trusts out of the center so families can begin moving forward. When that happens, the center will ultimately shut down.

No more trusts: Fort Myers womans special needs trust drained, new trustee named for non-profit thats missing $100M

Were here today for the hearing, said victim Angie Orne.

Inside the courtroom, all the key players were there for a hearing on the center. The judge heard Goldbergs motion to hire a forensic accounting firm to find where the missing $100 million went. Goldberg told the judge the center should not be administering trusts, so hes interviewing other companies to transfer vulnerable peoples money to.



I was shocked, said Orne. I was sad. I didnt have no words.



Emotions ran high for Orne whose trust was drained. She and her uncle drove up from South Florida. After a medical malpractice lawsuit when she was born, Orne received a settlement. That money that was put in a trust at the center 24 years ago.

St. Pete non-profit on what happened to missing $100 million

Its really sad to see someone preying on these types of individuals, said Jon Abbuehl, Ornes uncle.

8 On Your Side reported the centers founder, Leo Govoni, is accused of loaning the $100 million to his company, Boston Finance Group, and never repaying it. So where is Govoni? He wasnt at court, but an attorney representing him was.



I want to know why they did it. What was their whole reason? said Orne.

Govonis attorney left and had no comment. The next hearing at the federal courthouse in Tampa is set for April 15.

Families impacted need to file a claim against the center by April 19. They can file it online.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted President Bidens multimillion-dollar, star-studded fundraiser Thursday while he was holding a discussion with former Presidents Obama and Clinton.

Comedian Stephen Colbert was moderating the discussion at Radio City Music Hall in New York City when protesters began yelling from the crowd.

I want to point out that we are 10 minutes in, and I have asked one question. I want to do a quick lightning round here: Do any of you have plans to sell golden sneakers or $60 bibles? Show of hands? Colbert asked, mocking former President Trumps recent merchandise sales.

No golden sneakers, Biden replied.

Colbert then asked Obama and Clinton what they miss about being president, and when Clinton started speaking, the first protesters began whistling and yelling obscenities from the crowd. Reporters in the room said protesters were yelling about Russia and Ukraine, and then protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza joined in.

Youre out of your fing minds, yelled the first protester, who was escorted out of the room.

Excuse me, Mr. President. For people who are watching at home on the feed, you may not be able to hear, but theres some protesters here. There are some protesters here who are no doubt related to the protests we saw across the street, Colbert said.

A protest organized by Abandon Biden, a pro-Palestinian movement aimed at withholding votes from Biden in the Democratic primary, descended upon the fundraising event outside Radio City Music Hall earlier in the day for a rally and march.

There are people outside, and people in this room Im sure, who have passionate divisions about what the best course of action is for the crisis in Israel, in Gaza right now. What do you believe the United Statess role should be going forward to ensure the most peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Israel and for Gaza? Colbert asked Biden.

More protesters interrupted with yells of blood on your hands.

Thats all right, let them go. Theres a lot of people who are very, very  there are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian, Biden said. Weve got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians.

Its understandable Israel has such a profound anger, and Hamas is still there. But we must in fact, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians, particularly children, the president added. He was interrupted by more yells from protesters.

Biden said that there has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a train to a two-state solution.

An alternate crowd at the event then started chanting four more years.

The event in New York City brought in more than $26 million, according to the Biden campaign. It included a sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 people.

When you look at a situation like were seeing in Gaza and in Israel, and your heart breaks, initially for a massacre of unbelievable cruelty, Obama said. It is also possible for us to say we unequivocally support the people of Israel and their ability to live and raise families and so forth, which is what Joes position has been.

When that was also met with protests, Obama responded: No, no, listen; you cant just talk and not listen.  Thats what the other side does.

Clinton, who helped broker the Oslo Accords in which Palestinians and Israelis agreed to recognize each other, defended Bidens policy in handling the Israel-Hamas war.

I believe that this is one of the most important reasons to elect President Biden. And Im going to tell you why: because he genuinely cares about preserving the existence of Israel, which Hamas doesnt. And he genuinely cares about giving the Palestinians a decent state of self-governance and the support they need for self-determination, Clinton said.

Protesters continued as Colbert then asked the president about his State of the Union address and the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Biden has been met with protesters across the country since the war in Gaza began, with some interrupting his speeches to show their anger about his pro-Israel stance.

On Tuesday in Raleigh, N.C., protesters began yelling during Bidens speech, asking the president, What about the health care in Gaza? Biden replied: Everybody deserves health care.

He has encountered protesters in venues or on the streets during nearly every trip he has made since the beginning of Israels war in Gaza, where more than 30,000 people have been killed in response to Hamass Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,100 Israelis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  In 2017, Texas passed Senate Bill 693, which would require three-point seat belts for each passenger on buses that transport schoolchildren, but not all buses have them.

It is the public policy of this state to ensure the safety of all students by taking every measure possible to protect the lives and well-being of students during transportation on a bus to and from school and extracurricular activities, including the measure enacted in Section 547.701(e), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act. Senate Bill 693

Hays CISD releases video from deadly bus crash

According to the districts websites, all buses in use by Austin ISD, Leander ISD and Pflugerville ISD were equipped with seat belts.

Round Rock ISD said it had 251 buses, of which, only 64 do not have seat belts. According to RRISD, it was part of district policy and the Student Code of Conduct that all students wear seat belts when riding in a bus or vehicle equipped with them.

Hays CISD said it was speeding up its process to replace its buses without seat belts following a fatal crash involving one.

We are supposed to get our next round of buses in 3-4 weeks that all are equipped with seat belts that will make it where our entire fleet of route buses all have seat belts, Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said. Then were going to accelerate with our Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee with the blessing of our School Board, to go out to replace our spare buses with buses that all have seat belts.

On March 22, a bus carrying Tom Green Elementary pre-K students was hit when a concrete truck veered into the bus lane, causing it to roll over. There were two deaths as a result of the crash  five-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya who was on the bus and 33-year-old Ryan Wallace who was traveling in a vehicle behind the bus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Cesar Chavez Day is on Sunday.

Former President Barack Obama designated March 31 a commemorative holiday for the Mexican American union organizer in 2014. The day marks the anniversary of his birth.

Chavez was born in 1927 to migrant farmworker parents in Arizona. In 1962, he helped found the National Farm Workers Association  known today, after mergers, as the United Farm Workers union  in Delano, California, and spent the following decades advocating for improved wages and labor conditions for field workers. In the 1960s and 1970s, Chavez's campaign of weekslong fasts and monthslong marches brought unprecedented national attention to the union's bargaining fights with California table grape growers and the plight of its predominantly Mexican and Filipino American members. He died in 1993.

Si Se Puede! Cesar Chavez March & Day of Action! returns after a two year hiatus to honor the life of Cesar Chavez, who would turn 95 this year.

Chavez's influence was strongest in California, but his attempt to organize farmworkers in South Texas and his interest in Mexican American communities and their politicization throughout the southwest brought him to Austin time and time again. In the capital city, he made boycott speeches, attended campus talks and showed solidarity with several East Austin community efforts.

These days, many residents celebrate Chavez's legacy through a yearly march. This year's iteration will leave Parque Zaragoza at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Who was Menchaca? Del Valle? Guerrero? The stories behind Austin's Hispanic place names.

Cesar Chavez in Austin, through the years

A clip from an old copy of the Austin American-Statesman.

Sept. 5, 1966:

Sept. 5, 1966: On Labor Day of that year, Chavez led a rally at the statehouse steps to cap a 400-plus-mile march by farmworkers from Rio Grande City. The marchers, who included some of the first UFW members in Texas, demanded a $1.25 minimum wage and had been en route since the Fourth of July. The American-Statesman reported the gathering drew as many as 6,000 attendees.

Feb. 7, 1971:

Feb. 7, 1971: The Statesman reported that Chavez had stopped in town to pledge his support to the upholsterers strike against Economy Furniture, known in local memory as the Chicano Huelga. He called for people to continue boycotting Economy Furnitures client Montgomery Ward and touted union solidarity. The Statesman described him as a man of average height and build who comes on quietly but projects a sense of determination in his unassuming manner.

The upholsterers' union effort was almost 3 years old at the time of Chavezs visit. Its eventual success, many East Austin Mexican Americans have said, inspired its first wave of elected leaders.

Chavezs visit was preceded by much local excitement. A week prior, the Travis County Commissioners Court pronounced the day of his visit Cesar Chavez Day (a resolution commending the organizer failed in the Texas Legislature). The night before his strike appearance, a crowd of 2,000 had greeted Chavezs plane with chants of Chicano power.

More: March returns to East Austin to honor Cesar Chavez

A clip from an old copy of the Austin American-Statesman.

July 13, 1973:

July 13, 1973: Amid a storied fight with the Teamsters union, Chavez spoke at the Texas AFL-CIO conference in Austin. He accused the the Teamsters and other opponents of a concerted effort to undercut his unions organizing efforts. He asked for the support of union leaders.

Our union, as you know, has been tested in every conceivable way. It is only through a miracle that we continue to exist as a group of workers, Chavez said. The Statesman described him as tearful.

After that, Chavez  a devout Catholic who imbued his rhetoric with spiritual righteousness  went to speak and attend Mass at Cristo Rey Church.

July 27, 1979:

July 27, 1979: At a speech at that year's Texas AFL-CIO conference in Austin, Chavez complained that undocumented immigrants were being used to break his union's seven-month strike on United Brands lettuce growers. Chavez said his union was at a financial breaking point because of the length of the strike and needed support. Chavez's frequent opposition to undocumented immigrants, and the mobilization of his union against them, has led some to criticize his legacy.

A clip from the Austin American-Statesman.

Sept. 15. 1985:

Sept. 15. 1985: Speaking at UT, Chavez touted his most recent table grape boycott to oppose the use of pesticides around farmworkers and in food. The Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court passed supportive resolutions. We never got these resolutions 20 years ago. We will take them elsewhere and use them to shame others into supporting us, the Statesman reported Chavez saying.

A 1987 clip from the Austin American-Statesman

Oct. 16, 1987:

Oct. 16, 1987: Chavez visited the state capital as part of a state tour commemorating the 25th anniversary of the UFWs large-scale grape boycott and publicizing the adverse effects of pesticides. His visit included a stop at Metz Elementary School, where the student body marched around the school waving UFW flags that said Metz saluda and a banner that said keep our food clean. Metz was 99.99% Hispanic at the time, the Statesman reported.

I have never been welcomed like this in my life, and I will never forget it, Chavez said.

Chavez asked those in attendance to stop eating California grapes. He was assured that the schoolchildren had honored his this at the school cafeteria for the past two weeks.

A clip from an old copy of the Austin American-Statesman.

Sept. 17, 1993:

Sept. 17, 1993: A few months after his death, the Austin City Council renamed First Street after the late union leader. State highway officials requested for $154,728 to new signage on MoPac Boulevard, Interstate 35 and U.S. 183, prompting city leaders to say they would prioritize changing city signs first.

A clip from an old copy of the Austin American-Statesman.

Dec. 2, 1993:

Dec. 2, 1993: A Statesman article voiced the laments of Metz Elementary School students over Chavezs death. He had been expected to visit the school at the time of his passing. School teacher Lupe Ramos said the students had asked the district to remove grapes from cafeterias and H-E-B to not carry picket-crossing grapes after learning about the leader.

Two days later, the city held the first Cesar Chavez march to commemorate First Streets renaming. It was attended by UFW leadership and Chavezs daughter.

The Statesman did not accent Chavez's name as is done in the Spanish linguistic tradition because Chavez himself did not. The Austin parade does accent the union leader's name.

At 10:00 a.m., more than 100 attendees marched for half an hour with "si se puede" signs and photos of Cesar Chavez before hearing speeches from elected officials and community leaders.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Cesar Chavez spent time in Austin and Texas: What the archives show.
Members of Cesar Chavezs family endorsed President Bidens reelection bid Friday, according to the Biden campaign.

The endorsement comes ahead of a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. event Saturday invoking the famous labor leader. The independent candidate is hosting a campaign event in Los Angeles titled celebrating the life & legacy of Cesar Chavez.

But the Biden team has ties to the Chavez family  the campaign manager for the 2024 cycle is Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the granddaughter of Chavez.

Fernando and Paul Chavez, the labor leaders sons, made the endorsement, CBS first reported. Paul Chavez told the outlet: the bonds of affection and respect for a president who by his character and actions consistently reflects the genuine legacy of my father.

Biden has displayed a bust of Cesar Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union, in the office. Chavez Rodriguez, in a statement to CBS, said the bust is a reminder that Biden understands the power of organizing and working people.

Kennedys event Saturday advertises that Chavez was a good friend of RFK and RFK, Jr. and was a legendary organizer of farmworkers and voters, who exercised their citizen power.

Former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) and Chavez had a history of working together in the 1960s. Kennedy in 1966 made a symbolic gesture to support Chavezs cause by breaking bread with him to end the unions days-long fast. In 1967, Kennedy joined migrant workers for a mass gathering to support Chavez, writing at the time that the labor leader was one of the heroic figures of our time.

Today, we have an opportunity to take back our government with people power, We the People Power, RFK Jr.s event invite reads. The event title echoes former President John F. Kennedys Viva Kennedy slogan from the 1960s to reach out to Mexican-American voters at the time.

Bidens campaign last week launched a national program aimed at engaging and mobilizing Latino voters. He traveled to Nevada and Arizona last week, with a focus on Latino voters.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has drawn criticism from the family of Cesar Chavez. The late labor leader was close to the candidate's father, the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, in the 1960s. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

During the 1980 presidential primaries, Fernando Chavez traveled for months with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as they worked on the presidential campaign of his uncle Sen. Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy.

In living room after living room, Chavez said, he saw some combination of three framed pictures on the wall: portraits of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; of Kennedy's father, the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.); and of his own father, Cesar Chavez, who had co-founded the United Farm Workers. The elder Kennedy had grown close to the labor icon in the years before the senator's assassination in 1968.

"Those three represented hope and aspirations for people, especially marginalized people"  Black, Latino and Native Americans, and "even poor whites," Fernando Chavez recalled in an interview. "It gave them a sense of, 'Wow. We have somebody in our corner. We have somebody fighting for us.'"

Today, the two sons' close ties are a distant memory. Kennedy Jr. has used Cesar Chavez's name and image in his independent campaign for president, eliciting outrage from Chavez family members.

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, left, breaks bread with Cesar Chavez in Delano, Calif., in 1968 as Chavez ends a 25-day fast in support of nonviolence in the strike against grape producers. (Bettmann Archive)

Several of them spoke out this week, as Kennedy plans to hold an event Saturday in Los Angeles commemorating Cesar Chavez Day. In promoting the event, Kennedy's campaign has featured his own image almost blending into a photo of his father sitting beside Chavez in 1968.

"When we saw Bobby Kennedy begin to use images of my father, and then when we heard about this event in L.A., it really prompted us to stand up and to make sure that people understood that the Chavez family does not support his campaign," Paul Chavez, Fernando's brother, told The Times.

"We've never seen anybody go as far as using that image for political gain," Andres Chavez, Paul's son, said of Kennedy's campaign event invitation.

Fernando and Paul, as well as Andres  who runs the National Chavez Center in Keene, Calif.  said they are endorsing President Biden for reelection, and that if Cesar were alive, he would do the same.

Biden keeps a bust of the labor leader in the Oval Office, and Chavez's granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who once organized strawberry pickers and later worked for President Obama, now serves as Biden's campaign manager.

Chavez family members were also angry when they saw, in a recent Telemundo segment, an Associated Press photo of Kennedy Jr. helping carry Cesar's casket during his 1993 funeral procession.

Read more: Former Trump lawyer John Eastman should lose his license, judge rules

About 30,000 people attended that event, Fernando Chavez said, and when family members grew tired of carrying the simple pine box through the streets of Delano, Calif., others stepped in. Hundreds of people helped carry the casket for parts of the miles-long procession, including Kennedy Jr., then an environmental attorney, and many politicians.

A Kennedy spokesperson said that an intermediary had reached out to a member of the Chavez family to invite them to the event but had not received a reply.

"Mr. Kennedy has been a friend to the Chavez family since he was a boy, and was asked by the family to be a pallbearer when Cesar Chavez passed away in 1993," the spokesperson, who did not provide their name, said in an email. "This event is a celebration of an organizing hero, Cesar Chavez, a man who worked with Mr. Kennedys father until the day RFK was murdered. The campaign is proud to sponsor this celebration on the weekend that honors Cesar Chavezs birthday in California."

Both Paul and Andres Chavez said they hadn't been invited to the event or heard from the campaign.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., brings up the rear as he joins Edward James Olmos, front, then-Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II and others in carrying Cesar Chavez's casket in 1993. Many people helped carry it in a miles-long funeral procession as Chavez's family grew tired. (Bob Galbraith / Associated Press)

Kennedy has been holding more events in recent weeks as he strives to get on the ballot in as many states as possible  an expensive and complicated process without the backing of one of the two major parties. He announced Tuesday that political newcomer Nicole Shanahan would be his running mate.

Shanahan helped produce and pay for a Super Bowl commercial that relied on imagery and music from a television spot that John F. Kennedy ran while running for president in 1960. The late Democratic president was Robert Kennedy Jr.'s uncle.

The Super Bowl ad angered many Kennedy family members, and some have since become more outspoken about their support for Biden and their frustration with their relative's presidential run.

Read more: RFK Jr. names California tech lawyer Nicole Shanahan as his vice presidential choice

Relatives of Chavez said it was painful to speak out because the Kennedy and Chavez clans remain closely connected  apart from Kennedy Jr. In 1988, Kennedy Sr.'s widow, Ethel, visited Chavez during one of his roughly monthlong protest fasts.

Kerry Kennedy, one of the presidential candidate's sisters, visited California in 2018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers healthcare plan, which was named after their father.

"My family and I repeatedly stood with Cesar and his cause," she wrote in a January op-ed in the New York Daily News.

In March 1968, Robert F. Kennedy, wearing a UFW black Aztec eagle pin on his lapel, was by Chavez's side as he broke a 25-day fast meant to draw attention to the farmworker movement's focus on nonviolent protest.

It had been nearly three years since Filipino and Latino farmworkers began striking over low pay and dangerous conditions.

"We have come here out of respect for one of the heroic figures of our time  Cesar Chavez," Kennedy Sr. said at the time. "I also come here to congratulate all of you, you who are locked with Cesar in the struggle for justice for the farmworker." Chavez, who had lost 35 pounds after subsisting only on water, was too weak to speak.

This moment cemented a friendship that had formed two years earlier, when Kennedy visited Delano for a Senate subcommittee field hearing and expressed shock and anger at how farmworkers were being treated.

Read more: Show up and campaign in Spanish: Rural Latino voters feel ignored by Senate candidates

Now, with the 2024 presidential election just months away, Chavez family members said they fear that in a close contest, any support for Kennedy could help Republican Donald Trump regain the White House.

"I'm kind of horrified and saddened about that," said Fernando Chavez, who added that he hasn't stayed in touch with Kennedy Jr. since they worked together decades ago.

Fernando and others pointed out how badly farmworkers were hit by COVID-19, partly fueled by rampant disinformation among Latinos about the vaccine's efficacy. The Cesar Chavez Foundation worked to vaccinate farmworkers, Andres Chavez said, and Kennedy Jr.'s views on vaccines horrified him.

In a 2021 podcast, Kennedy told parents to "resist" the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines on vaccinating their children. Through the years he has repeatedly spread falsehoods about the effectiveness of vaccines, and more recently said the COVID-19 lockdowns were something a totalitarian state would do, likening them to Nazi Germany.

"When Trump and Kennedy were spreading misinformation about vaccines in the pandemic, people were dying," Andres Chavez said. "I don't think my grandfather would stand by anybody who would be spreading this misinformation  knowing that farmworkers and Latinos were among the most impacted."

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party has announced hes stepping down from the position to focus on a state Assembly run.

Mark Gonzalez, who won the California State Assembly District 54 primary election earlier this month, announced the decision Friday after more than six years leading Democrats in L.A.

Serving as your party Chair for the largest County Central Committee in the nation has been the privilege of a lifetime, he said in a statement. As I embark on the next phase of my journey, with a focus now on ensuring that Sacramento continues to create policy that works for all, the work we have done together will forever remain close to my heart. With that focus in mind and to ensure our partys continuity of leadership and continued success, I am stepping down as Chair effective immediately.

He said Vice-Chair Patt Sanders will temporarily lead the party in the county.

Gonzalez, who took over the role in 2017 at the age of 33, was both the youngest and first Latino to serve as chair of the L.A. Democrats.

Hell shift his focus now on the California State Assembly District 54 general election in November, where hell face John Yi. Gonzalez won the primary with 45% of the vote over Yi, who had 34%.

District 54 represents most of Downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding areas including Silver Lake, Echo Park, Koreatown and East Hollywood.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Five days after Senegal's landmark presidential vote, elected leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye is getting ready for a swift transition  promising to overhaul the way the country is run.

Outgoing president Macky Sall held his last government meeting in the capital Dakar this week with both Faye and fellow opposition figure Ousmane Sonko.

Sall's last-minute postponement of the vote and the ensuing rushed electoral timetable had cast doubt over whether the handover could take place before the end of his term on 2 April.

A swift transfer of power in Senegal, described as a beacon of democracy in West Africa, would help build stability in the coup-hit region.

Faye and his team, formed from members of the Pastef party, say they're be ready for next week's handover, which is rumoured to happen the day Sall steps down.

The president-elect has said he will form his first government on 5 April  the day after Senegal celebrates its independence from France.

'Surprise' win

"Faye's victory took many by surprise," security analyst Babacar Ndiaye, from the Timbuktu Institute, told RFI. "The days after the election have been really peaceful so it's a success for democracy."

Faye's win largely came about because of people's anger against Sall's autocratic and oppressive drift, Ndiaye added.

Now he and Sonko must deliver the change they promised.

Having never held elected office, Faye is set to become the fifth president of Senegal, which has a population of around 18 million people.

Faye's presidency could herald a profound overhaul of Senegal's institutions.



Read more on RFI English



Read also:

Results confirm Faye's large win in Senegal presidential elections

From prisoner to president: Bassirou Diomaye Faye to become Senegals youngest leader

The long path to Senegal's troubled presidential elections
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Charges have been dropped against a Fayette County principal accused of covering up a fight between a teacher and student.

In February, Southwest Elementary Principal Dr. Fabre Ford was charged with tampering with evidence or fabricating evidence for her refusal to cooperate.

Thursday, The Fayette County District Attorneys office dismissed the charges.

The DA provided WREG with the following statement:

Our Office met with the Fayette County Sheriffs Office to review the case, as we do with all cases after charging. That review included information that the school provided after charging pursuant to a subpoena that was responsive and allowed the Sheriffs Office to complete their investigation of the underlying incident. We then exercised our prosecutorial discretion to nolle pros the charge.

Fayette County school principal arrested, accused of hiding info on teacher assault

Records show on February 2, a student was taken to a teachers room because he had been acting out. While the teacher talked to the student, the child allegedly slapped the teachers hands multiple times.

He then allegedly took a Stanley Cup and hit the teacher across his jaw and in the temple of his head. The teacher was sent home on concussion protocols.

A school resource officer claimed Ford did not tell him about the incident and stopped him from getting details.

There are certain incidents that occur in a school that school officials are required to report to law enforcement. One of those incidents being any type of aggravated assault where anyone is harmed or there is any threat to safety or health, Fayette County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Ray Garcia said at the time.

After Fords arrest Fayette County Public Schools said they are fully committed to working with law enforcement to resolve this matter quickly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Organized crime rings who fueled an "explosion" of human trafficking and cyber scam centers during the pandemic have expanded from Southeast Asia into a global network making up to $3 trillion a year, the head of Interpol said on Wednesday.

"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," Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock told a briefing at the global police coordination body's Singapore office.

"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."

The new cyber-scam centers, often staffed by unwilling staff trafficked with the promise of legitimate jobs, had helped organized crime groups diversify their revenue from drug trafficking, Stock said.

Drug trafficking businesses still contributed 40% to 70% of criminal groups' income, he said.

"But we see groups clearly diversifying their criminal businesses using drug trafficking routes also for trafficking of human beings, trafficking of arms, intellectual property, stolen products, car theft," Stock said.

About $2 trillion to $3 trillion in illicit proceeds are channeled through the global financial system annually, he said, adding that an organized crime group can make $50 billion a year.

The United Nations said last year that more than 100,000 people had been trafficked into online scam centers in Cambodia. In November, Myanmar handed over thousands of fugitive Chinese telecom fraud suspects to China.

A Reuters investigation last year detailed the emergence in Thailand of one branch of such alleged cyber-crime and its financing.

Stock praised Singapore for its success in uncovering a money laundering case last year involving seized assets amounting to over S$3 billion ($2.23 billion).
CHESTER, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Chester County Sheriff deputies say a 14-year-old students bullet revelation led to two charges Thursday.

Deputies say the student showed off a bullet to classmates, and they soon discovered a firearm and magazine in a bookbag during school dismissal.

School officials informed the schools School Resource Officer (SRO), and the unnamed student is facing charges of:

Carrying weapon on school grounds

Minor in possession of a firearm

In a social media post, the school system said there was no direct threat against any student or staff member on campus, and the situation was resolved without any harm.

15-year-old girl made Chester High School threat: Sheriff

The Chester County Sheriffs Office said the student went to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in Columbia, where they will remain pending a hearing before a Family Court Judge.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A lawsuit filed this week alleges a Chicagoland hospital system ignored complaints about their gynecologist, allowing a now-convicted sex offender to abuse more than 300 women.

The complaint filed Monday against Endeavor Health and former Dr. Fabio Ortega asks for more than $50,000 in damages for Jane Doe 300, one of Ortega's last patients before he was arrested in 2017. Attorney Symone Shinton with Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY that it is just the first lawsuit they are filing for hundreds of clients.

"The allegations brought forth by these brave survivors paint a disturbing picture of systemic failure and institutional negligence," Shinton said.

Endeavor Health, which recently acquired Ortega's former employers NorthShore and Swedish Covenant, declined to comment on the case due to ongoing litigation but shared the following 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."

Opinion: Gymnasts bare their souls in describing Larry Nassar abuse, but are lawmakers listening?

Skokie Northshore Hospital in Skokie, Ill.

Medical employers received several complaints about Ortega, complaint says

Ortega was employed at Swedish Covenant from 1989 until 2007 and employed at NorthShore from 2006 until 2017, according to the complaint.

The 57-page document describes several incidents during this time in which patients and staff reported Ortega for making them feel uncomfortable while performing intrusive acts under the name of medical care. Those included allegations he unnecessarily performed pelvic exams with his bare hands, asked questions about the patients' sex lives and visited patients outside of work.

"Ortega was a sexual predator who targeted young women who did not have experience with gynecological examinations, Spanish-speaking patients, pregnant women, Medicare patients and the underserved patient population because he knew that patients from these populations were less likely to understand that they were being sexually abused and report his abuse," the lawsuit states.

Several patients asked to see a different provider or asked for a female chaperone while Ortega was employed at Swedish, the lawsuit states. It also argues NorthShore should have known about those complaints when it hired Ortega.

Jane Doe 300 abused by Ortega while pregnant, lawsuit alleges

Plaintiff Jane Doe 300 visited a NorthShore facility in Evanston, Illinois, for prenatal appointments with Ortega twice in 2017, after an 18-month criminal investigation into Ortega was already underway, according to the complaint.

On both occasions, the lawsuit states, Ortega digitally penetrated the patient with a motion similar to intercourse to sexually stimulate her without clinical or medical reasoning, the lawsuit states.

"At that time, because she trusted NorthShore and Ortega implicitly, Jane Doe 300 believed that Ortega's conduct was medically proper and necessary. She did not know then but now knows that Ortega sexually abused her," the complaint states.

When Jane Doe 300 returned with her husband for another visit later that year, the complaint says they received a new doctor and NorthShore said Ortega was "unavailable."

In September 2018, Ortega was arrested on a sexual abuse charge, and in 2021, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Jane Doe 300's lawsuit is one of 23 that have been filed against Ortega and Endeavor since 2019, according to the Tribune.

"To the survivors who have yet to come forward: we believe you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you," said managing partner Parker Stinar. "Do not let the silence imposed upon you by these institutions prevail any longer."

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline for free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Espanol at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andonline.RAINN.org y RAINN.org/es.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jane Doe 300 sues hospitals alleging it ignored Fabio Ortega's abuse
US broadcaster CNN did not report that a ship loaded with Chinese goods "attacked" a bridge in a midwestern city, contrary to social media posts sharing a fabricated screenshot. The image was doctored using footage from a bridge collapse in the eastern city of Baltimore in March 2024.

"US CNN: A cargo ship loaded with Chinese goods attacked our bridge!" reads the simplified Chinese caption of a Weibo post shared on March 27, 2024.

The accompanying image appears to show a screenshot of a news report with a chyron stating the same claim.

It includes the CNN logo in the bottom right corner and a locator indicating the incident took place in the midwestern US city of Minneapolis.

Screenshot of the false Weibo post, taken on March 28, 2024

The image circulated on Chinese social media -- where tensions between Beijing and Washington have fuelled anti-US sentiment -- after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on March 26, 2024.

The bridge, which was crossed by tens of thousands of motorists each day, collapsed within seconds and plunged into what officials said was roughly 50 feet (15 meters) of frigid water below.

The ship managed to issue a Mayday call warning that it had lost power, prompting authorities to scramble to shut down traffic to the bridge, potentially saving lives. But six of an eight-person construction crew are believed to have been killed in the collapse.

There was no immediate confirmation of the cause of the collapse, but Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said there was no indication of terrorism.

The purported CNN broadcast image was also shared alongside similar false claims that a bridge was attacked elsewhere on Weibo, X, and the Chinese forum Guancha.

However, CNN said it never reported an "attack" on a bridge in the United States.

'Fabricated image'

"[This] is a fabricated image and is not CNN's banners, font or style, and is also not something we reported," Emily Kuhn, CNNs senior vice president of communications, told AFP in an email on March 28, 2024 (archived link).

Kuhn also pointed out to AFP that the image indicates Minneapolis in the upper left corner, when the image in fact shows the Baltimore bridge.

The screenshot does not correspond to CNN's livestreamed report on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the fabricated image used in the false post (left) and authentic CNN report on the accident (right):

Screenshot comparison of the fabricated image used in the false post (left) and authentic CNN report on the accident (right)

Combined reverse image and keyword searches on Google and YouTube found the image was extracted from aerial footage of the collapsed Baltimore bridge published by local NBC affiliate broadcaster WBAL-TV on its YouTube channel (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the image used in the false Weibo post (left) and the WBAL-TV footage (right):

Screenshot comparison of the image used in the false Weibo post (left) and the WBAL-TV footage (right)

AFP has debunked misinformation surrounding the Baltimore bridge collapse here, here, here and here.
Huawei is one of the most prominent tech companies in China (PAU BARRENA)

Chinese tech giant Huawei said on Friday its profits more than doubled in 2023, as it ramps up efforts to bounce back in a year that saw the company apparently defy US sanctions with the release of a high-end smartphone.

The Shenzhen-based company has been at the centre of an intense standoff between China and the United States -- Washington has warned that its equipment could be used for espionage by the Chinese government, an allegation Huawei denies.

Sanctions since 2019 have cut the firm's access to US-made components and technologies, forcing it to diversify its growth strategy.

Huawei said it generated a profit of 87 billion yuan ($12 billion) last year, more than double 2022's 35.6 billion yuan but short of its record 113.7 billion yuan profit in 2021.

Revenues also surged by 9.6 percent to 704.2 billion yuan.

"We've been through a lot over the past few years," Rotating Chairman Ken Hu said Friday.

"But through one challenge after another, we've managed to grow."

Highlighting Huawei's efforts to diversify as it finds itself cut off by Western sanctions, the firm said revenues from its smart car business had more than doubled, bringing in 4.7 billion last year.

More than half its revenue came from its ICT infrastructure business, followed by consumer products and cloud computing.

"A new journey awaits us in 2024," Hu said.

Huawei's surge in profits follows a year in which the firm raised eyebrows in Washington with the release of its Mate 60 Pro smartphone.

Powered by an advanced domestically produced chip, it sparked debate about whether US attempts to curb China's access to semiconductor technologies had been effective.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Bloomberg in December the development was "deeply concerning".

The Mate 60 Pro has shown the ability to bite into key competitor Apple's profits in China, analysts cited by Bloomberg have said.

- In the crosshairs -

Huawei remains the world's leading equipment manufacturer for 5G, the fifth generation of mobile internet, and has been involved in infrastructure projects in many countries.

The United States has sought to convince its allies to ban Huawei from their 5G networks, arguing that Beijing could use the group's products to monitor communications and data traffic.

The European Commission ruled in June last year that Chinese telecom equipment suppliers -- including Huawei -- posed a security risk to the EU.

Huawei's French offices were raided last month on suspicion of "improper behaviour", though no other details were immediately available.

In response to the US curbs, Beijing has repeatedly slammed what it characterises as Washington's "abuse of the concept of national security to hobble Chinese companies" and "discriminatory and unfair practices".

sbr-oho/pbt
City Hall tried to assure critics Thursday that a possible end to residential building size restrictions now being debated in Albany wont lead to a forest of 1,500-foot-tall towers blighting Manhattan  but will encourage the construction of wider classic buildings.

Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer tried to put a rosy spin on plans in the state legislature to lift a decades-old cap that limits the size of structures in the five boroughs  saying that it will help the housing crisis but not cause vertical slums.

The newly allowed buildings would be short but wide, similar to places like The Dakota on Central Park West, and not skinny and mega tall like the 1,000-foot-plus Billionaire Buildings in Midtown, she said.

Our failure to build homes is at the core of our housing crisis, she said in a speech to the Association for a Better New York on the New York University campus in Greenwich Village.

Albany lawmakers are considering the zoning change as New York City attempts to dig itself out from a housing deficit thats been estimated at 342,000 units.

Under current law, building like those on Central Park West and Fifth Avenue, which are often 20 to 30 stories tall, are banned by the state size cap because buildings that use their entire lot can only be 12 stories tall.

Conceptually, they would resemble the Eldorado and other famed buildings that line Central Park West and Fifth Avenue.

Torres-Springer said the regulations would have to be approved by the City Council before they could become law and, that lawmakers would get a second bite at the apple because they would have to sign off on using the new zonings in any neighborhood.

Additionally, any building constructed under the more generous zoning would be required to set aside 20-30% of their units for working-class or middle-income households.

She said this would be a great way to get more space for badly needed apartments without ruining the feel of New York.

These buildings are far shorter than the pencil towers, contain more apartments and are considered an important example of the citys architecture  but could not be built today under a state law that regulates building sizes. J. Messerschmidt for NY Post

Our failure to build homes is at the core of our housing crisis, she told the room.

Albany lawmakers are considering the zoning change as New York City attempts to dig itself out from a housing deficit that grew by 100,000 over the most recent decade.

A Post investigation detailed in February how the cap had backfired badly by banning those classic New York designs while permitting the construction of the super tall pencil towers that are reshaping Midtowns skyline while only providing a few dozen apartments a piece.

However, supporters of the cap argue that it is essential to protect New Yorks character.

Governor Hochul and the State Legislature are deciding whether or not to lift the long-standing cap on the allowable size of residential developments in New York City, which would enrich developers and destroy the scale of neighborhoods, the Greenwich Village Society of Historic Preservation argued in a post on its website this year as it again campaigns for the cap to remain.

The Billionaires Row of super tall towers along the southern edge of Central Park is captured here in November 2021. The slender pencil tower in the middle is the Steinway Tower at 111 W. 57. Christopher Sadowski

Others hailed the new buildings.

This is a great move by the city, said Moses Gates, a top expert at the Regional Plan Association. By proposing these zoning districts well be able to have a concrete conversation about what these buildings could look like and how affordable theyll be instead of just engaging in speculation.

781 Fifth Avenue is the tallest of the 117 buildings designed to be residences that could not be built today under the states building size regulations. Its just 38 stories tall, a fraction of the height of the towers on Billionaires Row. J. Messerschmidt for NY Post

City Halls proposal largely mirrors a proposal endorsed by lawmakers in the state Senate, which would allow for the construction of larger and broader buildings provided that historic districts are not rezoned and the new construction sets aside roughly one-quarter of the new units for below-market rents.

They were in my office two days ago saying were totally on board with your proposal, said state Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), who chairs the powerful budget committee.

Sources say that lawmakers in the Assembly remain more divided on the issue.

Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden
FILE PHOTO: A warplane carries out a bombing run above Syria near the Israeli-Syrian border as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel carried out its deadliest strikes in months on northern Syria's Aleppo province early on Friday and said it killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, stepping up its campaign against Iran's proxies in parallel with its war in Gaza.

Israel has ramped up airstrikes in Syria against both the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since the Iranian-backed Palestinian faction Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct. 7. In recent days its pilots have resumed regular practice for "deep" raids into Lebanon.

Tehran and its proxies have entrenched themselves across Syria, including around Aleppo and the capital Damascus.

The Israeli military said on Friday it had killed Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missiles unit, in an airstrike in the area of Bazouriye in Lebanon.

It said he was one of the Iranian-backed militia's leaders in heavy-warhead rocket fire and said he was responsible for conducting and planning attacks against Israeli civilians.

Israel and Hezbollah have also been trading fire across Lebanon's southern border in the biggest escalation since they fought a month-long war in 2006, as Hezbollah has tried to show its support for Hamas with volleys of rockets into Israel.

About a dozen Israeli troops and half a dozen civilians have been killed in northern Israel, while nearly 270 Hezbollah fighters and 50 civilians including medics, civilians and journalists have been killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.

Israel has repeatedly struck international airports in both Damascus and Aleppo over the years to disrupt weapons flows to Iran's allies in the region, but strikes since Oct. 7 have been deadlier and prompted Iran to withdraw some of its top officers from Syria.

Syria's defence ministry said Israeli strikes hit several areas in the southeastern part of Aleppo province around 1:45 a.m. (2245 GMT on Thursday), killing a number of civilians and military personnel.

It said the airstrikes coincided with drone attacks carried out from Idlib and western rural Aleppo that the ministry described as having been conducted by "terrorist organisations" against civilians in Aleppo and its surroundings.

The Israeli military declined comment. In a post on X, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Israel's attacks on Syria were a "blatant and desperate attempt" to expand the war, without saying if there were Iranian casualties.

Russia also condemned the Israeli strikes and considered them a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

Three security sources told Reuters that 33 Syrians and six Hezbollah fighters had been killed in the strikes. One of the Hezbollah fighters was a local field commander whose brother had been killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon in November, one of the sources said.

It represented the single highest death toll in Israeli strikes on Syria since Oct. 7.

ISRAEL-LEBANON BORDER FIGHTING

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon on Friday killed a Hezbollah fighter, security sources in Lebanon said.

The head of the IRGC's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, met Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in February to discuss the risk if Israel were to launch a full offensive against Hezbollah, and received an assurance that the group did not want to drag Iran into war with Israel, sources have said.

Hezbollah has said it would stop firing into Israel if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza. Israeli and U.S. officials, however, have said a ceasefire in Gaza would not automatically extend to Lebanon.

Hezbollah said that it had fired across the border at Israel eight times on Friday.

Israeli Air Force (IAF) pilots have stepped up practising long-range strikes across the northern border as normal training activities have resumed in recent weeks after being suspended at the start of the Gaza war, the military said this week.

"The training program will focus on increasing the IAF's readiness for war in the northern arena and in other arenas during prolonged combat," it said in a statement.

The drills include rehearsing for "massive, long-range strikes, flying deep into enemy territory," it added.

(Reporting by Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Hatem Maher; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Miral Fahmy, William Maclean and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
In a stunning development in Kentuckys Republican-controlled legislature, a controversial bill to dismantle and defund diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public colleges and universities died Thursday night as the 2024 regular legislative session neared its end.

The latest version of Senate Bill 6, initially filed by Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, would have prohibited public higher education institutions from allocating resources to fund DEI offices and individual staff positions if they were in any way charged with implementing or promoting DEI outside the context of academic courses and classroom instruction.

The bill repeatedly referred to DEI practices as discriminatory concepts.

Just before midnight, the Senate adjourned without agreeing to the sweeping changes the House of Representatives made to one of its priority bills earlier this month.

That means the Senate missed a crucial deadline that all but ensures the anti-DEI measure is dead this legislative session.

The 10-day veto recess begins Friday. Any bills passed on the final two days of the session in April  the 12th and 15th  could be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, leaving the adjourned legislature unable to override him.

Beshear has repeatedly affirmed his support for diversity, calling anti-DEI bills a political bogeyman and signaling he would veto any anti-DEI measure that reached his desk.

Why did momentum on the bill stall?

Senate GOP leaders had little to say about intra-caucus discussions about the bill, which changed drastically in the House compared to the initial version sent over by the Senate.

Leadership did mention that the votes within the Republican caucus werent there to pass the bill.

Its been contentious within our caucus, and thats about all I can say  thats all I will say, Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said.

When asked, Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, was also mum about what exactly held the bill up during the caucus meeting Thursday evening.

Nope, he told the Herald-Leader. Thats revealing what happens in a closed caucus discussion, and Im not going to do that.

Thayer and Stivers said they hadnt discussed the possibility of passing the bill after the veto break when it will be vulnerable to a veto from Beshear.

House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said there was just a disagreement in languages.

With neither side really willing to to give substantively on it, there was no compromise reached, he said.

Senate Minority Whip David Yates, D-Louisville, said he was relieved that SB 6 wasnt called for a vote.

I think through open, honest debate and education, it lost support from many of the colleagues that had otherwise championed it, Yates said. I think when there wasnt the votes to pass it, the decision was made not to call (it). We continued, from the very beginning, to rally against it, to educate on the negative effects of how its used, and then also look at whats happened in other states that have moved forward with other models.

Kentucky seemed ripe for passage of such a measure, as anti-DEI bills similar to SB 6 have increasingly found reliable allies in conservatives across the country. In total, 81 bills regulating diversity, equity and inclusion have been filed in 28 states since 2023  11 of which have become law  according to the Chronicle of Higher Educations DEI legislation tracker.

Backers of those bills have posed arguments similar to those from Kentucky Republicans: colleges and universities have become breeding grounds for liberal ideologies, as Wilson put it, and DEI a ruse to push that agenda, which has led to discrimination of the conservative viewpoint. By dismantling these offices and banning such concepts, it would actually truly diversify campuses, they argue.

As Wilson said when he filed his bill in January, our public universities have been plagued by a new form of discrimination, one driven by by ideologies attempting to suppress free speech and ideological diversity, undermine academic freedom and the principle of equal opportunity, devalue academic and professional merits, and reduce the values of diversity to a bureaucratic exercise.

Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, who commandeered the bill away from Wilson earlier this month in a committee substitute, said universities need to purge DEI from their campuses, calling such initiatives failed policy, misguided, and making college more divided, more expensive and less tolerant.

But the majority party in the Senate chose not to vote on the bill by the deadline Thursday, leaving DEI offices on campuses untouched and operational this year.

Rep. Jennifer Decker speaks and listens to comments on HB 470 at the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Thursday, March 2, 2022.

What would the bills have done?

Wilsons initial SB 6 didnt call for dismantling DEI offices, but proposed a prohibition on discriminatory concepts in non-classroom settings, like training sessions and orientations. Those concepts included race scapegoating, a belief that some individuals are inherently privileged, and any suggestion that Americans are not created equal.

Deckers version of SB 6 also swapped Wilsons definition of discriminatory concepts for more vaguely-defined ones to include any topic that is presented as truth, rather than a subject of inquiry that, for example, intrinsic inequities exist within an existing structure, system or relation of power because of oppression, colonialism, socioeconomic status, religion, race, sex, color or national origin.

SB 6 was one of three anti-DEI bills filed this session, all by Republicans.

In addition to defunding DEI offices, universities would have been barred from providing DEI training, or from fronting any cost associated with an employee traveling to attend a DEI training.

The bill wouldve also outlawed race-based scholarships and prohibited universities from showing differential or preferential treatment to a student or employee based on race, religion, sex, color or national origin. It also proposed banning diversity statements from students or staff, affirming their belief and work toward a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.

After the bills were filed, public universities around the state said they would remain committed to diversity on campus. Several said they do not use practices mentioned in the bills, like diversity statements where students or employees are asked to sign a statement affirming their belief in or work toward a diverse and inclusive campus.

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto spoke out strongly against the anti-DEI bills in February, calling them deeply concerning. Capilouto said he spoke with lawmakers, expressing concerns about the impact such bills could have on campus.

The truth is that our world and our state are changing, Capilouto said in February. We are growing more diverse. Indeed, we must, if our state is to grow economically. We should embrace that change and harness the opportunities it presents, not shrink from it.

Herald-Leader reporter Monica Kast contributed to this story.
An aggravated robbery suspect who was in a standoff with Colleyville police on Friday has been hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.

On Friday morning, the Dallas Police Fugitive Unit was surveilling a possible aggravated robbery suspect as part of an ongoing investigation when the suspect led Dallas police into the city of Bedford, Colleyville police said in a Facebook post.

Just before 10:30 a.m., Dallas authorities contacted Bedford police for assistance to conduct a traffic stop on the suspects vehicle. Bedford officers located the suspect driving and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, according to the post.

Shortly after, Colleyville police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Brentwood Drive to assist in apprehending the suspect. Colleyville police were told the driver had not yielded when Bedford police had initiated a traffic stop. The driver continued to flee from officers into Brentwood Court before getting out of the vehicle. The suspect had a pistol in his hand, but he was not pointing it or discharging it at anyone, police say.

Colleyville and Bedford officers kept the subject contained while a Code Red alert was sent around 11 a.m. to nearby residents, urging them to stay inside their homes and lock their doors, according to the post.

Multiple SWAT Teams with negotiators responded to the location, in addition to outside agency drone operators, a K-9 officer, air support and other resources.

After almost 3 hours of negotiations, the North Tarrant Regional SWAT Team used a non-lethal distraction method in an attempt to resolve the situation, police said.

During the deployment of the distraction devices, the suspect grabbed his handgun from the hood of his vehicle, turned it on himself, and discharged the weapon, according to police.

Colleyville Fire Department paramedics, who were staged nearby, immediately responded to the scene and rendered aid, police said. Paramedics then transported the subject to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Today's top stories:

 Crystal Mason didnt vote illegally, appeals court rules; conviction reversed

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The guiding light for emergency management and homeland security officials to do their job, reduce natural threats and protect people and properties is the Columbus-Muscogee County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

And for the first time, climate change is part of that plan: The soon-to-be-complete 2024 plan added climate change considerations, landslides, extreme temperatures (hot and cold), and social vulnerability.

James Westbrook, the vice president of Lux Mitigation and Planning worked closely with 14 working groups or committee members, such as the Muscogoee County School District, American Red Cross and Columbus Consolidated Government, to update the plan. They met twice over two long workshop days in September to give valuable input about what they deemed as hazardous and risky to the area. This was open to the public as well.

The committee and individuals in the community have a good grasp of what the hazards are that could impact their area, Westbrook said. We looked back to the time frame from 1973 through todaya 50-year time frame. From federal disaster declarations to severe storms and tornadoes in the 90s all the way up to COVID-19.

The 10 natural hazards that the group identified are:

Severe thunderstorms

Winter storms

Flooding

Tornadoes

Drought

Wildfire

Earthquakes

Tropical cyclones

Extreme temperatures

Landslides

Of those, landslides and extreme temperatures are new to the list of potential hazards.

The plan, required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, allows Emergency Management Director Chance Corbett to apply for grants to pay for tools and equipment to save lives.

We reference items in our plan when applying for grant money to FEMA, Corbett said.

The last plan (2017-2022) was finalized in 2018 and is due for an update every five years per a federal regulation.

Westbrook, who also worked on the 2028 Hazardous Mitigation Plan for Columbus, used the National Risk Index for determining risk potential. The risk index determined lightning the highest risk, but hurricanes caused the highest annual loss with over $4 million in risk value.

Tornadoes were the second highest risk value at $2.5 million. These numbers come from reviewing past disasters within the risk index tool. The risk index calculates the risk value by taking the value of buildings in a jurisdiction to the frequency of the hazard multiplied by the historic loss ratio.

Designed to flood, the River Walk in Columbus has almost reached capacity on Sept 17, 2020, after Tropical Storm Sally passed through last night.

What the plan says about climate change

In April 2023, FEMA required all local plan updates to consider climate change.

Most of the data is inconclusive with climate changelike tornadoes and severe weather,

The climate consideration sections use phrases like could potentially have ... , or it is not clear how climate change could ... 

In the report, the tornado section for climate consideration reads: How climate change impacts tornadoes in Columbus-Muscogee County in the future has yet to be determined. It is possible that tornadoes could increase, decrease, or remain the same in frequency and/or increase, decrease, or remain the same in severity.

In contrast, the tropical cyclone hazard  which includes hurricanes  was more conclusive in its climate change consideration section: Climate change could, potentially, have a significant impact on the expected impacts of tropical cyclones on Columbus-Muscogee County. Tropical cyclones could become more frequent and/or more severe as a result of climate change.

Two natural hazards not in the previous plan were extreme temperatures and landslides.

Landslides were added because the committee brought this up during the risk assessment meetings last fall. They had concerns because there was a landslide in 2014 at Rockdale Drive and another in 2015 near Bradley Circle. Though landslides are not highly susceptible per the latest US Geological Survey but are more likely from extreme rain events that are exacerbated by climate change.

Extreme heat and cold are the other two hazards new to the plan.

Columbus-Muscogee County has been exposed to extreme cold/wind chill and excessive heat events on 51 occasions since 1996, the plan said. Forty-one of these are extreme heat and 10 are from extreme cold. The plan cited the wind chill in Columbus on Dec. 24, which pushed the temperature down into the single digits.

Nearly 15% of Columbus is above the age of 65, and 20% is under the poverty line, leaving a large percentage of the population susceptible of heat-related illness, according to the report.

Social vulnerability a factor in Columbus too

In addition to climate considerations, FEMA now requires local plans to look at social vulnerability as an aspect to hazard mitigation.

According to Westbrook, there are seven census tracts in Columbus that are socially vulnerable and increasingly susceptible to extreme temperatures, floods, thunderstorms and tornadoes.

The CDC social vulnerability index depicting social vulnerability at census level. There are seven in Muscogee County with very high vulnerability

These areas immediately to the east of downtown Columbus, and they score higher on all four aspects of social vulnerability as identified by the CDC, which is socioeconomic status, household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation, Westbrook said on a public meeting phone call on Wednesday.

The social vulnerability index score was very high, at 95 out of 100 for all of Columbus.

Corbett said he is well aware of the areas that are socially vulnerable.

We keep this in mind when we do programs, he said.

One of the current programs Corbetts team is rolling out is distributing 1,500 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios that activate anytime there is a local severe weather alert from the National Weather Service. The radios will go to public officials and public schools, and there will be some for the public.

If your phone is on vibrate and you dont get the alert, this will work, Corbett said. Our job is to increase communication and we take a holistic, layered approach.

The smart radios came at a pricetag of $45,000 from a FEMA grant.

Westbrook, of Lux Mitigation, was hired by the city and fully paid through a FEMA grant as well.

After identifying risks, the other half of the plan is dedicated to mitigation strategies.

The committee identified 120 mitigation strategies and Westbrook broke these down into six objectives:

Reduce damage to property with preventative measures. Ex: Dont build a house on a floodplain. Property Protection Measures. Ex: Adding a safe room in a fire department or altering property to make it more resilient. Use natural resource protection. Ex: Maintain maintenance of existing trees, and keep wetlands for flood plains. Use structural mitigation. Ex: Install larger culverts (a large concrete structure to go under a roadway) to allow water to go under a road, or build a tornado shelter. Increase the ability for Columbus government to respond. Ex: Via emergency services, adding sirens, hiring more employees, Increase public education  buying inches in the L-E, creating flyers, using social media.

Whats next?

Wednesday was the last chance for the public to weigh in before Westbrook sends the draft plan to FEMA. He is waiting for the hazardous report from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, which will add values missing in the current draft for things like flood damage cost.

It should turnaround within 45 days, and then it will be presented to Columbus City Council as the new hazardous mitigation plan for the city, signed by the city manager.

It can be amended at anytime should new technology or new plans need to be added, Corbett said.
Head of a Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB)'s Hanoi branch has been arrested for allegedly swindling VND338 billion ($13.63 million) from customers.

Bui Thi Hoai Anh, 40, was arrested as part of an investigation into accusations that the lender's Thanh Xuan branch in Vietnams capital "obtained property by fraud," said vice director of Hanoi police Nguyen Thanh Tung on Thursday.

In October 2023, Hanoi police received reports from MSB insiders that Anh had "showed signs" of stealing VND165 billion from customers.

An investigation revealed that Anh could be prosecuted for stealing a total of VND338 billion from eight of the branch's customers.

Authorities have yet to announce a list of her alleged accomplices, but are instead focused on recovering the assets in question in order to return them to victims.

Nguyen Thi Lan, 58, opened an MSB account in early 2021 per a suggestion by a bank employee.

She was told that the account would be managed by MSB, which would report to her the amount of money held at the end of each day and at the end of each month.

The agreement stated that the account could be accessed via mobile applications.

The money that Lan deposited had a term of between 1-4 weeks.

If she wanted to withdraw funds at the end of the term, or extend the timeframe, she would need to inform the bank at least a day in advance, according to allegations.

The first time Lan made a transaction via the account, she saw that information reported to her online was correct, so she continued sending money to the account.

By Oct. 7 last year, she had sent a total of VND58.6 billion. Every time she sent the money, she received confirmation from the bank.

However, on Oct. 12 last year, when Lan visited the MSB branch in person to request a bank statement, she found out that there was only VND93,000 left in her account. She said she did not withdraw any money, nor did she approve any transaction for the money to be withdrawn.

In a Tuesday announcement, MSB said it had received similar feedback from many customers who said their money in accounts opened at the bank had disappeared.

The bank then said that during a regular inspection at the Thanh Xuan branch, the lender had discovered certain employees displaying "abnormal signs with a group of customers."

The bank said that it then reported the matter to police for further investigation.
U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada poses for a portrait at his office at the old federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. He represents the most populous judicial district in the United States, which stretches from San Luis Obispo to Orange counties. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)

In mid-January, U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada stood in front of a bouquet of microphones with a phalanx of prosecutors behind him. Their somber faces matched that of their boss, even though the group was celebrating.

A federal judge had just sentenced former Los Angeles Councilmember Jose Huizar to 13 years in prison for his role in a sprawling corruption scheme that continues to stain L.A. politics.

To the English-language media, Estrada  dressed in a sharp gray suit with a U.S. Department of Justice pin clasped to his lapel  inveighed against Huizar for abusing his power to use City Hall as his personal ATM. His remarks in Spanish weren't as long  but were harsher.

Jose Huizar, he stated in a deep, deliberate voice, traiciono a su propio pueblo"  betrayed his own people. Estrada hadn't used that line in English.

Since becoming U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California in the fall of 2022, the 46-year-old Estrada has overseen one headline-grabbing case after another. Convictions for civic corruption scandals in Los Angeles and Anaheim. A lawsuit against City National Bank that resulted in a $31-million settlement over allegations it avoided loans to buyers in Black and Latino neighborhoods. Charges against white supremacists for sparking riots at protests. Investigations into illegal gambling rings, with the name of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani recently surfacing. (Ohtani claims his former interpreter stole the money that was wired from his bank account to a bookie.)

Read more: Biden nominates new U.S. attorney for Los Angeles region

Estrada heads the most populous federal judicial district in the country, with more than 25 million residents across seven Southern California counties. He's the public face of U.S. law in the region. To hear him so effortlessly code-switch  deliver the same message differently depending on audience  struck me as bold yet smart. What kind of fed was hip enough to do that?

I caught up to Estrada shortly after the press conference to ask why he decided to be more pointed en Espanol.

Its extremely personal for the Latino community, Estrada replied, as he hurried off to speak at a UCLA School of Law symposium on hate crimes. Too often, we saw this conduct in our home countries. We fled that corruption, and to see someone conduct themselves in that matter feels like a betrayal.

I reminded him of that conversation last month in his spacious 12th-story office at the old federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. A bowl of Trader Joe's dark chocolate cups lay at the center of the table where we sat; his stand-up work desk was behind us. Newspaper and magazine articles hanging on the wall from his career as a federal prosecutor and private attorney competed for space with art prints, photos of heroes like Dolores Huerta and shelves packed with commemorative mugs from the grueling Baker to Vegas relay, which he ran until recently.

We did excellent work for Southern California, important work for Southern California," Estrada said, referring to Huizar's conviction. He's of average height and as taut in demeanor as his lacquered, high fade haircut. "A lot of times, the DOJ likes to operate in obscurity. And there's a lot of mystery to the Department of Justice, but it's important people know that we're here as a check.

U.S. Atty. E. Martin Estrada walks with his legal team to a news conference after a jury found former Los Angeles Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas guilty of corruption on Thursday, Mar. 30, 2023. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

He was born in Brooklyn to parents who fled poverty and a repressive government in Guatemala. The family regularly returned to the Central American country to visit relatives  and during one of those vacations, they were robbed at gunpoint.

We immediately go to the police station, and they just laughed and laughed at the whole thing, he recalled. We don't have a perfect system [in the United States]. But we do have a law enforcement that cares and wants to protect people. And that was critical to me to seeing the difference [with] here.

The Estradas eventually moved to Costa Mesa. In seventh grade, Estrada binge-watched Ken Burns Civil War documentary series for a school project, only to get an F after a teacher accused him of plagiarism. At Mater Dei, a teacher wouldnt let him take AP history despite having straight As, claiming he wouldnt succeed.

There is a little bit of a chip on your shoulder you get from that, he admitted. But every time you get these rejections, every time you get people questioning, you see that as an opportunity to prove them wrong.

Estrada settled on law as a UC Irvine undergrad, after volunteering for the Legal Aid Society and realizing you can help people in their most dire times in the courtroom. He didnt even know what a U.S. attorney did until landing a summer job in the offices Santa Ana branch while attending Stanford Law School. He helped prepare motions for a successful corruption case against former Santa Ana Councilmember Ted Moreno and another case where a Latino gang kept blocking Black people from using a park.

I remember writing up a civil rights memo and thinking, This is exactly the type of work I should be doing,'" Estrada said.

He ping-ponged between the U.S. attorneys office and private practice throughout his career, focusing on organized crime in the former position and civil rights in the latter. His most prominent private case involved the fight over Bruces Beach, a piece of coastal property in Manhattan Beach taken from a Black couple over a century ago.

As the lead attorney for the descendants of the original owners, Estrada helped defeat a lawsuit that sought to prevent Los Angeles County from transferring the property back to his clients. The groundbreaking case has inspired actions across the United States trying to address similar historical wrongs.

Read more: Essential California: The plan to give back Bruce's Beach

While the Bruce's Beach lawsuit was happening, the Hispanic National Bar Assn. approached Estrada in early 2022 to gauge his interest in becoming the region's U.S. attorney.

And the first thing I thought, Estrada said with a straight face and tone, was kind of like the line from Wayne's World': I'm not worthy.

His law partners suggested that he drop out of the Bruces Beach case because it could upset people," he recalled. "But I said, This is too important to worry about politics. Let the chips fall where they may.

President Joe Biden nominated Estrada to head the Central District of California in June 2022; the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him three months later. Estrada is the first U.S. attorney of Guatemalan descent in the nation.

He welcomes the idea that there's additional responsibilities, there's additional obligations as a Latino in such a powerful position. One of the first cases he was assigned as an assistant U.S. attorney was the extradition of suspects in the murder of Enrique Kiki Camarena, an undercover DEA agent tortured to death in Mexico in 1985.

I was one of a handful of Latinos, one of the few [in the office] who could speak Spanish, Estrada said. My takeaway was also it's a sad commentary on the diversity of the legal profession. You know, the new guy is the one put in there because they don't know anyone else. So it's been a big emphasis point for me that our office should more closely reflect the beautiful diversity of Southern California.

Assistant Atty. Gen. Kristen Clarke, right, and U.S. Atty. E. Martin Estrada announce a proposed settlement of the government's lending discrimination lawsuit against City National Bank. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

We talked about his desire to double down on environmental crimes, consumer protections, civil rights and white supremacist groups in Southern California ("They're so sophisticated, using things like the dark web, preying on kids, manipulating kids' minds to get them on their side," he said of the white supremacists.)

But I was most curious about civic corruption. While emphasizing that he doesnt see Los Angeles as any more corrupt than other cities, Estrada did criticize what he feels is a political culture that has allowed elected officials to amass power somewhat unchecked. He mentioned Huizar and Mark Ridley-Thomas, the L.A. political heavyweight sentenced last summer to 3 years in prison for fraud and bribery. (Ridley-Thomas is appealing his conviction).

If you allow these types of things to fester, they grow and they can destroy democracy, Estrada said. [The law] has gotta apply to everyone. And if you have the powerful, whether it be politicians or corporate executives, able to get away with things that other people can't, that creates cynicism.

Any other L.A.-area political corruption cases in the works?

He began to answer, smiled, then stopped. We will continue to be vigilant in this area, he finally responded.

Had to ask!

Does Estrada think of himself as a crusader?

I wouldn't use that term, he said, then thought for a bit. I would say I'm a child of Southern California. It means a great deal to me to do the right thing by my people. And that's why I'm in this job.

As our hour wrapped up, I asked what message he had for Southern Californians.

I am here for you.

And for the bad guys?

We are a very resourceful, organized, sophisticated office. We track some of the most dangerous actors in this district. You may not know it, but we're tracking it. We investigate quietly, but when we charge, we are aggressive, and we make sure there's full accountability.

Let the chips fall where they may.

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.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/ KUSI)  Starting Friday, the city of San Diego will begin enforcing the newly revised sidewalk vendor ordinance.

The crackdown on sidewalk vending activity has been going on since last year, but what has happened more recently is that many vendors have been using use the First Amendment as a loophole to avoid following the new rules.

Cesar Chavez Day: Whats open, whats closed

As a result, the city council revisited the sidewalk vending ordinance in February to clean up the language. It clarified which vendors are protected under the First Amendment and which are not.

Heres what the revision notes:

Activities in public protected by the First Amendment

 Speaking on a street corner or in a park about a political, ideological or religious topic

 Distributing brochures

 Art sales and art creation, including paintings, caricatures, balloon animals, sculpture, and other visual arts sold by the artist

 Street performances/busking

 Face painting or henna tattoos

 Distribution or sale of books, music, paintings, photographs, sculpture or CDs or recordings created by the person selling the items

Examples of activities that are not considered pure speech

 Sales of handcrafts like jewelry, pottery,

 Sales of personal care products, including makeup, lotion, perfume, incense and incense burners

 Sales of mass produced items, including clothing and hats

 Food sales

 Teaching exercise, yoga, or dog training classes

 Hair braiding, massage, application of skin care, makeup or other products

Park rangers and police can now begin issuing fines and  in some cases  impound a vendors equipment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Commenting on his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to replace Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy obviously had "good reasons" for doing so, and that the military's duty is to obey orders.

Source: Colonel General Syrskyi in an interview with Ukrinform

Details: The appointment of Syrskyi followed the sensational and not entirely understood resignation of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The journalist asked about the reason for such changes, as well as the restructuring of almost the entire military leadership.

Quote: "The military has one duty  we don't discuss orders, we execute them. So if the president of the country, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, had reasons for such a replacement, especially during the active phase of the war, it means that these reasons are good.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi and I worked side by side in the most challenging times since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, and even before that. We worked as a team. I wish him success in his new and very responsible position."

Details: Syrskyi stated that "all the knowledge and experience gained during the full-scale war in battles with superior enemy forces will be used to increase the effectiveness of our actions and maximise the damage to enemy attack groups."

Syrskyi noted that the composition of the General Staff and other military command bodies will be replenished with combat officers with extensive practical combat experience gained on the battlefields of this war.

Read also: An army without Zaluzhnyi: Who is General Syrskyi, Ukraine's new Commander-in-Chief?

Background:

On 8 February 2024, Zelenskyy appointed Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the need to review military tactics and prevent stagnation at the front was one of the reasons why Valerii Zaluzhnyi had been dismissed as commander-in-chief.

On 7 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the appointment of Zaluzhnyi as Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has sent the corresponding request to the UK.

On 9 March, it was reported that General Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Lieutenant General Serhii Shaptala, former Chief of the General Staff, were released from military duty for health reasons.

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Mr Dakin told the BBC said the solar sites planned for farmland like his would affect food security [BBC]

A community has rallied around a farmer whose business is under threat from a 180-acre solar energy development.

Dozens of people from Heanor and surrounding villages in Derbyshire came out to support Andrew Dakin whose family has worked on Kidsley Park Farm for nearly 100 years.

Residents also raised concerns around the loss of green belt land and said the development is in the wrong place.

Mr Dakin told the BBC: "Without that support, I don't think I'd cope."

A full planning application is expected to be submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council which, if approved, would take away fields he uses to rear cattle for beef and leave only the house he lives in.

Residents in a number of communities in the Amber Valley are opposing plans for solar farms [BBC]

The solar farm, which would be built on Mr Dakin's farmland, is one of two applications for neighbouring solar farms north of Derby and Smalley, which would sit 500m apart and cover an area of 328 acres.

Mr Dakin, a third generation tenant farmer, said: "I would like the farm to stay forever as far as I'm concerned.

"It's not the answer putting solar on green fields - this land is for livestock and for crop growing like it has been for centuries.

"It's a waiting game now, it's been a stressful time for me. I've got good community support which is backing me all the way and without that support I don't think I'd cope as much as I do.

"Food security is becoming a major issue - hence the 'no farmers no food' message. People are realising we can't always rely on food from abroad as we did in the past."

Georgia Hubbard, from Heanor, said there is real concern within the community [BBC]

Georgia Hubbard, 22, from Heanor is the campaign coordinator for Save Kidsley Park Farm.

"I can't be more grateful to the people that have come out... stood with banners and placards protesting - it means so much to us that they care as much as we do.

"We've got green belt land, agricultural land and that's the land we need to protect. If that goes, it sets a precedent not only in Derbyshire but in the rest of the UK that this type of land is not protected.

"Everybody is on the edge of their seats to find out what happens - [the planning application] is hanging over everybody."

Chris Dent is one of many people who are against the plans for solar farms in the area [BBC]

Chris Dent is from the Save Denby Green Belt campaign group said people in the area welcome green energy projects but not on agricultural land.

"There's a lot of negative feeling from people around here - some are quite confused, some are quite angry.

"There are hundreds of these solar farm developments happening with hundreds more community groups fighting against them."

A spokesman for the solar farm developer, Intelligent Alternatives previously said harm to the green belt would "not be significant".

Mr Dakin's landlord, The Locko Estate, declined to comment.

More than 50 people turned out for a community rally in opposition to the solar farm plans [BBC]

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A fire ripped through the home of Northeast Portlands Pacific Market early Tuesday morning, and while officials say no one was injured in the fire, the community is feeling a huge loss.

After more than three decades of shopping in this large Asian supermarket, theres nothing but ashes left behind.

Missing boy, 4, found dead near Everett, Wash. after days-long search

We feel very sad that the fire happened to the supermarket, said Thao Tu, president of the Vietnamese Community of Oregon. It has been connected to the community for a long time. Ive been living in Portland since July 1991.

On Thursday, Portland fire crews came back to the strip mall to put out hotspots.

You have hot products tucked away underneath other objects that covered it so you dont penetrate it with water stream, said Rick Graves with Portland Fire & Rescue.

The community hopes Pacific Market will open its doors again, but its unclear when.

Its a cool sensation (to) go into this Asian market and be in this community thats so thriving and theres multiple languages being spoken and the availability of these food sources that we only see on vacation, Graves said.

When we first came to Portland to resettle in the U.S., we lived in Halsey apartment square and we can walk to the store. It was a destination for many people including firefighters, Tu added. We hope that the owner will consider to rebuild the store so people in the community will come back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The town of Lexington has halted a new internet providers work to install lines after it reportedly caused damage to residential property and public utilities.

North Carolina-based Ripple Fiber, which began installation in town in February, hit multiple water lines before work was stopped by Town Council on March 18, officials confirmed to The State. The town also relayed reports of various complaints from residents.

Most of the concerns that weve heard from residents have been about trucks driving in yards. It has been about yards being destroyed and then not being put back to the same condition by which they found it. Weve heard concerns about workers or contractors that work for them literally using the bathroom in the bushes, Lexington Town Councilman Gavin Smith said.

Theres been a broad spectrum of issues, but Id say the majority circulate around just the disrespect for peoples properties, destroying property and not taking care of it the way that we certainly expect companies who do business in the town to take care of our residents properties.

Town officials detailed that Ripple damaged seven water lines between Feb. 29 and March 8, in addition to damage to roads, driveways and yards.

Council issued a stop work order until an agreement is reached for Ripple to begin the work anew, with both Smith and Mayor Hazel Livingston saying that allowing the company to resume installation will be contingent on the town feeling confident that it will no longer be causing problems.

In order to get back to work, Ripple Fiber needs to execute a franchise agreement, operate in compliance with SC 811, the mayor said, referring to state requirements for existing utility lines to be marked ahead of any digging, and continue coordination with all utility providers.

Smith said hes looking to make sure residents are protected.

My vote will not be to lift their stop work order until they have a proper franchise agreement in place, he said. And additionally, that they can guarantee us that they will respect our residents property, rather than using words such as quickly and, you know, Its a race to get the fiber out. 

Smith said that he received explanations from Ripple about the haste with which the work has proceeded.

I guess its a race among companies, he said. They shared those sentiments ... Were working quickly  this is a quick-moving situation, or a quick-moving market, and that they know that its a race to get fiber laid around in different areas around the community.

Emily Adams, corporate communications director with Ripple, pushed back on the notion that its work is being rushed by competition, explaining that the company began the permitting process for its work in Lexington in November.

We are not operating based on pressure from competitors, but rather we are motivated to move the construction process along to shorten disruption and deliver fiber internet to residents in a timely manner, she said via email.

Town officials said they are meeting weekly with Ripple and its subcontractors in an attempt to iron out issues, and the town and the company came together for a public meeting for residents to raise concerns and ask questions on March 12.

Adams emphasized the efforts the company is making to work with the town to resolve issues with its installation, noting that postcards and door hangers were distributed to inform residents about the work, in addition to digital communication distributed through the towns website and social channels.

We strive for enhanced communication and minimal disruption throughout the construction process, she said via email. Since our project began, we have worked to increase our collaboration efforts with the Town to ensure all needs are met and concerns are addressed in a timely, thoughtful manner.

Another provider, Lumos Fiber, had a halt put on its work last month in Columbia after hitting several gas lines and water mains across the city, moving ahead with installation in Lexington County in the meantime.

Both companies are working with subcontractors to lay their lines in the Midlands, but The State hasnt yet gotten clear answers on which subcontractors each is using.

Adams said Ripple hires subcontractors based on location, availability and expertise, we work with fully licensed, reputable partners for all of our projects.
From the G-File on The Dispatch

Dear Reader (except you Norwegians hoarding Easter eggs),

If you go into a car dealership and say, Im going to buy a car today, but I have one drop-dead, non-negotiable, requirement: I need a blue car. Everything else is open to negotiation, two things are definitely going to happen: 1) youre going to buy a blue car and 2) youre going to spend too much on a blue car.

I often use hypotheticals like this to rant against what I call one-thingism. Sometimes, when I want to sound fancy, I use words like monocausality or monism, but that sometimes invites philosophy and theology buffs to start talking about neo-Platonism, monotheism, or even henotheism. And, sometimes, pervy dudes think Im saying moan-ism which is a common form of auralism. I dont want to talk about any of that.

If you listen to The Remnant, youve heard me rant against monocausal explanations, the idea that a complex event happened for a single, usually simple, reason.

Fun fact: I am so ill-disposed to monocausal explanations that I just wrote like 600 words expanding on the point, but decided to cut them so I could get to my actual point faster.

So to summarize what I just threw on the cutting-room floor, there are instances for which monocausal explanations are valid. But they tend to be very tightly constrained to narrow facts and time periods. Why did Lincoln die? For that I can give a simple singular answer: John Wilkes Booth fatally shot him. What did Lincoln die for?

How much time do you have?

Good historians hate monocausal explanations. If you ever meet one who says there was one reason for stuff like the fall of Rome, or the rise of the Bolsheviks or the Nazis, you can be pretty sure youre talking to a bad historian.

My objection to one-thingism extends into normal life, too. If youre looking for a potential spouse and your criteria is a single-item checklist, things probably wont go well. The one arguable exception is, of course, love. But I cut several hundred words explaining how love is really a multivariate thing that magically becomes a unitary thing. So, lets leave that there.

What I mean is that if, like the guy looking to buy a blue car, you tell me the one thing Im looking for in a woman is height. Shes gotta be really tall, Im gonna try to talk you out of it. If I cant, dont be surprised when you find yourself saying something like, Sure, Sandra is a heroin addict kleptomaniac with horrible halitosis, but man shes tall. I definitely found the one!

One implies two.

I think itd be fun to say that monocausality is the cause of all of our problems. But for obvious reasons I cant go that far. Still, I think one-thingism is at the heart of a lot of our dysfunction.

The desire to reduce everything down to a single cause, it seems to me, stems from a desire for certainty. A classic example of this is theological. Everything that happens is Gods will. Now, I have no problem with this at a very high level of abstraction. But the closer you get to life on the ground, the more you have to make allowances for free will. Sin is impossible if everything you choose to do was Gods will. Its been a while since I read the Bible, but Im pretty sure there are lots of examples in both testaments of God getting mad at people for doing things He didnt want them to do. If theres no free will, then God getting mad at the golden calf-worshippers or the temple moneychangers is like me getting mad at a remote control car for crashing into a tree.

Marxism, a shadow religion of Christianity and Judaism, was a cathedral to one-thingism. Every development could be reduced to a single secular demiurge. The unfolding scientific process of class antagonism explained everything. And if you had a different understanding of the facts, it wasnt because other theories had equal claims to the truth, it was because you couldnt see reality the way only Marx and Marxists can. The mode of production of material life conditions the social, political, and intellectual life process in general. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, Marx wrote, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness.

A lot of people like to say that various forms of identity politics are Marxist. The most forceful opponents of this view arent the practitioners of identity politicsmany of them like the association with Marxist radicalism. No, the people who really hate this claim are doctrinaire Marxists themselves. If you say that race is more important than class, youve dethroned the scientific certainty of the Marxist project. The place where the Venn diagrams overlap is the shared hubris and theoretical imperialismor one-thingismof both camps. Our theory explains everythingor at least everything importantand if you disagree you are an enemy of truth. Ibrim Kendi explicitly believes that theres no safe harbor outside of his racist/anti-racist paradigm. Youre either with us or against us. If every explanation for the problemsreal or perceivedof black people or women is racism or sexism, youre reducing the complexity of life and individual agency to a single variable.

Im not saying, by the way, that racism and sexism lack explanatory power, Im saying they lack all-explanatory power. As a matter of logic, saying racism explains every bad thing is no different than saying Satan explains every bad thing.

Ive talked about all this before. But whats newat least in my headis the realization that one-thingism is in reality dualism. Because if X is everything good and right to you, then not-X is your enemy. But heres the thing. Not-X could be A, B, C, D, E  and everything but X on your way to Z. And, once you run out of letters, you can start using combinations of letters or symbols to expand the list.

And that brings me to politics. For a bunch of reasons, our politics these days reduces everything to X versus Not-X. The reasons include, but are not limited to: the two-party system, polarization, tribalism, self-sorting, changing media, stupid binary ideologies that reduce everything to oppressors and victims, popular-frontism, the failures of countless educational and cultural institutions, and the evolved mechanics of our brains. Many tributaries and rivers have converged to form the wave of one-thingism.

Oh, I left out an important variable: Donald Trump. Both parties are tribal these days and have been for a while. But the Republican Partys tribalism has been grafted to Donald Trump. Tribal partisanship used to have the sometimes salutary (sometimes not!) effect of enforcing ideological consensus around issues. Right now, issues simply do not matter very much in the GOP. We saw this in the Republican debates. The non-Trump candidates argued about relatively minor policy disagreements as if they mattered a lot. I wish they did. But the reason they didnt is that the party as a practical matter internally cares only about one issue: loyalty to Donald Trump. Externally, the party claims the real issue is opposition to Joe Biden and the Not-X party. Indeed, thats their chief argument to whip people into supporting Trump. And its working.

Lets talk about the internal dynamic for a second. The Republican National Committee (RNC) is reportedly asking job applicants to affirm that they think the 2020 election was stolen. Apologists justify this on elaborate claims that the election was stolen so of course the RNC should consider loyalty to the lie a prerequisite. The problem isnt merely that its a lie or that the people who will affirm the lie are either liars or ignorant about how elections work. Though that in itself is a problem. Experts in how elections workexperts the RNC needsknow that Dominion, Hugo Chavez, North Koreans, or Italian satellite operators not only didnt steal the 2020 election but that they couldnt steal it. If you dont know this, youre not going to be a quality hire. Think of this way: If you think Bill Gates didor could haveput mind controlling microchips in the COVID vaccine, youre probably a crappy epidemiologist.

But the real problem is that the stolen election lie is a pretext emanating from the more salient fact that Trump is an insecure narcissist who cannot handle the idea that he lost or that anyone thinks hes a loser. Thats the one-thingism Trump is imposing on the GOP. The party is institutionally locked into Critical Trump Theory. And like other forms of critical theory, its a form of one-thingism.

The ego-maintenance stuff is just the most obvious example of it. But it poisons policy debates everywhere you look. Because Trump says he wont touch entitlements, its now a kind of tribal heresy to make the same math-based arguments conservatives have made for decades. Because Trump is pro-Putin, apologies for Putinism or condemnations of Ukraine are party priorities, heedless of the arguments or facts. Not-X is defined as anything Trump opposes or that is problematic for Trump.

The iron-cage binary thinking.

Its a really simple insight. But I find it hugely helpful in understanding a whole bunch of things, starting with my exhaustion with the stupidity of so much of our politics.

Every dayevery hour if Im on TwitterIm informed, heckled, harassed, and harangued that the entire world of politics is reducible to a simple brainless binary. If youre not for Trump, youre for Biden. If youre not for Biden, youre for Trump. Whenever I complain about something terrible going on, Im told by Trumpers who think I voted for Biden (I didnt) that you voted for this. If I say the Alvin Bragg case is unsound, Im told Im pro-Trump. All complexity and nuance is sluiced into one of two steaming vats of idiocy. (Read the comments to Ramesh Ponnurus Washington Post column this week in defense of being a double hater for some truly pristine examples of this brain rot).

Partisan politics isnt the only manifestation of this craptacularly insipid Manichaeism. The purest manifestations of one-thingism and the false certainty it provides are conspiracy theories. Thats because conspiracy theorists consider evidence that the conspiracy doesnt exist to be proof of how successful it is. They reduce complicated events, accidents, mistakes, surprises, tragedies, and unwelcome successes to a single monocausal explanation: Sinister forces did it. Morons insisting that the CIA or the Deep State or the Egg Council were behind the tanker hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge find their proof in the thing itself and in the official and expert denials that it was an accident.

Antisemitism is both one of the oldest forms of one-thingism and conspiracy theory and its everywhere these days.

We can argue about whether hatred of Israel is necessarily antisemitic if you want. I dont think it always is. But whats indisputable is that antisemitism suffuses much of the hardcore anti-Israel crowd. For them, all inconvenient facts are waved away, denied, or bent into moral perversion.

But black-and-white thinking of Israel hatred isnt just a story of antisemitism. The leftslargely correct and valuableelevation of rape and sexual assault as grave societal concerns has been defenestrated in order to protect the dignity and moral necessity of Hamas resistance. Homophobia and sexism, still great sins for white Americans, becomes invisible or a tolerable requirement of diversity when it comes to Islamic radicals.

I dont think we see anything like the mirror of that on the pro-Israel side, though surely some such extremists exist. But for the people who celebrate mass rape and murder as resistance, even Holocaust memorials and Holocaust survivors, are simply mockable ornaments of the forces of Not-X. I think that this stuff is objectively antisemitic, but even if its not, its objectively grotesque.

Meanwhile, in certain corners of the right, Christian nationalists are constructing (or reconstructing) cathedrals to theocratic one-thingism. Proponents of post-liberalism and the new nationalism openly talk about the need to impose a singular worldview on the country.

Our political life is punctuated constantly with little Spanish civil wars that demand onlookers pick a side in a movable feast of Rashomonism. Are you pro-Ronna McDaniel or pro-NBC? Are you on the side of the police or the criminals? Taylor Swift or Ted Nugent, Kyle Rittenhouse or the mob?

I am not saying theres never a clear distinction between right and wrong, or even between good guys and bad guys. Moral clarity is important. What I am saying is that these moments are rare and dont require lying or ignoring the truth. And when such moments present themselves, what to do in response is usually still complicated or difficult. If the complication and difficulty arent apparent to you, you should look harder. You shouldnt invent narratives or solutions that erase the complexity and difficulty, the way demagogues and populists across the ideological spectrum tend to do. For instance, I think the rapist, theocratic goons and criminals of Hamas constitute bad guys by every moral and political definition readily available to me. That doesnt mean dealing with them isnt difficult or complicated.

I am a soft convert to the Lewis brothers book The Myth of Left and Right. What I mean is that I subscribe to many of their arguments while not buying the hard version of their claim that the categories of left and right are meaningless. But I agree with them that the left-right binary fuels muddy thinking and cheap one-thingism.

So lets get back to X and Not-X. Ibram Kendi, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Rachel Maddow, and Bernie Sanders are on the left. But you know who else is on the left? Steven Pinker, John Fetterman, Lawrence Summers, anduntil this weekthe late Joe Lieberman. Reducing them all to the left is like reducing Tom Sowell, Cornell West, Condoleezza Rice, and O.J. Simpson to blacks. Its true, but the truth of the monism is, if youll forgive the problematic word choice, a whitewash of the complexity.

Belle Fourche, South Dakota, is the geographic center of the United States. But you wouldnt say Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is on the East Coast or Moab, Utah, is on the West Coast. But the ideological binary combined with the two-party binary causes millions of people, and hundreds of leading influencers, to talk about the political equivalent of Baton Rougeans and Moabites as if they were residents of San Francisco or Burlington.

Okay, Ive gone on for a while now. And I realize that all Ive basically done is expand on the old saw, There are two kinds of people in this world. People who think there are only two kinds of people and people who know better.

But I felt like I needed to get this off my chestor out of my head. Because every day for nearly a decade now people have asked me how I cant see the binary that is so obvious to them. I can see it. I agree its obvious. I just think its wrongmost of the time.

Various & Sundry

Note to readers: My able and affable aide-de-camp Guy Denton is moving on to other challenges. More on that later. Ive removed the pain collar. What this means in the near-term is that the weird links feature of the G-File will go on hiatus for a little while.

Canine update: This morning everything was as it should be on our walk. Pippa played and Zoe protected. right as treat time was about to commence, there was some unauthorized activity outside the house. Zoe and Pippa immediately ran to the door to warn the potential malefactors to stay away. But Zoe, being more experienced in security protocols understood that the threat was averted and returned to treat protocols. Pippa, for some reason, did not and lost her interest in treat time. People were concerned, but shes fine. Yesterday, the Fair Jessica was occupied with pressing matters, so it fell to me to appease Chester who will not leave the front porch without his tribute. In other news, after a hiatus of couple years, Zoe is back to her habit of nocturnal leaf protection. Still have no idea what that is about.

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.
Congressional leaders are slamming the Russian governments detention of American journalist Evan Gershkovich in a rare joint statement issued Friday, marking a year since his captivity began.

Evan Gershkovich, an American citizen and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has now spent a year wrongfully detained by Putins government. We continue to condemn his baseless arrest, fabricated charges, and unjust imprisonment, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in the statement.

Their remarks come just days after a Moscow court extended Gershkovichs pretrial detention until June 30. The legislative leaders maintained the importance of work like Gershkovichs in the face of his captivity.

The Kremlins attempts to silence Evan and intimidate other Western reporters will not impede the pursuit of truth, they said.

President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also drew attention to the one-year mark.

Today we mark a painful anniversary: one year of American journalist Evan Gershkovichs wrongful detention in Russia, Biden said in a statement.

The president and his top diplomat both commented on Gershkovichs resolve.

Evan has remained resilient despite the circumstances of living in Russian detention, Blinken said in a statement.

Biden promised to remain hopeful.

Shortly after his wholly unjust and illegal detention, he drafted a letter to his family from prison, writing, I am not losing hope. As I have told Evans parents, I will never give up hope either, Biden said.

Journalism is not a crime, read the statements from congressional leaders, Blinken and Biden.

We are with you. We will never stop working to bring you home, Biden said, addressing Gershkovich and all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

Blinken and the top lawmakers also repeated calls for the Russian government to release Gershkovich immediately.

Russia should end its practice of arbitrarily detaining individuals for political leverage and should immediately release Evan and Paul, Blinken said, referring to Paul Whelan, another American citizen detained in Russia.

We repeat our call for the Russian government to release Evan, Paul Whelan, and others it has wrongfully detained without further delay, the congressional leaders said.

The Wall Street Journals front page Friday featured a large portion of white space and a headline saying, HIS STORY SHOULD BE HERE to mark the first anniversary of Gershkovichs detention.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trumps attacks on the judges and court staff overseeing his criminal trials have much deeper legal implications than petty fines. Instead, the attacksand the responding passivity, acquiescence, and submissiveness by the nationare actively undermining the entire judicial system, prominent conservative judges are warning.

In a CNN interview Thursday evening, Republican-appointed federal District Judge Reggie B. Walton felt compelled to announce that Trumps continued attacks could result in tyranny. Just hours later, former Appeals Court Judge J. Michael Luttig, also a conservative, issued his own warning cry, declaring that Trump is responsible for the dismantling of the nations system of justice.

The Nation is witnessing the determined delegitimization of both its Federal and State judiciaries and the systematic dismantling of its system of justice and Rule of Law by a single manthe former President of the United States, started Luttig in a multipart thread on X.



In the months ahead, the former president can only be expected to ramp up his unprecedented efforts to delegitimize the courts of the United States, the nations state courts, and Americas system of justice, through his vicious, disgraceful, and unforgivable attacks and threats on the Federal and State Judiciaries and the individual Judges of these courts.

Never in American history has any person, let alone a President of the United States, leveled such threatening attacks against the federal and state courts and federal and state judicial officers of the kind the former president has leveled continually now for years.

Luttig also warned that Trump isnt accomplishing the task alone. Its the complicit Supreme Courtand the American peoplethat are letting Trump get away with it.

It is the responsibility of the Supreme Court of the United States in the first instance to protect the federal courts, the federal judges, and all participants in the justice system from the reprehensible spectacle of the former presidents inexcusable, threatening attacks, just as it is the responsibility of the respective State Supreme Courts in the first instance to protect their courts and their state judges from the same, he added. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the entire nation to protect its courts and judges, its Constitution, its Rule of Law, and Americas Democracy from vicious attack, threat, undermine, and deliberate delegitimization at the hands of anyone so determined.



Here was Waltons own dire warning:

Senior Judge Reggie Walton: We do these jobs because were committed to the rule of law & we believe in the rule of law & the rule of law can only function effectively when we have judges who are prepared to carry out their duties without the threat of potential physical harm. pic.twitter.com/V1GC7LVD2g  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 29, 2024
WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH)  Construction has kicked off on a multimillion dollar project aimed at improving pedestrian and biking pathways throughout a Westerville office district.

Contractors are installing the first phase, which includes concrete sidewalks on Brooksedge Drive between Schrock Road and Greencrest Drive within Westervilles Brooksedge Corporate Center. This phase, costing about $575,000, will also feature sidewalk installation along Greencrest Drive, in addition to complete curb and gutter replacement.

Fat Girl Bakery to close Westerville-area shop after opening last year

Westerville officials said through traffic will be maintained, but single lane closures can be expected during work hours, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The projects second phase, costing about $2.94 million, will be completed in 2025, with sidewalk installation along Brooksedge Boulevard, Park Meadow Road and Heatherdown Drive. Further pathways will also be constructed on Brooksedge Plaza Boulevard and Greencrest Drive. Curb and gutter repairs are included in this phase, too.

Named the Brooksedge Mobility Plan, the project by Westerville officials aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the Brooksedge Corporate Center, which is home to businesses like Eagle Equipment, Vector Security, Archive Data Solutions, M Engineering and Goldfish Swim School.

DiCarlos Pizza in Westerville to reopen under family management

Along with the Brooksedge project, Westerville is continuously repairing or replacing deficient sidewalk panels throughout the city at no direct cost to property owners. The program implemented in 2021 allows hazardous panels to be recorded by public complaint and then addressed during the following construction season as part of the citys Street Rehabilitation Project.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A Vietnamese American woman will be flying into space as part of a campaign sponsored by American non-profit organization Space for Humanity.

Amanda Ngoc Nguyen, 32, is going to space in line with the Space for Humanitys Citizen Astronaut Program, which aims to "empower each citizen astronaut to address global challenges with a broader outlook," according to the organization.

Nguyen will fly to space on a New Shepard rocket of Blue Origin, an American aerospace manufacturer, defense contractor, and launch service provider, becoming the first woman of Vietnamese origin to fly in space.

Amanda Ngoc Nguyen poses for a photo in ao dai, Vietnamese traditional costume. Photo courtesy of Nguyen

"I am thrilled to be partnered with Space for Humanity, not just for their support, but also their vision and values. Together, we're committed to changing the way we all think about the cosmos, each other, and humanity's future. I look forward to my journey to space as well as our continued journey to a brighter and better future," Nguyen said in a Space for Humanity's statement.

A 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Time Woman of the Year in 2022, Nguyen is a civil rights activist and founder of Rise, known for her work on the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act and advocacy for Asian American rights.

In a video released by the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam on Thursday, Nguyen said in Vietnamese:

"I am Vietnamese. Im flying to space so that young Vietnamese women can see themselves among the stars. Whats important for me is that I can carry my community by my side. I might be the first, but I will not be the last."

No specific date for the New Shepard launch has been announced.
PORT ST. LUCIE  After years of delays, construction has begun on the world's largest heart-shaped sculpture in Tradition, which eventually will be visible from the community's main entrance near Interstate 95.

The project also includes an adjacent shopping center with a national grocery store chain, local restaurants and medical facilities recently announced as tenants.

The first pieces of the 73-foot "Heart in the Park," situated within a park at Village Parkway and Discovery Way, will be in place by the end of the month, according to a news release from Mattamy Homes, the developer behind the project.

That meets the timeline set by Mattamy Southeast Florida Division President Dan Grosswald in a statement to TC Palm late last year.

A provided photo shows the first phases of construction of the world's largest heart shaped sculpture, "Heart in the Park," which is being built in Tradition.

World's largest heart sculpture could become a Port St. Lucie landmark

Were excited to bring Heart in the Park to life at Tradition and further enhance the art and culture scene in the community, Grosswald said in the news release Friday. This piece truly represents the heart of Tradition and will soon be a central place where residents can connect, forge friendships and enjoy the outdoors.

The sculpture, estimated to cost Mattamy upwards of $7 million, is designed by Orlando-based artist Jefre Figueras Manuel, known as JEFRE. At the time it was first announced in 2021, Grosswald predicted it would draw crowds to Port St. Lucie like the Cloud Gate sculpture, commonly called "The Bean," does to Chicago. In the latest release, it was compared to another famous landmark.

International artist JEFRE is designing a 73-foot heart-shaped sculpture for Tradition. It's to be completed by mid-2023, according to developers.

"The sculptures gentle twist will rise above a circular pedestal measuring 30 feet in diameter, recalling St. Louis iconic Gateway Arch," according to the release. "The sculptures surface will transform nightly with LED lights."

JEFRE has existing works in cities around the world, including Philadelphia, Orlando and Manila.

Shopping center being built alongside park, tenants announced

The sculpture will sit atop a raised plaza designed to align with the "Shoppes at the Heart" project, according to the release.

The release included announcements of many of the tenants of the new 71,000-square-foot shopping center.

It is to be anchored by an Aldi grocery store, according to the release, and include Kyle Gs Amore Chop House, Spanish restaurant Port Tradition, Le Bistro de Paris, Carmela Coffee, Swift Mediterranean Grill, Ace of Carts, Tomalty Dental, Cooper Orthodontist, The Joint Chiropractic.

Delays have been common along the way

International artist JEFRE is designing a 73-foot heart-shaped sculpture for Tradition. It's to be completed mid-2023, according to developers

Heart in the Park was initially to be complete in February 2022.

There were delays in the production and shipping of materials, and projections were pushed back to mid-2023. Then, when they did arrive, parts of the sculpture had been damaged in shipping, Grosswald said in December.

More: 'Big Heart' sculpture in Tradition now set for construction in 2024 after years of delays

More: King's Landing developers day late on key application, future deadlines also in question

With construction beginning on time, completion finally seems within sight. In December, Grosswald estimated the project would be complete sometime this year.

That said, Mattamy has not announced a grand opening date for the sculpture or the shopping center.

Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com and 504-331-0516.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Port St. Lucie heart sculpture, shopping center now moving forward
FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2014, file photo, former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin arrives at the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans. Nagin, who was convicted on federal bribery, money laundering and other corruption charges in 2014, has completed his 10-year sentence is asking a federal judge to restore his rights to carry a gun and vote. Prosecutors said Thursday, March 28, 2024, the New Orleans-based federal judge in the case has no authority to restore his federal firearms rights. And, it's up to the state of Texas, where he now lives, to decide on his voting privileges.(AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman, File)

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who was convicted on federal bribery, money laundering and other corruption charges in 2014, has completed his 10-year sentence and is asking a federal judge to restore his rights to carry a gun and vote.

But prosecutors said Thursday that the New Orleans-based judge has no authority to restore Nagin's federal firearms rights, and that it's up to the state of Texas, where he now lives, to decide on his voting privileges.

Nagin, 67, recently filed a court motion in New Orleans, noting that his federal prison time and supervision were officially over on March 15. Filing without an attorney, Nagin said he wants his firearms rights restored because he is still a high-profile individual and is recognized just about everywhere he goes and that he is concerned about his family's safety with our country experiencing so much violence.

He's asking for relief that she doesn't have the power to grant, Herbert Larson, an attorney and Tulane Law School professor said in an interview.

His comments were echoed in prosecutors' Thursday filing. It notes that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has the power to restore federal firearm rights but that Congress hasn't approved ATF spending for investigating and acting on applications.

Congress has never funded the means, the mechanism, for relief, said Larson.

As for voting rights, prosecutors said Nagin will have to contact Texas election officials.

A felons eligibility to vote is determined by the law of the state in which the felon seeks to vote and not by the federal court that presided over the felony conviction, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in Thursday's filing.

Texas allows felons to vote once they have fully discharged their sentence, according to the Texas State Law Library.

Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in 2014 after his conviction on charges including bribery, money laundering, fraud and tax violations. The charges stemmed from his two terms as New Orleans mayor from 2002 to 2010. The crimes outlined in the charges began before Hurricane Katrina and continued after the 2005 storm.

Nagin was granted supervised release from prison in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His March 19 motion also seeks return of his passport, which he surrendered before his trial. Prosecutors said surrendered passports are routinely forwarded to the State Department. They said they wouldn't oppose the passport being returned but noted that passports expire after 10 years.
On first pass, a late Key West icon famed for songs like Margaritaville and Why Dont We Get Drunk might seem a curious subject for a church sermon.

But for one Coral Gables pastor, Buffett is precisely the songwriter her parishioners could look to to find wisdom, joy and spirituality in  if they look and listen deeper. So she plans to share his gospel in her coming Sunday church sermon a week after Easter.

The word gospel means good news and we want to share the good news that is often found in Jimmy Buffetts music about finding joy in life, seeing the humor in things, embracing the beauty of the world around us be it the sun, sky, or sea; and enjoying unique and peculiar people that come into our lives bringing wisdom, a little craziness, and often a call to adventure, the Rev. Laurinda Laurie Hafner told the Miami Herald in an e-mail interview.

Hafner, in her 18th year as senior pastor at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, will preach to devout Parrotheads and the traditional faithful a sermon titled The Gospel According to Jimmy Buffett at the church across the street from the Biltmore Hotel on Sunday, April 7.

Jimmy Buffett performs at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre near West Palm Beach, Florida on Dec. 9, 2021. Two House bills passed unanimously to honor the late singer-songwriter. One would rename A1A the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway and another would create a specialty license plate named after his song, Margaritaville.

What you will hear at Buffetts service

The hour-long sermon will feature five decades of Buffett music. Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops may be the dress of choice at this particular service.

We can just see the twinkle in Buffetts eye.

The musician, who died last September at his Sag Harbor home of a rare form of skin cancer, has been the subject of plenty of tributes and honors of late  the renaming of A1A as the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, the enshrinement of Margaritaville in the Library of Congress, a Florida Margaritaville license plate, and the naming of a Florida sea creature after the troubadour whose career took flight in the Keys in the early-1970s, to name a few.

But this honor seems particularly fitting.

KNOW MORE: How Jimmy Buffett found his vibe in the Keys, and why Florida will miss his presence

Buffetts brand of spirituality

An attendee is seen before the start of a Jimmy Buffett concert at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday, December 9, 2021.

Buffett alluded to the spirituality of his music to his flock of fans on his 1990 tour, captured on his live album, Feeding Frenzy, on a cheeky spoken-word introduction to his naughtiest song entitled Todays Message.

As a church organ washed over his blended baritone-tenor, the Rev. Buffett, a once Catholic schoolboy who often wrote about his upbringing in his songs, teased his audience:

Welcome, welcome all. In the middle of this Parrothead madness this evening we thought it would be appropriate to take a few minutes of your time to reflect on a little spiritual healing. So when we get to this next song wed like for you to sing. I know that some of you may be a little hesitant here. The climate thats going around these days because some pea-brained people think that some of my songs are obscene and nasty. We know better dont we?

KNOW MORE: The longevity of mischief. Jimmy Buffett looks at 50 years after his first Key West gig

How Buffett fits in with the church

Count Hafner among the enlightened.

My philosophy of preaching is to preach with a Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, said Hafner who last September led a service at Gables Congregational on faith and the impact of book bans across the country.

Good preaching should reach into the lives of people, give them hope, courage, grace, and encouragement in the midst of all that is swirling around and challenging them. Buffets songs remind us to enjoy life, to care about others, tend to the earth, and find the joy in all that is, she said. And, who says that church or worship or sermons have to be solemn, dull or boring? While as people of faith we listen to the ancient voices of prophets, scripture writers and Jesus, we also pay attention to contemporary prophetic voices and those who carry a message that can inspire and call us to our better selves.

On the amusing We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About from his 1983 One Particular Harbor album, Buffett opens with a personal reflection.

I was supposed to have been a Jesuit priest/Or a Naval Academy grad/That was the way that my parents perceived me/Those were the plans that they had/But I couldnt fit the part/Too dumb or too smart/Aint it funny how we all turned out?

Hafner wants to share that message amid the flip-flops, colorful patterned shirts and rousing Key West soaked music at her Gospel According to Jimmy Buffett worship service.

While life is often challenging, difficult and hard, there is still much joy to be found, she said. We should embrace the day, enjoy the journey, and do some good stuff for others along the way. In the Bible, it reminds us that Sarah declared, God has brought me laughter. Therefore, laughter is a gift from God, and we should relish it every day.

Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band perform Fins during their concert at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday, December 9, 2021. A team of scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School named a new species of a member of a group of crustaceans, gnathiid isopods, the Gnathia jimmybuffetti after the singer-songwriter.

If you go

Jimmy Buffett recorded vocals for his final studio album, Equal Strain on All Parts, at his Key West recording studio in the spring of 2023. Floridas Legislature unanimously voted on March 5, 2024, to rename state road A1A the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.

What: The Gospel According to Jimmy Buffett worship service

Where: Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd.

When: 11 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 7.
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  One person has been arrested after it was discovered a 10-year-old girl who died in January had fentanyl in her system when she passed away.

According to the Greenville County Coroners Office, on January 12, 10-year-old Ivy Rayne Stowe was found in cardiac arrest and taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy of Stowes body reveled her death to be the result of a combination of effects from Fentanyl and Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative not approved for use in people.

Overnight: CMPD investigating 2 homicides in east Charlotte

According to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office, Stowes uncle, Zachary Taylor Mcclure was arrested on Thursday and charged with homicide by child abuse.

According to the sheriffs office, Stowe was living with Mcclure at the time of her death, and Mcclure had allegedly been using Fentanyl in the home while Stowe was there.

Investigators said they believe the availability of the drug contributed to her death.

Mcclure is being held in the Greenville County Detention Center on no bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

The campaign event at Riverton High School Thursday night had all the trappings of a Donald Trump rally minus the man himself.

A crowd, several hundred strong, speckled with several dozen MAGA-red ball caps, clapped and cheered for U.S. Senate candidate Trent Staggs as he took the stage alongside the self-described Trumpiest Congressman, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.

The assortment of state delegates, Republican primary voters and Utah residents  from Tremonton to St. George  were gathered to hear Gaetzs endorsement of Staggs, the mayor of Riverton, who is one of 11 Republicans running to replace Sen. Mitt Romney.

Were losing a lot of key fights in Congress because we dont have enough conservatives willing to stand up to prevailing thinking, Gaetz told the Deseret News after the event. And I saw in Trent Staggs someone who used local government leadership to push back in a brave way and we need to be able to draw on that in Washington a great deal more.

When asked whether Gaetzs endorsement would sway his vote, one front-seat attendee, donned in a Ultra MAGA T-shirt, delivered a one-word response: Abso-freakin-lutely.

Since entering the race in May, Staggs has sought and received endorsements from some of Trumps biggest allies  Gaetz, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake and former Trump administration official Kash Patel, to name a few.

Each endorsement has served as a step toward the endorsement most, if not all, Utah Senate candidates are quietly wishing for or actively seeking: Trumps.

Utahs other Republican Senate hopefuls include 3rd District congressman John Curtis, former state House Speaker Brad Wilson, the son of Utahs longest-serving senator Brent Hatch, CEO of Moxie Pest Control Jason Walton, conservative political adviser Carolyn Phippen, and five others.

Regardless of their disparate political strategies, however, one political reality hangs over the race, that Trumps endorsement remains the most valuable currency in Republican primaries, as Politico said of the results in last weeks Ohio GOP contest  where a Trump-endorsed candidate rose from obscurity to primary victory.

Betsy Barker wears a MAGA hat as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Will Trump endorse a Senate candidate in Utah?

But despite Staggs efforts, several political insiders said Trump is unlikely to put his thumb on the scale in Utah.

I dont think there will be an endorsement in this race before the primary, a close associate of the former president told the Deseret News on the condition of anonymity.

The reason is twofold, according to the Utahn, who speaks regularly with Trump. First, hes not following this race particularly closely because hes confident one way or another that theres going to be a Republican win. And, second, he doesnt want to endorse someone who he doesnt think is going to win.

A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll conducted in January found just over half of Utah Republican voters were unsure of who they would support in a primary election. Among voters with a favored candidate, Curtis led with 18%, followed by Hatch with 14%, Wilson with 8% and Staggs with 3%.

Staggs was the first candidate to enter the race and the only one to make an announcement before Romney bowed out. Wilson formed an exploratory committee around the same time. By the end of 2023, Staggs trailed Wilson and Curtis in fundraising.

As of Dec. 31, 2023, Wilson had raised $1.7 million and loaned himself $1.8 million. And Curtis, who had not yet made his Senate bid official, raised $1.5 million, according to Federal Election Commission data. During the same filing period, Staggs raised $700,000 and loaned himself $90,000.

In the new year, outside political action committees have reserved over $1.8 million in advertisements for Hatchs campaign and $1 million for Curtis. The campaigns of Wilson and Walton have also had the resources to direct $433,000 and $290,000, respectively, toward ads.

Could a Trump endorsement decide the Utah Senate race?

If Trump were to endorse a candidate it would likely affect the outcome of the election.

At the end of the day, a Donald Trump endorsement is worth 28 to 35% in Utah in a primary, veteran Utah politico Chuck Warren told the Deseret News. For the convention, its probably worth 50%.

If a Trump endorsement came, it would likely be after the state convention on April 27 and two to three weeks before the primary on June 25, said Warren, whos resume includes working on the campaigns of Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch, Ron DeSantis for governor and for multiple presidential candidates.

Leading up to the Ohio Senate primary on March 20, the Trump-endorsed candidate Bernie Moreno was polling neck-and-neck with more moderate state Sen. Matt Dolan, both at 30%. On election night  following a Trump rally in support of Moreno  Trumps pick won with 51% of the vote compared to Dolans 33%.

In Utah, it would have an impact, I believe, in both the convention and the primary, if he endorsed, said Spencer Stokes, president of lobbying firm Stokes Strategies and Lees former chief of staff.

With Wilson, Walton, Curtis and Hatch on track to hit the 28,000 signature-gathering threshold  and Staggs and Phippen working to draw the attention of state delegates  the Republican primary ballot could potentially have more than four choices.

This means the eventual winner could emerge with just 30-35% of the vote, Stokes said, similar to what the state saw in its 2020 gubernatorial election where Gov. Spencer Cox won with 36% of the vote in a four-way race.

Trump proxy endorsements?

I dont think theres a Trump endorsement coming, said Adam Jones, who oversaw Utah Rep. Burgess Owens 2020 campaign. But he is sending his surrogates  and I think its pretty clear that hes sending his surrogates  so I think he wants Trent (Staggs) to win.

Jones, like Stokes and Warren, is not involved in any of the U.S. Senate campaigns in Utah this cycle.

But an endorsement from the former presidents congressional counterparts is no guarantee of Trump blessing the Staggs campaign.

Utahns gather as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Kristi Kuchka waits in line to take photos with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs during Gaetz's endorsement of Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

A Trump flag is seen as Utahns gather as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Utahns gather as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs is endorsed by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

A prayer is said before Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

A Trump supporter wears a Trump hat as Utahns gather as Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz endorses Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in his U.S. Senate run Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at a campaign event in Riverton.

In last weeks Illinois House GOP primary, Trump surprised some by endorsing the incumbent who narrowly beat a candidate endorsed by Gaetz.

According to Warren, anything less than a Trump endorsement will make no difference in the convention or primary.

They will have zero impact, Warren said of Staggs endorsements. They may help a couple of delegates, but those endorsements really carry no weight on election day.

But, Warren and Stokes noted, endorsements from nationally recognized conservatives, like Tuberville and Gaetz, will help Staggs with small-dollar donations  something Staggs needs if he wants to become a more serious contender for a Trump endorsement.

At least some state delegates at the event were of one mind with Stokes who said, at the end of the day, endorsements dont mean as much because the delegates are very sophisticated at vetting the candidates and who they are as individuals.

Matthew Wilkinson, a first-time state delegate from Draper, said, I really dont go by endorsements, I go by what people stand for and whether theyre in sync with what I believe.

Taylorsville delegate Tonya Jensen, on the other hand, said she follows Gaetz closely, and if hes endorsing Trent Staggs that means a lot to me.

What candidates are saying about a Trump endorsement

When asked whether they were seeking a Trump endorsement, most Senate candidates in Utah referenced their own endorsement of Trump.

I proudly endorsed Donald Trump last summer, Staggs told the Deseret News in a statement. I would welcome his endorsement wholeheartedly as I campaign to make sure another Mitt Romney isnt elected.

Wilson said he endorsed Trump because hes the right choice to turn this country around and Id be honored to have his support. Wilson has centered his campaign around endorsements from local officials and making visits to every county in the state.

Curtis minimized the importance of endorsements in the race: While John would welcome support from around the country, hes primarily focused on earning the endorsement of Utah voters, Curtis chief of staff, Corey Norman, said.

Hatch said I always welcome those who support my campaign and would not be surprised if President Trump gave me his endorsement. Hatch, whose father, Sen. Orrin Hatch, had a close relationship with Trump, said his work with the Federalist Society helped Trump nominate conservative Supreme Court justices.

Walton said of course, wed welcome an endorsement. As Ronald Reagan said, when somebody chooses to support me publicly, that means theyre supporting my political philosophy.

Phippen said Any candidate not seeking the Trump endorsement will not be a senator from Utah.  Trump needs a female senator who can help hold D.C. elites accountable.

Entrepreneur Chandler Tanner said While I am not actively seeking (Trumps) endorsement he supports his efforts to promote conservative policies that make our nation strong.

Accountant Josh Randall said President Trump was a strong pro-religious liberty, pro-life president who was also strong on enforcing our immigration laws.  We would love to have his endorsement.

Self-employed piano tuner Jeremy Friedbaum said I would seek Trumps endorsement, if I knew a way to get a message to him.

Candidates Clark White and Brian Jenkins did not respond to a request for comment.
ST. LOUIS  The Show Me State is part of Americas Heartland and, since the 1980 census, has maintained the mean center of the United States population.

At 69,715 square miles in area, its the 21st largest state in the union, just behind Oklahoma (69,899 square miles) and, perhaps surprisingly, ahead of Florida (65,758 square miles).

But Missouri is just a blip on the 196,940,000 square miles of Earths surface. Approximately 0.0354% of the planet is the Show Me State. The entirety of the United States is just 1.87% of the surface.

Missouri is still larger than 94 of the smallest countries or dependencies combined.

Jeopardy! stumps contestant with St. Louis-themed Daily Double question

Look at a world map. You might be inclined to compare the block-shaped Missouri to other similarly-shaped countries, perhaps in Europe or Africa. What about France? Belarus? Maybe Egypt? Or Zimbabwe?

All four are significantly larger than Missouri. Egypt is actually 386,662 square miles, the French Republic is spread across 248,573 square miles, Zimbabwe is 150,872 square miles, and Belarus is 80,160 square miles.

How about a country that is thin on the map, such as the Philippines or Japan? No again. The Philippines are approximately 100,000 square miles and Japan is 145,914 square miles.

While there are no countries on Earth that match Missouris area, two nations and a dependency are close enough in size to answer the question.

At 69,898 square miles, the Kingdom of Cambodia is the closest in total area to the Show Me State. Cambodia is located in mainland Southeast Asia and counts Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam as its neighbors. The Gulf of Thailand is located along the countrys southwest coast. Cambodia has twice as many citizens as Missouri13.4 million to 6.168 million. It gained its independence from France in November 1953 after serving as a protectorate for 90 years.

Nestled between the much-larger Brazil and Argentina along the South Atlantic coast is the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. At 68,037 square miles, its the fourth-smallest country in South America. Uruguay fought off invaders from the British, Spanish, and Portuguese colonial powers and declared its independence from the former Brazilian Empire in August 1825. Its credited with being the first nation to legalize the use of marijuana, which happened in 2013.

If you wanted to play by Price is Right rules, the Republic of Somaliland (68,300 square miles) is the closest to Missouri in area without exceeding it. Located along the Horn of Africa on the western-most coast of the continent, just south of the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Peninsula, Somaliland is an unrecognized state. Once known as British Somaliland, it merged with Italian Somaliland in 1960 to form Somalia. Following the start of the Somali Civil War, Somaliland attempted to break away with its own declaration of independence in May 1991 and has sought international recognition ever since. As of 2021, Somaliland has an estimated population of 5.7 million people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
OCALA, Fla.  A couple, who were vacationing on a Carnival Cruise ship in the Caribbean last week when a lightning bolt reportedly struck the ship, described how it turned their relaxing afternoon into a harrowing experience.

The Carnival Freedom was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas on March 23, sailing to Freeport after being unable to dock at Princess Cay earlier that morning due to strong winds.

Then thunderstorms rolled over the ship during the afternoon. Florence and Joe Torchia were in their cabin at the back of the ship when the storm struck.

"I saw the lightning," Florence Torchia told FOX Weather.

Radar at 3:15 p.m. on March 23 when a Carnival Cruise ship was possibly hit by lightning.

LIGHTNING FATALITIES WERE SECOND LOWEST ON RECORD IN 2023, SAFETY COUNCIL SAYS

Moments later, the crew reported a fire on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel.

"We saw it on the TV because they had a (camera) set up," Joe Torchia said. "And then we said, 'Oh my God, this doesn't look good.' And then they were trying to put it out and the hoses just didn't reach the funnel."

The captain then announced to the passengers that there was a fire on the ship.

"And so we tried to go down to the muster station," Joe Torchia said. "And it was kids crying, looking for their parents. And it was scary."

Florence said they couldn't see the fire from their cabin due to the angles of the ship.

"But then the (exhaust) stack fell down onto the 10th deck, and then the plume of smoke came down, and we had it in our cabin and everything," she said. "So (it) was a little scary for a bit, but the staff notified us of everything."

LIGHTNING SAFETY: WHEN THUNDER ROARS, EVEN TAKING OUT THE TRASH CAN TURN DEADLY

"Communications were pretty good. And the captain did a good job," Joe added.

A Carnival Cruise spokesperson said their onboard team acted quickly to contain and put out the fire.

"While we continue to investigate multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike, our technical team completed a thorough assessment during the ships visit to Freeport on Sunday," the spokesperson said.

The Freedom eventually had to return to Port Canaveral, Florida, on that Monday, where guests disembarked.

The cruise line said damage to the ship is "more than we first thought" and will require immediate repair to stabilize the funnel. Cruises scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on March 25 and March 29 were canceled. All guests on the canceled trips will receive a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit.

"We greatly appreciate our terrific guests for their outstanding cooperation and support," Carnival said.

DEBUNKING 7 MYTHS ABOUT LIGHTNING

Joe Torchia said it was the couple's third cruise, "but it might be our last."

"I'd rather go to the Caribbean to a single destination," Florence Torchia added.

FOX Business reported that the same cruise ship caught on fire in 2022 after being struck by lightning.





Original article source: Couple describes harrowing tale after Carnival Cruise ship struck by lightning: 'This doesn't look good'
A couple lost $4,400 when their Lufthansa flight was canceled. The airline promised them a refund, but 5 months later, they still haven't received the money.

Last summer, a couple was flying home when their connecting Lufthansa flight in Germany was canceled.

When they attempted to rebook, their reservations kept disappearing from their accounts.

They paid $4,430 out of pocket to get home and haven't been reimbursed.

In October, Emma Giantisco and Dylan Marton breathed a sigh of relief.

It was more than two months after the couple had gotten home after a hectic few travel days. In August, they were flying home from Singapore on United Airlines when their Lufthansa Airlines connection between Germany and New Jersey was canceled, Giantisco told Business Insider.

When the couple attempted to rebook the canceled flight, technology errors repeatedly caused the pair's reservations to disappear from their accounts.

After spending three days stranded in Munich with no scheduled flight home, the couple gave up trying to rebook through the airlines for free and purchased their own tickets. They said they spent over $4,400 out of pocket to get home.

Since then, Giantisco and Marton have tried to get a refund. After submitting their request, United Airlines gave the couple $82 for clothes they purchased after their luggage was lost and told them that Lufthansa was responsible for the rest.

Finally, in October, they thought the whole ordeal might be over when they received an email from Lufthansa stating they would get a refund for their flight between Munich and New Jersey.

Five months have gone by, and the couple said they've yet to receive anything from Lufthansa, though Giantisco did receive 44,000 miles from United  valued at $528, according to Nerd Wallet  a week after BI reached out to the airline for comment on March 11. Marton hasn't received any miles or money.

Lufthansa did not respond to a request for comment.

"More than anything, we need the money we spent trying to get home at the last minute and being stuck in Munich," Giantisco said.

A Lufthansa aircraft on a tarmac. NurPhoto/Getty Images

Bad weather and technology landed the couple in this situation

After traveling around Southeast Asia for two months last summer, the couple embarked on a trip back home to Lambertville, New Jersey.

They booked their return flight months in advance with United using miles. Their scheduled flight would take them on a United plane from Singapore to Munich. In Munich, they'd board United's partner airline, Lufthansa, for a flight home.

The couple made it to Germany and boarded their connecting flight. But bad weather delayed the departure. When the crew timed out, the flight was canceled.

At the time, Giantisco remembers thinking they'd easily be rebooked on the next flight to New Jersey.

They contacted Lufthansa's customer service department, where a representative told them the next available flight wasn't for two days. The couple agreed to the rebooking since that was the only option offered.

That's when trouble started. Later, when the couple opened their Lufthansa and United accounts, there weren't any upcoming reservations.

Giantisco called United, and a representative attempted to rebook them on two separate flights home  different from their Lufthansa rebooking.

That reservation was deleted from their account, too.

Giantisco said it spiraled into a situation where both airlines blamed the other. Reservations would be made over the phone but disappear from their accounts hours later.

In a statement sent to BI at the time, a Lufthansa representative said that "after the original onward flight LH412 from Munich to Newark was canceled on August 17, Lufthansa immediately booked an alternative train from Munich to Frankfurt and a flight from Munich to Newark for August 19, which, unfortunately, was deleted by United Airlines."

United told BI that "after receiving a new itinerary from their canceled Lufthansa flight, the customer called United to explore their options, and we rebooked them on a new flight the following day. When the customers did not show up for this flight, they reached out to Lufthansa instead."

Giantisco and Marton said that's far from what happened. Instead, they longed to get home, but with no active reservations on their accounts, there was no way to board the flights and trains the airlines claimed to have booked them on.

"One time, we went to the airport, but we had no way to check into the flight or any way to say that we were on the flight because they deleted everything," Giantisco said.

Marton said after the sixth or seventh failed rebooking, there was "a heart-sinking feeling."

"The more it happened at later and later dates, it just felt more and more like we were never going to get home," he added.

According to the European Union air passenger rights, airline passengers can choose between a reimbursement, rerouting, or return if their flight is canceled. In this case, Gianstico and Marton chose to be rerouted, which requires the airline to book tickets at "the earliest opportunity." Giantisco said the airline failed that do that.

So, after three days in Munich, the couple gave up on rebooking and purchased new tickets with United Airlines.

They flew from Munich to London on a Lufthansa flight and from London to New Jersey on United. The tickets cost $3,153.50. Adding in costs for hotels, food, local transportation, and clothing  the airlines lost their luggage, too  the couple said they spent $4,430.79.

Emma Giantisco and Dylan Marton on their two-month trip. Emma Giantisco and Dylan Marton

United refunded the couple $82 and issued Giantisco miles months later

Once home, Marton and Giantisco were determined to get their money back. That became a challenge when they discovered their original flight information had been removed from their United flight history. BI viewed more than 15 pages of screenshots the couple took throughout their attempted rebooking process.

They contacted both airlines, unsure which airline was responsible for the reimbursement.

The couple received a refund of $82 from United for the clothes they purchased in the US once they arrived home without their luggage.

In an email sent to Gianstico, a United representative said the Star Alliance partnership agreement states that the operating carrier is responsible for refunds after a canceled flight.

Initially, Lufthansa denied the refund, but the couple pushed back. In October, the airline sent them an email, viewed by BI, that stated, "We would like to offer you a refund for the tickets you still have open."

The couple is unaware of any tickets they have open with the airline or how much that refund would be. They haven't received money from Lufthansa since the email.

In a statement sent to BI in mid-March, a United representative said, "As a goodwill gesture, we reimbursed some expenses from their unexpected overnight stay and are working with Lufthansa to refund the miles used for the canceled flight."

A week later, Giantisco received 44,000 miles in her United account. But Gianstico and Marton agree that the miles don't begin to help the $4,430 missing from their bank account.

"Both of us work in education, so we're a solid middle-class household. I would say this is the first year that I've felt a lot of stress about money," Giantisco said. "All of these strains would have felt more manageable if not for this loss of money."

They also believe that the airlines need to take accountability for what happened.

"I don't think there's any other sort of company or sector that can promise a service, cancel the service, strand you, promise to repay you, and then ghost you for 7 months," Giantisco said. "It's unfathomable behavior."

Do you have a travel nightmare to share? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email mhumphries@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In April 2023, a lawsuit filed in federal court alleging violations of the Clean Water Act prompted the owners of Modern Landfill to take measures to reduce the amount of what are known as forever chemicals into Kreutz Creek, a tributary to the Susquehanna River.

It was viewed as a victory for advocates of clean water and environmental protection.

But there was a loophole.

Chemical waste from Modern Landfill was shipped to Harrisburg, where it was dumped into the Susquehanna River, according to court documents.

The operator of Modern Landfill, Republic Services, was shipping the waste removed from the water at the Windsor Township landfill and shipping it to Harrisburgs Capital Region Water treatment plant, where it was discharged into the Susquehanna River, and to New Jersey.

From May 2023 through December 2023, according to a court document, Modern Landfill sent about six million gallons of the waste to the Harrisburg treatment plant.

The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, as a continuation of a suit filed in January 2023 to stop the pollution, asked Republic to provide more information about the discharges and the water treatment plan.

Lawyers for Modern Landfill responded by producing documents showing that it had sent waste to the Harrisburg plant and to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission plant in New Jersey. The company, however, had labeled those documents confidential and for attorneys eyes only, meaning that lawyers representing the riverkeeper association were forbidden from disclosing the information in the documents to their client or to the public.

Its a scandal, said Ted Evgeniadis, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper. Its a freakin scandal. If I had known they were sending water to Harrisburg, I could have been testing it for the last year. But I didnt know about it.

He said, This is information the public needed to know. They hid information from us. We need this information.

What are PFAS?

It all started when Evgeniadis conducted testing in Kreutz Creek for PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of products that enter the food supply through agriculture and processing. The chemicals do not break down naturally and are called forever chemicals. His tests showed levels of the chemicals well above allowances set by the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection.

The landfill installed a water treatment system to reduce the levels but, according to the lawsuit, continued to ship wastewater to the treatment plant in Harrisburg, which was ill-equipped to remove the chemicals and simply discharged the water into the river.

Previously: York County creek samples show highest levels of 'forever chemicals' in the country

Previously: Lawsuit filed alleging 'dangerous' levels of 'forever chemicals' in York County creek

When Evgeniadis sought information about the discharges in court, lawyers for Republic Services provided documents that were heavily redacted. U.S. Middle District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson ruled in January that the company had to remove the redactions. The company responded by removing the redactions and designating the documents as confidential and for attorneys eyes only.

The company argued that the information in the documents was irrelevant to the current dispute, according to court documents, an assertion that the judge had previously rejected. Attorneys for Republic further cited a potential competitive disadvantage in business as an argument for preventing public disclosure of the documents.

The company argued that disclosure of the locations it utilizes for wastewater disposal would lead to ... actions against (Republics) vendors and result in their termination. Such action, the company argued, would force Republic to seek other means of disposing of waste and would take time and money and might result in more expensive vendors or a failure to find new vendors at all, the judge wrote in her ruling.

Wilson rejected the arguments, writing that Republic has not pointed to specific examples or articulated specific reasoning to show good cause to demonstrate why it is appropriate for the court to keep these documents designated confidential.

The assertion that disclosure would cause hardship for Republic, the judge wrote, is perfunctory, speculative, and provides no particulars.

By sending the PFAS waste to Harrisburg, Evgeniadis said, it is discharged into a larger waterway than Kreutz Creek and is therefore diluted, reducing its levels in the water.

That is not a solution, he said.

Its like the wild West out here, he said. The arrangement between Republic and Harrisburg is not illegal, he said, but it very well should be. Current regulations, he said, do not prevent Republic from transferring the chemical waste to another facility to be discharged into the Susquehanna.

To make matters worse, he said, this arrangement was kept a big secret and was shielded from the public.

A call to Modern Landfill for comment was not immediately returned.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Waste from Modern Landfill was put in the Susquehanna, court discloses
Re: "After generations of failure, Nashville should focus on District 1 schools improvements," by Tennessean columnist Andrea Williams, March 8.

As the current representative of School Board District 1, Im compelled respond to the column by Andrea Williams.

While her own focus is on a negative experience of a student who graduated nearly 20 years ago, Ms. Williams makes no efforts to understand or explore the important work that has been done in recent years to see improvements across MNPS, in District 1, and in the Whites Creek cluster specifically.

The omissions shouldnt come as much of a surprise, as Ms. Williams is a proponent of a voucher plan that is the latest strategy to defund public schools and send students to private schools without accountability, transparent standards, or requirements to ensure all students have access to a free, appropriate education.

Meanwhile, our focus in MNPS and District 1 is clear, and its producing results.

Another view: It's clear parents want to choose a public school that meets their childs needs

School board set up District 1 for success with Battle and Mells

District 1 is a very large geographic district that is home to many schools, but since Whites Creek High School was a particular point of emphasis in the column, lets look at what has been happening there just in the last few years.

Graduates celebrate after receiving their diplomas during the Whites Creek High School commencement ceremony Monday, May 22, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

Foundational to great schools are great leaders. In 2020, the board unanimously chose Adrienne Battle, a lifelong product of MNPS from her education to her career, to be the director (superintendent) of schools after a year as our interim director. She understands the history of Nashville, including historic injustices and inequities, and has applied that knowledge in the pursuit of MNPS being the premier large school district in Tennessee and beyond.

That same year, after years of Whites Creek High sitting on the priority school list, Battle chose Brian Mells to serve as executive principal. It was not an easy task for either of them, taking over right as COVID disrupted our lives and the entire educational landscape in our nation.

Battle and Mells never wavered. Whites Creek High was the first of our zoned high schools to adopt an Early College program in the 2021-22 school year. A partnership with Nashville State Community College, the Early College program allows students to earn college credits and participate in advanced academic offerings and the ability to concurrently earn a high school diploma and an associate's degree, which Whites Creek students will start to do in spring 2025.

Success starts at the elementary school level

We have also seen new investments in other schools in the Whites Creek cluster through the federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), which has been awarded to Alex Green and Cumberland elementary schools to create programmatic improvements and changes that allow for greater student engagement and academic success.

Ultimately, success in high school starts before students even arrive at their elementary school, which is why cluster-wide improvements are vital to everyones success.

More: Tennessee overhauled how it taught reading. There are signs it's working

Prior to Battle assuming the role of superintendent, all except one of the schools in the Whites Creek cluster were classified as priority schools.

School board member Sharon Gentry listens during a Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.

A few years later, thanks to MNPS directing attention to District 1 schools as part of our MNPS Reimagined initiative, there is only one school on the priority list. We have concentrated our efforts where it matters, and our students are demonstrating positive outcomes in accordance with the accountability standards set by the Tennessee and U.S. departments of education.

2024 election: Nashville school board race: Taylor edges out win among District 1 Democrats

A Level 5 school rating two years in a row is a big deal

Indeed, we haven't reached our desired level of overall achievement, but progress isn't instantaneous. Whites Creek High School has achieved TVAAS Level 5 growth - the highest possible rating - for two consecutive years and has been removed from both federal and state priority lists.

Generating significant academic outcomes requires deliberate, sustained efforts over years and decades. Nevertheless, Whites Creek, District 1, and MNPS are committed to and actively engaged in reaching our goal of ensuring every student is known and achieving at high academic levels.

We have our foot on the gas, and we arent letting up.

Gone are the days of slot machine management  where we made frequent changes hoping for a payoff. Over the past four years, we have witnessed a sea change in MNPS, marked by a board with appropriate focus on the things that will make a difference for our students, by improved Board-Superintendent engagement and communication, and by a level of self-accountability at the school, cluster and district levels that is the highest Ive witnessed during my tenure.

Sharon Gentry, Chairwoman of Metro Nashville Board of Education.

Whites Creek and District 1 are on the rise, and that is something we must celebrate, not dismiss. Just as it is important for us to believe in our students and their ability to thrive, it is important for students and the teachers who educate them to believe in themselves, celebrating their wins when possible to build on their momentum and create a strong foundation for future successes.

Dr. Sharon Gentry represents District 1 on the Nashville School Board. She has served four 4-year terms.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville schools: Leadership and focus are behind District 1 gains
William Gregg and My Linh have gone from getting annoyed at each others bad habits to realizing they are a perfect match by conducting annual marital performance reviews.

In 2019, Linh, originally from the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, moved to the U.S. with her new husband William.

Before tying the knot, the couple had discussed and agreed upon guidelines for how their married life should be.

However, their share of differences  from culture to lifestyle  still shocked the newlyweds.

"He left his clothes all over the house after coming home from work," Linh said, recalling how enraged she would get at her messy husband, who refused to change despite her repeated reminders.

"I constantly had to pick up after him," she said.

When she first came to the U.S., Linh was pursuing a degree at school. After coming home from school, she had to take care of all the household chores.

"He [William] might do the dishes and laundry on his days off, but he never helped me out in the kitchen or cooked anything for me," she said.

Living in a foreign country with no family and friends around, Linh felt not only annoyed, but also an intense sense of loneliness, and she began wallowing in self-pity.

The couple and their child on a beach trip in 2023. Photo courtesy of Linh and William

William was not happy, either. He had to ask his wife not to wear pajamas out in public, and to keep her distance when queuing at supermarkets. He also couldnt stand her habit of trying to talk with cashiers when they were busy with other customers.

"I was embarrassed when people looked at us," said William. "I kept telling her but she refused to adjust."

He encouraged Linh to learn how to drive and get a license, but she was not willing because she was afraid of accidents. He found it hard to tolerate the smell her used makeup pads diffused into the room when she tossed them in an open trash can. And what the American husband feared most was that his wife always screamed when she got angry, without concern for what the neighbors might think of their fighting.

They loved each other, but that love could not help them get over their flaws. Linh was so resentful and hopeless that she told her husband she wanted to return to Vietnam alone not long after she moved to the U.S., much to Williams dismay and disapproval.

"I thought he no longer loved me," said Linh. "That hurt, and made me cry every night."

However, instead of venting her frustration, Linh remained silent. William felt bad, but he didnt know how he should manage the situation without understanding why his wife was so unhappy. The couple were stuck at an impasse.

The American man eventually broke the ice, and asked Linh to tell him everything that was on her mind.

"I am your husband, not your brain," he told Linh. "I am a doctor, not a psychiatrist. Even if I were, I would not be able to understand my wife."

The couple then agreed on an annual marital review. Every year-end since then, both William and Linh make time to sit down together and write out everything that upsets them about their partner.

Reading the list his wife made, William responded by both explaining himself and agreeing to change. He said it wasnt that he was unwilling to help Linh in the kitchen, but rather he wanted to let her cook whatever she liked, considering she had just arrived in the U.S. and might not yet be familiar with the flavors of American dishes. He also promised to keep her company or prepare meals for her on his days off. He apologized for his untidiness and promised to change this habit as well.

As for Linhs insistence on returning home, William explained that departing from the U.S. so shortly after she arrived would make it hard for Linh to familiarize herself with the country again after coming back. He did not want Linh to return to Vietnam without him either.

"I was so busy that I could not go with her," William said. "But if Linh had flown back home alone, her and her familys reputation would have been harmed since outsiders might have assumed she had been abandoned by me."

Understanding and affirming what was on her husbands mind, Linh opened up and promised to change the things she did that bugged him. Together, the couple then went to buy a lidded trash can for Linh and a laundry basket for William. They started cooking together, preparing meals that included both Vietnamese and American dishes.

"When both of us learned from the review and changed, we felt more satisfied with our relationship and understood each other better," Linh said. "We decided to make it our yearly routine."

Thanks to the year-end review, the couple has become more aligned on how to tackle everyday challenges together during their second year of marriage. Sometimes their ideas still clash, but now they know how to work together to resolve their problems.

When William wanted Linh to have their meals ready on the table before he arrived at home from work so they could finish eating and cleaning early in order to get to bed on time, Linh resisted because she wanted her husband to have freshly cooked meals. So they came to a mutual agreement: William would text Linh when he started heading home from the hospital, so she could prepare the meal for her husband in time.

Linh also told William to throw all his used toothpicks in the trash, otherwise she had no idea whether they were new or not. They also came to the mutual understanding that when they went to bed, if one person put down their phone, the other would have to do the same.

These mutual understandings made the couple realize they still really wanted to spend their lives together two years after getting married. They then decided to become parents. When their child was born, the only thing left that Linh wanted William to change was his habit of wearing shoes in the house, as the home should be clean for the baby.

William caring for Linh and their newborn baby at the hospital in mid-2023. Photo courtesy of Linh and William

As for William, he still felt bothered by Linhs penchant for giving his mother gifts and money.

"That habit was the only thing we failed to be on the same page about even after being married for two years," Linh said, attributing the discord to the differences between Eastern and Western cultures.

Since relocating to the U.S., Linh has always sent gifts and money to her mother-in-law Veronica Gregg on every holiday, including Christmas and International Womens Day. However, from her husbands point of view, Linhs actions could make his mother sad if she thought the couple were afraid she couldnt take care of herself.

"Mom will find a way to return the gifts back to us," William told his wife. "What you have done is bothering her."

But Linh kept giving gifts to her mother-in-law to express her gratitude.

Then, one day when Veronica visited to spend time with the newborn, Linh asked her whether the gift-giving bothered her. The mother-in-law admitted that she had initially been hesitant to receive the gifts. But it was Linhs text messages that touched her and encouraged her to accept them with pride.

"Mom, please dont be hesitant," read one of the messages Linh sent Veronica. "You have raised my husband for 18 years, and he would not be who he is without you."

Now in Williams eyes, his wife is perfect.

He is content that she always tries her best every day to adapt and achieve her goals both personally and professionally. Linh has gotten a drivers license and is now familiar with American culture, though she is still shy whenever she meets strangers. She no longer complains and has learned to take deep breaths to calm herself down whenever she gets angry.

And William, who now always listens and is willing to change for the benefit of the couples happiness, is someone Linh considers "almost flawless."

These days, instead of waiting until the year-end review, Linh and William freely express their concerns to each other whenever they have issues.

"The most important thing for married couples is mutual understanding," Linh said. "Therefore, if you want to cultivate and maintain happiness, you must regularly sit down, communicate, and try to change for each other."
Hundreds gathered in villages around San Fernando city, north of Manila, to watch men punish themselves in a bid to atone for their sins or seek miracles from God (JAM STA ROSA)

Catholic zealots in the Philippines re-enacting the last moments of Jesus Christ were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped themselves bloody in extreme displays of religious devotion on Good Friday.

While most Filipinos went to church or spent the holiday with family, hundreds gathered in villages around San Fernando city, north of Manila, to watch men punish themselves in a bid to atone for their sins or seek miracles from God.

Dozens of bare-chested flagellants wearing black shrouds and crowns made of vines walked barefoot through dusty, narrow streets, rhythmically flogging their backs with strips of bamboo tied to ropes, their blood soaking the top of their trousers and spattering onlookers.

"This is for my son, an epileptic," said Joel Yutoc, who has his 13-year-old son's name tattooed across his chest.

Yutoc, 31, said his son had not had seizures in the eight years since he began taking part in the Good Friday floggings.

The whippings are the opening act of street plays performed by devout residents.

In San Juan village, a short, wiry man with wild, white hair playing the role of Jesus Christ and two others were dragged by neighbours dressed as Roman centurions to a raised mound where wooden crosses lay on the ground.

As spectators filmed on their mobile phones, three-inch nails were driven into their palms, and then the crosses hoisted upright.

Several minutes later the crosses were lowered to the ground and the nails pulled out.

"I will keep doing this while I'm alive, for as long as my body is able to do it. That is my vow," said retired fisherman Wilfredo Salvador, 67, who began playing the role of Jesus Christ in the mock crucifixions 16 years ago following a mental breakdown.

"This is nothing. Sometimes it heals after a day and I am able to wash dishes and bathe," Salvador said of his wounds.

The extreme acts are frowned upon by the Catholic Church and health experts.

The Philippine health department this week urged the public to "avoid acts or rites that lead to physical wounds and injuries".

"We join the pastoral guidance of our faith leaders, guiding all towards religious practices that are safe and healthy," it said in a statement.

cgm/amj/tym
Crystal Mason waited long enough.

Its only fitting that her six-year court case was resolved the same week as Attorney General Ken Paxtons long-running court saga. The Rendon residents 2018 conviction and prison sentence for illegal voting were reversed Thursday by the Fort Worth-based 2nd Court of Appeals.

I am overjoyed to see my faith rewarded today, Mason said in a statement issued by the American Civil Liberties Union, calling the case a political ploy ... Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman.

Masons conviction and five-year prison sentence for trying to vote  it didnt even count  came when Tarrant County prosecutors and investigators from Paxtons office were on a partisan political rampage to uphold election integrity by finding illegal voting in the 2016 election.

But Texas highest court, the state Court of Criminal Appeals, ruled Thursday that Mason did not vote illegally when she cast a provisional ballot, because she did not have actual knowledge that she could not vote while on federal supervised release in a tax fraud case.

At the time, then-District Attorney Sharen Wilson and Paxtons investigators argued basically, She should have known.

But the court ruled in 2022 that it isnt illegal voting unless the voter knows its illegal.

The vote itself was thrown out right away.

Yet Tarrant County still tried to send her to prison for five years.

Masons case became a national cause celebre, and Exhibit A for politicians claiming that the Tarrant County Republican Party and the Republican Party of Texas are trying to intimidate voters.

When Mason went to vote, she found out wasnt on the list. An election worker actually coached her to cast a provisional vote.

When the Texas Legislature discussed the case in 2021, even Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock said he would not have known that federal supervised release made a voter ineligible.

That is a high bar to impute on somebody, he said  to put them away for five years.

State Rep. John Bucy, D-Cedar Park, led the effort to revise the law.

Im relieved for Crystal, he said Thursday.

This has been a long and hard fight. But thankful that today she and her family received justice. No one should be threatened with jail time for an honest mistake.

Crystal Mason, who was convicted of illegal voting in March 2018, and her legal team stand outside the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center Sept. 10, 2019, after an appeal hearing in Fort Worth.

Mason was represented by the ACLU of Texas, the ACLU Voting Rights Project, and the Texas Civil Rights Project.

The 2nd Court of Appeals decision Thursday was delivered by Justice Wade Birdwell, a Republican.

In an earlier hearing, Birdwell had asked a prosecutor whether a provisional ballot says clearly that a voter is disqualified if he or she is on probation or federally supervised release.

The prosecutor was silent.

Ill help you out, Birdwell said. It doesnt... There is nothing in this that tells her the consequence of her eligibility to vote.

Back in 2016, Mason had been on federally supervised release in a tax fraud case where she also owed $4.2 million in restitution.

Crystal Mason, convicted for illegal voting and sentenced to 5 years in prison, during a break in Ruben Gonzalezs court, State District Court 432 at Tim Curry Justice Center in Fort Worth, TX, Friday, May 25, 2018.

After she was convicted of illegal voting, her probation was revoked.

She went to prison for 10 months. She was released in July 2019 and awaited the outcome of state appeals.

In 2022, she said in a statement that her life has been upended for what was, at worst, an innocent misunderstanding.

A former U.S. Attorney, Sarah Saldana, was among former state and federal prosecutors who had signed a brief urging the court to reverse the conviction.

Ms. Masons penalty should have been not having her vote counted  which is what happened, Saldana said, calling the case a misuse of prosecutorial power.

District Attorney Phil Sorrells did not comment Thursday.

In a guest column in the Star-Telegram, Saldana and former U.S. Attorney Matt Orwig singled out the inconsistent prosecution in Tarrant County.

Former Justice of the Peace Russ Casey

Former Republican Justice of the Peace Russ Casey actually pleaded guilty to faking the signatures to get himself on the ballot. Yet he received probation.

Earlier last week, when Paxton escaped trial on a fraud charge by agreeing to pay his victims $270,000  a year and a halfs salary for the Texas attorney general  I thought of Mason.

Paxton was eligible for a pretrial diversion agreement, we were told, because he is a nonviolent suspect.

So why not Mason?

Until Thursday, she was facing five years in prison for a vote that was never even counted.

She just didnt look or vote like Ken Paxton.

(This column includes material from Star-Telegram archives.)
A Texas appeals court has thrown out a five-year prison sentence for Crystal Mason, a Texas woman who was sentenced for trying to cast a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election that was rejected.

Mason, now 49, attempted to vote in Fort Worth in 2016 even though she was ineligible because she was still on supervised release  which is like probation  for a tax felony. She has always maintained she had no idea she was ineligible and only tried to cast a ballot because her mother urged her to.

A judge convicted her in a 2018 trial that lasted just a few hours. Probation officials testified at her trial that they never told her she was ineligible. But in 2020, the court of appeals for the second appellate district, had said that the fact Mason did not know she was ineligible to vote was irrelevant to her prosecution.

Masons case became well known nationally and struck a chord as an example of an egregious punishment for a voting mistake. Many saw it as a thinly veiled effort to intimidate Black voters.

In 2022, Texass highest criminal court told the second court of appeals it had to reconsider its ruling upholding Masons conviction. On Thursday, that court said there was insufficient evidence Mason knew she was ineligible to vote.

Justice Wade Birdwell wrote for the court in its Thursday ruling: We conclude that the quantum of the evidence presented in this case is insufficient to support the conclusion that Mason actually realized that she voted knowing that she was ineligible to do so and, therefore, insufficient to support her conviction for illegal voting.

Mason, who has remained out of prison on an appeal bond, said in a telephone interview on Thursday evening that she received the news while going through a drive-through and became emotional. I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no other citizen has to face what Ive faced and endured for the past seven years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack, she added.

Although Mason was not particularly involved in politics before her case, she has since become much more engaged in raising awareness about voting rights. In 2022, she opened a rally for Beto ORourke.

A key piece of evidence in the case was testimony from the head poll worker, Masons neighbor, who assisted her with filling out the provisional ballot. Before submitting it, he said he went over an affidavit with her in which she had to affirm she was not serving a criminal sentence. The affidavit is poorly designed  it crams an admonition in both English and Spanish in relatively small print on one side, and requires the voter to fill out information on the other.

Mason signed the affidavit, but says she never understood that it meant she could not vote. The court on Thursday agreed there was not sufficient evidence to show she actually realized the affidavit meant she could not vote.

Alison Grinter Allen, one of her lawyers, said: Crystal has gone through so much, and all of Texas owes her a great debt of gratitude. Through eight years, never once did she stop fighting, never once did she take her eyes off of the fact that this case was about every single voter in Texas.

Despite her acquittal, the case has taken a significant toll on Mason and her family.

After Mason was arrested in 2017, she lost her job at a bank. She was also sent back to federal prison for several months for being arrested while on probation for a federal crime. During that time, she almost lost her home to foreclosure.

Although Ive cried for seven years straight, seven nights a week  Ive also prayed for seven years straight, seven nights a week. Prayed that I would remain a free Black woman, she said in a statement.

I am overjoyed to see my faith rewarded today.
The amount of sunlight we get has a big impact on our circadian rhythm

Every single year, the annual ritual of putting the clocks forward by one hour in the spring is associated with a dramatic spike in heart attacks, strokes, and overall deaths.

If we go by past research, people are at an 8 per cent higher risk of an ischemic stroke  the most common form of stroke  and 24 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack in the two days following the daylight savings time transition.

Workplace injuries are also 6 per cent more likely while rates of road traffic accidents are likely to be up 30 per cent at the start of next week. Patients in hospitals will also be at a greater risk of medical errors, based on findings from a 2021 study which found that safety-related incidents at healthcare facilities across the United States spiked after the springtime daylight savings shift.

According to sleep scientists, this is all because changing the clocks, even by just a single hour, disrupts our circadian rhythms  the 24-hour clock which the body operates on  in a similar manner to jet lag.

Its a shock to the system, losing that hour of sleep, says Beth Malow, a neurology professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in the US. Your whole circadian alignment gets thrown off, and that abrupt shock triggers the clotting of proteins, causing heart attacks, strokes and increased inflammation.

Chris Fox, a sleep researcher and professor at the University of Exeter Medical School, says that those at most risk are people with any pre-existing health condition. If youre slightly overweight, a smoker, youve got diabetes, sleep apnea, a chronic respiratory disorder, or youre taking medication for several conditions, youre more vulnerable to the impact of the clock change, he says.

However, Prof Fox also points out that all of us can be impacted to some extent by the clocks going forwards. I always feel a bit exhausted for a few days afterwards which shows the effect it can have on us, he says.

But there are some measures we can all take which can help mitigate the impact of daylight saving time on our health.

Limit your amount of screen time on Saturday night

A newly published study in the journal Stroke has found that continuous excessive exposure to artificial light in the evening can raise your risk of clots and other biological processes which impair blood flow to the brain, increasing the chances of a stroke.

Given how daylight saving time already impacts our body clock, Prof Fox recommends avoiding too much screen time on Saturday night; for example, avoid scrolling social media on your phone or watching Netflix in bed. This is because such devices emit blue light, which affects a part of the brain called the pineal gland, often dubbed the third eye which plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

The pineal gland operates on a daily clock and produces hormones which affect sleep and wakefulness, says Prof Fox. If youre getting too much blue light in the evening, then it prevents that little clock from telling you its time to go to sleep. And during the daylight saving time shift, you need to be getting as much quality sleep as you can to minimise the effect it has on you.

Get outside on Sunday morning

But just as artificial light can cause us problems, exposure to daylight can help the body to re-regulate itself and adjust to the new time shift. This is because daylight stimulates the production of vitamin D which in turn stimulates melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating our body clock. Getting outside can even help with regulating your blood pressure after the time shift, as blood pressure is sensitive to changes in circadian rhythm.

You might feel really sluggish on Sunday and Monday, but instead of reaching for that coffee or taking a nap, its best to get yourself outside, says Prof Malow. Getting some daylight is great in the morning because itll help reset your clock, and what youre doing is to try and align your brain and body with the outside world.

Taking a walk in the morning will help realign your brain and body - Getty

Have breakfast or lunch by the window

If you have a busy day planned and there isnt time for a Sunday morning stroll, you can still get some of the benefits of daylight, simply through sitting by the window.

Going outside is the best, but the next best step is natural light through your windows, particularly in the morning because exposure to light at that time of day is so important, says Prof Malow.

Try sleep-tapering

In the days leading up to the clock change, you can also try gradual sleep-tapering which means going to bed and then waking up progressively earlier, to steadily prime your body for the change. One example of sleep tapering could be to wake up 30 minutes earlier a couple of days before, and then 45 minutes earlier the day after, to make the shift less dramatic when it comes to Sunday.

Over the next few days, I would get as much sleep as you can, so go to bed early each night, recommends Prof Malow. But try to also taper by getting up slightly earlier in the morning so youre shifting your clock on your own and getting ready in advance.

Get a melatonin cream

Finally, if you always feel particularly groggy when daylight savings time rolls around, Prof Fox suggests trying a melatonin supplement, which is known to aid with jet lag by stimulating the body to realign its circadian rhythms.

While you can only buy melatonin tablets in the UK with a doctors prescription, anyone can order melatonin patches or creams online. Many of these topical forms are designed to be slow release, so after rubbing them on your skin the day before the clocks go back, they will gradually release melatonin over a period of time, helping to ensure you have as restful a night as possible.

In theory, that could work because its about normalising the circadian rhythm and giving you a nice relaxing nights sleep, and that might help overcome that change, says Prof Fox.

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Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has said that after the discovery of pro-Russian influence networks in Czechia and Poland, we can expect further such announcements in other countries, as this is only the beginning.

Source: European Pravda

Quote from Fiala: "Czechia was at the beginning of this whole operation. Our work and efforts have led to other European countries investigating the activities of pro-Russian spy networks and gradually coming to more serious conclusions. One of them was made public today, for example, by Poland. Other countries will follow."

Details: Fiala reiterated on social media platform X (Twitter) on Thursday evening that Czechia had uncovered a pro-Russian network that was developing an operation to spread Russian influence and undermine security in Europe.

In this context, Prague announced sanctions against Viktor Medvedchuk, Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician to whose daughter Putin is godfather, as well as Artem Marchevskyi, a propagandist of Ukrainian origin, and the Kremlin-aligned right-wing website Voice of Europe.

The minister noted that the events of the past two days were the result of Prague-initiated and successfully coordinated international cooperation. "I am proud that we have shown the strength and ability to make timely and correct decisions," Fiala said.

The Czech Civilian Counterintelligence Service reported that the network in question had worked with politicians in Poland, Hungary, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to influence the European Parliament elections.

Media reports indicated that Petr Bystron, a member of the Bundestag from the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD or Alternative for Germany) faction and a candidate for the European Parliament from AfD, had been receiving money from a pro-Russian influence network exposed by European intelligence agencies earlier.

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NEW YORK (AP)  Manhattan prosecutors suggested Friday that Donald Trump violated a gag order in his hush-money criminal case this week by assailing the judge's daughter and making a false claim about her on social media.

The Manhattan district attorney's office asked Judge Juan M. Merchan to clarify or confirm the scope of the gag order, which he issued Tuesday, and to direct the former president and presumptive Republican nominee to immediately desist from attacks on family members.

In a letter to Merchan, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass argued that the gag order's ban on statements meant to interfere with or harass the courts staff or their families makes the judges daughter off-limits from Trumps rhetoric. He said Trump should be punished for further violations.

Trumps lawyers contended the D.A.'s office is misinterpreting the order and said it doesn't prohibit him from commenting about Loren Merchan, a political consultant whose firm has worked on campaigns for Trump's rival. President Joe Biden, and other Democrats.

The Court cannot direct President Trump to do something that the gag order does not require, Trump's lawyers Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles wrote to Merchan in a response to the prosecutions letter. To clarify or confirm' the meaning of the gag order in the way the People suggest would be to expand it.

The trial, which involves allegations Trump falsified payment records in a scheme to cover up negative stories during his 2016 presidential campaign, is scheduled to begin April 15. Trump denies wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.

In his posts Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that Loren Merchan makes money by working to Get Trump, and he wrongly accused her of posting a social media photo showing him behind bars.

A spokesperson for New Yorks state court system said Trump's claim was false and that the social media account Trump was referencing no longer belonged to Loren Merchan.

The account on X, formerly known as Twitter, is not linked to her email address, nor has she posted under that screenname since she deleted the account. Rather, it represents the reconstitution, last April, and manipulation of an account she long ago abandoned, court spokesperson Al Baker said.

In the same Truth Social posts, Trump complained that his gag order was illegal, un-American, unConstitutional. He said that Judge 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 prosecutors had requested, bars Trump from either making or directing other people to make public statements on his behalf about jurors or potential witnesses in the hush-money trial, such as his lawyer turned nemesis Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels.

The order, echoing one in Trump's Washington, D.C., election interference criminal case, also prohibits any statements meant to interfere with or harass the courts staff, prosecution team or their families. Trump, however, is free to criticize Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the elected Democrat whose office is prosecuting Trump  but Steinglass wants his family off limits, too.

In his letter, Steinglass implored the judge to make abundantly clear to Trump that the gag order protects his family, Braggs family and family members of all other individuals covered by the gag order. He urged Merchan to warn Trump "that his recent conduct is contumacious and direct him to immediately desist.

A gag order violation could result in Trump being held in contempt of court, fined or even jailed.

Trump's lawyers argued against any such warnings, citing constitutional concerns about restricting Trump's speech further while he's campaigning for president and fighting criminal charges.

They said that if prosecutors press the issue, theyll want to litigate it fully, adding a potential wrinkle to trial preparations with jury selection set to begin in a little over two weeks.
FIRST ON FOX: A California climate-focused law firm, which has received millions of dollars from left-leaning nonprofits, has quietly joined Massachusetts' persistent legal battle against the oil giant ExxonMobil.

According to court filings reviewed by Fox News, Sher Edling's founding partners, Vic Sher and Matt Edling, were admitted to the case of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. ExxonMobil Corp. following a request from Seth Schofield, senior counsel for the Massachusetts Attorney General's Energy and Environment Bureau. Both Sher and Edling affirmed in separate affidavits that they would appear on behalf of the state.

Text from both affidavits, filed in Suffolk County Superior Court, read: "I am familiar with the facts and law relevant to the claims and defenses in this action, and my appearance and participation will aid the attorney general in her prosecution of this case."

It remains unclear what Sher Edling's exact role in the case will be and how its involvement will impact the many other Big Oil cases it is pursuing on behalf of more than a dozen states and cities. Sher Edling and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.

CONSUMER GROUP REVEALS LEFT-WING GROUPS INCREASINGLY USING COURTS TO PUSH GREEN NEW DEAL

In October 2019, then-Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat who is now the state's governor, filed the initial complaint against ExxonMobil, accusing the company of engaging in deceptive practices by failing to disclose the climate change risks posed by fossil fuels. The lawsuit came after a yearslong investigation into the company's day-to-day operations.

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Healey said at the time that ExxonMobil "has known for decades about the catastrophic climate impacts of burning fossil fuels  its chief product."

BIG OIL COMPANIES ASK SUPREME COURT TO INTERVENE IN HIGH-STAKES CLIMATE CASE

But ExxonMobil fired back, arguing in court that Massachusetts' allegations implicate the company's "right to petition as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution." It added that the state objects to the company's protected activities merely because they "influenced climate policy in a manner that is contrary to the policy objectives of the attorney general."

An entrance to the ExxonMobil campus in Houston is pictured on Feb. 1, 2022.

Sher Edling's involvement, meanwhile, adds to the growing list of cases the firm has taken up. It was founded in 2016 to pursue climate-related litigation against oil companies, arguing they have known about their impact on global warming for decades.

The firm is pursuing such litigation on behalf of Delaware, Minnesota, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Baltimore, Honolulu and several local governments across the country . Overall, more than 25% of Americans live in jurisdictions suing Big Oil for climate deception.

BILLIONAIRE-FUELED ROCKEFELLER FUND COORDINATED CLIMATE LAWSUITS WITH DEM STATE AG: INTERNAL DOCUMENTS

Though the entirety of Sher Edling's funding structure is unknown, the firm has for years raised millions of dollars from nonprofit organizations. These nonprofits shield the identities of their individual donors, effectively ensuring that anonymous individuals and groups play a pivotal role in the firm's climate litigation efforts.

According to tax filings, between 2017 and 2020, the Collective Action Fund for Accountability, Resilience, and Adaptation (CAF), a secretive group fiscally sponsored by Washington, D.C.-based New Venture Fund, wired more than $5.2 million to Sher Edling. In 2021, CAF funneled $3 million to the firm, and in 2022, it wired grants worth a total of $2.5 million to the firm.

Vic Sher, a partner at law firm Sher Edling, speaks about the climate litigation he is involved in during a virtual panel in December 2021.

In 2021, CAF switched its fiscal sponsorship from a smaller, dark new money group to New Venture Fund, which is managed by Arabella Advisors, a firm that oversees a liberal billion-dollar dark money network.

While CAF's, and by extension Sher Edling's, individual donors are also unknown, a previous Fox News Digital review showed past funding has flowed through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

"As Ive warned, its clear that radical, left-wing dark money groups are footing the bill for Sher Edlings climate crusade with the goal of bankrupting American energy employers," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, previously told Fox News Digital. "New Venture Fund and Sher Edlings litigious gamble is nothing but an attempt at achieving a goal lacking majority support in Congress: the eradication of fossil fuels."

Cruz, who is the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. , the House Oversight Committee chair , have conducted a wide-ranging probe into Sher Edling and its ties to the Biden administration, an investigation which is ongoing.

ExxonMobil didn't respond to a request for comment for purposes of this story.





Original article source: Dark money-fueled law firm joins Massachusetts climate suit against Big Oil
Boeing announced Monday that CEO Dave Calhoun would resign at the end of the year.

It makes him the second successive chief to go after a 737 Max crisis.

Attorneys for crash victims say he failed to refocus the planemaker on safety above profit.

On Monday morning, Dave Calhoun became the second successive Boeing CEO to lose his job in the wake of a 737 Max crisis.

The company announced he would step down at the end of the year while Stan Deal, the head of Boeing's commercial airplanes division, was immediately replaced.

Calhoun, Boeing's former chairman, became CEO after Dennis Muilenburg was ousted by the board in 2020. A year later, Boeing raised its mandatory retirement age from 65 to 70  a sign it had faith that Calhoun, then aged 64, could continue piloting the firm.

Muilenburg was terminated as the planemaker fought for its reputation after 346 people died in two 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019.

The company was accused of putting profit above safety as it hurried production of the Max in order to compete with the Airbus A320neo  which broke order records at the 2011 Paris Air Show.

After the longest-ever grounding for a US airliner, the 737 Max was ungrounded 10 months into Calhoun's reign.

Under his leadership, the firm worked to reassure both customers and the public that the Max was safe. MCAS, the software that played a major role in the crashes, now relies on two sensors rather than one, and is easier for pilots to override.

In 2021, Boeing paid $2.5 billion in a deferred prosecution agreement to settle charges that it defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration by misleading it about MCAS.

Family members of 737 Max 8 crash victims attended then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg's Senate testimony. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Most people's concerns about the 737 Max looked to have been assuaged, until the Alaska Airlines blowout on January 5.

The fact that the incident occurred on a jet delivered just 66 days earlier immediately sent alarm bells ringing that it could be the manufacturer's fault, rather than a maintenance issue at the airline.

In its preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board said the 737 Max 9 left Boeing's factory missing key bolts designed to secure the door plug that came off in midair.

The Department of Justice is now reviewing whether the incident constituted a violation of the deferred prosecution agreement, and the FBI has sent letters to passengers on the blowout flight saying they may be victims of a crime.

"The watershed moment should have been when nearly 400 people died in the Boeing Max 8 disasters years ago," Bob Clifford, the lead counsel in pending federal litigation for families of the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash victims, said in an email.

"If the company had taken the Max crashes seriously, it is likely that the Alaska Air debacle could have been averted, and the company would be on the way to healing itself, and ensuring the safety of the flying public," he added.

According to data from Muck Rack, the media monitoring company, around 40% of news coverage of Calhoun was negative last quarter, compared to 50% this quarter.

Maintenance problems at United Airlines, Boeing's biggest customer, also created bad headlines for the planemaker, like a tire falling off a 777. Even though that doesn't appear to be Boeing's fault, interest in the planemaker's problems soared following the blowout.

News coverage of Boeing has soared following the Alaska Airlines blowout. Courtesy of Muck Rack

However, it was the airline chiefs who appeared to have the biggest sway, after Boeing's deliveries of new jets have been delayed.

The Wall Street Journal first reported last Saturday that airline CEOs requested a meeting with Boeing's board to discuss their frustrations. The meeting hasn't yet taken place, but was called by the bosses of United, Southwest, Alaska, and American as a symbolic vote of no confidence in Calhoun, The Air Current reported.

Boeing declined to comment when reached by Business Insider.

In an email to BI, Timothy Hubbard, assistant professor of management at the University of Notre Dame, said: "His departure is a long time coming. The embattled leader has struggled to rebuild confidence in Boeing's products following years of design and manufacturing issues."

He added that Boeing's culture around safety and quality needs to change, but "it's unfortunate" that it will take nine months for a new CEO to take over and take control of that process.

"This delay may reflect poor succession planning or a desire by Calhoun to keep power a little longer," Hubbard said.

In an interview with CNBC following the announcement, Calhoun said the decision to leave was "100%" his own.

He added that Boeing has a "bad habit" of being too focused on delivering planes on time, which suggests "the movement of the airplane is more important than the first-time quality of the product."

That's notable given the planemaker has often come under criticism for an emphasis on profit over safety.

For example, Clifford said: "The families of the victims knew that the culture of profit over safety would not change when Calhoun took over in January 2020 because he was raised on that principle."

Dave Calhoun chaired Boeing's board before becoming the CEO. DAVID RYDER/Reuters

The Journal reported last September that Boeing staff were frustrated by Calhoun's use of private jets to commute to the office. It added that he was rarely seen at the headquarters, even while managers encouraged employees to return to the office after the pandemic.

Critics also cite the distance between Boeing's headquarters in Virginia and the 737 factory near Seattle as evidence that safety isn't prioritized. In February, the board shut down a shareholder's attempt to force a vote on relocating Boeing's headquarters back to its historic base.

Calhoun's interview with CNBC took place in Renton, Washington, the home of the 737 factory  a sign of the firm's renewed focus on manufacturing.

For now, it looks like the outgoing CEO has come to agree with his critics. In his memo to employees, Calhoun said the company needs to have "safety and quality at the forefront of everything that we do."

"The next CEO must know that his or her role will be to prioritize safety, not just profit," Justin Green, a partner at Kreindler and Kreindler who represents 34 families of Max 8 crash victims, said in an email.

Green praised the personnel changes but called on the company to be "fully transparent" regarding every change it makes involving manufacturing processes.

"For too long, Boeing has been avoiding public accountability and these leadership changes open a window for the company to do so," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Davenport in lawsuit over public records request

The Iowa Freedom of Information Council will fight to intervene in a lawsuit the City of Davenport filed against a man over a public records request.

The city is suing Ezra Sidran after he asked for the demand letter from former city administrator Corri Spiegel. The demand letter would have been sent before the city paid Spiegel more than $1 million in a separation agreement. Iowa Freedom of Information Council Executive Director Randy Evans questions the citys intent for targeting Sidran.

The hearing is scheduled for a Zoom conference March 29 with a judge in Scott County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The Bidens' dogs grabbed headlines with their bad behavior, but "First Feline" Willow is getting a book all to herself.

First Lady Jill Biden has written a children's story about the short-haired tabby's journey from a farm in Pennsylvania to the White House in 2022.

With a June publication date, "Willow the White House Cat" will come out four months before President Joe Biden faces a bitter political catfight for reelection with Donald Trump.

"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," Jill Biden said in a statement through publisher Simon and Schuster.

"Making many new friends along the way, Willow's journey gives the world a 'cats-eye' view of all the ins and outs of America's most famous address."

Willow is the last remaining presidential pet at the White House after two of the Bidens' dogs were removed following a series of biting incidents.

Commander, a German Shepherd who arrived as a pup in 2021, was sent to live elsewhere after he bit several Secret Service agents. Another dog of the same breed, Major, went to live with family friends after similar biting incidents.

The Bidens' beloved dog Champ died in 2021 at the age of 13.

Meanwhile, Willow herself has political chops. Like Jill Biden she hails from Pennsylvania, which will be a key battleground state in November's election. She is named after the First Lady's hometown, Willow Grove.

Jill Biden, 72, co-wrote the book with author Alyssa Satin Capucilli and illustrated by artist Kate Berube, the publishers said.

The White House has a long history of presidential pets -- even if cats are a relative rarity -- and a number of them had literary journeys.

First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush both wrote books about their pets.

Trump, who is aiming for a sensational White House comeback, was the first president since Andrew Jackson in the 1830s not to have pets.
President George Bush (C) welcomes seven new members to NATO during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on March 29, 2004. The prime ministers with Bush are, from left to right, Indulis Emsis of Latvia, Anton Rop of Slovenia, Algirdas Brazauskas of Lithuania, Mikulas Dzurinda of Slovakia, Adrian Nastase of Romania, Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha of Bulgaria, Juhan Parts of Estonia, and NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI

March 29 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1812, Lucy Payne Washington, sister-in-law of U.S. President James Madison, married Supreme Court Justice Thomas Dodd in the first wedding performed in the White House.

In 1886, Coca-Cola was created by Dr. John Pemberton, who produced it in his backyard in Atlanta.

In 1951, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for passing atomic weapons information to the Soviet Union. They were executed in 1953.

In 1961, the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment gave District of Columbia residents the right to vote in presidential elections.

Charles Manson is taken into custody at the Los Angeles jail in 1969 after being charged with the murders of actress Sharon Tate and her unborn child along with several of her friends. On March 29, 1971, Manson and three followers were sentenced to death in the slayings in Los Angeles. File Photo by Ernie Schwork/UPI

In 1971, cult leader Charles Manson and three followers (Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel) were sentenced to death in the Tate-Labianca slayings in Los Angeles. The sentences and a fifth death sentence, for Charles "Tex" Watson, were later commuted to life in prison.

Susan Atkins. File Photo by Rich Lipski/UPI

Russian emergency workers carry the body of a victim at Park Kultury metro station in Moscow on March 29, 2010. File Photo by Alex Natin/UPI

In 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam (some advisers and others remained), ending the United States' direct military involvement in a war that didn't officially end until 1975.

In 1991, six-time Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti quit, opening the way for the country's 50th government since World War II.

On March 29, 1961, the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment gave District of Columbia residents the right to vote in presidential elections. File Photo by Molly Riley/UPI

In 2004, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined NATO.

In 2006, acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima Party narrowly won the national election, taking 28 seats, forcing it into a coalition situation.

On March 29, 1951, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for passing atomic weapons information to the Soviet Union. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI

File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

In 2010, two suicide bombers killed 39 people in attacks on the Moscow subway system.

A woman sells giant Coca-Cola drinks at a road-side store in Beijing on January 25, 2015. On March 29, 1886, Coca-Cola was created by Dr. John Pemberton, who produced it in his backyard in Atlanta. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

In 2011, small levels of radiation from Japan's earthquake-tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were detected in at least 15 U.S. states, but the Environmental Protection Agency said they posed no threat to public health.

In 2021, work crews refloated the jammed container ship Ever Given in Egypt's Suez Canal. It had blocked traffic in the vital trade waterway for nearly a week.

President Ronald Reagan (L) meets with Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti in the Oval Office of the White House on February 2, 1987. On March 29, 1991, Andreotti quit, opening the way for the country's 50th government since World War II. File Photo by Tim Clary/UPI

In 2023, Britain's King Charles III traveled to Berlin in his first state visit as monarch.

File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department said officers arrested three girls in connection to a murder that happened in October.

On Thursday, police arrested the first teenager they determined to be a suspect, a 13-year-old girl, and charged her with second-degree murder, according to a statement released by MPD.

The statement said that two more girls, aged 12 and 13, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Friday.

The charges are related to the murder of 64-year-old Reggie Brown of Northwest D.C., which took place on Oct. 17.

Police said they responded to a report of a man down at 12:54 a.m. in the 6200 block of Georgia Ave. NW. According to MPD, officers found Brown with trauma they determined to be from an assault, He died at the scene.

The statement said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy which found the cause of death was blunt force trauma and Browns death was ruled a homicide.

Officers said the case is still under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON - A D.C. rapper was shot and killed Wednesday in an armed robbery at a Northwest dispensary.

While police search for the shooters, the victims mother told FOX 5's Shomari Stone she's absolutely heartbroken.

Beverly Prendergast said she misses her sons smile, kindness, and compassion.

DC rapper Phil Da Phuture gunned down in Northwest dispensary

41-year-old Philip Prendergast, who performed under the name Phil Da Phuture, worked at the Hotbox Uptown dispensary on Georgia Avenue NW.

The two suspects were captured on surveillance cameras walking through the front door with their guns drawn, demanding property and money. Ms. Prendergast hopes someone recognizes them.

"He was the most loving person there is and the best friend you could ever have," she told FOX 5.

Detectives said it happened around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Philip and another employee didnt put up a fight, they gave the robbers what they wanted. And even though they complied, one of the suspects fired a shot at Philip and he died hours later at a hospital.

After the shooting and robbery, cameras captured the two thieves running away from the dispensary with the stolen property and cash.

Ms. Prendergast said she feels "overwhelmed" and is still trying to let it all sink in.

"I feel kind of numb right now, even though I know its real, I havent accepted it just yet," she said. "Justice needs to be served. Thats all."

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Check out the surveillance video below:
Defendant LJ Harris on Thursday gave jurors his side of the story regarding a 20-year-old rape case.

Harris, 43, is charged with two counts of rape and single counts of attempted rape and felonious assault on Aug. 29, 2004.

The cold case came back to life in spring 2023 when there was a hit on a national database that contains DNA profiles of convicted offenders.

Harris took the witness stand in Richland County Common Pleas Court, testifying that he had consensual sex with the accuser.

LJ Harris, 43, is charged with two counts of rape and single counts of attempted rape and felonious assault on Aug. 29, 2004.

Following closing arguments, the six-man, six-woman jury got the case a little before 3 p.m. and deliberated for more than two hours without reaching a verdict. Jurors will be back at 9 a.m. Friday.

On direct examination by defense attorney Jennifer Harmon, Harris said he couldn't believe it when he talked to Mansfield police Sgt. Jered Kingsborough about the allegations.

"Where is this coming from? It just blew my mind," Harris said. "I never sexually assaulted anyone in my life."

He said he did not meet Kingsborough right away on the advice of an attorney.

More: Rape trial gets underway 20 years after alleged incident

Defendant denies driving car described by accuser

The accuser said Harris was driving a white Lexus with gold trim on the night in question.

Harris said he owned a blue Chevrolet Malibu at the time.

"I was on my way to get something to eat," he said, adding it was around 9 or 10 p.m. The accuser said he picked her up after midnight.

Harris said the woman was naked when she flagged him down.

"She said she got into a fight with her husband, but they weren't really together," Harris said. "We rode around for about 20 minutes, just being flirtatious with each other. It became a little sexual. It all happened so fast."

Harris said they pulled over and had intercourse in the back seat of the car. He denied having anal sex. Semen recovered from the back of the woman's leg matched Harris' DNA profile, a police DNA technician testified earlier.

The likelihood the semen was from someone else was 1 in 307 billion, the technician said.

Harris said the woman asked him to pay her $40 for the sex, but he refused and offered to drop her off where he picked her up.

According to testimony from a sexual assault nurse examiner, the woman suffered tears to her vagina and anus.

"I did not not force her to do anything. I never caused any type of injury to this woman," Harris said before becoming emotional.

"It's the worst thing that ever happened to me in my life," he said.

He pointed to his stepmother and his fiancee in the gallery and said he was raised to respect women.

Assistant prosecutor questions Harris on cross-examination

On cross-examination by Assistant Prosecutor Olivia Boyer, Harris intimated the injuries could have been caused by the accuser's estranged husband. She testified that she woke up with her husband on top of her, wanting to have sex. Their dispute led to her walking away from his apartment.

"Then why is your semen on the anal swab?" Boyer asked him.

"I don't believe my semen was on the anal swab," Harris replied.

According to the exam, the woman also had tenderness to the back of her head. She testified that Harris repeatedly punched her there.

On recross, testimony became contentious with Harris repeatedly telling Boyer he already had answered her questions.

"You're trying to twist my words the way you want me to answer, and I'm not going to do that," he said.

Common Pleas Judge Brent Robinson interjected, "You're going to have to stop talking, and you're going to have to start answering questions."

Harris later apologized to the judge.

In her closing argument, Boyer said the accuser's story has been consistent all along.

"For 20 years, she has had to live with the repercussions of what happened," Boyer said.

The woman identified Harris from a photo array presented to her by Kingsborough, who has been with the city police department for 17 years.

"He told you that he will never forget her reaction," Boyer said.

Harris' DNA profile matched evidence recovered from woman's body

Boyer said vaginal and anal tears the woman suffered were consistent with rape and referenced the hit on Harris' DNA profile on a national database.

"Thank God for this DNA," Boyer said. "Without this DNA, we don't have a photo lineup."

She asked the jury who was more credible between the accuser and Harris and referenced her back-and-forth sparring with the defendant.

"When you ask someone who is lying the same questions over and over, the story changes," Boyer said. "One thing and one thing only explains all the evidence, that back on Aug. 29 (2004), (the accuser) was raped by LJ Harris."

In her closing argument, Harmon came up with a scenario for what might have happened, focusing on the woman's estranged husband, who died in 2007.

"She knew he was abusive. She told you all that she woke up with him on top of her," Harmon said. "I don't know how physical it got."

Harmon speculated that the estranged husband kicked the accuser out of his apartment on the night in question.

"She is angry at her husband," Harmon said. "She got in the car with a good-looking guy. Maybe that gave her an idea."

Harmon said the accuser doesn't remember "significant" details about the case and blocked out the part about anal sex for five years.

"One of the biggest question marks is why. Why, after 20 years, did she want to pursue this?" Harmon asked. In 2004, the woman did not want police involved.

In her rebuttal argument, Boyer described Harmon's closing as a "spaghetti argument."

"Throw it against a wall and hope something sticks," she said.

Boyer questioned why, if the woman's estranged husband roughed her up, she would then hook up with Harris.

"That put her in the mood to have consensual sex? That's not reasonable," Boyer said.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield OH man accused of 2004 rape testifies sex was consensual
Student Joriel Ortiz from Freire Charter School in Wilmington said what he learned about the Tuskegee Airmen at Dover Air Force Base on March 28 was inspiring.

It was interesting to see what they went through, all the training, and how successful they were, Ortiz said.

He was one of about 150 high school and college students who attended Delawares inaugural Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day Expo. The event was organized by Black Women in Aviation and Legacy Flight Academy and hosted by the 436th Airlift Wing and the U.S. Air Force Historical Black Colleges and Universities Intentional Mentorship Program.

A panel of speakers from the military and state government talked about their experiences with leadership, service and the importance of the Tuskegee Airmen in American history.

The organizers of the inaugural Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in Dover, Samantha Mitchell, founder and president of Black Women in Aviation, and Legacy Flight Academy co-founder Lt. Col. Keny Ruffin, welcome students and guests to Dover Air Force Base March 28.

Samantha Mitchell, founder and president of Black Women in Aviation, said looking at the auditorium full of students was a bit overwhelming.

Were here to inspire you but you are the ones inspiring me, so many young folks who are interested in the military, she said. It really does warm my heart.

In addition to learning the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, students had the chance to ask the speakers questions, stop by Delaware Civil Air Patrol tables with demonstrations of aviation, science and technology, and tour planes and hangars at the base.

From right, Don Blakey from the John H. Porter Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen talks with Greg Pitts and Jack Ferrell from Freire Charter School in Wilmington about Delawareans involved with the Tuskegee Airmen at the inaugural Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in Dover March 28.

By video, Brig. Gen. Devin Pepper, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Space Force, addressed the students and thanked the organizers of the event, part of a historical moment, a bridge from our past to our future.

It heralds the first year of a tradition that promises to grow, fostering a pipeline of talented, diverse individuals who will propel the Air Force and the civil aviation to new heights, Pepper said.

He recalled how the Tuskegee Airmen shattered the barriers of segregation  proving that skill, courage and patriotism know no color.

Col. William McDonald, commander of the 436th Air Wing at Dover Air Force Base, said the success of the Tuskegee Airmen paved the way for diverse leaders in the military.

We are proud to honor the service of these heroes, who inspired generations of airmen, McDonald said.

More: New hangar, dormitory among plans detailed at Dover Air Force Base community meeting

Col. George London, one of the Air Force's first Black test pilots, greets students from First State Military Academy at the Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in Dover March 28. From left, Amani Mays-Winter, Col. London, Shiane Polk-Johnson and Remyah Wallace.

One of the honored guests who followed in the footsteps of the Tuskegee Airmen was Col. George London, the first Air Force test pilot on the C-17 Globemaster, one of the largest aircraft used at Dover Air Force Base. After flying 58 different aircraft and test piloting two, he was commander of the C-17 Globemaster unit in the early 1990s at Edwards Air Force Base.

Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, D-Wilmington, whose great-uncle was a Tuskegee Airman, presented the Delaware House resolution declaring Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day as the fourth Thursday in March.

She recounted the history of the first Black flying unit in the U.S. military. The pilots, crew and support personnel including 13 from Delaware fought in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Six Black colleges participated in the program including Delaware State College, now university. The squadron trained at the newly constructed Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, a few miles away from the Tuskegee Institute.

They flew 1,578 missions, destroyed 261 enemy aircrafts and received more than 850 medals, Dorsey Walker said. That comes from commitment  commitment to your country, commitment to your family and commitment to do what is right and just.

Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, D-Wilmington, whose great-uncle was a Tuskegee Airman, presented the Delaware House resolution declaring Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day as the fourth Thursday in March during the expo at Dover Air Force Base on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Their many successes paved the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military, according to the House resolution.

The panel of guest speakers at the expo included:

Gerald Curry, office of the assistant secretary of Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and director of the Air Force Review Boards Agency.

Ernestine Epps, command chief warrant officer for the Delaware National Guard, the first woman to reach the rank of chief warrant officer five in Delaware and the states first female and first Black command chief warrant officer.

State Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Camden-Frederica, a retired educator from the Polytech School District.

Guest speakers at the Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day Expo March 28 in Dover, from left: Dr. Gerald Curry, director of the Air Force Review Boards Agency; Ernestine Epps, Command Chief Warrant Officer for the Delaware National Guard, and state Sen. Eric Buckson.

Curry said he got the chance to talk with many Tuskegee Airmen at their conventions, and their attitude, skill, service and sacrifice influenced future generations in the Air Force.

Those gentlemen had to commit themselves to excellence, Curry said. They knew, Weve got to get this right. They spent many sleepless nights studying until they knew their instrument panel just like they knew their name.

Epps told her story of living in foster care, then living on her own when she turned 18, trying multiple jobs. She never had dreams of being in the military, but turned to a career in the U.S. Marines because she wanted more stability in her life with one job to focus on, with meals and a place to live provided.

Never when I was in high school did I think Id be the first woman [to reach the rank of chief warrant officer five in Delaware], Epps said. But the longer I was in [the military] the more opportunities I took advantage of.

She talked about how the Tuskegee Airmen helped pave the way for people like her.

They were fighting a war on two fronts, against the enemy overseas and against racism here at home, Epps said. They left a legacy of Black excellence at a time when it was hard because of discrimination and the lack of diversity.

Buckson said Epps is inspiring.

Her story is why were here, to show how you need to persevere against every obstacle, he said. When opportunity knocks, you, young folks, need to open the door.

Scarlet Ordonez from Freire Charter School in Wilmington was one of the students at the expo considering a career in the military. Ordonez was particularly interested in Dover Air Force Base because shes thinking about working in mortuary science, and the base has the largest mortuary in the Department of Defense.

She appreciated the chance to learn more about the Air Force, along with demonstrations on aviation, science and technology.

It was a great opportunity to have people guide you through the concepts with the hands-on lessons, Ordonez said.

And she liked learning history from people who had relatives who were Tuskegee Airmen and from leaders of the Tuskegee Airmen chapters across the country.

Its great to be able to hear the information from the people who knew the ones who were actually involved, Ordonez said.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware's first Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day held in Dover
A New York City Council member  who last year demanded "justice" for an "erratic" homeless man who died while being subdued by subway passengers he was threatening  is being cast as a hypocrite for questioning why ordinary citizens have seemingly ignored a recent string of violent attacks against women in the Big Apple.

"Where are the men calling this out?" Amanda Farias, a Democratic member representing the 18th District, asked in a post on social media app X.

Farias was responding to a post in which the New York City Women's Caucus stated it was "deeply disturbed [and] concerned about widespread reports of attacks against women in NYC that have been confirmed by the NYPD."

NYC WOMEN ARE PUNCHED IN THE FACE ON STREETS: TIKTOK SOUNDS ALARM ABOUT FRIGHTENING ASSAULTS

Several women have posted to TikTok and other social media in recent days claiming that strangers have punched them in the face or the head while walking in New York City.

Shortly after she shared the comment, Farias, who was first elected to her post in 2021, began facing an onslaught of criticism from users who countered that most people choose not to defend others in the city due to fear of retaliation by government officials.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Afraid to step up because woke politicians will try to destroy their lives?" asked Robby Starbuck, a former Tennessee congressional candidate and conservative commentator.

Starbuck's post included an image of Daniel Penny, the Marine Corps veteran and college student charged with manslaughter in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a homeless Black man who eyewitnesses said became violent on a Manhattan subway in May 2023.

"Where are the men calling this out," Amanda Farias, left, a Democratic member of the New York City Council for the 18th District, asked in a social media post. Many users replied with pictures of Daniel Penny, right, who was charged with killing a man in a controversial case.

Other users echoed Starbuck, including Christina Pushaw, a former aide to Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

NEW YORK JUDGE SETS TRIAL DATE FOR DANIEL PENNY IN SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD DEATH

"Why arent men standing up against criminals who attack women in NYC? Great question," Pushaw wrote in a sarcastic jab.

"You support locking them up," Ryan Girdusky, founder of the 1776 Project PAC, wrote in another reply.

"They trying to not end up like Daniel Penny," commentator Mike Cernovich wrote.

Cernovich also pointed to a 2023 post in which Farias said she "continue[d] to be heartbroken and outraged by the death of Jordan Neely and the lack of justice."

"The @BLACaucusNYC stands together to demand justice for Jordan and to pay attention to the systems that failed him so we do not lose any more Black New Yorkers to senseless violence," Farias wrote on May 11, 2023.

Daniel Penny is the Marine Corps veteran and college student charged with manslaughter in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a homeless Black man who eyewitnesses said became violent on a Manhattan subway in May 2023.

Penny, 24, told police an "irate" Neely "was threatening everybody" and ranting about going to prison, according to court documents. Neely said he placed the "erratic" passenger in a chokehold, and video shows another man then helped Penny to restrain Neely until the subway car reached the next station.

A Manhattan judge scheduled an Oct. 8 trial for Penny last week. The trial is expected to take four to six weeks, attorneys said. Penny's next hearing is set for Sept. 17.

One witness to the incident called Penny a "hero" and said she was afraid of what Neely might do.

"Im looking at where we are in the tube, in the sardine can, and Im like, OK, were in between stations. Theres nowhere we can go," she told Fox News Digital days after the incident. "The people on that train, we were scared. We were scared for our lives."

Another witness, who recorded the widely-circulated video of the incident, told the New York Post he did not think Neely was in danger as Penny and the other man held him down.

Transit crime has continued to plague New York City following Jordan Neely's death.

Neely had a documented history of mental illness and a criminal record , which included prior subway assaults.

Penny cooperated with police and was initially released. But he turned himself in 11 days later when District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office charged him with manslaughter.

Transit crime has continued to plague New York City following Neely's death. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has sent the National Guard and state troopers to assist with random bag checks.

Farias did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News' Michael Ruiz and Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.





Original article source: Dem who demanded 'justice' after subway chokehold death skewered for post about NYC assaults
Democrats hope student loan relief may prove to be a winning issue for President Biden in November after he canceled billions in debt despite his loss at the Supreme Court last summer.

The White House has touted the president as canceling more student loans than any other administration in history, but Biden has still failed to live up to his 2020 campaign promise of universal debt forgiveness.

Allies say voters will see Bidens historic efforts in loan cancellation and be understanding that the $10,000 in relief for every borrower failed due to the conservative-learning Supreme Court, which holds three justices former President Trump appointed.

I think [student loans] are probably one of the more impactful and consequential issues for those who may have went to college to pursue a higher education. said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist.

I think its going to be a critical and consequential issue, Seawright said, adding that for one-issue voters on the subject of student loans, Biden lived up to his promise as best he could.

In total, the Biden administration has forgiven $143.6 billion for 3.96 million borrowers.

The relief has most commonly come through reforms to income-driven repayment programs or been aimed at borrowers defrauded by their schools, or those with disabilities.

More than $62 billion went to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives debt for those in a government or nonprofit positions after 10 years, and more than $45 billion went to improvements in other income-driven repayment systems.

Another $22 billion went to borrowers who were defrauded by their schools, and more than $11 billion was forgiven for those with total and permanent disabilities.

I think we see the president use the tools that he has under existing law to cancel that for folks that have been stuck in the student loan system for decades or have been working in public service for a decade or more. Thats important work to deal with problems across the student loan system that President Biden inherited from former President Trump, said Mike Pierce, the executive director of Protect Borrowers Action (PBA).

But millions of others havent seen relief at all, after the Supreme Court nixed Bidens plan for universal forgiveness.

And those borrowers had to restart their student loan payments, with no relief, during the Biden administration after they were paused for more than three years due to the coronavirus pandemic, as both Trump and Biden extended the pandemic pause numerous times. The more than 40 million student loan borrowers with more than $1.7 trillion in debt began repayments last fall.

Biden has to remind folks that it was a right-wing activist court, three appointed by President Trump, that has stopped progress on this issue, Seawright said. Secondly, I think [Biden] has to really show the receipts, as we say in my community, about what has been done in spite of what this court has tried to block.

A new poll by PBA and SocialSphere showed that most Americans do not know how much student loan debt Biden has tackled, with only 11 percent thinking it is more than $100 billion.

Joe Biden has been committed to ensuring hardworking Americans get the relief they deserve; thats why hes cancelled more student loans than any president in American history  even after Donald Trumps Supreme Court Justices ripped away student debt relief from millions of Americans, the Biden-Harris campaign said in a statement to The Hill. From now until Election Day, well be meeting voters where they are and reminding them early and often that its Joe Biden who has their back and Donald Trump who stands in the way of life-changing relief.

Trump has not been clear how he would tackle the rising cost of higher education, should he return to the White House, but Republicans argue loan cancellation is unfair to those who never went to college or already paid off their debts, and Trump praised the high court decision striking down Bidens plan.

The former president said the plan would be very, very unfair to the millions and millions of people who have paid their debt through hard work.

I think [Biden] has to paint a very clear picture going forward about what the intentions are, in terms of bringing even more student loan debt relief to voters, whether theyre young or not so young, Seawright said.

While the administration has forgiven large sums of debt, most of the relief has gone to older Americans or those paying on their student loans for at least 10 years, largely missing a younger demographic that is passionate about the issue.

President Biden knows that there are tens of millions of younger people who would have benefited from the policy struck down by the right-wing Supreme Court, and thats why the Department of Education is continuing to do the work here, Pierce said.

Once again, when President Biden is running in November against former President Trump, voters are going to have a stark choice here about whether they want a government that continues to provide student debt relief that continues to help people that are struggling under the weight of unaffordable student loan debt, or they want to go back to the way things were under President Trump, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Authorities say two people were arrested after a break-in at a store near Holland early Friday morning.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office said shortly before 3 a.m. Friday it received a report of a break-in at Pipeline North on Riley Street near the intersection of Butternut Drive in Holland Township.

Investigators found that the business was broken into and multiple items were stolen, according to a news release.

Deputies found two male suspects nearby who were arrested and taken to the Ottawa County Jail.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The break-in remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa County Central Dispatch at 1.800.249.0911 or Silent Observer at 1.88.SILENT.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Reality Check is a Herald series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at tips@miamiherald.com.

Last week, at a press conference in Miami Beach where Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to prevent homeless people from sleeping in parks and other public spaces statewide, the governor lauded Miami Beachs efforts to address camping locally by tightening a law that subjects people to arrest for sleeping outside.

DeSantis and Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner both touted the city ordinance not only as a way to promote public safety and improve residents quality of life but also as a compassionate approach that gives homeless people an opportunity to receive services and placement in a shelter before facing arrest.

The governor drew parallels between the Miami Beach ordinance and the new state law that allows residents and businesses to sue local governments, starting Oct. 1, if they fail to prevent public sleeping by placing people in shelter beds or building homeless camps that provide security, sanitation and behavioral health services.

What the mayor is doing, hes providing them, Heres where you can go, DeSantis said of Meiner. If they refuse, then you absolutely have a right to arrest them and remove them from being effectively a public nuisance at this place.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks before signing HB 1365 at a press conference at Santorini by Georgios in South Beach on Tuesday, March 20, 2024.

READ MORE: Touting law and order, DeSantis signs bill allowing homeless camps in South Florida

But a Miami Herald review of enforcement of the ordinance raises questions about whether it is being deployed as a tool to improve the lives of homeless people, as city officials have suggested.

Police reports from nearly two dozen camping arrests made since the revised ordinance took effect, as well as body-worn camera footage from several of those arrests, show Miami Beach officers asking only vague questions about whether homeless people want shelter or other assistance before detaining them. Officers do not appear to discuss the availability of beds in specific shelters, offer transportation to the shelters or explain that declining services will result in their immediate arrest.

In one case on Nov. 29, an arrest report says officers asked the defendant if he would like assistance from a homeless resource officer or assistance to get access to a homeless shelter. The defendant responded with no and did not want assistance.

Body-cam footage, however, reveals a slightly different version of events. The video shows that three police officers on ATVs approached the man in a sleeping bag on the beach near Third Street around 11:30 p.m. After establishing that the man was homeless and had been sleeping on the beach for three years, an officer asked twice whether he wanted help. The man said no. The officer asked: No homeless shelter? The man said no again.

During a brief back-and-forth, the man told an officer he had been living on the beach since he found God. As the officer asked if the man had anything in his pockets, the man stood up and put his hands in the air. The officer then placed him in handcuffs.

The man was charged with camping and entering a park after hours and was released without needing to post bail. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a hearing in April.

Stephen Schnably, a University of Miami law professor who specializes in homelessness, said its not clear whether Miami Beach police are fully complying with the camping ordinance, which states that homeless people must be given an opportunity to immediately enter a shelter before they are arrested.

Its inconsistent to not expressly tell them, We have shelter that is immediately available. If [police] dont tell them that, how is someone supposed to make a voluntary decision? Schnably said. Its not a meaningful choice if you dont know what the options are.

Miami Beach police officers talk with a homeless woman in Lummus Park in South Beach in 2013.

Others have faced harsher outcomes. Footage from bond hearings in several camping cases shows prosecutors employed by the city  part of a program whereby the city pursues convictions for quality of life offenses like public drinking and trespassing that often involve homeless defendants  pressing a judge to set cash bail in some cases.

In one case, the citys advocacy led a judge to impose $1,000 bail for a homeless man arrested for sleeping on the beach, over the objection of a public defender who disputed a police report that said the man refused assistance and shelter. (The Herald in late January requested body-cam footage of the arrest, but it has not been released.)

The man spent more than two months in jail before he pleaded guilty in early February to entering a park after hours and was assessed $258 in fines, court records show. The camping charge was dropped.

What you have before you is a person that was lying in a sleeping bag on the beach, Renee Gordon, a Miami-Dade public defender representing the man, said at a Nov. 30 bond hearing. What has he done, and what does the court have before him? A person who was sleeping and wants help.

A city prosecutor, Woody Clermont, noted that the man has a criminal history, including an open container violation last year and convictions elsewhere in Florida in 2016 for battery and resisting an officer with violence.

I just want to be clear, for the record, that if anything happens at this point afterwards where his release results in harm to other citizens, that we were warned, Clermont said.

The man has not been arrested in Miami-Dade since his release, according to county records.

Gordon and representatives for the Miami-Dade Public Defenders Office declined to comment or make their clients available for this story. The Herald was unable to reach the men who were arrested.

City reminds officers of the law

In response to questions from the Herald, Miami Beach spokesperson Matt Kenny shared a memo that was issued by the citys police legal advisers in late January, reminding officers to ensure that people are offered immediate shelter before a camping arrest is made.

It is also essential that the offer of immediate shelter (and not services, homeless outreach, or homeless assistance, etc.) is documented in the arrest affidavit and any other associated reports, the Jan. 24 memo said.

The reminder was issued after a public defender argued at bond hearings that the language used in arrest reports was insufficient, Kenny said, though he noted the city disagreed. The Herald first inquired in December about the language used in camping arrest reports but did not receive a response.

Kenny said the city does not have data on how many people have been placed in shelter as a result of the ordinance but said we can anecdotally confirm that individuals have accepted placement both in response to a field interview and/or in lieu of arrest.

As part of a pilot program in which the city is extending a second-chance offer to place people in shelter during bond hearings the day after they are arrested for camping, four people said they wanted shelter placement, Kenny said. In exchange, he said, the city prosecutor agreed to advocate for their immediate release and to have city staff transport them to the shelter.

Only one of those cases actually resulted in a shelter placement. A man was transported to Camillus House, a shelter in Miami, and remains there today, according to Kenny. His charges remain pending, but we anticipate that his charges will be dismissed as he works with the city on a housing plan, Kenny said.

Two others accepted shelter at their initial court appearances but refused to enter Camillus House after being released, Kenny said. In another case, a man said in court that he wanted shelter but was transported to a hospital by jail staff before his release.

While there are no homeless shelters in Miami Beach, the city has contracts for more than 70 beds at various shelters in Miami, including Salvation Army, Miami Rescue Mission, Camillus House and Lotus House. Miami Beach police also have three beds set aside at Salvation Army where they can bring people after hours.

Police Chief Wayne Jones said at a meeting last month that, as of Feb. 21, more than 40% of arrests citywide this year had been of homeless people, up from about one-third in the prior two years and one-quarter in 2021. But the city says it isnt targeting the homeless.

It will always be the policy of this city that no unhoused person will ever be arrested unless they have committed a crime that any other housed person would be subject to arrest for the same act, Kenny said.

Tough love

In October, the Miami Beach City Commission passed the revised camping ordinance in a 4-3 vote, removing a requirement for police to give people a chance to move somewhere else to avoid being arrested.

The ordinance now says people must be given an opportunity to enter a homeless shelter or similar facility within Miami-Dade County, if available to that person or to accept other available governmental assistance that would result in immediate housing.

Meiner said at last weeks press conference with the governor that it was compassionate legislation.

It gives our law enforcement the tools to try to get them the help that they need, offer them the shelter. And if they refuse, the officer has the discretion to make the arrest, Meiner said. Sometimes its a little bit of tough love, but its necessary tough love.

Police made about 20 arrests under the revised ordinance in late November and early December, most of which involved people sleeping on the sand in South Beach. Most of them were also hit with charges of entering a park after hours. Beaches in the city are closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and most parks close after sunset.

At a City Commission meeting last month, Jones said 25 people have been charged with camping since the revised ordinance took effect.

READ MORE: Miami Beach police begin arresting homeless people under stricter camping ban

The citys approach represents an escalation of longstanding efforts to crack down on misdemeanor crimes and city ordinance violations that often implicate homeless people. At the February commission meeting, Commissioner David Suarez presented a slideshow of photos of homeless people on the street and pressed Jones to have his officers enforce the camping ordinance more strictly.

At a certain point, I dont want the pictures you saw to be everywhere in Miami Beach, Suarez said.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner speaks during a press conference in South Beach at which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1365 bill related to homelessness on Tuesday, March 20, 2024.

Arrests under the ordinance have declined since late last year, perhaps in part because of its legal complexities. At the commission meeting last month, Jones, the police chief, said enforcing the camping ban is a bit tedious because of the requirement to offer shelter, unlike charging people for simply being on the beach or in a park after hours. Records from the citys municipal prosecution team show police have charged more than 120 people with being in a park after hours since 2022.

Kenny, the city spokesperson, said officers have not been told to stop enforcing the camping ordinance.

Miami Beach police regularly charge homeless people with other offenses, most commonly open container violations, records show. At least one homeless Miami Beach man has been arrested more than 70 times since 2017, according to Miami-Dade jail booking records. More than two dozen of those cases involved open container laws.

In January, the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust reported that there were 154 unsheltered homeless people in Miami Beach in its overnight count, up slightly from 152 in August but down from 235 last January. Suarez said he didnt believe those numbers.

I have two eyes. I can see that its only getting worse, he said at the February meeting.

Several elected officials emphasized that the camping ordinance is meant to help homeless people. Those who will benefit most, Suarez said, are the homeless individuals who are being encouraged to use the homeless services that we offer.

Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who proposed a separate ordinance last month that subjects people to arrest for blocking sidewalks and streets, called the camping law a tool to help individuals compassionately get the much-needed services that they deserve.

If they decline those services, they should be arrested, from my perspective, Fernandez said.

Miami-Dade Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book participates in the agencys annual Point-in-Time Homeless summer census on Aug. 18, 2022.

David Peery, who leads the nonprofit Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity and was a plaintiff in the landmark Pottinger case on homelessness in the city of Miami, said he rejects the idea that people who decline shelter placement or any services short of permanent housing should be criminalized.

Many homeless people say shelters are worse than being on the streets because of experiences with violence and drugs or concerns about following strict shelter rules. And even after entering a temporary shelter, finding stable, affordable housing in South Florida is a daunting task.

The only service that truly affects homelessness are homes, Peery said. If somebody refuses shelter, it in no way says they want to be on the streets. It simply says that, because shelters present so many problems for them, theyd rather take their chances on the streets.

Helping people find success

Officials have highlighted the citys investment in homeless services  including a police homeless resource unit and $2.7 million in this years budget that goes toward a team of caseworkers and a walk-in center for the homeless population  while touting the camping ordinance as an additional tool to get people off the street.

Alba Tarre, who leads the citys Office of Housing and Community Services, said in an interview that, typically, about three or four beds are available for people seeking shelter through her office. Once someone is placed in a shelter through the city, they can stay there for months if they follow a care plan devised with city caseworkers.

Getting people into a shelter isnt always easy, Tarre said. Some beds are reserved for men and others are for women. If only a top bunk is available, people with physical disabilities may not be able to access it. And people may be barred from particular facilities or wary of a shelter where they had a bad past experience.

Tarre said the city seeks to develop relationships with unhoused people through an outreach team that walks the streets and speaks with them, learning what type of medical help they may need, whether they have family members they could reunite with and if they may want to enter a shelter.

We believe in constant engagement and rapport-building, Tarre said. Our job is helping people find success, whatever that means for them.

Kenny, the city spokesperson, said officers with the police homeless resource unit are typically contacted to assist with shelter placements. They conduct a records check to make sure the person is not a sex offender or someone with a violent history. If its after normal business hours, they contact the Salvation Army to ensure the person hasnt previously been banned from the facility, then transport them to one of the police departments three beds.

If all police beds were to ever be filled on a particular night, the city has ample beds in which to house any overflow, Kenny said. As best we know, no one who is eligible for a bed has ever been turned away due to availability.

Schnably, the University of Miami professor, said the interactions between Miami Beach police and homeless people arrested for camping dont seem to reflect a sensitive approach. People should understand the implications of an offer of shelter before they accept it, he said, including where a bed is located, how long they are allowed to stay and if they need to give up their personal belongings to enter.

The seemingly vague offers of shelter under the Miami Beach ordinance call into question whether the city is genuinely trying to help, Schnably said.

Clearly, the philosophy of it isnt really to try to be humane or avoid criminalizing homelessness, he said. You kind of wonder whether they just hope people will leave Miami Beach.
The Cinderella Castle is seen at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in a lawsuit over who controls Walt Disney Worlds governing district. | John Raoux

After two years of litigation, the Walt Disney Company and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are letting go of their differences.

Disney reached a settlement with the DeSantis-installed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, surrendering the self-governing status its enjoyed for five decades.

But both parties signaled they were ready to put this chapter behind them and continue working together.

This legal back-and-forth began when Disney publicly criticized the Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the Dont Say Gay bill by critics, passed in Florida in March 2022. The legislation prohibited instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms before fourth grade.

A year later, DeSantis signed a bill ending Disneys self-governing status, dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, and renaming it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

But before DeSantis bill could take effect, the Disney-elected board members negotiated a contract with Disney that left DeSantis new board effectively powerless beyond maintaining roads and basic infrastructure.

Disney also filed a federal suit against DeSantis for retaliating against the company for criticizing a controversial parental rights education law, as the Deseret News reported. This suit was dismissed earlier in January 2024.

This settlement agreement, discussed by the oversight board Wednesday, would make the Disney boards maneuver tactics to hold control over the district null and void. Disney and the DeSantis administration also agreed to drop all other related claims and counterclaims in the lawsuit.

Upon settling in court, Jeff Vahle, the president of Walt Disney World, in a statement indicated the beginning of a new chapter, and promised Disneys sustained interest in investing in Florida.

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, said Vahle. 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.

DeSantis, during a Wednesday press conference in Orlando, said, Every action that weve taken has been upheld in full.

Im glad that they were able to do that settlement. Those 11th hour covenants and restrictions were never going to be valid. We knew that, he said.

DeSantis said Disney has plenty to gain in aligning with Floridas interests, before touting increased competition in the area with Universal Studios latest game changer project, Epic Universe, slated to open by summer 2025. This project will join other NBCUniversal offerings, including Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay.

Disney has four properties in Florida  Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom  and has a smaller footprint in California with two properties.

Ive got to think Disney would have an interest in maybe offering another one, DeSantis said. The district will be ready to negotiate something.

Disneys 2022 Economic Impact report states the companys resorts generated $40 billion for Floridas economy, and a quarter of a million jobs.

The Florida governor said Disneys pushback in Florida stemmed from Burbank, California, where the company is headquartered. It was not driven by Orlando and I think weve always understood that, he added.

Disneys decision to settle is a change in direction from their position in January, when the company said, This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here.

If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case.

This agreement came after the board installed Stephanie Kopelousos, who Politico reported was viewed as favorable to Disney

When a DeSantis bill cracked down on Big Tech censoring right-wing perspectives on social media, Kopelousos wrote a carveout in the legislation that exempted theme park companies, such as Disney and its streaming service Disney+, as Jason Garcia, a corporate accountability reporter, wrote. Her hiring appears to be an olive branch, leaving the door open for collaboration.
The Sembcorp Marine sign is pictured at the shipyard in Singapore, May 23, 2019. Photo by 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 offenses 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.
Donald Trump on Friday asked a Georgia state appeals court to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from his election interference case, the former presidents latest attempt to delay legal proceedings.

Judge Scott McAfee ruled two weeks ago that Willis could remain on the case she built against Trump if her special prosecutor resigned. Nathan Wade submitted his resignation that same day, and the case could once again proceed.

Trump and eight of his 18 co-defendants in the case filed an application Friday with the Georgia Court of Appeals asking it to reconsider McAfees decision. They argued that Willis had a personal stake in the election interference case and should step down.

While the trial court factually found DA Williss out-of-court statements were improper and Defendants proved an apparent conflict of interest, the trial court erred as a matter of law by not requiring dismissal and DA Willis disqualification, the court filing said. This legal error requires the Courts immediate review.

If this law means anything, the trial courts actual findings here establish an actual conflict.

Williss office has 10 days to respond to the appeal application.

Trump and several of his co-defendants accused Willis of having an improper relationship with Wade, who has billed her officeand thus county taxpayersfor more than $728,000 in legal fees. Trumps team alleges that Willis and Wade began dating in 2019 and that, over the course of their romantic relationship, the couple took extravagant vacations that Wade supposedly paid for in part by billing Williss office.

Willis and Wade, who are no longer together, say they didnt start seeing each other until 2022, after Willis hired Wade for the Georgia case. Willis also says they each paid their own share of the vacation bill.

During the hearings, the key witness against Willis crumbled on the stand, admitting he didnt know when Willis and Wade began dating, how their relationship began, or even what trips they took together. But the most important thing to remember, Willis has stressed, is that Trump and his co-defendants are currently on trial for trying to steal an election.

McAfee chastised Willis for what he described as a tremendous lapse in judgment. But he ultimately refused to throw her off the case, saying she must resolve the appearance of impropriety by either recusing herself or removing Wade. And again, Wade has already stepped down.

The former presidents strategy has been to delay every single one of his legal battles as long as possible, in the hopes that he is reelected in November and can use his newfound presidential powers to shield himself from prosecution. His accusation against Willis dragged out the Georgia proceedings for weeks, and if the appeals court accepts his application, legal proceedings could take even longer to get going. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.

This story has been updated.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Buffalo State University is once again looking for a new president after SUNY made the surprising announcement Wednesday night  saying Dr. Chance Glenn will not be starting in the role come July.

Dr. Chance Glenn was appointed to the job in December and was supposed to start on July 1, but SUNYs chancellor says theyve changed their mind.

We are all disappointed in the outcome of our search, but we have great hope for the future, said Buffalo State Council President Linda Dobmeier.

The schools future is now in the hands of interim president Dr. Bonita Durand, who turned 75 on Thursday, and will remain in this position for the next two years.

One of the reasons that I personally agreed to stay is so that our momentum wont stop. Weve made great progress in collaboration. Weve made great progress over the past year in identifying strategies and tactics. We have reinvigorated this community, said Durand.

SUNY and Buff State announced Wednesday that their offer of president to Dr. Chance Glenn was rescinded. SUNY has declined to answer any questions since then.

In a statement to News 4, Glenn says he is disappointed that hes unable to work in the Queen City and that he is working to address the root of the issue in Texas.

News 4 reached out to the University of Houston Victoria where Glenn is still the provost, but didnt hear back.

Earlier this month, a newspaper in Victoria, Texas, provided details about concerns at Glenns college. Suny has yet to confirm that report played a part in their decision.

That article says within the past month, the University of Houston Victorias faculty council called for Glenns removal after allegations of conflict of interest, and transparency, over a $270,000 research grant he received.

Still, here at home, the focus remains on Buff State.

This campus, this community can make those hard decisions. We can control our destiny and we can still provide the quality education and services that SUNY is known for, and that Buffalo State does very well, continued Durand.

Buffalo mayor Byron Brown, who was in rumors to fill the Buff State job since it opened in 2022, said he was saddened by the news but his focus remains the same, on the city.

Weve made a lot of progress in the city of Buffalo, but theres a lot more work to do, Brown said So, Im very focused on the work that Im doing as mayor.

Latest Local News

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
In the vast expanse of Russia, a country where the rigid chill of societal norms and legal strictures often bites more painful than the harshest winter frost, unfolds the poignant story of Ada Blakewell, a 23-year-old trans woman.

Her journey is a mirror, reflecting the trials and tribulations faced by many within the Russian LGBTQ+ community, now officially outlawed by the state.

Born into a setting that was steeped in conservative and deeply Orthodox traditions, Blakewells mere existence was a challenge to the norms her family and society held dear. The act of revealing her gender identity to her family, which should have been a moment of liberation and acceptance, morphed into the onset of a nightmarish chapter of her life.

Abducted by her mother, she was transported to an isolated location in the scenic but remote Altai region, bordering Kazakhstan. There, Blakewell was subjected to what was called "conversion therapy."

This period, extending over nine grueling months, was characterized by torment and suffering, a far cry from any form of therapeutic intervention.

Within the confines of the so-called conversion therapy camp, Blakewell was subjected to a regimen of physically exhaustive and psychologically damaging activities.

She was fed sedatives against her will, forced to sign documents while being physically tortured, and after an unsuccessful attempt to escape, Blakewell was severely beaten.

The camp was a place where forced labor, physical violence, and mental manipulation were rampant, all under the pretext of "curing" Blakewell of her transgender identity.

The ordeal Blakewell faced was meticulously designed to exert physical and emotional tolls, leading to the development of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that continues to haunt her.

For the moment, Blakewell has left the country and is helping and advocating for trans people from and in Russia.

Blakewells experience serves as a grim reminder of the oppressive anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that overshadows life in Russia.

The enactment of the so-called "trans ban" law in the summer of 2023 stands as a stark manifestation of this repression.

This law, signed into action by Russian President Vladimir Putin, prohibits not only medical interventions aimed at gender transition but also the legal recognition of such changes in official documents. The ban extends to the annulment of marriages if one partner is transgender and restricts their rights to adopt children.

This legislation effectively makes it impossible for transgender individuals to align their legal identities with their gender identity, compounding the difficulties they face in a society already marked by severe discrimination and lack of acceptance.

A view of the State Duma building, the lower chamber of Russia's parliament, in central Moscow on October 27, 2022. The Duma unanimously passed amendments toughening a notorious 2013 "gay propaganda" law in a first reading on October 27, its official website said. The ammendments extend the law that previously criminalised spreading what authorities deemed "gay propaganda" to minors to all Russian adults. The bill now outlaws "gay propaganda" in the media, internet, advertisement, literature and cinema. Violators could face fines up to five million rubles for "LGBT propagnda". (Kirill Kudryavtsev /AFP via Getty Images)

The introduction of this law is a significant regression in the rights of transgender individuals, effectively erasing their identities from legal recognition and imposing a state-sanctioned denial of their existence.

It represents the culmination of years of increasingly hostile rhetoric and legislation against the LGBTQ+ community under the guise of protecting "traditional values."

Critics and human rights organizations argue that these measures will exacerbate the already high rates of mental health issues, including suicide and depression, among transgender people by denying them access to essential healthcare and legal acknowledgment of their gender identity.

Furthermore, the law encourages the proliferation of an underground market for gender-affirming surgeries and treatments, pushing these medical practices into unsafe and unregulated spaces.

Openly trans people (in Russia) have only three options now, Blakewell says, Leave Russia, live underground in disguise which sounds horrible or not give up and fight, but it looks like the last option leads to persecution from both the government and, what is worse, right-wing activists.

Ban on LGBTQ+

In November 2023, Russian Supreme Court's decision to label the "international LGBT movement" as "extremist," has starkly intensified the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in general within the country.

This ruling, emerging from a lawsuit by the Justice Ministry accusing the LGBT movement of inciting social and religious discord, has effectively jeopardized all forms of LGBTQ+ rights activism in Russia.

Under this classification, participating in or financing an extremist organization can lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment for up to 12 years and significant restrictions on personal freedoms and civil rights.

The UN experts have condemned this decision, highlighting its dangerous precedent and the negative consequences it poses, effectively banning all public LGBTQ+ activities and organizations in Russia. They've expressed concerns about the broad application and potential for abuse of this ruling, which continues a troubling trend of state-sponsored human rights violations against LGBTQ+ individuals in the country.

Russian riot police detained gay rights activist during World Day Against Homophobia and Transophobia in Saint Petersburg on May 17, 2019. - About ten LGBT activists took part in the protest with four arrested by the police in Russia's second largest city. (Olga Maltseva /AFP via Getty Images)

Human rights activist, Caleb, whos last name is omitted to protect him from persecution in Russia, stated that this court decision could lead to a blanket ban on LGBTQ+ organizations working in and with people from Russia, violating rights to freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to be free from discrimination.

This ruling threatens to undo decades of progress made by LGBTQ+ activists, potentially inspiring new levels of violence against LGBTQ+ persons across Russia.

The courts ruling gave a green light to common people who are queerphobic to attack those who they suspect are part of the now outlawed community.

If you are queer or even look queer, like you dyed your hair pink or something, face piercing, people on the street can be aggressive towards you, Blakewell says.

Now you can commit hate crimes and (its implied by the government that) thats ok!

Before this court ruling and the so-called trans ban, Russia significantly expanded its "gay propaganda" law in November 2022, making the public expression or promotion of LGBTQ+ lifestyles and identities across all ages illegal.

This legislation, approved unanimously by the State Duma, imposed hefty fines for any perceived promotion of homosexuality in public spaces, online platforms, films, books, and advertising.

The law equates any positive or neutral representation of non-heterosexual orientations and non-cisgender identities with "propaganda," subjecting individuals to fines up to 400,000 rubles ($4,300) and legal entities up to 5 million rubles ($54,000).

Foreigners face arrest and deportation for violations.

This broad and vague legislation already left much to law enforcement's interpretation, increasing risks for the LGBTQ+ community.

Imprisonment for gay propaganda

In a stark illustration of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Russia, the experiences of Haoyang Xiu and Gela Gogishvili offers a glimpse into the personal impact of the nations anti-LGBTQ+ stance.

Haoyang, originally from China, had been living in Russia since he decided to pursue studies at the Kazan Federal University.

Gay rights activists march in Russia's second city of St. Petersburg May 1, 2013, during their rally against a controversial law in the city that activists see as violating the rights of gays. (Olga Maltseva /AFP via Getty Images)

It was during his time in Kazan that Haoyang, then 21, met 24-year-old Gogishvili from Moscow.

They began dating and sharing their experience through a blog, celebrating their relationship and the intertwining of their diverse backgrounds.

However, their openness about their relationship attracted unwelcome scrutiny.

On April 5, 2023, the two were detained by police on charges of spreading LGBT propaganda. While Gogishvili was released with only a warning, Haoyang faced a harsher fate: a seven-day arrest followed by a court order for deportation.

Now seeking asylum in France, Haoyang reflects on the harrowing time spent in a migrant jail, where the emotional toll was compounded by homophobic and racist insults from the guards.

Traditional values

From the expanded gay propaganda law to the extremism court hearing is part of a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, where the government argues it is protecting "traditional values" against a supposedly corrupting Western influence.

The legislations' architects claim they shield society, particularly children, from "hybrid warfare" purportedly waged through LGBTQ+ "propaganda."

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a forum for family values in Moscow on January 23, 2024. (Photo by Sergei Karpukhen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Talia Kollek, a doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, specializing in Russian LGBTQ+ studies, claims that queer people have become a target in Russia because they are an easy scapegoat and readily associated with the West.

According to Kollek, after the fall of the Soviet Union, where homosexuality was a criminal offense, the newfound visibility of LGBTQ+ topics in Russia coincided with the sudden import of Western goods, media, and culture.

This correlation meant that homosexuality could be interpreted as yet another foreign import, which has had sinister implications for the fate of LGBTQ+ rights in Russia.

In times of political, economic, or social unrest, Vladimir Putin has shored up his political legitimacy by framing himself as the defender of Russian traditional values, targeting LGBTQ+ people as a particularly dangerous external threat. It is therefore no surprise that LGBTQ+ rights have come under attack in earnest following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This development represents a significant regression in LGBTQ+ rights within Russia, setting a concerning precedent for the suppression of freedom of expression and the promotion of discriminatory policies under the guise of protecting societal values.

Katya Dikovskaya, a seasoned human rights lawyer working as a head of legal help for a Russian human rights group called Sphere, outlines the current legal quagmire surrounding the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The governments failure to officially publish court orders or explicitly list LGBTQ+ organizations as extremist leaves both the community and its advocates navigating a minefield of ambiguities.

They (the government) still havent put any of the LGBTQ+ organizations into the extremist list, the only thing we know for now is that the term LGBTQ itself and the flag are considered extremist, Dikovskaya says.

However, one lady was fined for wearing rainbow earrings, but this is actually illegal even by current rules, as the court order hasnt been officially published. You cant be fined for something you dont know is illegal, she adds.

Moreover, this is a great loophole for the government: they can arrest anyone for anything as there are no rules until they publish this court order.

Basically, at the moment its really hard to figure out who can be persecuted.

This legal gray area not only complicates the understanding of what constitutes illegal activities but also opens the door for arbitrary enforcement by authorities.

There have already been cases of people who were reported for using gay dating apps, posting stuff online, and so on.

Speaking of NGOs and activism, psychological and legal help is not illegal, however any events and advocacy is a reason to be persecuted.

These measures not only restrict the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community but also set a concerning precedent for the suppression of dissent and the promotion of discriminatory policies under the guise of protecting societal values.

Dikovskaya emphasizes the ambiguity surrounding the application of these laws.

The lack of clear rules and the governments failure to officially publish court orders create a legal gray area, leaving both the LGBTQ+ community and its advocates in a state of uncertainty.

This situation allows for the arbitrary enforcement of laws, potentially leading to widespread persecution based on vague criteria.

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In our Reality Check stories, Tri-City Herald journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? News@tricityherald.com.

As Tri-Cities leaders work to find money to replace the regions failing 911 communications infrastructure, some wonder how it got this bad.

Benton County Emergency Services Director Jay Atwood told the Tri-City Herald that the answer isnt as straightforward as it might seem.

We get asked a lot, How did we end up here on the edge of this cliff? he said.

County commissioners and city councils are now staring at a $20 million problem, and its a can that cant be kicked down the road.

Emergency communications systems are paid for on the local level, which is why systems vary so greatly from one area to the next.

The Tri-Cities regions 911 communication system is woven together through towers and communications equipment on top of mountains and ridges in the bicounty area. Every single site will need partial upgrades, some will need to be totally replaced with modern systems.

Currently, police and firefighters cant communicate without the Southeast Communications Center, or SECOMM, coordinating because theyre on different systems.

The first part will see the replacement of microwave transmitters on mountain tops and ridges across the region at a cost of $4.5 million.

The second will cost $15 million to $18 million and move Franklin County towers and all fire departments away the obsolete VHF transmission system onto a digital 800 MHz system, as well as upgrade radios across the counties so they can work together.

Its a challenge local leaders have known about for years, but what they didnt anticipate was a global pandemic hitting not long after the counties consolidated their dispatch systems. The original plan was to begin upgrades after the merger was completed.

But the pandemic forced the project to a back-burner, and the used parts market relied on to keep the antiquated equipment running disappeared completely.

But in many circumstances, even when the equipment was new to this area, it was actually used and nearing end of life.

Now, officials are racing against time to begin the upgrades before the old technology begins to completely fail.

Mid-Columbia 911 dispatch operations consolidated in 2018. File/Tri-City Herald

Timeline to crisis

The 911 Emergency call system has only been around since the late 1960s. Before that callers had to either call police or fire directly or call an operator for help connecting them.

Police departments only began using handheld radios in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Before that all communication had to be done in their vehicles.

As technology evolved, cell phone use became more prominent and wireless terminals in police vehicles began to be adopted, modern 911 infrastructure started being put into place to help coordinate the massive amount of new voice and data traffic.

In 1992, Washington State Emergency Management began building a Benton County emergency communications system with a grant from the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program because of the chemical weapons depot to the south in Umatilla, Ore.

The Tri-Cities 911 communications system relies on a series of towers on top of mountains in the area, similar to these towers on Badger Mountain in Richland, WA.

It wasnt until 2000 that Franklin County would begin building a new communications system of its own.

In 2005, the county began installing microwave paths on mountaintops and ridges in the area. The following year Benton County began to upgrade its microwave system, moving toward 800 MHz technology.

It was then that telecommunication engineer Michael Namcheck said he began building the Franklin County VHF system, often with parts from eBay.

The intent was to upgrade the system once it was in place, but that never really happened, he recently told Franklin County commissioners.

In 2010, Franklin County consolidated its towers and equipment on Rattlesnake Mountain. This agreement with the Yakama Nation allowed them to maintain coverage while respecting the tribes efforts to preserve the sacred site.

In 2015, Pasco police joined Benton Countys more modern 800 MHz radio system, which allowed for greater coordination and better flexibility. But the rest of Franklin County and all of the areas fire departments remained on VHF systems.

Dispatch center consolidation

In 2017, the counties began to consolidate emergency dispatch systems. SECOMM opened its doors in 2018.

The next step in the plan after SECOMM opened was to address the disjointed and antiquated radio systems before they began to fail. That process began in 2019.

In 2020, those efforts were put on hold and engineers worked to maintain the current system through the COVID-19 pandemic.

During that time, the used parts market engineers relied on to keep the VHF system and old microwave receivers running completely dried up. They were briefly shored up with equipment from Walla Walla when the neighboring county upgraded their own 911 infrastructure.

By mid-2023, SECOMM leaders began to look into much needed upgrades, and started getting estimates on just how much the process was going to cost.

Late last year SECOMM leaders begin meeting with county commissioners and city councils to fill them in on the update plans, and just how dire the situation had become.

In March 2024, Benton and Franklin counties and the cities of Pasco, Richland and Kennewick signed an updated interlocal agreement to lock in a $4.5 million price tag for the first portion of the upgrades to the microwave transmitters.

Each owes a $900,000 payment in Spring 2025 as work nears completion.

In late March, the counties and cities started looking at options for how to pay for the second part of the plan that would get everyone moved onto the 800 MHz system and also replace radios for about two dozen agencies in order to use the technology.

The total cost for the entire project, including the transmitters, is expected to be more than $20 million.
BALTIMORE  The duty officer radioed to two fellow Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers working an extra-duty shift in Tuesdays early morning hours. He needed one stationed on each side of the Francis Scott Key Bridge to block traffic.

Theres a ship approaching that just lost their steering, the duty officer advised, according to archived radio transmissions reviewed by The Baltimore Sun. Until they get that under control, weve gotta stop all traffic.

Then, less than a minute later, he spoke again: Is there a crew working on the bridge right now?

There was. And, despite swift action to block the bridges highway traffic, almost certainly saving travelers lives, officers did not reach the construction crew in time for them to evacuate. Six of the seven-member crew, predominantly Hispanic men, are presumed dead  the human toll of the Key Bridges sudden collapse after the vessel struck it just before 1:30 a.m.

The time between the container ship Dalis mayday and its foundation-shaking crash into one of the Key Bridges support piers was less than three minutes, leaving little time for life-preserving action. But one former construction worker said crew members likely could have hopped in a truck and sped off the 1.6-mile bridge if theyd been reached by phone or radio.

Among the many questions surrounding the catastrophe: Was the crew working on the bridge warned to get off in the best way possible?

There has been mixed information about how, or if, Maryland Transportation Authority Police reached the crew and a state inspector, also a contractor, who was stationed alongside the workers. That inspector survived, along with one crew member, officials have said.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who praised the transportation authority officers as heroic, said Wednesday that how exactly first responders sought to reach the crew is part of the investigation. The independent federal National Transportation Safety Board, which announced earlier this week it would probe for the cause of the strike and bridge collapse, is conducting interviews and gathering evidence.

Moore said he was told by a survivor that that person was warned audibly. Moore said that person said first responders on scene were both able to move toward keeping additional cars from coming on the bridge and also begin notifying some of the workers on the bridge that they needed to move off.

The survivor, Moore said, told him that as he was moving off of the bridge, and literally saw the bridge fall right after he moved off, it was because it was a first responder who was telling him to move off the bridge.

If one or more officers were calling out to crew as the bridge went down, it may have been in vain.

Cpl. Jim Kruszynski, the president of the union representing transportation authority officers, said Thursday he hadnt heard that in his conversations with the three officers, who he said were heroes that morning. He doubted, given the distance from the crews work area to the base of the bridge, that the crew would have been able to see or hear anything from police.

The bridge is huge. For the crew being up at the main stand, and traffic held at the base  I mean, its a long way away from each other, he said. Theres no, like, hand signals. Youre not going to see them by line of sight.

Officers definitely did not get up onto the bridge, Kruszynski added. Had they, they wouldve went into the water, also.

The three officers, identified Thursday as Sgt. Paul Pastorek, Cpl. Jeremy Herbert and Officer Garry Kirts, were honored during the Baltimore Orioles opening day game. In a joint statement, the officers said no amount of training could have prepared anyone for the events that took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

We were proud to carry out our duties as officers of this state to save the lives that we could, and we are grateful for the incredible amount of support from this community that we love so much, it said.

Spokespeople for the transportation authority police did not immediately respond to questions Thursday about their expectations for communication between officers and the crews theyre stationed to help. A representative from the construction company, Brawner Builders, did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment.

It remains unclear what methods of communication were at the police and dispatchers disposal to contact either the construction crew or state inspector.

The archived radio communications show the duty officer suggesting, less than a minute before the crash, that officers just make sure no ones on the bridge right now.

Might want to notify whoever the foreman is, the duty officer said, see if we can get them off the bridge temporarily.

An officer blocking Inner Loop traffic responded 10-4, then added he would run up on the bridge once another officer arrived to take his place.

That never happened. Instead, a half minute later, a stunned-sounding first responder radioed: The whole bridge just fell down. Start, start whoever. Everybody. The whole bridge just collapsed.

John Huntzberry, a former Brawner employee who left in 2020, said hed spent countless nights on the Key Bridge cutting out potholes and filling them in with new concrete. He knew the foreman of the lost crew, one of two men whose bodies were found Tuesday in a red pickup truck.

Huntzberry said he believes the state inspector would have called the crew with a warning, if hed heard one, but that he didnt know whether that happened. Describing the wind on the bridge and the potential for noise from loud tools, he speculated it was possible the pothole crew couldnt hear any call, or that they were on a break in their trucks and missed it.

Had they heard about the ships issue when the pilot first called for help  NTSB investigators have said the ships pilot made a general radio call for nearby tugs assistance at 1:26 a.m. and reported the Dali had lost all power and was approaching the bridge at 1:27 a.m.  Huntzberry said he thought that would be enough time to escape the bridge.

If you jump in a truck going 60 miles per hour on a bridge, it doesnt take three minutes to get way down, he said. But  theres a lot of factors in play there.

Brawner is an efficient, safety-conscious company, Huntzberry said. They have safety plans in place for the stuff that usually goes wrong, namely distracted drivers or workplace accidents.

Theres really no way to protect someone from a freak accident, he said.

Bobby Knutson Jr., another former Brawner employee, too, said the last thing we ever thought about was a boat.

We were always aware of traffic, and there was a lot of times where there was accidents, and people would either be under the influence, coming into lane closures, or just an accident in general, people not paying attention, Knutson said. Obviously, you think about falling, depending on what youre doing.

But you never thought about boats, he said.

Five construction workers and one inspector were killed last March, almost exactly a year before the Key Bridge collapse, in a separate high-profile incident also along the Baltimore Beltway, I-695. That high-speed crash led to scrutiny of Marylands highway work zone safety and proposed legislation this year to boost fines and add greater flexibility for installing work zone cameras.

The police present Tuesday were assigned to a construction detail, Kruszynski said, in place to assist with traffic as needed. Had they been on normal patrol, rather than that detail, its possible they could have taken minutes, not seconds, to close bridge traffic.

There are people alive with their families today that wouldve perished, had they not stopped traffic, in seconds, without a second thought, Kruszynski said. The fact they were assigned to that detail is what made the difference. That, and their quick thinking.

_____
Guided stops of 10 of Richland County's most loved attractions are part of a new tour.

The tour May 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. will include the 47-acre Kingwood Center Gardens that once was the home of industrialist Charles Kelley King, the historic Ohio State Reformatory prison-turned-museum, where "The Shawshank Redemption" was filmed and refurbished caverns, hand-built in the 1800s and once used to store beer before air conditioning, beneath Hudson & Essex restaurant in downtown Mansfield.

Hosted by Destination Mansfield-Richland County and the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation, the tour is designed for individuals who live or work in northcentral Ohio. Participants will ride a school bus. The $125 registration includes lunch.

Homes in the Hancock Heights area on Annadale Avenue will be part of the tour.

And there's even a chance to get a sneak peek at one of the newest attractions, Hancock Heights short-term rentals, directly across Ohio 545 from the reformatory. The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, which operates the OSR museum, purchased a few brick row houses and has turned them into overnight guest accommodations, according to OSR's website. A spokeswoman at OSR said they are a couple months out from opening.

The North Central Ohio Industrial Museum has many exhibits highlighting the area's strong history of manufacturing.

Tour participants will hear from directors and key points of contact at each location about the growth of their organization. Destination Mansfield-Richland County will provide local and state tourism data as well as information on how attractions fit into plans for Richland County, according to the Richland Area Chamber-Economic Development.

Visitors celebrated the 70th year of Kingwood Center Gardens during a rededication ceremony in 2023.

Most dont realize tourism is a major industry in Richland County that supports over 5,000 jobs, making it the sixth-largest employer, said Lee Tasseff, president of Destination Mansfield-Richland County. It is worth learning about as its total impact is $405 million, generating over $11.6 milllion in local tax reenues for services all residents rely on.

There will be 10 guided stops during the tour:

Each stop will offer a curated experience designed for business professionals, said Angie Cirone, director, Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation. Participants will have networking opportunities with each other and with tour hosts.

Learn more and register at bit.ly/mansfieldtour.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Discover 10 Richland County OH must-see attractions during May tour
Pal Jonson, Minister of Defence of Sweden, has confirmed that after Swedens NATO accession is finalised, it will not rule out the possibility of supplying Ukraine with its Gripen fighter jets.

Source: Jonson in an interview for Kyiv Independent, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Jonson stated earlier that Sweden would not be able to make a decision to supply Ukraine with its fighter jets until it joined NATO; this process was complete at the beginning of March.

"The discussions are ongoing, and they are held within the fighter jets coalition," Jonson responded when asked about the current stage of these discussions.

He noted that Sweden is also a part of this coalition which helps Ukraine receive the US-produced F-16 fighter jets and conduct the necessary training for pilots and staff.

Jonson stressed that Europe must strengthen its military support for Ukraine and "compensate for the decreasing part of this support", referring to the US.

In August 2023, during the visit of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Sweden the issue of supplying Ukraine with the Gripen fighter jets was discussed.

Last autumn, the media reported that the Swedish government was carefully preparing the ground for potential delivery of the Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.

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There has long been curiosity about the private life of the Macrons (JULIEN DE ROSA)

Years after false posts began circulating on social media purporting Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman, the French first lady remains the target of fake claims with the transphobic disinformation spreading to the United States.

President Emmanuel Macron, 46, has in recent weeks lashed out at the false information spread about his wife, 70, who is taking legal action against those behind the allegations.

Prominent US conservative commentator Candace Owens vehemently attacked the first lady in a now-deleted YouTube video posted on March 11, propagating a false claim that first exploded in France just weeks before the 2022 presidential election.

Brigitte Macron is falsely accused of being born as a man called Jean-Michel Trogneux, her maiden surname, with that name going viral as a hashtag.

Macron is among a group of influential women -- including former US first lady Michelle Obama and New Zealand ex-premier Jacinda Ardern -- who have fallen victim to a growing trend: disinformation about their gender or sexuality to mock or humiliate them.

While this gendered disinformation is particularly visible in repeated attacks on prominent figures, it also affects women in general and sexual or gender minorities with differing levels of responsibility in public life.

According to the US-based observer group, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the goal is to drive women "off the platforms and out of public life", which has serious consequences for democracy.

- 'Across the Atlantic' -

Originally shared in the United States on sites like notorious disinformation hub 4chan, the claim snowballed when figures "with very large audiences gave it visibility", doctoral researcher Sophie Chauvet, specialising in audience metrics, told AFP.

In her video, conservative commentator Owens cites a "thorough investigation" by so-called independent journalist Natacha Rey, published in the French newsletter Faits et Documents in 2021.

Founded in 1996 by far-right French figure Emmanuel Ratier and now headed by Xavier Poussard, Faits et Documents regularly promotes stories targeting the first lady, a journalist at the French weekly L'Obs, Emmanuelle Anizon, told AFP.

"But what is new is that Xavier Poussard started translating his articles at the end of 2023," Anizon said, adding that he claims to have sent an English version to those close to former US president Donald Trump.

Anizon, who spoke to Poussard and his associate Aurelien Poirson who advised on the translation, explained that it was no accident that the US far right had taken up the false claim ahead of the November US elections.

"It was their dream to export this rumour across the Atlantic," she said.

And it worked, spreading like wildfire after Owens posted her video with two associated hashtags shared tens of thousands of times on X, according to social network analysis tool Visibrain.

The rumour "was available as and when required", said Sebastian Dieguez, an expert in conspiracy theories at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.

The "secretly trans" narrative is a long-standing feature of online, sexist violence, according to a 2021 Wilson Center report.

The bottom line, according to the NDI, is that silencing women has "serious consequences for human rights, diversity in public debates and the media, and ultimately, democracy."

- 'Grotesque' rumours -

The impact is also personal for those targeted and their families.

Emmanuel Macron addressed the rumours on International Women's Day, saying, "the worst thing is false information".

"People eventually believe them and disturb you, even in your private life," he said.

The president's relationship with his wife 24 years his senior, whom he met while she was a teacher and he was still a teenager, is periodically a source of media attention in France and abroad.

On March 22, a 51-year-old man was arrested in southwestern France for allegedly writing "Brigitte Macron, transsexual" on his garage, according to the French daily Le Figaro.

The first lady and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux have taken legal action against two women who posted a Youtube video in December 2021 alleging she had once been a man named "Jean-Michel".

A Paris criminal court is to try them on charges of defamation in March next year, a source close to the case has said.

The first lady's daughter from her first marriage, Tiphaine Auziere, on Tuesday said she hoped the trial could quash the "grotesque" rumours.

"Whether it's my mother or anyone else in society, it can do a lot of harm," Auziere told the BFMTV broadcaster.

"The justice system... can put an end to this misinformation and severely condemn the perpetrators because it's a form of harassment like any other."

jma-ekf/sjw/ah/ach
Kentucky state legislators have put forth an attack on diversity, equity and inclusion across the commonwealths public university campuses, failing to recognize these initiatives are the best way to preserve the commonwealths future.

Out of touch lawmakers are working to remove programs that create a safe space for difficult discussions and an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging that all young people deserve to find. This is an appalling attack on young people and their education that should not have been allowed to make it this far, and it should not be allowed to continue.

Anti-DEI bills are an attack on young people

University officials have been hesitant to take a stand, which is why we, the editorial boards of independent, student-run newspapers at seven of Kentuckys public universities, felt we must.

We call on the Kentucky General Assembly to not take up legislation in the future that seeks to eliminate DEI from the commonwealths public universities.

It appalls us that the effort to eliminate DEI protections and initiatives was even given life in the General Assembly. Every person deserves to feel comfortable in making the commonwealth their home, and taking away initiatives that promote diversity will push Kentucky farther into the past.

On Feb. 13, the Senate passed Senate Bill 6. A month later, the House amended the bill with original language from House Bill 9, and voted to pass. The bill returned to the Senate with stronger attacks on diversity while eliminating race-based scholarships for students, mandatory DEI training and orientations, required courses and more.

In January, SB 6 sponsor Sen. Mike Wilson said the bill would outlaw the teaching of discriminatory concepts like the belief that some individuals are inherently superior to others within the classroom and across faculty initiatives.

Days later, Rep. Jennifer Decker introduced HB 9, an aim to strip all DEI initiatives on college campuses. Anything deemed to be differential treatment would be prohibited and defunded, including dedicated offices and positions.

Following months of debate and public outcry, the Senate chose not to vote on concurrence with the updated SB 6 before entering the veto period last night. While the General Assembly could still pass a version of the legislation upon returning from the veto period on April 12, they would be unable to override a veto by Gov. Andy Beshear.

This legislation represents a threat to Kentuckys higher education that their sponsors refuse to acknowledge. It presents Kentucky as a land of archaic ideals, where bygone values endure despite changes of modern times.

It was less than 70 years ago when the last three of Kentuckys public universities fully desegregated their campuses. Before 1949, Black Kentuckians had no real option of attending a public university in the commonwealth other than Kentucky State University, which was founded in 1886 as an African American teachers college.

Kentuckys public universities desegregation timeline

That is not the Kentucky we know now.

We have come of age in a place that thrives on, encourages and advances equity, and many of us grew up supporting the fight to protect it.

Watching our commonwealths progress toward equality be systematically dismantled is unimaginable, especially for todays standards. Diversity, equity and inclusion have been  and continue to be  foundational pillars to our college campuses.

DEI initiatives encourage students of color to attend college in Kentucky. According to BestColleges, over half of the students surveyed would consider transferring if their college were to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Even more prospective students said theyd reconsider their decision if a college they were considering had abolished DEI initiatives.

When students do not see themselves at Kentuckys universities, they will have no desire to attend them, either.

Similar legislation has been enacted in other states, resulting in employees being fired because the law no longer allows for their positions. These are not simply numbers. These are people's lives.

The lawmakers who are sponsoring and supporting this legislation fail to envision the future and recognize the inherent value of engaging with all of our unique perspectives and lived experiences in the classroom and on campus.

Difficult discussions on Kentucky campuses allow students to think critically about the world around them, with the guidance of professors well-researched and immersed in their fields. They are not indoctrinating students against their will; they are expanding our perspectives to include all of our lived experiences.

Classrooms are meant to be safe spaces for discussions and debates with the purpose of education, not political theater.

Our universities have long, rich histories that have only been made greater by students who come from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

At Murray State University, for example, Mary Holland was the first Black student to attend the university and Nancy Tyler Demarta was the first Black graduate. Another notable figure, Black faculty member Marvin Mills, founded the occupational safety and health major and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Dr. Marvin D. Mills Multicultural Center.

In similar light, at Eastern Kentucky University, Cynthiana native James Way became the universitys first Black professor in 1967, teaching classes in industrial technology, according to the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database. Following Way, his children, James, Jannette, William and Melissa, were the first Black students to attend Easterns Model Laboratory School.

Thanks to their work and the work of countless other individuals, each of our universities are places where faculty are able to educate students about the realities of the past. Because of their efforts, we feel safe and valued in such spaces and our institutions have been enriched by their presence.

This legislation threatened to upend this progress, yet we are not sure the fight is over.

SB 6 promises academic freedom, but make no mistake: it brings academic restriction at best, and pure censorship at worst. This bill  and those who support it  simply wishes to see traditionally left-leaning topics eliminated from the classroom curriculum entirely.

Such a decision not only has the potential to eliminate valuable classroom discussions and push prospective students away but could turn away faculty and staff who are foundational to building a better future for individuals and for the commonwealth.

At Northern Kentucky University, associate dean and professor Danielle McDonald said the role of the professor is to guide the classroom conversation and encourage students to come to their own conclusions. Introducing new perspectives and creating an environment of inclusivity is already the mission of professors, McDonald said  not presenting a topic as absolute truth.

At Western Kentucky University, members of faculty have not only stated in response to the legislation that there are many who have begun to look for employment elsewhere, but that they cannot, in good conscience, look a high school student in the eye and encourage them to attend a public university in the state.

If Kentucky is to be the future, our lawmakers should draw in the leaders of the future, not scare them away. Universities are where key learning and foundational work happens, and Kentucky universities must be that place for Kentucky leaders.

Kentucky Student publications join together to speak out about anti-DEI legislation

It takes more than just our voices to fight against such an injustice, however.

Only one university president, Eli Capilouto of the University of Kentucky, has spoken out against the bills. Other university presidents  Bob Jackson of Murray State University, Kim Schatzel of the University of Louisville, Timothy Caboni of Western Kentucky University and Cady Short-Thompson of Northern Kentucky University  have gone as far as acknowledging the importance of DEI on their campuses.

Presidents Jay Morgan of Morehead State University, Koffi C. Akakpo of Kentucky State University and David T. McFaddin at Eastern Kentucky University have yet to release a statement on the legislation or DEI.

The statements of support for DEI are not nothing, but they are not enough in the light of the threat DEI initiatives are facing. So many people in each of these campus communities have spoken out against the bill, leaving many wanting more.

Many of our institutions mission statements or strategic plans support diversity, equity and inclusion. There is value in these initiatives. It shows they understand their necessity and that they support providing a helping hand to groups that need it. A response from our university presidents is not an unreasonable request.

The commonwealths universities should have stood in solidarity against these bills. Standing in solidarity reduces the likelihood of repercussions against individual universities while showing Kentuckians that their voices are being heard by those in power.

Instead, it is left to students to pick up the torch and continue fighting where those above us fail. University administration is not taking a stand, so we are.

Protecting diversity in Kentucky creates spaces for students to feel safe, seen and heard. It is a simple fact that different groups of people have been systemically discriminated against and not given equal educational opportunities.

Great progress has been made in recent decades, but we have to recognize that discrimination is an issue that will never be fully resolved. We do not live in a perfect world, and there is always work left to be done.

Abolishing DEI eliminates decades of steadfast, hardfought progress that has been made. It will encourage high schoolers who are looking at colleges to attend a university located anywhere but in Kentucky. It tells students of diverse backgrounds that they are not welcomed on campuses where they are hoping to build the beginning of the rest of their lives.

Staff photos from participating student newsrooms. Top row, L-R: College Heights Herald Staff, The Northerner staff. Middle row, L-R: Eastern Progress staff, The Murray State News staff. Bottom row, L-R: The Louisville Cardinal staff, Kentucky Kernel staff. No photo was available for the Thorobred News.

We call on the General Assembly to do better. We call on the General Assembly to realize that DEI initiatives and the discussion and acceptance of diversity are in the best interest of every single student, faculty and staff member at each public university campus in the commonwealth.

Despite what certain lawmakers in Kentucky and around the nation might think, diversity is not going away. The world is moving forward, and Kentucky cannot be left behind.

This editorial was drafted and approved by the student editorial boards of independent student news organizations at seven of the commonwealths public universities: the College Heights Herald at Western Kentucky University, the Eastern Progress at Eastern Kentucky University, the Murray State News at Murray State University, the Louisville Cardinal at the University of Louisville, T he Northerner at Northern Kentucky University, Thorobred News at Kentucky State University and the Kentucky Kernel at the University of Kentucky.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Abolishing DEI eliminates decades of steadfast, hardfought progress
Sixteen employees from the Oklahoma State Department of Education are, indeed, serving as substitute teachers in the Tulsa Public Schools district, records obtained by The Oklahoman show.

The employees are part of a project launched by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters to help Tulsa school officials temporarily fill several gaps at the district's schools. The employees from the state Education Department are teaching at schools across the district. District officials said they had about three weeks to prepare for the group, including training and background checks.

Records received by The Oklahoman on Wednesday list the name of each employee, where the employees are stationed and the days the employee is there. Thirteen of the state Education Department employees are positioned at elementary schools; three others are at high schools.

US Department of Education denies that it's investigating the OSDE following earlier report

Several groups raised questions about the program this week after an Oklahoma City television station KFOR broadcast a report that the federal Department of Education had implemented a 'limited investigation' of the OSDE because some of the employees sent to Tulsa were paid by federal funds.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Education denied it was investigating the Oklahoma agency. In a statement sent to The Oklahoman, the department said what was characterized in the KFOR report as an investigation was simply routine monitoring.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters talks to the State Board of Education during a February meeting.

The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education Programs is not investigating the Oklahoma Department of Education for misuse of federal grant money," a federal agency spokesperson said. "Earlier this year, the Departments Office of Elementary and Secondary Education conducted a regular consolidated monitoring for the Oklahoma Department of Education. The OESE is currently working to finalize its report and will be communicating monitoring results directly to ODE.

Turmoil has swirled around the state agency since January 2023, when Walters became state superintendent. Walters actions while he served as the states education secretary  before he was elected as superintendent  also have been scrutinized.

More: Why Oklahoma Democrats are making a third call for a House investigation into Ryan Walters

Critics of Walters say he has used the state Education Department's accreditation responsibility as a weapon since becoming superintendent, threatening to reduce  or remove  the accreditation of districts that have drawn his ire, including Tulsa, Western Heights and Edmond. Hes been especially hard on Tulsa Public Schools, requiring top-level officials from that district to make lengthy presentations each month at State Board of Education meetings.

Dan Isett, the spokesman for the state Education Department, and Walters posted messages on X  formerly Twitter  saying the "OSDE employees participating in the program will be paid from state funds for their time."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tulsa gets substitute teaching help from Oklahoma Education Department
The United States has imposed sanctions on Nicaraguas Attorney General Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina. In a statement, the Treasury Department called her a key actor in the Nicaraguan regimes unjust persecution of political prisoners and civil society within the country.

Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said, The Attorney General, in concert with the Ortega-Murillo regime, has exploited her office to facilitate a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by seizing property from government political opponents without a legal basis. The seizures include the properties of the 222 political prisoners who were released and flown to the United States in February 2023. The exiled Nicaraguans were also stripped of their citizenship. Morales Urbina helped formulate the strategy designating Nicaraguan opposition members as terrorists and blocking their financial resources under an anti-terrorism law. She was instrumental, the Treasury Department noted, for enabling the Ortega-Murillo regime not only to steal real property owned by political prisoners, but also by independent media outlets and international organizations.

In a separate statement, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller observed that Morales Urbina is responsible for the closing of over 3500 civil society organizations, including over 250 evangelical groups. She also took part, he said, in the Ortega-Murillo regimes baseless attacks on religious institutions, which included false charges and unjust detention of religious leaders.

The designation means that any property of Morales Urbino in the United States is blocked, and U.S. persons are banned from business transactions with her.

Morales Urbina has been Attorney General in Nicaragua since 2019. In 2018 there were mass protests against the Ortega-Murillo government that were brutally repressed by the authorities. Since then, as a February 2024 report by UN human rights experts attests, repression by the government has grown to include large swaths of society with a focus on incapacitating any kind of opposition in the long term.

The United States is determined to hold accountable those in the Nicaraguan regime who are trampling on the rights of the Nicaraguan people. Daniel Ortega, Rosario Murillo, and more than one hundred Nicaraguan officials in Nicaraguas political and judicial systems have already been sanctioned by the United States. With the designation of the Attorney General, the United States demonstrates that it remains firmly committed to act against Nicaraguas anti-democratic actors and human rights abusers.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  A man has been convicted in a bank fraud case, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a release. Officials think he committed the crime to deal with gambling debts.

Marc Candelaria, 36, of Wantagh, New York, was charged in connection to a bank fraud case, involving an assault, out of Santa Fe. A federal jury convicted him after deliberating for 39 minutes.

Court documents and evidence stated Candelarias father-in-law experienced a home invasion in Santa Fe by an armed, and masked, intruder in September 2021. The intruder made the victim write a blank check for $23,000. The intruder beat the victim and left him in a closet. The victim didnt know who the intruder was and had issues remembering the crime because of his injuries.

The day after the invasion, the bank contacted the victims wife about a check due to different handwritings. The wife looked at the check and saw it was made out to Candelaria. Candelaria reportedly told her he, and the victim, were going to invest in Bitcoin together. The wife doubted this, but she wrote him another check for the same amount.

Story continues below

When the victim found out, he told his wife he didnt agree to invest in Bitcoin or write a check for Candelaria. However, he recalled that he was forced to write a check during the home invasion. The Santa Fe Police Department was provided copies of the checks.

A deposit slip was found in Candelarias car during a search warrant. It showed the check was deposited on the morning of the home invasion.

Candelaria is awaiting sentencing. He could face up to 30 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

In 2021, Candelaria was also arrested for robbing a Santa Fe bank.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
STATESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A 50-year-old man got an enhanced jail sentence this week for having and receiving child pornography, according to the Department of Justice.

Jessie Leroy Glass, Jr., got a 180-month prison term followed by a lifetime of supervised release for possession and receipt of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Other conditions on Glass sentence include sex offender registration, $5,000 in fines, and a $6,000 restitution.

Court proceedings revealed the mans crimes between January and February 2020, in which he received and possessed images and videos of child pornography.

Sentenced: Monroe man recorded sex acts with juvenile: DOJ

The Iredell County Sheriffs Office initiated an investigation into Glass after an individual alerted law enforcement about the child pornography and two cell phones with images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants and toddlers.

In June 2023, a federal jury convicted Glass on all counts. While on bond and after his conviction, Glass was instructed not to use electronic devices.

On Thursday, court officials learned through government monitoring that Glass violated the conditions of his bond on two occasions by possessing electronic devices, including cell phones, that he hid from his supervising probation officer.

One of the secret cell phones contained cartoon images depicting the sexual abuse of children.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
We are seven months out from the most consequential election in our nations history, and Black voters know whats up: A recent survey conducted by Black pollster Cornell Belchers firm asked 800 Black voters in battleground states to identify the single greatest threat to the Black community.

Their answer? A second Donald Trump presidency.

We should not be surprised by this finding. Trump is prepared to enact  and in many cases, reenact  policies that will do great harm to the Black community and to communities of color. He is expected to authorize mass deportations, wage war on the federal civil service (of which Black employees comprise 18 percent), cut taxes for the rich at the expense of the middle class, fight to make healthcare more expensive and less accessible and support an abortion ban that will only worsen the maternal mortality crisis.



God forbid, if Donald J Trump becomes President again, what we are NOT going to do is blame voters, especially Black voters, ESPECIALLY Black men. pic.twitter.com/SO2AKUxO0a  Nina Turner (@ninaturner) March 26, 2024

While we have focused a lot on what Trump would do during a second term with the stroke of his pen, we cannot forget about the damage he inflicted on our community as president without even lifting a finger. Over his four years in office, Trump normalized a culture of racism and xenophobia that trickled down from the highest levels of our government to everyday interactions in-person and online. The former presidents social media posts and speeches were laced with a mix of dog whistles and outright hate speech.



How could we ever forget his claim that the attendees of a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va. were very fine people? Or when he ordered members of the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by after being asked to condemn the white nationalist militia group? Or when he suggested that four Democratic members of Congress  all women of color  should go back[to the] places from which they came in a tweet that a Republican congressman even described as racist?

Coming from the mouth of the President of the United States, this kind of rhetoric signaled that hate did indeed have a place in his America and gave top cover to those who realized they no longer had to keep their racism under wraps.



Consequently, racial violence skyrocketed during Trumps presidency. In fact, this trend started before he even took office. The Washington Post found that counties that hosted a Trump rally in 2016 experienced a 226 percent increase in hate crimes in the months that followed. From 2016 to 2017, hate crimes across the country increased by 17 percent. From 2018 to 2019, deadly hate crimes more than doubled. And in 2020, more hate crimes were reported than in any year since 2001. Perhaps unsurprisingly, alleged civil rights violations went under-investigated under Trumps DOJ. During its first two years, the Trump DOJ opened 60 percent fewer civil rights cases than did the Obama DOJ and 50 percent fewer than the Bush DOJ.



For those who think that the extent of the harm inflicted by Trumps racism can be fully captured in those statistics, think again. In a multitude of ways, the Black community continues to suffer from the flames of hatred that Trump fanned while he was president. For example, racism is exacerbating the Black mental health crisis: Black youth experienced a 144 percent increase in suicide rates from 2007 to 2020, with both institutional and interpersonal racism identified as strong risk factors driving this trend.



Black boys and young men can be victims of trauma too. Like yall know this shit started decades ago which mean his sons were children. This is why Black Men's mental health is a crisis issue bc we refuse to acknowledge they experience grooming, abuse, whatever and impacts them https://t.co/1rqMN7ARFl  Dr. Patrice N Douglas, LP, LMFT (@patricendouglas) March 26, 2024

While Trump was president for only a portion of that period, he was active in spreading racism  including promoting the Barack Obama birtherism lie  for almost the entirety of it.

Speaking of Obama, the election of our nations first Black president helps us understand why the election of Trump  which once seemed unthinkable  was actually an inevitable reaction to Black progress. Study after study has pointed to racial resentment as a significant driver of the support Trump received from his voters. His base wanted trickle-down racism, and trickle-down racism is what they got.

Fast forward to today, and like any other proverbial old dog, Trump is clearly stuck on his old tricks. On the campaign trail this time around, he has already evoked Hitler, saying that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country, and suggesting that Black voters appreciate him because he is being discriminated against in the legal system. Naturally, Republicans have made him their nominee for the third time. But while he might speak for their party, we do not have to let him speak for our country. Not again.

Between threatening a "bloodbath" if he's not elected to claiming that immigrants aren't people, here's how Trump is drawing from Hitler's playbook. pic.twitter.com/mTrzV0UhA9  Robert Reich (@RBReich) March 20, 2024

In 2016, Trump promised his supporters the ability to hate openly without impunity, and he most certainly delivered. Now, hes ready to do it all over again. And while it might be tempting to give into fear and cynicism, we should take hope in recognizing that thanks to our community showing up for Joe Biden in 2020, we helped elect a president who is committed to aggressively prosecuting hate crimes, who has appointed judges with a respect for civil rights, and who recognizes that hate never goes away, it only hides.

Donald Trump has never hidden his hate. This fall, lets show him once again that it has no place in our America.



-

Gevin Reynolds is a former speechwriter to Vice President Kamala Harris and a contributor to Resolute Square. Follow him on X at @GevinReynolds.

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My feeling is, we culturally support people through so many big life changes, and divorce should not be the exception, said Jenny Dreizen, the co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry. Peter Dazeley via Getty Images

When Stacey Slager divorced last year after 14 years of marriage, a co-worker suggested something entirely novel: Why not start a divorce registry?

Its difficult enough to navigate the emotional terrain of divorce, the co-worker told Slager. Its doubly hard when youre downsizing to a smaller space and doing so without some of the household necessities that your ex may have gotten in the split: microwave ovens and mattresses, couches and chairs, pots and pans.

To deal with the financial precariousness of the moment, why not rely on a little help from your friends? With that urging in mind, Slager went ahead and created one.

In my case, he got the vacuum cleaner so my registry contains a very good vacuum cleaner, Slager, who lives in Vancouver Island, said with a laugh. I didnt actually take very much with me when I moved out, mostly because I just wanted to get out quickly.

Plus, she said, there wasnt much to take; Slagers now ex-husbands vetoed a wedding registry when they got married, thinking it a little too gauche.

On her divorce registry, its mostly kitchen items, but Slager said shell be grateful for anything that comes her way.

Because he was a collector of lots of random things, its likely that Im going to move much closer to a minimalist lifestyle when I am on my own  Im currently staying with friends, she told HuffPost.

Stacey Slager created a divorce registry after her 14-year marriage ended in 2023. Stacey Slager

Slagers not alone in creating a post-split wishlist. In the last year, theres been think pieces about divorce registries and separation celebrations. (Divorce parties, all the rage around 2015, come across as a little declasse in 2024, at least in name.)

In January, The New York Times Magazine ran an essay by novelist Leslie Jamison, recounting how her divorce registry kept her afloat post-split.

On social media  TikTok in particular  people, mostly women, share what its like to ask for household goods after a marriage ends: Im picking things out for myself for the first time, not for anyone else, its just for me, which is wild, dancer and yoga instructor Erin Eloise said of her divorce registry in one such clip, posted last summer.

Moving into a new apartment, all that Erin had in her possession was the odd kitchen appliance, and her cherished collection of mugs from Broadway and West End shows. Friends, she hoped, would chip in where they could.

It felt kind of selfish and kind of weird but I realize there has never been a point in my life where I need something more like this, she told her followers.

As the oft-quoted Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale found, divorce is the second-most stressful life event behind only the death of a spouse.

Another woman on TikTok, Kaila, said she thinks creating a divorce registry  or breakup registry when a long-term cohabitating relationship ends  is just as reasonable as sending out a wedding or baby registry.

When is another time in your life that you really need people to show up and be with you and give you things and replace your things? she says in her TikTok video.

We have to have the party, too, she added. We need friends to be willing to show up a bit with stuff for people who just ended a relationship. Make it your 2024 goal to ask your friends who just ended a relationship if they want stuff.

Kelly Edwards, a managing partner of Edwards Family Law in London, likes the idea, though she doesnt think the trend has caught on in a mainstream way quite yet.

I can see [divorce registries] being perfect for people who need an extra boost after a complex divorce, she said. Its a comforting way to offer more than just flowers and to help friends on their new journey.

You dont even necessarily have to create your own Amazon wishlist. A new-ish platform, Fresh Starts Registry , features curated and researched Amazon bundles with everything a newly single person might need: Theres a bedroom wishlist, one for kitchens as well as kids rooms.

Divorce registries give people the chance to curate their lives exactly as they desire: the half plate-half bowls that light them up, the sheets that make their bed feel like a hotel and the picture frames that make their home feel cozy, said Jenny Dreizen, who co-founded the site in June 2021 after both she and her sister, Olivia Dreizen Howell, had ended long-term relationships. (Dreizen ended a 10-year relationship and Dreizen Howell ended an 8-year marriage.)

When we created the company, Jenny had just ended her engagement and left her apartment with nothing but our grandmothers heirlooms and her clothing, the opposite experience I had as I stayed in my marital residence and had to restock after my divorce, Dreizen Howell told HuffPost.

It doesnt hurt that millennials are primed for such a service. As a generation, were used to operationalizing and outsourcing all aspects of our personal lives  first there were dating apps, now theres apps and services for more thorny aspects of life as well: online and in-person breakup bootcamps, divorce concierges that take all the hard work out of filing, and Hitch Switch, a company that streamlines the process of changing your name whether youre marrying or separating.

In New York City, theres even an interior design firm that specializes in helping divorced men create a calm, organized space when they move out during or after a separation. (No need to sleep on a sad air mattress and eat from a wobbly card table anymore, fellas!)

Petition to make divorce registries a thing. When I got married I already had everything I needed but Im about to give up half my stuff and the idea of buying a new set of measuring cups is depressing.  Ann Wallsmith (@anniebeth623) February 28, 2023

But while those services are more upscale, the divorce registry is more for the common man (or woman): Who doesnt need a new set of silverware or Tupperware after love and cohabitation go wrong?

Its also not uncommon for women to find themselves leaving marital residence both for financial and possibly safety reasons, Dreizen Howell noted. For those women in particular, a divorce registry could be life-changing.

Of course, the idea of a divorce registry is not without its detractors. Search the phrase on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, and youll find plenty of derisive comments:You broke it, you buy it,one man remarked. Divorce registry? First you give em wedding and baby shower gifts... now I gotta give you a gift cause it didnt last? a woman said.

The Dreizen sisters are familiar with such criticism, and are quick to explain that divorce registries are meant to meet people in their time of need and bridge the gap between those needing support and those looking for ways to support them. (Indeed, how many well-meaning offers of please get in touch if you need anything ever materialize into something more?)

My feeling is, we culturally support people through so many big life changes, and divorce should not be the exception, Dreizen said. There is no shame in the transition to divorce, and we should be honoring this life change like any other.

Related...
The Ministry of Defence of Romania has announced that the wreckage of a drone was found on a farm near the border with Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Romanian Defence Ministry

Details: Parts of the assumed drone were found on agricultural land on Great Braila Island.

Quote: "The Ministry of National Defence, together with specialised structures of the National Defence System, public order, and national security, is investigating the incident that occurred on Friday, 29 March 2024, under special operational procedures," the statement said.

CNN Antena 3 claims that the wreckage was found 12 km from the city of Braila. According to reports, the drone's crash was accompanied by a loud strike shortly after midnight.

Upon hearing the sound, locals alerted emergency services. Soon, the area was cordoned off by police and investigators.

Sources say that it was a Russian drone intended to attack Ukrainian ports on the Danube, and most likely, its GPS guidance system failed.

This is already the fifth or sixth incident involving drone crashes on Romanian territory, while Russia attacks Ukrainian ports on the Danube. NATO and Romanian officials stated after similar incidents in the past that they found no evidence of any deliberate attacks targeting Romania.

Background:

On the evening of 28 March, Russian forces launched multiple drone strikes into Ukrainian territory from several directions simultaneously. At around 04:00, the Russians had also fired cruise missiles. The air-raid warning lasted throughout the night.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces had both its own and allied aircraft take off because of Russia's missile strike on Ukrainian territory on the night of 28-29 March.

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Berlin will deliver another security assistance package to Ukraine, which includes munitions, UAVs, armored vehicles, grenade launchers, and other military equipment, Ukraines General Staff announced on March 29.

The new package contains 18,000 155mm artillery shells and 24,000 rounds of 40mm ammunition.

According to the German Federal Governments website, the contents of the aid tranche include the following:



14 Warthog All Terrain Tracked Carriers

70 GMG grenade launchers

Leopard 2 tank ammunition

14 Vector reconnaissance drones

30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones

Five anti-drone sensors and jammers

180 RF 360 drone detection system field kits

Six WISENT 1 mine clearing tanks

Two BIBER bridge-laying tanks

Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicle

DACHS armored engineering vehicle

Nine mine-clearing vehicles

SATCOM surveillance system

Three border guard vehicles

Six Zetros tankers

Read also: Germany's stance on Ukraine: supportive but cautious on Taurus missiles

Germany will also provide over 300 infrared cameras, 2000 RGW 90 Matador handheld anti-tank grenade launchers, thousands of camouflage nets, ponchos, and emergency generators.

Germany has already provided military assistance to Ukraine totaling approximately EUR 28 billion ($30 billion).

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Police suspect a drunk driver was traveling at 140 mph on Las Vegas Boulevard, when he hit a car, splitting it in two and killing its driver, documents said.

Charlie Hernandez, 28, faces charges of DUI resulting in death, DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and reckless driving, records said.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Friday, March 22, Hernandez was allegedly speeding southbound in a Dodge Challenger on Las Vegas Boulevard when he struck a Hyundai Accent turning from Walnut Road onto the boulevard. The force of the crash caused the Hyundai to separate into two parts and the Challenger to rollover, police said.

Officers located Hernandez standing near the drivers side of the Challenger, police said. His passenger was trapped in the car.

Charlie Hernandez, 28, faces charges of DUI resulting in death, DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm and reckless driving, records said. (LVMPD/KLAS)

Luciano Chavez y Chavez, 38, the driver of the Hyundai, died at the hospital from his injuries, police said. Hernandezs passenger, identified as Kevin Portillo-Torres, 29, suffered substantial injuries.

Hernandez reportedly told police he was driving Portillo-Torres home because Portillo-Torres, the cars owner, drank too much, documents said.

While at the Clark County Detention Center, Hernandez told an officer, I messed up. I [expletive] up. I was driving and I got into an accident, documents said.

Investigators reviewing the Challengers internal computer found the car was traveling at 140 mph about three seconds before the airbags deployed, documents said. Hernandez was allegedly pressing the accelerator at full throttle. One millisecond before the crash, the car was traveling at 127 mph.

Judge Daniel Westmeyer set Hernandez bail Saturday at $50,000, records said. Westmeyer ordered Hernandez not to drive should he post bond and wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet.

Hernandez posted bond and was due to return to court in May.

We MUST do better, Clark County! Metro posted on social media after the crash. Families are suffering due to reckless choices! Its time to put an END to this tragedy!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
(Bloomberg) -- The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Jeffrey Donaldson, stepped down Friday after being charged with allegations of an historical nature, according to his party.

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The DUP said in a statement that it has suspended Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of the judicial process, and named Gavin Robinson as the interim party leader. The statement didnt provide further details about the charges.

Earlier Friday, Donaldson, Northern Irelands longest-serving member of parliament, deleted his social media accounts.

Donaldson has been in parliament since 1997, and the leader of the DUP in the UK House of Commons since 2019. Earlier this year, Donaldson negotiated the return of his party to the regions power-sharing institutions after a two-year boycott over post-Brexit trading rules.

With Robinson, a close ally of Donaldson, chosen to lead the party for now, there may not be an immediate threat to the power-sharing deal.

Even so, his resignation is a huge shock, said Jon Tonge, a professor of Irish politics at the University of Liverpool, adding that it could undermine the deal that revived Northern Irelands legislature, known as Stormont.

It seems unlikely Jeffrey Donaldson can remain an MP, leaving a majority of DUP MPs who dont support the deal that brought the DUP back into Stormont, he said in an interview. Therein lies a huge problem, because the architect of that deal is gone.

Robinson is a lawyer who was chosen as the partys deputy leader last year. He was elected to parliament in 2015, after serving as the mayor of Belfast.

Julian Smith, a former Northern Ireland secretary who has previously advised UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, posted a statement on X saying that Robinson played a key role in a tough negotiation to restore powersharing & along with other DUP colleagues will chart a positive course for the future.

Read more: How Irish Unity Got a Boost From Brexit, Demographics: QuickTake

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Northern Irish politics has been thrown into fresh turmoil with the resignation of the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after he was charged with historical sex offences.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, and a 57-year-old woman were both arrested and charged and are due to appear in court later this month.

The dramatic development prompted Sir Jeffrey, Northern Irelands longest-serving MP, to step down as leader with immediate effect and he was suspended from the DUP membership pending the outcome of the judicial process.

Gavin Robinson, 39, was swiftly appointed interim DUP leader after taking on the deputy leadership role in June last year.

Sir Jeffreys suspension could have huge implications for British and Irish politics at a time when the republican party Sinn Fein, which wants a united Ireland, is seeing its support surge.

Power-sharing between the DUP and Sinn Fein was only restored at Stormont in February this year after a 24-month hiatus and depending on the outcome of the criminal process, the DUP could face a credible challenge for Sir Jeffreys Lagan Valley seat in the forthcoming general election.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and a 57-year-old woman were arrested and charged  both are due to appear in court later this month (Getty)

Mr Robinson is expected to maintain the DUPs participation in the power-sharing deal and keep the devolved government up and running.

But Sir Jeffreys Good Friday resignation also adds to the instability of the DUP and means the party now has its third leader since Arlene Foster quit following an internal revolt in 2021.

It is understood both suspects were arrested on Thursday morning by Police Service of Northern Ireland detectives and questioned before being charged that night.

Concerns were first raised on Thursday evening when Sir Jeffrey pulled out of a number of public events and his social media accounts, including X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, were taken down on Friday morning.

The DUP held an emergency meeting, described by commentators as very significant, before the party released a statement at lunchtime.

It said: The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process. The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.

A police spokesperson told The Independent: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences. Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

A police spokesperson told The Independent: Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences (Reuters)

The shocking resignation brings an end to a 40-year run in politics for Sir Jeffrey and comes just weeks after one of the most significant decisions of his career when he chose to bring the DUP back to power-sharing.

In February the party agreed to return to Stormont following protracted negotiations over a new deal on post-Brexit trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

The move saw Michelle ONeill, the first republican sworn in as first minister, assume office. She said she expects a vote on Irish unity to take place in the next decade.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said Irish unity is now within touching distance.

Sir Jeffrey was elected as the representative for Lagan Valley in 1997 with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). However in 2003, following long-standing opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and the leadership of David Trimble, he announced he would leave the UUP.

He joined the DUP in 2004 and has been the MP for Belfast East in the House of Commons since 2015 and was previously lord mayor of Belfast from 20122013.

In 2012 he became the first DUP representative to attend a gay pride event, saying that as lord mayor he wanted to engage with every section of our society.

But he is one of 21 MPs who in 2019 voted against LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education for schools in England.

He was elected DUP leader in 2021 after the resignation of Edwin Poots. He was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 birthday honours and given a knighthood for his political service.
Dutch transport officials refuted claims on social media that protesters "took over the loudspeaker" at the main train station of The Hague to criticise the government of the Netherlands for "contributing to a genocide" in Gaza. The misleading posts shared footage of a protest in the station, which featured an audio of the purported hijacked announcement. But authorities told AFP the announcement system in the station in The Hague was automatic and did not include a microphone that could be taken over by protesters.

The video was shared on Facebook by a Malaysia-based user on February 12, 2024. Part of its caption said: "I hope I'm distantly related to this legend. She took over the loudspeaker at The Hague's central train station."

The 46-second video showed a banner with the Palestinian flag hung inside the Centraal train station in The Hague.

Dutch-language text written on the banner said: "The Hague, capital of genocidal politics, the Netherlands finances, Israel bombs". Flyers criticising the Dutch government for delivering weapons to Israel were also seen scattered in the station.

A woman's voice in the style of a public announcement could be heard in the clip saying: "Dear travellers, we are sorry to inform you that you are involved in genocide."

"The Dutch government is using your voice and your taxpayer money to give political, financial and military support to Israel in its campaign to destroy Gaza and its people. The Netherlands refused to demand a ceasefire," it added.

"Your Dutch government is doing everything possible to protect Israel from sanctions at the United Nations."

Screenshot of the misleading post, taken on March 25, 2024

Similar posts claiming pro-Palestinian protesters took over the speaker system at the train station in The Hague racked up more than 500,000 views on TikTok here and here. The misleading claim was also shared repeatedly on Instagram and YouTube.

The posts surfaced as Israel pressed on with its intense bombardment of Gaza despite international pressure for an immediate ceasefire. The war broke out following an unprecedented attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 which resulted in about 1,160 deaths, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign killed at least 32,500 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry. Famine was looming in the besieged Palestinian territory, international aid agencies warned.

AFP could not independently verify when the footage shared in the posts was taken. However, multiple Dutch officials refuted the claim that protesters were able to take over the public announcement system at the train station.

'No microphone'

Several pro-Palestinian protests were staged in the station, according to multiple news reports here, here and here. But there were no news reports as of March 29 which said protesters took over the public announcement system (archived links here, here and here).

According to Arno Leblanc, a spokesman for the main Dutch railways operator NS, the announcements at the train station were "automatic". "There is no microphone" that could be taken over, he said on March 26 in response to the posts.

A spokesman for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, which is responsible for transport, separately told AFP on March 7: "The public announcement system wasn't taken over by the protesters. The voice in the video is an imitation of a public announcement by the Dutch Railways."

The spokesman said the protest shown in the clip was filmed in Centraal station in The Hague but it was not immediately clear which day it happened.

The station seen in the clip corresponds to images of The Hague's Centraal station geotagged on Google Maps (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the station seen in the misleading posts (left) and the image from Google Maps (right) with similar elements highlighted by AFP:

Falsely shared clip (left) and geotagged photo of Den Haag Centraal station on Google Maps (right), with similarities marked by AFP

AFP previously debunked misinformation swirled in Malaysia related to the Israel-Hamas war here, here and here.
By Alimat Aliyeva

By 2033, the Japanese government plans to introduce a network of special lanes on expressways designed for the movement of unmanned trucks, Azernews reports, citing the Nikkei newspaper.

Thanks to this, cargo drones will be able to move between the northeastern Tohoku region and the southwestern island of Kyushu. To do this, in particular, special sensors will be installed along the routes that will track both the cars themselves and possible foreign objects that interfere with movement.

Work will begin this year in the area of Ibaraki Prefecture, as well as on certain sections of the Shin-Tomei expressway leading from Tokyo to the southwest of the country.

In addition, it is planned to develop a route system for aerial cargo drones that will run over riverbeds.
Ramaiah Vidyaniketan is a becon of holistic education, fostering tolerance, lifelong learing, & character development in students through innovative practices

Ramaiah Vidyaniketan offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to nurture students' academic, physical, and extracurricular development. Rooted in the CBSE framework, the school's curriculum emphasizes a student centric approach, with teachers acting as facilitators to guide students toward holistic growth. Academically, the school provides a robust foundation in subjects ranging from mathematics and science to languages and social sciences, ensuring students are well-prepared for future academic endeavors. Additionally, special emphasis is placed on language learning, with opportunities for students to explore languages beyond their mother tongue, including initiatives like the Japanese language diploma courses offered by the Ramaiah Japan Centre.Beyond traditional academics, the school prioritizes holistic development through a myriad of extracurricular activities. From sports and fitness programs, such as taekwondo and traditional dance classes, to innovative initiatives like robotics training with DIYA Robotics, students are exposed to diverse interests and skills. The school also fosters a spirit of community service and leadership through programs like Scouts and Guides, encouraging students to contribute positively to society.Moreover, the school recognizes the importance of vocational training and skill development in preparing students for the future workforce. The CBSE urged schools and students to participate in the 2023 National Automobile Olympiads for practical skills in the automotive sector. Responding to this, the school arranged visits to MSR Institute of Technology's Mechanical Engineering department for hands-on experience with Toyota Fortuner engines and Ramaiah Degree College's electronics lab for fundamental electronics knowledge. Additionally, students engaged in Skill Titans' The Next Big Idea event, exploring energy generation from sea water.The school also facilitated a practical session with MSR Institute of Technology's Chemical Engineering department to understand osmosis, reverse osmosis, and electrolysis basics. Emphasizing practical learning, the school aims to keep students engaged and interested in academics. Ramaiah Vidyaniketan's curriculum encompasses a holistic approach to education, aiming to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success in a rapidly evolving world, shares Shanthi.Ramaiah Vidyaniketan stands out among educational institutions due to its multifaceted approach to nurturing students' growth and providing a diverse range of opportunities. From engaging Jolly Kids activities for gross motor skills development to participation in prestigious STEM exhibitions and CBSE Cluster games, students experience holistic growth. The school offers 450 hours of vocational training for grade 9 and 10 students, including courses in the Automobile Industry, Sales and Marketing, and Yoga, ensuring practical skill development. Admission is merit-based, with individual attention ensured through a favorable teacher-student ratio of 1:35. The school's commitment to quality education has been recognized with awards such as Providing Affordable and Quality Education at ELDROK India K12-Awards and the Visionary EduLeader title bestowed upon the Principal, Shanthi V., by the Universal Mentors Association.The future roadmap of Ramaiah Vidyaniketan envisions the implementation of innovative initiatives to enhance educational quality. The school plans to introduce SQAFF (School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework) and SAFAL (Structured Assessment for Analysing Learning), aligning with CBSE standards. These initiatives aim to ensure continuous improvement in teaching methodologies, curriculum effectiveness, and overall learning outcomes. By embracing these assessment frameworks, the school is committed to staying at the forefront of educational excellence, fostering an environment that empowers students with a forwardthinking, adaptive, and globally relevant education.
Cayce Place resident Alexis Jones sliced through a ceremonial ribbon Thursday, christening what will be her new home at the recently completed Cherry Oak Apartments in East Nashville.

Jones, 41, will soon move into a brand-new apartment in the 96-unit building with her 5-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son and 15-year-old niece.

She was raised in low-income housing in East Nashville by her mother, whom she credits for teaching her an important lesson: "It's not where you come from, it's how you live." Jones graduated high school early, studied to be a medical assistant and launched a 15-year career as a caregiver before returning to school to earn a bachelor's degree in health administration. In 2018, Jones' mother died, leaving her without a safety net when finances became tight. At age 36, she found herself homeless, living in a hotel while pregnant with her first child.

Terrence Ivory Jr., 3, sits to the side as his mom, Alexis Jones, talks about living in poor conditions as a mom but now about to live in the new Cherry Oak Apartments in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024.

A former caregiving client took Jones and her daughter in. Weeks later, Jones was accepted into a unit in Cayce Place, where neighbors embraced her and her children, she said. Jones' family and 44 other Cayce Place households will move into Cherry Oak in April.

Located next to the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency headquarters, Cherry Oak is MDHA's sixth mixed-income property and the seventh building constructed under the Cayce Transformation plan (formerly known as Envision Cayce) to revitalize Nashville's largest subsidized housing property.

Of the 96 units:

45 are subsidized for current Cayce residents

8 are affordable

6 are workforce housing

37 are market rate

A view a inside a two-bedroom apartment at the mixed-income Cherry Oak Apartments about to open in East Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Affordability levels are locked in for at least 99 years.

Cherry Oak broke ground in May 2022. The four-story complex features a computer lounge, a community courtyard and a playground in the shade of a large cherrybark oak tree, for which the property is named. Units range from one to three bedrooms, each with a patio or balcony.

The complex looks out toward the Cumberland River and the downtown Nashville skyline, with the city's planned East Bank neighborhood located just across Interstate 24. Park Point East, the ninth construction project under the Cayce Transformation plan, broke ground directly behind Cherry Oak in December.

Cherry Oak's completion marks 603 finished Cayce Place units, 316 of which are set aside for Cayce Place residents. When construction on Park Point East is complete, it will add 203 units and 24 townhomes to Cayce Transformation's planned 2,390 total units.

The construction of Cherry Oak was funded by:

A portion of $15 million from the American Rescue Plan allocated to Cayce Place by Metro

$9 million in low income housing tax credits (Red Stone Equity Partners provided equity through syndication of the credits)

$500,000 Tennessee Housing Trust Fund grant through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency

Amazon contributed a $7.1 million low-interest loan to MDHA for the complex's construction as part of the company's $2 billion Amazon Housing Equity Fund

Alexis Jones cuts the red ribbon with Mayor Freddie O'Connell for the opening of the Cherry Oak Apartments in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Elected officials from all levels of government attended Thursday's grand opening.

"There are many ways to measure a city's progress," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "You can count visitors and residents, you can count economic impact, jobs, you can tally the number of new businesses that relocate and office buildings and concert venues. But for me the city's progress must be rooted in making sure that everyone who wants to pay us the extraordinary compliment of living here has the opportunity to do so."

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-TN District 6, called the development "transformative for East Nashville" and said he is "committed to finding more ways to support more housing."

Tennessee Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, said the development's mixed-income makeup will be more reflective of the diversity of East Nashville and other parts of the city. She pointed out the development's proximity to the East Bank, noting Nashville's goal of creating a thriving, diverse, mixed-income neighborhood there.

Ginger Gin Davis with her granddaughter London Cockrill, 5, attend the red ribbon cutting ceremony at the mixed-income Cherry Oak Apartments in East Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Ginger Davis cheered from the crowd with her 5-year-old granddaughter Londyn Cockrill Thursday. Davis said she's waited a long time to move into one of MDHA's new buildings, most recently relocating from one building to another about a year ago (MDHA relocates families to other buildings as older units are torn down to make way for new builds). Davis said she just wants a stable home for Cockrill, who climbed on the new playground equipment as her grandmother watched.

"I was like, I can't keep moving with this baby. It's hard," Davis said. "(But) I got it, and I'm very happy. 2024 is going to be our year."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: East Nashville mixed-income Cherry Oak Apartments offer fresh start
HAWKINS, Texas (KETK)  During Hawkins city council meeting on Thursday, the chief of police resigned, making him the second chief to resign in the span of two years.

Wichita man charged with 2023 murder of 16-year-old

The City of Hawkins held a special council meeting to discuss the resignation of the municipal court judge and the two-week notices of the police chief and two officers.

During the meeting, the city council approved the resignation of the Municipal Court Judge Kyle Waggner before going into executive session for 45 minutes.

When the council members came out, they said they would not accept Chief of Police Guy McKees nor the two officers resignations because they are at will employees, allowing them to resign without requiring the boards approval.

The council then appointed Eric Tuma to be the interim chief of police, who was the interim chief in 2022 when the previous chief resigned.

We kind of learn together how to run this place, so basically the transition here is going to be kind of seamless as far as the things that the chief needs to do, Tuma said.

The council also appointed Debbie Rushing as mayor until May 2024.

Im ready to get to work. We got some things that we need to do. Im very excited about being able to work through some of the division and get everybody on the same page and get Hawkins back to what it was, Rushing said.

Coffee City Police Department deactivated, police chief terminated

Hawkins, with a population less than 2,000 people, will be left with a lieutenant, officer sergeant, a part time officer and two reserve officers.

Tuma said that with the department going from eight officers to five, they may have to work longer shifts and ask the Wood County sheriffs office for help.

There is a possibility that we may need to reach out to them, you know, we cant have somebody on the clock for 24 hours, Tuma said.

KETK has followed the Hawkins city council meeting since 2022 noting an increased turnover rate in Hawkins.

On Jan. 9, the city council met to approve the resignation of the mayor Susan Hubbard and pro-tem Clara Kay. Kay still serves as a council member in Hawkins.

There are certain pressures on her. There are certain citizens in our communities that dont want to see the growth, the possibilities the good things, Kay said.

City of Hawkins accepts mayor and pro-tems resignation

In June of 2022, the city council approved the resignation of Hawkins Chief of Police Manfred Gilow. KETK spoke to Gilow who cited budget issues and a shortage of police staff as reasons that led to his resignation.

The fact that we are understaffed in this police department. I have two openings in the last seven months. We cannot fill them. Nobody wants to do this job anymore and sure enough, not for 15-16 dollars an hour. Target has 25-dollar minimum wage, Gilow said. Therefore, I think right now, its a time to make a decision.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  An investigation by the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office into an accused fentanyl distributor in the Baton Rouge area ended with one man in custody.

Corey Kinchen, 45, was apprehended on Thursday, March 28. He was charged with four counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Agents conducted four controlled purchases of fentanyl from Kinchen and identified two locations he utilized for his operation, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office.

Those locations were at Woodland Drive and Monroe Avenue, deputies said.

Woman accused of attempted kidnapping of baby at Our Lady of the Lake Childrens Hospital arrested

Agents searched those locations and found drugs, guns and money. They seized nine grams of fentanyl, 77.56 pressed fentanyl pills, 11 grams of methamphetamine, 18 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 18 grams of marijuana, two dosage units of oxycodone, 12 dosage units of hydromorphone, $17,179, 9mm Century Arms handgun and 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun.

EBRSO said Kinchen was on parole until 2028 for charges of possession with the intent to distribute MDMA, possession with the intent to distribute heroin and obstruction of justice.

He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Thursday, March 28. As of the publishing of this article, no bond has been set for Kinchen.

Louisiana National Guard Air Support and Zachary Police Department K9 assisted the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office in this investigation.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF)  An Edgefield County man has been charged with Murder in regards to the shooting death on May Street in Johnston, South Carolina.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department (SLED), Quenell Marquis Anderson, 37, was charged with Murder on Wednesday, March 20th after being apprehended in Upper Marlboro, MD, with the assistance from the Maryland State Police and the Prince George County Police Department.

According to the warrant, on March 2nd, Ricky Martin, Jr., 35, of Sumter, S.C. was shot multiple times with a firearm, and Anderson was positively identified as the individual who shot Martin as well as other evidence obtained during the SLED Investigation.

ALSO ON WJBF: 2 suspects sought after deadly shooting on Old Aiken Rd., victim identified

According to SLED, Roscoe Pough, Jr., 37, was previously charged with Accessory After the Fact to Murder on March 4th after SLED was called in by the Johnston Police Department to investigate the death of Martin, who was later identified by the Edgefield County Coroners Office.

Authorities state that Anderson was booked at the Edgefield County Detention Center and is being housed in the Newberry County Detention Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Former state Controller Betty Yee is one of three highly accomplished female politicians running for governor in 2026  so far. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was the first in the running. Then Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), the former president of the state Senate, joined in early this year. And now that former state Controller Betty Yee has thrown her hat into the 2026 gubernatorial race, its looking like a distinct possibility that California might get a woman in the state's top job for the first time.

It has only been 175 years.

Its perplexing that a state so famous for promoting gender equality hasnt reach this milestone yet. And its downright embarrassing when you consider this particular glass ceiling was shattered nearly 100 years ago by the voters in the wilds of Wyoming.

Read more: Column: More than 30 states have elected female governors. Will California finally join them?

In fact, more than 60% of states have elected a woman to be governor, including some of the most conservative, such as Alabama and Texas. Arizona has had five  five!  female governors.

It's hard to say why California has lagged in this regard, especially as plenty of women have been elected statewide, including the current vice president who previously served as both state attorney general and U.S. senator. But for whatever reason, California has had few viable female candidates run for governor. (There are many who have appeared on the ballot, however. Every election dozens of people file papers to run for governor, Senate and other top jobs with no hope of actually winning.)

Only a few women have come close in recent memory: Democrat Dianne Feinstein lost to Republican Pete Wilson in 1990 but went on to become a long-serving U.S. senator. Then-state Treasurer Kathleen Brown made it to the runoff for governor in 1994 against Wilson. Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman had a real shot in 2010 against Jerry Brown  until it became clear that she didn't know the issues.

Read more: Column: Northern California is losing its political dominance, and Adam Schiff's victory proves it

Things are markedly different for the 2026 race already. Of the four prominent Democrats who have announced their intention to run for governor, only one is a man  state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. So far, the odds are pretty good for the women. And they could get better, because there are several high-profile female political leaders who could easily join the race.

U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler, for one. She was appointed to the Senate seat after Feinstein died last year, but the race for the next term was already underway and Butler chose not to jump in. This means she will be free in January. Then there's Vice President Kamala Harris. Should Donald Trump win the presidential race in November  a possibility we fervently hope does not come true  Harris would be out of a job in 2025. Though it's possible she might save her energy for a presidential run in 2028.

And there are any number of politically minded celebrities who would become instant front-runners if they jumped into the governor's race, no matter their party designation. Any member of the Jenner-Kardashian family, for example  with the exception of Caitlyn Jenner, whose gubernatorial campaign in the 2021 recall election was a massive dud.

Of course, things can change a lot before the race really gets going next year. And the most important attribute of the next governor shouldnt be gender, but rather his or her policies, character, experience and vision. But it would be nice if, for once, its less of a long shot and more of a probability that one of the women might be that best candidate.

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.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso Fire Departments (EPFD) Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) team, a group of 12 community paramedics, has been helping close the gap in healthcare services for Borderland residents struggling with social determinants of health since its inception in 2021.

El Pasos Community Health Battalion Chief Joe Ortiz, explained social determinants as many people who lack access to basic health care services for one reason or another.

This, he said, was highlighted during the Covid 19-Pandemic, when the EPFD realized many people needed homebound vaccinations, as they didnt have the ability to go seek those services.

This prompted EPFD to establish their MIH team and has since expanded their impact on the borderlands overall health system.

As we identify those individuals who are calling 911 on a frequent basis, what we do is we go out and meet with them, offer them services and try to determine exactly what they need. Is it the hospital? Is it food on wheels? Is it, you know, veterans services and those types of things? So when we give them those resources, what they tend to do is that the 9-1-1 calls stop, said Ortiz.

Unlike paramedics who respond to emergency calls, the MIH team cannot be requested for their services, but they instead analyze the citys overall healthcare system to identify individuals who frequently call 9-1-1, specifically more than four times per year, who may not actually need immediate emergency services.

MIH paramedics then make contact with these individuals to try and figure out what their needs are and what services they can provide or locate for them.

This then opens the opportunity for these people to enroll in the High-Volume Utilizer 90-day program with MIH paramedics, who can assist them in finding the resources they need during that period, or beyond that.

Ortiz explained that an MIH paramedics tasks require more than just their technical skills.

It really takes a person that is very inquisitive and is able to connect those dots with those resources that are out in the community. El Paso has an abundance of resources, but trying to determine where they are? Thats what we specialize in, trying to form those bonds with those other agencies, said Ortiz.

MIH Paramedic Tim Shaughnessy worked for 16 years as a firefighter before transitioning to this position, which he said provides unique opportunities.

When we transport somebody to the hospital, its very quick. We dont really get to know them. But in this environment, this program really offers us an opportunity to get to know people at a deeper level. So a lot of times theyre very grateful for the help that weve provided, and we love to see them thriving and doing better than they were before we met them, said Shaughnessy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
After a 13-month investigation, an Orlando official was arrested Thursday and could be facing up to 180 years in prison on felony charges of exploiting the elderly and fraud in connection with the theft of $100,000 from a 96-year-old woman to pay for a facelift, dental surgery, home renovations, and more.

Orlando District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill, 63, is also accused of buying a home with the victim as co-signor without her knowledge or consent, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in Orlando.

Hill is facing seven felony charges, including three counts of exploitation of the elderly and multiple counts of fraud. She pleaded not guilty and posted a $40,000 bond and was released that afternoon, FOX 35 reported.

Who is Regina Hill?

Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill

Regina Hill is a Florida native. Born in Tavares, she was elected as District 5 Orlando City Commissioner in 2013, covering the Parramore neighborhood where she was raised as well as other areas in downtown Orlando. She served in the U.S. Navy and worked as a nurse for 25 years, according to her bio.

While in office Hill, a Democrat, has advocated for more jobs, education opportunities, affordable housing, the revitalization of the Orlando Police Department, and multiple community improvement projects.

Hill also has criminal charges in her past, FOX 35 reported, for controlled substances, disorderly intoxication, and using a fake name on her driver's license application.

What is Regina Hill accused of doing?

Hill is accused of taking advantage of a 96-year-old woman she met in her professional capacity over city codes in March 2021.

"At first glance, Hills actions appeared well-intentioned as she coordinated the clean-up of the victims residence and other community resources," the FDLE said in a release. But an investigation found that in just over a month's time Hill obtained power of attorney over the woman and the FDLE says she financially exploited the woman for approximately three years.

The commissioner's former aide told investigators about a house Hill bought on Aug. 19, 2022, in Orlando. An investigation into the deal found that a second power of attorney was used to purchase the $400,000-plus property with the 96-year-old woman listed as a "co-purchaser" without her knowledge or consent. The aide's name also appeared on documents of the home she said she never signed.

Financial documents show that Hill spent over $100,000 of the woman's money for "expensive bottles of perfume," clothing, "numerous intravenous infusions of vitamins," a facelift, a New Year's Eve hotel stay in Miami, dental surgery and car insurance payments for her vehicles, according to court records, leaving the victim with depleted bank accounts and more than $10,000 in credit card debt.

She also took up residence with her son and his girlfriend in the senior woman's second home, according to the Orlando Sentinel, the FDLE said she paid approximately $15,400 for "extensive renovations" on it, again without the victim's knowledge.

A judge granted a temporary protective injunction for the exploitation of a vulnerable adult last week, saying there was "an immediate and present danger of exploitation" and a "likelihood of irreparable harm," the Orlando Sentinel reported.

"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," FDLE Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said at a press conference on Thursday

What was Regina Hill charged with?

Hill was arrested by FDLE agents and booked into the Orange County Jail on the felony charges of:

3 counts of exploitation of an elderly person, a first-degree felony

1 count of scheme to defraud over $50,000, a first-degree felony

1 count of fraudulent use of personal identification information to purchase over $100,000 in services, a first-degree felony

1 count of fraudulent use of personal identification information of a parent/guardian/custodian, a second-degree felony

1 count of mortgage fraud, a second-degree felony

If convicted, Hill faces a maximum of 180 years in prison, the FDLE said.

The case will be jointly prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moodys Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Office of the State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit. Anyone with information about the still-ongoing FDLE investigation is urged to contact Special Agent Supervisor Michael Giddens at (407) 245-0801 or Special Agent Steve Brenton at (407) 650-2301.

Will DeSantis remove Regina Hill from office?

Gov. Ron DeSantis will not remove Regina Hill from her office as Orlando City Commissioner without a grand jury indictment, he said.

"It only comes under my purview if a municipal official is indicted by a grand jury, then I would suspend, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference on Thursday. "That's typical. If there's not an indictment, then my power of suspension doesn't reach. It reaches county officials, county-wide officials, sure, even neglect of duty you can do for that, but for the municipal, if there's a grand jury true bill return.

"Now I don't know, I just know what I read, if that does happen then that would be the trigger for us to act but we would not do anything prior to that," he said.

Will Regina Hill be replaced?

The city of Orlando said, in a public statement, "We have been made aware that Commissioner Hill has been arrested and charged by FDLE. We do not have any authority to discipline an elected official, including suspending them from office, as that power lies with the Governor."

If Hill is suspended there would be a special election to temporarily fill her seat.

Has Regina Hill responded to the charges of exploitation of the elderly?

In a statement, Hill said:

"Its unfortunate that I have been thrust into these circumstances with these allegations. Unfortunate not just for me but for [victim's name] whom I've loved and cared for like my own family. I trust in God above all things, and I trust in the process. After 10 years of service for the City of Orlando, I've illustrated my love and compassion for my constituents, my city, and my family. I know the truth, I know I'm entitled to due process, which I trust, and I will await my day in court to prove my innocence."

Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Regina Hill, Orlando Florida city commissioner, faces felony charges
In December, a Texas man named Kevin Moncla emailed Georgia election board members in response to their decision not to investigate the secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, over bogus election fraud claims. Moncla made a vague threat that he was willing to take things outside the bounds of his increasingly frustrated emails.

The communication alarmed members of the state election board (SEB) enough to contact federal law enforcement.

Related: Georgia Republican official fined $5,000 for voting illegally nine times

Monclas email was one among hundreds of communications sent by a small but aggressive group of election deniers since former president Donald Trumps loss in Georgia in 2020 as part of a relentless pressure campaign directed at Georgia officials to investigate unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud  and to implement policies based on those claims that will affect how elections are run in Georgia.

We can address these matters publicly or privately  but make no mistake, they will be addressed, Moncla told members of the board in the email that prompted Georgia election officials to ask the FBI to investigate him.

Moncla is among a small group of election deniers who have relentlessly hounded the Georgia SEB and other officials on a weekly and sometimes daily basis to investigate mostly unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud. He has been joined in his pursuit of conspiratorial election fraud claims by Joe Rossi, a teacher at a technical college in Macon, and David Cross, a self-described financial adviser who is second vice-chair of the Georgia GOP. The trio have made a name for themselves in election denier circles, with their work being cited across a rightwing ecosystem of influential websites, social media accounts and even within prominent political circles.

Since November 2020, Moncla and his fellow election deniers have emailed the SEB to file complaints based on technical glitches, human errors and in many cases outright false claims of widespread election fraud in Georgia. The complaints follow the playbook of rightwing activists and citizens across the state who have been inundating local election offices with public records requests in attempts to prove conspiracies about widespread voter fraud.

The Guardian obtained hundreds of pages of their communications, which span from just after Trumps 2020 loss through January. The emails show not only the length to which the trio of election deniers have gone in pressuring officials to investigate claims of voter fraud, but how those efforts have succeeded in lending those claims an air of credibility.

In one case, Rossi found 36 inconsistencies on ballots processed by election workers in Fulton county, home of the states largest city, Atlanta. Those errors were substantiated by Governor Brian Kemps office and, eventually, the SEB, which found the erroneously counted ballots were a fractional number of the votes counted and did not affect the outcome of the 2020 election. The SEB found Fulton county in violation of state election law for the errors.

Moncla, Rossi and Cross did not respond to requests for comment.

The emails obtained by the Guardian also show kind words for one of the SEBs newest board members, Dr Janice Johnston, who is a critic of election management in Fulton county and nominee of Republican state lawmakers.

I really enjoyed speaking with you this week, Moncla wrote to Johnson in March 2022. From our conversation I sensed a sincere interest and conviction to look into these matters and remedy them. I find it refreshing and believe you will be instrumental in reforming what has been simply unacceptable election practices.

In December, Johnston and fellow Republican appointee Ed Lindsey voted to investigate Raffensperger over claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump  a hard-fought win for Moncla and his election denier cohorts. Raffenspergers office warned that the vote was part of Georgia Republicans plans to lay the foundation to discredit the next election.

In January, following the controversial vote, Republicans in the state legislature appointed an alleged election denier who has shared far-right memes on his Facebook page to the election board. With two new members who are apparently sympathetic to claims of election fraud, Moncla and others continued their pressure campaign into this pivotal election year.

Mr. Sterling for the 6th time, respectfully requesting a 1 hour meeting with you to discuss election facts, Moncla wrote on 7 January to the Georgia state election official Gabriel Sterling, a frequent target of election denier complaints and harassment.

As stated previously, its easy for you to hide behind your little Twitter [post] and call me and millions of other GA patriot liars, Moncla wrote after Sterling claimed that election deniers had spread lies about a supposed investigation of fraudulent votes.

It takes courage to sit down face-to-face, Moncla said, demanding in repeated emails that Sterling meet him in person.

***

Late last year, lawyers for Trump used Rossis work  in the form of a document called the Risk Limiting Audit Spreadsheet Analysis  in an appeal for presidential immunity in special counsel Jack Smiths January 6 insurrection case. Rossis report reiterates claims of voter fraud that have been repeatedly debunked, according to the Washington Post.

Also last year, Cross was chosen as second vice-chairman of the Georgia GOP as part of a takeover by far-right extremists and election deniers within the state party. Cross has championed a burgeoning movement for paper ballots and hand counts of all elections  a movement that has seen some success in at least one Georgia county, where election officials attended a hand count demonstration sponsored by Cross, as the Guardian previously discovered.

Cross has led efforts to expose so-called ballot mules by obtaining and reviewing security camera footage from ballot drop box locations showing individuals he claimed were illegally submitting fraudulent ballots.

I am part of a volunteer team of citizens investigating irregularities in the November 2020 election, Cross wrote in scores of complaints of instances of so-called ballot harvesting, which mirrored claims made in the widely debunked election denier documentary 2,000 Mules.

Crosss complaints are filled with assumptions about the men and women seen dropping ballots into ballot boxes. This individual is clearly familiar with the ballot box and she takes a couple of pictures while inserting ballots and afterwards, Cross wrote in an April 2022 complaint.

All of Crosss complaints were investigated, according to Raffenspergers office, which said in emails obtained by the Guardian that the individuals were dropping off ballots for members of their family, which is allowed under Georgia law.

Even when an investigator with Raffenspergers office, Dana Dewesse, found no wrongdoing on the part of voters highlighted in Crosss ballot harvesting complaints, Cross questioned whether the investigator had done their job.

I dont believe investigator Dewesse contacted this person and closed out the file in 48 hours, Cross wrote to Johnston on 12 May 2022. Can you please ask him for a copy of his notes / working file? I dont need to see it but I would like to know if he actually interviewed this person.

Johnston did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement, the SEB chair, John Fervier, said that all complaints received by the board are taken seriously and given due consideration regardless of the number of complaints filed.

***

While many of the trios complaints are baseless, some have exposed problems in Georgias election system, said Marilyn Marks, who runs the Coalition for Good Government and is a plaintiff in the long-running lawsuit that seeks to expose flaws with the states machine-run voting system. Marks specifically pointed to Rossis complaint about inconsistencies found in ballot tabulation in Fulton county that warranted a request from Kemps office for the SEB to investigate.

While Moncla and Cross have a chronic history of recklessly filing irresponsibly inaccurate complaints, the report that Kemps office attached to the original Rossi complaint concerning the Fulton hand count audit merits serious objective investigation and deliberation by the state election board, Marks tsaid. Although the declared audit outcome (Biden win) would very likely be repeated in a careful post-election review, Georgians must not accept election review processes that Governor Kemp rightly calls sloppy and inconsistent, noting that the results do not inspire confidence.

The offices of Kemp and Raffensperger did not respond to requests for comment.
TWO RIVERS, Wis. - The Two Rivers Police Department said roughly 70 drone teams were involved in searches for Elijah Vue on Thursday, March 28.

The 3-year-old boy has been missing since February. The drone teams came primarily from police departments and sheriff's offices across the state.

Police said searches last week were conducted in the Shoto area with help from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and local farmers and businesses.

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Have you seen him?

Authorities said Vue's caregiver last saw him at 8 a.m. at his home on Tuesday, Feb. 20  near 39th and Mishicot in Two Rivers. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a long-sleeved, dark-colored shirt, and red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes.

Elijah Vue

Vue, who is of Hmong descent, is described as 3 feet tall and 45 pounds with sandy hair and brown eyes. Officials said he has a birthmark on his left knee.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 844-267-6648 or 920-686-7200. You can also submit a tip through the FBI website, or to Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers through the P3 app.

Latest in court

Vue's mohter, 31-year-old Katrina Baur, pleaded not guilty on Friday, March 22 to four charges: chronic neglect of a child, neglecting a child and two misdemeanor counts of resisting/obstructing an officer.

Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang in Manitowoc County Court (virtually) on Monday, Feb. 26.

Manitowoc County prosecutors also charged 39-year-old Jesse Vang with neglecting a child. He is due in court on April 4 for a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors said Baur would send Vue to Vang for disciplinary purposes because she wanted him to teach her son "to be a man."

Rewards offered

Rewards in the search for Vue have risen to a combined $40,000.

The Two Rivers Police Department on Monday, March 11 announced the city has raised $15,000 in reward money through community donations. Donations to that reward fund are still being accepted.

The donation-driven reward is in addition to two other rewards already announced for information in the case. There is an FBI reward of up to $15,000, and a Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers reward of up to $10,000.
ELKO  The sixth annual Bit, Spur and Rein Contest showcased the best of the best traditional western artisans that combined both old style and modern methods of crafting functional art.

Since its opening, the Arts and Gear Museum has become an integral part of downtown Elko. Located next to J.M. Capriola and across the street from the Western Folklife Center, the museum bustles with activity during the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

Hosting the annual contest is a highlight of the year. Director Jan Petersen proudly showed off the winners of this years contest, which featured a father-son duo.

This is the winning bit made by Richard and Leighton Brooks. Its over-the-top exquisite, she said. Its even engraved on the inside.

She pointed out how the bit features the slobber bar and slobber chains.

This is the mouthpiece. They use copper because its sweet tasting, and even it is engraved, she said

Petersen said she calls bits functional horse jewelry.

The Brooks, who are from Canada, also won the spur contest.

Sixteen pieces were entered in the 2024 contest in January. Winners were announced at a reception on Feb. 2, the week of the Cowboy Poetry Gathering. They all get better and better every year. Theres nothing else like this contest, Petersen said.

Artisans receive a cheekpiece that silversmiths use to design their entries.

Artists use contemporary or electric tools or traditional hand tools to create their work, she said. Some is laser cut.

One bit design featured a jackalope. Another featured a heart and crescent moon, while another paid tribute to the pinup girls painted on World War II bombers.

Petersen said the contest exemplifies the museums motto: Guardians of the Western tradition. Preserving the heritage of the heritage and craftsmanship of the American West.

The bit and spur contest also highlights the blending of traditional and high-tech crafting methods.

Its that crossover between the two genres of engraving  traditional and non-traditional, Petersen said. All of them are so unique and different in the way they are done.

Pointing to 200-year-old bits in a case, Petersen explained adding fancy scrolls and intricate touches is not a new concept.

Even though they are not laid in, bling is nothing new, she said. You can see the decorative aspects and similarities to bits 100 years old and newer bits.

Rawhide braiding was added to the contest last year. Its a practical art that dates back about 200 years ago from the Californios, Petersen explained.

Different colors of rawhide mean different types of cows. This rich amber is Hereford, and this dusty-greyish hide comes from Black Angus.

Petersen said the contest features all that she loves about Western functional art.

Its that timelessness is what were all about. Moving from the past to the present and on into the future, yet retaining all that tradition and culture, she said.

Petersens retirement

Six years after the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum opened its doors in the former Garcia Harness and Saddle Shop, Petersen is stepping down.

Petersen, a fifth-generation Nevadan, became the museums first director when it opened in January 2018 in the former Elko-Lamoille Power Co. and NV Energy Offices at 542 Commercial St.

Through a partnership with the NV Energy Foundation, the building was restored to look as it did in 1907, using photographs from that era. The original display cases and a model horse contributed to replicating the original look.

The museums busiest week was during the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, featuring a book signing, a book preview and featured artist Gina Teichert, and capped off with a reception to announce the winners of the bit, spur and rein contest and auction.

Petersen said hosting the reception at the museum was like days of old that made her think of the late Elko sculptor and cowboy arts supporter Sarah Sweetwater.

Every one of these squares on this carpet was filled with a person. People were happy to be here, Petersen said. I could feel Sarah Sweetwater glowing away.

Peterson thanked the community and sponsors for backing the event, including the Elko Convention Center, Jay Tubbs, J.M Capriolas and Gallagher Land and Livestock.

Regarding her retirement, Petersen said other commitments with family and church prompted her decision to leave at the end of March.

Im turning the reins over to new hands, she said. Its been a great run. Ive loved every minute of it.
Carnegie Hall, one of the most prestigious music venues in the world, invites some of the best young musicians in the country to participate in its annual National Youth Orchestra, a free four-week summer program that aims to provide exposure to classical musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform worldwide.

For the second year in a row, Elk Grove will be represented by Benjamin Jiang at Carnegie Hall. Hell be playing with the 2024 National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

A 16-year-old Cosumnes Oaks High School junior, Jiang is one of 103 young musicians selected from across the country to participate in the program.

Jiang will join young musicians from different programs, Carnegie Hall said in a news release. The orchestra includes 15 musicians who previously played with NYO-USA, intended for those ages 16 to 19, and 30 who gained experience through NYO2  a program for players ages 14 to 17. Jiang performed with NYO2 last year.

Jiang will be playing the cello during performances. However, hes been musically inclined for the last decade, and he first began playing a different instrument.

I started with piano and then I switched over to cello maybe a couple of years after I started, Jiang said. For a long time I kind of split my focus equally, on both instruments. I just thought both had their unique opportunities to offer me.

Those opportunities turned into performances for school orchestras and regional orchestras, where he has found huge success.

Some of Jiangs notable accomplishments have been winning the American String Teachers Associations Solo Competition in Sacramento and the Classical Masters Music Festival, and finishing as a Music Teachers Association Competition recital finalist. Hes performed as a soloist in local symphonies, most recently with the Auburn Symphony Young Arts Competition, where he took second place in 2019.

Hes won a United States Open Music Competition, United States International Music Competition and Bellagrande International Music Competition.

Jiang said performing and being involved is how he found out about the opportunity with Carnegie Hall and the National Youth Orchestra program.

Currently I participate in the San Francisco Symphony (Youth) Orchestra, and so I have a couple of older friends who recommended the program to me, Jiang said.

Carnegie Hall announced that the musicians will travel to New York in late July for an intensive two-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, according to a news release.

Jiang and the other musicians will then perform in an orchestra at the annual Carnegie Hall concert during World Orchestra Week in August.

Carnegie Halls executive and artistic director, Clive Gillinson, said in a statement that he is thrilled to have such a talented group of musicians come together for NYO-USA.

These superb players will come together to train with some of the leading professional musicians in the country, Gillinson said. The members of NYO-USA will represent the best of America as musical performers and as cultural ambassadors, both in New York during the festival and on tour.

An extremely humble musician

Gabe Carpenter taught Jiang in his AP Music Theory class at Cosumnes Oaks. Carpenter said he was very impressed with Jiang as a classmate and musician.

Benjamin is a quiet but attentive student who is incredibly easy to teach and is kind (and helpful) to his peers, Carpenter said in an email to The Sacramento Bee. He is an incredible musician who is comparable to professionals...he has incredible musical ears and has a natural knack for hearing melodies and harmonies. I admire the fact that he is extremely humble despite continuously winning awards.

Jiang, who was admitted to the NYO program after his NYO2 experience, described it as really cool and inspiring.

He was stoked to gain experience working with professional faculty and professional orchestra players from across the U.S.

I think for starters just meeting so many people from across the country who are similar minded and who are so passionate about music, Jiang said. (People) who are bringing in the local traditions and their like local ways of thinking about music and their local interpretations.

Jiang said he thanks his parents for their support of him over the years and ushering him into music.

(They introduced) me to my first orchestral experience and just introduced me to piano and cello for the first time and theyve helped support me on my orchestral journey, Jiang said. Ive been in a couple of different orchestras over the years and thats kind of helped lead me on the path to the National Youth Orchestra. So I have to say a huge thank you to them.

Traveling the world

One aspect Jiang said was definitely a highlight of the program was the touring to different parts of the world.

As NYO2, I went to the Dominican Republic last summer, Jiang said. I thought it was just really inspiring to get to meet some of the Dominican musicians who are my age and who also studied in some of the music programs. I just thought music was really, kind of central to their culture and their society. I just thought it was inspiring to see their native dances.

This summer, Jiang is looking forward to working with a different set of peers and faculty and traveling, especially to explore different parts of South American culture.

World Orchestra Week, the August festival, celebrates international youth orchestras. There will be a massive play-in event including about 700 young musicians, the Carnegie Hall news release said.

The musicians will perform alongside the National Childrens Symphony of Venezuela, the Africa United Youth Orchestra, the Beijing Youth Symphony Orchestra, the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Afghan Youth Orchestra.

Following World Orchestra Week, the musicians will go on a South American tour which includes stops in Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and more.

According to Carnegie Halls news release, the orchestra will perform Barbers Symphony No. 1, Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet as soloist, and Rimsky-Korsakovs Scheherazade.

Leading up to the summer, Jiang plans to practice the music and prepare for the trip abroad. Jiang said he focuses on his craft every day, practicing anywhere from two to four hours.

I believe NYO will schedule an online lesson with the cello faculty there so Ill prepare for that, Jiang said. Ill definitely study the music, prepare for the tour, maybe prepare to sightsee a little bit and participate in cultural exchanges.

When Jiang isnt playing music, he enjoys trying and cooking new foods, exploring Californias nature reserves and binging documentaries and comedies.

Its kind of a nice change of mind and it helps me stay inspired on my musical journey, Jiang said.

Jiang said he has not yet decided on what his future plans entail or whether music is included in those endeavors.

I might continue my music studies at a conservatory or in a college music program, Jiang said.

However his focus, for now, is on the anticipation for the NYO program and all the traveling hes going to do. He hopes his musical skills will continue to take him to a variety of places and gain a multitude of experiences.
One of Diddys mansions raided by the feds earlier this week  part of an ongoing federal sex-trafficking investigation into the rap mogul  is on Star Island, a man-made spit of land off the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Beach.

Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, pressured his staff and associates to hire prostitutes, and possibly minors, to have sex with him as he traveled across the country, according to recent civil lawsuits. Diddys attorney has denied those claims and the 54-year-old Harlem native has not been criminally charged.

On Monday, Homeland Security Investigations agents executed search warrants at his mansions in Los Angeles and at 2 Star Island Drive in Miami Beach. There, agents collected electronic equipment, according to a source familiar with the probe.

As agents pore over the evidence gathered from the searches, some are hearing about Star Island for the first time.

From rappers and singers to CEOs and hedge fund managers, the rich and famous call Star Island their home.

Here are a few well-known millionaires and billionaires who own property or live in the ultra-exclusive enclave:

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas takes a photo with Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan before his team plays against New York City FC at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com

Gloria and Emilio Estefan

The Cuban-American power couple own a three-story, 21,011-square-foot compound with a market value of $43,874,455, according to Miami-Dade County Property Appraisers website.

Diddy Combs, hands out money and gift cards in December 2020 in Miami as part of his foundation. Pedro Portal/Miami Herald File

Diddy

The rap mogul owns 1 Star Island Drive, which he purchased from the Estefans in 2021 for $35 million, and 2 Star Island Drive, which has nine bedrooms and 12 bathrooms and a market value of nearly $36 million.

READ MORE: A look at Diddys exclusive neighborhood in Miami Beach: This is an intimate space

Rick Ross talks about his upcoming album Port of Miami 2 during a media event at the Soho Beach House in Miami Beach on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com

Rick Ross

The rapper-turned-businessman and car enthusiast lives in a two-story, 9,747-square-foot mansion purchased last year for around $35 million. It has seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, according to property records.

READ MORE: J-Lo, Star Island mansion and Booby Trap: Diddys Miami timeline much more than music

Philip Frost walks up to receive his Florida Company of the Year Award at Crowne Plaza in Miami in this April 3, 1995, file photo. Tim Chapman/staff

Phillip and Patricia Frost





A long-time healthcare investor, inventor and founder, Phillip Frost, 87, is the CEO and Chairman of diagnostics-maker Opko Health. The billionaire, along with his wife, Patricia, a former principal with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, have supported the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum.

Their three-story, 31,270-square-foot mansion sits on the enclaves biggest lot (268,512 square feet). The propertys market value is $142,507,045, according to property records.

READ MORE: Culture of silence: Lawyer calls Diddys NDA terrifying, purposefully intimidating

Ken Griffin, citadel CEO, smiles while accepting recognition for his donation to the Miami Neuroscience Institute during a ceremony on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Baptist Health Baptist Hospital in Miami, Fla. Alie Skowronski/askowronski@miamiherald.com

Ken Griffin

The hedge fund billionaire, Citadel founder and CEO has been acquiring contiguous lots on Star Island since 2020, owning more land (6.5 acres) in the ultra-exclusive neighborhood than the Frosts, according to The Real Deal.

READ MORE: Miami freak-offs and alleged underage sex crimes  lawsuits paint picture of Diddys world

Griffin owns seven addresses on Star Island, The Real Deal reported last year.

Last year, Griffin bought back a two-story, 13,915-square-foot mansion for $45.5 million that Alex Rodriguez had snatched up while still engaged to Jennifer Lopez.
DENVER (KDVR)  A United flight diverted to Denver after crews reported an issue with an engine.

United Airlines confirmed to FOX31 that a flight from San Francisco to Paris had to land at Denver International Airport Thursday evening.

Crew members on the Boeing 777-200 reported having an issue with one engine. Even though the issues were reported, United said the flight did not declare an emergency landing, but emergency services were standing by for the planes arrival as a precaution.

Colorado bill would limit hard liquor sales to liquor stores

United said the flight landed safely, and all 273 passengers and 12 crew members deplaned.

Since the flight was canceled upon arrival in Denver, passengers are still waiting for their next available flight to Paris. United said it is working with customers to find flight options on Friday.

This isnt the first United flight that had to be diverted to Denver mid-trip this year.

A month ago on Feb. 19, another United flight left from San Francisco and had to divert to Denver due to a wing issue. The flight was headed to Boston.

The Boeing 757-200 had to land due to minor damage on the right wing.

The 10 highest-paid state employees in Colorado all make over $900K a year

On Jan. 27, a United flight that left from Las Vegas landed shortly after in Denver due to a cracked windshield. This flight was originally headed to Washington D.C.

Boeing has faced several issues and investigations in the past few months over the quality and safety of their aircraft. On March 25, it was announced that Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun would step down from the embattled plane maker at the end of the year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Columbus has set its sights on a historic part of town to become the citys first neighborhood with net-zero emissions, and the project could lower electric bills for its residents.

American Addition is one of the oldest African American communities in Columbus, dating to May 1898. Soon, it could become the first neighborhood in the city to completely eliminate emissions, reducing its carbon footprint and dependence on nonrenewable energy sources.

A solar plant, solar panels, efficient insulation, and smart design are among the changes to minimize the neighborhoods energy waste, according to IMPACT Community Action Director of Climate Justice Initiatives Katie Devlin. Residents of American Addition will also be provided with information and education on how to reduce their overall energy usage.

Were trying to strike a balance between the amount of energy that buildings in the neighborhood are producing, and then using energy efficiency mechanisms to offset that energy, and ultimately, those emissions, Devlin said.

Columbus invests $500,000 to provide free car repairs for low-income residents

While some Columbus residents are facing their largest electric bills in the decade, this project could actually lower costs for American Addition residents. Devlin said that the installation of solar panels and batteries will come at no cost to the homeowners, and that residents could expect to pay less for their electricity.

Depending on the homes utility provider, most homes are AEP, the cost of the bill will depend on how much energy their solar panel produces, Devlin said. But we are confident that the majority of residents will see a decrease on their electric bill with the installation of solar panels.

Columbus was recently selected as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year initiative leveraging federal funding to implement local solutions that build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities. Because of its participation in the initiative, the city will receive an innovation team with up to three dedicated staff members, a multi-year, in-depth, customized policy, and technical assistance.

How Ohio is helping the visually impaired enjoy April eclipse

Assistant Director of Sustainable Columbus Erin Beck said the American Addition project was a major reason for the citys inclusion on the list. She said they worked closely with IMPACT Community Action to be awarded the funding.

A big part of our application that we worked with IMPACT and the community on was that we really wanted to use these supports to help support the American Addition neighborhood, and a commitment to creating a net-zero neighborhood and working collaboratively toward that, Beck said.

While a plan is clearly already in place to reach the net-zero goal, Beck said there will still be some trial and error.

What is this going to look like? I think all of us still arent entirely sure what this might look like, Beck said. Were on a journey together to figure out what is going to work best for American Addition.

Ohio school board may raise teacher license fees as budget shortfall looms

Lisa Ghee-Brown, Community Advocate for IMPACT and American Addition resident, said her family has lived in the neighborhood for generations. She said members of the community are eager to see the changes coming with the project.

Theyre happy, theyre waiting, theyre no-nonsense people because theyre an older generation and they tell you exactly what they feel, Ghee-Brown said. Theyre happy that theyre getting some help with their homes, because its a couple of families out there still buying oil to heat their homes. So, theyre patiently waiting.

American Addition isnt the only solar project coming to central Ohio, the Ohio Power Siting Board recently approved a much larger, 800-megawatt solar-powered generating facility to be built in Madison County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Officials with the Valley Childrens Hospital released a statement in response to Fresno City Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefelds letter asking the state to investigate operations at the hospital.

$2M bonus for Valley Childrens CEO: Councilmembers want state to investigate

This comes after the discovery that the hospitals CEO earned a bonus of $2 million in 2020 -Todd Suntrapaks bonus in 2020 was on top of his already established salary of $1.4 million for that year.

In the statement, Michael Hanson with the Valley Childrens Healthcare Board of Trustees says they have already made public the facts that refute the erroneous claims of the two politicians, and that it is disturbing to see elected officials attempt to use childrens healthcare to garner media coverage.

It is clear that these two local elected officials  including one in the midst of a political campaign  are simply calling for this investigation today to garner further publicity for themselves. It is disturbing to see elected officials attempt to use childrens healthcare to garner media coverage. Valley Childrens Healthcare has already made public the facts that refute the erroneous claims of these two politicians. It has been our careful fiscal stewardship and the sound management of our investments that has enabled Valley Childrens to remain financially strong at a time when many other local hospitals are struggling or closing their doors. This financial strength allows us to cover the cost of high-quality care that is far greater than what we receive from Medi-Cal and to carry out the mission of this organization  to provide high quality, comprehensive services to children, regardless of their ability to pay. We are proud that our team of caring doctors, nurses and the rest of our staff are able to provide this care to the children of our community as we have for more than 70 years. Michael Hanson with the Valley Childrens Healthcare Board of Trustees.

Arias and Bredefeld signed a letter requesting an investigation into the operations of Valley Childrens Hospital and its Medi-Cal receipts.

Disturbing salary and bonuses at Valley Childrens Hospital: Councilmembers want investigation

The letter states that Valley Childrens paid its roster of 28 executives $26.95 million in tax year 2021 -nearly double comparable to other California childrens hospitals.

According to the letter, for the tax years of 2020 and 2021, Suntrapak was paid $5.4 million respectively, in total compensation by the hospital. The Valley Childrens Board of Trustees authorized a $5 million forgivable loan as a retention incentive to Suntrapak that was allegedly used to purchase a house in Carmel, California.

Click here to read the full letter.

On Wednesday, the board chair of Valley Childrens Healthcare fired back at criticism leveled at the hospital, saying the salaries and bonuses were guided by industry standards and aimed at attracting and retaining top talent necessary to uphold our commitment to excellence in healthcare.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
(Bloomberg) -- Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., South Africas state power company, disputed the findings of a Greenpeace report that it operates many of the worlds worst emission sites for toxic nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Major Air Polluters in Africa report, released Thursday by Greenpeace, asserted that coal-fired plants operated by the utility account for five of the worlds 10 biggest single-source nitrogen-dioxide emission sites. The company also runs two of the 10 worst sulfur-dioxide sites, Greenpeace said.

The Greenpeace report appears to rely on satellite interpretation of the high levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the troposphere, Eskom said in a response to queries. It links the nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide measured many hundreds of meters above the ground to direct health impacts at ground level, the utility added.

South Africa, which relies on coal for the generation of more than 80% of its electricity, has some of the worlds worst air pollution, with emission standards that, while considerably more lenient than in other major polluters China and India, are rarely enforced.

The company said that at ground level, its plants mostly comply with South African nitrogen-dioxide emission levels and where they dont, its due to nearby vehicle traffic and other industrial sources.

The two newest of its 14 operating coal-fired plants, Medupi and Kusile, as well as Camden are fitted with so-called low NOx burners to reduce emissions of nitrogen dioxide and others may retrofitted with the equipment, it said. Flue-gas desulfurization units, which slash sulfur-dioxide emissions, will be retrofitted at Medupi and is in place at Kusile, it said.

Still, that equipment is currently being bypassed at Kusile after an accident. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air has previously asserted that Eskom is the worlds biggest sulfur dioxide polluter.

Eskoms particulate matter emissions were also at a 31-year high in the six months through September.

(Updates with particulate emissions in last paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Its a nice little place tucked away, not often visited compared to the popular Double Peak nearby, said local photographer Vishwas Lokesh, whos always using his artists eye to capture the essence of nature in San Diego County.

He was referring to South Lake Park in San Marcos, which is about 37 miles from downtown. The roughly 10-acre park surrounds a reservoir that was built in 1959 and once supplied the area with drinking water until 1984.

Wildflower map: Pro tips to finding blooms at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Now, South Lake is one of the newest additions to the City of San Marcos thriving parks system. Theres a parking facility, a mile-long hiking trail, and those with a valid California fishing license are allowed to cast into the water  though the city strongly recommends the conservation strategy of catch and release.

Aside from the park being an ideal recreation spot, the city explained that South Lake is also a functioning natural habitat that boasts a variety of flora. From a mix of coastal sage scrub to chaparral plants and wetland vegetation, theres a certain plant species that is turning the park purple this spring.

Commonly know as California lilacs, the shrub species called Ceanothus, which is native to the Golden State, is stunning parkgoers with its fragrant and bright blooms. South Lake is surrounded with the flowering foliage, which drew Lokesh to North County.

The local photographer explored South Lake Park on Tuesday and Wednesay. As soon as he entered the parking lot, Lokesh said the fragrance of California lilacs filled the air.

Its like youre in essential oil heaven! he told FOX 5.

The flowery smell, he explained, was even more outstanding out on the hiking trail.

Once youre on the trail, you blend in and forget that youre in a city. Its a short two-mile loop, but it took forever to complete because I kept stopping to take in the gorgeous views, he continued.

When asked if he could offer up any tips to San Diegans who wish to check out the blooming California lilacs, Lokesh suggested visiting South Lake Park roughly 30 minutes before sunset or directly after sunrise for that perfect purple color.

Direct sunlight dilutes the color, so being there at the right time matters, explained the local photographer.

Another pro tip, if the parking lot is full  which he says is likely  there are limited street parking spots on Sunstone Drive and Santa Barbara Drive.

The California lilacs can also be seen at nearby Discovery Lake, another San Marcos park. Lokesh captured the image below from this area.

Discovery Lake

Check out more local footage of leopard sharks, the mesmerizing bioluminescence and more by visiting this San Diego photographers Instagram page (@shotbyvish).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna speaks to media upon his arrival to attend the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich). Johannes Frandsen/European Council/dpa

Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has said the Ukraine conflict has shown what might have happened to his country had it not joined NATO 20 years ago.

"It cannot be ruled out that without NATO membership our independence would now be at risk," Tsahkna said on Friday on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of joining the transatlantic defence alliance.

"If Estonia had remained in the so-called grey zone, what we are currently seeing in Ukraine could possibly have happened on our territory," he said.

In addition to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Slovakia also joined NATO on March 29, 2004.

"Because we made the necessary decisions back then, we now live in a free and secure Estonia," Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in a video message.

Estonia borders Russia to the east and feels the threat of Russian force since the invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, she said.

Estonia now spends more than 3% of its gross domestic product on the military, said Kallas, as she urged NATO allies to spend more money on defence.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has called for support for Ukraine's accession to NATO on 29 March, the 20th anniversary of Estonia's accession to the Alliance, noting that it is a strong and united alliance, but the world has changed.

Source: European Pravda, citing Kallass address

Quote: "These changes are caused by the fact that our eastern neighbour Russia has been waging a bloody war in Ukraine for the third consecutive year."

Details: She emphasised that Ukraine's victory and Russia's defeat in this war are existential for Estonia's security.

"The only way to ensure lasting peace in Europe is to support Ukraine until its victory and support Ukraine's path to NATO and the EU," Kallas said.

She stressed that NATO must do even more than before to defend itself. "In this changed world, we need to be decisive, focus on decisions, make tough decisions when necessary, and remain united. This is the essence of NATO," Kallas noted.

This summer, the leaders of NATO member states will gather in Washington for the Alliance's 75th anniversary summit.

"We expect bold and resolute decisions from this meeting that will strengthen the sense of security for our people and the security of the Euro-Atlantic region in the long term," Kallas emphasised.

Background:

Estonia's Defence Forces Commander Martin Herem has asserted that his country needs to double defence spending over the next two years to accumulate sufficient ammunition and deliver a decisive blow to Russian forces that might invade the country.

In February, Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service said that Russia was preparing for a military confrontation with the West within the next decade.

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Farmers with their tractors protest against EU agricultural policy and demand improvements in their industry. Gregory Ienco/Belga/dpa

European Union member states on Wednesday agreed to tighten restrictions on agricultural imports from Ukraine, following months of angry protests by EU farmers against what they say is unfair competition.

According to diplomats, the new compromise stipulates that fewer goods than originally planned will be allowed to be sold duty-free into the EU. The products affected include eggs, poultry, sugar and maize.

Goods affected by the restrictions will only be allowed to be imported into the EU duty free up to a certain amount. When this amount is reached, tariffs will apply again.

The duty-free caps are based on average imports from Ukraine during an earlier reference period.

The new agreement effectively lowers the caps by including the latter half of 2021, when imports were lower than they would later become. France wanted to include the whole of 2021, which would have lowered the averages even further.

In a statement on Thursday, farmers' lobby group Copa-Cogeca called the deal a half-response that didnt go far enough. It called for automatic tariffs on wheat and barley in addition to lower quantities of goods like eggs, poultry and sugar that can enter the EU duty-free.

France and Poland had unsuccessfully sought to have wheat included in the list of Ukrainian farm products subject to the caps.

DILEMMA: HELPING UKRAINE WITHOUT HURTING EU FARMERS

Since the start of 2024, farmers across Europe have protested against rising costs, the EUs environmental policy, and cheap food imports, including those from Ukraine. They returned to Brussels with their tractors on Tuesday.

EU leaders seek to restore balance between supporting Ukraines economy and protecting EU agricultural producers. EU agricultural ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday to try to appease the farmers anger by signing off on measures to loosen conditions for access to subsidies from the blocs Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

We see how the confidence of Czech and European farmers in the European Union has been shaken, and my concern is to be able to restore this confidence, the Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny told reporters.

The tighter import rules are the latest in a string of concessions to European farmers. They come less than three months before elections to the European Parliament. Surveys predict the vote will result in a surge of support for far-right parties that are using farmers discontent as part of their campaigning.

The changes agreed on Wednesday are part of a one-year extension - from June - of a temporary decision to remove tariffs on Ukrainian goods, in order to help the country's war-battered economy.

The compromise among member states' still needs the approval of the European Parliament before it can take effect. If the extension is not in place by June 5, then the prewar tarrifs on Ukrainian goods will be automatically reintroduced.

The European Commission also wants to impose tariffs on Russian grain imports to the bloc. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU did not want Russia to earn grain revenue from the bloc, or to influence the EUs market.

POLISH BLOCKADE STRAINS TIES WITH UKRAINE

Polish farmers have been blocking Ukrainian agricultural goods coming over the border as they fear being undercut by cheaper produce.

Poland and Ukraine were closer to resolving a conflict over farm imports, Warsaw said Wednesday, on the eve of bilateral talks on the issue. We can say theres been a certain rapprochement between the respective positions," Polands Agriculture Minister Czesaw Siekierski told AFP. Nevertheless, "each is fighting for himself, he said.

The border blockades and the dispute have strained ties between the neighbours, even as Poland has shown staunch support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion. Warsaw has been calling for an EU ceiling on Ukrainian imports, after having imposed one unilaterally last year.

The Danish minister for agriculture, Jacob Jensen, said: There are things in this world that are more important than anything else. On the security and foreign policy front, we must support Ukraine as much as we possibly can.

He added that we do this militarily, but we must also do it in terms of ensuring that Denmark and the EU do not put obstacles in the way of them being able to sell their goods and support the economy. Jensen acknowledged that there may be local markets, such as Poland, that are disproportionately affected by loosening trade restrictions with Ukraine.

The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, ANSA, BTA, CTK, dpa, Ritzau, STA as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.
One of my pet peeves is hearing someone complain about the Humboldt River. They often describe it as a measly little river, mostly dry in the summer, loaded with trash and muddy in the spring.

Todays Humboldt was created by people.

The river flowing through Elko did not always look like this. Not long ago, it was a thriving river, one that offered good fishing. For Elko residents, fishing the river was a popular pastime. All of Elko County offered a good fishery, including salmon runs.

A person traveling the California Trail in 1863 described Shoshone Indians near todays Elko trading cutthroat trout to the emigrants, offering fish 18 inches to 24 inches in length. The Shoshone created rock dams across the Humboldt west of Elko, along the lower Susie Creek, and the South Fork of the Humboldt. They removed baskets of fish weighing up to 200 pounds every two to four days from these dams.

The Elko Independent in 1869 reported boys catching cutthroat trout in the Humboldt River near Carlin, using grasshopper bait. The same article mentioned boys catching fish on the Maggie and Susie Creeks. The boys were catching large stringers of 5-pound to 8-pound fish. In 1897, the Tuscarora Times-Review reported a fishing trip on the North Fork of the Humboldt that caught a total of 328 trout, each averaging over a pound.

In 1869, the Elko Independent noted that silver-scaled, speckled trout, fresh from the limpid waters of the Humboldt [River], and weighing from one to three pounds, are plenty in this market at four bits [$0.50].

The Reese River Reveille recorded in 1868, The Baron Brothers [a popular restaurant]  Yesterday  bought the large lot of six hundred pounds of trout from the Humboldt [River], with which they propose to supply their tables daily.

Other areas of Elko County were also important fisheries.

Ancestral Shoshone people traveled each year to fish the Snake River drainage for salmon and steelhead trout. Salmon migrated each year from the Pacific Ocean into Nevada in the Owyhee, Bruneau, Jarbidge and Salmon Falls drainages.

One tribal band regularly fished the Jack Creek tributary on the west side of the Independence Mountains. One of the reasons the Duck Valley Indian Reservation was placed at todays Owyhee was so the annual salmon runs would provide food for the native peoples. Only a few years after the creation of the reservation, the first dam went up on the Salmon River and stopped all future salmon runs.

Early settlers reported catching salmon on Jerritt Creek and Marsh Creek, along the east side of the Independence Mountains. The preferred method of capture in the small streams was a spear or pitchfork.

In 1901, the Nevada State Herald in Wells reported the fishing conditions of Trout Creek (a tributary of Bishop Creek) probably were like those existed when the first Europeans settlers arrived in this area: about twelve miles from town  almost alive with mountain trout from four to ten inches in length

This historical content comes from George Gruell and Sherman Swansons book, Nevadas Changing Wildlife Habitat, along with an online document named the Humboldt River Chronology.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Europe is in a pre-war era but still has a long way to go before its ready to confront the threat posed by Russia.

War is no longer a concept from the past. It is real, and it started over two years ago. The most worrying thing at the moment is that literally any scenario is possible. We havent seen a situation like this since 1945, Tusk said in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt published Friday.

I know it sounds devastating, especially for the younger generation, but we have to get used to the fact that a new era has begun: the pre-war era. Im not exaggerating; its becoming clearer every day.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European leaders and military officials have grown increasingly concerned that the conflict could spill over to other countries on its border. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied that Russia intends to attack NATO countries.

Russias war upended the post-Cold War geopolitical order, forcing Europe to take seriously its own defense after decades of dwindling military budgets and prompting countries on its border to take more drastic measures.

Sweden and Finland recently joined NATO  something that until two years ago would have been unthinkable for the two famously neutral Scandinavian countries. In the Baltics, Estonia and Lithuania have bolstered their defense budgets far above NATOs minimum commitment of 2% of GDP. And Moldova, which borders Ukraine and has long been vulnerable to Russian meddling, is on an accelerated path to the European Union.

Meanwhile, the triumvirate of France, Germany and Poland  the so-called Weimar Triangle  has been spearheading the continents efforts to rearm and guard itself against further Russian aggression.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, Germany, March 15, 2024. - Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

Tusk returned to power after last years election and has since been trying to haul Poland back into the European mainstream after nearly a decade of authoritarian rule under the populist Law and Justice Party.

Poland, sandwiched between Germany and Russia, has long been aware of the importance of strong defense. This year, Polands military budget was more than 4% of its GDP  double NATOs guideline. It has also welcomed millions of Ukrainians who have fled Russias invasion.

Last weekend, Poland said a Russian cruise missile aimed at Ukraine had entered its airspace  a repeat occurrence during more than two years of war  and demanded an explanation from Moscow.

Despite Europes efforts to bolster its defense, Tusk said the continent still has a long way to go. He said it must be independent and self-sufficient in defense while maintaining a strong alliance in the US.

While US President Joe Biden has remained steadfast in his support for Ukraine, former President Donald Trump said last month that, if reelected in November, he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO member that doesnt meet spending guidelines on defense.

Our job is to nurture transatlantic relations, regardless of who the US president is, Tusk said.

Tusk also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow as a pretext to escalate the war in Ukraine.

We know from history that Putin uses such tragedies for his own purposes, he said, recalling events in 2002 when Chechen gunmen took 800 hostages in Moscows Dubrovka Theatre and in 2004 when Chechen rebels took 1,200 children and adults hostage at a school in Beslan, southern Russia.

Putin has already begun blaming Ukraine for the preparation of this attack, although he has not provided any evidence. Obviously, he feels the need to justify the increasingly violent attacks on civilian sites in Ukraine, Tusk said.

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The atmosphere at SXSW was electric, with bustling crowds, thought-provoking panels, and a palpable sense of anticipation. Amidst this whirlwind of activity, I found myself eagerly anticipating the premiere of "My Dead Friend Zoe." The buzz surrounding the film was undeniable, and as a fan of Kyle Hausmann Stokes's previous work, I was filled with anticipation and excitement.

In the realm of independent cinema, certain creators possess a unique ability to challenge conventions and reshape narratives. Kyle Hausmann Stokes, an accomplished director and storyteller, has been at the forefront of this movement, particularly with his groundbreaking work alongside We Are The Mighty. Through this collaboration, Stokes has played a pivotal role in redefining how military stories are told and understood. His latest project, "My Dead Friend Zoe," has garnered attention for its poignant exploration of grief, friendship, and the intricacies of loss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_9uPnEjdqM

From the opening scenes of the film, Stokes immerses viewers in a world where memories intertwine with reality, blurring the lines between past and present. "My Dead Friend Zoe" follows the journey of protagonist Merit, portrayed with raw vulnerability by acclaimed actress Sonequa Martin-Green, as she navigates the aftermath of her friend's tragic death.

Stokes's directorial approach is characterized by a keen eye for emotional nuance and a commitment to authenticity in storytelling. His previous works, including the award-winning short film Merit x Zoe (basis for the feature) and the viral PSA Veterans for Gun Reform (40 million views), have established him as a filmmaker unafraid to tackle themes of loss and resilience with sensitivity and depth.

Drew Rausch, Jamie Castro, Zeke Alton, Sandra Lee, Alicia Borja, Gloria Reuben, Melisa Lopez, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, Claudette Godfrey, Richard Milanesi, Sonequa Martin- Green, Larry Freeman, Natalie Morales, James Bane, Thom Tran, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Paul Scanlan and Rich Paul at the "My Dead Friend Zoe" Premiere as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals held at the Paramount Theatre on March 9, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Samantha Burkardt/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)

In "My Dead Friend Zoe," Stokes collaborates with a talented ensemble cast and a dedicated crew to bring his vision to life. The film's haunting cinematography, evocative soundtrack, and intimate performances create an immersive experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

As audiences eagerly anticipate the release of "My Dead Friend Zoe," Kyle Hausmann Stokes's directorial prowess promises a cinematic journey that transcends genre conventions and invites viewers to explore the profound impact of friendship and the enduring nature of memories. It is no wonder that Kyle was greeted to uproarious applause and a standing ovation after the screening. It was my pleasure to speak with the gifted auteur just a day after My Dead Friend Zoe was awarded the coveted Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW.

Why did you join the Army?

Kyle Hausmann Stokes in Iraq 2007. Photo/Yo Han Ko, courtesy Hausmann Stokes.

I have a big and a small reason, as most folks do. The big, lofty reason was I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. It sounds so pretentious but I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help people. I wanted to get out of Wisconsin. Everybody was doing the same thing at my high school; it made me want to run so fast in the other direction. Im dating myself, but this was before 9/11. I graduated high school in 2001.

The small reason, I wanted to stand up next to my grandpa during the Music in the Park, which you see in the film. We would go to this little Music in the Park thing every 4th of July with my family. I was just this little guy and I remember vividly feeling like my grandpa was 100 feet tall. Id see him stand up and people would applaud. I didnt really know what I was feeling but I just knew that I wanted to be like him and one day I could stand next to him. And I did, and I got to. My grandpa is very stoic, his name was Orville, which couldnt be a more grandpa name. The mythology of our family, we have a lot of military in our family. Nobody signs up because theyre hungry for war; they sign up because you want to help, you want to make a difference. Those who have served from Vietnam to WWII, I think its the bravest thing you can do on day zero, is raise your right hand and say, Whatever you guys decide, I will do that. Thats bravery. Thats selfless service. I was excited to make a film about family, about friendship, about grief, about love, and these people just happen to be veterans.

Why did you make the decision to use females to portray yourself and your all-male friends in the film? (Also: it was an amazing decision).

AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 08: Gloria Reuben, Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, Natalie Morales, Sonequa Martin-Green and Utkarsh Ambudkar from 'My Dead Friend Zoe' pose for a portrait on March 8, 2024 at SxSW in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Robby Klein/Getty Images)

It was one of the first decisions I made when conceptualizing the project. I knew I wanted it to be a film about friendship. It was going to be based on my own relationship with one of my battle buddies. But I didnt want the characters to look like me. I also needed some separation from these characters because the film is so damn personal. The protagonist and these folks had to be different from me in some way. Just as important, I was also coming off this huge mental health campaign that I directed for the VA for six/seven years called Make the Connection where I traveled the country with a small team and we interviewed over 500 veterans. I held space with, I was nose-to-nose with 500 veterans of all different ilk, men and women, and got this firehose of experiences. I knew what my experience was in the military but it was a privilege to get to sit with them. I met the most incredible women veterans that I had no idea of their experience. I was in the Army in the infantry at a time where boys and girls werent allowed to serve next to each other, so I really had no idea of their experience. For that reason, it had to be about women. Women make up half of our society and an increasingly large number of the military. Every military film Ive seen has been about white straight dudes, so it was kind of a no-brainer.

What I think is so great about the film is that its a universal message. Obviously, it centers around the military but we all go through trauma. Did you think about what kind of impact putting two women as the leads would have?

A little. I hope we can get to a point where people are just people. Someones gender or ethnicity would be no more remarkable than the color of their hair, but thats not the world we live in. Film is such a collaborative art form. I feel like I created these containers of characters and then they totally got filled up. One anecdote about this was there was some discussion about Zoes sexuality, being a queer woman. We did this screening in Hawaii for a bunch of veterans. And people were saying shes queer, its like the first line in the movie, How do you still not get this, I like girls, and one of the female veterans said, Shes not queer, I said that every day just to keep men off me. That a how people can pick out different ways in which they feel seen. A character can be one thing to one person and something to another.

What is your purpose with this particular piece of art?

A view of the Paramount Theatre marquee at the "My Dead Friend Zoe" Premiere as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals held at the Paramount Theatre on March 9, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Hutton Supancic/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)

I really wanted to Trojan Horse in a call to action, like a PSA, into this film. I think if people turn up for the humor and the performance and the cinema of it but they come away with this self-reflective, have I really dealt with my trauma? I know there is a tough guy, we dont do feelings, hopefully, this will be a little chink in the armor of that and hopefully, well save some lives through it.

My purpose and my intention is to maybe show people a version of what it can look like on the other side of talking about that thing or that person or whatever that might haunt you. Theres better stuff on the other side of it. I had this big thing where I would feel guilty about enjoying my life. When I came back and I was at film school, didnt really have a lot of friends at first and even celebrating at a party, Id feel guilty, Id be like, what the fuck are you doing? Do you know how many people are dead in Iraq right now? Its hard to flip from one to the other. It felt like a way to punish myself, to drink, to self-medicate. I would abusively run in a bad way. It wasnt until I met a Vietnam Veteran at the downtown VA for a session I didnt want to go to. I actually walked out of it because it went so poorly, but I met this Vietnam Vet in the lobby. And he told me, Do you really think youre paying homage or honoring your buddies memories by living this bullshit, depressed life? Youre dumb. You need to square yourself away. You need to thrive. You need to live your best life. You need to talk about them and move on because youre here and theyre not. What would they really want for you? That was such a paradigm shift for me. Thats what I really tried to channel into the film, this notion of the way that we honor the folks that weve lost is by moving on and living our best life.

Who were some of your mentors as you got into filmmaking?

My OG mentor was this colonel named Daniel C. Griffith at Fort Polk, LA. In August of 2004, I was weeks away from the end of my enlistment. But, because of the war in Iraq, my unit was suddenly 'Stop Loss-ed' and my plans to discharge and attend college would be put on hold until we returned from a 12-month combat tour in Iraq. Then, and I still cant believe this, because I had become known as the battalion film guy -- I was always secretly filming our airborne jumps, jungle warfare trainings and tank battle maneuvers, editing them into short films in my barracks room and handing out copies on VHS -- I was ordered to report to the Colonels office one night late -- this is rarely a good thing. He said, 'Sergeant Hausmann, Ive seen your films, the impact they have on morale, and  I think you may be destined for something else. So Ive made arrangements for you, and only you, to be exempt from our Stop Loss. Youll be allowed to leave the Army on your discharge date, but in exchange for not deploying with us, I have a mission for you. You will seek out the best film school in the country, hone your skills andyou will be our voice. You will tell the soldiers story.' I was floored. But never so inspired. I found my way to USC film, used my GI Bill, and have spent the last 14 years of my filmmaking career dedicated to living up to that promise.

Kyle Hausmann Stokes in Iraq, 2007. U.S. Army Photo/1-160th Infantry

Ironically, I was recalled back into the Army in 2007. It was the beginning of 'The Surge,' I was a junior at USC, hadnt yet deployed and knew if I didnt, someone else would go in my place. So I dropped out for 18 months, put film school on pause, and served a yearlong combat tour in Iraq with the 1-160th Infantry as a convoy commander. Coming back to film school after that experience, now 5 years older than my peers, was a surreal experience. But it only further cemented for me the colonels mission to tell the soldiers story. I spent the next ten years writing, producing and directing PSAs, campaigns and short films about the veteran experience. I just talked to him two nights ago; I hadnt talked to him since I got out and he found me. I was a little nervous to talk to him and he basically said sergeant, hooah, for staying on mission. Pretty wild. He has nothing to do with film or film industry, but in terms of that initial fire, it was him.

Why now with this film?

At a very practical level it came from COVID  in the same way that COVID was a lot of introspection for people. I got back from Iraq in 2008 and went into film school. It took me a lot of years to get the courage to point the camera inward in a way. During COVID there was just no way to escape it. And now here we are. I worked with some incredible people along the way. I think if you look back at the buffer between when an American war ends and when these quintissential films about that war start to come out, its about a decade. It takes awhile for the country to get to that reflective place. Iraq and Afghanistan was such a fade to black ending; it wasnt a huey leaving Saigon on that one day. I hope the country is going to be very receptive to this. And its not a war film.

Talk to us about using veterans in the film.

Kyle Hausmann Stokes directing a PSA for the VA in 2012. Photo by Mike Moriatis, courtesy of Hausmann Stokes.

I dont think you have to be the thing to tell that story. But I think it can help in some major ways. We veterans rarely get the opporutnity to tell our stories behind or in front of the camera. I always knew that veteran group in particualr would be all veterans. First and foremost they are professional working actors and secondly they are veterans, in that order. I didnt write any dialogue for them. I just said, James stands and shares. Asia stands and shares. And they had to do that in front of Morgan Freeman, no big deal. But they crushed it. It was important to show the industry that we are much more than just technical advisors that the characters you see in the film portrayed by veterans, I wanted to see how emotional and funny and dynamic veterans can be.

Whats next?

Audience members react at the "My Dead Friend Zoe" Premiere as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals held at the Paramount Theatre on March 9, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Hutton Supancic/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)

I have a handful of things i want to do. I want to continue to tell veterans and military stoires. I want to do other stuff as well. Im working on another dark comedy with A.J. Its a film about friendship between two men and adult male loneliness. Its about a guy going through some stuff in his life and he accidentally starts a mens group. I have a pilot ready to go that takes place in Argentina. I have a book Im chasing as well. Im just a guy who has been doing stuff with We Are The Mighty for so long.

Where and when can our readers see My Dead Friend Zoe?

Were seeking distribution and I think well get it. Theres talk of it releasing on or around Veterans Day.
Former federal judge J. Michael Luttig on Friday blasted former President Donald Trump for his repeated attacks on the nations judicial system, calling on leaders in both the state and federal courts  alongside all Americans  to do more about it.

Never in American history has any person, let alone a President of the United States, leveled such threatening attacks against the federal and state courts and federal and state judicial officers of the kind the former president has leveled continually now for years, Luttig said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

But suffice it to say, never in history has any person leveled such attacks and been met with such passivity, acquiescence, and submissiveness by the nation, he continued.

The Nation is witnessing the determined delegitimization of both its Federal and State judiciaries and the systematic dismantling of its system of justice and Rule of Law by a single man  the former President of the United States.  @judgeluttig (@judgeluttig) March 29, 2024

Luttig, a Republican, was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, and he served until 2006, when he left for a higher-paid position with Boeing. He currently works for Coca-Cola.

He said in the post that it is the Supreme Courts responsibility to protect the federal courts, the federal judges, and all participants in the justice system, adding that the same was true for the state courts.

Luttig praised U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton for going to CNN with his concerns this week. Walton, whose court is in the District of Columbia, criticized Trump in an interview Thursday. Sitting judges typically do not grant interviews to the media.

Trumps attacks, Luttig said, amounted to a reprehensible spectacle.

Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the entire nation to protect its courts and judges, its Constitution, its Rule of Law, and Americas Democracy from vicious attack, threat, undermine, and deliberate delegitimization at the hands of anyone so determined, he concluded.

Trump has most recently been going after the daughter of the judge who is overseeing his criminal hush-money trial in New York. He has criticized other judges overseeing cases against him, various prosecutors and entire appellate districts that did not rule in his favor. During his New York state business fraud trial, Judge Arthur Engoron threatened to jail Trump if he did not stop trashing the judges staff.

Luttig also played a role in the House select committee hearings on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He testified publicly before Congress in June 2022 to say that our democracy today is on a knifes edge.

Read Luttigs full comments below.

The Nation is witnessing the determined delegitimization of both its Federal and State judiciaries and the systematic dismantling of its system of justice and Rule of Law by a single man  the former President of the United States. In the months ahead, the former president can only be expected to ramp up his unprecedented efforts to delegitimize the courts of the United States, the nations state courts, and Americas system of justice, through his vicious, disgraceful, and unforgivable attacks and threats on the Federal and State Judiciaries and the individual Judges of these courts. Never in American history has any person, let alone a President of the United States, leveled such threatening attacks against the federal and state courts and federal and state judicial officers of the kind the former president has leveled continually now for years. But suffice it to say, never in history has any person leveled such attacks and been met with such passivity, acquiescence, and submissiveness by the nation. It is a regrettable commentary on our times that a lone federal judge, The Honorable Judge Reggie B. Walton  because no one whose responsibility it is to do so has had the courage and the will  would finally be left no choice but, himself, to express on national television the profound concerns of the entire Federal and State Judiciaries over Donald Trumps contemptible attacks on the federal and state courts, the judges of these courts and their families, and the other participants in the judicial process. It is the responsibility of the Supreme Court of the United States in the first instance to protect the federal courts, the federal judges, and all participants in the justice system from the reprehensible spectacle of the former presidents inexcusable, threatening attacks, just as it is the responsibility of the respective State Supreme Courts in the first instance to protect their courts and their state judges from the same. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the entire nation to protect its courts and judges, its Constitution, its Rule of Law, and Americas Democracy from vicious attack, threat, undermine, and deliberate delegitimization at the hands of anyone so determined.

Related...
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, has agreed to pay $650,000 to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by a longtime public works manager.

Kenneth Mack, 63, who is Black, sued the Unified Government in 2022, saying he was effectively made to apply to a job in the Solid Waste Management Division that he had already held for 16 years. An agreement to settle the federal lawsuit was signed Tuesday.

Mack, whose career with the Unified Government spanned 30 years, said he witnessed racist patterns whereby he and other Black employees were passed over for jobs and promotions in Public Works. His experiences with racism began virtually from the onset of his employment, according to the lawsuit.

Examples included being called the N-word during a Christmas party 20 years ago and an inquiry around that time when Mack claimed supervisors asked him how he could afford to live in a certain neighborhood or drive a Jaguar.

In 2020, an internal memo written by Public Works Director Jeff Fisher called for the hiring of a new Solid Waste Manager  the job Mack held at the time, according to the lawsuit.

Mack claimed he was forced to interview for his own job  a process he found embarrassing and upsetting  and later learned that someone else was hired for it. He believed Fisher intentionally pushed him out of his managerial position, alleging a pattern of mistreatment by Fisher toward Black employees.

Mack also said complaints made to other higher-ups at the time, including then-County Administrator Doug Bach, who retired in January 2022, did not help.

In March 2021, Mack says he told a supervisor of his intention to submit his two-week notice, accusing Fisher of fostering a toxic environment in the workplace, the lawsuit says. He said he was instructed to leave work a few days later at Fishers direction.

In a statement to The Star, County Administrator David Johnston said the Unified Government takes many factors into account when deciding whether to settle a case but does not comment on specific personnel matters.

We sincerely wish Mr. Mack all the best in his future endeavors, Johnston said.
Explosions were heard in the city of Dnipro during a large-scale missile attack on the night of 28-29 March.

Source: Ukrinform news agency

Details: The Air Force detected the activity of four Tu-95MS aircraft in Russia, which took off from the Olenya airfield in Murmansk Oblast.

At around 04:00, the Ukrainian military reported that the Russians had launched cruise missiles.

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Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Explosions rang out in the city of Dnipro as well as Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts during a large-scale missile attack on the night of 28-29 March.

Source: Suspilne; Ukrinform

Details: Russian forces launched attack UAVs on the territory of Ukraine from multiple directions simultaneously on the evening of 28 March.

At around 04:00, Ukraines Air Force reported that the Russians had launched cruise missiles.

Later, they reported the takeoff of three MiG-31K fighter jets from the Savasleyka airfield in Russia which are capable of carrying a Kinzhal supersonic missile.

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Explosions occurred during an air-raid warning in Cherkasy Oblast, Kamianske in Dnipro Oblast and in the city of Dnipro on the night of 28-29 March.

Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne; Ihor Taburets, Head of the Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: Power was cut off in one of the districts of Kamianske, according to local residents.

Taburets reported that the air defence shot down several Russian drones over Cherkasy Oblast.

Update: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast State Administration, said the Russians had attacked several critical infrastructure facilities in the oblast.

Background:

Russian troops launched attack UAVs into Ukraine from several directions at once on the evening of 28 March. A large-scale air-raid warning was issued across the country.

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Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. Stock photo: Getty Images

The sea corridor created by the Ukrainian Navy has provided the export of almost 33.8 million tonnes of cargo since August, exceeding the performance of the grain initiative.

Source: Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, on Twitter (X)

Details: "33.8 million tons of goods were exported via the Ukrainian Corridor during 7 months. This exceeds the amount exported in a year of the Grain Initiative functioning," Kubrakov said.

From the ports of Greater Odesa, 1,140 vessels were sent to 40 countries. Of the 33.8 million tonnes of cargo transported through this sea corridor, 23.1 million tonnes were the products of Ukrainian farmers.

At the same time, 33 million tonnes of agricultural products were exported during the year of the grain initiative operation.

Background:

The first container shipments through the Ukrainian sea corridor may be carried out within two to three weeks.

In February, the Ukrainian sea corridor created by the Ukrainian Navy exported a record 8 million tonnes of cargo, bringing the total export volume since the start of the grain corridor's operation to 28 million tonnes.

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Arizona public schools are bracing for significant cuts to funding for low-income students after school leaders say they were blindsided by an Arizona Department of Education decision announced earlier this month.

Some staff positions are now in limbo, and districts say they have begun canceling programs, including summer school.

On March 7, the Education Department notified school leaders that it would reduce preliminary federal aid payments designated for low-income students by 20%, though department officials said they have been warning of impending cuts for months. Final funding amounts are subject to how the federal government divides these dollars among the states, but preliminary payments allow schools to start hiring personnel and making other plans.

Department officials said the decision to withhold 20% of funds is precautionary. If they overcommit to funding now, they might have to claw back money once federal officials finalize a spending plan.

Nonetheless, educators have condemned the decision and are calling for an investigation. They say the announcement has already forced them to make cuts under the assumption no additional funding will come.

"As they continue to kick the can with these funds, that means that the money that is needed to help impact student achievement isn't available early enough to make a difference," said Arredondo Elementary School Principal Alison Bruening-Hamati.

Before moving to her current role in the Tempe Elementary School District, Bruening-Hamati was Coolidge Unified School District's director for Title I, the federal program that provides supplemental funding for schools serving many students from low-income households.

"At schools, we try to protect kids from grown-up decisions," Bruening-Hamati said. "There's just no way this cut won't impact kids."

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne speaks during a news conference at the Arizona Department of Education headquarters in Phoenix on Feb. 29, 2024.

Tom Horne: Arizona schools may face cuts because of demographics

The federal government issues Title I funding to support schools with high percentages of low-income families, and state education departments disburse those funds to qualifying schools.

There are also other federal funds distributed through what are called "Title" programs that are slated by Arizona's Education Department for 20% cuts. These programs support teacher training, English language learner programs, educational technology, creating opportunities for a well-rounded education, student health and safety and college and career guidance programs.

President Joe Biden recently signed a bill into law that will keep federal funding for these programs in line with last year. Arizona Department of Education officials said that although this might seem promising, there is still reason to believe cuts are coming for Arizona's public schools based on demographics relative to other states.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows Arizona's share of the nation's people living in poverty is down by about 6.9% this year. A state's relative poverty is a primary indicator of how federal funds are distributed across the country, though the federal government also considers other factors in its formula for funding these programs.

The Arizona Department of Education cited this decrease in poverty as a driving force behind its conservative estimate.

"We raised concerns that the federal budget has smaller increases than recent years and Arizona's percentage of people in lower incomes has dropped almost seven percent," Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said in a statement to The Arizona Republic. "Both of those factors can lower the total amount of federal dollars sent to Arizona. A smaller preliminary allocation ensures that schools will not be overpaid" when actual dollar figures are known.

Six states and Washington, D.C., saw a greater percent decrease in relative poverty than Arizona. Even so, Georgia, which had a 12.84% decrease in its share of the nation's people in poverty, and Nevada, with a 6.97% decrease, do not anticipate any cuts to their funding, according to spokespeople with those states' education departments.

Representatives of the education departments in Maine and New Hampshire, which also outpace Arizona's decrease in the national poverty share, said it is too early to release preliminary allocations.

"Never in 15 years have I heard of ADE cutting 20% straight on a preliminary allocation. It's absurd," Bruening-Hamati said.

In a typical year, the Education Department plans for a 10% reduction until the federal budget is finalized, according to Bruening-Hamati and department officials.

This year, the department withheld the usual 10% as a baseline, then subtracted another 7% to adjust for the decrease in relative poverty. The department withheld an additional 3% to provide extra cushion, according to department officials.

"The department acts as the fiscal agent for these funds," Horne said. "We will fully allocate these funds as soon as the U.S. Department of Education determines the total award for the state."

Arizona schools begin making cuts for 2024-25 school year

Districts have started adjusting their plans according to the anticipated funding shortfall.

A reading program at Arredondo Elementary School might exclude kindergartners, Bruening-Hamati said, and transportation to the before- and after-school programs might drop routes.

The timing of the Education Department's announcement has complicated a tricky financial moment for schools. Millions of federal pandemic relief dollars will dry up this year, meaning districts are scrambling to accommodate two big budget cuts.

What's more, schools use the spring and summer to extend contract offers to staff, some of whose positions are funded through federal Title program allocations. Financial uncertainty caused by the Education Department's announcement is putting districts that rely on those dollars between a rock and a hard place, said Paul Tighe, executive director of Arizona School Administrators, a nonprofit that supports school leaders.

"If they issue the contracts and have significant grant funding cuts, they will have a financial problem," Tighe said. "If they delay issuing contracts, they will lose many of those staff to other districts amid the current teacher and staff shortages."

The state's largest teachers union, the Arizona Education Association, has received complaints from across the state as members fear their positions could be cut, said spokesperson Emily Kirkland.

"It just doesn't make any sense to us, and it is extremely alarming," Kirkland said.

Washington Elementary School District stands to lose $2.2 million, district governing board member Kyle Clayton said. District leaders have visited schools in recent weeks to plan financial adjustments, he said.

Most of Washington Elementary's 33 schools receive Title funding. One of those schools planned to add a staff member.

"That has been scrapped, so that could mean larger class sizes for the other two classrooms or less small group intervention," Clayton said.

Cartwright Elementary School District, which has 20 schools, canceled its summer school programming, district spokesperson Victor Hugo Rodriguez said. If the 20% cut holds, the district would lose about $2 million, he said.

Rodriguez said his district crafted its budget as if it would receive the same Title program funding as this school year and had planned about $800,000 for summer school. Cartwright Elementary also uses Title funds for free meals, field trips, career readiness programming and staffing.

Rodriguez said district officials are drafting letters to U.S. representatives urging them to investigate the matter.

"It's been very frustrating, and we're going to do our best to balance everything out," Rodriguez said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to get to the bottom of this."

Reach the reporter nicholas.sullivan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona schools scramble after state withholds poverty funds
Eileen Collins, former NASA astronaut and the first woman to pilot a space shuttle, attended the Women in Space event at University of Nevada, Reno on March 21 and took a few minutes to discuss the inner workings of aerospace missions with Lydia Snow of the Elko Daily Free Press.

In her journey to become an astronaut, Collins was the second woman to attend the United States Air Force Test Pilot School, also teaching math at the United States Air Force Academy from 1986 to 1989.

Collins piloted the space shuttle Discovery for NASAs 1995 mission STS-63. The mission performed a rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir.

With the STS-144 mission in 2005, Collins became the first astronaut to perform a 360-degree pitch maneuver with Space Shuttle Orbiter, which allowed the ISS to photograph the underside of the shuttle.

LS: What was your experience teaching math at the Air Force Academy in Colorado? Are there any experiences that stick with you?

EC: I taught calculus and differential integral multivariate calculus. I also taught linear algebra in aero engineering. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is when the cadets would ask me, Ma'am, why do I need to know this? And at first, they stumped me with the question, but as I thought about it, the reason they need to know math and the reason everyone needs to know math, is it teaches you how to solve problems. Everyone has problems in their life every day. And what math teaches you is to define a problem. Its very objective. You define a problem, you look at "what are the tools that are available? What order do you put them in?"

Then, you solve the problem. And I find that translates to everyday life in the things that we do, because we'll find whether it's an engineering problem or a personal problem, we use the same technique: define what is the problem and then what are the tools available to solve it. So I think math is important for everyone to take. Everyone should take math through their senior year in high school.

LS: How did you feel being the second woman pilot to attend United States Air Force test pilot school? What barriers were in the way? How did you overcome them and how did it shape you as a person?

EC: There were actually several women engineers that went through the school before and then the first woman was Jackie Parker. She went through in 1988. I came in 1989.

I think for the most part, people were happy to have the women there. I didn't see any negativity  they didn't want to wash us out because we were women. I think the leadership at the school really wanted the women to succeed. But the biggest challenge for me was not really being a woman. I was the senior ranking officer, so I was made the class leader. That was a much bigger challenge, being the class leader, having that extra responsibility of taking care of the class, in addition to just studying and flying and getting through the school curriculum.

LS: How did your time in the Air Force prepare you for your time at NASA?

EC: It was great preparation. I think the military is a great training ground to give a young person confidence, to teach a person to be a team player, to teach a person leadership, to teach a person to really formulate the concept of mission. Why are we here? What is our job? What is the purpose of everything that we're doing? That is your mission statement. And my time in the Air Force helped me maintain that mindset of always staying focused on the mission. Not worrying about my own personal distractions but yet focusing on being part of a team  that mental mindset was very important to take into the space program.

LS: In preparation for the Discovery mission, you flew over 500 approaches and landings in the Shuttle Training Aircraft. What was this process like and how did all the practice prepare you for the mission?

EC: The Shuttle Training Aircraft was a Gulfstream II aircraft. We had four of them and they were all modified. The left seat was modified for the astronauts to sit there and fly it like a space shuttle. The controls and the displays all looked exactly like the space shuttle. The right seat belonged to the instructor. But that side was still a Gulfstream II. And we also modified the outside of the Gulfstream II to add drag devices like flaps, slats, to put the landing gear down early and speed brakes to make the Gulfstream II descend in the high descent rate that the shuttle had. So it was a true in-flight simulator that was a great preparation to actually do the landing. You mentioned 500 approaches to be a pilot. To be a shuttle commander, you need 1,000 approaches. So I spent a lot of time in that Gulfstream II.

LS: How would you break down the process of what it's like to pilot a space shuttle for the average person?

EC: I was a pilot of the space shuttle, and it really is all about hand-eye coordination. But being a pilot, you begin with, "Where am I and where do I want to go and how do I get there?" And in our case, we had the space shuttle which was really three things. It was a rocket on launch, it was a satellite in orbit, and it was an airplane coming home. And in all of those phases, we had to train to hand-fly, stick-and-rudder-type flying. The launch was done on autopilot, with the computers and the flight control system. We had to train to fly it manually in case the computer failed. And then in space, you could use autopilot when you're a satellite but we also hand-flew it  like when we did a random move with the space station, it was all flown by the commander.

LS: Describe what a 360-degree pitch maneuver, the sort you flew on the shuttle orbiter, is and how it works.

EC: My crew was the first to fly that. That was back in 2005. So, the space station is up there at 200 to 220 or 230 miles, roughly. And when the space shuttle rendezvoused and docked we came from below. When we hit 600 feet away from the space station, we stopped and we pitched the shuttle around. The nose went up into a full 360-degree pitch. And the reason we did that  we actually hand-flew to that point  we started the maneuver, we would put it on autopilot during the maneuver and then at the end we would take over manually and fly the rest of the rendezvous. But the whole reason for pausing and doing that flip around was so the astronauts on the space station could photograph the bottom of the shuttle. They were looking for any damage to the tiles, the heat shield. And those digital pictures they took were downloaded to Mission Control. The engineers in Mission Control would survey those pictures to see if there was damage. We were the first ones to fly it but that maneuver was flown on every shuttle mission to the end of the program.
Claim:

Elon Musk is an immigrant to the United States.

Rating:

Rating: True

On March 28, 2024, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez published a post on X (formerly Twitter) directed at billionaire Elon Musk, reminding him of the fact that he was an immigrant to the United States (archived):

Her post, which gained 122,000 likes and was reshared 13,000 times, as of this writing, came in response to a claim by Musk that the Democratic Party's goal was to acquire more voters by allowing them to stay in the United States. He shared this thought in reaction to a Daily Caller report that U.S. President Joe Biden was considering "handing out green cards to illegal immigrants" (archived):

The Dem Party goal is to import voters https://t.co/61qurM57G2  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2024

A third post, this one in response to Ocasio-Cortez's, asked her to explain what she means by "immigrant" (archived):

Define "immigrant." Elon didn't jump a border. Communists always marry a truth to a lie. https://t.co/AtEG1WgPl8  James Lindsay, full varsity (@ConceptualJames) March 29, 2024

Defining 'Immigrant'

The Oxford Languages dictionary defines an "immigrant" as "a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country."



(screen capture)

By that definition, Elon Musk is indeed an immigrant. He was born in South Africa and obtained Canadian citizenship through his mother in 1988. He transferred as a student to the University of Pennsylvania in 1992 and moved to California in 1995. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002.

In 2016, a claim began to circulate that he had been, for a time, an undocumented immigrant. Snopes fact-checked that claim and found that it was unproven, although his brother, Kimbal Musk, had joked during an interview that the two brothers spent some time in the country as "illegal immigrants."

Addressing the argument that Musk's case was different from that of people who "jump the border," Ocasio-Cortez replied that asking for asylum does not break U.S. law (archived):

And for everyone saying yeah, but legal!! may I once again remind you that seeking asylum is legal, too.



Have a good day!  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 28, 2024

Ocasio-Cortez was correct in noting that asking for asylum is legal in the U.S.

Voters for the Democratic Party?

As for the Daily Caller's claim that Biden was considering "amnesty" for "illegal immigrants," it stems from a Politico report that White House and other administration officials discussed the possibility of expanding an existing program called "cancellation of removal." This is a judicial program by which a person with a clean record who has been in the U.S. for more than 10 years can apply in immigration court to be allowed to stay if their removal might cause "extremely unusual hardship" to immediate family members. If the judge determines that all the conditions are met, the person is allowed to stay and receive a "green card"  permanent resident status.

A green card allows a person to live and work in the U.S. It does not, however, allow them to vote. Green cards are a step towards citizenship, but they can be revoked. By law, a permanent resident must wait at least five years to apply for citizenship, except if they are married to a U.S. citizen, in which case the delay is three years.

In early March 2024, Musk wrote a more detailed post about his position on immigration (archived):

Because I am raising concerns about the flood of unvetted illegal immigrants overwhelming American cities, the press will often characterize me as anti-immigrant.



As an immigrant myself, nothing could be further from the truth.



I am very much in favor of increased and  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 9, 2024

Sources:

Biden Considering Granting Amnesty, Handing Out Green Cards To Illegal Immigrants: REPORT. https://dailycaller.com/2024/03/26/biden-considering-granting-amnesty-handing-green-cards-illegal-immigrants/. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Cancellation of Removal. U.S. Justice Department, https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1596141/dl?inline.

Elon Musk | Biography, SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter, X, & Facts | Britannica. 26 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elon-Musk.

Evon, Dan. 'Elon Musk Was an Undocumented Immigrant?' Snopes, 11 Feb. 2016, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/elon-musk-illegal-immigrant/.

Myah, Ward. 'Biden Was Planning Executive Action on the Border. Now He's Gone Silent.' Politico, 25 Mar. 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/25/what-happened-to-bidens-executive-actions-on-the-border-00148717.

Who Is Elon Musk and What Is His Net Worth? 26 Apr. 2022. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61234231.

'8 U.S. Code  1158 - Asylum'. LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1158. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.
Claim:

The top donor to a major super PAC supporting Donald Trump for president in 2024 is also the top donor to the super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for president.

Rating:

Rating: True

On March 27, 2024, the claim that super PACs for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. share a top donor went viral, thanks in part to a February 2024 story by Newsweek and its March 2024 promotion by former CBS News anchor Dan Rather on Facebook:

Super PACs, according to the Federal Election Commission, "are committees that may receive unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor unions and other PACs for the purpose of financing independent expenditures and other independent political activity" that is not coordinated with a political campaign.

The claim of funding ties between PACs supporting these two campaigns also has appeared on at least one billboard paid for by the Democratic National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in February 2024:

This claim is true, based on Snopes' analysis of FEC filings. As shown in those billboards and reported in Newsweek, the donor in question is Timothy Mellon, an heir to the Mellon banking fortune. The two super PACs at issue are the Trump-aligned Make America Great Again Inc., and the Kennedy-aligned American Values PAC, Newsweek reported:

Timothy Mellon, heir to the Mellon banking fortune, donated $5 million to the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. fundraising attempts in January, as well $5 million to a Super PAC supporting the Democrat-turned-independent's presidential bid the same month, Federal Election Commission (FEC) listings reveal.  Mellon gave American Values a total of $15 million in 2023, according to FEC filings, covering a period when Kennedy Jr. ran as a Democratic and independent presidential candidate. The billionaire was also found to have donated $10 million to the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. in the second half of last year, making him the largest contributor to both Super PACs.

While a different PAC, Americans for Prosperity Inc., has spent more money than MAGA Inc. supporting Trump or opposing his competitors, that group is not funded by individual donors. In terms of individual donors, MAGA Inc. is the most significant pro-Trump super PAC, and its most significant donor was indeed Mellon. From August 2023 to January 2024 he donated $10 million to MAGA Inc., according to FEC filings.

American Values, at the time of this reporting, is the only pro-Kennedy super PAC listed in FEC records. Snopes discussed this group in our February 2024 investigation of RFK Jr. As reported by Newsweek and confirmed by FEC filings, Mellon is also the most significant donor to this PAC as well. In fact, from April 2023 to January 2024, Mellon donated $20 million to American Values, according to those records.

Mellon has funded other PACs during the 2024 election cycle. In March 2023, he donated $1 million to "Fair Courts America," which, according to its website, tracks "the woke mob's activity" and "fight[s] for free & fair courts at every level of our government." He has made several donations to the Congressional Leadership Fund, as well, which is described on its website as "the super PAC dedicated to electing Republicans to the House of Representatives."

Because Mellon is the top donor to both MAGA Inc. and American Values at the time of this reporting, the claim is rated "True."

Sources:

"As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Campaigns in Grand Rapids, Billboard..." Getty Images, 9 Feb. 2024, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/as-robert-f-kennedy-jr-campaigns-in-grand-rapids-billboard-news-photo/1991170091.

Brown, Abram. "175 Years Later, The Mellons Have Never Been Richer. How'd They Do It?" Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2014/07/08/175-years-later-the-mellons-have-never-been-richer-howd-they-do-it/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"Browse Individual Contributions." FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"Browse Receipts." FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"Congressional Leadership Fund." Congressional Leadership Fund, 28 Mar. 2024, https://congressionalleadershipfund.org/.

"Fair Courts America - Home | Restore America's Courts." Fair Courts America, http://faircourtsamerica.org/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"KENNEDY, ROBERT F JR. - Candidate Overview." FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/P40011793/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Palmer, Ewan. "Donald Trump and RFK Jr Have the Same Largest Donor." Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-rfk-donations-timothy-mellon-fec-1872315.

"Political Action Committees (PACs)." FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/press/resources-journalists/political-action-committees-pacs/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"TRUMP, DONALD J. - Candidate Overview." FEC.Gov, https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/P80001571/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
Claim:

Sinclair Lewis said "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

Rating:

Rating: Misattributed

Internet memes purporting to quote a statement by 20th-century novelist Sinclair Lewis about fascism coming to America have circulated more or less continuously since the mid-2000s, even though there is no evidence he ever penned or uttered this statement: "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

This example was posted to Facebook on March 12, 2024:

(Facebook post)

Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951), produced such 20th-century classics as "Main Street," "Elmer Gantry," "Dodsworth," and "Babbit," also literally wrote the book on the fascist takeover of America. The premise of "It Can't Happen Here," published at a time (1935) when authoritarian regimes were flexing their muscles all across Europe and Americans had great difficulty imagining a Hitler or Mussolini coming to power in the Land of the Free, was that it can happen here.

In the novel, Lewis painted a vivid counterfactual portrait of a United States of America sliding into dictatorship, one that is still cited as a cautionary tale to this day. As The Paris Review noted on Nov. 16, 2016:

Sinclair Lewis's 1935 novel, It Can't Happen Here, is sold out everywhere online. If you're wondering why, here's the synopsis: "The main character, Buzz Windrip, appeals to voters with a mix of crass language and nativist ideology. Once elected, he solidifies his power by energizing his base against immigrants, people on welfare, and the liberal press."

However, nothing resembling the statement "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross" appeared in that book, or indeed in anything else Lewis wrote during his lifetime.

And although it sounds like a sentiment Lewis would have agreed with, according to the website of the Sinclair Lewis Society there is no evidence he said it:

Here's our most asked question: Q: Did Sinclair Lewis say, "When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"? A: This quote sounds like something Sinclair Lewis might have said or written, but we've never been able to find this exact quote. Here are passages from two novels Lewis wrote that are similar to the quote attributed to him. From It Can't Happen Here: "But he saw too that in America the struggle was befogged by the fact that the worst Fascists were they who disowned the word 'Fascism' and preached enslavement to Capitalism under the style of Constitutional and Traditional Native American Liberty." From Gideon Planish: "I just wish people wouldn't quote Lincoln or the Bible, or hang out the flag or the cross, to cover up something that belongs more to the bank-book and the three golden balls." There was also a play called Strangers in the late 1970s which had a similar quote, but no one, including one of Lewis's biographers, Richard Lingeman, has ever been able to locate the original citation.

The same quote has been erroneously attributed to Louisiana governor and U.S. senator Huey Long (1893-1935), who, ironically, was said by some to be a real-life model for Lewis's fascist leader in "It Can't Happen Here." A similar quote (probably spurious as well) attributed to Huey Long after his death was, "When fascism comes to America, it will be called anti-fascism."

Though we have found passages by other authors that share certain words, phrases, and sentiments in common with the quote attributed to Lewis, we have not found an exact match anywhere. We came across this bit, for example, in coverage of a speech by one James Waterman Wise Jr. in the Feb. 5, 1936, edition of The Christian Century:

James Waterman Wise, Jr., in a recent address here before the liberal John Reed club said that Hearst and Coughlin are the two chief exponents of fascism in America. If fascism comes, he added, it will not be identified with any "shirt" movement, nor with an "insignia," but it will probably be "wrapped up in the American flag and heralded as a plea for liberty and preservation of the constitution."

And this observation appeared in John Thomas Flynn's "As We Go Marching," published in 1944:

But when fascism comes it will not be in the form of an anti-American movement or pro-Hitler bund, practicing disloyalty. Nor will it come in the form of a crusade against war. It will appear rather in the luminous robes of flaming patriotism; it will take some genuinely indigenous shape and color, and it will spread only because its leaders, who are not yet visible, will know how to locate the great springs of public opinion and desire and the streams of thought that flow from them and will know how to attract to their banners leaders who can command the support of the controlling minorities in American public life. The danger lies not so much in the would-be Fuhrers who may arise, but in the presence in our midst of certainly deeply running currents of hope and appetite and opinion. The war upon fascism must be begun there.

Sources:

Close, Kerry. "Sinclair Lewis Novel 'It Can't Happen Here' Sells Out Online." Time. 16 November 2016.

Flynn, John Thomas. As We Go Marching. Auburn, AL: Ludwig Von Mises Institute, 1944. ISBN 9781610164979.

Lewis, Sinclair. It Can't Happen Here. New York: Doubleday, 1935.

Harris, Malcom. "It Really Can Happen Here: The Novel That Foreshadowed Donald Trump's Authoritarian Appeal. Salon. 29 September 2015.

The Christian Century, Volume 53. "Speakers Draw Dark Picture of Future." Chicago: Christian Century Company, 1936

The Sinclair Lewis Society. "Here's Our Most Asked Question." 2012.
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.

Social media users were outraged after hearing candy manufacturer Cadbury had supposedly changed the name of its chocolate Easter eggs to "gesture eggs" in March 2024 in a marketing move to shift away from the Christian holiday and make the candies secular.

Some people shared a photo supposedly showing a poster advertising the rebranded product as alleged evidence of the change. One X (formerly Twitter) account urged people to boycott the company, while another described the decision as "an overt attack on Christianity."

The latter added: "Every other religion is celebrated but Christianity is being erased. Our laws, education system, almost every aspect of British society are based on Christian principles. Never forget Britain was made great because of Christianity."

Why is there an overt attack on Christianity?



Every other religion is celebrated but Christianity is being erased.



Our laws, education system, almost every aspect of British society are based on Christian principles.



Never forget Britain was made great because of Christianity. pic.twitter.com/M8bUxLarsQ  Turning Point UK  (@TPointUK) March 28, 2024

Together, the posts had amassed more than 1.2 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.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews line up at an Israeli draft office to process their exemptions from mandatory military service at a recruitment base in Kiryat Ono

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties are resisting pressure to lift exemptions of religious students from military duty, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struggles to preserve his coalition and spread the wartime burden across society fairly.

With a March 31 deadline looming for the Israeli government to come up with legislation to resolve a decades-long standoff over the issue, Netanyahu filed a last-minute application to the Supreme Court for a 30-day deferment.

In an apparent accommodation, the Supreme Court gave government officials until April 30 to submit additional arguments. But, in an interim ruling, it also ordered a suspension of state funding for seminary students who would be liable for conscription from Monday.

WHAT LIES BEHIND THE STANDOFF?

The exemptions offered to the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community date back to the early days of the state of Israel in 1948 when its first prime minister, the socialist David Ben-Gurion, exempted about 400 students from military service so they could devote themselves to religious study. In so doing, Ben-Gurion hoped to keep alive sacred knowledge and traditions almost wiped out in the Holocaust.

Since then, the exemptions have become an increasing headache as the fast-growing community has expanded to make up more than 13% of Israel's population, a proportion expected to reach around a third within 40 years due to a high birth rate.

The Haredi resistance to joining the military is based around their strong sense of religious identity, which many families fear risks being weakened by army service.

Some Haredi men do serve in the army but most do not, which many secular Israelis feel exacerbates social divisions. Often living in heavily Orthodox neighbourhoods and devoting their lives to religious study, many Haredi men do not work for money but live off donations, state benefits and the often paltry wages of their wives, many of whom do work.

For secular Israelis, whose taxes subsidise the Haredim and who are themselves obliged to serve in the military, the exemptions have long bred resentment and this has grown in the six months since the start of the war in Gaza.

Many Israelis regard the war against Hamas as an existential battle for the future of the country, and some 300,000 reservists joined up to fight. Opinion polls indicate very broad public support for removing the exemptions on the Haredi draft.

WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR NETANYAHU?

For Netanyahu the stakes are high. While public opinion appears to favour removing the exemptions, his government includes two Haredi parties whose departure could trigger new elections, which opinion polls indicate he would lose.

On Thursday, the two parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, denounced the latest Supreme Court ruling and vowed to fight it, although they have so far not explicitly threatened to quit the government.

From the other side, allies of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, including the centrist Benny Gantz, a former army general who is in pole position to become prime minister if elections were held, want more Israelis to serve to share the burden more widely.

Gallant said recently that any new conscription law would need the support of all parties, suggesting he would oppose any new legislation that maintained the exemptions.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; editing by Mark Heinrich and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
A 28-year-old man from Palatka was arrested by deputies on Thursday after authorities said he tried shooting a victim over a dispute about money.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The Putnam County Sheriffs Office said they received a 911 call that a woman was being held against her will by Vincent Joseph Aviles.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

When deputies arrived at a home on Delmont Drive, the victim told them she was hit and threatened over $500 that Aviles believed was in the house. She said at one point, the suspect choked her.

In a statement issued by the sheriffs office, the victim said Aviles took a firearm that was in the home, pointed it, and attempted to fire a shot at the victim but the gun was unloaded.

When the gun failed to fire, the victim said Aviles again attempted to choke her, the sheriffs office said. To prevent the victim from leaving, Aviles took her car keys, cellphone, and credit cards.

READ: Two separate arrests in Putnam County for molestation of minors

The victim said she hit the suspect with a lamp and was finally able to make contact with a family member.

During a search of Aviles, deputies found Xanax pills and a white powder that presumptive tested for molly.

Aviles was taken to jail and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, attempted homicide, grand theft of a firearm, obstructing justice, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He is being held without bond.

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Frank Schilling stood at the highest point at the Shrine of Christs Passion in St. John on Good Friday overlooking the prayer trail where the Stations of the Cross were being led by the Most Rev. Bishop Robert J. McClory.

Schilling was trying to count the sea of people who packed the winding prayer trail almost from the first station near U.S. 41 to the last just below the parking lot to St. John the Evangelist Church during the event. That doesnt count the visitors who already had come and gone or who showed up for self-guided tours throughout the day. Visitors started showing up at 6:30 a.m. Friday, he said.

Every year it gets bigger. Its spreading like wildfire, Schilling said as he gazed over the crowd.

Well more than 2,000 faithful of all ages and walks of life came to pay their devotion on Good Friday, the day for believers when Christ sacrificed himself to save them from their sins.

Some people arrived early to pray to the Virgin Mary in the parking lot of the church or to lay flowers and gifts at the feet of the statute of Christ on Calvary. Families pushed baby strollers. Others attend with walkers and wheelchairs.

All I can say is we as a family have been very blessed, Schilling said. What has become the Shrine was started by his grandfather in 1956 with the Great Lady on U.S. 41.

It just kind of all came together. It just seemed appropriate. No doubt it would not have been done without the Holy Spirit, Schilling said.

Its said we are all put on this earth to do good  every single human. Im just very blessed to be able to take it to the level it will be shared with hundreds of thousands of people, Schilling said.

He says people are drawn to the Shrine because it is a physical destination that engages all of the senses.

What I really find heartwarming is all the parents bringing their children here, Schilling said.

Dean Schilling said it is amazing to see so many people come and share their faith at the Shrine.

Im very proud of my mom and dad for the vision to come with this idea, Dean Shilling said. The family began working on the development 20 years ago with 30 bronze statues. Now there are 48. There is also a family plaza to help illustrate what it was like when Christ lived, and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza honoring the Virgin Marys visit to Mexican peasant Juan Diego, among other attractions.

Its still a work in progress, Frank Schilling said.

Raquel and David Zaragoza, of Chicago, were visiting the Shrine with their two young children Nicholas, 5, and Charlotte, 2, her parents and her brother. Its become a newer component of their family tradition to come to the Shrine during Holy Week, she said.

Raquel Zaragoza said that as Catholics the Passion of Christ is an important part of their religious culture. The couple wants to show their children the significance of Easter and teach them to be grateful for the sacrifices that have been made for them.

Its not just about baskets from the Easter Bunny, she said.

Zaragozas father Jesus Mora, also of Chicago, said the sacrifices Christ made are important to learn about. It is something he taught to his daughter and son, and now his daughter is sharing those lessons with her children.

Simple sacrifices like fasting or giving up a vice like gum or cigarettes are only part of it, Mora said.

There are still other things that are more important, Zora said. People need to make time to get together with family and to get along with everyone.

Deborah Phillips of Willowbrook, Illinois, and Patricia Hess of Homewood, Illinois, brought their mother, Babara Cervenka of Countryside, Illinois, out for the afternoon.

Its just peaceful here, Phillips said, adding she thought it would be crowded but was still surprised by the number of people.

cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
Ahead of India's general elections that begin April 19, critics of West Bengal state leader Mamata Banerjee

Warning: This story contains images of an injured woman

"What kind of drama is this? The injury is in the middle of forehead and the bandage has been applied on the side," said the Hindi-language caption to the collage shared on Facebook on March 16, 2024.

Banerjee, a fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been in power for over a decade in West Bengal state that is home to 90 million people.

Her Trinamool Congress (TMC) will battle Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for seats in the lower house of parliament in upcoming elections that start mid-April.

Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on March 22, 2024

The photo collage was also shared alongside a similar false claim on Facebook here and here, and on social media platform X here.

Comments on the posts indicated social media users believed the claim.

"Election gimmick," one wrote. Another said: "Why does such drama happen just before elections?"

Separate incidents

Reverse image searches on Google found the pictures in the collage were taken from two separate incidents that happened in different months.

The picture that showed Banerjee with blood from a wound on her forehead was among the three photos published by her party on X here on March 14, 2024 (archived link).

The post said: "Our chairperson @MamataOfficial sustained a major injury. Please keep her in your prayers."

Below is a screenshot comparison of the picture in the false posts (left) and the one shared by TMC (right):

Similar pictures were published by local news websites here and here which reported Banerjee fell in a room at her house on March 14 and was rushed to a hospital (archived links here and here).

The image showing her with the bandage on her face, however, was from an incident that happened over a month prior. It corresponds to a photo published by news website Indian Express on January 25, 2024 (archived link).

The report said the West Bengal chief minister sustained a head injury at the time when her car made a sudden halt to avoid hitting another vehicle.

A video report uploaded on regional Bengali-language news outlet ABP Ananda's YouTube channel on January 24 showed Banerjee briefing the media about the incident (archived link).

The visuals from the 2:05 mark of the report showed her with the same bandage as in the picture in the collage.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the photo in the false posts (left) and the video uploaded on ABP Ananda's YouTube channel (right):

Responding to the posts, Trinamool Congress spokesman told AFP on March 28 the collage showed "two very different incidents".

"Mamata Banerjee hit her head on the windshield and sustained minor injury on January 24," Dutta said, referring to the picture of her with the bandage.

The more recent injury, caused by her slipping and falling at home in March, caused "a major gash on her forehead" and several other cuts. "There were four stitches that were applied to her. Later she was at home, under treatment," Dutta added.

AFP had previously debunked misinformation targeting Banerjee here and here.
Posts repeatedly shared in Myanmar falsely claimed Muslims massacred "eight million Buddhists" in Indonesia in 1965, completely wiping out Buddhism in the archipelago. Multiple scholars told AFP the posts, which shared unrelated photos, misrepresented mass killings in Indonesia in the mid-1960s which they said targeted communists and not Buddhists. The latest government data showed there were around two million Buddhists in Muslim-majority Indonesia as of 2022 .

"Why did Buddhism disappear in Indonesia?" said part of a lengthy Burmese-language post shared on Facebook on August 25, 2023.

It claimed to describe details from a "bloody morning" in 1965 when Muslims supposedly massacred millions of Buddhists in the archipelago.

"Over 30,000 girls were raped. Over 16,000 died of rape. Muslims took more than 100,000 Buddhist women as concubines. Buddhist children were enslaved at their houses. Over 8 million of Buddhists were killed just in one day."

The post also included three black-and-white photos of a submerged Buddha statue and men tied with ropes.

Screenshot of the false post, taken March 26, 2024

The post appeared to be an example of anti-Muslim sentiment in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where sectarian violence had flared between Buddhist communities and the Rohingya Muslim minority.

The Southeast Asian nation faces charges of genocide at the UN's top court after the military drove out about 750,000 Rohingya Muslim minority in a supposed crackdown on militants in 2017.

Posts similarly claiming Indonesia's Muslims massacred millions of Buddhists have been shared more than 1,700 times on Facebook since at least 2022 here, here, here, here and here.

The claims are false, several scholars told AFP.

'Total lie'

Upwards of half a million people were massacred across Indonesia between October 1965 and March 1966, in a bloody spectacle that ushered in the long rule of dictator Suharto.

The killings led to the collapse of the now-banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), once among the biggest in the world behind China and the Soviet Union.

But it was "impossible" for eight million Buddhists to have died then, said anthropologist Roberto Rizzo who specialises in research about the history of Buddhism in Indonesia (archived link).

"There weren't so many Buddhists in Indonesia at any time in the country's modern history," he told AFP. Buddhists might have been killed but "definitely not in massive numbers", he added.

Saskia E. Wieringa, chair of the International People's Tribunal 1965, a people's court set up by activists that held hearings on the violence, separately said the claims were "a total lie" (archived link).

The victims were targeted mainly "because they were considered to belong to a communist organisation", she told AFP. "The rapes and murders of women were associated with their presumed political links, not with any religious aspect."

Andi Achdian, a historian at the National University in Jakarta, separately said: "The victims were the communists or those who were accused of being communists, so religious affiliation was irrelevant" (archived link).

Buddhism has not completely disappeared from Indonesia contrary to the claim in the posts.

According to statistics from the archipelago's Ministry of Religious Affairs as of August 2022, around two million of its citizens are Buddhists, comprising 0.73% of the population (archived link).

Misused pictures

Moreover, reverse image and keyword searches on Google found the pictures shared in the posts were shared in a false context.

The picture of the Buddha statue was taken in Taiwan after a typhoon, according to the Associated Press (AP) news agency which originally published it in August 2019 (archived link).

"A statue of Buddha's head is seen submerged in flood water and debris from Typhoon Morakot at a temple in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009," reads the caption to the picture.

Typhoon Morakot slammed central and southern Taiwan in mid-August 2009, killing hundreds of people (archived link).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the Buddha statue picture in the false post (left) and the photo from AP (right):

Screenshot comparison of the photo in the false post (left) and the original photo from AP (right)

The other two pictures appearing to show men who were tied up were previously published on the website of the Dutch National Archives here and here (archived links here and here).

The national archives agency indicated both pictures predated the 1960s killings. Captions said they were part of a series taken during a communist uprising in Madiun in east Java in September 1948 (archived link).

The pictures in the false post (left) were flipped horizontally as shown in the screenshot comparison below with the original photographs from the Dutch National Archives (right):

Screenshot comparisons of the detained men pictures in the false post (left) and the original photos from the Dutch National Archives (right)
The 2024 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) takes place from March 26 to 29. In an exclusive interview with China News Network, Daryl Guppy, former board member of the Australia China Business Council and Australian ACBC delegate at the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce, said that the most important signal that the BFA is sending is that China's economy is strong, robust, and developing.

In addition, Guppy also noted that the BFA shows significant advances China has made both in green energy and in digital economic development and China's willingness to share the benefits of that experience.

Click here to watch the video
The father and brother of Brian Sicknick, the police officer who died during the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol, blasted Donald Trumps appearance at a wake Thursday for slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller.

Charles and Kenneth Sicknick on Friday both expressed condolences to Dillers family, but they said Trumps appearance, especially the press conference outside a Long Island funeral home, was nothing more than a highly inappropriate political stunt.

He makes sure he gets his face out there. The guys a criminal. Hes the reason my son is dead  because of the riot at the Capitol, Charles Sicknick, Brians father, told the Daily News. Hes a publicity hound. Trump does whatever will get him votes and helps Donald Trump. Theres nothing good about that man.

Speaking to reporters Thursday outside the Massapequa Funeral Home in Massapequa Park, Trump offered his sympathy to Dillers wife and son. The Diller family will never be the same. We have to stop it, we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order, he said.

Every time I see that an officer has been killed in the line of duty, it really does affect me and I feel for that family, Kenneth Sicknick said.

The fact is (Trump) states hes law and order but he sent a mob that ultimately ended up killing my brother. He has such a lack of self-awareness of what he does. Hes using that officers death as a campaign platform.

Trump campaign officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The former president and presumptive Republican presidential candidate was indicted last year by a federal grand jury for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and has been blamed for inciting the mob that stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6.

He is currently under indictment in Manhattan for falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. He is also facing racketeering charges in Georgia for an alleged effort to subvert that states election laws following his loss to Biden in the 2020 election.

Brian Sicknick was 42 and a member of the Capitol Police when he responded to the unrest on Jan. 6, 2021. During the turmoil, Sicknick was attacked by two rioters who sprayed him with pepper spray. He returned to his base and collapsed. Medics rushed him to a hospital, where he died the next day.

The District of Columbus medical examiners office ruled April 19, 2021 he died of natural causes. He reportedly suffered two strokes.

This does not change the fact Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty, courageously defending Congress and the Capitol, the Capitol police said in a statement at the time.

Julian Khater, 32, of State College, Pennsylvania, and George Tanios, 39, of Morgantown, West Virginia, were charged with assault and conspiracy to injure an officer in connection with his death.

Khater was sentenced to six years in prison in January 2023, while Tanios was sentenced to time served awaiting trial  about five months.

In the aftermath, Charles Sicknick said, Trump waited three days after Brians body was released from the hospital to lower the flags at the White House to half-staff.

The first one to call us was Joe Biden and he was crying on the phone, he said Friday. The only thing Donald Trump cares about is Donald Trump.

The family held a memorial for Brian in January and visited his grave at Arlington National Cemetery. We went over to Arlington to talk to him, to my sons ashes, Charles said. He was a good and decent young man and its terrible that this happened because of some lunatic who was in the White House.

In the three years that have passed, Kenneth Sicknick says the publics memory seems to have faded somewhat.

It seems like Jan. 6 is 100 years ago for some people, and people dont realize Trump is responsible for that, he said.

Diller, 34, was shot and killed during a traffic encounter in Far Rockaway on Monday. The police account said the incident started when officers spotted a man with a gun.

The alleged gunman, ex-con Guy Rivera, 34, was shot twice in the encounter and has been charged with first degree murder in Dillers death. A second man in the car, Lindy Jones, 41, has been charged with gun possession.

________
Authorities and loved ones are searching for a missing girl who disappeared in Los Angeles County.

The girl, who is at risk, was identified as Angel Marie Birchfield, 12, by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Birchfield has been missing since March 26. She was last seen on the 14100 block of South Cordary Avenue in Hawthorne at around 10 p.m.

The girl has health conditions that require medication, her family said.

Birchfield is described as a Black female standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 167 pounds. She has brown eyes and her hair is styled in box braids. She was last seen wearing a brown turtleneck sweater, black jeans, and pink and black Puma brand shoes.

She may be headed to Pasadena, Torrance, or Hawthorne, officials said.

Angel Marie Birchfield, 12, in a 2024 photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Her loved ones have not heard from her since her disappearance and are concerned for her well-being. Her photo is being released in hopes someone may recognize her.

Anyone who may have spotted Birchfield or knows her whereabouts is asked to call the LASDs South L.A. Station at 310-820-6700.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The FBI spends "every day, all day long" interrogating people over their Facebook posts. At least, that's what agents told Stillwater, Oklahoma, resident Rolla Abdeljawad when they showed up at her house to ask her about her social media activity.

Three FBI agents came to Abdeljawad's house and said that they had been given "screenshots" of her posts by Facebook. Her lawyer Hassan Shibly posted a video of the incident online on Wednesday.

Abdeljawad told agents that she didn't want to talk and asked them to show their badges on camera, which the agents refused to do. She wrote on Facebook that she later confirmed with local police that the FBI agents really were FBI agents.

"Facebook gave us a couple of screenshots of your account," one agent in a gray shirt said in the video.

"So we no longer live in a free country and we can't say what we want?" replied Abdeljawad.

"No, we totally do. That's why we're not here to arrest you or anything," a second agent in a red shirt added. "We do this every day, all day long. It's just an effort to keep everybody safe and make sure nobody has any ill will."

Shibly says that he doesn't know which Facebook post caught the agents' attention, and that it was the first time he had heard of Facebook's parent company, Meta, preemptively reporting posts to law enforcement. Andy Stone, a spokesman for Meta, and Kayla McCleery, a spokeswoman for the FBI's Oklahoma City office, declined to comment.*

Meta's official policy is to hand over Facebook data to U.S. law enforcement in response to a court order, a subpoena, a search warrant, or an emergency situation involving "imminent harm to a child or risk of death or serious physical injury to any person." The company received 73,956 requests from U.S. law enforcement and handed over data 87.84 percent of the time in the first half of 2023, according to the Meta website.

Abdeljawad's Facebook timeline is public, so the FBI agents could have found it themselves. For the past week, she has made multiple angry posts per day about the war in Gaza, referring to Israel as "Israhell." But none of the posts on her feed call for violence.

Ironically, Abdeljawad had also posted a warning about exactly the kind of government monitoring she was later subjected to.

"Don't fall for their games. Our community is being watched & they are just waiting for any reason to round us up," Abdeljawad wrote. "If you're Muslim and/or pro-pal consider all your media accounts, Google searches, mail, messenger, local mosques & political events monitored. #NYC #usa #PoliceState #FreePalestine"

Shibly claims that Abdeljawad knew how to assert her rights from her time volunteering at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, where Shibly used to be a state-level director. "It's unfortunately normal behavior for the FBI to target the community like this," Shibly says.

In his caption of the video, Shibly added some advice to others: Abdeljawad was right to refuse to speak and right to record the interaction, but should not have stepped outside the house to talk to the FBI agents.

He tells Reason that his main goal with Abdeljawad's case is to raise awareness of people's rights when dealing with the FBI.

"It's wrong what they did. Realistically, with where the community's at, I don't know if we have the bandwidth to go after them for it," Shibly says. "Moreso, it's, ok, continue to exercise your rights. If they do contact you again, they're going to be hearing directly from us. We're going to deal with it. We're going to put them in check."

*UPDATE: After publication, McCleery provided the following statement; "Every day, the FBI engages with members of the public in furtherance of our mission, which is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. We can never open an investigation based solely on First Amendment protected activity. The FBI is committed to ensuring our activities are conducted with a valid law enforcement or national security purpose, while upholding the constitutional rights of all Americans."

The post FBI Agent Says He Hassles People 'Every Day, All Day Long' Over Facebook Posts appeared first on Reason.com.
Workers on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, continued to investigate and search for victims after the cargo ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse, early Tuesday 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. A work crew was fixing potholes on the bridge, which is used by roughly 30,000 people each day, when the ship struck at around 1:30 a.m. The accident has temporarily closed the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest and busiest on the East Coast of the United States. (Photo by 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.

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. Transportation Department 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

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.

Port reopening

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.

Investigation 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.

The post Federal rebuild of Baltimore bridge will not be quick or easy or cheap, Buttigieg says appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Convicted murderer and financial fraud mastermind Alex Murdaugh has reportedly violated the terms of a federal plea agreement by failing a series of polygraph tests, hinting at the possibility of more stolen money still unaccounted for and additional criminal accomplices still at large.

Facing more than 100 state and federal fraud charges, Murdaugh  already convicted of murder and serving two life sentences  pleaded guilty Sept. 21, 2023 to a 22-count federal indictment and agreed to cooperate fully with federal investigators and submit to successful polygraph examinations and other concessions.

In exchange for his guilty plea, the federal government agreed to sentence Murdaugh to a federal term concurrent with any state prison time for similar charges.

Alex Murdaughs defense attorney Dick Harpootlian speaks during an evidentiary hearting at the Richland County Courthouse on Tuesday Jan.16, 2024. Tracy Glantz The State, Pool

However, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a March 26 motion with the U.S. District Court to hold Murdaugh in breach of that plea agreement, alleging that he has "failed to cooperate as required" and has failed a polygraph exam.

The motion states that Murdaugh was interviewed by the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on four separate occasions in 2023  May 4, June 7, Aug. 18, and Oct. 18  and gave deceptive answers and did not provide the full extent of information investigators were seeking.

Subsequently, on Oct. 18, an FBI polygraph examiner tested Murdaugh in two separate series on two topics of interest. According to the motion, "the examiner determined that there was deception indicated on both series, meaning Murdaugh failed the examination."

More missing money, yet another accomplice attorney

According to the federal motion, FBI agents with the assistance of S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents, were conducting the polygraphs "on issues related to hidden assets and the involvement of another attorney inMurdaughs criminal conduct."

One now-disbarred attorney, Cory Fleming, along with a former banker, Russell Laffitte, have already been convicted and sentenced to federal prison in connection with Murdaugh's schemes, along with a couple of drug-related and money laundering accomplices.

The filing also indicates that more than $6 million in stolen proceeds remain unaccounted for, and the government is attempting to find any "ill-gotten gains" to make Murdaughs victims whole.

Attached to the March 26 motion and filed the same day was a motion to seal exhibits of evidence, which include Murdaugh's polygraph examination reports and four FBI reports from his interviews. Both documents indicate that parallel investigations into other subjects are ongoing.

"The polygraph examination report and reports of interviews relate to an ongoing grand jury investigation, as well as allegations of criminal activity against others. The Government submits that sealing of the polygraph examination report and the reports of Murdaughs interviews is necessary to protect the integrity of its investigation, prevent disclosure of an ongoing grand jury investigation, prevent the potential for tampering with evidence and witnesses related to the investigation, and protect the identities of witnesses, subjects, and targets of the ongoing investigation.

Stan Mitchell, visiting from out of town, holds a Jesus saves cross as Alex Murdaugh arrives at the Colleton County Courthouse before the fourth day of his trial on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Murdaugh was convicted for killing his wife and son.

What does this mean for Alex Murdaugh?

Murdaugh, who has already been sentenced to 27 years in state prison for similar fraud and conspiracy charges, is set to be sentenced for his federal crimes in U.S. District Court in Charleston on April 1.

He must serve at least 85 percent of that sentence, just over 23 years. The sentence is being served concurrently with his life sentences. Per the state plea agreement, much like the federal plea, Murdaugh can not withdraw his guilty plea or appeal the sentence.

If U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel approves the motion and finds that Murdaugh has breached his obligations under the agreement, the government's obligation to recommend a concurrent federal sentence is "null and void."

Judge Gergel has already filed an order seeking an "upward variance" meaning he is s considering a sentence closer to the maximum in Murdaugh's sentence on all charges.

In the broader context, with Murdaugh already serving consecutive life sentences, this could mean little.

However, if Murdaugh is eventually able to have his murder convictions overturned or retried with a different outcome  he has already filed one appeal and levied accusations of jury tampering in hopes of getting a new trial  then a maximum, consecutive federal sentence tacked on to a 27-year state sentence would ensure he will serve the rest of his life behind bars.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Feds say Alex Murdaugh failed polygraph, $6 million still missing
Donald Tusk arrives for talks with Ukraine in Warsaw on Thursday (Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

Europe is in a pre-war era reminiscent of 1939 and nobody will feel safe if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, Donald Tusk has warned

For the first time since 1945, war in Europe is becoming real again, he said.

Mr Tusk, a former president of the European Council and recently elected prime minister of Poland, said Vladimir Putin was escalating his war on Ukraine, attacking Kyiv with hypersonic missiles in daylight for the first time earlier this week.

Full coverage: Ukraine-Russia war  live

We have not experienced a situation like this since 1945, he said in a series of interviews with newspapers including La Reppublica and Welt am Sonntag, in which he directly appealed to Europes leaders to do more to bolster its defences.

We are in a pre-war era. And if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, nobody in Europe will be able to feel safe.

His remarks came as Russia launched a barrage of almost 100 drone and missile attacks across Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman from anti-drone mobile air defence unit fires a machine gun (Reuters)

Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 regions coming under fire, Ukraines interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraines eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the citys thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on 22 March.

Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraines defence industries.

Ukrainian army chaplains attend a service during their graduation ceremony at St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on Friday (EPA)

Meanwhile, Italys air force said on Friday it intercepted unidentified aircraft flying over international waters in the Baltic Sea, which two defence sources in Rome identified as Russian planes.

The two interceptions were carried out on Thursday and Friday morning by Italian Eurofighter jets from the Polish base of Malbork as part of a Nato mission, a statement said.

After completing their activity, the Italian jets returned to the Polish base. The two defence sources said the Russian aircraft were spotted by radar but did not respond to radio signals or requests to communicate.
Flood insurance rates are rising for Southwest Florida residents  as much as 25%  after the Federal Emergency Management Agency accused some communities of improperly rebuilding after Hurricane Ian.

On Thursday, FEMA representatives told Lee County and four municipalities within it that residents were losing their long-held flood insurance discounts because they didnt follow the federal agencys rules on rebuilding after a storm.

Lee and the four municipalities called the decision a late, devastating blow to their community in a press release issued Friday evening and said they had no idea this was going to happen. They said they were looking into legal recourse and demanded that FEMA allow them to appeal the decision.

For the federal government to have made this decision without any prior discussions seems punitive, Lee Board of County Commission Chairman Mike Greenwell said in a statement. Ian was the third costliest hurricane to hit the United States, and many of our residents are still reeling financially from its impacts.

In the statement, Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter called the move a unilateral decision by FEMA that harms his citys residents and asked for it to be reversed.

The timing of this decision after our community suffered a devastating Category 5 hurricane is just wrong. Make no mistake  FEMA is the villain in this nightmare, he wrote.

The rollback affects more than 115,000 flood insurance policy holders in Lee County, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Estero and Bonita Springs. According to FEMA data, the average policy holder could see a $300 annual increase to their flood insurance premium starting Oct. 1.

Each of the communities had a 25% discount on flood insurance policies, except for Estero, which had a 20% discount. Collectively, FEMA said, the discounts saved the community tens of millions of dollars a year. Those are now gone, with no chance to earn them back until at least April 2026.

READ MORE: On borrowed time. Why coastal Florida keeps rebuilding after storms like Hurricane Ian

The problem, FEMA said, centers on how many homes were destroyed by the storm and what happened to them afterward.

To stay in the national flood insurance program, communities must agree to a few ground rules. One is that if a storm causes damage worth at least 50% of the value of a property  known as substantial damage  it must be torn down and built up to the newest building codes.

Thats an expensive proposition that most Floridians struggling in the wake of a storms devastation are eager to avoid, but the rule is designed to keep properties in harms way safe and to ensure the federal government isnt stuck footing the bill to rebuild them again and again.

After Hurricane Ian struck in 2022, some communities in Southwest Florida were quick to try and find ways to help residents avoid rebuilding, and thus, elevating, their properties. Cape Coral, one of the communities losing its flood insurance discount, rolled back some of its stricter rules around rebuilding to help residents avoid hitting that 50% line.

Lee County, also targeted in the rollback, had a messy, public argument with FEMA when it tried to change the calculation to get to 50% to raise the value of some of its properties, helping more residents avoid elevating. Lee County won that argument, according to reporting by the News-Press.

But the news about flood insurance rates, delivered late Thursday, came as a shock to the communities, they said in the press release.

FEMA has provided no written notification or documentation outlining any specific details that would lead to this sudden rating change, which would take effect Oct. 1, the statement read.

The Miami Herald requested comment from each municipality on Thursday, as well as from the states Division of Emergency Management, but none replied.

FEMA said the problems began shortly after the storm, when federal teams visited the communities hit the hardest and looked at the properties they thought were most likely to be substantially damaged, including older homes built in flood zones, some with previous flood damage.

What the team found, unfortunately, is there was a lot of unpermitted work, lack of documentation, said Robert Samaan, the regional administrator for FEMAs Region 4, including Florida. It was just a failure to properly monitor the activity in the special flood hazard area.

He said the communities could not or did not provide FEMA with the number of homes that were substantially damaged by Hurricane Ian and how many were properly elevated to the new code.

FEMA shared with the Herald three letters it sent Lee County in 2023  one in February, one in June and one in December  asking for information on the number of damaged homes and warning that not providing the information could result in the county losing its flood insurance discounts.

The December letter specifically requested the status of 590 properties before Jan. 12, noting the county would otherwise lose its flood discounts. FEMA informed Lee County about the loss of discounts on Thursday.

Nobody wanted to get to this point, but unfortunately this is where were at with this, said Samaan, the FEMA regional administrator.

If Lee and the other municipalities dont proactively work with FEMA to address these issues, he said, they could be kicked out of the flood insurance program altogether. Each policyholder would have to pay a $50 surcharge, and no new flood insurance policies could be written for the area. Disaster assistance after a hurricane would also be limited.

Were not putting them on probation just yet, Samaan said. What follows is well be working with these communities. If they do their remediation plan, if they work with us, if they fix the deficiencies, then they do not have to be put on NFIP probation.

It could be a long road to getting the discounts back.

Jason Hunter, chief of the Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch of FEMAs region 4, said the earliest the communities could get back into the discount program, the community rating system, would be April of 2026. The system gives out heftier and heftier discounts to communities who go above and beyond the basic building code to protect their communities from floods.

Cities do things like offer flood maps on their website, design better stormwater protection systems or provide customized flood-risk data to residents to earn points toward a discount. Miami-Dade County recently earned a Class 3 rating, which is on a scale from 1 to 10, earning its 100,000 policyholders a 35% discount.

Pinellas County now leads the state with a Class 2 rating, earning a 40% discount for its policyholders starting April 1.

In Lee County and the other four municipalities, their rating dropped to a 10  a 0% discount.

The city of Bonita Springs has spent years complying with the FEMA CRS Program successfully, Mayor Rick Steinmeyer said in the press release.

After being devastated by multiple hurricanes in recent years, the impact of this decision would be damaging to our residents. Our residents deserve the opportunity to appeal the decision. To withhold the option of an appeal is unacceptable, he wrote.
McDonald's. Yoshinoya. El Pollo Loco. Little Caesars. Panda Express. Taco Bell. And not a supermarket in sight.

On a six-lane stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard that thrums with traffic, the dining options within view highlighted a problem South Los Angeles has long faced  and one that could worsen when the minimum wage for fast-food workers is boosted from $16 to $20 on April 1.

About 40% of South L.A. residents live in a food desert, according to USC's Institute for Food System Equity. That means they reside in an area where there is limited access to affordable, healthy food because there is no supermarket nearby. For many people in the 51-square-mile region, fast food plays a major role in daily nutrition. And it is likely to get more expensive as chains are planning to raise prices to partially offset increased labor costs as a result of the new wage law.

Sitting in her car in the shadow of the McDonald's on Crenshaw, Roshonda Baker was angry about the looming price hikes, which are anticipated to largely be in the range of 4% to 5%.

Fast-food restaurants on Crenshaw Boulevard including an El Pollo Loco. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

"I can definitely see it taking an effect on families," said Baker, 41, a caretaker for psychiatric patients. "Kids do want fast food  they don't really care for a home-cooked meal. So ... you have to deal with an upset child who can't get it if you can't afford it."

Read more: Food truck kingpin denies claims he took workers' money and never delivered the trucks

Baker, who lives nearby, said she didn't care for fast food, but her 3-year-old grandson  then bouncing in her lap  eats it up. "He loves chicken nuggets," she said. To save money, Baker plans to try feeding him more meals prepared at home. Envisioning a $12 fast-food meal that could soon cost $13 or more, she lamented: "There's no win in it for the consumer."

The Times reached out to eight fast-food chains, including the six represented on Crenshaw. Some declined to comment, others did not respond to interview requests and a few provided statements that acknowledged price increases are imminent. "Raising menu prices slightly will allow us to support our franchisees, many of whom are former employees themselves who began their careers as restaurant workers, in delivering a better customer experience," San Diego-based Jack in the Box said in a statement.

Not everyone plans to moderate their fast-food intake if prices jump.

"Honestly, I would not change anything  no," said Jacky Grant, a DoorDash driver swinging by a Little Caesars on Crenshaw to pick up a cheese pizza for her son. "It's good that they are raising their salaries."

An Albertsons on Crenshaw Boulevard. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Others interviewed said much the same. Economists and public health experts noted that eating habits are hard to break and food deserts offer few options that allow consumers to switch things up. They said that fast-food companies are adept at calibrating pricing increases so as to not lose too many customers.

"Price is one factor" that people consider when evaluating their options, said Kayla de la Haye, director of USC's Institute for Food System Equality. "If it is convenient, if kids will eat, if it is delicious  those are really big factors, too. In South L.A., they do have a lot more restricted options for food. There's a historic under-investment in their community. And so that's part of the reason why these grocery stores aren't there."

While there are a few supermarkets near the cluster of franchises on Crenshaw, fast food fills the larger vacuum in South L.A. "That's food that's been available and affordable," De la Haye said, "so it's not especially surprising that that's where folks go and that they might be willing to pay more for it."

Read more: A beloved Beverly Hills burger joint mysteriously closed 27 years ago. What happened?

The new law, which applies to franchises and corporate-owned stores, covers workers at chains with 60-plus locations in the U.S. Fast-food companies are also expected to enact layoffs, turn to automation and cut back workers' hours in an effort to tamp down the cost increases brought on by the increased minimum wage.

Matt Haller, president of the International Franchise Assn., said in a statement that the average quick-service restaurant is "facing about $250,000 in increased operating costs, leading to unaffordable food prices for customers, job cuts, and many small businesses struggling to keep their doors open.

It is possible, of course, to increase prices too much. "If they want to reach those who are most likely to eat there  [people who] are usually more lower income  they can't push the prices too high," said Shon Hiatt, associate professor of management and organization at the USC Marshall School of Business. "Or else they move to a different demographic of people [and] the volume's not there."

But David M. Smith, a professor of economics at Pepperdine's Graziadio Business School, said that the lack of food options in South L.A. would make it easier for fast-food companies to "pass along" their higher costs  with possibly serious effects on some people.

"It will potentially put consumers in ... areas of higher financial risk at an even greater risk for unexpected financial emergencies," he said.

Read more: From 'Bad Vegan' to mass restaurant closures  inside Matthew Kenney's crumbling raw food empire

The forthcoming price increases present something of a paradox in low-income communities. South L.A. has one of the region's biggest concentrations of people living in poverty  and they are now expected to have to spend more on food. According to a 2018 report by the L.A. County Department of Public Health, South Los Angeles was the area with the highest rate of food insecurity in the county.

"People paying for the increase there are at best in the same socioeconomic class as the people getting the pay increase," said Brian Wheaton, an economist at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. "It's less likely in South L.A. that the [increased] minimum wage is producing the redistributive benefits that advocates want to see."

Traffic streams along Crenshaw Boulevard at the intersection with Florence Avenue in South Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

On Crenshaw, Alberto Corona hopped out of his car and headed toward a Yoshinoya restaurant to pick up a meal for a grandson, who can't eat the spicy Mexican food prepared by his wife. Corona had been enticed by coupons from the chain. He wistfully recalled decades past, when places like Yoshinoya were "way cheaper."

"It's something we cannot control," said Corona, 46, who works in construction.

Corona said that he doesn't eat much fast food  and he might eat even less as a result of higher prices. In any case, he prefers his wife's home cooking.

"It's more healthy than this kind of food," he said.

Then he smiled, and walked into Yoshinoya.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
If it feels like you read a lot of news stories that begin with A federal judge in Texas ruled that , you arent imagining things. A clique of conservative federal judges in the Lone Star State is wielding extraordinary influence over the nations laws and policies. The result is a bevy of deeply flawed cases that blow through the usual procedural checkpoints to achieve ideological results.

But patience with these types of cases might be running out. At oral argument this week in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the Supreme Court appeared ready to nix a lawsuit filed in Texas to ban mifepristone, the most widely used abortion drug in the country. Justice Neil Gorsuch took issue at one point with the recent spate of cases from the state that have sought far-reaching results on flimsy grounds.

Weve had one might call it a rash of universal injunctions or vacaturs, he told a lawyer for an anti-abortion medical group, referring to nationwide injunctions like the one against the abortion pill at issue. And 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.

How these cases come about can vary greatly in the details, but not in the broad strokes. If you are a right-wing legal activist, you have a pretty easy job these days. Say that you wake up one morning, turn on Fox News, and see a report on a Biden administration policy that you dont like. You want to do something about it. So you call up some friends in Texas who share your perspective on the matter and file a lawsuit in federal court.

Maybe those friends are individuals who would be affected by the policy. Maybe not. Things like standing and injury dont seem to matter much at this stage of litigation in Texas. You could even ask your friends in the Texas state government to file it for you instead. According to the Texas Tribune, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office has filed more than two dozen challenges to the Biden immigration policies alone since 2021.

Once filed, you can get the case before one of a handful of conservative federal district court judges in Texas, who will apparently be more inclined than most judges to rule in your favor. Then you take it to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Sometimes its three-judge panels will uphold the district court ruling outright. Sometimes theyll limit its scope a little bit. But rarely will they hand out an outright defeat. Then its off to the Supreme Court, where you only have to convince five of the six conservative justices that youre right.

That, in essence, is how the mifepristone litigation came about. Conservative legal activists, led by Alliance Defending Freedom, sued the Food and Drug Administration in federal court a few years ago to overturn the agencys approval of the drug in 2000. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, ruled in their favor and issued a nationwide injunction against the FDA. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals then overturned Kacsmaryks decision with respect to the drugs original approval, but also struck down later rule changes that made it more accessible.

The Supreme Court will probably jettison the entire thing later this spring on standing grounds. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the anti-abortion doctors group that serves as the cases plaintiff, struggled to articulate anything resembling a legitimate legal injury to them in oral arguments this week. That they came this close to success is a sign that something is seriously broken in the federal courts. Fortunately, there are signs that things might get better soon.

The conservative legal movements strategy for building cases among friendly judges predates the Biden administration, the Trump administration, and even roughly half of the current Supreme Court justices. An early vehicle for the Texas strategy was Judge Reed OConnor, a George W. Bush appointee who serves in the Northern District of Texas. OConnor is notorious for repeatedly ruling that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional despite being overturned on appeal each time. A few years ago, he also deeply misread the courts Indian law precedents to strike down the Indian Child Welfare Act. (The Supreme Court overturned that one as well.)

Its worth noting that a certain amount of tactical filingthat is, filing suit in a particular location in order to get it in front of a particular judgefor this kind of litigation is inevitable. When Democratic attorneys general challenged Trump administration policies, they often filed their lawsuits in states like California, Hawaii, New York, and Washington. Senators wield extraordinary informal power over which district court judges get appointed in their respective states. As a result, there tend to be more liberal judges in blue states and more conservative judges in red states, even when one party is in power for an extended period of time.

But the Texas situation goes beyond that. Conservative legal groups brought all of those cases before OConnor through an unusual quirk of federal court rules in the state. Texas has four federal district courts, divided into north, south, east, and west. Each of those districts has multiple divisions within it; the Northern District, where OConnor serves, has seven of them. In divisions with multiple judges, cases are assigned at random among them. OConnor, on the other hand, was the only active judge in the Northern Districts Fort Worth division for many years. A plaintiff could almost always pick their judge by filing their lawsuit in that specific division.

The Supreme Court eventually seemed to grow weary of reviewing and overturning OConnors rulings. In 2018, the state of Texas persuaded OConnor to strike down the ACA once again on the nonsensical pretext that Congress had rendered the entire law unconstitutional by zeroing out the penalty for not complying with the individual mandate to obtain health insurance. The Supreme Court easily reversed him on standing grounds three years later in an 81 decision. Even Justice Clarence Thomas, a frequent critic of the ACAs constitutionality, thought this one was a bridge too far.

Things also changed on the ground in Texas in recent years. As of 2019, OConnor is no longer the only judge in the Fort Worth division. Some right-wing litigation has shifted to the Amarillo division, where Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk is the only judge assigned. The Senate narrowly confirmed Kacsmaryk in 2019 after Democrats criticized his past work for a conservative Christian legal group and his remarks on LGBTQ rights and reproductive rights.

Those concerns appear to have been valid: Since taking the bench, Kacsmaryk has overturned the FDAs approval of the most widely used abortion drug, ordered the Biden administration to reimpose the Trump administrations Remain in Mexico immigration policy, ruled that drag shows arent protected by the First Amendment, and more. The Supreme Court reversed his immigration ruling and will likely overturn his FDA ruling; the drag-show ruling is still working its way through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Kacsmaryk isnt the only federal judge in Texas who gets these kinds of cases. For a brief period, Judge Drew Tipton, who was nominated and confirmed by Trump in 2020, was the only federal judge assigned to the Southern Districts Victoria division. The state of Texas filed multiple cases there in the hopes of foiling the Biden administrations immigration policies. In one of those cases, Texas and Louisiana asked the federal court to override the Biden administrations immigration enforcement priorities and substitute their own judgment for how federal law should be enforced. Tipton duly ruled in the states favor, but the Supreme Court reversed him in an 81 decision.

The States essentially want the federal judiciary to order the executive branch to alter its arrest policy so as to make more arrests, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority, quoting from precedent. But this court has long held that a citizen lacks standing to contest the policies of the prosecuting authority when he himself is neither prosecuted nor threatened with prosecution. Consistent with that fundamental Article III principle, we conclude that the states lack Article III standing to bring this suit.

Even federal judges in Texas who arent in single-judge divisions have been handing a variety of policy wins to Texas state officials and other conservative legal groups. In February 2023, for example, the state of Texas sued the Justice Department in court to block enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The new federal law required employers to treat pregnant workers with the same level of consideration that workers with disabilities receive under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Employers, in other words, must make reasonable accommodations for their condition unless it would cause an undue hardship.

One might think that Texas, whose elected leaders have waged an all-out war on abortion access, would also want to make things easier for pregnant workers. One would be wrong. The state argued that Congresss proxy voting rules, which were enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic, violated the quorum clause of the Constitution and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that it passed at that time was therefore invalid. Judge James Hendrix, a Trump appointee, ruled in the states favor last month and suspended the laws enforcement in Texas for the time being.

Some of this upheaval is predictable. After all, the Trump era brought about a seismic shift in the Supreme Courts ideological composition. For more than a decade leading up to 2016, the court had four conservative justices, four liberal justices, and a moderate conservative justicenamely, Anthony Kennedy, who often cast the deciding vote in high-profile cases. (Sandra Day OConnor played a similar role for the decade before that.) The court was a generally conservative one: It was unsympathetic to criminal defendants, skeptical of federal regulatory power, and favorable toward expansive religious freedom claims.

But the Kennedy court also maintained the public perception that either side could prevail before the justices. The same court that struck down campaign-finance reform laws and gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 also upheld the Affordable Care Act multiple times and overturned same-sex marriage bans across the country. It ruled that there was an individual right to bear arms in the Second Amendment but left existing gun restrictions largely intact. It also preserved a tenuous status quo on affirmative action in college admissions and, most famously, refused to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Replacing the moderate Kennedy with Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a staunch liberal, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett obliterated that ideological balance of power. Less than two years after Barrett joined the court and cemented a six-justice conservative majority, Roe was dead. Affirmative action in college admissions fell the following year. The Overton window of potential rulings from this group of justices shifted dramatically to the right. And right-wing litigants who hoped to see all sorts of changes in the law adopted Wayne Gretzkys famous dictum: You miss 100 percent of the shots you dont take.

The court itself has also encouraged this behavior from time to time. In 2022, for example, Biden issued an executive order that would have wiped away billions of dollars in federal student loan debt. Conservative lawyers and elected officials were initially skeptical that they could find a plaintiff with standing to challenge the law: After all, how could someone whose debt had been forgiven possibly claim that Bidens order had legally injured them?

Eventually, a coalition of Republican-led states sued on behalf of MOHELA, a student-loan servicer originally created by the Missouri legislature. MOHELA is financially and legally independent; it declined to take part in the litigation or sue on its own behalf, which it had the power to do. Missouri nonetheless claimed it had the right to bring the lawsuit on MOHELAs behalf. As I noted at the time, the justices tangible disdain for Bidens order as a policy matter came through clearly during oral arguments. They eventually handed down a 63 decision in 2023 that the order was invalid, looking past the standing issues to reach the desired outcome.

In a sharp dissent, Justice Elena Kagan castigated the majority for hearing the case in the first place. They are classic ideological plaintiffs: They think the plan a very bad idea, but they are no worse off because the Secretary [of Education] differs, she wrote, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. In giving those states a forumin adjudicating their complaintthe court forgets its proper role. The court acts as though it is an arbiter of political and policy disputes, rather than of cases and controversies.

The MOHELA case wasnt filed in Texas; it instead came through a federal district court in Nebraska and then the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. That makes it the exception that proves the rule: The only reason that it likely wasnt filed in Texas was because MOHELA doesnt exist there. The justices even heard a parallel student debt relief case that went through the usual path of the Northern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. They eventually dismissed it in a 90 ruling foryou guessed itlack of standing.

The good news is that the Texas strategy might not last much longer. As I noted last week, the Judicial Conference of the United States, the federal courts policymaking body, issued new rules that should provide for greater randomization in case selection and make judge-shopping substantially harder. The new policy applies to all 94 federal district courts in the nation, but it will have a disproportionate impact in Texas.

And while the Supreme Court is no less conservative this week than it was last year, the justices may be getting tired of this trend. It is one thing to entrench conservative legal reasoning into the law; it is another to spend the majority of justices time reviewing half-baked cases that get fast-tracked by right-wing legal groups with nothing to lose, district court judges who get to make national headlines, and Fifth Circuit panels that arent doing enough to weed out the weakest cases. The court has already sent one strong signal to the Fifth Circuit about its ideologically driven practices this month. Its eventual ruling in the mifepristone case could be an even blunter one.
More than 50 NHS workers will be sacked without redundancy because they cannot make a 80-mile round trip after their current site shuts, a union has said.

Mersey Care NHS Trust is set to stop operations at the Calderstones site in Whalley, Lancashire on Sunday.

They said they would "offer suitable alternative roles where possible" as services transfer to Maghull Health Park near Liverpool.

However, the GMB union said they were "offering unsuitable alternatives".

A union representative said more than 50 "long-standing" workers were told they could work about 40 miles away near Liverpool.

Other members were offered roles in a local trust, which they could not accept because of family and caring responsibilities.

GMB organiser Michael Clark said: "Mersey Care's insistence on an average 80-mile commute per shift is unreasonable.

"By disregarding members with family and caring responsibilities and offering unsuitable alternatives, the trust is failing its duty of care to them.

"These employees deserve better treatment and if required, the redundancy they are rightfully entitled to."

Only specialist hospital

A spokesman for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, which employs about 11,000 people, said: "Throughout this ongoing process, Mersey Care has supported all staff to continue their careers within the NHS by offering opportunities within our Trust and other local NHS organisations to protect their employment."

He added that a consultation process would end on Monday, saying "we will continue working with our workforce, staff side and partners to support staff and offer them suitable alternative roles where possible, subject to NHS employment regulations".

The closure of their operations in Whalley follows a NHS England consultation in 2017 over transforming care for people with a learning disability.

Formerly known as the Calderstones Hospital, it was England's only specialist hospital for people with learning disabilities and will be transferred to Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in April.

Why not follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
At a branch of Vietcombank in Vinh Phuc province. Numerous banks have lowered deposit rates in March. (Photo: VNA)

One of the Big4, the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), earlier this week reduced online deposit rates by 0.2 percentage points for terms of 1-11 months and 24-36 months, and by 0.1 percentage points for 12-18 month term.

The Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) cut deposit rates by 0.1 percentage points and only maintained a 3% per year rate for 6-9 month terms from March 15.

Agribank has the lowest 1-5 month term rate among the Big4, at 1.6% per year.

Among the Big4, deposit rates at Vietinbank are slightly higher, at 1.6-5% per year.

Earlier this week, Saigonbank suddenly increased rates for long-term deposits, while reducing short-term rates. Accordingly, rates for 1-12 month deposits were cut by 0.1-0.2 percentage points while 18-36 month term rates increased by 0.2-0.4 percentage points to around 5.4-5.8% per year.

From the beginning of March, 17 commercial banks have adjusted their deposit rates so far, four of which cut rates more than twice, including BaoViet Bank, GPBank, BVBank and PGBank. Rates for online deposits are currently around 1.6-6.2% per year.

Sacombank offers the highest rate for 36-month term at 6.2%.

The highest rate for 12-month term belongs to CBBank at 3.6%, followed by MSB and NCB at 3.5%, Dong A Bank at 3.3%, and VietBank, Viet A Bank and OceanBank at 3.1%.

For 6-month term, ABBank offers the highest rate at 4.7%.

Only eight banks offer rates higher than 5% for 12-month deposits.

According to statistics of the State Bank of Vietnam, deposits at banks were estimated to total 13.5 quadrillion VND (302 billion USD) as of the end of 2023, the highest figure ever recorded.

A report by broker VNDirect forecast that the central bank might cut operating rates by another 0.5 percentage points in the second quarter of 2024, bringing the refinancing rate to 4% and discount rate to 2.5%.

Accordingly, the average 12-month deposit rate is expected to remain low at around 4.5-5% per year in 2024.

The Government also asked for efforts to lower lending rates to support socio-economic recovery.

Thai Binh seeks Swiss investment at Zurich seminar

At the seminar. (Photo: VNA)

A working delegation from the northern province of Thai Binh, in collaboration with the Switzerland-Vietnam Business Gateway (SVBG) and the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC), held a seminar in Zurich city on March 22 to showcase local investment potential and attract Swiss businesses to the locality, reported Vietnam News Agency.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Khac Than said Thai Binh boasts advantages in land bank for industrial development, with 10 industrial zones and 49 industrial clusters covering nearly 3,000ha ready to welcome investors.

Thai Binh always welcomes investors from around the world, especially those from Switzerland, to explore and invest there, he said, hoping that the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland and business support organisations such as Swiss Global Enterprise, SwissMEM, Swiss Textiles, SACC and SVBG will facilitate connections between the province and Swiss companies and investors.

Thai Binh commits to all possible support for foreign firms, especially those from Switzerland, to boost cooperation and investment, he added.

In the Q&A session, the Vietnamese delegates discussed Thai Binh's specific areas open to Swiss investment, including finance, banking, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, renewable energy and tourism services.

SK Group keen to develop solar and wind power in Vietnam

SK ecoplant company (belonging to SK Group), one of the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s leading investors in the field of energy development, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 22 in Seoul on co-operation and development for renewable energy business in the nation with BCG Energy- a member of Bamboo Capital, reported VOV News.

SK Group keen to develop solar and wind power in Vietnam. (Photo: VOV)

The signing ceremony was attended by officials of the two companies, Kim Jeong-hoon, CEO of SK ecoplant Factory Solution Business Department, and Pham Minh Tuan, CEO of BCG Energy.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two companies will begin jointly developing a 700MW renewable energy project, including a 300MW onshore wind power, a 300MW rooftop solar power, and a 100MW onshore solar power.

BCG Energy is a pillar member company of Bamboo Capital Group and is in charge of the renewable energy segment. BCG Energy has built and put into operation large-scale solar power plants such as BCG Long An 1, BCG Long An 2, BCG Vinh Long, BCG Phu My, and BCG Gia Lai. In addition, the company also develops rooftop solar power systems in many provinces and cities across the country.

BCG Energy's total operational renewable energy capacity as of December, 2023, reached nearly 700MW. The company is also deploying an additional 229MW and plans to develop an additional 670MW ahead in the near future.

SK ecoplant is therefore poised to seek renewable energy projects which boast great potential, including wind power production in Gia Lai, a highland region in Central Vietnam that boasts abundant wind resources.

Jung-hoon said that with diverse experience, as well as specialised solution capabilities in engineering and renewable energy, SK ecoplant will be able to contribute to making full use of Vietnams abundant renewable energy resources.

The company will also strive to contribute to the global carbon reduction plan whilst taking the lead in solving climate issues based on the renewable energy value chain.

In August, 2023, SK ecoplant was appointed as the key company in the Concho solar power project in Texas.

Vietnam remains attractive destination for foreign investors

A production line at the Republic of Korea's Bluecom Vina Co., Ltd, in the Trang Due Industrial Park in Hai Phong city. Photo: VNA

Vietnam's economic strength is reflected in controlled macroeconomic indicators and the country has increasingly affirmed and strengthened its important role in the supply chain diversification strategy of multinational corporations. 2024 will be the year for foreign investors to seize opportunities and implement high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Vietnam, reported Vietnam News Agency.

Nguyen Bich Lam, former General Director of the General Statistics Office has granted an interview to Vietnam News Agency on the picture of FDI attraction and solutions to improve capacity and motivation to promote economic growth in the coming time.

The expert said in the first two months of the year, registered FDI reached 4.29 billion USD, up 38.6% compared to the same period in 2023. The amount of FDI disbursement reached 2.8 billion USD, an increase of 9.8% year on year.

Lam acknowledged that in the context of uncertainties and fierce strategic competition, the fragmented world economy has reduced and reshaped international investment flows, however, the country is still an attractive market for foreign investors, because its economy has recovered and developed in a relatively stable fashion.

Former General Director of the General Statistics Office Nguyen Bich Lam. (Photo: VNA)

PwC's "World in 2050" study has stated that Vietnam will achieve the second highest annual GDP growth rate worldwide and GDP will grow by an average of 5.3% per year over the 36-year period from 2014-2050. This important macroeconomic indicator is a testament to the success of the Government's management in recovering and maintaining the stable development of the economy.

He said foreign investors praised Vietnam's integration with the world's green development trend with a strong commitment to implement the provisions of COP 26. Along with that, the government has issued policies to encourage foreign investors to invest in projects using advanced technology, clean, environmentally friendly technology, with modern management methods that actively contribute to the production chain and global supply.

Lam cited that Vietnam's economy has deeply and widely integrated into the region and the world. Vietnam has also signed and implemented many free trade agreements with more than 60 partners covering all continents. In terms of market access liberalisation, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Vietnam is on par with Singapore, the most developed country in Southeast Asia.

Besides, Vietnam has relaxed regulations on foreign ownership in listed companies, easing the burden on investors. Since 2015, the government has allowed the relaxation of foreign ownership in listed companies by up to 100% in some cases. It also allows unlimited foreign investment in government bonds, he added.

In addition, Vietnam has a particularly favorable geographical position, a gateway for international trade in goods by sea. Increasingly synchronous infrastructure and technology are also advantages that make Vietnam attractive to foreign investors.

With the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation, Vietnam is working to be a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community. With a flexible foreign policy, Vietnam is a comprehensive strategic partner or strategic partner of all five permanent members of the UN Security Council. On March 7, 2024, Australia became Vietnam's seventh comprehensive strategic partner. Vietnam's position has been elevated, becoming a regional political-economic-security center. The country is now a partner of the international economic and political communities and a connected economy in a fragmented world - an advantage that only a very few countries have.

The upgrading of the comprehensive strategic partnership with the US and Japan, with a focus on cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, is an important premise for economic development. Especially, foreign investment in high technology and export represents an opportunity to create a breakthrough in attracting FDI inflows in 2022, he mentioned.

With the increasingly strengthened role of the economy in the supply chain diversification strategy of multinational corporations, Vietnam's economic growth is expected to recover more positively this year. A stable socio-political foundation is a core and important factor in Vietnam's prospect of creating a breakthrough in FDI attraction in 2024 and beyond, he expressed.

Recently, global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Vietnam's sovereign credit rating to BB+ with a stable outlook. With the achievements, advantages and position of the economy, 2024 is expected to be a breakthrough year in FDI attraction of the country./.
A jury Friday convicted the last of three men accused of being at the epicenter of two nights of violence in 2022 that claimed the lives of two city men and a Rochester police officer.

The jury convicted Raheim Robinson, 21, of the July 20, 2022 murders of Richard Collinge and MyJel Rand, the attempted murder of another city man, arson and multiple weapons-related charges. The jury deliberated for two days.

Earlier, Deadrick Fulwiley, 34, pleaded guilty to the murders.

"Involved in days of nonstop violence, Raheim Robinson and Deadrick Fulwiley terrorized the community with gun violence, arson, and murder," Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said in a statement.

Last year, a jury convicted Kelvin Vickers Jr., 23, of the same murders, as well as the July 21, 2022 murder of Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was conducting undercover surveillance in response to the escalating violence.

Anthony Mazurkiewicz with his grandchildren.

Neither Robinson nor Fulwiley "considered the value of human life when they made the choice to murder these two young men, which led to events involving the murder of Officer Mazurkiewicz at the hands of Kelvin Vickers," First Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles, a prosecutor in the criminal cases, said in a statement.

Like Vickers, Robinson is alleged to have been recruited from Boston in 2022 to provide enforcement to one faction in a drug turf war that violently consumed a few blocks of a northeast Rochester neighborhood over several days.

Others allegedly involved in the marijuana trafficking are now facing criminal charges in federal court.

The prosecution relied heavily on ballistics evidence connecting three separate guns to the murders, videos that Duckles argued showed the accused in vehicles to and from crime scenes, and videos of Robinson with the guns allegedly used in the crimes.

Defense lawyer Joseph Damelio countered that there was no eyewitness identification of Robinson and that "compilation" surveillance videos, which tracked the car used in the crimes, included multiple gaps.

"They didn't have continuous surveillance," Damelio said after the verdicts Friday.

Those gaps raised questions of Robinson's guilt, Damelio said.

Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31 and Fulwiley on May 17, both before Monroe County Court Judge Julie Hahn.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Raheim Robinson convicted in deaths of Richard Collinge and MyJel Rand
A fire service has launched a campaign to tackle the number of deliberate fires started during what is usually its "busiest time" of the year.

Cleveland Fire Brigade crews will visit schools and hot-spot areas to warn about the dangers of setting fires on purpose.

Prevention and protection lead Robin Turnbull said the service was expecting an increase after "a few dormant months" during the winter.

When we reach this time of the year, this point of the year, it is by far, without question, the busiest time for us," he said.

During the same period last year, 394 secondary fires were recorded.

These are generally small outdoor fires, not involving people or property of value, of which 350 were deemed deliberate, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Hartlepool saw the highest number in the brigade area with 136, including 121 deliberate blazes.

Arson reduction strategy

Mr Turnbull said, although the service was facing its busiest time, it had seen an overall 18% reduction in deliberate serious fires and a 36% drop in deliberate "secondary" fires, compared with 2023.

However, Home Office figures show that, although the number of deliberate fires has fallen in recent months, over the last five years they have increased.

The number attended by Cleveland Fire Service has jumped from 3,656 in 2018-19 to 4,853 in 2022-23.

Head of prevention Craig Strike said there was "no doubt" deliberate fires were an "unnecessary drain" on fire and rescue services, with services in the north facing "some of the highest rates of deliberate fires in the country".

"However, as a service we introduced a new arson reduction strategy last year that has helped us see a 35% reduction in the number of deliberate fires from this time last year, and a 16% reduction on the five-year average," he said.

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BETHLEHEM, Ga. - A fired state social worker says shes a scapegoat in the death of an 8-year-old Gwinnett County girl, with the agency that terminated her now looking into her side of the story.

In an exclusive interview with the FOX 5 I-Team, Alexandria Armah said it was her superiors in the Gwinnett office of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services who made the decision to close an earlier investigation into the deceased girls family. Not her, she said, nor the case manager she supervised, who also lost her job.

"Literally, I feel like my name was tarnished," said Armah, 31, who worked seven years for DFCS and had been promoted to supervisor in October.

Alexandria Armah, 31, who DFCS fired on Feb. 15 after the death of an 8-year-old girl, said her name has been tarnished even though she was barely involved in an earlier investigation into the deceased girl's family. (FOX 5)

The I-Team wasnt able to verify Armahs account because the file provided by DFCS on Sayra Barros Jan. 30 death contained heavy redactions, with dozens of pages entirely blacked out. Its not clear in the records who acted as supervisor on the prior complaint, or who approved closing the case a little more than a month before the child died  allegedly beaten to death by her stepmother with a wooden rolling pin.

The I-Team asked DFCSs state office about Armahs story, and an agency spokeswoman sent a written statement: "We take this matter very seriously and are reviewing it."

Told of Alexandria Armah's version of events leading up to her firing, the state DFCS office said in a statement, "We take this matter very seriously and are reviewing it." (FOX 5)

FOX 5 first reported on the firings in mid-March. Personnel records obtained from DFCS show that an internal review in the days following Sayra Barros beating death faulted both Armah and Case Manager Shetial Wingard for mishandling a prior complaint about Sayras parents.

The girls father, Cledir Barros, 37, and stepmother, Natiela Barros, 34, are both charged in her killing, being held in the Gwinnett County jail without bond. A bond hearing for the father earlier this month revealed new details about the prior DFCS complaint, which was apparently far more explicit than the account provided to the I-Team by DFCS through an open records request.

Cledir Barros (left) and Natiela Barros are both being held in the Gwinnett County jail without bond, charged in the killing of 8-year-old Sayra Barros. (FOX 5)

The account in the redacted records quoted an unidentified tipster saying the father "states the child had two personalities and was causing a problem with his current marriage due to her being born out of wedlock."

According to the allegation, Sayras father "referred to the child as a demon" and "admitted that the (stepmother) loses her cool and disciplines the child inappropriately causing bruising."

The latest account of that complaint, though, raises more questions about why and how the prior case was closed.

Statements made by a prosecutor in a bond hearing revealed that a Nov. 14 complaint about Sayra Barros' parents, described in this passage from DFCS records, came from her school, Harbins Elementary. The DFCS investigation into the complaint was closed after 38 days.

The complaint came from Sayras school, Harbins Elementary, reporting that her father told school personnel the girl "had demons in her because she was born out of wedlock," Gwinnett County Assistant District Attorney Megan Matteucci said during a bond hearing this month.

"The victim child had gone to school with visible injuries on her head and other body parts on numerous occasions," Matteucci told a judge. "In one incident, she had been pushed by her stepmother, the co-defendant, and she fell down the stairs. But (her father) told her to say that she fell in her bedroom."

A makeshift memorial has been set up outside the home on Vine Springs Trace in Gwinnett County, where Sayra Barros, 8, allegedly suffered a fatal beating on Jan. 30. (FOX 5)

When the school confronted the father about Sayra coming to school with injuries, he pulled her out of school so his wife could homeschool her, according to the prosecutor.

A spokesman said in a written statement that Gwinnett County Public Schools can't comment on an open criminal investigation, but "we can confirm that a review of the case establishes that GCPS educators complied with their mandatory reporting obligation."

The DFCS complaint was closed after 38 days. The agency previously told the I-Team that the case manager found no evidence of abuse or neglect, and her supervisor approved closing the case.

Then on Jan. 30, "the wife struck the child ten to twenty times on the back of the head, neck and arms with a wooden rolling pin," Matteucci said. "Instead of calling 911, this defendant, Cledir Barros, told his wife to pray about it.

"Cledir Barros arrived home and saw the unresponsive child," the prosecutor said. "He then prayed for about another 20 minutes before he eventually called 911 at 2:16 in the afternoon, which was about two hours later after the child went unresponsive."

Matteucci, who heads the DAs offices special victims unit, added, "The investigation found that the victim child could have been saved if she had received medical attention sooner."

In an email recommending Armah and Wingard be fired, then-Gwinnett DFCS Director Travis Moses cited a "pattern of closing  cases (particularly when child vulnerability is high) without fully assessing for safety of the children," saying they should be let go for "reckless assessment decisions/conduct."

Moses, now a DFCS regional director, said the review found three other cases that needed to be reopened. Wingards termination papers cited several policy violations, including falsifying records.

Fired DFCS supervisor Alexandria Armah told the I-Team "no decision is made by just two people" at the agency's Gwinnett County office. (FOX 5)

Armah said none of that makes sense. She said as far as she knew, Wingard  who had only been with DFCS for six months  had spoken to the family, as well as to Sayra, and was being guided by her superiors in the Gwinnett office.

"No decision is made by just two people," Armah said. "Any decision to close a case, or to move forward with anything, or place in other services  those directives come from above me."

Whats more, Armah said that during most of the investigation into the Barros family, she wasnt even in Gwinnett County, but in a classroom at a technical college in Griffin for mandatory supervisor training. She said the training lasted until Jan. 4, almost two weeks after the Barros case was closed.

"In the weeks that I was in training, there would be another supervisor that would be there to supervise her," Armah said. "There was also administration that was involved in her reporting."

So who closed the case? Armah wouldnt say.

Ex-DFCS supervisor Alexandria Armah said that for most of the time a prior complaint into the Barros family was being investigated, she wasnt in Gwinnett County, but in a classroom at a technical college in Griffin for mandatory supervisor training. (FOX 5)

"I feel like if another investigation was to happen, they would figure that out," Armah told FOX 5. "Im not here for vengeance or anything like that. Im just here to set the record straight."

The I-Team reached out to Armah before the first story about her firing aired March 14, but she declined to comment. "I wanted to gather myself," she said.

Armah first went to work for DFCS in 2016, soon after graduating from the University of West Georgia with a psychology degree. After leaving DFCS in November 2021, the agency re-hired her the following September.

She's raising two sons on her own, and had just been promoted to supervisor in October. She says the loss of her career has been devastating.

Alexandria Armah first went to work for the state Division of Family and Children Services, whose Gwinnett County headquarters is pictured here, in 2016. (FOX 5)

"Im calling for them to go back, dive in, ask those questions," Armah told the I-Team. "If they want to still call me in, Ill talk. Im here. My life has been turned around through all of this."

Wingard, the former case manager, has not responded to messages from the I-Team.


Two workers had to be flown to a trauma center for burns after the foam insulation they were spraying in a home attic caught on fire.

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On Thursday, just before noon, the fire broke out at a house under construction on Lake Harney Road in Geneva.

Two dozen units from Seminole County Fire Rescue responded the fire and not only had to contend with containing the blaze but they had to rescue two workers who were laying down a chemical foam spray in the attic. So the house is currently being renovated. There are no floors on the second floor. So, it is just trusses running on the second floor. So, there is no plywood or anything to stand on, said Battalion Chief Aaron Imeson.

Read: Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill arrested on elderly exploitation, fraud charges

Imeson said firefighters had to construct floors quickly across the trusses to reach the injured workers.

Both sustained burns and were transported to a local trauma center, Imeson said.

The crews were laying down a product that requires respirators and clothing to keep it from touching the skin.

Read: Teen arrested in deadly shooting in parking lot of Central Florida Fairgrounds

That chemical spray foam created a thick brown smoke making firefighters job even tougher.

Youre introducing a bunch of chemicals that are now on fire and produce a lot of hazardous toxic smoke, Imeson added. So thats why we wear our full SCBAs and breathing equipment protection that we use.

The State Fire Marshal will be investigating the cause of the fire.

Read: Man killed, another person injured during landlord/tenant dispute in Orlando

Officials have not released an update on the condition of the workers currently.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
(PUEBLO, Colo.)  The inaugural Pueblo Film Festival is happening this year, from April 26 to April 28, where attendees can view brand new short films, documentaries, and more. Jeff Madeen, owner of the Blo Back Gallery in Pueblo, first had the idea for a film festival in Pueblo in 2022.

I had an idea in 2022I said, Lets do a film festival! There is a history of film festivals in Pueblo. He wanted to do a short film festivalnothing over 40 minutes. So, I tapped these different people that are in the community that have the chops to help put [it] together.

Courtesy: Blo Back Gallery, Jeff Madeen

Films have been submitted to the Pueblo Film Festivals adjudicators from all over the world. One hundred and twenty-six films, including films from 6 other countries besides the U.S., were judged for entry into the festival. Madeen said they expect about 15 filmmakers to be in attendance for the festival.

Things kick off on Friday, April 26, with a launch party at 7 p.m., where attendees will enjoy a performance by Pueblo-based band Spyderland, and film screenings by the Youth Documentary Academy.

On Saturday, April 27, there will be a red-carpet event at 7 p.m. where trophies will be given out. The trophies are called Steelies because Pueblo is called Steel City. There will be a show featuring host and comedian Sonny G as well as performances by Jeremy Kitchen, & Underground Improv.

Courtesy: Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center

Then on Sunday, April 28, the festival winners films will be shown, along with a film called MIRASOL, a short film about Pueblo chilis, sponsored and paid for by the Palmer Land Trust. There will also be a screening of a never-before-seen TV Pilot from film & TV stars Dennis Leoni and Tony Plana, who will be available to answer questions after the pilot is shown.

Awards will be given for Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Experimental Short, Best Mini Short, Best Micro Short, Peoples Choice for Best Student Film, Peoples Choice for Best of PFF, Best Cinematography, Colorado Short Award, and PFFs Filmmaker to Watch Award.

Early bird tickets for the Pueblo Film Festival are on sale now. The festival will be held at Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center, 210 North Santa Fe Avenue in Pueblo.

We are all into growing the festival, making it better, Madeen said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
JetBlue recently announced it is cutting flights across its network as part of an effort to restore profitability. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will lose eight routes.

JetBlue executives said the moves will allow it to redeploy its fleet to increase the number of flights on well-performing routes from JetBlue's focus cities while reducing flight delays and cancellations. Last year, JetBlue had an on-time performance of 67%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The only airline with a worse on-time performance was Frontier Airlines.

Here are five things to know about the JetBlue cuts:

Why is JetBlue cutting some of its routes?

A JetBlue plane takes off from Palm Beach International Airport. The airline is the airport's dominant carrier. More than 1 million passengers flew on its planes at PBI in 2023.

JetBlue's failed $3.8 billion merger with the low-cost giant Spirit Airlines is the major reason. A judge ruled in January the move would hurt customers because of decreased competition. The two airlines have withdrawn their appeal of the decision.

Another factor is problems with Pratt & Whitney engines that JetBlue uses. It will have to take some of the planes out of service while inspections are done. As many as 15 planes will be impacted by the end of the year, according to Reuters, resulting in a shortage of aircraft.

What are some of the key JetBlue cuts in Fort Lauderdale?

Affected are flights to Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, Kansas City, Nashville and Salt Lake City as well as Bogota, Colombia, Quito, Ecuador, and Lima, Peru. JetBlue reported that it will not resume service at New York's Stewart Airport, where it last operated in April 2019. JetBlue flew from Stewart to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. Stewart is approximately 60 miles north of New York City.

Even before the cuts were announced, JetBlue had been reducing its passenger count at FLL. From 2023 to 2019, nearly 20% fewer passengers flew out of Fort Lauderdale on JetBlue.

The good news for Fort Lauderdale's airport is that JetBlue says it will increase service between Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean, including Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. And it will add winter flights to Albany, New York, and Buffalo, Providence, Rhode Island, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

What flights is JetBlue cutting at other airports?

Los Angeles will lose service to Cancun, Las Vegas, Miami, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Reno, Nevada; San Francisco; Seattle; and Liberia, Costa Rica.

JetBlue has reported that the new flight schedule will take effect June 13.

Other cuts include:

New York's JFK to Detroit and Kansas City.

Orlando to Salt Lake City and Kansas City.

Tampa to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Will JetBlue's cuts affect service from West Palm Beach?

Palm Beach International Airport has not been included in JetBlue's flight cancelation plans at this time.

From PBIA, JetBlue flies directly to New York, Washington D.C., Hartford, Newark, New Jeresey, Providence and Westchester County, New York.

It also recently brought back direct flights from West Palm Beach to Los Angeles.

More: JetBlue to cancel some flights out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood. Are more coming?

The resumption of that daily flight began Dec. 15 and continues through at least April, according to Joe Harrington, communications director for PBIA.

JetBlue suspended the nonstop route between West Palm Beach and Los Angeles in April 2022 after nearly 18 months of service four times a week. JetBlue officials attributed the cutback to the high price of fuel at that time.

Are more JetBlue route cuts coming?

It is possible. The Los Angeles Daily News reported that JetBlue is evaluating deeper cuts beyond its existing expense-reduction plan that it says will provide savings of as much as $200 million by the end of this year. JetBlue has lost more than $2 billion since its last profitable year in 2019. The airline had to pay Spirit $69 million; Spirit shareholders have already received $425 million in prepayments from JetBlue.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

DOT data shows. It bested only Frontier among the 10 largest U.S. ca

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Five things to know about JetBlue's flight route cuts
Flagler County and the St. Johns River Water Management District added another 25 acres along Princess Place Road, adding to the county's park system. The purchase also enhances the Pellicer Creek Conservation Corridor, the county stated on March 28, 2024.

Flagler County and the St. Johns River Water Management District added another 25 acres to Princess Place Preserve, the crown jewel of the countys park system, through a $700,000 purchase.

The purchase was the first through the countys Environmentally Sensitive Lands program in a decade, wrote the county's communications coordinator Julie Murphy in a release.

The land is along Princess Place Road and adjacent on three sides to the St. Johns River Water Management Districts Pellicer Creek Conservation Area  approximately 3,000 acres of conservation land in northeastern Flagler County that is connected to the 1,500-acre Princess Place Preserve.

The acquisition enhances the Pellicer Creek Conservation Corridor, which conserves and protects habitat and water supply in the region, said General Services Assistant Director Mike Lagasse.

This is a great addition to our conservation lands inventory, Lagasse stated. Its been known as the Kelly parcel, previously owned by a family of the same name, and was the last privately-owned, undeveloped parcel on the Princess Place Road."

The land was purchased from James and Judith Kelly of the JJKelly Trust for $700,000, according to a warranty deed.

Flagler Countys Environmentally Sensitive Lands program was started in the late 1980s to acquire and preserve environmentally sensitive lands for recreation, water recharge and as habitats for threatened and endangered species.

The Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program has really benefitted Flagler County and the municipalities, Lagasse said. Whenever possible we try to leverage our funds with other sources, like the states Florida Forever program or the St. Johns River Water Management District, to stretch the ESL purchasing power. It brings money back to the county.

The St. Johns River Water Management District will manage the new property due to it being next to the Pellicer Creek Conservation Area.

This acquisition is a great reminder of the work that the Environmentally Sensitive Lands program has been doing in Flagler County since the late 1980s, County Administrator Heidi Petito said. It is important to conserve and preserve properties that our local landowners and citizens have identified as critical to remain natural for future generations.

Murphy provided this history of Flagler County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program:

With an eye toward preserving Princess Place for the public, Flagler County voters approved an ad valorem tax in 1988 to acquire environmentally sensitive lands, recreation areas, and water protection areas.

The Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (LAC) was formed in 1989 to advise the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners about potential purchases.

The first purchase was Bings Landing Park in 1989. Princess Place Preserve was purchased in phases in 1993 and in 1996.

In 1998, the Board of County Commissioners decided to refinance the original bond and obtain additional funds  supported by a debt service millage  netting the county an additional $1.52 million for land acquisition.

In 2002, more than 74% of voters reaffirmed their support for the program by passing a referendum for the issuance of Environmentally Sensitive Lands bonds. That allowed the county to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $6.7 million payable from annual ad valorem taxes levied at a rate not exceeding 0.163 mill for a term not exceeding 14 years.

Voters approved a referendum in 2008 extending the program for an additional 20 years and provided the flexibility to finance up to $40 million.

This new program also included a provision allowing an amount equivalent of up to 10% of the purchase price that could be used for land management, public access improvements and habitat enhancement.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler County adds land to 'crown jewel' Princess Place Preserve
I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland.

Nine months later, I was on a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo in United's economy cabin.

The two flights couldn't have been more different. Take a look.

Within one year, I embarked on two of the longest flights of my life.

In the summer of 2022, I hopped on an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland, New Zealand.

In the spring of 2023, I was off to Tokyo. This time on United Airlines.

While both flights hovered around 12 hours, there was one major difference. For Air New Zealand, I was seated in business class. For United, I was in the back of the plane in economy.

The experiences couldn't have been more different. As flight prices continue to skyrocket, deciding whether to spend your money on a cabin class upgrade or in your destination can be tough. Take a look at how the two cabins compare.

A few years ago, I thought flying  no matter the cabin  was a similar experience. Everyone was boarding the same plane, suffering in the same low-humidity cabin, and eating bland airplane food.

Business Insider's author on an economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Then in June 2022, I took my first business-class flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Nearly nine months later, I hopped on a long-haul economy flight from Denver to Tokyo.

The author in her business-class seat on an Air New Zealand long-haul flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After those 12-hour flights, my entire perspective of airplane cabins  and the value of an upgrade  changed.

Side-by-side images of Air New Zealand's business-class cabin and United's economy cabin. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Unsurprisingly, the biggest difference I spotted was the price. At the time of booking, a one-way business-class flight to Auckland on Air New Zealand was about $4,500, according to the airline's website. Today, that cost is closer to $6,000.

A screenshot of a one-way business-class ticket on Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand

Business Insider received a media rate for the round-trip flight to Auckland.

Meanwhile, my round-trip ticket to Tokyo was less than $2,500 through United Airlines. Today, it'd be about $2,700. This means I could've flown to and from Tokyo twice for the same price as my one-way business-class ticket.

A screenshot of a United economy flight to Tokyo. United

But when it came to the actual experience, the perks of business class started long before I boarded the plane.

The author at the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

My business-class Air New Zealand ticket granted me access to Los Angeles International Airport's Star Alliance Lounge.

The entrance to the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

There, I dined on a bowl of ramen, scarfed down plates of salad, and sipped on Champagne. The food and alcohol were included with access to the lounge, so I didn't spend a dollar on my meal.

A bowl of ramen from an airport lounge. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I also didn't have to hunt for seating at my gate. Instead, I spent my layover hopping between the lounge's couches and the outdoor patio.

Seating at the airport lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

With the economy flight, I didn't have lounge access. Instead, I spent hours in the airport terminal. I paid nearly $8 for a coffee, skipped expensive airport food, and opted for snacks I packed from home.

Business Insider's author packed her own snacks for her economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I searched the airport terminal for comfy seating  something the lounge had plenty of  but ultimately settled on sitting on the floor so I could stretch out before the flight.

Business Insider's author sat on the floor at her gate while waiting to board her economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

When it came to boarding in business class, representatives in the lounge announced when boarding started for my flight.

A representative at the entrance to the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

For economy, muffled announcements were made over the airport's intercom system. I couldn't hear them, so I kept a close eye on my watch to ensure I didn't miss my boarding call.

The author's gate for her United flight to Tokyo. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

My business-class ticket meant I was the first one to board the plane.

Business Insider's author entered a nearly empty jet bridge when she boarded the Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I stepped onto a nearly empty plane and had a short walk to my seat. After I got settled, a flight attendant offered me a glass of Champagne.

A glass of sparkling wine at the author's business-class seat. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

In economy, I was one of the very last passengers to board.

Business Insider's author at the back of the boarding line for her economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Once on the plane, I was handed an alcohol wipe instead of bubbly and walked the entire length of the aircraft to row 50.

Economy class on a long-haul United flight to Tokyo. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

When it came to the physical seats, I spotted major differences.

Economy seats on a United flight to Tokyo. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

As far as plane spaces go, my business-class seat was massive. Beyond two armrests, I had a large TV screen, a large tray table, and a footrest with enough space to stretch my legs comfortably.

Business Insider's author could stretch out her legs in business class. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

My economy seat, by comparison, was small. My tray table had hardly enough room for my laptop, and my legs couldn't comfortably stretch.

The author's legs bumped against the seat in front of her. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I also didn't have the same luxury of reclining. In business class, I could recline without impeding anyone's space since the seats were positioned away from other passengers.

In business class, Business Insider's author could recline far back. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Reclining in economy meant I was taking up someone else's personal space.

The economy cabin on a United flight from Denver to Tokyo. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Both seats came with amenities.

Air New Zealand business-class passengers are given a pair of over-the-ear, corded headphones. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

In business class, I had over-the-ear headphones, a bag of toiletries, a water bottle, a blanket, and a pillow.

Each passenger received a bag of toiletries on the flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

In economy, I discovered a blanket and pillow, as well as headphones, at my seat.

The blanket and pillow economy passengers received on a long-haul United flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The biggest perk was that my business-class seat could turn into a lie-flat bed. After dinner service, flight attendants stopped by with extra blankets and pillows and converted my seat into a bed.

After dinner, flight attendants stopped at each seat to convert it into a bed. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The food and beverages were drastically different.

Side-by-side images of the breakfast on an economy flight versus on a business-class trip. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I could order endless liquor, wine, beer, and soda in business class.

The author's gin and tonic on a business-class flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

In economy, I had to pay for liquor. I did receive glasses of complimentary wine, though.

The author's red wine in a plastic cup on an economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

My dinner in business class felt like fine dining. I had cloth napkins, metal cutlery, and ceramic plates. A flight attendant stopped by and offered me three choices of warm bread and a little tray of salt, pepper, and olive oil.

The author's first-course meal on her Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I also had a menu of dinner choices, which included Alaskan cod and roasted chicken.

The menu on the author's Air New Zealand business-class flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Meanwhile, there wasn't a menu in economy. Instead, flight attendants gave brief descriptions of the dinner options. On my flight to Tokyo, I could choose between chicken and veggies.

The veggie option on a United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I picked the veggie option and wondered whether I'd be eating eggplant Parmesan, a grain bowl, or pasta for dinner. When I lifted the foil, I discovered a vegetable stir-fry.

The uncovered veggie meal on a United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I also learned that you're not guaranteed your meal choice in economy. Since I was in the back of the plane, flight attendants had run out of one of the meals by the time they reached my seat.

Breakfast on the United economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

As for the bathrooms, they felt similar in size and design. Air New Zealand's business-class restroom had decorative wallpaper.

The bathroom on the Air New Zealand flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

United's bathroom lacked that touch. Besides that, I noticed similar toilets and sinks.

The author in the bathroom on the economy flight. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

When the plane touched down in Auckland, I was one of the first passengers off.

Passengers on a business-class flight get their bags from the overhead bins. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

When I landed in Tokyo, I had to wait an extra 15 minutes before disembarking from the plane  as the last to board, I was the last to disembark.

Business Insider's author had to wait for other passengers to get off the plane. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Ultimately, the perks of business class changed the way I viewed luxury travel. But those luxuries come at a price  one I don't plan on paying anytime soon.

Insider's author sat in both economy and business class for long-haul flights. Monica Humphries/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider
Two 10-year-old students were arrested in connection with a gun sold at their elementary school in Florida, county officials confirmed.

A deputy's son "agreed to exchange a handgun, (later found to belong to his deceased father), for a sum of $300" back in February, the Hendry County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

The Country Oaks Elementary School was placed under lockdown Wednesday morning after the sheriff's office received a call about "a suspicious incident" on campus. Authorities discovered ammunition in the backpack of the boy who purchased the gun.

The gun was later found in his backyard under a shed, hidden with a 74-gram bag of marijuana, according to investigators.

The Country Oaks Elementary School in LaBelle, Fla. (WBBH)

The boy was charged with the 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.

The deputy's son 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.

The mother of the boy who sold the gun, also a Hendry County deputy, was placed on administrative leave pending an administrative inquiry, the sheriff's office said.

Both students have been in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice since their arrest.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
OSCEOLA COUNTY - A Florida man was arrested after he was caught following FedEx delivery trucks and attempting to steal packages after they were delivered, deputies said.

A joint investigation between Polk and Osceola County led to the arrest of Jency Argenis Reynoso-Jimenez after detectives uncovered his alleged scheme on March 26.

Detectives conducting surveillance on Reynoso-Jimenez saw him following multiple FedEx delivery trucks, attempting to steal several packages that were delivered.

He was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office after detectives obtained a search warrant for Reynoso-Jimenez's home and car.

When interviewed by deputies, Reynoso-Jimenez admitted to stealing multiple packages from Osceola and Polk County.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at 407-348-2222.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosts a reception for Thai Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura. (Photo: VNA)

Congratulating the Thai diplomat on his successful tenure that helps develop the Vietnam  Thailand Strategic Partnership over the past time, Chinh expressed his hope that Nikorndej Balankura, in his new position, will continue making contributions to the cooperation between the two nations.

The PM thanked the Thai side for renovating relic sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Thailand, handling legal issues for Vietnamese expatriates, and creating favourable conditions for the building of the Vietnam town, the first of its kind in the world, in Thailand.

Vietnam looks forwards to visits to Vietnam by the Thai high-level leaders in the coming time, he said, urging the Thai sides coordination to make meticulous preparation for the Thai PMs official visit to Vietnam and the 4th Vietnam  Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting to discuss measures bolstering the sound relations and robust cooperation in various fields.

He suggested both sides push ahead implementation of necessary solutions to realise the target of 25 billion USD in trade revenue in a balanced fashion, stressing the Vietnamese Government encourages and facilitate Thai investment in the country.

Besides, he recommended both nations continue strengthen infrastructure connectivity, especially in transportation and e-commerce, as well as work together in climate change response, digital transformation, tourism and sports.

The two nations should continue coordination, give consultations and support each other at multilateral forums, maintain solidarity and promote ASEANs central roles, cooperate to develop the Mekong sub-region, and manage and sustainable use the water resources.

The Thai Ambassador, for his part, thanked competent agencies in Vietnam for helping him complete his mission, and spoke highly of Vietnams achievements over the past time.

He affirmed that both nations hold huge cooperation potential, particularly in the field of trade and investment, adding Thailand wants to be a leading investor in Vietnam.

Describing Vietnam as his second homeland, he committed to continuing efforts to nurture the Vietnam  Thailand relations.

In a decade, two-way trade revenue increased from 10.4 billion USD in 2013 to nearly 19 billion USD in 2023. Particularly, the value reached 21.6 billion USD in 2022, exceeding the 20-billion-USD band mark for the first time.

Thailand ranks 9th among 144 countries and territories having investment in Vietnam as it has registered 13.7 billion USD to 715 projects so far./.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The husband of a missing woman found dead has been arrested for murder, NBC affiliate WESH reported Friday.

WESH said Brian Estep was arrested by the Brevard County Sheriffs Office and charged with first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm and tampering with evidence.

Esteps wife, Amber Estep, was found dead on Jan. 20 after she was reported missing the day prior by her mother because she had missed several shifts at work.

Brian reportedly told deputies he and Amber got in a fight and he dropped her off on I-95 after she requested he let her out of the vehicle.

WESH said his truck was found on fire hours later in Port St. John.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla (WDHN)  A Westville, Florida man has been found guilty of intentionally ramming his truck into an ATV and could face 15 years in prison.

On Thursday, a Holmes County Jury found 31-year-old Jesse Hicks guilty of Aggravated Battery and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries. The jury deliberated for only 20 minutes.

According to the Florida State Attorney, Hicks was driving Arrant Road when he intentionally hit an ATV with a man on it, pushing it and the unidentified victim into a ditch, where it flipped.

Attorneys say the victim, who had never met Hicks before, had been out with his wife and 2-year-old granddaughter at the lake.

Hicks fled the scene but was later caught nearby by Florida Highway Patrol and deputies with the Holmes County Sheriffs Office.

Prosecutors are asking Judge Colby Peel to sentence Hicks to 15 years in prison based on him being a Prison Releasee Reoffender. Hicks had been released from prison in October 2022, just six months before his arrest.

Judge Peel set a sentencing for April 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Florida Capitol (photo credit: Michael Moline)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Gov. Ron DeSantis authoritarian approach to governing is losing relevance with Floridians, and the tide seems to be turning in Florida.

A year ago, we saw bill after bill restricting our freedoms being fast-tracked through the legislature and signed into law by DeSantis. These laws were part of the governors anti-woke crusade  including government restrictions on speech and expression, government restrictions on access to health care, and government censorship in public schools, workplaces and our institutions of higher education.

Bills passed that created barriers to voting, targeted our immigrant communities, and banned books. These laws were unpopular with Floridians and the rest of the country. And they have caused tremendous harm to Floridians, our workforce, and our freedoms.

But this years session was different.

The backlash against the governors extremist agenda has been loud and fierce. After seeing the devastating impacts of government control over reproductive health care with IVF clinics closing their doors in Alabama, government-censorship-gone-wild with dictionaries and encyclopedias being removed from libraries, widespread teacher shortages, and an ignored and unaddressed property insurance crisis, Floridians across the political spectrum and of all faiths were successful at thwarting many of the most egregious bills filed this session and diluting many of the harms of the bills that did ultimately pass.

The governor must have hoped that Floridians would be so overworked and underpaid that they would sleep-walk through his assaults on our freedoms. But the opposite happened.

Floridians fought passionately throughout this legislative session to make their voices heard. Together, among other victories big and small, Floridians were able to defeat these bad bills:

an anti-abortion bill that would have allowed abusers to sue individuals seeking abortion care, their healthcare providers, and their support systems who helped them access the care they need (SB 476/ HB 651);

a government censorship bill that would have chilled the speech of reporters and members of the public from writing about the actions of public officials (HB 757/SB 1780);

a bill that would have barred minors under 16 from accessing constitutionally protected speech on the internet, even if they had their parents consent (HB 1);

an anti-voter bill that would have limited access to secure dropboxes, where you can safely submit your vote-by-mail ballot (SAC6);

anti-voter bills that would have abolished no-excuse vote-by-mail (SB 1752) and that would have required law enforcement in polling places (SB 190/HB 671);

a government censorship bill that would have censored adults from using their own pronouns at work (HB 599/SB 1382);

an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that would have forcefully outed transgender Floridians by requiring driver licenses to list a persons sex assigned at birth instead of their gender (HB 1639/HB 1233);

a bill that would have protected Confederate monuments (HB 395/SB 1122);

a bill that would have prohibited schools and local governments from displaying pride flags (HB 901/SB 1120);

a government censorship bill that would have made it harder to pass constitutional amendments (HJR 335),

a government censorship bill that would have criminalized peaceful protests on campuses (HB 465/SB 470).

These are wins to be proud of.

Though we staved off the brunt of the legislatures extremist agenda, several unconstitutional and inhumane bills still made it through.

These include an unconstitutional stop-woke teacher training bill that prohibits adults from teaching other adults about institutional racism and sexism (coalition opposition to HB 1291), a bill requiring all adults to verify their age and surrender their anonymity to access vast amounts of constitutionally protected speech online and barring youth under 14 from accessing constitutionally protected speech on the internet even with their parents consent (coalition opposition to HB 3), bills that could be weaponized against bystanders filming police activity (opposition to SB 184) and restricting civilian review boards that provide a measure of accountability for local police (opposition to HB 601), a bill allowing anyone claiming to be a religious chaplain, regardless of credentials, to counsel students in public schools (opposition to HB 931), and bills restricting community IDs (opposition to HB 1451), abolishing locally authorized safety protections (like water and shade) for outdoor workers exposed to Floridas extreme heat (opposition to HB 433), and rolling back child labor protections (opposition to HB 49).

Several of these egregious bills have already been signed into law by DeSantis since the session wrapped up earlier this month, and we expect the governor will sign the others into law soon after they land on his desk.

While we still have a long way to go before Florida is a state where all people can live freely  regardless of what we look like, who we love, or how we express ourselves  the movement for justice is not confined to the legislative chambers. It exists in the courts, in the streets, in public opinion, and in elections.

If this legislative session has shown us anything, it is that extremists in our legislature will continually try to take away our rights, but that we  the people  have enormous power when we all work together to advocate for our freedoms.

We plan to take that power to the polls this November.

Stay woke, Florida. And hold your legislators accountable  your voice and your actions are critical. Our freedoms depend on it.

The post Floridians staved off the brunt of an extremist agenda this session. Next stop, the polls. appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
(Bloomberg) -- Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dismissed the idea that China is unable to become a multiparty democracy, saying there is no anti-democratic instinct in the Chinese people.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Morrison, who led Australia from 2018 to 2022, said the Chinese people care just as much about freedom as we do but sadly in mainland China they dont have the opportunity for it. The former Australian leader was a guest on the Diving Deep podcast hosted by Olympic athlete Sam Fricker.

Theres a view that some put around that, oh, you know, democracy cant work in Chinese culture, Morrison said on the podcast. Well, thats crap. Ive been to Taiwan.

During Morrisons time as prime minister, relations between China and Australia reached their lowest point in decades. Following a call by Morrison for an independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19, Beijing placed trade restrictions on lucrative Australian imports such as wine, barley and coal. Just this week Beijing scrapped punitive tariffs on Australian wine shipments.

Ties between the two countries have improved following Morrisons defeat and the election of the center-left Labor government in May 2022. Earlier this year, Morrison announced he was quitting Australias parliament, and later joined a consulting firm run by former US President Donald Trumps national security adviser.

Morrison said Canberras relationship with China will always be transactional and never values-based like Australias ties with the US.

Not with their government, Morrison said in reference to Beijing. It potentially could be values-based with their people.

Morrison said he never held a state visit to China in his time in office but he did meet Chinese President Xi Jinping several times for informal talks. Asked what Xi was like, Morrison described him as an able politician.

He knew what he wanted, he knew where he was going, Morrison said. But as time wore on, the sort of charismatic exterior gave way to a more autocratic, authoritarian outlook on the region.

Morrison said the Chinese government was irritated that Australia didnt sign up for their international Belt and Road Initiative, which he described as effectively their empire building process.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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A former Gwinnett County art teacher pleaded guilty to charges accusing him of child molestation.

According to Gwinnett County court records, on Thursday, RKheim Young pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation after admitting that he touched one of his students inappropriately and sent them texts.

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In early April 2023, Lawrenceville police told Channel 2 Action News that Young was arrested after the mother of one of his students reported him.

Young was employed as an art teacher at Gerard Preparatory School when the allegations were made. It is not affiliated with Gwinnett County Public Schools.

According to the investigation, the students mother said Young made inappropriate sexual comments towards her daughter that made her uncomfortable. She said her daughter later told her that Young had touched her private parts over her clothes and made her touch him.

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After investigators confirmed the allegations that were made, they arrested Young.

The school confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that Young was placed on unpaid leave in late February after the allegations were made. He was then arrested earlier this month and fired.

Young was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation. Court officials also said he must register as a sex offender.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
As a person who knew Brigid Kelly personally and professionally, I wanted to express my appreciation to the news media for their coverage of her passing. The outpouring of responses to Brigid's passing from all walks of life or political parties are a breath of fresh air in this climate of division. On behalf of her family, we appreciate the stories of Brigids positive impact and your sharing them at this very sad time. We sincerely thank you.

The media briefly highlighted Brigids political accomplishments, but it just scratched the surface of who she was and what drove her. Id like to share with you the Brigid I have known so well for years. I first noticed Brigid when she was doing an internship program with the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council. In my career as a labor leader, I had never seen such a young person with so much maturity and commitment to help people. We hired Brigid right away at UFCW, and she began her post-college career. Brigids passion for her job with UFCW Local 75 was contagious, and her work ethic was unequalled. She never turned down staff or members needs whether it was mornings, nights, or weekends; Brigid was always on duty, never too busy to respond.

More: Funeral arrangements set for Brigid Kelly next week. People asked to wear green

She quickly earned the respect and admiration of her coworkers, many of them her senior by decades. Brigid grew as the director of communications/political affairs accepting responsibilities for major projects affecting thousands of members across the country. Brigid was known throughout the UFCW International Union as a rising star. If Brigid was on the project, it was going to be done and done right the first time.

As her career took off, Brigid never lost sight of why we do the work we do. In my 10 years working with Brigid, she made me a better leader by always challenging the status quo if it was failing workers and by relentlessly advocating the need for change to empower workers for a better life. For her, it was always about "serving our members," and it was a mantra she both spoke and lived daily. UFCW Local 75 was a better organization because of Brigid Kelly. I was a better leader because of Brigid Kelly. Our members were better served because of Brigid Kelly.

My 10 years of working with Brigid were the best of my career. She carried a zeal for life, work, integrity, and standing up for those who need someone in their corner. Her time at UFCW is what drove her to run for public office; she really felt she could do more and had a genuine desire to make more peoples lives better. This is the mantra she took forward in her public life and lived by daily, "How do we make peoples lives better?"

State Rep. Brigid Kelly speaks at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus in 2019.

Brigid may be most widely known for her political career. One episode stands out and speaks to the core of who she is. At a time when she was facing enormous pressure to back Larry Householder as Speaker of the House, she just could not do it. Something in her core knew this was a bad bet for Ohio, and she couldnt bring herself to support this misguided move by Republicans, Democrats and Organized Labor. For weeks, she faced relentless daily lobbying. The pressure was heaviest from friends and allies she had known for years, people she trusted and respected. Some of the pressure amounted to borderline threats. Despite this, she always stood her ground, took every call, explained her position, was friendly and respectful, but never wavered.

More: Jason Williams: She refused to support Larry Householder. Why Ohio politics needs more people like Democrat Brigid Kelly

It was a very difficult time for Brigid. She knew her decision could cost her politically, and it did. In Brigids eyes, the political price was worth the risk because she knew she was doing the right thing even when her so-called friends seemed to be abandoning her for a bizarre choice. Those who could not bend Brigid to their will stripped her of her leadership position, stopped working with her on valuable legislation, and stopped supporting her campaigns. In doing so, they turned their backs on the best advocate they ever had. It is also ironic that this week the news media reported 10 new felony charges against former Speaker of the House Larry Householder.

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is surrounded by reporters outside the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, March 9, 2023 after a jury found him and ex-Ohio Republican Party chairman Matt Borges guilty of racketeering conspiracy.

It would never occur to her to turn her back in return. After the catastrophic fallout from that fatal choice, Brigid never once said "I told you so." Instead, she dusted herself off and got straight back to work because she never forgot why she was at the Statehouse, to make peoples lives better. In true Brigid Kelly style, she won most of them back in the end by doing the same thing, sticking to her values, standing up for whats right, and genuinely being a good partner and friend to people.

Brigid never had to be asked to do what was right or good for people as she was already there leading the charge. That drive, the ability to stand her ground, and to fight it through to the bitter end is what made Brigid remarkable from the moment I met her. Her warmth, generosity, compassion, and likeability while fighting those fights is what made her exceptional to all those that knew her. Our community has been better for having Brigid Kelly as a colleague, leader and a friend.

More: Read Brigid Kelly's letter to supporters about her resignation, health

I encourage any young lady to read Brigid Kellys history. Above all, I encourage future generations to aspire in her footsteps. My heart is broken because my hopes and dreams were cut short because Brigid didnt get the opportunity to live out her potential. Brigids vision would enhance the lives of citizens in Cincinnati, Hamilton County and Ohio.

My wish is that we find ways to carry on Brigids legacy. Our government needs more Brigid Kellys.

Lennie Wyatt is a retired UFCW Local 75 president and international vice president. He formerly lived in Dayton, Ohio and Northern Kentucky, but now lives in Naples, Florida.

Lennie Wyatt

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brigid Kelly felt a genuine desire to make people's lives better
Former insurance commissioner Dave Jones has a sobering view on the future of homeowner coverage in California: He believes the state is marching steadily towards an uninsurable future.

Thats because world leaders arent acting aggressively and fast enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Jones told a state oversight agency Thursday. As a result, costly storms and wildfires are becoming more common, which is landing on the balance sheets of insurers. In turn, companies are raising rates, not writing new business and not renewing policies.

The best short-term responses to those problems depend on whom you ask.

Carmen Balber, the executive director of Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy organization, said the Legislature should mandate that insurers sell coverage to people who take steps to protect their homes and properties, as a way to provide stability.

Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, argued that more stability will come if the Department of Insurance pushes forward on regulatory changes companies want it to make.

Who will ultimately bear the cost of the states insurance challenges is also unresolved.

Thats what were really here to figure out, said Amy Bach, the executive director of United Policyholders, a consumer group. How to spread the pain.

Itll be the Little Hoover Commissions job to sift through these and other points on what has become one of the states most pressing challenges.

On Thursday, it held the first of at least two hearings on home insurance in California. The nonpartisan agency, created in the 1960s, studies state government operations and policies and makes recommendations to the governor and the Legislature. The 13-member commission is made up of people appointed by the governor and state legislators, as well as California lawmakers themselves.

The idea to look at home insurance in the state came from one of the agencys commissioners, Janna Sidley. During the hearing, Sidley said she recently received a notice that her carrier would not be renewing coverage for her Los Angeles home.

Despite it having, No fire, no flood risk, no nothing, she said.

Jones, Balber, Frazier and Bach all made presentations to the panel.

Chair Pedro Nava, a former state assemblyman, said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara was invited to speak at the hearing or to send someone from his office. Neither Lara, nor any of his colleagues, took the commission up on its offer, Nava said.

Commissioner Lara has testified at multiple legislative hearings and met with Californians across the state, Department of Insurance spokesman Michael Soller said in an interview. And our focus remains on finalizing the much-needed reforms Commissioner Lara outlined in his strategy to restore options in a competitive, sustainable market.

Lara has announced that he will roll out several regulatory changes this year with the goal of persuading companies to reverse their recent decisions to pause or restrict new business in the state.

How many times the commission will meet on home insurance is unclear. It is expected to do so again at a meeting in April, said its executive director Ethan Rarick. And it plans to issue a report with recommended improvements later in the year.

Near the end of the hearing, Vice Chair Anthony Cannella, a former state senator, called the current situation ominous.

Those concerns were echoed by several county leaders from around the state who shared their views in person and virtually during a public comment period.

Rex Bohn, a Humboldt County supervisor, said rural counties were getting the brunt of the issue. He warned the state was headed towards an insurance cliff.
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA)  A former MTV reality star was arrested in Clearwater Thursday after a year on the run from police in Illinois.

Connor Smith, 33, was taken into custody on an open warrant from Lake County, Ill. The warrant was issued last February after he was accused of chatting with a detective posing as an underage girl.

According to Nexstars WGN, Smith fled from deputies as they attempted to arrest him at his home in Orland Park. Detectives began investigating Smith after he allegedly sent explicit images and videos of himself to an undercover detective posing as a girl under age 15. He was also accused of making plans to meet the victim.

The Lake County Sheriffs Office issued a nationwide warrant for his arrest on charges of grooming, traveling to meet a minor and disseminating harmful material. He was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office at his Clearwater address on Thursday afternoon.

Smith was booked into the Pinellas County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Additional information is expected to be released after he makes his first court appearance on Friday.

Smith is known for his appearance on the MTV reality show Are You the One? in 2015. He was accused of sexually assaulting a minor in Indiana, but those charges were later dropped.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The former senior director of fiscal services at a school district in Orange County has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $16 million over several years from the schools he was hired to serve, federal authorities announced Thursday.

Jorge Armando Contreras, a 53-year-old resident of Yorba Linda, was hired by the Magnolia School District, which serves students in Anaheim and Stanton, in 2006 to manage the districts financial operations, according to a Department of Justice, Central District of California, news release.

During his tenure in that position, prosecutors say Contreras wrote checks in small dollar amounts to M S D, with the letters spaced out.

Violent attempted hit-and-run crash leaves 2 dead in Southern California

After receiving proper signatures from authorized personnel, he would then insert fictitious names, increase the amount of the checks and deposit them into his personal bank account using ATMs.

The 53-year-old would provide falsified bank statements and records to the schools to conceal his fraud, authorities said.

In total, Contreras admitted to stealing $15,920,042 from the district, where more than 80% of the preschool through sixth-grade student body is classified as socio-economically disadvantaged.

Former O.C. education official who embezzled $16M bought jewelry, handbags, tequila

Law enforcement so far has seized approximately $7.7 million in personal and real property traced to the scheme, including a home in Yorba Linda, a 2021 BMW automobile, 57 luxury designer bags (mostly Louis Vuitton), various pieces of jewelry, designer clothes and shoes, and eight bottles of Clase Azul Ultra luxury tequila, the release noted.

Contreras pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, theft and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds, a felony offense with a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Southern California stalker, extortionist facing nearly 4 years in prison

He was placed on administrative leave in August 2023 and is currently free on a $450,000 bond. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 25.

The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the United States Department of Educations Office of Inspector General are investigating this case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi speaks at an international forum on peace and solidarity with the Palestinian people held within the framework of the festival. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at an international forum on peace and solidarity with the Palestinian people held within the framework of the festival, the Vietnamese diplomat voiced deep concerns about the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in many civilian casualties, widespread damage to infrastructure, and a serious humanitarian crisis.

The ambassador emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire agreement and called on all relevant parties to adhere to international law, exercise restraint, avoid tension escalation and violence, and create a conducive environment for peaceful dialogue.

He emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire agreement, and called on all relevant parties to adhere to international law, exercise restraint, avoid escalating tensions and violence, and create a conducive environment for peaceful dialogue.

Vietnam values the role and significant contributions of United Nations (UN) agencies, especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the ambassador stated, affirming that the country welcomes and supports all international initiatives and proposals aimed at immediately ending the conflict.

Representatives of the seven political parties also voiced their solidarity with the Palestinian people, while calling on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in negotiations to end the conflict.

The festival saw the participation of nearly 1,500 delegates from PCdoB and 30 guests from Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Portugal, China, and Iraq, and international organisations. It serves as a venue for fraternal parties to show friendship and solidarity in struggles for peace and socialism worldwide.

The book on President Ho Chi Minhs life and career in Portuguese language was also displayed at an exhibition in the framework of the festival.

Previously, Ambassador Nghi paid a visit to Rio de Janeiro from March 18-21, and had working sessions with local authorities on activities to celebrate the 35th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Brazil. Representatives from Rio de Janeiro expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in education, tourism, culture, and cuisine with Vietnam.

Vice Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Nilton Caldeira affirmed the readiness to support the completion of procedures regarding the placement of a commemorative plaque marking President Ho Chi Minh's journey for national salvation in 1912.

At a meeting with the Vietnamese diplomat, Chairman of the Communist Party of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro Daniel Iliesco showed the desire to connect and increase exchanges between the Brazilian Union of Communist Youth and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU)./.
CAPTION CORRECTS INFO Former South African President Jacob Zuma addresses supporters of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Zuma's new party is involved in a copyright infringement case brought by the ruling African National Congress he used to lead. The ANC says MK is illegally using the name and a similar logo of the now disbanded military wing of the ANC that was called uMkhonto weSizwe. (AP Photo)

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Former South African President Jacob Zuma is not eligible to run in upcoming elections, the Independent Electoral Commission has ruled.

The commission said at a media briefing on Thursday that it had upheld an objection against Zuma's candidacy in the May 29 elections.

In July 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission that was investigating corruption allegations during his 2009-2018 presidency. He was granted medical parole after two months and allowed to serve the rest of the sentence under house arrest.

South Africa's Constitution bars people convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months' imprisonment, without an option of a fine, from holding public office.

Zuma and his legal team stormed out of the judicial proceedings when he was asked about wide-ranging allegations of corruption during his rule, including the role of an Indian family, the Guptas, who allegedly had influence over his Cabinet appointments.

Zuma, 81, has until April 2 to appeal the commission's ruling.

He is the now face of a new political party, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, abbreviated as MK, that has emerged as a potentially significant player in South Africa's upcoming elections after he denounced the governing African National Congress, which he had previously led.

The new party is named after the former military wing of the ANC which was disbanded at the end of white minority rule and racial segregation policies under the former apartheid regime.

Zuma's announcement that he is leaving the ANC has been one of the notable developments ahead of the elections.

His face is on the MK Party's election posters, he is the party's most prominent figure and the main speaker at their election rallies.

His battle against the ANC has landed in some of the country's highest courts, with the MK Party scoring a victory this week when a court ruled against the ANC's application to deregister the MK Party and ban it from participating in the elections.

In a separate case, the ANC is contesting the MK Party's use of its name and logo, which closely resembles that of the ANC's former military wing.

Local news outlet News24 reported that Zuma was involved in a car accident on Thursday, but was unharmed.
Former Vice President Al Gore offers his condolences to Hadassah Lieberman during the funeral for her husband, former Sen. Joe Lieberman in Stamford, Conn., Friday, March. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP)  The late Joe Lieberman on Friday was remembered by political allies and even a former foe as a mensch who both bridged and defied partisan political divides, during a funeral service for the four-term U.S. senator.

Former Vice President Al Gore, who ran for president on a Democratic ticket with Lieberman in the disputed 2000 election, told mourners at the Stamford, Connecticut, synagogue that there is no English equivalent for the Yiddish term. But, he said, they could find its definition by looking at Lieberman, who passed away this week at 82.

They find it in the way Joe Lieberman lived his life: friendship over anger, reconciliation as a form of grace," Gore said. "We can learn from Joe Liebermans life some critical lessons about how we might heal the rancor in our nation today.

A socially progressive foreign policy hawk, Lieberman was long known for his pragmatic, independent streak, which Gore noted sometimes left him exposed to partisan anger from both sides.

Gore, who said he first knew Lieberman as Connecticut's attorney general in the 1980s, praised him for being ready to reclaim friendships that had been seared by disagreements  including their own after their political paths diverged following the 2000 loss.

Embodying Lieberman's conciliatory powers, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont delivered a stirring eulogy, despite the two having engaged in a contentious battle for the Democratic nomination for Lieberman's Senate seat in 2006. The race drew national attention by focusing on Liebermans support for the war in Iraq. Lieberman lost the primary, but defeated Lamont as an independent.

Joking that they started on an inauspicious note, Lamont described Lieberman as a bridge over troubled waters amid "partisan sniping from both directions.

Lamont noted that Lieberman loved Frank Sinatra songs, especially My Way. He did it his way, Lamont said. He never quite fit in that Republican or Democratic box. I think maybe in an odd way I helped liberate him because when he beat me  he beat me pretty good, by the way  he won as an independent.

Other top Connecticut Democrats, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, also spoke at the service, which was attended by Republican Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, former Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy and former New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley.

Blumenthal said Liebermans accomplishments included helping to form the Department of Homeland Security and championing civil rights, voting rights, womens reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights. But the greatest accomplishment of his life was his marriage to Hadassah and their children and grandchildren, Blumenthal said, addressing Lieberman's widow before descending to join hands with her.

The service was held at Congregation Agudath Sholom, his hometown synagogue. Lieberman was a self-described observant Jew who followed the rules of the Jewish Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

While somber, Liebermans eulogists, family and friends shared hearty laughs, and celebrated his good humor. Lamont, for example, relayed stories from a former colleague about the challenges of finding kosher food on the campaign trail in Utah.

When Liebermans children spoke, the tears began to flow. Cousins dabbed tears as daughter Hani Lowenstein described his kindness to all, and his commitment to the Jewish principles of tikkun olam, which means repairing the damage in the world.

Lowenstein, who moved to Israel in 2018 with her family, said tearfully that she had prayed, Please God, give my father many more years. Let him see all of my kids bar mitzvahs, their weddings, his great-grandchildren. But she said God had other plans.

Lowenstein said her father would walk 5 miles (8 kilometers) in order to abide by the Jewish Sabbath's prohibition on riding in a car. You were literally someone who was sanctifying Gods name by everything you did, she said, as his casket lay below her, draped in a black blanket with a white star of David.

Matthew Lieberman, the former senators son from his first marriage, said Lieberman was a blessing for all of us but a solid slice of people nevertheless developed a hate for him. His father never hated them back, he said.

Were not the Hatfields and McCoys here," Matthew Lieberman said. "Were Americans, were fellow citizens in the greatest country in the history of the world. Were all humans and were all weve got.

As Gore's running mate, Joe 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 over Gore in Florida after a drawn-out recount, legal challenges and a Supreme Court decision. Lieberman was the first Jewish candidate on a major partys presidential ticket.

After losing the chance to serve as vice president with the Democrat Gore, Lieberman came close to becoming Republican John McCain's running mate in 2008. However, conservatives balked at the idea of tapping Lieberman, who was known for supporting socially liberal causes while taking a hawkish stand on military and national security matters.

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.

President Joe Biden on Thursday called Lieberman a friend, someone who was principled, steadfast and unafraid to stand up for what he thought was right.

Joe believed in a shared purpose of serving something bigger than ourselves, Biden, who served 20 years in the Senate with Lieberman, said in his statement. He lived the values of his faith as he worked to repair the wounds of the world.

___

Associated Press writer Susan Haigh contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Lieberman was Al Gore's running mate in 2000, not 1980.
(FORT CARSON, Colo.)  A fire on Fort Carson that started on Thursday, March 28 is now at 80% containment and is holding at just over 106 acres according to a statement from Fort Carson officials.

Fort Carson said the fire, called the Sam Houston fire, began on Thursday at around 1 p.m. behind Patriot Elementary School. While no students were in session due to spring break the school was evacuated. The Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center and Patriot School Age Services were also evacuated. Pre-evacuation orders were issued for the surrounding area.

Due to wind shifts making the fire erratic and the fires proximity to buildings and houses a large response to the fire and calls for mutual aid were made. According to Michael Madrid with the Fort Carson Fire Department, the majority of the fire was quickly knocked down.

The pre-evacuation orders were canceled at around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, and most children from Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center and Patriot School Age Services were reunited with their families

According to Fort Carson, as of 8 a.m. on Friday, March 29, the fire has not grown any further from 106 acres and is now at 80% containment. Fort Carson said there is no longer any threat to structures on the post and all children have been accounted for and reunited with their parents.

The Patriot School Age Center and Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center will be closed on Friday due to the large amounts of smoke.

Patriot School Age Center patrons will receive care at Mesa School Age Center. Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center mission essential patrons will receive care at Ivy Child Development Center. Patrons were notified through email and social media, writes Fort Carson officials.

The area will continue to have smoke throughout Friday, and Fort Carson fire crews will be working on interior hot spots and clearing any smoldering timber.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
A police officer yelled, "Im hit. Im hit pretty good," as a barrage of gun blasts echoed on the sixth floor of a Florida hotel.

Fort Lauderdale police received a "911 text" at 7:39 a.m. on March 21 from a hotel guest who said "Murder," without context, and the caller didn't respond to law enforcement's followup attempts to make contact.

By 8:42 a.m., the Holiday Inn was cleared, and responding officers  unsure whether there was another person in the room  ordered the suspect to come out with his hands up, newly released bodycam video shows.

When the door opened, the gunman open fired on a squad of police officers, who were trapped on a cramped hotel floor with no space to take cover.

911 DISPATCH REVEALS FORT LAUDERDALE RESPONSE AFTER POLICE OFFICER SHOT BEFORE BUSY SPRING BREAK WEEKEND

Bodycam videos from different Fort Lauderdale officers' bodycam shows police responding to a report that a man had killed someone in a hotel. The 911 call turned out to be phony.

The gunman  later identified as Karl Chludinsky  slammed the door, but the gun battle continued through the closed door.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Jack DiCristofalo was shot as the hail of gunfire raged.

MEXICAN CARTELS USE US BORDER TO ARM THEMSELVES WITH MILITARY-GRADE' WEAPONS: DOCS

Before the police arrived, 911 dispatch warned responding officers that Chludinsky was rambling, claiming that he was seeing a therapist and his wife was being raped.

"He is stating that he has fully automated and three handguns with him  Caller says he's not afraid to kill anyone," according to dispatch audio.

Responding units swarmed the hotel, and bodycam footage from different angles showed police barking orders to open the door and come out with hands up.

Initial 911 text on March 21 claiming "murder" in Fort Lauderdale hotel.

Karl Chludinsky, the gunman who opened fire on Fort Lauderdale police on March 21, was found dead.

Major Patrick Hart, who narrated the bodycam footage, said that Officer DiCristofalo tried to coax the suspect out of his room peacefully.

DiCristofalo repeatedly yelled, "Come out with your hands up," as officers in body armor stood behind them, their weapons pointed at the door.

Chludinsky was on the phone with 911 dispatch, who relayed what the suspect was saying.

POLICE IN FORT LAUDERDALE REPORT SURGE OF SPRING BREAKERS AMID MIAMI BEACH CRACKDOWN

He "sees the door moving and is about to shoot," dispatch told the officers, according to the video, which was released after public records requests and uploaded to YouTube Thursday.

Chludinsky's response was muffled, but it appeared he refused to open the door. When he finally did, he was seen with a gun in his right hand.

He lowered the weapon, pointed it at the police and opened fire, the bodycam video shows.

Bodycam cam video shows the gunman pointing his weapon (circled in red) at police before he began shooting, bodycam video shows

After firing a few times, he hid behind the door and retreated back inside the room.

The next 15 seconds were a nonstop hail of gunshots, until officers yelled, "I'm out. I'm out." There was a brief pause in the action as officers reloaded.

BRUTALLY VIOLENT MEXICAN CARTEL DRAINING AMERICANS' LIFE SAVINGS IN COMPLEX SCAM

Officer DiCristofalo said, "I'm hit. I'm hit pretty good."

The video switches to DiCristofalo's vantage point only, which was shown in slow motion as Major Hart describes what was happening.

"The suspect opened the door with a phone in his left hand and a gun in his right," Hart said. "The suspect brings the gun down towards the officers, and Officer DiCristofalo, with his service-issued rifle, fires at the suspect."

Bodycam from the injured officer shows the suspect (in slow motion) opening the hotel room door.

The suspect has a phone in his left hand and gun (circled in red) in his right, which he lowers at the officer.

He yelled, "Gun. Gun. Gun," and shot at the door, bodycam footage shows.

"It is important to note that our officers were acting on information that there could potentially be a victim inside the hotel room with the suspect," Major Hart said. "When officers attempted to make entry, the suspect fired at the officers through the door."

NY PET ALLIGATOR SEIZED BY STATE LIKE THEY WERE RAIDING A TERRORISTS HOME': OWNER

The initial gun battle ended, and a SWAT team followed up to break into the room, where they found the gunman dead, according to Hart.

It's unclear whether the gunman was killed during the gun battle or died by suicide.

DiCristofalo was injured, but his vest saved his life. He was treated at a hospital and released the same day, according to police.

The bullet that hit Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Jack DiCristofalo is lodged in his vest, which saved his life.

The state Department of Law Enforcement takes over the investigation, and the three officers who fired their weapons are placed on administrative leave, all of which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.

Fox News Digital's Elyse Perry contributed to this report.





Original article source: Fort Lauderdale police, gunman exchange fire in hotel after phony 'murder' 911 text, bodycam shows
For two days in a row, some crossing guards in Fort Mill have not shown up for duty. On Friday, Channel 9 learned they want officials to lower the speed limit in school zones after a crossing guard was hit and killed last week.

Channel 9s Tina Terry spoke to school officials and Fort Mills mayor, who said theyre already working to make some changes.

On Friday, a manager for those crossing guards sent an email to Channel 9, saying, ...simply put -- the guards that are out dont feel safe directing traffic. They can and should lower speeds to 25 mph in all school zones in Fort Mill that are higher than that.

Terry learned speed limits are not the same outside every Fort Mill school. At Fort Mill Elementary and Fort Mill Middle schools, where crossing guard Stanley Brucker died last week after being hit by a car, the school zone speed limit is 30 mph.

READ MORE:

Outside Springfield Elementary and Springfield Middle schools, its 35 mph.

People fly through there all the time, its pretty scary, said parent Rebecca Cooper.

She told Terry she has a daughter at River Trail Elementary School and she supports lowering the speed limit.

Im fine with it being 25, especially during school hours or something. It would completely make sense, she said.

On Friday, Fort Mills mayor sent a statement to Terry, saying in part, our town has been in contact with and will make a formal request of the South Carolina Department of Transportation to help lower the speed limit in our school zones, review all safety measures and signage and make all improvements needed to help prevent a future occurrence.

Cooper said she hopes school officials and police will even consider changing who directs traffic outside of local schools.

Personally, I think we should get police to do it, she said.

The Fort Mill superintendent sent an email to schools saying he is collaborating with SCDOT, law enforcement, local municipalities, and external organizations to enhance safety around schools. He said specific changes are still under discussion.

The district has a spring break next week, but Terry did reach out again to find out if the crossing guards who were out Friday will return when school resumes.

>> Bruckers family has created a GoFundMe to help pay for their expenses as they travel for his funeral. Click here to contribute.

Read the mayors full statement below:

The Town of Fort Mill as a whole has grieved the loss of our crossing guard, Mr. Brucker. Our police department and emergency services responded immediately to the accident and conducted a thorough investigation which has been reviewed by the 16th Circuit Solicitors Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol. Following strict protocol, the family was notified as was the driver and a statement was issued to the public.

We are in constant contact with our school district and are working with them to provide support during this time.

Our Town has been in contact with and will make a formal request of the South Carolina Department of Transportation to lower the speed limit in our school zones, review all safety measures and signage and make all improvements needed to help prevent a future occurrence.

(PREVIOUS: Crossing guard dies after being hit by car outside Fort Mill school, police say)
FILE - Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry speaks with reporters and city staff, Feb. 26, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Ind. Henry, who announced in February that he's been diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer, is in hospice care after suffering a medical emergency, his family said Thursday, March 28. (Corey McMaken/The Journal-Gazette via AP, File)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP)  Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry died Thursday, a day after after experiencing a medical emergency related to his stomach cancer. He was 72.

The announcement from his office that the Democratic mayor had passed away peacefully came just hours after Henrys family issued a statement saying he had entered hospice care after suffering a medical emergency.

Mayor Henry was a man of the highest character  a true servant leader who devoted his entire adult life to the betterment of Fort Wayne and its residents. He was also the best dad a son or daughter could ask for, the announcement from his spokesperson John Perlich said.

The earlier announcement from Henry's family said he was privately transported to a hospital where the mayor and his family consulted at length with his medical team, including his oncologist.

After careful consideration of the risks associated with surgical intervention, Mayor Henry has opted for comfort measures at this time. He is resting comfortably under the care of extremely skilled hospice nurses, the statement said.

Henry announced his diagnosis of late-stage stomach cancer on Feb. 26 during a news conference. He began chemotherapy at the beginning of March.

My initial scans have shown that the cancer is currently spreading through my lymph nodes and other organs, Henry said at the time. Therefore, my prognosis is not exactly encouraging.

Henry was elected in November to his fifth term as mayor of Indianas second most populous city with about 270,000 residents. Henrys wife, Cindy, died at age 67 on Jan. 20 after battling pancreatic cancer for more than a year.

Henry pleaded guilty in November 2022 to operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, had his license suspended for 90 days and received a suspended one-year jail sentence. He was arrested the month before with a blood-alcohol nearly twice Indianas legal limit.
Oil-dependent South Sudan is at risk of economic and political turmoil over the shutdown of a key pipeline in its war-torn neighbour, Sudan, experts have warned.

Analysts voiced deep concern at the loss of crucial oil revenue in one of the poorest countries on the planet, and the possibility it may force South Sudan's first ever elections to be delayed once again.

In a letter dated March 16, Sudan's energy minister declared force majeure over a "major rupture" on the pipeline that ships crude from South Sudan to the Red Sea city of Port Sudan for export.

It said the rupture occurred in February in a "military operations area" in Sudan, where conflict has been raging since April last year.

Boutros Magaya, head of a South Sudanese parliamentary sub-committee on petroleum, warned of the "grave implications" of the shutdown on people's livelihoods and security and that the country faced an "imminent economic crisis".

"With the loss of the majority of our national income, we face the grim prospect of a humanitarian disaster, political instability and security unrest (in) our already fragile state," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

- 'Significant losses' -

Despite its oil riches, the world's youngest nation has struggled to find its footing since independence from Sudan in 2011, battling ethnic violence, chronic instability, poverty and natural disasters.

About nine million of its 12.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UN figures.

Petroleum exports accounted for about 90 percent of South Sudan's national income and Magaya warned that it could lose at least $100 million a month without the oil sales.

"This will result in significant losses of income, increase in market prices, fuel shortages, prolonged power outages, disruptions in transportation, and other essential services that are vital for the well-being of our citizens."

South Sudan's ruling elite are accused by the UN of massive plundering of public coffers and resources, with the country ranked 177th out of 180 on Transparency International's corruption index.

When South Sudan became independent, it took over about three-quarters of the oil reserves of the old Sudan, while Khartoum retained control of all pipeline and export facilities.

According to the bp Statistical Review of World Energy, South Sudan produced 153,000 barrels per day in 2021, while Sudan's output was 64,000 bpd.

- Salaries unpaid -

Sudan has been at war since April 2023 when fighting erupted between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict has killed thousands of people, forced millions to flee -- including about 500,000 to South Sudan -- and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

The government in Juba, which has been involved in efforts to end the Sudan conflict, has not commented publicly on the force majeure declaration.

Boboya James Edimond, executive director of Juba-based think tank the Institute for Social Policy and Research, said oil sales have been financing 95 percent of government operations.

Even when the oil was flowing, he said the government has not been able to pay civil servant salaries for months.

"And if the oil is not going to be flowing, there will be a collapse of the government which might force citizens to go for protest and the military is likely to join," he warned.

Akol Maduok, head of the economics department at the University of Juba, said bluntly that the situation was "not good" for the average South Sudanese.

"The situation will worsen in the next two or three months because the central bank might run short of foreign reserves and it will not be able to supply hard currency into the market."

Andrew Smith, senior Africa analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, said the hit to government finances caused by the damaged pipeline meant it was "highly likely" the election scheduled for December will be delayed.

"Juba appealed for more financing for the polls from the international community in early February, before the pipeline was damaged," he said in a note to AFP.

"Any funds it receives to plug oil revenue shortfalls will now likely be directed towards placating the political elite, not election preparations which were already under resourced."

str-txw/kjm
French President Emmanuel Macron has tasked engineer Anne Bouverot with organising the world's next Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety summit, which is set to take place in France.

Bouverot has been asked to continue "ongoing international initiatives to contribute to an open and democratic global governance of AI".

The first such summit was organised by the UK in November last year in Bletchley Park, of World War II code-breaker fame. It resulted in the Bletchley Declaration, which was signed by 28 countries.

The declaration states that AI has the potential to "transform and enhance human wellbeing, peace and prosperity", but adds that it should be "designed, developed, deployed and used in a manner that is safe ... human-centric, trustworthy and responsible".

There has been much excitement over the development of artificial intelligence since OpenAI's ChatGPT arrived on the scene in late 2022, but the concerns over the potential harm the technology could cause have grown in parallel.

Disinformation

For example, the EU called on Facebook, TikTok and other tech giants on Tuesday this week to crack down on deepfakes and other AI-generated content by using clear labels ahead of Europe-wide polls in June.

Brussels especially fears the impact of Russian manipulation and disinformation on the elections, taking place in the bloc's 27 member states.

The committee has recommended that France invest 5 billion yearly over five years to keep up with the United States and China.



Read more on RFI English



Read also:

Big tech told to identify and label AI deepfakes ahead of EU elections

France slaps Google with 250m fine over EU media rules and AI use

France's Mistral AI signs partnership with Microsoft
Police have patrolled the Maurice Ravel school in Paris since death threats were made towards the headteacher [Getty Images]

France is setting up a mobile security force for schools "experiencing difficulties", days after the headteacher of a Paris school resigned because of death threats.

The head was falsely accused of striking a student in a row over her wearing an Islamic headscarf in school.

Education Minister Nicole Belloubet said the mobile force was intended to reassure teachers and boost security.

Tensions in French schools are high since the killing of two teachers.

Samuel Paty was decapitated on the street in a Paris suburb in 2020 and Dominique Bernard was killed at his school in Arras five months ago. Former students who had been radicalised were involved in both killings.

"Teachers are not alone and we are all forming a shield around them, around our schools," Ms Belloubet told reporters during a visit on Friday to a secondary school in Bordeaux.

The education ministry said the "mobile school force" would be composed of about 20 education officers who could be deployed within 48 hours from the start of the next school year, wherever local authorities needed additional support.

The team's mission would be to provide security in a school in "acute crisis", with the aim of providing internal security, reassurance and education skills.

In late February, the headteacher of the Maurice Ravel Lycee in Paris insisted his student remove her Islamic head-covering, in accordance with French law.

The student claimed the head had struck her during a heated exchange, but police found no evidence to support her claims.

However, after numerous death threats posted on social media, the headteacher announced his resignation this week, saying it was "out of concern for my own safety and that of the school".

Police have been patrolling around the school, and two people were detained in connection with the death threats. Police say they are not linked to the school.

Politicians on both the left and right have expressed outrage over the headteacher's situation and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Thursday the student would be sued by the state for making the false accusation.

MPs and local officials took part in a rally outside the school on Friday morning in support of the headteacher and to demand that secular rules remain enforced in French schools.

Nicole Belloubet has suspended France's ENT digital messaging system, used by teachers and students, because of a proliferation of threats.

Education officials have reported more than 320 threats made across France since the middle of last week which the minister blamed on students' personal accounts being hacked. In Paris alone about 50 schools had received bomb threats through the messaging system.

The ENT system enables students to access various educational resources online and Ms Belloubet said she hoped it would be up and running again next month after the spring break.

Several arrests have been made in connection with the online threats, including a 17-year-old and a man aged 21.
Without a free press there is no free society, and a countrys treatment of journalists  foreign and domestic  is as good a measure as any of the health of its democracy.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it seemed possible that Russia could, at last, become a place where the press was permitted to operate freely, a bulwark for Russians newfound liberties. Those hopes were dashed long ago. Under Vladimir Putins violent and repressive rule, journalists have been intimidated, arrested, censored and even murdered.

But the situation has deteriorated markedly since the launch of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. The introduction of draconian new laws has resulted in the wholesale silencing of reporters and the departure of foreign news organisations, at a time when understanding the situation on the ground in Russia could hardly be more important.

There can be no greater symbol of this appalling clampdown than the case of the 32-year old Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who  as of today  has been behind bars in Russia for an entire year. He is awaiting trial for espionage. But Mr Gershkovich is not a spy. He is a journalist who has been imprisoned simply for carrying out his duties as an accredited foreign correspondent.

A court this week extended Mr Gershkovichs detention by a further three months, the fifth such extension he has faced. Putin suggested earlier in the year that a prisoner swap could result in his release. But no journalist should be detained for doing their job in the first place. Journalism is not a crime. Russia should set Mr Gershkovich free immediately.

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China Homelife Vietnam 2024 opened on March 27 at Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

The exhibition brought together over 500 exhibitors that are Chinese manufacturers, displaying tens of thousands of products in the following industries: construction materials - hardware; household appliances - consumer electronics; textile - apparel, furniture - gifts; industrial machinery; and child care and energy - electricity.

Visitors to the booth at China Homelife 2024

At the exhibition, Chinese products serving family life, fabric and garment products with the AFF logo on prominent booths account for about 30% of the booths at the exhibition.

The exhibition has a scale of 600 booths displaying over 10,000 m2 with a variety of industries.

It is expected to attract over 10,000 customers, with many signed purchasing contracts, earning more than 1 billion USD.

The event is considered a commercial rendezvous to help Vietnamese businesses connect and trade with Chinese partners, thereby helping businesses from both sides update technology and expand markets, finding new business opportunities.

China Homelife 2024 will remain open until March 29, 2024./.
Free money for certain Fresno County residents to pay water bills

FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  As prices seem to rise for everyone, there is help for low-income Fresno County residents to pay water bills  but the help from the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission is about to expire.

According to the Fresno Economic Opportunity Commissions Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program page (LIHWAP) Fresno County Residents are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

A Fresno County resident

Live in a low-income household

Have a valid social security card

Have a valid ID (drivers license, California ID, and/or valid US identification)

Provide all pages of their current residences water bill (the current bill must have an overdue balance)

CalFresh food stamps documentation (if applicable)

The deadline for in-person applicants to apply for the LIHWAP is Friday, March 29; drop-box applications will be accepted until March 31.

Residents of over 20 cities in Fresno County are participating in the program and those outside the City of Fresno are urged to apply as well.

A list of participating water systems and participating cities can be found here. Officials say funds will be allocated based on eligibility criteria and available on a first come first serve basis.

In a statement, the Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission says they are encouraging residents to take advantage of the opportunity to receive this one-time assistance.

At this time, we dont have a limit on how many applications we are accepting, however, we do have a firm cutoff date, so it is important that families apply now. -Patty Ayala, Fresno EOC LIHWAP

Officials add that the LIHWAP team will be available on Friday, March 29th, from 8 am to 5 pm at 1900 Mariposa Street Suite 125 in Fresno to guide applicants through the process, and applications will be accepted until the last minute.

More information can be found here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
NEWPORT  Any hopes that the city could easily develop the land around the new Pell Bridge ramp realignment by itself were dampened on Wednesday as the City Council learned that acquiring the land, whether it is developable or not, would probably require having a bigger entity, like the state, along for the ride.

I dont think that the 20 acres and all the potential around it is any less important to the economic future of the State of Rhode Island than downtown Providence, said Colin Kane, chair of the citys Ad Hoc Bridge Ramp Realignment Property Advisory Commission. Newport contributes as much and is as important to the future health of the state and it's a great thing. There are so many positive things that can happen, but we have to get that support and we have to get it as quickly as possible.

Since November, Kanes commission has been studying the possibilities available to the city for acquiring and redeveloping the 25 acres of land that will be freed up once the RI Department of Transportation finishes realigning the ramps coming off of the Pell Bridge. The hope was that the city might be able to acquire the land, which is currently owned by RIDOT, and remediate it to redevelop it as envisioned in the North End Urban Plan.

The new Pell Bridge ramp system as part of the project expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

However, the commission soon came across several roadblocks to that goal, the most urgent of which was the difficulty the commission had in determining where the borders of these new parcels would be and what condition the land is in. The commission was also tasked with understanding the process RIDOT has for land acquisition.

In the commissions first official update to the City Council during its regular Wednesday meeting, Kane said state regulations require RIDOT to sell the property freed up by the project at fair market value. This fair market value would have to be determined by third-party appraisers, a process that would only commence after the work on the Pell Bridge Ramp Realignment project closes out, sometime around October 2026.

The close-out process not only encompasses the physical conclusion to the construction of the ramps, but also legal proceedings. There were 144 takings, where the government obtained private property for public use, many of which happened in the 1960s, Kane said. By statute, RIDOT has to track these 144 cases down and offer the property to the owners heirs. Some of the land may also be retained by RIDOT for future improvements, for things such as stormwater and utilities.

While Kane said the commission has received a commitment from RIDOT to accelerate the close out process, he suggested that the city take the time in the interim to start assessing the properties, their condition and their potential value. He said the area around the Pell Bridge ramp realignment project looks very wet and struggles with stormwater and flooding problems, which could mean the land is potentially undevelopable.

If half of it is wetland, then half of it you cant build on and half of it is unsuitable soils, we shouldnt pay for it, nor would I suggest we take control of it, because it has no market value and no merit and, quite frankly, is a liability, Kane said.

Kanes perspective on this issue is unique in that he helmed a similar commission, the I-195 Redevelopment Commission that was charged with overseeing the land left over after I-195 was relocated in Providence, from 2011 to 2015. That commission, however, was a state-appointed agency, and Kane expressed frustration with the comparative lack of resources and cooperation from other parties.

Traffic troubles: Pell Bridge ramp work delayed to April. What to know.

When 195 was formed, I had an incredibly cooperative level of support from every single state agency, the City of Providence and every utility provider, Kane said. DOT not only welcomed us into their buildings, they organized the meetings for us They were the lead, quite frankly, in helping us understand what needs to be done for the 195 Commission to take title and then to be prepared to get it developed. It went from completion to shovel-ready very quickly.

Kane said this is why he believed the commission and the City of Newport cannot redevelop this land alone. He recommended that the city partner with the state of Rhode Island to have the resources needed to complete the project.

We cannot do it alone, Kane said. The redevelopment of the North End cannot be completed by the City of Newport itself. We are too small.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Pell Bridge ramp land development in Newport draw concerns
This article was originally published in Alabama Reflector.

The Equal Justice Initiative will soon open a third site in the Montgomery area memorializing victims of racial violence.

Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, a 17-acre site located on the banks of the Alabama River on the north side of Montgomery, focuses on American slavery. Bryan Stevenson, the executive director of EJI, said the site aims to convey the brutality and horror of American slavery, and the resilience and hope of those in it.

With any honesty about the lives of enslaved people, it is not just Alabama, it is all across this country, that we dont have a very extensive or developed record about the experience of being enslaved, about living through enslavement, and about the legacy of slavery, he said on Monday.

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The park is scheduled to open to the public by the end of the month.

Montgomery was a major center of slavery and the domestic slave trade. In 1860, 23,710 people in the county  66% of the population  were enslaved. The city served as the first capital of the Confederacy. According to EJI, some 400,000 people were held in bondage along the Alabama River just prior to the Civil War. The nonprofit says that rail lines near the park were built by enslaved people in the 1850s, and were used in the buying and selling of human beings.

The Black community in the city maintained a long tradition of activism, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and the Selma-to-Montgomery march in 1965, both key events in the modern civil rights movement.

Montgomery, for a long time, has defined itself as the Cradle of the Confederacy, the heart of Dixie, which means we are centered in a space that, in many ways, connects to the challenges that we are trying to address and educate people about, Stevenson said. But I also think Montgomery has an important role to play in leading the nation.

The opening of the park is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, so much so that The New York Times featured Montgomery as one of the best places to visit in 2024.

Freedom Monument Sculpture Park serves to complement and build on the themes that are present at the other two EJI sites located within the city. The Legacy Museum looks at the history of slavery, segregation and mass incarceration and explores their impact on Black Americans and the nation as a whole.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which opened to national acclaim in 2018, honors victims of lynching in the United States. There are sculptures and features placed within the space that testify to the experiences of those who died and the impact it had for their loved ones.

I still felt there was a need to have something that you could experience the legacy of slavery around, Stevenson said. I have been around to the plantations that exist in this country, and to be honest, I dont think any really, honestly, present the story of slavery centered on the lives of enslaved people.

The park is laid out in a circular path that traces the history of the institution of slavery and begins with the transatlantic passage of people kidnapped from Africa to be sold into bondage.

Visitors are presented with information about their ultimate destination in the country, from the south to even as far north as counties in New Jersey.

Further down the path, visitors encounter displays on how people were trafficked to Montgomery to be sold. There is a rail car on the grounds that people can walk into and experience how slaves traveled centuries ago.

The Freedom Monument Sculpture Park includes two 170-year-old dwellings from a plantation in Alabama where enslaved families lived for generations. The third dwelling is a replica that reveals the most common size and design of dwellings.

The site also includes a whipping post to give people a sense of the agony that people who were enslaved had to endure when they were punished.

Sculptures

The park features sculptures from different artists  many African American, African or indigenous  that focus on different aspects of slavery, from the brutality of bondage to the courage of the enslaved. The park is designed to mix art and history in depicting the struggles of those seeking freedom and justice.

One sculpture places fingers around a tree growing from the ground, was done by Eva Oertli and Beat Huber is called The Caring Hand. A second statue features two arms with one holding a club is called Strike by Hank Willis Thomas.

The park also includes bricks made by enslaved people 175 years ago that visitors will be able to touch, as well as chains used to traffic the enslaved.

The main attraction is a 50-foot-tall monument listing 122,000 surnames of the 4.7 million slaves living in the nation according to the 1870 Census, the first taken after slavery and the first that recorded the names of former slaves.

Visitors descended from enslaved people can use a website to trace where their ancestors lived. They can also stop by the visitor center to research the different locations where slaves lived and find the surnames of those who lived in those locations.

The most extraordinary thing, I think, about people who were enslaved in this country is they are people who learned to love in the midst of sorrow, Stevenson said. I would not be here if my enslaved fore parents had not found a way to love in the midst of sorrow, to create something hopeful, like a family, like a future, despite the brutality.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
Prosecutors say the man lured his victims on dating apps (Martin BUREAU)

A French court on Friday jailed a man for 18 years for raping and sexually assaulting several women he had lured on dating apps and social media to take their picture.

Salim Berrada, a 38-year-old former photographer from Morocco, was found guilty of 12 rapes and three sexual assaults and will be obliged to leave France in the "Tinder rapist" case, named after the popular dating app.

He was charged with raping or sexually assaulting 17 women, but he was acquitted of rape for two alleged victims because of a lack of evidence and the benefit of the doubt.

Berrada remained emotionless as the verdict was read out while his victims were heard breathing sighs of relief as the presiding judge read out their names one by one.

When the hearing was declared over, several of the women stood up to applaud, shout "thank you" and hug each other after the two-week trial.

- 'Extremely dangerous' -

Prosecutors had requested 19 years' jail for Berrada, saying he invited women he met online in 2015 and 2016 to modelling photo shoots and assaulted them during the encounters, most after spiking their drink.

The defendant had denied the charges, saying the sexual relations were all consensual.

The prosecutor on Thursday argued that Berrada was "addicted to sex and preying" on women, had a "very well-established, sly and compulsive modus operandi" and was "extremely dangerous".

The investigation found that he followed a list of pick-up lines and compliments he had in an Excel spreadsheet, reaching out to potential victims "en masse".

When women arrived for a modelling session, Berrada offered them a drink, prosecutors said.

Once they accepted, the women said they felt an abnormal and rapid inebriation and sudden weakness, which investigators said pointed to the drinks being laced with drugs.

The women then described a sudden change in Berrada's attitude, and said he forced himself on them despite their objections.

The prosecutor cited one accuser as saying she "cried from beginning to end".

The defendant told the trial some of his accusers had convinced themselves that he was a rapist, some had "lied", and others might have led him to think they were consenting "because they said 'yes' to put on a brave face".

His lawyers say toxicology reports did not prove he spiked any drinks, and some of the women he met later sent him messages saying they looked forward to seeing him again.

The prosecutor said Berrada was especially dangerous because he was a repeat offender.

Berrada was first arrested in 2016 and spent two and a half years in prison awaiting trial before being released under judicial supervision and banned from working as a photographer.

He was jailed again in July following a fresh wave of legal complaints, and again charged with rape and sexual assault.

The investigation into the new allegations is ongoing.

mdh/imm/js
From left to right, Reps. Neal Foster, D-Nome; CJ McCormick, D-Bethel; and Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, talk before a session of the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

For more than five decades, a group of rural Alaska lawmakers known as the Bush Caucus have at times played a king-making role in the Alaska Legislature.

Rural lawmakers have frequently put regional interests above those of party loyalty, and their willingness to cross the partisan aisle has frequently given them outsized power in the Capitol. Last year, the groups willingness to join Republicans swung control of the entire House.

But this year, the group once known as the ice bloc appears to have cracked, with Republican Rep. Thomas Baker of Kotzebue often on the opposite side of votes cast by Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham; Neal Foster, D-Nome; and CJ McCormick, D-Bethel.

Its certainly a departure from a time-honored tradition, which is unfortunate, Edgmon said.

The influence of the Bush Caucus in the Legislature has come in part from its members working together, and the divide could damage that influence. In a closely divided state House, it also has implications for the rest of the state.

When the state House debated Senate Bill 140, the big multipart education bill, the House split 20-20 on a proposal from Gov. Mike Dunleavy to pay cash bonuses to teachers. Baker voted for it. The non-Republican members representing northern or western districts voted against it, killing the idea.

When Dunleavy vetoed SB 140, the non-Republicans voted to override the veto. Baker voted to sustain the veto, which was upheld by a single vote.

All of the legislators have a responsibility to fight for their districts and its no different for those of us from rural Alaska, Baker said in response to emailed questions. He did not respond to a request for an in-person interview.

We all have unique needs for the areas we represent and I would say we typically agree on things while there are other times we may have different strategies for how to do what is best for our people, he said.

Rep. Thomas Baker, R-Kotzebue, speaks in favor of House Joint Resolution 20 on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Rep. Thomas Baker, R-Kotzebue, speaks on March 1. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Baker was appointed to office by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in December, following the election of former Rep. Josiah Aullaqsruaq Patkotak, I-Utqiagvik, as mayor of the North Slope Borough.

Because Patkotak was an independent, state law allowed Dunleavy to pick a district resident of any political stripe.

He chose a Republican, and Baker became the first Republican since John Curtis in the first Alaska State Legislature to represent a state House or Senate district north of the Brooks Range.

Party ID doesnt matter, the other northern and western representatives said.

I actually chat with him a lot. So I keep it very cordial, and we get along just fine, Foster said.

Even if were not in alignment, were still, in a way, the Bush Caucus, McCormick said.

Instead, its the votes and policies that matter, the three non-Republicans say, and theyve been puzzled by the choices their Republican coworker is making.

Its disappointing sometimes to see where votes land. Im trying to understand why those votes are being made, because they dont seem like they represent the region, McCormick said.

I get the strong feeling that his district really wanted him to do the override on (Senate Bill) 140. I guess the question is: Is he voting for things that his district wants? Foster said.

Baker addressed the issue in response to an emailed question.

Regarding my vote on Senate Bill 140, I fully support doing everything we can to fund our schools, he said. One circumstance around this bill was that it was not a package that all parties could agree upon as the right way to move forward. I have been working with my colleagues in the House to improve on the previous bill to get funding secured as well as ensuring that there is communication with the Senate and the Governor as all three entities need to sign off on any bill for it to pass.

On March 1, when the House voted on a Baker-sponsored resolution criticizing federal management of the National Petroleum Reserve on the North Slope, McCormick and Edgmon left the room shortly before the vote.

McCormick declined to say whether his absence was intended to slight Baker, while Edgmon said it was a simple accident, and he has since apologized.

Regardless of the reason, the incident angered Baker, other legislators said. He did not answer an emailed question seeking comment.

Some commentators see Baker acting in alignment with Dunleavy, who appointed him. Jeff Landfield, an Anchorage political writer, noted that according to Dunleavys public calendar, he met with Baker five times in February, an unusually large number.

Foster has been in a similar position.

In 2009, Former Gov. Sean Parnell appointed Foster to the Legislature to fill a vacancy caused by the death of his father, legislator Richard Foster. Speaking this week, Foster said he remembers feeling some sense of obligation to Parnell during that first year.

That first year, I remember him pulling me into his office a couple of times and saying, Hey, would really love you to support us on some things, and sometimes I could, sometimes I couldnt, but I do remember feeling a little more of that pressure, Foster said.

After Foster won election on his own merits, he said that pressure went away.

If he makes it back next year, maybe hell also feel like, I did this on my own, I wasnt appointed, and I maybe can be a little more independent, Foster said.

Baker did not answer a question asking whether he feels the same pressures that Foster described.

On Monday, Baker joined three other Republican legislators in voting to cancel a hearing on prison deaths that McCormick had scheduled in the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee.

Yesterday was pretty brazen, and Im not really super happy that I got pantsed like that on the record, McCormick said the day afterward.

Asked about the incident, Baker said, my intent was to follow the uniform rules of the Legislature. Following the distribution of a memo from Legislative Legal Services on the topic of ongoing lawsuits I felt it was most appropriate to not suspend the rules and to not hear the intended presentation.

Foster said that even if there is friction between rural members, the Bush Caucus still maintains a great deal of influence. The House Majority has only 23 members, and discounting the three non-Republicans would leave it with just 20, not enough to function.

In the Legislature, you cant get mad at the way someone votes, Foster said, because that legislator knows their district best, but I do recognize that there is a little bit of a difference in the way were approaching things for our common rural constituency, Foster said.

Were not always getting the things that we want, Foster said. But that is the process. And some days you win. And some days you dont. We all have to lick our wounds and keep moving forward.

The post Friction affects Alaskas influential Bush Caucus appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
A friendly dog was found roaming in the North Carolina mountains  and still needs a home one year later, an animal shelter said.

A good Samaritan was hiking in the North Carolina wilderness when she found a stray dog with no collar in February 2023. She reportedly put the hungry and cold animal in her car and took him to the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society.

We were happy to give this boy a clean, warm and safe space to stay, plenty of food for his empty tummy, and all the vaccinations and preventatives he needed, the shelter wrote March 27 in a Facebook post.

Now, more than a year after the rescue, Miles the dog is still in need of a new owner. The humane society believes the roughly 4-year-old pup has been overlooked because hes a hound.

Hound dogs have a bad reputation for being stubborn and unruly and while that is true in some cases, they are also eager to please, shelter manager Kaitlyn Moss Villarreal told McClatchy News in an email. Just like every dog in our care, I think Miles would thrive in the right environment.

Miles made it to safety after he was seen wandering along one of the trails in Panthertown Valley. The 6,300-acre area  which boasts gorges, waterfalls and other natural features  is sometimes called the Yosemite of the East, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

In honor of the many rugged and beautiful trails found in the Yosemite of the East, we named this dog Miles, the shelter wrote in a past social media post.

The humane society thinks Miles may have been a lost hunting dog, though no one claimed him and he didnt have a microchip. Hes described as a sweet pup that gets along well with people and other dogs.

The shelter said the ideal home would have a fenced-in yard and loving humans who live an active lifestyle that would give Miles plenty of opportunity for exercise and adventure. More details about the animal organizations adoption process can be found at chhumanesociety.org.

The humane society is in Sapphire, a roughly 55-mile drive southwest from Asheville.

Confused shelter dog thinks cars pulling up are his family. But he still needs a home

Charming dog has spent 400 days at NC shelter. See him treated to a day at the beach
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Riley Strains funeral services are set for Friday in Springfield, Missouri.

Strain, a University of Missouri student, went missing earlier this month in Nashville, Tennessee, and was found dead on March 22 after a two-week search.

A missionary for Pope Francis is now offering to pay for all of Strains funeral costs. Father Jim says he does random acts of kindness. Through social media, Father Jim was able to connect with Strains family and offered to pay for his funeral expenses.

2024 Solar Eclipse: These Missouri and Illinois cities offer the longest totality

According to Strains obituary, a visitation will be held Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greenlawn Funeral Home. A celebration of life ceremony will follow the visitation. His family has asked visitors to wear green for the funeral because it was his favorite color.

A private burial service will be held at a later time.

Strain disappeared while on a fraternity trip on March 8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Around 9:30 p.m. that night, he was escorted out of a downtown Nashville bar. Strain told his friends he was headed back to the hotel, but he never made it.

Police do not suspect foul play in his death. One autopsy determined his death to be accidental, though his family is requesting a second autopsy.

Family members remember Strain as outgoing, a great kid and much more than a college kid having fun.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Nearly a year has passed since many Californians went berserk over a proposed income-based fee that would be added to electric bills.

The idea was simple: The more you earned, the more you would pay. PG&E, for example, proposed a $92-per-month charge for customers earning over $180,000 per year.

The income-based fee would pay only for transmission costs and would apply in some amount to all customers, depending on how much they earned. Meanwhile, customers would get a break on the rate they paid for their actual electricity use.

Utilities were not supposed to profit under the new way of billing. Even so, there was almost universal outrage over what some described as a commie pricing system.

Not only that, utilities would have to come up with a method to verify customers incomes  and many saw that as a clear invasion of privacy.

After many months of uncertainty, it appears we finally have some clarity. And no, there will be no $92-per-month charge for high-earners  cue the sighs of relief.

This column is part of The Tribunes Reality Check series.

Public Utilities Commission issues proposal

On Wednesday, the California Public Utilities Commission proposed a flat rate of $24.15 per month for the majority of customers, with a couple of exceptions. Low-income customers already receiving some form of subsidy will pay less  either $6 or $12 per month, depending on income qualifications.

As the new flat rate takes effect, the usage rate will decrease by 5 to 7 cents per kilowatt hour. According to the PUC, that will translate into a cost savings for some customers. An average customer in Fresno, for example, would save $33 over the summer, according to a PUC fact sheet.

Thats not a huge amount, but the PUC maintains that by bringing down the cost of electricity, it will be more economical to transition away from fossil fuels.

Not everyone sees it as a fair proposal.

The Sierra Club objected that it lumps customers making $50,000 a year into the same tier as multi-millionaires. As a result, lower middle-class families that dont use much energy would likely pay more, while wealthy customers who suck up lots of juice would get a break.

Another group likely to be unhappy: homeowners who invested in solar panels primarily to save on their energy bills. They will be billed the same flat rate as other customers. Not exactly an incentive to switch to rooftop solar.

It all started with the Legislature

The PUC proposal, which is tentatively scheduled for a vote on May 9, is the culmination of months of negotiations and backtracking involving the commission, the utilities and state lawmakers.

It was, in fact, the state Legislature that started the whole brouhaha. In 2022, it quietly passed Assembly Bill 205, requiring investor-owned utilities like PG&E to adopt the new billing structure.

The goal was two-fold: To provide a stable revenue stream to upgrade the grid and pay for fire prevention and energy efficiency projects, and to protect low-income customers who can ill afford hefty rate increases.

But following a huge public backlash, legislators attempted to soften the blow by proposing legislation that would undo parts of the original law.

Utilities were instructed to come up with just two proposed tiers  one for ratepayers already enrolled in programs for low-income customers and another for everyone else. That way, there would be no need to verify personal incomes.

They responded with proposals ranging up to $73 per month  the amount submitted by San Diego Gas & Electric. PG&E proposed $51 per month.

In that context, the PUCs proposal of $24.15 seems like a decent compromise, though there will doubtless be efforts to persuade commissioners to revise it. Those may or may not be successful; judging by their past decisions, its unlikely the commissioners will deviate much from the proposal.

But at least for now, this much seems certain: Aside from ratepayers who qualify for subsidies, the rest of us will be in the same boat as far as the flat rate goes  whether we make $50,000 per year or $500,000.
The Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority board is poised to face dramatic changes to its governance and structure in the coming months, given all of its members resigned and the fact that its very existence may be placed on a ballot later this year.

In the first meeting since each member resigned, Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority Chair Craig Carter briefly addressed the changes in GRU governance Wednesday evening.

Anybody that's been in Gainesville or basically on the planet understands this entire board has resigned, effective 60 days from our resignation letter, or in my thoughts, until the governor appoints a new board, Carter said.

Members of the Gainesville's GRU Authority hold their first meeting in City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. All board members were appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and only one lives in Gainesville's city limits.

I want to let everybody know, whether it be the ratepayers or maybe employees of this utility, we are going to work until we're not working anymore. So, until the last day, our goal is to still do what's right for the ratepayers and this utility. We have amazing employees in this utility and theres a lot of confusion going on. I can only apologize for that.

Earlier GRU coverage: Gainesville residents may get to vote on future of GRU Authority

Earlier GRU coverage: GRU shakeup: All members of governor-appointed GRU Authority board to resign

The authority board, created and passed by a Republican Florida Legislature and spearheaded by Rep. Chuck Clemons, has been contentious since it was first proposed. The board completely stripped the all-Democrat commission of its power over the utility and handed it to a board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Most recently, all four members of the board submitted resignation letters over a lawsuit that determined many were not eligible for the position as written in the bill, and the applications were not properly noticed by the governor. The lawsuit, filed by a citizens group Gainesville Resident United, was one of a few filed against the board.

Some of the existing members may be able to secure a second appointment to the board. Carter, the only member residing in city limits, seems like a probable reapplicant. Of the other three members who live outside of the city, one may find his way back onto the board per the conditions in the bill.

But, with a new ordinance the Gainesville commission has in the works, there may not even be a GRU Authority at all by next year.

Gainesville city commissioners voted unanimously last week to have city staff work toward getting the authority on this years ballot. The potential ballot measure would allow citizens to decide whether to keep the article of the citys charter that created the authority.

Many critics of the bill have called it undemocratic since voters previously rejected the 2018 referendum that called for a board. A similar 2017 bill from Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, was also previously vetoed by then-Gov. Rick Scott.

City Attorney Daniel Nee said on Thursday that a draft of the ordinance should be ready to be read on April 18. The commission will need to have two supermajority votes in order to get the ordinance onto the ballot.

Commissioners discussed various ways to approach the ordinance, weighing whether they will strike out the article entirely or just amend it. They also considered the possibility of placing GRU management under the city managers office rather than having a designated charter officer for the utility like they had in Tony Cunningham prior to the authority.

I think that there is a will for reform with GRU, for us to talk about governance in a much broader way, Commissioner Bryan Eastman said. Then we can continue that discussion as to what does GRU you look like future, is there certain provisions or ordinances that we can pass ourselves that that might streamline governance and make things work. But it's (a simple process) to let the voters decide yes or no on this. I think it's the right way to go.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What next? GRU Authority board faces changes
Authorities say Ansari was hospitalised on Thursday after his health deteriorated [Getty Images]

A gangster-turned-politician has died of cardiac arrest in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, authorities said on Thursday.

Mukhtar Ansari, the 63-year-old, five-time lawmaker from the state, had been in jail in since 2005.

The circumstances of his death are disputed by his family who say he was given a "poisonous substance" in jail.

Police tightened security in the state as crowds thronged outside Ansari's home after the news of his death.

Ansari, who ran his own gang in the 1990s, had more than 60 criminal cases against him, 15 of which included murder charges.

He joined politics and won his first state election in 1996 in his home constituency of Mau. He remained a lawmaker from the seat till 2022.

In April 2023, he was convicted for killing Krishnanand Rai, a lawmaker of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He received a life sentence earlier this month for a 1990 case involving fake arms licenses.

On Thursday, jail authorities in Banda district said Ansari was taken to hospital after he complained of vomiting.

"The patient was provided immediate medical care by a team of nine doctors," a medical bulletin by the Rani Durgavati Medical College said. "But, despite their best efforts, he died due to a cardiac arrest."

Mukhtar Ansari had been in jail in since 2005 [Getty Images]

Ansari's brother Afzal Ansari, an MP from the state, alleged that he was poisoned.

"Mukhtar said that he was given a poisonous substance in food in jail," Mr Ansari told reporters on Thursday.

"This happened for the second time. Around 40 days ago also he was given poison. And recently on 19 March and 22 March , he was again given this [poison] due to which his condition deteriorated."

Ansari had been hospitalised on Tuesday after a fall in the washroom, according to jail authorities.

He was initially treated in jail and then taken to the hospital for further treatment and discharged after 14 hours, they said in a statement.

On Thursday, following the announcement of Ansari's death, Uttar Pradesh police issued curfew orders in the state and held flag marches in certain parts.

Ansari's son Umar Ansari said he learnt the details of his father's deteriorating health through media reports and had received no information from authorities before his death.

"Two days ago, I came to meet him, but I was not allowed [to]," he said.

Ansari's post-mortem will be carried out on Friday.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Tuna exports to the CPTPP market are increasing rapidly

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) in February 2024, Vietnams tuna exports could not maintain the same growth momentum as in the first month of the year, as export value of the commodity reached nearly 52 million USD, a year-on-year decrease of 11%. However, in the first 2 months of the year, tuna exports bagged over 131 million USD, an increase of 21%.

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, by the end of February, Vietnams exports of all tuna product groups increased compared to the same period last year (except frozen tuna meat or loin code HS03034 and steamed tuna loin). In particular, the export of canned tuna products increased sharply by 53%. The proportion of canned tuna exports in Vietnams total tuna export turnover is also increasing.

Ms. Nguyen Ha, an expert in tuna market from VASEP said that this year, Vietnamese tuna exporters have made efforts to expand the market right from the beginning of the year. In the 2 months, tuna products have been exported to more than 80 markets, compared to 70 markets last year.

Tuna exports to markets such as the US and EU have declined, but the remaining market blocks have seen high growth.

Typically, in the CPTPP market block, tuna exports are continuing to grow. Notably, tuna exports to Canada and Chile are increasing rapidly, up 146% and 116% respectively./.
CHICAGO  A Gary man was extradited to Illinois Thursday for allegedly firing several shots on the Bishop Ford during a road rage incident.

Andrew Santana, 24, is accused of striking a vehicle several times with gunfire on Sunday evening. Police said the incident was road rage-related and took place in the southbound lanes near 154th Street.

Chicago man accused in road rage shooting along I-57

Santana was arrested in Northwest Indiana. He was extradited Thursday on the charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Protesters blocked some lanes of San Franciscos busy Embarcadero on Friday. People participating in the protest by Pier 32 stood in the Embarcaderos northbound lanes around noon.

Protest organizers said they are denouncing an American military ship, USNS Harvey Milk, that they believe is slated to navigate out of the San Francisco Bay and make a voyage to war-torn Gaza. The massive ship was still in the SF Bay as of Friday afternoon.

Demonstrators are concerned that the ship may deliver supplies to help Israels military in the midst of the Hamas-Israeli war.

Protestors are now blocking north bound traffic of San Franciscos Embarcadero. @kron4news pic.twitter.com/sj4iYv7Q0U  Rob Nesbitt (@RobNesbittNews) March 29, 2024

It is outrageous and unacceptable that our government continues to fund and supply the Israeli military as it carries out genocide against the people of Gaza, said Lara Kiswani of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center.

The US Navy vessel arrived in the bay Thursday by passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. U.S. Navy officials declined to confirm to KRON4 an exact destination for the war ship, only that its going to the Middle East.

Protesters stand on San Franciscos Embarcadero on March 29, 2024. (KRON4 photo / Rob Nesbitt)

According to the U.S. Navys website, USNS Harvey Milk routinely provides fuel, oil, food, and potable water to other Navy ships at sea. The vessel is operated by Military Sealift Command.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was among several officials who attended a ceremony on the ship Friday. Many protestors tried to scale the piers fence, despite warnings from police. Pelosi drove away shortly after protestors showed up.

The clear majority of people in the country  and across the world  are opposed to Israels war in Palestine. Rather than celebrate this vessels participation in Israels violations of human rights and international law, Rep. Pelosi needs to represent her constituents and join the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire now, Kiswani said.

San Francisco police did not say if any arrests were made. By 3 p.m., traffic on the Embarcadero was not impacted.

Why was Bay Bridge blocked? Bridge protest explained

Fridays protest follows a number of demonstrations around the Bay Area aimed at disrupting maritime activities that may support Israels war.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Nearly four years after the murder of George Floyd by one of its police officers, the city of Minneapolis says it is drawing up a plan for the future of the intersection now referred to as George Floyd Square.

Construction around the area of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis isn't expected to happen until after 2026, but by December 2024 the city is due to release a vision document defining key unanswered questions about the site. They include:

Whether the city should play any future role in the square's racial justice memorials, currently maintained by community volunteers.

Who should own the People's Way, a former Speedway gas station converted to a protest headquarters.

How the street itself should be redesigned to better enable delivery of basic services to an area that has been intermittently closed to outside traffic.

Convening community members around a shared vision for George Floyd Square has been a lengthy and often uncomfortable process. Divergent opinions over public safety, unresolved trauma and mistrust of the city's agenda permeated public engagement meetings last year.

"There's obviously a lot of sensitivity around what level of involvement does the city have in a man that they murdered, right?" said project manager Alexander Kado of the Office of Public Service. "We want to understand how can the city support that process, how can we preserve spaces in the right-of-way, remembering that George Floyd was murdered in the right-of-way? How do we preserve those spaces with this design process so that they're protected?"

Early steps

The city's efforts at community engagement have unfolded slowly and deliberately, and resulted in a bundle of local values including community safety, social justice, economic vitality and design that promotes healing.

In 2023, the city purchased the People's Way from a California real estate investment group after the burned body of a man was found inside the building. While some objected to the city taking ownership of an active protest site surrounded by community art, the city said buying the property was critical for liability and eventual redevelopment into something that benefits the area.

What kind of establishment the People's Way could be and who would own it remains up in the air. City officials seek to gather input at a series of community conversations, including a dinner and dialogue attended by about 200 people Thursday evening at the Sabathani Community Center.

"It's not all predetermined, because we want to use the information that we get from each session to actually dictate the next session," said Anthony Taylor of the Cultural Wellness Center, who's running engagement in 2024. "We have a structure, but it will also be organic and informed by the people participating in the process."

This year, the city will be asking the public to decide what sort of memorials to Floyd and racial justice should be installed at the square permanently, and whether the city should play any part. Mayor Jacob Frey has committed to the premise that no traffic should ever cross the spot where Floyd took his last breath, but beyond that, everything regarding a future memorial is open-ended.

Meanwhile, the actual streets of 38th and Chicago, built in the 1950s, are in need of a refresh. Protestors' closure of the intersection to transit in the aftermath of Floyd's murder changed its function.

The city on Thursday proposed a range of options for a future redesign, including: Open access for all modes of transportation including cars; limited access for pedestrians, bikes, buses and emergency, maintenance and delivery vehicles only; or a pedestrian mall with access only for critical vehicles. The last option would require passage of a bill allowing cities across the state to convert streets to pedestrian malls, which has also been suggested for a potential makeover of downtown's Nicollet Mall.

Community feedback

The purpose of Thursday's dinner was to gather more input about community priorities for the square. Some attendees wanted to move faster.

"It's been years since it occurred and I've been other places where George Floyd has been honored," said business owner Audra Robinson. "I would challenge everyone to go to Freedom Park in Raleigh, N.C., to see a great example of what can happen. Who is responsible, where's the committee and what is the planned date for something to be erected?"

Willie Frazier of Finish Touch Boutique, a longtime business owner based in George Floyd Square, also expressed his frustrations with how long the planning process has taken. "Do something!" he shouted. "I pay rent! Enough is enough ... Y'all don't know what's going on over there."

Others were glad they participated.

Linda Butlerattended the dinner with her granddaughter Renita Burrows and two teenage great-granddaughters. South Minneapolis was where Butler landed after leaving Chicago 20 years ago, and while she now lives in north Minneapolis, 38th and Chicago and the Sabathani Community Center remain close to her heart.

Asked to consider what she sees first when she enters George Floyd Square, Burrows said it feels a bit messy. But rounding the corner and glimpsing the mural by Peyton Scott Russell, she's reminded of the beauty coexisting alongside lingering trauma.

Butler said going to the square takes her right back to the nine minutes of Floyd's on-camera death, and the fear she felt in 2020 that her adopted diverse and progressive community of south Minneapolis wasn't what she'd thought it was.

"Being at the square, what is seen is a spirit of unity, a spirit of community, a spirit of solidarity," said Prince Corbett, the city's new director of Race Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. "There's also a spirit of desperation and there's a spirit of sorrow. There's a spirit of something ... like the rose that grew up from the concrete, and that spirit's there."
A man arrested in connection with the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey has been released under investigation.

Essex Police was called to Shoeburyness near Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday after reports that a man had fallen from a height while working.

Gilbey, 40, died at the scene.

Detectives said a man in his 40s, from the Witham area, had been released after being arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

"This is a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and our inquiries are ongoing," a spokesperson added.

The incident happened at EGL Homecare, a manufacturing business in Campfield Road, where a single bouquet of flowers could be seen beside entrance gates on Thursday morning.

A single bouquet of flowers could be seen at the gates to EGL Homecare on Thursday morning [Lewis Adams/BBC]

Gilbey, along with his mother and stepfather, featured in eight series of Channel 4's Gogglebox, between 2013 and 2018, and he also appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.

The reality personality appeared on the contest - then broadcast on Channel 5 - alongside celebrities including The Hills star Stephanie Pratt and American actor Gary Busey, who won the series.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
George Soros ranks in the world's 400 richest people with a $7.2 billion net worth, per Bloomberg.

The famed philanthropist has given away over $32 billion, according to his personal website.

He has purchased a sprawling network of homes in the New York area and spends big on politics.

Conspiracy theorists accuse former hedge-fund manager George Soros of aiding Nazis, conspiring to fill Budapest with refugees, and trying to start a civil war in the United States. While these theories lack support, little is actually known about how the 93-year-old billionaire passes his days.

Soros built his fortune running what was once the world's largest hedge fund  Quantum Fund.

After he passed his hedge fund to his sons in 2011, Soros has largely focused on his personal goal of creating a more open society through giving to both his personal foundation and a variety of progressive politicians, according to his personal website.

Here's how George Soros built his fortune, how he spends it  and why.

Soros was born as Gyorgy Schwartz into a Jewish family in Budapest on August 12, 1930. They later changed their surname to Soros.

AP Photo/James A. Mills

Source: Bloomberg

Soros and his family stayed in Budapest through the city's Nazi occupation from 19441945, using fake IDs to hide their Jewish heritage. "Instead of submitting to our fate, we resisted an evil force that was much stronger than we were  yet we prevailed. Not only did we survive, but we managed to help others, Soros is quoted as saying on his personal website.

AP Photo/Vincent Yu

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

Soros' family fled Hungary for London as the Soviets swept the country in 1947. In London, he worked part-time as a waiter in a nightclub and as a railroad porter.

Sovfoto/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

He later enrolled in the London School of Economics, graduating in 1954.

Wikimedia Commons / Mulloom2

Source: GeorgeSoros.com, Bloomberg

Soros moved to New York in 1956, and got a job trading foreign stocks for F. M. Mayer.

AP Photo/Lindsay

Source: Bloomberg

Soros founded Quantum Fund in 1973. Quantum would later become the largest hedge fund in the world.

Soros and Stanley Druckenmiller, the former manager of the Quantum Fund, speak at a press conference in New York in 2000. Reuters Pictures Archive

Source: Bloomberg

Quantum's success made Soros a billionaire. His net worth is now $7.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Getty Images / ChinaFotoPress

Source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index

My success in the financial markets has given me a greater degree of independence than most other people, Soros said.

Sergei Guneyev/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

He retired from managing money for clients in 2011 and passed control of his firm to his sons.

Ralph Orlowski/Reuters

Source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Washington Post

Soros returned $1 billion to his investors and established a family office to manage his family's fortune and the assets of his foundation.

AP Images

Source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index

Soros has been married three times, first to Annaliese Witschak from 1960 to 1983 and later to historian Susan Weber from 1983 to 2005. Soros married his current wife, Tamiko Bolton, in 2013.

George Soros and Tamiko Bolton. Getty Images / Sean Gallup / Staff

Source: Biography.com

Soros has five children, although none with Bolton.

Soros's son, CEO of JS Capital Management Jonathan Soros (left), holds a picture of Albert Einstien with David Miliband and Soros in 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Source: Bloomberg, The New York Times

The Soros family has several homes, including the Southampton estate where the billionaire hosted his 80th birthday party in 2010.

Shinnecock Inlet, Southampton. Soros' estate not pictured. Getty Images / Thinkstock

Source: The New York Post

Read more: Meet The Fabulously Rich And Famous Residents Of Southampton

He's also a longtime Manhattan resident. He once owned 116 East 70th St., a lavish Upper East Side townhouse, with his ex-wife Susan Weber.

Google Street View

Source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Curbed

He now owns a duplex on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue with a view of the Central Park reservoir.

REUTERS/John Schults

Source: Chicago Tribune

Soros also owns a residential compound in Katonah, New York.

WABC 7 via AP

Source: AP

A pipe bomb was sent to that home on October 23, 2018.

The gate to George Soros's residential compound in the New York City suburb of Katonah, NY. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Source: AP

The bomb was later detonated by authorities in a secluded area.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Hillary Clinton, George Soros, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Maxine Waters, Andrew Cuomo and James Clapper. REUTERS

Prominent Democrats including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Attorney General Eric Holder, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and former US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper were also sent bombs. No one was hurt.

Source: The New York Times

Soros is often vilified by conservatives for his large contributions to liberal politicians in the United States, Hungary, Russia and elsewhere.

AP Photo/Francois Mori

Source: The Chicago Tribune

He identifies as an agnostic Jew.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Source: Chicago Tribune

Much of the criticism of Soros by media and political figures is anti-Semitic.

Yunus Kaymaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Source: Al Jazeera

Soros was featured in ads sponsored by the far-right Hungarian government that accused him of colluding to bring Muslim immigrants into Hungary.

AP Photo/Pablo Gorondi

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban campaigned on a promise to pass a "Stop Soros" bill aimed at silencing his critics, including Soros.

Source: AP, The Chicago Tribune

Closer to home, conspiracy theorists have accused Soros of attempting to start a civil war in the US and funding the violence at the 2017 "Unite the Right" protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.

REUTERS/Jason Reed

Source: Al Jazeera

Soros is often accused of collaborating with Nazis during the Holocaust. Comedian Roseanne Barr repeated this conspiracy theory on Twitter in 2018 in one of a series of tweets that resulted in the cancellation of her ABC sitcom.

ABC

Source: Al Jazeera

In response, Soros said that such allegations "annoy me greatly." He also said that they are "a total fabrication."

Miguel Villagran/Getty Images

Source: Chicago Tribune

"The bigger the danger, the bigger the threat, the more I feel engaged to confront it," Soros said.

Nikolai Malyshev/ITAR-TASS

Source: Chicago Tribune

The controversy around Soros isn't limited to conspiracy theories, however.

AP

Soros is sometimes called "the man who broke the Bank of England," after he made $1 billion betting against the British pound as it crashed on "Black Wednesday" in 1992.

Source: Forbes

Soros has said that his opponents fuel him to fight for what he believes in: "I'm painfully aware that they are against the ideas that I stand for."

AP Photo Manuel Balce Ceneta

Source: The Chicago Tribune

The billionaire spends big on causes he believes in, including politics. He spent at least $25 million on voter mobilization efforts to help Clinton and other Democrats during the 2016 elections, one of his spokespeople told the Chicago Tribune.

Soros and Hilary Clinton speak with Dr. Guy Theodore in Haiti in 1998. AP Photo/Roberto Borea

Source: The Chicago Tribune

Soros was surprised by Clinton's defeat. "Apparently, I was living in my own bubble," he told The Washington Post.

Andy Kiersz/Skye Gould/Business Insider

Source: The Chicago Tribune

Clinton lost because "she was too much like a schoolmarm," Soros said. "Talking down to people... instead of listening to them."

Hillary Clinton greets Anastasia Somoza at a 2016 event in Orlando. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Source: Chicago Tribune

Soros also unsuccessfully supported several candidates during the 2018 midterm elections, despite donating $17 million. Several district attorney candidates he supported in California lost to incumbents.

Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Source: The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian

Soros has also referred to ex-president Donald Trump as a "narcissist" who "considers himself all-powerful."

President Donald Trump Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx via AP

Source: Chicago Tribune

Soros said he and Trump had been friendly "decades" before Trump took office. The pair spent time together at the home of a mutual friend.

Popow/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Source: Chicago Tribune

"I had no idea he had political ambitions, but I didn't like his behavior as a businessman," Soros is quoted as saying in a June 2018 Chicago Tribune article.

Associated Press

Source: Chicago Tribune

Soros has not always been liberal, however. He supported Republican candidates until the invasion of Iraq under President George W. Bush in 2003 turned him against the party.

An American soldier runs for cover during a military operation in Tal Afar, Iraq in September 2005. AP Photo/MNFI, U.S. Navy, Alan D. Monyelle

Source: The Chicago Tribune

Soros doesn't just give money to politicians. He is the founder and chair of Open Society Foundations, a non-profit that disperses grants for education, human rights, criminal justice, and journalism projects.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Source: Open Society Foundations

Soros first became active in philanthropy in 1979, when he funded scholarships for black South Africans during apartheid.

George Soros AP Images

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

Soros has donated more than $32 billion of his own money to his foundation, according to his personal website.

Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

Soros named the foundation after a book by Karl Popper, titled "Open Society and Its Enemies." In it, Popper writes how societies succeed only when they are democratic and protect human rights.

Philosopher Sir Karl Poper. Getty Images / David Levenson / Contributor

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

The foundation announced its decision to relocate from Budapest to Berlin in May 2019.

REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

"The government of Hungary has denigrated and misrepresented our work and repressed civil society for the sake of political gain, using tactics unprecedented in the history of the European Union," Open Society Foundations' then-president Patrick Gaspard said in a statement.

Source: Al Jazeera

Central European University, a graduate school founded by Soros, also plans to relocate from Budapest to Vienna due to tensions with the Hungarian government.

ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images

Source: Central European University

"It makes it very difficult for me to speak effectively because it can be taken out of context and used against me," Soros said about the conspiracy theories, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Billionaire investor George Soros is awarded the Schumpeter Prize in Vienna Reuters

Source: Chicago Tribune

Russian President Vladimir Putin pushed Soros' foundation out of Russia in 2017, where it had funded numerous projects, including an anti-torture program.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Moscow. Reuters

Source: Chicago Tribune

"He intervenes in things all over the world," Putin said of Soros in a 2018 television interview in Austria. "But the State Department will tell you that it has nothing to do with that, that this is the personal business of Mr. Soros."

Russian President Putin attends a televised phone-in show in Moscow Reuters

Source: Chicago Tribune, Bloomberg

Outside of his philanthropic work, Soros has also written 14 books on a variety of topics, including the European Union and the global financial crisis.

George Soros. Reuters

Source: GeorgeSoros.com

At his 80th birthday party, Soros told his 350 guests: "I am a philanthropist. Some maybe think Im a philanderer. My philosophy is very simple. I like to make a lot of money, so I can give away a lot of money.

REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

Source: The New York Post

Elon Musk took aim at Soros in May 2023, writing on X that the Jewish billionaire reminded him of the X-Men villain Magneto, and that "Soros hates humanity."

Elon Musk. Susan Walsh/AP

Source: X

In the summer of 2023, George Soros handed control of his $25 billion philanthropy empire to his son, Alex Soros, making him the chairman of the Open Society Foundations.

Ben Gabbe/Getty

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Read the original article on Business Insider
State Rep. Jesse Petrea, R-Savannah, speaks in favor of immigration bill HB 1105 at the House of Representatives in the Capitol in Atlanta on Sine Die, the last day of the legislative session, Thursday, March 28, 2024. The measure would require local sheriffs to work with the federal government when someone in custody is discovered to be in the country illegally. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia's Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would require local jailers to check the immigration status of inmates and work with federal immigration officials instead of sheltering people who are in the country illegally.

The House voted 99-75 to accept changes to House Bill 1105, which was backed by Republicans and now goes to the governor for his signature. It previously passed the state Senate.

Under the measure, local law enforcement agencies would risk losing state funding for failing to work with immigration officials. Local officials could also face misdemeanor charges.

The measure gained traction after police accused a Venezuelan man of beating a nursing student to death on the University of Georgia campus.

Jose Ibarra was arrested last month on murder and assault charges in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. Immigration authorities say Ibarra, 26, unlawfully crossed into the United States in 2022. It is unclear whether he has applied for asylum.

Democrats raised concerns it would turn local law enforcement into immigration police, making communities less willing to report crime and work with them. They have also pointed to studies showing immigrants are less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes.

House Republican Jesse Petrea said on the floor Thursday that the bill was asking law enforcement only to work with immigration officials when someone has committed a crime and is in the country illegally.

"I dont believe anyone in law enforcement believes thats too much to ask, he said.
As the final day of the Georgia legislative session came to an end, Sine Die, a bill expanding the list of crimes that were only eligible for cash bill passed the state House and Senate, putting it on its way to Gov. Brian Kemp for approval, or veto.

The legislation, Senate Bill 63, adds a provision that offenses which violate local ordinances can now be included for cash-only bail payments.

Additionally, the bill requires that no bail schedule, local standing order, official policy or local ordinance will allow the release of an accused individual on an unsecured judicial release before they appear in court before a judge.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

For legal purposes, SB 63 also specifies that bail will only count if it includes releasing a person by use of secured means set by law, use of a professional bondsman as defined in state code, or via property approved by the county sheriff where the offense was committed.

As stated in SB 63, no one charged with a bail-restricted offense will be eligible for release by any judge on an unsecured judicial release.

Additionally, anyone seeking to cover the cost of anothers bail may not post more than three per year for each and any individual, corporation, organization, charity, nonprofit corporation or group in any jurisdiction.

Any of the above individuals or organizations will be required to submit to the same requirements as a professional surety company, per state statute, without limitation, according to the bill.

Violation of the provision will open individuals and groups to potential prosecution for a misdemeanor.

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia told Channel 2s Richard Elliot on Thursday that if Kemp signs the bill into law, they plan to sue the state, claiming it will mean people have to stay in jail based on their income.

SB 63 is terrible policy and on top of that, its unconstitutional, Cory Isaacson, legal director for the ACLU of Georgia told Channel 2 Action News. Other criticism of the bill argued it would add to overcrowding at jails across the state.

State Sen. Randy Robertson said it was untrue that the bill would lead to overcrowding at county jails.

A lot of the individuals, the vast, vast, vast majority based on the statistics that we received from the jail are violent felonies with those trafficking in drugs or participating in gang activity, Robertson said.

As defined by the bill, the following offenses were defined as bail restricted, for the purpose of cash bail:

Murder or felony murder

Armed robbery

Kidnapping

Rape

Aggravated child molestation

Aggravated sodomy

Aggravated sexual battery

Aggravated assault

Aggravated battery

Hijacking a motor vehicle in the first-degree

Aggravated stalking

Child molestation

Enticing a child for indecent purposes

Pimping

Robbery

Burglary

Bail jumping

Escape

Possessing a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain crimes

Possession of firearms by convicted felons and first offender probationers

Trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine

Participation in criminal gang activity

Habitual violator

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxication substances

Entering an automobile or other mobile vehicle with intent to commit theft or felony

Stalking

Crimes involving family violence

Under the new bill provisions, the following violations are also defined as bail-restricted:

Reckless stunt driving, when the offense is a second or subsequent offense of the accused

Promoting or organizing drag race exhibitions or laying drags

Laying drags

Reckless driving, when the offense is the second or subsequent

Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer

Obstruction of a law enforcement officer

Criminal trespass, if the offense is a second or subsequent offense

Theft by taking, if the offense is a second or subsequent offense

Theft by deception

Theft by extortion

Destruction, removal, concealment, encumbrance or transfer of property subject to security interest

Bribery

Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances or marijuana

Forgery

Exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons and residents, or obstruction of a related investigation

Battery

Voluntary manslaughter

Cruelty to animals

Violation of oath by a public officer

Financial transaction card fraud

Financial transaction card theft

Identity fraud

Racketeering and conspiracy

Trafficking of persons for labor or sexual servitude

Failure to appear, if the offense is a second or subsequent offense

Domestic terrorism

Riot

Inciting to riot

Unlawful assembly

Possession of tools for the commission of a crime

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Elijah Nouvelage/Gettty

Georgia lawmakers passed a bill Thursday to further tighten the states already-strict immigration laws, with local cops soon expected to be forced to scrutinize the immigration status of people in their custody and report undocumented suspects to federal authorities.

The new legislation comes on the heels of the on-campus slaying of Laken Riley at the University of Georgia in February, a grisly crime allegedly carried out at random by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.

The 22-year-olds killing has made a significant mark on legislation in Georgia, which was underscored by the passing of Thursdays measure in the final hours of the legislative session. Its also grabbed national headlines, with discussion of Rileys death, along with President Joe Bidens mispronunciation of her name and use of the word illegal to describe her alleged killer, being arguably the most talked-about portion of his State of the Union address.

Slain Georgia Students Mom Skewers Biden for Getting Daughters Name Wrong

Georgias new law must be signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who has regularly attacked Bidens border policies, before it becomes law. Hes given no indication he would veto the bill.

If signed into law, law enforcement in Georgia would be required to ask questions about the immigration status of each of its detainees, even when a suspect faces only misdemeanor charges. If those suspects say they are undocumented or fail to provide documentation, police will be required to alert U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

The law will also require departments to routinely release data about how many arrests they have flagged to federal immigration authorities. Agencies who are discovered not to be complying with the new requirements could lose state and federal funds, the bill said.

Some Georgia sheriffs raised concerns the new law would add additional responsibilities to already short-staffed departments, but many fully endorsed the bill, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The bill passed the Georgia House 99-75, largely along party lines.

After Rileys death, Georgia Republicans have called for stricter penalties for migrants, claiming more severe punishment could have saved Rileys life. Thats because her alleged killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was detained by the Border Patrol for entering the United States illegally in 2022 and was arrested two more times while in the U.S. The first arrest came in New York, for allegedly driving a scooter without a license with a helmetless child on board, and his second came for alleged shoplifting in Georgia. Under Georgias new law, police would have been required to alert ICE to similar arrests in the state before he was eligible to be released.

Laken Rileys Dad Says Hes Angry Her Death Is Being Used Politically

A bill named after Riley passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, with 37 Democrats supporting the measure, which would mandate that all migrants stopped by Border Patrol be taken into custody. That bill isnt expected to reach Bidens desk, however, as Democrats maintain a Senate majority and critics have accused politicians of exploiting a tragedy. One of those critics is Rileys dad, who said earlier this month that hes angry her death is being used politically.

In Georgia, sponsors of the state bill said it was just common sense to involve ICE in any arrest involving an undocumented person.

I think this truly is a common-sense measure, Rep. Houston Gaines, a Republican whose district includes the University of Georgia, told The New York Times. What were talking about is individuals who are in the country illegally that have committed offenses, additional criminal offenses, and making sure that those individuals are held accountable.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A voter prepares to cast their ballot in the presidential primary election in Atlanta, Georgia, on 12 March.

A voter prepares to cast their ballot in the presidential primary election in Atlanta, Georgia, on 12 March. Photograph: Alex Slitz/EPA

Georgia legislators changed state election laws in the midnight hours of Friday, widening the criteria to challenge a voters registration, removing bar codes from printed ballots and increasing the documentation local elections officials must produce to certify elections.

The proposals will take effect 1 July, assuming the Georgia governor, Brian Kemp, signs the legislation into law.

Voting rights groups expressed their highest concern about how Senate Bill 189 potentially expands challenges to voter registrations. Conservative advocates have been issuing large-scale systematic challenges to voters  dozens or hundreds at a time in some districts, like Atlantas Fulton and DeKalb counties. Each challenge under existing law has to be considered on its individual merits under current law, which can exhaust the resources of local election officials, voting rights advocates argue.

In past cycles, we have seen ordinary people who would come in and challenge hundreds of voters because of different lists, said Andrea Young, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia. In 2022 there was kind of sort of a gray area. Now with this, it is almost encouraging  really anti-democratic vigilantes to come in and challenge your right to be on the voting list.

The legislation defines new conditions under which a challenge to a voters registration would have probable cause, including a subsequent registration in another state or jurisdiction, using a different residence to obtain a homestead tax exemption, registration at a nonresidential address. Challenges would not be permitted within 45 days of an election.

In the 2022 Senate election, questions dogged the Republican candidate, Herschel Walker, about his residency, after news reporters unearthed his Texas homestead exemption.

The legislation also bars the use of post office boxes as a mailing address for a voting registration. Notably, some small towns in Georgia, like Pine Lake in DeKalb county, have too few residents in their zip code for the post office to deliver mail to home addresses, necessitating the use of post office boxes for its residents.

The bill requires people experiencing homelessness to use the county registrars office as a mailing address to register to vote, a move that anti-homelessness advocates argued would complicate the lives of both the homeless and of county registrars. Requiring homeless voters to register at an elections office may also violate the National Voter Registration Act, advocates said.

What were saying is that it should be easy for every citizen to vote, Young said. Thats what makes this a democracy. And all of these tricks to try to create barriers for Georgia citizens to have a voice in their government is anti-democracy.

The legislation passed largely along a Republican party line vote despite objections raised by Georgias Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, arguing that major changes to election law should not be made so close to the 2024 election.

We know there is a national coordinated movement to challenge voters, to go and talk about how the voter lists are outdated and bloated, said Kristin Nabors, state director for All Voting Is Local. Theyre just not. We have extremely clean voter rolls in Georgia. This is not a bill that we need, and particularly not in an election year.

Senate Bill 189 also requires election officials to use the printed text on a ballot to count votes, rather than use bar code scanning tools built into current election processes. It additionally requires elections offices to tabulate absentee votes and advanced voting totals within one hour of polls closing on election day. It also requires every person who is in physical control of ballots or key elections equipment to sign a tracking document showing chain of custody and the use of tamper-proof containers.

This quantifies the fact that as ballots move through the process, they are properly documented and properly controlled, said state senator Max Burns, a sponsor of the bill.

Two Republican-appointed members of the Fulton county board of registration and elections voted against certification of the March presidential primary two weeks ago, citing their inability to access chain-of-custody documentation ahead of the vote.

But opponents of the bill suggested that the chain of custody provision is a pretext meant to allow elections board members to reject future elections for technical defects without bearing on the actual vote tally.

Other changes include the removal of the secretary of state as an ex officio member of the state elections board, and to require officials to provide high-resolution copies of ballots.
Award-winning UAE-based facilities management service provider Emrill has launched Emrill Rail, its latest division providing comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique needs of the countrys railway supply industry.

Emrill Rail has strategically partnered with Clemtech, a leader and specialist in recruitment and consultancy services for rolling stock and rail sectors, to deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients, including train manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the wider supply chain with vested interests in the region.

Integrating Emrill's extensive in-house team of highly skilled technicians and engineers with Clemtechs expertise in supplying experienced rolling stock resources, Emrill Rail will remove the logistical challenges of working in the UAE with cost-effective in-country technical resource solutions with industry-leading service delivery.

Elevating standards

Headquartered in Dubai, Emrill Rail is committed to elevating standards within the rail sector and is responsible for the strategic deployment of technical resource, ensuring efficient service delivery across all aspects of rolling stock and rail support activities.

These will include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), general engineering, as well as OEM-led specialised activities, such as test and commissioning, installation, modification, overhaul, refurbishment and maintenance.

Clemtech, a trusted brand with over 25 years of expertise in providing highly skilled recruitment services for the global rail industry has extensive expertise and working knowledge of the rail sector. Providing both permanent and temporary resource solutions, Clemtech supports new train introduction, maintenance, modification, C4 overhaul and C6 refurbishment of rolling stock vehicles and other associated rail projects, including platform screen doors and digital systems, such as ETCS, Wi-Fi, PIS, OTMR, and CCTV.

Emrill Rail will work with OEMs to ensure rolling stock MEP and HVAC systems are optimised, guaranteeing peak performance and efficiency in rail operations.

MEP and HVAC

Emrills Centre of Excellence, the organisations dedicated training facility, will provide support with training programmes specialising in MEP and HVAC services for Emrill Rail employees. Led by industry experts, employees will receive hands-on training through simulation exercises and continuous professional development opportunities, ensuring Emrill Rail's workforce remains at the forefront of innovation and expertise in the rail sector.

Stuart Harrison, Emrills CEO, said: Emrill Rail is an important addition to the UAEs rail industry, as Emrill continues to expand its services to meet the needs of the countrys evolving transportation sector. We are proud to launch Emrill Rail in partnership with Clemtech, who are highly respected worldwide.

This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering world-class solutions tailored specifically to the rail industry, ensuring the same high standards of quality Emrill is proud to provide. Together, we will set new standards of performance and reliability in the rail sector, solidifying our position as leaders in the field.

Harrison concluded: Emrill Rail stands at the forefront of innovation in our industry, redefining the landscape of accessible rail technical resources with our expertise and commitment to delivering world-class services to clients.

World-class services

Andrew Clements, Clemtechs Managing Director, said: Emrill Rail brings together two great companies with a shared vision and the ability to deliver world-class services to the growing UAE rail sector. By combining rail expertise with trusted in-country services, our global and regional clients can access the local technical skills to support their short or long-term commitments, removing the logistical and economic challenges of deploying in the region, safe in the knowledge they are working with experts with proven track records.

Clements added: Emrill Rail is dedicated to delivering transformational rail resources across the UAE rail industry.

Emrill Rail will exhibit at the upcoming Middle East Rail exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi from April 30 to May 1, 2024.--TradeArabia News Service
President of VFF Central Commitee Do Van Chien and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha present certificates of merit to individuals with outstanding contribution to the implementation of the project (Photo: VNA)

According to VNA, at an event held to mark the end of the project on March 28, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai hailed the VFF Central Committee and leaders of Dien Bien province for the initiative, which received warm response from people from all walks of life throughout the country.

Following the launch of the project, 250 billion VND (over 10 million USD) was raised and handed over to Dien Bien, helping fund over half of the total building costs of 489.4 billion VND.

On this occasion, the provincial People Committee presented certificates of merit to 39 collectives and 31 individuals with outstanding contribution to the implementation of the project. The VFF Central Committee also awarded the insignia "For the cause of national great unity" to Secretary of the Dien Bien provincial Party Committee Tran Quoc Cuong, and certificates of merit to 19 collectives and individuals./.
Members of parliament take part in a plenary session of the German Bundestag. According to the German parliament's lower house (Bundestag) Research Services, the deployment of ground troops by a NATO country in Ukraine would not automatically make all other NATO countries parties to the conflict. Britta Pedersen/dpa

According to the German parliament's lower house (Bundestag) Research Services, the deployment of ground troops by a NATO country in Ukraine would not automatically make all other NATO countries parties to the conflict.

It is true that the state in question would itself become a party to the conflict, as emerges from an as yet unpublished state of affairs report of the parliamentary expert panel.

"If the NATO member state acts unilaterally - i.e. not within the framework of a previously decided NATO operation and outside NATO military command structures - neither NATO as a whole nor the other NATO partner states become parties to the conflict," the paper, which was made available to dpa, continues.

At the end of February, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine in the future. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the other hand, clearly rejected the deployment of Western soldiers to Ukraine.

According to her office, AfD Bundestag member Beatrix von Storch then asked what impact a deployment of ground troops by a NATO state would have with regard to the so-called Alliance case, in which NATO members are obliged to stand up for each other.

The Bundestag experts wrote "If troops of a NATO member state engage in collective self-defence (Article 51, UN Charter) in favour of Ukraine in an existing conflict (between Russia and Ukraine) and are attacked by the other party to the conflict (Russia) in the course of the battle in the conflict area, this does not constitute a case of Art. 5 NATO Treaty."

They pointed out that, Article 5 of the NATO Treaty is linked to NATO countries and troops being attacked on or over their territory.

"A military engagement of French ground troops in favour of Ukraine would be based on the collective right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter and would therefore be permissible under international law," the paper states.

"A military reaction by Russia against targets in France, on the other hand, would constitute an "armed attack" (contrary to international law) within the meaning of Art. 5 of the NATO Treaty, which would establish the factual requirements for a proclamation of the NATO alliance case."

The Research Services are a subdivision of the Bundestag consisting of eight specialized departments with around 100 employees, as can be seen from a Bundestag information sheet.

The experts research topics at the request of individual MPs and also for Bundestag committees. They produce brief information, documentation, factual reports, detailed analyses and expert opinions.

In the info sheet, they are also referred to as the "parliament's think tank." Accordingly, they work in a "politically neutral and objective manner."
Fear of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is not driving the Olaf Scholz's reluctance to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated on March 29.

"The chancellor is not afraid of Putin," Baerbock said when asked whether Scholz is against sending Taurus out of fear of Putin.

Baerbock expressed concerns over the ongoing public discourse regarding missile aid to Ukraine, cautioning that it could play into the hands of Russian military propaganda aimed at sowing discord within Western democracies.

Read also: Berlin irritated with Kyivs requests to transfer long-range Taurus missiles - Kuleba

Baerbock highlighted the importance of unity, particularly in the context of upcoming elections in Europe and Germany, underscoring the need to avoid internal divisions that could be exploited by external forces.

NV

The issue of providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles - what is known

Ukraine has requested long-range weaponry from its partners to target objectives deep within Russia-occupied territory. While some countries, such as the UK with Storm Shadow cruise missiles and France with SCALP missiles, have already supplied such arms, Germany, possessing around 600 Taurus cruise missiles, has delayed action.



Berlin has not outright denied Ukraine the Taurus missiles but has not been ready to provide them, possibly due to Scholzs hesitations, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in September 2023.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will not use Western long-range missiles to strike Russian territory.

The Bundestag has twice failed to support a draft resolution calling for the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine on Jan. 17, with only 178 out of 666 MPs voting in favor.

The German parliament voted to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons on Feb. 22 but did not mention the Taurus.

Russians leaked a conversation in March among German top generals discussing a potential Ukrainian strike with Taurus missiles on the Crimean Bridge, illegally built by Russia. This became one of the most discussed topics in Germany for some time.

Read also: Opposition leader: Scholz to eventually approve Taurus missile transfer to 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
Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, gives a press statement on the terrace of the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. Christoph Soeder/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned against unnecessary public debate on sending German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

"I have spoken out extensively on Taurus and do not believe that the ongoing public debate on Taurus will take us one step further," the Green Party politician told the Funke Mediengruppe on Friday.

Part of Russia's war propaganda serves the purpose of dividing and destabilizing Western democracies, she said.

"We must not allow that. This is all the more true when we are facing elections - such as the European elections or state elections in Germany."

Germany's coalition government has been arguing for many weeks about the delivery of sophisticated missiles to Ukraine, which has been under a full-scale attack from Russia for more than two years.

Baerbock is considered to be in favour of a delivery, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, is against this.

He justifies his opposition to exporting the Taurus missiles by saying that Germany should not relinquish control over the targeting of the system - meaning Germany personnel would still be involved in its use - and it could be used to hit targets in Russia.
Evan Gershkovichs sister, Danielle, said that receiving letters from her brother, who has been detained in Russia for close to a year, is like Christmas morning.

Danielle Gershkovich said she is grateful to get a glimpse of her brother Evan through photos of him in court and that they write letters to each other once a week, which keeps her going.

My letters are getting longer and longer, Danielle Gershkovich told NewsNation anchor Connell McShane on Thursday. But its a chance for me to feel like Im sitting with him, talking to him. And every time a letter comes, it feels like Christmas morning.

Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested last March in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg and has been held in detention ever since.

His detention was extended Tuesday to June 30. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said absolute silence is necessary for prisoner swaps to occur.

In response, Danielle Gershkovich said the approach of being loud and keeping Evans name in the mainstream will not differ.

We made a decision early on that we were going to be loud and vocal about this and keep Evan in the news, and we are supported by The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government doing so, and we will continue to do so, not let Evans story be forgotten, she said.

Evan Gershkovich was charged with a suspicion of espionage while on a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg and was detained by the Federal Security Service.

Former Marine Paul Whelan has been held in Russia since 2018. The country also is still holding Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who reports at Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

But what we can do right now is to continue to put a spotlight on Evan and just not let anyone forget about his story, she said Thursday.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar, which also owns The Hill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Exactly 34 years after a man was killed inside his D.C. home, the Metropolitan Police Department announced his girlfriend has been arrested for the murder.

Norman Rich, 34, was found shot to death inside the bedroom of his D.C. home. / Credit: Metropolitan Police Department

Norman Rich, 34, known as "Semo," was found inside his bedroom in his house on M Street, in the Northeast part of D.C., on Wednesday, March 28, 1990.

He was shot to death, police said.

Shelia Brown, now 66 years old and living in Annapolis, Maryland, was arrested by members of the Annapolis Police Department and the United States Marshals Service on Wednesday.

Authorities said Rich's body was discovered by Brown, the mother of the couple's three children. She told police at the time that she was about to run some errands, and right before she left two men came to their house looking for him. Brown told police she had recognized one of the men, "Ducky."

When she returned home she found the front door open and Rich inside the bedroom, dead.

Police then offered a $25,000 reward for information about the case, but weren't able to find the killer.

Detectives said their investigation found the alleged murder "was domestic in nature," but didn't offer further details on Brown's arrest after three decades. During a Thursday news conference, D.C. police inspector Kevin Kentish said detectives never stopped looking at the case, WTOP reported.

Investigators used new technology and tests and began "looking at all the evidence, looking at witness statements and being able to find certain intricacies in the case that would lead to the closure."

Brown was charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice, after a D.C. superior court indictment.

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DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  The mayor of Decatur has picked a familiar name as her candidate for the city manager.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe announced her intentions on hiring Tim Gleason in a Thursday news conference. The current city manager, Scot Wrighton, previously said he will be retiring in May.

The past city manager is returning after working three and a half years in the city of Decatur. Gleason moved to work as the city manager for Bloomington in 2018.

Moore Wolfe believes Gleason is the right person for the job.

Knowing the kind of work he does his work ethic, his values, how he interacts with the community with council, Moore Wolfe said. This is such a win for our city and Decatur deserves the very best.

Gleason said his first steps if the council passes his contract is to meet with council members on the needs of the city and what decisions he can make to help.

We know at the local level, whether we agree with it or not, the elected officials are under constant scrutiny, Gleason said. So its my responsibility as city manager there, and then again, here, to make sure that theyre on the firmest ground to make those decisions so that they are decisions that have been vetted properly, that weve considered alternatives that are the most cost effective.

Old Decatur school may become senior living facility

Moore Wolfe said Gleason was the only candidate ever considered for the job, as Gleason met with council members and other officials after Wrighton announced his retirement.

We did not ever get the job posted because it would be pretty disingenuous for us to post a job when, you know, many of us were saying, Yeah, how do you do better than this?' Moore Wolfe said.

Council member David Horn believes Gleason will do a good job, but thinks the candidate search process should have been more competitive.

We are very familiar with Tims background, what he did in Decatur or what hes done in Bloomington, and we know that he has the experience and leadership to lead our city, Horn said. But I also think the process that we use was a little bit unorthodox, and as such, may have limited opportunities that other highly-qualified individuals would have had to apply for this position.

Gleason also worked as the City Administrator for Washington, IL, a Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and a police officer for the City of Pekin for 21 years.

In his contract, Gleasons proposed annual salary would be $230,000. Other benefits proposed in the contract include six weeks of paid vacation and $20,000 for relocation expenses (Gleason has one year to establish permanent residency).

The full contract can be found below.

Gleason-CONTRACTDownload

The city council is expected to vote on the contract at their meeting Monday night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The Fort Monroe Authority announced Friday that Executive Director Glenn Oder will retire from the position effective Oct. 1.

Oder has led the authority for 12 years after serving as a delegate in the Virginia General Assembly. According to a release, Oders direction steered the authority through numerous leadership changes in the state government, and his efforts expanded the authoritys scope to include significant property management responsibilities, utility operations, and the management of both residential and commercial properties.

His dedication and vision have been instrumental in preserving the legacy of Fort Monroe for future generations, Fort Monroe Authority Chairman Jim Moran said in a statement.

Oder, who will turn 67 next month, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Phyllis Terrell, a spokesperson for the Fort Monroe Authority, said Oder told the authority he is not leaving for another position and that his departure is an actual retirement.

I think hes definitely looking forward to the next chapter in his life with his wife, she said.

The authority credits Oder for preserving and revitalizing Fort Monroe. The authority is now involved in many long-range projects that began under his leadership, including real estate investment, utility upgrades, and the African Landing Memorial, which commemorates the landing of the first enslaved Africans in English-speaking North America who were brought to present-day Fort Monroe in 1619.

During Oders time as executive director, the authority expanded its responsibilities to include owning and managing the historic Casemate Museum, constructed a $9 million visitor and education center, and received national and international acclaim as a site of memory on the UNESCO Slave Labor Route Project.

In the release, Oder said he remains committed to supporting the authority and its mission, stating, he will continue to fulfill his obligations as executive director and support the board in whatever ways called upon during this transitional period.

Oder had a salary of $191,947 in 2022, according to data previously provided by the authority. More current salary information was not immediately available.

The Fort Monroe Authority will conduct its next meeting April 17-18 to discuss the transition and the search for a new leader. The executive director position has been retitled to chief executive officer of the Fort Monroe Authority, effective July 1.

Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com
What does it mean to be a GNC lesbian and why is it important to know?





What does it mean to be a GNC lesbian and why is it important to know?

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When it comes to sexuality and gender identity, it may feel like things are constantly changing. On the one hand, there is some truth to that. But it's also a case of society actually becoming more aware of the different types of identities that already exist. While theres still so much work to do, were at least on the right track to being more inclusive for the most part, anyway.

A term thats finally getting some much-needed attention is "GNC lesbian," which stands for gender-nonconforming lesbian.

If youre not sure what gender-nonconforming is  especially how its different from being nonbinary  keep reading! We'll also explain why its so important for the term to be more well-known.

What does gender non-conforming mean?

gender non-conforming lesbian

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Gender non-conforming (GNC) refers to people who do not subscribe to every-day gender stereotypes, and also expand their ideas of gender expression or identity. Sometimes, people refer to gender non-conforming as gender expansive, though GNC is the preferred term.

A main area of confusion in this regard comes down to the difference between being gender non-conforming and being nonbinary. Well cover that a little more in a bit, but know for now that being gender non-conforming and being nonbinary are not one and the same, and nonbinary folx are just as capable of being GNC as cisgender or transgender individuals.

So, what IS the difference between gender non-conforming and nonbinary?

gender non-conforming nonbinary individual

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In a basic definition, being GNC refers to an individuals gender expression or the ways in which their behavior doesnt match the traditional gender norms. On the flip side, being nonbinary is an entirely separate umbrella term that refers to people whose gender identities fall outside of the traditional forms of gender identity. In general, gender is often broken down into two different binaries between male and female. Someone who identifies as GNC is about rejecting the societal norms, and being nonbinary is about not being classed as either male or female.

Think about it in terms of the difference between sex and gender. Sex refers to the biological body parts that make up our sex organs, and gender is a societal construction that dictates behaviors and roles associated with the different sexes. Within that is cisgender, or someone who agrees with their sex assigned at birth, and transgender or nonbinary, where they do not.

As mentioned above, you can be cisgender or transgender and still identify as GNC, just as much as you can be nonbinary and do the same. If you identify as cisgender GNC, this simply means you reject the societal implications of your gender. An example would be a cis man who paints his nails.

How do lesbians fit into the mix?

gender non-conforming girl doing makeup

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When it comes to being a GNC lesbian, this is part of the lesbian terminology that revolves around cis lesbians who exist as part of the wider concepts of gender identity. Oftentimes, cis GNC lesbians are told they're "incorrectly female" because of their "masculine" presentation, and GNC lesbians who identify as nonbinary have an even tougher struggle. More often than we realize, that struggle can also have harmful implications, but we'll talk about that in a bit.

In a lot of ways, being a GNC lesbian is also whats commonly referred to as butch lesbians, but theres so much more to it than that. For example, gender fluidity is something thats much more widely accepted outside of Western society. In Ancient Egypt, individuals were thought to have gender-swapped to find acceptance in the afterlife, and 18th-century Italian art often depicted a third gender. Still to this day, countries like India have intersex or transgender people known as hijras, but the idea has only recently seen more acceptance in Western cultures.

What exactly is a "butch lesbian"?

someone considered a butch lesbian

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The butch lesbian term in particular became a central identity for masculine lesbian women in the 1940s and '50s, and theyre still viewed as cis women who defy the notions of having a femme identity, which separated the lesbian culture between the butch and femme terminologies we often place them into. When it first came about, gender non-conformity allowed lesbians to pass as men, but it wasnt until trans activist Riki Anne Wilchens coined the term genderqueer in 1995 that the idea of being gender non-conforming started to gain some traction.

Its always important to remember that labels are just labels, and even if you consider someone a GNC lesbian, she may not identify as the same. As with any other expression or identity, respect is just the key. Educate yourself when and where appropriate, and remain open to learning when the time is necessary.

Why is all of this important?

a woman with pride lights on her face

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Outside of simply respecting people and how they express themselves, there are also some deeper reasons to be more cognizant of GNC individuals, especially when they identify as lesbian or non-binary. As mentioned above, those implications can sometimes be harmful.

An infographic by LGBT Map shows that GNC girls are over twice as likely to be profiled or over-policed as opposed to their heterosexual counterparts, and Black GNC women especially were noted to see harsher punishment starting as early as high school. Within the criminal justice system, nearly half of the women imprisoned are GNC, with most of them being girls of color. Theres also a large number of youth involved in those stats, which makes it even more important to pay attention to whats going on.

How can I be supportive of my GNC friends?

two gender non-conforming people laying down

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The key is to just do your best to meet people with respect and kindness, even if youre not sure how to have a conversation. Theres a lot more respect that comes with doing your best, and sometimes thats all thats needed in order to move the conversation forward.

Besides that, also remember that none of this is actually new. It isnt some woke agenda thats suddenly bubbled up out of nowhere. Being GNC has been a long battle, just as any other form of sexual identity. If youre unsure how someone identifies, err on the side of not imparting any stereotypes onto them. Honestly, it's just the best and kindest way to move through life.
GOAL Digital Academy showcased its strategies and commitment to student engagement and mental health at the Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) 2024, held in Austin, Texas.

With over 1,700 attendees from across the United States and abroad, the conference serves as a prime venue for education professionals to exchange ideas and explore the vast potential of digital learning, with a significant focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) this year.

GOAL Digital Academy presented two topics: Co-teaching and AI in the English Language Arts (ELA) classroom. Thee presentations were conducted in a Table Talk format by representatives Kelly Watson and Hope Losh. The two sessions drew over 80 participants. Many attendees were interested in GOAL expanding on its methodologies and approach to online education at next year's conference.

Representatives of GOAL Digital Academy attended the Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) 2024, held in Austin, Texas.

This year's DLAC not only allowed GOAL to showcase its achievements and strategies but also underscored the importance of early student engagement. Emphasizing engaging students at the beginning of the school year is key to increasing participation, work completion and overall academic success in the online environment.

The importance of data in crafting better instructional practices and curricula for students across all grade bands was highlighted, with ongoing projects in literacy and plans to expand into other areas.

On the heels of the Austin conference, GOAL plans to launch mental health support for students and parents in the 2024-2025 school year. This includes a confidential website and app offering free mental health resources aimed at fostering understanding and support within families. The initiative will be accessible through the district's digital platforms.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: GOAL Digital Academy presents two topics at DLAC 2024 conference
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and World Bank (WB) Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk. (Photo: VNA)

Congratulating Turk on her successful tenure in the country, Chinh spoke highly of the WB's cooperation and support for Vietnams Doi 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 Vietnam.

According to the PM, during Turk's tenure, the WB supported Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam, 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 Vietnam soon, contributing to promoting the partnership between the WB and Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

She affirmed that the WB stands ready to continue supporting Vietnam to achieve its development targets./.
Hundreds of faithful from multiple congregations across the Sarasota region participated on Good Friday last year in the Stations of the Cross pilgrimage in downtown Sarasota.

Good Friday is here, but what does the holy holiday mean and is it a federally celebrated holiday?

The Christian holiday happens three days before Easter every year. It begins one of the most important weekends in the life of faithful Christians around the world.

Easter weekend: When is Easter Sunday in 2024? When are Good Friday and Passover? Dates to know

Here's what you need to know about Good Friday, including what its meaning is, why Christians celebrate Jesus' death, what Catholics don on Good Friday, and whether banks, post offices and federal offices are open or closed.

When is Good Friday 2024?

Good Friday is March 29.

What is the meaning of Good Friday? Why is it celebrated?

The Friday before Easter is known as Good Friday in the Christian faith.

The holy day recognizes when Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross at Calvary as the ultimate sacrifice for people's sins, according to christianity.com. The website notes the Christian holiday is also known as Black Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday and Holy Friday.

Good Friday recognizes what Christians believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world, according to the website.

What do Catholics do on Good Friday?

The Stations of the Cross  a 14-step devotion often performed by Catholics during Lent and especially on Good Friday  commemorate the events of the holy day, according to catholic.org. The Acts of Reparation may also be prayed.

The website states The Stations of the Cross are commonly recited throughout Lent on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Are there Stations of the Cross on Good Friday?

Many churches continue holding Stations of the Cross devotions on Good Friday.

Holy Cross-Immaculata Church in Cincinnati (5:15 p.m.), Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Grove City (6 p.m.), a living Stations of the Cross at St. Ambrose in Brunswick (8 p.m.) and a day-long immersive, creative, art museum-type Stations of the Cross at Vineyard Columbus in Westerville are just a few places to experience the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

Hundreds will pray the steps at Holy Cross Immaculata Church in Mt. Adams during a 24-hour period on Good Friday, March 29, 2024. The church was built in 1859, just before the American Civil War. It overlooks the Ohio River. Photographed from Queen City Square, Thursday, March 28, 2024

Can you eat meat on Good Friday?

Good Friday is a day of fasting within the Catholic church. Like other Fridays during Lent, Catholics abstain from eating meat on Good Friday.

Is Good Friday a federal holiday? Are banks and post offices open?

Good Friday is not a federal holiday, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Most banks should be open on Good Friday, according to The Federal Reserve.

The United States Postal Service will be open on Good Friday and all mail will be delivered as normal.

Is the stock market open on Good Friday 2024?

The stock market is closed on March 29 for Good Friday, according to nyse.com.

When is Easter 2024?

Easter is Sunday, March 31.

What is the meaning of Easter?

Easter is the Christian holiday that follows Good Friday.

Easter is a celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead. The website explains the holy day marks Jesus' victory over sin and death, as well as points ahead to a future resurrection for anyone who is united to Jesus by their faith (Romans 6:5).

Chris Sims contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Good Friday 2024: What is the meaning? Is it a holiday? What's open?
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Special masses and services will take place at several parishes in the region this weekend, announced the Diocese of San Diego.

Today is Good Friday, the most solemn day in the Christian calendar, stated diocese spokesperson Kevin C. Eckery in a news release Friday. It commemorates the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is observed with special prayer services and processions marking the day.

Church sues City of San Diego for not allowing megachurch to be built in Del Cerro

Eckery explained that Holy Saturday will follow, just ahead of Easter Sunday. Heres a list of events taking place across the region this weekend, according to the Diocese of San Diego:

Events on Good Friday

The 31st Annual Walk for the Suffering, an ecumenical event, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will begin and end at the San Diego Rescue Mission, which is located at 120 Elm St. in San Diego.

 Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido will lead a delegation from the diocese, along with students from Cristo Rey High School. Contact Rosemary Johnston (jnstn.rsmry@gmail.com) for more information.

The Pro-Life Stations of the Cross will take place at St. Joseph Cathedral, which is located at 1535 Third Ave. in downtown San Diego. Participants will gather starting at 11:45 a.m. and march from the Cathedral to the Federal Building at Front Street and Broadway, and re-enact the Stations of the Cross at the Federal Building before processing back to the Cathedral.

 Contact Sue Lopez (Sue.Lopez.Helpers@gmail.com) for more information.

Events on Holy Saturday

Cardinal Robert McElroy will celebrate Easter Vigil Mass Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish, which is located at 8200 Gold Coast Dr. in Mira Mesa.

Auxiliary Bishop Ramon Bejarano will celebrate Easter Vigil Mass Saturday night at 8 p.m. at St. Therese of Carmel Parish, which is located at 4355 Del Mar Trails Rd. in Del Mar Heights.

Events on Easter Sunday

Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido will celebrate Easter Mass at St. Therese Parish at 10:30 a.m. St. Therese is located at 6400 Saint Therese Way in San Diego.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham will celebrate two Masses on Easter. The first will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Chula Vista at 11 a.m., which is located at 345 Anita St. in Chula Vista.

The second will be at Holy Family San Diego at 2 p.m. The church is located at 1957 Coolidge St. in San Diego.

More information on the Diocese of San Diego can be found here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Keith Fahrney was driving home from class in Rockford, Illinois, when he saw a woman being attacked by Christian Soto, the man accused of killing four people and injuring seven others during a stabbing spree Wednesday.

Fahrney, 51, said that, without thinking, he hit his brakes and ran over to help the woman, getting attacked himself.

After a night in the hospital, Fahrney is now back home and trying to process what happened.

"It's very scary. You never think this is going to happen to you," he said in a phone call Friday. "My stepdaughter when she called from Florida, she said, 'Well, luckily, you're the kind of person that just won't take out your phone and start recording. You were the one that went over there and scared this guy off to protect her.'"

Keith Fahrney. (Courtesy of Keith Fahrney)

Authorities said the rampage began shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday and involved "multiple scenes" in Rockford and an area of Winnebago County.

Soto, 22, was arrested after police said he stabbed three people to death and fatally beat a 15-year-old girl who was watching movies with her sister and friend. He faces numerous charges of murder, attempted murder and home invasion.

The victims killed were identified as Jacob Schupbach, 23; Ramona Schupbach, 63; Jay Larson, 49, a mailman; and Jenna Newcomb, 15.

Seven others, including Fahrney, were injured.

Fahrney, who is studying to be an engineer, said he was on his way home when he saw a wild scene: two women with blankets and towels running down the street screaming for help.

"I drove maybe another 1,000 feet or whatever and noticed that there was this lady sitting in the middle of her yard with somebody standing over the top of her," he said. "She looked like she was in distress as I was starting to pass her. So, I slammed on my brakes. I got out of the vehicle."

Fahrney, who lives in Rockford, said he approached the woman and asked if she was OK. Soto then moved away from her, he said.

When Fahrney realized that the woman was covered in blood, he went to his vehicle to grab his cellphone and came face-to-face with Soto, who had jumped in the driver's seat of Fahrney's car and was trying to flee.

"I opened up my door, grabbed him, threw him out," he said. "We kind of wrestled around for a couple of seconds and then I noticed that he was trying to like tap me in the head. ... And at that time, I noticed that this liquid was running down my chest and I put my hand up to my head and there was blood. I realized that he had stabbed me or did something to me."

During the fight, police arrived and arrested Soto after a brief foot chase, according to authorities.

Fahrney said Soto had stabbed him in the neck and slashed the back of his head. He received eight staples for his head injury and three stitches underneath his chin.

He said Soto did not say anything during the attacks but "looked very estranged like something had taken over his body."

Sheriff Gary Caruana said Thursday that the woman "could have easily been deceased" if it wasn't for Fahrney.

"The good Samaritan stopped that situation," Caruana said at a news conference. "He did a tremendous job in helping."

A motive for the attacks remains unclear. Winnebago County States Attorney J. Hanley said Soto admitted to the attacks and said he had taken marijuana that he believed was "laced with an unknown narcotic" before the rampage.

Soto appeared in court Thursday afternoon and was denied pretrial release until his next hearing.

Fahrney said he does not consider himself a hero and thinks "human nature" is what made him jump out and help.

"I'm just a guy that was trying to help somebody that needed help," he said.

Fahrney said he hopes other people will do the same for someone who is in danger.

"In todays world, people need to get off their phones. They need to stop recording," he said. "People got to step in and start helping everybody else."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Borderland thrift shoppers in search of a bargain will soon have another option.

The Canutillo ISD Board of Trustees approved a partnership on Tuesday, March 26 between the school district and Goodwill Industries of El Paso to open a Goodwill store at Canutillo High School at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

The store will be staffed by Canutillo ISD special-education students who will be getting life-changing job skills, according to the news release sent out by the school district.

The on-campus store will offer vintage and gently used clothing, housewares and other merchandise at a discounted price just like any traditional Goodwill location. However, the employees at the store will come from the special-education classes at Canutillo High who have been selected to receive training designed to help them transition to life after graduation, according to the news release.

We are extremely happy to be able to partner with Canutillo ISD to provide this tremendous opportunity for the students in the district, said Melinda Jordan, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of El Paso. The EDS Program has a proven record of showing that what our special students can do is extraordinary.

Under the agreement, a classroom at Canutillo High would be turned into a Goodwill store. The student workers will then staff the store and receive training such as customer service, telephone skills, workplace safety, cash register operation and production skills.

Elvia Moreno, Canutillo ISDs director of Special Education, said the partnership adds another layer to the range of services the district offers special students who are getting ready to graduate.

Programs like the EDS (Employee Development Service) Goodwill store guarantee that our students get the training, skills and confidence they need to be successful in life, Moreno said. Its amazing to see the personal growth that comes with having our students know they can achieve anything they set their mind to.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Tony Bobulinski, a former associate of Hunter Biden, filed a $30 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News host Jessica Tarlov over comments about his legal fees, which she corrected a day later.

The suit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleged Tarlov lied last week when she initially claimed Bobulinskis legal fees were paid by a Trump super PAC. Her comments were made during a discussion on Fox Newss The Five after Bobulinski testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee for its impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

After receiving a letter from Bobulinskis attorney requesting a retraction and apology a day later, Tarlov clarified her previous remarks on air, stating: What was actually said during the hearing was that the law firm representing Mr. Bobulinski was paid by a Trump PAC. I have seen no indication those payments were made in connection with Mr. Bobulinskis legal fees, and he denies that they were.

A spokesperson for Fox News maintained Thursday that Tarlovs clarification was accurate and made known the host was not aware of anything linking payments from a Trump PAC to Bobulinskis legal fees.

Jessica Tarlovs March 21st statements were accurate and made clear that she was not aware of anything to indicate that payments from a Trump PAC to Elections, LLC were made in connection with Tony Bobulinskis legal fees, a Fox News spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. We stand by our decision to not issue any further corrections and will vigorously defend against these inaccurate claims.

Lawyers for Bobulinski and Stefan Passantino  his attorney  alleged Tarlovs initial comment, in which she said, OK, Tony Bobulinskis lawyers fees have been paid by a Trump super PAC. Thats as recent as January, was made to achieve media headlines and ratings.

The comment deliberately besmirched the character of Bobulinski and Passantino and was an attempt to discredit the businessmans earlier testimony before the Oversight Committee, Bobulinskis lawyers wrote in the suit.

The lawyers argued Tarlov did not make a complete retraction and apology during her on-air clarification, calling it half-hearted, incomplete and unacceptable in a second letter to the host.

Bobulinski briefly worked with Hunter Biden, though the deal they worked on together never was completed. He has been a key GOP witness after he connected the president to his sons business, claiming the president was the big guy referred to in emails between himself and Hunter Biden regarding the distribution of money from a deal with a Chinese company.

Bobulinski later became aligned with allies of former President Trump; Passantino is a former White House lawyer who represented numerous Trump White House aides before the House Jan. 6 committee. In 2022, law firms connected to Passantino received more than $1 million from Trump-connected PACs.

It is a matter of fact that Mr. Passantino was paid solely by Mr. Bobulinski for his several years of previous representation, no differently than for his representation on March 20, 2024, his lawyers noted in the suit. Notably, no third parties have ever paid for any portion of Mr. Passantinos representation of Mr. Bobulinski.

Bobulinskis legal team is asking for $30 million in damages, arguing Tarlov sought to defame and undermine his character.

The Hill reached out to Bobulinskis legal team for further comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Neil DeSanti pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2010 and 2011. There is no indication the GOP candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives ever had his right to vote restored by a judge. Photo via Facebook

Republican hopeful Neil DeSanti is mounting his fourth campaign for elected office since 2020, hoping to secure a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives for his north Phoenix legislative district. Hes voted in 16 state and local elections since registering to vote in 2012.

Theres just one problem: He appears to be ineligible to vote under state law, which raises serious questions about the many ballots he has cast and his candidacy.

Under Arizona law, DeSanti lost his right to vote in 2010, when he pleaded guilty to felony endangerment related to a 2004 drunk driving arrest. Less than three months later, DeSanti pleaded guilty to felony possession of burglary tools after he and his cousin were caught stealing a metal ramp from a commercial yard near downtown Phoenix.

While people with only one felony will automatically have their rights restored once their sentence is completed and any required restitution is paid, people like DeSanti who have two or more felonies must petition the court to get their rights restored.

There is no record DeSanti ever asked a judge to do that.

He did return to Maricopa County Superior Court court to successfully seek an early end to his probation  he was sentenced to three years probation in December 2010 but the court granted him early release in December 2012  but there is no indication he ever sought to restore his rights.

It does not appear that Mr. DeSanti submitted an Application for Restoration of Rights (Civil and/or Firearm) in either case, Jessica Fotinos, the general counsel for the Clerk of the Maricopa County Superior Court, told the Arizona Mirror.

I must have them restored

In a March 27 interview, DeSanti said he had not applied to have a judge restore his rights. He initially said he thought that process happened automatically seven years after his conviction, then said he was under the impression that his plea agreements said his rights would be restored once he completed his sentence.

There is no language in either plea agreement indicating that.

DeSanti insisted that his rights must be restored because he has been registered to vote for years and has cast ballots in many elections.

I must have them restored, because I can vote and possess a firearm, he told the Mirror. Ive voted numerous times.

About five weeks before the court approved ending his probation, DeSanti registered to vote in Maricopa County. In doing so, he declared that he is NOT a convicted FELON or my civil rights are restored. He repeatedly made that attestation when he updated his voter registration four times after initially registering in November 2012, the latest in October 2021.

Neither of those are true for DeSanti, meaning he cant run for elected office in Arizona. State law requires candidates for the legislature be qualified electors, which includes being registered to vote.

While Maricopa County elections officials routinely check existing voters against lists of newly convicted felons and remove them from the rolls, they do not compare new registrants against previous lists of convicted felons. Nor do they have any way to check and see which registrants have had their rights restored.

Instead, they rely on the state law requiring people who register to vote to provide accurate information, including about their felony history and any rights restoration. Voters to fail to do so can face a class 6 felony charge for false voter registration.

DeSanti could be exposed to that crime, and he could be charged with a class 5 felony for each of the 16 elections hes voted in, despite not being entitled to. The standard prison sentence for a class 6 felony is one year, and one-and-a-half years for a class 5 felony.

Even though he says he believes he was allowed to vote, DeSanti could still be guilty of illegally voting if his rights were never restored. Earlier this month, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of Kyle Anthony Clark, who was indicted for false registration and illegal voting in 2021, and concluded that prosecutors do not need to prove that a person knew they were voting illegally, just that they were ineligible to vote and did so anyway.

Since 2021, the Arizona Attorney Generals Office has prosecuted at least six people with prior felony convictions for registering to vote and casting ballots without first having their rights restored.

For instance, Kenneth Russell Nelson registered to vote in 2018 and cast ballots in the 2018 primary and general elections, then again in the 2020 general election. But he had never had his rights restored following a 2007 drunk driving felony. Nelson was indicted for four felonies: one count of false registration and three counts of illegal voting. He pleaded guilty to attempted illegal voting.

Likewise, a San Tan Valley man named Roberto Garcia pleaded guilty to illegally voting in 2020 because he registered to vote and cast a ballot without having his rights restored.

DeSanti told the Mirror he wasnt too worried about the legality of his voter registration or the elections hes voted in, and said he figured someone would have brought it up in 2022, when his candidacy was successfully challenged in court by an opponent.

Who is Neil DeSanti?

Public records on DeSantis voter history show he voted in the primary and general elections in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. He also cast ballots in Phoenix and Scottsdale municipal elections in 2013, 2015, 2016 2017, 2019 and 2023.

He was appointed to be a precinct committeeman in 2023.

In 2020, he mounted a campaign for the Corporation Commission, but failed to qualify for the ballot, so he shifted his sights to Phoenix mayor, though he never submitted signatures to appear on the ballot.

In 2022, DeSanti hoped to be elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in District 2, which includes large portions of north Phoenix. He turned in nominating petitions, but was removed from the ballot after their validity was challenged in court and he fell short of the required number of valid petition signatures.

This year, DeSanti is again running for the House in District 2.

DeSanti, a loyal Donald Trump supporter, has been active on social media decrying the election fraud that he says led to Trumps 2020 defeat by Joe Biden.

We the people, stormed the Arizona State Capital to show the evidence collected from The Voter registration list and elsewhere that dead People, nonresidential votes and illegal immigrants Votes where (sic) counted and shouldnt! #ArizonaFirst #AuditTheVote #desantiforaz, he wrote on Twitter on Dec. 31, 2020.

He praised the work of We the People AZ Alliance, an election denial group at the center of many of the election fraud conspiracy theories in Arizona. In the spring and summer of 2021, as the Arizona Senate was conducting a partisan audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County  an effort that was spurred on by Trumps campaign in its quixotic pursuit of evidence of election fraud  DeSanti regularly took to social media to tout the latest news.

He frequently posted videos from right-wing conspiracy theorists, including Liz Harris, who would go on to be elected to the Arizona Legislature in 2022  and then expelled in 2023 after she lied to ethics investigators about the role she played in encouraging testimony baselessly accusing state officials and her fellow lawmakers of crimes.

After the 2022 election, DeSanti wrote on Facebook that Election Day problems with ballot printers and tabulators at voting centers in Maricopa County were undeniable evidence that tampering accrued (sic) with this election by the McCain & Democrat collaborators.

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The post A GOP candidate appears to be registered to vote, and casting ballots, illegally appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
RICHMOND, Va. (WFXR)  On Thursday, March 28, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed several acts, including bills that would legalize cannabis sales and raise the states minimum wage.

According to the governors veto statement, implementing the proposed $15 per hour wage mandate may impact the current economic conditions and raise the cost of living. He also stated this would be detrimental to small businesses in Virginia.

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, said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Gun lobby won the day: Democrats react to Youngkin vetoing their gun bills

Youngkin stated that marijuana carries the same dangers as other drugs, and the state should have recognized this before creating a medical marijuana system.

The proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians health and safety, stated Governor Youngkin 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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Governor Bill Lee signed a bill Thursday to undo Memphis Traffic stop reforms following the death of Tyre Nichols.

The Memphis City Council made the bill after the fatal police beating of Tyre Nichols last year. City and state leaders are now weighing in with their reactions.

So, anytime there are bills or anything coming from the state that remove our ability of determining our destiny, were going to speak out against it, said Mayor Paul Young. Im a firm believer that we should have the ability locally to define our own path that our city council and residents spoke out for those ordinances. Im disappointed to see them signed out of law.

TN Senate passes bill to undo Memphis traffic stop ordinance

Earlier this month, the parents of Tyre Nichols traveled to Nashville to make a plea to Republican lawmakers to find a compromise.

I dont know about the rest of the state, but in Memphis, we need pretextual stops, said Rodney Wells, Nichols stepfather. We all know our son got pulled over for a pretextual stop and ended up getting murdered. So, you tell us should we continue to keep having these pretextual stops?

The governors signature makes some of Memphis ordinances null and void. It includes so-called pretextual traffic stops, such as for a broken taillight and other minor violations.

All of our hearts go out to the Tyre Nichols family and what happened to Tyre Nichols on that fateful night had nothing to do with an ordinance about routine traffic stops. What it had to do about was five bad cops who were intent on killing Tyre Nichols that night, said Republican Senator Brent Taylor.

Decarcerate Memphis holds discussion about police reform

Taylor, the bill sponsor, applauds the governor for signing the law because of what he calls overreach by the City Council that led to confusion.

It was important that we clarify this and clear up any misunderstanding that law enforcement officers have and any misunderstanding that the public has when they can be pulled over and allow the police to do their job, Taylor said.

As for Young, he says his administration will be meeting with their attorneys about the law and what can still be enforced when it comes to traffic stop reforms.

Things like data tracking and spreadsheets and things that document the number of incidents of traffic stops, said Young. So, those are the types of things that we will be able to continue to do.

The Department of Justice is still investigating how Memphis Police Department officers use force and conduct arrests and whether the department engages in racially discriminatory policing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Gov. Tate Reeves nominations for the immensely powerful governing board of Mississippis public universities do not include a graduate of the states historically Black colleges and universities.

The 12-member Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees will be left with just one alumnus of an HBCU in Mississippi if the Senate approves Reeves nominations. Currently, the board has two.

Also not represented by Reeves picks or on the IHL board is Mississippi University for Women, which recently fended off a surprise Senate bill earlier this legislative session to merge it with Mississippi State University.

A spokesperson for Reeves office did not return inquiries from Mississippi Today about how the governor identified the four nominees and if he considered any candidates who had graduated from an HBCU in Mississippi.

Id like to thank the outgoing IHL board members for their years of distinguished public service and many contributions to our state, Reeves said in a press release. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Reeves nominations will seek to fill vacancies left by four of former Gov. Phil Bryants IHL appointees who will roll off the board in May. Those include Dr. Alfred McNair, a gastroenterologist who graduated from Tougaloo College. Dr. Steven Cunningham, a radiologist who attended Jackson State University, will be the boards sole HBCU alum.

The nominations are already drawing criticism from some lawmakers in the Senate for not equitably representing the state of Mississippi. And the stakes could be high: Lawmakers this session have proposed measures to close three universities or to study efficiency in the states university system.

Time and time again, the governor speaks about being a governor for all of Mississippi, said Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons, a Democrat from Greenville and a graduate of Jackson State. These recent appointments show that he is not holding true to the words that he himself speaks.

Reeves picks may not face significant pushback as the last time the Senate rejected a governors nomination for the IHL board was in 1996.

Appointments to the IHL board come with significant responsibility and power over Mississippis public university system. The trustees oversee eight universities that educate more than 86,000 students and support almost as many jobs, according to an economic impact study.

But historically, IHL has not not always used that power to the benefit of all eight institutions. The board was subject to a long-running lawsuit, settled in 2002, that alleged it had violated the 14th Amendment by not providing adequate funds to Mississippis three HBCUs.

And just last fall, the Biden administration calculated the state of Mississippi owes Alcorn State University more than $250 million over the last 30 years alone. As an 1890 land-grant institution, Alcorn State is supposed to receive equitable funds to the states other agriculture college, Mississippi State University.

Reeves is not the first governor to face criticism for largely appointing graduates of the states predominantly white institutions. His appointments hew to a pattern set by his predecessors: IHL appointees traditionally do not have higher education experience and are usually accomplished, and well-connected, attorneys, doctors and business owners.

They are also often campaign donors. Reeves four nominations, whose names and biographies were announced in a press release Tuesday, are no exception and include:

Donald Clark, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi School of Law, is an attorney at Butler Snow and the law firms former chairman.

The founding partner of Heidelberg, Steinberger, Burrow & Armer, James Jimmy Heidelberg previously sat on the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board and attended the same institutions as Clark.

Charles Charlie Stephenson serves as the president of the Mississippi State Bulldog Club Board of Directors and graduated from Mississippi State University.

Jerry Griffith, who served on the Mississippi Gaming Commission, attended Delta State University.

Mississippi Today was able to confirm through a database the news organization created last year that at least two of Reeves nominations  Clark, Heidelberg and Stephenson  are campaign donors to the governor. Calls to those three nominees were not returned by press time.

Griffith said he was on deadline for some articles and could not speak substantively about his nomination until next week but added that its an honor to be appointed by the governor.
Editor's Note: Jason Maulucci is Governor Scott's Press Secretary. An earlier version had an incorrect title.

Vermont's new Secretary of Education starts April 15. The seat, which has been vacant for a year, will be filled by Florida education administrator Zoie Saunders. Saunders' path to the chair is an unconventional one compared to that of her most recent predecessors, but state leadership believe she brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record for improving student outcomes.

As Secretary of Education she will oversee the Agency of Education and a public school system comprised of 50 school districts and supervisory unions serving 84,000 students.

Governor Phil Scott announced Saunders' appointment on March 22, touting her work in Broward County Public Schools  an area that serves northern Miami suburbs and is the sixth largest district in the country, her role as an education officer for the City of Fort Lauderdale, and directing strategy for Charter Schools USA.

Governor: Saunders' fresh perspective will be helpful

The Free Press asked Governor Scott what about Saunders  who has worked in a public school system for only a few months  makes him feel she is capable of a heading a statewide public school system. The Governor's Press Secretary Jason Maulucci responded saying that she has extensive public school experience, that her vast experience in one of the nation's largest school systems is invaluable in this role and she brings a helpful fresh perspective.

The state board of education, which vetted the candidates and gave the governor three names to choose from, said during the press conference that Saunders possessed the traits of a transformative, inclusive and inspirational leader and her experience showed she had a track record of improving outcomes and opportunities for students.

Zoie Saunders will become Vermont's new Secretary of Education starting April 15, 2024.

Job details, documents are limited

The Governor's office said Saunders will make $168,355 as Secretary of Education, which is the same for all cabinet secretaries.

The Free Press requested Saunders's employee contract, offer of hire  including any moving expenses and sign-on bonus offered  but was told none of those documents exist. Commissioners and secretaries don't have a contract and serve a term set by Vermont statute, according to Maulucci. Upon reading the statute, however, it doesn't seem to address term limits. He also said the Governor made the offer in person to Saunders and so there was no paperwork. By contrast, many superintendents, principals and teachers have written employee contracts.

Governor Phil Scott introduces Zoie Saunders as Vermont's new Secretary of Education at a press conference on March 22, 2024. This image is a still shot from the event that was also broadcast on Facebook.

The Agency of Education said Saunders would not be granting any more interviews or responses to questions until her start date, however, Saunders addressed the public and the media during the press conference announcing her hire. The Agency of Education planned to reject a request for Saunders' resume stating employee records are exempt from public records requests, however Saunders allowed its release in the public interest.

Saunders' background is different from those who came before

While Saunders has worked in public school-adjacent roles  specifically in her position with the City of Fort Lauderdale which partnered with local schools to provide educational resources to the community  her experience in public school leadership is only three months long. Saunders was hired by Broward County Schools in mid-December, and much of her work during that time that has been covered by the press was in relation to school closures.

By comparison, the two previous secretaries of education worked as teachers, principals and school district administrators or superintendents in Vermont and New Hampshire before taking the job. Dan French was appointed by the Republican governor and was in that role nearly five school years before leaving last spring and Rebecca Holcombe, who was appointed by Democrat Governor Peter Shumlin in 2013, also served five years.

Strategy, partnerships, charter schools - new Secretary has held varied education and non-education leadership roles

What Saunders brings to Vermont is extensive experience in strategy, operations and systems management, creating partnerships and implementing new programs. She has worked in non-profit, for profit and government capacities, and served public, independent and charter schools. Her resume includes a myriad of data points depicting how her influence contributed to growth and success rates and a half dozen awards bestowed upon her or her organization while she was under their employ.

She says a key focus for her is to increase access to resources and opportunities in areas where they didn't exist before.

I have devoted my career to expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities and believe in the power of education to drive positive community change and economic prosperity, Saunders said in a statement.

Will Secretary's charter school background mean expansion of school choice in Vermont?

One thing that has been pointed out is Saunders' charter school connection. She led strategy initiatives for Charter Schools USA for seven years  until 2019. The organization was founded by a member who came out of the activist conservative policy group and think tank The Heritage Foundation.

While Vermont is not a charter school state, it does offer school choice in specific scenarios and even boasts the oldest town tuitioning program in the nation  which is a method by which a student's educational tax dollars follow them to a school in another town or district.

Zoie Saunders addresses the public and press on March 22, 2024 after being named Vermont's new Secretary of Education, effective April 15. This image is a still shot from the event that was also broadcast on Facebook.

Saunders said she has a background in charter schools but also equivalent time spent advocating for improvements within the traditional school system. "So, I come with both perspectives which I think is really valuable as we explore different opportunities," she said. "I think the purpose of education is to help every child meet their fullest potential."

When asked if she would advocate for expanding school choice or establishing a charter school system in Vermont, she said commenting on policy decisions before she's had the time to study their impact in Vermont would be getting ahead of herself and that it is a priority to ensure a very strong base of high quality education in neighborhood schools.

What are Zoie Saunders' priorities as Secretary of Education?

When Zoie Saunders officially takes on the role of Secretary of Education in April, she will be learning from Interim Secretary of Education Heather Bouchey before the new fiscal year starts in July. Governor Scott said the hiring process was protracted because of summer flooding and because of his confidence in Bouchey to keep things running smoothly until they were ready to make a decision.

Secretary Saunders plans to spend her first 90 days going on a listening and learning tour across the state to towns and schools to understand at a local level what people believe is working best and where there are opportunities to improve.

She expects to address issues faced all across the country including declining enrollment, aging facilities, need for support in academic growth and student mental health. She said she hoped to take from what is working elsewhere while understanding that community context matters and stakeholders best understand challenges.

The Governor has pointed out that Vermont spends among the most money per student but academic outcomes are middling. And, during Town Meeting Day a staggering one-third of school budget votes failed in response to property taxes rising by 20% or more. He expects the Legislature will come up with some short term solutions to the education tax formula before the session is out. But, speaking generally, Gov. Scott also said that change takes time.

Saunders said her family has spent a lot of time in Vermont visiting both her sisters and her aunt and they have come to love the state. She believes in the vision for Vermont education that has been presented to her and looks forward to getting starting on a solutions-focused plan. Saunders said her children have attended public school since kindergarten and that she and her husband intend to enroll them in public school when they move to Vermont.

"I am energized and motivated by the Governor's bold vision to make the state of Vermont a national model producing the best educational outcomes in the United States from cradle to career," she said.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: What to know about Vermont's new Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders
PM Pham Minh Chinh and delegates at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

He also highlighted Japan as Vietnam'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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam'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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

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./.
DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A man is facing a murder charge in connection with a January shooting in the Mechanicsville area of Darlington County.

Billy Odell Powell was arraigned Thursday after being indicted by a grand jury, according to Sheriff James Hudson Jr. He remains in the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center where he was already being held on other related charges.

Herbert Lee Brown died in the Jan. 16 shooting off Turkey Run Lane, Coroner Todd Hardee told News13 on Friday.

No additional information was immediately available. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division assisted the sheriffs office homicide team in the investigation, which is continuing.

 Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee.

Count on News13 for updates.



* * *

Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Grand Rapids Brewing Company will not reopen after it closed in February due to a fire.

After 11 years, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, located at 1 Ionia Ave. SW at Fulton Street announced on Friday that it would be closing its doors.

The decision to close comes after a Feb. 23 fire damaged the brewerys kitchen and HVAC system. No one was injured in the fire.

A burning building along Fulton Street in downtown Grand Rapids. (Feb. 23, 2024)

The brewery said the fire forced it to close temporarily, but it has decided to make the closure permanent.

Crews knock down fire at Grand Rapids Brewing Co.

Downtown Grand Rapids has been our cherished home, where each pint represented craftsmanship, community and resilience, Ned Lidvall, CEO of Project BarFly, parent company of Grand Rapids Brewing Company, said in a news release. Lets raise a final toast to the memories and friendships made. To our team and the city of Grand Rapids, thank you for being part of our journey.

This news came as a shock to some brewery patrons.

I definitely thought they were going to be able to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and reopen, Isaiah Sills, a patron of the Grand Rapids Brewing Company, said. Theyre called Grand Rapids Brewing Companies, so youd imagine after 11 years theyre going to have a pretty solid footprint. You know, I would say that with it being such a staple building on such a busy road as Ionia is, I mean, I could imagine that some of the regulars are going to be a little upset.

The brewery noted that its lease will become available in May. The brewery has not indicated it if plans on looking for a new property to lease.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Adam Townsend has been a mechanic his whole life, and plans to turn it into a career upon completion of his training at Indian Hills Community College. He found his passion for aviation in high school, and though he thought about becoming a pilot, aviation maintenance allows him to combine his interests at a college close to home with a good program.

Now in his second year of the program, Townsend is already interning at a company in Des Moines and plans to continue there full-time after graduation. He said the recognition Indian Hills Community College is receiving through a federal grant solidifies his opinion of how good and important the schools training is.

It makes me proud, honestly, it makes me feel that much more confident in my schooling and the knowledge that Ive absorbed through my professors and through the school, Townsend said. It makes me feel like Im more prepared.

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The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a combined amount of almost $1.3 million to three Iowa community colleges to help update and support their aviation training programs.

Indian Hills Community College and Iowa Western Community College are receiving $302,816 and $500,000 for their aviation maintenance and mechanics programs, respectively, and Iowa Lakes Community College has been awarded $493,657 for its aviation programs.

Each community college will use funds from the grants to obtain new equipment and technology for their programs, from virtual reality systems to drones.

Indian Hills Community College North Campus Program Director Kimberly Dreaden said there is a lot of theory involved in the aviation maintenance curriculum that can be hard to understand unless the students can actually see the equipment, which can be difficult since many of the systems are hidden behind walls within the plane. Having new training aids and VR systems will help students better understand what theyre working with.

Our goal is to use some of these funds to obtain these trainings so students can see how these systems work and what the general flow (is), minus just using a diagram, like giving them a very active engagement with it, Dreaden said.

Related

Job Focused Community College Programs Grow  But Grim Transfer Trend Continues

Equipment like VR technology can also be taken into classrooms to show high school students what they could be doing if they pursue a career in aviation mechanics, and to provide access to people who cannot commute to the college for in-person training.

Related

On-The-Job Training Prevails as Students Disinterest in College Grows

Kyle Norris, an executive dean at Iowa Lake Community College, said the college is planning to expand its aviation programming into emerging technologies like drones and rotary wing piloting and is opening new aviation cohorts in Spencer and Estherville. One of their goals is to fill the aviation career pipeline and reach more students throughout the region.

Drones, simulators and other technology will help the college engage with more high school students and show them that there isnt just one path for aviation students.

This will help us open those doors to high school students that might be thinking of a career in agriculture and then really have a keen interest in the aviation side, and understanding that it just doesnt mean flying planes for a commercial industry, Norris said.

Promotion of the programs is another area where the colleges will be putting dollars, including expanding partnerships with schools and employers in order to attract students. Diana Garcia, dean of industrial technology and transportation at Iowa Western Community College, said the college previously used grant dollars from a different FAA grant for the same purpose with positive results.

Indian Hills Community College and Iowa Western Community College will also allocate some of the grant dollars to stipends and scholarships for students in order to relieve some of their financial burdens while trying to earn their certifications.

Dreaden said costs of new tools and even certification examinations can be a barrier for some students, especially if theyre handling housing and food costs alongside them, and the college wants to offer support where it can.

Like Townsend, Dreaden has personal ties to her passion. Growing up with her father and grandfather both involved in aviation mechanics, Dreaden knows first-hand the careers benefits, but she also knows the barriers it has to people trying to get their start in the industry. Being able to help students receive the tools and access they need to thrive is important, especially in an industry where she said the college cant give them enough people.

Beth Elman, marketing executive director for Iowa Lakes Community College, said receiving these funds is made even better when she gets to see the passion in students as they experience the colleges programming.

Its exciting that were able to have those funds to help catapult the lives of future students, and I think that thats what these grants really mean, Elman said. Theyre investing in our program, but really, theyre investing in our future and the future of our students.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.
Since its launch in 2011, Henrietta-based Greenlight Networks has charged a flat fee of $50 per month for basic high-speed internet service.

Starting with April bills, subscribers will pay $55 for the 500 megabits-per-second plan.

In an email sent to them Thursday, the company wrote: We are proud of the fact that we have been able to keep our price the same for so long. However, in light of changes in regulations, minimum wages, and the increased costs to build and support our network it is necessary for us to increase our Basic rate by $5/month effective with your April bill.

Prices for 1- and 2-gigabit speed tiers will remain at $75 and $100 per month, respectively, the company said.

Greenlights fastest plan is being increased to 8 gigabits, but the cost is being reduced from $200 to $150 a month, it said.

Since its launch in 2011, Henrietta-based Greenlight Networks has charged a flat base price of $50 a month for high-speed internet service. Starting with April bills, subscribers will pay $55.

Greenlight currently serves more than 170,000 homes in 27 municipalities in the Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton and Albany areas.

In June 2022, the company announced it had been acquired by New York City private equity firm Oak Hill Capital, which planned to invest up to $300 million to expand Greenlights network to 800,000 residential connections in five to six years.

Oak Hill supplanted majority investor and billionaire Paychex founder Tom Golisano, who had acquired Greenlight in 2018.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Greenlight Networks internet service fee set to rise in New York
Greg Lopez speaks during the Republican special nomination convention for Colorado's 4th Congressional District in Hugo on March 28, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

A group of Republicans in the Eastern Plains of Colorado chose former gubernatorial candidate Greg Lopez as their nominee for an upcoming special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck in Congress.

Lopez won on the sixth round of voting against former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg with 51 votes, just over 52% of the share. Ninety-eight people were credentialed to vote Thursday at the special convention at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Hugo, about 20 miles southeast of Limon.

What I heard today is that people want us to unite as a party. They want to make sure that we have a strong, conservative voice. Its an honor to be selected to represent the 4th Congressional District, Lopez told reporters after the vote.

The former mayor of Parker will now run against the Democratic nominee in the June 25 special election for the 4th Congressional District seat. Democrats will select their own nominee during a virtual special convention Monday. The district is the most Republican-leaning in the state, so Lopez will almost certainly win and serve the rest of Bucks term until next January.

Im going to go there and do the best job that I can and represent this state to the best of my ability, Lopez said, adding that he was surprised by the outcome.

The 4th District seat became empty when Buck, who was set to retire after his current term, resigned on March 22.

It was already an open primary for the Republican nomination for the general election, and seven of the primary candidates jumped in for the special nomination, hoping to get an early start to their time in Washington, D.C.

Instead, Republicans chose Lopez, who is not running for the primary nomination. This avoids a potentially confusing situation for voters who could have seen two ballots in June with the same candidate for the same seat, as the primary election to choose the Republican nominee in the general election is on the same day as the special election.

Also vying for the special election nomination on Thursday were Sonnenberg, former state lawmaker Ted Harvey, state Rep. Richard Holtorf, state Rep. Mike Lynch, Peter Yu, Scott Melbye, Chris Phelen and Floyd Trujilo.

Advantage for Boebert

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who currently represents Colorados 3rd Congressional District and moved into the 4th District late last year to compete for the open seat, did not seek the special nomination on Thursday in order to finish out her current term. Instead, she will seek only the primary election victory.

Lopezs victory could be an advantage for Boebert, since she will not be in the position of trying to convince voters to choose a Republican on the special election ballot but reject that same Republican in favor of her on the primary ballot.

Boebert has endorsements from former President Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.

We believe the vacancy committee made the right decision, Drew Sexton, Boeberts campaign manager, said. I think theres a lot of frustration from grassroots leaders here in the 4th District with Ken Bucks selfish decision and how this would taint the entire process. Fortunately, Greg Lopez stepped up and offered an opportunity to end some of the frustration and division we saw over the last two weeks.

Boebert wrote a letter to the delegates ahead of the vote, urging them to vote for a placeholder to avoid giving an advantage to any one particular candidate over the other nine candidates already in the primary race, as well as avoid confusing Coloradans who will have both races on their ballot.

I think there's a lot of frustration from grassroots leaders here in the 4th District with Ken Bucks selfish decision and how this would taint the entire process. Fortunately, Greg Lopez stepped up and offered an opportunity to end some of the frustration and division we saw over the last two weeks.

 Drew Sexton, Rep. Lauren Boeberts campaign manager

Boebert and conservative radio host Deborah Flora have already qualified for the primary ballot.

Two of the candidates  Lopez and Melbye  pledged to be placeholder representatives and only complete the remainder of Bucks term. Phelen said that if he won the special nomination, he would drop out of the primary. They contended that by not seeking the primary nomination, it would let district voters more fairly decide on Bucks successor.

Im looking at it from a bigger perspective. Im looking to be a strategic partner for whoever wins (the primary), because we need to make sure they win their race the way they plan to, Lopez said. He did not say who he would support in the crowded primary field.

Former candidate for governor

After a few rounds of voting, support began to coalesce around Lopez as that placeholder candidate. In the end, it came down to a contest between Sonnenberg and Lopez. Harvey, who was in the final three, urged his supporters to vote for Sonnenberg and reject the placeholder scheme, saying that the next six months in Congress could be extremely volatile. That elicited pushback from the Lopez supporters in the crowd.

They didnt do it to support the candidate Greg Lopez, they did it to support their own candidates who werent here tonight, Harvey said of Lopez voters. To suggest we send a placeholder to Washington, D.C., to represent 800,000 people is irresponsible.

Lopez lost to Heidi Ganahl for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2022. He also ran for the nomination unsuccessfully in 2018.

He has had a couple of encounters with law enforcement over the years. In 1993, his wife called the police after an alleged domestic violence incident and the pair pleaded guilty to a harassment charge. In 2003, he was charged with driving under the influence. In 2020, he settled a lawsuit that alleged he tried to improperly influence actions of the Small Business Administration, where he was the Colorado director from 2008 until 2014. He declined to answer questions about his past on Thursday.

Lopez has falsely claimed that former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election.

The 4th Congressional District includes most of Douglas County and the Eastern Plains.

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The post Greg Lopez wins Republican nomination for special election to replace Ken Buck in Congress appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
Victims of the Grenfell Tower fire have received less compensation on average than the firefighters involved in the bungled operation to rescue them.

Survivors and grieving relatives have spoken of their distress at discovering emergency workers received bigger payouts. One relative who lost six members of his family said it was insulting to our loved ones.

In total, 900 bereaved relatives, survivors and Grenfell residents last year received 150 million  an average of 166,000 each  after settling legal claims brought against those responsible for the tragedy, including the London Fire Commissioner.

Last month, 114 firefighters received a 20 million settlement  equivalent to 175,000 each.

Firefighters hold a minute's silence beside Grenfell Tower - Eddie Mulholland

London Fire Brigade (LFB) was blamed for contributing to more deaths on the night of the fire, in which 72 people were killed, with its stay put policy. Residents were told to remain in their flats as the blaze enveloped the building and the order was only revoked two hours after the fire had started.

LFB is one of a number of organisations under police investigation, although relatives despair at the time it is taking to bring charges, seven years after the blaze in 2017.

More than 30 police officers are now bringing their own claim and relatives fury increased when a council worker was awarded 4.6 million by an employment tribunal, after she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while working with bereaved families.

Hisam Choucair, 46, whose mother, sister, three nieces and brother-in-law all perished in the blaze, said: They are making money out of our tragedy. It is scandalous; it is sickening; it is disgusting.

We have received so far less than the payments given to firefighters. I think its disgraceful that firefighters have put in claims for a job they are signed up to do. Nobody forced them to be firefighters: its their role.

Hisam Choucair lost six members of his family in the Grenfell Tower fire

Mr Choucair said of the 4.6 million paid to Rachael Wright-Turner, who was diagnosed with PTSD after working as humanitarian assistance lead in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: That is way more than we will receive. Things have gone out of control. It is mad.

Ms Wright-Turner was sacked by the neighbouring council Hammersmith and Fulham from her 125,000-a-year new job as director of public service reform while on sick leave. The council is planning to appeal the award.

Rachael Wright-Turner won a .46 million payout after suffering PTSD

Mr Choucair has received an interim payment for the deaths in his family but is prevented by confidentiality clauses from saying how much. He added: We dont have anything of my mother, sister, nieces, and brother-in-law  not even a photo. Everything burned.

He said: We have so many things to deal with and yet the cheek of them, the LFB trying every way to take advantage of our loss after they failed us with their stay-put advice. Its like having a circle of vultures above your head all the time.

Raheleh Samimi, 42, whose mother Fatemeh Afrasiabi and disabled aunt Sakineh Afrasaibi died in the fire, said: All of us are really distressed that those whose responsibility it was to help on the night of the fire, whose job and duty it was, are claiming compensation.

Its ridiculous because its their job that they have signed up for and chose. As part of their job, there are things they are supposed to see and do.

And what we had to accept was minimal. They dont consider at all what weve lost and the impact on us, our loss of earnings, careers, our relationships which have been destroyed and unfortunately for us who lost loved ones it is so minimal that its actually embarrassing to even say it. Yet the firefighters compensation is greater. Its totally ridiculous.

Firefighters leaving the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire - Andy Rain/EPA

Flora Neda, whose husband died jumping from their flat at the top of the tower, said she was deeply saddened to see that police officers had included details of her husband Mohammeds death as part of a claim for compensation for the trauma they had suffered in witnessing the horrors on the night.

Mrs Neda said: I do not understand why the death of our loved ones as a result of state and corporate negligence has been turned into a multi-billion pound industry now by so many taking advantage and forgetting the actual next of kin of those who died.

Its a huge machine now, the Grenfell industry. Its disgraceful and inhumane to us and our loved ones.

We will be asking to speak to the Ministry of Justice to see if the Victims Bill can address these issues we have direct experience of.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The National Cherry Blossom Festival is hosting its annual Blossom Kite Festival this Saturday, featuring a Colors of the Wind themed kite-making competition.

The festival is held on the grounds of the Washington Monument near 15th  17th Street and Constitution Ave. NW.

Activities are scheduled throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the highlight of the festival is the competition between kite-makers. All kites must be hand-made and flown by the kite-maker.

How to see the solar eclipse from the National Mall

The competition, open to amateurs and enthusiasts alike, is split into two divisions between children and adults.

Children can compete for first, second and third place awards. Award categories for adults kites include Best in Show, Greatest Visual Appeal, Best Craftmanship and more.

Adults can also compete in a Hot Tricks Showdown, Adult Kit Makers Competition and Rokkaku Battle.

Resources promoting kite-making can be found through links highlighted on the Blossom Kite Festivals website.

Contestants can register for competitions online or on-site between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A 24-year-old Guatemalan woman has died after a 30-foot fall from a border fence in California, authorities said Friday.

The woman was climbing a secondary fence at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego on March 21 and became stuck before she began yelling for help, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement.

U.S. Border Patrol agents became aware of her around 10:30 p.m. They initially attempted to discourage her from climbing the fence, authorities said.

CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON PACE TO BREAK RECORDS AT US SOUTHERN BORDER

A US Border Patrol agent monitors from a vehicle a section of the US-Mexico border wall near Otay Mesa between San Diego and Tijuana. A woman died earlier this month after falling from a border fence at the crossing point, border officials said Friday.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department arrived at the scene around 10:48 p.m. as the woman was yelling that she was struggling to hold onto the fence, CBP said.

However, when a firetruck arrived, it was unable to negotiate a narrow turn to deliver a ladder close enough to be used.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Agents advised the woman that the firefighters were on the way with a ladder and instructed her to hold on as long as she could," CBP said.

Meanwhile, the woman kept yelling for assistance before she fell at approximately 10:54 p.m., striking an elevated concrete base, CBP officials said.

Responding agents arrived and noted that the woman sustained head trauma and profuse bleeding. She was unresponsive, authorities said. A physician at Scripps Mercy Hospital declared the woman dead after a telephone consultation with fire department medical personnel at the scene.

The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Medical Examiners Office are investigating this incident. The San Diego Fire Department Professional Standards Unit and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General are also conducting internal reviews of the incident.

CBP confirmed that portions of the incident were captured on body cameras worn by multiple border agents.

In September, a woman died after falling from a border wall at the same Otay-Mesa crossing.





Original article source: Guatemalan woman dies after 30-foot fall from border fence in California
Harbour staff have worked on improvements through the winter months [BBC]

Guernsey Ports has issued new safety guidance to leisure boaters ahead of the peak season beginning over the bank holiday weekend.

Harbour staff have been working through the winter to repair pontoons damaged by recent storms.

Harbour Master Captain David Parker said it was set to one of the busiest summers for sailing regattas in recent years.

He reminded all boatowners to remember the three Ps: prepare your boat, provide the right equipment and perform responsibly.

There are 25 sailing events and regattas booked into St Peter Port Harbour over the spring and summer, and the first cruise ship of 2024 is due to arrive in the first week of April.

The first major event is the Tresco Trophee, a sailing race from Morlaix to Guernsey, which is set to bring in up to 100 visiting yachts and hundreds of visiting sailors.

From 17-19 May, the Guernsey Boat Show is on the Crown Pier and Victoria Marina.

In June and July, the harbour plans to host the Inter Island Yacht Race and the Tour de Ports de la Manche, which is set to attract 500-600 visitors from France.

The harbour is also expecting visitors from further afield.

Captain Barker said: There are currently over 70 cruise ships booked in over the coming months, with the largest of those being the Dutch ship Nieuw Statendam, which is due to arrive on 18 April with around 3,200 passengers.

Captain Barker said it is set to be their busiest season in recent years [BBC]

During the course of the winter, improvements had been made to the harbour including pressure washing all deck planking, fixing pontoon fendering and providing maintenance to more than 1,600 moorings, staff said.

Marina staff also prevented leisure vessels from sinking following storm damage on several occasions, they added.

Captain Barker said he expected most leisure boaters to wait until after the Easter weekend before getting back on the water, due to unsettled weather.

He urged all boaters to pay attention to safety guidance with regards to preparing themselves and their equipment in order to reduce the likelihood of difficulties on the water.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A new pilot program aimed at making commuters feel safer on the subway system is coming to New York City this summer.

The city will be testing portable gun scanners at select subway stations, which are capable of detecting whether a person is carrying a gun. There has been a 50% increase in patrol officers finding weapons on the subway, according to NYPD data.

NYPD officers tested out the technology at the Fulton Center in Lower Manhattan. An officer, who brought his gun with the firing pin removed, walked through the electromagnetic detector.

The scanner lit up in red, showing the outline of the weapon on the officers left side.

The scanners are mobile and can be deployed at any subway station in the five boroughs, according to officials. The checks would not be mandatory, but if you want to skip the detector, youll have to enter the subway station from somewhere else.

Man accused of killing NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller tried to shoot his partner: DA

The city and police are legally required to post the rules and guidelines for any new technology for a 90-day public review period before the pilot program rolls out at stations.

The Legal Aid Society opposed the technology, saying its an invasion of privacy. Some City Council members said funds that should be spent on mental health are being misguided.

Mayor Eric Adams said the scanners dont record or use artificial intelligence and facial recognition. He hopes Homeland Security can fund the security measure.

The detectors would get a test run at the end of June.

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.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (right) hosts a reception for Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski on March 28 (Photo: VNA)

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 Vietnam and Australia, and helps Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

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 Vietnam in recent times.

Some Australian businesses are very interested in building offshore wind farms because Vietnam 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 Vietnam 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 Vietnam./.
Ryan Anderson and Gypsy Rose Blanchard attend "The Prison Confessions Of Gypsy Rose Blanchard" Red Carpet Event on January 05, 2024, in New York City.

Three months after her release from prison, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has announced her separation from husband Ryan Scott Anderson.

Rumors have been circling about the pair's separation, but the news was made official on Friday morning, as People magazine obtained a statement Blanchard made on her private Facebook account.

"People have been asking what is going on in my life," Blanchard said in her statement. "Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents home down the bayou. I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find who I am."

Blanchard and Anderson got married in July 2022 while Blanchard was completing her eight-year prison sentence at the Chillicothe Correctional Center. Blanchard was imprisoned for conspiring to kill her abusive mother, Clauddine "Dee Dee" Blanchard, in 2015 with her then-boyfriend Nick Godejohn. She was released from prison in December 2023.

Following her release, Blanchard and Anderson were busy completing a press tour for the Lifetime documentary series, "The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard." The two appeared on television talk shows, podcasts and red carpets across the country. The two took to social media to share their relationship, including the addition of a Malshi puppy named Pixie.

Ryan Anderson and Gypsy-Rose Blanchard attend a red carpet event for Lifetime's docuseries "The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard" in New York on Jan. 5, 2024.

While Blanchard was quick to begin using social media  posting a hotel room selfie hours after being released from prison, she appears to be retreating from the public eye. Ahead of the separation announcement, Blanchard's public Instagram account boasted millions of followers. As of Friday, her account was private, with only 68 followers.

A screenshot of Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Instagram post on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. The hotel room-mirror selfie was posted the day after Blanchard was released from prison.

Anderson's Instagram account, with more than 369,000 followers, remains public. His last post, a photo of Pixie, was made on March 21.

Outside of the post obtained by People magazine, Blanchard has not made a public statement about her separation from Anderson.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, center, with her father Rod Blanchard and his wife, Kristy.

Blanchard and Anderson's separation doesn't come as a surprise to many, as Blanchard's family held reservations about the pair's marriage from the beginning. Throughout "The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard," members of Blanchard's family, including her father Rod Blanchard, stepmom Kristy Blanchard and half-sister Mia Blanchard, expressed hesitancy about the marriage.

More: Gypsy Rose has been busy. Here are 7 things we've learned from recent media appearances

"When we found out about this engagement with Ryan, I thought, 'I wish they would wait a little bit, but it's marriage. It's a piece of paper. She can get a divorce after. They don't have any kids or any assets, so I just want her to be happy,'" Rod says in the docuseries.

What was Gypsy Rose Blanchard's case about?

Blanchard's mother Dee Dee was alleged to have made her daughter appear to have a range of physical and development ailments, including leukemia, asthma and muscular dystrophy in order to gain disability payments and gifts from charity. She reportedly suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental condition in which someone makes another person ill for sympathy or gain.

In 2008, Dee Dee and Gypsy moved into a newly-built home on the north side of Springfield after their rental home in Louisiana was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The Blanchards purchased the Springfield home from Habitat for Humanity of Springfield.

Gypsy spent much of her life wheelchair-bound but eventually sought help from Godejohn, whom she met online, to escape her mother. Godejohn traveled from Wisconsin, where he lived, to Springfield, where the two made plans to kill Dee Dee.

On June 14, 2015, police were alerted to a post on Dee Dee's Facebook page that read, "That B*** is dead!" before Dee Dee's body was found dead in her home from multiple stab wounds. Simultaneously, Gypsy was nowhere to be found, as she had fled to Wisconsin with Godejohn.

Following the pair's arrest, Gypsy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years for her role in the fatal stabbing of her mother. She became eligible for parole after serving 85% of her sentence.

Godejohn remains behind bars. He was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing and killing Dee Dee. He continues to fight for a new trial, claiming his initial lawyers' defense failed to properly convey his level of autism in a diminished capacity defense.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Gypsy Rose Blanchard separates from husband Ryan Scott Anderson
FILE PHOTO: President Trump meets with outgoing Ambassador to the U.N. Haley in Oval Office in Washington

FILE PHOTO: President Trump meets with outgoing Ambassador to the U.N. Haley in Oval Office in Washington

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden's reelection campaign is appealing directly to supporters of former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who was the last major opponent to Donald Trump before she withdrew from the race earlier this month.

"Nikki Haley voters, Donald Trump doesn't want your vote," Biden said in a social media post on Friday that included a link to a new ad from his campaign. "I want to be clear: There is a place for you in my campaign."

The ad shows video clips of Trump blasting Haley as "birdbrain" and dismissing her candidacy.

"She's gone crazy, she's a very angry person," Trump said in one video clip of his former ambassador to the United Nations.

A source close to Haley said neither the Biden nor Trump campaigns had reached out to her about gaining the support of the people who voted for her.

A Trump representative did not respond to a request for comment.

Haley stuck with her presidential race when other Trump challengers had dropped out, promising policies that appealed to Republicans who had rejected Trump.

Almost 570,000 voters in three key battleground states - Nevada, North Carolina, and Michigan - voted for Haley in the Republican nominating contest, a small but potentially significant group in races that have been decided by tiny margins in recent elections.

Many Haley voters have wondered if they still have a place in the Republican Party, which has coalesced around Trump, despite his repeated lies about having won the 2020 election against Biden, and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Biden, 81, will need as much support as he can muster. He has faced concerns about his age and fitness for a second four-year term. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polls show his approval rating at 40% and in a tight race with Trump, 77, ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Tim Reid; Editing by Heather Timmons and Bill Berkrot)
The New Hampshire state House advanced a bill Thursday that would require political ads that use deceptive artificial intelligence (AI) disclose use of the technology, adding to growing momentum in states to add AI regulations for election protection.

The bill passed without debate in the state House and will advance to the state Senate.

The bill advanced after New Hampshire voters received robocalls in January, ahead of the states primary elections, that included an AI-generated voice depicting President Biden. Steve Kramer, a veteran Democratic operative, admitted to being behind the fake robocalls and said he did so to draw attention to the dangers of AI in politics, NBC News reported in February.

New Hampshires attorney generals office has said the calls violated the states voter suppression law.

The new bill would require disclosure when deceptive AI is used in political advertising within 90 days of an election, and the disclosures would be used to explain that the ads image, video, or audio has been manipulated or generated by AI and depicts speech of conduct that did not occur.

The bill includes exemptions for satire and parody.

The new measure is part of a growing trend of states taking on bills aimed at adding AI regulations for election-related content. An analysis released by Voting Rights Lab earlier this week tracked more than 100 bills in 39 state legislatures that contain provisions intended to regulate the potential for Ai to produce election disinformation.

The digitally-altered robocall depicting Biden in New Hampshire reignited calls from advocates for the federal government to add guardrails to protect against AI election disinformation from spreading.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC), under pressure led by the advocacy group Public Citizen, voted unanimously in August to open a public comment period to update a rule about fraudulently misrepresenting candidates to make it clear that the rule applies to deceptive AI in campaigns.

The FEC has not announced any further action on the rule.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Members of an advisory group that could help change Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department policy have agreed to keep any information about their closed meetings confidential.

Since January, representatives from groups such as the local NAACP have been meeting with police at the Belmont Regional Center to discuss whether the department should change its rules.

Those meetings were born out of a controversial arrest in November. A bystander recorded CMPD Officer Vincent Pistone hitting Christina Pierre 17 times. Pierre and her fiance had just clocked out from work at a nearby Bojangles and were sitting at a bus stop.

The Charlotte Observer previously reported that the advisory groups policy meetings are closed to the public, despite the Observers contention that they should be open under state law.

This week, participants said that they have agreed to not even share information about whats happening in the meetings. They declined to speak about their progress, following a suggestion from a Charlotte-Mecklenburg employee as well as the chair of their group.

Its not that were not wanting to be transparent, but we want (participants) to remain focused on what their concerns are, said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Deputy Director Terry Bradley.

He and Citizens Review Board Chair Tonya Jameson, who is leading the meetings, made the suggestion that board members not talk about details of the meetings publicly, Bradley said.

The group has met four times and expects at least one more meeting. Once finished, the group will send their recommendations to the police department.

Chief calls for review

Pierres arrest, captured on video by a bystander, drew widespread criticism.

She and her fiance, Anthony Lee, were smoking what police thought was marijuana at a bus stop on Nov. 13 when two officers confronted them, according to CMPD.

The couple told police that they got something from a nearby smoke shop, and an officer reached for Lee.

Police body-camera footage showed Pistone and several other officers struggling on the ground with Pierre as well as Pistone hitting her 17 times with what police called compliance strikes.

Police Chief Johnny Jennings later said it was 14 strikes too many. The department suspended Pistone for 40 hours. The district attorneys office dismissed Pierres and Lees charges.

And Jennings brought the advisory group together to help review department policy.

I feel that there is a need to form a Community and Police Collaboration Group who will mutually make recommendations for potential policy changes, the chief said in a Nov. 28 news release, adding that members would have constructive conversations about policies like CMPDs response to resistance and police-citizen encounters.

But those meetings would not be public, Jennings said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings.

Observer Managing Editor Taylor Batten and the newspapers attorney, Jonathan Buchan, urged Jennings and the city to reconsider the meetings closed-door status, arguing that his group fell under North Carolina laws wide-reaching definition of a public body.

The groups work is of significant public importance, and members of the public will naturally take great interest in its deliberations and ultimate recommendations, which will affect them directly, Batten wrote in a Dec. 4 letter.

City attorney Patrick Baker has said that the group is informal, and doesnt meet the criteria for a public body.

But in addition to the meetings being closed to public scrutiny, some of those volunteer participants confirmed this week that they have agreed not to speak with journalists about them at all.

Terry (Bradley) has asked us to have all media speak with them, Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP President Corine Mack said in a text message when asked how the discussions were going.

Longtime Charlotte activist Robert Dawkins, the political director of Action NC, a statewide group that focuses on equity, also declined to comment about the meetings progress or whats been discussed.

Troubling for transparency

Even if the public is interested in Pierres arrest, the focus ought to be on solutions, said Jameson, the board chair helping lead the conversations.

The recommendations our community group puts forth will hopefully create a safer atmosphere for interactions between CMPD officers and citizens, she said in an email. These are difficult conversations and people need to feel comfortable talking honestly without fear that their comments will be publicized.

Jameson said that as the chair for the Citizens Review Board, my default is typically confidentiality.

The decision to maintain confidentiality was a decision reached by Terry and myself, she wrote in an email.

A photo provided by Team Trublue founder Will Adams shows marks on one side of Christina Pierres face. An officer struck her in the face, police confirmed.

Will Adams runs Team Trublue, a group that has tried to build ties between police and community in the Charlotte area. He helped Pierre and Lee after their arrests, he said.

Still, he didnt even know about the police advisory groups meetings, he said this week. And with no information on whats happening at Belmont Regional Center, he wondered whether the talks have been productive.

Is this just a political stunt? he asked.

If group members were explicitly told not to speak to the press by a government employee, that might be a violation of their First Amendment rights, said Beth Soja, a Charlotte-based attorney who works with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. If they agreed on their own, it would likely be fine legally, she said.

Either way, she said, the meetings ought to be public, according to North Carolina law.

We saw this a lot during COVID, she said. Public bodies would create COVID task forces and then have them meet in secret. When you look at the definition of a public body, these groups clearly fall into the definition.

The whole scenario is troubling from a transparency perspective, she said of the meetings.

The Observer has filed a public records request for memoranda, agendas, minutes and communications tied to the advisory groups meetings.

NC Reality Check reflects the Charlotte Observers commitment to holding those in power to account, shining a light on public issues that affect our local readers and illuminating the stories that set the Charlotte area and North Carolina apart. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@charlotteobserver.com
Vice President Harris and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) hailed Beyonces new album Cowboy Carter in social media posts Friday.

Beyonce: Thank you for reminding us to never feel confined to other peoples perspective of what our lane is, Harris said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. You have redefined a genre and reclaimed country musics Black roots. Your music continues to inspire us all.

Beyonces Cowboy Carter, released Friday, has been described in an Instagram post by the superstar herself as born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomedand it was very clear that I wasnt.

But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive, Beyonce continued in her post from earlier this month. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.

In her own post on X, Whitmer asked if Michigan was tuned into KNTRY radio, a reference to a fictional radio station featured in interludes on the album. Whitmers post also featured a video set to Beyonces Texas Hold Em, with her propping her feet up on a desk, revealing that she is wearing cowboy boots.

Other politicians, including Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Texas Reps. Colin Allred (D) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D) celebrated the Cowboy Carter release online as well, with Evers stating that his staff had briefed him on the album in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Jackson Lee called the album spectacular, writing on X that she is listening from her home in Houston.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Recently, I attended a jam-packed remembrance ceremony in New York to honor my friend Harry Belafonte, the beloved singer, actor, civil rights giant and humanitarian who passed away in April 2023 at the age of 96.

As I listened to friends and family celebrate Harry in that New York church  and watched the snippets of him performing and speaking that were beamed on a big video screen  it took me back to a dinner my husband Ron and I shared with Harry and his wife, Pamela, in our home on Martha's Vineyard. We had just returned to the United States after 17 years of living in and working out of South Africa.

At some point during the dinner, Harry looked across the table and asked me: "So where are you going to live now that you're no longer in South Africa?"

I told Harry that while Ron and I would still stay in Martha's Vineyard during the summer seasons, we had also found a place in another city: Sarasota, Florida.

Without missing a beat, Harry shouted: You cant move to Florida! Thats a terrible place!"

Don't leave Florida. Stay, and change it for the better.

We had been attracted to Sarasota by two longtime friends, Ed and Claudia Swan, who had invited us to visit the city and see whether it would be a good place for us, too. On the first night there, they took us to a rustic downtown Sarasota restaurant full of people of all colors. As it turned out, we knew many of the folks who were dining there that night; in fact, some of them were also Vineyarders. It was a night that convinced us that Sarasota was going to be our place, too.

Sure enough, we loved getting to know Sarasota, although there were times when Harrys words popped up in my head. Like, for example, the time when I was happily enjoying some great music by a local band as our party waited be seated in a Sarasota restaurant  only to be totally stunned when the band suddenly started to play, "Dixie."

Without a word, I got up and walked outside to continue waiting for us to be seated. Meanwhile, my husband and our friends stayed inside and kept up the conservation in an effort to ignore the horrible song choice.

Harry Belafonte poses for a portrait in 2011. Belafonte was a civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world. He died in April 2023 at the age of 96.

Ironically, when I was growing up, my mother used to send me to Florida to get some of that old-time religion taught by my grandfather, who was a presiding elder  that is, a teaching preacher  in an African Methodist Episcopal church.

In those days, there were no Black officials  and plenty of separate and not-so-equal facilities for Black people. Still, everywhere you walked people of all colors would acknowledge you one way or the other  with a smile, a head nod, a combination of both or even an actual "Hello."

Of course, times have changed: Today, there are plenty of elected Black officials of various political affiliations across Florida. But then again, they haven't totally changed. Indeed, there are too many occasions today when I remember Harry's past words of warning about Florida.

For example, while we have many friends of all colors and creeds in Sarasota, I am constantly surprised when I smile at a non-Black person as I walk down a local street and they look the other way to avoid acknowledging me  or at least that's the way it feels to me.

And I can almost hear now how Harry would be speaking out about the rhetoric of Florida elected officials who have labelled diversity and inclusion as toxic"  and openly decrying the enactment of laws that have led to the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs from colleges and universities across this state.

All of these actions  as well as the ongoing attack in this state on Black history  make me wonder whether Harry would be calling me frequently to say, "See, I told you so!" about living in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up three bills that he signed May 15, 2023. One of them bans the use of state funds for DEI programs at Florida's universities and college. New College President Richard Corcoran is at right.

Dear Black college athletes: Listen to the NAACP, reconsider playing in state of Florida

But then I remember a moment during the recent remembrance in New York when Carmen Perez, the CEO of The Gathering for Justice  a nonprofit organization founded by Harry  recalled one of the many truths that Harry would say to her as the group went about its work.

"We have to learn to work with one another," Harry would frequently tell Carmen.

Those words, full of no-nonsense determination but also limitless hope, are still so relevant today. And they are the words that continue to make me smile when I think of Harry and all of the wonderful memories of our friendship.

Let's all continue to honor the spirit of Harry's enduring legacy.

Let's all continue to learn to work  and live  with each other.

Charlayne Hunter-Gault

Charlayne Hunter-Gault is an Emmy-Award-winning journalist who has worked in all media. She is the author of five books, including the 2022 book titled "My People: Five Decades of Writing About Black Lives." She resides in Sarasota.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Harry Belafonte told me not to move to Florida, but I did. Here's why
Harvard Universitys annual applications have fallen for the second year in a row after multiple controversies embroiled the school.

The school said this week it had 54,008 applicants for the class of 2028, accepting 1,937 students from the pool. Last year, the school had 56,937 applicants, meaning 2024 saw a drop of 5 percent.

Harvard had a record number of applications in 2021  more than 57,000. It then set a new record in 2022 with 61,220 applicants.

Beyond another strong applicant pool, we are delighted by the stunning array of talents and lived experiences the Class of 2028 will bring with them from throughout the United States and around the world, said William Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid.

The drop comes at a difficult time for the school, as it has become a poster child for tensions on college campuses amid the Israel-Hamas war.

The negative light began when 30-led student groups signed onto a letter blaming Israel solely for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed more than 800 Israeli civilians.

It continued after former President Claudine Gay testified at a congressional hearing on antisemitism in December, refusing to say if calls for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment on campus.

Gay resigned in January after the hearing and accusations of plagiarism in her published works.

Currently, Harvard is tussling with House Republicans over their investigation into antisemitism on the schools campus.

The House Education Committee escalated the investigation by sending Harvard a subpoena for information, saying the documents the school has provided so far have been insufficient.

While subpoenas were unwarranted, Harvard remains committed to cooperating with the Committee and will continue to provide additional materials, while protecting the legitimate privacy, safety and security concerns of our community, a university spokesperson said at the time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  As many West Michigan schools take the week off for spring break, local libraries are offering programming for kids who arent heading out on vacation.

Kent District Library is hosting its first staycation, a series of events for all ages taking place throughout its district. Some of the events include Super Smash Bros. tournaments for teens, hula hoop dancing classes and shows from Maciek the Magician.

A lot of the programming, like a Birds of a Feather presentation from the Blandford Nature Center, Mad Science Presents Fire and Ice shows and events about the upcoming solar eclipse aim to continue learning outside of the classroom.

Postcard art on display at Caledonia Twp library

The really great thing about school is that it introduces people to learning in lots of different ways, but sometimes, as we all know, learning can start to feel like work, KDL Programming Specialist Amber Elder told News 8. Theres nothing wrong with that, but we want to bring back some of the magic and the adventure of learning that  depending upon how a kid feels about school, where theyre at specifically in their schooling  they might miss out on.

She said KDL hopes its staycation will encourage patrons to see the library in new ways, as a destination to come to when they cant go away.

In Muskegon, Hackley Public Library is hosting a Crafty Spring Break starting April 1, with activities planned throughout the week for kids, teens and families. Patrons can stop in for activities like diamond art taking place Monday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or a LEGO Build taking place Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

How do I take a good eclipse photo? Learn how at this GR event

In Ottawa County, Hollands Herrick District Library will be hosting movie mornings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the north branch. It will also host crafternoons, where patrons can stop by for an eclipse-inspired craft from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each weekday throughout spring break.

Other libraries throughout West Michigan are hosting events for spring break. Head to your local librarys website for more information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Tourists visit the scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. The Dazu Rock Carvings were placed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Tourists visit the scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. The Dazu Rock Carvings were placed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Tourists visit the scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. The Dazu Rock Carvings were placed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Tourists visit the scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. The Dazu Rock Carvings were placed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Tourists visit the scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. The Dazu Rock Carvings were placed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999. (Xinhua/Zhang Ziyu)

Tourists visit the scenic spot of Dazu Rock Carvings in southwest China's Chongqing, March 27, 2024. The Dazu Rock Carvings were placed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999. (Xinhua/Zhang Ziyu)

Editor: WXL
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Friday morning, a judge sentenced Leroy Vandegrift for a crash that killed a Derby woman in 2021.

Investigators said Vandegrift was involved in two crashes early in the afternoon of Oct. 18, 2021. The first crash was a hit-and-run. The sheriffs office said Vandegrifts pickup rear-ended a car. The person in the car was not hurt.

According to the sheriffs office, Vandegrift sped away but lost control and hit 26-year-old Anastasia Rooneys vehicle head-on at 63rd and Broadway. Rooney died at the scene.

Pedestrian critically injured in Wichita hit-and-run

Vandegrift had serious injuries and was not arrested until June 2022.

In January, he pleaded guilty to:

Involuntary manslaughter, a severity level five-person felony

Driving under the influence, a Class B misdemeanor

Leaving the scene of an accident, a Class C misdemeanor

The judge sentenced Vandegrift to more than three years behind bars:

34 months in prison, followed by

Six months in the county jail

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Adults tend to need more medical care as they age, but coordinating that care can be stressful and strenuous for seniors.

Getting in-person care and treatment can require "substantial time, effort and cost" for older adults and their partners or caregivers, according to a new study from Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston.

Led by Ishani Ganguli, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, researchers looked at data from 6,619 adults aged 65 and older, who responded to the 2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data, to get an idea of the number of days spent receiving medical care.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HELPS PREDICT SENIORS LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS: CRITICAL NEXT STEPS

During that year, the older adults had an average of 17.3 "ambulatory contact days," which consisted of visits to a primary care doctor or specialty doctor  or a test, imaging procedure or treatment.

They had an average of 20.7 total contact days, which also included days spent in a hospital, emergency department, skilled-nursing facility or hospice facility.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Adults tend to need more medical care as they age, but coordinating that care can be stressful and strenuous for seniors.

Around 11% of the adults had 50 or more total contact days.

"Some of this may be very beneficial and valuable for people, and some of it may be less essential," Ganguli of Harvard Medical School told KFF Health News.

HUNDREDS OF RURAL HOSPITALS ARE IN DANGER OF SHUTTING DOWN, STUDY FINDS: AT RISK OF CLOSURE'

"We dont talk enough about what were asking older adults to do and whether thats realistic."

Woven into all of those medical touchpoints are different guidelines for medical conditions, financial incentives offered to doctors and the need for specialized care, Ganguli noted.

"Its not uncommon for older patients to have three or more heart specialists who schedule regular appointments and tests," she also said.

For patients with multiple health issues, it can be a challenge to juggle multiple appointments with different providers across many days each month.

For patients with multiple health issues, there are even more appointments to juggle.

"The good news is that we know so much more and can do so much more for people with various conditions," Thomas H. Lee, chief medical officer at Press Ganey, a consulting firm that tracks patients experiences with health care, told KFF Health News.

"The bad news is the system has gotten overwhelmingly complex."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the research but agreed that medical complexity for seniors is a "huge problem" in the U.S.

"The medical system is overburdened coming out of the pandemic, and there is a shortage of both doctors and nurses," he told Fox News Digital.

HOME HOSPITAL CARE BRINGS PHENOMENAL BENEFITS TO PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS, STUDY FINDS

Meanwhile, the health care needs of the countrys elderly are increasing, especially with technological advances in helping to manage chronic illness, Siegel noted.

"At the same time, the extensiveness of Medicare coverage is shrinking, along with providers who can work with it," the doctor added.

"And the barriers to getting needed procedures and treatments are increasing, along with out-of-pocket costs."

Getting in-person care and treatment can require "substantial time, effort and cost" for older adults and their partners or caregivers, according to a new study.

Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona , said the complexity of navigating the U.S. health care system is an "ever-increasing hurdle" to obtaining medical care.

"Every step of the health care system is laden with complexity  from scheduling an appointment with a provider that accepts your insurance, to filling a prescription that you can afford, to discerning which medical tests you actually need," she told Fox News Digital.

Johnson was not involved in the new study.

In her new role as an independent health care system consultant, Johnson works to help patients navigate this complexity.

"An increasing number of people are reaching out for help navigating the system and finding the right care," she said.

"Every step of the health care system is laden with complexity  from scheduling an appointment with a provider that accepts your insurance, to filling a prescription that you can afford, to discerning which medical tests you actually need."

A patient recently contacted Johnson for help after her primary care doctors failed attempts to refer her to a rheumatologist.

"First, her doctor sent her to the university medical center," she said. "They denied the referral because their appointment slots were reserved for high-complexity cases, and her case was deemed not difficult enough."

A second referral was placed to a private rheumatology practice, but they declined because they didnt accept Medicaid insurance .

SPENDING THE NIGHT IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM PUTS OLDER ADULTS AT HIGHER RISK OF DYING IN THE HOSPITAL: STUDY

"Fewer private practices accept Medicaid because of the low reimbursement rates," Johnson noted.

At this point, the patient contacted Johnson for help in getting connected to care.

"After speaking with her, I suspected she had fibromyalgia, and this expanded the number of specialists who could help her," she said.

The rise of digital technologies in the health care system can add another layer of difficulty for older adults, experts agreed.

Johnson referred the patient to a pain clinic in a large hospital system  but the clinic denied the referral because it was too busy with opioid patients and could not accept outside referrals.

Also, the patients doctor did not work for the hospital system.

"Next, I tried the general physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic," Johnson said. "They said no because she was a better fit for the pain clinic that declined to see her."

HEALTH CARE OR HOUSING? MORE STATES ARE USING MEDICAID FUNDS TO HELP THE HOMELESS

At this point, the patient had waited five months, in pain, trying to get a diagnosis  and treatment hadn't even started.

Johnson noted, "This patient's struggles are not unique  they are the usual."

When faced with the "treatment burden" that comes with making appointments, finding transportation, following up with insurance companies, incorporating doctors recommendations and managing medical costs, many seniors may opt to forgo care altogether, according to Victor Montori, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In a 2020 research paper, Montori revealed that around 40% of patients with chronic conditions "considered their treatment burden [to be] unsustainable."

At highest risk are the older adults who are managing multiple medical conditions and those who have "low levels of education" or are "economically insecure and socially isolated," as reported by KFF.

ER VISIT TIMES: HERES HOW LONG PATIENTS SPEND IN EMERGENCY ROOMS IN EACH STATE

The rise of digital technologies in the health care system can add another layer of difficulty for older adults, experts agreed.

"Its harder and harder for patients to gain access to clinicians who can problem-solve with them and answer questions," Montori told KFF.

Elizabeth Rogers, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, shared with KFF Health News her tips for making care more accessible for older adults.

First, she recommended giving feedback to doctors if a treatment plan doesnt seem sustainable.

Some medical centers may have social workers or "patient navigators" on staff to help seniors coordinate and consolidate appointments.

"Be sure to discuss your health priorities and trade-offs what you might gain and what you might lose by forgoing certain tests or treatments," she told KFF.

Its also important to discuss which medical interactions are essential and which can be skipped, Rogers said.

Based on these discussions, doctors might be able to make adjustments to treatment plans or prescriptions .

Some medical centers may have social workers or "patient navigators" on staff to help seniors coordinate and consolidate appointments, and arrange transportation if necessary.

Rogers also stressed the need for seniors to ask questions to ensure they understand their doctors directions.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"I would ask a clinician, If I chose this treatment option, what does that mean not only for my cancer or heart disease, but also for the time Ill spend getting care?" Ganguli of Harvard told KFF.

"If they dont have an answer, ask if they can come up with an estimate."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health .





Original article source: Health care is overwhelmingly complex for older adults, experts say: Ever-increasing hurdle
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Multiple police cruisers and the coroner were seen investigating an incident in Wilkes-Barre Friday afternoon.

Detectives were seen in the 20 block of South Sherman Street in Wilkes-Barre where neighbors say police and ambulances showed up sometime after 12:00 p.m.

Police had the road blocked off, however, crime tape remains around 23 North Sherman Street which is the house investigators were coming in and out of.

Police chase through Luzerne County ends in crash

Neighbors say the family who lives at the home are new to the neighborhood.

Police were also seen at a house further down North Sherman. We spoke with one woman from that home who wished to remain anonymous, I came out the bedroom to my living room, I heard people talking, I came on to my porch, and they told me somebody had left something on my porch, and a knife was on my porch.

Information is limited at this time. 28/22 News will update you with the latest as it is released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Click here to view the video

Weve endured multiple slogs of heavy rains across Atlantic Canada in recent days, and the regions latest bout of drenching rain will is nearly finished.

Much of the rain thats fallen since Wednesday came as two plumes of tropical moisture collided with a boundary parked over the East Coast.

A low-pressure system moving into the Maritimes from the south will fuel this events last hurrah as heavy rain, periods of heavy snow, and gusty winds continue into Saturday morning.

DON'T MISS: Canada faces a fickle April as winter wanes and summer teases

Through Saturday: Rain and snow for a little while longers

Rain will persist into the first half of Saturday across much of the Maritimes and Newfoundland, where widespread rainfall warnings remain in effect.

Atlantic precip Sat 4am

Some communities will see as much as 75-120 mm of rain in the gauges by the time precipitation finally lets up on Saturday. Soils are already soaked by recent rains, and additional heavy rainfall could lead to a threat for localized flooding.

Portions of the Maritimes that experience excessive rainfall are at a heightened risk for flooding over the next few daysespecially given the storm we saw last weekend.

An important area to watch will be around the lower Saint John River. Due to ice jams and their unpredictable nature, it's hard to tell what the river levels will be like between Perth-Andover and Woodstock with this rainfall event.

River levels are forecast to reach a critical threshold around New Brunswick's Nashwaak and Durham Bridge in the coming days, so be sure to regularly check for public alerts and advisories if you are in this area.

Atlantic snowfall totals

Cold air wrapping around this approaching low-pressure system will force rain to change over to snow for portions of western and northern New Brunswick.

Snowfall totals of 15-20 cm are on tap for communities near the international border through Saturday morning, including Edmundston, with totals up to 30 cm in spots at higher elevations.

Atlantic wind gust forecast

Winds will continue to increase as the centre of low pressure pushes into the Maritimes overnight Friday and into early Saturday. Gusts could climb as high as 60-90 km/h by early Saturday morning. The combination of gusty winds and rain-soaked soils could result in scattered power outages across the region.

Conditions will remain blustery and cool behind this system, with yet another messy system eyeing the region for the middle of next week. Some wintry weather is possible again with this next system.

WATCH: River watch is underway in New Brunswick as warmer weather approaches

Click here to view the video

Be sure to check back for the latest updates across Eastern Canada this week.
Over the past year, I have been exchanging letters with my old friend Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter who, as of today, has been held hostage on baseless espionage charges in Moscows Lefortovo Prison for exactly a year. We first met in college and grew closer after graduation, as we both got our start in professional journalism and traded thoughts about reporting from abroad. He loved doing the work that has now led him to a Russian cell. I type up my letters via email and, weeks or months later, receive photographs of Evans handwritten responses, his Russian script sometimes hurried, his sign-offs upbeat and warm. Each letter passes through several pairs of hands on its way to me: prison censors read everything that goes into and out of Lefortovo, and all correspondence is in Russian so that the censors can read it. Every time a new one arrives, it bears Evans unmistakable touch. I imagine how the words would sound in his voice, how he would laugh and joke if we were in the same place. Hello from sunny Moscow! he wrote to me recently. He has always had a sense of humor.

Today marks an anniversary that I hoped would never come. Evan is the first American journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since 1986, when the U.S. News and World Report correspondent Nicholas Daniloff was arrested in Moscow. Daniloff was held in Lefortovo for 21 days, and, after a flurry of diplomatic activity, was released without charges and allowed to return home. If there was some hope, when Evan was first arrested, that his detention would be similarly brief, it has now vanished. Now we can only hope that another year will not be allowed to pass before he is freed.

On Tuesday, Evan appeared in the Moscow City Court for yet another pre-trial hearing during which his unjust detention was upheld and extended until at least June 30. It was his 12th court appearance since this ordeal began, the latest in a string of extensions of his unlawful arrest. Each time he appears in court, we see photographs and videos of him standing in a glass cage, subjected to a legal system in which, as one legal scholar put it, the process [is] part of the punishment. We scan to see if he seems healthy, if he looks tired. He smiles, because he is Evan and his garrulousness and charm have no bounds, but it is hard not to think that he misses his family and friends, that he is thinking about when he will be able to return home, that he is just holding up as best as he can.



To date, the U.S. has presented several proposals for potential prisoner swaps that would bring Evan home. Each one has been rejected, though the Kremlin said this week that discussions over a potential swap are ongoing. In public remarks and interviews, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that a successful swap would involve Vadim Krasikov, a former FSB colonel and hitman who is currently serving a life sentence in Germany for killing a Chechen dissident in Berlins Tiergarten park in 2019. Krasikovs name also came up in potential discussions about a three-way swap that would have freed Evan and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. marine who has been imprisoned in Russia for over five years, as well as the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. After Navalny was killed last month in an Arctic penal colony, his team suggested that his death had been timed to interrupt the swap. But as Julia Ioffe has reported in Puck, no formal offer involving Navalny and Krasikov was ever on the table. German officials have not commented on the situation, and one fears they may be reluctant to free a convicted Russian killer in their custody as a favor to the U.S.

All this diplomatic chatter has only further confirmed what we have known all along: that Evan was arrested so that he could serve as a bargaining chip for Moscow, that he was selected as the latest victim of the Kremlins game of hostage diplomacy, and that he is being cynically held on false espionage charges so that Putin can try to get one of his favorite hitmen back.

The Russia that Evan loved reporting on, living in, and traveling around, is not the same Russia that exists today. His arrest marked a harsh turn for foreign journalists in the country; last week, the Spanish El Mundo correspondent Xavier Colas was given 24 hours to leave Russia, where he had reported for over a decade. Police had reportedly warned him to stop covering anti-war protests. The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual national of the U.S. and Russia, was arrested in Russia in May and faces up to five years in prison. Russian independent media exists almost entirely in exile, and private citizens risk arrest for an expanding list of crimes. The Russian carceral state is gradually swallowing up every individual who dares to dissent against the regime, including those whose only offense was to lay flowers at Navalnys grave. The Kremlins punitive tactics, both domestically and abroad, reflect a sense of international impunity.

Over the past several years, Russia has largely set the terms by which prisoner swaps are conducted, a situation that has bred frustration among the families of the detainees who get left behind along the way. In 2022, U.S. Marine Trevor Reed was swapped for the Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been sentenced to 20 years on drug smuggling charges. Later that year, the WNBA star Brittney Griner was swapped for the international arms dealer Viktor Bout in a one-to-one deal that the U.S. had initially resisted. Both deals conspicuously excluded Whelan.



Now, the Kremlin appears determined to get Krasikov back, a desire that Putin has seemingly reiterated in public comments. That means that getting Evan and Paul home, in the absence of other options, could require a three-way prisoner swap  a more complex undertaking than prior deals. It is a small balm to know that talks about a swap are ongoing. But it is heartbreaking to consider how easily they could fall through.

In the meantime, I have Evans letters. Theyre great, but they are not enough.
UPDATE: This post has been updated to more clearly identify the two organizations as voting-rights political nonprofits.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A pair of political voting-rights nonprofit organizations say they are just trying to increase the participation of under-represented people in the elections by mailing out voter registration applications.

But local election officials tell 6 News however well intention the Voter Participation Center and the Center for Voter Information may be, their efforts are adding to the workload and causing confusion in local clerks offices.

The groups president and CEO tells 6 News the confusion isnt a real issue.

An example of a voter application sent by mail by one of two nonprofits based in Washington D.C. (WLNS)

While there may be some confusion, Tom Lopach tells 6 News, weve helped register hundreds of thousands of Michiganders in recent years. And thats a great thing.

He says in March, the organizations have mailed over 450,000 pieces of literature to Michigan residents. Each piece has a return address that tracks back to a post office box at the U.S. Post Office on Allegan St. in downtown Lansing. Some of those mailings include return addresses to the local clerks,

Lopach says the organizations have a system in place to bring eligible but unregistered voters into voting rolls. The groups obtain the files of registered voters, which are available in Michigan under the Freedom of Information Act. Thats their starting point.

We go out and get commercial data files to identify people, he says. And then we remove those who are on the voter file who are already registered.

Those commercial data files include magazine subscription lists and other subscription lists available for sale across the country. They also have to comb official death records databases to remove the names of deceased people and run their lists through a system that compares names to commonly used pet names.

Angela Benander, director of communications for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, says The organization is using voter data that is public information but is not necessarily up to date.

Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum has communicated with both organizations in the past, In 2020, a widower contacted Byrum to complain that his wife, who had been deceased for decades, was receiving mail applications for voting that appeared to be from Bryums office.

In 2019, she reached out to the organization when another voter, who had been registered to vote and participated in elections for over 40 years at the same address, received a voter registration application.

Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope says despite all this data shifting and comparison, the applications are still landing in the mailboxes of currently and properly registered voters.

We do have a lot of people who just get it, fill it out, send it in, he says. So, it does cost a lot of time for us. The ones that we do get back, I would say over 90% of the people are already registered at that same address.

In 2022, the two organizations claimed gross receipts of over $55 million.

CVI-2022-Form-990-PDDownload

VPC-2022-Form-990-PDDownload

Lopach says the mailers come with disclaimers explaining where the mailing came from and encourages registered voters to recycle the form.

Marie Wicks is the interim City Clerk for the city of East Lansing, and she received one of the mailings at her home. She thinks the disclaimer could be bolder. Shes also concerned about the application mailers showing up in voters mailboxes at the same time as absentee ballots are hitting mailboxes.

We are already so tense around elections that, again, while well-intended, it muddies the water unnecessarily, she says.

When a person completes the application, it makes its way to the local clerk. Their employees have to verify if the applicant is qualified to vote in Michigan, either due to age or current criminal punishment, and whether or not they are already a registered voter.

Lopach says that a system is in place to prevent false voter registrations.

Jackson County Clerk Cierra Sowle says theyre dealing with the same issues from the two groups. And its stretching resources.

If they are having backtrack to double check things this can certainly slow down our already taxed local clerks and county clerks, she tells 6 News.

Lopach says the groups will spend 70 million dollars in 2024 in 35 states to encourage unrepresented votes. The efforts have also drawn concern in Alabama, where Secretary of State Wes Allen warned residents this week of the mailers according to sister station WKRG.

Wondering if youre registered to vote? You can find out here. Its a Michigan Secretary of State website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The Springfield school board is expected to approve a budget for the 2024-25 year by late June.

Springfield Public Schools' months-long process of developing a spending plan for the 2024-25 year entered its public phase Tuesday and a series of tough decisions are expected.

The district is expecting to see its overall revenue drop by $11.7 million during the next fiscal year based on early projections, due to a stream of federal pandemic relief funds expiring.

Cara Stassel, executive director of business services, provided the school board with a budget planning overview of what has happened so far and the next steps.

"We are right in the middle of the process with lots of work and engagement still to do before the final recommendation is made in June," Stassel told the board, which must adopt a budget before July 1.

The budget is not finalized until the end of the fiscal year because revenue projections are shaky until the Missouri General Assembly approves a budget, which includes state funding levels for K-12 education.

The budget development process started in late 2023 with the administration meeting with budget leaders, sharing information with the board and then engaging in collective bargaining with different employee groups, which is ongoing.

Cara Stassel

Springfield, the state's largest district, has an operating budget of more than $361 million.

Revenue comes from three general areas this year: almost 63% from local or county sources, 27% from the state and the rest from federal.

Nearly 79% of the operating budget goes to employee salaries and benefits.

Here are the four major funding categories in the budget:

General and teacher fund  salaries and benefits for all employees; purchased services or contracts with others; and supplies including fuel for buses, paper, food for students, utilities, and textbooks;

Capital projects fund, including bond fund  all faculty acquisition and construction, lease-purchase payments, and other spending such as equipment and buses;

Health Benefit Trust Fund, a self-funded insurance  medical and prescription benefits for employees and wellness programming;

Debt service fund  principal and interest payments, and fees, to pay off taxpayer-approved debt;

That breakdown did not include the $29 million in funds this year from the federal Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, fund.

"The ESSER dollars must be spent and reported by October 2024 so this is the final year to spend these funds," Stassel said.

"Currently, the district plans to draw down from the state the final $7 million after June 30."

In recent years, the district has earmarked a chunk of the ESSER funds to pay for temporary positions to address the pandemic-related learning loss and improve student behavior. Many of those jobs are expected to go away.

As of February, the district projected a reserve fund balance of 27% at the end of this fiscal year. It is also sometimes called the "rainy day" or emergency fund and is typically used to cover unexpected or one-time expenses.

"The operating fund balance at the end of last year was 28.93%. Over the last several years, the district has experienced higher-than-normal fund balance due to the influx of federal stimulus funds related to COVID-19," Stassel said.

"Prior to this, the district had a historical fund balance ranging from 17-18%. As the end of the stimulus funds draws near, the district's fund balance will also begin to return to a more normal level."

More: SPS picks principals for 7 schools, including Hickory Hills, McBride, Rountree and Wilder

As part of the presentation, Stassel explained that revenue for the district comes in at different times and keeping funds in reserve helps ensure there is always money to pay the bills and respond to an emergency.

"Almost two-thirds of the district's revenue comes from local sources. The majority of the district's local revenue is received in January," she said. "This is why maintaining a healthy fund balance is so important, so the district doesn't have to borrow money to meet payroll toward the end of the calendar year."

The schedule

A look at when parts of the budget planning process will be presented to the Springfield school board:

April 9  Presentation of details related to debt service, capital projects and Health Benefit Trust funds at first study session after the new board is sworn in;

April 8 and April 10  Board members will meet, in small groups, to receive preview of budget process any any new information about revenue or expenses;

May 21  Presentation of details related general and teacher funds;

June 11  Presentation of proposed 2024-25 budget with any recommended changes;

June 25  Board is expected to vote on final spending plan for upcoming fiscal year.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield school board expected to face tough budget decisions
In the Corpus Christi area, some school buses still don't have seat belts.

Almost all school buses in Corpus Christi ISD are equipped with seat belts, but in other nearby smaller districts, some students are still transported to and from school without a seat belt.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest form of school transportation, but seat belts can further enhance protection.

Corpus Christi ISD school buses are parked in a fleet lot at Cabaniss on March 26, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Last week, a Hays ISD pre-K student died after a school bus was hit by a concrete truck that veered into the wrong lane. The bus was transporting 44 students and 11 adults back from a field trip, and during the crash, several students flew out of the bus, according to reporting from the Austin American-Statesman.

According to the Statesman's reporting, the bus was a 2011 model without seat belts.

Do Corpus Christi school buses have seat belts?

Locally, whether or not school buses have seat belts depends on the school district.

In Corpus Christi ISD, the largest local district serving over 33,000 students, nearly all school buses are equipped with seat belts.

The district's fleet includes 135 buses with seatbelts, and only 16 without. These buses without seat belts remain in the fleet only as spare buses and are "rarely used", according to a statement shared by CCISD associate director of communications Lyndall Gathright on Monday.

These spare buses without seat belts are scheduled to be taken out of service and disposed of over the next two years, according to the district.

Flour Bluff ISD has 36 buses with seat belts and about 15 without seatbelts, according to a Monday email from district spokesperson Kristen Bily.

Eight of the school buses without seat belts are used for bus routes with an estimated 47 to 68 riders.

Tuloso-Midway ISD has a fleet of 38 school buses, of which 17 have seat belts.

"Every bus purchased after 2017 has the required three-point seatbelts," according to an email from T-MISD assistant superintendent for district operations Patrick Hernandez.

Tuloso-Midway ISD also approved the purchase of three full-size buses and two smaller 15-passenger buses in February. All of these new vehicles will be equipped with seat belts.

The Caller-Times also reached out to London ISD, West Oso ISD and Calallen ISD on Monday and Tuesday, but did not receive any information back before deadline.

Why don't some school buses have seat belts?

Many school buses across the country aren't equipped with seat belts.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only six student passengers die in school bus crashes each year, compared to about 2,000 children who are killed in motor vehicle crashes annually.

The school bus design of closely spaced, high, energy-absorbing seat backs helps protect passengers. But, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, this "compartmentalization" is not enough to prevent all injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that schools invest in vehicles with seat belts when purchasing new school buses.

Since 2017, Texas law has required schools to ensure that new school buses have three-point seat belts installed. But the law doesn't apply to buses that are 2017 models or older. Additionally, districts can also purchase newer models without seat belts if the local school board determines the district's budget doesn't allow it to buy buses with seat belts.

According to the Texas Education Agency, which collects data on school bus crashes from school districts, 1,634 crashes were reported by 978 school districts from the 2022-23 school year.

School districts reported more seat belt types than accidents, reporting that 1,922 buses were equipped with a driver's seat belt and 1,025 were equipped with either a lap belt or three-point seat belt for all passenger seats. About 300 buses had seat belts in at least some passenger seats.

There were no fatal injuries last year.

The school districts reported that 34 students were injured not wearing their seat belts and 91 were sitting in seats that were not equipped with seat belts. Eighteen injured students were wearing a lap belt, while 103 were wearing a three-point seat belt.

Though the total injuries for students wearing a seat belt and students not wearing a seat belt appear similar, there were far fewer buses without seat belts included in the reports.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: What to know about seat belts in school buses
Forensic work has established that the same man carried out attacks in Westminster in 2018 and Shoreditch in 2022

Police hunting a man suspected of raping two different women four years apart in London believe it is highly likely he has carried out more attacks.

The first incident took place just before 3am on May 5 2018 near the Strand, Westminster, and an E-fit of the suspect was released by the Metropolitan Police.

Another victim was raped in the early hours of Dec 10 2022 in Curtain Road, Shoreditch, and a CCTV image of the alleged perpetrator was made public.

They were initially treated as separate crimes but forensic work by detectives found the same unidentified man was responsible for both attacks.

The Met wants to speak to people who may know the suspect, who they say appears to target lone women at night.

Taking all possible steps to find him

Det Insp Chris Heathcote, of Scotland Yard, said: Given the four-year gap, we must assume that its highly likely the suspect has carried out further attacks.

A review of all unsolved rapes for this time period has identified no links to these two offences, but I would appeal to anyone who feels they have been a victim to come forward.

He added: I understand there will be concern that this individual remains outstanding, but can offer every assurance that we are taking all possible steps to ensure he is found and brought to justice for these awful crimes.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Meating Place  a Hillsboro butcher shop and cafe  was awarded $250,000 in federal funding to help buy new equipment and increase their reach to more ranches across the state, senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Thursday.

The funding stems from the United States Department of Agricultures US Local Meat Capacity Grant program, which will help the company buy new processing and packaging equipment, officials said.

With a weekly customer base of 3,000 people, the senators said The Meating Place plays a vital role in Oregons local meat market.

How El Nino to ENSO Neutral may impact Portland areas April weather

Oregons family ranchers and farmers should not be at the will of giant conglomerates when they go to process their products, said Merkley. I had the opportunity to see firsthand how the sausage was made at The Meating Places high-quality processing operation in Hillsboro last summer, and its great to see they are receiving this federal investment to beef up the availability of local meat processing. Its only by strengthening our smaller, local meat processors that we can ensure greater competition, help keep food local, and make it a little bit easier for family ranchers to thrive in a challenging market.

The Meating Place marks the first slaughter and processing plant in the state  allowing the company to serve as a USDA processor for local small meat producers, the senators said.

Ive been gathering with growers and makers in Oregons Bounty Counties to hear how I can help them dish out more of their Oregon products, Wyden said. The Meating Place is the epitome of what Oregonians do best: We grow things; we add value and we sell it. Ive been working with ranchers for 15 years to stand up Oregon state meat inspection so small farms and culinary businesses can get their products out locally and for less money.

Portland Water Bureau follows up with family who received $17k water bill

The grant will help the company hire 10 new employees, expand its inspected processing capacity and increase its services to 290 ranches. The expansion will improve access to locally raised meat in markets across Oregon and aims to increase access for small, medium-sized, and underserved ranches for inspected meat processing, officials said.

The Meating Place is thrilled to be the recipient of the 2023 USDA Local MCap grant. With these funds, The Meating Place will be able to meet the needs of local ranchers with additional processing and packaging, The Meating Place Owner Casey Miller said in a press release issued by the senators.

The Meating Place originally opened in 1974 on Northwest 185th Avenue and stayed in business for over 40 years before closing in 1998, according to the companys website. The Meating Place re-opened in 2011 as a small custom shop and expanded into a full-service butcher shop and cafe at 6495 NW Cornelius Pass Road in Hillsboro.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows Train Y124 depart slowly from Harbin East Railway Station in Heilongjiang Province, with over 400 tourists embarking on a 16-day domestic and cross-border journey. This marked the first cross-border tourist special train from Harbin to Laos launched by Heilongjiang Province.(Yuan Yong/Guangming Picture)

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The Church of the Holy Cross and its buildings constitute a historic area and the entire complex should be adopted in the city's preservation plan, the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission decided unanimously earlier this week. The decision made Wednesday puts on hold plans by the Archdiocese to demolish at least some of the buildings.

The Church of the Holy Cross is at 1401 East Ohio St.

Nearly a week ago Father Jeffrey Dufresne of St. Philip Neri Parish sent out a letter to the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association announcing plans to remove the church building and its rectory "to make the land available for the benefit of the community under future ownership." The letter also said that the school building and gymnasium would remain. Now, however, the city's Metropolitan Development Commisssion will hear the case before any plans are finalized.

Earlier this month, the neighborhood association posted an online petition to save the former church complex from demolition. Jen Higginbotham, the associations president, said now the church may be saved.

We were disheartened, she said. We had met with Father Dufresne briefly. Now that communication has opened up, were just hoping to continue to talk to them.

The parish closed in 2014, according to the website of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and later merged with St. Philip Neri Parish. Holy Cross School, which was more than 100 years old, closed at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

Were hoping that this means that the building will remain and that a proposal will come forth to continue using the buildings, Higginbotham said.

Indiana Landmarks, a local nonprofit which advocates the preservation of historic sites throughout the state, has been monitoring the Holy Cross situation. Mark Dollase, vice-president of Preservation Services at Indiana Landmarks, said that community support was vital to Wednesday's votes.

What was incredible was the outpouring of support from the neighborhood, Dollase said. To me, its sort of democracy at its best.

The next step consists of mapping out a strategy for the buildings' futures, Dollase said. Indiana Landmarks support the staff recommendations of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission and hope that the Metropolitan Development Commission approves them, Dollase said.

The Metropolitan Development Commission will next decide if the Church of the Holy Cross and its buildings will be adopted into its historic preservation plan.

What is the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission?

Established in 1967, the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for identifying and restoring historic areas in Indianapolis.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Historic Preservation Commision halts Holy Cross complex demolition
Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

Adam Gopniks latest essay for The New Yorker explores how Adolf Hitler was able to rise to power in Nazi Germanywhich happened largely because people believed they would be able to control him.

Gopnik tells The New Abnormal co-host Danielle Moodie that the same could be said for Donald Trump leading into the 2024 election.

You had this character who was regarded as a chaotic clown by everyone around him. The conservative minister of defense called him a psychopath, he said. Yet all of those people, the media moguls, the respectable conservatives, ended up aiding and abetting him in every way in his search for power and they did it in a way that is, yes, disconcertingly familiar to us.

They all thought they could manage him. They all thought they could control him. They all thought that they could take advantage of his movement for their own ends. And that on the day when it all blew up, because it had to blow up because he was a psychopath and clearly not capable of exercising power, they would be there to inherit, he said.

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

Gopnik says that those who propped up Hitler believed they could control the beast and that they would end up the ultimate victors. However, as history shows, that wasnt the case.

Those patterns are frightening to see emerging again and again throughout history.

Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Less than three months after becoming the Treasure Coasts newest circuit judge, Hobe Sound attorney Brennan Keeler resigned from the 19th Judicial Circuit post Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to on Jan. 5, records show.

Keeler was the legal counsel to the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, in West Palm Beach when DeSantis tapped him to serve the remainder of Circuit Judge Robert Belangers elected term following his retirement in November after 19 years on the bench.

Brennan Keeler, newly appointed judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Belangers elected term, which he won unopposed in 2018, expires in 2025.

Circuit judges seated in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties within the 19th Judicial Circuit ,preside over probate and civil litigation, felony cases and family law, such as dependency, divorce and juvenile hearings.

A March 10 letter Keeler submitted to Ryan Newman, general counsel to the governor, stated his resignation would go into effect March 17. The letter indicated Keeler was assigned as a circuit judge at the Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach.

After thoughtful consideration I have decided it is in the best interest of my family that I resign from my current position as circuit judge, Keeler wrote, adding, thank you for the opportunity. I will never forget it.

He was scheduled on April 19 to be sworn into office during an investiture ceremony at the Martin County Courthouse, according to invitations issued last month.

Attempts to reach Keeler were unsuccessful.

DeSantis selected Keeler from a list of three lawyers recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which vets qualified candidates. Other lawyers on the list included Jeffrey Battista, a Vero Beach attorney with the Grall Law Group and Preethi Sekharan, a civil attorney with Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, in Stuart.

Details about Keelers career included in his judicial application show he worked as an assistant state attorney from 2010-2013 and then was a police legal adviser for the Port St. Lucie attorneys office from 2013 to 2016. He later worked as an assistant county attorney for Martin County before becoming legal counsel for the Palm Beach County chapter of the Police Benevolent Association.

Keeler in his application stated he had no prior judicial or public office experience and was a 33-year state resident whose family owned a RV hospitality business in Port St. Lucie.

His career, he wrote, would best be described as dedicated public servant, having worked on various levels of state and local government law. When asked about a particular contribution that would be helpful for the governor and the commission in making their decision, Keeler said he would hit the ground running from my position on the bench.

On March 15, the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 19th Judicial Circuit put a call out for applications from attorneys who meet the qualifications to be a circuit judge. Theres an April 8 deadline to apply for the now-vacant post, according to an emailed announcement.

All interested attorneys must be a member of the Florida Bar for at least five years and reside within the four-county circuit before taking office.

Selected candidates will be interviewed in person by the JNC on April 18.

Once a list of final candidates is forwarded to DeSantis, he has 60 days to make the appointment.

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Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hobe Sound lawyer quits circuit judge post 11 weeks after appointment
A Holyrood inquiry into controversial SNP justice reforms has agreed the not-proven verdict should be scrapped, but was split over juryless rape trials.

The Scottish Parliaments criminal justice committee backed the general principles of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. The legislation aims to tackle low conviction rates for some sex offences.

But the committee warned that further evidence was required and some members expressed concern about the potential unintended consequences that such a radical overhaul of Scotlands legal system could cause.

The Bill gives ministers the power to enable a pilot of single-judge rape and attempted-rape trials without a jury for a time-limited period.

The legislation would also establish a specialist sexual offences court and reduce the number of jurors from 15 to 12.

An accused person can currently be convicted if eight out of 15 jurors agree on a guilty verdict  a simple majority  but the Bill proposes that in the future the agreement of eight out of 12 would be needed. This is the equivalent of two-thirds support.

Supported by First Minister

Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, has backed the juryless trial pilot, citing a weight of evidence that juries are affected by rape myths that lead them to unjustly acquitting the accused. This refers to prejudices, such as jurors wrongly believing that a victim had asked for it by being drunk or seductive.

But the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association has warned that 97 per cent of defence lawyers would boycott the pilot if went ahead, warning it undermined the right to a fair trial.

The committees four SNP members backed the proposed pilot scheme for criminal trials of rape or attempted rape to be overseen by a single judge without a jury, provided it did not continue for more than 18 months.

However, its two Tory MSPs opposed the move, warning that it represented a fundamental departure from the long-established right in Scots law for an accused to have a trial by a jury of their peers.

They also expressed concern about the homogenous nature of the judiciary, which predominantly consists of white, male judges. In contrast, they said juries reflect wider society and comprise a broad range of life experiences.

The committees two Labour MSPs also opposed the pilot, arguing that clearer criteria and procedures were required for it to proceed. They called for a panel of three judges to be considered, instead of one sitting alone.

Lingering stigma

The inquiry unanimously agreed that the centuries-old not-proven verdict should be scrapped, arguing it had no accepted legal definition and there was no reason to retain it, despite it being a historical feature of the Scottish criminal justice system.

It said the verdict can have a devastating impact on victims and leave a lingering stigma for the accused. In addition, the committee said not-proven may encourage juries to sit on the fence during their deliberations.

However, the committee said it could not support the proposed changes to jury size and majority if not-proven was scrapped.

It noted that Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, Scotlands most senior prosecutor, had expressed significant concerns about such a change, warning it could make it far more difficult to convict people.

Ms Bain has warned against cutting the number of jurors and increasing the size of majority required for a conviction - FRASER BREMNER/WPA POOL

The committee also raised concerns that the proposed sexual offences court would hear any other charges appearing on the same indictment, including murder.

This would represent a departure from the current position where rape and murder cases are heard by judges who preside in the High Court. The change has been opposed by Scotlands most senior judges.

We share the view that the High Court is the most appropriate court for murder cases to be heard, due to the seriousness of the offence, the committees report said.

But members were divided again on whether the sexual offences court should proceed, with the four SNP members in favour and the four Tory and Labour members opposed.

The committee was unconvinced about a proposal to establish a victims and witnesses commissioner, warning it could create another layer of bureaucracy and further strain public finances.

Strength of feeling

Unveiling the inquirys report, Audrey Nicoll, the committees SNP convener, said: We believe the not-proven verdict has had its day and should be abolished. The lack of understanding or clarity on what this verdict means and the devastating impact it can have on victims mean the time has come for it to be abolished.

We recognise the strength of feeling on the proposed pilot of juryless trials and have been unable to reach a unified view on whether this pilot should proceed.

However, we agree that if a pilot is to go ahead then much-improved data on conviction rates is needed and a clear baseline of information so we can understand the impact of the pilot.

Angela Constance, the SNP Justice Secretary, acknowledged the legislation would have to be amended. She said: I am keen to build consensus on the Bills proposals and note the backing and the comments made by the committee.

I will continue to work with and listen to the voices of partners from across the justice system, as well as victims themselves, as we progress the Bill.

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As the country's homeless crisis worsens, cities and states are trying to build more affordable housing to prevent their residents from ending up on the streets or in shelters.

But more money is needed to turn construction plans into a reality  and in many cases residents must approve tax revenue increases to foot the bill.

This month, voters in Chicago and California were given the choice: Raise taxes to fund housing and homeless services? Or keep things status quo?

Results were mixed. California's Proposition 1, which would provide more mental health services for people experiencing homelessness passed by razor-thin margins after weeks of ballot counting. In Chicago, ballot question 1, dubbed Bring Chicago Home, which would have raised taxes on the sales of million-dollar real estate, failed with 52% voting against it.

State lawmakers in Iowa and New Hampshire also are debating legislation that would allow more real estate transfer tax revenues to fund affordable housing. Last year, Delaware passed a law to put more transfer taxes toward affordable housing funds in three counties, and New York did the same for part of Long Island in 2021. Similar efforts in recent years failed in Colorado, Illinois and Maine, according to data compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

More elected officials throughout the country are running on promises to reduce homelessness. But the problem is growing even as leaders try to solve it. Last year, the U.S. homeless population reached a high of more than 650,000, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, and housing experts warn rent increases and evictions will push more people into homelessness until cities build cheaper housing. When funding for affordable housing fails to get approved, the time frame for reducing homelessness gets pushed further, advocates warn.

ONE Northside grassroots leaders Emily Heitzman and Karen Foster canvassed door-to-door leading up to Chicago's primary election on March 19, 2024.

But cities face an uphill battle passing new funding measures to support brand-new housing initiatives, especially when voters are invested in keeping real estate taxes flat.

In Chicago, one of the main groups opposing the Bring Chicago Home campaign said raising taxes could also raise housing costs, hurting homeowners and renters alike.

"Tax increases hurt affordability, they are actually drivers of housing instability," said Jeff Baker, CEO of Illinois Realtors.

Bring Chicago Home fails to pass after years of organizing

After first launching in 2018, the Bring Chicago Home measure failed to pass last week, leaving longtime grassroots homeless advocates disappointed and frustrated with the results.

"The number of people experiencing homelessness grows every year, it is a matter of life and death," said Hannah Gelder, the organizing director for ONE Northside in Chicago, a social justice group on the referendum's steering committee.

Gelder said advocates for the homeless in years past fought at the state level to increase taxes to fund affordable housing, but state lawmakers said they didn't want to consider legislation on the issue. That meant Chicago, where homeless people number more than 60,000, had to go directly to voters in this year's election.

Bring Chicago Home would have increased the real estate transfer tax to 2% for properties sold for $1 million or more, while lowering them for more than 92% of buyers purchasing property worth less than $1 million, according to the proposed policy. The plan would have raised about $900 million for new construction over 10 years, the campaign said. Proponents first started organizing around the cause back when Rahm Emanuel was mayor.

"It was an uphill battle to persuade voters to vote on a tax referendum," Gelder said.

A group of volunteers gathers at the ONE Northside office before a weekend door-to-door canvass in January 2024.

Illinois Realtors, a real estate lobbying group, said it had $1 million to spend on its opposition campaign, which argued the new sales tax would hurt Chicago's residential, commercial and rental real estate markets.

"This proposal was actually going to hurt the ability of the city to address homelessness," Baker said.

But, the Bring Chicago Home campaign said their proposed tax would not hurt renters, citing recent studies from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago that found landlords wanting to maintain their return on investment for multifamily buildings worth more than $1 million could do so by raising monthly rents by less than $5.

While grassroots homeless advocates were on the ground talking to their neighbors about Bring Chicago Home and trying to "win hearts and minds," Gelder said, ads led some voters to believe the new tax would be like writing the city government a "blank check."

"It played to voters' distrust of government," Gelder said.

Baker told USA TODAY he agreed cities across the U.S. need to increase their supply of below market rental units. But, he said zoning restrictions and costly development requirements make "building these homes way too expensive" for real estate owners.

To make the case for the funding, some experts point to growing evidence showing paying for affordable housing saves money long-term because having a large homeless population is costly for cities, said Sarah Gillespie, a housing researcher at the Urban Institute focusing on city budgets.

"It is a choice. You may choose to pay for housing, and if you don't, then you're choosing to pay for arrests, jail stays and emergency department visits," she said.

FLORIDA: State bans homeless people from camping in public spaces

California Prop 1 barely passes

California is home to nearly a third of the country's unhoused population, and data released last year shows the vast majority of unhoused people there said they had a period in their lifetime when they experienced a serious mental health condition. About 27% of California's more than 170,000 homeless residents have been hospitalized for a mental health condition before, according to the report from Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at the University of California, San Francisco.

California's Proposition 1 scraped by with barely more than 50% of the vote in a heavily Democratic state.

Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed hard for the measure, which will fund thousands more mental health and substance use treatment slots and housing units.

"Now it's time to get to work  repairing the damage caused by decades of broken promises and neglect to those suffering from severe mental illness," Newsom wrote on X, formerly Twitter, celebrating the election results.

Proposition 1 authorizes the state to shift $6.38 million in bonds against county mental health budgets, redirecting most of the money toward new affordable housing.

The money would be borrowed against income taxes already imposed on people who earn over $1 million annually.

Individual cities in California, and elsewhere in the West, have voted by wider margins to raise taxes to fund homeless services, like last year, when Seattle renewed its housing levy for another seven years.

Seattle voters support property taxes for affordable housing

In the Seattle region, another area on the West Coast struggling with a large homeless population, a majority of voters have for years approved a levy on property taxes to fund affordable housing.

In an off-year election, 69% of Seattle voters in 2023 approved a housing tax that will fund the creation of more than 3,100 affordable rentals and homes for purchase, and rental assistance to prevent evictions for an estimated 9,000 low-income families, according to the city.

Homeless advocates in Seattle see more support from voters because the housing tax has been in place for decades, and residents have seen positive results, said Sharon Lee, executive director of the Low Income Housing Institute in Seattle. Affordable housing complexes are spread evenly throughout the city, and "you can't tell that it's low-income," she said.

"They look market rate, they're well maintained and there isn't a stigma," Lee said.

It could be harder to rally voters to approve increased funding for similar projects in America's older cities, where the phrase "affordable housing" calls to mind "buildings that are falling apart or vacant," she said.

A shipping container housing complex in Atlanta called The Melody had its ribbon-cutting ceremony in January.

Atlanta mayor, City Council approve millions of dollars for affordable housing

Instead of turning to voters, last year the Atlanta City Council was able to approve hundreds of millions of dollars for affordable housing, through a bond spread out over the better part of a decade.

The city, which grew by 66,000 residents from April 2022 to April 2023, also is benefitting from more property tax revenue without having to raise or pass new measures, the mayor's office said.

Philanthropic groups also worked with the city to allocate millions as part of the plan.

There's still broad public support for it less than a year later, said Joshua Humphries, policy advisor to Atlanta's mayor. Atlanta residents saw firsthand that the bond was working in a matter of months, he said. In 2023, 14 stalled affordable housing projects  representing 1,238 affordable units  got off the ground because of the money.

In 2023, Atlanta had an unhoused population of 2,679, according to that year's annual count.

The funds will continue to be used for more new construction, as well as preserving existing housing and developing underutilized public land, Humphries said.

"Affordable housing is the most pressing public policy issue in the country right now, and every city is going to have to grapple with the question of how do they want to be part of making sure that their city has adequate housing stock," he said. "You need to have the political will and financial investment."

Contributing: Terry Collins, USA TODAY; Kathryn Palmer, Desert Sun

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Homeless crises, lack of affordable housing lands on ballots
Police arrested a Black unsheltered man after he allegedly went on a spree of attacks in Manhattan, tossing scalding hot liquid on four people.



New York police say 42-year-old Larry Martin decided to launch his attack the morning of March 6 as everyone made their typical busy commutes to work. Martin is alleged to have pounced on a man on East 44th and Lexington, throwing a burning hot liquid on his head. Court documents said the man suffered severe burns to his neck. About 30 minutes later, Martin spotted his next victim on Sixth Ave and West 56th Street, police say. There, Martin allegedly attacked a woman, throwing more of the hot liquid at her face resulting in burns and hearing loss.

No, he wasnt done there.

Police say he confronted another woman as she stepped out of the Times Square subway station on the Seventh Ave and West 42nd corner where he threw more scalding liquid the cup he carried. Then, he emptied the cup on a third womans chest and hands on West 35th Street and Eighth Ave, police said.

Martins alleged serial attack lasted nearly two hours. He wasnt arrested until the next day after the NYPD identified him through street surveillance video.

Thursday, Martin finally made his first appearance in court where he was ordered to be held without bail by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Curtis J. Farber. However, instead of the devious scowl one would expect from someone accused of such heinous actions, Martin looked right into the camera and donned a goofy, ear-to-ear, Ive-never-been-so-happy-to-be-in-court, smile.

Serial NYC attacker who tossed scalding water at victims grins broadly in court https://t.co/X0W8SP4eK7 pic.twitter.com/74CvxNNj1P  New York Post (@nypost) March 28, 2024

Now, thats weird. However, this isnt his first time hed had a run-in with the cops. In 2022, he was arrested for assaulting a 70-year-old man, per The New York Post. Its unclear if hes retained legal counsel for his current case.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Staff had hoped to deliver the letters to the trust during a board meeting at Basildon Hospital [PA Media]

More than 400 open letters from health workers have been sent to a hospital trust asking for fair pay, their union has said.

Unison said healthcare workers at Broomfield, Southend and Basildon hospitals in Essex had been on the end of "historic underpayments related to incorrect banding".

Band two staff should only undertake personal care and should not be carrying out clinical duties such as taking blood or carrying out electrocardiograms, the union said.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) said it was working to "uplift and back pay staff" which should be "completed by the end of this month".

A Unison spokesperson said the issue was previously raised with the trust in 2020.

Staff including healthcare assistants, maternity support workers and theatre assistants planned to give the letters to the chief executive in person during a board meeting in Basildon Hospital on Thursday, the union said.

These workers are a vital part of the NHS but theyve been ripped off for years, with the trust using them to provide care on the cheap," said Sam Older, the union's eastern regional organiser.

Matthew Hopkins (chief executive) and the board may want to hide from healthcare support workers, but staff wont be shrugged off.

"The trust must do the right thing and pay staff what they deserve.

According to the government website, the basic salary for healthcare assistants varies between 22,000 and 28,000.

Selina Dundas, chief people officer at MSEFT, said the trust "responded quicker than most to offer back pay to our Band 2 to 3 staff" and had met with union representatives "several times to discuss the issue".

"We are now working to uplift and back pay staff that may have been missed in the initial round of uplifts, and expect to have this completed by the end of this month," she added.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830

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WASHINGTON  The Republican chairman of the House Oversight panel on Thursday formally invited President Joe Biden to testify before his committee as a part of its impeachment probe.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who leads the committee, proposed in a letter Thursday that Biden appear on April 16, and cited testimony at a public hearing last week from former business associates of Hunter Biden  Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis. Comer said their testimony contradicted statements the president has made about his involvement in his sons business dealings. He first announced his plans to invite the president to testify at the end of that hearing, which also included former Ukrainian businessman Lev Parnas.

"In light of the yawning gap between your public statements and the 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.

The proposed testimony would come at a pivotal moment for Biden's main 2024 challenger, former President Donald Trump. The trial for Trump's New York criminal case is set to begin a day earlier, on April 15.

Comers letter specifically cites President Gerald Fords testimony before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee in 1974 as precedent.

In response, the White House pointed to a post on X from spokesman Ian Sams last week when Comer made the public announcement that he planned to invite Biden to testify.

"Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong," Sams said in the post. "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. Call it a day, pal.

Democrats on the Oversight panel wrote on X Thursday that Republicans "couldnt find an impeachable offense," and called evidence in the probe "comically distorted and twisted."

"The GOP impeachment inquiry has been a circus. Time to fold up the tent," they wrote.

Bobulinski and Galanis testified during a hearing last week that the president participated in schemes to help Hunter Bidens businesses, which the White House has denied.

The public is left with two irreconcilable narratives. The first  asserted by you  is that you did not engage in influence peddling in exchange for payments to your family," Comer wrote on Thursday. "The second  asserted by witnesses and a body of evidence I will briefly review below  is that you were indeed involved in these pay-for-influence schemes."

Comer's letter pointed to loans Biden made prior to his presidency to his brother, James Biden. The presidents brother last month testified behind closed doors that the loans were "short-term" and quickly repaid.

Comer also said the committee has testimony saying the president "regularly joined meetings by speakerphone" with his son and his business associates. Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, testified in July that the president joined roughly 20 calls with his son and associates, but that they were brief conversations that did not address official business. Archer also testified that he was not aware of any wrongdoing by the president.

Parnas, who was invited to appear as a witness by Democrats on the committee, testified last week that there was no evidence of Biden family corruption involving Ukraine and that the Russian government had pushed the false claims. He later told NBC News in an interview that the Republican-led hearings were "pushing the same Russian narrative and propaganda."

House Republicans have repeatedly taken aim at Hunter Biden as part of their impeachment inquiry into his father, which has not provided any evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the president.

The Republican-led probe faced a significant setback last month when former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, whose claims played a major role in igniting the probe, was indicted and accused of feeding false information to the FBI about Biden and his son during the 2020 presidential campaign.

In his own closed-door deposition with the House Oversight and Judiciary committees last month as part of the impeachment inquiry, Hunter Biden testified that he did not involve his father in his business dealings, and condemned the probe as a baseless and destructive political charade based on MAGA-motivated conspiracies.

Rebecca Kaplan reported from Washington and Zoe Richards from New York.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The logo of the Chinese company Huawei is seen at the International Consumer Electronics Fair IFA. Robert Schlesinger/ZB/dpa

Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei grew significantly last year despite US technology sanctions.

Business with private customer, in cloud computing and in the automotive sector all increased significantly.

"We've been through a lot over the past few years. But through one challenge after another, we've managed to grow," said chairman Ken Hu in Shenzhen on Friday, according to a statement.

In total, the southern Chinese company generated about $97.8 billion in revenue - an increase of 9.63% compared to the previous year, the group reported.

Net profit rose by more than 140% to about $12 billion. The company's performance was in line with expectations, Hu said.

The private customer business grew by 17.3%. In the late summer of 2023, the Chinese company's Mate 60 smartphone made headlines because it contained a chip that the Chinese had not previously been trusted with, due to existing US technology sanctions.

The device gave Apple's iPhone a run for its money in China. In the first six weeks of this year, iPhone sales there fell by 24% compared to the same period last year, while Huawei's sales rose by 64%, the analysis firm Counterpoint Research reported at the beginning of March.

Huawei also supplies the software for e-cars in China and this automotive segment brought in the equivalent of just under $652 million in 2023. This segment grew at the fastest at 128.1%, albeit from a lower base.

The cloud business, which includes artificial intelligence, also generated almost 22% more revenue.

In the traditionally highest-revenue business - in information and communication technology - Huawei generated some $50 billion.
Protesters take to the streets outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, where justices questioned attorneys about broad changes in access to mifepristone. Sofia Resnick | States Newsroom

WASHINGTONAs the enormous yellow banner unfurled in front of the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday morning, Laura Clime-Coates turned to her 9-year-old daughter and said, Those are the names of people who agree with us.

On the sign, titled We the People Support Medication Abortion, were what activists estimated to be half-a-million signatures from people across the U.S. asking the Supreme Court not to restrict mifepristone, a commonly used drug for abortions and miscarriage management. And for Clime-Coates, who said she signed several petitions in support of medication abortion, mifepristone is the reason her oldest child was standing beside her, and the reason she has a little sister at home in Baltimore.

Back in 2009, Clime-Coates said she experienced what she referred to as a missed miscarriage.

There was no heartbeat, and it was risking my future ability to have children, and I really wanted children, she told States Newsroom. The tissue was not developing and threatening my uterus. My choice was to wait around and damage my body or take mifepristone.

Clime-Coates and her daughter were among hundreds of abortion rights supporters holding signs and chanting, while inside, the justices heard oral arguments in U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, their first major reproductive rights case since overturning Roe v. Wade almost two years ago.

In the absence of a legal precedent protecting the right to terminate a pregnancy, the implications for abortion access in this case are as high as they have ever been. More than a dozen states have banned or heavily restricted abortion since 2022s Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, but abortion rates have risen rather than fallen. The Guttmacher Institute recently published data estimating more than 1 million abortions in 2023, of which about 63% were via medication, and that only includes abortions in the formal medical system. Many reproductive rights researchers and providers credit the rise in part to the FDA lifting certain restrictions on abortion medication after more than two decades of consistent safety and efficacy data. Beginning in 2016, the FDA increased the gestational window women could terminate pregnancies using medication, adjusted the dosages, removed in-clinic requirements, and made medication abortion available via telemedicine and directly at pharmacies.

Initially filed in 2022 by anti-abortion doctors and medical groups a few months after Roe was overturned, the case has incurred criticism from throughout the medical and scientific community because of its flawed scientific claims that mifepristone is dangerous and should not have been approved by the FDA. At issue now in the FDAs appeal to the Supreme Court is whether to uphold the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that the FDA must reapply older restrictions against the agencys own scientific determination. The coalition of anti-abortion medical groups have largely relied on anecdotes from longtime anti-abortion activists, as well as a handful of studies produced by some of the main medical groups connected to the lawsuits, two of which were recently retracted by academic publisher Sage for methodological flaws and undisclosed conflicts of interest.

In anticipation of the oral arguments in this case, those in the pharmaceutical industry have expressed anxiety that a ruling against the FDA could stifle future drug development, by allowing anyone with an ideological opposition to a medication to try to force a drug-policy change.

This case isnt about mifepristone, said Elizabeth Jeffords, the CEO of a small biotech company called Iolyx Therapeutics, on a webinar organized by reproductive health researchers last week. This is about whether or not the FDA is allowed to be the scientific arbiter of what is good and safe for patients. . Its critical for our ecosystem that we continue to have investors, and investors will only come to our ecosystem if they have some certainty. If I had to believe that I would have to stand up to multiple litigations from parties without standing over the course of any drug that were working on developing, I wouldnt have enough money to exist, and all of the little biotech companies would be out of existence as well.

Pharmaceutical sciences professor Chris Adkins  who sparked the investigation into those studies and has co-authored a new academic paper in the journal Contraception breaking down what he says are significant methodological flaws  said it has been difficult to watch this case advance all the way to the Supreme Court.

I just hope moving forward that weve got more public awareness that our federal courts have not always been the best evaluators of scientific evidence, Adkins told States Newsroom. I really hope that the public can really put some pressure on the courts to do a better job at evaluating the scientific and the medical literature, because I think this all impacts each one of us, our families, our futures.  This type of case could threaten regulatory approval or the processes theyre involved with, not just for mifepristone, but for others.

But for both abortion opponents and supporters outside the Supreme Court Tuesday, the issue is personal.

I was really glad I had that choice, Clime-Coates said. Its health care! And I would hate for any of my children or any woman or anyone whos capable of reproduction to not have that choice in the future.

Alethea Shapiro, a protester from Florida, told States Newsroom she needed mifepristone years ago to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons. Hands off our mifepristone! she yelled in a small circle of activists organized by the Womens March and the Center for Popular Democracy. Some of the activists had prepared for arrests, but they eventually dispersed while law enforcement officers surveilled the crowd.

Robin Ross, an anti-abortion activist from Amarillo, Texas  home of the conservative federal district court where the case was originally filed, told States Newsroom she had secretly attended abortion rights demonstrators planning session the night before but said she learned little beyond logistics. The 57-year-old Navy veteran said she recently became an activist after learning that her teenage mother had attempted to abort her in the 1960s, before abortion was legal throughout the country. Ross said that she has had many health problems, including the inability to have children, because of the abortion attempt (she did not give specifics, but she said it was not the medication abortion method authorized by the FDA, at issue in this lawsuit). She is currently working to make Amarillo a so-called sanctuary city for the unborn.

As soon as I heard about the ability to put my faith into action and me as an abortion survivor, I instantly wanted to start [anti-abortion activism].

Some anti-abortion activists proudly displayed their pregnant bellies in protest of medication abortion.

Im here because Im 34 weeks pregnant. Im advocating for the rights of my child, my baby in the womb, said Savannah Evans from Tampa, Florida, who does marketing for the national anti-abortion group Live Action.  I dont want her to grow up in a world that sees an abortion as an acceptable option for women.

At 22, Evans said her pregnancy was unplanned and that she was initially terrified, but she and her now-husband chose to parent.

Among the speakers in the largely outnumbered anti-abortion crowd, messages focused heavily on alleged high risks of medication abortion and called on the Supreme Court to order the FDA to reapply the since-lifted restrictions that have made it possible for women to have medication abortions via telemedicine and in their homes.

FDA, do your job! shouted Marjorie Dannefelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro Life America. We certainly do not have complete agreement upon the fact that there are two patients in every pregnancy, but we can at least pledge ourselves to one patient: the woman receiving abortion drugs in the mail in her home alone.  She has become her own abortionist in an unsafe home abortion.

Recent research on telemedicine abortions, co-authored by University of California San Francisco epidemiologist Ushma Upadhyay, finds a low rate of serious adverse risks. And reproductive rights activists working to expand medication access around the nation said in interviews that abortion drugs are here to stay, even if the Supreme Court sides with the anti-abortion activists, which as States Newsroom reported Tuesday, is far from a sure thing.

We know that people, no matter what happens with this case, are going to continue to access pills outside of the formal health care system, said Bethany Van Kampen Saravia, senior legal and policy advisor at Ipas, which for decades has worked in countries with restrictive laws to train providers and help expand access to abortion care. Since the overturning of Roe, she said Ipas has refocused their efforts throughout the U.S., where at least half the states have near-total bans or heavy restrictions. As States Newsroom recently reported, new data shows a rise in self-managed abortions since the Dobbs decision.

People will continue to get medication abortion through online access, through telehealth service, through online pharmacies, through your community network, Van Kampen Saravia said. Self-managed abortion is a WHO-recommended method of care. What Ipas knows from decades of working outside of the U.S. is that abortion with medication is safe and effective. And thats not going to stop no matter what happens.

Abortion providers who work in and outside of the formal medical system told States Newsroom they should be able to prescribe the current medication abortion regimen off label, if the FDA is ordered to change its protocol.

Were continuing to work because the pills are still on the market, theyre still registered, so they will be available and the doctors have the freedom to prescribe them off label, said Dutch physician Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, founder of the online clinic Aid Access, which she said has been working with states with shield laws to ship abortion drugs to women in states with abortion bans. She was in front of the court handing out, for free, a small amount of boxes of the abortion-medication regimen. She said Aid Access will continue helping women self-manage their abortions.

No matter what the Supreme Court is going to do, well be there, Gomperts said.

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The post Hundreds protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court to keep abortion medication accessible appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
The new leadership of the High Qualifications Commission of Judges (HQCJ) should be virtuous and independent, the Italian Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors Support Group in Kiev said in a statement published on social network X on Thursday.

"The G7 Ambassadors are closely following the news of the High Qualifications Commission of Judges and call for a transparent selection process for the new leadership, which should be virtuous and independent. Advancing reforms and filling the courts with vetted judges is critical to public confidence in the judiciary and private sector investment," the statement reads.

As reported, on March 27, the All-Union Commission on Judicial Service granted the application of the chairman of the commission Roman Ignatov to dismiss him from the commission at his own request. He headed the Commission from June 6, 2023.
Manhattan prosecutors and former President Trump are sparring over the scope of the gag order imposed on the former president in his hush money criminal case less than three weeks out from the start of trial.

The former president has continued to direct his rage at Judge Juan Merchans daughter in social media posts after Merchan this week refused to delay Trumps trial and approved prosecutors request to gag him.

In separate letters made public on Friday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) office and Trumps lawyers argued over whether the gag orders language reaches the families of both the district attorney and the judge.

The order limits Trumps public statements about the family members of any counsel or staff member involved in the case.

But, it explicitly enables Trump to continue attacking Bragg himself and also does not appear to restrict Trumps statements about the judge.

The People believe that the March 26 Order is properly read to protect family members of the Court. But to avoid any doubt  this Court should now clarify or confirm that the Order protects family members of the Court, the District Attorney, and all other individuals mentioned in the Order, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass wrote in a letter to the judge.

Trumps legal team pushed back on the notion, suggesting prosecutors requested clarification amounts to an expansion of the restrictions.

The express terms of the gag order do not apply in the manner claimed by the People, which they seem to acknowledge by suggesting the need to avoid any doubt, Trump attorneys Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche wrote in their letter.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK  MARCH 21: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks during a press conference at the Louis J. Lefkowitz State Office Building on March 21, 2024 in New York City. Bragg announced the indictment of Grimaldis Pizza owner Anthony Piscina and the pizzerias Manhattan manager Frank Santora for $20,000 in wage theft from at least seven employees at the Grimaldis Flatiron location. They are both charged with Scheme to Defraud and seven counts of Failure to Pay Wages in accordance with Labor Law. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Braggs office is prosecuting Trump on accusations of falsifying business records in connection with reimbursements Trump made to his then-fixer, Michael Cohen, who had paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 shortly before the 2016 election to stay quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump, who denies an affair, pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony counts.

The former president himself has not held back from aiming his ire at the families of his perceived foes across his numerous legal battles, targeting the spouses and children of udges overseeing his cases and prosecutors.

Trump has stepped up his attacks on those involved in his hush money case as his trial date has approached. Merchan at a Monday hearing refused Trumps lawyers demand that the trial be postponed beyond April 15.

In particular, Trump this week has singled out Merchans daughter over her employment at a progressive digital agency. The former president cited her employment in his demand last year that the judge recuse himself, but Merchan refused in part based on guidance from an ethics advisory committee.

Top Stories from The Hill

In prosecutors letter, Steinglass urged the judge to warn Trump he was violating the gag order and sanction him if he continues disregarding it, arguing his attacks are highly likely to influence witnesses and others.

That is, potential trial witnesses and prospective jurors who are not currently the subject of defendants invective will likely fear having themselves and their family members be subject to similar attacks, Steinglass wrote.

This fear is not hypothetical: in the course of preparing for trial, multiple potential witnesses have already expressed grave concerns to the People about their own safety and that of their family members should they appear as witnesses against defendant, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts staying at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which is temporarily occupied by Russian forces, have heard the sounds of explosions directly on the territory of the plant.

Source: press service of Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy regulator, citing an IAEA report

Details: The sounds of explosions were likely caused by outgoing artillery fire from the plant site.

Representatives of the mission also heard small arms fire several times, and an air-raid warning was issued at the site.

The IAEA team has therefore postponed a planned visit to the ZNPP dry cask storage facility to a later date.

The IAEA also noted that it has still not gained access to all the areas that are important for nuclear safety.

Background: The IAEA experts working at the ZNPP have been unable to access all areas of the plant to verify information concerning the presence of Russian military equipment in one of the plant's turbine halls.

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Were in a Norwegian valley, high above the Arctic Circle. Its late afternoon in early March and a group of more than a dozen infantry Marines are standing around two chaplains, one American and the other Norwegian. Its windy, cold. The Marines hold laminated prayer cards in dense gloves, and some are shifting back and forth to stay warm. A radio chatters in the background with reports from the front.

That symbol  that cross  came to signify that Rome could force people to obey out of fear, obedience out of fear of being raised upon that cross, a Marine chaplain said. And Christ says, 'I will destroy the fear of death and dying. I myself will be raised upon that cross in order to evoke life and hope.'

Article Five of the NATO agreement  if one is attacked, all are attacked  is a provision that binds these NATO countries together. The last  and only  time it has been invoked was in the aftermath of 9/11 when NATO rallied in support of the USA, according to Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of Joint Force Command-Norfolk. Decades later, he said the alliance is now more relevant than ever because of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

We spent time with the Marines miles above the Arctic Circle in Norway as part of the largest NATO exercise in the region since 1988. We spoke to Norwegians, Swedes and Finns as well  all nations that contributed to Americas fight in Afghanistan, and all lost troops to it, too. Now, those countries are on the brink of an uncertain future.

Main Topics

Host Drew F. Lawrence travels to Norway to cover the Marine Corps and its training with U.S. allies in the High North.

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Transcript:

SPEAKERS

Norwegian Chaplain, LT Kathleen Laboa, MONTAGE, Drew F. Lawrence, American Chaplain, Former President Donald Trump, Ville, Vice Adm. Doug Perry, HM2 Zachery Matthews, Marine Sergeant

Norwegian Chaplain

[Singing]

Drew F. Lawrence

Were in a Norwegian valley, high above the Arctic Circle. Its late afternoon in early March and a group of over a dozen infantry Marines are standing around an American and Norwegian chaplain. Its windy, cold. The Marines hold laminated prayer cards in dense gloves, some are shifting back and forth to stay warm. A radio chatters in the background with reports from the front.

American Chaplain

That symbol  that cross  came to signify that Rome could force people to obey out of fear, obedience out of fear of being raised upon that cross. And Christ says, I will destroy the fear of death and dying. I myself will be raised upon that cross in order to evoke life and hope.

Drew F. Lawrence

Roughly 150 miles from the Russian border, it is a spiritual moment for the weary Marines who have been working, shoveling snow, and practicing their military tactics in Norway for over a month and in Nordic countries for even longer.

American Chaplain

So I challenge you not only to think on that cross, but on your roleas United States Marines, as members of NATO, as members of this allied group of people  that we are a symbol of hope.

MONTAGE

Former President Donald Trump

Will you protect us? I said, you didn't pay? You're delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry

NATO's adversaries and potential adversaries should and I'm certain are taking notewe are willing to defend every inch of our allied territory.

Drew F. Lawrence

Two years ago, Russia embarked on a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Since then, at least 10s of thousands of Ukrainians are estimated to have been killed. Two countries  Sweden and Finland have joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO as Russia proves to be an increasingly unstable neighbor. NATO leaders, like Vice Adm. Doug Perry, who you just heard, and even some Marines on the ground in Norway Fire Watch spoke to said they would protect NATO if attacked, fulfilling promises made in international treaties. Others, like former President and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, have indicated otherwise. One Marine, a sergeant who maintains HIMARS rocket launchers put it in his own words.

Marine Sergeant

If Putin decides to get ballsy and go off and do worse things and he's doing right now, I'm gonna be back out here fixing these for us and for other countries, helping them out.

Drew F. Lawrence

Article Five of the NATO agreement  if one is attacked, all are attacked  is a provision that binds these NATO countries together. Perry told Fire Watch that the last  and only  time it has been invoked was in the aftermath of 9/11 when NATO rallied in support of the USA. Decades later, he said the alliance was now more relevant than ever because of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry

The message is clear. We are all stronger together.

Drew F. Lawrence

We spent time with the Marines miles above the Arctic Circle in Norway as part of the largest NATO exercise in the region since 1988. We spoke to Norwegians, Swedes and Finns as well  all nations that contributed to Americas fight in Afghanistan, all nations that lost troops to it, too. Now, those countries are on the brink of an uncertain future. For Military.com, my name is Drew Lawrence. It is March 29. And this is Fire Watch. At a small defensive position in a Norwegian valley Marines were at work. Digging tent positions, trudging through snow, listening, watching. Snowmobiles and Bandvagn  tracked Norwegian vehicles made specifically for traversing the snow  came in and out of the outpost with supplies and troops. The Marines and their Norwegian counterparts were expecting contact with a simulated enemy. The operation was part of the second largest NATO exercise since the early 50s, just years after the alliance formed. The exercise is taking place as partner Nordic nations face an increasingly aggressive Russia in the frigid north. That is part  a large part  of why U.S. forces are in the Arctic supporting NATO, according to experts, American service members, U.S. allies and NATO leaders Fire Watch heard from for this episode. But its not just about Russia. Heres Vice Adm. Perry again.

Vice Adm. Doug Perry

Even climate change, which is driving increased access to the Arctic region, opening up the Northern Sea Route, creating a demand signal for access to resources in the Arctic, to generating claims by nations to resources on the seabed, that is driving competition in the Arctic.

Drew F. Lawrence

Becca Wasser, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said that competition in the Arctic is expanding.

Arctic is part of sort of the broader global commons. It's not just the United States and NATO who are present in the Arctic, you have Russian presence and to a certain extent burgeoning Chinese presence as well. So if you're looking at the Arctic, it's a critical region.

Drew F. Lawrence

But not everyone in the U.S. sees that. Fire Watch asked Perry to address a small, but loud group of Americans that are advocating for reduced participation in NATO and in an even smaller minority wanting to get out of the alliance altogether. In a statement, he emphasized the decades-long alliance that ties the continents together. He said NATO contributes to American homeland security on a daily basis in that it continually works with other units to protect American airspace. If Russia invades one of these Nordic countries, it would be calling for U.S. help using the exact same treaty language America turned to when leaning on NATO after New York City was attacked. In light of that, does America owe these countries?

So I dont think its a debtI think that this has been an alliance that the United States has been a part of, since its inception and played a role in its inception. And the United States has had long standing treaty alliances, and this is one and when we say an attack on one is an attack on all we need to mean it. And 9/11, with Article Five being invoked, that is a great example of an attack on one is an attack on all. It's not that we owe them a debt, it's that when we were attacked, they understood that it was an attack on them.

Drew F. Lawrence

We also interviewed a member of the Finnish military. His name is Ville, he runs a channel called Mighty Finland. Were only going to refer to him by his first name. You know, if you don't mind me saying like, why, you know, why is that important?

Ville

So you can never be too careful. We live in very precarious times. And Russia is definitely trying to influence us and anybody who really works in this field, so just taking my precautions.

Drew F. Lawrence

Ville told us about Finland, its culture which is integrated with the military as a collective defense against Russia. Finland has been dealing with its problematic neighbor for centuries on its own but joined NATO in 2023 in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Ville

We have the saying: It's all fun and games until the snow starts speaking Finnish. We can't change anything about the fact that we have a long border with Russia. We will always have to deal with that and we have to deal with it in a very realistic manner. There's no daydreaming about it.

Drew F. Lawrence

As a member of the Finnish military, he worked side by side with the U.S. in exercises similar to Nordic Response 24. He understands that collective deterrence first hand and the defense against global threats to the West. On NATO supporting the aftermath of 9/11, he said:

Ville

I personally wouldn't look too much back into history and kind of like a tit for tat thing. You know, what happened back then was a great show of solidarity. But right now we need to live in this moment and look into the future. If you want peace, you got to prepare for war No amount of running away from the realities of international power politics is going to make the possibility of war go away any further, in fact, quite the contrary.

Drew F. Lawrence

Miles away from the infantry Marines hunkered in the valley, a Navy shock trauma platoon, basically an emergency room on the battlefield, was practicing how it would treat and evacuate casualties in the event of a possible international conflict, preparing for war, as Ville said. While the exercise was simulated, the shadow of a current war  the Ukraine war  was back of mind as Navy corpsmen and Norwegian troops got to work.

LT Kathleen Laboa

Were trying to simulate in a lot of these exercises what we would see. Unfortunately, a lot of this is based off of the data that we had from the last conflicts in the last 10-20 years.

Drew F. Lawrence

That's Navy Lieutenant Kathleen Laboa, a trauma nurse in charge of the platoon.

LT Kathleen Laboa

Theres not a ton of data of the patterns were seeing now. Believe it or not, we're getting a ton of data from the casualties coming out of Ukraine. With that it's a lot of IDF, indirect fire, and also, like armory type: mortars, blasts, things of that nature.

Drew F. Lawrence

She told Fire Watch that her units eyes were on the war in Ukraine as an estimated tens of thousands of Ukrainians  including civilians have been killed. Mines, drones, artillery shells, heavy ordnance used by Russia have caused many of these deaths, and with it traumatic injuries resulting in amputations, for example.

LT Kathleen Laboa

We're learning that our medical assets are going to have to be more maneuverable and a lot more flexible. It's looking like gone are the days of being able to set up massive field hospitals, that won't be a target. And where you're going to need to pack up and move quickly.

Drew F. Lawrence

Patients at the Norwegian field hospital are brought into a medical tent and evaluated by the shock trauma platoon. Theyre given fluids, some corpsmen simulate putting in breathing tubes. They snap x-rays and bring casualties into an operating room where a Norwegian surgical team wields shiny medical instruments  even practicing simulated abdominal surgery.

Installments like this will take 6 hours to set up and who knows how long to tear down  you can't really afford to waste that time. So the goal is we're trying to push higher skilled providers to the front, closer to the front, so that way patients can receive care sooner. And hopefully, we're able to stabilize them.

Drew F. Lawrence

also looking at what it would be like to treat patients in massive urban environments, like Theyre also looking at what it would be like to treat patients in massive urban environments, like some cities in Ukraine that have been hit with Russian rockets and artillery. That includes working out of undesignated vehicles, like turning vans into an ambulance if need be. The Norwegian contingent of the field tent added a surgical unit, something that the shock trauma platoon would not have on its own. Plus, they were knowledgeable in how to keep much needed medication and blood at appropriate temperatures in the often-freezing Arctic. Here's Hospital Corpsman Second Class, Zachery Matthews.

HM2 Zachery Matthews

So the friction points would be medications and blood. I think that's the biggest question. If anybody could figure out that answer, I think they would, they would solve a lot of issues coming forward into a cold weather environment. What are we going to do with these blood units that were taken out with us because blood is the first thing that needs to get on that patient?

Drew F. Lawrence

All of the troops we talked to said that they were preparing for potential conflict as part of deterring Russia. But the only way military deterrence works is if action is plausible. The little details U.S. troops are learning in exercises like this are what make it possible to say that the NATO alliance would be prepared to respond collectively if Putin decides to attack another neighbor. Thank you for listening to this episode of Fire Watch. Thank you to our guests, as well as executive producers Zach Fryer-Biggs and Jared Keller. If you enjoyed this episode, and want to let us know, give us a rating, wherever your get your podcasts. And as always, thanks for listening.
Transgender people in Idaho will no longer be able to use Medicaid and other publicly funded programs to help cover the cost of gender-affirming medical care under a new state law set to take effect in July.

Republican Gov. Brad Little quietly signed the measure Wednesday, a day after receiving it from Idahos GOP-controlled Legislature. Littles office did not immediately return a request for comment.

The law, which is set to take effect July 1, bars the use of public funds for puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for transgender minors and adults and prevents government-owned facilities from providing them.

Those who intentionally violate the law could face misuse of public funds charges, which carry a penalty of up to $10,000 in fines and imprisonment between one and 14 years.

Idaho joins a growing coalition of Republican-led states in banning Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for transgender people of all ages, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit organization that tracks LGBTQ laws. The Medicaid policies of three states explicitly exclude transition-related care for minors.

A federal judge in June struck down a Florida rule excluding gender-affirming health care from Medicaid coverage, writing in a 54-page opinion that Florida had adopted the rule for political reasons. That same month, a federal judge in Arkansas blocked the states ban on gender-affirming care for minors, including in the states Medicaid program.

Little has said on several occasions that he does not believe public funds should be used for gender-affirming care. In a May letter to Idahos Department of Health and Welfare, Little said he was opposed to using Medicaid funds for puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries for transgender children and adults.

Hardworking taxpayers should not be forced to pay for an adults sex reassignment surgery, he wrote.

In April, Little signed legislation making it a felony for health care providers to administer gender-affirming care to minors in Idaho. In a letter to House leadership, Little wrote that while it is important to protect minors from surgeries or treatments that can irreversibly damage their healthy bodies, as lawmakers, we should take great caution whenever we consider allowing the government to interfere with loving parents and their decisions about what is best for their children.

A federal judge in December temporarily blocked the states ban from going into effect. In February, Idaho appealed that decision to the Supreme Court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Thursday, Nov. 17, 2023, Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency (ISA) intelligence said IDF troops exposed a 55-meter-long terror tunnel under the Al-Shifa Hospital complex. On Thursday amid a military siege of the hospital, officials said a senior Hamas official was killed while trying to flee the facility. File Photo via Israel Defense Forces/UPI

March 29 (UPI) -- Israeli troops killed a Hamas leader during an ongoing operation at a central Gaza hospital, the Middle Eastern country's military said.

Israel Defense Forces said Ra'ad Thabet was killed Thursday in the maternity ward of Al-Shifa Hospital as he was attempting to escape into the courtyard with two other militants.

The IDF said Thabet was known to be among Hamas' 10 senior commanders, adding he was responsible for research and development, strengthening systems and was the head of the militia's production unit.

"He held a lot of knowledge about the organization regarding everything related to equipment and armament," IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters Thursday during a press conference.

"He was close to [Yahya] Sinwar, [Mohammed] Deif, and Marwan Issa."

Sinwar, Dief and Issa are considered the highest-ranking officers in Hamas. The Israeli military is hunting both Sinwar and Dief, as Issa was killed earlier this month.

ELIMINATED: The Head of Manpower in Hamas' Military Wing, Ra'ad Thabat. Thabat was known to be among Hamas' top 10 senior commanders and was responsible for R&D and strengthening systems, as well as being the head of Hamas' Production Unit. He was found and eliminated during... pic.twitter.com/VTWMXK7bEo Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 28, 2024

Hagari said Thabet was killed by soldiers of Shayetet 13, along with additional forces.

Thabet and the two other militants had been found during a search of the building that devolved into a firefight, he said.

"The terrorists fled, a chase ensued, there was gunfire and all three terrorists were eliminated in this operation," he said. "We are in the process of verifying their identities and will publish details about them later."

Al-Shifa in central Gaza City has been under Israeli attack for roughly two weeks, according to the World Health Organization. Earlier this week WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the conditions there as "utterly inhumane."

Tedros has called for an end to the siege.

The targeting of buildings designated as civilian hospitals in conflict zones is forbidden by the Geneva Convention.

Israel has repeatedly been accused of attacking medical facilities hundreds of times.

In mid-November, the IDF said it had found a Hamas tunnel under the medical facility.

Hagari said Thursday that there were 1,250 people inside the hospital when the Israeli military encircled it, with only 350 being patients or staff.

The remaining are suspects, he said.

"We have already identified 513 terrorist form Hamas and Islamic Jihad out of the 900 suspects," he said.

He said the decision it to continue the military operation inside the hospital.

"There are more senior operatives. There are more terrorists in the hospital," he said.

"We will reach all of them. Hamas is destroying the hospital, damaging the hospital, fighting within the departments, activating explosives, and burning the hospital. This hospital has been severely damaged as a result of Hamas' actions."
I know it is up against some pretty strong competition from HS2 and the like, but has this or any government wasted so much money to so little effect as the millions Rishi Sunak has shelled out to the French supposedly to stop migrants crossing the Channel? The number of migrants arriving in Britain in small boats has hit a new record in the first three months of 2024. Over 4,600 have somehow managed to evade French patrols. When the weather warms up and calms down we can expect many thousands more.

Rishi Sunaks government has achieved the very worst on illegal migration, by talking tough and then failing even slightly to deliver. If the Government had approached the issue of illegal migration by speaking like those mealy-mouthed charities who insist every single illegal migrant coming to Britain is desperate, and trying to claim that they would all prove a huge boon to the country, boosting the economy and enriching our culture, you might have disagreed with that very strongly but at least you could have had a certain respect for it  the outcome would be consistent with the ideology.

Instead, we have had one minister after another tub-thumping over illegal migration, telling us it would go to all lengths to stop the boats  but the end result is even more illegal migration than we started with.

There are two possibilities here. Either Rishi Sunak and his Home Office ministers are all secret agents working for the Refugee Council and are using tough talk as cover for what they are really trying to achieve. Or they are simply incompetent, lily-livered and too intellectually feeble to take on the human rights blob. I think I favour the latter explanation.

If we are going to pay the French a bean to try to stop the boats the deal should have one clear condition: that anyone landing on a British beach, or picked up in UK waters, should be automatically and instantly returned to France. There should be no legal aid, no bed and board, no nothing. The message would soon have got across that it is pointless trying to cross the Channel  you will be paying a trafficker and risking your life for no reason.

Many European leaders agree that asylum-seekers must claim asylum in the first country they reach, and so unless someone is on the run from Macrons regime, they have no business crossing the Channel. All Britain and France would be doing would be to enforce that sentiment. If the European Court of Human Rights took a different view the government should tell it to stuff it, like other countries seem very happy to do on all manner of topics.

Instead, the Government has thrashed around and got absolutely nowhere. There have been no promised flights to Rwanda. The Government rattles its sabre at illegal migrants  and then puts them up in lovely hotels. We have a government which seems to be pleading to be put out of its misery at the earliest opportunity.

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A woman in Texas who had been sentenced to five years in prison for wrongfully voting in the 2016 election has been acquitted of the charges.

Crystal Mason said she was "overjoyed" on Thursday after a Texas appeals court overturned her illegal voting conviction.

Her legal troubles began when she voted while on supervised release for a federal tax fraud conviction.

It is illegal for convicted felons to vote in Texas until "fully discharged".

The decision by Texas' Second Court of Appeals means the felony voting charge against Ms Mason has been dropped.

The court said there was not enough evidence to show that she knew she was ineligible to vote when she cast her ballot, a requirement for an illegal vote conviction.

"I've cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free black woman," Ms Mason said in a statement.

"I thank everyone whose dedication and support carried me through this time and look forward to celebrating this moment with my family and friends."

In 2016, Ms Mason submitted a provisional ballot in the presidential election after discovering her name was not listed on the state's voter roll.

Provisional ballots allow people not on a voter roll to cast a ballot, which is then set aside until a voter's registration status is checked.

She was arrested a few months later.

State prosecutors' argument rested on a document that Ms Mason signed that declared she was aware she had "completed all my punishment", including supervised periods.

In court, a poll worker testified he watched Ms Mason read and run her finger along each line of the document. But Ms Mason says she did not read the entire thing.

She was convicted by a trial court in 2018 and sentenced to five years in prison. The conviction was upheld during a 2020 appeal.

However, in Thursday's decision, Texas' highest court said: "In the end, the State's primary evidence was that Mason read the words on the affidavit.

"But even if she had read them, they are not sufficient... to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew" what she was doing was illegal.

The court's decision was hailed by voting rights groups as a major victory.

"The harms of the criminal prosecution can never fully be undone, but this decision is vindication for Ms Mason and a win for our democracy, which can only thrive when people can fearlessly engage in the civic process," said Thomas Buser-Clancy, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, in a statement.

Texas is known as a US state with some of the strictest voting laws.
Before a member of Illinois' Prisoner Review Board (PRB) resigned this week after a parolee with a lengthy criminal history killed a boy and injured his pregnant mother a day after being released, Republican lawmakers had been sounding alarms over her and other members on the panel, saying the appointment process had been politicized.

LeAnn Miller quit the board after signing off on the release of Crosetti Brand, 37, who was serving a 16-year sentence for a home invasion and aggravated assault when he was paroled early. Brand was released March 12 from the Stateville Correctional Center with electronic monitoring.

The next morning, he forced his way into Laterria Smith's Chicago apartment and fatally stabbed her son, 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, as he came to the aid of his mother, who was also stabbed, said police.

CHICAGO MAYOR SAYS MIGRANT SHELTER EVICTION IS A PATHWAY TO STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Jayden Perkins was stabbed to death

Smith and Brand had previously been in a relationship. However, Brand had previously threatened her via text messages in January and had a long history of domestic abuse. Despite his criminal record, Brand was still released early.

Miller was appointed in 2021 by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

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"I'm sick to my stomach over it (the killing)," Republican Illinois state Sen. Jason Plummer told Fox News Digital. "I heard the news, and I was just disgusted."

"The governor is the one doing this and this boy is dead," he added. "For the last three years, the governor of Illinois has taken a cavalier and reckless attitude towards the Prisoner Review Board and criminal justice in general."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Pritzker's office.

In a Facebook post, the Helen C. Peirce School Of International Studies called Jayden a "loving, funny, talented Peirce student whose light shined brightly across the school community and beyond."

"He was the student who stood up for everyone," one teacher said, according to the post.

Last week, the Gus Giordano Dance School released a video of Jayden performing.

"Jayden Perkins brought the brightest light to GUS. We are incredibly blessed to have been apart of his life. We love you Jayden," the school posted on X.

Brand was initially paroled in October 2023, and brought back to prison in February for allegedly violating the conditions of his release.

"A PRB hearing determined the alleged violations did not meet the standards to detain him," a board spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "The suspect was returned to parole on March 12th, and notifications were again made to registered victims."

ILLINOIS STABBING SPREE SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER RAMPAGE LEAVES FOUR DEAD, SEVEN INJURED

Convicted felon Crosetti Brand has been charged with fatally stabbing an 11-year-old boy and seriously injuring his pregnant mother in a home invasion attack in Chicago earlier this month.

Fearing for her safety, Smith, 33, begged for a protection order against Brand. A hearing on the matter was scheduled for March 13, the same day Smith and her son were attacked. The state Prisoner Review Board said it wasn't aware of the court proceeding.

"At the time of the hearing, the Prisoner Review Board did not have any information to indicate that the victim was currently petitioning for an Order of Protection at the trial court level or any pending hearings associated with her petition," the agency said. "This is not information generally provided to the Board. As a result, the PRB was not able to take that information into consideration."

Plummer and other state senate Republicans voiced concerns about the review board in 2021, noting that many of the appointees chosen by Pritzker had been in their positions far longer than the 60-session-day deadline required for state Senate lawmakers to take a confirmation vote. The body is tasked with confirming the governors hundreds of appointments to state agencies, boards and commissions.

As a workaround, Pritzker would withdraw the review board appointments and then re-appoint the members to reset the countdown for the Senate to confirm, Plummer said. That allowed some members to serve for months, and in some cases years, without coming before the state Senate for a vote, he said.

Meanwhile, they were releasing convicted felons at a far greater rate than in years past, said Plummer.

"They were letting child-killers out. They were letting cop-killers out. They were letting rapists out," he said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Pritzker's office.

Miller was appointed to the Prisoner Review Board in September 2021, and her term wasnt due to expire until January 2027. She was previously criticized for her role in releasing a prisoner who killed her two infant daughters in the 1980s.

Aside from the board's actions, Plummer also criticized Pritzker's choice of appointees. One was Max Cerda, who was appointed in 2021, years after being paroled for a double-murder he committed at age 16. While on the PRB, Cerda voted to release a convicted cop-killer who actually served time in prison.

Pritzker pulled the appointment when it appeared Cerda didn't have enough Senate support.

In a Monday statement announcing Miller's resignation, Pritzker said the 11-member board must be able to operate independently.

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"It is clear that evidence in this case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve, and I am committed to ensuring additional safeguards and training are in place to prevent tragedies like this from happening again," he said.

That same day, Pritzker announced the resignation of PRB chair Donald Shelton, who'd been on the board since 2012.





Original article source: Illinois Republican lawmaker warned of board that released alleged killer of Chicago boy: 'Sick to my stomach'
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks to reporters as supporters of former President Donald Trump hold images of Laken Riley before he speaks at a Get Out the Vote rally in Rome, Georgia in March 2024. (Elijah Nouvelage/AFP/Getty Images)

This story originally appeared on The 19th.

Republicans who are pushing for more restrictive immigration policy ahead of a pivotal election year continue to lean on an old strategy in their appeal to voters: broadly framing immigrant men as dangerous next to imagery of young White women victims.

In 2015 it was Kate Steinle, a 32-year-old woman who was fatally shot on a San Francisco pier. A year later, Sarah Root, a 21-year-old Iowa woman, was killed in a crash involving a drunk driver. In 2018, 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts was killed while jogging in her rural Iowa hometown. Now, its Laken Riley, a Georgia college student killed last month while also jogging.

All were white women, and their deaths, linked to immigrant men, became flash points in Republicans push for hard-line immigration policies. Led by Donald Trump, the party is using these deaths to call for policies like mass arrests, detention camps and militarized deportations, and pairing that with violent anti-immigrant language.

The rhetoric  which recalls the nations long history of racist attacks against men of color by casting them as threats to white women  also threatens the safety of immigrants, advocates say.

Polling shows immigration is increasingly top of mind for many Republicans and some independents ahead of the November elections, a dynamic that could sway the outcome of the rematch between President Joe Biden and Trump.

Rileys death has become a rallying cry among conservative news and social media commentators and elected officials since Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was charged in connection with her death.

Democrats too, including Biden, have focused significant attention on the case, showing just how much the major parties may engage with more conservative stances on immigration this election cycle.

This is another case of a White cisgender woman  young, pretty  thats going to be held up as a poster board for everything that Democrats are doing wrong, said Nancy Hiemstra, an associate professor at Stony Brook University who studies U.S. immigration enforcement policies. You can imagine that if Trump were president, Republicans would hold it up as an instance of why they need more money to do a huge crackdown on immigrants, right? So either way, this type of thing is leverage.

Trump has highlighted the 22-year-old Rileys death during campaign rallies and on social media, referring to her as an American daughter.

I will fight like no one has ever fought before to ensure that what happened to this American daughter, this incredible American, that this never happens to any other daughter or anyone else ever again, Trump said in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, during his first rally after becoming the presumptive Republican nominee for president. During the event, Trump also said he would protect suburban housewives, who want security and dont want illegal immigrants coming into this country.

Deborah Kang, an associate professor at the University of Virginia who studies U.S. immigration and border policy, said such language about security highlights a much longer history, especially in the American South, of white supremacists fighting to protect white women from perceived threats posed by men of color. She added that it echoes a kind of nationalist paternalism.

So for Trump, one could argue that protecting the homeland and protecting so-called white womanhood are two sides of the same fight, she said.

The case has even drawn attention from the head of the FBI, with Director Christopher Wray committing that the department will do everything [it] can to help achieve justice for Laken.

But Republicans messages about undocumented immigrants, particularly as a threat to American women, pose a risk to immigrant communities or people who may be perceived as such, migrant advocates say. That includes Latinx people, who make up the largest share of people entering through the southern border, amid a recorded increase in hate crimes against that group.

Its an old tactic and I think it is incredibly dangerous, said Vanessa Cardenas, the executive director of Americas Voice, a progressive immigration advocacy group. This whole new strand thats very much focused on men is particularly damaging and creates the sense that people cannot trust immigrants.  It does put a target on our back, but also poisons any type of progress to get to legislation that could actually help the problem.

At the State of the Union address earlier this month, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene distributed pins with Rileys face on them. The Georgia Republican also wore a T-shirt throughout the halls of Congress that read, Say Her Name  a reference to Riley and a slogan first used to highlight the deaths of Black women at the hands of law enforcement.

Biden responded to Greenes outburst during his televised speech by calling the suspect in Rileys death an illegal  a move that angered some immigrant advocacy organizations. Biden later apologized.

Republicans in the meantime are invoking Riley in recently proposed immigration legislation. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Georgia statehouse are considering a bill that would require state and local law enforcement to identify, arrest and detain undocumented immigrants. A Texas law with similar provisions is on hold amid questions about its constitutionality, as more than half a dozen other states take up similar measures. In Congress, House Republicans earlier introduced a bill, called the Laken Riley Act, that would require federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants who have been accused of theft.

Trump, who kicked off his 2016 campaign for president by calling Mexican immigrants rapists, doubled down on those remarks with a recent campaign video in which the infamous 2015 speech is interspersed with news clips referencing crimes allegedly committed by immigrants.

Biden committed publicly to a humane immigration system when he took office, but he has come under scrutiny by immigration advocates for keeping some Trump-era immigration policies in place. His earlier support for a bipartisan immigration bill  opposed by progressives in both chambers  signals just how much Democrats are recalibrating their approach to immigration policy.

Trump, whose administration once orchestrated the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border as an migration deterrent, has also complicated efforts to address immigration. He publicly denounced the federal immigration bill, which was subsequently tanked by Senate Republicans, arguing that it wasnt politically advantageous for Republicans to help address issues at the border before the election.

A Gallup survey conducted in February found that for 28 percent of Americans, immigration is the most important problem facing the nation  an increase driven largely by Republicans. More than half of respondents  55 percent  said that large numbers of immigrants entering the United States illegally is a critical threat to U.S. vital interests, a 20-year high.

Its not clear to what degree Republican talking points about incidents involving white women and immigrant men have shaped public opinion. In the case of Root, the undocumented immigrant from Honduras involved in the crash was charged with motor vehicle homicide. While the suspect, Eswin G. Mejia, was briefly detained, he disappeared after posting bond and is now considered a fugitive. Trump highlighted Roots case in his first acceptance speech for the Republican nomination for president back in 2016.

Trumps campaign also focused significant attention on Steinles killing and its implication for the existence of so-called sanctuary cities. The undocumented immigrant who was charged in her death, Jose Inez Garcia Zarate of Mexico, was eventually acquitted of murder but convicted of illegal possession of a firearm and recently deported.

In the Tibbetts case, the undocumented immigrant arrested in connection to her death was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

We need the wall. We need our immigration laws changed, Trump said in one video at the time that referenced Tibbetts. We need our border laws changed, we need Republicans to do it because the Democrats arent going to do it.

Kang said voters should focus on at least one key fact when such cases are elevated.

Multiple studies conducted by demographers, sociologists and economists have shown that historically and in fact, for centuries, immigration is actually associated with lower crime rates, she said. Despite that statistic, immigrants throughout history have been routinely scapegoated for a host of problems in the nation at any given time.

Some of the families of the women spotlighted by Trump and conservative leaders have expressed regret that their personal tragedy had become entangled with a heated political debate. While Rileys mother attracted attention for meeting privately with Trump and criticizing Biden online, her father said in an interview that the politicization of his daughters death had attracted harassment from both sides toward his family.

I think its being used politically to get those votes, Jason Riley, Laken Rileys father, said in an interview. It makes me angry. I feel like, you know, theyre just using my daughters name for that. And she was much better than that, and she should be raised up for the person that she is. Riley also said he was a supporter of Trump and criticized the countrys immigration policies under Biden.

Rob Tibbetts, the father of Mollie Tibbetts, directly criticized the use of her death to defend conservative immigration policies.

I encourage the debate on immigration; there is great merit in its reasonable outcome. But do not appropriate Mollies soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist, Rob Tibbetts wrote in 2018.

Freddy Cruz, a manager for monitoring and training at the Western States Center, a pro-democracy advocacy group, said that the rhetoric about undocumented immigrants promoted by Republicans up to the highest ranks can threaten the safety of immigrants and Latinx people in the United States, and has important consequences for American democracy.

With an influx of migrants comes this heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric that I think puts a lot of migrants in danger because it characterizes everyone as either a criminal or some sort of drug trafficker, Cruz said, adding that its perfectly legal to seek asylum in the U.S. and to live in the country while awaiting a court hearing, for example.

The impact extends beyond new immigrants to include American citizens, Cruz said, including many Latinx people. It also includes people working with organizations offering humanitarian aid to people at the border have faced an uptick in instances of harassment, including threats of physical violence and doxxing.

Anti-immigrant messaging continues to fuel concepts like the great replacement theory, the belief that theres an ongoing conspiracy to take power away from White Americans by growing the number of non-White people in the country. That notion has been linked to several incidents of hate-fueled violence, like mass shootings in El Paso, Buffalo, New York and Pittsburgh. Its also become enmeshed with far-right anti-democracy groups, Cruz said.

Its really racist, problematic narratives that I think have become quite popular, especially with some members of the GOP that have continued to spew the great replacement theory, Cruz said. Its incredibly problematic, and were trying to keep an eye on it. We get a sense that its only gonna get worse as we get closer to the general election.





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Ukraine's energy system remains integral after Russia's attacks, but the situation is very uneasy, Prime Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Shmyhal has said.

"Last night, Russian terrorists inflicted another massive missile and drone attack on our country. The main target of the attack is again our energy system. We withstood the blow. The energy system is integral, but the situation is very uneasy. Several regions have problems with power supply. We are addressing this problem," he said at a government meeting on Friday.

Ukraine is importing electricity from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Moldova to ensure stable operation of our power grid, the prime minister said.

"Today's attack again caused a rather bad damage to the equipment. The attack was again aimed at both the power generation facilities and the distribution system. It is very important for all of us now to cut down on electricity consumption. Especially in the evening," Shmyhal said.

Part of facilities, which had been damaged last week, have already been restored, he said.
Cranes have been deployed to unblock the port of Baltimore (CHIP SOMODEVILLA)

The bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore has raised concerns about the disaster's potential impact on the global supply chain.

Authorities have warned that extensive work is needed before the major port can reopen following Tuesday's catastrophic cargo ship collision, which has blocked the harbour's entrance.

Here is a look at what it could mean for global trade:

- A major car terminal -

Baltimore is among the top 20 ports in the United States by tonnage and number of containers handled, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Last year, it handled a record 1.1 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) of containers -- a measure of volume for shipping containers.

Container imports via Baltimore amounted to 2.1 percent of the total for all US ports, according to Allianz Trade.

Its location deep within the Chesapeake Bay make it a "second-tier American port," said Paul Tourret, director of French maritime industry institute ISEMAR.

The port hosts transatlantic traffic, including small ships from northern Europe and the Mediterranean as well as some shipping lines from the Indian Ocean, Tourret said.

But it is a key hub for the auto industry.

Its private and public terminals handled 847,158 autos and light trucks last year, more than any other US port for the 13th year in a row, according to Maryland state figures.

It also ranked first for farm and construction machinery, as well as imported sugar and gypsum, and second for coal exports.

- Alternative routes -

German auto giants Volkswagen and BMW said their operations were not affected as the locations of their facilities were still accessible to ships.

US rival Ford said it had found alternative routes.

But the terminal for Mercedes-Benz is no longer reachable by sea as it is located behind the collapsed bridge.

The company told German media it is looking into alternative routes.

"The blockade of the Port of Baltimore will have little impact on trade between the USA and Europe," Patrick Lepperhoff, principal at Inverto consultancy, wrote in a note.

"In the last quarter of 2023, around 260,000 standard containers were loaded and unloaded at the port.

This volume can be diverted to the neighbouring ports" such as New York and Norfolk, Virginia, he wrote said.

- Coal and cobalt impact -

The port closure is expected to primarily impact US exports of coal and imports of cobalt, according to ratings agency S&P Global.

Access to coal export terminals of CSX Curtis Bay and Consol Marine Terminal has been blocked, it said.

The accident is expected to disrupt coal exports from Baltimore for 10 to 15 days but market participants suggested it would have "limited pricing impacts amid well-stocked markets", S&P added.

Coal exports from Baltimore jumped to 28 million short tons in 2023, mainly due to growing demand from Asia, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

"Even before the port's closure, we were expecting much slower growth in total US coal exports in 2024, of just one percent," the EIA said.

"The interruption in operations in Baltimore may affect the volume of exports this year," it added.

Baltimore's cobalt stocks were already under pressure due to strong demand for the mineral, a key component for electric car batteries and high-tech devices.

Yemeni rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea have also caused delays as shipping companies have had to divert vessels to the longer and costlier route around southern Africa.

While the bridge incident will have "little to no impact" on US refined oil products, shipping fuel supplies "could tighten" on the Atlantic Coast as vessels refuel outside Baltimore, S&P said.

lem/ak/lth/gil
Donald Trump is still tiptoeing around violating the gag order in his hush-money trial, this time launching fresh vitriol at Judge Juan Merchans daughter while referring her to his followers by name.

Judge Juan Merchan is totally compromised, and should be removed from this TRUMP Non-Case immediately, Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday afternoon. His Daughter, Loren, is a Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me, and yet he gagged me.

She works for Crooked Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Adam Shifty Schiff, and other Radical Leftists who Campaign on Getting Trump, and fundraise off the Biden Indictmentsincluding this Witch Hunt, which her father presides over, a TOTAL Conflictand attacking Bidens Political Opponent through the Courts. Former D.A. Cy Vance refused to bring this case, as did all Federal Agencies, including Elections, he continued.

Trumps new line of attack against Merchans daughter comes after he targeted her for allegedly sharing a doctored photo of Trump behind bars on social media. That theory was quickly debunked after a representative for the New York state court system pointed out that the account wasnt hers.

Judge Merchan is overseeing Trumps first criminal trial and the only one currently scheduled to take place before the election. On Tuesday, Trump won himself a gag order after attacking Merchans daughter. The partial gag order forbids Trump from speaking publicly about courtroom staff, prosecutors, or any of their family members. Comments about jurors are also prohibited, as well as comments about witnessesbut wiggle room still exists within the order that allows Trump to attack Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

It remains to be seen what, if any, consequences there will be for the continued attacks.

Trump should be no stranger to the legality of gag ordersso far, hes been hit with them in two of his other legal trials. In October, Judge Arthur Engoron silenced the former president after he ushered a scourge of far-right vitriol onto Engorons chief law clerk. Trump was later fined $15,000 for violating the order. Judge Tanya Chutkan also imposed a gag order on the former president in his election interference trial.
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

Say the word maverick in any conversation about the U.S. Senate and thoughts will turn to John McCain, not without reason. But for all his independent-mindedness, McCain never left the GOP. To the end, even as the party of Reagan was becoming the party of Trump, he remained a Republican.

For my money, the most maverick-y maverick of the past 20 years was actually Democrat Joe Lieberman, who passed away on Wednesday at age 82.

Liebermans status was partly earned and partly forced upon him. He ran for reelection in Connecticut in 2006 as a staunch defender of the Iraq war, making him a terrible fit for a Democratic Party whose base had mobilized in opposition. He ended up losing the primary to upstart Ned Lamont, which would have been the end of any other politician.

But Lieberman had banked lots of goodwill on the right for refusing to run away from the war as so many other liberal hawks had. So he promptly re-registered as an independent (an independent Democrat, he called himself), ran in the general election, and drew enough support from both sides to defeat Lamont and win another term.

And thats not even his greatest claim to maverick fame.

Joe Lieberman was so singular a politician that he very nearly ended up on the presidential tickets of both parties in the span of less than a decade. He was Al Gores choice for vice president in 2000, of course, making him the first Jewish American to ever feature so prominently on a major partys national ballot. But he and McCain were sufficiently like-minded on foreign policy and personally close as friends that McCain almost chose him as his own running mate in 2008, later expressing regret that he hadnt.

Liebermans last act in politics was advising the group No Labels on mounting a third-party candidacy this fall. No senator of his era can match his maverick credentials.

Which is not to say that some havent tried.

Joe Manchin, Mitt Romney, and Kyrsten Sinema each went their own way repeatedly on important votes over the past six years amid intense pressure from their parties to do otherwise, with Sinema even following Liebermans lead by making her independence official. All three are also retiring, not coincidentally, having learned the hard way that being a maverick in a hyperpolarized country makes reelection a dicey proposition.

The Senate will have fewer mavericks next year than it does now. But the ones who are left could make things  interesting.

Heres an interesting moment from just a few days ago. Non-denials dont get much more glaring than this:

Murkowski and [Susan] Collins should absolutely become independents, The Bulwarks Sarah Longwell tweeted in response to that clip, referring to the two most prominent centrists left in the Senate GOP conference. Im as much a sucker for Sorkin-esque fantasies of paradigm-shifting bipartisanship in Washington as any Never Trumper, but the prospect of Murkowski leaving the Republican Party requires some thought.

What would sheand wegain by her doing so, exactly?

Lisa Murkowski will never appear on her partys national ticket, let alone the other partys, but in some ways she can match Joe Lieberman beat for beat.

Losing a Senate primary to an ideologue and then roaring back to win the general election? Both managed itand, as an added degree of difficulty, Murkowski pulled it off via a write-in campaign.

Opposing confirmation of a Supreme Court justice nominated by a president from their own party? Lieberman never did that. Murkowski has.

Voting to convict a president from their own party at a Senate impeachment trial? Lieberman didnt do that either when given the chance. Murkowski did.

On major policy issues too, each flouted the demands of their base. For Lieberman that issue was Iraq, of course. For Murkowski its abortion.

When she boasted to CNN in the clip above that shes been very independent-minded in the Senate, she wasnt kidding. So why not make it official? Especially since shes been flirting with the idea for years.

Her office has been touting press clips about her mavericky tendencies since 2019 at least, but her righteous disgust at Trump after January 6 may have added some muscle to her intentions. I didnt have any reason to leave my party in 2010, she said in an interview shortly after the insurrection. But I will tell you, if the Republican Party has become nothing more than the party of Trump, I sincerely question whether this is the party for me.

Three years and another presidential primary later, it couldnt be clearer that the Republican Party has become nothing more than the party of Trump. And if the current general election polling holds, Murkowski will soon confront that reality directly in the Senate when a newly reelected President Trump begins to push his agenda on Congress. Emotionally and intellectually, she has every reason to break away and go independent.

But from the standpoint of hard-nosed politics, its hard to see what it would accomplish.

Becoming an independent doesnt necessarily mean denying your former party a vote in the Senate, after all. It can, like when Jim Jeffords ditched the GOP in 2001 and chose to caucus with Democrats as an independent, handing them control of the chamber. But Joe Lieberman went on caucusing with his old party after he left it in 2006. So did Sinema in 2022. So have Bernie Sanders and Angus King, each Democrats turned independents. So, presumably, would Murkowski.

If that happened, the letter after her name would change but everything else would proceed as it has in the Senate, the same way it did when Sinema un-registered as a Democrat. In which case, who cares?

The only way that Murkowski going rogue would matter politically is if she agreed to join Chuck Schumers conference and that switch ended up handing Democrats a majority of the Senate. But thats highly unlikely. The math just isnt there.

Recall that this years Senate races favor Republicans overwhelmingly, with Democratic incumbents forced to defend their seats in red strongholds like Ohio and Montana amid massive right-wing turnout with Trump at the top of the ballot. Recall also that the GOP is a lock to flip the seat in West Virginia that Joe Manchin is vacating, ensuring a 50-50 Senate next year even if all Democratic incumbents somehow prevailwhich they probably wont.

If Ohio and Montana flip, Republicans will have 52 seats. And that number could rise with competitive races now brewing for open seats in Michigan, Arizona, andthanks to former Gov. Larry HoganMaryland. If the GOP finishes with 52 or better, Murkowskis potential alliance with Democrats would become irrelevant. Even if the party finishes with 51, Murkowski would still be irrelevant if Trump is reelected, as his vice president would supply the tiebreaking vote in the 50-50 Senate created by her joining Schumers conference.

The only two scenarios in which she matters are if Trump becomes president and the Senate splits exactly 50-50 or Biden becomes president and the Senate splits exactly 51-49 in favor of Republicans. In both cases, her decision to go independent and caucus with Democrats would shift control of the chamber. But both are longshots.

And even if it shakes out that way, Murkowski switching sides wouldnt be a frictionless matter. To make it worth her while, Schumer would assuredly need to guarantee that shed retain her seniority on committees. As Politico recently noted, Senate Democrats who are in line behind her wont like that.

Meanwhile, thered be a steep political cost potentially to all this maneuvering. Insofar as a formal party switch might end up alienating Alaskas GOP majority, Murkowski going independent could end up backfiring on anti-Trump conservatives in the long run.

The states new ranked-choice voting system is tailor-made to benefit centrists like her, as it inevitably steers Democratic voters toward supporting moderate Republicans on the final ballot. For exactly that reason, conservatives there are pushing to revert to the old primary system. If they succeed, the newly independent Murkowski would face two major-party nominees in the 2028 general election without the structural benefit of a ranked-choice process. Republican voters who stuck with her despite her numerous breaks with the party on key votes might now conclude that they owe no further loyalty to a politician whos decided she can no longer share a party with them.

Going independent could lead to her being ousted. And if she is, the sort of Republican who replaces her in the Senate will sound a lot more like Donald Trump than like Lisa Murkowski.

So why shouldnt she keep on keeping on, remaining nominally a Republican but voting her conscience whenever she sees fit? In fact, if you think there should be more space in Trumps GOP for dissent, arguably you should prefer to see Murkowski stick with the party. Shes creating that space through her actions; once she and the other moderates are gone, Trump will have consolidated his power over the right completely.

Its settled, then: She should stay put, right?

Well, hold on.

What I said earlier cuts both ways. Its true that nothing in the Senate will change meaningfully if Murkowski becomes an independent yet goes on caucusing with Republicans. But why should that be an argument against her doing so?

Why isnt it an argument in favor? Why should she remain a member of a party from which she feels understandably alienated if leaving it wont actually disrupt her legislative business?

Party identity is a matter of ideological and cultural affinity. Many conservatives who have broken sharply with Trump, like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, have resisted switching their partisan affiliation precisely because they lack that necessary affinity for Democratic politics. They dont believe in the Democratic policy program, by and large; they dont sympathize with the cultural passions that animate the progressive base; they dont identify strongly with liberals worldview except on the important question of whether democracy is preferable to autocracy. So they dont call themselves Democrats.

Why shouldnt Lisa Murkowski and every other traditional Republican approach the Trumpified GOP the same way?

Shes creating space for dissent within the party by remaining a member works as an answer only if you believe that space is likely to grow in the years ahead, with moderates gaining influence while populists lose it. I dont believe that; what Murkowski is actually doing is inadvertently creating an illusion that that space exists, giving false hope to well-meaning voters that the Republican Party under Trump isnt as far gone as it appears.

If it were, after all, surely Lisa Murkowski wouldnt still be part of it.

She plainly no longer feels affinity for a boorish populist authoritarian cult of personality, and good for her. But every day that she remains a Republican anyway, shes signaling to Americans with the same misgivings that however obnoxious the GOP has become, its still not quite so obnoxious that one should question ones loyalty to it.

Thats not going to stir some nascent revival of center-right politics within the GOP. Its going to enable Trump by providing a fig leaf of moderation for his project, misleading center-right voters into supporting his party.

Becoming an independent would prevent that and amount to Murkowski saying that the breaking point has finally come. She can and will go on voting for Republican policy initiatives and judicial nominees insofar as they reflect her right-leaning beliefs, but the days of identifying broadly with the partys vision for the country are over. The affinity is gone, and so shes gone too.

If she departs, she might find that more people than she expects will sympathize with her and find inspiration in her decision:

Big crowd in Des Moines tonight to hear Liz Cheney. #IAPolitics pic.twitter.com/gYZ0QVm2p5  Kara Ahern (@kara_ahern) March 28, 2024

As noted elsewhere recently, the universe of well-known Republicans who have spoken up in dire terms about the danger of a second term for Trump is far bigger than Cheney and Kinzinger. There are enough alumni of Trumps own administration who have done so, in fact, to fill out a long and widely read thread posted by the Biden campaign on The App Formerly Known as Twitter. Look around and youll find new examples from conservative luminaries almost every day:

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan on todays GOP: Im not one of the Trump populistsI believe in the Constitution. I believe in the rule of lawthat runs a bit contrary to the sort of populism that we have these days, much of which, frankly, is tied to a cult of personality. pic.twitter.com/oVR7ZFnXSN  Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) March 27, 2024

Lisa Murkowski has already joined the effort to persuade wary Republican voters not to support a man whos plainly unfit for office. But nothing would drive that point home quite like a sitting senator deciding that she cant associate herself in good conscience any longer with an organization that Trump leads.

Theres also a chance, if a small one, that the example she sets by leaving the GOP would encourage other wary Senate Republicans to follow her lead next year. The most obvious possibility is Hogan, whod be representing one of the bluest states in the union if hes elected this fall. Its always challenging to seek reelection as an independent, but in a state as Democratic as Maryland, Hogan abandoning the GOP could only make the majority of the electorate like him more in 2030.

Collins has potential too. Her home state of Maine has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1992 and already has one self-identified independent, the left-leaning King, in the Senate. Shes popular enough in her home state to have won comfortably there in 2020 despite Trumps presence at the top of the ballot galvanizing Democratic turnout. If anyone can turn independent and still keep winning, she can.

Political independence is all the rage these days, you know.

Murkowski, Hogan, and Collins joining hands and leaping out of the GOP clown car together would be quite a statement, potentially neutralizing the Republicans Senate advantage depending on whether they functioned as a mini-caucus on key votes. Trump and his party would despise them for it, of course, and would vow to defeat all of them in their next runs for office.

But heres the thing: Theyre going to despise them anyway.

Thats where the argument about Murkowski creating electoral headaches for herself in 2028 by going independent breaks down. In a second term Trump will ask the Senate to approve all manner of insane thingsconfirming Mike Flynn as head of the Department of Homeland Security, maybe, or withdrawing from NATO or expanding the Insurrection Act or doing God knows what to tighten the border. If the few remaining centrists in the conference insist on resisting his worst populist impulses, the fact that theyve dutifully remained members of the GOP wont spare them from his and his bases wrath. Murkowski will suffer those electoral headaches anyway.

The Republican Party has become nothing more than the party of Trump, just as she once feared. If shes not willing to rubber-stamp his whims, theres no point in her remaining a member.

Better to head off into the wilderness and try to take as many rule-of-law Republicans with her as she can. Shell sleep better at night knowing that shes contributed meaningfully to disentangling a dying political movement with good intentions from a rising movement with bad ones. She might even help seed the ground for a new party, just as the GOP itself once flourished with the help of disaffected Whigs.

She has nothing to lose but her Senate seat. And so long as she can keep that ranked-choice voting system in place in Alaska, shes unlikely to lose even that.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Score one for free speech and the right to speak critically of those in power  a basic tenet of American democracy.

Last month, a criminal trespass charge filed against Jason Vollmecke of Independence was dismissed by the citys prosecuting attorney Mitchell Langford.

It defies logic why Vollmecke was found guilty of trespassing in municipal court last May. He rightfully appealed the decision at the circuit court level. Without explanation, the case was dismissed in February.

I dont know why Independence dropped its case against one of the districts more vocal critics  messages to Langford and city spokeswoman Meg Lewis were not returned.

It remains a mystery why Vollmecke was arrested and put in a jail cell for hours to begin with. Legally, he did nothing wrong. I mean, he spoke out of turn at a school board meeting. Vollmecke wasnt violent, didnt threaten anyone, nor did he destroy property. Should addressing the board without permission result in criminal charges? Of course not.

But the threat of arrest is one way to silence a dissenting voice.

Why not just remove the offender from the premises with a warning? That didnt happen. Instead, Vollmecke was escorted from the Jan. 10, 2023, meeting, arrested for trespassing and hauled off to jail.

I contacted Jackson County Circuit Court officials about the dismissal but was referred to Independence Municipal Court. I wont hold my breath waiting for a response from the city. Perhaps prosecutors knew the flimsy case would not hold water in circuit court.

Vollmecke said neither he nor defense attorney Ron Holliger was given a reason for the sudden about-face. Citing ongoing litigation in a civil rights lawsuit he filed against the Independence School District Board of Education, Vollmecke declined further comment.

Had Vollmeckes criminal conviction in municipal court stood, the heavy-handed approach to dissent exhibited by Superintendent Dale Herl would have most likely continued unabated.

I reached out to Herl and attorneys representing the school district via email seeking more clarity on the arrest. I was told Herl did not instruct the districts former public safety director Dennis Green or school resource officer Chris Brayer to arrest or remove Vollmecke from the school board meeting that night. I remain skeptical.

Given the choice to have Vollmecke taken to jail or issued a written summons to appear in court, Herl chose the more punitive option, according to court records in the civil rights lawsuit.

Vollmeckes attorneys with the First Amendment Clinic at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis declined to comment.

Mr. Green and SRO Brayer made that decision on their own, based on their own assessment of the situation, school district attorney Ryan VanFleet wrote in email.

Plausible deniability aside, Herl wasnt an innocent bystander in this legal mess.

Earlier this year, a federal judge overseeing Vollmeckes civil lawsuit issued a preliminary injunction reversing a one-year building ban Herl issued to Vollmecke, a physician and school board candidate.

Other patrons of the district charged with trespassing or banned from district property should take note of U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beth Phillips ruling. Although each case may be different, I firmly believe prohibiting a parent or adult from entering school grounds for unjust or arbitrary reasons could be viewed as an abuse of power.

Having folks arrested on trumped up accusations and taken to court is decidedly un-American.

Parents can be banned from campus without appeal

In Independence, Herl is judge, jury and executioner when it comes to these matters. The school board has empowered him to issue building bans without as much as an option to appeal.

That must change.

Ive tracked developments in both cases. This is not a full indictment of Herl. But according to text messages that day between the two, Green asked Herl if he wanted Vollmecke to go to jail or issued a summons, according to court records.

Herl replied: Jail if you can.

By the way, Green is also running for school board.

That Herl wanted Vollmecke sent to the slammer is unfortunate. Silencing folks this way is wrong.

On Tuesday, Independence voters will be asked to fill three seats on the seven-member school board. Vollmecke and Green, a retired Independence Police Department captain, are among seven candidates on the ballot.

Board president Eric Knipp and board member Carrie Dixon are incumbents clearly aligned with Green, according to campaign literature sent to my mailing address in Independence.

Three others, Wendy Baird, Zac Harmon-McLaughlin and Brandi Pruente are also on the ballot.

Vollmecke ran for school board once before but was unsuccessful. He has been a constant thorn in Herls side. He has not spared the school board either, speaking out against the districts four-day school week, the boards lack of transparency and other issues he doesnt agree with.

Despite Vollmeckes incessant objections, he did not deserve the trespass charge brought against him. It shouldnt take a federal lawsuit to remind Independence school district leaders or court officials of a persons right to speak freely without the threat of being arrested.
The Independence School District has a historic school board vote coming up on April 2. For almost a decade, members of the board have run unopposed and effectively acted as a rubber stamp for the districts superintendent, issuing a no vote only once in 11 years. The complaints about the board and the administration have been consistent throughout this time: very little transparency, accountability or access for district families when it comes to how decisions are made.

And if you ask questions or push for change? Well, lets just say its not received well. I have but one of these stories  but dig around and youll find numerous examples like mine.

In 2020, I landed what I called my dream job as a journalism teacher in Independence. It was a short lived dream, cut down after I tried to advocate for my students rights under district board policy and the First Amendment.

Im still reluctant to tell my story, but I feel this moment in time demands it. As the advisor to William Chrisman High Schools student-led yearbook, my administrators told me they wanted to institute prior review, basically acting as the final editor of the yearbook before going to print. This is highly unusual for a student-led publication. However, I advised my administrators that I would review it with them and the student editors, using district policy and First Amendment law as our guide.

I gathered my students and reviewed these policies and laws, because with a student-led publication, it was ultimately their duty to have the conversations. My job as adviser was to help the administration and the students balance their views and objectives.

A month later, my lead administrator called me to his office and said I needed to have the students remove several pieces from the yearbook. I reminded him that district policy required he submit that request in writing to the student editors, including his reasons for the request to censor certain content. That didnt go over well at all. He told me to have the students remove the content or hed contact district lawyers about the issue.

I left the meeting shaken and upset. I didnt remove the content and I never heard from that lawyer. In a later meeting with administration and the student editors, one author voluntarily agreed to change one word in a poem to be published, and rest the pieces that had been challenged remained in the yearbook.

After this exchange, administrators avoided speaking to me. They stonewalled student journalist questions. They treated my students in ways I considered unprofessional, but my students took it all in stride and issued an editorial statement in response.

My career felt damaged and I felt isolated  all for defending my students rights.

I didnt want an adversarial relationship with school leadership. I simply expected to have the students rights as journalists and American citizens respected. I didnt refuse to remove content. I asked the administrators to follow their own policy  a policy we all agree to follow when we sign our contracts as Independence School District employees.

So, I know why current teachers and families may fear the consequences of speaking out in this election, or even fear something as simple as liking a social media page for a school board candidate who is pushing for change. In full disclosure, Ive been helping candidate Wendy Baird with her campaign messaging, because she and others who would question the status quo are needed now more than ever.

I dont care how you vote, but I feel every resident of Independence should look deeply at these candidates before they head to the polls. Theres a need for a different direction, and the time is now.

Dez (Martin) Nevins is a corporate trainer in the Kansas City metropolitan area and a former high school journalism teacher in the Independence School District.
The current relations between India and Russia largely stem from the Soviet legacy but are increasingly becoming a thing of the past, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with the Financial Times on March 29.

"The co-operation between India and Russia is largely based on the Soviet legacy," Kuleba said.

The historical ties binding India and Russia, steeped in Soviet legacy, are gradually losing their relevance, according to him.

Kuleba's comments come against the backdrop of the tense border dispute between India and China, which escalated into lethal confrontations in 2020, claiming at least 24 lives. This conflict has led to a significant military presence in the Himalayas, a development that Kuleba believes should steer India to scrutinize its ties with Russia, especially considering the growing China-Russia relationship.

Read also: China could play key role in ending Russia's war  Ukrainian FM

On the bilateral front, Kuleba sees a promising horizon for Indian-Ukrainian relations, particularly in trade and technology. He envisions a post-war Ukraine emerging as a global hub for reconstruction, inviting Indian firms to play a key role in this transformative phase.

After the war, Ukraine will probably become the largest construction site in the world, and Indian companies are welcome to participate in the recovery, Kuleba said.

Kuleba arrived in India for the first time on March 28 on an official visit, during which he intends to "pay specific attention to the Peace Formula."

Ukrainian-Indian relations



India maintains a neutral position on Russia's war against Ukraine. Kuleba earlier criticized the country for ignoring Western sanctions against Russia and intensifying energy trade with the aggressor.

Read also: Ukrainian FM Kuleba's visit to New Delhi: bilateral partnerships in focus

Last time Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Hiroshima last year on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Modi expressed India's "clear support for dialogue and diplomacy."



Kuleba's current visit also aims to address the involvement of Indian nationals in the conflict, shedding light on deceptive recruitment practices by Russian agencies and the participation of some Indians in the Ukrainian resistance.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
FILE PHOTO: Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party, during his 66-day long "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra", in Jhalod town

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar

MUMBAI (Reuters) -India's main opposition party said on Friday it had been asked to pay an additional 18.2 billion rupees ($218 million) in taxes, which it called an attempt by the tax department to financially cripple it weeks before a national parliamentary election.

Calling the latest notice from the Income Tax Department "tax terrorism", Congress treasurer Ajay Maken told reporters the party would fight the demand in court.

India will vote in seven phases between April 19 and June 1 in an election Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to win and secure a record-equalling third straight term.

"The law is on our side, we have no doubt about it, but by the time we get relief, elections will be over," Maken said.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case on Monday, he added.

A tax department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday, which is a public holiday. The tax department has said it cannot comment on individual tax notices as they are confidential.

A source familiar with the tax dispute said income tax assessments of Congress were reopened for seven years following searches in April 2019 and those proceedings were due to get time-barred on March 31 this year under tax laws.

The Congress had violated tax exemption laws, had been given several opportunities to reply to notices and the tax department's action against the party had been backed by court rulings, the source said.

Congress, which has been ruled by the Gandhi-Nehru family, was once India's most dominant political party and has accused Modi of trying to "cripple it financially" before the elections through the tax department.

Last month, the party said the authorities froze some of its bank accounts pending a tax case that dates back to 2018-19 involving 1.35 billion rupees, and its bid to contest this in court was dismissed.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that the tax case was not politically motivated.

Asked how much the party would be left with to contest the election after the two tax demands, Maken said: "You think there will be anything left after this?"

Congress has ruled India for 54 of its 76 years since independence from Britain, but it has struggled to win over voters since Modi swept to power in 2014.

($1 = 83.3370 Indian rupees)

(Additional reporting by Nikunj Ohri in New Delhi; Editing by YP Rajesh and Miral Fahmy)
Instacart will pay workers more than $730,000 to settle claims accusing the company of violating Seattles Gig Worker ordinance.

The case claims the grocery-delivery company allegedly violating Seattles Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance.

The ordinance went into effect during the COVID pandemic on July 13, 2020, and ended when the pandemic emergency was lifted on April 30, 2023.

More than five thousand Instacart workers say they werent paid for sick leave during that time.

The ordinance says app-based workers are entitled to receive one day of time off for every 30 days when they have had at least one work-related stop in the city.

Seattles Office of Labor Standards Director, Steven Marchese said in a statement, Regardless of work environment, all workers, including gig and app-based workers, many of whom are immigrants and people of color, deserve protections against subminimum pay and access to PSST (Paid Sick and Safe Time).

In a statement to KIRO 7, Instacart said, The Seattle Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) ordinance was introduced as Instacart and other app-based companies were rapidly responding to the pandemic in 2020 and expired last year. Despite the complicated nature of the ordinance, Instacart worked diligently to comply and paid out millions of dollars to eligible shoppers. We will continue to comply with all regulations, including the now-permanent PSST ordinance, as we provide a positive experience for shoppers on our platform.
The Detroit Free Press launches "Where Secrets Go to Die: The Disappearance of Derrick Henagan," an eight-part true crime series built on long-form investigative journalism, for subscribers on Tuesday, April 2.

"Secrets" tells the story of Henagan, a downstate man who moves to Michigans remote Upper Peninsula in the winter of 2007-08, then vanishes. Follow along as John Wisely, a veteran Free Press reporter, investigates Henagan's case after we got a news tip on a triple murder. Wisely's reporting uncovers serious concerns about the police  and one cop in particular.

"When I figured out what this story was all about, I couldnt walk away from it," Wisely said. "COVID almost made me drop it, but I just couldnt.

"Youve got this unsolved murder in the middle of nowhere that fell through the cracks. Youve got this online mythology around the case and youve got some serious questions about the cops," he said. "Ive spent a lot of time talking to the people in and around it, and I want them to be heard."

Subscribers to The Free Press get early access to all eight episodes of the series, beginning with the first three on Tuesday at freep.com/secrets. After that, a new episode drops weekly. We'll also share photographs and some of the records Wisely dug up as he was reporting this case. If youre not yet a subscriber, join us today to get access to the show.

To know when new episodes are available, sign up for the Secrets newsletter.

Detroit Free Press audio producer Robin Chan, left, and reporter John Wisely stand on the early morning snow in Newberry on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

Wisely has been a reporter in Michigan for more than 30 years covering government, politics, crime, courts, education and investigations. Hes a three-time recipient of the Wade H. McCree Award for the Advancement of Justice and has received two regional Emmy awards. In 2018, he received a best investigative reporting award from the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors and was part of a Free Press team that won that groups First Amendment Award for outstanding accomplishment in pursuing the Freedom of Information. The Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists named Wisely journalist of the year in 2003 for articles that prompted the state Legislature to pass a law reopening search warrants to public scrutiny after being sealed following 9/11. Wisely is a Detroit native who graduated from Wayne State University.

"Secrets" was also made by Darcie Moran, Garrett Tiedemann, Tad Davis, Robin Chan, Adrienne Roberts, Kathy Kieliszewski, Jim Schaefer and Anjanette Delgado.

Our theme song is "Abyss," an original composition by Detroit musicians Camilla Cantu and Brian Castillo.

If you know something about the Derrick Henagan case that you'd like to share with Wisely, you can reach him through encrypted email at wiselyj@proton.me.

The Free Press has won the Michigan Press Association's "Podcast of the Year" award for four years in a row. Listen to all of our shows at freep.com/podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Anjanette Delgado is an executive editor and leads the audio team at the Detroit Free Press. Twitter: @anjdelgado. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Where Secrets Go to Die': A Detroit Free Press true crime podcast
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A grassroots conservation group is nearing the end of a two-year effort to clear invasive plants from the banks of the Kansas River at a Topeka park.

27 News spoke with Dawn Buehler, executive director of the Friends of the Kaw (FOK), conservation organization. She says the FOK, along with other partners, are close to completing a project to clear invasive plant species from the Governors Mansion/Cedar Crest park.

The volunteer force from the FOK focused on the removal of invasive plants like bush honeysuckle and wintercreeper from the banks of the Kansas River which flows just north of the parks trail systems. The group then replaced the invasive plants with more native varieties, many of which have deeper root systems to help deter erosion.

Native plants are designed for our native ecosystem, Buehler said. Those native plants have deep roots that hold the banks together. They will also filter out pollutants.

No camping: Work crews clear homeless camps from Kansas River in Topeka

Buehler says the efforts benefit the water quality in the river, which also helps out the City of Topeka. Just downstream from the work site lies the water intake for the citys Water Treatment Plant which supplies drinking water to thousands of local residents.

(Photo Courtesy/Dawn Buehler)

(Photo Courtesy/Dawn Buehler)

(Photo Courtesy/Dawn Buehler)

(Photo Courtesy/Dawn Buehler)

(Photo Courtesy/Dawn Buehler)

Both bush honeysuckle and wintercreeper are a problem for the area, Buehler said. These invasive species take over. Native plants are better for wildlife and food sources, they have just so many benefits.

Bush honeysuckle and wintercreeper tend to push out native plants, soaking up valuable sunlight and becoming the dominant plants in the area. Both pose big problems for Kansas ecosystem.

Its just so invasive, its everywhere, Buehler said when talking about bush honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle flowers. (Photo courtesy/Getty Images)

Wintercreeper. (Photo by: Paroli Galperti/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

This spring will be the last season for the FOKs riverbank restoration project to remove the invasive plants. The final day will come around in June.

Viral disease could be causing Emporia raccoon deaths, potentially fatal for area dogs

Buehler says the FOK wasnt alone in its efforts to clear the invasive plants. They received funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and collaborated with the City of Topeka, Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, K-State Extension, Shawnee County and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

For more Kansas Outdoors, 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.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described the extraction of critical raw materials as a promising area of cooperation, the presidential press service said.

"Rare earths have become a key component for a broad range of technologies. They are needed to achieve net-zero emissions and in strategic sectors such as industry, digital technology, space and defense. We continue to work with international partners on the most effective ways to develop our large deposits of uranium, lithium, titanium and other rare earths," the press service quoted Tokayev as saying at plenary session of the Boao Forum for Asia on Thursday.

As reported, the evaluation of the lithium potential will begin in three regions of Kazakhstan. In particular, National Geological Service Board Chairman Yerlan Galiyev said at the EU-Kazakhstan Partnership Forum in Belgium, "it is planned to start the evaluation of the lithium potential in three regions of Kazakhstan as part of state geological survey."

"Whereas primary lithium deposits are predicted in the eastern and southeastern regions, mineral brines of the Aral sedimentary basin are very favorable for lithium, according to primary information. Its geological conditions are similar to the Salar de Atacama salt marsh in Chile, which contains about 30% of the world's lithium reserves," Galiyev said.

Kazakhstan has six deposits, which might contain lithium, on the state balance sheet, namely, Yubileinoye, Verkhne-Baimurzinskoye, Bakennoye, Akhmetkino, Medvedka, and Akhmirovskoye.

"There are substantial reserves of lithium and rare earths in tailings and sand dumps of ore dressing factories and deposits in central and southern Kazakhstan and rare earth deposits in eastern Kazakhstan," he said.

Galiyev pledged the readiness of the National Geological Service for partnership with foreign companies and invited interested persons to familiarize themselves with projects, promising that everything will be done for a favorable investment climate.

It was reported later that German companies Knauf Gruppe, GP Gunter Papenburg AG and Roxtec, as well as the German Institute of Lithium (ITEL) set up a consortium to produce lithium using Kazakh deposits.
A prominent British-based Iranian journalist has been stabbed multiple times outside his London home.

Pouria Zeraati, who hosts a show on the Persian language television network Iran International, was attacked by two people as he left his home on Friday afternoon.

The Telegraph understands he was heading to work at around 3.15pm when he was approached by a man outside his house in south-west London.

The man attempted to engage him in conversation before another suspect came up behind him and began slashing him with a knife.

The two attackers then went off in a waiting car nearby, which was being driven by a third suspect.

Mr Zeraati, who is married, suffered multiple stab wounds and was rushed to hospital where he was said to be in a stable condition.

Counter terrorism police are leading the investigation into the incident.

The Met Police said this was because of the victims occupation as a journalist at a Persian-language media organisation based in the UK, coupled with the fact that there has been a number of threats directed towards this group of journalists in recent times.

On Friday night, the Met Police said in a statement: An investigation has been launched following a stabbing in south London.

Police were called at 14:49hrs on Friday, 29 March to an address in south London after a man in his 30s was attacked and sustained an injury to his leg.

London Ambulance Service paramedics attended with police and the man was treated before being taken to hospital. Thankfully his condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

There have been no arrests at this time.

Anyone who has information that could assist officers should call 101 or post @MetCC ref CAD 3834/29 Mar.

While the motive for the attack remains unclear, it is understood that MI5 have been made aware.

Assassination plot uncovered

Earlier this year, it was revealed that UK counter-terrorism police had foiled 15 plots linked to Iran, with journalists who are critical of the regime in Tehran among those reportedly targeted.

Iran International has previously been declared a terrorist organisation by the Iranian government and, in December, it was reported that detectives had uncovered a plot by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to assassinate two journalists in London.

The Iranian regime had allegedly plotted a knife ambush at the homes of Sima Sabet and Fardad Farahzad but it was foiled when one of the hired assassins double-crossed the state.

It was reported that a people smuggler was offered more than 150,000 to murder the journalists who were critical of Tehran.

It is believed the knife plot was a back-up scheme after the initial idea of a car bomb outside the TV studio was foiled by the presence of heavy security.

In December, Austrian national Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev, who was born in Chechnya, was found guilty of spying on the networks west London headquarters.

Only a matter of time

Following his conviction, Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Mets Counter Terrorism Command, said police were very alive to the threat posed by Iran.

Mr Murphy said: While we are keeping an open mind, given the occupation of the victim and our publicised concerns about the threat to employees of that organisation, the investigation is being led by the Counter Terrorism Command.

I appreciate the wider concern this incident may cause  particularly amongst others in similar lines of work, and those from Iranian communities. We continue to work closely with the victims organisation and as a precaution well have additional patrols in the Wimbledon area as well as other sites around London to provide reassurance over the coming days to those affected and concerned.

I would urge anyone in the Wimbledon area who may have seen anything or anyone acting suspiciously today to get in touch with us.

A new unit has also been set up within Scotland Yard to tackle threats posed by hostile states including Iran.

Gabriel Noronha, a former US advisor on Iran, said it was only a matter of time before US or UK targets were hit by Iranian assassins.

Michelle Stanistreet, the general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said: This cowardly attack on Pouria is deeply shocking, and our thoughts are with him, his family and all of his colleagues at Iran International. We hope he makes a swift recovery.

It is too early to know whether this violent assault is connected to the escalating intimidation and harassment by Iran, including the plot to assassinate journalists Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet in 2022.

However, this brutal stabbing will inevitably raise fears amongst the many journalists targeted at Iran International and the BBC Persian Service that they are not safe at home or going about their work.

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Italian actor Isabella Rossellini has responded to Roger Eberts infamous 1986 review of David Lynchs Blue Velvet.

In the noir-horror, Rossellini plays a lounge singer named Dorothy Dorothy Vallens whose husband and son are held hostage by a murderous psychopath (played by Dennis Hopper).

In his one-star review of the film, prominent critic Ebert chastised Lynchs casting of Rossellini in a role that had her degraded, slapped around, humiliated and undressed in front of the camera.

And when you ask an actress to endure those experiences, you should keep your side of the bargain by putting her in an important film, Ebert wrote.

I didnt read the reviews at the time [Blue Velvet] came out. I try not to read reviews, Rossellini told IndieWire in a new interview when asked about Eberts review. Theyre always depressing. Theres always something that, even if [the review is] good, there is always one sentence that is negative and stays inside you forever.

But I remember I was told that Roger Ebert said that [Lynch] exploited me, and I was surprised, because I was an adult. I was 31 or 32. I chose to play the character.

Kyle Maclachlan and Isabella Rossellini in Blue Velvet (Rex Features)

When I read the script I understood it couldve been controversial and difficult, the actor continued. I did say to David, You dont have to say the lines, but I would like to rehearse with you all the scenes and paraphrase the lines.

I wanted to make sure that what youre seeing is a person who has maybe a kind of Stockholm syndrome, and we rehearsed for a full day. I felt reassured that what I saw in the character, the way I wanted to play, he had agreed.

Blue Velvet divided critics at the time despite earning Lynch a nomination for Best Director at the 1987 Academy Awards and has gone on to gain a cult following.

Im glad Blue Velvet was directed by David Lynch, Rossellini told IndieWire. Its one of his best films. Hes such a great author. I think my character was the first time we did an abused woman, a portrait of an abused woman, but also she camouflaged herself behind what she was asked to be, which was sexy and beautiful and singing, and she obeys the order, and is also victimized it. Thats the complexity of Blue Velvet but also the great talent of David Lynch. I thought he did a fantastic film. I love Blue Velvet.

Rossellini, who was dating Lynch at the time of the films release, later appeared in another of his films, 1990s Wild at Heart.

The actor next appears in Alice Rohrwachers new film, La Chimera, which arrives in cinemas on 29 March. It stars The Crown actor Josh OConnor as an English archaeological scholar who has the uncanny ability of intuiting where to find hidden artifacts.

Recently released from an Italian prison, he returns to a small Tuscan village; there, he reunites with a ragtag band of misfits who search for and unearth Etruscan relics buried with the dead, the films official logline reads.

When the group encounter a treasure of immeasurable value, their attempts to traffic the objects bring their actions into sharp focus, and they must question their role in the plundering of history.
South Florida travelers will soon have more ways to see religious sites, family members or tech industry colleagues in Israel. El Al is resuming nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Tel Aviv.

Starting April 15, the state-owned carrier will fly between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tel Avivs Ben Gurion International Airport. The year-round service will be twice a week in each direction, leaving Fort Lauderdale on Mondays and Saturdays, about a 12-hour trip.

The new flights come as the Middle East remains volatile. The October attacks by Hamas, a group the United States classifies as terrorist organization, murdered over a thousand people and took hundreds hostage. Israels military response in Gaza has killed thousands of people.

Almost immediately after the attacks, airlines from the United States, except for El Al, canceled flights into Israel. The largest cruise companies also suspended stops at Israeli ports. El Al had seasonal flights from Fort Lauderdale but ended those in mid-October.

The new flights are a boost for South Floridas Jewish community. The region has the third largest number of Jews in the United States after New York and Los Angeles, according to the Israeli Consulate in Miami. And Broward County is home to the largest Jewish community in Florida, with over 230,000 people.

In 2022, El Al moved its Americas headquarters from New York City to Margate in Broward.

Beyond South Florida, El Al provides nonstop service from New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

The Israeli carrier has continued to fly out of Miami International Airport. El Al operates five nonstop flights a week between Miami and Tel Aviv. Flights leave MIA on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

A boost for Jewish community and tech executives

Beyond South Floridas Jewish community, others who could benefit from the new FLL service are the regions evangelicals who frequently travel to Israel for religious reasons, and professionals from the growing business and tech communities. Israeli companies such as Lendai, a financial technology company; Insightec, a medical company; and Fullpath, a platform for automotive dealers, have offices in the Magic City.

The innovation-focused IDEA Center at Miami-Dade College has a partnership with the Tel Aviv University Entrepreneurship Center.

Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Countys first Jewish mayor, led a business delegation of more than 50 people to Israel in 2022 along with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. She has been a vocal Israel supporter since last Octobers attacks by Hamas. Less than two weeks later, the mayor had Miami-Dade County buy an additional $25 million in Israeli bonds, upping its total to $75 million.

Other airlines returning to Israel

El Al adding flights out of Fort Lauderdale comes as major United States airlines are reinstating service to Israel:

 Delta Airlines will resume daily non-stop service between New York-John F. Kennedy Airport and Tel Aviv starting June 7. The Atlanta-based carrier in a statement said its decision to return to service follows an extensive security risk assessment by the airline.

Delta previously flew to Tel Aviv from Boston and Atlanta but has yet to announce if it will continue those flights.

Deltas flights take on added significance for many South Florida residents with Latin America ties.

Since January, the airline has had an agreement with El Al so passengers can accrue frequent flier miles. It also has a partnership with LATAM Airlines, so travelers can fly between Latin America and Miami on LATAM or Delta and then head to Israel on El Al.

 United began daily flights in March between Newark Liberty International Airport and Tel Aviv.

 American Airlines will restart service in October, with flights to Israel from JFK airport.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel sustained its aerial and ground bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Friday, killing dozens of Palestinians, as fighting raged around Gaza City's main Al Shifa hospital, Palestinian officials and the Israeli military said.

Palestinian health officials said two Israeli strikes on the Al-Shejaia suburb in eastern Gaza City killed 17 people, while an Israeli air strike on a house in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip killed eight people.

Gaza's Hamas-run government media office said at least 10 policemen, tasked with securing aid to the displaced in northern Gaza, were among those killed in Al-Shejaia.

The Israeli military said its forces continued operations in around Gaza City's Al Shifa complex "while mitigating harm to civilians, patients, medical teams, and medical equipment", adding that over the past day it killed a number of gunmen and located weapons and military infrastructure.

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.

The Israeli statement said its forces conducted raids in central and southern areas including Khan Younis and Al-Karara, where troops exchanged fire with Palestinian gunmen before they killed them and located weapons and rockets.

The armed wing of Hamas said their fighters targeted Israeli forces near to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the city's two hospitals blockaded by Israeli soldiers for several days.

In the far south of the Strip, Israel continued its bombardment in Rafah, the Palestinians' last refuge where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people were sheltering. An air strike on a house killed 12 Palestinians late on Thursday.

More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, with 71 killed in the last 24 hours, according to health authorities in the territory.

Thousands more dead are believed to be buried under rubble and more than 80% of Gazans have been 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.

In the northern Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has warned famine is imminent as early as May, an elderly man died of malnutrition and lack of medication, Palestinian media said.

On Thursday, the World Court unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies to Gaza's population and halt spreading famine.

"The renewed binding order from the @ICJ (International Court of Justice) yesterday is a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made and worsening. It can however still be reversed," Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, said on X.

"(This) means that Israel must reverse its decision and allow @UNRWA to reach northern Gaza with food and nutrition convoys on a daily basis and to open additional land crossings," he added.

Earlier this week, UNRWA said Israel told it that it would no longer approve its food convoys to north Gaza. Four such requests were denied since March 21, it added.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem; Editing by Ros Russell)
Semafor Signals

Insights from TIME Magazine, Haaretz, and ABC News

The News

World leaders and aid groups are urging Israel to accept the International Court of Justices ruling for the country to allow unhindered aid access to Gaza as millions there face famine.

South Africa  which is persuing a genocide case against Israel at the ICJ  said the courts ruling indicates a need to protect [Palestinians] right to exist, while Ireland said it would back efforts to redefine genocide to include blocking humanitarian aid.

The ICJs ruling, while legally binding, has no way of being enforced, leaving international observers skeptical about Israels compliance. Still, the courts decision reflects a broadening sentiment that the Israeli government is failing to mitigate a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Famine conditions could support South Africas genocide accusations

Sources: Political Scientist Alonso Gurmendi, TIME Magazine

The ICJs new ruling on aid shows that the court believes Israel failed to meet some of the provisional measures it had previously ordered, and the starvation of Gaza will be one of South Africas strongest arguments to proving genocidal intent, International Relations academic Alonso Gurmendi posted on X. The ICJ has previously appeared to conclude that Israels campaign was not inherently genocidal, as South Africa has alleged, but given Gazas inevitable famine, the case is less complicated now, David Simon of Yale Universitys Genocide Studies Program wrote for TIME. This may prompt the ICJ to reassess its decision.

The new Israeli iron curtain could lead to more warfare with Palestinians

Source: Haaretz

Israelis tendency to view claims by their government as gospel while doubting the veracity of Palestinian reports, images, and videos is part of the Israeli iron curtain, Palestinian Israeli columnist Hanin Majadi wrote for Haaretz. This mentality, she opined, prevents Israelis from questioning whether the governments possible motivation for clearing the northern part of Gaza and leaving it under Israeli control, is to create settlements like in the West Bank. If Israelis fail to look beyond the curtain, she argued, it would lead to the same inescapable state of constant warfare and the destruction of relationships with Palestinians everywhere.

Biden is limited in preventing Rafah invasion

Source: ABC News

Despite U.S. President Joe Biden calling Israels planned invasion of Rafa a red line for which there could be consequences, Bidens in a box and theres no way out, a former State Department official told ABC News. Biden is limited in the ways he can hold Israel accountable. The president has already ruled out the possibility of cutting off weapons supply to Israel, and conditioning U.S. military and financial aid  which some progressive Democrats have pushed for  isnt likely either, experts told ABC News. Even Bidens increasingly vocal frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wont deter him because Israel feels its facing an existential threat and so the ability of any outside power to shape Israeli actions is limited, a Middle East expert said.
The Institute for the Study of War reported that since the start of offensive operations in October 2023, Russian troops have seized 505 square kilometres of Ukraine's territory.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: From 1 January till 28 March this year, Russian troops seized almost 100 square kilometres more than they did in the last three months of 2023.

Military analysts suggest that this pace of advance may be due to a combination of a lack of weapons among the Ukrainians and more favourable weather conditions in winter than in autumn.

ISW noted that this slight increase in the pace of Russian advance does not reflect a threat of Russian operational success.

However, the lack of material and technical resources limits the ability of Ukrainian forces to conduct effective defensive operations while giving Russian forces the flexibility to conduct offensive operations, which could lead to more complex and non-linear opportunities for Russian forces to achieve significant operational success in the future.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 28 March:

Ukraine is currently preventing Russian forces from making significant tactical gains along the entire frontline, but continued delays in US security assistance will likely expand the threat of Russian operational success .

The continued degradation of Ukraines air defence umbrella provides one of the most immediate avenues through which Russian forces could generate non-linear operational impacts.

Russias ability to conduct opportunistic but limited offensive actions along Ukraines international border with Russia offers Russia further opportunities to constrain Ukrainian manpower and materiel, but Western aid provisions and Ukrainian efforts to address manpower challenges would ease the impacts of such Russian efforts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to make sensationalised statements as part of Russias ongoing reflexive control campaign, which aims to deter further Western military aid provisions to Ukraine and deflect attention from the growing Russian force posturing against NATO.

Putins 27 March statements are neither new nor surprising and best illustrate how the Kremlin routinely overwhelms the Western information space, often with irrelevant or decontextualised truths rather than with outright misinformation or disinformation, to shape global perceptions and advance its own long-term objectives.

The Russian Investigative Committee unsurprisingly claimed that it has evidence tying Ukraine to the 22 March Crocus City Hall attack amid continued Kremlin efforts to link Ukraine and the West to the terrorist attack to generate more domestic support for the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern for heightened ethnic tension in Russian society following the Crocus City Hall attacks and may be falsely blaming Ukraine and the West for the Crocus City Hall attack in order to divert domestic attention away from ethnic tensions.

Ukrainian drone strikes against oil refineries in Russia are reportedly forcing Russia to import gasoline from Belarus.

An independent investigation found that international information operation campaigns linked to deceased Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin remained active, despite the Russian government shutting down media companies and organisations overtly linked to Prigozhin after his death.

Senior Russian officials are intensifying their victim-blaming of Armenian leadership as Armenia continues to distance itself from security relations with Russia after the Kremlin abandoned Armenia to its fate as it lost Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russian forces made confirmed advances near Donetsk City.

Russia continues efforts to source ballistic missiles and other weapons from North Korea for use in Ukraine.

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Since Russia's most recent offensive operation began in October 2023, its forces have captured an area totaling 505 square kilometers, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington-based think tank, said in its latest assessment on March 28.

The ISW said from Jan. 1 to March 28, Russian forces expanded their territorial control by nearly an additional 100 square kilometers. "This marginal increase in the rate of Russian advance is not reflective of the threat of Russian operational success amid continued delays in US security assistance," according to the think-tank.

Material constraints hinder Ukrainian forces' ability to effectively carry out defensive operations, while simultaneously granting Russian forces the flexibility to pursue various strategies in their offensive maneuvers. This scenario, according to the ISW, presents potential for Russian forces to achieve significant operational gains in the future.

As material shortages endure and Ukraine wrestles with addressing manpower issues, the scope for exploiting Ukrainian vulnerabilities is expected to broaden.

"The arrival of sufficient and regular Western security assistance and the resolution of Ukrainian manpower challenges would narrow these opportunities for Russian forces," the ISW concludes.

Read also: Ukrainian soldiers recall retreat from Avdiivka  on foot, leaving their wounded behind

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Italian Air Force has scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft in the Baltic Sea twice in the last 24 hours.

Source: Italian Air Forces statement, European Pravda reports

Details: The report says that Italian Eurofighter jets, part of the 4th Air Task Force stationed at a Polish air base in Malbork, "carried out a double interception of Russian aircraft in the Baltic Sea".

NATO's command centre in Uedem, Germany, issued an air-raid warning on the evening of 28 March and the morning of 29 March due to an unidentified aircraft detected flying over international waters in the Baltic Sea.

After the aircraft were identified as Russian, the Italian fighter jets returned to their base in Malbork, the Italian Air Force added.

#NATO #AirPolicing

Nelle ultime 24 ore doppio #Scramble sulle acque internazionali del Mar Baltico per gli #Eurofighter della Task Force Air 4th Wing rischierata a Malbork .

Leggi la news per maggiori dettagli

 https://t.co/3mGguhzYc1#AeronauticaMilitare pic.twitter.com/5ZLqqdUU0E  Aeronautica Militare (@ItalianAirForce) March 29, 2024

Background:

In 2023, NATO air forces in Europe took to the air more than 300 times to intercept Russian military aircraft approaching NATO airspace, with most interceptions taking place over the Baltic Sea.

On the morning of 29 March, Poland scrambled its own and allied aircraft amid the activity of Russian long-range aircraft, which launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine.

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COSHOCTON  David and Taci Dean of Coshocton wanted to improve their education and career paths not just for themselves, but for their 9-year-old daughter.

The couple, who have been together since 2010 and married since 2018, didn't feel it was right to preach the importance of getting an education and staying in school to Elaina when neither of them graduated high school.

Taci and David Dean recently completed the adult education program at the Coshocton County Career Center, in partnership with the Buckeye Career Center, to earn their high school diplomas. David also completed the welding course and Taci the business and marketing program.

Thanks to a new adult education program at the Coshocton County Career Center, in partnership with the Buckeye Career Center of New Philadelphia, the couple earned high school diplomas and industry-recognized credentials. They were able to attend for free via the Ohio Adult Diploma Program.

David took a welding course with instructor Brad Crozier and impressed him so much that David recently started a job with Crozier Welding. Taci completed the business and marketing program with Mike Cichon. She's currently looking for a job, but also wants to explore furthering her education in the business and marketing field.

The couple believes it was fate that led them to the program and everything just fell into place so perfectly for them to pass their courses and tests in just about two months. David is making better money with a shorter commute and Taci is optimistic about re-entering the workforce at a higher level too.

Steve Rippeth, assistant director of adult education at BCC, said since the program started in January, 20 people have taken the opportunity with six already earned high school diplomas. He said they plan to continue to offer the welding and business programs along with others upcoming, including drone for safety services.

"BCC and CCCC agree that this program has great value and potential," Rippeth said. "The hope is this and other new programs will allow even more people who desire to complete their high school diploma to get that opportunity."

David and Taci Dean with high school diplomas earned from the Coshocton County Career Center's new adult education program in partnership with the Buckeye Career Center. David also got certification in welding and started a job at Crozier Welding and Taci completed a course in business and marketing. With them is their 9-year-old daughter Elaina.

Tough path, but worth the effort

The couple met in Frazeysburg and moved to Coshocton about three years ago to be closer to Taci's mother and stepfather. It was them who told the Deans about the career center program after hearing about it on WTNS Radio. They then sent them information on it from a Facebook post.

"They were like, 'you should go down and check it out. What's the worse that could happen. They say no we can't take you,'" David recalled. "We kind of pushed it around and then I told myself it was fate, because the job I was working at something tore on the machine. I said, 'I might as well go and do it, because if I'm not here at work and can't work, I might as well go do this.'"

However, the ultimate driver for them was Elaina. Not only wanting better for her, but for them to serve as role models on what an education can offer. Elaina saw their struggles and hardships in juggling work and school, but she was by far their biggest cheerleader.

"She's starting to get to that point where she doesn't want to do school. We're like 'look, it's a lot harder when you have to do this on top of working,'" Taci said.

"It was emotional. It hurt. Just because I wanted my daughter to see both of us succeed," David added. "I buckled down even harder and studied even harder."

The Deans will be walking in a graduation ceremony in May and it means the world to them that Elaina will see them do that.

"Just going and picking up the diplomas, she was all about it. The teachers and Steve asked 'Are you so proud of your parents' and she said 'I am," Taci remembered. "After we left she was just looking at (the certificates) in amazement. I told her 'when you're 18, your senior year, you'll get one of these.' I feel that will give her more drive. 'Hey, my parents did it even after they had to get out of high school, they still made it."

Individual hard work

David is 30 and Taci is 29, so being out of high school more than 10 years made it hard to get back into the groove of classwork, but they persevered because they could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

David passed his testing for welding and could have left the program, but stayed as he wanted to learn metal inert gas welding. Brad made a call to Crozier Welding on David's behalf, but he still had to interview. It was an opportunity, but not a job on a silver platter.

"It was great, the workforce, the guys there" David said of his first day. "I'm still a novice. It's definitely a lot of them watching me, which is fine. I'd rather learn from someone who has been doing this for a longtime than just going out on my own and messing stuff up.

"I've got a career somewhere I can be a very longtime doing something I learned in class," David continued. "It's more money, better drive time, better insurance, better environment; you name it."

David Dean does a welding demonstration at the Coshocton County Career Center. He recently completed the adult education welding program and landed a job at Crozier Welding.

Taci in her track learned about customer service and working in retail. She said it was a lot of videos, slideshows and computer coursework. This has given her a foundation to explore more, possibly cosmetology.

"Rght now I'm just seeing what I can get into with this certificate," Taci said.

They would both encourage anyone to take advantage of the program and do all you can to work with your employer and support network of family and friends to make it happen. They said the instructors were flexible on working around their schedules, as long as they could see the Deans putting in the hours and effort.

"They were so kind. They were sitting there talking with us on it the first day. They make you feel good about doing it," Taci said of the instructors. "(Furthering education) is something we've been trying to do and just finding the time for it has been difficult on its own."

David said it's embarrassing to talk to your friends and co-workers when something about high school or college comes up, and he just sits there without commenting. Not anymore.

"I can't thank them enough, they changed our lives basically," David said of the program. "Anybody who has heard about it or thinking about, it's definitely worth it if you put forth the effort."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: David and Taci Dean have brighter future after passing adult ed program
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Jacobs Well was once one of the most prestigious water holes in Central Texas. Drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors, the spring-fed pool is a bright spot in the Hill Country. In recent years, droughts and increased population have crippled the spring. In 2023, it stopped flowing for the sixth time since the summer of 2000.

It is just one of the springs featured in a new art exhibit on display at St. Edwards University this month. The Sacred Springs Kite Exhibition was created by The Watershed Association in hopes of shining a light on the local watering holes once held sacred by indigenous people in the region.

Moira Martin, Ph. D., an Associate Professor of Psychology at St. Edwards, brought the exhibit to the school. It has previously been hosted at Austins Airport, the Central Library and in San Marcos.

In the exhibit, more than 45 kites adorn the walls. Some kites are small, only a few inches in length. Others are over two stories tall. Each represents Central Texas many springs.

Kites as art

Kites range in size and style, but each represents the springs in Central Texas. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

The works dont just sit on on the wall, I mean, they literally come off the wall, theyre hanging from the ceiling. Theyre hanging from all these different angles, some on the wall, some over the window, said Topher Sipes, one of the artists behind the kites.

Sipes, a former glass bottom boat pilot at The Meadows Center in San Marcos, based his kite design on travel posters from the mid-century.

(It is) an image of Spring Lake in San Marcos, Texas with a glass bottom boat on it. In the mid-ground in the background, you kind of see the trees on the edge of the Texas Hill Country.

Transforming a library into a cathedral

The sacred motif of the exhibit is carried into the library itself. Kites with intricate patterns are draped over windows. During certain times of day, when the sun comes in, its almost like stained glass, Sipes said.

Martin said that part of the reason she invited the exhibit to St. Edwards was to help students engage with nature. This month, workshops will be held in the library where students can build their own kites out of sustainable materials.

Kites on display at St Edwards highlight the ongoing water crisis. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

The Mundy Library hosts around 45 kites. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

Kites places on windows act like stained glass. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

Topher Sipes designed this kite showing off Spring Lake in San Marcos. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

Small kites are also part of the exhibit. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

Art styles range from kite to kite. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

Kite styles are diverse, but all are capable of flying. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN)

These workshops all lead towards Earth Week at the end of April.

Were gonna have activities that whole week culminating with the kites that students have made (being flown). Symbolizing kind of, like I say, sort of love prayers for the earth, Martin said.

Water crisis in Texas

The state has seen many springs dry up in recent years. The Ogallala Aquifer in the Texas Panhandle has seen rapid decline and likely wont refill.

In 2022, experts with the Hill Country Alliance warned that local water supplies were approaching a tipping point as a result of rapid development and ongoing droughts. These droughts will likely become more extreme and grow more frequent as a result of climate change.

Thankfully, Jacobs Well is flowing again. In January, the Hays County Parks Department announced on social media that rain that month had brought flow back to the spring.

Its not a new problem, but this generation feels the weight of it in a really strong way. They didnt create it, but theyre inheriting it, Martin said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
As result of Russian attack, energy infrastructure in six regions damaged  Shmyhal

As a result of the Russian attack, the energy infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Cherkasy, and Chernivtsi regions was damaged, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal reports.

"This night, Russia continued its barbaric attacks against the Ukrainian energy system. There is damage to the energy infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Cherkasy, and Chernivtsi regions. Emergency shutdowns were applied in some regions," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel.

The prime minister stressed that Ukraine needs more air defense systems to secure critical infrastructure and protect the population.

"This is the main subject of communication with our international partners," he concluded.
Jacob Zuma has been out campaigning for the MK party, a rival to the governing ANC [AFP]

South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma has been involved in a car crash but was unhurt.

A drunk driver collided with his "official armoured state vehicle" on Thursday evening, police have said.

But a leading member of his uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party alleged that he had been targeted.

He has been suspended by the governing African National Congress (ANC) and is campaigning for the MK ahead of May's general election.

Mr Zuma was in the car, along with his official protection team, when it was hit on a road in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal at about 18:40 local time (16:40 GMT) on Thursday.

"No-one was injured, including members of the Presidential Protection Services. The former president was evacuated and taken to his residence," a brief police statement said.

A 51-year-old man has been arrested for "drunken driving as well as... reckless and negligent driving".

The MK's party's head of elections, Musa Mkhize, has told public broadcaster SABC that he thought the crash was deliberate rather than an accident.

"Unfortunately, we have been waiting for it to happen. The president was warned that before the day of the elections, he would be lying in the hospital. Thanks to the Presidential Protection Unit members who managed to keep the president safe," he is quoted by News24 as saying.

Mr Zuma, 81, served as president from 2009 until 2018, when he had to step down because of corruption allegations, which he denies. As a former president, he is entitled to have an official protection team.

The crash happened on the same day that the country's electoral commission said that Mr Zuma was barred from running as a candidate in the 29 May general election. It is believed that his 15-month jail sentence given in 2021 for contempt of court constitutionally excludes him.

Some opinion polls have suggested that the ANC's share of the vote could fall below 50% for the first time in 30 years.

The MK, which was only recently formed, could dent some of its support, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal where Mr Zuma is very influential.

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The Scene

During a recent visit to Japans Ministry of Defense, I found myself getting a quick crash course in diplomat-ese. I had asked a group of officials for their view on the potential threat China poses to Taiwan. In response, one cautiously explained that Japan does not call China a threat, and implored me not to suggest as much. Japans official assessment, the official said, is that China poses a strategic challenge.

If we say we regard China as a threat, that will impede diplomatic efforts, the official explained through a translator. Thats why we do not have such a harsh evaluation on China.

Morgans view

The exchange was a small example of the much larger balancing act Japan is trying to strike on China.

The U.S. and Japan are set to announce the biggest expansion of their defense ties in decades at a summit in Washington next month. For the White House, Tokyo is an increasingly critical ally as it builds what Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, recently described to me as a lattice approach to counter Chinas behavior in Asia. And Japan has followed in the U.S. footsteps to implement controls on advanced technology and to derisk and diversify its supply chains away from China.

But there also appear to be limits on how far Japan is willing to cooperate with U.S. efforts to contain Beijing, one of its most critical trade partners, including on key issues like financial flows and semiconductors. We dont have any intentions to have any economic blockade, Maki Kobayashi, a spokeswoman for Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told me.

We are at the frontline of competition on the strategic level, said Ken Jimbo, a professor at Keio University and a former adviser to Japans Ministry of Defense. At the same time, he added, Many Japanese companies still think that China is a potential growth market and we also learned a lot from China on the innovation side.

We are actually having a dual identity of the competition and cooperation, he said.

The Japanese government is currently implementing a major defense buildup, which is in large part driven by a desire to better deter Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, and around Japans Senkaku Islands and Taiwan (Japanese officials also point to other regional threats from North Korea and Russia). At the same time, officials are pursuing follow-on conversations to the rare meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last year, in part with the goal of addressing Chinese detentions of Japanese citizens and a ban on Japanese seafood imports.

Kobayashi, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said Japan needs to work with China to build more trustworthy relations and also deliver a message to China about what we consider is not right.

Know More

Japans challenge is not unlike the one that many other nations  the U.S. included  are grappling with, even when it comes to how it talks about China. The Biden administration likes to say the U.S. is in a strategic competition with Beijing, for instance, and often emphasizes its desire to cooperate on global issues like climate change.

But the struggle is particularly acute for Japan, as well as neighboring South Korea, given its proximity to China and the level of trade between the two countries. (China is Japans largest trading partner, followed by the U.S.)

Japan has been trying to shed some of that dependence. Foreign direct investment from Japanese companies in China is falling substantially, and experts say Japanese firms are increasingly realizing that investing too heavily in China comes with supply chain risks and other drawbacks.

Japanese officials, like those in the U.S., worry about the economic consequences if China were to invade or blockade Taiwan, as well as much smaller actions by Beijing to leverage its position in global supply chains (such as last years curbs on rare-earth technology).

We need to make an effort to derisk, Akihisa Nagashima, a member of Japans House of Representatives in Kishidas Liberal Democratic Party, told me. We have to deal with the uncertainty.

But Japan, which last year adopted semiconductor curbs targeting China in alignment with the U.S., also doesnt want to lean too far forward and trigger retaliation. Thats why a new U.S. request for Japan to tighten restrictions on semiconductor materials is unlikely to be fully met.

We are probably not going to fully accept the U.S. request because if we were to put restrictions on semiconductor parts, partly its Japans strength and another thing is that if we put the restrictions on those exports, then it will halt China semiconductor production, Tomoya Suzuki of the NLI Research Institute in Tokyo told me through a translator. We also may face very strong retaliation from China.

Japan has also not taken steps to follow U.S. outbound investment restrictions aimed at funding for advanced technology in China, despite efforts to bring allies on board.

With respect to semiconductors, Emanuel told me that Japan wants a more comprehensive approach  meaning that other countries join in.

One of the things weve learned from Russia sanctions  and this is not sanctions, its ensuring the safety and security of our technology  is the more comprehensive it is, the more effective it is. If its not comprehensive, its not effective, he said.

The View From China

China has described Japans defense spending increase as a very dangerous development and the chip controls as a violation of trade rules. Following the meeting between Kishida and Xi last November, the Chinese readout noted that the the two countries economic interests and industrial and supply chains are deeply intertwined and warned against attempts to build a small yard, high fences, decouple economies or disrupt supply chains  a reference to the Biden administrations description of its national security technology curbs.

Notable

Ninety-two percent of Japanese respondents in a poll taken last year said their perception of China was not good, the most negative result in a decade.

Investors pulling money out of China are eyeing Japanese stocks as an alternative, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year.
Perhaps the most poignant blow on a catastrophic Good Friday for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson came when the Orange Order issued a statement late in the day that it had suspended him pending the outcome of the legal process.

After all, joining the order as a 16-year-old was the young loyalists first political act  it came even before he signed up to the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

As the controversies surrounding Orange marches rolled on through the eighties and nineties  Drumcree and other flashpoints  Sir Jeffrey was never far from the centre of the row.

Indeed, the rows were central to the forging of his reputation as a hardline unionist that would eventually take him to the very top of the movement as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and key arbiter of Northern Irelands place in a post-Brexit UK.

And so his suspension from the Orange Order eloquently encapsulates the implosion of a long and consequential political career, after he quit on Friday following charges of historical sexual offences.

The nature of the allegations will be particularly painful for an overtly religious politician who keeps a New Testament in his study and has used his long career as an MP to fight for traditional moral values.

Born in Kilkeel in Co Down in 1962, Sir Jeffrey was introduced to the horror of sectarian violence at a young age when his cousin Sam was killed by the Provisional IRA while serving with the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1970, the first officer to be blown up in the conflict.

Another cousin, Alex, an RUC chief inspector, was killed in a mortar attack on Newry police station in 1985.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, right, pictured with Unionist politician Gavin Robinson, joined the Orange Order at the age of 16

An accomplished school debater, Sir Jeffrey caught the politics bug early.

Determined to do everything in his power to fight republicanism, he joined the British Armys Ulster Defence Regiment, rising to corporal.

He managed Enoch Powells successful election campaigns for the UUP in 1983 and 1986, later serving as personal assistant to the partys leader James Molyneaux.

These were rough sectarian years in Northern Ireland and Sir Jeffrey was often at the centre of the controversy.

He had a prominent role in the rolling Drumcree conflict over annual loyalist parades. He also took part in a protest against the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1986, during which an education ministers car was attacked.

Meanwhile, his support for the blockade of Belfast Airport led to his selection as candidate for Lagan Valley in the 1997 general election, a seat he has held continuously ever since, making him Northern Irelands longest-serving MP.

A breaker of political records, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1985 at the age of 22, making him also the youngest person ever to win a seat at Stormont.

Never shy of a fight, Sir Jeffrey had to be removed from the chamber by RUC officers the following year after refusing to follow the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Tom Kings order to dissolve the assembly.

As the province staggered towards peace in the late nineties, it was the issue of IRA prisoner releases and decommissioning that forced a wedge between the UUP leader Lord Trimble and Sir Jeffrey.

Indeed, despite being on the UUPs negotiating team for the Good Friday talks, he walked out on the morning of the historic deal in disgust at what he saw as concessions to the IRA.

Eventually, Sir Jeffrey left for the DUP in 2004, alongside Baroness Foster, who went on to become First Minister in 2020.

As an MP, Sir Jeffrey once suggested that Catholics owed their first allegiance to the Pope - UK Parliament/Maria Unger/PA

In the same year, The Daily Telegraph revealed that Sir Jeffrey had repaid 555 in parliamentary expenses which he had spent on pay-to-view films during overnight hotel stays.

In total, he submitted receipts for 86 films, with hotel sources saying that the films he claimed for during 2004 and 2005 were in the highest price category, which would have included the latest blockbusters as well as adult movies.

Sir Jeffrey denied watching any adult or pornographic content.

During his time as an MP Sir Jeffrey was one of 21 MPs to vote against LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools. He also opposes same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

In 2019 he succeeded Nigel Dodds as leader of the DUP in Westminster. Two years later, he lost to Edwin Poots in the contest to succeed Lady Foster as leader of the national party  but when Poots resigned the following month, Sir Jeffrey was elected unopposed.

The intervening years have been turbulent for the party.

Collapsing power-sharing

In 2022, Sir Jeffrey collapsed the Stormont power-sharing institutions in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements, which the DUP argued amounted to placing a border in the Irish Sea.

However, after protracted negotiations, the party agreed to return to Stormont in February, following the agreement of a new deal on trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Sir Jeffrey lives with his wife Eleanor, with whom he has two children. The couple are renowned Formula One fans and live in a rural house close to where Sir Jeffrey grew up.

His study, which boasts a view of the Mourne Mountains, is littered with political mementos such as a photograph of him taking part in his first Prime Ministers Questions and a bound copy of his maiden speech.

He also has on display a small New Testament which belonged to a First World War soldier from Lisburn.

I am chairman of the WW1 Centenary Committee in Northern Ireland so one day a constituent came to my office and asked if I would like to have it, he told an interviewer.

They knew of my interest in WW1 and also the importance I place on faith.

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Tim Matheson is mourning the loss of his ex-wife and co-star Jennifer Leak following the actors death aged 76.

Leak, best known for her role as Colleen North in the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours, died on 18 March at her home in Jupiter, Florida.

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leaks passing, West Wing star Matheson shared on Facebook Wednesday (27 March). She wasnt just my screen sister in Yours, Mine and Ours, but also my beloved first wife.

The Virgin River actor continued: Jennifer was a remarkable woman, strong, lovely, and incredibly talented. My deepest condolences go out to her husband of 47 years, James DAuria and their multitude of friends.

Matheson and Leak played step-siblings in Yours, Mine and Ours  Melville Shavelsons comedy-drama about a blended family with 18 children who try to stop the marriage between the two parents.

The two actors married in 1968 before getting divorced in 1971. Leak then married architect DAuria in April 1977.

Tim Matheson and Jennifer Leak (Getty Images)

For the last seven years before her death Leak had been coping with a rare neurological disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), The East Hampton Star reported.

PSP is caused by increasing numbers of brain cells becoming damaged over time and can cause problems with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing. According to the NHS, there are only around 4,000 people with PSP living in the UK.

Her courage and bravery tried in vain to fight the disease, DAuria wrote, according to the Star, noting that she donated her brain tissue to the Mayo Clinic for further research.

DAuria described his wife as a shy and private person, never desiring to be the center of attention or having the need for an audience. She saved those feelings and exhibited them only when on camera, and then she became electric.

Leak was born in Cardiff, Wales, on 28 September 1947. She grew up in Hertfordshire, England, before emigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada; Jerusalem and Toronto.

She started her career in Canada at age 17 when she appeared in the Mike Nichols-directed pilot of the Canadian television series Wojeck. She was cast in Nicholss The Graduate but was unable to join the production due to immigration difficulties.

She then moved to Los Angeles where she landed her role in Yours, Mine and Ours before pivoting to roles in various television shows, including McMillan and Wife and Hawaii Five-O.

Leak originated the role of Gwen Sherman, who began as a prostitute who fell in love with Greg Foster and ended up becoming a nun in the mid-seventies on the CBS soap The Young and the Restless

In addition to her husband, Leak leaves a brother, Kenneth Leak of Toronto.

Her ashes will be buried in the graveyard of her childhood church in Rumney, Wales.
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting New Jersey from using its county line ballot, a ruling that could significantly reshape the states political system.

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi issued the order Friday, ruling that Rep. Andy Kims (D-N.J.) lawsuit, in which he argues the system used in 19 of New Jerseys 21 counties to decide where a candidates name is placed on a ballot is undemocratic and unconstitutional, is likely to succeed on its merits.

The order will require a different structure to be used for the ballot in the states June 4 primary, after decades of party bosses having significant influence in deciding nominees.

The ruling is a big win for Kim, who has sought to buck the establishment as he runs for Senate.

For years, New Jersey has designed its ballot unlike any other state in the country. The ballot is set up as a grid, with the rows being for different offices like president and U.S. Senate, and candidates names placed in different columns from left to right.

A candidates placement on the ballot had varied by county based on who received the coveted county line, usually the first column on the left side of the ballot. A county party would award the spot in the line to a candidate that it endorses.

The county line is the most optimal position for a candidate to be in, because they would be in the same column as other major candidates for other offices. A voter could then go right down the county line to vote for all the candidates that the county party endorsed without straying to another column where an opposing candidates name is placed.

Candidates who do not receive the county endorsement would be placed one or more columns away, in a spot known as ballot Siberia because it can be far away from the county line.

Kim, who is running for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Bob Menendez (D), filed the lawsuit along with House candidates Sarah Schoengood and Carolyn Rush, arguing that the county line leaves other candidates at an unfair disadvantage.

In his preliminary order, Quraishi agreed, finding that testimony from experts at a hearing last week demonstrated that candidates on the county line receive a distinct advantage.

Quraishi said in his conclusion that he understands the magnitude of the ruling but believes it necessary.

The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake and the remedy Plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary. Mandatory injunctive relief is reserved only for the most unusual cases. Plaintiffs burden on this Motion is therefore particularly heavy, the ruling says. Nevertheless, the Court finds, based on this record, that Plaintiffs have met their burden and that this is the rare instance when mandatory relief is warranted.

The ruling does not permanently settle the issue of whether county lines can be used in the future. The judges decision blocks the system for this years primary, but it is not his final ruling in the case, which will dictate the future of the county lines beyond this year.

The order only affects the states primaries this year in June, and county clerks named in the lawsuit reportedly plan to appeal the order.

But the ruling would be a landmark change in how New Jersey runs its elections if it holds.

Kim celebrated the ruling in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, tweeting, YES! For the people!

The issue of county lines particularly became a focus as Kim opposed New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy for the seat held by Menendez, who has been indicted on a wide range of charges and declined to run in the Democratic primary for his seat this year.

Kim and Murphy battled over the past month for county endorsements, and Kim was able to hold his own in them despite Murphys ties to the top Democrat in the state  her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy  and top party bosses. The two candidates split the county endorsements roughly evenly, though Murphy won in the more populous counties, potentially giving her an advantage.

The primary appeared likely to be intense and difficult, but Murphy surprised observers Sunday when she announced she was dropping out of the race. Murphy called for unity in her speech announcing the decision, saying she did not want to waste resources tearing down a fellow Democrat.

Her departure left Kim as the only major Democrat in the race, putting him on a clear path to the Senate seat. He faces two relatively minor challengers.

Kim said following Murphys decision that he would continue his lawsuit and maintained that the system was unfair, even though several of the county parties switched their endorsement to him after Murphy left the race.

Quraishi ultimately agreed that the county line system likely violated the Constitutions First Amendment protection of freedom of association with other candidates or not by forcing them to run in the same column as others for different offices. He also found that it likely violates the Constitutions Elections Clause, which restricts state regulation of federal elections.

Updated at 1:51 p.m. ET

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In Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? RealityCheck@star-telegram.com.

School board elections are once again a topic of conversation and controversy in Mansfield.

During a Tuesday night school board meeting, three people signed up for public comments.

Fittingly, it was the same date the candidate they came to speak out against became an active voter in Tarrant County.

Dr. Angel Hidalgo, a candidate in the upcoming May 4 school board election and a Spanish instructor at Tarrant County College, has stirred up controversy with residents alleging he should not be on the ballot.

Darrell Sneed, a retired superintendent and former MISD board member, was one of those who spoke at the meeting.

I would just like to ask the board to seriously address concerns that came to my attention concerning the eligibility of a candidate running for trustee in place two, Sneed said. Do they actually live in Mansfield ISD or are they just simply attempting to run for a school board based on some idea?

Allan Turner, the father of a special needs student at MISD, followed Sneed and also asked the board to review Hidalgos eligibility.

This is part of the states election laws, and you are violating them. You even went as far as saying you verified this candidates voter registration, when in fact, you did not, according to the Secretary of State, Turner said. Instead of rectifying the situation and removing the candidate from the ballot, youre simply ignoring and hoping the community doesnt catch on.

Hidalgo said the complaints against him were misinformation in a Facebook post which shows his application to run for MISD school board.

As a dedicated resident of Mansfield ISD since September 2022, I am deeply committed to serving our community and ensuring the best possible education for all students, Hidalgo wrote in the post.

Its important to note that residency isnt the sole determinant of ones commitment or capability to serve, part of Hidalgos post reads. Despite not being physically present in the area for an extended period, my roots run deep in the broader Fort Worth/Mansfield/Arlington community, where Ive lived for over 20 years. This region, American education system and country have shaped my values and perspectives, instilling a profound sense of responsibility towards the children of this area.

Hidalgo declined multiple requests for comment.

Voter registration records reviewed by the Star-Telegram show that Hidalgo was registered to vote in Dallas County until Feb. 25, when he changed his voting address to one in Tarrant.

According to Texas election code, his voter registration became active Tuesday, 30 days after he registered to vote at his current address, which is in the Mansfield school district.

Texas election code also states that a candidate must live in the territory they are running to represent for at least six months before the filing deadline to apply to be on the ballot, and be registered to vote in that territory by the filing deadline.

According to guidelines from the Texas Secretary of States Office, applications for school board candidacy are to be filed with and reviewed by the secretary of the school board or another person designated by the board. However, any challenges to a candidates residency must be made in a court of law, with the court determining the persons legal residence, the guidelines state.

Dallas County records show Hidalgo still owns property at his previous voting address just a few hundred yards away from the Mansfield school distinct boundary line in the Cedar Hill Independent School District.

Hidalgos new address, in Arlington, is inside the Mansfield ISD boundary.

He has never volunteered in MISD in any capacity, whether thatd be in a classroom, on a committee. He doesnt have any children in the district, Scherron Richard, a Mansfield parent, said. That really is the thing that is so alarming.

Parents concerned about Hidalgos candidacy sent a letter to MISD  shared with the Star-Telegram  demanding that Hidalgo be taken off the ballot.

The demand letter references the date of his application to run for school board (Jan. 30), and the date that Hidalgo registered to vote at the address in the district (Feb 25). The filing deadline was Feb. 16.

MISD declined to answer the Star-Telegrams questions but said in a statement: The board is currently reviewing those complaints and consulting election officials to determine any necessary course of action.

During the last few seconds of his public comments Tuesday, Turner pleaded with the board to review Hidalgos eligibility to run.

Do right by our parents. Do right by me as a parent. Do right by my children who are students in this district. Do right by the other candidates running for school board and do right by the future members of our community who may want to be a part of this body, Turner said.

Do your jobs. Cause the future of our kids and this boards credibility depends on it.
Boyega has for the first time spoken publicly about the death of his childhood friend - VARIETY

Star Wars actor John Boyega has said the murder of his childhood friend Damilola Taylor was a life-changing event that spurred him on to become a film star.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the 10-year-olds death in November 2000, Boyega said a poem written by Damilola, read out at his funeral, had shown him that another child from the same environment dreamed to be more.

Boyega and his sister, Grace, were among the last people to see Damilola alive, before he was slashed with a broken bottle and left to die while on his way home from a library in Peckham, south-east London.

The 32-year-old actor, who played Finn in the Star Wars saga, said he had previously been reluctant to talk about his friends murder, but felt compelled to do so following the death of Damilolas father, Richard Taylor, on Saturday.

Speaking to John Wilson on BBC Radio 4s Last Word, Boyega said: I definitely think Damilolas tragic murder has definitely shaped me through the years and just affected my perspective on certain things, and it definitely affected the community too.

Damilola was just 10 years old when he was attacked with a bottle and left to die - PA

Reflecting on the poem Damilola had written, he said: It was during the time of the funeral his dad had read the poem that Damilola had written down for himself. And that was a poem that spoke about what Damilola wanted to achieve, how far he wanted his dreams to spread, who he wanted to impact and touch.

I found that quite profound because I was just kind of like, Man youre so young, why are you even thinking about that kind of stuff? Im here, wondering when the ice cream van is going to pull up and why hes an hour late from Monday.

Boyega added: Youre thinking about all this stuff that youre going to do and how youre going to use your skillset to impact the world. And I guess that, just amongst other things, just gave birth to this mentality that I had.

What is truly my dream? Do I have the guts to identify what my dream is? Am I too young to identify my dream and work towards it? After reading that poem, I was just like, Yeah, I have no excuse. I want to be a movie star.

And not just because I want to be [one], but because someone else like Damilola Taylor, in my environment too, dreamed to be more. And I think thats worth it. And it definitely has impacted me till today.

The actor playing Finn in 2019 movie Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - JONATHAN OLLEY/DISNEY/LUCASFILM LTD

Damilolas father, who died aged 75 after a long illness, devoted much of his life following his sons murder to campaigning against knife crime, setting up the Damilola Taylor Trust with his wife Gloria, who died in 2008.

Boyega said Mr Taylor had been a man that was for the people and for the community who turned his tragic loss into something triumphant.

Asked if he had spoken publicly about Damilolas murder before, Boyega said: I havent and on purpose too. Im quite private in general, but with this specifically... its that celebrity thing of not wanting to get in front of very real-life news. But on Richard Taylors passing, I just was motivated to speak up.

Boyega praised the work of the Damilola Taylor Trust and said: Ive been a big beneficiary of the work that theyve been doing.

The actor from Peckham said he and his sister used to imagine what Damilola might have been like today. He was convinced his friend would have grown up to be a handsome young man with great opportunities and great morals.

Whatever his chosen field would be, hed definitely still be funny, he said. But I think that he would have grown up to be someone great and someone that is an important part of our community.

Boyega pictured with his sister, Grace, in 2017 - MICHAEL TULLBERG/GETTY

After three crown court trials, Damilolas killers, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, were jailed in 2006.

Boyega said Damilolas murder had shaped the man he is today.

From the hours we left him in Peckham to the hours when I went home, and then the police was at our door and there was a whole investigation that we were involved in, [it] was definitely life changing for me, definitely altered my perspective, he said.

To think that somebody as young as me could pass away in such a horrific way was hard for me to understand or comprehend.

My sister, Grace, in particular, who was very, very close with Damilola, went through a lot, and my dad had to front that and try to protect her in that journey. It was definitely a lot for everybody to take.

Last Word with John Wilson airs on BBC Radio 4 at 4pm on Friday.

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A Norfolk Superior Court judge denied Karen Reads lawyers motion to disqualify District Attorney Michael Morrisseys office from investigating the case in a decision on Thursday.

According to the 11-page ruling, Judge Beverly J. Cannone determined that no egregious misconduct occurred that is reasonably or substantially likely to materially prejudice or interfere with the defendants right to a fair trial.

The defense cited two instances of grounds for dismissal: DA Morrisseys video statement on August 25, 2023, warning against alleged ongoing harassment of witnesses in the case which they say violates Reads right to a fair trial and the Norfolk District Attorneys Office failing to disclose information regarding an investigation by the U.S. Attorneys Office into the defendants prosecution, which they argue violated the Rules of Professional Conduct on disclosure of exculpatory information.

Judge Cannone ruled that although comments made by DA Morrissey crossed the line of permissible extrajudicial statements by a prosecutor, she found nothing that would affect or interfere with a fair trial.

Karen Read is accused of running down her Boston Police officer boyfriend John OKeefe with her SUV outside 34 Fairview Rd in Canton just after midnight on January 29, 2022. Her defense team has long claimed her innocence and has accused prosecution witnesses of framing Read in a wide-ranging coverup.

Several of Reads supporters have been vocal in their claims of her innocence.

Defense attorney David Yannettis office had no comment regarding the decision.

The Norfolk County District Attorneys Office said in part, District Attorney Morrissey is pleased the matter can now move expeditiously to trial.

Reads trial begins on April 16.

Motion to dismiss case against Karen Read, charged in death of police officer boyfriend, denied

The full decision is listed below:

Judge denies motion to disqualify DA Morrissey's office from Karen Read case by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

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New Jerseys controversial ballot design that gives party-backed candidates an advantage will be scrapped in the June primary, a federal judge ruled on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi granted the preliminary injunction sought by Rep. Andy Kim and two Congressional candidates to eliminate the so-called county line, a feature unique to New Jersey elections thats given local party bosses inordinate influence over elections, in the June primary. In 19 of 21 counties in the state, candidates backed by county political parties appear in a single column or row, placing them more prominently on primary ballots and giving them a nearly insurmountable edge.

The judge ordered the use of office block ballots for the June primary, where candidates are placed together by the office they are seeking. His ruling applies to all offices on the ballot.

The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake and the remedy Plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary, Quraishi wrote in his opinion. He added that the plaintiffs have met their burden and that this is the rare instance when mandatory relief is warranted. 

In a filing late Friday evening, Rajiv Parikh, an attorney representing county clerks that Kim sued, asked the judge to delay implementing the court order pending an appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Barring a successful appeal, the judges ruling takes away a key tool wielded by political bosses in the state for the primary. And while its impact is limited in the Democratic Senate primary since first lady Tammy Murphy has dropped out, it will upend contested primaries across the state  including the House race for the seat held by Democratic Rep. Rob Menendez, who is facing a competitive primary challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Menendezs father, Sen. Bob Menendez, is under indictment and will not run in the Democratic primary but is considering an independent run in November if he is not convicted of corruption charges.

The county line  and how it is awarded  became the focal issue in the Democratic Senate primary to replace Menendez. In some parts of New Jersey, a single party boss can award the favorable primary ballot spot while in others, hundreds of low-level party officials vote by secret ballot on who will get the county line.

Today's decision is a victory for a fairer, more democratic politics in New Jersey. It's a victory built from the incredible grassroots work of activists across our state who saw an undemocratic system marginalizing the voices of voters, and worked tirelessly to fix it, Kim said in a statement. While fixing this unfair ballot system is a massive step forward towards perfecting our democracy, there is still work to be done. Both in New Jersey and nationwide, we need to regain the trust of the voters we serve."

Murphy  who abruptly suspended her Senate campaign on Sunday  entered the race in November as the front-runner since powerful Democratic party leaders in the state backed her candidacy. Murphy would have had the line overseeing approximately two-thirds of the Democratic electorate, a strong advantage in a statewide primary.

But Kim was able to win the line in all but one county that awarded it in secret ballot conventions. His margin of victory at those contests were large and underscored the grassroots energy behind his candidacy. He turned what should have been an advantage for Murphy into a political foil on the campaign trail, bemoaning the states broken machine politics.

Kim filed the suit in February  along with House candidates Sarah Schoengood and Carolyn Rush  when Murphy was still in the race and had a commanding advantage in county lines. The lawsuit names county clerks in the 19 counties that use the line as defendants.

Once Murphy dropped out, party leaders agreed to allow Kim to run on the county lines she would have had, although that is now moot because of the judges ruling.

Attorneys for the county clerks argued that Murphy dropping out of the race undercut much of the alleged injury that Kim was suing over. Quraishis ruling, however, referred to testimony Kim gave saying that he did not want to be forced to associate with other candidates just for an electoral advantage.

Kims harms are not alleviated because his main opponent withdrew from the election, Quraishi wrote.

Quraishi also wrote that while defense attorneys focused largely on Kim, his two co-plaintiffs, Schoengood and Rush, would also face harm under the county line system. Schoengood is not running on any county lines and Rush is sharing the county line with other congressional candidates in some parts of the district she is running in.

Rush will be bracketed with her opponents in the same column, creating the perception that Rush is associated with these candidates although she is not, Quraishi wrote.

The Camden County Democrats also intervened in defense of the county line, the only political party to do so (ballots in Camden County are often used as the poster child of the abuse of the line, with non-endorsed candidates appearing several columns away on the primary ballot). In a filing Friday evening, the Morris County Republican Committee asked the judge to clarify if the order applied to the Republican primary in June and to delay it if it did so the Morris County Republicans can intervene in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit has moved at lightning speed, especially compared to a similar legal challenge filed in 2021 against the line that has moved at a glacial pace. Attorney General Matt Platkin submitted a letter in this suit saying the county line was unconstitutional and his office would not defend the law, a decision Gov. Phil Murphy publicly denounced.

The Senate race has sparked debate over redesigning ballots in the state. State lawmakers have promised to address ballot design laws in the state but have not committed to any proposals (the Senate president, who also runs a county party, has been a supporter of the line).

New Jersey's top leaders have said they intend to hold hearings on ballots and suggested long-term changes to them should happen legislatively.

"Nothing in the decision  or any subsequent legal decision  will change the commitment we have made to a transparent process that will include a review of ballots in other states and input from the public," said a joint statement by Assemblymember Craig Coughlin, Senate President Nick Scutari and the Republican minority leaders, Assemblymember John DiMaio and Sen. Anthony Bucco.

"We remain convinced that if there are Constitutional problems with our balloting process, the Legislature is the appropriate body to remedy those issues."

Phil Murphy also supports the line, but has told reporters that he is open minded to changes in the law.

I frankly think the line has worked pretty well, and if progressives are out there trying to look at whether or not they got a good government over the past 6 years, Id like them to find a more progressive government in America ... with yours truly elected twice on the line in both cases, he told reporters earlier this week.

Murphys office declined to comment.

Kims efforts to dismantle the county line received backing from good government groups and legal advocates like Harvard Law Schools Election Law Clinic and the ACLU of New Jersey, who filed briefs in support of the preliminary injunction.

Thanks to todays ruling, when New Jersey voters go to the polls this primary season, they will be casting ballots that fairly reflect their political preferences  not the preferences of party insiders, ACLU of New Jersey Staff Attorney Liza Weisberg said in a statement.

Read the ruling and order here.
Russian occupiers attacked ten regions of Ukraine last night and in the morning, as of this morning six casualties were recorded, including a child, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko said.

"The enemy attacked energy infrastructure, civilian facilities, and private homes with missiles and drones. In total, ten regions were under attack. Six people sought medical help immediately after the attacks, including a child," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Friday morning following the results night attack by Russian troops.

According to Klymenko, about ten private houses were destroyed, and dozens more were damaged.

According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, more than 150 rescuers and 35 specialized vehicles of the State Emergency Service were involved in eliminating the consequences of the night and morning strikes of the Russian Federation. "At these moments, rescuers continue to eliminate the consequences of Russian strikes, investigators are recording crimes, our psychologists from the State Emergency Service and the National Police have been working with the victims since the night," Klymenko added.

"Anyone who needs help can contact the Invincibility Points based on the State Emergency Service and the National Police," the Minister of Internal Affairs wrote.
Kari Lake on Dec. 20, 2022, at a Turning Point USA event. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

Kari Lake and her allies have spent the last couple of days criticizing anyone who said she had given up on defending herself in a defamation suit filed by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.

Everything Ive ever said about the elections is true and I stand by it, Lake said in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday.

But the judge presiding over the case reminded Lake and her attorneys in a Wednesday filing exactly what a default judgment means. Lake automatically defaulted in the case when she missed a March 25 deadline to respond to Richers defamation claims, but filed a separate motion on March 26 asking for a default judgment and for Richer to prove to a jury that he was owed damages.

It is worth noting that  pursuant to well-established Arizona law  a defaulted party loses all rights to litigate the merits of the cause of action, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Jay Adleman wrote.

In a video posted to social media, Lake tried to convince her followers that she was simply refusing to participate in the litigation, which she called a political witch hunt. But in reality, shell be compelled to continue participating and, by defaulting, shes essentially admitting to the court that all of Richers claims are true.

Richer filed the suit against Lake in June 2023 after months of attacks from Lake and her supporters, who claimed without evidence that he was somehow involved in rigging the November 2022 election against Lake and other Republicans running for statewide office.

Lake and Richer are both Republicans, but Richer and members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors became favorite targets for election deniers who were convinced that Republican candidates for statewide office like Lake, Abe Hamadeh and Mark Finchem, could not have lost unless some kind of fraud took place.

As a result of this, Richer said he and his family were subjected to months of threats, harassment and intimidation.

While I followed the law and respected the will of millions of Arizona voters after the 2022 election, the defendants chose to engage in a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation, threaten my livelihood, and rob me and my loved ones of our safety and well-being, Richer said in a statement when he filed the suit.

Since then, Lake has repeatedly said that she was ready to fight Richers suit, and just two months ago she wrote on social media that she was looking forward to the discovery process, wherein both sides would have to turn over things like texts and emails pertinent to the case.

Thats one of the reasons she and her attorneys decision to essentially concede that Richers claims are true seemed so abrupt.

Of course its surprising she decided not to defend herself, one of Richers attorneys, Jared Davidson, told the Arizona Mirror. Its not so surprising in so far that our claims are based on well settled law. The fact remains that Ms. Lake had the opportunity to present evidence to show her receipts and to back up her false accusations and shes refused to do so.

Keeping in mind that Lake has failed in all of her election contests so far, Davidson said he wasnt surprised that she couldnt provide any evidence that her claims about Richer were true. Because Richer is a public figure, he would have a much higher bar than a private citizen in proving defamation. In defamation cases, public figures must prove that those who defamed them did so with actual malice, which means she knew they were false or acted with reckless disregard as to whether they were false.

The accusations that Lake made against Richer are some of the same ones she made in her court challenge to the results of the 2022 election that she lost to Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs by more than 17,000 votes, and judges at every level of the Arizona judicial system dismissed those claims, saying she had no evidence.

Lake took to conservative podcasts and radio shows this week to put her spin on the default judgment, telling former Donald Trump aide Steve Bannon that the defamation suit was simply an effort to distract her from her campaign for U.S. Senate. She claimed that Richer and Ruben Gallego, her Democratic opponent in the Senate race, were both being backed by liberal Jewish philanthropist George Soros and that they were working together to ensure Gallego is elected.

Richer filed the defamation suit in June, a month after Lake lost her second election challenge trial and about four months prior to her announcing her run for Senate.

I just said, Cut to the chase, what are the damages? Where did my words hurt you? Lake told Bannon. My words are true, but how did they hurt you? You had mental issues because of it. Show us what drugs youre on, well reimburse you for the drugs.

Phoenix personal injury lawyer and frequent Lake critic Tom Ryan theorized that Lakes decision to default was actually an attempt to avoid the discovery of evidence process, but Adlemans filing on Wednesday made clear that, if that is her strategy, it probably wont work.

In the filing, Adleman instructed both sides to meet and discuss whether Richer would like to engage in discovery of evidence to determine damages, among other things.

Last week Richer asked the court to sanction Lake and her attorneys for what he characterized as stalling the case by refusing to meet with his attorneys and for canceling meetings because they were unprepared.

Adleman denied that request, saying that Lakes appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court of his December decision not to dismiss the case had likely held up her lawyers ability to move forward.

He also did not grant Lakes Tuesday request to set a scheduling hearing within the next five days, with the hope of speeding up the case so that it concludes before this years primary and general elections. Adleman instead ordered the attorneys to work together on scheduling and set the next hearing in the case for April 24.

In a December hearing during which Lake attempted to get the case dismissed, Wright argued that Lakes claims about Richer were rhetorical hyperbole and not meant to be taken as facts.

When Lake said that Richer was somehow involved in the illegal injection of bogus ballots or that he sabotaged the election, those statements werent meant to be taken as facts, Wright said.

Those are her opinions about the facts, Wright told the court.

The next day Adleman ruled that Lakes statements were not hyperbole and that the case would move forward, saying that Richer had provided sufficient evidence that Lake made false and defamatory statements about him.

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The post Judge: Lake has lost all rights to litigate defamation case appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
(KRON)  In a high-profile East Bay murder case, a judge rejected prosecutors attempt to lower the amount of prison time an accused killer will face if convicted at trial.

Ex-Alameda County Sheriffs Deputy Devin Williams Jr. is charged with murdering his former lover, Maria Tran, and Trans husband on the night of Sept. 6, 2022. Williams had just finished working his night shift at an Alameda County jail when he drove to the Trans house on Colebrook Lane in Dublin and forced his way inside, investigators said.

The married couple was sleeping in their bedroom when they were woken up by a home intruder after midnight and shot to death. The murder weapon was Williams service weapon issued by the Sheriffs Office, court records show.

Former Alameda County Sheriffs Deputy Devin Williams Jr. (Photo courtesy Alameda County Sheriffs Office)

The 24-year-old deputy and 42-year-old Maria Tran were county employees. They met at John George Psychiatric Hospital in San Leandro where Maria Tran worked as a nurse. They began a dating relationship, court records state.

After she attempted to end the affair, Williams showed up at her house multiple times while she was home with her 57-year-old husband, Benison Tran, according to a wrongful death lawsuit. Maria told (the deputy) that she no longer wanted to have a personal relationship with him, the suit states.

Deputy accused in double homicide romantically linked with one of victims

Williams appeared in an East County Hall of Justice courtroom this week for a preliminary hearing. Judge Paul Delucchi denied a motion filed by the District Attorneys Office to dismiss special circumstance sentencing enhancements.

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price speaks during a press conference in Oakland on Nov. 7, 2023. (Jane Tyska /Digital First Media /East Bay Times via Getty Images)

If approved, the motion would have reduced the cases maximum sentence from life in prison without parole, to a sentence with possibility of parole after 25 years, according to attorney Christopher Dolan.

The Tran family wants to ensure that the former deputy stays behind bars.

Maria Trans sister wrote, We strongly oppose any reduced penalties for Mr. Williams, a cold-blooded killer, and we are grateful for the judges ruling. We call on District Attorney (Pamela) Price to abandon her efforts to reduce the charges and do her job, enforce the law, and provide justice for Benison and Maria.

Price wrote in a statement on Wednesday, This is an unthinkable tragedy for the Tran Family. There is nothing I can say that will relieve the pain and anger theyre feeling. What I can say is those two counts of murder that Mr. Williams faces carry with them a minimum of decades of time and potentially a lifetime in prison.

Deputy Devin Williams Jr. is charged with first-degree murder. (Images courtesy Alameda County Sheriffs Office)

Christopher Dolan of Dolan Law Firm is representing the victims family. The married couple died in front of their son, Brendon Tran, and the boys grandmother. Dolan said prosecutors attempt to drop the maximum penalty is an insult to the families of Benison and Maria.

Williams gets to visit his loved ones and one day will be roaming the streets again. The Tran families will never again see or hold Benison or Maria. Brendon is now an orphan. When a Deputy Sheriff commits murder in cold blood, he is given a reprieve, Dolan wrote.

Before Williams was hired by the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, he underwent a pre-employment psychological profile that found him not suited for duty, according to the law firm. He was hired anyways and, indeed, it is reported he used his service revolver to kill Maria and Benison, the firm stated.

Detectives found six firearm shell casings with Speer 9 mm inscribed at the crime scene. The Alameda County Sheriffs Office uses Speer 9 mm ammunition, according to court documents.

In the wake of the shocking double killing, 47 deputies who also failed the psych test were demoted, ordered to turn in their service weapons, and stripped of their authority as law enforcers. The fallout turned into a black eye for the Sheriffs Office for hiring unqualified candidates as deputies.

Unfortunately, that was too late to save Maria and Benison, the lawsuit states.

At this weeks preliminary hearing, the victims family members gave victim impacts statements to the judge.

Maria Trans sister wrote, If any crime deserves enhanced penalty under the law, these murders do. Mr. Williams used his privilege as an officer of the law to premeditate the murder of Benison and Maria. Yet he didnt just murder my sister Maria, Mr. Williams executed her, point blank, with his service weapon given to him by the Alameda County Sherriffs Department. He compounded the viciousness of his actions by committing this execution in the presumed safety of Marias own home, while her family members, including her mother and son, were present. They had to see the man who executed Maria in person, to hear those gunshots that ended Marias life. My mother, who saw her first-born daughters first breath, will be forever haunted by the indelible memory of holding Maria as she bled to death, being witness to her last breath. My nephew will also have to live with the memory of his two parents lying dead in his home, a cruel burden for the rest of his life. The impact on him, seeing both of his parents shot dead in the supposed safety of his own home, has left him forever traumatized, scarred, and orphaned.

Maria-Tran-wrongful-death-lawsuitDownload

In March of 2023, Price issued an office-wide memo directing prosecutors to not add enhancements to charges except under narrow circumstances. The memo stated, Generally, prosecutors shall not file or require defendants plead to sentence enhancements. Exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis in cases involving the most vulnerable victims.

District Attorney Pamela Price speaks during a press conference in Oakland on Nov. 7, 2023. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)

In an interview with KRON4 last year, Price said lengthy prison sentences do not create safer communities. If putting people away for 75 years made our county more safe, then wed be the safest county, and the safest country, in the world, Price said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
CHICAGO  Its a sweet taste of victory.

Former Signature Room employees told WGN News that they have been experiencing hardships since being abruptly fired six months ago. But a judgment on Thursday left many optimistic and one step closer to compensation.

UNITE HERE Local 1 president Karen Kent on Thursday called the announcement an important step forward in the journey for justice for former Signature Room workers.

SEE ALSO: Uncle Julios closes in Lincoln Park

The last six months have been difficult for us all, said Bob Sorenson, who spent 25 years as a server at the now-closed Chicago restaurant.

UNITE HERE Local 1 reps said a federal judge is ordering the operators of the former restaurant to pay just over $1.5 million in backpay to terminated employees, finding the owners liable for violating the WARN Act which provides employees advance notice of mass layoffs.

This judgment comes after UNITE HERE Local 1 filed in October of 2023 on behalf of roughly 140 union workers, Kent said.

Signature Room closed its doors back in September, devastating longtime workers like Irene Luna. For Sorenson, the abrupt closing denied him and many others a chance to say goodbye.

We also have a real sense of family, Sorenson said. The coworkers, my colleagues, and I, together, we worked in teams.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Chicagos iconic Signature Room closes abruptly

But employees learned they were out of a job by reading a sign posted on a door of the John Hancock building.

We all worked the night before. There was no sign or warning that anything was happening, Sorenson said.

The union vows to hold the Signature Room owners accountable to the judges order and deliver to employees what they are owed.

Were relentless and confident we are going to get the $1.5 million, Kent said.

Efforts to reach the owners of the Signature Room, Infusion Management Group, for comment were unsuccessful.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
A New Mexico judge denied a request by the Rust movie set armorer for a new trial Friday, after she was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 fatal shooting of the Western films cinematographer.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer also ordered armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to remain in custody through her appeals process, according to the The Associated Press. She was convicted earlier this month for the shooting, which occurred on set on the outskirts of Santa Fe, N.M.

Her sentencing could come as early as April 15, per the AP.

Actor Alec Baldwin, who pointed the loaded prop gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set before it went off and killed her, was indicted earlier this year by a grand jury and his trial is scheduled for July. Baldwin pleaded not guilty, and argued that he did not pull the trigger.

Gutierrez-Reeds lawyers argued that she should be released while they appeal the conviction, citing that she was undergoing counseling and had not violated terms of the trial.

She hasnt done anything wrong, her attorney said, the AP reported. Shes not a danger or a flight risk.

Keep in mind there was a death that the jury determined was caused by her so Im not releasing her, the judge replied, shutting down the effort.

Prosecutors in the case criticized the armorer for not following gun safety measures and bringing live ammunition on the movie set.

Gutierrez-Reed is currently being held in a Santa Fe detention facility. Her sentence could carry up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A jury this week awarded $11.5 million to a former Los Angeles police K-9 handler who sued the city alleging that his supervisors retaliated and discriminated against him in part because of his Samoan ancestry.

The officer, Mark Sauvao  pronounced "su-VOW"  alleged he was unfairly punished after he reported some of his colleagues had called him names such as cannibal and barefoot coconut tree-climber. One supervisor also reportedly referred to him as being Tongan; Sauvao took the comment as an affront given the bitter early history of war and enslavement between Samoa and Tonga.

Sauvao, who is still with the department, also alleged that officers spread false rumors that he tried extorting fellow K-9 handlers by refusing to train them unless they gave him their overtime hours.

The city can still challenge the size of the jury award.

From 2005 to 2017, Sauvao was assigned to the department's elite bomb detection K-9 unit. The 30-year LAPD veteran said his troubles began several years after his promotion to dog trainer, which came with extra pay and benefits.

After learning of the rumors about him, Sauvao said, he demanded that the unit's commander, Lt. Raymond Garvin, intervene and launch an investigation into the officers spreading them. Neither happened, he alleged.

Another colleague testified in a deposition that Garvin relayed the overtime allegations against Sauvao to other officers at a roll call held at a nearby bagel shop. Someone in the group accused Sauvao of being the "ringleader" of a faction within the K-9 unit that called itself the "P.M.-Watch Mafia," according to the testimony. Sauvao denies these claims.

Garvin previously filed his own lawsuit against the city alleging that a department higher-up conspired to kick him out of the unit, which led to a $700,000 settlement.

Read more: Former top LAPD official accused of tracking woman with AirTag alleges cronyism by ex-chief

Sauvao said he eventually brought the matter up to Capt. Kathryn Meek of the Emergency Services Division, which oversees the K-9 unit and the bomb squad. Instead of investigating his reports, Sauvao said, internal affairs detectives showed up to search his locker several months later, which he believed was in retaliation for making his earlier complaints.

Sauvao said his request to contact a police union representative after the search was denied.

He was later ordered to undergo psychiatric testing and eventually transferred to a less desirable assignment that caused him to be separated from his police K-9 named Pistol, according to the lawsuit.

Sauvao's attorney, Matthew McNicholas, said the award was the latest he has won in cases involving members of that K-9 unit. Two other cases from around 2008 led to jury awards of $3.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, he said. That the same unit continues to have problems 15 years later suggests a lack of oversight, he said.

"It tells me that command continues to do what it wants and that unless somebody like me digs in, they get away with it," McNicholas said. "Ninety-eight percent of the department are hard-working people that just go to work, do their jobs and go home; the unfortunate thing is that the other 2% have a lot of power."

The city attorney's office didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment, and an LAPD spokeswoman said the department would not discuss the case.

Sauvao's claims were similar to those of another K-9 handler who worked in the unit at the time, Alfredo Franco, who also sued the city for discrimination and retaliation he reportedly faced after standing up for Sauvao.

Several of Sauvao's former colleagues testified on his benefit in depositions filed in the case, with one saying he had an "unblemished" reputation and another describing the respect he commanded within the niche community of police K-9 trainers nationally.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Thirty-two-year-old Hector Olmeda normally calls his 10-year-old daughter two or three times per day, but he hasnt called in over a month.

His uncle, William Rodriguez, said Olmeda was visiting Portsmouth to help a buddy who was going through a tough time. He traveled from Chicago to Portsmouth and stayed at a Wilcox Avenue residence.

Rodriguez said the family last heard from him Feb. 27.

Missing man last seen Feb. 27 in Portsmouth

Hector is nowhere to be found since the buddy went to the hospital, Rodriguez said. Hes not at the residence where he was staying. The residence is empty.

Rodriguez called this uncharacteristic for Olmeda. He said Olmeda is always in contact with family.

He has a 10-year-old daughter thats [staying] with her mom, Rodriguez said. He communicates with her two or three times a day, but he hasnt since Feb. 27. The second part is his moms birthday was last week and his babys sister. He didnt talk and he didnt call him. He talked to his mom more than he talked to anybody else and his daughter.

So thats not him, you know. Hes always on social media. Hes 32. Hes always on social media. He always had his phone with him, so there has been no posting since Feb. 27, since Feb. 27, and also since he talked to his mom the last time. That is not characteristic of him.

Hector Enrique Olmeda Jr.

Portsmouth Police released an alert stating Olmeda had been missing since Feb. 27. Police said Olmeda had a history of mental illness.

Rodriguez said police have been diligently looking for him, but the family needed to do their own search.

He said he traveled from Alabama and his father from Chicago to look around the area.

We visited homeless shelters, especially the peak hours, breakfast and dinners, he said. We have posted flyers around the neighborhood where he stays at the Wilcox Avenue neighborhood. We even searched some wooded areas around the place.

Rodriguez said police shared a recent development.

We did find out that the police, I guess, went into his bank account, Rodriguez said. He hasnt spent any money or anything from his bank account in over a month. So he cant just be on the streets. If he is on the streets by himself, where? We know that  the more time it goes by,  [a] negative outcome can happen. Nothing makes sense right now for us.

Rodriguez remains hopeful his nephew will come home.

He even shared a message directly with his nephew.

Hector Jr., if youre out there and you need help and youre in the best situation, no matter whats going on, no matter what happened, youre our family, Rodriguez said. We love you. We care for you. Just reach out to us. We will deal with whatever it is that concerns you later. We will be here for you, good or bad, so just reach out to [us]. Dont be afraid. Theres no judgment here. We will take care of you. Your dad misses you. Your mom misses you. We miss you, so please reach out to us.

If you have information on Olmedas whereabouts, contact the Portsmouth Police Special Victims Unit at 7573938536. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Line at 1888-LOCK-U-UP.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
In 2013, six months before I arrived to serve Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Auburn, I learned that a queer member of the congregations youth group had taken her own life. The Del Oro High School student had been bullied, she was queer and she had no language for how to reconcile her religious upbringing and her sexual orientation.

Three years later, when I arrived at the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), my first act as senior pastor was to establish The Landing Spot, a non-religious support group for queer youth and their adult caregivers. We thought giving parents a space to process and talk with other parents would be beneficial, and allowing youth to be with their peers and express the difficulties of coming out could be life saving.

Opinion

The Landing Spot was meant to be a gift we could offer to Placers Christian community, who lacked the resources, language and courage to support our queer neighbors and youth. Statistics tell us that a child is 40% less likely to attempt suicide if they have at least one accepting adult in their life. As an out gay man and pastor, it was important to me that we offer young people hope by providing them with opportunities to see healthy, thriving queer adults.

Despite our desire to do the right thing, I had no idea just how much courage we would need until February of 2023.

The full force of hate

In the past few years, Placers first ever Pride events have had hundreds of attendees, and Loomis UCC has offered widely attended town halls to educate the community on topics such as LGBTQ+ youth issues. I felt we were seeing a huge shift in our cultural climate and making huge strides forward.

Sadly, last spring, my church and I experienced the full force of hate, bigotry and violence.

After previously hosting two sold-out, family-friendly, youth-led drag shows here in Placer County, we needed a larger venue. We were raising money for our second queer youth summer camp and felt it would be appropriate to use one of the local high school theaters to host our next show (at this point, The Landing Spot operated queer support groups on multiple high school campuses).

We requested to use Roseville High Schools theater for our fundraiser. But when our event flier went public, literal hell was unleashed on my church, myself, my congregants and, sadly, even some of The Landing Spots young members. The district asked us to move venues for the safety of our staff and theirs as they had begun receiving threatening phone calls and emails from parents and community members furious about our drag show. We changed venues without hesitation.

Local pastors in the community further stoked community rage  individuals I have never met  who spread harmful lies to their sizable congregations about drag performances and the LGBTQ+ community. In response, misinformed congregants demanded that The Landing Spot be kicked off local high school campuses where we connected teens with peers and resources proving life-saving.

Combating transphobia and homophobia





Despite all that has happened, we stand as strong as ever one year later, still committed to being a place of hope and refuge for all people. Our faith compels us to believe that where the religiously apathetic have turned a blind eye to the plight of Gods people, we at Loomis UCC are called to act through acts of radical welcome and inclusion.

Last August, investigations by the West Placer School District and Placer High School District concluded that our organization was a life-saving service.

If there is any danger or threat to our communal well-being, it is caused by institutions that would provoke its mass to unleash havoc on a minority group  Placers queer community  while claiming that Loomis UCC and the work weve done are inherently dangerous.

How many more lost lives?

Every day our youth have no place to talk about what is happening in their lives in a safe and affirming space is another day a young person feels more isolated  and perhaps pushed closer to suicide. Our silence and apathy to the plight of queer people in our community is inexcusable.

As an act of healing and unification, I invite the community to a candlelight vigil that will be held on Good Friday, March 29, at Loomis UCC at 6 p.m. We will take time to honor the struggle and strength of queer people in our community.

We will have our queer summer camp this year, and we are continuing to raise money to make sure any youth who would like to attend can. In the past year, The Landing Spot has also moved out from under the church and is now its own 501c3 with the help of community members who have dedicated time and financial resources to help us.

We have come a long way, and there still is so much to do, but through your love and support and willingness to challenge your perspective, we all might grow.

Casey Tinnin is the pastor of Loomis UCC and founder of The Landing Spot, a support group for LGBTQIA+ youth and their parents in Placer County.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has signalled that the Church will not block Rishi Sunaks Rwanda Bill.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said he accepted that the Commons was the senior house and that he would not oppose the Bill if MPs rejected the Lords amendments next month.

In the end, on the Rwanda Bill, the Lords will say, OK, weve made our case, you dont accept it and thats the end of it, he told LBCs Full Disclosure podcast.

The Bill is in limbo after the House of Lords defeated the Government on seven amendments earlier this month, forcing it back to the Commons on April 15 after the Easter recess.

MPs are expected to reject this second round of amendments by the Lords and send the Bill back to the Upper House to be ratified. Although the Bill was not a manifesto pledge, the convention is that the Lords does not block legislation backed by the democratically elected lower chamber.

The move has, however, 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.

The Archbishop acknowledged that he was still morally opposed to the Bill, if not legislatively.

He was told during the debate on the Bill by former Cabinet minister Lord Lilley to check his white privilege over his opposition to Rwanda. I just warn him that he better check his white privilege and his colonial assumptions or he might find himself in trouble with some of his bishops, said Lord Lilley.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said the 'immense evil' of people trafficking had to be tackled - Gareth Fuller/PA

Speaking to LBC, the Archbishop countered that he would have the same concerns if migrants were being deported to Sweden.

My arguments with Rwanda have got nothing to do with it being Rwanda. If it was Sweden, Id have the same problem, he said.

He agreed the immense evil of people trafficking had to be tackled and that open borders were not the answer as neither Europe nor the US was big enough to be able to take the 100 million displaced people and refugees.

We need a better system

But he said: So what weve been arguing, many people in the Lords arguing, is we need a better system that shares out this burden in a way that is fair to the countries that get the most refugees.

Seventy two per cent of refugees end up in the country next to the one they come from, which is almost certainly going to be really poor. Now its fine they stay there, if the country can manage it.

How do we make sure that country has the resources to do that in a way that enables the people to go home, or to build new lives, rather than having to travel at great risk halfway around the world?

The Archbishop said he would still be against the policy if migrants were deported to Sweden, rather than Rwanda

He maintained that he only intervened in politics after long thought and adviceand seeing what the Bible teaches us about the situation.

I could never imagine myself in secular politics. I wouldnt know which party to belong to, if any, he added.

Voices of fear

He accepted he would face criticism but he agreed his sense of duty quietened voices of fear.

There is real fear. It is very unpleasant if you say something critical, and all the papers land on you One of my rules is dont grumble about this job. It is such a privilege to do it, he said.

His comments come as the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has toughened up the requirements for migrants seeking to block deportation flights to Rwanda.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ECtHR set out a new 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 states that judges can only issue the injunctions where there would be an imminent risk of irreparable harm if a migrant was deported to Rwanda, mirroring the conditions of the Governments proposed legislation.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A juvenile is in critical condition following a shooting in west Columbus on Thursday afternoon.

At about 12:28 p.m., Columbus police officers were called to the 100 block of North Burgess Avenue in the Highland West neighborhood on the report of a shooting.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Court dismisses William Husels lawsuit against Mount Carmels owner for $20 million

When officers arrived, they found a juvenile victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital in life threatening condition but was later upgraded to critical condition, according to the Columbus Division of Police.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and have not released any further information as of 9:40 p.m. CPD asks anyone with information to contact Felony Assault Unit Detective Thomas Armentrout at 614-645-4141 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
By Trevor Hunnicutt

(Reuters) -Hosting rapper Fat Joe at the White House to talk about reforming marijuana laws. Visiting an abortion clinic. Calling for a ceasefire in Gaza at the historic Selma bridge in Alabama. Walking the bloodstained crime scene of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has stepped out of the shadow of President Joe Biden in recent weeks as part of a high-profile effort to persuade the fractious coalition of voters who sent them to the White House to give them a second term.

Harris' evolving role comes as progressive Democrats target Biden over his pro-Israel stance, polls show him in a tight race against Republican rival Donald Trump.

As left-leaning voters question Biden's age and leadership, a problem Trump doesn't face with his core voters, the 59-year-old Harris is taking on more heated topics, more often and more directly than Biden. While some have knocked Harris's performance as vice president and value to the reelection campaign in the past, she's moved into a starring role.

Biden has defended abortion rights but emphasized women whose lives are in danger, and called it a "deeply private and painful" matter.

Harris has gone further - during a visit to Planned Parenthood in Minneapolis, believed to be the first time a sitting vice president has visited an abortion clinic, the former senator described abortion as a basic part of women's healthcare in vivid terms.

"Everyone get ready for the language: uterus," she said. "Issues like fibroids  we can handle this  breast cancer screenings, contraceptive care  that is the kind of work that happens here, in addition, of course, to abortion care."

In Selma, she delivered the strongest comments at that point by any U.S. official on Israel's offensive against Hamas: "Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire."

Her use of the word "ceasefire," a term left-leaning Democrats were so eager to hear that it had become a rallying cry, was cheered by some, although others demanded it be met with policy changes, too. Harris also pushed Israel to do more to ease what she called a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.

"There is no doubt the vice-president has tried to move the conversation about Gaza to a more empathetic place but introducing new language falls flat when there is no evidence she's pushing for a more meaningful policy shift," said Abbas Alawieh, a top official for a campaign urging voters to protest Biden by voting "uncommitted" in the Democratic primaries.

"She needs to push Biden harder to change U.S. policy," he said.

Current and former Harris aides disputed the idea of any difference in policy between Biden, characterizing their efforts as a difference in tone and emphasis. They said Harris' initiatives are a reflection of areas of interest that, in some cases, date back to her time as a prosecutor.

"She's been on the leading edge of some of the most important issues facing the country, and certainly [those] that are going to be determinative of the election," said Dave Cavell, a former Harris speechwriter.

Biden cannot emphasize divisive cultural issues without alienating more conservative voters he needs to win, current and former aides said. As the Democrats' "coalition leader" he needs to focus on the core economic issues that will sway centrists, they said.

To that end, he has used 11 of his 16 trips this year to competitive election states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania to promote "kitchen table" economic policies like bringing back manufacturing jobs shipped overseas and supporting unions.

Harris, the first Black, Asian and woman vice president, instead, is embracing a pugilistic role, with a "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour and a "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour, in addition to talking about the economy.

ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR HARRIS

Biden has assigned Harris a number of seemingly intractable issues during her vice presidency, from the decades-old problem of migration to the U.S. southern border to pushing back on a generations-old pattern of limiting voting rights for left-leaning Americans.

Winning back parts of the Democratic coalition that has fractured over Israel policy, immigration and the economy is another big challenge.

Harris's approval ratings hover under 40%, but she is also the U.S.'s most popular Democratic politician after Biden. Some White House aides have privately questioned her effectiveness as an administration spokesperson.

Reuters/Ipsos polling that shows Biden and Trump tied nationally also reveals a majority of women, people under 40 and Latinos disapprove of Biden's performance as president. Each group favored Biden in 2020, helping him beat Trump.

Only 56% of Black people approved of Biden's job performance, low figures for a group that typically votes 9-to-1 for Democrats in presidential elections.

If Trump wins white voters, the largest U.S. racial group, for the third election in a row, Biden needs a dominant showing among a diverse set of groups that typically favor Democrats.

There are some signs that Harris is in for a tough fight.

On a trip to San Juan last week also aimed at courting the 5.9 million Puerto Rican Latinos who live in the mainland United States, Harris' arrival at a community center to celebrate the Caribbean island's culture was shouted down by demonstrators.

Some chanted "Yankee, go home" and held signs calling Harris a "war criminal" for the Biden administration's support of Israel in response to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, despite a mounting Gaza death toll. Such protests have occurred at multiple Harris events.

She has an increasingly vocal fan in Biden, though, who once wrestled with the decision of whether to make her his running mate in 2020. Harris has worked carefully to make sure that she doesn't appear out of sync with her boss, describing Biden and her on March 4 as "aligned and consistent from the very beginning" on Gaza.

"I love her," Biden said, unprompted, of Harris of Feb. 6. She's "doing an incredible job," he added on March 18.

Read Reuters full Election 2024 coverage here:

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Additional reporting by Arlene Eiras and Nandita Bose; Editing by Heather Timmons, Deepa Babington and Chizu Nomiyama)
Some 2,115 cultural institutions remain in the temporarily occupied territories since 2022, acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Rostyslav Karandeyev reported.

"As of today, 1,795 cultural institutions have been recorded in the de-occupied territories that have suffered damage. We are also recording losses in other seemingly peaceful territories," he said at the All-Ukrainian Forum Cultural and Information Reintegration of De-occupied Territories in Kyiv on Friday.

It is noted that 1,953 cultural institutions have already been damaged throughout the country, and 2,115 cultural institutions have remained in temporarily occupied territories since 2022.

"Of the 56,000 workers in the cultural sector who worked for our Ukraine, less than 36,000 remain... Some were forced to move, others were forced to move abroad. Unfortunately, many people changed their profession," he added.

In addition, Karandeyev, with reference to the Institute of Mass Information, said that since the beginning of full-scale aggression, the Russian Federation has committed 575 crimes against journalists and media in Ukraine: 18 attacks on television towers, 18 attacks and seizures of editorial offices, 28 cases of broadcast blackouts, and 234 media stopped existence.
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)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

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.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, also a Republican, said he intended to join with Arkansas in a separate student loan debt lawsuit.

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.

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.

This story was published earlier by the Kansas Reflector, an affiliate of the nonprofit States Newsroom network, which includes the Florida Phoenix.

The post Kansas AG files lawsuit challenging Bidens latest effort to diminish college student loan debt appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Kansas' Kris Kobach attends meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 19, 2017. He is leading a lawsuit against the Biden administration on Monday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

March 29 (UPI) -- Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach led a coalition of 10 other states on Thursday in suing the Biden administration over its student loan forgiveness efforts, charging that President Joe Biden is trying to circumvent Congress and the Supreme Court.

Kansas is joined in the lawsuit by Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah, all led by Republican Party governments. The Education Department and its secretary Miguel Cardona are also defendants in the case.

"President Biden is defying the ruling of the United States Supreme Court while also seizing power from Congress," Kobach said, according to the Capital-Journal. "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."

Kobach claimed that by canceling the debts, those who did not attend college and current college students are being left holding the bag to make up the difference. Canceling student debt was also a popular 2020 campaign promise made by Biden.

The lawsuit charged that the White House in its student loan forgiveness plans has violated the Constitution's separation of powers, exceeded its statutory authority, its plans are "arbitrary and capricious" and violated administrative procedures.

Kobach said it will also ask the court for an injunction on Biden's efforts so borrowers can continue to pay on their loans while the lawsuit is being argued in court.

The White House has canceled student loan debt of mostly small public service employee groups since the Supreme Court last year struck down its larger student loan forgiveness program under COVID-19 pandemic rules.
It is now three years since a teacher at Batley Grammar School was forced into hiding for fear of his life. He had committed no crime, other than the 21st centurys ultimate one: he offended some people. In this case he did so by showing his pupils cartoon images of the prophet Mohammed.

The key point in this sorry saga is not just that this mans life was ruined, but that the political establishment of our country allowed it to be so ruined. It is difficult to find expressions of outrage from our MPs at this most appalling miscarriage of justice. Had those making threats of violence against the teacher been stereotypical Right-wing hooligans, there is no doubt whatever that MPs would have been lining up to condemn this intimidation. The police would be under enormous pressure to apply whatever resources were necessary to allow the teacher to return to his normal life and any further hint of intimidation would have been dealt with swiftly.

Alas, the protesters in this drama were not deemed far-Right. They were largely Muslims who believed they have the right to force their conservative religious views on wider society. And why shouldnt they believe that, since so few among our civic and political leaders ever raise a word to stop them?

But on this Easter weekend, perhaps we should welcome Keir Starmers repentance. Interviewed for GB News, the Labour leader said he was very concerned with the plight of the teacher. Exactly how concerned we may judge for ourselves by his almost complete silence on this issue for the last thousand days or more. He only made the comment because he was asked a direct question about it.

Whats more, once forced onto the subject, Starmer almost immediately pivoted to the far less politically difficult issue  though admittedly it is a related one  of whether protests should be allowed to take place outside schools. For what its worth, the Labour leader doesnt think they should, which will come as little solace to any horse-owners whose stable doors were breached three years since.

Compare and contrast our own politicians feeble response to the threat of Islamism with that of their French counterparts. The country, where nearly a decade ago, 12 employees of a magazine were murdered in cold blood by Islamist terrorists after publishing cartoons of Muhammed, has suffered many other violent attacks by Islamists. This week, it was reported that a school principal was forced to resign after he instructed a female pupil to remove her veil while on the premises, an instruction that he was perfectly entitled to make under Frances secularist laws. But the inevitable death threats ensued.

But consider the response to all of this by prime minister, Gabriel Attal, who did not issue bland statements about condemning all forms of intimidation or warning citizens not to indulge in Islamophobia. He went on television to denounce these events: 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.

Just imagine any of our politicians responding so abruptly and specifically to similar events here. In fact, dont bother  such a feat of imagination is beyond most of us.

We do not, in this country, have the same degree of institutional secularism as exists in France. Nevertheless, the conflict between Islamism and British democratic values is every bit as violent and divisive. And it should not be tolerated. It should not be given a single fraction of an inch. Because where religious zealots are led to believe that they can protest outside a school and intimidate teachers, then some may believe they can issue threats. And when they feel they can issue threats, others may believe they can carry them out.

And if the British state cannot be relied upon to defend its own freedoms and its own democratic principles, if it is seen by the world and by its own citizens as willing to compromise on those values, bad people will take advantage. Of course they will  what other consequence can be expected?

So allow me to place into the mouth of our own politicians  ideally a prime minister or a leader of the opposition  the words that are so desperately needed right now:

The Batley grammar School teacher has done nothing wrong. We will use whatever resources are necessary to keep him and his family safe and we will ensure he can return to a normal life. If 24/7 security is necessary to achieve that, then that is what we will provide, whatever the cost. And if he or anyone else in this country receives threats that seek to restrict their freedom of expression under the law, we will prosecute those people and we will incarcerate them. We will have zero tolerance of intolerance. Believe in whatever religion you want, but dont imagine even for a second that in Britain, that gives you the right to tell anyone else how to live their life, what to say and how to carry out their job.

And if you dont like those rules, the exit door is that way.

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The Senate on the first day of the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly in Frankfort. Jan. 2, 2024

FRANKFORT  Though the level of controversy in the Kentucky General Assembly never reached the height of last year, when people were arrested during protests over an anti-trans bill, GOP lawmakers managed to pass a number of high-profile bills that drew fiery critiques from Democrats and sometimes their own party members.

The session also featured some last-minute surprises, as bills in line with national trends in GOP-controlled states  like an anti-DEI bill  failed to get the needed support to pass.

Here are five takeaways as this year's legislative session draws to a close:

'War on Louisville' rages on

Tensions between state lawmakers and Louisville remained high this session, despite attempts by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg to improve the citys relationship with visits to Frankfort early in the session.

A bill that would reshape Louisvilles government by making mayoral elections nonpartisan and barring the city from changing its land use code for the next year got legislative approval, despite criticism from Greenberg. He said the provision will block the citys affordable housing initiative, a cornerstone of his policy agenda.

Earlier in the session, lawmakers passed House Bill 18, which bans source-of-income discrimination bans such as the one Louisvilles Metro Council adopted in 2020. Democrats decried the measure as an assault on local control while Republicans said it was aimed at protecting property rights and preventing landlords from being forced into accepting federal Section 8 housing vouchers.

Jefferson County Public Schools also proved a lightning rod in Frankfort.

A group of Louisville-area Republican lawmakers filed a resolution to look at the question of whether JCPS should be split up into smaller units. Thats drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who say that the study has a foregone conclusion  that the district should be split up  and it unfairly targets a district that needs more funding to thrive.

Abortion politics too divisive to touch

Abortion prompted many dramatic moments this session but no concrete legislative action. The divisive issue also appears to have stymied the progress of a few seemingly unrelated bills.

Take, for example, the "Momnibus" bill: A group of bipartisan lawmakers put aside differences on abortion to craft a wide-ranging proposal to improve maternal health in the state. That bill gained unanimous support in the House but hit a roadblock in the Senate when it picked up a controversial provision that would have required medical facilities to provide mothers with nonviable fetuses with palliative care services.

An earlier bill with the same proposal had prompted Democratic lawmakers to walk out of a committee hearing in protest. They said the proposal doubled down on the states abortion ban and that mothers carrying nonviable fetuses should have the right to an abortion.

Abortion-rights activists also failed to gain any traction in efforts to mitigate the states restrictive abortion law.

A bill that would have added exceptions to the abortion ban in the case of rape, incest or lethal fetal anomalies to Kentuckys abortion law and a measure that would have shielded from prosecution Kentucky women who travel out of state for abortions both went nowhere.

Lawmakers introduced three bills aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization after a court found that the fertility procedure ran afoul of Alabamas abortion ban. Two were sponsored by Democrats and a third was sponsored by abortion opponent Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill. Those measures also failed to get any traction.

School choice is back

If at first you dont succeed, try, try again.

Thats the strategy Republicans used this session when it comes to school choice. This year, the GOP put forward House Bill 2, also known as the school choice bill, to ask Kentucky voters if they want to change the constitution to allow the legislature to fund non-public schools, like private and charter schools.

The amendment passed the House and Senate after hours of tense debate and will appear on the November ballot. The constitutional amendment is only the first step  and third attempt  to create a pathway for funding nonpublic schools. Republicans have tried to expand school choice for years, but have been stonewalled with court decisions.

In 2021, the legislature passed a bill creating a program that would have provided dollar-for-dollar tax credits for those donating nonpublic money for non school tuition. Later that year, though, Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled the program was unconstitutional and blocked the law from going into effect.

Republicans then tried again in 2022 and passed a bill that would have created funding for charter schools. But the Supreme Court struck down the GOPs efforts and ruled that public tax dollars must be spent only on common, interpreted as public, schools and cannot be diverted to private or charter schools.

The constitutional amendment needs to gain at least 60% of approval from Kentucky voters. If approved, it would open the door for Republicans to introduce a school choice program in the 2025 session.

No gun laws, but stiffer penalties

There was little appetite in this years legislative session for gun-related bills.

Although gun legislation used to dominate the legislative scene, the Kentucky Republicans shifted priorities to measures such as changing state criminal law  most notably the Safer Kentucky Act. Also known as HB 5, the bill was one of the highest-profile and most controversial pieces of legislation.

Sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, the 78-page measure creates a three-strikes rule for Kentucky and a new crime of unlawful camping for sleeping on streets, sidewalks, under bridges and in parks and cemeteries. There are other measures unrelated to harsher penalties in the bill, including allowing shop owners and employees to use a "reasonable amount of force" to prevent someone from escaping in cases of suspected shoplifting.

Like past gun legislation, the bill had little bipartisan support. Supporters of the bill, though, say it will help increase safety. Democrats criticized the bill for criminalizing homelessness and say that measures like tighter gun control laws.

The party filed legislation for stricter gun control, but the bills made little movement in the legislature. Examples of bills include requiring background checks for the private sale of firearms and allowing local governments to regulate firearms.

Although individual gun bills made movement, a gun-related provision made it in HB 5. There is a provision in the Safer Kentucky Act that would allow a gun used in a homicide to be destroyed. But the gun could be destroyed only after it is auctioned off, and only if the purchaser wants that.

Republicans couldn't agree on an anti-DEI bill

Kentucky Republicans had two anti-DEI bills in the House and Senate that would have curbed diversity, equity and inclusion programs at higher education institutions.

Senate Bill 6 was the one that made the most movement, but it didnt make it to the finish line before the beginning of the veto period.

Sen. Mike Wilson, the sponsor of SB 6, filed an original bill that would have prohibited Kentucky colleges and universities from requiring students and faculty to "describe the attitude or actions in support of or in opposition to specific ideologies or beliefs" to receive admission, employment, promotions or graduation. It also would require First Amendment training at student orientation.

A House committee substitute, though, transformed the bill into a condensed version of House Bill 9, which comes down harder on DEI policies.

The Houses version, with Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, as the driving force, bans race-based scholarships and defunds DEI offices and officer positions. It also prohibits the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary education from approving degrees that require courses containing "discriminatory concepts."

The Senate never voted to concur with this version, signaling disagreement with the bill between the two chambers.

Senate President Robert Stivers said that SB 6 was contentious within our caucus.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. Reach Rebecca Grapevine at rgrapevine@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky legislature pauses for veto period. 5 takeaways from session
FRANKFORT  A three-letter acronym became a target for Kentucky Republicans  but they didn't hit their mark to meet a crucial deadline during this year's legislative session.

Senate Bill 6, also known as the anti-DEI bill, failed to pass the General Assembly Thursday night. The 10-day veto period now begins.

Although the bill can still be taken up during the final two days of the legislative session in mid-April, lawmakers wouldn't be able to override a potential veto if they pass it then.

And it's likely a veto would happen, as Gov. Andy Beshear has spoken out in support of diversity, equity and inclusion, also known as DEI, programs.

Other conservative states have passed legislation targeting DEI programs at higher education institutions.

Since 2021, 21 states have introduced proposals that dismantle DEI programs, and nine of those states passed those laws.

Its been a target for the Republican Party since 2020, after the police killing of George Floyd, when schools and businesses tried to come up with ways to make their environments more racially inclusive.

Florida last year passed a law banning spending money on DEI programs for its public colleges and universities.

Alabama passed a similar measure last week not only banning state funds from being spent on DEI programs and officers in higher education, but also at state agencies and other public entities.

Iowa is on its way to requiring its three public universities terminate all DEI-focused staff positions that arent necessary to comply with state or federal law.

So, what happened to Kentucky's bill?

Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, introduced the bill, which is a version of the law passed in Tennessee in 2022.

Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green. March 2, 2016

The Tennessee law states students or employees of public colleges and universities in the state cannot be required to endorse a specific ideology or viewpoint to receive admission, employment, promotions or graduation. Students and employees cannot be penalized or discriminated against if they receive support for what the bill defines as a divisive concept.

Wilson's original version of the bill has the exact same provisions.

When the bill was sent to the House, though, the chamber gutted it and replaced it with a committee substitute that transformed the bill into a condensed version of House Bill 9, which comes down harder on DEI policies.

Its unclear whether Wilson knew about or supported the bills changes prior to the House Education Committee meeting where the substitution was introduced.

Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, is the driving force behind HB 9 and presented the House's version of SB 6 at the education committee Meeting on March 14.

Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, pushed a stricter version of the DEI bill.

Typically, the sponsor of the bill presents it to the committee, but Decker said Wilson couldn't make it to the meeting because of a scheduling conflict.

At the committee meeting, Rep, Kevin, Jackson, R-Bowling Green, said Wilson didnt know changes had been made to the bill when he passed on voting for or against the bill.

During debate on the House floor the following day, Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, asked Decker if she knew whether Wilson supported the changes. Decker said Gentry would need to ask Wilson himself.

Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, also asked Decker when the last time she spoke with Wilson about her bill or his bill. Decker said she discussed the differences and hasnt spoken to him since, but said she couldnt give the exact date of when that conversation happened.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Anti-DEI bill appears dead in Kentucky legislature
Filming on the final episodes of Yellowstone is beginning soon and series star Kevin Costner reportedly wants back on Dutton Ranch.

Its been over a year since word broke that season 5 of the Paramount Network show would be Costners last on the show due to scheduling conflicts with his multi-part western movie epic, Horizon. Paramount confirmed last spring that Yellowstone as a whole would end in its current form with the final episodes of the fifth season.

With a November 2024 release date set, production on the final episodes of Yellowstone is slated to begin in a few weeks, according to Hollywood insider website  Puck.

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So does that mean Costner is gearing up to step back into the shoes of family patriarch John Dutton? Maybe.

Puck reported in February that Costner is vying for series creator Taylor Sheridan to bring him back in the final episodes of Yellowstone. However, Sheridan is reportedly happy with how the show wraps up without Costners character.

Now over a month later, Puck is reporting that Costner has been telling people that hell return to the show for at least a cameo or maybe more. Although, there are currently no discussions for Costner to do so.

If filming on the final episodes begins in the next few weeks, it may be too late for Sheridan to rewrite the series to give Costners John Dutton a ride into the sunset, according to Puck.

Is a Yellowstone sequel show still in the works?

Yes and it could even begin shooting later this summer.

When Paramount announced last year that Yellowstone was ending, the studio also announced that a sequel show was in the works. The show wouldnt star Costner, but other stars from the flagship show might appear.

Now, Puck is reporting that Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) and Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) are in talks to join the show but havent signed on just yet.

While Paramounts offer was reportedly at $850,000 an episode for the pair, Reilly initially asked for $1.5 million and Hauser $1.25 million. Discussions are still ongoing and the rumored current number per episode for Reilly and Hauser is around $1 million an episode.

Matthew McConaughey has been rumored to star in the sequel show for sometime now and Puck is reiterating that Sheridan still wants the Texas actor in the show, along with actress Michelle Pfeiffer.

As for other Yellowstone actors who reportedly might appear in the sequel show alongside Hauser and Reilly, Luke Grimes (Casey Dutton) is also in the mix, according to Puck.

Filming on the Yellowstone sequel series is reportedly set to shoot in late summer and will air after the flagship show wraps up.
Decades after her death, investigators have answered the question of who murdered 43-year-old Daisy Shelton.

News Center 7s Taylor Robertson spoke to Sheltons grandaughter Maria Walling, who shared her reaction to hearing the news her grandmothers killers had been found.

The case began in June 1964, when a man fly fishing at a local gravel pit hooked a grisly catch; a human arm.

The next day, divers found the womans other severed arm, and that discovery launched a full-blown recovery effort that brought in search boats and pumpers to lower the water level in the gravel pit.

Over the next two weeks, the womans torso, leg, and head turned up about a mile away in a section of the old Miami-Erie Canal in Tipp City.

The woman was later identified as Shelton.

Pictures people searching the lake for Daisy Shelton's body

>> PHOTOS: Local cold case from the 1960s solved

Shelton had been hit in the head with a hammer, cut into pieces, and dumped into the water, according to Walling.

Its very, very shocking that a human being can do that to another human being, Walling said.

Now nearly 60 years later, she got a phone call from the Miami County Sheriffs Office that her family has been anticipating for decades  we are ready to close the case.

News Center 7 previously reported that the case went mostly forgotten until 2017 when detectives said a witness came forward with more information.

Im like finally. They found the killers, there was three, Walling said. Im going to feel bad for the families that are going to find out about these three individuals family killed my grandmother.

Daisy Shelton worked at Delco.

Walling never met her grandmother, but said she remembers how her father described her.

She was sweet, my dad said she was really strict, Walling said.

Wallings father Rodney died in 2020, before his death, Walling said he rarely brought up his mothers murder.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New development in decades old cold case murder

He never led on how he really felt about this, but it was all eating him up inside, she said.

The Miami County Sheriffs Office confirmed to News Center 7 that two of the suspects in the case are dead.

Walling shared if she feels like justice has been served.

To be honest, no, she said. No one has that right. No one has the authority to take someones life.

Daisy Shelton's missing persons report

She wishes she could tell her father what she learned.

Dad, justice is served. Theyre gone and I pray to god no one ever goes through this, and Im glad youre with mom, she said.

The Miami County Sheriffs Office said they hope to make an official statement on the case soon.

Photographs of Daisy Shelton

Divers look for the woman's body parts.

Pictures people searching the lake for Daisy Shelton's body

Daisy Shelton's missing persons report

An old newspaper article

Daisy Shelton's missing persons report

Officials carry her torso from a lake.

Old newspaper article

Daisy Shelton worked at Delco.

Daisy Shelton's arm was found in a lake.
The eyes of the world are on the British royal family this Easter. The holiday falls just over a week after Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

Kensington Palace initially pinned Easter as the date after which she might be expected to restart public engagements following a planned abdominal surgery in January, but on March 22, Kate disclosed that post-operation tests revealed cancer had been present, leading her to start treatment. She will return to official duties when cleared to do so by her medical team.

The news followed an announcement in February that Kates father-in-law, King Charles III, was also diagnosed with cancer and would be postponing public-facing duties as he received treatment.

Easter, which typically sees the extended royal family gather at Windsor Castle, is expected to be a scaled back celebration this year. Buckingham Palace tells TIME the King will attend the traditional Easter Sunday service at St. Georges Chapel at Windsor, but Kate, her husband Prince William, and their three childrenGeorge, Charlotte, and Louisare not planning to go to church.

Kates announcement revealing her cancer diagnosiswhich royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams calls perhaps the most courageous broadcast made on health matters ever by a public figure in Britainchanges the Easter holiday enormously.

Its a deeply sobering experience for all of us, he tells TIME in a phone call.

In years past, Easter was a relatively low-key holiday in comparison to Christmas, Fitzwilliams says, but that will be different this Easter in the wake of a turbulent period that has transfixed the world.

The international attention will be enormous and thats never happened before, he says.

As the royal family prepares for the holiday amid trying times, heres what you need to know about their Easter traditions and what to expect in 2024.

What are the royal familys Easter traditions?

Easter weekend festivities begin on Maundy Thursday, the final Thursday before Easter Sunday. The tradition on this day, which dates back centuries, is for the reigning King or Queen to attend a church service and give out Maundy money to local people.

Early in her reign, Queen Elizabeth II began traveling to cathedrals and abbeys outside of London to distribute the gifts around the country. Fitzwilliams says the late Queen was very fond of the Maundy Thursday service.

Each recipient receives two small leather pursesone containing a small amount of ordinary coins and the second containing Maundy coins up to the value of the sovereigns age. Although legal tender, the coins are often kept as keepsakes.

King Charles continued the tradition last year, having already filled in for his mothers duties in 2022 before her death. The Kings wife of 19 years, Queen Camilla, attended Thursdays service at Worcester Cathedral in his stead this year, but the King recorded an audio message that was broadcast during the service.

In the message, the King stressed the theme of service to others, saying that we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need, and reiterated his coronation pledge to follow Christs examplenot to be served but to serve.

It wasnt the first recorded message from a royal on Easter, although it has not been an annual tradition. Then-Prince Charles released a televised message on Easter 2018 and his mother recorded her first-ever Easter message in 2020 near the start of the pandemic.

For Thursdays event, Worcester Cathedral Flower Guild also crafted Maundy Service nosegayssustainable, locally sourced flower arrangementsfor children to present to Queen Camilla, an annual tradition that dates back to 600 A.D., according to the royal familys X (formerly Twitter) account.

Over the Easter weekend, the extended royal family traditionally gathers at Windsor.

When wed pull into Windsor Castle for Easter court, it was always fun and exciting, Darren McGrady, who was personal chef to the royal family from 1982 to 1993 and then for Princess Diana until her death in 1997, tells TIME in a phone call.

On Good Friday, chefs made hot cross buns, which they would send up for afternoon tea, says McGrady, who now runs a catering business in the U.S. The tradition continued as of 2022, when royal pastry chefs shared a social media video of making hot cross buns on Good Friday.

Christians traditionally eat fish instead of meat on Good Friday, so as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the late Queen then enjoyed a hake fish supper, McGrady says.

On Easter Sunday, the royal family traditionally walks to a church service at St. Georges Chapel, a 14th century building on the castle grounds. The walk is about 10 minutes downhill, and in past years, they often took a car back up as it is a steep climb, McGrady says.

Easter lunch after church in the monarchys heyday involved 20 or 30 royals around the table, McGrady says. The menu was nearly always lamb, such as a roast leg of lamb with red currant jelly.

That was followed by afternoon tea, accompanied by a huge selection of decorated chocolate eggs. In one of McGradys favorite Easter memories at Windsor Castle, the former royal chef put a clock and sugar mouse on a chocolate Easter egg, inspired by the nursery rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock, and sent it up to the nursery. The footman brought it back down with the head bitten off the mousePrince William, around seven years old, had reportedly taken off a chunk.

McGrady says Queen Elizabeth II was a chocoholic with a penchant for dark chocolate, something she would give up during her Lent fast and looked forward to enjoying on Easter, but King Charles, however, is not a huge fan of chocolate at all.

Otherwise, McGrady says the King enjoyed the traditional Easter menu, as the monarch likes fish and absolutely adores lamb. Royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Sun last year that Easter traditions would carry on after his mothers death: "Charles is a traditionalist, so I am sure he will do things as they have always been done since he was a child.

Will Kate Middleton or King Charles attend the Easter Sunday service?

The King and Queen are expected to attend the Easter Sunday church service at Windsor.

Fitzwilliams says King Charles expected attendance is very good news and very significant as, to the royal commentators knowledge, it will be the first time the King will appear in what could be called a public engagement since his cancer diagnosis.

Kate, William, and their children, however, are not planning to attend church on Easter Sunday.

The family has lived since 2022 at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate. Kates video announcement of her cancer diagnosis was filmed at Windsor on March 20 and released on March 22. It has been reported the couple traveled after that announcement to Anmer Hall, a royal residence in Norfolk.

Kensington Palace declined to comment on where the family spends their private time.

Its not known who else from the royal family will be present at Windsor for Easter, Fitzwilliams says. Buckingham Palace tells TIME the King and Queen will be accompanied by other members of the royal family. With Kate and William absent, and Williams brother Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, and their two children in California, it will likely be a smaller gathering.

Especially this year with the news of Kate and the King, I think this year will be a much, much quieter affair, McGrady says. I think it will be a quiet time for the King, and thats probably a good thing as hes battling his cancer too. Easter will be more of a time of reflection than a happy family get-together.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Families enjoy the performances during the annual Quincy Lunar New Year celebration hosted by Quincy Asian Resources Inc. at North Quincy High School on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024.

QUINCY  For the second year in a row, Quincy is debating how its public schools should recognize the most important holiday for their largest ethnic group. The school committee's vote on the 2024-25 calendar, scheduled for April 10, will decide if the district will observe Lunar New Year with a day off from classes.

Widely celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and other populations worldwide, Lunar New Year ushers in good luck and reconnects family and friends. Many in Quincy support having it off, but so far Quincy school officials haven't agreed. Under the current policy, students can receive an excused absence to stay home in observance of the holiday.

Last year, an online petition written by North Quincy High junior Angela Chen garnered 1,200 signatures but failed to persuade committee members to give Lunar New Year the same status as Christmas and Good Friday. The only member to support the change, Frank Santoro, lost his reelection bid in November.

Until recently, his replacement, Courtney Perdios, had been the only member to support Lunar New Year's inclusion. At a policy subcommittee meeting March 13, members Tina Cahill, Emily Lebo and Douglas Gutro voted to advance a calendar excluding Lunar New Year to the full committee for a vote April 10.

But at the following week's meeting, Lunar New Year received an endorsement from an influential member when the committee's chairman, Mayor Thomas Koch, announced his support, marking a change from his previous position.

"While my head tells me we can't give any more days off, my heart tells me this is a holiday we should be acknowledging officially on the school calendar," Koch said.

Quincy Mayor Tom Koch was sworn in for his seventh term in the city council chambers Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Changing demographics. What the numbers say about Asian families in the Quincy school system

According to 2020 census data, 30.8% of Quincy's population is Asian, making it the state's second most Asian city. Lexington, whose Asian population has almost doubled since 2010, now has the highest percentage statewide and is considering a change to include Lunar New year in its calendar, The Lexington Observer reported.

Quincy's student body has a higher concentration of Asians than its general population. State data shows 39.5% of Quincy's 9,695 students identify as Asian. The next-largest group, those identifying as white, makes up 37.1%.

Of the city's 19 schools, six have an Asian majority and five more have an Asian plurality. At the district's largest school, North Quincy High School, 54.2% of roughly 1,500 students identify as Asian.

More: After two serious pedestrian accidents, Quincy residents blame speeding, poor lighting

Cannabis in Quincy: A 4th recreational pot store planned in Quincy, but it needs a special permit. Here's why

On Friday, Feb. 9, the day before Lunar New Year, 619 absences were recorded at North Quincy High, of which 70.4% were excused for the holiday. Other schools, including those with predominantly Asian students, showed no appreciable difference in attendance rates compared with previous Fridays.

In recent years, three Massachusetts school districts have changed their school calendars to include Lunar New Year as a day off. In 2020, Brookline added Lunar New Year, followed by Hopkinton and Wayland in 2022. Of these, Brookline has the largest number and proportion of Asian residents, who make up 19.2% of the town's population.

'It's Christmas.' Supporters say holiday recognition is a matter of respect

At the March 20 school committee meeting, several residents spoke in favor of adding Lunar New Year, including Santoro, the ex-committee member who alone voted for adding the holiday in 2023.

"On Jan. 29 next year, you should apologize to those students who are seeking perfect attendance and spend a day doing puzzles, watching movies and study periods," he said, arguing that teachers give little instruction due to high absence rates on the holiday.

Frank Santoro, of Quincy, works on an acrylic painting on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

Outside the Coddington building, parents supporting the change told The Patriot Ledger that the issue has become a matter of respect.

"We fought for it," said Truc Lai, a parent of two children in Quincy Public Schools. "Our kids were picketing. Students of all ages spoke in support of it. The school committee was not hearing it at all."

Truc said the lack of recognition harms a significant portion of the community.

"If people don't understand what Lunar New Year means, it's Christmas," she said. "Imagine not having Christmas off."

Shivpreet Singh, who has a daughter in Quincy schools, agreed.

"It is a clear sign that you don't respect it," Singh said. "As a person of color, our holidays don't matter to you. Our celebrations don't matter to you."

Perdios, who joined the Lunar New Year movement last year as a parent, told The Patriot Ledger in an email that the community has made its will known to the committee through survey results, demographic data, public demonstrations and comments at open forums.

Quincy School Committee member Courtney Perdios.

She wrote that excused absences for the holiday are inadequate because they spoil perfect attendance records and force a choice between academics and family, "two things we on the school committee know are highly valued by the Asian American community, as they are in other communities."

Addressing concerns around the mandated 180 days, Perdios wrote that adding Lunar New Year would only tack on one additional day, a cost she said is far outweighed by the benefit to the Asian community. Perdios was the only member to respond to questions emailed to the committee by The Patriot Ledger.

Ambiguous survey results

Quincy School Superintendent Kevin Mulvey.

Quincy School Superintendent Kevin Mulvey has released the results of a survey on possible changes to the school calendar sent to parents, students and staff. Respondents were asked if they agreed, disagreed or were neutral to the addition of Lunar New Year.

A plurality of parents (43%) and staff (42%) responded in favor of adding Lunar New Year to the calendar. Of students, 88% supported the addition.

A majority of students also supported adding Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Diwali and Eid Al-Fitr to the list of days off from classes, a result that drew chuckles from the committee. Lunar New Year received by far the strongest support from students compared to the other holidays.

Majorities in all three groups opposed beginning classes before Labor Day or collapsing February and April vacations into a single weeklong vacation in March. It has been argued that in exceptionally snowy years, another holiday would challenge the district's ability to hold the mandated 180 school days before June 30. Mulvey said classes can extend into July only with a waiver from the state.

'Who's not being recognized?' Opponents cite equity, practicality in rejecting calendar change

Committee members opposing the change cited majorities of parents and staff indicating a preference to preserve the existing calendar.

"Nobody want to go to school before Labor Day," Gutro said March 13. "Nobody wants to lose April and February vacation. That's crystal clear."

Quincy School Committee member Doug Gutro.

Another argument, articulated by Lebo at the March 20 meeting, states that adding Lunar New Year would elevate one ethnic group above others, leaving celebrants of other cultural holidays to feel excluded.

"Who's not being recognized?" Lebo asked. "Other people might feel like, 'What about me?'"

Quincy School Committee member Emily Lebo.

Koch pushed back against the notion that any resistance on the part of the school committee to changing the calendar represents a lack of respect.

"To suggest that the city does not respect our Asian community, I find a little offensive," he said.

The school department in particular has created and funded programming to ensure all students and families feel welcome, Koch said.

"We should be proud of that," he said. "It's not a question of respect."

Will 2025 be a new year for Lunar New Year in Quincy schools? Find out April 10

The school committee can vote on the 2024-25 calendar April 10. The policy subcommittee advanced a version of the calendar not including Lunar New Year for the full body's consideration. However, as Koch noted on March 20, the committee can propose and vote on amendments at will.

The meeting will be held at the Coddington School Administration Building at 34 Coddington St. Meetings typically begin at 6 p.m., but the schedule has not been released.

Just as last year, a crowd of Lunar New Year supporters is expected to attend, hoping 2025 will prove luckier than 2024.

"We'll be here on April 10," Truc said. "We're not going away."

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Lunar New Year could become a a day off for Quincy schools
NEW YORK (AP)  Kroger is shuttering three spoke facilities in its Texas and Florida e-commerce operations, the grocery chain confirmed this week.

The cross-docking facilities  located in Austin, San Antonio and Miami  will be closed at the end of May, a Kroger spokesperson told The Associated Press Thursday, adding that all impacted associates had been offered other opportunities within the company.

You will soon be able to buy giant wine bottles in Florida

Despite our best efforts, including the support from new customers, learnings from other locations and the incredible work of our associates, these facilities did not meet the benchmarks we set for success, Krogers spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that that the retailer remains committed to growing its e-commerce offerings, delivering fresh food to more communities across the U.S.

These kind of spoke facilities extend the reach of Krogers network with British online retailer Ocado. Ocados larger automated facilities assemble orders, which are then shipped to the cross-docking spokes and placed into smaller delivery trucks.

Amid rising competition in e-commerce particularly seen during the pandemic era, Kroger and Ocado had continued to expand their partnership over recent years  including through the construction of additional fulfillment centers and development in-store order capabilities.

The cross-docking spokes set to close in Austin and Miami were opened in March and February of last year, according to Krogers spokesperson, while the one in San Antonio was opened in August 2022.

The Austin and San Antonio facilities have been receiving orders from a larger automated shed in Dallas, which was opened in 2022. And another regional shed Groveland, Florida opened in June 2021 has been serving the Miami spoke.

Florida police escort little crocodile found wandering streets early in the morning

Both the Dallas and Groveland facilities will continue to operate. The decision to close the Austin, San Antonio and Miami spokes will not impact these larger facilties or any other cross-docking locations, Krogers spokesperson said.

Cincinnati-based Kroger posted earnings of $2.96 per share for 2023, with total company sales hitting $150 billion last year. Thats up from 2022s earnings of $2.76 per share and $148.3 billion in revenue.

In recent months, Kroger has also made headlines over the prospect of a merger with Albertsons. The two grocery chains, which are among of the largest in the United States, had hoped to complete the $24.6 billion deal this year  but their plan faces legal challenges that make it look far less likely, at least any time soon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held talks in New Delhi with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations and global security.

"In New Delhi, I had sincere and comprehensive talks with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar about Ukrainian-Indian bilateral relations, the situation in our regions, and global security. We paid specific attention to the Peace Formula and next steps on the path of its implementation," Kuleba wrote following the negotiations on the social network X.

As co-chairs, the ministers also held a review meeting of the Ukrainian-Indian intergovernmental commission.

"We agreed to restore the level of cooperation between our countries that existed prior to the full-scale war launched by Russia, as well as identify new promising projects to take our relations to the next level," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister concluded.
The Montana Supreme Court justices at a hearing on May 11, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Montanans who believe our democracy is founded on the right of people to vote in free and fair elections owe a huge debt of gratitude to Montanas recent Supreme Court decision overturning four laws passed by the Republican-dominated 2021 legislature as unconstitutional. Those bogus bills were signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte and defended by Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who lost. Again.

Far from their stated goal of protecting election integrity, like so much else that spews from these paranoid right-wingers, these laws did just the opposite  and took away the freedoms they so falsely and consistently claim to support.

What freedoms? Hows about same-day voter registration that allows people the chance to register and vote on Election Day? The challenge to the law included four tribal nations whose members, like so many rural Montanans, often live far from voter registration sites. but want to cast their votes on Election Day.

Likewise, both the district and Supreme Court found the law that attempted to kill ballot collection by individuals or organizations again targeted and disproportionately impacted both tribal nations and rural Montanans. Simply put, the Legislature decided to take away Montanans voting rights to cure a problem that didnt exist. As the Court wrote, Montanas Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen: failed to introduce any evidence of fraud related to ballot collection in Montana.

Two more of the laws the Supreme Court found unconstitutional targeted younger voters that, one might think, anyone with a shred of concern about protecting democracy would specifically encourage since young voters are our future.

But no, instead the Legislature tried to take away those voting rights by prohibiting mail-in ballots for those who had not yet turned 18  but would be of legal voting age by election day. Their second sorry attempt was to prohibit the use of university-issued identification at polling places.

Put bluntly, its overwhelmingly obvious the Republicans specifically attempted to kill the freedom to vote for younger Montana voters because, as the court noted, a former Republican legislator and county clerk and recorder testified at the district court trial that she believed the amendment was discriminatory because the perception was that students tend to be more liberal and vote accordingly. In other words, unless youre voting Republican, they dont want you to vote. Hows that for freedom?

While the courts ruling is a significant win for democracy and voting rights, one might wonder why the 2021 Legislature felt so compelled to even attack those rights. Remember, the 2020 elections saw Republicans take every statewide office and huge majorities in both chambers of the legislature. One might think theyd figure Montanas electoral system was working pretty well for them  and leave well enough alone.

But no  these MAGA masters were following the dog whistle from their losing presidential candidate that the election was stolen by fraud. Stop the Steal has, in fact, been proven a totally baseless ploy devised by Trump and his advisors when it was clear he was going to lose the election by millions of votes. These are the same lies that fueled the violent Jan/ 6 insurrection attempt to overturn the election by preventing Congress from certifying the vote.

Thanks to our Supreme Courts defense of Montanans and our Constitution, four of Montanas unconstitutional voting restriction laws no longer exist. As for the MAGAs, they continue to falsely blather about freedom when, in fact, its clear theyre trying to take away our most fundamental freedom  the right to vote in a democracy of, by and for the people  and that means all the people.

The post Kudos to the Montana Supreme Court for defending our democracy appeared first on Daily Montanan.
To curb youth vaping, state lawmakers sent Gov. Andy Beshear a bill late Thursday that will set new rules for businesses that sell vape products in Kentucky.

However, critics expressed dismay that the bill  originally a crackdown on both tobacco and vape smoking by youths  ended up far weaker after lobbying in Frankfort by tobacco giants Altria and R.J. Reynolds. The companies reported a combined $61,000 in lobbying expenses in the first two months of the legislative session.

The end result is, theres not a whole lot of muscle in this bill, said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. Clearly, the best interest of kids was not the dominant force in this.

What Kentucky needed was a bill establishing regular inspections of tobacco and vape retailers statewide, based on a comprehensive list of stores, with much stronger penalties for those caught selling to anyone under age 21, Brooks said.

Each of these pillars just got diluted or watered down as the process went on, Brooks said.

And vape shop owners warned lawmakers their businesses will be closed by new restrictions on what they can sell. They said the bill favors a handful of electronic smoking devices owned by Big Tobacco, which will clear most of the products off their shelves.

Vape products confiscated from students at Butler County schools. Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

The Herald-Leader reported in December that over a recent 21-month period, state regulators cited at least 114 Kentucky retailers two or more times for selling tobacco and vape products to minors, usually issuing only small fines or warning letters.

House Bill 11 will create a list of businesses selling vape products using corporate data collected by the secretary of state. The list will be given to inspectors with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, who enforce the law against smoking products being sold to anyone under age 21.

This could plug a loophole in the current enforcement system. Unlike most states, Kentucky does not require tobacco and vape retailers to be licensed, so inspectors dont know where all of the stores are located.

But an earlier version of the bill also would have listed tobacco retailers, not just vape retailers.

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The bill sets tougher penalties for retailers who sell vape products to anyone under age 21, with fines up to $500 for a first offense; $1,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for a third offense.

Four offenses in a two-year period will put retailers in a publicly posted noncompliance database, and they will be banned from selling vape products for the next year.

But the earlier version of the bill proposed even bigger fines, and it would have extended those fines to retailers who sold tobacco products to minors, not just vape products. Instead, the bill that lawmakers passed says retailers who sell tobacco to minors will face the current, weaker fine structure of only $100 to $1,000.

Finally, the bill limits Kentucky retailers to vape products that have been approved or exempted for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In 2016, the FDA designated vape products to be tobacco products, just like cigarettes, and therefore subject to its regulatory power under the federal Tobacco Control Act. The FDA said manufacturers must apply for its approval in order to continue selling vape products.

However, the FDA so far has rejected more than a million vape product applications and approved only 23. That has been controversial.

A federal appeals court in New Orleans criticized the FDAs approval process as arbitrary and capricious in January, ruling for the makers of flavored liquids for vape products who submitted applications.

Owners of Kentucky vape stores warned lawmakers during the session that limiting them to FDA-authorized products will wipe out most of their stock and force them to close, eliminating thousands of jobs.

As it happens, they said, the 23 vape products currently authorized by the FDA are owned by three Big Tobacco giants: Altria, R.J. Reynolds and Japan Tobacco International.

Troy LeBlanc, a vape retailer and leader in the Kentucky Smoke Free Association, testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday that only a few vape products would survive enactment of House Bill 11, such as Juul, which was once owned in part by Altria.

We simply cant compete as vape stores having the same 15, 20 products as every gas station, LeBlanc said.

By far, vape stores have the lowest number of selling to under-aged people, as reported by the FDA in 2023, LeBlanc added. And all those stores are going to go out of business, and the No. 1 bad actor, which is gas stations and convenience stores, are now going to sell Juuls all over the state.

Vape products confiscated from students in Kenton County public schools. Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

The compromise legislation the General Assembly passed was a combination of HB 11, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, R-Morgantown, and parts of Senate Bill 344, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London.

Raymer and Storm told their colleagues that Kentucky school children are getting their hands on dangerous vape products made in China and not authorized for use in the United States. Lawmakers must get those products off the market, they said.

This is an issue about China or children. Make your decision, Storm said at Thursdays committee hearing.

Raymer said her bill is meant to help Kentucky regulators enforce the state and federal laws already on the books.

We are not making anything illegal, Raymer said. We are simply following what the FDA has already put in place.

Its illegal to sell tobacco and vape products to minors. Many KY stores do it anyway

KY lawmakers take aim at stores that illegally sell vapes and cigarettes to kids
A Dignity Health hospital in the Los Angeles area is asking for the publics help to identify an unconscious man who has been hospitalized for more than a week.

The man was found on March 19 at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Golden Avenue in Long Beach following a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.

He was transported to a nearby Dignity Health hospital where hes remained since. Officials would not release details about his injuries or which hospital he was receiving treatment at, citing HIPAA laws.

Officials for the health care company say the man has no documentation or evidence on his person that can identify him and they are hoping the public may be able to shed some light on his identity.

Hes described as a Hispanic man in his late 30s with black hair and brown eyes. Hes about 240 pounds and stands around 5 feet 9 inches.

Additionally, he has several tattoos across his body including large tattoos across his chest and arms. His left shoulder features a tattoo of a babys face and his right bicep has tattoos of a babys face and a doll, Dignity officials said.

Anyone who may recognize the man is urged to call 562-491-9381. Officials say any and all help is appreciated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
New data from the Los Angeles Controllers Office found a significant decrease in homeless deaths in 2023, but officials say more still needs to be done.

According to L.A. Controller Kenneth Mejia, 900 unhoused individuals in Los Angeles city limits died in 2023  down nearly 23% from the previous years total of 1,167.

Still, Mejia said the reduction was not something to celebrate. Any number of unhoused deaths is unacceptable, Mejia wrote on X, previously Twitter.

Of those 900 deaths, three-quarters were considered accidental, data showed; 18% were considered natural, 4% were homicides, 2% were suicides and the remaining 1% were undetermined.

The highest amount of deaths took place during the beginning of the year from January to March  a time in which multiple atmospheric rivers brought severe flooding and heavy rainfall to the region. It was not explicitly stated if that was a contributing factor to the high number of deaths.

Also highlighted by Mejia, the amount of homeless homicides, 40, accounted for 12% of the citys homicide total in 2023. For comparison, the unhoused population makes up roughly 1% of the citys total population, indicating that the risk of dying by homicide was significantly higher if you are unhoused versus housed.

27 homeless individuals move into new apartment complex in L.A.

Racial disparity was also a major point of emphasis for Mejia. While Black people are only 8% of L.A.s general population, they accounted for 33% of the total homeless population and 31% of the total number of deaths in 2023.

Also important to note, the 900 deaths in Los Angeles were only specifically those within the citys boundaries. When expanded to include Los Angeles County as a whole, 1,467 unhoused individuals died in 2023.

FILE - In this photo illuminated by an off-camera flash, a tarp covers a portion of a homeless person's tent on a bridge overlooking the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whose promise to get homeless individuals off the street and into housing has been a tentpole of her administration, released a press release Thursday in which she expressed condolences for those who have died while highlighting the work of her homeless initiatives.

The focus of our work has been to take urgent action to save lives and, while the Controllers data released today indicates a decrease in deaths, we know that there is still much more to be done, Bass said.

LAUSD helps open permanent supportive housing complex in Sun Valley

Bass said thousands of Angelenos were brought into housing in 2023 thanks to efforts between the City and its partners. The Citys Inside Safe operations are continuing to take down tent encampments and help those on the street into housing, Bass said, with two operations being conducted just this week in East Hollywood and Shadow Hills.

The Mayor also highlighted efforts by the City to help get more homes built faster to address the regions housing crisis.

More than 14,000 units of affordable housing are now being accelerated as a result of her executive directive to streamline their development, the Mayors Office said.

The City has also expanded its program to build housing on publicly owned land and increased its ability to tow, store, and dismantle surrendered vehicles, like RVs that present some of the most difficult challenges for breaking up encampments.

The Controllers Office has released an interactive and sortable map that shows where unhoused individuals died in 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Cameras installed by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, such as this one at Main Street and Tennessee Avenue, have been equipped with facial-recognition software to track "people of interest." The LDDA says that means people who have caused problems downtown.

A week after news reports surfaced about the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority using facial recognition software to track "people of interest" downtown, the agency issued a release to answer questions and quell some backlash.

In January, the LDDA said it was installing 14 security cameras, manufactured by Verkada, a San Mateo, California-based company at various spots around downtown to provide more security. On March 21, the LDDA discussed the facial-recognition program at its board of directors.

Tony Davila, LDDA's clean and safe manager, told the board that he had uploaded photos of various people into Verkada's software. The cameras are equipped with a facial recognition software to detect and record when those individuals move through a camera's field. LDDA staff members and Lakeland police officers will receive alerts whenever one of these "people of interest" is spotted in the city's downtown area, according to Davila.

The undated release appeared recently on the LDDA's website, downtownlkld.com, written by LDDA Executive Director Julie Townsend. It further defines "person of interest," as well as what criteria would put someone on the list of people being tracked. It also offered more information about the system's limitations, as well as the LDDA's policies for placing someone on the list and who would have access to the data.

"Cameras backed by facial recognition technology software have existed for a long time and are currently installed all over common spaces  public and private. Big box stores, convenience stores, intersections, stadiums, grocery stores, parks, schools," Townsend said in the release. "The difference is, the LDDA was transparent and told you about it. We believe in transparency."

What can the cameras and software do?

Townsend said the cameras "can provide footage of an incident of violence, threat, or vandalism."

Photos of offenders have to be manually loaded into the system, she said, and the system "doesn't collect or connect to any database of personal information."

"The software gives us ZERO information about that person  not a name, age, address, NOTHING," the release said. "All it allows us to do  depending on the quality of the photo  is identify if that person is detected by one of the cameras, i.e. that person is within the Downtown area at that time."

It then provides an email alert to the LDDA's clean and safe manager.

Who are people of interest?

The release defined people of interest as:

Someone who has been trespassed from multiple businesses in downtown.

Someone who has been trespassed from the Farmers Curb Market, which the LDDA owns and operates.

Someone who has threatened an employee, either verbally or physically.

Someone engaged in a crime in downtown, in which case Lakeland police would be consulted.

She cited the example an unidentified man who recently threatened an employee at the Saturday Lakeland Downtown Farmers Market. Townsend said the man left before police arrived.

"Cameras were able to identify his face; and now we will know if he comes into the area near our office," she said. "We cant do anything else to or about him. But we owe that much protection to our staff and the public. To be clear, we do not know this mans name or personal data because our facial recognition just matches faces."

Townsend said there are currently only three "people of interest."

Who would be watching? Lakeland police want to put surveillance cameras on city roads

Who has access?

Townsend said that, as the LDDA's executive director, she has access to the full camera system, as does Davila, the clean and safe manager. In addition, the LDDA's board of directors has full access and can log in at any time and check the "people of interest" and why.

Townsend said "no person is added as a 'person of interest' without reviewing the criteria and consultation with me."

"Our goal is to have no persons of interest," she said.

She said the LDDA can provide access police officers assigned to downtown, but the LPD has "expressed no interest in having daily access."

Can property owners or the public access the system?

She said the general public does not have access. Property owners where the cameras are installed can request access to the live feed, but only for the camera installed on their building.

"As of now, no property owner has requested access," she said. "They would not have access to add or view persons of interest."

No interest or time to track everyday people

Townsend said downtown property owners spend tens of thousands of dollars annually repairing vandalism and are victims of other crimes.

"We hope that public awareness of these cameras and their capabilities will deter vandalism, attempted break ins, or God forbid something more serious," she said, adding that the LDDA hopes the footage can help police when criminal activity occurs.

"We have no interest, time, or staff capacity to 'track' everyday people," she said.

Previous reporting by The Ledger's Sara-Megan Walsh was used in this report.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: LDDA offers details on how its facial-recognition camera system works
As with many news items in the Donald Trump era, we must file this under "shocking, not surprising": People who are being interviewed by the newly Trump-controlled Republican National Committee (RNC) report that they're being asked if they "believe" President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election. This is after Trump installed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as a co-chair of the RNC and she vowed to use the committee's funds to pay Trump's legal bills. (She's now denying that is the plan, even though documentation shows that the fundraising agreement between Trump and the RNC does, in fact, prioritize paying Trump's legal bills over funding the party.) Under Lara Trump's leadership, there has already been a staff purge, no doubt, as these reports show, to re-staff the RNC with people who are willing to back Trump's lies about the 2020 election.

Grim stuff, watching the already-radicalized GOP lose any remaining shreds of pro-democratic sentiment and hardening into what can only be seen as a fascist party. There is a silver lining, however. There's good reason to believe Trump's strategy of going all-in on election denial will backfire. Under Trump's leadership, Republicans made conspiracy theories about voter fraud the centerpiece of their campaigns in 2020 and 2022. In both, they lost major elections they could have won. There's little reason to think voters will be more fond of the madness going into 2024.

The 2022 midterms are especially robust in data, because it was after Trump turned election denial into a litmus test to get his endorsement. A Trump endorsement is valuable in a competitive Republican primary, but in a general election, the Big Lie hurts a candidate. Research published in spring of 2023 shows that Republicans who backed the Big Lie fell anywhere from 2.3 to 3.7 percentage points behind the performance of Republicans who admitted Biden won in 2020. That may not seem like a lot, but it was a game-changer in swing states where elections often come down to fractions of a percentage point. It certainly helped Democrats keep the Senate because Trump endorsees lost in close races in Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Nevada.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

So far, 2024 is shaping up the same way: The Big Lie candidates do well in the primaries, only to come across as embarrassing kooks on the general election campaign trail. Bernie Moreno of Ohio is running against LGBTQ rights, but was exposed for having a profile on Adult Friend Finder looking for "Men for 1-on-1 sex." (He's blamed an intern for it, which maybe someone out there believes.) Kari Lake is running for in Arizona for Senate, having lost in 2022 for governor on the grounds of out-of-control battiness. The GOP candidate for governor in North Carolina, Mark Robinson, has a humiliating past soundbite drop practically every week now, including the latest where he calls Beyonce a "skank."

It's not just the problem of what is euphemistically called "candidate quality," either. As the Washington Post reports, the RNC still faces resistance from Republican voters to voting by mail. Trump stigmatized mail-in ballots as a Democrat thing in 2020, as part of his years-long effort to build up the idea that the election was "fraudulent" before the first ballot was even cast. That's a problem, of course, because people who plan to vote by mail are more likely to get it done. Waiting until Election Day raises the chance of being too busy to vote or getting discouraged by long lines. Giving Democrats this huge get-out-the-vote advantage is not a great campaign strategy.

Of course, as in 2020, it may just be that Trump is more focused on stealing the election than on winning fairly. That fits in with his lifelong habit of preferring shady and corrupt dealings over clean-nosed business, even when the latter is more lucrative. (If Trump had simply invested the money given to him by his father in a mutual fund, he would have been far richer than he got through his decades of fraud methodology.) Trump rarely leaves Mar-a-Lago, while Biden is hitting the campaign trail hard. Not a difference that suggests Trump is focused on winning over voters. Instead, as in 2020, the resources are being directed towards setting up false claims of "stolen" election, likely meant to justify another coup attempt.

The good news is that, as Ed Kilgore argued for New York magazine, "while Trump remains entirely capable of trying to steal the presidency, his options have narrowed." He doesn't have the power of the White House to exploit, or a vice president he can pressure to refuse to certify the election. His efforts to sue his way to victory in 2020 didn't work, and are even less legally plausible this time. Perhaps most importantly, if he does somehow do what he failed to pull off on January 6  keep Congress from certifying the election  that won't get him much. Last time, he was the incumbent and the plan was to use the derailed election to seize power permanently. This time, however, it's Biden who controls the White House. He will definitely not budge just because Trump is whining a lot.

While it's not clear what continuing the Big Lie will buy Trump and his acolytes, what is likely is that, if they keep it up, they'll face another heap of very expensive legal trouble. As Aaron Blake at the Washington Post wrote Wednesday, the civil liabilities flowing from the election lies stoked by Trump keep piling up, at least for his allies. Lake just lost a major defamation lawsuit filed by an election worker that she falsely accused of stealing the election from her in 2022. "Lost" may be too dignified a word, really. Her lawyers declined to defend her lies, knowing full well there's no use in wasting time and money in bothering.

As Blake writes:

Throw in the $787.5 million Fox News agreed to pay a voting machine company over bogus theories that it aired bolstering Trumps stolen-election claims and the $148 million judgment against Giuliani, and the combined bill is north of $1 billion  and potentially growing, thanks to Lakes capitulation and other lawsuits. The Trump political movement has long had a truth problem. That has now manifested itself as a very expensive defamation problem.

In theory, they could just make vague claims about the election being "stolen," and the MAGA masses will dutifully repeat the lie without a shred of evidence to back it up. In practice, however, Trump and his minions know that's not good propaganda. It's more emotionally satisfying for them to have real-life people to demonize. The temptation to falsely accuse real people of leading the imaginary conspiracy will be hard to resist. It would be better if they didn't victimize people (or voting machine companies). But as the pressures of fundraising and getting the base riled up mount, it's quite likely the Big Liars will start defaming actual people and companies again.

Whether or not Trump mounts his own self-imposed obstacles to win in 2024, one thing we can likely expect is another round of defamation lawsuits in 2025. And if they push it to the level of committing crimes, as happened in 2020, there may be even more indictments and arrests coming soon.
Ukraines air defence has destroyed 84 aerial munitions out of the 99 Russia used to attack Ukraine on the night of 28-29 March.

Source: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram

Quote: "On the night of 28-29 March 2024, the Russians launched a powerful missile and air attack on facilities in Ukraines fuel and energy sector, using various types of missiles and strike UAVs:

A total of 99 assets were used:

60 Shahed-136/131 UAVs (Russias Prymorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk Oblast);

3 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal supersonic missiles (from three MiG-31K fighters in Rusisas Ryazan Oblast);

2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles (temporarily occupied Crimea);

9 Kh-59 guided missiles (from nine Su-34 aircraft in Russias Belgorod Oblast);

4 Iskander-K cruise missiles (Russias Kursk Oblast);

21 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles (from eleven Tu-95MS strategic bombers in Engels, Russia).

Anti-aircraft missile units from Ukraines Air Force and Ground Forces, mobile fire groups and radio-electronic warfare units from Ukraines Defence Forces were involved in repelling the missile and drone attack.

As a result, 84 air targets were destroyed:

58 Shahed-136/131 UAVs;

17 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles;

5 Kh-59 guided missiles;

4 Iskander-K cruise missiles.

"Honour and praise to all who defend Ukraine from Russian terror.

Thank you for your combat efforts. Thank you for this result!"

Support UP or become our patron!
Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David has condemned Donald Trump as the greatest conman that America has ever produced.

Trump has such a gift for lying, David told CNNs Chris Wallace in a second preview clip from their interview, which will air in full on Fridays episode of Whos Talking to Chris Wallace?

Hes just an amazing conman, added David, who lamented Trump fooling people and convincing people of something thats a complete lie.

Millions and millions and millions of Americans are buying Trumps falsehoods, noted Wallace, a former anchor on Fox News.

They buy it, David agreed. Its a testament to his conning abilities. Hes the greatest conman weve ever produced. Yeah.

Watch the video here:

Larry David: [Trump] is just such an amazing conman. He has such a gift for lying and fooling people and convincing people of something that's a complete lie Hes the greatest conman weve ever produced pic.twitter.com/ruJujMd18W  Acyn (@Acyn) March 29, 2024

In an earlier clip teasing the interview, David slammed Trump as such a sociopath.

Hes so insane. He just couldnt admit to losing, and we know he lost, he knows he lost, and look how hes fooled everybody, David said. Hes convinced all these people that he didnt lose. Hes such a sick man. Hes so sick.

Davids contempt for Trump is nothing new.

He repeatedly took swipes at Trump in Curb, and in one scene even recreated the former presidents mug shot photo:

Related...
The air defense forces shot down two aircraft missiles launched by Russia at Odesa from the Black Sea waters, a child was injured as the fragments of the missiles fell down, Head of Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper has said.

"The Russian forces continue their missile terror against Odesa region. The enemy fired two guided air missiles at Odesa from the Black Sea waters. The air defense forces shot down both targets," he said on the Telegram channel on Friday.

According to the official, the fragments of the destroyed missiles fell down in several districts of the city.

"A child was injured and hospitalized," Kiper said.

"Be cautious and if you find hazardous devices, do not try to move them on your own. Call the emergency services and you will receive qualified assistance. The consequences of the attack are being clarified," he said.
GHENT, WV (WVNS)  Public executions are often viewed as a thing of the past, and as they started to disappear as a whole, they also became far less common in West Virginia.

So, when did the last public hanging take place in the Mountain State?

Mountain State Destinations: Pinnacle Rock State Park

According to the West Virginia Encyclopedia, the last public hanging in West Virginia happened on December 16, 1897, when John F. Morgan was hanged after being found guilty of murdering Chloe Greene and two of her three children.

The events leading up to Morgans hanging started on November 3, 1897 in the Grass Lick area of Jackson County. Morgan attacked and murdered Chloe Greene, Jimmy Greene, and Matilda Pfost with a hatchet. Alice Pfost, another daughter, was also attacked by Morgan, however she managed to escape and inform their neighbors. Morgan was then arrested and put in jail in Ripley.

Morgan was charged, tried and found guilty, and sentenced within a span of three days from November 4 through November 6. However, Morgan escaped two weeks before he was to be hung, and it was two days before he was caught.

Korean War soldier from Mercer County officially accounted for

Despite Morgans attempts to avoid his execution, he was hanged on the scheduled date of December 16, 1897. The West Virginia Encyclopedia stated that his hanging was watched by more than 5,000 people, one of which included a New York Sun special reporter.

This was the last public hanging to occur in West Virginia before public executions were later banned and became private.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Like many others in Baltimore, Susana Barrios awoke early Tuesday morning to a flood of messages asking if she was OK. She soon learned that the Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed into the Patapsco River. As with all tragedies, Barrios, vice president of the Latino Racial Justice Circle, wondered if members of her community were affected.

As the news developed over the course of that day, her thought crystallized into fact: six construction workers who were filling potholes during a night shift on the bridge have been presumed dead since Tuesday evening, and on Wednesday, divers found the bodies of two of those men. All six men, plus one construction worker who survived, were Latino, originally from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Once we heard that there were workers on the bridge, and they were missing, we were like, I mean, we assumed that it was gonna be Latinos, Barrios said. When they realized there was people working there and those were the people who were missing, thats when we went to How can we help? mode.

Barrios said that for Latinos, and Latino immigrants in particular, there could be a slew of obstacles to figure out in the wake of a tragedy. For instance, survivors may not have health insurance, though earlier this month, the Maryland Senate passed legislation that would allow undocumented residents to apply to purchase health insurance through the state. Additionally, survivors and family members may face language barriers while attempting to get help and consulates may need to be contacted.

The Latino Racial Justice Circle, which states its mission is to help eliminate systemic racial injustice and everyday incidents of bias and discrimination towards the Latino community, took action Wednesday morning by launching a GoFundMe to support the families of the six bridge collapse victims.

Originally, the organization hoped to raise $18,000 to distribute $3,000 to each family. By the time donations were halted early Wednesday evening, the page had raised more than $98,000  over $16,000 per family and over five times the original goal.

Sometimes we have a hard time raising $10,000 in 10 months, so we never expected that much, Barrios said after a Thursday morning prayer vigil at the Patterson Park Observatory. But we are so grateful.

The Latino Racial Justice Circle, which Barrios described as small and volunteer-run, decided to hand off fundraising efforts to the Baltimore City Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs based on the rapid escalation in donations over less than 12 hours. That office is partnering with the Baltimore Civic Fund, which works with city agencies to administer philanthropic funds.

In less than 24 hours, a new fundraiser collected nearly $94,000, with the smallest donation at $1 and the largest at $2,500, said Rachel Donegan, Baltimore Civic Fund director of partnerships.

Donegan said the fundraiser absolutely does not compare with previous ones shes helped run.

The response has been incredibly quick, incredibly immediate. I think it speaks to the importance of the story, the way that Baltimore City residents and our regional members want to help this set of families, Donegan said. Were just very honored to be able to provide some small measure of support inside that larger chain of support.

Donegan said shes been flooded with emails from churches, businesses and other organizations looking to donate or match contributions with funds that could eventually go towards things like funeral costs, medical expenses or day-to-day needs.

One thing families have already expressed theyll need help paying for is transporting their loved ones bodies back to their home countries once theyve been recovered from the water, said CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres. CASA, which seeks to improve the lives of immigrants and other people of marginalized identities, is encouraging members to donate to the citys fundraiser to directly help families. Torres said CASA has been working with two of those families because the victims were CASA members: Maynor Suazo Sandoval and Miguel Luna.

Torres said that CASA identified those two men by conducting wellness checks for all CASA members living in South Baltimore following the bridge collapse because we know that its our community.

We know where our community works  they are essential workers, they are people who work in all of these very difficult and dangerous jobs, Torres said. We are very honored and very pleased that Miguel and Maynor and the rest of these families are building bridges to connect communities, are building bridges [and] not walls to divide them, and today and always we will honor them and their sacrifices.

The Latino Racial Justice Circle will handle distributing the original influx of donations by partnering with city and county-run immigrant services, Barrios said; representatives from both offices were unavailable for comment Thursday.

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Barrios said her organization is not in direct contact with families but the governmental offices are. She said the families gave permission for the GoFundMe and the plan is to divide up the donations amongst the six families and give checks to each victims next of kin once GoFundMe releases the money.

Barrios said organizations like hers can put responses together quickly because this is what we do every day.

We definitely know that everybody is going to need financial assistance. Those were their breadwinners, they had children, they are going to need money, she said. Its hard but its also reassuring because we see how the community  not just the Latino community, the community in the neighborhoods, Baltimore as a whole, Maryland; we all come together.

Baltimore Sun reporter Christine Condon contributed to this story.
Filing taxes in the United States is a challenging process. Each year, taxpayers grapple with a convoluted, inefficient and perplexing tax filing system. These challenges have an outsize impact on Latino taxpayers, particularly those from low-income, non-English speaking and immigrant households. While individuals of any background face the risk of being targeted by the predatory tax filing industry, Latinos may fall victim to unqualified service providers who prey on our community.

Improving the U.S. tax system is not just a matter of modernizing government systems  its a matter of justice. That is why it is so exciting that millions of eligible taxpayers across the country, including in my home state of Florida, now have an easy, free and secure option this year through the IRS new Direct File pilot program.

The tool, available in 12 states, will allow eligible taxpayers with simple returns to file for free online directly and securely with the IRS. Available in both English and Spanish, users with a SSN or ITIN can visit the Direct File website to see if they are eligible for the pilot program this year.

With tax filing season in full swing, Latinos may turn to for-profit tax preparers. That may include notarios, who sometimes take advantage of those who come from countries where a notario is regarded as a qualified professional with the necessary credentials to file on behalf of immigrants. However, in the United States, these individuals often operate as financial predators, exploiting vulnerabilities within our communities, charging exorbitant fees and putting vulnerable taxpayers in jeopardy with the IRS.

Other Latino filers will turn to online tax filing services, some of which been accused of taking advantage of American taxpayers and falsely marketing their services as free. Others may rely on unregulated storefront tax preparation companies that prey on low-income filers, committing intentional or unintentional errors on tax returns, causing people to miss out on credits they are owed. Recently, both TurboTax and H&R Block have been in hot water with the FTC involving deceptive marketing claims.

The IRS national taxpayer advocate has described the current state of the industry as the wild, wild West, pointing to the level of risk for abuse. An estimated 87 million taxpayers may lose as much as $13 billion annually to unnecessary fees, often because these filers have no other obvious choice. Not only do these fees hit harder in low-income communities, we know that tax preparation companies sometimes prey on people with precarious financial situations.

These tax scams take money directly out of the hands of our communities through hidden added fees and reduce these taxpayers access to important poverty-reducing programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Roughly one in five eligible families dont get their EITC because its too hard or expensive to file taxes. Similarly, Latino and Black families eligible for the expanded CTC were also among the least likely to receive it in 2021. This only exacerbates existing access disparities.

We deserve better. As an organizer and leader of Florida Rising, a statewide grassroots organization working to advance racial equity and expand democracy, I speak every day with hardworking taxpayers, many of whom are from communities targeted by shady tax preparation companies.

They want to pay their fair share and contribute to their communities, and they deserve a tax system that enables them to receive the credits they earn without paying outrageous fees to private companies. If lawmakers want a tax system that works for all people, Direct File should be part of the solution.

Andrea Cristina Mercado is executive director at Florida Rising
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed Ukraine's peace plan, saying it is pointless to ask for Moscow to withdraw its troops from areas it currently occupies.

"We are in any case ready to hold discussions but not on the basis of (President Volodymyr) Zelensky's 'peace formula,'" Lavrov told the Moscow newspaper Izvestia in an interview published on March 29.

Zelensky presented the 10-point peace formula, supported by many Western allies, in November 2022. It includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, and the release of all prisoners of war and deportees.

The proposals also call for punishing those responsible for war crimes, preventing ecocide in Ukraine, and ensuring energy and food security as well as nuclear safety.

Read also: Russia aims to knock out Ukraines power grid in new wave of attacks

"How could any serious politician in Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, or Berlin say that there is no alternative to the Zelenskiy formula," Lavrov said.

Russia has already said it would not attend the Ukraine peace summit scheduled to be held in Switzerland later this year even if it is invited.

Over 160 countries will be invited to discuss Kyiv's peace formula and create a joint document on what must be done to restore the country's sovereignty.

Lavrov said he had met with Swiss officials who had assured him that Russia would be invited as "we understand that nothing can be solved without you, that's unfair."

He also said U.S. attempts to decouple issues such as arms deals from the war in Ukraine were a "joke."

"All this boils down to the fact that foreign policy in the U.S. is being directed by people who don't know how to engage in diplomacy," he added.

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.
A small group of people gather for a vigil on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder in Lafayette Square near the White House on May 25, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the type of legal claim filed regarding the alleged Title VI violation.

Minnesota's North Central University's George Floyd Memorial Scholarship for young Black students is being sued and accused of violating an anti-discrimination law.

A legal complaint filed with the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights on Monday says that the scholarship violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by exclusively qualifying for Black students. The law prohibits intentional discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any federally funded program or activity.

The complaint says the Minnesota public institution is discriminating against non-Black students, including those who identify as white, Hispanic or Asian, from being considered for the scholarship.

"Regardless of NCU's reasons for sponsoring and promoting the (scholarship), it is violating Title VI by doing so," the complaint said.

North Central University did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Thursday.

Scholarship application remains open

The deadline to apply for the scholarship for the 202425 academic year is May 5, with the recipient being selected by June 7. The funds are renewable for four years for students who live on campus.

Among the application requirements are that the applicant must "be a student who is Black or African American, that is, a person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa."

Additionally, students need to submit an essay and two letters of recommendations from community members, as well as demonstrate leadership roles.

Scholarship created in 2020 after Floyd's death

The scholarship was named after George Floyd, the 46-year-old Black man who was killed in Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who held his knee on Floyd's neck while ignoring protests that he couldn't breathe.

North Central University President Scott Hagan announced the scholarship on June 4 at the Minneapolis memorial service for Floyd.

"It is time to invest like never before in a new generation of young black Americans who are poised and ready to take leadership in our nation. So, university presidents, lets step up together," Hagan said, according to a 2020 news release.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Complaint filed accuses George Floyd scholarship of discrimination
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD)  Former employees of Kentwood-based Fifth Wheel Freight are suing the company, claiming they werent paid properly for overtime hours.

Attorneys for four former employees filed the lawsuit against Fifth Wheel Freight and its parent company, B & L Systems, LLC, on March 1, and have requested that other current and former employees may be allowed to join the lawsuit as a class action.

Fifth Wheel Freight is a third-party logistics and transportation company along 44th Street near the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Kentwood. It has more than 200 employees, the lawsuit says.

The company is looking to expand and recently received a $2 million Michigan Business Development Program grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for a potential new West Michigan headquarters.

The former employees who filed the lawsuit worked in a variety of roles at Fifth Wheel Freight, including logistic consultant, sales consultant, senior logistics consultant and dedicated operations representative. They claim the logistics company misclassified them as exempt from getting paid time and a half for overtime hours, as required under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan

The lawsuit says the company frequently required them to work more than 40 hours a week without getting overtime pay, and were required to be on call 24/7.

Fifth Wheel Freight promised first shift employees working hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an unpaid lunch break, the lawsuit says. But employees were instead expected to stay until at least 5:30 p.m., and often had to work during their lunch break, the lawsuit says.

Once first shift workers left, the lawsuit claims they were expected to still respond to phone calls and emails until second shift started at 9 p.m. The company required employees download an app on their personal cellphones that tracked when employees missed customer calls, the lawsuit claims. The attorneys argued the required app, which they say recorded all calls  including personal calls  that went through the employees office number and made a transcript of them, is a violation of the Privacy Act.

Kentwood company receives $2M grant for new HQ

One of the attorneys, Daniel Voelker, told News 8 partner Crains Grand Rapids Business the app also tracked the employees location with GPS, and the employees did not know how much the app was able to monitor. He told Crains the company tracked an employees location when he went to the gym during working hours and reprimanded him.

Not that theres anything wrong with telling your employee he needs to be working (during business hours), he told Crains. The point of that is this is how closely they are monitoring the movements and the whereabouts of their employees.

According to the lawsuit, an employee who had been with the company since 2020 complained to the company about not getting overtime pay, and on Nov. 17, 2023, told a supervisor they needed help between first shift ending and second shift starting, as they were being required to work after 5:30 P.M. without pay.

The employee was fired on Feb. 12 of this year, the lawsuit says, going on to allege it was retaliation for his complaints. Just over a week later on Feb. 21, Fifth Wheel Freight Owner Brian Bennett announced employees could not work past 5 p.m. at the office, as that would be illegal, the lawsuit states.

In a statement to News 8, a Fifth Wheel Freight spokesperson denied the allegations.

We are generally aware of the Complaint allegations and deny them, the company said in the statement. As a Company we do not address legal allegations or claims in the press, but through the appropriate legal process. Therefore, we have retained legal counsel to vigorously defend against what is alleged.

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The former employees attorneys are asking for unpaid wages and overtime pay, attorneys fees and other damages. They have also asked that employees who worked for the company within the last three years be able to opt in to the lawsuit.

One of the attorneys representing the employees, Jonathan D. Karmel, told News 8 in an email that the legal team has heard from other employees.

After the lawsuit was filed, we have been contacted by current and former employees of Fifth Wheel who have provided valuable information, including information confirming allegations in the lawsuit, he wrote. Workers covered by federal and state wage laws are required to be paid for all time worked including those workers who are entitled to overtime.

There is no timeline for the case yet, he said, adding, we are confident that the workers at Fifth Wheel will be compensated as required under the law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Lawmakers are expecting session to wrap up by the end of April at the very latest.

But theres a large elephant in the room, as the House and the Senate remain miles apart on their proposed education freedom voucher legislation to send public tax dollars to private schools. And both sides are staunch that their version is the better version.

Were willing to sit down and have those conversations with them and try to work it out, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) said. Its really up to them on if theyre willing to have any conversations about our version or not, and then well see what happens.

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Weve heard, Were willing to sit down the last three or four weeks from members of leadership. But when is that actually going to happen?

Well, weve sat down, Sexton said. What we get back is they dont like the House version.

The outlook was a little rosier in the Senate.

Well have discussions with the House, whether it be in the Conference Committee or leadership talking to the House leadership, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) said. Well, eventually I think, find a path forward.

Gov. Bill Lee (R-Tennessee) has largely remained out of the public eye while the two sides duke it out. But lawmakers say theres more behind closed doors.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

It doesnt mean that hes not engaged and not having conversation, Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson) said. He has allowed the legislature to work through, sometimes, the painful part of putting a piece of legislation together and he acknowledges that.

When it comes to the actual legislation though, Senate leadership indicated they felt the governor was more comfortable with their version.

I dont want to speak for him, but I think he favors what has happened in the Senate, which is closest to what he proposed, McNally said.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Houses version includes hundreds of millions of dollars in public schools, including more money to cover teacher insurance and a reduction in testing  both aspects they say Senate Republicans are digging their heels in on.

On our side, their problem is they dont think we have too many tests in the classroom, Sexton said. So, theres a part of them that feels like reducing testing and increasing instruction time is not the right direction.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Three people, including two minors, were injured as the fragments of enemy guided missiles destroyed over Odesa region on Friday fell down, Head of Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper has said.

"According to the latest updates, three people were injured as a result of a missile strike against Odesa. They were hospitalized. Two of them are children aged 15 and 10 years old. The people sustained injuries as the fragments fell down. All of them are light and, fortunately, pose no threat to life," he said on the Telegram channel on Friday.

As reported, the Russian occupation forces fired two Kh-59 air missiles at Odesa from the Black Sea waters. Both missiles were shot down. The fragments fell down in several districts of the city. Earlier, Kiper reported that one child was injured.
A state legislative leader says he's concerned that violent incidents, deaths and rapes will increase in Oklahoma prisons if something doesnt change.

State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, said Wednesday his office receives about 30-40 calls a week from inmates, inmates families and former employees who say the Oklahoma Department of Corrections isnt doing enough to address these issues. Humphrey made the statement during a committee meeting at the state Capitol.

Humphrey attributed problems in state prisons to lack of staff.

Others agreed. State Rep. Danny Williams, R-McLoud, said he takes these concerns seriously. He's been notified of things that need to be addressed and knows they're short-staffed.

A Tulsa-area news station, Fox 23, which had received a video of an assault, reported an officer allegedly sexually assaulted an inmate. The officer was fired and arrested after a state Corrections Department internal investigation.

Its serious and it's real, Wiliams said.

During the meeting, Williams formally asked the Corrections Department to provide correctional officer-to-inmate ratios at the Mabel Bassett and John H. Lilley facilities.

Emily Barnes, founder of the advocacy group Hooked on Justice, said she doesn't think the staff numbers given by the department are accurate and, in fact, are lower than reported.

More: Oklahoma state prisons plagued by violence, one of the highest homicide rates in the nation

Humphrey said he thinks the department is covering up a staff shortage, and "when we sweep it under the rug, we're not doing a service to the state of Oklahoma."

[Theres] a large amount of Oklahoma citizens in our custody and for these things to go on, I think we have to address [it], he said.

The state Corrections Department's most recent weekly inmate count on March 25 showed 22,924 people incarcerated, from community correctional centers to maximum security facilities.

How the Department of Corrections reacted to issues raised by Oklahoma lawmakers

At a news conference after the meeting, Kay Thompson, the Correctons Department's chief of media relations, said she was familiar with some of the issues raised by Humphrey and Williams, but not with others. In a media statement, the department said Humphrey made "vague" and multiple untrue claims.

"Rep. Humphrey's commenting deaths within our facilities were preventable is pure speculation," Thompson said.

The department said its inspector generals office has not received any reports from Humphrey and has not received any reports from outside law enforcement agencies. Humphrey said he turned over the information to the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice.

Humphrey said three cases of meningitis had recently occurred in state prisons, but the department said one inmate died and another presented with symptoms but was cleared after extensive tests. The state Corrections Department said it followed health protocols to mitigate the spread. The Oklahoman followed up with the Oklahoma State Department of Health but has not received confirmation.

Opinion: Oklahoma needs to focus on prison reforms, not exploiting inmates with rodeo

As for staffing levels, the department said 30 cadets graduated earlier this month and more applicants are in the interview process. The agency said staff attrition rate is declining, a clear indication of the culture shift within DOC.

ODOC has been open about the need for more security staff," she said.

Thompson said violent incidents have decreased in state prisons since October, after the department revised its misconduct policy and took strategic moves to house certain security threat groups together, which reduces the violence between gangs.

Were actually making strategic, data-driven decisions to decrease the violence inside our facilities, she said.

The 30 to 40 calls a week Humphrey's office gets and the 5 to 10 that Barnes, from Hooked on Justice, said she receives are usually about violence, death and extortion that inmates say are not isolated incidents, both of them said. Humphrey added that even though inmates are serving a prison sentence, they do not deserve to live in such conditions.

We have not even had a conversation on what corrections should be ... changing inmate behavior, so when they come out, they become a part of the workforce and taxpayers and not a burden on the system, he said.

Humphrey has raised concerns in the past. In January, he called for an independent investigation into the department after claims of increased violent assaults against inmates and state Corrections Department staff, as well as an examination of the agencys budget and how the department spends its funds.

Stabbings, assaults and rapes appear to have become a near daily occurrence, Humphrey said in calling for the investigation.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Violence in Oklahoma prisons will increase without reform: Lawmaker
When Miami-Dades mayor unveiled her plan to borrow $2.5 billion to tackle flooding, housing costs and other challenges during a January speech at Zoo Miami, even her closest allies in county government were stunned to hear the news.

What about f------ transportation? Commissioner Eileen Higgins was overheard saying from the board members seats in the fifth row for Mayor Daniella Levine Cavas Jan. 24 State of the County address. At that moment, a top aide texted Higgins from a few seats away: What?!?!!!?!?

The negative reaction from Higgins, one of the most reliable supporters of Levine Cava on the County Commission, captures the challenges ahead for the Democratic mayor navigating reeleection in an increasingly red Miami-Dade while also trying to orchestrate public support for the countys largest bond referendum in 20 years.

I was elected to make sure that we can take care of our community  not just right now, but into the future, Levine Cava, a former commissioner elected mayor in 2020, said in a recent interview. We have some critical needs.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade mayor wants county voters to approve $2.5B borrowing plan in November

If passed, the plan would generate between $100 million and $200 million a year to reduce groundwater pollution by septic tanks, fortify downtown Miami against hurricane surges, jump-start construction of apartment complexes with rent caps and working-class pricing, and fund other long-term projects. Spending on parks projects could go up 35% a year and more than double county money for housing projects, according to borrowing estimates from Levine Cavas office and current budget figures. The mayors plan is to divvy up the $2.5 billion into four borrowing packages: $800 million for housing; $750 million for flood-control and climate-change projects; $700 million for parks; and $250 million for neighborhood-level spending.

The tax impact would be relatively small: On the $1,427 yearly tax bill for county services for a home worth about $400,000, the median value in Miami-Dade, the proposed $2.5 billion bond would add less than $6 a year, according to Levine Cavas budget office.

READ MORE: Can Trump finally win Miami-Dade County? An early poll highlights Democratic worries

But a Republican challenger is already releasing attack ads against the borrowing proposal Levine Cava wants voters to approve in a November referendum. The government of GOP stronghold Hialeah on Feb. 13 took the extraordinary step of opposing the bond plan, even though it would likely steer millions of county dollars to projects inside city limits of the countys second-largest municipality. Miami Lakes, a town led by a Republican challenger to Levine Cava, took a similar position.

To get permission to borrow $2.5 billion from Wall Street investors over the next three decades, Levine Cava must first get a majority of 13 county commissioners to put the referendum on the ballot and then persuade voters to endorse paying more property taxes to pay off the debt.

Here are some of the challenges facing Levine Cava for both tasks.

Her $2.5 billion target is much smaller than the last time Miami-Dade borrowed money for decades of spending. The politics of 20 years ago helped drive this years $2.5 billion target. In November, the mayors campaign quietly polled support for a bond package  and landed on $2.5 billion because it was in line with what passed in 2004 when Miami-Dade commissioners last sent a sprawling, countywide bond plan to county voters. That borrowing program, branded the Building Better Communities plan, passed by wide margins on Election Day. I picked this amount because it was consistent with the previous successful bond program, Levine Cava said in an interview. I think its a meaningful amount of money at minimal cost to taxpayers.

In todays dollars, the 2004 target would be worth about $4.9 billion now, according to a federal inflation calculator. Thats leaving Levine Cava with less money for the kinds of projects that could build support from commissioners, municipal leaders and the public. I will guarantee there are requests I have [for my district] that she has not included in her plan, said Keon Hardemon, a Miami-Dade commissioner.

She kept her plan a surprise, then left her administration to play catch up. Public records and interviews show the mayors campaign team knew the framework of the bond plan months before the professionals in Miami-Dade government, who spent the weeks after the speech working tight deadlines to compile project lists. You need this input by Friday, correct? Lourdes Gomez, director of the countys Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, wrote on Tuesday, Feb. 6, to a staff member who asked for her feedback on a list of would-be bond projects circulating within the agency. Gomez wanted her department, which oversees the countys resiliency office, to work with its municipal counterparts on flooding priorities, and time was running short ahead of the budget offices Feb. 9 deadline for submissions for the full bond target list.

I am not sure when/who will reach out to cities but as soon as we get more guidance, we can share that with you, Patricia Gomez, head of the countys resiliency office, wrote in an email that day with Urgent coordination call in the subject heading.

Two months after the Jan. 24 speech, the Levine Cava administration has yet to release a list of proposed projects for the bond program.

Miami-Dade has many more needs than what the bond dollars can cover. Emails the Miami Herald obtained through a public-records request offer an early look at the projects under consideration for the final bond proposal, which the administration expects to submit to commissioners in April. A February spreadsheet of potential resilience projects alone, including purchasing wetlands to fortify the Everglades and upgrading canals to reduce flooding, totaled $2.8 billion for a bond category thats only assigned a $750 million budget in Levine Cavas plan. The countys Public Housing and Community Development Department produced a list of more than two dozen projects that would build more than 12,000 new housing units, which would require $3.1 billion from the 2024 bond  far more than the $800 million for housing in Levine Cavas borrowing plan.

A rendering of the planned Cutler Manor complex after a planned $104 million redevelopment by its owner, the non-profit developer Preservation of Affordable Housing. Known as POAH, the developer is using a mix of funds from Miami-Dade County, Florida and the federal government to build the 445-unit project, which will have a mix of low-income, affordable and market-rate apartments and townhouses. Miami Herald file photo

Even so, the bond would generate significant new dollars Miami-Dade could use for loans or grants to housing developers awaiting funding to launch projects aimed at low-income and working-class renters.

It would be the most the county has ever done before. It would be a very meaningful step, said Annie Lord, executive director of the advocacy group Miami Homes For All. She described Levine Cavas proposed $800 million housing bond as jump-starting the development of lower-cost apartments that rely on a mix of state, federal and local funds to make the projects viable. When the locality takes that kind of big step, others follow suit and follow the lead, she said.

Easy victory or tough sell?

Levine Cava sees the referendum as a bold use of her political standing while she seeks a second term. Rather than playing it safe in what her polling says should be an easy reelection in August, shes asking voters for a small increase in property taxes to invest in a generations worth of county projects that will mostly be funded after Levine Cava leaves office.

This historic approach will turn around the follies of the past and build for the future, Levine Cava said in January in the open-air Zoo Miami auditorium when announcing the 305 Future Ready bond plan in English, Spanish and Creole. The future will be stronger, safer, and more resilient than ever before.

Miami-Dade already has a half-percent sales tax that can fund debt for transportation projects, passed in a 2002 referendum. Asked why she didnt include transit in her bond proposal, Levine Cava pointed to existing funding but noted that county commissioners will have the final say on the project list for the 305 Future Ready bonds and could add funding for transportation if theyd like.

Christian Ulvert, Levine Cavas longtime consultant who runs her political committee Our Democracy, said the mayor raised the idea of a bond referendum in September after internal polls showed her in a strong position for reelection with voters.

He remembers her argument: Thats political capital, she told him. I want to be bold and go to the voters with something that will make a difference. Im not afraid to go to the voters.

Minutes after Levine Cavas State of the County speech concluded in January, Ulvert released a summary of a November poll by the mayors political committee stating that 79% of the 500 likely voters polled by EMC Research approved of the proposal.

But a full report from the poll, obtained by the Herald, shows a more challenging task ahead for Levine Cava.

When told that Miami-Dade was considering asking voters to approve a property tax increase for a bond that would fund better sidewalks and other neighborhood improvements, 60% of the respondents were against it. Only when pollsters used vague legalese for property taxes  saying money for housing, resilience and parks would come from ad valorem taxes  did the bond proposals win support by comfortable margins.

I think its a liability for her, said Emiliano Antunez, a political consultant working for one of Levine Cavas Republican challengers, Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid. This will be a controversial issue. Im happy about that.

Cid released an online attack ad against Levine Cavas bond proposal two weeks after her speech.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava now wants us to trust her with an additional $2.5 billion of our tax dollars, the ad posted on YouTube says. Weve had enough  

Miami-Dade already has a property tax dedicated to paying off voter-authorized debt.

Currently it covers payments for about $2.3 billion in debt. Thats mostly from the 2004 referendum and one passed in 2013 that pledged $830 million for the Jackson public hospital system, according to a March 18 memo by the commissions Office of Policy and Budgetary Affairs. The tax currently costs about $44 for every $100,000 of a propertys taxable value. It rarely gets attention: When the county commission in 2021 voted to increase it 6% to cover the next years debt payments, the change passed unanimously without debate.

But asking voters for permission to increase the tax can be a challenge. In 2014, voters rejected increasing the debt tax to fund a new county civil courthouse, which is now being constructed with other funds.

Presidential politics could be a boon for Levine Cava in a fall bond campaign  or it could be a problem. The November survey showed Democrats favoring all four bond spending categories  housing, resilience, parks and neighborhood improvements  but a majority of Republicans were against all but the housing proposal. Democrats remain on top of voter rolls in a county that Joe Biden won by seven points in 2020, but Republicans are narrowing the gap and Levine Cavas own survey showed Donald Trump winning Miami-Dade by double digits.

In 2004, county leaders targeted a presidential election for the bond campaign, correctly predicting that higher voter turnout would help get the referendum passed. But Levine Cavas launch departs from how that rollout unfolded 20 years ago.

The last time Miami-Dade County pursued bonds to fund projects countywide was in 2004. George Burgess was the county manager then and he and his staff held dozens of meetings with civic groups and other organizations as the county assembled a list of projects to be funded by new property taxes.

Then-Mayor Alex Penelas was not the face of the proposal. Instead, county commissioners in 2003 instructed administrators to study what the county needed and come back with a list of projects. County staff conducted dozens of meetings over 10 months with civic groups, municipal governments and other organizations to get feedback and make the case for a massive borrowing plan.

The more we listened to people express their concerns and their interests, and the more you explained things, you started building support, said George Burgess, the county manager at the time.

Penelas, who tried to win back his old job in the 2020 race that Levine Cava won, predicted shell be facing far more organized pushback to her bond proposal than advocates did two decades ago.

A lot of politicians are speaking up against it, he said. We didnt have any of that.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, third from left, looks over a Pride flag before it was raised above the Stephen P. Clark County Hall facility on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. To her immediate right is Oliver Gilbert, chair of the Miami-Dade County Commission, and two down from her left is Eileen Higgins, a Miami-Dade commissioner. Also photographed: State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens and Sarah Kavanagh, Irelands consul general in Miami. DOUGLAS HANKS/dhanks@miamiherald.com

For now, Levine Cavas biggest challenge may be getting the bond question to voters in November. Miami-Dade has a July deadline for submitting referendum questions, and shes expecting a commission vote in May.

That leaves about eight weeks to lock down support on a board where some members have been cool or hostile to the plan. Commissioners Kevin Cabrera and Rene Garcia have both said theyll vote against the plan.

Oliver Gilbert, the board chairman who controls the legislative agenda, declined an interview request but did go public with how surprised he was to learn about the $2.5 billion plan from Levine Cavas speech. A few seats away from Gilbert, Higgins was exchanging texts with Maggie Fernandez, the commissioners chief of staff, who once worked for Burgess, the county manager during the 2004 bond.

I cant, Fernandez wrote back after Higgins noted that Levine Cava hadnt mentioned transit in the bond priorities. This is NOT how you roll out a bond program. It will die before it starts.

Weeks later, Higgins said she isnt ready to support Levine Cavas proposal.

I still havent seen a plan, she told the Herald on March 22. If transit is not included, Im a hard no.
A Lexington school worker is off the job after leaving a handgun on the seat of their car parked at an elementary school Wednesday, town officials say.

Lexington town officials say police received a call shortly after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning after staff member spotted an unattended handgun inside a parked car at Estabrook Elementary School. Officials say the holstered handgun was in plain view and left on the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Officers worked with school staff to identify the owner of the car. The staff member who owned the car provided a valid Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms and admitted to owning the gun and leaving it on the seat, police say.

According to town officials, the firearm and license were seized and the staff member was placed on administrative leave.

The individual will be charged with Improper storage of a firearm and carrying a firearm on school property, officials said.

Police say no threats were made and no students or staff were in any danger.

The Lexington Police and School Department are dedicated to providing a safe environment for students and staff on all district campuses, Lexington town officials said in a statement. We commend the School Department and Administrative Staff of the Estabrook School for their collaboration, specifically, the staff member who observed a potentially hazardous situation on school property and immediately notified the proper channels.

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Ukrainian law enforcement officials have documented a series of human rights abuses committed by Russian military personnel against LGBTQ individuals in the occupied right-bank area of Kherson Oblast, according to a recent report by the Ukrainian NGO Projector, released on March 27.

Projector, in collaboration with the charity Insha and supported by Outright International, conducted a comprehensive investigation into the violations of LGBTQ rights, gender-based offenses, and war crimes targeting LGBTQ people in Ukrainian territories that have been under occupation.

The report indicates that individuals were targeted for their sexual orientation and gender identity, leading to acts of torture and sexual violence. Throughout the investigation, Projector's legal team interviewed 51 LGBTQ community members and prepared 18 detailed survey reports, highlighting eight personal accounts of torture.

Read also: Russian woman faces pre-trial detention for wearing colorful earrings, resembling LGBT pride flag

"Among the committed crimes described in the written statements there were tortures, imprisonments, sexual violence, and severe deprivation of physical freedom, constituting violations of the basic norms of international law," the report said.

One such case is that of 22-year-old civilian Oleksii, who stayed in Kherson during its occupation. Russian soldiers at a checkpoint scrutinized his phone, uncovering LGBTQ-related content, and subsequently detained and brutally assaulted him for having patriotic Ukrainian tattoos. While imprisoned, he was forced to wear a red dress during interrogations by the Russian FSB.

Read also: Ukrainians denounce church's discrimination  public figures return awards after UOC KP revokes medal from openly gay soldier

The report also sheds light on the broader treatment of detainees, including physical abuse, electrocution, forced ingestion of the Ukrainian flag, minimal sustenance, and restricted access to hygiene, with shower privileges granted arbitrarily. Some detainees were coerced into performing sexual acts in exchange for basic necessities.

In addition to Oleksii's story, the report describes the horrific experiences of several other LGBTQ community members, as well as the crimes Russians committed against the organization Insha.

There are accounts of severe sexual abuse, including rape, with one individual reportedly committing suicide following the ordeal.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
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.

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.

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Last month, the conservative writer Ramesh Ponnuru published an op-ed in The Washington Post arguing that Democrats have lost the debate about the role of courts in our democracy. He detailed how conservatives over two generations developed a comprehensive strategy, including politically powerful rhetoric, to shift the federal courts toward their way of thinking. Judges shouldnt rewrite the law in the guise of interpreting it, they said; judges should be umpires, not players taking a turn at bat, wrote Ponnuru, the editor of National Review. Conservatives warned against letting judges have wide leeway to fill in the meaning of apparently vague language, instead urging them to be constrained by what the informed public understood the words of the law meant when it was ratified. By which he means, of course, originalism.



Ponnuru is right. Conservatives have won this debateor at least are winning it handilybecause they recognized ages ago that theyre engaged in a political war, that the war is about the substantive meaning of the Constitution, and that politically effective rhetoric is critical to victory. The left, with a few notable exceptions Ill highlight below, has not. That must change, quickly and drastically, if theres to be any hope of preserving liberal governance from the Supreme Court supermajority we may have to live with for decades and from the broader threats to constitutional democracy were witnessing on a scale unequalled since the Civil War. And the left should wage this war on the conservatives own turf.

Ponnuru might be right about conservatives rhetorical success, but the tacit premise of his essaythat conservatives alone embrace originalismis dead wrong. That could have been a fair point in the 1980s, when President Reagans second-term Attorney General Edwin Meese, Judge Robert Bork, Justice Antonin Scalia, and other luminaries of the new legal right first hoisted the banner of originalismand liberal Justice William Brennan responded with a dubious counterpoint slogan, living constitutionalism. But not today. While some in the media and even in the Democratic Party conflate originalism with legal conservatism, a compelling contrary vision has emerged on the left: that rigorous fidelity to the text and history of the Constitutiona holistic interpretation that includes its amendments as well as legislative debates at the time, as opposed to conservatives penchant for cherry-picking isolated provisions out of contextoften yields liberal results.

As Harvard Laws Cass Sunstein wrote in this magazine nearly a quarter-century ago, while Justice Scalia is the most famous originalist; in the law schools the most influential originalist may be Akhil Reed Amar, an ingenious and prolific scholar. Unlike conservative originalists, he observed, Amar contends that a fair reading of text and history supports liberal, sometimes even radical, conclusions. Amar was soon joined by his Yale Law colleague Jack Balkin, who likewise stressed, We follow the original meaning of words in order to preserve the Constitutions legal meaning over time, as required by the rule of law. But along with Amar, Balkin recognized that the Constitutions terse terminology, many of its specific provisions, and key explanations by the Framers prescribed broad authority for future generations to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving political and moral precepts.

The vision elaborated by the two Yale professors and their followers is not simply a liberal spin on the rights approach to originalism. If anything, its more punctilious in plumbing the original meaning of particular text and in contextually grounding interpretations in the overallamendeddocument. Unlike the conservative originalists channeled by Ponnuru, they cast the Constitution, in Balkins terms, as a framework  not to prevent future decisionmaking but to enable it. As Amar asks, How did later generations of constitutional Amenders reconfigure the system? In other words, as with any legal document, amendments can change not only the thrust of the whole, but the meaning of pre-amendment provisions and decisions. For example, the Nineteenth Amendment, which barred denial or abridgment of the right to vote on the basis of sex, should render constitutionally suspect laws disadvantaging women enacted during the centuries when women were barred from choosing the legislators who adopted gender-discriminatory laws, as well as judicial decisions upholding them. More specifically, this means that the Nineteenth Amendment should have effectively stripped from constitutional law the misogynistic traditions relied upon by Justice Samuel Alitos Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health opinion that overturned Roe.

Liberal originalists most important contribution is the insight they share with Ponnuru and his conservative allies: that constitutional interpretation is not just for judges and lawyers in lawsuits but rather forged in what Amar has called a constitutional conversation and others have labeled popular constitutionalism. Balkin starts a 1998 law review article, co-authored with University of Texass Sanford Levinson, with Frederick Douglasss famous 1860 speech in Glasgow, Scotland, rebutting Dred Scott v. Sandford, the U.S. Supreme Courts noxious ruling that the Constitution barred African American individuals from citizenship or any rights that a white men is bound to respect. In that speech, Douglass advanced what he called a strict constructionist argument that only the text, not the subjective expectations of drafters or ratifiers, or commentaries or judges who wished to give the text a meaning apart from its plain reading, was adopted as the Constitution of the United States. Nowhere in the document did the word slavery appear, Douglass noted, nor any provisions preventing Congress or individual states from abolishing slavery. Just as Douglasss antislavery reading of the Constitution eventually became the law of the land, Balkin and Levinson stressed that transformational constitutional changes typically start with well-designed political and social movements that articulate new interpretations and move them from off the wall to on the wall, well before they are blessed by the Supreme Court.

Unlike Douglass, contemporary liberal leaders largely have not recognized that, in our democratic polity, battles over the meaning of the Constitution are inherently political, and must be waged as such. To correct that ahistorical misperception, liberals must shed a related habit: the visceral antagonism to the label originalism. Berkeley Law dean and star litigator Erwin Chemerinsky, with whom I rarely disagree and whom I hugely admire, published a book in 2022 whose title, Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism, unwittingly reinforces Ponnurus false claim that liberals have nothingno strategy, no theory to counter conservatives originalism. They do, as Ive demonstrated above, but liberal leaders have largely failed to engage with conservatives originalist sloganeering.

The label originalism itself does not, of course, galvanize broad swaths of everyday Americans; most do not know or care what it means, if they have heard it at all. But conservatives endless professions of fealty to originalism, together with liberals long-standing scorn or indifferent silence, has led to widespread credence that conservatives take seriously the actual words of the Constitution and what the Framers had in mind when they wrote or ratified them, and liberals  well, not so much. Given Americans veneration of the Constitution as secular scripture and their regard for the rule of law, such perceptions, left unanswered, damage liberal prospects in the wars over the Constitution and the courts.

Liberals also often fail to expose conservative stratagems that purport to be originalist but actually bypass the original meaning of that text. A good example appears in Ponnurus op-ed. He writes that broad language in the Constitution must be constrained by what the informed public understood the law meant when it was ratified, which is vague enough to allow for the actual enacted language to be subordinate to contemporaneous societal practice. But this brand of argument has long been discredited, by principled conservative originalists no less than liberals. Were it otherwise, Brown v. Board of Education, which outlawed state-sponsored racial segregation in schools, could never have been decided; when the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted, racial segregation prevailed in schools at all levels across the nation, North as well as South.

Similar examples abound. In his Dobbs opinion, Justice Alito argued that when the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in 1868, a majority of states outlawed abortion; hence, its drafters and ratifiers could not have intended its broad phrases to sanction a right to abortion. In a co-authored dissent, the three liberal justices, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor, countered that the the Framers (both in 1788 and 1868) ... did not define rights by reference to the specific practices existing at the time. After all, laws are routinely enacted to change existing practices, not freeze them.

The Dobbs dissent yields two points important for liberals. First, there is no inconsistency or conflict between embracing originalist messaging and highlighting the equally, often more important messaging Justice Breyer in particular famously favors, about real-world consequences at stake in politically significant legal battles. En route to spelling out the cataclysmic impact of freeing states to outlaw abortion, Breyer and his two colleagues recognized that it only strengthens their case to enlist the Constitutions text and its Framers on their side: In the words of the great Chief Justice John Marshall, our Constitution is intended to endure for ages to come, and must adapt itself to a future seen dimly, if at all. That is indeed why our Constitution is written as it is. And this Court  has kept true to the Framers principles by applying them in new ways, responsive to new societal understandings and conditions. Second, liberals do not need to talk the talk by embracing the label of originalism. They just need to walk the walk, by similarly deploying canny text- and history-based arguments.

Americas long-held democratic principles are under threat by the far right, and yet too many liberals remain reluctant to rebrand and wrap themselves in the Constitution and its amendments. But its those texts themselves, and their historical context, that can save the very liberal governance that those documents prescribeif only the left would learn to embrace and reframe them for the better of the nation. This is an existential struggle, and doing nothing is not an option.
A fertilizer spill at a farming cooperative has contaminated a nearly 50-mile stretch of river, killing 750,000 fish, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

NEW Cooperative, Inc. in Red Oak notified officials Monday, March 11, that a valve on an above ground tank storing liquid nitrogen fertilizer was left open all weekend, according to a March 28 news release from the agency.

Approximately 265,000 gallons of fertilizer poured into a drainage ditch before making its way into the East Nishnabotna River, the agency said.

Gary Moritz of NEW Cooperative told McClatchy News on March 29 the company had no comment at this time.

DNR Fisheries staff documented the fish kill occurring in all 49.8 miles of the East Nishnabotna and Nishnabotna Rivers downstream of the spill, officials said.

The spill ended near where the Nishnabotna River meets the Missouri River, officials said.

This was such a large amount of chemical, it more than likely killed the fish from acute toxicity  killing cells at the gills, John Lorenzen, a fisheries biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, told the Des Moines Register.

As of March 28, about 750,000 fish are estimated to have been killed as a result of the spill, with more than 700,000 being minnows, the agency said.

Carp, catfish and bass were among the more than one dozen fish species also impacted.

The estimated value of the small fish is about $85,000, and the estimated value of the catfish would be about $115,000, Chris Larson, a fisheries supervisor for the DNR told the Des Moines Register.

A restitution payment has not yet been decided, officials said. The maximum amount the DNR can fine an entity responsible for a fish kill is $10,000, the Des Moines Register reports.

Officials say cleanup efforts are ongoing, including the removal of contaminated soil.

This is the fifth-largest fish kill on record for the state of Iowa, data shows. The state record for the largest fish kill occurred in 2001, when a fertilizer spill killed nearly 1.3 million fish.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  From robot dogs to the latest developments in virtual reality, there was a lot to see at the 10th annual Arkansas STEM Festival.

More than 2,000 students from elementary through high school attended the festival at the Hall of Industry at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds on Thursday morning.

Hendrix College gets $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant for STEM scholarships

The event, which was hosted by LISA Academy, is geared towards getting students prepared to learn the skills they need moving forward.

This is their hands-on learning and their ability to communicate and talk about it and share their learning with others. Getting that student ready for the 21st century skills and all the things they need to be global leaders, entrepreneurs, inventors and all the things we want them to be as citizens of the world, Bethany Ratermann, director of communications for Lisa Academy said.

Pine Bluff School District hopes new STEM program inspires students

This years exhibits focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

To learn more about LISA Academy, visit them online at LisaAcademy.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Churches in and around Arkansas will be celebrating Easter Sunday, March 31, with sunrise services.

Sunrise services celebrate Jesus no longer in the tomb that morning.

Arkansas Storm Team Forecast: Updated Easter Weekend Forecast

This list has churches with sunrise services starting before 9 a.m. Some exceptions were made if church activity begins before 9 a.m., followed by an Easter service.

Little Rock

Ashbury United Methodist Church, sunrise service at 6:50 a.m., 1700 Napa Valley Dr., Little Rock. Traditional service at 9 a.m.

Henderson United Methodist Church sunrise service at 7 a.m., 13000 W Baseline Rd, Little Rock. Pancake breakfast to follow.

Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive services at 8:30 and 11 a.m., 600 Pleasant Valley Drive.

St. Marks Episcopal Church, Eucharist service at 8 a.m., 1000 North Mississippi, Little Rock. An Easter egg hunt and breakfast will follow at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Eucharist Service at 10:30 a.m., followed by another Easter egg hunt and an additional Eucharist Service at 5 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Holy Eucharist 7 a.m., 9 a.m., Eggstravaganza at 10:30 a.m. then Holy Eucharist, 11 a.m., 310 W. 17th St.

North Little Rock

Central Baptist Church of North Little Rock, sunrise service at 7:30 a.m. in the yard in front of the sanctuary, breakfast to follow, 5200 Fairway Ave., North Little Rock. Worship at 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Sherwood

Levy United Methodist Church, North Pulaski United Methodist Church, and Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church will celebrate together with Word, Song, and Praise with service beginning at 6:30 a.m. March 31, 9921 Highway 107, Sherwood. Free pancake breakfast to follow.

Indianhead Lake Baptist Church at 6:30 a.m., March 31, 8601 Indianhead Dr., Sherwood. Sunday school will follow at 9:45 a.m., and worship at 11 a.m.

Jacksonville

Kaleo Church of Arkansas at 7 a.m., March 31, 213 N James St., Jacksonville. Breakfast to follow then a 10 a.m. family service.

El Paso

Crossroad Cowboy Church, breakfast at 7 a.m. followed by service at 9 a.m., 3701 Highway 5, El Paso. After service, there will be an Easter egg hunt in the 2Bar2 Arena.

Hot Springs

First United Methodist Church at 6:30 a.m., March 31, Arlington Lawn. Traditional services follow at 9 and 11 a.m.

Heber Springs

Mountain Top Cowboy Church sunrise service at 6:45 a.m., 45 Heber Springs Rd. W, Heber Springs. Resurrection Morning Service to follow at 9 a.m.

Russellville

All Saints Episcopal Church service at 8 a.m., 501 S Phoenix Ave., Russellville. A potluck breakfast will follow at 9:15 a.m., and the worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m.

What Arkansas stores, restaurants are open for Easter 2024?

Plumerville

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, with other churches and guests joining at 6:30 a.m. March 31, 896 Highway 92, Plumerville, north parking lot. Service is scheduled to end at 7:15 a.m., followed by breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and a special Easter service at 10:30 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
When Dr. Rachel Levine, a pediatrician who oversaw Pennsylvanias health system, was nominated and approved to be the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the LGBTQ+ community and allies erupted in celebration and support. As a trans woman with significant influence over Americas health care, Dr. Levine survived a GOP lawmaker onslaught of dissension on her nomination. Regardless, Dr. Levine prevailed, and the community gained another notch of pride with one of the foremost medical experts of our time taking a senior role at one of the most crucial times in our health system.



And the pride was well-founded in this amazing public servant who now also chairs the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic (NSCSS) Federal Task Force. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Levine at the White House last June for the president and Dr. Bidens Pride celebration. I found her very engaged, educated, and proactive on health issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Her focus on the growing sexual health realities of LGBTQ+ people and other Americans, including trans health issues, mental health struggles, suicides, STIs, and HIV was impressive and heartening coming from a government official. Her passion and commitment to progress was evident, and all of America can truly take pride in an outstanding example of the best of our community representing all of us in government.

Now, nearly three years later, its time for the LGBTQ+ community to transition from pride to support by listening and leading with action to Dr. Levines recent blunt messages that sexually transmitted diseases, specifically syphilis, are rising to historic levels and its up to each of us to stop spread. Data released in January from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and further reinforced by Dr. Levines guidance, shows a sharp uptick in the number of syphilis cases, with a 17 percent rise over the previous years number. With 2.5 million STD cases reported to the CDC in 2022, its likely a huge undercount given lack of knowledge, contract tracing, testing, treatments, and stigmatization of STIs, especially among LGBTQ+ people.

According to an HHS release, (Syphilis) cases in nearly every demographic group and region increased, as did disparities in the burden of disease among certain racial and ethnic populations. So now I appeal to the LGBTQ+ community to take collective action and lead by following Dr. Levines good guidance. The best path forward to protect each other from spreading STIs starts with each one of us.

Collective action is not new to the LGBTQ+ community, evidenced when we faced other sexual disease threats, such as taking PrEP in record numbers to prevent HIV and getting inoculated in mass numbers to drive down the mpox outbreak of 2022. Incongruous to this great progress against HIV, many of us have collectively relaxed our use of condoms, dental dams, and the like, which have driven the rise in other STIs with growing mutations that can become resistant to antibiotics and other treatments.

Dr. Levine continually advises that we need to make testing a regular part of our self-care. If you are sexually active and getting tested every three months as part of your PrEP treatment, make sure your doctors are screening for all other STIs. In the meantime, if you ever fear you've been exposed, it is the time to cease sexual activity with others temporarily, get tested and, if positive, take prescribed treatment before resuming normal sexual activity. Most importantly, if you ever test positive for syphilis or other diseases, its time to rise above the stigma and participate in contract tracing with recent sexual partners to help alert and encourage testing and treatment.

The LGBTQ+ community can help lead all other Americans on collective action to stop the spread of syphilis and other STIs. To show full pride in Dr. Levines appointment at HHS is to respect her guidance to stay healthy, get tested regularly, take the treatments as prescribed, and participate in contact tracing to the stop the spread. Its increasingly up to all of us, and as proven in the recent past, the LGBTQ+ community is expert in exerting collective action to protect each other far beyond any assistance of our government.

Michael D. Kelley is a cofounder and a principal LGBTQ+ shareholder of equalpride, publisher of The Advocate. His opinion pieces represent his own viewpoints and not necessarily those of equalpride or its affiliates, partners, or management.




Zelenskyy on shelling of two HPPs by Russia: not only Ukraine, but also Moldova under threat

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said during a meeting of the Supreme Commander's Headquarters Staff (Stavka) that Russia's deliberate shelling of Kanivska and Dnistrovska hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to Moldova.

"Russian terrorists have been hitting the Ukrainian energy sector again. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko, Chairmen of the Boards of Ukrenergo and Naftogaz Volodymyr Kudrytsky and Oleksiy Chernyshov reported on the damage and restoration work. We discussed the most effective methods of physical protection and their implementation at other facilities," the President wrote on Telegram.

Also, as Zelenskyy noted, Kanivska and Dnistrovska hydroelectric power plants became conscious targets of the enemy that night.

"The terrorist country wants a repeat of the ecological disaster in Kherson region. But now not only Ukraine is under threat, but also Moldova. The water will not stop in front of the border posts, just as the Russian war will not stop if we dont stop it together in Ukraine in time," he said.

The Staff HQ participants also discussed the conclusion of contracts for the supply of weapons and ammunition in the near future and for the future.

In particular, according to the President, the need for air defense has come to the fore.

"Due to the intensity of the Russian shelling, it is necessary to replenish supplies faster. He instructed to strengthen work with partners. We are counting on their quick reaction," he wrote.

The President also said that this was the first meeting of the Stavka, which was convened by new Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), Oleksandr Lytvynenko.
Tears started rolling when deaconess Phyliss Jackson-Polk learned that shed won a new home from HGTV.

As most Christians celebrate the days leading up to Easter, one New Orleans church volunteer has an extra reason to rejoice and be glad. During this Holy Week, HGTV announced New Orleans resident and deaconess Phyliss Jackson-Polk as the winner of its 2023 Urban Oasis home giveaway.

I never thought this would happen to me. I thought it was a prank until I saw Brian at my door, she said in a press release referring to the homes designer, Brian Patrick Flynn. Tears started rolling down my face because it was just so surreal that this was actually happening to me.

Now feeling on top of the world, Jackson-Polk, 73, was shocked by the news after years of entering HGTV home sweepstakes. Randomly selected from over 73 million entries, the New Orleans deaconess not only wins a newly built and fully furnished home valued at over $850,000 but also a new 2023 Mercedes-Benz SUV, $50,000 and a five-year supply of paper towels from the giveaways sponsor Viva.

To deliver the news, Jackson-Polks nephew, Lloyd, his wife, Tash, and the HGTV team worked together to make it extra special.

My aunt Phyliss, shes always been a pillar of strength for our family, Lloyd said, per People magazine. Shes always been the one to go to if you needed someone to talk to.

Similarly, her family added that Jackson-Polks win is especially well deserved as she constantly gives back to her community and even sends out inspirational messages to over a hundred people every day.

The giveaway winner and her husband, Clark, will be moving into a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom 2,259-square-foot home in Louisville, Kentucky. Inspired by the citys history, the open-concept home has a modern luxury feel with sprinkles of Southern charm in its decor. Jackson-Polk said she loves the homes bright, sunshine-yellow front door and looks forward to lounging on her new back porch with a cup of coffee.

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The post Look at God: New Orleans deaconess wins HGTVs 2023 Urban Oasis home giveaway appeared first on TheGrio.
CHARLEVOIX  One hundred and fifty years ago, Charlevoix Sentinel editor Willard A. Smith showed his true colors once again when he lambasted an area editor for stealing one of Smiths articles for use as his own.

Smith had previously raked over the editor of the Cheboygan paper for having done so more than once. Now it was the turn of a paper to the south. March 28,1874: Another ThiefGodwin, the whiskey-sucking editor of the Manistee standard, recently published an article in his paper as original, which he purloined from the columns of the SENTINEL. If the thieving skunk repeats the act, Northern Michigan will be heard from.

Sounds like a journalistic version of the Wild West.

Smith also excoriated party or parties unknown who were supplying alcohol to Charlevoixs youth. Where Does It BelongOf late, drunkenness has been on the increase in Charlevoix, and to such an extent as to be not only unpleasant but alarming. On Thursday evening last a most startling and sorrowful case came under our notice, at the mere thought of which we shudder. When the poison liquid is dealt out to young men in such quantities as to rob them of their reason and render them maniacs, it is high time that public opinion should be directed against the evil in an emphatic and effective manner. We know not at whose door this flagrant sin lies, neither do we care; but the individual or individuals who are guilty should be visited with the most severe penalty that the law will allow. Who is the man?

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In the same issue, Smith brought up again the question of how a replacement bridge would be funded, as mentioned in recent Looking Backs. The question was how much the country should be expected to appropriate versus how much Charlevoix Township, of which the settlement was then a part, should be obligated. Their thinking was poles apart. The county vote was no, backed up by the Board of Supervisors. Smith kept trying to convince everyone that everyone in the county benefited from a bridge, even if it didnt look that way to many who lived miles away and never saw it for months, if ever. One man in particular, a Mr. Keat who lived down by East Jordan, was adamantly against having to contribute, and had written the Sentinel of his beliefs.

The Bridge Question Again. In the height and fullness of our amazement, Smith wrote, we know not whether Mr. Keat, in his communication of last week, reflects a disposition to be unfair, or expresses his ideas with a degree of sincerity which comes fromwe will not say ignorance, but misapprehensionof the true bearing of the case. Following this came a questioning of exactly how much Mr. Keat, who apparently had a very self-interested reason for not wanting a bridge, and not wanting anyone in his neighborhood to feel the need for one, understood about the relation of the countys voters to exactly what the Board of Directors was supposed to do.

It was definitely a headscratcher, but Smith persevered as best he could, ... shows plainly that he (Keat) regards the bridge only as a portion of the highway for the use of teams (of horses) and pedestrians. This argumentif an argumentis so lame as to be senseless. By virtue of a highway existing across the stream, a bridge must also necessarily exist, and must be kept in a passable condition by the highway authorities of Charlevoix. But under this bridge passes another highwaya highway over which must pass the products of the lake townships, and to which South Arm (toward East Jordan) furnishes the greater portion. The question would soon be resolved without the interference of Mr. Keat and like thinkers.

Fifty years later, the March 27, 1924 Charlevoix Courier devoted more than a column of the front page to the passing of 88-year-old Capt. Alanson G. Aldrich, allegedly the fifth white settler in Pine River, later to be named Charlevoix. A portion of this lake captains obituary related a fact of life during his early time here that most people alive today would find too difficult to think of, if not impossible. Captain Aldrich, during his long and eventful life in this region, saw many hardships that will happily never fall to the lot of his descendants nor their contemporaries. He often used to tell of packing flour and pork on his back over the 55-mile trail through the woods between Traverse City and Charlevoix, when pork was worth $50 a barrel and flour $25 a barrel. We may be sure that the difficulties they (his family) encountered and courageously met as a matter of daily course were of a nature completely unknown and unrealized by its younger generation today.

That meant having to walk to Traverse City (to Olesons?) to buy groceries, then back, especially in winter when Lake Michigan was frozen.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Looking Back: Plagiarism, alcohol abuse and bridge funding
Sandra Munoz holds a photo of husband Luis Acensio Cordero. He was denied a U.S. visa in part because of his tattoos and lives in El Salvador. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next month in the case of a Los Angeles man who was denied a green card after marrying a U.S. citizen, in part because of his tattoos.

Ahead of that hearing, a dozen other U.S. citizens submitted statements Thursday detailing how their lives were similarly devastated by consular visa denials. Lawyers think thousands of families could be in similar situations.

Luis Acensio Cordero was denied a visa to return to the U.S. from El Salvador and has been separated from his wife, Sandra Munoz, since 2015. The couple sued, arguing the federal government had violated her constitutional right to marriage and due process by denying Acensio's visa without providing a timely explanation.

Read more: A Los Angeles man was denied a green card over his tattoos. The Supreme Court might take up his case

Biden administration lawyers have argued that Munoz's right to marriage has not been violated because she and Acensio could live outside the U.S.

The high court will consider whether the refusal of a visa to a U.S. citizen's noncitizen spouse "impinges upon a constitutionally protected interest of the citizen," and, if so, whether notifying a visa applicant that they were deemed inadmissible suffices as due process.

If the court sides with Munoz, other families could be entitled to some explanation about why they were denied visas.

Her attorneys fear that if the court sides with the Biden administration, former President Trump, if reelected, would use the authority to justify blanket bans once again of people from certain countries.

Members of Congress, former Department of Homeland Security officials and former consular officers were among the dozens of parties who submitted friend of the court briefs in support of Munoz and Acensio and who called on the court to uphold basic due process protections.

"The overwhelming majority of visa adjudications involve the exercise of individual consular officers often wide discretion, reflecting their own personal opinions and biases, within the framework of the statute or regulation they are implementing," wrote eight former consular officers including David Strashnoy, who served in Mexico and Russia from 2006 to 2015. "While most consular officers exercise their discretion reasonably, sometimes consular officers decisions to deny visas are arbitrary and capricious, based on misinformation or misunderstandings, or grounded in stereotypes.

"Some judicial oversight is therefore needed, at least when a visa refusal implicates the fundamental interests of Americans," they wrote.

Thirty-five House Democrats, led by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Linda T. Sanchez (D-Whittier), argued that advocating on behalf of their constituents  a core function of Congress  is impossible when agencies refuse to provide information about why a visa application was denied.

Years ago, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) requested detailed reasoning from the State Department about Acensio's denial but was given none, "rendering the representative unable to assist her constituents," the brief states. After the couple sued, they found out the federal government believed he was an MS-13 gang member, based in part on a review of his tattoos.

The immigrant advocacy nonprofits International Refugee Assistance Project and American Families United collected the stories of other families in similar situations and summarized them in a brief submitted to the court Thursday.

The cases include others who were denied visas after consular officers questioned the significance of their tattoos, couples who had been forced to live abroad in countries the U.S. considers dangerous and immigrant spouses who chose to enter the U.S. illegally to reunite with their family and now fear deportation. One man who was denied a visa was later targeted by gangs and police in El Salvador, fled to the U.S. and was released on bond while he pursues asylum.

Read more: Supreme Court to hear case of Los Angeles man denied visa over his tattoos

The families included in the brief "were eager for the Supreme Court to have the information before them so they can understand its not just the Munoz family," said Melissa Keaney, an attorney with the International Refugee Assistance Project.

"Not only do they have the denials of these visas, but they have no real sense of why," she said. "They're just left to guess, and that really compounds the frustration and trauma that they experience from the denial."

Among the examples is Ms. F, a U.S. citizen who fled Taliban-controlled Afghanistan with her family as a child and grew up in California. She met her husband, Mr. R, while visiting extended family in Afghanistan in 2010. The couple were identified in court filings by their first initials to protect their privacy.

Because her husband was unable to secure a visa, she visited him throughout the years and returned to the U.S. to give birth to their children. Ms. F was in Afghanistan when the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021. Her family was evacuated but held at a U.S. military base in Kosovo for nearly a year before her husband's visa was denied on security grounds without further explanation.

The court brief also mentioned Sloane Arias of Los Angeles and her husband, Otto Sandoval-Gonzalez, who was born in El Salvador. Like Munoz and Acensio, the couple went to El Salvador for Sandoval-Gonzalez's consular interview and he was questioned extensively about whether he had any gang affiliation. He was denied a U.S. visa on security grounds without further explanation.

Arias returned to the U.S. without her husband, moved in with her parents due to the resulting financial strain and sees him only occasionally, when she can save enough money and take time off work. She now suffers from depression and worries they will never be able to start a family.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Louisiana is among the top 10 states for those trying to save for a home, a study says.

Real estate experts at Agent Advice looked at median incomes and house values in the U.S. They used this data to find the states with the best income-to-house price ratio. The results from this data showed the most affordable areas for aspiring homeowners.

West Virginia was named as the top state for those looking to save for a deposit.

The study placed Louisiana at ninth, adding that the typical property costs $194,453. The states median annual household income is $55,416. Some of the best places to buy a home near Baton Rouge include Sorrento, Watson and Prairieville, according to Niche.

What box will you check? US changes how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity

The only other southern state in the top 10 was Mississippi at sixth. According to the study, the typical property costs $172,965. Mississippis low cost of living allows its residents to stretch their average salary of $52,719.

Best US states to save for a deposit, according to Agent Advice

West Virginia Iowa Kansas Illinois Ohio Oklahoma, Mississippi and Kentucky North Dakota and Indiana Michigan Louisiana Nebraska

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Last year marked the 10th anniversary of same-sex marriage being legalised in England and Wales, and Friday is exactly a decade since the first weddings took place.

BBC South has spoken to couples across Berkshire who have got married in the last 10 years.

'She's my world'

Maria and Yvette Freeman-Keep have been together for 24 years. Maria told BBC Radio Berkshire she "didn't want to go through my life not having a wife".

"If I was going to marry her, I wanted to be married and not civil partnered," she said.

Being unable to get married until they had been together for more than a decade presented practical difficulties, too - not least because Yvette was a police officer, and Maria wanted to have rights if anything happened to her.

"It's been so hard being gay not to have all the same rights as a heterosexual couple," said Maria.

Yvette said they were only the second or third gay couple in Berkshire to register. Afterwards, a man came up to them and said he could not believe they were having a double wedding

"He was looking all over the place for two grooms," said Maria.

"It's still not accepted."

But neither of them have any regrets.

"She's my world and I'd marry her again tomorrow," said Maria.

'The strongest feeling I've ever had'

Megan and Whitney Bacon-Evans met online in 2006.

"I knew, even though I was only 19 or 20 at this time, that I was going to marry Megan," Whitney told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"It was the strongest feeling I've ever had in my entire life."

They were long distance for four years while Megan was studying in Cardiff and Whitney in Hawaii, but then Whitney moved to Windsor and they entered into a civil partnership.

Megan said they were "grateful" at that stage, but they always wanted to get married when it was legal.

'I just knew'

Simon Scaddan and Vas Caramb also met online. At the time, Vas was in hospital in Bucharest with pneumonia. They had to use Google Translate to communicate at the start, and then eventually Vas came to settle in the UK.

Simon was married to a woman for 25 years, but he told BBC Radio Berkshire he always knew he was gay and it was "a great relief" to come out.

He said that with Vas, despite the language barrier and cultural differences, he "just knew".

He proposed on the London Eye, and they entered into a civil partnership because it gave them both "stability", but they always wanted to get married.

"I wanted to call him my husband," said Simon.

'Love is love'

When Claire and Jodie Anderton met, it was working in the restaurant that Claire owned, and Claire was in a relationship with a man.

She knew she was gay, but it was "buried deep down", and she did not come out until she was 30.

She says that when she started a relationship with Jodie, it "felt completely normal".

"I never ever looked back," she said.

Jodie proposed when they had been together for 10 years - she did not want to be in a civil partnership.

"Love is love," she said.

"Why can't we marry the same way that every other person in love could marry?"

She said she knew that gay marriage would eventually be legalised. They got engaged on a narrowboat in Reading, and got married in Henley.

Jodie said it feels like gay marriage has "always been accepted" now.

"It feels like this is it, it's been this way for ever," she said.

"I feel like I was part of the generation that paved the way for [acceptance], and that's a really nice feeling... it's a beautiful, beautiful thing and there's no fear to be who you want to be now."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
A Lubbock hospital notified the community that a security breach occurred, which involved patients' information.

About 2 p.m. Friday, the Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital, 4302 Princeton St., confirmed that a security breach of customer data occurred between Jan. 16-Feb. 4. The facility was alerted of "unusual activity" in its Information Technology department.

Trustpoint secured and isolated the IT systems and conducted an investigation with help from a third-party cybersecurity firm. Law enforcement has been informed, according to a news release.

The ongoing investigation has determined that an unauthorized party accessed the IT network between Jan. 16-Feb. 4. During the breach, the party "accessed and/or acquired files that contain information pertaining to certain patients." That information included patients' names and one or more of the following:

Addresses.

Dates of birth.

Medical record numbers.

Health insurance plan member IDs.

Claims data.

Diagnosis.

Prescription information.

Social Security and/or drivers license numbers.

Trustpoint began mailing letters to patients whose information may have been compromised on Friday. Patients whose social security and/or drivers license numbers may have been involved are offered free credit monitoring and identity protection services.

The hospital has also started a toll-free line to answer questions, which can be reached at 844-563-2187 between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. People can also visit trhl.ernesthealth.com.

Trustpoint recommends patients review statements from their healthcare providers and contact them immediately if they see services they did not receive, according to the release.

"(Trustpoint) takes this incident very seriously and sincerely regrets any concern this may cause," the release stated. "To help prevent something like this from happening again, Facility has implemented, and will continue to adopt, additional safeguards and technical security measures to further protect and monitor its systems."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital in Lubbock confirms data breach
LAKELAND, Tenn.  Lottery players with dreams of winning the nearly one billion dollar Powerball jackpot are flocking to a Lakeland gas station where two lottery players won big this week.

The Tennessee Lottery said Wednesdays $470,000 Tennessee jackpot winner purchased their ticket at the Canada Road Exxon, and a $100,00 winning Powerball ticket was sold days earlier at the same store.

Employees said the back-to-back wins have big good for business.

They think its going to happen again, which it always could, said Hugh Presson.

Angela Rainey thinks the Exxon station is a lucky store. She stopped by there Thursday afternoon to pick up two Powerball tickets and a scratch-off ticket.

I saw it on the news. So, Im here to buy my winning ticketmy early retirement, said Rainey.

The Tennessee Lottery said Mondays Powerball drawing created thousands of winners, including four who matched four of the white balls plus the red Powerball to win the prize of $50,000. Two players, including the one in Lakeland, doubled their winnings to $100,00 using the Power Play option.

Presson said he has no idea who won the nearly half a million dollar Daily Tennessee Jackpot but has talked to the man who bought the $100,000 Powerball ticket.

Hes just a local guy, said Presson. He came in Tuesday and said I heard we sold a $100,000 Powerball, and he said its me. At first, I didnt believe him, but he showed me the picture. 

The current estimated jackpot for Saturdays Powerball drawing is $935 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Editors Note: This story is part of Living Local, a regular series featuring a look inside local businesses  the things they make, services they provide and their impact on the community.

There are many things in Macon to be nostalgic about, like a hot dog joint that lays claim to being the second-oldest in the U.S., according to its website.

Nu-Way Weiners (no - it is not misspelled) opened its doors at 430 Cotton Ave. in 1916. The restaurant remained there for 99 years before it burned down in 2015, but the business has remained in operation since then. For decades, the shop sold hot dogs for a nickel, if you can believe it.

Established the same year as Nathans Famous hot dog stand in New York City, Nu-Way is the second oldest hot dog restaurant in the United States, reads the business website.

The original Nu-Way Weiners in Macon opened on Cotton Avenue in 1916. Courtesy Nu-Way Weiners

The price remained 5 cents until the 1940s. A lot has changed around the world since then, but Nu-Way still advocates that the quality and taste of its hot dogs remains the same.

Launched by Greek immigrant James Mallis, the original Nu-Way was housed inside a grocery store.

But once Mallis realized hot dogs were becoming a huge treat in Chicago and New York, he converted the storefront into a hot dog stand.

In the 1930s, by a fluke, the name picked up the idiosyncratic spelling of wieners - a sign painter misspelled the name as Nu-Way Weiners. The owners at the time fancied it bad luck to change the spelling once the job was complete, so the quirky spelling remained. And the store has been Nu-Way Weiners ever since.

In an undated photo, customers dine at the original Nu-Way Weiners restaurant which opened in 1916. Courtesy Nu-Way Weiners

Nu-Ways development has mirrored that of the citys, expanding from its original downtown location to five locations in Macon, two locations in Warner Robins and one in Fort Valley.

The family-owned business is now in its third generation and led by Jim Cacavias and Spyros Dermatas.

Many Nu-Way patrons are part of a long lineage of Nu-Way lovers. For some families, visiting the restaurant is a tradition and part of what makes Macon unique, Cacavias said. Nu-Way enjoys having third and fourth generation employees, some of whom have worked for the business for more than thirty years.

The signature beef-and-pork hot dog and spicy chili sauce has become a favorite for Middle Georgia residents and non-natives alike. The red hot dogs are made uniquely to Nu-Way specifications, and the chili sauce is still the original recipe.

Nu-Way Weiners, which opened in 1916, has been featured in several magazine and media outlets. Courtesy Nu-Way Weiners

The house specialty is a hot dog all the way with a wiener in a bun steamed to a warm, tender perfection with mustard and onions, Cacavias said.

Also very popular is the slaw dog, which The New York Times anointed as the nations best.

In spite of its modest, no-frills approach to cooking up the perfect meal, Nu-Way has enjoyed acclaim from a host of media sources.

In addition to the previously mentioned accolades, Nu-Way has also been featured in Southern Living, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Historic Macon, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Roadfood, Macon Magazine, The Hot Dog Companion, and in Southern food guru John T. Edges compendium of top eats, Southern Belly.

The hot dog joint has also received television coverage from Travel Channel, The Today Show on NBC, TNT and CNN.

In an undated photo, customers go through the drive-thru of a Nu-Way Weiners. Courtesy

It was also featured prominently in a 1999 PBS documentary, A Hot Dog Program, which highlighted 21 of the most notable hot dog establishments in the U.S.

And of course, Oprah Winfrey came to town and visited the original Cotton Avenue restaurant in 2007.

For over 108 years, Nu-Way has been a mainstay of the citys existence and has developed a cult following for four generations.

Cacavias said through the years customer satisfaction, quality of food and loyalty to the brand has never wavered and he is both humbled and proud to still be serving the Macon community.
French President Emmanuel Macron has embraced jokes social media users made about photos from his recent trip to Brazil of him and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Some have compared the images of my visit to Brazil to those of a wedding, I tell them: it was one! France loves Brazil and Brazil loves France! Macron said Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Thank you, dear @LulaOficial, dear [first lady of Brazil Rosangela da Silva], thank you to all the Brazilians I was able to meet, for your welcome, Macron continued in his post, which was translated from French using Google.

Some of the photos of Macrons recent trip to the South American country resulted in social media users comparing the two presidents to lovers or those taking a wedding photo shoot.

Oh it looks like a wedding photoshoot Im going to die, one user said in a post translated from Portuguese, according to Google, in response to one of the photos.

They look like a happy couple on vacation hahahah, another user said in a post translated from Portuguese, in response to a different photo of Macron and Lula.

On his X account, Lula said in a post translated from Portuguese that he presented Macron with five of the best and most awarded Brazilian cheeses, including those recognized in France, so he can tell me what he thought of them Thursday. He also said in the post that he presented Macron with some sparking wine and quipped that he thinks Macron will like it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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)

French President Emmanuel Macron joined social media users Thursday in their jokes that likened his cozy pictures with Brazilian President Lula to those from a wedding album.

Images of the pair smiling and warmly embracing during Macron's three-day visit to Brazil circulated online this week alongside light-hearted captions and montages suggesting a loving relationship between the leaders.

"Some have compared the pictures of my visit to Brazil to those of a wedding," Macron wrote Thursday on X.

"I tell them it was one. France loves Brazil and Brazil loves France," he said.

Macron's tweet was accompanied by picture of himself and Lula smiling during the visit, overlaid on the background of a poster for the romantic 2016 film "La La Land."

Lula responded to Macron's tweet, which was also shared in Portuguese, with emojis of the Brazil and France flags alongside two small love hearts.

One picture shared on social media this week showed the leaders raising their arms underneath a large tree in the Brazilian jungle was edited to show them holding red balloons in the shape of a heart.

"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 trip to Brazil saw the two leaders announce a billion-dollar green investment plan for the Amazon.

Lula hailed the relationship between the two countries as one that created "a bridge between the global South and the developed world."

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.

mlb/lpa/bjt/tjj
Russia's strategic goal is not just to conquer Ukraine, but to restore the glory of the Soviet Union in the international arena, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

In an interview with The Times of India, the minister did not rule out that Russia could attack NATO, stressing that "the future of the Russian imperialist project depends on Ukraine."

"I do not know when, but Russia can definitely attack NATO on one condition. If it comes to the conclusion that NATO's response will not be adequate. Russia will be able to exploit the differences within the Alliance in order not to receive an immediate and crushing response from NATO. Everyone should understand that Russia's strategic goal is not just to conquer Ukraine, but to restore the glory of the Soviet Union in the international arena. Putin even said that the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century," Kuleba said.

The Foreign Minister is also confident that Russia does not agree with the independence of the Central Asian countries, since the Kremlin still considers them as former provinces.

"Thus, the future of the Russian imperialist project depends on Ukraine. When Russia loses this war, it will have to adopt a new political model that does not involve imperialist expansion. If Russia does not suffer defeat in Ukraine, then Putin is inspired by his success and will move to NATO countries," the minister believes.
If the official photos are anything to go by, Emmanuel Macrons three-day trip to Brazil has been more romantic getaway than international diplomacy.

The French president, who ended his tour of the South American country on Thursday with a state visit to the capital, Brasilia, prompted online hilarity after the publication of photos showing him being particularly chummy with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Macron, 46, began his visit on Tuesday in Belem, the Amazonian city that will host the Cop30 climate conference next year, and the nearby Combu island.

In one photo released on 78-year-old Lulas social media channels, the two beaming heads of state can be seen clasping hands on a boat while gazing out at the Guama River. In another, they appear to be blithely skipping under the Amazon canopy.

Quick-witted internet users compared the images to engagement photoshoots or scenes from a romcom.

Lula and Macron are doing a pre-wedding shoot, they will marry in the Amazon and honeymoon in Paris, one X user wrote.

I see a new Macron/Lula family Christmas card dropping, tweeted Ian Bremmer, the founder of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group.

Memes circulating online depicted the former investment banker and former union leader clutching heart-shaped balloons.

Macrons visit  his first as president  marks a rekindling of the Franco-Brazilian partnership after relations hit a low point under Lulas far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who took issue with Frances concerns over Amazon deforestation.

Lula and Macron stressed their shared environmental objectives earlier this week while announcing a 1bn (855m) investment programme to protect the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and French Guiana.

They also celebrated cooperation on defence technology during the launch near Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday of a diesel-powered submarine, built in Brazil with French technology.

We are starting a new page of our relationship today, Macron said on Thursday during a joint press conference following a closed-doors bilateral meeting and the signing of over 20 cooperation agreements.

Speaking to journalists, the two leaders emphasised their desire to work together on issues such as fighting poverty, tackling the climate crisis and global taxation at the G20 leaders summit in Rio later this year. Macron also hailed their shared vision regarding upcoming elections in Venezuela and the crisis in Haiti.

But they skirted issues upon which they do not see eye-to-eye, notably regarding the war in Ukraine and the future of a trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc. Speaking to business leaders in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, Macron described the deal Brazil has said it is ready to sign as very bad.

Late on Thursday, Macron responded to social media users on X. Some have compared the pictures of my visit to Brazil to those of a wedding, Macron wrote. I tell them it was one. France loves Brazil and Brazil loves France, he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron believes that all the members of the Group of 20 would have to agree in order to invite Russian leader Vladimir Putin to this year's G20 summit in Brazil.

Source: Macron at a joint press conference with Brazilian President Lula da Silva during his visit to the country, as reported by European Pravda, citing AFP

The French president said the meaning of the G20 is "that there must be consensus with the 19 others", adding that this should be done by "Brazilian diplomacy", since Brazil holds the presidency this year.

Macron also noted that if Putin's attendance at the summit could be "useful", it "must be done". He warned, however, that disagreements over the issue could scupper any Russian invitation.

Vladimir Putin skipped last year's G20 summit in the capital of India, avoiding possible political censure and any risk of arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva said last year that he would invite the Russian leader to the summit. Although Brazil, as a member of the International Criminal Court, would be obliged to arrest Putin as a war criminal, the Brazilian government said this was "unlikely" to happen.

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Near the Church of the Annunciation, where tourists can pick up souvenirs, most of the shops are now owned and run by Muslims - NICOLAS GARCIA/AFP

The centuries-old Christian population in the holy city of Nazareth is slowly disappearing because of a mafia crime wave sweeping northern Israel.

Mafia gang members reportedly harass Christian store owners in the northern Israeli city and demand the equivalent of thousands of pounds in protection money.

Their numbers are reported to have grown since the outbreak of the Gaza war despite the deployment of Shin Bet, the Israeli internal security agency, last year and extra police patrols.

In Nazareth, the mafia will shoot at the stores, then tell them they need chawa [protection]. Its like the Wild West, said Peter Roshrash, a senior police inspector who has covered Nazareth for decades.

The gangs, which are predominantly Muslim, charge around 50,000 shekels (10,750) per month as part of a protection racket, he said.

He also claimed they hide guns in Christian residents houses that  if discovered by the police  would lead to a further charge of 200,000 shekels at pain of death.

The mafia harasses them with thefts, car thefts, puncturing tyres, they cant live in peace, he added. It is a tense time for the Christians, who are as much a historic part of Israels fabric as the Jews and Muslims.

Nazareth municipality insists that it was not Christians who were being specifically targeted - NICOLAS GARCIA/AFP

Although by 1948  the year of Israels independence war  the majority of Nazarenes were Christian, today, they comprise only 20 per cent.

At approximately 21,000 people, however, it is still the largest Christian community in Israel. About 187,900 Christians live in the country, comprising approximately 2 per cent of the population, a 1.3 percentage point growth from the year before, according to Israels Central Bureau of Statistics.

Mr Roshrash, who is a Christian, said that he and his family were among those still living in the city.

But he described a mass exodus from the ancient city where Jesus is believed to have grown up, with Easter Sunday celebrations now only a fraction of what they once were.

Those who could have left for countries like England and Canada. Maybe three or four of the Christian shops are still there but they live in total fear, he said of Al Bishara street near the Church of the Annunciation, where tourists can pick up souvenirs such as rosaries and fridge magnets. Most of those shops are now owned and run by Muslims.

The surge in mafia violence has become a national issue.

Earlier this month, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, admitted that the problem was still huge despite the deployment of the Shin Bet to take over from the police.

The criminal organisations are continuing to strengthen, and are now using weapons that are more lethal than in the past such as claymores [mines] and LAW [anti-tank] rockets, he said.

There has been a mass exodus from the ancient city where Jesus is believed to have grown up - NICOLAS GARCIA/AFP

When asked about the influence of the mafia in Nazareth, municipality spokesman Salem Sharara said: These questions are very dangerous and we dont like to answer them.

However, he insisted it was not Christians who were being specifically targeted.

If there is a mafia its against Muslims and the Christians alike  You think the rich Muslims arent also a target for the mafia? To the mafia there is no religion.

For the citys Muslim population, the situation is little better.

Fatima Salama, a mother of four, said that she is afraid to go out at night.

There are always shootings and fights in the street. How do we know we wont get caught in the crossfire? Even in the daytime this can happen.

Like all the Arab and mixed cities across northern Israel, Nazareths impoverished population has long demanded more help to tackle growing crime, with protests taking place last year claiming the police had abandoned them.

We need more policing if we are able to live a normal life, said Abu Ahmad, a waiter in Nazareth.

When I walk home from work late at night Im also afraid because of how much crime is happening right here. The violence on the streets here is making it very hard to feel safe. The government has to do more.

'At least 70 per cent of the remaining population are trying to leave,' said Shadi Khalloul, the founder of a Christian NGO - Melanie Swan

Some 17 people were killed in Nazareth last year, the joint highest number of fatalities for any city in Israel along with Lod, another predominantly Arab city, according to the Abraham Initiatives.

Nazareth became a focal point for crime in 2023, and if the surrounding areas are included (Yafia, Kafr Kana, Iksal, Ilut and Ein Mahal) the figure rises to 28, its annual report added.

Some people have said the figure is even higher. Mr Roshrash said there were at least 40 mafia-related deaths in the city last year and 225 across the country.

But while many Israeli Arabs are too poor to escape the crime wave, Christians are often wealthier and can afford to relocate, for example up the hill to the largely Jewish area Nazareth Elite.

That means a city home to churches built on the biblical sites of Marys childhood home and the spring where she is believed to have encountered the angel Gabriel could one day be all but emptied of its historic populations of Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Maronites and Protestants.

Two years ago, the Canadian Embassy already had 500 Christian families on the waiting list. At least 70 per cent of the remaining population are trying to leave, said Shadi Khalloul, the founder of the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association NGO, which seeks to preserve the Christian culture.

Christians are living a very dangerous life here.

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Editors note: The above video shows KXAN News top morning headlines from Friday, March 29, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Youre about to get another purple postcard from the City of Austin proposing changes to the citys land development code (LDC). The postcards will hit mailboxes as soon as Friday.

Every property owner in city limits and anyone with an Austin Energy bill will receive the purple postcard. In addition, roughly 40,000 mailers are going to property owners along the planned route for Project Connect, and some people in that general vicinity. Well break that down in a moment.

First, heres what to expect on the purple postcard:

HOME phase two

After the first phase of the Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment (HOME) initiative was approved by Austin City Council late last year, the second phase is now being considered.

That first phase  which again, is already in place  allowed more units to be built on a single family lot and allowed tiny homes to be considered one of those units, among several other changes. You can read more about those changes here.

The second phase of HOME focuses entirely on minimum lot size  meaning, how much land is required to put a single unit on it. The idea is that smaller lots will allow for the creation of more housing.

Right now in the City, most single-family lots are zoned so that you need a minimum of 5,750 square feet to build a single unit. The city is proposing that be dropped to 2,000 square feet  something officials with the planning department say is consistent with the policy outcome passed in phase one of HOME.

Its worth noting that phase one and phase two of HOME dont necessarily build on each other here. Only one single unit can be built on each 2,000 square foot plot of land. To build condominiums or other similar structures approved in phase one, the lot size requirements remain the same.

Doesnt make sense? Okay, well break it down another way. Under phase one of the HOME initiative, you would need a 5,750 square foot plot of land to build three townhouses on that single lot.

But to subdivide the lots and put a unit on each lot, you would need 6,000 square feet  breaking down to 2,000 square foot per lot.

Still not tracking? The City of Austin put together an explainer for you, which dropped Thursday. You can find it here.

Compatibility changes

The word compatibility as it relates to land development code may sound familiar to you because its something both City and state officials have tried to modify before, without much success.

Right now in the City, you cant build very tall buildings next to single family homes. Weve told you previously that our city is more strict on that than most in Texas, which makes developing more dense housing near single-family homes difficult.

We like how Council Member Chito Vela of District 4 previously described compatibility as a force field around some homes. In the City, theres a sliding scale of permissible height that extends up to 540 feet from a single-family property, which is a huge area, Vela said.

The proposed changes would include: ending compatibility at 75 feet from a single-family home, allowing for a sliding scale of height allowances between 10 and 75 feet, and requiring a landscape buffer between your single-family home and those taller buildings.

Compatibility recommendations (courtesy: City of Austin)

City staff said 50 feet is actually the standard in most major Texas cities. A bill filed by Senator Bryan Hughes during the most recent legislative session also would have stripped the radius allowed to just 50 feet in major Texas cities, but that bill did not pass.

Electric vehicle charging

The final land development code change youre going to see on your purple postcard is one that works to spread electric vehicle charging stations out in our city and keep them from being concentrated in residential areas.

What you need to know as an Austinite, or an electric car owner, is that building electric vehicle charging stations could now be allowed in certain commercial zoning districts (less residential) including commercial highway and general commercial services zoning areas.

Strategically permitting charging stations in commercial districts will give users accessible, convenient, and efficient access to charging infrastructure while providing development regulations that limit the use from interrupting the public realm or the walkability of an area, the citys website says.

You can find more details on that here.

ETOD: Project Connect phase one

Last but not least, roughly 40,000 mailers will be sent out to property owners along the proposed Project Connect line. The City is also sending those mailers to non-single-family properties within roughly a half mile of that area.

Expect them to be thick, more than 20 pages long, and have lots of maps in them. Planning staff confirmed those maps will let you know whether youre directly impacted or getting the mailer because youre in the general area.

The proposal there is for whats called an Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay. The goal of an ETOD is to encourage land along a transit corridor, like Project Connect, to support public transit  think dense housing so that people have access to that transit.

The ETOD would prohibit the building of things like gas stations, car washes and junk yards. City planning staff said it does not include drive-thru food establishments (your favorite burger joints are safe).

Planning staff also noted that state law requires the city to post certain language about that change which may read as a bit dramatic.

The proposal does not nix anyones existing home or business, although could impact whether some expansions or rebuilds  for business types no longer allowed under the overlay  can happen in the future.

The changes will support our overall goal of providing the infrastructure needed to allow more people to get around town by train, bus, bike, scooter, or walking, and they will also improve Austins competitiveness when it comes to securing the federal funding vital to building our light rail system, said Annick Beaudet, director of the Citys Project Connect Office.

What next?

You have two open house opportunities to learn about the proposals and ask questions, you can find them below:

Wednesday, April 17: In-person event at the Austin Central Library, 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees can come and go during the event as their schedules allow.

Saturday, April 20: Virtual event, 10 a.m. (Register on the LDC Updates website)

On Thursday, April 11, those changes will go before the joint meeting of city council and the Planning Commission. In May, Austin City Council is expected to vote on all of the above changes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Tennessees majority-white legislature removed, in one fell swoop, all 10 board members at the states only publicly funded historically Black university on Thursday, a move Democrats slammed.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who is white, signed legislation approved by the GOP-controlled House on Thursday vacating Tennessee State Universitys board and appointed eight new members, mostly from the business sector, to replace them.

Im pleased to appoint these highly qualified individuals who will work alongside administrators and students to further secure TSUs place as a leading institution, Lee said. The nominees now await confirmation by the legislature.

Tennessee GOP Learns No Lessons After Fiery Racism Debate

The overhaul came after years of Republican complaints that TSU leaders had mismanaged funds, and after a critical state audit. A more recent external audit found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance but noted some questionable spending and significant procedural deficiencies, according to The Tennessean.

Democrats have said the schools financial problems stem from years of state failure to adequately fund the university. Over the last three decades, TSU was underfunded by an estimated $2.1 billion, a 2023 assessment by the federal government found.

Instead of us rectifying the problems that we created through racist policies by underfunding Tennessee State University, were now advocating to vacate their board, Rep. Justin Pearson said on the floor. Pearson was one of two Black Tennessee reps expelled by the GOP majority last year for protesting gun violence on the House floora punishment not shared by their white colleague who joined in the protest.

The optics of wiping out the board at an HBCU were horrendous, one Democrat reportedly pointed out.

Youre driving off the cliff right now, Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) said, according to The Tennessean. I worked in Gov Ops many years as a staffer. Ive 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 yeah, were going to take their board.

TSU students who attended the legislative session seemed to agree with their Democratic reps. Many of them cheered when Democrats criticized their colleagues and booed when Republicans passed the bill. Before its passage, Democrats lodged efforts to reduce the number of seats the board would vacate or delay the vote altogether. At every turn, they were shot down by the Republican supermajority.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrates his first of two goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets with Sidney Crosby, second from left, Michael Bunting (8), Kris Letang (58), and Bryan Rust (17) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP)  Vladimir and Natalia Malkin took the long flight from Russia to Pittsburgh for the first time in several years this week.

Their arrival gave their son some serious juice.

Evgeni Malkin's only wish is that they could have made it back to western Pennsylvania sooner.

The Penguins star scored twice to reach the 20-goal plateau for the 15th time and Pittsburgh extended its mastery over the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 3-2 win on Thursday night.

The Russian became the 31st player in league history to score 20 goals in 15 seasons, doing it with a pair of power-play blasts  one from the right circle, one from the left circle  that erased one-goal deficits, much to the delight of his parents.

I think yeah, they give me a little bit more motivation, Malkin said.

The Penguins will take it any way they can get it as they try to keep their dim playoff hopes alive. Pittsburgh has won two straight as it remains on the extreme fringe of the Eastern Conference wild-card chase with 10 games to play.

The Malkins get up in the early morning hours in Magnitogorsk, Russia to watch their son play. And now, they're not particularly thrilled with how this season has gone for the Penguins.

They know everything, Malkin said. And of course not happy (with) how we play all year, I mean ... they want (us to) make playoffs for sure.

It is an unlikely prospect, though Pittsburgh is hoping for one last push in the season's final weeks.

Drew O'Conner's 12th goal 35 seconds into the third period put Pittsburgh in front to stay. Sidney Crosby had two assists for the Penguins to boost his career total to 995, 11th on the NHLs career list. The longtime captain also has nine points in Pittsburghs last three games.

We just need to keep going, Crosby said. Its one of those things youve got to keep learning with every game and making sure that were trying to get better here.

Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 17 shots for Pittsburgh, which improved to 21-3-2 in its last 26 meetings with the Blue Jackets.

Mathieu Olivier and Cole Sillinger scored for Columbus, which has lost six in a row. Daniil Tarasov made 33 saves but the Blue Jackets finished a winless five-game road trip by falling to Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena for the 15th straight time.

We havent won in this barn in however many years, Sillinger said. We had a good opportunity tonight. Unfortunately, we didnt get the job done. Its frustrating.

While the Penguins have maintained they are still pressing toward the postseason, they've also made a point to bring up youngsters like forward Sam Poulin  a first-round pick in 2019  to give the roster a jolt down the stretch.

Still, Pittsburgh largely goes as its stars go. Crosby remains a force in his 19th season, the 37-year-old Malkin has shown signs of slowing. His shot, however, remains a threat.

Olivier gave Columbus its first lead when he batted the puck over Nedeljkovic's left shoulder 5:20 into the second period, a call that stood after a lengthy review for a high stick.

Malkin evened it a little over four minutes later but Sillinger responded at 13:11 when he finished off a three-on-one with a one-timer from in close.

Columbus, however, couldn't find a way to make it hold up. Malkin tied it by biding his time in the left circle then beating a sprawled Tarasov, setting the stage for the Penguins to pull away.

Well obviously he scores a couple of goals, thats huge for Geno and big for the team, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "Hopefully that will give him a boost of confidence moving forward.

UP NEXT

Blue Jackets: Will try to end their skid against the Penguins at home on Saturday night.

Penguins: Will look for the first three-game winning streak in over a month on the back end of their home-and-home with the Blue Jackets.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
A Siberian flying squirrel is captured making use of a disused bird nest to keep warm in the winter [BBC Studios/Kensho Goto]

Arctic foxes are turning to cannibalism as they struggle to find food in a warmer world.

That's one of the never-before-captured behaviours in Sir David Attenborough's latest series - Mammals.

It focuses on how these animals are adapting to a world rapidly changed by the most dominant mammal - us.

We also see otters navigate the busy roads of Singapore and lemurs clinging to toothbrush trees in an attempt to keep cool in rising temperatures.

'Mammals' is a challenging series to watch but also shows the incredible ingenuity of the world's most successful animals.

In the final episode of the six-part series Sir David says: "If we make the right decisions we can safeguard the future not just for our fellow mammals but for all life on Earth."

White Sifaka lemurs hug the trunk of a Salvadora tree. The tree sucks cold water from the ground which leaves its bark cooler than the surrounding air [BBC Studios]

The series comes 20 years on from the original Life of Mammals series. In that time the technology has moved on considerably allowing the BBC's Natural History Unit and its partners to capture sequences they never thought possible.

The opening episode of the series has been shot completely in the dark - revealing how an African leopard uses its specially adapted eyesight to prey on sleeping monkeys.

"The thermal cameras now are stunning, the detail you can see. You can see the fur, you can see the whiskers of animals, so that technology has opened up that whole new world to us," Scott Alexander, series producer, explained.

To capture some of the sequences the team have gone to extra lengths. For episode four, 'Cold', sleeping pods were specially designed so that the camera crew could remain out on the ice in Svalbard, Norway for days at a time tracking a polar bear.

As a result the team were able to capture a polar bear hunting reindeer inland - a behaviour they think it has developed as melting sea-ice has made it harder to hunt seals.

Assistant Professor John Whitman, from Old Dominion University and chief research scientist for Polar Bears International, who provided advice on the series said it: "illustrates the flexibility that polar bears try to have to replace the loss of opportunities to hunt marine, mammal prey."

But he added studies have shown that this prey is not enough to replace the calories they need. "So, the most important action that can be taken to protect the species of polar bears [is] climate change action."

In the two decades that have passed since the last series, what is also striking is the scale of human expansion. Since 2000 nearly 750,000 sq miles (1.9m sqkm) of habitat has been lost - about eight times the size of the UK - and one of the biggest causes is food production.

"Today almost half of the world's habitable land is being used for agriculture. Across Southeast Asia vast palm oil plantations are replacing once pristine forests," Attenborough warns us in episode two, 'The New Wild'.

The destruction of the forests means there are dwindling food sources for local wildlife like pig-tailed macaques. But despite this, the episode brings us a remarkable story of their survival. A family of macaques are filmed entering palm oil plantations and capturing the rats that now live here.

"These pig-tailed macaques were predominantly vegetarian, and they are becoming carnivorous," the episode's producer Lydia Baines told BBC News.

"Animals are having to adapt in real time, essentially it is evolution in action. Darwin would be absolutely fascinated by this," she added.

Specialist 'sleeping pods' were built for BBC crew to allow them to film with polar bears in Norway around the clock [BBC Studios/Florian Ledoux]

But not all of the mammals are so successful. In one episode we learn that rising temperatures in the Arctic have led to the sea freezing later in the year, and without sea ice the polar bears and arctic foxes cannot hunt. For one fox the wait is too long and the crew speculate he has died from starvation - hunger drives the other foxes to feed on him.

In another devastating scene baby howler monkeys are left orphaned as their parents are electrocuted after mistaking electrical wires for tree branches.

As well as being heartbreaking, the filming of the animals did bring scientific breakthroughs.

Dr Christine Cooper, a senior lecturer in animal physiology at Curtin University, Perth worked with the BBC Natural History Unit to help track echidnas for episode five. Whilst fitting transmitters on the animals for the series they were heard making sounds to each other underground - a phenomenon only heard once before and not captured on tape.

The discovery led to a new scientific paper from Dr Cooper and her team. She says the research is vital if we want to protect animal species.

"So if we understand how animals work and how they meet all their requirements, then we have an idea of how they might respond to a changing world. Then we can also take steps to conserve species," she explained.

Howler monkeys are at constant risk of electrocution as they navigate the power lines in Costa Rica [BBC Studios]

The series returns to some of the mammals filmed in the original series to see how human interventions are helping them to survive.

The blue whale was critically endangered until a whaling ban allowed their numbers to recover. 'Mammals' explores how they now face a new threat from shipping traffic, but work by scientists to track them is helping to put safety measures in place like low speed lanes.

Scott Alexander says this shows how we can work together with mammals to help each other.

"I think for me the message [of the series] is the planet is remarkable, let's do what we can to protect the planet, live alongside these animals and share in this incredible diversity," he said.

Mammals begins on BBC One at 19:00 BST on Sunday.
Joint customs and border control will help resolve many issues in Ukrainian-Polish relations, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereschuk said on polskieradio24.pl.

She said that the priorities in relations between Ukraine and Poland are security and defense issues. At the same time, Vereschuk is convinced that constant communication between neighboring countries should take place in other important areas, in particular in the sphere of transit of Ukrainian grain.

"Ukrainian and Polish farmers must build relations from a partnership perspective. Therefore, we need to sit down and negotiate," the press service of the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories quoted her as saying.

Vereshchuk also considers it necessary for Ukraine and Poland to resolve the issue of joint customs and border control. Then, in her opinion, both sides will know exactly what, how much and where it is going. This will prevent any abuse and manipulation during transit transportation.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, some developments in this direction already exist: a corresponding agreement has been prepared and agreed upon by both parties, which concerns joint control and will facilitate understanding on both sides. The document is under consideration by the European Commission.

In addition, a pilot project on a customs agreement is already being implemented. At the border crossing point (BCP) Rava Ruska-Hrebenne the Lviv customs office receives information on a routine basis about customs cargo that is declared on Polish territory. There is an intention to extend it to other customs crossings after appropriate regulation by the European Union.

"We will definitely finalize all the necessary points and find a compromise. The main thing is that we have the will and desire to do this," concluded the Deputy Prime Minister.
A 19-year-old youth has been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed on a train in Beckenham, south-east London.

Rakeem Thomas was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon, British Transport Police said. He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Wimbledon magistrates court.

Footage of the attack, which happened at Beckenham Junction station shortly before 4pm on Wednesday, was filmed by passengers and shared on social media.

Witnesses said the incident had taken place in front of young children who had been left traumatised.

In the video, a hooded man wearing a mask was seen lunging at another person on the floor with a large knife. Commuters were heard calling police and begging the attacker to stop his assault.

A police spokesman said: Officers were called to Beckenham Junction station following reports of a fight on board a train between Beckenham and Shortlands.

British Transport Police attended, alongside London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police, and a man in his 20s was taken to hospital.

He is in a critical but stable condition and his family are being supported by specialist officers.

Supt 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.

Hours after the Beckenham attack, two men were left in a critical condition after a stabbing at Kennington Tube station, south London.

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The Knox County Sheriffs Office arrested a man for distribution of meth.

According to a release, on March 28 at 12:00 p.m., the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Knox County Sheriffs Office took Damond Martin, 33, into custody after an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in the Galesburg area. Martin was arrested for the distribution of methamphetamine.

Damond Martin (Knox County Sheriffs Office)

The Galesburg Police Department assisted in the investigation and apprehension of Martin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A man was arrested for possession of child pornography in Miami County on Wednesday.

Miami County Sheriffs detectives executed a search warrant at a house on West Cross Street in the Village of Potsdam on Wednesday, March 27.

>> Man sentenced to life in prison for rape of 2 children in Warren County

The search warrant was a part of an investigation involving child pornography. Detectives seized electronic devices that contained child pornography.

34-year-old Chad M. Waymire was taken into custody and was charged with two felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.

Waymire is being held in Miami County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
The man charged in connection with the murders of a mother and her daughter in Worcester earlier this month faced a judge Friday in a Massachusetts courtroom, weeks after he was captured in California.

Dejan Dante Belnavis, 27, was arraigned in Worcester Central District Court on two counts of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and possession of a firearm without a license in the deaths of 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella.

A plea of not guilty was entered on Belnavis behalf before the judge ordered him to remain held behind bars without bail.

Multiple court officers were spotted standing near Belnavis as prosecutors outlined the charges against him.

Returned to Worcester shortly before his noon-hour arraignment, Belnavis smirked and nodded in the direction of supporters in the crowded courtroom before he was led out.

Afterward, one woman who made an obscene gesture at our camera said she thinks Belnavis is innocent.

Local law enforcement officials traveled to California after Belnavis capture and escorted him back east.

A second suspect in the murders, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, was previously arraigned on charges of armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license. He later returned to court to face an upgraded murder charge and is being held without bail.

Belnavis and Mangual are no strangers to run-ins with law enforcement, according to Worcester District Court documents obtained by Boston 25 News.

The two have faced a slew of violent charges that date back to 2014.

The bodies of Chasity and Zella were discovered in a white, bullet-riddled SUV that was parked in the area of Englewood Avenue in the Columbus Park neighborhood of Worcester.

Court documents indicated that neither Chastity nor Zella was breathing or had a pulse when police arrived.

Sgt. Sean Murtha, Public Information Officer for the Worcester Police Department, said a fairly high number of shots were fired into the vehicle.

A motive in the shootings of Chasity and Zella wasnt immediately clear.

Chastity Nunez was a member of the Connecticut National Guard and received honors like the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Achievement Medal. Nunez also served as a Patient Safety & Clinical Quality Program Coordinator at MIT Health since July 2023.

Zella was a student at Worcester Public Schools.

Belnavis is due back in court on May 2 for a probable cause hearing.

Karel Manguel is also held without bail and is due back in court for a hearing on April 12.

An investigation into the deaths remains ongoing.

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
Consequences of the Russian attack in the Dnipro (illustrative photo)

One man is in critical condition after Russian forces carried out another mass missile and drone attack overnight on March 29, targeting critical infrastructure in Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Regional Military Administration head Serhiy Lysak reported.

Read also: Casualties after Russian military attacks civilians at home in nighttime drone attack

"The enemy attacked several critical infrastructure objects in the Oblast. Details to follow!" Lysak wrote at 12:31 a.m. on Telegram.

The victim was hospitalized following the attack on Kamianske.

Read also:

Power outages were reported in Kamianske after the arrival of a missile heading towards the city, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Telegram channel said.

Suspilne media reported several explosions in Dnipro and the Cherkasy Oblast.

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
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)  A Citadel cadet who pleaded guilty to participating in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building hopes to be elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Records from the South Carolina Election Commission show Elias Irizarry filed Wednesday to run for South Carolina House District 43, which includes Chester and York Counties.

Irizarry will face incumbent Representative Thomas Randy Ligon, who has served House District 43 since 2019, in the June primary  the winner in that election will be on Novembers ballot. Both are running as a Republican.

Eddie Irizarrys relatives distraught after charges dropped against officer who fatally shot him

Records from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia listed Irizarrys charges as entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building.

A freshman at the Citadel, Irizarry and two friends drove to Washington the night before the riot to attend former President Donald Trumps rally the following morning.

According to the statement of offense, the three made their way with a large crowd toward the Capitol building before the speech ended. By the time they arrived, the breach of the building had already begun. They were handed metal poles broken off of downed metal bicycle barricades and entered the Capitol through a broken window.

Once inside, Irizarry and one other man took photos of each other throughout the building, climbed on statutes, and rode elevators. They were in the building for just under 30 minutes.

Fort Mill man accused in Jan. 6 Capitol attack ready to move on, lawyer says

Irizarry admitted to sitting on a police car parked outside the building, and one of his friends admitted to [hitting] a police officer on the officers helmet, according to a statement.

The college freshman was arrested in March 2021 and later pleaded guilty in October of the following year to Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. He accepted a plea deal before his case went to trial.

The Citadel confirmed in December 2022 that it had suspended Irizarry, but allowed him to continue studies after his case was resolved. Officials with The Citadel tell News 2 he is currently enrolled at the college.

News 2 reached out to Irizarry for comment via email but we have not heard back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA)  A chainsaw-wielding man in a "Scream" costume is accused of killing his next-door neighbor in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania State Police said in a news release posted to social media that the Lehighton Borough Police Department was called to a home in Carbon County on Monday for a reported assault in progress.

When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man suffering from "life-threatening injuries" from being struck by a "piercing object," according to the news release. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Lehigh Valley Live reported that the victim was identified as 59-year-old Edward Whitehead Jr. The outlet, citing court records filed by Pennsylvania State Police, went on to report that 30-year-old Zak Russel Moyer was taken into custody and admitted to going to his neighbor's house "for the purpose of scaring him."

Moyer went to the house with a knife and small battery-powered chainsaw while wearing "a mask and a black costume-like garment, consistent with the 'Scream' movie character," the court documents obtained by Lehigh Valley Live said.

Moyer told police that he stabbed his neighbor in the head with the knife, the outlet reported, citing the court records, which added that the victim was "struck with a chainsaw." Moyer reportedly told his sister about a week ago that he "wanted to kill Ed the neighbor."

Moyer faces a homicide charge and was taken to the Carbon County Prison. His bail was denied, Lehigh Valley Live reported. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 3.

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.
BALTIMORE  A second man was convicted Thursday in the ambush killing of Baltimore police Officer Keona Holley more than three years ago and sentenced to life in prison.

Travon Shaw, 35, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday. He was due in court the same day for sentencing after a jury in October found him guilty of all counts in the killing of 27-year-old Justin Johnson the same morning Holley was gunned down.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Althea M. Handy sentenced Shaw to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 20 years.

His attorney, public defender Matthew Connell, declined to comment.

Prosecutors previously said that Shaws accomplice, Elliot Knox, shot Holley around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2021, and that both men opened fire on Johnson about 90 minutes later.

A jury earlier this month found Knox, 34, guilty of murder and related offenses in both cases. The jury acquitted Knox on one count: use of the firearm in Holleys death. He is scheduled to be in court for sentencing in June.

Holley, a 39-year-old mother of four, was sitting in her patrol car while working an overtime shift in Baltimores Curtis Bay neighborhood when she was ambushed and shot in the 4400 block of Pennington Avenue. Bullets struck her head twice, damaging her brain and neck. She died in the hospital about a week after the shooting.

About an hour and a half after Holley was shot, gunmen approached Johnson, who was sitting in his 1997 Lincoln Town Car, parked in the 600 block of Lucia Avenue in the citys Yale Heights neighborhood. The shooters fired into the car from behind. Six bullets tore into Johnsons back, damaging his spine, lungs and heart. He died at the scene.

At Knoxs trial, the prosecutor, Kurt Bjorklund, told jurors the killings amounted to two executions, 90 minutes apart, (in) two different neighborhoods.

Baltimore States Attorney Ivan Bates, a Democrat, applauded Bjorklund and the detective work from Baltimore Police in a statement Thursday.

Todays sentencing of Travon Shaw ensures that he will never be able to commit another ruthless act of violence in our city ever again, Bates said. Officer Keona Holley and Justin Johnson will never return home to their families, a fact that will remain with their loved ones for the rest of their lives. My heart goes out to them as they continue to grieve and work to heal. This should be a moment for all of us to reflect on the importance of keeping each other safe, including our police officers.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 30-year-old man was shot and killed just south of downtown Nashville Thursday night.

The shooting happened just before 10 p.m. in the University Court neighborhood.

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

According to a release, Anthony Lee Buchanan Jr., 30, was found in an alley with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

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Metro Department Housing Authority footage captured the shooting and the two suspects fleeing to a nearby apartment, according to Metro police. Detectives quickly responded to the apartment where two 14-year-olds, Tyrese Summers and Kimarion Henry, were located.

Tyrese Summers (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Kimarion Henry (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

During an interview with detectives, Summers and Henry admitted to their involvement in the shooting, which reportedly stemmed from Buchanan recently stealing $300 from Summers.

Metro police reported four handguns, as well as a large amount of marijuana and cocaine, were recovered from the apartment.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Summers and Henry were charged in juvenile court with criminal homicide and juvenile handgun possession.

No additional information was immediately released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
CRYSTAL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Minneapolis man has been charged for allegedly stabbing his cousin 19 times, leaving the victim in a car to die at a park in Crystal, Minnesota.

Larondo Willis, 37, was charged Thursday with one count of second-degree murder with intent.

On March 21, just before 7:30 a.m., Crystal police officers responded to a suspicious car parked on Hampshire Avenue North along Valley Place Park in Crystal. Once officers arrived, they found the car running with a deceased man inside.

READ MORE: Crystal police investigating after body was found in a car

There was blood splattered inside the car, and officers found blood smeared on the front passenger-side door, court documents said. According to video surveillance police obtained, the victims car was parked there overnight from March 20 to 21.

Court documents say that a witness was parked at Valley Place Park on the evening of March 20, around the time the victims car was parked there. That witness told police that a man, later identified as Willis, left a porta-potty and opened their car door and asked for a ride. The witness said no and Willis left. Investigators found blood smeared on the inside handle of that porta-potty.

Investigators also talked to the victims 14-year-old son, who told them on the night of March 20, him and the victim went to a barbershop together, court documents said. While at the barbershop, Willis allegedly entered the shop and the victim referred to him as "cousin".

The victims son allegedly described Willis as "weird" and was wearing multiple layers of clothes, two hats and two pairs of gloves. The victims son told officers in a later interview that family members showed him a picture of Willis which he recognized as the "cousin" from the barbershop. The son also confirmed it was Willis in surveillance footage the police obtained from the area around the crime scene.

The son told officers that he, the victim and Willis left the barbershop together on the evening of March 20, and the victim dropped his son off at home, charges said. The victim had to return to the home to help his son get into the residence, and the son stated that Willis was still with the victim.

The owner of the barbershop also confirmed with police that Willis had made an appointment there, and provided police with Willis phone number, charges allege.

Willis was arrested by Minneapolis police on March 21 for an unrelated assault investigation, according to court documents. Through that investigation, Willis cell phonewhich matched the number given to Crystal police by the barbershop ownerpinged in multiple locations around where the victim was found dead. At the time of his arrest, Willis allegedly had a butterfly knife on his and his shorts had some blood on them.

Court documents allege that officers learned from family members that the victim and Willis had a cousin in common that was murdered in April 2022. According to the charges, Willis was upset that the victim hadn't done more to intervene in that killing.

According to the charges, the autopsy revealed that the victim was stabbed 19 times, and the victim had multiple defensive wounds.

Willis is currently in custody at Hennepin County Jail. His first court appearance will be on Friday.
State Office for Development of Industrial Parks to be created in Ukraine

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that a State Office for the development of industrial parks will be created in Ukraine.

"We are increasing our self-sufficiency, strengthening our production and industrial potential. Industrial parks will become one of the key tools in this direction. This year we are allocating UAH 1 billion for their development," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Friday.

According to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers on Friday approved the procedure for using these funds: for the construction of infrastructure of industrial parks, for compensation for connection to networks, for compensation rates on loans taken for development and investment.

"The State Office for the Development of Industrial Parks will also be created. We use the experience of Singapore, Turkey, and Poland to make industrial parks the growth points of our industry and economy," he said.

In addition, on Friday, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to create two industrial parks.

In particular, one of the parks will be created in Vinnytsia region (investments in its creation will amount to more than UAH 50 million), and the second industrial park will be in Ivano-Frankivsk region (investments in its creation and development may amount to UAH 1.5 billion).

"Thanks to the creation of these two industrial parks, more than 1,000 jobs will be created in the processing industry," the prime minister said.
Man wanted for attempted homicide in Porterville arrested in Fresno, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  One person was arrested in Fresno after officers spotted a vehicle belonging to a wanted suspect in an attempted homicide outside of Porterville, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Police say officers were patrolling the area of Hammond and First on Thursday afternoon when officers spotted the vehicle and ran the license plate. Officers say they confirmed it was connected with the attempted homicide out of Porterville.

1 dead after CHP says driver ignored stop sign, crashed into truck

The vehicle pulled over and the wanted suspect was taken into custody without incident, police say.

Police say that this is an ongoing investigation. No other information about the arrest was available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Man wanted for punching woman in the head in Manhattan: NYPD

CHELSEA, Manhattan (PIX11)  Police are searching for a man accused of punching a woman in the head in Manhattan on Tuesday, according to the NYPD.

It happened on Avenue of the Americas in Chelsea around 12:45 p.m., police said. The suspect ran from the scene, according to authorities.

Police describe the man as being around 35 years old and 510 inches tall. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black hooded sweatshirt, light jeans and white and orange sneakers.

TikTok videos of women being punched in NYC lead to 2 arrests: NYPD

The attack comes just days after two men were arrested in separate punching incidents around the city.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is critically injured and a woman is detained after a wounding incident in Whitehaven on Friday evening.

Memphis Police officers responded to the 5000 block of Boeingshire Drive regarding the wounding call around 1 p.m.

Teen charged with fatally shooting Watermelon Man posts bond

One male was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. He is now in stable condition.

A woman was detained at that time. Police say the victim and the suspect knew each other.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Though not everyone gets to work in the rarified world of high finance, many will relate to author Carrie Suns anatomy of burnout.

In her new memoir, Private Equity, the former quantitative equity analyst charts her time as executive assistant to the founder of one of the worlds most successful hedge funds.

Ironically, she chose the job to achieve a better work life balance, planning to write in her spare time. What spare time?

She quickly moves from loving the role to being swamped by it. The sense of overwhelm, of being always on, endlessly interrupted and not listened to when she asks for help resulted in everything from disordered eating to injury.

In the office gym late one night she checks a text while running on a treadmill and ends up in hospital.

As her workload increases her ability to recharge her personal battery implodes. No amount of boss-gifted spa days or expensive therapies helps because the exhausting workload was only greater when she returned.

Of course she left.

The World Health Organization classifies burnout not as a medical condition but purely an occupational phenomenon. It is the result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.

It characterizes it as feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, negativity or cynicism towards ones job, and reduced professional efficacy.

Surveys suggest a number of factors cause workplace disengagement, including lack of clarity around your role and expectations of you, lack of opportunities for development, and a feeling that your opinions dont count.

In recent years pollster Gallups research has charted falling levels of workplace engagement, particularly among young millennials and Gen Zs.

Last year it found employees in the US feel more detached from their employers, with less clear expectations, lower levels of satisfaction with their organization, and less connection to its mission or purpose than they did four years ago. They are also less likely to feel someone at work cares about them as a person.

Around half of employees are disengagedor quiet quitting, it found.

Among the most common causes of burnout, which can present as either loud quitting (leaving) or quiet quitting (staying but disengaging), is a sense of being treated unfairly, unmanageable workload, intense time pressure, and poor managerial communications or support.

Carrie Suns boss suggested she take time off to remedy her burnout, rather than address its root causes. But research suggests time out can actually make things worse.

According to a nationwide survey, a return to work after breaks and vacations often leaves people feeling drained, with 42 percent dreading the return to work and 50 percent reporting that burnout typically sets in within one week of returning.

Despite this, only 8 percent of respondents said their employer had measures in place to address employee burnout.

Many of us turn to energy management techniques to cope. The same survey found that exercising, prioritizing self-care, and listening to music are the top strategies we use to combat burnout symptoms.

It also found that a significant portion of the workforce is proactively setting goals to address burnout. One in six employees had made New Years resolutions focused specifically on preventing or managing burnout, with Gen Z leading the way at 26 percent.

Personal energy management is based on the understanding that time is fixed but energy can be expanded. Getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising all help, as can changing the way you work: learn to prioritize, delegate and say no.

Seek out labor-saving AI tools and put them to work for you. Be more self-aware about the things that either drain or boost your energy. Perhaps youre most productive in the early morning, or a night owl who prefers to start late and work late. Adopt a lean business mindset personally, looking for ways to cut out practices that use up your energy needlessly.

If none of this works, do what Carrie Sun did and leave.

European style right to disconnect laws may not yet have caught on here but you can seek out employers who value workplace wellbeing and have the policies in place to back it up. You never know, you might even write a bestseller about the transition.

If youre in the market for a new job, The Hill Jobs Board is the place to start looking. Here are three to get you going.

Arctic Campaign Director, Alaska Wilderness League, Washington DC

Work with purpose. The Director of the Arctic Defense Campaign will lead collaborative work to defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Western Arctic (National Petroleum Reserve  Alaska) from destructive oil and gas development.

Lead Data Warehouse Engineer, Beyond Finance, Chicago

Beyond Finances mission is to help everyday Americans escape the endless cycle of crippling debt. Enjoy mentorship, catered lunches and a free fitness center as its Lead Data Warehouse Engineer.

Executive Assistant, Tribal Tech LLC, Alexandria

Tribal Tech is a Native American, woman-owned small business providing professional services. It is searching for an Executive Assistant to provide high-level and comprehensive support at its client site in Washington, D.C.

Seeking a career change, a step up or a fresh start? The Hill Jobs has a wide variety of new roles you can browse today

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FILE - Cars and trucks line up to enter the U.S. from Mexico at a border crossing in El Paso, Texas, March 29, 2019. Most Americans think the U.S. has been significantly changed by immigrants over the past five years and while many agree immigrants contribute to the economy, there are broad concerns that even legal immigration brings risks as well, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, conducted March 21-25, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Americans are more worried about legal immigrants committing crimes in the U.S. than they were a few years ago, a change driven largely by increased concern among Republicans, while Democrats continue to see a broad range of benefits from immigration, a new poll shows.

The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that substantial shares of U.S. adults believe that immigrants contribute to the country's economic growth, and offer important contributions to American culture. But when it comes to legal immigrants, U.S. adults see fewer major benefits than they did in the past, and more major risks.

About 4 in 10 Americans say that when immigrants come to the U.S. legally, its a major benefit for American companies to get the expertise of skilled workers in fields like science and technology. A similar share (38%) also say that legal immigrants contribute a major benefit by enriching American culture and values.

Both those figures were down compared with 2017, when 59% of Americans said skilled immigrant workers who enter the country legally were a major benefit, and half said legal immigrants contribute a major benefit by enriching American culture.

Meanwhile, the share of Americans who say that theres a major risk that legal immigrants will commit crimes in the U.S. has increased, going from 19% in 2017 to 32% in the new poll.

Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say that immigration is an important issue for them personally, and 41% now say it's a major risk that legal immigrants will commit crimes in the U.S., up from 20% in 2017. Overall, Republicans are more likely to see major risks  and fewer benefits  from immigrants who enter the country legally and illegally, although they tend to be most concerned about people who come to the country illegally.

Bob Saunders is a 64-year-old independent from Voorhees, New Jersey. He disapproves of President Joe Biden's performance when it comes to immigration and border security and is particularly worried about the number of immigrants coming to the southern border who are eventually released into the country. He stressed that there's a difference between legal and illegal immigration. Saunders said its important to know the background of the immigrants coming to the U.S. and said legal immigration contributes to the economy. He also noted the immigrants in his own family.

Its not anti-immigration, Saunders said. Its anti-illegal immigration.

Many Republicans, 71%, say there's a risk of people in the country illegally coming to the U.S. and committing crimes , although many studies have found immigrants are less drawn to violent crime than native-born citizens. Even more, 80%, think there's a major risk that people in the country without permission will burden public service programs, while about 6 in 10 Republicans are concerned that there's a major risk of them taking American jobs, that their population growth will weaken American identity or that they will vote illegally  although only a small number of noncitizen voters have been uncovered.

Amber Pierce, a 43-year-old Republican from Milam, Texas, says she understands that a lot of migrants are seeking a better life for their children, but she's also concerned migrants will become a drain on government services.

I believe that a lot of them come over here and get free health care and take away from the people who have worked here and are citizens, Pierce said. They get a free ride. I dont think thats fair.

Democrats, on the other hand, are more likely to see benefits from immigration, although the poll did find that only half of Democrats now think that legal immigrants are making important contributions to American companies, a decrease of more than 20 percentage points from 2017. But they're more likely than Republicans to say that the ability of people to come from other places in the world to escape violence or find economic opportunities is extremely or very important to the U.Ss identity as a nation.

People who are coming, are coming for good reason. Its how many of us got here, said Amy Wozniak, a Democrat from Greenwood, Indiana. Wozniak said previous waves of immigrants came from European countries. Now immigrants are coming from different countries but that doesnt meant theyre not fleeing for justifiable reasons, she said: Theyre not all drugs and thugs.

Theres also a divide among partisans about the value of diversity, with 83% of Democrats saying that the country's diverse population makes it at least moderately stronger, compared with 43% of Republicans and Independents. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say that a shared American culture and set of values is extremely or very important to the United States' identity as a nation, although about half of Democrats also see this as important.

U.S. adults  and especially Republicans  are more likely to say that the country has been significantly changed by immigrants in the past five years than they are to say that immigrants have changed their own community or their state. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say immigrants have had a major impact on their local community while about 6 in 10 say theyve had a major impact on the country as a whole. The gap between perceptions of community impact and effects on the country as a whole is particularly wide among Republicans.

There is some bipartisan agreement about how immigration at the border between the U.S. and Mexico should be addressed. The most popular option asked about is hiring more Border Patrol agents, which is supported by about 8 in 10 Republicans and about half of Democrats. Hiring more immigration judges and court personnel is also favored among majorities of both parties.

About half of Americans support reducing the number of immigrants who are allowed to seek asylum in the U.S. when they arrive at the border, but theres a much bigger partisan divide there, with more Republicans than Democrats favoring this strategy. Building a wall  former President Donald Trumps signature policy goal  is the least popular and most polarizing option of the four asked about. About 4 in 10 favor building a wall, including 77% of Republicans but just 12% of Democrats.

Donna Lyon is a Democratic-leaning independent from Cortland, New York. She believes a border wall would do little to stop migrants. But she supports hiring more Border Patrol agents and more immigration court judges to deal with the growing backlog of immigration court cases: That would stop all the backup that we have.

Congress just recently approved money to hire about 2,000 more Border Patrol agents but so far this year, theres been no significant boost for funding for more immigration judges. Many on both sides of the aisle have said it takes much too long to decide asylum cases, meaning migrants stay in the country for years waiting for a decision, but the parties have failed to find consensus on how to address the issue.

___

The poll of 1,282 adults was conducted March 21-25, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
Miami has long been a destination for immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean and elsewhere. But experts, lawyers and even local officials have said that its been difficult to put a number on the new arrivals in South Florida over the past few years.

Now, a research institute at Syracuse University could shed light on those hard-to-pin down statistics. An analysis of Department of Homeland Security data by Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse shows that Miami has the largest total of new deportation cases filed this fiscal year of any immigration courts in the country.

TRACs statistics do not include every immigrant who has recently come to the area, and also includes people who have lived here a long time or who live elsewhere but have their court cases in Miami. But the numbers provide useful insights about the influx that reveals how many people are coming and who they are.

Homeland Security filed 70,883 so-called notices to appear for deportation cases in Miamis immigration court between October 2023, when the federal fiscal year began, and February 2024, according to TRAC. A notice to appear is a document that the agency uses to begin someones immigration court proceedings.

A large number of people coming through ports of entry such as airports or through the border will be put in immigration courts process, said Austin Kocher, a research assistant professor at TRAC.

There were 107,600 notices to appear filed in Miamis immigration court in fiscal year 2022, according to TRACs analysis. In 2023, that was 102,493.

Kocher estimates that the total of notices could even be as high as 170,000 by Sept. 30, which will mark the end of the current fiscal year.

The data gives us a sense of how many cases are coming in. Its an important number since it gives us a sense of scale. It tells us something about how many people are facing deportation, the workload of the immigration court system and the immigration judges, and the counties where immigrants are living to get a sense of the geographic distribution of these cases, Kocher said.

So far this year, more than 33,000 people with new notices to appear for deportation cases in all immigration courts have listed Miami-Dade County as their home, according to mailing address zip codes in court records that TRAC analyzed. Just over 32,000 have had their cases filed in Miami.

After not known, Miami-Dade is the top listed county in immigrants addresses this year. Another 21,000 people who received notices to appear dated in 2024 listed their home as Palm Beach and Broward counties.

The deportation cases filed in 2024 in Miamis immigration court also reflect South Floridas demographics: Over half involved Cuban and Haitians. The other top nationalities so far this year: Venezuelans, Guatemalans, Nicaraguans and Colombians.

There are three federal immigration courts in Florida. One is in Downtown Miami. Another is located some 20 miles west at the Krome Detention Center, where federal judges oversee detained immigrants cases; the third is in Orlando.

After Texas, Florida is the second state with the highest number of notices to appear in the current fiscal year, highlighting that the state continues to be a magnet for immigrants.

The new deportation cases in Miamis immigration system raises questions about how judges and court staff will handle the gargantuan volume of cases.

There was a nationwide backlog of 3.43 million immigration cases through February 2024, according to TRAC. Some asylum seekers have told the Herald that their first court hearings are scheduled several years into the future. Others havent received a court date at all.

Miamis court has the largest backlog of them all, with over 291,000 cases. The new proceedings filed this year will likely strain an already fraught and under-resourced legal system which doesnt have enough judges to resolve all cases in a timely manner.

You can find TRACs new-proceedings tool here.
Travel nurses take short-term contracts that can require long commutes or temporarily living away from home. Time and again, they have to get used to new co-workers, new protocols and new workplaces.

So why would staff nurses quit their stable jobs to become travel nurses?

Well, for one, they get bigger paychecks. But U.S. nurses have other rationales besides making more money, according to a study I conducted.

To do this research, I interviewed 27 registered nurses based in different places.

Many of the people I interviewed disclosed that they left permanent positions to combat burnout. Although they welcomed the bump in pay, travel nursing also gave them the autonomy to decide when and where to work. That autonomy allowed them to pursue personal and professional interests that were meaningful to them, and it made some of the other hassles, such as long commutes, worth it.

On top of earning more money, travel nursing gives you an opportunity to explore different areas, said a nurse Ill call Cynthia, because research rules require anonymity. When you actually live there for three months, it gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in the area and really get to know not just the touristy stuff, but really hang out with the locals and really be exposed to that area.

Other study participants said they enjoyed the novelty and educational opportunities.

You dont get bored or stuck in a routine, Michelle said. Youre always trying to learn new policies at the new hospital that youre in, learning about the new doctors, nursing staff, new ways of doing things, where things are located. That helps keep me from feeling burned out so quickly.

Said Patricia: I want to see how other operating rooms across the country do things and how they do things differently. I do learn a lot of things going from place to place.

Travel nurses move around a lot but also find upsides to that mobility. Elaine Cromie/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Why it matters

A growing number of U.S. nurses were obtaining temporary assignments before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

But travel nursing became much more widespread in 2020, when hospitals were scrambling to keep their staffing levels high enough as millions of Americans were becoming infected with the coronavirus, straining capacity in many communities.

While compensation varies widely, the median pay of registered nurses in 2022 was US$81,220, about 35% less than the $110,000 that registered nurses who traveled earned.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel nurses could earn an even bigger premium. Many were paid twice as much as staff nurses.

Once the number of Americans with severe symptoms fell, that premium declined too. But there are still over 1.7 million travel nurses in the U.S. Hiring them is one of the main ways that hospitals cope with a long-term shortage of nurses.

But nurses with permanent jobs can get aggravated by this arrangement when they learn how much more travel nurses earn for doing the same work, as I found through another research project.

What other research is being done

Research supports a widely reported trend: More Americans have temporary jobs and freelance employment than in the past.

While travel nurses can help hospitals, nursing homes and doctors offices meet staffing needs, there are signs that patients dont always fare as well with their care.

And a Canadian study found that when hospitals let staff nurses work part time and offer other alternative arrangements, their retention rates may rise.

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Ivan Gan, University of Houston-Downtown

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Ivan Gan 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.
TEL AVIV, IsraelOn Monday, the U.N. Security Council approved its first resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after the United States, which had previously vetoed such attempts, abstained from voting. Though the measure separately demanded the release of hostages Hamas abducted from Israel, it failed to condition the truce on their freedoman omission Israeli officials say strengthened Hamas negotiating position and ultimately undermined progress in talks to reach a humanitarian ceasefire.

On the same day, Hamas rebuffed a U.S.-drafted and Israel-supported proposal for a temporary pause in fighting. In exchange for the safe return of 40 Hamas-held hostages, Israel had agreed to release 800 Palestinian prisonersdouble the number previously floatedand allow thousands of civilians to return to northern Gaza. But negotiations in Doha, Qatar, have now stalled as Hamas hardens its demands.

In contrast to the temporary truce in November, which saw the release of hundreds of women and underage suspects from Israeli prison, Hamas now wants Israel to free prisoners serving life sentences for killing scores of civilians. Among them are the terror chiefs of multiple Palestinian resistance factions, including Hamas and its competitors.

At the top of Hamas wish list is Marwan Barghouti, a nationalist leader serving five life sentences for murdering Israelis and one of the most recognizable figures in Palestinian politics. The 64-year-old is a member of the Fatah faction, the political party that heads the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Barghoutis popularity has persisted even throughout his two decades behind bars, in large part because of his affiliation with the late Yasser Arafatthe longtime leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organizationand leadership during the Second Intifada. The organized wave of terrorist attacks between 2000 and 2005 killed more than 1,000 Israelis and disrupted the path to a two-state solution outlined in the 1993 Oslo Accords.

Renewed discussions about a prisoner release, together with international pushes for new Palestinian leadership, have brought Barghoutis name back to the fore in recent months. A March poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) showed a surge in support for the imprisoned Fatah leader, with respondents in the West Bank and Gaza choosing him over both PA President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a hypothetical presidential race.

Barghouti is seen as someone who would not be reluctant to defend the interests of the Palestinian people through armed struggle, as he did during the Second Intifada, Khalil Shikaki, director of the Ramallah-based PCPSR think tank, told The Dispatch. That distinguishes him from many other secular nationalist leaders within his own political party.

Barghoutis violent reputation particularly sets him apart from Abbas, also a Fatah member, whom many Palestinians regard as an Israeli collaborator. But hes also picked up followers from among Hamas support base in the West Bank, earning him the reputation of a unifier. Some Palestinians, amplified by Western media outlets, have hailed the terrorist leader as their movements Nelson Mandela.

So why would Hamas leaders want to free a potential political rival? Because they are interested in being reintegrated into the Palestinian political system. They dont want to be treated as a pariah, Shikaki said. In that respect, Barghouti is a very, very strong, solid ally. His release would certainly create new dynamics that would benefit Hamas considerably.

Also on Hamas roster is Abdullah Barghouti (no relation to Marwan), one of Hamas most lethal bomb makers to date. The Kuwaiti-born terrorist was behind a spate of attacks on Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada, including a 2002 bombing at Hebrew University that killed five Americans and four others and a 2001 suicide bombing inside a Jerusalem Sbarro that killed 16 people, including seven children and a pregnant woman. Hes now serving 67 life sentences for the 66 deaths that have been tied directly to him.

I knew there were more, but those were all we would be able to prove, Mosab Hassan Yousef, a Hamas militant-turned-Israel Security Agency operative who helped Israel arrest scores of terrorists, wrote of Abdullah in his memoir Son of Hamas. At his sentencing, he would express no remorse, blame Israel, and regret only that he had not had the opportunity to kill more Jews.

Hamas has reportedly demanded the release of other key figures from the Second Intifada during the ongoing negotiations. One such terrorist, Hamas operative Abbas Al-Sayed, plotted some of the deadliest attacks of that period, including the 2002 bombing of a Passover celebration in Netanya that killed 30 civilians (several of them Holocaust survivors). Ibrahim Hamed, the former head of Hamas military wing in the West Bank, is serving 54 life sentences for his role in planning the spate of terrorist attacks. Ahmad Saadatwho from behind bars remains head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizationis serving a 30-year sentence for his involvement in the 2001 assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi.

To Yoni Ben-Menachem, an Israel-based Arab affairs expert, many of these names represent red lines for Israel, especially Marwan Barghouti. Hes the symbol of terrorism in the Second Intifada, Ben-Menachem told The Dispatch.

Along with the return of some of the most dangerous Palestinian inmates in Israeli custody, Hamas negotiators are now pressing for nothing short of a permanent ceasefire and Israels full withdrawal from the Strip. That the unrealistic demands came amid the U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire is no coincidence in Israels eyes.

We had negotiators in Doha trying to get an agreement to release hostages, and its not surprising that Hamas decided to reject the latest proposal that was put forward by the Americans, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who had previously been tapped to lead since-canceled meetings with U.S. officials in Washington this week, said Tuesday. Why should they not reject it? They think theyre going to get a ceasefire without giving up the hostages, because thats what the resolution said.

Israeli officials and analysts are increasingly convinced Hamas and its leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, are no longer interested in a deal and are now playing for time in the hopes that building international pressure will thwart Israels war effort. As time goes by, Hamas is betting that its negotiating position will grow stronger.

Its just stalling. Sinwar wants to put the blame for the failure of the negotiations on Israel. Whenever Israel agrees to something, he puts up new demands, Ben-Menachem said. What he wants, Israel cannot give him. He wants to stay in power in Gaza. He wants to come out of the tunnels as the victorious hero that Israel could not defeat.

Read more at The Dispatch

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A statue of a Rhode Island State Police trooper stands in front of the current headquarters in Scituate.

PROVIDENCE  An Attleboro man faces criminal charges after driving the wrong way on Route 95 on Thursday night and striking two other vehicles, according to the Rhode Island State Police.

The 10 p.m. crash sent the wrong-way driver and two other people to the hospital, the state police said in a news release.

The man was charged with driving under the influence resulting in serious injury, reckless driving and driving to endanger resulting in serious injury, the state police said.

At about 10 p.m., the state police received emergency calls for a wrong-way driver in a white SUV going south in the northbound lanes of Route 95 in Pawtucket, the state police said.

As troopers responded to the area, they found a three-car crash involving the white SUV at the Barbara Leonard Way overpass in Providence, the state police said.

Investigators determined that the white SUV struck another vehicle head-on and then hit a second vehicle, the state police said.

The driver and a passenger from the vehicle that was hit head-on were taken to Rhode Island Hospital by Providence Rescue, the state police said.

The wrong-way driver was held at Rhode Island Hospital and is summoned to appear in District Court, Providence, on April 11.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Attleboro man charged in wrong-way crash on Interstate 95
Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and nearly two dozen other Democratic-led states urged the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve the ability of emergency room doctors to provide abortions, arguing that failing to do so would have devastating effects for their health care systems and women across the country.

At issue is whether a near-total Idaho abortion ban conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, a federal law that governs how hospitals must provide emergency care for patients facing dangerous medical conditions.

While the Idaho law forbids all abortions with narrow exceptions for rape, incest and imminent death, EMTALA requires doctors to provide stabilizing care for patients with significant health risks, not just fatal prognoses. And for pregnant patients, that care has long been understood as including abortions when necessary to stave off critical conditions, like preeclampsia and hemorrhage.

In August 2022, the Biden administration sued Idaho over its ban and quickly won a ruling from a federal district that froze the law. In January, the U.S. Supreme Court paused the lower courts decision and agreed to hear an appeal in April.

Mayes and 23 other Democratic attorneys general called on the high court to reaffirm the injunction against the Idaho law, saying that siding with Idaho is the wrong move.

In an amicus brief filed on Friday, the Democratic attorneys general warned that weakening the protections in EMTALA would encourage other anti-abortion states to further restrict their care, leading to strained health care systems in states that choose to preserve access  on top of an already unprecedented surge in out-of-state demand.

Allowing States like Idaho to eviscerate EMTALAs nationwide guarantee of stabilizing emergency care and protection against patient dumping will drive many pregnant patients to amici States for emergency abortion care to preserve their health, reads the brief. That influx may result in more crowded waiting rooms, increased delays for urgent healthcare services, and overall strains on many amici States healthcare systems.

And forcing patients to travel out-of-state for emergency care will only result in increased burdens for the hospitals that do end up providing treatment, wrote the attorneys general. One Tennessee woman was denied an emergency abortion in her home state and transported six hours away to North Carolina by ambulance to receive the procedure, where she arrived with dangerously high blood pressure and signs of kidney failure. The womans doctor in Tennessee hesitated to provide an abortion because of a state law that makes it a felony to do so.

That hesitancy from medical professionals to act under threats of criminalization was cited by the attorneys general as a key reason to preserve the protections of EMTALA. The act directs hospitals that participate in Medicare and have emergency rooms to offer stabilizing care to patients that arrive with critical health conditions before discharging or transferring them.

Delayed or denied care would be in direct violation of that mandate. But numerous abortion bans passed across the country have had that exact effect.

The amicus brief pointed to a study in Texas, which has a 6-week abortion ban, that found that the rate of maternal morbidity for women in the state with pregnancy complications was nearly double that of other women in states where doctors were allowed to terminate when dangerous health risks arose. Women in the Texas study received observation only care until they could be deemed at risk of death, their fetus had no cardiac activity or they spontaneously went into labor, and because of that delay they suffered hysterectomies, hemorrhages, and admissions into the intensive care unit.

Prohibiting providers from offering medically necessary, evidence-based emergency abortion care to their pregnant patients poses a direct threat to those patients lives and well-being  precisely the sort of harms that Congress designed and enacted EMTALA to avoid, wrote the attorneys general.

In Arizona, state law bans abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, unless the mother is facing imminent threat of death. And while the bulk of surgical abortions occur in one of the states nine abortion clinics, some are performed in hospitals. Out of 11,407 abortions provided in 2022, the latest year for which there is data, 24 were performed as a result of a hospital inpatient stay.

In a post on social media site X, formerly Twitter, Mayes said that emergency abortion care is an important health care protection for women, and that it should be left up to doctors to decide whats best for their patients.

Access to emergency abortion care is critical for the health and safety of patients facing medical emergencies, she wrote. Emergency medical decisions should be guided by the needs of the patient, not restrictive anti-abortion laws.

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Ukraine is interested in Indian companies taking part in the reconstruction of the country, since after the war Ukraine will become one of the largest construction sites in the world, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"One of the topics that I will discuss with Minister Jaishankar and other Indian representatives will be the possible participation of Indian companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine. After the war, Ukraine will become one of the largest construction sites in the world. And we want Indian companies to take part in this," Kuleba said in an interview with The Times of India.

Answering the question whether the minister sees the possibility that India will mediate a truce between Ukraine and Russia, Kuleba stressed that the Russian Federation is not looking for peace.

"India is one of the world leaders. Leadership means that you have to lead, not follow others. And I am here in New Delhi to discuss what steps India can take as a leader. It doesn't have to be an immediate truce or cease-fire, because everything we know about Russia and its goals tells us that peace is not what they are looking for. But we must identify the steps and areas in which India will use its reputation and authority to lead other countries," Kuleba said.

Thus, he noted that one of these areas is the Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a way to achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.

"This will be the topic of my conversations here," the Foreign Minister said.
It was a very Good Friday for Mayor Adams, who was baptized with inmates on Rikers Island in what he said was a recommitment to the city and to his faith.

This is Resurrection Sunday coming up, Adams told the Daily News just two days before Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar. We should all look at not only how we can resurrect our city, but how we can resurrect our own personal spaces.

Adams was joined at the jail by the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, pastor of Brooklyns House of the Lord Pentecostal Church, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network.

The two ministers baptized Adams and 11 inmates Adams had met with through a prison ministry program called Fatherless No More, which focuses on rehabilitating incarcerated men.

Adams stressed the importance of mentors in the lives of young black men, and credited Daughtry for steering him in the right direction.

Rev,. Daughtry really put me on this pathway to be a police officer and a mayor, said Adams, a former NYPD captain. He said you need to funnel all that energy you have in a real direction.

The mayors Good Friday visit was his second trip to Rikers this week. After witnessing inmates get baptized on his visit Tuesday, he promised he would be back, and do the deed himself.

COVID restrictions forced Rikers to shut down the baptismal pool in the prisons chapel.

To baptize Adams and the others, Sharpton and Daughtry leaned them back, poured water on their heads and then washed their feet, as Jesus, according to the Bible, washed the feet of his disciples.

Its a symbol of cleaning your pathway from where you were to where you are going, Adams said I could have done it in any church in the city. But I wanted to do it on Rikers Island. I wanted to send a message that they are not forgotten by this mayor.

Adams, who said he was first baptized 40 years ago, said the ceremony was very moving.

We sat side-by-side as we took our shoes off to have our feet washed together, Adams said. Youd have to see the faces of those inmates seeing the mayor right in the pews with them looking at them and not down at them.

Adams said the rehabilitation of Rikers inmates is just as important to him as the safety of the citys correction officers.
Youd have to be pretty high to let Michael ODonnell anywhere near rewriting state law to legalize medical marijuana.

And on Thursday, the state Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs tabled a marijuana legalization bill being pushed by ODonnell in his capacity as a lobbyist for Kansas Natural Remedies.

The senators did the right thing, because the bill would have been an unmitigated disaster for medical marijuana in Kansas. But they did it for the wrong reasons, more about that in a minute.

For those who havent been keeping track, lobbying for the hemp grower is one of several jobs ODonnell has had since 2020, after he resigned his position as a Sedgwick County commissioner, one step ahead of an ouster proceeding that would have removed him from office for political corruption.

On behalf of his client, ODonnells been the driving force behind Senate Bill 555, a purported conservative alternative to allow Kansas citizens to have limited access to medical marijuana, a right theyd already have if they lived in any of 40 other states or the District of Columbia.

On the street, fake drugs sold to uniformed and unsuspecting buyers are called turkeys.

S.B. 555 is a turkey.

Like most things ODonnell involves himself with, S.B. 555 is sleazy, cheesy, and designed to primarily benefit FODs (friends of ODonnell), rather than the people it purports to be helping.

The bill would establish a so-called pilot program that would run for five years and place every facet of medical marijuana  from growing the plants to processing them to distribution  under the control of four companies selected by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

In 2022, I wrote about a terminally ill cancer patient in Hays who was raided  on his deathbed in his hospital room  for spreading marijuana extract on bread and eating it to relieve his pain.

At the time, I made this prediction: Lawmakers will legalize medical marijuana just enough to get themselves off the hook for having a total ban, but then over-regulate it and make it so expensive and hard to get that relatively few people who could benefit will actually be able to have it.

S.B. 555 would do that  while still making untold millions of dollars for the four favored companies with KDHE contracts.

Under the bill, growing your own would remain prohibited. So would smoking it or using edibles  which is how most medical patients use marijuana to alleviate their pain, as an alternative to taking debilitating and addictive prescription opiates.

All marijuana grown for medical purposes would have to be grown indoors in windowless facilities, and I doubt its a coincidence that the company ODonnells lobbying for bills itself as Kansas Premiere Indoor Hemp Cultivator.

At Thursdays Senate hearing, the star witness for the proponents was Samuel Jones of Kansas Natural Remedies. Opponents were primarily law enforcement folks, represented by Kansas Bureau of Investigation director Tony Mattivi, and others opposed to marijuana in general.

The missing voices were advocates for real marijuana reform, and patients like Greg Bretz, who cant testify on Senate bills, because he died three weeks after the great Hays hospital raid in his room.

But practically every group supporting medical marijuana in the state joined Wednesday in a statement roundly condemning S.B. 555.

Here are some excerpts:

The medical cannabis pilot program introduced by Michael ODonnell creates a monopoly by only allowing FOUR companies in the entire state to participate.  Amanda McHenry Brubaker, president, Honk for Hemp

It is time Kansas enact a medical cannabis program that protects public health, takes into account lessons from other states, and that will pass this legislative body. Unfortunately, SB 555 is the result of an effort by a select few individuals who created a program with the intent of ensuring they not only had a place in the market, but that they controlled it.  Kelly Rippel, founding president, Planted Association of Kansas

It (S.B. 55) lacks even the faintest glimmer of recognition of the need for racial equity, for community building, or of the devastatingly inequitable impact of decades of our states War on Drugs-era laws criminalizing cannabis.  Micah Kubic, Executive Director, ACLU of Kansas.

But those werent the reasons cited when the committee tabled the bill until next year.

There was only this, from Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican: Through this (hearing), it has become abundantly clear to me that this is not the conservative, restrictive control pilot program its being characterized as.

The Legislature still just doesnt get it.

About 67% of residents polled last October in Fort Hays State Universitys Kansas Speaks survey said theyd go beyond medical, and support legalizing recreational use as well.

Kansas wants medical marijuana, without the conservative, restrictive control.

And they certainly dont want it the Michael ODonnell way.

Christmastime hospital-room raid busts dying man for using marijuana extract | Opinion

Medical marijuana: Masterson callously opposes Gov. Kellys effort to ease suffering | Opinion

Cancer patient dies three weeks after hospital room raid seized his marijuana extracts | Opinion
Embattled Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer claimed in a recent forum that a policy change in his office has ended police-involved deaths during his tenure as city attorney.

However, police say they are unaware of any policy change. And, there have been police-involved deaths in the city since he was elected in 2020.

Spencer is running in Tuesday's election for a second, four-year term leading the office that serves as the legal counsel and representative for city departments. That includes representing the Milwaukee Police Department.

Running against him is state Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee.

In a forum held by the League of Progressive Seniors last week, Spencer said he came into office with a different mindset about qualified immunity, according to a video of the forum posted to YouTube Thursday. The legal principle protects government officials from civil lawsuits and is frequently raised in cases involving police officers.

Spencer told those assembled that qualified immunity creates a "mindset" wherein "some folks think they can go do whatever they want to and be absolved of their actions. So, we had to bring that back and let them know you will be accountable for your actions.

"And Im here to tell you, since that policy change, unofficial, has been announced weve been in office, we have not had one, not one, loss of life with police encounters with citizens of Milwaukee.

"Now, I will tell you prior to that, we have had one or two every year. But just a fundamental shift in a mentality and philosophy on how we deal with that, making people more aware of the operations, have saved this city a tremendous amount of money, loss of life. How we view and approach our job."

If there was a change in policy, however, police were not notified.

"The Milwaukee Police Department is not aware of any policy change imposed by the city attorney related to qualified immunity," MPD Chief of Staff Heather Hough said in a statement to the Journal Sentinel.

Spencer did not immediately respond to voicemails or an email to his campaign on Friday seeking clarification on the policy change he was referencing and requesting a copy of it.

The Journal Sentinel also requested clarification on his claim regarding the loss of life in police encounters with Milwaukee citizens.

There have been a number of police-involved deaths in the last four years. These include fatal shootings in May 2021, two in September 2022, and two in February 2023, according to a review of Milwaukee Police Department community briefing videos.

There have been additional non-fatal shootings by police during Spencer's four years in office, some of them quite high-profile.

Spencer challenger says he knows of no policy change

Goyke said he is unaware of any change in the qualified immunity policy within City Attorney's Office.

"If this is an official policy, it's not something that's publicly available or readily available to the people of Milwaukee and apparently not to the client," Goyke said, referring to the Milwaukee Police Department.

Qualified immunity is a long-established federal law that protects state and local officials, including law enforcement officers, from individual liability unless the official violated a clearly established constitutional right.

Some states have sought to restrict the application of qualified immunity as a defense in law enforcement cases, but Wisconsin is not one of them.

Goyke said individual litigants can argue with the city over whether the policy should be applied in a particular case. It's an issue the city would handle on a case-by-case basis, he said, and not something "that you can apply a blanket policy to."

Beyond that, Goyke said he thinks Spencer erred when stating that the city has "not had one, not one, loss of life with police encounters with citizens of Milwaukee" since the incumbent made changes to qualified immunity.

Goyke said the city should be working toward that goal of ending police-involved deaths in Milwaukee but that has not yet been achieved. Spencer shouldn't, he said, be making such a claim.

"It just doesn't seem to me to be something that really belongs in a candidate's stump speech or introduction, especially if it's not factually accurate," Goyke said.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on X at @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee city attorney claims his change ended police-involved deaths
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Valequez Livingston on Thursday, March 28 to ten years in prison plus an additional five years of extended supervision in connection with an April 2022 shooting and police standoff near 28th and Vienna.

Livingston pleaded guilty in February 2023 to six charges against him including first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Five others charges were dismissed and read into the court record for the purposes of sentencing.

Case details

Prosecutors say Livingston fired more than 100 rounds during the incident. He was taken into custody several hours after police first made contact.

Valequez Livingston

Officers first responded to the area of 27th and Vienna for a reported shooting around 3 a.m. on April 13, 2022. Roughly 30 minutes later, another shooting report came in for a home a block over  near 28th and Vienna. The caller said a bullet came their home and into her daughter's bedroom. At the scene, police found broken glass and two bullet strikes, with one bullet having gone into the bedroom.

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Police knocked on the door of the home where the gunfire had allegedly come from and, around 3:40 a.m., made contact with Livingston, a criminal complaint states. Though he partially opened the interior door, Livingston did not open an external security door.

Standoff near 28th and Vienna in Milwaukee

The complaint states officers tried to talk with Livingston for just over an hour, but he was "mumbling" and hard to understand. During that time, he allegedly opened and closed the door several times while turning lights on and off inside. He ultimately slid a couch in front of the door and become unresponsive to officers' requests, according to the complaint.

Officers attempted to negotiate for roughly an hour when, the complaint states, the first of many gun shots came  around 4:45 a.m. For approximately two hours, gunfire continued in 1-3 shot clusters.

The officers who initially responded were relived by members of a tactical team around 5:30 a.m., the complaint states. A tactical vehicle was parked out front and allegedly hit twice by gunfire from the home. The home's windows could be seen "rattling" from the gunfire, the complaint states, and a muzzle flash was seen through a porch window.

Standoff near 28th and Vienna in Milwaukee

Around 6:50 a.m., Livingston "suddenly" came out the front door armed with a handgun and rifle  both of which were loaded. He dropped them and fell into a fetal position, the complaint states. He "actively resisted" officers' attempts to take him into custody, and a Taser was used to do so.

An officer said they estimated "at least 100" shots were fired during the incident. A search warrant found 149 casings throughout the home and numerous bullet strikes to the outside walls. Livingston was the only one inside, the complaint states.

One responding officer said the rounds were coming so close to his person that they "could feel the shock of the bullet." Another officer said they could "feel the pressure" of the bullet.

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No officers returned fire, and no one sustained injuries from Livingston's gunfire, police said. Several houses and the police vehicle were struck, though.

In an interview with police following his arrest, Livingston said he knew an officer came to the door and that he "slammed the door on the officer." He said he recently started using crack cocaine again after several years not using  describing himself as an addict, per the complaint.

The complaint states Livingston was convicted in Arkansas in 1991 for robbery and gun possession. He allegedly admitted that he knows, as a felon, he should not have guns. He said he had them for protection. He denied looking outside to see if police were there during the standoff.
Robert Jenrick has put forward the plan, saying we must understand the social impacts of immigration if we wish to tackle it - US Customs and Border Protection/US Customs and Border Protection

The migrant nationalities with the highest rates of crime will be revealed in league tables under plans to be considered by ministers.

The proposal, backed by senior Tory MPs, would require the crime rates of each nations migrants in England and Wales to be published annually.

Ministers would present a report to Parliament each year detailing the nationality, visa status and asylum status of every offender convicted in English and Welsh courts in the previous 12 months.

Such a move would mirror an approach by some US states and Denmark, where the crime rates of those from Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon and Somalia are far higher than those of Danish nationals.

The plan, set out in an amendment to the Governments Criminal Justice Bill, would enable the Home Office to toughen visa and deportation policies for nationalities linked to higher rates of crime.

It is understood that the Governments main concern is regarding the practicality of implementing the plan, as ministers have no ideological objections to it. A government source said: We will certainly look properly at this amendment and engage with colleagues in the usual way.

The plan has been put forward by Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, and has been backed by more than a dozen Tory MPs including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, on the Right of the party and Sir Robert Buckland, the former justice secretary, on the centre-Left.

The UK is importing crime

We cannot hope to fix our immigration system without understanding the problem. The national debate on legal and illegal migration is hindered by a lack of data on the fiscal, economic and societal impacts of migration, said Mr Jenrick.

There is mounting concern that the UK is importing crime, particularly violent crime, sexual assaults and drug production. We need to have transparency so the public knows whats happening and policy can be formulated accordingly.

Rishi Sunak is fighting to get a grip on illegal and legal migration following his pledge to stop the boats. Polls show that dissatisfaction with the Governments immigration policies is at its highest level since Brexit, with the Conservatives shedding support for the Reform Party on the issue.

Last year, Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, warned that migrants in the UK illegally were fuelling crime, saying that those arriving on small boats were linked to heightened levels of criminality.

National Crime Agency chiefs have previously warned that a significant number of Albanians who had entered the UK illegally were working for organised criminal drug gangs.

Backers of the league table plan believe it will help the Government strengthen immigration policy on three fronts. First, they said it would allow the Home Office to tighten screening of visas from countries with nationals linked to higher crime rates in the UK. A similar approach could be taken to asylum applications. They also say it would enable the Home Office to focus deportations and returns agreements on those countries.

Mr Jenrick said: An open immigration system is creating serious problems in communities, but without data, we cant have an informed debate.

Sir Robert said Denmark and the US had a similar approach to tackling immigration, as both countries had developed proposals to process asylum claims of migrants offshore in Rwanda.

The Danes think similarly to us. They were the ones looking at third-country processing agreements. I dont think anyone can suggest they are not compliant with international laws yet they are rightly adopting a robust and fair approach, he said.

Anything that makes us more efficient in the way we process claims to sift out people whose presence would be a detriment to our country should be considered.

Among MPs backing the plan are former ministers Andrea Jenkyns, Sir Simon Clarke, Neil OBrien, Jonathan Djanogly, Sir Desmond Swayne, Sarah Dines, Sir James Duddridge, Heather Wheeler and Caroline Johnson.

The Danish Governments data on migrant crimes enables researchers to compile league tables showing which nations have the highest conviction rate relative to Danish nationals.

Japanese, US, Australian, Austrian, Argentinian and Indian citizens have the lowest rates at half those of Danes, while more than 40 nations have higher conviction rates for violent crime.

Denmark has some of the toughest immigration policies in Europe and has been seeking to work with other EU countries to deport migrants to a third country outside the bloc where their asylum claims would be processed.

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Online posts claim Tyson Foods plans to hire 52,000 migrants after laying off 1,200 American workers at an Iowa factory. This is misleading; the food processing firm expects to make thousands of hires to replace departing workers, with authorized refugees being among new staff in an industry that has high turnover.

"Tyson laying off 1,200 workers after closing its pork factory in Perry Iowa only later to announce 52,000 jobs for migrants," said Sean Duffy, co-host of Fox Business' "The Bottom Line" in a March 16, 2024 segment.

Screenshot of a Fox Business segment on YouTube, taken March 26, 2024

Similar false and misleading claims can be found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X, some saying the brand plans to hire "illegal" workers.

The allegation sparked outrage among conservatives. Migration remains a hot issue in the presumptive2024 presidential election rematch between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The jobs claim led some people to pledge a boycott of Tyson Foods.

The brand, one of the largest meat-packing companies, announced on March 11 that it would permanently close a pork plant in Perry, Iowa, in June, eliminating around 1,200 jobs.

On the same day, Bloomberg News reported the company "plans to hire about 52,000 people," while also mentioning that it works with the organization Tent Partnership for Refugees (archived here) which helps businesses with work visas, prompting many to misrepresent this figure as representing the number of migrants.

"Any insinuation that we would cut American jobs to hire immigrant workers is completely false," says a Tyson Foods statement published on its website (archived here).

The article does mention the company's efforts to retain immigrant workers, however, it does not say the company plans to hire 52,000 migrants. This figure represents a vacancy estimation due to the high turnover rate of factory workers and is not specific to the hiring of any one group.

In 2022, Tyson Foods made a three-year commitment to hire 2,500 refugees, according to Tents website. The company hired 17 asylum seekers in February and 70 more in March 2024, said Bloomberg.

Garret Dolan, associate director of human resources for Tyson Foods, told the outlet about the immigrants the company already employs saying, "We would like to employ another 42,000 if we could find them."

In the same article, he explains that the company expects 40 percent of the 100,000 factory workers to leave each year, which could lead to tens of thousands of vacancies in 2024. But he never said who would fill these roles.

These statements were also misrepresented in a now-retracted March 13 Scripps News article headlined "Tyson Foods wants to hire 52,000 asylum seekers for factory jobs," citing "serious factual inaccuracies." (archived here).

And neither refugees nor those seeking asylum are working in the United States "illegally" as many posts suggest.

"Today, Tyson Foods employs 120,000 team members in the United States, all of whom are required to be legally authorized to work in this country," the statement says. It adds that the company participates in E-Verify and the Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program to confirm employment eligibility (archived here and here).

A refugee approved under humanitarian grounds may legally work as soon as arriving in the United States. Vetting and approval for this status is done through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services before an individual is permitted to enter the country (archived here).

Asylum seekers can typically obtain a work permit 180 days after filing an asylum application (archived here). Noncitizens are generally presumed ineligible for asylum if they enter the United States without authorization, however, there are some exceptions (archived here).

AFP reached out to Tyson Foods for additional information, but a response was not forthcoming.

Read more of AFP's reporting on misinformation surrounding migration here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City police are searching for a missing man who was last seen Wednesday night.

Andrew Wester was last seen near 116th Street and Holiday Drive in Kansas City.

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He is a Black man with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5-foot-11 and weighs 190 pounds, according to KCPD.

His family is concerned about his safety. If located call the KCPD Missing Persons Unit at (816) 234-5043, or call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The omnibus education bill passed by the Missouri Senate on March 14 had its first public hearing in the Missouri House.

On Thursday, bill sponsor state Sen. Andrew Koenig presented his legislation to the House Special Committee on Education Reform. This bill would allow for MOScholars, the states tax credit scholarship program for K-12 students, to expand statewide.

Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, answers questions about his bill that would expand MOScholars during a committee meeting Wednesday Jan. 10, 2024.

Currently, the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program is only available in charter counties and Missouri cities with a minimum of 30,000 residents. In the hearing, Koenig reaffirmed his belief that student outcomes improve when there are more educational options available.

Almost all the studies show that academic outcomes improve when you introduce choice, Koenig said. Also, parents are happier and kids get a better education. Also, the reality is not every school can meet every need of every child, and sometimes variety is good. School choice introduces that variety into the education space.

Families with an income that is 200% of the amount used to qualify for the free and reduced school lunch program are eligible for the current program. This legislation would increase that to 300%, meaning that a family of four would qualify if they made up to $166,500, based on current reduced lunch eligibility standards.

The current MoScholars program is capped at $50 million in tax credits, but this legislation wants to raise that to $75 million, while tying the funding to the percent increase or decrease in the amount of state aid distributed to school districts.

Currently, the MOScholars program allows students to receive more than $6,000 for tuition and other educational expenses. Donations made to Educational Assistance Organizations fund the program, which then distributes scholarships to eligible students. Donors are allowed to claim a tax credit on their donations.

The Missouri Treasurers office, which Koenig is running for this year, oversees this program, which last year raised nearly $17 million, although the program had a cap of $50 million.

Classroom at Springfield Public Schools York Elementary building

Additionally, this bill would allow Boone County to establish charter schools, which would be independent of local school districts. Also, it would give additional funding to school districts that keep a five-day school week, as well as require changes to a four-day school week to be approved through local elections in districts and charter counties and cities of 30,000 residents or more.

Other provisions increased teacher pay from $25,000 to $40,000. This change would be included in state statute for the 2025-26 school year. Teachers who have masters degrees and at least 10 years experience in education would see a larger salary increase of at least $46,000 in that school year and increasing to $48,000 by 2027-28.

Also, the legislation includes more teacher recruitment and retention scholarships and adjusted the calculations for school aid such that the schools attendance and enrollment would be factors in the funding formula.

More: State Senators approved an omnibus education package with expanded school choice program

Some parents praise bill, while others who homeschool raise concerns

Several parents of children with disabilities spoke in favor of the bill, as the ESA program allows for these children to receive funding to attend schools that have the capabilities to work with them in the way that is targeted to their specific disabilities.

Among these was Becki Uccello, a parent from Springfield, whose daughter Izzi is currently attending a parochial school through an ESA scholarship. She pulled her child out of public schools when she was in kindergarten, after feeling that her daughters needs werent being met. Being pleased with Izzis educational experience, Uccello feels other parents could benefit from an expanded ESA program.

There are other students at her school that could benefit from receiving a scholarship too, but they happen to live in towns with fewer than 30,000 residents, Uccello said.

Before pulling Izzi out of public school, Uccello, a retired public school teacher, suggested ways in which the needs of Izzi and other children with disabilities could be met. The school suggested a five-year plan to implement those changes, but Izzi would have moved on to another school by the time the changes were in place.

I am all for improving our public education system, but when we're told that modifications will be put in the five year plan that's unacceptable, Uccello said.

However, some parents who homeschool their children raised concerns with the ESA program, especially the fact that the curriculum used by parents who homeschool must be sourced from vendors approved by the state treasurers office, which oversees the program.

Charlene Moore, a parent from Camden County who has homeschooled for more than 20 years, lamented the lack of faith-based curriculum that is approved for use by the program. She also raised concerns about the low participation rates of home school families in the program due to few educational assistance organizations, or EAOs, offering funding for them.

Under the current MOScholars program, homeschooling parents must opt in to the program, submit to a background check and obtain state certification that their homeschool program meets certain standards. Even if these requirements are met, participation in the program is contingent on an EAO allowing funding for a scholarship, which some do not provide for homeschool students.

If homeschool students can't even accept this money anyway, why are we included in this bill? Moore said.

Another homeschool parent, Melissa Jacobs, has been teaching her eight children at home for roughly 20 years. She also raised concerns about curriculum used in homeschooling. While it isnt an issue now, she is worried that her curriculum choices may become limited by state regulations since homeschooling parents must gain state approval to participate in the program, preventing her from tailoring her childrens learning to fit their individual needs.

We do not want to have to be limited in the kind of curriculum that we're allowed to choose for our kids, Jacobs said. Part of homeschooling is that we have the choice to use the curriculum and teaching methods that fit our kids best.

More: Proposal from Missouri lawmaker offers 'carrots' for districts to remain on 5-day week

Educational organizations weigh in on the bill

Several educational organizations and their lobbyists shared their thoughts on the legislation, including praise for improving teacher salaries and condemnation for using funds for a new program rather than investing in the improvement of public schools.

Noah Devine, executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association, stressed the importance of choice in education based on the school, rather than a family's geographic location.

I want every school to be a great school, Devine said. But I do want every family to have an option beyond their neighborhood zone school and an option that is not dependent upon their income, their wealth or where they buy their house.

Steve Carroll, a registered lobbyist representing the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, St. Louis public schools and cooperating school districts of Greater Kansas City, said that the organizations he represents dont support ESAs or the expansion of charter schools without the input of local school districts.

He also took issue with the proposal requiring school districts with more than 30,000 residents to retroactively approve changes to a four-day school week through a vote of the people. He said this would cost Independence $145,000, funds that he felt could be better used by the school to pay teacher salaries.

That's unfortunate because if the citizens of that district didn't want a four-day school, I'm sure they would let their school board know it, and if the school board didn't do something about it, I'm sure at the next election they would, Carroll said.

A classroom at York Elementary in the Springfield Public School district.

Roosevelt Lyons, the vice president of advocacy for Quality Schools Coalition, praised many of the provisions that were added to the bill through compromise in the Senate, which led to the end of a Democratic filibuster that was holding up progress on the bill earlier this month.

I hope we continue that spirit of compromise, Lyons said. It's not easy. It's not sexy, but it's what we need.

In particular, Lyons spoke on the increase in teacher pay, the attention to increasing availability of early childhood education and changes to the school funding formula that considers both enrollment and attendance.

Otto Fajen, representing Missouri National Education Association, agreed with many of the points already brought by those in opposition, but added concerns about the funding aspect of the legislation, which is estimated to cost up to $450 million once fully implemented.

Some of the provisions substantially increase the funding obligation under the current formula, while the tax credits given to EAO donors will offset general revenue. Fajen pointed to the Houses move to eliminate the corporate income tax, among other tax cuts proposed by the House and Senate, and wondered where this left the state when it came to education funding.

This will create profound financial problems for school districts, Fajen said.

Jere Hochman, a former educator for 50 years now working with the Missouri Equity Education Project, further testified on the financial impact this will have on local school districts.

As these tax dollars are being diverted to privatization and parochial schools, public schools lose funding, Hochman said. The public schools lose enrollment, community and neighborhood identity and local interest and support. In schools that lose local funding and enrollment, particularly in smaller school districts, they end up having to combine classes, cut the opportunities that you claim parents want, cut teachers and have more difficulty attracting teachers to other districts.

Hochman continued by asking why these funds werent being directed to helping public schools.

If the question you're trying to resolve here today is about fixing the schools, about accountability, about addressing some of the concerns that have been raised today, and many others, those same questions were asked recently on the floor of the House by those saying, Why are we trying to do things differently? Why don't we fix the ones that are there? Hochman said.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Parents, education groups raise concerns about Missouri education bill
Over the past day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces has attacked ten 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 Friday on the Facebook page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian aviation also struck one control point and one anti-aircraft missile system of the enemy.

In turn, units of the Ukrainian missile forces have defeated two areas of concentration of personnel, two anti-aircraft missile systems and one artillery weapon of the Russian occupiers over the past day.
ST. LOUIS  A Kirksville, Missouri, man appeared in federal court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge after being caught in an international sting operation.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Corey A. Wadel, 36, was busted after sending explicit images and videos of himself to an undercover officer in the United Kingdom posing as a 12-year-old girl.

Wadel admitted to taking pictures of himself exposing his genitals to two young children, exchanging child sex abuse material (CSAM) online, and keeping more than 600 images of the illicit material in his possession.

Wadel pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

As part of a plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense agreed to recommend a 12-year prison term. Wadel will be sentenced in July.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Missouri theme park Silver Dollar City's new, second-generation Fire In The Hole roller coaster had its grand opening on Wednesday morning, and members of the Branson, Missouri, fire department were among the first to ride.

Wednesday's grand opening, which was open to members of the press and "VIP" individuals, featured live music from park band Casey & The Attaboys, pretzel dog samples from the new Sadie's Pretzel Cafe and of course, rides on the new coaster.

Silver Dollar City President Brad Thomas described Fire In The Hole as the park's "sacred cow" during his opening remarks. It may define the park even more than its popular 1880s theme.

The big and the bad meet family friendly: 2024s most anticipated new roller coasters

Construction of the new Fire In The Hole roller coaster was announced in August 2023, following Silver Dollar City's announcement that the 51-year-old original Fire In The Hole would close at the end of the 2023 season.

The new ride is 1,512 feet long and moves as fast as 8 feet per second. It is housed within a five-story, climate-controlled building. The coaster features three track levels and 14 show scenes, many of which were carried over from the original ride.

The new coaster still tells the story of the vigilante Bald Knobbers, who burned down the small mining town of Marmaros in the 1880s, which sat where Silver Dollar City does today. But the story is presented in an updated, clearer way.

Silver Dollar City celebrated the grand opening of the new, second-generation Fire In The Hole roller coaster on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Each of the coaster's train cars features built-in speakers, so riders can better hear the characters' voices. Additionally, the coaster follows three specific Bald Knobbers: Patches, Bugs, and Wiley, who are portrayed in unique scenes throughout the ride.

An updated sound system is just one key feature on the coaster. The new Fire In The Hole also features digital screens that help tell the story. During one well-known scene where Red Flanders is seen on a ladder outside of his hotel, a digital shadow of his wife Sadie appears in an adjacent window, scolding him for his lack of pants.

Silver Dollar City celebrated the grand opening of the new, second-generation Fire In The Hole roller coaster on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

And now, for the first time, Flanders' flannel pants are available for purchase in the new Flanders' Dry Goods retail store. New Fire In The Hole-themed clothing, accessories and mugs are also available at the store.

Flanders' Dry Goods was opened in conjunction with the park's new Fire District, which also features Sadie's Pretzel Cafe. The full-service restaurant serves all sorts of treats, including Silver Dollar City's famous pretzel dog. The cafe includes a 140-seat dining area overlooking the new Fire District.

Silver Dollar City celebrated the grand opening of the new, second-generation Fire In The Hole roller coaster on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Like several of the park's other newer rides, the new Fire In The Hole features an on-ride camera that snaps photos of riders during the final splash. These photos are available for purchase.

Silver Dollar City operates on its spring schedule through the rest of March and April, opening Thursday through Monday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Starting on May 22, the park is open every day for its summer schedule. The park's calendar and operating hours are available on its website.

What's next?

While Silver Dollar City has not announced any more new roller coasters, Thomas once again mentioned the park's acquisition of new land during his opening remarks on Wednesday. In addition to Silver Dollar City's current property, which is less than 200 acres, the park recently acquired 1,200 acres just to its west. The park has not disclosed its plans for this new acreage.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri's Silver Dollar City opens new Fire In The Hole ride
Misty Copeland talked in a recent interview about the challenges of being a Black woman in the dance word. Above, she is shown at the 55th NAACP Image Awards on March 16 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Groundbreaking ballet dancer Misty Copeland continues to advocate for Black talent in the classical art form.

Ten years after Misty Copeland made history as the first Black woman to perform Odette, the lead role in the classical ballet Swan Lake, she is recalling the tremendous self-doubt leading up to the historic feat.

I think about this kind of generational trauma for Black dancers that comes with that role, she told CNNs Chris Wallace during a recent interview. Weve been told, for so many decades and generations, that the swans should be white, that thats not a role that can be played by a Black or brown woman.

Copeland added that she worried that if her artistic excellence wasnt up to someones standards, maybe there wont be another Black woman at American Ballet Theatre who is given this opportunity.

This, she shared with Wallace, was just one of many challenging experiences she endured during her ascent in classical ballet, which included becoming the first Black principal ballet dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015.

Ive experienced difficulties being a Black woman when you stand out, she said.

She continued, There were times that I was not cast in certain roles because I would stand out too much and kind of ruin the aesthetic, especially if it was a performance that was being filmed.

One major tradition in classical ballet that Copeland has been vocal about challenging is the use of mattifying white powder on the skin.

They make you lighten your skin, she explained. Over years and years of doing this, I had serious conversations with the artistic staff of ABT and our hair and makeup department. I said, Well, why does that have to mean white? And thats something that the conversation has evolved to kind of change what that means.

Copeland has also been instrumental in pushing companies to start producing ballet slippers, tights, and leotards in a more diverse range of skin tone colors. Before 2020, if a Black or brown dancer wanted their ballet slippers and tights to have a nude effect, they would have to pancake or splotch makeup over their shoes and tights.

From sparking conversations challenging ballets traditional makeup and hair to lobbying for diverse ballet slipper emojis, Copelands experiences have inspired her to advocate tirelessly for Black and brown dancers in the classical art form.

You shouldnt have to have a certain body type. You shouldnt have to have a certain color skin or be a specific age. If you have the right dedication and commitment and support  I think anyone should be able to do this, she stressed.

Over the years, Copelands rise and mission to increase representation and diversity in her field have been criticized by others. Nevertheless, she told Wallace that she keeps going because of what dance means to her.

Ive had a transformative life changing experience by having ballet, having the arts, having live music a part of my life, she said.

She also pushed back on being considered the first.

To me, its not just about being the first  there have been so many Black women who have done incredible things for the ballet community, the ballet world but havent been acknowledged, she told Wallace.

One such pioneer in dance was Raven Wilkenson, the first Black woman to ever dance in a major national ballet company and a mentor to Copeland.

The ballet dancer credits her incredible mentors for helping her understand that being an artist is about being yourself. Its about bringing yourself to these things, to these roles, and making them your own.

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The post Misty Copeland opens up about the generational trauma of Black ballet dancers appeared first on TheGrio.
Montana State University is building five new nursing buildings across the state. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

With help from an historic $101 million donation, Montana State University is constructing five new buildings across the state for nursing education to help provide health care and meet the need for more nurses.

The buildings will be at each of MSUs five campuses  Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula.

These new buildings will provide students with a better learning experience and allow us to enroll more students to help meet the nursing shortage in Montana, said Sarah Shannon, dean of the nursing college.

Montana State University students in the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new nursing school facility Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Great Falls. (Provided by MSU, photo by Kelly Gorham)

The buildings are expected to be open for business in fall 2026 if construction goes as planned, and the expansion takes place as the state continues to struggle with a nursing shortage.

A Montana Department of Labor & Industry report from October 2023 said significant workforce shortages persist in the field of nursing in Montana, which has unemployment rates well below the national average.

In an interview Thursday, Shannon said the new buildings will allow MSU to graduate 100 more nurses every year.

MSU produces 300 bachelors-prepared nurses annually who are qualified to become registered nurses, she said; the new buildings will increase that number to 400.

She also said an estimated 80% of all graduates across the college of nursing stay in Montana.

So thats an excellent return on investment for Montana from our graduates, Shannon said.

***

The historic donation came in 2021 from Mark and Robyn Jones, for whom the college is named. It is the largest in MSUs history.

In 2021, it was the largest donation made to a college of nursing in the United States, said Tracy Ellig, vice president of communications for MSU, in an email. It still remains one of the largest.

Shannon said $92 million will go toward the five buildings, and the remainder will fund five endowed professorships, a new nurse midwifery program, and scholarships.

For 87 years, she said MSU has been leasing space on its non-Bozeman campuses, and none of the buildings were constructed for education or teaching. Two are old dorms and two are renovated medical offices.

Were land-locked. We literally cannot put any more students in our current facilities, Shannon said.

She said increasing capacity was part of the motivation for the new buildings. All of them will have larger classrooms, modern simulation facilities, and skills labs, in addition to larger and modern spaces, she said.

***

The report from the Department of Labor and Industry said the number of nurses working in Montana is growing rapidly, from 18,000 registered nurses in 2020 to more than 20,000 in 2022, an 11% increase. It said pay is increasing as well.

However, it said the labor market is tight, the work is stressful, and 26% of registered nurses in the field plan to retire or leave the industry in the next five years.

Those who are working report an increased workload due to the pandemic, and many report feeling emotionally drained at least a few times a week, said the report.

The report, called Status of the Nursing Workforce in Montana, is a summary of results from the National Council State Board of Nursing 2022 survey.

Montanas ability to attract and retain a high-qualified nursing workforce will help reduce the load on the states existing workforce and help ensure all Montanans have access to high-quality healthcare, it said.

At MSU, Shannon said the curriculum addresses the stressors and crises in the medical field and how nurses can respond compassionately and clearly to support people in times of both high stress and high need.

MSU said it broke ground for the Great Falls building in the fall and has scheduled other groundbreaking ceremonies in April.

It said land for four of the sites was donated by health care partners  Billings Clinic and Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Community Medical Center in Missoula, and Logan Health in Kalispell. The Bozeman building will be constructed on the MSU campus.

MSU nursing building groundbreakings

Missoula

1-2:30 p.m. Friday, April 5  Community Medical Center, 2825 Fort Missoula Road.

Bozeman

3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9  Montana State University, southeast corner of West Grant Street and South 11th Avenue.

Billings

2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11  Billings Clinic/Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, 1042 N. 29th St.

Kalispell

11-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23  Logan Health, northeast corner of Windward Way and Heritage Way.

The post Montana State University to break ground on five new nursing buildings appeared first on Daily Montanan.
A 17-year-old is facing multiple charges after officials say he caused a crash that killed a family of six from Alpharetta.

The Texas Department of Public Safety officials said last week that 17-year-old Luke Resecker was charged with six counts of intoxication manslaughter, two counts of intoxication assault, possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 2 and possession of marijuana.

His bond was set at $50,000 with a restriction of monitored home confinement.

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On Dec. 26, Texas deputies said the six people killed were traveling in a Honda Odyssey on U.S. 67 North when a Chevrolet Silverado tried to pass another car in a no-passing zone. The truck hit the Odyssey head-on.

The driver of the truck, Resecker, and his passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The dead included six people in the Odyssey: two women, ages 36 and 60; two men, ages 28 and 64; and two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. The 28-year-old man who was the driver was from Irving, Texas.

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Channel 2 Action News spoke to family members in India, who identified the victims as Nageswararao Ponnada (64) and his wife Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada (60), their daughter Naveena Potabathula (36) and their grandchildren, Pkrithik Potabathula (10) and Nishidha Potabathula (9). Rushil Barri (28) was also killed in the Odyssey.

Its unclear how he is related to the family.

One member of the family survived the crash. Lokesh Potabathula (43), of Alpharetta, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

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Authorities added that Resecker was not medically fit to be booked into the Johnson County Jail due to his medical condition. He has since posted a bond and was released.

The crash remains under investigation.

IN OTHER NEWS:
ILLINOIS (WCIA)  Leaders of a federal agency are celebrating record enrollments in the state.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced 10,167 veterans living in Illinois have enrolled in healthcare with the VA, which is 42.51% more than it enrolled in the past year.

Nationally, 401,006 Veterans have enrolled in the past 365 days, a 30% increase from the 307,831 veterans the agency enrolled the previous year. Officials with the VA note it has been the largest increase in enrollment in the past 5 years.

VA is the best, most affordable care in America for Veterans, so we want all eligible Veterans to enroll today, VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. Our clinicians know Veterans  they often are Veterans  and they know exactly how to help. Even if you dont need this care today, you might need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. Its quick and easy to apply, and once youre in, you have access for life.

VA Illiana gives historic tour and talks new PACT act

Leaders say the reason for the dramatic increase of enrollments is from the PACT Act, a federal law passed in August 2022. The VA has also increased outreach, with a $16 million ad campaign, and directly texting veterans to invite them to enroll in VA health care.

We want every eligible Veteran to enroll in VA health care for one simple reason: Veterans who come to VA are proven to have better health outcomes  and pay less  than Veterans who dont, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a news release. Thats why weve spent the past year meeting Veterans where they are  hosting thousands of events, sending millions of texts, advertising on every corner, and much more  to get them to come to VA.

Earlier this month, the VA expanded its eligibility requirements for millions of veterans exposed to toxins as a part of the PACT Act. All Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 can be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States can also be eligible.

More information on VA care can be found on the VAs healthcare website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
State officials continue to pull more Floridians out of Haiti.

A group of 32 people, including 10 children, landed at Orlando International Airport on Thursday night.

They are among the more than 100 Florida residents that the state has evacuated amid gang violence in Haiti.

Previous: State officials say the race to rescue Floridians in Haiti will get even more complicated

Another flight from Haiti arrived in Orlando on Thursday night.

Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke about the states efforts at a press conference Thursday.

Its not just chartering a plane and like orderly people get on, I mean there are people in situations that require assistance on the ground to get people where they need to go, and our guys have been able to do that, DeSantis said.

Previous: Another flight from Haiti lands at Orlando International Airport, officials say

Hundreds of Americans remain trapped in Haiti.

Another flight from Haiti arrived in Orlando on Thursday night.

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Zelenskyy agrees on Danilov's candidacy for post of new ambassador to Moldova

On Friday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved the candidacy of former Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov for the post of ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.

"Oleksiy Danilov continues to work in the diplomatic field. More specifically, I have agreed on his candidacy as the new ambassador of our state to the Republic of Moldova," the President said in a video message.

According to Zelenskyy, Danilov told him about this vision of his future work in Ukraine.

The Head of State also stressed that Moldova is an extremely important state for Ukraine both in terms of security challenges in the region and in terms of bilateral cooperation.

As reported, on March 27, the President of Ukraine by decree dismissed Oleksiy Danilov from the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, appointing Oleksandr Lytvynenko, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, in his place.

On March 29, the President of Ukraine dismissed acting Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova, Mark Shevchenko, by decree.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Friday morning fire in Buffalos Black Rock neighborhood has been ruled as arson, fire officials announced.

Officials said the blaze started just after 4:30 a.m. at 151 Gorton St., and investigators estimate roughly $60,000 in damage. No injuries were reported.

A section of Gorton Street was closed for multiple hours Friday morning as a result of the fire but has since reopened.

Latest Local News

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
FILE - A Russian soldier secures an area as a massive blaze can be seen over a concert venue on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. The attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed over 140 people marked a major failure of Russian security agencies. (AP Photo/Dmitry Serebryakov, File)

Hours before gunmen last week carried out the bloodiest attack in two decades in Russia, authorities made an addition to a government register of extremist and terrorist groups: They included the international LGBTQ+ movement.

That addition to the register followed a Russian Supreme Court court ruling last year that cracked down on gay and transgender people in the country.

While the register also lists al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, an affiliate of which claimed responsibility for the concert hall attack, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ activists raised questions about how Russia's vast security services evaluate threats to the country.

The March 22 attack that killed over 140 people marked a major security failure under President Vladimir Putin, who came to power 24 years ago by taking a tough line against those he labeled terrorists from the Russian region of Chechnya waging a bloody insurgency.

The lapse in security has led many to wonder how gunmen could easily kill so many people at a public event. One week after the massacre, here's a look at what's behind the failure to prevent the concert hall attack and the government's chaotic response to it:

A FOCUS ON STIFLING DISSENT

Russias massive security apparatus has focused in recent years on stifling the political opposition, independent media and civil society groups in the harshest crackdown since Soviet times. The repressions have only intensified after the invasion of Ukraine.

Individual protesters are swiftly quashed by riot police. After the Feb. 16 death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison, mourners bringing flowers and candles to makeshift memorials were quickly detained. Surveillance cameras with facial recognition software are widely used.

Many opposition groups have been branded as extremists - a designation that carries long prison terms for anyone associated with them.

Navalny was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism, and his political network is on the register of extremist and terrorist organizations, just like the LGBTQ+ movement that on March 22 was added to the register of Russias state watchdog for financial crimes.

Top Navalny associate Leonid Volkov, who lives abroad, said the security agencies are too busy with the political crackdown to pay attention to terrorism threats.

They like inventing fictitious terrorists -- those who think or love differently -- so they dont have time for real ones, he said on his messaging app channel.

Many security officers are focused on suspected Ukrainian agents and fending off sabotage and other attacks by Ukraine in the 2-year-old war. They also are scouring social media for signs of anti-war sentiment.

After the attack, law enforcement agencies followed a familiar pattern of repression, detaining people over social media posts about it that authorities deemed offensive.

Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said security forces focused on Kremlin critics but have proven inadequate in tackling real threats to the country.

This machine cant be effective when it has to perform its direct function to ensure citizens security, he wrote in a commentary, noting Putin has had nearly a quarter- century to ensure stability and security, but instead he ruined both.

A U.S. WARNING DISMISSED AS BLACKMAIL

The U.S. government said it told Russia in early March about an imminent attack under the "duty to warn rule that obliges U.S. intelligence officials to share such information, even with adversaries. It was unclear how specific it was.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow also issued a public notice March 7 advising Americans to avoid crowds in the capital over the next 48 hours due to imminent plans by extremists to target large gatherings, including concerts.

With Russia-U.S. relations at their lowest point since the Cold War, Moscow was likely to treat any such tip with suspicion. Three days before the attack, Putin dismissed the U.S. Embassy notice as an attempt to scare or intimidate Russians and blackmail the Kremlin.

Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, said the U.S. warning was general and didnt help track down the attackers. He said the FSB, acting on the tip, targeted some suspects but it proved wrong.

Putin and other officials tried to divert attention from the security failure by seeking to link the attack to Ukraine despite Kyiv's emphatic denials and the Islamic State affiliate's claim of responsibility.

In a persistent attempt to blame Kyiv, investigators alleged the attackers had received cash and cryptocurrency from Ukraine and arrested a man accused of involvement in the transfers. They didnt provide any evidence.

A BUNGLED INITIAL RESPONSE

It took anti-terrorism units at least a half-hour to reach the concert hall after hearing of the attack. By that time, the gunmen had fled after setting fire to the venue.

The security forces arrival at the concert hall on Moscow's outer ring road was delayed by rush hour traffic, and it took them time to assess the situation as concertgoers fled.

Police said they were able to check security video before the building was destroyed and quickly saw the gunmen. Cameras caught them arriving at the hall and then departing in a white Renault. Russian media said the car was continuously caught by traffic cameras as it sped from Moscow.

It wasnt immediately clear why authorities allowed them to drive more than 370 kilometers (over 230 miles) southwest before finally arresting them about 140 kilometers (86 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

A CONFUSING AND MIXED KREMLIN MESSAGE

After the Islamic State's branch in Afghanistan claimed responsibility, Putin at first did not mention the group on the day after the attack. On Monday, he acknowledged radical Islamists were behind the attack but also repeated  without evidence  that Ukraine and the West were likely involved. Those allegations were echoed by his security chiefs.

He and his lieutenants said the arrest of the four gunmen near Ukraine indicated Kyivs likely involvement, ignoring Ukrainian denials and the IS statement.

Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Moscow ally, declared that he and Putin had discussed bolstering the Russia-Belarus border to prevent the attackers from crossing  muddling the Kremlin claims of a Ukrainian escape route.

A TROUBLED MANHUNT

The four suspects were detained, along with seven others, with a search for more accomplices underway. Putin also ordered investigators to find the masterminds, a task that appears challenging.

A senior Turkish security official said Tuesday that two of the four suspects spent a short amount of time in Turkey before traveling together to Russia on March 2.

In video released by Russian news outlets, one of the suspects told interrogators he had been contracted for the attack by an associate of an Islamic preacher who offered him 1 million rubles (about $10,800).

The veracity of the suspects' statements has come into question after they showed signs of severe beatings. At a court hearing Sunday night, their faces appeared swollen and bruised. One had a heavily bandaged ear - reportedly cut off during an interrogation  another had a plastic bag hanging over his neck and a third was in a wheelchair with his eyes closed, accompanied by medical personnel.

A POSSIBLE AFTERMATH

Putins allegations of Ukrainian involvement in the attack could set the stage for him to both raise the stakes in the war and to further tighten the crackdown on critics at home.

But he is unlikely to reshuffle the leadership of security agencies, despite the embarrassing blunders that led to the security lapses.

Putin is known to resent making personnel changes under pressure, which could make him look weak. During stage-managed televised meetings with top officials to discuss the attack, he avoided any criticism of their performance, indicating their jobs are safe at least for now.

With leading opposition activists in prison or abroad and independent media muzzled, Putin this month rode a stage-managed election landslide to another six years in power. That will keep him well-insulated from any public criticism.

Compliant lawmakers and state-controlled broadcasters and other media will continue to hammer home his message of Ukraines alleged role in the attack, distracting attention from the poor performance of law enforcement agencies.
Faridun Shamsiddin and the other main suspects appeared in court in Moscow two nights after the attack [SERGEI ILNITSKY/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock]

In Loyob, they do not believe anyone from their village was capable of taking part in the jihadist massacre at Moscow's Crocus City Hall.

But Faridun Shamsiddin is now one of four Tajik citizens held in a Moscow jail suspected of murdering at least 143 people last week. The 25-year-old is also accused of recruiting two other men to help the gunmen.

He left Loyob, about 40km north-west of the capital Dushanbe, several months ago in search of work in Russia.

Within hours of the Moscow attack, Tajik security forces were seen in Loyob and reportedly took the suspect's father away for interrogation. Russian investigators are also said to have flown to Tajikistan to speak to relatives.

Jihadist group Islamic State said it was behind the Moscow attack and released footage verified by the BBC.

All four suspected attackers showed signs of torture when they appeared in court, raising serious questions about the reliability of their testimony.

However, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has long drawn attention to extremism in areas of Tajikistan, especially among young people. He has condemned the Crocus City Hall attack as a shameful and terrible event.

Faridun Shamsiddin comes from this village, west of the Tajik capital, Dushanbe [BBC]

At least nine people have been arrested this week by Tajik authorities, for alleged links to the Moscow attack suspects. All of them are described as residents of Vakhdat, a town east of Dushanbe that is home to another of the alleged attackers, Saidakram Rajabalizoda.

The other two have been named as Muhammadsobir Fayzov and Dalerjon Mirzoyev.

Young people in Loyob mainly work in agriculture, construction or in the local market. Like Shamsiddin, many travel to Russia to escape low wages and high levels of unemployment at home.

Tajik authorities say more than 652,000 people migrated to Russia last year, although Russia says the number could be in the millions.

One villager in Loyob, who asked not to be named, told the BBC that Faridun Shamsiddin had first emigrated to Russia six months ago. Three months later, he travelled to Turkey, before returning 11 days later in early March.

While he was there, he is thought to have met fellow suspect Saidakram Rajabalizoda.

Saidakram Rajabalizoda showed cleared signs of torture when he appeared in court in Moscow on Sunday night [Reuters/Yulia Morozova]

Turkey is a convenient country for a migrant worker to renew a Russian permit, but it is also seen as somewhere that IS's Afghan-based affiliate Islamic State Khorasan can recruit militants.

In a three-minute video reportedly leaked by Russian security services, Faridun Shamsiddin is seen shivering while a soldier pushes his head against his boots, before he is heard saying he carried out the Moscow massacre in exchange for 500,000 roubles (4,200).

"The security officers beat him and tortured him so much, he would have been ready to take responsibility for Lenin's death," one villager told me after seeing footage of Shamsiddin being interrogated online.

The Tajik president has appealed to people to protect children and young people from the influence of radical groups and not let them "tarnish the good name of the Tajik nation".

But the government in Dushanbe says most of the 2,000 citizens who joined Islamic State between 2014 and 2016 during the group's rise to prominence were mainly recruited in Russia.

They tend to be migrant workers, lured via social media or messaging apps such as Telegram. Some of those accused of involvement in recent IS attacks have said they were approached on social media with promises of money.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (L) has condemned the Moscow attack as shameful [ALEXANDER SHCHERBAK/KREMLIN POOL/SPUTNIK/EPA-EFE]

Qasimshah Iskandarov, head of the Dushanbe-based Centre for Afghanistan Studies, believes Central Asian migrant workers are susceptible to recruitment by radical groups.

Turkey in particular has become a logistical hub for IS, he says, because both Tajiks and Russians can travel there without a visa.

Migrant workers who go to Russia have three months to find a residence and a work permit, which costs around $430 (340). To avoid paying, some head to Turkey ahead of the deadline and then go back to Russia.

Some immigrants leave Russia for Turkey before completing the three-month deadline, and re-enter Russia to avoid paying.

But many Tajiks are also radicalised in Afghanistan, says Qasimshah Iskandarov. It is just a few hours' drive south from Dushanbe and he says it has become IS's primary base since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

Since last summer, Tajik militants have been linked to a spate of jihadist attacks.

14 Aug 2023: Armed attack in Shiraz in Iran kills one

3 Jan 2024: Suicide attack in southern Iran kills at least 89

28 Jan 2024: Attack on Catholic church in Turkey kills one person.

The Russian-led military bloc, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which includes Tajikistan, said last month it had observed an increase in the number of IS fighters and other Islamist militants on its southern borders.

The CSTO says the network of training camps for groups such as IS and al-Qaeda is expanding and the majority of their foreign fighters are concentrated in the northern regions of Afghanistan, bordering Tajikistan.
A list of potential witnesses to be deposed, filed Thursday evening in federal court, hints at where notable civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with his large legal team, is looking to take the $550 million civil suit filed against the City of Memphis by Tyre Nichols' family.

The filing lists 109 potential deponents that includes Nichols' family, attorneys for the city, officers with the Memphis Police Department, current and former MPD top brass, and the former chief of the Atlanta Police Department, among others.

In addition to naming those Crump's team is seeking depositions from, the filing also describes what sort of testimony the depositions are expected to contain.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn C.J. Davis looks on as Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy speaks at a press conference after they and other local leaders met with U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty to discuss crime at city hall in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Notable among the MPD brass is MPD Interim Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis, Assistant Chief Shawn Jones, Assistant Chief Don Crowe and Deputy Chief Michael Hardy. Each of the brass listed is expected to testify to similar information, with Davis having an added expectation of discussing her time with Atlanta Police Department's now-defunct RED DOG Unit.

"Further, Chief Davis will testify in her individual capacity regarding training that police officers undergo prior to their employment with the Memphis Police Department, at the police academy, during their employment with the Memphis Police Department, and with respect to the SCORPION Unit in areas including, but not limited to, Terry stops, reasonable articulable suspicion, probable cause, traffic stops, foot pursuits, the use of force, the use of batons, the use of tasers, the use of pepper spray, the use of deadly force and the Fourth Amendment more generally," the filing read.

The list also includes former MPD officers, specifically those who once were instructors at the police academy, and former MPD Director Michael Rallings.

"Mr. Rallings will testify regarding his career within the Memphis Police Department, including his time serving as the Memphis Police Director," the filing read. "Mr. Rallings will testify regarding the Memphis Police Department's policies, patterns, practices, operating procedures and day-to-day operations before the hiring of Chief Cerelyn Davis, as well as any knowledge he has regarding those same topic areas after the hiring of Chief Davis and [beating of Tyre Nichols]."

TYRE NICHOLS COVERAGE: Tyre Nichols state criminal trial put on hold until federal trial finishes, attorney says

Former APD Chief George Turner, who the filing said directed the department to disband its RED DOG Unit  which has been described as a similarly styled crime suppression unit to Memphis' SCORPION Unit  is also listed as a potential deponent.

"[Turner] is expected to testify to the RED DOG Unit, how it functioned, how its officers were trained, the patterns, practices and policies of the unit, and the ultimate decision to disband the RED DOG Unit," the filing read.

Other personnel listed include members of the Inspectional Services Bureau  which conduct internal investigations for MPD, all of the former SCORPION Unit members, personnel working at the Real Time Crime Center, officers and deputies that were at the scene after Nichols was beaten, and members of the Memphis Fire Department.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy was also listed as a deponent.

There are also medical professionals that treated Nichols at the hospital, along with those who conducted his autopsy, listed in the filing.

Nichols' family is also expected to testify, including his parents and siblings. Other Memphians who have alleged members of MPD, specifically officers who were part of the SCORPION Unit, are also expected to give testimony.

The list of deponents comes as attorneys for Nichols' family are asking Federal District Court Judge Mark Norris to allow attorneys to conduct depositions that are longer than normally allowed.

The filing requests that, in the case of Davis being listed as the only witness testifying on behalf of the City of Memphis, they be permitted to depose her for up to 35 hours over the course of five days. The City of Memphis has objected to this stipulation, as witnesses are generally permitted only a seven-hour timeframe to depose someone.

In the case that Davis was not the only witness testifying on behalf of the city, attorneys for Nichols' family have asked for up to 14 hours to depose each witness of that designation.

TYRE NICHOLS' DEATH: Newly-released Tyre Nichols documents show discrepancies between statements, bodycam footage

Only two depositions have been scheduled so far  former MPD Officer Preston Hemphill and former MPD Lt. Dewayne Smith  but it was not clear from filings how long those depositions will be.

It is still unclear why Nichols, who was fatally beaten by officers with MPD's SCORPION Unit on Jan. 7, 2023, was initially pulled over. MPD's first statement said he was pulled over due to reckless driving, but Davis later said there was no evidence to indicate he had been driving recklessly.

In the federal criminal case, attorneys for the five officers charged  former MPD officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith  have not said why Nichols was pulled over, but said a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report found that Nichols' car had "magic mushrooms" and "stolen debit and credit cards."

Department of Justice attorneys quickly sought to seal motions containing "character evidence," arguing that Nichols was dead and could not provide statements to counter those made by the officers and attorneys. That TBI report has not been publicly available.

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: Memphis police leadership to testify in Tyre Nichols civil case
The number of reported mpox cases in the United States is nearly double what it was last year at this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Photo courtesy of the World Health Organization

March 28 (UPI) -- Mpox cases in the United States are double what they were last year at this time, and transmission rates are on the rise while vaccination rates are lagging, experts said Thursday.

So far this year, 511 cases have been reported through March 16, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared with 300 cases by the end of March last year.

Transmission rates are lower than they were in 2022, when tens of thousands of cases were reported, prompting a public health emergency which expired last year.

But experts say the United States is vulnerable to increases in cases in a number of ways, including a drop-off in federal resources that were scaled back when the public health emergency ended. Vaccination rates are still relatively low, officials have said, leaving many more people at risk of contracting the virus.

The CDC also alerted health-care providers in December about another subtype of the virus found to be more transmissible and cause more severe disease than the subtype responsible for the 2022 outbreak. The new variant has not been found in the United States, but is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mike Friedrich smiles as he is injected with the Monkeypox vaccine during the Tower Grove Pride in St. Louis on Sunday, September 25, 2022 when the virus caused a public health emergency. Health officials warn vaccination rates are down this year and cases are on the rise, twice as high as they were last year at this time. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

"This has the potential to become a fairly prevalent infectious disease, but the advantage with mpox is, we have a vaccine that's effective. We don't have that for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia or HIV," said Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

"We've had fairly good participation in the vaccination push, but we're not anywhere close to getting most of the at-risk population vaccinated. Until that happens, we're going to see outbreaks and upticks in cases in various places."

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a less severe variant of the now-eradicated smallpox virus, and it is spread through close personal contact. Initial symptoms mirror the flu, with patients experiencing fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness. Patients often experience a rash with raised lesions that scab over and can take weeks to heal.

Men who have sex with men are particularly at risk of contracting mpox, and those who have HIV are more at risk of severe outcomes, including death. Health officials recommend a two-dose regimen of the vaccine, known by its brand name Jynneos, with the shots given about a month apart.

In most states, less than one-fourth of the population at risk has been fully vaccinated with the two-dose series since it was authorized for emergency use in August 2022, CDC data show.

The District of Columbia has the highest vaccination rate in the United States, where 68% of the at-risk population has received both shots, but coverage is below half elsewhere in the country. Coverage is below 10% in eight states, the CDC said.
Some legal professionals oppose the scrapping of the not proven verdict [BBC]

An influential committee of MSPs has backed the abolition of Scotland's not proven verdict but is split over plans to hold rape trials without juries.

Holyrood's criminal justice committee has been scrutinising wide ranging reforms to the legal system proposed by the Scottish government.

The MSPs' support for abolishing the centuries-old not proven verdict was expected.

But they were divided on other measures in the bill.

Scotland's justice secretary has acknowledged the legislation will have to be amended.

The committee convenor Audrey Nicoll MSP said they agreed with the bill's general principles on the basis that it is designed to improve the system for victims and witnesses.

But the committee believes further evidence, data and scrutiny is required.

And some of its members fear such a radical bill could have unintended consequences.

On not proven, Ms Nicoll said: "The lack of understanding or clarity on what this verdict means and the devastating impact it can have on victims, means the time has come for it to be abolished."

Defence lawyers have long argued that the demise of not proven would remove a valuable safeguard against miscarriages of justice.

With that in mind, the government has proposed changes to the jury system and the rules on majority verdicts.

At present, 15 people sit on a Scottish jury with a simple of majority of 8 required for a conviction.

The bill proposes a smaller jury of 12 with a two thirds majority required for a guilty verdict.

Scotland's prosecution service told the committee that could result in less people being found guilty and the MSPs haven't been persuaded it should go ahead.

The committee said it has not heard "compelling evidence" to support those changes.

The most contentious proposal in the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is a time-limited pilot of judges deciding the verdicts in rape or attempted rape trials.

Supporters believe the move could improve the low conviction rate but opponents say it would be experimenting with people's lives.

The committee's four SNP members support the pilot, subject to a number of safeguards.

Two Conservative MSPs on the committee said it represented a fundamental departure in Scots law and should not go ahead.

The two Labour members are against the proposal as it stands. They said if it does happen, a panel of three judges should be considered.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance welcomed the committee's support for the abolition of not proven and said the government would listen to views on the rest of the bill as it makes its way through parliament.

She added: "Inevitably there will be amendments and changes to this very large piece of legislation.

"But we have consensus that this bill has the potential to change the experiences of victims and witnesses, particularly in cases involving sexual offences."

Juryless trials 'reckless'

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley supports the pilot of judge only rape trials, although she suggested that European models, such as a panel of judges, and lay assessors should be considered.

The justice secretary has been carrying out fact-finding visits to European countries where such systems are in place.

Ms Brindley welcomed the committee's opposition to changes to the jury system.

She said: "I'm so relieved to see that. If that remains in the bill, the overall impact will be fewer rape convictions."

The Scottish Solicitors Bar Association said 97% of defence lawyers would boycott the pilot if it goes ahead.

Vice-president Simon Brown said: "It's all very well to portray this as a pilot scheme but these will be real people, these will be real convictions."

He said if not proven goes, and the jury system remains unchanged, there could be more miscarriages of justice.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said there was "no credible evidence" to support rape trials without juries.

He added: "Many rape victims told parliament that they preferred to have their cases heard by a jury rather than a single judge. Juryless trials would not be radical but reckless.

"The government needs to look at the evidence and think again."

Sexual offences courts

The committee was also divided over the bill's proposal to establish a new standalone sexual offences court to deal with serious sexual cases.

Like the proposal for a pilot of judge only rape trials, it was a key recommendation from a review group led by Scotland's second most senior judge, the Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian.

The four SNP MSPs backed the move, saying it could deliver improvements which would not be possible in the existing system.

The four Conservative and Labour members of the committee said change could be brought about through the creation of specialist divisions within the high court and sheriff court.
JOPLIN, Mo.  Several local entrepreneurs got the chance to get the word out on what theyve come up with  all while competing for some prizes.

The inaugural Pitch Palooza was held on the campus of Missouri Southern State University  in conjunction with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce  and was put on by the Missouri Small Business Development Center.

This free pitch competition was open to all experience levels, and featured creations from high school students and adults.

Larry Fiscus developed a product designed to help little leaguers figure out where to put their feet in the batters box.

Its called Tee Feet and basically, they stand on these two feet, and they have good alignment, good position, and it builds muscle memory, and they just have to worry about hitting the ball, you can use it on the right side or the left side. You just flip it around and you just line it up with home plate and always remember to hit off your front foot, Larry Fiscus, Inventor of Tee Feet.

We have three track categories you could participate in. We have our collegiate track, we have our pre venture track, and we have our scalability track, said Small Business Development Consultant, Kelsey Little.

Participants were judged by a group of area business professionals. Prizes included a couple of $1,000 scholarships to MSSU.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
American Airlines has officially launched its much-anticipated Tulum route from Charlotte, making it one of the first international flights to touch down at the new Mexican airport.

Southwest Airlines makes play for more CLT travelers

Executives from American Airlines Group Inc. and Charlotte Douglas International Airport gathered today to send off the Boeing 737 as it left for Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, which uses the TQO code, late Thursday morning.

The Tulum airport has been open to domestic travel since Dec. 1, serving Mexican carriers Aeromexico and Viva Aerobus, as construction there continued. Its first international flights landed Thursday.

Keep reading and check out photos of the CLT launch on CBJs website here.




NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  I mean, its kind of funny because you see all these signs everywhere advertising it, and I was like, Is it legal?

Davidson County resident Lisa Barker poses a common question about cannabis and THC. The answer to her question is yessort of.

Tennessee allows Delta-8, -9 and -10, which all make you feel high in different ways. Delta-9 THC is the potent factor in marijuana. Its illegal in Tennessee unless its under .3% of the weight of any product.

What is Tennessee smoking? Breaking down the chemicals getting you legally high in TN

When youre looking at some denser items like liquids, food items, brownies and things like that and gummies, your 0.3 is still plenty of milligrams of THC, Delta-9 THC, in those products that are legal, Hemp Law Group attorney Joey Fuson said.

They exist because of a loophole in a federal law that went into effect in 2018, and many Tennesseans celebrated the move.

Im all for it! Davidson County resident Seema Rizvi said. I love the effect of it, yes.

Some have pointed out that if it were illegal, people would find a way to use Delta-8 anyway.

Tennessee lawmakers grapple with changes over Delta-8

People are going to go to other avenues and may have other experiences when things arent handled, Davidson County resident Charles Livingston said.

Theres also clearly a market out there.

You can add tax revenue if things are legalized, Livingston said. If its safe, legalized, people wont necessarily be in jail and that saves revenue as well. You can make it an industry.

Granted, all of the folks who agreed to talk with WKRN on this day live in Nashville, a city that leans Democrat.

But a few folks shared their negative opinions off camera and dozens werent even aware of what Delta-8 is.

Theres all these things advertising THC, and Im like, Well I thought that wasnt legal, Barker said. But it sort of is legal.

Delta-8 in Tennessee: The history and uncertain future of the industry

Its a common theme around the issue. With ever-changing laws and unclear messaging, its understandable how some folks may be a little confused.

Its new. The idea of hemp-derived cannabinoids, people have only heard of THC, and they think its one thing, Fuson said. THC is one of many cannabinoids in the plant.

What most people within the industry will tell you is if youre new to trying the products, try them out at a dispensary first, rather than a local retail store.

The Legal High: Tennessees Delta 8 Debate | READ MORE

Typically, a dispensary will have experts who know a little bit more about the products. A local retail store is simply a middleman.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
(The Hill)  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 PIX11.
PJSC Centrenergo's Zmiyivska TPP in Kharkiv region was completely destroyed during Russia's attack on March 22, however, it is planned to restore the power plant in future, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Centrenergo Andriy Hota has said.

"The consequences are disastrous for Zmiyivska TPP. The power plan was completely destroyed. Many strikes hit directly expensive and unique equipment. Everything we had been repairing since summer, while preparing for a difficult heating season, has been destroyed," he told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

"Not a single power unit is operating. The situation today is even worse than we saw at the end of the summer when the team, which was working there at that time, carried out no repairs at the power plant. Now, everything is mutilated there," Hota said.

After the latest repair campaign, the personnel already have experience of restoration and it is motivated to do it, he said.

At the same time, according to Hota, it is too early to talk amount any restoration prospects.

"Power engineers and the State Emergency Service are trying to clean up the rubble there. These are very difficult high-altitude operations, heavy concrete structures that need to be cut. It is really hard to talk about any terms of starting repairs. It is a distant prospect," he said.

Hota emphasized that this time the company is unable to restore the power plant at its own cost.

"In the summer, we restored the TPP at our own cost. Now, we cannot cope with it using our own assets. As for equipment, we count on our international partners. The Energy Ministry has already requested from them a list of equipment necessary to us. Many countries have already proposed their assistance. We will work together with the Energy Ministry [to decide] what we can receive, and where. As soon as we accumulate the necessary amount of equipment, and, maybe, by that time we will have already cleared the power plant, we will be able to talk about prospects of its restoration," he said.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Visitors to the Gallivan Center in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City may have noticed something strange: A standalone, wood-colored door with the words INTERDIMENSIONAL DOOR #3RVIVEU and a QR code to scan.

However, just as quickly as it appeared, the door was gone. Those who were able to scan the QR code before the door vanished were taken to a surreal-looking website, welcoming them to the Key Unconscious Research Institute (KURI).

A standalone door mysteriously appeared at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 28. (Courtesy: Consistent-Wheel5711 via Reddit)

The website explains that KURI aims to delve into the uncharted territories of dreams and is dedicated to unraveling their mysteries as doorways to alternate dimensions. Visitors are encouraged to share their most recent dreams with the KURI team through the website or at Project KURIs Instagram page.

Rose, a spokesperson for KURI who did not provide their last name, told ABC4 the door and its seemingly random string of numbers and letters are part of a larger puzzle. In fact, doors such as the one found in Salt Lake City have also appeared in multiple other cities across the United States and Canada.

Ogden Twilight Concert Series announces 2024 lineup

While I cant reveal the secrets behind these numbers and letters just yet, I can share that they are the first step in a deeply immersive journey that blurs the lines between our waking lives and the unexplored worlds that exist within our subconscious, Rose explained.

Rose said the door is part of a story-telling technique known as an Alternate Reality Game  or ARG.

A popular example of an ARG is the immersive art exhibits at Meow Wolf, which has locations in New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. At Meow Wolf, visitors explore different sites such as a house, a shopping market or an interdimensional travel hub learning more about the in-game universe through videos and clues.

Much like Meow Wolf, KURI invites peoples curiosity to follow along with the story as it unfolds over the next few weeks and months, only out in the real world on a multi-national scale.

Utah Pride Center is experiencing big changes

KURI told ABC4 the project was inspired by dreams, human curiosity and a goal to bring people together.

We hold onto the belief that impossible things can happen when we collectively set our minds to it, said Rose. Our inspiration comes from the understanding that immersive storytelling is a way not only to pique the curiosity of those involved but to bring people together through unraveling the mysteries held in the story itself.

Rose said there is much more to come and believes the story will not only captivate those following along but also inspire new ways of thinking about oneself and the possibilities of something beyond understanding.

To learn more, follow along, or attempt to solve the mysteries of Project KURI yourself, visit the Key Unconscious Research Institute website here and join in with others in the community.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Jeffrey Donaldson (C) has been suspended by the N. Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (Paul Faith)

Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of Northern Ireland's main pro-UK Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and one of its best known politicians, resigned on Friday after police charged him with reported sex offences.

Media outlets have said the move is linked to an earlier statement from Northern Irish police that a 61-year-old man had been arrested and charged "in relation to non-recent sexual offences".

Donaldson, 61, was charged Thursday with "rape and multiple other sexual offences," the BBC reported. He has told the DUP that he will be strenuously contesting the accusations, it added.

The shock development comes at a pivotal moment for the British territory, just weeks after the restoration of devolved power-sharing following the end of the DUP's two-year boycott of the Stormont Assembly.

The resumption of power-sharing led to Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill making history by becoming Northern Ireland's first pro-Irish nationalist leader.

The DUP said Donaldson had confirmed in a letter to the party's chairman that he had been "charged with allegations of an historical nature" and that he was resigning as leader "with immediate effect".

He has been suspended from the party pending the outcome of the legal process, it added.

The DUP statement, which followed an emergency party meeting, did not refer to the nature of the alleged offences.

Party officers had unanimously appointed deputy leader Gavin Robinson, another DUP lawmaker in the UK parliament, as interim leader, it added.

Hours earlier, several of Donaldson's social media accounts had been abruptly deleted.

- 'Serious offences' -

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the force does not comment on "named individuals".

In its earlier statement, it had said detectives "arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences".

The force added: "A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences."

Both are set to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the reported charges were "serious offences" and that "this is now a matter for the criminal justice system".

"My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future," she added.

Donaldson, a longtime player in Northern Irish unionist politics, became DUP leader in 2021.

The party collapsed power-sharing in February 2022 in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland, which shares the UK's only land border with the European Union.

It argued the trade terms -- agreed to avoid a so-called hard border with the Republic of Ireland to the south -- risked cutting the territory adrift from the rest of the United Kingdom.

But its boycott of the assembly paralysed Northern Ireland's public services, and fuelled both political uncertainty and industrial unrest.

Donaldson announced in February that the party had struck a deal with the UK government in London to break the deadlock, paving the way for Stormont to be restored.

- Long-serving -

In turn, that saw O'Neill become Northern Ireland's first minister.

The appointment of a Roman Catholic, pro-Irish unity leader in a nation set up as a Protestant-majority state under British rule was hailed as hugely symbolic.

The DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly became her deputy.

Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended decades of sectarian violence over British rule in Northern Ireland, the first minister and deputy first minister posts are equal.

Donaldson's resignation could now trigger more political turmoil in the region, according to pundits.

"This is a crisis which is just beginning, which has sent shock waves through the politics of this place and these islands, and will continue to play out in the days, weeks, and months ahead," the Irish Times newspaper said.

As well as being the second largest party in the Northern Irish assembly -- behind Sinn Fein -- the DUP had eight MPs in the UK parliament in Westminster.

Donaldson's suspension means he will now sit as an independent and reduces that number to seven.

Donaldson, who was recognised by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 when he received a knighthood, is the longest serving MP with a Northern Irish constituency, having been first been elected in 1997.

He had been expected to lead the DUP into the next UK general election, likely to take place later this year, but now faces a challenge to retain his seat if he stands at all.

pmu/jj/ach
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The name of a former Albuquerque Public Schools administrator and state lawmaker facing federal and local charges for stealing taxpayer money will be removed from a building at Expo New Mexico. Next Friday, Sheryl Williams Stapletons name will be removed from the African American Performing Arts Center.

DOJ: Man beats father-in-law in Santa Fe for $23K check

She was charged federally with bribery, laundering, and defrauding the U.S. government charges earlier this week. Prosecutors say she, along with Joseph Johnson, stole millions in federal funding for personal use. She was indicted by a grand jury on racketeering, laundering, and numerous other charges for doing the same thing with state funds two years ago.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham released this statement:

After careful consideration, I have decided that the serious charges levied against former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton in a 35-count federal indictment this week warrant removal of her name from the African American Performing Arts Center at Expo New Mexico. If she is exonerated of these alleged financial crimes in a court of law, the New Mexico Legislature can consider returning her name to the facility.

When News 13 asked the governor about removing her name after the state charges were filed in 2021 the governor said her office was not going to take any premature actions adding Stapleton is innocent until proven guilty.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Need to Vent

The next machine to explore alien worlds may slither rather than roll. NASA is currently testing a snake-like robot that its engineers hope will one day be deployed into the oceans of Saturn's moon Enceladus, in search of possible signs of life in its frigid depths.

Dubbed the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), the over 14-foot robot is both autonomous and self-propelled, capable of tackling environments ranging from oceans, sands, rocks, and cliffs thanks to its flexible body made of articulated segments.

That kind of versatility will be crucial. As detailed in a new article published in journal Science Robotics, the researchers are focusing on designing EELS to plunge through vents in Enceladus' icy crust that lead to the subsurface oceans, in which "there is substantial uncertainty with respect to its geometry and the physical properties."

Solitary Serpent

To tackle these uncertain terrains, EELS doesn't just need to be mobile  it needs to be smart, too. Its so-called "perception head," colored black, comes equipped with an array of sensors and optical cameras to see its surroundings. These include light detection and ranging (LiDAR), stereo cameras, and a barometer.

The head also houses the brains of the operation. The goal is for its autonomous decision-making to be "risk-aware," as it navigates vents and oceans miles beneath the surface of Saturn's moon, where it'll be out of contact with its human supervisors.

"We have been using glaciers as Earth analog ice environments to develop and test its architecture as a stepping stone toward Enceladus," the authors wrote in the article.

Cool Customer

Enceladus has intrigued astronomers because data collected by the Cassini probe indicated it had subsurface oceans. That may be less novel now, as more and more moons appear to have oceans too, but one of the reasons Enceladus stands out is that it's also been identified as having all the conditions needed for life.

Last year, observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope showed massive plumes of water bursting through its surface and spewing thousands of miles into space. These vents provide the most straightforward pathway to reaching the moon's oceans, which would otherwise be inaccessible.

A snake-like robot would be well suited for exactly these kinds of conditions. Initially, it'll need to navigate the hard surfaces of Enceladus. Then, descending in a coil, it can use its lengthy and flexible body to push against the walls of the vents in order to resist the water shooting up.

Of course, those capabilities also make EELS a great candidate to explore extreme environments on Earth like Antarctica, so perhaps we won't have to wait for it to take to Saturn's moon to see it in action.

More on robots: This Humanoid Robot Powered by OpenAI Is Almost Scary
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters acknowledges the council during a City Council workshop regarding the Office of General Counsels legal memorandum Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 at City Hall in Jacksonville, Fla. City Council questioned city lawyers about the process of crafting the opinion meant to justify the removal of two statues from the "Women of the Southland" Confederate monument in Springfield Park on Dec. 27, 2023. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

COMMENTARY | Josue Garriga was the kind of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office employee whose name had become a familiar, if not expected, feature in a controversial arrest or headline. Garriga, a former member of a gang unit, popped up in some of the department's most fraught cases in recent years, and perhaps not by coincidence, JSO officials had become reflexively  sometimes fanatically  defensive of Garriga in public and private, including a meeting during which some of Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters' top officials berated a reporter for what they perceived to be her unfair coverage of the officer.

Garriga, 34, was arrested Wednesday by Clay County deputies and accused of sex crimes with a 17-year-old girl, including sexual activity with certain minors, lewd touching of certain minors, travel to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, transmission of harmful material to a minor, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office arrest report. Garriga resigned from JSO after his arrest.

Oops.

For Waters, the accusations against Garriga should prove humbling.

Earlier this year, Waters made Garriga the basis of a cunning power play: Garriga was the officer who killed Jamee Johnson, a 22-year-old Florida A&M University student, during the course of a pretextual traffic stop in 2019. The State Attorney's Office found Garriga justified in the shooting, but it nonetheless sparked some community outrage  outrage not tempered by the fact that, a few years later, Garriga was also part of a group chat among members of his JSO gang unit that was scrutinized after a Black member of the unit felt insulted by some of the texts from his colleagues. In one text, Garriga referred to Johnson as a "clown."

Last year, the city settled a lawsuit filed by Johnson's parents, paying $200,000, far less than the millions the family had been seeking and based solely on the city's view that litigating the case further could have cost far more (and exposed Garriga to a loss that the city would not be able to pay for). But it was an agreement that apparently stirred deep anger within JSO, and Waters eventually used it to justify a change in local law that would give the sheriff veto power over such settlements in the future (the City Council ultimately passed an amended version of that proposal). Waters wanted to take that case to the wall, and in the process of denigrating the settlement, his office cast aspersions on the city employees who struck the agreement with Johnson's parents.

During council committee discussions about Waters' proposal, the fury from his office over the settlement was palpable. Lara Mattina, JSO's chief strategic adviser, told the council the settlement and renewed coverage of the Johnson case had caused "profound" reputational damage to JSO that "cannot be quantified." She sounded disgusted by a suggestion in this column that JSO could have taken some valuable lessons from Johnson's tragic, unnecessary death.

"Nothing can undo that reputational loss," Mattina told the council.

Yet as Waters sat for television interviews this week to talk about Garriga after his arrest, that sense of outrage had seemed to dissipate. Sure, he rattled off some cliches about winning back public trust, but noticeably gone were the unmistakable tone of indignation and provocative words that marked his office's response to the Johnson settlement. Waters certainly has many reasons to feel and project outrage over Garriga, including the reality that the former officer has made the sheriff look like a fool.

Waters also displayed a cavalier attitude about what now seems one of the most real-world implications of Garriga's fall from grace: the now-highly dubious credibility of a man whose word was relied upon to put people in jail. In comments to Times-Union news partner First Coast News, Waters wouldn't say how long JSO had known about the Clay County investigation into Garriga or how long he remained on the force while that investigation was moving forward. "But what I can say: we knew there was no danger to the public," he said. "These incidents, or these alleged incidents, did not occur while he was working, that we know of. And they had nothing to do with his everyday duties at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office."

Fine: He was no danger to the public, but was he out on the streets arresting people?

Back in 2019, Garriga justified his traffic stop of Johnson by claiming he saw the 22-year-old driving without a seatbelt, the impetus of the encounter that left the college student dead. Body camera footage showed Johnson wearing a belt as Garriga approached the car. Of course, yes, Johnson may have clipped it on after getting pulled over. But has our assessment of Garriga's credibility not at all changed since Wednesday?

It seems just as likely Garriga simply pulled Johnson over because he wanted to. And in any case, Garriga, deployed on a gang-unit initiative at the time, wasn't there to enforce traffic laws, so the seatbelt thing was always a pretext. And one of the lessons  yes, lessons  JSO should have taken from the controversy is that such discretionary stops, based on flimsy justifications, can spin out of control, needlessly endangering the lives of both citizens and officers.

Had Waters had his way, the city would have taken the lawsuit filed by Johnson's family all the way to trial, which would have turned to a large degree on Garriga's credibility. Needless to say, the accusations he now faces would have considerably strengthened the family's case, making the settlement Waters so detested look even more justified now than it did when city attorneys and risk managers struck the agreement last year, only to find themselves months later insulted by Waters' mouthpieces.

Waters owes those employees gratitude  and an apology.

Nate Monroe is a metro columnist whose work regularly appears every Thursday and Sunday. Follow him on Twitter @NateMonroeTU.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nate Monroe: Arrest of JSO officer should humble strident Jacksonville sheriff
PATERSON  The massive $15 million rehabilitation of Patersons long-neglected Westside Park has secured its final piece of funding: a $4.9 million grant from the National Park Service.

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. on Wednesday announced the grant award from a federal program designed to boost park projects in poor communities with insufficient outdoor recreation opportunities.

The work would include improvements to the existing recreation facilities, including the tennis courts, baseball field and Totowa Oval complex, used for football and baseball, as well as the creation of a new cricket field, officials said.

There also would be new pathways, including the extension of a riverwalk, and some roads inside the park will be converted to walking paths.

Barbara Holstein of Montague in a kayak as Tatiana Portugal of Paterson and Billy Prempeh pull a garbage bin out of the Passaic River. Volunteers took part in City of Water Day by participating in a river cleanup of the Passaic River at Westside Park.

Safe, clean spaces are the foundation of any society, Pascrell said in announcing the funding. Government works best when it uses resources to make daily lives better. Here it is happening for our great city.

A plan years in the making

City officials and various nonprofit groups have been working on the Westside Park plan for more than seven years. Last fall, the project was about $5 million short of the funding it needed, and Mayor Andre Sayeghs administration said the opportunity to complete the full $15 million plan hinged on the city's getting the federal grant.

This is enormously important, said Bob Guarasci, executive director of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization that started the planning for the park in 2016. This closes the loop on the finances for this massive rehabilitation that will return the park to its former grandeur.

It remains unclear when construction will start. The city Planning Board last September voted in favor of the park design. But the Paterson Historic Preservation Commission still must give its final approval before any work can begin, officials said.

The preservation commission has expressed concerns that the park design does not adequately address historical aspects of Westside. In particular, the commission wants the work to include the rehabilitation of the parks Colt Mansion entrance pillars and walls, the World War I bronze statue Liberty by Gaetano Federici, the concrete boat launches, and the concrete base of the bandstand.

Sayegh last November sent the commission a letter expressing his commitment to addressing the historic features of the park. But the preservation organization said in its conditional approval in December that it will withdraw its support if the historical features are not included.

Kenneth Simpson, a member of the commission, welcomed the new funding for the park, saying the project is tremendously important.

But we also need to be mindful of the historic elements of the park, Simpson said. They need to be addressed as well.

The park was built in 1889 and runs along the north bank of the Passaic River in the western part of Paterson. Flooding is one of the problems that have exacerbated the poor condition of the park, city officials said.

The Sayegh administration has applied for a state grant to build a flood wall on the southern bank of the river across from Westside, along Pennington Park. But the proposed wall would not protect the new $15 million investment proposed for Westside, officials said.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: National Park Service gives grant for Westside Park
The Navy is contracting out multiple barges to Baltimore Harbor to help with clearing and reopening of the channel after a tanker struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse early Tuesday.

Naval Sea Systems Command has contracted a variety of vessels to help with the job supporting the Coast Guards unified recovery effort.

The Navys Supervisor of Salvage and Diving will use the barges to surface and remove portions of the bridge.

Sections will first be disassembled before they are lifted onto the barges and transported away, the Navy said.

The Navys Supervisor of Salvage and Diving will also oversee the mobilization of 12 assorted tugs, survey, crew and dive boats that will arrive to Baltimore in the coming days.

Key Bridge collapse affecting shipments of some troops belongings

Barges being dispatched to the scene include the Chesapeake, a 1,000-ton lift capacity derrick barge, the Ferrell, a 200-ton lift capacity revolving crane barge and the Oyster Bay, a 150-ton lift capacity carne barge, according to the sea service.

Those vessels have already arrived at the harbor, and another is slated to arrive early next week, according to the Navy.

Four workers who were on the bridge at the time of the early morning collision Tuesday remain missing and are presumed dead, The Associated Press reported Friday.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the bridges collapse following the freighter collision an economic catastrophe and described challenges of recovering the workers and clearing tons of debris to reopen the Port of Baltimore.

What were talking about today is not just about Marylands economy; this is about nations economy, Moore said at a news conference. The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in this country.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For the second day in a row, U.S. forces in the Middle East took out a wave of attack drones launched over the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time on Thursday, U.S. forces engaged and destroyed four attack drones that were aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship, according to U.S. Central Command.

The Houthi drones were taken out in self-defense, according to CENTCOM, and no injuries or damage was reported.

CENTCOM did not identify the U.S. warship involved in Thursdays engagement or which assets were used to take out the drones, but multiple Navy destroyers have been on station in the Red Sea since October, intercepting Houthi missiles and drones at a near-daily rate.

Navy warship fights off four-drone Houthi attack

An unidentified U.S. warship also took out four Houthi attack drones that were targeting the ship on Wednesday in the Red Sea.

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 about Thursdays encounter. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.
Christians call the day Jesus was crucified Good Friday. Its mystifying. Why would people who claim Jesus is their Lord and Savior call the day he was brutally murdered by the State a good day?

Many Christians have been told that Friday is good because on that day Jesus paid the price for our sins, that God needed someone innocent and righteous to suffer so that He could show mercy to guilty and unrighteous people like us. The takeaway has been, now that Jesus has been unjustly punished for our wrongdoing, Christians are righteous by default, no matter what. Its a good day when Jesus pre-pays the tab on your sin.

This is the worst kind of plantation religion.

Kate Murphy

We have taken exactly the wrong lesson from Good Friday when we see Jesus hanging on the cross and think, well, sometimes innocent people have to suffer unjustly for the common good and its not my problem or responsibility. The death of Jesus does not justify evil, but exposes it. The cross forces us to see that the end never justifies the means.

We can not fight violence with violence. We cannot create peace through destruction. Before we call Friday good, we have to recognize crucifixion as horrible. Then, we have to see that crucifixion didnt just happen only one time, only to Jesus. They still happen all the time.

Crucifixion is an execution by asphyxiation. In spite of all the blood in Mel Gibsons version, crucifixion victims dont die from blood loss from nails piercing flesh. Those wounds cause unspeakable agony, but dont kill you. Death occurs from suffocation because eventually the body loses the strength to hold up the chest cavity enough to breathe. Crucifixion is painful slow forced self-strangulation. Theologian James Cone wasnt being metaphorical when called the cross a lynching tree. It literally was. Its a crime of stolen breath.

In the seventh verse of the second chapter of Genesis we see God shape the first human form from dust and then breathe into his nostrils. This is the breath of life. It is only after that gift that the man becomes a living being. Scripture testifies that breath is life and its sole source is God. When humans take breath and reduce a living being back into a lifeless body it is a desecration and an act of de-creation. But thats not all it is. When we conspire to remove the breath from someones body, thats not just a crime against the victim but also against God, because its Gods own breath that has been stolen.

Christians believe Jesus is God. Seeing him struggling to breathe on the cross is supposed to finally force us to see that all violence is violence against God. To take anybodys breath is to take Gods. To lynch is to crucify. To kneel on someones neck until they suffocate is to crucify. To launch terrorist attacks against civilians, as on Oct. 7, shedding the blood that carries the breath, is to crucify. To bomb a home or hospital or refugee camp so that the breath is crushed out of bodies is also to crucify. To withhold food or medical supplies from a population until breath is collectively extinguished from bodies is mass crucifixion.

Friday isnt good because crucifixion is good or because God made something good come from crucifixion. God didnt crucify Jesus; humans did. God is not the crucifier, even indirectly. God is the crucified. Jesus death exposes the lie that violence could ever be good, justified or holy. Good Friday is good because it is the day that Jesus shows us there is another way, a way of absorbing and transforming violence without perpetuating it.

The tragedy is most Christians arent interested in following Jesus on that way. Many of us still believe that only force powerful enough to end violence is greater violence. More than 2,000 years later, we still live in a world where the powerful find ways to crucify those they fear and despise. We uphold and participate in unjust and destructive systems that sanitize and sanctify brutality and exploitation all the while claiming to provide justice and peace and prosperity. The sin isnt that we failed to transform our systems, but that we have failed even to try.

Kate Murphy is pastor at The Grove Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.
Exclusive interview with CEO of airBaltic Martin Gauss to Interfax-Ukraine

Text: Alyona Manzhelo

Considering frequent statements on the possible resumption of flights in Ukraine, your visit is perceived as another powerful sign that this is possible. Is this your first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion?

Yes, this is my first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. I initiated a meeting with the top management of Kyiv-Boryspil Airport to discuss the possible resumption of flights to Ukraine, and we were warmly welcomed. During the visit, we had the opportunity to discuss with Oleksiy Dubrevskyy, CEO of Boryspil airport, the safe resumption of flights as well as to present plans of airBaltic for restart flights to Ukraine. We also observed the high level of the airports infrastructure readiness.

We arrived in Kyiv to say that we have a clear plan: as soon as Ukraine's airspace is open, we will immediately start our flights. In the first phase, we will operate flights to Ukraine from the three Baltic countries, which, in turn, are connected to many European destinations. This year airBaltic will operate 130 routes in its network from airBaltic home base cities. In the second phase, in a three to six-month term after the resumption of flights, we plan to base several aircraft in Kyiv. This fleet will operate flights to European capital airports and central markets.

So, will you fly to Ukraine from the three Baltic countries in the first phase?

In the first phase, our plans are aimed at establishing flights between Ukraine and Riga in Latvia, Vilnius in Lithuania, and Tallinn in Estonia. We will initially connect the three Baltic countries with Boryspil and Lviv airports. At the moment it is not known whether they will be opened simultaneously or only one of them at the beginning.

In particular, we have 19 focus airports outside the Baltic states. They serve mostly capitals and big industrial centers. We have a well-developed hub in Riga, from which we operate flights to around 80 destinations. Flights to 24 direct destinations are operated from Estonia and 15 from Lithuania.

The Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry of Infrastructure) shared the information that you also had a meeting with Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine. What was the focus of your conversation?

With the Ministry's team headed by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister we discussed the prospects of resuming airBaltics flights to Ukraine. We do hope that our firm intentions will support the regulators in deciding to open Ukrainian airspace as soon as possible.

It was a historic visit for me, I would say. I had never presented an airlines business plan in the shelter of an airport before. At the moment when I was supposed to present it (to the airport management - IF-U), an air raid alarm sounded, and we had to move to the shelter. I continued my presentation there.

Our teams stay in touch. We are looking at how we can help and support the process of restoring the aviation industry in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Infrastructure said on Facebook that airBaltic is a long-standing and reliable partner of Ukraine. Since 2019, the company transported passengers from Boryspil and Lviv airports - in total, more than 300 thousand passengers were transported. The airBaltic aircraft was the last to leave Boryspil airport in February 2022, before the airspace was closed...

"We were one of the last airlines to continue operating scheduled flights to Ukraine (before the full-scale aggression, amid US warnings, some airlines have suspended flights to Ukraine - IF-U). I remember that day very well because I was interviewed by Richard Quest for CNN. At 11 p.m. (23:00 Kyiv time - IF-U), he asked me how we ensure the safety of our aircraft in Ukraine. I replied that we were constantly monitoring the situation and we would have canceled the flight in time (in case of a real threat - IF-U). In the end, we just did so.

We canceled the flight in the early morning when the full-scale war in Ukraine started and the airspace was closed.

In that interview, I also publicly stated that airBaltic is a reliable partner of Ukraine and I am ready to repeat that now. Today we are here to demonstrate that we have not forgotten what we said two years ago. Those were not just words. We need to remain confident that our intentions are serious and we will implement them as soon as we receive a permit to resume flights from Ukraine.

Before the war, you worked with airlines under codeshare agreements - do you plan to return to this form of cooperation now?

Yes, Ukraine International Airlines was our partner in Ukraine for the joint operation of flights in Ukraine. Upon our return, we will certainly be interested in working with Ukrainian air carriers. In total, we currently have codeshare agreements with 23 partners, which include almost all major air carriers: Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Air France, Emirates Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

Do you plan to resume flights according to the codeshare scheme or will you operate your own flights in Ukraine?

No, we want to run our own flights. Of course, if someone else operates the same route as we do, then we will consider the possibility of concluding a code-sharing agreement. However, this can only be discussed under two conditions: when there is a real connection and real carriers on it. We will consider potential codeshare agreements only when flights resume and it is clear which routes we operate and which carriers work on other routes.

How many AirBaltic aircraft will there be when you return to Ukraine and where will they be based?

We are going to cooperate with Kyiv-Boryspil, Lviv, and Odesa airports. In the long term, we can base five aircraft in Ukraine to operate a wider network of routes.

So, first of all, we will start with the fleet, which we have in Riga, and, in particular, our planes, which are parked overnight - we will free up these available capacities. But in the long term, in three to six months after restarting operations, we are thinking about basing five of our aircraft in Ukraine.

Will these aircraft be new?

All of our aircraft are new. After all, airBaltic has the youngest fleet among airlines today, the second youngest in Europe. Moreover, we have placed a new order for aircraft - we will potentially receive another 50 brand-new planes by 2029. Some of them will operate in Ukraine as well. We will receive three aircraft under the new order by the end of 2024. We placed this order in November.

In previous years, AirBaltic's fleet received one new aircraft monthly. That is why today we are a growing airline that is expanding dynamically. We are interested in returning to Ukraine's airspace, as this is a very important market for us. Frankly speaking, we estimated to return earlier, but the Ukrainian sky has remained closed for too long.

Do you plan to visit the airports in Odesa and Lviv during your current visit?

I am not planning to visit them during my current visit. I am returning to Riga as I already have other commitments. However, representatives of our local team in Ukraine will definitely visit the airports in Lviv and Odesa in the near future. I understand that these airports, including Kyiv-Boryspil Airport, are considered to be the first ones that can resume operations once the Ukrainian sky is open. If the airspace is safe in only one zone, then perhaps only one airport will operate flights first. I believe we will find out soon, we are expecting rapid developments.

Did airBaltic's representative office in Ukraine interrupt its work during the full-scale war?

Not for a moment. During the full-scale invasion, we even expanded the responsibilities of the representative office in the markets. Of course, we have passengers from Ukraine who book tickets and continue to fly with AirBaltic from airports outside Ukraine.

During his visit to Kyiv, Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, said that after the resumption of flights to and from Ukraine, he would offer 1 million, or 20%, of tickets for less than 20 euros. Have you calculated the price of AirBaltic tickets?

Sure, we also calculate ticket prices. In aviation, ticket prices start with very low ones and there is a business class where tickets are more expensive. This is dynamic pricing. So, there is no single price for everyone. In Ukraine, we will set a reasonable ticket price.

By default, an airline is more attractive to passengers when it offers cheap ticket prices. But, in general, we are not an airline with high fares. I know some of our competitors are very aggressive with low ticket prices but when you book the last seat in the cabin, it turns out to be a very expensive ticket.

I am not saying now that by resuming flights to Ukraine we will change our operating model. Instead, I can assure you that we understand the economic situation in Ukraine and that we will not be able to sell too expensive tickets. The price has to be right.

AirBaltic isnt a typical low-cost carrier, is it?

Yes, we consider ourselves a low-cost airline, but it's better to define us as a hybrid airline because we do the same thing as a low-cost carrier in an economy cabin. You buy a low-cost ticket from us, but you pay extra for your suitcase and other additional services. We also have a full-service business class on our planes. We have both segments combined in one aircraft, just like a legacy carrier.

In his interview, Dmytro Seroukhov, CEO of the Ukrainian carrier SkyUp, told us that they are also focusing on the hybrid model. By the way, this airline also has a firm intention to resume flights from Ukraine as soon as the sky is open...

I think a lot of airlines are trying to implement this model. But to do it right, you need to keep your costs under control. You also need to provide everything that passengers want in business class, and that's not easy if your airline doesnt have all the prerequisites. Our model is very efficient - we achieve low unit costs. So, we have a hybrid model, and that has made us very successful as an airline.

The issue of insurance is crucial in the current situation. What is the position of insurance companies? Have you discussed the possibility of resuming flights to Ukraine with them?

You can talk to an insurance company when it is clear when and where you want to fly. Today we cannot fly to Ukraine because it is still prohibited. However, as soon as EASA confirms the airspace is safe, we can immediately start talking to insurance companies - the rules they apply to the aviation industry in Europe are unified and the same for everyone.

What are your feelings about the visit to Boryspil Airport?

Impressive! The airport is now in full readiness to resume operations. It looks like a brand new one  it is very clean. We were shown different operational procedures, including the ones that can be applied to the protection of passengers, visitors, and staff. This made a very positive impression. Among others, we inspected the check-in procedure and boarding at gates and looked at the operations of aviation security. Everything  beginning with the runways up to the duty-free shops - is ready to resume operations, even tomorrow.

Discussions are underway now on whether it is worth spending money on maintaining a high operational state of the airport or to allocate to other needs. What is your opinion?

Ukraine requires functioning airports. It is crucial. It is vital to maintain airports. If you lose them now, you will have no civil aviation for many years. Maintaining the infrastructure is essential, it is important to support the people who work at the airport now because later it will be very difficult to find highly qualified personnel for the aviation industry, meeting all the requirements of flight safety and passenger security, operational equipment, all the complex technological processes. Your airport is not a provincial railway station. It is a very complex high-tech environment that needs to be maintained being an essential component of civil aviation. This is very important for the future. I hope that Ukraine is aware of this and gives it priority. I understand that right now the main goal should be to protect the country and win the war, this should be the number one priority.

However, if you can keep the airport infrastructure operational, it is very important to do so for the sake of the long-term perspective.

Can you tell us about cases from other countries where maintaining airports during the war has yielded positive results or vice versa?

I do not have such experience from the top of my mind. This is the first war in Europe in my lifetime. Therefore, I cannot give you a single example of a country that was at war after the end of World War II.

How do you assess the Ukrainian air transportation market after the resumption of flights, taking into account the strategy of rebuilding Ukraine and restoring its infrastructure? This primarily concerns the return of Ukrainian refugees home, cargo transportation, and the growing demand for inbound tourism due to the interest of foreigners to Ukraine, as well as investors. How do you take this into account in your transportation strategy to and from Ukraine?

We expect high demand for passenger transportation. Today, more than 6 million Ukrainians remain abroad, perhaps not all of them will come back, but they will want to see their friends and relatives, and they will not want to travel by train for 20 hours if they can fly by plane.

I personally came to Kyiv by train. It took 17 hours, a very long trip. We traveled from Latvia to Warsaw by air for an hour and then traveled 17 hours by train. An aircraft could have covered this distance in just one hour.

Business activity continues to be high in Ukraine, so businessmen will use airplanes. There will be tourists. People will go on vacation. After this war is over, Ukraine will experience strong growth. airBaltic wants to play a significant role in all these processes.

Latvia has very strong ties and a special relationship with Ukraine, providing your country with firm support in the fight against the aggressor. We are also situated at the border and feel the impact of Russian aggression. Therefore, Latvians understand and feel the situation in Ukraine deep in their hearts. And our desire to resume flights from Ukraine is one of the facets of this understanding.

Do you think many European airlines will be ready to join the first wave of those who resume flights as soon as the sky in Ukraine is open?

There are many successful airlines in Europe now. Since Ukraine's accession to the EU is a long-term perspective and Ukraine will definitely become a part of the EU, I will be happy to see all these companies on the Ukrainian market. You have a big country, I come from a country with 1.8 million inhabitants, and we are very successful there. Therefore, considering the size and power of the Ukrainian market, I would say that Ukraine will be of interest to many airlines.

AirBaltic is the national airline of Latvia. Can such a business model exist now? Before the war started, Ukraine was planning to create a new state-owned airline - a national carrier. Do you think it makes sense for us to return to this project? What are the advantages of state ownership of the airline?

My answer is yes. The state can be a successful shareholder. airBaltic is the best example, with better than ever financial results in the last 28 years of history after COVID and during the war. But of course, it depends on how you establish your airline, how much you invest, how available the financing is, and what your business model is. The shareholder only provides the financial resources, but the airline is run by its management.

We have grown a lot in recent years. Latvia today has only 1.8 million inhabitants, and airBaltic carries four times as many passengers. We have 47 aircraft in our fleet and, as I said, we plan to operate 100 by 2030.

We are developing our business model, which is very successful. After all, Latvia does not have a high-speed railway system or a motorway network that would provide fast connections to European countries. Nevertheless, maintaining these connections is of great importance for the GDP of Latvia, as well as Estonia and Lithuania. That is why we operate flights from all three Baltic countries.

Will you enter the Ukrainian market after the resumption of flights with Lithuanian staff, transfer your Ukrainian employees to Ukraine, or rather recruit new staff  what is your opinion and how do you plan it?

About 2.5 thousand employees are at the airline now, and 3% of them - 75 people - are citizens of Ukraine. They are engaged in various fields. We continue to recruit staff because we expect strong growth to 5 thousand employees over the next five years when we will receive all ordered aircraft. So, we will recruit technical staff, flight attendants, and pilots and here we are open to all nationalities. In total, our airline employs people of more than 30 nationalities.

Could you assess the impact of the war in Ukraine on air transportation in Europe and in the Baltic States in particular?

Certainly, this war unleashed by Russia has had a great impact not only on Ukraine but on all European countries. I am German by origin and I understand well what the war leaves in the history of the country, and how negatively its echoes can be many years after the end. As for the aviation industry, the negative impact is that we all no longer have access to the Ukrainian air transportation market, people from here cannot fly, and airlines are forced to bypass Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian airspace, which makes flights longer and more expensive.

Finnair in Finland, as well as in the Baltic States, has suffered the most because of its proximity to the Russian border.

In the case of airBaltic, 7.3% of all our passengers before the full-scale invasion were from Ukraine. Today, we do not have these passengers, and therefore, we do not have any revenue from them.

The commitment of European airlines is to help Ukraine recover. So, maintain your airports, we will fly back - we will help you to restore your country.

I am confident we will soon see all European airlines and not only low-cost airlines return to Ukraine - Turkish carriers will also return. All large, medium, and small carriers will be here. Maybe not all at once, but one by one. And I am sure that in the future we will see more passengers at Ukrainian airports than ever before, more even than in 2019. After all, you are a great country with heroic people who are giving a powerful rebuff to Russian aggression.
Ronna McDaniel, the outgoing Republican National Committee chairwoman, gives her last speech in the position at the general session of the RNC Spring Meeting Friday, March 8, 2024, in Houston. McDaniel is succeeded by Michael Whatley, who won by unanimous voice vote. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

NEW YORK (AP)  One of the nation's most prominent news outlets has found itself in an embarrassing mess over the hiring  and quick firing  of someone who isn't even a journalist in the first place.

Among other things, NBC News' brief employment of former Republican National Committee chief Ronna McDaniel has illustrated the role of political contributors in television news, and the frustration many executives feel in adequately representing the GOP point of view in the Donald Trump era.

NBC News' leadership felt it had secured a prize in the services of McDaniel to provide an insider's perspective on the Republican campaign. Yet they were taken aback and changed course Tuesday after network personalities like Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow objected to working with someone who had trafficked in election disinformation.

Those bosses, starting with NBC Universal Chairman Cesar Conde, now face questions about their leadership and anger from Republicans, some of whom their journalists count upon as news sources heading into a presidential election.

The reputation of a news organization will never rise on the hiring of a non-journalistic contributor, said Mark Whitaker, a former NBC News senior vice president and Washington bureau chief. But it can fall.

TRACING THE HISTORY OF PARTISANS ON THE AIR

Televised political combat existed in earlier times, like Shana Alexander and James Kilpatrick's point-counterpoint segment on 60 Minutes in the 1970s. Politics and journalism had its share of cross-fertilization with figures such as George Stephanopoulos and the late Tim Russert.

Yet the idea of building rosters of paid political contributors took off with cable news. MSNBC, CNN and Fox News Channel are, in large part, political talk channels and seek experts to help fill the time. News streaming has similar needs. Being on call to opine can be lucrative work; several reports had NBC agreeing to pay McDaniel $300,000 a year.

The networks say they strive for political balance. Even NBC News, whose MSNBC cable outlet appeals to liberals, has more than a dozen Republican contributors. Yet most of them  figures like former RNC chief Michael Steele, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Bulwark founder Charlie Sykes  either predate Trump in their active political work or oppose him, or both.

Finding someone with a MAGA pedigree has been more difficult. Former Trump chiefs of staff Reince Priebus and Mick Mulvaney had short tenures at CBS News; some CBS journalists privately objected to hiring Mulvaney. Priebus last year joined ABC News, where former Trump Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert also is a contributor.

Former Trump communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin is at CNN, along with ex-Trump campaign adviser David Urban and Mark Esper, a former defense secretary in the Trump administration.

Many figures who have stepped outside of Trump's orbit, like Griffin, have turned against him. To some insiders and supporters, the simple act of becoming a network contributor makes you anti-MAGA. Even a generally reliable Trump defender such as Kayleigh McEnany, among a handful of former administration officials like Mike Pompeo now on Fox News' payroll, has been criticized by her ex-boss as being insufficiently loyal.

A Trump supporter has to wonder if its worthwhile to continually feel outnumbered and defensive on television and be forced to account for every wild statement the former president makes, GOP consultant Alex Conant said.

Networks, meanwhile, need contributors to speak authoritatively and get beyond talking points, said Mark Lukasiewicz, a former NBC executive who is now dean of Hofstra University's communications school.

Journalists in a lot of newsrooms are starting to think more about the stakes, thinking about the costs of delivering a large audience and a platform to someone who doesn't fundamentally believe in a system that allows that platform to exist, Lukasiewicz said. I think there is a higher bar for somebody who is on the payroll of a journalistic institution, rather than just somebody you interview."

MAKING CHOICES ABOUT WHO TO PUT ON THE AIR

If publicly supporting, or at least not objecting to, Trump lies about a rigged 2020 election is a litmus test for a job as a network contributor  well, that would eliminate a lot of Republicans.

To remain itself, the MAGA movement has to practice election denial, minimize the events of Jan. 6, and treat the news media as a hate object for pointing this out, said Jay Rosen, a New York University professor and author of the Pressthink blog. Extending the hand of welcome is just too costly for a self-respecting newsroom with a public service charter, as NBC learned this week.

Networks should retire this category of contributors and switch to a system relying on their own journalists and vetted, unpaid experts, he said. He has no expectations: in reality, they rarely compete by striking out on their own in this manner.

NBC's Conde made clear that while McDaniel didn't work out, the principle behind her hiring stands. The network remains committed to seeking diverse viewpoints, and will redouble our efforts to seek such voices, he said in the internal memo announcing her firing. Whether that will placate Republicans is uncertain at best.

Some of the personalities who publicly objected to McDaniel at NBC News, such as Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, said they don't object to airing conservative viewpoints but draw the line at people who actively tried to subvert the 2020 election.

That's not a nuance many Republicans perceived. Through its failure, an effort designed to make NBC News more inviting had the opposite effect.

For Republicans who already think NBC is biased, this confirms everything, Conant said.

Trump, in messages on his Truth Social platform, has tried to draw in NBC's corporate parent, Comcast.

These sick degenerates over at MSDNC are really running NBC, and there seems nothing (Comcast) chairman Brian Roberts can do about it, he wrote. There has been no public indication Conde and his management team has lost Comcast's support.

Still, the aftermath has increased public scrutiny on Conde and his management team: Rebecca Blumenstein, NBC News president-editorial; MSNBC President Rashida Jones; and Carrie Budoff Brown, senior vice president for politics.

Among the questions: through two full days of NBC and MSNBC journalists and show hosts publicly condemning the McDaniel hiring, why didn't anyone in management step forward to explain the motivations behind it? The Washington Post on Wednesday raised questions about Jones' role in recruiting the former Republican leader.

Margaret Sullivan, executive director of the Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security at Columbia University, wrote in the Guardian that NBC could earn itself a lot of good will and recover from this blunder by publicly apologizing.

There was no comment from NBC News on Thursday.

___

David Bauder writes about media for The Associated Press. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. repeatedly suggested during an oral argument that government officials could use a 19th century law to ban the distribution of abortion pills through the mail. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

At the U.S. Supreme Court these days, judicial liberals don't have much clout. The real fights mostly take place between the court's far-right and its more traditional conservatives.

Tuesday's argument over abortion pills provided a perfect example, and it highlighted the stakes the 2024 presidential election will have for the court. In particular, it illustrated one of the ways a second term for former President Trump could dramatically differ from his first, with huge consequences for abortion rights, among other topics.

Abortion endangers the GOP

The political backdrop to the high court's argument is clear: The politics of abortion continue to bedevil Republicans.

The GOP achieved a long-standing goal in 2022 when the newly reinforced conservative majority on the court overturned Roe vs. Wade, the ruling that for nearly a half-century had guaranteed abortion rights nationwide. The court's decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health tossed abortion policy back to the states, 15 of which now ban all or nearly all abortions, with six more imposing tight restrictions.

Those bans have not succeeded in reducing the number of abortions in the U.S., largely because of the wide availability of abortion pills. But they have generated a wave of anger among voters, especially women, that has sunk Republican candidates in swing districts and states.

Read more: Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of Texas doctors' challenge to abortion pills

The most recent example came a few hours after the high court argument, when a Democrat, Marilyn Lands, won a special election to fill a largely suburban state legislative district in northern Alabama. Lands had focused her campaign on reproductive rights.

Her landslide victory  a 25-point margin in a closely divided district  was the first test of voter sentiment since the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos created by in vitro fertilization should be considered children under state law, a decision that the state legislature hurriedly tried to overturn after furious voter reaction.

The conservative split

The lesson that many traditional conservatives have drawn from their election defeats is that the GOP should ease away from opposition on abortion. That may have influenced some of the Republican-appointed justices as they considered Tuesday's challenge to the Food and Drug Administration's rules that allow widespread dispensing of mifepristone: They treated the case like an unwelcome guest  to be ushered out as rapidly as possible with a stern admonition not to return.

To the justices on the far right, it represented something else  a missed opportunity for now and a chance to set down markers for the future.

Representing the Biden administration, Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar argued that the antiabortion group seeking to overturn the rules lacked standing to bring the case.

Standing refers to the legal principle that to challenge a law or rule, you have to be affected by it  you can't just have a generalized grievance.

The antiabortion doctors who brought the case claimed they were affected because at some point, one of them might be in an emergency room when a woman who had taken mifepristone would show up seeking treatment for heavy bleeding, which is an occasional effect of the drug. If that happened, they would be forced to choose between their conscientious objections to abortion and their duty to care for a patient, they argued.

Prelogar said those claims rest on a long chain of remote contingencies" that didn't come "within a hundred miles" of establishing standing.

Most of the justices appeared to agree.

Read more: The standoff at Gate 36: Texas sends in the troops to block migrants from seeking asylum

Even if the doctors had standing, the proper remedy for their claim would be to say that they could not be required to participate in an abortion  a right they already have under federal law, said Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Justice Neil M. Gorsuch agreed. The case was a prime example of turning what could be a small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an F.D.A. rule or any other federal government action," he said. He didn't mean that as a compliment.

Gorsuch, of course, was appointed to the court by Trump. Another Trump appointee, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, also appeared skeptical that the doctors had standing. The third Trump appointee, Justice Brett M. Kavanugh, said very little, but the one question he asked suggested that he, too, would likely side with the FDA.

How Trump could ban abortion pills

Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Clarence Thomas were the only members of the court who seemed open to the arguments presented by Erin Hawley, the lawyer representing the antiabortion group.

In their questions, both also circled back to a related legal issue, the potential impact of an 1873 law known as the Comstock Act. That law, best known for banning "lewd" material from the mail, also bans any article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing which is advertised or described in a manner calculated to lead another to use it or apply it for producing abortion.

Read more: California poll reveals how minor candidates could throw 2024 presidential race to Trump

The law hasn't been enforced in decades, but up through the 1930s, it was repeatedly used to prosecute people for mailing birth control devices or even medical texts about contraception.

In 2022, the Justice Department issued a formal ruling that the law wasn't applicable to mifepristone because the drug has medical uses beyond abortion.

That ruling, however, could be reversed by a future administration. Antiabortion groups have made clear that if Trump wins another term, they'll make the Comstock Act a high priority.

The Comstock law is fairly broad, and it specifically covers drugs such as yours," Thomas said at one point to Jessica Ellsworth, the lawyer representing Danco Laboratories, which makes mifepristone. His remark sounded like a warning.

Why two Bush justices, not Trump ones, make up the far right

The comments by Gorsuch and Barrett on the one side and Thomas and Alito on the other highlighted a paradoxical reality of the current court: The justices Trump named to the court aren't the ones most likely to side with the MAGA movement's priorities. Instead, the far-right members, Thomas and Alito, were appointed by two avatars of the pre-Trump GOP establishment  the Presidents Bush, father and son.

That doesn't mean that the three Trump appointees are moderates. They're solidly conservative. But they are establishment conservatives.

Read more: Column: Trump has big plans for California if he wins a second term. Fasten your seatbelts

During Trump's tenure, the process of picking and confirming Supreme Court justices was largely driven by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, working with Trump's White House counsel, Don McGahn. Trump had relatively little to do with it beyond ratifying the ultimate selections.

McConnell and McGahn looked for justices in their ideological image, not Trump's.

By contrast, George H.W. Bush chose Thomas without knowing much about him. He wanted a Black jurist to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall, and he didn't have a lot of Black Republican judges to choose from. The full scope of the new justice's ideology was unknown when he was named.

Alito was more of a known commodity when George W. Bush appointed him, but he wasn't the president's first choice. Bush had tried to put his counsel, Harriet Miers, on the court. But he had to withdraw Miers' name after intense opposition from the right. The choice of Alito was an effort at political damage control.

But McConnell won't be Senate Republican leader after this year  he's already announced his plans to step down. And Trump isn't likely to appoint anyone to the White House staff like McGahn, who repeatedly thwarted him on key issues.

Read more: Column: Trump wants to round up over a million undocumented migrants from California. Heres how he might do it

Trump owes his political survival to the steadfast support of the right wing, especially conservative, evangelical Christians. Whatever constraints the former GOP establishment managed to impose on him before would be largely absent in a second term.

Hence the main lesson from Tuesday: The high court has moved sharply to the right already, but it could go a lot further if Trump gets another term.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Out of this world: a total solar eclipse will thrill visitors in Canada - John Finney/Moment RF

Canadas Niagara region has declared a state of emergency as it prepares for an estimated one million tourists to descend on the area for an imminent total solar eclipse.

Niagara Falls, situated on the US border, is along the path of totality for the eclipse, making it one of the best places to view the rare event on April 8.

In preparation for the influx of visitors, Jim Bradley, Niagara Region chairman, declared a state of emergency out of an abundance of caution to prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Niagara Falls is expected to see huge crowds for the eclipse - Carlos Osorio/Reuters

The declaration, which came into effect on Thursday, strengthens the tools the region has at its disposal to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors and protect our critical infrastructure in any scenario that might arise.

Mr Bradley went on: The spotlight will be on Niagara as thousands of visitors join us to share in this once-in-a-lifetime event, and we will be ready to shine.

Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati tries out solar eclipse safety glasses - Wa Lone/Reuters

Jim Diodati, the mayor of the Ontario city of Niagara Falls, predicted by far the biggest crowd that weve ever had on the Canadian side of the popular waterfall for the eclipse.

Mr Diodati estimated that up to a million people will be there that day - usually 14 million typically visit during the course of a year.

T-Mobile is deploying additional cell sites to handle the surge of eclipse chasers

The region will be modifying some of its programmes and services and closing some facilities to keep traffic off the roads on the big day.

Phil Gavin, Niagara Regional Police Service constable, told Global News: As you can imagine, there is a finite amount of space, whether it be for vehicles or what have you in Niagara.

Certainly, the consideration is that we may exceed that limit, so were certainly doing as much planning as we can.

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Equipment at three DTEK thermal power plants has been severely damaged, and a power engineer has also been injured as a result of Russia's concerted attack on Ukraine's energy facilities [DTEK Group is Ukraine's largest private energy company  ed.].

Source: DTEK on Telegram

Quote: "The equipment was seriously damaged. After the attack ended, the power engineers promptly began to deal with the consequences."

Details: According to early reports, a power engineer was injured. The employee was promptly provided with the necessary assistance.

DTEK reiterated that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russians have fired on DTEK thermal power plants more than 160 times.

Background:

Russian forces launched attack UAVs at Ukraine from several directions at once on the evening of 28 March. It became known at around 04:00 on 29 March that the Russians had launched cruise missiles as well. The air-raid lasted all night.

During a large-scale combined attack, the Russians once again struck energy facilities. The Russians attacked facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Cherkasy oblasts. They specifically targeted power generation facilities with drones and missiles.

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New Jerseys county line  the preferential positioning given to candidates by county organizations  may meet its demise.

Rep. Andy Kims federal lawsuit calling for an end to the county line moved forward Friday.

In a preliminary injunction on Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi said that ballots used for the June 4 primary will have to use a ballot design that groups candidates by office sought but not with candidates for a different office, with large separations from other candidates running for the same office, with bracketing or with candidates underneath another candidate running for the same office, where the rest of the candidates are listed horizontally, or to the side of another candidate running for the same office, where the rest of the candidates are listed vertically.

Andy Kim speaks with supporters outside the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall, Local 164, where the Bergen County Democratic Party Convention is being held, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Paramus

This use of the commonly called office-block style ballot must be used for vote-by-mail ballots as well as at polling locations.

Quraishi said Kims attorneys have shown a severe burden on their First Amendment rights and that he has already found a likelihood of success on the merits for plaintiffs as well as a showing of irreparable harm, including the likelihood of constitutional violations.

An example of Mercer County, 2020 traditional county line.

The court wishes to make clear that it recognizes the magnitude of its decision, Quraishi said in his preliminary opinion. The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake and the remedy plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary. Mandatory injunctive relief is reserved only for the most unusual cases. Plaintiffs burden on this motion is therefore particularly heavy. Nevertheless, the court finds, based on this record, that plaintiffs have met their burden and that this is the rare instance when mandatory relief is warranted.

Kim called the decision a "victory for a fairer, more democratic politics in New Jersey."

"It's a victory built from the incredible grassroots work of activists across our state who saw an undemocratic system marginalizing the voices of voters, and worked tirelessly to fix it, Kim said in a statement. While fixing this unfair ballot system is a massive step forward toward perfecting our democracy, there is still work to be done. Both in New Jersey and nationwide, we need to regain the trust of the voters we serve."

Elko County, NV 2018 Democratic primary ballot, left, and Sussex County, DE 2018 Democratic primary ballot, right, are examples of a block design and how it would look if Rep. Andy Kim prevails in his lawsuit.

Kim had filed the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the controversial county line ballot design last month while in midst of a primary battle with first lady Tammy Murphy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. She has since dropped out of the race. The seat is currently held by Sen. Bob Menendez.

The governor's office had no comment on the order on Friday but earlier in the week, Gov. Phil Murphy said that while he is "open-minded to tweaking the system if there's an opportunity to make it better," he thinks the line has "worked pretty well."

"If progressives were out there trying to look at whether or not they got a good government over the past 6.5 years. I'd like them to find a more progressive government in America than what they got the past 6.5 years, with yours truly elected twice on the line in both cases," Murphy said.

Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a letter earlier this month saying he didn't intend to defend the line in court because he viewed it as "unconstitutional."

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ county line: Federal judge imposes temporary injunction
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PIX11)  Rosemary Rogers doesnt drive, but youll still have a hard time finding someone more fired up about congestion pricing.

Its almost as if  youre forcing it, said Rogers. I dont believe that is the American way here.

Wednesdays stamp of approval by the MTA Board means that come mid-June, most cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street  including by way of the Holland Tunnel  will be tolled $15. The money raised would fund MTA projects like improvements to subways and buses.

What Jersey should do is charge them a tax for coming into Jersey, said Rogers.

New Jersey maternal health center to be built in Trenton

Its too much for people who dont make anything at all, said Kyle Hargreaves of Jersey City.

Congestion pricing is facing several lawsuits on both sides of the Hudson River, including one filed by the State of New Jersey. After the MTA Boards vote, Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement, saying in part, This is far from over and we will continue to fight this blatant cash grab.

Similar sentiments were each echoed by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and Congressman Josh Gottheimer.

You got all these groups that have said hold on, this going to be a disaster for us, and the MTA clearly doesnt care. I think a judge will care, said Gottheimer.

Hearings are scheduled on the New Jersey lawsuit in federal court next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Picture this: As a Phoenix heat wave is killing hundreds of people, an entrepreneur approaches the citys mayor with an extraordinary offer.

The company will spray enough aerosols into the sky to reduce temperatures near Phoenix for a week, until the heat wave passes. Its a tempting offer that could save lives, although the science surrounding what happens next isnt clear.

Such a scenario might once have been the stuff of science fiction novels, but its no longer far-fetched, said David Bookbinder, a longtime climate attorney who previously served as Sierra Clubs chief climate counsel.

He and other climate experts fear that regulators arent ready for whats coming.

I am more concerned about this than anything else, Bookbinder said in a recent interview. Climate solutions are not going to get deployed in time, which is only going to create more of a demand for something like this.

As the climate continues to heat up and humanity feels the scorching, sometimes deadly, consequences, environmentalists, scientists and business executives are increasingly interested in exploring solar geoengineering technologies that could blunt some of those effects. That includes injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight away from the planet, also known as solar radiation modification.

But meddling with the climate is contentious, and efforts to regulate  or even study  geoengineering on a large scale have proven difficult both domestically and internationally.

Currently, a U.S. company or citizen with plans to inject aerosols into the atmosphere is required to fill out a one-page form with the Commerce Department 10 days before they do so, thanks to a law from the 1970s that requires reporting of efforts to modify the weather.

Thats not enough, say academics and researchers who are urging the government to expand their rules governing private firms solar radiation modification efforts. Its part of a broader push to regulate small-scale geoengineering experiments that are already happening.

There's no governance on the international level, national governance, there's no state governance, there's nothing, said Bookbinder.

Bookbinder represented environmental groups during his tenure at Sierra Club in the landmark climate case Massachusetts v. EPA, which confirmed the agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. He went on to work for the Niskanen Center, a libertarian think tank. Hes now self-employed.

Bookbinder is agnostic on whether geoengineering technologies should be deployed, he said, but hes worried it could be done without proper oversight and that the United States and international governments arent prepared to keep it in check.

Its been on his mind for a few years, Bookbinder said, since he started wondering about the next big problem that were not thinking about yet.

I said, Holy shit, its not the climate change. We know what that is. We know how its proceeding, Bookbinder said. Its going to be the solutions that people start offering up.

Fodder for science fiction

Scientists know that aerosol particles can cool the Earths surface because they temporarily reflect sunlight. The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, for example, lowered the average global temperature by about 1 degree Fahrenheit for roughly a year.

But widespread questions remain about the scientific and geopolitical implications of injecting aerosols into the upper atmosphere to modify the climate. Potential risks could include damage to the ozone or changes to weather patterns  possibly impacting other countries. Geoengineering also doesn't address other harms associated with producing and burning fossil fuels, such as local pollution and ocean acidification.

And if a country or company were to implement a major geoengineering scheme, it would have to continue until carbon concentrations in the atmosphere fell to a safe level or risk triggering a catastrophic spike in global warming  a risk known as termination shock.

A proposal to study solar geoengineering was withdrawn from consideration at a U.N. Environment Assembly earlier this year after nations failed to reach agreement over how to approach the contentious issue.

Bookbinder pointed to a scenario laid out in the 2020 climate fiction novel Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. Geoengineering is central in the novel, which depicts India suffering from a deadly heat wave and spraying aerosols into the stratosphere.

If something like that were to happen in the real world, "suppose then the monsoon fails over India and China has a disastrous drought or heat wave, Bookbinder said. Who do you think they're gonna blame? The geopolitical problems that can come if people start doing this on a national scale are beyond imagining.

Gaps in government rules?

International doomsday scenarios are Bookbinders biggest worry, he said.

On a smaller scale, hes hoping to get the regulatory ball rolling by prodding the U.S. government to update 1970s-era rules that track efforts to modify the weather.

As climate change accelerates and its damages mount, the investigation and testing of some forms of climate intervention technologies including solar radiation modification, appear imminent and inevitable, Bookbinder and others wrote in a March petition filed with NOAA.

While some of these activities will likely take place with federal oversight and funding, the field overall lacks transparency and oversight, the petition says.

Signatories include Bookbinder; Tracy Hester of the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resource Center at the University of Houston Law Center; Shuchi Talati, founder of the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering; and other professors.

Current NOAA rules, which stem from a 1970s law, require reporting of all nonfederal efforts to modify weather. The most common form of weather modification is cloud seeding to boost rain or snowfall, according to NOAA.

The petitioners are asking the government to update its reporting act regulations to expand and clarify their application to private solar radiation modification activities. NOAAs current regulations, the petitioners wrote, fail to require all the information needed to assess the potential impacts and risks of geoengineering activities.

NOAA is currently leading a congressionally mandated research effort investigating natural and human activities that might alter the reflectivity and radiative balance of the atmosphere and the potential impact of those activities, according to the agencys website.

Under current regulations, any activity designed to modify Earths energy budget is considered weather modification, NOAA spokesperson Theo Stein said in an email.

Companies that intend to engage in weather modification activities within the United States are required by the Weather Modification Act of 1976  to provide a report to the Administrator of NOAA at least 10 days prior to undertaking the activity, Stein said.

Bookbinder and other petitioners want the reporting rules to explicitly address solar radiation modification activities and to address what they call several important gaps in the agencys rules.

That would help the federal government prevent harm and track activities until or unless Congress chooses to take legislative action or all or any appropriate federal agencies undertake full notice-and-comment rulemaking, they wrote.

Solar radiation modification has the potential to be a much, much bigger thing than weather modification ever was, said Tyler Felgenhauer, a senior research scientist at Duke University who studies the risks and benefits of potential solar radiation modification.

We need some sort of regulation, said Felgenhauer, who wasnt involved in the petition. "If this is the way that it gets in the door, maybe that's how it's going to be.

Geoengineering is happening

Solar geoengineering isnt just theoretical.

Make Sunsets sells cooling credits to launch weather balloons that aim to deposit the sunlight-reflecting sulfate particles into the upper atmosphere.

The company ignited controversy after launching balloons in Baja California, Mexico. The Mexican government said it hadnt been notified and that it would "prohibit and, where appropriate, stop experimentation with solar geoengineering in the country."

Make Sunsets announced in January 2023 that it would cease operations in Mexico. The following month, the firm launched additional balloons carrying sulfur dioxide near Reno, Nevada.

NOAA told Reuters in March 2023 that Make Sunsets hadnt reported its launches in Nevada. Luke Iseman, Make Sunsets CEO and co-founder, told the news outlet at the time that he did seek clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"As far as I can tell, there isn't any rule that would require us to do so  or even anyone who it would be relevant to notify," Iseman told Reuters.

Make Sunsets later submitted the required form after NOAA communicated with the company, Stein told E&E News Friday in an email. Anyone who knowingly and willfully violates the rule may be subject to a fine. Outside of the reporting requirements, NOAA has no role in approving such activities, Stein said.



Amid the broader controversy surrounding geoengineering, Harvard University announced last week that it ended a solar radiation modification research project after years of setbacks and opposition from critics.

But the idea still has plenty of interest  and experts say its gaining in traction as the world appears on pace to exceed its climate targets. Earlier this year, the Environmental Defense Fund hosted a meeting of climate scientists, activists and philanthropists to discuss solar geoengineering.

Many of the attendees would prefer that guidelines for solar geoengineering research be established by a federal scientific coordinating body like the U.S. Global Change Research Program, E&E News reported.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released a report last June laying out a research plan for solar radiation modification. The Biden administration stressed that the report came in response to a directive from Congress and that the administration remains focused on reducing emissions, increasing resilience, advancing environmental justice, and achieving true energy security.

There are no plans underway to establish a comprehensive research program focused on solar radiation modification, the White House wrote last year.

Reporter Corbin Hiar contributed.
LONDON  With all Nordic countries now part of NATO, the nations must manage how to reconcile and integrate national as well as regional security needs and initiatives with what the alliance requires, which could necessitate changes to existing command structures, officials have said.

In March 2023, the commanders of the Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish air forces signed a declaration that envisioned the creation of a joint Nordic air force to protect their shared airspaces.

The concept called for the nations to integrate air command and control, joint operations planning, and execution; create flexible air basing; share situational awareness; and produce common air education programs and training exercises.

While the countries have experience in military cooperation, this level of integration between them is unprecedented. Acting as a coordinated force in the air rather than independently will require a shift in the way each nation approaches its airspace security, according to the chief of operations for the Royal Danish Air Force.

All nations take great pride in their national commands and forces, and our sovereignty is paramount, [but] in order to effectively join our forces, Nordic countries need to have a minute-to-minute command function, which can plan and execute operations, including the use of weapons in defense of our territories, Col. Sren Andersen said March 27 at an air warfare conference hosted by the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank.

For instance, effectively defending Copenhagen would require very close coordination between Sweden, allies and Swedish airspace, he added. It requires consensus.  It doesnt work in a way where I just grab the phone and say, Do you think we should shoot this guy or not, and then we can vote on it.

So it needs to be more firm than that.

A mini-NATO?

All the Nordic countries are expected to share management responsibilities for the combined military force, but this may require them to release some level of control to a higher authority.

The proposal of a combined polar air force structure has earned the title mini-NATO  a notion some officials dont seem fond of.

This Nordic initiative is in no way to be seen as a substitute or replacement to NATO, but as part of it, Andersen told conference attendees.

Along the same lines, Lt. Col. Jan Bjurstrom, deputy director of air operations in the Finnish Air Force, said Nordic air forces are not planning a separate structure, but one that complements the military alliance as a whole.

A member of a Swedish logistics regiment stands sentry at a supply depot during the Nordic Response exercise on March 8, 2024, near Enontekio, Finland. The drill involved 20,000 troops from 13 allied countries. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

During his presentation, the Danish official touched on what he called the command structure dilemma, surrounding the challenges of having to consider national, Nordic and NATO operational perspectives. Now that all Nordic states are NATO members, there is the question of how their individual and regional responsibilities will fit within the military alliances current command-and-control structure.

A statement published last month by the Norwegian Armed Forces, said the NATO command over the Nordic region would soon be transferred from the headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands, to Joint Force Command-Norfolk in the United States.

The alliances command-and-control structure was not specifically designed with territorial defense in mind  something the air chiefs said will need revised to include a Nordic agency.

The Nordic air power concept and Nordic air operations center need to be aligned with NATO plans and structure. This means that NATOs C2 needs revision to implement this [air operations center] into it, Bjurstrom said.

During the Nordic Response exercise this year, a temporarily combined Nordic air operations center was set up for the first time as a test at the Bod Air Base in Norway. The center was made up of personnel from the air forces of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (Iceland does not have a military).
Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Presentation of Portal for Detection of Conflict of Interests of Local Deputies'

On Wednesday, April 3, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference on the subject: "Presentation of Portal for Detection of Conflict of Interests of Local Deputies."

A new digital instrument, Local Interests, was developed to help detect the conflicts of interests of local deputies and public officials, with the assistance of the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), a leading anti-corruption program in Ukraine which is funded by the EU, co-funded and implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Participants: Board Chairman of NGO Anti-Corruption Headquarters Serhiy Mytkalyk, Head of NGO Together Against Corruption Oksana Velychko, Head of the Department for Monitoring and Control over the Implementation of Legal Acts on Conflict of Interests and Corruption Prevention of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) Oleksandr Shulha, Head of the Corruption Prevention Department of the National Police of Ukraine Oleh Lozovy (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.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  North Carolina state health care coverage for weight loss prescriptions like Wegovy will end on Monday.

That means the roughly 24,000 state employees taking those weight loss drugs will have to decide whether they can pay out of pocket.

State employees no longer covered for WeGovy, weight-loss medicines after board vote

State Treasurer Dale Folwell said ending coverage will save the state $100 million in 2024.

Folwell said he tried to negotiate with Novo Nordisk, the company that manufactures Wegovy, and CVS/Caremark, the states pharmacy benefits manager, to lower costs but those negotiations were unsuccessful.

In a statement, a spokesperson for CVS/Caremark said:

Drug manufacturers need to stop dragging their feet and agree to offer their medicines at a fair price to North Carolinas public servants. Let me be clear: the drug manufacturers can choose to lower the cost of these medicines today and offer relief to the state health plan.

Without a prescription, a months supply of Wegovy costs around $1,300. The vast majority of Americans cant afford to shell out that kind of money. Some physicians are worried about how the loss of coverage will impact their patients.

Im thinking about things like intracranial hypertension, which is a condition that tends to affect young women. It can be associated with vision, and it is uniquely responsive to weight loss. I have many patients with that condition that are on the state health plan, and if they lose access, they will gain weight and their condition will get worse, said Dr. Andrea Coviello, the University of North Carolinas Weight Management Program Director.

Dr. Coviello also said some of her patients are on medications like Wegovy to lose weight to become eligible for heart transplants.

While Wegovy is more than $1,300/month in the United States, that same drug only costs around $300 in parts of Europe.

Dr. Coviello said some of her patients have used that to their advantage.

I have a handful [of patients] that work overseas and are back and forth to Europe and many of them are aware of the price differences. Some of them actually try to obtain the medication when theyre overseas to bring back for a couple of months of use, she said.

Dr. Coviello said that because the drugs are so much cheaper in other countries, shes hopeful they can be manufactured and sold for a cheaper price in the United States as well. She said state leaders are still trying to negotiate with the companies.

As for Ozempic, the state wont be providing coverage for any new prescriptions, but those who are already covered for diabetes can keep their coverage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  In El Paso, its not an uncommon story to hear about people crossing an international border seeking better opportunities.

The University of Texas at El Pasos College of Business brought Yeonmi Park to speak about her experience escaping North Korea as a part of the Leonard E. Read Public Speaker Series, hosted by the Center of Free Enterprise.

The director of the Center of Free Enterprise, Nicolas Cachanosky, explains that their missions program is all about being a good citizen on how the economy actually works.

One of the programs we run (the Leonard E. Read Public Speaker Series) is to bring speakers to campus that are specialists in different issues going on in the economy, in U.S. society or worldwide to give a talk to our students, faculty, staff or anyone. Everyone is invited, said Cachanosky.

Park, who recently turned 30, recounts her experience on escaping and becoming a North Korean defector.

Yeonmi Park | Photo by Jocelyn Flores  KTSM

I was born in Hyesan, its the northern part of North Korea. It was the border from China, she recalls. Thats how it helped me to escape, it was a border town.

According to Park, she was only 13 years old when she escaped along with her mother.

It came down to that (escaping) because we couldnt really find food to survive. Because we were on the border, you could see the electricity lights from China. I thought, If I go where the lights were, I could find water, rice. That curiosity led me to escape from North Korea, Park said.

After escaping, being separated from her mother and being sold as a sex slave in China, Park found a silver lining when she saw South Korean Christian Missionaries rescuing North Korean defectors.

Its a very fortunate thing, even though North Korea has been oppressed for the last 80 years. Only about 209 of us (defectors) made it to America within the last 80 years, so mathematically, I dont even know what the chances are of me making it this far, Park said.

Park has been spreading her story worldwide, speaking on TedTalk and going on a podcast with Joe Rogan to tell her tale.

Park is using her platform to speak about North Korean girls being trafficked in China and about her people she left behind.

There are 300,000 North Korean young girls in China, currently trafficked like I was. They are sold as sex slaves every day, they get raped, and they get killed. And there are 25 million of North Koreans that are under darkness, having no idea that humans have rights, what even freedom is, Park said.

I know that many, many people are facing situations that are so dangerous and are not like America. Thats why Im trying spread the word, that currently estimated that there are more than 4 billion people, on Earth, are not free. Being free is in the mindset of the minority. Most of Americans dont realize that they think that everyone has a life like we do here. So, I try to educate public as much as I can, Park said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The Golden Dome over the administration building at the University of Notre Dame.

A total of 75 mice died in a research lab at the University of Notre Dame after research staff mistakenly doubled the dose of an experimental drug last fall, the university recently self-reported to federal regulators.

Staff didnt follow the protocols approved by an in-house committee to oversee animal care, the report states. As a result, 52 mice were found dead from the research interventions, the report states. Another 23 were euthanized because of the stress they were experiencing.

The animal rights watchdog group Stop Animal Exploitation Now obtained the universitys report and provided it to local news media after doing one of many records requests that it routinely files on facilities nationwide each year with the National Institutes for Health.

Research institutions, like Notre Dame, are required to self report any violations of federal policies that govern the humane care of lab animals, which includes the Animal Welfare Act. They also must include corrective actions to prevent further violations.

Those reports go to NIHs Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, or OLAW. They are part of the assurance of animal welfare contracts that institutions must negotiate with the NIH so they can continue to do research with animals and still receive NIH funding, according to the NIHs Office of Extramural Research.

The University of Notre Dame is committed to protecting the welfare of animals used in research, and we take this responsibility very seriously, Sue Ryan, the universitys executive director of media relations, said in a written statement. "We have commissioned an outside review to ensure that our protocols and practices adhere to all relevant regulations."

When asked who or what sort of entity or person is doing the outside review, she replied, We have nothing more to add at this time.

In filing the report, Jeffrey Rhoads, Notre Dames vice president for research, described how research staff in the Galvin Life Sciences Center made the decision to double the experimental drugs dosage with a mistaken understanding of the dosage that had been approved by the universitys Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Staff also didnt seek the committees approval to change the dosage  that is, to change the protocol  as they should have, Rhoads wrote.

SAEN Executive Director Michael Budkie, based in Ohio, wrote March 26 to Notre Dames president, the Rev. John Jenkins, and called on the firing of the university lab staff whose actions led to mice deaths. Budkie said SAEN commonly requests staff be fired at institutions that have violations.

They (Notre Dame staff) didnt know what the dosage was supposed to be, Budkie said in a phone interview, calling it incompetence. This doesnt sound like a well-performed scientific experiment, does it?

Because the research is about potential medicine that could get into human use, he added, This is not solely about what happens to animals.

Most scientific journals, he said, require a statement that researchers adhered to all of the required protocols before publishing their research.

In 2020, SAEN similarly pointed out self-reported violations at a Notre Dame lab for mice that had been injected with breast cancer cells to study tumors: two mice had missing limbs, two had bowels exteriorized after surgery and 10 had tumors that were larger than the approved protocol. All were euthanized. Also, the university reported that someone in the lab intentionally struck a live mouse against a table.

May 2020: Notre Dame lab working with mice last year violated federal animal guidelines, records show

According to a story in The Tribune in 2020, Notre Dame responded by removing a person from the specific lab work and by forming new protocols to better train lab personnel and to keep an accurate account of procedures.

An NIH spokesman told The Tribune, when asked, that the agency doesnt comment on individual institutions or violations.

NIH has an ethical and legal obligation to ensure the welfare of, and minimize risks for, humans and other animals who are involved in NIH-funded research, he released in a written statement from the NIH Office of Extramural Research. We take very seriously the humane care and use of laboratory animals used in NIH-funded research.

Skeptically, Budkie said NIH typically just requires an institution to do additional reporting.

But the NIH emphasizes a collaborative approach where institutions help to guard against violations. It opened 870 cases of potential violations in 2020, which grew to 1,111 by 2022, which the agency attributes to both the lifting of pandemic restrictions and more allegations filed by interest groups.

In an NIH blog about its policies to protect animal welfare, NIH officials state: The purpose of self-reporting and OLAW oversight is to improve procedures and practices at institutions to ensure animal welfare and ultimately the quality of science. While we understand that an institution may be cautious when sharing compliance information, it shows transparency and a willingness to quickly and effectively correct any issues. When taken together, this goes a long way to strengthening public trust and assures the community that potential animal welfare concerns are evaluated.

South Bend Tribune reporter Joseph Dits can be reached at 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame alerts NIH about lab mice deaths after mistakes in dosage
ORLANDO, Fla.  Orange County is accusing the now-defunct onePulse Foundation of obstructing its efforts to understand exactly how the group spent millions in tourist tax funds  and the dispute may be headed to the courts.

In a county commissioners meeting on Tuesday and follow up interviews with the Orlando Sentinel, Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond said that the county has been insisting  with no success so far  that the foundation provide bank statements and other records relevant to the countys review.

We were told that we would receive records relating to the countys expenditures to the Pulse foundation. And those are things that we have not received in spite of the foundations promises to the contrary, Diamond said.

The dispute comes amid broader questions about onePulses expenditures of tax and donation dollars, which totaled nearly $20 million over the groups seven-year existence. The Orlando Sentinel detailed what is known about the groups spending and what questions remain unanswered in a recent investigative report.

In a March 12 email exchange between Christopher Dawkins, the countys assistant comptroller, and Scott Shuker, the attorney representing onePulse, the county specifically requested bank statements, the final financial statement and the meeting minutes of the foundation. Dawkins indicated that onePulse has offered to allow the county to blindly look through records, which could be in electronic format or in boxes scattered in no particular order, but refused to locate and hand over the requested records itself.

In response, Shuker said the county is free to commence legal action against the foundation for the alleged default and I will happily take it from there.

In 2018, the onePulse Foundation secured from Orange County a grant of $10 million in tourist tax money to put toward its efforts to build a memorial and museum to the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 dead. The group spent $6.5 million of the money  most of it on a potential site for the museum  before going belly up late last year with the museum unbuilt and only a temporary memorial in place.

The city of Orlando has taken over the memorial portion of the project.

Diamond said that onePulse Foundation initially had agreed to provide the requested documents shortly after a discussion in a November 2023 commissioners meeting. He said he is uncertain why the group changed its position.

There just seems to be no accountability. We may never get any accountability, Commissioner Mayra Uribe said at the meeting. There seems to be no one accounting anywhere for anything thats being done.

The onePulse Foundation previously returned to the county the museum site it bought with $3.5 million in tourist tax money, but that created another issue that commissioners wrestled with at their Tuesday meeting: The foundation left $52,000 in property taxes unpaid on the land.

After discussion, commissioners decided it would be in the best interest of the county to pay the tax bill now, in part to avoid the penalties that could be levied for a late payment.

For now, it is in our financial interest and that of the taxpayers to at least pay it so that we dont have a further calamity from this set of circumstances, Mayor Jerry L. Demings said.

Demings also said that the onePulse Foundation has indicated it has no staff post-dissolution, using that as an excuse not to provide the county with the documents it has been requesting.

In addition to the $3.5 million cost of the property, which is at 438 W. Kaley St. in Orlando, the foundation also spent $3 million on various planning and design fees for the museum and memorial, an amount that has drawn criticism.

As part of its due diligence, the countys real estate management division has obtained two appraisals of the Kaley Street property, and said the average came back to be just over $4 million.

_______
The number of people injured in the 29 March Russian attack on the city of Odesa has risen to five.

Source: Hennadii Trukhanov, mayor of Odesa

Quote: "The Defence Forces downed both missiles, but missile wreckage fell [on Odesa]. Five people have been injured, mainly a 15-year-old boy who was outside during the attack. He was hospitalised at a childrens clinical hospital."

Details: One of the social institutions of Odesa was also damaged  a few windows have been broken. The wards and the staff of the institution were in a shelter at the time.

Background: On 29 March, Russia struck the city of Odesa with two guided aerial missiles, which the Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down.

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CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (PIX11)  A Brooklyn woman suffered a broken jaw when a stranger randomly punched her while she was walking down the street Tuesday.

The unprovoked, caught-on-video attack happened in broad daylight at Grand Avenue and Dean Street in Crown Heights.

Dulce Pichardo, 57, was walking down the sidewalk when out of nowhere she was punched in the face. The blow was so intense it caused Pichardo to stumble backward several feet, the video shows.

He just punched me on the right side here, very strong, Pichardo told PIX11 News on Thursday.

She said her attacker never said a word.

TikTok videos of women being punched in NYC lead to 2 arrests: NYPD

I was surprised. I said, Whats going on? Why did you hit me? Why did you do it? I didnt do anything. No reason to hit me, Pichardo said.

Pichardos brother owns a restaurant across the street and was able to chase down his sisters attacker. The suspect, 33-year-old Franz Jeudy, was arrested and charged with assault, police said.

Pichardos jaw has been wired shut as a result of the punch. Three of her teeth were knocked out and she has nerve damage. Shes also lost feeling in her lips and currently has to drink her food from a straw.

Beyond her injuries, Pichardo said what has affected her the most is her fear. She hopes New York City leaders will do more to make sure people are safe just walking down a street.

I dont want this happening again. I want New York to do something about this. They have to stop this. Its not fair, Pichardo said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The New York City Housing Authority offers a program to residents that gives opportunities for job training and placement in three career fields.

The program is called the NYCHA Resident Training Academy, or NRTA. It helps NYCHA residents land jobs in construction, maintenance, or janitorial fields. Once you successfully graduate from the NRTA, NYCHAs Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability office will help with job placement assistance, according to the programs website.

New York City launches new website making jobs easier to find

New Yorkers who want to participate in the NRTA need to meet the following requirements:

Authorized NYCHA residents on the lease 18 years of age or older

Have valid working documentation

Must pass the NRTA Assessment

Must be 100% available during the work week to participate in full-time training activities

Travel, child care and other logistical issues must be resolved prior to enrollment into the NRTA

Must meet track-specific requirements

Since program inception in 2010, there have been 3,763 NRTA graduates, 89% of whom have been placed into jobs to date as Caretaker Js, Caretaker Ms, Pest Control Technicians, Emergency Service Aides, City Service Aides and Maintenance Aides with NYCHA, and in various construction-related positions with NYCHA contractors and affordable housing developers. OpportunityNYCHA.org

The NRTAs application process is competitive. Each career field has different requirements, so those interested should call the NYCHA REES office at (718) 289-8100.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
(KRON)  An Oakland store was busted on Wednesday for selling tobacco products to minors and having a variety of illicit drugs, the Oakland Police Department said. No arrests have been made yet in connection to the store.

The investigation began after a resident notified OPDs Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Unit (ABAT) about tobacco and cannabis sales to minors happening at the store, which is located on the 3300 block of MacArthur Boulevard.

Alameda man sells $3.5M in counterfeit electronics for military weapons systems

Officers visited the store on Wednesday and learned that it did not have valid licenses from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and the city of Oakland, OPD said.

The officers also found psychedelic mushrooms and THC edibles, vapes and wax. A loaded gun was also taken by OPD.

OPD plans to send the case to the Alameda County District Attorneys Office for charging. The Oakland City Attorneys Office will also pursue legal action.

Police did not provide the name of the store that was busted.

In February, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) found a large amount of illegal drugs at another smoke shop in Oakland on the 5900 block of International Boulevard. The drugs included large bags of cannabis and suspected crystal meth.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton joined President Joe Biden Thursday night in New York at the most lucrative fundraiser of the 2024 campaign, warning fellow Democrats that Donald Trump must be defeated while making forceful cases for Biden's reelection.

Appearing on stage together at Radio City Music Hall, the former presidents defended Biden's record in a push to rally Democrats around not just beating Trump but allowing Biden to continue his agenda.

"Joe is absolutely right that we've got not just a nominee, but frankly a party and an entire infrastructure that increasingly seems unconcerned with the essence of America," Obama said of Trump and Republicans, "the idea of self-governance and the possibilities of us all fully operating and bridging our differences and moving forward.

"But we also have a positive story to tell about the future."

The three presidents took turns taking questions during an "armchair conversation" moderated by Stephen Colbert, host of CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

President Barack Obama (L) and US President Joe Biden arrive for a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on March 28, 2024.

Obama: 'Sometimes we forget where we started'

The Biden campaign fundraiser, which attracted a sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 donors, raised more than $26 million, the most ever for a single fundraiser in U.S. political history, according to the campaign.

"It's not just the negative case against the presumptive nominee on the other side. It's the positive case for somebody who's done an outstanding job," Obama said. "Sometimes we forget where we started, and where we are now. You've got record-breaking job growth. You've got an unemployment rate that is as low as it has been."

The rare showing of three Democratic presidents presented a united front to help Biden bring together a Democratic coalition that has shown signs of splintering.

Most polls show Biden trailing Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, in a head-to-head contest, in part because Biden is underperforming among Black, Latino, and young voters  three crucial constituencies of the Democratic base.

"I think our democracy is at stake  not a joke. I think democracy is literally at stake," Biden said. "Think about the things (Trump) has said, think about the things he wants to do."

Biden added: "Were at a real inflection point in history. Things are changing. This guy denies there is global warming. This guy wants to get rid of not only Roe v. Wade  by the way which he brags about having done  he wants to get rid of the ability of anyone anywhere in America to have the right to choose. All the things he's doing are so old."

Clinton said voters should put aside their differences given the stakes of the race. "Talking about the defense of democracy not only begs support for President Biden but also begs the question of: Why are we even arguing about some of this stuff?"

Clinton on Biden: He 'deserves another term'

Clinton made an economic pitch for Biden, who has struggled to get credit for an improving economy. Clinton accused Trump while in office of taking credit for an economy that had started improving under Obama and said Biden later inherited "a mess" left by Trump.

"All of a sudden, Joe Biden comes along and creates roughly twice as many jobs," Clinton said. "So I believe in keeping score. Not in a vindictive way but in a positive way. He's been good for America and he deserves another term."

The fundraiser was limited to the president's traveling pool press and not open to all reporters. No television cameras were allowed, consistent with the policy of all Biden fundraisers.

"This is an especially exciting and rare occasion. Three presidents have all come to New York, and not one of them is here to appear in court," Colbert said in a jab at Trump.

Biden closed out the fundraiser by embracing a meme that mocks a favorite attack line of Trump supporters. "By the way, Dark Brandon is real," Biden said as all three presidents and Colbert each put on aviator sunglasses.

Demonstrators rally before President Joe Biden's fundraiser on March 28, 2024 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Biden will be joined by former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama at the event.

Gaza protesters interrupt fundraiser

Ahead of the show, supporters lined barricades along the streets as the motorcade with the three presidents arrived. A large group of pro-Palestinian protesters also gathered outside Radio City Music Hall, a visible reminder of the pressure from the left that Biden faces in his reelection bid.

Multiple protesters interrupted the presidents as they talked about the war in Gaza with Colbert. "Blood on your hands," some yelled. "You cant just talk and not listen, Obama snapped back to one of the protesters. "Thats what the other side does."

Addressing Israel's war against Hamas, Biden said the U.S. must work to get more food, medicine and supplies to Palestinians. He said it's "understandable Israel has such a profound anger" after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. "They weren't killed. They were massacred," Biden, said, but added that Israel must do more to limit civilian causalities in its response.

"We must, in fact, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians, particularly children," Biden said.

President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama step off Air Force One upon arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the Queens borough of New York City on March 28, 2024.

Star-studded lineup

Obama traveled with Biden on Air Force One from Washington to New York earlier in the day. They joined Clinton in the afternoon for a recording of the podcast SmartLess, hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett.

The fundraiser was a star-studded affair. In addition to Colbert, actress Mindy Kaling, star of "The Office" and "The Mindy Project," hosted the program, which featured musical guests Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and first lady Jill Biden also delivered remarks.

Lizzo performed her hit song "About Damn Time." Queen Latifah sang "U.N.I.T.Y." Kaling joked that she is getting older, but compared to Biden, Obama and Clinton, she looks like a cast member on 'Euphoria,'" referring to the HBO series.

"The reason we are here is to reelect President Joe Biden," Kaling said.

"We got three presidents in the house. That sounds like a p-p-p-party to me!" Lizzo said.

Trump, who was also in New York Thursday, attended a wake in the afternoon for Jonathan Diller, a New York City police officer, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop Monday.

In a fundraising email before the event, Trump wrote, "Tonight all hell breaks loose! 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!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Obama and Clinton rip Trump, boost Biden at $26M NYC fundraiser
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The West cannot be expected to be impartial and fair in the issue of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Dean of the Faculty of Turkic World Economics at UNEC and professor of Uludag University, Mehmet Yuce, told Trend.

He noted that Azerbaijan's victory in the second Karabakh War and the liberation of its lands led to the formation of a new reality in the region. Azerbaijan is becoming an increasingly strong player in the region. At the same time, the EU and the US want to use Armenia to create new problems in the region.

"Therefore, the West cannot be expected to be impartial and fair in the issue of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It acts from the position of the Armenian side in this issue. The EU-Armenia-US meeting in Brussels on April 5 should also be viewed in this context," Yuce said.

He emphasized that the West's goal is not to ensure peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"On the contrary, it is to strengthen its influence in the region by strengthening the confrontation between the two countries," Yuce said.

As for Iran's silence, calling the intervention of outside states in the region a "red line" for itself, he said that Iran, following its traditional policy, far from reality and truth, at every step demonstrates its position against Azerbaijan's strengthening in the region.

"Iran's 'red lines' pertain to Azerbaijan and Turkiye. All its lines regarding Armenia are 'green'," Yuce added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton arrived at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Thursday night to garner support and funds for President Joe Bidens reelection campaign. The event drummed up more than $25 million in what Bidens campaign is calling the most successful political fundraiser in American history.

While moderator Stephen Colbert gathered with the trio in an armchair conversation, dubbing them champion talkers, the occasion was frequently interrupted by protestors inside the theater. Throughout different moments of the event, attendees would shout over the discussion, referencing Bidens support of Israel in the Hamas war that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

When discussing the realities of the presidency, Obama said that the world has a lot of joy and beauty, but it also has a lot of tragedy and cruelty. The former president then addressed Bidens handling of the war in Gaza. It is also possible for us to say we unequivocally support the people of Israel and their ability to live and raise families and so forth, which is what Joes position has been, and it is also possible for us to have our hearts broken  watching innocent people being killed and trying to manage through that in a way that ultimately leads to both people being able to live in peace side by side. So that is not an easy task.

At this point, Obama was interrupted by a protestor inside the theater. Speaking to the protestor, Obama said, You cant just talk and not listen. Thats what the other side does. He added, It is possible for us to understand that it is possible to have moral clarity and have deeply held beliefs, but still recognize that the world is complicated and it is hard to solve these problems.

He continued: The reason that I think [Biden] was one of the best vice presidents weve ever had, and the reason why I think he has been an outstanding president, is because he has moral conviction and clarity. But hes also willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated, and that hes willing to listen to all sides in this debate and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground. Thats the kind of president I want.

.@POTUS @JoeBiden @BarackObama @BillClinton on stage at Radio City Music Hall. The fundraiser has been interrupted multiple times by protesters. Obama snapped at one of them: you cant just talk, you have to listen. pic.twitter.com/qtcWJ2oqCy  Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) March 29, 2024

Earlier this month, as Biden prepared for his pivotal 2024 State of the Union, protestors demanding a ceasefire blockaded outside the White House and near the Capitol. We are outraged, we are heartbroken, and we are demanding that President Biden stop funding and arming Israels genocide of Palestinians, Elena Stein of Jewish Voice for Peace, which helped organize the protest, told Rolling Stone.

Biden and his administration have urged Israel not to invade or launch a major offensive on Rafah at least until civilians have been allowed the opportunity to evacuate. Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have called for a temporary ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan, but Israel and Hamas have not reached an agreement in negotiations.

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The State Bureau of Investigation has completed a pre-trial investigation into the case of officer Oleh Timchenko from the Office of the Assistant Commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who gifted grenades to his deceased colleague Hennadii Chastiakov. He is charged with manslaughter due to negligence.

Source: State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)

Quote: "The suspect has been informed of the change in the previously served notice of suspicion. He is suspected of theft, embezzlement, and trafficking of ammunition, manslaughter due to negligence, and causing grievous bodily harm due to negligence...

The statutory provisions provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 15 years."

Details: At the initial stage of the pre-trial investigation, Timchenko was served with a notice of suspicion of illegal ammunition trafficking. On that tragic day (6 November 2023), he presented Chastiakov hand grenades to celebrate his birthday.

However, he did not warn his colleague that the grenades were live and did not make sure that he and others present in the office understood that he was giving Chastiakov live explosive devices as a gift, the SBI emphasised.

As a result, when Chastiakov was unpacking the "gift" at home, one of the grenades exploded in his hands. The man believed they were souvenir shot glasses, the SBI noted.

Chastiakov died from his injuries instantly, while his underage son suffered severe bodily harm.

After the defence and the victims have been acquainted with the materials of the pre-trial investigation, the case will be referred to court.

Background:

A 39-year-old soldier was killed on the evening of Monday, 6 November 2023, when a grenade exploded in his home in the village of Chaiky in Kyiv Oblast. His 13-year-old son was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The deceased, Hennadii Chastiakov, was an aide to Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Zaluzhnyi confirmed the death of his aide Chastiakov under tragic circumstances and expressed his condolences to the family.

The wife of the late Hennadii Chastiakov says that the grenade that exploded in her husbands hands was in a gift bag that he had brought home. On 6 November, Chastiakov celebrated his birthday.

A Ukrainska Pravda source in the General Staff noted that Chastiakov had graduated from the Military Academy in Odesa and knew exactly how to handle a grenade.

Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, said that preliminary information from an investigation suggests Major Hennadii Chastiakov pulled the ring from a grenade he had been given, causing the tragic explosion.

Oleh Timchenko, who presented the grenades to Major Hennadii Chastiakov, told the investigation that he warned Chastiakov about the authenticity of the grenades.

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DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  The Francis Scott Key Bridge catastrophe in Baltimore has many asking what would it look like if a similar incident were to happen in the Tennessee Valley.

Officials in North Alabama are speaking on what prevention and safety measures are in place if a bridge here in North Alabama were to come down.

Fairly dangerous situation: Several agencies respond to house fire on Tanner Point Drive

My reaction was horror to be honest, Decatur Morgan County Port Authority Executive Director Jeremy Nails said.

After seeing the viral video of the Baltimore bridge collapse, Nails says he was heartbroken for those impacted. Locally, the Decatur Railroad Bridge that sits over the Tennessee River lifts letting boats carrying goods pass through.

Nails told News 19 that they prepare year-round for all possibilities.

If there was such an incident such as the catastrophic bridge collapse in Baltimore, we would rely heavily on the emergency management agency. We would rely on them for their partnerships to facilitate a fast rapid response, Nails said.

Guntersville PD investigating after attempted robbery at Griffins Jewelers

According to Nails, safety is at the forefront of their operations for both the port and ship operators.

Its something that we take very seriously, he explained.

Lt. Mike Franke-Rose with the U.S. Coast Guards Sector Ohio Valley division spoke about safety and prevention measures that are in place.

The coast guard inspects vessels for machinery spaces and for any sort of marine causality, there is prevention stop gaps in place, Frank-Rose said.

One Year Later: Remembering Officer Garrett Crumby

Franke-Rose says what happened to the bridge in Baltimore is highly unlikely to happen here in North Alabama in part due to the smaller ships that travel on the Tennessee River.

However, in the event a similar bridge collapse were to occur, a swift response would follow.

We have a 24-hour command center that will take that call initially and make the necessary notifications, Franke-Rose said. Additionally, our inspectors and prevention department will work in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident.

Morgan County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Warner also weighed in on what a local response what look like. A statement from the EMA director can be found below:

One of the biggest ways that we could help would be by activating our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in Decatur. The EOC would offer a place for senior officials to meet and assist the Incident Command Post (located on scene), gather the necessary resources, give information to the media and public and provide situational awareness. Morgan County Emergency Management Director Jonathan Warner

Officials say their thoughts and prayers are with Baltimore during this time adding that bridge safety is a top priority.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Displaced Palestinians take shelter in a makeshift tent camp by the beach in Rafah near the border with Egypt.(Photo/NPR)

The Oglala Sioux Tribes tribal council on Wednesday passed a resolution in support of Palestinians in Gaza by a 14 to 1 vote.

The resolution references the parallels between what happened in the United States to Native Americans and what is currently happening to the Palestinians in Gaza.

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Throughout U.S. history, Indigenous peoples were subject to decades of genocide driven by the federal government's effort to eradicate and forcefully assimilate Native Americans.

On Monday, March 25, in a report issued by the United Nations, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, stated there are clear indications that Israel has violated three of the five acts listed under the U.N. Genocide Convention.

The resolution passed on Wednesday by the Oglala Sioux Tribe was presented by the Oglala chapter of the International Indigenous Youth Council.

Honor the Earth said in a press release on Thursday that the Oglala Lakota are known for fighting back against colonialism. The press release cites a continuation of a history between the Palestinian and Lakota peoples, including when Palestinians stood with Native Americans in solidarity at Standing Rock and Wounded Knee.

"Just as Palestinians showed up for us at the U.N., Wounded Knee and Standing Rock, they will show up for us again when we call on them. This is the essence of being a good relative in warrior society, "Krystal Two Bulls (Oglala Lakota/Northern Cheyenne), Honor the Earth Executive Director said in the press release. "This is why we as Oglalas must show up for them now!"

In addition to passing the resolution, the Tribal President was asked to advance similar resolutions to the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association, the Coalition of Large Tribes, the National Congress of American Indians and the U.S. Congress and House of Representatives.

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
Brigid Kelly, Hamilton County auditor, stands for a portrait during a town hall discussions hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Michele Young Law Co. LPA on affordable housing for aging Ohioans at the Taft Center in Cincinnati on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. She passed away Tuesday March 26, 2024 after a long battle with esophageal cancer.

An Ohio politician died of cancer less than a week after resigning from office to focus on her health.

On March 20, Brigid Kelly resigned from her role as Auditor of Hamilton County, which covers Cincinnati and some northern suburbs. She also served in the Ohio House of Representatives as a Democrat from 2016 until 2023.

But on March 26, her family said she died after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. She was 40 years old.

The local community knew her as a kind, positive and dedicated leader who donned green as her signature color.

"She was a treasured wife, daughter and sister, a valued friend and a true public servant," her family said in a statement, adding that she passed at home surrounded by loved ones.

More: Americans have 40% chance of getting cancer. Who's most at risk and how can you prevent it?

Who is Brigid Kelly?

State Rep. Brigid Kelly speaks at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus in 2019. She passed away Tuesday March 26, 2024 after a long battle with esophageal cancer.

Kelly was born and raised in Norwood, Ohio and came from a lineage of public officials.

She ran and won a seat on Norwood City Council in 2006 just after graduating from college, and then worked for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union for more than a decade.

As a state representative, Kelly worked across the political aisle. "We should be kind to one another," Kelly said in a floor speech. "We have some serious disagreements and differences in perspective, but you really never know what someone else is going through and you should never dismiss the possibility of working together on the issues about which you agree just because you disagree on so many others."

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags at state government buildings in Columbus and Hamilton County to be flown at half staff on the day of her funeral in her honor.

Brigid Kelly's passing grips community

Kelly also made an impression in her year-long tenure as Auditor. The Interim County Auditor Amy Humphrey wrote in a statement on the website, "I am eternally grateful to call her a friend and a co-worker (she hated to be called "boss"), blessed to be a small part of her journey."

Kelly battled with cancer during her entire duration as Auditor, but her colleagues said she stayed positive.

In Kelly's resignation letter sent to the community, she recommended State Representative Jessica Miranda to take her place.

"There are few greater responsibilities than holding the public trust and being elected to serve," Kelly wrote. "Resigning from this position is a difficult decision, but one that is necessary to address my personal health. "

Kelly's funeral services are scheduled for April 3 and 4, where attendees are requested to wear green in her honor.

The family also asked for donations in lieu of flowers to honor Brigid Kelly, made out to the Jennarosity at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which benefits young cancer patients or the scholarship program at St. Ursula Academy.

Contributing: Carl Weiser, Scott Wartman

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio politician Brigid Kelly died of cancer 6 days after resigning
Oklahoma's lax marijuana laws made it a green utopia for the cannabis industry. Then came the mass murder.

Fourteen months after the murders, the garage of the abandoned marijuana farm on prairie tableland northwest of Oklahoma City sits frozen and dark.

Clothes hangers meant for drying weed dangle from metal poles stretched across the ceiling. Electric fans and plastic footstools are toppled over. The remnants of face-high marijuana plants lie flat on the unswept concrete.

Electrical outlets and two air-conditioning units are crudely cut into white plaster walls. Under one of those outlets is a sign of the horror that happened here: blood splatter dried to a reddish brown.

Situated in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, the farm sits on a dirt path about two miles from the nearest paved road, surrounded by flatland. The closest town is Ames, Oklahoma, population 193, about 13 miles to the northwest.

On November 20, 2022, a man with a handgun executed four people on this farm, inside this garage.

On the night of the murders, responding officers found a whimpering dog standing beside one of the bodies.

Today, paw prints are still visible in the dust.

This inconspicuous rural farm may have seemed like an ideal place for its owners to go unnoticed.

And if a mass murder hadn't happened here, it may have worked.

Broadway Avenue in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, about 30 miles south of where Wu Chen, 47, executed four people at a marijuana farm. Mike Simons for BI

On June 26, 2018, Oklahoma voters approved, by about a 57 percent margin, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, becoming the 30th state in the country with legal cannabis in one form or another. But rules around how the state regulated it were remarkably spare, making it one of the most lenient states for growing and selling marijuana.

In Oklahoma, the application fee to start growing or selling medical pot is $2,500, and there is no statewide limit on the number of growers that can be licensed to sell to dispensaries. Compare that to Pennsylvania, where there's a cap of 25 marijuana growers or processors for the whole state, a nonrefundable $10,000 fee just to apply to grow marijuana, and a requirement that each licensed grow operation have access to $2 million in capital, including at least $500,000 in the bank. California has dozens of different designations for types of marijuana-growing licenses, which can cost as much as $77,905 a year. Arkansas, next door to Oklahoma, has a strict license cap and restrictions on residential cultivation, and requires license holders to prove they have $500,000 in liquid assets.

Pretty much every state has designed its own complicated set of barriers to start growing or selling marijuana, except Oklahoma. When Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana, the only real requirement was that Oklahoma residents had to be involved in marijuana growing and selling. Oklahoma, a boom-and-bust state since oil was first discovered there in 1859, exploded with marijuana operations. By October 2021, Oklahoma had more licensed cannabis farms than California, with a 10th of California's population. And marijuana proved a windfall for the state. According to data from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority  known as OMMA, the agency set up to write and regulate marijuana policy in Oklahoma  the state pulled in over $100 million in tax revenue from marijuana sales in 2020 alone.

But lax oversight of Oklahoma's legal marijuana market invited corruption and violence. Thousands flocked to the state seeking quick profits in cannabis, only to find fierce competition and rampant fraud. As criminal enterprises exploited the system's openness, law enforcement responded with heavy-handed crackdowns, gutting legitimate businesses as well.

While Oklahoma voters had welcomed in the marijuana industry, its law-enforcement community  and some of the state's law-and-order voters  saw red. And not just because of the threat of violence. Folks paying attention to property records started to see lots of business names connected to investors from around the world, particularly Chinese investors. The panic went national.

In July 2022, Oklahoma's Republican governor, Kevin Stitt, went on Sean Hannity's Fox News show to warn that Oklahoma was the state with the "No. 1 land purchases by the communists or foreign nationals" in 2020, which he described as "a red flag for anybody."

A month later, Dan Newhouse, a Republican Washington state representative, wrote an op-ed for Fox News warning of "Chinese nationals buying Oklahoma farmland at exorbitant prices, growing thousands of pounds of marijuana, and distributing it on the U.S. black market. Perhaps China considers this a bonus."

Then the quadruple murders happened. The name on the growing license for that farm in Kingfisher County was Liu and Chen Inc., and the property was owned by Yi Fei Lin, a Chinese national.

Afterward, people wondered why no one in law enforcement stopped a Chinese marijuana-growing operation where armed guards were known to hang out nearby before it turned into the site of a mass murder. Legalization was supposed to reduce the incentives for powerful cartels to sell marijuana on the black market. Instead, Oklahoma turned into a playground for marijuana growers  both criminal and not.

Many grow operations are connected to Chinese organized crime, said Mark Woodward, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, or OBN, the law-enforcement entity that polices the state's marijuana industry. "These farms are ultimately run by people who are tied to violent crime, human trafficking, labor trafficking, sex trafficking, homicides, extortion, money laundering  there's so many other criminal activities."

At its peak in 2021, OBN received applications for more than 9,400 growing operations. In 2022, the Oklahoma legislature set a moratorium on new licenses.

Adria Berry, the executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, or OMMA, is tasked with regulating and tracking marijuana processing and selling in one of the most open cannabis systems in the US. Mike Simons for BI

Adria Berry, the executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, is tempted to say, "I told you so."

"I'm personally not against the use of cannabis," she said. But the lack of any regulatory framework meant only one thing.

"It was obviously going to explode."

In 2020, Barb Miuccio, a 52-year-old entrepreneur then based in the northern suburbs of Dallas, was looking for business opportunities during the pandemic. She wanted a new business  one she could potentially pass on to her kids.

She partnered with Jeremy Grable, an experienced marijuana grower looking to capitalize on Oklahoma's lax laws. Originally from Dallas, Jeremy honed his marijuana-growing skills out West before returning home. Considering Oklahoma's approach to legal weed, Barb and Jeremy saw an opportunity.

But Barb soon discovered the dark side of the unchecked green rush: minimal oversight, shady players, and criminal practices. After years of thwarted harvests, broken partnerships, and the very real threat of prison time, she said she's burned through a substantial amount of her savings.

Barbara Miuccio, 52, with some of the strains of marijuana grown for her business, Emerald Treez, in Moore, Oklahoma. Mike Simons for BI

Barb, who is admittedly "not a weed person," saw in Jeremy someone with a green thumb who could handle the plants while she handled the business.

That meant taking the lead on licensing. But Oklahoma required 75% of any marijuana business to be owned by an Oklahoma resident. A quick Google search gave her options for plenty of lawyers offering to help would-be weed entrepreneurs.

She found Matt Stacy, an Oklahoma City-based lawyer, whose background seemed perfect for helping outsiders navigate his home state. A chummy 44-year-old white guy born and raised in Oklahoma, Stacy served for over 20 years in Oklahoma's Army National Guard, where he's a lieutenant colonel and decorated war hero after serving multiple tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine. He's a member of numerous legal associations and politically connected: Stitt appointed Stacy to lead the state's COVID-19 response team despite Stacy having no evident experience in health or science prior to the pandemic.

Jeremy Grable, 45, among plants in the Moore, Oklahoma, building where he grows marijuana for Emerald Treez. Mike Simons for BI

Barb said Stacy assured them he'd take care of the details, including finding an Oklahoma resident to claim a 75% stake in the business, and guaranteed Barb and Jeremy they'd get licensed.

Matt Stacy declined to be interviewed for this story.

By August 2020, Barb and Jeremy had Stacy on retainer and rented a beige, no-frills industrial building in Moore, about 10 miles south of Oklahoma City. Stacy told them that he'd filed their paperwork, and in September, inspectors from OMMA dropped by to evaluate their location.

"This all happened pretty quickly," Barb said.

Barb and Jeremy decided on a name  Emerald Treez  and OMMA issued them a license.

That's when things started to get strange.

In November 2020, according to Jeremy and Barb, Stacy called them out of the blue and said he was going to send over one of his other clients to buy marijuana plants.

That their politically connected, Republican war-hero lawyer was, as Barb and Jeremy tell it, acting as a middleman didn't initially strike them as odd. "We're like, 'Hey, this guy's got a network,'" Barb said.

Barb said Stacy seemed to have a lot of clients who had migrated from China to take advantage of Oklahoma's growing laws. Jeremy and Barb didn't care where they came from. "Money's money," Jeremy said.

Then, Barbara and Jeremy said, Stacy hooked them up with a "marijuana-friendly" local bank  a necessity since federally backed banks won't accept deposits for marijuana businesses.

But some of Stacy's advice about banking seemed off, like telling them not to open an account in their names or under the name Emerald Treez. "He told us, 'Go open your bank account in this name. Don't tell 'em it's marijuana,'" Barb said. When she questioned this, she said Stacy responded: "Oh, don't worry. I walk in there with gym bags full of half a million dollars and it's all good."

Despite the banking irregularities, they continued working with Stacy  he had, after all, fulfilled his promise to set up their license, and he continued to send them clients who wanted to buy plants. They assumed his connections in the state would protect them.

Some of the various strains of cannabis grown at Emerald Treez. Mike Simons for BI

In December 2020, one of Stacy's clients visited Emerald Treez to buy plants but asked to see their OBN license first.

Barb said it was the first time she'd heard of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Marijuana licensing in Oklahoma was lax but it did require registering with OBN as well as OMMA, which neither Barb nor Jeremy knew about because, they said, Stacy hadn't told them.

Stacy blamed the mix-up on OBN, Barb said. He texted Barb a screenshot of what was supposedly Emerald Treez's OBN license number. The potential buyer wouldn't accept it because it wasn't an OBN application number  not even close.

Barb and Jeremy pushed ahead, not knowing the worst was still to come.

One day in May 2021, Jeremy and Barb left the grow facility to get supplies. According to Barb, the owner of a neighboring building called Jeremy and said, "OBN is at your building. Doors open on squad cars, guns drawn." Their neighbor, Barb said, walked over and the agents told him to mind his business. Barb and Jeremy decided to stay away.

Ultimately, OBN didn't raid Barb and Jeremy's business then, but they called Matt Stacy and said Stacy marked it up to confusion  OBN probably had the wrong place.

They assumed their lawyer was right and went back to work.

On June 30, 2021  nearly a year after they started the process to grow in Oklahoma  Barb and Jeremy received an email from Stacy.

"It's like, 'Your grow is not gonna get approved for a license, and if you have any product in your building, I suggest you get rid of it now,'" Barb said.

They tried to call Stacy but he didn't pick up. They got in the car and drove to Stacy's office, but it was locked up tight with no one inside; it looked to be closed.

Barb and Jeremy were dumbfounded.

"We were losing it," Barb said.

The same chaotic, unregulated gold rush that sucked in Barb and Jeremy left four dead in Kingfisher County.

The garage where three men and one woman  all of them Chinese nationals  were killed in November 2022 was unlocked on the January morning when Business Insider visited this year. The saltbox-roofed building was a refuge from zero-degree temperatures and cutting wind.

A heavy, gray metal fence slid open on creaking casters. A dirt path led to the building where the killings occurred  the garage with the hangers and the blood splatter.

A dried bloodstain remains on the wall of a garage on the Kingfisher County marijuana farm where Wu Chen executed four people on November 20, 2022. Chen pleaded guilty to the killings on February 11. Mike Simons for BI

A large mobile-home trailer sat just behind the garage. Inside the trailer, a sign on the door was written in Chinese: "Please shut the door behind you." Clothes were strewn everywhere. In the main room, two refrigerators sat empty, save for some decaying condiment bottles. Dry weed shake lay intermingled with dust on the floor. A hallway adjacent to the main room led to at least six bedrooms with mattresses and Chinese soda and beer cans and cigarette butts on the floor and more shoes and clothing tossed everywhere. In another section of the mobile home, the kitchen was a dusty jumble of pots and pans toppled over in haphazard piles to the floor.

An abandoned mobile home on the Kingfisher County farm where four murders took place. Mike Simons for BI

Jonathan Riedlinger, one of the Kingfisher County sheriff's deputies who arrived at the scene after the murders, said the farm itself was mostly empty.

"Everything was overgrown," Riedlinger said. "There wasn't a whole lot there. There was one barn that had two rooms that had an active marijuana grow."

Around dusk on November 20, 2022, Riedlinger's office received an emergency call from Yi Fei Lin, according to charging documents filed by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Despite a language barrier, Lin attempted to describe a hostage situation at 2372 N. 2760 Road, in Hennessey, Oklahoma.

Sheriff's deputies arrived and found Lin in a black Ford F-150. He had been shot multiple times and was severely wounded. Deputies cautiously approached the two-car garage, where they found three men and a woman  later identified as Qirong Lin, Hechun Chen, He Qiang Chen, and Fang Lee  dead on the garage floor.

Deputies found two other people alive on the farm. One survivor, Wenbo Lin, told investigators through a translator that he had been working on the farm for 10 days. On the night of the murders, Wenbo Lin told investigators that he was working in the garage when a man named Wu Chen  whom Wenbo Lin didn't know, but another witness told investigators Chen had worked on the farm a year earlier  arrived unannounced. Witnesses told investigators that once inside the garage, Chen shot one man, identified as "The Boss," in the leg and then shot a dog. Chen then held the four others at gunpoint.

Chen demanded $300,000, according to the charging documents, and he threatened to kill everyone in the room if he didn't get it. Over the next half hour, workers at the farm made phone calls, desperately trying to pull together the money. While they waited, two of the men in the garage attempted to rush Chen. Chen shot and killed one of the men, and then shot Yi Fei Lin as he attempted to flee the garage. Lin was able to hide and told investigators that he heard multiple shots from inside the garage.

More than a year after the murders, the property remains empty. Mike Simons for BI

In the aftermath, the shot dog whimpered beside its dead owner. "She wasn't aggressive," Riedlinger said of the dog. "I mean, she was pretty docile for being shot. You would've thought that she'd be a little more mad." A vet came and checked the dog out, but Reidlinger didn't know what happened to the dog after that.

The Kingfisher murders were a turning point in Oklahoma's marijuana crackdown. "It woke the public up, it scared the public because they're all over Oklahoma  these farms are," Mark Woodward, from the OBN, said. "I think people started saying, 'That could happen across the road from me and my family.'"

Jed Green, a pro-marijuana activist in Oklahoma, said the murders "reinforced the narrative that the majority  or at least a lot  of the grow operations here are or have been operated by cartels."

"It's one thing to bust some folks and say, 'Hey, this was a cartel deal,'" Green said. "But when you have a quadruple homicide, it really drives home the narrative point of the shady criminal side of a number of these past operations."

Deputies from the Kingfisher County Sheriff's Office were the first to arrive at the scene of a quadruple homicide at an abandoned marijuana farm. Mike Simons for BI

On October 17, 2022, Oklahoma prosecutors filed 34 felony charges against Matthew Alan Stacy, including five counts of illegally manufacturing thousands of pounds of marijuana  charges that, if he were convicted, could put Stacy in prison for the rest of his life and then some. Barb and Jeremy are listed as witnesses in the charging documents. Stacy pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The state of Oklahoma isn't claiming that Stacy grew pot illegally in some back room of his law office. It alleges that he led at least six aspiring growers  including Jeremy and Barb  to believe that they had submitted all the necessary paperwork to be licensed to grow pot under Oklahoma's new rules when, in fact, they hadn't. Prosecutors say that since Stacy led the growers to believe they could legally manufacture a controlled substance  literally thousands of pounds of marijuana  he's ultimately responsible for it.

Stacy also set up a network of "straw owners," prosecutors say, helping out-of-state growers skirt the requirement that 75% of a cannabis business be owned by Oklahoma residents. He was listed as the registered agent for at least 214 different LLCs licensed to grow or sell marijuana through OMMA. He'd put his own name on these license applications, prosecutors say, and then used names of other Oklahoma residents to ensure that each application technically met threshold requirements.

Straw owners would claim to own 75% of a business while knowing almost nothing about it. "These people said, 'All I know about the business is that I go to the mailbox once a month, and I get a check to say that I'm the owner,'" Woodward said. "They committed fraud."

During Stacy's preliminary hearing in May 2023, a woman named Helen Carillo, the Oklahoma resident listed on Barb and Jeremey's application, testified that Stacy had paid her $5,000 apiece to be a silent owner for three marijuana licenses  and then placed her name on dozens of others without informing her. Her objection was not that Stacy placed her name on dozens of licenses but that she didn't get paid for all of them.

Barb and Jeremy are also suing Stacy in civil court. The case is pending, and Stacy has filed a motion to dismiss the allegations.

"He's personally responsible for ruining our business," Jeremy said.

None of the state charges against Stacy indicate a connection to violent crimes.

The abandoned marijuana farm in Kingfisher County was also licensed with a straw owner. The person who arranged that license  Kevin Pham, the founder and CEO of CSI Accounting Services in Oklahoma City  is charged with many of the same crimes Stacy faces, including defrauding the state by providing false information to obtain marijuana licenses. (Pham also faces methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges.)

Kevin Pham, 47, covering his face at a January 12 hearing in Kingfisher County. Pham has been charged by Oklahoma prosecutors with defrauding the state by providing false information to obtain marijuana growing licenses, including the one for the farm where Wu Chen murdered four people. Mike Simons for BI

Pham has pleaded not guilty in the ongoing case. He declined to speak to Business Insider for this story.

Oklahoma's primary illegal-drug law-enforcement entity has shut down thousands of marijuana-growing operations, arrested more than 250 people connected with those grows, and confiscated nearly 1 million pounds of illegally grown marijuana, according to internal OBN data.

"These are grows that are tied to homicide, that are tied to sex trafficking and labor trafficking and environmental messes, gambling operations," Woodward said. "You're talking about nearly 11,000 businesses that were operating in Oklahoma." OBN's job, he said, is to figure out who was doing it legally versus illegally.

A 2022 report from Whitney Economics, a group that studies the cannabis industry, found that as much as 75 percent of marijuana production in the US is done for unlawful sales. An investigation by ProPublica and The Frontier uncovered evidence of Chinese organized crime groups engaging in human trafficking to support illicit marijuana operations. NBC spoke to Chinese workers at illegal grows in California who said they were recruited for their jobs through Mandarin-language websites, and a Searchlight New Mexico investigation found that Mandarin-language ads run on the social-media app WeChat offered to bring Chinese nationals Stateside to work on illegal farms.

Woodward said Oklahoma is ground zero for these workers and illegal marijuana production generally. Court filings in Oklahoma seem to back up that belief.

In February 2023, local law enforcement arrested a Chinese national and accused him of transporting more than 2,700 pounds of marijuana in a fake Amazon delivery truck to an Oklahoma City grow operation for illegal distribution. Another raid led to charges against owners of a Chinese restaurant, who prosecutors say concocted a scheme to launder $25 million in illegal marijuana proceeds. In January, local police raided an Airbnb in Edmond, just north of Oklahoma City, and arrested nine Chinese nationals, who are facing charges related to distributing marijuana out of state. And human trafficking is a constant concern: In October, investigators arrested a suspect on human-trafficking charges, alleging he was involved in an Oklahoma City brothel where many clients appeared to be managers and administrators of Chinese-owned marijuana grows.

Woodward said one of OBN's goals is to help legitimate growers: "The industry just has not had a chance to even really get off the ground because the criminals immediately came in and undercut prices and workers and labor costs and everything."

But Oklahoma's marijuana crackdown has sparked accusations  perhaps not surprisingly, given the xenophobic overtones  of overreach.

A Vietnamese Hmong grower near Tulsa told Business Insider that he and other Hmong growers are targeted by OBN and local law enforcement as though they're on orders from China to grow marijuana and ship it illegally to other states. They "see all Asians as Chinese," he said. The grower, a former schoolteacher, declined to be identified, fearing recriminations for speaking out.

OBN denied it targeted Asian growers. "OBN has identified and shut down illegal grows, as well as made arrests on illegal farms tied to organized crime from China, Mexico, Russia, Bulgaria, Armenia, and the Italian mob over the last three years, as well as numerous American-owned and operated operations," said Woodward.

Green, the legal-weed advocate who heads up Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action, described the rocky start in Oklahoma's legalization efforts as growing pains. He talked about the historical booms and busts of Oklahoma industries like oil, shale gas, and wheat, which contributed to one of the most significant environmental disasters  the Dust Bowl  in American history. Oklahoma's aggressive law-enforcement efforts to eliminate marijuana grows are typical for the state. "You get a rush of enthusiasm, then a clampdown," Green said.

Green sees Oklahoma's marijuana troubles as a hiccup in the gradual movement toward federal legalization. "That's our goal," he said.

Indeed, it's difficult to imagine Oklahoma's half-decade weed rollout being as chaotic as it has been if Congress passed federal legislation making marijuana legal and regulating it like alcohol  with federal rules around production but allowing each state to make its own rules around sale and consumption.

Barb and Jeremy have an interest in seeing marijuana legalized at the federal level, too.

It's been a rough few years for them. They were forced to destroy a crop because of OBN licensing issues, and then their grow operation caught fire, apparently because of faulty electrical work, killing a harvest. They tried to open a dispensary to sell their product, but the deal they were working on went sour. They hope to sell through other dispensaries when their current harvest is ready for sale, but so far Emerald Treez is deep in the red. Barb's hope is that if marijuana does become legal on a federal level, they can expand their business out of Oklahoma.

Until then, they're stuck here.

After a steak dinner at Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City in February, Barb considered whether she would have done things differently.

"Yeah, I'll tell you what I wish I did differently," she said, taking a drag off a Virginia Slim. "I wish I'd never fucking stepped foot in Oklahoma."

The deserted farm in Kingfisher County. Mike Simons for BI

After the murders, Wu Chen fled the scene, but he dropped his phone. Investigators were able to analyze it and determined he was headed to Florida. Police in Miami Beach found him two days later, on November 22, 2022, and arrested him without incident.

Ken Thompson, a Kingfisher County Sheriff's Office lieutenant deputy, traveled to Miami with another deputy to drive Chen back. Thompson said Chen didn't speak a word of English. "It's not like he could tell me anything about his concerns," Thompson said. "But I gathered he feared for his life."

Investigators said Chen told them through translators that he'd invested $300,000 in the farm and came to get it back. The farm's owner was unable to come up with the money to pay Chen. At some point, he opened fire.

There are rumors around the Kingfisher County courthouse that the killings may have been in retaliation for another shooting. Court records showed Yi Fei Lin and one of the murder victims, He Qiang Chen, were awaiting trial on charges related to a shooting in 2020, in uptown Oklahoma City, after a dispute over money. Lin and the now-deceased He Qiang Chen pleaded not guilty to those charges.

A preliminary hearing for Wu Chen had been scheduled for early February, and Yi Fei Lin and others were set to testify about what happened. But prosecutors offered Chen a deal: life in prison with no death penalty. He took it, ending the case. He'll spend the rest of his life in an Oklahoma prison.

In addition to the uptown Oklahoma City shooting, prosecutors have charged Yi Fei Lin with manufacturing at least 1,000 pounds of marijuana illegally  a charge that could land him in prison for more than 20 years. He's also accused of having used a straw owner to set up the business and has been charged with conspiracy against the state of Oklahoma. Lin has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Murders like the ones in Kingfisher happen "more frequently than people realize," said Woodward. "Rule No. 1 is you don't leave a witness. He left a witness." If there are no witnesses, said Woodward, "you bury the bodies in the tree line, you bring another working crew in, and you pick up where they left off  and with a group that will bring you the money that they're supposed to be bringing in. These people are expendable and undocumented  nobody's missing these workers."

At the scene of the murder, deputies found a wounded, black-and-gray pit bull. "She wasn't aggressive," Jonathan Riedlinger, one of the deputies, said. "I mean, she was pretty docile for being shot." A neighbor says he took in this dog he found wandering around shortly after the murders. Mike Simons for BI

A half-mile south of the farm, next to a corrugated-steel building on land unaffiliated with Liu and Chen Inc., a man with an electrician's truck was pulling a big wire spool out of the enclosed bed of his pickup. He said the owner was inside the building.

A man with long brown hair, who declined to identify himself to Business Insider, emerged from the building. He had a dog with him  a black-and-gray pit bull he called Kiki.

He said that after the murders happened, the pit bull showed up and he took her in.

"I don't care if she's Chinese or not," the man said, as the dog sniffed a reporter's boots. "This is the best dog I've ever had."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Social media users are claiming Pete Buttigieg

"Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is taking zero blame for the accident today that occurred in Baltimore at the Francis Scott Key Bridge," says a March 26, 2024 post on X.

"Instead, he is blaming those that constructed the bridge saying it was designed with racism, just like racist bridges in New York."

Screenshot from X taken March 29, 2024

The post includes video of Buttigieg saying, from the White House: "If an underpass was constructed such that a bus carrying mostly Black and Puerto Rican kids to a beach, or that would have been, in New York, was designed too low for it to pass by, but that obviously reflects racism that went into those design choices."

The post -- and several others across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok -- followed the Francis Scott Key Bridge's collapse after the Singapore-flagged Dali container ship that lost power and propulsion rammed into it. The collision blocked one of the busiest US commercial harbors and sparked online conspiracy theories.

Emergency teams rescued from the frigid Patapsco River waters two members of an eight-man construction crew that had been repairing potholes on the bridge. The other six are presumed dead, with two bodies having been found in the river as of March 29.

Buttigieg said March 27 that the structure -- built in 1977 and named after the poet who penned the lyrics to the US national anthem -- was not made to survive the impact of a vessel the size of the Dali, which was heading to Sri Lanka when its crew was forced to issue a mayday call and drop anchor in a last-ditch effort to avoid disaster.

"What we do know is a bridge like this one, completed in the 1970s, was simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel that weighs about 200 million pounds, orders of magnitude bigger than cargo ships that were in service in that region at the time that the bridge was first built," Buttigieg said, telling reporters that it was "too early to speculate" what a National Transportation Safety Board investigation would find (archived here).

He added: "Some of the other bridge collapses that were of these proportions ... happened because of a design flaw, and the bridge spontaneously collapsed. This is, of course, not that. This was the result of an impact."

But he did not mention race during his March 27 briefing -- or in remarks he delivered a day earlier alongside Maryland Governor Wes Moore (archived here).

The comments in question were made years earlier, during a November 8, 2021 briefing on an infrastructure deal President Joe Biden would sign days later (archived here and here).

A reporter asked Buttigieg how the Biden administration planned on ensuring that the infrastructure package would honor its Justice40 Initiative, a federal goal of directing 40 percent of the benefits of certain investments toward disadvantaged communities, and also how he would "deconstruct the racism that was built into the roadways" (archived here).

Buttigieg replied: "As to where we target those dollars, you know, I'm still surprised that some people were surprised when I pointed to the fact that if a highway was built for the purpose of dividing a white and a Black neighborhood, or if an underpass was constructed such that a bus carrying mostly Black and Puerto Rican kids to a beach, or that would have been, in New York, was designed too low for it to pass by, that that obviously reflects racism that went into those design choices."

The 2021 remarks did not reference the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

AFP has debunked other misinformation about the Baltimore bridge, including here, here, here and here.
Olly Alexander, the former frontman of Years & Years and a prominent figure on the limited TV series It's a Sin, is standing firm alongside fellow Eurovision competitors in dismissing calls for a boycott of this year's contest due to Israel's involvement.

The call for a boycott stemmed from an open letter signed by over 450 queer artists, individuals, and organizations under the banner of Queers for Palestine. The letter urged Alexander and others to withdraw from Eurovision in solidarity with Palestine.

www.instagram.com

The appeal for boycott received backing from the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, urging Eurovision participants to seize the moment to make history.



Alexander, in response, expressed his support for immediate actions toward a ceasefire in Gaza and the safety of civilians in both Palestine and Israel. He acknowledged the option of boycott but deemed it ineffective in achieving their shared objectives.

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twitter.com

The collective letter, endorsed by Alexander and fellow contestants, such as nonbinary artist Bambie Thug from Ireland, highlighted their discomfort with remaining silent amidst the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly Gaza. They reaffirmed their stance against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, emphasizing the importance of solidarity with the oppressed and the pursuit of peace.

Instead of withdrawing, Alexander also posted his own comments on Instagram, where he said its taken him a lot of time to deliberate over what to do and all of the options available to him, though he believes that removing himself from the contest wouldnt bring us any closer to our shared goal.

www.instagram.com

Queers for Palestine offered another response, where they said they respected the decision of the Eurovision artists, but their opinions downplay the genocide in Gaza by vaguely calling it a mere situation.

www.instagram.com

The Eurovision grand final is scheduled for May 11 in Malmo, Sweden. Notably, over 1,000 Swedish artists have called for Israel to be excluded from the contest, echoing similar sentiments expressed by over 1,400 Finnish music industry professionals.

Overall, the decision to allow Israels participation has sparked accusations of double standards  particularly in contrast to Russia's ban from the competition in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Expanding international relations of the State Security Service makes an important contribution to operational activities in the fight against international terrorism and transnational organized crime, the head of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Ali Nagiyev said during a speech at a solemn event held today on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the creation of the security agencies of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"The expansion of international relations of the State Security Service, including existing partnerships with almost 100 intelligence agencies of countries around the world, based on national interests and mutual trust, and in particular the neutralization of external threats, makes a significant contribution to operational activities in the fight against international terrorism and transnational organized crime," he said.

To note, the State Security Service is the principle domestic intelligence agency and secret police of Azerbaijan, created out of the 2015 dissolution of the Ministry of National Security. The service was established by Presidential Decree 706 of December 14, 2015, issued by President Ilham Aliyev.
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH)  A Ross County man is dead after a two-car crash Thursday night south of Circleville.

According to the Pickaway County Sheriffs Office, a 2012 red Buick was traveling northbound on U.S. 23, approaching Tarlton Road about 5:35 p.m. A 1999 turquoise Buick was at the southbound intersection.

How an entire Columbus neighborhood is getting free solar panels

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Deputies said the turquoise Buick failed to yield to traffic and collided with the red Buick. The crash resulted in three being taken to hospitals. The driver of the red Buick was taken to Berger Hospital in Circleville. The driver of the turquoise Buick was flown to Grant Medical Center in Columbus. And the passenger of the turquoise Buick, David Fisher, 73, of Kingston, was taken to Berger.

Fisher died from his injuries at 6:44 p.m.

The crash remains under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Sacramento County sheriffs detectives continued their investigation of a burst of gunfire Wednesday that left two Rio Linda homes riddled with bullets in what is now believed to be a gang-related shooting.

The shooting was reported about 4:15 a.m. Wednesday in the 7100 block of Paladin Way, just west of Rio Linda Boulevard. Sheriffs officials said deputies arrived at the shooting scene and discovered two homes struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported.

Investigators found 30 bullet shell casings and other items of evidentiary value at the shooting scene, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday night in a news release.

Detectives believe one of the homes was directly targeted in the shooting, since that home was struck by a significant amount more of bullets than the other home, sheriffs officials said.

Deputies canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses and also discovered security camera video that captured the shooting. The sheriffs Gang Suppression Unit has since taken over this investigation, since they believe the shooting was gang-related.

Investigators asked anyone with information about this shooting to call the Sheriffs Office at 916-874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tips also can be left anonymously by calling the Sheriffs Office tip line at 916-874-8477 or by visiting sacsheriff.com.
Kharkiv after one of the shellings

Since the beginning of the year, 97% of Russian missiles, UAVs, and guided bombs have hit civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said at an emergency meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council on March 28.

The minister specified that the combined explosive power of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine in 2024 exceeds 9 kilotons.

Read also: Russian missile intercepted on approach to Dnipro, Kupyansk reports first cluster bomb strike amid escalating

"The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that out of 1,804 confirmed civilian casualties over the past three months, 712 were caused by missile strikes and cluster munitions," said Umerov.

Read also: Russia hits Donetsk Oblast village with cluster munitions, three people killed

He also implored Kyivs partners to provide more air defense systems and ammunition to reduce the impact from Russian attacks.

Read also: Brussels wants to gradually ease Ukraine and Moldova into EU - Politico

"The more Russian missiles we shoot down in Ukrainian skies, the less threat they will pose to NATO member states bordering Ukraine," Umerov concluded.

On March 28, Kyiv called an emergency meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council in Brussels, after Russia fired over 150 cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraines energy infrastructure in less than a week.

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
Cambridge City Council have declared that this statue of the Duke of Edinburgh, entitled The Don, is a blot on the landscape - Keith Heppell/Cambridge Independent/ Bav Media

A rational decision this week apropos statues. Cambridge City Council has ordered that a bronze effigy to the late Duke of Edinburgh be toppled and removed. This is not because those issuing enforcement notices shared the views of the late businessman Mohamed al-Fayed that Prince Philip was a Nazi, racist and orchestrator of car crashes. Its that the work is ghastly, or, as they put it, has a harmful material impact on the landscape.

Indeed, the councils public art manager, Nadine Black, went further describing the sculpture as possibly the poorest quality work that has ever been submitted to the council. So awful in fact that even the artist allegedly commissioned, Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry, has now denied doing the piece saying such assertions constitute abuse. Although it should be noted that Bill Gredley, chairman of the Unex Group, who commissioned the four-metre bronze work entitled The Don, has said: He did it. He got paid for it.

But before the autumn deadline this swirling, jutting, sharp-edged and ghoulish object must be removed and dispatched to the land of the lost sock, where it can rest in peace til eternity next to, perhaps, Ed Milibands 2.6-metre-tall election pledge political tombstone known as EdStone.

For tearing down statues because they look ghastly seems to me a rather more sensible approach than ripping them down because the inanimate object offends your feelings.

And while Gredleys taste in statues verges on the criminal, his intentions must be applauded. Because if you dont like particular statues, if you find that what they represent is distasteful, then take action: put one up yourself (but just make sure you go through all the tedious rigmarole of getting the appropriate permissions so that once The Princess Royal or Danny Dyer has unveiled it you dont have to hire a JCB to have it removed).

The erecting of statues is a noble and democratising tradition. Although it takes considerable time, commitment, energy and resolve. And I know because my father, Francis, had a habit of doing it. For no financial gain to himself, save expenses (and Ill admit he liked a good lunch) he managed to erect two sculptures working alongside an old buddy called Christopher Moorsom (who liked an even longer lunch). The results are two sculptures that will forever not just be monuments to the individuals they represent but also proud memorials to my Dad.

Lovers of music, Moorsom and my father reckoned that London was missing edifices to commemorate Mozart and Duke Ellington. The latter was paid for by jazz enthusiast and founder of Pizza Express Peter Boizot and the work done by Nicholas Dimbleby. Although having installed it in Soho Square it, er, fell foul of planning (whoops) and was last spotted somewhere in Peterborough.

The sculptor Nicholas Dimbleby and the singer George Melly celebrating the unveiling of the statue of Duke Ellington back in 1999  before it fell foul of planning permission - Stephen Hird

But the Mozart statue, by Philip Jackson in 1991, continues to stand proud in Belgravia depicting the composer as a five-year-old opposite the house on 180 Ebury Street where he lived and composed his first symphony in 1764.

Look carefully and youll see he is standing on two large volumes of books  one of which has engraved onto its spine: The Complete Works of FTS Sitwell. It is a triumph of endeavour and many long, long planning lunches at the neighbouring French restaurant Poule au Pot.

Marching, demonstrating and toppling statues into docks were not my fathers forte. But what he did have was the patience and guile to manoeuvre his way through the corridors and planning offices of Westminster City Council and the strength of character to rinse funds out of his contacts at Kleinwort Benson.

So if my father could erect (with a 50 per cent success rate) sculptures to his heroes, you can do the same.

Recommended

Should the world's controversial statues be protected for tourists?

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Im Brian Gordon, tech reporter for The News & Observer, and this is Open Source, a weekly newsletter on business, labor and technology in North Carolina.

How strict is security at the Sibelco mine in Spruce Pine, North Carolina? In his 2023 book Material World, Ed Conway spoke to someone familiar with the site who said, When contractors from other companies are brought in for repairs [at the plant] they are literally blindfolded and marched into the factory up to the machine they need to fix.

About an hours drive northeast of Asheville, the mountain town of Spruce Pine is where Sibelco, a private Belgium mineral company, digs for the worlds purest quartz.

Ive been sent to Brazil, Ive been sent to Australia, and nothing matches the final purity of the Spruce Pine quartz, Alex Glover, a geologist near Spruce Pine who has worked for several mining companies, told me in a phone interview this week.

Quartz is essential for many modern technologies, including solar panels, fiber optics and semiconductors.

It is rare, unheard of almost, for a single site to control the global supply of a crucial material, Conway writes. Yet if you want to get high-purity quartz  the kind you need to make those crucibles without which you cant make silicon wafers  it has to come from Spruce Pine.

This high-purity quartz formed about 380 million years ago, during the Ordovician geological period, when continental Africa smashed into todays North America. The areas lack of water was a benefit; Glover explained water induces mineral impurities.

Open Source

Throughout much of the 20th century, miners around Spruce Pine were more interested in the lands mica and feldspar than its quartz. In fact, Glover said companies used to throw the latter away. Then about 30 years ago, demand for quartz soared with the rise of silicon semiconductor wafers, which are converted into chips that power everything from phones to cars.

When it comes to making these wafers, extreme purity is essential. The more perfect the atomic structure in your silicon, the more easily and freely electrons can flow around, Conway writes.

Glover explained even a tiny impurity, like one less than 50 parts per billion, can ruin the final product. That is why Sibelco, and more recently a second company, Quartz Corp., have heavily invested at mines around Mitchell County. In April 2023, Sibelco announced a $200 million investment to double production at the site by next year. And the company said its exploring additional expansion by 2027.

In its most recent annual report, Sibelco said the Spruce Pine site produced nearly 60% more high-quality quartz in 2023 than it did in 2019. The company is now the largest employer in Mitchell County, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Its mines (along with those of Quartz Corp.) are located north of downtown in an area called the Spruce Pine Mining District. They appear on Google Maps like vast, white sandy beaches. Attention on the sites increased earlier this month when Ethan Mollick, an author and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, posted about the mines and Conways book on X.

An aerial look at the mines in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

Now this is where I should say Sibelco denied that contractors are blindfolded when they visit. To the best of our knowledge, the practice of blindfolding contractors does not occur at any Sibelco sites, a spokesperson told me in an email.

But Glover said blindfolding visitors to protect industry practices was certainly commonplace during his career in Spruce Pine mines. And whether eyes are actually covered today, Sibelco and Quartz Corp. are serious about security, he said.

You cannot get into these plants here, Glover said.

The secrecy is understandable. Sibelco relies on its site for business. And the rest of the world relies on the site to function.

CHIPS dollars coming?

In not unexpected news, the Durham semiconductor company Wolfspeed confirmed to me it applied for federal CHIPS Act funding earlier this month and anticipates hearing back about the $52 billion program in June.

We are building the worlds largest silicon carbide corridor, stretching from North Carolina to New York, and we believe this fits nicely with the federal governments plans to fortify semiconductor production here in the United States, Wolfspeed spokesperson Tyler Gronbach said in an email.

Where would Wolfspeed spend the money?

Well, on Tuesday, the company held a topping out construction ceremony at its future $5 billion plant in western Chatham County. Everyone  from its CEO, to its contractor, to U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis  noted how quickly the enormous structure was erected. Like the fastest pace some had ever seen for a project of this size.

The Durham semiconductor chipmaker Wolfspeed celebrated the topping out of its Chatham County facility near Siler City on March 26, 2024. Construction on the site began in June.

Durham company leaves jobs deal

North Carolina awards a lot of economic incentives  and cancels plenty of them early, too.

This weeks batch of terminations included a 2020 grant for the Durham biopharma firm BioAgilytix to add close to 900 jobs near Research Triangle Park. The state didnt pay out any taxpayer money under the deal. BioAgilytix, which still has more than 500 local employees, told North Carolina it would stop growing its headcount due to downturns in biotech funding in the last two years.

How bad is the sectors current funding landscape? On Thursday, I asked Art Pappas, who heads the biotech-focused fund Pappas Capital in Durham. He said the dip wasnt a surprise after very heady valuations and spending in 2021.

We were expecting some kind of a correction and anticipating that the public markets will at some point either correct or shut down for some period, he said. But he has been surprised that the biotech sector remains, in his words, depressed.

According to the financial database PitchBook, venture capital investing in biopharmaceuticals specifically fell nearly 20% last year, from $36.7 billion in 2022 to $29.9 billion.

The rest of this weeks NC tech headlines

Greensboro-bound Boom Supersonic tested its supersonic jet for the first time  albeit at below supersonic speeds.

Cary isnt hearing from Epic Games about its plans to build a new headquarters on the site of the former Cary Towne Center mall. And the area grows more desolate.

Dollar General added a new store in North Carolina every nine days on average last year, new data from the discount chain shows. This has been the companys expansion rate statewide for the past 15 years, to the annoyance of some rural residents.

Outside the Dollar General store on Broad St in Durham, near Duke Universitys West Campus.

The popular YouTuber/podcaster MKBHD posted a review of the VinFast VF8, the inaugural U.S. car from the Vietnamese company moving into Chatham County. While it wasnt a total pan (like his recent viral review of the Fisker Ocean) MKBHD had more tempered criticisms of the VF8 and did not recommend it.

And for a much less informed opinion of the VF8, heres my test drive report from last week.

An Atlanta tech firm used by police to capture license plate data risks being banned from doing business in the state if it misses a key application deadline, my colleague Tyler Dukes writes. Called Flock Safety , its cameras snap license plates and other details like the color, make and type of passing vehicles. More than 70 law enforcement agencies in the state use them.

Momentum, a Raleigh-based educational technology company, will close after six years, its founder Jessica Mitsch Homes said on LinkedIn. Momentum has helped over 400 people transition into careers in the technology industry with incredible success, the company said in its announcement.

National tech happenings

Amazon put an additional $2.75 billion into the AI startup Anthropic , a ChatGPT rival.

Fallen cryptocurrency king Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of 40 to 50 years while Bankman-Frieds defense attorney asked for closer to five years, telling the judge his client was an awkward math nerd rather than a ruthless financial serial killer. The government accused him of stealing $10 billion.

Intel received up to $8.5 billion through the federal CHIPS Act last week. Wolfspeed hopes to join them soon.

Thanks for reading!
In all of human history, its doubtful any three words have been more important than these: He is risen!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, the focal point of the Easter celebration, changes all assumptions about power, influence, intimidation and suffering. It brings hope to the most dismal of circumstances and loudly proclaims that the sorrows of this world do not provide the final word to mankinds existence.

Combined with the Saviors infinite atonement, an unfathomable sacrifice that wipes away sin for the repentant and allows Jesus to bear everyones grief and carry their sorrows, it is the ultimate answer to crime, mass shootings, wars and the brazen acts of dictators and anyone else who wields power unjustly over others. It is the answer to secret misdeeds and conspiracies.

It allows people to feel joy in an otherwise darkening world and brings meaning and hope to imperfect lives. It signals ultimate mercy and justice.

Currently, the world is beset by horrible conflicts, injustices and incivilities. Wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza. Self-proclaimed terrorists have killed scores of people in a theater in Moscow. Frequent and senseless mass shootings plague the United States and other nations. Children are made to suffer while the wicked are enriched. Political discussions often devolve into anger and hatred.

This is not a new scenario. Similarly horrific scenes have plagued mankind throughout history. And, even absent such man-made maladies, sicknesses and tragedies abound. Storms, earthquakes and tornadoes cut lives short. Droughts and political corruption lead to starvation. Easter brings a sense of meaning to it all.

It also brings meaning and power to the concept of forgiveness. Humans may not have the power to resurrect themselves, but everyone may participate in the divine nature of Easter weekend by forgiving someone a trespass.

One year ago, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which owns this news organization) urged people everywhere to forgive someone during the Easter season.

I promise that as you forgive, the Savior will relieve you of anger, resentment and pain, he said. The Prince of Peace will bring you peace.

This simple act can change lives and heal wounds. President Nelson noted how, As He was being crucified on Calvarys cross, the Redeemer of all mankind uttered these timeless words: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Christ suffered for all sins, big and small. The irony is that often the smallest slights, the perceived insults from family members or friends, can be so difficult for people to forgive. Doing so, however, can unite families and ignite feelings of love.

None of this can happen without faith. That is part of the miracle of the holiday. We cannot see the reality of Easters promises all at once. We cannot believe in a literal resurrection without willingly stepping beyond the bounds of observed reality and into the realms of the divine.

But once a person decides to plant the seed of faith, he or she learns that the empty tomb comes with the requirements of cultivating hope, humility and charity. And through those requirements, the world will be blessed.

Yes, Christ is risen. Because of that, humans can glimpse into eternity and see that all human beings have a place in the immortal realms. The resurrection did not end with Jesus Christ. It is a sure promise he has given to everyone, regardless of their level of belief.

At the very least, that is a reason to pause on Easter and ponder how the great triumph of life over death changes the mortal experience.
House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, is given a gift on the last day of the 2024 legislative session in the House chamber at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.

The 2024 legislative session adjourned a month ago. But the results and even the process continue to be scrutinized and debated. This is another indication of the tremendous impact our part-time lawmakers have on government, politics and our culture. So, we cant resist commenting.

An enduring criticism of the Utah legislative process is the rising amount of legislation considered each year. Gov. Spencer Cox, in a letter accompanying notice of his seven vetoes, expressed concern about the record number of bills passed this year (591, plus many resolutions). Cox said some of the legislation, including the items he rejected, could have been handled through simpler means  sometimes by just sending an email or making a phone call to the executive branch. This is not a new concern, as there has been a 60% increase in bills passed in the last 20 years. Is this a real problem that threatens quality of our lawmaking process?

Pignanelli: The world is not going to be saved by legislation.  William Howard Taft

Political observations can be a kaleidoscope  a small twist and a different outlook appears. The U.S. Congress employs thousands to help 535 full-time lawmakers pass a yearly average of 300 bills (only 42 in 2023). 104 part-time Utah legislators, with less than 100 staff, pass an average of 500 bills in 45 days. Indeed, while deliberating a thousand legislative proposals, lawmakers handle tough issues with public input and balance the budget. The national legislature is appropriately criticized as dysfunctional while our local solons are amazingly efficient.

Yet, increasing legislative loads will eventually cause less deliberation. The solution is unclear. Limiting bill files will not reduce policy concerns. Legislators will just combine issues into giant omnibus bills (like Congress), thereby creating complexity for citizens. This also constrains the voice of constituents.

Decades ago, this newspaper conducted an annual analysis of legislators effectiveness based upon bill passage percentages. Opponents often utilized low rankings in campaigns against incumbents. This was an active external pressure.

The best answer is legislative leadership encouraging caucuses to prioritize what is important and urgent. Many concerns are often resolved over time and (as the governor observed) usually with a phone call. Only a slight kaleidoscope twist is needed.

Webb: Big picture, Utahs Legislature does a great job. We need to remember that many bills are minor technical corrections. Some bills repeal old laws. The important bills usually receive plenty of scrutiny. Utahs 104 lawmakers each receive many requests to sponsor bills and be responsive to constituents.

This is not yet a big problem. The Utah legislative process is 1,000 times more effective than what happens in the federal Congress. In Washington, many of the lengthiest (thousands of pages) and most important bills, including budget bills, are held back with only a handful of people working on them, and then hit the floor and must be passed very quickly. Thats a terrible way to make laws impacting the entire country.

In Utah, all legislators serve on an appropriations subcommittee. All budgets are scrutinized and considered over several weeks. Budgets are balanced. Debt is very low.

Congress has many failures. But perhaps the biggest one is that, while it doesnt pass many laws itself, it allows presidential executive orders and federal agencies to, in effect, make thousands of laws that impact our daily lives. Congress didnt pass bills shutting down coal plants or eliminating gas-powered vehicles over the next several years. But the president and his federal agencies are doing those things in the absence of congressional oversight and action. Congress may not get anything done, but unelected bureaucrats in federal agencies are very, very busy!

Thankfully, Utahs Legislature effectively keep watch over state agency regulatory authority.

Which leads me to my usual conclusion: We desperately need more of the government decisions that impact our lives to be made at state and local levels instead of at the badly broken federal level.

As our state continues to grow and thrive, does the current structure of a part-time legislature, with a constitutionally-mandated 45-day session, need to be adjusted?

Pignanelli: A part time status keeps lawmakers connected to their constituents and in-tune with state needs. But interim committee hearings should be revamped to further help with the massive load on the General Session.

Webb: We should never lose our lay Legislature. Forty-five days is very short, but its working well for now.

The Utah Legislature is consistently criticized by right- and left-wing special interest groups, the media, average citizens and others. Are the multitude of complaints justified or are lawmakers just a misunderstood lot?

Pignanelli: All 104 lawmakers serve for the right reason  they care about their communities. Bills that garner negative attention are often defeated or significantly amended. The state is succeeding because of longtime commitment by legislators to competent governance. Many commentators often ignore these elements.

Webb: In every session, any sentient person can find something to disagree with  me included. Even legislators themselves dont like all the legislative results. Thats the way a representative democracy works. Utahs Legislature is unapologetically conservative. Speaking as a mainstream Utah conservative myself, thats good.

Republican LaVarr Webb is a former journalist and a semi-retired small farmer and political consultant. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature. Email: frankp@xmission.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. France and some other Western countries, unable to digest the new realities in the region after the Second Karabakh War, chose a different tactic this time, the head of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Ali Nagiyev said during his speech at a solemn event held today on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the creation of the security agencies of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The creation of a new military mission in Armenia by official Paris at the moment clearly indicates an intention to provoke Armenia into a new war, he noted.

To note, the State Security Service is the principle domestic intelligence agency and secret police of Azerbaijan, created out of the 2015 dissolution of the Ministry of National Security. The service was established by Presidential Decree 706 of December 14, 2015, issued by President Ilham Aliyev.
Amid escalating tensions and controversies surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Oklahomas education system, state Superintendent Ryan Walterss comments at a Thursday Board of Education meeting have sparked anger from LGBTQ+ rights groups.

His handling of the tragic situation involving Nex Benedict, a transgender student from Owasso High School who died by suicide after being bullied and assaulted in February, has been a focal point of criticism. The environment leading up to and during the board meeting was fraught with tension.



During the meeting, Walters expressed sorrow over the situation but refrained from directly naming Benedict, which drew criticism from people in the audience. He said that he was heartbroken for the family.

However, Walters quickly started criticizing those he accused of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.

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At the time, we had radical left-wing activists who were aided by the fake news media who made outrageous and unfounded claims on the situation from the beginning. These radical groups lied, intentionally so, to push a political narrative.

He claimed that conservatives in Oklahoma were under attack.

They wanted to use the death of a child to support a political agenda, and I think its absolutely disgusting, and you are going to hear these groups, this woke mob, continue to push an agenda and lie to further the most radical agenda this country has ever seen.

Walters defended his stance against what he described as a woke mob: I will never back down to a woke mob. I will never lie to our kids or allow a radical agenda to be forced on our kids.

Walters has said that there were not multiple genders and that Oklahomas schools would not perpetuate what he considers a lie that transgender and nonbinary people exist.

Walters has been a divisive figure. In January, his decision to appoint Chaya Raichik, the far-right extremist behind the anti-LGBTQ+ Libs of TikTok account, to a state board overseeing library materials in public schools raised eyebrows. This move, coupled with his policies and rhetoric, has been criticized for fostering a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students in Oklahoma.

A recent Change Research survey revealed profound disapproval among Oklahoma voters towards Walters, with 55 percent disapproving of his performance. With 61 percent of voters doubting Walters as a good role model for students, the survey highlights a deepening crisis of confidence in his ability to lead the states education system effectively.

Nicole McAfee, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, delivered a compelling address to the board, rejecting the notion of a moment of silence for Benedict.

I think you all have been silent enough for all of us, they said. McAfee outlined a radical agenda focused on the safety and dignity of Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender nonconforming children, directly criticizing Walters for his silence on Benedicts death, noting, Nex Benedict, a name Ryan Walters, that you still have not said out loud. They detailed the harrowing findings from Benedicts autopsy, highlighting the physical consequences of the policies enacted by the board.





McAfee also called for urgent action to repeal harmful bathroom policies and rules that endanger queer and trans students, emphasizing, You can repeal the gender discrimination based single-sex bathroom rules. You can repeal administrative rules you passed last spring that force school staff to out queer and trans students, even when they know it is life-threatening. Concluding their plea, McAfee underscored the importance of immediate, tangible action to protect students across Oklahoma, reminding the board of their responsibility. It is action that Nex deserved and we cant get Nex back. But there are just as many students and schools across the state who need you to do something, and they need you to do it now, McAfee said.

The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights announced an investigation into the schools response to bullying incidents leading to Benedicts death. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released a full autopsy report on Wednesday, which concluded that Benedicts death was a suicide resulting from the combined toxicity of an antihistamine and a common depression medication. The local prosecutor declined to file criminal charges in the case.

Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, responded to Walters remarks in a statement to The Advocate.

It is outrageous to hear Ryan Walters say he will never lie to or force a radical agenda on Oklahoma students, considering that he spends his days cultivating a climate of fear and disinformation. The radical agenda is Walters  it thrives every day under his leadership and makes school a dangerous place for all students, Ellis said.

She emphasized the need for an independent investigation into Benedicts death as well as an investigation into Oklahoma public schools to uncover how and why anti-LGBTQ animus reigns supreme. Ryan Walters and his cronies must be held accountable for the climate of fear and disinformation they are hell-bent on pushing.

Laurel Powell of the Human Rights Campaign highlighted the communitys frustration in a statement to The Advocate, noting that opposition to Walters comes from his constituents.

Every single person allowed to speak at [the] Board of Education meeting  all Oklahomans or parents with kids in Oklahoma schools told Ryan Walters to his face that he has failed at his job and is harming Oklahoma students, Powell said. They have clearly had enough of his cruelty and his incompetence, both of which were on full display during the meeting. His opposition is not a straw man woke mob, but the people he pretends to serve. Ryan Walters must be removed.
2 injured in crash involving CATS bus and motorcycle just outside of Uptown

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Two people were rushed to the hospital following a serious crash overnight between a CATS bus and motorcycle, according to CATS officials.

The accident happened just after 1:30 a.m. Friday, March 29, at the intersection of 7th Street and Hawthorne Lane. CATS said Bus No. 1068 on Rt. 27M was headed toward the Charlotte Transportation Center when it was involved in the crash.

Police chase ends in serious crash on Hwy 321 in Lincoln County

The bus was going through the intersection when a motorcycle bypassed a red light and crashed into the side of the bus, CATS said. Both a bus passenger and the motorcyclist were transported to the hospital; one with life-threatening injuries.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is actively investigating this crash.

This is a developing story; check back for updates

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
I cried and hollered when I got the news, Tarrant County resident Crystal Mason told reporters Friday morning, less than 24 hours after a Texas state appeals court overturned her conviction and five-year prison sentence for illegal voting.

The yearslong legal battle over one uncounted provisional ballot appeared to draw to a close Thursday evening with Masons acquittal. Her case garnered international attention and embodied a fraught national dialogue on electoral rights.

Ms. Mason never shouldve been prosecuted for what was, at worst, an innocent misunderstanding, Thomas Buser-Clancy, senior staff attorney for the Texas ACLU, said in a news conference Friday on Zoom. The result is a victory for democracy.

Mason cast a provisional vote in the 2016 election while on a three-year supervised release related to a 2012 tax fraud conviction. Would-be voters uncertain about their eligibility can file provisional ballots instead of casting a regular ballot, leaving it to election officials to tally or toss the vote (Masons vote wasnt counted).

Two years later, a state district judge found Mason guilty of voting illegally, sentencing her to five years in prison. Texas law forbids residents with felony judgments from voting until theyve finished the full terms of their sentence. Mason and her attorneys argued that she had no knowledge of the rule and, as such, shouldnt be held liable for violating it.

Today's top stories:

 Crystal Mason didnt vote illegally, appeals court rules; conviction reversed

 Which Fort Worth entertainment district has the most crime? Heres what we found

 Teen driver charged with intoxication manslaughter in crash that killed 6

Get free alerts when news breaks.

Some Republicans at the time paraded Masons vote as an concrete example of largely unsubstantiated claims about widespread voter fraud. Voter rights advocates rallied in support of Mason.

Crystal Mason was targeted as part of a broader voter suppression strategy in Texas, Christina Beeler, a senior staff attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project, said during the Friday press conference. Texas has a long history of voter suppression, and Ms. Masons case is sadly just the latest example of the lengths to which the state is willing to go to try to discourage people from voting.

The Court of Appeals for the Second District of Texas had initially upheld Masons original conviction. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the next highest judicial authority, undid the ruling, determining that prosecutors had to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Mason had known shed been voting illegally in order to be convicted of it. The Second Court of Appeals, upon revisiting the case, found the states arguments fell short.

We conclude that the quantum of the evidence presented in this case is insufficient to support the conclusion that Mason actually realized that she voted knowing that she was ineligible to do so and, therefore, insufficient to support her conviction for illegal voting, Justice Wade Birdwell reasoned in his judgment.

Prosecutors can request that the Court of Criminal Appeals review the case, but Masons team is hopeful the judgment will stand.

Know your rights, Mason advised. Dont let my story discourage you, but encourage you to go to the polls.

I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no one else has to face what Ive endured for over six years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack, Mason said in an ACLU news release. Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman. I thank everyone whose dedication and support carried me through this time and look forward to celebrating this moment with my family and friends.
Chinese workers were targeted by a suicide bomber who rammed into their vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites (-)

Chinese contractors have halted construction on two major dam projects in Pakistan after a suicide bomber killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver this week, a provincial official told AFP on Friday.

The companies have demanded that Pakistan authorities come up with new security plans before reopening the sites where around 1,250 Chinese nationals are working, the official said.

The security of Chinese workers is a major concern to both countries, with nationals frequently targeted by militants hostile to outside influence.

The workers were targeted on Tuesday by a suicide bomber who rammed into their vehicle on a mountainous road near one of the dam sites.

He detonated his explosives on impact, plunging their vehicle into a deep ravine.

A senior official from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa interior department told AFP on condition of anonymity that since Wednesday, China Gezhouba Group Company has halted work on the Dasu dam in the province and Power China has stopped work on Diamer Bhasha dam, which straddles two provinces.

"They have demanded new security plans from the government," he said.

"Around 750 Chinese engineers are engaged in the Dasu Dam project, while 500 are working on the Diamer Bhasha Dam," he added.

He said the movement of Chinese engineers has been restricted to the compounds where they live, close to the sites.

China has not commented, but this week repeatedly urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of its nationals.

- 'Iron-clad friends' -

Beijing is Islamabad's closest regional ally, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbour.

China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

But Pakistanis have long complained that they are not getting a fair share of jobs or wealth created by the projects.

Tuesday's attack sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the foreign and interior ministers offering condolences in quick succession.

China's foreign ministry declared the countries "iron-clad friends" but asked Pakistan to "take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions".

Tuesday's attack came just days after militants attempted to storm offices of the Gwadar deepwater port in the southwest, considered a cornerstone of Chinese investment in Pakistan.

In 2019, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Balochistan province overlooking the flagship Chinese-backed deepwater seaport in Gwadar that gives strategic access to the Arabian Sea -- killing at least eight people.

In June 2020, Baloch insurgents targeted the Pakistan Stock Exchange, which is partly owned by Chinese companies, in the commercial capital of Karachi.

la-stm/ecl/mca
PANAMA CITY  For at least one more year, speed detection systems will not be installed to monitor local schools.

In a meeting on Tuesday, commissioners shot down the second reading of an ordinance to install such systems in school zones throughout the city. They instead decided to table their decision until after the 2024-25 school year, giving more time to look into other measures to curb the issue.

Officials worry the systems might create privacy concerns for drivers.

Panama City commissioners on Tuesday voted to table their decision to install speed detection systems at local schools to reduce speeding.

"This looks live government intrusion and big brother," Mayor Michael Rohan said. "I feel totally against this thing. ... I think a police car, if it wandered around at different intersections and gave some tickets, would get the message out.

"We want to teach people. I don't think we need to hit them in the wallet."

Past reports note the system would detect drivers who speed under reduced limits during school start and end times, as well as those who speed during normal limits while school is in session.

Those drivers could be mailed a $100 ticket for every offense.

"I understand we're in a digital age, (and) there's a lot of things like that," Commissioner Josh Street said. "I think it is inevitable that this is going to come. I just don't necessarily want (Panama City) to be first."

Commissioner Brian Grainger agreed, nothing that multiple residents reached out to him since the ordinance's first reading in February to voice privacy concerns.

"I'm kind of in the same boat over here," Grainger said. "It will probably happen eventually, but it probably won't happen when I'm up here. ... The constituents in my ward are very weary of even the sense of big brother coming in."

Local law enforcement officials have said the goal of the detection systems would not simply be to rack up tickets, but prevent speeding. A recent survey in just one area of the city showed more than 800 drivers sped through a school zone in a single day.

Though Commissioner Jenna Haligas said she was not sold on the idea of automated detection systems, she does believe the data from the survey proves something needs to be done to prevent speeding in school zones.

Haligas also said similar systems have been very effective in other communities.

"My allegiance isn't to someone's fear that they're being looked at by some conspiracy theory  they may or may not be  but my allegiance is to the safety of those children," she said. "I'm OK kicking (the ordinance) down the road and maybe addressing it (later)."

First reading: Panama City may soon install cameras in school zones and fine speeders $100

Commissioner Janice Lucas had a similar take to Haligas, adding that the systems, even if they posed privacy concerns, might be a tool that would save lives.

"I certainly want to do something that would protect our children," Lucas said. "Friday night I did a ride-along with the Panama City Police Department, and one of my takeaways was how much time our police are involved with traffic incidents, be it a DUI, traffic accident or whatever.

"While the appetite may not be to do this today, I think it's something to revisit for the safety of our school children."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City balks at installing speed-detection cameras near schools
Target offers one-year returns on own-brand items, including Cat & Jack children's clothing.

Some parents use the policy to get cash back or new outfits when their kids outgrow their clothes.

While some retailers are introducing limits on returns, Target is trying to make the process easier.

Kids can grow fast, and the cost of keeping them well-dressed can add up quickly.

Some parents have taken advantage of Target's apparent version of the infinite-money glitch to save money.

"Attention all moms," Jazmine Valdivia, a Target shopper and TikTok user, said in a video posted on TikTok in 2022. "If you guys buy Cat & Jack for your kids, there is a one-year warranty that Cat & Jack offers if your kid outgrows the clothes, whether it's stained, ripped, whatever it is, they'll refund you."

In the video  which has racked up 1.2 million views, almost 85,000 likes, and 26,000 shares  Valdivia shows receipts from returning a large bag of clothing used by her three children for a total of $537.80.

TikTok

"Didn't spend a single dollar for back-to-school clothes," she added in an overlay.

Valdivia declined a request for an interview.

Other TikTok users have uploaded similar  albeit smaller  refund journeys in which they test out the company's policy for themselves.

"Reason number 16293836286 why we love Target!" the user JMS_Steph captioned on a video showing return receipts worth $164.21.

Target

While some videos and comments suggest the company is cracking down on the practice, Target's return policy for Cat & Jack products remains the same as for its more than 45 private-label brands. Workers told Business Insider they continue to process returns on large batches of used children's clothing.

The employees requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

A hugely popular brand with an unusually generous policy

Target says its Cat & Jack label is the biggest kids' clothing brand in the US.

"We sell well over 300 million units of Cat & Jack a year, which comes out to about eight Cat & Jack items for every child in America under the age of 12," said Jill Sando, Target's head of apparel merchandising, during the company's annual meeting in March.

Like all of Target's private label offerings, the brand is backed by an unusually generous one-year return policy.

"If you're not satisfied with any Target Owned Brand item, return it within one year with a receipt for an exchange or a refund," the policy states.

A Target spokesperson said the return policy reflects the company's confidence in the value of its private-label offerings.

Chief Growth Officer Christina Hennington highlighted the brand on an earnings call last year, emphasizing the policy of "one full year with free returns should anything not meet our guests' expectations."

Some returns are unwashed or in 'terrible condition.'

A worker in Illinois said the largest receipt she processed was about $300. "Absolutely used and in terrible condition."

A lot of the clothing is returned without being washed, she added, and those products get tossed straight into the trash.

A worker in California said she had seen the trend increasing this year as parents returned for another year, and their friends decided to try it for the first time.

The largest receipt she processed was about $417  higher than normal because it included a lot of shoes. She said the thing that bothered her wasn't the monetary value; it was the slow process of manually typing in item codes on the computer. Even working quickly, the return took nearly 20 minutes to complete.

Returns without proof of purchase are capped at $100 a year per customer, but items with a receipt or purchased with a Target Circle membership are basically unrestricted.

Some shoppers say on social media their locations have begun taking a somewhat stricter stance in response to the TikTok trend, including requiring more specific documentation of purchases. Others focus more on the "satisfaction" angle of the guarantee, with heavy use indicating that a customer was satisfied with the product.

TikTok

Still, the California worker said many people were disappointed by the value of their returns, which tended to be smaller than they expected due to various discounts at the time of purchase.

Either way, the total value of Cat & Jack returns is almost certainly a small percentage of the total revenue generated by the brand, which now pulls in more than $3 billion a year for Target.

Besides, what do many shoppers do right after returning a batch of Cat & Jack? Buy more Cat & Jack.

If you are a Target worker who wants to share your perspective, please contact Dominick via email or call/text/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential, and Insider strongly recommends using a personal email and a non-work device when reaching out.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Officials gathered in Paris to show support for a headmaster in a hijab row (Bertrand GUAY)

French lawmakers and officials joined dozens of people who gathered in Paris on Friday in a show of support for a school principal who resigned after receiving death threats in a hijab row.

This week the headmaster at the Maurice-Ravel senior school in eastern Paris quit after receiving death threats online following an altercation with a student last month.

His departure sparked outrage, with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal saying France would seek to defend secularism.

On Friday morning around 50 people gathered in front of the school in the French capital's 20th district, heeding the call from the Socialist Party, an AFP journalist saw.

Lawmakers and officials including Paris deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire took part in the gathering amid heightened security. Several parents also turned up.

Frederic, a parent at the school who declined to give his last name, said that for the past month pupils there had been "a bit agitated".

The headmaster's resignation had left parents feeling guilty, he told AFP.

"We wondered if we'd shown enough support."

Secularism and religion are hot-button issues in France, which is home to Europe's largest Muslim community.

The headmaster's departure comes amid tensions in France following several attack threats aimed at schools, and the murder of two teachers by radicalised former pupils, in 2020 and 2023.

In 2004, authorities banned school children from wearing "signs or outfits by which students ostensibly show a religious affiliation" -- such as headscarves, turbans or kippas -- on the basis of the country's secular laws, which are meant to guarantee neutrality in state institutions.

- 'Collective failure' -

Martin Raffet, head of parents' association FCPE Paris, said that some pupils did not understand the concept of secularism.

"The law needs to be discussed. Some pupils don't understand it.

"We need to take the time to explain it to them and show them that we don't stigmatise religions," Raffet said.

"We can't protect school heads from this type of attack," he added.

In late February, the headmaster had asked three students to remove their Islamic headscarves on the school premises.

But one of them -- an adult who was attending for vocational training -- refused and an altercation ensued, according to prosecutors.

The principal later received death threats online.

He said that he had taken the decision to leave, citing his safety and that of the school.

Education officials said he had taken "early retirement".

The SGEN-CFDT teachers' union called his departure "a collective failure".

"The repetition of this type of scenario, against a backdrop of the instrumentalisation of religious beliefs, is unacceptable and could lead to tragedy," the union said.

"We know this only too well in the French education system, following the murder of Samuel Paty."

Paty, a 47-year-old history and geography teacher, was stabbed and then beheaded by a radicalised Islamist near his secondary school in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine in 2020.

asm-kas-as/sjw
Pasco County officials may be promising to scale back plans to revamp Anclote River Park.

But after months of public discussion, studies by Pasco County and scrutiny by Floridas Indigenous people, there are lingering fears among outdoor enthusiasts that the countys plan to expand the park is still too much.

This week Linda Martell, who created the Change.org petition that has 5,300 signatures urging the county to be cautious, again asked the Pasco County Commission to do the right thing for those who enjoy the parks peace and green spaces.

Several months ago county officials notified Keith Overton, the business owner who has a lease to build a restaurant and add new commercial features at the park, including a possible event venue, that he had to downsize the original plan. He has not formally responded.

The county granted the lease for an ambitious project by Overton on the site, which is adjacent to a Native American mound, in August of 2022. His proposal had been for a themed 22,000-square-foot restaurant dubbed Whiskey Fish on the Anclote, but the county said it wanted something more in the range of 3,000 square feet.

Martell told county commissioners that was still too much.

Not only would this disrupt sacred lands but also nature, she said, pointing out that dolphins and manatees frequent the river and adding more people and more boats would put them at risk. Previous reports also note there is an active bald eagles nest within the park boundaries.

Martell said parkgoers are fine frequenting a food truck or nearby restaurant when they go to the park to help small business owners, but not a larger, permanent building on site.

Do whats best for Anclote Park, she urged commissioners. We like our peace.

In addition to the new features the county sought an outside business to provide, Pasco Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources also has its own plan to expand recreational options across the property. Weekends during peak boating season can be hectic and crowded. More parking and better circulation of traffic, as well as expanded boat launch facilities and an expanded beach, were planned.

Martell said that the county wasnt thinking that through, either.

If there are fights happening at the boat ramp now, she said, what do you think is going to happen when you have a restaurant that serves alcohol?

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told Martell that the county is aware of the public concerns and that a scaled-down plan for the park has been created. She encouraged Martell to pick up a copy and explained that the new approach is to build far fewer new parking spaces, to provide more green space and plant more trees.

She said that she was very pleased with the new emphasis and that no one in the county wants to see a huge commercial business on site.

Starkey also said the county has scheduled a long-promised town hall meeting to explain the plans. That has now been set for 6-7 p.m. April 15 in the Pasco County Government Center in New Port Richey in the County Commission Chambers.

County parks staff were not available to respond to specific questions from the Tampa Bay Times about details of the scaled-back plan. They also have not explained how the county will respond to and incorporate information from the recent archaeological study and ground-penetrating radar report about the Indigenous mound there.

While the study didnt find buried remains, it could not rule out the possibility that they exist. It offered recommendations including potentially creating interpretive displays on the grounds to tell visitors about the Indigenous populations that once lived on or visited the site.

Providing educational information could help the county strike the appropriate balance between protecting the cultural resource and allowing public use and access to the park, the consultant said.

The consultant also urged Pasco officials to keep the representatives of Indigenous groups involved in the countys future plans for the park.
A couple say they have scooped up nearly 80,000 in prizes, including luxury holidays, by entering up to 50 competitions a day.

"My shopping list is things that have a competition," said Kazzy Minton, 63, from Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire.

Since March 2021 she and her husband Lee, 56, have won 857 prizes - worth 77,000.

"It's a hobby. I spend two hours a day doing my competitions, and then I get on with my life."

Since 2021, their wins have included all-expenses-paid holidays to Colombia and Norway, a 6,000 trip to Wrexham AFC, a Euros weekend at an English manor house and a 4,000 diamond ring.

Kazzy is a self-declared comper, defined as somebody who habitually enters competitions to win as many prizes as possible.

Her success, she said, was down to mostly avoiding free online competitions, which get a lot of players, and focusing instead on creative contests.

"They're called effort competitions, where you have to actually do something, take a video or a photo, go shopping, all those require a bit more commitment," she explained.

"That's what I'm good at, taking a nice photo, editing a little video or buying something."

One of the couple's most recent wins came after Kazzy spotted a competition run by the confectionery maker Swizzels, asking entrants to show how much of a fan they were.

She asked Lee to "think about" ideas for her entry. Instead, he came home from his job as a tattoo artist with the company's name tattooed on his knee.

"I was expecting him to have a think at work, not an ink at work, but he never ceases to surprise me," said Kazzy.

Lee's entry won the couple 1,000, which they spent on a trip to Morocco, plus a year's supply of confectionary and a VIP tour of the company's plant in Derbyshire.

Last year they also won a trip for two to a private island off Colombia after a photograph of Lee doing a painting next to a can of beer took top prize in a beer company competition.

Kazzy also spent a week in Arctic Norway last June after an essay and video about why she wanted to experience 24-hours of sunlight won a competition run by Visit Norway.

"I didn't really know what was going on with that," Kazzy said.

"I arrived in Oslo all on my own thinking, 'Oh, my god what have I done?'"

How do you become a comper?

Kazzy lost her two-year-old daughter Abigail to cancer at Easter in 1996.

"The only flower she knew the name of was daffodils. So I've always collected things with daffodils on," Kazzy said.

Kazzy's younger sister Nicola spotted a promotion by a jewellery company for St David's Day, with prizes that included daffodil jewellery.

Despite never entering a competition before, Kazzy scooped the top prize of daffodil earrings, later writing to the promoter to say she felt she was "meant to win".

A couple of months later, she won an Xbox in a crisps company's promotion.

"I just thought, 'this is really easy'," she recalled, explaining how her search for new competitions to enter led her to the comper community online.

One of Kazzy's heroes is Di Coke, who goes by the comper name of Super Lucky Di.

"She is an amazing woman with a massive Facebook group with all the latest competitions," she said.

The pair recently met in Bridgend for a "good natter" about their shared hobby.

"We went quallie shopping together," she said, explaining how a quallie is the promotional product you must buy to be able to enter.

Other comper lingo includes TTW (text to win), NPN (no purchase necessary), and PN (purchase necessary) contests.

"I'm a purchase necessary or creative comper," said Kazzy.

And that means one thing for her weekly shop.

"If I'm gonna buy biscuits then why not buy a packet that gives me a chance of winning something," she said.

"If I don't win, we haven't lost anything because we've had the packet of biscuits."

'We're not all on the dole'

Kazzy said compers can be stereotyped as spending all their time on the hobby.

"We're not all on the dole," she said. "I'm a really hard working, busy woman."

She and Lee run three businesses, including his tattoo parlour and her sewing shop in Pembroke. She also works as an independent social worker and is doing a PhD on play in hospital settings.

But from 06:30 until 08:30 each morning, Kazzy said it was all about her competitions.

"It's a sense of community," Kazzy said of her online comper friends.

"Everybody shares competitions willingly and with absolute joy for people in our group who win."
Pennsylvania man in 'Scream' mask killed neighbor with chain saw, then went home to watch a movie, police say

A Pennsylvania man attacked and killed his neighbor this week using a knife and a chain saw while wearing a mask and costume like the one from the movie "Scream," officials said.

The man then returned home and watched a movie until police came, according to a criminal complaint from the Pennsylvania State Police.

Police said Zak Moyer, 30, surrendered after the attack and was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with criminal homicide and is being held at the Carbon County Correctional Facility.

Lehighton Borough police and later state police responded to an active assault incident Monday in Carbon County, in which a man attacked another man using a knife and a chain saw.

Officials found Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, who lived at the home, had been "struck" in the head with the weapons by a man who was "wearing a mask and a black costume-like garment, consistent with the 'Scream' movie character," according to the criminal complaint.

Whitehead was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries, state police said. He had cuts on his right arm and on the right side of his head above his eyebrow, wounds on his hands that were "consistent with defensive wounds," and "a large bleeding wound to the right side of the head," the complaint said.

Security video showed the suspect leaving Whitehead's home through the back door and entering the rear door of a home next door, where neighbors said Moyer lived, the complaint said.

Police established a perimeter around Moyer's home and communicated with him through a notebook, the complaint said.

Moyer's sister told police Monday that her brother told her a week ago that he wanted to kill Whitehead, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, Moyer told police that he had gone to the family's house Monday with a knife and a chain saw while wearing the "Scream" costume to scare them. Asked about the costume and the weapons, police said, Moyer admitted he had planned to kill Whitehead.

Moyer also admitted to stabbing Whitehead in the head, returning to his home to watch a movie until police arrived, and hiding the chain saw in the attic and the knife in his desk drawer, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said in a news release that the investigation is active and there is no threat to the surrounding community.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The EU started to make excuses preceding the EU-US-Armenia conference, which is scheduled for April 5 in Brussels, saying that this is an entirely economic matter, Trend reports.

Thus, EU spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy Peter Stano says that allegedly there seems to be a misunderstanding regarding what is being discussed at the meeting, which was convened in Brussels.

It is not true that the meeting will be focused on 'security guarantees. It will not address issues outside of the EU/US-Armenia bilateral agenda," he said, clarifying that neither the current normalization process nor peace negotiations nor relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are the topic of the meeting.

The focus will be on the economic resilience of Armenia and our bilateral cooperation with this country. The high-level meeting the European Union is organizing with the US and Armenia has a strictly bilateral focus on our cooperation with Armenia. It was already announced on the margins of the European Political Community summit last October. The EU and the US share a commitment to support a stable, peaceful, secure, and prosperous future for Armenia and the region," Stano noted.

According to him, the meeting is a demonstration of this commitment and reflects ongoing transatlantic (meaning: EU + US) cooperation on all issues of common interest.

"It will be an opportunity to discuss our deepening cooperation with Armenia to strengthen its economic resilience, based on the bilateral Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership between the EU and Armenia and in the context of the recently launched work on a new EU-Armenia Partnership Agenda. A stable and more resilient Armenia means a more stable South Caucasus. Our efforts are not aimed against anyone and are in the interest of the whole region and its stability," he said.

How benevolent the EU seems in the face of these excuses for those who are not aware of what is really happening. But in reality, the process of militarization of the EU mission in Armenia is underway, and weapons are being supplied to this country, which cannot in any way contribute to the peace process.

No matter how much the EU tries to hide the true goals of the meeting in Brussels, it is obvious that this will actually lead to tension in the region.

Armenia has become an instrument for the implementation of the Wests geopolitical plans in the region and has long since joined this process with great enthusiasm. In this context, it is worth noting that the European Union civilian mission based in Armenia was actually supposed to be short-term. Their activities were limited to only two months. Over time, the number of participants in this mission increased. More than 200 people already work here. According to some reports, these are former intelligence officers and military personnel. The process of militarization for this mission is gradually beginning.

In this regard, it is possible that at a meeting on April 5 in Brussels between the head of the European Union Commission, the US Secretary of State, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, the militarization of this mission as well as a plan to provide support to Armenia (namely, guarantees of defense and security) will be discussed.

Here, Armenia is used only as a means at hand. At the same time, they want to turn an integrated region with very broad cooperation opportunities into a keg of gunpowder. The transfer of weapons by the West to Armenia under the guise of security and the arrival of various instructors and people in Yerevan to improve the Armed Forces of Armenia jeopardize the security of the region.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called it upsetting that in the face of tragedy  the collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key bridge  conspiracy theories have circulated to explain what caused the disaster that left six people to be presumed dead.

Disaster struck when the Dali container ship lost power and rammed into the Key bridge just before 1.30am on Tuesday, 26 March. The collision caused the bridge to collapse, sending construction workers flying into the Patapsco River below.

Days later, the cause of the tragic collision is still being investigated. As numerous agencies are trying to put together the pieces of what led to the crash, conspiracy theories have cropped up.

CNNs Kaitlan Collins pointed out there have been wild conspiracy theories about what caused the disaster, ranging from a cyberattack, the captain having side effects from a Covid-19 vaccine, and blaming the Obamas.

She asked Mr Buttigieg whether he thought he would have to combat these conspiracy theories in the midst of a crisis?

Were in the business of dealing with roads and bridges and sometimes ships and trains, he said. So we are not in the habit as a Department of Transportation, of being in the business of dealing with conspiracies, or conspiracy theories or that kind of wild thinking. But unfortunately, it is a fact of life in America today.

Whats really upsetting is when misinformation or disinformation circulates, that is not without victims.

This is a human tragedy, Mr Buttigieg said, adding that six men lost their lives.

While two workers were rescued from the immediate aftermath, six others went missing. They were all presumed dead after 17 hours of searching.

Two bodies were pulled from a submerged pickup truck the following morning, while four others have still not been found.

His department needs good, factual information into how that happened to make effective future decisions, like bridge design and shipping policies.

All of that requires being grounded in fact, he said.

He also praised the National Transportation Safety Boards (NTSB) efforts.

The NTSB is ignoring the speculation, rumour and misinformation to ensure we have a completely factual base of information to investigate what happened and to guide future decisions, the transportation secretary said.

The NTSB recovered the ships black box, providing a detailed timeline into the moments leading up to the crash.

Officials announced on Thursday evening that they were suspending the recovery operation. The debris clearing process was set to begin on Friday morning.

Marylands governor, Wes Moore, announced that the federal government had approved an emergency relief fund: This morning, we submitted an initial $60m request to the Biden-Harris administration for initial mobilisation, operations and debris recovery efforts.

I can report that, as of this afternoon, the Biden-Harris administration has approved that request.

He added that the entire process is expected to be long: 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.
Erin Pinnell, 9, was one of the children excluded from the photographs. Her mother Natalie said it felt as if her daughter was 'erased from history'

A photography firm has sincerely apologised to parents after they were offered primary school class pictures that omitted pupils with special needs.

Parents whose children attend Aboyne Primary in Aberdeenshire were horrified after being sent a link from Tempest Photography offering them a choice of pictures, with or without children with additional support needs.

One of the pupils removed from the photographs was a wheelchair user whose twin sister was distraught to learn she had been omitted from an image offered to their parents for purchase.

Tempest Photography, which is based in Cornwall but employs local photographers to take school photos across the UK, said it deeply regrets the hurt caused.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, it said: Recently, after capturing a class group photograph, one of our photographers took additional images of the class group which omitted some members of the class from the photograph.

We deeply regret any upset this has caused and would like to sincerely apologise to the parents and children affected.

We are a family-run business and photograph at schools across the UK and would like to reassure our customers that this is not standard procedure for our company and we are taking this matter very seriously.

We are committed to implementing meaningful changes to prevent such an occurrence in the future.

It is understood some class photographs were taken before the pupils with additional support needs were brought in.

Natalie Pinnell said the decision to omit Erin from her class photo had 'devastated' their family

Following the complaints, the company 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.

But Natalie Pinnell, whose daughter Erin was among those excluded from the photographs, told the Press and Journal it felt like her child was erased from history.

The heartbroken mother told the newspaper: 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.

A second parent, Lisa Boyd, also told the newspaper her daughter Lily, a wheelchair user, was removed from an alternative photo, with the nine-year-olds twin sister devastated.

What the hell happened

The photo company was holding meetings to establish happened, according to one of its bosses who denied any knowledge of the situation and said he felt families deserved an apology.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Terence Tempest, 70, said: Were heartbroken. We have released a statement but at the moment Im just trying to find out what stimulated this and what the hell happened.

Its just unacceptable, I dont know whats happened. Its certainly not a policy of ours. We had a crisis meeting this morning, we are having another one this afternoon. Of course I understand how upset the families must be, I would be too.

If I was in that position, I would want an apology. I dont run the company and Im in touch with the managing director at the moment and they will decide what to do.

Humza Yousaf, Scotlands First Minister, tweeted: Outrageous and shameful. I struggled to believe this was true when I first saw the headlines.

Natalie has every right to be upset, as will all parents at this sorry episode. I am pleased an apology has been given, but this must never happen again in any school in the country.

Katie Price, the model and TV personality, said she was upset by their experience. Her son, Harvey, 22, has Prader-Willi syndrome, autism and is partially sighted.

She told BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour: Things like that upset me because, at the end of the day, were all different. Just because you have a disability doesnt mean you should be treated differently.

I always tell people, Just remember, you might think your life is perfect but one day, one of your family could have an accident or something and become disabled and you have to become their full-time carer.

So always remember, never judge anything, because it could happen to you. And lets see if you take the mickey then or you exclude them out of photos. I just feel really strongly. I think we should all be treated the same.

Aberdeenshire Council has called the decision totally unacceptable and emphasised it was not taken by the school. However, the local authority said it was sincerely sorry.

A spokesman said: Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences.

Patrick Roach, the general secretary of the NASUWT union, which represents teachers across the UK, called the incident shocking and crass.

Speaking at the unions annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Dr Roach said: Its a sign of, frankly, a lack of understanding about the importance of inclusion and diversity. Its also potentially evidence of discrimination.

It creates that sense of a hostile environment for disabled kids, but also for disabled people generally. Its shocking and needs to be dealt with.

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Warnings about the area appeared to be ignored on Friday when parents and children were seen walking up to the cliff edge and peering over - David McHugh/Brighton Pictures

Sightseers have been warned to stay away from cliff edges after children were spotted trying to lean over the chalk faces of Birling Gap.

Tourists have been perching on the edge of the cliffs in East Sussex to pose for pictures despite two major cliff falls in recent weeks.

Huge sections of cliff at Seaford Head and Peacehaven collapsed in the space of a few days in February.

That prompted councils to team up with HM Coastguard and landowners to launch a campaign reminding people of the risk posed by the unstable chalk cliffs.

But their warnings appeared to be ignored on Friday when parents and children were seen walking up to the cliff edge and peering over.

East Sussex County Council spokesman says people get perilously close to the edge of the cliffs 'without realising the dangers' - David McHugh/Brighton Pictures

Maritime and Coastguard Agency says there is no 'safe' place to be on the cliff edges - David McHugh/Brighton Pictures

The National Trust, which manages the stretch of land around Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, said people all too often forget the potential dangers of erosion.

It warns: Our white cliffs are beautiful but also very fragile. They may appear safe to stand on, but chalk is a soft rock that can be softened further by heavy rain or undercut by wind and wave action. This means the cliff edge is very unstable and at risk of collapsing at all times.

It is unsafe to stand on or near the edge and near the base of the cliffs. Always keep at least 5m back from the cliff edge and the base of the cliff, even when the sun is shining.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said we continue to see people getting perilously close to the edge of the cliffs and without realising the dangers.

The council added: The cliffs contain many overhangs and cracks that visitors may not be able to see, and the unstable chalk can fall at any time with absolutely no warning.

We want to encourage people to continue to visit the area safely.

The National Trust, which manages the stretch of land around Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, says people often forget about the potential dangers of erosion - David McHugh/Brighton Pictures

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding, with pieces falling from them that can be just a few small rocks or as large as a car. Its impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be.

It added that periods of intense rainfall will often make cliff edges more vulnerable.

We really cant stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge. There is no safe place to be.

If cracks have appeared even if they are several feet away from the edge, dont be tempted to go and investigate and dont risk going to the edge to get a dramatic picture. Please enjoy your coastal walk, but make sure you and your loved ones come home again safely.

The RNLI urged anyone heading to the coast this weekend to be aware of their surroundings and know the risks.

A spokesman said on Friday: Be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all locations; it is not just high cliff edges that are a risk.

Following the most recent collapse at Seaford Head, passers-by told how they had been caught completely by surprise as large sections of cliff crashed down onto the beach below.

Ashley Tyler, 75, described hearing a rumbling sound before the chalk cliff gave way.

He said at the time: It was pretty dramatic, with the rumbling sound as the chalk came crashing down. I can still hear it now ringing in my head.

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A group carrying large, wooden crosses has completed a pilgrimage dating back almost 50 years.

Northern Cross began in 1975 when a group of Christians decided to make a journey in the week before Easter to Holy Island off the Northumberland coast.

It took the walkers a week to cover the 118 miles (190km) from Carlisle arriving at the island on Good Friday.

This year's walk was led by Pete Coppola who has been doing the pilgrimage since 1970.

The group left Carlisle a week ago for the long trek [Northern Cross Pilgrims]

At its peak, more than 100 people did the walk, with legs from Carlisle, Bellingham, Melrose and Dunbar, but this year fewer than 20 took part.

Walkers stayed in basic accommodation, which included sleeping on village hall floors.

Their journey began close to the border between Scotland and England, trekking through Lanercost, Haltwhistle, Wark, Elsdon, Ingram and Lowick.

On Good Friday they walked barefoot across the sand along Pilgrims Way, to reach the island to celebrate Easter.

Part of the route passed near Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland [Margaret Williams]

During most of his walks over the past 20 years, Mr Coppola, 65, from Rochester in Kent, has been joined on the walks by his daughter Nadia.

He said not being on Holy Island at Easter was "unthinkable".

"It all went very smoothly and there were not many walking wounded," he added.

"We were pleased that lots of people joined us and there were between 40 and 50 at the end."

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More on this story

Related internet links
(FOX40.COM)  Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo voiced his support of the United Auburn Indian Community on Thursday in their opposition to the placement of a sexually violent predator near their tribal lands.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Woo said, I wholeheartedly support the position of the United Auburn Indian Community and feel the Department of State Hospitals should not ignore their opinions and concerns. Our government firmly recognizes the rights of the Indigenous people of Placer County. I believe this placement location ignores those rights and disregards our tribes legitimate concerns.

Placer County tribal leaders oppose planned placement of sexually violent predator

This statement by Woo comes days after the UAIC voiced its opposition to the placement of William Stephenson, a sexually violent predator, near their tribal lands.

The placement of a sexually violent predator near tribal lands is irresponsible and could be a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our tribal members, said Gene Whitehouse, Chairman of UAIC. We call for immediate action and ask authorities to reconsider their decision to place SVP Stephenson near our Indian lands.

During a check-in with the Placer County Superior Court on Monday regarding the placement of Stephenson, the Department of State Hospitals said that while they have not selected a landing location for Stephenson, they were considering a property near tribal lands.

The conversation around Stephensons placement began in January 2022 when a Placer County judge approved his conditional release. At that time the Department of State Hospitals was tasked with finding him housing.

Sacramento-area counselor sentenced for stalking, harassment of former patient

In July 2023, a Placer County judge announced the release of Stephenson into Placer County as a transient. The DSH would be responsible for finding a property, such as a trailer.

Stephenson has a history of sex crimes dating back to the 90s. Although he was set to be released months ago, state officials have not been able to find suitable housing and the Placer County community has been fighting his release there.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Polish and other allied aircraft were scrambled on March 29 in response to reports of a massive Russian missile attack against Ukraine, the Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces announced.

Ukraine's Air Force warned that Russia had launched multiple waves of missiles overnight and that an aerial alert was in effect throughout the country.

Explosions have been reported in multiple cities, including Dnipro and Ivano-Frankivsk, at the time of this publication.

"Tonight, intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation is observed, related to missile strikes carried out against objects located on Ukrainian territory," Poland's Operational Command said on X.

"All necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been activated."

A Russian cruise missile entered Polish airspace for approximately 39 seconds during a major missile and drone attack against Ukraine on March 24. The Polish military said it did not shoot down the plane because doing so would pose a risk to local civilians.

A Russian missile previously violated Polish airspace during a mass attack against Ukraine on Dec. 29, 2023.

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.
FILE - Poland's President Andrzej Duda gives a statement to the media in Warsaw, Poland, on Jan. 10, 2024, after the arrest of two politicians convicted of abuse of power who had taken refuge for hours in the presidential palace. Duda on Friday March 29, 2024 vetoed a law that would have allowed over-the-counter access to the morning-after pill for girls and women ages 15 and above, his office said. Duda said he was concerned about the health of minors and heeding the voices of parents. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Polands President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed a law that would have allowed over-the-counter access to the morning-after pill for girls and women ages 15 and above, his office said. Duda said he was concerned about the health of minors and heeding the voices of parents.

A statement by Dudas office said the president sent the law back to the parliament, but was open to a debate on free access to the hormonal contraception pill for those aged 18 and above.

It said that no convincing arguments were made during the public debate that would justify free access to the pill for girls under the age of 18.

Last month, parliament approved the law, but it still needed Duda's approval to take effect. The new pro-European Union government had intended the law to be a first step toward a liberalization of Polands reproductive regulations, which are among Europes most restrictive and were inherited from the previous, conservative government.

Duda approved those decisions, which drew massive street protests.

Duda's veto means that the pill, called ellaOne, which prevents pregnancy and is not an abortion pill, remains available only on prescription.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented, saying on X, formerly Twitter, that Duda missed an opportunity to be on the women's side. We are implementing plan B."

Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna said that within Plan B, a directive will be issued allowing pharmacists to issue the needed prescriptions. The plan will be submitted for public discussion before implementation.

Poland's minister for equality who fights against various forms of discrimination, Katarzyna Kotula, said on X that the morning-after pill will be available, regardless of what is the opinion of the president, who bases his decision on superstition rather than on medical knowledge.

Abortion in Poland, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, is legal only when the pregnancy threatens a womans health or life, or results from rape. The strict law has had a chilling effect on Polands doctors and has led to a number of deaths of women with troubled pregnancies.
LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A driver allegedly led police on a chase through multiple sections of Luzerne County that eventually ended when he crashed into a tree.

According to the Kingston Police Department, around 3:00 a.m. Thursday, officers spotted a car, driven by Ronald Martin, 33, of Hanover Township, with an expired registration at the intersection of Wyoming Avenue and Pierce Street.

Police said they tried to pull over Martin, however, he fled on Route 11 into Edwardsville, Larksville, and Plymouth. While driving through Larksville officers say Martin drove into a Luzerne Borough police cruiser and continued to flee through stop signs and red lights.

DA: Body found near Cross Valley Expressway connected to Carlisle St. death investigation

Once Martin got into Jackson Township police were waiting and deployed spike strips that hit his tries causing Martin to lose control and smash his car into a tree in Dallas Township, as stated in the affidavit.

Martin is charged with the following;

Aggravated assault

Fleeing police

Reckless driving

Driving with an expired registration

Traffic violations

Martin was sent to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on a $20,000 bail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Police are looking for a man they say was involved in an attempted homicide in Pittsburgh who may be heading towards Michigan.

Court documents say officers received a call about a man who had been shot at. They found the victim at a house on Herschel Street. He told police that Malik Bibb, 25, shot at him twice during an argument. He missed both shots.

Police found bullet holes in a bedroom and a wall by a staircase. Shell casings were also found in the kitchen and in the living room.

Witnesses told police that Bibb took off from the house in a grey or brown Jeep Cherokee with a Michigan registration. Police believe he may be heading back towards Michigan.

The victim also later told police that Bibb stole his iPhone 14, court documents say.

Bibb faces charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking and recklessly endangering another person.

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Representatives of Polish associations present at the talks between the government delegations of Ukraine and Poland on trade and transit confirm evidence of the strange behaviour of Micha Koodziejczak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

Source: European Pravda; Comments of Polish participants in the meeting on condition of anonymity are provided by Onet

Details: One participant said the parties were already very close to a compromise when "suddenly there was an explosion from Micha."

He says that during the hours of the meeting, Koodziejczak "constantly went out and came in" to the meeting room, read something on his smartphone and "did anything but talk."

"When we were already moving towards the final of the negotiations, and Minister Siekierski (Polish Minister of Agriculture  ed.) briefly left the room, Micha suddenly attacked the representatives of the Ukrainian delegation, who, I should note, were very well prepared for this meeting. During the presentation, they showed how much grain was contracted and explained that they could not violate the contracts concluded a year ago.

They wanted Poland to allow the transit of these several hundred tonnes...These words, rather a request from Ukrainians for permission to transit through Poland, were the moment when the deputy minister launched an attack," the Onet quotes this meeting participant.

"We know how Micha can behave, but for someone who met him for the first time, it could have been a shock...It looked bad because the thread of understanding was lost after Kolodzejczak's 'speech. Of course, you need to present your arguments firmly, but you don't need to resort to aggression. I don't know if the meeting would have ended with an agreement, but the actions of the deputy minister did not bring us closer to it," another meeting participant commented.

He added that the Polish associations spoke with Koodziejczak about this episode after the talks and "hope that something will change".

Previously: At first, evidence about the strange behaviour of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Poland at the talks on Wednesday came from Ukrainian associations at the meeting (European Pravda cited them in the article Warsaw is escalating).

Kolodzejczak, after the news broke, called words about his inappropriate behaviour an attempt to discredit him and exclude him from the negotiation process.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. COP29 (the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) will demonstrate Azerbaijan's determination, diplomatic, and political courage, Assistant of the President of Azerbaijan, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview to the Chinese Phoenix TV channel, Trend reports.

According to Hajiyev, in recent years, the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor for transportation in Eurasia has increased significantly.

Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of North-South and East-West transport routes, implements numerous measures in this regard, he said.

Besides, according to the official, the country is becoming an important transport and logistics center in the South Caucasus with the expansion of sea trade ports, increasing the number of manufactured ships, modernizing railways, and a continuous increase in the volume of sea and land cargo transportation.

Reminding that Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to support the "One Belt, One Road" initiative put forward by the President of China, Xi Jinping, Hajiyev said that this project had a positive impact on the general well-being of the countries located along the route, strengthened cooperation between them, and also promoted inter-civilizational dialogue, and thanks to this, the international community benefited from the ancient Chinese civilization.

"We see this project as a form of cooperation, partnership, and mutual prosperity that can bring prosperity to the countries along the route. Azerbaijan, located between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, is a natural link connecting Central Asia and Europe," he explained.

Touching on the recent arrival of the train from Xi'an, China, passing through Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea and reaching Azerbaijan in just 11 days, the official emphasized that this route proved once again to be very important, competitive, and possible from the point of view of transport. being safe and reliable.

"We are working hard with our Chinese friends to further improve the efficiency and competitiveness of this trade route," he added.

Hajiyev pointed out that Azerbaijan is also making efforts to increase the transmission capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway because goods are transported not only from East to West, but also in the opposite direction.

European companies and trade institutions can use this route to enter the Chinese and Central Asian markets, the official explained.

He highlighted that along with the East-West route, Azerbaijan is developing the North-South route and is thus recognized as a transport and logistics center in Eurasia.

Noting that in recent years, Azerbaijan has paid attention to the development of the non-oil economy and is trying to achieve economic diversification, Hajiyev drew attention to the solar power plants created in the country.

He said that this is an important stage in cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the field of green energy.

Mentioning Azerbaijan's holding COP29 this year, the official noted that the issue of climate financing, which did not make progress at the previous conference, will become the main topic at the Baku conference.

At the same time, he stressed that Azerbaijan is the guarantor of European energy security and exports oil and natural gas to many European countries.

Hajiyev pointed out that there is close cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the field of energy, and Chinese companies participate in oil and natural gas projects.

The official emphasized that Chinese companies are good partners in the diversification of our country's economy, as the green transition has become a priority area for Azerbaijan.

He also pointed out that Azerbaijan is very happy to see China taking the lead in the field of global green transformation.

Moreover, according to him, China has actually proven the possibility of a green transition.

"Transition to green energy is one of our priorities. We look forward to actively working with our Chinese friends at COP29 and beyond," Hajiyev said.

The official noted that COP29 will demonstrate Azerbaijan's determination as a country that has fossil fuels, as well as its diplomatic and political courage.

"It also shows our strong and firm will. Azerbaijan has shown that we are determined; we want to be a supporter of green energy in addition to hydrocarbon resources, and we are ready to contribute to this concept," he added.

China and Azerbaijan have always cooperated closely in the international world, firmly supporting multilateralism and protecting the interests of developing countries, Hajiyev concluded.

Meanwhile, 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 7080,000 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. There are 198 countries that 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.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ukrainians have criticised Micha Koodziejczak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Poland, for his "strange" behaviour during negotiations with Poland. Koodziejczak himself denies all the accusations, although Polish organisations have also confirmed Ukraines statements.

Source: Polish media outlet Onet

Details: Representatives of the Ukrainian organisations that participated in the negotiations say that Koodziejczak behaved inappropriately, repeatedly leaving the room, wrinkling his nose, and making a point of taking his headphones off during a speech by the Ukrainian minister, and was nervous while making his own speech.

Koodziejczak denies most of the accusations but admits that a confrontation did occur during the meeting. He told Onet that the Ukrainians did not like the fact that "he was well-prepared for the talks".

Representatives of the Polish organisations that participated in the talks have confirmed what the Ukrainians said. One of the Polish attendees stated that during the two and a half hours of the meeting, Koodziejczak kept coming and going from the negotiation room, checking his phone, and busying himself with anything but the conversation.

"When the negotiations were coming to an end and [Polish Agriculture] Minister [Czesaw] Siekierski had left the room for a while, Micha suddenly attacked the representatives of the Ukrainian delegation who, I must admit, were very well-prepared for this meeting. They showed us presentations on how much grain was under contract and argued that they could not now terminate contracts that were signed a year ago. They wanted the Polish side to permit the transit of these several hundreds of thousands of tonnes," a participant in the talks revealed.

It was the Ukrainians request for permission for the grain to be transited through Poland that triggered the Polish deputy agriculture minister.

The Polish representatives said they had talked to him after the meeting about his behaviour. He was reprimanded, and they hope it will not happen again.

Background:

Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi commented on the results of a trilateral meeting which was held in Warsaw earlier between Ukraine, Poland and the European Union with representatives of specialist associations.

Krzysztof Paszyk, leader of the parliamentary group of the agrarian Polish Peasants' Party (PSL), reported that Warsaw and Kyiv were close to reaching an agreement on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government has implemented a verification procedure for four crops: maize, rapeseed, sunflower and wheat. From now on, export licences for these crops will be issued after coordination with the Poles.

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Polish President Andrzej Duda speaks at an event during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos. Hannes P Albert/dpa

Polish President Andrzej Duda has vetoed a law designed to facilitate access to emergency contraceptives, citing "the will to respect constitutional rights and health protection of children," his office said on Friday.

Both chambers of parliament had adopted the amendment to the pharmaceutical act provided for women and girls from the age of 15 to be able to obtain the morning-after pill without a prescription in future.

Duda is from the nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS) which was ousted in the last election by a centrist coalition led by former European Council President Donald Tusk in October after eight years in power.

The new government is trying to undo various legal changes made by PiS  from the independence of the judiciary and the media to abortion law  in order restore Poland's EU funding.

Justifying his decision to veto the emergency contraception law, his office said Duda had been "unable to accept legal solutions that allow children under the age of 18 to access contraceptive drugs without medical supervision and without regard to the role and responsibility of parents."

Polish Prime Minister Tusk called Duda's decision as a missed opportunity "to side with women," in a post on X.

The government would now implement a plan B, he added.

Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna previously explained what this means.

She announced that in the event of a veto, the government would implement the relevant regulations by ordinance. The regulations for pharmacists would be changed.

Emergency contraceptive pills would be available from May 1, the minister said at the time.
By Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Alan Charlish

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's conservative President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed a bill to ease women's access to the "morning after" contraceptive pill, sparking outrage among left-wing and liberal politicians.

Women's rights are high on the political agenda, with some Poles frustrated that liberal parties in the coalition government in power since December are slow at implementing their pledge to soften a near-total ban on abortion.

Majority Catholic Poland is one of only two countries in the 27-nation European Union where women require a prescription to buy emergency contraceptive pills.

The new legislation would have made them available without prescription for people over 15, reversing a restriction introduced in 2017 by the former government of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, of which Duda is an ally.

"The President ... could not accept legal solutions enabling children under eighteen years of age to have access to medicinal products for use in contraception without medical supervision and bypassing the role and responsibility of parents," a statement from his office said.

It added, however, that he would be open to making the "morning after" pill available without prescription to adult women.

Lawmakers from the New Left, which is part of the broad pro-European coalition government, reacted with fury.

"Superstitions and conservative ideology won over science and women's rights. But just for a moment," legislator Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus wrote on social media platform X.

"As the Left, we promised, among other things, the day after pill to Poles. We will deliver anyway."

Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna said this week that if Duda vetoes the law, the government will allow prescriptions to be issued by pharmacists when selling the pill, rather than requiring women to have a medical appointment as currently.

The coalition government has split between left-leaning and liberal lawmakers and more conservative lawmakers on abortion.

However, it has already reinstated budgetary funding for in vitro fertilisation procedures.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Poland's pro-EU coalition government on Friday sought to bypass a veto by conservative President Andrzej Duda in a tug-of-war over prescription-free emergency contraception, which the previous nationalist government reversed.

Catholic-majority Poland saw a rollback of women's reproductive rights during the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party's eight-year rule, with access tightened to emergency contraception, made prescription-only in 2017.

The government led by former EU chief Donald Tusk, in power since December, had pledged to ease those curbs and passed a bill to provide over-the-counter access to the morning-after pill for girls and women aged 15 and over.

But Duda vetoed the legislation, a statement from the presidency said on Friday, citing his "will to respect constitutional rights and the standard of health protection for children".

Duda, a staunch ally of the PiS and a devout Catholic, "could not accept" the bill as it enabled access to the contraceptive pill "without medical supervision and bypassing the role and responsibility of parents", it said.

It also suggested Duda was open to easing restrictions, but only for women aged 18 and over.

The presidential veto prompted backlash from the ruling camp, with Tusk regretting that Duda failed to seize "the opportunity to put himself on the side of women".

Left senator Magdalena Biejat slammed what she called a "harmful" decision.

"Young girls should have access to (emergency contraception) just like adult women, because young girls can also get pregnant," she told reporters.

"It's a pity that the president is yet again against Polish women," deputy education minister Katarzyna Lubnauer said on social media, adding that the government "knows how to deal with this obstacle."

- 'Unwanted pregnancies' -

Anticipating the presidential veto, the government had already announced it would bypass this by allowing pharmacists to give prescriptions for the pill.

"We're launching Plan B," Tusk wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, after Duda's veto.

"If we don't want women and young girls to get unwanted pregnancies, let's do everything to make the pill as accessible as possible," Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna had told RMF FM radio.

The World Health Organization says on its website that emergency contraception should be "routinely included" within all national family planning programmes.

The debate on the morning-after pill comes amid attempts to liberalise Poland's abortion laws, one of Europe's strictest.

Abortion is currently legal in Poland only if pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, or threatens the life or health of the mother.

Four bills to liberalise the near-total ban have been submitted to the parliament, but work on them is yet to start, as the drafts waited for a green light from the lower house speaker to start debate.

Lower house speaker Szymon Holownia, who presents himself as a progressive Catholic, said he did not want to debate the bills while campaigning was on for local elections due in April.

mmp/imm/ach
Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) sued for emergency relief to block use of New Jersey's county "line" ballots in the state's June primaries. A federal judge ruled in his favor on Friday. Seth Wenig/Associated Press

In a decision sure to upend New Jersey politics for years to come, a federal judge on Friday forbade the use of the states controversial county-based line system  the backbone of New Jerseys clubby political machine  in party primaries in June.

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi ruled in favor of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D), a Senate candidate, and two Democratic House candidates, who had sued for an emergency injunction against the line system in late February on the grounds that it violated their First Amendment rights under the freedom of association and the Constitutions prohibition on state laws interfering with federal election outcomes. Kims chief opponent, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy, who was poised to get the line in the states most populous counties, withdrew from the race on Sunday, but Kim proceeded with his lawsuit anyway.

The integrity of the democratic process for a primary election is at stake and the remedy Plaintiffs are seeking is extraordinary. Mandatory injunctive relief is reserved only for the most unusual cases, Qureishi wrote in his 49-page decision. Plaintiffs burden on this Motion is therefore particularly heavy. Nevertheless, the Court finds, based on this record, that Plaintiffs have met their burden and that this is the rare instance when mandatory relief is warranted.

Under the line system, the local Democratic and Republican parties in 19 of the states 21 counties put candidates endorsed by their respective county parties in prominent places on the ballot, while relegating non-endorsed candidates to peripheral areas known as ballot Siberia. The system provided a tremendous advantage to candidates with ties to county party chairs and other insiders, since ordinary primary voters often cast ballots for the line candidates by default. One study that the plaintiffs presented to the court found that, on average, the line conferred a 38-point advantage for its recipients in primary elections.

As a result, Qureishi concluded, candidates excluded from the line have shown a severe burden on their First Amendment rights.

For the upcoming June primaries, Qureishi ordered the county clerks of those 19 counties to instead group candidates on the ballot based on the office they are seeking  a system known as the office block ballot  with a candidates place in the order of each block to be determined at random.

Qureishi did not explicitly weigh in on the constitutionality of the line overall, leaving open the possibility that the injunction against the line will be limited to the primaries in June. And some county clerks have said they plan to appeal the decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Should the ruling hold, the immediate impact on New Jerseys Democratic Senate primary is likely to be limited as well. Kim was already the prohibitive favorite in the primary following Murphys departure from the race.

But the federal judges decision struck a major blow at the entire New Jersey machine. The Garden State is the only one in the country where county party endorsements determine ballot placement.

Progressive congressional candidates sued to challenge the line in July 2020. The New Jersey Working Families Party, the state-level branch of a major national progressive group, joined the suit in Jan. 2021, and funded the effort as it moved through the courts.

Todays historic ruling to abolish the line will strengthen New Jerseys democracy by putting voters back in charge of selecting the candidates that will represent them in nearly every level of government, Antoinette Miles, the state director for the New Jersey Working Families Party, said in a statement.

But candidate Kims request for an injunction dramatically expedited the process.

I want to give him a ton of credit for taking this incredibly courageous stand, said Rob Duffey, the Working Families Partys national communications director. It caught the machine flat-footed. They didnt have time to prepare, and we had some really good arguments lined up.

While the most passionate advocates against the line are typically on the left, plenty of the states moderate voters have also taken issue with a system they associate with cronyism and featherbedding in public contracts and employment.

Too few people control too much, Jordan Glatt, a university administrator and self-described conservative Democrat from Springfield, New Jersey, said of the line system.

Related...
Joshua Doolin is seen in an image captured outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, according to an FBI affidavit.

Joshua Doolin, a former Polk City resident now in prison for crimes committed during the U.S. Capitol attack, is seeking a reduction in his sentence that could yield his immediate release.

A lawyer representing Doolin submitted a motion Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia arguing that his sentence should be reduced from 18 months to 12 months and one day, based on a revision of federal sentencing guidelines that took effect in November.

In the 22-page motion, Federal Public Defender A.J. Kramer argued that the amended guidelines should be applied retroactively to benefit Doolin, who was convicted in March 2023 and sentenced in August. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols found Doolin guilty in a bench trial on one felony count, civil disorder, and three misdemeanors for his presence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Nichols sentenced Doolin to 18 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release.

Doolin, now 26, entered federal custody in October and is held at Federal Correctional Institution Coleman, a low-security facility in Sumter County. His appeal of his conviction remains active.

Doolin is scheduled for release on Nov. 12. If approved, the sentence reduction would move his release date up to June 30. That means he could be released to a transitional house earlier and perhaps immediately, Kramer wrote.

For that reason, the lawyer urged the court to rule quickly on the motion. He wrote that federal prosecutors oppose any reduction in Doolins sentence.

Doolin traveled to Washington, D.C., with relatives and friends to attend the Stop the Steal rally, at which former President Donald Trump spoke at the Capitol Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021. His group walked to the U.S. Capitol and joined in a mob of Trump supporters, some of whom broke into the building, interrupting a joint meeting of Congress to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Court records reveal Jan. 6 defendant from Lakeland has close ties to Pollock family

Kramers motion focuses on a change to federal sentencing guidelines for zero-point offenders, or those with no criminal history and whose crimes do not involve violence. The new guidelines provide for a two-level decrease in a defendants offense level, which helps determine a sentence.

In addition to the lack of a criminal history, a defendant must meet a list of 10 criteria, among them that the offense did not involve violence or credible threats of violence, did not result in death or serious injury and was not a sex offense.

Prosecutors offered photographic evidence that Doolin joined a group of rioters who pushed against a line of police officers near a tunnel leading into the Capitol building. In the motion, Kramer argued that Doolins actions were not violent, noting that he did not punch or throw objects at officers.

While he was shouting and part of the group pushing against the police line in the tunnel, the group consisted of hundreds of individuals, and Mr. Doolin was several rows from the front of the pack, Kramer wrote. Many individuals boarding the Metro at rush hour or attending a music concert have engaged in similar conduct; yet most would not describe their conduct as 'violent.' 

The motion emphasized that Doolin was a family man, and it included a photo of him with his wife and their infant son. Kramer described Doolin as a hard worker and cited video statements of support from relatives and his employer.

Kramer wrote that Doolin has been a model inmate, taking education classes and working toward a GED, working as a prison orderly and avoiding disciplinary infractions.

The motion included examples of sentences given to other Jan. 6 defendants in arguing that Doolin deserved a shortened sentence.

Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 30 months for Doolin. In issuing the sentence, Nichols wrote that two factors warranted shifting to the low end of the guidelines. The evidence of obstructive conduct, which yielded a two-level enhancement, was not overwhelming, as it had been in other cases, Nichols wrote.

The judge also wrote that Doolin had a particularly strong argument about the current circumstances that he and his family are in.

Doolins cousins, Jonathan Pollock and his sister, Olivia Pollock, formerly of the Lakeland area, are facing trials on more serious charges, including assaulting police officers outside the Capitol, as is their friend, Joseph Hutchinson III.

Another friend, Michael Perkins of Plant City, was convicted of multiple crimes and sentenced to four years in prison.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk man convicted on Jan. 6 charges seeks early release from prison
Pope Francis at a Good Friday mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Friday (Filippo MONTEFORTE)

Pope Francis pulled out of a key Easter ceremony at the last minute on Friday, reigniting concerns about the 87-year-old's increasingly frail health.

The Vatican said the pontiff withdrew from the Way of the Cross ceremony to "preserve his health" ahead of other events this weekend, the holiest in the Christian calender.

His armchair had been set out on the hill facing the Colosseum in Rome, where the ceremony was held, but was taken away as the announcement was made just moments before the start.

"To preserve his health ahead of tomorrow's vigil and the Easter Sunday mass, Pope Francis will this evening follow the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum from the Santa Marta Residence" where he lives, the Vatican said in a statement.

The pope had also missed last year's ceremony, which took place shortly after he was released from three nights in hospital with bronchitis, but the decision had been announced in advance.

Francis last month caught what the Vatican called a "light flu" that caused him to cancel some events, and he has on several occasions since asked others to read his speeches.

A Vatican source told AFP there was "no particular concern" about his health Friday.

The decision to pull out was "simply a measure of caution", the source said, adding that the pontiff had appeared "in good shape" earlier in the day.

But the decision will only add to doubts about the ability of the ageing Argentine to govern the worldwide Catholic Church.

- Packed agenda -

The pope has a packed agenda in the week running up to Easter.

Francis had on Friday afternoon presided as planned over a Good Friday mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

On Thursday, he washed the feet of 12 women being held at a prison in Rome as part of another Easter rite.

On Sunday, the pontiff is due to preside over the Easter mass in St Peter's Square before giving the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

Francis, who became pope in 2013, has suffered a number of health issues in recent years, including knee and hip pain that now sees him regularly use a wheelchair.

In June 2023, he underwent a hernia operation, just weeks after being hospitalised for bronchitis and two years after undergoing major colon surgery.

He has previously left the door open to stepping down if he can no longer do the job.

His predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to voluntarily step aside.

But Francis said in a memoir published this month that he did "not have any cause serious enough to make me think of resigning".

Resignation is a "distant possibility" that would be justified only in the event of "a serious physical impediment", he said.

Thousands of people had turned out for Friday evening's ceremony when he cancelled, with the Vatican putting the crowd at around 25,000.

For the first time since becoming pope, Francis himself wrote the texts read out at each of the 14 Stations of the Cross, which symbolise Christ's journey from death sentence to crucifixion.

cmk-ar/js
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. A special program dedicated to Azerbaijan was shown on the Chinese Phoenix TV channel, Trend reports.

Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, who was a guest of the program, answered the host's questions related to the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijani-Chinese cooperation within the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, the importance of the East-West transport corridor, strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector, the COP29 conference to be hosted by Baku, as well as questions on other topics.

Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan has ensured its territorial integrity and sovereignty under Article 51 of the UN Charter. According to him, nowadays, Armenia and Azerbaijan are closer to peace than ever before. The last six months have been one of the calmest periods on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the history of the two countries.

Additionally, it was emphasized that the negotiations held for 30 years under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by France and the US, have been practically fruitless. Hikmet Hajiyev said that today peace is closer than ever, and de facto peace prevails in the region. He noted that Azerbaijan's goal is to turn the Caucasus region into a zone of peace and cooperation and that although Azerbaijan was subjected to military occupation, Azerbaijan was the one who initiated the peace agreement and prepared its text.

Answering a question about the "One Belt, One Road" project, the Assistant to the President said Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support the "One Belt, One Road" initiative put forward by President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. It was noted that the East-West transport corridor, which is the shortest route for cargo transportation between Asia and Europe, is competitive as well as safe and reliable.

European companies and trade institutions can use this route to access markets in China and Central Asia.

Information was also presented about COP29, which will be held this year in Azerbaijan. It was noted that the main topic of the Baku conference will be climate finance.

It was brought to attention that Azerbaijan is a guarantor of Europe's energy security, exporting oil and natural gas to many European countries. It was mentioned that there is close cooperation between China and Azerbaijan in the energy sector, and the green transition has become a priority area for Azerbaijan.

Touching upon the relations between the two countries, Hikmet Hajiyev emphasized: "China and Azerbaijan are traditional friends. There are strong partnerships between our countries. Since gaining independence, Azerbaijan has always felt China's support and partnership attitude. There is a close friendship between our presidents. During President Ilham Aliyev's visit to China in 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping labeled our head of state as a good friend. Based on these parameters, we are developing relations between Azerbaijan and China. China and Azerbaijan are excellent friends at the political level. We support each other's territorial integrity. Azerbaijan is always guided by the principle of 'One China'. Azerbaijan and China support the fundamental principles of international law."

Also, it was stressed that the countries interact within the framework of international organizations. It was noted that Azerbaijan will hold COP29 this year and that there are opportunities for cooperation with China in this context. It was mentioned that another important direction of cooperation between the two countries is the economic sphere and that trade ties between Azerbaijan and China are constantly expanding.

In conclusion, Hikmet Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan is a developing country, pointing out that there is great potential for strengthening bilateral ties within the framework of the Middle Corridor project.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Vatican ushers carry Pope Francis chair prior to the start of the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) at the Colosseum on Good Friday, in Rome, Friday, March 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

ROME (AP)  Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Romes Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, making a last-minute decision that added to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy period.

Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christs Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. But just as the event was about to begin, the Vatican announced that Francis was following the event from his home at the Vatican.

To conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from the Casa Santa Marta, a statement from the Vatican press office said.

While Francis had also skipped the event in 2023 because he was recovering from bronchitis and it was a particularly cold night, his decision to stay home this year suggested his plans had changed suddenly.

The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold all winter long. For the last several weeks he has occasionally asked an aide to read aloud his speeches, and heskipped his Palm Sunday homily altogether.

The decision to stay home appeared to be very last-minute: Francis chair was in place on the platform outside the Colosseum where he was to preside over the rite. His close aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, was on hand and moved the television screen around on the platform so Francis would have a better view of what was going on inside the Colosseum itself.

But at 9:10 p.m., five minutes before the official start of the procession, the Vatican press office announced on Telegram that he wouldnt attend. The chair was quickly taken away.

His absence was noted with concern but understanding among some of the estimated 25,000 pilgrims who packed the area for the torchlit procession.

I think of course it causes concern for the people who make sure that he is doing well, but he must have his reasons for the decisions that he makes," said Marlene Steuber, who was visiting from Costa Rica. "Still I think that people are involved and very blessed and happy to be here and experience these events here in Rome.

Brian Hopp, a visitor from Chicago, noted that Francis has had his health challenges this year.

I definitely dont think it was a decision taken lightly. I think a lot was taken into it and I think he probably prioritized his health for Easter, which I think is a very responsible thing to do," Hopp said. I know he has been going through a lot this year so I dont expect him to be able to make every event.

The hasty announcement recalled Francis' last-minute decision on Palm Sunday, when the Vatican issued the pope's homily in advance to journalists, and his aide got up to give him his glasses to read it. But Francis made clear he wouldn't read it, and the aide put the glasses back in his pocket. The Vatican later said the homily was replaced by a moment of silent prayer.

Francis had appeared in good form earlier in the day for a Good Friday liturgy in St. Peters Basilica, though he remained mostly seated and it was not a particularly taxing event that required him to speak at length.

On Thursday, he left the Vatican to preside over the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual at a Rome women's prison. While he performed the rite from his wheelchair, Francis appeared strong and engaged with the inmates, even giving a big chocolate Easter egg to one woman's young son.

On Saturday, he is scheduled to preside over a lengthy evening Easter Vigil in St. Peters, one of the most solemn events in the liturgical calendar. He also is due to preside over Easter Sunday Mass in the piazza and deliver his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) speech rounding up global crises and threats to humanity.

In addition to his respiratory problems, Francis had a chunk of his large intestine removed in 2021 and was hospitalized twice last year, including once to remove intestinal scar tissue from previous surgeries to address diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall. He has been using a wheelchair and cane for over a year because of bad knee ligaments.

In his recently published memoirs, Life: My Story Through History, Francis said he isnt suffering from any health problems that would require him to resign and that he still has  many projects to bring to fruition.

___

This story has been corrected to show that this was the second time Francis skipped the event, after staying home also in 2023.
Alan Bates, who lifted the lid on the Post Office scandal - Belinda Jiao

The Post Office claimed in court it was impossible Horizon was to blame for financial shortfalls despite commissioning a report in 2016 that found the computer software system was faulty.

A newly-discovered 148-page report from Deloitte, titled Bramble, found that staff at Fujitsu, which built and ran Horizon, could remotely alter subpostmasters cash accounts.

The report from Deloitte repeatedly mentions that Post Office management was told about the findings.

The Bramble document is the first physical evidence to prove the remote access flaw was known by the Post Office.

It has now been submitted to the inquiry and supports the claims of whistleblowers.

Post Office lawyers lost a landmark court case in 2019 against Alan Bates and 555 subpostmasters when Mr Justice Fraser ruled in favour of the former subpostmasters.

The postmasters claimed Horizon was faulty and to blame for the financial discrepancies while the Post Office said this was not possible.

PO

Taxpayer money was used to foot the Post Offices 100 million legal bill and the High Court case secured a 42.5 million settlement, but vast legal expenses meant each claimant only received around 20,000 each.

Around 900 former subpostmasters are thought to have been affected by Horizon between 1999 and 2015.

The BBC, which unearthed the Bramble document, reports that some excerpts from the Deloitte draft report were used by the Post Office in a defence document.

The document was accompanied with a signed statement of truth that it would be impossible for Fujitsu to remotely cause significant shortfalls.

The full findings of the report, which the Post Office commissioned, was never shared or submitted to the court.

Patrick Green KC, the lead barrister for the subpostmasters in the Bates case, told the BBC: [It is] exactly the sort of thing that we would have wanted to have and to analyse and put in front of the judge.

Its them admitting that they could do in 2017 something they were still denying that they could do in 2019.

Unbelievably damning

Ron Warmington, a fraud investigator who worked for Second Sight, was tasked by the Post Office with investigating the missing funds in 2012.

He called the Bramble document unbelievably damning and said it exposed industrial scale meddling with postmasters accounts.

Audio recordings of Mr Warmington and his colleague Ian Henderson from 2013 have recently been unearthed and published by Channel 4 News, which shows the investigators informing Post Office bosses that Horizon, not theft on the part of the postmasters, was likely to blame for the missing funds.

The tapes show the investigators, who were later sacked by the Post Office, talking to Post Office tech expert Simon Baker about their discovery that flaws were present in Horizon.

The conversations reveal that Post Office and Fujitsu bosses were aware the computer system could alter subpostmasters accounts back in 2013.

The investigators mention the possibility then of a nightmare scenario where postmasters accounts could be altered without their knowledge or permission.

Mr Baker claims in the recordings that he informed Post Office executives Susan Crichton and Alwen Lyons that Fujitsu had confessed to him the issues with Horizon.

The Second Sight investigators told the Post Office bosses on a different call, also exposed by Channel 4, about their concerns around Horizon.

They allowed that lie to continue

Paula Vennells, the Post Office chief executive, was due to meet Lord Arbuthnot MP the next day. ITV reports that Ms Vennells was made aware in 2013 of the flaws.

Ms Vennells was earlier this year stripped of her CBE for bringing the honours system into disrepute for her role in the scandal, which has been dubbed the biggest miscarriage of justice in British history.

Lord Arbuthnot told Channel 4: [The Post Office] allowed that lie to continue. They allowed subpostmasters to languish in prison.

They permitted further subpostmasters to go to the wall. Paula Vennells lied to parliament in February 2015.

Ive 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.

Next month will see several high profile witnesses take to the witness stand as the inquiry continues, including campaigner Alan Bates, whose fight for justice was televised in the ITV drama series Mr Bates vs the Post Office.

In May, Ms Vennells will face three days of interrogation, which is likely to include questions on when she knew there were serious problems with the Horizon software.

A Post Office spokesman said: The Horizon IT Inquiry is a statutory, judge-led inquiry set up to establish what happened and to question witnesses under oath.

Its for the inquiry to reach its own independent conclusions after consideration of all the evidence on the issues it is examining.

Post Office fully supports this process and it would be inappropriate to comment on related issues outside of the inquiry.

Ms Vennells, Ms Lyons and Ms Crichton have not commented on the report.

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Former Hogsthorpe sub-postmaster, Tom Hedges, celebrates his conviction being overturned by the Court of Appeal [PA Media]

A former sub-postmaster caught up in the Post Office scandal has told the BBC it is his "Christian duty" to forgive those responsible.

Tom Hedges ran a Lincolnshire branch between 1994 and 2010 before he was prosecuted for theft and fraud.

The 70-year-old received a seven-month suspended sentence in 2011 but his conviction was overturned a decade later by the Court of Appeal.

More than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted due to a faulty software system called Horizon, which showed errors that did not exist.

Mr Hedges said his "deep faith" helped him to come to terms with the Horizon scandal and rebuild his life [Getty Images]

Mr Hedges, who is a church warden and lay minister, said his "deep faith" had helped him to come to terms with what happened and to move forward with his life.

"It's my Christian duty to forgive because Jesus says 'love your enemy'. I greatly believed that if you can't forgive, you cannot heal yourself.

"I also would like the people that have done those things to atone themselves. And they need to do that, else they're not going to be able to move on in their lives.

"You've got to be able to take that step, else you cannot move on yourself. I'm pretty happy with my life now," he added.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Hedges described becoming a sub-postmaster in Hogsthorpe in 1994 as a "dream move" after "years of climbing the greasy pole of the corporate world".

But six years later, he said he used to "dread" submitting his figures to the Post Office because of the losses he was incurring.

In total, he ran up almost 60,000 of debt to pay the reported shortfall and said, at one point, his family was a month away from going bankrupt.

Mr Hedges talked about being shunned by people living in his village after his conviction and how some would "cross the road" to avoid him.

But he said the situation had improved after successful legal action, public inquiries and a high-profile TV dramatisation.

"I've had a few people that sort of shunned us back in the day who are now absolutely, perfectly alright. They're talking to me again.

"Sorry is a very difficult thing to say for a lot of people. They can't admit they got it wrong."

The government recently introduced legislation which is expected to clear the majority of victims in England and Wales by the end of July.

Those wrongly convicted will get an option to settle for 600,000, without the need to bring a formal claim and others who have already settled will have their compensation topped up.

Mr Hedges said he already has plans on how to spend his payout: "It will be nice to get the final payment out of them and to be able to finally buy our retirement bungalow that we always promised ourselves by the sea."

The full interview with Tom Hedges, Second class citizen: My Post Office scandal, is available on BBC Sounds.

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Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), considered by many to be on Donald Trumps short list of potential vice president candidates, used to harshly criticize the former president online, railing against him for his trade policies and birtherism comments about Barack Obama.

The posts resurfaced Friday in a report by CNNs KFile, which also uncovered decade-old interviews in which Donalds, then a failed Tea Party candidate for Congress, regularly spoke against Trump and defended Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT).

That included a Facebook post by Donalds in May of 2011 in which he insinuated that he was relieved Trump wasnt going to make a push for the White House in 2012.

Trump wont run, he wrote. Thank God!

A month earlier, he grilled Trump on Facebook over his protectionist stances on trade, claiming the businessman was worried about his own wallet more than he was about the country.

Trump is a huge distraction, and cares more about himself than the country in my opinion, he wrote, adding that he personally could care less about him.

In that same post, Donalds addressed Trumps loud-but-unfounded claims that Obamas birth certificate was fake. Donalds suggested that Americans had fallen into that conspiracy much like they did to unfounded theories about the Sept. 11 attacks.

I dont question his religion or his citizenship, Donalds said of Obama. Quite a few Democrats and liberals still think Bush caused 9/11.

In another post that year, Donalds wrote that Trump was a self-promoter. He also took aim at Obama, claiming he was jetting around the country doing events while the American people suffer from rising food costs, rising gas costs, rising healthcare costs, rising debt, and a weaker America.

A spokesperson for Donalds defended the posts in a statement to CNN, calling the network weak for running a story on decade-old posts.

President Trump is considering Byron as his running mate because of the Congressmans steadfast support for the 45th President and his historic policy agenda, he said, according to CNN. The fact that these decade-old posts are now resurfacing in the middle of running mate deliberations is weak but typical of CNN.

Donalds had not deleted the criticism as of Friday morning.

The pointed posts are from before Donalds, 45, was a member of the Republican Party. He was first elected to Congress in 2016 and has been a MAGA loyalist ever since, objecting to the certification of electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania after the 2020 election.

Donalds also grabbed Trumps attention last year when he endorsed the former president over his own governor, Ron DeSantis, who hed previously aligned with closely.

MAGA Lawmaker Comes Up With Silliest Defense Yet of Trumps Classified Docs

That endorsement, paired with his previous support for the former president, appears to have lifted Donalds into Trumps inner circle of trusted politicians. He could also be key in helping Trump win over more Black voters in the fall, CNN reported.

Donalds isnt the only potential VP candidate to have criticized Trump in the past. His fellow Floridian, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), remains on the supposed short list despite him regularly sounding off against Trump as he tried to defeat him the 2016 GOP presidential primary. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), reportedly on the list as well, also criticized Trumps rhetoric in his first term, calling out his disparaging remarks on Muslims and his misogynist comments.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A month into the raging war between Israel and Hamas, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland was facing a moral dilemma.

As a Jewish lawmaker, he did not support Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaibs use of the pro-Palestinian chant from the river to the sea and had told her that. But as a former constitutional law professor  and fellow member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus  he deeply believed in her right to free speech.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries asked Raskin to represent the Democratic caucus in defending Tlaib on the House floor against a GOP-led effort to censure the congresswoman, and in the end, Raskins allegiance to the Constitution won out.

If I cant stand up for somebodys right to just express themselves in Congress without being censured, then I have lost my way constitutionally, Raskin said.

Privately, Raskin received praise for his defense of Tlaib on the House floor, even from House Speaker Mike Johnson who voted to censure Tlaib, but told Raskin that his framing of the First Amendment was an approach he would consider using under different circumstances, two sources familiar with the conversation told CNN. But publicly, the backlash Raskin has faced for his support of Tlaib and more broadly for his positions on the war both in his district and from some of his colleagues has been intense.

This whole period for me has been about blowback, he said.

Being a progressive Jewish lawmaker has become an increasingly lonely club on Capitol Hill. As the war in the Middle East continues, many Jews and progressives have increasingly found themselves at odds with each other over Israels handling of the war and President Joe Bidens positions on it, only to expose painful underlying divisions by some over whether Israel even has the right to exist.

Raskin is part of a unique group of House lawmakers including Democratic Reps. Becca Balint of Vermont, Sara Jacobs of California and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois who are using their ties to both groups to try and find nuance and middle ground. They have all leaned on each other as theyve tried to navigate what their Jewish and progressive identities mean to them in this moment. Part of an active group chat with other Jewish colleagues, these four often huddle together to discuss how to navigate issues where they dont neatly align with other pro-Israel Democrats or their other progressive colleagues.

Rep. Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, participates in the House Oversight and Accountability Committee organizing meeting in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. - Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images

The four lawmakers, like some of their other colleagues, are facing heat from all sides. There are those in the progressive movement who think they are not sufficiently calling for a ceasefire, even though all of them have at this point, and more centrist Jews who do not believe they are being pro-Israel enough when they join the growing international community in criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus tactics that have killed tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. They have faced protests both on Capitol Hill and in their districts. And aside from each other, they often feel isolated.

In San Diego, Ive been protested by people who think that Im not sufficiently calling for a ceasefire and those who think Im not doing enough for Israel  some of whom Ive known my entire life, Jacobs said. Its really turned into two separate camps. The more you try and carve out a middle, the more neither camp really feels like home.

While discourse around the war is increasingly polarized, these four Jewish Democrats know that answers to the decades of division and strife lie somewhere in the middle, and say they rely on their Jewish values to guide them. Raskin recounted his first memory of Jewish Sunday school where he learned the famous saying of a Jewish religious elder, Rabbi Hillel: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?

That perspective is reflected in how they interact with their close friend Tlaib, the only Palestinian member of Congress, even when they disagree.

The day after Hamas brutal surprise attack on Israel in October, the first colleague to call Jacobs to see if her family in Israel was okay was Tlaib, a source familiar with the call told CNN.

When GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia went after Tlaib for her comments critical of Israel and in support of Palestinians, Balint took it upon herself to file a censure resolution against Greene for her previous antisemitic comments.

And Schakowsky was the first Jewish member to appear at a ceasefire news conference at the Capitol with Tlaib.

Tlaib declined to comment for this story.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, center left, speaks during a news conference outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. - Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The emotional toll

In December, Balint hit a breaking point.

Two months into the war, and the barrage of protestors following her in the hallways of Congress and in her district were at an all-time high. Her office was flooded with phone calls. It felt like every hour there was a new letter or resolution to sign onto often with high stakes competing messages.

Were just humans. We are. You can only handle so much, Balint said.

But it was the doom scrolling on X where she was confronted with extreme antisemitic rhetoric and graphic threats of sexual violence against Israeli women and children that sent her over the edge.

I think its important for me to pull back the curtain on what it is to try to wrestle with this issue right now. I really hit like a wall in December, Balint said. I had to do a reset.

She recounted repeatedly seeing rhetoric going further than any of her actual conversations including calls to eradicate Israelis by any means necessary, through rape and murder, and posts denying the truth of the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Thats when I felt like we were losing our humanity, she said. Like we can even disagree on whether Israel should exist. But if we cant agree that murdering babies is wrong. If we cant agree on that basic fact, then what work can I do here?

Even while recounting the dark emotions she felt during that time, in the same breath, Balint pointed out the rampant Islamophobia that has also exploded because of the war. It was in her district where three Palestinian college students were shot. Her struggle comes, she says, when she tries to address the antisemitism she sees and what other Jewish lawmakers have shared with her.

If you want to protest Israel, Israeli policy, absolutely, Im right there with you, she said. If youre going to picket a synagogue or vandalize a synagogue, or chase Jewish members down the street when theyre coming from services, that is not around Israeli policy. That is simply attacking Jews for being Jews. And I feel like its very lonely right now, to try to point that out.

Her recent trip to Israel with a select group of House Democrats where both Israelis and Palestinians conveyed their desire to stop the cycle of violence felt reassuring that she was on the right path in both supporting Israels right to exist while also calling out Netanyahu for his right-wing policies that have left Palestinians defenseless.

Balint has not been the only Jewish progressive Democrat struggling.

Im in my 25th year of Congress. This is the worst in so many ways, Schakowsky said. It gets really personal when you talk about this war.

But in these moments, this small group of progressive Jewish lawmakers in the House have relied on each other. Balint has also turned to the senior senator from her state, Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose progressive values and Jewish identity have been a strong source of comfort.

Rep. Sara Jacobs attends a candlelight vigil at the steps of the House of Representatives on January 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. - Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Broader divisions among Jewish Democrats

Since the war began, Jewish Democrats have tried to find points of unity but have often found themselves at odds.

They were split on supporting Johnsons bill to provide Israel with more military aid. While pro-Israel Democrats like Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Josh Gottheimer, Jared Moskowitz and Brad Schneider supported it, progressive Jewish Democrats wanted to see a broader package that also addressed humanitarian aid to Gaza and Ukraine in its war against Russia. The lawmakers were also split on whether to censure Tlaib.

But, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum, Jewish Democrats have made a point to talk regularly with each other.

Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York has been holding meetings for Jewish lawmakers to attend with a range of guests. The group even recently went to the White House to meet with second gentleman Doug Emhoff to discuss the administrations national strategy to counter antisemitism where there was a robust discussion about the question of anti-Zionism versus antisemitism, according to one of the participants.

Sometimes the meetings with Jewish lawmakers have gotten heated, according to multiple sources who attend them, but ultimately lawmakers find common ground based on their desire to have a safe and secure Israel and acknowledge there are different strategies on how to get there.

Theyre not especially antagonistic, Schakowsky shared. Its expected that were going to have different opinions. I go to as many of those as I can.

Raskin views those differences of opinions as essential: The only way to get through this nightmare is if we hear from everybody from the extreme right to the extreme left to everything in between. We need people to be able to speak.

For progressive Jewish lawmakers, that effort to find common ground amid a debate where conflicting positions have only seemed to harden is even more challenging, yet they remain hopeful.

I trust her when she says to me, what I want in the future is for both of us to be able to walk together in a safe and secure Israel and a safe and secure Palestine, Balint said of her conversations with Tlaib.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President Joe Bidens campaign events continue to draw protestors calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and more humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

Pro-Palestine protestors shouted outside President Bidens New York City fundraiser Thursday.

The protests for a ceasefire in Gaza have followed the president on the campaign trail.

Earlier this week, demonstrators interrupted a speech he was making about health care.

The president seemed to side with protestors as they were being taken out of the room.

They have a point. We need to get a lot more care into Gaza, he said.

Protests are also happening at the ballot box.

In the Michigan democratic primary in February, more than 100,000 people voted for uncommitted to protest the U.S. policy.

Edward Mitchell, with the Council on American Islamic Relations, says hes confident the protests will continue until U.S. policy changes.

If the president stops sending the weapons, Netanyahu cannot continue the genocide, said Mitchell.

The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 30,000 Palestinians have died since the war began. The U.S. blames Hamas.

They precipitated the conflict, and they continue to hide behind civilians, said John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor.

White House officials say Hamass October terrorist attack started the war and it wont end without a hostage release.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida says the president finds himself in a difficult position.

Hes trying to have it both ways. Still stick with Israel to some extent, but also do things that signal to these people and try to appease them, Rubio said.

An Israeli delegation is expected to be in Washington next week to meet with U.S. officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) - Students are continuing their protests at the University of Michigan, demanding the school divests from companies that support Israel's military.

Despite university officials considering a "Disruptive Activity" policy to punish students who disrupt events, students vow to continue protesting. They claim the university is attempting to silence their free speech.

U-M students organized yet another demonstration on Thursday to show their frustration with U-M's financial support of Israel during its war on Gaza and other Palestinian territories. The protest began at the Diag, went through the campus, and ended at the Michigan Union building.

"We found that the university invests in numerous companies that supply the Israeli military U of M is connected to companies that provide weapons, surveillance technology, and other equipment to the Israeli occupation forces," one protesting student said during her speech. "Our university's endowment provides significant financial support to the Israeli government, military and economy. Our university is entirely complicit in the deaths of over 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza."

Protesters even went inside the Union, where they rallied for a short period of time. The protest did not escalate.

University of Michigan students protest on campus on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Students also made their voices heard at an Honors Convocation, disrupting U-M President Santa Ono on March 25. This prompted the proposal of the "Disrupted Activity" policy.

However, protests by their very nature are meant to be disruptive, students said. They plan to keep disrupting.

Back in November, protesters marched to the office of the university president and refused to leave, resulting in the arrest of several students.

"We demand that we drop the charges against our student leaders, and we demand that you stop trying to sanction free speech and protests," another student said during Thursday's demonstration.

There is no doubt that there will be further protests on this issue, according to U-M students.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva has released a statement on March 31 - the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis, Trend reports.

"Throughout history, our compatriots have been repeatedly subjected to targeted ethnic cleansing, genocide, and deportations by Armenia.

One of the most terrible events of genocide committed against our people occurred in March-April 1918, and this bloody event is inscribed in the history of Azerbaijan as the March 31 genocide.

During the genocidal acts, 110 villages of Shamakhi district, more than 150 villages of Garabagh, 115 villages of Zangezur district, 98 villages of Kars province, and 167 villages of Guba district were burnt and plundered, and the population was brutally killed. 35 of these villages were wiped off the face of the earth. Around 199 villages were destroyed and 132,000 Azerbaijanis were killed in Yerevan and its suburbs on ancient Azerbaijani land.

About 16,000 people were killed only in the Guba district. The presence of numerous facts related to physical violence on the human remains in the mass grave discovered in 2007 during excavations for construction works in the town of Guba confirms the fact of genocide and inhuman actions committed by Armenians against our people in 1918.

It is necessary to note that genocide crimes committed against Azerbaijanis in different periods of history, including the March 31 genocide, are proven by facts with time. An example is the recent discovery of remains of people tortured and killed in various forms in mass graves in Edilli village of Khojavand district, the cities of Aghdam and Shusha, as well as in Khojaly and other lands liberated from occupation.

The genocide crimes were based on a centuries-old policy of acute hatred towards Azerbaijanis and unjustified territorial claims. These claims escalated at the end of the last century, as a result of which hundreds of thousands of our compatriots were deported from the territory of present-day Armenia, and this country occupied twenty percent of internationally recognized Azerbaijani lands.

As a result of the II Karabakh War that started on September 27, 2020, and lasted 44 days, as well as anti-terrorist measures of local character carried out in September 2023, the Azerbaijani lands that Armenia kept under occupation for almost thirty years were liberated, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country were fully restored, and historical justice was re-established.

Bringing the facts of the brutal events of genocide committed by Armenian nationalists against Azerbaijanis at the beginning of the last century to the attention of the world and giving political and legal assessment to this issue became possible after the return to power of the Nationwide leader of our people, Heydar Aliyev.

On March 31, 1998, by the decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev "On the Genocide of Azerbaijanis" dated March 26, 1998, the date "March 31" was declared as the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis, a political and legal assessment of the acts of genocide, an impetus was given to conduct relevant studies and increase efforts to identify the facts.

Unfortunately, there is still no fair position on the genocide events committed throughout history with special cruelty towards our compatriots on ethnic grounds.

The world community and international organizations should recognize this terrible crime against Azerbaijanis committed in 1918 as an act of genocide at the international level and should not remain indifferent to the crimes committed against our compatriots throughout history so that such events are not repeated in the future," the statement reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are taking new measures to solve their cold cases, no matter how old.

Theyve introduced a new tool that will give everyone the opportunity to share tips or any information they may have.

PSP introduced their new Tips tool, sharing hundreds of cold cases on social media.

Their goal is to reach as many people as possible in hopes that someone will reach out with a lead for one of their unsolved cases.

With decades of unsolved investigations, the PSP is looking at a new way to crack their cold cases.

With the Pennsylvania State Police, theres really never a case that goes cold. We do not stop investigating unsolved homicides and missing persons cases, said PSP Communications Director Myles Snyder.

PSP is now trying to make those investigations easier with a new crime-fighting tool.

PSP Tips is a way for them to share information on cold or unsolved cases, reaching thousands through social media. The hope is to get a hit from the public.

PSP Bomb Unit called, device found in Carbon County

We believe this provides an easy way for the public to send information that may solve a case or get a dangerous, wanted individual off the streets, Snyder added.

The tool gives everyone accessibility through Facebook, Twitter, or through a toll-free number to share anything they may know, and PSP urges the public to share even the smallest of tips.

Anytime theres a new tip or new information that is available to us, we check those out. Its part of our mission to solve these cases no matter how long its been, Snyder explained.

Many of these long-standing, unsolved cases that PSP Tips is focusing on are right here in northeastern Pennsylvania.

A missing 15-year-old by the name of Donald Shafer. He was last seen in his hometown of Dickson City, Lackawanna County in March of 1981, Snyder continued.

Shafer joins the list of several NEPA cold cases on the tips page, including that of:

David Cunillera, last seen in Lake Winola in 1999.

Susan Cerritelli, last seen at her home in Long Pond in 1983.

Joanne Williams, last seen in Scranton in 1978.

Walter Lawton, last seen in White Haven in 1971.

Any tip could bring the state police one step closer to bringing these families the answers that theyve been looking for.

We believe your tip could provide investigators with a long-awaited breakthrough that will finally bring closure and justice for the families of these victims, Snyder added.

New cases will continue to be added to PSP Tips and anonymous tips are always welcomed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
MINNEAPOLIS  An anchor of the LGBTQ+ community and Loring Park neighborhood in Minneapolis is getting a wealth of support after a devastating fire.

Nearly a week ago, 19 Bar was badly damaged after a garbage truck hit a power pole that landed on the building, sparking flames.

No one was hurt, but the loss is hitting the queer community hard.

"It's just so weird not having that place to go to on the way home from work," said Bubba Thurn, a regular customer and friend of the staff at 19 Bar.

Eight workers there are now without a job after the fire. The bar opened in the 1950s and is the oldest gay bar in the state, if not the region.

"You always expect it to be there. When you come to the Pride Festival every year, you expect to at least run into your friends if you moved away from the neighborhood at the 19 Bar," said Thurn.

Sharing in that sadness has been tough, especially when their preferred gathering spot is what was lost.

But just down the street at the Walker Art Center, a colorful opportunity awaits.

"We just started brainstorming about what can we do? And so we came up with the idea to celebrate the 19 Bar tonight," said Rachel Joyce, associate director of public relations at the Walker.

Coincidentally, there's an exhibit at the Walker paying homage to the New Eagle Creek Saloon, the first Black-owned gay bar in San Francisco.

Events are held there weekly. Joyce said the artist, Sadie Barnette, was more than happy to welcome people into the space to honor 19 Bar.

Photos submitted by its customers will be projected across the wall as bartenders and a DJ curate the atmosphere people now miss.

"I am really hoping that it's a joyful moment to reminisce on good times at the 19 Bar and a way to look towards the future," said Joyce, adding that staff at the Walker frequent 19 Bar.

"I'll be there and of course the 19 staff will be there," said Thurn. "It will be nice to reconnect with a lot of people, too."

In the meantime, two online fundraisers have raised nearly $30,000 combined to help the out-of-work staff make ends meet.

"I'm very proud of the queer and Loring Park community," Thurn said.

In talking with the bar's owners, Thurn said they are eager to eventually reopen the bar. It's unclear if that will be possible by the time Pride Festival happens in late June.

"As the years go on, we still have struggles, challenges in the community. And the 19 Bar has always been a safe haven for people to come and be themselves and be okay," said Craig Wilson, manager at the 19 Bar. "Yes, there's some fire damage, water damage, but that's cosmetic that can be replaced. The bones of the bar is still standing and strong. That just goes to show we will come back, rebuild, new and improved."

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From the archives: Louis Gossett Jr.

Why looking directly at a solar eclipse is so dangerous for your eyes
Republican lawmakers and activists in several presidential battlegrounds are pushing ballot measures to change how elections are run in their states. Critics say those efforts, if successful, could make it harder to administer voting in places that could decide key political contests.

Next week, Wisconsin voters will decide whether to alter the states constitution and ban any private money in elections, one of two GOP-backed measures on Tuesdays ballot focused on election administration. In Nevada, meanwhile, a GOP-aligned group is collecting signatures in the hopes of establishing new voter ID requirements in the Silver State.

And in Arizona, a so-called ballot referral moving through the Republican-controlled Legislature would upend the states widely used, no-excuse vote-by-mail system. The measure, which recently cleared a key Senate committee, also would effectively sideline the use of so-called vote centers in the states largest counties.

Opponents say that will set off a costly scramble to find additional polling places and workers.

In Wisconsin and Arizona, Republican lawmakers, who have seen Democratic governors veto their election proposals, are leading the efforts to go the ballot measure route and avoid veto pens. Constitutional amendments in Wisconsin and ballot referenda in Arizona are not subject to the approval of governors in those states.

This is the national conservative strategy now: If you cant get it done through the legislative process, put in on the ballot, said Jay Heck, who runs Common Cause in Wisconsin and opposes the ballot measures that go before voters Tuesday.

Arizona and Wisconsin both flipped from Donald Trump to Joe Biden in 2020 and have seen election conspiracy theories flourish as the former president and his allies promote false claims that fraud contributed to his loss of the White House that year.

Republican legislators and conservative groups backing the efforts say the measures are aimed at restoring voter confidence battered in the years since the last presidential election.

People need to trust that elections are conducted fairly and impartially, state Sen. Eric Wimberger, a Republican sponsor of the referendum targeting private election funding, said on social media. Wisconsins status as a swing state makes election integrity measures important locally, nationally and internationally.

If approved, the Wisconsin measures would be in effect for this years elections.

Private funding targeted

In Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have focused on the more than $10 million that election officials in the state received in 2020 as part of a grant from the Center for Tech and Civic Life to help agencies and voters safely navigate the Covid-19 pandemic that year. Republicans have expressed suspicion about the source of that funding: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, gave $350 million to the nonprofit.

Zuckerberg has said it was a one-time investment to help during the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the pandemic, and grant administrators have noted that any community that applied for the money received it. But critics argue it helped Democratic turnout that year and unfairly shaped the election outcome.

Twenty-seven states have since banned, limited or otherwise regulated private donations for elections, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. An effort to do so in Wisconsin, however, was vetoed by the states Democratic governor, Tony Evers, who has blocked election changes passed by the Republican-controlled legislature.

Will Flanders  research director at the conservative Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty, one of the groups backing next weeks ballot measures  said the failure to ban the money through the normal legislative process in the Badger State sets a dangerous precedent.

Another private funder whos not going to give any lip service whatsoever to being fair-minded, could, in fact, only give election administration funding to the most left-leaning or the most right-leaning areas if the state doesnt change the law, he said.

A second proposed amendment ballot in Wisconsin could enshrine in the states constitution that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections and referendums.

Republicans have said they want to ensure that private consultants cannot engage in election administration.

Opponents argue that the measures could have unintended consequences, such as potentially barring local clerks from accepting donated supplies or the use of a privately owned building as a polling place. In addition, they note, the ballot questions make no guarantee of increased government funding to help run elections if private sources are prohibited.

All of us who are tangentially involved with our elections are a little concerned, said Debra Cronmiller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. The language is incredibly vague. If passed, we suspect these questions will end up getting litigated in court.

Arizona ballot measure

In Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a raft of legislation  ranging from efforts to get rid of red-light cameras to prohibiting ranked-choice voting in the states elections. (The Phoenix New Times has dubbed her the Veto Queen, after tallying a record 143 vetoes in 2023, during Hobbs first year in office.)

Now, a slew of ballot referrals aimed at circumventing her veto authority are pending in the state Legislature.

They include a sweeping election measure that would reduce the number of days of early, in-person voting and dramatically change the states popular vote-by-mail system, by limiting those who can use it without an excuse. Instead of allowing most Arizonans to vote by mail, as is currently the practice, the proposal passed by a Senate elections committee earlier this month would limit it to certain categories of voters, including those 65 and older, people who are disabled and those serving overseas in the military.

In Maricopa County  the states most populous county and home to Phoenix  more than 80% of voters cast ballots early, in person or by mail, in the November 2022 election, county officials say.

The measure also would require election officials in large counties to establish polling places for every 1,000 voters  upending the vote center model used widely. Residents are currently able to cast ballots at any vote center within the county.

If successful, Maricopa County not only would  need to find 2,500 precinct voting locations but find the funding to staff all those locations as well, a spokesperson for the county said in an email to CNN.

Alex Gulotta, who runs the Arizona chapter of the voting rights group All Voting is Local, said vote centers offer residents flexibility. People want to vote when and where its convenient for them, he said.

The school near their house might be the place thats convenient for them, but it might not be, he said. Maybe when they are driving across town and they see a sign that says, Vote here and theres no line, and they pull over and vote. People are used to doing that.

Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers, a Republican who oversees the chambers elections committee and crafted parts of the proposal, did not respond to CNNs inquiries. At a committee meeting earlier this month, she rejected objections about costs and logistics of sidelining vote centers.

Rogers said moving back to smaller polling places would foster voter engagement.

I would submit to you that precinct voting allows you to vote more close to home than a voting center, she said during debate. And she said it would make it easier to hand count ballots at the precinct level  an approach sought by conservative activists in Arizona, where distrust of ballot-tabulating machines has mushroomed.

In neighboring Nevada, meanwhile, a political action committee affiliated with a former official in the Clark County Republican Party is gathering signatures in an effort to get voters to change the states constitution and require identification to vote.

While Nevada residents need identification to register to vote, they are not required to show ID when they cast their ballots.

A Nevada judge recently rejected an effort to toss out the initiative. Repair the Vote, the group pushing the measure, has until late June to collect more than 100,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Wisconsin voters to decide more ballot measures

Back in Wisconsin, voters will decide on more ballot measures later this year, including one in November that says only US citizens who are 18 years or older can vote  an effort to guarantee that noncitizens are barred from participating in state and local elections.

Federal law requires US citizenship to vote in congressional and presidential elections, and state constitutions  including Wisconsins  do not explicitly provide for noncitizen voting.

But lawmakers in a growing number of jurisdictions have taken steps to prevent noncitizen voting, particularly after New York City enacted a high-profile law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. (A New York state judge struck down the law in 2022, and an appellate court this year affirmed the ban. The New York City Council has filed notice that it will appeal to the states highest court.)

Some voting rights groups say noncitizen voting is not a widespread concern, and they warn that efforts around the country to clamp down on it by, for instance, removing people from voter rolls who once declared they were noncitizens on a jury duty form risk using outdated information to disenfranchise those who have since become naturalized US citizens.

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Semafor Signals

Insights from The New York Times, The Initium, and The Diplomat

The News

Radio Free Asia, a U.S. government-funded news outlet, said on Friday that it was closing its Hong Kong offices, in an early sign of the chilling effect a new national security law could have on foreign media outlets in the city.

The new law, known as Article 23, came into force on Saturday and carries the risk of severe punishments for collusion with foreign or external forces. Some have called it the end of Hong Kong.

Actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to Radio Free Asia as a foreign force, raise serious questions about our ability to operate in safety with the enactment of Article 23, RFA President Bay Fang said

The new security law supplements existing national security legislation imposed on the city by Beijing in 2020 following anti-government protests. That legislation dramatically changed the climate in the semi-autonomous Chinese city, giving Chinas central government sweeping new powers to police subversive activities.

Hong Kongs free press has already been seriously stifled in the past few years, with Beijing wielding the previous national security law against multiple news organizations, forcing them to shut down or move and leaving hundreds of journalists out of work.

The new law highlights how drastically how Hong Kong  once a thriving gateway between East and West and guaranteed special freedoms under the One Country, Two Systems policy of governance  has succumbed to Beijings grip.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Crackdown on Hong Kong carries echoes of Xinjiang repression

Source: The New York Times

When Chinas ethnic oppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang began intensifying in 2017, many Uyghurs began discarding or burning copies of the Quran, books written in Arabic, or T-shirts demonstrating their connections to other Turkic countries out of fear of being jailed for disloyalty to Beijing, Human Right Watchs Maya Wang explained in The New York Times. Today, its Hong Kongers who are disposing of dangerous books and T-shirts, Wang wrote. She recounted a friend calling her to ask if she should dispose of old copies of Apple Daily  which was one of Hong Kongs largest pro-democracy newspapers until it was forced to close in 2021 and its founder arrested. Other friends are leaving online group chats that include foreigners out of fear of wrongful association. The 2019 protest slogan todays Xinjiang is tomorrows Hong Kong is no longer just hyperbole, she wrote.

Hong Kongs thriving business community feels the chill as foreigners flee

Sources: Al Jazeera, The Initium

Hong Kongs once-thriving foreign business community is quietly expressing reservations about the citys new national security law and its vague definition of what constitutes the theft of state secrets, Al Jazeera reported. The law imposes tough prison sentences for crimes linked to state secrets  defined broadly as military, diplomatic and security secrets, as well as classified information related to technological or economic issues that involve the governments of China and Hong Kong, Reuters reported. Foreigners have departed the city en-masse ever since Beijing imposed its first version of the national security law and organizations have pulled employees out, leaving business centers and neighborhoods catering to expats in economic turmoil. Some have seen business volume drop by 90% since 2020, according to China-focused news outlet The Initium. In Beijings Hong Kong, political control trumps all else, including the economy, one Hong Kong-based economist told Al Jazeera.

Could artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency help save Hong Kongs economy?

Sources: The Diplomat, The South China Morning Post

Rattled by years of protests, COVID lockdowns, and political oppression, Hong Kong has been desperately trying to revamp its economy and rebrand itself as a tech hub for Asia, particularly in the development of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. Chinas government made crypto trading and mining illegal in 2021, but Hong Kong  with implicit support from Beijing  has taken a surprisingly contrarian view to Chinas stance on bitcoin and others, embracing digital assets and making it easier for firms to start crypto mining operations, journalist Hugh Harsono wrote for The Diplomat. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia have signaled their continued support for Hong Kongs business environment despite the new national security law, while Hong Kong AI firms are looking to expand into Kuala Lumpur through new bilateral agreements. Hong Kong will always be an international city, Malaysias top diplomat in Hong Kong told the South China Morning Post.
The worker was nearly hit after a misunderstanding, investigators found (file image) [BBC]

A train travelling at 110mph nearly hit a worker on a track after a misunderstanding, investigators say.

The worker thought the "up fast line" near Euxton Junction on the West Coast Main Line in Lancashire had been blocked to train movements on 14 March.

However, the blockage they had agreed with the signaller applied to the adjacent "down fast line", the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said.

The up fast line remained open, a preliminary examination found.

They said the worker "was involved in a near miss".

Why not follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
A high-rise building in the Russian city of Belgorod was hit as the city was shelled overnight on March 29, local BelPlus Telegram claimed.

A missile threat was declared in Oblast, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote at 1:49 a.m. MSK.

The first photos and videos of the attack aftermath began to appear shortly thereafter.

A "rain of shrapnel" was reported in addition to the strike on the building.

Debris from the downed shells shattered apartment windows.

Local authorities have not yet commented on the consequences of the shelling.

The air raid alarm in the region was canceled, Gladkov said at 2:42 a.m. MSK, which was his only comment regarding the attack.

Raid of Russian volunteers in the Russian Federation  What is Known?

Russian volunteers from the Freedom of Russia Legion (LSR), the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), and the Siberian Battalion announced a new operation in Russias Belgorod Oblast on March 12.

Read also: Expert warns of potential Russian-sponsored terrorist threats in Kyiv

The RDK claimed to have advanced several dozens of kilometers and taken prisoners. Moscow reported casualties among the Russian army.

Russian rebels attacked the FSB building in Belgorod on March 13.

Russian volunteers also claimed control over the settlement of Tiotkino, Kursk Oblast. The village was in a gray zone, they said later.

Read also: Casualties reported as at least 13 air targets attack Russias Belgorod and Belgorod Oblast

Two ammunition depots in Tiotkino were destroyed, the LSR claimed on March 14.

The LSR said its main mission was to reach Moscow.

Russian rebels recorded a joint appeal to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on March 16, urging him to contact them.

The Siberian Battalion and the RDK raised their flags in the village of Kozinka, Belgorod Oblast on March 17.

The Siberian Battalion fighters announced they had entered the settlement of Gorkovskyi, Belgorod Oblast and to have seized the local administration building together with volunteers from the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

The Russian army lost more than 1,500 soldiers killed and wounded because of the special operation in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, LSR representative, Aleksey Baranovsky, claimed at a press conference on March 21.

Russias Defense Ministry complained about an alleged attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Belgorod Oblast using Vampir multiple-launch rocket system on March 27.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The author at her bridal shower in 2005. Courtesy of Kendra Stanton Lee

I met my husband in college, and we dated for five years prior to our wedding. I brought a whole host of fear-based ideas about sexuality to our marriage. Due to purity culture, which primarily targeted girls in the 1990s with a message that their sexual purity was their most prized asset, I could not help but believe a crown of stars awaited me if I stayed a virgin, possibly until death.

In my all-girl Catholic high school theology class, we had learned virginity was a gift. We were told to imagine our sexual purity as a beautifully wrapped present. If we ever felt pressured to give in to the sexual advances of our male counterparts, we were to consider what it would be like to hand our future spouse a gift with tattered wrapping paper and bedraggled ribbons.

As I entered college and wrestled with my faith, the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, written by a young pastor named Joshua Harris, caused a huge splash in Christian circles. It offered what he called a blueprint for a successful courtship that would lead to marriage and encouraged heterosexual couples to limit physical contact until the male partner was prepared to ask for the females hand in marriage. Then sex would be blessed by God. Then sex would be safe.

Prior to our engagement, I had converted to my soon-to-be husbands faith, and together we attended Bible studies and spent whole weekends with our church community. I gave away my jewelry and dressed modestly. I hoped that God would look fondly on our relationship and that once we were married, all of my worries and fears about sex and sexuality would vanish.

However, the problem with a belief system that positions ones sexuality as God-given and God-approved but which can only be shared in a committed heterosexual marriage is that its entirely transactional. Who am I as a sexual being, irrespective of my future partner(s)? was never a question I was encouraged to ask or explore before my wedding. I was given a gift, I was to keep it wrapped and then I would supposedly enjoy it once I got married.

The formula prescribed by purity culture did not deliver the results I expected. Committing to abstinence required me to see sex as a toxic substance outside of marriage, and there was no guidance for shifting that narrative on my wedding night. I went from being a virginal bride to one who had no idea about the mechanics of sex, what my body was capable of, what I desired, what felt good or how to communicate any of this to my partner.

Once I was married, I was constantly paranoid that I was not having enough sex and that I was doing it wrong when I was having it. None of this messaging came from my husband. It was simply the byproduct of all the troubling things Id been taught my entire life.

At her bridal shower in 2005, the author received lingerie from friends. Now she buys and wears lingerie as a gift to herself. Courtesy of Kendra Stanton Lee

In church circles, I heard about the importance of good wives making themselves available and pleasing to their spouses. I rarely if ever heard the same for husbands. After our first year of marriage, I became pregnant, and then a year later I became pregnant again. In spite of the grace my husband offered me during our sleepless years, my hang-ups over not having enough sex remained and even intensified.

When my children were still young, I took a job teaching at a Bible college in Tennessee. I was surprised at how many of my students married while they were still undergrads. Some of them were barely out of high school.

I frequently overheard these young women discussing their two bridal showers: one thrown by elders to receive housewares and another thrown by friends to receive lingerie. It was a two-pronged preparation for the bride that said: Here is what you will need for your home and for your husband.

But where was the ritual to prepare a young woman who was not getting married  but who was still a whole person? I wondered. Does she not still need a cast iron pan? Does she still not deserve beautiful undergarments?

I tentatively began to look for answers, but most of the books and podcasts I found in the 2010s that spoke to sexuality within monogamy skirted the issue of female desire. I was still hearing sermons about sexual purity as an absolute, and reading blogs by women who endorsed frequent sex as a safeguard against a husbands infidelity.

Then an unlikely source helped me to course correct. I read an account of an American expatriate in France who discovered that French women reportedly spent 20% of their income on lingerie. At first I couldnt believe all of these women were forking over so much money on something that most people would never see, but I realized they were doing it for themselves. To please themselves. To feel good about themselves.

I started to amass my own wardrobe of lingerie. I still wore the modest suits of a professor, but underneath were the reminders that I was more than a teacher with sensible shoes.

In 2018, Joshua Harris denounced I Kissed Dating Goodbye and publicly apologized for the hurt caused by it. The following year, Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber published Shameless, an indictment of the shame-laced ways the church has indoctrinated young people about sexuality.

By this point, I was beginning to lose my footing in my own marriage. My husband and I had moved across the country and were navigating new jobs and life with adolescent children. Natural growing pains were surfacing: We were two people who met before our brains were fully developed  before we knew who we truly were. The strains of our life together were pulling us apart.

I started to visit social media accounts about lingerie as a way to relieve stress. Learning about the materials, the construction, the history and the style of the pieces was soothing. I also discovered the women running these accounts, like the French women Id read about years earlier, wore their lingerie not for a partner but for themselves. They were celebrating their own sexuality.

Perhaps this was Victorias Secret: not that she used a satin chemise to attract but that she kept a ruffle-trimmed slip in her boudoir to remind her of who she was.

Seventeen years after we wed, my husband and I met in a courtroom, and, with the stroke of a judges pen, our relationship was legally dissolved. My marriage was my only significant romantic relationship, and I mourn the familiar rhythms of that life. I am left with countless existential questions about what I do now, what I want... and an expansive wardrobe of lingerie.

For the first time in over two decades, I am single. I am not afraid of falling in love again, but I am afraid of abandoning myself to someone elses narrative about who I am. I go on dating apps, sift through pictures of men flexing their muscles and cuddling their dogs, and then I delete the apps.

In therapy, I discuss my hang-ups about all of this.

What is the purpose of dating? For you? my therapist asks. I do not have a clear answer, but I know those two words, for you, are essential.

The author in 2024 Courtesy of Kendra Stanton Lee

I am 43 years old and just now beginning to unpack what sex and monogamy mean for me  and not because a pastor or book club defined it for me. I am still a person of deep faith, but I am no longer a member of a church. I am in a season of deconstructing beliefs that have done me far more harm than help.

The path forward for me may be paved with rubble, but it is edged with lace and satin. In this new chapter, which I could never have envisioned as a young newlywed, I realize what all these lingerie-loving women Ive come across know about intimate apparel: It is a symbol of their superpower. They wear pieces that allow them to simply feel good in their bodies.

When we feel good in our bodies, we can talk back to the shame. We can celebrate the marvelous capacity our bodies have to experience desire and pleasure. This is a wondrous thing  no matter ones size, shape, skin color or creed. Obviously, wearing lingerie is just one of countless ways through which a person can access that freedom, but for me (and many others), it serves as a gentle yet potent reminder of my commitment to seeking the kind of liberation that has eluded me for much too long.

Recently I purchased a luxurious royal blue loungewear set. It sits in a gold cardboard box, tied with a matching royal blue ribbon. I have not decided if I will wear the set for a special occasion, like when I find true love again, or simply when Im having a good hair day. What I do know is that the decision is not one to fear  especially because I am the one making it.

Kendra Stanton Lee is a teacher and writer in Boston. Her work has appeared in The Washington Posts On Parenting feature, The Boston Globe, Slate and other publications. You can find more of her writing at www.kendrastantonlee.com.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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Lee Anderson says Network Rail should be promoting religious messages that celebrate Easter - Jamie Lorriman

Rail bosses who celebrate Ramadan and not Easter make London a laughing stock, Lee Anderson has said.

The former Conservative MP and deputy party chairman made the comments after Network Rail launched an investigation into how controversial Ramadan messages were shown on departure boards at Kings Cross station.

This month, a series of Islamic verses next to train times at the London station were promoted as part of a diversity initiative for the holy festival, the most significant in the Islamic calendar.

The verses included messages about sinners which quoted the Prophet Mohammed as opposed to celebratory Ramadan information.

The Ramadan message displayed on a board at King's Cross Station

However, Mr Anderson said Network Rail should be promoting religious messages that celebrate Easter.

He told The Telegraph: If rail bosses have to launch an investigation into how these religious messages ended up on the departure board, then they should not be rail bosses at all.

The whole of London is turning into the laughing stock of the UK and the government officials who state all religious festivals are celebrated need to realise that normal folk are more interested in their train turning up on time rather than engaging with virtue-signalling claptrap.

Mr Anderson was stripped of the Tory whip after he refused to apologise for comments he made about Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, who he said was controlled by Islamists.

Among the criticisms of the posts at Kings Cross, Humanists UK said it felt public train stations should not be urging sinners to repent after the phrase was used in the message.

Speaking at the time of the incident, a spokesman for Network Rail said it celebrated all the big religious festivals from Christmas to Ramadan at Kings Cross. However, when a Telegraph employee went to the station on Good Friday, there were no Easter messages to be seen on the transport boards.

It comes as Ramadan lights will be on display in Londons West End over the Easter Weekend, marking the second year that the Muslim celebration has been marked with illuminations in central London.

The Ramadan lights in London's West End - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

The lights - wishing a Happy Ramadan - have drawn plaudits but prompted a warning from prominent local Conservatives that the council must also support the other major faiths during important festivals.

Paul Swaddle, leader of the minority Tory group on Westminster council, offered full support to the Ramadan lights but questioned why a Ramadan display in the window of Westminsters city hall offices had not yet been replaced by an Easter one in time for this weekend.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: Following feedback, we will only be showing passenger information messaging on our screens at Kings Cross.

In the past, we have shown messaging for events such as Easter, Diwali, Passover, Ramadan and many others, but our screens will now be reserved only for passenger information.

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.
Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried whined that his useful life was over before he was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison.

At the end of the day, my useful life is probably over, Bankman-Fried said in a rambling 20-minute statement to a Manhattan court before Judge Lewis Kaplan handed down the sentence. It has been over for a while now.

The FTX founder, 32, was convicted of stealing more than $8 billion from his customers.

I have long since given everything that I had to give, and I would do anything to be out there right now trying to help, but I know thats not going to happen, he said. I cant really do that from prison. I cant really help.

Bankman-Fried stood uncuffed in his tan jail garb to deliver his meandering mea culpa.

His hands were tightly clasped at his waist and his head was mostly bowed, with occasional glances at the judge, who called him unremorseful.

The FTX founder, 32, was sentenced to more than two decades behind bars shortly after his speech, where he claimed his useful life is probably over. He said: It has been over for a while now. AP

He said he made a series of bad decisions that led to the implosion of FTX, his cryptocurrency company, but the decisions were neither selfish or selfless, but just bad.

The fraudster said his customers should be paid in full to the current value of assets as there are billions more than is necessary available to use.

He also apologized to his employees, who watched me throw away everything they had built.

He said he made a series of bad decisions that led to the implosion of FTX, his cryptocurrency company, but the decisions were neither selfish or selfless, but just bad. REUTERS

I know a lot of people feel really let down, and they were right, they were, were very let down. Im sorry about that. Im sorry about what happened at every stage, things I should have done and said, things I shouldnt have. I failed everyone that I care about and everything I care about too, he said.

They threw themselves into it. And then I threw all of that away, he continued. It haunts me every day.

Judge Kaplan didnt buy into Bankman-Frieds apologies and said the disgraced tech whiz was presenting himself as the good guy when it was just an act.

He did it because he wanted to be a hugely, hugely politically influential person in this country, Kaplan said. He knew it was wrong, he knew it was criminal, he regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of being caught.

Outside of his 25 years in prison, the former business owner was ordered to pay back $11 billion and has to forfeit any asset that could help him make the large repayment. Obtained by Tiffany Fong

Outside of his 25 years in prison, the former business owner was ordered to pay back $11 billion and has to forfeit any asset that could help him make the large repayment.

At his peak, the fraudsters empire was worth $40 billion and he was rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful.

That all fell apart when he was arrested weeks after his platform collapsed and he was charged with using FTX users funds to pay off his $8 billion debt to his failing hedge fund Alameda Research.

He was later convicted of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Kaplan Kaplan suggested that Bankman-Fried  who is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn  be sentenced to serve his time in a medium-security prison near his familys home in Northern California.

The Bureau of Prisons are expected to make a decision on where the scammer will go in the coming months.
The sun is photographed through a solar filter, Thursday, March 21, from Lawrence Township, Ohio, in preparation for the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8. Tuscarawas County is just outside the path of totality, but its effects will still be seen as 99 percent of the phenomenon will take place within the county itself.

NEW PHILADELPHIA  Many Tuscarawas Valley residents are looking forward with eager anticipation to April 8, when Ohio will be in the path of a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1808.

Tuscarawas County is not in the direct path but will experience 99% totality. The peak viewing time will be at 3:15 p.m. in Dover and New Philadelphia.

Daylight will give way to sudden darkness for a few brief minutes that day as the orbiting moon will appear as the same size as the sun, completely blocking its light. Many animals will fall silent while other nocturnal creatures will stir during the resulting totality, whereby observers can see the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona.

More on eclipse: Enjoying the eclipse is priceless, but getting professional-looking photos is expensive

Viewing parties

Several organizations in Tuscarawas County are planning viewing parties for April 8:

Tuscarawas County Public Library Main Branch, 121 Fair Ave NW, New Philadelphia, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair on the front lawn in viewing the eclipse. For more information, call the library at 330-364-4474.

Tuscarawas County Public Library  Strasburg Branch, 356 Fifth St. SW, Strasburg, at 3:15 p.m. Enjoy some snacks while you watch the eclipse with the Strasburg library. Participants will receive glasses. For more information, call the Strasburg Branch at 330-878-5711.

Trumpet in the Land Solar Eclipse Party, Schoenbrunn Amphitheater, 1600 Trumpet Drive NE, New Philadelphia, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $6 and includes solar glasses, a moon pie and souvenir bottle of water. Concession stand will be available; individuals are asked to bring their own blankets, and/or lawn chairs. For more information, visit Trumpet in the Lands website or call 330-364-5111 for reservations.

Where to get glasses

No solar eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye. Viewing without protection will cause permanent eye damage and can cause blindness, according to ohioeclipse.org. Cardboard viewing glasses are by far the most popular choice among eclipse viewers.

These glasses are available at all branches of the Tuscarawas County Public Library  New Philadelphia, Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek and Tuscarawas. The Dover Public Library had the glasses but ran out. They are also available at Menards, 611 Bluebell Drive, New Philadelphia, and Lowe's Home Improvement, 495 Mill Road, New Philadelphia.

School closings

Schools in the area will be closed on April 8 or will be dismissing early that day.

Districts closed that day include Tuscarawas Valley, Dover, Strasburg-Franklin and Conotton Valley.

Tusky Valley Superintendent Derek Varansky noted, "It was actually already a scheduled day off for us when the board approved the calendar, so weve had it set as a day off for about the last year. Year-round employees will still be here that day."

Strasburg Superintendent Vince Lindsey said, "We will provide information and activities to students to encourage students to be an active learner regarding the once in a lifetime event. Out of an abundance of caution, we will not collectively operate as a district on that day."

The schools that are closing early will be dismissing students around 1 p.m.

"We want students to be able to enjoy the experience from home, so we are scheduling an early dismissal for the afternoon of Monday, April 8," Indian Valley Superintendent Ira Wentworth said in a message sent out to parents on March 4. "Students will be released at 1. Our hope is that announcing this schedule change well in advance helps families know how to plan as students will be home two hours earlier than normal."

Conotton Valley is viewing the eclipse as a learning experience for its students. "We have a number of activities planned for students in grades K-12 prior to the eclipse as well as on April 8. We are viewing this day away from our building as a learning experience that extends beyond the four walls of our school," said Superintendent John Zucal.

For North America, the next total solar eclipse won't be until 2044, according to NASA.

The Cincinnati Enquirer contributed to this report.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: April 8 solar eclipse in Tuscarawas County: What you need to know
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Azerbaijani Parliament has adopted in the first reading a proposed amendment to the Civil Procedure Code of Azerbaijan concerning the definition of procedural grounds for consideration of the executive's submission on the arrest of the debtor's property by the court, Trend reports.

The amendment was announced at today's plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

Furthermore, it was mentioned that under Article 50.2 of the Law "On Enforcement Proceedings," in situations where the claim is sent to the debtor's property during the enforcement document's execution, or in situations where the arrest of the debtor's property was not imposed prior to the enforcement document's sending for execution, the court's decision on the executor's justified submission typically imposes the arrest of the debtor's property.

Taking into account the above and the fact that courts consider the submission of the enforcement officer based on the requirements of the Civil Procedure Code of Azerbaijan, it is suggested to add to the title of Articles 231, 231.3, and 231.4 of the Code the phrase "Issues of seizure of debtor's property".

Also following the requirements of Article 231.3-1, it is envisaged to define specific time limits for consideration by the court of the enforcement officer's submissions and petitions for postponement of execution of the judgment or its partial execution, for changing the method and procedure of execution of the judgment. Thus, it is proposed to consider a submission on arrest of the debtor's property within 5 working days from the day of its receipt, a submission on suspension of enforcement proceedings, a submission on temporary restriction of the debtor's right to leave the country and granting a deferment of execution of the judgment or its partial execution, a petition on changing the method and procedure of execution of the judgment - within 10 working days from the day of their receipt.

After discussion, the draft amendment was adopted in the first reading.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A decision on Redding Rancherias controversial plan to relocate its Win-River Resort and Casino to freeway frontage property along the Sacramento River could come later this spring.

The projects Final Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on Friday and is available for public review, the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs said.

The public comment period ends April 29, 2024, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs could decide on the project after that date.

In a statement emailed to the Record Searchlight, the Rancheria said it was happy that the final environmental impact report is available, noting that it is the last step in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the tribe eagerly awaits a positive final decision.

An illustration of the Redding Rancheria project

The Rancherias plan is to build a 69,541-square-foot casino, nine-story, 250-room hotel, restaurants, a conference center, an event center, convention center and a 132,000-square-foot regional retail center on a portion of 232 acres of undeveloped land west of Interstate 5 known as the Strawberry Fields. The property is just south the I-5-South Road interchange.

Win-River's current hotel has 84 rooms, while its casino covers about 60,000 square feet on Highway 273 between Clear Creek and Canyon roads.

The Rancherias intent is to move the 232 acres into trust of the federal government for the benefit of the tribe. The move would exempt the undeveloped land that's zoned for agricultural use from both the local taxes and local development regulations that now apply.

The environmental report considers the proposed project and six alternatives, including freeway frontage property on the west side of I-5 near the North Street exit in Anderson.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs chose the Rancherias planned project on the Strawberry Fields site as the preferred alternative, which is discussed in detail in the 678-page final environmental document.

Win-River's plan to build a new casino resort near Redding. What should you know?

Opponents have concerns about the casino bringing more crime and traffic to the area and they fear the large-scale development would pave over agricultural land.

Speak Up! Shasta issued a news release Friday reiterating its opposition to the casino relocation.

The release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement does not mean that a casino will be built at Strawberry Fields, Robb Korinke of Speak Up Shasta said in the release. The Rancherias deal with the County of Shasta for law enforcement and other services is already facing a significant legal challenge and our coalition of over 6,000 residents and local businesses stands with the City of Redding in absolute opposition to this project.

In February, a group called the California Land Stewardship Council sued the Shasta County Board of Supervisors over its approval of a 30-year financial agreement with the Redding Rancheria to help fund law enforcement, fire and emergency services for the casino project.

More: Why Redding Rancheria's plan to expand, relocate Win-River Casino has caused a divide

The agreement supervisors approved last summer is illegal, the lawsuit alleges.

Redding Rancheria CEO Tracy Edwards has called the lawsuit a political stunt" and a possibly misguided attempt to delay our casino relocation project.

Strawberry Fields, the proposed site for Redding Rancheria's new casino resort.

While the Shasta County Board of Supervisors supports the project, the Redding City Council has come out against it.

In endorsing the project, supervisors reversed their course after first opposing it in 2019.

The Redding City Council in late December 2022 approved a cover letter that was attached to its 2019 letter of opposition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Rancheria CEO Edwards has called the Redding City Councils opposition hypocritical because it approved Costcos relocation to the intersection of South Bonnyview Road and Bechelli Lane.

The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has final say on the casino project.

The tribe announced in 2016 that is planned to relocate its Win-River Casino to the Strawberry Fields property near Churn Creek Bottom.

Chad Broussard, an environmental protection specialist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, did not reply to a phone message or an email seeking comment.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding tribe's plan to expand, move casino closer to decision
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  For 82 years, Mess Attendant 3rd Class (Matt3c) David Walkers name was listed at the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. His remains were finally identified in November 2023.

Courtesy DPAA

Walker joined the U.S. Navy from Virginia and served aboard the Tennessee-class battleship USS California (BB-44).

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Walker, who was from Norfolk, died at age 19, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese aircrafts.

An unknown newspaper article the government published said Walker lived on Elm Avenue in Portsmouth. It also said he attended I.C. Norcom High School and cut his education short to enlist.

The articles headline is, Little Mother Who Had No News Tells a Headline Story. The article said Walkers mother, Edna Lee Ward, wanted her sons photo published in the article.

I dont know any news of my son, the woman said in the article. You see he was killed in action at Pearl Harbor.

She told the reporter on Jan. 2 she received a telegram saying her son was missing. Then sometime later, she was informed he died.

Courtesy DPAA

The date of the attack was Dec. 7, 1941. Walker was assigned to the battleship USS California, which was docked at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.

The USS California sustained multiple torpedo and bomb hits, which caused it catch fire and slowly flood. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 103 crewmen, including Walker, DPPA said in a press release.

DPPA said from Dec. 1941 to April 1942, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the crew members who were killed. They were buried in the Halawa and Nuuanu Cemeteries in Hawaii.

In Sept. 1947, the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) dug up the remains of the soldiers after being tasked with recovering and identifying the fallen U.S. personnel. The remains were transferred to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks.

In addition to the 42 casualties from the USS California initially identified after the attack, the laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 39 men from the USS California at that time, said DPPA.

Following that, AGRS buried the remains of the unidentified members at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

In October 1949, a military board classified the remains of the unresolved crew members, including Walker, as non-recoverable, said DPPA.

Then in 2018, DPPA exhumed 25 USS California Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. Walker was included in that analysis.

To identify Walkers remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological and dental analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, said DPPA.

On Nov. 27, 2023, Walker was identified.

Walkers name spent decades on the Walls of the Missing at Punchbowl, along with others missing in WWII. The DPPA said a change will be made to his memorial.

A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for, DPPA said.

Walker will be buried on Sept. 5, 2024, at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Family can use this link to reach out to learn about Walkers information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
I remember exactly when Joe Lieberman became my friend  after he scolded me for not heeding the commands of my Jewish mother.

In 2017, I was working on a series of articles for Salon about "centrism," a once-dominant but rapidly fading force in American political life. That May I had interviewed two of the most most prominent remaining centrists, both of whom had to some degree become outcasts from their own political parties. One was Lieberman, a longtime Democratic senator from Connecticut known for his political independence. The other was his good friend Christine Todd Whitman, the former Republican governor of New Jersey. Whitman asked me to extend her greetings to Lieberman, and of course I did so. But I forgot to mention my own mother, a big fan of Lieberman ever since he became Al Gore's running mate in 2000, who had also told me she was eager to express her admiration.

I tried to make up for this a couple of months later, as I sat down for another interview with Lieberman. During the customary initial chitchat, I told him that my mother had wanted me to say hello to him, but I'd prioritized Whitman instead.

Lieberman gasped in feigned horror. "Oh no, Matt, you shouldn't have done that," he said. "Your mother must always be your first priority. Always!"

I understand the reasons why many liberals and progressives grew to dislike Joe Lieberman, who died on Wednesday at age 82. He won his final Senate campaign in 2006 as a third-party candidate after losing the Democratic nomination, largely over his support for the Iraq war. He supported John McCain over Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, and was reportedly McCain's first choice as running mate. During the Obama administration, Lieberman was blamed  unfairly or otherwise  for the failure to include a "public option" in the Affordable Care Act. There are other areas of disagreement, no doubt.

But I'm here to pay tribute to Lieberman not as a controversial political figure or as the first Jewish American to appear on a major-party presidential ticket  although that was surely the accomplishment for which he'll be most remembered  but as a warm, caring, profoundly decent man driven by deep religious conviction and a belief in bipartisanship. More than that, I will remember him as my friend, and will always feel grateful for that conversation, among many others.

Bipartisanship, for Lieberman, wasn't purely instrumental. It reflected his faith that individuals with a diverse range of philosophies should be able to set aside their differences in the name of solving society's biggest problems. As he once explained to me, being a centrist "doesn't necessarily mean that you are in the policy center all the time, or the ideological center. It means, I think more broadly, that you're willing to compromise, to come to the center, and meet with people of opposite points of view so that you can get something done."

Many politicians say they believe in dialogue and compromise, of course. Joe Lieberman lived it. He understood that we had political differences, both on specific issues and in terms of overall philosophy. He was one of the most conservative figures in the national Democratic Party and, as noted above, frequently made common cause with Republicans. I would describe myself as a democratic socialist.

None of that was a bug in our burgeoning friendship; it was a feature. He liked to tell stories about his friendships with people across the political spectrum: He shared cocktails and conversation with legendary conservative columnist William F. Buckley Jr.; he watched the 2006 mockumentary "Borat" with McCain and Lindsey Graham, two of his best friends in the Senate. That also worked in the opposite direction. He once shared with me how deeply touched he had felt when Lady Gaga dedicated a performance of her song "Speechless" to him, in tribute to his instrumental role in repealing the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. That moment delighted his more liberal friends, he said.

I never asked him about this directly, but I believe that Lieberman connected easily with individuals who held many different points of view partially because of his innate self-confidence. He knew he was intelligent, and believed he had reflected deeply on issues and reached the right conclusions. But he never felt threatened by others who disagreed. Instead, he reacted with curiosity and humility, approaching each human interaction as a potential learning experience.

That didn't mean you were going to change his mind, as I discovered on several occasions. But it meant that his mind, and his heart, were sincerely open to you.

We often talked about our shared Jewish heritage, and the important role it played in our lives. Lieberman was refreshingly frank in discussing his own privilege, admitting that he had experienced very little overt antisemitism. After Gore chose him as vice-presidential running mate in 2000, he recalled, he was relieved by the total absence of bigotry in the general public's response. But he also understood that prejudices run deep in human society, and that Jews are always vulnerable to the resurgence of hate. I believe that, for him, moderate or centrist politics presented a moral and logical antidote to that historical problem, encouraging empathy and moving dialogue away from the ideological extremes where antisemitism and other forms of hate are likely to thrive.

"Throughout history, whenever extremists begin to gain power, they inevitably come for the Jews," I emailed Lieberman less than a month ago. "Antisemitism is a barometer in that way."

"Yes," he replied over his iPhone. "Sadly yes."

I once wrote an article for Salon about how Lieberman's vice-presidential nomination in 2000 changed my life, many years before I would meet him:

It is hard to capture in words what this meant to a Jewish kid who had nearly been murdered as a so-called "Christ-killer" three years earlier. On some level, it felt as if America's vice president wasn't just elevating Lieberman, but sending a message to Jews like me that he was watching our back. As a child, I had associated Jewishness with feeling rejected; Gore helped me see that, for millions of Americans, it was something to be embraced. By accepting Gore's offer, Lieberman showed that it also wasn't something to be afraid of displaying to the world.

I'm sorry that I never got the a chance to talk with Lieberman about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's recent speech calling on Israelis to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from power amid the chaos and carnage of the Gaza war. Lieberman had criticized Schumer (while calling him a "friend"), arguing that it was inappropriate for Americans to interfere in the domestic politics of a democratic ally. I can sympathize with that principle, but I wish I'd asked him how he really felt about Netanyahu's prosecution of the war, which has alienated so many people around the world, including Jews.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

To be clear, I didn't disagree with Lieberman's broader concerns about rising antisemitism. We shared the view that college campuses have become breeding grounds for Jew-hatred, with many students using opposition to Israel or support for a Palestinian state as an excuse for expressing vile opinions. But that concern also fit into Lieberman's larger open-mindedness. Last year, I shared with him an article I wrote about my great-uncle, a Jewish World War II veteran who helped liberate a Nazi concentration camp, and also a lifelong liberal who believed that "people can criticize Israel in good faith without being antisemitic" and that it was important for people like him to speak out against "the Israeli government's mistreatment of Palestinians." Lieberman may or may not have disagreed with that premise; I'll never know. He told me at the time that the article was "a poignant and powerful story and is very well-written."

As I process my grief about my friend's passing, I understand full well  as he also understood  that he will always be, at best, a controversial figure for progressives. That has nothing to do with the man I got to know. I marvel at his kindness, at the fundamental decency that drove him to pursue a friendship with an awkward, autistic reporter with sometimes divergent political views. The Yiddish term "mensch" occurs to me. When our distant ancestors in Jewish central Europe coined that word, they had people like Joe Lieberman in mind.

Lieberman once told me that John F. Kennedy's election as the first Roman Catholic president, coupled with Abraham Ribicoff's 1954 election as the first (and only) Jewish governor of Connecticut, "gave me confidence that doors had opened for me." He then added, "I'm gratified that you had that same reaction, albeit at a different time in a different way, to my 2000 campaign."

I'm sure he wished he could have met Kennedy, whom he fervently campaigned for as a teenager in 1960 and viewed as his political hero. In that one sense, I was luckier than Joe Lieberman: I got to meet my hero. I even became his friend.
Hillsborough County Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor speaking at a press conference on Medicaid expansion in Tampa on March 27, 2024 (Photo credit: Mitch Perry)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Count U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor among Floridians disappointed that the Florida Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on two major issues regarding abortion rights.

Start with the much-anticipated decision about whether a constitutional amendment on abortion rights will be on the ballot this November.

The high court informed the public shortly after 11 a.m. on Thursday that there would not be any legal opinions released that day, despite rampant speculation that the time to decide would finally be at hand. At about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the court reported on X that the Florida Supreme Court will release out-of-calendar opinions at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024.

That could mean an abortion ruling related to a constitutional amendment on abortion rights as well as an amendment on adult use of recreational cannabis.

In addition, its also been more than six months since the Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the legal challenge to the 15-week abortion ban that was passed in 2022. If the high court affirms the law, a six-week ban would shortly go into effect.

Congresswoman Castor, a Democrat from the Tampa Bay area, said its disturbing that the court has been so slow in announcing both abortion decisions.

Florida has an expressed right to privacy in our Constitution, she noted while speaking to the Florida Phoenix on Wednesday in Tampa. And the fact that the Florida Supreme Court has not reaffirmed that already with the 15-week abortion ban, the six-week abortion ban, and now it seems like just stalling on allowing a new constitutional amendment for a right to privacy and reproductive care. Its a cause of great concern. Its very antidemocratic, first not to recognize what our right to privacy means thats already existing, but not to get this amendment on the ballot in time for us to really raise the funds and do a robust campaign. I dont approve of their stalling tactics.

Castor, now serving her 18th year in Congress after being elected in 2006, has always been a fierce advocate for abortion rights. She says that the hearing at the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the future of medication abortion access and abortion pills that took place earlier this week was extremely concerning and says that it reveals that the anti-abortion movement is not resting following the stunning Dobbs decision in 2022 overturning a womans federal right to an abortion after 49 years.

Its very alarming because after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wades longstanding precedent, a lot of the folks in Congress and across the country said Oh, were going to send this back to the states, were not interested in a federal abortion ban. But the fact that theyre trying to rip away our ability to access a safe and effective drug? It pulls the curtain back on that argument, she said.

Meanwhile, they really do want to institute federal abortion bans in one way or another, Castor continues. While they dont talk about it and theyre scared of it and they say, Oh we like in vitro fertilization  its efforts like this that kind of belie the fact that theyre not on your side. They want to roll back our rights and we have to stand up for it, so hopefully the U.S. Supreme Court does the right thing here because I think what got to them was it would overturn long standing processes for all drugs that go through the Food and Drug Administration approval process, and I think that was even for the U.S. Supreme Court that was too much.

The post Rep. Kathy Castor doesnt approve of FL Supreme Courts stalling tactics on abortion rights appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The woman accused of what police called a random murder in a west Las Vegas valley apartment complex told police she did not remember the shooting. Days later, she out of nowhere attacked an inmate at the Clark County Detention Center, documents said.

On Tuesday, March 26, shortly after 4 p.m., Metro police officers responded to an apartment complex in the 3600 block of South Fort Apache Road near Twain Avenue after a man was shot in the throat.

Arriving officers found Raul Cardoza-Lopez, 41, suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Witnesses said Cardoza-Lopez was shot while he was sitting inside of his work vehicle.

Cardoza-Lopez and his brother were at the complex that afternoon to clean two carpets, according to an arrest report.

Cardoza-Lopez brother, who was sitting in the passenger side of the van, told police he heard the shot and turned toward his brother, seeing a large amount of blood coming from Cardoza-Lopez neck, according to the report. He immediately ran around the van and began to render aid.

Officers spoke with witnesses who described the suspect as a white woman wearing all-black clothing, with a sleeping bag across her shoulders, hair in a ponytail, and numerous tattoos on her face and neck, the report stated.

Officers were then able to locate a woman nearby who matched the description of the suspect. She was later identified as Kayla Alery, 27. The 8 News Now Investigators first identified Alery on Wednesday.

Las Vegas Metro police arrested Kayla Alery, 27, on charges including open murder and assault with a deadly weapon shortly after the shooting at an apartment complex in the 3600 block of South Fort Apache Road near Twain Avenue, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported Wednesday. (LVMPD/KLAS)

Several witnesses positively identified Alery as the suspect in the shooting.

Police asked Alery if she was armed, and she responded that she was. Officers did a pat-down search of Alery, finding a handgun concealed in her front waistband, according to the report.

Alery told police she did not remember how she got the gun, but that she likely stole it because she did not have any money, the report stated.

One witness told police he saw Alery attempting to open different vehicle doors in the parking lot of the complex. He parked his car so the cameras in his car could get a better view of Alery. One video clip showed Alery trying to open the front door of a parked van, according to the report.

Another clip showed Alery approaching Rauls van holding what appeared to be a firearm before a gunshot can be heard, according to the report.

Before the shooting, several people noticed a suspicious person on the property. Three employees of the apartment complex followed Alery around the complex telling her to leave. She attempted to climb over a wall to exit the complex, but workers directed her to the main gate, the report stated.

While passing Cardoza-Lopez van, she pulled out a handgun and shot one time, hitting Cardoza-Lopez in the neck, before running out of the complex, the report stated.

A records check showed Alery was a three-time felon for attempted burglary and arson. She was released from prison just months before the shooting and ordered not to have any weapons, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported Wednesday.

Alery told police she did not remember the shooting or anything about her activities before she was taken to police headquarters, according to the report.

After her arrest, police took Alery to the Clark County Detention Center, where she attacked another inmate out of nowhere while she was waiting to be processed, documents said.

The inmate said they were talking to a corrections officer when Alery stood up and punched them in the face.

Alery faces the following charges:

Open murder

Assault with a deadly weapon

Owning or possessing a gun by a prohibited person

Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit

Discharging a gun into an occupied structure or vehicle

Battery by a prisoner

Violation of parole

Alery was being held at CCDC without bail. Her next court appearance was scheduled for April 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
One of the MAGA foot soldiers tapped as a potential vice president pick by Donald Trump argued in an interview on Fox Business on Friday that the federal government should not be involved in elections.

There are a lot of questions about some of the efforts around the open border and what it means for the census and what it might mean for the upcoming election, started Maria Bartiromo. What are you doing to ensure a transparent and free election in November?

The federal government, we dont get involved in elections, Donalds responded. We should not be involved in elections. That is something that states have to do.

Byrons answer then extended into the territory of fearmongering, baselessly claiming that New York state allows undocumented immigrants to participate in electionswhich it absolutely does not.

Unfortunately, New Yorkers lost their ever-loving mind, I dont know what theyre doing in that state when it comes to the law, but its going to be incumbent on other states to make sure that illegal aliens do not vote in our upcoming elections, he added.

While the Florida Republican may not have intended to involve Trump in his answer, its hard to ignore the irony in his words. The former presidentwho is on the wire for a slew of criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results while he was still presidentwould definitely fall under the umbrella of his critique.

Donalds has been critical of Trump in the past. In a batch of recently unearthed messages, he referred to Trump as a huge distraction and celebrated when Trump announced he wouldnt run against former President Barack Obama.

Trump is a huge distraction, and cares more about himself than the country in my opinion, but I could care less about him, he wrote in a 2011 Facebook post, referring to Trumps attacks on Obamas birth certificate.

BARTIROMO: What are you doing to ensure a transparent and free election in November?



REP. BYRON DONALDS: The federal government, we don't get involved in elections. We should not be involved in elections. pic.twitter.com/pwS9SAdba1  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 29, 2024
The man who will likely temporarily replace Representative Ken Buck in Congress has a history of frightening run-ins with the law.

A Republican committee on Thursday chose Greg Lopez, the former mayor of Parker, Colorado, as the party nominee for the upcoming special election to replace Buck. Buck, who left Congress last week, represented Colorados 4th district, a Republican stronghold. While Lopezs victory was a surprise, his nomination almost guarantees he will be the one to complete Bucks term.



If Lopez wins, it will be his first victory in a while. He ran for Colorado governor in 2018 and 2022, but he lost both times during the primaries.

Aside from struggling with elections, Lopez has also struggled with the law. He is open about his past encounters with law enforcement, which include being arrested for driving under the influence. Lopez has said he cant remember when that happened.

But the most frightening instance occurred in 1993, when Lopez and his wife, Lisa, were both charged with domestic violence. He allegedly shoved Lisa, who was six months pregnant at the time, to the floor and kicked her after she hit him on the top of the head. They each pleaded guilty to a single charge of harassment.

Reporter Kyle Clark asked Lopez about the domestic assault in 2022, comparing it to Lopezs anti-abortion stance in that both involve exerting control over a womans body. Lopez hastily insisted the domestic violence wasnt a violent situation.

Theres only been one perfect man thats ever walked this earth, and we nailed him to the cross, Lopez said. Im not a perfect man. Ive made my mistakes. But Ive learned from them.

NEW: GOP gubernatorial candidate @LopezforCO says he would sign an abortion ban in Colorado. I asked him to square his pro-life without exceptions stance with his 1993 arrest for assaulting his pregnant wife. #copolitics pic.twitter.com/Fk2y1Vezjg  Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) May 3, 2022

Lopez also paid $15,000 in 2020 to settle a lawsuit filed by federal prosecutors who accused him of trying to improperly influence the Small Business Administration, a violation of federal law. Lopez worked at the SBA from 2008 to 2014 as the Colorado district attorney, and his alleged attempts to influence the organization occurred after he had left.

Lopez has backed banning abortion with no exceptions and falsely claimed that climate change isnt caused by human activity. His conservative beliefs should be no surprise, given the strength of the Republican Party in the 4th district.

Buck was similarly in favor of exerting control over other peoples bodies. He was staunchly anti-abortion and did not believe in exceptions for rape or incest. Whats more, in 2005, when he was still a district attorney, Buck refused to prosecute an alleged rape case. The alleged victim released a recording of an interview she had with Buck, during which he appeared to blame her for the assault.

But a key difference between the two men is that Lopez has said that Donald Trump won the 2020 election, which is not true. Buck, on the other hand, has repeatedly pushed back on the 2020 election conspiracies, slamming them as self-serving lies. He is also one of the only Republicans who has refused to fall in line with his partys efforts to impeach Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, continually noting that neither impeachment effort is based on any evidence of wrongdoing.



Following multiple departures, the House Republican majority is razor-thin. And it seems Lopez can be counted on to vote with his party on their main priorities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. A command-staff exercise was undertaken in one of the military units in accordance with the Azerbaijan Defense Minister's approved training plan for 2024, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

According to the plan, the forces participating in the exercise were brought to various levels of combat preparedness. The units were transported to the reserve and destination zones, and control bodies were deployed and camouflaged in the vicinity.

During the exercise, the actions associated with completing the tasks were indicated on the map, and reports on decisions taken in accordance with the tactical conditions were heard.



The command-staff exercise's tasks, which were set to increase the commanders' management ability and flexible decision-making skills, as well as to further improve the operation of the headquarters and the interoperability between the units, while bringing the units to various states of combat readiness, were successfully completed.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Rishi Sunak has announced a major donor to the Conservative Party will be knighted as part of the Easter honours, leading rivals to criticise cronyism.

Labour and Liberal Democrat members have called out the prime minister for awarding the honour to Mohamed Mansour - who gave the Tories 5 million last year.

The Egyptian-born billionaire businessmans name was one of several on Easter honours list and Tories have said it reflects his charitable work.

Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds said: This is either the arrogant act of an entitled man whos stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesnt expect to be prime minister much longer.

Either way, it shows a blatant disrespect for the office he should feel privileged to hold.

Paul Kohler, a Lib Dem candidate for Wimbledon constituency, added: Even in the wake of this appalling example of Tory cronyism, Labour have not ruled out giving honours to donors.

Born in Alexandria, Sir Mohamed is now a British citizen and is the chairman of Mansour Group, which is one of the largest businesses in Egypt, as well as the London-based investment firm Man Capital.

He donated the 5 million to the Conservative Party in 2023, which was their biggest single donation since 2001.

"I look at what he has achieved in his first months in office and think what he could do in five years," Mr Mansour said of Mr Sunak - adding he wanted to see him re-elected.

Other names up for an Easter honour are British-American film director Christopher Nolan as well as Tory MPs including Tracey Crouch, Harriett Baldwin and Philip Davies.

Easter honours are not a traditional event and Reform UK leader Richard Tice said that other names had been added alongside that of Mr Mansour to disguise their intentions.

The nation is sick of the Tories and their obscene cronyism, he told the Telegraph.

Bung them a few million quid and a peerage or knighthood is yours. The whole thing stinks like a rotting fish, from the head.

Amusingly, they have tried to disguise their tracks with various other soft or cultural types being honoured. We are not that stupid.

Sir Mohameds charitable work includes supporting The Kings Foundation and the St Pauls Cathedrals Remember Me project for those who died of Covid-19 in the UK.

Mr Sunak has recommended the honours to the King and the announcement comes ahead of the Easter recess - not the traditional times of June or New Year.
General Charles Brown, hairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said that the risks of war escalation associated with the supply of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine have decreased compared to what they used to be.

Source: Defense One news outlet, citing Brown in a conversation with journalists on Thursday, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Brown noted that Russia's restrained response to a series of recent attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian territory has allowed the Pentagon to revise its analysis of the escalation risk of shipping ATACMS to Ukraine.

"Those are the things that we pay attention to. You know, what is the likelihood of escalation based on different capabilities and different actions," the general noted.

Observers and some Republican lawmakers have pushed for the United States to send ATACMS missiles to Kyiv, as this would allow Ukrainian forces to jeopardise Russian positions, including in Crimea. The use of these missiles would make it more challenging for Russia to advance, as Ukraine could continue to strike even the best-fortified Russian positions from almost anywhere.

Some observers say that if the US Congress fails to pass a US$60 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine, Russia could seize more territory as early as this spring.

Brown encouraged swift approval of the aid package, noting that Ukraine will face more artillery shelling in the foreseeable future. Additionally, the general indicated that fears of a large-scale Russian offensive in the spring may be exaggerated.

"I don't know if the Russians can generate a major offensive. I mean, if you look atwhat's happened over the course of the past year, the Russians have actually thrown a lot of capability and personnel and weapon systems and vehicles to gain what they have gained. And the way I would say, it's almost a meat grinder," Brown stressed.

Background: Recently, media reports suggested that the US Pentagon was ready to supply long-range ATACMS missiles with a range of over 180 miles (approximately 290 km) to Ukraine. However, the Pentagon has not officially confirmed this.

At a press conference in February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was optimistic about the possible delivery of long-range weapons, including ATACMS, following recent talks with Western partners.

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Therese Coffey was the party pooper in a Commons debate to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI this week. While others praised the charity, the Tory Suffolk Coastal MP said she was worried about the RNLIs plans to replace an all-weather lifeboat with an inflatable one at its Aldeburgh station. Coffey said she raised her worries in a private telephone call with the RNLIs chief executive Mark Dowie. She said both parties recorded the call, but accused the RNLI head  who is stepping down in June  of playing it to a MP. This is a sad moment for me, she said. The RNLI denied that Dowie played the call to any third party and insists inflatable boats better suit that stretch of coast. Stormy weather ahead!

A brogue rogue!

Actress Emma Samms has her own way of getting the measure of someone. Its so easy to judge people from the cars they drive, the clothes they wear  even to the dogs they own, she says. Ive probably drawn many a conclusion from all those things, including the shoes a man is wearing. He could have the most worn-out jeans and holes in his jumper  but if hes wearing brogues, its a good look as far as Im concerned.

Backing Buckland

Nearly 100 MPs have signed a motion saying they have no confidence in Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons speaker. So far ministers havent allowed time for a vote on his future. That hasnt stopped Tory MPs quietly backing Sir Robert Buckland to replace Hoyle if he is forced out.

Buckland gets my support, not least because, as Lord Chancellor, he was always keen to don a magnificent full-bottomed wig, also traditionally worn by Mr Speaker. Hoyle suggested he would follow suit before he became Speaker in 2019 but has so far failed to do so.

Another suitcase in another hall

Composer Sir Tim Rice is less than impressed with the current crop of politicians. Asked by Cotswold Life if he can think of any UK politicians  or their partners who would make the next Evita, he says: I cant see anybody on the political spectrum  of any party at all  at the moment who is anything like one per cent of the charisma of Eva Peron. Dont cry for me, Tim!

Rosindells Arms

Former home secretary Suella Braverman, whip Joy Morrissey and foreign minister Andrew Mitchell were among the dozen Tory and Labour MPs who squeezed into the office of Andrew Rosindell last week to mark his 60th birthday. Rosindell is full of bright ideas. He told a Commons debate of a recent visit to All Saints Church, Notting Hill in London to see its magnificent royal coat of arms and urged ministers to ensure that all churches should be encouraged to do the same. I doubt the woke Church of England would countenance such a revolutionary act.

Silly Jameses

The award for silliest party in Westminster this week goes to former Oxford Union president and Tory adviser James Price, who organised a dinner for 28 men called James at James Chiavarinis restaurant La Palombe in Kensington, London on Thursday to raise money for Cancer Research. Guest of honour was Home Secretary James Cleverly (his wife Susie is recovering from the disease), who told fellow his Jameses: There are 11 MPs in the Conservative Party called James but only one Labour MP. This shows Keir Starmer doesnt have a plan for Jamess. More of this please!

A wig named Lucy

Musical star Bonnie Langford has been reflecting on playing the late Labour Cabinet minister Barbara Castle in a stage version of Made in Dagenham. I fell in love with this woman. She was amazing. She was hilarious as well, she told Gabby Roslins podcast. She always used to have to have her hair done  shed got to look good, she said  and if she didnt manage to go to a hairdresser before an event or something, she had a wig she kept in her bag. She called it Lucy. Ive got to put Lucy on!

Empty gesture

Attempts to market chocolate Easter eggs as gesture eggs by a Cadburys discount store have been put back in their box. Queen Elizabeth IIs chaplain Gavin Ashenden told GB News it was time to fight back, adding: The Christian way is a fantastic way. It is about forgiveness, love, peace and joy. We dont want to be cancelled by whoever it is behind this act. Cadburys US owner Mondelez has distanced itself from gesture eggs, while the gesture signs have reportedly been replaced in the shop.

Happy Easter to you all!

Peterborough, published every Friday at 7pm, is edited by Christopher Hope. You can reach him at peterborough@telegraph.co.uk

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Timario Gayton pleaded guilty two months ago in connection to the largest fentanyl bust in York County history. Now, his twin brother, Timothy Gayton, also faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty, prosecutors say.

Timothy Markee Gayton, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Columbia in front of Judge Sherri Lydon, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office and public records in the case. He pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy after more than 60 pounds of fentanyl were seized from a mobile home along Lake Wylie between Rock Hill and Charlotte in October 2022, federal prosecutors said.

He was arrested in February 2023  four months after his twin brother. Federal and local drug agents and prosecutors say the operation along the lake that straddles York and Mecklenburg counties was a clandestine drug lab.

Three other indictments against Timothy Gayton were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, court records show.

The plea agreement was sealed by Judge Lydon after a request from Gayton, according to court records.

Twin brother already pleaded guilty

The conspiracy charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.

Timothy Gaytons case is related to the investigation involving his twin brother, but the two were charged in separate federal cases, U.S. Attorneys Office spokesperson Veronnica Hill said in a statement to The Herald.

Timario Gayton pleaded guilty in January to a similar conspiracy charge, according to Hill and court records.

In the case involving Timario Gayton, Thomas Anthony Perry and Javaris Latrey Johnson, both of York County, have also pleaded guilty in 2023 to drug conspiracy charges. Timario Gayton, Perry, Johnson and Quonzy Hope were all arrested in October 2022 when police raided the trailer near Lake Wylie. Charges against Hope, of Rock Hill, remain pending in that case.

Drug seizure and investigation

In October 2022, York County police and federal agents seized pill presses, guns, money, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, court documents show. The amount of drugs found is the largest-ever single seizure in York County history, officials said.

Afterward at a news conference, South Carolina officials said the 60-plus pounds of fentanyl taken from the trailer was enough to kill the entire 5 million-plus population of the state.

Fentanyl is around 50 times more potent than heroin and has been a part of overdose deaths locally and across the country, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local officials. Law enforcement says fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is cheap, easy to get, highly addictive, and lethal.

The York County Coroners Office said in 2023 it was averaging three opioid overdoes every week.

Law enforcement, prosecutors, and politicians are getting public pressure to take action. In South Carolina in 2023, the state enacted a fentanyl trafficking law that carries stiffer penalties for the drug.

The fentanyl crisis has gotten so severe in Charlotte that police, prosecutors and officials said at a news conference Wednesday they support x-ray machines at the US.-Mexico border to stop the drug from entering the country, the Charlotte Observer reported.

What happens now?

All five men charged in the two cases have been in jail since they were arrested and remain in custody.

No sentencing date has been set for the four men who have pleaded guilty.

No trial date has been set for the case remaining against Hope.
Authorities say Christian I. Soto had already killed four people and injured five others before he busted through Lindsay Craig's window Wednesday afternoon in the 4600 block of Florence Street.

Winnebago County Sheriff's Deputies say Soto, 22, had beat a teenage girl to death with a bat; stabbed two adults to death including his childhood friend and his friend's mother; and stabbed and run over a 49-year-old mail carrier with a pickup truck at other houses in the neighborhood during an inexplicable killing spree.

His next victim was Craig.

Police said Soto started attacking Craig with a knife in her Florence Street home. Injured, she fled into the street, and Soto chased her, police said, tackling her in the 2100 block of Eggleston Road and stabbing her in her hands, arm and face as she tried to fight back.

That's when a "good Samaritan" came to Craig's defense, Sheriff Gary Caruana said.

An officer brings out bags of evidence after a spree of violence claims four lives, injuring seven on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, near Cleveland Avenue in Rockford.

More: Rockford community gathers to honor victims of mass stabbing

According to Caruana and court documents, Keith Fahrney, who lives in the neighborhood, was driving by when Soto was in the process of attacking Craig. Fahrney slammed on the brakes, leaving his gray Jeep in the middle of the street, and rushed to help Craig.

"(Soto) was in the process of stabbing her," Caruana said during a news conference Thursday. "The good Samaritan stopped that situation. She could easily have been deceased if he did not become involved with that."

Fahrney was able to stop the attack on Craig, but now Soto was attacking him, cutting him on his head and neck.

At one point, police said Soto got into Fahrney's Jeep "in an attempt to steal it."

"Keith Fahrney pulled Christian Soto from the Jeep but was again being attacked with the knife," deputies wrote in a factual court summary. "It was at this time the police arrived."

Caruana said deputies and Rockford Police Department officers entered into a foot chase, leaping over fences to capture Soto less than 20 minutes after the first 911 call. A deputy suffered a stab wound to the hand while bringing the man into custody, Caruana said.

Officials said Craig was critically injured in the attack, but her condition on Thursday evening was not known.

Law enforcement officers investigate a crime scene Wednesday, March 27, 2024, after four people were killed in a series of violent attacks on Rockford's southeast side.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on Twitter @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Sheriff praises Rockford 'good Samaritan' for stopping to help victim
Romania's Defense Ministry said on March 29 that it found what appeared to be fragments of a drone on its territory near the Ukrainian border.

The statement came after repeated waves of Russian attacks throughout Ukraine.

It was not the first time that wreckage of drones, likely from Russia, has been found on Romanian territory. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube River that separates Ukraine and Romania.

The defense ministry said that the fragments were found on the evening of March 28 on Great Braila Island, located roughly 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the Ukrainian port city Reni.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said in September 2023 that while Russian drones are not intentionally targeting Romania, the situation is still "unacceptable."

Romania has taken measures to protect its citizens who live close to the Ukrainian border, including the construction of air raid shelters and the deployment of drone defense systems.

Turkish F-16 fighter jets at an airbase in Romania were scrambled in February 2024 following a Russian drone strike on Odesa.

Read also: Romanian defense chief: Russia will not stop with war in Ukraine, calls for better preparation amid potential conflict with NATO

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Arts venue Home had been due to host the Voices of Resilience event [Google]

A row has developed after the cancellation of an event showcasing the work of Palestinian writers at a Manchester art venue.

Actors Maxine Peake and Kingsley Ben-Adir were among those due to perform at the Home theatre on 22 April.

The venue said the cancellation followed "recent publicity" after a letter from the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester (JRCGM).

Event organiser Comma Press said it was "disappointed" by the cancellation.

On Monday, Home posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that it would be "celebrating Palestinian voices" at an event called Voices of Resilience.

The event was due to highlight work by Gazan writers including Atef Abu Saif, who is also the minister of culture at the Palestinian Authority.

The JRCGM later tweeted that it had written to the venue, saying "this event must be cancelled".

It criticised previous comments reportedly made by Abu Saif, including in 2014 when he was alleged to have said "Israel surpassed Hitler's massacres".

The JRCGM claimed he had defended Holocaust denial, although the Manchester-Palestinian academic and translator Mohammed Ghalayini, who was also due to read his poetry at the event, called on the organisation to "produce the full text rather than selectively quote without context to misrepresent".

Event organiser and Manchester publisher Comma Press, which has printed translations of Abu Saif's works, said it was "deeply concerned about the baseless and libellous allegations".

It said the claim of Holocaust denial was "utterly false" and it was considering legal action.

"Both Comma Press and the author absolutely refute the allegations of antisemitism," it added.

Atef Abu Saif has written five novels and became Palestinian minister of culture in 2019 [Getty Images]

On its website, Home issued a statement saying it was "a politically neutral space, committed to welcoming the full range of artist expression".

It said: "Our concern for the team at Home, our audiences and artists, and their safety is paramount. In the face of recent publicity around Voices of Resilience, we have cancelled this event."

Welcoming the decision, the JRCGM said: "We would like to make it very clear that in our letter we simply addressed our deep concerns about Home Theatre hosting the works of someone who is clearly antisemitic and has compared Jews to Nazis."

It said there was "absolutely no reason for Home Theatre to state they have 'safety concerns'", adding it believed giving a platform for Abu Saif's works would "seriously damage community cohesion".

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Rufus Sewell has said he modelled his performance of Prince Andrew in the royals car crash interview on the comedy character David Brent.

The actor said he was inspired by Ricky Gervais character from The Office as he tried to find a line where the humour of it lay when he was preparing for the role of the Duke of York in the upcoming Netflix show Scoop.

"To me, it's a horrible thing, but watching the interview, his performance reminded me of David Brent more than anything else, he told The Mirror. That's not to be ignored."

Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew in the Netflix drama about his explosive interview (PA)

Brent, an awfully bad manager at a paper company, comes across as a laughably tragic figure in the mockumentary, believing that his team admire him when they in fact dislike him and think he is not up to his job.

Sewell, 56, spoke of his decision to accept the part of the 64-year-old duke in the Netflix dramatisation of the royals fateful 2019 Newsnight interview.

The prince was grilled by British journalist Emily Maitlis over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as well as his relationship with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Andrew has always strongly denied all claims.

Sewell said: "When I read the script, my immediate feeling was, 'Yeah, I think I could do this. Of course, I thought of the possible repercussions. And then I thought, 'F*** it, I'm not gonna get a knighthood anyway'."

Sewell modelled his Prince Andrew on David Brent, played by Ricky Gervais, star of comedy The Office

Sewell believes it was poor judgement that led Andrew to agree to the interview.

"I think he feels a genuine sense of victimhood, and how not fair everything is, which is quite palpable, he said. It's also a very, very limited imagination as to the humanity of other people. I think he has enormous compassion and sympathy... for himself."

The producer of Scoop, Hilary Salmon, spoke of the importance of striking the right balance between the seriousness of the sex crimes committed by Andrews friend Jeffrey Epstein and the princes outlandish claims.

In the infamous interview, the royal insisted he could not have had sex with Ms Giuffre in London on 10 March 2001 as alleged, because he had taken his daughter to a birthday party at the Pizza Express in Woking, Surrey, prompting worldwide mockery.

The Duke of York being grilled by British journalist Emily Maitlis in explosive 2019 interview (BBC/PA)

Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, also claimed they attended Tramp nightclub together and recalled Andrew being sweaty as they danced. But he said it could not have been him as he was unable to sweat at the time as a result of trauma caused by serving in the Falklands War.

Ms Salmon said: "There was no getting away from the fact that what he did, and the answers he gave, were absurd as well as jaw-droppingly outrageous and impossible not to laugh at really."

Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met. Following the interview, the duke was also cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style.
Russia accused a longtime ally of 'distorting history' in an effort to break off relations with Moscow

Russia accused Armenia of "distorting history" to try to "break off" relations with Moscow.

Armenia was a longtime ally of Russia but has recently become critical of it.

Armenia has suspended its participation in the Russia-led CSTO and sought closer Western ties.

Russia's foreign minister accused Armenia, a former ally, of "distorting history" to "break off" relations with Moscow.

Armenia recently stepped up its criticism of Russia. Last month, Armenia said it had "frozen our participation" in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO.

The CSTO is considered Russia's equivalent to NATO, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped it could rival the Western military alliance.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, told the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the situation "does not inspire optimism," a translation by Ukraine's Kyiv Independent said.

"Frankly, the Armenian leadership, under far-fetched pretexts, distorting the history of the last three or three and a half years, is deliberately leading things to the break off of relations with the Russian Federation," he said.

Lavrov said Armenia failed to mention the support it has received from the CSTO and said Russia had repeatedly protected Armenia's interests in difficult situations.

Armenia, once part of the Soviet Union, has deep historical and financial ties to Russia. But tensions between the countries have recently deepened, with Armenia challenging Russia and the CSTO and appearing to seek closer ties with the West.

Tensions became apparent in 2022 when Armenia called on the CSTO for help during border clashes with neighboring Azerbaijan.

Russia didn't send troops, angering Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He called the response "depressing" and "hugely damaging to the CSTO's image both in our country and abroad" and then physically distanced himself from Putin in a group photo at an international summit of CSTO member nations later that year.

Pashinyan said in June 2023 that Armenia was "not Russia's ally in the war with Ukraine" and felt trapped between Russia and the West.

And last month, he said Armenia had suspended its participation in the CSTO.

"The Collective Security Treaty has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022. And we could not let that happen without taking notice," he said.

"We have now, in practical terms, frozen our participation in this treaty. As for what comes next, we shall have to see."

Armenia has also been strengthening its ties with the West.

Pashinyan canceled military drills with Russia in January 2023 and, in September, announced a joint military exercise with the US. Armenia also ordered air-defense systems and radars from France.

Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenia's foreign minister, said last month that the country is considering seeking EU membership.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also visited Armenia this month to discuss stability in the region as the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues. He also reiterated his belief that Russia needs to be stopped in Ukraine.

Lavrov, in his comments this week, said Stoltenberg's trip was part of a Western effort to disrupt the region.

"The goal of those who are trying to tempt the Armenian leadership to side with the West is simple  to disrupt stability in the South Caucasus and to turn it into a zone of Western domination," he said.

"The West is doing the same in Central Asia and many other regions of our shared continent."

While tensions between Aremnia and Russia are strained, experts on Russia and former Soviet Union countries have said that relations between Russia and other CSTO member nations are also under pressure.

Russia's military failures in Ukraine and its response to Armenia have left some CSTO members worried that Russia would not be able to protect them and could even attack them, experts previously told Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The West, aiming to reduce Russia's influence in the South Caucasus and diminish its leverage in the region, is utilizing Armenia as a strategic tool. However, the new project, which excludes Georgia and Azerbaijan from the process instead of fostering peace and stability in the region, might exacerbate the situation further.

April 5 marks a significant milestone in the geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus. On this date, a trilateral meeting involving the European Union, the US, and Armenia is scheduled to take place in Brussels.

The meeting will be attended by prominent figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Preliminary information suggests that the outcome of the Brussels talks will involve the signing of a document providing security guarantees to Armenia by the West. Essentially, this implies the establishment of a military-political agreement with Armenia.

At the same time, the agenda includes discussions on various subjects such as granting Armenia candidate status for EU membership, providing necessary funds to Armenia from the European Peace Facility (EPF), offering bilateral military-technical assistance from EU countries, conducting joint military exercises and training to enhance Armenia's defense capabilities, implementing security reforms, bolstering border control, extending membership to Armenia in the European Energy Union, enhancing guarantees for Armenia's food security, and initiating a new agreement for military-technical cooperation with the country.

The Brussels meeting isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; discussions originated in October of last year during the 3rd European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain. This summit, championed by French President Emmanuel Macron, served as the catalyst for the development of "extremely special" relations between the European Union and Armenia, evolving through negotiations with Azerbaijan.

At this summit, which was not attended by the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Emmanuel Macron, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President of the Council of Europe Charles Michel, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed a joint statement against Azerbaijan.

The document demanded "full assurance of the return of Karabakh Armenians to their homes and their security" as well as "the immediate release of all Armenians arrested by Azerbaijan".

Thus, there was an attempt at gross interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan.

Following this, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held discussions with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The document finalized at the conclusion of their meeting "strongly condemned Azerbaijan's military actions against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh" and outlined new avenues of partnership between the European Union and Armenia, along with the extent of assistance to Yerevan.

At the summit in Granada, it was agreed that the US and the EU would hold a joint meeting to support Armenia.

The main objective of the forthcoming summit in Brussels on April 5 is to remove Russia from the South Caucasus region rather than to increase pressure on Azerbaijan. Concurrently, the Armenian leadership, cautious and even apprehensive of Russia, is expected to receive abstract "security guarantees," further solidifying support for the Pashinyan administration as a potential ally.

Armenia finds itself in a delicate position as it navigates its relationship with Russia, hesitant to hastily reduce ties by withdrawing from organizations like the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union to avoid potential repercussions from Russia.

The apprehension within Armenia is palpable, fueled by repeated warnings from Russian officials that maintaining a pro-Western stance could result in dire consequences, even endangering the nation's sovereignty.

Despite vocal support from the US and the European Union for Armenia's efforts to distance itself from Russia, specifics regarding the "security guarantees" they can offer remain undisclosed.

Washington and Brussels do not have the capacity for such means of assurance; there is only the option of direct deliveries of arms and military equipment to Armenia.

Furthermore, the Western powers, while advocating for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and aiming for regional stability without Russian involvement, view Russia as an unreliable partner. This sentiment extends beyond Armenia to encompass neighboring countries like Georgia and Azerbaijan.

However, should the West escalate its political and military-technical backing of Armenia, the already complex process of achieving peace in the South Caucasus will become significantly more challenging and potentially problematic.

The Western perspective often overlooks the harsh realities of intense geopolitical competition in the South Caucasus region.

Adding to these complexities, the upcoming meeting set for April 5 in Brussels introduces new risks into the equation.

While Washington and Brussels profess a desire to impartially and fairly mediate peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, their rumored plans to bolster Armenia's military and political capabilities, potentially through pressuring Azerbaijan, cast doubt on the neutrality of such mediation efforts.

Furthermore, any Western support for Armenia, particularly spearheaded by France, is likely to encounter staunch opposition from Russia and Iran. These regional powers are keen to maintain their traditional spheres of influence in the South Caucasus, which could exacerbate tensions in the area.

Russia clearly views the South Caucasus as its sphere of influence and seeks to limit Western geopolitical influence in the region. Hence, Russia will not be satisfied with a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, brokered solely by the US and the European Union.

Russia confidently asserts that "peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is possible only within the framework of a trilateral statement reached with the participation of Russia," indicating its pivotal role in regional affairs.

The West aims to bolster its position in negotiations by increasing support for Armenia. However, Armenia's adoption of increasingly aggressive rhetoric and the imposition of new proposals and conditions during negotiations may complicate matters. Moreover, heightened Western military and political support for Armenia, along with efforts to rapidly rearm the country's army, could embolden revanchist factions within it, fostering the illusion of a "successful" military operation against Azerbaijan.

France's stance remains steadfast in its unwavering support for Armenia, reflective of Emmanuel Macron's consistent foreign policy approach towards the South Caucasus.

Nevertheless, the US and the European Union must recognize that providing Armenia with additional promises and support during the April 5 meeting in Brussels could indefinitely prolong the peace process in the South Caucasus.

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Russia has only captured approximately 195 square miles of territory since October when it launched its current offensive along the front line in Ukraine, the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said.

Analysts said that up to 1,000 Russians are being killed or injured per day, in near-suicidal attacks on Ukrainian positions and yet has only recaptured an area not much larger than Rutland, Englands smallest county.

But although Russia has captured a relatively small area, its forces still pose a major threat to Ukraines front lines because they are better equipped.

Materiel constraints limit how Ukrainian forces can conduct effective defensive operations while also offering Russian forces flexibility in how to conduct offensive operations, the ISW said.

Overnight, Russia launched one of its biggest missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Officials said that Russia fired 60 drones and 39 missiles at various targets including cities and energy infrastructure. Six people were injured in the Dnepropetrovsk region and one other killed near the south-eastern city of Nikopol.

Ukraines air force has said that it shot down 84 of the missiles and drones, but officials have also said that Ukraine is running out of air defence missiles.

Russias ammunition advantage is 6:1

It comes as Ukraines top commander admitted that Russian forces fighting in the countrys eastern Ukraine have recently had six times more ammunition to fire than Kyivs troops.

In his first interview since being appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian military last month, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said: The enemy conducts dense artillery and mortar fire. Until a few days ago, the enemys advantage in terms of ammunition fired was about 6:1.

The defence forces are now performing tasks along the entire vast front line, with little or no weapons and ammunition, he warned, saying the situation was tense in some areas.

Gen Syrskyi took over as commander-in-chief in February after his popular predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny was fired by Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.

In the rare interview, Gen Syrskyi also said that Ukrainian forces were learning to adapt and fight with limited ammunition and soldiers but that plans to recruit another 500,000 soldiers had been downgraded.

After reviewing our internal resources and clarifying the combat composition of the armed forces, this figure was significantly reduced, he said, without giving a new recruitment target number.

Gen Syrskyi added that in recent months and weeks, Russia had significantly increased aviation activity, using KABs  guided aerial bombs that destroy our positions.

We lacked resources in Kharkiv

Ukraine is pushing for the US Congress to pass a long-stalled $60 billion (47.5 billion) military aid package for Kyiv.

We hope to receive from our partners more air defence systems and, most importantly, missiles, Gen Syrskyi said.

We would be even more grateful if this aid came faster and in sufficient quantities.

Ukraine has lost territory it would undoubtedly have retained with a sufficient number of air defence systems and artillery shells, he said.

We have to admit that we were not able to achieve greater success during the Kharkiv offensive because we lacked resources.

Human and equipment losses

Shortages of ammo and weapons have also affected the fight in southern Ukraine, he said.

The lack of resources and the necessary amount of ammunition allowed the Russians to dig deep into the ground in the south of Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Gen Syrskyi added.

Russia built up lines of heavy defences in the south that Ukraine failed to break through in its summer counter-offensive last year.

The assault on these positions, without effective air support, cost us human and equipment losses, he said.

The latest case is Avdiivka, he added, referring to the front-line eastern city near Donetsk that Russia seized in February.

Due to the constant bombardment with guided aerial bombs, the integrity of our defence was compromised, Gen Syrskyi said.

The lack of ammunition for our artillery also played a negative role. This made it impossible to conduct an effective counter-battery fight, he added.

To avoid encirclement and save lives, I decided to withdraw from Avdiivka.

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A Russian state-owned company exported almost 212,000 tonnes of grain from the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast in 2023 alone, worth an estimated US$46 million. Ukrainian grain is being shipped to Turkiye, Libya, and Israel. European companies are also involved in the process.

Source: NGL.media, a Ukrainian news outlet covering journalistic investigations, after having analysed Russian export data

Details: "Naturally, the analysis of such grey trade has its limitations, therefore, this data is by no means exhaustive. We can assert such a volume thanks to the data of customs declarations, where the exporter or declarant appears to be the Russian State Grain Operator, the main exporter of grain from the occupied territories," the investigation says.

The investigation reveals that the Russians set up the State Grain Operator (SGO) in the occupied city of Melitopol in mid-May 2022, less than three months into Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It is emphasised that the SGO seized most of the land, grain processing facilities and agricultural machinery in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The company was subject to US sanctions in early 2023, followed by sanctions imposed by Ukraine and the UK. However, the SGO successfully circumvented these restrictions by engaging in international trade through shell companies.

The SGO exported 212,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain in 2023 alone, estimated at US$46 million.

A total of 145,000 tonnes of this grain was exported directly by the SGO, with almost 67,000 more tonnes exported through Russian shell companies, where the SGO is listed as a declarant, based on data from Market Inside, an international database of export-import operations.

It is noted that the SGO operates through a network of Russian shell companies  Agrogroup, Samson, Tesori Della Terra, Global Trade and Genidi Group.

In addition, Ukrainian grain is sold on foreign markets by the affiliated firms Tesori Della Terra, established by Irina Kurganskaya, and Samson, where Tesori holds an 80% stake in the share capital.

Although Tesori Della Terra was registered only in September 2023, this company had exported over 18,000 tonnes of grain by the end of the year, journalists stated, citing customs data.

In particular, the company exported 6,600 tonnes of sunflower seeds worth US$2.3 million to UAE-based Mercalix Trade Dmcc in December, data from Market Inside shows. The customs data for this batch of sunflower seeds indicates the declarant as a general business entity. In two other shipments to Tesori Della Terra for Mercalix Trade Dmcc, the sanctioned SGO is listed as both the exporter and the declarant.

The journalists asked Mercalix Trade Dmcc to comment on these shipments. In response, the UAE-based company said it had only one contract with Tesori Della Terra, which was cancelled after obtaining information that the vessel used to transport the grain was subject to sanctions "due to certain activities".

Investigators also found that the grain exported by the SGO to foreign companies is loaded at the Port Kavkaz, located in the internationally recognised territory of Russia on the Kerch Strait, Krasnodar Krai. This makes it possible to indicate in customs documents that "the country of origin of the grain is Russia".

In addition, the company can ship grain through seized Ukrainian ports in Berdiansk or Mariupol, which is much closer to the occupied city of Melitopol, where the company is based.

It is also noted that the largest buyer of grain from Russian companies, where the SGO is a declarant and often an exporter, is the Turkish company Trans World Agro Tarim Ihracat Ithalat Limited Sirketi (Trans World Agro). It has imported almost 134,000 tonnes of grain worth US$28.6 million.

Trans World Agro was established in December 2022 by Israeli citizen Leon Mase, and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Pashkovskyi became the director of this formally Turkish company.

Leonid Pashkovsky, 64 years old, was once a well-known person. In 1998, he won the Ukrainian parliamentary elections in the Kherson electoral district No 184.

NGL.medias source said that Leonid Pashkovskyi has been out of Ukraine for two years. He crossed the Ukraine-Hungary border in March 2022 and has not returned to Ukraine since.

The second largest buyer of Ukrainian grain, following the customs declarations, is Daliland Alliance Ltd, registered in the Marshall Islands.

Daliland Alliance Ltd is registered in the offshore zone of the Marshall Islands, so the company's owners are hidden  the only known information is that it has existed since 2019. The company does not provide any contact information to the public.

The third largest company is the Swiss company Vivalon AG, whose involvement in the export of Ukrainian grain has already caught the attention of the most influential Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung, NGL.media writes.

It is noted that the heads of the SGO, Nikita Busel and Alexey Dzhurkin, are suspected under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war). Their case is being considered by the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv.

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The United Nations headquarters building in New York (Daniel SLIM)

Russia faced a mounting backlash Friday after using its veto power to effectively end official UN monitoring of sanctions on North Korea amid a probe into alleged arms transfers between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Russia's UN Security Council veto on Thursday blocked the renewal of the panel of experts tasked with investigating violations of sanctions tied to North Korea's banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

South Korea's foreign ministry on Friday slammed the move as an "irresponsible decision".

Seoul has accused Pyongyang of sending thousands of containers of weapons to Moscow for use in Ukraine, and Russia's move was "almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed", said Hwang Joon-kook, South Korea's UN ambassador.

The Kremlin defended its veto Friday, saying UN sanctions on North Korea were hindering dialogue and peace on the Korean peninsula and had not aided regional security.

"Over the years, international restrictive measures have not helped to improve the security situation in the region," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a daily briefing that Moscow's position was "more in line with our interests".

The European Union had earlier called Moscow's veto "an effort to conceal unlawful arms transfers between DPRK and Russia, in the context of the latter's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine", referring to the North by its official name.

The United States, meanwhile, said the vote was 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 after the Thursday vote.

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 have no expiration date.

The council has long been divided on the issue.

- 'Political solution' -

China abstained rather than joining Russia in the veto. All other members had voted in favor of renewing the expert panel.

Beijing said Friday it opposed "blindly supporting sanctions" on North Korea.

"The current situation in the (Korean) Peninsula remains tense, and blindly imposing sanctions cannot solve the issue," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

"A political solution is the only way," he said when asked why Beijing abstained during the vote, adding that a "showdown at the UN Security Council is not conducive to its authority."

China and Russia have in recent years ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts, and their strategic partnership has only grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia had earlier said that without an annual review 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.

- Continued tests -

Additional Security Council sanctions were levelled on Pyongyang in 2016 and 2017, but the North's development of its nuclear and weapons programmes has continued unabated.

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.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba took to social media Thursday to call the veto "a guilty plea".

bur/ceb/dhw/cwl
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia launched another large-scale attack against Ukrainian cities in the early hours of March 29.

The attacks targeted nearly every region of Ukraine, including the far-western Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. Multiple explosions were heard in Dnipro, the regional capital of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Attacks on Kamianske in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight damaged critical infrastructure and left one man hospitalized, according to Governor Serhii Lysak.

Several energy facilities were damaged in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and a housing cooperative was destroyed in the city of Kamianske, injuring five people, including a 5-year-old girl, two women, and two men, according to the governor. One of the men was hospitalized and is in a serious condition.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, said that three of its power plants were struck and seriously damaged in the overnight attacks, and one DTEK worker was injured. DTEK did not disclose where the impacted power plants were located, and it is unclear if they were the same energy facilities reported as being damaged in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

The injured DTEK worker received medical treatment and did not need to be hospitalized.

In total, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that energy facilities in at least six oblasts across Ukraine were damaged.

Russian forces launched waves of drones and missiles overnight, including Tu-95 bombers from the Russian city of Murmansk, MiG-31K aircraft from Savasleyka air base in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, and ballistic missiles from occupied Crimea, the Air Force reported.

At least 10 drones were shot down over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, as well as four missiles over the city of Dnipro, Governor Lysak reported.

Explosions were also reported in Ivano-Frankivsk and Khmelnytskyi.

Poland announced it had scrambled military jets in order to defend Polish airspace during the attack.

Russia has recently intensified its attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a renewed assault against the country's energy grid. The March 22 mass attack damaged the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station.

A recent major attack on March 24 saw 29 cruise missiles and 28 Shahed-type drones attack targeting eight regions in the west, center, north, and south of Ukraine. The attacks damaged critical infrastructure and left at least 76,000 people without heating.

Reductions in Ukraine's air defense capacity have limited the number of Russian missiles and drones the military can shoot down during attacks.

Read also: Russia aims to knock out Ukraines power grid in new wave of attacks

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The Russians lost another 820 soldiers over the past day, which brings the total number of Russian military casualties in this war to 440,790.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 29 March 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

440,790 (+820) military personnel;

6,922 (+8) tanks;

13,264 (+27) armoured combat vehicles;

10,991 (+28) artillery systems;

1,023 (+2) multiple-launch rocket systems;

735 (+6) air defence systems;

347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

325 (+0) helicopters;

8,656 (+56) strategic and tactical UAVs;

2,022 (+5) cruise missiles;

26 (+0) ships and boats;

1 (+0) submarines;

14,645 (+50) vehicles and tankers;

1,807 (+7) special vehicles and other equipment.

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Moscow paid some members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to push pro-Russian propaganda, Belgian PM Alexander De Croo said on March 28, as reported by Politico.

Speaking in Belgiums national parliament, De Croo said the information was obtained by Belgian and Czech security services while investigating and dismantling a Russian propaganda network in the EU.

It has come to light, for example, that Russia approached MEPs and paid them to advance Russian propaganda, said the PM.

Read also: US imposes sanctions for spreading Russian propaganda in Latin America

However, he did not disclose the names of the MEPs who were supposedly approached by Moscow.

De Croo's spokesperson later clarified that the Prime Minister's comments referred to the Czech government's decision to impose sanctions on the news website Voice of Europe, which they consider "part of a pro-Russian influence operation."

Read also: Russia vetoes UN resolution on monitoring North Korea sanctions

On March 27, Czech Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, a known associate of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. They claimed Medvedchuk ran a "Russian influence operation" via Voice of Europe.

Read also: Switzerland launches first criminal investigation of violating Russia sanctions

Deputy spokesperson for the European Parliament Delphine Colard noted that the parliament is currently "examining the findings" of the Czech authorities regarding the media outlet.

In January, independent Russian media outlet The Insider published an investigation into Latvian MEP Tatjana Zdanoka, alleging she worked for Russias FSB.

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Russian forces have captured an additional 505 square kilometers (195 square miles) of Ukrainian territory since their October 2023 offensive, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on March 28.

The ISW detailed that from Jan. 1 to March 28, Russian troops seized almost 100 square kilometers (approx. 37 sq. miles) more than in the final quarter of 2023.

The Ukrainian military's current pace of territorial loss could be attributed to ammunition shortages and challenging weather conditions. Despite the increased rate of Russian territorial gains, the ISW does not believe this signifies a potential for significant Russian operational success.

Read also: Russian forces destabilize Ukrainian defensive lines and prepare for summer offensive amid delays in Western security assistance

The report points to logistical challenges hampering the Ukrainian forces' defense capabilities, while simultaneously allowing Russian troops more leeway to launch offensive maneuvers. As logistical and manpower issues persist for Ukraine, Russia may find more opportunities to exploit these weaknesses.

Read also: Impact of Ukrainian UAV strikes on Russian assets - ISW analysis

Analysts also highlight a silver lining: increased Western aid and a resolution to Ukraine's manpower challenges could limit Russian advancements. Support is deemed crucial for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prevent further Russian tactical victories, diminish their offensive momentum, and gear up for potential counterattacks.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Azerbaijan is disappointed with the unilateral position of the US, Assistant of the President of Azerbaijan and Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev told the Chinese Phoenix TV channel, Trend reports.

"There must be regional responsibility, initiative, and cooperation. Peace must exist between Baku and Yerevan. We must understand each other's problems, turn the page of confrontation, and move forward. Countries like France, for example, militarize Armenia on the one hand and talk about peace on the other.

This can't be advantageous since it turns you into a party with prejudice. We are also dissatisfied with certain of the US's remarks and deeds. In regards to Azerbaijan, it has adopted a unilateral stance," he said.

Hajiyev also reminded that the US adopted the 907th amendment to the 'Freedom Support Act', prohibiting the government from providing assistance to Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan does not need anyone's help. We are not a recipient country of aid. The concept itself is unclear to us. The 907th Amendment was adopted by the US Congress back in 1992, when Azerbaijani territories were occupied. Imagine being occupied, and the US Congress adopts the 907th Amendment, which prohibits the American government from providing support to Azerbaijan.

But again, this is the choice of the US, and it is their Congress, but the question is, if you take unilateral actions, you cannot be fully impartial in the negotiating process. We appreciate good offices. But we do not believe there is a need for any form of mediation," the official added.

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The Kremlins security services were aware of an ISIS threat days before a deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow, Russian intelligence documents obtained by a UK-based investigative organization suggest.

According to the London-based Dossier Center, the documents showed ethnic Tajiks radicalized by ISIS-K  the Central Asian offshoot of the terror group ISIS  could have been involved.

At least 143 people were killed last Friday in the deadliest attack on Russia in decades, when assailants stormed Crocus City Hall with guns and incendiary devices, just before a concert was to be held.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack with statements, photos, and a propaganda video filmed by the attackers.

The Dossier Center is a Russian investigation group backed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled former Russian oil tycoon turned Kremlin critic. It has previously unearthed details about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime, often using documents and leaks from inside the Russian government.

A few days before the terrorist attack, members of the Security Council received a warning that Tajik citizens could be used in terrorist attacks on Russian territory, said the groups latest report, released on Sunday, referring to the Russian security agency.

Even before the attack on Crocus City Hall, a source close to the intelligence services told the Dossier Center about this, it added.

The Kremlin hasnt responded to CNNs request for a comment on the Dossier Center report.

Shocking footage of the attack showed how victims fled for their lives and ducked to safety in horror, with the venue transformed into an inferno.

Four suspects, who are from the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan but worked in Russia on temporary or expired visas, appeared in court earlier this week facing terror charges, showing visible signs of injury. Three pleaded guilty, according to Russian media.

Despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at historic lows, the United States warned Russia that ISIS militants were planning to stage an attack in the country.

Earlier in March, the US Embassy warned of an increased threat of terror attacks on Russia, with National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson saying the US had shared this information with Russian authorities under the duty to warn policy.

But in a speech just days before the attack, Putin had dismissed the American warnings as provocative, saying these actions resemble outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society.

Putin, who recently won a stage-managed election to secure another term, has repeatedly suggested, without evidence, that Ukraine had helped orchestrate the attack. Ukraine has repeatedly denied having any links to the attack.

Former Russian lawmaker Ilya Ponomarev, an exiled Kremlin critic, said the latest evidence posed serious questions for the Russian leadership and its security forces.

We see very clearly that Vladimir Putin could have reacted on numerous warnings, he told CNNs Erin Burnett Out Front.

ISIS-K claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the Russian embassy in Kabul in 2022.

The following year, German police arrested several people from Tajikistan accused of plotting an attack on Cologne Cathedral, according to the Dossier Center. Suspected ISIS-K members were also arrested in Kyrgyzstan, accused of plotting an attack at an orthodox church.

According to the Dossier Center, Russian law enforcement was monitoring all these reports and considered the risk to Russia.

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Russia has shut down a panel of UN experts that have for years monitored sanctions against North Korea.

The panel last week said it was probing reports that Russia violated rules by buying North Korean weapons like ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine.

The UN's Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions on Pyongyang since 2006 for its nuclear weapons programme.

Those restrictions are still in force - but the experts group set up to monitor violations will now be disbanded.

In a Security Council vote on Thursday, Russia used its veto power as a permanent member to block the renewal, while 13 of the other 14 member states present voted for it. China, Pyongyang's closest ally, abstained.

Russia's block triggered a wave of condemnation from the US, UK, South Korea and other Western allies and comes after a year of high-profile public meetings between Moscow and Pyongyang leaders.

This is the first time Russia has blocked the panel - which has been renewed annually by the UN Security Council for 14 years.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media Russia's veto was tantamount to "a guilty plea" that it was using North Korean weapons in the war.

The US, UK and France all told the Council that Russia was silencing the watchdog because it had begun to report on Moscow's own violations of the rules- specifically purchasing weapons from North Korea for the battlegrounds in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, South Korea's representative at the UN criticised Russia's "blind self-centeredness" and said it had no justification "for disbanding the guardians" of the sanctions regime.

"This is almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed," Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook said.

Russia has consistently denied using North Korean weapons and its representative at the UN again dismissed the accusations on Thursday.

Vasily Nebenzia also argued that the panel of experts had no added value.

"The panel has continued to focus on trivial matters that are not commensurate with the problems facing the peninsula," said Mr Nebenzia, who also added that sanctions had imposed a "heavy burden" on the North Korean people.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showed off his country's missiles to Russia's Defence Minister on a visit last year [Reuters]

Since 2019, Russia and China have sought to persuade the Security Council to ease sanctions.

The Security Council first imposed sanctions in 2006 in response to a North Korean nuclear test, and has since passed 10 more resolutions strengthening them as Pyongyang's nuclear activity has continued.

However Kim Jong Un's regime has largely ignored the sanctions- despite their impact on the economy. The North Korean leader has rapidly continued nuclear weapons development and has pursued a more aggressive and dangerous military strategy in recent years.

The UN experts say North Korea continues to flout sanctions through increased missile test launches and developing nuclear weapons. The regime launched a spy satellite this year - with technology believed to have been provided by Russia.

In breach of the sanctions, it also continues to import refined petroleum products and send workers overseas, and the UN panel's most recent report detailed a campaign of cyber attacks.
South Korea says the North is supplying arms to Russia - Vladimir Smirnov/AP

Russia has faced a backlash after using its veto to effectively end official UN monitoring of sanctions on North Korea, amid a probe into alleged arms transfers between Moscow and Pyongyang.

At a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, Russia blocked the renewal of the panel of experts who investigate violations of sanctions tied to North Koreas banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

South Koreas foreign ministry on Friday slammed the move as an irresponsible decision.

Hwang Joon-kook, the South Korean ambassador to the UN, said Seoul had earlier accused Pyongyang of sending thousands of containers of weapons to Moscow for use in Ukraine and Russias move was almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed.

The Kremlin defended its veto on Friday, saying UN sanctions on North Korea were hindering dialogue and peace on the Korean peninsula and had not aided regional security.

Maria Zakharova, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, said: Over the years, international restrictive measures have not helped to improve the security situation in the region.

Maria Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, said sanctions did not aid security

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, told reporters at a daily briefing that Moscows position was more in line with our interests.

The European Union called Moscows veto an effort to conceal unlawful arms transfers between DPRK and Russia, in the context of the latters illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, referring to North Korea by its official name.

The United States, meanwhile, said the vote was a self-interested effort to bury the panels reporting on its own collusion with North Korea.

Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said after the Thursday vote: Russias actions today have cynically undermined international peace and security, all to advance the corrupt bargain that Moscow has struck with the DPRK.

Russia and China push to ease sanctions

The panels 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 programme.

Since 2019, Russia and China have tried to persuade the Security Council to ease the sanctions, which have no expiration date.

The council has long been divided on the issue. China abstained, rather than joining Russia in the veto. All other members voted in favour of renewing the expert panel.

Beijing said on Friday it opposed blindly supporting sanctions on North Korea.

Lin Jian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said: The current situation in the [Korean] peninsula remains tense, and blindly imposing sanctions cannot solve the issue.

A political solution is the only way, he said, when asked why Beijing abstained during the vote. He added that a showdown at the UN Security Council is not conducive to its authority.

China and Russia have ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts in recent years and their strategic partnership has grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.

Russias UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia earlier said that without an annual review 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, Mr Nebenzia said.

Additional Security Council sanctions were levelled on Pyongyang in 2016 and 2017, but the Norths development of its nuclear and weapons programmes has continued unabated.

North Korea has recently been test-firing missiles - KCNA

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 said 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.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign minister, took to social media on Thursday to call the veto a guilty plea.

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A Russian attack on the Kamianske district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in the early hours of March 29 damaged critical infrastructure and injured a local man, Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

The injured man has been hospitalized and is in serious condition. No other casualties have been reported.

The attack also damaged a number of critical infrastructure facilities, Lysak said. Local residents reported power outages following the attack.

More details on the infrastructure damage will be provided after the attack is investigated, Lysak said.

Russia has intensified attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure in recent days in a renewed attempt to destroy the country's power grid. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 24 that Moscow launched 190 missiles, 140 Shahed-type drones, and 700 aerial bombs over the course of one week.

Read also: Russia aims to knock out Ukraines power grid in new wave of attacks

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Any attempt by the Russian army to take the city of Kharkiv would be fatal for Moscows forces, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, said on March 29.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, located just over 30 kilometers south of the Russian border, has in recent weeks seen an escalation in strikes from Russian missiles, drones, and now air bombs.

A recent report by Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza claimed political elites have not ruled out that President Vladimir Putin will order a ground offensive against the city.

In an interview with Ukrinform, Syrskyi said such an attack could not be ruled out and Ukraines Armed Forces were taking all measures to adequately respond to such a possibility.

Read also: Russia intensifies attacks on Kharkiv, draining Ukraines air defense and civilian morale

Today, we are carrying out a large scale of works on the fortification of territories and positions, we are installing a complex system of barriers, he said.

Referencing the liberation of parts of Kharkiv Oblast in 2022 after seven months of Russian occupation, Syrskyi said Ukraines Armed Forces already had experience of military operations in the region which caused the large-scale collapse of the Russian front.

If the Russians go there again, Kharkiv will become a fatal city for them, he added.

In the same interview, Syrski said that despite being outmanned and outgunned, Ukraines use of drones and high-precision artillery mean Russian troops can never feel safe even far from the front lines.

He also acknowledged the very difficult situation on the front, saying Moscows forces continue to use mass assaults and has recently significantly increased the use of air strikes and guided bombs that destroy our positions.

Syrski also said Russian forces currently enjoy an ammunition advantage of around 6:1, adding that Ukraine is helped by high-precision ammunition.

Our gunners use high-precision ammunition to destroy enemy concentrations even tens of kilometers from the front line, he added.

Read also: Zelensky visits Sumy Oblast, inspects fortifications

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Russian occupation authorities targeted members of the LGBTQ+ community during the occupation of Kherson back in 2022, Ukrainian public organization Projektor announced on March 28.

Russia occupied parts of the Kherson region between March and November 2022. Throughout the occupation, the Russian military specifically sought out and targeted Ukrainian LGBTQ+ individuals.

Projektor indicates that abuses committed by the Russian military against this community could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, including gender-based prosecution.

War crimes include acts such as deliberate attacks on civilians, attacks on cultural sites or medical institutions, torture, and deportations.

The report documented several instances, for example, in which Russian authorities forced men to undress at checkpoints and searched for tattoos of a rainbow image, as well as checked phones for gay dating apps.

Between March and Sept. 2023, Projektor interviewed 107 LGBTQ+ people who were victims or witnesses of these crimes.

LGBTQ+ victims did not contact Ukrainian law enforcement to report abuse by Russian authorities for fear of further ridicule. When the Projektor study began, the Kherson Office of the Attorney General had not investigated any war crimes against LGBTQ+ people living in the occupied territories.

Russia's crackdown on gay rights intensified following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Back in December 2022, the Russian State Duma passed legislation banning the public expression of LGBT identity.

Late last year, Russia's Supreme Court declared the "international LGBT social movement" to be an "extremist organization" and banned its activities.

Accordin to Veronika Plotnikova, the head of the Coordinating Center for Support of Victims and Witnesses of the Prosecutor General's Office, Ukraine has collected pretrial information on over 128,000 victims of war crimes.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says new Russian offensive could come in May or June

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Prosecutors say Kravtsova participated in an 'extremist organisation', charges which carry up to six years in prison (Handout)

A Moscow court on Friday ordered a journalist who covered the trials of late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to be held in pre-trial detention on "extremism" charges.

Prosecutors say Antonina Kravtsova, a correspondent for the independent SotaVision outlet, participated in an "extremist organisation", charges which carry up to six years in prison.

The Kremlin outlawed Navalny's organisations as "extremist" before his death and has carried out a crackdown against his allies who stayed in Russia.

"The Basmanny District Court ordered Antonina Kravtsova to be remanded in custody for a period of two months," the press service for Moscow courts said in a post on Telegram.

Kravtsova, who also goes by the name Antonina Favorskaya, regularly covered Navalny's trials. She filmed a court hearing of him a day before he died in an Arctic prison colony last month.

She was arrested upon leaving jail earlier this week, where she had already served a 10-day sentence on charges of disobeying police orders.

She had originally been detained hours after visiting Navalny's grave in southern Moscow during the Russian presidential election.

Prosecutors say Kravtsova posted materials on Navalny's social media platforms that are banned in Russia.

In court on Friday, Kravtsova said the case was retribution for an article she wrote about how Navalny was "tortured" in prison, SotaVision reported.

The article was shared on X by Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, who described it as an "important text".

Navalny's team has condemned the case and on Friday said the Russian regime was trying to create a "new wave of fear" among its critics.

bur/jj
A Russian drone crashed on the Great Braila Island after flying 23 kilometres over Romanian territory at approximately 20:00 on 28 March.

Source: European Pravda; HotNews.ro with reference to debraila.ro

Details: According to media reports, prior to the fall, the drone had flown 23 kilometres over Romanian territory. Although the origin is unknown, Russian markings can be seen on the debris, similar to those used on Shahed UAVs.

According to HotNews.ro, the crater formed by the drone's fall has a diameter of about four metres and can be seen from above.

Authorities received a report of a drone falling around 21:45 on Thursday. Since then, law enforcement has closed off the area. Witnesses say they heard a loud explosion as the drone fell.

Earlier on Friday, the Romanian Ministry of Defence reported the discovery of drone-like fragments on Romanian territory near the Danube River and the Ukrainian border.

Local media said the wreckage was discovered 12 kilometres from Braila. Reportedly, the drone crashed with a loud bang.

According to sources, it was a Russian drone that was supposed to attack Ukrainian Danube ports, but its GPS guidance system likely failed.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stated that he had spoken with the defence minister about the drone's crash on Romanian territory near the Ukrainian border, and that the origin had yet to be determined by an investigation.

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Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, has said that Russians fired two Kinzhal missiles at Lviv Oblast on the night of 28-29 March, damaging a critical infrastructure facility.

Source: Kozytskyi on Telegram

Quote from Kozytskyi: "Last night, 11 enemy drones and two Kinzhal missiles hit Lviv Oblast. All 11 drones were destroyed by military personnel from Zakhid (West) Air Command! Unfortunately, the missiles were not shot down."

Details: He said that the wreckage of the Russian aerial munitions damaged a critical infrastructure facility in the oblast, with no deaths or injuries reported.

Kozytskyi added that the basic utility services in Lviv Oblast were operating normally.

Background:

Russian forces launched attack UAVs on the territory of Ukraine from multiple directions simultaneously on the evening of 28 March. At around 04:00, Ukraines Air Force reported that the Russians launched cruise missiles. An air-raid warning was in effect the whole night.

The Russians have once again hit energy facilities during a large-scale missile and drone attack. The Russians attacked facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Cherkasy Oblasts. They specifically targeted power generation facilities with drones and missiles.

On the night of 28-29 March, Ukraines air defence destroyed 84 aerial munitions out of the 99 Russia used to attack Ukraine.

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The aftermath of the fire in Crocus City Hall

GRU Colonel Timur Myasnikov, recently back from service in the Ukraine, succumbed to injuries from a shooting at Crocus City Hall, Mediazona reported on March 28.

The colonel's death was reported by graduates of Suvorov military academy on Telegram, and confirmed by colonel's friend Malivanchuk, the head of the Samara branch of the organization Officers of Russia.

The colonel allegedly served in Kosovo, Tajikistan, and also took part in the Russian aggression against Ukraine in Donbas.

"Only a few days ago he came on leave to visit his family in Moscow," Malivanchuk wrote. And, as luck would have it, he decided to go to a concert with his wife Polina and son Ruslan at the Crocus.

Read also: Crocus City Hall shooting triggers wave of xenophobia in Russia

The attack at the concert led to Myasnikov sustaining three gunshot wounds. Despite being under medical care for three days, his injuries proved fatal.

Read also: Why Russia is trying to blame Ukraine for Crocus City Hall attack: expert opinion

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Certain political measures negatively affect the peace agenda in the South Caucasus, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with the Chinese Phoenix TV channel, Trend reports.

He recalled that Azerbaijan was compelled to exercise its right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

"We are faced with double standards. We have to accept that foreign policy justifies military occupation and hostility, and it even promotes secession. This is intolerable for Azerbaijan, just like it is for any other nation. We have turned the page and ensured peace and security. It is probably very difficult, but sometimes it becomes necessary to ensure peace on the ground. Now Armenia and Azerbaijan are closer to peace than ever before. The last six months on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border have been among the calmest in the history of the two countries. We have witnessed the chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group. For 30 years, it has been negotiating but has not achieved much. The occupation continued, and we were far from peace. Now peace is close. There is de facto peace on the ground," Hajiyev said.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan's vision is to turn the Caucasus region into a region of peace and cooperation.

"We have drafted the text of the peace treaty despite being the object of military occupation, and we have also formulated five fundamental principles of the peace treaty for the Republic of Armenia. We are making good progress regarding the peace treaty, but Azerbaijan's approach is that peace should be between Baku and Yerevan because this region belongs to us. Peace is not in Washington, Brussels, or Paris. Peace is herein the South Caucasus region, between the two countries. We see that we are moving forward, but certain political measures negatively affect regional cooperation and a peaceful agenda," Hajiyev said.

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An unexploded Russian Kh-59 aircraft missile was found in a forest near one of the villages in Sumy Oblast.

Source: Sumy Oblast Police Department

Quote: "An enemy missile was found in a forest near one of the villages in Sumy Oblast. It did not explode during the fall, but sustained damage to the body and lost its engine."

Details: It is reported that a police officer patrolling the hromada noticed an elongated grey object on the edge of the forest [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories]. When he drove closer, he realised that he had found a Russian missile and then reported it to 102 (the police hotline number in Ukraine).

The police reported that the found missile was about seven metres long, weighed 930 kilograms and had a powerful warhead weighing more than 280 kilograms. It was defused by bomb disposal experts.

Background: The wreckage of a Russian Zircon missile was found in Kyiv on 25 March.

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The Russian city of Belgorod was shelled in the early hours of March 29, damaging apartment buildings, the Russian Telegram channel BelPlus claimed.

Residents reported loud noises in the region at around 3 a.m. local time, and photos and videos circulated on social media showing damaged apartments. Residents said shrapnel had broken the windows in several units.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov issued a missile warning for the region earlier in the evening, at 1:49 a.m. local time. Gladkov later claimed that 17 buildings and 12 cars in the city were damaged during the attack.

No casualties have been reported.

Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the alleged attack, and The Kyiv Independent could not independently confirm these claims.

Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts. Claims of rocket and drone attacks against the region have increased following a series of anti-Kremlin Russian militias' incursions into the border areas.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says new Russian offensive could come in May or June

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Russia this week vetoed the annual renewal of a panel of experts tasked with monitoring the enforcement of U.N. sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Thirteen United Nations Security Council members voted in favor of extending the panels mandate for an additional year, while China abstained.

North Korea has been under sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006, and the vote does not affect the sanctions themselves.

The panel, made up of independent experts, has been conducting oversight for 15 years, reporting twice a year to the Security Council. Experts also provide recommendations on how to better implement measures.

Russias veto came amid allegations that North Korea has transferred weapons to Russia to use in its invasion of Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea have denied the claims.

South Koreas U.N. Ambassador Joonkook Hwang slammed the outcome of the vote.

This is outrageous and makes no sense at all, given the continued and accelerated advancement of the North Korean nuclear and missile programs, he said. Pyongyang has been openly denouncing the authority of the Security Council and pursuing an increasingly dangerous and aggressive nuclear policy, in particular targeting the Republic of Korea.

The panels current mandate expires April 30. The groups recent report, released this March, looked at alleged cyberattacks by North Korea to further bolster its nuclear weapons program.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia was not sold on the panels independence.

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, Nebenzia said to the Security Council before the vote Thursday, according to Reuters.

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According to the Russian Investigative Committee, following the shooting at Crocus City Hall on 22 March, the terrorists allegedly fled to the Russian-Ukrainian border in order to "receive a reward in Kyiv" for their actions.

Source: Investigative Committee of Russia on Telegram

Details: According to Russian investigators, the alleged defendants confessed during interrogation that they were led by a man using a pseudonym. He used Telegram to send voice messages and direct the stages of the terrorist attack.

Quote: "After committing the crime, the terrorists were directed by the coordinator to drive to the Russian-Ukrainian border by car in order to arrive in Kyiv to receive the promised reward.

As a result, a series of investigative actions and operational measures to confirm the involvement of Ukrainian special service representatives in the organisation and financing of the terrorist attack are still being carried out."

Background:

On 26 March, after Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin accused "those fighting against Russia at the hands of the Kyiv regime" of being responsible for the shooting at the Crocus City Hall, Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, stated that Ukraine and not ISIS was behind the terrorist attack on 22 March.

Ukraines Defence Intelligence stated that Russia was aware of the impending terrorist operation near Moscow but allowed it to take place due to the "struggle of the towers of influence," or a lack of understanding of the scope of the attack.

Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, stated that the terrorists who managed to flee after the attack on the Russian Crocus City Hall intended to enter Belarus but "turned around" due to implemented security measures and went to the Ukrainian-Russian border instead.

As of 28 March, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations published a list of people killed in the terrorist attack, which included 143 names.

Russian special forces said they had detained several Tajik citizens accused of committing the attack.

On 29 March, Russia's Investigative Committee (IC) said it received "evidence" that the terrorists that attacked the Crocus City Hall concert hall were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists".

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Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that the military is carrying out large-scale work on fortification of territories where the Russians may launch an offensive. He has also expressed the opinion that a possible attack on Kharkiv would be a fatal mistake for Russia.

Source: Syrskyi in an interview with Ukrinform

Details: A number of Western media outlets stated that Kharkiv is once again under the threat of a Russian offensive. The journalist asked Syrskyi to assess how real this threat is.

Quote from Syrskyi: "We cannot ignore any information about the enemy's preparations for offensive actions, so we are taking all measures to respond to such a possibility in a relevant way. Today, we are carrying out a large range of works to fortify our territories and positions, installing a comprehensive system of barriers, and planning actions of our troops in the event of such an attack.

We already have experience of combat operations in Kharkiv Oblast, we managed to calculate the actions of the enemy and liberate a large part of Kharkiv Oblast. It was then that the Russian front collapsed significantly. If the Russians move on there again, Kharkiv will become a fatal city for them."

Details: Nevertheless, Syrskyi noted that, of course, each military operation is unique in its own way, and it would not be possible to simply use an arbitrary copy in the next situation at the front line under any circumstances. Syrskyi added that modern warfare is a mathematical problem with hundreds of variables, in which each component can be crucial.

Background:

Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza, citing sources close to the Kremlin, wrote that Russian "political elites" are not ruling out that Russia and its ruler Vladimir Putin will try to capture Kharkiv and gradually end the so-called special military operation [as Russian officials call the war against Ukraine  ed.].

The Centre for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defence Council said that the information about Russian preparations for an offensive on Kharkiv was part of a hostile "fear propaganda" campaign and was not true.

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Russian officials seem to be "pretty good manure salesmen", regarding their ever-changing claims about Ukraines supposed involvement in the Crocus City Hall terror attack, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, DW and The Hill reported.

Kirby called Russian claims about Ukraine's alleged connection with the terrorists utter "nonsense and propaganda."

"My uncle used to say that the best manure salesmen often carry their samples in their mouths, Kirby told reporters.

Russian officials seem to be pretty good manure salesmen."

Read also: It was raining shrapnel  high-rise hit in nighttime shelling of Russias Belgorod  photo, video

The ISIS terrorist group bears full responsibility for the attack, he added.

The U.S. publicly warned Russia well before the attack  in writing  that it intelligence suggesting an extremist attack was imminent.

"We provide this information to Russia because the United States takes our duty to warn very seriously and never wants innocent people to die as a result of terrorist attacks," Kirby 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.

Read also: Why Russia is trying to blame Ukraine for Crocus City Hall attack: expert opinion

Russian authorities claim 140 people were killed.

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 toward the border with Ukraine, where they supposedly had contacts.

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.

The USA and a number of Western countries warned in advance about a large-scale terrorist attack being prepared in Moscow.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The EU-Armenia-US conference scheduled for April 5 this year could push Armenia to engage in further provocations, said Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov during receiving Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Pavel Knyazev, the Azerbaijani ministry told Trend.

The meeting focused on issues related to Azerbaijan and Russia's bilateral and multilateral cooperation agendas, as well as the present regional situation.



Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the favorable impact of the two nations' existing connections on expanding collaboration on regional and international levels. The discussions covered the prospects for collaboration on several international platforms. The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister addressed the Russian ambassador on Azerbaijan's negotiation process during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year, as well as the preparatory preparations done.

Speaking about the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period and Azerbaijan's constructive efforts, Bayramov noted that a number of steps creating new challenges to the advancement of the peace process, including attempts by extra-regional states to project their unilateral agenda on the region, hinder the process.

It was emphasized that Azerbaijan's view on the EU-Armenia-US joint conference, scheduled for April 5 of this year, was explicitly expressed, including fear that such measures would incite Armenia, where revanchist sentiments dominate, into new provocations.

Furthermore, despite the current difficulties and challenges, our country is committed to safeguarding regional peace and security.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed other subjects of mutual interest.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Over the past day, Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions on six fronts, with 22 assaults on the Novopavlivka front alone. A total of 59 combat clashes took place.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 29 March

Details: There were no significant changes on the Volyn and Polissia fronts.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians are maintaining their 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 six Russian attacks in the vicinity of Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast) and Terny (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 13 attacks in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar, Novyi, Klishchiyivka and Andriivka (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled three attacks near Semenivka in Donetsk Oblast, where the Russians tried to drive Ukrainian units from their footholds.

On the Novopavlivka front, Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to hold back the Russians near the settlements of Novomykhailivka, Heorhiivka and Urozhaine, where the Russians, supported by aircraft, attempted to break through the Ukrainian defences 22 times.

On the Orikhiv front, Russian forces, supported by aircraft, attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders eight times near Robotyne, northwest of Verbove and north of Pryiutne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast).

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. Two attacks on Ukrainian troops' positions were made over the last day.

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 14 areas where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated.

Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery struck one cluster of Russian military personnel, four control points, four air defence systems, two artillery pieces and one ammunition depot belonging to the Russians.

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It's a year since an apparently "rusty" bridge was erected across the busy M8 motorway in Glasgow.

Decades after the road divided the city, the eye-catching structure finally reconnects communities in the north with the centre.

Local pedestrians and cyclists no longer face lengthy commutes and say Sighthill Bridge has "transformed" their journeys to work and college.

They told BBC Scotland News they feel safer and have more pride in the area.

Local man Ramsay Sartawi, 35, said the bridge had already become a city landmark.

"Everyone knows where the rusty bridge is," he said. "I can't remember what the actual official name is, but the Rusty Bridge is its name."

Ramsay Sartawi has lived in Sighthill for several years [BBC]

It has made life a lot easier for locals, Mr Sartawi said.

"When this wasn't here, you had to walk almost all the way to the west end and then back in or else down towards the Royal [Infirmary] - a good mile in the other direction," he added.

"So it's a lot more convenient if you're living in Springburn or Sighthill."

Unlike the other concrete bridges over the motorway, Sighthill Bridge is made of Cor-Ten steel, a long-lasting material which requires little maintenance.

Weighing about 1,000 tonnes and spanning 74m (80yds), the bridge features seating areas and landscaping, including thousands of new plants.

With a long southern approach ramp for wheelers, it was designed to encourage more active travel in the area.

Mr Sartawi said: "There was a little bridge here before but it was very old and not well lit with a dodgy entrance - you wouldn't really use it at night."

"Before it was just grass and mud around here, but now you see people here all the time just sitting or reading or hanging out, just because it's a nice place to be when the weather's good," he added.

Simon Taylor said the project had improved the look of the area [BBC]

The bridge is part of a 250m regeneration of Sighthill - the biggest UK project of its kind outside London, according to Glasgow City Council.

Plans for the area also include almost 1,000 new homes and landscaping.

Simon Taylor, who lives in nearby Speirs Wharf, said it had transformed his commute next to the motorway into a "country walk".

"Before it was a small bridge and it wasn't as nice, all of the landscaping has been restored so it's a much nicer walk into town," he said. "It's connected everything up and it looks better.

"There used to be tower blocks as well and this must be better than the high rises.

"There's stuff going on all down the canal corridor."

Sighthill was once home to 10 tower blocks which housed thousands of residents.

Built in the 1960s, the council began demolishing the high rises as part of the regeneration project over the past two decades.

Lauren Guthrie, who lives in Sighthill, said the bridge made her feel much safer when walking home from lectures.

The 21-year-old student said: "I lived locally before moving into the new housing and it's changed the area a lot. It feels much safer.

The "rusty bridge" has replaced a previous pedestrian bridge at Sighthill [BBC]

[BBC]

"If I'm coming home from the town, it's all well lit and I can just go over the bridge whereas before you're talking about a big detour when it's quite dark and there's not many people about.

"I don't feel unsafe walking home and there's always people around."

She added: "It has helped a lot - especially before it was an area that was deprived but I can see the difference.

"Hopefully they do continue to make investments as I'd like to see it go a bit further."

Emily Dibble, a 20-year-old student at Glasgow Caledonian University, said she usually parked her car in Sighthill to get to her lectures.

Emily Dibble used the bridge to commute to her lessons in the city centre [BBC]

"I park here for free and I just commute to university," she said. "It's so much easier and better than paying for parking in the centre.

"I live about 15 minutes away and only recently saw it advertised when it was done up. It's made things much easier."

In December 2022, the 22m Sighthill Community Campus officially opened to combine two local primary schools and open a new nursery for the area.

A new playpark followed, as well as new housing next to the bridge in Sighthill Circus.

Residents started moving into the new homes in October 2023.

More "mixed-tenure" housing is planned for 2024, as well as the opening of allotment spaces for locals.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "The Sighthill Bridge has been a great addition to not only the ongoing regeneration of Sighthill, but as an example of how an infrastructure project can deliver benefits to people's lives.

"The striking bridge reconnected Sighthill to the nearby city centre, providing a new active travel route to north Glasgow, and is a symbol of the transformation of this area."
Sacramento County sheriffs detectives on Thursday arrested a mother who had been a wanted fugitive for more than a year after failing to appear in court to face trial on a child endangerment charge in the 2019 death of her 13-month-old daughter.

Regjanah Nash, 25, was back in custody Friday at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where she was being held without bail.

The felony child endangerment charge faced by Nash stems from an incident on Aug. 2, 2019, when Nash left the toddler in a bathtub with her 2-year-old disabled sister and her 8-year-old cousin to watch both small children, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office announced Friday in a news release.

Sheriffs officials said Nash left the children in the home to run errands with her sister, and the adults returned to the home later to find the 13-month-old girl unresponsive in the bathtub.

Rather than calling 9-1-1, Nash and her sister transported all three children to a local hospital in their vehicle, sheriffs officials said in the news release.

The toddler was pronounced dead at the hospital by staff shortly after arriving, authorities said.

Nash initially told sheriffs child abuse detectives that she placed her child in the bathtub, and then she needed to rush out of the home after a frantic phone call from her sister who was having an emergency, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Sheriffs officials said the mother also told detectives she was out of the home for no longer than 15 minutes but later admitted to leaving the children alone for at least 90 minutes.

After completing their investigation, sheriffs detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Nash on April 21, 2021. Nearly two weeks later, deputies found Nash and arrested her.

Sheriffs officials said Nash was released from jail that same day, May 4, 2021, on $0 bail, also known as the emergency bail schedule. California authorities implemented the temporary measure at the time to slow further spread of COVID-19 in jails.

On Feb. 10, 2022, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Nash to stand trial in her daughters death. Sheriffs officials said Nash still remained out of custody pending her trial, and she failed to appear in court on Jan. 6, 2023. The court then issued a warrant for her arrest.

On Thursday, detectives from the sheriffs Major Crimes Bureau found Nash at a relatives home in Stockton and arrested her.

Nash is scheduled to return Tuesday afternoon to Sacramento Superior Court.
CAMEMBERT, France  On a tiny farm tucked into the lush, green hillside of Normandy, Aude Sementzeff heats raw milk from cows up the hill until it curdles, then scoops it into molds to make a round, pearly white Camembert cheese.

For eight years, Sementzeff has been making the earthy, soft cheese in small batches to be sold in Paris stores, continuing a tradition that dates to the 18th century. So ubiquitous is Camembert in France that soldiers in the trenches of World War I ate it as part of their daily rations.

Camembert is there at each step of our history, Sementzeff, 41, said as she delicately salted each cheese and flipped it to perfect its rind. So there is a strong link, I think, with French culture.

But now this notoriously pungent delicacy is in trouble, as is brie, another celebrated French cheese enjoyed across the world.

The National Centre for Scientific Research, Frances state-run science agency, has warned that Camembert, brie and even blue cheeses could disappear, owing to a decline in the strains of fungi that give the beloved cheeses their unique taste, smell, color and texture.

Blue cheeses may be under threat, but the situation is much worse for Camembert, which is already on the verge of extinction, the research center wrote in a memo in January.

While many cheesemakers insist the problem isnt quite that dire, they acknowledge that producing cheeses like Camembert is getting harder, a consequence in part of past efforts to engineer the perfect block.

Scientists refer to fungis role in cheesemaking as delicious rot, and its a critical part of the arduous process of making a Camembert, which includes several weeks of aging. It can be added early on with other enzymes when milk is heated to form curds, or sprayed on the cheese later to help the ripening process and promote the soft, white rind prized by Camembert-lovers.

A Normandy cow that provides milk for Camembert cheese at a farm near Isigny Sainte-Mere; a cheesemaker in Camembert. (Alastair Miller; Maurice Rougemont / Getty Images file)

In Camemberts early days, the fungi existed naturally in the air in the damp caves where it was aged, said Emily Monaco, an American writer and cheese connoisseur who lives in Paris. She said thats what gave each batch its own distinctive character.

Some of them are going to be a little redder or a little bluer or a little grayer, Monaco said. And what people realized was that people really like the white, pristine look of Camembert.

As a result, during the 20th century, cheesemakers stopped leaving the fungus to chance and began making it in the lab. They isolated one particular albino strain known as Penicillium camemberti that produces the perfect white rind, and soon cheesemakers globally began using it.

Benjamin Wolfe, who teaches microbiology at Tufts University and studies fermented food in his lab, said that brought advantages, such as consistency, but also downsides.

Often when we domesticate plants  or even our pets, like dogs and sometimes cats  were selecting particular types that we find appealing, he said. And when we do that, were removing from the overall pool of genetic diversity.

Camembert cheeses are packed into boxes at the Isigny Sainte (Alastair Miller / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

Over time, Penicillium camemberti is losing some of its ability to reproduce naturally. Instead, scientists are growing the fungus using asexual reproduction  not unlike planting a cutting from a flower to clone it, rather than a seed. Wolfe said growing the fungus that way is doable, but more difficult.

Theres also the longer-term concern about having just one or two strains of an organism still around: If a disease or pathogen emerges to which the remaining strain is susceptible, it could wipe out the entire population.

Its a similar threat to the one facing other popular foods due to dwindling global biodiversity thats being exacerbated by climate change, scientists say.

Hotter temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and more frequent extreme weather events are altering delicate ecosystems across the globe that plant and animal species rely on to survive, the U.N. says. Its also increasing the prevalence of diseases.

In the case of cheese, scientists have started working to restore some of the genetic diversity to the fungi. Lactalis, the worlds largest dairy company and maker of the popular President Camembert cheese in France, said it was not worried about the future of our products.

A statue of Marie Harel, born in 1761, invented camembert cheese; cars along the Tour de France route advertise Coeur de Lion camembert cheese in 2002. (Antonio Autenzio; William Stevens / Getty Images file)

We are committed to preserving the biodiversity and safety of the ferments, Lactalis said in a statement. Our mission is the sustainability of know-how and cheese heritage, of which ferments are an integral part.

Ironically, large industrial producers that rely entirely on lab-made fungus may have a tougher challenge in the future than small, artisan farms, where the presence of animals and lack of chemicals means theres still a wide variety of wild-growing fungi in the environment.

Monaco, the writer, said cheese-lovers of the future may have to embrace the fact that Camembert may not all look and taste the same. She said part of the beauty of cheese is how its shaped by its environment, or terroir, and factors as capricious as whether the grass fed to the dairy cows got more or less sun in any given year.

If we want things to stay the same, were going to have problems moving forward, she said. If were excited about the fact that as we go forward, each Camembert you try is going to have its own personality and flavor, then thats what we can look forward to.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Venice, was joined by close to 200 priests, deacons and more than 1,000 faithful for the annual Chrism Mass on March 26 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. The Chrism Mass during Holy Week is one of the most important liturgies of the Catholic Church year. It is also the largest annual gathering of clergy and faithful in the diocese. Celebrating 50th anniversary milestones were Rev. Richard Bondi, Rev. James Drew, Rev. Brian Manning, Rev. Mark Svarczkopf and Deacon Michael Leahy.

New Youth Shelter campaign gains $500,000 challenge gift

The Safe Children Coalitions Youth Shelter capital campaign recently received a $500,000 Gift Match Challenge from philanthropists Bob and Joan Geyer in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The Youth Shelter is the only facility designated for homeless teens for Sarasota and Desoto counties and also serves youth from Manatee County. Currently, the shelter is at a smaller, temporary location until the new facility is built. The Youth Shelter "will be a place of dignity and healing. With the new design, SCC will be able to more effectively serve additional youths and their families, the Geyers said in a statement.

The Youth Shelter campaign has raised over 60% of the expected cost of the facility. For more about the Safe Children Coalition or the Youth Shelter Challenge, contact Jacqueline House at jhouse@sccfl.org; call 941-371-4799, ext. 1127; or visit sccyouthshelter.org.

$20,000 robotics scholarship to support STEM education

Applications are available for Florida Power & Light's $20,000 Robotics Scholarship designed to cultivate future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The scholarship will support the recipient in pursuing higher education in a STEM-related field at an accredited college or university.

The FPL Robotics Scholarship is open to all public and private high school students across FPLs service area who have two or more years in a FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition. "Robotics presents an incredible platform for students to develop critical-thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills, all of which are essential in today's rapidly evolving world," said Sarah Marmion, FPL senior manager.

Students can submit applications through learnmore.scholarsapply.org/nextera or at FPL.com/Education (under STEM Grants and Scholarship). The application period is open through May 15.

First 1,000 Days Suncoast names committee co-chairs

Parent adviser Tonika Conaway and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation senior vice president Kelly Romanoff have been selected co-chairs of the steering committee for the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative.

Barancik Foundation senior vice president Kelly Romanoff, left, and parent adviser Tonika Conaway have been selected steering committee co-chairs for First 1,000 Days Suncoast.

First 1,000 Days Suncoast is a network of nonprofits and health care providers that builds community partnerships and coordinates free and affordable services for families during pregnancy and the first three years after birth.

With the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System as the backbone organization of the initiative, First 1,000 Days connects families with resources during pregnancy and throughout a childs first 1,000 days when critical development occurs. A key component is helping parents to be their childs first and best teacher as well as leaders in their communities.

A mother of two, Conaway was raised in Sarasota, attended Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in her youth, and graduated from Booker High School. She is in the process of becoming a caseworker with a mental health and addiction treatment provider. Romanoff is senior vice president for strategy and evaluation at Baranick Foundation and was the foundations point person in researching, developing, and launching First 1,000 Days locally in 2018. To learn more, visit first1000dayssuncoast.org.

Sarasota senior community receives $1M anonymous gift

Aviva Senior Living, a not-for-profit senior rental community in Sarasota, recently received a $1 million gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The donation will spearhead capital upgrades across the Aviva campus.

Adam Talaat, Avivas director of building and environmental services, worked with the donor to assist in identifying priorities for improvements. Initial projects include exterior painting of the Kobernick House; a new roof for the Anchin Pavilion; and replacement of the pavilion's elevator.

We are deeply grateful for this remarkable act of kindness, said Jay Solomon, president of Aviva. This contribution will help ensure that our residents continue to thrive in a comfortable, vibrant and safe environment.

Around and about

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present its spring fundraiser, April Fools Fete, on April 1 at 6 p.m. in the ballroom at Michaels On East (1212 East Ave. S., Sarasota). This years event features a Calypso Carnival theme with music by favorite WBTT artists and a special presentation by the Stage of Discovery students led by longtime WBTT artist Michael Mendez  all accompanied by WBTTs band. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit WBTT education programs. Info/tickets: westcoastblacktheatre.org.

 Mote Marine Laboratory will host the 38th annual Run for Turtles along Siesta Key Beach on April 6. The event features a 5k and Fun Run to help raise funds for the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program. Race registration includes a T-shirt, food station access, and kids activities. Spectators are welcome. (runsignup.com/Race/Info/FL/SiestaKey/RunfortheTurtles)

 Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, 1100 South McCall Road, Port Charlotte, will host an Easter Egg Hunt for children up to age 12 on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include games, a bounce house, crafts, and free food. (GulfCoveUMC@gmail.com; 941-697-1747)

 Piano Friends, featuring international virtuoso concert pianist Eleonora Lvov, will perform on Saturday from 1:30-3 p.m. at Clasico Italian Chophouse, 1341 Main St., Sarasota. The event features all-levels pianists playing their favorite pieces, each no longer than 5 minutes. (axhandle@comcast.net)

Submissions by Karen Schwarz, Sharon Kunkel, Adriana Yurizza, Greg Luberecki, Meredith Dropkin, Maddy Kraftchick, Dana Hanson, Debye Bernard.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New Sarasota Youth Shelter campaign receives $500,000 challenge gift
SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and a coalition of 16 business organizations have drafted a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to address the ongoing transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.

The authors described the letter as a joint initiative aimed at urgent action. The draft describes the severity of the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley and urges the administration to take immediate steps to mitigate its impact.

It is also addressed to Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality.

For decades, almost daily, millions of gallons of raw sewage flow from Mexico onto the U.S. side of the border contaminating the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean.

Sewage in Tijuana River Valley is the worst its ever been

The direct and growing economic repercussions this ongoing crisis causes  including diminished tourism and harm to small businesses  are substantial and cannot be ignored, said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is proud to lead this letter to help address the detrimental impacts of transboundary pollution on public health, the environment, and the overall well-being of communities on both sides of the border.

Next month, the Chamber says it will lead a delegation of more than 150 leaders from across the binational region for a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.

It plans to meet with federal officials and policymakers to share how the pollution impacts the health and well-being of communities on both sides of the border.

The delegation reportedly will also advocate for federal support and intervention to address the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.

Historic day as ground is broken on sewage treatment facility south of the border

I am grateful to the San Diego County chambers for their support in our fight against transboundary pollution impacting south San Diego County. Imperial Beach has been devastated by sewage contaminating our air and coastal waters, Aguirre said. Our beaches have been closed for over 820 consecutive days, severely impacting our local economy, which depends on beach goers and tourists. Despite the recent allocation of $156 million signed into law by President Biden this week, more help is needed. We urge the Biden-Harris administration to declare a state of emergency so we can begin to mitigate this crisis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A South Carolina woman who once ran an animal rescue was arrested Thursday and charged with ill treatment of animals.

Anderson County animal control officers executed a search warrant March 18 and found more than 30 dogs in crates sitting in waste, Shale Remien, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

Some had medical issues, he said.

The dogs were turned over to Anderson County P.A.W.S, which could not be immediately reached for comment on the dogs conditions.

The staff is tirelessly working to ensure the dogs can go to foster and/or permanent homes, Remain said.

Arrested was Sandra Hayes 63, of Belton. She faces 37 charges of felony ill-treatment of animals

The suspect is also known as Sandy Jones, The search took place on Cox Lake Road, where Soft Landings Rescue was once located. The shelter operated between South Carolina and Connecticut, Remien said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. On March 29, another group of former internally displaced persons, consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps and administrative buildings in various territories of Azerbaijan, was sent to the city of Fuzuli from the Garadagh district of Baku, Trend reports.

At this stage, another 35 families (138 people) moved to the city of Fuzuli.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt on the basis of instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 666 families - 2,517 people.
A Hesperia school bus driver arrested earlier this month in a child pornography investigation now faces a federal case and is accused of possessing more than 10,000 images of child sexual abuse material, prosecutors said.

Donald James Seaver, 49, made his initial court appearance Thursday in federal court in Riverside, according to U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Ciaran McEvoy.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies and FBI agents arrested Seaver on March 7 following a search warrant at his home in the 10600 block of Redlands Avenue, sheriff's officials said at the time.

Gavel.

"During the search, law enforcement seized a Samsung tablet that allegedly contained more than 10,000 images and 13 videos of (child sexual abuse material)," McEvoy said in a written statement.

In addition, investigators found that the device had been frequently "wiped" of its memory, with the most recent deletion taking place on Feb. 27, just 10 days before his arrest, McEvoy said.

At the time of his arrest, Seaver worked a school bus driver for a private company, officials said. His route included 10 elementary schools with special needs children.

Prior to being charged federally, Seaver had been jailed in lieu of $30,000 bail and charged at the state level, county booking records show.

A federal magistrate ordered him held without bond during during Thursday's court appearance, according to McEvoy. An arraignment hearing was scheduled for April 16.

If convicted as charged, Seaver faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

More: Hesperia school bus driver accused of possessing child pornography

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Federal child pornography case filed against Hesperia school bus driver
In South Florida, sea levels have already risen several inches since the start of the century and could be around six feet higher by 2100. But another factor could be making those sunny day floods in South Florida worse: Were sinking.

Well, only a little bit. And only in some places. Thats according to new and old research on the phenomena of sinking land  also known as subsidence  along the entire U.S. coast.

Earlier this month, new research published in the journal Nature showed the potential risk of a one-two combo of sinking land and rising seas to cities along the coast, and Miami topped the list as a location that could see quite a bit of flooded property by mid-century.

The paper, led by researchers at Virginia Tech, suggested that Miami could have around 80,000 properties flooding by mid-century, a multibillion-dollar risk, due to the combination of sinking land and rising seas.

Associate Professor Manoochehr Shirzaei at Virginia Techs Earth Observation and Innovation Lab, co-author of the study, said he believes cities arent taking the slipping elevation of their coastal land as seriously as they take sea level rise.

The coastal hazard through 2050 is more likely driven by land subsidence than sea level rise, and this has to come across very clearly in every sea rise strategy, he said. Im confident in this moment in most places, this is not the case.

A map showing the projection for the average elevation change of coastal lands by 2050 in millimeters per year. Nature

Subsidence is caused by several things, from glaciers moving or melting in the North Pole to overpumping oil, gas and groundwater, or, in South Floridas case, compacting soil.

While the nationwide maps make clear that the real problem area for subsidence is in the Gulf Coast, specifically in places like Louisiana, Shirzaei said South Florida should still be paying attention to the future risk.

Specifically, he said, on the glitzy, expensive island communities that ring the coast of the Sunshine State.

You do have some of the famous barrier islands. All of them are sinking, he said.

How South Florida stacks up

Local research into subsidence in South Florida has found that yes, indeed, there are spots along the coast that are lower than they were decades ago. Thats especially true on barrier islands, said Shimon Wdowinski, a geophysics professor at Florida International University who has published several papers on subsidence.

But its only a minuscule amount.

His 2020 paper compared Miami Beach to Norfolk, Virginia, and found that Miami Beach experienced very little subsidence overall. It also happens in small patches, typically around new construction. In that paper, he noted that the Champlain Towers condominium building in Surfside sank at a rank of 2 millimeters a year from 1993 to 1997  about the width of two credit cards stacked on top of each other.

His research, released before the tragic 2021 collapse, initially led some to believe that sinking earth could have played a role in the disaster, but the investigation has so far not pointed to land change as a culprit.

Wdowinski said that his research suggests that land subsidence is mostly localized to the space of a single building in South Florida, and its by design. Heavy buildings compact the soil, so good engineers design buildings with the knowledge that they will slowly settle over a long period of time.

And thats not just because of South Floridas dirt. It can be whats underneath, too. When barrier islands like Miami Beach were first built or expanded, it was common practice to mow down trees and mangroves and use those cuttings to expand the island. Decades later, those trees have rotted, sinking the earth down a bit.

In southeast Florida, we have mostly localized subsidence, which is associated with construction of new buildings, Wdowinski said. The weight of the building is actually pushing down, and if you have the proper foundation it should be fine.

The problem comes when one side of the building sinks faster or further than another side, potentially straining the buildings foundation or the pipes underneath.

That is, unless the seas are rising.

South Florida is already a low-lying place, so millimeters matter here. Continued subsidence, paired with rising seas, rising groundwater levels and more intense rainstorms could leave South Florida at risk of more frequent and more intense floods.

Thats why Wdowinski is pursuing more grants and more research into the phenomenon all across the state. While hes confident that sinking is a bigger problem on the Gulf Coast  including Floridas west coast  he noted that all information is important when it comes to planning for climate change.

Its a factor. Its not the most important one. But still, if we can get a better grip on that it would be helpful, he said.
This seal was ready for beach season.

A seal frolicked on a Coney Island beach Wednesday before it was guided back to the water after being spotted by an eagle-eyed City Hall staffer.

The light-colored sea creature wrestled around at Coney Island Creek Park before Elijah Hutchinson, the executive director for the Mayors Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, noticed the seal appearing distressed near the shore as he walked to a nearby community event with in Brooklyn.

It kind of blended in with the sand, Hutchinson told The Post.

The seal was found Wednesday at a Coney Island beach. Mayor Eric Adams/V

Hutchinson called the states Department of Environmental Conservation for help.

A police officer with the DEC located the mammal around the sand dunes near Coney Island Creek Park and sent photos and videos to the non-profit New York Marine Rescue Center, which determined it was a harp seal and in good condition, the state agency said.

The DEC watched over the seal for hours to make sure other animals or people didnt go near it before the Sea Gate Police Department reported it safely found its way into the water, the agency said.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams shared footage of the adorable flipper Thursday afternoon while commending Hutchinson and state workers.

The seal blended into the sand after wandering out of the water. Mayor Eric Adams/V

This gets my seal of approval! Hizzoner said in a social media post.

Yesterday, @NYCClimates Elijah Hutchinson found this guy beached on Coney Island and called in the experts at @NYSDEC. After a quick checkup, they determined the seal was healthy and guided him back toward the water.

The DEC said seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and urged the public to stay at least 150 feet away from underwater animals.
A man was injured when he triggered a mine left by Russian invaders in Kherson Oblast. The man has been hospitalised.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Quote: "A 45-year-old man was injured in Mala Oleksandrivka in the Beryslav district in a mine incident.

He was taken to hospital. Medical professionals are providing the man with the necessary assistance."

Details: Kherson Oblast Military Administration reminded the public of the mine danger in the liberated territories of Ukraine and asked everyone to refrain from going to the forest and avoid dirt roads and roadsides.

Background: On 29 March, a man was killed when he drove his tractor onto a mine left by the Russians in Kherson Oblast.

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Joan Bailey, whose branch is mentioned in the report, said its contents made her "very angry" [BBC]

A draft report uncovered by the BBC shows the Post Office spent 100m fighting sub-postmasters in court despite knowing its defence was untrue.

The document reveals the Post Office was shown evidence by 2017 that losses could be due to errors in the Horizon IT system or remote tampering.

But it kept arguing in the Bates v Post Office Ltd case that theft or mistakes by sub-postmasters must be to blame.

The Post Office said it would be "inappropriate" to comment.

Patrick Green KC, the lead barrister for the sub-postmasters in the Bates case, said the BBC's findings were "absolutely shocking". After reading the report, he added: "I don't think the case should have happened."

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted because of faults with Horizon, which was developed by the Japanese IT company Fujitsu.

The landmark Bates v Post Office High Court case - portrayed in a recent ITV drama - ran from 2018 to 2019 and was brought by 555 sub-postmasters. They argued that the real cause of their missing cash was not theft but flaws with Horizon or failed attempts by Fujitsu to correct system errors remotely.

The total cost to the Post Office in the legal action was 100m of public money.

Patrick Green KC said the draft report would have made a huge difference to the Bates case had it been disclosed [BBC]

The draft report, titled Bramble, was commissioned by the Post Office in March 2016 and carried out by consultants Deloitte.

Throughout the draft report, Deloitte refers to having already discussed its findings with "Post Office management" and even the fact that some of these were shared with the Post Office's investigators for further analysis.

Tim Parker, the Post Office's chairman at the time of the draft report, also told the BBC via his legal representative that Post Office lawyers liaised with Deloitte about Project Bramble and were responsible for handling, distributing and disclosing it. He added that the Post Office's lawyers were also involved in the "strategy and day to day management of the litigation".

This raises questions as to whether Post Office lawyers met their responsibilities to not mislead the court.

Fujitsu whistleblower Richard Roll had previously revealed the company could remotely alter sub-postmaster's cash accounts.

But Bramble is the first documentary evidence that the Post Office knew Fujitsu staff did this without a sub-postmaster's knowledge - including examples of how often some accounts had been changed.

The draft report also warned that a "malicious actor" at Fujitsu could change, add or delete transactions without leaving a trace.

[BBC]

In July 2017, the Post Office filed a defence document as part of the case. It included some findings from Bramble - in some cases word-for-word - while omitting where they came from and other key elements from the draft report.

Despite what is set out in Bramble, this defence document - which is accompanied by a signed statement of truth - stated that it would be "impossible" for Fujitsu to remotely cause "significant shortfalls".

In the defence, the Post Office conceded that a "small number" of Fujitsu employees had user rights to alter transactions but stated users were strictly controlled.

But in Bramble, Deloitte said it was "impossible" to know which Fujitsu staff had this unrestricted access prior to 2015 because there were no records of who they were or what they did.

Mr Green, who acted for the sub-postmasters, said that in his 34 years as a barrister, he had never seen a defendant proceeding with a huge case and "fighting it very aggressively" in circumstances like this.

Although Bramble specifically looked into the sub-postmasters' claims, the draft report's existence was not disclosed to them or to the court.

Bramble was "exactly the sort of thing that we would have wanted to have and to analyse and put in front of the judge", Mr Green said.

He added: "It's them admitting that they could do in 2017 something they were still denying that they could do in 2019."

The branches examined in Bramble by Deloitte belonged to 91 sub-postmasters involved in the Bates case - including people who had been jailed for theft because of shortfalls.

Joan Bailey and her husband ran a village Post Office in Powys - their branch is mentioned in the draft report. Mrs Bailey estimates that the couple paid over 40,000 to the Post Office to cover losses caused by Horizon.

When the BBC showed Mrs Bailey the report, she said she was "very angry". She added: "This document should have been disclosed years ago. It would have saved myself - and also a lot of other people - a lot of grief and heartache."

Following a request by the BBC, Deloitte's Bramble draft report is now publicly available on the Post Office inquiry website.

In June 2016, Tim Parker, the Post Office's then-chairman, told government ministers he had stopped an investigation into Horizon on legal advice, because of the upcoming court action by postmasters. The existence of that letter from the former chairman was revealed by the BBC last month.

In it, he said the Post Office would "instead address the issues through equivalent work taken forward in the litigation".

Now, the discovery of the draft Bramble report indicates that the investigation into Horizon, originally ordered by the government, actually continued in secret for more than a year, focusing on the branches involved in the case.

In it, Deloitte reviewed Horizon documents, examined transaction data and interviewed Fujitsu and Post Office staff. The purpose was to find out if Horizon was causing sub-postmasters' financial losses.

Deloitte found that while remote tampering by Fujitsu was possible, it would be "a complex procedure" and "likely a 'programme' would have to be written and performed".

In a table, the draft report detailed hundreds of debited transactions entered by "non-branch users", who the report explained "can access branches remotely for support purposes".

In total these debits amounted to 1.3m and were taken from the accounts of 18 branches run by claimants in the Bates v Post Office case.

[BBC]

The report notes that further analysis would need to be carried out to draw "meaningful conclusions", but there is no reference to this ever happening.

The data looked at by Deloitte for the Bramble draft report was from 2010 onwards and its figures are likely to be only a fraction of the true picture.

The BBC's own investigation into this data has found that much of the table relates to transactions which were debited by Post Office auditors, who had been working on the day of, and the days after a sub-postmaster had been suspended. However, the postmaster was still held accountable for any losses in their account until a new sub-postmaster took over.

Fraud investigator Ron Warmington told the BBC that the draft report is "unbelievably damning".

Ron Warmington said accounts were meddled with "on an industrial scale" [BBC]

Second Sight, the company he worked for, was brought in by the Post Office in 2012 to look into the Post Office's IT and business processes but it was later sacked after the Post Office became worried about the conclusions it was drawing.

This report shows sub-postmasters' accounts were meddled with "on an industrial scale", he said.

The first Horizon criminal convictions were not overturned until April 2021 - and some sub-postmasters are still waiting for their criminal convictions to be overturned.

The Bates v The Post Office Ltd case resulted in the postmasters securing a settlement in 2019 after the judge ruled that the Horizon system contained a number of software bugs.

Because of the huge legal costs of the case that spanned over two years, compensation was reduced to about 20,000 per sub-postmaster - which for many was less than the financial costs they had incurred through having to try to balance their Horizon accounts.

A spokesperson for Mr Parker said that during his time as chair, he had "sought, considered, and acted upon the legal advice he was given" in relation to events related to to the Post Office inquiry, including around disclosure obligations.

The spokesperson said Mr Parker has been asked to provide evidence to the inquiry and was assisting it, adding: "It is not appropriate for him to comment in a way that will impact the work of the inquiry."

Jane MacLeod, the Post Office's general counsel at the time of the case, said she supported the ongoing public inquiry into the Post Office scandal and was assisting it. She added that while the inquiry was ongoing, "I do not think it is appropriate to comment at this time".

In a statement, the Fujitsu Group said it "regards this matter with the utmost seriousness and offers its deepest apologies to the sub-postmasters and their families". It added that its UK subsidiary was providing full co-operation to the inquiry and will be working with the UK government on "appropriate actions, including contribution to compensation".

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are deeply sorry for the impact of the Horizon IT Scandal on so many people's lives and continue to pay redress to victims as swiftly as possible, with 179m paid to around 2,800 Postmasters to date.

"Alongside financial redress for victims, there must also be accountability. The best forum to achieve this is the statutory public inquiry, chaired by a judge with the power to question witnesses under oath. The next phases of the inquiry will examine the issues raised here and it would be inappropriate to comment outside of that process."
In early 2024, Ukraine signed seven agreements with allied countries that span for the next decade, aiming to guarantee Ukraines security while negotiating NATO membership.

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskys diplomatic adviser, Ukraine is negotiating 10 more bilateral deals.

The biggest question is whether the deals can prevent a prolonged frozen conflict and build the groundwork for Ukrainian victory in Russias war.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky (R) speaks at the announcement of the G7 nations' joint declaration for the support of Ukraine as (from L to R) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden look on on July 12, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The event took place at the 2023 NATO Summit. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Known in Ukraine as security guarantees, the agreements contain varying pledges of military aid for 2024, followed by boilerplate provisions that apply over the full term of the deal. The long-term commitments include defense sector cooperation, humanitarian assistance, accountability efforts for Russian war crimes, and anti-corruption initiatives.

The biggest letdown, according to Max Bergmann, Director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is a lack of stable military aid commitments beyond 2024 that would send a strong message to Russia and allow Ukraine and allies to plan for the future.

The deals reflect the current challenges faced by Ukraine and its allies and divisions within NATO.

Presently, it is the best Ukraine could get, said Stefan Meister, head of the Eastern Europe program at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

Talking money

Each country has pledged a different amount to Ukraine for 2024, with Germany pledging a high of 7.1 billion euro ($7.6 billion), while Denmark committed proportionally more than any other country.

The U.K., the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark all set a clear target for military aid.

Meanwhile, France pledged up to 3 billion euro ($3.2 billion), and Canadas $3.02 billion pledge covers macroeconomic and military support. Italy did not specify a concrete figure but agreed to maintain the same level  of support  the country has contributed just over $700 million in military aid since 2022.

Frances military aid, perceived by some allies as lackluster, has been a constant source of tension, especially following President Emmanuel Macrons bold comments proposing the deployment of troops to Ukraine.

According to Frances agreement with Ukraine, it has contributed 3.8 billion euro ($4.1 billion) in military aid to date, a higher figure than any independent estimates to date.

Dr. Marie Dumoulin, a former French diplomat and current expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, agreed that previous estimates undercounted French support and said that Paris had delivered some of the highest-impact weapons to Ukraine, like SCALP missiles and Ceasar self-propelled artillery.

Yet, none of the agreements specify exactly what kind of military aid allies plan to provide and whether this will include the transfer of weapons, training, or direct cash assistance.

Bergmann said that by focusing on the France-Germany rift, and debates over supplying the Taurus long-range missile, Europeans have been dancing around the (main) question.

The big issue is that wars are about mobilizing resources and money, says Bergmann, admitting that he was disappointed at a lack of long-term financial commitments by allies, which allow more predictability for all parties.

When the U.S. commits, say, one billion a year to Israel for F-35s, this gives stability to everyone, including Lockheed (manufacturer) that knows they will be getting that money and can invest into the future.

Transatlantic tensions

Future uncertainty is a motivating factor behind the agreements, which are partly driven by a growing fear of U.S. isolationism, especially in the event of a Donald Trump victory come November.

To date, the U.S. has provided almost half of all military aid to Ukraine, including some of the most effective systems, from Javelin anti-tank system to HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). The U.S. boasts the largest and most advanced military-industrial complex in the world.

Apart from the short-term pledges that will be spent on bullets and bombs urgently needed on the front lines, all seven agreements place a strong emphasis on developing the European defense sector  including in Ukraine.

According to Bergmann, the Ukraine assistance bill  requested by President Joe Biden in October 2023 and stalling in Congress since then  was a wake-up call for European countries.

HIMARS launches a rocket in the Bakhmut direction on May 18, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo for illustrative purposes (Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Bergmann said that the EU has the capacity to produce much more but has started too late and is moving slowly. The EU could borrow 100, 200 billion as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the crisis at hand. Its not clear why they have not already done so.

Speaking from the other side of the Atlantic, Stefan Meister agreed, saying that the realization is setting in that someday Europe might stand alone. It is too slow, but discourse and activities are finally shifting.

The bilateral deals between Ukraine and allies reflect this realization and may provide what Meister called a roadmap for developing Europes defense industries.

While the flexible language is such that future governments could reduce the commitments to Ukraine without breaking the deal, this becomes more difficult once governments invest billions into their defense industries, says Meister.

Read also: Ukrainian drones hit one Russian oil refinery after another

In for the long haul

The key message that the agreements send  both to Kyiv and Moscow  is that Ukraines allies are committed for the coming decade. Experts agreed on the content of the message but were less certain about its strength.

Dumoulin, whose experience negotiating the Minsk agreements, Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deals in 2014-2015, gives her a unique insight into Russian diplomatic thinking, said the agreements were crucial in dispelling Moscows hope to win the war by dividing the West.

Bergmann echoed this sentiment, adding that diplomatic signaling should not be underestimated and that such informal agreements often provide the structure for important long-term partnerships.

Members of the SPG-9 anti tank recoilless gun crew fires the gun onto Russian positions near the occupied Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on August 14, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Bakhmut and its surroundings continue to be places of most fierce battles since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Ukrainian infantry, leading the counteroffensive and directly engaging in ground combats with the enemy, is always supported by tanks and artillery. (Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Following the failure of Ukraines ground counteroffensive in the summer of 2023 and fraying unity between allies, many fear that the coming years will be those of frozen conflict  or worse a dramatic shift in the balance of power in Russias favor.

Ambassador William Courtney, a former U.S. diplomat and Senior Fellow at the non-profit RAND think tank, made tentative parallels to the late years of the Soviet war in Afghanistan. In 1989, Soviet forces seemed to have the upper hand in Afghanistan  just two years later, the Soviet Union no longer existed.

Max Bergmann said that the invasion of Ukraine could be Russias Vietnam, referring to the bloody stalemate that cost the U.S. billions and ended in a bitter draw.

Underlying the experts optimism that Ukraine and its allies can turn the long-term war to Ukraines advantage was the assumption that stable, robust Western support is a necessary condition for this success.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tour of a hanger containing F-16 fighter jets ahead of a news conference at an airbase near Eindhoven, Netherlands, on Aug. 20, 2023. (Ksenia Kuleshova/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

No single development  military or political  will end the war instantly. While Courtney was optimistic about the imminent arrival of the F-16 fighter jets and the potential integration of the NATO Airborne early warning and control (AWACS) systems, other analysts have been more skeptical. Equally, 2024 will bring elections across the globe that will test allied support for Ukraine.

Experts agreed that Ukraine can break the deadlock to its advantage as long as the security agreements are just the beginning: a framework for meaningful military cooperation for the next decade and beyond.

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.
The Royal Order of the Blue Nose is a naval tradition given to sailors who cross the Arctic Circle.

The tradition involves a series of tests and obstacles to gain a visit from the King of the North.

The Blue Nose Ceremony is one of the rarest of naval traditions.

The Royal Order of the Blue Nose is one of the most exclusive clubs among members of the US Navy.

The Order of the Blue Nose is a riff on the line-crossing ceremony many sailors experience when they cross the equatorial line.

What makes joining the Order of the Blue Nose harder is that sailors must be aboard a ship crossing the Arctic Circle at latitude 6633' N  symbolizing that they entered the "realm" of Boreas Rex, King of the North.

Sailors who partake in the rare naval tradition must undergo a number of tasks in the frigid temperatures of the Arctic in order to earn the graces of the King and earn their blue nose.

An icy expedition

USRC Bear and SS Corwin in Alaska. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

The Navy did not begin exploring the Arctic before 1836, but the tradition is believed to have become more formalized after World War II when the Navy started regularly exploring the region.

It wasn't until 1851 that a ship successfully crossed the Arctic Circle as part of what is now known as the First Grinnell Expedition.

Henry Grinnell, an American merchant from New York, funded the expedition as part of a mission to find the lost Franklin expedition, a team of Royal Navy sailors who had set out six years prior and never returned.

The First Grinnell Expedition marked the first time the US Navy successfully navigated the Arctic, crossed the Arctic Circle, and returned to the US.

With the knowledge gained about land masses, sailing techniques, and maritime paths in the Arctic, many expeditions north would follow.

A journey plagued with danger

The US Navy icebreaker USS Burton Island is shown is Arctic waters as a helicopter prepares to land on its deck during an expedition to the far north. Bettmann/Getty Images

Despite a growing understanding of the area from repeat expeditions, it would be decades before the journey became less perilous. Many who explored the Arctic would not return after succumbing to the cold temperatures or damage sustained by ships from the ice.

For 17th-century ships, the ice pack could become so dense that sailors would get stuck for months at a time, having to wait until the summer months for the ice to thaw and melt to pass through successfully.

One of the most famous instances of the danger of the Arctic is the Jeannette, a ship that was stuck in ice for two years before it was eventually crushed by ice. Members aboard the Jeannette escaped the boat but eventually froze to death in the Arctic winter.

A well-earned achievement

The certificate which is issued by Neptune to all airmen whose flying duties may take them across the Arctic Circle. AP

There are myriad unofficial honors granted to members of the US Navy by tradition. Plank owners, Shellbacks, and even Golden Dragons all require certain parameters to be met before the certificates can be handed out.

A number of requirements need to be met to join the Royal Order of the Blue Nose. But only recently have US Navy ships started returning to the Arctic Circle. The region has seen increased activity amid growing great power competition there. In late 2018, USS Harry Truman sailed to the Arctic Circle to participate in military exercises with other NATO forces  the first aircraft carrier to venture into the Arctic since the early 1990s.

And not all Navy vessels make their way to the Arctic. Ships stationed on the East Coast of the US are more likely to make their way to the Arctic compared to their West Coast counterparts. But even if a sailor is on the right ship and sailing out of the right port, they still may not actually make it to the Arctic Circle if the commanding officer deems it a waste of fuel or it doesn't make sense for the trip.

Morale booster

Crew members on board the US Navy Attack Submarine USS Pogy sport blue noses after returning from Operation Scientific Exercise. PO2 Felix Garza/National Archives

Going through various naval ceremonies serves as a morale booster for sailors, marking a significant moment in their career traversing the ocean.

As Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton wrote in 1997, "these activities, if properly supervised, can be effective leadership tools to instill esprit de corps, unit cohesion, and respect for an accomplishment of another Sailor or Marine."

"'Crossing the line' ceremonies, and others, are only meant to celebrate and recognize the achievements of individual Sailors or Marines or those of entire units," Dalton continued.

Different ceremonies, same core principles

Culinary Specialist Senior Chief Petty Officer Aneuris Robles plays the role of Boreas Rex, the King of the North, and initiates Sailors into the "Order of the Blue Nose" during a line-crossing ceremony aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara Eshleman/Released

Because there is no formalized ceremony or certificate, the actual Blue Nose ceremony can vary from ship to ship. However, there are some commonalities among them.

All ceremonies include a visit from Boreas Rex, the King of the North whose domain the sailors enter upon crossing the Arctic Circle. To be accepted into his realm, sailors must go through a series of challenges designed by captains and crews.

Naval ceremonies around the world

Sailors are welcomed into the "Order of the Blue Nose" during an Arctic Circle ceremony on the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino

The tradition to mark the feat of crossing some of the harshest waters in the world has spread beyond the US Navy.

The crew of Canadian tanker, Nikolay Yevgenov, did their homework on crossing traditions online and discovered the Blue Nose ceremony. In an effort to boost morale and reward the crew for their hard work during their perilous journey, Captain Denis O'Donnell put together his spin on the Blue Nose Ceremony for his crew.

"The ceremonies differ ship to ship depending on time trade and willingness of the people onboard to take part. However, the ceremonies may differ, and the feeling is shared upon completion," O'Donnell wrote in a blog post of the experience. "These rituals help to form a common bond on board through the good times and especially the tough times."

The potential rise of Blue Nose members

Ensign Sehoon Kim is welcomed into the "Order of the Blue Nose" during an Arctic Circle ceremony on the flight deck of USS Arlington. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino

Though US Navy submarines frequently visit the Arctic, larger naval ships have been absent for roughly the past 20 years. The Navy only started again sending ships to the Arctic within the last five to six years.

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-nato-increasing-military-activity-in-the-arctic-2020-7)

The climate crisis is opening up new passageways in the Arctic, creating more opportunities for competition among countries like the US, Russia, and China. Increased assertiveness by some US rivals is leading the US military to look more closely at the region.

The Blue Nose ceremony might become much more common than it has been in the past 20 years while the US Navy keeps an eye on escalating tensions in the Arctic.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte man who fraudulently obtained over $760,000 in COVID-19 relief funds was sentenced this week, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced.

Zadih Cadyma, 66, of Charlotte, will serve over two years in prison after pleading guilty in April of last year to wire fraud and money laundering.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

Court records stated that from 2020 through 2021, Cadyma ran a tax service business and fraudulently applied for COVID relief money, resulting in more than $760,000.

Court records stated that much of the proceeds were used on lifestyle purchases including a new luxury vehicle. Cadyma was also ordered to repay the $760,000-plus in relief funds he received.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Monroe man who recorded sex acts involving a juvenile has been sentenced to prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced this week.

Jake Anderson, 24, of Monroe, will spend 25 years in prison after pleading guilty in June of last year to producing child pornography.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

Court records stated that in 2021 Anderson coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit content including a relationship that began on Snapchat with one victim who was 15 years old.

At one point Anderson drove to the juveniles home in Tennessee and drove her back to Union County where sexual acts were recorded, court records stated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Several people have been displaced and multiple units were damaged in an apartment fire in Henry County.

Henry County and McDonough Fire units were called out to an apartment fire at Crossing Point Apartments on Thursday at approximately 6:25 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Units arrived at the scene and found smoke and fire coming from the 300 building of the apartment complex.

Fire crews evacuated the building. They were able to get the fire under control by 7:30 p.m.

As of now, the Red Cross has been contacted to assist with at least nine displaced residents.

A total of eight units were affected.

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Fire crews said no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the McDonough Fire Department.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has presented a new project, "Turk Discovery," on the YouTube platform, Trend reports.

According to Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Turkic countries have had many points of contact for centuries, which has caused the emergence of similar layers of culture, customs, and traditions.

"We share common roots, a rich heritage - epics, the greatest people, customs, traditions, music, literature, and, most importantly, all of this has found a place in the treasury of global culture. The Turkic traces in Hungary, the Scytho-Saxon heritage of Azerbaijan, the treasures of the "Golden Man" in Kazakhstan, the birth of the Ottoman Empire in Turkiye, the ancient culture of Uzbekistan's cities, the epic "Manas" of Kyrgyzstan, the pearl of Turkic literature, and much more. Our responsibility is to pass on all of this valuable history to future generations. Culture is necessary for spiritual nourishment, but it must also be valued and maintained. New generations should understand, absorb, and rely on it in their actions," Raimkulova said.

She stated that the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to research, learn, and preserve the rich Turkic cultural heritage, is a young organization founded on the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan and with the support of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey, with Hungary joining the organization as an observer country.

Raimkulova stated that the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has carried out a variety of programs aimed at promoting the Turkic people's rich history as well as their national and spiritual values.

"Books are published, conferences, round tables, exhibitions are organized with the participation of prominent research scientists, restoration of cultural monuments of the Turkic world, etc. have been initiated. The next project of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation is "Turk Discovery" on the YouTube platform, where programs and documentaries about material and cultural heritage, ancient traditions, and national values of the Turkic world will be broadcast. The realization of such a large-scale project will help bring information about the rich spiritual values of the Turkic peoples to a global audience. This is a modern and effective approach, as we live in a dynamically developing world. I would like to emphasize that, along with YouTube, the Foundation actively promotes content to popularize the material and spiritual values of Turkic countries on such online platforms as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc. I'm sure that the audience will welcome the Turk Discovery project with great interest. Maya Bekbayeva, a well-known Kazakhstani journalist, acted as the head and "face" of the project at the invitation of the Foundation. Maya Bekbayeva's team has been producing documentaries on historical subjects for many years," she said.

The President of the Foundation noted that the first issue of the project "Turk Discovery" is a documentary film, "Novruz: The Revival of the Ancient Turkic Holiday" (it can already be viewed on the channel of the project "Turk Discovery" on YouTube at the link).

"The scientific director and co-author of the film's script is Azerbaijani statesman and politician, diplomat, scientist, and representative of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, Hasan Hasanov. The film crew visited Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. Most of the shootings took place in the city of Baku, an important historical place in Azerbaijan. The movie shows unique and distinctive features of celebrating Nauryz (Novruz) in each Turkic country. The project aims to contribute to the further strengthening of solidarity between Turkic peoples. The project team continues to work on creating interesting and quality content. A documentary on Mahmud Kashgari's work "Divani Lugat at-Turk", which is a collection of Turkic dialects, is currently underway. It should be noted that in 2024-2025 UNESCO will mark the 950th anniversary of the creation of this collection," Raimkulova added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Two private houses were damaged in Kyiv Oblast by falling debris during a massive overnight attack by the Russian army, Kyiv regional governor Ruslan Kravchenko reported on Facebook on March 29.

No casualties were reported.

Read also: Kyiv strengthens defenses against Russian missile threats and saboteurs

The attack left visible scars on the affected homes: walls were punctured, windows shattered, and roofs compromised, highlighting the attack's impact on civilian infrastructure in the region.

March 29 Russian massive strike on power system - what we know so far?

The situation escalated with an air alert issued across several Ukrainian regions on March 28, in response to Russian drones penetrating the airspace. These drones, advancing westward, were linked to explosions reported in cities like Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Russia launched 99 targets on March 29, including 60 attack UAVs, 3 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 6 Iskander cruise missiles of different types, 9 X-59 missiles, and 21 X-101/X-555 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepted 84 of these threats.

Poland's military confirmed the deployment of fighter jets to counter the Russian Kinzhal missiles aimed at Western Ukraine.

Read also: Two people killed, civilian infrastructure destroyed, in multiple Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast

Ukrenergo, an electricity transmission system operator, reported damage to thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants in the central and western oblasts. Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that Russians attacked facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Cherkasy oblasts.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Its hard for Jennifer Powell to talk about what was taken from her when her daughter was killed.

"She was the life of the party and most of all she loved her babies, Jennifer Powell said through tears.

Candace Powell, 31, was a mother to four children. She was killed in a Fountain Square shooting early on March 14, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

I don't even know if it really has hit the kids yet that she is gone, her mother said.

Jennifer Powell is now caring for her daughters children, with the youngest being 5 years old and the oldest 13. The family has started a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses. Services will be Friday.

Candace Powell and her children are pictured in 2022.

Candace Powell was born and raised in Indianapolis. She graduated from Arlington High School and worked as a scheduler for a hospital network in the city.

Anything with customer service she was good at, said her cousin Kierra Sykes. She was good with people and good at speaking.

More Indianapolis crime news: 'Big part of my heart': Funeral held for woman killed in Mitthoefer Road stabbing

Sykes remembers growing up with her cousin then finding time as busy mothers to get together the past couple years.

I would do Candace's makeup every year for her birthday, Sykes said. That was our time to bond and catch up face-to-face. Being in her presence was always a blessing when we got the chance.

Candace Powell, left, Priscilla Williams, center, and Kierra Sykes, right, pose for a photo in 2009.

Priscilla Williams, Candace Powells aunt, said her niece had a special relationship with each of her four children.

She probably loved on them more because their fathers aren't very active in their lives, Williams said. Everything she did, it was for them, and they are beautiful just like she is. She didnt deserve this."

What happened to Candace Powell?

Candace Powell, left, and her mother, Jennifer Powell, are pictured together in 2018.

Police were called to IU Health Methodist Hospital at about 2:30 a.m. on March 14 on a report of a woman who admitted herself to the medical facility with a gunshot wound after being driven there by another person who left before police arrived.

Responding officers learned Candace Powell had been shot in the parking lot of a gas station in the 1400 block of Prospect Street in Fountain Square before she died at the hospital.

Surveillance cameras from the gas station captured the shooting, according to Fox59. The video showed two cars driving into the parking lot at the same time, around 2:15 a.m. Powell parked near a gas pump, while the other driver circled then parked on the opposite side of the pump.

The cameras did not capture audio, but for about five minutes Powell and the other driver appeared to argue. The driver of the white Sedan then shot Powell from several feet away and walked toward her car.

The video showed Powell's car moving forward slowly in the parking lot for a few feet. Then the shooter climbed into the drivers seat of Powell's vehicle and drove away, according to the Fox59 article.

Powell's family has many questions as the investigation continues.

Not many details have been released to us, so we are also still looking for answers," Sykes said.

Investigators have not announced any arrests or released additional information in the case as of Friday morning.

Anyone with information about Candace Powell's death is asked to contact Detective Connie Pearson at 317-327-3475 or Connie.Pearson@indy.gov. Those with information can also contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 to remain anonymous.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Mom to 4 kids killed in gas station shooting
Staff at three hospitals have voted to strike in a dispute over bonuses paid during the pandemic.

The GMB union said the workers employed by Medirest did not receive a one-off payment that Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust staff got.

They include cleaners and security workers, who supported the strike with a 96% vote in favour, the union said on Thursday.

Medirest said it was maintaining a regular dialogue with those involved.

It employs staff at King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Community Hospital and Newark Hospital.

A spokesperson for Medirest said it was "disappointed" with the GMB's decision to progress with industrial action.

It added it had applied to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for funding for the "non-consolidated bonus payment for employees", and notified the union about it in December.

"We were informed on Friday this has been successful and we await further guidance as to when this funding will be provided, and we will continue to engage with our employees about the payment," the spokesperson said.

"Funding for the non-consolidated bonus payment is provided by Government who has set the eligibility criteria and unfortunately it currently doesn't include all outsourced workers. We will continue to engage with the DHSC to try to access the non-consolidated bonus payment for all employees.

"We highly value the work of all our teams. Our people are paid in line with Agenda for Change hourly base pay rates. In addition, they have access to a range of employee benefits."

Cameron Mitchell, GMB organiser, said "strike action is always a last resort".

He added: "Workers employed by Medirest in NHS hospitals do absolutely vital work, keeping Nottinghamshire's hospitals operating day in and day out."

Strike dates are yet to be announced.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
Mark Spencer MP is now waiting for his invite to Buckingham Palace [BBC]

A Nottinghamshire MP has been given a Knighthood in surprise honours announced by the Prime Minister.

Farming minister Mark Spencer, who represents the Sherwood constituency, is among four MPs as well as a major Tory donor to be honoured.

Mr Spencer said the news was "quite a shock" and he was "thrilled to bits".

When asked if the announcement suggested when the next general election would be held, he said "it makes no difference at all".

"I'm still trying to process it but everybody else has been really kind and lots of nice messages," Mr Spencer said.

"My focus is still the same as it ever was. I'm here to represent the people of Sherwood. That's the community that I represent and that I care about and that's what I'll carry on doing.

The announcement, made on Thursday, has drawn criticism from other political parties, particularly the honouring of businessman Mohamed Mansour, a senior treasurer for the Conservative Party.

Labour has criticised the honours, saying they should be reserved for those who have made a contribution to our public life. The Liberal Democrats said it shows how out of touch the Prime Minister is, while Reform UK accused the Conservatives of cronyism.

When asked about suggestions of cronyism relating to the honours, Mr Spencer said: "I think that's a little bit unfair.

"These things are nice and when other people get those awards, whether they're in the Labour Party or any other political party, I think we should just recognise a lot of people do a lot of work on behalf of other people and it's nice to celebrate those moments."

He thanked his family and other members of his party for supporting him.

Questions have also been raised about the unconventional timing of the announcement as Parliament begins its Easter recess, with honours lists typically published at New Year and on the King's official birthday in June.

Mr Spencer added: "To be clear, I do not know the date of the general election.

"The Prime Minister has always been clear, we'll have a general election in the second half of the year. That's still his plan and we've got lots to do before then."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
As I write this, Im befuddled as to how to identify the late Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman.

He died from a fall at age 82 in New York this week.

For writing purposes, do I stylize him as "Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.?" Or do I write "Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn.?"

This subject vexed me for years. It became even more acute after Lieberman departed the Senate in early 2013. Ive had the opportunity to mention him or write about the late senator in passing. But the conundrum as to "what" Lieberman "was" politically is an enigma. And it attests to his staunch independence, refusing to align himself too closely with one party or another.

CONGRESS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY SPENDING MEASURE TO REPLACE BALTIMORE BRIDGE AFTER COLLAPSE

Voters sent Lieberman to the Senate in 1988 as a Democrat. He defeated late Sen. Lowell Weicker, R-Conn. Ironically, Weicker later became governor of the Nutmeg State  as an independent.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Lieberman plowed his own path in the Senate as a Democrat. The statement about Liebermans death by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was emblematic of how he frustrated his home party.

"While we often disagreed on politics, no one could doubt his love of his family, his home state of Connecticut and his country," said Pelosi.

Lieberman drew anger from Democrats over his support for the war in Iraq. He faced criticism for seeming too cozy with Republicans and the administration of President George W. Bush. This issue metastasized for Lieberman after 9/11. Democrats lambasted Lieberman for supporting the administrations energy policy.

In 2006, Lieberman lost the Democratic Senate nomination to future Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D). But Lieberman did not waver. He ran for the Senate as an independent. In fact he billed himself as an "independent Democrat."

This was a rhetorical sleight-of-hand of by Lieberman. He was in fact independent. Thats how he ran on the ballot. But Lieberman established himself as someone who did not kowtow to the party line. Yet, he still considered himself, politically, a "Democrat."

Shortly after Lieberman announced he was running as an "independent," I struggled to characterize the senator for news purposes. I wound up one day speaking to a source in the office of the Secretary of the Senate. Senators naturally decide to caucus either with the Republicans or Democrats. But the source explained to me that at the time, senators must tell that office how they wished to be identified for publications, like in the Congressional Record.

The source said senators obviously could present themselves as a Democrat, Republican or Independent. But "Socialist "or "Green" wasnt out of the question.

JOE LIEBERMAN, FORMER CONNECTICUT SENATOR, 2000 VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, DEAD AT 82

I inquired if the office recognized the term Lieberman was using: "independent Democrat."

The source said that was a moniker the office had never heard of.

Lieberman won re-election as an independent that fall. But he continued to caucus with the Democrats. Kind of like what Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., does now. She had been a "Democrat" but switched to "Independent" in December, 2022. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Angus King, I-Maine, have always associated with the Senate Democratic Caucus. But neither listed themselves as "Democrats" when they entered the Senate.

Thats always been the thing about divining Liebermans political taxonomy. He wasnt fish nor fowl. And his term "independent Democrat" wasnt even formally recognized in the Senate.

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) speaks at a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran  U.S. Representative Office (NCRI-US) at the Willard InterContinental Hotel on August 17, 2022, in Washington, DC. The NCRI-US held the panel to mark the 20 years since they held their first press conference in 2002 on their perceived threat of Irans Nuclear Weapons Program.

That says a lot.

In fact, maybe the best way to describe Lieberman wasnt as an "independent Democrat." He was just "Lieberman."

Lieberman started to catch heat from Democrats in September, 1998.

Then-President Clinton was embroiled in the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal. The President testified in a video deposition that he had an "improper physical relationship" with Lewinsky. Lieberman then upbraided the President in a dramatic Senate floor speech.

FETTERMAN CHARTS A DIFFERENT PATH, BREAKS WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS IN THE 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," said Lieberman. "Such behavior is not just inappropriate. It is immoral. And it is harmful. It sends a message of what is acceptable behavior to the larger American family."

Liebermans oration shook Washington. His colleagues viewed Lieberman as the conscience of the Senate. Liebermans words reflected what many others hoped they could say  but were unwilling to do so. Or perhaps, even incapable.

"It is wrong and unacceptable, and should be followed by some measure of public rebuke and accountability," said Lieberman of the Presidents conduct.

Then-Vice President Al Gore was aiming to succeed Mr. Clinton in the White House. Gore was the odds-on favorite to secure the Democratic nomination in 2000. But Gore had a problem. He was Clintons Vice President.

Liebermans speech about the President resonated with Gore. After all, Gore needed to put some distance between himself and the President he served. Selecting Lieberman as his running mate did just that.

But even though Lieberman nearly became Vice President after the controversial 2000 election, late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., tinkered with tapping him as his running mate eight years later. Lieberman campaigned on behalf of McCain, the GOPs 2008 standard-bearer, against future President Obama. Remember that Mr. Obama was a Democratic senator from Illinois at the time. Lieberman even spoke on behalf of McCain at the 2008 Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn.

There were recriminations after the election. Some Democrats wanted to boot him out of the caucus. Or, at the very least, strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Senate Democrats ultimately voted 42-13 to keep his gavel  even though he supported McCain for President.

"Its all over with," said late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Lieberman later said his colleagues welcomed him back into the fold "in the spirit of reconciliation."

But Lieberman remained a pebble in the shoe of the Democratic party. Hes one of the senators responsible for killing the so-called "public option" during the health care reform debate of 2009-10. And as recently as March 18, Lieberman appeared on Fox, seconds after a live report from yours truly. Lieberman rebuked Senate Majority Leader Schumer, D-N.Y., over his sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I think really it was a case of, of a high elected official in the U.S. taking advantage of a friend. And you wouldn't do this with a casual ally or certainly an enemy. But to call out, one of our closest allies to the world, Israel, a democracy when it's a war and tell its people they should dump their Prime Minister?" said Lieberman "That was a diplomatic red line that I have never in all my years seen crossed. It is outrageous."

Lieberman was hard to classify. As a political animal goes, his species and genus werent clear compared to his contemporaries.

Describing him as an "independent Democrat? Thats close.

But he was best cataloged as simply "Lieberman."

Fox News' Brooke Curto contributed to this report.





Original article source: Simply 'Lieberman': The independent and enigmatic politics of the late Connecticut Democrat
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down from leadership of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) after being charged with sexual offences of a historical nature.

Who is the Lagan Valley MP and former DUP leader and how has his political career played out in Northern Ireland and Westminster?

His decision to enlist in a life of politics was influenced initially not by power, but in protest against IRA violence.

Born in December 1962, the oldest of five boys and three girls, Jeffrey Donaldson was brought up in rural Kilkeel, County Down.

He described his own childhood as being "shattered" by the Troubles, most significantly by the murder of his cousin, Samuel Donaldson, a Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer.

Sir Jeffrey worked for MP Enoch Powell between 1982 and 1984 after joining the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) [Getty Images]

He joined the Orange Order at the age of 16 and the Young Unionist movement soon afterwards, as well as joining the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR).

A spokesperson for the Grand Lodge of Ireland said on Friday that Sir Jeffrey's membership had been suspended "in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process".

He began working for MP Enoch Powell between 1982 and 1984 after joining the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), later leading election campaigns for him.

His own career in frontline politics began in 1985 when he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly to represent the South Down constituency.

He entered the failed assembly as its youngest member and later became heavily involved in the unionist movement in the United States, often joining his party's delegations to visit President Bill Clinton in Washington.

Jeffrey Donaldson was one of the UUP's biggest critics of the Good Friday Agreement, warning his leader David Trimble (left) against supporting it [PA Media]

In 1997, when his boss James Molyneaux retired as the Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson retained the seat comfortably for the Ulster Unionists.

But as political negotiations at Stormont moved towards the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement, his reputation as a man of protest remained.

He became one of the Ulster Unionist Party's biggest critics of the deal, warning his leader David Trimble against supporting it.

He, instead, argued there needed to be clear evidence of the IRA's decommissioning of weapons and disagreed on the reformation of the police, which would eventually see the RUC replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Although he remained part of the UUP's negotiating team, just as the deal was nearing completion, the MP staged a dramatic walkout from the talks.

He remained a thorn in the side of Mr Trimble long after the power-sharing executive was formed.

The anticipated leadership challenge never came, though the Lagan Valley MP repeatedly refused to get in line behind party policy and supported failed bids by others to oust Mr Trimble from office.

It was no surprise that he eventually quit the party in 2003, defecting to the DUP just a month later.

He was one of three ex-UUP members to make the move - also among that trio was Arlene Foster.

It seemed a perfect fit and he quickly rose through the DUP's chain of command, no longer a figure of protest but a key policymaker within the party.

Although in recent years he has been based at Westminster, he also served as an assembly member (MLA) at Stormont and as a Lisburn councillor for a time, though he stepped down from those two roles when the ban on double-jobbing was introduced.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson quit the UUP in 2003 before joining the DUP under Ian Paisley [Getty Images]

In the 2009 expenses scandal he faced scrutiny along with many other MPs.

He later apologised for claiming back the cost of hotel pay-per-view films on his parliamentary expenses, repaying more than 660 to the Commons' fees office.

An ambitious politician, he became the DUP's spokesperson on defence issues in the Commons and the party's chief whip at Westminster in 2015.

The following year he became the first member of the DUP to receive a knighthood, as part of the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list.

In June 2017, he found himself at the heart of a major negotiation as the DUP agreed a confidence-and-supply deal with the Conservative Party.

The votes of Sir Jeffrey and his nine DUP colleagues were crucial to keeping then-Prime Minister Theresa May in government, after she lost her parliamentary majority.

He later became heavily involved in talks with the government as it worked to reach a Brexit deal with the EU.

Jeffrey Donaldson was involved in negotiating the confidence-and-supply deal with the Conservative Party in 2017 [PA Media]

However, when Boris Johnson entered Downing Street, the DUP's hope that he would deliver an agreement for unionists appeared misguided.

Sir Jeffrey and other DUP politicians spoke out against the Irish Sea border, but were unable to persuade the prime minister to scrap it.

They were accused of wasting their influence over the government, which then disappeared entirely once Boris Johnson won a snap general election in December 2019.

That election saw the Lagan Valley MP's own performance suffer too.

He has been elected to Westminster seven times, almost all of them with an overwhelming majority.

In 2019 it fell sharply, with Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood narrowing the gap from 20,000 votes to just over 6,000 - a result few saw coming.

During Sir Jeffrey's rise to power, he made two bids for leadership.

In 2021 when Arlene Foster stood down, Sir Jeffrey lost a party leadership contest to Edwin Poots.

But after an internal party revolt a month later, Mr Poots resigned and Sir Jeffrey stepped into the leadership of the party.

As he was a Westminster MP the reins of Stormont first minister continued to be in the hands of his party colleague Paul Givan, an MLA.

Mr Givan's time at Stormont was short as the party boycotted Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

What followed was a period of stalemate, where negotiations over the post-Brexit trading arrangements took place.

There were numerous unsuccessful Stormont recalls.

Sir Jeffrey still held out for changes when the Windsor Framework - the UK government's deal on Northern Ireland with the European Union was published.

But in January 2024, the impasse was broken.

The government agreed a deal with the DUP to restore Stormont power-sharing, this time with the DUP taking the deputy first minister role and Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill being appointed Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister.

The intervening period had seen a Stormont election with Sinn Fein getting 27 seats, compared to the DUP's 25.

Again when the time came, Sir Jeffrey nominated a colleague - Emma Little-Pengelly - as deputy first minister.

On Friday he quit the party after being charged with historical sexual offences.

The DUP said party officers had unanimously appointed East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson as the interim leader.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been forced to quit as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after he was charged with multiple historical sex offences including rape.

The 61-year-old stood down on Friday after being arrested and charged with 10 offences relating to two alleged victims.

He was bailed and faces a court appearance in Newry, Co Down, next month according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

His bail conditions are understood to prevent contact with a 57-year-old woman who was arrested and charged with aiding and abetting additional offences.

Sir Jeffrey, a married father-of-two, is understood to have travelled to London after being charged, but the DUP has told the Speaker of the House of Commons that he will not attempt to enter the Parliamentary estate.

Gavin Robinson MP, the DUPs deputy leader, was installed as interim leader with immediate effect but the party now faces the prospect of a possible leadership election, which could threaten to destabilise the already fragile power-sharing agreement in Stormont.

Number 10 was taken by surprise by the news, with sources saying Downing Street found out at the same time as everyone else. It is unclear how long police had been investigating but Sir Jeffrey was arrested and questioned for 15 hours before being charged.

He has told his DUP colleagues he strenuously denies the allegations.

Rumours about Sir Jeffreys political future began swirling on Friday morning when links to his numerous social media accounts suddenly disappeared from public view at the same time as PSNI issued a statement announcing that a 61-year-old man had been charged in connection with an historical sex abuse investigation.

An emergency meeting of the DUP executive was hastily organised and, shortly before 1pm on Friday, a statement from the party confirmed that Sir Jeffrey had been charged with a number of historic criminal offences, had stood down as leader and had also been suspended as a member.

Sir Jeffrey with Gavin Robinson, who has been made interim leader - Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The statement read: The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader.

Sir Jeffrey was also suspended by the Orange Order unionist group, with a spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland saying: Jeffrey Donaldsons membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made.

It is understood, after being charged late on Thursday night, Sir Jeffrey left his home in Northern Ireland and travelled to London where he also has a flat.

While he is not banned from sitting in the Commons as an independent MP, it is understood he has agreed to stay away from the chamber until the conclusion of the judicial process.

At present, any decisions about whether an MP is excluded is left to party managers who can ask them to stay away but it cannot be enforced and is only voluntary.

New rules that would give the Commons powers to exclude members accused of violent or sexual offences are under consideration, but Commons leader Penny Mordaunt has pulled a debate on the proposals twice in recent months.

There is no official parliamentary standards investigation into Sir Jeffreys alleged actions at this stage.

Sir Jeffrey became leader of the DUP in June 2021 and is Northern Irelands longest-serving sitting MP, having been elected to represent Lagan Valley in 1997.

His departure comes weeks after he helped restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland following a two-year political impasse over post-Brexit trade arrangements.

Senior politicians on both sides of the Irish Sea moved quickly to reassure the public that the departure of Sir Jeffrey would not destabilise the agreement that ensured the restoration of the Stormont parliament.

Sir Jeffrey said at the time that the partys agreement with the Government would safeguard trade with Great Britain as well as Northern Irelands place in the Union.

Government sources painted Mr Robinson, the new interim leader - who was Sir Jeffreys deputy - as a continuity figure heavily involved in the negotiations on the Windsor Framework.

They noted that he was close to the deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly, of the DUP, who defended the partys return to Stormont despite a backlash from party colleagues.

This relationship, they said, would secure continued strong links between Westminster and Belfast.

The Government will continue to work with all the political parties to uphold peace and stability in Northern Ireland, said the source.

Former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith agreed, telling the BBCs World at One: Im not concerned in any way that this shocking news today will lead to any change in the momentum behind power-sharing and the stability that has now brought as it was returned a couple of months ago.

Michelle ONeill, the Sinn Fein first minister of Northern Ireland, said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

His departure is, however, likely to be exploited by hardline unionists to unpick the agreement.

Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), said: This needs to be a cathartic moment for unionism. Unionism must steady itself and cut adrift the Donaldson folly of accepting an Irish Sea border and rule by EU law.

04:19 PM GMT

Sir Jeffrey suspended by the Orange Order

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been suspended by the Orange Order.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: Jeffrey Donaldsons membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made.

The politician joined the order, a fraternal Protestant organisation, at the age of 16 in line with his family tradition.

03:29 PM GMT

Michelle ONeill: My priority is to continue to provide leadership

Michelle ONeill, the Sinn Fein first minister of Northern Ireland, said: My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

The DUP Leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.

02:50 PM GMT

Sir Jeffreys rise to party leadership

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson became DUP leader in July 2021 following the resignation of Edwin Poots.

He had originally put his name forward to become leader after Arlene Foster was ousted following internal party unrest, but was narrowly defeated by Mr Poots in the DUPs first ever leadership election months earlier.

Sir Jeffrey began his political career with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), but his relationship with former leader David Trimble began to crumble over the Good Friday Agreement.

He led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

Alongside Mrs Foster, the pair had been part of a tight-knit group dubbed the baby barristers who opposed the Good Friday Agreement, the release of paramilitary prisoners and the direction in which then-UUP leader Mr Trimble was taking the party.

He and Mrs Foster left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

02:36 PM GMT

Longest-serving MP in Northern Ireland

Sir Jeffrey, who is the longest-serving MP in Northern Ireland, was born in Kilkeel in Co Down and first joined the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) at a young age.

The 61-year-old has previously spoken about the first time the Troubles affected his family - the murder of his cousin Samuel Donaldson, an RUC constable.

He was the first police officer to be blown up by the IRA in the conflict.

It was this event that influenced Sir Jeffreys decision to enter political life.

In 1985, aged 22, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, becoming the youngest person to win a seat at Stormont.

He was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and given a knighthood.

02:18 PM GMT

Leader of Ulster Unionist Party reacts

Doug Beattie, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, said: The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP. Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

In all matters of this nature, we must first and foremost consider all victims and what impact media and public attention will have on them. The Ulster Unionist Party will be making no further comment.

02:11 PM GMT

Sir Jeffreys role in Stormont power sharing

The DUPs sudden departure was announced weeks after one of the most significant decisions of his career when he chose to bring his party back to power sharing.

Sir Jeffrey assumed leadership of the DUP during a turbulent time for the party which saw it boycott Northern Irelands political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Unionists had long protested against requirements for checks on goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, saying they created an Irish Sea border.

Believing the Government was not responding fast enough to his concerns, Sir Jeffrey collapsed the Stormont power sharing institutions in 2022.

After protracted negotiations, the party agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal on trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Irelands constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

02:02 PM GMT

Sir Jeffreys resignation a big shock to everybody

Julian Smith, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has called Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons resignation shocking news.

The Tory MP told BBC Radio 4s World at One: Its a big shock to everybody, particularly the people in Northern Ireland.

Im not concerned in any way that this shocking news today will lead to any change in the momentum behind power sharing, and the stability that has now brought as it was returned a couple of months ago.

He added: In this leadership role, he [Donaldson] has played a critical part over the last few months. He led the negotiations with the government, and he worked with his own party to move them from their position of staying out of the executive on the basis that they didnt agree with the Northern Ireland protocol to returning.

Mr Smith also pointed out that it was a DUP team, including the new interim leader Gavin Robinson, that negotiated that deal, and said they will continue that work now without Donaldson as their leader.

01:51 PM GMT

Traditional Unionist Voice leader urges unionists to rethink protocol

Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), urged the unionists to rethink their support for protocol in the wake of Sir Jeffreys stepping down as leader.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons departure in these very inauspicious and concerning circumstances, after he has done the damage of surrendering his party to the Protocol, has very wide ramifications for unionism, he said.

Like any individual he must be afforded the protection of innocent until proven guilty.

When the leader of unionism finds himself in this position, the damage is not limited to his party but impacts unionism as a whole. Unionism was already divided by the Donaldson Deal. This needs to be a cathartic moment for unionism. Unionism must steady itself and cut adrift the Donaldson folly of accepting an Irish Sea border and rule by EU law.

01:49 PM GMT

Gavin Robinson appointed interim DUP leader

Gavin Robinson has been unanimously appointed as the interim leader of the DUP by party officers.

The unionist politician has held the role of Deputy Leader of the Northern Irish party since June 2023.

01:33 PM GMT

DUP statement on social media

01:16 PM GMT

Police Service of Northern Ireland statement

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences, a PSNI spokesman said.

A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on April 24.

01:08 PM GMT

Sir Jeffreys social media accounts deleted

Hours before the announcement Sir Jeffrey Donaldson appeared to delete his social media accounts, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Baku will host the VI World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue themed "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity" on May 13, Trend reports via the ISESCO website.

This forum, being part of the "Baku Process", will be organized by the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Alliance of Civilizations, UNESCO, and the UN World Tourism Organization.

Furthermore, prominent politicians, foreign delegations, members of international organizations, public figures, and internationally renowned intellectuals are expected to attend the forum.



In its plenary sessions and panel discussions, it will address a variety of urgent global issues pertaining to civilizational discourse and collaboration, with the goal of combating prejudice and advancing the ideals of coexistence and peace.

To showcase cultural diversity and foster a cooperative and understanding atmosphere, the forum is anticipated to include a number of cultural events, such as concerts, festivals, and creative performances.



Consolidating the "Baku Process" as a significant global forum for fostering intercultural cooperation and dialogue is the primary objective of the VI World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue.

Notably, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the Baku Process" as a key global platform for promoting intercultural dialogue.

The previous five editions of the Forum have featured more than 250 activities and attracted nearly 10,000 participants from 180 countries and 30 international organizations.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
(Bloomberg) -- South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met leaders of five top general hospitals as the new head of a medical lobby group rejected dialogue with the government to end a doctors walkout that has strained the health care system.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Han on Friday discussed ways for hospitals to cope with staff shortages due to the walkout that has entered its second month by almost all of the nations 13,000 trainee doctors, who play key roles in emergency care and surgeries.

The government reiterated it would not back down from its plan to add 2,000 more slots at medical schools a year from the current 3,058 to alleviate a doctor shortage that ranks as one of the most acute in the developed word.

Lim Hyun-taek, the newly elected leader of the countrys biggest lobby group for doctors, the Korean Medical Association, has said there is no reason to talk until the government drops its plan to increase enrollments.

The ruling party is clearly to blame for this situation, Lim said at a news conference. The doctors contend the governments medical school enrollment plan wont fix fundamental problems in the health-care system, which they say include insufficient specialists in certain fields, doctors being concentrated in urban areas and poor working conditions.

President Yoon Suk Yeols administration has said the increase is the first in nearly three decades and is needed to elevate the quality of medical services for the countrys rapidly aging population. It has offered concessions to improve working conditions and pay, but that has not enticed doctors to end their walkout.

The walkout will be on the minds of voters as the country holds elections on April 10. Yoons conservative People Power Party is trying to wrest control of parliament from the progressive Democratic Party, which could end gridlock for the remainder of Yoons term that ends in 2027.

Surveys show the public has sided with the governments plan and some critics contend the walkout is more about protecting the earning power of physicians rather than improving the quality of health care. Doctors in South Korea have some of the highest pay in the developed world compared to average wages, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

Dont be obsessed with OECDs average numbers Lim said, adding South Korean doctors provide some of the best care for patients in the world.

--With assistance from Jon Herskovitz and Brian Fowler.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is looking for possible victims of a chiropractor accused of sexual assault.

Richard Carnow, 65, was arrested by authorities on March 13 on four felony counts of sexual battery.

Carnow is a chiropractor in San Dimas in the San Gabriel Valley, the Sheriffs Department says.

Hes accused of sexually assaulting multiple adult women between June 2023 and August 2023. Officials did not say if his alleged victims were current or former patients.

Investigators say the nature of the alleged crimes have led them to believe there may be additional victims and they are asking for the publics help to find them.

Anyone with information about Carnow or any additional victims is urged to contact the LASD Special Victims Bureau by email or by calling the toll-free tip line at 877-710-5273. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

Carnow has since been released from custody after posting bond on his $100,000 bail. Officials say his next court date has been set for April 15.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott on the latters home turf on Thursday, where they discussed the ongoing border crisis and the House GOPs response to it.

The meeting came hours after Johnson revealed that the House of Representatives would send articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10.

"By opening the border to criminals, traffickers, and cartels, the Biden administration is actively endangering the American people, our families, ranchers, and law enforcement. When the federal government fails to perform its constitutional duty to protect our borders, states have no choice but to fill that role," Johnson said in a statement after the meeting.

CALIFORNIA BORDER OFFICERS FIND THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF METH IN SHIPMENT OF CARROTS

Speaker Mike Johnson met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday.

"Right now, were witnessing a gross abuse of power as Bidens Department of Justice uses the judicial system to go after the state of Texas for attempting to safeguard its citizens. Texans, and all Americans, deserve better."

Johnson expressed support for Abbotts efforts to secure the border between Texas and Mexico, the speakers office said, and that the two discussed ways to "hold the Biden administration accountable."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The Louisiana Republican also briefed Abbott on the House readying to transmit the impeachment articles to the Senate, Johnsons office said.

Abbott, in turn, urged Johnson to "pass border security legislation that will help stop illegal crossings between ports of entry along the southern border," the governors office said.

ICE ARRESTS 216 ILLEGAL MIGRANTS WITH COCAINE, FENTANYL AND HEROIN CONVICTIONS

The two discussed the House's impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

"The Governor also implored Speaker Johnson to support the state's ongoing fight against President Biden's attacks on Texas' historic border mission and his refusal to secure the border," Abbotts office said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the meeting.

Abbott has been in a standoff with President Biden for months over differing views on how to handle the migrant crisis at the border.

The White House has criticized Abbott and Texas officials for actions carried out under Operation Lone Star, which has included putting up razor wire at the border and transporting migrants to Democrat-run cities like New York and Chicago. Texas officials have accused the White House, however, of not doing enough to stop the migrant crisis on the federal level.

MEXICAN PRESIDENT SAYS THE FLOW OF MIGRANTS WILL CONTINUE UNLESS THE US MEETS HIS DEMANDS

Republicans have been pushing President Biden to do more about the southern border.

House Republicans have similarly pressured Biden over the border crisis, repeatedly hammering him and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for failing to take up a strict border security bill, H.R.2, which Democrats have dismissed as a nonstarter.

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Johnson sent a letter to Schumer on Thursday informing him that House impeachment managers would send the impeachment articles to his chamber on April 10 and urged him to hold a trial "expeditiously."

"As Speaker and impeachment managers of the U.S. House of Representatives, we write to inform you that we will present to you upon the Senates return, on April 10, 2024, the duly passed articles of impeachment regarding Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. We urge you to schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously," Johnson wrote alongside the 11 Republicans selected as impeachment managers.





Original article source: Speaker Johnson meets Gov Abbott in Texas to talk border action, Mayorkas impeachment
Anyone near Chick-fil-A in Hattiesburg got a big surprise this week, when a woman riding a camel rode through the drive-thru.

"Oh my god, that is crazy," said Sinclair Lundy of Hattiesburg, who saw the video on Facebook. "What the hell! That's a great stunt for Chick-fil-A."

While Chick-fil-A might have gotten a lot of publicity out of the camel's visit on Monday, it was not the promoter of Thelma's guest appearance. The owners of Triple R Farms hired a camel trainer from Oklahoma to work with Thelma and jokingly said they had a goal of training her to go to the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A, so that's exactly what the trainer did.

The camel caused a lot of laughter at the drive-thru with several people scrambling for their phones to take pictures and videos of the novelty.

Attempts to reach Chic-fil-A and Triple R Farms for comment were unsuccessful.

On Sunday, the camel, named Thelma, took a tour of Tractor Supply Co. on U.S. 49, much to the delight of customers there.

"I was in here talking to a family and the lady was talking with lifted up her glasses like she was seeing something and I looked around and there was this big camel right behind me," said Jenna Davies, who is in her second round of employment at TSC. Davies said she loves her job, but took a break to finish school.

How a shark near MS got its name: Great white shark spotted near Mississippi gets name after tragic death of ministers daughter

It wasn't the first time a camel visited the store, Davies said. She has seen everything from puppies to goats to monkeys that are brought in by their owners.

The camel was at the store for some socialization, Davies said, which it got plenty of thanks to some of the children who happened to be in the store with their parents.

"Things like that happen a lot," Davies said. "It's always a joy for us working here and a joy for customers in our area. I love stuff like that."

Some of the children had never seen a camel up close before, so they enjoyed Thelma's visit, too.

"What was very interesting was the cleanup after the camel," she said. "Thank goodness we have concrete floors."

The camel lives at Triple R Farms in Hattiesburg, one of a pair of Bactrian camels. The other is named Louise, according to a Triple R Facebook post.

Triple R Farms is located on Ralph Rawls Road in Hattiesburg. Foir more information, visit facebook.com/TripleRHattiesburg.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Camel visits MS Chick-fil-A drive-thru, Tractor Supply: Watch video
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego travelers will soon be able to add five destination options from San Diego International Airport (SAN) through Spirit Airlines.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the airlines told FOX 5 that five new stops will be added to their route map starting this summer.

San Diego-area campground among top 10 in US, according to Campspot

The new service includes daily nonstop flights to Baltimore (BWI), Houston (IAH), Portland (PDX), Sacramento (SMF), and Salt Lake City (SLC).

Heres a look at the new schedule, along with the route launch dates:

Destination: Flights Available: Launch Date: Baltimore (BWI) 3x WeeklyDaily May 9 & May 21 Houston (IAH) Daily May 8 Portland (PDX) Daily June 5 Sacramento (SMF) Daily April 10 Salt Lake City (SLC) Daily June 20

The new routes grow Spirits SAN service to eight nonstop destinations and 12 daily departures. Spirit first started service at SAN in 2011.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A man's home is his castle. Or is it?

Over the past couple of weeks, squatters' rightswhereby someone who isn't a legal owner or tenant claims a right to stay in someone else's propertyhas moved from a 30 Rock joke to the subject of white-hot internet discourse.

Kicking off this controversy have been several viral episodes of frustrated property owners trying to eject unwanted people from their homes.

Most prominently, New York City resident Adele Andaloro was arrested on camera after trying to self-evict several people who she says had illegally occupied a home she inherited from her parents. Before that, Washington state landlord Jaskaran Singh went viral for staging a protest outside one of his rental properties where his tenant hadn't paid rent in close to a year.

In January, Bloomberg had an in-depth investigation into metro Atlanta's housing market, where a real estate industry group estimates as many as 1,200 for-rent, single-family homes have been illegally occupied recently.

Venezuelan provocateur Leonel Moreno made waves with a TikTok video urging migrants to move into vacant homes and claim squatters' rights.

The more sensationalist corners of conservative media have hoovered up these stories to declare an "epidemic" of squatting spreading across the country, which President Joe Biden is allegedly encouraging.

That in turn has provoked a stream of "well, actually" commentary from liberal outlets arguing all this talk of squatting is just right-wing "hysteria" and that the real problem is overpowerful landlords who can evict tenants on a whim.

So, is the U.S. experiencing a squatting epidemic?

This is a thorny and frustrating topic to discuss because, in the most literal sense, there's no such thing as "squatters' rights" in America. No lawmaker has introduced a "squatters' bill of rights." Open up your state's code, and you won't find a "squatters' rights" section.

The closest thing to literal squatters' rights would be states' adverse possession laws that allow people to take ownership of someone else's property after making exclusive use of it for years or decades. But as Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Mark Miller notes in a recent squatting explainer, adverse possession cases typically involve properties that have seemingly been abandoned, and bear little resemblance to the kinds of cases that are going viral right now.

Instead, we're seeing a lot of different situations where owners are having difficulties removing unpaying occupants from their property. These have all been lumped together, somewhat unhelpfully, under the umbrella of "squatting" and "squatters' rights," but the individual circumstances and laws at play vary considerably.

Many of what's being described as "squatters' rights" cases are episodes of already illegal fraud or trespass: someone moves into a home and falsely claims (often with the aid of fraudulent documents) to be the legitimate owner or tenant. The Atlanta cases Bloomberg covered are mostly examples of this. So is Andaloro's situation in New York City. It's unclear how often this happens or whether it is happening more often now.

The Bloomberg article suggests a few reasons why these episodes might be happening more often. The increasingly online, remote business of property management makes it easier for scammers to gain access to vacant properties. Online billing enables people to produce real documents allegedly showing proof of residence.

The scammers in these cases can be accurately described as squatters. Depending on the sophistication of the fraud and the local laws governing the removal of illegal occupants, reclaiming one's property might involve more than just a call to the police.

Andaloro's case has drawn a lot of attention to a provision of New York City law saying that a property owner can't unilaterally evict someone who's "lawfully occupied" a property for 30 consecutive days or more. Instead, they have to go to housing court and get a warrant to remove the unwanted occupant.

When Andaloro tried to change the locks on her home and kick out the people claiming to be legal tenants, she was arrested for trying to perform a warrantless self-help eviction.

It is shocking and unjust that Andaloro would be led away in cuffs for trying to reclaim her property. But, for all the reasonable outrage her case has attracted, it's not a neat example of "squatters' rights."

The police who showed up at Andaloro's house were confronted with one person claiming to be the legal owner arguing with other people claiming to be legal tenants.

Andaloro reportedly had the deed to the house with her but, from the perspective of the police, that doesn't immediately settle whether the people she was arguing with were actual renters or squatters.

In response to Andaloro's case and several other related situations, New York Republican lawmakers have proposed a bill allowing police to immediately evict someone from a residential property based on a homeowner's sworn complaint.

That would certainly make it easier for property owners to remove people squatting illegally. But it would also seemly leave legitimate, paying tenants, who have a contractual right to stay on someone else's property, without many protections.

It seems reasonable, as real estate writer Brad Hargreaves argues in an X post, that there would be a court process for sorting out these property disputes.

Lots of weird / bad takes about squatters on here right now. The problem with "the police should just remove them" is that the squatters is NYC are claiming to be legal tenants. They're not "claiming squatters rights". They are waving around a fake lease. You need a court to  Brad Hargreaves (@bhargreaves) March 25, 2024

The problem, as Hargreaves notes, is that New York's housing court is deeply dysfunctional right now and it takes months or years to resolve landlord-tenant disputes. Currently, there are nearly 200,000 active eviction cases in New York state. That's up from 33,000 active cases before the pandemic.

Andaloro explicitly cited the time it would take her to vindicate her property rights in housing court as the reason for trying to do a self-help eviction.

For the most part, the cases gumming housing courts in New York and elsewhere aren't cases of illegal squatting or fraud, but rather run-of-the-mill non-payment eviction cases. About 80 percent of residential eviction cases in New York are for non-payment.

Reason covered the case of one New York City landlord who spent four years trying to evict a non-paying tenant.

New York is probably the worst offender when it comes to lengthy eviction processes, but lots of (mostly liberal) cities and states aren't much better. The delinquent tenant being protested by Singh, the Washington landlord, hasn't paid rent since May 2023, per reporting from The Stranger. He reportedly had a spotty record of paying rent even before that. It's inexcusable that landlords have to spend months or years trying to kick out a non-paying tenant.

Liberal and left-wing outlets that cover these cases typically glide over a tenant's non-payment of rent as a minor detail. Publicola, a Seattle-area news publication, spends most of its coverage of Singh's case explaining that Singh owns multiple rental properties and that conservatives of all people helped organize the protest outside his rental property (as if either is particularly relevant).

Still, to describe slow-as-molasses housing courts as examples of "squatters' rights," as some media reports are doing, is a stretch. The alleged squatters in question started as invited, legitimate tenants. The property owner is still within their rights to demand that they pay rent, and file for eviction if they don't.

At best, dysfunctional housing courts create procedural squatters' rights, where a tenant can spin out the eviction process for months or years while enjoying free housing.

There are a lot of reasons that eviction processes in some jurisdictions are taking forever right now. Pandemic-era eviction moratoriums froze the processing of eviction cases for months or even years. (It wasn't until January of this year that landlords in Los Angeles could pursue non-payment evictions again.) Courts are now trying to sort through that backlog of cases, even as new eviction cases are filed.

State and local right-to-counsel lawswhich provide tenants facing eviction with free legal representationhave achieved their explicit goal of slowing down eviction cases even more.

Given that most eviction cases are for straightforward non-payment, tenant attorneys have an incentive to stretch out proceedings by as much as possible. That delays the inevitable eviction and potentially strong-arms the landlord into paying a tenant to leave.

Also gumming up housing courts are state requirements that landlords who accepted government funding during the pandemic to cover a tenant's unpaid back rent drop their eviction cases. In many of those cases, the tenant in question went right back to not paying, so the landlord had to go to the back of the line and file for an eviction all over again.

During the pandemic, to be sure, we did have something akin to actual "squatters' rights" when all levels of government adopted eviction moratoriums. As Reason has repeatedly covered, landlords were stuck with non-paying, occasionally abusive tenants and literally no legal ability to remove them.

Those moratoriums are over, but states and cities have incorporated many of their features into permanent policies. Los Angeles now prevents landlords from pursuing evictions against non-paying tenants who've been approved for housing assistance, for instance. They can't evict people who've adopted pets in violation of their lease agreement.

These policies aren't quite "squatters' rights." But they are part of a growing body of "tenant protections" that limit landlords' ability to decide who they want to rent to, how much they can charge, and whether they can even take a unit off the rental market.

Miller and George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin both argue that laws that needlessly burden property owners' ability to reclaim their property from out-and-out squatters or non-paying tenants could be considered unconstitutional takings. Landlords prevented from removing such people from their property would be within their rights to sue their local or state government.

Others have suggested requiring long-term leases to be filed with the government, with the idea that better records would protect legitimate tenants while allowing for the expedited removal of illegal squatters without court involvement.

My compromise that will doubtless please everyone: require that all leases in excess of 30 days be filed digitally with the city clerk, and then remove squatters without any record of a lease within 24 hoursno court involvement. https://t.co/p9twFIJz35  M. Nolan Gray (@mnolangray) March 28, 2024

One can see a lot of merit to this idea. It would also be a tough idea to implement given how poorly many local governments manage property records and the widespread informality of the residential property rental business.

In the immediate term, the best thing that states and localities could do to safeguard landlords' property rights from squatters and delinquent tenants alike would be to build up the capacity of their housing courts.

That could involve hiring more housing court judges. New York landlords have proposed creating a pre-court mediation program to handle non-payment cases before an eviction is filed.

It's likely not politically practical, but eliminating right-to-counsel laws and cutting government funding to legal service providers that cynically manipulate the housing court process would also speed up the processing of eviction cases.

Private property rights are a foundational part of any free country. It is therefore rather shocking how long it can take to protect one's property rights in the courts. It's an issue of urgent concern, squatting epidemic or not.

The post Are 'Squatters' Rights' Out of Control? appeared first on Reason.com.
ST. LOUIS  A Bel Ridge man appeared in federal court on Thursday to be sentenced for stealing cigarettes and cash from local QuikTrip stores on five separate occasions.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Terrence Gleason, 53, robbed three stores while brandishing or indicating he had a firearm.

The robberies happened between Dec. 5, 2021, and Dec. 12, 2021, at the following stores:

QuikTrip located at 9099 Natural Bridge in Bel Ridge (three separate times)

QuikTrip located at 5909 Howdershell in Hazelwood

QuikTrip located at 11150 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann

2024 Solar Eclipse: These Missouri and Illinois cities offer the longest totality

Gleason pleaded guilty in August 2023 to three robbery charges, one count of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Gleason to 20 years in federal prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
ST. LOUIS  The 22-year-old charged with running down and killing a Chicago mother and daughter after a concert in downtown St. Louis is facing a new charge.

The grand jury added misdemeanor driving while intoxicated to the charges that Monte Henderson is up against. Hes already facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of armed criminal action.

Henderson faced a St. Louis judge Friday during a preliminary hearing. He pleaded not guily.

Laticha Bracero, 42, and her daughter, Alyssa Cordova, 21, were crossing the street on Valentines Day at 18th and Olive when a speeding SUV ran a red light and hit them, according to police.

2024 Solar Eclipse: These Missouri and Illinois cities offer the longest totality

Laticha and Alyssas family drove from Chicago to attend Fridays hearing and saw Henderson for the first time.

My family keeps being devastated, said Latichas cousin Nicole Rivera. Seeing him, obviously we anticipated it, but it hurts though.

Rivera and the family took a gasp when Henderson entered the not guilty plea.

Were so angry [at] how someone can sit up there and plead not guilty, knowing he took them from us, Rivera said.

Rivera and other family members went to 18th and Olive Friday after the court hearing. They had posters filled with pictures of the mother and daughter, candles and flowers. Its the first time being at the scene of the crash.

Video the wreck had been leaked online. It appears to have come from a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Real-Time Crime Center Camera. Police officials said Friday an internal investigation is underway, but officials cant comment more.

Thats something you never want to see. When I was forwarded the video, I had already anticipated the video  it was going to be a hard image to see. I literally had no words. It was horrible. You cant unsee it, Rivera said.

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The 22-year-old suspect appeared in court wtih support by his side, hugging loved ones before going back home where hes been ordered to house arrest.

He sleeps in his bed, he eats at his table, he gets to hug his family, what do we got? Were just broken, Rivera said.

Henderson has no criminal record. Court records reveal he had a few speeding tickets in the last few years.

Hell be back in court April 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY  The county wants to know what it would take to establish quiet zones along the train tracks that carry Brightline and freight trains through the county dozens of times per day, with hundreds of horn blasts.

County commissioners heard an update from staff and rail consultant George Gavalla on Tuesday in the most concrete step to date towards establishing quiet zones by any Treasure Coast gpvernment.

Still, commissioners stopped short of a commitment to establish the zones, amid concerns over safety and cost.

Local agencies control different crossings

Other governments also would have to agree to establish the zones, commissioners indicated. An application for a quiet zone must be submitted by the agency that controls the crossing, staff said.

St. Lucie County has 23 crossings along its roughly 22-mile stretch of the Florida East Coast Railroad/Brightline corridor: nine are controlled by the county, six by Fort Pierce, three by St. Lucie Village and one is under control of the Florida Department of Transportation. Four are under private control.

Whistle ban versus quiet zone

Investigators are in the 4400 block of South Indian River Drive, after the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said a northbound Brightline train fatally struck a person trespassing on the tracks just north of Midway Road, Sept. 28, 2023. Brightline started its high-speed service between West Palm Beach and Orlando six days ago.

Establishing quiet zones, under Federal Railroad Administration guidelines, allows trains to move through an area without being required to sound their horns at crossings. Without quiet zones, engineers are required to sound horns for 15-20 seconds as they pass through crossings.

St. Lucie County had a precursor to quiet zones, then called a whistle ban, from 1988 to 1991, according to a presentation by county staff. That came after the Legislature passed a law allowing for local whistle bans.

However, after a 191% increase in accidents in place with whistle bans, in 1991 FRA stepped in to ban such state laws. In 2005, FRA launched its rules for quiet zones, with required safety measures to help mitigate some of the negative impacts under the old whistle bans.

Still early in the process

A Brightline train passes by the Sunrise Theatre at the Orange Avenue crossing at 38 mph as it heads north through St. Lucie County on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, on its way to Orlando on the first day of transporting passengers.

Commission Chair Cathy Townsend said it is too early to know the cost. Staff members indicated they are about halfway through designing the necessary improvements.

For the county to move forward with quiet zones, Townsend said, it needs to know where the other local governments stand. For example, she said, if St. Lucie Village wants quiet zones but Fort Pierce does not, it would make no sense to move forward. That, in part, is because Fort Pierce controls crossings far enough north for horns there to be heard in St. Lucie Village, she said.

"In order to move this thing forward, I think that the village and the city of Fort Pierce would need to have a conversation to see if that's the direction they want to go, I would think, before the county got involved with it," Townsend said.

The one FDOT-controlled crossing is even closer to St. Lucie Village than the Fort Pierce crossings, according to the staff presentation. Townsend said that would need a conversation between the county and FDOT.

Safety measures for quiet zones

Safety measures are broken down into different categories, Gavalla told commissioners. "Supplemental safety measures" is the list of the highest standards. Below that there are "alternative safety measures."

If an agency has one or more supplemental measure at every crossing, FRA automatically approves quiet zones. If some crossings have alternative measures, a more intensive FRA approval process is necessary. The alternative measures also come with more-frequent FRA check-ins and recertification requirements.

"If you have supplemental safety measures at all of the crossings in a quiet zone, you will qualify to have a quiet zone. FRA will not even bother to weigh in on it if you provide the information that the situation exists," Gavalla said. "If you have these supplemental safety measures, that's going to make the process of approval very, very simple for you."

For those reasons, Gavalla advised the county to pursue the supplemental measures at every crossing, if possible. The county already has supplemental measures in place at many crossings, Gavalla pointed out.

Going above and beyond

The gates at a triple railroad crossing at Orange Avenue in downtown Fort Pierce, Fla., are pictured Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, the day high-speed rail carrier Brightline increased its Miami-to-Orlando service from 16 to 30 trains daily.

Safety concerns may still exist, even with supplemental measures in place everywhere, Gavalla said.

"In the long run, it's probably quite simple to get a quiet zone. The question that you need to ask is, 'Are there safety concerns that are not addressed by these requirements?'," Gavalla said.

In some cases, the county is considering going beyond the supplemental requirements. It is actively looking at synchronizing traffic signals with railroad crossings in order to lower the risk of a vehicle being stuck between the gates. That, Gavalla said, would go a long way to mitigate risk.

"I really applaud the county in being so proactive in going down that road. Even though you may not need it to qualify for a quiet zone, it's a very responsible thing to do, and you really need to be commended for that," Gavalla said.

Quiet zones already cover much of the Brightline corridor, including between West Palm Beach and Miami. In that stretch, there have been instances of vehicles getting stuck between gates, Gavalla said.

St. Lucie Village residents want peace and quiet

Many residents of St. Lucie Village have been calling for quiet zones. The tracks run through the narrow town, and its borders are less than a half-mile from the tracks on either side. Multiple residents pleaded with commissioners to establish quiet zones, saying train horns hurt their quality of life and wake them up in the middle of the night.

Longtime St. Lucie Village Mayor William Thiess had a seat on the dais during the meeting, and questioned Gavalla as commissioners and county staff members did.

Who pays for improvements?

In addition to local governments agreeing whether they even want quiet zones, cost-sharing agreements would need to be in place, Townsend said.

"I don't think the county can take all of the burden," she said.

Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky attempted to confirm that Brightline would not help with the costs.

"Brightline doesn't have a role to play in the cost of this, is that correct?" Dzadovsky asked staff.

County Attorney Daniel McIntyre said it is safe to assume it would be "a county-funded exercise." The current designs are being paid with the county infrastructure sales tax revenues, McIntyre said, and future costs likely would come from the same source. That half-percent increase was passed by voters in 2018 and is set to expire at the end of 2028.

Ultimately, Townsend instructed staff to wait until the commission's May informal meeting to provide an update. She said that might give St. Lucie Village and Fort Pierce time to make their decisions.

More: Brightline losing money despite increased revenue, ridership from Miami-Orlando service

More: Brightline could open new Stuart station in 2026, two years sooner than expected.

Biggest step yet towards Treasure Coast quiet zones

The meeting was the furthest any of the three counties on the Treasure Coast have gone in pursuit of quiet zones.

Last month, Indian River County commissioners decided not to apply for quiet zones, citing safety concerns.

In November, Martin County spokesperson Martha Ann Kneiss said the county believes it has met all of the requirements for quiet zones, but she also said an application would not be coming for at least a year.

"It is Martin Countys position to allow trains to operate for up to one year without quiet zones to provide both seasonal and full-time residents time to become familiar with the frequency and increased speeds of Brightline trains in our community," Kneiss said in an email at the time.

Only then would the county decide how and when to proceed with quiet zones, she said.

St. Lucie County staff Tuesday echoed Martin County's intentions to wait a year. Brightline trains began carrying passengers through the Treasure Coast on Sept. 22.

Multiple communities in northern Palm Beach County recently announced intentions to apply for quiet zones.

Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com and 504-331-0516.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: See the latest on quieting Brightline train horns on Treasure Coast
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The co-founder of Azerbaijan's Toplum TV channel Alasgar Ahmadoghlu (Mammadli) hasn't been released under house arrest, Trend reports.

The defense motion against the Toplum TV co-founder to substitute the selected preventative measure of imprisonment with house arrest was considered.



The request presented during the trial in Baku's Khatai District Court has been dismissed.



Previously, Ahmadoghlu, Toplum TV's other co-founder Akif Gurbanov, their staff, and Ruslan Izzatli, a founding member of the III Republican Platform, were sentenced to four months in prison as a preventive measure.



A criminal prosecution has been started against them under Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (smuggling conducted by a group of people with prior conspiracy).

Employees of the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry carried out an operation in the office of Toplum TV internet television and at several other addresses on March 6.

The ministry said that its police officers carried out operational search measures based on received information regarding the activities of a group of individuals at the office situated at 98 B, Y.V. Chamanzaminli street, Narimanov district, as well as at other addresses in Baku.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Show-Me State will not require you to show your ID to use social media  for now.

The Missouri General Assembly recently considered and rejected a bill that would have barred anyone under the age of 18 from creating a social media account without parental consent. To comply with the proposed law, social media companies would have needed to create an age verification system, likely requiring users to upload a picture of their photo ID which would then be compared to a selfie. Thankfully, Missouri lawmakers realized the problems that age verification laws pose and decided to scrap the bill. But legislators in other states are still crafting (and some cases have already passed) similar laws.

Missouris legislature got it right: As bad as social media can be for kids, its not the governments responsibility to regulate what they read and post online. Its their parents responsibility.

Take Oklahomas House Bill 3914, for example. This bill would bar anyone under the age of 16 from creating a social media account, even if their parents consent. The Oklahoma bill would sidestep parents completely, not even allowing them to choose if, when, and how their children use social media. As an additional smack in the face, parents who use social media themselves would be forced to put their own data and identity at risk in order to comply with the law.

Its easy to understand why so many legislators are eager to pass age verification laws. Social media can have detrimental effects on children, exposing them to cyberbullying and dulling their already short attention spans. As parents and guardians, its natural to want to shield our children from these dangers.

I myself am a parent of two young children. They will grow up in a world where social media is pervasive and dominant. It will be difficult at times for them to navigate life without using social media, so my wife and I will have to make tough decisions about how much, if any, social media our children should be permitted to access.

But there are many ways to do this: We could refuse to buy smartphones for them. Or we could purchase any of the various software packages that block social media and obscene content from their devices. Or we could allow them to use social media, but limit their screen time. Or we could educate them about the issues that social media causes and simply trust them to make good choices. All of these options would have been denied to us if we lived in a state that passed a strict age verification law.

Not only do age verification laws reduce parental freedom, but they also create myriad privacy risks. Requiring platforms to collect government IDs and face scans opens the door to potential exploitation by hackers and enemy governments. The very information intended to protect children could end up in the wrong hands, compromising the privacy and security of millions of users.

I recently spoke to Paul Taske, a litigator at NetChoice, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit advocacy group currently fighting various age verification laws in court. We see data breaches all over the place, he told me. Credit card companies, ancestry trackers and even government agencies have had their data stolen.  Age-verification requirements for social media companies increase the risk that users will be targeted by hackers because their data is valuable. And where data is required to be stored by law, those places become prime targets for the next attack.

Taskes warnings are not idle speculations. Hackers steal data online all the time, even stealing childrens identities. In 2021 alone, nearly 1 million American children had their identities stolen, costing an average of $1,100 per household. Forcing people to upload more personal data would only put them more at risk.

Ultimately, age verification laws are a misguided attempt to address the complex issue of underage social media use. Instead of placing undue burdens on users and limiting parental liberty, lawmakers should look for alternative strategies that respect privacy rights while promoting online safety. In fact, there are some concrete steps that governments can take to help protect children from virtual threats, such as providing additional resources to law enforcement agencies to go after online predators and implementing digital literacy education in public schools.

But they should leave the parenting to the parents.

Tyler Curtis is a state beat fellow at Young Voices and works as a loan officer at a Missouri bank.




Which states teach LGBTQ+ topics in school? Here are the 7 states with inclusive curricula

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Intersectional Pride Parade Blackfeet Nation Native American Indigenous People

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In a time when queer education is under attack, few states have instead opted to protect it.



More than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the U.S. in 2023, and 80 were passed into law. Less than three months into 2024, 479 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced, many of which restrict or outright prohibit LGBTQ+ curriculum in public schools, according to the American Civil Liberties Union .

In Florida, K-12 teachers who include queer subjects in lessons are at risk of losing their licenses under the state's "Don't Say Gay" law. Six other states have similar policies that outright ban the discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in schools, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

In contrast, seven states instead require that LGBTQ+ identities be included in history and social science lessons. While some are still working to curate the new content, these are the states that recognize the value of inclusive curriculum, which can help all students reach their full potential.



California

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History California Harvey Milk

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California became the first state to require that history and social science lessons portray LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups in 2011 through the FAIR Education Act.

New Jersey

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History New Jersey Asbury Park Pride Parade

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New Jersey became the second state to mandate LGBTQ+ curriculum in 2019 through S1569, though much of the power in shaping lessons and defining "inclusive" content falls to local school boards.

Colorado

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Colorado Governor Jared Polis visit Club Q memorial victims mass shooting Colorado Springs

Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post

Colorado passed HB 19-1192 in 2019 shortly after New Jersey's law. It not only requires lessons including marginalized groups, but also authorizes state funding to be put towards it.

Oregon

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Oregon Portland intersectional Pride Parade

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Oregons inclusive curriculum law was also passed in 2019, and is the only legislation that is explicitly intersectional, meaning that it seeks to represent people of multiple minority identities and examine how they shape different experiences.

Illinois

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Illinois Chicago 2006 Gay Games Medals

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Illinois' law, also passed in 2019, does not have mandates for specific ages or intersectionalities. It gives the Illinois Inclusive Curriculum Advisory Council, a coalition consisting of advocacy groups and education experts, the power to decide on content.

Nevada

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Nevada early education

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Nevada became the sixth state to mandate LGBTQ+ curriculum in 2021 when lawmakers approved AB261, which requires the inclusion of not only queer people in history texts, but also Black, Native, Indigenous, and disabled people. It is also one of the laws that explicitly mandates lessons begin in kindergarten.

Washington

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Washington Governor Jay Inslee

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Just last week, Washington became the seventh state to put LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools after Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5462 into law. It encourages diversity in lessons beyond history and social sciences.

Connecticut (honorable mention)

USA States Teaching LGBTQ History Connecticut 2008 Court Rules In Favor Of Allowing Gay Lesbian Same Sex Marriages Michael Miller Ross Zachs marry West Hartford Town Hall steps

Christopher Capozziello/Getty Images

Connecticut is a special case  it is the only state in the country where law requires the education department to create LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum, but does not require schools to use it.
Soon Texans will get to see something that rarely happens. The total solar eclipse is set to be seen on April 8, according to NASA. The path of the eclipse will be along a southwest-to-northeast line through North America. Scientists say it will be the last total solar eclipse visible to the world until 2044.

Heres where you can see it.

Texas public parks where you can see the solar eclipse

The moon will start to cover the sun around noon on April 8. Totality will begin at 1:30 p.m. near Del Rio and trace a line northeast across Texas.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon shifts between the sun and Earth, blocking the sun's face.

Totality will last from a few seconds to about 4.5 minutes, depending on the direction you're on in its path. Only those in the path of totality will get the full eclipse experience.

See interactive map: What is the path of the 2024 solar eclipse in Texas?

Heres a list of parks where you can watch the eclipse:

Make a reservation (if there are any) ahead of the solar eclipse

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, it's important you make a reservation before you arrive at any of the state parks.

Here's what you should expect if you decide to arrive:

Come early and stay late : Expect traffic delays across the state. We anticipate visitors from across the state and nation for the eclipse.

Pack more than a snack : Be sure you have extra food, water and fuel in case of delays.

Park in designated areas only : Stay off roadways for your safety. Don't park off the pavement unless directed by park staff.

You may not be able to connect: In some areas of totality, cell phone networks and the internet might be jammed.

More: Will it be cloudy in Texas during the solar eclipse? Here's an early weather forecast

2024 solar eclipse watch parties in Texas

Here are some watch party locations:

Hilton Austin (500 East 4th Street, Austin, TX)  Hilton Austin will have eclipse-themed cocktails and mocktails, as well as free eclipse viewing glasses on April 8. This event runs from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and admission is free.

Levy Event Plaza (501 E Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX)  Irving is offering a Total Eclipse in the Park Party. The event will feature food trucks, music and free eclipse glasses. The event is from noon to 3 p.m.

Space Center Houston (1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX)  The Space Center of Houston is having a three-day event April 6-8. The event includes eclipse glasses giveaway, eclipse and space expert lightning talks in Independence Plaza with emcee Gary Jordan of NASAs Houston We Have a Podcast, and more. Tickets for that event can be purchased here.

Dam 2024 Eclipse (507 Hi-Line Dr., Buchanan Dam, TX)  The event will feature presentations by scientists, eclipse glasses, and music. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m.

The Alamo Eclipse Watch (300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX)  Watch the total solar eclipse from the iconic Alamo at this free event with complimentary solar eclipse glasses. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m.

How to see the solar eclipse safely in Texas

Make sure you protect your eyeballs. Wear appropriate eyewear.

Here are some safety tips provided by NASA:

View the sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.

Although not recommended to watch the eclipse without specialized eye protection, it's possible to view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the moon completely obscures the suns bright face  during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (Youll know its safe when you can no longer see any part of the sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)

As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the sun.

Where can I get free solar eclipse glasses?

Retail company Warby Parker is giving away free, ISO-certified solar glasses in preparation of the event. They will be available April 1-8 or while supplies last. Click here to find a Warby Parker near you.

Toward the end of March, Texas A&M University Libraries will offer free solar eclipse glasses while supplies last. Click here to see the complete schedule.

Where to find solar eclipse glasses in stores

While the American Astronomical Society lists large retailers selling eclipse-viewing equipment, it also warns against online purchases. Products sold on companies' sites might use different suppliers from those sold in stores.

Where is the 2024 solar eclipse path of totality in Texas?

What time is the April 8 total solar eclipse in Texas? Find out here with your ZIP code

More: How long until the April 8 total solar eclipse in Austin? Check out our countdown

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Where in Corpus Christi can you see the solar eclipse? Here's a list
It had been 18 hours, and a resident at Remarkable Healthcare of Fort Worth was still sitting in the same pair of soiled briefs.

The resident, who had Parkinsons disease and was bedridden, called her sister-in-law, Jean, to ask for help. It was a federal holiday  Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2022  and the nursing home was short staffed. No one had checked on the resident or her roommate in hours, Jean said. Jean asked to go by her middle name out of respect for her sister-in-laws privacy and legacy.

Jean sent emails and calls to nursing home staff and administrators, and didnt hear back. She decided to change the briefs herself, and drove to the nursing home, at 6649 N. Riverside Drive. She rang the doorbell and knocked at the main entrance. She called again. But no one responded, she said.

After 20 minutes, Jean left, defeated. Her sister-in-laws briefs were eventually changed later that evening.

In total, the woman had spent 20 hours in the same soiled pair.

The experience was one of several Jean complained about to state regulators during the two and a half years her sister-in-law lived at the Fort Worth nursing home before her death in September 2023.

Most of the issues, Jean said, stemmed from the fact that the nursing home didnt have enough staff. There simply werent enough people to clean the hallways, prepare meals, or help bedridden residents like her sister-in-law go about the activities of daily living. On average, about 76 residents live at the Fort Worth nursing home on a given day.

Nursing facilities throughout the U.S. are struggling to determine how to recruit and retain enough staff to keep residents safe and staff workloads manageable, particularly since the early COVID-19 pandemic began.

But Remarkable Healthcares staffing crisis is compounded by the companys financial woes, which have gotten worse in recent months, according to current and former staff members and filings in bankruptcy court.

The nursing homes management, which operates four nursing homes in North Texas, filed for bankruptcy March 20, and is headed toward an uncertain future as the nursing homes parent company, its lenders and multiple creditors attempt to negotiate a resolution that will keep employees in their jobs and patients safely in their nursing homes.

The company that manages the Fort Worth facility as well homes in Seguin, Carrollton, and Dallas owes millions of dollars in unpaid bills to its landlord and vendors, as well as to a financial firm that has been loaning it money since 2019, according to filings in bankruptcy court.

The companys complicated financial situation has meant that employees of the four locations have repeatedly received their paychecks late in recent months, according to court filings and five current and former employees the Star-Telegram interviewed. In addition, employees who received their health insurance through their jobs also lost their coverage because the company could not pay the premiums, leaving some with large medical bills, according to interviews and court filings.

The instability has left some of the Fort Worth nursing homes lowest paid employees in crisis.

Right now Im living paycheck to paycheck, said a certified nursing assistant at Remarkable. While she was waiting for her paycheck, she said she wasnt sure how shed get to her next shift, because she couldnt afford gas. The Star-Telegram interviewed five current and former employees at the nursing home or its parent company. All employees asked to remain anonymous, because they worried that leadership at Remarkable Healthcare would retaliate against them or that discussing conditions at the nursing home would hurt their future job opportunities.

The Star-Telegram verified all employees identities.

All four of the Remarkable nursing homes are linked to limited liability companies owned or operated by Laurie Beth and Jon McPike of Southlake. In an interview with the Star-Telegram, Jon McPike said his nursing homes had maintained staffing levels and quality of care despite the ongoing bankruptcy case.

Our staffing levels are extremely good right now and have been for quite a while, McPike said.

He also said any allegations of neglect in his nursing homes were investigated and responded to quickly.

He also applauded his employees for continuing to work during the uncertainty of the bankruptcy case.

Theres no way to express the gratitude that we have, he said.

My scrubs were completely soaking wet

A core feature of nursing home care, employees said, is provided by certified nursing aides or assistants, one of the lowest paid positions in a nursing home that nevertheless provide some of the most critical care.

CNAs, as they are known, change residents briefs, help residents shower, assist residents in eating, help them move from bed to wheelchair, and other aspects of daily living for residents who have limited or no mobility.

Remarkable Healthcare did not have enough CNAs to keep patients cared for, employees said.

The nursing homes previous director of nursing said the facility was so short-staffed that she typically had only one CNA working with her to provide care for 30 patients. Charlene Harrington, an expert on nursing home safety, said staffing levels were closely linked to patient safety, and that research suggests the best ratio for residents was one CNA to seven patients.

Everything depends on staffing, said Harrington, professor emeritus at the University of California San Francisco. If you dont have adequate staffing, the work doesnt get done.

On the weekends, when the nursing home was short on staff, Remarkables previous directing of nursing said she would sometimes show up to work by herself to check on patients. With no one else to help her, she could only do damage control, she said.

Residents would go so long without having their briefs changed that urine would seep into their sheets.

Their sheets are soaked from their head to their feet, the nurse said. By the end of her shift, my scrubs were completely soaking wet.

I still pray every night for the residents there, the former director of nursing said.

Remarkable has not submitted recent staffing data to the federal government, but its low staffing levels were noticed by a patient care ombudsman appointed during the companys previous bankruptcy case from 2023. After visiting the Seguin and Dallas locations, the ombudsman wrote that without additional staffing, continued resignations may occur, and safe delivery of clinical services will be challenged.

The ombudsman also wrote that the homes still struggled to buy basic supplies, like paper towels, trash bags, COVID tests, and more.

The low staffing, infrequent showers, and other complaints of poor care have been repeatedly investigated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which is responsible for inspecting skilled nursing facilities in the state and ensuring that they meet state and federal requirements.

In recent inspections, the Fort Worth facility has been cited for a routine happy hour that led to a pregnant employee being attacked by a patient; failing to give regular showers and timely incontinence care; and serving cold and lukewarm food to residents.

The long history of complaints against Remarkable led the federal government to designate it as one of 88 nursing homes in the Special Focus Facility program. The program is intended as the federal governments stopgap measure to improve failing nursing homes before barring them from Medicare and Medicaid program, which is the main payer for most nursing homes.

But employees said they feared that the considerable record of complaints still didnt accurately portray the situation at Remarkable.

McPike, the co-owner of Remarkable, disagreed, and said he thought state inspectors were tougher on Remarkable than they were on other facilities.

A woman who previously worked at Remarkable said whenever a state inspector arrived at a Remarkable nursing home, staff would use the messaging application GroupMe to alert colleagues about what the state inspector appeared to be investigating. The former employee said administrators would encourage employees to report similar stories to the surveyors.

The former director of nursing said that during an inspection in November, colleagues forged her initials on medical records for a patient who had fallen while being transported to a doctors appointment. Her colleagues had intended to indicate that required safety checks had been completed by medical staff when in fact they had not, she said.

Im not aware of anything like that and I certainly wouldnt tolerate it, McPike said.

Bankrupt nursing homes experience mass staff walkouts

Many of Remarkables woes stemmed from its lack of operating cash.

Remarkable first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018, and reorganized in part through an agreement with Alleon Capital Partners, a short-term lender. Under the terms of the agreement, Alleon received all of the money Remarkable made, and returned cash on an as-needed basis.

The relationship between Remarkable and Alleon grew bitter last year, in part because Alleon seized $395,000 that the nursing home had received as a tax credit for retaining employees. In court filings, Remarkables attorneys said the tax credit was not Alleons to take; Alleons attorneys said Remarkable had attempted to use the tax credit improperly. The two companies also disagreed over the terms of their updated loan agreements, McPike said.

In all, the dispute has put the four nursing homes in a desperate position, with the company facing mounting bills. The companys nursing home in Seguin faced a disconnect notice for unpaid water bills. The property owners of Remarkables nursing homes said the company owes more than $3 million in bank rent.

According to documents Remarkable filed in its bankruptcy case: The company has paid its nearly 500 employees late on multiple occasions, causing some mass staff walkouts and more than two dozen employees to quit, according to Remarkables court filings. In an interview with the Star-Telegram, McPike said the majority of employees who quit were rehired or replaced with new hires.

Health insurance coverage for all employees has lapsed, and staff have begun asking their supervisors what to do. One employee received back surgery after her health insurance coverage had ended, and now is faced with a very large bill, her supervisor wrote in an email to the McPikes.

On Wednesday, Chief Judge Brenda Rhoades of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas agreed to a temporary order that allows Remarkable to use a loan to pay employees and to keep the nursing homes operating until a final solution is reached. In her order, Rhoades wrote that members of the McPike family be excluded and go unpaid, although a final decision that could allow the family to be paid their wages is expected to be issued in early April.
Kenneth Waits, who has been nominated for the OU board of regents by Gov. Kevin Stitt. The selection is subject to confirmation by the state senate.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Tyler, Texas, businessman Kenneth Waits to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

Waits, an OU alumnus, was named to replace former Gov. Frank Keating on the board. Keating had served on the board since 2017, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin. Regents typically serve seven-year terms and their appointments are subject to approval by the Oklahoma Senate.

In addition to OU, the regents board also governs Rogers State University in Claremore and Cameron University in Lawton.

"Ken is a national voice in the energy sector who knows the OU community well," Stitt said in a statement. "Ken loves the University of Oklahoma, and I can't wait to see how he serves the school as member of the Board of Regents."

Waits joined Mewbourne Oil Company as an operations engineer in Woodward after his graduation from OU and has spent his entire working career with that company. He spent time as its Oklahoma City district manager, its vice president of exploration and its chief operations officer before his current role as president and chief executive officer.

Founded in 1965, Mewbourne Oil is an independent oil and gas producer, with primary operations in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas and the Permian Basin of New Mexico and Texas. OUs Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy is named after the companys founder, Curtis W. Mewbourne, and the company is one of OUs largest providers of scholarships, internships and full-time jobs.

Serving my alma mater is an honor, and I'm deeply appreciative to Gov. Stitt for the opportunity to uplift the school I love," Waits said. "The students, faculty and staff of OU continue to inspire me every day, and I look forward to giving back to the community in this new role."

Waits already serves on the boards of the American Exploration and Production Council, the Permian Basin Strategic Partnership and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association. With OU, hes served as the chairman of the industry advisory boards for universitys Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, and hes currently a council member of OU President Joseph Harrozs Lead On fundraising campaign.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gov. Stitt appoints Texas oilman, OU alum to university regents board
A police pursuit of a stolen vehicle through Hollywood on Thursday night came to an abrupt end as the car, an electric Tesla, ran out of battery in the middle of the road.

According to stringer service KeyNews, the pursuit originated in Koreatown, in the area of Western Avenue and 8th Street, when the Tesla Model S was reported stolen around 11:35 p.m. Police pursued the car into Hollywood and was on the 101 Freeway at one point.

Stolen Tesla Hollywood

The owner of the vehicle informed police when the vehicles battery was down to 1%. Eventually, the Teslas battery died in the middle of the street on the 4600 block of Melrose Avenue.

The suspect was arrested, KeyNews reports. The Los Angeles Police Department did not release any details as of Friday morning.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Parents in Stoneham were upset and voiced their concerns at a School Committee budget meeting Thursday night.

He was an armed pedophile trying to gain entrance into school, said Andrew Dawson, a parent.

Dawson and several parents are angry that they were not immediately notified about a man arrested last Thursday after being on the South Elementary School campus with three knives.

We cannot carry on like this if that guy had gotten into the building it would have been a disaster, said Catrina Bridges a parent.

A special public comment period was added to the School Committee Budget meeting because so many parents were upset.

Were in a situation on a Thursday night when we should be talking about a budget crisis listening to you apologize again for your lack of communication, said Bridges.

The police chief admitted that 39-year-old James McCarty did try to enter the school at one point.

They never entered the building they did attempt to pull the door, said Chief James OConnor.

McCarty who was on the sex offender registry was spotted on campus by the schools principal who called 911. The arriving officer followed him onto Main Street saying McCarty was yelling unintelligible words about the FBI and vampires.

The officer ordered him to stop and asked if he had any weapons.

I told James to stop walking and asked him if he had any weapons. James stated he had knives, according to court documents obtained by Boston 25.

Another officer who arrived at the school found two knives on McCarty. The court documents describe it as a green folding-style knife; the other was a large black hunting-style knife.

Police found a third knife nearby. The police chief apologized for not telling the parents sooner.

There is absolutely no doubt you should have been notified Thursday of what happened. For that I apologize, said Chief OConnor.

Parents were also furious with the Stoneham School Superintendent David Ljungberg who told Boston 25 that new protocols are in the works.

We are already looking at our training protocols for issues like this and communications protocols so yes we will need to make those changes, said Ljunberg.

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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The volume of capital repatriation from Azerbaijan amounted to over $6.6 billion in 2023, Director of the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Samir Nasirov said during a media briefing, Trend reports.

"It's mainly formed due to the difference between the repatriation of capital in the form of crude oil and natural gas, which falls on the share of international oil and gas consortia, he emphasized.

To note, the volume of capital repatriation from Azerbaijan amounted to $11.16 billion in 2022.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Scene

It was a triumphant day for Patti Peeples, but one thing didnt sit right with her.

For more than a year, the 61-year-old Florida landlord fought to tighten the states law against squatting, a crime she saw up close when two women faked a rental agreement and occupied one of her Jacksonville properties. Shed done interview after interview, worked closely with her local legislators, and testified in Tallahassee. The result, a tough new law that would let sheriffs evict squatters without entering a lengthy legal process, passed with unanimous bipartisan support.

On Wednesday, invited by her Republican state representative, Peeples arrived at the bill signing in Orlando. The longtime Democrat took her seat next to a local Republican fund-raiser as Gov. Ron DeSantis described squatter horror stories from New York. Illegal aliens were instructing other foreigners how to come into this country and commandeer property, he said; then he introduced Flash Shelton, a squatter hunter from California, who thanked the governor for taking action.

What passes muster in New York and California isnt passing muster here, said DeSantis. Peeples had won; but how, she wondered, had her cause suddenly been turned into a political cudgel for conservatives?

This is the good and the bad of politics in our country, she told Semafor. It was nonsensical to showcase an individual who had nothing to do with the bill being written and passed, doesnt live in the state of Florida, and makes money from his business that uses tactics to remove squatters that could be copied and increase the chance of violence.

In multiple states, including New York and Florida, viral stories about people seizing homes they dont own have inspired legislation to stop it. Theres no organized partisan opposition to those bills. But Republicans have seized the initiative, warning of a squatter crisis inflamed by liberal crime policies and illegal immigration; a popular migrant TikTok influencers video urging people to invade and seize homes burned through conservative media just as the Florida bill was passing.

There are challenges, with adverse possession being exploited to benefit unethical behavior by a few, said Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who like every member of her party supported the anti-squatter bill. The rhetoric the governor used was never mentioned anywhere during the [legislative] process. Leave it to DeSantis to make every issue partisan.

Davids view

Back in February, while I was talking to South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman at a Nikki Haley rally, a voter stepped in and asked me to wrap it up, so he could talk to the congressman about squatters. He was worried about them stealing homes in his retirement community; Norman urged him to talk to his sheriff, because Congress would be too slow to act.

This was how I realized that a story that wasnt part of the campaign discourse  even as it was covered frequently by local news  was breaking through. Conservative media was all over this topic, and politicians were slow to catch up.

Fox News and the New York Post, the brightest suns in Rupert Murdochs media galaxy, have heavily covered a string of unrelated, sometimes frightening stories involving squatters, including one incident where a woman was killed by the people who had taken over her Manhattan apartment. DeSantiss signing ceremony was streamed live by Fox  a throwback to the pre-primary days when hed ride the conservative zeitgeist to friendly coverage.

But this isnt like the partisan squabbles over Floridas parental rights law, or shuttling asylum-seekers to the bluest possible cities. In Georgia, like Florida, there was no opposition to anti-squatter legislation that moved after weeks of stories about a growing crisis. In South Carolina, a version introduced by a Republican state legislator running for Congress was co-sponsored by half of his colleagues, in both parties.

And in New York, where Democrats hold a legislative supermajority, Republican Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz introduced his anti-squatter bill with Democratic co-sponsors. His own Fox News interview started with the viral invasion TikTok, as a study in what he needed to stop.

Unfortunately, videos like that one you saw on TikTok is one of many of people teaching others how they can utilize New Yorks laws to their advantage, said Blumencranz, whose law would rewrite the states definition of tenant to exclude people staying in homes they dont pay for.

New York Citys laws, which DeSantis singled out on Wednesday, are unusually generous to tenants; if theyve occupied a home for more than 30 days, owners who want them out have to go to court. All of that was laid out in a March 21 report, by a New York ABC affiliate, that filmed an owner/squatter nightmare  a woman being handcuffed after the illegal tenants shed just ejected called police and brandished phony documents.

That story, combined with the invasion TikTok, got politicians scrambling; Queens councilwoman Vickie Paladino rallied fretful New Yorkers on Monday, proposing a bill that would extend the 30-day rule to 180 days. Even when theres no Democratic opposition, its a simple story for Republicans to tell: A sclerotic government is letting criminals run over people like you.

The View From Progressives

Some progressive writers argue that the squatting stories have been blown out of proportion. In Popular Information, Judd Legum and Tesnim Zekeria recently broke down what they call the hysteria over the issue, which they said was distracting attention from Americas actual housing crisis.

But even among activists on the left, criticisms of the anti-squatter proposals have been relatively mild. In Florida, the only skeptics of the new law were housing-rights advocates. Florida Rising lobbied to change the bill, warning that some people living illegally in homes might be taken advantage of by phony landlords. Legislators adopted their concerns in the final bill, and the group took a neutral position. But Cynthia Laurent, a housing justice campaigner at Florida Rising, said that this was not coming up as an issue in this state until recently.

We heard about Patti Peepless situation, and that was horrible, but we wanted to make sure that this didnt have impacts on people struggling to stay housed, said Laurent. What weve seen is that when some of these laws are implemented, working class Black and brown folks are the ones who end up being harmed.

Notable

NOTABLE

In Bloomberg, Michael Sasso and Patrick Clark report on Atlanta institutional landlords who were desperate to evict non-paying tenants.

On The Joe Rogan Experience, the podcaster put the blame on New York lawmakers for not seeing how squatters exploited current statutes: That means they know how to do it and they know the loophole, and you need to tighten that loophole up.
STURGIS  A planned Sturgis apartment development project looking to receive state financial support has met another barrier.

Sturgis City Manager Andrew Kuk told the city commission Wednesday his offices heard from Spire Development. Spire reported to the city they were informed by the state they did not receive funding for the proposed St. Joseph Street Lofts.

The former Paramount property in Sturgis is pictured Wednesday. Spire Development is looking to build affordable housing on the site, but was not among the projects approved for funding assistance from the state to proceed.

St. Joseph Street Lofts is a proposed, high-density apartment complex at 303 St. Joseph St., the former Paramount Furniture Co. site. The property, vacant since 1996, is owned by the city's economic development corporation.

Spire proposed to construct a three-story building with 50 apartments: 12 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units and 14 three-bedroom units. Spire Development sought funding through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority for the project. Due to the high cost of housing complex construction, projects are contingent of securing state funding, a highly competitive process. The applicants filed paperwork in December and those selected were to be notified around April.

Commissioner Jeff Mullins called Wednesday's announcement "disappointing."

The developer previously applied and was approved for a special land use in 2020. At that time, the property went through the rezoning process and was rezoned to allow for high-density apartments, but the project stalled.

Pending the funding approval, Spire planned to close on the property in late summer and started construction later in the fall, with the apartments to open 14 months later.

Kuk said the city plans to communicate further with Spire to identify anything that may help for future consideration and "get projects (like the Lofts) across the finish line."

In other business, a public hearing on a sidewalk repair special assessment district was adjourned pending a re-examined proposal for costs levied on properties in areas targeted for improvements.

The City of Sturgis Engineering Department is initiating a special assessment district for properties along Main Street north of downtown. The district is being considered in conjunction with the reconstruction of West Main and East Main streets between North Clay and George streets. The intent of the SAD is to repair existing sidewalk segments along both sides of West and East Main streets within the project boundaries. The city makes the repairs, while the property owners are responsible for associated costs.

A letter was sent to each property owner listed in the preliminary assessment district notifying them of the public hearing date and estimated assessment cost.

The amounts, ranging from $80 to $2,270, were estimated but expected at the opening of the public hearing to be a little more based on anticipated bids.

One of those property owners, Courtney Reingardt, attended Wednesday's meeting, questioning the amount proposed for the sidewalk in front of her house. Reingardt's assessment was the highest on the list, and she asked for clarification on how the assessment was made.

City engineer Barry Cox examined the lot information and the number of feet of 4-inch and 6-inch sidewalk, and said he believes the (cost) assessment is incorrect.

The figures were calculated by an employee no longer there, Cox said, making it impossible to question that person as to how they arrived at the figure.

Cox said the list will be examined by current staff, and as of Wednesday, it appears the final cost on Reingardts property would be substantially lower than projected.

Should some property owners be assessed a couple hundred dollars in the end for sidewalk repair or replacement, commissioner Alan Albarran asked if there is program assistance for those who are unable to cover the cost of the assessment.

City clerk Ken Rhodes said some residents do come and explain they have difficulty with meeting the special assessment costs on other sidewalk projects. Immediate options include the assessment being placed on their taxes or making payments across five years.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis officials: Apartment developer hits wall
Spacey gases of purple pink red and orange collide in the background. A similarly colored back of SunChips stands in the middle. some chips float nearby. the bag is flanked on either side by transparent rectangular columns.

These chips sound absolutely delicious. And of all the brands to jump on the solar eclipse train, this one is an undeniably obvious perfect pairing.

SunChips, the wavy, multigrain chips brand from the snack overlords of Frito-Lay, are putting on their solar eclipse glasses for April 8, and offering free bags of a special eclipse-themed flavor during totality, the span of time when the moon completely blocks the sun.

The limited edition Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda flavor chips can be ordered from the SunChips website, but only during the 4 minutes and 27 seconds that the moon's shadow is passing over the United States. After that, they'll be gone forever.

Related: Will the total solar eclipse on April 8 be the most watched ever?

"It's a celestial sort of cosmic collision of flavors," said private astronaut Kellie Gerardi, in an interview with Space.com. Gerardi flew to space last year as a researcher aboard Virgin Galactic's fifth commercial spaceflight. As the April 8 solar eclipse quickly approaches, SunChips has partnered with Gerardi to help spread the word about the release of its upcoming eclipse flavor.

"The pineapple habanero represents the sun, the brightness and the energy of the sun. And then you have the black bean spicy Gouda for the night and the moon and the cheese elements," Gerardi said.

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will sweep across the globe, passing across a large swath of the U.S., putting millions in the path of totality. Unlike last year's annular eclipse, this total solar eclipse will block out the sun entirely for more than four minutes in many locations. A similar total solar occurred on August 21, 2017, and crossed the U.S. from Oregon through South Carolina.

a map of the united states with a dark band passing from the southwest to the northeast

For the U.S., totality during the April 8 solar eclipse will pass northeastward from southern Texas through Maine. Spectators along that path will be treated with nearly four and a half minutes of darkness, as the moon passes in front of the sun and casts its shadow onto the face of the Earth. In all, the moon's shadow will take about four minutes and 27 seconds to pass across the U.S., and that is exactly when SunChips' limited Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda chips will be available.

spacey gases of purple pink red and orange collide in the background. A similarly colored bag of SunChips stands in front on the right. behind it is a darkened moon eclipsing the sun.

If you want to get your hands on a bag of these festively-flavored chips, you'll only have those few minutes to do so.

"The chips themselves are going to be available once the eclipse hits US soil, so at 1:33pm CDT (1733 GMT)," Gerardi said. At that point, anyone wanting to try the out-of-this-world flavor can do so by going to www.sunchipssolareclipse.com during those four minutes and 27 seconds of totality.

Whether or not you happen to be in the path of totality, Gerardi suggests having the website queued up and ready to hit the order button so you don't miss the wonder of seeing the event itself. "You can also nominate someone else in your watch party to be on SunChips duty," she said. Gerardi, who was able to sample the new flavor ahead of April 8, added emphatically, "it's worth it."
The chamber is used to treat people suffering from decompression sickness [Tritonia]

Concern has been raised over the withdrawal of clinical support from an Argyll chamber used to treat sick divers.

The hyperbaric chamber near Oban is one of two such facilities in Scotland supported by NHS Grampian.

But the health board is withdrawing clinical support, leaving sick divers with a lengthy journey to Aberdeen to be treated.

NHS Grampian said the current contract is set to expire and will not be renewed.

The next nearest facilities on the west coast are in either Orkney or Liverpool [Tritonia]

Members of the diving community have said they are fearful the change will lead to unnecessary delays in treatment.

The facility near Oban provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy to those suffering from decompression illness, commonly known as "the bends".

This is a serious illness where gases get trapped in body tissue during a diver's ascent.

Symptoms can include fatigue and pain in muscles and joints. In the more severe type, symptoms may be similar to those of stroke or can include numbness, tingling, arm or leg weakness, unsteadiness, vertigo, difficulty breathing and chest pain.

Tritonia, which runs the facility, said although the number of people requiring treatment is relatively low, potential delays could have a major impact.

Tritonia managing director, Dr Martin Sayers, said the decision was taken without any consultation. He is calling for a rethink.

NHS Grampian said it is content there will be no impact on service delivery, with arrangements to transfer seriously unwell patients to the main centre in Aberdeen in place since the start of the year.

Related internet links
Boaters on the Smith River in Meagher County (Photo by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks).

The Montana Supreme Court heard arguments Friday morning in Missoula on the second part of a challenge to permits granted by the state to a mining company that wants to build a copper mine near White Sulphur Springs in a water drainage above the renowned Smith River.

The two sides in the case say the justices decision will be important when it comes to future permitting for mines, how the Water Use Act is interpreted when it comes to water rights, and whether a 14-million-ton copper mine should be permitted in a closed basin where water rights have already been over-allocated.

The court already decided last month that a permit granted to Sandfire Resources, known as Tintina, related to its mining tailings and remediation plans for the Black Butte copper mine was handed out properly by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

The case the justices heard Friday involves a challenge by conservation groups to the mines water permits granted by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The groups allege the department should have required further permits for more than half of the roughly 250 million gallons of ground water (807 acre-feet) the company plans to have to pull out of the mine while they extract the minerals.

The justices noted at the outset of Fridays oral argument that the case involves a question of first impression that has never been decided in the Montana Supreme Court of what exactly constitutes a beneficial use of water and whether a 40-year interpretation of the Water Use Act by the DNRC that says pulling water out of a mine, or dewatering, is or is not a beneficial use of water under the law.

The plaintiffs in the case  Montana Trout Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, the Montana Environmental Information Center, EarthWorks and American Rivers  have for years challenged the original application from the company for the mine.

In its original application, the mine said it didnt need a permit for roughly 457 acre-feet because that water is just going back into the ground and not benefiting the company. The company did get a permit for 350 acre-feet it plans to use for industrial purposes. But the conservation groups said the mine should need permits for both, as all of the water will be needed to fulfill the goals of the project.

But a DNRC hearing officer sided with the agency, saying there are uses of water that rise neither to the level of beneficial use nor the other category defined in state law: waste. Wasting water is prohibited in Montana.

Rather, they argued, the dewatering use of water in mining fell under a third category outside of the Water Use Acts regulations.

After the plaintiffs appealed to a district court, that court also upheld the hearings officers decision last April, leading to the appeal to the Supreme Court.

At Fridays argument, Earthjustice attorney Sean Helle, representing the conservation groups, called on the court to overturn the granting of the permit and to make a finding against the DNRCs longstanding interpretation of the Water Use Act and dewatering in mines.

He told the court that its established law shows the Water Use Act is intended to protect senior water rights holders and that what he called the DNRCs loophole, which would allow Tintina to skirt a permit for the other 457 acre-feet of ground water it says will not be put to beneficial use, obviously violates the Water Use Act.

Helle told the justices that since that water the company does not plan to use for things like dust suppression, equipment washing and ice abatement will still be used in the efforts to mine the minerals, and will be stored for up to months at a time during the summer, it will have a beneficial use for the company.

That is because the company will profit off the mine, and its use means a negative benefit to other water rights holders who might see less water in Sheep Creek, Black Butte Creek, and then downstream into the Smith River, before the water is pumped back into the ground, he said.

Justice James Jeremiah Shea wondered what the use of the 457 acre-feet would be if it was not considered beneficial use nor waste, to which Helle said he was posing that same question. Justice Dirk Sandefur contended that the impoundment of the water for months at a time is being done to comply with Department of Environmental Quality water quality standards, which constituted a benefit.

Tintina does, in fact, intend and desire to pump every gallon of water it will have to pump at the Black Butte mine because that pumping is essential to its mining operation, and its mining operation will definitely benefit Tintina in significant ways, Helle said. So, the narrative in this case that Tintina is somehow pumping and impounding water that it just doesnt want to pump and impound is fundamentally false. This is essential to Tintinas underground mining operation.

Mining is considered a beneficial use of water under Montana law, and the conservation groups are arguing that the mining project could not move forward without the 457 acre-feet of water for which the DNRC did not require a permit. Otherwise, Helle said, that would constitute waste, defined in the statute in part as the application of water to anything but a beneficial use.

Tintina had to acquire junior water rights to mitigate the 350 acre-feet it will use under the permit, but the conservation groups argue that there will certainly be parts of the 457 acre-feet lost through evaporation or leaks during the pumping process that would constitute waste.

When Sandefur asked Helle why this was not a premature argument, Helle said that senior water rights holders should not have to come back to the court afterward if indeed the extra water allocated to the mine never replenishes the groundwater, creeks or river to the extent the water existed beforehand.

They (the company) have to demonstrate that there will be no adverse effects with existing rights, but that burden belongs to them  not the state, not the existing rights holder, Helle said.

John Tietz, an attorney for Tintina, offered the court an analogy for why the company believes the 457 acre-feet should not be considered a beneficial use.

If I take my cell phone our of my pocket and I put it in the other pocket, I cant be saying that I used my cell phone, he said. Thats essentially what were talking about here is relocation of water, and there is no use.

Regarding the alleged loophole in statute for permitting water use for mines, Tietz said he believed the legislature specifically wrote the law that way because draining water and other manipulations could not be a beneficial use. He said if the mine could, it would not go through the DEQ treatment process and would simply return the water straight back into the ground.

Brian Bramblett, an attorney for the DNRC, also told the court that draining water did not meet the threshold for beneficial use. When asked several questions by Justice Beth Baker about what will happen for senior water rights holders if indeed the water in the creeks and rivers nearby are depleted, he said they can sue to challenge whether the water was wasted or used unlawfully.

The plaintiffs had also argued that under the state Constitution, water belongs to the people of Montana. Bramblett told the justices that was correct, but the Constitution said the legislature should provide definitions of what beneficial use means, and already did so.

I say its not a loophole; its actually a limit of the law, he told the court.

After a little more than an hour of oral arguments, the justices took the case under advisement and will issue orders in the months ahead.

The post Supreme Court hears arguments on water permits for copper mine near Smith River appeared first on Daily Montanan.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  California police arrested the suspect in a downtown Las Vegas deadly shooting six months after the shooting occurred.

On Sept. 15, 2023, at 12:15 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were called to an apartment complex in the 1600 block of Searles Avenue. Arriving officers found a man who had been shot.

Medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene.

A witness told 8 News Now, the victim was seen a few hours earlier sitting on a bench in a nearby parking lot. Metro said the investigation indicated the victim was involved in an argument with another man before he was shot.

Police said witnesses told them they saw a man in dark clothing leave the scene.

Through the investigation, detectives identified Shaun Lee, 52, as the suspect in the case.

California law enforcement took Lee into custody on March 28. He was booked into a San Bernadino area jail for one count of open murder pending extradition to Las Vegas.

A booking photo for Lee was not immediately available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden in the United States on May 9, Reuters reported on March 29.

This visit is Erdogan's first trip to Washington for bilateral talks since the tenure of former President Donald Trump.

While detailed specifics of the visit remain under wraps, Reuters sources indicate that Ibrahim Kalin, Turkey's top intelligence official, is slated for discussions with U.S. House Representatives concerning Erdogan's visit and other key bilateral matters.





Read also: Turkiye and US discuss ways to end Russian aggression in Ukraine

Turkiye and the United States have agreed on a new framework for implementing secondary sanctions against Russia, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on March 20.

"According to the system called 'sanctions compliance scheme,' the USA will first notify Turkiye of potential companies (violating sanctions) and request information on the matter," the publication said.

"If Turkiye conducts an investigation and reports the results, steps will be taken if deemed necessary."

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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The geography of exports of Azerfloat CJSC, a resident of Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park managed by the Azerbaijan Economic Zones Development Agency (AEZDA), is expanding, Trend reports.

AEZDA data shows that the company shipped glass sheets to the United States for the first time. During the initial round, almost 69 tons of items were sent.

Azerfloat CJSC manufactures glass sheets using German technology at Sumgayit Chemical-Industrial Park.

In 2023, Azerfloat CJSC sold products worth more than 52 million manat ($30.5 million), with almost 50 percent exported. Manufactured products are shipped to Turkey, Ireland, Morocco, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, and other nations under the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand.

To note, the Agency for Development of Economic Zones was established as a state legal entity based on Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park LLC by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan "On Measures to Improve Management of Industrial Parks, Industrial Districts, and Agro-Parks" No. 1257 dated January 22, 2021.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
SEPTA police investigate after a person was shot at the 15th and Market station in Center City.

CENTER CITY - One of two people initially thought to be involved in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old on the Market-Frankford Line has been ordered released after SEPTA video surveillance from the incident proves he was not involved.

A 16-year-old was arrested and charged after 16-year-old Tyshaun Welles was shot on January 11th at the Center City SEPTA station.

Investigators were able to view SEPTA surveillance video of the incident after the 16-year-old was arrested. From that video, they were able to determine the teen had nothing to do with the shooting.

Quadir Humphrey, 18, was seen acting alone in the surveillance video, as he allegedly shot into a crowd of young people on a platform of the Market-Frankford Line at 15th and Market. One of those bullets struck Welles, who died nearly a week after the shooting.

The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office is prosecuting Humphrey in connection with that crime.

After reviewing the video and taking witness statements, the DAs Office determined the 16-year-old played no role. A hearing was held immediately in the matter and all charges were dropped February 29th. A judge granted the teens release.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  For the first time in state history, Tennessee has official state books.

The Tennessee General Assembly officially passed HB1828, by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), which designates 10 different literary works with historic, social and cultural importance to the Volunteer State as the first official state books.

RELATED: Tennessee state symbols you might not know

The books are:

Farewell Address to the American People by George Washington (1796)

Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1835, 1840)

The Aitken Bible (1782)

The Papers of Andrew Jackson

Roots by Alex Haley (1977)

A Death in the Family by James Agee (1958)

All the Kings Men by Robert Warren (1947)

American Lion by Jon Meacham (2009)

The Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote (1958-1974)

Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton (2016)

These books have great literary merit and represent the culture and fabric of the Volunteer State, Bulso said in a release. Tennesseans have played pivotal roles in American history and the works included in this list and representative of our states contributions to the country. I encourage all Tennesseans to study the story of this great state and I thank my colleagues for their support of this bill.

The bill was passed on Feb. 22 in the House and on March 25 in the Senate. The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lees desk to be signed into law.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

Tennessee lawmakers have previously attempted to make the Bible the official state book, but the measure received consistent pushback from both sides of the aisle. Former Republican Gov. Bill Haslam vetoed a law that designated the Bible as the state book in 2016. An effort by lawmakers to override that veto subsequently fell short of the constitutionally required threshold.

Lawmakers last attempted to make the Bible the official state book in 2020, but the measure never made it out of committee. During that time, the governor said he hadnt sought out legislation making the Bible an official state book.

News 2 has reached out to the governors office for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., his office announced Thursday, after reocurring issues with certain airplane parts given to the aircraft manufacturer.

As well as demanding documents relevant to manufacturing defects in Spirits products, Paxton has also requested records related to the companys diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, and whether those commitments are unlawful or are compromising the companys manufacturing processes, his office said in a statement.

Ken Paxton Snags Deal to Avoid Securities Fraud Charges

Spirit, which manufacturers the fuselages for Boeings 737 jets, has come under scrutiny in recent months amid a series of high-profile incidents involving Boeing aircraft. On certain models of the 737, apparent manufacturing defects have led to numerous concerning or dangerous incidents, some of which occurred in-air, Paxtons office alleged.

One such midair incident took place in January, when a door plug blew out of a 737 Max 9 plane during an Alaska Airlines flight. A subsequent audit by the Federal Aviation Administration found multiple instances of both Boeing and Spirit failing to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

Its not clear what role, if any, Paxton believes DEI policies may have contributed to the manufacturing issues. Some right-wing figures have sought to link DEI efforts with various safety incidents in the U.S. aviation industry.

In a letter to Spirit requesting documents, the Texas attorney generals office asks for all meeting minutes of Spirits Global Diversity & Inclusion Council(s), as well as evidence to substantiate claims on the companys DEI page that a diverse workplace improves product quality and /or enhance[s] performance and/or helps [Spirit]... make better decisions.

Paxton also asked for documents to show Spirits employee demographics for race, national origin, sexual orientation, and age before the companys DEI policy was enacted, and the same workforce demographic information as of Jan. 1, 2024.

A Spirit spokesperson told Axios on Thursday that while they cannot comment on any investigations, the company is wholly focused on providing our customers with the best quality product.

The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans, Paxton said in a statement about his investigation. I will hold any company responsible if they fail to maintain the standards required by the law and will do everything in my power to ensure manufacturers take passenger safety seriously.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is investigating a major supplier of aerospace company Boeing, whose flagship 737 MAX aircraft has been linked to a series of deadly accidents since 2018.

The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans, Paxton said in a statement.

Paxton ordered Spirit AeroSystems to turn over documents related to manufacturing defects that led to the grounding of dozens of Boeing planes  as well as documentation concerning the companys decision to fire whistleblower Joshua Dean after he reported them.

But part of Paxtons request for information also implied that the companys diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy may be linked to a recent string of dangerous mishaps.

While we do not comment on investigations, Spirit is wholly focused on providing the highest quality products to all our customers, to include the Boeing Company, Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino told The Hill.

The Hill has reached out to Boeing for comment.

In his order, Paxton demanded the company substantiate its claim that a diverse workplace improves product quality  enhance[s] performance and/or helps [Spirit]  make better decisions.

He also told the company to explain how employee demographics for race, national origin, sexual orientation, and age had changed since the adoption of a 2022 DEI policy.

Paxtons investigation follows a series of costly and sometimes deadly accidents involving Boeing aircraft. In 2018 and 2019, 737s crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia repeatedly, killing a total 346 people.

In January, a door on an Alaska Airlines 737  part of the plane manufactured by Spirit  blew off the plane.

In February, Boeing halted deliveries of 50 planes after Spirit reported that holes had been drilled incorrectly during the installation of windows, The Associated Press reported.

Were having a pizza party because were lowering defects, Dean, who was a quality auditor at the factory before his firing, told National Public Radio.

But were not lowering defects. We just aint reporting them, you know what I mean?

Dean asserted that Spirit was sending out a message to anybody else with its treatment of him: If you are too loud, we will silence you.

In February, the chief executive of Emirates airlines told the Financial Times that Boeing had suffered a progressive decline as the company prioritized short-term financial returns over safety and high quality engineering.

Theyve got to get their manufacturing processes under review so there are no corners cut, CEO Tim Clark told Financial Times. This is the last chance saloon.

On Thursday, The American Prospect published a scathing investigation into how Boeing had over the past decade fired or driven out senior engineers.

Noting that a prior policy from aerospace manufacturer McDonnell Douglas recommended that engineers needed four years on staff to become good at their jobs, the head of the Boeing engineers union told the The American Prospect that the average employee assigned to the 737 program has been at Boeing just five years.

The American Prospect quoted a longtime Boeing executive who is involved in various efforts to save the company who told reporters that for comparisons sake  the average employee assigned to the 777 program had between 15 and 20 years under their belt.

To some, the defects at Boeing are connected to the broader rise of consolidated business interests in American life in recent decades.

In a February speech, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan cited Boeing as an example of a once-great American corporation hollowed out by monopoly and management consulting.

A drop in quality is one of the harms that most economists expect from monopolization, because firms that face little competition have limited incentive to improve their products, Khan said.

She noted reporting suggests that Boeing executives began to view their knowledgeable workforce as a cost, not an asset, with tragic outcomes.

While conservatives sometimes focus on the dangers of monopoly as a driver of issues at Boeing and other corporations  Paxton has led investigations of big tech companies on those grounds  they have also targeted other potential culprits.

Paxtons order comes amid a broader push by conservative policymakers and thought leaders that blames diversity initiatives for a wide range of failures in American corporate life.

The innocuous sounding notion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has been manipulated to push policies that expressly favor some demographic groups to the detriment of others, Gardner Pate, chief of staff for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), wrote last year.

In a blog post called Diversity is going to get us killed, conservative writer Rod Dreher linked the problems at Boeing to the companys hiring policies.

Im not saying that non-white or non-Asian engineers are subpar. Im saying that if you hire for any reason other than excellence, you are weakening your product or service.

Four of Paxtons 14 demands for information from Spirit concern company diversity and hiring programs.

I will hold any company responsible if they fail to maintain the standards required by the law and will do everything in my power to ensure manufacturers take passenger safety seriously, the attorney general wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: Court hearing is held on Texas governor's order that parents of transgender children be investigated for child abuse

(Reuters) - A Texas appeals court on Friday upheld a lower court's injunction blocking the state from investigating parents who provide their transgender children with gender-affirming medical treatments, which Governor Greg Abbott has called abusive.

Abbott, a Republican, had ordered the state Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) to carry out child abuse investigations into families whose children were receiving puberty-blocking treatments in February 2022.

A month later, a district court judge imposed a statewide temporary injunction on such investigations, saying the probes endangered children and their families.

The appeals court in Austin upheld the district court judge's injunction in a pair of rulings on Friday, delivering a victory to LGBTQ groups, medical professionals and civil liberties advocates opposing moves by conservative politicians in dozens of states to criminalize the provision of gender-transitioning treatments for trans youth.

"This is a much-needed victory for trans youth and those who love and support them," the American Civil Liberties Union said on X on Friday.

Representatives for Abbott and the DFPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal challenged Abbott's order on behalf of the family of a 16-year-old transgender girl targeted for investigation.

The child had taken puberty-delaying medications and hormone therapy. Her mother was a DFPS employee and was put on paid administrative leave after asking what Abbott's directive would mean for her family.

In 2022, the district court judge said the governor's order could cause "irreparable injury" to families, given the stigma attached to being targets of a child abuse investigation, as well as the loss of livelihood.

Texas restricted gender-affirming care for youth in 2023, making it one of more than a dozen states that currently bars young transgender people from receiving certain puberty-blockers and hormone therapies, according to the Human Rights Campaign tracker.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Azerbaijan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have discussed opportunities for partnership within COP29, said Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov on X, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, the discussions were held within the framework of the meeting between Minister of Economy Mikhail Jabbarov and the UNDP Acting Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Alessandra Roccasalvo.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with the UN and its agencies.

Details were presented regarding Azerbaijan's economic development trends, accomplishments, efforts toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and initiatives for reintegrating liberated territories.

Alessandra Roccasalvo expressed contentment with the collaboration between the UN and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the significance of investment attraction for achieving the SDGs and development ventures across diverse sectors. She underscored the organization's preparedness to aid COP29.

The parties deliberated cooperation agenda items, encompassing sustainable development financing mechanisms, reconstruction of liberated territories, enhanced investments in energy efficiency initiatives, and potential collaboration within COP29.

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 7080,000 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. There are 198 countries that 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.

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A Texas appeals court on Thursday overturned the illegal voting conviction of Crystal Mason, who was given a five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion.

The decision by the Tarrant County-based Second Court of Appeals means she is formally acquitted of the felony voting charge. The court said in the decision that there was no evidence Mason knew she was ineligible to vote when she cast her ballot  which is a condition that must be met in order to convict her of illegal voting.

Mason has maintained throughout the seven-year case that she did not know she was ineligible and would not have risked her freedom if she had. She said Thursday in a statement that her long legal fight, which gained international attention, was devastating.

I am overjoyed to see my faith rewarded today, Mason said. I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no one else has to face what Ive endured for over six years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack.

The case thrust Mason, who is Black, into the political fray amid a Republican-led crackdown on voter fraud, partly fueled by baseless claims of rampant illegal voting.

Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman, Mason said. I thank everyone whose dedication and support carried me through this time and look forward to celebrating this moment with my family and friends.

The Second Court of Appeals initially upheld her conviction but two years ago was instructed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to evaluate the sufficiency of the evidence against Mason, saying that the lower court had erred by failing to require proof that [Mason] had actual knowledge that it was a crime for her to vote while on supervised release.

We are relieved for Ms. Mason, who has waited for too long with uncertainty about whether she would be imprisoned and separated from her family for five years simply for trying to do her civic duty, said Thomas Buser-Clancy, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas. The harms of the criminal prosecution can never fully be undone, but this decision is vindication for Ms. Mason and a win for our democracy, which can only thrive when people can fearlessly engage in the civic process.

Masons case dates back to 2016 when, after discovering she was not on the voter roll, she submitted a provisional ballot in the presidential election on the advice of a poll worker. Her ballot was rejected because she was not eligible to participate in elections while still on supervised release for a federal tax fraud conviction. She was arrested a few months later.

Masons prosecution hinged on an affidavit she signed before casting her provisional ballot that required individuals to swear that if a felon, I have completed all my punishment including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or I have been pardoned.

A trial court judge convicted her of illegally voting, then a second-degree state felony, after a poll worker testified he watched Mason read, and run her finger along, each line of an affidavit. Mason said she did not read the entire affidavit. At trial, a supervisor from the probation office overseeing her release testified that no one from that office had informed her she was still ineligible to vote.

In its 2022 ruling, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that Texas election law requires individuals to know they are ineligible to vote to be convicted of illegal voting. The law had been clarified by lawmakers in 2021 with additions to the election code stating Texans may not be convicted of voting illegally solely upon the fact that the person signed a provisional ballot, and instead required other evidence to corroborate they knowingly tried to cast an unlawful vote.

The appeals court wrote in its 2022 decision that the new law showed that that lawmakers never intended to convict a voter with good intentions.

To construe the statute to mean that a person can be guilty even if she does not know the person is not eligible to vote is to disregard the words the Legislature intended, the court wrote. It turns the knowledge requirement into a sort of negligence scheme wherein a person can be guilty because she fails to take reasonable care to ensure that she is eligible to vote.

Thursdays decision by the Tarrant County court acknowledged that.

We conclude that the quantum of the evidence presented in this case is insufficient to support the conclusion that Mason actually realized that she voted knowing that she was ineligible to do so and, therefore, insufficient to support her conviction for illegal voting, the decision reads.

Insisting theyre not criminalizing individuals who merely vote by mistake, Tarrant County prosecutors have said Masons case is about intent and the fact that she signed the affidavit, which they argued was an acknowledgement of her own ineligibility.

In the end, the States primary evidence was that Mason read the words on the affidavit, the Tarrant County decision reads. But even if she had read them, they are not sufficient even in the context of the rest of the evidence in this case to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew that being on supervised release after having served her entire federal sentence of incarceration made her ineligible to vote by casting a provisional ballot when she did so.

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An Austin-based appellate court on Friday upheld several lower court rulings blocking Texas from investigating several families that provided gender-affirming medical care to their children for child abuse.

The 3rd Court of Appeals' 67-page order in PFLAG v. Abbott preserves two 2022 temporary injunctions that bar the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services from pursuing such inquiries into families who are members of PFLAG National, an LGBTQ+ rights group.

The court's ruling in another 2022 case, Doe v. Abbott, protects a family and a psychologist from an investigation by the department while a final ruling is pending, but it lets Gov. Greg Abbott off the hook for the lawsuit.

"In addition to their right to be free from an unlawful government investigation, the families of transgender children have the fundamental right to direct their childrens medical care without fear that they will be investigated and their children have the right to receive that medical treatment," Justice Gisela Triana wrote in the decision.

The legal battle centers around probes that the Department of Family and Protective Services opened after Abbott directed the agency on Feb. 22, 2022, to "conduct a prompt and thorough investigation" of any reports that minors have undergone "sex change" procedures, building upon an opinion days earlier from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that supposedly expanded the legal definition of child abuse to include gender-affirming medical care.

In its decision, the appeals court defined gender-affirming medical care as the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for the treatment of diagnosed gender dysphoria, a condition characterized by "clinically significant distress" that is experienced by some people whose gender identity doesnt match their sex at birth.

Paxton claimed in his opinion that removal of reproductive organs or genitals is standard care for trans youth, a contention that medical professionals and other experts swiftly debunked as false.

Advocates for the families and PFLAG, which has 17 chapters in Texas, argued that gender-affirming care can be lifesaving and highlighted that the ruling prevents the state from separating transgender children from their families while it is in effect.

Nothing could be further from abuse than parents loving and supporting their transgender children," Ash Hall, policy and advocacy strategist with the ACLU of Texas, said in a statement. "This decision is another much-needed victory for trans youth and those who love and support them.

PFLAG v. Abbott injunctions affirmed

Chief Justice Darlene Byrne and Justices Rosa Lopez Theofanis and Triana of the 3rd Court of Appeals, all Democrats, participated in the ruling.

PFLAG National and three families being investigated by the family services department under the governor's directive sued the state agency and Abbott in June 2022.

They argued that the state had discriminated against transgender youth and denied parents the right to direct care for their children, and PFLAG and the families contend that the department failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Department of Family and Protective Services has argued that no new rules were needed to allow it to investigate families for child abuse that provided such medical care.

Travis County state District Judge Amy Meachum granted two injunctions blocking the department from continuing to investigate those families solely based on reports that their children were prescribed gender-affirming medical care  one for two anonymous families (Voe and Roe) and another for PFLAG members and the Briggles family.

Meachum based her ruling on her finding that the department's rule implementing Abbott's order "was given the effect of a new law or new agency rule, despite no new legislation, regulation or even valid agency policy," and that it went beyond the agency's authority and "enabling statute."

The three appeals court justices affirmed Meachum's orders in their entirety.

Paul D. Castillo, senior counsel at Lambda Legal, celebrated the ruling Friday. Lambda Legal filed the lawsuits in conjunction with the ACLU of Texas, Jon L. Stryker and Slobodan Randjelovic LGBTQ & HIV Project, the ACLU Womens Rights Project, and the law firm of Baker Botts LLP.

The Court recognized yet again that being subjected to an unlawful and unwarranted investigation causes irreparable harm for these families who are doing nothing more than caring for and affirming their children and seeking the best course of care for them in consultation with their medical providers," Castillo wrote in a statement.

Abbott, Paxton and the Department of Family and Protective Services did not respond to American-Statesman requests for comment Friday.

Court upheld injunction but vacated ruling in Doe v. Abbott

The appeals court on Friday also issued an appellate ruling in Doe v. Abbott, a case brought by the parents of a transgender adolescent diagnosed with gender dysphoria and by Dr. Megan Mooney, a psychologist who treats transgender children.

The lawsuit, which was filed soon after the Department of Family and Protective Services announced it would follow Abbott's directive, sought injunctive relief against the new rule that would apply for families across the state. That relief was at least temporarily stymied by the Texas Supreme Court when it ruled that a lower court did not have the authority to issue a statewide injunction in May 2022. The merits still have not been litigated in trial, and the Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case.

Justices Edward Smith, Byrne, and Triana upheld an injunction stalling an investigation that the department pursued into the Doe family based on gender-affirming care.

But they also diverged from the lower court in vacating its ruling against the governor on the basis that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue him or Paxton, only the department.

"The Governor and Attorney General were free to share their legal and policy views, but the Department 'was not compelled by law to follow them,'" Smith wrote, quoting the Texas Supreme Court opinion.

Next steps

The state could choose to appeal the appellate court's decisions to the conservative Texas Supreme Court. If it doesn't, the cases would likely return to the Travis County state District Courts that made the original rulings, where they will proceed to trial on the merits.

In the meantime, families that are PFLAG members cannot legally be investigated by the family services department for providing medical care to transgender youths.

The cases are among several that are ongoing relating to the state's effort to eradicate gender-affirming care for minors, including a Texas Supreme Court case on Senate Bill 14, which lawmakers passed in May 2023 to make such medical procedures illegal in the state.

"It's hard not to see (the DFPS rule) as anything but outrageous targeting of the parents of trans kids who are just trying to make the best decision they know how for their own children's health and well-being, and they're doing this in conjunction with their medical providers, and that's exactly what you want parents to do," Karen Loewy, senior counsel and Director of Constitutional Law Practice for Lambda Legal, said in a phone interview with the Statesman. "It's great to see that the court understood the harms."

More: Travis County district judge blocks Ken Paxton's demands for PFLAG gender-affirming care records

You can read the court's ruling in PFLAG v. Abbott below.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas court keeps block on investigating families of transgender youth
A Texas mother who was sentenced to five years in prison for voting illegally in the 2016 election said she is overjoyed after her conviction was reversed Thursday by the Texas Second Court of Appeals.

Crystal Mason, a Black mother of three, was on supervised release after serving time for tax fraud when she filled out a provisional ballot in the 2016 election. She said she did not know her status as a felon on release made her ineligible to cast a ballot.

After considering the dispositive issue remanded to uswhether the evidence was sufficient to support Crystal Masons conviction for illegal voting under the Texas Election Codewe reverse the trial courts judgment and render judgment acquitting her, the court said in its opinion.

Mason celebrated the courts decision, which she has been waiting for since 2019, when she appealed her five-year sentence.

I am overjoyed to see my faith rewarded today, Mason said in a statement shared by ACLU of Texas. I was thrown into this fight for voting rights and will keep swinging to ensure no one else has to face what Ive endured for over six years, a political ploy where minority voting rights are under attack. Ive cried and prayed every night for over six years straight that I would remain a free Black woman.

After Mason was convicted, voting rights activists compared her case to other voter fraud convictions involving White defendants who received more lenient sentences.

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office told CNN in 2019 that it should have been clear Mason was ineligible to vote, citing a letter sent to her home after her conviction and a written warning on the provisional ballot.

Mason told CNN that one letter was sent to her home during the time she was incarcerated, so she never received it. The other notice was a written warning which was on the side of the ballot she filled out in 2016, which she said she didnt notice as she was focused on filling out the other information on the form.

The court concluded that the evidence presented in the case is insufficient to support the conclusion that Mason actually realized that she voted knowing that she was ineligible to do so and, therefore, insufficient to support her conviction for illegal voting.

In the end, the States primary evidence was that Mason read the words on the affidavit. But even if she had read them, they are not sufficienteven in the context of the rest of the evidence in this caseto prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she actually knew that being on supervised release after having served her entire federal sentence of incarceration made her ineligible to vote by casting a provisional ballot when she did so, to the court said in its opinion.

CNN has reached out to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which helped represent Mason, called the decision a victory.

The courts move to reverse the conviction shows that nobody should face conviction or prison time for at worst an unintentional mistake made while trying to exercise their civic duty, the ACLU said in its statement.

Crystal Mason has bravely fought this grave injustice for years now. No one should be forced to endure what she has, and Crystals victory today is an inspiration and cause for celebration, Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the ACLUs Voting Rights Project said.

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Three masked gunmen broke into a Sequim home early Thursday morning and held the residents at gunpoint.

The home invasion robbery happened in a mother-in-laws house along Riverside Road in Sequim, and someone inside the main house was able to call 911.

The caller told dispatch that three people wearing face masks showed up at the home in a white SUV with guns.

The suspects ordered the victims at gunpoint to give the residents their cell phones and car keys. They also stole power tools and power tool batteries from the victims.

As the three tried to escape, Clallam County deputies were able to stop and arrest the suspects.

Deputies obtained a warrant to search the SUV and recovered the stolen cell phones, car keys, and power tool equipment from the residents.

Deputies also discovered a .380 caliber and .25 caliber handguns, which the sheriffs department posted on Facebook.

The Clallam County Sheriffs office identified the suspects as 32-year-old Esco I. Rhode of Kent, 44-year-old Eloy Estrada-Morales of Tacoma, and 40-year-old Maryah R. Faletego of Tacoma.

The suspects were booked for burglary, robbery, and theft.
The three candidates who have most recently filed to run for seats on the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board are part of a "medical freedom" slate similar to one that saw three candidates win election to the board in 2022. The qualifying period is June 10-14.

Three candidates for the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board  including one of the most outspoken critics of Sarasota Memorial Hospitals response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a sister of former National Security advisor Michael Flynn  have filed to run as a "medical freedom" slate.

The recent filings mean the campaign for at least one of the four seats up for election this year will feature a closed Republican primary on Aug. 20, with the winner facing a Democrat in November, while two of the seats may be decided via open primaries in which all voters participate.

At-Large Seat 2, which currently would be decided Nov. 5, has Democrat and Englewood resident John Lutz, opposing Republican Kevin Cooper in a bid to succeed Tramm Hudson, who is retiring.

The candidate qualifying period runs from noon June 10 through June 14.

The nine-member public hospital board sets policy for the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which includes all Sarasota Memorial Hospital campuses, related healthcare facilities and clinics and First Physicians Group.

The hospital system is Sarasota Countys largest employer, with 10,000 workers who deal with about 1.5 million patient visits each year through all of its facilities and physician practices.

The partisan hospital board races had historically been low-profile prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted a Health Freedom slate of candidates to run for four of five seats in 20

22.

Three of those four candidates won seats on the board ushering in a new, more contentious era for the policy-making body. The slate campaigned on skepticism about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, social distancing and mask mandates and harshly criticized Sarasota Memorials patient care during the pandemic.

They pushed for the hospital to commission an independent study of its practices during the pandemic, which concluded the hospital exceeded the performance level of many facilities nationally and in Florida, generating a public backlash at several board meetings last year.

A combination of the hospital boards open mic policy for public comment and subsequent postings on social media turned once placid board meetings into a national culture war stage.

Both the hospital administration and the medical freedom proponents pushed to pack the boardroom with speakers espousing their point of view. That created a scene with long lines of people screened through metal detectors.

After the board voted to approve the COVID evaluation, hospital personnel were subjected to death threats both by voicemail and electronic media  something that medical freedom advocates also decried.

Organizers of a local Facebook group, the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Transparency Project, called for the end of SMHs taxing authority and sovereign immunity shield against lawsuits.

The most prominent political figure linked to the upheaval was retired Lt. Gen. Flynn, who attended the hospital board meeting early last year and later wrote on social media that the meeting could have been a rebuilding of trust" but "further damaged this institution with a fox inside the henhouse investigation. They didnt address the meat of the issues that County taxpayers (the real owners of the hospital) wanted to hear.

Their little report is not the end of the investigation. More to follow.

Commenting later on public remarks made by then-hospital board chairman Tramm Hudson, Flynn wrote that "It may be time to privatize this hospital."

The uproar eventually died down, after a majority of the hospital board declined a push for a second independent look at the hospitals COVID-19 response.

Sister of former President Trump's National Security advisor Michael Flynn joins race

North Port resident Mary Flynn ONeill, who filed March 14 for At-Large Seat 3, noted in a news release that she is joining At-Large Seat 1 candidate Tamzin Rosenwasser and Central District Seat 1 candidate Tanya Parus on a platform of Preserve our Community Hospital and Health Freedom.

All three candidates are Republicans.

ONeill  the sister of Michael Flynn, who lives in south Sarasota County  is running against fellow Republican Pam Beitlich in what is currently the only closed primary race, with the winner set to face Democrat George Davis on Nov. 5.

North Port resident Mary Flynn ONeill filed to run for At-Large Seat 3 on the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board.

ONeill is a North Port resident, and executive director of Americas Future, Inc., a non-profit organization chaired by her brother dedicated to, according to ONeills release, protecting our God-given rights, American values and traditions, and preserving our Republic.

I am committed to ensuring our community hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, remains publicly supported while respecting health freedoms of our countys citizens, ONeill said in a printed release. SMH has served us well since 1925.

I want to ensure the public can trust our community hospital to continue doing so into the future without undue outside influence.

The two other candidates on the slate are running against incumbent Republicans in what are currently open primaries,

Parus will try to unseat current Hospital Board chairwoman Sarah Lodge and Rosenwasser will try to unseat Sharon Wetzler DePeters.

Critic of Sarasota Memorial's COVID-19 response seeks a seat at the table

Parus, one of the most vocal advocates for the the idea of "medical freedom"  and critic of the way SMH was run during the pandemic  said in a prepared statement that her main focus will be to bring full accountability and transparency to our hospital and advocate for all residents in Sarasota County.

In a news release, Parus reiterated her criticism of a March 2023 report generated by the hospitals Quality Control Committee that showed SMH responded well to the crisis.

Venice resident Tanya Parus filed to run for Central District Seat 1 on the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board.

The community demanded full accountability and transparency from the hospital board regarding what really happened during this time. We wanted an independent audit of treatment procedures and how protocols were determined. Instead, the management and board produced a whitewashed report, Parus said.

Parus  the president of the Sarasota County chapter of Moms For America  is a married mother of three and a former EMT who helped Vic Mellor found the We the People Health and Wellness Center, in Venice, was also a vocal supporter of an October 2023 resolution adopted by the Sarasota County Commission that, among other things, supporting a patient's rights to choose medical care with informed consent.

Longtime physician opposes 'medical corporatists'

Rosenwasser, a physician with dual board certifications in internal medicine and dermatology, was a staff physician in the Emergency Room at St. Louis Regional Medical Center prior to its closure.

She has practiced dermatology in Indiana, New Hampshire and Florida.

She is also the current treasurer and a past president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, a nationwide association founded in 1943 which has a motto of "Omnia pro Aegroto" which means "All for the Patient."

Venice resident Tamzin Rosenwasser filed to run for At-Large Seat 1 on the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board.

In a news release, Rosenwasser said that she is opposed to medical corporatists running medical care as well as any federal government mandates in medical care.

Rozenwasser also noted that she is a vehement proponent of public hospitals answerable to the voters.

Sarasota Memorial and Lee Health are the only two public hospitals in Florida that are overseen by elected boards of directors, though SMH is empowered to levy a property tax and Lee Health is not.

The current tax rate is 1.042 mills  roughly half of its 2-mill limit  and accounts for about 5% of its operating revenue. One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

Those funds help offset a portion of the cost of vital programs other hospitals in Sarasota have eliminated or never offered, such as labor and delivery, maternity service newborn intensive care, a trauma center and inpatient psychiatric services.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 'Medical Freedom' candidates run for Sarasota hospital board
The official results of Russias presidential elections were exactly as the Kremlin ordered them to be, but theyre unlikely to have brought much satisfaction to incumbent President Vladimir Putin.

The falsifications in the results were so blatant that Putins desire to prove that the vast majority of the population supports the continuation of his autocratic rule remains unfulfilled.

Rather than disciplining political elites, he may have inadvertently informed them of the limitations of his control and the fragility of his power. Despite the strict administration and security measures, several unexpected surprises exposed the fragility of the seemingly strong system of Putins power.

Ukraine is responsible for some of these surprises, having launched a series of astonishingly accurate drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Strikes were launched on infrastructure facilities deep in Russian territory, for example in Samara Oblast, where the Kuibyshev Oil Refinery caught fire last Friday. The cumulative impact on the Russian oil industry, which was also affected by sanctions that led to numerous technical failures, turned out to be more significant in the domestic oil market than in crude oil exports.

Moscow responded with a mass strike on Ukraines energy infrastructure, but the countrys power grids are now more resilient than during the brutal winter of 2022-2023.

Putins rule appears to have come full circle, approaching yet another surge in terrorism

The invasion of [Russian] Belgorod and Kursk oblasts by Russian armed formations, who recruit and train volunteers willing to fight the Putin regime, became another alarming event.

Putin warned of a sanitary border and restrictions on movement in certain regions that would protect them from airstrikes and artillery fire. To make this threat more convincing, he also ordered a mass missile strike on Kyiv, but not a single accurate hit was recorded due to the effective work of Ukrainian air defense. The shockingly low quality of Russian weapons is evidenced by the accidental missile hit of the Kapitan Lobanov fishing vessel during the Baltic Fleet drills near Russias Kaliningrad.

The stalemate in high intensity fighting in Ukraine has led to significant changes in official discourse: Putins long-time press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, has declared that a special military operation has turned into a real war. He then clarified that the legal status of the operation hadnt changed, but the increased Western involvement had essentially turned it into a war. These shifts in rhetoric have set the context for the plan announced by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to create two new combined armies consisting of 14 divisions and 16 brigades. A high-profile conscription campaign cannot compensate for heavy losses in ongoing frontal attacks. Shoigus big plans can be implemented only through a new wave of mobilization, which will provide an additional 300,000 soldiers.

The previous partial mobilization in September 2022 caused serious public discontent. It led to mass emigration of young people, so the Kremlin denied its intention to repeat this forced measure before the elections. From a military and strategic perspective, the need to triple the number of new conscripts that could be involved in the spring draft is imperative, as Putin demands new achievements to prove that Russia has the initiative. Politically, however, the decree could overshadow the start of Putins new presidential term since public opinion, as far as can be gauged, is strongly opposed to mobilization.

The Kremlin faced three internal surprises during the campaign to turn the election into a referendum on the indefinite continuation of the war. First, Boris Nadezhdin, a potential presidential candidate with a cautious intention to end the war, gained strong public support and was dropped from the race.

Second, the level of mourning in the crowd at the funeral of Alexei Navalny, a defiant opponent of the Putin regime who was killed in an Arctic prison and buried at the Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscows Marino district, demonstrates the growing discontent in Russia. Third, many Russians gathered at the polling stations at noon on Sunday, March 17, to protest Putins new term, as Navalny had called for before his death.

Last Fridays deadly terrorist attack in Krasnogorsk outside Moscow, committed by the revived ISIS-K group, showed the depth of the danger that exists in Russia. Russian intelligence services were and remain too busy investigating and prosecuting anti-war activists to pay due attention to the threat of Islamic extremism, even when U.S. authorities warned them of a possible attack.

Speaking at the Federal Security Service (FSB) board four days before the Crocus City Hall massacre, Putin called this warning outright blackmail aimed at destabilizing Russia. In a statement made the day after the terrorist attack, he didnt mention the U.S. warning and tried to find a Ukrainian trace by ordering new missile strikes on Kyiv and Lviv. For patriotic Russian commentators, the shock caused by the terrorist attack is only a means to fan anti-Ukrainian slander, while studying the real reasons for the new spread of Islamist networks is irrelevant.

Lies and false indignation cannot create even a semblance of unity in Russian society, traumatized in advance by a losing war and disillusioned with Putins selfish leadership. The tragedy in the concert hall was mixed with a flood of news about residential buildings hit by missiles and villages destroyed by explosions. Putins rule, which began with the terrible explosions in Moscow in September 1999, appears to have come full circle, approaching yet another surge in terrorism fueled by internal strife.

At the turn of the millennium, Russia put its trust in a new, energetic leader who promised to ensure a better future for the country. Since then, this leader has turned into an aging autocrat obsessed with an imperial past who has unleashed a devastating war. Internal stability and increased ties with the West were prospects that seemed to open the way for Russia to reform. The latter turned into a dangerous confrontation and the first turned into riots and repression, while the militarization of society nullified the reform plans.

Six more years with Putin is too long for a rapidly degrading state waging a self-destructive war.

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Spring has sprung in Pennsylvania, and Easter Sunday will be here before you know it. Whether youre stocking up on spiral-cut ham and bunny-shaped chocolates or running to the store for plastic eggs for your hunt, weve got your last-minute shopping covered.

Easter Sunday falls March 31 this year, marking the first time it falls in the third month of the year since 2016. Most stores in the State College area will operate under modified or reduced hours Easter Sunday, while a few plan on closing entirely for the holiday.

Heres a brief overview of the holiday hours for grocery markets and liquor stores throughout parts of Centre County. Be sure to check for your specific locations, as some of their schedules and services vary by store.

Where can you find the cheapest groceries in State College? We compared prices for you

Aldi

Aldis Centre County stores, located at 780 Benner Pike and 1798 N. Atherton St., are closed Sunday for the Easter holiday, according to the companys website.

Fine Wine & Good Spirits

All four Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in the State College area  Southridge Plaza, Hamilton Square, North Atherton and Benner Pike  will close for Easter Sunday before resuming regular operating hours Monday, April 1.

Giant

Giants stores will close at 3 p.m. Sunday before returning to normal operating hours Monday, April 1, according to the companys website. All Giant pharmacies will operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the holiday.

Groceries on a budget? How to track weekly sales at Aldi & other Centre County stores

Sams Club

This membership-only store, located at 381 Benner Pike in State College, will close Easter Sunday before resuming regular hours Monday.

Target

Both Target stores in State College  315 Colonnade Blvd. and 201 W. Beaver Ave.  are closed Easter Sunday.

Trader Joes

State Colleges Trader Joes, located at 243 Patriot Lane, will operate using regular hours Easter Sunday. The store opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. every day.

Walmart

Walmart supermarkets are open for regular hours Easter Sunday. Both the 1665 N. Atherton St. and 373 Benner Pike stores in State College are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Wegmans

Regular hours are on deck for the Wegmans are 345 Colonnade Blvd., which will operate from 6 a.m. to midnight Easter Sunday. The stores pharmacy will open at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.

Weis

All five Weis stores in Centre County will open at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Easter Sunday. Locations are available in Bellefonte (170 Buckaroo Lane), Philipsburg (501 N. Centre St.) and State College (1471 Martin St., 110 Rolling Ridge Drive and 560 Westerly Parkway).
Well-known members of west Orlando are making early maneuvers ahead of a possible special election to replace District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill, according to three different sources involved in Orange County politics.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Former State Rep. Travaris Tray McCurdy, Onyx Magazine Publisher Rich Black and prominent activist Shaniqua Shan Rose were all named as people who had made phone calls or talked to residents and influential political leaders to gauge support for a possible campaign should Orlando call for an election.

The sources said community leaders had met to discuss which candidate to throw their support behind from a wider list of possibilities.

Read: Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill arrested on elderly exploitation, fraud charges

When contacted for comment Friday, Black acknowledged his interest.

Weve received overwhelming support and encouragement from the community, Black said in a statement. As such, we are exploring the possibility of running for the District Five city commission seat if Commissioner Regina Hill is removed.

Rose said she has talked to residents but hasnt made a final decision about whether to run, while McCurdy did not respond to a Facebook message.

Read: Sheriff: Deputy shoots at armed men during traffic stop involving rideshare vehicle in Pine Hills

Hill, who has held her seat since 2014, was arrested Thursday by FDLE agents amid allegations she exploited a 96-year-old constituent.

While many of her constituents remain fiercely loyal to her thank to her history of loudly advocating for her district, many are also quietly speculating that Hills political career in Orlando is finished, unless the cases against her are dismissed.

Orlando cannot hold a special election to replace Hill unless she resigns, which she has thus far shown no interest in doing, or after Gov. DeSantis suspends her from office.

Read: Pope skips Good Friday event to conserve his health ahead of Easter, Vatican says

As of Friday afternoon, the governors office had not responded to a question about whether he would issue a suspension order, though he said he would follow normal procedures during a visit to Orlando this week before Hills indictment.

Hill has denied all the accusations made against her.

Orlando City Council is scheduled to meet Monday afternoon. Its unclear if Hill plans to attend that meeting if the governor has not suspended her by then.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The entire country will be able to see the eclipse as the path of totality will move across Texas, then cover portions of the Midwest, East Coast and touch southeast Canada before it moves out to sea.

Get ready for a spectacular show: A total solar eclipse will occur above the U.S. on the afternoon of April 8.

Most Americans will be able to see it in some form, but the distance between your location and the path of totality will determine how much of the sun will be covered by the moon. In the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine if the skies are clear 95% of the sun will be obscured by the moon and some eclipse will be visible for roughly two hours and 20 minutes.

Search for your ZIP code below or select a major city to reveal the time, duration, peak and percentage of the eclipse in your area.

2024 solar eclipse news: Surprising early cloud forecast; 10 days to get eclipse glasses

What will the eclipse look like in Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine?

Can't see our graphics? Click here to reload the page.

When is the solar eclipse?

On April 8 the moon will travel along the path of totality in North America starting in northern Mexico. The shadow of the moon will pass into Texas a little before 1:30 p.m. local time. It will then cover portions of the Midwest and East Coast and touch southeast Canada before it moves out to sea, according to NASA.

Learn more: What is the path of totality for the total solar eclipse? Follow as it crosses the US.

Lea en Espanol: Cual es la trayectoria de totalidad del eclipse solar total? Siga mientras cruza Mexico y los EE. UU.

How do I know solar eclipse glasses are safe? How can I view the eclipse safely without glasses?

If you buy or are given eclipse glasses, be sure they are made by companies the American Astronomical Society has certified as safe.

NASA does not certify glasses, so be wary of any manufacturers claiming that to have the space agency's approval.

Eclipse glasses should all have the "ISO" (International Organization for Standardization) icon. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.

If you cannot find certified glasses, there are other ways to view the eclipse, including with a shadow box you can make yourself. Whatever you do, don't look at the sun without proper protection.

Learn more: What happens if you look at a solar eclipse? A viewing guide for this year's sky show.

Lea en Espanol: Que pasa si miras un eclipse solar? Una guia para ver el espectaculo celeste de este ano.

How does an eclipse work? How often do eclipses occur? Where can I learn more about the science?

A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears the same size as the sun and blocks the entire disk, leading to a period of darkness lasting several minutes. The resulting "totality," when observers can see the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, confuses animals  nocturnal creatures stir, and bird and insects fall silent.Learn more: A total solar eclipse will cross the US in April: Here's where and when to see it

Lea en Espanol: El eclipse solar total cruzara EE. UU. en Abril: donde y cuando verl

Contributing: Janet Loehrke, Javier Zarracina and Shawn J. Sullivan

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What time is April 8 eclipse in NH, Maine? Search here by ZIP code
The solar eclipse is expected to be viewable on Monday, April 8, including here in Bucks County and throughout Pennsylvania.

Tracking the solar eclipse? Trying to plan your viewing party. We have you covered as you figure out the best time to observe nature's high-tech phenomenon. Just use your ZIP code.

Star watchers can also follow the solar eclipse using USA Today's interactive solar eclipse tool.

Here's your guide on how to check the solar eclipse timetable using your ZIP code, where to purchase solar eclipse glasses or make your own projector, and the latest solar eclipse information you should know.

What time is the eclipse? How long will it last? What will it look like?

People planning to observe the solar eclipse and interested in timing the event can enter their ZIP code on this site to get an approximation on the timetable of the solar eclipse's visibility and what it will look like in your neighborhood.

Your solar eclipse timing primer: What time is the solar eclipse? Search your ZIP code for a viewing guide

On April 8 the moon will travel along the path of totality in North America starting in northern Mexico. The shadow of the moon will pass into Texas a little before 1:30 p.m. local time.

It will then cover portions of the Midwest and East Coast and touch southeast Canada before it moves out to sea, according to NASA.

There are viewing parties and sessions planned ahead of the eclipse in Bucks County, Philadelphia and the region.

Heads up, total solar eclipse, blue supermoon and 'devil comet' coming in 2024

Erie in direct path of solar eclipse; how to best observe there

While Bucks County and most of Pennsylvania are in the path of the eclipse, Erie in northwestern part of the state is in the path of totality and expects big crowds for the 3 minutes and 42 seconds event.

Erie solar eclipse primer: Solar eclipse 2024: Erie is in path of totality. Here's what to know

Presque Isle State Park in Erie has been preparing for large crowds.

Early April is usually a slow time at the park, but the solar eclipse that day is expected to bring up to 30,000 people to Presque Isle, depending on the weather, said Matt Greene, the park's operations manager.

In Erie, people are encouraged to find places other than the bayfront to view the eclipse because the downtown traffic could be gridlocked on April 8.

Pennsylvania Turnpike will keep all lanes open at the Cranberry Interchange

Driver do's and don'ts for the eclipse: Checking out the solar eclipse next month? Don't park on highways, gather at rest stops

The Pennsylvania State Police are prepared for the extra traffic the solar eclipse will bring to Erie.

"The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will be keeping all lanes of traffic open heading to and from Erie on I-79 via the Cranberry Interchange (Exit #28) and adding additional maintenance personnel in the event of an emergency," read a portion of PennDOT's news release. "To assist Pennsylvania residents and out-of-state visitors traveling to Erie, which will experience one of the longest period of darkness, PennDOT has developed an event specific 511PA page  www.511pa.com/eclipse24."

Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Walmart offering solar eclipse glasses in-store and online

Home Depot, at 650 Easton Road in Warrington, has a limited quantity of solar eclipse glasses available for pickup.

The Lowe's at 1400 East Lincoln Highway in Langhorne has a few pairs of solar eclipse glasses available for pickup.

The Target at 800 Rock Hill Drive in Bensalem has different models of solar eclipse glasses available for pickup, and has a wider array of solar eclipse glasses available online.

For people shopping online, Target is promising delivery well before the April 8, if the solar eclipse glasses are purchased soon.

Similarly, the Walmart Supercenter at 299 Valley Gate Drive in Warrington, currently has several solar eclipse glasses in stock, and dozens of additional solar eclipse glasses available online.

What should I look for when buying solar eclipse glasses?

NASA advises skygazers to plan accordingly and ensure they have the safe, and simple, equipment needed for solar viewing.

You can buy a pair of solar eclipse glasses from Home Depot, Lowe's, Target and Walmart locations in Bucks County.

"When watching a partial or annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses  eclipse glasses  or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun," read a portion of NASA's solar eclipse advisory. "Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.

"Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers."

Your solar eclipse glasses primer: You'll need eye protection for the solar eclipse. Here's what to know about safety glasses

So how are solar eclipse glasses different from that pair of Ray-Bans you have?

Well, they let in entirely too much light than is safe for our eyes when looking directly at the sun. Certified eyewear, on the other hand, is held to an international safety standard and is 100,000 times darker to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light.

Often made with a polyester film coated in aluminum, the glasses are highly specialized but also ridiculously common and easy to find  if you know where to look. As the eclipse approaches, many places like local libraries, astronomical observatories, schools and other public agencies will provide proper eyewear, often for free.

Are free eclipse glasses safe? How can I view the eclipse safely without glasses?

If you buy or are given eclipse glasses, be sure they are made by companies the American Astronomical Society and NASA have certified as safe. Eclipse glasses should all have the "ISO" (International Organization for Standardization) icon. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.

If you cannot find certified glasses, there are other ways to view the eclipse, including with a shadow box you can make yourself. Whatever you do, don't look at the sun without proper protection.

How to make your own low-tech solar eclipse projector

It may be fun to DIY a solar eclipse kit, and NASA has several tips to consider before assembling a projector.

NASA is providing a low-tech, step-by-step guide to building a solar eclipse projector. The solar eclipse is expected to be observable on Monday, April 8.

"You can make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and aluminum foil. With the sun behind you, sunlight will stream through a pinhole punched into aluminum foil taped over a hole in one side

Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Your go-to guide on preparing for, observing the coming solar eclipse
The entire country will be able to see the eclipse as the path of totality will move across Texas, then cover portions of the Midwest, East Coast and touch southeast Canada before it moves out to sea.

Get ready for a spectacular show: A total solar eclipse will occur above the U.S. on the afternoon of April 8.

Most Americans will be able to see it in some form, but the distance between your location and the path of totality will determine how much of the sun will be covered by the moon. Many places in the U.S.  Rochester, N.Y., Cleveland, and Austin, Texas, to name a few  will see a total eclipse, in which the sun is completely obscured. Other locations will see a partial eclipse. Search for your ZIP code below or select a major city to reveal the time, duration, peak and percentage of the eclipse in your area.

2024 solar eclipse news: Surprising early cloud forecast; 10 days to get eclipse glasses

What to know about the solar eclipse: time, how long it will last, what it will look like

Can't see our graphics? Click here to reload the page.

When is the solar eclipse?

On April 8 the moon will travel along the path of totality in North America starting in northern Mexico. The shadow of the moon will pass into Texas a little before 1:30 p.m. local time. It will then cover portions of the Midwest and East Coast and touch southeast Canada before it moves out to sea, according to NASA.

Learn more: What is the path of totality for the total solar eclipse? Follow as it crosses the US.

Lea en Espanol: Cual es la trayectoria de totalidad del eclipse solar total? Siga mientras cruza Mexico y los EE. UU.

How do I know solar eclipse glasses are safe? How can I view the eclipse safely without glasses?

If you buy or are given eclipse glasses, be sure they are made by companies the American Astronomical Society has certified as safe.

NASA does not certify glasses, so be wary of any manufacturers claiming that to have the space agency's approval.

Eclipse glasses should all have the "ISO" (International Organization for Standardization) icon. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.

If you cannot find certified glasses, there are other ways to view the eclipse, including with a shadow box you can make yourself. Whatever you do, don't look at the sun without proper protection.

Learn more: What happens if you look at a solar eclipse? A viewing guide for this year's sky show.

Lea en Espanol: Que pasa si miras un eclipse solar? Una guia para ver el espectaculo celeste de este ano.

How does an eclipse work? How often do eclipses occur? Where can I learn more about the science?

A total eclipse occurs when the moon appears the same size as the sun and blocks the entire disk, leading to a period of darkness lasting several minutes. The resulting "totality," when observers can see the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, confuses animals  nocturnal creatures stir, and bird and insects fall silent.

Learn more: A total solar eclipse will cross the US in April: Here's where and when to see it

Lea en Espanol: El eclipse solar total cruzara EE. UU. en Abril: donde y cuando verl

Contributing: Janet Loehrke, Javier Zarracina and Shawn J. Sullivan

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is the solar eclipse? User our interactive map to search your area
Togo's leader Faure Gnassingbe has sent a controversial constitutional reform that would allow lawmakers to elect the president back to parliament for "a second reading", a government minister announced Friday.

Parliament, dominated by Gnassingbe's UNIR party, on Monday adopted the law that would switch Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system, giving the assembly the power to elect the president for a single six-year term.

But it remains unclear if the term can be renewed, sparking fears of an indefinite rule for Gnassingbe, who succeeded his father General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had seized power in a coup more than 50 years ago.

Opposition parties in the West African country denounced the move as a power grab by Gnassingbe, in power since 2005, ahead of legislative and regional elections on April 20.

"All things being subject to improvement, and given the interest generated in the population since its adoption, the president today asked the National Assembly president to hold a second reading on the law," government spokeswoman Yawa Kouigan said in a televised address.

Tensions quickly mounted over the constitutional reform, with police this week breaking up an opposition news conference amid a backlash over the change.

Almost 100 university academics, intellectuals, artists, political figures and civil society actors signed an appeal on Friday calling on the population to "mobilise" and reject what they called an abuse of power.

Gnassingbe must "stop the ongoing process for the good of our country", they wrote.

In the streets of the capital Lome, Togolese citizens who spoke to AFP were fiercely divided by the reform.

"They should have held a national consultation to get the people's opinion... it is a constitutional coup," said photographer Claude Vivor.

But lawyer Samir Ouro Sama believed the change could help Togo avert the repeated crises it has suffered following presidential elections contested by the opposition.

Gnassingbe has already been re-elected three times in votes that opposition groups say were marred by irregularities.

"We needed to find a mechanism that would allow us to experiment with something new," Sama said, while acknowledging a "lack of education in the run-up to this reform".

- Tensions rising -

The editor of a Togolese newspaper was also arrested on Thursday, as media watchdogs warned of a press clampdown ahead of the coming elections.

Sources in Washington told AFP that US government officials have asked Gnassingbe to ensure that "the current situation is settled peacefully and democratically".

On Tuesday, the Togo Bishops' Conference called on the president to delay promulgating the new constitution and start "an inclusive political dialogue".

In 2019, members of parliament revised the constitution to limit presidential terms to two, but it did not apply retrospectively, leaving Gnassingbe free to stand for the next two elections.

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Gastonia police are about to implement a new tool to let officers keep watch for wanted criminals in real-time.

The Gastonia Police Department got a grant to launch live monitoring of license plate readers in the city, putting them in league with Charlotte and only three other departments in the state.

Channel 9s Ken Lemon spoke with the police chief about the system, and some drivers who have serious questions about it.

Many of those drivers along Remount Road have no idea theyre passing one of nine license plate readers in Gastonia. But now, the city wants to add 12 more readers.

When the system triggers a flagged license plate, officers get an alert on their cell phones -- now, the police department is adding eyeballs behind the cameras, people who watch and respond immediately.

CHECK IT OUT >> Behind the Scenes: First look at UNC Charlottes high-tech security tools

Its a smaller version of a system thats used by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Trained officers monitor the feeds and watch in real-time when a vehicle associated with a crime or missing person triggers an alert.

Its unlimited on the types of technology out there thats going to help us fight crime better, said Gastonia Police Chief Trent Conard.

Conard says itll make a big difference. Last year, the nine cameras helped in 122 cases -- 55 of them were solved, including seven missing person cases.

Some neighborhoods are already using security cameras. Police plan to use those, and the department recently asked residents to voluntarily give access to their home security cameras.

We are going to be able to tie into video feeds [from] security cameras, Conard said.

But with more surveillance comes skepticism from some neighbors.

I dont like that at all, Tom Kelso told Lemon. The government is too much into my business. I just think its a waste of money.

ALSO READ: Could red light cameras make a comeback in Charlotte?

Christy Deese said she has family members who were victims of crime, and she loves the idea of what the city calls a real-time crime center.

Theres too much crime going on and a lot of people getting away with it, Deese said. The city needs more monitoring.

Conard said the data wont be shared with a third-party, and itll be deleted after 30 days unless its part of an ongoing criminal case.

If youre not out here committing crimes, then your information is never even going to be looked at, Conard told Lemon.

With a fresh grant of a million dollars, the department is in the early stages of planning and currently taking bids from contractors who want to build the real-time center. The chief said it will be the only one in the state thats west of Charlotte.

(WATCH >> 9 Investigates: Who sees the data from license plate readers)
Top Biden campaign officials told a gathering of donors on Friday that the campaign believes it can win over a significant portion of Nikki Haley voters  and that it can do so by emphasizing the threat Donald Trump poses to democracy.

Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon made the case during a meeting put together by the Biden National Finance Committee in New York City. In her presentation, OMalley Dillon argued that results out of state Republican primaries  where some voters backed Haley even though she had dropped out of the presidential race  was proof that Haley supporters were getable, according to three people who were in the room and were granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

OMalley Dillon also showed Democratic donors and bundlers a newly released digital ad, which spliced together footage of former Trump mocking Haley and rejecting her supporters.

If you voted for Nikki Haley, Donald Trump doesnt want your vote, the ad says . Save America. Join us.

Wooing Haley and anti-Trump voters  and their growing importance within the Biden strategy to regain a lead over Trump in the polls  dovetails with the Biden campaigns broader messaging strategy to center democracy and the threats, they say, Trump poses to it. Members of Bidens finance team have also made private overtures to Haley donors , though they were not discussed during Fridays meeting.

They believe, as do I, that there are a number of Republicans out there who supported Haley who dont want to support Trump, said Dick Harpootlian, a South Carolina state senator and Democratic donor who attended the meeting. Anyone who was comfortable with her would be made uncomfortable by him.

Biden spoke at the Democratic donor gathering Friday morning, delivering his usual stump speech and attacking Trump as the most un-democratic president since the Civil War. The donors  many of whom attended a $26 million fundraiser Thursday evening that also featured former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton  described a broadly cheerful meeting, buoyed by the slight uptick in Bidens approval ratings and the enormous cash advantage Biden has built over Trump.

But even if the Biden campaign sees opportunities in gaining these types of voters, it is also wary of other threats on the horizon.

One person in the room, granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting, noted that the campaign focused specifically on the threats posted by third-party candidates in a presentation on messaging and polling, led by campaign communications director Michael Tyler and pollster Molly Murphy. The pair noted, this person said, that voters interested in voting third party dont like Trump or Biden, but they dislike Trump a lot more, so the strategy is to tell them, a vote for a third-party candidate will elect Donald Trump.

Its an acknowledgement that this is becoming more of an issue than it was even just three months ago, the person said. They didnt mention [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] by name, but theres clearly a concern there and theyre starting to focus some efforts in defining these third-party candidates.

The Democratic National Committee is, indeed, expanding its efforts to take on third-party candidates, particularly RFK Jr., who has polled at double-digits in some national surveys. In recent weeks, the DNC hired a pair of top communications aides focused solely on it.

But a Biden campaign adviser pushed back on the notion that their focus on third-party candidates is new. They cited the efforts by other Democratic groups to target No Labels , another third-party effort that hasnt landed a candidate yet.
Britains leading universities have experienced a five-fold increase in anti-Semitic incidents since the Hamas terror attack on Oct 7, analysis by The Telegraph suggests.

Data disclosed under freedom of information laws suggest that Russell Group universities received five times as many reports of anti-Semitism in the first three months after the Hamas attack than in the entire year leading up to it.

In the 12 months leading up to Oct 7, the day on which Hamas is understood to have killed 1,200 Israelis and abducted another 250, there were 33 reports of anti-Semitism at the 19 Russell Group universities that responded to requests for data.

Following the attack, 176 incidents were reported in less than three months.

No university had reported expelling a student accused of anti-Semitism in the past two years, although seven have faced disciplinary action.

Responding to the findings, Lord Carlile, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, called for an independent review of universities anti-Semitism policies.

Anti-Semitism is being ignored by some universities, others disgracefully refused to cooperate with the inquiries they received, and there is clear inconsistency of approach, he said.

The true number of reports is likely to be even higher because five universities  Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, the London School of Economics (LSE) and Oxford  declined to disclose the requested data.

Anti-Semitism is being ignored by some universities, others disgracefully refused to cooperate with the inquiries they received, and there is clear inconsistency of approach, Lord Carlile said.

The Government vowed in February to appoint an expert adviser on anti-Semitism in higher education, with Robert Halfon, the then-higher education minister, condemning vice-chancellors who appease it and are not pro-active in tackling it.

Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, responding to the latest figures, told The Telegraph that vice-chancellors need to crack down on anti-Semitic abuse on university campuses.

Jewish students must feel safe on campus. Any anti-Semitic abuse is totally unacceptable, she said.

Nicola Richards, the co-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on anti-Semitism, said that she would write to vice-chancellors to demand an explanation for their at worst, weak approach to anti-Jewish racism.

Bristol, LSE and Oxford declined to share data on reported anti-Semitism incidents because they said it could lead to the identification of those who were subject to complaints and would breach general data protection regulation rules.

Birmingham said it would take longer than 18 hours to collate. Requests which take longer than this to answer can be refused under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Cambridge said it does not classify complaints by reference to categories such as anti-Semitism and so we do not hold the information requested.

A further 10  Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton, University College London, Warwick and York  did not disclose specific figures for months when fewer than five complaints were made.

The Telegraph has counted each of these instances as one complaint, the lowest number possible, meaning the true number may be higher.

Tabytha Shapps, the daughter of Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, told this newspaper in January that she felt unsafe as an undergraduate at the University of Leeds after witnessing protesters chanting anti-Semitic slogans during a campus rally.

Annie Gishen, a geography student at the University of St Andrews, said last October that a man in a pub had tried to pull a Star of David necklace off the neck of an 18-year-old at a university social event.

Spokesmen for the universities said at the time that they did not tolerate anti-Semitism and urged students to report all incidents.

The universities that received the most reports of anti-Semitism were University College London (22 before Oct 7, 65 after), Kings College London (two before Oct 7, 45 after), and Queen Mary (three before Oct 7, 18 after).

Guy Dabby-Joory, head of campaigns at the Union of Jewish Students, said: These findings detail the horrifying rise in anti-Semitism in top universities since Oct 7.

Universities must reflect on these numbers and take urgent action to ensure their Jewish students can continue to thrive in safety and security on their campuses in the wake of this unprecedented flare-up of hate.

A spokesman for the Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism in Britain, said the alarming figures confirm the picture we are seeing from Jewish students across the country.

Anti-Jewish hatred is not only a threat to Jewish students but undermines the whole ethos of a university, and it is essential that university authorities act forcefully and quickly to shut down this hatred and enable Jewish students to have the same positive experience of campus life as everyone else, the spokesman said.

Absolutely unacceptable

A spokesman for the Russell Group said: Our universities condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and have made it clear this has no place on campus and will not be tolerated.

Any discrimination, intimidation or abuse of staff and students is absolutely unacceptable.

Our universities have clear processes in place to investigate complaints of this nature, and many have stepped up support since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza to make sure swift action is taken and students and staff get the help they need.

Investigations can be complex and will also involve the police if a hate crime has been committed; as such, many may still be underway.

We encourage anyone in our community facing anti-Semitism, or harassment or racism of any kind, to seek out support from their university.

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 risk of escalation related to the supply of long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles to Ukraine is not as high as it used to be, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Brown said on March 28, according to Defense One.

After months of deliberation, the U.S. delivered ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in October 2023, but only the older model with a range of 165 kilometers. Newer variants of ATACMS have a maximum range of around 300 kilometers and have so far not been provided to Ukraine.

In late February, NBC News reported that the White House is ready to provide Kyiv with longer-range ATACMS missile variants if Congress approves a new funding package. Brown did not officially confirm nor deny the claims.

The general said that due to Russia's restrained response to a series of recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, the Pentagon has adjusted "its analysis on the risk of sending ATACMS."

"The risk of escalation is not as high as maybe it was at the beginning," Brown told reporters.

The likelihood of "escalation" is based on different capabilities and different actions, the general said, adding that the Pentagon "pays attention" to them.

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The shorter-range ATACMS missiles were put to use on the battlefield after their delivery in October 2023. Oleksiy Danilov, at the time the National Security and Defense Council secretary, said the ATACMS had "exceeded expectations" and created a noticeable impact on Russia's military operations.

Ukraine has continued to press its Western allies for longer-range weapons, including the newer ATACMS, but faced hesitation about delivering arms that could potentially be used to strike within Russian territory.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concern in 2022 that delivering ATACMS could increase tensions between the U.S. and Russia to the point that it could lead to another world war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is against sending Germany's Taurus missiles to Kyiv because he fears the move will draw Germany into the war. Ukraine has received other long-range missiles, such as the Storm Shadow from the U.K. and the French-made SCALP.

Read also: Taurus missiles: Why Ukraine wants them  and Germany hesitates

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Emotions were running high in the Australian town of Alice Springs this week when mourners attending the funeral of an 18-year-old man attacked its oldest pub, smashing windows and kicking doors.

For Northern Territory officials, Tuesdays violence  and clashes later that night involving around 150 people armed with axes, machetes and knives  was the final straw.

Enough is enough, Chief Minister Eva Lawler said Wednesday, as she announced a two-week curfew for children between 6 p.m and 6 a.m in the central business district.

If someone is under the age of 18 and theyre seen out in the town center, they will be taken home or taken to a safe place. Kids are not safe on the street, she said.

Since then, relative calm has returned to Alice Springs, or Mparntwe, its traditional name. But debate has raged over the effectiveness of the emergency measures that some described as a knee-jerk response to complex social issues.

Some Indigenous groups and leaders have backed the action as a necessary circuit-breaker, but others say what local children need is support, not more policing in a country with a low age of criminal responsibility and high rates of incarceration for Indigenous youth.

Complex problems

Northern Territory officials said the trigger for Tuesdays violence occurred three weeks ago when an 18-year-old man died in a car accident during the early hours of March 8.

At the time, local news reports said he was sitting on a door of a suspected stolen vehicle, when it turned a corner and rolled on top of him. Eight people fled the scene.

Darren Clark, founder of community group Action for Alice, said youths rampaged through the town on Tuesday smashing windows before attacking the Todd Tavern, a well-known hotel and bar.

He said the group appeared to be seeking retribution.

Theyre looking for the driver of the car  So, thats what this is all about, Clark told radio station 2GB Sydney.

Video filmed from inside the Todd Tavern on Tuesday, March 26, shows someone kicking the door. - Courtesy Action for Alice

According to police, the mourners in Alice Springs came from Utopia, a region around 230 kilometers (143 miles) to the north-east thats home to several large Aboriginal communities.

It was named Utopia by German settlers, who were said to have been fascinated by the abundance of rabbits that were easy to catch. Its now known as a hub for Indigenous artists whose work is sold worldwide.

Utopia suffers many of the same problems seen in Indigenous communities nationwide  overcrowded housing and high levels of domestic violence, unemployment and alcohol abuse.

The issues are widely considered to be the legacy of colonization more than two centuries ago that deprived traditional owners of their ancestral lands.

Decades of racism and neglect erupted on the streets of Alice Springs on Tuesday, though youth crime is a problem in many other Australian cities.

This is an issue that is absolutely complex. I know people dont always like to hear the word complex, but when you see young people who have fetal alcohol [syndrome], that have trauma, that have experienced domestic violence, that go to homes where theres alcohol, theyre not cared for. Those are the issues that are part of the story of Alice Springs, Lawler said.

Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson told 10 program The Project that some children are on the streets at night because its safer than being at home.

These children are out here because theres drunk parents, or theres family and sexual violence happening at home, he said. If this curfew saves kids lives because it takes it gives the police the power to take them to safe places, then I think that its absolutely worth it.

Children behind bars

Some Indigenous leaders support the curfew and are working with the government to implement it, but other groups say there hasnt been enough consultation.

Jared Sharp, Principal Legal officer of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), told Sky News the curfew could make matters worse.

There is nowhere in the world that has said that a youth curfew is effective  it just criminalizes young people. It ensnares young people in the justice system, and thats just not what we need in a place like Alice Springs, where the rates of Aboriginal people in jail and youth detention are already off the charts, Sharp said.

Northern Territory Police Force Commissioner Michael Murphy speaks to media during a press conference in Darwin, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. - AAP Image/Neve Brissenden/Reuters

Last August, the Northern Territory became the first Australian jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12. According to the latest government figures, on an average night in the June quarter of 2023, more than 800 children were in detention across Australia  60% were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. The figures show Indigenous children are 29 times as likely to be in detention than non-Indigenous youth.

Writing in the Guardian, Catherine Liddle, CEO of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), said Indigenous children are being exposed to unacceptable levels of violence.

We cannot arrest our way out of this, she wrote. Alcohol and substance abuse is a symptom as well as one of the drivers and it is not the only one  It is no accident that we are seeing youth crime escalating as rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child removals grow.

Sixty more police arrived in Alice Springs this week to build a more visible police presence during the curfew period, and police liquor inspectors were allocated to patrol liquor stores in the area.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said the measures werent about locking up kids.

The objective is to keep kids out of the criminal justice system, he said. If they do commit violent crime, they will be arrested and taken to the court where they can answer to a judge and go through the justice system.

In the early hours of Friday, three youths aged 12, 13 and 17 were arrested in Alice Springs after allegedly entering a home with weapons and threatening one of the residents with a firearm, according to police. They allegedly stole keys to two cars that were later found abandoned south of the towns business district.

Children in the Northern Territory are due to go on school holiday next Friday  the curfew is expected to cover at least part of the break, but territory officials havent ruled out extending it, if needed.

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Worshippers carry a green cross across Bebel square in Berlin, during the Good Friday procession of St. Mary's Church. Fabian Sommer/dpa

Germany's traditional Easter Marches, dating back to the peace movement of the last century, are under way, with people taking to the streets in the cities of Chemnitz, Gutersloh, Gronau and Biberach on Good Friday.

This year marchers were calling for the end of fighting and the beginning of peace negotiations in Ukraine as well as in the Gaza Strip, the network coordinating the marches nationwide said in a press release.

Some 250 people took to the streets in the eastern city of Chemnitz, according to the group, while some 60 people gathered on a former military airfield in Gutersloh, according to police.

The majority of marches are scheduled for Saturday, with some 70 actions planned nationwide, starting with a march in the western Rhein-Ruhr region, which traditionally leads participants through several cities across the densely populated area over several days.

Marches are also planned in Bonn, Bremen, Duisburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart and other cities.

The Easter Marches emerged from last century's pan-European peace movement calling for nuclear disarmament and protesting the arms race, with the first Easter march held in Britain in 1958.

This year, marchers in Germany are also demanding a more fundamental rejection of the logic of war and militarisation.

Worshippers carry a green cross across Bebel square in Berlin, during the Good Friday procession of St. Mary's Church. Fabian Sommer/dpa
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.
Donald Trump and several of his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case on Friday formally appealed a judges recent decision to allow Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the case.

In the 51-page appeal, the defendants argue that Willis should be disqualified from the racketeering case because of her affair with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. It asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to overturn Judge Scot McAfees March 15 decision allowing Willis and her office to remain on the racketeering case if Wade stepped aside.

DA Willis has covered herself and her office in scandal and disrepute, as she has squandered her credibility and repeatedly and flagrantly violated the heightened ethical standards demanded of her position, the appeal says. The trial courts decision not to disqualify DA Willis under these circumstances is a structural error, a violation of Defendants due process rights, and seriously denigrates the publics confidence in the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Fani Willis Not Embarrassed By Affair That Sidetracked Trump Case

The appeal is the latest legal move in the months-long saga over Willis and Wades relationship. Wade and Willis confirmed during an evidentiary hearing last month that they had a relationship from early 2022 until last summerbut the two denied any wrongdoing. The pair also pushed back on defense claims that Willis financially benefited from her relationship with Wade, whom she hired in November 2021.

The Georgia Court of Appeals could still decline to hear the case, which would pave the way for a state Supreme Court appeal. There is currently no set trial date for the criminal case, but CNN reported last week that Willis plans to try it this summer. A DA spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Defendants argued in the trial court that the indictment should have been dismissed and, at a minimum, DA Willis and her office should have been disqualified from prosecuting the case, Trumps Georgia lawyer, Steve Sadow, said in a statement to The Daily Beast. The Georgia Court of Appeals should grant the application and accept the interlocutory appeal for consideration on the merits.

On Saturday, Willis told CNN that she is not embarrassed by her exposed affair and maintains that this side show has not delayed her teams ongoing case against Trump and his co-defendants. I dont feel like my reputation needs to be reclaimed, Willis told CNN at an Easter egg hunt. Lets say it for the record, Im not embarrassed by anything that Ive done.

I guess my greatest crime is that I had a relationship with a man but thats not something I find embarrassing in any way. I know I have not done anything thats illegal, she added.

McAfee said in a March 15 ruling that while Willis and Wades relationship had the significant appearance of impropriety, there was no evidence of an actual conflict of interest brought on by the relationship. This finding is by no means an indication that the Court condones this tremendous lapse in judgment or the unprofessional manner of the District Attorneys testimony during the evidentiary hearing, the judge wrote.

The Friday appeal asked the appellate court to rule on their request ahead of trial, calling McAfees decision a structural error that would not just cause a substantial error at trial but could later affect a verdict.

It is neither prudent nor efficient to require the courts, the parties, or taxpayers to run the significant and avoidable risk of having to go through this painful, divisive, and expensive process more than once when an existing structural error can be remedied by this Court now, the appeal says.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Serbia is closely monitoring all initiatives that can contribute to improved market coupling and greater energy security in the region, such as the agreement signed last year by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary regarding the supply of green energy to the EU through a new underwater cable under the Black Sea, , a source at the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia told Trend.

"The inclusion of cooperation in the field of green energy also opens up new opportunities for cooperation in the process of transition to green energy, involving investments in RES and the development of energy infrastructure. Serbia shares the vision of the European Union to achieve carbon neutrality. Through the development of strategic documents and the improvement of the legislative framework, we are working to create conditions for the construction of new energy capacities from RES, which will significantly contribute to our energy independence and energy security in the future," noted the source.

The source pointed out that Serbia is also exploring various options for ensuring sufficient baseload energy, including the possibility of constructing power plants that use gas as a transitional energy source.

"In addition to investments in new production capacities and investments in increasing energy efficiency, a top priority is the construction of transmission systems towards neighboring countries through projects such as the Trans-Balkan Corridor, which is crucial for enhancing the security of supply, integrating new RES capacities, and developing the electricity market in the region."

On December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement that provides for the construction of an energy bridge from the Caucasus region to Europe.

As per the agreement, a 1,000 MW Black Sea Energy submarine electric cable spanning 1,195 kilometers is set to be constructed. The cable is intended to transmit 'green' electricity generated in Azerbaijan, routed through Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania, and further distributed to Hungary and the rest of Europe. This infrastructure will facilitate the supply of up to four gigawatts of green energy.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Former President Trump urged a state appeals court to review a judges decision allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) to remain on Trumps Georgia 2020 election racketeering case.

Judge Scott McAfee earlier this month ruled Williss once-romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created an appearance of a conflict but allowed the district attorney to move ahead with her prosecution once Wade resigned.

On Friday, Trump and eight of his co-defendants filed an application with the Georgia Court of Appeals urging it to take up the case, insisting Willis has a personal stake in the case and must step aside. The move was expected after McAfee handed down a decision enabling the defense to attempt to appeal his ruling before trial.

While the trial court factually found DA Williss out-of-court statements were improper and Defendants proved an apparent conflict of interest, the trial court erred as a matter of law by not requiring dismissal and DA Willis disqualification, the application reads. This legal error requires the Courts immediate review.

The courts rules gives the district attorneys office 10 days to respond to the application.

Willis charged Trump and more than a dozen of his allies last summer with racketeering and other charges over accusations they entered an unlawful conspiracy to overturn President Bidens 2020 victory in Georgia. Trump pleaded not guilty, as he did to his three other criminal indictments.

No trial date has been set in the Georgia case as Trump seeks to delay it beyond the 2024 election, but the revelation of the romance between Willis and Wade created a weeks-long detour where both took the witness stand to deny wrongdoing at a series of hearings.

The prosecutors testified that they began dating in early 2022, but defense attorneys contend the relationship began years earlier  before Willis hired Wade to prosecute Trump.

Former President Trump speaks to the media.

Former President Trump speaks to the media on March 25, 2024, in New York City. (Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

Two witnesses testified that the pairs romance started after a 2019 judicial conference they both attended. Willis and Wade said they did meet at the conference but established a mentor-like relationship, not a romantic one.

McAfee only found evidence of an apparent conflict of interest following the blockbuster hearings, but Trump and his co-defendants said the judges factual findings make clear the romance amounts to more.

If this law means anything, the trial courts actual findings here establish an actual conflict, the application reads.

The defense has also taken issue with several statements Willis has made outside the courtroom, including the implication that their motion to disqualify her and Wade was racially motivated.

Top Stories from The Hill

After Willis suggested during a church speech that the criticism Wade faced stemmed from being the only Black special prosecutor she hired, Trump attorney Steve Sadow accused her of attempting to foment racial animus against Trump and his co-defendants to take focus off her alleged affair.

More recently, Willis told CNN that the train is coming for Trump and his co-defendants, drawing more criticism from the defense.

Apparently Judge McAfees warning to Willis in his disqualification order about talking about the case in a public forum is simply being ignored, Sadow wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Does that surprise anyone??

In a statement, Sadow urged the Georgia Court of Appeals to grant Trump and his co-defendants application after making their case to the trial court that the indictment should have been dismissed and, at a minimum, DA Willis and her office should have been disqualified from prosecuting the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trumps legal team on Friday sought to overturn a Fulton county, Georgia, judges decision allowing Fani Willis to continue as prosecutor of that states election interference case against the former president.

[T]he indictment should have been dismissed and, at a minimum, [District Attorney] Willis and her office should have been disqualified from prosecuting the case, Trumps attorney Steve Sadow said, in part, in the appeal filed on Friday to an appellate court in Georgia.

Related: Fani Willis: Train is coming for Trump despite efforts to derail Georgia case

The Fulton county superior court judge Scott McAfee noted in his ruling earlier in March that case law gave little instruction in his decision, which required either Willis or her special prosecutor Nathan Wade to withdraw from the case, after they were discovered to have had a romantic relationship.

The filing in Georgias state court of appeals on behalf of Trump and eight other defendants argues that an appellate court should clarify precedent on the question of forensic misconduct  an act by a prosecutor that requires disqualification in Georgia law.

It also argues that McAfee should have found an actual conflict of interest, and barring that should have disqualified Willis on the basis of an address she gave in the wake of revelations made in court filings by Ashleigh Merchant, an attorney for the defendant Michael Roman, that she had been romantically involved with Wade.

In what it described as the church speech, the appeal said Willis while concealing her personal relationship with  Wade, improperly injected race and racial bias into the case, indicating that defendants and their counsel were racists for challenging her unethical conduct, that Defendants were guilty and would be convicted (boasting about her superstar team with a conviction rate of 95 percent)  and implying that that God himself had chosen her for this case, that he was on her side, and that she was doing His work in this prosecution, the filing argues.

McAfee described Willis as having had a tremendous lapse in judgment in his ruling, took issue with her description of the timeline of her relationship and described her using cash to cover costs incurred as she and Wade went on vacation together as leaving an odor of mendacity. But McAfee stopped short of directly accusing Willis of lying to the court.

In the appeal, lawyers argue directly that Willis had actually been untruthful in testimony about the relationship, creating an appearance of impropriety that requires her removal.

The trial court labelled the cash repayments as unusual and the lack of supporting documentation understandably concerning, the filing states. The trial court then went further, characterizing it is a financial cloud of impropriety.

Stopping just short of calling their testimony regarding these alleged cash payments an outright fabrication, the trial court half-heartedly said that her testimony on this issue was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable.

If the court accepts hearing the appeal, it would probably be to clarify what prosecutors can and cannot say outside court about a case, said Anthony Michael Kreis, a constitutional law professor and political scientist at Georgia State University College of Law.

There is much less case law about public statements that might require disqualification than governing actual conflicts of interest, he said. The appeals court will not disturb judge McAfees findings of fact, and so because he found no evidence of an actual conflict of interest and provided a remedy for the appearance of impropriety he said existed because of Willis and Wades relationship, theyre very unlikely to be interested in the relationship-based allegations of a conflict at all.

A spokesperson for Willis declined to comment on the filing.
Donald Trump once again went scorched earth against the daughter of the judge overseeing his New York hush-money trial on Thursday, posting a fiery rant to Truth Social that called her out by name.

That woman, Loren Merchan, has become the focal point of Trumps attacks against her dad, Judge Juan Merchan, in his longshot attempt to have him ousted as the judge presiding over his criminal case in New York.

Trump has decried Lorens position as president of a political consulting firm thats worked with Democrats, as well as anti-Trump social media posts he wrongly attributed to her, saying they should disqualify Judge Merchan from his case because it somehow shows hes biased.

Judge Juan Merchan is totally compromised, and should be removed from this TRUMP Non-Case immediately, he posted Thursday afternoon. His Daughter, Loren, is a Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me, and yet he gagged me.

X Account Trump Cited to Attack Judges Daughter Isnt Even Hers, Court Rep Says

Judge Merchan issued a gag order against Trump on Tuesday thats barred him from lashing out publicly at prosecutors, court staff, and any of their family members. That order did not include Merchan or his daughter, however, and Trump has used the duo as an outlet to direct his rage over the case.

Trump has been particularly fixated on the political work of Merchans daughter, suggesting her supposed political leanings are enough to influence how her dad treats him in a criminal trial.

She works for Crooked Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Adam Shifty Schiff, and other Radical Leftists who Campaign on Getting Trump, he said, adding that her work has created a TOTAL Conflict.

In his latest rant, Trump made no mention of social media posts he previously claimed were made by Merchan, however.

Thats likely because a representative for the New York state court system pointed out that the account Trump attributed to her in his initial rant against on Wednesday didnt actually belong to her.

Instead, Al Baker, a a spokesperson for the New York Office of Court Administration, told The Daily Beast that the posts Trump cited as hers, which included a photo that showed him behind bars, came from a total stranger.

The X, formerly Twitter, account being attributed to Judge Merchans daughter no longer belongs to her since she deleted it approximately a year ago, he said. It is not linked to her email address, nor has she posted under that screenname since she deleted the account.

Rather, it represents the reconstitution, last April, and manipulation of an account she long ago abandoned.

Still, Trump has yet to delete the posts in question. In that rambling rant from Wednesday, he accused the Merchan family of being out to get him as he whined about being put under a gag order.

Newsmax Helps Trump Hawk His $60 God Bless the USA Bibles

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, and the Lunatics trying to destroy my life, and prevent me from winning the 2024 Presidential Election, which I am dominating? he said. 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. How can this be allowed?

Trump is facing a total of four criminal trials, including the hush-money trial being presided over by Merchan in New York. In that case, Trump faces a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records over a $130,000 hush-money payment hes accused of directing his ex-fixer Michael Cohen to make to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before his 2016 election triumph.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in that case, and continues to claim he never had sex with Daniels.

Merchan said previously that he was bending over backwards and straining to make sure that Trump had the freedom to speak his mind about his trial as he makes another White House run. This week, however, Merchan said he was forced to change course because Trump cant help but attack those involved in the caseprompting the new gag order thats set Trump off against his daughter.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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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
Donald Trumps mental acuity was questioned on Fox News by Democratic strategist, Jessica Tarlov, during a segment of The Five on Wednesday night.

Co-host Jeanine Pirro said, You know, Jessica, Trump took a mental acuity test and aced it  why wont Biden?

Well, this mental acuity test, which included identifying animals and counting backwards by a factor of seven, is something to give to people who have been in traumatic accidents... its embarrassing when Trump says that and when he did man, person, woman, camera, whatever he said to [former Fox anchor] Chris Wallace, Ms Tarlov said.

Mr Trump has mentioned the test several times in the past.

It was 30 or 35 questions. The first questions are very easy. The last questions are much more difficult, he told Fox News in 2020.

Youll go, person, woman, man, camera, TV, he added. They say, could you repeat that? ... So its, Person, woman, man, camera, TV. OK, thats very good. If you get it in order, you get extra points, he added.

In July of 2020, he told Fox News host Sean Hannity that I proved I was all there because I aced it.

He claimed that the doctors at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland told him, Thats an unbelievable thing. Rarely does anybody do what you just did.

The questions are similar to the questions on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Newsweek noted. The test screens for early signs of dementia.

Fourteen Republican members of the House called on President Joe Biden to take the test in June 2021. One of the signers of a letter arguing for the test was former White House physician Ronny Jackson, now a Texas House Republican representative.

During his time as the White House physician, Dr Jackson said in 2018 that Mr Trump had got a perfect score on a cognitive test, adding that there was no reason whatsoever to think the president has any issues whatsoever with his thought processes.

Dr Jackson was recently demoted by the US Navy following an inspector generals report finding that he drank and took drugs while working in the Trump White House, The Washington Post reported earlier this month.

The report found that Dr Jacksons overall course of conduct towards subordinates disparaged, belittled, bullied, and humiliated them, and fostered a negative work environment, and engaged in inappropriate conduct involving the use of alcohol.

Navy spokesperson Joe Keiley said: The substantiated allegations in the DoDIG [Department of Defense Office of Inspector General] investigation of Rear Adm (lower half) Ronny Jackson are not in keeping with the standards the Navy requires of its leaders and, as such, the Secretary of the Navy took administrative action in July 2022.
For a third time this week, Donald Trump went on an unhinged social media attack targeting the daughter of the judge in his upcoming hush money trial  this time calling her out by name.

Judge Juan Merchan is totally compromised, and should be removed from this TRUMP Non-Case immediately Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Thursday, adding that his daughter is a Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me, and yet he gagged me. Rolling Stone has withheld her name as she is not involved in the case.

Trumps post refers to the limited gag order granted by Judge Merchan on Tuesday, which prevents Trump from mentioning any investigators, jurors or witnesses involved in the case, including star witness and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen. However, Merchan and his family are not included in the order. The case, which stems from a grand jury indictment last year of 34 counts of falsifying business records, accuses Trump of covering up hush money payments made to former porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg requested the gag order in February, similar to gag orders granted against Trump in his real estate fraud lawsuit and defamation trial by writer E. Jean Carroll. An affidavit submitted with the request documented dozens of threats received by those involved in the hush money case since the indictment was first made last September.

Trumps rant about Merchans daughter continued, calling it a witch hunt motivated by bias.

She works for Crooked Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Adam Shifty Schiff, and other Radical Leftists who Campaign on Getting Trump, and fundraise off the Biden Indictments the post read.

Merchans daughter has served as an executive at Authentic Campaigns, a digital advertising firm that works with Adam Schiffs Senate campaign, and previously worked with President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris Senate committee.

The hush money case is weeks away from beginning jury selection on April 15 and is one of four criminal proceedings against the former president currently underway. Due to the Supreme Court taking up Trumps immunity request and delays affecting the Florida and Georgia cases, it appears likely to be the only one to begin trial before the general election in November.

More from Rolling Stone

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Just about everyone in the path of totality say theyre ready for the total solar eclipse and that includes agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol.

The border will remain open for the total solar eclipse and Customs agents are expecting higher traffic volumes with delays that are expected.

CBP has some tips for travelers  have your travel documents ready in place, check border wait times before you leave your home or wherever youre traveling from, travel in non-peak hours if you can and declare what you have.

Staff will be on hand to the best of their abilities to handle not only passenger cars that come across the bridge but also truck traffic.

Were going to certainly treat it like its a special event like we normally do, well certainly try to staff to the best of our capabilities in order to mitigate the wait times and travel times, said Supervisory program manager Giorgio Fuda of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

As an additional tip, although legal in Canada and in New York State, no marijuana of any quantity is allowed at the bridge crossings because marijuana is not recognized by the federal statute.

Agents say you should drive carefully as you cross for the actual eclipse because its expected to get darker for the celestial event. Customs agents say theyre working with local and federal partners to handle the eclipse on April 8.

Heres a full list of travel tips from CBP:

Travel Tips

Utilize the appropriate travel document. Passports, U.S. Passport Cards, Enhanced Drivers Licenses are a few of the approved documents. Obtain more information here: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). VWP travelers looking to enter the United States at land ports of entry are required to obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). If you arrive without a valid travel authorization, you will be permitted to withdraw your application for admission, return to Canada, and submit an ESTA application there. More information here: Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Check border wait times. Plan ahead. Give yourself extra time. Check traffic conditions at the border crossings within your region and select the crossing that is least congested. Travelers can download CBPs Border Wait Time app to their mobile devices to check crossing traffic conditions. Travelers can also obtain traffic conditions at www.cbp.gov/travel/advisories-wait-times. If possible, travel during non-peak travel times. Peak travel times generally tend to be between the hours of 10:00am and 6:00pm. If you are able, leaving the night before is one way to avoid peak traffic delays. Prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Have your travel documents in hand, roll down the vehicle windows and remove hats and sunglasses before entering the inspection area. Travelers are encouraged to visit the Know Before You Go section of the CBP web site. To avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of restricted or prohibited items, become educated prior to traveling, this includes agriculture products. Please visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel. Remember, marijuana remains illegal in the United States federally. Do not cross the border with any marijuana or marijuana products. Declare your goods. Travelers should declare all items being brought from abroad that will remain in the U.S. This includes gifts and Duty Free purchases. Food and plants. There are numerous agricultural restrictions on fruits, meats, and plants. Before bringing these items, check the CBP website on bringing agricultural products into the U.S. If you decide to take your chances and bring it with you, be certain to declare it, and be willing to surrender it if it turns out to be prohibited.

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
In this file photo, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the U.S. Congress by video to plead for support as his country is besieged by Russian forces. The video was shown at the U.S. Capitol on March 16, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (J. Scott Applewhite/Getty Images)

March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day in Idaho and across the nation. It is a time to recognize and appreciate those who served in that ill-fated war. As the day approached, Id experienced an increasingly ominous feeling about an even more disastrous conflict that is presently developing right before the eyes of the country. We simply cant afford the catastrophic national security impacts of allowing the countrys most dangerous adversary to win its genocidal war against our Ukrainian allies.

When I came home in August 1969, after serving over a year in the Vietnam War, I felt pride in my service, and for the favorable outcome I thought we had achieved for our South Vietnamese allies. That pride turned to absolute horror when the Communists took over South Vietnam on April 30, 1975. Ever since, it has been a constant source of anger and grief for me and a vast number of Vietnam veterans. The U.S. squandered 58,220 American lives in that war with nothing to show for it. Many thousands of our Vietnamese allies were slaughtered or brutally imprisoned for having sided with us.

I had no problem with the U.S. withdrawing from South Vietnam in 1973, but I fully expected we would honor the solemn promise that President Richard Nixon made to our South Vietnamese allies to continue providing adequate war supplies, as well as massive air support in the event of a full-scale Communist invasion. We flat failed in both regards. Many South Vietnamese units received little or no supplies of ammunition or other war materiel leading up to the fall of the country. We demonstrated to the world that siding with America was an iffy proposition.

It looks as if America is headed into an even more disastrous/national security debacle in Ukraine. Unless we immediately provide necessary support to the beleaguered Ukrainians, there may well be a Russian victory, resulting in a genocidal bloodbath of epic proportions. Every day the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives dithers about providing the promised aid, the more valiant Ukrainian soldiers are being killed, the more Ukrainian women are being raped and the more Ukrainian children are being kidnapped by Russian troops to be raised as Russians.

In Vietnam, the U.S. did not have such serious national security interests at stake as are under threat in Ukraine. That country is bleeding to save itself, but their sacrifice serves Americas vital interests, as well as those of our NATO allies.

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June 2022 in Kyiv. (Courtesy of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch)

Although Ive disagreed with U.S. Sen. Jim Risch on many issues over the years, Risch has it absolutely right on Ukraine. He understands that we must do everything possible to keep Russia from prevailing in this horrendous war. Hes taken a leadership role in the Senate to advocate for passage of a military aid package that is essential to Ukraines war effort, and to its very existence.

Sen. Risch has correctly pointed out that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, is not going to stop if he wins the war. If we end up in war with Russia, what were spending here is a drop in the bucket by comparison. The national security of the United States, the safety of the American people, the safety of Idahoans, depends not just on our army or weapons, or the people that operate them. It also depends upon the various defense agreements that we have around the world. If we abandon Ukraine and throw in the towelthere will be major consequences. Getting out of Ukraine, I believe, would set up the largest arms race that the planet has ever seen.

Risch fully understands the enormous risk that America will face if Ukraine falls to Putins Russia. Putin is intent on reconstituting the Soviet state, which Ronald Reagan branded as the Evil Empire. That empire provided substantial armaments to the North Vietnamese forces for the purpose of killing American troops. Most of our airmen were shot down by Soviet missiles. Russias allies prevailed in that conflict, but the stakes in the Ukraine war are substantially higher for the United States. We simply must prevail in this conflict. House Republicans must side either with the United States or with Putin. There is no safe middle ground. Those of us who served in Vietnam are watching to see who is willing to step forward to protect Americas vital interests.

The post The U.S. House must not permit a national security disaster in Ukraine appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
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)

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 Daily Montanan.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The University of Illinois Police Department sent out a Campus Safety Notice on Thursday regarding a recent sexual assault incident.

The incident happened the previous week on Friday, March 22, officials said. The case was reported to campus police on Thursday afternoon by a third party. The informant said the assault occurred at night outside the Animal Sciences Laboratory at 1207 West Gregory Drive in Urbana.

The UIPD said the victim is not affiliated with the university, and no additional details were provided to them.

UIPD officers provide safety, build relationships with Illini basketball during special protection assignment

Officials shared several tips and resources in response to the incident:

Though it is always the victims decision to report crime to the police, reporting is one of the most effective tools for preventing crime in the future. The university, community organizations and local law enforcement offer several reporting options.

If you notice a situation that seems unsafe for another person, intervene if its safe to do so or call for assistance.

Make sure that any sexual act is okay with your partner, and remember that consent is an active process, not the absence of no. Dont assume you know what another person wants.

While victims of sexual misconduct are never at fault for the violence they experienced, the risk of being targeted can be reduced by walking in groups, avoiding isolated or dark areas, and trusting your instincts. If a situation doesnt feel right, it probably isnt.

U of I Board of Trustees extends system presidents contract

If this incident raises concerns, the Student Assistance Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, the Emergency Dean Program also provides immediate assistance in emergency health or safety situations. Call 217-333-0050 to contact the SAC or the Emergency Dean. More information on these programs and others can be found at odos.illinois.edu/community-of-care.

The U of I also encourages students to step up and keep each other safe  even if there is a fear of legal or disciplinary consequences to the victim or themselves. See the U of Is Medical Amnesty and Survivor Protections for details.

More sexual assault resources and information can be found through At Illinois, We Care, Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services (RACES), and Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
A group of frustrated parents at UC Berkley have raised $40,000 to hire unarmed security guards to monitor city streets around the California campus after continued concerns of rising crime.

Parents and community members of SafeBears, a nonprofit organization started in 2022, raised $40,000 at the end of 2023 to launch a pilot program to implement security guards in the surrounding area of the California college.

SafeBears' pilot program was launched on March 6, the organization said in a release.

Six security guards from Streetplus, a private contractor, are patrolling five routes around the campus on foot and by bicycle from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily.

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SafeBears hired a crew of security guards to patrol UC Berkeley and the surrounding area at night for a few weeks, hoping it will spur the campus to action and start a similar program.

According to SafeBears website, organization leadership said that they worked with a private contractor on the final steps of the programs.

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The organization said that the private contractor worked on providing security service to crime-ridden areas like Oakland and San Francisco.

University of California, Berkeley entrance sign on the corner of Oxford Street and Center Street at Berkeley, Calif.

SafeBears said that the security guards will not be armed during their patrol, but will have radios to call the Berkeley Police Department if needed.

"Our Streetplus ambassadors will not carry pepper spray, batons, handcuffs, or any other defensive equipment," the website said.

PRINCETON GRAD, LGBTQ ACTIVIST WHO LED QUEER ALUMNI CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF CHILD PORN

"Their role is to provide a physical deterrence to any threats against students. If they encounter a situation they feel is escalating, they are equipped with radios and can call for other ambassadors to assist," the website said. "They also have a contact at Berkeley Police Department in the event the situation turns more serious."

The security guards will also be available to escort students to other areas if requested, SafeBears said.

UC Berkeley students walk through Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus April 17, 2007 in Berkeley, California.

A spokesperson from UC Berkeley raised concerns about the effort to Fox News Digital and noted the campus' own efforts to keep people safe.

"Hiring private security raises a number of concerns including the training and experience of individuals hired by such firms," the spokesperson warned. "Further, any security effort on the campus must be coordinated with UCPD, independent of the funding source."

The spokesperson contested that funding can best be used in other ways.

"We believe that university funds are better spent hiring more sworn or non-sworn UCPD officers for standard daily response efforts. Parents who want to donate funds toward additional campus security can do so via a university fund that has been established," the spokesperson wrote, "We do not believe that private security should take precedence over hiring sworn officers. In addition, a holistic approach to campus safety is required and is the most effective approach."

Fox News' Alexander Hall contributed to this report.





Original article source: UC Berkeley parents hire private security over lack of security on campus amid continue area crime
The French government has pledged to give ugly France a face lift by transforming rows of warehouse-style out-of-town shops blighting the edges of historic towns and cities.

Anyone who lives or goes on holiday in France will be well-acquainted with such zones commerciales, which have become eyesores and are accused of sucking the life out of town centres.

Since the creation of the first French hypermarket in 1963, around 1,500 of such zones have sprung up, sprawling over a surface area five times the size of Paris.

On Friday, the government said it had picked 74 zones that will receive a relatively modest 26m (22m) in funding to help transform them.

It said the idea is to create an impetus, with shopkeepers and property owners footing much of the bill adding that 11 of them are already in an advanced stage of transformation.

We have metropolises as well as medium-sized towns and even small towns of 3,000 inhabitants, said Olivia Gregoire, the minister for small and medium enterprises and tourism.

The overhaul could potentially result in the creation of 25,000 homes in a country with a dearth of housing, she added.

Commercial zones usually contain discount stores and a supermarket - PETER TITMUSS/ALAMY

These commercial zones usually contain a string of chain and discount stores and at least one supermarket, mainly in unattractive, shoe box-shaped buildings.

They have their own car parks and are generally within driving distance of the nearest town or major road. They are also typically cluttered with a thicket of signs, advertising billboards and roundabouts and are heavy on concrete and light on greenery.

After attracting other businesses like restaurants, cinemas and bowling alleys, they now account for almost 72 per cent of French peoples spending in shops compared to 15 per cent spent in town centres, according to Ms Gregoire, who launched a programme to transform them in September.

For 60 years, shopping centres have been the embodiment of mass consumption in a society of abundance. This model is obsolete, including from an environmental point of view, she told Le Parisien.

They are often unsightly, consume a lot of energy and show little concern for the environment.

She said the challenge is to reinvent them for the next 60 years with sites combining shops, housing, services, cultural activities and sports.

Moribund old town centres

Such commercial zones have come under attack in recent years by a group called Paysages de France (Landscapes of France), which runs an annual Ugly France Prize lavishing ironic accolades on towns considered as moche (ugly).

Last years winners included a shopping area near Chavelot in the Vosges, eastern France, which had an excess of banners that borders on abusive.

The entrance to Honfleur, renowned as a pretty Norman seaside town, was also among the winners. Tarpaulins, signs, banners, totems, flags, take your pick, it wrote.

Previous recipients have been stung into cleaning up their act, it insists.

Compared to moribund old town centres with abandoned shops, these shopping areas are the urban centres of the early 21st century, said sociologist Fabrice Raffin. People go there not just to shop but to hang out and eat ice cream.

To totally overhaul them risks denying an entire lifestyle, based on consumption and the car, often by people who take the metro and dont know about it, he told Le Monde.

The rhetoric and beliefs of an urban minority are seeking to discredit this means of consumption, but people care about it.

Improve, not remove

Ms Gregoire said the plan was not to remove but to improve them.

A dynamic commercial area in an urban setting could, she said, be made denser and make way for housing, while an area in commercial decline could be regenerated or used for industrial activity if it is located in a sparsely populated area.

France has made several attempts to tackle the spread of ugly peri-urban areas. In 2015, it enacted a bill outlawing billboards advertising services such as hotels, restaurants and service stations at the entrance of French towns and villages of under 10,000 residents.

Critics say it has made little difference and is hard to enforce.

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Martin Harris, the UK Ambassador to Ukraine, has stated that he was forced to go into shelter on Good Friday due to a massive Russian missile attack.

Source: Harris on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Harris stressed that on the eve of Easter, the Russian Federation is intensifying its vile attacks on Ukrainian cities and citizens.

Quote: "My Good Friday began in the bunker," he added.

Background: On the evening of 28 March, Russian forces launched UAVs into Ukrainian territory from multiple directions simultaneously. Around 04:00 on 29 March, it was reported that the Russians had also launched cruise missiles. The air-raid warning continued all night.

Ukrenergo, Ukraine's national energy company, stated that Russian forces have targeted energy facilities.

It was later reported that Ukraines air defence destroyed 84 aerial munitions out of the 99 Russia used to attack Ukraine on the night of 28-29 March.

In light of the Russian Federation's massive missile attack, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink emphasised the importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary assistance as soon as possible.

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In March, Russia launched its largest attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure in six months. Whats the current state of the Ukrainian power grid?

No country in the world has yet faced energy challenges like those Ukraine is dealing with. Therefore, the issue of energy stability and security is a priority in discussions about the future of the countrys energy industry. Although there was a decrease in the number of attacks on energy facilities this past heating season, it was merely a pause. In late March, Russia launched the largest missile attack on Ukraines energy sector in at least six months. Ukraines power grid is currently intact and stable, but the second wartime winter wasnt exactly smooth.

The main conclusions have been drawn now that the winter is over. Their discussion took place during the first Energy Security Talks and is included in the DiXi Group review, which covers open-source data on the state of each type of generation, distribution, and transmission networks. Ill cover key takeaways.

The renewable energy sector (RES) continues to develop

The overall trend, given the scale of Russian occupation, has a positive dynamic. Green generation facilities are currently the most distributed across Ukraine of all types of generation, which is an important condition for ensuring the stability of the power grid. Since the first days of the full-scale war, green generation has ensured the availability of electricity even for those consumers who would be otherwise left without it due to attacks on transmission lines.

More than 146 MW of wind and 500 MW of solar generation (together with domestic solar power plants (SPP)) were additionally introduced in 2023, representing an increase in Ukraines RES sector of more than 6% in two years.

In early 2024, the installed capacity of RES crossed the 10 GW mark, but about 2.5 GW, which is about 24% of the capacity, are in occupied territories, of which 5% were destroyed or damaged. Some 13% of SPPs and 70% of wind energy facilities are still under Russian occupation. The first de-occupied facility, namely the Tryfonivska SPP with a capacity of 10 MW, resumed operation last year. The Orivska and Dnistrovska wind power plants (WPP) were put into operation. This year, the Tylihulska WPP with a total capacity of 500 MW is to be expanded.

Ukraine has 36 WPPs with a total installed capacity of 1.9 GW, according to the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association. With the exception of one market participant, WPPs have entered the free market and have been selling electricity since October 2023. Ukraines wind energy industry is now attracting the attention of international investors interested in working in our market after the end of the war.

Nuclear and thermal generation performed at full capacity

More than 11 GW out of 17 GW of available thermal generation capacity was damaged or under occupation by late April 2023. As of the end of summer 2023, 24 power units were repaired or under repair. About 70% of the thermal power plants (TPP) had already been repaired, while another 30% of available capacities were completing their repair works. According to DTEK Energy [Ukraines largest power utility company] CEO, 1.4 GW of thermal generation was down at the end of last winter due to damage from missile attacks. At the same time, the company managed to restore 10 power units and recommission two more. The company invested almost UAH 4 billion ($101.9 million) in scheduled repairs across its power plants, with 26 being complete in 2023.

Due to the significant need for regulation in case of a shortage of electricity in the current autumn-winter period, TPP power units worked more hours in total than in previous periods. Of course, this led to a decrease in coal reserves, especially in December and January. Relatively warm weather made it possible to get through the winter steadily.

Nuclear generation remained stable. All power units in the Ukrainian-controlled territory worked through the winter. Last year, nine nuclear power units increased the supply of electricity by 12.8%, while the utilization rate of the installed capacity of reactor units reached 100%, according to Ukraines nuclear operator Energoatom.

The demand was covered by the entire available generation fleet

Weve had almost no power outages this winter. When they did occur, it was mostly due to damage related to attacks or weather conditions in December and January. Despite the loss of more than 17 GW of installed capacity, over two years of the full-scale war, all consumers, both household and industrial, were able to consume the required amount of electricity this season. Ukrenergo, Ukraines national grid operator, indicates theyve recorded an extremely high consumption since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, which was covered by the entire available generation fleet with some emergency imports [from the EU] during peak hours.

It was possible to balance the power grid thanks to hydroelectric power plants (HPP). Sufficiently high water levels made it possible to load HPPs to their maximum capacity.

According to Ukrainian hydropower operator Ukrhydroenergo, HPPs and pumped storage power plants were properly prepared for winter and had a total of 3.75 GW of capacity. Of them, about 2 GW could be in operation for a long time. Another 1 GW of capacity is expected to be restored in H1 2024. Thanks to high water levels in the Dnipro and Desna rivers, energy production at HPPs exceeded similar indicators in previous years.

Restoration and protection of energy facilities reached a new level

A significant challenge is the restoration of power transmission systems, as well as the provision of physical protection of energy facilities. Although the intensity of [Russian] attacks has decreased this winter, the enemy doesnt stop attacking energy facilities. We have a difficult security situation on all frontline areas, where we record damage almost every day. The situation at the [occupied] Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant also remains difficult.

Currently, Ukraines State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development implements a program for physical protection of energy facilities, which includes three layers of protection. Physical protection was installed on all types of power plants. The most valuable equipment, which ensures the facilities operation, was protected by gabions. Work is underway to install the second level of protection, namely anti-drone countermeasures. Construction of the third level of protection is expected to take place at 22 substations by late 2024.

The greatest achievement can be considered an unprecedented repair campaign when the Russians hit everything, except the nuclear power plants (NPP), last season. By winter, as planned, 1.7 GW were added to the power grid, and we had 2.2 GW at the end of it. Today its about 3 GW. According to DiXi Groups approximate estimates, the available capacity of transformers is more than 65% of the available capacity before the beginning of Russian attacks on energy facilities. In the summer of 2023, at the height of the summer repair campaign, Ukrenergo announced the restoration of 56 transformer units at substations with a total restoration plan of 63 units.

Restoration and ongoing repairs are also carried out at distribution networks. Those regional energy companies that are close to the front line are obviously facing the most difficult tasks. Often, significant destruction demands a complete network redesign. For example, an ambitious energy infrastructure renovation project is being implemented by Mykolaivoblenergo [Mykolyiv regional energy company], namely switching to the 20/0.4kV transformer class, which can be scaled to other regions.

Humanitarian assistance with energy equipment from our partners made a significant contribution to the repair campaign. The Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which has already received EUR 400 million ($432 million), helps to purchase the most critical equipment. The total amount of aid received and distributed is 14,000 tons, according to the Energy Ministry.

Given the fact that Russia resumed its terrorist attacks on the energy infrastructure in late March 2024, bolstering air defenses remains the priority for Ukraines energy sector. Without air defense around energy facilities, no repair and restoration work could guarantee energy security.

Integration with the EU power grid

The Ukrainian side is actively working on expanding Ukraines opportunities for importing and exporting electricity. Even now, the capacity of imports can reach 1.7 GW. The export capacity has also been increased to 550 MW since March. The increase in the export capacity limit took place on time, as we record growth in Ukraines energy exports to neighboring countries. This is another tool that helps keep the Ukrainian grid balanced.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Azerbaijan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have discussed opportunities for partnership within COP29, said Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov on X, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, the discussions were held within the framework of the meeting between Minister of Economy Mikhail Jabbarov and the UNDP Acting Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Alessandra Roccasalvo.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with the UN and its agencies.

Details were presented regarding Azerbaijan's economic development trends, accomplishments, efforts toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and initiatives for reintegrating liberated territories.

Alessandra Roccasalvo expressed contentment with the collaboration between the UN and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the significance of investment attraction for achieving the SDGs and development ventures across diverse sectors. She underscored the organization's preparedness to aid COP29.

The parties deliberated cooperation agenda items, encompassing sustainable development financing mechanisms, reconstruction of liberated territories, enhanced investments in energy efficiency initiatives, and potential collaboration within COP29.

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 7080,000 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 Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that 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.
A fake D-20 Howitzer (left) made of plywood and plastic. The real thing fires on Russian targets on the front line near Bakhmut - DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

Demand for fake weaponry has shot up as Ukrainian troops on the front line contend with increasing Russian strikes and dwindling supplies.

Mykhailo Roman, 32, an architect who produces dummy weapons out of plywood, metal and plastic drainpipe, said he has been working overtime in recent months.

The married father-of-one runs a small architecture firm in Vynohradiv, a village just 10 miles from the Hungarian border in south-west Ukraine that is largely untouched by the ravages of war.

By day, he mostly designs houses. But in his evenings, he has turned his skills to building a Potemkin army.

Tinkering away in a secret warehouse, the location of which he cannot disclose, Mr Roman and a group of volunteers build life-size models of missile launchers and artillery guns, designed to dupe Russia into wasting ammunition on destroying fake targets.

His team strives to make the models as realistic and cheap as possible. Everything lying around the workshop is used: foam blocks, used tyres, scrap wood, sheet metal and plastic tubes.

It comes as Ukraines top commander admitted that Russian forces fighting in eastern Ukraine have recently had six times more ammunition to fire than Kyivs troops.

Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said in his first interview since being appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian military last month: The enemy conducts dense artillery and mortar fire. Until a few days ago, the enemys advantage in terms of ammunition fired was about six to one.

He also said Ukrainian forces were learning to adapt and fight with limited ammunition and soldiers but that plans to recruit another 500,000 soldiers had been downgraded.

Over the past year, Mr Romans team has built more than 200 dummy Stugna anti-tank guided missile launchers and two D-20 howitzer artillery guns, which have been deployed across Ukraines front lines from Orikhiv in the south, to Donetsk and Lyman in the east, as well as Kharkiv and Sumy to the north.

The first imitation missile launcher took two months to design and cost about 3,000-4,000 hryvnia (60-80). Since then, he has fine-tuned the manufacturing process, knocking them out in a matter of days and slashing the price to just 1,000 hryvnia  a fraction of the estimated 790 cost of a Russian artillery shell.

A mock Stugna-P anti-tank missile. The real thing is trained on Russian targets - Roman Chop/AP

Mr Roman proudly posts footage on social media sent to him by Ukrainian troops of his replica weapons in action at the front.

In one video, a soldier can be heard saying: Look how the Russians strike, the morons, while demonstrating the damage caused to the decoys by a barrage of Russian shells. Twenty rounds per strike; $20,000 [15,850] for each Stugna made by you guys, he added.

Made up of three components  a tripod, a barrel and a computer  the dummy launchers are now produced in flat-pack form which soldiers can assemble in a matter of minutes. It can be sent by post  we deliver, Mr Roman said, cracking a wry smile.

Mykhailo Roman is pictured front right

The success of Mr Romans team is measured by the number of their decoy weapons that are destroyed. When they destroy them, it makes me want to build more, he said.

They also have a practical benefit, helping to direct Ukraines strikes. When Russian soldiers have destroyed these models, our military forces can see their positions and attack them, he said.

The spike in Mr Romans recent production comes amid reports of an acute shell shortage on the front line as a US package of aid worth an estimated $60 billion remains tied up in Congress.

Asked whether fake weaponry could provide a short-term solution to delays in Western aid, Mr Roman is clear in his response.

Exhaust the enemy

The main idea of these models is to exhaust the enemy and to see their position, he said. We need real weapons because we can win the war only with real weapons.

In recent weeks, he has received commissions to design more complex models, including a custom order for his most advanced project yet: a dummy Patriot missile system.

The US-made mobile surface-to-air missile defence system is considered one of the most advanced air defence systems in the world and is in huge demand in Ukraine.

The real thing costs around $1 billion, plus another $1billion or so for the software and the missiles.

Mr Roman says he can make a fake one for around $10,000. The hope is that it attracts the attention of Moscow and its $3million-a-pop Iskander cruise missiles.

The fake patriot will be placed a big distance from the front line so only Iskander will see it and could destroy it, he said.

He is also building a fake D-20 howitzer gun, replete with tractor wheels to deal with the boggy front-line terrain. It looks like a huge wagon on wheels, he said.

Based on photos and videos of the artillery gun taken on the front lines, Mr Romans imitation cost about 20,000 hryvnias and took his team of 20 carpenters, architects and builders two months to complete.

After delivering the first artillery gun to the front lines a couple of weeks ago, he received messages from five other units asking for their own versions. We are going to try to make it quicker, he said. We could do it in a week if needed.

On top of weapons, Mr Roman has also begun work on a fleet of imitation Starlink satellite terminals, recreating the white dishes that Kyiv relies on for internet connection to wage its drone war against Russias Black Sea fleet.

He plans for the decoy terminals to be positioned in the vicinity of a real terminal in order to confuse any surveillance or potential attacks.

Dummy weapons have been deployed in the theatre of war throughout human history, from the Trojan horse to decoy tanks made out of palm-fronds at El Alamein and Churchills construction of a fictitious D-Day landing fleet under Operation Fortitude South.

Fake arms race

In the Ukraine war, military deception has reached new heights amid reports of inflatable tanks, wooden Himars and Ukraine draping giant pictures of blown-up hangars on sheets over their airbases to dupe passing Russian pilots into thinking they have already been destroyed.

Mr Roman has been delivering aid to soldiers on Ukraines front lines since 2014, following Russias annexation of Crimea. It was during one of these excursions last year, when he saw front-line soldiers designing their own replica weapons out of scrap material, that he decided to try it out himself.

Over the past year, Mr Romans designs have spawned a fake arms race of sorts, in which the better Russian forces become at spotting his replicas, the more advanced his designs have become.

We are winning this race, he said. Because they have a lot of missiles, and they are using them, he said. They do not care about where to shoot them, so we are exhausting the enemy.

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Russian forces continue to assault Ukrainian positions near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, focusing on Chasiv Yar, Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the Achilles Battalion, told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on March 29.

According to Fedorenko, Chasiv Yar remains a strategically important settlement for Ukraine to hold.

"This is a dominant height," he said.

From Chasiv Yar, the enemy would be able to take control of Kostiantynivka and establish a bridgehead to assault Kostiantynivka and eventually reach Slovyansk.

Thus far, the Ukrainian military is holding back invading Russian troops in the area.

Read also: Ukrainian forces construct defenses near Chasiv Yar amid Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast  AFU spokesperson

Russian units are assaulting Ukrainian positions near Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka, Klishchiyivka and Andriyivka, trying to level the front line in Donetsk Oblast.

"Several months ago, the enemy occupied several streets on the outskirts of Ivanivka, but has not made any further advances," said Fedorenko.

At the moment, the enemy has not had any success, the Defense Forces have repelled all attacks.

deep state

Kyiv's forces repelled 13 attacks in near Chasiv Yar, Novyi, Klishchiyivka, Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast on March 28, according to Ukraine's General Staff.

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Consequences of the attack of the Russian Federation in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Ukraine is in immediate need of American assistance, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brick, said on X (Twitter) following Russias mass missile attack on March 29.

"All night, Russia has ruthlessly launched missiles & drones against Ukraines energy infrastructure," she wrote.

Russias barbaric effort to take the power out for millions of men, women, and children continues unchecked, the ambassador said.

"Our assistance is needed now," she added.

Read also: Two major power plants in western Ukraine nearly destroyed  DTEK

New Russian attack on Ukraine  What is Known?

Air raid alerts sounded across much of Ukraine overnight amid a new wave of Russian attacks.

Explosions were heard in the Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv oblasts, and Dnipro city.

Read also:

Russians also attacked the Chernivtsi Oblast. Air defense forces intercepted enemy missiles over the oblast overnight.

Ukrenergo reported that Russian forces heavily targeted energy facilities, damaging thermal and hydroelectric power stations in central and western Ukraine.

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Mykola Solskyi, Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine, has stated following the negotiations with his Polish colleagues that Ukraine has become two times closer to lifting the border blockade.

Source: Solskyi in the joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "Yesterday we were close to it. Some Polish farmers proposed that our organisations make a joint statement but others stood against it. This conversation was postponed. A broad discussion will be held in a month, and next week [it will take place] in a narrow format.

The most radical heads of Polish organisations are now having phone conversations, and we expect to meet with them in Ukraine

I think that as of today, we are definitely two times closer to unblocking our borders than yesterday morning, but we still have a [long] way to go."

Details: Solskyi stated that while preparing for the meeting, the Ukrainian side requested that the organisers of the protest actions on the Polish-Ukrainian border be present there.

At the meeting that lasted five hours it was decided to organise the meetings of associations to discuss separate groups of goods: sugar, juices, raspberries etc.

The issues concerning chicken meat and eggs were resolved.

Solskyi called the discussion about the transit of Ukrainian grain the most challenging.

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If you are ever a guest for an evening in a Ukrainian home, at some point you can probably expect a narrow bottle of sweet alcohol made from local fruits, known as nalivka, to be placed on the table.

While nalivka is traditionally home-made, in 2015 Ukraines largest restaurant group !Fest opened a bar in Lviv that focused solely on selling 17.5% cherry liquor and recreating an intimate homely experience on the cobbled streets of Lvivs old town.

Piana Vyshnia, or 'Drunken Cherry' in English, has since grown to be one of Ukraines most recognizable chains of bars, from Kharkiv in the east to Lviv in the west, which now has six bars. In the capital Kyiv there are eight.

Inside each bar, barrels of liquor line the walls and a soft red glow emanates from sculptural light fixtures. The drink is served from ornate stemmed glasses  the type that in a Ukrainian home may only be reserved for guests.

In March 2024, !Fest brought the ruby liquor to an entirely new market and opened a Piana Vyshnia in Londons Soho district.

Nestled between other pubs and restaurants, on the inside, the bar is practically identical to any Piana Vyshnia you would find in Ukraine.

Though this marks the first franchise opening in western Europe, Piana Vyshnia has experience in branching out beyond Ukraines borders. There are more than 20 franchises in nine countries in central and eastern Europe, most of which are in Poland.

London calling

One would think that amid an ongoing full-scale invasion, economic uncertainty would pose the biggest challenge for a Ukrainian company opening a franchise abroad.

For us, actually the tricky part was to find a location we could rent in the center of London, Taras Maselko, the head of PR for Piana Vyshnias owner !Fest, told the Kyiv Independent.

The opening of Piana Vyshnia in London, UK. (Piana Vyshnia / Instagram)

Piana Vyshnia had to compete with brands that were known in the U.K. and could offer landlords sums that were over the asking price. The process took around five months, Maselko said.

We are now thinking about opening also other businesses in London, but it's really, really hard to find a second location to rent.

Piana Vyshnia also faced the same challenges that Ukrainian brands often encounter when launching a brand in an entirely new market.

Non-Ukrainian customers don't know the traditions, they don't know the type of alcohol that Ukrainians drink, Maselko said. Some also might find Piana Vyshnia hard to pronounce, he said.

The company was therefore not surprised that around 80% of the customers seen in the first days after the opening in London were Ukrainian. One of these was Nika Krykun, a Ukrainian who lives in London.

It was very impressive to see a Ukrainian bar in Soho, Krykun told the Kyiv Independent.

She went to the opening with friends, but the queue to get in was so long, that the bar was closing by the time they reached the doors. The group bought four bottles of cherry liquor to take away instead.

I think the place is definitely going to be popular for Ukrainians based in London, but Im not quite sure about British people, Krykun said. The name of the brand is not translated from Ukrainian.

Cultural differences

Previous openings outside Ukraine have shown that over time, more locals tend to discover the bar, Maselko said, with Poland proving one of the most popular locations among non-Ukrainians.

Polish people are familiar with the drink and the brand, as before the full-scale invasion, Lviv was a popular destination for a city trip for Polish tourists, according to Maselko.

But in neighboring Romania, fewer locals caught on to the brand, partly because of different traditions of drinking homemade liquor and different cultural expectations surrounding drinking alcohol in public, Maselko said.

One key idea behind Piana Vyshnia is that the bar itself is relatively small and has limited seating, to encourage customers to spill out onto the street to continue drinking and talking with friends  something reflected in British pub culture.

Piana Vyshnia bars are always located on a street that is inviting, Maselko explained. There should be attractive architecture surrounding the bar and enough pavement space for customers.

Branching out

Piana Vyshnia hopes that the idea will catch on in Western Europe, which is ripe for the picking compared to the saturated market of Eastern Europe.

Despite the full-scale invasion, the brand is continuing to grow. According to Andriy Khudo, one of the co-owners of !Fest, Piana Vyshnia has its eye on Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the U.S., to name a few prospective countries.

Piana Vyshnia in Slovakia. (Piana Vyshnia / Facebook)

A wartime challenge was posed by the fact that Ukrainian men are largely barred from leaving the country, meaning that it was a quest for our Fest team to open a project remotely when part of the team is in Lviv, Khudo said on Facebook.

Nonetheless, the case of London shows that such a challenge is doable, Khudo said.

!Fest hopes that Piana Vyshnia will develop broader associations with the idea of a product being made in Ukraine, which for a long time was associated with heavy industry or cheap labor.

We want to show that Ukraine can produce both the brand itself and can create an entire product, Maselko said. Foreigners can try a quality product from Ukraine and be surprised.

During a full-scale invasion, there is also another factor in mind. Whether its producing a cherry liquor, Ukrainian food, or even book publishing, the aim for Ukrainian companies like Fest is also about spreading our culture around the globe.

Read also: Is it ok to have fun during war? We asked Ukrainians

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From March 13th to 15th, 2024, the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan hosted the launch of the B5+1 (Business 5+1) business forum, which brought together representatives from the private and public sectors of the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The initiative to establish a special business platform, emphasized in the New York Declaration, was announced by the Presidents of the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the C5+1 Summit held in September 2023. On November 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of State declared the opening of this business platform. The main goal of B5+1 is to strengthen economic cooperation and improve the facilitation of trade, transit, and investment procedures among the countries of Central Asia, as a continuation of the political dialogue between Washington and the five states of the region.

B5+1 is being implemented within the three-year Improving the Business Environment in Central Asia (IBECA) program, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the affiliated non-profit organization  the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. CIPEs mission is to strengthen democracy worldwide through private enterprise and market-oriented reforms. Over the past 40 years, CIPE has conducted more than 2,800 programs in 138 countries and has also developed business platforms such as B7 and B20.

During the B5+1 forum discussions, participants placed priority on economic security through promoting regional economic integration, implementing reforms, facilitating public-private dialogue, encouraging innovation, and attracting foreign investments to the member countries with the aim of dismantling trade barriers that hinder foreign investments and advancing the regional market.

At the conclusion of the forum, a communique was drafted, urging the governments and businesses of the C5+1 countries to unite efforts to position Central Asia as an attractive destination rather than merely a transit zone in global value chains. Five sectors were identified as particularly appealing to international investors and essential for the development of regional markets: transportation and logistics, e-commerce, tourism, green and renewable energy, and agribusiness.

The goal is to limit the influence of China and Russia in the region

The final communique states that the immediate priority is the establishment of a regional trade chamber to promote and advocate for economic integration. Conceptually, the United States acts as a leading intermediary between the Central Asian states to facilitate the acceleration of economic integration processes among the countries of the region through a strong public-private partnership. This was also emphasized by Samantha Power, the administrator of USAID, during the first Ministerial Meeting on Regional Interaction in the C5+1 format in October 2023: By taking real steps to reduce barriers in interregional and international trade, Central Asian countries will be able to gain tools to attract new investments to the region, find new markets for exports, and achieve income growth for farmers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized business owners. A week after the forum, on March 27, 2024 a meeting took place between Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. During the meeting, an agreement was reached to organize business missions from American regions to Uzbekistan.

The B5+1 strategy aims to organically strengthen American influence in the region through methods that are diametrically opposed to those used by Moscow and Beijing. This confirms the United States concern about the increasing dependence of Central Asian countries on economic partnerships with China and Russia. Nicholas Berliner, the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia and Central Asia at the National Security Council, emphasized the importance of the B5+1 forum as a catalyst for regional economic integration that extends beyond Central Asia.

According to Berliner, the volume of American investments in Central Asia is significant, with $1 billion directed to the region, specifically Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, in 2023. However, this does not negate the advantages enjoyed by Russian, Chinese, and even European competitors in terms of geographical proximity. In particular, based on bilateral trade in 2023, China and Russia were identified as Uzbekistans main trading partners with $13 billion and $9.8 billion, respectively, while the United States ranked only 13th with $657 million. The United States is only among the top 10 trading partners in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Unlike the Chinese and Russian mechanisms of interaction with Central Asian countries, the United States has identified the creation of a regional arbitration mechanism as another priority within the B5+1 framework. This mechanism would essentially serve as a centralized hub for resolving commercial disputes and attracting foreign investments. The communique states that reliable protection mechanisms will make the region more competitive in attracting investors internationally. Therefore, it is expected that the implementation of this initiative by a couple of Central Asian states will provide an impetus for expansion throughout the entire region. Several factors favor such projects, and not least among them is the desire of all regional governments to utilize cooperation with the United States in order to balance the sustained influence of Russia and China on their economy and overall security.

Diversification of transport and logistics links through Afghanistan and Azerbaijan

The organization of the B5+1 business forum is a logical continuation of the C5+1 dialogue on critical minerals. Ensuring secure supplies of mineral resources in the region requires diversification of transportation and logistics routes. According to Eric Hontz, the Director of the Center for Accountable Investment at CIPE, Central Asia is one of the least capitalized regions with an average income level in the world. One of the priorities of the United States in the region is their intention to invest in the development of terrestrial transportation infrastructure to connect Almaty, Bishkek, and Tashkent into a unified Central Asian Transport Circle. Forum participants also emphasized the importance of expanding regional connections through the Trans-Afghan and Trans-Caspian corridors, bypassing the Northern route through Russia.

Frederick Starr, the Founder and Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program, highlighted in his report that the most important strategic goal for all Central Asian countries now is to open a window to the South, to India and Southeast Asia. This requires railway and road connections through Afghanistan, which all Central Asian countries consider a top priority. During his visit to Afghanistan on March 12t, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, stated Uzbekistans intention to invest in the development of the Trans-Afghan Railway.

Director Rahim Oshakbayev from the TALAP Center for Applied Research believes that increasing transit from China to Europe via the Trans-Caspian corridor will allow the region to become a space for economic cooperation and advantageous investments for all countries, despite their differences. Meanwhile, F. Starr stated that Azerbaijan should be considered as part of Central Asia since the opening of the Central Asias window to the West cannot be achieved without the full integration of Azerbaijan in implementing this initiative. He called on American investors to invest in Central Asian projects with the perspective of Azerbaijans participation in these processes. In the absence of routes to India and Southeast Asia through Afghanistan, their only hope for liberation from economic dependence on Russia is participation in the Middle Corridor. Therefore, the joint communique also emphasizes the importance of signing and ratifying by all Central Asian countries an electronic commitment for fully paperless cargo transportation (e-CMR) and ensuring its implementation as a security and insurance system for transit goods.

In the final days of the forum, attention was also given to significant American interests in the human dimension. As a result of the forum, the parties agreed to create new subgroups to identify ways to improve the financial sector and expand women's entrepreneurship in the region. The B5+1 Forum has highlighted the vast economic opportunities within this dynamic region and set a course for increased foreign investment and access to regional and international markets, said Hontz. Lastly, it is worth noting that the organization of the Almaty B5+1 forum marked the institutionalization of the format. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have already expressed interest in hosting the forum next year.

Fazliddin Djamalov

Senior Research Fellow

Center for American Studies

Institute for Advanced International Studies (Uzbekistan)
Oleksii Danilov, the former Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), is being considered by the Presidents Office for the position of Ukraines new ambassador to Moldova.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the presidents team

Details: Danilov was offered a diplomatic post immediately after his dismissal from the Council, and consultations within the presidents team are currently underway.

Danilov is also considering this option.

Quote from Ukrainska Pravdas source: "Moldova is currently the most likely option."

Background: On 29 March, President Zelenskyy dismissed Marko Shevchenko as Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova. Shevchenko had been in the position since early 2020.

As he introduced the new Secretary of the Security and Defence Council, Zelenskyy said Danilov would continue his work in a different area  diplomacy.

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Rustem Umierov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, talked to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on 29 March and stressed the necessity of increasing the supply of air defence systems and missiles to Ukraine.

Source: Umierov on Facebook

Quote: "I have provided detailed information about recent Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

I have stressed the importance of supplying an increased quantity of air defence systems and missiles for them."

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Ukrainian forces have posted photos showing the aftermath of Russian missile wreckage crashing in the city of Odesa on 29 March.

Source: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South

Quote: "Even downed enemy hardware can cause substantial damage."

Background: On the afternoon of 29 March, Russian troops fired two Kh-59 guided missiles on Odesa, which Ukrainian forces shot down. However, three people were injured by fallen debris.

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on India to reconsider its traditionally close relationship with Russia during a visit to New Delhi.

"The co-operation between India and Russia is largely based on the Soviet legacy," Kuleba told Britain's Financial Times newspaper in comments from the Indian capital on Friday. "But this is not the legacy that will be kept for centuries; it is a legacy that is evaporating."

New Delhi has taken a neutral stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, does not support Western sanctions against Moscow and repeatedly promotes conflict resolution through dialogue. The world's most populous country with 1.4 billion inhabitants maintains good relations with Western nations and Russia.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, India has increased its imports of cheap oil from Russia - and is one of its largest customers. The country has also been purchasing a large proportion of its military equipment from Russia for a long time. However, India is increasingly trying to reduce its dependency in this respect, importing more from other countries or producing domestically.

Kuleba also told the Financial Times that India should be concerned about the closer relations between Russia and China. India has had extremely strained relations with neighbouring China since a deadly clash on their shared and heavily militarized border in the Himalayan mountains in 2020.

Kuleba also expressed interest in more trade between Ukraine and India. His country was looking to import heavy machinery from India, for example, he said.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have released remarkable footage demonstrating the successful interception and downing of a Russian attack drone in Odesa Oblast.

This action took place during a substantial Russian missile assault targeting the energy sector overnight, as shared on the Ukrainian military's Telegram channel on March 29.

The footage showcases the proficiency of Ukraine's mobile air defense units, which are specialized teams trained to counter drone threats.

"Mobile air defense groups are well-trained teams of military personnel dedicated to protecting our skies from drone incursions," stated the Ukrainian military in their post.

Read also: Russian missiles and drones leave six wounded, energy sector hit hard

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Three Ukrainian youngsters will be taking part in a week of traditional music in Ross-shire from the 1 April.

Feis Rois is welcoming the three, aged between eight and 10, from the Gergel Language School in Kyiv.

The Dingwall-based arts organisation is also holding three free community ceilidhs in Dingwall, Tain and Ullapool, alongside its annual music week of tuition and workshops for young people.

Feis Rois gives people of all ages access to traditional arts and Gaelic language.

This Easter young people have the opportunity to try traditional instruments such guitar, fiddle and tin flute, and also to learn Gaelic song.

More advanced players will get to work on playing together and song-writing.

Chief executive of Feis Rois, Fiona Dalgetty, said the link with Angela Gergel's language school in Kyev goes back to 2009.

"We are delighted that Angela is able to bring three young people over to the Feis for the first time since 2019," she said.

I spoke to Angela this week and things are obviously incredibly difficult again at the moment. They are travelling by train from Kyiv to Warsaw and coming from Warsaw to Inverness and they will arrive on Tuesday.

Its a big adventure and hopefully we can give them a really fun and happy experience, she added.

Related topics
Palestinians scramble to receive meals at the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip - MAHMOUD ISSA/AVALON

The worlds top court on Thursday ordered Israel to ensure urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza without delay, saying famine has set in.

The latest order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) comes as heavy street battles rage in besieged Gaza. A major medical charity said it hasnt seen any change since a UN 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.

Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but... famine is setting in, the Hague-based court said.

The US echoed the warnings on Friday that famine was likely already present in parts of northern Gaza.

A senior US State Department official told Reuters on the condition of anonymity: While we can say with confidence that famine is a significant risk in the south and centre but not present in the north, it is both a risk and quite possibly is present in at least some areas.

The war erupted after Hamass unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on Oct 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.

Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,552 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

At the ICJ, South Africa has charged that Israel is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza, an accusation strongly denied by Israel.

A child walks past a pile of household refuse in a street in Gaza - AFP

Pretoria dragged Israel before the court, saying it was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, and urged the court to order a ceasefire.

In a ruling in mid-January 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 in its defence that South Africa was engaged in an abusive exploitation of the courts procedures.

But the ICJs judges said on 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.

The fact that Palestinian deaths are not solely caused by bombardment and ground attacks, but also by disease and starvation, indicates a need to protect the groups right to exist, it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, street battles raged on 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.

On Monday, Washington allowed the UN Security Council to pass its first resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza by abstaining from the vote.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, charged that the step by the United States, which had vetoed previous similar demands, served to embolden Israels enemy Hamas.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the medical charity, said on Thursday there was no change on the ground since the Security Council resolution.

Christos Christou, MSFs international president, told AFP that what was needed was an immediate and lasting ceasefire, a halt to all attacks on medical installations and personnel, and unhindered humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Smoke rises during an Israeli strike in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City - 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 the strips 2.4 million people, eased only by occasional aid deliveries.

The UN has warned that famine is ever closer to becoming a reality in northern Gaza and said the health system is collapsing due to ongoing hostilities and access constraints.

Earlier this month a global authority on food security, backed by the United Nations, warned that famine was likely to occur by May in northern Gaza and could spread across the enclave by July.

Malnutrition and food insecurity have probably exceeded famine levels in Gazas north, and hunger-linked death rates were likely to do so soon, said the report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

The ICJ was set up to rule on disputes between states and while its judgments 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.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 29. The Astana International Forum (AIF) and the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) have signed a memorandum of cooperation, Trend reports via Akorda.

"The AIF and the BFA have signed the memorandum of cooperation as part of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's participation in the annual session of the Boao Forum for Asia," Akorda said.

Within the framework of the memorandum, the parties commit to working together to advance the global and regional agendas, as well as to support international initiatives that bolster multilateralism and common responsibility for creating a better world

Additionally, the AIF and BFA plan to hold a series of events under the common umbrella to unite the efforts of the two dialogue platforms.

To note, the BFA is held annually in the Chinese Hainan province. This year, the 23rd forum is themed Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities.

The AIF is a non-profit organization providing an international and regional communication platform. Previously known as the Astana Economic Forum, it has been organized by the government of Kazakhstan since 2008.

The upcoming Astana International Forum will take place on June 1314, 2024.

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A Russian victory in Ukraine would encourage Beijings aggression against Taiwan and further efforts to destabilize the United States, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in an interview with The New York Times on March 28.

The Taiwanese official explicitly said that internal political dynamics preventing the United States from its commitment to Ukraine only embolden authoritarian leaders around the world to engage in aggression against their neighbors.

"When people ask us if it is normal that the United States abandoned Ukraine, the answer is no, because the world is not black and white, even if you only look at one part of it at a time," said Wu .

"The world is interconnected."



Read also: Taiwan emerges as key supplier of machine tools to Russia, investigation shows

The minister said that if Russia manages to capture most of Ukraine and declare victory, "it will be seen as a victory for authoritarian states, because Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are now interconnected."

"Chinese officials think like this: "Okay, if Russia can do it, we can do it.", he added.

"That's why the U.S. resolve to support countries that suffer from authoritarian aggression is very important."



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has reacted to Russia's new attack on Ukraine on the night of 28-29 March that involved missiles and attack UAVs.

Source: Brink on social network X, European Pravda writes

Quote: "All night, Russia has ruthlessly launched missiles & drones against Ukraines energy infrastructure... Russias barbaric effort to take the power out for millions of men, women, and children continues unchecked."

Details: Brink stressed the need to provide Ukraine with the necessary assistance as soon as possible amid the massive Russian strikes. "Our assistance is needed now," she said.

Background:

Russian forces launched attack UAVs on the territory of Ukraine from multiple directions simultaneously on the evening of 28 March. At around 04:00, Ukraines Air Force reported that the Russians launched cruise missiles. An air-raid warning was in effect the whole night.

Earlier, following Russia's massive attacks on Ukraine, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on the West to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala.  The U.S. Army is evaluating additional 50-kilowatt platforms as it seeks to buy short-range air defense laser weapons, even as its initial four prototypes deploy in U.S. Central Commands area of operations, a service official told Defense News.

Three of the Armys Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense systems, or DE M-SHORAD, are in Iraq so the service can experiment with the capability in relevant operational environments. The fourth and last prototype will join the other three after getting some work done, said Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, the services Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office director.

All four will be downrange supporting our soldiers in the fight today, he said. What were giving up a little bit is our ability to learn how to integrate that capability into the maneuver force, so we have some work to do on the back end. Were still capturing data; [the Army Test and Evaluation Command] is downrange with us.

Additionally, the Army will learn from two other 50-kilowatt laser platforms while the first platoon-set of prototypes are away, he explained.

The Army had originally planned to finish the DE M-SHORAD prototyping effort and transition it to Program Executive Office Missiles and Space in 2023. That office had planned to run a competition for the program of record.

But Raschs office decided in 2022 that the directed-energy effort needed more time in development, and planned for a fiscal 2025 transfer instead.

The first prototypes consist of a 50-kilowatt laser from Raytheon on a Stryker combat vehicle. Kord Technologies is the lead integrator.

The two new 50-kilowatt platforms the Army will also evaluate, when they are arrive next year, are one option from Washington state-based nLight and another from Lockheed Martin, Rasch said. The designs are different, he added, so aspects like beam quality, affordability and reliability are also expected to differ.

The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office now plans to spend approximately two years to evaluate options before deciding on a way forward.

Weve got a few different designs, so well take the data from what weve received already, the data that we collect off these other two systems, and combine that together to tee up for the senior leaders, probably late 26, early 27 time frame, Rasch said.

We want to maintain competition, so it doesnt really help if we spent a lot of money and almost unfair if we kind of load the deck and we pass off a program decision to, say, PEO Missiles and Space, and it really isnt a decision; youve got one vendor whos viable, Rasch said. Competition makes everybody better.

While this effort means moving even slower, Rasch did say he would have loved to have had them all done and be programs of record, but we probably couldnt have afforded them all anyway. So this gives us a little time to really set up a better competitive space for that next phase affordability.

With the DE M-SHORAD systems downrange, he added, the Army will learn about lethality and reliability.

Weve tested these in labs for decades, Rasch said. Now were learning some new lessons on what happens when you operationalize these, when you put them in a really ugly, dirty environment that our soldiers put them in.

The Army is investing about $100 million a year as it prepares to make a recommendation to Army leadership on a strategy, he noted.

Right now, his office is evaluating 10-, 20-, 50- and 300-kilowatt options for a wide variety of threats and missions. The 300-kilowatt laser is designed for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability, which is a system that will use kinetic, laser and high-powered microwave weapons to destroy threats including rockets, artillery, mortars, drones and cruise missiles. The Army is to receive that laser weapon next year.

Not every laser capability we be at the range at the same time, but the service plans to collect data on power, lethality, affordability and reliability across directed-energy weapons through an integrated test campaign to inform senior leaders, Rasch said.

The process will help the service save some money from a testing perspective and, through operational assessments with the user, capture enough data to help the Army pin down the sweet spot for what it will need to counter threats in various environments, he explained.
Addison Pierre Maalouf, known on YouTube as YourFellowArab, was reportedly taken hostage in Haiti 24 hours after he arrived

A US YouTube star has reportedly been kidnapped after he ignored warnings to travel to Haiti in an attempt to interview a ruthless gang leader.

Addison Pierre Maalouf is understood to have headed to the Caribbean country earlier this month to film content for his social media channel YourFellowArab.

Mr Maalouf was planning to interview Jimmy Cherizier, the leader of the notorious G9 gang who was nicknamed Barbecue for killing his rivals by torching their homes while theyre inside.

But on March 14, 24 hours after he arrived in the county, Mr Maalouf and a Haitian colleague were kidnapped by members of the 400 Mawozo gang, according to local news outlet Haiti24.

Joseph Wilson, the gangs leader, is known as Lanmo San Jou, which means death has no appointed time.

Mr Maalouf is reportedly being held for a 475,000 ransom, of which 37,000 has been paid.

The US State Department would not confirm whether Mr Maalouf had been abducted but said it is aware of reports of the kidnapping of a US citizen in Haiti.

Were working on getting him out

Lalem, a fellow YouTuber, posted online on Thursday that his friend had been kidnapped.

Yes Arab has been kidnapped in Haiti and were working on getting him out, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He also shared what he claims is the last video Mr Maalouf had recorded before being abducted.

In the video, a topless Mr Maalouf says he had planned to travel to Port-au-Prince, the Haiti capital, but had to wait until the morning to make the six-hour car journey.

He said he had been approved to travel to the region but all it takes is one stupid gang member holding an AK-47 for one thing to go wrong.

Standing on a balcony overlooking a pool, Mr Maalouf said he was planning to take advantage of the deserted facilities.

How many times in your life are you the only person in an entire hotel because the countrys completely shut down, no one should be coming in and youre just a retarded YouTuber.

If I die, thanks for watching

Mr Maalouf, who previously interviewed a Mexican cartel leader, wrote on March 10 that he was going on another one of those trips.

If I die, thanks for watching what Ive put out, he posted.

Miles Routledge, another YouTuber, known as Lord Miles claimed he spoke directly with Mr Maalouf using his kidnappers phone.

He said his friend was being kept in a cage in a place on the eastern outskirts of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The State Department warns against all travel to Haiti where kidnapping is widespread and victims regularly include US citizens.

Victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings and US personnel are limited only to the confined area around the embassy and are prohibited from walking into Port-au-Prince.

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The U.S. government authorized $60 million in relief to Maryland for a bridge that collapsed in Baltimore after being struck by a cargo ship.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is giving funding for emergency work after the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by Dali, a 984-foot Singapore-flagged ship that lost power when attempting to leave the Baltimore Harbor.

These funds serve as a down payment toward initial costs, and additional Emergency Relief program funding will be made available as work continues, DOT said in a statement.

The funds will provide help as the state government works on the reconstruction and repair of the bridge.

The ship, which carried around 4,700 containers, hit the bridge in the early morning hours on Tuesday after losing propulsion. The incident left six people dead. The collapse of the bridge halted traffic in one of the busiest U.S. ports.

No one will ever forget the shocking images of a container vessel striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and the tragic loss of six people, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The federal emergency funds were releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress.

President Biden previously said the federal government will move heaven and earth to rebuild the bridge.

Federal officials told Maryland leaders that it could cost up to $2 billion to rebuild the bridge.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Battle heats up over proposed federal funding for Baltimore bridge

Bidens proposal to cover the cost of the project has drawn backlash from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, especially conservative spending hawks who already were dissatisfied with the recent passage of the spending package, which they argued had over-the-top spending.

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. This exemplifies the old slogan ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL!!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 29. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have simplified obtaining permits for road freight transportation, Trend reports, citing the Kazakh Transport Ministry.

Thus, from April 15, a joint order of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will come into force on the transfer to an electronic form of obtaining permits for the transportation of goods of the type "to/from third countries" for Kazakh carriers.

From March 28 to April 15 of this year, Uzbek permit forms of the type "to/from third countries" will be issued in paper form at the border, and from April 15 in electronic form also at the border.

As a result, this mechanism will allow carriers to simplify cargo transportation with Uzbekistan and eliminate speculation with places in the queue and the transfer of permit forms to third parties.

In addition, the ministry noted that a paper foreign permit form issued at the state border must be returned to the Transport Control Inspectorate at the place of registration of the carrier.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan is one of Kazakhstan's largest trading partners. The volume of trade turnover for 2023 reached the planned milestone of $4.4 billion. At the same time, Kazakhstans exports to Uzbekistan amounted to $3.1 billion, while imports from Uzbekistan - $1.3 billion.
Two years ago, the US government provided $7.5bn to create a national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. To date, seven have been built.

The money came from the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021, to build 500,000 EV chargers by 2030.

But despite concerns from some lawmakers, transport officials are confident that half a million will be publicly available by 2027, making EV charging as easy as finding a gas station.

The Federal Highway Administration told The Independent that the slow pace has been deliberate, to avoid costly mistakes while navigating a brand-new law and building a network from scratch. States are also getting to grips with rolling out an infrastructure that many have next to no experience in.

The Biden administration wants to cut Americas carbon footprint in half by 2030, and a sweeping shift from gas and diesel-powered cars to electric ones is very much part of the plan. Transportation is the USs largest source of emissions.

Mr Biden wants 50 per cent of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 - a big leap from their current 7.6 per cent share of the total US vehicle market. Earlier this month, his administration announced stricter emissions standards for passenger vehicles to help spur that transition.

But getting stranded without a charge remains a major hurdle for many potential EV buyers. About 80 per cent of respondents in a 2023 survey from AP-NORC and the University of Chicago cited concerns about a lack of charging stations as a reason not to buy electric.

Liam Sawyer charges his Ford Mustang Mach-E, earlier this month at an electric vehicle charging station in London, Ohio. The charging ports are key to the US transition to EVs but the US governments rollout has been slow (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The seven charging stations, with a total of 38 ports, had been delivered in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Hawaii by government funding.

Many more chargers are expected to come online this year, FHWA said. Some 33 states have either issued proposals or awarded contracts, and eight states have broken ground on projects.

The White House, Department of Transportation, and Department of Energy did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

As part of the US charging station rollout, $4.75bn is being distributed to states along with an additional $2.5bn through a competitive grant program for charging stations in rural areas and disadvantaged communities. Rural drivers face greater challenges finding EV chargers which tend to be clustered in urban areas.

The Biden administration has said that EV chargers have increased by 40 per cent since he took office and there are now 175,000 nationwide.

The government also hopes that the public-funded charging station rollout will spur the private sector as has been the case when it comes to renewable energy and battery storage. Companies including Walmart, Uber, Zipcar, and the National Automobile Dealers Association have promised to expand their charging networks.

However, still more will be needed, experts have said. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory at the US Department of Energy reported last year that the US will need 1.2 million public chargers by 2030 to support the massive increase in electric cars.
One year after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia and charged with espionage, journalists, news organizations and U.S. officials are marking the grim milestone by putting a spotlight on his detention and calling for his release.

Today we mark a painful anniversary: one year of American journalist Evan Gershkovichs wrongful detention in Russia, President Biden said in a statement Friday. Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter  risking his safety to shine the light of truth on Russias brutal aggression against Ukraine.

Shortly after his wholly unjust and illegal detention, he drafted a letter to his family from prison, writing: I am not losing hope. Biden added. As I have told Evans parents, I will never give up hope either. We will continue working every day to secure his release.

When was he arrested?

Evan Gershkovich is escorted out of court in Moscow in 2023. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

Gershkovich, 32, was arrested by the Kremlins Federal Security Service while on assignment in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on March 29, 2023, and charged with espionage  the first journalist to be arrested on such charges since the Cold War. Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and U.S. officials vehemently deny the allegation.

He has been held in Russias Lefortovo prison awaiting trial ever since. Earlier this week, a Russian court extended his pretrial detention until June 30. It is unclear when he will face trial.

U.S. considers him wrongly detained

Gershkovich, shown in February, has had his pretrial detention extended to June. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)

Gershkovich is one of two Americans in Russia who the U.S. has designated as wrongfully detained, a special status that requires the Biden administration to work for his release. The other, Paul Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive and former U.S. Marine from Michigan, has been held by Russia since 2018 and is serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges.

We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russias appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips, Biden said Friday. To Evan, to Paul Whelan and to all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad: We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring you home.

How the Wall Street Journal marked the anniversary

The Wall Street Journal printed a special front page on Friday in honor of Gershkovich with a large blank space below the headline, His Story Should Be Here.

Here is an early look at the front page of a special section wrapping today's Wall Street Journal https://t.co/kTxN0a0m6N pic.twitter.com/X8C54alCiH  The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 29, 2024

The paper also published a letter from his family.

This year has been unimaginable for our family in so many ways. It has felt like holding our breath, the family said. We have been living with a constant ache in our hearts thinking about Evan every moment of every day. We never anticipated this situation happening to our son and brother let alone a full year with no certainty or clear path forward. But despite this long battle, we are still standing strong.

Thank you so much to everyone who is continually fighting for Evan and continuing to keep him in their thoughts and prayers, the family added. We dont have words to truly convey how much it means to us. We will continue fighting for Evans freedom, whatever it takes.

U.S. was reportedly working on deal to free Gershkovich and Whelan before Navalnys death

Alexei Navalny makes a symbol of a heart during a court hearing in Moscow in 2021. (Moscow City Court via AP)

In 2022, the Biden administration was able to secure WNBA player Brittney Griners release from Russia in a prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer who had been serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that during an Oval Office meeting in February, Biden asked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to consider releasing Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin serving a life sentence for murder in Germany, in a prisoner exchange that would have included Gershkovich, Whelan and Alexei Navalany, who was popular in Germany and an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But according to the Wall Street Journal, just days after the Kremlin learned of the idea via a private intermediary, Navalny was dead.

A banner is displayed in support of Gershkovich prior to a Premier League soccer match in London in 2023. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Thumbnail photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters, Wall Street Journal
The U.S. military says it has shot down four drones launched by Yemens Houthi rebels that were targeting an American vessel and a Coalition warship in the Red Sea.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement Thursday that the attack was the second of its kind in the last two days.

"Between 6:00 and 10:56 p.m. (Sanaa time) on March 28, and for the second day in a row, United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen," it added. "These UAS were aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship and were engaged in self-defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships."

"It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region," CENTCOM also said. "These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels."

HEZBOLLAH FIRES HEAVY ROCKETS AT NORTHERN ISRAEL AFTER DEADLIEST DAY OF ISRAELI STRIKES ON LEBANON

People lift their rifles and chant slogans while participating in a protest staged in solidarity with Palestinians and Yemen's Houthi rebels in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 22.

The day before, CENTCOM said it "engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen" that were "aimed at a U.S. warship and engaged in self-defense over the Red Sea."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

YEMENS HOUTHIS HAVE A HYPERSONIC MISSILE, REPORT CLAIMS

A F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet is catapulted off the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea on Feb. 13. The Associated Press, citing a U.S. official, reports that the jets from the aircraft carrier struck Houthi underground storage facilities in Yemen last week.

The actions by the U.S. military come a week after CENTCOM said it carried out strikes against three Houthi underground storage facilities in Yemen.

The militant group has been launching attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war last October, disrupting shipping in the region.

"Illegal Houthi attacks have killed three mariners, sunk a commercial vessel lawfully transiting the Red Sea, disrupted humanitarian aid bound for Yemen, harmed Middle East economies, and caused environmental damage," according to CENTCOM.





Original article source: US military destroys 4 Houthi drones targeting American warship, coalition vessel
The US Treasury official told AFP that all of its sanctions contained "humanitarian exceptions" to allow individuals to pay for things like food and basic housing (Patrick BAZ)

The US Treasury Department pushed back on Friday against claims it had eased sanctions against West Bank settlers after pressure from Israel's finance minister.

The US recently sanctioned seven Israeli settlers and two farming outposts in the West Bank in response to a surge in violence, freezing their assets and preventing them from carrying out financial transactions with US banks and individuals.

Earlier this week, Israel's widely-read free Hebrew language daily Israel Hayom reported that the Biden administration had "dramatically" softened its sanctions against these individuals after pressure from Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich.

Simcha Rothman, an Israeli politician from Smotrich's ultranationalist Religious Zionism party, later shared a screenshot of the article on social media, congratulating Smotrich for pushing the US to understand that its sanctions had "crossed the line."

On Friday, the US Treasury Department published the letter it had sent to the Israeli authorities on Tuesday in response to questions from Israeli banks about "subsistence payments for persons sanctioned under this authority."

The letter said Israeli banks could still process transactions for sanctioned individuals "that are ordinarily incident and necessary to basic human needs or subsistence," as long as they did not involve "the U.S. financial system or U.S. persons."

This step, which was "consistent with Treasury's approach across multiple sanctions programs," included staples like food, healthcare, basic housing and taxes.

"Israeli banks would also not be exposed to sanctions risk for processing transactions for expenses essential for the survival of animals on farms that are blocked as a result of a designation of their owners," it added.

A Treasury spokesperson told AFP that the Biden administration still "fully intends to enforce" the sanctions, adding that "humanitarian exceptions" exist for all US sanctions programs.

At least 444 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

At least 17 Israeli soldiers and civilians died in attacks there over the same time period, according to the Israeli authorities.

da/tjj
The U.S. has dispatched eight Army and Navy vessels from Virginia to build a temporary pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The aim of this work: to supply food and other necessary items for Palestinians as the war between Israel and Hamas continues and the resulting humanitarian crisis worsens.

Even before Oct. 7, 2023, and the massacre by Hamas of Israeli citizens that sparked the war, about 80% of Palestinians in Gaza relied on foreign humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, including food. Now, the United Nations is warning that half of Palestinians in Gaza face famine within the next few months.

The new pier, which is expected to be operational sometime in May 2024, could help deliver 2 million meals a day to Gazas estimated 2.2 million residents.

A complex set of factors, including limited entryways into Gaza, Israeli restrictions on what enters Gaza, poor road conditions and security concerns, have resulted in aid groups being unable to deliver sufficient amounts of food to people in Gaza. Israel says it is not directly obstructing aid deliveries, but some critics  including South Africa, which is bringing a genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice  disagree.

The U.N. is pressing for Israel to approve food truck convoys run by the main U.N. aid agency supporting people in Gaza, known by the acronym UNRWA, which Israel announced on March 25, 2024, that it would no longer work with.

Feeding the entire population of Gaza would require a ninetyfold increase in daily deliveries of food by air drops and 500 daily trucks, instead of the dozen or so vehicles that enter Gaza each day.

As a former White House national security aide and former U.S. diplomat, I understand the internal workings of the civilian-military sides of constructing a pier and other projects like this during war. I also am aware of the security dimensions that accompany this kind of endeavor.

The temporary pier could offer a partial solution to averting famine in Gaza. But the operation also involves complex logistics, high costs and security risks.

A crowd of Palestinians waits to receive food distributed by a charity organization on March 27, 2024. Mahmoud Issa/Anadolu via Getty Images

How the floating pier works

About 1,000 U.S. soldiers will construct this temporary port, which will serve as a relay site for food that comes by ship from Cyprus, before the goods are ferried by water into Gaza.

No U.S. soldiers are expected to set foot in Gaza. Government contractors will reportedly be responsible for moving products by boat across the approximately 3 miles that will separate the pier from Gaza.

What will the finished project look like?

Imagine standing on a beach and there is a long plank that one can walk out from the shoreline of the beach over the water. This leads to a large, floating pier that is surrounded by boats.

The components of this Gaza project are similar: a floating pier, an 1,800-foot-long (549-meter-long) causeway attached to the shore, boats pulled up alongside to help with sorting and moving food, and barges to transport aid from the pier.

Large ships must be able to unload supplies onto the pier, including tons of food, water and medicine. Smaller boats will need to get the aid closer to the shore because Gaza has lost the functions of its port, and its waters are too shallow for large vessels. The new pier is the point between those two activities.

Not the first time the US has used this kind of operation

The Pentagon has erected temporary piers for decades, both for military support during wartime and emergency humanitarian assistance in times of conflict.

This work is done through a 30-year-old program that integrates the Navy and the Army. But as far back as World War II, the United States Allied forces landing on Normandy was aided by the construction of a floating dry dock pier.

During Operation Desert Storm in 1991  a military operation to oust Iraqi forces from Kuwait  the U.S. created a floating pier for military purposes because the Iraqis had mined Kuwaits port and the U.S. often resupplied troops on the ground via the sea.

Most often, floating piers are built to create a port after or during a crisis.

The U.S. built a floating pier in the Port-au-Prince Bay following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. This allowed them to get food and medicine to help humanitarian agencies that could not travel on badly damaged roads get food and medicine to civilians in need.

The U.S. military continues to build floating piers in training missions, like one it temporarily constructed off South Korea in 2015 to test cargo deliveries in the event of a crisis.

Palestinians rush to the coast after humanitarian air drops land in Gaza on March 25, 2024. Mahmoud Issa/Anadolu via Getty Images

Security risks persist

Security is of paramount concern with this type of construction during an active war.

The Biden administration has made clear from the start of the war that there would be no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza, but this mission brings troops dangerously close to the action.

Israeli officials have given the green light to Biden to pursue this operation, and there will be security checks of ships in Cyprus before they head to the port, which should quicken the unloading. Reports from unnamed defense officials say that Israeli soldiers will also surround the pier in an unspecified position to keep them safe.

But the pier could become a target for Hamas or other Iranian-backed proxy groups in Gaza or elsewhere that still have mortar, rockets, drones and other ways to harass or attack the ship.

It also could lead to stampedes for the aid. Twelve people drowned off Gazas northern coast trying to retrieve food from the Mediterranean Sea on March 26, 2024.

An unknown cost

Major military operations are expensive, and there is no exact, publicly available price tag for the Gaza pier project.

To me, there is a certain irony in the fact that Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid, including major weapons systems, and the U.S. is now spending money on building a pier in order to deliver aid to the very people that are harmed by this U.S. ally using those weapons.

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: Tara Sonenshine, Tufts University

Read more:



Tara Sonenshine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The U.S. Commerce Department sent letters to at least 20 American companies telling them to cease shipments of materials abroad that may end up in Russian weapons, a department official said on March 28.

Despite wide-reaching import bans and sanctions, the U.S. and its allies have struggled to prevent Western components from ending up in Russian weapons used to attack Ukraine. U.S. components have also been reportedly found in North Korean-made missiles launched at Ukraine.

As part of an effort to crack down on sanctions evasion, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order in December 2023 threatening that even companies that inadvertently did business with Russia could be sanctioned as well.

The Commerce Department's warning is similarly concerned with companies that do not appear to be deliberately providing Russia with military components.

The letters "requested that the American companies voluntarily stop shipping to these parties due to the high risk of transshipment to Russia," said Matthew Axelrod, a Commerce Department official.

Axelrod added that other government officials have been directly contacting companies whose products have previously been found in Russian weapons in order to assess what additional steps can be taken to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Axelrod did not specify which companies received the warnings nor what the potential consequences would be if the shipments continued.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 29. The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia (CAA) have agreed to continue and expand cooperation in flight safety and aviation security, Trend reports, referring to the AAK's statement.

"AAK experts, led by Deputy Director General for Aviation Safety Darkhan Espotanov, visited the CAA to consult on flight preparations to the United States. Following the visit, representatives from both organizations decided to further deepen and expand collaboration in the fields of flight safety and aviation security," the aviation administration said.

In addition, the parties exchanged experience in the field of state regulation of civil aviation and visited Chinggis Khaan International Airport during the meeting.

The experts also discussed the state of the civil aviation industry and analyzed the procedures for certification and supervision of flight safety and aviation safety in the operation of aircraft, maintaining airworthiness, licensing aviation personnel, and the aviation safety system at Chinggis Khaan International Airport.

"The Mongolian side expressed interest in modernizing the system of financing the activities of the regulator, the institute of AAK standardizers, and maintaining the qualifications of aviation inspectors," the AAK noted.

Furthermore, drawing from AAK's expertise, representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia sought insights into implementing a digital system for overseeing and monitoring flight safety, as well as managing violations and conducting risk assessments.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A Washington woman is suing Delta Airlines and an employee at the time after she was groped on a flight back from a Taylor Swift concert in March 2023.

Duane Brick, 53, pleaded guilty earlier this month to Abusive Sexual Contact in Federal Court.

Brick was a Delta employee at the time. He has since been fired.

Our client was already a bit of a nervous flier before this event. And after this event, well, she hasnt been on a plane since, said attorney Mark Lindquist.

Lindquist represents the then-24-year-old woman in this case.

On March 20, 2023, the victim was on her way back from a Taylor Swift concert in Phoenix on Delta Airlines Flight 1470 headed home to SEA Airport.

The lawsuit filed against the airline and then-Delta employee Brick explains that the woman was sitting in a window seat, and Brick was next to her in the middle.

The two of them chatted for a bit before she decided to take a nap

The older man [Brick] who sat next to her already smelled a little of alcohol. So, she put on her air pods, tuned him out and fell asleep on the plane. She wakes up and shes been sexually assaulted.

The lawsuit alleges the airline overserved Brick alcohol at the time.

In his guilty plea, Brick admitted he took the victims hand and placed it on his crotch for several minutes.

Then, he continued to grope the victim under her shirt while she was asleep.

Lindquist told KIRO 7 his client said she immediately froze. Brick then got up and went to the bathroom.

Leaving behind empty airline alcohol bottles and the victim turned to somebody sitting nearby. She said, so did you see that? And he did, Lindquist explained.

The victim and witness, who was sitting in the aisle seat, reported the sexual assault to flight attendants while Brick was gone.

When he returned, Brick was still allowed to sit next to her.

It took the flight attendants almost 15 minutes to move the perpetrator even after the victim and a witness had reported this sexual assault, Lindquist said.

The lawsuit alleges negligence, gross negligence and recklessness by the airline. The suit says the airlines Failed to properly train Deltas flight attendants on identifying, preventing, and responding to in-flight sexual assaults of passengers despite the foreseeable risk of harm.

The Port of Seattle has acknowledged the uptick in sexual assaults on planes and have advocated for more awareness.

In this case, Lindquist believes this couldve been prevented.

Airlines need to be aware of this, they need to train their people about this, and they need to react immediately when this happens.

Delta Airlines responded to KIRO 7 in a statement:

While Delta will decline to comment on pending litigation, Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will work with law enforcement entities to that end.

Brick is expected to be sentenced in June. He faces up to 2 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, recently visited our colleague, Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, at the Federal Security Services toughest prison in Moscow.

Gershkovich was in good health and remains in good spirits, the ambassador said, which was the best news from inside the political prison, as Russians call the FSBs investigative pre-trial detention site, Lefortovo.

Friday March 29 marks one whole year that the 32-year-old American reporter has spent behind bars awaiting his trial. On Tuesday, a Russian court extended his detentionfor a fifth timeby another three months.

Brian Stelter: Reporter Jailed in Russia and the Colleagues Trying to Free Him Are My Heroes of 2023

Since the time of Josef Stalins mass repressions, Russias secret police have broken the spirits of dissidents and foreign spies alike in Lefortovo.

Gershkovich is neither. He is a devoted and hardworking journalist. Even after hundreds of journalists had escaped Russia in the early days of Russias full-scale war in Ukraine, Gershkovich continued to report stories on the ground about the true situation with Russias economy, the Kremlins tensions with the United States, and Russias attacks on Ukraine.

All these topics took a lot of courage to report. As a professional journalist, he provided the readers with the usual watchdog service; he listened attentively to what authorities said, then went and checked. Collecting information and fact-checking is what journalists do.

Gershkovich is in Lefortovo for his journalistic work. That is a place where courage is really needed.

1251952735 Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appears in a court in Moscow court to appeal against the decision to keep him in a former KGB prison. Sefa Karacan/Getty Images

A defense lawyer for Paul Whelan, another American prisoner who spent his pre-trial detention at Lefortovo, once told me that every time he visited the prison, he felt physically sick and wanted to crawl in bed and stay under blankets: Its walls seem to scream of human pain, the lawyer said.

Personally, I have been feeling increasingly worried about Gershkovichs future, especially after Putin spoke with Tucker Carlson, who asked Putin to release the American as a sign of decency. Carlson indicated how important Gershkovich is to the U.S., that his arrest was huge news back home, where millions of people want him released immediately. Putin replied that he had already shown so many gestures of good will out of decency that I think we have run out of them.

This is wartime, when hundreds of thousands are dying. Decency is not being discussed. But even on the worst days of battle between Russia and Ukraine, prisoner exchanges have taken place and hundreds of prisoners were able to return home.

In the same interview with Carlson, Putin also said that an agreement could be reached, hinting that Gershkovich could be swapped for a Russian being held in a U.S.-allied country, as a result of liquidating a bandit.

Putins hints were clear enough. He was almost certainly referring to Vadim Krasikov, an FSB assassin important to Putin, who is serving a life sentence in Germany for killing a Chechen guerilla commander in Berlin in 2019.

2016891645 US ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy leaves the grounds of the Moscow City Court after a hearing to consider an appeal of US journalist Evan Gershkovich. Natalia Kolesnikova/Getty Images

Journalism is not a crime, of course, but Russias reality is different.

According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Twelve of the census global total of 17 non-local imprisoned journalists are held by Russia. The numbers are growing fast. Ukraine reported 25 of its reporters are held in Russian jails.

The Kremlin is building up a swapping fund: after Gershkovich, they arrested a U.S.-Russian citizen, Radio Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva, and other people to swap for Russias own prisoners around the world such as Krasikov but also those convicted of cyber crimes, a long-time Kremlin observer, Olga Bychkova, told me.

Parents of Slain Ukrainian Journalist Sue Fox News, Alleging Negligent Conduct

And recent news out of Russia has been horrific. Aleksey Navalny died from sudden death syndrome in another notorious Russian jail; a Russian pilot, Maksim Kuzminov, who had defected to Ukraine, was killed near Alicante in Spain. Russia arrested another U.S. citizen, 33-year-old Ksenia Karelina, for donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity.

A year ago, I asked the deputy head of the opposition Yabloko Party, Lev Shlosberg, if we should be worried. You should bethere are no options for swapping him yet, he said. Evan will remain in jail for as long as Putin wants; he will let him go when he wants, if he wants it.

This week, I called Evans closest friends in Berlin, where Evan was visiting shortly before his arrest last year. The stories I heard filled me with optimism, unexpectedly.

Evans friends reminded me of the healthy spirit of journalistic solidarity, of pure friends love, and bottomless optimismall the best qualities of Gershkovichs character.

Despite terrifying espionage-related charges, Evan shines smiles to us through the glass of his box in courtrooms. No words are needed.

Evans close friends were preparing to gather on Friday on the one-year anniversary of his time behind bars. And while the date is grim and solemn, they want to make it a celebration, as well. The hope is to bring some joy to their imprisoned friendtheyre each going to write a personal account about the party, so Evan could read and see the gathering from different angles.

We have grown much closer during this year corresponding with Evanwe try to support him but actually, he has been supporting us a great deal, Maria Borzunova, a 29-year-old Russian journalist exiled in Berlin told me. He thinks of each one of us, he sends us greetings with our birthdays and even organizes presents.

Something beautiful has bonded Gershkovich with journalists around the worldfrom warm Australia to windy Brighton beaches. I wrote letters to him and he answered, his notes were warm and fun; I try not to think of anything dark, when I think of Evan, Brighton-based reporter Victoria Silchenko shared with me.

1481737755 Journalists and members of the Independent Association of Publishers' Employees a rally to call for release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Of course there is also bitterness, and there is pain.

Yes, there are plenty of reasons to be worried, but we are all trying to do our best to tell the truth about Evan: he is a journalist, he did his job, Borzunova, who writes letters to Gershkovich every week, told me. A year has passed by, and we still do not understand why he is in prison and not with us in Berlin right now. Why did this whole year fall out of his life?

Polina Ivanova, one of Evans closest friends, has been campaigning for Evans freedom and supporting his family. She refuses to feel down.

Useful Idiots in America Are Helping to Spread Putins Lies About Moscow Terror Attack

We all have so many reasons to feel worried, she says. Its true, many of us feel utterly exhausted from the horrific and often hopeless stories we report. Ivanova cautions that Gershkovichs detention cant be directly compared to those of other prisoners in Russia.

Evan is our friend who we love very much we cannot see [him] in person right now, this is very hard, Ivanova told me on Tuesday. Evans real story and the conditions he is in are different from other cases: I know, I can see from the photographs, from the letters I receive, that Evan is strong and healthy, despite the isolation. I know how strong he is, but of course the longer this goes on, the longer he is far from his family and work, the harder it is to survive this. So we should keep writing stories about Evan.

Unlike many heartbreaking stories we report, this one is actually hopefulit is about decency, friendship, solidarity, love.

No matter how worried we are, we should not allow Evans story to turn into a routine one, we should keep our spirits up, believe that the work that is being done at the highest levels by the Wall Street Journals lawyers, by President Joe Bidens administration, by diplomats, and by our vast and well-organized journalistic community will eventually succeedand Evan will return home to his loved ones.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Fans at the Gem State Comic Con may have an opportunity to meet Sean Astin, the lifelong actor whose repertoire includes acclaimed roles like Samwise Gamgee, Rudy, Mikey in The Goonies, and Bob in Stranger Things, among many others.

The annual Gem State Comic Con will be at Expo Idaho on April 6 and 7. A press release on Thursday announced Astin will make a special appearance at the convention. Attendees will be able to meet the actor in person, take pictures and get autographs. Hell also host a panel titled Theres Some Good in This World, Mr. Frodo.

Astins appearance promises to be a highlight of the convention, offering fans a chance to engage with one of Hollywoods most beloved talents, states the Gem State Comic Con press release.

From a child actor to an award-winning fan favorite, Sean Astins repertoire is an impressive one. Hes starred in thrillers, heartwarming films, comedies and sci-fi. His primary roles with the highest Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes are:

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - 95% The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - 94% The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - 91% The War of the Roses - 83% Go West - 80% Staying Together - 80% Charming the Hearts of Men - 80% Where the Day Takes You - 80% The Goonies - 77% Rudy - 77%

Gem State Comic Con

What else can you expect at the largest pop culture event in Idaho?

There are panels hosted by Marie Westbrook, Clem So, Colin Baker and several others. Theyll also have autograph availability. A full list of panels and autograph options is available online. Dozens of vendors, organizations and exhibitors are scheduled to be at the convention as well.

Tickets are available for general admission and in family packs for four. Kids 12 and younger can attend for free with an accompanying ticketed adult. Pre-sale is open for autographs and photos.

Ticket prices:

General admission for both days: $25 online, $35 at the door

Family pack for both days: $75 online only

General admission for Saturday: $15 online, $20 at the door

Family pack for Saturday: $40 online only

General admission for Sunday: $10 online, $15 at the door

Family pack for Sunday: $35 online only
Mr Tusk (R) praised a change in mentality among European allies but said the next two years were critical [HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE]

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned Europe is in a "pre-war era" and Ukraine must not be defeated by Russia for the good of the whole continent.

He said war was "no longer a concept from the past", adding: "It's real and it started over two years ago."

His comments came after Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine's energy system on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week Moscow had "no aggressive intentions" towards Nato countries.

The idea that his country, which has one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals, would attack Poland, the Baltic states and the Czech Republic - which are all members of the Nato alliance unlike Ukraine - was "complete nonsense", he said.

However, he warned that if Ukraine used Western F-16 warplanes from airfields in other countries, they would become "legitimate targets, wherever they might be located".

After Russia launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, relations with the West reached their lowest ebb since the worst days of the Cold War.

Almost 100 missiles and drones were used in the latest Russian attack on Ukraine, leaving several regions experiencing partial blackouts.

It was the second attack of its kind - in which Russia fires a large number of weapons simultaneously to overwhelm Ukraine's defences - in the space of a week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the tactic "missile terror" and warned attacks on hydro-electric power plants could lead to a major environmental disaster.

Speaking to the BBC, the mayor of Kharkiv - where small businesses are relying on generators and industry is struggling amid blackouts - described the damage to the grid as "very serious" and said it could take two months to fully restore.

Appealing for urgent military aid for Ukraine, Mr Tusk warned the next two years of the war would decide everything, adding: "We are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War."

Mr Tusk (R) and Polish President Andrzej Duda held talks earlier this month with President Biden at the White House [EPA-EFE/Jakub Szymczuk/KPRP]

Delivering his stark intervention on European security, he pointed out Russia had attacked Kyiv with hypersonic missiles in daylight for the first time.

He said Mr Putin's attempt to blame Ukraine for the jihadist attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall without evidence showed the Russian president "evidently feels the need to justify increasingly violent attacks on civil targets in Ukraine".

Mr Tusk used his first interview with European media since returning to the office of Polish prime minister at the end of 2023 to urge leaders around the continent to bolster their defences.

He said Europe did not need to create "parallel structures to Nato" but the continent would be a more attractive partner to the US if it became more self-sufficient militarily, regardless of who wins America's November presidential election.

Poland now spends 4% of its economic output on defence, while other European nations have not yet achieved the Nato target of 2%.

Mr Tusk, a former president of the European Council, has warned Europe must be prepared for war before.

He revealed Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had asked fellow EU leaders to stop using the word "war" in their summit statements because people did not want to feel threatened.

Mr Tusk said he had replied that in his part of Europe, war was no longer an abstract idea, warning "literally any scenario is possible".

He continued: "I know it sounds devastating, especially to people of the younger generation, but we have to mentally get used to the arrival of a new era. The pre-war era."

When he was Polish prime minister for the first time, from 2007 to 2014, he said few other European leaders beyond Poland and the Baltic states realised Russia was a potential threat.

Mr Tusk was more optimistic about what he called a real revolution in mentality across Europe.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's newly appointed commander-in-chief Gen Oleksandr Syrskiy admitted in a rare interview that Russia was outgunning Ukrainian forces "about six to one" on the front line.

He said Ukraine had lost territory it would "undoubtedly have retained" had it been supplied with sufficient ammo and air defence system, and described the situation in some battle areas as "tense".

[BBC]

The latest warning from Poland's prime minister echoes what his neighbours in the Baltic states have been saying for some time; if Russia can get away with invading, occupying and annexing whole provinces in Ukraine then how long, they fear, before President Putin decides to launch a similar offensive against countries like theirs, that used to be part of Moscow's orbit?

Defence spending per capita is noticeably higher in the Nato countries bordering Russia than it is in Western Europe.

Vladimir Putin, who critics say has just "reappointed himself" to a fifth presidential term in a "sham election", has recently said he has no plans to attack a Nato country.

But Baltic leaders like Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas say Moscow's word cannot be trusted. In the days leading up to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed Western warnings of the imminent invasion as "propaganda" and "Western hyperbole".
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The Archdiocese of New York and New Yorks Very Own PIX11 have partnered to broadcast Easter Sunday Mass live from St. Patricks Cathedral.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan will lead the Easter Mass service.

PIX11 Specials

You can watch a livestream of the service in this story or at PIX11.com/live on Sunday, March 31, at 10 a.m. The service ends at 11:30 a.m.

You can also watch the Easter Mass service on the PIX11+ smart TV app.

PIX11 has also been broadcasting Christmas Midnight Mass from St. Patricks Cathedral in the tri-state area for over 40 years.

Lauren Cook is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City area for over a decade. She has been with PIX11 since 2020. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 29. The government of Kazakhstan is ready to act as a reliable investment partner for entrepreneurs, said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov following a meeting of the Council for Improving the Investment Climate in Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

"President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev always focuses special attention on the need to improve the country's investment climate. The government is ready to act as a reliable investment partner for everyone who comes to our country to conduct honest and open business. We intend to support the expansion of production, increased localization, and the implementation of new projects that are important for the country," he said.

Notably, during the meeting, it was noted that the government of Kazakhstan is carrying out systematic work to further improve the investment attractiveness of the country. A new tax code is currently being developed, within which a service administration model will be introduced. Thus, the taxpayer will be provided with fiscal assistance, from registration to deregistration.

It is expected that, as a result, tax reporting in the country will be reduced by 30 percent and the number of tax payments - by 20 percent. At the same time, effective incentives for business will be saved.

The Concept for the Protection and Development of Competition in Kazakhstan until 2026 is being implemented, according to which the government seeks to reduce the states share in the economy to 14 percent by 2025.

In addition, active work is underway to combat systemic corruption risks.

Meanwhile, the volume of investments in fixed capital in Kazakhstan amounted to 1.8 trillion tenge (about $4 billion) from January through February 2024. This is an increase of 7.9 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

As previously stated by the Minister of National Economy Nurlan Baybazarov, Kazakhstan plans to attract 22.1 trillion tenge (about $48.8 billion) of investments into fixed capital in 2024, which is 22 percent more than last year.

At the same time, within the framework of the Unified Pool of Investment Projects, the implementation of 234 projects worth 2.3 trillion tenge (about $5 billion) is expected.

Furthermore, last year, the volume of investments in fixed capital in Kazakhstan increased by 13.7 percent and amounted to $39.5 billion, while over the first nine months of 2023, $19.7 billion of foreign direct investment was attracted.

In addition, foreign trade turnover increased by 2.2 percent and amounted to $126 billion; the positive trade balance exceeded $16 billion.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE)  The 2024 Valley Business Awards is when the Fresno Chamber of Commerce honors those who show excellence in business in the community.

The special program recognizes business and business leaders who have had an impact on the community. It will also include those driving the local economy and the business leaders at the forefront of their industry.

You can watch the Valley Business Awards in the video player above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
With multiple contested races up and down the ballot in Delaware this year, make sure you know who is running before heading to the polls.

Delawares primary election will take place Sept. 10, which will help further shape contested races for federal, state and local positions, including governor, lieutenant governor and Delawares U.S. Senate seat.

The general election is Nov. 5.

As races take shape, stay up to date with us here at Delaware Online/The News Journal for a running list of all the respective candidates.

Familiar faces vie for New Castle County executive

Two familiar faces to New Castle County politics are vying for the county executive office.

Democrat Marcus Henry, son of former Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, and county council President Karen Hartley-Nagle are running for county executive in 2024.

Marcus Henry in 2015 when he was economic development and policy director for New Castle County.

Current county Executive Matt Meyer is running for Delawares governor.

Henry has over 20 years of experience in public service and has worked for the past three county executive administrations, including as the general manager of the county Department of Community Services under Meyer and a brief stint as the countys economic development director.

He has publicly stated his intention to bring transparency to the position and ensure that the county remains a safe and flourishing home for residents, and an attractive destination for visitors.

New Castle County Council President Karen Hartley-Nagle.

Hartley-Nagle has served as council president for the past six years, with two left in her current term.

She previously served as a board member of Delaware Common Cause and the Coalition for Open Government and was a member of the New Castle County Board of Adjustment. She has publicly stated that as county executive, her main focus would be on core services such as public safety, parks and recreation, libraries, land use and infrastructure.

Hartley-Nagle has come under scrutiny from her fellow council members in the past, and was under investigation for hostile work environment claims. As council president she has focused on uplifting the countys senior population and attracting business development to the area.

Val Gould pursues run for New Castle County Council president

Former policy analyst Val Gould, a New Jersey native and University of Delaware alum, announced intentions to run for county council president.

Gould currently teaches music at George Read Middle School. Before teaching, they worked as a legislative fellow for the State House Majority Caucus during the 2021 legislative session and as a policy analyst for the Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus during the 2023 legislative session.

Gould plans to run on the promises of advocating for sustainable development, creating more affordable housing and ensuring that land use decisions are designed to benefit historically neglected communities.

If elected, Gould would be the County Councils first queer and nonbinary member.

I hope to make my family, friends, community, coworkers and neighbors proud by leveraging my privilege to encourage responsible development and positive, impactful change for those who need it most, Gould said. I truly believe that, if we strive to uplift everyone, our communities and businesses will thrive.

Wilmington mayoral races take shape

Former city treasurer Velda Jones-Potter was the first to announce a run for Wilmington mayor in March 2023.

Velda Jones-Potter is running for Wilmington mayor in the 2024 election.

Jones-Potter unsuccessfully ran for the city seat in 2020, trailing incumbent Mayor Mike Purzycki by just over 1,000 votes in the Democratic Primary. Purzycki captured 42.9% of the total vote, compared to Jones-Potters 35.6%. Former City Councilmember Justen Wright also vied for the Democratic nomination, garnering 21.5% of the vote.

In October, Purzycki announced he would not seek a third term, citing his age and desire to spend more time with family. That opened the door for Delaware Gov. John Carney to consider a run for office.

Carney is unable to seek a third term as Delaware governor due to term limits. City mayor has a limit of three terms.

The governor has not said whether hes officially running for Wilmington mayor, but year-end campaign finance reports show Carneys mayoral campaign fundraising outpaced those of Jones-Potter.

The former city treasurers mayoral campaign touts a focus on making neighborhoods safer, empowering Wilmington residents and using city resources efficiently.

MORE: Carney expresses interest in Wilmington mayor after Purzycki announces he won't run in 2024

3 Democrats, Republican vying for Delaware governor

Three Democrats and a Republican are running in Delawares gubernatorial race.

Meyer, who has been county executive since 2016; Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, who has spent two decades in public office; and Collin OMara, a former Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary and current CEO of the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation, are all running on the Democratic line in September.

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long greets attendees at Gov. John Carney's State of the State Address at Legislative Hall in Dover, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The event was rescheduled from January after Carney fell ill.

OMara was the first democrat to file his candidacy in the race for governor on March 13. Meyer filed two weeks later. Hall-Long has yet to file her candidacy, but, if elected, she would be the states second female governor, following Ruth Ann Minner, who served in the early 2000s.

Former DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara has announced he is considering a run for Delaware governor in 2024. He served as DNREC's secretary from 2009 to 2014 before becoming CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, where he works.

Longtime police officer Jerrold Price is seeking the Republican nomination.

CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING: Meyer leads among Democratic gubernatorial candidates, raising over $675K in donations

Price is a retired New York Police Department officer, who moved to Delawares coast about 20 years ago and resides in Lewes. According to his campaign website, he later joined the Rehoboth Beach Police Department and has an extensive career in law enforcement.

Lewes resident Jerrold Price has filed to run for Delaware governor in 2024 on the Republican line.

Three spar for lieutenant governor

Three candidates familiar to Delaware politics are seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

State Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, who represents North Wilmington; state Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, who represents the city of Wilmington; and Debbie Harrington, a retired U. S. Army colonel and state Democratic Party vice-chair, are running for Delaware lieutenant governor.

Kyle Evans Gay is a state senator representing North Wilmington. She is running for Delaware lieutenant governor in 2024.

Gay was elected to the legislature in 2020, when she flipped a Republican-held seat. The senator worked as deputy attorney general in the Delaware Department of Justice before going into private practice. Her campaign video, which featured her two young daughters, focused on parenting.

The representative ran for the seat in 2016, coming second to now Lt. Gov. Hall-Long in the 2016 Democratic primary.

Delaware State Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker speaks with residents who have been displaced on North Adams Street Monday, May 16, 2022.

As Lt. Gov. I will continue to be a boots-on-the-ground advocate for all Delaware citizens, Dorsey Walker said in her announcement last year. My decision to announce on Juneteenth is symbolic of the advancements made by people of color, women, and those who seek the freedom that comes with change for the advancement of all mankind.

Harrington, a Middletown resident who served in the Army for 25 years, became an advocate for children with disabilities in her retirement. Her daughter is visually impaired.

Debbie Harrington is a retired Army colonel and longtime advocate for students with special needs. She is running for the 9th Representative District seat in the Delaware General Assembly.

Harrington has run unsuccessfully for other elected offices. She is a vice chair of the state Democratic Party, vice chair of the Middletown Police Advisory Board and part of Delaware State University's Board of Trustees, according to her website.

Dorsey Walker or Harrington could become the states first Black woman to serve in the role if elected.

Republican challenger enters U.S. Senate race

Wilmington resident and businessman Eric Hansen is the latest candidate for Delaware's soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Wilmington resident and businessman Eric Hansen is seeking the Republican nomination for Delaware's U.S. Senate seat.

Hansen, who built his career at Proctor and Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and Walmart, is seeking the Republican nomination for the post, which is being vacated by U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, a Democrat, who has decided to retire.

Lisa Blunt Rochester speaks during her US Senate campaign kickoff event at the Old Town Hall in Wilmington, Saturday, August 19, 2023. The Democratic Congresswoman has no primary opponent in the 2024 race.

Blunt Rochester, if elected, would become the first Black Delawarean and the first woman to represent The First State in the U.S. Senate  and possibly the fourth Black woman ever in the countrys history.

READ: Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware's sole congresswoman, will run to fill Carper's Senate seat

Blunt Rochester announced her intentions to run shortly after Carper announced his retirement plans in May last year. Carper publicly called on the congresswoman to run  admitting she probably should have done so years ago.

Dr. Mike Katz, an anesthesiologist and former Delaware state senator, has filed to run as an Independent in the U.S. Senate race. Katz, a former Democrat, created the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway Advisory Board, according to his campaign website, and helped restructure the Delaware Health Information Network.

Katz is running on a platform of dismantling partisan politics and what he calls "America's two party problem." If elected, Katz would be Delaware's first Independent U.S. Senator.

With candidates on three different party lines, they all will face off in the general election Nov. 5.

U.S. House race down to two Democrats, one Republican

The race for Delaware's at-large U.S. House of Representatives seat has narrowed down to three contenders, with two Democrats vying for a spot on the general election ballot.

Donyale Hall, a Dover resident, veteran and small business owner, is seeking the Republican nomination for Delaware's sole U.S. House of Representatives seat in 2024.

Republican Donyale Hall, a veteran, Dover resident and small business owner, is the sole Republican nominee running for the seat formerly held by Blunt Rochester, and is guaranteed a spot in the general election.

Hall, who is biracial, has run for political office before. She said she brings a unique perspective to the seat having served in the U.S. Air Force in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; being a survivor of domestic violence; and overall understanding others who feel as though they have been forgotten or overlooked.

Eugene Young, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, speaks at the grand opening of an affordable housing complex, the Quaker Arts apartment complex, in Wilmington on Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

The Democratic Primary has narrowed to two contenders after state treasurer Colleen Davis withdrew from the race in February, citing personal and family health concerns. She has since endorsed state Sen. Sarah McBride, who will face former Delaware State Housing Authority Director Eugene Young in the primary.

Young has been viewed as a rising star in Delaware politics for years. If elected, he would be the first Black man to represent Delaware in Washington, D.C.

State Treasurer Colleen Davis, left, talks with state Sen. Sarah McBride after endorsing McBride for U.S. representative March 4 in front of Legislative Hall in Dover. Davis ended her own campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. representative in February.

If McBride  the country's highest-ranking transgender elected official  were elected to the Congressional seat, she would become the first trans person elected to federal office, catapulting the already nationally known politician to an even bigger stage. She would also be the youngest elected official Delaware has sent to Washington since President Joe Bidens U.S. Senate win in 1972.

RELATED: Democratic primary for US House seat down to 2 candidates after Davis drops out

The race got slightly less crowded in February when state Treasurer Colleen Davis, who had intentions to run for the U.S. House seat, dropped out of the race due to health issues and family obligations.

First candidate enters Insurance Commissioner's race

Kayode Abegunde, a member of New Castle County's Financial Advisory Council, is the first candidate to officially file as a candidate in the insurance commissioner's race.

Kayode Abegunde, Democratic candidate for insurance commissioner.

Abegunde, a Democrat, previously lost in the primary to incumbent Trinidad Navarro, who has served in the role since 2016. The two will likely face off again in the primary, though Navarro has not yet filed his candidacy with the Department of Elections. In his announcement, Abegunde said would "bring more insurance products" to Delaware and provide more options to veterans.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Who's running for office in Delaware? 3-way race for US Senate set
Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

Ireland has become the latest nation to say it will intervene in the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in a reflection of the countrys long-standing position of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Ireland announced this week it would file its intervention, adding to growing international pressure on Benjamin Netanyahus government to dial back its devastating assault on Gaza and end severe restrictions on food aid pushing Palestinians toward famine.

In a speech on Wednesday, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said that both the Hamas October 7 attack in Israel and Israels war in Gaza represents the blatant violation of international law on a mass scale.

The case was brought to the ICJ by South Africa, and in an initial ruling in January, the court ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza, but stopped short of accusing it of genocide.

According to reports, Ireland is expected to include in its intervention the argument that Israels blocking of food aid to Gaza could be considered an act of genocide.

A shared colonial experience

Irelands position on the Israel-Hamas conflict has made it an outlier among European governments. Zoe Lawlor, who leads the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), said there was deep empathy and sympathy in Ireland with Palestinian people.

That solidarity is largely born out of a shared experience of subjugation by an occupying state. The island nation was under English and then British rule for more than 800 years, after Anglo-Norman invaders seized huge stretches of land from the native Irish in the 12th Century.

Ireland was Britains oldest colony, said Jane Ohlmeyer, a history professor at Trinity College Dublin, pointing out that Ireland was unlike other Western European states, many of which were themselves imperial powers.

But like Palestine, (Ireland) had direct and sustained experience of imperialism, she said. That shared colonial experience between the Irish and Palestinians has undoubtedly shaped how people from Ireland engage with post-colonial conflicts.

While under British control, Ireland was often subjected to violent and discriminatory rule from London, most infamously with the Great Potato Famine in the 1840s, during which roughly 1 million people are estimated to have died from hunger after the potato crop repeatedly failed. The failure of the British government to adequately help the starving population forced over 1 million more to emigrate.

Leo Varadkar, who recently resigned as prime minister of Ireland, alluded to that during St. Patricks Day commemorations at the White House this month, when he drew parallels between the Irish and Palestinian experiences.

Leaders often ask me why the Irish have such empathy for the Palestinian people. And the answer is simple: We see our history in their eyes, Varadkar said. A story of displacement, of dispossession, national identity questioned or denied, forced emigration, discrimination, and now, hunger.

Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, says Irish support comes from a history of shared experiences.

This historical background that the Irish people themselves endured they know exactly whats the meaning of occupation, colonization, oppression, dispossession, she told CNN. The Irish know how the Palestinians feel when now we reach this degree of hunger.

NGOs and top international human rights officials have warned that Israels restrictions on the entry of food aid will tip Gaza into famine. This month, the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, said the practice may amount to using starvation as a weapon of war.

After many failed attempts to regain its sovereignty, both violent and peaceful, Ireland was partitioned by the British in 1921. Part of the province of Ulster in the north of the island remained in the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland. The remaining territory left the union a year later, becoming known as the Irish Free State and later the Republic of Ireland.

Ohlmeyer contends that Ireland provided the template for partition in historic Palestine in 1948.

A man walks past graffiti reading 'Free Palestine', amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Dublin, Ireland, November 15. - Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

Both partitions were created largely along religious lines. Ulster was famously referred to as a Protestant state for a Protestant people after its inception in 1921. In 1917, the British government declared there should be a national home for the Jewish people within historic Palestine. The United Nations presented a plan in 1947 to partition the land between Arabs and Jews, which the Palestinians rejected.

Ronald Storrs, the first British governor of Jerusalem, described the plan for a Jewish homeland in Palestine as a little loyal Jewish Ulster in a sea of potentially hostile Arabism.

Decades later, it was the Israeli occupation of the remainder of historic Palestine from 1967 onward that consolidated Irish political and popular opinion behind the Palestinian cause, author and historian Sean Gannon told CNN.

During and after the 30 years of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, the Palestinians struggle for liberation was seen by its residents through the prism of their own conflict. Republican Irish nationalists, campaigning to split from the UK, generally sympathized with Palestinians. British loyalists and unionists in Northern Ireland typically sided with Israel.

In 1980, the Republic of Ireland became the first European Union member to declare a need for an independent Palestinian state and has since pushed for a two-state solution. The Irish government describes peace in the Middle East as a key foreign policy priority and blames Israeli policies for making peace more and more difficult to achieve.

Palestinians a domestic issue in Ireland

Ireland consistently criticized Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza before the Hamas attacks on October 7, and since then, politicians and the public have expressed concern over what has been largely viewed as a heavy-handed Israeli response.

Simon Harris, the countrys new prime minister, is unlikely to take a softer stance. Irelands youngest-ever leader highlighted the impact of the war on children in a speech to parliament in November, remarking: You cannot build peace on the mass graves of children.

Israel has not shied away from firing back at Ireland. Its heritage minister, Amihai Eliyahu, said in November that Palestinians in Gaza can go to Ireland or deserts, among other incendiary comments that Netanyahu has tried to distance himself from. In February, Israels ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, said in an interview with radio station Newstalk that she only heard a one-sided view, portraying Israel as the only villain.

When Emily Hand, an Irish-Israeli girl, was released by Hamas after being held hostage for 50 days, Varadkars subsequent post on X saying she had been lost caused an uproar in Israel.

The Irish ambassador was summoned to the Israeli foreign ministry, with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accusing Varadkar of losing his moral compass and needing a reality check.

Opposition parties in Ireland have taken an even stronger stance than the government, particularly Sinn Fein, a party that supports the reunification of Ireland and is active on both sides of the border. Its leader, Mary Lou McDonald, has said Gaza cannot become the graveyard of international law, and has at times called for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled.

Ireland is one of the few countries where Palestine and Palestinian issues on the conflict is very much a domestic political issue, Matt Carthy, Sinn Feins spokesperson on foreign affairs and defense, told CNN. There has been an amount of pressure being put on the Irish government to be in the first instance very strong in its rhetoric.

A galvanized population

Public support for the Palestinians has been put on display during nationwide demonstrations that have been held in cities and towns across Ireland since the Gaza war began.

Sometimes, in all the roads in all the cities, I see the Palestinian flag, said Abdalmajid, the ambassador. Its something that tells the Palestinians you are not alone in this world; there are other people in this world who know (how) youre suffering.

Lawlor, from the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, has participated in demonstrations for the past 25 weeks in either her home city of Limerick or the capital, Dublin.

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What were seeing in Gaza has really mobilized people to an extent I have never seen, she said. Were a population that also had a famine imposed on us by a colonizing power. So, I think thats very resonant with people here.

A January Amnesty International poll showed that 71% of people in Ireland believed Palestinians were living under an apartheid regime, while a poll in the Irish Times in Februrary showed 62% believed Israels attacks on Gaza were not justified.

For activists like Lawlor and the opposition Sinn Fein, the Irish governments intervention at the ICJ was long overdue.

Our experience of the peace process and our experience of the importance of international solidarity and interventions has made us acutely aware that this isnt something we can just sit back and watch on our TV screens, said Carthy.

I do not think it is appropriate that a country like Ireland would have diplomatic relations with the State of Israel as it would with other states that arent in gross violation of international law, he added. And I think it would be a meaningful measure that the Irish government could take to expel the Israeli ambassador until the onslaught on Gaza is ended.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 29. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and the US Senator from Montana, Steve Daines, discussed prospective projects in in the fields of energy, transportation, mining, and agriculture, Trend reports.

According to the press service of Kyrgyzstan, the senator arrived in the country on a working visit.

Both parties also discussed strengthening cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the US on international and regional issues, including counterterrorism efforts. Zhaparov emphasized that advancing political dialogue with the US is a priority in Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy.

He expressed confidence that the senator's visit to Kyrgyzstan would contribute to further strengthening relations between the two countries. The president highlighted the importance of expanding Kyrgyz-American inter-parliamentary cooperation.

In turn, Senator Daines emphasized the strategic importance of the Central Asian region and the significance of maintaining stability and security there.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the multifaceted dialogue between Kyrgyzstan and the US.

According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, trade turnover with the US amounted to $31.267 million in January 2024, which is 22.2 percent more than in the same month of 2023.
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

During a January meeting of the Northeast Johnson County Conservatives, Sheriff Calvin Hayden brought up climate change conspiracies, violent crime, affordable housing grants and communists.

His comments came after a question about what the sheriff will do to stand in the way of the Mid-America Regional Council, or MARC, the Kansas City regions metropolitan planning organization that has become increasingly controversial among some Johnson County conservatives.

Its a bunch of non-elected, appointed people. Theres some elected people on there, but they dont hold any power, dont wield any power at all, Hayden told the crowd of MARC, which is governed by 33 locally elected officials across the metro.

And their goal is regionalism. I want to be just like Kansas City, Missouri, stacking up bodies like they are at a rate thats never been seen before.

MARC, formed in 1972, is the Kansas City regions metropolitan planning organization, an entity required by the federal government in urban areas over a certain population size. Such organizations are required to coordinate decisions and delegate federal transportation funding across a metro region.

The nonprofit also acts as the coordinating body for area municipalities  a lesser-known entity that helps jurisdictions across state and county lines access funding for and organize public safety, health, economic and environmental planning efforts.

Notably, it oversees the regional 911 system, coordinates disaster planning, and assists municipalities in planning for and securing grant funding for transportation and environmental projects. This winter, for example, MARC facilitated a large-scale emergency response when patients at Liberty Hospital were moved to other facilities as its computer system went down due to a cyberattack.

While MARC is more widely viewed as an innocuous organization, a group of conservative Johnson County politicians and voters have been voicing growing concerns and skepticism about its reach  an increasingly common talking point this election year. Its climate resilience and affordable housing initiatives, for example, have partly fueled the opposition.

The agenda on MARC is very much a liberal agenda, Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte OHara told The Star. I think its a poor way of representation for the folks in this area. Regionalism is not my cup of tea.

Johnson County Republican Party Chairwoman Maria Holiday accused MARC of making financial and policy decisions without enough public input or oversight.

MARC appears to be both a shadow government and a shell game where tax dollars are concerned, she said in an email. The Republican Party supports smaller government and full transparency. MARC is neither.

Other Johnson County officials, as well as leaders of the organization, say the skepticism goes beyond reasonable scrutiny and is built on misinformation that some worry could hinder a key piece of regional collaboration. One elected official warned against building a fence around Johnson County.

MARC Executive Director David Warm said, simply trying to describe the reality of it: We are a mechanism that local governments have created and used because it is helpful to them to be more effective by working together.

There is more skepticism in every corner of the community when something is not understood. Because we are an intermediary, we are not as well understood, Warm said. I also believe there is probably some association with MARC with federal programs that people may or may not agree with. But I think the closer you can get to what is happening at MARC, the more you realize that it is your local leaders driving the agenda.

Johnson County Commission Chairman Mike Kelly, who serves on the MARC board as the countys top elected official, said he is, disappointed by the vocal minority of folks jeopardizing this opportunity for collaboration and trying to bring extreme politics into what otherwise is a positive, meaningful source of collaboration. I think the majority of people see it that way.

Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden

The technical support is important

At a commission meeting last month, a handful of residents came to voice concerns about a new transportation study aimed at evaluating infrastructure improvements to facilitate the expansive industrial growth coming to western Johnson County.

They asked why unincorporated townships werent being brought in during this early phase of the study, which is a joint effort among Johnson and Douglas counties, as well as several cities. They asked when the public would get a chance to weigh in on potential road changes.

And they asked why MARC was involved.

MARC has no business influencing our land decisions in our counties and our cities. Elected officials from the counties and townships and cities within the study areas should be relying on their own information and not on information from MARC, Gaylene Vanhorn, a Lenexa resident, told the commission.

OHara jumped in, saying rural residents should have a seat at the table, rather than MARC.

And MARCs at the table because of federal funding, thats why theyre there. Theyre the conduit for the federal bucks to come into this area.

Because MARC oversees transportation planning and federal funding for the region, Warm said it provides expertise and support for municipalities undergoing such studies. Local governments, he emphasized, remain in control of policy decisions and community priorities.

Warm said MARC is involved in Johnson Countys western transportation study, for example, because it involves multiple municipalities. He said it will provide data, such as traffic modeling, based on long-term population and job projections in the region.

The county and cities are in charge of what the decision is and what the land uses are. But we help them figure out what road configurations move traffic in the most effective way, so that it is well-coordinated and planned, Warm said. That technical support is important in making sure that when theres money that cities spend, or developers spend, or the federal government spends, its spent in a way that creates a system that is connected.

The nonprofit manages a massive data hub, pulling information from the U.S. Census, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, area hospitals, emergency management systems and geographic mapping, to compile reports on the state of the Kansas City region and inform long-term planning.

If youre trying to figure out how many roads you need and where they should go, you need a lot of data about whats on the ground: Where people are trying to travel, where the growth is occurring, where building permits are being issued, Warm said. We help to coordinate that with all counties and the states in the metro area so everybody has access to the same information.

Kelly said that support is especially helpful for smaller city governments  such as in De Soto, which is getting the $4 billion Panasonic battery plant thats a catalyst for the study  that would struggle to afford such resources on their own.

Cant arbitrarily put walls up

Some of the public speakers at last months commission meeting repeated the same language, asking why MARC, a nonprofit, non-governmental, un-elected body was involved in the study.

Similar phrasing was echoed by Hayden in January, and has been repeated across Johnson County in the past few years, including by state Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, who in a Facebook post previously called MARC a group of non-elected unaccountable people.

MARCs governing board is made up of elected officials who serve in each of the areas nine counties and dozens of cities. Top elected officials, including commission chairs and mayors of the largest cities, automatically serve on the board. City councils and county commissions appoint members from their boards to serve as well.

This is a board of elected officials that comes together and convenes to discuss regional opportunities and to address regional challenges, Kelly said. We cant put our head in the sand and expect that Johnson County would be the same success story that it is by not having a keen understanding of whats going on in our neighboring jurisdictions.

They are non-elected, OHara said. I know its the electeds who are on that board, but its not really talked about.

Twenty years ago, some of my friends started talking about it, and I realized I didnt know anything about MARC. Therein lies the problem, she said. No one knows anything about MARC. Few people know about whats going on at the county or city level. Then you add another layer of bureaucracy they dont even vote on and folks dont even know it exists.

She argued against the regional approach, saying it hasnt served municipalities including Kansas City with, their crime rate just skyrocketing, especially murders.

Kelly countered that its necessary to work alongside the rest of the metro region, and that we cant just arbitrarily put walls up.

Our ability to collaborate and share best practices with other jurisdictions makes everyone stronger, he said. I dont know about the fear mongering that comes out about our adjacent jurisdictions, but without a true understanding of what MARC does, its pretty easy to throw stones.

Conspiracies and skepticism

Johnson County Commissioner Janee Hanzlick, incoming MARC board chair, said she occasionally receives emails from constituents with concerns about the organization.

She couldnt pinpoint when the comments started coming in more frequently, but said misinformation about the organization rears its ugly head often enough.

The pandemic resulted in MARC being a more commonly known name, as it provided daily reports on hospitalizations and illnesses, combining data from area health departments and hospitals. Elected officials used the data to make contentious decisions on mask mandates and health orders.

It was a controversial time. Local leaders had to make some controversial decisions, Warm said. We were able to support them by getting information and insight so they could make decisions.

Conservatives skepticism around MARC has stuck around, including since the organization has coordinated affordable housing efforts, plus supported Kansas Citys climate protection and resilience plan, which includes goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving sustainability in a variety of ways. MARC has secured grant funding and helped coordinate several environmental initiatives.

Thompson, a former meteorologist, in his Facebook post at the time, called it a Marxist plan and that is the final link in the chain of your enslavement.

Hayden, responding to a question about MARC at the event in January, falsely called climate change your next big conspiracy theory.

God controls this Earth, he said.

We have people of all political stripes on the MARC board, Hanzlick said. That doesnt mean we dont have differences of opinion, but it is extremely rare that we dont have support for these climate-related actions.

She pushed back against the opposition toward taking a regional approach on such issues. And she encouraged residents to attend the boards public meetings.

There are times where I may not agree with something because I look at it from the point of view of Johnson County. But I also look at whats going to be best for the region. Its not an either/or, she said. I dont believe that we should put a fence around Johnson County and only worry about ourselves. I think we can work with the rest of the metro. We have to.

Warm said the opposition comes up from time to time, and he wouldnt attribute criticism about the regional approach to those in Johnson County alone.

But he emphasized the organization is federally required, and if it didnt exist, another one would be created.
A Ukrainian soldier said he was tortured by Russian separatists and forced to undergo an exorcism.

Viktor Cherniiavskyi said he was targeted because he was an evangelical Christian.

Some on the US Christian right have ironically shown support for Russia.

A Ukrainian soldier said he was tortured by Russian separatists and forced to undergo an exorcism , partly because of his evangelical Christian faith.

Viktor Cherniiavskyi is now a first-person view (FPV) drone pilot, but he said he was a chaplain to evangelical Christians in the Ukrainian army in 2014 when Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula.

While serving as a volunteer in the city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, Cherniiavskyi said he was captured by Russian-aligned forces.

During his 25 days of captivity, Cherniiavskyi said he was held in a basement cell in a prison in Luhansk, where he said he was beaten with a baseball bat, had unloaded pistols shot at his head, and was repeatedly Tasered.

When his captors became aware of his evangelical faith, a Russian Orthodox priest from Moscow was called to carry out a form of exorcism on him, he told Business Insider.

"When the priest tried to cast demons out of me, he gave me two reasons: First, because of my 'black eyes.' Second, because I'm an evangelical Christian. Crossing his hands, he pushed me to kiss the crucifix," Cherniiavskyi said.

He added that the Kremlin had a particular hatred of Protestants and evangelical Christians and that Moscow saw anyone affiliated with US churches as "foreign agents."

By contrast, some on the US Christian right have ironically shown support for Russia as they see Russian President Vladimir Putin's country as an ally in a global culture war.

"Whose side is God on now?"

Christian evangelicals in South Carolina, in 2016. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Some Christian conservatives have embraced Russia's staunchly traditionalist views on family, sexuality, and gender  to the extent that when Russia launched its invasion of Crimea in 2014, former presidential advisor and paleoconservative Pat Buchanan asked a simple question in a post on Townhall: "Whose side is God on now?"

Buchanan went on to highlight his admiration for the way Putin apparently upheld Christian values.

"In the culture war for the future of mankind, Putin is planting Russia's flag firmly on the side of traditional Christianity," he wrote.

US conservative evangelicals have forged symbolic bonds with the Russian Orthodox Church, drawn to Russia's religious traditionalism and white nationalism, the Boston Review reported.

In spite of such links, the Kremlin has not reciprocated any fondness for US Christian denominations.

Ukraine's religious pluralism is under threat, experts say

A destroyed church dome, Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, southeastern Ukraine, March 20, 2024. Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

A report by the Atlantic Council said that Russia's occupation of parts of Ukraine was threatening Ukraine's religious pluralism.

Russia has banned certain religious groups, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, for example.

Earlier this year, a Russian court sentenced nine Jehovah's Witnesses to substantial prison terms for "extremism," adding to a series of jailings and interrogations of believers since the ban was introduced in 2017, Reuters reported.

Religious sites have also been targeted since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as Putin's forces have sought to eradicate Ukrainian culture.

Some of the roughly 30,000 books in the library of the Protestant Tavriski Christian Institute in Kherson were looted and thrown in the trash, per local reports.

In a video testimony, Pastor Dmitry Bodyu of the Word of Life Church in Melitopol, occupied by Putin's forces in the first weeks of the war, added, "The Russian military seized our church building. I was imprisoned and told that I would soon be killed. For local evangelical believers under Russian occupation, a deadly threat remains."

Bodyu told NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth that his Russian captors thought he was a spy, which is seemingly a common occurrence.

Rev. Mykhailo Brytsyn, pastor of the Grace Church of Evangelical Christians Melitopol, told a summit International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington DC in February: "Most priests and pastors like me have been threatened, intimidated, humiliated, detained, beaten and deported," Pastor Brytsyn said per The Christian Post. "Some priests and believers are still in Russian prisons today. Some of them were killed."

The Kyiv-based Institute for Religious Freedom (IRF) said that as of October 18, at least 660 religious sites had been damaged or looted during the invasion, adding that at least 206 of those sites were evangelical churches.

"In reality, Russian society, and the Kremlin, to be more precise, hates any type of Christian denomination, bar the Orthodox Church," Cherniiavskyi said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
If the wolf sighting is confirmed, it would be the first wolf spotted in Nevada since 2017. A pack hasnt been spotted in Nevada since 1922. (Eric Cole/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

State wildlife managers reported a possible wolf pack sighting in Nevada for the first time in over 100 years on Wednesday.

Last week, a helicopter crew conducting an aerial moose survey spotted three suspected wolves traveling together in northeast Nevada near Merritt Mountain, north of Elko. State wildlife biologists are now working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to confirm the sighting.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife observed three suspected wolves, but we have not officially confirmed the sighting yet. We continue to investigate to learn more about the animals, said Ashley Zeme, the public information officer for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Fresh tracks in the area were consistent with wolves, according to state biologists, who conducted ground surveys immediately after the sighting. Those tracks led in the direction of the Idaho border, before disappearing in broken snow conditions. Within the next few months, DNA testing from two scat and hair samples collected in the area will definitively confirm whether or not the pack sighted were indeed wolves, according to Nevada Department of Wildlife.

A single gray wolf was documented in Nevada west of the Black Rock Desert in 2016. Before then, the last confirmed Nevada sighting of a wolf was in 1922, near Elko Countys Gold Creek.

We are doing all we can to gather information regarding this sighting, said Nevada Department of Wildlife Director Alan Jenne. 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.

Border states gray wolf populations are higher than Nevadas

Its unclear what species of wolf the Nevada pack may be, but theyre likely gray wolves, which are native to the region.

While Nevada has seen few confirmed wolf sightings in the last century, surrounding states have significant growing gray wolf populations. Idahos gray wolf population was estimated at 1,337 wolves in 2022, 37% higher than the original recovery goal for the animals, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2023 reported about 200 gray wolves in nearly 25 packs in the state. Oregon state biologists also warned that the gray wolf population may have reached its ecological limit in the eastern third of the state, and that packs would likely spread out to the west and south in greater numbers.

As of 2024, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said there are six known packs of gray wolves in the state for a total of 45 adult wolves, juveniles, and pups.

Amaroq Weiss, the senior wolf advocate at the conservation group Center for Biological Diversity, said the pack was fantastic news for the recovery of the gray wolf, which used to range across parts of Nevada, before being wiped out decades ago.

All three of those neighboring states can become sources for more wolves to disperse into Nevada, 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, she continued.

Young wolves often travel hundreds of miles seeking new territory and resources. Its possible the wolves were following deer and moose across the landscape, said Weiss.

Possible wolf spotting occurred as wildlife officials were studying Nevadas moose populations

The helicopter survey crew, contracted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, who spotted the possible Nevada wolf pack were on a scheduled moose collaring project when they sighted the three wolves.

For the past four years, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has collared and tracked moose in northeastern Nevada to better understand why the animals are quickly moving into the state. Wildlife managers say Nevadas moose population has doubled over the past five years, increasing to a population of more than 100.

If moose are newly coming into the state where they havent been before, thats just another remarkable testament of how wildlife (doesnt) just stay in one place, they move. If the state is welcoming moose back, they can certainly welcome wolves back as well, Weiss said.

Gray wolves once ranged across all of North America, including the western United States. But decades of government-sponsored predator control programs brought gray wolves to near extinction in the lower 48 States. By the time wolves were protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, only a few hundred remained in northeastern Minnesota, and on Isle Royale, Michigan, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

We didnt lose wolves in this country because of habitat loss  which is what usually happens when species become imperiled  we lost them because we killed them all, Weiss said. Every time you see a wolf showing up in a state where it seems like theyre brand new, theyre returning to places they once called home. Its very uncommon for a wolf to suddenly walk into a place that the species has never been before.

Gray wolves were also driven to near extinction in the Western U.S. after settlers overhunted most populations of bison, elk, deer, and moose  all important prey for wolves survival, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Its too early to say whether the pack sighting in northeast Nevada near Merritt Mountain is a prelude to continued wolf presence in the state. Gray wolves are incredibly adaptive to changes in environment, but wolves in the west prefer to inhabit areas with plenty of elk, deer, and moose.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife assured the public they would work with state and federal agencies to protect public safety, and ensure that Nevada ecosystems and natural resource industries are not negatively impacted by the presence of wolves in the state.

While there is always concern that the presence of wolves may pose a threat to human safety, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service assures wolf attacks on humans are extremely rare in North America, even in Canada and Alaska, where there are consistently large wolf populations.

Livestock death by wolves is also very rare, according to a 2015 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on cattle deaths. In Idaho  the state with the highest population of wolves in the west  wolf predation on the states reported 2.73 million livestock accounted for 0.004% of deaths. Nationwide, predator attacks on cattle accounted for only 2% of all deaths in adults, and 11% in calves. And of those, coyotes accounted for 40% of deaths, unknown predators accounted for about 16%, and dogs accounted for 11%.

Its actually a very, very small amount. But because in this country, we have this history of hating wolves, and eradicating wolves, that history and those feelings still persist, Weiss said. There are so many strategies that people know about these days to coexist with wolves, and its just a matter of learning and knowing about these techniques.

The Nevada Current, 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. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. Follow Nevada Current on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Wildlife managers report first possible wolf pack sighting in NV in over 100 years appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
Pine Mountain, Ga. (WRBL)-Wednesday morning local Rotarians hosted two of our very own at Rotary Club of Harris County. Chief Meteorologist Bob Jeswald and Chuck Williams were the Rotary Speakers this morning.

After breakfast and announcements Bob introduced Chuck and Chuck talked about his transition from paper to T.V. and how the infamous day of March 3, 2019, added a greater appreciation of weather and how Experience Matters. Chuck touched on the emotional impacts of that day, and about other stories.

Bob and Chuck touched on the importance we can make on a community, as broadcast journalists and meteorologists, including the team at WRBL. They fielded great questions and gave a new meaning to presenting to a group as a Tag Team, The Chuck and Bob Show

A special shoutout to the Rotarians, who perform their monthly task of packaging backsnacks (backpacks full of food) for the St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. Each backsnack contains enough food items to keep a school child living in a food-insecure family from going hungry over a weekend.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  As a way to help keep Williamson County parks clean, the county said confetti eggs, also known as cascarones, are not allowed at parks this Easter weekend.

In addition to helping keep the parks clean, the county said this is also a way to keep wildlife safe.

Travis County parks prepare for busy Easter weekend

According to Williamson County, cascarones can be mistaken as food by animals and are not environmentally friendly.

Travis County is also preparing its parks in a similar way for the busy weekend, asking people to leave the confetti eggs at home to help protect the environment.

According to Travis County, Easter is one of the busiest days for county parks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Veronica Baruffati walks the stretch of sand in the southern end Palm Beach every day, from her part-time Florida home north past Sloans Curve and back again.

What she saw while walking that beach on March 19 stunned her, and interrupted her normally uneventful evening sojourn.

With the sun still shining about 5 p.m. that day, Baruffati watched as a leatherback sea turtle emerged from the Atlantic Ocean and made its way to the dune, where it began to meet its seasonal imperative to create a nest and lay eggs.

Over the next two hours, Baruffati would get acquainted with Honeybee, a leatherback sea turtle first tagged by Juno Beach-based Loggerhead Marinelife Center in 2020, as the creature made its nest and then returned to the sea.

It was really quite something, said Baruffati, who stood at a distance and took photos as the turtle made its nest. It was just pure luck. If Id not been walking at that time, I might have missed the whole thing.

There werent many people on the beach at that time, and the few who were there cleared out as dinnertime approached, she said.

Veronica Baruffati was stunned and delighted when this sea turtle arrived on the beach to lay eggs during daylight hours on March 19 on the South End of Palm Beach.

Seagulls circled above as the massive leatherback slowly reached the dune and began digging, Baruffati said. The sky was clear. The air had an early spring chill.

The timing couldnt have been better, Baruffati said of coming upon the turtle. It was just amazing.

Sea turtle researchers say these daytime nest creations are not especially rare  It happens, one said  but it is rare to witness them.

We dont get a lot of daytime nesting animals, and its always super exciting, said Christine Perretta of D.B. Ecological Services, which is contracted by Palm Beach to monitor sea turtle nesting in the town. Its like winning the lottery to be able to see one of these animals nest during the day.

The lifeguard on duty contacted D.B. Ecological, which responded to the beach along with Florida Leatherbacks Inc. and Loggerhead Marinelife Center, two other local sea turtle rescue and research organizations.

The researchers on the beach identified the sea turtle via a metal tag on her flipper as Honeybee, who was first tagged by Loggerhead on June 14, 2020, in Juno Beach, said Sarah Hirsch, Loggerheads director of research.

Theyre the least common sea turtle thats found nesting on Floridas beaches, so we get really excited when we see them here, she said. Florida is the only state in the continental United States where leatherbacks nest, and about 50% of those nests are created on Palm Beach County beaches, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Honeybee was spotted by Loggerhead again on July 14 and July 28, 2020, Hirsch said. Leatherbacks nest anywhere from eight to 11 times per nesting season, which started March 1 and runs through the end of October. Adult leatherbacks can weight 700 to 2,000 pounds and measure 4 to 8 feet in length, the FWC said.

Monitors reported 574 leatherback nests in Palm Beach County last year, second only to Martin County, where 629 leatherback nests were counted, according to the FWC. There were 1,648 leatherback nests counted statewide, the FWC said.

Honeybee has a metal flipper tag and an internal tag called a passive integration transponder, or PIT, similar to the microchips used in dogs and cats, Hirsch said.

The researchers worked with lifeguards to keep any onlookers at a safe distance, Perretta said. Everybody was very excited and very respectful, she said.

While Perretta wasnt able to make it to the beach in time, her team members on site sent her eager updates throughout Honeybees nesting.

Theres no definite reason why some turtles nest during the day when most come onshore during night, Perretta said. I kind of equate it to a woman in labor, or any other female species thats in labor, she said. Sometimes I think they just have to go up and deposit those eggs at a particular time. They just have to do it.

Those who come across a sea turtle nesting, whether during the day or at night, should keep their distance, stay quiet and stay out of the line of sight of the turtle, researchers said.

People also should remain downwind of the turtle, because an unfamiliar smell can disturb the turtle and cause it to go back to the water to find another place to nest, Perretta said.

Because it is sea turtle nesting season, it also is important for people to keep beaches clean, dark and flat, Hirsch said.

Thats the way we like them for our sea turtles, she said.

Palm Beach requires all oceanfront properties to shut off artificial lights from March 1 to Oct. 31 to protect sea turtles and hatchlings. Artificial lighting can confuse turtles and hatchlings and lead them away from the ocean instead of toward it, the town said.

Nesting sea turtles can be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Leatherback sea turtle nests in Palm Beach in daylight hours
Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, and WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes pose for a photo at WishMakers Wanted campaign launch on Thursday in New York City. The campaign is seeking one million wish-makers, including donors, volunteers, corporate partners and influencers, to help further the organization's mission. Photo courtesy of Make-A-Wish

March 28 (UPI) -- The Make-A-Wish Foundation on Thursday announced a campaign to recruit one million new wish-makers.

Past wish-makers WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes and the Impractical Jokers joined Make-A-Wish beneficiaries, families and supporters at private event in New York City to announce the "WishMakers Wanted," campaign according to a press release.

As part of the campaign, Make-A-Wish is searching for one million donors, volunteers, corporate partners and influencers who can help further the mission of the organization.

"Wishes are an essential part of a child's medical treatment, and they wouldn't be possible without the dedication and generosity of 'wishmakers' who continually make life better for children with critical illnesses," said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish. "When a wish is granted, it changes everyone involved, and we are eager for our 'wishmakers' to experience and feel first-hand the power and hope that come with a wish."

The campaign launch coincides with April being World Wish Month, during which multiple Make-A-Wish chapters throughout the United States and supporters worldwide will encourage people to help grant more wishes.

From left: Impractical Jokers' Brian "Q" Quinn; wish kid Jordan V.; Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America; wish kid Zachary M.; and Impractical Jokers' James "Murr" Murray pose for a photo at the WishMakers Wanted campaign launch in New York City on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Make-A-Wish

Corporate partners, such as the WWE, American Airlines, Disney, Chase, GameStop and more, will be active in stores and online, encouraging customers to support the campaign.

Celebrity influencers, meanwhile, will be active on social media sharing reasons why they support Make-A-Wish.

World Wish Month ends on World Wish Day, April 29, which pays homage to the original group of wish-makers in 1980 in Phoenix who granted 7-year-old Chris Greicius' wish to be a police officer while he was battling leukemia.

A year later, Frank "Bopsy" Salazar would be the first official Make-A-Wish kid. The Phoenix Fire Department granted his wish to become a member of the Engine 9 crew.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., holds her dog after the 11th round of voting for U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2023. A three-judge panel determined South Carolina gerrymandered 30,000 Black voters out of her district in a "likely unconstitutional" move, but those same judges determined the old congressional map can stay in place because the Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in time for this year's elections. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

March 28 (UPI) -- A panel of federal judges ruled Thursday that South Carolina can use its current congressional map after the Supreme Court has taken too long to rule on its constitutionality before the fall election.

The three-judge panel found last year that the state's congressional map was likely unconstitutional because it gerrymandered 30,000 Black voters out of District 1, which is currently held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace.

The state NAACP sued, arguing the action was unconstitutionally discriminatory, and the Supreme Court heard the case in October.

Both sides in the case had asked the Supreme Court for a swift ruling so a new map could be implemented before this year's elections, but with a looming April 27 deadline to send military and overseas absentee ballots for the June 11 congressional primaries, the court still has yet to issue a ruling.

Because of the time constraint, the state legislature earlier this month asked the original three-judge panel to allow them to keep the existing map in place.

The panel agreed that, despite the probable unconstitutionality of the map, it would be "plainly impractical" to make changes this year.

"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 stated.

Legislators also had filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to allow them to use the old map.

The Supreme Court is set to issue a decision on the original appeal by the end of June, which means a new congressional map will have to wait until the 2026 congressional elections.
A woman flew from Seattle to Raleigh-Durham to find her dog that escaped after Alaska Airlines failed to put him on the plane

Alaska Airlines failed to put a dog on a flight from Raleigh-Durham to Seattle with his owner, WRAL reported.

The next day, the dog "ran away" when workers tried to put him in a crate, the airline said.

The dog's owner flew back from Seattle to join the search for the pet, per WRAL.

A passenger flew back to Raleigh-Durham International Airport to help search for her dog that escaped after Alaska Airlines failed to put him on a flight to Seattle with her.

The dog, called Moose, was supposed to fly with its owner from Raleigh-Durham to Seattle on Tuesday, the airline told WRAL.

"Due to a misstep in the loading process, the dog did not make the trip," an Alaska representative told the outlet. "It stayed with our team at the airport overnight."

The next morning, staff took the dog for a walk before it was scheduled to board another flight, the report says. "When it was time to load it into the crate, it pulled away, shook loose from its collar and ran away," the Alaska Airlines representative said.

WRAL reported officers said workers were "chasing the dog on the taxiway," citing radio traffic.

An airport representative told Business Insider the dog had been spotted "at various locations around the airport campus" but that the pursuit had not affected the operation of flights.

The owner flew all the way back to Raleigh from Seattle to join the search for the dog on a flight paid for by Alaska Airlines, per WRAL.

Airport staff, law enforcement, and fire rescue searched for the dog and reunited him with his owner on Thursday, the airport representative told BI, adding that the pet was "safe and sound."

"The airport's fire rescue team picked up the owner, who had been searching in a different area, and brought her to Moose," an Alaska representative told Fox Business. "She coaxed him to her."

An Alaska Airlines representative told BI: "We're happy that the dog is safely back with its pet parent. We sincerely apologized to the owner for what was a stressful situation."

The carrier lets passengers take small dogs, cats, rabbits, and "household birds" in the cabin for a $100 fee per flight on domestic routes. The pet must be in a carrier the entire flight and it counts toward the passenger's carry-on allowance.

A wider range of pets such as ferrets, tropical fish, and even pot-bellied pigs can be put in the hold on domestic Alaksa flights for a $150 charge.

Passengers have to submit a health certificate issued by a veterinarian and supply enough food and water to last the animal the entire journey.

Read the original article on Business Insider
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A woman is facing charges after allegedly stabbing a man in the chest in Georgetown County, authorities said.

Samantha Brown, 34, was arrested Thursday night after the incident at a home on Cohen Drive, Sheriff Carter Weavers office said. No information about the victims injuries was immediately available.

Brown is charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. She is in the Georgetown County Detention Center, where is also being held on an aggravated assault charge in Horry County.

* * *

Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
In this photo provided by the Office of the Mayor of New York, Mayor Eric Adams, second from right, laying back, participates in a baptism ceremony with Rev. Al Sharpton, right, while visiting the Rikers Island jail complex in New York, Friday, March 29, 2024. (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office via AP)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams marked Good Friday by receiving a jailhouse baptism from the Rev. Al Sharpton, joining in on the religious rite with a group of men incarcerated at the troubled Rikers Island jail complex.

The ceremony came as part of a visit to the jail complex where Adams was scheduled to meet with detainees on the Christian holiday.

Having been arrested and then elected mayor, I reminded these young men that where you are is not who you are, Adams, a Democrat, said in a statement. "For the first time in their lives, their mayor didnt look down at them  I sat side by side with them to be cleansed and recommit ourselves to getting on the right path.

Images from the event, provided by the mayor's office, appear to show Adams interlocking hands with Sharpton during a prayer, the reverend washing Adams' feet and Adams being baptized.

Adams and the civil rights leader have close ties through their long tenures in New York politics. Adams often calls into Sharpton's satellite radio show and the pair have appeared together at City Hall events.

Plagued by violence and neglect, the city-run jail complex, has been the subject of an ongoing legal battle that could result in a federal takeover of the facility.

The mayor had also visited Rikers earlier this week to meet with detainees. In an interview this week on New York City radio show The Breakfast Club," Adams said he met with a group of 12 young brothers who recommitted themselves to Christ.

Ive been on Rikers Island more than any mayor in the history of the city talking with inmates and correction officers to turn around whats happening on Rikers Island, Adams said in the heated radio interview, which aired Friday.
New Yorkers best defense against squatters? A flimsy plastic sign that costs a few bucks.

Local news reporters encouraged homeowners to get themselves a No Trespassing sign to thwart potential squatters from moving in uninvited and taking control of their houses.

This was $3.47 at Home Depot. It is a No Trespassing sign, ABC 7 Eyewitness News Nina Pineda said during a Thursday broadcast. You can put this up on your front door, on your property line, somewhere you can see it from the street.

But this is the catch  take a time-stamped picture of the sign  because what you want to prove to police is that the sign was up before the squatters moved in, Pineda said, adding that home security cameras are another key tool to fight home invaders.

This was $3.47 at Home Depot. It is a No Trespassing sign, Pineda said during a Thursday broadcast. You can put this up on your front door, on your property line, somewhere you can see it from the street. Richard Hanania/X

In New York City, people can claim squatters rights  the legal right to inhabit a home  after living there for just 30 days, even without proof of the owners permission.

The law  which was initially meant to protect long-term tenants from eviction  requires the property owner to take up the matter in the often backlogged housing court, rendering cops powerless in the interim.

The homeowner is legally barred from changing the locks, turning off utility services or removing the freeloaders belongings.

In New York City, people can claim squatters rights  the legal right to inhabit a home  after living there for just 30 days, even without proof of the owners permission. Richard Hanania/X

A series of high-profile squatting cases in the Big Apple and cities across the country are raising serious concerns about the existing law.

In one case, a Queens property owner was arrested and placed in handcuffs for changing the locks on her own home after a group of interlopers moved into the $1 million house that she inherited from her mother.

While New Yorkers are being told to arm themselves with cameras and plastic lawn signs, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday legislation that seeks to empower homeowners dealing with squatters.

The new law, which goes into effect July 1, gives police the power to quickly remove individuals from a home if they cannot produce paperwork, such as a lease, showing they live there.

A state bill seeks to separate the definitions of tenant and squatter so the police can remove the latter from peoples homes. Richard Hanania/X

Back in New York, state Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R-LI) has introduced a bill that seeks to clarify the legal definition of a tenant to exclude squatters. The bill defines squatters as trespassers, which would allow officers to remove them from properties.

The bill is gaining bipartisan support, though similar state legislation failed to become law 10 years ago.

Pineda also said homeowners should let their local police precinct know if their property will be vacant for an extended period of time.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 29. Turkmenistan and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) discussed the current state and prospects for the development of traditional cooperation that meets mutual interests, Trend reports.

According to an official source, these issues were discussed during a meeting in Ashgabat between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili.

"One of the key vectors of Turkmenistan's foreign policy is the development of a multifaceted strategic partnership with the UN and its specialized agencies, including the UNWTO. Turkmenistan has been a member of the UNWTO since 1993, and for more than 30 years we have accumulated useful experience of cooperation," Berdimuhamedov stressed.

At the same time, noting that the potential of the partnership is not fully utilized, the head of state expressed support for the establishment of more effective bilateral relations that meet the modern realities and opportunities of Turkmenistan.

Furthermore, he added that Turkmenistan intends to continue developing sustainable tourism, the goals of which coincide with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in order to achieve socio-economic progress and ensure environmental well-being.

Meanwhile, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is an international institution established to promote and coordinate global tourism, promote sustainable and responsible tourism, and promote economic growth, social development, and intercultural understanding through tourism.

The organization provides support to member countries in policy formulation, the development of standards and recommendations, as well as research and analysis of trends in the tourism sector.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
After one viral video in 2020, Nigerian Anthony Madu went from pirouetting on the dusty streets of Lagos to dancing in the corridors of a prestigious British dance school.

Madu's extraordinary story, which has seen him become a celebrity and even receive a handshake from Queen Camila, has been documented for the silver screen and was to be released on Disney+ on Friday.

The documentary follows the teenager over a year, between 2021 and 2022, when he leaves Nigeria for Birmingham's Elmhurst Ballet School.

"I really feel really proud of myself, but it's also surreal at the same time to see yourself in a movie as to me it's just my life," Madu told AFP.

"I often think why me and what if the video of me dancing hadn't gone viral? I think it must have been faith," he added.

Madu was spotted by Elmhurst Ballet School after a video of him pirouetting in a disadvantaged area in Lagos, a city of 20 million people, went viral.

He has since been nicknamed the "Nigerian Billy Elliot" in reference to the 2000 film of the same name in which a working-class British boy develops a passion for ballet.

"I feel a sense of freedom and that I am where I am meant to be at this point in my life," Madu told AFP.

- 'I have a lot of dreams' -

However, Madu's journey to success has come with some bumps along the way, especially as the cultural gap widens between him and his family at home in Nigeria.

"You talk like a white man," Madu's mother told him over the phone -- referring to a change in accent after a few months in Britain.

After she offers to take him to church when he goes on vacation back home to Lagos, Madu tells his mother angrily: "I need a therapist, not a prophet".

At the age of just 14, Madu has no limit to his dreams.

"I don't know what the future holds for me... I have a lot of dreams... that I want to experience in my life. What I do know is that Nigeria will always be my home. I hold Nigeria and my family close to my heart," Madu told AFP.

The documentary, "Madu", was directed by Nigerian director Joel Kachi Benson and American director Matthew Ogens.

"This story is like a miracle, no one saw it coming. To the kids: don't be afraid to dream, your aspirations are very valid, don't let anyone say it's impossible," Benson told AFP.

fvl/fal/nmc/bp
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The trial of Young Thug and his YSL co-defendants began its 50th day in court with an explosive exchange between one of the Atlanta rapper's attorneys and a witness over her alleged mistreatment by an investigator on the case.

The witness, who the court has identified only as A. Bennett, confirmed with Young Thug's lawyer Keith Adams that she had felt like she had been "sexually harassed" by one of the investigators from the Fulton County District Attorney's office.

"You told us when you were back there that you didn't want to come and see him because he had sexually harassed you," Adams asked.

"Yes," Bennett responded, going on to agree with Adams' assertion that when she was contacted by the investigator, it appeared that he wanted to date her.

In one instance, the woman confirmed that she brought her 20-year-old son with her to meet with Adams at an Atlanta Japanese restaurant to talk about the case and that the law enforcement officer had told her on a different time that he wanted to "take her out when the investigation was over."

The prosecution first called Bennett to the stand on Thursday to discuss allegations that Young Thug, Walter "DK" Murphy, and someone she believed was the rapper's brother robbed her at her apartment in 2013. Bennett had been taken into custody after attempting to refuse to appear in court. She has since been released from jail.

She told the court that she ended up blocking the investigator after receiving multiple phone calls "that weren't about court."

MORE: YSL RICO trial delaying justice, family of murder victim says

"They picked me up. Surrounded my house. Moved my camera. They had my 11-year-old outside for like an hour and a half outside by himself," she said.

The woman also claimed that she had lost her job because of how many times the prosecution asked to meet with her.

The trial is now the longest-running trial in Georgia history.

When was Young Thug arrested?

Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Williams, was arrested on May 9, 2022, after a sweeping 88-page indictment accused him of being the co-founder of Young Slime Life, or YSL, a subset of the Bloods street gang. Prosecutors allege those named in the indictment have engaged in violent criminal activity in the city since 2012.

Despite requests for bond and an elaborate house arrest plan proposed to the court, Williams remained behind bars after concerns were raised over witness intimidation.

What are the charges Young Thug faces?

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Young Thug in May 2022, and more charges were added in a subsequent indictment in August of that year. The second indictment accuses Young Thug and 27 other people of conspiring to violate Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. The rapper is also accused of participation in criminal street gang activity, as well as drug and gun charges.

Prosecutors say Young Thug and two other people co-founded a violent criminal street gang in 2012 called Young Slime Life, or YSL, which they say is associated with the national Bloods gang. The indictment says Young Thug "made YSL a well-known name by referring to it in his songs and on social media."

In addition to specific charges, the August indictment includes a wide-ranging list of 191 acts that prosecutors say were committed between 2013 and 2022 as part of the alleged conspiracy to further the gangs interests.

Included in that list is an allegation that Young Thug threatened in July 2015 to shoot a security guard who was trying to get him to leave an Atlanta-area mall. The indictment also says Young Thug rented a silver Infiniti sedan that was used in the killing of a rival gang member. And, on numerous occasions, he and others are alleged to have possessed various illegal drugs that they intended to distribute.

What do Young Thug's defense lawyers say?

Young Thugs lawyers have said in multiple court filings that he is innocent of all crimes charged in the indictment. They argue that YSL is simply a record label. The rapper has pleaded not guilty.

Multiple defense attorneys in the case have said prosecutors were overzealous in their use of the RICO statute and the anti-gang law, both of which carry heavy penalties.

What penalties does Young Thug face if he's convicted?

Young Thugs racketeering conspiracy charge and two gang charges each carry a penalty of five to 20 years in prison. The other five charges also carry potential prison time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From spring festivals and Easter events to cheering on the home teams, heres whats happening around Charlotte.

Use the links provided to confirm hours and to check for last-minute weather updates before you go.

Grab a chair and head to Camp North End for the last weekend of its free indoor movie series. On Friday, the Be Kind, Rewind series will feature Theres Something About Mary, and on Saturday, the VHS: Vintage Horror series will show Freddy vs. Jason.

70-acre off-leash dog park opens at Whitewater Center

Get your fill of craft brews and good times at Olde Mecklenburg Brewerys 15th anniversary celebration. Weekend festivities include live music, brewery tours, a ceremonial barrel tapping, and on Sunday there will be Easter egg hunts.

Charlotte Shout starts Friday and runs through April 14 in Uptown. The annual festival will feature more than 200 art installations, performances, and events, with most free to attend.

Cruise on a coaster and enjoy dozens of other rides and classic games at the Charlotte Fair, which is open through Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Spectrum Center will be buzzing when the Charlotte Hornets take on the Golden State Warriors on Friday and the LA Clippers on Sunday.

Have an egg-citing day at the Easter egg hunt at Birkdale Village on Saturday. There will be two hunts organized by age groups and the Easter Bunny will be there for photos.

Other Easter events happening include the Easter Bunny Express at the North Carolina Transportation Museum on Friday and Saturday, Belmonts Easter egg hunt at Stowe Park on Saturday, and the Bunny Run 5K and Festival in Concord on Saturday.

>> Click here to see our egg-cellent list of Easter events

Need some fresh-cut flowers to brighten up your house? Its tulip season at Howard Family Farms in Harmony and you can pick your own this weekend.

If youre thinking about adding a 4-legged friend to your family, head to Fonta Flora Brewery at Optimist Hall on Saturday for the Pup and Pints event. Billies Buddies will be there with adoptable dogs.

Charlotte FC and the Carolina Hurricanes are teaming up on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium when the Crown takes on Cincinnati. Enjoy special appearances by the Canes mascot Stormy plus other surprises.

Sip and sample from over 75 wines and 20 local craft brews at the South End Wine and Hops Festival at Lenny Boy Brewing on Saturday.

Enjoy some good food for a good cause at the Harrisburg Bar-Ba-Brew at the Harrisburg Town Center on Saturday. There will be live music, vendors, and a kids zone, and the money raised will benefit the Jeff Gordon Childrens Center at Atrium Health Cabarrus.

Its the last weekend that Broadway fans can see 10-time Tony Award winner Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Performances run through Sunday at Belk Theater.

Ready for a road trip? The Biltmore in Asheville is hosting an exhibition that features the work of globally renowned artist Dale Chihuly this spring.

VIDEO: Uptown road closures during Charlotte Shout




ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 29. Turkmenistan and Iran discussed the development prospects of a multifaceted partnership, Trend reports.

According to Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these issues were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov and a delegation led by Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who was in Ashgabat on a working visit.



During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide variety of issues concerning bilateral cooperation and its future development in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields. Within this perspective, the parties emphasized the importance of high-level meetings in building bilateral friendly relations.

Furthermore, the ministers emphasized the importance of the activities of the Joint Turkmen-Iranian Commission for Economic Cooperation, and also put on the agenda issues of developing cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, building up transport and transit potential.

The diplomats paid attention to the upcoming joint events and meetings scheduled for this year, especially the participation of the Iranian side in large-scale international events in Turkmenistan.

Meanwhile, the development of cooperation between Iran and Turkmenistan is a strategically important process based on mutual interests in trade, transport, energy and cultural exchange.

Both countries are actively developing economic and political relations, supporting the construction of transportation corridors and energy projects such as gas and oil pipelines, which strengthens their interaction and ensures regional stability, opening up new opportunities for future cooperation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held the first meeting of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) since the change of its secretary.

Source: Zelenskyy on Facebook

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We are starting the renewed work of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine."

Details: Zelenskyy said that, first of all, it is about greater predictability. "We need to strengthen Ukraine's ability to predict and influence the processes on which the national security of our state depends," he explained.

The second is the continuation of all current tasks of the NSDC system. "And especially with regard to the sanctions policy of our state," Zelenskyy said.

Thirdly, it is doctrinal work. "The clarity of national guidelines and systematic implementation of these is what is needed both now and after the war," he said.

Zelenskyy called cybersecurity and information the fourth priority of the NSDC. "The National Security and Defence Council has the potential to do more to protect [the state] against enemy destabilisation operations and coordinate all state institutions in this area," the president said during the meeting.

The fifth task of the NSDC is to work on the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and its draft decisions, and monitor the implementation of decisions. "The obvious priority is the defence of our state and the protection of our society," Zelenskyy said.

Background:

On 26 March 2024, Zelenskyy dismissed Oleksii Danilov from the post of Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and appointed Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, to the post.

Danilov summed up the result of more than four years of his work in the office and thanked President Zelenskyy for his trust.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had agreed to appoint Oleksii Danilov, the former secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, as ambassador to Moldova.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening video address on 29 March, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In his appeal, Zelenskyy stated that the former NSDC secretary "will continue his career in diplomacy".

Quote: "More specifically, I agreed to his candidacy for ambassador of our country to the Republic of Moldova. He told me that is the way he envisioned his future work for Ukraine," the head of state added.

Zelenskyy went on to say that Moldova is an extremely important state for Ukraine, given the security challenges and bilateral cooperation.

Background:

Earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy dismissed Marko Shevchenko from the position of Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova. Shevchenko had held this position since the beginning of 2020.

On 26 March, the Ukrainian President dismissed Oleksii Danilov from the position of secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) of Ukraine.

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Marko Shevchenko: Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Marko Shevchenko from the position of Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova. He had been serving in this position since the beginning of 2020.

Source: European Pravda, citing a decree published by the Office of the President on 29 March

Details: "To dismiss Marko Oleksandrovych Shevchenko from the position of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova," the document states.

The name of Shevchenko's successor is still unknown.

Background:

Marko Shevchenko began his work as ambassador to Moldova at the end of February 2020.

Before Shevchenko, Ivan Hnatyshyn had served as ambassador since 2015; the previous president, Petro Poroshenko, signed the decree for his dismissal in April 2019. Since then, Ukraine had no ambassador in Chisinau for over six months.

It's worth noting that replacing ambassadors after several years of service in one country is a standard diplomatic practice. It is believed that rotation helps the ambassador to avoid becoming too entrenched with the host country and to maintain connections with their own capital, whose interests the diplomat is supposed to represent.

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Consequences of Russia's terrorist attack on the Dnipro HPP on March 22, 2024

During a massive overnight assault, the Russian army attacked the Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power plants, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram on March 29.

This aggressive move, Zelenskyy suggested, aims to instigate an environmental disaster akin to a previous incident in Kherson Oblast, with potential repercussions extending to Moldova.

"Last night, the Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power plants were intentionally targeted by the enemy," Zelenskyy stated in his message.

Read also: Dnipro HPP missile attack: environmental damage estimated at over $3.5 million

Zelenskyy elaborated on the broader implications of these attacks, emphasizing the risk not just to Ukraine but also to neighboring Moldova. "The terrorist state is attempting to recreate the environmental catastrophe witnessed in Kherson Oblast. This time, the threat looms over not only Ukraine but Moldova as well. Water knows no boundaries, and the same goes for the Russian conflict unless we collectively halt it in Ukraine promptly and decisively."

Read also: Dnipro HPP restoration will take years - Ukrhydroenergo

The bombing of the Kakhovka HPP in June 2023: an environmental disaster in Kherson Oblast

Russian occupation forces detonated the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant overnight on June 5-6, 2023. About 16,000 people and about 80 settlements were affected by the disaster. More than 30 people died. The Office of the Prosecutor General launched a pre-trial investigation over ecocide and violations of the laws and customs of war.

NV

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and Oleksandr Lytvynenko (right), the newly-appointed Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council. Photo: Ukrainian Presidents Office

Protecting Ukrainian energy facilities from Russian strikes and replenishing air defence stocks were among the pressing issues addressed at a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff on Friday, 29 March.

Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media

Quote: "The first meeting convened by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the new Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC). The challenges are very serious.

Once again, Russian terrorists have targeted Ukraines energy sector. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ukrenergo [Ukraines national energy company], and Oleksii Chernyshov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Naftogaz [a Ukrainian state-run national oil and gas company], reported on the damage and recovery efforts. We discussed the most effective methods of physical protection and their implementation at other facilities.

The enemy deliberately targeted the Kaniv and Dnister hydroelectric power plants last night. The terrorist country wants a repeat of the environmental disaster it caused in Kherson Oblast. But now it isnt just Ukraine thats under threat  Moldova is as well. The water is not going to stop at the border posts, and neither will Russias war unless we stop it in time together in Ukraine."

Details: Zelenskyy said the meeting also covered the issue of contracts for the supply of weapons and ammunition for the immediate future and in the long term.

The need for air defence has come to the fore. Given the intensity of Russian attacks, it is essential to replenish stocks promptly. Zelenskyy said he had given instructions for work to be stepped up with Ukraines partners and is counting on them to respond quickly.

Previously: On 29 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held the first meeting of the National Security and Defence Council since its new secretary was appointed.

He announced five priorities for the NSDCs work going forward.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has once again urged the US Congress to approve additional funding for military aid for Ukraine as soon as possible, explaining that Ukraines capabilities in the combat zone depend on it.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for David Ignatius, a columnist of The Washington Post; European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy stated that as long as Ukraine has no certainty it can rely on constant support from the US, "we will stay where we are now in the East". He added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are able to conduct limited offensive operations but "to push them [the Russians  ed.] out, we need more weapons".

Zelenskyy stressed that due to internal arguments in the Congress "we lost half a year". "We cant waste time anymore. Ukraine cant be a political issue between the parties," he added.

The Ukrainian President believes that those criticising aid for Ukraine do not understand what the stakes in the full-scale war are, because "If Ukraine falls, Putin will divide the world" into friends and enemies of Russia.

Asked about the US policy concerning the war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy answered that, in his opinion, "Biden is cautious" about nuclear attack from Russia. At the same, Zelenskyy does not believe Putin would resort to this.

Background:

The US Congress approval of over US$60 billion in aid to Ukraine is currently being blocked by Republicans in the House of Representatives. The White House has repeatedly cautioned that this would significantly harm Kyiv's military efforts on the battlefield.

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, had previously agreed to unblock the decision to help Ukraine, but with significant changes requiring that it be a House project and that it be in the form of a loan or a land-lease.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on 28 March that he had a telephone conversation with Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

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Oleksiy Danilov, former Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) will be dispatched to serve as Kyivs Ambassador to Moldova, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his March 29 evening address.

Zelenskyy confirmed he had approved Danilov's appointment.

Read also: Moldova to hold referendum on EU membership in 2024  President Sandu

For us, Moldova is a vitally important nation both in terms of security challenges in the region and in terms of our bilateral relations, said the president.

Read also: Man in critical condition after explosions rip energy infrastructure in Dnipro and the Oblast

A source earlier told NV that Zelenskyy had offered Danilov the position, describing it as a strategically important and critical [foreign policy] direction.

Read also: Kyiv vows to address shell hunger, replenish reserves, and counter Russian missile attacks, says NSDC secretary

On March 26, Zelenskyy dismissed Danilov as NSDC secretary and appointed Oleksandr Lytvynenko to the post. Lytvynenko had served as head of Ukraines Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS).

Danilov was the 13th secretary of Ukraine's NSDC, a post he had held since Oct. 3, 2019.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A baby white-handed gibbon, an endangered animal, became the newest member of the family at a zoo earlier this month.

The Philadelphia Zoo announced their latest addition, Eros, a little boy named after the asteroid that orbits Mars, was born on March 14, just before keeper staff arrived.

ZooTampa welcomes first baby of 2024

The zoo also said that Eros is healthy and nursing from his mom. He joins the now family of five at the zoo: 35-year-old mom Phoenice, 34-year-old dad Mercury, 5-year-old brother Polaris, and 2-year-old sister Ophelia.

Three other white-handed gibbons were born to Phoenice and Mercury, but one is living at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio and the other two are at the Point Defiance Zoo in Washington.

Philadelphia Zoo / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Philadelphia Zoo / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Philadelphia Zoo / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Philadelphia Zoo / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Philadelphia Zoo / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Philadelphia Zoo / AMAZING ANIMALS+ /TMX

Philadelphia Zoo is proud to have such a strong history with breeding this endangered ape, the Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates and Small Mammals, Michael Stern, said. Mom and dad have proven to be great parents over the years, and we cant wait until the baby is a little older and our guests can watch him playing with big brother and sister.

These animals, also commonly referred to as Lar gibbon, are endangered primates native to Southeast Asia. They are known to be acrobatic animals, as they swing from tree to tree.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  ZooTampa has announced the birth of their first spring baby born in 2024.

In the overnight hours between Monday and Tuesday, an endangered Malayan tapir calf was born following a nearly 13-month gestation period.

Florida police escort little crocodile found wandering streets early in the morning

The unnamed calf was born to its 18-year-old mom, Ubi, and is spending the week bonding and nursing. Both mom and baby are thriving and healthy, the zoo said.

The calf has a distinctive coat of both spots and strips, but its unique pattern will slowly change during its first six months of life, and eventually mirror the stripes of its parents, Ubi and 13-year-old Albert.

Courtesy: ZooTampa

Courtesy: ZooTampa

Courtesy: ZooTampa

Courtesy: ZooTampa

Courtesy: ZooTampa

Courtesy: ZooTampa

Courtesy: ZooTampa

The birth of this healthy calf is another wonderful example of the Zoos commitment to the conservation of endangered species, Chris Massaro, the Senior VP of Zoological Operations said. Malayan tapirs are endangered, and any addition is a significant conservation achievement. Our goal is that when guests see these amazing animals that they will connect with them in ways that inspire action to save the worlds endangered wildlife.

You will soon be able to buy giant wine bottles in Florida

ZooTampa participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, as they paired Ubi and Albert up to ensure the survival of endangered species. Tapirs are also closely related to horses and rhinoceros.

The zoo said only 2,500 Malayan tapirs remain in Thailand and on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The deteriorating population is due to deforestation causing habitat loss, flooding from dams built for hydroelectric projects, and illegal trade.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 29. Uzbekistan Helicopters under Silk Avia brand will launch flights on the Nukus-Muynak-Nukus route, Trend reports.

Silk Avia says the flights will be conducted three times a week, on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays, beginning April 1. The flights will be operated by a LET L-410 aircraft.

Muynak airport, which had not been utilized in almost thirty years, was rebuilt in 2021-2022. During his visit to Karakalpakstan on February 23-24, 2022, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev became acquainted with the work's results.

Meanwhile, Kazakh FlyArystan, a low-cost airline, is starting a new route from Almaty to Nukus and back.

According to the airline, the flights will commence in June 2024 and will operate three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

FlyArystan resumed direct flights between Almaty and Samarkand last year after a lengthy hiatus, and in July of the same year, it started service between Tashkent and Astana.
The Milwaukee sunk 137 years ago after colliding with another ship on Lake Michigan when a sudden fog engulfed the ships.

That wreck was recently discovered by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association remarkably intact.

The team found the wreck after just a two-day search, thanks to sonar imaging.

When the steamship Milwaukee ran into a sudden fog on Lake Michigan in July of 1886, the ship also ran into something else: the C. Hickox. That collision was enough to sink the Milwaukee, even as the Hickox and the City of New York steamer worked to rig ropes to keep the ship afloat.

Nothing worked, and two hours later, the Milwaukee hit the bottom of the lake40 miles from Holland, Michigan, in 360 feet of water. The ship wouldnt be seen again until the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association located it 137 years later.

News accounts of the accident, as well as the study of water currents, led us to the Milwaukee after only two days searching, Neel Zoss of the association said in a statement. Within two days of sonar searching, the team located a wreck. And a few weeks later, the group piloted a remotely operated vehicle through excellent visibility and to find the remarkably intact Milwaukee.

We saw the forward mast still standing as the ROV headed down to the bottom, Jack van Heest, ROV pilot, said in a statement. The ship was resting upright on the bottom of lake, facing northeastjust as it was when it collided on that night in July of 1886.

The association has made it a mission to recover as many lost ships as possible in the lake. The Milwaukee marks the 19th shipwreck that the team has found off the shores of West Michigan.

The fact that the Milwaukee was even out on Lake Michigan in 1886 was thanks to the Wall Street panic roughly 15 years prior. Commissioned in 1868 to join the Northern Transportation Company of Ohio (among the earliest steamship operators on the Great Lakes) the 135-foot-long Milwaukee had three deckstwo for freight and one for passengers. The dimensions of the ship were crafted to fit the Welland Canal locks, allowing the ship to easily maneuver between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie on its run between New York and Chicago.

The Milwaukee was a mainstay of the line, but with the 1873 Wall Street panic leading the country into a depression and the westward expansion of railroads, the Northern Transportation Company was forced to reorganize. Still a relatively young ship, the Milwaukee was purchased by W. W. Ellsworth and began a conversion in 1881 at Port Huron, Michiganturning the sleeping cabins into more space for wide cargo. Ellsworth then sold the ship, and by 1883, Lyman Gates Mason of Muskegon purchased the Milwaukee to move lumber from Michigan to Chicago.

The conversions made identifying the Milwaukee more difficult, Valerie van Heest said in a statement, adding that newspaper accounts of the sinking offered up some much-needed clues.

The Milwaukee had unloaded a cargo of lumber in Chicago and was headed to Muskegon to pick up another load. But the C. Hickox (a steamship the same size) was doing the equivalent in reverse, bringing lumber from Muskegon to Chicago. The ships were on identical headings on the calm lake, and at about midnight, the lookout on the Milwaukee spotted lights from the C. Hickox. Rules dictated that both ships were to slow down and turn right to avoid a collision, all while signaling their steam whistle.

With clear visibility, neither captain slowed, according to the records. But then came a sudden thick fog. The Hickox captain tried to turn, but the chain on his steam whistle broke, not allowing him to signal the change. The Milwaukee captain didnt make a move. The fog momentarily parted, showing that even a final desperate turn was not enough for the fast-moving ships, as the Hickox smacked the side of the Milwaukee.

As all the crew escaped in lifeboats, the Hickox and the steamer (the City of New York, which was responding to a distress call) rigged ropes to keep the Milwaukee afloat. But two hours later, the ship was lost. Both captains suffered suspended licenses for failing to slow down in the situation.

With only historical accounts and a few pre-modified photos as reference, the association was excited to get a glimpse of the actual find. In studying the video, Craig Rich said in a statement, we realized that Lyman Gates Mason, who owned the Milwaukee, had made both the pilothouse and the aft cabin smaller in order to maximize the amount of lumber the ship could carry on each run.

The Michigan Shipwreck Research Association now has proof of a historically accurate steamship conversioneven if its 137 years later, and still submerged in Lake Michigan.

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As cranes arrive at Baltimore bridge collapse site, governor describes daunting task of cleaning up

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. The European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) fail to care about the real needs of Armenia's citizens, assigning the country the role of exclusively executing the will of the West, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

The ministry made the remark, commenting on the report called Deepening EU-Armenia Relations: More Europe in Armenia; More Armenia in Europe," prepared by the Friends of Armenia Network, a group led by former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

The European Union and NATO do not care about the real needs of Armenia and its citizens. This is clearly seen from the conclusion, which states that the countrys turn to the West is a 'low-cost' enterprise to reform Transcaucasia to its needs. In these constructions, Armenia is assigned the role of exclusively the executor of orders from Brussels and Washington," the ministry explained.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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15 NGOs call for measures to combat violence in universites Fifteen non-governmental organisations, including two student federations, call on the Ministry of Education and universities to take concrete and effective measures to combat violence in the university environment, after the murder of a student in medicine in Timisoara. "In a period of mourning for the academic community in Romania, we signal a serious problem that has deeply affected the academic community and the entire higher education system: violence in the university environment. It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we send this open letter following the recent tragedy at the Citeste articolul mai departe pe stiripesurse.ro

Sursa articol si foto: stiripesurse.ro

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Cel mai mare fan al pandurilor

Cristi Torcea este unul dintre cei mai infocati fani ai pandurilor. La fiecare meci e nelipsit din tribuna. Nu vine cu mana goala, ci imbracat din cap pana in picioare cu insemnele pandurilor. Are esarfe de la toate meciurile din Europa League,... [citeste mai departe]
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas drew attention to the importance of granting his country full membership in the UN to achieve peace and security in the region, Abbas said during a meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Labib, Trend reports.

According to him, peace and security can only be achieved by granting the State of Palestine full membership in the UN, as well as the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the territory of the State of Palestine, the capital of which is East Jerusalem, to the borders as of June 4, 1967.

He reiterated that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the State of Palestine.
Hungarian tables are richly laden for the celebration of Easter. Alongside slices of freshly cooked fragrant ham, the table is adorned with a braided Easter loaf, there are eggs boiled in the cooking liquid from the ham, and grated horseradish served alone or in a vinegar dressing.

The accompaniments include radishes, spring onions, and mustard. The annual feast often also includes lamb dishes, and nut or poppy-seed cake for afters.



Hungarian Easter Meal Insights



According to tradition no Easter meal is complete without ham. Indeed, Hungarians set great store by the Easter ham - it is sometimes taken to be blessed by the priest after Mass, along with the eggs, horseradish, and braided loaf.



On farms, when a pig is slaughtered the best ham is reserved for Easter, and cured or smoked with extra care. Equal care is taken when buying a ham for Easter.



The traditional country ham is not the only kind available, some opt for smoked knuckle; others for a boned and netted ham. This type proves less popular among those conscious of tradition, though it does have a lower fat content.



Hungarian Easter Loaf Recipe





No festive meal would be complete without the Easter loaf. This is a light yeast bread with a golden brown crust, made in the form of a circular braid. In the Hungarian countryside, people have been baking such a loaf for special occasions for six hundred years.



More elegant than standard bread, it is an essential feature at Easter, Christmas, and country weddings. It is made in basically the same way everywhere, with slight regional variations in the dough, and variations in appearance according to the occasion.



Ingredients:

1 sugar cube

3 cups/700 ml milk

1 3/4 cakes/30 g compressed yeast

8 1/3 cups/1 kg flour

1 egg yolk

1 tsp salt

Scant 1 cup/100 g confectioners sugar

Generous 1/2 cup/140 g butter

1 egg for glazing

Dissolve the sugar cube in scant 1/2 cup/100 ml lukewarm milk



Crumble into the milk the yeast and leave for about 10 minutes in a warm place. Sift the flour, and combine with the egg yolk, .salt, and yeast mixture. Add the confectioners sugar, half the butter, and the remaining milk, slightly warmed.



Knead to a smooth dough, using the dough hook of a mixer. When the dough begins to come away from the sides of the bowl, add the remaining softened butter, a tablespoonful at a time. Knead in firmly.



Sprinkle with flour, then cover with a kitchen cloth and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 30 minutes). Divide the dough into three equal portions, and shape each into a long roll on a floured working surface. Braid them together.



Place on a greased baking tray to prove again until doubled in size.



Preheat the oven to 400 F/ 200 C. Brush the loaf with beaten egg, and bake for 4550 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.



Hungarian Easter Larded Leg of Lamb Recipe





Ingredients:

1 3/4 lbs/800 g boned leg of lamb

3 1/2 oz/100 g bacon fat

Salt

Scant 1/2 cup/100 g lard or white vegetable fat

1 1/2 tbsp/30 g tomato paste

2 tbsp flour

4 tsp/20 g butter



Start by preheating the oven to 350 F/180 C. Rinse the meat well and pat dry. Tie with string if necessary to retain the shape. Cut the bacon fat into thin strips, and insert into the meat at intervals over the surface.



Place in a roasting pan, then season with salt and pour over the melted lard. Roast for about 40-60 minutes until light brown, turning and basting frequently. Remove the string and let the meat cool a little before serving. To make the sauce, heat the tomato paste riefly, then sprinkle with flour and stir it to blend.



Add 3/4 cup/200 ml water, and bring to the boil. Finally, stir in the butter.



Steamed mixed vegetables, mashed potato, or lettuce make a suitable accompaniment.



Source: itshungarian.com

Republished with permission
Community Leadership Book Club

YORK  The Community Leadership Book Club will meet at Kilgore Memorial Library on Friday, March 29 from 12 to 1 p.m.

York-Hamilton County Cattlemen YORK  Registration and weigh in for market cattle at the 53rd Annual Beef Progress Show hosted by the York-Hamilton County Cattlemen will be held on Friday, March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the York County Fairgrounds. Pre-registration will need to be received by Wednesday, March 27, 2024 the cost is $35 per animal. For more information contact Kim Regier, Show Co-Superintendent of Gerald Peterson, Show Co-Superintendent, 308.991.0817 or email gpeterson808@gmail.com. The show will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the York County Fairgrounds in York. Entries will be taken from 7:30 to 8 a.m. with all entries completed by 8 a.m. The show will start at 10:30 a.m. This is a Junior Nebraska Cattlemen sanctioned show with all classes and divisions to meet Junior Nebraska Cattlemen Show Guidelines.

Geneva Rotary Club

GENEVA  The Geneva Rotary Club is hosting their annual Breakfast With The Easter Bunny fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. There will be two meal options this year: a $5 meal with 1 pancake, 1 sausage, and 1 drink or a $10 meal with 2 pancakes, 2 sausages, and 1 drink. The Easter Bunny will be at the fundraiser for any photo opportunities you may want! Funds raised will go toward Rotarys local projects such as Literacy In A Bag, high school scholarships and Coats for Kids.

York Morning Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Morning Sertoma Club will meet on Monday, April 1 at 7 a.m. at Wendys.

Fillmore County Hospital Auxiliary

GENEVA  The Fillmore County Hospital Auxiliary will meet on Monday, April 1 at 2 p.m. at the Catholic Hall in Geneva for their quarterly meeting. All members and those interested in joining are welcome to attend. Any questions may be directed to Marsha at 366.9417, Alice at 759.1433, Joan at 759.2053 or Rosalie at 759.1455.

York County Republicans

YORK  A Commissioners Forum will be held with those who have filed for York County Commissioner on Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Cornerstone Event Center on the fairgrounds, hosted by the York County Republicans. District 2 is currently held by LeRoy Ott who was appointed in January to fill Woody Zieglers seat due to his death. LeRoy Ott and Nicholas Wollenburg are the candidates on the ballot for District 2. District 5 is currently held by Jack Sikes, who has not filed for reelection. Candidates on the ballot for District 5 are Dean Heine, Joe Burgess and Erick Brekke. The Commissioners work on behalf of the entire county, however, District 2 and District 5 are decided by the residents living in those districts. Because all who have filed are Republicans, this race will ultimately be decided in the Primary election according to the County Clerks Office.

York Noon Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Noon Sertoma Club will meet at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at Chances R.

Village of Gresham

GRESHAM  The Village of Gresham will hold a Comprehensive Plan & Zoning Regulations public input meeting on Wednesday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at the Gresham Community Center. Items discussed will be future land use, annexation, and zoning modifications. All residents are encouraged to attend.

York Rotary Club

YORK  The York Rotary Club will meet at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at Chances R.

York Young Professionals

YORK  The York Young Professionals will host Lattes with Leaders After Hours on Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Blended Distilling. Derek Keller, the owner of Blended Distilling, will share his journey to becoming a business owner. YP members can enjoy a complimentary drink on YP. Guests are invited to join in although they will be responsible for their own expenses. No RSVP required. The evening promises to be an engaging and spirited gathering.

Geneva Arts Council

GENEVA  The Geneva Arts Council with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council presents Flatwater Jazz on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. at the Geneva City Auditorium. Single performance tickets of $15 for adults with students 18 and under free will be available at the door.

York Morning Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Morning Sertoma Club will meet at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 8 at Wendys.

Hispanic Community Meeting

YORK  A Hispanic Community Meeting will be held on Monday, April 8 at the York Chamber Office, located at 603 N. Lincoln Ave. in York starting at 5:30 p.m. The topic will be How to Make Your Banking Experience a Positive One! Guest speakers will be Carlos Campos and Maria Rodriguez from Cornerstone Bank and Raul Sarmiento from Union Bank.

Benedict Village Board

BENEDICT  The Benedict Village Board will meet on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Benedict Community Center.

Friends of the Library

YORK  The Kilgore Memorial Library Friends of the Library will meet on Wednesday, April 10 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the library.

Benedict Volunteer Fire Department

BENEDICT  The Benedict Volunteer Fire Department will meet on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.

York Noon Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Noon Sertoma Club will meet at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at Chances R.

York Rotary Club

YORK  The York Rotary Club will meet at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at Chances R.

York Young Professionals

YORK  The York Young Professionals will hold a board meeting on Thursday, April 11 at 4 p.m.
Sunrise Easter Service at First PresbyterianYORK  First Presbyterian Church will hold an Easter sunrise service on Sunday, March 31 at Bruce L. Anderson Recreation Area/Recharge Lake amphitheater starting at 7 a.m. A traditional Easter church service with communion and special music will be held at the church building (414 N. Delaware Ave) at 10:30 a.m.

One-Act ShowcaseYORK  Yorkshire Playhouse will host a One-Act Showcase on Thursday, March 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. The 2022 winning production of Ghosts written by Raima Kriefels and Lily Houston and the 2023 winning production of Macrame Owls and Matsutake Mushrooms written by Daniel L. Wolff will be directed by Dalton Brandt. Go to yorkshireplayhouse.com for more information.

Zumbini

music classes YORK  Preschool families are invited to Kilgore Memorial Library on Friday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. in order to learn about the upcoming Zumbini music classes. Zumbini is a child-focused journey into the world of music, movement and dance. Its a celebration of the power of music to enhance lives, stimulate learning, inspire dance and movement and strengthen the bond between parent and child. The class is a fun and happy hour for parents and children to enjoy music and movement. Its designed for children under the age of 5 with a parent or caregiver and includes singing, dancing and playing instruments. The class will provide children with exposure to music and its benefits and focuses on energy, fun and play to contribute toward the natural development of cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills. Renewed Horizons has partnered with the library to bring this wonderful music experience to families.

53rd Annual Beef Progress ShowYORK  Registration and weigh in for market cattle at the 53rd Annual Beef Progress Show hosted by the York-Hamilton County Cattlemen will be held on Friday, March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the York County Fairgrounds. Pre-registration will need to be received by Wednesday, March 27, 2024 the cost is $35 per animal. For more information contact Kim Regier, Show Co-Superintendent of Gerald Peterson, Show Co-Superintendent, 308.991.0817 or email gpeterson808@gmail.com.

Governors Town Hall in York YORK  The York County Development Corporation and York Chamber of Commerce invite the public to Governor Pillens town hall discussion set for Monday, April 1 beginning at 12 noon at the York Country Club. Guests are encouraged to arrive as early as 11:30 a.m. so they can go through the buffet line prior to the Governors discussion.

Commissioners ForumYORK  A Commissioners Forum will be held with those who have filed for York County Commissioner on Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Cornerstone Event Center on the fairgrounds, hosted by the York County Republicans. District 2 is currently held by LeRoy Ott who was appointed in January to fill Woody Zieglers seat due to his death. LeRoy Ott and Nicholas Wollenburg are the candidates on the ballot for District 2. District 5 is currently held by Jack Sikes, who has not filed for reelection. Candidates on the ballot for District 5 are Dean Heine, Joe Burgess and Erick Brekke. The Commissioners work on behalf of the entire county, however, District 2 and District 5 are decided by the residents living in those districts. Because all who have filed are Republicans, this race will ultimately be decided in the Primary election according to the County Clerks Office.

Lattes with LeadersYORK  The York Young Professionals will host Lattes with Leaders After Hours on Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Blended Distilling. Derek Keller, the owner of Blended Distilling, will share his journey to becoming a business owner. YP members can enjoy a complimentary drink on YP. Guests are invited to join in although they will be responsible for their own expenses. No RSVP required. The evening promises to be an engaging and spirited gathering.

Pizza, Puzzles

& PintsBRADSHAW  Pizza, Puzzles & Pints will be held at the Bradshaw Community Center on Friday, April 5 starting at 7 p.m. Grab a team of four and see if you can be the first to complete a pizza, a 12 pack of beer and a 300 piece puzzle. The entry fee is $60 per team and the puzzles and pizza will be supplied but BYOB. Cash prizes awarded! No entries accepted after March 29. For questions and to enter please contact Stephanie at 402.736.4634. Must be 21 or older to participate. IDs will be checked at the door.
LINCOLN  Malcolm X has garnered the recognition many have sought for his contributions to the civil rights movement in the conservative Midwest state where he was born, after years of being rejected as too controversial to be honored.

The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday passed a bill to recognize the civil rights icon every May 19, the day Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. The legislation falls short of declaring the day a state holiday, which was introduced in a bill by Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney  one of two Black members of the Nebraska Legislature. McKinney's bill failed to gain traction mainly because of objections to the projected cost of more than $500,000 a year to declare a state holiday. That cost comes from holiday pay for state workers.

Instead, McKinney added an amendment to a bill that declares Oct. 17 as Missing Persons Day. The amendment recognizes May 19 as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X Day, to allow Nebraska schools to hold exercises to recognize the civil rights icon.

The day of recognition comes in the same year that a ceremony will be held in May to observe Malcolm Xs induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. During that ceremony, a bronze bust created by Lincoln artist Nathan Murray will be unveiled and displayed among the busts of other inductees in the halls of the Nebraska State Capitol.

Malcolm X is one of the most fundamentally misunderstood people in American history, McKinney said last year during a committee hearing on his bill. And perhaps the stigma around him would be extinguished if his achievements and contributions were recognized.

Malcolm X was selected last year as the newest inductee into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, making him the state's first Black honoree. His selection came 15 years after being rejected as too controversial.

Born the son of a Baptist preacher, Malcolm Little was still a baby when he and his family left for Milwaukee after threats from the Ku Klux Klan.

At 20, he was convicted of burglary in Boston and sentenced to nearly seven years in prison, where he converted to Islam and later changed his name. He emerged as a fiery Nation of Islam minister with a message that Black people should cast off white oppression by any means necessary, before later splitting from the Nation of Islam and renouncing racial separatism.

He was assassinated in Manhattans Audubon Ballroom by gunmen who opened fire during a speaking engagement.

The firebrand was first nominated for Nebraskas Hall of Fame in 2004, but passed over by a commission made up solely of white men who instead selected a mid-1900s U.S. senator who made a name for himself with his campaign to remove gay men from government posts in the 1940s and 1950s. The pick of Sen. Kenneth Wherry was later nixed because of an open-meetings violation.

Malcolm X was passed over again in 2007 for little-known botanist Charles Bessey.
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.

Besides Halloran, John Cavanaugh and Dungan also declined invitations to testify. Halloran wasnt present for the hearing, while Dungan and John Cavanaugh did attend. Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, the Executive Board chair, said that only invited testifiers were allowed because the matter pertained to internal legislative affairs.

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, Aguilar 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.
Off-roading enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the 5-door Mahindra Thar. There have been numerous speculations roaming around the launch of this vehicle. Now some recent media reports suggest that the 5-door Mahindra Thar is scheduled to make its debut on August 15 this year. Mahindra's choice of August 15 for the debut holds special significance, aligning with India's Independence Day. This tradition began in 2020 when Mahindra unveiled the second-generation Thar on this auspicious day. Read here to know what is expected from this upcoming off-road vehicle.

Expected Design

The 5-door Mahindra Thar might retain its rugged charm with a tall, boxy profile, flat roofline, and upright pillars characteristic of its 3-door sibling. Noteworthy additions might include LED headlights and taillights, a reprofiled front bumper housing circular fog lamps, and a multi-slat front grille. It is expected to feature a longer wheelbase and overall length of the 5-door variant contributing to increased cabin space, especially for the second row. The top-spec trim is expected to boast larger 19-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its road presence.

Expected Features

Inside, the 5-door Thar might showcase a revamped dashboard layout featuring a larger touchscreen infotainment system and a new fully digital instrument cluster. It could also feature wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, an electric sunroof, rear armrests, Type-C charging ports, keyless entry with a start-stop ignition button, remote-operated fuel lid, and an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror.

Safety and Technology

The new Thar is anticipated to elevate safety standards with features such as six airbags, all four disc brakes, front parking sensors, and possibly a 360-degree camera. While Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) details remain undisclosed, existing safety provisions like ESP, hill descent control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and ABS with EBD are expected to continue.

Powertrain and Off-Roading Capabilities

The 5-door Thar is likely to offer a 4x4 drivetrain configuration, with engine options including the 2.0-litre mHawk diesel and the 2.0-litre mStallion turbocharged petrol engines. These powerplants may receive slight performance enhancements compared to the 3-door variant. Transmission choices are expected to include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, complemented by a low-range transfer case with a mechanical locking differential
Suzuki India has recently unveiled its latest offering in the adventure bike segment with the launch of the V-Strom 800DE. Priced at Rs.10.30 lakh, this middleweight adventure bike brings a host of features and capabilities to appeal to riders seeking genuine off-road experiences. Let's dive into the key highlights of the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE:

Engine Performance And Technology

The V-Strom 800DE features all-new 776 cc parallel-twin engine that marks a departure from the traditional v-twin architecture. This powerhouse generates an impressive 82 bhp and 78 Nm of torque, ensuring a thrilling ride across various terrains. Equipped with a 6-speed gearbox featuring a standard bi-directional quickshifter, the V-Strom 800DE promises smooth and precise gear shifts for enhanced riding dynamics.

Design and Construction

Unlike its predecessors, the V-Strom 800DE boasts a sturdy steel frame that contributes to excellent stability and manoeuvrability, especially during off-road adventures. The bike's suspension system features a fully adjustable Showa USD fork with 220 mm of travel at the front and a Showa monoshock at the rear, providing optimal comfort and control over rugged terrains.

Features

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE features a 5-inch full-color TFT display with automatic day/night modes. This intuitive interface allows riders to access various electronic settings, including multiple ride modes, traction control settings, and more, ensuring a personalized and immersive riding experience.

Chassis and Wheels

The V-Strom 800DE's chassis is designed for optimal performance, featuring a detachable rear sub-frame for easy maintenance and an aluminium swingarm for added durability. The bike rides on wire-spoke wheels paired with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres, offering exceptional grip and stability on diverse terrains.

While it may lack cross-spoke wheels with tubeless tyres, a point of contention for some riders, the V-Strom 800DE compensates with its robust performance, advanced technology, and competitive pricing, making it a compelling choice for adventure enthusiasts.
As the automotive industry gears up for the new financial year (FY) 24-25, several car manufacturers in India have announced plans to implement price hikes on their models. Here's a breakdown of what to expect from Toyota, Kia, Honda, and others.

Toyota's Price Increase

Toyota, a prominent player in the Indian automotive market, is gearing up to raise prices for certain variants of its models. The anticipated hike, expected to be around one per cent, is scheduled to take effect from April 1. The decision stems from rising input costs and operational expenditures that have impacted the company's bottom line.

Kia

Following suit, Kia Motors has also disclosed its intentions to increase prices across its mass-market models such as the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens. The hike is projected to be up to three per cent and is attributed to escalating commodity prices, input costs, and supply chain-related challenges. Kia's current lineup in India includes four models, including the fully imported EV6, with prices ranging from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 65.95 lakh.

Honda

While Honda has not yet issued an official statement regarding the precise percentage of the price hike, reports indicate that the Japanese automaker is preparing to raise prices for its entire Indian portfolio. This includes popular models like the Amaze, City (including the City Hybrid variant), and the Elevate. Honda's vehicles in India are currently priced between Rs 7.16 lakh and Rs 20.39 lakh.

It is advised that consumers should brace themselves for the price increases across several car brands and plan their next vehicle purchase accordingly.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. France has lost its political influence in yet another African country, Trend reports.

The newly elected President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye promised to sever the last ties with the former colonial power. He furthermore plans to discontinue the usage of the CFA franc, the currency employed in the former French territories across West and Equatorial Africa.

In 2023, French diplomacy experienced a notable decline in influence across Africa.

Faced with military coups and political upheaval, France's former allies redirected their foreign policies, impacting France's diplomatic stance.

The weakening of France's diplomacy has been notable, and the introduction of a new law tightening immigration regulations for foreigners has only worsened the situation.

Anticipated serious challenges loom for French interests in Africa, particularly following the power shifts in Niger and Burkina Faso, previously pivotal points of French military influence in the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi: All corporate employees would relate when we say, March-April is the best time of 2024. With three long weekends lined up, the plans would surely be made. However, if you are one of those who are planning to avoid overcrowded short-spree destinations, we bring to you a list of shows that will become your portals to distant lands, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. As wanderlust continues to burn within us, travel shows offer a delightful escapea way to explore the world without leaving our couches.

From bustling markets to serene beaches, these shows take us on virtual journeys, igniting our curiosity and inspiring future adventures. So, grab your remote, pack your imagination, and lets embark on a global expedition from the comfort of home!

Once Upon a Trip! To Dubai



In the heart of the Arabian Desert, where the sun kisses the sand and futuristic skyscrapers pierce the cerulean sky, lies a city that defies imaginationDubai. 'Once Upon A Trip! To Dubai showcases Anil Kapoor & Maniesh Paul exploring the allure of this city. Their charm and wit illuminate the city's landscapes and culture, blending comedy, adventure, and heartfelt moments for an authentic experience. Its an odysseya symphony of laughter, awe, and unexpected connections.

Where to watch: JioCinema

Man Vs Wild



"Man vs. Wild" follows Bear Grylls as he navigates diverse terrains, documenting his survival efforts and providing valuable insights. Episodes typically feature Grylls stranded with his crew, facing challenges in wild environments like jungles or forests. Special episodes, such as those in urban settings with no facilities offer unique challenges. Grylls' comprehensive preparations and hands-on approach ensure each episode's authenticity. Additionally, the series includes special editions featuring Indian actors and even the Prime Minister, making it a must-watch for adventure enthusiasts.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Expedition Unknown



Embark on thrilling expeditions with the intrepid archaeologist Josh Gates as he leads us on a global expedition. Uncover ancient temples, forgotten trails, and tantalizing artifacts that captivate the imagination of historians and adventurers alike. Joining Gates on his journeys is a passport to raw, unfiltered history, where every destination holds untold secrets waiting to be revealed. Unlike glossy escapades, this is a gritty, authentic exploration of the world's hidden wonders. Brace yourself for a riveting ride through time and culture, where each discovery sparks curiosity and ignites the spirit of adventure in all who dare to follow.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Kalkis Great Escape



Embark on an exhilarating adventure with Kalki Koechlin and her father, Joel Koechlin, as they traverse the enchanting landscapes of India's North-East. Set against the backdrop of Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, this gripping tale delves deep into the heart of diverse cultures and breathtaking vistas. Mounted on their trusty Royal Enfield Himalayan Bikes, the duo embarks on a daring journey spanning nearly 4000 kilometres over 13 awe-inspiring days. From verdant valleys to mist-shrouded mountains, every twist and turn reveals a new facet of this vibrant region, captivating the imagination and stirring the soul of all who dare to follow their epic escapade.

Where to watch: YouTube (National Geographic India)

TVF Tripling



Picture this: hitting the open road with your siblings, bound for adventure and a heap of unexpected twists. Enter "Tripling" from The Viral Fever, where the charismatic trio - Chandan, Chanchal, and Chitvan - embark on a rollercoaster road trip to Rajasthan, carrying not just luggage, but a mountain of unresolved issues. As they journey to reunite with their parents, laughter, tears, and chaos ensue, weaving a tapestry of hilarity and heartache. Will they untangle their mess of problems along the way, or will it all snowball into even more chaos? Buckle up for a wild ride, because "Tripling" promises an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and sibling shenanigans.

Where to watch: Zee5

Dark Tourist



Step off the beaten path and into the chilling world of dark tourism with journalist David Farrier in this captivating docuseries. While most vacationers flock to sunny beaches and iconic landmarks, Farrier ventures into the shadows, exploring destinations steeped in tragedy and death. From embedding himself in a death-worshipping cult in Mexico to witnessing tourists soaking up radiation in Fukushima, each episode offers a spine-tingling journey into the macabre. Meet vampires in New Orleans, dive into atomic swimming holes in the most-nuked place on Earthno destination is too haunting for Farrier's fearless exploration. Brace yourself for an unforgettable voyage into the depths of dark tourism.

Where to watch: Netflix
New Delhi: As the current financial year is going to end this weekend, the regulatory authority has issued several directives for the smooth functioning of the government offices. Following suit, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a directive regarding the closing and opening of banks.

What RBI Issued?

The banking regulatory authority has directed all agency banks to keep their designated branches open for over-the-counter transactions related to government operations. This requirement applies on March 30 and March 31, 2024, during normal working hours. (Also Read: Sam Bankman-Fried: Once Among America's Wealthiest, Now Facing 25 Years Behind Bars -- Read All About Former Crytpo Mogul)

Reason Behind Directive

According to an RBI notification dated March 20, 2024, the Government of India has requested that all branches dealing with government receipts and payments remain open on March 31, 2024, which falls on a Sunday. (Also Read: Good News For MGNREGA Employees! Centre Announces Pay Hike: Check State-Wise Wages Here)

As per the reports, the Reserve Bank of India's move is to ensure the timely accounting of all government transactions for the fiscal year 2023-24.

What Are Agency Banks?

Agency banks play a crucial role in facilitating government transactions. These banks are authorized to handle government operations, including receipts and payments. The Reserve Bank of India appoints scheduled commercial banks as its agents to carry out these tasks.

How Agency Banks Operate?

Under Section 45 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the RBI appoints scheduled commercial banks as its agents for various purposes, considering factors such as public interest, convenience of banking, and banking development.

These agency banks, both public and private, assist the RBI in conducting government transactions across the country.

List Of Agency Banks

As of May 30, 2023, there were 33 agency banks authorized to handle government operations. This list includes prominent public sector banks such as State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank, as well as select private sector banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

However, there are more banks on the list. You can check it on the official website of RBI.
KCET 2024: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will reopen the KCET 2024 registration window tomorrow, March 30. Candidates who meet the requirements can fill out the KCET 2024 application form by going to cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, the official website. Applications for KCET 2024 must be submitted by April 1 at 4 p.m. Candidates will be assigned to the Bangalore exam centre if they apply for the KCET 2024 within this time frame. The most recent schedule states that on April 5, the KCET admission card 2024 will be distributed. The dates of the KCET 2024 exam are set for April 18 and 19. The Kannada language test will take place on April 20.

KCET 2024: Exam pattern

There will be an offline mode of the KCET in 2024. It consists of three subjects: chemistry, physics, and mathematics, often known as biology. The exam is offered in either Kannada or English. Every paper in KCET 2024 is one hour and twenty minutes long. There will be 180 multiple-choice questions in all, 60 for each subject. There is only one mark awarded for each question, and wrong answers receive no deduction in the score.

KCET 2024: Steps to apply here

Visit the official website cetonline.karnataka.gov.in

Register with the necessary information.

Register and complete the application for KCET 2024.

Upload the required files.

Remit the application cost for KCET 2024.

Send it in, making a copy to save for later.

KCET 2024: Application Fees

Candidates must submit an application fee to complete the KCET 2024 registration process. applicants from Karnataka who are General Merit (GM), 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B must pay an application fee of Rs 500, while applicants from CAT-1, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) must pay Rs 250. Those who have studied outside of Karnataka are required to pay an application fee of Rs. 750. Foreign applicants must submit an application and pay a Rs 5,000 application fee.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday gave its nod for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Minister Satyendar Jain, news agency reported citing government sources. The sanction comes under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act, following allegations that Jain extorted Rs. 10 Crores from notorious conman Sukash Chandrashekhar, who was then lodged in Tihar Jail.

In addition to Jain, Sandeep Goel, the former director general of Tihar prisons, and several other staff members were accused of demanding and extorting protection money from high-profile prisoners in Delhis jails.

On March 22, the ministry gave the green light for a CBI investigation into Jain. Following this, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena sent the file to the chief secretary for further necessary action, as confirmed by an official.

Chandrashekhar, who is currently serving time in Tihar jail for a money laundering case, lodged a complaint. Following this, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an inquiry and requested permission from the relevant authority to prosecute the former minister under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In his complaint, Chandrashekhar claimed that Jain had extorted Rs 10 crore from him in various instalments between 2018 and 2021, either personally or through his accomplices, as protection money to ensure he could live peacefully and comfortably in various Delhi jails.

He also alleged that some jail officials had extorted Rs 12.50 crore from him in instalments between 2019 and 2022.
New Delhi: In another setback for the Congress party, amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign, sources revealed on Friday that the Income Tax Department has served a demand notice amounting to approximately Rs 1823.08 crore. This notice pertains to the assessment years spanning from 2017-18 to 2020-21 and encompasses penalty charges along with accrued interest.

       ,  -    



                1823.08           .              pic.twitter.com/ZsWYP5863z  Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 29, 2024

Reacting to the notice, the Congress party has accused the BJP of utilizing financial tactics to suppress them, especially as the Lok Sabha elections draw near, slated to commence on April 19. In a press conference today, Congress member Jairam Ramesh labelled the notices as a form of "tax terrorism" orchestrated to weaken the party financially, stressing the need to halt such actions. "The notices are being sent to cripple us financially. This is tax terrorism, and this is being used to attack the Congress, This has to stop," Congress's Jairam Ramesh said in a press conference today.

#WATCH | Congress leader Ajay Maken says, "We have received notices from the time of Sitaram Kesari, from 1993-94... We have been demanded to pay Rs 53 crores from the time of Sitaram Kesari. A total of Rs 1823 crores has been made by the IT department from Congress." pic.twitter.com/Yas23wj9l7  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court dismissed the Congress party's plea contesting the initiation of reassessment proceedings by the Income Tax Department for the years 2017-18 to 2020-21. The court upheld its earlier decision rejecting similar pleas by Congress regarding reassessment proceedings for previous years.

Moreover, a recent ruling by the Delhi High Court affirmed the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's decision not to suspend the Income Tax notice for the recovery of over Rs 105 crore in outstanding taxes from the Congress party. However, the court granted the Congress liberty to approach the appellate tribunal again with their grievances.

In response, the Congress party has moved to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal to contest the recovery proceedings, seeking a stay on the process and the freezing of their bank accounts.

The issue of political funding has gained prominence in this election cycle, especially following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down electoral bonds. These bonds, allowing anonymous donations to political parties, were deemed to violate citizens' right to information. The Congress and other opposition parties have hailed this verdict, considering it a blow to the BJP, which had benefited significantly from the scheme.
New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Friday diverted two of its naval ships to intercept an Iranian fishing vessel, Al Kambar, in the Arabian Sea in response to a potential piracy attack. The vessel was reportedly hijacked on Friday evening. Upon receiving information about the potential piracy incident, the Indian Navy promptly redirected two of its ships, which were on a mission in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, to intercept the hijacked vessel.

At the time of the incident, the Iranian vessel was located approximately 90 Nautical Miles South West of Socotra and was reportedly boarded by nine armed pirates. The hijacked fishing vessel was successfully intercepted on March 29.

As per the latest updates, the Indian Navy is currently conducting an operation to rescue the hijacked fishing vessel and its crew. The Indian Navy has reiterated its commitment to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of their nationalities.

The Indian Navy has been actively involved in several high-stakes operations against piracy attacks recently. Earlier this month, in a daring operation, the Indian Navy intercepted the pirate ship Ruen, which was sailing almost 2600 km from the Indian Coast, and forced the pirate ship to halt through calculated actions.

During the rescue operation, which lasted over 40 hours, INS Kolkata successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender, ensuring the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the pirate vessel without any injuries.

In another operation, the Indian Navy swiftly responded to a distress call from the Gulf of Aden where a merchant vessel had caught fire after being hit by a missile. The Navy rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national.

Last month, in response to a distress call from a fishing vessel, an Indian Naval ship that was deployed in the North Arabian Sea for maritime security operations provided damage control assistance and undertook strengthening of the hull, rendering the boat safe for further transit.
In today's DNA, Zee News' Saurabh Raaj Jain analysed the politics of mourning that has emerged following the death of notorious gangster Mukhtar Ansari. Tonight's show explored why a man, who inflicted suffering on hundreds of families and was responsible for numerous deaths, is being mourned. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and RJD, are expressing grief over Ansaris death as if he were a saint rather than a mafia don. This necessitates a closer examination of the politics of mourning surrounding the demise of a Mafia Don.

Following Ansaris death, his family has claimed that he was slowly poisoned in jail. To ascertain the veracity of this allegation, the Yogi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry.

We also examined the natural justice that has been served to Ansaris victims with his death. This is particularly relevant in the case of the murder of Krishnanand Rai, which brought Ansari into the limelight. Rai, a BJP MLA, was murdered simply because he defeated Ansaris brother, Afzal Ansari, in an election. Today, we will decode the trajectory of Ansaris transformation into a mafia don and how his downfall began under Yogi Raj.

Also Read: Autopsy Reveals Heart Attack As Cause Of Death: Report

Zee News has obtained a timeline of Ansaris health deterioration in jail from March 19 to his death on March 28, from sources in Banda jail.

Watch tonight's DNA episode for a detailed analysis of the Mukhtar Ansari death case:
News Delhi: India and Ukraine conducted extensive and candid discussions on Friday, with the ongoing conflict and its broader implications being the focal point. The bilateral talks were held between the foreign ministers of the two nations. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines Foreign Minister, embarked on a two-day visit to India on Thursday, amidst ongoing efforts to peacefully resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has been raging for over two years.

S Jaishankar, Indias External Affairs Minister, welcomed Kuleba at Hyderabad House for the meeting. Following their discussion, Jaishankar shared on social media, Engaged in an open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukraine FM @DmytroKuleba this afternoon.

He further added, Our dialogue centered on the ongoing conflict and its wider implications. We exchanged perspectives on various initiatives in this context. We also discussed global and regional issues of mutual interest. We reaffirmed our commitment to bolstering the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation.

Jaishankar also posted photographs of him shaking hands with his Ukrainian counterpart and their bilateral meeting.

On the eve of his visit, Kuleba had expressed on social media, I commenced my visit to New Delhi at the invitation of @DrSJaishankar. The cooperation between Ukraine and India is significant, and we aim to rejuvenate our ties. Building on the dialogue between @ZelenskyyUa and @NarendraModi, we will focus specifically on the Peace Formula.

During his weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to a query about Kulebas visit, stated that the foreign ministers would engage in a bilateral dialogue covering a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral relations.

He added that they would also review the Inter-governmental Commission that was held earlier. The two leaders will also deliberate on regional and global issues of shared concern. Jaiswal mentioned that several other engagements are also planned for the Ukrainian foreign minister.

Regarding Indias stance on the peace conference in Switzerland, the MEA spokesperson clarified, Our position on peace initiatives and our perspective on the Ukraine-Russia conflict are clear. We persistently advocate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy and remain open to all methods that would aid in achieving this goal.

The Peace Formula, proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022, outlines ten principles aimed at securing a fair and enduring peace in Ukraine.
NEW DELHI: In a significant political development, the opposition's INDIA bloc, also known as the Mahagathbandhan, on Friday finalized its seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. As per the arrangement, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest constituent of the Mahagathbandhan, will field candidates in 26 seats, which includes key constituencies like Purnea and Hajipur. The Congress, another major member, will contest on nine seats, including prominent ones like Kishanganj and Patna Sahib, while the Left will battle for five seats.

Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Bihar: RJD, Congress and Left leaders hold a joint press conference and announce seat allocation.



RJD to field its candidates on 26 seats, including on Purnea and Hajipur.



Congress on 9 seats, including Kishanganj and Patna Sahib



Left on 5 pic.twitter.com/ltnrsiPDQG  ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024

Sticking Point Over Purnea And Katihar Seats

The negotiation process faced a hurdle primarily concerning the Purnea and Katihar constituencies, both currently held by the Janata Dal (United). These seats became focal points of discussion between the RJD and the Congress during talks regarding the distribution of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

Congress Gives Purnea Seat To RJD

In a notable development, the Congress agreed to relinquish its claim over the Purnea Lok Sabha seat. This seat, which was sought after by Pappu Yadav, husband of Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan, purportedly based on assurances from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, will now be contested by the RJD, which recently nominated JD(U) turncoat Bima Bharti for the seat.

The RJD's decision to field candidates in all four seats of the first phase of polls, without consulting its allies, stirred discontent within the Mahagathbandhan. This unilateral action was viewed critically by coalition partners.

Tejashwi Yadav's Absence

Meanwhile, the absence of Tejashwi Yadav, scheduled to address Mahagathbandhan's press conference in Patna, raised eyebrows. However, RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha assured that all is well within the party and the names of the candidates for the remaining seats would be announced soon.

Reports of discontent within the Mahagathbandhan emerged after RJD unilaterally announced its candidate. However, Tejashwi Yadav quickly dismissed these tensions, asserting that an understanding had been reached over seat-sharing, promising a formal announcement soon.

Elections In Bihar

With the first phase of elections scheduled for April 19 and nominations already filed for the respective seats, Mahagathbandhan's seat-sharing deal sets the stage for a crucial electoral battle in Bihar. While tensions and discontent simmer within the coalition, the deal poses a formidable challenge to the incumbent National Democratic Alliance.
New Delhi: The Congress party has reacted strongly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment that to "browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture". In a statement issued by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, he criticized the Prime Minister for commenting on the judiciary, deeming it inappropriate. Kharge accused PM Modi of encroaching upon institutional powers and weakening the nation.

Kharge's Four-Point Response

Responding to PM Modi's remarks, Kharge took to social media platform X, posing four direct questions and accusing the Prime Minister of undermining institutions. Kharge's questions focused on key events and appointments, challenging the government's actions and decisions.

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

Unprecedented Press Conference By 4 Judges

Kharge's first query referenced the unprecedented press conference held in January 2018 by four Supreme Court judges, who raised concerns about the then Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra. The independence of the judiciary, they emphasized, is paramount for a functional democracy.

Nomination Of Former Chief Justice To Rajya Sabha

Next, Kharge questioned the nomination of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to the Rajya Sabha in 2020. This move, unprecedented in Indian history, raised eyebrows and drew criticism, with Kharge highlighting the potential conflicts of interest.

Entry Of Former High Court Judge Into Politics

Kharge also raised concerns about the entry of former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijeet Gangopadhyay into electoral politics, questioning the motives behind such a move and its implications for judicial independence.

Scrutiny of National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)

Additionally, Kharge queried the government's introduction of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which was struck down by the Supreme Court. Despite Congress' support for the constitutional amendment bill in parliament, questions linger about the government's intentions regarding judicial appointments.

600 Lawyers Write To CJI

The letter by over 600 lawyers, including veteran advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, alleged that a vested interest group is putting pressure on the judiciary, especially in cases of corruption involving political leaders. 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' honour.

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 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 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Armenia risks finding itself in impasse if it believes the empty promises of the European Union on access to the EU common market and decides to withdraw from the EAEU for the sake of it, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports via TASS.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated this while commenting on the report of the Friends of Armenia Network on deepening relations between the EU and Yerevan, prepared under the leadership of former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

"According to the report, Yerevan should withdraw from the EAEU, of which Armenia, by the way, is the main beneficiary. At the same time, it is kept silent about when and under what conditions Armenians will be able to get access to the EU common market. It may happen that following the empty promises of the European Union, the residents of the republic will be left at a broken trough," the diplomatic agency said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that it is impossible to escape the impression that the European Union perceives Armenia solely as a source of resources and profit for Europe.

"At the same time, they consider it normal that the interests and priorities of the country are determined by Brussels," the diplomatic agency added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi: The BSP chief, Mayawati, once hailed Mukhtar Ansari as a modern-day 'Robin Hood ' and praised him as a champion of the 'poor.' However, his career was tinted with blood and gore. Last evening, the dreaded gangster was brought to the hospital around 8:25 PM, according to the official release from the hospital. A team of nine doctors attended to him before he died, the release mentioned.

Blood-Laden Career In Politics

Despite his extensive criminal record, Ansari managed to secure electoral victories, serving as an MLA five times under various political party banners.

Early Life

Born into an influential family in 1963, Ansari delved into crime at a young age, navigating through a slew of criminal cases including murder and extortion. In 1978, at the age of 15 years of age, Ansari was booked for criminal intimidation at Saidpur Police Station of Ghazipur. Ansari's criminal journey evolved into multiple murder charges and other serious criminal allegations over the years.

Turning To Politics

Notwithstanding his criminal activities, Ansari successfully ventured into politics, winning assembly seats from Mau and founding his own party, Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED). Ansari's political career spanned over two decades, marked by electoral victories and strategic alliances with different political entities.

Many Crimes Of Mukhtar Ansari

Ansari's criminal convictions included charges such as fraudulently obtaining an arms license, giving death threats, and involvement in murder cases, resulting in life sentences and hefty penalties.

The legal proceedings against Ansari showcased a pattern of convictions and sentences, highlighting the gravity of his criminal involvements over the years.

Legal Battle

Throughout his political tenure, Ansari faced legal battles and incarceration. Many numerous criminal cases were registered against him. That lead to convictions and ongoing trials in various courts. Ansari's saga also involved legal disputes regarding his custody between Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, demonstrating the complexities surrounding his criminal history and political influence.
NEW DELHI: Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari's political journey is intricately intertwined with the socio-political fabric of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, where his influence extended far beyond his criminal background. From his emergence as a gangster to his transformation into a powerful political figure, Ansari's legacy leaves a significant imprint on the region's political landscape.

Early Life And Criminal Beginnings

Born into a politically influential family, Ansari's foray into crime began in the 1980s and 1990s when he established himself among government contract mafias in Uttar Pradesh. His criminal activities, ranging from extortion to murder, earned him notoriety in the region. Despite facing numerous criminal charges, Ansari's political ambitions remained undeterred.

Foray Into Politics: From Gangster To Legislator

Ansari's transition from gangster to politician marked a pivotal moment in his life. He capitalized on his criminal network to build a formidable political base, eventually winning elections on the tickets of various political parties. His ability to secure electoral victories, even from behind bars, underscored his enduring influence and the complexities of Uttar Pradesh's political landscape.

Dominance In Eastern UP

Ansari's political dynasty, encompassing multiple generations, wielded considerable influence in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Constituencies like Mau and Ghazipur emerged as electoral fortresses for the Ansari family, with Mukhtar and his relatives consistently winning elections by significant margins. Their stronghold over local politics reflected a blend of power, patronage, and legacy.

Despite his criminal background, Ansari enjoyed widespread support among certain sections of the population, particularly among Muslims and Dalits. Many locals viewed him as a Robin Hood-like figure, attributing his popularity to his perceived assistance to the underprivileged. His ability to provide financial aid for medical treatment, weddings, and other necessities cemented his support base in the region.

Impact On Eastern UP: Socio-Political Dynamics

Ansari's influence extended beyond electoral politics, shaping the socio-political dynamics of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. His patronage networks, coupled with his ability to mobilize voters, played a crucial role in determining electoral outcomes and influencing governance priorities. However, his dominance also led to allegations of corruption, nepotism, and criminalization of politics.

Controversies: Legal Battles And Allegations

Throughout his political career, Ansari faced numerous legal battles and controversies. From allegations of criminal intimidation to charges of corruption, his tenure was marred by accusations of wrongdoing. However, his ability to navigate these challenges and maintain his political relevance speaks to the complexities of power dynamics in Uttar Pradesh.

Post-Ansari Era In Eastern UP

With Mukhtar Ansari's demise, Eastern Uttar Pradesh finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the aftermath of his political legacy. The void left by his absence raises questions about the future trajectory of the region's politics and the emergence of new power brokers. As parties vie for control in the upcoming elections, the impact of Ansari's legacy continues to reverberate through the corridors of power in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Mukhtar Ansari's political journey, characterized by a blend of criminality and electoral success, remains a subject of fascination and debate in Uttar Pradesh. His impact on Eastern Uttar Pradesh, both as a gangster and a politician, underscores the intricate interplay between power, patronage, and populism in the region's politics.
New Delhi: Sam Bankman-Fried, known as 'SBF,' emerged as a notable figure in the world of cryptocurrency as the founder of FTX, a major cryptocurrency exchange. His journey began after leaving a Wall Street job to start a cryptocurrency hedge fund, Alameda Research, in 2017.

Two years later, he launched FTX, which allowed users to trade digital assets like Bitcoin. Here's how his journey began on the latter of success. (Also Read: Crypto Mogul Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison --How Did The Biz Collapse? Explained)

Sam Bankman-Fried: Early Life

Born on March 6, 1992, in California, Bankman-Fried grew up in a family of highly educated parents, both professors at Stanford Law School. (Also Read: Big Blow To Home Loan Borrowers! HDFC Bank Raises Lending Rates To 9.8%)

Sam Bankman-Fried: Education

He attended Crystal Springs Uplands School and later graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in physics and a minor in mathematics.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Starting Of Professional Career

He interned at Jane Street Capital during his time at MIT and eventually joined the firm as a full-time employee after graduation.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Rise To Prominence

Bankman-Fried quickly rose to prominence, with his net worth exceeding $26 billion, making him one of the richest individuals in America before turning 30.

He gained attention not only for his financial success but also for his unconventional appearance and demeanor, often sporting unkempt curly hair and rumpled shorts.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Legal Troubles

However, Bankman-Fried's success came crashing down with allegations of fraud and embezzlement. In November 2023, a New York jury found him guilty on seven counts, including wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors accused him of embezzling customer funds and using them to cover losses at Alameda Research.

Sam Bankman-Fried: Sentencing

Bankman-Fried was ultimately sentenced to 25 years behind bars on March 28, 2024. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $11 billion in restitution.

During his sentencing, Bankman-Fried acknowledged the harm suffered by FTX customers and offered an apology to his former colleagues
New Delhi: With March 31, 2024, looming close, mutual fund holders are receiving a stark reminder to ensure their readiness. One critical change affecting mutual fund investors is the requirement to undergo Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures once again.

Alerts From RTAs

Mutual fund registrar and transfer agents (RTAs) CAMS and KFintech are actively reaching out to MF investors via email. (Also Read: Sam Bankman-Fried: Once Among America's Wealthiest, Now Facing 25 Years Behind Bars -- Read All About Former Crytpo Mogul)

Importance Of Redoing KYC

Investors whose KYC is not based on any officially valid documents must complete their KYC again before March 31. Failure to do so will result in them being unable to conduct MF transactions such as SIPs, SWPs, or redemptions from April 1 onwards. (Also Read: Agency Banks To Open This Sunday: Check What It Is, How They Operate & Full List)

Officially Valid Documents For KYC

KYC based on proofs such as bank statements and utility bills will no longer be valid after March 31. Investors must ensure their KYC is based on officially valid documents like an Aadhaar card, passport, and voter ID card, among others.

Regulatory Norms

The need to redo KYC stems from compliance requirements outlined in a SEBI master circular on KYC norms for the security market and the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005.

Redoing KYC Process

To redo KYC, investors must submit a physical KYC form along with relevant documents to mutual fund houses or RTAs. The updated KYC information is then communicated to the KYC registration agencies (KRAs).

It Can Be Done Online?

It's important to note that the redo of KYC cannot be completed online. Investors must adhere to the physical submission process.

Processing Time

This is another question that may come to your mind. The KYC registration process can take anywhere from two to 21 days, depending on various factors.
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a temporary suspension of the facility for exchanging and depositing Rs 2,000 banknotes at 19 of its issuing offices. This suspension is due to operations associated with the annual closing of accounts, as stated by the central bank.

Temporary Suspension Of Exchange Of Rs 2,000 Notes

The exchange and deposit facility for Rs 2,000 banknotes will not be available on April 1 at the specified RBI offices. (Also Read: Agency Banks To Open This Sunday: Check What It Is, How They Operate & Full List)

When This Facility Will Resume?

However, the RBI assures that this facility will resume on April 2, allowing the public to continue exchanging and depositing these banknotes. (Also Read: Sam Bankman-Fried: Once Among America's Wealthiest, Now Facing 25 Years Behind Bars -- Read All About Former Crytpo Mogul)

Since May 19, 2023, the exchange of Rs 2,000 banknotes has been available at the 19 RBI issue offices. Additionally, from October 9, 2023, individuals and entities have been able to deposit Rs 2,000 banknotes into their bank accounts at these offices.

Currency Statistics

According to RBI statistics, as of March 1, 2024, 97.62 percent of the Rs 2,000 currency notes in circulation since May 19, 2023, have been returned to the banking system.

The total value of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation has significantly declined from Rs 3.56 lakh crore to Rs 8,470 crore.

Withdrawal Of Rs 2,000 Banknotes

The RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 banknotes on May 19, 2023, as part of its clean note policy. These high-denomination notes were introduced in November 2016, following the withdrawal of all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes from circulation.
New Delhi: In a heart-wrenching incident in Delhi's GTB Nagar, an individual stumbled upon a Zomato delivery partner in tears, desperately seeking help from passersby. The delivery partner, visibly distressed, revealed that Zomato had blocked his account, coinciding with his sister's upcoming wedding.

User Post On X

Soham Bhattacharya, the individual who encountered the delivery partner, shared the poignant encounter on the social media platform 'X'. (Also Read: Mutual Fund Investors ALERT! One Needs To Do THIS By March 31 To Avoid Transaction Blocks)

In his post, Bhattacharya recounted the delivery partner's emotional plea, detailing how he was sobbing and requesting financial assistance from anyone who would listen. (Also Read: Sam Bankman-Fried: Once Among America's Wealthiest, Now Facing 25 Years Behind Bars -- Read All About Former Crytpo Mogul)

The delivery partner explained that he had been saving every penny for his sister's wedding and hadn't eaten in order to conserve funds. Take a look at his post:

This guy's sister's wedding is in few days & @zomato @zomatocare blocked his account! He was sobbing like anything near GTB Nagar, going to everyone and asking for some money. He told me he didn't eat anything saving it all for her wedding



Please make it viral if you can pic.twitter.com/sl8juEBsaJ  Soham Bhattacharya (@Sohamllb) March 28, 2024

Call For Action

Bhattacharya's post quickly gained traction, garnering over 3.3 million views as it circulated online. He urged users to spread the word, hoping to draw attention to the delivery partner's plight.

If anyone wants to help this poor fellow please do. Though I am not sure how genuine it is but he was crying like anything. @zomato @zomatocare Please look into it. pic.twitter.com/n7ct7V2GKe March 28, 2024

Zomato's Response

In response to the viral post, Zomato acknowledged the situation and expressed their appreciation for their delivery partners. The food-delivery giant assured that they would investigate the matter and take appropriate action to address the issue.

We deeply value our delivery partners, and we understand the impact that actions like blocking an ID can have. Rest assured, we take such matters seriously. We assure you, we'll look into this. Our delivery partners are as important to us as our customers.  Zomato Care (@zomatocare) March 28, 2024

Users Reactions:

Kids in Lower Middle Class.families, d youth goes away working very hard, supporting d family. Do you realize how these boys wait under d shade of trees, till d order is being prepared. Whether it's winter or summer time. Don't harass them for money-Their curse would destroy U. pic.twitter.com/uhjQMeQEe9 March 28, 2024

Zomato charged us so much taxes and exploits their employee like this  Ashwani Tiwari (@tiwariashwani33) March 28, 2024
With Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise, Trilobe poetically unveils its first ever complication, a moonphase indicator

Since launching Paris-based start-up Trilobe in 2018, founder and creative director Gautier Massonneau has been writing himself into modern-day watchmaking history with his compelling hands-free vision of telling the time.

Throughout Trilobes impressive collections, traditional watch hands are dispensed with; in their stead are three eccentric rotating rings  a peripheral hour ring, an inner minutes ring and innermost seconds disc, coupled with a fixed indicator, usually in the form of a trefoil  un trilobe in French.

Developing this innovative, time-only display has required  and revealed  the considerable creative talent of Massonneau, a former banker and son of an architect and interior designer. It has equally entailed the development of a proprietary micro-rotor movement which has seen Trilobe partner with Le Cercle des Horlogers near Neuchatel.

It hasnt all been about design and mechanics though. Gautier has woven literary themes into his watchmaking, christening each collection after a celebrated piece of writing that references a time of day.

Trilobe stunning debut creation, Les Matinaux (The Morning), honours a collection of poems by Rene Char. Its minimalist, Grand Prix de Geneve-winning follow-up, Nuit Fantastique (Fantastic Night), alludes to Stefan Zweigs volume of short stories. And the title of Gautiers three-dimensional third act, La Folle Journee (The Crazy Day) refers to the Pierre Beaumarchais play The Marriage of Figaro.

Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise  Trilobe

Flowing Poetry

At Watchers & Wonders 2024, Trilobe has kept the bookish vibe going and the poetry flowing by introducing its first ever complication. As part of a new timepiece named after Paul Verlaines poem LHeure Exquise (The Exquisite Hour)  which describes how silver moonlight beautifully glows at nightfall  the complication in question is the most lyrical of them all: A moonphase indicator.

Aesthetically, LHeure Exquise draws heavily on Trilobes first collection "Les Matinaux", and even incorporates the latter in its full name Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise.

As such, we see a five-part dial comprising three eccentric rotating rings including the peripheral hour ring and inner minutes ring. But now the innermost ring is a stunning dual display consisting of a star-spangled sapphire disc notionally indicating seconds and, below it, the moonphase display.

Like most moonphases, the one integrated into Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise features two identical moons, here laser-textured in brass, coupled with a blued disc that rotates one full cycle every 29.5 days, imitating the moon's orbit around the earth.

The disc turns thanks to a 59-tooth gear that has been added to the brands proprietary X-Centric calibre featuring 48-hour power reserve and dark bridges treated with black gold that can be seen thorough the transparent display back.

Returning to the face of the watch, and there is a veritable mesmeric quality to the dial details, such as the slanting numerals that help to accentuate the motion of the rings indicating the time. These rings and the plates in between them have been sandblasted to create a fine matte texture, while the moonphase display and seconds are framed by a smart polished and satin-finished flange.

Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise  Trilobe

Captivating Colourways

Beyond the lyricism of the dial, Trilobe has ensured that the Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise ticks all the boxes in terms of overall looks and wearability. Indeed, there is a neat choice of dial colours, case sizes and case materials, plus dial customisation options.

The dashing Blue dial comes with either a 38.5mm or 40.5mm case in lightweight titanium, or a 40.5mm case in 18k rose gold. If desired, each of these can be transformed into a personalised Secret edition featuring a Super-LumiNova representation of the starry sky as actually seen over a given location on a certain date at a specific time  a great way to honour a memorable event or precious moment.

Then there is a gorgeous, sand-toned Dune dial which is also available with 38.5mm or 40.5mm titanium case, or 40.5mm rose gold case.

In total, Les Matinaux LHeure Exquise will be limited to a hundred pieces. For more information, please visit Trilobes website.
The long-running legal battle between American stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who divorced in 2019, is coming to an end. According to their friends, the actor decided to give in on the issue of child custody.

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Previously, six teenagers - Maddox, Shiloh, Knox, Vivienne, Zahara, and Pax - were minors, so Pitt wanted to take custody of three of them. As DailyMail has learned, the actor has dropped the lawsuit.

The litigation between the celebrities is expected to end by the summer. The actors have already been officially divorced, but the issue of children was still acute between them.

According to sources close to Jolie and Pitt, the reason for their conditional reconciliation was that three of their children have already crossed the 18-year mark, and another daughter, Shiloh, will be an adult in a month.

Thus, the Hollywood celebrities will be left with only two minor heirs, 15-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

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The couple's older children - Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Zahara, 19 - are believed to be not very inclined to communicate with Brad Pitt after their quarrel with their mother on an airplane many years ago. If all goes well, the actor will be able to visit the younger children.

We would like to remind you that he and Angelina Jolie adopted three of the six heirs.

As you know, Pitt previously sued Jolie. The movie star accused his ex of secretly selling her share of the joint French estate and winery to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The media once again confirm that American actor Tom Cruise has broken up with Russian socialite Elsina Khairova. Earlier it was reported that the couple went through a breakup after the star met the Russian woman's children.

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Insiders say: Cruise did this to avoid problems with Khairova's ex, Russian oligarch and diamond trader Dmitry Tsvetkov. This was reported by Page Six.

Shortly after it became known about the affair between the American and the Russian, her ex-husband gave a long interview to the Daily Mail, detailing his 11-year marriage to Elsina. "She loves the finer things in life and has a luxurious taste for expensive things. Tom should keep his eyes and wallet wide open," Tsvetkov warned.

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According to a source close to Cruise, the article worried the celebrity's team. "He's acting, and her husband says all kinds of nasty things every time Tom is mentioned in the press. They just didn't want to deal with an ex-husband who comes up with new nonsense every few weeks," the insider says.

Tsvetkov, who prefers the term "tycoon" to "oligarch," also somewhat unexpectedly called Cruise his "favorite actor" during the interview. The Russian added that he had talked to a Hollywood producer about having the star play him in a biopic.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that the couple broke up almost immediately after the Hollywood star met Khairova's children, and tabloids spread rumors about the seriousness of his intentions.

For the first time, Elsina and Tom's romance was discussed in December last year. The press found out that she was the daughter of a Putinist and a former State Duma deputy. Before that, a video was found on the Internet where terrorists thanked the Russian woman for drones, night vision devices, and armor for the occupying army.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Queen Camilla arrived at the annual Royal Maundy ceremony at Worcester Cathedral in Worcestershire on Easter Eve without Charles III due to his cancer treatment. The Consort on Maundy Thursday performed an important duty on behalf of the monarch and thus became the first wife in British history to temporarily replace her husband.

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The king was obliged to present citizens with purses of coins as a sign of their honorable service to the state, and his wife did it instead. According to Hello!, despite the rainy weather, the event was attended by more than 200 people. Queen Camilla received many words of support regarding the health of her husband and daughter-in-law Kate Middleton.

"I just hope Kate is feeling well and I'm sorry to hear about her illness. I hope Kate finds some peace now to get better is what I wanted to say. I just wanted to come and see the Queen and just let her know what I was thinking," said 66-year-old Sheila Clarke, one of the attendees of the event.

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Earlier, King Charles III recorded an audio message specifically for the Easter service. Since he was unable to attend the event, fans listened to the recording, which was created in mid-March.

In it, he made a veiled reference to his illness and his daughter-in-law. "The act of worship here in Worcester Cathedral reminds me of the vow I made at the beginning of my coronation service to follow Christ's example of 'not to be served but to serve'. I have always tried to follow this and continue to do so, with all my heart," Charles III said.

The Royal Maundy ceremony dates back to the 17th century when King Charles II began distributing bags of coins to people. This year, 75 men and 75 women who have rendered services to the state will receive two purses filled with money  red and white  from Queen Camilla. The number of people was chosen depending on the number of years the king had lived.

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Ukrainian-born Hollywood actress Ivanna Sakhno, who recently starred in Ahsoka TV series, a spin-off for Star Wars, was caught singing Ukrainian folk song "Hey, Sokoly!" (Hey, Falcons) on the Ukrzaliznytsia train before departure. At that time, the star was probably heading to Warsaw because the Polish-language version was performed by a male choir. The tradition of playing theme songs before the departure of some trains is inherent in the railroad company.

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In the video posted by Ukrzaliznytsia on its Instagram page, a woman in the corridor of a compartment car dances to the song and moves her lips in accordance with the words in it. The star was in a great mood.

When the train started to move, the actress happily said goodbye to those who were seeing her off, waving and even trying to pull her out through the window.

"And may the Ukrzaliznytsia Force be with you. Ukrainian Ivanka Sakhno, who recently starred in Ahsoka, is singing "Hey, Falcons" on the train before departure," Ukrzaliznytsia captioned the video.

Ivanna Sakhno was likely traveling home to Los Angeles, USA, from Kyiv railway station by this train. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the actress has repeatedly condemned the armed aggression. In May 2023, she became an ambassador for the United24 charity project.

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American Alex Schnee has visited all 7 continents of the world. Growing up in a small town, she always dreamed of traveling.

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As she grew up, she was lucky enough to find a flexible job and a like-minded person. Schnee told Business Insider about the places that impressed her the most.

Africa: The Sahara Desert

"I like the Sahara Desert so much that I visited it twice," Alex says. The traveler noted that she will never forget the night sky and the Milky Way, which was visible between the clouds. Each star seemed so close it felt you could touch it.

The endless dunes and the ever-changing landscape mean that you experience something new every time, and each view is different from the one before.

Antarctica: The Antarctic Peninsula

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Kayaking among the blue icebergs and penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula offers an experience that simply cannot be seen anywhere else. Schnee describes the wildlife and landscapes of Antarctica as if they were from another world.

"Just when I thought the continent couldn't get any more beautiful, our ship turned and we found a new, seemingly untouched corner with glaciers and sleeping seals," she recalls.

Asia: The Himalayas

There is something special about being on top of the world. "When my husband and I went up to Everest camp, where climbers begin their ascent, we were greeted by incredibly high peaks and stunning views," Alex says.

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However, she notes that it's not only a physical challenge but also an emotional one. The mountains are incredibly big, and just when you think you've seen the most beautiful view, another incredibly big peak looms over you.

Australia: Uluru

Compared to Australia's big cities, few people make it to the Australian outback. Schnee believes it is the best part of the continent. "We traveled around Uluru by bike, which was a great way to realize the scale and importance of this place, which is sacred to the Aborigines," she said.

The most unforgettable part of the trip was the sunset, which paints the famous rock with pink and purple hues.

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Europe: Florence, Italy

Although Alex lived in the Florence region of Italy for a year, she admits that she didn't have time to explore all the city's gems. "I would often go to random churches to find works by Botticelli or Donatello, and spend days wandering the streets looking for the perfect ice cream," Schnee says.

The traveler recalls seeing the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers a view of the city's panorama. From this angle, Florence looks like a work of art, with the colors of dusk spilling over the buildings.

North America: Wrangell-St. Alaska

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One of the parks in Alaska that surprised Alex was Wrangell-St. Alaska, Elias National Park. During her trip, she saw 26 national parks and singled this one out as a must-see.

"I was in awe of the high mountains, the herds of caribou running across the tundra, and the endless photo opportunities," she said. The best way to see this landscape is from the air. Schnee recommends taking a plane ride.

South America: Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a destination worth visiting for any animal lover. "As soon as you arrive, you're guaranteed to see wildlife everywhere you look, whether it's on land, in the air, or underwater," Alex says.

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From cheerful birds to playful sea lions and ancient turtles, just make sure you always keep at least 2 meters away from the animals, as required by the Galapagos National Park. Combined with aquamarine water, rocky coastline and amazingly beautiful beaches, the Galapagos Islands are a must-see destination in your life.

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Russia says proof show link between Moscow attack terrorists, Ukraine

Xinhua) 08:21, March 29, 2024

This photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows the Crocus City Hall concert venue in suburban Moscow, Russia. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

"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.

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.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Law enforcement officials on the Thai resort island of Phuket have called on tourists to control themselves while drinking alcohol. The reason for this is a fight involving a Russian man who started a fight on the popular Karon Beach, hitting a foreigner.

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According to the propaganda media, the attempts of the locals to calm down the Russian citizen were unsuccessful. Even the police intervention did not help: one of the law enforcement officers was beaten by the hooligan. After that, the police had to use a stun gun, which stopped the conflict.

The Russian tourist was first sent to the hospital and then to the local police station. There is currently no official information on the punishment of the Russian, but his actions can be regarded as disobedience to a police officer, as well as an attack on him.

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Law enforcement officers have surveillance video and bruises left by the brawler. The citizen of the Russian Federation may face at least deportation and inclusion in the blacklist of Thailand, as a maximum  punishment in the form of real terms of imprisonment.

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Russian bombers dropped another 1.5-ton bomb on the territory of the Belgorod region. The KAB-1500 was found between the villages of Bezsonivka and Vesela Lopan.

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The "discovery" was reported by the Russian Telegram channel Pepel. Because of this, the road between the settlements was blocked by Russian security forces.

The KAB-1500 is a Russian-guided aerial bomb weighing 1,500 kg and equipped with laser/TV homing. The munition can penetrate 3 meters of reinforced concrete or 20 meters of ground.

It should be noted that this is the third unexploded aerial bomb found in the Belgorod region in the last day. Two more FABs were found near the villages of Bezimeno and Nechaivka. In the first case, the villagers were evacuated, while in the second case, it was decided not to evacuate.

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In total, according to Russian journalists, 11 bombs were dropped in the region over the past week alone.

Earlier, the network showed footage from the village of Kozynka in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. There were ongoing battles between Russian volunteer units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russian military. The village was almost destroyed as a result of bombing by their aircraft.

Photos taken from above show that not a single house remained standing after the Russian attack.

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Ukraine is preparing to launch a new international railway route. It is expected to run from Kyiv to Kosice, Slovakia. The purpose of the route is to make it easier for Ukrainians to get to the local airport.

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This was reported by the Ministry of Infrastructure. They noted that the train will travel from Kyiv to the Haniska station near Kosice via the Pavlovo  Matovske Vojkovce border crossing.

"The government of the Slovak Republic has approved a proposal to introduce a direct rail link between Kyiv and Kosice. According to [State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic Denisa Zilakova], the route will serve, in particular, to enable more Ukrainians to use the services of the international airport in Kosice," the statement said.

It is emphasized that the launch of the route will be preceded by organizational and preparatory work. In particular:

equipment of the premises for border and customs control;

changing the platform at the Haniska station near Kosice;

preparation of a bus service from Haniska to the airport and Kosice railway station;

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concluding contracts for transportation services with the Slovak Railways;

work on finding sources of funding for the project.

Ukraine launches a "special" train on a popular route

At the same time, a new train, No. 777/778, will run between Kyiv and Lviv. However, temporarily  only on March 30 and 31, during spring break.

The train is daytime. That is, trips in both directions will be made within one day. For example:

the train will depart for Lviv at 06:50;

arrival  at 13:07.

There is only one stop on the route  at Pidzamche station in Lviv. It will be made at 12:55.

The train will depart for Kyiv on the same days at 13:45. Arrival is at 20:04.

Tickets can be purchased in the Ukrzaliznytsia app. And also:

in chatbots;

on the company's website;

at the railway station ticket offices.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukraine is also launching a new Chernivtsi-Uzhhorod train, which will restore direct communication between Bukovyna and Zakarpattia. Its peculiarity is the absence of an exact schedule  depending on the day of the week, it has slight differences. Tickets for the train are already on sale.

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On March 29, Russians shelled energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. The attack targeted power generation facilities, damaging thermal and hydroelectric power plants. Emergency blackouts were introduced in the evening in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kirovograd regions, and hourly blackouts are in effect in Kharkiv region. At the same time, an emergency outage occurred in the Odesa region, and there were blackouts in the Khmelnytskyi region due to the weather.

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Ukrainians are strongly advised to limit their electricity consumption to prevent further blackouts. "Today's attack again damaged the equipment quite heavily. Once again, the attack was directed against both electricity generation facilities and the electricity distribution system. All of us need to reduce electricity consumption now. This is especially true in the evening. All services are working to overcome the consequences. Power engineers are working 24/7," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a government meeting.

The main reason for the blackouts is the lack of sufficient generating capacity in the system to cover consumption in certain regions of the country, as a result of a massive Russian attack on Ukrainian power plants at night, Ukrenergo reported. Power supply restrictions remain in effect in Kharkiv and Kryvyi Rih. Consumers in other regions are also asked to consume electricity consciously.

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According to DTEK. There are no scheduled outages in Odesa. "There was an emergency shutdown of equipment at one of Ukrenergo's high-voltage substations. Residents of Khadzhibey and Kyiv districts were left without electricity for some time," the statement said, but electricity has been restored to all residents.

There have also been emergency power outages in the Khmelnytsky region due to strong winds. According to the regional power company, 96 settlements are without power, 56 of them partially. Most of the outages are in the communities of the southern part of the region.

Ukrenergo urged Ukrainians to save electricity. "Currently, restrictions are in effect in Kryvyi Rih and Kharkiv regions. By the evening, restrictions may be imposed in the eastern and Dnipro regions. Please consume electricity sparingly," the power company said.

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In general, despite the nighttime attack on power plants, the power system is operating in a balanced manner. No electricity shortages are expected. The storm front that is passing through Ukraine facilitates the operation of wind power plants, and three power units at thermal power plants are in operation.

According to the Ministry of Energy, power engineers and rescuers are already working to eliminate the consequences. The occupiers attacked three DTEK thermal power plants. Thermal generation facilities were shelled in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The enemy also attacked an energy facility in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, damaging equipment.

"As a result of attacks on generation facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad regions, equipment was damaged," the Ministry of Energy said. Substations and, as a result, consumers (railways without disruptions in train traffic, public utilities, local industry, and the population) were de-energized.

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"The equipment was severely damaged. After the attack ended, power engineers promptly began to eliminate the consequences. According to preliminary information, a power engineer was injured. The employee was promptly provided with the necessary assistance," DTEK explained.

In the Cherkasy region, an energy infrastructure facility was hit by a Russian missile attack. This was reported by Ihor Taburets, head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration. "All services are on the ground. Work to eliminate the consequences continues," he said in a statement.

Dnipropetrovsk region

There are damages to energy facilities (which are not named). That is why emergency schedules have been introduced in the region (i.e., outages occur without following plans in a situation of critical need). "As a result of the attack on energy facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrenergo has introduced emergency shutdown schedules. Therefore, keep your gadgets and power banks charged just in case," said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council.

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After 15:00, emergency schedules were announced in the Dnipropetrovsk region. "Last night, the enemy again carried out a large-scale attack on the energy infrastructure. Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution facilities were damaged. That is why emergency blackouts are taking place in the Dnipropetrovsk region by order of NPC Ukrenergo," DTEK said.

Kirovohrad region

"Today, from 14:44, emergency power outage schedules have been introduced throughout the Kirovohrad region by order of NPC Ukrenergo. This is a necessary step to avoid grid overload and balance the power system. This schedule is being introduced on an emergency basis, so it is impossible to publish it in advance," the power company said.

Odesa and Odesa district: restriction schedules are not applied, but the situation is still difficult

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On March 29, blackout schedules were canceled in Odesa. "Power engineers continue round-the-clock repairs in Odesa. As of now, we can avoid restrictions on electricity consumption. Ukrenergo's efficient equipment cannot meet the needs of Odesa and Odesa district by 100%. Therefore, in case of an increase in consumption, restrictions may be applied again. We ask you to consume electricity reasonably," DTEK explains.

Kharkiv region

Kharkivoblenergo said that the extent of the damage in Kharkiv does not yet allow for the simultaneous supply of electricity to all buildings. "The schedules drawn up and distributed earlier have to be adjusted, and this is due to certain technological processes," the company said. The power company is trying to prevent the grid from overloading, which could lead to equipment failure. "For certain reasons, sometimes it is necessary to cut off the power supply differently than the schedule," the power company explained and asked residents not to overload the call centers of Kharkivoblenergo and the city service 1562.

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It may be possible to mitigate the blackout schedules in Kharkiv over the weekend. On March 30 and 31, Ukraine is expected to experience serious warming, which will help save electricity.

In general, the situation in the city and the region remains difficult, Galushchenko said. "Zmiivska thermal power plant was mutilated and destroyed by the enemy on March 22 in an attempt to destroy everything around and deprive Ukrainians of light and heat. Unfortunately, the Russians partially succeeded. The situation with electricity supply in the region is difficult. But Kharkiv is alive. Power engineers are working  the subway is running, and critical infrastructure is powered. Restoration work is ongoing 24/7. As well as our work on finding and ordering the equipment necessary for the restoration," the Minister said.

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Gas facilities operate without damage

The enemy also targeted Naftogaz Group facilities. "Fortunately, no one was injured among the employees, the situation is under control. Naftogaz Group continues to fulfill its obligations to all customers and work for the energy security of the state," the company said on March 29.

The head of the Naftogaz Group, Oleksii Chernyshov, said that the ground part of the gas storage facility was damaged during one of the latest attacks. He wrote about this on his Facebook page. According to Chernyshov, there are no critical consequences of the attack, as the gas is stored at a considerable depth.

"The damaged part of the ground infrastructure will need to be restored, but we have enough backup capacities. The attack will not affect the supply of natural gas to Ukrainian consumers," explained Oleksii Chernyshev.

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During the occupation of the Kherson region, Russian invaders repeatedly imprisoned, tortured, and sexually abused LGBTQ people. Moreover, such persons were detained precisely because of their orientation and gender identification.

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This is stated in a report by the social organization "Prozhektor." The document cites eight cases committed by the occupiers in the Kherson region during the occupation but indicates that the project's lawyers interviewed 107 representatives of the LGBTQ community who suffered or witnessed war crimes by the Russian military during the occupation of the city of Kherson.

The actions of the Russians can be considered not only war crimes but also crimes against humanity, as it is a case of gender-based persecution, human rights activists say. According to them, Ukrainians were subjected to violence by the occupiers precisely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The social organization says that LGBTQ survivors of Russian crimes did not turn to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies because of "distrust of the system." At the same time, the prosecutor's office stated that they have received relevant appeals, but consider them in conjunction with others. Prosecutors explain that "under martial law, crimes against LGBTQ people are not separated from other crimes and are considered on a general basis."

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On the night of March 29, an Iranian-made Russian Shahed-136 fell near a private house in the Vinnytsia region and detonated. It happened in the village of Severynivka, Zhmerynka district.

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Miraculously, none of the locals were injured. The press service of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Vinnytsia region reported the incident.

A drone detonation caused damage, including to a house. As of the morning of March 29, 17 houses in the village were without electricity.

"Last night the enemy attacked the Vinnytsia region with drones again... The explosion shattered windows and damaged the building, garage, fence, and gas pipe. The fire was prevented," the SES said.

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A psychologist from the State Emergency Service worked with the homeowner and his son at the scene.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on the night and morning of March 29, the occupying army of the Russian Federation launched a new massive air attack on our country. First, the enemy launched kamikaze drones, and then several types of missiles.

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The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the detection of 39 enemy missiles and 60 drones. Air defense forces destroyed 84 out of 99 air targets:

 17 out of 21 X-101/555 missiles;

 4 out of 4 Iskander-K missiles;

 5 out of 9 X-59 missiles;

 0 out of 2 Iskander-M missiles;

 0 out of 3 Kinzhal missiles;

 58 out of 60 UAVs of the Shahed type.

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At about four o'clock in the morning on March 29, an air raid alert was declared throughout Ukraine due to Russia's launch of cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as Shahed drones. The enemy used them to attack energy facilities: explosions were heard in the number of regions, and air defense systems were activated.

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The Armed Forces of Ukraine and local military administrations reported the danger. It is noteworthy that once again, during a massive Russian attack on our country, Poland took fighter jets to the sky.

The monitoring channels clarified that at 04:15, Russian cruise missiles headed for Poltava and Dnipro via Kharkiv region. The enemy launched them from Tu-95MS aircraft. The occupiers also launched attack UAVs at this time.

At about 04:50, it was reported that three MiG-31Ks had taken off from the Savasleyka airfield in Russia, and later that these aircraft had launched Kinzhal ballistic missiles. The threat of attacks existed in Lviv region, where, in addition to these missiles, drones were also flying.

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There were reports of explosions in Poltava and Dnipro regions. In addition, at around 05:00, it was loud on the border of Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions. At 05:20, an explosion was heard in the Khmelnytskyi region, and 10-15 minutes later - in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

According to reports in social media, there was damage in the Tetiiv community of the Kyiv region. Preliminarily, there were no casualties.

Consequences of the attack

Ukrenergo reported that during this massive combined attack, the Russian aggressor country targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure facilities, and damage was recorded.

In particular, thermal and hydroelectric power plants in the central and western regions were damaged.

Emergency shutdowns were introduced in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and hourly outage schedules were introduced in the Kharkiv region.

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Poland's reaction

The Polish Operational Command issued a warning at around 05:00 on Friday with the following text:

"Attention. Poland and its allies have taken aircraft to the sky, which may lead to increased noise levels, especially in the southeastern part of the country. Intensive activities of the Russian Federation's long-range aviation are being observed, including missile strikes on targets located in Ukraine. All necessary procedures have been initiated to ensure the safety of Polish airspace. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are constantly monitoring the situation."

As reported, in the evening of March 28, the aggressor country of the Russian Federation launched UAVs at Ukraine. In particular, air defense systems were operating in the Kyiv and Cherkasy regions. A large-scale air raid alert was also announced in Ukraine due to the missile threat.

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At 12 p.m. on March 28, the enemy also took MiG jets to the sky from Savasleika. Fortunately, no missile launches were reported at the time.

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Ukraine continues to demonstrate success in its efforts to reduce the ability of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to demonstrate power in the region. Lacking a fleet of its own, Kyiv has forced the Russian command to withdraw large warships from the temporarily occupied Crimea and continues to liquidate the remaining vessels.

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UK intelligence has analyzed the strikes carried out by the Ukrainian Air Force on Sevastopol on March 24, one of the targets of which was the communications center of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This is stated in an intelligence review by the UK Ministry of Defense published on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

The analysis of satellite photos showed that one building structure was damaged, including a partial collapse of the roof, and two other buildings were damaged by an explosion.

The strikes also damaged enemy ships and military equipment.

"Two "Ropukha"-class amphibious assault ships, tanks, and one "Yuri Ivanov"-class reconnaissance ship were also damaged as a result of these strikes," the review says.

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According to British intelligence, such strikes have forced more expensive Russian vessels that normally use Sevastopol's port infrastructure to relocate to alternative ports further east.

"Despite Russia's attempts to limit its losses, Ukraine continues to demonstrate success in reducing the Black Sea Fleet's ability to project power in the region," the British analysts summarized.

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Ukraine withdrew its forces from Avdiivka because the enemy had an advantage in terms of assault forces and equipment. Strikes by guided aerial bombs (GAB) disrupted the integrity of the defense, and due to the lack of ammunition for artillery, it was not possible to conduct effective counter-battery combat. During the fighting, 25 Ukrainian defenders were taken prisoner.

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This was stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi in an interview with Ukrinform. "We withdrew our forces from Avdiivka because the enemy had a significant advantage in the forces and means of the assault units. Due to the constant bombardment with guided aerial bombs, the integrity of our defense was compromised, which allowed the enemy to gradually advance," he said.

Syrsky added that the lack of ammunition for artillery also played a negative role. This made it impossible to conduct effective counter-battery combat.

"So, to avoid encirclement and save people's lives, I decided to leave Avdiivka. Unfortunately, during these battles, 25 Ukrainian soldiers were taken prisoner by Russia. This is a war... Russian propagandists are trying to use various videos with captured Ukrainian soldiers to discredit the Ukrainian Defense Forces, to put psychological pressure and spread panic among Ukrainians," said the Commander-in-Chief.

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He addressed the defenders who are in enemy captivity, assuring them that Ukraine has not forgotten about anyone and is doing everything to liberate its military.

"I would like to say to these soldiers, if they can hear me, and to their families: we have not forgotten anyone and are doing everything to free these servicemen from enemy captivity. Both the leadership of our state and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Armed Forces Command are fully involved in these efforts," said Syrskyi.

The military commander added: it is worth remembering that the attack on Avdiivka cost the enemy heavy losses, which is unlikely to be reported on "Russian TV".

"Only in the period from October 10, 2023, to February 17, 2024, in the Avdiivka sector, the Russian invaders lost: 47186 personnel, 364 tanks, 748 armored combat vehicles, 248 artillery systems, five aircraft. Since the beginning of the Avdiivka defense operation, the Ukrainian defense forces have captured 95 Russian occupants in this area," stated the commander-in-chief.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 Syrskyi announced the decision to withdraw troops from Avdiivka on February 17, four months after the start of the Russian "big" offensive on the city. At the time, he explained this step by the current operational situation and the need to save the lives of the military.

 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the withdrawal from Avdiivka a "professional decision." He said that Ukraine can win, but it depends not only on the courage of its defenders but also on the West's willingness to help.

 The Pentagon called the withdrawal from Avdiivka a "strategic" step aimed at preserving its artillery and shells.

 After the withdrawal from Avdiivka, the media reported that 850 to 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers could have been captured. The Ukrainian Armed Forces called such statements fake.

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 According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three attacks were repelled in the Avdiivka sector yesterday, near Semenivka, where the enemy tried to drive the defenders out of the line.

 Earlier, the commander of the Ukrainian Army, Oleksandr Pavliuk, explained why the Defense Forces have advantages on the battlefield. The enemy is now making every effort to continue offensive actions in the Lyman, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka directions.

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Ukraine is currently preventing Russian forces from achieving significant tactical success along the entire front line. However, prolonged delays in U.S. security assistance are likely to increase the threat to Russia's operational success, in a non-linear and perhaps telling way.

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This was pointed out by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). They insist that the arrival of sufficient and regular military assistance to the Defense Forces will significantly narrow the enemy's offensive capabilities and help prepare for the liberation of more territory.

In an interview with CBS News published on March 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces had managed to contain the Russian offensive in the winter of 2023-2024 and had stabilized the operational situation.

Analysts emphasized that the Armed Forces of Ukraine slowed the pace of Russian troops' advance west of Avdiivka after the enemy seized the settlement on February 17, and the occupiers achieved only gradual, minor tactical successes in other parts of the front.

"However, Zelenskyy has stated that Ukrainian forces are not ready to defend themselves against another major Russian offensive, which is expected in May or June 2024," ISW noted.

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According to experts, Russian forces are likely to continue to maintain the pace of their offensive operations until late spring 2024, despite difficult weather and terrain conditions, to take advantage of Ukraine's lack of equipment before the expected limited Western assistance arrives.

Russian forces are also likely seeking to force Ukraine to expend material it might otherwise have accumulated for defensive efforts this summer and possible counteroffensive operations later in 2024 or 2025.

"Widespread shortages may be forcing Ukraine to prioritize limited resources to critical sectors of the front, increasing the risk of Russian breakthroughs in other, less well-supplied sectors and making the front line more fragile overall than it appears, despite the current relatively slow pace of the Russian offensive," the ISW suggested.

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According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian troops have seized 505 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the start of offensive operations in October 2023. And in the period from January 1 to March 28, 2024, the occupiers seized almost 100 square kilometers more territory than in the last three months of 2023.

"This pace of advance may be due to a combination of a lack of Ukrainian equipment and more favorable weather conditions in winter than in autumn. However, this slight increase in the pace of the Russian offensive does not reflect a threat of operational success for Russia amid ongoing delays in US security assistance to Ukraine," the analysts emphasized.

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According to them, material supply constraints also limit the ability of Ukrainian forces to conduct effective defensive operations and offer the Russian Armed Forces flexibility in conducting offensive operations, which could lead to a more complicated and non-linear ability to achieve operationally significant success in the future. Opportunities to exploit Ukraine's "vulnerabilities" will expand as the shortage of materiel persists and as Ukraine continues to "solve problems with recruiting soldiers."

"The arrival of sufficient and regular Western security assistance and the solution of Ukraine's human resource problems will narrow these opportunities for Russian forces and provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the ability to prevent the enemy from achieving even minor tactical successes, degrade Russian offensive capabilities, and prepare for future counteroffensive operations to liberate more of Ukraine," ISW concluded.

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The Kremlin dictator Putin can bring the war to NATO territory. Therefore, he must be stopped.

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This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with CBS News. He believes that Putin intends to restore the former Soviet Union within its geographical borders.

"Now it's us, then Kazakhstan, then the Baltic states, Poland, Germany. At least half of Germany," he said.

According to the Ukrainian leader, Putin's army may come to Europe, and then US citizens will have to defend Europe because they are NATO members.

Calling Russia's invasion of his country a war "against democracy, against humanity, against the whole world," Zelenskyy said that there may be some in the West who are tired of hearing about it, but, according to him, "only those who do not know what war is and have not lost their children are tired."

"The United States is helping Ukraine, and we are grateful for their support, for this multilateral support, but there is no war in the United States," he said.

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But, according to Zelenskyy, it can reach Europe very quickly.

"Even tomorrow, missiles can reach any state," he said.

Zelenskyy suggested that his Russian opponent has an old grudge against the collapse of the pre-Cold War world.

"The 80s, and then the late 90s  he will never forgive that. We don't need to change his mind. We need to change him. We need to replace him," the Ukrainian president said.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that dictator Vladimir Putin is afraid of being at war with NATO. However, NATO member states do not want to fight Russia either.

Kallas said she could not guarantee that Tallinn would not send its military to Ukraine. She emphasized that "circumstances can change," so she would not make any promises.

Commenting on the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, Kallas noted that Kyiv had not asked for it. At the same time, Ukraine has asked Estonia to help the Defense Forces with ammunition and air defense equipment to repel Russian missile and drone attacks.

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Earlier, the media reported that French President Emmanuel Macron said in a closed circle that France could send troops to Odesa. In 2023, the idea was discussed at a meeting of the French National Defense and Security Council.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to visit the United States on May 9. This trip can be considered historic, as the Turkish leader will visit the United States for the first time since 2019 and will meet with President Joe Biden.

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Since he took office in 2020, Ankara has been expecting a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders but has not received a positive response. The upcoming visit was reported by Reuters, citing a Turkish security official.

The official did not provide any additional information about the visit but said that Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin would meet with members of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss the planned visit and other bilateral issues.

As the author of the article noted, analysts believe that Biden and Erdogan are likely to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as cooperation in the defense industry, including Turkey's recently approved purchase of American F-16 fighter jets.

The media recalled that during his last visit to the United States in 2019, Erdogan met with then-American leader Donald Trump. They had good personal ties, which cannot be said about the Turkish president's relationship with Joe Biden. After the latter was elected president in 2020, Ankara sought another face-to-face meeting.

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Relations between the United States and Turkey, NATO allies that have long been tense due to disagreements over several issues, thawed after Ankara ratified Sweden's application for membership in the Alliance in January. However, tensions remain, particularly in northern Syria, where U.S. troops are allied with Kurdish militants whom Ankara considers terrorists. Washington is also demanding that Ankara make more efforts to stop the transit of goods to Russia, which it says are used in Moscow's military operations in Ukraine.

In 2015, Erdogan planned to visit Moscow on May 9 and take part in the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the "victory" in World War II. However, in the end, the Turkish leader canceled the trip, sending an ambassador instead. Turkey did not specify the reasons for the refusal at the time. This year, on the same date, the Turkish president decided to travel to the United States.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has named the condition under which Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin will be invited to the G20 summit in Brazil. According to him, this requires the consent of all other members of this association.

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He made the statement at a joint press conference with Brazilian President Lula da Silva during his visit to the country. This was reported by arabnews.

Macron emphasized that the decision to potentially invite Putin to the summit, scheduled for November 18-19, should be "consensual."

He explained that the meaning of the G20 "is that there must be a consensus with the nineteen other (members  Ed.)," adding that this should be done by "Brazilian diplomacy" due to this year's presidency of this country.

Macron also noted that if Putin's participation at the summit would be useful, it should take place. However, he warned that disagreement on this issue could invalidate any invitation to Russia.

Although Russia is still a member of the G20, Putin completely missed the previous two summits because of Russia's war in Ukraine.

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It is worth noting that Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said that his government will not take measures to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a reminder, the warrant for his arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the leader of the aggressor country is suspected of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would be invited to the G20 summit to be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2024. He did not directly answer the question of whether the Russian president would be detained, but he did not rule out such a development.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Juana Bacallao was a Black woman who spent her childhood as an orphan in an Oblate nuns school. Later, as a young woman, she cleaned for a living until Obdulio Morales, a renowned composer, heard her sing while she worked on the staircase of a building located between the Laguna and Perseverancia streets in Havana. Morales invited her to audition for a project called El milagro de Oshun. And so, with no formal musical training, she became a diva who starred in cabarets, on television, and in cinema and theater.

Her success lay in building a personality, that of an indomitable woman who introduced the gestures, attitudes and language of the underworld into Cubas arts scene. Before and after the Revolution in 1959, Juana Bacallao spoke for the Black population, the poor, the unprotected, and the marginalized; those neglected by Cubas unbridled capitalism of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and its subsequent socialism. Consequently, the social and cultural elites tried to bury what Juana brought to the fore.

Juana Bacallao not only symbolizes Cuban folklore: the choteo  the revelry. Her greatest feat was to expose the reality of Cuba. As a thorn in the side of Fidel Castro when he came to power, she was punished and relegated for more than three decades to the shady world of cabarets. Cubas official culture ignored her as a truth too uncomfortable to be under the spotlight. Not only because of what she represented, but also because of her irreverent discourse. Juana Bacallao was sincere and said whatever came to mind, a cardinal sin in Castros Cuba.

Juana was self-made, she said to the Associated Press in 2010 of herself. It was a definition expressed when the Revolution, astutely, reigned her in by returning her to the official public arena. Throughout the 65 years of Castroism, these frequent acts of rescuing artistic figures who had been culturally ostracized, such as Anton Arrufat, Jose Lezama Lima, Delfin Prats, can only be recognized as a bid to clean up the intransigent image of the government. And they always follow the same pattern, ending with awards that cynically recognize the artists lifelong work as they enter their twilight years. In the case of Juana Bacallao, she received the National Humor Award when she was 94.

A few years before receiving the award, Juana Bacallao coincided with my wife at a party in Havana. On seeing her, my wife approached. They had never met and my wife just wanted to express her admiration. After they greeted one another, Bacallao asked: Can you bring me a soft drink? adding, But make sure its not open. Bacallao wanted to take the soft drink can home.

The struggle that Juana Bacallao was subjected to is the same that Cubans on the island are experiencing today, prompting them to once again take to the streets to demand food and electricity for their homes.

Juana Bacallao died on February 24 at the age of 98. And she leaves the best possible legacy for the construction of Cubas future: the courage to think and express herself freely.

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Donald Tusk, 66, has an image of his childhood etched in his memory. It is a photograph that was in his family home in Sopot, on the shores of the Baltic Sea, next to his hometown: a beach full of smiling, happy people. The snapshot was taken on August 31, 1939. A dozen hours later, five kilometers away, the Second World War began, he remembers. The Polish prime minister warns that Europe is once again in a pre-war era and must get ready to defend itself.

In an interview with several newspapers of the LENA media alliance, including EL PAIS, in his office in Warsaw, Tusk argues that the NATO commitment to dedicate 2% of GDP to defense must be met and advocates for increasing aid to Ukraine to avoid pessimistic scenarios. The leader, who generates both hatred and admiration in Poland, served as prime minister between 2007 and 2014 and returned to power after winning the elections last October. His main campaign promise was to restore the rule of law after eight years of the ultra-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government and return the country to the center of Europe, a task that he has undertaken with an iron fist and some controversial decisions.

Tusk  who has been the leading figure of the liberal-conservative space in Poland for the last two decades  returned to his countrys political scene from Brussels, where he presided over the European Council and later, the European Peoples Party (EPP), which in the next European elections must decide whether it partners with the extreme right or opts for the alliances of the last 60 years.

Question. Politicians, military officials, and experts all over Europe say that within a few years Russia could attack NATO countries. Is war inevitable?

Answer. What is most worrying now is that literally any scenario is possible. We have not had a situation like this since 1945. I know it sounds devastating, especially to people of the younger generation, but we have to mentally get used to a new era. We are in a pre-war era. I dont exaggerate. This is becoming more and more apparent every day.

Q. Recently, Polish airspace was again violated by a Russian cruise missile.

A. Yes, this was another worrying incident. When Lviv or other cities in western Ukraine are attacked, the sound of explosions can be heard in our part of the border area. At the last European Council I had an interesting discussion with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. He asked us to stop using the word war in statements. He argued that people do not want to be threatened in this way, that in Spain it sounds abstract. I replied that in my part of Europe, war is no longer an abstraction  and that our duty is not to discuss, but to act and prepare to defend ourselves.

Q. Ukraine is currently experiencing hard times. What would have happened if it had lost the war?

A. We need to abandon this way of thinking: What if. Our main task should be to protect Ukraine from the Russian invasion and to maintain Ukraine as an independent and integral state. It is up to us to ensure that Ukraine can avoid pessimistic scenarios. Its situation today is much more difficult than it was a year ago, but also much better than it was at the beginning of the war, when Putins soldiers were standing on the outskirts of Kyiv. The war in Ukraine may have to be thought about in the long term. This means more and more new responsibilities for European countries. In Poland, everyone is aware of this and it is not up for discussion. And yet it did not have to be taken for granted; we had a very difficult common history with Ukraine. What has now happened between our peoples  this undisputed solidarity  is a miracle. I want to maintain this attitude, although it is not easy.

Q. Especially now, when Polish farmers and truck drivers are protesting.

A. The saddest moments in my political career are when I have to be tough and harsh with our Ukrainian friends. As Polish prime minister, I am supposed to protect Polands fundamental interests. The search for a solution to this problem occupies a huge part of my time.

Q. How can it be solved?

A. We want to help Ukraine as much as we can. But at the last European Council I argued that the idea of free trade with Ukraine needs to be redesigned. I think I convinced France, Italy and Austria to do this. I want a fair agreement with Ukraine on this, I want to find a common denominator for the interests of Ukraine, Poland and the whole EU.

Whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump wins the next election, it is Europe that needs to do more when it comes to defense

Q. You were invited to the White House 15 days ago, then flew to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. What message did you bring back from the U.S.?

A. This message was that whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump wins the next election, it is Europe that needs to do more when it comes to defense. Not to achieve military autonomy vis-a-vis the U.S., or to create parallel structures to NATO  but to make better use of our potential, our capabilities and our strength. We will be a more attractive partner for the U.S. if we are more self-sufficient in defense matters.

Q. You say that Europe should spend more on defense. But how can this spending be financed?

A. There is no reason for Europeans not to respect the fundamental principle [of NATO] and spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defense. We can discuss European arms bonds and more involvement of the European Investment Bank. We have to spend as much as we can to buy equipment and ammunition for Ukraine, because we are living in the most critical moment since the end of the Second World War. The next two years will decide everything. If we cannot support Ukraine with enough equipment and ammunition, if Ukraine loses, no one in Europe will be able to feel safe.

Donald Tusk in an appearance with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, on Thursday in Warsaw. Omar Marques (Getty Images)

Q. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is campaigning against journalists and judges, reaching for patterns familiar from the PiS government. But there is growing talk in Brussels that the European Peoples Party should cooperate with her, and even offer her membership. In your opinion, is this realistic?

A. Melonis positive role in Brussels, in the European Council, is widely appreciated. I was impressed when I heard her speak publicly in support of Ukraine. Internationally, I hear only her pro-European statements. Meloni is certainly aware that I would find it difficult to accept her views and methods when it comes to domestic policy.

Q. At the European elections, will there once again be a classic coalition of the EPP with social democrats and liberals, or are we going to see the EPP enter into cooperation with the extreme right?

A. I have a clear position on the far-right parties in Poland, but every democratic leader knows best the situation in his country and decides for himself what strategy to adopt. The far right is part of government coalitions in Sweden, Finland, several Spanish regions, and it remains to be seen whether this will not also happen after the elections in Portugal. Looking for positive aspects, let us note that some far-right parties have changed thanks to this.

It is the states job to effectively protect its borders and territory. If we continue to be naive, unreservedly open, we will lose the support of the people

Q. Does this mean that you want to renegotiate the migration pact adopted by the EU?

A. Unfortunately, this pact is not a good answer to the problems we face in Poland. In our part of Europe, migration means something different to the Mediterranean. Today, once again, we are witnessing a well-prepared operation organized by the [Belarusian President Aleksandr] Lukashenko regime on the border with Belarus. I will not justify some of the methods used by the Polish border guards, but we cannot be helpless in the face of Putin and Lukashenko. It is the states job to effectively protect its borders and territory. If we continue to be naive, unreservedly open, we will lose the support of the people. We will lose out to states and forces that are prepared to fight violently for their interests.

Q. As leader of the Polish opposition, you won an unequal battle against PiS. What can Europe learn from this victory?

A. It takes determination and belief in victory, this is key. The problem was to convince people that the concepts of rule of law or freedom are not abstractions, but issues that affect everyday life and fighting for them can lead to victory. One must have a very clear communication with the voters. Sometimes you have to be able to use their own arguments. [PiS leader Jaroslaw] Kaczynski or [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orban are partly right in their diagnoses, but the medicine they propose is poisonous and wrong. For example, during the first migration crisis in 2015, people wanted to hear from the leaders what their plan was to protect the borders,

Q. Is that why your government is continuing pushbacks on the border with Belarus?

A. This is a completely different issue. I have already spoken about it. International law needs to be corrected on this issue, although I know it is almost impossible today, but the current legislation was introduced in completely different times. I am no longer even talking about the fact that the U.N. estimates that 100 million people from Asia and Africa are ready to emigrate to Europe, but about the fact that authoritarian regimes instrumentally use these already disadvantaged people as part of a hybrid war. Pushbacks as a method are morally unacceptable, we must find a better solution, but the alternative cannot be helplessness.

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It is a public holiday, one of those days in the long, warm Mexican spring that are reminiscent of the summer heat. Mexico City is marking the anniversary of Benito Juarezs birth. People pour into the bars, the parks, the countryside. In a quesadilla restaurant at the foot of the Ajusco volcano, a family celebrates a childs birthday. The police lie in wait: they believe they are witnessing a clandestine meeting of the leaders of La Union Tepito, the cartel that has made the capital city its own through blood and extortion. Contrary to their information, however, it is not a criminal summit; its just a family picnic.

There is something strange, though. The police have been following the father of the birthday boy for months. He wears impeccable Carolina Herrera clothes. He only moves at dawn between Tepito, Polanco, Cuajimalpa, and other neighborhoods in Mexico City. He usually travels with an escort, but on this holiday Monday he lets his guard down and gives them the day off. The police believe he is the new leader of La Union Tepito. They are not entirely sure, but in the Ajusco restaurant they see tattoos and some scars that leave no room for doubt. It is El Chori.

Eduardo Ramirez, alias El Chori, who intelligence reports place as the new leader of La Union Tepito, is spending the day without his personal security detail in a recreational area in Ajusco. The police wait, patiently. There are too many people and they run the risk of a shootout involving civilian casualties. The family finishes eating, gets in the car and heads for Mexico City. The agents intervene at a point between the mountain and the Six Flags amusement park.

When they stop him, El Chori cries. A violent and feared man in the streets of the Tepito neighborhood, accused of murder and belonging to a criminal organization and suspected of disappearing his girlfriend, who no one has heard from since 2019. One of the most ruthless leaders of the Union, according to a source close to the investigation, bursts into tears when the police catch up with him. He says they have the wrong man, that he imports sneakers from Panama, that he is just a businessman who abides by the law. The agents do not bat an eyelash. They have caught their prey.

An operation against members of La Union Tepito in the Guerrero neighborhood of Mexico City in 2020. Armando Monroy (Cuartoscuro)

Complicity since childhood

El Chori, according to the same source, is an extremely violent man who has made a name for himself through beatings, torture, murder, mutilation, and extortion. A repertoire far removed from that of a shoe merchant. In the huge Tepito market, the cartels stronghold, they fear him. When the organization sends him to collect an extortion payment, they are also sending a message: pay up, or youll be in trouble.

The authorities in Mexico City believe that La Union is nowadays a splintered cartel, divided between independent factions and without a clear leadership structure. Everyone wants to move up, they all feel they are leaders, explains the source. Even so, they are still very dangerous, he says. Within six months, any of their leaders can move up the criminal ladder to a position of strength. The polices strategy is to stop them before that happens, to cut off the heads that stand out in the organization. A few days after the arrest of El Chori last Saturday police arrested another Union lieutenant, Jose Mauricio Hernandez Gasca, alias El Tomate, one rung below El Chori in the groups hierarchy.

In his 14 years as a crime reporter, journalist Antonio Nieto has covered more than 100 Union-related deaths on the street. After more than a decade of investigation, in 2020 he published the most complete radiography that exists about La Union. The reporter disagrees with the police: he believes that the official version of the splintering of the cartel is a simplistic account.

It is a misinterpretation by the media and police agencies. It is true that the cartel has lost its level of organization: if you grip the strong parts of the same body, of course it hits the system. Like a sort of Al Qaeda or a terrorist organization, [La Union] is divided into cells, but they are not in confrontation. I have never documented a single case in which these cells have wanted to kill each other for power, says Nieto.

The journalist believes that the authorities tend to underestimate La Unions reach. In Nietos view, it is a full-fledged cartel, with connections to other criminal groups at the national and international level. Its strength, he explains, lies in a kind of primitive loyalty that outweighs power struggles. They are neighborhood friends who have grown up together and have each others backs: They have had complicity since they were children; it is difficult for these ties to be broken.

 And isnt that also a simplistic story?

 Yes, but the point here is that the background they have makes them know their families, they know exactly where you stand, where your children are, your lover, your grandfather, your mother on pain of being riddled with bullets. Although it sounds a bit like a movie, it is something that has been documented.

Police seize weapons, marijuana, and synthetic drug precursors from La Union, October 2019. Armando Monroy (Cuartoscuro)

History of a union

In 2009, Pancho Cayagua brought together a group of young men from the neighborhood and created a kind of security company to protect businesses and customers in the Tepito market from extortion. Notorious hitman Edgar Valdez Villarreal, alias La Barbie, who had split from the Beltran Leyva Cartel after the capture of kingpin Arturo Beltran Leyva, tried to create his own organization in Tepito. The Cayagua kids prevented La Barbies designs. At first, they wore red T-shirts, a sort of homemade uniform, with the slogan Union Tepito.

Shortly thereafter, Cayaguas group, set up to protect the neighborhood from extortion, started forcing businesses to pay them for security. Thats when La Unions most profitable business began. They were no longer just kids from Tepito: Cayagua attracted corrupt police and federal agents who joined their ranks, an example of everything that was wrong with the police, summarizes the source. They became big, powerful, bloodthirsty, and diversified their business. In 2013, 13 young people were massacred in the Heavens nightclub, in the heart of the city. Another name began to circulate: El Betito.

In 2017, in one of the first major blows against La Union, a rival organization rose up against Cayagua. Some 15 youths from the original group organized themselves and stepped forward. They called themselves the little brothers, or the brotherhood, Nieto says. As in the old Italian mafias, they were captains: a horizontally structured hierarchy in which only one name stood out above the rest, as the real boss: Roberto Moyado Esparza, alias El Betito.

A few years earlier, El Betito had been a street vendor and had a job looking after cars in the neighborhood, says the source familiar with the investigation. Nieto adds that he belonged to a gang that robbed armored cars and had a lengthy criminal record. Cayagua hired him and other youngsters to be La Unions hit squad. They become known for their brutality: murders, kidnappings, dismemberments.

After Cayaguas death, El Betito stepped forward. In 2018, La Union raised the stakes. One day in September, five hitmen disguised as mariachis burst into Garibaldi Square, the temple of popular music in Chiloe, and in six seconds they had gunned down 13 people. Six died. They were after the leader of a rival group, La Fuerza Anti-Union. El Betito had been in jail for a few weeks, but few doubted that he was behind the massacre. He has been in federal prison ever since. For Nieto, he is the real capo of La Union, despite being behind bars.

Nieto also does not believe that El Chori was the current leader, but rather Alberto Fuentes Castro, alias El Elvis. The highest-ranking captain is Elvis, who was always higher than El Chori in the criminal world. There is not even a photograph of him: the photo that the Attorney Generals Office has distributed is false, that person is not him. You realize how much of a mafioso he is: 14 years have passed since the founding of La Union Tepito and neither the media nor the authorities have a picture of him.

Under El Betito, the cartel became fully involved in drug trafficking. It found a cocaine distributor in Colombia, which unloads the product in southeastern Mexico, but when the leader of that ring was arrested they lost their connection. Their main business is still extortion  between 4,000 and 5,000 pesos a week from each business, according to the source  but El Betito wants to expand, to cover the whole city: he goes to bars and nightclubs and associates with the owners: he puts one of his men in the bathroom, selling cocaine. If someone consumes drugs from another source, they are beaten. Police corruption aids them. Everyone profits.

An image of Roberto Moyado Esparza, alias El Betito, at a press conference after his capture in 2018. Galo Canas Rodriguez (Cuartoscuro)

Low profile, extortion, and neighborhood roots

They sell cocaine, but also what they describe as boutique drugs: hydroponic marijuana and Tutsi (a pink powder that becomes popular with wealthy consumers). Other organizations, such as the Sinaloa Cartel or the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), try to penetrate the city, but the Union is strong in its fiefdom. An urban mafia behaves very differently than a group that is not primarily urban. When large groups like the CJNG or Sinaloa intrude into urban areas, they lower their profile. La Union is imbued in the urban monster, it takes other criminal forms that allow it to consolidate its presence but not necessarily be visible, says Rodrigo Pena, a researcher at the College of Mexico who is an expert in the criminal dynamics of the capital. Pena believes that La Union Tepito remains the most dominant group in Mexico City.

Pena points to other factors that have helped La Union to maintain its power: The gentrification that has occurred in the [Tepito] neighborhood has to do with a different way of understanding the market, and the criminal group also participates in this: there is no more robbery, no more kidnapping, but we do know that extortion has increased. For the researcher, extortion is the main resource of the Tepito gangs: It is fundamental, it becomes a kind of political device: it allows them to mark their presence, build a group identity, consolidate an idea of territoriality that is usually very important for criminal groups, and gives them a relatively low profile. In the capital, Pena recalls, there has been a big drop in high-impact crimes (in the case of homicides that is the source of an important debate), but one of the few crimes that has risen is extortion.

So, is La Union a group in decline, as the authorities claim, or a monster in the shadows that still retains its strength? It may now be operating in its comfort zone but unfortunately for the authorities and the public there seems to be no end, no matter who they arrest. It is like a hydra: they cut off one head and another grows. It does not seem that in the short term we can presume the end of La Union, Nieto concludes.

The journalist highlights another factor: many teenagers growing up in working-class neighborhoods like Morelos, Guerrero, or Santa Maria la Ribera aspire to join La Union. A piece of the neighborhood subculture in Mexico City is attached to this criminal group. This means they have a lot of cannon fodder; they have a lot of soldiers. It is very difficult for the authorities to uproot them.

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It has to be an ambitious conservation project, Hansjorg Wyss, one of the worlds leading environmental philanthropists, told Christoph and Barbara Promberger, promoters of the Foundation Conservation Carpathia, as a condition for financing the purchase of land in Romania, a country that today contains 65% of Europes virgin forests. The aim is to create the European Yellowstone, as the largest donor of the initiative described it after flying over the enormous expanse of the Fagaras Mountains, located in the extreme south of the Carpathian range, in a helicopter. So far, the foundation has already bought up 27,027 hectares in this still wild region, but the goal is to create a gigantic protected area of 200,000 hectares, an area roughly equivalent to the North Cascades National Park in Washington.

This area of Transylvania is home to one of the most important wildlife ecosystems in Europe. Wolves and brown bears  of the latter there are more than 5,000 in the country  lynx and beavers roam freely on the forested slopes of the Fagaras Mountains, the highest in the southern Carpathians. Several years ago, 80 bison were reintroduced two centuries after their disappearance from these territories, through a program run by the Foundation Conservation Carpathia. It all started in the mid-2000s when the Prombergers noticed the illegal logging that was still taking place in the Romanian forests, spurred by the restitution of woodlands to former owners from the pre-communist era. Illegal deforestation even spilled over into state-protected parks, such as Piatra Craiului  meaning The Kings Rock  one of the most popular in the country due to its immense variety of flora and fauna.

It is estimated there are some 5,000 wild bears in Romania. Calin Serban

Only if someone buys these forests and places them in private hands can we save them, at least until the state realizes the importance of preserving them, the director of a national park jokingly let slip, says Barbara Promberger. At that point, the Austrian biologist and her husband Cristoph, a German forester, set out to find philanthropists and conservationists to raise funds to buy large tracts of forest to halt deforestation and, at the same time, promote ecotourism in support of local communities. This national park has to serve to protect nature, but also to economically develop the areas involved, says Barbara, who has lived in a tiny village in Brasov province for 30 years. As a conservation model, they were inspired by the Tompkins project launched in the 1990s to restore habitats in southern Chile and Argentina, and also by the Bavarian Forest National Park.

The 27,027 hectares they have acquired to date have been included in Romanias National Catalog of Virgin and Quasi-Virgin Forests to protect them in perpetuity. The foundation has also reforested almost 2,000 hectares and replanted more than four million young trees such as beech, spruce and maple. Today, Romania has more than six million hectares of forest, a significant proportion of which is free of human settlement. But illegal logging has already wreaked havoc on vast tracts. For this reason, the organizations rangers are patrolling some 75,000 hectares to stop illegal logging in neighboring forests as well. The project aims to involve the inhabitants of the small villages, located in the foothills of the Fagaras Mountains, by providing jobs and gradually attracting more visitors to the area, as well as developing educational and social programs.

However, the creation of the Fagaras National Park requires the agreement of the affected local authorities. This is where the Foundation Conservation Carpathia is encountering difficulties. We are in a post-communist country, so people are wary of losing their property again to the state, explains Barbara, who stresses that the fact that national parks have been set up without infrastructure has led to locals being left with access restrictions and no economic benefits, which has increased the general rejection. We can only buy from private property, but not from municipalities or landowners associations, so our strategy is to acquire what we can and donate it to the state only if it creates a national park, says the biologist.

The Fagaras Mountains, at the southern tip of the Carpathians. Dan DINU

The perception of the villagers in the 28 local communities has changed a lot over the years, but it is still the main challenge to overcome. At first, residents prejudged the foundation members as outsiders who wanted to earn significant income at the expense of their land. They suspected that we had found gold or uranium; they couldnt imagine that we would invest so much money to preserve nature alone, says Barbara, who expects her residents to submit a formal request to the Romanian government in the next five to 10 years to turn their area into one of Europes largest nature reserves.

On the other hand, there are still localities that are resisting. We believe it is due to the logging lobbies. Since they have been threatened, these groups that illegally cut the forests have started to create fake news about us, such as that we are going to throw snakes from an airplane, close access to the forests, or cut down the trees, says Victoria Donos, the foundations director of communication and local community relations. They dont understand that there really is someone who wants to do good without any interest in return, adds the activist, who specifies that it will be a park without restrictions with a protected area and another for economic development.

Bison have been reintroduced to the area. Calin Serban

As another innovative measure, the foundation created its own hunters association and acquired the hunting rights to 80,000 hectares to protect wildlife, as poaching was especially damaging the herds of chamois and deer. There is significant opposition from hunters; they perceive us as a danger because we support a quota established under scientific reason to avoid endangering wildlife and the existence of a species, Donos says.

On the outskirts of the commune of Leresti, which has about 4,500 inhabitants, 28 bison were reintroduced two years ago, which will soon lead to the opening of a bison observation center to attract tourists and further revitalize the area. Over time, the inhabitants have understood what Carpathia wants to do, says Marian Toader, mayor of Leresti, who says the area has become a tourist resort of local interest in just a few months. The foundation already owns 3,200 of the communes 15,000 hectares, says the mayor, who has seen how the outlying villages of the Bavarian Forest National Park have benefited. In addition, it has helped us to keep bears away from residents houses, a problem that used to occur on a daily basis, by building electric fences, concludes Toader.

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Local residents walk next to their house damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike in the city of Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, March 29, 2024.

Moscow launched a large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure Friday, with a mass barrage of 99 drones and missiles hitting regions across the country, Ukraines armed forces said. Air raid warnings rang out across the nation, with 10 Ukrainian regions coming under fire, the countrys interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said.

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.

Large-scale blackouts have already affected Ukraines eastern city of Kharkiv, where 700,000 people lost power after the citys thermal power plant was hit in a drone and missile attack on March 22.

In the winter of 2022-23, Russia targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts. Many in Ukraine and the West expected that Russia might repeat that strategy this winter, but Russia instead initially focused its strikes on Ukraines defense industries.

Ukraines state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, said Fridays attack deliberately targeted thermal and hydroelectric power plants across central and western regions.

In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraines Kaniv and Dniester hydroelectric power stations had come under attack and accused Moscow of risking an ecological disaster similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused the other of destroying the dam, but the various Russian allegations  that it was hit by a missile or taken down by explosives  fail to account for a blast so strong that it registered on seismic monitors in the region.

The dams destruction led to deadly flooding, endangered crops, threatened drinking water supplies for thousands and unleashed an environmental catastrophe.

Zelenskiy also warned that other countries would be threatened if the dams were hit. Dnister Hydroelectric station, located near the city of Novodnistrovsk, Ukraine, is approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Moldova.

Not only is Ukraine under threat, but Moldova too, Zelenskiy said. The water will not stop in front of the border.

DTEK, Ukraines largest private electricity operator, also said that three of its thermal power plants had been damaged in the attacks. It announced emergency power shutdowns in the city of Odesa, leaving several neighborhoods without power.

Five people, including a 5-year-old girl, were wounded during the attack in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, said local Gov. Serhii Lysak.

He later said that another man had been killed and one more injured in a separate drone attack Friday.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian police said rescuers had recovered the body of a 66-year-old woman from a building in the Mykolaiv region that was hit by a Russian missile Thursday night.

The bombardment in the west of Ukraine caused the Polish Armed Forces to scramble its own aircraft, the countrys operational command said on social media.

Last week, Warsaw demanded an explanation from Moscow after one of its missiles strayed briefly into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting the NATO member to activate F-16 fighter jets.

Romanias defense ministry also said on Friday that an investigation has been launched after fragments that appeared to be from a drone were identified on its territory Thursday evening in an agricultural area of Braila county, close to the border with Ukraine.

It did not provide additional details, although since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, NATO member Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on several occasions.

Belgorod also came under fire Friday, Russias Ministry of Defense wrote on social media. It said that it shot down 15 Ukrainian shells, with falling debris damaging a number of residential buildings. No casualties were reported.

Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov later said on social media that one man had died as the result of a separate drone attack, which struck an apartment block.

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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

There is a place in the world where all the forces of nature converge and create an environment that is so unique that it is home to more animals than anywhere else on the planet. Volcanoes covered by tropical rainforests stand above an ocean brimming with coral reefs, and ecosystems intertwine to create an unparalleled biodiversity. This is Insulindia, or the Malay Archipelago, the land of 25,000 islands that were explored by Alfred Russel Wallace between 1854 and 1862 and where he made some of the most important scientific discoveries of his time.

Wallace traveled in a relentless quest to demonstrate how geography affects the ranges of species, conditions their origins and multiplies their diversity. Meanwhile, from his home in Downe (Kent, U.K.), another naturalist, Charles Darwin, was gathering the infinite amount of evidence and arguments that would support the publication of On The Origin of Species, the book that conceptually transformed the world, in 1859. Whenever he embarked on an expedition, Darwin carried with him a copy of John Miltons Paradise Lost.

It was in the Galapagos Islands where Darwins nemesis came about, the shift from a timorous religious mentality to an openly heterodox one in which biological inheritance replaced the hand of the divine watchmaker. The Galapagos, a lost paradise in the middle of the Pacific that, in the eyes of the young naturalist, emerged as a laboratory of evolution. Although the Beagle spent only five weeks in the Galapagos during its five-year voyage, about a quarter of Darwins notes and field journal are devoted to this location. He had stumbled upon one of evolutions primeval paradises, and there he began to throw Miltons creationist cargo overboard. Considering the astonishment that Wallace and Darwin felt in their respective island paradises, it is easier to understand the wonder that the naturalists must have felt when they described a new paradise of islands without a sea.

This is the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA). The landscape of the new ecoregion is made up of 30 granite hills, some of which are over 3,000 meters high. They are inselbergs or monadnocks, isolated hills that dominate the plain, batholiths formed between 600 and 125 million years ago. Today, the 30 hills are home to the largest (Mount Mabu) and smallest (Mount Lico) evergreen montane rainforests in southern Africa. Further up the hill, above these primeval forests, biologically unique subalpine grasslands flourish.

In Africa, mountains often accommodate relict forests (the last refuge of species), remnants of a vast Tertiary forest belt. Before the elevation and progressive increase in barrenness of the eastern plateaus, the forest had covered most of the continent.

During the early Oligocene epoch, as the global climate cooled, the Pan-African rainforests began to fragment. This triggered a significant reduction of forests throughout the Miocene.

Forest fragmentation resulted in the islands in the sky that are home to the unique biodiversity observed today. A large part of the original forest in East Africa was confined to these isolated mountainous pockets that survived thanks to orographic precipitation.

Immersed in these small, confined forests, constrained by their low dispersal capacity, some species were trapped in upland refuges. Here the trade winds, loaded with humidity, sustained a relatively stable climate.

Later climatic fluctuations, throughout the late Cenozoic era, hindered gene flow, the migration of genes, between members of the same species found in adjacent mountains. Each of these rock islands became an evolutionary hub that favored allopatric speciation (caused by the presence of a geographic barrier). This resulted in the establishment of unique habitats, rich in endemic species: reptiles, amphibians, mammals, crabs and butterflies that now characterize the African montane systems.

The treasures of paradise

The 3,300 square kilometers over which this relatively small ecoregion stretches are home to 30 species of strictly endemic butterflies, which only exist in the Montane Archipelago; six species of freshwater crabs; 11 species of amphibians; 22 new species of reptiles, including a new diminutive pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon maspictus); four new species of mammals; and 117 species of strictly endemic plants. This is a remarkably high number considering how limited the geographic area is. This figure is likely to increase when sampling of some groups of cryptogams (seedless plants) and invertebrates that require the analysis of specialized taxonomic groups is incorporated.

The endemic composition as a whole is a consequence of the isolation of the highlands, separated since the Cenozoic from the rest of the Pan-African forests by the immense savanna-covered plains, a sea of grass whose seasonal aridity hinders the development of forest biomes.

But it is not all good news. Despite having global biodiversity importance and the efforts of the governments of Malawi and Mozambique, the ecoregion remains severely under threat. Since scientists began their studies 20 years ago, the mountains, suppressed under pressure from slash-and-burn agriculture, hunting and demand for fuel and timber, have shed one-fifth of their rainforest cover, nearly half in some cases, one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. If the pattern does not change, the new ecoregion, a biodiversity Eden, may become, like Miltons, yet another paradise lost. The species condemned to millions of years of solitude do not get a second chance on Earth.

Manuel Peinado Lorca is a professor emeritus and director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at the University of Alcala. This articule was previously published on The Conversation.

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Roughly 20 years ago, a biologist named Caroline Gargett went in search of some remarkable cells in tissue that had been removed during hysterectomy surgeries. The cells came from the endometrium, which lines the inside of the uterus. When Gargett cultured the cells in a petri dish, they looked like round clumps surrounded by a clear, pink medium. But examining them with a microscope, she saw what she was looking for  two kinds of cells, one flat and roundish, the other elongated and tapered, with whisker-like protrusions.

Gargett strongly suspected that the cells were adult stem cells  rare, self-renewing cells, some of which can give rise to many different types of tissues. She and other researchers had long hypothesized that the endometrium contained stem cells, given its remarkable capacity to regrow itself each month. The tissue, which provides a site for an embryo to implant during pregnancy and is shed during menstruation, undergoes roughly 400 rounds of shedding and regrowth before a woman reaches menopause. But although scientists had isolated adult stem cells from many other regenerating tissues  including bone marrow, the heart, and muscle  no one had identified adult stem cells in endometrium, Gargett says.

Such cells are highly valued for their potential to repair damaged tissue and treat diseases such as cancer and heart failure. But they exist in low numbers throughout the body, and can be tricky to obtain, requiring surgical biopsy, or extracting bone marrow with a needle. The prospect of a previously untapped source of adult stem cells was thrilling on its own, says Gargett. And it also raised the exciting possibility of a new approach to long-neglected womens health conditions such as endometriosis.

Before she could claim that the cells were truly stem cells, Gargett and her team at Monash University in Australia had to put them through a series of rigorous tests. First, they measured the cells ability to proliferate and self-renew, and found that some of them could divide into about 100 cells within a week. They also showed that the cells could indeed differentiate into endometrial tissue, and identified certain telltale proteins that are present in other types of stem cells.

Gargett, who is now also with Australias Hudson Institute of Medical Research, and her colleagues went on to characterize several types of self-renewing cells in the endometrium. But only the whiskered cells, called endometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells, were truly multipotent, with the ability to be coaxed into becoming fat cells, bone cells, or even the smooth muscle cells found in organs such as the heart.

Endometrial stem cells can be obtained by biopsy or in menstrual blood.

Around the same time, two independent research teams made another surprising discovery: some endometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells could be found in menstrual blood. Gargett was surprised that the body would so readily shed its precious stem cells. Since they are so important for the survival and function of organs, she didnt think the body would waste them by shedding them. But she immediately recognized the findings significance: rather than relying on an invasive surgical biopsy to obtain the elusive stem cells shed identified in the endometrium, she could collect them via a menstrual cup.

More detailed studies of the endometrium have since helped to explain how a subset of these precious endometrial stem cells  dubbed menstrual stem cells  end up in menstrual blood. The endometrium has a deeper basal layer that remains intact, and an upper functional layer that sloughs off during menstruation. During a single menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens as it prepares to nourish a fertilized egg, then shrinks as the upper layer sloughs away.

Gargetts team has shown that these special stem cells are present in both the lower and upper layers of the endometrium. The cells are typically wrapped around blood vessels in a crescent shape, where they are thought to help stimulate vessel formation and play a vital role in repairing and regenerating the upper layer of tissue that gets shed each month during menstruation. This layer is crucial to pregnancy, providing support and nourishment for a developing embryo. The layer, and the endometrial stem cells that prod its growth, also appears to play an important role in infertility: an embryo cant implant if the layer doesnt thicken enough.

Endometrial stem cells have also been linked to endometriosis, a painful condition that affects roughly 190 million women and girls worldwide. Although much about the condition isnt fully understood, researchers hypothesize that one contributor is the backflow of menstrual blood into a womans fallopian tubes, the ducts that carry the egg from the ovaries into the uterus. This backward flow takes the blood into the pelvic cavity, a funnel-shaped space between the bones of the pelvis. Endometrial stem cells that get deposited in these areas may cause endometrial-like tissue to grow outside of the uterus, leading to lesions that can cause excruciating pain, scarring and, in many cases, infertility.

Researchers are still developing a reliable, noninvasive test to diagnose endometriosis, and patients wait an average of nearly seven years before receiving a diagnosis. But studies have shown that stem cells collected from the menstrual blood of women with endometriosis have different shapes and patterns of gene expression than cells from healthy women. Several labs are working on ways to use these differences in menstrual stem cells to identify women at higher risk of the condition, which could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment. Menstrual stem cells may also have therapeutic applications. Some researchers working on mice, for example, have found that injecting menstrual stem cells into the rodents blood can repair the damaged endometrium and improve fertility.

Other research in lab animals suggests that menstrual stem cells could have therapeutic potential beyond gynecological diseases. In a couple of studies, for example, injecting menstrual stem cells into diabetic mice stimulated regeneration of insulin-producing cells and improved blood sugar levels. In another, treating injuries with stem cells or their secretions helped heal wounds in mice.

Stem cells are differentiated by their capabilities.

A handful of small but promising clinical trials have found that menstrual stem cells can be transplanted into humans without adverse side effects. Gargetts team is also attempting to develop human therapies. She and her colleagues are using endometrial stem cells  those taken directly from endometrial tissue, rather than menstrual blood  to engineer a mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse, a common, painful condition in which the bladder, rectum or uterus slips into the vagina due to weak or injured muscles.

The condition is often caused by childbirth. Existing treatments use synthetic meshes to reinforce and support weak pelvic tissues. But adverse immune reactions to these materials have led these meshes to be withdrawn from the market. Gargetts research  so far conducted only in animal models  suggests that using a patients own endometrial stem cells to coat biodegradable meshes could yield better results.

Despite the relative convenience of collecting adult multipotent stem cells from menstrual blood, research exploring and utilizing the stem cells power  and their potential role in disease  still represents a tiny fraction of stem cell research, says Daniela Tonelli Manica, an anthropologist at Brazils State University of Campinas. As of 2020, she found, menstrual stem cell research accounted for only 0.25 percent of all mesenchymal cell research, while bone marrow stem cells represented 47.7%.

Manica attributes the slow adoption of menstrual stem cells in part to misogynistic ideas that uteri are outside the norm, and to reactions of disgust. Theres certainly something of an ick factor associated with menstrual blood, agrees Victoria Male, a reproductive immunologist at Imperial College London who coauthored an article about uterine immune cells in the 2023 Annual Review of Immunology.

Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation  and a general lack of investment in womens health research  can make it difficult to get funding, says Gargett. Immunologist Male has faced similar challenges  it was easier to obtain funding when she used to study immune cells in liver transplantation than it is now that she works on immune cells in the uterus, she says.

If we want more research on menstrual fluid, we need more funding, says Male, noting that the logistics of collecting menstrual fluid over multiple days can be expensive. For that to happen, we have to tackle sex and gender bias in research funding. Through more equitable investments, she and others hope, menstruation will be recognized as an exciting new frontier in regenerative medicine  not just a monthly inconvenience.

Sneha Khedkar is a biologist turned freelance science journalist in Bengaluru, India. Her work has appeared in Undark, The Xylom and Live Science, among other outlets.

This article originally appeared in Knowable Magazine, a non-profit publication dedicated to putting the scientific knowledge available to everyone.

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House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing as part of the House of Republicans' impeachment probe into U.S. President Joe Biden, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2024.

House Republicans on Thursday invited President Joe Biden to testify before Congress as part of their impeachment inquiry into him and his familys business affairs.

Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter to the Democratic president, inviting him to sit for a public hearing to explain, under oath, what involvement he had in the Biden family businesses.

In light of the yawning gap between your public statements and the 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, the Kentucky Republican wrote.

While it is highly unlikely that Biden would agree to appear before lawmakers in such a setting, Comer pointed to previous examples of presidents testifying 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, Comer continued.

The invitation comes as the monthslong inquiry into Biden is all but winding down as Republicans face the stark reality that it lacks the political appetite from within the conference to go forward with an actual impeachment. Nonetheless, leaders of the effort, including Comer are facing growing political pressure to deliver something after months of work investigating the Biden family and its web of international business transactions.

The White House has repeatedly called the inquiry baseless, telling Republicans to move on and focus on real issues Americans want addressed.

This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment, spokesman Ian Sams said in a social media post last week. Call it a day, pal.

The committee has asserted that the Bidens traded on the family name, an alleged influence-peddling scheme in which Republicans are trying to link a handful of phone calls or dinner meetings between Joe Biden, when he was vice president or out of office, and Hunter Biden and his business associates.

But despite dedicating countless resources over the past year, interviewing dozens of witnesses, including the presidents son Hunter Biden and his brother James Biden, Republicans have yet to produce any evidence that shows Joe Biden was directly involved or benefited from his familys businesses while in public office.

Seeking testimony from the president could ultimately be the inquirys final act. Late last year, Republicans leading the investigation had privately discussed holding a vote on articles of impeachment in the new year, but growing criticism from within their party forced a shift in strategy. Now, Comer is eyeing potential criminal referrals of the family to the Justice Department, a move that will be largely symbolic and unlikely to be taken by the department.

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By abstaining in the vote on the U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the United States on Monday sparked not only the anger of Israel, which had asked it to veto the text, but also a sweeping legal and diplomatic controversy due to its claims that the resolution  the first to be passed since the start of the Gaza war  was non-binding. For Washington, it was a rhetorical feint aimed at making the public blow to its great ally in the Middle East less obvious. A non-binding resolution does not force Israel to do anything in principle, much less agree to end hostilities, a call the country has rejected since the start of the war in October.

A non-binding resolution. Thats how both Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., and John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, described U.N. Security Council Resolution 2728. Theres no impact at all on Israel, added Kirby. These claims hit the U.N. Security Council  the highest executive body of the U.N., in charge of ensuring world peace and security  like a torpedo. Were the Councils resolutions binding or not? Or was it that some resolutions were binding and others were not?

Diplomatic representatives and legal experts came out in force to refute Washingtons claim. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made his opinion clear: the resolutions are binding. Indeed, this is stated in Article 25 of the U.N. Charter: The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.

Several representatives of the Security Council, led by Mozambique and Sierra Leone, pointed to case law to support this argument. The two African diplomats, both with legal training, said that the Gaza ceasefire resolution is binding, regardless of whether one of the five permanent members of the Council abstains from the vote, as was the case of the U.S. The diplomats highlighted that in 1971, the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) established that all resolutions of the U.N. Security Council are legally binding. The Algerian ambassador to the U.N. summed it up even more categorically: Security Council resolutions are binding. Not almost, not partly, not maybe.

Legal unanimity

The United States waded into muddy waters on Monday, not only against Israel but also before the sole arbiter of the international community with its strident interpretation of the resolution, and it nearly completely diverted attention from the fact that the Council had successfully  if belatedly  passed the first resolution on the Gaza war.

Adil Haque, professor of International Law at Rutgers and executive editor of Just Security, has no doubts that the resolution is binding. According to the U.N. Charter, all decisions of the Security Council are binding for all member states. The International Court of Justice has ruled that a resolution need not mention Chapter VII of the Charter [action in case of threats to the peace, breaches of the peace or acts of aggression], refer to international peace and security or use the word decides to make it binding. Any resolution that uses mandatory language creates obligations, and this includes the term demands used in the resolution on Gaza, explains Haque, who also stresses the decisive intent of the Council members who drafted and voted in favor of the ceasefire resolution; only the South Korean representative was hesitant at first. They intended it to have a binding effect.

On what grounds does Washington argue that the resolution is non-binding? Is it more of a political calculation than a legal objection? For now, it does not seem that the U.S. has a coherent legal argument, explains Haque. Initially, it alleged that the resolution did not use adequate language to have a binding effect. The ICJ has ruled that resolutions do not need to use any particular magic word and that a mandatory term such as demands is enough to create obligations. The U.S. later argued that the resolution did not create any new obligations. But the resolution demands an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, which is a new obligation. Haque warns that Washingtons current objection could be used as a precedent in other resolutions: Its stance [on Resolution 2728] may undermine other important resolutions that the country itself championed, including the recent one calling for a ceasefire in Sudan.

Richard Gowan, who was a senior official at the U.N. for decades and today works at the NGO International Crisis Group, specialized in conflict prevention, believes that the controversy is due to a substantial difference in interpretations. Different states interpret the Charter in different ways and follow different traditions of interpretation. There are genuine and important differences in the way the U.S. and other Council members read this text. American jurists will believe that the fact that the text demands a ceasefire means that it is not legally binding, explains the expert, in line with what Haque stated. From the American point of view, the text would have to have decided on a ceasefire to be legally binding. Demand or decide: the intricate language of diplomacy. It may seem like a very small distinction, explains Gowan, but it has its origins in Article 25 of the U.N. Charter, which says that states must accept and carry out the decisions of the Council, but it doesnt mention its demands.

Important diplomatic sign, but with little force

Gowan argues that the confusion over whether the resolution was binding could have been what allowed it to pass on Monday. The different interpretations of the text (which the ambassadors and their legal teams were surely aware of) allowed the United States to abstain from a resolution that it considers non-binding, and this could have been advantageous, because if it had seen it as legally binding it could have felt obliged to veto it, he explains. Conversely, says Gowan, other members of the Council might have been dissatisfied with a text that they considered simply rhetorical.

For Gowan, the result of Mondays vote was a satisfactory final compromise  the passage of the first resolution since the start of the Gaza war  that was made possible due to the ambiguity over a couple of terms. But he points out a potentially negative side: Of course, it may be a source of confusion if Israel declares that it does not feel bound by the text That could lead to more discussions in the Council shortly. The happy feelings of today [Monday] in New York could soon evaporate.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. on Monday argued that the resolution was non-binding as it did not fall under the remit of Chapter VII, which would authorize the use of force to implement it. Gowan points out how difficult its application is, regardless of the chosen mode. It is clear that the resolution does not contain any enforcement mechanism of its own, and if other Council members proposed sanctions against Israel for non-compliance, the U.S. would veto them. So ultimately the resolution is an important diplomatic sign about the need for a ceasefire, but it has little force.

Many observers within and outside of the U.N. believe that the prolonged negotiation (lasting almost a month) of the ceasefire draft resolution linked to the release of the hostages presented by the United States, and vetoed last Friday by Russia and China, was nothing more than a diplomatic maneuver aimed at gaining time (or rather losing it) while Washington staked it all on the Israel-Hamas negotiations that it is mediating alongside Egypt and Qatar. (And while Israel, against Washingtons wishes, perseveres with its ground offensive plans in Rafah). In other words, to let the U.N. take action, but not too much  for that, it has its veto, which it has used to reject three previous ceasefire resolutions  while the real game is being played out.

Gowans idea that the resolution is an important diplomatic message, but one that lacks force, suggests it is all just a battle of words, where the difference between demand and decide would escape even a linguist. Meanwhile, the real battle continues in Gaza, where more than 32,000 people have been killed in Israels attacks.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks after attending a wake for New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer Jonathan Diller, on March 28, 2024.

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 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.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 29, 2024 - 09:48 | All, World, Japan

The United States and Japan have prepared a U.N. Security Council resolution that would promote a ban on nuclear weapons in space, according to the draft, amid concerns that Russia could introduce one as part of a system aimed at destroying satellites.

The draft would call on U.N. members "not to develop nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction specifically designed to be placed in orbit around the Earth," in line with a policy on the peaceful use of space expected to be endorsed by the U.S. and Japanese leaders during their summit in Washington next month.

It remains uncertain, however, whether the world body's key security panel will be able to vote on the draft resolution as Russia is expected to oppose it, a source familiar with council negotiations said.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits signatories, including Russia, from placing in orbit around Earth "any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction."

The document prepared by the United States and Japan also mentions "the grave consequences" for the interests of all U.N. members that could result from the detonation of such a weapon in outer space.

Washington's intention to draft a resolution with Tokyo on the matter was expressed by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, in a Security Council meeting on March 18 chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden will commit to promoting the peaceful use of outer space in their meeting planned for next month in Washington, officials with knowledge of the event said.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby disclosed last month that Russia is developing a capability for attacking satellites in space.

The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee said last month there was information on a serious national security threat, and ABC TV reported it pertained to Russia's intention to put a nuclear weapon in space.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denied the report during a state TV program.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 29, 2024 - 21:19 | All, Japan

Central Japan Railway Co. said Friday it has given up its plan to launch a new high-speed maglev train between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027 amid long-running environmental opposition in Shizuoka Prefecture, pushing back the schedule possibly to 2034 or later.

"While we cannot project a new opening date, we will continue to do everything we can toward launching as soon as possible," JR Central President Shunsuke Niwa said at a panel meeting at the transport ministry.

Another JR Central senior executive at the meeting suggested the delays mean the project may not open until 2034 or later, citing the original plans that required 10 years for construction. The executive said there are few prospects of shortening the process.

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen project is intended to link Tokyo and Osaka with trains traveling up to 500 kilometers per hour. But a small area on the section between the capital and Nagoya has proved a stumbling block for the project, due mostly to opposition by the central prefecture of Shizuoka.

Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu has cited environmental impact concerns in opposing the project, which requires extensive tunnels for the vast majority of its 286-km route to Nagoya. Construction of the around 8.9 km of tunnels through Shizuoka Prefecture has yet to begin.

In a statement issued Friday after JR Central's decision, Kawakatsu said he "will as quickly as possible make progress in talks with JR (Central) toward balancing the promotion of the Linear Shinkansen project and environmental preservation."

A document from JR Central issued ahead of the meeting cites the inability for construction to begin in the Shizuoka section as the "direct cause" for the delay in completing the Nagoya leg.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government will continue to move ahead "to facilitate an early opening."

In December, JR Central revised its opening date to 2027 or later, but maintained it was not the case that it had abandoned delivery by the target year or delayed the project.

The high-speed rail line was intended to be rolled out in two phases, with the Nagoya leg set for 2027 and the Osaka extension in 2037.

Once completed, the project is expected to link Tokyo and Nagoya in as little as 40 minutes, and shorten the travel time between the capital and Osaka to just 67 minutes -- under half the fastest times on existing shinkansen bullet trains.

JR Central has said the new line could bring about economic benefits from faster transit times, and serve as a vital backup between the country's three major metropolises in the event of major disasters such as powerful earthquakes involving potential tsunami.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Japan maglev train project being derailed by Shizuoka stalemate
KYODO NEWS - Mar 30, 2024 - 08:15 | All, Japan

The Liberal Democratic Party has questioned former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori over the latest political funds scandal behind the scenes, but he has denied any involvement in the matter, LDP sources said Friday.

The ruling party, meanwhile, is considering punishing some executives of its biggest faction who are implicated in the scandal by advising them to leave the LDP, which is the second severest disciplinary action after expulsion, a senior government official said.

The LDP has come under intense scrutiny after some of its factions, including the largest one formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for years neglected to report some of its income from fundraising parties, instead using the money for slush funds.

Mori, who headed the faction from 1998 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2006, is suspected of having come up with the scheme, while senior members of the group have claimed not to know when the slush funds began.

Due to Mori telling the LDP that he was unaware of the details concerning how and when the scheme started within the faction, the party, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has judged that the former political leader could not be implicated in the scandal, the sources said.

For now, the party has no intention of reinvestigating Mori, who headed the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics organizing committee until he had to resign over sexist remarks in 2021, they added.

But 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, with the LDP suggesting the practice of operating slush funds may have been in place for over 20 years.

Kishida said at a parliamentary session on Thursday that Mori, an 86-year-old LDP heavyweight, "could be included" as a target of the party's investigation as "he is needed to clarify political responsibility."

Later Thursday, Kishida also told a press conference that the LDP, which has been in power for most of the period since its formation in 1955, is preparing to take punitive measures as early as next week against about 80 lawmakers in relation to the slush funds scandal.

Such a step would mark the biggest case of disciplinary action to be carried out by the party and, in terms of scale, would exceed the penalizing of 50 members in 2005 after they opposed a bill to privatize the state-run postal service under then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Disciplinary action based on party rules comes in eight levels of severity.

Earlier this month, Kishida and some of the party's executives also questioned four senior members of the Abe faction at the center of the political funds scandal as part of procedures to determine the specifics of the envisioned punishments.

The senior government official said Kishida has criticized some Abe faction executives for failing to sufficiently reflect on their involvement in the matter that caused public distrust in the LDP.

The scandal, which came to light late last year, has helped push the approval ratings for Kishida's Cabinet down to their lowest levels since it was launched in October 2021, just before three by-elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives are held on April 28.

Depending on the results of the by-elections, LDP lawmakers could seek to oust Kishida as leader before the next general election amid speculation that he will dissolve the lower house ahead of the party's presidential race, which will take place sometime around September, pundits said.

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 ruling party has yet to decide on candidates for Tokyo and Nagasaki.

In the capital's constituency, Tomin First no Kai, a regional party founded by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, is arranging to field the famous author Hirotada Ototake, sources close to the matter said.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 29, 2024 - 13:31 | Others

The Japanese government on Friday added four new industries to its foreign skilled worker visa program as it moves to address the nation's driver shortage by allowing more people access to stays of up to five years.

The Cabinet decision brings the eligible industries under the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa to 16. The expansion, covering road and railway transportation as well as the forestry and timber sectors, is the first since the system was introduced in 2019.

Japan's need for foreign labor has risen due in part to its declining birthrate. There are also concerns about pronounced shortages in the transportation and logistics industries which are likely to be exacerbated once a new limit to overtime hours for drivers begins in April, in what is known as the "2024 problem."

The government said Japan plans to admit up to 820,000 foreigners under its skilled worker visa in the next five fiscal years from April, more than double the number it had estimated would have been accepted in the five years through fiscal 2023 ending March.

After soliciting public opinions over the reform, the government will revise related rules, including Justice Ministry ordinances, to begin accepting skilled foreigners in the four sectors.

At a meeting ahead of the Cabinet decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi requested relevant ministers "make preparations to accept (the foreign workers) without delay and to make efforts to realize an inclusive society."

As part of the addition of the road transportation sector, skilled foreigners will be accepted as drivers of buses, taxis and trucks by companies that have been certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

As drivers of buses and taxis often communicate with passengers, they are required to pass the N3 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, the third highest in the exam's five levels and a condition stricter than required to work in other sectors.

In the railway sector, skilled workers can be accepted for roles involved in the manufacturing of train cars and maintenance of tracks. They can also take on the role of drivers, conductors and station staff.

The government also added operations related to textiles, iron and steel, and printing in the manufacturing industry, a sector already covered under the program.

Foreigners with the No. 1 visa must have passed a test demonstrating professional and Japanese language skills enabling them to work immediately. The No. 2 visa allows for unlimited renewals, opening the door to permanent residency, and permits workers to bring their children and spouses to Japan.

As of the end of December 2023, there were around 208,000 workers in the country on the No. 1 visa and 37 with the No. 2 visa, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

The latest reform comes as the government has submitted bills to replace the controversial foreign trainee program with a new system focused on developing skills and protecting worker rights. Problems linked to the trainee program have resulted in some participants abandoning their employment due to abuses such as unpaid wages and harassment.

The new program will allow trainees to switch workplaces in the same industry under certain conditions and gain skills needed for transitioning to the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 29, 2024 - 11:43 | All, World, Japan

The Japanese government decided Friday to continue denying Russia its "most-favored-nation" trade status for another year from the end of March, as part of economic sanctions against Moscow over its bloody invasion of Ukraine.

In April 2022, Japan's parliament gave the green light to measures that would deprive Russia of benefits such as reduced tariffs for a year as part of punitive sanctions on the country. The latest decision is the second extension.

Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said at a press conference on Friday that Japan will address Russia's aggression in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, "in cooperation with the international community."

All imports from Russia will continue to be subject to higher duties until the end of March 2025, including a 5 percent imposition on salmon, up from the previous 3.5 percent, and 6 percent on crab, up from 4 percent.

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KYODO NEWS - Mar 29, 2024 - 20:37 | World, All, Japan

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui reiterated Pyongyang's stance Friday that it will reject any contact with Japan and that a dialogue with Tokyo is "not a matter of concern" to her country, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

The minister criticized Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's pledge Thursday that Japan will continue to address issues related to North Korea, including its past abductions of Japanese nationals.

"I cannot understand why he persistently adheres to the issue that cannot be settled and has nothing to be solved while trying hard to deny and shun the reality," Choe said in a statement carried by KCNA.

North Korea "has neither the responsibility nor the will to make any effort" to solve the abduction issue, she added.

Choe also said Pyongyang will "always respond sharply to Japan's behavior of interfering with its exercise of sovereignty," in reference to its missile and nuclear programs.

North Korean Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam said separately the same day that a Japanese Embassy official in Beijing on Thursday sent an email and proposed contact with a councilor of North Korea's embassy, according to KCNA.

"I make it clear once again that the DPRK has no reason to meet with the Japanese side at any level," the envoy said, referring to the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, according to KCNA.

The two countries have no diplomatic ties.

Since early 2023, Kishida has expressed eagerness to hold a summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un to realize the return of Japanese abducted by its agents in the 1970s and 1980s.

On Monday, the leader's sister Kim Yo Jong revealed that Kishida had conveyed his wish to meet her brother "as soon as possible," while reiterating North Korea's stance that the abduction issue has already been resolved.

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"There is such a huge opportunity for us to work together with China." Business leaders attending the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in China's Hainan see significant opportunities in China's green development.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Students learn Chinese at Haci Bayram Veli University in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 26, 2024. In Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, the study of the Chinese language at Haci Bayram Veli University has opened doors to cultural enrichment and employment prospects in a country facing a tough job market. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- In Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, the study of the Chinese language at Haci Bayram Veli University has opened doors to cultural enrichment and employment prospects in a country facing a tough job market.

"For me, the prospect of employment is very promising, which is one of the primary reasons I opted for this department," remarked Esma Alkin, an 18-year-old Turkish freshman enrolled in the Chinese Language and Literature Department at the university.

Citing China's remarkable economic progress, Alkin expressed hope for robust employment prospects post-graduation.

The department, established just last year, has seen a spike in student interest, said Assistant Professor Cile Maden Kalkan, also the department's deputy head. Kalkan noted a rise in inquiries from students, who were drawn to the curriculum and potential career opportunities, especially in the private sector.

This increased interest is part of a larger trend of cultural exchange between Turkiye and China, Kalkan observed. She pointed out that China's economic advancements and global initiatives have created significant opportunities for Turkiye, sparking a surge in enthusiasm for learning about the Chinese language and culture.

Selinay Altintas, another freshman, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the vast opportunities that await those proficient in Chinese language and culture. Attracted by Chinese dance and cuisine, Altintas said she aimed to delve into China's cultural richness by continuing her studies in China.

Against the backdrop of Turkiye's economic challenges, mastering the Chinese language emerges as a strategic advantage in the fiercely competitive job market, Alkin noted.

Yuan Zhang, an instructor at the department, highlighted the exponential growth in academic exchanges between Turkiye and China, underscoring the increasing mutual interest in each other's language and culture.

"Every year, there is a growing number of Turkish students invited to China to continue their studies," he said, adding that "learning Chinese can open doors to new opportunities."

With the establishment of the China-Turkiye strategic cooperative relationship in 2010, economic and cultural cooperation between the two nations has flourished. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has also become a medium of extensive multilateral cooperation between the two sides.

The Chinese Language and Literature Department is "100 percent full now," said Giray Fidan, a Turkish expert in Chinese language and history based at the university.

"This shows how much interest there is in Turkiye towards learning Chinese and discovering its history and culture," the scholar said. 

Students learn Chinese at Haci Bayram Veli University in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 26, 2024. In Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, the study of the Chinese language at Haci Bayram Veli University has opened doors to cultural enrichment and employment prospects in a country facing a tough job market. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Yuan Zhang (Front), an instructor at the Chinese Language and Literature Department at Haci Bayram Veli University, teaches Chinese in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 26, 2024. In Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, the study of the Chinese language at Haci Bayram Veli University has opened doors to cultural enrichment and employment prospects in a country facing a tough job market. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Students learn Chinese at Haci Bayram Veli University in Ankara, Turkiye, on March 26, 2024. In Ankara, the capital of Turkiye, the study of the Chinese language at Haci Bayram Veli University has opened doors to cultural enrichment and employment prospects in a country facing a tough job market. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-six Syrian military personnel were killed in multiple Israeli airstrikes that targeted military bases in Syria's northern city of Aleppo before dawn Friday, a war monitor reported.

The strikes hit a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks, which reverberated across the northern Aleppo countryside for about three hours, resulted in the most deaths of Syrian military personnel due to Israeli airstrikes.

Defense factories in the Safira area were also targeted, the watchdog added.

A statement from the Syrian Defense Ministry said that around 1:45 a.m. local time on Friday (2245 GMT Thursday), the Israeli military launched aerial attacks from the direction of Athria, southeast of Aleppo, targeting multiple locations in the Aleppo countryside. 
ANKARA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police have detained two suspects who were internationally sought under the Interpol Red Notice, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Friday.

Talgat Baisaov, wanted for "illegal organization activities and smuggling," and Maxat Rakhishov, wanted for "fraud," were captured during an operation in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul, Yerlikaya said on social media X, without specifying the time of the operation and without disclosing the identity details of the suspects.

The operation was jointly carried out by the national and provincial anti-organized crime institutions, Yerlikaya said.

The suspects have been promptly transferred to the repatriation center for their respective extradition, he added. 
JOHANNESBURG, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Police in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province said they have arrested a 51-year-old man, whose vehicle collided with former president Jacob Zuma's armored vehicle Thursday night, and charged him with drunk, reckless and negligent driving, local media reported Friday.

Zuma and his bodyguards were traveling from Nkandla to Eshowe, in KwaZulu-Natal Province, to campaign for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party when the crash happened on the R66 road at around 6:40 pm. No one was injured, and the former president was evacuated and taken to his residence, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said in a report.

"The MK Party claims that there is foul play in the road crash that the former president Jacob Zuma and his bodyguards were involved in," the SABC report said.

"What happened last night I must say that unfortunately, we have been waiting for it to happen, and it has happened because the president was warned that he will be laying in hospital," Musa Mkhize, the party's head of elections in the province, told the SABC. "We don't know what more is still coming."

The arrested individual is expected to appear before the Eshowe Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, the SABC report said.

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, the country's election management body, said Thursday that it has upheld an objection against Zuma's candidacy in the May 29 elections.

Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court in 2021, was nominated as a candidate for the elections by the MK Party. 
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held in Beijing on Thursday to mark the 65th anniversary of the democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

The symposium, which focused on the practice of Chinese modernization in Xizang, was attended by scholars and experts from both China and abroad, either online or offline.

Wang Yanwen, deputy secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, hailed the tremendous progress in human rights protection in Xizang since the democratic reform, noting that it showcased the political strengths of the leadership of the Communist Party of China as well as the strengths of the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Chen Zongrong, a Party official with the China Tibetology Research Center, said the democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom in Xizang is a major historical event in the region's human rights progress and social development. The official said it was a landmark event in the advancement of human civilization and progress in global human rights.

Jin Yongbing, president of Xizang University, gave a speech on the education development in Xizang over the past 65 years.

Harunaga Isaacson, a professor with Hamburg University, shared information about the protection of ancient books and documents in the region as well as international cooperation on related studies, expressing appreciation to local government's conservation efforts. 
HARBIN, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Fu Zhongwei, former chairman of the standing committee of the Shenyang municipal people's congress, stood trial for bribery at the Intermediate People's Court of Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Friday.

According to prosecutors, Fu took undue advantage of his various positions in Liaoning Province to assist other units and individuals in matters such as business operation and case handling, and accepted money and valuables worth over 64.7 million yuan (about 9.12 million U.S. dollars) in return.

The prosecutors, the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined the evidence and gave their respective accounts, according to a court statement.

In his final statement, Fu pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

The trial was attended by more than 30 people, including lawmakers, political advisors and members of the public.

The decision will be announced in due course. 
The screenshot captured from a video shows Israeli airstrikes hitting Syria's northern city of Aleppo on March 29, 2024. (Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo has risen to 42, a war monitor reported on Friday, updating the previous report of 36 fatalities.

The airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport before dawn Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks, which reverberated across the northern Aleppo countryside for about three hours, were the deadliest Israeli airstrikes in Syria in the past three years.

Defense factories in the Safira area were also targeted, the watchdog added.

The fatalities in Aleppo also included six members of Hezbollah, unnamed Lebanese military sources told Xinhua on Friday.

A statement from the Syrian Defense Ministry said that around 1:45 a.m. local time on Friday (2245 GMT Thursday), the Israeli military launched aerial attacks from the direction of Athria, southeast of Aleppo, targeting multiple locations in the Aleppo countryside. 
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The preparations for a China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meeting are well underway, and relevant information will be released in due course, a Chinese military spokesperson said on Thursday.

The two sides are also in coordination on communication and exchanges in other areas, Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a regular press conference.

This year the Chinese and U.S. militaries have made concerted efforts to steadily resume dialogues and consultations on the basis of equality and respect, in a bid to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco, Wu noted.

The 17th China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks was held in Washington D.C. from Jan. 8 to Jan. 9, Wu said, adding that from Jan. 5 to Jan. 19, the Chinese side assisted the U.S. side in visiting Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Hunan Province to conduct site surveys in search of the remains of missing U.S. military personnel in China during WWII.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Wu expressed the hope that the U.S. side will earnestly respect China's core interests and work with the Chinese side towards the same direction to jointly promote the sound, stable and sustainable development of military-to-military relations. 
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Education recently launched an artificial intelligence (AI) campaign to boost education.

The campaign focuses on four specific moves, which include launching a column for "AI learning" on the country's smart education platform, in which experts will discuss and teach AI technologies, and building an international exchange platform for digital education to contribute a Chinese approach to AI education.

The campaign aims to promote the integrated application of teaching and learning through AI, improve the digital education literacy and skills of the public, and standardize the scientific ethics of AI applications.

The ministry has also decided to start a pilot program to apply the national smart education platform for primary and secondary schools in multiple regions such as Guangdong, Hainan, Xizang, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. 
The wild population of Chinese sturgeons was boosted Thursday when a huge number of the rare species released into the Yangtze River
This screenshot captured from a video shows the scene of Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo on March 29, 2024. The death toll from Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo has risen to 42, a war monitor reported on Friday, updating the previous report of 36 fatalities.

The airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport before dawn Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo has risen to 42, a war monitor reported on Friday, updating the previous report of 36 fatalities.

The airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport before dawn Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog group said the attacks, which reverberated across the northern Aleppo countryside for about three hours, were the deadliest Israeli airstrikes in Syria in the past three years.

Defense factories in the Safira area were also targeted, the watchdog added.

The fatalities in Aleppo also included six members of Hezbollah, unnamed Lebanese military sources told Xinhua on Friday.

A statement from the Syrian Defense Ministry said that around 1:45 a.m. local time on Friday (2245 GMT Thursday), the Israeli military launched aerial attacks from the direction of Athria, southeast of Aleppo, targeting multiple locations in the Aleppo countryside. 

This screenshot captured from a video shows the scene of Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo on March 29, 2024. The death toll from Israeli airstrikes that hit Syria's northern city of Aleppo has risen to 42, a war monitor reported on Friday, updating the previous report of 36 fatalities.

The airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah warehouse in the Jibrin area near Aleppo International Airport before dawn Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday vowed to implement more measures to enhance tourism convenience for overseas visitors.

The country will eliminate obstacles and address challenges in the fields of culture and tourism, and create an "inclusive and diversified payment environment," said officials with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at a press conference.

The payment process will be streamlined at tourist sites, cultural performance venues, and hotels, while additional tourism products and services will be introduced, said Shi Zeyi, an official in charge of international exchanges and cooperation at the ministry.

According to Wu Kefeng, a ministry official responsible for resource development, 5A and 4A-level tourist attractions, national tourist resorts, and national tourism and recreation blocks will be equipped with soft and hard infrastructures necessary for mobile payment, bank card transactions and cash payments.

Foreign currency exchange services will be offered at tourist resorts and national tourism and recreation blocks frequented by inbound tourists, as well as at bank outlets in the proximity of these areas, Wu said.

In terms of ticket availability, authorities will ensure that all tourism attractions have ticket counters to accommodate elderly people and inbound visitors who prefer offline purchases, Wu said.

Online ticket-booking services will also be enhanced, which may include the addition of an English-language interface and the acceptance of foreign passports, permanent resident ID cards of foreigners and mainland travel permits for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents as valid identity documents at key tourism attractions, he added.

At scenic spots with consistent unfulfilled reservations, advance ticket booking will not be mandatory, and less personal information will be requested, according to the official.

Officials also emphasized China's commitment to promoting technological innovation in the culture and tourism sectors.

New-age digital technology will be employed to create an immersive and digital tourism space in the country, said Fu Hanxiao, an official in charge of sector growth at the ministry.

China will explore novel tourism avenues, such as immersive cultural and tourism experiences, ice and snow tourism, night sightseeing, and city-walk programs, according to the official.

"We will further improve the consumption environment and conditions and raise the level of convenience to ensure a smoother and more comfortable experience for foreign tourists visiting China," Fu said. 
SEOUL, March 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korean banks' capital adequacy ratio rose last year on the back of faster growth in capital than risk-weighted assets, financial watchdog data showed Friday.

The total capital ratio for 28 banks, bank holding companies and internet-only banks under the Bank for International Settlements framework averaged 15.66 percent at the end of 2023, up 0.37 percentage points from a year earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).

The ratio, a barometer of financial soundness, measures the proportion of a bank's capital to its risk-weighted assets. Banks are required to maintain the ratio above 10.5 percent.

The FSS noted that banks' capital grew faster than their risk-weighted assets due to expanded net profit, caused by an increase in both interest and non-interest incomes.

The tier-1 capital ratio, which gauges common stock capital and retained earnings, advanced 0.38 percentage points from a year earlier to 14.29 percent at the end of 2023.

The common equity tier-1 capital ratio, or the proportion of common equity to risk-weighted assets, picked up 0.40 percentage points to 13.01 percent in the cited year.

Banks are required to keep the tier-1 and the common equity tier-1 capital ratios above 8.5 percent and 7.0 percent each. 
TIANSHUI, Gansu, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Tianshui Malatang is taking China by storm, and one man has become the face of the hottest food fad! Welcoming customers from around the country, his overwhelmed expressions (and fiery hotpot) have made him a star on social media.

Join Xinhua's Miao Xiaojuan and Simon Robinson as they uncover his personal story in a chat revealing the heart behind the viral sensation!

A Xinhua News Agency Production 
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu in Beijing, capital of China, March 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu in Beijing on Friday.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the relationship between China and Kazakhstan has reached a historical height of permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

He called on the two countries to comprehensively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and build a closer China-Kazakhstan community of shared future to better benefit the two countries and their people.

With high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main focus, China is ready to work with Kazakhstan to deepen cooperation in economy, trade, investment, energy and other fields, said Ding, calling on the two sides to optimize interconnectivity, create new growth areas for cooperation, enhance the level of people-to-people and cultural cooperation, and push for greater outcomes in practical cooperation.

Nurtleu said that developing relation with China is a priority of Kazakhstan's diplomacy and Kazakhstan is willing to maintain close exchanges and cooperation with China to achieve greater development in bilateral relations. 
PHNOM PENH, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's ex-Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen returned on Friday after attending the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 held in Boao of southern China's Hainan Province.

In a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the conference on Thursday, Hun Sen called for joint efforts by Asian countries to maintain peace and security in the region, according to the Cambodian foreign ministry.

He emphasized the importance of "joint responsibilities among Asian countries to maintain peace and security in the region" to ensure future development and shared prosperity, the ministry said in a statement.

The former Cambodian prime minister also urged Asian countries to strive for deeper integration and better connectivity, rather than decoupling and disruption.

"Samdech Techo also emphasized that despite the recent global economic slowdown, Asia continues to be an area of robust development and the engine of economic growth, highlighting China as a model of growth and development that has enabled other nations to prosper with, not at the expense of others," the statement said. 
DHAKA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have dropped by 533.82 million U.S. dollars in just a week, the country's central bank data showed.

The decline occurred as the Bangladesh Bank sold U.S. dollars to commercial banks to a large extent, local media reported, citing the banking regulator's data.

According to the central bank data, the South Asian country's foreign currency reserves were recorded at 19.45 billion dollars on Wednesday, a decrease from 19.98 billion dollars on March 20.

In early March, the reserves stood above 21 billion dollars, but the amount later went below 19 billion dollars due to a 1.35 billion dollars payment to the Asian Clearing Union and ongoing U.S. dollar sales to banks. 
SYDNEY, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian state of Victoria have launched an investigation after a man was shot dead in Melbourne's north on Friday.

Victoria Police said in a statement that a man was injured outside a property on Justin Avenue in Glenroy shortly after 4:30 a.m. local time.

Paramedics tried to revive the victim but he was declared deceased at the scene.

Police noted that a crime scene has been established and investigators are currently working to determine circumstances surrounding the death.

The authority is also appealing for witnesses to collect information.

With a usual resident population of around 23,000, Glenroy is located about 12 km north of Melbourne's central business district.

"At this stage, we haven't yet confirmed the identity of the deceased. However, we're working on the belief that he is a particular individual that is known to us," said Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas.

He told a press conference that the shooting occurred outside a strip of shops in a car park and the man was found lying next to a vehicle with fatal injuries.

"It appears at this stage to be a targeted attack. The deceased is known to police and does have a criminal history," Thomas added. 
VIENTIANE, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Excavations taking place in Tonpheung district in northern Laos' Bokeo province, where several hundred Buddha statues have been unearthed, will be upgraded to a national level as more figurines were found.

The Lao government will appoint a national-level committee consisting of senior officials to ensure that future excavations are carried out professionally, with records detailing all the artifacts to be systematic and accurate.

"The findings are of great significance and merit national recognition. The next step will be to research the origins of the Buddha images and look for clues about their original location and purpose," Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket was quoted as saying by the Lao National TV in a report on Friday.

Upgrading the operation to the national level includes using the drone to view the site from a broad aerial perspective, identify boundaries, and record all the locations where the ground has been dug over so far.

In addition, modern equipment will be used, and foreign experts will be brought in to advise on appropriate methods of excavation and preservation, help make accurate records, and ensure that no artifacts are damaged.

According to a report issued by the Information, Culture and Tourism Department in Bokeo province on Thursday, local authorities have completed the registration of 154 of the Buddha statues.

Several Buddha statues were retrieved from the Mekong River's shore in Tonpheung district in Bokeo province, some 340 km northwest of the Lao capital Vientiane.

On March 16, a large Buddha image was found, measuring 80 cm in height, 56 cm in shoulder width, and 88 cm in total width.

The age and origin of the Buddha images were unclear. Most of them were made of bronze and some were engraved with letters. 
by Xinhua writer Wang Siyuan

BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Before entering the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where the China Development Forum (CDF) 2024 was held, my colleague told me that it may prove impossible for us to find a seat, with a mixture of discontent and excitement in her voice.

Her suspicion proved correct.

Sitting on the carpet, I turned on my laptop to take notes as fast as I could while senior Chinese officials, heads of international organizations and economic experts shared their insights on China's development and its global impact.

Themed "The Continuous Development of China," the CDF this year had a packed agenda. Two prime seminars, six parallel seminars and several closed-door meetings were held in just two days, covering a range of hot topics including China's growth drivers and prospects, carbon neutrality, big health, digital transformation of industries, and new consumption.

Present in the auditorium were global chief executive officers (CEOs) of leading multinationals. Milind Pant, CEO of Amway Corp., told me that China has been the company's largest, fastest growing and most important strategic market for over 20 years.

"China's advantages of complete industry chains and innovative ecosystems are now widely recognized and highly regarded by multinationals," said Pant.

It is a sure thing that Amway will continue to invest in China, Pant added. Pant is among the CEOs who have frequented the forum hoping to take the pulse of the Chinese market.

I also heard Lisa Su, president and CEO of AMD, telling a reporter that she appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas and considered China a very important market. I hope to get the chance to interview her myself next year.

As the media center was overcrowded, I decided to sit at a dining table to work on my story. The journalists I saw were all very busy. Some were chasing interviews, while others were trying to catch up with their peers. "New quality productive forces" was definitely a phrase that featured often in their conversations.

Making progress in terms of new quality productive forces, featuring high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, is top on China's agenda this year. For foreign businesses, this is also a key area, with multinationals seeking to hit the sweet spots.

Pascal Soriot, CEO of British biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, told me that he considers it a "tremendously exciting and important time in the field of healthcare."

"We are here because China is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy to shape the future of healthcare, and we believe that Chinese-born innovation can help millions of patients worldwide," said Soriot.

Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group, expressed the company's commitment to deepening its footprint in China, advancing electric and digital transformation along with its Chinese partners at the forum.

"China is not only the largest market for new energy vehicles (NEVs), but also an innovation hub featuring industry-leading companies and a mature NEV supply chain," he said, adding that he believed that the Chinese market will continue to grow and play a leading role in innovation in the industry.

Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, pledged a host of measures at the forum to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, with these measures including the upgrading of traditional industries, fostering emerging industries and cultivating future-oriented industries, explaining that this will help create great opportunities for businesses both at home and abroad.

Global CEOs at the forum were also impressed by China's opening-up endeavors. Soriot said that the company has seen China's determination to attract and utilize foreign investment over recent years.

Kim Fausing, president and CEO of Danfoss, a leading Danish energy efficiency solution company, said China's reaffirmed pledge to further opening up and improvements to the business environment, especially the protection of intellectual property rights, gives them strong confidence to continue investing in the country.

Diaoyutai is well-known as a place where China welcomes esteemed foreign guests, and this forum has served as a pivotal platform since 2000 -- with ideas exchanged, cooperation intentions communicated, and new opportunities explored and created. 
BOAO, China, March 29 (Xinhua) -- In an era fraught with formidable global challenges, the remarkable resilience of China's economy and the collective achievements made across Asian economies have grabbed global attention during the ongoing the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 held in Boao, a resort town in China's southernmost island province of Hainan.

With participants from over 60 countries and regions as well as keen observation from experts worldwide, the forum, running from March 26 to 29, has seen a growing confidence in the shared opportunities brought by China's sustainable economic growth and its high-quality development.

"China has been focusing on a higher quality rather than greater quantity growth for a number of years," Ben Simpfendorfer, a partner at leading international management consulting firm Oliver Wyman, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing event.

As a global manufacturing hub, China's economy matters a great deal to the rest of the region, said Ben, noting the benefits from investments into innovation are already evident via China's increased exports of new energy vehicles, among others.

"We need to tap into innovation-led growth globally, we need to develop new clean technologies in order to support the transition or support the climate transition," Ben said, stressing China's role as the global innovation hub for clean technology.

"China's stable economic growth is a boon not only to China itself but also to the rest of the world, particularly to poor and developing countries," Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told Xinhua ahead the BFA.

"As the global manufacturing hub and the stabilizer of global value chains, China's economic growth is essential to help boost (the) global economy," said Phea.

Making strides in new quality productive forces, which feature high-tech, high efficiency, and high quality, is high on China's agenda this year, which Phea said perfectly aligns with the rapidly evolving digital era.

"Its connotation implies a substantial increase in overall productivity," Phea said, noting that "new technologies, industries, and business models will not only bring forth new opportunities and transformations to reshape China's economy but also have a broader impact on the economic landscape of the Asian region."

Phea was echoed by Ip Kuai Peng, pro-rector of the City University of Macao, who told Xinhua that the new quality productive forces "will drive the Chinese economy and the entire Asian region toward a more efficient, intelligent, green, and open direction, promoting economic structural adjustments and technological innovation in various countries, and achieving sustainable and high-quality economic growth."

On the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Zafar Uddin Mahmood, policy advisor to the secretary general of BFA, shared his personal experience with other panelists and participants on Wednesday. As a Pakistani, he is familiar with Pakistan's involvement in Belt and Road cooperation with China, which have assisted in the development of Pakistan's energy and transportation sectors.

"What's remarkable is that amidst such rapid progress, China manages to prioritize green initiatives, innovation, and high-quality development," said Mahmood.

With sustained double-digit growth in R&D investment, innovation in China is on the rise. China's high-tech sector boasts around 400,000 enterprises, ranking second globally in terms of unicorn companies.

"China's science and technology innovation and development not only speed up China's economic transformation, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, optimize and enhance China's position in the global industrial chain and value chain, but also promote global scientific and technological development," said Koh King Kee, president of Center for New Inclusive Asia, a non-governmental Malaysian think tank.

"Through the optimization of the industrial chain, China's manufacturing industry has transformed from low-end to high-end, promoted the adjustment and upgrading of the global industrial structure, accelerated the global digitalization process, and helped to narrow the digital divide between developing countries and developed economies," he added.

On the theme of "Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities," this year's BFA hopes to pool the wisdom of all parties and the strength of Asia and beyond, overcome difficulties, and create a better future.

Global awareness of climate change and ensuing consequences has surged in recent years, immediate action in this regard across the world is more imperative than ever, a call echoed by international climate negotiators, scientists, and enterprises at the ongoing Boao Forum.

"Discussions on climate change and China's green development are prevalent, with each director of the Boao Forum emphasizing green development and the common challenges faced by humanity," Leon Wang, executive vice president, international and China president at AstraZeneca, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the BFA.

Deeming China a world leader in green development that is steadfast in implementing initiatives related to green development, Wang said the country "not only fulfills its commitments to the world but also continually exports new technologies, contributing to global new energy and green development."

"China has to be complimented in its success in introducing products and technologies that are addressing the serious problem of climate change," Bernardo M. Villegas, professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific, told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the BFA.

"By exporting these products to emerging markets, its contribution to a greener world will be even enhanced," the economist added.

Fu Xiao, head of commodity Markets Strategy at Bank of China's Investment Banking Group (BOCI) Global Commodities (UK) Ltd, told Xinhua that China's development in green areas, such as new energy vehicles, clean energy, and digital technology will provide vast market space and business opportunities for global enterprises, driving the optimization and upgrading of the global industrial chain.

"By investing in emerging industries and green technologies, nations can collectively tackle global challenges such as climate change and environmental pollution, injecting new impetus into global economic growth and promoting prosperity," said Fu.

The climate is universal, climate transcends all borders, thus the world has to collaborate and is collaborating, said Tim Wilkinson, ambassador at large and special envoy office of the President Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

"When I arrived at Haikou airport, I was driven in an electric car to the Boao forum. When I got up in the morning to come to the forum, I was again driven by an electric car ... I've seen the efforts by the forum to reduce carbon for the conference itself," Wilkinson told Xinhua. 
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- In the first two months of 2024, China recorded 2.95 million inbound and outbound trips made by foreigners, said an official on Friday quoting data from the National Immigration Administration.

The figure marks a notable increase of 2.3 times compared to the previous period and a recovery reaching 41.5 percent of the level prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Shi Zeyi, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at a press conference. 
UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, has bid farewell to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other UN officials and envoys, ahead of his return to China.

Zhang said that representing China at the UN was "a great honor and a heavy responsibility" for him, as well as "a highly memorable and glorious experience."

He said that he always remembers the trust and heavy responsibility placed in him by the people of his homeland and has made unremitting efforts to fulfill his mission.

"Currently, as the world undergoes major changes at an accelerated pace, China is in a period of significant development, boldly advancing on the path of nation-building and national rejuvenation," Zhang said.

"China firmly practices genuine multilateralism and supports the UN's important role in maintaining peace and promoting development," he added.

On July 30, 2019, Zhang presented his credentials to Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York. 
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said China will not allow the Philippines to act willfully on the South China Sea issue, while attributing the recent escalation of tension in the water to provocation by the Philippines.

Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, slammed the Philippines for counting on external support in violating international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, thereby causing tension and creating trouble.

"On the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines, we have stated our serious position multiple times. We oppose foreign interference, infringement and provocation, and advocate proper management of differences," said Wu, adding that the Chinese military is fully prepared for any emergency.

Noting that U.S. interference is the biggest factor in causing turbulence in the South China Sea, the spokesperson stressed that the military cooperation between the United States and the Philippines must not undermine China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

China is committed to properly managing maritime differences with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation, while firmly safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Wu stated, adding that it is an inevitable trend that the South China Sea issue will be settled through the concerted efforts of regional countries. 
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. 
CARACAS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela categorically rejected the U.S. attempts to "discount and delegitimize" the results of the upcoming presidential elections, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Citing a U.S. statement released Wednesday, the ministry slammed the United States for "trying to discount and delegitimize the next elections."

The response came after the U.S. State Department said it was "deeply concerned" that the Venezuelan National Electoral Council aimed to restrict opposition candidates from registering to participate in the July 28 elections.

Washington, the ministry said, intends to "minimize" the participation of 37 political groups that have backed the registration of 13 presidential candidates.

The constitutional requirements of the electoral process have been fulfilled, along "with each point of the agreement signed between the legitimate government of Venezuela and the self-proclaimed Unitary Platform," as the opposition alliance is called.

Venezuela "is proud of its electoral system," and committed to "maintaining peace, economic growth and political stability," the ministry said. 
CANBERRA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Coastal dune fields in South Australia (SA) are retreating inland from the ocean at an alarming rate, research has found.

In a study published on Thursday, a team from the Beaches and Dunes Systems (BEADS) Laboratory at SA's Flinders University took measurements on the Younghusband Peninsula -- Australia's longest coastal dune field stretching 190 kilometers (km) in the Coorong National Park -- where they discovered accelerated dune movement due to coastal erosion.

Under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an intergovernmental treaty signed in 1971 for the conservation of wetlands, the Coorong National Park is considered an internationally significant refuge for migratory waders and waterfowl.

The study found that the central region of the Younghusband Peninsula is in a major shoreline erosion phase, having eroded 100 meters since 1980 at an average rate of 1.9 meters per year.

In one case detailed in the study, a new dune field developed in less than five years on the peninsula and has extended landwards more than 100 meters in eight years.

"This is an extraordinary rate of development and, if the shoreline erosion trend continues to expand north and south as it appears to be doing, it will dramatically change the National Park dune system," Patrick Hesp, a co-author of the study and strategic professor of Coastal Studies at Flinders University, said in a media release.

He said the findings should act as a call to action for increased research on coastal processes and particularly the relationship between sea level rise, future climate change and coastal dune systems. 
This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows Xiaomi's new energy vehicle model SU7 at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China. Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7. Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7.

Three versions of the model -- SU7, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max -- will enter the market, with the prices ranging from 215,900 yuan (30,431 U.S. dollars) to 299,900 yuan.

Designed with a minimum range of 700 km, the SU7 and SU7 Max will start to be delivered to customers by late April, while the SU7 Pro will be delivered by the end of May.

Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, said at the launch event that the tech firm has achieved technological breakthroughs in key fields such as modeling design, batteries, intelligent driving and intelligent cockpits.

Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that the production volume and the sales volume of NEVs in China reached 1.25 million units and 1.21 million units in the first two months of this year, up 28.2 percent and 29.4 percent year on year, respectively. 

A Xiaomi new energy vehicle model SU7 is tested at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7. Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Workers work on an assembly line at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7. Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows assembly lines at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China. Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7. Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows assembly lines at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China. Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7. Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
This photo taken on March 29, 2024 shows the site where Ali Abed Akhsan Naim was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Bazourieh, Lebanon. The deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missile unit, Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday. The Hezbollah official was targeted while in a vehicle in the area of Bazourieh, the IDF confirmed, providing footage of the strike. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missile unit, Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday.

The Hezbollah official was targeted while in a vehicle in the area of Bazourieh, the IDF confirmed, providing footage of the strike. The IDF accused him of planning and executing numerous attacks against Israel.

Lebanese military sources reported that seven Hezbollah members died in Israeli strikes on Friday, with six fatalities in northern Syria and one in southern Lebanon.

The ongoing conflict between the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel has resulted in 395 fatalities on the Lebanese side, including 254 Hezbollah fighters and 73 civilians, the sources added. 

This photo taken on March 29, 2024 shows the site where Ali Abed Akhsan Naim was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Bazourieh, Lebanon. The deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missile unit, Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday. The Hezbollah official was targeted while in a vehicle in the area of Bazourieh, the IDF confirmed, providing footage of the strike. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
BEIRUT, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven Hezbollah members were killed Friday in Israeli raids targeting several areas in Syria and southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said six of them were killed in Israeli dawn raids on locations in the countryside of Aleppo city in northern Syria, while a seventh was killed in an Israeli drone attack on a car on the main road between Bazourieh, a municipality, and Wadi Gilo in southern Lebanon.

According to medical sources, the civil defense crew and ambulances, equipped with bulldozers and cranes, had rushed to Bazourieh and transported a body and two wounded to Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern city of Tyre. Civil defense teams also transported the six dead from Syria to Lebanon on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked Israeli targets in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms and Al-Malikiyah site with several missiles.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 395 people on the Lebanese side, including 254 Hezbollah members and 73 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
"Bavaria has established close, cooperative relations with China and opposes a decoupling," said Markus Soeder, minister-president of Bavaria of Germany, while visiting China.

He expressed the willingness to promote cooperation with China in fields such as maglev train and EVs.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
SANAA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. forces shot down four drones launched by the Houthi group in Yemen on Thursday, the U.S. military said.

These drones were directed at a U.S.-British coalition vessel and a U.S. warship in the Red Sea, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, adding this incident marked the second day of attacks on U.S. naval ships in the region.

The coalition intercepted and destroyed four drones targeting a U.S. warship in the Red Sea on Wednesday, it said.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in retaliation for Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip.

In response, the United States and Britain have conducted air and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January, leading to escalation of attacks by Houthi forces even on U.S. or British warships.

Many shipping companies have changed routes to avoid the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest waterways, to reach African destinations. 
GAZA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), on Friday urged Israel to allow the organization's food and nutrition convoys reach northern Gaza and to open additional land crossings to facilitate the delivery of aid amid international warnings of famine in the coastal enclave.

Lazzarini made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, a day after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered Israel take all necessary measures to ensure basic aid reaches the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.

He called on countries to increase pressure for the implementation of the court's order and to reconsider their decisions regarding funding the agency, emphasizing the urgency of bold actions to prevent famine in Gaza.

He warned that the living conditions of over two million people in Gaza were deteriorating, and Gaza was becoming an impossible place for dignified living.

The ruling issued on Thursday by the ICJ follows a previous one on January 26, in which the ICJ ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The previous ruling was given after South Africa filed a case at the ICJ against Israel on Dec. 29, 2023 for its alleged violations of obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention regarding Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas and imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage.

A number of donor countries suspended funding to UNRWA after Israel accused the agency's employees in Gaza of taking part in the Hamas attack on Israel.

While some countries have reinstated UNRWA funding due to unverified claims by Israel, the agency has lost the bulk of its financial support. 
A man lays flowers to mourn victims of a terrorist attack near the Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, Russia, on March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

"On the instructions of a coordinator, after committing the crime, the terrorists drove in a car towards the Russian-Ukrainian border to subsequently cross it and arrive in Kiev to receive a reward they were promised," the committee said on their Telegram.



MOSCOW, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Investigative Committee said Friday that it had found evidence showing that the terrorists involved in the Moscow concert hall attack were planning to cross into Ukraine to receive their reward.

"On the instructions of a coordinator, after committing the crime, the terrorists drove in a car towards the Russian-Ukrainian border to subsequently cross it and arrive in Kiev to receive a reward they were promised," the committee said on their Telegram.

It added that a man, who introduced himself using a pseudonym, helped coordinate the terrorists' actions at both the preparation stage and after they attacked the concert venue. He did this through audio messages sent on Telegram.

The committee also said a ninth suspect linked to the attack had been detained Friday. 
JOHANNESBURG, March 29 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma has survived a road crash Thursday night, local media reported Friday.

Zuma and his bodyguards were traveling from Nkandla to Eshowe, in KwaZulu-Natal Province, to campaign for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party when the crash happened, and it is not clear whether Zuma and his bodyguards have been injured or not, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said in a report.

"The MK Party claims that there is foul play in the road crash that the former president Jacob Zuma and his bodyguards were involved in," the SABC report said.

"What happened last night I must say that unfortunately, we have been waiting for it to happen, and it has happened because the president was warned that he will be laying in hospital," Musa Mkhize, the party's head of elections in the province, told the SABC. "We don't know what more is still coming."

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, the country's election management body, said Thursday that it has upheld an objection against Zuma's candidacy in the upcoming elections.

Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court in 2021, was nominated as a candidate for the elections by the MK Party. 
KHARTOUM, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Humanitarian aid operations in Sudan have faced obstructions as the ongoing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to exacerbate the already severe food and health crisis shrouding the war-torn land.

The warring parties are exchanging accusations for impeding humanitarian relief operations. On Friday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry accused the RSF of blocking several United Nations Children's Fund trucks carrying humanitarian aid en route to El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State.

In a statement, the ministry said that the RSF intercepted the trucks that were sent to address the food and health crisis in displacement camps, with a specific focus on combating malnutrition among the children.

According to the ministry, the RSF deployed forces near the city of Mellit to obstruct and seize humanitarian convoys along the Al-Dabba-Mellit-El Fasher route.

The RSF, for its part, alleged that the SAF and allied forces were attempting to misuse humanitarian aid for the transportation of weapons and military equipment.

"We have reservations about bringing aid into Darfur through the Al-Dabba city in northern Sudan," Imran Abdullah, a member of the advisory office of the RSF commander, said in a statement.

"The SAF and the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by the governor of Darfur Region ... sought to smuggle weapons through this route," he said.

While the SAF and the RSF were trading barbs, the displaced people in the camps in the Darfur region are facing the risk of famine due to the halt of food rations distributed by international organizations.

"Malnutrition rates are rising in the camps, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands. Food rations provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) have stopped," Adam Rijal, spokesperson of the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, a voluntary body, said in a statement on Friday.

According to a recent WFP report, the vast majority of Sudanese face severe hunger due to the continued war, and that "less than five percent of Sudanese can afford a square meal a day."

The United Nations estimates that half of Sudan's population, approximately 25 million people, require humanitarian aid and protection, with nearly 18 million at risk of severe food scarcity.

Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has experienced violent confrontations between the SAF and the RSF, resulting in the displacement of about 8.1 million people, with about 6.3 million displaced internally, according to the Sudan situation report updated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs last month.

The report noted that about 13,900 people have been killed since the fighting broke out, citing data recorded by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. 
ULAN BATOR, March 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 5.9 million or 9.2 percent of Mongolia's livestock have died in this winter's freezing weather, said the country's State Emergency Commission on Friday.

Out of the country's 21 provinces, eastern Sukhbaatar has been the most affected, with a loss of 1.4 million or 38.6 percent of its total livestock population, said the commission.

As Mongolia sees much more snow than usual this winter, over 80 percent of its territory has been blanketed with snow up to 100 cm thick, according to the country's weather monitoring agency.

Mongolia, one of the last surviving nomadic countries in the world, has elevated its disaster preparedness to high alert due to the harsh winter and big livestock loss.

The promotion of livestock husbandry is seen as the most viable way to diversify the landlocked country's mining-dependent economy. 
YANGON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 27 others were injured in a traffic accident in central Myanmar's Mandalay region on Thursday, local rescue officials said on Friday.

The accident occurred in Meiktila town of Mandalay region at around 4:20 p.m. local time when a car initially hit a bicycle and then collided head-on with another vehicle carrying garment factory employees.

"The one riding the bicycle has died. A total of 27 people from both vehicles were injured," Kyaw Ko Ko, an official from the Myoset Thit Myat Parami Rescue Organization, told Xinhua.

He said the deceased was a female. 
SEOUL, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Only by building consensus and win-win cooperation can we effectively meet various challenges and create a better future for mankind, Ban Ki-moon, chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), has said.

Taking the ongoing BFA Annual Conference 2024 as an example, Ban, also former secretary-general of the United Nations, told Xinhua in a recent written interview that 23 years ago, in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis, Asian people aspired to effectively address common challenges in the future.

Therefore, the necessity came to establish a kind of "forum for Asia" that could bring Asian countries together, build consensus, explore solutions, and ultimately achieve Asian economic integration, he said.

Since its foundation in 2001, the BFA has put forward many valuable proposals for building Asian consensus, promoting cooperation among all parties, enhancing economic globalization and building a community with a shared future for mankind, Ban said.

The BFA has played an important role in strengthening exchanges and cooperation among Asian countries and beyond, ultimately promoting Asian economic integration, he said, noting that Asian countries have also demonstrated solidarity in the face of crisis and exhibited a cooperative spirit.

Asia is now developing as one of the most dynamic, most vigorous regions with huge potential to be tapped across the world, Ban said. "The region will not only remain the growth locomotive of the world, but promises to be a more integrated economic powerhouse," he said.

As for China's contribution to the world economy, he said in the past year, when the world economy was recovering slowly and protectionism was on the rise, China and other developing countries stayed committed to addressing development issues and promoting international cooperation, injecting impetus into world economic growth and common development.

As the world's second-largest economy, what China does and will do is of global significance, Ban said, adding that a series of major initiatives put forward by China are in line with the general trend and aim to promote win-win cooperation among partners.

"Only by upholding genuine multilateralism can we better respond to the growing number of global challenges and safeguard global security," he said.

Talking about China's "new quality productive forces," Ban said China is switching its economy from high-speed growth to high-quality growth, and it is encouraging "new quality productive forces" to boost a more innovation-driven, balanced, inclusive, green and open development, which depends more on scientific and technological progress.

Noting that we are living in a world of great changes, he said new technologies such as AI, big data, quantum computing, new materials, renewables and life sciences are now an indispensable part of our life and economy, which create a technological revolution that will fundamentally change the future.

"The zero-sum game must not be our option," Ban said, adding there is no alternative to cooperation as the world becomes increasingly interdependent and interconnected.

Only through win-win cooperation and concerted efforts can we effectively cope with the challenges that accompany the new revolutionary technologies and make better use of them to benefit all humankind, he said. 
This photo taken on March 26, 2024 shows tourists from worldwide visiting the pressure-adjusting water tank in Japan's Saitama Prefecture.(Xinhua/Zhong Ya)

TOKYO, March 29 (Xinhua) -- RyuQkan is roughly a 30-minute walk from the Minami-sakurai railway station in Japan's eastern Saitama Prefecture. It is a museum, which introduces the Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel, one of the world's largest underground flood diversion systems.

A stair with more than 110 steps leads downward to an exploration and the pressure-adjusting water tank, which measures 177 meters long, 78 meters wide, and 18 meters high. The 59 concrete pillars there, each standing 2 meters wide, 18 meters high and weighing approximately 500 tons, support a massive underground space and earn the latter a nickname meaning disaster-prevention underground shrine.

The air is fresh inside the solid, well-designed underground concrete structure, which is a very impressive surprise. "Why are there many seams on the walls?" tourists may ask. In quite a standard answer, a female staff worker of the museum in her 30s, said, "Japan is a country prone to earthquakes. In order to reduce the risk of earthquake damage, the tank is built in parts and then joined by special materials."

"In this way, when an earthquake occurs, the whole building will not shake together, and the possibility of collapse is greatly reduced."

The tank is a key part of the Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel, which was built to mitigate flood damage in the Nakagawa River and Ayase River area. Surrounded by large rivers such as the Tone River, Edogawa River and Arakawa River, the area becomes a bowl-shaped basin where water easily accumulates.

When a downpour fills riverbeds, the overflow will be taken in by shafts, before being carried to the pressure-adjusting water tank by tunnels. After the tank reduces the force of the floodwater, it will be discharged into the Edogawa River by drainage pumps and sluiceways.

Operating for 18 years since its partial launch in 2002, the underground discharge channel has prevented flood damage amounting to approximately 148.4 billion Japanese yen (about 980.5 million U.S. dollars).

Notably, during Typhoon No. 19 in October 2019, the metropolitan area's peripheral drainage channels carried out the third-largest amount of flood control in history, about 12.18 million cubic meters, which reduced the number of flooded houses in the area by about 90 percent and reduced the damage by about 26.4 billion yen (about 174.4 million U.S. dollars).

The Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel is part of Tokyo's comprehensive measures to tackle floods. The Tokyo Megalopolis Region, or Greater Tokyo Area, made up of Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, is crisscrossed with rivers and streams, and to the south it borders Tokyo Bay by the Pacific Ocean.

Located in a temperate maritime climate, rainfall is abundant here, with an annual precipitation of about 1,700 millimeters, nearly twice the global average. During the typhoon season from July to October, heavy rainstorms occur frequently, often triggering floods.

Official records show that in September 1982, floods submerged nearly 30,000 households here; in September 2005, concentrated heavy rainfall of 112 millimeters per hour caused significant damage to the Suginami and Nakano wards of Tokyo.

Tokyo has always been stepping up its efforts to combat floods. Beneath its 2,194-square-kilometer land lie 16,000-kilometer sewage pipes in total -- a distance back and forth between Tokyo and Australia's Sydney -- as well as 58 rainwater storage facilities with a total capacity of 600,000 cubic meters.

The Tokyo Resilience Project, a megaproject to improve its disaster prevention infrastructure by the 2040s, also speaks loudly of the metropolis' determination to fight against natural disasters.

Under the project, a tunnel-shaped reservoir about 40 meters below the surface and stretching roughly 5.4 kilometers is being built in Tokyo's Nakano ward. When completed, it will link the Kanda River/Ring Road No. 7 and the Shirako River underground regulating reservoirs. The resulting space, some 13.1 kilometers in length and 1.4 million cubic meters in volume, will become the Asian country's largest subterranean regulation reservoir.

Yasunori Terui, chief of the engineering section 2 of the Fourth Construction Office, under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Construction, told Xinhua that the subterranean regulation reservoir being built will be able to manage intense rainfall with a precipitation rate of 100 millimeters per hour. 

This photo taken in Japan's Saitama Prefecture on March 26, 2024 shows a picture in which a vehicle is being transported through the shaft down to the Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel.(Xinhua/Zhong Ya)
BARCELONA, Spain, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese electric car firms are planning to expand in the European market, Raul Jaramillo, brand and marketing manager for Kngloo Spain, said in an interview with Xinhua on Thursday.

"Chinese brands have everything they need to position themselves as global leaders in the production of vehicles," Jaramillo told journalists at Kngloo's showroom in Barcelona.

Kngloo, a brand that is new to the Spanish and European markets, was launched in Spain last year. The company sells Chinese-built electric cars in Europe.

The brand already has 20 sales points in Spain and plans to expand that number to 100 by the end of the year, the company's brand manager said.

"The future for Kngloo and the other Chinese brands that are entering the European market is first of all to ensure the positioning of their brands and satisfy the needs, in terms of safety and technology, of the European public," Jaramillo added.

According to the Kngloo manager, in order to break into the European market, Chinese car brands need to quickly establish a wide network of distributors that "can provide the brand with high quality customer support."

Besides their base in Spain, where they already have three flagship showrooms (Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia), Kngloo has already opened in Italy and also has plans to open in France, Latin America and Africa "in a matter of months."

"One advantage that Chinese companies have is that they don't think in terms of years, but of months. They do things quickly because they have the technical, financial and organisational capacity to achieve it," Jaramillo said.

The growth in sales of Chinese-made electric cars in the European Union (EU) is set to continue as more brands from China take steps to quickly expand across the bloc.

In Spain, the number of new Chinese cars sold in the country increased from 10,000 to 37,000 last year, according to the national vehicle dealers' association, Ancove.

There are already over a dozen Chinese car brands present in Spain, including the likes of MG, BYD and Lynk & Co, making the country the main point of entry into the European market for manufacturers from China.

On March 5, The European Commission announced that imports of Chinese electric vehicles into the EU grew by 14 percent between October 2023 and January 2024, amounting to almost 200,000 vehicles. A recent study by the PwC global consultancy predicted that by 2025, up to 800,000 Chinese-built cars could be sold in Europe. 
KIEV, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Energy infrastructure in six Ukrainian regions suffered damage from Russian missile and drone strikes on early Friday, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Power facilities in central Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, western Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions have been harmed, Shmyhal wrote on social media Telegram.

The raids caused power outages in several regions, Shmyhal said, without giving more details.

The Ukrainian state-run energy company Ukrenergo said earlier that thermal and hydroelectric power plants were damaged in the attack.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the Russian forces attacked 10 Ukrainian regions, injuring at least six people.

More than 150 rescue workers and 35 units of equipment have been deployed across Ukraine to eliminate the consequences of the strikes, Klymenko said.

The Russian side has yet to respond to the claim.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia used 39 missiles and 60 Shahed combat drones against Ukraine in the latest attack, with the Ukrainian air defense intercepting 26 missiles and 58 drones. 
KIEV, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Thermal and hydroelectric power plants in central and western Ukraine were damaged in a massive Russian attack on Friday, said the Ukrainian state-run energy company Ukrenergo.

The air strike caused power outages in the central Dnipropetrovsk region and the eastern Kharkiv region, Ukrenergo said in a statement.

Sergii Lysak, the Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, said on social media Telegram that 12 missiles and 12 drones were shot down over the region overnight.

The Russian side has yet to respond to the claim.

Last week, Russia carried out the biggest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector, hitting the largest hydroelectric plant, the DniproHes, and damaging power facilities across the country. 
Description

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation welcomes all children and families to join the annual Spring Family Fishing Festival being held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Belmont Lake State Park.

Festival activities will occur from 10am to 4pm and are provided free of charge. Activities include open fishing, casting instruction, rod use, fish identification, fishing instruction, fly-casting demonstrations, and a fish cleaning station. Additional activities for children of all ages will be held and prizes will be supplied by DEC's I FISH NY Program. DEC and local fishing clubs will host informational displays and loaner rods and free bait will be available to participants. The supply of loaner rods is limited, so all are encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle if possible.

The Spring Fishing Festival is designated as a free fishing event, so the freshwater fishing license requirement for anglers ages 16 and older is suspended for this event only. After 4pm, anglers will need a valid State freshwater fishing license to legally fish. All fishing regulations will continue to apply.

A vehicle use fee of $8 will be in effect. Parking is free for Empire Pass holders.The 2024 Empire Pass can be purchased for $80 at State Park offices or online. This event will be held rain or shine!
Freirich Foods files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after claiming it lost $7 million when 1.2 million pounds of its corned beef experienced temperature issues at a third-party cold storage facility before St. Patrick's Day. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Deli meat producer Freirich Foods claims temperature abuse of nearly 1.2 million pounds of corned beef housed at a third-party cold storage facility was the sole reason the 103-year-old company was forced to file for bankruptcy protection.

CEO Paul Bardinas said the company tapped its credit line in January for $7 million as it ramped up production of corned beef, which makes up a large portion of the companys annual sales, ahead of St. Patricks Day.

Throughout the year, we typically operate just on our cash reserves, and were able to function week to week because were a solvent company  and we were  until this happened, Bardinas told FreightWaves. We were actually looking forward to a profitable first quarter and a good St. Patricks Day, but we did have to borrow money to build this inventory and to store it.

Family-owned Freirich Foods, headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina, has been operating since 1921. Bardinas said hes the fourth generation involved in the companys day-to-day operations.





While Bardinas declined to name the cold storage facility, Freirich Foods Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, filed March 20 in the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, lists claims against Americold Logistics and insurers, arising from spoliation of product due to lack of refrigeration.

At the moment all we have is the spoiled product, obviously, because temperature abuse is the only thing that explains it, Bardinas said. And the only place we see it might have happened was at the cold storage facility. Whatever happened to the product had to be fairly substantial. Either it was in the cooler at the wrong temperature for a significant amount of time, or there was a fairly dramatic event where it warmed up.

As of publication, Americold Logistics had not responded to FreightWaves request seeking comment or to confirm the corned beef had been stored at one of its facilities.

According to its website, Freirich Foods sells its corned beef product to BJs Wholesale Club, Eagle Giant and Price Chipper, among other large grocery chains along the Eastern Seaboard.

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Everything seemed to go off without a hitch until we started receiving complaints from customers in early March who had received product from this facility about off conditions, including spoilage issues and discolored product, Bardinas said.

He said the complaints sounded alarms for the deli meat producer, which also produces pastrami, roast beef and other products.

The company launched an investigation at its facility in North Carolina, which Bardinas said included the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

We conducted a fairly exhaustive investigation here at the facility to see if there was anything that could explain such a widespread issue with the raw material, with ingredients, with anything that may have happened, Bardinas said.

Prior to customer complaints, Bardinas said the company had produced corned beef at its facility that shipped to the third-party cold storage facility as well as product that it shipped from its facility directly to customers. He claims that none of the product that shipped directly from its facility to food service companies or to retail customers had any product complaints.

The only product that seemed affected was the product that went through the storage facility or that was housed at the cold storage facility, Bardinas said. We reached out to them when we first started to get complaints, trying to get some supporting documentation for the conditions in which our product has been stored temperature-wise and any data logging record they might have. They were unable to produce those.

Freirich Foods was forced to withdraw all of its product, which amounted to about 1.2 million pounds of corned beef, because the company was facing a fairly large problem and needed data from the cold storage facility to know what happened, Bardinas said.

The company stopped responding to us, he claims.





In its petition, Freirich Foods lists both its assets and liabilities as between $10 million and $50 million. The company states that funds will be available for distribution to unsecured creditors.

Fortunately, I think the bankruptcy court understands our situation and has granted all our motions so our employees will continue to be paid, Bardinas said. We did our best to protect most of our vendors and suppliers by paying them up to date before we filed, so weve done everything we can to maintain those relationships because it was totally this event thats caused us to file and we hope that whether its insurance or litigation, we can recover this loss and then continue as we were for the last 100 years, a solvent and profitable company.

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In this article, we will discuss the 15 biggest Spanish companies. If you want to skip our analysis, you can proceed to the section highlighting the 5 Biggest Spanish Companies.

Economy of Spain

According to a report by the European Commission, the Spanish economy is projected to grow at 2.5% in 2023, 1.7% in 2024, and 2.0% in 2025. These projections indicate that while the economy is expected to continue growing, the pace might slow down slightly in 2024 before picking up again in 2025 as inflation is expected to decrease to 3.2% in 2024 from 3.4% in the previous year. Interest rate hikes impact the domestic demand and declining debt ratios may also restrain growth. GDP growth is projected to accelerate in 2025 due to increased investment by corporations, external demand, and ease in financing conditions.

On March 15, Reuters reported that Moody's and S&P upgraded Spain's outlook to positive, citing balanced growth, effective policies, and a resilient economy. Growth is forecasted at 1.5-1.6%, exceeding major EU economies. Spain's 2023 resilience contrasts with eurozone challenges. Moody's maintains a "Baa1" rating; S&P reaffirms "A/A-1" with a stable outlook.

Biggest Players in the Spanish Economy

Some of the biggest players in the Spanish economy are Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. (BME:ITX), IIberdrola, S.A. (BME:IBE), Banco Santander, S.A. (BME:SAN), and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA).

Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. (BME:ITX) commonly known as Inditex, is a Spanish multinational clothing company and one of the biggest fashion retailers in the world. On March 13, Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. (BME:ITX) reported strong performance in the financial year 2023, with sales up 10.4% year over year to $39.02 billion, driven by online and store growth. Net income grew 30.3% year over year to $5.87 billion. On January 23, Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. (BME:ITX) and BASF SE (ETR:BAS) announced the launch of Loopamid, a recycled nylon 6 (polyamide 6 or PA6) fabric made entirely from textile waste. Zara made a new jacket entirely from loopamid, which signifies a milestone in fashion sustainability. By 2030 Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. (BME:ITX) aims for 100% sustainable textile products.

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Iberdrola, S.A. (BME:IBE) is one of the biggest utility companies in Spain and the world. Iberdrola, S.A. (BME:IBE) is primarily engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. On February 22, Iberdrola SA (BME:IBE) reported a net profit of $5.22 billion for fiscal 2023, up by 10.7% year-on-year. Despite an 8.6% year over year decrease in net revenues, which amounted to $53.58 billion, the company expanded its renewable capacity to over 42,000 MW. Iberdrola, S.A. (BME:IBE) plans to invest $44.53 billion by 2026 including $5.43 billion from its partners. About $23.35 billion will be invested to expand and strengthen networks in the US, UK, Brazil, and Spain, while $8.42 billion will be invested in offshore wind projects, in the US, UK, France, and Germany. By 2030, Iberdrola, S.A. (BME:IBE) aims to achieve net zero emissions in energy generation and plans to create 10,000 new jobs.

Banco Santander, S.A. (BME:SAN) commonly known as Santander Group, is one of the biggest multinational financial services companies based in Spain. Banco Santander, S.A. (BME:SAN) is one of the Worlds Most Admired Companies, and the seventh-most admired bank in the world according to the annual ranking published by Fortune magazine. Banco Santander, S.A. (BME:SAN) serves 165 million customers across Europe and the Americas. On January 31, Banco Santander, S.A. (BME:SAN) reported a profit of $12.06 billion for the financial year 2023, up 15% from the previous year, and total income increased by 10.2%, from 2022, to $62.41 billion. Commenting on the results Ana Botin, Banco Santanders executive chair said:

We are focused on delivering in the near-term while driving sustainable earnings growth for the future, and I am confident that 2024 will be even better for Santander, with strong momentum across our global businesses, despite heightened geopolitical risks and a slowing global economy. Our progress in executing our strategy, combined with the strength and diversification in our model, will allow us to continue to grow whilst further improving profitability, targeting a RoTE of 16% for 2024.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) is one of the biggest financial institutes in the world and operates in more than 25 countries around the world including Spain, Portugal, Mexico, South America, Romania, Italy, and Turkey. On January 30, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) reported that its net profit increased 30% compared to the previous year to $8.69 billion in the year 2023. Spain and Mexico were the top contributors to this growth with an improvement in customer spreads and an increase in lending in Mexico. The group added 11.1 million new customers and increased credit by nearly 8% year-on-year.

On March 14, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) established a new entity, BBVA Global Wealth Advisors, Inc., in Miami, Florida to provide investment advisory services to high net-worth clients from Latin America. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) also invests heavily in innovation. On March 7, the company signed a 5 year Whole Portfolio Agreement (WPA) with Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) to access Ciscos full software portfolio and Customer Experience (CX) services. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) is the first Europe, Middle East, and Africa-based financial services company to sign a WPA with Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) in Europe and Latin America. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) also plans to hire 2,700 professionals in 2024, including engineers, mathematicians, and experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data management.

Despite projections of a slight moderation in economic growth in 2024, Spain's economy remains resilient, driven by robust private consumption and investment. The recent upgrades by Moody's and S&P to Spain's outlook reflect confidence in its balanced growth trajectory and effective policies. Spain's ability to outperform major EU economies underscores its potential for continued growth. With favorable forecasts for 2025 driven by increased corporate investment and improved financing conditions, Spain is poised to maintain its positive momentum on the global stage. With that said, here are the 15 biggest Spanish companies.

15 Biggest Spanish Companies

Madrugada Verde/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

To make our list of the 15 biggest Spanish companies, we went over several sources including industry reports, our own rankings, and multiple similar rankings. We also scanned the Finviz and Yahoo Finance stock screeners. For public companies, we checked each company's market capitalization, as of March 20, 2024, on Yahoo Finance. The market caps for companies were converted to US dollars based on the exchange rates. To quantify the "value" or "size" of private companies, we selected either the estimated valuation, or the annual revenue available for the most recent fiscal year, or the number of employees, subject to availability of data. The estimated valuation was sourced from major media reports based on the private companies' latest funding round. The annual revenue or number of employees was sourced from official statements by the company and the company's website. We have ranked the 15 biggest Spanish companies in ascending order of their market capitalization, as of March 20, 2024, or the aforementioned alternative metrics for private companies.

15 Biggest Spanish Companies

15. Endesa, S.A. (BME:ELE)

Market Cap: $17.17 billion

Endesa, S.A. (BME:ELE) is one of the biggest Spanish energy companies specializing in electricity generation and distribution. The company operates thermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, and renewable energy plants and has a strong presence in both Spain and Portugal. As of March 20, Endesa, S.A. (BME:ELE) has a market cap of $17.17 billion.

14. Repsol, S.A. (BME:REP)

Market Cap: $20.51 billion

Repsol, S.A. (BME:REP) is one of the biggest energy companies in Spain and globally. The company is engaged in the exploration, production, refining, and marketing of oil, natural gas, and petrochemical products. Repsol, S.A. (BME:REP) has a significant presence in over ten countries in South America and around the world. The company is worth $20.51 billion as of March 20.

13. Naturgy Energy Group, S.A. (BME:NTGY)

Market Cap: $21.20 billion

Naturgy Energy Group, S.A. (BME:NTGY), formerly known as Gas Natural Fenosa, is one of the biggest Spanish energy companies. The company is involved in the generation, distribution, and commercialization of natural gas and electricity. Naturgy Energy Group, S.A. (BME:NTGY) has a focus on renewable energy projects and sustainability initiatives. As of March 20, the company is worth $21.20 billion.

12. Telefonica, S.A. (BME:TEF)

Market Cap: $24.43 billion

Telefonica, S.A. (BME:TEF) is one of the biggest Spanish multinational telecommunications companies, offering a wide range of communication and digital services globally. Telefonica, S.A. (BME:TEF) provides mobile and fixed-line telephony, broadband internet, digital television, and other digital services. The company has a market cap of $24.43 billion as of March 20.

11. Cellnex Telecom, S.A. (BME:CLNX)

Market Cap: $24.86 billion

Cellnex Telecom, S.A. (BME:CLNX) is one of the biggest telecommunications infrastructure companies. The company specializes in the provision, operation, and maintenance of wireless telecommunications infrastructure assets across Europe. As of March 20, Cellnex Telecom, S.A. (BME:CLNX) has a market cap of $24.86 billion.

10. Amadeus IT Group, S.A. (BME:AMS)

Market Cap: $27.25 billion

Amadeus IT Group, S.A. (BME:AMS) is one of the biggest technology providers for the global travel and tourism industry. The company offers innovative solutions for airlines, hotels, travel agencies, and other travel service providers around the world. As of March 20, Amadeus IT Group, S.A. (BME:AMS) is worth $27.25 billion.

9. Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A. (CEPSA)

Revenue in 2023: $27.33 billion

Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A. (CEPSA) is a Spanish multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Madrid. The company is one of the biggest private energy companies involved in the exploration, production, refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products and their derivatives. Compania Espanola de Petroleos, S.A. (CEPSA) operates across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and plays a significant role in the global energy market. For the year 2023, the company reported a revenue of $27.33 billion.

8. Aena S.M.E., S.A. (BME:AENA)

Market Cap: $29.02 billion

Aena S.M.E., S.A. (BME:AENA) is one of the world's biggest airport operators by passenger traffic. The company manages a network of airports globally, focusing on providing safe, efficient, and high-quality airport services to facilitate air travel and promote tourism and economic development. As of March 20, Aena S.M.E., S.A. (BME:AENA) is worth $29.02 billion.

7. Ferrovial SE (BME:FER)

Market Cap: $29.05 billion

Ferrovial SE (BME:FER) is a Spanish multinational infrastructure operator and management company. The company is known for its involvement in large-scale infrastructure projects globally, particularly in the transportation, construction, and urban services sectors. Ferrovial SE (BME:FER) is valued at $29.05 billion as of March 20.

6. CaixaBank, S.A. (BME:CABK)

Market Cap: $37.50 billion

CaixaBank, S.A. (BME:CABK) is one of Spain's biggest banks, providing financial services to individuals and corporate clients. The company emphasizes customer satisfaction and innovation while leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and accessibility. As of March 20, CaixaBank, S.A. (BME:CABK) is worth $37.50 billion.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Biggest Spanish Companies was originally published at Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will discuss the 15 biggest Swiss companies. If you want to skip our analysis, you can proceed to the section highlighting the 5 Biggest Swiss Companies.

Economy of Switzerland

According to a report by the Federal Council of Switzerland, the Swiss GDP growth is projected to remain sluggish at 1.1% in 2024, with a moderate growth of 1.7% anticipated in 2025 as the global economy improves and Swiss exports gain momentum. However, there are both downside and upside risks associated as geopolitical tensions could lead to surging commodity prices and prolonged restrictive international monetary policies may suppress global demand. On the upside, there's potential for a quicker economic rebound if international inflation declines, which will boost consumer purchasing power and ease financial policies worldwide. Inflation in Switzerland is forecasted to be 1.5% in 2024 and 1.1% in 2025, indicating a normalization trend in the Swiss economy. Overall, the Swiss economy is slowing from its historical performance, but still maintaining relatively solid growth compared to other European economies.

Key Players in the Swiss Economy

Some of the biggest companies in the Swiss economy include Nestle S.A. (SWX:NESN), Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG), and Novartis AG (SWX:NOVN).

Established in 1866, Nestle S.A. (SWX:NESN) remains a globally recognized household name, with its food and beverage products available in over 188 countries. On February 22, the company reported its annual results for the year 2023, revealing a slight decrease in sales from $106.04 billion in 2022 to $104.43 billion in 2023. North America continued to be the largest sales contributor, with $29.56 billion. Only Latin America showed growth in sales, increasing to $13.69 billion in 2023 from $13.35 billion in 2022. Nestle S.A. (SWX:NESN) aims to eliminate packaging waste by enhancing recyclability and supporting waste management. On March 18, Nestle revealed that 83.5% of its total plastic packaging used globally was recyclable and 41.5% of it was made from recycled material in 2023. Nestle S.A. (SWX:NESN) has partnered on 220 initiatives with governments and industry leaders around the world to improve recycling infrastructure and recently announced to invest $8.96 million in a new recycling plant in Durham, UK, which is set to open by the end of 2024.

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Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) ranks among the world's biggest healthcare companies focusing on pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, offering a diverse range of products and services in the field of therapeutics. On January 29, Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) reported sales of $66.30 billion in 2023, down from $71.46 billion from the previous year. On March 20, Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) announced the sale of its Genentech manufacturing facility in Vacaville, United States, to Lonza Group AG (SWX:LONN) for $1.2 billion. Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) has decided to sell its Vacaville site as part of its long-term plan to optimize its network strategy and diversify its portfolio with new types of drugs. The agreement entails that approximately 750 Genentech employees working at the Vacaville facility will be offered employment by Lonza Group AG (SWX:LONN) and the products currently produced at the site by Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) will continue to be supplied by Lonza Group AG (SWX:LONN) for a transition period. Commenting on the deal, Roche Holding AGs Global Head of Pharma Technical Operations Susanne Hundsbaek Pedersen, said:

We decided to divest our Vacaville site as part of our long-term network strategy and optimisation plan, to deliver a more diversified portfolio including new drug modalities. Having gone through a competitive diligence process with multiple potential strategic partners for the facility, we believe that Lonza is the ideal owner for the Vacaville site to continue producing innovative medicines for patients in need. We are particularly pleased that the employees at the site will be offered employment by Lonza.

On March 27, Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) announced that it got FDA approval for the Cobas the first molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria. Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal infection commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, but can also be spread through blood transfusion. The approval of this test marks a significant advancement in malaria detection, offering a reliable tool for donor screening. It aims to improve both blood safety and availability by aiding healthcare professionals in identifying and removing infected blood units from the blood supply. The Cobas Malaria test is a qualitative in vitro nucleic acid screening test designed for use on the Cobas 6800/8800 Systems. It allows for the direct detection of Plasmodium RNA and DNA in whole blood samples from individual human donors.

Novartis AG (SWX:NOVN) stands as one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. For the financial year ending on January 31, 2024, Novartis AG (SWX:NOVN) reported that its net sales surged by 8% to $45.44 billion from $42.20 billion in 2022, primarily fueled by an increase in sales volume. In October 2023, Novartis AG (SWX:NOVN) completed the spin-off of Sandoz Group AG (SWX:SDZ), to achieve tax neutrality for Swiss withholding tax purposes. Therefore, Novartis reported a significant boost in net income, reaching $14.85 billion for 2023 compared to $6.95 billion in 2022. On March 22, Novartis AG (SWX:NOVN) announced that its drug Fabhalta got a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). If approved, Fabhalta will be the first oral monotherapy available in Europe for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare and chronic blood disorder. The opinion was based on Phase III data, including the APPLY-PNH study, which demonstrated superior hemoglobin improvement with Fabhalta compared to anti-C5 therapy. Despite treatment with anti-C5 therapy, many PNH patients remain anemic, fatigued, and dependent on blood transfusions. Fabhalta offers a potential breakthrough by providing superior hemoglobin improvement without the need for transfusions, potentially normalizing hemoglobin levels in the majority of patients. Although the final decision from the European Commission is still pending.

The pace of growth is slowing in the Swiss economy and companies are facing a decrease in sales. Switzerland's business environment and innovative industries suggest that opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity persist. With that said, here are the 15 biggest Swiss companies.

15 Biggest Swiss Companies

Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

To make our list of the 15 biggest Swiss companies, we went over several sources including industry reports, our own rankings, and multiple similar rankings. We also scanned the Finviz and Yahoo Finance stock screeners. For public companies, we checked each company's market capitalization, as of March 21, on Yahoo Finance. The market caps for companies were converted to US dollars based on the exchange rates. To quantify the "value" or "size" of private companies, we selected either the estimated valuation, or the annual revenue available for the most recent fiscal year, or the number of employees, subject to availability of data. The estimated valuation was sourced from major media reports based on the private companies' latest funding round. The annual revenue or number of employees was sourced from official statements by the company and the company's website. We have ranked the 15 biggest Swiss companies in ascending order of their market capitalization or alternative metrics for private companies.

15 Biggest Swiss Companies

15. Kuehne + Nagel International AG (SWX:KNIN)

Market Cap: $32.67 billion

Kuehne + Nagel International AG (SWX:KNIN) is one of the biggest shipping companies in the world. Kuehne + Nagel International AG (SWX:KNIN) offers a variety of services including sea freight, air freight, road and rail logistics, insurance, warehouse management, and distribution solutions. The company is worth $32.67 billion, as of March 21.

14. Swiss Re AG (SWX:SREN)

Market Cap: $37.84 billion

Swiss Re AG (SWX:SREN) is a leading reinsurance company, providing risk transfer, risk financing, and asset management solutions to insurers around the world. The company helps clients mitigate and manage complex risks. As of March 21, Swiss Re AG (SWX:SREN) is worth $37.84 billion on the open market.

13. Alcon Inc. (SWX:ALC)

Market Cap: $41.67 billion

Alcon Inc. (SWX:ALC) is one of the biggest medical companies in the world, specializing in eye care products and devices. The company offers a wide range of vision care solutions, including surgical equipment, contact lenses, and pharmaceuticals dedicated to the eye care industry. As of March 21, Alcon Inc. (SWX:ALC) is worth $41.67 billion.

12. Givaudan SA (SWX:GIVN)

Market Cap: $42.74 billion

Givaudan SA (SWX:GIVN) is a flavors and fragrances company headquartered in Switzerland. Givaudan SA (SWX:GIVN) collaborates with companies and customers across various industries to develop unique flavors and fragrances that delight consumers globally. Givaudan SA (SWX:GIVN) is one of the biggest Swiss companies and is worth $42.74 billion, as of March 21.

11. Lonza Group AG (SWX:LONN)

Market Cap: $42.75 billion

Lonza Group AG (SWX:LONN) is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world that operates in biotech, and nutrition markets. The company serves as a partner to healthcare companies, assisting in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of medical treatments for various diseases. Lonza Group AG (SWX:LONN) has a market value of $42.75 billion as of March 21.

10. Sika AG (SWX:SIKA)

Market Cap: $48.34 billion

Sika AG (SWX:SIKA) is one biggest Swiss chemical companies in the world, focusing on construction and industrial applications. Sika AG (SWX:SIKA) provides innovative solutions for sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing, and protecting structures in building projects worldwide. As of March 21, The company has a valuation of $48.34 billion.

9. Holcim AG (SWX:HOLN)

Market Cap: $50.1 billion

Holcim AG (SWX:HOLN) is one of the biggest Swiss building materials companies, specializing in Cement, Aggregates, and Ready-Mix Concrete. Holcim AG (SWX:HOLN) operates in over 70 countries worldwide and plays a vital role in construction. Holcim AG (SWX:HOLN) is valued at $50.1 billion as of March 21.

8. Zurich Insurance Group AG (SWX:ZURN)

Market Cap: $79.37 billion

Zurich Insurance Group AG (SWX:ZURN) is one of the biggest insurance companies in the world. Zurich Insurance Group AG (SWX:ZURN) operates in over 200 countries and also offers agriculture and crop insurance to farmers. The company stands as a prominent Swiss entity, with a market value of $79.37 billion as of March 21.

7. ABB Ltd (SWX:ABBN)

Market Cap: $87.59 billion

ABB Ltd (SWX:ABBN) is one the biggest multinational corporations specializing in robotics and automation technology. The company provides solutions for utilities, industries, and transport sectors to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in various applications. ABB Ltd (SWX:ABBN) has a value of $87.59 billion as of March 21.

6. Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (SWX:CFR)

Market Cap: $90.75 billion

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (SWX:CFR) is one biggest luxury goods companies that operates in the jewelry, watches, fashion, and accessories market. Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (SWX:CFR) owns several brands such as Cartier, Montblanc, and Van Cleef & Arpels. As of March 21, Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (SWX:CFR) is valued at $90.75 billion.

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In this article, we will be covering the 15 fastest declining states in the US. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis, you can move directly to the 5 Fastest Declining States in the US.

Population Dynamics Across the US

As reported by the US Census Bureau, the US resident population increased by 0.4% in 2022 after witnessing a historically low change between 2020 and 2021. The primary driver of this population growth was the net international migration which added 1,010,923 people to the country. Simultaneously, the most significant year-over-year increase in total births since 2007 was witnessed. The statistics indicated a return of the US to the pre-pandemic era.

Region-wise, the countrys South was the most populous and fastest-growing region in terms of population. The region received 1,282,675 residents as a result of net international migration of 414,740 and positive net domestic migration of 867,935. 153,601 residents were added to the West of the US. A natural increase of 154,405 was a major factor driving population growth in the region. On the contrary, the population in the Northeast and the Midwest dropped by 0.4% and 0.1% respectively, mostly as a result of negative net domestic migration.

State-Wise Analysis

Among all US states, the population grew the most numerically in Texas as represented by the numeric growth of 470,708 between 2021 and 2022. The state also qualifies as one of the states with a resident population of above 30 million. Florida came second while it witnessed a population increase of 416,754 but the state recorded the highest percentage increase of 1.9% in the country. Net migration mainly led to the states population growth.

New York depicted opposite statistics. The largest annual numeric as well as percent decline in population was witnessed in the state. This was majorly due to the net domestic migration of -299,557. Population decreases were seen in eighteen states in 2022. Six-figure declines in resident population were reported in the states of California and Illinois. Net domestic outmigration was responsible for the significant drops in the state populations.

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The births and deaths in a state also impact the state population. A natural decrease occurred in 24 US states in 2022. Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio experienced the highest negative natural change of -40,216, -23,021, and -19,543 respectively. You can also view the fastest-declining cities in Florida and other fastest-declining cities in the US. On the other extreme, the largest natural increase was recorded in the states of Texas, California, and New York.

Prominent Declines in New York

Three-quarters of the overall population decline in New York state has been accounted for by New York City in 2023. On March 14, The New York Times reported that New York City lost almost 6% of its population, or 550,000 residents between 2020 and 2023. Four of the five boroughs witnessed a decline in their populations in 2023. While more than 25,000 residents left the Bronx borough, Brooklyn and Queens lost more than 28,000 people and over 26,000 people respectively. Manhattan was the only borough that gained residents. People also left the commuter areas around NYC.

City officials have opposed these statistics since they believe that the growing number of migrants and the residents of group settings including dorms and shelters have not been accounted for. The Department of City Planning further unveiled that the city received 180,000 migrants since the Spring of 2022.

Housing affordability issues have been cited as a major reason behind lower- and middle-income residents who are mostly leaving New York City. This is evident from the fact that families with incomes between $32,000 and $65,000 left the city at the fastest rate in 2022, other than the Black or Hispanic. Furthermore, New York and California were the two top states that had the highest share of people who moved out of the states, out of the total number of movers in 2022. Many New Yorkers moved to cheaper states such as New Jersey where they still had the ease of commuting to work. Some of them chose a warmer state such as Florida as their new destination. The easiest and affordable commuter towns to NYC have also been previously discussed.

Real Estate Options to Seek

To emphasize the housing crisis in NYC, JP Morgan has reported that 79% of the working-age households in the city tend to be house-burdened while they do not have earnings enough to cover the cost of living. The dilemma is that the state of New York is expected to continue facing this housing crisis in 2024, as reported by The New York Times on January 4. Apartment construction is limited which strengthens the existing inventory supply. Home prices and rents continue to be one of the highest nationwide. Amidst the prevailing conditions, American homebuilders continue to offer reasonable housing options to settle in numerous states across the country. Some of these include Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS ), M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC ), and Dream Finders Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFH).

Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE:CCS) is a major American homebuilder that is engaged in the construction, innovative marketing, and sale of homes for diverse buyers. The company operates in 18 states and more than 45 markets across the country. On March 21, Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE:CCS) reported that it conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new San Antonio community on March 8. The community Spring Creek offers affordable homes with prices starting from the mid $200,000s. The new community offers convenient access to downtown San Antonio and is expected to open in summer 2024.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:MDC) operates Richmond American Homes which is one of the largest homebuilders in the country. The homebuilder has operations in multiple states including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. On February 14, the company reported the grand opening of the Presley model home at White Oak Reserve in Fredericksburg. White Oak Reserve is positioned close to downtown Fredericksburg and boasts new homes priced from the $700,000s. Quick move-in opportunities are also available.

Dream Finders Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFH) engages in the construction of single-family homes in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. On March 21, the company reported the development of Bungalow Walk at Waterside, its new community in Lakewood Ranch. This development has enhanced the presence of Dream Finders Homes, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFH) in Tampa. Community sales will begin in early April. Downtown Sarasota and Siesta Key can be visited while staying in the community. Other details about the new community and pricing will be disclosed once sales begin.

With this context, lets move to the 15 fastest declining states in the US.

15 Fastest Declining States in the US

15 Fastest Declining States in the US

Our Methodology:

In order to compile a list of the 15 declining states in the US, we sourced data from the US Census Bureau. The 2022 National and State Population Estimates reveal the population change in states between 2021 and 2022 which we have used as our metric. Hence, we have ranked the 15 declining states in the US in descending order of their change in population between 2021 and 2022, to depict population declines.

15 Fastest Declining States in the US

15. Ohio

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.1%

Between July 2021 and July 2022, the population in Ohio declined by 0.1%. The state also recorded the 10th largest numeric decline of 8,284 among all other US states. Hence, Ohio ranks among the 15 fastest-declining states in the US.

14. Alaska

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.1%

Alaskas population went down from 734,182 in 2021 to 733,583 in 2022. This represents an overall population decrease of 0.1% from 2021 to 2022 and ranks Alaska as one of the fastest declining states in the country.

13. Massachusetts

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.1%

Massachusetts is another US state to experience a declining population. As recorded by the US Census Bureau, the states population dropped by 0.1% between 2021 and 2022.

12. New Mexico

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.2%

The percentage change in New Mexicos population was reported to be -0.2% from 2021 to 2022 which indicates that the state population decreased over the year. Therefore, New Mexico is one of the fastest declining US states.

11. Maryland

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.2%

Marylands population changed from 6,174,610 in 2021 to 6,164,660 in 2022. Overall, the population fell by 0.2%. The 8th highest numeric decline in population was witnessed in Maryland during this period.

10. California

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.3%

Numerically, Californias population fell by 113,649 between 2021 and 2022. The percentage population decline of 0.3% in the states population ranks it among other US states declining in terms of population.

9. Rhode Island

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.3%

As represented by the population change of -0.3% in Rhode Island, the states population dropped from 1,096,985 in 2021 to 1,093,734 in 2022. This ranks the state as the 9th fastest declining state in the US.

8. Pennsylvania

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.3%

Between July 2021 and July 2022, the numeric decrease in Pennsylvanias population was recorded at 40,051. This equates to a percent decline of 0.3% from 2021 to 2022.

7. Mississippi

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.3%

The fastest-declining states in the United States include Mississippi as well. The change in the states population from 2,949,586 in 2021 to 2,940,057 in 2022 shows that the overall population went down by 0.3% in the given period.

6. Oregon

Percentage Change in Population (2021-2022): -0.4%

Oregon is another state where the population has recently declined. 16,164 was the numeric decrease in the states population between 2021 and 2022 while the percent decline was recorded at 0.4%, the 6th highest in the country.

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In this article, we will look at the 15 most advanced countries in blockchain technology. We have also discussed the global blockchain market along with key players. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Blockchain Technology.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global blockchain technology market, valued at $17.5 billion in 2023, is anticipated to witness a whopping compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 59.9% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a valuation of $469.49 billion by the end of the forecast period. This growth trajectory is propelled by the expanding acceptance of cryptocurrencies worldwide and the increasing adoption of blockchain technology in financial and retail sectors. The market is further buoyed by services like Blockchain as a Service (BaaS), which enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to explore blockchain applications without the complexity of in-house development.

In terms of trends, cryptocurrencies play a pivotal role, incentivizing blockchain infrastructure development and driving innovation in scalability, privacy, and interoperability. The market is witnessing an increase in diverse blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrencies, such as supply chain management, cross-border payments, lot lineage/provenance, trade finance, and identity management.

The outlook for the blockchain market remains promising, especially with North America leading in technology development and adoption. However, regulatory uncertainties pose challenges, necessitating market players to navigate complex legal frameworks. Moreover, the shortage of skilled talent in blockchain development acts as a barrier to realizing its full potential.

However, it is also worth highlighting that after a cryptocurrency downturn, which eroded over $1 trillion of investors' wealth since 2021, renewed optimism is emerging. However, the US risks lagging behind due to its sluggish stance on crypto regulation, potentially missing out on the recovery of digital assets and blockchain technology. Data reveals a concerning trend: the share of blockchain developers in the US has declined annually since 2018, indicating a shift in the global landscape.

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Despite these challenges, there are still signs of blockchain investment within the US Franklin Templeton and Walt Disney have made major moves into blockchain applications. Additionally, anticipation surrounding the approval of the first bitcoin exchange-traded fund suggests a potential resurgence in enthusiasm. However, if the US fails to retain the loyalty of blockchain innovators, it risks losing its influence over this transformative technology, potentially ceding ground to regions with more favorable regulatory environments.

Nevertheless, the blockchain market offers vast opportunities, particularly in emerging regions like Asia-Pacific, where favorable regulatory environments and government initiatives drive market growth. As blockchain continues to evolve, stakeholders must stay abreast of market dynamics, technological advancements, and regulatory changes to capitalize on emerging opportunities and overcome existing challenges.

Lets look at some key players in the blockchain technology and their recent developments.

Bit Digital, Inc (NASDAQ:BTBT) recently secured an agreement for 6 megawatts of additional hosting capacity for its miners. The agreement, finalized with a subsidiary of Coinmint LLC in Massena, New York, boosts Bit Digital's total contracted hosting capacity to about 46 MW. With an initial one-year term and automatic renewals, Bit Digital, Inc (NASDAQ:BTBT) plans to deploy approximately 2,340 S19k Pro mining units purchased for $3.4 million, equating to roughly $13/TH, at the facility.

Bit Digital, Inc (NASDAQ:BTBT) aims to achieve this growth incrementally to facilitate strategic procurement decisions and enhance both scale and fleet efficiency. Bit Digital, Inc (NASDAQ:BTBT) operates bitcoin mining operations across the US, Canada, and Iceland, alongside offering infrastructure services for AI applications through its Bit Digital AI business line.

Bit Digital, Inc (NASDAQ:BTBT) is also one of the most valuable blockchain companies in the world.

On the other hand, Robinhood Markets, Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) is a key American financial services firm renowned for its commission-free electronic trading platform. Since its inception in March 2015, the company's mobile app has enabled users to engage in seamless trades of stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and cryptocurrencies, including individual retirement accounts. As a FINRA-regulated broker-dealer and a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Robinhood Markets, Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) ensures compliance with US Securities and Exchange Commission standards, offering a secure trading environment.

Robinhood Markets, Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) generates revenue through various channels, including interest from customers' cash balances, selling order information to high-frequency traders, and margin lending. With 23.4 million funded accounts and 10.9 million monthly active users as of December 2023, Robinhood Markets, Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) has become a major player in the financial technology sector. Notably, Robinhood Markets, Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) expanded its services by introducing a cryptocurrency wallet to over 2 million users in April 2022, further solidifying its position in the market.

15 Most Advanced Countries in Blockchain Technology

A bustling server farm, reflecting the company's investment into cryptocurrency mining.

Our Methodology

We assessed the advancement of countries in blockchain technology using two main criteria. Firstly, we examined the number of blockchain patents granted to each country, sourced from CoinClub. Secondly, we analyzed the venture capital funding invested in blockchain technology in 2021, using data from BlockData. For investment rankings, a higher rank indicated greater investment (ranked from 1 to 20), while for patents, a rank of 1 indicated the highest number.

After ranking countries on both sets of data individually, we averaged the rankings from both metrics. We then arranged the countries in ascending order based on their average rankings. We've also mentioned their rankings on individual data sets mentioed above.

The choice of these metrics was made to provide a comprehensive evaluation of a country's advancement in blockchain technology. Patents indicate innovation and development in the field, while venture capital funding reflects investor confidence and financial support for blockchain projects. By considering both metrics, we aimed to capture both the technological and economic aspects of blockchain advancement in each country.

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. Mexico

Venture Capital: 12

Blockchain Patents: 27

Average Rank: 19.5

Mexico has emerged as one of the best countries for cryptocurrency, ranking 16th globally in crypto adoption. With an increase of 18% year-on-year in transactions on platforms like Bito's exchange, boasting 8 million users worldwide, Mexico showcases promising signs of adapting to the virtual era of currencies.

To read more about crypto adoption, see 20 Countries with the Highest Cryptocurrency Adoption.

14. Philippines

Venture Capital: 15

Blockchain Patents: 22

Average Rank: 18.5

The Philippines has been as a trailblazer in blockchain technology, evident through its strategic adoption of Hyperledger Fabric for wholesale central bank digital currency trials. Leveraging blockchain's distributed ledger technology (DLT), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) aims to enhance interbank transactions' efficiency and accessibility.

13. Austria

Venture Capital: 6

Blockchain Patents: 29

Average Rank: 17.5

Austria is at the forefront of blockchain innovation, exemplified by the Austrian Blockchain Centre, a collaborative effort among five leading universities. This center, renowned as Austria's largest, focuses on practical blockchain implementation and extensive research.

12. Switzerland

Venture Capital: 16

Blockchain Patents: 19

Average Rank: 17.5

Switzerland is a leader in blockchain technology owing to its progressive regulatory environment and innovative financial institutions. PostFinance, a subsidiary of SwissPost and one of Switzerland's major banks, recently partnered with Sygnum to offer retail cryptocurrency services, becoming the first systemically important bank to do so. With generally high salaries, Switzerland is also known to be one of the best countries for blockchain developers.

11. Brazil

Venture Capital: 9

Blockchain Patents: 18

Average Rank: 13.5

Brazil is at the forefront of blockchain technology with its innovative approach to enhancing security in data management. The government's implementation of blockchain for the new national identity card system demonstrates a commitment to combating fraud and improving efficiency. Spearheaded by the Federal Data Processing Service (Serpro), Brazil's blockchain network, b-Cadastros, facilitates secure data sharing among governmental bodies. The new blockchain-enabled ID cards offer a digital version with enhanced authentication features, including a printed QR code.

10. Australia

Venture Capital: 17

Blockchain Patents: 7

Average Rank: 12

Australia is considered a blockchain leader due to its proactive approach to regulatory frameworks, showcased by Ripple's recent policy summit in Sydney. Attended by global policymakers and industry leaders, discussions revolved around Australia's proposed regulations for digital assets, aiming to integrate them into existing financial frameworks overseen by ASIC.

Australia is also one of the most advanced countries in space exploration.

9. Japan

Venture Capital: 18

Blockchain Patents: 4

Average Rank: 11

Japan is one of the countries with the best blockchain technology. With the cabinet's approval of a bill enabling venture capital firms to invest in crypto assets, Japan paves the way for burgeoning Web3 startups. This legislation, if ratified, promises to invigorate Japan's blockchain and decentralized finance sectors. Despite challenges, such as profitability concerns for stablecoin issuers, Japan's regulatory clarity positions it as a global leader in blockchain governance, setting a precedent for others to follow.

8. Germany

Venture Capital: 13

Blockchain Patents: 8

Average Rank: 10.5

Germany is one of the top 10 most advanced countries in blockchain technology, evidenced by initiatives like Union Investment's launch of a blockchain fund. With 455 billion ($493 billion) in assets under management, Union Investment is a major investor in tokenized assets, including digital bonds from the European Investment Bank and Siemens. The UniThemen Blockchain fund reflects Germany's commitment, allocating up to 15% of its assets to crypto tokens and the majority to blockchain-related stocks and assets.

On a side note, Germany is also one of the highest paying countries for bankers.

7. Singapore

Venture Capital: 7

Blockchain Patents: 12

Average Rank: 9.5

In Singapore, blockchain technology has garnered huge traction, especially among financially savvy individuals, with over half owning cryptocurrencies. Staking has emerged as a prominent use case, with 55% utilizing centralized exchanges and 38% engaging with decentralized finance (DeFi) apps for staking activities. These numbers confirm that Singapore is one of the most popular countries in blockchain technology in 2024.

6. Hong Kong

Venture Capital: 3

Blockchain Patents: 15

Average Rank: 9

Hong Kong is a vanguard in blockchain technology, evident through its stringent regulatory measures and proactive approach. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong has been vigilant against fraudulent crypto exchanges, exemplified by its recent warning against HKCEXP for falsely claiming SFC registration.

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In this article, we will look at the 15 states with the highest number of remote workers in 2024. We have also discussed the changing numbers for remote work in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 States With the Highest Number of Remote Workers in 2024.

Remote job opportunities in the USA with over $200,000 annually have dwindled largely, dropping from 37% to a mere 12% of high-paying job postings by 2023, as reported by Ladders. This decline is evident across both technology and non-technology sectors. Even hybrid roles, offering a mix of remote and in-person work, have plummeted from nearly 16% to about 3% of high-paying job listings in the same period. To read more about remote work, see best websites to find remote work in 2024.

The scarcity of remote high-paying jobs is particularly notable in comparison to in-person roles, especially in sectors like healthcare. Top-salaried positions often require advanced degrees and necessitate in-person work, with medical professionals dominating the list of highest-paying jobs in the US. These trends reflect a greater shift where remote working, while still prevalent, is less common in the highest echelons of income, according to the World Economic Forum's observations.

Despite the decline in remote high-paying job listings, the demand for remote work remains strong among job seekers, according to LinkedIn co-founder Allen Blue. This suggests a continuing tension between the desire for flexibility and the necessity for in-person presence, highlighting the ongoing evolution of work dynamics in the modern era. It is also interesting to note that Cary, NC is the city with the highest number of remote workers in the US.

While the demand for work from home is high, remote workers in the United States face heightened vulnerability in the job market, with statistics revealing a 35% higher likelihood of layoffs and a 31% lower chance of promotion compared to their in-office counterparts, as per a January survey by Live Data Technologies Inc. The data confirms the disparities remote workers encounter despite the flexibility offered by remote arrangements. Moreover, studies indicate that remote workers often include demographics such as women, people of color, and individuals requiring disability accommodations, potentially exacerbating discrimination risks.

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Hence, employers navigating the complexities of remote work arrangements must tread carefully to mitigate legal liabilities. Discrimination claims under federal and state laws such as Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act may arise if adverse employment actions are linked to remote work status. Legal experts emphasize the importance of objective criteria in employment decisions and stress the need for companies to consider jurisdiction-specific regulations, as overlooking such factors could expose them to legal ramifications.

As companies struggle with workforce adjustments amid the post-pandemic landscape, it's crucial for them to foster fair and equitable work environments that accommodate diverse needs.

One of the biggest examples of a company with employee-centric environment is Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS). The company is renowned for offering excellent remote work opportunities, exemplifying a forward-thinking approach to employment. With PinFlex, their remote work program, Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS) encourages employees to choose their work environment, whether it's at home, in a Pinterest office, or any other virtual location. This flexibility is not just a perk but a core part of their company culture, reflecting their understanding that great work can happen anywhere.

Their remote job listings, spanning various departments like Business Development, Engineering, and Finance, demonstrate their commitment to providing diverse roles for remote workers. This inclusive approach to employment extends to their hiring practices, as Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS) is an equal opportunity employer, prioritizing merit in their hiring decisions without regard to factors like race, gender, or disability. They are currently offering a salary of $141,950$292,000 for the Senior Management, Business Develpment role in a remote setting.

On the other hand, Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) is currently offering irresistable opportunities for remote work seekers with its high-paying job postings. The position of Labor Relations Business Partner Senior, offering an impressive salary of $106,900, is ideal for professionals adept at managing labor relations within Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX). This role involves fostering positive relationships between Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) and its employees, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and resolving any disputes effectively.

Moreover, Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) is currently looking for a Security Architect, offering a generous salary range of $108,200 to $191,100. This position is crucial in safeguarding Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX)s digital infrastructure against potential threats, designing and implementing security protocols, and staying abreast of evolving cybersecurity trends. Speaking of cybersecurity, see the Best Cities for Cyber Security Jobs in the World.

15 States With the Highest Number of Remote Workers in 2024

A software engineer hosting a remote video training session on a multi-cloud database-as-a-service solution.

Our Methodology

To list the states with the highest numbers of remote workers in 2024, we relied on data released by the select software reviews from 2023. It essentially covers the percentage of workers per state who worked remotely atleast 1 day in a week. 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.

15. Maine

Percentage of Remote Workers: 27.9%

In February 2024, Maine announced an initiative offering $500,000 in grants to attract remote workers and employers to the state, as part of Gov. Janet Mills' Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. The Remote Worker Welcome Program, managed by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, seeks to bolster local co-working spaces and communities. Owing to these initiatives, Maine is also considered one of the best states to hire remote employees.

14. Illinois

Percentage of Remote Workers: 29%

Illinois is one of the states with the most remote jobs. It is also a prime choice for remote workers owing to its strong infrastructure, diverse economy, and strong labor protections. With its vibrant urban centers like Chicago offering a plethora of job opportunities across various industries, workers can find fulfilling careers while enjoying a high quality of life.

13. California

Percentage of Remote Workers: 29.9%

The state of California is actively hiring for remote positions across various departments, offering competitive benefits and enrollment in the state's public pension plan. Roles such as Staff Management Auditor in the Department of Insurance and Helpdesk Support Associate in Housing and Community Development are open for applications, with some positions eligible for hybrid work schedules. Departments like Water Resources and Transportation are also seeking candidates for roles like Senior Dam Safety Engineer and Purchasing Analyst, respectively. Remote work options vary, with some positions requiring residency in California while others offer telework flexibility.

12. Arizona

Percentage of Remote Workers: 30%

Arizona is one of the best states for remote workers due to its combination of a conducive work environment and living conditions. With an excellent work and living environment, Arizona offers an attractive blend for remote workers seeking flexibility and quality of life.

11. Oregon

Percentage of Remote Workers: 31%

Oregon, particularly in the Portland area, has one of the highest concentrations of remote workers in the United States. According to the 2022 American Community Survey (ACS), over 23% of individuals in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area worked from home, largely surpassing the national average of 15.2%.

10. Vermont

Percentage of Remote Workers: 32.04%

Vermont has become a popular state for remote work due to its embrace of flexible employment models. With 23 coworking spaces statewide and an increasing number of individuals seeking remote work, the landscape is evolving. While there are several ob openings listed on Indeed for Vermont, many are specifically for remote or hybrid positions.

9. Virginia

Percentage of Remote Workers: 32.13%

The proximity of Virginia to Washington D.C. encourages telecommuting options for federal government employees. Additionally, the state's robust technology sector, such as numerous IT and cybersecurity firms, facilitate remote work opportunities. Moreover, Virginia's favorable business environment and quality of life also attract professionals seeking flexibility and work-life balance, contributing to its high remote work prevalence.

8. New Hampshire

Percentage of Remote Workers: 32.52%

Remote work in New Hampshire has seen a major evolution, with independent coworking spaces flourishing. HRKNSS cowork in Concord, for instance, has expanded to 8,000 square feet, offering 19 offices, 30 hot desks, and various amenities. As of November, it was 85% occupied. Across the state, approximately a dozen coworking spaces cater to diverse clients, from startups to employees of major corporations. Owing to the low taxes in the state, it is also considered one of the best states for remote worker taxes.

7. New Jersey

Percentage of Remote Workers: 33.18%

New Jerseys proximity to major urban centers like New York City makes it an attractive option for professionals seeking a suburban lifestyle while still being connected to lucrative job markets. Additionally, the state has a strong infrastructure, including reliable internet connectivity and a well-developed transportation system, facilitating remote work opportunities. Moreover, the high cost of living in New Jersey incentivizes companies to offer remote work options as a means of attracting talent without the need for costly office spaces.

6. Minnesota

Percentage of Remote Workers: 33.69%

According to the US Census Bureau, Minnesota has experienced a significant rise in remote work during the pandemic, with the proportion of remote workers soaring from 6.4% in 2019 to 20.9% by 2021. Despite a slight decline to 17.2% in 2022, this still indicates a substantial portion of the workforce continuing remote arrangements. Employers in the Twin Cities have encountered challenges in coaxing employees back to the office, contributing to rising office vacancy rates and impacting property tax revenues. The allure of remote work, offering benefits such as eliminating commutes and facilitating personal errands, has solidified its appeal among workers.

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Disclosure: None. 15 States With the Highest Number of Remote Workers in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will take a look at the 15 states with the most counties in the US. If you would like to skip our discussion on population and county distribution across the country, you can go to the 5 States with The Most Counties in the US.

The US ranks as the fourth largest country in terms of land area, surpassed only by Russia, Canada, and China. Its vast area is divided into six main time zones: Hawaii-Aleutian time, Alaska time, Pacific time, Mountain time, Central time, and Eastern time. Unlike other similarly sized countries, the US has a diverse population with a variety of ethnicities, a result of centuries of significant and continuous immigration. Indigenous Native Americans comprise a nominal 1.3% of the population, while individuals of African descent represent 13.6%. Additionally, those of Latino or Hispanic origin account for 19.1%, with Whites constituting the majority at 75.5%. This diversity is also mirrored in the varied geography of the US. From arctic regions to subtropical zones and from dense rainforests to expansive deserts, the US offers a range of landscapes across its vast area.

The country is divided into 50 states, each further subdivided into counties overseen by county governments. Counties, serving as administrative extensions of state governments, provide important services such as public welfare, legal and justice systems, and infrastructure management within their jurisdictions. As of 2022, the US had 3,243 counties and county equivalents, with 48 states using the term "county," while Louisiana refers to them as "parishes," and Alaska uses the term "boroughs." On average, each state contains approximately 62 counties. Delaware is one of the states with the fewest counties, at just 3. County governments' powers vary across states, but most provide essential functions, including record-keeping, voter registration, election oversight, healthcare, and law enforcement services for their residents.

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Business Environment in New York County

New York County stands as the most densely populated county in the US, often attracting businesses due to its strong infrastructure. Larger counties with enough resources and infrastructure tend to be preferred locations for businesses seeking better positioning and access to skilled labor. The county serves as the economic powerhouse for New York City, which is home to many popular companies like Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), and Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C).

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is among the top telecommunications firms across the US. The company offers wireline voice, wireless, data, and internet services. Verizon Communications Inc.s (NYSE:VZ) headquarters are situated in the Central Business District of New York. Similarly, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) is a prominent player in the securities industry, providing top-notch financial services and banking solutions to businesses worldwide. With its headquarters located in New York, the firm has assets exceeding $3.8 trillion as of 2023. Joining JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York is Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), another key player in the investment banking and financial services sector.

You can also check out the 25 Biggest New York Companies and Stocks here.

Here's what Patient Capital Management said about Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) in its Q4 2023 investor letter:

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), run by Jane Fraser since 2021, is on a multi-year journey to reorganize the business and reach return on tangible common equity of 11-12% by 2025-2026 (and higher further out). Citigroup is finally taking the hard actions necessary, cutting unprofitable departments, taking out middle management layers, and reducing overall headcount. We have high confidence Citi will hit its targets.

15 States with The Most Counties in the US

Pixabay/Public Domain

Our Methodology

To compile a list of the 15 states with the most counties in the US, we referred to the latest data from the US Census Bureau. The states have been ranked in ascending order based on the total number of counties and county equivalents.

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.

15 States with The Most Counties in the US

15. Michigan

Number of Counties: 83

Michigan is amongst the largest states in the US in terms of both area and population. The state has a population density of 174 people per square mile. The two most significant counties in Michigan, in terms of population, are Wayne County, with 1.74 million people, and Oakland County, with 1.26 million people. However, Michigan is positioned relatively low in terms of population growth compared to other states. At the heart of Michigan is Detroit, serving as its central city and the administrative center of Wayne County.

14. Minnesota

Number of Counties: 87

Minnesota's population was estimated at 5.71 million in the latest census. The state has experienced fluctuating population growth in recent years, with a growth rate of 0.41% in 2023. As the northernmost state after Alaska, Minnesota's geography contributes to a dispersed population. The counties within the state serve as its administrative units.

13. Ohio

Number of Counties: 89

Ohio is a midwestern state with a density of 282.3 people per square mile. Growth rates are minimal across the state, ranging around 0.2%. Ashtabula County is the largest county in Ohio in terms of area, while Franklin County, with a population of 1.32 million people, is the largest in terms of population.

12. Indiana

Number of Counties: 92

Marion County is the most populous county in the state, with over 0.965 million individuals residing within its borders. Indiana's population density is reported at 181 persons per square mile. The largest city of the state, Indianapolis, has a population of 0.882 million as of 2022 and is situated within Marion County.

11. Nebraska

Number of Counties: 93

Nebraska's population is estimated to be around 1.98 million, with a population growth rate of approximately 0.8%. The state has a high urban-to-rural ratio, with one in three Nebraskans residing in the major cities of Omaha and Lincoln. Douglas County stands as the state's largest county in terms of population, with a population of 0.59 million. The major city of Omaha is situated within this county. Nebraska is at the eleventh position on our list of the states with the most counties in the US.

10. Tennessee

Number of Counties: 95

Tennessee, located in the southeastern US, ranks as the 20th most densely populated state, with a population density of 154 people per square mile. The most populous counties in the state are Shelby, Davidson, and Knox, with populations of 0.90 million, 0.71 million, and 0.51 million people, respectively. Nashville is the largest city in Davidson County. As of recent estimates, Tennessee's total population has reached 7.2 million. The state's population growth rate outpaces that of many other states, standing at 1.09%.

9. Iowa

Number of Counties: 99

As of 2022, Iowa's population was 3.20 million, with its most populous county being Polk County, with a population of over 0.5 million. The state has a low population density of 54.5 people per square mile. Des Moines, the capital city and Iowa's most populous is home to 0.21 million people and is situated within Polk County. Agriculture and related industries serve as the primary economic drivers for the state. Iowa is among the top ten states with the most counties in the US.

8. North Carolina

Number of Counties: 100

North Carolina, located on the East Coast, has a relatively high population density of 196 people per square mile. The top three populated counties in the state are Wake, Mecklenburg, and Guilford, with populations of 1.22 million, 1.18 million, and 0.55 million, respectively. The state's primary industries include agriculture and forestry, alongside a strong industrial economy. Charlotte stands as the largest city in North Carolina, with 0.83 million residents, and is situated within Mecklenburg County.

7. Illinois

Number of Counties: 102

Illinois's most populous county is Cook County, with a population of nearly 5.08 million. Despite being the sixth-most populous state in the US, Illinois is one of the states experiencing a negative growth rate and has sustained a ten-year record population decline. It fares slightly better than California and New York in terms of population loss. The major city in Illinois is Chicago, located within Cook County. Chicago, the third-largest city in the US, has a population of 2.59 million, but it has been experiencing a decline since the last census.

6. Kansas

Number of Counties: 105

Kansas has a population of 2.94 million. The states largest county is Johnson County, with 0.63 million residents. Additionally, Sedgwick and Shawnee counties are also highly populated. Despite being the fifteenth largest state by area, Kansas ranks 40th in terms of population density, with only 34.9 people per square mile. The major city, Wichita, is situated in Chase County. The state deals with rural flight, witnessing a decline in its rural population while experiencing growth in urban areas.

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Disclosure: None. 15 States with The Most Counties in the US is published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best whiskeys for your home bar. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global whiskey market, the dawn of the American single malt, and sustainability in the American whiskey industry, and go directly to the 5 Best Whiskeys for Your Home Bar.

Whiskey has been the drink of choice for many Americans since time immemorial, a constant companion as they have gone through life changing and trend setting phases throughout history. Its rise in the country was due in large part to the fact that it didnt have to be imported. Unlike rum, which was made from sugarcane and molasses shipped from British-controlled islands in the Caribbean to distilleries in New England, whiskey could be distilled anywhere in America from domestically sourced raw ingredients. Corn, in particular, was plentiful in the New World. In fact, during the time of Andrew Jackson, it was believed that God had made corn for America and Americans for corn. Thus, they naturally thought of whiskey as their national drink.

Global Whiskey Market:

Whiskey is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World, with the global whiskey market valued at $64 billion in 2022 and expected to reach $91.3 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period.

The consumption of alcohol is shifting away from beer and wine and millennials are more likely to experiment with other alcoholic beverages, resulting in the growth of a cocktail culture. As a result of this tendency, the use of whiskey as a premium ingredient has increased. Product innovations, such as flavored whiskeys, and organic and sustainable options are also some of the major factors propelling the market.

2022 was also a great year for Scotch whisky, and exports of Scotlands native spirit hit $7.5 billion that year, making Scotland the Largest Exporter of Whisky in the World. Exports by volume rose substantially as well, with the number of 700 ml bottles shipped overseas up by 21%, to 1.67 billion.

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Similarly, as we mentioned in our article  25 Highest Quality Whiskey Brands in the US  Bourbon is a $9 billion signature industry in Kentucky that generates more than 22,500 jobs. And if were looking at production and consumption, the state receives more than $286 million in tax revenue each year from its iconic whiskey.

The positive economic impact of the beloved golden liquor is something we seldom consider when having a drink, but, given the facts, maybe its time we all raise a glass to it.

The Dawn of the American Single Malt:

Bourbon has long held the title of Americas national spirit, but the American single malt is now the fastest growing whiskey category in the United States. Although distillers in the U.S. have been producing single malt for only three decades, the category has already achieved a significant milestone last year  an imminent legal definition, furnished by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Today there are more than 200 different expressions of American single malt whiskey from more than 100 distilleries. Earlier this year, The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B)-owned Jack Daniels also added the first American single malt to its ever-growing lineup of Tennessee whiskey, proof of just how far this still lesser-known category has come. And last October, Jack just announced another version of it.

The initial single malt was called Jack Daniels Single Barrel Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt  as the name indicates, it was a single barrel expression released in limited quantities as part of the Jack Daniels Special Release Collection. This new Jack Daniels American Single Malt joins the permanent lineup, despite it only being available at airports.

According to The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), a bottle of Jack Daniels Single Malt is priced at $100 for a 1 liter bottle, and while there are currently no plans to release it in domestic markets, that could change in the future.

The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) ranked among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.

Sustainability in the American Whiskey Industry:

The modern consumer has become increasingly aware of the climate emergency we unfortunately find ourselves in, and actively seeks out sustainable brands, even if it means paying extra. So, as American whiskey makers find themselves in an increasingly competitive market, committing psychologically and economically to reducing their impact on the planet may also be the only means to make their businesses sustainable in the long run.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) announced in 2021 that it had opened its first carbon neutral distillery in Lebanon, KY, for its popular brand Bulleit Bourbon. The 72,000 square-foot facility has the capacity to produce up to 10 million proof gallons per year powered by 100% renewable electricity, and is expected to avoid more than 117,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. Bulleit is the first and lead brand being produced at the Lebanon Distillery that supplements existing production at the nearby Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, KY, for which the spirits giant invested $115 million in 2017.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) announced a 10-year sustainability action plan in November 2020  titled Society 2030: Spirit of Progress  which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across direct operations and a 20% reduction in water used to produce every drink, while also working with suppliers in order to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50%.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is placed among the Best Brewery and Distillery Stocks to Buy Now.

With that said, here are the Whiskeys You Should Have in Your Bar.

20 Best Whiskeys for Your Home Bar

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Mens Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Best Whiskeys to Stock Your Home Bar with. To make sure we only give you the best of the best, we picked whiskeys that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two or more whiskeys had the same score, we ranked them by their prices on Wine-Searcher.

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.

20. Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. Produced in Japan by Beam Suntory, the Hibiki Whisky range is a harmonious blend of several malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas.

19. Johnnie Walker Black Label

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Johnnie Walker is the Best-Selling Scotch Whisky Brand in the World. Its prestige status was trumped with the launch of the super swanky Blue Label in the late 1980s, but the iconic Black Label also never lost its cache. Across the world today, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is a recognised currency and symbol of excellence.

With over 1.14 million 9-liter cases sold in 2021, Johnnie Walker Black Label sits among the Most Popular Scotch Whisky Brands in USA.

18. Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

Insider Monkey Score: 5

An essential component of Nikka Whiskys blends, Coffey Grain is distilled mainly from corn in a Coffey still located at the Miyagikyo distillery. The whisky is then matured in old American oak casks to deliver the sweet and mellow flavors of Coffey distillates.

Owned by Asahi Group Holdings, Nikka is the second-largest distiller in Japan.

17. Ardbeg Wee Beastie

Insider Monkey Score: 5

A feisty young creature with a formidable taste, Wee Beastie has spent five years in a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-sherry casks before being unleashed.

Called as close to perfection as makes no difference by whisky connoisseurs, Ardbeg has been made on the small, remote Scottish Isle of Islay for over 200 years. The distillery fell into disrepair and closed its doors in 1996, but reopened after it was acquired by The Glenmorangie Company for $8.3 million in 1997.

16. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond is aged under government supervision and meeting the exact requirements for a Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. It has all the kick you expect, but is still one of the Smoothest Bourbons for Mixing.

Even Williams is owned by the family-owned Heaven Hill Distillery.

15. Redbreast 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Insider Monkey Score: 6

While blended bottlings dominate Irish whiskey exports, the country is also known for its unique single pot still style, and this premium Irish whiskey has gained a reputation for its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style is a joy to behold in each and every bottle.

The best-selling single pot still whiskey in the world, Redbreast is the definitive expression of this quintessential style of Irish whiskey making.

14. Elijah Craig Small Batch

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Elijah Craig is credited as the first distiller to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels, earning his place in history as the 'Father of Bourbon.' The charred barrel transformed the clear liquid inside into an intense amber whiskey made rich with the flavors of the wood, which we now recognize as Bourbon.

Elijah Craig Small Batch is distilled, aged, and bottled in Kentucky from a traditional Bourbon mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, and then aged for 8 to 12 years in Level 3 charred oak barrels.

Elijah Craig Small Batch is placed among the Best Inexpensive Whiskeys Under $40 that Don't Taste Cheap.

13. Lagavulin 16 Year Old

Insider Monkey Score: 7

Aged in oak casks for at least 16 years, this highly sought-after single malt has the massive peat-smoke flavor that's typical of southern Islay, while also offering the richness, dryness, and smoothness that turns it into a truly interesting dram.

Lagavulin is said to be one of the oldest distilleries on Islay and is world-renowned for its smoky, peaty whiskies. The Lagavulin Single Malt has converted untold numbers of people to whisky drinking and remains the firm favorite of countless malt fans worldwide. The brand is now owned by Diageo.

Lagavulin 16 is a Great Whisky to Enjoy at Home.

12. WhistlePig 10 Year Straight Rye Whiskey

Insider Monkey Score: 7

The most awarded rye whiskey in the world, the WhistlePig 10 is made with 100% rye and aged for at least ten years in American oak through a unique double-barrel process..

Founded in 2008 by Raj Peter Bhakta, WhistlePig is now the most awarded rye whiskey maker in the world. LVMHs Moet Hennessy acquired a minority stake in the brand for an undisclosed amount in 2020.

11. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight

Insider Monkey Score: 7

The art of making fine Bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812. The perfectly balanced taste of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comprises more than 200 detectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit and floral notes.

This soft, and easy-to-drink Bourbon is one of the Best Whiskeys for Daily Use.

10. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Insider Monkey Score: 8

Glenfiddich 12 is part of the distillery's flagship collection and a Must Have Scotch Whisky for Your Home Bar. Aged for 12 years in American and European oak casks, this is a great choice for seasoned sippers or those who are new to whisky, with lots of light and fruity flavors.

Owned by William Grant & Sons, Glenfiddich had global sales of 1.6 million 9-liter cases in 2022, making it the world's second-best selling single malt.

9. Toki Suntory Whisky

Insider Monkey Score: 8

Toki is a vivid blend of carefully selected whiskies from the House of Suntorys globally acclaimed Hakushu, Yamazaki, and Chita distilleries. It has a different composition to another Suntory blend, Hibiki, as its main components are Hakushu single malt and Chita grain whisky.

Toki Suntory is ranked among the Top 10 Whiskies Every Home Bar Should Have.

8. Jameson Irish Whiskey

Insider Monkey Score: 8

Produced at the Midleton distillery, Jameson is a triple-distilled, versatile blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. For a smooth and easy-drinking whiskey, Jameson is a great choice.

Since Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard in 1988, the brand has spearheaded a complete rejuvenation of the Irish whiskey category, making it the most dynamic spirits segment globally.

Distributed in over 122 countries, Jameson is the most popular Irish whiskey in the world.

7. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight

Insider Monkey Score: 9

Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers. One such trail led to the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace Distillery has been making Bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years.

With its exquisite flavor and aroma, Buffalo Trace is a Great Whiskey for Cocktails.

6. Makers Mark Kentucky Straight

Insider Monkey Score: 10

Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark is made with soft red winter wheat instead of the usual rye for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored Bourbon. To ensure consistency, every barrel is rotated by hand and the Bourbon is aged to taste, not time.

Makers Mark ranks 6th in our list of Best Whiskeys for Your Bar Cart.

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In this article, we will discuss the 20 countries with the highest GDP per capita by 2024. If you want to skip our analysis, you can proceed to the section highlighting the 5 Countries with Highest GDP per Capita by 2024.

Global Economic Outlook: Advanced Economies to Pick Up Pace in 2025

According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global growth is projected to reach 3.1% in 2024, and 3.2% in 2025. The global growth remains below the historical average of 3.8% due to factors such as high inflation, monetary policy tightening, and reduced productivity.

For advanced economies, growth is projected to decline slightly from 1.6% in 2023, to 1.5% in 2024, before rising to 1.8% in 2025. In the United States, growth is projected to fall from 2.5% in 2023 to 2.1% in 2024, and 1.7% in 2025. The growth in Europe has also been affected by the war in Ukraine. The developed Euro area is forecasted to recover from 0.5% in 2023, to 0.9% in 2024, and 1.7% in 2025. Whereas the growth in emerging Europe is forecasted to pick up from 2.7% in 2023 to 2.8% in 2024, before declining to 2.5% in 2025. Asia remains the fastest-growing region, however, growth in emerging and developing Asia is also expected to decline from 5.4% in 2023 to 5.2% in 2024, and 4.8% in 2025. Growth in China is projected at 4.6% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2025.

As per IMFs data, in 2024, the North American region boasted the highest GDP per capita, increasing to $63,060 from $57,710 in 2022. Meanwhile, Western Europe saw its GDP per capita rise to $51,450 in 2024, up from $45,180 in 2022. However, Australia and New Zealand experienced a decline in their GDP per capita dropping to $60,090 in 2024 from $61,940 in 2022. North America maintains its lead as the region with the highest GDP per capita in 2024, while Western Europe showcases steady growth, and Australia and New Zealand experience a slight decline in their GDP per capita in 2024.

Inflation is declining at a faster pace in most countries than previously anticipated, as central banks around the world raised interest rates. Projections indicate that global inflation is expected to decrease to 5.8% in 2024, and further decline to 4.4% in 2025. However high interest rates also affected various industries. The real estate sector was one of the most affected, as high interest rates caused high mortgage costs and a weaker business environment. Commercial real estate was the most affected, as owners wanted to raise rents and refinance their debt. The retail sector also suffered from decreased demand as consumers have less disposable income and supply chain disruption caused higher prices, especially for customer goods. The technology, media, and telecommunications industries are also highly dependent on debt and face higher borrowing costs impacting their profitability. However, as interest rates rise, banks are driving bigger profit margins, leading to increased profitability and higher interest income.

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Banks Thriving on High Interest Rates

Some of the major banks driving growth in a high interest rate environment include Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC), and HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC).

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets and offers a range of banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial financial products around the world. Its operations are divided into four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. On January 12, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) announced earnings for fiscal 2023 and said its revenue reached $82.59 billion, up from $74.36 in the previous year. Net interest income grew by 16.5% year over year and reached $52.37 billion. Commenting on the financial results Charles W. Scharf CEO of Wells Fargo said:

Although our improved 2023 results benefited from the strong economic environment and higher interest rates, our continued focus on efficiency and strong credit discipline were important contributors as well. We grew net income and diluted earnings per share with higher revenue and lower expenses. Revenue growth was driven by strong growth in net interest income as well as higher noninterest income.

On March 14, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) announced its collaboration with construction technology pioneer, ICON which uses 3D printing, robotics, software, and advanced materials to develop advanced construction technologies. The collaboration seeks to construct affordable houses under $99,000 to address the global housing crisis by using affordable housing solutions and making them accessible to communities in need as more than 1.2 billion people around the world lack adequate shelter. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is also supporting ICON in the global architecture competition called Initiative 99 which will be showcased at SXSW 2024.

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) and its subsidiaries offer banking and financial services worldwide, serving individuals, businesses, investors, corporations, and governments. Its operations are divided into four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management, Global Banking, and Global Markets. On January 12, Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) reported that the revenue for the fiscal year 2023 reached $98.58 billion, up from $94.95 billion in the previous year. Net interest income reached $56.93 billion in 2023, from $52.46 billion in 2022. On February 29, Bank of America Community Development Banking (CDB) announced that it provided $7.1 billion in debt and equity financing during the year 2023 to build 11,000 affordable homes for community needs amid economic challenges. The Bank of America Corporations (NYSE:BAC) CDB works closely with affordable housing developers such as WinnCompanies which played a crucial role in making complex community housing developments possible. In 2023, Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) worked with Enterprise Community Partners to launch the Workforce Housing Fund with $150 million to provide 3,000+ housing units for those earning between 80% to 120% area median income (AMI). These efforts align with Bank of America Corporations (NYSE:BAC) commitment to deploy capital to address global issues outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) is a global provider of banking and financial services, operating through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking and Markets segments. HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) serves around 42 million customers worldwide in 62 countries. On February 21, HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) reported that its 2023 revenue surged by 30%, reaching $66.1 billion, a $15.4 billion increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily fueled by a $5.4 billion rise in net interest income, bringing the total to $35.79 billion. For the year 2024, HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) targets a net interest income of at least $41 billion and mid-single-digit percentage growth in customer lending. However, HSBC also expects a 5% increase in costs including an increase in staff compensation, higher technology spending, and investment for growth and efficiency.

In the last eighteen months, interest rates have escalated at rates not witnessed in nearly five decades. High interest rates have proven to benefit banks as they capitalized on earnings from consumer and business loans, thereby boosting their revenues and interest income. With that said here is the list of 20 countries with highest GDP per capita by 2024.

20 Countries With Highest GDP Per Capita by 2024

Our Methodology

To make our list of the 20 countries with highest GDP per capita by 2024, we utilized the data provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on GDP per capita, as of 2024, calculated at current prices. Here are the 20 countries with highest GDP per capita by 2024, ranked in ascending order.

Note: We have included special administrative regions such as Hong Kong and Macao in our rankings.

20 Countries With Highest GDP Per Capita by 2024

20. Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)

GDP per Capita in 2024: $54,080

Hong Kong is a global financial and trading hub. The economy of Hong Kong is a highly developed free-market economy. Hong Kongs GDP per capita of $54,080 is one of the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.

19. Canada

GDP per Capita in 2024: $55,530

Canada has abundant natural resources, including oil, minerals, and timber, which have historically played a significant role in its economic development. Canada has a GDP per capita of $55,530 additionally, Canada attracts skilled immigrants and international investments from all around the world, further enhancing its economic growth and prosperity.

18. Germany

GDP per Capita in 2024: $56,040

Germany is known for its manufacturing sector, technological advancements, and strong export-oriented economy, Germany has a GDP per capita of $56,040 and continues to be a powerhouse in Europe, contributing significantly to the region's economic stability.

17. Belgium

GDP per Capita in 2024: $56,080

Belgium has a GDP per capita of $56,080 and serves as a major hub for international trade and commerce. Its economy consists of various sectors including manufacturing, services, transportation, and finance.

16. Finland

GDP per Capita in 2024: $56,160

Finland is known for its high-quality education system and commitment to research and development. Finland has a GDP per capita of $56,160 and is a global leader in sectors such as telecommunication, the forest industry, and clean technology.

15. Sweden

GDP per Capita in 2024: $56,890

Sweden is known for its progressive policies, high-quality education system, and well-developed welfare state. Sweden has a GDP per capita of $56,890 and its economy is a diverse mix of industries, including manufacturing, services, and technology.

14. Austria

GDP per Capita in 2024: $60,590

Austria is known for its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and high standard of living. Austria has a GDP per capita of $60,590 and its economy benefits from a diverse range of sectors including tourism, manufacturing, and services industry.

13. San Marino

GDP per Capita in 2024: $61,490

San Marino is a tiny mountainous country surrounded by Italy. San Marino is a developed free-market economy that is focused on industries such as tourism, banking, and manufacturing. San Marino has a GDP per capita of $61,490.

12. Australia

GDP per Capita in 2024: $62,600

Australia is known for its vast natural resources, particularly in minerals and energy. Australia has a significant role in global commodity markets. Australia has a diverse range of industries including mining, agriculture, services, and tourism. Australia continues to be a desirable destination for both business investment and quality of life. Australia has a GDP per capita of $62,600.

11. Netherlands

GDP per Capita in 2024: $65,190

The Netherlands is known for its progressive policies, innovative industries, and strategic location as a gateway to Europe, the Netherlands has a GDP per capita of $65,190 and continues to attract businesses and talent from around the world.

10. Macao (Special Administrative Region)

GDP per Capita in 2024: $70,130

Macao is known for its thriving tourism and gambling industry, Macao continues to attract visitors and investors from around the world, driving economic growth and cultural exchange. Macaos GDP per capita of $70,130 is one of the highest in the Asia-Pacific region.

9. Denmark

GDP per Capita in 2024: $72,940

Denmark has a diverse and innovative economy with significant natural resources in the North Sea. Denmark has a well-developed social welfare system and is committed to environmental sustainability, making it a global leader in green technology and clean energy initiatives. Denmark has a GDP per capita of $72,940.

8. United States

GDP per Capita in 2024: $83,063

The United States has a GDP per capita of $83,063, which is the highest among countries with a sizeable population. Although some countries have higher GDP per capita, these countries have a very small population compared to the United States. The United States benefits from its diverse industries, technological innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, driving continued growth and global influence.

7. Qatar

GDP per Capita in 2024: $84,900

Qatars GDP per capita of $84,900 is one of the highest in the Middle East. Qatars growth is driven by its abundant natural gas reserves and visionary economic policies. Qatar is a leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and also invests heavily in infrastructure, education, and diversification, ensuring sustained prosperity for its citizens.

6. Iceland

GDP per Capita in 2024: $87,870

Despite its small population and remote location, Iceland has a GDP per capita of $87,870. Iceland's economy thrives on renewable energy, tourism, and fisheries, and has a strong welfare system.

Click to continue reading 5 Countries With Highest GDP Per Capita by 2024.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Countries With Highest GDP Per Capita by 2024 was originally published at Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will be navigating through global homelessness while covering the 20 countries with the lowest homeless population in the world. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis, you can move directly to the 5 Countries with the Lowest Homeless Population in the World.

Overview of Global Homelessness

As reported by the United Nations, homelessness is the deprivation of stable, safe, and adequate housing without being able to obtain it. The concept extends from a lack of physical shelter to social exclusion. Homeless groups include people living in open spaces, streets, temporary emergency accommodations, shelters, camps, as well as informal settlements.

The World Economic Forum reports that approximately 150 million people were homeless around the world in 2021. This equates to 2% of the global population without considering the fact that this doesnt represent real statistics since measuring homelessness is daunting. The global pandemic worsened the state of homelessness worldwide. This was when economies struggled against the lasting impacts of lockdowns and soaring poverty. In this regard, countries have been fighting their battles against homelessness. While modular mini-homes were provided to the homeless in the UK, shipping containers were used to make an apartment complex for the homeless residing in downtown Los Angeles.

Homelessness: A Univeral Fight

The United Nations has referred to homelessness as a harmful form of systemic discrimination that impacts people in both developed and developing countries. Previously, we have also discussed the countries with the highest homeless population. Representing developing countries and China, Guyanas representative exclaimed that homelessness has experienced a rise over the years. In African nations such as Angola, rural poverty primarily drives homelessness. Apart from social inequality and poverty, climate change serves as another cause of homelessness. Small island developing states have been prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms which massively destroy the social infrastructure while displacing many. Temporary housing and relocation assistance become crucial ways to address disaster-related displacement.

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On the contrary, the developed United States also continues to find ways to tackle the homeless crisis in the country. On March 22, Reuters reported that more than 653,000 people in America were homeless in 2023, recording a 12% year-over-year increase since 2022. Diverse strategies are being proposed to combat this homelessness. While legislation related to banning people from camping on city sidewalks, parks, and public places was signed in Florida, more than $20 billion has been spent on housing and homelessness programs in California since 2018. Policy experts are of the opinion that access to affordable housing is a better solution rather than clearances that cannot function for a long time. In conclusion, the opposition between a crackdown on camping and raising funding to accommodate the homeless continues across the nation. You can also view the states with the highest homeless population and the cities with the largest homeless populations in the US to have a better understanding of homelessness in the country.

Multinationals Combating Homelessness

Building upon the rising crisis of homelessness penetrating America, local companies continue to address the issue. American companies engaging in the nations battle against homelessness include Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN ), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT ), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL ).

The e-commerce giant Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) caters to housing affordability and accessibility issues, especially for the deprived. The companys Housing Equity Fund offers more than $2 billion in below-market loans and grants for 20,000 affordable homes for low-to-middle-income families in the local communities. In collaboration with minority-led organizations, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has invested more than $760 million in the creation and preservation of 4,500 affordable homes. Partnerships with public transit agencies have also been undertaken to introduce cheap housing near high-capacity public transit areas.

Another company ensuring affordability for housing is Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). The company unveiled its Affordable Housing Initiative back in 2019 under which it aimed to fix the shortage of housing and the resulting high prices in Puget Sound region. The region also hosts many people living unsheltered. The company granted $1.5 million in an effort to reduce homelessness across King County. The firm also supports organizations involved in providing permanent shelter to the homeless and essential services to get people back on their feet. Extending its initiative, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) invested $583 million to create and preserve 9,200 housing units in the Puget Sound region.

Homelessness in California was catered to by the leading tech company Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The company has committed $2.5 billion to improve the housing crisis across California. The task of constructing affordable housing for the unhoused or those who face the risk of losing their house is being undertaken by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) along with its community partners. The company is working towards the construction of new homes for 20,000 individuals and another 24,000 to help them stay housed while they are subject to the danger of becoming homeless. It has also helped the nonprofit Home expand its Homelessness Prevention System which provides direct financial assistance.

Now that we have taken a look at global homelessness and the ongoing fight against it, lets move to the 20 countries with the lowest homeless population in the world.

20 Countries with the Lowest Homeless Population in the World

20 Countries with the Lowest Homeless Population in the World

Our Methodology:

In order to compile a list of the 20 countries with the lowest homeless population in the world, we sourced the most recent data on homelessness from the OECD. We have ranked the countries on our list in descending order of their homelessness to depict the lowest statistics for homelessness across the world. The homeless population for all the countries has been cited from the latest available year as reported by the OECD.

20 Countries with the Lowest Homeless Population in the World

20. Austria

Homeless Population (2019): 22,580

Austria ranks as one of the countries with the lowest homeless population in the world. Cheaper homes along with the Housing First strategy is targeting homelessness in Austria. The country has planned to offer numerous homeless people their own flats.

19. Greece

Homeless Population (2009): 21,216

Greece is another country with low homelessness. The Greek capital, Athens, has engaged in providing shelter and food to those who are homeless. However, the country is home to numerous asylum seekers who face homelessness.

18. Chile

Homeless Population (2019): 14,013

Among other countries, homeless individuals tend to be less in Chile. The countrys extreme winter weather ends up leaving many homeless. The capital city of Santiago hosts many of the homeless people in Chile.

17. Colombia

Homeless Population (2019): 13,252

Colombia ranks among the 20 countries which have low homelessness. The World Bank has also invested in programs directed to improve housing and support for vulnerable neighborhoods in Colombia in the past. These vulnerable communities are deprived of access to safe and decent housing.

16. Hungary

Homeless Population (2014): 10,068

Hungary is another country with low statistics for homelessness. While a portion of the homeless population resorts to emergency shelters, temporary homes, and street outreach services, many tend to sleep rough. Mental health issues, irregular incomes, and addictions are common problems among the homeless sleeping rough in the country.

15. Portugal

Homeless Population (2019): 7,107

Although the homeless population is relatively lower in Portugal, it has been increasing. People residing in mere tents in Lisbon have risen. Increase in drug consumption and immigration are also issues contributing to homelessness in the country.

14. Latvia

Homeless Population (2017): 6,877

One of the lowest homeless populations globally resides in Latvia. Housing affordability is one of the factors impacting homeless people in Latvia since house prices in the country have grown between 2010 and 2023.

13. Denmark

Homeless Population (2019): 6,431

Between 2019 and 2022, homelessness decreased by almost 10% in Denmark. The country hosts a smaller proportion of people who are homeless. The number of street sleepers and younger homeless people declined in the country in 2022.

12. Ireland

Homeless Population (2020): 5,873

Ireland ranks among the countries with the lowest homeless population in the world. However, an increase in adults in emergency accommodations has been noticed especially in Dublin. While the majority of these are Irish, some of them tend to be from the United Kingdom or EEA. A lower proportion were from outside the EEA.

11. Finland

Homeless Population (2018): 5,482

Finland has addressed the problem of homelessness through its Housing First scheme which was first introduced in 2007. This allows permanent housing on a normal lease to the homeless. Existing social housing in addition to new housing blocks have been utilized to avoid a housing shortage.

10. Japan

Homeless Population (2020): 3,992

Japan has one of the lowest homeless populations. Homeless people are distributed across Osaka, Central Tokyo, Yokohama, Fukuoka, and Kawasaki. Roadsides, public parks, riversides, and station building hosts many of the homeless Japanese.

9. Norway

Homeless Population (2016): 3,909

Norways homelessness rate is one of the lowest in the world. The homeless population in the country mostly includes non-Norwegian citizens, alcoholics, as well as those who are mentally ill. Norways social service system helps combat homelessness in the country.

8. Slovenia

Homeless Population (2019): 3,799

The 20 countries with the lowest homeless population in the world rank Slovenia as well. While many homeless people in the country register at the address of a centre for social work and temporary municipal emergency housing units, others tend to live on the streets.

7. Israel

Homeless Population (2020): 3,471

Israel ranks as another country where a lesser number of homeless people live. The homeless population in the country experienced a rise during the distress caused by the global pandemic. The Tel Aviv Municipality has made attempts to accommodate the unhoused population in the city.

6. Costa Rica

Homeless Population (2020): 3,387

Costa Rica ranks as one of the 20 countries with the lowest homeless population in the world. However, the country is subject to issues such as poverty and unemployment. Homeless people tend to live on the streets and their proportion has gone up since the pandemic.

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In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 most underrated Bourbons on the market. You can skip our detailed analysis of the Bourbon industry in Kentucky, the rise of Bourbon tourism, and the recent acquisitions in the Bourbon industry, and go directly to the 5 Most Underrated Bourbons on the Market.

While theres no definitive date of when Bourbon first began being distilled, historians agree that it started in the 18th century as Scottish and Irish immigrants settled in the New World and brought with them their distilling arts and equipment. Since corn was abundant in America, that was the main grain of choice when it came to making whiskey. It took until 1964 for the U.S. Congress to officially declare Bourbon a distinctive product of the United States.

The Bourbon Industry in Kentucky:

Although the popularity of Bourbon, Americas only native spirit, has risen and fallen throughout the past 100 years, it is experiencing a resurgence today like never before in history. Major distilleries have been expanding operations at a feverish pace to keep up with demand, and new craft distilleries are popping up all over the United States. Experts and industry insiders agree that this so-called Bourbon Boom is here to stay, and whiskey lovers around the world wouldnt have it any other way.

Kentucky is the birthplace of Bourbon, crafting 95% of the worlds supply. Only the Bluegrass State has the perfect natural mix of climate, corn, and pure limestone water necessary for producing the worlds greatest Bourbon.

As we mentioned in our article  20 Highest Quality Bourbon Brands in the US  Bourbon is a $9 billion signature industry in Kentucky that generates more than 22,500 jobs. And if were looking at production and consumption, the state receives more than $286 million in tax revenue each year from its signature whiskey.

Since 2000, Bourbon production has skyrocketed more than 360% thanks, in part, to the premium brands driving the Bourbon boom. Also making history last year, the number of Bourbon barrels aging in Kentucky reached a record 11.4 million  thats around two barrels per every Kentucky resident.

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The Rise of Bourbon Tourism:

Inspired by the success of California wine country, the KDA founded the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999. While it launched with less than 10 distilleries, all located within an hours drive of each other, Bourbon tourists can now visit 42 distilleries across the state as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. A record 2.1 million tourists made visits in 2022.

Spirit companies have invested huge sums into new or expanded visitor centers to play up the industrys heritage and allow guests to soak in the sights and smells of Bourbon-making. During the height of the pandemic, distilleries in the region were closed temporarily to visitors. Some producers eased back into tourism by allowing limited numbers of visitors and once virus restrictions were lifted, Bourbon tourism bounced back with a full resurgence.

Research shows that Bourbon tourists tend to be younger, spend between $400 and $1,200 on their trip, travel in large groups, and stay longer than the average visitor to Kentucky. More than

70% of visitors are from outside Kentucky.

Recent Acquisitions in the Bourbon Industry:

In August 2023, the brewing giant Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) made its first spirits acquisition with the purchase of Bourbon and rye whiskey producer Blue Run Spirits. The Chicago-based brewer said that the deal marked another step in its evolution into a total beverage company. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The addition of Blue Run expands the Blue Moon makers footprint in spirits as it seeks to premiumise its portfolio. Furthermore, Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) has established Coors Spirits Co. to house its existing spirits business, which includes Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon, and future innovation.

The Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) ranked among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.

Similarly, MGP Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGPI) announced in June last year that it had acquired Penelope Bourbon in a deal worth $215.8 million, including incentives. The acquisition added to the Indiana-based companys extensive portfolio of award-winning Bourbon, whiskey and coarse rye, giving it control over one of the most recognizable new brands in the industry. Penelope Bourbon will continue to operate independently from MGP Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGPI) and will maintain its existing team, structure, and production standards. This ensures that the brands iconic products can still be enjoyed by whiskey enthusiasts around the world.

MGP Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGPI) is counted among the 11 Best Brewery and Distillery Stocks to Buy Now.

With that said, here are some Surprisingly Good Bourbons in 2024.

20 Most Underrated Bourbons on the Market

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Mens Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Most Underrated Bourbons. To make sure we only give you the best of the best, we shortlisted whiskeys that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two or more Bourbons had the same score, we ranked them by their prices on Wine-Searcher.

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.

20. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Produced at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon is hand selected, barrel-by-barrel, to bring a robust, mature flavor. Aged for 9 years, this whiskey is bottled at 120 proof so it's an even bigger expression of Knob Creek.

Knob Creek is included among the Most Sought After Bourbon Brands in the U.S.

19. Bulleit Bourbon

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by the whiskey that was pioneered over 150 years ago. Only ingredients of the very highest quality are used. The complexity of Bulleit Bourbon comes from its unique blend of rye, corn, and barley malt, along with special strains of yeast and pure Kentucky limestone-filtered water.

Seagram acquired Bulleit in 1997 and the brand was subsequently passed down to the spirits giant, Diageo plc. In 2017, Diageo invested $115 million to build the brand new Bulleit distillery on 300 acres in the Louisville suburb of Shelbyville, Kentucky.

18. Very Old Barton 100 Proof

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Very Old Barton is a Kentucky straight Bourbon that has been matured for an average of four to six years in charred, American oak casks before being bottled at 100 proof. As a result, the whiskey has a rich amber color along with an aroma of vanilla beans and chewy leather.

Very Old Barton is owned by the New Orleans-based Sazerac Company.

17. Henry Mckenna Single Barrel

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Henry McKenna Single Barrel is the only extra aged Bottled-in-Bond Single Barrel Bourbon, indicating it meets exacting U.S. government standards for age and proof. This is one of the longest aged Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys available today, resting in the barrel through 40 Kentucky seasons.

Henry Mckenna Single Barrel was also included in our list of Best Whiskeys in the World in 2024.

16. Belle Meade Reserve

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Belle Meade Reserve is a bold, high-rye-content, premium expression of the multi-award-winning Belle Meade Bourbon, crafted to meet the growing demand among aficionados for elite, high-proof Bourbon. It's smooth through and through with tastes of caramel, vanilla, and a little bit of oak.

15. Coopers Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Proof

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Crafting great Bourbon starts with the barrel. After all, half of a whiskeys flavor and all of its color come from the barrel. At Coopers Craft they raise their own barrels by hand, then toast and char them to bring out the unique characteristics of their Bourbons. This bold and complex Barrel Reserve whiskey is born from their one-of-a-kind, chiseled, and charred American White Oak barrel.

Coopers' Craft was first released in 2016, and was the first new product from the Brown-Forman Corporation since it launched Woodford Reserve in 1996.

14. Early Times Bottled-in-Bond

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond is crafted with pure water, a mash bill composed of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley, fermented with a proprietary yeast strain and carefully distilled.

During the turbulent 1940s, Early Times proudly introduced Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon to the satisfaction of the heroic, hard-working men and women of that era. And in the decade that followed, the brand became Americas top-selling Bourbon.

The Brown-Forman Corporation sold off the Early Times brand to the Sazerac Company over three years ago.

13. Eagle Rare 10 Year Kentucky Straight

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than ten years. The rareness of this great breed of Bourbon is evident in its complex aroma, as well as the smooth and lingering taste. The Eagle Rare brand was acquired by The Sazerac Company in 1989, and is distilled and distributed by the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky.

The Eagle Rare 10 Year is among the Smoothest Sipping Bourbons in America.

12. Makers Mark Cask Strength

Insider Monkey Score: 5

A small-batch, cask-strength Bourbon from Maker's Mark that offers notes of caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, and tobacco on the palate.

The Maker's Mark Distillery is the sixth-largest Bourbon distillery in the world. Located in Loretto, Kentucky, the distillery produces 16 brands, labels, and variations of Bourbon.

With 2.8 million 9-liter cases sold in 2022, Makers Mark is one of the Biggest Bourbon Brands in the World.

11. Jim Beam Bonded

Insider Monkey Score: 5

At 100 proof, this bonded Bourbon is created from the highest quality ingredients and adheres to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. It was discontinued in 2022 and replaced in the brand lineup by Old Tub, a bottled-in-bond whiskey using the same mashbill.

Jim Beam was among the Most Popular Whiskey Brands in the World in 2022, with 16.7 million cases sold around the world. Founded in 1795, the brand has been operated by the same family for seven generations now.

10. Larceny Small Batch

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Discover a taste worth stealing. Made with wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain, this wheated Bourbon delivers a smoother taste thats hard to resist.

Larceny is the heir to the wheated Bourbons that make up the historic Old Fitzgerald franchise that Heaven Hill acquired in 1999. In fact, it is the somewhat controversial history of John E. Fitzgerald and his eponymous Bourbon brand that provides the story, and name, to Larceny Bourbon.

At $27 a bottle, Larceny Small Batch is a highly underrated whiskey at this price range.

9. Benchmark Bourbon

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Benchmark Bourbon is made from the same low rye mashbill for which Buffalo Trace and Stagg are famous. Sweet, spicy, and approachable, it makes for a great entry-level bourbon and a wonderful introduction to American whiskey.

At a measly $12 per bottle, Benchmark is one of the Best Underrated Bourbons to Invest In.

8. Evan Williams Single Barrel

Insider Monkey Score: 7

Evan Williams Single Barrel is the only vintage dated single barrel Bourbon on the market. Similar to the way vintage wines are selected, the companys distillers hand-select individual barrels that meet the specifications they've established. Then each bottle is marked with the vintage date it was put into oak, along with the year it was bottled, and the exact barrel number of the single barrel that the Bourbon was drawn from.

Evan Williams SB sits among the Top 10 Underrated Bourbons in America.

7. Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Insider Monkey Score: 8

The true, bold spirit of Wild Turkey has been captured in this authentic barrel proof whiskey, creating one of the best value Bourbons in the world. Uncut with water, this whiskey is a blend of Wild Turkeys finest selection of 6-, 8-, and 12-year old Bourbons.

6. Old Grand-Dad Bonded

Insider Monkey Score: 8

Old Grand-Dad Bonded is aged for a minimum of four years before being bottled at 100 proof. Made from Jim Beams higher rye Bourbon mash bill of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley, it is the product of one distillery and one distiller in a single season.

Old Grand-Dad Bonded ranks sixth in our List of the Most Underrated Bourbons in 2024.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Underrated Bourbons on the Market.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Most Underrated Bourbons on the Market is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will take a look at the 20 states with the largest homeless populations per capita. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 States with the Largest Homeless Populations Per Capita.

The Homelessness Crisis in the US

The United States faces a significant challenge with homelessness, with the number of homeless individuals surging to record levels. The homeless population in the US is steadily rising, largely due to rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable housing.

On March 22, Reuters reported that state and local governments in the US are pursuing different strategies to tackle the countrys homelessness crisis. Some are aiming to raise more funds to address the issue, while others are empowering authorities to rid public places of its visible signs. In California, a ballot measure emphasizing funding for homeless services was narrowly passed by voters. Meanwhile, in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis took a different approach by signing legislation that prohibits camping on city sidewalks, parks, and other public areas. Similarly, Kentucky's legislature has moved forward with an anti-crime bill that includes a similar camping ban while also expanding citizens' "stand your ground" rights against trespassers. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the homeless population in the US increased by 12% year-over-year to reach a record high of 653,000 in 2023. To achieve a permanent solution to homelessness, experts and advocates emphasize the critical role of increasing the availability of affordable housing options.

Corporate Efforts to Combat the Homelessness Crisis

The nationwide efforts underscore the escalating severity of the homelessness crisis. The sight of people living in tents on sidewalks is becoming increasingly common in many US cities and towns, pushing politicians and policymakers to take action. Additionally, major corporations have pledged to contribute towards resolving the housing crisis and promoting affordable housing solutions.

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Some of the biggest corporations that have stepped up include Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Alphabet Inc.s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Google. These three giant tech corporations are actively engaged in combating homelessness in the US by contributing funds and resources to address this pressing issue. You can also read about the largest companies in the world by market cap in 2024.

In 2019, Alphabet Inc.s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Google announced a $1 billion initiative focused on enhancing affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay Area, aiming to facilitate the construction of a minimum of 20,000 homes catering to various income levels across the region. The tech giant's strategy involves repurposing its land for housing projects targeting middle and low-income families. Furthermore, Google established a $250 million affordable housing investment fund to expedite the development and preservation of affordable housing units in the Bay Area. By providing early and reliable investment capital, Google seeks to accelerate the creation of a substantial amount of housing in a timely and sustainable manner. As of June 2023, Google has allocated $133 million toward the development of affordable housing projects throughout the Bay Area. Additionally, Google has invested in Factory_OS, a modular housing company, to expand its production capacity by constructing a second factory, with the aim of generating tens of thousands of homes over the next decade. This investment has already supported Factory_OS in delivering over 2,000 modular homes.

In January 2019, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also announced its Affordable Housing Initiative which currently stands at $750 million. This initiative aims to promote affordable housing solutions in the Puget Sound region through strategic loans and grants. The company continues to engage with local authorities, housing developers, and financial agencies to identify the best opportunities to construct more affordable housing in the region. As of 2022, three years after the launch of its Affordable Housing Initiative, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) reported that it has directed $583 million towards preserving and constructing around 9,200 housing units in the Puget Sound region, which includes projects amounting to $73 million in affordable housing investments and grants.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) ranks high among the companies with the most employees in the US. In January 2021, Amazon launched its $2 billion Housing Equity Fund to preserve and create more than 20,000 affordable homes. This initiative aims to assist individuals and families earning moderate to low incomes in three key areas where Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) operates: the Puget Sound region in Washington State, Arlington in Virginia, and Nashville in Tennessee. Additionally, Amazon has allocated $100 million in cash and donations to Marys Place, a nonprofit partner, to construct the largest family shelter in Washington state within an Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) office building at the Puget Sound headquarters.

Now that we have looked at corporate actions against the housing crisis in the US, lets shift our focus to the 20 states with the largest homeless populations per capita.

20 States with the Largest Homeless Populations Per Capita

Copyright: zhukovsky / 123RF Stock Photo

Methodology

In this article, we have listed the 20 states with the largest homeless populations per capita. To calculate the homeless rate by state per capita, we first consulted The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. We used the latest data available in their dataset, which provided us with estimates of people experiencing homelessness at the state level as of December 2023.

We then consulted the United States Census Bureau. This database provided us with estimated populations of US states as of July 2023. We used the data available to calculate the homeless population per capita in each state. Finally, we narrowed down our selection to rank the 20 states with the largest homeless populations per capita, which are listed below in ascending order.

Please note that we have truncated per capita values after 6 decimal places for better representation.

20 States with the Largest Homeless Populations Per Capita

20. Tennessee

Homeless Population (2023): 9,215

Total Population (2023): 7,126,489

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 12.93

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001293

Tennessee, a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the US, ranks among the 20 states with the highest homeless populations per capita. According to recent estimates, there are 12.93 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in the US state of Tennessee.

19. Florida

Homeless Population (2023): 30,756

Total Population (2023): 22,610,726

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 13.6

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001360

Florida, a state in the Southeastern region of the US, is one of the most populated states. It is world-famous for its warm and sunny climate, beach resorts, and amusement parks. In Florida, there are 13.6 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.

18. South Dakota

Homeless Population (2023): 1,282

Total Population (2023): 919,318

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 13.94

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001394

South Dakota is a landlocked state in the North Central region of the US that ranks among the states with the largest homeless populations per capita. It is one of the least populated states in the US. In South Dakota, there are 13.94 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.

17. Minnesota

Homeless Population (2023): 8,393

Total Population (2023): 5,737,915

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 14.62

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001462

Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwestern region of the US that ranks among the states with the highest homeless populations per capita. According to recent estimates, the homeless population in Minnesota stands at 14.62 per 10,000 residents.

16. Rhode Island

Homeless Population (2023): 1,810

Total Population (2023): 1,095,962

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 16.51

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001651

Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern US that is known for its sandy beaches and seaside Colonial towns. It is the smallest state in the US by area. There are 16.51 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in Rhode Island.

15. New Hampshire

Homeless Population (2023): 2,441

Total Population (2023): 1,402,054

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 17.41

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001741

New Hampshire, a state in the New England region of the Northeastern US, ranks among the top 15 states with the largest homeless populations per capita. It is one of the smallest states in the US by area. New Hampshire has a rate of 17.41 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.

14. New Mexico

Homeless Population (2023): 3,842

Total Population (2023): 2,114,371

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 18.17

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001817

New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern region of the US. While it is the fifth largest state by area, it is one of the least populated states in America. The homeless population in the US state of New Mexico stands at 18.17 per 10,000 residents

13. Arizona

Homeless Population (2023): 14,237

Total Population (2023): 7,431,344

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 19.15

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001915

Arizona, in the Southwestern US, has one of the highest percentages of people experiencing homelessness who are unsheltered. It is the sixth largest state in the US by size. Recent estimates show that there are 19.15 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in Arizona.

12. Montana

Homeless Population (2023): 2,178

Total Population (2023): 1,132,812

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 19.22

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.001922

Montana, in the Mountain West subregion of the Western US, is a landlocked state that ranks 12th on our list of the states with the largest homeless populations per capita. While it is one of the largest states by area, Montana is one of the least populated states in the US. Montana has a rate of 19.22 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.

11. Colorado

Homeless Population (2023): 14,439

Total Population (2023): 5,877,610

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 24.56

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.002456

Colorado, a state in the Mountain West sub-region of the Western US, is known for its diverse landscape of desert, mountains, and rivers. According to recent estimates, the homeless population in Colorado stands at 24.56 per 10,000 residents.

10. Nevada

Homeless Population (2023): 8,666

Total Population (2023): 3,194,176

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 27.13

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.002713

Nevada is a state in the Western region of the US that ranks among the top 10 on our list of the states with the largest homeless populations per capita. It is one of the most visited states in the US by foreign travelers. In Nevada, there are 27.13 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.

9. Massachusetts

Homeless Population (2023): 19,141

Total Population (2023): 7,001,399

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 27.33

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.002733

Massachusetts is one of the smallest and most densely populated states in the US. Home to some of the most highly regarded educational institutions in the world, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, Massachusetts is one of the smartest states with the highest average IQ. Despite that, there are 27.33 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in the US state of Massachusetts.

8. Maine

Homeless Population (2023): 4,258

Total Population (2023): 1,395,722

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 30.5

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.003050

Maine is a state in the Northeastern US that ranks 8th on our list of the states with the largest homeless populations per capita. It is one of the most rural states in the country. According to recent estimates, the homeless population in Maine stands at 30.5 per 10,000 residents.

7. Alaska

Homeless Population (2023): 2,614

Total Population (2023): 733,406

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 35.64

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.003564

Alaska is a non-contiguous US state in the Northwest region of North America. While it is the largest US state by area, it is one of the least populated states. In Alaska, there are 35.64 homeless individuals per 10,000 people.

6. Washington

Homeless Population (2023): 28,036

Total Population (2023): 7,812,880

Homeless Population Per 10,000 People (2023): 35.88

Homeless Population Per Capita (2023): 0.003588

Washington state, in the Pacific Northwest region of the US, ranks high among the states with the most homeless people. According to recent estimates, there are 35.88 homeless individuals per 10,000 people in the US state of Washington. Washington state ranks 6th on our list of the 20 states with the largest homeless populations per capita.

Click to continue reading and see 5 States with the Largest Homeless Populations Per Capita.

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Disclosure: None. 20 States with the Largest Homeless Populations Per Capita is published on Insider Monkey.
NicoElNino / Getty Images/iStockphoto

For many, living by the beach is a dream come true. Unfortunately, homes on the beach often top a million dollars or more, keeping many would-be homeowners from making the move.

The good news is that you can still live near the beach without those hefty beachfront prices. You just have to choose the right spot.

Check Out: Barbara Corcoran: Investing In 3 Things Will Help Sell Your Home Fast

Read Next: Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing

GOBankingRates spoke with several real estate professionals about where theyd suggest looking if you want to be close to the water without emptying your bank account every month.

Heres what they said.

Shutterstock.com

Gulfport, Mississippi

Typical home price (Zillow): $187,137

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): +3.1%

Gulfport is a mid-sized city with just over 72,000 residents. It offers a mix of small-town charm and big-city life without the sky-high prices. It also spans around 26 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico.

Learn More: 7 Florida Cities That Could Be Headed for a Housing Crisis

For You: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

What makes Gulfport particularly attractive, aside from its prices and location, is its small-town charm coupled with a relatively strong economy, said Nyx Sherwin, CEO and owner of We Buy 502.

It blends the best of Southern city life with the beauty and recreation of the Gulf Coast, added Adrian Pedraza, licensed real estate broker and owner of The California Home Buyer.

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

Anthony M. Inswasty / iStock.com

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Typical home price (Zillow): $394,102

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): +2.4%

Tom Bruzek, a real estate expert and the owner of Selling Land Fast, suggested Port St. Lucie as another location for those wanting to move a little further south. With around 217,000 people, this city has a lot to offer when it comes to beach life and other recreational activities.

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Try This: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security

Think affordable housing options, acres of green space, and a whole bunch of recreational activities to keep you entertained, Bruzek said. Its got that tight-knit community feel thatll make you feel right at home.

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Corpus Christi, Texas

Typical home price (Zillow): $214,380

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): +0.4%

Home to over 317,000 people, Corpus Christi is another affordable city to check out if you want to live near the beach. Its located on the Gulf of Mexico, so there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to affordable homes.

Corpus Christi also stands out for its seafood, historic attractions, and recreational activities like bird-watching, fishing, and boating.

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Coos Bay, Oregon

Typical home price (Zillow): $320,668

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): +2%

The Pacific Northwest is home to some truly stunning locations, including those near or on the beach. And while some places in the area are on the pricey side, Coos Bay is one town thats still reasonably affordable for beach lovers.

This spot provides access to some of the Pacific Northwests beautiful beaches while avoiding the cost of living often associated with coastal destinations like California, Sherwin said.

leekris / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rockport, Texas

Typical home price (Zillow): $325,381

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): 0%

A small town on the coast of Texas, Rockport has a population of about 10,000 people. But dont let its small size deter you  it comes with a lot of charm and peaceful living.

Trending Now: 7 European Cities Where You Can Buy Luxury Homes for $100,000 or Less

You wont have to deal with the crowds or the high prices youd find in more touristy spots like Galveston or Corpus Christi, Bruzek said. Plus, the arts scene here is thriving, so youll never run out of things to see and do.

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Port Aransas, Texas

Typical home price (Zillow): $584,703

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): -3.3%

Next up on the list is Port Aransas, a charming town located on a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico.

While it may not have the famous beaches of nearby towns like South Padre Island, it still boasts beautiful stretches of sand, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere, said Yosef Adde, a licensed Realtor and homebuyer with I Buy LA. And the best part? The cost of living in Port Aransas is significantly lower than other touristy beach spots in Texas.

Shutterstock.com

Eureka, California

Typical home price (Zillow): $410,707

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): -4.7%

California is notoriously expensive when it comes to beachfront properties  and the cost of living in general. But Eureka, a small-sized port city located in the northern part of the state, stands out for its affordability.

One town I would recommend is Eureka. Its a fairly well-known town, but what most people dont realize is how affordable it actually is, even by non-Californian standards, said Pete Evering, business development manager at Utopia Management in San Diego.

The cost of living is consistently lower than the rest of California and even the national average, he continued. One catch is that its not exactly a sunny beach town in the sense that Malibu is, but if you fancy a much calmer atmosphere, then this town might be for you.

Jim Allen / Flickr.com

Ocean City, Maryland

Typical home price (Zillow): $446,283

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): +5.81%

Home to less than 7,000 people, Ocean City is a small resort town situated somewhere between the Isle of Wright Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Be Aware: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024

This city may not be as well-known as other East Coast beach destinations, but it offers a fantastic beach experience with a much lower price tag, Adde said. Plus, the beach in Ocean City is free, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious beach lovers.

Shutterstock.com

New London, Connecticut

Typical home price (Zillow): $260,052

Price change over the past 12 months (percentage): +12.3%

Housing prices in New London are still quite reasonable compared to many other parts of the country, but theyre rising fast. Still, if youre in the market for a place near the beach without those hefty prices, you might want to check it out.

New London offers true New England seaside charm with homes near the beaches for around $257,000, Pedraza said. From the lively waterfront to the historic lighthouses, this seaport town has great bones.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Cheap Places To Live Close to the Beach Without Beachfront Prices
Apontis Pharma (ETR:APPH) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: 38.7m (down 31% from FY 2022).

Net loss: 11.3m (down from 2.69m profit in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Apontis Pharma Earnings Insights

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 17% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 3.4% growth forecast for the Pharmaceuticals industry in Germany.

Performance of the German Pharmaceuticals industry.

The company's shares are down 2.2% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Before we wrap up, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Apontis Pharma 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.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group representing major automakers on Friday urged the White House to oppose any effort by steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs to buy rival U.S. Steel, warning that a deal could result in anti-competitive pricing for vehicles.

"A consolidation of the two companies would also place 65 to 90% of steel used in vehicles under the control of a single company," Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella said in a letter, which was first reported by Reuters.

President Joe Biden said earlier this month that U.S. Steel, which has agreed to be bought by Japan's Nippon Steel for $14.9 billion, must remain a domestically-owned U.S. firm. Cleveland-Cliffs has said it would consider another bid for U.S. Steel if the deal with Nippon Steel falls apart.

"If the administration has concerns about the Nippon Steel deal, it must seriously consider alternative outcomes," said the letter from the group, which represents General Motors, Toyota Motor Corp, Volkswagen, Hyundai and others. "One option that should not be on the table is an arrangement that creates a market concentration of domestic steel production in a single company."

The White House, Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel did not immediately comment on the letter.

A combination of U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs would control "100% of the domestic electrical steel (e-steel) needed for electric vehicle (EV) motors and EV production," the automaker group said in its letter.

It warned that a deal could "drive up the cost of both steel and e-steel, and ultimately increase the cost of finished vehicles (including EVs) for American consumers."

The group wrote Congress, the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Justice Department in October to raise its concerns about a tie-up, citing concerns about steel used to produce vehicle structural frames, automotive surface panels like doors, hoods and fenders, and EV motors.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Paul Simao)
Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP).

Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder's equity.

Check out our latest analysis for Union Pacific

How Is ROE Calculated?

The formula for return on equity is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Union Pacific is:

43% = US$6.4b  US$15b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this is that for each $1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made $0.43 in profit.

Does Union Pacific Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Union Pacific has a better ROE than the average (14%) in the Transportation industry.

roe

That is a good sign. With that said, a high ROE doesn't always indicate high profitability. A higher proportion of debt in a company's capital structure may also result in a high ROE, where the high debt levels could be a huge risk .

Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE

Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

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Combining Union Pacific's Debt And Its 43% Return On Equity

Union Pacific clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 2.19. There's no doubt the ROE is impressive, but it's worth keeping in mind that the metric could have been lower if the company were to reduce its debt. Debt does bring extra risk, so it's only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it.

Conclusion

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better.

But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company.

But note: Union Pacific may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

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.
Sherry Meaders and James Michael Dunne moved from the Florida coast to rural Missouri. Sherry Meaders

Sherry Meaders and James Michael Dunne, a retired couple, moved from Florida to rural Missouri.

They said they moved because of rising insurance costs, population influx, and political changes.

Some former Florida residents are choosing small-town life for a lower cost of living.

Sherry Meaders, 75, and James Michael Dunne, 79, a retired married couple, lived by the Atlantic Ocean for 30 and 45 years, respectively. But after spending decades by the water in Florida, Meaders said Florida "is definitely not paradise anymore."

The couple decided to move to a very different place: rural Missouri.

Meaders wanted to be closer to her son and grandson, and the couple wanted a small-town feel. They settled on a small city in south-central Missouri with 2,500 residents, purchasing a home on two-thirds of an acre for less than half of what she sold her Florida home for.

"There's a lot of things we don't have nearby; we don't have a lot of the convenience stores and malls, that sort of thing," Meaders said. "But that's what you get when you live in a small town, and I think you have to get to a point where you don't need a city. I always said that you couldn't take the city out of the girl, but I got to a point where I didn't need the city anymore."

Many older Americans have continued to flock to Florida, though some have recently told Business Insider they've had enough of the Sunshine State. Some echoed Meaders by saying Florida has lost its feeling of "paradise" amid rising home and insurance prices and political changes. One person who recently moved to Virginia said her move led to lower costs, a slower pace of life, and a break from politics.

The Census Bureau found that from July 2022 to July 2023, Florida's population increased by 365,200 people, or 1.64%. The 2022 American Community Survey found that 9,758 people moved from Florida to Missouri from 2021 to 2022, compared with 10,919 who did the opposite move. On average, those leaving Florida are unmarried millennials earning almost $48,000 a year moving to Georgia or Texas.

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Leaving Florida for Missouri

Meaders was born and raised in Kansas City, where she started her career as a teacher. She moved to Florida in 1995 with her husband at the time, seeking better weather. They moved to Rockledge, in Brevard County, 6 miles from Cocoa Beach and a short drive from Cape Canaveral.

She worked in grant development for nonprofits, public schools, and universities and did grant-review work for national federal agencies. She also served as a dean of a university in Florida.

Dunne was raised in Chicago and enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served in the Pacific and Alaska. For over three decades he worked for Bell System, and he moved to Florida for work. He moved around the state, settling in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Volusia County, by Daytona Beach. He worked for nearly two decades as a volunteer firefighter, then spent seven years in Africa.

Meaders and Dunne met in Brevard County after Dunne moved back. They married in 2016 and spent time volunteering at children's homes, youth camps, and national parks.

They said the hurricanes and bad storms would often bypass their city, and they'd often drive an hour to Orlando or 2 1/2 hours to Miami for weekend trips.

For years, Meaders said, Rockledge had a small-town feel, and it was quiet and calm. But she said that a few years ago many more people started moving in and visiting on vacation. She noticed traffic was intense while prices shot up.

She saw many wealthier people moving up from Miami seeking a lower cost of living, as well as "snowbirds" from the North looking for warmer weather year-round.

"I was just watching more and more people come into the state, and a lot of people that I look at today, they don't seem to have good coping skills," Dunne said. "They come in and expect things to be done for them that they should be doing for themselves. Getting back to rural America, you find less people that are having difficulty coping."

Meaders said she felt that many of these movers were "not as patient, not as agreeable," adding that many "had expectations of how they wanted things to be." She said her area became much more radical  the KKK passed out flyers in 2013 by her home  and she felt less respected and accepted in her city.

"It's just destroying that original, wonderful Florida culture that was down here," Meaders said. "The whole atmosphere of living in Florida had become very toxic to us."

Both said their area was also becoming more commercialized, with more hotels and tourist attractions being constructed. Many new homes were built along the dunes, and Meaders said that with every hurricane, many homes were eroded, meaning taxpayers' dollars were spent refurbishing the beaches.

"Even though I didn't live on the beach, I was paying for them to live there," she said.

Moving to Missouri: pros and cons

Meaders and Dunne knew it was time to move, and they wanted to be closer to Meaders' son in Missouri. She said she wanted to help care for her grandson with autism. Dunne's two children are still in Florida, and they didn't want to move to Kansas City, which was too busy and expensive.

"We're not staying in Florida anymore and left because things had gotten so expensive," Meaders said, adding that many insurance companies were leaving her area. "For instance, our house insurance had been about $1,400, and we got notice it was going up to $6,000. In Florida, they don't have a state tax, but you get dinged on everything. We didn't have tax on food, but taxes were high on everything else."

In September 2022 they decided to move with their RV to rural Missouri, to a city of 2,500 called Mountain View. Within a week they'd found a house. Within two weeks they'd sold their Florida home for $319,000, about six times what Meaders bought it for in 1994.

"Moving everything and packing was quite an effort at our age, and then we renovated the house to boot, so it's been quite an ordeal to move back," Meaders said. "But I feel more peaceful here, and it feels actually safer than being in Florida."

The couple bought the three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home for $150,000 with two-thirds of an acre of space.

In Missouri they pay a sales tax and a higher property tax, which they acknowledged had made some bills more expensive, though car insurance is much less, and the cost of daily expenses is significantly lower. They paid $650 a year in Florida property taxes for a quarter of an acre, while they now pay $1,020 a year in Missouri. In Florida, their water bill was $70 a month, while it's just $11 in Missouri. Meaders said her electric bill is about the same, while gas is slightly cheaper.

She misses Florida's weather, though she's enjoyed having all four seasons in Missouri. She said it's taken some time to adjust to how spaced out her area is, though she finds herself driving less often and being more intentional about purchases.

They've found the hospitality of everyone in their community much improved, noting that many people in the small Missouri city recently moved from California. Meaders said that during a recent brush fire, people stopped their cars to help extinguish the fire before the fire department arrived.

Another time, "we were putting up a new mailbox, and we had no box by the road, and a guy stopped and helped us," Meaders said. "It was snowing, and it was just a neighbor somewhere, and he stopped and helped us. We've met more nice people who just do that."

Have you recently moved to a new state or left the United States for a new country? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com .

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sam Bankman-Fried was jailed for 25 years on Thursday and convicted for masterminding a $11bn cryptocurrency fraud - Ed Jones/AFP

A so-called effective altruism charity backed by the jailed cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried is to shut down following the collapse of FTX.

Accounts filed by Effective Ventures UK (EV) said it expected that [Effective Ventures UK] will eventually wind down (in 2025 or beyond), after spinning off its main projects into separate initiatives.

It said the charity would not sponsor any new projects.

The charity last week also confirmed it would be selling Wytham Abbey, a 15th century manor it bought to host philanthropic workshops and conferences.

In a post on a forum dedicated to the movement, Rob Gledhill, the chief executive of EV, said: After input from the Abbeys major donors, the EV board took a decision to sell the property.

This projects runway will run out at the end of April. After this time, the project will cease operations, and EV UK will oversee the sale of the property.

Effective Ventures UK, which in 2022 had income of more than 140m, was set up to back projects focused on altruistic endeavours aimed at helping the maximum number of people.

Based on the ideas of Oxford philosopher William MacAskill, so-called EAs, or effective altruists, seek to focus their lives and careers on causes such as animal welfare, tackling risks to human extinction, or preventing dangerous artificial intelligence.

The idea has proved popular in Silicon Valley and at elite universities. Bankman-Fried donated tens of millions of dollars to the cause, but the charity was plunged into crisis by the bankruptcy of FTX, his cryptocurrency empire, and his subsequent conviction for fraud.

A courtroom sketch of FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried attending his sentencing hearing on Thursday - Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

In December, EV posted on an online forum it would be decentralising its main charity projects.

It comes after Bankman-Fried was jailed for 25 years on Thursday and convicted for masterminding a $11bn (8.7bn) cryptocurrency fraud that saw him syphon billions of dollars from customers to pay for high risk investments and philanthropic donations.

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EV has said it strongly condemns the actions of Bankman-Fried.

In November, EV UK and its separate US arm agreed to repay $26.8m to the bankrupt estate of FTX  an amount equal to 100pc of the funds the entities received from FTX in 2022.

The UK charity remains under investigation by the Charity Commission, which is examining its governance and potential conflicts of interest.

An internal investigation by the law firm Mintz into the relationship between FTX and Effective Ventures found no evidence the charity knew of Bankman-Frieds criminal wrongdoing.

A spokesman for the charity declined to comment further.

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Rachel Carrell, the chief executive and founder of Koru Kids, says government support does not solve the issues facing the sector - Paul Grover

Rishi Sunaks extension of free childcare is already a car crash, the founder of the nanny agency once backed by the Prime Ministers wife has warned.

The government is extending free childcare for children over the age of two from next week, but childcare experts are warning that the infrastructure and staffing is still not in place to make it work.

Rachel Carrell, the chief executive and founder of Koru Kids, said frustrated parents were getting annoyed at nurseries as they cant find places or are being charged more as nurseries struggle to cope with mounting costs.

There is absolutely no supply plan, I literally cant see how its not going to be a car crash, she said, adding that the UK is probably one of the hardest countries to be a mum in.

Ms Carrell added: Were not solving [childcare issues] through government support and we also dont have a strong culture of family pitching in.

We also have very high housing costs and a whole bunch of other pressures on families. The pinch point in the system is the parent, particularly the mum.

Rishi Sunak was last year investigated in relation to shares held by his wife, Akshata Murty, in Koru Kids, which was boosted by a pilot scheme unveiled in the Budget that spring. He apologised over the error which was ruled to be inadvertent by the House of Commons standards commissioner.

Ms Murty donated her shareholding in Koru Kids to charity earlier this year.

Ari Last, the founder and chief executive of childcare app Bubble, said there was a huge worry about whether the supply exists to support the extension adding that the legislation governing how free hours can be utilised by parents is written in 2006, before the iPhone was invented.

The Conservatives are rolling out extra financial support for parents earning between 8,670 and 100,000 a year from April so that working families with two-year-old children can claim free childcare hours. In September, it will expand further for children aged from nine months.

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However the industrys staff shortage crisis is so severe that experts think that as many as 100,000 more people could be needed by September 2025 to make the plan work.

The Government has responded to concerns about staffing with a recruitment program that includes a 1,000 golden hello for nursery workers.

A Department for Education spokesman said: We are confident in the strength of our childcare market as we deliver the largest ever expansion in childcare in Englands history.

We have significantly increased our childcare rates and provided 100m in capital support to grow the sector  which has already seen over 40,000 more places in the past five years alone.

As with schools, parents may not get their first choice of provider, but we are confident that every local authority is currently meeting its statutory duty to secure sufficient numbers of childcare places.

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(Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc.s North America co-head of technology and communications equity capital markets Gregor Feige has left the bank to join UBS Group AG, according to people familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

His co-head, Josh Li, will become sole head of TMT ECM, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isnt public.

Feige joined Citigroup in 2022 after working for JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he was co-head of Asia ex-Japan ECM.

Representatives for Citigroup and UBS declined to comment.

Last month, Citigroup hired JPMorgans Viswas Raghavan to lead its newly formed banking division, with the appointment coming as dealmaking begins to rebound.

Sentiment is definitely improving, Chief Executive Officer Jane Fraser said at an investor conference this month. Weve had some good announced deals coming out but theres obviously a lag to when that converts into revenue.

--With assistance from Crystal Tse.

(Updates with UBS in headline and first paragraph. A previous version of this story was corrected to add Frasers first name.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Summary: DeepBrain Chain, a decentralized high-performance GPU computing network, is now leading the charge in embracing the DePIN revolution that developed infrastructure in the AI + Metaverse era worldwide.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2024 / With the latest developments, DeepBrain Chain is set to take charge of embracing DePIN revolutionization with high demand for AI and Web3 integration. DePIN consists of three components: decentralized computing power, storage, and network (CDN). DBC focuses on adapting to metaverse application scenarios such as 3A cloud gaming rendering and AI deep learning algorithms using GPUs.

DBC's solution, based on blockchain technology, incentivizes idle GPU computing power globally. DBC has already technically implemented a global decentralized GPU high-performance computing network based on blockchain technology. Its high-performance computing nodes can take various forms, including large GPU server clusters, small and medium-sized enterprise idle GPU servers, and personal unused GPUs. Since 2023, DBC and DePIN have entered the field of cryptocurrency, and as early practitioners of DePIN, DBC has served as a mirror for the industry. With the DePIN revolution, DBC is a direction for resolving the dilemma of AI computing power by decentralizing idle GPU computing resources and providing flexible and scalable computing solutions for early-stage AI entrepreneurs and metaverse cloud gaming applications.

Today, DBC's high-performance GPU computing nodes can provide computing support for multiple industries, including AI training and inference, cloud gaming, cybercafes, ZK computing, etc. However, compared to the ongoing contemplation of how DePIN devices can be massively integrated into the blockchain in the encryption market, DBC has undergone a plethora of practices that deny denial, forming an ecological synergistic development effect. As a foundational GPU computing network, DBC does not directly face various terminal GPU users but is serviced by cloud providers in the ecosystem, such as Hycons.cloud and deeplink.cloud. Hycons.cloud is committed to providing users with convenient access to GPU computing cloud services. Through Hycons, users can easily engage in artificial intelligence training and inference within the DBC network. DeepLink provides ultra-low latency cloud gaming rendering services, catering to various application scenarios such as cloud gaming, cloud cybercafes, cloud e-sports, and cloud hotels.

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DBC's mainnet blockchain was launched on May 20, 2021, and the GPU computing power mainnet was launched on November 22, 2021. As of March 19, 2024, there are 604 GPUs in the DBC decentralized network, with a utilization rate of over 96%. There are many practical applications in AI, cloud gaming, and cloud e-sports fields, and ecosystem service partners include Huawei, Polygon, and cloud gaming all-in-one machine service provider TIKEREN.

Under the burning mechanism of DBC , the more GPUs are rented in the DBC network, the more DBC is destroyed, increasing the value of DBC. In order to expand the GPU computing power of the DBC network and better play the role of computing power in the infrastructure of the crypto ecosystem, the new version of the DBC mainnet was launched in 2024, supporting GPU short-term leasing mode, supporting smart contract functionality, supporting the transformation of GameFi games into cloud GameFi, supporting decentralized AIGC projects based on DBC for smart contract development, and supporting decentralized AIGC projects based on DBC GPU mining. Since DBC supports a virtual machine technical architecture, as long as GPU machines join DBC, they can realize 4 mining functions, mining aleo and ionet simultaneously, and also mining DBC and DLC tokens.

Furthermore, DBC has positioned itself at the forefront of the AI+DePIN track. The current market expectations for DePIN mainly come from the industrial value of the track and the value logic of DePIN in the AI and Web3 in the metaverse summit.

As the Nvidia GTC conference is held in the United States, GPU-related topics are increasingly attracting market attention, and DBC is also mentioned in various tracks such as "AI+Web3", "AI+Metaverse", and "AI+DePIN". Having crossed nearly two bull-bear cycles and accumulated 160,000 holding users, DBC is striving to deeply integrate into the crypto-economic market on this occasion, hoping to be listed on more major exchanges, including some large exchanges in South Korea, as DBC has been deeply cultivating in South Korea for 6 years, with multiple large Korean GPU mining pools and Korean cloud cybercafes being used on the ground.

About DeepBrain Chain:

DeepBrain Chain was established in 2017 and jointly promoted by DeepBrain Chain Foundation and DeepBrain Chain Council. DBC has emerged as a leading decentralized GPU computing network. The network aims to become the widely used GPU computing infrastructure in the AI+Metaverse era globally.

Media details:

Website: https://www.deepbrainchain.org

Person contact name: Feng He

Webmail:feng@deepbrainchain.org

Company name: DeepBrainChain

SOURCE: DeepBrainChain





View the original press release on accesswire.com




China warns against tightening of sanctions against DPRK

Xinhua) 08:59, March 29, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday warned against the tightening of sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is characterized by persistent tensions and growing confrontation, which serves no one's interests. This is the last thing China wants to see, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The settlement of the 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 in an explanation of vote after the Security Council voted on a draft resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee.

Russia vetoed the draft resolution tabled by the United States.

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.

It is concerning that the harsh sanctions against the DPRK have exacerbated tensions and confrontation with a serious negative impact on the humanitarian situation and livelihoods on the ground, he said.

China has participated constructively in the consultations on the U.S. draft. 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.

China's position on the Korean Peninsula issue is crystal clear. China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, to advancing in parallel the denuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of a peace mechanism, and to resolving issues through dialogue and consultation, he said.

As a close neighbor of the DPRK, China will continue to actively maintain stability and promote talks, and play a constructive role in advancing the political settlement, the early resumption of dialogue, and the realization of long-term peace and stability in Northeast Asia, said Geng.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Though many of the top asset managers and investors are investing in, or at least open to crypto and Bitcoin, a few remain hesitant to adopt the asset. Most prominent among the anti-Bitcoin camp is legendary investor Warren Buffett.

Buffett's strategy of investing in solid companies that continuously generate cash and value has been hugely successful. This has allowed his company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. to sustain itself through market peaks and troughs.

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About 22% of the adult population in the U.S. own a share of Bitcoin, how much would $10 get you today?

Buffett is notorious for his anti-Bitcoin stance, saying in a 2018 interview with Yahoo! Finance, "If you buy something like Bitcoin or some cryptocurrency, you dont really have anything that has produced anything. Youre just hoping the next guy pays more."

At the 2022 Berkshire shareholders meeting, Buffett explained his stance on Bitcoin saying, "If you told me you own all of the Bitcoin in the world and you offered it to me for $25, I wouldnt take it because what would I do with it? Id have to sell it back to you one way or another. It isnt going to do anything."

Buffett is against Bitcoin and crypto in general. However, this stance does not entirely translate into his company's investments. Berkshire Hathaway is heavily invested in Brazilian fintech Nu Holdings Ltd. The investment was its strongest performer in 2023.

Founded in 2013, Nu initially offered low-cost bank accounts and personal loans through a format that was much more digitized than its competitors. In 2022, the company launched Nucripto, which allows users to buy and sell more than 15 tokens.

While its crypto business makes up a somewhat small portion of its revenue, it still operates in the crypto sphere, and its customer base continues to grow. It also launched its own cryptocurrency called Nucoin.

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Buffett had invested $500 million in Nu Holdings through a series G funding round before the company went public in December 2021. A few months later, Buffett increased his stake by another $250 million, resulting in a total investment of $750 million.

The investment has paid off. Nu is up nearly 50% in 2024 alone and recently set all-time highs. This is also coming off a strong 2023, in which the stock was up nearly 100%.

These huge gains could shift Buffett's focus toward crypto. Seeing the profits earned on a crypto-related business could cause the investor to rethink his strategy and stance on crypto. Bitcoin has outperformed most major indices so far in 2024. The token is up nearly 70% in 2024, well above the S&P 500, which is up just over 10% in 2024.

With Bitcoin and crypto entering the spotlight again, lots of eyes are on Berkshire Hathaway and Buffett as they contemplate whether to continue investing in Bitcoin-adjacent businesses or even the tokens themselves

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 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Details of lawsuits filed in recent weeks in federal court by former Dolton and Thornton Township employees cite a pattern of unlawful firing and retaliation by Tiffany Henyard in her roles as mayor and township supervisor.

They portray Henyard as vindictive against any perceived enemies, and during an attempt to recall her through a village referendum she is alleged to have directed employees to campaign against the effort while on village time and told village workers were at war with the trustees who orchestrated the recall effort.

A public relations firm that works on behalf of the village and Henyard did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment on the lawsuits, copies of which were provided to the firm. A law firm representing Dolton has previously said its not authorized to comment on litigation filed against the village.

The Daily Southtown earlier this month reached out to Dolton and township officials for comment regarding the lawsuits but has not received a response.

One lawsuit, filed by a high-level Thornton Township employee who was dismissed, alleged she worked from her car after being locked out of township offices and suffered a heart attack due to stress over not being paid for her work.

Henyard, previously a village trustee, was elected mayor in April 2021 after narrowly winning a three-way contest that February in the Democratic primary.

She survived a recall referendum put to voters in June 2022. After 56% of voters who cast ballots supported her ouster, a state appellate court overturned the results in a decision that September.

Some of the trustees that ran on the same ticket with Henyard when she was elected mayor worked to get the recall question on the ballot.

Henyard called the lineup of trustees a dream team, after the election, but the relationship quickly turned sour.

The Thornton Township Board appointed Henyard supervisor in March 2022, filling a vacancy created by the death of former longtime Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli.

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Sandra Tracy filed a lawsuit March 13, identifying Thornton Township, Henyard, in her position as township supervisor, and Keith Freeman, an assistant to Henyard in the township, as defendants. Freeman is also village administrator for Dolton.

Tracy said she worked as human resources manager for the township and was unfairly fired in September 2022 after taking leave for a surgery.

She says that she began her leave in February 2022, shortly before Henyard was sworn in as township supervisor in early March of that year.

Tracy alleges that when she returned from leave in June 2022, she was demoted to a clerk in the human resources department but denied access to a work station inside the township offices in South Holland.

She claims she offered to work from the buildings public lobby but was told she could not and was eventually locked out of the building.

Tracy said that from June 7 through Sept. 14 2022, she either worked from her home or from her car in the township parking lot. She said that she went for more than a month continuing to do her job without pay while at the same time caring for her seriously ill husband.

Tracy said that in mid-August 2022 she suffered a heart attack brought on due to the stress of dealing with the circumstances surrounding her employment and lack of pay, then informed by a township attorney in a Sept. 14 email that she was fired.

She is alleging, among other things, retaliatory discharge and infliction of emotional distress and seeking back pay and damages. A status hearing on the case is scheduled for June 6.

Karen Johnson, who had worked as an administrative assistant in Doltons public works department, filed her complaint March 13 against the village, Henyard and Freeman, also alleging that her constitutional rights were violated when she was fired in August 2022.

Johnson said that prior to the June 2022 recall referendum, Henyard asked village employees to work on her behalf, including making door-to-door visits to voters and making phone calls, including when they were on the villages time.

She claims in her lawsuit that, following the recall vote but before the results were overturned, Henyard began a retaliatory campaign towards many Dolton residents, business owners employees and village trustees.

Johnson says in her lawsuit she was improperly fired in August 2022 for violating employee policy for using her work computer to search for news stories about Henyard.

She said that Henyard did not condone village employees who appeared to not be on her side, and that she and all other village employees who defied Henyard or did anything she did not like for one reason or another were terminated, and that this was the unofficial policy of the village administration.

Samysha Williams, who ran unsuccessfully as a Dolton trustee and worked for the village, also sued March 13 in federal court, also alleging a pattern of vindictive behavior by Henyard after she lost the recall vote but prior to the state appeals court that overturned the results.

She also has a lawsuit pending in Cook County Circuit Court, filed in February, alleging that while running for trustee last year she was defamed by Henyard in campaign filings that alleged she had defrauded the village as an employee.

Williams, in the federal court complaint, alleges that after losing the recall vote, Henyard began to engage in retaliatory actions towards many Dolton residents, business owners, employees and trustees.

She said that some of the actions included directing village department chiefs to not respond to requests to public documents filed under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

Williams said that Henyard would openly tell village employees were at war with the trustees who orchestrated the recall and have since been at odds with the mayor.

Williams had worked in the villages code enforcement office and alleges Henyard told her to withhold permits to Dolton residents and business owners unless they donated to the mayors campaign. Williams said that she was fired in early August 2022 when a Dolton police officer arrived at her doorstep delivering a letter notifying of her termination, but said the letter did not contain a name or signature nor reason for her firing.

She is seeking back pay, damages and attorney fees.

Stephanie Wiedeman filed a lawsuit Jan. 22, although there has been no activity in the case since.

She said she lives in Thornton and has been an outspoken critic of Henyard on social media and also attending Dolton Village Board meetings.

She previously worked as chief of staff for Thornton Township.

She contends her constitutional rights have been violated due to alleged harassment by village police. Wiedeman said she had worked for Thornton Township for 20 years.

She cited one alleged instance of harassment during a Tea with Trustees session June 11, 2022. Trustees have held such events to talk with residents and field questions.

This tea took place prior to the June 2022 recall referendum, and Wiedeman says a village employee was placing pro-Henyard fliers on car windshields outside the meeting.

Wiedeman said she pulled the fliers from her car and from other vehicles of meeting attendees who asked her to do so, but said Henyard notified police and three officers arrived.

Wiedeman said she was taken to the police station, charged with misdemeanor theft, and released on bond, but the charge was ultimately dropped in March 2023.

She also cites in the lawsuit an incident at a Sept. 8, 2022, Village Board meeting where she was escorted out by a Dolton officer because a police report had been made against her for harassment.

Wiedeman said Henyard had called police and told them that Wiedeman had attended a Village Board meeting, during which she stared at the mayor, which Henyard interpreted as an attempt at intimidation and harassment.
New details are out on the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, a graduate school mini-campus under construction in downtown Detroit that also will offer robotics and other programs in technology-related fields for the local workforce.

Freshly released renderings show how the UMCI, once completed in time for the 2027-28 academic year, will have a highly unique architectural design unlike any structure in Detroit. Overall, the building will have six floors plus a basement and span 200,000 square feet.

Rendering of the future University of Michigan Center for Innovation, now under construction in Detroit.

In an interview this week the UMCI's Director Scott Shireman said they anticipate 500 to 1,000 U-M graduate students enrolled at the UMCI by its third year of operation. While these students will be instructed by U-M faculty and earn U-M graduate degrees, they will be a distinct population apart from that at the university's main Ann Arbor campus, and all of their classes will be held at the UMCI.

The faculty instructors at the UMCI will come from the Ann Arbor campus, and possibly U-M Dearborn and Flint, Shireman said.

It is anticipated that the graduate students would live in or near Detroit  rather than Ann Arbor  with many of them taking residence in a planned 18-story, 261-unit residential tower to be built next to the UMCI.

A future skyline rendering of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit.

We are going to be recruiting students who want to be in Detroit," Shireman said. "These programs will be designed to be in Detroit, they will be the same quality (as those in Ann Arbor), but we are really focused on interdisciplinary programs at UMCI ... so they will be programs that will be unique or have (a) unique spin.

The UMCI also will offer "gateway certificates" in career fields for the local workforce. About 2,000 individuals are expected to enroll in these certificate programs, Shireman said.

Additionally, as many as 30,000 Detroiters could be impacted by one of the UMCI's community programs, which would include day programs and some K-12 instruction, according to Shireman.

While the specific courses to be offered at the UMCI are still being determined, Shireman said, there will be four primary areas of instruction:

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Advanced manufacturing, mobility and robotics

Climate action/clean energy transition

AI and its practical impact in areas such as urban technology and smart cities

Entrepreneurship and innovation.

"So were looking for programs interdisciplinary by nature that fit in those four themes, Shireman said.

UMCI staff also plan to have a series of public meetings to hear from the community on the type of programming they want to see.

More: New timeline, construction plan for $1.5B District Detroit development

Those enrolled for a "gateway certificate" would typically need six months to a year to complete a course, Shireman said. The cost for certificate courses has not been determined, he said, but the goal is to keep them affordable.

The certificate courses "will be based on the skills that employers are looking for, and then backed by the University of Michigans brand," Shireman said.

This is a gateway for somebody with some or no college," he said. "Maybe theyre in a gig job or a retail job or something where theres not a lot of career path. Its a gateway for someone like that into an entry-level job in something thats going to have a career path.

$250 million cost breakdown

The anticipated $250 million cost for the UMCI project is to be covered by a $100 million state grant, a $100 million donation from New York developer and U-M alumnus Stephen Ross and $50 million in university fundraising.

Rendering of the future University of Michigan Center for Innovation, now under construction in Detroit.

The UMCI is being built on land behind the Fox Theatre on what was surface parking lots. In December, U-M President Santa Ono joined with Ross, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and other officials for a groundbreaking celebration at the site.

There are two other planned buildings for the site: a 18-story residential tower, and adaptive reuse of the former Moose Lodge building, 2115 Cass, as a four-story business incubator and coworking space for the UMCI.

On Thursday, the U-M Board of Regents approved a final schematic design for the UMCI building.

"The UMCI will bring together the best of the University of Michigan to catalyze economic development in the city of Detroit," U-M Provost Laurie McCauley said at the regents meeting. "It will house a robust portfolio of academic programs, including new interdisciplinary graduate degrees and certificate programs aligned to the skills of the future and needed to attract startups and major employers to the region.

Rendering of the future University of Michigan Center for Innovation, now under construction in Detroit.

The other two buildings on the UMCI site  the residential tower and Moose Lodge rehab  are part of a separate development, the $1.5 billion District Detroit, and are being developed by Ross' New York-based firm, The Related Cos., as well as the Ilitch organization's Olympia Development of Michigan.

The developers recently adjusted the timeline and sequencing order for District Detroit, making the residential tower next to the UMCI as one of its first projects. Construction is to begin next year and finish in time for the UMCI's opening in fall 2027.

An updated timeline for the Moose Lodge adaptive reuse was not available Friday.

UMCI facts

Size: 6 floors plus a basement, 200,000 square feet

Architect: New York-based Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

General contractor: Walbridge

Anticipated cost: $250 million

Anticipated completion: summer 2027

Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New details, renderings out for U-M project in Detroit
FedEx has laid off some pilot instructors who teach pilots in the classroom and by using flight simulators, like these at the companys headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Eric Kulisch/FreightWaves)

FedEx Corp. is laying off an undisclosed number of workers across the organization, despite posting stronger-than-expected quarterly results last week, as the company strives to hit targets for right-sizing the company. Meanwhile, parcel delivery rival UPS (NYSE: UPS) will eliminate more than 300 positions at its regional air hub in Ontario, California, because of slower volume.

In an unrelated move, FedEx Supply Chain Solutions said it plans to release more than 300 workers at a Georgia distribution center because the client is switching locations.

A pilot at FedEx (NYSE: FDX) said some of the layoffs involved non-union professional pilot instructors, some of whom are friends. The instructors are retired pilots or pilots hired off the street to teach at the training facility in classrooms and simulators.

Other instructors who flex between flying missions and teaching were not impacted. The move essentially reduces some of the pilot surpluses. The source asked not to be identified so as not to jeopardize employment status.

We made the difficult decision to reduce a small percentage of positions as we streamline and realign functions. Decisions of this nature are never made lightly and are the result of much thought and consideration for the needs of our business, FedEx said in a statement to FreightWaves. We are actively working with those affected by these changes to ensure they have the support they need during this transition.

FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam informed employees of the job cuts, which occurred in multiple areas of the corporation, in an internal memo on March 21.

Transformation is not easy. It comes with difficult decisions, changing structures, and new ways of working.  Our ability to continue to grow operating income in this difficult environment will depend on continued rigor in our DRIVE and transformation efforts that optimize our business and deliver profitable growth, he said.

A company spokesperson declined to provide specific details about the workforce reduction.

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Under pressure from Wall Street in 2022 to improve profits, FedEx launched DRIVE, a holistic campaign to root out $4 billion in structural and overhead costs by 2026. Leadership also acknowledged that operating three separate networks for express parcel, deferred parcel and freight shipments was uneconomical. Integration of people, facilities and technology across those divisions is underway and expected to deliver $2 billion in additional annual savings.

Last year, excluding Amazon, the package market in the U.S. dropped by 2.4 million packages a day.

Separately, FedExs contract logistics unit will release 326 workers at a warehouse in Union City, Georgia due to the client shifting business to another location. The layoffs will take place in two phases, beginning on April 8. According to a notice filed with the state of Georgias Office of Workforce Development in February, the facility is being closed and operations transferred to a facility in Jackson, Georgia.

It is common for third-party logistics providers to operate dedicated facilities for specific customers and exit leases for those buildings when the

Third-party logistics providers commonly operate dedicated facilities for specific customers and exit leases for those buildings when the business relationship ends because the company wants to relocate, find another partner or downsize for financial reasons.

UPS job losses

UPS, which is also adjusting to lower demand and higher operating costs from the new Teamster contract signed last year, plans to terminate 333 workers at its regional air hub at Ontario International Airport in California next month.

In a notice to the state Employment Development Department, the integrated delivery company said the layoffs are necessary because of lower air volumes. The Daily Bulletin, a local newspaper, first reported the airport reductions, which include supervisors and employees who process packages.

In 2023, UPS revenue was down 9.3% and adjusted operating income fell 28.7% to $9.9 billion.

In January, the company said it would cut 12,000 full- and part time management and contract jobs in response to the weak performance. Headwinds include a reset of an overheated parcel market, greater competition from Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service and sharply higher labor costs associated with last years new Teamster contract.

UPS is also consolidating sort centers to gain efficiency through technology and economies of scale. Facilities that handle fewer packages are candidates for closure.

Management has said it expects the first quarter to be the most difficult of the year before profits improve in the second half.

UPS is also cutting dozens of jobs at its Charlotte, North Carolina, delivery center and laying off 331 people at a sort center that will be closed in Portland, Oregon, because of slow throughput, according to the Charlotte and Portland Business Journals.

We continue to right-size our network and staffing to meet volume demands and maintain industry-leading service. Our employees are extremely important to us, and we are working to place as many employees as possible in other positions. We remain committed to working with them throughout this transition and providing support, said UPS in a statement.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

Twitter: @ericreports / LinkedIn: Eric Kulisch / ekulisch@freightwaves.com

RECOMMENDED READING:

FedEx deactivates 17 more aircraft as cost controls pay off

UPS to close 200 sort centers in modernization push

The post FedEx initiates targeted layoffs; UPS sheds workers at Ontario airport appeared first on FreightWaves.
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

So, the natural question for Gelion (LON:GELN) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

Check out our latest analysis for Gelion

Does Gelion Have A Long Cash Runway?

A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. As at December 2023, Gelion had cash of UK7.5m and no debt. Importantly, its cash burn was UK9.2m over the trailing twelve months. That means it had a cash runway of around 10 months as of December 2023. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Gelion's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Although Gelion reported revenue of UK2.1m last year, it didn't actually have any revenue from operations. To us, that makes it a pre-revenue company, so we'll look to its cash burn trajectory as an assessment of its cash burn situation. During the last twelve months, its cash burn actually ramped up 59%. While this spending increase is no doubt intended to drive growth, if the trend continues the company's cash runway will shrink very quickly. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. For that reason, it makes a lot of sense to take a look at our analyst forecasts for the company.

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Can Gelion Raise More Cash Easily?

Given its cash burn trajectory, Gelion shareholders should already be thinking about how easy it might be for it to raise further cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Gelion has a market capitalisation of UK21m and burnt through UK9.2m last year, which is 44% of the company's market value. From this perspective, it seems that the company spent a huge amount relative to its market value, and we'd be very wary of a painful capital raising.

So, Should We Worry About Gelion's Cash Burn?

We must admit that we don't think Gelion is in a very strong position, when it comes to its cash burn. Although we can understand if some shareholders find its cash runway acceptable, we can't ignore the fact that we consider its cash burn relative to its market cap to be downright troublesome. Considering all the measures mentioned in this report, we reckon that its cash burn is fairly risky, and if we held shares we'd be watching like a hawk for any deterioration. Readers need to have a sound understanding of business risks before investing in a stock, and we've spotted 6 warning signs for Gelion that potential shareholders should take into account before putting money into a stock.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Home prices are up 42% since 2020, but because both rates and borrowing costs have skyrocketed, you need to earn 80% more to comfortably afford a home in todays market.

Median incomes have risen just 23% over the past four years, leaving many people out of the running for homeownership.

In 2020, a household earning $59,000 a year could afford a typical home priced at about $240,815. At the time, that income level was less than the US median income of $66,000, meaning more than half of American households had sufficient cash flow to purchase a home without overextending their budgets.

Today, those shopping for a home need to earn $106,000 annually to afford a median-priced home for $342,941.

Thats $47,000 more than they needed to earn in 2020 to afford a home and well above todays average income of $81,000.

These findings from a new Zillow analysis revealed how tough breaking into homeownership has become as the cost of purchasing a home has outpaced income growth edging out hopeful buyers from the market.

A point of concern: Barely a handful of major metros evaluated were affordable at the median income. The real estate firm defines affordability as spending no more than 30% of your income after offering a 10% down payment.

Incomes needed to purchase a home are just much, much higher than the typical household income, said Orphe Divounguy, chief economist at Zillow, which conducted the analysis. The increase in cost is pricing out many families that would like to get on the housing ladder.

Read more: How to buy a house

People attend an open house in Garden City, N.Y. (Getty Images) (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images)

Monthly payments nearly double

As home values and mortgage rates have climbed, the monthly mortgage payment on a typical US home nearly doubled over the past four years.

In fact, todays typical buyer would be facing a monthly mortgage payment that was 96% higher compared to 2020 levels, Zillow found. Thats an average payment of $2,200 a month, with a 10% down payment.

The main difference is that mortgage rates ended January 2020 near 3.5%. So far this year, rates have hovered between 6.5% and 7%.

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The dramatic uptick in both rates and home prices has put would-be buyers in a tough spot. Particularly, home values have been outpacing wage growth for over a year now.

For instance, Divounguy pointed out that last year buyers needed to earn an income of $97,000 to afford a typical home, up from $86,000 in 2022. That was $22,000 above last years median household income of $75,000.

The income needed to comfortably afford a typical home is now six figures, said Divounguy. Its a big increase thats due to a combination of higher prices, mortgage rates and limited supply.

So far, neither mortgage rates nor home prices have shown signs of easing anytime soon.

Rates have surged closer to 7% at the end of this month, with economists from Fannie Mae now expecting rates to drop to 6% by the end of the year. Zillow also forecast home prices to increase by 0.9% over 2024 to an average of $349,611.

Co-buying to tackle the affordability crunch

A woman inspects listings at a real estate agency. (Credit: William West, AFP via Getty Images) (WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images)

The pressure of affordability has delayed younger buyers from purchasing their first home.

For a household making the median income, it would take 8.5 years before they would have enough saved to put 10% down, a year longer than it would have in 2020, Zillow found.

First-time homebuyers are also getting slightly older.

Traditional measures of affordability are at 30-year lows, and that will impact the age of first-time homebuyers, Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae, told Yahoo Finance. It means they will have to marshal more resources before they can enter the purchase market, which typically takes them longer.

The average age of entry-level buyers moved up to 36, Fannie Mae found, up from 31 just five years ago. To save up for a down payment, more and more buyers are resorting to "house hacking"  defined by Zillow as renting out part of a home or an entire property to save money.

Meanwhile, some 21% of those who purchased last year reported getting financial help from friends or family, according to Zillow.

Buyers are co-buying to tackle the affordability crunch, said Divounguy. Were also seeing that buyers are getting help from friends, and half of first-time buyers got help from family and friends in the form of a gift or loan in order to make up for their down payment.

What homebuyers need to earn to afford a home

Even folks in the most affordable metropolitan areas need to earn more in 2024 to purchase a home comfortably.

Pittsburgh was the most affordable metro area, where buyers need an average household income of at least $58,232 to purchase a median-priced home. This was followed by Memphis, which required an income of $69,976, Cleveland ($70,048), and Birmingham ($74,338), according to Zillow.

Out of the 50 US markets, only three major metros were affordable to those making an average income of $81,000: Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Detroit.

By contrast, there are seven markets among major metros where would-be buyers need to earn $200,000 or more to afford a typical home. The top four were all in California  with San Jose taking the lead at ($454,296), followed by San Francisco ($330,864), Los Angeles ($279,250), and San Diego ($273,613).

Next came Seattle ($213,984), followed by New York City ($213,615), and Boston ($205,253).

In this environment, buyers should really get their finances in order first, Divounguy said. Youll want to start the search process early, get your credit right, and that can save you thousands over the course of the loan.

Gabriella Cruz-Martinez is a personal finance and housing reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @__gabriellacruz.

Click here for real estate and housing market news, reports, and analysis to inform your investing decisions.
"The Big Money Pivot - East" Conference to Feature Dozens of Workshops, Charles Payne Hosting His Fox Business Show LIVE, Podcast Recording Sessions, and More

MIAMI, Florida - (NewMediaWire) - March 29, 2024 - The MoneyShow organization has spent the past 43 years educating hundreds of thousands of investors and traders across the country and around the world. Now, we are pleased to announce that our inaugural Investment Masters Symposium Miami will run April 10-12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Miami hotel.

Over the course of three days, attendees, financial educators, and investment sponsors will gather for keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, networking receptions, and other events. All major asset classes and alternative investments will be covered, including stocks, bonds, real estate, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies. The goal: To help investors profit from "The Big Money Pivot" currently unfolding in markets and the economy.

In addition, Charles Payne, Host of Fox's Making Money with Charles Payne, will broadcast his hit show LIVE from the venue on Friday, April 12 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Jim Iuorio and Bob Iaccino will record a segment of their hit podcast The Futures Edge on-site. Plus, Jon and Pete Najarian, Co-Founders of Market Rebellion, LLC, will distribute and sign copies of their new book It's NOT an Option for attendees.

"We're excited to bring our unique, interactive, and actionable Symposium series to Miami for the first time ever," said Mike Larson, MoneyShow editor-in-chief and conference host. "With stocks, gold, Bitcoin, and other assets at or near record highs, not to mention many investors turning to alternatives for greater profit and income, we can't wait to provide today's active investors and traders with the expert guidance and recommendations they're seeking."

Featured financial experts in the speaker lineup include:

Kevin Maloney , President/CEO, Property Markets Group

Eric Bolling , Host, Newsmax

Jim Bianco , President and Macro Strategist, Bianco Research, LLC

Peter Schiff , Chief Global Strategist, Euro Pacific Asset Management

Brian Belski , Chief Investment Strategist, BMO Capital Markets

Kathryn Vera , Chief Investment Strategist, StoneX

John Carter, Founder and Chairman, Simpler Trading

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Featured presentations and panel topics include:

The Fed, the Election, and Your Portfolio What to Do Now

Are the "Magnificent Seven" About to Become the Seven Dwarfs (And Is There a Snow White)?

The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Impact of Passive Investing on Asset Markets

Crypto, Commodities, & Other Alternatives to Explore in 24

Stock Market Trends & Transitions: Investing in the New Cycle

Profiting in Real Estate as Powell Pivots

An Invitation to the AI Super Boom

For complete details on the Miami event, visit www.miamisymposium.com. Or for other questions and assistance in arranging on-site interviews with expert speakers at this year's event, contact Mike Larson at 941-955-0323.

Press Contact:

Mike Larson

VP/Editor-in-Chief

MoneyShow

mlarson@moneyshow.com

941-955-0323

About MoneyShow

MoneyShow's mission is to help individuals "Invest Smarter, Trade Wiser." Each year, the privately held financial media company hosts a series of in-person conferences and virtual expos that attract more than 75,000 investors, traders, and financial advisors. They gather with top market experts from a wide range of disciplines in the U.S., Canada, and online, seeking financial education and empowerment. MoneyShow is headquartered in Sarasota, Fla.
Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

The bucket market is predominantly utilized in infrastructure development projects in the United States. The market substantially includes the construction of roads, bridges, commercial buildings, and residential complexes. Buckets are commonly employed for excavation, material handling, and transportation on construction sites across the country.

NEWARK, Del, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The bucket market foresees its current market valuation at US$ 1.9 billion in 2024 and is predominantly considered to surge at a valuation of US$ 2.7 billion by 2034, projected at a CAGR of 2%. The bucket industry includes various factors that help it surge majorly. Buckets are essential in construction tasks like clearing garbage, mixing concrete, and excavating.



Moving materials like concrete, sand, and gravel are indispensable tools for building projects. Bucket demand is strong as the construction industry continues to escalate due to an upsurge in population, infrastructure development, and urbanization.

Get Your Sample Report  Drive Business Success! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19318

Another important industry accelerating the bucket market is agriculture. Buckets are frequently used in farming operations for watering, harvesting, and feeding livestock. The dominance of buckets act as useful instruments for transporting harvested crops, water, feed, and seeds. The necessity for effective material handling solutions and the growth in the usage of robotic agricultural operations are raising up demand for buckets in the agriculture industry.

The design and production of buckets are driven by innovation and technical developments, propelling market expansion. Manufacturers aim to create buckets with better features, including ergonomic handles, spill-proof lids, and increased durability. Environmental and sustainability concerns push market trends and create recyclable and eco-friendly bucket solutions.

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Key Takeaways from the Market Study

Under product type, the open top/head is accounted to hold a market share of 62.6% in 2024.

Spain is estimated to register at a CAGR of 2.1% by 2034.

France experiences significant growth, projected at a CAGR of 1.3% by 2034.

Based on material, the plastic segment is accounted to hold a market share of 72.1% in 2024.

The continuous worldwide infrastructure building projects are one important factor that encompasses initiatives pertaining to building, transit, and urban development, is considered one significant driver for the bucket market, comments Lead Consultant Ismail Sutaria in Packaging at Future Market Insights (FMI).

Request for our Comprehensive Research Methodology to Understand the Market! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-19318

Competitive Landscape

The bucket market is highly competitive, with local and global firms fighting for market share. Competitors compete based on innovation, pricing, distribution networks, and product quality.

Change in customer needs and business realities, choose frequent ways to strengthen market presence, including partnerships, acquisitions, and product diversification. Some of the key developments are:

In 2024, BWAY Corporation concentrated on expanding its product line and market penetration through partnerships or smart acquisitions. Adapting to changing consumer demands and market trends may entail expanding into new geographic areas or diversifying its product offering.

In 2024, M&M Industries explored significant advancements to strengthen its position as a leader in the bucket industry. The market has required making research and development investments to raise the caliber, robustness, and sustainability of the product.

Key Companies Profiled:

RPC Group

Mauser Packaging Solutions

Industrial Container Services

C.L. Smith

Affordable Buckets

Encore Plastics Corporation

FDL Packaging Group



More Valuable Insights Available

Future Market Insights offers an unbiased global bucket market analysis, providing historical data from 2019 to 2023 and forecast statistics from 2024 to 2034

To understand market opportunities, the bucket market is segmented based on Material (Plastic, Metal), Product Type (Open Top/Head, Close Top/Head), End Use (Paints & Coatings, Inks, Dyes & Pigments, Petroleum & Lubricants, Agrochemicals & Fertilizers, Food & Beverages, Other Industrial), and Region (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, and the Middle East and Africa).

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Key Segments

By Material:

Plastic

Metal

By Product Type:

Open Top/Head

Close Top/Head

By End Use:

Paints & Coatings

Inks, Dyes & Pigments

Petroleum & Lubricants

Agrochemicals & Fertilizers

Food & Beverages

Other Industrial

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

South Asia and Pacific

East Asia

The Middle East and Africa





About the Packaging Division at Future Market Insights.

The packaging team at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time efficient research, and strategic recommendations with the objective to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With a repertoire of over 100+ reports and 1 Million+ data points, the team has been analyzing the market lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides a brief analysis on key trends including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts.

Authored 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.

Have a Look at Related Research Reports on Packaging Domain:

The global paint bucket market is projected to be valued at US$ 5.3 Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.2%. Owing to the advances in packaging, the market is likely to surpass a valuation of US$ 8 Billion by 2033.

FMI has analyzed that the ring pull cap market valuation is worth US$ 374.9 million as of 2024. As the market is set to pick up its pace, expanding at 3.90% CAGR, it is forecast to reach US$ 557.1 million by the end of the stipulated time frame.

The plastic lid market has enrooted US$ 75.6 billion in 2024 and will jump to US$ 125.6 billion in 2034, covering a CAGR of 5.20% through 2034. PET and HDPE bottles and lids are widely accepted in household curbside recyclable programs alongside glass and metal.

As per the updated report of Future Market Insights, our lead analyst gives a detailed analysis of the packaging market. As per the analysis, sales of oven bags hold a current valuation of US$ 795.9 million in 2024.

In a recently updated edition, trends suggest a valuation worth US$ 56.20 million for the sugarcane bottle market in 2024. As these trends gain significance and become mainstream, sales of sugarcane bottles acquire the potential to aim for a considerable valuation and acquire US$ 94.20 million by 2034.

The perfume bottle market under FMI published a new report stating the current valuation of the market is US$ 736.5 million in 2024.

Global sales of skincare packaging are estimated to be valued at US$ 17,270.5 million in 2024 and further surge at 4.0% during the next ten years. By 2034, the global skincare packaging market size is forecast to reach US$ 25,590.3 million, highlighting the growth potential that this industry can offer to companies.

The digital printing film market is set to surge to US$ 15.3 billion in 2024, poised for a projected CAGR of 4.50% that could propel it to US$ 23.6 billion by 2034. The growing demand for sustainable printing is a key dynamic factor in the market.

In light of booming pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in the world, the bag-on-valve laminate market is penned in to experience a surge. The US$ 248.80 million industry in 2024 is slated to reach US$ 364.70 million by 2034, registering at a CAGR of 3.90%.

The packaging analysts at Future Market Insights opine that the reusable box market will be worth US$ 16.8 billion by 2023. Sustainability and eco-consciousness consumer concerns to propel reusable box emerging trends in this ecosystem point to a US$ 30.8 billion valuation by 2034.

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

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John L. Garrison Jr., former Director, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Terex Corp (NYSE:TEX), has sold 50,000 shares of the company on March 27, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $64.28 per share, resulting in a total value of $3,214,000.

Terex Corp (NYSE:TEX) is a global manufacturer of lifting and material processing products and services. The company designs, builds, and supports products used in construction, maintenance, manufacturing, energy, minerals, and materials management applications. Terex operates in three segments: Aerial Work Platforms, Cranes, and Materials Processing.

Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 179,966 shares of Terex Corp and has not made any purchases of the stock. The recent sale by Garrison represents a continuation of this selling trend.

The insider transaction history for Terex Corp shows a pattern of insider activity. In the past year, there have been 4 insider buys and 10 insider sells. This activity provides a glimpse into the sentiment insiders have about the stock's future performance.

On the valuation front, Terex Corp's shares were trading at $64.28 on the day of the insider's sale, giving the company a market capitalization of $4.3148 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stands at 8.48, which is lower than the industry median of 14.13 and also below the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.

According to the GuruFocus Value chart, with a share price of $64.28 and a GF Value of $59.28, Terex Corp has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.08, indicating that the stock is Fairly Valued in relation to its intrinsic value as estimated by GuruFocus.

The GF Value is determined by considering historical trading multiples such as price-earnings ratio, price-sales ratio, price-book ratio, and price-to-free cash flow, along with a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.

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Insider Sell: Former Chairman and CEO John L. Garrison Jr. Sells 50,000 Shares of Terex Corp (TEX)

Insider Sell: Former Chairman and CEO John L. Garrison Jr. Sells 50,000 Shares of Terex Corp (TEX)

Investors and analysts often monitor insider selling as it can provide insights into an insider's perspective on the value of the company's stock. However, it is important to consider that insider selling can occur for various reasons and may not necessarily indicate a negative outlook for the company.

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.


Anglo American plc (LON:AAL) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 11% in the last month. But that doesn't change the fact that the returns over the last three years have been less than pleasing. In fact, the share price is down 33% in the last three years, falling well short of the market return.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for Anglo American

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

Anglo American saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 48% per year, over the last three years. In comparison the 12% compound annual share price decline isn't as bad as the EPS drop-off. This suggests that the market retains some optimism around long term earnings stability, despite past EPS declines. This positive sentiment is also reflected in the generous P/E ratio of 105.60.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Anglo American's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). 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. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Anglo American the TSR over the last 3 years was -18%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

Investors in Anglo American had a tough year, with a total loss of 25% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 6.7%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 4% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Anglo American better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Anglo American (at least 1 which is significant) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British 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.
Ithaca Energy (LON:ITH) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$2.32b (down 11% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$215.6m (down 79% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 9.3% (down from 40% in FY 2022). The decrease in margin was primarily driven by higher expenses.

EPS: US$0.21 (down from US$1.03 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Ithaca Energy EPS Misses Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 35%.

In the last 12 months, the only revenue segment was Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production and Related Activities contributing US$2.32b. Notably, cost of sales worth US$1.32b amounted to 57% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings.Explore how ITH's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is expected to fall by 3.6% p.a. on average during the next 3 years compared to a 1.5% decline forecast for the Oil and Gas industry in the United Kingdom.

Performance of the British Oil and Gas industry.

The company's shares are down 6.7% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Ithaca Energy, and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the jailed founder of bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, sits with his lawyers Torrey Young and Marc Mukasey. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

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."

Story continues

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
A Colorado jury found truck driver Jesus Puebla, 27, of Denver, guilty of five counts of vehicular homicide stemming from a 2022 crash that killed a Wyoming family. (Photo: Fer Gregory/Shutterstock)

A jury in Weld County, Colorado, has found a Colorado truck driver guilty of five counts of vehicular homicide stemming from a 2022 crash that killed a Wyoming family of five that was traveling home from a birthday celebration.

The jury also found Jesus Puebla, 27, of Denver, guilty Wednesday of careless driving, reckless driving, vehicular assault, a commercial vehicle safety violation and driving without a CDL.

In June 2022, Puebla, who was driving a 1999 Kenworth T800 straight truck, was involved in a crash near Mead, Colorado, that killed Aaron Godinez, Godinezs fiancee, Halie Everts, their 3-month-old daughter, Tessleigh, and Aaron Godinezs parents, Emiliano Godines, 51, and Christina Godines, 47. All lived in Campbell County, Wyoming.

Investigators estimate that Puebla was traveling at 75 mph when he slammed into the 2015 Ford Edge SUV driven by Godinez, who was traveling less than 10 mph because of stopped traffic ahead on Interstate 25.

As of publication, Pueblas defense attorney, James Colgan, had not responded to FreightWaves request seeking comment about the verdict.

At trial, Puebla testified that his brakes failed when he tried to stop to avoid the crash.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Emiliano and Christina Godines surviving children, Christian Godinez and Abigail Godinez, claims Puebla did not have a valid CDL or medical card as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

At the time of the crash, the Colorado State Patrol found that the brakes on the straight truck that was driven by Puebla were out of adjustment.

The truck was registered to Carlos Coreas, owner of Lucky 22 Inc. of Arvada, Colorado, but was not listed on the trucking companys insurance policy until hours after the crash.

In a denial-of-coverage letter dated March 16, 2023, the trucking companys insurance provider, Progressive, which is underwritten by Artisan and Truckers Casualty Co., states that a Lucky 22 employee attempted to add the truck that Puebla was driving to its insurance policy hours after the fatal crash.

Story continues

According to the letter, obtained by FreightWaves, the Lucky 22 employee did not mention the crash when seeking to add the truck to its policy and provided photos of the truck that were requested by the insurance company showing no damage. Two days later, Lucky 22 added five more trucks to its policy.

While Puebla was an employee of Lucky 22, the accident report indicates the truck was displaying the U.S. Department of Transportation number of Caminantes Trucking.

The Long Beach, California, trucking company officially has the same name as its owner, Jose Mauricio Coreas, but conducted business as Caminantes Trucking before its contract authority was revoked in January, according to FMCSAs SAFER website.

Investigators claim Coreas subcontracted with other carriers to haul mail for the U.S. Postal Service. Those carriers included Lucky 22 Inc., which is owned by his son, Carlos Coreas.

Prior to the crash, Puebla was hauling a load of mail to Greeley, Colorado, from Denver.

Caminantes, listed as an intrastate-only company, had 46 power units and 37 drivers. According to FMCSA data, Caminantes Trucking was involved in 11 crashes  two of them fatal  over a two-year period.

In February 2023, the Postal Service announced it was severing its mail contract with Caminantes Trucking. The company that Puebla drove for, Lucky 22, also did not have its for-hire operating authority with FMCSA at the time of the crash, court filings state.

According to the court docket, Pueblas sentencing hearing is slated for June 21.

Do you have a news tip to share? Send me an email or message me @cage_writer on X, formerly Twitter. Your name will not be used without your permission.

Read more articles here:

Shuttered California trucking company files for bankruptcy

DAT blames external forces for intermittent service outages

Illinois trucking company with 171 drivers files for bankruptcy

The post Jury finds Colorado trucker guilty of vehicular homicide in 2022 crash appeared first on FreightWaves.
RESTON, Va., March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Leidos-designed uncrewed and autonomous-capable low-profile vessels (LPVs) recently participated in the Project Convergence Capstone 4 military exercises in California. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a Fortune 500 innovation company, delivered the vessels to the U.S. Marine Corps last year.

Leidos is a Fortune 500 (r) innovation company. (PRNewsFoto/Leidos)

"Leidos once again designed and delivered innovative solutions with these LPVs, and it was great to see them participate in Project Convergence," said Dave Lewis, Leidos senior vice president, Sea Systems Business Area. "The prototypes we've delivered will help create new disruptive logistics capabilities for the Marine Corps. Its low profile and long range are intended to help the vessels achieve a higher mission success rate supporting dispersed Marine fire units than conventional methods."

The LPV's low-to-the-water visual profile helps to reduce probability of detection. The vessels are intended to transport a logistics payload of up to five tons over a range of 2,000 nautical miles, and have been built to experiment with different autonomous control systems. The two LPV prototypes were delivered last year to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory for testing and technical assessment. Their participation in the joint and multi-national Project Convergence Capstone 4 exercises represents the next stage of testing and experimentation with the vessels' capabilities alongside warfighters.

Leidos designed the LPVs under contract with MilTech, a Montana State University research lab and an authorized National Government Partnership Intermediary.

The delivery of the LPV prototypes complements Leidos' extensive maritime autonomy portfolio. Leidos-designed and built autonomous vessels recently completed joint naval exercises in the western Pacific as part of the Navy's Integrated Battle Problem 23.2. Last year, Leidos was awarded a U.S. Navy task order to manage, operate and maintain the Navy's Overlord and medium unmanned surface vessels.

Story continues

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 47,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Contact: Melissa Duenas

(571) 526-6850

duenasml@leidos.com

Alyssa Pettus

(571) 526-6743

Alyssa.t.pettus@leidos.com

Brandon VerVelde

(571) 526-6257

Brandon.p.vervelde@leidos.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leidos-designed-low-profile-vessels-participate-in-us-armys-project-convergence-capstone-4-exercise-302103012.html

SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.
A few weeks after FTX collapsed, Natalie Tien started crying in a New York City grocery store.

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal

She was still in disbelief that the phenomenally successful crypto exchange where she had worked, often putting in 16-hour days, had imploded overnight. Its team of young, idealistic employees in the Bahamas had scattered. Her old boss, Sam Bankman-Fried, was facing a criminal investigation. Much of her net worthat least $500,000 in FTX shares and various cryptocurrencieshad evaporated.

Tien, who led public relations for FTX and was also Bankman-Frieds executive assistant, felt depressed for months. She attended his trial last fall in a bid for closure. She holds Bankman-Fried responsible for the catastrophic losses to FTXs customers. But she was saddened when Judge Lewis Kaplan on Thursday sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

Hes a brilliant person, and his talents could be better used elsewhere, Tien said.

Former FTX employees have felt a mix of emotions about Bankman-Frieds odyssey from crypto hero to federal prisoner. Some sympathized with the former FTX chief executive. Others, angry at the harm he caused, said he deserved to be punished.

Above all, FTX employees are still struggling to reconcile their memories of the company with the picture of a multibillion-dollar fraud painted by prosecutors and trial witnesses.

The Justice Department called FTX one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. It accused Bankman-Fried of diverting customer funds to pay for luxury real estate, political donations and risky investments. Three members of his inner circle pleaded guilty to fraud and testified against him. In November, a jury convicted Bankman-Fried of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Story continues

Bankman-Fried outside federal court in New York City last year. - ed jones/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Its like, what the hell was going on? It was not apparent at all from what I was seeing in the office, said Can Sun, the former general counsel of FTX.

Sun, like the other former employees interviewed for this article, hasnt been accused of wrongdoing and said he was in the dark about illegal activity at FTX. He said he only pieced together that Bankman-Frieds crypto hedge fund, Alameda Research, had borrowed FTX customer funds on Nov. 7, 2022.

That day, as FTX was reeling from a flood of customer withdrawals, other FTX executives pulled Sun into a meeting about raising emergency funding, during which he learned that billions of dollars were missing. He later took a walk with Bankman-Fried around his exclusive Bahamas apartment complex. As they walked, the FTX chief asked if there were potential legal justifications for Alamedas use of customer funds. Sun says he offered a few theoretical justifications, but stressed that they werent supported by the facts. He resigned the next day.

Sun finds it maddening that Bankman-Fried has never admitted to knowingly misappropriating customer funds, and has characterized the collapse of FTX as a failure of risk management, rather than a crime.

When this whole thing happened, Sam was never straight with me or anyone else, Sun said.

A spokesman for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. Speaking in court on Thursday, the former FTX chief apologized to his former colleagues. I know a lot of people feel really let down, and they were right, he said at his sentencing hearing.

Within weeks of the collapse of FTX, Sun was on a call with federal prosecutors. He later signed a nonprosecution agreement and testified against Bankman-Fried at the trial. Sun says he did nothing wrong, but agreed to the deal out of an abundance of caution, as he might have unknowingly approved deals involving misappropriated funds.

His ties to FTX initially dogged him as he worked to re-establish his legal career. The general counsel of one big crypto firm refused to meet with Sun, citing his FTX connection. Sun is now head of legal affairs and compliance for Backpack, a startup crypto exchange led by an ex-Alameda employee.

Bankman-Fried should face serious consequences as a deterrent to other white-collar criminals, said Sun, adding that he personally lost about $4 million in FTXs collapse.

Can Sun, FTXs former general counsel, says his role at the collapsed crypto firm complicated his job search. - Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg News

There was just no need to do any of the things that he did, Sun said.

Andrew Croghan, a former chief operating officer of Alameda Research, still cant fathom how the startup he helped create turned into a synonym for fraud. During the trial, he found it surreal to read headlines about his former colleagues testifying about financial crimes.

Croghan joined Alameda in 2018, when it was based in a Berkeley, Calif., office with beanbag chairs and furniture ordered from Amazon.com. He later became FTXs first head of business development. He left in 2020, but remained friendly with Bankman-Fried and was in talks to return to FTX when it collapsed. The downfall came as a shock.

This was someone I believed in, someone I trusted, Croghan said. So much collateral damage and negativity came out of this.

Still, Croghan took issue with media depictions of Bankman-Fried as greedy. Whatever illegal acts the FTX chief committed, Croghan said, they were motivated by effective altruismthe philosophical movement that encourages adherents to make big bucks so they can donate more money to charity. Bankman-Fried was a proponent of EA, as the movement is known. So were his fellow executives who pleaded guilty: Gary Wang, Caroline Ellison and Nishad Singh.

People think hes your average mustache-twirling villain, said Croghan, who doesnt identify as an effective altruist himself. I dont think thats the case. He could have stolen a lot more money for himself, if thats what he really wanted to do.

Tien, the former head of FTX public relations, moved back to her native Taiwan and landed a job as head of communications for a crypto investment firm. In February, she wrote a letter to Judge Kaplan urging a lighter sentence for Bankman-Fried. The Sam I knew and worked with never acted out of greed or self-interest, she wrote.

Tien felt depressed for months after FTXs collapse. She now lives in Taiwan and works for a crypto investment firm. - An Rong Xu for The Wall Street Journal

Tien has come to believe that the roots of FTXs downfall lay in Bankman-Frieds management style. Over time FTX became increasingly centered on him, and he stopped heeding the advice of others, she recalled. That led to bad decisions.

It kind of became this one-man company, Tien said. Everyone was just really afraid to disobey anything that Sam even hinted at, when he wanted things to go in a certain way. Most people just kept their heads down and followed whatever they were being told. It was pretty toxic.

If she could go back in time, shed have one piece of advice for Bankman-Fried: Stop thinking that you are the smartest person in the company or in the world.

Write to Alexander Osipovich at alexo@wsj.com

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Jumbo Group fair value estimate is S$0.28

With S$0.26 share price, Jumbo Group appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Peers of Jumbo Group are currently trading on average at a 52% premium

How far off is Jumbo Group Limited (Catalist:42R) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Jumbo Group

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (SGD, Millions) S$14.5m S$16.4m S$16.9m S$13.9m S$12.2m S$11.3m S$10.7m S$10.4m S$10.3m S$10.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -18.09% Est @ -12.05% Est @ -7.82% Est @ -4.86% Est @ -2.79% Est @ -1.33% Est @ -0.32% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% S$13.4 S$14.1 S$13.5 S$10.2 S$8.3 S$7.1 S$6.3 S$5.7 S$5.2 S$4.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$88m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) 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 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = S$10m (1 + 2.1%)  (7.9% 2.1%) = S$178m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$178m ( 1 + 7.9%)10= S$83m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is S$171m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of S$0.3, the company appears about fair value at a 10% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Jumbo Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.279. 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 Jumbo Group

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Hospitality market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for 42R.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Jumbo Group, there are three further factors you should assess:

Risks: You should be aware of the 2 warning signs for Jumbo Group we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does 42R's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean 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.
Key Insights

WNS (Holdings)'s estimated fair value is US$57.07 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

WNS (Holdings)'s US$50.53 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Analyst price target for WNS is which is 100% below our fair value estimate

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE:WNS) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for WNS (Holdings)

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$181.3m US$189.9m US$208.1m US$211.4m US$215.3m US$219.5m US$224.0m US$228.7m US$233.7m US$238.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 1.60% Est @ 1.81% Est @ 1.95% Est @ 2.05% Est @ 2.12% Est @ 2.17% Est @ 2.21% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.6% US$166 US$158 US$158 US$147 US$136 US$127 US$118 US$110 US$103 US$95.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$1.3b

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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 (2.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$239m (1 + 2.3%)  (9.6% 2.3%) = US$3.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$3.4b ( 1 + 9.6%)10= US$1.4b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$2.7b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$50.5, the company appears about fair value at a 11% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at WNS (Holdings) as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.930. 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 WNS (Holdings)

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

No major weaknesses identified for WNS.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For WNS (Holdings), there are three pertinent factors you should look at:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with WNS (Holdings) , and understanding this should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does WNS's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
If you're in the market for a home with two primary bedrooms and you keep coming up short, it might be because you're not the only one.

The demand for homes with two primary bedrooms has risen in popularity recently for the flexibility, convenience and privacy they provide for a variety of different living situations.

While this trend is not entirely new, today's tough housing market, the need for more accessibility in homes and the ever-changing aspects of luxury living has pushed it to the forefront in recent years.

Here are why homebuyers are searching for homes with two primary bedrooms.

For aging generations

The primary bedroom of a home in Upper Montclair.

Similarly to the demand for first-floor bedrooms, those looking for homes with two primary bedrooms are doing so to make sure that they can safely age in their homes.

"I do hear it a lot. You're getting it from people that want to downsize, and for anybody that's looking to build new, you're hearing that too because it allows people to stay in homes longer. If they can manage steps now, they're thinking that they might not be able to in 10 years," said Max Stokes, a partner of the Fox & Stokes team at Compass Real Estate. "It's kind of textbook, like you can deal with stairs now, you like being upstairs, but then as you get older, you can shift to that downstairs primary bedroom and be okay to stay in your home for a much longer period of time."

Stokes said that in places like Bergen County, homes were built for baby boomers who, at the time, weren't thinking about getting older and having changing needs. He said over time, more accessible home styles, like ranches, were knocked down to build the larger colonial homes we see more often. Because of this, having two primary bedrooms is not only a trend among younger generations looking to stay in their homes long-term, but it is popular among older generations looking for their next and final property.

Jill Lapham Rotta, a realtor with Green Pond Real Estate along with her mother, Marilyn Lapham, said she often sees the demand for this among older generations who are looking for the home they'd like to retire and stay in.

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"This is definitely a trend that's come up probably in the last like five to ten years, and I think it's because we have baby boomers starting to retire and starting to think about the next season of life," she said. "They've seen their own parents kind of aged out of homes like bi-levels and split levels and homes with lots of stairs. Now, they're looking for a home that they can retire in and a home that is a draw for their kids and grandchildren, and yet they don't want to leave that home until possible assisted living sometime down the line."

To accommodate visiting family members

The primary bedroom of a penthouse in Fort Lee.

Rotta said the need for two primary bedrooms among older generations is also to better accommodate children or grandchildren that may come to visit. Similarly, she said younger generations looking to buy a home may search for those with two primary bedrooms to accommodate their older relatives that may come to stay with them.

"A lot of our market is second homes up here in Green Pond. We're a lake community and there's a lot of young families who love the idea of a primary on the first floor for their parents or grandparents that come to visit," Rotta said. "Then, if they have children, they want a primary on the second floor because they want to be closer to their children."

For multigenerational households

The primary bedroom of a home in Millburn.

Multigenerational households are also interested in homes with two primary bedrooms. Stokes said that there are cases where children are taking in their parents, whether it's for financial reasons or to help care for them. Because of this, having two primary bedrooms will ensure everyone has their space and privacy.

"It gives people privacy because let's just say your parents are on the first floor and you're upstairs. You're not crossing hairs all day long and everybody can meet up in the kitchen or the heart of the home," he said. "Financially it's great because if you got two people splitting a mortgage, it really works out nicely. Especially if someone in this market can sell their home for a premium and move in with their kids, there's a lot of benefit there."

Joshua Baris, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Realty's Global Luxury Division based in Fort Lee, said that we've more commonly seen in-law suites in lower levels of the home, like the basement. He said that it's not practical to have older family members living in these parts of the house in multigenerational households, so having a second primary bedroom on the first floor is a better solution.

For different sleeping habits in couples

The primary bedroom for a home in Montclair.

Another big reason having two primary bedrooms has become increasingly popular is because many couples have found themselves wanting separate spaces to sleep due to different habits.

Baris said that ever since the pandemic, when people were spending more time at home, more couples have found themselves wanting their own space. This makes having two primary bedrooms the ideal solution because couples can get their space, and they don't have to worry about waking one another up with different sleeping habits.

"Interestingly enough, they started to notice that having that second room or primary suite as an office really kind of turned more into, 'I need my own space. I'm seeing you all day long and you're snoring at night and I'm not getting any sleep,'" he said. "And then now, when you're leaving early to go to the office you don't want to wake up your significant other. So, sometimes it's easier to say okay, we're going to sleep in separate rooms."

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay , on X @maddiemcgayy , and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Why homebuyers are looking for homes with two primary bedrooms
Nursing students at Worcester State University work with a patient simulator mannequin.

WORCESTER  There are two developments that some say could help alleviate a troubling nursing shortage in Massachusetts. One is a state law that expires on Sunday. The other is something called the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Before getting to those topics, there's a difference of opinion on whether the state faces an actual nursing shortage.

On the hospital administration side, one opinion comes from Justin Precourt, interim president at UMass Memorial Medical Center. His career includes decades as both a nurse and supervisor.

It all comes down to supply and demand, said Precourt. Simply put, theres not enough supply of nurses to meet growing patient demand. Want proof? Precourt said thousands of nursing jobs posted daily statewide go unfilled.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the states largest union of registered nurses and health professionals, disagrees. It says theres no shortage. The problem is hospitals and health care institutions limit hiring to keep expenses in check to maintain profit margins. Exorbitant pay for hospital executives also takes dollars away from hiring nurses, the union says.

To get a nursing school perspective, Worcester State University Associate Dean of Nursing Catherine Thomas said the nursing shortage is a nationwide challenge. While efforts are underway to boost enrollment in nursing programs, Thomas said retaining experienced nurses that are feeling exhausted, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, is equally important.

The numbers

There are cracks in the system when it comes to the number of nurses in Massachusetts, according to a 2023 report by the states Health Policy Commission.

Registered nurse vacancy rates in acute-care hospitals doubled from 6.4% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2022, with especially high vacancy rates in community hospitals. In addition, employment in nursing and residential care facilities has not recovered since 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and remains 14% below 2018 levels.

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The health care workforce nationally is in a state of substantial disruption, according to the report, and is experiencing significant workforce shortages at virtually all points of care. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the impacts.

Another culprit cited in the report: a tight labor market. It sent workers to higher-paying jobs offered by better-resourced health care organizations. Some left for better-paying jobs in administration and research. Others left the industry due to burnout.

The impact of temporary labor cant be underscored, according to the report. Health care organizations hired so-called traveling nurses to fill gaps. UMass Memorial Health spent $412 million on temporary help, including $292 million for temporary nurses, from 2020 through the end of February

What does it mean for patients?

Some experts say the answer is less access to needed care. Some patients are waiting weeks in hospitals for an available bed or for discharge to a nursing home or rehabilitation facility because those destinations are experiencing extreme staffing shortages.

Precourt believes in maintaining strong partnerships between hospitals and colleges to boost enrollment in nursing programs.

While enrollment in bachelor's degree programs in nursing had a slight uptick (0.32%) in Massachusetts from 2022 to 2023, enrollment in registered nursing programs dropped 11% over the one-year period, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Worcester State averages 50 to 60 nursing graduates yearly, and most work in the Worcester area or Boston. One source of funds, the Nursing Pathways Expansion Grants, is helping to expand enrollment. At Worcester State University, the grants have helped hike enrollment by 10%, said Thomas.

Nursing students at Worcester State University. Front, Gabrielle Hazelrigg of Fitchburg, left, and Sophia Faro of North Andover. Back, from left, Sophia Cavallo of Northborough, Emily Amiro of Blackstone, Allison Burke of Franklin and Kaileen LaRose of Grafton.

UMass Memorial hires 300 nurses annually right out of school, said Precourt. The health system is fully staffed with nurses in its operating rooms, but thats not the case in the emergency department.

The health system currently has 35 temporary "travelers" in the University Campus emergency department, representing a vacancy rate just under 15% for the systems emergency department areas. Precourt explained special training is needed to work in those areas, as UMass has the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Central Massachusetts.

Getting a clinical placement is another factor. Nursing school students rely on these placements to gain valuable experience before graduation. However, many nurses in the field are struggling to serve their patients and dont necessarily have the time to manage and train student nurses during a shift.

Finding a clinical placement can be a challenge, said Precourt. Youre taking staff and asking them to support and train additional staff. It can slow down their day, its added work for them, and its a balance of how many students and trainees a nurse can absorb at any given time.

Faculty: not enough of them

Meanwhile, a shortage of qualified faculty contributes to the shortage. There were 49 full-time faculty positions vacant in nursing schools in Massachusetts in 2023, compared to 29 in 2014, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Budget constraints at colleges, an aging faculty and the lure of higher-paying clinical jobs contributed to the shortage, according to the association.

Lower pay in academia compared to clinical salaries is generally a given, said Thomas. Plus, many colleges and universities require nursing faculty to have doctoral degrees that are expensive and time-consuming to attain.

Thomas made the switch from nursing to academia, but said its not for everybody. "I worked full time while raising two small children, and went to school while taking care of my ill dad. I did it because I wanted to educate the next generation of nurses. But not everyone wants to go down that challenging path.

Katie Murphy has worked as a registered nurse for 49 years, is an ICU nurse at Brigham and Womens Hospital and serves as president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. She said she lives the impact of the nursing shortage, describing moments when an ICU bed at the Brigham is empty because there isnt a nurse to oversee it.

What's the solution?

As Murphy sees it, the problem isnt a shortage. There are plenty of nurses, she said, and they all want to work. The state Board of Registration in Nursing reported a 19% increase in the number of registered nurses between June 30, 2019, (119,626) and Feb. 14, 2022 (148,518).

However, Murphy said hospitals must create "circumstances" like lower nurse-patient ratios, higher pay and providing staff the resources they need to do their jobs. If that doesn't happen, more nurses will feel burnout, retire early or leave the profession.

Looming deadline

Theres also a state law that some say helps relieve the nursing shortage in Massachusetts, and it expires on Sunday.

The law came on the books in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows students who graduated from an accredited nursing program but havent passed the state board exam to work in health care settings under the supervision of a licensed and experienced professional. Students in their last semester of study also can work under direct supervision.

Last March, Gov. Maura Healey extended the law for one year. It expires March 31, and both branches of the state Legislature included another one-year extension in their supplemental appropriations bills.

The Legislature was not in session on Friday, so Monday is the earliest when lawmakers could potentially vote on an extension. A request for comment from state Sen. Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville, chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, was not immediately returned.

Precourt called the law a game-changer that has benefited community hospitals and small health care organizations with an influx of temporary staff that are closely supervised by experienced nurses.

Theres no downside, only upside to extending, he said.

Murphy doesnt want the law extended. Nurses are too busy attending to patients, she said, to give adequate time to mentor student nurses. If students have a bad experience due to subpar supervision, Murphy worries theyre more likely to leave the profession.

Nurse Licensure Compact: two sides to coin

Meanwhile, some believe Massachusetts must join the Nurse Licensure Compact to help alleviate the nursing crunch.

It essentially allows licensed nurses in other states to come to Massachusetts and work with patients. Currently, a nurse licensed in another state needs to apply for a reciprocal license to work in Massachusetts. On the flip side, Massachusetts nurses could deliver care in other states.

Some believe the current requirement for out-of-state nurses to get a license to work in Massachusetts is time-consuming and expensive, a turnoff for those nurses to potentially coming here. Joining the compact would remove that barrier, they say.

We absolutely need to participate, said Precourt, who noted 10% to 15% of the candidate pool of temporary nurses dont want to come to Massachusetts because its not in the compact. I have yet to hear a viable argument why we wouldn't move forward with joining the compact, he said.

The nurses union cited a 2016 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research that found little evidence the labor supply or mobility of nurses increased following the adoption of the compact in a given state.

Specifically, we find no effect on labor force participation, employment levels, hours worked, wages or the probability of working across state lines, the report stated. However, the report noted it was only a first step to identifying consequences of the compact and that more studies are needed, especially when it comes to the impact of telehealth or working in multiple states simultaneously.

There were 25 states in the compact when the study was done. Today, there are 41. Furthermore, it is possible that the benefits of a cross-state system of occupational licensing will only accrue if the licensing regime is truly national, said the report.

As Murphy sees it, the compact won't fix what she called a "structural problem in health care today."

"We have nurses in Massachusetts. Why not hire them? Give them benefits, and they will stay for 20 years in a hospital. I see that as a win-win," said Murphy.

The nurses association also supports a pending bill at the Massachusetts State House to establish safe nurse-patient ratios. The state Department of Public Health would hold public hearings and work with various groups to establish the ratios.

Final perspective

Thomas, of Worcester State, noted that while the health care system is complex, including the landscape for nurses, the bottom line is everyone wants what's best for patients.

"It helps to talk to each other, to make sure we're doing the best we can so the residents of Massachusetts get the best care they can," she said.

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mass. nurses shortage: What does it mean for your health?
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Michelmersh Brick Holdings fair value estimate is UK1.83

Current share price of UK0.99 suggests Michelmersh Brick Holdings is potentially 46% undervalued

Analyst price target for MBH is UK1.55 which is 15% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Michelmersh Brick Holdings plc (LON:MBH) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Michelmersh Brick Holdings

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK8.60m UK9.65m UK9.70m UK9.78m UK9.88m UK10.0m UK10.1m UK10.3m UK10.4m UK10.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 0.83% Est @ 1.07% Est @ 1.24% Est @ 1.36% Est @ 1.44% Est @ 1.50% Est @ 1.54% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.1% UK8.0 UK8.4 UK7.9 UK7.4 UK7.0 UK6.6 UK6.3 UK6.0 UK5.6 UK5.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK69m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after 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 (1.6%) 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) = UK11m (1 + 1.6%)  (7.1% 1.6%) = UK198m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK198m ( 1 + 7.1%)10= UK100m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK169m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK1.0, the company appears quite undervalued at a 46% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Michelmersh Brick Holdings 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 0.991. 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 Michelmersh Brick Holdings

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Currently debt free.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Basic Materials market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the British market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Michelmersh Brick Holdings, there are three important elements you should look at:

Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Michelmersh Brick Holdings that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does MBH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- A dramatic Israeli Supreme Court ruling that freezes funding to ultra-Orthodox seminaries unless their students serve in the military is forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to contend with its survival as the war in Gaza deepens the countrys political divisions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Ultra-Orthodox parties in the ruling coalition, whod been assured that their decades-long immunity from conscription would be made permanent, were in a rage, calling the decision a mark of Cain and threatening to exit. Those in the center who joined the war cabinet last October backed the court, citing the need for more military manpower as Israel faces threats not only from Hamas in Gaza but also from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Since the war, the burden of carrying the ultra-Orthodox has become unbearable for large majorities of Israelis who see their abstention from military service as unfair and a drain on the economy. In essence, the two Israeli crises of the past year  mass protests over the governments plans to weaken judicial independence and the war in Gaza  have converged into the ultimate test for Netanyahu.

The issue isnt the Supreme Court, said Benny Gantz, an opposition leader and war cabinet member whos polling far ahead of Netanyahu. The issue is our need for soldiers during a difficult war and our societys need for everyone to take part in the privilege of serving the country.

Read more: Israel Court Freezes Seminary Funding in Blow to Netanyahu

Fifteen months ago, Netanyahu formed the most right-wing and religious government in Israels history, promising the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredim, that he would cement their immunity from conscription.

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His government then moved to weaken the high court, saying its liberal justices were overstepping their authority when they ruled, among other things, that the Haredi exemption violated the constitutional mandate of equality.

Thursdays decision means that hundreds of religious academies, or yeshivas, will lose a significant portion of their funding, with some seeing as much as 50% of their budget vanish from Monday. The interim ruling could change in May when a larger group of justices takes up the case, but its impact will be felt immediately.

Many Israelis have long resented the exemption not only because Haredim dont share the security burden, but also because their yeshivas receive government subsidies, permitting many of their men to study religious texts rather than work.

Haredim  some 13% of the Israeli population of almost 10 million and growing rapidly  live a cloistered life of poverty, prayer and study in large families. They believe religious study contributes far more to Israels safety than military service, and also fear their young men, if exposed to secular society, will leave the fold.

Read more: Freshly Downgraded Israel Readies Bond Spree to Pay for War

As Israels economy boomed in the past two decades  its per capita gross domestic product overtaking that of the UK and France  and with threats from Iran-backed groups such as Hamas thought to be under control, the dispute was largely one of principle. The marriage of convenience between the nationalist right and the Haredim survived.

Then came the Oct. 7 attack, when thousands of Hamas militants surged into Israel, killing 1,200, abducting 250 and triggering the call-up of hundreds of thousands of soldiers for what has turned into the longest war since the countrys independence 75 years ago.

The vow by Hamas  and similar militias like Hezbollah  to destroy Israel through more invasions has forced a rethinking of the countrys security doctrine, which has relied heavily on technology and intelligence over manpower.

A plan to lengthen military service both for conscripts and reservists is expected to cost 100 billion shekels ($27 billion) over the next decade. If the ultra-Orthodox join the military, that would sharply reduce the hit by freeing up reservists to work.

There are 66,000 young, draft-age Haredi men, said opposition leader Yair Lapid. If you enlist 10,000 of them, theres no need to extend conscripts service. If you enlist 20,000, there wont be any need to issue any more call-up orders to reservists.

The high court had given the government a deadline of the end of March to come up with a plan to start drafting Haredim. Netanyahu did, but his attorney general said it wouldnt really bring Haredim into the military. Netanyahus request for more time was rejected, and the deadline stands.

If the Haredim leave the government, that would trigger elections, which arent scheduled until 2026. Many suspect they wont since polls suggest a new government would be less welcoming of their demands.

Theres a growing number of technocrats, business leaders and academics who see the current crisis in Gaza as the opportunity to confront the risk of Haredim pulling the country toward theocratic penury.

Read more: Israels Economy Contracts Nearly 20% After Outbreak of War

Nearly half of ultra-Orthodox men are unemployed, and only 14% have university degrees, according to data from the Finance Ministry. A quarter of children four and younger are ultra-Orthodox, raising questions about how the society will support itself in future.

During last years anti-government protests, led by the secular, high-tech sector in Tel Aviv, drafting the Haredim was often invoked. Now, even Netanyahus closest partners within his Likud party say the issue cant be postponed.

Netanyahus coalition only has a majority of five in the 120-seat Parliament.

Danny Danon, a Likud parliamentarian, said its no longer possible for the Haredim to stay on the margins. Theyre needed in the army and in the workplace, he says.

The Haredim will have to realize something happened on Oct. 7, and they have to contribute more, he said by phone.

So far, the Haredi leaders, men in their 80s and 90s, have refused to accept any change.

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The Housing Alliance has formed as a go-to source for affordable housing information, resources and collaboration.

A new nonprofit aims to provide and encourage the development of more attainable housing in Collier County.

Its primary goal: To fill in the gaps, from communications to funding.

The launch of the venture, known as The Housing Alliance, was officially announced Thursday to address the county's affordable housing crisis in a more cohesive way.

"There are a lot of steps to it, and being unified for working from Point A to Point Z is important  and that is what we are trying to do," explained Michael Puchalla, who is leading the effort, serving as the CEO and executive director of the new organization.

He added: "We want to be a collaborator. We are into collaborations."

Michael Puchalla, CEO, The Housing Alliance

Puchalla is no stranger to the critical issue, having been involved in the region's affordable housing fight for more than a decade.

He continues to serve as the executive director of the Housing Development Corporation of Southwest Florida and the Collier County Community Land Trust  its affiliate  for now.

"At least, for the short term. That may very well change," he said.

The Housing Alliance will serve as a centralized voice in the "nonprofit space," for those two affordable housing-centric groups  and many others, big and small, working to tackle the same problem.

The alliance will help residents find affordable housing through outreach and education, and help developers find opportunities and funding through partnerships to build it.

Officials involved in the affordable housing project at the Golden Gate golf course gather for a groundbreaking in November 2023.

The organization will serve as a navigation source, especially for residents, looking for affordable rentals, or homes, including first-time buyers, Puchalla said.

Conversations about creating such an alliance began in mid-2022 and picked up steam after the Collier County Community Foundation created a dedicated fund that provides revolving loans to nonprofit and for-profit developers to help them provide lower-cost housing, Puchalla said.

Once repaid, that dedicated money can be reinvested to fund new initiatives. The fund is but one of many resources that can be tapped by developers, which needs to be better communicated, and that's part of what the alliance will do to help get more projects built, Puchalla said.

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A one-stop shop for affordable housing resources

The Community Foundation saw the need for a one-stop shop, or "go to" resource for information on attainable housing, for residents, employers, developers and other nonprofits, providing a $25,000 grant for consulting work last year to help launch it.

In case you missed it: Collier Community Foundation grants go to education, housing and human services in 2023

Recent studies have shown nearly 50,000 households are cost-burdened in Collier County, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing expenses  and nearly half are deemed severely cost-burdened, spending more than 50%.

In the past two years, Collier County has seen a 50% hike in rents, leading the nation in increases, according to a county report.

Meanwhile, home prices remain elevated.

According to the latest report by the Naples Area Board of Realtors, the median home price in the county, excluding Marco Island, stood at $625,000 in February, up 5%. The median is the point at which half of the homes sell for more and half for less.

The growing housing crisis has impacted the county in many ways, from hampering business retention and recruitment efforts and dampening the economy to increasing homelessness and generating more traffic caused by commuters who work in the county, but can't afford to live in it.

In a survey, as part of the 2023 Collier County Community Needs Assessment, sponsored by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and the Collier Community Foundation, 65% of the more than 6,000 residents and business owners who responded cited affordable and workforce housing as the countys No. 1 priority, up from 45% five years ago.

Housing costs big concern for school district

The Collier County School District sees a great need for the alliance.

Based on its most recent housing survey, the district discovered that 18% of its employees drive in from Lee County. More alarming: Forty five percent of respondents said they're concerned they won't have stable housing within the next year, with most citing "cost" as the reason.

Of the roughly 3,400 employees who participated in the survey, 64% expressed concern they'll be forced to seek jobs elsewhere, due to the current price of housing.

In an email to staff about why the district's survey is so important, Superintendent Leslie C. Ricciardelli, said: "As the largest employer in Collier County, our school district has been asked to join the collaboration and conversation around providing solutions for essential housing. Retaining our talented employees and recruiting others to join us is a top priority."

In November, the Collier County School Board approved a record increase in teacher salaries, in part to offset high housing costs.

As part of the solution, the district is exploring the development of workforce housing on 35 acres of land it owns next to Manatee Elementary, off U.S. 41, in East Naples.

The new alliance stands ready to help.

"I have engaged with them and offered to assist in the planning and recruitment of development partners if they do decide to move forward," Puchalla said.

He hopes to know more after the school board's next meeting, scheduled for April 9.

Meanwhile, his ears are open to other opportunities, he said, as the "need is real."

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said since she moved to Naples in 1979 the community has been talking about the lack of housing that is safe and affordable for the "everyday workers who serve us," and others, including retirees.

She's proud that through the Live Local Act, which she championed to encourage the development of more affordable housing across the state, the new Housing Alliance is "spurring a new sense of commitment in our community to help bridge the gap, improving options for both home ownership and affordable rental units in Collier County."

The act created a mix of tax incentives and density bonuses to address the crisis.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Housing Alliance launched as a 'go-to' resource for affordable housing
NordVPN

A list of new locations includes Greenland, the Isle of Man, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, and Nepal.



LONDON, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NordVPN, a leading cybersecurity company, has finished its comprehensive network development phase and considerably increased the geography of locations customers can access. With more than 6,200 servers and access to 111 countries, NordVPN now has the broadest geographic coverage of locations among all VPN providers.

While NordVPN used only physical VPN servers in the past, the current extension of supported locations was possible by the introduction of a new set of virtual servers that follows the highest cybersecurity and privacy standards.

The main reason we considered using virtual servers was to provide users access to locations where the possibility of establishing high-quality physical servers is scarce, usually because of a limited physical server infrastructure. In this situation, virtual servers come as an optimal solution, providing speeds and connection quality equal to that of a physical server, says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN .

Virtual servers operate through dedicated physical servers placed outside of the targeted country. The physical servers are configured to resolve an IP address to match the IP of a country different from the one where they are actually located. This configuration eliminates the need for a physical server to be grounded in a targeted country to access its network. For example, in January 2024, NordVPN released its first virtual server in India, with its dedicated physical server located in Singapore.

The new places for virtual VPN servers were handpicked from around the globe and were chosen in reaction to NordVPN clients rising demands and needs.

In addition to this development, NordVPN increased the number of simultaneous connections. Because the number of devices customers use every day is growing, NordVPN now allows users to secure up to 10 devices with one Nord Account and boost privacy even more.

Story continues

ABOUT NORDVPN

NordVPN is the worlds most advanced VPN service provider, used by millions of internet users worldwide. NordVPN provides double VPN encryption and Onion Over VPN and guarantees privacy with zero tracking. One of the key features of the product is Threat Protection, which blocks malicious websites, malware during downloads, trackers, and ads. NordVPN is very user friendly, offers one of the best prices on the market, and has over 6,200 servers covering 111 countries worldwide. For more information: https://nordvpn.com .

More information: egidijus@nordsec.com




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. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

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 ASM International (AMS:ASM). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

View our latest analysis for ASM International

How Fast Is ASM International Growing?

If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. ASM International's shareholders have have plenty to be happy about as their annual EPS growth for the last 3 years was 38%. While that sort of growth rate isn't sustainable for long, it certainly catches the eye of prospective investors.

It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. While we note ASM International achieved similar EBIT margins to last year, revenue grew by a solid 9.3% to 2.6b. That's encouraging news for the company!

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of ASM International's forecast profits?

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Are ASM International Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Investors are always searching for a vote of confidence in the companies they hold and insider buying is one of the key indicators for optimism on the market. This view is based on the possibility that stock purchases signal bullishness on behalf of the buyer. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions.

We did see some selling in the last twelve months, but that's insignificant compared to the whopping 3.4m that the CTO & Member of the Management Board, Hichem M'Saad spent acquiring shares. The average price paid was about 343. Big purchases like that are well worth noting, especially for those who like to follow the insider money.

The good news, alongside the insider buying, for ASM International bulls is that insiders (collectively) have a meaningful investment in the stock. Indeed, they hold 20m worth of its stock. That's a lot of money, and no small incentive to work hard. Even though that's only about 0.07% of the company, it's enough money to indicate alignment between the leaders of the business and ordinary shareholders.

While insiders are apparently happy to hold and accumulate shares, that is just part of the big picture. That's because ASM International's CEO, Benjamin Loh, is paid at a relatively modest level when compared to other CEOs for companies of this size. For companies with market capitalisations over 7.4b, like ASM International, the median CEO pay is around 4.1m.

The ASM International CEO received 3.6m in compensation for the year ending December 2023. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given it's below the median for similar sized companies. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.

Is ASM International Worth Keeping An Eye On?

ASM International's earnings per share growth have been climbing higher at an appreciable rate. The icing on the cake is that insiders own a large chunk of the company and one has even been buying more shares. These factors seem to indicate the company's potential and that it has reached an inflection point. We'd suggest ASM International belongs near the top of your watchlist. We should say that we've discovered 1 warning sign for ASM International that you should be aware of before investing here.

The good news is that ASM International is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of growth-focused companies in NL with insider buying in the last three months!

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.
(Bloomberg) -- Ukraines leader said Russia is attempting to damage hydro power plants, while Romania has found drone fragments near its border with Ukraine from recent Russian air attacks, adding to concerns that Kremlin troops may inflict damage on the territory of a NATO member.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with countrys top commanders on Friday and said the Dnistrovska plant, near Ukraines border with Moldova, and the Kanivska facility in central Ukraine had been among the targets of Moscows overnight missile and drone barrage.

Russia wants to repeat the ecological disaster seen in the Kherson region last summer, when its forces blew up the Kakhovka dam, creating massive flooding, he said.

Read more: Dam Breach Remakes Ukraine Battlefield as Vast Reservoir Drains

Now not only Ukraine is under threat, but also Moldova, as the water will not stop in front of the border posts, Zelenskiy said.

In Romania, the latest drone debris was located late Thursday and an investigation has begun, the nations defense ministry said on its website.

Local media said local residents heard a loud explosion blast but no injuries were reported. Romania and Poland, both members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, have said their airspace has been violated or territory struck with debris as a result of Russian air attacks on Ukraine.

Russia has stepped up those strikes in recent weeks. It has repeatedly bombed Ukraines second-biggest city, Kharkiv, near their shared border, and targeted the capital, Kyiv, as well as power, energy and port facilities across the country, including the far west, in an attempt to cripple the economy.

Story continues

Ukraines military overnight shot down 58 Shahed-type drones and 26 missiles, including cruise and ballistic, launched from Russia and occupied Crimea, Air Defense Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said Friday on Telegram.

The combined attack with missiles and combat drones has damaged the power grid, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said Friday on social media. The operation of hospitals, maternity wards, schools, kindergartens, is under threat.

Russias defense ministry, in a statement, said it had used Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, among other projectiles, to target energy facilities and air defenses sites in Ukraine.

Read more: Ukraines No. 2 City Hit by Russian Guided Bomb

Power generation plants were the main targets of the overnight strikes, from the western Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv regions close to the Romanian and Polish borders, to the central Cherkasy, Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the energy ministry said on its website.

Ukraines grid operator Ukrenergo said emergency power cuts had been implemented in three central regions - Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Zaporizhzhia - due to a lack of power generating facilities. Kharkiv and Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskiys home town, are also under power deficits.

DTEK, the countrys largest private energy company, said three of its thermal plants were also hit, seriously damaging equipment and injuring an engineer. Since the full-scale invasion over two years ago, DTEK plants have been hit more than 160 times, the company said on Telegram. It didnt specify which ones were hit Friday.

Romania has been hit by downed drones at least five other times since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, as Kremlin troops target port infrastructure in Ukraines Odesa region on the Black Sea coast and along the Danube River. The facilities are essential to Ukraines exports of wheat and other agricultural products.

Read more: Russian Missile Enters Polish Air Space, Kyiv Strikes Ships

On Sunday, fellow NATO member Poland said a Russian cruise missile entered its airspace for 39 seconds, the third such incident since President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

Polish and allied NATO aircraft were operating again on Friday to ensure the safety of Polish airspace and monitor the situation on an ongoing basis, Polands military said on social media.

Later on Friday, Russia launched two so-called guided Kha-59 missiles over Odesa. Both were shot down, with three people injured, including two teenagers, local governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram.

--With assistance from Andra Timu and Slav Okov.

(Updates with power cuts from 12th paragraph.)

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The place for all things cold chain.

All thawed out

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The market for food is one of the U.S.s largest industries, with revenue amounting to over $1 trillion. But errors in the supply chain create an alarming amount of food waste. According to ReFed, last year, 88.7 million tons of food went unsold or uneaten in the United States  roughly 38% of the countrys total food supply. The vast majority of this  nearly 78 million tons of food  became food waste, meaning it failed to make it back into the human food supply chain.

According to Food Engineering Magazine, Consumers are blamed for wasting as much as 37% of the food in the American supply chain.

Given that there is already significant food scarcity in the country, having so much lost or unavailable for consumption isnt the best feeling. Not only does food waste prevention lower greenhouse gas emissions, but it also helps feed people who otherwise could go hungry.

A McKinsey & Co. report, Reducing food loss: What grocery retailers and manufacturers can do, cited an example of loss just among 100 tomatoes. Field-grown tomatoes were tracked from farm to the retailer. Starting with 100 tomatoes ready for harvest, only 73 to 81 survive the harvest operation. Next, one or two tomatoes are lost on their way to handling and grading. After handling and grading, 67 to 77 tomatoes survive and go on to processing and packaging. Finally, only 59 to 72 tomatoes make it to the retailer. At this point some tomatoes will not be sold  either due to visual appearance or quickly approaching sell-by dates.

That 30%-40% again pops up as waste throughout the supply chain. Whether its improper reefer temperatures, storage, poor inventory management, the causes of losses here and there are endless.

What solutions can resolve that very clear and present issue? Lets get into it.

McKinseys research found four areas to curb losses, which could help reduce upstream loss by 50% to 70%: Minimize production and processing loss, minimize transit loss, sell more of what is produced and processed, and structurally prevent loss.

Story continues

The study presented solutions to problems big and small.

Strong visibility tools so shippers know exactly what temperature products are at, as well as what produce can be mixed together and what cannot. For example, putting bananas and avocados on the same truck is a bad idea because each can cause the other to ripen a lot faster.

Inventory management in the warehouse. Knowing where goods are, what status theyre in and what goods are being stored around them matters. Strong inventory management can help prevent spoiling of produce that needs to get out at a certain time. That means adjusting from the first-in, first-out policy to what absolutely needs to go to avoid spoilage.

Diverting goods. If a grocer has high expectations for deliveries and over half the produce will not meet the grocers quality requirements (for example, ugly produce), the unattractive but still edible food can be diverted to food shelters or other organizations so it can be donated to those in need.

Most importantly, though, there needs to be a conversation around reframing what food loss is and what it means. Since there is a fair amount of food loss at the farm level, there has to be buy-in from all in the organization to make reduction of waste a priority. Food loss needs to be seen as a result of inefficiencies and missed opportunities across production, procurement, R&D, the supply chain and sales. Therefore, reducing food loss should be seen as a potential value  an opportunity to improve both the top and bottom lines.

No one wants to bank on 30%-40% of product going to waste. Everything from little changes all the way up to switching suppliers and vendors can make a difference to increase revenue and get more people fed.

Cold chain lanes

This weeks SONAR chart takes a look at wait times across 16 industries that make up the majority of industries in the U.S. and how many minutes, on average, a truck spends at a shipper or receiver location for loading and unloading. This includes distribution centers, seaports, airport air cargo facilities, railroad classification yards and intermodal ramps. Averages are compared month to month.

The industries in green have seen increases in wait times, while the ones in red have seen wait times drop. Most notably, automobile manufacturers have seen the largest decrease in wait times. Average waits there are 98 minutes, so a little over an hour and a half. The biggest increase came in computers and electronic retail. Its wait time shot up 41.3%, for over two hours of waiting for drivers.

Is SONAR for you? Check it out with a demo!

Shelf life

FDA Revokes Standards of Identity for Frozen Cherry Pie

Kirkland advises I Squared Capital on acquisition of WOW Logistics

Oreo announces 3 new frozen treats for St. Patricks Day

Agile Cold Storage to build $45.9M facility in Pearl River, Louisiana

Wanna chat in the cooler? Shoot me an email with comments, questions or story ideas at moconnell@freightwaves.com.

See you on the internet.

Mary

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you must be pretty chill. Join the coolest community in freight and subscribe for more at freightwaves.com/subscribe.

The post Running on Ice: Why is food waste rampant in supply chains? appeared first on FreightWaves.
Sam Bankman-Frieds sentence of 25 years puts him in the same league as other well-known financial fraudsters, including, clockwise from upper left, Bernie Madoff, Lawrence Duran, Bernie Ebbers, Allen Stanford and Jeffrey Skilling. - MarketWatch photo illustration/Getty Images

With a sentence of 25 years in prison, Sam Bankman-Fried joins a list of notorious white-collar criminals like Bernie Madoff and Jeffrey Skilling who have received severe penalties for financial fraud.

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The punishment meted out by a federal judge places Bankman-Frieds failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX alongside Enron and WorldCom as a defining example of corporate greed.

The sentence also closes a chapter in the spectacular fall of Bankman-Fried, who went from crypto wunderkind to convicted felon in just two years following the collapse of FTX, amid allegations he had stolen billions of dollars from the exchanges customers.

Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 40 to 50 years, saying in court filings that the sheer scale of Bankman-Frieds fraud calls for severe punishment.

In their sentencing request, they wrote: The amount of loss  at least $10 billion  makes this one of the largest financial frauds of all time.

A presentencing report drawn up by the U.S. Probation Office went even further, recommending a sentence of 100 years. That would have meant the 32-year-old Bankman-Fried would never see freedom again.

Bankman-Frieds lawyers had asked for a much more lenient sentence of between five years, three months, and six and a half years, asking the court to resist the temptation to compare Sams case to some of the more notorious scandals of the recent past.

They argued that most of FTXs customers would be made whole through a bankruptcy proceeding that had recovered much of the money, meaning that Bankman-Frieds actions were essentially a victimless crime, a notion rejected by Judge Lewis Kaplan.

Story continues

In court filings, Bankman-Frieds attorneys said his case aligned more closely to that of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, who was sentenced to 11 years for fraud, rather than that of Bernie Madoff, who was sentenced to 150 years for stealing billions from investors in a massive Ponzi scheme.

An even better comparison, they argued, was Michael Milken, the 1980s Wall Street investment titan who served two years in prison for securities fraud and later became a noted philanthropist. Bankman-Fried, they said, also intended to dedicate his life to charitable work after serving his sentence.

Prosecutors countered by saying Bankman-Fried actually stood out among well-known fraudsters.

Unlike other white collar offenders, the losses the defendant is responsible for are not borne exclusively by sophisticated investors or extrapolated based on a stock price drop. The victims, on the other hand, include tens of thousands of everyday people. People who entrusted the defendant with their money, they wrote in court filings.

The fact that two years later victims may receive some money back through FTXs bankruptcy is of little comfort for those victims who needed the money in November 2022. The suffocating sense of dread and despair that victims felt when they could not withdraw their money, their shame and embarrassment, and the resulting damage to lives and businesses, cannot be undone, prosecutors wrote.

At his sentencing hearing, Bankman-Fried acknowledged the reality of his situation.

My useful life is probably over. Its been over for a while now, he said, according to reports.

Heres how Bankman-Frieds sentence compares to some of the biggest corporate-fraud cases in history.

Sholam Weiss, 845 years

In 1999, Sholam Weiss received what is believed to be the longest-ever sentence for a white-collar crime following his conviction in absentia for stealing $450 million in a complex mortgage and stock fraud. The scam bankrupted the National Heritage Life Insurance Company and wiped out the life savings of thousands of elderly victims.

Shortly before trial, Weiss rejected a plea deal that would have put him behind bars for five years. After his conviction and before his sentencing, Weiss fled the country and remained on the lam for three years before being arrested in Austria.

His supporters argued that Weisss sentence was excessive and had been handed down only because he had rejected the plea offer and then fled. The sentence was later reduced on appeal to 835 years.

In 2021, after serving 18 years, Weiss, who was then 66, had his sentence commuted by then President Donald Trump on his last day in office. Trump cited the unduly harsh length of the sentence and Weisss poor health.

Bernie Madoff, 150 years

If there is a poster boy for financial crime, it is Bernie Madoff.

Once a respected titan of Wall Street, Madoffs web of lies came undone amid the 2008 financial crisis, when it was revealed that his popular investment fund had been a Ponzi scheme all along.

At the time, it was believed that some $65 billion had gone missing, devastating tens of thousands of people, including celebrities and sophisticated investors. Once his scheme had collapsed, Madoff quickly acknowledged his guilt and, at the age of 71, was sentenced to 150 years in prison.

In 2021, after serving 11 years, Madoff died in prison at the age of 82.

The amount that Madoff was alleged to have stolen was eventually revised to about $18 billion, after phony paper profits were deducted from the total. Following years of lawsuits and asset seizures, over $14.7 billion has been recovered.

Allen Stanford, 110 years

The second-largest case of investor fraud in history  after that of Bernie Madoff  was that of Allen Stanford.

Stanfords rags-to-riches story was impressive. Born into poverty in rural Texas, he had built a finance empire from nothing, becoming a billionaire and even receiving a knighthood.

In 2009, just months after Madoffs empire had come crashing down, investigators raided the headquarters of the Stanford Financial Group in Houston. The raid was based on charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging Stanford had defrauded thousands of investors through the issuance of more than $7 billion worth of fraudulent certificates of deposit as part of an extensive Ponzi scheme.

Criminal charges followed, and in 2012 Stanford was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 110 years in prison. Stanford, now 74, remains behind bars.

Lawrence Duran, 50 years

In what is believed to be the longest prison sentence ever involving Medicare fraud, Lawrence Duran was sentenced to 50 years in 2011 for orchestrating a scheme that generated $205 million.

Prosecutors said Duran, who had run a national chain of mental-health centers, preyed on patients with advanced dementia by submitting false claims for expensive therapies that they never received.

In some cases, prosecutors said elderly and infirm patients were left in rooms for hours under the guise of receiving high-priced treatment, even though they didnt know where they were or what was happening around them.

Duran and several co-conspirators pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay back tens of millions of dollars. Duran, who is now 62, remains behind bars.

Bernie Ebbers, 25 years

Dubbed the Telecom Cowboy, Ebbers presided over the collapse of WorldCom in 2002, which resulted from widespread accounting irregularities involving loans Ebbers took from the company.

Ebbers, who had helped build WorldCom into the second-largest telecom company in the U.S. behind AT&T, blamed his subordinates for the suspect bookkeeping practices, but he was convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 2005 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

In 2019, after serving 13 years, Ebbers was released due to declining health and died a month later at the age of 78.

Jeffrey Skilling, 24 years

Jeffrey Skilling was chief executive of Enron during the ill-fated energy companys collapse in 2001 amid allegations that the company had egregiously cooked its books.

When the company filed for chapter 11 that year, it was the largest corporate bankruptcy proceeding in history, costing more than 20,000 people their jobs. The bookkeeping scandal was so broad that it triggered the dissolution of Arthur Andersen, then one of the Big Five global accounting firms.

Skilling and Enron Chair Ken Lay were both hit with criminal charges and convicted of fraud, conspiracy and insider trading in 2006. Lay died while awaiting sentencing. Skilling was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Over the course of several appeals, Skillings sentence was reduced to 14 years and in 2019, he was released from prison. Following his release, Skilling, who is now 70, returned to Texas and attempted to get back into the oil and gas business.

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Evgenia Parajanian / iStock.com

Americans have been bombarded online with claims about an alleged fourth stimulus check going out to seniors or people with disabilities. But these are all just rumors. Theres no check on the way.

Learn More: 6 Changes Coming to Social Security in 2024 and Who Could Be Affected Most

Find Out: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024

IRS spokesman Anthony Burke said the IRS has paid all the Economic Impact Payments. A Treasury Department spokesperson also told USA Today that no new round of stimulus checks have been approved.

Three rounds of $1,200, $600 and $1,400 federal stimulus payments were sent out to more than 160 million U.S. taxpayers as part of the COVID-19 relief package Congress passed in 2020 and 2021, AARP reported. Burke said people should use IRS.gov as the definitive source of information.

If youre missing a 2020 or 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, the IRS says the only way to claim it is by filing a 2023 tax return. The deadline to claim the 2020 credit is May 17, 2024. The deadline to claim the 2021 credit is April 15, 2025.

Read Next: Cutting Expenses in Retirement: 6 Stores To Stop Buying From

McKenzie Sadeghi, AI and foreign influence editor for NewsGuard, told AARP that claims that new payments are on the way are due in part to the growth of generative artificial intelligence in content creation.

Weve seen this claim come up regularly on these websites  that you can get a fourth stimulus check, Sadeghi explained to AARP. Its very in line with the type of content that we see from them, which are hoaxes aimed at generating clicks and getting people to the site.

AARP also reviewed websites and videos that used a common search term, such as stimulus check, and applied it to several claims  the IRS is about to send out new payments, multiple states are offering tax credits or rebates and Congress is going to increase Social Security benefits. These are all false.

NewsGuards AI Tracking Center has identified more than 700 news and information websites running with little or no human oversights. Sadeghi said the number is growing on a weekly basis and the tracker count is just scratching the surface.

Story continues

Sadeghi recommends looking for these signs of AI-generated content:

Inconsistency: AI-generated articles may contain contradictions, conflicting information or error messages.

Repetition: Look for the repeated use of stimulus checks throughout the article.

No attribution: No credit is given anywhere for the source of the information.

Lack of transparency: Theres no byline and the site doesnt disclose information about who is behind the content.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security: How To Confirm the Validity of New Stimulus Check Claims
NEW YORK, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SOCOTEC USA, a leading provider of TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification), consulting, and advisory services with a strategic focus on buildings and infrastructure, announces its collaboration with Bisnow to discuss the critical importance of fitness-for-service evaluations in safeguarding lives and ensuring the longevity of vital infrastructure assets.

SOCOTEC logo (PRNewsfoto/Vidaris Inc.)

Recent tragedies, including the collapse of a parking garage in Lower Manhattan and the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida, underscore the dire importance for proactive maintenance and evaluation of aging infrastructure. With an estimated over 45,000 bridges and 20% of roads deemed to be in poor condition, the need for thorough assessments has never been more pressing.

To protect lives, it is imperative to prioritize the maintenance and regular inspection of any built asset with the potential to cause harm. Recognizing the significance of assessing asset integrity and determining the asset's remaining lifespan, owners increasingly rely on SOCOTEC.

Evan Schickel, Director of Advanced Analysis at SOCOTEC, stated, "Fitness-for-service evaluations revolve around structural integrity, which boils down to life safety. As our infrastructure grows older, it becomes more susceptible to failures. It's always better to preemptively assess your structure and prepare for potential outcomes than to be surprised by a more serious issue."

SOCOTEC specializes in assessing both the strength and fatigue of structures, utilizing advanced methodologies and state-of-the-art technology to identify potential vulnerabilities. From brittle fractures to fatigue-induced cracks, SOCOTEC's multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of each asset's condition.

With a team comprised of civil, structural, mechanical, and metallurgical/materials engineers, SOCOTEC offers a one-stop solution for all aspects of structural integrity assessment, including having a facility dedicated to testing and inspection, which allows for detailed analysis of damaged or failed components, enabling clients to make informed decisions regarding repairs and replacements.

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"It's very rewarding and exciting to always have a different problem, a different asset and a different project type to work on," Schickel said. "It is most rewarding, however, to know that we are actively helping to prevent failures, prevent loss of life and limb, while helping our clients to either save money by extending the life of their structures or helping them plan for replacements at a time of their choosing."

As the nation grapples with the challenges of aging infrastructure, SOCOTEC remains at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in the field of structural engineering. By leveraging its expertise and resources, SOCOTEC is helping to build a safer and more resilient and sustainable world for generations to come.

To read the full article, go to Bisnow.com.

The full article was produced in collaboration between SOCOTEC, Bisnow, and Studio B staff. Studio B is Bisnow's in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com. Contact Studio B Writer Emily DeNardo at emily.denardo@bisnow.com.

About SOCOTEC

The SOCOTEC Group, headed by Herve Montjotin, has built its reputation as an independent, trusted partner assisting companies in the areas of quality, sustainability and safety, and the environment.

Today a leading $1.3 billion EUR company that more than doubled in size in 6 years, SOCOTEC's mission is to ensure the integrity and performance of building and infrastructure assets and people's safety. Through its inspection and measurement, assistance and consultancy, training, and certification services, SOCOTEC helps to optimize the performance of companies in every sector by managing the risks inherent in their activities. Drawing on its expertise and positioning itself as a long-term partner, SOCOTEC supports its clients throughout their project's lifecycle.

As a major player in TIC for the building and infrastructure sectors, the SOCOTEC Group has 200,000 clients with operations in 26 countries, 11,500 employees and over 250 external recognitions.

SOCOTEC, an industry leader in the building and infrastructure sectors, offers the combined highly technical expertise of an expansive and holistic network of experts across six service lines: (i) Building Envelope; (ii) Energy & Sustainability; (iii) Code & Planning; (iv) Life Safety; (v) Project Advisory; (vi) Dispute Resolution; and (vii) Specialty Engineering. In the USA, SOCOTEC employs approximately 550 professionals in more than 25 offices.

Visit www.socotec.us for more information.

Cision

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It's been a very trying first quarter for Tesla (TSLA) shareholders and fans of the EV giant.

Through Thursday, the last trading day of the first quarter, Tesla stock is down a whopping 29.3%, making it the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 (^GSPC). Meanwhile, the S&P 500 is actually up 10.2%, its best first quarter since 2019.

For Tesla, a combination of poor guidance, a tough selling environment in China, and more drama from CEO Elon Musk led the EV maker, which topped $750 billion in market cap to start the year, to shed over $200 billion of that since Jan. 1.

Heres how it all went down.

A warning to start the quarter

The first quarter started off fine for Tesla, when the EV juggernaut reported Q4 deliveries hit a record 485K, with its full-year 2023 total of 1.8 million also meeting estimates.

But that may be the high-water mark for Tesla, at least for the time being.

In its Q4 earnings report released in late January, Tesla said its "vehicle volume growth rate may be notably lower than the growth rate achieved in 2023," indicating it would not reach Street estimates of 2.19 million for 2024. Tesla also saw its automotive profit margin dip following steep price cuts.

Morgan Stanleys Adam Jonas, one of the biggest Tesla bulls on Wall Street, was not impressed by the lowered guidance and the lack of real commentary given to explain it. I still struggle to think of another company which provided such scant level of details on the forward-year outlook, Jonas said in a note to investors. Our team is left with the impression that either (a) visibility is poor or (b) there are downside risks in the broader EV market outside of Teslas control.

Part of that forward guidance, at least in the long term, revolved around Teslas yet-to-be-named next-generation vehicle, which Tesla said would impact growth. Though Tesla said its plan is to get the vehicle to market as soon as possible, with production slated for Giga Austin, Tesla revealed the vehicle would only hit production in the second half of 2025.

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Tesla has blown its own external timelines in the past  for example, the Cybertruck debuted in 2019 but only went into production in Q4 of last year. Many people are concerned the next-gen vehicle, which could potentially unlock large growth and margin gains, wont come soon enough.

China concerns growing

Teslas troubles in China began almost immediately in the new year.

In early January, Tesla announced steep price cuts for its cheapest models in the country, with the Model 3 price dropping by 5.9% and the Model Y by 2.8%. This was a repeat of what happened the prior year, when Tesla and Chinese rivals like BYD, Li Auto, and XPeng engaged in a price war that even alarmed the Chinese government.

But price cuts didnt seem to help sales improve compared to a year ago. Tesla reported 60,365 vehicle shipments from its Giga Shanghai factory in February, according to Chinas Passenger Car Association. The February shipments represent a 19% drop from a year ago and the lowest shipment total since December 2022.

The situation did not improve in March either. While NEVs [New Energy Vehicles, such as EVs and plug-ins] specifically were up 39.6% YoY and up 7.4% [week over week for March 17], Deutsche Banks Emmanuel Rosner said in a note to clients, Tesla was down 35% YoY and down 8% WoW.

With sales clearly slipping, Tesla reportedly decided its ultraefficient Giga Shanghai factory would produce fewer vehicles. Last week, sources told Bloomberg that Tesla cut production at the plant by having employees work five days instead of the usual six and a half.

Teslas Shanghai plant, at its peak, was producing at a rate of more than 1 million units a year and the local market couldnt absorb all of that, auto manufacturing expert Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions told Yahoo Finance. Exports took up some of the excess, but reducing output by as much as 20% will help to align supply and demand.

Musk threatens Tesla for more pay and control

Tesla CEO Elon Musk leaves the Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars after a visit in Gruenheide near Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

If poor guidance, lack of clarity, and trouble in China weren't enough, CEO Elon Musks antics during the quarter did not help.

Case in point were Musks comments on artificial intelligence. Musk warned in mid-January that he would need to secure greater control of Tesla if the company's wide-reaching AI ambitions are going to be met.

"I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I cant be overturned," Musk said from his X account. "Unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla."

Tesla stock fell after those comments, with investors concerned Musk may hive off Teslas AI unit into a separate entity. Plus, Musk was essentially demanding a kings ransom for keeping AI operations as is.

"The Street views Tesla correctly (in our view) as a disruptive tech leader, and if Musk ultimately went down the path to create his own company (separate from Tesla) for his next generation AI projects this would clearly be a big negative for the Tesla story, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note at the time.

Part and parcel to this demand for more stock is the ongoing litigation surrounding Musks current $56 billion pay package, awarded to him by the Tesla board in 2018. The CEO's pay package, which covered 10 years, gave him stock grants worth around 1% of Tesla's equity each time the company achieved one of 12 milestones  essentially whenever Tesla's market value rose by $50 billion.

In late January, a Delaware judge invalidated Musks pay package, finding that Tesla's directors had breached their fiduciary duty when they awarded Musk the largest compensation ever granted to an executive at a public company.

"Investors in Tesla will need to consider if the Tesla board can fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities if it is beholden to its CEO over the general interest of shareholders," said William Klepper, corporate governance expert and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School.

Tesla investors will be watching next week's Q1 delivery report, hoping an upside surprise can shake off a miserable quarter.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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In this article, we will take a look at the top 15 agricultural states in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the Top 5 Agricultural States in the US.

US Agricultural Industry: An Overview

The agriculture industry in the US plays a pertinent role in the economy of the country. According to a report by the US Department of Agriculture, in 2022, agriculture and related industries contributed $1.42 trillion to the GDP of the country. The large contribution corresponded to 5.5% of the overall GDP. The hefty amount of $223.5 billion came directly from the outputs of America's farms and accounted for 0.9% of the global GDP. Although agriculture directly contributes a certain percentage, 0.9%, to the GDP, its overall impact on the economy is greater than this percentage suggests. This is because various sectors connected to agriculture depend on agricultural inputs to create additional value or output including food and beverage manufacturing, food and beverage stores, and food services.

In 2022, the agriculture and food sector added 22.1 million jobs, comprising 10.4% of total employment in the country. Specifically, direct on-farm employment accounted for 2.6 million jobs, which represents 1.2% of total US employment. Another 19.6 million jobs were supported by employment in industries related to agriculture and food. The largest portion of these jobs, around 12.7 million, was in food services, including eating and drinking establishments, while food and beverage stores supported 3.3 million jobs. The remaining agriculture-related industries contributed an additional 3.5 million jobs to the economy.

One of the latest trends in the agriculture industry is innovation in agriculture inputs. The agricultural inputs include seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, equipment, and other materials essential for farming and crop cultivation. VM Agritech is a notable company introducing innovation. VM Agritech has developed Curezin which is a broad-spectrum fungicide that helps protect farmers' crop yields. The product will help farmers in specialty agriculture, professional turfgrass, and landscape ornamentals. Curezin has been patented in 56 countries and is set to be made available in 2024.

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Prominent Companies in Agriculture Inputs Industry

Corteva Inc (NYSE:CTVA), Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS), and CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) are noteworthy companies in the agriculture inputs industry.

Corteva Inc (NYSE:CTVA) is a major American agricultural chemical and seed company. The company is investing in research and development to bring the most innovative products to the market. On March 19, Corteva Inc (NYSE:CTVA) announced the launch of Corteva Catalyst. The catalyst is a new investment and partnership platform aimed at advancing agricultural innovations that align with the companys R&D priorities and enhance value creation. This initiative is led by the Chief Technology and Digital Officer of the company. The catalyst seeks to collaborate with entrepreneurs and innovators to accelerate the development of early-stage technologies benefiting farmers worldwide.

Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) has a significant presence in the agricultural sector. The company mines, produces, and distributes high-quality potash and phosphate products essential for maintaining healthy soils and maximizing crop yields. The company is also focused on innovation through research. On August 15, 2023, Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) introduced the Mosaic Biosciences platform. The platform aims to integrate cutting-edge science and innovation into the agricultural sector. This initiative focuses on enhancing crop health and maximizing yield potential through technologies that support natural biology in plants and soil.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) is an American manufacturer and distributor of agricultural fertilizers, including ammonia, urea, and ammonium nitrate products. It is one of the largest companies in the US agriculture inputs industry. On February 14, the company reported earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported an EPS of $1.58 and outperformed estimates by $0.02. The company's revenue for the quarter amounted to $1.57 billion and beat market consensus by $66.88 million. Here are some comments from the company's Q4 2023 earnings call:

"Net cash from operations was also $2.8 billion and free cash flow was $1.8 billion. These results reflect a healthy nitrogen supply demand balance and global energy spreads that favor our low cost production base in North America. They also represent outstanding execution by the CF Industries team. We worked safely, ran our plants well, and navigated dynamic industry conditions. Our investments in people, safety and reliability have built the industrys highest performing manufacturing network, as you can see on Slide 6. Looking ahead, over the next four years, confirmed construction of new nitrogen production capacity is not sufficient to keep pace with the historical nitrogen demand growth rate of roughly 1.5% per year in traditional applications."

The agricultural output demands various factors including the agricultural inputs and the location. The culture of the place, agricultural practices, technological penetration, and the overall agricultural infrastructure impact agriculture and vary from state to state. With that, let's take a look at the top agricultural states in the US.

Top 15 Agricultural States in the US

Top 15 Agricultural States in the US

Our Methodology

To make our list of the top agricultural states in the US, we have used the data from the US Department of Agriculture. We have used the share of US receipts for all commodities as our main metric. The metric refers to the proportion of total cash receipts generated by each state from the sale of all agricultural commodities in the United States. It represents the contribution of each state to the overall agricultural economy of the nation. Therefore, a state with a larger overall agricultural contribution will be ranked higher among the top agricultural states in the country. The latest data available for the metric is for 2022. We have used the State receipts for all commodities as our secondary metric. The metric shows the revenue generated from the sale of all agricultural products within a state. It presents the output of the state in financial terms. The list has been arranged in ascending order of the primary metric.

Top 15 Agricultural States in the US

15. Georgia

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 2.4%

State receipts for all commodities: $13.07 Billion

Georgia is a significant agricultural state in the United States, known for its diverse range of agricultural commodities. Some of the popular agricultural products from Georgia include broilers, cotton, and peanuts. In 2022, the state had a 2.4% share of the US receipts for all commodities.

14. Arkansas

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 2.6%

State receipts for all commodities: $13.9 Billion

Arkansas agriculture is a vital component of the state's economy, contributing significantly to its overall economic output. With a diverse landscape and climate, Arkansas produces a wide variety of agricultural commodities, including rice, and soybeans. It is one of the top agricultural states in the US.

13. South Dakota

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 2.6%

State receipts for all commodities: $14.13 Billion

South Dakota's agriculture industry is a cornerstone of the state's economy, characterized by a diverse range of agricultural products. The state's agricultural sector is known for its key products, including corn, and soybeans. South Dakota's agriculture industry is a vital sector that not only sustains local communities but also contributes significantly to the broader agricultural landscape of the United States.

12. Missouri

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 2.8%

State receipts for all commodities: $14.9 Billion

Missouri's agriculture industry is a vital component of the state's economy, characterized by a rich tradition and a diverse range of agricultural commodities. It is one of the top agricultural states in the US. In 2022, the state contributed 2.8% to the total US receipts for all commodities.

11. Ohio

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 2.9%

State receipts for all commodities: $15.42 Billion

Ohio agriculture is a vital sector that significantly contributes to the state's economy and cultural identity. Ohio's agricultural industry plays a crucial role in providing jobs and producing a diverse range of commodities. Ohio is a leading producer of cattle and dairy products.

10. Wisconsin

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 3.1%

State receipts for all commodities: $16.61 Billion

Wisconsin agriculture is a significant sector of the state's economy. It is one of the top agricultural states in the US. In 2022, the state accounted for 3.1% of all US receipts for all commodities. Wisconsin leads the United States in the production of corn and cranberries.

9. North Carolina

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 3.1%

State receipts for all commodities: $16.86 Billion

North Carolina's agriculture industry is a significant contributor to the state's economy, with a diverse range of agricultural products. The state ranks highly in the production of various commodities including sweet potatoes. North Carolina's agricultural sector is known for its diversity, innovation, and commitment to sustainable practices.

8. Indiana

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 3.4%

State receipts for all commodities: $18.34 Billion

Indiana agriculture is a vital component of the state's economy. The state's agricultural sector contributes significantly to Indiana's economic health. The state produces a wide assortment of commodities including soybeans and corn. It is one of the top agricultural states in the US.

7. Kansas

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 4.4%

State receipts for all commodities: $23.52 Billion

Kansas agriculture is a vital and thriving sector that plays a significant role in the state's economy. The state leads the nation in wheat production and is a major producer of grains as well. Kansas agriculture is not only a key economic driver in the state but also contributes to the overall US economy. In 2022, the state made up a 4.4% share of US receipts for all commodities.

6. Minnesota

Share of US Receipts For all Commodities in 2022: 4.8%

State receipts for all commodities: $26.01 Billion

Minnesota's agriculture industry is a significant contributor to the state's economy, with a rich history and diverse range of agricultural products. It is one of the top agricultural states in the US. Minnesota is known for being a top producer of commodities including corn, soybeans, and hogs.

Click to continue reading and see the Top 5 Agricultural States in the US.

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Disclosure: None. Top 15 Agricultural States in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.




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Costco's longtime Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Richard Galanti, retired from the company on March 15, 2024, after almost 40 years with Costco. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, the retiring Costco CFO shared some interesting insights about how Costco operates and how it keeps prices low for customers.

Many Costco members don't see Costco as just a store; they really do feel like "members" of a larger club and culture. Costco has a unique company culture and is known for paying employees well and being a great place to work.

Let's look at a few key points from Bloomberg's interview with Richard Galanti, retired CFO of Costco, on what makes Costco a great place to shop.

1. Costco "keeps things simple"

In the interview with Bloomberg, Galanti mentioned that Costco "only" carries 3,800 items for sale, not 100,000. And it's true -- you don't see five different varieties of paper towels or 14 different toothpastes; you get one or two good options, and that's that. Carrying fewer items on the shelves makes a retail business simpler to operate, and helps keep delivering good Costco deals.

Costco also serves a special role for shoppers by, in a way, "curating" products. Costco doesn't have many different options for each type of item on the shelves, but you can usually feel confident that the "one choice" it gives you is going to be high quality. Costco relieves you of the paradox of choice; you don't have to feel paralyzed by choosing from seven different varieties; instead, you can feel confident that Costco is sourcing good products and giving you a good deal.

2. Costco tries to do the right thing

Costco's retiring CFO mentioned a few examples of the Costco culture that the company leaders try to live by in their business decisions: "Obey the law, take care of your customers, take care of your employees, respect your suppliersthen, reward your shareholders." He also shared a story from earlier in his CFO career about a situation when Costco could've made some aggressive (legal, ethical) corporate tax planning moves, but he didn't go through with it -- because it might have hurt Costco's reputation.

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Instead of trying to maximize shareholder profit as its first priority, Costco has built a business that tries to take care of all the other stakeholders along the way: customers, suppliers, and employees. If Costco is a great place to work, shop, and sell products to, shareholders will likely benefit, too. In a way, Costco culture can be considered an example of "stakeholder capitalism," where companies work to make a profit, but also take into account the concerns and goals of all the other people, communities, and larger society involved in their operations.

3. E-commerce is only 10% of Costco sales

Costco is not a big player in online sales; the company's brick-and-mortar warehouse stores are still a big part of its business model. There's something special about the in-store Costco shopping experience that most people still seem to prefer; you can't buy a Costco hot dog online or go on a "treasure hunt" on the website in quite the same way.

Retiring Costco CFO Richard Galanti said that Costco has not believed that e-commerce and "buy online, pickup in store" is the right fit for its customers. The company offers online shopping and you can definitely find some great deals from Costco online, but today, online shopping makes up less than 10% of Costco's total sales. Most people still want to go to Costco in person, and fill their own huge shopping carts.

4. Costco will (hopefully) keep selling its $1.50 hot dog combo

Costco is famous for its $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, which has never had a price increase. When asked what will happen to this beloved Costco snack bar item now that he's retired, outgoing CFO Richard Galanti told Bloomberg that, "It's probably safe for a while."

Bottom line

In his recent interview with Bloomberg prior to retirement, Costco's CFO shared some surprising insights, not just about numbers and accounting, but about culture and people. Costco members often love Costco as a company -- not just for low prices, but for the positive spirit of the place, and for the ways it makes their lives better. If you want to improve your personal finances and your everyday life, a Costco membership could be worth paying for -- and it's only $5-$10 per month, depending on the membership tier you choose!

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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.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Top 4 Insights From Costco's Retiring CFO About Costco Culture was originally published by The Motley Fool
Harvard said it received 5% fewer undergraduate applications this year compared with a year earlier, a dip that follows a tumultuous year for the Ivy League school that included the resignation of President Claudine Gay and a backlash over antisemitic incidents on the campus.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based school received 54,008 applications for the class of 2028, according to the Harvard Crimson, the campus newspaper. The undergraduate college at Harvard University accepted 1,245 of those applicants, giving the incoming freshman class an acceptance rate of 3.59%  the highest admission rate in four years, the publication noted.

The decline at Harvard stands in contrast to rising student applications at other Ivy League establishments, with Yale's admission pool jumping 10% and Columbia University reporting an increase of 5.4%. Because of their larger applicant pool, Yale said its 3.7% acceptance rate was its lowest ever, while Columbia's admission rate narrowed to 3.85% from 3.9% a year ago.

Harvard has drawn ferocious public criticism over the past year, including from some alumni and major donors, over its handling of antisemitic incidents tied to the Israel-Hamas war. At the same time, the dip in applications comes after Harvard lost a Supreme Court case over using race-conscious admissions policies, a ruling that has affected college admissions policies after effectively ending affirmative action in higher education.

The university didn't release data on race and ethnicity for its incoming class, data that it has provided in previous years, the Harvard Crimson noted.

Harvard didn't immediately return a request for comment about the decline in applicants.

Although Harvard's acceptance rate is its highest in four years, the college remains one of the most competitive universities in the U.S. Some wealthy families are now paying consultants as much as $750,000 to prepare their children for college admissions, hoping that the extra expense will pay off with an acceptance letter to a top-ranked university.

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There's some evidence that a bachelor's degree from a competitive college can boost a person's lifetime earnings. Graduates of Ivy League and other elite institutions are 60% more likely to have incomes among the top 1% compared with those who didn't attend those colleges, Harvard economists found in a 2023 study.

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U.S. District Court Judge Donovan Frank has an unusual habit. When he goes into a store, restaurant or other business where nobody knows that he's a federal judge, he checks out the employees. Then he asks to speak to the manager.

If he spots people with disabilities working in the establishment, Frank congratulates the manager on hiring them. If he doesn't see any employees with disabilities, he asks the manager why not. Depending on the answer, he tells the manager he'll encourage or discourage friends from shopping there.

"I just want to encourage everybody to have a truly diverse workforce," Frank said.

Although more workplaces are working toward diversity and inclusion, much of the focus has been on people of different races, genders, national origins, religions or LGBTQ identities. Those efforts often overlook disabled people, Frank said.

"I often say we learn a lot more from people with disabilities than almost anybody else," Frank said. People who don't know disabled people may have preconceptions about what they're like, but "those stereotypes fall away if we can live together, work together, play together."

Frank has done more than speak to employers on behalf of people with disabilities. Rulings he has made have improved the lives of people with developmental disabilities, protecting them from abuse, allowing them to vote and helping integrate them into their communities.

Frank's rulings are among the milestones mentioned in "An Unfinished Journey: Civil Rights for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Role of the Federal Courts," an exhibit on display in the lobby of the Diana E. Murphy U.S. Courthouse in downtown Minneapolis.

The exhibit traces the history of progress for people with developmental disabilities to become more independent and self-advocating. It's cosponsored by the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities and the state chapters of the Federal Bar Association and the Disability Bar Association.

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"People with disabilities confront stigma and discrimination on a regular basis. It is a shameful part of our country's past and present," he said in connection with a 2023 decision. "Ultimately, we will all be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable members of our society."

Listening means a lot

Frank traces his concern for the rights of people with disabilities to his childhood, when he watched how his father treated a cousin, Dutch, who was developmentally disabled. Dutch accompanied the family to church and worked in Frank's father's TV and appliance store.

"I think that being taught at an early age, 'Look, he has hopes and dreams like you do [and] we're going to include him in everything we do' had a big effect on me," Frank said.

Later, he got to know parents of children with disabilities and learned from that experience. "It changes your attitude," he said.

Similarly, when the choir director at his daughters' school "insisted that anybody, no matter what their disability, could participate in the choir," his daughters' attitudes changed in some ways, too.

"There is not a judge in Minnesota, and probably not in the United States, who has done more for disabilities than Judge Frank," said Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota.

Schiltz moderated an event to celebrate the exhibit's opening, with speakers, an exhibit of paintings by artists with disabilities called "I Am," and young people with disabilities singing and reading their poetry.

Frank spoke briefly, accompanied by Karen Loven, a disability activist who is developmentally disabled and who also spoke.

"I love going to Judge Frank's office, he's very kind, and I love the way he treats people," Loven said. "I've been called the R-word. I'm not retarded, I'm a human being, and I wish people could respect me and treat me like the equal that I am."

Surprisingly recent milestones

What is perhaps most astounding in the exhibit is, while much progress has been made in improving the lives of people with disabilities, how recently some of the milestones occurred.

A panel near the beginning lays out the delays. Developmentally disabled people were granted the legal right to treatment in 1974, or 117 years after Minnesota became a state in 1857, and gained the right to education the following year.

For decades, people with developmental disabilities were routinely confined to institutions, where they often spent their whole lives. The last Minnesotan left an institution as recently as 1999. (Thirty-three other states continue to institutionalize kids, with about 16,000 currently living in large public facilities.)

Their basic civil rights were granted in 1990 with the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Right to freedom from restraint and seclusion came in 2011, after a state report found that residents were being placed in metal hand and foot cuffs, face-down, even when they hadn't been behaving aggressively.

They also were secluded for long periods and not allowed family visits. Families brought a class-action suit that was settled out of court. Frank signed their agreement, which prohibited the use of physical restraints, seclusion and other painful procedures.

One panel tells the story of Minneapolis doctor Charles F. Dight, who founded the Minnesota Eugenics Society, helping write a bill that allowed the involuntary sterilization of more than 2,200 disabled people between 1925 and 1945. Dight also wrote Adolf Hitler, praising the dictator's "plan to stamp out mental inferiority among the German people," and wrote in the Minneapolis Journal that Hitler's actions, "if carried out effectively, will make him the leader of the greatest rational movement for human betterment the world has ever seen."

History, of course, does not see it that way.

What's more surprising is that Minneapolis once had a street named after Dight. It has since been renamed Cheatham Avenue, after Capt. John Cheatham, Minneapolis' first Black firefighter.

That was in March 2022, a mere two years ago.

The exhibit's title  "An Unfinished Journey"  suggests that there's more left to do. Minnesota has not been perfect in recognizing civil rights for people with developmental disabilities. For instance, the state's unemployment rate for people with disabilities is nearly 10%, compared with about 4% for people without disabilities. Still, that's better than the rates for the United States as a whole, which are about 13% and 6% respectively.

"I think we're recognized as doing a lot of really good things, and as a more progressive state," Frank said. "I'm sure some people would say there are still some areas you should look at."

"An Unfinished Journey: Civil Rights for People with Disabilities and the Role of the Federal Courts" will remain on display in the lobby of the Diana E. Murphy U.S. Courthouse in Minneapolis until July 17, after which it will move to the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in St. Paul. "I Am," the exhibit of art by people with disabilities, will move to St. Paul from May 16 to July 18.
United Overseas Insurance Limited (SGX:U13) will pay a dividend of SGD0.125 on the 15th of May. This payment means that the dividend yield will be 3.5%, which is around the industry average.

See our latest analysis for United Overseas Insurance

United Overseas Insurance's Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage

While it is always good to see a solid dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is feasible. However, prior to this announcement, United Overseas Insurance's dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business.

Looking forward, earnings per share could rise by 4.2% over the next year if the trend from the last few years continues. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 43% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.

Dividend Volatility

The company has a long dividend track record, but it doesn't look great with cuts in the past. Since 2014, the dividend has gone from SGD0.15 total annually to SGD0.21. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 3.4% over that duration. It's encouraging to see some dividend growth, but the dividend has been cut at least once, and the size of the cut would eliminate most of the growth anyway, which makes this less attractive as an income investment.

United Overseas Insurance May Find It Hard To Grow The Dividend

Growing earnings per share could be a mitigating factor when considering the past fluctuations in the dividend. Earnings has been rising at 4.2% per annum over the last five years, which admittedly is a bit slow. If United Overseas Insurance is struggling to find viable investments, it always has the option to increase its payout ratio to pay more to shareholders.

In Summary

In summary, we are pleased with the dividend remaining consistent, and we think there is a good chance of this continuing in the future. While the payout ratios are a good sign, we are less enthusiastic about the company's dividend record. Taking all of this into consideration, the dividend looks viable moving forward, but investors should be mindful that the company has pushed the boundaries of sustainability in the past and may do so again.

Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. For example, we've identified 2 warning signs for United Overseas Insurance (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of strong dividend payers.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
PUNE, India, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The report titled "UV Nail Gel Market by Gel Type (Hard Gel, Soft Gel), Chemistry (Acrylate, Methacrylate), Distribution Channel, Application - 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 $99.65 million in 2023 to reach $147.98 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.81% over the forecast period.

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" The Global Rise of UV Nail Gels Amidst Innovations and Consumer Demand Shifts "

UV nail gels have emerged as a coveted nail enhancement choice in an era where personal grooming and aesthetic appeal are more important. These gels, known for their durability, luxurious glossy finish, and resistance to everyday wear and tear, require a curing process under UV light, transforming them into a robust protective layer. This market growth is fueled by advancements in UV technology, making these products safer and more accessible, and a global surge in disposable income, empowering individuals to indulge in high-end beauty services. Challenges include concerns regarding UV exposure and the need for professional application. The industry is making strides in material science to offer safer and user-friendly alternatives. Markets in the Americas, led by the U.S. and Canada, show a high demand for at-home manicure solutions and health-conscious products, respectively. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region, with China, Japan, and India at the forefront, is witnessing a boom, driven by economic growth and a beauty-conscious population. Europe's focus on environmental sustainability and product safety encourages manufacturers toward greener solutions, while the Middle East's luxury beauty trends emphasize a demand for premium quality. This global progression signifies a dynamic shift toward innovative, safe, and consumer-friendly UV nail gel options, marking a new chapter in the beauty and personal care industry.

Story continues

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" Elevating Beauty Standards: How Growing Disposable Income Fuels the Demand for UV Nail Gel in Personal Grooming "

Global economic well-being has positively impacted consumers' disposable incomes, leading to improved lifestyles and higher spending capabilities on non-essential luxuries, particularly in the beauty and personal care sector. This increased financial freedom has sparked significant interest in premium grooming products such as UV nail gel, driven by the desire for quality and indulgence. Individuals are turning to personal grooming products to enhance their outward image and boost their self-esteem and mental health with a more considerable emphasis on maintaining a professional and polished appearance in various social and occupational settings. Studying this phenomenon reveals a blend of social, psychological, and economic factors contributing to the surge in demand for personal grooming items. The expanding market for UV nail gel exemplifies this trend, benefiting from the growing pursuit of luxury and self-care in personal grooming routines. This scenario underscores the direct correlation between rising disposable incomes and the escalating value placed on personal grooming and appearance, with UV nail gel emerging as a distinguished product meeting these modern consumer needs.

" Innovations in UV Nail Gels: Embracing Convenience and Versatility with Soft Gels "

The shift toward soft, soak-off gel polishes marks a significant trend for home enthusiasts seeking effortless application and removal in the dynamic world of nail aesthetics. Unlike hard gels, preferred for their strength and ability to sculpt beautiful nail extensions but require professional filing for removal, soft gels offer a more user-friendly alternative. These versatile gels effortlessly dissolve with acetone, making them ideal for consumers desiring the flexibility to frequently change their nail color without compromising the health of their natural nails. Essential to the UV nail gel regimen, the base coat acts as a protective primer, enhancing the polish's adherence and longevity and safeguarding the nails from stains and damage. The expansive color spectrum of UV gel polishes, requiring curing under a UV or LED lamp, promises durability and a stunning finish far surpassing regular polishes. The top coat seals in color, delivering a radiant gloss and additional protection against wear and tear.

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" Wella International Operations Switzerland Sarl at the Forefront of UV Nail Gel Market with a Strong 8.48% Market Share "

The key players in the UV Nail Gel Market include Coty Inc., Revlon, Inc., L'OREAL S.A., Keystone Industries, Wella International Operations Switzerland Sarl, 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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Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights UV Nail Gel Market, by Gel Type UV Nail Gel Market, by Chemistry UV Nail Gel Market, by Distribution Channel UV Nail Gel Market, by Application Americas UV Nail Gel Market Asia-Pacific UV Nail Gel Market Europe, Middle East & Africa UV Nail Gel Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio

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While it may not be enough for some shareholders, we think it is good to see the Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) share price up 11% in a single quarter. But over the last half decade, the stock has not performed well. In fact, the share price is down 29%, which falls well short of the return you could get by buying an index fund.

On a more encouraging note the company has added US$6.2b to its market cap in just the last 7 days, so let's see if we can determine what's driven the five-year loss for shareholders.

See our latest analysis for Verizon Communications

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One 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).

Looking back five years, both Verizon Communications' share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 6.0% per year. Notably, the share price has fallen at 7% per year, fairly close to the change in the EPS. This implies that the market has had a fairly steady view of the stock. So it's fair to say the share price has been responding to changes in EPS.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

Dive deeper into Verizon Communications' key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Verizon Communications's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. 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. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Verizon Communications, it has a TSR of -7.8% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

Verizon Communications shareholders gained a total return of 17% during the year. But that was short of the market average. But at least that's still a gain! Over five years the TSR has been a reduction of 1.5% per year, over five years. It could well be that the business is stabilizing. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 5 warning signs for Verizon Communications you should know about.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

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.
While many baby boomers have now entered retirement, many more remain in the workforce with retirement upcoming. As this generation transitions into retired life, many may choose to move to a city more suitable for their new cash flows and routines. Some places may offer better tax advantages, lower cost of living, proximity to family, comfortable weather and other amenities for retirees. Ultimately, the migration of boomers  and their economic power  will impact the local economies they move to and from.

With this in mind, SmartAsset examined Census Bureau data for 268 of the largest U.S. cities to see where people between the ages of 55 and 74 are moving. Cities are ranked by the rate at which baby boomers moved in in 2022.

Key Findings

These Florida, Arizona and Nevada cities dominate the top 10. The three states are home to eight of the 10 cities with the biggest boomer inflows, including Clearwater, FL; Reno, NV; Orlando, FL; Cape Coral, FL; Surprise, AZ; Henderson, NV; Mesa, AZ; and St. Petersburg, FL.

Nearly 30% of the population are boomers in these cities. Baby boomers account for almost three out of every 10 people in Cape Coral, FL (29.9%), Scottsdale, AZ (28.1%) and Clearwater, FL (27.0%).

Out-of-state boomers are moving to Billings, MT. Montana's largest city welcomed 1,842 baby boomers from different states in 2022, more than half of the total 3,401 new boomers. Billings, which ranked fifth studywide, is consequently one of the two states that made it to the top 10 outside of Florida, Nevada and Arizona.

Foreign boomers are moving to these cities in Florida. 2,131 baby boomers moved to Orlando from abroad last year. Cape Coral, FL had the second highest rate of boomers moving from abroad, with 1,268 new individuals in this cohort.

North Carolina boomers are flocking to High Point. Overall, High Point ranked 9th. Of the 3,051 baby boomers who moved here in 2022, 81% came from within the state of North Carolina.



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Top 10 Cities Where Baby Boomers Are Moving

1. Clearwater, FL

Baby boomers who moved to Clearwater in 2022 accounted for 3.79% of the city's total population. 4,401 people from this age group moved into the city. Overall, the 31,349 baby boomers living in Clearwater made up 27.0% of the city's total population over the age of 1.

2. Reno, NV

A total of 8,329 baby boomers relocated to Reno in 2022. These new residents represented 3.07% of the city's population. Overall, 62,688 baby boomers living in Reno accounted for 23.1% of residents.

3. Orlando, FL

In 2022, Orlando welcomed 9,458 new residents from the baby boomer generation. Those newcomers accounted for 3.02% of the city's total population over the age of 1. Boomers now comprise 16.6% of the Orlando community, with a total of 51,927 individuals.

4. Cape Coral, FL

Baby boomers who moved to Cape Coral in 2022 made up 2.90% of the city's total population over the age of 1. A total of 6,233 people from this age group moved into the city that year, as baby boomers made up 29.9% of the overall population.

5. Billings, MT

Billings saw 3,401 baby boomers move into the city, accounting for 2.87% of the city's population. With the influx, baby boomers now comprise 22.5% of residents over the age of 1.

6. Surprise, AZ

4,372 baby boomers relocated to Surprise, making up 2.86% of the total population over the age of 1. This led to a total of 36,420 baby boomers living in Surprise in 2022. This generation constituted 23.8% of the overall community.

7. Henderson, NV

The 9,219 boomers who moved to Henderson during 2022 made up 2.80% of the city's total population. Meanwhile, a total of 84,183 boomers were living in Henderson in 2022, accounting for 25.6% of residents.

8. Mesa, AZ

Of the 108,881 baby boomers living in Mesa in 2022, 13,623 moved to the city that year. Newcomers in this age group made up 2.69% of the city's total population over the age of 1.

9. High Point, NC

High Point welcomed 3,051 new residents from the baby boomer generation in 2022. In total, the city's 26,023 baby boomers comprised 22.9% of the overall population over the age of 1. Baby boomers who moved to High Point that year accounted for 2.69% of residents.

10. St. Petersburg, FL

A total of 6,903 baby boomers moved to St. Petersburg in 2022, accounting for 2.67% of the total population over the age of 1. That year, 66,631 baby boomers  25.75% of all residents over the age of 1  called St. Petersburg home.

Data and Methodology

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year American Community Survey for 2022. The study included 268 cities that had available data and 100,000 or more people ages 1 or over. Boomers were defined as people ages 55 to 74. Cities were ranked by the percentage of the total population represented by boomers who moved into the city in 2022.

Retirement Planning Tips

Optimize your Social Security. Social Security plays an important role in most people's plans for retirement. Remember, waiting until you reach your full retirement age will ensure you receive your full benefit. Filing for Social Security as early as age 62 will mean you'll collect up to 30% less. However, the flipside is also true: waiting until age 70 will mean your benefit will increase by up to 24%.

Anticipate your income needs. While spending typically decreases in retirement, inaccurately predicting your consumption could spell trouble for your budget. The experts at T. Rowe Price recommend you start by aiming to replace 75% of your pre-retirement income. From their, your exact income replacement target will depend on your savings rate during your career and other factors.

Work with a financial professional. Whether you're a baby boomer or a member of a later generation, saving and planning for retirement is critical. A financial advisor can help but finding one doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Photo credit: iStock.com/Robert Daly

The post Where Baby Boomers Are Moving  2023 Study appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Key Insights

Wynnstay Group's estimated fair value is UK6.39 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of UK3.55 suggests Wynnstay Group is potentially 44% undervalued

Industry average discount to fair value of 40% suggests Wynnstay Group's peers are currently trading at a lower discount

Does the March share price for Wynnstay Group Plc (LON:WYN) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Wynnstay Group

Is Wynnstay Group Fairly Valued?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK13.9m UK8.00m UK8.90m UK7.89m UK7.31m UK6.96m UK6.77m UK6.67m UK6.63m UK6.64m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -11.31% Est @ -7.43% Est @ -4.71% Est @ -2.80% Est @ -1.47% Est @ -0.54% Est @ 0.12% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.0% UK13.1 UK7.1 UK7.5 UK6.2 UK5.5 UK4.9 UK4.5 UK4.2 UK3.9 UK3.7

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK61m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after 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 (1.6%) 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 6.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK6.6m (1 + 1.6%)  (6.0% 1.6%) = UK154m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK154m ( 1 + 6.0%)10= UK86m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK146m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK3.6, the company appears quite good value at a 44% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Wynnstay Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Wynnstay Group

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market.

Opportunity

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for WYN.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Wynnstay Group, we've compiled three further items you should further research:

Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Wynnstay Group that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does WYN's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that the ZOO Digital Group plc (LON:ZOO) CEO & Executive Director, Stuart Green, recently bought UK50k worth of stock, for UK0.29 per share. Although the purchase is not a big one, increasing their shareholding by only 1.5%, it can be interpreted as a good sign.

View our latest analysis for ZOO Digital Group

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At ZOO Digital Group

The Independent Non-Executive Chairman Gillian Wilmot made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK60k worth of shares at a price of UK0.38 each. That means that even when the share price was higher than UK0.35 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months ZOO Digital Group insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Does ZOO Digital Group Boast High Insider Ownership?

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Our data indicates that ZOO Digital Group insiders own about UK4.3m worth of shares (which is 12% of the company). Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing!

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So What Does This Data Suggest About ZOO Digital Group Insiders?

We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). That said, the purchases were not large. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. While we have no worries about the insider transactions, we'd be more comfortable if they owned more ZOO Digital Group stock. 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. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with ZOO Digital Group (including 1 which is a bit unpleasant).

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.
(600588):2023ESG 20240330 00:59:25 

:

:  :2023ESG About the Report

Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. ("Yonyou", "the Group", "the Company" and "we") has been disclosing its non-financial information annually since 2011, with a total of 13 social responsibility/

sustainability reports issued by 2023.



to the "GRI Content Index" and the "SDGs Index" in the "Content Index" section. As a listed company on the main board of Shanghai Stock Exchange (hereinafter referred to as "SSE") (stock code: 600588), this report also refers to the social responsibility disclosure suggestions The Report is released in electronic version, it can be downloaded from our website:

of SSE. http://www.yonyou.com/.

CONTENTS

Chairman's Message 01 Feature Story 07 Future Purpose 53

Let Leading Practices Become 07

Universally Beneficial

About Yonyou 03 Content Index 55

Company Profile 03 GRI Content Index 55

ESG Management Framework 04 UN Sustainable Development Goals 56(SDGs) Index

Awards and Recognitions 05

Social Responsibility 06

Certifications

13 25 39

Environmental: Social: Governance:

Guarding Lucid Waters Co-Creating a Better Life Creating Long-term Valueand Lush Mountains

Enables the green 15 Creating a New Environment for 27 Drive the Continuous Improvement of 41transformation of thousands Comprehensive Development of Corporate Governance Effectivenessof industries Employees

44

Continuously Improving Compliance

Building a Green and Low- 22 Building a New Ecosystem and 34 and Operational SystemsCarbon Operating System Mutual Benefit for the Industry

Building a Secure Barrier in the Digital

46

Chairman's Messageviewed data security and privacy protection as

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

About Yonyou

Management Framework

To comprehensively enhance our company's ESG governance level and strengthen our core competitiveness and

Company Profile

company's strategy and sustainable development plans.

We establish a Sustainability Committee under the Group Executive Council, chaired by the Group CEO and

Founded in 1988, Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 600588) is a global leading provider of digital

consisting of vice presidents from key positions. taking overall responsibility for the Company's environment,

and intelligent services, software for enterprises and public organizations. Yonyou is continuously committed to

society and governance (ESG) work. Under the Sustainable Development Committee, there are subcommittees for

using creativity and technology to promote business and social progress. Through the popularization of YonBIP

Product and Service Innovation Group, Green Operations Group, Social Harmony Group, Corporate Governance

(Yonyou Business Innovation Platform), serving enterprises in their digital and intelligent transformation and

Group, and Information Disclosure Group. Each group is responsible for advancing the Company's sustainable

business innovation, achieving success for millions of enterprises.development initiatives in their respective areas, ensuring the realization of the Company's long-term sustainable

YonBIP (Yonyou Business Innovation Platform), in terms of platform technology and application architecture, filed development goals.

and industry applications, and ecosystem, has realized comprehensive breakthrough and innovation, achieving

a global leading level. Since its launch, it has been selected and applied by a number of industry-leading large

Yonyou Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Management Frameworkand medium-sized enterprises. It has become the preferred platform for digital intelligence construction for many







Awards and Recognitions Social Responsibility CertificationsIn 2023, Yonyou continued to promote the social responsibility work to be organized, professional and systematic,

Granted By Awards

completed the supervision and follow-up review of ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 45001

China Information Technology 2022 Top 100 Software and Information Technology Service (occupational health and safety management system), SA 8000 (social responsibility standard) and other

Industry Federation Competitiveness Enterprises

The 2nd prize of the National final Leader Group of "Industrial Internet + The 5th China Industrial Internet

Product Service solution" Competition

Competition

Most Commercial Value Award



Top 10 of the Global Enterprise Application Software Market

SA 8000 Certification

CCID Consultant China PaaS Market Leaders Quadrant

New Generation Information Technology Innovation Products for 2022-2023Koo Gallery 2022 Huawei Cloud Store "Joint Venture Leap Award"Feature Story: Expanding Horizons and Incremental

Growth, Digitalization is No Longer a

Distant Goal for Enterprises

Let Leading Practices Become Universally

As a global leading enterprise of digital and intelligent software and As of the end of 2023Beneficial

services, Yonyou has always adhered to the practice of 'creating new value through digitalization as the basis and intelligence', taking the responsibility of 'Great Power Brand' to constantly exploring its own 3.18

potential for technological innovation. Over decades, Yonyou focused on the actual needs of enterprise digital and intellectual development, Million enterprises Yonyou Jingzhi

successively creating cutting-edge products including Yonyou BIP, Industrial Internet Platform had In this new era and journey, comprehensively advancing the construction of a powerful country and the great

Yonyou Jingzhi Industrial Internet Platform, and Yonyou BIP Intelligent servedrejuvenation of the nation through Chinese path to modernization is a crucial task. This is an essential path to

Manufacturing Solutions. Collaborating with numerous enterprises to shape new competitive advantages and a necessary choice to continuously meet the people's aspirations for a

explore the best path for digital and intelligent transformation, we drive better life. Adhering to the philosophy of "making leadership universally beneficial," creating a model for digital and

the deep application and development of industrial digital intelligence.intelligent transformation, and continuously extending leading practices to various industries and enterprises are

1.44

central to accelerating the digital and intelligent transformation process across numerous sectors. This approach is

In 2023, Yonyou launched the world's first integrated intelligent Million sets of industrial

the key to enabling every enterprise to gain diverse capabilities towards new industrialization.manufacturing operations management platform (MOM) as the core equipment connected

engine, providing industrial enterprises with an integrated production and Yonyou launched the first Enterprise Management Software (ERP) in 1997, and being the first in the industry to

operations control platform. This platform assists enterprises in achieving propose the concept of "Digital and Intelligent Transformation" (digitalization + intellectualization) in 2017. Yonyou

full element linkage in production and full value chain integration, guiding start building and operating the world-leading Business Innovation Platform (BIP), and iterative Yonyou BIP to

numerous industrial enterprises towards steady high-quality development. 22,000Yonyou BIP3 in 2022, and fully utilizing artificial intelligence in 2023 with the release of the industry's first enterprise

By the end of 2023, Yonyou Jingzhi Industrial Internet Platform had service model, YonGPT. Yonyou focuses on the characteristics of the era and the actual needs of enterprises in the

Public welfare apps accumulated

served 3.18 million enterprises, connected 1.44 million sets of industrial economic and social development, continuously enhancing the inclusiveness of digital intelligence technology

equipment, accumulated 22,000 public welfare apps and 2,926 industrial through technological innovation, helping thousands of enterprises to move steadily forward in the wave of digital

mechanism models, and united 6,600 ecological partners, continuously intelligence.

maintaining its global leadership position.

2,926

Industrial mechanism models

Yonyou, recognizing the key role of intelligent manufacturing in the process of new industrialization, has built the "Yonyou BIP Intelligent Manufacturing Solution based on the Industrial Internet" based on decades of digital practice in the manufacturing sector. This solution 2017 2023 over 2,900

deeply integrates new generation information technology with advanced Industrial models from Yonyou's

Launched the first

production management models, assisting enterprises in quickly Iterate Yonyou BIP to

Jingzhi Industrial Big Data Center

Enterprise Management

developing key core capabilities needed for intelligent manufacturing. Yonyou BIP3

Software (ERP)

Additionally, addressing pain points in industrial production digitalization, Propose the concept such as significant industrial differences, inefficiencies in industrial supply

of "Digital and Intelligent chains, and mismatches between on-site management and information Release the industry's

Transformation" and start systems, Yonyou's solution, including technologies and services like first large enterprise service

building and operating the Industrial Internet Identification Resolution and Intelligent Operation model

world-leading Business Platforms, helps enterprises build an intelligent production platform that Innovation Platform connects across companies, disciplines, and systems. It achieves a digital YonBIP twin encompassing all elements, the entire industrial chain, and the entire 1997 2022

value chain, driving production operations with industrial big data and reshaping high-quality enterprise competitiveness through digital and intelligent innovation. By the end of 2023, Yonyou's Jingzhi Industrial Big Data Center had aggregated billions of data points from a million industrial enterprises and developed over 2,900 industrial models.

knowledge generation," and "semantic application generation," constructing a "large model that better

In July 2023, Yonyou was invited to attend the 2023 Global Digital Economy Conference co-hosted by the People's

understands enterprise services." It offers pervasive intelligence and intelligent applications throughout the entire

Government of Beijing Municipality, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry

value chain and all scenarios, deeply integrated into the customer's business forefront.and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Commerce. Yonyou exhibited its data intelligence solution based





also provide more proficient intelligent scene services through fine-tuning of industry models. Enables the green transformation





In 2023, we further explored the core role of digital and intelligent technology in achieving intensive, energy- In August 2023, Yonyou launched its sustainable development solution  Yonyou ESG Cloud at the 2023 Global

saving, and environmentally friendly production and services. Utilizing "platform + dual carbon" and other clean Business Innovation Conference. This solution is characterized by a strong correlation between business, finance,

technology innovations and applications, we built industry-oriented, one-stop sustainable development solutions, materials, and carbon, and integrates all these elements, is natively integrated with Yonyou BIP and leverages

supporting steady progress in green transformation across all industries. Additionally, we explored and established advanced technologies from the BIP such as IoT, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, AI, and edge computing.

a mechanism to identify customers with sustainable development goals, offering targeted sustainable solutions This allows businesses and organizations to accurately calculate and manage carbon emissions, also provides

to key customers in green transformation, including high carbon-emitting enterprises, continually contributing to third-party ESG-related organizations with traceable, verifiable, auditable, certifiable, and trustworthy data and





of industries such as coal, coal chemical, power, new energy, and oil and gas. With a focus on carbon measurement,







approach across four dimensions: intelligent procurement, material supermarket, supply chain collaboration,

Based on Yonyou BIP Intelligent Fuel Saving & Carbon Reduction Data Analysis Platform, Chengdu Airlines has successfully established a fuel data visualization platform. Leveraging 35 visual data analysis interfaces, the platform handles over 500 million data points, resulting in an annual saving of more than 3 million yuan in aviation In February 2023, we collaborated with Minyuan Steel Group to construct the " 5G + ultra-low emission fugitive fuel costs. emission management, control and governance integrated platform". This collaboration aided Minyuan Steel Group in accomplishing the ultra-low emission transformation and assessment monitoring required by the China Industrial Association. It was also selected as the fifth batch of "green factories" by the Ministry of Industry and Pengyao Environmental Protection Group to build a digitalized water operation management platform centered on

sewage treatment in 2023. This platform achieves controllable, visible, perceivable, and predictable water station In February 2023, we collaborated in the Jiyuan Iron&Steel Group "5G+ Innovative Application to Assist Energy

data; can effectively addresses long-standing pain points such as multiple sites, difficult management, high costs, Saving and Emission Reduction in the Steel Industry" project, and won the first prize in the "Smart Energy Special

low efficiency, multiple platforms, and scattered data. This initiative significantly boosts the efficiency of urban Competition" of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's "Blossom Cup" 5G Application Contest for

Furthermore, as a global leader in cloud services, we continuously deepen the pivotal role of cloud service

technology in aiding energy conservation and consumption reduction, committed to implementing the "dual

Building a Green and Low-Carbon

carbon" goals with our partners.

Operating System

Steadily Promotion

YonBIP

We have long upheld the principles of green, environmental protection, and intelligence. We continuously explore

Procurement Cloud

green and low-carbon management and operational mechanisms that align with our Company's actual situation,

constantly improving the execution and supervision of related objectives. This ensures that our green operation

management plans are effectively implemented, steadily advancing the company towards the "dual carbon" goals.

In 2023, we invested more than 9 million yuan in environmental protection funds, which were used for key tasks

such as optimizing garbage classification and collection, upgrading and retrofitting energy-saving equipment, and

promoting environmental protection culture, achieving good results.In 2022, under the guidance of the Group's Sustainable Development (ESG) Committee, the Company's Green

YonBIP YonBIP

Operation Working Group compiled and published the Carbon Peak Implementation Plan of Yonyou Industrial

Collaborative Cloud Tax Cloud

Park. In 2023, we took active measures and solidly advanced the relevant work according to the established goals,

achieving commendable results.



By the end of 2023, there have been 468,000 enterprises registered on YonBIP procurement The status of goal

Goals 2023 Progress

cloud supply platform, 139 large and medium-sized enterprises rely on YonBIP procurement cloud to achieve 25,000 online bidding, 23,000 participating suppliers, and 50.6 billion yuan Procurement

In 2023, the park began

Cloud

for not less than 50% of total power

In progress

2,500 megawatts, which

Green

consumption no later than 2025, and

green power coverage of 100% by 2030.

total electricity usage.

By the end of 2023, YonBIP Collaborative Cloud has served more than 2.15 million enterprises In 2023, the park's western

Yonyou Industrial Park (Beijing) will

and organizations, of which the "You Space" collaborative platform built based on YonBIP and central areas used a

realize that the proportion of reclaimed

water used for green land irrigation will

Collaborative paid enterprise customers, and more than 22.6 million end users. It has been selected as the

of recycled water. Plans

are underway to extend

consumption no later than 2023, and

and has become an important tool to comprehensively promote "paperless" office and Water

recycled water usage to the

100% reclaimed water coverage will be

promote resource conservation.

eastern area of the park in

achieved no later than 2024.

2024.



ee m Completed

Tax Cloud invoices issued, 214 million invoices received, and 9 million electronic accounting vouchers,

Green

achieve 100% new energy shuttle bus on passenger occupancy

has achieved a cumulative carbon reduction of 532 tons.

Commuting

coverage. rates to minimize resource

wastage.

the ground source heat pump and ice storage energy-saving effects, achieving physical In 2023, we focused on enhancing employee experience and reducing operational carbon footprint, fully central air conditioning renovation project. energy savings of 1.078 million kWh, with a implementing the BIP Expense Control and Business Travel Platform. Throughout the year, a total of 227,000 This involved replacing the heat pump units comprehensive energy-saving percentage reimbursement documents were automatically and intelligently generated, accounting for 55.6% of all and circulating water pumps at the energy of 21.66%. During the 2022-2023 heating reimbursement documents. This saved 49,000 hours of reporting time. Concurrently, it conserved 668,000 sheets station, upgrading the energy storage system season and the 2023 cooling season, of printing paper, equivalent to a reduction of 1.35 tons in carbon emissions. The digital employee independently to water storage, and refurbishing the interior compared to the conventional water- audited 133,000 documents (unmanned mode), accounting for 32.5% of the total documents. Intelligent audit of the cooling tower along with upgrading the cooled unit cooling method of gas boilers, Yonyou checks were executed on 10.56 million checkpoints (5.21 million in business management and 5.35 million in electrical automation equipment. the energy supply system reduced carbon Industrial Park invoice compliance), saving 41,000 hours in auditing time. dioxide emissions by 2,087.6 tons. (Beijing) Lighting and Energy Consumption Management Optimization: We actively ? The lighting renovation and energy continued to advance the transformation of consumption management optimization traditional lighting, replacing 500 energy- achieved more than a 30% energy saving Strengthening Concept saving LED lights within the year; we also compared to the previous year. replaced 15 high-energy-consuming water We fully implement the new development concept, actively advocating, and encouraging our employees to apply heaters with energy-efficient ones and green and environmentally friendly principles in their work and daily lives. In 2023, we organized our employees descaled the water heaters quarterly to to participate in activities such as tree planting festivals and eco-friendly hiking, working together with every staff enhance their efficiency. member to jointly protect our beautiful home. Intelligent Operation for Heating and ? In 2023, this system achieved an electricity Cooling: Enhanced efficiency in the use saving of 567,192 kWh, reducing carbon of ground source heat pumps and energy dioxide emissions by 372.6 tons. storage central air conditioning, significantly ? In 2023, the photovoltaic power generation reducing energy consumption generated by reached 419,736 kWh, reducing carbon dioxide traditional energy methods. emissions by approximately 253.53 tons. Photovoltaic Power Generation: ? In recent years, related projects have Yonyou Strengthened the capacity of the photovoltaic Industrial Park successively been recognized as Jiangxi power station in the park, steadily increasing (Nanchang) Province's Renewable Energy Application the proportion of clean energy. Demonstration Project, Green Building Design Identification Two-Star Building, Jiangxi Province Quality Construction Project Award, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development's Green Construction Science and Technology Demonstration Project. Energy Substitution and Consumption ? The project has been awarded the Reduction: The park adopted a solar water Hainan Province Green Building Design Yonyou Campus Recruitment





Talent Development

We earnestly practice the value of "professional struggle", implement the "multi-channel" development mechanism

for employees to achieve separate development pathways for the management line (M series) and the professional

Staff Training

line (P series). In 2023, we continued to optimize the fast lane development policy, offering broader

development opportunities for talented individuals. Simultaneously, we introduced several new job series in our

In 2023, we continued to optimize our employee development policies, In 2023, professional development system, clearly defining the developmental path and job requirements for each series,

constantly strengthening the institutional foundation of Yonyou's talent providing more accurate and comprehensive guidance for the development of employees' professional ability.

system. During the year, we developed and published the Yonyou BIP Product

t d n

l Employee Care

We established a scientifically effective incentive system to fully unleash the 5.2

potential for employee growth. In 2023, we revised and improved the Post Optimizing the Workplace Environment

Performance Management System of Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. Million yuan reward fund was

We are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and inclusive workplace environment to ensure the physical

and the 2023 Implementation Rules of Annual Post Performance Management. issued to 23 teams

and mental health and work efficiency of our employees. In 2023, we enhanced employees' work experience in

We continually refined and upgraded the target process management and all aspects, including a green and environmentally friendly working environment, a convenient and comfortable

assessment evaluation process, ensuring a scientific and efficient target commuting experience, and a healthy and safe workplace life.management system and performance management system.

2,615



Pr ro as th

system based primarily on the employees' representative assembly, cultural program "CEO Meetup" and regularly convene these assemblies. We actively listen to employee were heldopinions and establish efficient and transparent communication channels. Relying on the Company's internal SNS (Social Networking Service) Deepening the Employee Care

community and You Space and other information applications, we 1,081

encourage all employees to express their views and suggestions on issues In 2023, we continued to carry out various activities, offer more fringe benefits to help employees maintain physical

Attendees on-site

related to company management and technological development, fully and mental health, and achieve happy work and healthy life. understand employees' core concerns, and incorporate key suggestions into the optimization of the Company's daily operations.

Employee Benefits Innovation

813

In 2023, focusing on our annual strategic theme, we held three sessions of the group-level cultural program "CEO Meetup". The Group CEO engaged Adopting the concept of "My Benefits, My Choice," employees are free to choose

Questions wew collected from

closely with employees, having open and sincere dialogues about strategy, Customized Benefits their customized benefits based on their preferences during festive seasons,

employees

business, culture, and personal insights. The events were attended by 1,081 significantly increasing their participation and satisfaction.

questions from employees and answered 65 of them during the sessions. To alleviate occupational health issues caused by prolonged sitting among Year-Round Traditional

Beyond addressing inquiries on-site, we continued to actively resolve employees, we provide irregular monthly eye care and traditional Chinese Chinese Medicine

issues related to system process optimization, business resource support, medicine treatments for shoulder and neck issues. This includes prevention and Treatments

and office equipment upgrades, effectively creating value for both the massage therapy for common ailments.

word book titled Professional the Sea, More Complete with You" event in the park, aimed at fostering Endeavor, which narrates the friendship and unity among employees, and together experiencing the stories of 35 representative warmth and joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival. 3,305 302 202 Yonyou employees, it further Registered ISV partners Ecological solutions Selected fusion partners enhances Yonyou members' (including Chanjet) identification with the Company's development values. 3 more than 10 over 20Yonyou Collaborates with ISV Ecological Partners to Empower the Intelligent Case Transformation of the Food Processing Industry Empowering a New Mechanism for stages, offering data services for continuous improvement and management heritage, and the employee volunteer service team "Walk side by side with decision-making to the enterprise. This effectively addressed longstanding friendship." These brands serve as the core of our public welfare system, industry pain points in the food processing sector, such as challenges in 3,025.5 covering various societal, business, and internal spheres. In 2023, we data collection during production processes, coarse granularity of data further refined institutional documents such as the Yonyou Foundation Hours for volunteer service collection nodes, and inadequacies in supply chain inventory management Volunteer Management Measures, the Companionship in Love Volunteer functionalities for on-site fine management. This solution has been effectively Service Team Charter, and the Companionship in Love Volunteer Incentive implemented in over thirty factories under Beijing Ershang Group, establishing Mechanism, strengthening the organization of employee volunteer a standardized management system and achieving the digital transformation services and cultural development. During the year, we conducted two and innovative digital business in the food processing industry. sessions of social responsibility training that covered all employees, with a total charitable contribution of 6.757 million yuan. Additionally, 217 volunteers cumulatively contributed 3,025.5 hours of service. Yonyou Leads the Establishment of the Pharmaceutical Industry Ecological Alliance, Case Deepening Digitization in the Healthcare Sector Yonyou Public Welfare Cloud Yonyou Public Welfare Cloud Project offers public welfare organizations Yonyou actively collaborates with multiple ISV ecological partners to develop innovative products through free, professional, efficient, and practical integrated products and services the YonBIP platform, enhancing solutions for various sub-sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, for finance and project management. In 2023, we released the Digital pharmaceutical distribution, and medical devices. This initiative rapidly develops products rich in industry Intelligence Solutions and Case Studies for the Public Welfare Industry, characteristics, aiding agile project delivery for clients. In April 2023, Yonyou hosted the "In-depth Pharma, continuing to increase our investments and serving more public welfare Ecological Convergence" Ecological Innovation Forum. Zhou Jun, Assistant General Manager of Yonyou's organizations. During the year, we provided products and services to 48 Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Distribution Industry Division, shared insights on Yonyou's Pharmaceutical public welfare organizations. Yonyou Public Welfare Cloud Project was Industry Ecological Strategy, showcasing Yonyou's comprehensive business layout, ecological circle construction, selected as part of the China Computer Federation (CCF) Technology and achievements in the pharmaceutical sector. During the forum, Yonyou spearheaded the formation of the Public Welfare Case Collection 2023 Annual Outstanding Cases. Pharmaceutical Industry Ecological Alliance. Yonyou will collaborate with ecological partners to construct scenario- based solutions for enterprises, vigorously promoting specialized construction and digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry.List of newly signed public welfare organizations in 2023 Arrangement and Protection Number Organization Number Organization of China's Commercial Cultural Heritage 1 Beijing Antai Charity Foundation 26 Ulanqab Public Welfare Promotion In July 2017, we officially launched the "Great Wall of Commerce" project, aimed at Association 29.905 excavating, protecting, organizing, researching, and showcasing China's commercial 2 The Open University of China Education cultural heritage through supporting theoretical research, historical data collation, Million yuan had been Foundation Beijing 27 Xi'an Guangyuan Education Support and database construction. After seven years of development, the " Great Wall of cumulatively donated to the Charity Centre Commerce" project has become a representative brand in public welfare initiatives, 3 Hengshan Foundation "Great Wall of Commerce" project exerting significant influence in the academic community and introducing new by the end of 2023 28 Yiyang Ant Social Work Service Center perspectives and methods to China's public welfare sector. 4 Evergreen Center for Sustainable Development 29 Yile Social Work Service Center, Yunlong In July 2023, we announced the seventh "Great Wall of Commerce" funding project, County donating 3 million yuan to support 15 outstanding projects focused on commercial 5 Beijing Yunju Temple Charitable Foundation 136 technology and data heritage, received widespread acclaim and attention from Projects had been supported 30 Zhejiang Foundation of Nanhu School 6 Beijing All in One Foundation various social sectors. Numerous renowned academic public accounts, including Affiliated To Beijing Normal University those focusing on quantitative historical research, Chinese economic history, and 7 Chengdu Wuhou Community Development industrial history, have published related information. The project received coverage 31 Zhejiang Yuhua Public Welfare of Seniors Foundation from several well-known media outlets such as Guangming Net, Phoenix Net, and Development Center Public Welfare Times. By the end of 2023, the " Great Wall of Commerce" project had 8 Enshi Volunteer Association been cumulatively donated 29.905 million yuan, supporting 136 projects. 32 Wanzhou District Deli Social Work Service Center, Chongqing 9 Fujian Education Aid Association 2023 "Great Wall of Commerce" new funding projects (part) 33 DNVa Foundation 10 One Heart Foundation of FuJian Province Number Project Title Responsible Institution High-Resolution Reconstruction and Information Institute of Chinese Historical Geography, 34 11 Gansu QingSuo Philanthropy Development Beijing Reteng Foundation 1 Accessibility Analysis of Modern China Commercial Fudan University Center Information Networks (1903-1942) 35 Research on the "Suzhou Numerals Code" of China's School of Humanities and Chengdu Jinniu Community Development 2 12 Guangzhou Shi Yuan Charitable Foundation Commercial Digital Cultural Heritage communication, Ningbo University Foundation Organization and Research of Chinese Maritime Customs School of History and Cultural Heritage, 3 13 Family Education Promotion Association, 36 Publications in the Shanghai Library Collection Xiamen University Chengdu Concentric Charity Public Service Zengcheng District, Guangzhou Center Research on the Interaction between Commercial Development Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy 4 and the Monetary Evolution since the Qing Dynasty of Social Sciences 14 Lezhong Social Work Service Center, 37 Arrangement, Research, and Database Construction of the Department of History, Jiangxi Normal Gongming Public Welfare Center for 5 Zengcheng District, Guangzhou Documents of Tongrentang Pharmacy in Huizhou, Jixi University Disability Inclusion, Guangzhou Collection and Compilation of Sino-Foreign Commercial Judicial Department of History, School of Liberal 6 15 Guizhou For Love Qianxing Public Service Archives of the French Mixed Court of Shanghai (1869-1931) Arts, Shanghai University 38 Guolanying Arts Development Foundation Center Department of History, School of Research on the Price Data in Rural Households' Account 7 Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong 39 Hui County Volunteer Service Center Books in Qing Dynasty 16 Houma City Social Work Service Center University Collection and Organization of Salt Price Historical Data in Department of History, Sun Yat-sen 40 Jiande Guangfu Charitable Foundation 17 Shandong Zhongtou Philanthropic 8 the Qing Dynasty University Foundation 41 Jiangxi Love Public Welfare Association 18 Shaanxi Youth Entrepreneurship and 46

Xuzhou Yitong Social Work Development

project, accumulating approximately 3,270.5 hours of service.In the outstanding volunteer

Center

23 Songyuan Blue Sky Volunteer Association

recognition event of 2022, we actively

encouraged employees to participate

47

BAYU Public Welfare Development Center

24 TianJin Xinyu Public Foundation

501 3,270.5

in volunteer services and specially

of Yuzhong District, Chongqing

Independence and Diversity

Drive the Continuous Improvement of

of the Board of Directors

Corporate Governance Effectiveness

In 2023, in accordance with new regulatory requirements such as the Measures for the Administration of Independent Directors of Listed Companies, 1/2we revised and improved the Working System for Independent Directors of Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. This revision standardized the appointment conditions and election procedures for independent directors, Establish a Solid Governance Foundation

2023

considering factors like educational background, industry experience, and professional skills, and it stipulated that independent directors should ideally In 2023, in accordance with the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and the Securities Law of the

serve in no more than three domestic listed companies.

People's Republic of China, we revised and improved various system norms including the Rules of Procedure for

the Board of Directors of Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., the Articles of Association of Yonyou Network

By the end of 2023, independent directors comprised half of our Board, Technology Co., Ltd., and the Implementation Details of the Board's Strategic Committee. This continuous effort

bringing diverse expertise from regulatory agencies, information technology, aims to better translate institutional advantages into governance efficacy.and corporate management. The independent directors actively participated in the work of the Board's special committees and effectively played an We established a corporate governance system comprised of the Shareholders Meeting, Board of Directors, Board of

independent role in the Board's decision-making. Two of them served Supervisors, and senior management. The Shareholders' Meeting is the highest authority in Yonyou, responsible for

as chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, and managing significant corporate matters. The Board of Directors acts as the decision-making institution, undertaking

Related Transactions and Control Committee. In the future, Yonyou will responsibilities related to business operations decisions. The Board of Supervisors, serving as the supervisory

continue to optimize the composition of the Board members, strengthen the body, oversees the fulfillment of duties by the directors and management and is accountable to the Shareholders

independence of the Board, enhance the diversity of the Board, and advance Meeting. This governance structure of "three committees and one layer" ensures that each entity performs its

the recruitment of female directors to ensure efficient operation of the Board.respective duties, effectively balances and coordinates operations, thereby guaranteeing that Yonyou's corporate

governance is standardized, scientific, and efficient.

In 2023, Yonyou convened

 About the ReportYonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. ("Yonyou", "the Group", "the Company" and "we") has been disclosing its non-financial information annually since 2011, with a total of 13 social responsibility/sustainability reports issued by 2023.to the "GRI Content Index" and the "SDGs Index" in the "Content Index" section. As a listed company on the main board of Shanghai Stock Exchange (hereinafter referred to as "SSE") (stock code: 600588), this report also refers to the social responsibility disclosure suggestions The Report is released in electronic version, it can be downloaded from our website:of SSE. http://www.yonyou.com/.CONTENTSChairman's Message 01 Feature Story 07 Future Purpose 53Let Leading Practices Become 07Universally BeneficialAbout Yonyou 03 Content Index 55Company Profile 03 GRI Content Index 55ESG Management Framework 04 UN Sustainable Development Goals 56(SDGs) IndexAwards and Recognitions 05Social Responsibility 06Certifications13 25 39Environmental: Social: Governance:Guarding Lucid Waters Co-Creating a Better Life Creating Long-term Valueand Lush MountainsEnables the green 15 Creating a New Environment for 27 Drive the Continuous Improvement of 41transformation of thousands Comprehensive Development of Corporate Governance Effectivenessof industries Employees44Continuously Improving ComplianceBuilding a Green and Low- 22 Building a New Ecosystem and 34 and Operational SystemsCarbon Operating System Mutual Benefit for the IndustryBuilding a Secure Barrier in the Digital46Chairman's Messageviewed data security and privacy protection asEnvironmental, Social and Governance (ESG)About YonyouManagement FrameworkTo comprehensively enhance our company's ESG governance level and strengthen our core competitiveness andCompany Profilecompany's strategy and sustainable development plans.We establish a Sustainability Committee under the Group Executive Council, chaired by the Group CEO andFounded in 1988, Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. (Stock Code: 600588) is a global leading provider of digitalconsisting of vice presidents from key positions. taking overall responsibility for the Company's environment,and intelligent services, software for enterprises and public organizations. Yonyou is continuously committed tosociety and governance (ESG) work. Under the Sustainable Development Committee, there are subcommittees forusing creativity and technology to promote business and social progress. Through the popularization of YonBIPProduct and Service Innovation Group, Green Operations Group, Social Harmony Group, Corporate Governance(Yonyou Business Innovation Platform), serving enterprises in their digital and intelligent transformation andGroup, and Information Disclosure Group. Each group is responsible for advancing the Company's sustainablebusiness innovation, achieving success for millions of enterprises.development initiatives in their respective areas, ensuring the realization of the Company's long-term sustainableYonBIP (Yonyou Business Innovation Platform), in terms of platform technology and application architecture, filed development goals.and industry applications, and ecosystem, has realized comprehensive breakthrough and innovation, achievinga global leading level. Since its launch, it has been selected and applied by a number of industry-leading largeYonyou Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Management Frameworkand medium-sized enterprises. It has become the preferred platform for digital intelligence construction for manyAwards and Recognitions Social Responsibility CertificationsIn 2023, Yonyou continued to promote the social responsibility work to be organized, professional and systematic,Granted By Awardscompleted the supervision and follow-up review of ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 45001China Information Technology 2022 Top 100 Software and Information Technology Service (occupational health and safety management system), SA 8000 (social responsibility standard) and otherIndustry Federation Competitiveness EnterprisesThe 2nd prize of the National final Leader Group of "Industrial Internet + The 5th China Industrial InternetProduct Service solution" CompetitionCompetitionMost Commercial Value AwardTop 10 of the Global Enterprise Application Software MarketSA 8000 CertificationCCID Consultant China PaaS Market Leaders QuadrantNew Generation Information Technology Innovation Products for 2022-2023Koo Gallery 2022 Huawei Cloud Store "Joint Venture Leap Award"Feature Story: Expanding Horizons and IncrementalGrowth, Digitalization is No Longer aDistant Goal for EnterprisesLet Leading Practices Become UniversallyAs a global leading enterprise of digital and intelligent software and As of the end of 2023Beneficialservices, Yonyou has always adhered to the practice of 'creating new value through digitalization as the basis and intelligence', taking the responsibility of 'Great Power Brand' to constantly exploring its own 3.18potential for technological innovation. Over decades, Yonyou focused on the actual needs of enterprise digital and intellectual development, Million enterprises Yonyou Jingzhisuccessively creating cutting-edge products including Yonyou BIP, Industrial Internet Platform had In this new era and journey, comprehensively advancing the construction of a powerful country and the greatYonyou Jingzhi Industrial Internet Platform, and Yonyou BIP Intelligent servedrejuvenation of the nation through Chinese path to modernization is a crucial task. This is an essential path toManufacturing Solutions. Collaborating with numerous enterprises to shape new competitive advantages and a necessary choice to continuously meet the people's aspirations for aexplore the best path for digital and intelligent transformation, we drive better life. Adhering to the philosophy of "making leadership universally beneficial," creating a model for digital andthe deep application and development of industrial digital intelligence.intelligent transformation, and continuously extending leading practices to various industries and enterprises are1.44central to accelerating the digital and intelligent transformation process across numerous sectors. This approach isIn 2023, Yonyou launched the world's first integrated intelligent Million sets of industrialthe key to enabling every enterprise to gain diverse capabilities towards new industrialization.manufacturing operations management platform (MOM) as the core equipment connectedengine, providing industrial enterprises with an integrated production and Yonyou launched the first Enterprise Management Software (ERP) in 1997, and being the first in the industry tooperations control platform. This platform assists enterprises in achieving propose the concept of "Digital and Intelligent Transformation" (digitalization + intellectualization) in 2017. Yonyoufull element linkage in production and full value chain integration, guiding start building and operating the world-leading Business Innovation Platform (BIP), and iterative Yonyou BIP tonumerous industrial enterprises towards steady high-quality development. 22,000Yonyou BIP3 in 2022, and fully utilizing artificial intelligence in 2023 with the release of the industry's first enterpriseBy the end of 2023, Yonyou Jingzhi Industrial Internet Platform had service model, YonGPT. Yonyou focuses on the characteristics of the era and the actual needs of enterprises in thePublic welfare apps accumulatedserved 3.18 million enterprises, connected 1.44 million sets of industrial economic and social development, continuously enhancing the inclusiveness of digital intelligence technologyequipment, accumulated 22,000 public welfare apps and 2,926 industrial through technological innovation, helping thousands of enterprises to move steadily forward in the wave of digitalmechanism models, and united 6,600 ecological partners, continuously intelligence.maintaining its global leadership position.2,926Industrial mechanism modelsYonyou, recognizing the key role of intelligent manufacturing in the process of new industrialization, has built the "Yonyou BIP Intelligent Manufacturing Solution based on the Industrial Internet" based on decades of digital practice in the manufacturing sector. This solution 2017 2023 over 2,900deeply integrates new generation information technology with advanced Industrial models from Yonyou'sLaunched the firstproduction management models, assisting enterprises in quickly Iterate Yonyou BIP toJingzhi Industrial Big Data CenterEnterprise Managementdeveloping key core capabilities needed for intelligent manufacturing. Yonyou BIP3Software (ERP)Additionally, addressing pain points in industrial production digitalization, Propose the concept such as significant industrial differences, inefficiencies in industrial supplyof "Digital and Intelligent chains, and mismatches between on-site management and information Release the industry'sTransformation" and start systems, Yonyou's solution, including technologies and services like first large enterprise servicebuilding and operating the Industrial Internet Identification Resolution and Intelligent Operation modelworld-leading Business Platforms, helps enterprises build an intelligent production platform that Innovation Platform connects across companies, disciplines, and systems. It achieves a digital YonBIP twin encompassing all elements, the entire industrial chain, and the entire 1997 2022value chain, driving production operations with industrial big data and reshaping high-quality enterprise competitiveness through digital and intelligent innovation. By the end of 2023, Yonyou's Jingzhi Industrial Big Data Center had aggregated billions of data points from a million industrial enterprises and developed over 2,900 industrial models.knowledge generation," and "semantic application generation," constructing a "large model that betterIn July 2023, Yonyou was invited to attend the 2023 Global Digital Economy Conference co-hosted by the People'sunderstands enterprise services." It offers pervasive intelligence and intelligent applications throughout the entireGovernment of Beijing Municipality, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industryvalue chain and all scenarios, deeply integrated into the customer's business forefront.and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Commerce. Yonyou exhibited its data intelligence solution basedalso provide more proficient intelligent scene services through fine-tuning of industry models. Enables the green transformationIn 2023, we further explored the core role of digital and intelligent technology in achieving intensive, energy- In August 2023, Yonyou launched its sustainable development solution  Yonyou ESG Cloud at the 2023 Globalsaving, and environmentally friendly production and services. Utilizing "platform + dual carbon" and other clean Business Innovation Conference. This solution is characterized by a strong correlation between business, finance,technology innovations and applications, we built industry-oriented, one-stop sustainable development solutions, materials, and carbon, and integrates all these elements, is natively integrated with Yonyou BIP and leveragessupporting steady progress in green transformation across all industries. Additionally, we explored and established advanced technologies from the BIP such as IoT, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, AI, and edge computing.a mechanism to identify customers with sustainable development goals, offering targeted sustainable solutions This allows businesses and organizations to accurately calculate and manage carbon emissions, also providesto key customers in green transformation, including high carbon-emitting enterprises, continually contributing to third-party ESG-related organizations with traceable, verifiable, auditable, certifiable, and trustworthy data andof industries such as coal, coal chemical, power, new energy, and oil and gas. With a focus on carbon measurement,approach across four dimensions: intelligent procurement, material supermarket, supply chain collaboration,Based on Yonyou BIP Intelligent Fuel Saving & Carbon Reduction Data Analysis Platform, Chengdu Airlines has successfully established a fuel data visualization platform. Leveraging 35 visual data analysis interfaces, the platform handles over 500 million data points, resulting in an annual saving of more than 3 million yuan in aviation In February 2023, we collaborated with Minyuan Steel Group to construct the " 5G + ultra-low emission fugitive fuel costs. emission management, control and governance integrated platform". This collaboration aided Minyuan Steel Group in accomplishing the ultra-low emission transformation and assessment monitoring required by the China Industrial Association. It was also selected as the fifth batch of "green factories" by the Ministry of Industry and Pengyao Environmental Protection Group to build a digitalized water operation management platform centered onsewage treatment in 2023. This platform achieves controllable, visible, perceivable, and predictable water station In February 2023, we collaborated in the Jiyuan Iron&Steel Group "5G+ Innovative Application to Assist Energydata; can effectively addresses long-standing pain points such as multiple sites, difficult management, high costs, Saving and Emission Reduction in the Steel Industry" project, and won the first prize in the "Smart Energy Speciallow efficiency, multiple platforms, and scattered data. This initiative significantly boosts the efficiency of urban Competition" of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's "Blossom Cup" 5G Application Contest forFurthermore, as a global leader in cloud services, we continuously deepen the pivotal role of cloud servicetechnology in aiding energy conservation and consumption reduction, committed to implementing the "dualBuilding a Green and Low-Carboncarbon" goals with our partners.Operating SystemSteadily PromotionYonBIPWe have long upheld the principles of green, environmental protection, and intelligence. We continuously exploreProcurement Cloudgreen and low-carbon management and operational mechanisms that align with our Company's actual situation,constantly improving the execution and supervision of related objectives. This ensures that our green operationmanagement plans are effectively implemented, steadily advancing the company towards the "dual carbon" goals.In 2023, we invested more than 9 million yuan in environmental protection funds, which were used for key taskssuch as optimizing garbage classification and collection, upgrading and retrofitting energy-saving equipment, andpromoting environmental protection culture, achieving good results.In 2022, under the guidance of the Group's Sustainable Development (ESG) Committee, the Company's GreenYonBIP YonBIPOperation Working Group compiled and published the Carbon Peak Implementation Plan of Yonyou IndustrialCollaborative Cloud Tax CloudPark. In 2023, we took active measures and solidly advanced the relevant work according to the established goals,achieving commendable results.By the end of 2023, there have been 468,000 enterprises registered on YonBIP procurement The status of goalGoals 2023 Progresscloud supply platform, 139 large and medium-sized enterprises rely on YonBIP procurement cloud to achieve 25,000 online bidding, 23,000 participating suppliers, and 50.6 billion yuan ProcurementIn 2023, the park beganCloudfor not less than 50% of total powerIn progress2,500 megawatts, whichGreenconsumption no later than 2025, andgreen power coverage of 100% by 2030.total electricity usage.By the end of 2023, YonBIP Collaborative Cloud has served more than 2.15 million enterprises In 2023, the park's westernYonyou Industrial Park (Beijing) willand organizations, of which the "You Space" collaborative platform built based on YonBIP and central areas used arealize that the proportion of reclaimedwater used for green land irrigation willCollaborative paid enterprise customers, and more than 22.6 million end users. It has been selected as theof recycled water. Plansare underway to extendconsumption no later than 2023, andand has become an important tool to comprehensively promote "paperless" office and Waterrecycled water usage to the100% reclaimed water coverage will bepromote resource conservation.eastern area of the park inachieved no later than 2024.2024.CompletedTax Cloud invoices issued, 214 million invoices received, and 9 million electronic accounting vouchers,Greenachieve 100% new energy shuttle bus on passenger occupancyhas achieved a cumulative carbon reduction of 532 tons.Commutingcoverage. rates to minimize resourcewastage.the ground source heat pump and ice storage energy-saving effects, achieving physical In 2023, we focused on enhancing employee experience and reducing operational carbon footprint, fully central air conditioning renovation project. energy savings of 1.078 million kWh, with a implementing the BIP Expense Control and Business Travel Platform. Throughout the year, a total of 227,000 This involved replacing the heat pump units comprehensive energy-saving percentage reimbursement documents were automatically and intelligently generated, accounting for 55.6% of all and circulating water pumps at the energy of 21.66%. During the 2022-2023 heating reimbursement documents. This saved 49,000 hours of reporting time. Concurrently, it conserved 668,000 sheets station, upgrading the energy storage system season and the 2023 cooling season, of printing paper, equivalent to a reduction of 1.35 tons in carbon emissions. The digital employee independently to water storage, and refurbishing the interior compared to the conventional water- audited 133,000 documents (unmanned mode), accounting for 32.5% of the total documents. Intelligent audit of the cooling tower along with upgrading the cooled unit cooling method of gas boilers, Yonyou checks were executed on 10.56 million checkpoints (5.21 million in business management and 5.35 million in electrical automation equipment. the energy supply system reduced carbon Industrial Park invoice compliance), saving 41,000 hours in auditing time. dioxide emissions by 2,087.6 tons. (Beijing) Lighting and Energy Consumption Management Optimization: We actively ? The lighting renovation and energy continued to advance the transformation of consumption management optimization traditional lighting, replacing 500 energy- achieved more than a 30% energy saving Strengthening Concept saving LED lights within the year; we also compared to the previous year. replaced 15 high-energy-consuming water We fully implement the new development concept, actively advocating, and encouraging our employees to apply heaters with energy-efficient ones and green and environmentally friendly principles in their work and daily lives. In 2023, we organized our employees descaled the water heaters quarterly to to participate in activities such as tree planting festivals and eco-friendly hiking, working together with every staff enhance their efficiency. member to jointly protect our beautiful home. Intelligent Operation for Heating and ? In 2023, this system achieved an electricity Cooling: Enhanced efficiency in the use saving of 567,192 kWh, reducing carbon of ground source heat pumps and energy dioxide emissions by 372.6 tons. storage central air conditioning, significantly ? In 2023, the photovoltaic power generation reducing energy consumption generated by reached 419,736 kWh, reducing carbon dioxide traditional energy methods. emissions by approximately 253.53 tons. Photovoltaic Power Generation: ? In recent years, related projects have Yonyou Strengthened the capacity of the photovoltaic Industrial Park successively been recognized as Jiangxi power station in the park, steadily increasing (Nanchang) Province's Renewable Energy Application the proportion of clean energy. Demonstration Project, Green Building Design Identification Two-Star Building, Jiangxi Province Quality Construction Project Award, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development's Green Construction Science and Technology Demonstration Project. Energy Substitution and Consumption ? The project has been awarded the Reduction: The park adopted a solar water Hainan Province Green Building Design Yonyou Campus RecruitmentTalent DevelopmentWe earnestly practice the value of "professional struggle", implement the "multi-channel" development mechanismfor employees to achieve separate development pathways for the management line (M series) and the professionalStaff Trainingline (P series). In 2023, we continued to optimize the fast lane development policy, offering broaderdevelopment opportunities for talented individuals. Simultaneously, we introduced several new job series in ourIn 2023, we continued to optimize our employee development policies, In 2023, professional development system, clearly defining the developmental path and job requirements for each series,constantly strengthening the institutional foundation of Yonyou's talent providing more accurate and comprehensive guidance for the development of employees' professional ability.system. During the year, we developed and published the Yonyou BIP ProductEmployee CareWe established a scientifically effective incentive system to fully unleash the 5.2potential for employee growth. In 2023, we revised and improved the Post Optimizing the Workplace EnvironmentPerformance Management System of Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. Million yuan reward fund wasWe are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and inclusive workplace environment to ensure the physicaland the 2023 Implementation Rules of Annual Post Performance Management. issued to 23 teamsand mental health and work efficiency of our employees. In 2023, we enhanced employees' work experience inWe continually refined and upgraded the target process management and all aspects, including a green and environmentally friendly working environment, a convenient and comfortableassessment evaluation process, ensuring a scientific and efficient target commuting experience, and a healthy and safe workplace life.management system and performance management system.2,615system based primarily on the employees' representative assembly, cultural program "CEO Meetup" and regularly convene these assemblies. We actively listen to employee were heldopinions and establish efficient and transparent communication channels. Relying on the Company's internal SNS (Social Networking Service) Deepening the Employee Carecommunity and You Space and other information applications, we 1,081encourage all employees to express their views and suggestions on issues In 2023, we continued to carry out various activities, offer more fringe benefits to help employees maintain physicalAttendees on-siterelated to company management and technological development, fully and mental health, and achieve happy work and healthy life. understand employees' core concerns, and incorporate key suggestions into the optimization of the Company's daily operations.Employee Benefits Innovation813In 2023, focusing on our annual strategic theme, we held three sessions of the group-level cultural program "CEO Meetup". The Group CEO engaged Adopting the concept of "My Benefits, My Choice," employees are free to chooseQuestions wew collected fromclosely with employees, having open and sincere dialogues about strategy, Customized Benefits their customized benefits based on their preferences during festive seasons,employeesbusiness, culture, and personal insights. The events were attended by 1,081 significantly increasing their participation and satisfaction.questions from employees and answered 65 of them during the sessions. To alleviate occupational health issues caused by prolonged sitting among Year-Round TraditionalBeyond addressing inquiries on-site, we continued to actively resolve employees, we provide irregular monthly eye care and traditional Chinese Chinese Medicineissues related to system process optimization, business resource support, medicine treatments for shoulder and neck issues. This includes prevention and Treatmentsand office equipment upgrades, effectively creating value for both the massage therapy for common ailments.word book titled Professional the Sea, More Complete with You" event in the park, aimed at fostering Endeavor, which narrates the friendship and unity among employees, and together experiencing the stories of 35 representative warmth and joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival. 3,305 302 202 Yonyou employees, it further Registered ISV partners Ecological solutions Selected fusion partners enhances Yonyou members' (including Chanjet) identification with the Company's development values. 3 more than 10 over 20Yonyou Collaborates with ISV Ecological Partners to Empower the Intelligent Case Transformation of the Food Processing Industry Empowering a New Mechanism for stages, offering data services for continuous improvement and management heritage, and the employee volunteer service team "Walk side by side with decision-making to the enterprise. This effectively addressed longstanding friendship." These brands serve as the core of our public welfare system, industry pain points in the food processing sector, such as challenges in 3,025.5 covering various societal, business, and internal spheres. In 2023, we data collection during production processes, coarse granularity of data further refined institutional documents such as the Yonyou Foundation Hours for volunteer service collection nodes, and inadequacies in supply chain inventory management Volunteer Management Measures, the Companionship in Love Volunteer functionalities for on-site fine management. This solution has been effectively Service Team Charter, and the Companionship in Love Volunteer Incentive implemented in over thirty factories under Beijing Ershang Group, establishing Mechanism, strengthening the organization of employee volunteer a standardized management system and achieving the digital transformation services and cultural development. During the year, we conducted two and innovative digital business in the food processing industry. sessions of social responsibility training that covered all employees, with a total charitable contribution of 6.757 million yuan. Additionally, 217 volunteers cumulatively contributed 3,025.5 hours of service. Yonyou Leads the Establishment of the Pharmaceutical Industry Ecological Alliance, Case Deepening Digitization in the Healthcare Sector Yonyou Public Welfare Cloud Yonyou Public Welfare Cloud Project offers public welfare organizations Yonyou actively collaborates with multiple ISV ecological partners to develop innovative products through free, professional, efficient, and practical integrated products and services the YonBIP platform, enhancing solutions for various sub-sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, for finance and project management. In 2023, we released the Digital pharmaceutical distribution, and medical devices. This initiative rapidly develops products rich in industry Intelligence Solutions and Case Studies for the Public Welfare Industry, characteristics, aiding agile project delivery for clients. In April 2023, Yonyou hosted the "In-depth Pharma, continuing to increase our investments and serving more public welfare Ecological Convergence" Ecological Innovation Forum. Zhou Jun, Assistant General Manager of Yonyou's organizations. During the year, we provided products and services to 48 Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Distribution Industry Division, shared insights on Yonyou's Pharmaceutical public welfare organizations. Yonyou Public Welfare Cloud Project was Industry Ecological Strategy, showcasing Yonyou's comprehensive business layout, ecological circle construction, selected as part of the China Computer Federation (CCF) Technology and achievements in the pharmaceutical sector. During the forum, Yonyou spearheaded the formation of the Public Welfare Case Collection 2023 Annual Outstanding Cases. Pharmaceutical Industry Ecological Alliance. Yonyou will collaborate with ecological partners to construct scenario- based solutions for enterprises, vigorously promoting specialized construction and digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry.List of newly signed public welfare organizations in 2023 Arrangement and Protection Number Organization Number Organization of China's Commercial Cultural Heritage 1 Beijing Antai Charity Foundation 26 Ulanqab Public Welfare Promotion In July 2017, we officially launched the "Great Wall of Commerce" project, aimed at Association 29.905 excavating, protecting, organizing, researching, and showcasing China's commercial 2 The Open University of China Education cultural heritage through supporting theoretical research, historical data collation, Million yuan had been Foundation Beijing 27 Xi'an Guangyuan Education Support and database construction. After seven years of development, the " Great Wall of cumulatively donated to the Charity Centre Commerce" project has become a representative brand in public welfare initiatives, 3 Hengshan Foundation "Great Wall of Commerce" project exerting significant influence in the academic community and introducing new by the end of 2023 28 Yiyang Ant Social Work Service Center perspectives and methods to China's public welfare sector. 4 Evergreen Center for Sustainable Development 29 Yile Social Work Service Center, Yunlong In July 2023, we announced the seventh "Great Wall of Commerce" funding project, County donating 3 million yuan to support 15 outstanding projects focused on commercial 5 Beijing Yunju Temple Charitable Foundation 136 technology and data heritage, received widespread acclaim and attention from Projects had been supported 30 Zhejiang Foundation of Nanhu School 6 Beijing All in One Foundation various social sectors. Numerous renowned academic public accounts, including Affiliated To Beijing Normal University those focusing on quantitative historical research, Chinese economic history, and 7 Chengdu Wuhou Community Development industrial history, have published related information. The project received coverage 31 Zhejiang Yuhua Public Welfare of Seniors Foundation from several well-known media outlets such as Guangming Net, Phoenix Net, and Development Center Public Welfare Times. By the end of 2023, the " Great Wall of Commerce" project had 8 Enshi Volunteer Association been cumulatively donated 29.905 million yuan, supporting 136 projects. 32 Wanzhou District Deli Social Work Service Center, Chongqing 9 Fujian Education Aid Association 2023 "Great Wall of Commerce" new funding projects (part) 33 DNVa Foundation 10 One Heart Foundation of FuJian Province Number Project Title Responsible Institution High-Resolution Reconstruction and Information Institute of Chinese Historical Geography, 34 11 Gansu QingSuo Philanthropy Development Beijing Reteng Foundation 1 Accessibility Analysis of Modern China Commercial Fudan University Center Information Networks (1903-1942) 35 Research on the "Suzhou Numerals Code" of China's School of Humanities and Chengdu Jinniu Community Development 2 12 Guangzhou Shi Yuan Charitable Foundation Commercial Digital Cultural Heritage communication, Ningbo University Foundation Organization and Research of Chinese Maritime Customs School of History and Cultural Heritage, 3 13 Family Education Promotion Association, 36 Publications in the Shanghai Library Collection Xiamen University Chengdu Concentric Charity Public Service Zengcheng District, Guangzhou Center Research on the Interaction between Commercial Development Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy 4 and the Monetary Evolution since the Qing Dynasty of Social Sciences 14 Lezhong Social Work Service Center, 37 Arrangement, Research, and Database Construction of the Department of History, Jiangxi Normal Gongming Public Welfare Center for 5 Zengcheng District, Guangzhou Documents of Tongrentang Pharmacy in Huizhou, Jixi University Disability Inclusion, Guangzhou Collection and Compilation of Sino-Foreign Commercial Judicial Department of History, School of Liberal 6 15 Guizhou For Love Qianxing Public Service Archives of the French Mixed Court of Shanghai (1869-1931) Arts, Shanghai University 38 Guolanying Arts Development Foundation Center Department of History, School of Research on the Price Data in Rural Households' Account 7 Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong 39 Hui County Volunteer Service Center Books in Qing Dynasty 16 Houma City Social Work Service Center University Collection and Organization of Salt Price Historical Data in Department of History, Sun Yat-sen 40 Jiande Guangfu Charitable Foundation 17 Shandong Zhongtou Philanthropic 8 the Qing Dynasty University Foundation 41 Jiangxi Love Public Welfare Association 18 Shaanxi Youth Entrepreneurship and 46Xuzhou Yitong Social Work Developmentproject, accumulating approximately 3,270.5 hours of service.In the outstanding volunteerCenter23 Songyuan Blue Sky Volunteer Associationrecognition event of 2022, we activelyencouraged employees to participate47BAYU Public Welfare Development Center24 TianJin Xinyu Public Foundation501 3,270.5in volunteer services and speciallyof Yuzhong District, ChongqingIndependence and DiversityDrive the Continuous Improvement ofof the Board of DirectorsCorporate Governance EffectivenessIn 2023, in accordance with new regulatory requirements such as the Measures for the Administration of Independent Directors of Listed Companies, 1/2we revised and improved the Working System for Independent Directors of Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd. This revision standardized the appointment conditions and election procedures for independent directors, Establish a Solid Governance Foundation2023considering factors like educational background, industry experience, and professional skills, and it stipulated that independent directors should ideally In 2023, in accordance with the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and the Securities Law of theserve in no more than three domestic listed companies.People's Republic of China, we revised and improved various system norms including the Rules of Procedure forthe Board of Directors of Yonyou Network Technology Co., Ltd., the Articles of Association of Yonyou NetworkBy the end of 2023, independent directors comprised half of our Board, Technology Co., Ltd., and the Implementation Details of the Board's Strategic Committee. This continuous effortbringing diverse expertise from regulatory agencies, information technology, aims to better translate institutional advantages into governance efficacy.and corporate management. The independent directors actively participated in the work of the Board's special committees and effectively played an We established a corporate governance system comprised of the Shareholders Meeting, Board of Directors, Board ofindependent role in the Board's decision-making. Two of them served Supervisors, and senior management. The Shareholders' Meeting is the highest authority in Yonyou, responsible foras chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, and managing significant corporate matters. The Board of Directors acts as the decision-making institution, undertakingRelated Transactions and Control Committee. In the future, Yonyou will responsibilities related to business operations decisions. The Board of Supervisors, serving as the supervisorycontinue to optimize the composition of the Board members, strengthen the body, oversees the fulfillment of duties by the directors and management and is accountable to the Shareholdersindependence of the Board, enhance the diversity of the Board, and advance Meeting. This governance structure of "three committees and one layer" ensures that each entity performs itsthe recruitment of female directors to ensure efficient operation of the Board.respective duties, effectively balances and coordinates operations, thereby guaranteeing that Yonyou's corporategovernance is standardized, scientific, and efficient.In 2023, Yonyou convened
Credit cards make it easy to buy that plane ticket or new computer as soon as you want it. But if you dont pay off your next credit card statement right away, you'll be paying for that purchase for months with interest.

Forty-five percent of credit card accounts carry a balance, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, meaning nearly half of card users pay interest on their purchases. Considering that credit card rates have reached an average of 22.75% as of November 2023, carrying a balance can be especially expensive.

However, there are ways to reduce or even eliminate credit card interest. Learn how to avoid interest on a credit card to save money and manage your debt more effectively.

The impact of interest on credit card balances

Credit cards are one of the most expensive forms of debt, but you may not realize just how pricey they can be.

Consider this example: Ken charges $1,000 on a credit card with a 22% APR. His minimum monthly payment is $30  3% of his account balance, a common requirement.

If he only paid the minimum every month, it would take him more than four years (52 months) to repay his debt. Worse, he'd repay a total of $1,560  interest charges added over $550 to his total cost.

Credit card disclosures

When your credit card company sends you your billing statement, its required to detail how long you'll be in debt and how much you'll repay in interest with the minimum payment. It will also include how much you'll save if you increase your payments; for example, it may show how long you'd make payments and your total cost if you repaid $100 per month.

Heres an example of what might be on your statement:

How to avoid interest on a credit card: 3 strategies

If you're researching how to avoid interest on a credit card, there are three main strategies to consider:

1. Pay your statement balance in full

If you can afford it, paying off your statement balance in full by the payment due date is the most effective way to avoid interest charges. With most cards, as long as you pay the statement balance in full, no interest will accrue, and you'll still earn rewards like cash back or airline miles on your purchases.

2. Transfer your balance to a card with 0% APR

If you're carrying a balance, consider applying for a balance transfer card that offers 0% APR for a limited time. With some cards, you could have up to 21 months at 0% APR (though a one-time balance transfer fee often applies). After that, the regular purchase APR applies. You can find competitive offers for balance transfers today with the cards below:



The promotional APR on balance transfers gives you several months to pay down the balance without interest, potentially saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

3. Apply for a card with a 0% APR promotion on purchases

If you're planning on making a major purchase soon, one strategy is to apply for a new credit card with a 0% APR promotional offer on new purchases. Some cards will give you 0% APR on new purchases, and its common to have at least 15 months to repay the purchase amount without interest. Here are a few options available today:



This approach can be especially helpful for large purchases such as new appliances or a computer since it allows you to spread out the cost over several months without interest accruing.

7 ways to reduce credit card interest

You can't always avoid credit card interest, but there are several ways to reduce how much accrues:

1. Pay more than the minimum

Your credit cards minimum payment is typically 1% to 3% of your balance. Increasing your payment by even a small amount, such as $10 or $20 per month, can make a big difference.

For example, let's say you had $1,000 in credit card debt at 22% APR and a minimum payment of $30 per month. If you increase your payment to $50 per month, you'd pay a total of $1,257 and cut your repayment timeline in half.

2. Sign up for automatic payments

Missing a single payment can be a costly mistake; not only will you pay a late fee, but credit card companies can hike your rates when you're late, and penalty APRs can be sky-high. To prevent that from happening, sign up for automatic payments to at least cover the minimum required; it will ensure all of your payments are made on time.

3. Avoid cash advances

When you take out a cash advance, youll typically face added fees and a higher cash advance APR. Interest accrues on the entire cash advance amount immediately, starting on the day you borrow the money  so even if you pay off the balance by the statement due date, they can be an expensive form of credit.

4. Request a rate decrease

Research other card options and contact your card issuer to request a rate decrease. Some issuers will lower your APR to keep you as a customer, particularly if you've used your card wisely and made your payments on time in the past.

5. Use a debt consolidation loan

A debt consolidation loan  where you take out a personal loan and use it to pay off your existing credit card debt  can be a smart way to save money. Debt consolidation loans tend to have lower rates than credit cards, so the savings can be substantial.

6. Create a debt repayment plan with a credit counselor

If you're overwhelmed by your debt and aren't sure where to start, set up a meeting with a nonprofit credit counseling agency. A counselor will review your debt and monthly budget with you and work with you to design a debt repayment plan. In some cases, the counselor may be able to negotiate with the credit card company to lower your APR or waive fees, helping you get out of debt faster.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers advice on how to find a reputable counseling company and what questions to ask before you decide to work with one.

7. Follow the debt avalanche method

If you carry a balance on multiple cards, one of the most cost-effective ways to pay off your debt is to follow the debt avalanche method. Heres how it works:

Make a list of all of your credit card accounts, ranking them from the highest APR to the lowest.

Make the minimum payments on all of your cards each month.

Apply extra payments toward the card with the highest APR. Once that card is paid off, roll your extra payment amount toward the card with the next-highest APR.

Repeat these steps until all of your accounts are paid in full.

For example, let's say you had the following cards with balances:

Your combined minimum payments total $126. If you had $150 per month to dedicate toward your debt, you could pay an extra $24 per month. With the debt avalanche method, that additional amount is applied to the American Express card since it has the highest APR.

Once the card is paid off, you apply the Amex's payment amount  the minimum of $15 plus the additional $24 you were paying  to the Visa card. After the Discover card is paid off, you roll those payments toward the Visa card, the one with the lowest rate.

Learn more: The best ways to pay off credit card debt

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the banks website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers.
Spotsylvania Countys search for a new schools superintendent started this week with the selection of a search firm to oversee the process.

The next step is coming on Wednesday when the Spotsylvania School Board is scheduled to meet with officials from the firm the school system hired: BWP & Associates. The meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., will be held at the administrative services building, 8020 River Stone Drive. The meeting also can be watched online.

The meeting will include introductions of BWP officials along with an overview of the search and selection process. Also, details on community engagement and the next steps in the process will be covered.

On its website, the Libertyville, Illinois-based BWP says it has conducted more than 800 successful executive searches.

Along with hiring the search firm earlier this week, the School Board approved the selection of a temporary superintendent, Kelly Guempel, who has served in that role since former superintendent Mark Taylor was placed on leave.

The controversial former superintendents tenure started in September 2022. Taylors time as the school systems leader was marked by strife with a School Board divided about his experience and decisions, including the removal of more than 30 book titles from the countys school libraries last year.

In November, Spotsylvania voters elected some new members to the School Board. The new board wasted little time in its effort to remove Taylor, who was placed on administrative leave in late January.

In early March, the board fired Taylor when it terminated his contract.
Longtime Fremont police Capt. Shane Wimer is no longer working at the Fremont Police Department, officials at the state of Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and City of Fremont have confirmed.

Wimer, who worked for the department for 23 years, resigned in good standing effective March 2; however, his departure was not announced nor made public by city or police department officials.

The Tribune received a tip on March 28 that Wimer had silently resigned and left the department earlier in the month.

A public records request made to the NLETC in Grand Island was responded to on March 28. According to a state Personal Change in Status form for Wimer, which was signed by Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliott on March 2, Wimer resigned in good standing and his last day of work was March 2.

The retirement of one of the most recognizable faces at the Fremont Police Department was never announced publicly as past resignations of longtime police officers or staff members have been. There was no posting on the FPD Facebook page announcing Wimers departure and the city did not issue a press release.

Mayor Joey Spellerberg said in a statement that he was grateful for Wimers extreme dedication to the city during his law enforcement career. Spellerberg also said Wimer did not want his resignation made public.

Mr. Wimer retired from his position in the police department effective March 1. He specially asked to not have any formal recognition by the city or the department, Spellerberg said in a text message to the Tribune.

I am incredibly grateful for his longtime and dedicated service to our community. His experience will be missed, and we wish him all the best in retirement, Spellerberg said.

During the Tuesday, March 26, meeting of the Fremont City Council, city Human Resources Director Jennifer McDuffie told the council during discussion of an agenda item that there had been unexpected changes to the staffing at the department.

McDuffie did not detail the changes, but she requested the council approve a new position  deputy chief of police, which she said was an effort to better prepare the department for possible future leadership changes.

Under the changes approved on Tuesday in a 6-0 vote, a new role of deputy chief of police was created and in the future, the police department will have only one captain and one lieutenant. Before Wimers retirement, there were two captains, Wimer and Capt. Kurt Bottorff.

Wimers role as assistant city administrator was controversial

Wimer was primarily known to the public in Fremont as a police officer; however, for several years before the COVID-19 pandemic began, he also worked dually as the citys assistant city administrator while serving as a police lieutenant.

Wimer was hired as assistant city administrator in August 2017 and held the job until December 2021, when the city council voted to eliminate the assistant city administrator position and instead create a utilities general manager role. Wimer was quickly promoted to captain in the police department.

The changes also included the retirement of longtime city administrator Brian Newton, who was replaced by current City Administrator Jody Sanders. Sanders, a former employee of the Fremont Tribune, had worked for the city for 14 years as finance director before her promotion to the top job in the city.

The dual jobs created an unusual situation for Wimer. Because he was a police lieutenant, his direct supervisor was Chief of Police Jeff Elliott. However, because Wimer was also the assistant city administrator, he technically was at the same time one of two supervisors of Elliott.

Wimers tenure as assistant city administrator was also marked by a different controversy  a harassment lawsuit filed by the former library director at Keene Memorial Library Tina Walker.

In 2019, Walker filed a lawsuit against the City of Fremont, claiming harassment by now-retired former city administrator Brian Newton, former Mayor Scott Getzschman and Wimer.

The lawsuit was later settled with the city council voting to award Walker $150,000 as settlement.

In relation to the lawsuit, former Fremont City Council member Susan Jacobus accused Wimer of creating a hostile work environment for another employee, alleging that he dealt with that staff member while in police uniform and armed with his service firearm, which Jacobus alleged could be considered to be threatening.

Promotion to captain in 2021

In December 2021, city officials decided to create two captain positions at the FPD. After the city council approved the two new captain roles, Bottorff was approved in an 8-0 vote to be one captain. Wimers bid to become a captain was only approved in a 6-2 vote after questions about his character were raised by members of the public and several council members.

Wimer was also the subject of scrutiny in July 2023 after he was placed in a role as a street patrol officer due to a shortage of officers at FPD. Wimer engaged a suspect  Itsamar Ramirez  in a high-speed pursuit, which some department officials alleged was in violation of the citys police pursuit rules.

The chase continued for several hours, eventually ending in Saunders County after the suspect allegedly almost ran over Saunders County Sheriff Chris Lichtenberg, who suffered minor injuries to one of his hands.

FPD officials refused to discuss any possible violations of the policy in the weeks after the incident.

Wimer owns a private security company called Signal  formerly known as Signal 88 with his wife, and was honored by the security companys national leadership in January 2024 for the success of Wimers local franchise.

In an online news release from Signal corporate officials, Wimer announced at a ceremony that he was planning to retire from the FPD sometime in 2024 to continue to expand his franchise of the security company, which has new offices in Norfolk.

According to the press release from the company honoring Wimer, he was spending excessive time driving back and forth to the new offices of his franchise in Norfolk.

Wimers Signal franchise provides security details, including vehicle patrol units, to both Lincoln Premium Poultry as well as Midland University, among other contracts with local businesses.

According to the FPD 2022 annual report, which is posted to the citys website, Wimer was hired as an officer with the department in 2001.

His first duty at the time was the multi-county III Corps Drug Task Force, which he worked on until 2003, according to the report. He then was assigned in 2003 to the FPD Patrol Division as an officer.

In 2004, Wimer became a detective with the department, and in 2006, he received an upgrade promotion to the rank of sergeant.

He again took over the III Corps Drug Task Force and eventually moved to Patrol Sergeant. In 2010, Wimer was promoted to Lieutenant and put in charge of the Investigative Division, city officials stated in the annual report. In 2012, Wimer was assigned to the Patrol Division. Wimer served on the Fremont Police Department Emergency Response Unit for 12 years, where he rose to the rank of Team Commander. He is also a member of the Honor Guard.

Wimers duties at the police department included managing the FPD the Field Training Program that all new officers must go through.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having honorably served from 1984 to 1988, Wimer earned his both a bachelors degree in criminal justice as well as a masters degree in public administration from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

He graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2008. Prior to his employment with Fremont, Wimer was a correctional officer and Deputy Sheriff for Dodge County, city officials wrote in the report. He served as a deputy for 11 years. He also served honorably as a United States Marine from 1984 to 1988.
A federal judge last month permitted a former anesthesiologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Colorado to proceed with some of her employment discrimination claims, even though a different judge previously found the VA was justified in removing her.
Joseph Billots man cave is cozy but overwhelming, a former two-car garage now stacked-to-the-rafters maze through history chronicling one veterans long arc from gung-ho to bitter enlightenment.

The sound system is tuned to movie themes on this cold January afternoon, and the soaring pulse of the "Star Wars" intro has appropriately just begun as Billot settles in to share the story of his year in Vietnam.
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.

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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.
Battle lines have been drawn in a fight between oil-producing red states and environmentally-driven blue states over a new regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Critics say it is an unauthorized expansion of the EPAs regulatory authority. But proponents said its important to control pollution from methane emissions.

Led by the attorneys general of Texas and Oklahoma, 26 states are suing the EPA over a final rule published March 8 that, in part, sets new regulations for existing methane infrastructure.

Twenty other states, including Colorado and the District of Columbia, filed a motion to intervene in the case in support of the new federal regulation Tuesday.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the new rule must be defended in a Monday news release announcing the states intervention in the Texas case.

These protections must remain in place at the federal level for effective oversight of methane emissions from surrounding states; thats why we are committed to defending the federal methane rule, Weiser said in the release.

Im not sure really why Colorado needs to weigh in on this particular EPA rule, since Colorado already had strict methane rules without it, said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance. Perhaps the state senses vulnerability to all the overregulation of the Biden administration or just wants a hand in ensuring that other states equally hamstring their oil and natural gas industries.

Companies have reduced methane emissions significantly over the last several years, but regulators like to take credit for that with yet more regulation, Sgamma said.

Texas believes the EPA is regulating outside of its statutory authority.

The EPA is once again trying to seize regulatory authority that Congress has not granted, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in an online letter. I am challenging this blatant overreach by the Biden Administration and will continue to defend vital sectors of the Texas economy.

The new rule from the EPA regulates methane emissions from both new sources and existing infrastructure, something the EPA has never done before. This raises the question of whether the EPA has legal authority to expand its statutory mandate without asking Congress for permission.

The major questions doctrine states that federal agencies must have explicit permission to newly regulate politically and economically significant issues, rather than assuming they have unbridled regulatory authority.

In 2022, EPA passed a rule that critics said expanded its regulatory authority over coal-fired powerplants to apply to all such plants, nationwide, rather than its customary statutory authority to make regulations for specific plants.

Critics said at the time that regulation would have effectively shut all coal plants down at once by imposing unachievable emissions limits.

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The U.S. Supreme Court struck down that regulation, stating EPAs statutory authority was limited to making regulations applying to a specific plant regarding what technology was available and capable of reducing emissions and how the plant operators would have to comply with EPA standards.

In trying to apply one set of regulations to all coal-fired power plants in a way that would force them to close, the court said the EPA had improperly attempted to shift generation away from coal plants nationwide, and that the agency had to get explicit authority from Congress due to the enormous nationwide fiscal impacts it would cause.

The major questions doctrine is being raised here as well, given the fact that EPA has never regulated existing infrastructure in this way, Paxton said.

EPAs new rule establishes onerous emissions standards for the oil and gas industry that would require producers to drastically update infrastructure, said Paxton in a March 8 press release.

Paxton said the new rule usurps the role of the states in establishing emissions standards for existing sources and forces them to adopt nationwide EPA standards.

Before now, the EPA deferred to state agencies to set pollution standards for existing infrastructure, as Colorado has done in the past few years.

The Biden administration rolled out the new regulation to coincide with climate talks in Dubai in December, but didnt publish the rule in the Federal Register until Friday  an unusually long delay between an announcement and a required publication.

This federal regulation simply applies paperwork differently than what CDPHE is already doing with little to no additional environmental benefit, said Dan Haley, president and CEO of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. Were not sure why the AGs office would get involved in a suit that will only further burden a state agency thats already drowning in unnecessary legislative mandates and bureaucratic red tape.

Carrie Jenks, executive director of the Environmental and Energy Law Program at Harvard Law School told The Denver Gazette that the EPA often looks to states or industries for best practices to build on existing regulations.

Jenks confirmed a December statement she made to Politico suggesting that regulations in Colorado and New Mexico were used to guide the federal regulations.

Im sure I said something like that, but I think I would back it up to say I think EPA is always looking to states or even companies in the industry, that theyre regulating for best practices. (EPA does so) because then there are tested regulatory structures that they can take lessons learned from and build on those existing regulations because it can help mitigate opposition where another entity might say its too costly or not feasible, Jenks said. If EPA can look to a state like Colorado or New Mexico or some operators that are already doing something, they can say, no, this is feasible because its being done. So, I think that was the context of my quote.

When asked about the potential burden on oil and gas production companies, Jenks said that the question should be whether the EPA has the legal authority to require these controls. She believes the EPA does have this authority.

Jeremy Nichols, senior advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity Environmental Health Program told The Denver Gazette in a statement Thursday: Were pleased to see Colorado standing up to the oil and gas industrys attacks on clean air and the climate.
A panel of Colorado lawmakers on Thursday night rejected legislation that sought to ban all new oil and gas drilling in Colorado by 2030.

Senate Bill 24-159 would have mandated the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission to adopt rules on ceasing the issuance of new oil and gas permits before Jan. 1, 2030.

Sponsors of the bill claimed the move to end new oil and gas drilling is necessary to counteract climate change and address "adverse health impacts," while representatives of the oil and gas industry decried the measure.

The Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee rejected the measure by a 5-2 vote just before midnight.

Oil and gas industry representatives lauded the bill's demise.

Dan Haley, president and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, called lawmakers' decision a "win for our state, for the environment and for common sense."

"Senate Bill 159, written and promoted by extreme environmental activists, never should have been introduced," Haley said in a statement. "It sent a chilling message to every business across the state that some state legislators would consider putting you out of business, even if you supply a product they use every single day."

He added: "The bill would have ended the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Coloradans, threatened hundreds of millions of dollars for local roads and schools, and would have driven up our energy bills."

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce echoed the sentiment.

SB 159 was one of the most hostile bills targeting the energy industry weve ever seen, and its impact would have resonated far beyond oil and gas," Loren Furman, the chamber's president and CEO, said in a news release. "The disturbing volume of bills coming from the Capitol that create an unwelcoming environment for business sends the wrong message across the state."

She added: "This is about preserving jobs, and members who voted no tonight acted in support of the hundreds of thousands of Coloradans directly or indirectly employed by the energy industry. We applaud their courage and support of the statewide business community.

Oil and gas production in Colorado is among the state's top industries. A study from the American Petroleum Institute said that, in 2021, oil and gas activities contributed more than $48 billion to Colorado's gross domestic product  $19.8 billion in direct benefits and $20.8 billion in indirect benefits, which constituted 11.2% of the states total GDP.

A Common Sense Institute report earlier this month said if the bill became law, more than 181,800 jobs would be lost, 70% of them within metro Denver alone. Meanwhile, $2 billion in state and local tax revenue would be at risk, and school funding would decrease by over $400 million over a decade.

Another study showed a smaller footprint and economic impact. In a January 2023 report, the Colorado Fiscal Institute counted 20,475 oil and gas jobs in Colorado as of March 2022. That number made up just 0.7% of total jobs in the state, the group said.

The Colorado Fiscal Institute study said while some communities would have a harder time than others transitioning from "pollution-causing fuels to clean energy, this analysis shows it is entirely feasible for Colorado to diversify its economy, (and) move away from oil and gas development.

The bill  sponsored by Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Boulder, Sen. Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Ft. Collins, and Rep. Julia Marvin, D-Thornton  claimed that Colorado's economy is ready for the clean energy transition and that the industry produces roughly four times more natural gas, and two times more oil than Coloradans use.

In introducing the bill, Jaquez Lewis said it is a coalition-driven policy that demonstrates a commitment to the state's climate goals and the need for policy change to realistically address climate change.

The oil and gas industry is important to Colorado, she said, but to meet clean energy goals, we cannot keep drilling forever. This industry is the No. 1 source of our severe air quality problem, and it is negatively impacting public health.

Priola, meanwhile, cited other states that have taken similar actions. The evidence is clear, he said, that the state needs to move toward more "clean" and "renewable" energy and start to transition away from fossil fuels. The bill would do that, he told the committee.

Priola, who two years ago changed party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, appears to be a recent convert on the subject of oil and gas.

His campaign website at the beginning of the year showed he backed oil and gas activity. Priola said he supports a balanced energy plan ... (and) believes we should expand domestic oil and natural gas exploration along with technologies such as wind and solar.

But his website, as of this week, sings a very different tune. The exact same section  on energy  now says he supports renewable energy ... end our dependence on fossil fuel ... (and) believes we should expand research and development of new technologies such as nuclear fusion and battery storage.

SB 159 was doomed from the start.

There was never a question about Gov. Jared Polis support for the bill  it wasnt there.

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Instead of being assigned to either the Senates health and human services or even energy committees, SB 159 was sent to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

That virtually signaled its death knell before the first hearing.

Two of the committees four Democrats voted against it: the chair, Sen. Dylan Roberts of Summit County, and Sen. Janice Marchman of Berthoud, who had particularly strong words for the bills sponsors, the way the measure was crafted and the way the sponsors handled it.

In announcing her no vote, Marchman said that the bill offered no way to backfill schools yet put forth a plan to take away revenue, and that would leave the state facing the prospect of another debt to K-12 that the Colorado General Assembly will finally pay off with the 2024-25 budget and after 14 years.

Oil and gas companies pay whats known as ad valorem taxes, as well as a type of property tax, both which go to local governments, including schools.

Im no shill for oil and gas, Marchman said, adding she recognizes the scarcity in funding for public schools and the large role that the oil and gas industry plays in that funding.

The bill is short sighted and irresponsible to threaten the end of oil and gas, she said. She also criticized the stake-holding done by the sponsors, which she said was not conducted with the best results intended.

We cannot legislate in silos and make offers to work with the opponents after the bill comes out, she said.

Marchman added she tried to work with the sponsors in the weeks leading up to the bill hearing to no avail.

Then there was the fiscal note, and Jaquez Lewis noted shed never seen one like it before.

Fiscal analysis usually shows the costs to the state for the current year, the next year and maybe one more outyear.

But the analysis for SB 159 was unlike any other  it showed the impact of the bill 10 years out, estimating a drop in revenue of $305 million in 2034-35, coupled with state expenses of $476 million for a total state impact of nearly $800 million, and more in the years after that.

The bill drew supporters from environmental groups, such as 350 Colorado, Good Business Colorado, Blue Rising, Wild Earth Guardians, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate.

Mark Belkin of Lakewood, a union organizer, including with United Mine Workers, spoke on behalf of Third Act Union, a senior volunteer group that works on climate change issues.

Climate change is really a job killer and a threat to workers health and safety. Climate is as much an economic issue as it is a moral one, he said.

Unchecked global warming undermines the states economy and family budgets, leading to higher health insurance premiums, he claimed.

The industry spins jobs versus the environment, which he called a false choice.

Who are we going to believe today, science or an industry that continues to harm our children and planet? Belkin said.

In an earlier interview with The Denver Gazette, Jaquez Lewis said that, while oil and gas production is important to Colorado, it's a "finite resource" and that "we can't keep drilling forever." She also said that people and families living near oil and gas wells are developing adverse health conditions, such as asthma, "at an alarming rate," and that the bill is "a land, air, water, and public health legislation."

"The reason why we are wanting to phase down is because Colorado needs to be a participant in what many other countries have pledged to do, which is to do something to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," she said. "And we know that oil and gas industry is one of the largest polluters when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. So, we have to take steps to fall in line with what other countries and other states are doing."

In addition to the oil and gas drilling ban, the measure would have imposed expanded liability for decommissioning and remediating wells, saying it is "just and equitable for the owners and operators that have profited from oil and gas activity to pay for the remediation costs. It went on to say that it is a matter of great importance to public health and safety that the costs be paid to the fullest extent by all potentially responsible parties.

In addition, the bill would have made prior owners and operators liable for cleanup costs of wells, regardless of how long ago they owned the facility and whether the prior operator violated any law.

Colorado Politics reporter Marianne Goodland contributed to this report.
A demolition date has been set for the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, where 190 bodies were discovered to be improperly stored in October, according to an announcement from the Fremont County Board of Commissioners.

Following a building assessment in Nov., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined demolition of the building necessary to safely remove all medical, biological and hazardous material from the scene.

The initial demolition, which was scheduled for Jan. 17, was delayed due to weather and, "logistical issues," according to the EPA.

On Thursday, officials with Fremont County and the EPA announced the demolition has been scheduled to begin on April 16. Minor preparations will be made the week prior, beginning on April 8, Fremont County Officials said.

According to the county, the final disposal of all debris collected within the demolition will be brought to the Otero County landfill.

"We are grateful to our partners in Otero County for accepting this material," Kevin Grantham, Fremont County Commissioner and Chairman of the Fremont County Board of Public Health and Environment, said.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to come to a disposal agreement with either Pueblo County or the Twin Enviro landfill here in Fremont County."

The demolition and clean-up of the Penrose site will be conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency's emergency response personnel alongside trained hazardous materials contractors.

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Officials said the EPA will continue to actively work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, local utilities companies and Fremont County to ensure the safety of the public in the demolition and disposal of the building.

According to the EPA, prior to and during demolition, a disinfectant and odor suppressor will be sprayed into the interior of the building. Staging areas for both disposal trucks and demolitions materials will be located alongside the site.

Officials said the building will be demolished utilizing excavators from the top of the building down, removing large pieces of the building structure while working to keep the building debris within the foundation footprint.

Additionally, EPA workers will utilize water and other liquid solutions to suppress dust, but not in large enough quantities that would cause runoff or further contamination in the area, officials said.

According to the EPA, once the building is demolished, the concrete foundation slab is removed and debris is collected, a final "shallow surface scrape," of the soil within the footprint of the foundation will be conducted.

The soil collected during the surface scrape will be transported to the landfill along with the building materials.

"We hope demolition of the building and final disposition of the waste will help the affected families and the entire community to heal from this tragedy," Grantham said.

According to officials with the EPA and Fremont County, the demolition is expected to last 10 days, weather permitting.
The Sam Houston fire that erupted on Fort Carson Thursday afternoon has reached 80% containment, according to a Friday morning announcement.

Fort Carson officials said a fire started around 1 p.m. Thursday has burned an estimated 106 acres behind Patriot Elementary School, causing an evacuation.

As of Friday morning, officials said there was no further growth of the blaze overnight, and has burned a total of 106 acres.

"The installation will continue to have areas with smoke during the day and embers at night in the heavy timber areas," officials said Friday.

"Throughout the day Fort Carson fire crews will be working on interior hot spots and clearing any smoldering timber."

According to officials, the fire is no longer threatening and structures on base and all children have been accounted for and reunited with their parents.

Officials said due to children with respiratory issues and the large amount of smoke still present surrounding the fire, Patriot School Age Center and Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center will remain closed on Friday.

"Patriot School Age Center Patrons will receive care at Mesa School Age Center. Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center mission essential patrons will receive care at Ivy Child Development Center," officials said Friday.

At a 3:30 p.m. press conference Thursday, officials said the fire was 30% contained, and that all pre-evacuation orders had been lifted.

The Sam Houston Loop within the Dakota Ridge housing area had been under a pre-evacuation notice Thursday. Patriot Elementary School did not have to evacuate students as the school is on spring break.

Fort Carson Garrison Commander Col. Sean Brown said the lack of students present at the schools affected how they contained the fire.

"It would have been a bigger challenge if we weren't on spring break," he said.

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Colorado 115 between Pine Oaks Road and Cheyenne Meadows Road was temporarily closed due to fire activity, but it reopened around 3 p.m. Thursday. Roadway footage showed visible smoke from the area.

Burned acreage could be seen near the Gate 1 entrance and display tanks. the gate was closed due to the fire for a few hours Thursday afternoon.

No injuries were reported and there is no longer any threat to any structures.

The Colorado Springs, Cimarron Hills, Security, Fountain, Monument and Stratmoor Hills fire departments all responded to assist with the fire. Michael Madrid with the Fort Carson Fire Department said initial wind shifts made the fire erratic early on and prompted the large response for initial containment.

CSFD posted on X that the fire was producing "a lot of smoke that is visible for most of the city." The post said the fire was not in city limits.

According to a CSFD spokesperson, the call went out around 1:30 p.m. and the department sent two brush trucks, one wildland crew and a battalion chief.

Madrid said that fire crews will continue to monitor the fire throughout the night, in case of any further wind shifts.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but it is not believed to have been sparked by the intermittent prescribed burns scheduled to take place at Fort Carson this week until April 15.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is developing designs to widen a portion of U.S. 24 in Falcon, looking to improve safety and reduce congestion in this growing area of eastern El Paso County.

Residents can learn more about proposed roadway improvements to the approximately 2.3-mile stretch of the highway between Garrett and Woodmen roads at an open house Wednesday, anytime between 5-6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Falcon Elementary School of Technology at 12050 Falcon Highway.

"We are excited to be moving forward with this U.S. 24 expansion, knowing this was a crucial next step identified by our team and stakeholders in area improvements," Andy Stecklein, Colorado Department of Transportation Region 2 project manager, said in a news release this week.

Part of a longtime U.S. 24 East Access Control Plan that anticipates improvements to U.S. 24 east and connecting roads, proposed upgrades to this section of the highway include adding one new lane in each direction, turning it from a two-lane roadway into a four-lane roadway; widening the median; and updating existing at-grade intersections to accommodate the widened highway.

Since the early 2000s, El Paso County, the city of Colorado Springs and the state transportation department have partnered to operate, maintain, plan for and build improvements to U.S. 24 East.

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The proposed highway work between Garrett and Woodmen roads came out of a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study the Colorado Department of Transportation completed in 2018. It examined conditions and anticipated problem areas along the U.S. 24 corridor between Powers Boulevard (Colorado 21) and Ramah, the news release states.

The study identified several transportation improvements along the corridor and found the area between Garrett Road and Woodman Trail is a high priority for additional lanes, the project website states.

Officials are also exploring the possibility of adding backage and frontage roads to provide residents living in the area safer access to U.S. 24. A proposed backage road would route residents to U.S. 24 through a new connection at Falcon Highway. A frontage road would create a second, private connection to U.S. 24 via Garrett Road.

"Left-hand turns (onto U.S. 24) would be very dangerous, so we would channel them to an area that has a signal and would make it safer," Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Amber Shipley said. "... From CDOT's perspective, we know this has been needed for some time because of the congestion in the area. A lot of people are sitting at multiple cycles of a traffic signal because there are so many more residents living and commuting here."

A project fact sheet states the highly-traveled U.S. 24 carries 15,250 vehicles daily, including almost 700 freight vehicles. It is the main route between Colorado Springs and Kansas and the upper Midwest.

The project is estimated to cost $50 million and will be partially funded by the state transportation department's regional planning fund, Shipley said. The agency is requesting other funding for the project, she said.
By Irene Wang

HIROSHIMA (Reuters) - Best picture winner "Oppenheimer" finally premiered in Japan on Friday, eight months after a controversial grassroots marketing push and concerns about how its nuclear theme would be received in the only country to suffer atomic bombing.

The biggest winner at this month's Academy Awards, the film directed by Christopher Nolan about U.S. physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the race to develop the atomic bomb, has grossed nearly $1 billion globally.

But Japan had been left out of worldwide screenings until now, despite being a major market for Hollywood. Nuclear blasts devastated its western city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the south at the close of World War Two, killing more than 200,000.

"Of course this is an amazing film which deserves to win the Academy Awards," said Hiroshima resident Kawai, 37, who gave only his family name.

"But the film also depicts the atomic bomb in a way that seems to praise it, and, as a person with roots in Hiroshima, I found it difficult to watch."

A big fan of Nolan's films, Kawai, a public servant, went to see "Oppenheimer" on opening day at a theatre that is just a kilometre from the city's Atomic Bomb Dome.

"I'm not sure this is a movie that Japanese people should make a special effort to watch," he added.

Images on social media showed signs posted at the entrances to some Tokyo theatres, warning that the movie featured images of nuclear tests that could evoke the damage caused by the bombs.

Another Hiroshima resident, Agemi Kanegae, had mixed feelings upon finally watching the movie.

"The film was very worth watching," said the retired 65-year-old. "But I felt very uncomfortable with a few scenes, such as the trial of Oppenheimer in the United States at the end."

The film quickly became a global hit after opening in the United States last July. But many Japanese were offended by fan-created "Barbenheimer" online memes that linked it to "Barbie", a frothy blockbuster that opened around the same time.

Universal Pictures initially left Japan off its global release schedule for "Oppenheimer". Eventually picked up by Bitters End, a Japanese distributor of independent films, it was given a release date for after the Oscar awards ceremony.

Speaking to Reuters before the movie opened, atomic bomb survivor Teruko Yahata said she was eager to see it, in hopes that it would re-invigorate the debate over nuclear weapons.

Yahata, now 86, said she felt some empathy for the physicist behind the bomb. That sentiment was echoed by Rishu Kanemoto, a 19-year-old student, who saw the film on Friday.

"Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the atomic bombs were dropped, are certainly the victims," Kanemoto said.

"But I think even though the inventor is one of the perpetrators, he's also the victim caught up in the war," he added, referring to the ill-starred physicist.

(Reporting by Irene Wang in Hiroshima; Writing by Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
By Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. in recent days authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, two sources familiar with the effort said on Friday, even as Washington publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated Israeli military offensive in Rafah.

The new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, said the sources, who confirmed a report in the Washington Post.

Washington gives $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel, its longtime ally.

The package comes as Israel faces strong international criticism over its continued bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza and as some members of President Joe Biden's party call for him to cut U.S. military aid.

The United States has been rushing air defenses and munitions to Israel, but some Democrats and Arab American groups have criticized the Biden administration's steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.

Biden on Friday acknowledged "the pain being felt" by many Arab Americans over the war in Gaza and over U.S. support for Israel and its military offensive.

Still, he has vowed continued support for Israel despite an increasingly public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The White House declined comment on the weapons transfers.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The decision on weapons follows a visit to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant this week when he discussed Israel's weapons needs with U.S. counterparts.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gallant, apparently seeking to cool U.S.-Israeli tensions, said he stressed the importance of U.S. ties to his country's security and of maintaining Israels "qualitative military edge" in the region, including its air capabilities.

The war erupted on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated by launching an air and ground assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 32,000 people, health authorities in Gaza say.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Writing by Steve Holland; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
By David Shepardson and Nate Raymond

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge in Texas struck down a climate rule adopted by the Biden administration requiring states to measure and set declining targets for greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles using the national highway system.

Texas had sued the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in December, arguing the agency lacked legal authority to enact the rule. A separate lawsuit was filed by 21 other states.

In a decision issued late on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, said he agreed with Texas in its case that "the rule was unauthorized."

The DOT did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Thursday.

This final rule issued in December by the DOT's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires states to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and to establish declining carbon dioxide targets and report on progress toward achieving those targets.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in December the "new performance measure will provide states with a clear and consistent framework to track carbon pollution and the flexibility to set their own climate targets."

The FHWA noted it did not mandate how low targets must be and instead gave state transportation departments flexibility to set targets that were appropriate as long as the targets aimed to reduce emissions over time.

The agency said it would assess whether states make significant progress toward achieving their targets but noted the rule did not impose penalties for those who missed their targets.

The FHWA said the rule was "essential" to the Biden administration target of net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050, but the final regulation did not require states to set declining targets to align with the 2050 goal.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sharply criticized the effort, saying the state would work to stop "unlawful climate mandates."

A separate group of 21 states sued in December in Kentucky also challenging the regulation. That lawsuit is still pending.

In 2018, the Trump administration repealed a rule issued under then-President Barack Obama requiring states to track greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on the nation's highways.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By David Shepardson and Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - The U.S. government awarded the state of Maryland an initial $60 million in emergency funds on Thursday to clear debris and begin rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, an extraordinarily fast disbursement after such a disaster.

The bridge came tumbling down early on Tuesday after a massive cargo freighter that had lost power plowed into the structure in Baltimore Harbor. Two bodies have been recovered and four others are missing and presumed dead, believed to be trapped in a vehicle beneath concrete and steel that fell into the water.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore had requested the $60 million earlier on Friday, and within hours the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration approved the request to fund emergency work.

Such funding typically takes days, but President Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday he directed the federal government to "move heaven and earth" to quickly rebuild the bridge, which forms part of a highway looping around Baltimore.

Moore told a press conference the top priority was to recover the missing construction workers who were conducting repairs on the bridge when the vessel known as the Dali struck a support column around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Officials then hope to clear the channel in order to resume shipping operations; tend to workers, families and first responders affected by the tragedy; and rebuild the bridge.

But first a team of experts must assess how to remove the stuck vessel, loaded with thousands of containers and trapped by bridge debris. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was bringing in the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to remove pieces of bridge, Moore said.

"The Dali is almost as long as the Eiffel Tower and the Dali has the Key Bridge on top of it. We're talking 3,000 or 4,000 tons of steel that's sitting on top of that ship," Moore said.

Until diving operations were suspended due to safety concerns on Wednesday night, divers searching for the victims had been impeded by the volume and density of the debris that blocked out sunlight.

"In most instances, our divers cannot see any more than a foot or two ahead of them, so much of the operation is simply feel," Moore said.

Federal officials have told Maryland lawmakers the final cost of rebuilding the bridge could soar to at least $2 billion, Roll Call reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

The U.S. Congress will need to fund building a replacement bridge.

Maryland officials said the emergency funds would support "mobilization, operations, and debris removal, laying the foundation for a rapid recovery" and that the state may seek additional emergency funding as damage assessments progress.

Bound for Sri Lanka, the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali reported losing power and the ability to maneuver before plowing into a support pylon of the bridge.

The impact brought most of the bridge crashing 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.

(This story has been corrected to fix the source of a report from The Hill to Roll Call in paragraph 11)

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Josie Kao and Lincoln Feast)
Georgia officials arrested more than 150 people on Thursday in connection to a large-scale investigation into the use of drones to bring contraband into prisons.

The arrest warrants, which included those of eight Georgia Department of Corrections officials, were served at two facilities in the Atlanta area. Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) said the operation dismantled a sophisticated multi-state criminal enterprise.

Georgia will not tolerate those who put our communities at risk by trafficking drugs, weapons, and contraband both in and out of our correctional facilities, Kemp said in a statement.

Those who allegedly participated in the enterprise included prison employees, civilians, and inmates. The items that were snuck into prisons included drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, cellphones, and guns, according to the governor's office. The confiscated items have a total street value of at least $7 million dollars.

More than 1,000 charges have been brought in the monthslong operation, dubbed Operation Skyhawk, and charges range from contraband introduction, drug trafficking, possession of firearms by convicted felons, violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and participating in criminal gang activity.

The success of Operation Skyhawk should be a reminder to anyone, inside or outside our prisons, that we have zero tolerance and will take swift action against those who threaten the safe operations of our facilities and the safety of the public, Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said. Our reach is far and wide, not just within the walls of our facilities, and I stand by my words from over a year ago that this activity will not be tolerated.

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Officials warned that other states could have similar operations within their facilities.

Georgia has one of the largest prison systems in the country, overseeing about 47,000 prisoners, while only having a staff of 2,685 in the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2023. That year, the department also had a vacancy rate of 55% for correctional officers, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Friends, relatives, and gang associates of inmates are the most common sources of contraband, according to the state. But sometimes prison guards and other employees will sneak in contraband, or allow other people to do so. In fact, there were more than 425 cases against prison employees for crimes on the job between 2018 and 2023, according to the outlet.

The majority of the crimes were related to contraband, but some were charged with sexual assault, brutality, or extortion.
A sitting federal judge in Washington, D.C., appeared on television Thursday night to opine on former President Donald Trump, an extraordinary move that prompted backlash from some who felt it crossed an ethical boundary.

Judge Reggie Walton, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, spoke on CNN about comments Trump has made in recent days on the daughter of a judge who is overseeing Trumps hush money case in New York.

Its very disconcerting to have someone making comments about a judge, and its particularly problematic when those comments are in the form of a threat, especially if theyre directed at ones family, Walton said.

Waltons interview was particularly unusual because Trump is also facing criminal charges in Washington, Waltons district, and Walton has overseen cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that have parallels to Trumps case there.

Mike Howell, who works at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said he asked his organization's legal team "to carefully consider how these unprecedented partisan comments on a partisan network impact our cases before Judge Reggie Walton."

Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project and a staunch Trump supporter, called Waltons interview extremely inappropriate and said his group would file a complaint for misconduct.

Is this a (bad) joke? This is a sitting federal judge. And hes commenting on a pending criminal case? Against the leading presidential candidate? During the height of the election season? If so, this is highly prejudicial, Davis wrote in a statement.

This is a problem, William Shipley, an attorney who has defended Jan. 6 suspects in court, said of the interview.

Walton's interview came after New York Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump this week that prohibited the presumptive Republican presidential nominee from speaking about witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff involved in the hush money case. But the order did not limit Trump from speaking about Merchan or his family.

Trump has, since the gag order's issuance, repeatedly criticized Loren Merchan, Juan Merchan's daughter, including calling her a "Rabid Trump Hater" in a statement Thursday. Loren Merchan is the president of a marketing firm that serves Democratic politicians.

Walton, who said he and his own daughter had received alarming threats years ago from someone who cited his home address, warned that comments about judges from high-profile individuals could lead to an increase in threats against them.

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Amid the controversy over Walton going on TV, some critics shared anecdotes online about the aggressive comments the judge has made about Trump during court proceedings.

Walton, for instance, once called Trump a charlatan during the sentencing hearing for a defendant involved in the Capitol breach.

Walton accused another defendant, the one who famously nabbed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis (D-CA) lectern during the riot, of being gullible enough to believe a lie about the 2020 election.

Al Gore had a better case to argue than Mr. Trump, but he was a man about what happened to him, Walton said. He accepted it and walked away.

As for his television remarks, ethics rules prohibit judges from commenting on the merits of pending cases in any court, but they leave open the ability for judges to comment generally on court procedures.

Walton at one point during his interview commented on the specifics of Trump's gag order in New York, saying he agreed with Merchan's decision to leave his own name out of the order. However, Walton spoke largely in a generic manner outside of that and declined to elaborate on his past remarks about Trump that he has made during hearings.

"Ive made the comments Ive made in the context of the sentences I impose because Im hoping that what I say to the individuals who Im sentencing will resonate with them and cause them to rethink the activity that they engaged in that brought them before the court and hopefully deter them from engaging in further conduct of that nature in the future, Walton said.

Andrew Weissmann, a New York-based law professor and vocal Trump critic, commended Walton for his media appearance. He said Walton is "extremely respected" and that while his appearance was "very unusual," he has seen other judges speak about threats court officials have received.

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Its good to see judges in a bipartisan way speaking up about the rule of law and how central and important it is to our country, Weissmann said in a television interview.

A spokesperson for the chambers for Judge James Boasberg, the chief judge in Washington, said Boasberg had no comment on Walton's interview.
The Kentucky Senate sent a bill to Gov. Andy Beshear's (D-KY) desk that would cut him out of the process of filling a vacancy in either of the commonwealth's U.S. Senate seats.

The upper chamber of the state legislature passed House Bill 622, which would remove the authority for the governor to appoint a replacement for a vacant U.S. Senate seat and instead keep the seat open until a special election can be held. The state Senate passed the law, 34-3, on Thursday after it passed the state House, 88-4, earlier this month.

The bill comes as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has had several health scares in recent years, and the governor's mansion in Kentucky is set to be occupied by Beshear, a Democrat, until December 2027. McConnell announced earlier this year he would step down as Republican leader in the Senate later this year, but he has said he will finish out his Senate term, which expires in January 2027.

State House Republican Steven Rudy, who spearheaded the legislation, has claimed the bill is aimed at preventing a situation like in Illinois when former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted of attempting to sell an appointment to fill former Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's seat. Rudy has denied that the bill is designed with McConnell in mind.

A 2021 bill, which Beshear vetoed but was put into law after GOP supermajorities in both chambers overrode his veto, requires the governor to choose from a list of three names offered by the political party of the senator who previously held the seat. Beshear has previously refused to commit to following this law regarding appointments.

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Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, commenting on the bill, said it was because Beshear "refused to commit to following the law."

"Should a U.S. Senate seat from Kentucky ever be vacated - God forbid - our state will go unrepresented until we can conduct a special election, simply because Governor Beshear - as he has so often - refused to commit to following the law," he posted on X.

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The bill goes to Beshear's desk for his approval or veto. Republicans in the state have supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, meaning a veto could likely be overridden, and the bill could still become law.

Beshear has previously called the bill "rank partisanship" and argued that people want "good government that focuses on our people."
NEW YORK  Former President Barack Obama scolded anti-war protesters who interrupted his $25 million fundraiser for President Joe Biden alongside former President Bill Clinton.

You cant just talk and not listen," Obama said in New York City on Thursday night after multiple disruptions. "Thats what the other side does.

Most of the protesters inside Radio City Music Hall were expressing opposition to Biden's response to the Israel-Hamas war, contending he had "blood on your hands." But one who was rankled by the prospect of nuclear war with Russia was more expletive.

Youre out of your f***ing minds," that protester said as he was escorted from the room.

Biden later said the United States needs to provide more food and supplies to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip but that the country could not forget that Israelis were massacred. He expressed particular concern for the deaths of civilians, specifically children.

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Biden's fundraiser with Obama and Clinton also drew protesters outside with signs that read "Day 174 of U.S. funded genocide" and "Israel bombs = U.S.A. pays."

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Actress Mindy Kaling hosted the event, comedian Stephen Colbert moderated the conversation between the three presidents, and musicians Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele performed for their guests.

The general public ticket prices started at $250, though attendees paid up to $500,000 for VIP access to one of the sideline receptions and after-party. People could also hand over $100,000 for a photo with the three presidents taken by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.
The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge has presented Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with an opportunity to rehabilitate his image after being the target of Republican criticism for years over his performance.

Today this is happening in Baltimore. Tomorrow it could be your district, he said during a White House briefing Wednesday, making an appeal for bipartisanship in Congress. We really need to stand together, red, blue, and purple, to get these things done.

Six construction workers are believed to have died in the accident. Local authorities closed the bridge before it was struck Tuesday morning shortly after receiving a distress signal from the ships pilot. Buttigieg is now hoping to lead the way toward a successful rebuilding process amid a wobbly tenure atop the Department of Transportation.

"He's got to pull his team together," former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the Washington Examiner. "Everybody's all hands on deck right now. He's coordinating those meetings and getting everybody together, having conversations with the governor, with the mayor, with the county executive, with the White House."

LaHood, who was transportation secretary during Barack Obama's first term despite being a Republican, says he told Buttigieg he'd face a crisis every day in the job given the wide range of trains, plains, automobiles, watercraft, and infrastructure his department oversees. LaHood and Buttigieg still text each other on occasion.

"[I have] no criticism of his leadership at the DOT," LaHood said. "When it comes to the situation in Baltimore and the bridge collapse, he's really shown very, very strong leadership in many different areas. I give him very high marks."

But not everyone does.

Buttigieg has led a rocky road since being named transportation secretary in February 2021 on the heels of a strong presidential campaign. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor has since run into several controversies, at least in Republican-leaning circles.

The first came when it was reported in October 2021 that Buttigieg had been on paternity leave for six weeks amid a worsening supply chain crisis.

The leave had not been announced publicly, leading to criticism from Republicans. Buttigieg fired back, "What is really strange is that, you know, this is from a side of the aisle that used to claim the mantle of being pro-family."

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A year later, reports surfaced amid commercial aviation delays that Buttigieg used a private jet to fly across the country at least 18 times. The department had also proposed emissions limits for cities earlier in 2022, leading to cries of hypocrisy.

And in early 2023, some Republicans called for Buttigieg to resign after a perceived slow response to a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Republican strategist John Feehery predicts Buttigieg will not recover politically.

"Instead of building bridges, he builds leftist narratives that dont actually help move people and products but help make a few gender study professors happy," Feehery said. "The biggest challenge in getting this bridge rebuilt will come from the Left, especially the labor unions, the environmental groups, and the race hustlers who always are looking for ways to make some money on the side."

Buttigieg has been reaching out to Republican audiences in the days after the bridge collapse, appearing on Fox News for an interview.

"Weve got to make sure we work now today to get this bridge back up and to get this port back open," he said on Fox Newss Americas Newsroom. "That bridge took five years to build. We dont yet have an estimate on how long it will take to rebuild.

Speaking before the White House press corps on Wednesday, Buttigieg detailed numbers and statistics about the situation: The ship weighed 200 million pounds and contained 4,700 cargo containers. Between $100 million and $200 million of cargo passes through the Baltimore port each day. There is $950 million in the bipartisan infrastructure law set aside for emergency relief.

Democratic strategist Tom Cochran says Buttigieg has done an admirable role overall and will continue to build momentum traversing the Baltimore situation.

"He's done an excellent job so far in a very consequential role," said Cochran, a partner at 720 Strategies. "Without a doubt, this is his biggest test, and thus far, he has handled it well with the right messaging and talking points. More important is how federal, state, and local officials handle the investigation, the cleanup, and ultimately the long-term vision to rebuild the bridge."
Chinas counterintelligence officials have warned businesses under Beijings jurisdiction that sharing information with Western corporate consulting firms could seriously endanger national security.

Such information, if accumulated to a certain extent and analyzed in a comprehensive manner, can reflect important information about our economic operation, national defense and military, according to Chinas Ministry of State Security.

The warning accompanied a video that outlined a purported incident in which a consultancy exploited its relationship with a Chinese client on behalf of overseas spy agencies, as the South China Morning Post explained. The message underscores the fraught dynamics of international economic relationships that Chinese officials are keen to expand, even as the communist regime and Western powers view each other with increasing suspicion.

We will provide broader development space for U.S. and other foreign businesses, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Thursday. In the business cooperation, the two sides should stay committed to mutual respect, mutual benefit, and equal-footed consultation, respect each others development rights, and work for win-win outcomes for the two countries and the world at large.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted representatives of the U.S. business, strategic and academic communities on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese economy is sound and sustainable, Lin said. China did not collapse as predicted by the China collapse theory, nor will it peak as forecasted by the China peak theory. Chinas reform will not pause, and its opening up will not stop. We will provide broader development space for U.S. and other foreign businesses.

Chinas emergence as a major economic power has come with significant security risks, according to Western officials. Chinese telecommunications companies such as Huawei are regarded in Western circles as platforms for Beijings spy agencies, in part due to a national security law that compels cooperation with the communist regime. TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media app, is at risk of being banned from the United States, and U.S. intelligence officials reportedly have warned Congress that a different Chinese company had transferred U.S. intellectual property to Beijing without consent, according to Reuters.

"We are not aware of any unauthorized transfers by WuXi AppTec of any U.S. client's data or intellectual property to China, a spokesman for WuXi AppTec said Thursday. Safeguarding our customers' information is of the utmost importance to us, and we store it in keeping with their direction.

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The global heavyweights also traded allegations about cyber espionage and promoted internal warnings to mitigate putative vulnerabilities. U.S. officials and several allied governments, for instance, unveiled allegations that a Chinese hacking group has targeted Western politicians in a sprawling hacking spree.

Foreign interference of this nature is unacceptable, and we have urged China to refrain from such activity in future, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Tuesday. New Zealand will continue to speak out  consistently and predictably  where we see concerning behaviors like this.

Peters statement dovetailed with parallel allegations from the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as from Finland. Chinese officials have denied the charge, which they bracketed with their own warning about a foreign hacker.

The foreign hacking group has also infiltrated hundreds of networks of domestic business and government units, in preparation for larger scale criminal activities, the state security ministry claimed last week.

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The Chinese agency did not identify the corporate consultancy accused of working with foreign spies, but several foreign consulting companies [have been] targeted in raids over the last year, as the South China Morning Post noted. The raids stoked anxiety in corporate circles that economic pragmatism  has taken a back seat to the ideological and national security priorities, as the New York Times put it.

The U.S. companies are optimistic about Chinas development prospects, will maintain their strong commitment to the Chinese market, and pursue close and long-term cooperation with China, Lin maintained.
On March 28, Governor Polis announced that the Colorado Energy Office and the Colorado Department of Transportation are set to launch a statewide electric bicycle tax credit program  the first of its scale in the United States.

Starting on April 1, 2024, anyone living in Colorado will be able to get a $450 discount at the point of sale when they purchase an e-bike from a participating retailer. Retailers also get a $50 kickback as an incentive to offer the discount.

The e-bike tax credit system is part of House Bill 23-1272, titled "Tax Policy that Advances Decarbonization." Polis signed the bill into law following the 2023 legislative session.

In the past, various local programs have offered e-bike discounts for some Colorado residents, but no statewide program that encompasses all residents has been previously implemented. It's also worth noting that many previous programs have restricted the type of e-bike that can be purchased, focused on discounting commuter bikes. That appears to not be the case with this new program, which will presumably include electric mountain bikes.

The hope is that the incentive program makes e-bikes more accessible, thus that more Coloradans will have a feasible alternative to driving a vehicle.

While some are praising the move, others are asking why the incentive only applies to new e-bikes and not used bikes or standard pedal bikes. Questions have also been asked about being able to stack this incentive with other incentives already being offered related to the purchase of a new e-bike, in addition to questions related to online purchases.

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The definition of an 'electric bicycle' includes electric adaptive bicycles. The full definition of an e-bike as defined in Colorado Revised Statute Title 42 is as follows:

"Electrical assisted bicycle means a vehicle having two or three wheels, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power."

E-bikes must also conform to one of the three e-bike classes that have been previously established.

The popularity of e-bikes has grown over recent years, with e-bikes now available for road, dirt, and gravel terrain. Outside of taking the strain out of a bicycle commute, e-bikes are also popular among members of the outdoor recreation community, allowing the ride to last longer and making uphill segments of routes easier to tackle.

The full text of the signed bill, with additional information about qualified retailers and more, can be found here.
Joseph Billots man cave is cozy but overwhelming, a former two-car garage now stacked-to-the-rafters maze through history chronicling one veterans long arc from gung-ho to bitter enlightenment.

The sound system is tuned to movie themes on this cold January afternoon, and the soaring pulse of the "Star Wars" intro has appropriately just begun as Billot settles in to share the story of his year in Vietnam.

Thats how he felt at first: proud, compelled, eager even. He was ROTC at Purdue University, studying forestry but with his eye on a career in the military. He could have served stateside after college  in fact, the orders sending him to Vietnam were canceled while he was completing six months of mandatory training at The Presidio in San Francisco.

Billot told his superiors he wanted to go. Strings were pulled, and the 24-year-old junior officer was soon heading to war. Or, what was left of it.

My Vietnam was a lot different than a lot of other peoples Vietnam, because of when I got there, said Billot.

He arrived at his post in South Vietnam in July 1971, at a time when American troops were being quickly drawn down after a long and bitterly divisive war and a policy shift toward pacification and Vietnamification, ahead of a promised vote that was billed as setting the country on a democratic track. Those elections would never happen.

What Billot, his fellow U.S. service members and the South Vietnamese compatriots with whom they served side by side were told then  and the story being sold to America and the world by political power brokers  was all a lie, Billot said he later learned.

This hurts my heart, how 58,000 of my brothers and sisters got their name on a wall in Washington, for trusting and believing our government, like I did, he said.

Thanks to Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, the world got a window into part of the truth in the late spring of 1972.

Uts image, of a naked and sobbing 9-year-old girl, frozen in time as she fled the napalm bomb blast that ignited her clothes and terribly burned most of her body, was an unfiltered glimpse into the true cost of war: humanity itself.

Billot, of Colorado Springs, was an Army first lieutenant serving as an adviser in the village of Trang Bang when the Napalm Girl photo was taken, on June 8, 1972, then quickly published around the world. He was stationed about 300 yards from where the napalm exploded, sending up the columns of black smoke that can be seen in the background of Uts image.

The global impact of that captured moment didnt hit Billot until days later.

We were unaware of Trang Bangs international notoriety until we saw the pictures a few days later in Stars & Stripes," Billot wrote in a journal of thoughts and recollections about his time overseas, encouraged by the VA after he sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

For him and the others serving there, at that time, it was more of the bombs and death, gut-wrenching smells and heart-wrenching sights, of every day at war.

Billot was assigned to the village of Trang Bang, district headquarters known then as a hotbed of Viet Cong guerrilla activity. When he first arrived in the summer of 1971, he was one of about 20 U.S. advisers, and originally assigned to join a mobile advisory team  five-man units that lived and worked alongside their Vietnamese compatriots on military operations.

Within six months, Billot said he was one of just three advisers remaining in the district.

During that transition period, somebody was hauling somebody to Saigon every day to fly out and be done with Vietnam, Billot said. By early 1972, our team was really small.

The bonds fellow service members forged with one another, and the South Vietnamese allies with whom they worked and lived, ran deep.

I loved those guys, said Billot, who still carries in his wallet the note his Vietnamese counterpart, the leader of the regional force, gave him when Billot left Trang Bang, half a century ago.

As part of a smaller Military Assistance Command Vietnam team, Billot and his unit continued to offer training in civil operations and rural development  and coordinate medical, dental and other aid for civilians  while also gathering intelligence on and disrupting enemy activity in the area.

It was obvious that the American war was over. There were still compounds being attacked around the borders, but generally it was a peaceful time, he said. That sounds weird to say it that way, but it was.

Any sense of detente changed in late March 1972, with the launch of the Easter Offensive, a massive push by North Vietnamese forces into southern territory and the vacuum left by exiting U.S. troops.

A major battle  with a tank offensive by the North Vietnamese Army  had been raging in the village of An Loc, north of Saigon, since the start of renewed aggression. In early April, the NVA pushed farther south, occupying a village to the east of Trang Bang and sending forces to attack Loc Giang Village, less than 6 miles from Trang Bang.

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That day was my baptism by fire, Billot said.

He recalls piling into a Jeep with two colleagues on May 11, 1972, heading south against the flow of refugees to defend Loc Giang Village.

The trio found a village soon overrun by the enemy, and joined allied local militia forces in fierce (NVA) attack.

At one point, enemy fire struck the top of the embankment where hed taken cover, to return fire. He thought hed been shot  My face was hurting. I couldnt see. My eyes were stinging  but it was just dirt and debris launched into his face when the bullet hit the berm. Realizing he was dazed but uninjured, Billot pushed on, firing, narrowly avoiding a bomb dropped by the allied South Vietnamese air force. He dove into a bunker, which thankfully didnt collapse and bury him alive.

I was almost one of those 58,000 names on the wall in Washington, said Billot, who spent the last two months of service in Vietnam under heavy combat.

The sea change in his feelings about the war and Americas role began after he returned to the states in July 1972, with a reading of the Pentagon Papers. That explosive tome of government communiques, published in 1971, documented how President Richard Nixon and his top advisers knew Vietnam couldn't be won, but chose to send troops and spin the reasoning, and hope, for an American audience.

The 1967 book Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire-A Buddhist Proposal for Peace, said Billot, left him questioning many of his old truths.

That book opened my eyes to how we offended the Vietnamese people with our presence, he said.

These days, when someone asks him to smile for the camera, Billot also raises his hand. Two fingers. A peace sign.

Im an angry, disgruntled veteran  whos proud of his service and what he did for his country, even if his country was lying, Billot said.

Sharing that message is part of his mission now, and the heart of his man-cave museum.

In the history of news photography, a handful of images have been credited with changing the world. Nick Uts photo of 9-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc is one of them.

Billot points toward a glass case, a display containing an open magazine with a commentary on the photo, and images, that opened the worlds eyes to the horrors service members saw on a daily basis.

After taking the picture, Ut quickly took Kim Phuc to the hospital, where doctors initially thought she would die from her burns, according to Associated Press reports.

Her injuries would require lifelong care and numerous subsequent surgeries, but she survived, later immigrating to Canada, where she still lives and, according to AP stories, maintains a friendship with Ut, who retired from the AP in 2017.

Billots plans for a long-term career in the military, as well as his first marriage, came to an end in the years after Vietnam, while he was stationed at Fort Carson.

It was a dark time, but then he met Suzanne, who became his wife and the mother of their two sons.

Forty-one years later, shes still the best thing that ever happened to me, said Billot, who after the military worked until retirement as a forester with the city of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

In October 2022, he and Suzanne joined a three-week tour with the group Vets with a Mission, for a return trip to the country Billot had left more than a half-century before.

It was sobering and confirming to return, said Billot. Confirming how time goes on, and things change, and they were a beautiful people, a beautiful culture  and its still that way.

Though he and Nick Ut were in and around Trang Bang at the same time in 1972, Billot said he never met the then 21-year-old photographer.

Though Billots work in Trang Bang connected him with villagers during the Vietnam War, he never met the child, Kim Phuc.

Fifty years later, though, Billot did meet the woman who said she was Kim Phuc's older sister. She was operating a food stand set up near the temple the villagers had been fleeing when they were accidentally napalmed by friendly fire.

Very little of Trang Bang was still recognizable to Billot from 50 years ago  his compound was long gone, replaced by a beautiful plaza in a modern, busy city  but he knew that photo, framed and hanging on the wall of the womans food stand.

We were standing there, and I was kind of in shock that this is happening, Billot said, ... and it was just pure luck that we ran into her, because we had pulled over trying to find the Cao Dai Temple.

Billot spoke with the woman for a few minutes, through his guide and interpreter, explaining how hed been there on that day, as an American adviser in the village.

He cant remember everything that was said, the moment was so surreal and his emotions running so high.

But, he said, I probably told her I was sorry.
This photo taken on April 21, 2023 shows the red carpet ceremony of the 13th Beijing International Film Festival in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)



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.
The ongoing exhibition at the China Art Museum, Shanghai (Shanghai Art Museum) features print art masterpieces from all over the world, such as creations by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and Kaethe Kollwitz.

Print Making  Silk Road, going on from March 26 to May 20, is the first comprehensive retrospective of the history of print art in the world following the development of the ancient Silk Road. Traditional wood prints in China were transmitted along the Silk Road to wider parts of the world, making an extensive impact on the development of print art and technology. The exhibition also highlights how modern printmaking technology was introduced from the West to China, and facilitated new achievements in printmaking, according to Lu Zhiping, curator of the exhibition.

More than 170 artworks are shown from home and abroad. "Audiences will see how Chinese print art impacted the Ukiyo-e art in Japan, and then went on to inspire the impressionists in the West," said Wang Yichuan, executive director of China Art Museum, Shanghai.

The journey of printmaking from China to the world largely coincides with the route of the Belt and the Road Initiative, Lu said. From woodblock prints in China, to copperplate etching, lithograph and silkscreen print in Europe, to printmaking with digital photographs today, audiences can experience colorful works of print art, instead of just black and white, he said.
Every year, from mid-March to early April, as the Qingming Festival approaches, Zhang Min's life revolves around the green glutinous rice balls known as qingtuan.

A native of Shanghai in her early 50s, Zhang previously ran a restaurant for over a decade. Thanks to her culinary expertise, she has garnered a loyal following on WeChat for her homemade seasonal delicacies, with qingtuan being one of her most sought-after treats.

The delicacy's shiny green exterior is made of glutinous rice flour mixed with freshly extracted green grass juice, and emits a delightful aroma. Typically, it contains stuffing like sweet red bean paste. First made about 1,000 years ago, qingtuan originated as a sacrificial offering and has evolved into a seasonal street snack popular in southern China during the annual Qingming Festival.

In recent years, driven by endorsements from key influencers on social media and the publicity generated by the new fillings introduced every year by established Shanghai food brands, the appeal of this seasonal delicacy has transcended its traditional production area in the Jiangnan, or the region south of the Yangtze River along its lower reaches, to get to nearly every corner of the country.

This surge in popularity is evident not only in the long queues forming outside Shanghai's venerable stores but also in the hundreds of thousands of orders placed on e-commerce platforms like Taobao and JD, as well as on fresh grocery delivery apps like Dingdong.

For Zhang, the growing popularity of qingtuan means an influx of orders from her friends and relatives in the three weeks leading up to Qingming, which falls on Thursday. Nevertheless, she embraces the busiest season of the year and celebrates the resurgence of qingtuan, which she says embodies the magic of Chinese culinary tradition.

Many traditional delicacies, like tangyuan (glutinous rice balls stuffed with black sesame or peanut butter) for the Lantern Festival and zongzi (sweet or savory stuffed rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) for the Dragon Boat Festival, use glutinous rice as a primary ingredient. What sets qingtuan apart is its use of the green juice extracted from tender grass, which is only available in spring. This makes it a seasonal delicacy. With its soft, sweet texture and fragrant grassy aroma, it symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of warmer weather.

While qingtuan has long been cherished as a taste of spring by the people of the Jiangnan region, in 2016, Xinghualou, a century-old Shanghai brand, introduced a novel filling  salted egg yolk and pork floss  which was quickly championed by key social media influencers.

Since then, the delicacy has broken free of its status as a regional snack, and has become a must-buy for foodies around the country every Qingming. Despite initial doubts about its sustained popularity, it has proved to be an exception. New fillings have been introduced every year, and this creativity has prompted a reconsideration of the magic of this traditional yet seemingly mundane snack.

Each year, established Shanghai names, including Shendacheng, Wangjiasha, and especially Xinya, introduce new varieties, attracting novelty-seeking customers. The range of fillings has expanded from the traditional sweet red bean paste to include salted egg yolk with shredded pork, hairtail fish, dried bean curd with Indian aster, pickled freshwater fish, hairy crab roe, and even beef curry.

Xinya has been at the forefront of the most innovative offerings, with its new varieties often being the most unexpected. This year, it has incorporated hairtail fish and Chinese toon, both seasonal ingredients, into its list of fillings. According to Chen Jie, the store manager at the Xinya branch on Nanjing East Road, it has proved particularly popular.

Currently, the daily sales at the store range from 7,000 to 8,000, peaking at close to 20,000 during busy times, Chen says.

A similar level of popularity can be seen at the Changli branch of Dexingguan, a time-honored brand that dates back over 100 years, which primarily serves qingtuan with traditional flavors.

Zhang Jian, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage at Dexingguan, emphasized that their qingtuan are made and sold on the spot, following traditional methods and using pure natural barley grass juice, which imparts a fresh aroma and retains the traditional taste. The sales of qingtuan currently range from 3,000 to 5,000 a day, with an estimated peak of around 10,000 during Qingming.

"The traditional method of making green rice balls allows residents to taste the spring in a timely manner," Zhang Jian says.

One resident, also surnamed Zhang, who has been a regular customer for years, agrees. He says purchasing qingtuan at Dexingguan has become a family tradition to welcome the arrival of spring.

Qingtuan also appeals to the younger generation. One tourist recently purchased eight at Dexingguan, saying that her daughter, who previously studied in Shanghai, had been feeling nostalgic for freshly made qingtuan from the old brand stores.

While many attribute the rise of new flavors and the enduring appeal of old sentiments to the longstanding popularity of the delicacy, Zhang Min slightly disagrees.

Though she is a Shanghai native, Zhang Min disliked the delicacy until 2018, when she participated in a small qingtuan workshop where her interest was piqued. It was then that she realized that it was a tradition, rather than a cheap snack.

"Once you understand the culture and tradition qingtuan embodies, you'll appreciate it as a seasonal delight," Zhang Min says. "It is generally believed that the essence of Chinese cuisine is to consume the right food in the right season. Qingtuan is the very embodiment of that essence."

Since then, she has become an enthusiastic maker of the delicacy and has devised a number of new fillings. Following numerous trials, she introduced new varieties featuring fillings such as jujube paste and pine nut, that have earned her a constant following.

Zhang Min is careful to use only high quality ingredients and takes a precise, caring approach to making the qingtuan.

"In qingtuan, I see the respect our ancestors had for food and nature, which is its enduring appeal for me," she says.
Author Austin Frerick will talk about his book "Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of Americas Food Industry," from 6:30-8 p.m. April 9 at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, room AC 101.

The book chronicles corporate consolidation in the food industry and features stories of Iowans fighting in the trenches against Big Ag

Frerick's book is a deep dive into seven "barons" in the food industry, their rise to power, and the consequences for farmers, workers, consumers, and democracy itself. The book paints a stark portrait of corporate consolidation, but also shows that a fair, healthy, and prosperous food industry is possible.

The book talk will feature an introduction of the author by local Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement members, a brief talk by Frerick, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

ICCI is hosting a series of eight book talk meetings across Iowa from March 26 through April 11. Additional book talks can be found at www.iowacci.org/events
It was a serene and peaceful midnight on Feb. 3, 1897, in the small farming community of Walford, Iowa. It was cold and crisp, windless and silent. Most of the town's 214 residents were sleeping away another mid-winter night without much of a care.

The only movements of note were the few kerosene lamps with their dancing flames showing faintly behind closed curtains. The dark silhouettes of the two most prominent buildings on Main Street Walford, the Novak & Zabokrtsky General Store and the First State Bank of Walford, were clearly outlined against the moonless, star-filled sky. It was a scene off of a Christmas card.

At 2 a.m., the tranquility of the scene was shattered by the first verbal alarms of fire as the night sky in Walford came aglow as the general store and the bank burned like kindling. Neighbors and merchants rallied in attempts to save anything savable, but with no fire department, the buildings collapsed into their basements and were only cinders.

By the weakly slanting rays of the winter morning sunlight, the good people of Walford saw that the store and the bank were destroyed, with nothing standing but a blackened brick wall between the two.

By late afternoon, battalions of citizens tended the ruins and through the whispers of the crowd, it became apparent that Frank Novak, owner of both the general store and the bank, was still unaccounted for.

Then, before the sun could set on that day of days, a shout went up that a body had been found in the basement, lying on a cot, a few feet away from the gasoline boiler used to heat the building. The remains were unrecognizable. The legs and one arm were completely burned off and all of the flesh around the scorched face was missing, leaving only a ghastly and grimacing skull.

Despite the near cremation of these remains, no one doubted that it was Novak's corpse; especially since searchers found several items known to be generally on his person: pocket scissors, his monogrammed penknife, a metal identification check that matched the one that he always wore on his suspenders.

The men also found a partial dental bridge that had fallen onto the dirt basement floor. By the end of the day there was no one who needed convincing that the incinerated and disfigured body was that of the young Walford entrepreneur Frank Alfred Novak. A Cedar Rapids newspaper reported that Novak's father was so distraught over the loss of his son he attempted suicide.

How could it have been anyone else?

So it was quite a shock when the next day Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette editor W.I. Endicott received a telegram from his reporter on the story in Walford, stating that 83-year-old retired farmer William Murray was frantic that his 40-year-old bachelor son, Edward, who farmed the old man's land, had not returned home the night before.

Edward Murray milked cows requiring a systematic schedule and had never shirked his farm responsibilities before. When old-man Murray travelled into Walford to inquire about his son, no one had seen him since the night before.

The gossip that Edward Murray was also missing, put the small community abuzz and in some confusion. With the store and bank ruins still smoking, half of the Walfordians were convinced the body borne from the rubble could be no one other than Frank Novak and the other half believing it to be the missing Edward Murray.

As the local debate raged regarding the true identity of the body found in the general store basement, County Attorney M.J. Tobin arrived in Walford and convened a coroner's inquiry, the purpose of which was to first identify the body but also to investigate the facts of the incident that had leveled two important buildings by fire.

Tobin was fresh out of Columbia Law School and had aced the Iowa Bar Exam in late 1896. Unlike most of the old-school attorneys practicing in Iowa at that time, M.J. was a firm believer in the new investigation techniques of forensic science. Science as it pertains to law had been around for centuries, yet the use of science by law enforcement to convict criminals had its nascence in the United States in the 1880s.

Over one hundred years before the "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" franchise exploded into the true crime genre on CBS, forensic science as practiced in its infancy in 1897 would be a large part of the investigation into the circumstances of a charred body found in a burned out general store in Walford, Iowa.
1- Do you care about the cost of the MBA or the length of the MBA?

2- What type of business do you think of launching?

3- When do you want to launch something and where?
Danville is one of 20 cities across the United States that are finalists for the All-America City Award for 2024.

The National Civic League bestows the award upon communities that demonstrate innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges, according to a news release from the city Thursday afternoon.

We are proud and honored to be named a finalist, Mayor Alonzo Jones said in a prepared statement. Our city is undergoing a remarkable transformation. We are committed to creating a city where all citizens can find opportunity and a good quality of life. This award allows us to demonstrate the merits of our work to the nation.

The River City was previously named an All-America City in 2020 and in 1977. 2024 was the first year that Danville officials entered the competition since being selected four years ago.

Danville was selected as a finalist for the strength of their civic capital  the formal and informal relationships, networks and capacities that enable communities to solve problems and thrive, Rebecca Trout, director of the leagues Washington, D.C. office and All-America City Award, told the Register & Bee via email Thursday.

The league is based in Denver, Colorado. All 20 finalists will compete for the award during an event there June 7-9.

Each community will bring a team of representatives to present the story of their work to a jury of nationally-recognized civic leaders, according to the citys news release.

A review committee scores applications based on criteria including: shared vision; civic engagement; inclusiveness and equity; collaboration; innovation; and impact, Trout said.

The 20 finalists will now come to Denver to compete in the second stage of the event, she said. A jury will score in-person presentations and select the 10 winners who will be announced Sunday, June 9.

The review committee includes civic-engagement experts, such as former city managers and former mayors, academics and other community civic leaders, Trout said. Winners will be selected by an 11-member jury of civic leaders from across the nation, she said.

In its application, Danville highlighted its community-based, grassroots efforts to develop a new comprehensive plan  PLANDanville.

Officials also pointed out the Danville Police Departments nearly 40 community engagement programs, the parks and recreation departments Heart the Park campaign and the Danville School Boards engagement of young people by adding four student representatives to the board.

I am proud of the way multiple departments and Danville Public Schools have worked to more thoroughly engage the public in the services we provide, City Manager Ken Larking said in a prepared statement. We are now a growing city, and it is important that we have a complete understanding of what the public wants to see in the future in their community and in their neighborhoods, so that we can make Danville the kind of place everyone is proud to call home.

Trout would not reveal the overall number of applicants for the award. Applications were due Feb. 13.

The leagues mission is to advance civic engagement to create equitable, thriving communities, Trout said.

We achieve this by inspiring, supporting and recognizing inclusive approaches to community decision-making, she said.

The league is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group founded in 1894 by civic leaders that included Theodore Roosevelt and Louis Brandeis.

The other 19 finalists for the 2024 award are: Boulder, Colorado; Edinburg, Texas; Henderson, Kentucky; High Point, North Carolina; Jacksonville, North Carolina; La Marque, Texas; Lakewood, Colorado; Lexington, Kentucky; Monroe County, Indiana; Monrovia, California; New Orleans; Newport News; Oakland, California; Punta Gorda, Florida; Roanoke; Saginaw, Texas; Seattle; Watkinsville, Georgia; and Wilton Manors, Florida.
The Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authoritys former director has sued the government agency, alleging it retaliated against her for reporting fraud.

Larissa Deedrich, the DRHAs director from April 2020 until January, sued March 8 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Danville.

Deedrichs lawsuit alleges argues that the DRHAs board of commissioners rescinded a previously promised pay increase after she reported an allegedly fraudulent transaction by a DRHA officer to the board.

Plaintiff was retaliated against after reporting a DRHA officer had submitted a fraudulent invoice for payment on behalf of her sister (who was not eligible to receive payments because she was a non-citizen who entered the country illegally) to obtain $6,959.52 and disguising that payment by creating a North Carolina LLC, the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, the DRHA officers sister was an intern with the DRHA in the summer of 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Deedrich also alleges breach of contract in the lawsuit.

Board of Commissioners Chair Amanda Oakes, when reached by the Register & Bee, referred questions to the DRHAs attorney.

Mark Loftis, the DRHAs Roanoke-based attorney under a contract with the authority, would not comment on the cases specifics.

The authority considers her lawsuit to be wholly without merit, Loftis, with Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC law firm, told the Register & Bee.

The authority has not yet determined which law firm will represent it in the case, Loftis said.

Deedrich is represented by Christopher Collins and Mia Yugo with Yugo Collins PLLC in Roanoke.

According to the lawsuit, Deedrich reported the fraudulent payment to the board and told commissioners that the employee, Katya Urraco, the chief financial officer at the time, had claimed that she was untouchable because she was having a romantic relationship with Mayor Alonzo Jones, a member of the board.

In response, the board rescinded a previously promised pay increase and indicated through its attorneys that plaintiffs report of these facts would be the last straw, according to the lawsuit.

Jones, when contacted by the Register & Bee, denied the allegations.

Attempts to reach Urraco were unsuccessful.

In an Oct. 25, 2023, letter attached to the lawsuit from Deedrich to Loftis, Deedrich referenced concerns brought up by Urraco regarding questionable contracts with and invoices from a company, Kinetic Potential.

I have cooperated fully with the ongoing questions about a concern that was brought forth by employee, Katya Urraco about the Kinetic Potential contract, Deedrich wrote. In response to the allegations, I have followed DRHAs legal counsels advice and documented the ongoing issues with Ms. Urraco.

Deedrich stated in the letter that she had proven that a contract with Kinetic Potential was not, in fact, executed and that other Kinetic Potential contracts and invoices were being investigated by myself once Ms. Urraco emailed me concerning the matter.

Since the onslaught of this allegation, I have discovered evidence of the federal embezzlement of funds committed by Ms. Urraco and fraud against the agency by misappropriation of federal funds, Deedrich wrote. I raised this concern to DRHAs legal counsel as well as the board of commissioners.

The DRHA owns and manages 577 units in seven multi-family developments, serving about 1,600 residents. The agency administers about 1,700 housing choice voucher units in Danville, Martinsville, Pittsylvania County and Henry County.

Deedrich filed her lawsuit under the False Claims Act, and Virginias anti-retaliation statute, which forbids employers from penalizing an employee who reports a violation of state or federal laws or regulations.

She is seeking nearly $500,000 from the DRHA, plus post-judgment interest on all amounts awarded, compensatory damages for emotional distress, two times the amount of back pay she lost through allegedly being retaliated against, pre-judgment interest, reimbursement of her attorney fees and other costs she incurs from the lawsuit.

As a result of DRHAs unlawful retaliation, plaintiff suffered lost income, loss of professional standing and reputation, emotional distress and other damages to be proven at trial, according to the lawsuit.

The $493,541.62 sought includes $350,000 in punitive damages she alleges she suffered as a result of her termination; $104,151.24 (plus 8% pre-judgment interest for withheld wages); $33,400 for breach of contract due to DRHAs alleged failure to pay her the unused paid time off she earned before the end of her employment; and $5,990.38 for breach of contract because of the authoritys purported failure to pay Deedrich at the $175,000 annual rate it had agreed to pay her beginning Oct. 1, 2023 until Jan. 7, the day she resigned.

Deedrich is now executive director of the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission in South Dakota.
Achievers

Jessi Idol, supervisor of operations transformation at Truliant Federal Credit Union, has been selected to the latest cohort of Filene Research Institutes i3 Collaborative Innovation Program. Filene i3 is a two-year innovation leadership program that is designed to equip top credit union professionals with the mindset, tools and network to lead and shape the future. The program allows participants to learn cutting-edge innovation competencies. The Filene Research Institute, founded in 1989 with the mission to be the independent resource of innovative research for the credit union industry, is headquartered in Madison, Wis. The i3 program, started in 2004, stands for Ideas, Innovation and Implementation.

Announcements

The Blue Ridge Music Center is celebrating a music legend with the release of a new video series, Legacies: Doc Watson Musical Tribute, highlighting performances and stories from artists who were influenced by the music of the late bluegrass pioneer Doc Watson. The series features T. Michael Coleman, Jack Lawrence, Wayne Henderson and Jack Hinshelwood performing during the Doc at 100 tribute concert hosted at the venue in 2023.

The series is available at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org and on the centers YouTube channel.

* * * *

Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina is breaking ground at their newest retail store and donation center in Alamance county. The organization will begin construction at their recently acquired property located at 1108 S. Main St., Graham with the anticipated opening in mid- 2024. Employees, board members, building partners and community partners will participate in the ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 4, to commemorate the building of the new 12,576-square-foot building.

The organization will vacate their current location in Graham (841 S. Main St.) in the fall of 2024, and all current employees will be transferred to the new location.

Construction is being led by Kirkland Construction, and design partners include West & Stem Architects, DMP, Preferred Engineering, Absolute Engineering and several others.

Awards

David Aarons, assistant professor of ethnomusicology at UNCG, was nominated for the UNCG James Joyner Alumni Teaching Excellence Award. Aarons was also awarded a UNCG Internal Research Award for his project Pan in the Sanctuary: Steel Bands in Jamaica and a Postcolonial Ethics of Instrumentation.

* * * *

Greensboro Fire Department Battalion Chief Korey Randleman has been selected as a winner of the 2024 National Life Do Good Heroes Award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, this award honors fire rescue and police personnel and departments who perform community service activities above and beyond their public safety duty.

As a Do-Good Heroes award winner, Randleman will receive $500 to donate to a nonprofit of his choice.

Randleman was nominated by Tye Green of Stone Press Financial Group, for being an integral part of the community.

* * * *

Jim Slaughter, a partner at Law Firm Carolinas, received the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award at the 2024 Community Association Law Seminar in Las Vegas. The award recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the community association industry. Slaughter is a past president of the national College of Community Association Lawyers as well as the North Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute. He has written four books on association meeting procedure, including the recent Roberts Rules of Order Fast Track.

* * * *

Truliant Federal Credit Union was recently honored with three Diamond Awards  including one Categorys Best  recognizing outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry.

The awards were presented by the Marketing and Business Development Council of Americas Credit Unions, a national network comprised of credit union marketing and business development professionals. ACU is the industrys largest trade group and was formed by the 2023 merger of the Credit Union National Association and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions.

Truliant earned an esteemed Categorys Best distinction in the Member or Trade Publications Category for Brighter Together, its first Corporate Social Responsibility report. The report highlighted the benefits of Truliants social, environmental and community efforts.

Truliant won additional awards for its Money Burst website. The website promotes the credit unions video series with nationally known personal finance expert Chris Browning. Truliant also received an award in the public relations category for press coverage of its new Operations Center at Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem.

Winners were recognized on March 19 at the Marketing and Business Development Council Conference in Las Vegas.

Credit unions, advertising agencies and associations submitted a record 1,451 submissions for the awards. Winners were selected from 37 categories. In all, 168 organizations from 44 states and the District of Columbia were selected as winners.

* * * *

Asha Kutty, an assistant professor of interior architecture at UNCG, has received the 2024 Educator Diversity Award from the International Interior Design Association. This national award recognizes one educator annually who is advancing racial and ethnic diversity in the interior design industry. Kuttys research and teaching focuses on how the built environment impacts minority communities and examines the ways in which these communities navigate and challenge marginalization through their creative engagement with their physical surroundings.

On the Move

Jodee Ruppel is the North Carolina Folk Festivals new executive director. She succeeds Amy Grossmann, who served in the role since the festivals beginning. The festival is scheduled for Sept. 6-8.

UNCGs College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean bruce d. mcclung has announced the appointment of Dalia Razo as academic professional: assistant professor of music education.

Lindsey Architecture recently hired two new employees for its Greensboro office. Elizabeth Goliber joined the firm as architectural designer and Barbara Verstat serves as the office administrator. The latest new hires bring Lindsey Architectures full-time employee count to 10.

Ginger Salt has joined Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina as chief communications and public affairs officer. Prior to joining Goodwill, Salt served as chief experience officer for Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, a $1.2 billion mutual savings bank founded in Winston-Salem in 1903.

After serving as director of High Point Theatre for 13 years, David Briggs has announced that he will be retiring.

Truliant Federal Credit Union has hired Elizabeth Kollar as its new vice president of mortgage loan production.

High Point City Manager Tasha Logan Ford has announced that Deputy Chief Brian Evans has been appointed as the interim fire chief, effective Saturday

, March 30

. An executive search firm will conduct the process to identify the permanent fire chief.

Biscuitville Fresh Southern recently announced promotions of internal leaders and the addition of a seasoned industry veteran to the organization. Promotions include: Kim Avery, vice president of operations; Heather Banner, area director; and Jason Malone, director of culinary operations. Stephen Mueller, corporate executive chef, joined the company in February.
China extends invitation to Dutch companies for 7th CIIE

Xinhua) 09:13, March 29, 2024

People attend a promotion event for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 27, 2024. Officials announced on Wednesday that the Netherlands is encouraged to increase its presence, with both large and small companies, at the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) planned for November in Shanghai. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)

AMSTERDAM, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Officials announced on Wednesday that the Netherlands is encouraged to increase its presence, with both large and small companies, at the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) planned for November in Shanghai.

"The CIIE is the world's first import expo held at a national level, provides an excellent platform for large and small enterprises to showcase and promote their products," Jin Yuan, the economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, said at a promotion event held here.

According to Jin, China aims to increase the import of high-quality goods from the Netherlands and encourages Dutch companies to leverage the CIIEB platform to access China's market opportunities.

The Netherlands has attended six previous CIIE sessions. Last year's expo saw participation from big Dutch companies like ASML and Phillips, as well as innovative SMEs and startups, including those specializing in dairy products.

"The exhibitors highlighted Dutch expertise and innovation across various sectors, from agriculture and consumer products to semiconductors and healthcare," Jin added.

CIIEB Deputy Director-General Wu Zhengping said preparations for the 7th CIIE are currently being accelerated.

"We look forward to Dutch institutions and companies continuing to participate actively in the expo," he said.

He said he hopes Dutch companies will use the CIIE to strengthen cooperation with Chinese counterparts in the fields of artificial intelligence, new energy and the elderly economy, display high-quality Dutch products and brands, and contribute more to Sino-Dutch economic and trade cooperation.

Jochum Haakma, chairman of the Netherlands China Business Council, shared his experiences attending the CIIE in 2018 and 2019 with Xinhua.

China's organization of this expo has sent a clear message globally that "they are not only an export country, but also an import country," he said.

"China is the second largest economy in the world. So everybody needs China. Europe needs China. The Netherlands needs China. But China also needs the outside world," he said. "So there's all the reason to sit together, to talk about business and to do business."

Haakma stressed that "this inter-relationship is very important."

Tao Fenghua, general manager of the Amsterdam branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), told Xinhua that the ICBC, as a comprehensive partner of the CIIE, is committed to helping Dutch companies enter China and expand their business in China.

Chen Yihua, head of China Practice of Dutch law firm Heussen, expressed his interest in the CIIE's potential after attending the event.

As a lawyer, he is willing to help Dutch and European companies to invest and operate in China, aiming to foster trade relations between China and the Netherlands, Chen said.

People attend a promotion event for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 27, 2024. Officials announced on Wednesday that the Netherlands is encouraged to increase its presence, with both large and small companies, at the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) planned for November in Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiangjiang)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
You are here: Business

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.
Every Easter, I think about my mothers 1978 Mercury Marquis station wagon with fake wood paneling.

It could have very well been the inspiration for the Family Truckster, that dead-on parody of station wagons driven by Chevy Chase in National Lampoons Family Vacation.

This massive yellow car, which packed a 427 under the hood and steered like a battleship, was temporarily entrusted to me when I was a college student living in Nashville, Tennessee.

My little brother had wanted to borrow my car for his prom in Alabama, and I agreed because the station wagon would come in handy a month or so later when the semester ended and I had to move all my stuff out of the freshman dorm.

It was Good Friday of 1987, and I was driving the station wagon to Chattanooga to launch a four-year tradition of spending Easter weekend with my grandmother.

She lived on Lookout Mountain, but I was giving a friend a lift home and had to drop him off downtown. I was running low on gas but wanted to dispatch him first because he was a cheapskate and I didnt want to get mad when I stopped and pumped gas and he didnt give me any money.

So we met his father in a Chattanooga parking lot, and then I drove away and promptly ran out of gas in front of an historic hotel called the Read House. I hitched a ride to a gas station and came back and filled up, but the station wagon wouldnt crank.

I called my Uncle Henry, who also lived on the mountain. I wasnt sure if he knew anything about cars but he was a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School. He showed up and suggested that the fuel line was clogged and that we should prime the carburetor.

I popped the hood and we sloshed some gas into the carburetor, then I got behind the wheel and turned the key.

The engine immediately burst into flames. My uncle slammed down the hood and we could see flames flickering through the grill.

I grabbed the gas can and ran into the Read House and told the doorman to call the fire department. He told me to take the gas can and, I quote, Get the hell out of the Read House, sir.

A red firetruck pulled up less than a minute later. Thats how important the Read House was to downtown Chattanooga.

As the yellow paint on the hood turned an eerie shade of pink, a fireman wearing thick gloves popped it open and sprayed foam all over the engine. When the smoke cleared, I could see the crispy remains of wires and hoses.

You can just take this to the junkyard, the friendly fireman said.

A tow truck arrived and hauled the station wagon to a garage at the foot of the mountain, and then my uncle drove me to my grandmothers.

On Lookout Mountain, my grandmother told me not to worry. She never worried about anything. As her pastor told us years later at her funeral, this was a woman who spent the Great Depression studying romance languages at Sweet Briar.

She pulled a giant pot roast out of the oven and everything was fine.

The next morning, which was Saturday, we ate a big breakfast and then I called the garage and asked the mechanic what he suggested I do with the station wagon.

Well, you can come down and get it, he said.

You mean tow it somewhere else? I asked.

What? he said. Just drive it off. Its ready to go.

He had to be kidding. But my grandmother drove me down the mountain and the mechanic handed me the keys.

I asked him about all the wires and hoses that had burned up. He laughed. Those are just anti-pollution devices, he said. You dont need em.

Sure enough, the station wagon cranked right up.

As I drove the station wagon back up the mountain, I looked through the windshield at the charred hood and thought about how it didnt make any sense.

And then I thought about the resurrection.

Then and now, I believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and I realize that such a feat defies science.

Sure, it was a stretch comparing that station wagon to the resurrection, but I was 18 years old, and at that moment I had the faith of a child.

Id like to go back to that place, and sometimes I do.

Happy Easter, everybody.
A Helena man along with two people from Missoula were sentenced Thursday and Friday to more than five years in prison in connection to fentanyl-laced heroin that caused multiple overdoses in early 2022, authorities said.

Nikolas Loren Pellant, 34, of Missoula, Lynsi Noel Barnes, 33, of Missoula, and Beau James Breneman, 44, of Helena, were sentenced after pleading guilty in November to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

The defendants received five years and three months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, the U. S. Attorney's Office said. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.

The government alleged in court documents federal agents intercepted a package addressed to Pellant in October 2022 containing more than 300 fentanyl pills.

Pellant and Barnes were selling fentanyl in Missoula for months and the couple acquired the drug through mail and by making trips to Spokane, Washington, authorities said.

In January, the Montana Highway Patrol stopped Barnes, who was returning from Spokane, seizing more than 450 fentanyl pills in her vehicle, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

In January 2022, according to court documents, St. Peter's hospital reported nine heroin overdoses that occurred in a 36-hour period in Lewis and Clark County.

The heroin was later documented in court records as "Hulk" heroin, which was laced with fentanyl and green.

In a previous report, Breneman was charged on Feb. 14 for conspiracy to distribute dangerous drugs along with two other people involved in the investigation.

Jesse Al Belling, 41, and Luke Allan Lingle, 42, who are both awaiting their hearings, admitted in court documents that the fentanyl and heroin was connected to Breneman.

"Ive heard about a few people that have gone out on this stuff, Breneman said, according to an affidavit.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Breneman warned at least one customer to use a smaller dose of the fentanyl-laced heroin and diluted quantities because of its strength.

On May 31, Breneman and Barnes were passengers in a vehicle that was stopped in Shoshone County, Idaho, where law enforcement searched the vehicle and found more than 300 fentanyl pills.

Groups involved in the investigation included The Missouri River Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Service, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Missoula County Sheriffs Office and Shoshone County (Idaho) Sheriffs Office.
The battle over whether a massive copper mine can open along tributaries of central Montana's famed Smith River could hinge on one basic question: What activities constitute a "use" of water?

At issue is a water use permit the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation issued to Sandfire Resources, formerly known as Tintina, to use 114 million gallons of water annually for ore processing. The water would be pumped out of underground mine workings, a process known as "dewatering" that must take place so workers can access the mine.

But the 114 million gallons the DNRC permitted the mine to use is less than half of the total amount it will remove from the mine through dewatering. The total amount is projected to be about 263 million gallons. The remaining 149 million gallons not covered by the permit would be pumped back into the ground to recharge the aquifer, but at times would first be stored on the surface for up to three months to make sure it meets water quality standards.

The DNRC and Tintina (listed in court records under that former name) argue that Montana's Water Use Act allows the DNRC to regulate or permit only water that's being obviously wasted, which the agency prohibits, or that's being used for "beneficial use," which the agency can permit so long as any adverse affects on senior water rights holders are offset. But the act of dewatering the mine and simply returning the water to the ground elsewhere is neither waste nor beneficial use, they argue, and thus the DNRC lacks regulatory authority to address it at all.

A host of environmental groups objected during DNRC's permitting process, arguing that the act of dewatering, impounding water and then returning it to the ground is a beneficial use for the mining company because it allows the mine to actually operate. Without dewatering, the underground mine would be flooded and unusable, and therefore dewatering  even when water isn't used for ore processing  is a beneficial use, they said. The groups  Trout Unlimited, Montana Environmental Information Center, Earthworks and American Rivers  argue that the DNRC should have analyzed the full 263 million gallons of water, not just the 43% the mine planned to use in ore processing.

Water in Montana is publicly owned by the state and its citizens, though it can be used exclusively and in large amounts by parties with permits to do so. Water rights are largely based on seniority, where older water rights holders take precedent over newer rights holders, who must ensure their usage doesn't impact senior rights holders.

Separately, the groups had challenged the Department of Environmental Quality's issuance of a mine permit for the mine. After the permit was issued, the groups petitioned a district court to review the permit. The district court ruled that DEQ erred in issuing the permit, specifically in its analysis of potential environmental impacts of a 72-acre pond of toxic mine tailings at the site. The agency and Tintina appealed the case to the state Supreme Court, which overturned the district court in a 5-2 decision last month, ruling that the agency followed the law in issuing the permit.

Similarly, the environmental groups, led by Trout Unlimited, also requested that the district court review the DNRC's issuance of a water use permit. The district court upheld that permit a decision the groups appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Missoula Friday morning from the environmental groups, Tintina and the DNRC. The seven-member court took the case under advisement, meaning they will consider their stance over time and release a ruling at a later date. Chief Justice Mike McGrath called it an "extremely important and interesting case."

A mine on the Smith River

The underground mine is proposed for the Black Butte area of Meagher County, about 12 miles north of White Sulphur Springs. It sits between the Smith River headwater tributaries of Sheep Creek and Big Butte Creek, and is 11 miles east of the upper Smith itself. Tintina hopes to produce 14.5 million tons of copper-laden rock from a 1,888-acre area over 13 years. Surface work has already begun.

The Smith River is a pristine, winding waterway coveted by recreation users like floaters and anglers. It's so popular that it's the only river in the state where users must vie for a permit through a lottery system to float the river's 60-mile stretch through a state park where canyon walls tower high over the waterway. More than 12,400 people sought a permit this year.

Although the environmental groups do not hold water rights affected by the proposed mine, they describe themselves in their agency objections and legal filings as representing people with deep interest in the Smith River and its water quality that would be adversely affected by the mine.

Most of Friday's oral arguments  40 minutes for the environmental groups, 30 for the mine and DNRC  revolved around whether the act of pumping water from the mine to the surface, storing it, and then pumping it back into the ground elsewhere qualified as a "use" of water that Tintina should have to apply for a permit for.

"That is, under any sensible understanding of 'use,' a use," said Sean Helle, an attorney representing the environmental groups. "That pumping is essential to its mining operation."

Justice Ingrid Gustafson questioned whether the groups would have the same position if Tintina was immediately returning the water to the ground without first impounding it for a time on the surface. Helle said they would, because even in that case Tintina would still be appropriating water, defined as diverting, impounding or withdrawing water.

Justice Laurie McKinnon wondered how far-reaching a decision in the groups' favor would be, positing that expanding the definition of water "use" could ensnare a wide range of water removal activities, such as from a flood-prone field, that the state never intended to regulate so closely.

"How do we thread this needle to not require permits for the universe of water diversion?" she wondered, prompting Helle to explain that the Water Use Act permits exceptions for certain "de minimus" activities of less than 3.2 million gallons, or 10 acre-feet.

But Brian Bramblett, an attorney for DNRC, saw significant implications if the court were to side with the environmental groups. He predicted that cities and other municipalities with stormwater systems around roads, paths and other infrastructure may have to apply for permits if their diversion and impoundment of stormwater is considered a "use" of the water.

"The mere act of diverting water has never constituted a beneficial use in Montana," he said, adding that impoundment of water "holds the water but it does not use it."

And, he said, "The incidental benefits from draining the mine have never been considered a beneficial use."

John Tietz, an attorney for Tintina, also argued that "there is no use here."

The crux of a beneficial use, he said, is that "youre using the corpus of water to achieve a beneficial purpose." In this case, however, Tintina is simply proposing to remove unwanted water from a mine and discard the water somewhere else, he said.

Justice Jim Shea asked whether removing water so that mining could occur would be a beneficial use. Tietz said it would not be, and that the impoundment and returning of water to the aquifer was simply to meet regulatory requirements.

In a rebuttal, Helle described the Water Use Act as binary, with no middle ground between the wasting of water and the beneficial use of water. Contrary to DNRC's position that some activities, like dewatering a mine, fell in between the two categories and thus outside their regulatory authority. Helle argued that an activity with water must be one or the other.

"Under the Water Use Act, the notion of unused but unusable water makes no sense," he said, arguing further that if an action diverts or impounds water and makes it unavailable to others, then it is a "use" of the water. And, he argued, the basic fact that Tintina would be controlling the water and affecting it to conduct mining made their activity a beneficial use of water for the company  even the water that isn't then used for ore processing.

Justice Dirk Sandefur seemed skeptical of the argument, questioning Helle multiple times about how the act of removing water from the mine only to then return it to the ground constituted a "use" of the water requiring a permit.

Helle contended it was "just factually wrong" to say such activities were not a beneficial use to Tintina: "This is essential to Tintinas underground mining operation."
TikTok and an anti-China group have fired up opposing televised ad campaigns in Montana, both part of a larger spending run taking place as the U.S. Senate mulls a ban on the social media giant.

Federal Communication Commission records show TikTok Inc. has spent $121,000 for 674 ad spots with broadcast stations in Missoula, Billings, Helena and Great Falls, most of which will slotted for next month. With commission rates for the ad agencies TikTok's spending in Montana totals $142,355.

The ad claims the ban would hurt small business owners' livelihoods and more broadly chip away at grassroots groups' ability to organize.

"TikTok has made me a better teacher, its helped me to connect with people far beyond my classroom," one man says in the ad.

Montana was the first state to pass a ban on TikTok, although a federal judge blocked its Jan. 1 effective date while the social media company and a handful of Montana users make their case against the state ban in court. Now Congress is considering a similar proposal, which would require TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company or be blocked in the U.S.

"There's no doubt that I would not have found the success I have today without TikTok."



The House passed a bill on 3/13 that could lead to a ban of the app. TikTok has reserved $1.6M opposing the bill. Here's their first TV ad since 3/13 https://t.co/7FiGagi2oJ pic.twitter.com/q5LKTaSUAP  AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) March 27, 2024

CNBC this week reported TikTok's spree totaling $2.1 million is will air ads in Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well.

TikTok has a reported 170 million users in the U.S., and claimed in its lawsuit against Montana's ban that it had "hundreds of thousands of users" within the state.

State Armor Action, a Chicago-based organization that bills itself as a measure of pushback against Chinese influence in the United States, spent more than $224,752 beginning in mid-March for ads strictly in Missoula and Billings markets that are set to run through the end of the month. With commission rates, State Armor's spending totals $264,415.

State Armor launched in January and told Fox News its campaign will spend seven figures targeting TikTok. State Armor Action, the organization's nonprofit arm, is listed in FCC records for ad buys. The nonprofit is a 501(c)(4), the usual designation chosen by dark money groups.

The group's founder and CEO Michael Lucci told Fox that states are now on "the front lines" when it comes to dealing with foreign adversaries where Congress has failed to act.

"China is using TikTok to sway American politics and opinion," the group's ad warns, claiming the social media app is "stoking division" and "driving misinformation."

The TikTok ban is perhaps Montana's most distilled encapsulation of angst toward China, but the commotion has been growing, particularly after a Chinese spy balloon floated overhead here last year and the federal government initially failed to acknowledge it to the public.

"It's a real shift from where politics would have been five to 10 years ago," said Jeremy Johnson, political science professor at Carroll College, in a phone interview Friday. "This has become central enough for political debate that groups are willing to spend six-digit sums to influence political opinion in Montana."

Millions will be spent on Montana's top-ticket races this year, but Johnson still called the figure spent over the TikTok ban "enormous" considering how new it is to the current political dialogue. To that point of its recent prevalence, Johnson declined to speculate on whether the dueling ad campaigns will produce any meaningful impact.

It's hard to pin down as a partisan matter. Sen. Ken Bogner, R-Miles City, carried a bill to prohibit foreign adversaries from buying, leasing or renting critical infrastructure, agricultural land or "a residence that has a direct line of sight to any part of a military installation," a proposal that passed the state Senate 48-2 and the House 100-0.

The U.S. House passed the federal measure on a 352-65 vote with support from both of Montana's House members, Republicans Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke. President Joe Biden has signaled he would sign the ban if it reached his desk.

The states where TikTok is spending also happens to be where a slate of Democratic Senators are seeking re-election this year. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana is facing a tough re-election battle against GOP pick in Tim Sheehy, a political newcomer and Belgrade-based businessman, in what's expected to be one of the most expensive races in the country.

Like Bogner's bill, Tester and Sheehy have both made political hay out of the perceived threat of China snapping up Montana's agricultural land. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foreign-held agricultural land in Montana totaled 1.5% in 2022. Nationally, Chinese farmland ownership increased from $900 million in 2012 to $1.9 billion in 2022, Politico reported.

"The issue begins to interconnect in terms of just creating a sense of unease and discontent," Johnson said. "It's become part of the broader milieu of political debate."

A spokesperson for Tester's office said he was concerned about Chinese surveillance, but was still reviewing the federal ban bill.

"Defending Montanans freedom and privacy from foreign adversaries like China is one of his top priorities, which is why he supported a measure to ban TikTok on government devices," the spokesperson said. "Senator Tester is reviewing the bill that would force the Chinese company that owns TikTok to sell it or be banned, and is taking feedback from Montanans."

A spokesperson for Republican Sen. Steve Daines did not directly address the question seeking his position on the proposed federal ban but sent the following statement:

"TikTok answers to and is heavily influenced by the CCP, and Im very concerned with the national security threats this app poses as well as the negative impacts its having on young Americans," Daines said in the statement. "Congress must act to protect our national security and all Montanans."

The lawsuit over Montana's TikTok ban remains ongoing. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, a Republican, appealed the district court's injunction on the ban's start date to the Ninth Circuit. Twenty states have filed an amicus brief in support of the ban.

-This article has been updated with additional ad buy figures posted to the Federal Communications Commission's website on Friday.
The peaceful transition of power in presidential elections has been a cornerstone of our democracy. This is not true for many countries who experience violence and mayhem. We have now experienced that violence and mayhem in our last presidential election. Remember January 6 when people at the Capitol were injured, deaths occurred, elected officials hid in fear, and the vice president had to be whisked to safety until order was restored? Only then could he return to certify the election.
Attorneys for the city of Bristol Tennessee are requesting more information regarding a deadline extension for one project at the Bristol Virginia landfill, granted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

On March 22, Bristol Virginia posted on its landfill information site that DEQ granted the city an extension of time to install an Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) geomembrane cover over the quarry landfill.

Installation of the EVOH cover was recommended by a DEQ expert panel and included within the 2023 consent decree between the two cities after Bristol Tennessee filed suit over the landfill in 2022.

The matter is governed by agreements with both U.S. District Court in Abingdon and a Circuit Court in Richmond, Va., where the state filed suit.

The extension is from March 28, 2024, until Dec. 1, 2026, City Manager Randy Eads told the Bristol Herald Courier last week.

Bristol Virginia sought the extension because a series of ongoing remediation projects altered the shape of the landfills surface, resulting settlement above and beyond the natural aging of waste.

To ensure that the EVOH cover conforms to the landfill surface and functions effectively for years to come, the city requested additional time from DEQ to measure the rate of settlement to confirm that the settlement rate is sufficiently low to be suitable for installation of an EVOH geomembrane, Bristol Virginia previously said.

Bristol Tennessee released a copy of the letter from its Richmond law firm Troutman Pepper on Thursday regarding the change and the response it is seeking.

The DEQ consent decree and order are interrelated. Thus, changing the DEQ consent decree results in a change to the order, and the deadlines the federal court and Bristol, Tenn., have the right to enforce. Accordingly, notice to the federal court and Bristol, Tenn., is required, according to the letter from the Bristol Tennessee attorneys.

The notice to the Richmond Circuit Court suggests that Bristol, Virginia and DEQ have agreed on a change  but the federal court order only incorporates changes approved by the Circuit Court of Richmond or amendments granted by DEQ in the event of a Force Majeure scenario. Neither appears to be the case here. While Bristol, Tenn., does not necessarily object to the extension, wed like to better understand the process for seeking and obtaining the modification to the DEQ consent decree, according to the letter.

Bristol Tennessees attorneys are requesting a copy of the extension request to DEQ and the courts, a copy of the assessment to complete that phase and any subsequent assessments, the amended DEQ decree and the opportunity to visit the landfill within the first two weeks of April.
The SU7, produced by Chinese tech company Xiaomi Corp, is displayed at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese tech firm Xiaomi on Thursday night released its first self-developed new energy vehicle model SU7.

Three versions of the model -- SU7, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max -- will enter the market, with the prices ranging from 215,900 yuan (30,431 U.S. dollars) to 299,900 yuan.

Designed with a minimum range of 700 km, the SU7 and SU7 Max will start to be delivered to customers by late April, while the SU7 Pro will be delivered by the end of May.

Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, said at the launch event that the tech firm has achieved technological breakthroughs in key fields such as modeling design, batteries, intelligent driving and intelligent cockpits.

Xiaomi entered the NEV sector in 2021 and built a factory covering a land area of more than 700,000 square meters in Beijing.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that the production volume and the sales volume of NEVs in China reached 1.25 million units and 1.21 million units in the first two months of this year, up 28.2 percent and 29.4 percent year on year, respectively.
Anthony Suddreth has worked at the Captains Galley seafood restaurant in Hickory for 15 years.

He said Captains Galley owner Ivery Graham is a role model who gave him a chance. Suddreth added that Graham is the best boss he ever had.

Graham said he feels the same way about the people who work with him.

Ive been blessed with awesome employees and without them this restaurant would not be successful, he said.

We are like a big happy family, Grahams wife Chanika said.

Ivery Graham added, I feel if you dont mind a little sweat, you can do anything you want.

The workers at Captains Galley affirm his words.

I have issues with my health, and he makes sure Im taken care of, 10-year employee Kimberly Burns said. He is a good boss.

Guadalupe Guerrero has been at the Captains Galley for 21 years. She said she is grateful Graham hired her.

Ivery Grahm is a Central Piedmont Community College graduate. He said his favorite meal is his wifes baked spaghetti.

The Grahams have three children, Tyzden, Indya and Tyrin. They live in Statesville.
A suspect caught on home surveillance video in camouflage and pointing a gun at the home of two McDowell County men is now charged with attempted murder after authorities say he tried to shoot into the home.

Tyler Austin Messer, 29, of Marion, was taken into custody on Sunday and charged with assault by pointing a gun, two counts of trespassing and two counts of stalking.

On Thursday, the McDowell County Sheriffs Office charged Messer with two counts of felonious attempted first-degree murder and felonious attempting to discharge a weapon into an occupied dwelling. These charges are in addition to the original charges filed against him, according to a sheriffs office news release.

On the night of March 23, deputies were called to a residence on Deep Woods Drive near Marion about a male subject with a rifle on the back porch of a residence. Messer attempted to discharge the weapon into the residence but was unsuccessful, the release said. He fled the scene and deputies were unable to locate him at that time. With video footage from the victims home surveillance cameras and the help of the community, detectives were able to identify the male suspect as Tyler Messer. The investigation led detectives to the recovery of a rifle and other physical evidence belonging to Messer which led to the updated charges.

Messer was issued a $1 million secured bond, according to the news release. He is scheduled to appear in McDowell County Court on Monday related to the original charges and appear again on April 17 for the additional and more serious charges.

On Sunday Billy Brooks and Preston McHone shared the home surveillance video on Facebook. The video made from a home security camera shows a man wearing camouflage clothing and pointing a gun toward one of their windows.

It was not a toy he brought to our home, McHone said. Its a rifle but Im no expert on recognizing models. His intent was to murder us both. The main consensus at this moment is the weapon was loaded, but it either misfired, or from what I can tell, he forgot to chamber a round.

After he first pulled the trigger, the man in the video attempted to reload a round. At that point, McHone turned around in the homes kitchen and alerted Brooks that someone was outside their house. Their dogs started barking at the intruder.

Thats when he decides to leave, said McHone.

Brooks previously said that Messer had come to their house on three separate occasions within the last couple of years asking for his father. Each time, they told Messer that his father didnt live there.

What I want out there is I have absolutely no connection to him other than the house, Brooks said. His dad lived there before we purchased it in 2017.

A magistrate bail form states the defendant is mentally ill. Defendant stated to family that he was going to rid the world of sin. Defendant trespassed pointed an AR at victims, pulled the trigger but gun did not fire. Defendant is mentally ill has ability to get firearmsbelieves that victims kidnapped his father & are involved in sex trafficking. Defendant is very dangerous in current state of mind.

Brooks said he was told by two sources that Messer thinks that he and McHone, along with his dad, are running a child sex ring.

Hes obviously delusional and dangerous, Brooks added. He had come to my house on three separate occasions within last couple of years asking for his dad, Scott Cowart, each time telling him he didnt live here. Two years later hes still convinced.

Detective Kyle Gibson is investigating the case for the McDowell sheriffs office.
Sao Vue came to Catawba County with few possessions. She left her parents, sister and friends behind.

She spoke English. She knew only her husband. She knew little about Catawba County, other than what her husband had told her.

Vue said she was relocated as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) program. Since her husband was already working in Alexander County, she was allowed to come to the United States to join him and start a new life.

Vue credits faith with helping her make the journey from southeast Asia to Catawba County.

That was a real walk of faith, Vue said, beginning to tear up. When I got here, I had no family, no friends, no church, nothing. The years between when we left Laos until the years we got here were depressing. There was no tomorrow, no hope.

Vue said she took those experiences and used them to make a positive impact for those in the county who need assistance finding crucial services.

Navigating life away from home

When Vue came to the United States in 2010, she did not know her own birthday. Birth certificates are not as common in the countryside in Laos, Vue said. She added that people in villages didnt always have predictable income, so birthdays generally are not celebrated like they are in the U.S. However, Vue estimated she was about 25 years old when she immigrated.

In Laos, Vue was a practicing Christian in her village, which had a small church. Local leaders did not support the church and it relocated to another area.

After the church moved, Vue followed a friend to Thailand. She said she traveled to Thailand to seek better opportunities outside her rural village. Vue said she spent six years in school in Thailand, learning English and gaining job skills, before she returned to Laos.

While in Laos, Vue met her husband Sam Xiong, who was on vacation. They married in 2009 and, after he returned to the U.S., she lived with his parents in Laos for 18 months. Vue said she then had the opportunity to immigrate to the U.S. and join her husband.

Vue still remembers the day she landed in the United States. It was Dec. 9, 2010.

A life-changing experience

In 2012, Vue was pregnant with her first child. Instead of it being a joyful time, Vue said she found accessing the healthcare system stressful.

When I was pregnant with my first child, it was very hard, due to the language, due to the culture, due to (my lack) of education, Vue said. There was a time I came to the provider, who talked to me, but I didnt know what they said or what happened. The only thing I knew they said was, Your babys not growing.

After 36 or 37 weeks of pregnancy, Vues child was not getting enough oxygen or nutrition. She was told to come back the next day as they would need to induce labor. There was no one to help Vue understand what the medical providers were saying.

Vue said she had been waiting on signs of labor to know when she would be close to delivering the baby. There had been no signs of labor, Vue said, so she was shocked and scared once she realized what was happening in the hospital.

When Vue showed up by herself at the hospital with no bags and no husband, staff realized there had been a miscommunication. A Hmong-speaking nurse came to talk to Vue. Vue said up until that time, the medical staff had been communicating with her husband because they thought his English was better and he understood what they were saying.

I called my husband and said Why didnt you tell me today the baby was going to come out? Vue remembered. He said What? I dont know. For real? Im coming right now.

Vue said she asked for her pastor. The pastor spoke with the couple and hospital staff and asked if they could hold off on induction for a week. The hospital agreed, and when Vue came back she was ready to give birth. However, the experience left her shaken and upset.

After that, I told myself because I didnt have that help in the health care system, I will be someone to (help) someone so they dont have to be that frightened and scared, Vue said.

Bringing change

After years of working a variety of jobs and taking college classes at Catawba Valley Community College, Vue now works for the Catawba County Health Department as a community health worker. She works with English and non-English-speaking clients to connect them with health care services and direct them to other services they may need.

Sometimes even though you know the language, you dont know what to ask, Vue said.

In addition to connecting others to health services, Vue and her colleagues work on finding people in the community who need help with a variety of tasks, such as filling out Medicaid forms and meal planning. Vue also encourages clients to advocate for themselves and learn what questions to ask so they can get the resources they need.

Vue is in her second year working as a community health worker. She said she considers herself to be very curious and thinks that is what makes her a good fit for her current job.

At first, I didnt know this role existed, Vue said. As a young girl, I always wanted to be a speaker on behalf of someone. The other day I was joking with my friend that I was born nosy and God made me to be professionally nosy.

Emily Killian, public information officer for Catawba County Health who oversees the community health worker program, said Vue is a dedicated employee. Killian said Vue has helped people get appointments for hearing evaluations so they could get hearing aids and return to work. Vue also assisted victims of the Jan. 9 tornado in Claremont.

One of her Claremont clients was in need of replacement glasses, Killian said, and she helped that person navigate insurance coverage, make an appointment and find a community resource that facilitated that client being able to get replacement glasses immediately after the appointment.

After coming to the United States with very little, Vue said she now has friends, a church, three children and a job shes passionate about.

Also, she now has a day she considers her birthday: Jan. 1.
One of the most significant improvements in corn breeding over the past half century has been the plants tolerance of higher populations. When I started working as an agronomist in northern New York in the late 1960s, we did several corn plant population studies.

We found that some of the more popular hybrids of the day, when planted at rates resulting in 18,000 to 20,000 plants per acre, would produce a large ear  but often with a large cob. Some of these ears had 24 rows of kernels compared to the 16 rows we typically see in todays corn hybrids, but because of the large cobs, the shallow kernels had little resemblance to the kernel shape we see now. When we increased plant population to 24,000, some hybrids produced poorly filled ears with a rise in the number of barren plants.



The more the merrier?

How times have changed! From 2008 through 2019, Purdue University agronomists conducted almost 100 field-scale evaluations of corn populations ranging from 23,000 to 40,000 plants per acre. They found that the corn hybrids in these trials had a great deal of tolerance to high populations, but the plants also compensated well for low populations. They noted that the maximum corn grain yield was at 32,000 plants per acre.

The results of this research generally agrees with data cited by Corteva, where a series of Pioneer silage hybrid studies (from 2004 to 2007) found that 24-hour neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility changed by only 1 percentage point when hybrids were planted at a range of populations from 18,000 to 42,000 plants per acre. Furthermore, starch percentage was very similar at both 18,000 and 42,000 plants per acre.

The corn in the Purdue trials was harvested for grain; most agronomists and seed company representatives recommend a slightly higher plant population when the crop will be harvested for silage. Research by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the economically optimum plant population for corn silage is about 1,500 plants per acre more than when the same hybrid is harvested for grain. Other sources recommend between 1,000 and 2,000 more plants per acre when the crop will be harvested for silage.



Note the term economically optimum plant population in the Wisconsin study. The yield figures dont account for seed cost, an input thats gone up considerably in price in recent years.

The Purdue University research did account for seed costs, and found that while the highest yield was at 32,000 plants per acre, the maximum economic yield was about 27,000 plants per acre. Therefore, while farmers should plant enough seed to achieve high economic yields, raising the planting rate beyond the sweet spot can reduce profitability.

Impact on standability

Few corn silage trials report any measures of standability (lodging resistance). We cant rely on using the standability data from grain trials because silage harvest occurs much earlier in the fall, and therefore, the plants are less affected by the challenges from corn insects  primarily European corn borers and corn rootworms  and stalk rots. So, while we may expect that increasing plant population past a certain point could result in more lodging because stem diameter is reduced with a higher population, its almost impossible to find this data when the crop is harvested for silage.

We also lack lodging data for brown midrib (BMR) hybrids. Ive seen recommendations that to limit lodging problems, BMR hybrids should be planted at a moderate population, but what is moderate?



When Cornell University was conducting its statewide corn silage hybrid trials (they ended in 2017), I complained to Bill Cox, the agronomist responsible for the trials, that the results didnt include standability data. Cox said that was because there were no lodging problems in any of the trials, which usually included one or more BMR hybrids. That is a good answer!

The Cornell University trials were planted at 34,000 kernels per acre, then hand-thinned to a uniform plant population of 32,000. Taking this into consideration, when planting BMR hybrids I think farmers should follow the seed companys planting rate recommendations. Not only is the BMR seed cost higher than for most standard hybrids, but the lower lignin content of BMR corn suggests a conservative approach.

The current rules

Finally, todays superior seed corn quality has resulted in high germination and emergence, so the old recommendation to plant 15% more seed than the target population is now dated. Current recommendations, with good seedbed preparation and a properly calibrated planter, are to overplant by about 5% when conditions are ideal and by about 10% when the soil is cold or conditions are otherwise less than ideal.




Atrium Health has filed for the dismissal of a N.C. Business Court lawsuit in which the trustees for an heir to the Cannon Mills Co. textile fortune claim the system should not be the beneficiary.

When Charles A. Cannon III died in October, the trust set up for him in 1965 by his mother, Ruth, laid out which groups would be eligible to receive payments following his death. No monetary figures were given in the petition filed Feb. 7 by the trust to the court.

Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, a public hospital owned by Cabarrus County that was closed in 1988, was the only named entity.

Atrium claims it is the rightful beneficiary through its ownership of NorthEast Medical Center, a legal successor to the Cabarrus hospital that Atrium acquired in 2007.

The trustees filed a petition for declaratory judgment and requested a jury trial. Two of the three trustees are Craig and Kathleen Cannon, who are Charles Cannon IIIs son and daughter-in-law. They live in Forsyth County.

In 1988, the General Assembly terminated its status as a public hospital. A legal successor, NorthEast Medical Center, began operations in 1997 as a private nonprofit hospital.

The trustees claim the hospital, as defined in the trust, no longer existed as a matter of law and could no longer be considered as the next trust beneficiary.

The trust said if the hospital went out of business, the payments were to go to a community beneficiary for such religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes as the trustees may time to time select.

The trustees said they filed the petition to eliminate any uncertainty regarding the proper distribution of the trust income to the correct beneficiaries. The trustees also said Atrium indicated it would begin legal actions if the trust didnt start giving it the money.

Atrium is overseen by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, which is exempt by state law from federal income taxation as a political subdivision of the state.

Atrium and the authority claim in their March 11 response that the trustees petition does not present genuine issue of material fact and Atrium should be granted summary judgment.

The trust language and the corporate history of (Cabarrus Memorial Hospital) warrant entry of summary judgment for CMHA, according to the response.

Also filed in the case is an affidavit filed March 11 by William Cannon Jr., a grandson of Ruth Coltrane Cannon who serves as vice chairman on the authoritys board of commissioners.

William Cannon wrote he believes Atrium is the rightful beneficiary of the trust, that other trusts set up by members of the Cannon family consider the authority as the rightful beneficiary, and that the Cannon Foundation does not support the trustees position.

Trustees claims

The trustees argue that Atrium does not qualify as an eligible charitable organization as defined in the language of the trust, citing in part its merger with Advocate Aurora to form the nations third-largest healthcare system.

Atrium reported in November that through three quarters of fiscal 2023, it had $220.9 million in excess revenue over expenses, of which $273 million was investment income.

The groups claim that when NorthEast was formed, it was again a public hospital as defined by state law. It said the trustees filed annual statements for the trust to the authority.

Atrium has told it believes it meets the charitable qualification because it said it is the largest provider of community benefit in the state.

Atrium said that in 2022, it provided $2.8 billion in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits across its service territory that includes Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in the Triad.

Truist Financial Corp. is listed as a petitioner in its role of holding the trust. Attorney General Josh Stein was listed in his official role because the petition involves a charitable trust.

Background

The Cannon family made its fortune from making towels and bed sheets beginning in 1887 in Kannapolis. The company was sold to billionaire David Murdock in 1982.

The will of Ruth Coltrane Cannon created a trust for her son that was designed to provide him with payments for the rest of his life.

In the petition, the trustees said Atrium said in a Jan. 24 letter that the unambiguous provisions of the trust obligated the trustees promptly to commence distribution of the trusts income upon Mr. Cannons death.

The trustees claim that since Cabarrus Memorial has not existed as a public hospital affiliated with Cabarrus County since 1988, distributing the trust income to Atrium Health would be contrary to Ms. Cannons purpose and intent in naming Cabarrus Memorial Hospital as the remainder beneficiary.

Atrium has said a state statute makes it quite clear that neither the merger of Cabarrus Memorial Hospital into CMC-Northeast Inc., nor any subsequent merger, had an effect on Atrium Healths right to receive payments of income from the trust.

We believe the law is clear on this matter, Atrium said. Atrium Health continues to operate the hospital for the benefit of the residents of Cabarrus County.
Friday, March 29

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Good Friday Prayer Vigil for quiet prayer in the sanctuary will be from noon  5 p.m. Devotionals provided. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord.

Good Friday Tenebrae Worship at Calvary Lutheran Church will be held at 7:45 p.m. All are welcome to join us for this powerful service. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord.

Grace Church of Concord - A Global Methodist Community will observe Good Friday at 6 p.m. Good Friday Service will be held at the barn at Green Leaf Farms. Pastor Mikes message will be The Old Rugged Cross based on Luke 23:32-49.

Saturday, March 30

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Sunday, March 31

Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church Sunrise Service will be observed at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be provided following the Sunrise Service. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis.

Cold Springs Global Methodist will celebrate the Risen Savior with Sunrise service, 7 a.m. followed by breakfast. Sunday School at 8:30 a.m. followed by 9:30 a.m. worship celebration.

Monday, April 1

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, April 2

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, April 3

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, April 4

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Cabarrus chapter of Disabled American Veterans( DAV) will meet at 7 p.m. at 2400 Rock Hill Church Road. Everyone is welcome. Come out and join in the conversation with these veterans

Friday, April 5

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 6

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Sunday, April 7

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

Calvary Lutheran Church is holding a Red Cross Blood Drive from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. For an appointment, please 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.

Monday, April 8

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, April 9

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, April 10

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

Centering Prayer Weekly via Zoom meets at 7:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, April 11

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, April 12

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 13

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Sunday, April 14

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist Sundays through April 21 from 3:30-5 p.m. for those dealing with life stresses following the loss of a loved one. For more information and to register go to griefshare.org/findagroup or call the church office at 704-782-1811.

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
Krispy Kreme Inc. is taking its in-store partnership with McDonalds nationwide, pairing its melt-in-your-mouth original glazed doughnuts with a McCafe coffee.

The companies announced in a joint news release Tuesday a phased rollout of three Krispy Kreme favorites at participating restaurants thats set to begin in the second half of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2026.

The companies did not indicate which states or regions they would begin the rollout. Krispy Kreme said the companies will share details about each specific market as they come closer to launching.

However, Krispy Kreme noted the expanded partnership by offering a free original glazed doughnut at all U.S. shops between 5 and 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The partnership gave a monumental boost to Krispy Kremes share price, jumping as much as 40.8% during trading Tuesday to reach a 52-week high of $17.75 a share. The 52-week low is $11.52.

Josh Charlesworth, Krispy Kremes chief executive and president, has said McDonalds has about 14,000 stores nationwide, and Krispy Kreme could serve about 6,000 of those with its existing network.

Bank of America Corp. analysts have said the partnership could generate $350 million in annual sales, with Krispy Kreme likely getting 75% and McDonalds 25%.

Doughnuts would need to account for about 1% of McDonalds sales, or 4% of breakfast sales, to be considered a success, they said.

McDonalds began carrying three Krispy Kreme doughnut varieties  original glazed, chocolate iced with rainbow sprinkles and raspberry-filled  in October 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Krispy Kreme expanded its menu collaboration with McDonalds in March 2023, as well as going from nine to 160 restaurants and into a second major Kentucky market in Lexington.

At that time, Krispy Kreme swapped out raspberry-filled with its chocolate iced-kreme flavor.

The three doughnut flavors will continue to be available individually or in boxes of six, starting at breakfast and continuing through the day as supplies last.

We know nothing hits the spot quite like a fresh, melt-in-your-mouth doughnut paired with your go-to McCafe order  and today, McDonalds and Krispy Kreme have a sweet update for doughnut fans everywhere, the restaurant chains said in a joint news release.

The companies said the 160 Kentucky pilot restaurants will continue to serve Krispy Kreme doughnuts during the nationwide rollout.

Since the launch of breakfast nearly 50 years ago, weve continued to offer new menu items, flavors and experiences that have made McDonalds an irreplaceable part of fans morning routines, said Tariq Hassan, McDonalds USAs chief marketing and customer experience officer.

This partnership is an exciting next step in that journey and a chance to unlock new business opportunities in the breakfast category and throughout the day.

Our fans love for Krispy Kreme runs deep, and we cant wait to make it even easier for them to satisfy their sweet tooth at McDonalds restaurants across the country.

Charlesworth said in the news release that the top request we receive from consumers, every day, is, please bring Krispy Kreme to my town.

Partnering with McDonalds on a national scale will provide our fans and doughnut lovers unprecedented daily access to fresh doughnuts and the joy that is Krispy Kreme.

Expansion plans

Krispy Kreme said in a separate regulatory filing on the partnership that it has agreed not to supply its doughnuts to any other quick-service or fast-casual restaurant in the United States through at least Dec. 31, 2026.

Krispy Kreme also has agreed not to assist any other person or quick-service restaurant or license or authorize any other quick-service restaurant in the United States to use any company brand.

However, the agreement does not grant McDonalds any exclusivity outside of the United States.

The initial term of the agreement begins on the effective date and ends one year following the last BU rollout and automatically renews for consecutive one-year periods. Either party may terminate for cause during the initial term or any renewal term and upon six months prior notice during any renewal term.

Krispy Kreme said in its fourth-quarter earnings report Feb. 13 that it had another significant gain in U.S. and global retail outlets during fiscal 2023, increasing 19.5% to 14,147 in 39 countries.

The company said Wednesday its ultimate goal is 100,000 global points of sales, including 15,000 in the U.S.

Charlesworth told analysts during the fourth-quarter conference call that the company is confident in its ability to expand its delivered fresh daily network in the U.S. and globally, including quick service restaurants.

Charlesworth cited the recent securing of production sites in existing buildings in Miami, Minneapolis and Los Angeles to keep up with demand. There also are plans to expand in New York and the Northeast.

The investments we are making are in broad support of the overall, not particularly dependent on McDonalds, he said. It make a lot of sense for our business going forward to bring Krispy Kreme to more people in those channels.

Were actually looking all over the country as we build out our plans for delivery fresh daily and quick service restaurants, he said.

He said some of its hubs have the ability to add production capacity as warranted with quick-service restaurants.

Charlesworth said Krispy Kreme is modernizing the making and moving of doughnuts to ensure high-quality, profitable growth.

That includes conducting pilot programs in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles of third-party delivery networks.

Symbiotic partnership

The deal to put Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnuts on a McDonalds menu could go beyond a test market to a symbiotic national relationship, according to Wake Forest marketing professor Roger Beahm.

Partnering with McDonalds offers Krispy Kreme a new go-to-market strategy that seems to offer strong upside potential, Beahm said.

This creates much greater access to the market virtually overnight, Beahm said. Consumers wont need to go so far out of their way to reach a Krispy Kreme sales outlet.

While the added convenience could cannibalize some of the Krispy Kreme factory store business, it will likely be more than offset by the incremental gains from the sale of products through McDonalds restaurants.

There already has been some wishful global thinking about how to put the glazed doughnuts to additional use  not unlike some food treats at the Carolina Classic Fair.

One website  King of Cheat Meals.com  has urged the restaurants to create a McDonalds + Krispy Kreme New Zealand doughnut burger, but nicknamed it the McKrispy burger.

The recommendation is for double meat patties, double cheese and crispy bacon between two original glazed doughnuts. There was even a Change.org petition to bring the McKrispy to Australian markets at the time.

However, McDonalds said there has been no McKrispy created to date.
Even though we had a winter that was barely a change of season, we have greeted spring and its equally unpredictable nature.

As spring blossoms, communities around the globe unite to celebrate Easter, a festival that transcends the boundaries of culture, religion and creed.

Beyond its religious significance, Easter embodies universal themes of hope, rejuvenation, and the triumph of light over darkness.

At its core, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christianity symbolizing redemption and the promise of eternal life. However, its resonance extends beyond the confines of any single faith. In a world marred by strife and uncertainty, Easter serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the enduring power of faith, love, and perseverance.

Central to the Easter narrative is the concept of renewal, a theme that resonates deeply with people of all beliefs. It's a time to shed the burdens of the past, embrace new beginnings and cultivate a spirit of optimism for the future.

Easter fosters a sense of community and togetherness, inviting individuals from all walks of life to join in the festivities. Whether through Easter egg hunts, communal gatherings, or shared meals with loved ones, the celebration transcends cultural and religious boundaries.

As we gather with family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate Easter, let us embrace its universal message of hope, renewal and unity. Let us recognize the common threads that bind us together as members of the human family.

Two thousand years later, the world looks extremely different from the way it looked when Christ walked the earth. Unfortunately, the part of the world He walked is still the center of conflict as politics, society and violence are done in the name of controlling the area.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is just the largest of battles going on now on the other side of the globe.

Perhaps in addition to the celebration by those marking the holiday, a small slice of time could be set aside to offer thoughts our prayers toward the large landmass to the east, particularly the innocent victims. Thats certainly what Jesus would want.
Friday is National Vietnam Veterans Day. It is a day for honoring the service and sacrifice that members of the military made during the Vietnam Era.

When they came home, there werent parades and celebrations for those troops. Some returning vets said they were vilified and insulted by their fellow Americans.

Slowly, that began to turn around and groups decided that the Vietnam veterans deserved a proper Welcome Home.

March 29 was chosen as the date to observe Welcome Home Day because that is the date the last troops left Vietnam and the date that the last prisoners of war returned to the United States in 1973.

In 2017, President Donald Trump set the date of the holiday as March 29. It became the National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Facts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

The dates for the war are Aug. 4, 1964, to Jan. 27, 1973. August 1964 was when the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed. The resolution gave the president the power to take all necessary measures to prevent further (Communist) aggression.

American advisers had been in Vietnam beginning in 1957 when the Vietcong began fighting the government of South Vietnam. In November 1963, the South Vietnamese government was overthrown, and President Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated. A new government was formed.

The United States began sending troops to Vietnam in August 1964. Total military personnel who served in all Armed Forces: 8,744,000

Deployed to Southeast Asia: 3,403,000

Battle deaths: 47,424

Other deaths (in theatre): 10,785

Wounded: 153,303

Medals of Honor awarded: 238, including one for Spec. Lawrence Joel, a native of Winston-Salem.

Here is a list of agencies and groups that provide services for veterans:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov): This government agency provides and administers health care, and benefits for all U.S. military veterans. It also maintains national military cemeteries.

Vietnam Veterans of America (www.vva.org): This organization provides members assistance with filing claims with the VA, financial advice, job placement and legislative advocacy.

Paralyzed Veterans of America (www.pva): This organization helps veterans who have spinal cord injuries or diseases.

American Legion (www.legion.org): This organization provides member veterans with such services as claims assistance, education services, health care and calculating veterans benefits.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (www.vfw.org): This organization provides member veterans with services including insurance, financial and prescription.

To honor the men and women who served in Vietnam, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund sponsors The Wall that Heals national tour. The wall honors the three million people who served in the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. It also has the names of the 58,281 men and women who were killed in Vietnam.

The tour will have one stop in North Carolina this year. Randolph County Veterans Services will host a stop June 20-23.

For more information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and The Wall that Heals, go to vvfm.org.
The statue of a Confederate soldier that once stood in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem has found a new home in a private park near Denton, under the terms of a settlement reached in the lawsuit the United Daughters of the Confederacy filed over the statue's removal here in 2019.

The settlement, signed Thursday for the city by Winston-Salem City Manager Pat Pate, will arrange for the monument to be placed in Valor Memorial Park on N.C. 8 west of Denton. The park, owned by Commemorating Honor Inc., has agreed to accept the monument as long as the city delivers it within 120 days at a maximum cost to the city of $27,000.

The Confederate statue here and ones elsewhere were the center of protests in the years leading up to 2020 and beyond. Winston-Salem officials branded the statue here a public safety hazard and had it dismantled on March 12, 2019.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy, through the state and local chapters, sued the city twice over the removal of the statue.

The first of the lawsuits ended at the North Carolina Supreme Court, which ruled in December 2022 that the UNC state chapter could not go forward with its lawsuit against the city because the group claimed no ownership of the statue and could not prove it suffered any loss of rights or damages because the city had removed it.

The same court ruling left the door open for the suit to be refiled, and the local chapter of the UDC carried forward with that effort.

Thursday's settlement disposes of all the litigation around the monument and has been agreed to by all the parties: the city, the UDC, UDC local chapter president Misha Fulton, Forsyth County and Winston Courthouse LLC, the group that bought the old county courthouse from Forsyth County and converted it into apartments.

The UDC argued in its lawsuits that Forsyth County owned the statue because of its dedication on the county courthouse property, and that the statue was improperly moved because of a state law forbidding the removal of monuments from public property.

The counter argument was that because the county had sold the courthouse to the private developer, the statue was no longer on public property. The courthouse sale excluded the statue, but not the land on which the statue stood.

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines had negotiated with Salem Cemetery to have the statue placed there, in a section of the cemetery devoted to Civil War veterans. But the cemetery backed out because of controversy.

Under the settlement, none of the parties to the suit make any admission of liability, and each party bears its own legal costs.

Valor Memorial Park was established in 2021, and on its web site says its mission is "historic preservation and honoring all veterans."

The operators of the park say their efforts to set up the park began in 2020 to find a new home for the Confederate monument that once stood in Lexington, until the city sued the UDC to force its removal. A couple donated the land for a new private park, and the Davidson County monument was placed in the park on Sept. 18, 2021.

A similar monument from Chatham County was erected in the park last month. The park also has a veterans wall and a metal monument of a kneeling soldier that honors prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

The Winston-Salem monument has been in storage since it was taken down. Joe's Tow, a Mocksville company, stated that it will use two flatbed tractor trailers to move the monument, plus a boom and crane to put the monument in place at its new site at the private park.

Photos: More Confederate statue debate at Winston-Salem City Council City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument City Council Meeting Confederate Monument
This photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. [Photo/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.
In the world according to Donald Trump, pledges and promises are ephemeral things, scribbled in pencil, just in case hell need to erase them in a few months  or a few minutes.

And facts are situational.

What is up today may be down tomorrow. What is black may become white.

Consider a new addition to the musical playlists at Trump rallies.

Its a rendition of the national anthem by some of the people who have been arrested and jailed for the roles they allegedly played in the Jan. 6, 2021, siege of the U.S. Capitol.

On that day, Trump supporters smashed windows, assaulted police, smeared feces on walls, commandeered some congressional offices and threatened to hang the vice president for doing his job.

Or as Trump puts it, were showing their patriotism.

As he did during a visit to Greensboro for a March 2 rally at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Trump played the musical video and called the Jan. 6 rioters hostages and heroes and has vowed (for what thats worth) to pardon many, if not all, of them.

The song was so popular among True Believers that, for a short while, at least, it vaulted to the top of the charts, outselling Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus on iTunes.

Of course, Trump sang a different song on Jan. 7, 2021. Well let him explain in his own words, from an address he gave that day:

America is, and must always be, a nation of law and order.

The demonstrators who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy.

To those who engage in the acts of violence and destruction: You do not represent our country, and to those who broke the law: you will pay.

Today Trumps paints the rioters as patriots who waged noble resistance against a stolen election.

Even some Jan. 6 defendants who tearfully apologized in court and expressed remorse, are now bragging about what they did at the Capitol and fully embracing Trumps portrayal of them as the true victims of the insurrection. These days you can buy a Free the Jan. 6 Protesters T-shirt.

Some of these people are trying to get a rise out of people, and some of these people are just using it to make a buck, Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn told The Associated Press. People can believe whatever they want to believe, but this is real life.

Of course, Trump is hardly alone. Fellow Republicans who roundly denounced the Jan. 6 siege and Trumps instigation of it are also singing a different song today.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a floor speech in the Senate on Jan. 19, 2021: Theres no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president.

OConnell in 2024: It is abundantly clear that former President Trump has earned the requisite support of Republican voters to be our nominee for President of the United States. It should come as no surprise that as nominee, he will have my support.

This is nothing new. Americans have burnished the hard edges of history to justify their own agendas for as long as there has been an America. Witness idealized reimaginings of slavery and the Civil War and the vast preponderance of memorials to the Confederacy in places like, well, North Carolina. Or whole chapters of the past obscured or deleted and left to wither on historys cutting room floor because of the uncomfortable truths they tell.

But this was only three years ago. How can our memories be so short?

As for Donald Trump, reality is never set in stone. You bend it to suit your needs. Who cares if theres a video proving you actually did say what you deny saying? Deny it anyway. With conviction. Over and over.

Or have one of your subordinates explain it away as either a misstatement or a calculated distortion by the Liberal Media.

After all, its all erasable, written in pencil, and subject to change on a whim.

Who needs real history when you can just make it up as you go?
OPENING

32 Sounds. This innovative, instructive documentary looks at 32 sounds, how they're created and heard, and why they affect our lives. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: A.

Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. The latest installment in the Monsterverse franchise pits King Kong and Godzillla against a hidden threat that could destroy the world. It was not screened in time for Ground Zero deadlines. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe).

Io Capitano. Io Capitano is a powerfully crafted depiction of a harrowing journey by a pair of African teenagers trying to get to a better life in Europe. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: A.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners. Liam Neeson is an Irishman with a secret identity battling a group of terrorists in this thriller that was not screened in advance for critics. R. (Grand, Edgewood).

ONGOING

The Arc of Oblivion. This thought-provoking documentary examines the need to archive in an impermanent world by traveling around the globe to "archives" while an ark is built in Maine. Unrated. (Ross). Grade: A.

Arthur the King. Mark Wahlberg stars in this based-on-a-true-story film about an endurance racer and his dog, Arthur, that is standard, inspirational dog movie fare. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe). Grade: C+.

Cabrini. This biopic about Francesca Cabrini, the Catholic missionary who arrived in the U.S. in 1889 and eventually established enough schools, orphanages and hospitals to form a charitable empire, raises the bar on faith-based films. PG-13. (Edgewood).Grade: B+.

The Chosen: Season 4 Episodes 4-6. The television series about the life of Christ returns to the big screen for Easter weekend. It was not screened for critics. Not rated. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe).

Dune: Part Two. Director Denis Villeneuve's sequel is a spectacular feat of science-fiction filmmaking, marrying immersive world-building with engrossing storytelling. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood). PG-13. Grade: A.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The Spengler family returns to the iconic New York City firehouse to team up with the original Ghostbusters to take busting ghosts to the next level in this comedy fantasy action sequel. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: C+.

Imaginary. A stuffed bear turns sinister the more a little girl plays with him in this overwrought, too-busy, rarely scary horror movie. PG-13. (Grand, SouthPointe). Grade: C.

Immaculate. Director Michael Mohan and star Sydney Sweeney reteam for this lurid, unholy, uneven horror film about a virginal nun who becomes pregnant at an Italian monastery. R. (Grand, East Park). Grade: B.

Kung Fu Panda 4. Panda Po and a thieving fox team up to battle a shape-shifting lizard in the reliably funny fourth installment of the animated series. PG. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B.

Late Night with the Devil. The third feature from Australian siblings Colin and Cameron Cairnes kicks up a notch their flair for bringing novel twists to familiar genre tropes by positing occult mayhem during a live broadcast of a 1970s network talk show. R. (Grand). Grade: B.

Love Lies Bleeding. This pulpy, erotic crime thriller starring Kristen Stewart as a gym manager in love with a bodybuilder is all sex, drugs, violence and bad wigs, held together by Stewart's performance. R. (Grand). Grade: B+.

One Life. Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn play the "British Schindler" in this solid film about the stockbroker who led efforts to rescue Czech children from the Nazis. PG. (Ross). Grade: B.

Snack Shack. This coming-of-age sex comedy tells the story of randy Xennials in 1991 Nebraska City settles itself in a tradition of teenage hedonism and broad learning opportunities, creating a generic but warm glow. R. (Grand). Grade: B.

The best movies of 2024 so far The best movies of 2024 so far #5. The Settlers #4. Inshallah a Boy #3. Pictures of Ghosts #1. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell #2. Totem
Io Capitano is a migrant story, an inspired-by-a-true-story depiction of a harrowing journey by a pair of teenagers who risk their lives to travel across borders to a country where, they believe, theyll become music stars.

Their destination, however, is not the United States. Its Italy. And the 16-year-old cousins are leaving Senegal, traversing the Sahara Desert toward Libya.

The picture was inspired by Mamadou Kouassi, a migrant from the Ivory Coast who made a similar journey and now works with migrants in Castel Volturno, a city near Naples where thousands of African migrants live. Theres a quick reference to Castel in the film, by a character, Im guessing, who represents Kouassi.

Writer/director Matteo Garrone, who made the gritty 2008 Mafia movie Gomorrah, took Kouassis story and turned it into the at-times-hard-to-watch story of a pair of cousins, Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall), who secretly work construction jobs in the Senegalese capital Dakar to get the money for their trip.

Seydous wise widowed mother, who he lives with along with a brood of sisters, tells him not to go and warns of the dangers, from robbery to death in the desert or on the Mediterranean Sea. But after some wavering and receiving the blessings of a spiritualist who contacted their ancestors, they depart.

The first blow to the pair comes with the cost, the smugglers demanding more cash than they allotted. Then, theres the initial stage of the journey itself, loaded into pickups driven wildly across the Sahara, where a passenger falls out and is left behind.

Things only get worse from there. Without revealing too much, theres arrest and torture, separation, desperation and a final stage of the trip that puts Seydou in a position that no 16-year-old should ever have to occupy.

Capturing sweeping vistas of the desert sands, remote fortresses and Tripoli, Garrone turns the film into a kind of epic, but one that continues his trademark realism, focusing on the boys, who are in nearly every scene of the two-hour film.

Theres a bit of magic realism as well, there to reflect the thoughts and hopes of Seydou, and, truthfully, provide a minute or two of relief from the brutality and tension.

Io Capitano would not have worked without strong performances from Fall and especially Sarr. Making his acting debut, hes strikingly good, conveying Seydous bravery, torment, loyalty and courage with deep feeling and the expressions of a veteran.

Nominated for the best international feature Oscar, Io Capitano was the Academy Award entry from Italy, where, like in much of Europe, immigration is an issue as hot as it is in the U.S., with right-wing forces trying to stop Africans and those from the war-torn Middle East from entering their countries.

Io Capitano wisely avoids the politics and the final border crossing. Rather, it poignantly argues that migrants be viewed with empathy, as people who sacrifice much and endure hardships as they try to come to a new country to better their lives  just as Seydou and Moussa do in the deservedly Oscar-nominated film.

The best movies of 2024 so far The best movies of 2024 so far #5. The Settlers #4. Inshallah a Boy #3. Pictures of Ghosts #1. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell #2. Totem
A 73-year-old Lincoln woman reported a fraud Thursday that resulted in a $29,000 loss, according to Lincoln Police Department Capt. Todd Kocian.

LPD received the report at about 10:50 a.m. at a residence near Skyward Lane and Fleetwood Drive. The victim told police she received a pop-up alert on her computer saying that it was not working correctly, Kocian said.

Police say the victim called the phone number associated with the pop-up, thinking she was talking to technical support, and granted remote access to her computer.

The person she was talking to told the victim that he accidentally gave her $25,000 to fix her computer.

She was then instructed to withdraw money from her bank and deposit it in a Bitcoin ATM, Kocain said.

The victim withdrew $29,000 to deposit in the Bitcoin ATM. The victim later contacted Bitcoin customer service but was told that once the transaction is complete, they cannot reverse it.

LPD encourages people to verify with family regarding any information being stated by an unknown source before providing any information or money.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
The Lancaster County Assessors office came up with a new  and they hope a more fair  way to value affordable housing projects for 2023 property taxes, but it may not settle larger issues that prompted a proposed legislative fix and a hearing before the state Supreme Court.

The adjusted values for 2023 would settle appeals to the Tax Equalization & Review Commission by the owners whose property valuations skyrocketed last year, assuming all the property owners accept them.

Sean Flowerday, chairman of Lancaster County Board, said the board likes the approach and the adjusted values and thinks they are fair and much more sustainable.

But those settlements only deal with 2023 values. And an official with the Assessors Office said the new method used to determine the adjusted values doesnt solve all the problems with the law, which sets out a process for valuing rent-restricted properties that use low-income housing tax credits.

To a certain extent it evens things out, said Brian Grimm, chief field deputy with the Assessors Office. It puts (the properties) on a more level playing field, but it doesnt solve the problem.

The settlements deal with the same properties and the same issues raised in a court appeal, but the appeals being settled proceeded separately.

The lawsuit was over a decision by the Tax Equalization & Review Commission to allow the Lancaster County Assessor to use a market-based rather than an income-based approach set out in state law to determine 2023 values on 21 rent-restricted housing projects.

The Assessors Office asked to value the properties differently because using the formula required by the 2015 state law resulted in some values of zero or even a negative amount, which struck assessors as unfair and inaccurate.

As a result, a number of those property owners saw their assessed values spike  some by more than 500%  which affordable housing advocates said could put their projects and future projects at risk.

The property owners filed a lawsuit appealing the tax commissions decision, and the case had statewide implications because it raised questions about the constitutionality of the law.

But the Nebraska Supreme Court earlier this month declined to rule on how the properties should be valued, saying it was premature because the valuations were preliminary and could still be changed through the appeal process with the Tax Equalization & Review Commission.

The settlements, if approved, will end that appeal process and finalize the 2023 valuations.

Flowerday said the Assessor's Office has been working continuously on finding a better way to value the projects because the goal was not to win a lawsuit.

"We don't want to win, we want affordable housing to be successful," he said.

The Board of Equalization set a special meeting to approve those settlements Thursday but continued it until Monday because the tax commission had not yet certified them.

Although the settlements deal with the 21 projects, many of the projects involve numerous properties and each one involves a separate settlement value.

Flowerday said the board is trying to get the settlements approved before the April 1 deadline for the first property tax payments, so property owners dont have to pay interest.

Grimm said about half the settlements have been approved by the property owners.

The Assessors Office never felt the market approach used to determine the 2023 values was appropriate, he said, and instead came up with a model that incorporated all the data on each of the affordable housing properties.

By state law, each property is considered individually.

The model included income, expenses and details of the properties themselves that took into account all the properties to create a middle ground.

What it does is (takes) those properties toward the higher end and those with zero (values) and pulls them toward the middle, he said.

But Grimm said it doesnt solve another problem: using a single capitalization rate set by the state as part of the formula because that rate doesnt take into account the varying types of property. The value of a single-family home and the ability to sell it, for instance, is much different than a large apartment complex.

A bill pending in the Legislature (LB1217) adds a provision to the existing law requiring that assessors use a three-year rolling average of income and expenses.

The fate of the bill this session is unclear, and Grimm says it also wouldnt solve the problem entirely.

Three years of zero, no matter how you do the math, is still going to be zero, he said. It would help if one years expenses are abnormally high, but its not a cure to the problem.

Grimm thinks using two capitalization rates would be a better solution.

But for 2024, they're back to square one, Grimm said. Because they have to follow the income approach in state law, some properties had zero or negative values again.

They asked the Board of Equalization if they could request using a different method  likely the one that they came up with for the 2023 settlements  but because of another lawsuit filed by an affordable housing advocate, the board told the Assessors Office not to go to the commission, Grimm said.

Jake Hoppe, managing partner with Hoppe Development, which has several affordable housing projects, said the time spent on valuations is distracting from the bigger issue: the need for affordable housing.

Anyone outside of this space is seeing this and its just one more reason not to work in this space. What we should be doing is facilitating anyone who wants to do this, he said. Its a waste of our energy  when were trying to deliver new affordable housing units to help families in this state  to be fighting with the county.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
After receiving a $1 million grant, the Center for People recently completed a renovation to create a more pleasant and humane experience for those in need.

On Monday, the new Peoples Pantry will be available to the public at the facility located at 3901 N. 27th St. The pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Belinda Acosta, director of communications and community affairs for the Center for People, said theyve been known for providing basic needs, food and diapers. Last year, while celebrating their 20th anniversary, Acosta said they decided to expand.

With a $1 million Food Innovation grant from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the center renovated the space they had to create a teaching kitchen, open the Peoples Pantry, build a greenhouse space and improve education.

With the grant, Acosta said they wanted to change the way they provided food to visitors, with the new Peoples Pantry resembling a grocery store. In the old format, people had to stand in several long lines waiting to grab carts, get checked in, receive food and finally check out.

It got the job done, but it wasnt particularly pleasant, Acosta said. We wanted to have a more human touch to it.

She said resources for those living in poverty are often designed to get people through with a card punched or a number stamped.

Theres so much routine that inadvertently it can kind of be a little less human than we would like, and we just thought the grocery format would be different," Acosta said.

The new model has updated carts and looks very similar to a miniature grocery store. Volunteers will be available throughout the store to help assist visitors by locating items and helping to make selections.

The majority of the food comes from the Food Bank of Lincoln, and the items available will vary daily.

Renovations also were completed to the teaching kitchen for cooking classes, tasting parties and other events. The space, which previously could not be cooked in, now has portable cooking stations that can be used outside for future special events.

Its a teaching kitchen, so we want people to understand how to prepare different meals or how to save money, Acosta said.

The classes, which are still in development, may include teaching participants how to can goods or prepare unfamiliar items like zucchini.

The Peoples Greenhouse will open later this spring to help visitors start seedlings and grow food in small spaces.

Money from the grant also will be used to expand education programs and help people pursue career opportunities. On April 2, a career fair will be hosted at the center from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Each week, thousands of people are served at the pantry, a number Acosta said has increased in recent years.

Food insecurity is real in Lincoln, Acosta said. We definitely need support and we definitely value volunteers. We love it when people come and have that experience, but we do need that support.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
YORK  In a child abuse case that had its beginnings two years ago in York, a Texas man was found guilty in what the police called a horrific case of child abuse and torture.

A Texas jury convicted David Calhoun, 38, of Harleton, Texas, on March 18 on a number of charges and he was sentenced to 10 life sentences, according to KLTV, an ABC affiliate in Texas.

An investigation, which included York police, the Homeland Security investigations division, FBI and the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, uncovered years of abuse, sexual assaults and torture, which occurred in Texas, police said.

York Police Chief Edward Tjaden said officers were called on Aug. 2, 2022, to a hotel in the 3700 block of South Lincoln Avenue, where they found a juvenile who appeared to be the victim of child abuse and neglect.

Experts on the topic have described it as the worst they have ever seen, Tjaden said in a news release.

According to a court document with details about the incident in York, officers arrested four adults after a domestic disturbance at the hotel. Two of the adults, a man and woman, were with a minor from Galveston, Texas.

An investigation revealed the man had worked for Calhoun and had seen Calhoun severely abusing the child, who had been abandoned by their parents and was in the care of Calhoun.

The child was riding with the adults from Texas to North Dakota and stopped in York to rest. According to police, the child had no identification and law enforcement was unable to confirm his identity, home of record or guardian responsible for the child's care.

Further investigation led authorities to believe there had been significant physical and sexual abuse committed against the child, who also had physical injuries consistent with the child's statements about abuse.

An investigation later unfolded in Texas, leading to charges against Calhoun for abusing multiple children in several cities. Calhoun began caring for the victims around 2017 and began abusing them shortly thereafter.

Calhoun was convicted in Texas of one count of strangulation, five counts of sexual assault of a child and seven counts of aggravated assault.

KLTV quoted an expert as describing the abuse as almost indistinguishable from the type of torture that POWs and political prisoners suffered during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

York's police chief said he was proud of his department's work with Texas authorities on the investigation.

Patience and diligent work at what was first perceived as a typical call for service brought long-deserved safety and justice for multiple juvenile victims, Tjaden said.

The child was placed in foster care in Nebraska and was doing well, according to an August 2022 court report.

Authorities were eventually able to contact the childs mother, who was granted supervised visits in October 2022. The child remained in state care as of January 2023 after a request for reunification from the mother.

There is a compelling reason that reunification, adoption, guardianship and relative placement are not in the childs best interests, the court ruled at that time.

The child's father has not appeared at any court appearances in the case.

The state is working toward a permanent placement for the child, who lived in multiple foster homes between August 2022 through at least November 2023. The child was eventually placed with a relative through the foster care program.

The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for May 23.

Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Paraprofessionals in Lincoln Public Schools and two other 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 LB705, 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-Lincoln and Chadron State College to provide the college courses.

Other school districts, including 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.

Lincoln's program started at the beginning of the school year with a cohort of 14 paras hoping to earn an endorsement in special education in roughly two years.

The program is primarily funded through LPS, and UNL waived some fees for those in the program. The students are only required to pay for any necessary coursework materials.

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.

Best public high schools in Nebraska Best public high schools in Nebraska #30. Valentine High School #29. Milford High School #28. Crofton High School #27. Gordon-Rushville High School #26. Platteview Senior High School #25. York High School #24. Wood River Rural High School #23. High School at Syracuse #22. Seward High School #21. North Bend Central Junior/Senior High School #20. Pender High School #19. West Holt High School #18. Elmwood-Murdock Junior/Senior High School #17. Chadron Senior High School #16. Bellevue West High School #15. Central High School #14. Diller-Odell Secondary School #13. Bennington Secondary School #12. Millard South High School #11. Lincoln High School #10. Papillion La Vista Senior High School #9. Papillion La Vista South High School #8. Lincoln Southeast High School #7. Westside High School #6. Southwest High School #5. Millard West High School #4. Elkhorn High School #3. Lincoln East High School #2. Elkhorn South High School #1. Millard North High School
A key member of the University of Nebraska system office will leave Varner Hall to take on a similar role at the University of Pittsburgh.

Phil Bakken, the chief of staff to the NU president and corporation secretary to the Board of Regents, will leave to become vice chancellor and secretary to the Pitt Board of Trustees on June 28.

Bakken's hiring at Pitt was announced on Monday.

A native of Fremont, Bakken holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Bakken worked in the Office of Research and Economic Development at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before joining Varner Hall in 2016.

In the Office of the President, Bakken served as president of the University Technology Development Corporation, assistant vice president for budget, and special assistant to former NU President Hank Bounds.

At Pitt, Bakken will advise the Board of Trustees and work with Chancellor Joan Gabel.

"Phil brings to Pitt an extensive and impressive record of experience to higher education," Gabel said in a news release.

Bakken's announced departure comes less than a week after Jeff Gold was named NU's ninth system president.
Nebraska lawmakers advanced a slew of tax credits on Thursday, including measures that provide benefits for family caregivers, film production crews and sustainable airline fuel.

The bill (LB937) from Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar, which was used by the Legislature's Revenue Committee to package 10 other tax credit bills together, advanced from the first round of debate on a 40-0 vote.

But getting to that point wasn't easy, as senators sought to remove a portion of the package creating a tax credit for donations to centers that provide resources but not medical care to pregnant women.

Originally introduced last year as LB606 by Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, the version included in the Revenue Committee package establishes a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to donors who give to nonprofit organizations that support pregnant and parenting women.

Albrecht's bill, which seeks to incentivize donations to centers she said provide free pregnancy testing and ultrasound services, counseling and basic needs to pregnant women, as well as child care, classes and other services to new mothers, would help those organizations serve more women.

The bill, which Albrecht said will aid centers throughout the state that provide crucial care, was backed by the Nebraska Family Alliance, Nebraska Right to Life and the Nebraska Catholic Conference.

Opponents of Albrecht's portion of the bill called the measure a "poison pill" that threatened to sink legislation the vast majority of senators said they supported.

In a news conference Thursday morning, abortion rights advocates said the tax credit, which is capped at $2 million per year, would not expand access to reproductive care in Nebraska, but would instead proliferate what they described as "predatory centers" that mislead and withhold critical information from pregnant women.

"These fake women's health centers use deceptive tactics on vulnerable pregnant people with one goal: to dissuade them from abortion," said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States.

Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt, speaking on the floor of the Legislature Thursday morning, said Albrecht's intention "might seem commendable at first glance" but carried the potential for harm, and providing tax incentives meant the state would endorse practices that run counter to evidence-based medical guidance.

"The problem is these clinics do not offer or refer for comprehensive health care services, including prenatal care, contraception or abortion if that's what needed for the patient," Hunt said.

As debate carried on into Thursday afternoon, senators huddled on the sidelines to find a potential path forward, which culminated in Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh requesting the bill be divided into two parts for consideration  a request that was granted.

The first part contained the version of LB606 advanced to the floor of the Revenue Committee  Albrecht originally sought $10 million in tax credits annually, while the committee reduced that amount to $2 million  while the second part included the remainder of the committee's version of LB937.

Bostar later attempted to amend Albrecht's portion of the bill with a broader definition of the kinds of organizations that donors could give to in order to receive tax credits.

In addition to pregnancy resource centers, Bostar's amendment would have included shelters for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking, but Albrecht announced she was "adamantly opposed" to his proposal.

The Legislature later rejected Bostar's proposal on a 17-24 vote before amending the committee's version of LB606 back into the main bill on a 28-15 vote.

Senators later moved the remainder of the package, including an amendment from Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth extending a tax credit for biodiesel purchases, back into LB937 on a 37-0 vote.

With the bill reassembled on the floor, Sen. John Cavanaugh introduced an amendment eliminating the sales tax on diapers.

The vote on Cavanaugh's amendment passed 31-4, with Sens. Rob Clements of Elmwood, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, and Loren Lippincott of Central City voting against.

Other provisions of LB937 include:

* A tax credit up to $2,000 for individuals who care for a family member, as proposed by Bostar. If the caregivers family member is a veteran or has a diagnosis of dementia, they can be eligible for up to $3,000 in tax credits. A maximum of $2.5 million in credits is available annually.

* A gradual increase (LB1002 from Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth) in the yearly tax credits under the Nebraska Biodiesel Tax Credit Act to $5 million starting in 2025.

* Up to $1.5 million in new tax credits for film production companies that complete film, video or digital projects in Nebraska, as proposed by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue in LB1022.

* A $1.50-per-gallon sales and use tax credit for certified air carriers that purchase sustainable aviation fuel, proposed by Lincoln Sen. George Dungan in LB1072.

* An income tax credit (LB1025 from Bostar) for employers who hire individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

While LB937 won unanimous first-round support, several senators warned there might not be money available to support those tax incentives moving forward.

Speaker John Arch, prior to Thursday's debate, said that after the passing of the mid-biennium appropriations bills earlier this week that there was only $20 million remaining for bills on the floor.

And if every bill with spending attached currently on second or third round were to pass, the Legislature would find the state's general fund in a nearly $270 million hole when it meets next week.

That total doesn't include the cost of bills currently on the first round of debate  LB937 included.

Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington said the Legislature was "spending a lot of money on tax credits," particularly on dollar-for-dollar credits, which she said lawmakers rarely review once passed.

"We don't ever have an opportunity, writ large, to look at them and their return on investment and balance them against other things," DeBoer said. "I'm a little concerned about all these tax credits."

Sen. Myron Dorn, a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, also warned senators to be careful in how it reduced revenue flowing into the state's general fund moving forward.

"There are a lot of programs out there we would love to fund. They have a very good purpose and long-term we need to fund some of those," Dorn said. "But I don't think people are really getting the concept that there is no money."

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
People attend a promotion event for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Officials announced on Wednesday that the Netherlands is encouraged to increase its presence, with both large and small companies, at the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) planned for November in Shanghai.



"The CIIE is the world's first import expo held at a national level, provides an excellent platform for large and small enterprises to showcase and promote their products," Jin Yuan, the economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, said at a promotion event held in Amsterdam.

According to Jin, China aims to increase the import of high-quality goods from the Netherlands and encourages Dutch companies to leverage the CIIEB platform to access China's market opportunities.

The Netherlands has attended six previous CIIE sessions. Last year's expo saw participation from big Dutch companies like ASML and Phillips, as well as innovative SMEs and startups, including those specializing in dairy products.

"The exhibitors highlighted Dutch expertise and innovation across various sectors, from agriculture and consumer products to semiconductors and healthcare," Jin added.

CIIEB Deputy Director-General Wu Zhengping said preparations for the 7th CIIE are currently being accelerated.

"We look forward to Dutch institutions and companies continuing to participate actively in the expo," he said.

He said he hopes Dutch companies will use the CIIE to strengthen cooperation with Chinese counterparts in the fields of artificial intelligence, new energy and the elderly economy, display high-quality Dutch products and brands, and contribute more to Sino-Dutch economic and trade cooperation.

Jochum Haakma, chairman of the Netherlands China Business Council, shared his experiences attending the CIIE in 2018 and 2019 with Xinhua.

China's organization of this expo has sent a clear message globally that "they are not only an export country, but also an import country," he said.

"China is the second largest economy in the world. So everybody needs China. Europe needs China. The Netherlands needs China. But China also needs the outside world," he said. "So there's all the reason to sit together, to talk about business and to do business."

Haakma stressed that "this inter-relationship is very important."

Tao Fenghua, general manager of the Amsterdam branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), told Xinhua that the ICBC, as a comprehensive partner of the CIIE, is committed to helping Dutch companies enter China and expand their business in China.

Chen Yihua, head of China Practice of Dutch law firm Heussen, expressed his interest in the CIIE's potential after attending the event.

As a lawyer, he is willing to help Dutch and European companies to invest and operate in China, aiming to foster trade relations between China and the Netherlands, Chen said.
The Legislature has set aside $2.5 million for repairs of the water system at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, addressing, at last, concerns over the appearance, taste, odor and potential health effects of the facilitys water.

But that appropriation alone cannot solve the perplexing water problem that, a January Journal Star and York News-Times investigation revealed, has caused women at the facility to lose clumps of hair, experience nausea, develop skin discoloration and break out with acne.

Specifically, there is no clearly delineated plan to address the issue, which might be caused by one of two sources.

In introducing the two amendments to the state budget package that authorized the Department of Correctional Services to fix the water system, Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney said Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys told him that the money would be used to connect the prison to the city of Yorks water supply.

That would replace the current prison system that gets its water from a pair of wells and utilizes a water tower for storage, hopefully eliminating the source of the water quality issues.

But, when contacted, the Department of Corrections did not directly respond to questions and emails about a plan or how the $2.5 million appropriation was determined. And, its telling that the city of York has not been contacted by the state about connecting the prison to its water supply.

More concerning, bypassing the existing prison water supply may do little to solve the problem, which a 2017 engineering study determined was copper from the facilitys pipes getting into the water, not the groundwater itself.

But, according to corrections staff at the time, a total pipe replacement would be prohibitively expensive. So the state began chemical treatment of the prisons water, including injecting orthophosphate and chlorine into the water supply.

Copper levels in prison water samples had decreased in July 2021, before the chemical treatment began and dropped substantially after the treatment began. But incarcerated women have continued to lodge complaints about the water, evidence that the treatment fix has not worked.

The legislative appropriation, at the least, is an official recognition that the water quality issue exists and must be addressed.

But that acknowledgment must be followed by a workable plan that will actually solve the problem, which, if the pipes need to be replaced, would cost far more than $2.5 million, an expenditure a future Legislature must be willing to make.
TOWN OF BURLINGTON  Residents and other users of Browns Lake are showing support for a dredging project that they hope will improve the lakes ecology and aesthetics.

Although concerns remain about the projects cost, neighbors say the 397-acre lake has deteriorated in quality because of pollutants and other muck accumulating in the water.

Supporters hope the project, scheduled to begin next year, will restore Browns Lake as an enjoyable place for boating, fishing and swimming in western Racine County.

Its been long overdue, Tom Westenberger said. It cant happen soon enough.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has approved a permit for dredging more than 100 acres along the lakes western and southern shores. Plans call for removing more than 500,000 tons of sediment to improve water quality.

The Browns Lake Sanitary District estimated the projects cost at $7 million.

The sanitary district, which manages the lake, , is scheduled to open bids from contractors April 18.

District officials have discussed seeking grants and other outside funding, but they also have authority to collect taxes from lakeside property owners. The district currently collects about $350,000 a year.

If it came with an astronomical price tag, resident Paul Noldin said, that could be a game-changer.

Residents offered mixed views about the project during the DNRs review process leading up to the permit approval in December.

Resident Linda Luger said she favors dredging, but wants a funding formula that is equitable.

We all take advantage of the lake; we enjoy it, she said. We all need to participate in getting the funds together.

Another concern cited by some residents is that dredging will not be done within 20 feet of any shoreline, which means residents might still find muck along the waters edge.

Michael Smith wrote in an email to the DNR that he hopes the state would allow property owners to do their own shoreline dredging.

Smith said the sediment is so thick in some areas that jumping into the water poses the risk of getting stuck underwater.

(Dredging) is long overdue, both for the health of the lake and for the safety of the people, he wrote.

Glen Moss, a bird-watcher from northern Illinois, told the DNR that dredging would help the eagles, herons and other birds that frequent Browns Lake.

I am writing from the perspective of supporting this important water body for its support of birds, Moss wrote.

Others urged the DNR to approve dredging so that Browns Lake can be restored as a site for outdoor recreation.

Resident Mike Hynes wrote that deterioration of the lakes water quality could soon render it useless for boaters and others.

That would be a sad outcome, he wrote. If we can change it, we should.

Close Brown's Lake Aquaducks Christain Haubrich performs a flip while water skiing with the Brown's Lake Aquaducks. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks perform in the ballet line - a maneuver they have made famous. Brown's Lake Aquaducks A member of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks skis backwards on Browns Lake, in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks water ski show team perform on Browns Lake in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Don Baird, with Trinity Zelechowski; Justin Spiegelhoff, with Jillian Matoska; Mike Ledger, with Erin Limberg; perform lifts while water skiing with the Brown's Lake Aquaducks in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Hans Hauschild and Kevin Halvorsen, of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks, perform a stunt on Browns Lake during a show. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks perform a new, signature move called the prefabricated converter, which melds two pyramids into one, while skiing. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks perform on Browns Lake in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Don Baird, with Trinity Zelechowski; Justin Spiegelhoff, with Jillian Matoska; Mike Ledger, with Erin Limberg; perform lifts while water skiing with the Brown's Lake Aquaducks in the Town of Burlington. Photo gallery: Aquaducks in action The Browns Lake Aquaducks water ski show team performs on Browns Lake at Fischer Park, 30326 Durand Ave. Participants say the skiing is a great workout and the team members are like a family. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Christain Haubrich performs a flip while water skiing with the Brown's Lake Aquaducks. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks perform in the ballet line - a maneuver they have made famous. Brown's Lake Aquaducks A member of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks skis backwards on Browns Lake, in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks water ski show team perform on Browns Lake in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Don Baird, with Trinity Zelechowski; Justin Spiegelhoff, with Jillian Matoska; Mike Ledger, with Erin Limberg; perform lifts while water skiing with the Brown's Lake Aquaducks in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Hans Hauschild and Kevin Halvorsen, of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks, perform a stunt on Browns Lake during a show. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks perform a new, signature move called the prefabricated converter, which melds two pyramids into one, while skiing. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Members of the Brown's Lake Aquaducks perform on Browns Lake in the Town of Burlington. Brown's Lake Aquaducks Don Baird, with Trinity Zelechowski; Justin Spiegelhoff, with Jillian Matoska; Mike Ledger, with Erin Limberg; perform lifts while water skiing with the Brown's Lake Aquaducks in the Town of Burlington.
1. Yes. The area is still in a drought, and long-range forecasts are predicting a hot, dry summer .

2. Yes. Despite modest rainfall, area lake levels are far below normal. Restrictions are likely.

3. No. Frequent rainfall has helped this spring. Unless summer is unusually dry, it should be OK.

4. No. The area was very hot last summer, but water restrictions never reached Stage 3.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say without seeing how much rain the area gets in April and May.

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MINDEN  To see how Minden is tackling its housing shortage, just look up.

Youll see Mindens top floor approach in action.

On Wednesday, the community of 3,300 broke ground on what its leaders believe could be the next big step in adding much-needed housing: renovating the upper floor of the vintage Albers Building in downtown Minden.

The structure, built in 1886, is at 345 N. Colorado Ave. on the southwest corner of the village square in downtown Minden.

My wife and I have been blown away by the community support, said Jacob Rafert. He and his wife, Emily, moved to Kearney in 2019 and later scouted Minden for a property they could restore and rent as apartments and commercial space.

Theyre naming their building Zu Haus Flats, playing off Mindens German heritage. Rafert said Zu Haus means at home.

City Administrator Michael Krings said Mindens downtown is strong, and it could be lending some of that strength to the community by following the Raferts strategy to attract more residents to downtown.

Mixed-use development is what we need to keep downtown vibrant, Krings said. You cant leave and go home at 5 p.m. if you want a vibrant downtown.

Minden has been aggressively addressing its housing situation. Like so many communities in Nebraska, the housing crunch has been getting in the way of population growth and economic development.

One of Mindens current successes has been transforming a vacant tract on the northwest corner of the community into upscale single-family and multiple-family housing.

The development  Minden Estates West  has 46 single-family homes and eight income qualified duplexes. Many of the owners who built and occupied those homes left behind houses that could become fixer-uppers, so Minden Estates West is giving Mindens housing shortage a one-two punch.

Minden Estates West now is in a second phase on land thats east of phase one.

Because of the drifts and muddy ground left by the Sunday-Monday blizzard, Wednesdays groundbreaking occurred indoors with dignitaries scooping up bricks and demolition dust with gold-painted shovels.

There were many kudos exchanged, including appreciation for the assistance of Sharon Hueftle and LeAnn Jochum of the South Central Economic Development District, who helped Minden apply for state funds to aid the Zu Haus project.

Also thanked for their assistance were the Minden City Council and Mayor Larry Evans, U.S. Sen Deb Fischer, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and NDEDs Morgan Pearson of the Central Housing Program. Jacob Rafert introduced his business partner, Travis Maresh of Central City.

Helping to make the Minden project a reality is $750,000 from Nebraskas Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The fund is fueled by the Nebraska Document Stamp Act. Each time real estate changes hands, the small document fee thats part of the transaction is added to the Affordable Housing Fund.

Rafert said his architect is Patrick Moore of Kearney. Moore has been the impetus behind many of the building renovations in downtown Kearney.

Jacob Rafert said he and Emily were impressed by the Minden Opera House. That structures renovation was possible, he said, because the community was fully supportive.

He said the top floor of Zu Haus Flats will have five apartments. The ground floor will be renovated for commercial use.

Fischer did not attend the groundbreaking, but the U.S. senators representative, Josh Jelden, read a statement. Fischer said that quality homes benefit people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Jack Yant, a council member, named some of the businesses and uses of the Albers Building. Yant said that for a spell it housed railroad workers, as well as an electronics business and grocery store.

Rafert said a crew will be replacing the buildings roof. Water was leaking from a few places on Wednesday. He expects the building will be ready for occupancy in 2025.
When youve worked in the same place for 36-plus years, you get used to saying goodbye to co-workers.

And when youve worked for a daily newspaper that long, enduring changing technologies, layoffs and buyouts  oh my!  you REALLY get used to it.

But this one feels personal.

Rex Davenport retired from the Kenosha News, and the news business in general, Thursday afternoon.

Unlike most of the folks whove left the newspaper since I started here, back in the last century, we might actually see each other again. But in this case, it will probably be later tonight, in fact, after my Jazzercise class and while were wondering if theres anything we can assemble and call dinner.

We met in a newsroom in Shelbyville, Indiana, in spring of 1987 and have been together  sometimes while living in different states  ever since.

Unlike myself, who has worked for two newspapers, Rex, over the decades, found himself in newsrooms from his native Indiana to Florida, working for various newspaper companies  Scripps Howard, Hearst, Chicago Tribune Co. and New York Times. Later, he worked for trade magazines in Chicago and then returned to his beloved Indiana University, editing the Business Schools magazine.

It was only in recent years that we reconnected, on a professional basis, when Rex first joined the Kenosha News.

His Agenda

Veteran readers of this newspaper might remember his first go-around here. Starting in 2015, he was a business reporter and columnist, with a weekly Sunday column called The Agenda. That this column has no snazzy name has not gone unnoticed in our household.

He covered topics such as Remote Co-Workers are Easier to Like  and this was years before COVID sent so many office workers home  and pondered the strange hours of the Dairy Queen on Sheridan Road near Washington Middle School. His take in early July of 2015: If DQ is Closed, is Summer Officially Over?

Unfortunately, Rex, along with five other newsroom employees, was laid-off from the Kenosha News in January 2018, as the newspaper business faced the first of many downsizing cycles.

Thus began his first stab at retirement, with many hours filled by working crossword puzzles, walking our greyhound Seamus in lakefront parks and definitely planning to empty out his upstairs office room.

Fast forward to August of 2020, and the Kenosha News  now under new ownership  was in need of a local editor to assist with producing the newspaper each day. Rex came on as a part-time employee, expected to fill that gap for four months. Lucky for us, he stayed on much longer.

50-plus years

As we say goodbye, again, Rex wraps up half a century in the newspaper game.

Its been 51 years since my first paying newspaper job, he said during his party Thursday. I was lucky to start in this business when it was fun. Ive interviewed teachers, snowplow drivers, homeless people, politicians and con men  those last two often being the same thing. Its been an interesting run.

Newspapers back then were vital, and the work we did was important, he added. Its still important today, though its very different.

His plans this time include more crossword puzzles, walking our new greyhound, Jack, whos still getting used to Wisconsin after arriving here from Australia last month and, yes, emptying out his upstairs office room. That project is seeming more and more like something we leave to our homes next owners.

We also assume hell be reading his Kenosha News each morning, without the pressure of planning the next days edition.

For all the old-time newspaper folks reading this, heres the only way to properly end this column.

30
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.
Its not a widely known fact, but colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Because of this, officials at Gundersen Health System are emphasizing the importance of regular screening to make sure any sign of the disease is addressed immediately.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and Gundersen gastroenterologist Dr. Steve Schlack-Haerer says its a good time to schedule a colonoscopy if youre due. He says this screening method is the most effective option when it comes to detecting a polyp before it turns into a tumorous cancer. And just recently, the average age for a person to get their first colonoscopy dropped from 50 to 45.

The screening recommendations have changed because were seeing an increase in colon cancer in that 45- to 49-year-old range, Schlack-Haerer says. Now 45 is the new 50.

Having the screening done every 10 years is the recommendation, regardless of if you have symptoms or not. Obvious signs that you should pay attention to include abdominal pain, blood in the stool or a change in bowel pattern.

Family history plays a large role in determining risk factors, and it could move up the age at which testing begins, especially for those with close relatives whove had colon cancer. But most cases, Schlack-Haerer says, are whats known as sporadic colon cancer, which affects people without a family history or other risk factors for the disease.

The reality is, its a risk for males and females and can happen at any age, he says. Well occasionally, unfortunately, find colon cancer in people with no risk factors whatsoever and as early as 20s and 30s.

Luckily if the disease is caught early, meaning is hasnt spread outside the wall of the colon, the five-year mortality rate is better than 90 percent. If its progressed further and spreads locally, chemotherapy may follow a surgical procedure to move the lesions. Should the cancer spread more widely, Schlack-Haerer says, the prognosis is much poorer.

We have such a long screening window, longer than any other malignancy out there, and so we really have an opportunity to make a major difference on this, he says. We owe this to screening.

And a colonoscopy, he assures, is not as unpleasant as popular opinion might suggest. Patients are sedated and the process is more comfortable than presumed.

Dont fear the test, he says. We do a lot of good with this test, and its the best way to keep you from getting colon cancer.

To schedule a colonoscopy, talk to your primary care provider or call Gundersens Gastroenterology Department at (608) 775-2702.
Health care was a passion for Sandra Ann Cowden. As a nurse, she found joy in caring for patients in their most vulnerable times. However, when she was just 30 years old, the script flipped, and she found herself on the receiving end of care when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

That experience drove her desire to write a book about her journey through the health care system in 1981  both what was good and not good about it. Unfortunately, though, she wasnt able to complete it. Just four years after her cancer diagnosis, Sandra Ann Cowden succumb to her illness. She was 34.

Though Sandra Anns book had only made it as far as handwritten notes in their roughest form, her daughter, Gundersen Health System cancer researcher Dr. Karen Cowden Dahl, was determined to see her mothers wish across the finish line and establish the legacy she felt so strongly her mother deserved.

This month marked the release of My Mothers Roommate, a posthumous memoir by Sandra Ann Cowden, with contributions by Cowden Dahl.

She really felt compelled to share her story, Cowden Dahl said. She experienced so much trauma associated with that and the diagnosis.  This is 1981, and there was very little support for cancer patients. She felt compelled to write her story to help other patients. She wanted to connect to people.

Cowden Dahl and her family are originally from New Mexico, where Sandra Ann underwent cancer treatment. Many of her doctors  in the hospital she worked at  were not good to her, Cowden Dahl says, but the first one who was, as fate would have it, went through his residency at Gundersen.

They kind of connected because my mom said her husband was from (the La Crosse) area, Cowden Dahl said. That was the first doctor who treated her with any respect.

A few weeks after her diagnosis, the family decided to head north for La Crosse, where Sandra Ann began radiation treatment at Gundersen. She resumed nursing at the VA Hospital, while her husband took a job as a pharmacist at Gundersen.

A dream fulfilled

Cowden Dahls earliest memories of her mother included her cancer. She recalls her being confined to bed but not understanding why.

Cancer has always been a part of my life, she said, adding that her father passed away from cancer last year. To me, it was just, if you have cancer, you died and thats not the case anymore. I know many cancer survivors. But still, many people die.

This life around cancer, in part, is what drove Cowden Dahl to research the disease in hopes that her work someday provides answers and healing. But it was her mothers personal battle with cancer and her desire to help others through the same experience that motivated her to complete the book. Its something she always knew shed do.

She clearly wanted it published, Cowden Dahl said. She wanted to share her story and her trauma of what happened.

So about 10 years, ago, she picked up the notes her father had given her and started typing. Over the next decade, she added her story, refined her mothers words and worked with an editor and publisher to finish what her mother had started.

It was a 43-year journey from when it started to now, Cowden Dahl said.

The connection she wanted

Since its publishing, the book has affected people she doesnt know, as well as relatives who Cowden Dahl hasnt seen for years. And those connections, she knows, are what her mother was aiming for.

Ive given it to her cousins, and one of her cousins has had cancer a couple times. And she then had to share with me some pictures and stories, she said. I think thats just what she wanted.

You can read more about and order Dr. Cowden Dahls book by visiting foxpointepublishing.com/author-karen-cowden-dahl. Or contact Cowden Dahl directly at kdcowden@gundersenhealth.org.
Born in New York to one of the founding families of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alice Hamilton was the sister of well-known mythology scholar and writer Edith Hamilton. Alice Hamiltons interest from a young age had been science, specifically pathology and medical research. After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School, Hamilton and her sister studied in Frankfurt, Germany. When she returned to the United States, she took the position of research assistant at Johns Hopkins Medical School. As a bacteriologist at Chicagos Memorial Institute for Infectious Diseases, Hamilton was introduced to the massive disparity of illnesses in the area, afflicting mostly women, the poor and immigrant populations.

Hamilton moved into Hull House, a settlement house on Chicagos West Side founded by social reformer Jane Addams. Hull House was plagued by overcrowding and the sanitation services provided by the city were poor at best. In 1908, Hamilton was appointed by the Illinois governor to the Illinois Commission on Occupational Diseases. Hamilton then oversaw an enormous study of industry-related diseases in the state. She became a special investigator for the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a position she held from 1911-1920, where she discovered and studied the huge extent to which poor immigrant laborers were sickened by exposure to white lead and lead oxide in the paint industry. During World War I, Hamilton also studied the rapid rise in poisoning cases among the workers employed in explosive manufacturing for the war effort.

In 1919, Hamilton became the first female professor at Harvard, where she was granted the unusual circumstance of only needing to be in residence for half of the year, the other half allowed her to study in the field. Throughout her career, Hamilton studied how the government refused safety protocols for poor and immigrant workers, including those who were exposed and sickened by aniline dyes, carbon monoxide, mercury, benzene, carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide gases, and tetraethyl lead. Affecting only women, Hamilton studied the radium girls, factory workers from New Jersey, Illinois and Connecticut who suffered radiation sicknesses from being instructed to lick their brushes before dipping them into radium and painting watch faces.
Retired assistant fire chief Jeff Murphy is one step closer to purchasing decommissioned La Crosse Fire Station No. 4 with hopes to turn it into housing. Murphys proposal will still need approval from the city council before it is finalized.

The old station at 906 Gillette St. has been standing since the 1940s and was considered for demolition in 2018. The La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission declared it a historical landmark in May 2021.

Next door, construction crews work to complete the new Fire Station No. 4. Crews broke ground on the new station in July 2023. The project is estimated to finish by August this year. The new station will bring modern firefighting equipment and utility standards for staff to the North Side of the city.

Murphys proposal for the old station would see it become housing for him and his wife, Jill, on the first floor with a one-bedroom rental unit on the second floor.

Standing fire poles and department artifacts will all be incorporated into the design of the housing units. The proposal says the historical features could be used for fundraising events for local charities.

Murphy estimates about $300,000 will be required to bring the building up to code. Proper heating, electrical, plumbing and ventilation work all need to be installed in the building before it can be used as housing.

Murphy offered the city $32,500 to purchase the property. The available lot size was decreased significantly to make room for the new fire station under construction next door. Murphys proposal said the resizing and adjacency to the new station will likely affect the value of the property.

The second-floor rental would be marketed toward new firefighters who need temporary housing while they work on relocating to the city. Before his fire service, Murphy worked in real estate with a specialty in renovating old buildings for housing.

In his proposal, Murphy estimates it will take 14 months after a sale to complete renovations.

Close Assistant Chief Jeff Murphy shows the interior of the old fire station on Gillette Street. The new station will have more safety features, such as barriers around the entrance to the fire pole. Assistant Chief Jeff Murphy walks down the narrow halls of the old fire station on Gillette Street in La Crosse. La Crosse firefighters break ground Thursday in a dedication at Fire Station #4 on Gillette Street. The new $4.4 million station will be built adjacent to the old one. The 83-year-old fire station lacks gendered bathroom and shower areas. Inside La Crosse's 83-year-old fire station Assistant Chief Jeff Murphy shows the interior of the old fire station on Gillette Street. The new station will have more safety features, such as barriers around the entrance to the fire pole. Assistant Chief Jeff Murphy walks down the narrow halls of the old fire station on Gillette Street in La Crosse. La Crosse firefighters break ground Thursday in a dedication at Fire Station #4 on Gillette Street. The new $4.4 million station will be built adjacent to the old one. The 83-year-old fire station lacks gendered bathroom and shower areas.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca, who announced this week he will step down from the role next month, is considering a campaign in the states 1st Congressional District.

Barca, 68, told the Wisconsin State Journal on Friday he is considering running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville. While Barca previously won the seat in the early 1990s, the district has been held by Republicans for more than a decade. New maps, however, have reduced the GOPs strong majority in the southeastern Wisconsin district.

I am considering it. I received a great deal of encouragement, Barca said when asked of a potential campaign for the seat. When I served in the Legislature it was never about politics, it was about trying to solve problems for working families and helping communities to be stronger. I think thats just so vitally important right now.

I think that now more than ever we just need people to try to solve problems and try to get things done and get away from the bickering and the special interests, he said.

Barca said he likely will make a formal decision on the matter by the end of April. The deadline for filing nominations papers for the November election is June 1.

Evers ally

One of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers first executive appointees, Barca has led the Department of Revenue since early 2019. He will resign from the post on April 9, Evers said in a statement.

Peter has been with our administration since Day One, and I knew from the beginning that he would be a dedicated, enthusiastic and effective leader for the Department of Revenue, Evers said.

Under Barcas leadership, the department has stopped $305 million in fraudulent income tax refunds, returned nearly $39 million in unclaimed property and distributed more than $2.4 billion in property tax cuts and aid to local governments through the states shared revenue program, Evers said.

He also played a role in recent bipartisan agreements between the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled state Legislature, including measures to boost state funding to local entities through shared revenue and an overhaul of the states alcohol industry.

I think thats so important, especially in this day and age with such polarization  to let people know that we can actually make progress and work across the aisle to get things done, Barca said.

Recent history

A Kenosha native, Barca served in the state Assembly from 1984 through 1993, when he was elected to Wisconsins 1st Congressional District seat. He lost a reelection bid to Republican Mark Neumann in 1995.

Barca then spent almost five years with President Bill Clintons administration as the Midwest regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Barca returned to the Assembly in 2009, where he remained for the next 10 years, including seven years as the chambers minority leader. Barca stepped down from his role as the Assemblys Democratic leader in 2017 after he and two other Democrats voted in favor of a nearly $3 billion tax incentive package to lure Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn to southeastern Wisconsin  a decision that drew criticism from some of his fellow Democrats.

Rep. John Macco, chair of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, said in a statement he has worked hand-in-hand with Barca on an almost weekly basis for several years.

The tremendous accomplishments we have made by working across the aisle is a classic example of what our political parties can do when we have a shared goal, the Ledgeview Republican said.

New landscape

Wisconsins 1st Congressional District saw its margin fall from a 10-point Republican lean to a 2-point GOP advantage under new maps implemented in 2022.

With that in mind, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee plans to target both the 1st and 3rd congressional districts in November. State Democrats view both districts as potential pickups next year.

In a statement, Matt Fisher, spokesperson for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, described Barca as a career politician whos been running for office since 1984.

Hes a relic of the past, and his policies are out of touch with the people of Wisconsins 1st Congressional District, Fisher continued. If he makes the mistake of running against Congressman Steil, his campaign will end the same way his last race did 30 years ago.

Democrats Lorenzo Santos and Diane Anderson are also running for the seat.

Steils campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
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.
China has begun a publication and education campaign to commemorate its martyrs and carry forward their spirit in the weeks surrounding Tomb-Sweeping Day, or Qingming Festival, which falls on April 4 this year.

A circular detailing arrangements for the campaign has been issued by China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Cyberspace Administration of China and other eight authorities.

Related events are scheduled to take place from late March until mid-May, according to the circular.

A virtual tomb-sweeping platform has been launched and can be accessed through the official website of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and at chinamartyrs.gov.cn.

The campaign will also include offline events in various forms, such as activities the public can take part in to commemorate China's martyrs and learn their stories, and organized visits to martyrs' families, providing support for those facing difficulties.
Humans have been writing by hand for thousands of years.

Since ancient times, people have used every tool imaginable to share information, do business, and keep records.

But as computers took over the job and the type-written word became more common, something was lost in the process; namely, the charm and personal nature of a hand-written note or letter.

Modern tools

Now, letter writing is making a comeback in the form of artificial intelligence-operated robots. These AI robots can write notes for humans in their own handwriting.

David Wachs is the head and founder of Handwrytten. He said businesses use his companys robots for handwritten letters and thank-you notes to create a strong and personal connection with those who receive them.

Many non-profit organizations also use handwritten letters to keep donations coming. It helps turn one-time givers, or donors, into yearly givers, Wachs explained.

Wachs added, I think what's old is new again.

A presidents hobby

Automated letter writing is not new. Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President, often used a polygraph created by British inventor John Isaac Hawkins. Jefferson considered the device the greatest invention of his time. It let him make copies of his letters to keep for his own records.

Charles Morrill is a historian and professional woodworker who worked as a guide for several years at Monticello, Jeffersons Virginia home from 1770 until his death in 1826. Morrill said about the polygraph, Jefferson falls in love with this and it becomes in many ways the hobby of his presidency...He keeps buying machines and exchanges ones that are not quite perfect for the next one thats a little bit better.

The president had more than ten of the devices at one point, Morrill added. Using what he considered wonderful technology, historians say Jefferson went on to write almost 20,000 letters in his lifetime.

In a January 15, 1809 letter to Charles Willson Peale, who worked with Hawkins to develop and perfect the machine, Jefferson wrote: The use of the polygraph has spoiled me for the old copying press the copies of which are hardly ever legible, adding, I could not, now therefore, live without the Polygraph.

Morrill remembered that a visitor once told him, What is it about you Americans and this new, new thing? Other cultures aren't like this. You Americans are just so absolutely convinced that the next new thing is going to do it; the latest software, the latest computer, the latest phone.

And I think this kind of begins with Jefferson, Morrill added.

From early polygraphs to AI-created letters

Handwriting technology has greatly changed since Jeffersons time.

Wachs says such technology now includes 3D printing and laser cutting, among others. And if users need help thinking of exactly what to write in their notes, they can choose AI to help them create a more effective message.

Whether via the printing press or the polygraph, a computer or a robot, one thing is clear humans will use whatever tool they have to express themselves through the printed word.

Im John Russell.

Julie Taboh reported on this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

type-written - adj. written by using a typewriter or a computer

charm  n. a quality that causes something to be very likeable

appreciate  v. to be thankful for something

automate  v. to run or operate something by using machines instead of people

hobby  n. an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working

spoil  v. to have a bad effect on someone or something

legible  adj. capable of being read

absolutely -- adv. completely or totally


Our story today is called "Pigs is Pigs." It was written by Ellis Parker Butler.

Mike Flannery, the agent of the Interurban Express Company, leaned over the desk in the company's office in Westcote and shook his fist. Mr. Morehouse, angry and red, stood on the other side of the desk shaking with fury. The argument had been long and hot. At last Mr. Morehouse had become speechless.

The cause of the trouble lay on the desk between the two men. It was a box with two guinea pigs inside.

"Do as you like, then!" shouted Flannery. "Pay for them and take them. Or don't pay for them and leave them here. Rules are rules, Mr. Morehouse. And Mike Flannery is not going to break them."

"But you stupid idiot!" shouted Mr. Morehouse, madly shaking a thin book beneath the agent's nose. "Can't you read it here  in your own book of transportation rates? Pets, domestic, Franklin to Westcote, if correctly boxed, twenty-five cents each.'"

He threw the book on the desk. "What more do you want? Aren't they pets? Aren't they domestic? Aren't they correctly boxed? What?"

He turned and walked back and forth rapidly, with a furious look on his face. "Pets," he said. "P-E-T-S! Twenty-five cents each. Two times twenty-five is fifty! Can you understand that? I offer you fifty cents."

Flannery reached for the book. He ran his hand through the pages and stopped at page sixty-four.

"I don't take fifty cents," he whispered in an unpleasant voice. "Here's the rule for it: When the agent be in any doubt about which two rates should be charged on a shipment, he shall charge the larger. The person receiving the shipment may put in a claim for the overcharge.' In this case, Mr. Morehouse, I be in doubt. Pets them animals may be. And domestic they may be, but pigs I'm sure they do be. And my rule says plain as the nose on your face, Pigs, Franklin to Westcote, thirty cents each.'"

Mr. Morehouse shook his head savagely. "Nonsense!" he shouted. "Confounded nonsense, I tell you! That rule means common pigs, not guinea pigs!"

"Pigs is pigs," Flannery said firmly.

Mr. Morehouse bit his lip and then flung his arms out wildly. "Very well!" he shouted. "You shall hear of this! Your president shall hear of this! It is an outrage! I have offered you fifty cents. You refuse it. Keep the pigs until you are ready to take the fifty cents. But, by George, sir, if one hair of those pigs' heads is harmed, I will have the law on you!" He turned and walked out, slamming the door. Flannery carefully lifted the box from the desk and put it in a corner.

Mr. Morehouse quickly wrote a letter to the president of the transportation express company. The president answered, informing Mr. Morehouse that all claims for overcharge should be sent to the Claims Department.

Mr. Morehouse wrote to the Claims Department. One week later he received an answer. The Claims Department said it had discussed the matter with the agent at Westcote. The agent said Mr. Morehouse had refused to accept the two guinea pigs shipped to him. Therefore, the department said, Mr. Morehouse had no claim against the company and should write to its Tariff Department.

Mr. Morehouse wrote to the Tariff Department. He stated his case clearly. The head of the Tariff Department read Mr. Morehouse's letter. "Huh! Guinea pigs," he said. "Probably starved to death by this time." He wrote to the agent asking why the shipment was held up. He also wanted to know if the guinea pigs were still in good health.

Before answering, agent Flannery wanted to make sure his report was up to date. So he went to the back of the office and looked into the cage. Good Lord! There were now eight of them! All well and eating like hippopotamuses.

He went back to the office and explained to the head of the Tariff Department what the rules said about pigs. And as for the condition of the guinea pigs, said Flannery, they were all well. But there were eight of them now, all good eaters.

The head of the Tariff Department laughed when he read Flannery's letter. He read it again and became serious.

"By George!" he said. "Flannery is right. Pigs is pigs. I'll have to get something official on this." He spoke to the president of the company. The president treated the matter lightly. "What is the rate on pigs and on pets?" he asked.

"Pigs thirty cents, pets twenty-five," the head of the Tariff Department answered. "Then of course guinea pigs are pigs," the president said.

"Yes," the head of the Tariff Department agreed. "I look at it that way too. A thing that can come under two rates is naturally to be charged at the higher one. But are guinea pigs, pigs? Aren't they rabbits?"

"Come to think of it," the president said, "I believe they are more like rabbits. Sort of half-way between pig and rabbit. I think the question is this  are guinea pigs of the domestic pig family? I'll ask Professor Gordon. He is an expert about such things."

The president wrote to Professor Gordon. Unfortunately, the professor was in South America collecting zoological samples. His wife forwarded the letter to him.

The professor was in the High Andes Mountains. The letter took many months to reach him. In time, the president forgot the guinea pigs. The head of the Tariff Department forgot them. Mr. Morehouse forgot them. But agent Flannery did not. The guinea pigs had increased to thirty-two. He asked the head of the Tariff Department what he should do with them.

"Don't sell the pigs," agent Flannery was told. "They are not your property. Take care of them until the case is settled."

The guinea pigs needed more room. Flannery made a large and airy room for them in the back of his office.

Some months later he discovered he now had one hundred sixty of them. He was going out of his mind.

Not long after this, the president of the express company heard from Professor Gordon. It was a long and scholarly letter. It pointed out that the guinea pig was the cavia aparoea, while the common pig was the genus sus of the family suidae.

The president then told the head of the Tariff Department that guinea pigs are not pigs and must be charged only twenty-five cents as domestic pets. The Tariff Department informed agent Flannery that he should take the one hundred sixty guinea pigs to Mr. Morehouse and collect twenty-five cents for each of them.

Agent Flannery wired back. "I've got eight hundred now. Shall I collect for eight hundred or what? How about the sixty-four dollars I paid for cabbages to feed them?"

Many letters went back and forth. Flannery was crowded into a few feet at the extreme front of the office. The guinea pigs had all the rest of the room. Time kept moving on as the letters continued to go back and forth.

Flannery now had four thousand sixty-four guinea pigs. He was beginning to lose control of himself. Then, he got a telegram from the company that said: "Error in guinea pig bill. Collect for two guinea pigs -- fifty cents."

Flannery ran all the way to Mr. Morehouse's home. But Mr. Morehouse had moved. Flannery searched for him in town but without success. He returned to the express office and found that two hundred six guinea pigs had entered the world since he left the office.

At last, he got an urgent telegram from the main office: "Send the pigs to the main office of the company at Franklin." Flannery did so. Soon, came another telegram. "Stop sending pigs. Warehouse full." But he kept sending them.

Agent Flannery finally got free of the guinea pigs. "Rules may be rules," he said, "but so long as Flannery runs this express office, pigs is pets and cows is pets and horses is pets and lions and tigers and Rocky Mountain goats is pets. And the rate on them is twenty-five cents."

Then he looked around and said cheerfully, "Well, anyhow, it is not as bad as it might have been. What if them guinea pigs had been elephants?"

Download activities to help you understand this story here.

Now it's your turn. Did you ever have an experience with an official who did not understand you? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Quiz: Pigs Is Pigs by Ellis Parker Butler Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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For Teachers

This lesson plan is based on the CALLA Approach. It teaches the learning strategy, Act it Out, to help students understand the story.

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Words in This Story

interurban - n. between cities or towns

guinea pig - n. a small furry animal, or rodent, that is often kept as a pet

hippopotamus - n. a large African animal that has an extremely large head and mouth and short legs and that spends most of its time in water

genus - n. a group of related animals or plants that includes several or many different species

telegram - n. a message that is sent by telegraph (an old-fashioned system of sending messages over long distances by using wires and electrical signals)

Just for fun, here's a cartoon of the story.
The City of Columbus recently posed a question to the Target Corp. "AskTarget" social media account, requesting the retail chain bring its trademark bullseye logo to town.

On March 18, via the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, the city implored the Minneapolis-based company to "consider making a visit to good old Columbus" to speak with city officials about the possibility of opening a store here.

A member of the Target social media team  Stacie  responded to the city's request, writing that she will "make sure to send your request to our Real Estate team."

The City of Columbus posted its initial entreaty to its Facebook page on the morning of March 18, followed by an updated post with Stacies response a few hours later. The city explained that it would be sending a more formal follow up letter to Target HQ to inquire "about our residents' desire for them to open a store in town in hopes they'll consider it and provide feedback."

As of Tuesday, the two Facebook posts have generated a combined 464 "likes, 169 shares and 136 comments, most of which are very supportive of Target bringing its red carts to Columbus.

The somewhat tongue-in-cheek social media post was the brainchild of Matt Lindberg, the citys public communications manager, Mayor James Bulkley said.

He put that out for us, our little outreach to Target, Bulkley told The Telegram in a phone interview. But it was as much an outreach to our citizens as anything.

Bulkley cited a long-running and persistent rumor that the City of Columbus struck a deal with Walmart Inc. when the retail chain first opened its Columbus store  in 1986  that the city wouldnt allow other big box retailers to open locations.

Many people think that we (himself and the city council) control that instead of going back to their Economics 101 in high school that says if you dont make money off where you are, you dont go there, Bulkley said.

Bulkley said that the Columbus community loves having a Walmart and the citys courting of other retailers shouldnt be seen as a slight toward the Arkansas-based chain.

The point is we, like any community, wed love to have more options and those options would include more retail, let alone more dining, options, Bulkley said.

The lack of more diverse shopping and dining options in Columbus is, at least in part, based on its geographical positioning, Bulkley said.

We are kind of in the middle of three or four geographical areas that already have their established draw, he said, referring to the Omaha metro area to the east, Lincoln to the south, Grand Island to the west and Norfolk to the north.

You put all those together and here we are sitting in Columbus and the box store is going, why do I go there? Theyre going to come to me anyway, Bulkley said. So we have the stores that are already in those other areas, which make it difficult for corporate box store to make a decision.

All of which is to say that while Bulkley remains hopeful that Columbus will eventually attract more retail and dining chains, he also believes it to be a long shot.

We would love to expand in those kinds of ways, he said. Im a realist to think the difficulty is not going to go away.

To echo the mayors point, some replies to the Citys Facebook post lamented that Columbus doesn't have the population density or income level to attract its own Target store.

There are also a few replies opposed to even lobbying for a Target store, with one commenter writing, "We need lower product costs, fuel costs, housing costs and lower taxes all around before we need another store in this town/county."

A handful of replies also expressed that, if given a choice, they would rather have an Aldi grocery store than a Target.

When contacted about the companys criteria for developing new stores, a Target representative stated that the company doesnt have any new store news to share at this time, and provided a link to a corporate page that lists upcoming Target locations. The only new store listed in Nebraska is the one being built in Grand Island as part of that citys new Conestoga Marketplace.
Lawmakers gave final approval Thursday morning to bills expanding Medicaid reimbursements for prenatal care and inflating the governor's influence over Nebraska's Racing and Gaming Commission, both among more than a dozen bills the Legislature sent to Gov. Jim Pillen's desk for his consideration.

The body voted 45-0 to give third-round approval to Lincoln Sen. George Dungan's 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 governor's 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 state's 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 Pillen's 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 year's 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.

Nebraska's 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
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.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
China yesterday 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 today.

China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud over Australias 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 Australias 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 Chinas 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 yesterday 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 Chinas review of the tariffs. ZEN SOO & KEIRAN SMITH, HONG KONG, MDT/AP
A partnership platform between Macau SAR and Guangdong Province has been key to the timely release of any nuclear incidents in the neighboring province, stated Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak.

Macau was the host of a recent nuclear emergency meeting that saw the participation of a delegation from the Guangdong government, the Unitary Police Service (SPU) announced in a statement.

The Guangdong delegation was led by Zhang Shaokang, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Nuclear Emergency Committee and Vice Governor of the Provincial Peoples Government. Wong led the meeting on the Macau side.

During his introduction at the meeting, Wong said that the Guangdong and Macao Cooperation Consensus on Nuclear Accident Emergency Response at Guangdong Nuclear Power Plants  signed in 2018  allows the SAR government to promptly release accurate information about Guangdongs nuclear incidents to Macau residents.

In Wongs opinion, it will help to effectively eliminate Macau peoples doubts about nuclear power safety, maintain social stability and enable the people to consciously guard against nuclear safety risks.

It is also expected that both parties will continue to deepen cooperation, strengthen communication, continue to promote the cultivation of nuclear safety culture and continuously improve awareness of nuclear risks and emergency response capabilities.In response, Zhang said that Guangdong-Macau cooperation has achieved remarkable results in information notification, technical exchanges, and public opinion response, achieving the expected goals of cooperation and exchange and making important contributions to maintaining the economic and social stability of the Greater Bay Area.

He also hopes to further strengthen exchanges with Macau, improve the official information release mechanism, strengthen technical exchanges, business training, visits and study, and more, so as to deepen nuclear emergency cooperation between Guangdong and Macau and jointly promote the continuous improvement of the nuclear emergency capabilities of both parties. AL
Border police officers check documents of travelers at a border checkpoint of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, March 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

In the first two months of 2024, China recorded 2.95 million inbound and outbound trips made by foreigners, said an official on Friday quoting data from the National Immigration Administration.



The figure marks a notable increase of 2.3 times compared to the previous period and a recovery reaching 41.5 percent of the level prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Shi Zeyi, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, at a press conference.

The official attributed the changes in part to the visa-free entry policy China recently extended for countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia and Singapore, highlighting a significant increase in tourists from these countries during the Spring Festival period.

Looking ahead, China will take steps to remove obstacles and address issues in culture and tourism, in particular, making the payment process more convenient at tourism sites, cultural performance venues, and hotels, said the official.

The country will also provide more tourism products and services and ramp up international advertising and market promotion efforts, added the official.
The High Official Meeting for the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) was recently held in Macau. Representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, as well as ambassadors to China from Portuguese-speaking countries and officials at the Forums Secretariat attended. The meeting was presided over by the secretary-general of the Forum, Ji Xianzheng. The main topic of the meeting was to prepare for the upcoming Ministerial Meeting, and included detailed discussions on the events agenda and logistics.

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Tomorrow is the last race meeting at the Taipa hippodrome.

The era of horse racing in Macau is coming to an end after over 30 years of operation by the Macau Jockey Club (MJC), leaving trainers and owners sadly reminiscing about the glory days.

The government will terminate the clubs license on April 1, citing financial difficulties and failure to meet societal needs.

Racing was established in 1989 under Portuguese rule and boomed in the 1990s under the leadership of casino tycoon Stanley Ho. However, declining attendance and significant financial losses in recent years took their toll on the industry.

The termination comes as a surprise to many in the racing community, given the less than three months notice between the January announcement and last races.

Trainers like Joe Lau, who has dedicated his career to the sport in Macau, feels a sense of loss about the end of this chapter.

For three decades, Lau has tied his racehorse training career to the rising and falling fortunes of the Macau Jockey Club, but in a few days it will all be over.

As cited in an AFP report, Lau recalled the glory days but stated he now feels depressed about the end of this era.

(Its) like you felt the whole house on fire, and it shouldnt happen this way, Lau told the media outlet.

In the late 1990s we were flying, we had 1,200 horses, said Geoff Allendorf, another long-time trainer in the city.

At the present time weve got 200. That says a story in itself, he added.

Allendorf considers the closure to have ended with an abrupt announcement, lamenting the impact on the trainers, jockeys, and club employees.

Data from the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) shows that there are approximately 254 local workers and over 300 non-resident workers currently at the MJC.

There are also concerns about securing new homes for the over 200 horses currently stabled at club facilities by the 2025 deadline.

Everybodys still in shock. It will really hit home once we close down, Allendorf said.

Meanwhile, the group of horse owners have been demanding reasonable compensation from the MCJ for their losses, since the announcement of the closure.

Financial records show declining fortunes, with revenues falling from USD64 million in 2017 to just USD24 million in 2022.

The MJCs budget shortfalls are part of why the government sees it as no longer viable.

Back in November, the group initiated a 30% reduction in horse betting prize money due to low turnover in recent years.

The mutually agreed decision to end the MJC contract was realistic, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Andre Cheong, previously said.

Meanwhile, the MJC said the company will keep the facilities operating for the use of club members between the end of the races (March 31, 2024) and the final handing of the facilities to the government one year later.

Meanwhile, local animal welfare group Anima Macau believes the club has outlived its purpose.

President Zoe Tang notes contract renewals have focused on outside business interests rather than animal welfare compliance. Anima Macau wants horse racing brought to a close, similar to the end of historic dog racing.

With the termination date now set for April 1, Macaus long horse racing legacy spanning three decades under the Jockey Club will come to a close.

Trainers, owners and animal advocates have differing views, but the government decree marks the end of this chapter for the sport in this region. Staff Reporter
Sands China Ltd. recently donated MOP1 million to five local nongovernmental organisations to support their 2024 responsible gaming efforts.

Sands Chinas donations help support various responsible gaming efforts of the NGOs, including parent-child responsible gaming and financial management activities, roadshows, workshops, trainings, sharing sessions, and responsible gaming promotional videos and quiz games.

It is our pleasure to donate to Macaus local organisations again this year to aid them in their responsible gaming work in the community, and we hope the financial support contributes to the sustainable development of the industry, said Andy Kobel, Sands Chinas senior vice president of casino operations.

We extend our gratitude to the local organisations and to members of our responsible gaming team who work with them throughout the year, as we look ahead to another successful year of cooperation.
Pan Gongsheng, Governor of Peoples Bank of China, speaks at a sub forum ahead of the annual Boao Forum on Hainan island

China is committed to reforms that will upgrade the technological level of its largely manufacturing-based economy and exploit green technologies expected to drive around $1.4 trillion in annual revenues, a senior Communist Party official said yesterday.

We sincerely welcome all countries to board the express train of Chinas development and join hands to realize world modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity, Zhao Leiji, who heads Chinas congress and sits on the partys all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, was quoted as telling business people and other leaders attending the Boao Forum for Asia.

The gathering in Boao, held on Chinas island province of Hainan on the South China Sea, is the latest venue for efforts by Beijing to reassure foreign investors rattled by policies that have raised uncertainties for foreign businesses, geopolitical tensions, and an economic slowdown.

Zhao told the forum that Chinas economy will be good in the long term, the Foreign Ministry cited him as saying.

The fundamentals have not changed, he was quoted as saying.

China is the worlds second largest economy after the U.S. and has excelled in areas such as electric vehicles, solar and wind power, and high-speed trains. But it remains heavily dependent on highly-polluting coal to power its industries.

The government has set a goal for this year of Chinas energy consumption per unit of GDP by 2.5% as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a greener economy.

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, said Zhao, who ranks third in the party hierarchy and has a strong background in managing state industries that make up about a quarter of the economy and help maintain the partys overwhelming influence over economic, political and cultural life.

Chinas leaders have set an ambitious target of around 5% economic growth this year despite a slowdown that has been accentuated by troubles in the property sector and the lingering effects of strict anti-virus measures during the pandemic that disrupted travel, logistics, manufacturing and other industries.

Zhao also touched on geopolitical topics, saying, China calls on all countries to transcend the old mentality of bloc confrontation and zero-sum games and practice genuine multilateralism to jointly build an open world economy.

That reflects Communist Party leader Xi Jinpings aspirations to make China a leading player in international affairs by challenging the power and credibility of the U.S. and its Western allies.

China has backed Russia and is seen as a threat by various of its neighbors in East Asia.

But its top leaders have also reiterated Chinas intention to keep its economy open for business. On Wednesday, Xi met with American business leaders in Beijing and emphasized mutually beneficial economic ties, despite U.S. tariffs on imports from China and efforts to cut off access to advanced and sensitive technologies, especially those with military applications.

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.TIAN MACLEOD JI, BOAO, MDT/AP
Two women have fallen victim to phone scams, resulting in financial loss and coercion to conceal themselves in Zhuhai to assist in further fraudulent activities, the Judiciary Police (PJ) disclosed.

However, as of yesterday, no suspects have been arrested.

On Mar. 4, a local university reported to the police that a mainland student at the university had gone missing. The police were told that the student had contacted her family before going missing. She told her family that she was having an emergency and urged her family not to contact her.

Preliminary investigations confirmed that the victim had departed Macau for mainland China. The local police requested assistance from their mainland counterparts, who found the victim in a hotel in Zhuhai on the same night.

The mainland police later confirmed that the victim was seeking funds for scammers. The hotel was the hiding spot designated by the scammers. The victim did not lose any money.

On Mar. 25, another local resident reported a case to the police. The complainant told the police that their daughter, who went to school in Guangzhou, had lost contact with them. The complainant believed that she had fallen victim to a scam.

Before ceasing contact, the victim requested RMB300,000 from her parents, saying that she needed the money to study abroad. That afternoon, the bank informed the complainant that RMB200,000 had been wired out from the victims account.

Police investigations discovered that the victim had returned to Macau for a brief stay, before returning to the mainland and disappearing.

The mainland police found the victim in a hotel in Zhuhai the same night. The victim reported sending RMB200,000 to the fraudsters, and was about to send another sum when she was discovered.

The local police reiterated that no law enforcement authority will request a Macau resident to testify as a witness outside of Macau, or conceal themselves in a hotel room. Video interrogation is also not standard practice, the police added.
A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation pledged continued support for Taiwan yesterday, days after Congress approved $300 million in military aid for the self-governed island thats claimed by China.

Congress also approved $400 million on Saturday to counter the Chinese governments influence in the region, as part of its Defense Appropriations Act.

The United States, like most nations, doesnt recognize Taiwan as a country. However, it is bound by U.S. laws to ensure the island can defend itself and considers all threats to Taiwan as a matter of grave concern.

The delegation led by Republican Congressman Jack Bergman, who chairs the House Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, sought to reassure Taiwans leadership of continued support.

We will continue to assure our colleagues that the strategic relationship is key for the future security of the region, Bergman said during a meeting with Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen.

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, he said.

Tsai thanked the Biden administration and Congress for helping to bolster Taiwans self-defense. MDT/AP
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.
A Tomah man was injured Tuesday while attempting to flee from police, the Monroe County Sheriff's office reported.

The sheriffs office said it received information from multiple sources about methamphetamine and cocaine being sold from the downtown Tomah apartment where the 34-year-old man resided.

Police executed a search warrant around 8 p.m. and discovered the man had fled his apartment and entered a neighboring apartment through a fire escape.

Police obtained a second warrant and found the man had barricaded himself in one of the bedrooms. As deputies were making entry, they said the man broke out a window, jumped from the second story and landed on the paved sidewalk.

The man injured both ankles and was taken into custody before being transported to a local hospital. A search of the man's apartment allegedly found methamphetamine and other evidence of illegal drug activity.

The man 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.

The man was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for possession of illegal drugs with intent to deliver.
The Idaho Department of Fish & Game is offering safety tips to Twin Falls residents in the wake of reported mountain lion sightings over the last week.

The last report came at about 7 a.m. Thursday when a resident living near Cascade Park off Stadium Boulevard in Twin Falls said she heard what she described as a loud catfight, and then as she was preparing to go to work, her dog refused to go outside, said Terry Thompson of Idaho Fish & Game.

Then, the woman reported seeing a long-tailed animal jump a fence.

None of the mountain lion sightings have been confirmed, said Thompson, and no people or pets have been injured.

The reported sighting last weekend took place near Carriage Lane and Addison Avenue. Twin Falls police officers combed the area on foot and by vehicle, and even deployed a drone, according to the TFPD Facebook page, but no evidence of the animal was found.

Even though the sightings havent been confirmed by photos or other direct evidence, Thompson said he encourages residents to be vigilant. Through the years, there have been other mountain lions reported near Twin Falls, mostly near the canyon rim, but this is the first time in recent years where there have been repeated sightings, he said.

People are encouraged to report sightings to either Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region at (208) 324-4359 or the Twin Falls Police Department dispatch at (208) 735-4357.

In addition, Fish & Game issued these safety tips:

Personal safety

Wildlife managers agree that if a person is near a lion, meaning they see it, they should:

Never run away from a mountain lion. The lions instinct is to chase and ultimately catch what they perceive as potential prey.

Never turn your back on a lion. Always face them while making yourself look as large as you can. Yell loudly, but dont scream. A high-pitched scream may mimic the sound of a wounded animal.

Slowly back away while maintaining eye contact with the lion.

Safety equipment you may choose to carry could include bear spray, a noise device, like an air-horn, and if you walk in the dark, a very bright flashlight.

If you are attacked, fight back!

Remember to use all your senses to detect if a mountain lion is nearby. Using a light to help you see your surroundings is very important, both in your yard or as you walk in your neighborhood. If you run or bike for personal fitness, use caution when wearing headphones which take away your ability to hear if a lion, or any other wildlife, is giving you signals that youre too close.

Pet safety

Mountain lions are opportunistic predators, meaning they dont know when their next meal will happen, and will often attempt to take prey when it presents itself. A lion may perceive a pet as prey. To keep pets safe, owners are strongly encouraged to follow these safety tips:

Keep your pets on a leash.

Watch the pets behavior, since they may sense the lion before you can see them.

Do not feed your pet outside or leave their food dishes outside. The mountain lion will not typically be attracted by the food, but the food could attract other wildlife that could be looked at as prey by a lion.

Before letting your pet outside, turn on lights, make noise and look to ensure the yard is clear of wildlife. Do not assume that a privacy fence will exclude a mountain lion from your yard.

Accompany your pet outside if possible.

Homeowner safety

By nature, mountain lions are shy and will make every effort to avoid contact with humans. Homeowners can do several things to make it less likely that a mountain lion would pass through or live near their homes and neighborhoods. These include:

Reports of mountain lions and black bear on the increase in Ketchum and Sun Valley Wildlife biologists attribute the ongoing presence of mountain lions to resident deer and elk that live throughout the Valley year-round.

When leaving your house, be aware of your surroundings. Look and listen for signs of wildlife near your house.

Do not leave your household garbage outside and unsecured. As with pet food, the garbage will not typically attract a mountain lion, but it might attract a domestic pet that could be considered prey by a lion.

Ensure that a lion cannot get under your patio or deck. Secure all sheds  do not leave doors or windows open. These spaces can be a perfect location for a daybed.

Place covers over window-wells which can also be a place for a lion to use as a daybed.

Install motion-sensor lights which may discourage wildlife from staying in your yard. Lights can be directed to minimize impact on your neighbors.
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Seoul, South Korea  South Korea slammed Russias irresponsible veto blocking the renewal of a panel of UN experts monitoring international sanctions on North Korea, with the vote following accusations Pyongyang is aiding Moscow in its war in Ukraine.

South Korea clearly points out that the Russian Federation, despite its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has made an irresponsible decision, Seouls foreign ministry said in a statement.

The move, which comes weeks after the body said it was investigating reports of arms transfers between Pyongyang and Moscow, was met with a flurry of criticism, including from Ukraine and the United States.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the veto a guilty plea by Russia, while the United States described it as a self-interested effort to bury the panels reporting on (Moscows) own collusion with North Korea.

The veto at the Security Council does not remove the sanctions on North Korea, but it spells the end for the group monitoring their implementation  and myriad alleged violations.

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The panels 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 have no expiration date.

The council has long been divided on the issue, with Chinas 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 favour of renewing the panels mandate.
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Globe has clinched the top position as the Philippines most valuable telecom brand and also secured 7th place in the ASEAN region, based on the Brand Finance Telecoms 150 2024 report.

This ranking comes alongside an exceptional AAA brand strength rating, demonstrating Globes steadfast dedication to excellence and its ability to consistently meet customer expectations with its innovative services and solutions.

In comparison, Globes main local competitor fell to 2nd place in the Philippines and the 8th position in ASEAN, while maintaining an AA+ brand strength rating.

Brand Finance, a globally-recognized brand valuation consultancy, puts thousands of the worlds biggest brands to the test every year, helping them understand the worth of their brand and how it fits into their overall business strategy.

A strong brand enhances business performance through market differentiation, fostering customer loyalty, attracting top talent, and offering a competitive advantage during economic or industry challenges. These factors collectively contribute to better brand love, translating to customer preference, increased revenue, and overall resilience.

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The report reflects Globes strategic efforts in embracing digital transformation and its commitment to providing customer-centric services, which have been pivotal in strengthening its market presence and enhancing brand value.

Globes achievement in retaining its ranking and brand strength rating amidst market fluctuations and competitive pressures is a testament to the success of its strategy, and its commitment to innovation, quality service delivery, and customer satisfaction.

This distinction is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing superior service and innovative solutions to our customers. Despite the increasingly competitive landscape, our focus on digital transformation and customer-centric services has allowed us to maintain our strong market presence and enhance our brand value, said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

Brand Finances report also provides insights into the strength and resilience of brands across various industries. Globes consistent recognition among the top telecom brands in the ASEAN region reflects its excellence in brand strategy, operational efficiency, and the delivery of compelling customer experiences.

The companys focus on digital solutions, customer engagement, and sustainable practices continues to play a crucial role in its ongoing success and in maintaining its position as a leader in the ASEAN telecom landscape.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.
After sitting in a jail cell for nearly eight months, a Martinsville man has walked away free from three counts of malicious wounding.

The prosecution dismissed one charge of malicious wounding against Franky Uribe Merchan, 29, at the beginning of the trial on Tuesday, and it took about 15 minutes of deliberation by the jury to acquit him of the two additional malicious wounding charges in Henry County Circuit Court.

At approximately 2:25 a.m. Aug. 6, the 911 Communications Center received a call in reference to stabbing injuries that had occurred at 40 Stanley Court in Collinsville.

When deputies arrived at a birthday party, they found three people with multiple stab wounds. Aderli Lopez had stab wounds to both of his arms and Miguel Bonilla had multiple stab wounds to his chest and rib cage. Both Lopez and Bonilla were airlifted to an undisclosed Virginia hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Maria Carabajal had a cut to her arm and was transported by ambulance to Sovah Health in Martinsville.

Police caught up with Merchan on Endless Road in Collinsville with a cut to his back and a head injury. Merchan was transported to Sovah Health in Martinsville for treatment and upon his release, he was charged with the stabbing of three people.

It was a bunch of Colombians and Merchan is Honduras, said Correy Diviney, a Roanoke attorney who represented Merchan. The officers show up late at night and found several people bleeding from knife wounds.

Diviney said there was blood on the floor, blood on the table and blood outside.

My client had a cut down the side of his back that took 28 stitches, another cut on his forehead that took eight stitches and a cut on the back of his head, Diviney said. There were pieces of glass in his back where they stuck him with broken glass.

Investigators admitted they had difficulty making sense of what happened because of the language barrier, but determined the Lopez and Merchan began arguing at the birthday party that was being held for a mutual friend and Merchan went to his vehicle, retrieved a knife, and then stabbed Lopez and Bonilla. Carabajal attempted to intervene and stop the altercation, but was injured in the process.

There were four people cut, but my client had the knife, said Diviney. It was total chaos, everyone was completely wasted that night, nobody spoke English and frankly, the witnesses on the stand were not that credible.

An interpreter was required throughout the trial to translate from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English.

Diviney said there was a complaint made known to Merchan at the party that he had disrupted the trailer park earlier in the day by driving erratically through the neighborhood and the argument escalated.

Merchan was jumped by a dozen people and he defended himself, Diviney said. And for that, hes been sitting in jail since August.

Henry County Commonwealths Attorney Andrew Nester did not respond to a request for comment. The docket in his office had scheduled a two-day jury trial on another matter set to begin the following day.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors has approved a grant application that would enhance the regions ability to support people suffering from a mental health or substance abuse crisis.

Approximately $4.7 million in grant funds is being requested from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to pay for renovation and operation costs for the Piedmont Community Services Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center.

Currently, the center has capacity for only four people on an emergency custody order, limiting its ability to clear aggressive or medically compromised individuals. The situation increases the burden on local law enforcement, who must meet the emergency needs with personnel to accompany patients while they receive treatment at a hospital.

If approved, the funds will provide for a 16,000-square-foot-crisis intervention center than will offer services for up to six adults and two children. The funds will also be used to establish a 24-hour crisis unit that can treat eight adults and six children and a crisis stabilization unit that can treat 12 adults and eight children.

Piedmont Community Services also will add a medically managed withdrawal section to support patients in need of detoxification. A pharmacy license is currently being pursued in order to provide around-the-clock care.

The grant application is a regional effort that includes the city of Martinsville and the counties of Henry, Patrick and Franklin. Henry County will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant and the program will be administered through Piedmont Community Services.

In other matters, the board:

Approved a proclamation recognizing April 7-13 as National Library Week.

Approved a resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Fontaine Ruritan Club.

Approved an additional appropriation of $35,226 received from the Circuit Court Records Preservation Grant Program.

Awarded a contract to Sheehy Ford for $78,617 to purchase two 2024 Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicles.

Approved an additional appropriation of $3,584 received from the Virginia State Police H.E.A.T. grant program.

Approved an additional appropriation of $40,000 received from vehicle insurance settlements.

Approved an additional appropriation of $25,000 received from The Lester Group for sponsorship in the S.E.E.D. program.

Approved an additional appropriation of $4.7 million from the 1% Sales Tax Fund for construction and renovations at Laurel Park Middle School and Bassett High School.

Denied a request to rezone approximately 22 acres in the Iriswood District from Suburban Residential to Agricultural.

Approved a request to rezone approximately 3.8 acres in the Iriswood District from Suburban Residential to Commercial. The applicant intends to market the property and an adjoining commercial property, for proposed business purposes.

Approved a request to rezone approximately 0.6 acres in the Blackberry District from Commercial to Limited Industrial. The applicant intends to use an existing garage building as a beverage mixing and bottling company.

Approved a siting agreement with Sunny Rock Solar, LLC.

Granted counted employees a day off on March 29, in observance of Good Friday.

Reappointed Paul Setliff, Richard Reynolds, and Jeff Prillaman to the Planning Commission for four-year terms scheduled to expire on March 31, 2028.

Approved Stuart Bowman to the Planning Commission on an unexpired term scheduled to expire on March 31, 2025.

Appointed Brenda Metz to the Southern Area Agency on Aging Board on an unexpired term scheduled to expire on Nov. 1.
Human rights reports this week disclose the involvement of the Russian private military group Wagner in aiding government forces in central and northern Mali, conducting raids and drone strikes resulting in numerous civilian casualties, including children.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have grappled with insurgencies led by jihadist groups for over a decade, some aligned with al-Qaida and the Islamic State. After recent military coups, ruling authorities expelled French troops, turning to Russian mercenaries for security. Violence escalated in Mali following the arrival of Russian mercenaries after a 2021 coup, with the junta intensifying operations, including deadly drone strikes and raids causing civilian deaths. Despite the death of Wagners leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a suspicious plane crash last year, Russias presence in Mali remains unchanged.

Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, criticized Malis Russia-backed transitional military government for egregious abuses and attempts to evade scrutiny. Instances include a January raid near a military base resulting in the arbitrary arrest of 25 individuals, later found dead with gunshot wounds. Amnesty International reported two drone strikes in northern Mali, killing at least 13 civilians, including seven children, with one pregnant woman miscarrying due to injuries. Human Rights Watch highlighted Turkish-supplied drones precision capabilities and documented civilian casualties from drone strikes, including an attack during a wedding in central Mali.

The ruling juntas of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recently announced a joint security force to combat escalating extremist violence, pivoting away from dissenting partners to rely on Russian security assistance. Despite promises to quell insurgencies after overthrowing elected governments, violence has intensified under military regimes, exacerbated by overstretched security forces combating jihadist threats across shared borders.
At least 11 people were killed and 7000 homes were destroyed, when Cyclone Gamane veered into Madagascars north.

The storm was moving at a speed of 150km/h and power cuts complicated the mission of rescue operations.

More than 20,000 people fled their homes to government shelters, the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said.

Roads and bridges collapsed in the cash-strapped country while landslides destroyed farms.

Early last year, cyclone Freddy and tropical storm Cheneso killed at least 37 people and forced thousands from their homes.
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Unadjusted Posthospitalization Care Patterns After Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations at 30 d Return to hospital includes emergency department (ED) visits and hospital readmissions and observation stays. MAUD indicates medications for alcohol use disorder.aMortality not shown due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cell suppression policy threshold for display of data (values <11 individuals). Credit: JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3387

For adults hospitalized for alcohol-related reasons, receiving a prescription for an alcohol use disorder (AUD) medication at the time of discharge may lower their risk of returning to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, including emergency room visits and readmissions.

That's according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Pittsburgh.

For the study, the investigators identified 9,834 alcohol-related hospitalizations among 6,794 Medicare Part D beneficiaries across the United States in 2016. Only 2.0% of hospitalizations involved filled prescriptions for alcohol use disorder medicationsincluding oral naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiramat the time of discharge.

Return to the hospital or death within 30 days (the combined primary outcome assessed in the study) occurred among 49.3% of hospitalizations overall, including 25.5% of hospitalizations that involved prescriptions for alcohol use disorder medications at discharge and 49.7% of hospitalizations that did not.

After controlling for important differences between the two groups, the investigators observed that there were 42% fewer returns to the hospital or deaths within 30 days among patients who received such discharge prescriptions compared with those who did not. Regarding absolute risk, patients with these discharge prescriptions had an 18% lower risk of returning to the hospital or dying than other patients.

Similar results were seen for alcohol-related hospital returns. Those who received medications were also 22% more likely to have primary care or mental health follow-up visits. Differences in mortality alone were not apparent because deaths within 30 days were rare in both groups (approximately 1%).

"Despite known efficacy, medication treatment for alcohol use disorder is underutilized and rarely initiated in the post-hospitalization setting," says lead author Eden Y. Bernstein, MD, a physician-scientist in the Division of General Internal Medicine at MGH.

"Our findings highlight the potential clinical benefit associated with increased uptake of these medications in this setting and suggest a need to support and expand ongoing efforts to improve access to these medications upon hospital discharge."

"These therapies are evidence-based, inexpensive, and have manageable side effects," says senior author Timothy Anderson, MD, MAS, a primary care physician, health services researcher, and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, who began on the study while on the faculty at Harvard University.

"Given the potential upsides demonstrated in this study, training inpatient clinicians to initiate these medications and to develop plans for post-hospital follow-up with patients and their primary care team has the potential to improve patient outcomes and to reduce preventable readmissions."

More information: Outcomes After Initiation of Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder at Hospital Discharge, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3387 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

One January morning in 2021, Carol Rosen took a standard treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Three gruesome weeks later, she died in excruciating pain from the very drug meant to prolong her life.

Rosen, a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher, passed her final days in anguish, enduring severe diarrhea and nausea and terrible sores in her mouth that kept her from eating, drinking, and, eventually, speaking. Skin peeled off her body. Her kidneys and liver failed. "Your body burns from the inside out," said Rosen's daughter, Lindsay Murray, of Andover, Massachusetts.

Rosen was one of more than 275,000 cancer patients in the United States who are infused each year with fluorouracil, known as 5-FU, or, as in Rosen's case, take a nearly identical drug in pill form called capecitabine. These common types of chemotherapy are no picnic for anyone, but for patients who are deficient in an enzyme that metabolizes the drugs, they can be torturous or deadly.

Those patients essentially overdose because the drugs stay in the body for hours rather than being quickly metabolized and excreted. The drugs kill an estimated 1 in 1,000 patients who take themhundreds each yearand severely sicken or hospitalize 1 in 50. Doctors can test for the deficiency and get results within a weekand then either switch drugs or lower the dosage if patients have a genetic variant that carries risk.

Yet a recent survey found that only 3% of U.S. oncologists routinely order the tests before dosing patients with 5-FU or capecitabine. That's because the most widely followed U.S. cancer treatment guidelinesissued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Networkdon't recommend preemptive testing.

The FDA added new warnings about the lethal risks of 5-FU to the drug's label on March 21 following queries from KFF Health News about its policy. However, it did not require doctors to administer the test before prescribing the chemotherapy.

The agency, whose plan to expand its oversight of laboratory testing was the subject of a House hearing, also March 21, has said it could not endorse the 5-FU toxicity tests because it's never reviewed them.

But the FDA at present does not review most diagnostic tests, said Daniel Hertz, an associate professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. For years, with other doctors and pharmacists, he has petitioned the FDA to put a black box warning on the drug's label urging prescribers to test for the deficiency.

"FDA has responsibility to assure that drugs are used safely and effectively," he said. The failure to warn, he said, "is an abdication of their responsibility."

The update is "a small step in the right direction, but not the sea change we need," he said.

Europe ahead on safety

British and European Union drug authorities have recommended the testing since 2020. A small but growing number of U.S. hospital systems, professional groups, and health advocates, including the American Cancer Society, also endorse routine testing. Most U.S. insurers, private and public, will cover the tests, which Medicare reimburses for $175, although tests may cost more depending on how many variants they screen for.

In its latest guidelines on colon cancer, the Cancer Network panel noted that not everyone with a risky gene variant gets sick from the drug, and that lower dosing for patients carrying such a variant could rob them of a cure or remission. Many doctors on the panel, including the University of Colorado oncologist Wells Messersmith, have said they have never witnessed a 5-FU death.

In European hospitals, the practice is to start patients with a half- or quarter-dose of 5-FU if tests show a patient is a poor metabolizer, then raise the dose if the patient responds well to the drug. Advocates for the approach say American oncology leaders are dragging their feet unnecessarily, and harming people in the process.

"I think it's the intransigence of people sitting on these panels, the mindset of 'We are oncologists, drugs are our tools, we don't want to go looking for reasons not to use our tools,'" said Gabriel Brooks, an oncologist and researcher at the Dartmouth Cancer Center.

Oncologists are accustomed to chemotherapy's toxicity and tend to have a "no pain, no gain" attitude, he said. 5-FU has been in use since the 1950s.

Yet "anybody who's had a patient die like this will want to test everyone," said Robert Diasio of the Mayo Clinic, who helped carry out major studies of the genetic deficiency in 1988.

Oncologists often deploy genetic tests to match tumors in cancer patients with the expensive drugs used to shrink them. But the same can't always be said for gene tests aimed at improving safety, said Mark Fleury, policy director at the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network.

When a test can show whether a new drug is appropriate, "there are a lot more forces aligned to ensure that testing is done," he said. "The same stakeholders and forces are not involved" with a generic like 5-FU, first approved in 1962, and costing roughly $17 for a month's treatment.

Oncology is not the only area in medicine in which scientific advances, many of them taxpayer-funded, lag in implementation. For instance, few cardiologists test patients before they go on Plavix, a brand name for the anti-blood-clotting agent clopidogrel, although it doesn't prevent blood clots as it's supposed to in a quarter of the 4 million Americans prescribed it each year.

In 2021, the state of Hawaii won an $834 million judgment from drugmakers it accused of falsely advertising the drug as safe and effective for Native Hawaiians, more than half of whom lack the main enzyme to process clopidogrel.

The fluoropyrimidine enzyme deficiency numbers are smallerand people with the deficiency aren't at severe risk if they use topical cream forms of the drug for skin cancers. Yet even a single miserable, medically caused death was meaningful to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where Carol Rosen was among more than 1,000 patients treated with fluoropyrimidine in 2021.

Her daughter was grief-stricken and furious after Rosen's death. "I wanted to sue the hospital. I wanted to sue the oncologist," Murray said. "But I realized that wasn't what my mom would want."

Instead, she wrote Dana-Farber's chief quality officer, Joe Jacobson, urging routine testing. He responded the same day, and the hospital quickly adopted a testing system that now covers more than 90% of prospective fluoropyrimidine patients. About 50 patients with risky variants were detected in the first 10 months, Jacobson said.

Dana-Farber uses a Mayo Clinic test that searches for eight potentially dangerous variants of the relevant gene. Veterans Affairs hospitals use a 11-variant test, while most others check for only four variants.

Different tests may be needed for different ancestries

The more variants a test screens for, the better the chance of finding rarer gene forms in ethnically diverse populations. For example, different variants are responsible for the worst deficiencies in people of African and European ancestry, respectively. There are tests that scan for hundreds of variants that might slow metabolism of the drug, but they take longer and cost more.

These are bitter facts for Scott Kapoor, a Toronto-area emergency room physician whose brother, Anil Kapoor, died in February 2023 of 5-FU poisoning.

Anil Kapoor was a well-known urologist and surgeon, an outgoing speaker, researcher, clinician, and irreverent friend whose funeral drew hundreds. His death at age 58, only weeks after he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, stunned and infuriated his family.

In Ontario, where Kapoor was treated, the health system had just begun testing for four gene variants discovered in studies of mostly European populations. Anil Kapoor and his siblings, the Canadian-born children of Indian immigrants, carry a gene form that's apparently associated with South Asian ancestry.

Scott Kapoor supports broader testing for the defectonly about half of Toronto's inhabitants are of European descentand argues that an antidote to fluoropyrimidine poisoning, approved by the FDA in 2015, should be on hand. However, it works only for a few days after ingestion of the drug and definitive symptoms often take longer to emerge.

Most importantly, he said, patients must be aware of the risk. "You tell them, 'I am going to give you a drug with a 1 in 1,000 chance of killing you. You can take this test. Most patients would be, 'I want to get that test and I'll pay for it,' or they'd just say, 'Cut the dose in half.'"

Alan Venook, the University of California-San Francisco oncologist who co-chairs the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, has led resistance to mandatory testing because the answers provided by the test, in his view, are often murky and could lead to undertreatment.

"If one patient is not cured, then you giveth and you taketh away," he said. "Maybe you took it away by not giving adequate treatment."

Instead of testing and potentially cutting a first dose of curative therapy, "I err on the latter, acknowledging they will get sick," he said. About 25 years ago, one of his patients died of 5-FU toxicity and "I regret that dearly," he said. "But unhelpful information may lead us in the wrong direction."

In September, seven months after his brother's death, Kapoor was boarding a cruise ship on the Tyrrhenian Sea near Rome when he happened to meet a woman whose husband, Atlanta municipal judge Gary Markwell, had died the year before after taking a single 5-FU dose at age 77.

"I was like  that's exactly what happened to my brother."

Murray senses momentum toward mandatory testing. In 2022, the Oregon Health & Science University paid $1 million to settle a suit after an overdose death.

"What's going to break that barrier is the lawsuits, and the big institutions like Dana-Farber who are implementing programs and seeing them succeed," she said. "I think providers are going to feel kind of bullied into a corner. They're going to continue to hear from families and they are going to have to do something about it."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Dr. Gary Gibbon didn't have long to live. A harsh cocktail of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy for his advanced lung cancer had permanently destroyed his lungs and caused irreparable damage to his liver.

But Gibbon, a 69-year-old resident of Santa Monica, Calif., remains alive thanks to a groundbreaking, combined lung-liver transplant, according to his doctors at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

"I've been a physician for decades, and we tend to be conservative at times with our treatment plans, which is why the enormity of the science that went into this procedure is awe-inspiring to me," Gibbon, a pulmonologist-allergist-immunologist, said in a Northwestern news release.

Gibbon calls the landmark surgery his "Triple L"two lungs and a liver.

"To our knowledge, this is the first known case in the nation where a patient with advanced lung cancer has successfully received a combined lung-liver transplant," said Dr. Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery and director of the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. Bharat performed Gibbon's lung transplant.

Gibbon was born in Cape Town, South Africa, but spent the last 33 years in private practice in Santa Monica before he fell ill.

In March 2023, Gibbon started coughing and losing weight. A chest X-ray revealed stage 3 lung cancer.

Doctors went after the cancer hard, subjecting Gibbon to brutal rounds of chemo, radiation and immunotherapy.

By mid-July, Gibbon was hospitalized with septic shock, pneumonia and multiple organ failure. His lungs were irreversibly scarred by the immunotherapy, and he would need them replaced.

"As a pulmonologist, I never imagined I'd ever need a lung transplantlet alone for lung cancer," Gibbon said.

Northwestern University offers a first-of-its-kind clinical program called Double Lung Replacement and Multidisciplinary Care (DREAM), and Gibbon turned to doctors there to save his life.

While evaluating Gibbon, Northwestern doctors found the immunotherapy had also caused liver cirrhosis.

A four-hour medical flight delivered Gibbon to Chicago on Sept. 10, where he awaited donor organs in the ICU at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

After twelve days on the transplant wait list, Gibbon received his new lungs and liver from the same donor during a 10-hour surgical procedure.

Surgeons implanted the new lungs first, while the donor liver was kept alive outside the body thanks to a machine that pumps warm, oxygenated and nutrient-enriched blood through the organa technology the docs call "liver in a box."

The liver-sustaining technology gave Bharat sufficient time to meticulously remove Gibbon's damaged lungs as well as all the cancer.

Bharat had to remove both cancer-ridden lungs, and then wash out the airways and the chest cavity before transplanting in the new lungs.

During this process, Gibbon was on full heart and lung bypass, Bharat said.

"These patients can have billions of cancer cells in the lungs, so we must be extremely meticulous to not let a single cell spill into the patient's chest cavity or blood stream," Bharat said. "We believe this technique can help reduce the risk of recurrence, which we learned through our experience with pioneering COVID-19 lung transplants."

Six months after surgery, Gibbon has no signs of cancer in his body and does not require any further treatment, his doctors said.

Gibbon will remain in Chicago through the summer so his transplant team can closely monitor him.

"This DREAM program is new territory for transplantation and the fact that I could experience it and have a wonderful outcome makes me feel so blessed," Gibbon said. "I wouldn't be here today without Northwestern Medicine."

More information: The American Cancer Society has more about lung cancer.

 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Main factors affecting tissue destruction in CAP. Various oral microorganisms and immune cells affect the inflammatory response and bone damage in the periapical region by influencing the physiological functions of macrophage differentiation and osteoblast and osteoclast metabolism. (A): LPS, LTA, and pro-inflammatory cytokines facilitate RANKL expression, resulting in subsequent osteoclast differentiation. LTA and cytokines also promote PGE2 secretion in osteoblastic cells. (B) Macrophages upregulate cytokine secretion to promote bone resorption. The antigen entering the tissue binds to IgE attached to mast cells, which can degranulate the mast cells and release inflammatory mediators. CAP, chronic apical periodontitis; LPA, lipopolysaccharide; LTA, lipoteichoic acid; RANKL, receptor activator of nuclear factor B ligand; PGE2, prostaglandin E2. Credit: MedComm  Biomaterials and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1002/mba2.69

A study published in the journal MedComm  Biomaterials and Applications, led by Dr. Xiaojing Wang from the Department of Oral Implantology at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, focuses on addressing tooth loss, a prevalent dental condition linked to accidents, decay, periodontal disease, and congenital deficiencies.

The role of microorganisms and their metabolites is critical in the development and progression of periapical and periodontal lesions, as they can directly damage tissue cells or induce damage through inflammatory and immune responses.

The success of immediate implant placement is often challenged by the loss of bone and soft tissue, impacting the implant's initial stability. This stability is influenced by the shape of the extraction site and inflammatory infiltration, which introduces bacteria and necessitates intraoperative removal to protect healthy periodontal tissue and ensure optimal wound closure and bone healing.

Adequately addressing bone and soft tissue deficiencies around the implant is essential for the procedure's success.

The study explores a variety of bone substitute biomaterials, including autologous, allogeneic, and xenogeneic bone, bioceramics, growth factors, and natural and synthetic polymers. Autologous bone grafting, the gold standard for bone defect repair, faces limitations such as harvest site morbidity and infection risk.

Allografts and xenografts offer unlimited size and shape for defect restoration without donor site risks, though disease transmission and immune rejection are concerns. Bioceramics show promising biocompatibility and strength yet require mechanical property improvements. Growth factor materials and polymers (both natural and synthetic) exhibit excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, with synthetic polymers providing greater toughness.

For aesthetic outcomes, the level and thickness of peri-implant soft tissues are crucial. The study reviews the use of tissue grafts and growth factor-based biomaterials for enhancing soft tissue thickness, noting the clinical preference for growth factors due to lower infection and antigenicity risks. Despite current limitations in soft tissue regeneration biomaterials, advancements in technology are expected to offer improved solutions.

Immediate implant placement is increasingly common in clinical settings, benefiting from advancements in technology and biomaterials for bone regeneration and soft tissue closure. Tissue engineering emerges as an effective strategy, offering new possibilities beyond traditional biomaterials for bone replacement. This interdisciplinary approach aims to develop implants that mimic the natural bone tissue environment, promising enhanced efficiency and outcomes in regenerative dentistry.

More information: Xiaoqi Su et al, Multiple biomaterials for immediate implant placement tissue repair: Current status and future perspectives, MedComm  Biomaterials and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1002/mba2.69

Provided by Sichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Future heart attacks could be better prevented in people visiting their GP with unexplained chest pain, after Keele researchers developed the clearest picture yet of the factors that put them at higher risk. The research is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

It is estimated at least one million adults in the UK visit their GP because of chest pain every year. Despite undergoing tests, the cause will remain a mystery for many and they will not receive a diagnosis. Research has shown that people with this type of 'unattributed' chest pain are at higher risk of having future heart health problems than those without. Despite this, few receive preventative treatments.

Now, researchers at Keele University have identified the key risk factors that increase the likelihood of people with unattributed chest pain developing heart and circulatory diseases. The team hope their findings will help doctors to spot those at highest risk so they can offer preventative treatments, such as statins, and lifestyle advice to help stop future health problems like heart attacks before they strike.

The researchers developed risk calculators that would allow them to identify those at high risk of developing future heart and circulatory diseases and pinpoint the key factors influencing that risk.

These tools were developed and validated using anonymized information from the health records of over 600,000 people registered at GP practices in England who had unattributed chest pain between 2002 and 2018. All records used were linked to hospital and mortality data, allowing the researchers to track which patients went on to be admitted to hospital with cardiovascular disease or died. Median follow-up was at least five years.

This revealed that people with diabetes, atrial fibrillation (a common type of irregular heart rhythm) and treated high blood pressure were at highest risk of going on to develop heart and circulatory diseases.

Nearly half of those at highest risk smoked or were living with obesity. Modeling showed that if all current smokers living with obesity were supported to lose weight and quit smoking, the mean 10-year risk in this group would fall from nearly 22% to around 16%.

The research also suggests that GPs should be cautious about using current risk-prediction tools in this group, as they were shown to underestimate risk. When they compared their model to the existing QRISK3 risk calculator, the team found that one-third of the patients who had a 10-year risk of less than 10% according to QRISK3, had a more than 10% risk in their new model.

While more work will be needed if their risk calculator is to be used by doctors, the researchers say their findings highlight vital opportunities to identify those at highest risk of future heart and circulatory diseases and can help both doctors and patients to act early to stop these in their tracks.

Professor Mamas Mamas, Professor of Cardiology at Keele University and consultant cardiologist at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, was one of the researchers involved in this study. He said, "Even without a diagnosis, chest pain should act as a warning sign that patients could benefit from taking steps to reduce their risk of future health problems.

"Here, we've shown that it is possible to identify people at high risk using just the information in their health records. We hope that these findings will be the first step towards better management of risk factors in this group, motivating patients to adopt a healthier lifestyle and encouraging doctors to act early."

Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, added, "Health data is a vital research resource that can transform how we address some of the biggest challenges in health care. By developing the clearest picture yet of factors that may put some people with mystery chest pain at greater risk, this research could help more people avoid future heart problems.

"At a time where the NHS is under extraordinary pressure, it's more important than ever to respond to early warning signs to prevent avoidable heart attacks and keep people well."

More information: Kelvin P Jordan et al, Determining cardiovascular risk in patients with unattributed chest pain in UK primary care: an electronic health record study, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (2023). DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad055 Journal information: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
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Health data scientists at PKUHSC initiated the CKD LHS study with physicians and epidemiologists in Yinzhou. Credit: Guilan Kong et al.

A recent publication in Health Data Science offers an in-depth exploration of an innovative approach to chronic kidney disease (CKD) management through the adoption of a learning health system (LHS) model. The study underscores a transformative shift towards more responsive and efficient health care practices, especially in managing pervasive conditions like CKD.

In the realm of medicine, the journey from research discovery to clinical application is notoriously protracted, often spanning nearly two decades. The LHS framework seeks to dramatically shorten this trajectory by leveraging real-time data analytics, thereby expediting the translation of research insights into practical health care interventions.

Associate Research Professor Guilan Kong of the National Institute of Health Data Science (NIHDS) at Peking University highlights the critical role of LHS in accelerating the data-to-evidence-to-practice continuum, an advancement he views as crucial for improving global health outcomes in the digital age.

Targeting CKD, a condition that is both widespread and undermanaged in China, the research team piloted an LHS initiative in Yinzhou, a district distinguished by its sophisticated Regional Health Information Platform (YRHIP) operational since 2009. This platform, integral to the local health care landscape, collects comprehensive patient data across various medical institutions and has been instrumental in developing a specialized CKD surveillance system initiated in 2018.

The project's inception involved assembling a diverse learning community, including medical practitioners, IT specialists, and data scientists, who collaboratively assessed CKD care in Yinzhou, identifying and addressing critical care delivery gaps. This collective effort enabled the identification of CKD patients through an advanced computable tool, facilitating targeted intervention by primary care providers.

The researchers emphasize the potential of integrating predictive analytics and clinical decision support mechanisms into the YRHIP, aiming to enhance patient triage, streamline referrals, and encourage the adoption of clinical guidelines.

Professor Luxia Zhang of NIHDS reflects on the pilot's promising outcomes, suggesting that a robust LHS infrastructure can significantly catalyze the adoption of evidence-based health care solutions. Although LHS models are prevalent in more affluent settings, their application in less economically developed regions presents unique challenges and opportunities for innovation.

As the team looks to the future, they plan to refine CKD predictive analytics and further integrate these technologies into Yinzhou's health care framework, a step Prof Kong believes will empower physicians to make more informed decisions, thereby elevating the standard of CKD care.

More information: Guilan Kong et al, Transforming Health Care Through a Learning Health System Approach in the Digital Era: Chronic Kidney Disease Management in China, Health Data Science (2023). DOI: 10.34133/hds.0102

Provided by Health Data Science
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Network diagram of the GT keywords. Credit: Health Data Science (2024). DOI: 10.34133/hds.0116

A study in Health Data Science introduces an advanced research framework to dissect the vast textual landscape surrounding COVID-19. This methodology leverages keywords from Google Trends alongside research abstracts from the WHO COVID-19 database, offering a nuanced understanding of the pandemic's discourse dynamics.

Throughout the pandemic, research has underpinned effective policy-making, yet tools like Google Trends (GT) often miss critical nuances captured in scholarly investigations. This study juxtaposes GT data with academic research, illuminating the breadth and depth of scientific engagement with COVID-19 issues compared to public inquiries.

Benson Shu Yan Lam, Associate Professor at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, highlights the endeavor to scrutinize the timeliness and interconnectivity of these data repositories, assessing whether GT can reliably signal emerging public concerns or if academic discourses provide earlier, more substantive insights.

A significant finding, as outlined by Amanda Man Ying Chu, Assistant Professor at The Education University of Hong Kong, is the academic community's precedence in addressing COVID-19 topics. Research abstracts not only broached these subjects before they surfaced in GT searches but also delved deeper, offering a richer, more detailed perspective beneficial for policy formulation.

The study also introduces the Coherent Topic Clustering (CTC) method, an innovative text-mining approach that effectively organizes key phrases from voluminous research abstracts, outperforming BERTopic, a contemporary deep learning-based model, in extracting pertinent themes.

Looking ahead, Mike Ka Pui So, Professor at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, envisions broadening this framework's utility beyond health science, particularly into financial news analysis. This expansion underscores the framework's capacity to meld qualitative and quantitative insights, a crucial frontier in contemporary financial scrutiny.

Reflecting on the implications, Professor So elucidates the prospective integration of diverse data types, marrying textual analysis with traditional numerical datasets to enrich financial analytics, demonstrating the research's interdisciplinary potential.

More information: Benson Shu Yan Lam et al, Do Scholars Respond Faster Than Google Trends in Discussing COVID-19 Issues? An Approach to Textual Big Data, Health Data Science (2024). DOI: 10.34133/hds.0116

Provided by Health Data Science
There are few homes in Missoula that offer this much value and comfort. Situated on the southern hills of Missoula and overlooking the entire valley, 104 Walden Place is a warm, cheerful, and inviting home. Built on a generously sized 0.341 acre lot, this well-kept residence offers 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a daylight walkout basement, and an attached, sizable 2-car garage. As you step into the home, you'll immediately appreciate the sunlight illuminating the home's kitchen and welcoming foyer. The kitchen is the epitome of tidy and functional! It features Corian countertops, walnut-colored plank flooring, and everyone's favorite feature: a cozy reading nook just adjacent to the formal dining space. Most newer homes no longer offer a formal dining space so the new owner of this residence will certainly appreciate the value of this space. Moving into the first living room which has been recently re-painted it is hard to deny how attractive, bright, and airy this space feels. The large windows and French doors in this living room highlight the incredible views of the Bitterroot Mountains directly from this space. And better yet, the living room is seamlessly connected to a second-level Trex deck which really is one of the best attributes of this lovely home. Enjoy dinners and celebrations with your loved ones or simply unwind while soaking in the spring sunshine and mountain vistas. Down the hallway from the living room, you will find an adequately sized bedroom which you will see also takes advantage of sweeping valley views. Further down this hallway you will find a full, well-maintained bathroom as well as the welcoming and calming light-blue primary bedroom. This primary bedroom not only offers additional convenience by being located on the main level but it also provides the benefit of an attached ensuite bathroom. Downstairs, the versatile layout of the daylight walkout basement offers endless possibilities. This second living room could function as a spacious recreation room, a theater room, or perhaps a comfortable space for a live-in guest or family member. The laundry space is quite roomy and also located downstairs along with a third bathroom and sizable, cheerful third bedroom. The daylight nature of the lower level space ensures that this floor feels just as sunny and bright as the main level itself. The new owners of this residence will appreciate the fact that the roof is only a few years old (installed in 2018 by the previous owners). They will also love the comfort of the home's hot water baseboard heating as well as the convenience of the property"s underground sprinkler system. Both systems have been maintained and repaired as needed by the current owner. With an extremely functional and appealing layout on both levels, this home exudes warmth, character and value. There is no doubt that someone will see that this is the perfect place to call home. Contact Aaron A. Curtis at 406-396-2721, or your real estate professional.

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Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

Lost Trail Ski Area is celebrating their annual end-of-season bash, called Skiesta, on Saturday, April 6. The theme this year is "hippies and cowboys." The pond skim kicks off around 2:30 p.m. and live music starts at 4:15 p.m., with several bands and DJs lined up.

There'll be two food trucks available after the lodge's kitchen closes.

Pagoda, a Chinese and Thai restaurant on Missoula's Northside at 425 N. 5th St. W., remodeled their interior in October and November. The restaurant has been at that location for over three decades.

Missoula Works Sewing Ventures, a local nonprofit that sells handmade textiles, has announced that they're releasing a new product. The South Hills Venture Pack, a backpack that comes in different colors, is made from reclaimed or sustainable materials by a team of locally trained stitchers. A component of the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative, the Missoula Works Sewing Ventures program provides employment opportunities for people who struggle in the traditional job market, such as people over age 55, people with physical limitations or parents who need a flexible schedule.

For more information visit missoulaworksventures.org.

The Headwaters Foundation, a large nonprofit in downtown Missoula, announced recently that CEO Brenda Solorzano will be leaving to accept an opportunity out-of-state at The California Endowment. A selection process for a new CEO will begin soon.

Headwaters Foundation formed in 2017 after Community Medical Center switched from being a nonprofit to a for-profit and the proceeds of the sale were transferred to Headwaters. Headwaters has awarded over $26 million in grants and once received a $14 million gift from MacKenzie Scott.

I am so proud of the work weve accomplished at Headwaters in the past seven years, Solorzano said. Western Montana has many incredible nonprofit leaders and organizations doing work that changes lives. I will miss our team, partners, and the amazing people I have met and worked with in Montana. However, I move on knowing that Headwaters is in a strong position for the future with a new 10-year strategy, solid staff, and an excellent Board of Directors.

Gild Brewing in Missoula will host a fundraiser for the International Rescue Committee in Missoula on April 8. The event from 5-8 p.m. is called "Toast the Town," and $1 from every drink, including non-alcoholic beverages, sold will be donated to help newly arrived refugees.
Sierra Paske figured shed be the only Native scientist in the chemistry lab, so selecting a Ph.D. program at an institution with a strong Indigenous community elsewhere on campus was a top priority.

I knew when I went to graduate school that I was going to be the only Native person in my entire department, and thats still true four years later, Paske said.

Paske is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at the University of Montana. She teaches courses to undergraduates and conducts molecular research that could expedite the drug discovery process. When shes not donning her lab coat and tinkering with delicate instruments, Paske is the treasurer of the Indigenous Graduate Student Association. Officially launched this academic year, the group connects Native students across graduate departments.

Theres not a whole lot of graduate students, and the number of those that are Indigenous is even smaller, Paske said. We understand what it feels like, you know, to be that single person in your department, and how isolating that can feel. This gives everyone another community to build off of and, at least, talk to.

UMs flagship campus in Missoula has been making strides to improve inclusivity across its graduate programs, and some of those efforts are yielding real results. But major barriers still remain that make postsecondary education difficult for many students, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, to pursue.

Feeling welcome

Ashby Kinch, UMs graduate school dean, says making programs accessible to people from all backgrounds is fundamental not just as a moral imperative but as a tenet of top-tier institutions.

There are 2,040 students currently enrolled in graduate programs at UM, a count that includes the law school. Of those, 123 are Native American, an increase of 64% since 2016, according to the university. While that number may seem small in a vacuum, it bucks national trends. Data from the Postsecondary National Policy Institute shows graduate enrollment of Native American students falling by 18% between 2010 and 2020.

The best research gets done if you bring the broadest team to the table, Kinch says. Its not just a feel-good thing, its actually fundamental to a pluralistic society and fundamental to a research university that we act on those values.

Currently, about 73% of UM's grad students are white, according to self-reported data. As far as racial and ethnic groups go, American Indian/Alaska Native students make up the next largest at 7%, followed by Asian students at 5%. Around 68% of grad students are female.

Niche Brown is the only Native American in UMs toxicology program, and she will be the first Indigenous student at the university to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical science. She told UM News Service that starting the program wouldve been easier if other Native students had preceded her, and she wishes more of her peers would try the sciences.

Theres no shying away from the fact that UM is predominantly white.

It has to be on the table, Kinch said. We have to say look, we recognize youre going to come to an institution that doesnt look like you (...) but here are some things were going to do to help build out that support.

Some of the work of creating welcoming falls on professors to better understand the perspectives that students from other backgrounds bring to the classroom. Thats especially true at a graduate level, when so much emphasis is placed on research under a faculty adviser. Students often want to do research that helps their own communities, which doesn't always align with the priorities of academia.

It can be difficult at times when a professor just is not used to this other way, said Aaron Thomas, UM chemistry professor and the Indigenous Research and STEM Education Director. Theyre also having to leave themselves a little bit vulnerable and open to learning as well. Some professors are open to that, and some want to do what theyve been doing. But for those who are open to other ways of thinking, it opens their eyes.

Ways of knowing

In Western education tradition, the sciences are validated through publication or being written down. Elsewhere around the world and among other cultures, including Indigenous ones, knowledge is often passed down through oral tradition or ceremony, not the written word.

It can be challenging to reconcile these divergent ways of knowing in the context of higher education.

As a chemist, Paske describes herself as having two separate identities: the scientist side and the Indigenous side. They coexist, and sometimes mix. Paske says shes never had to sacrifice one or the other, but she does experience frustration that traditional Indigenous knowledge isnt taken at face value. Rather, it must be proven by standards of Western science to be considered legitimate.

There are 46 Native graduate students in UM's College of Health and 25 in the College of Humanities and Sciences. STEM programs within them tend to have fewer Native students, a trend Thomas would like to see change given the potential the technology industry has for economic and workforce development in, say, tribal communities.

Its hard, he said, but there are steps being taken to provide a voice and an avenue for students to weave together these viewpoints and still maintain their own perspectives.

I think the challenges that exist within the sciences are just far too complex to just have one point of view, he said. So, diversity is quite important.

Consider the cost

Recent improvements dont come without continued challenges.

UM has supported the creation of affinity groups such as the Indigenous Graduate Student Association, Paske says, but the burden still falls on the students themselves to do most of the work.

While the university can offer funds or the spaces, its all on the students, she said. Thats a big issue thats always happening with minority groups  minorities are the ones carrying that burden of being the voice, being the people who put these groups out there, or make these changes and stuff. The universities allow it to happen in that space, but they dont do much on their end to foster the growth.

Paske says this experience isnt unique to her time at UM. She attended a university in Minnesota, where she grew up, for undergraduate work. Even at a school with a 25% Native student population, Paske said this kind of progress was slow.

I think its just Western education in general, she said. They want to be diverse, they want to open the spaces, and thats great. But their workload is a lot less than our workload.

Then theres cost.

Many graduate programs require students to work a set number of hours each week as teachers assistants as well as conduct research. They are paid with a stipend for that work, which tends to vary department-by-department. Grad students nationally are likely to be underpaid relative to the cost of living, but UMs rates are particularly low.

One survey of 51 graduate institutions across the country found the average annual stipend was $30,904. Thomas said the chemistry department offers around $23,000 plus health insurance, which includes supplemental funding from outside the university. It's one of the higher-paying departments at UM.

Its also not uncommon for Native students, especially, to attend graduate programs with a family in tow, according to Thomas, making the low stipends stretch even thinner.

Paske said attending UM wouldnt have been possible for her if not for the support of the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership which, since 2005, has provided substantial financial assistance to Native students in STEM fields.

On the administrator side, the UM graduate dean acknowledges theres plenty of work that remains.

Kinch says he wishes the graduate school was recruiting internationally more effectively. There have been little pockets of increase he hopes the school can capitalize on  Chinese students in chemistry or other international students in public health, for example.

I think thats such a valuable resource for our campus to have, Kinch says. They just bring a completely different lens. So, I do wish we were doing better there.

That said, there have been some instances of tension between undergraduate students and international grad students, he added. And thats something I feel like we ought to be working on, too, especially if the number of students from abroad increases.

Looking forward

Making graduate education at UM a more inclusive place will take years, not months. But when asked if he thinks things are headed in the right direction, Thomas says, Yeah, I really do.

Were still working things out and how this will work best, and I wouldnt say every single department or every single faculty is on board, he said. But progress is certainly being made.

Much of it boils down to a few people paving the way in a space, and then more people following behind them once they know its possible.

I wanted to be that role model for those afterwards, Paske said. If you can look at higher education and see somebody like yourself there, you have your own belief in yourself.
Establishing an additional Temporary Safe Outdoor Space percolated to the top of the priority list for the Missoula Urban Camping Working Group this week, but finalized solutions remain unclear with only two remaining scheduled meetings.

The Missoula City Council and 12 other community members spent five hours on Wednesday exploring prospective policy to remedy people sleeping outside in public spaces. That number, according to the city, is roughly 100 people in tents and vehicles.

The working group spent much of the day brainstorming both an overarching city policy around urban camping, as well as specific ordinances that the council can pass to alleviate the issue in the short-term.

Members of the group representing local businesses and neighborhoods expressed frustration over urban camping near the Johnson Street shelter. One working group member said he feels residents in the area have become the "minority" in city policy.

Addressing urban camping for some meant minimizing the root causes of homelessness, while others wanted to prioritize clearing up parks, businesses and areas where homeless people frequently set up camp.

Designated camping favored

Adding another Temporary Safe Outdoor Space or designated camping area as a way to keep homeless people from sleeping in public areas was favored by the group.

The Temporary Safe Outdoor Space (TSOS) is a low-barrier housing option launched by Missoula County in 2023. Each resident gets a 100 square-foot structure and is responsible for group chores.

Ward 3 Councilor Gwen Jones said Wednesday that the site has been the most effective way to get people off the streets and into permanent housing.

"If we could expand that capacity and begin with better outcomes that would be better overall, and there are other structured models where there are structures, there's support, there's mobility, there's programs," Jones said. "Folks are moving forward and it gets them to the next place that they are going to."

The TSOS is paid for by the city and county through American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The county estimates it has money for the shelter through 2025, according to the city's webpage on the site.

Building the TSOS on West Broadway cost $1.48 million, while annual operations through Hope Rescue Mission cost $408,000. It has capacity for 35 to 40 people.

Other members raised the feasibility of multiple, smaller authorized campsites.

Generally, there was agreement that the campsites would need to be away from riparian habitat and river banks, and have a proper system for clean water and waste removal.

"You gotta keep your place clean, you have time to look after yourself," Ward 5 Councilor Bob Campbell said. "Conversely there is a responsibility from the city or other folks within the community to carry out those expectations like trash service or needle collection."

The idea of having multiple camps, each focusing on a different need like drug treatment or those seeking work, was also floated by several members of the working group.

Pushback from Midtown

During public comment, half a dozen members of the Missoula Midtown Association asked the workshop to impose a specific policy banning camping in certain areas.

Melanie Brock, the association's executive director, requested a ban on camping in a "buffer zone" that would extend 300 feet from schools, shelters, parks and trails.

"Residents of Midtown have so much compassion for our unhoused neighbors and we are grateful for the work that this working group is doing," Brock said. "But today I ask you to please have compassion for the residents and businesses of Midtown."

The area around Montana Rail Link Park has been one of the most affected by homelessness, she said, adding that the park opened in 2019, followed the next year by the nearby Johnson Street shelter.

The association has met with the city a dozen times about the issue, she said. The group said safety has been a top concern for families in the area, which Brock said the city hasn't followed through on addressing.

"Promises were made to protect the neighborhood that have not been kept," Brock said, referencing a buffer zone that was promised to the organization years ago. "When we asked what is the plan for public safety in the park this summer, we're told the city is awaiting this group's recommendation."

Accountability, safety

Members at the meeting sparred over the best way to handle accountability of homeless people, with some members pushing for a new way to process the unhoused when they get in trouble with the law.

"A lot of the people I talked to wanted some accountability on all sides," said Brad Carlson, an unhoused member of the workshop. "Some people are saying the police aren't doing enough, or maybe they are not doing the right thing in certain situations."

Some members of the workshop wanted to outlaw the city's citizen complaint system, arguing it worsens tensions with the unhoused and can escalate complaints into more severe penalties.

Ward 6 Councilor Kristen Jordan did not speak directly on the complaint system, but did say the policies the city currently enforces hurt the homeless.

"It's a systemic issue for me that we did not come into this work group trying to address the needs of the businesses, the residents and the unhoused neighbors rather than focusing on the fact that urban camping pisses everybody off and we have to get rid of it," Jordan said.

Councilor Jones opposed getting rid of the complaint system. As explained by city staff at the last meeting, you can't submit a complaint anonymously and Jones said the system is used for much more than urban camping.

"That's how the city knows when stuff is going on, it's like potholes," Jones said. "So I feel like it has some other connotations from what it truly is."

Members also questioned how judges can impose reasonable penalties against homeless people, and Missoula Justice Court Judge Jacob Coolidge said many proposed options are mostly dead-end ideas.

He said the framework around punishing the unhoused is broken because the city keeps trying to remedy issues in court rather than provide services.

"I believe the more valuable intervention mechanism is with the officers and referrals to services at the initial point," Coolidge said. "... if the thing that keeps someone from housing is lack of resources and gaps of services, that's what we need to give them."

Questions loom

The working group did create some policy ideas at both the ordinance and overarching levels, but none of the work Wednesday was ready to move forward for city council consideration.

It is still unclear what the group will create and, technically, the group has no obligation to create a result. One question that has been unanswered is how the city plans to pay for any new program or project, like an additional TSOS.

The Missoulian previously reported that the city and the county collectively spend $4 million on homelessness annually. More than $1.7 million of that money last year was used to fund the Johnson Street shelter.

Those dollars also came from ARPA, and neither the city nor county have any money allocated for the shelter after September. Ward 3 Councilor Daniel Carlino questioned the working group's ability to make policy without a budget to reference.

"If we don't have enough money for the solutions we would like to see, we should really have a real list with how much money we are working with," Carlino said, adding he thinks the city has underestimated its spending.

The workshop plans to use its fourth and fifth scheduled meetings to develop and finalize a plan for urban camping. The fourth meeting will be on April 17, while the fifth is tentatively scheduled for April 24.
Here are some of the headlines from this past week in the Missoulian. To read the full stories, click the link on each headline:

The battle over whether a massive copper mine can open along tributaries of central Montana's famed Smith River could hinge on one basic question: What activities constitute a "use" of water?

At issue is a water use permit the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation issued to Sandfire Resources, formerly known as Tintina, to use 114 million gallons of water annually for ore processing. The water would be pumped out of underground mine workings, a process known as "dewatering" that must take place so workers can access the mine.

But the 114 million gallons the DNRC permitted the mine to use is less than half of the total amount it will remove from the mine through dewatering. The total amount is projected to be about 263 million gallons. The remaining 149 million gallons not covered by the permit would be pumped back into the ground to recharge the aquifer, but at times would first be stored on the surface for up to three months to make sure it meets water quality standards.

Sierra Paske figured shed be the only Native scientist in the chemistry lab, so selecting a Ph.D. program at an institution with a strong Indigenous community elsewhere on campus was a top priority.

I knew when I went to graduate school that I was going to be the only Native person in my entire department, and thats still true four years later, Paske said.

Paske is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at the University of Montana. She teaches courses to undergraduates and conducts molecular research that could expedite the drug discovery process. When shes not donning her lab coat and tinkering with delicate instruments, Paske is the treasurer of the Indigenous Graduate Student Association. Officially launched this academic year, the group connects Native students across graduate departments.

Theres not a whole lot of graduate students, and the number of those that are Indigenous is even smaller, Paske said. We understand what it feels like, you know, to be that single person in your department, and how isolating that can feel. This gives everyone another community to build off of and, at least, talk to.

UMs flagship campus in Missoula has been making strides to improve inclusivity across its graduate programs, and some of those efforts are yielding real results. But major barriers still remain that make postsecondary education difficult for many students, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, to pursue.

Almost every school district in Missoula County has proposed ballot levies to supplement their budgets for the upcoming school election this spring.

Meanwhile, the vote for area school boards will feature competitive races in Missoula, Frenchtown, Potomac, Lolo and Clinton districts, while one school still has an open seat up for grabs. The deadline to file for the May 7 election was March 28, with multiple candidates filing on the last day of eligibility.

Establishing an additional Temporary Safe Outdoor Space percolated to the top of the priority list for the Missoula Urban Camping Working Group this week, but finalized solutions remain unclear with only two remaining scheduled meetings.

The Missoula City Council and 12 other community members spent five hours on Wednesday exploring prospective policy to remedy people sleeping outside in public spaces. That number, according to the city, is roughly 100 people in tents and vehicles.

The working group spent much of the day brainstorming both an overarching city policy around urban camping, as well as specific ordinances that the council can pass to alleviate the issue in the short-term.

Members of the group representing local businesses and neighborhoods expressed frustration over urban camping near the Johnson Street shelter. One working group member said he feels residents in the area have become the "minority" in city policy.

Addressing urban camping for some meant minimizing the root causes of homelessness, while others wanted to prioritize clearing up parks, businesses and areas where homeless people frequently set up camp.

A longtime local restaurant has a newly-remodeled interior, and there's an end-of-season ski party planned in the Bitterroot.

Three water main replacement projects are scheduled to start across Missoula on Monday, city officials announced this week.

The projects will happen on East Front Street, West Pine Street and Edith Street, according to a news release from Missoulas Public Works and Mobility Department. They will wrap up at various points throughout the summer.

The project on E. Front St. involves the area between Madison Street and Van Buren Street and extends into Monroe, Jackson, and Van Buren streets, requiring closure to through traffic on these streets, the news release states.

People hoping to hunt shed elk antlers by vehicle on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area northeast of Missoula must register in advance to get an early place at the gate this year.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks will allow vehicle entry to the popular WMA's east entrance by random drawing among the registered participants starting at noon, May 15. Participants can register online starting at noon April 1 through midnight April 19. To register and for more information, visit fwp.mt.gov and look for a link on the main page.

FWP officials have observed several hundred vehicles, as well as some campers and horse trailers, staged along Highway 83 in anticipation of the shed-hunting opening day. Some took up positions several weeks in advance.

 Missoulian staff

More Montana high schoolers considered, planned and attempted suicide last school year than in the three decades before, according to results from a statewide survey.

Over 25% of high school students said they seriously considered suicide at some point in the 12 months prior, and 15% made an attempt. These are the largest documented numbers since high schoolers have been taking the questionnaire.

Developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is distributed to Montana students once every two years, most recently in the spring of 2023. Nearly 4,500 students across 50 public high schools completed the latest version. It consisted of 97 questions to assess the behaviors that can lead to poor health outcomes.

Mental health among young Montanans has been a persistent issue.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Comments are set to close Monday night on the U.S. Forest Service's latest step to revise the overarching plan that guides management of the 2 million-acre Lolo National Forest.

Changes contained in the proposed revision have some people worried about the potential of allowing activities like logging, road-building and livestock grazing in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area immediately north of Missoula. Such activities have generally not occurred there since the area was designated by Congress in 1980 with a requirement of minimal active management  language aimed at preserving primitive qualities and non-motorized recreation.

Forest Supervisor Carolyn Upton sought to clarify the proposal's impact in a statement Tuesday. She wrote that the Forest Service would remain bound to the 1992 management plan for the Rattlesnake NRA, and that the division of various overlapping management layers into separate chapters in the proposal may have led people to believe the agency would open the area to previously excluded activities. Each overlapping management layer, she wrote, carries its own restrictions, meaning that any single layer's regulations were not an accurate reflection of how an area subject to multiple layers of regulation might be managed.

Upton's statement did not specifically address logging, road-building or grazing  three activities mentioned in an opinion column by Andy Kulla, a former longtime recreation manager on the Lolo who spent 20 years overseeing the Rattlesnake NRA and wrote its 1992 management plan. But Upton wrote that "it was not the intent of the proposed action to substantially change the current management" of the Rattlesnake NRA.

At 2:30 a.m. every morning, about two dozen workers show up to a giant new Amazon warehouse outside of Missoula to sort through between 7,000 and 10,000 packages and get them ready to be delivered in the area. Its organized chaos, with a very refined and precise system thats been honed over the years to maximize efficiency.

On Wednesday morning, Gov. Greg Gianforte, Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier and other city officials were in town for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new 72,000-square-foot delivery station. Its the first operational facility in Montana for Amazon, which is the worlds largest online retailer and the second largest retailer behind Walmart. Amazon reported over $574 billion in sales in 2023, a 12% jump over the previous year.

The facility hired about 100 workers employed by Amazon and supports another 80 third-party contractors who drive the packages to customers within a 50-mile radius in all directions.

The University of Montana hosts a spring percussion concert, local stars dance with Arts Missoula, and two Montana poets are featured in one reading at Shakespeare and Co. this week.

In "Problemista," she plays an art-world weirdo who sponsors an El Salvador toy designer who faces deportation. Plus you still still see "Dune: Part Two," or a silent film where the protagonist battles "Hundreds of Beavers."

 Charlotte Macorn, for the Missoulian

On Monday evening, musicians set up for spontaneous jam sessions in an unexpected venue: the top floor of the Missoula Public Library.

Their only prompt came from the sessions leader, Naomi Moon Siegel: Remember to be in service of the music.

The spirit of listening and the surprising contrasts it generates were a few of the goals at the first new version of the FreeSessions, a monthly creative meet-up that Siegel and fellow improviser Bill Kautz started back in 2017.

Part of the mission is to break down silos between different genres and learn from each other.

In a city the size of Missoula, Siegel said she believes its important that noise musicians talk to the country musicians, hang out with the jazz musicians and the sound engineers and the university musicians.

Missoula's Clark Fork Farmers Market will likely return to its previous location east of Caras Park after a city committee unanimously approved the move Wednesday.

The market is one of several that take over downtown on Saturdays from May to October. Kaylee Nelson, the market's executive director, said the move will benefit people with mobility issues and also expand the number of vendors.

"The other areas we were using did not really have a good drop off place for people who are disabled," Nelson said. Among other benefits would be better trash collection and general safety for pedestrians.

The market moved from Pattee Street to the other side of Caras Park in 2020, when NorthWestern Energy reconstructed its downtown power station.

BROWNING  Wearing a white sequin shawl and matching ribbon skirt, esteemed actress Lily Gladstone kneeled on the floor of the new arbor on the Blackfeet Reservation as tribal elders placed a stand-up headdress atop her head.

Thousands of people who traveled across the country  and from Canada  to honor Gladstone watched in silence.

Gladstone stood and embraced tribal leaders. Then, with one hand over her heart and the other holding onto Charlene Plume, the elder who made her headdress, Gladstone danced in a circle around the arbor. Members of the Womens Stand-Up Headdress Society, tribal leaders, dignitaries, students, teachers and children followed behind.

The sound of drums boomed, and the crowd erupted.

Gladstone, who grew up in Browning and East Glacier, recently rose to worldwide fame after starring in Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon alongside Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.

She made history, becoming the first Indigenous person to win a Golden Globe award for best actress and the first to be nominated for best actress at the Oscars.

At Tuesdays event  which included a grand entry, flag song, prayer, speeches from dignitaries, honor song and round dance  leaders thanked Gladstone for representing the Blackfeet Nation on the world stage and for being a role model for young people.

It looks like Missoulas new workforce housing funding mechanism has a few things that need to be worked out.

On Tuesday afternoon at a special meeting, the Missoula Redevelopment Agencys board of commissioners deferred making a decision on whether to approve spending up to $1.3 million in Tax Increment Financing to help a development team build 13 rental apartments that would be income-restricted at 85% of Area Median Income for a 30-year affordability period.

The decision to hold off on taking a vote came after two hours of debate about how much the city should subsidize a private housing project and what rents the developers should be able to charge if they get that subsidy.

It's the first time this type of project has been proposed in Montana, according to MRA director Ellen Buchanan.

Children in Montana with arthritis have historically traveled out of state to get essential care, but last fall Montana got its first full-time pediatric rheumatologist to better care for an often underreported chronic illness.

Dr. Julie Campbell started work with Logan Health last October. She told the Missoulian that her new role has her based in Missoula, but she travels across the state to clinics in smaller cities to provide direct care where it's needed.

"Patients just had a long way to go and often were not being seen in a timely manner at all or in some cases," Campbell said of the situation prior to her being hired. "It has just been hard to recruit somebody to work here and in some respects having an organization take a chance on hiring a full-time person because the care is so spread out."

Pediatric rheumatologists look over children with musculoskeletal diseases, including arthritis, lupus, vasculitis and other autoinflammatory syndromes.

Life-saving Narcan spray will soon be available for free throughout Missoula.

Vending machines dispensing Naloxone spray and fentanyl test strips are going up at four locations around town, United Way of Missoula County and Missoula Public Health announced on Monday. Naloxone is a nasal spray that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, including those of fentanyl. Narcan is the device that delivers the naloxone.

The vending machines are about making Narcan accessible to the public, Susan Hay Patrick, CEO of United Way of Missoula County, said in a phone call with the Missoulian.

We know law enforcement already carries Narcan, we just want to expand access to Narcan, she said.

The four machines are going up at the Johnson Street shelter, Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, Hope Rescue Mission and the Mountain Line transfer station downtown.

The Missoula City Council continued its effort to remove red tape around housing and development through code changes and zoning updates on Monday.

The council's changes to city code, which regulates building and other public utilities in Missoula, included increasing the size of accessory dwelling units, while also making alterations required by the state Legislature.

Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are secondary homes on a single lot. The 2023 state Legislature passed a law requiring cities to allow ADUs across all zoning categories.

Council voted to increase the maximum size allowed for ADUs from 1,000 square feet to 1,200 square feet, a proposal brought by Ward 3 Councilor Daniel Carlino.

The council also voted unanimously to use up to $857,000 in potential grant money from the State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act to repair the John Engen Building.

The city would then pay for the remaining 25% of the project as a requirement of the legislation.

The process is unique, said Eric Hallstrom, chief operations officer for the city of Missoula, as grants usually do not need council approval. But this special legislation would guarantee the city money, as long as it follows guidelines by the state and federal department of commerce.

A Lake County judge facing backlash over her handling of a child custody case tendered her resignation earlier this month, according to a letter sent to the Montana Supreme Court.

Judge Deborah Kim Christopher, who served as a county district judge for nearly 25 years, announced her resignation from the bench in a letter dated March 15. Her resignation is effective April 5. The letter, first reported by the Lake County Leader, is addressed to Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath.

It has been my privilege to serve Lake and Sanders counties in the Twentieth Judicial District for almost 24 years, Christopher wrote. I still remain awed by the power and authority the citizens in Lake and Sanders counties entrusted to me in electing and reelecting me four separate times.

Christopher detailed her extensive legal career, including working in private practice, as a deputy county attorney in Cascade County and as the Lake County Attorney. She also served in the U.S. Army, but Christopher wrote, nothing is "richer" to her than being elected as a district judge.

As you also know I didnt get it right all the time and I was always thankful to know if I got it wrong, there were seven Supreme Court Justices who would fix it, she wrote. "Given the incredible power held by a district judge with people's lives, children, money, property and futures, the position always weighed heavily on me."

When Lona Running Wolf started working with Hutterite schools, she was struck by what she saw unfolding on the colonies. She felt it was reminiscent of what transpired among her own community, the Blackfeet Nation. She saw a group with rich culture and language traditions that, she felt, risked being disenfranchised, bit by bit, by a system designed without their specific needs and history in mind.

I was one of those people that, you know, believed the stereotypes of Hutterites, Running Wolf said. I just didnt realize the similarities between the disparities we have both faced. I told them, I dont want what happened to us and our language to happen to you guys.

Running Wolf oversaw American Indian Student Achievement at the Office of Public Instruction before she became an educational consultant with a focus on instruction support. Shes dedicated much of her career to building programs that use language and culture lessons to help students from different backgrounds learn more. Her hope, she says, is that this type of structure leads to increased success and prevents students identities from being diminished.

Thats what equity is to me, she said. Its designing a system thats specific for those types of learners.

The 1972 Montana Constitution guarantees the right to a free, quality and equal education through high school to every person in the state. When the state Supreme Court identified ambiguity in that promise, the Legislature was forced to go further in crafting a definition. It wrote that the states public education system should develop the full educational potential of each person, what Lance Melton, a longtime education legal expert in Montana, called a tall order.

For many years, schoolhouses on Hutterite colonies have been part of the local public school district and overseen by the school board. Instruction has occurred onsite at the colonies. Recent legislation attempting to simplify the management and operation of these offsite Hutterite schools has made some districts reluctant to continue this arrangement. A few say they can no longer provide public education services to colony schools, but will happily provide Hutterites with transportation to public schools in town.

The Missoula city government has spent about $138,000 since the beginning of last summer on cleanups and code compliance related to unsheltered living and RVs in the public right-of-way, according to city records.

The city compiles urban camping reports for each month and posts the total cleanup costs associated with each event.

For example, in August of 2023, the city spent $13,729 for a "coordinated, all-day effort on the part of multiple departments to remove garbage, debris, needles, human waste, RVs and trailers" from Market Street. That included a vacuum truck, a backhoe, a police presence, a hired towing service for the removal of seven motor homes and dump fees.

In September of last year, the city spent $3,081 for a cleanup at the Downtown Lions Park.

Another group has joined the chorus of officials expressing frustration with the state education agency for delays in implementing laws passed during the last legislative session.

This time, its the Board of Public Education, a governor-appointed oversight board. Members unanimously agreed during a special meeting on Monday to send a letter to Superintendent Elsie Arntzen voicing disagreement with how the Office of Public Instruction has handled public charter legislation.

It is my hope and prayer that approval of this formal letter (...) will get this process moving so that these innovative programs designed to benefit students of Montana may open on time as expected, said Tim Tharp, chair of the BPE from Savage.

Under House Bill 549, BPE is responsible for approving public charter school applications. It approved 19 proposals in January, 18 of which are slated to open their doors for the next school year. However, OPI asserts charters need to go through the existing school opening process for traditional, non-charter public schools.

This would mean school district applicants must receive separate and additional approval from the superintendents office and/or local county commissioners.

As of Monday, OPI has refused to assign a school code to the charters already approved by BPE, which is necessary to be able to begin allocating funding and crafting a preliminary budget. BPE's letter directs the agency to do so.
Three weeks ago, Capt. Brant Bristol of the Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department competed in the Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle.

The Butte firefighter placed ninth among 1,822 participants. Carrying about 50 pounds of equipment, Bristol climbed the 69 flights of Seattles Columbia Center in 13 minutes, 12 seconds. At an elevation of 788 feet, it takes 1,356 steps to reach the top.

That feat alone is worth writing about, but thats just a chapter to a unique story that began last year, when Bristol, 37, was gravely injured while fighting a fire.

On May 7, 2023, a roof partially collapsed on Bristol as he and his crew fought a fire on Yale Avenue. He sustained a fractured neck and a dislocated spine but considers himself lucky.

Thank God I had my helmet on correctly, said Bristol. I never lost consciousness.

Bristol also feels lucky that fellow firefighters Mark McCarthy, Dan Boyle, Matt Pokorny, Josh Allmendinger, Levi Davenport, Shawn Coates, and Konnor ONeill were at the scene.

He mentioned them all by name because he believes he would not be walking if it wasnt for them.

I remember struggling to breathe and those men painstakingly removing three layers of my uniform, backboarding me properly, and securing my spine, said Bristol. I owe those guys my health and my life.

Quote Hes a pretty special person. I dont know if he even knows how proud the entire department is of him. Zach Osborne, Butte-Silver Bow Fire Chief

The injured Bristol was transported to a Missoula hospital where his spine was put back into alignment, followed by neck surgery. It was post-surgery that rattled Bristol, as he suffered from non-stop nerve and muscle pain.

The first month was tough, said Bristol, who had a hard time sleeping sitting up. It was brutal.

Even with the necessary neck brace, which Bristol had to wear for three months, occupational therapy started six weeks after the accident. Soon, OT was just not enough, and the recovering firefighter would find himself walking to the Uptown Fire Station following his therapy to use the workplace gym.

As a member of the firefighters health and wellness committee, a group he helped establish 18 months ago, Bristol began working out little by little until he regained the 15 pounds of muscle he lost after the accident.

The workouts helped with my recovery and was the motivation I needed, said Bristol, who was promoted to captain in 2021.

His perseverance led to him being back on the job by the second week of October. He missed the camaraderie he had with his fellow firefighters.

I was nervous and anxious, but very excited, said Bristol. Its my identity, my passion.

B-SB Fire Chief Zach Osborne was not surprised to see Bristol, whom he described as an upbeat leader, back on the job.

Brant was missed while he was gone, said Osborne. Its a testament to how he lives his life.

The fire chief admitted, though, that Bristols return was even sooner than he expected.

Brant worked extremely hard to get back to work, said Osborne. Hes pretty unbelievable.

Fellow firefighters Aaron Facincani and Jerry Ellison are glad to have him back at the Harrison Avenue Station. Apparently, Bristol is a pretty good cook.

Its not quiet, thats for sure, Facincani said with a laugh, adding, Hes very professional but also knows how to have fun.

Ellison, who has been with the fire department for six years, described Bristol as a bundle of energy.

Hes definitely been a mentor to me, said Ellison.

Theres a prologue to Bristols story. Last year was not the first time he underwent major surgery.

In 2011, while attending paramedic school in Arizona, Bristol learned he was suffering from Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, which the Mayo Clinic describes as a disease in which scar tissue develops on the glomeruli, the small parts of the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

FSGS can be life-threatening, with dialysis or a kidney transplant the only options.

Thanks to his brother Justin, who turned out to be a perfect match, the firefighter received his new kidney three months after the initial diagnosis.

Six months after the successful transplant, he was back in Butte and the towns newest firefighter.

It was always my dream, said Bristol.

In the years following the transplant, Bristol married his longtime girlfriend, Megan Holland, and the couple are now the parents of three boys, Beckam, Coyer and Theo.

He gives major credit to his wife, who he said has always supported him and his decisions.

My wife was scared of me going back to work, but she has been there for me, said Bristol. I am blessed and grateful.

This was not the first time Bristol has participated in Seattles Firefighter Stairclimb, which benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It probably wont be his last. Hes a veteran competitor, not just in Seattle, but in Portland, Oregon, as well.

Bristol was a participant last year, competing just two months before being injured, climbing to the top in 13 minutes, 29 seconds. He beat that time this year by 17 seconds.

Again, Fire Chief Osborne was not surprised.

Hes a pretty special person, he said. I dont know if he even knows how proud the entire department is of him.
More Montana high schoolers considered, planned and attempted suicide last school year than in the three decades before, according to results from a statewide survey.

Over 25% of high school students said they seriously considered suicide at some point in the 12 months prior, and 15% made an attempt. These are the largest documented numbers since high schoolers have been taking the questionnaire.

Developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is distributed to Montana students once every two years, most recently in the spring of 2023. Nearly 4,500 students across 50 public high schools completed the latest version. It consisted of 97 questions to assess the behaviors that can lead to poor health outcomes.

Mental health among young Montanans has been a persistent issue.

The 2021 YRBS found that 41% of students reported symptoms of depression, and 1 in 10 made suicide attempts. At the time, those were the highest-ever rates. Government officials touted a multimillion-dollar effort in 2023 to offer universal mental health screening to students and pair those deemed at-risk with services.

But this years numbers havent budged. In fact, theyve gotten worse. Almost 43% of students said they felt so sad or hopeless for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped engaging in usual activities, a tell-tale sign of depression. Female students experienced stress, anxiety or depression at a rate double their male peers.

Flathead, Glacier, Musselshell and Yellowstone counties had the highest percentages of students who considered suicide. These same counties saw more students struggling with signs of depression. Nearly 22% and 21% of students in Glacier and Blaine counties said they attempted suicide.

For the first time, the survey asked if students worked with a mental health provider at school, and 24% of students said they did.

It is important to allow our Montana students to let their voices be heard, said Elsie Arntzen, state superintendent, in a statement. There are still challenges with the mental well-being of our children.

Substance use and technology

Drinking then driving and not wearing a seat belt have been on a general steady decline for the last couple of decades. As technology has become ubiquitous in the life of the average teenager, so too have behaviors involving electronics that could cause them danger.

Nearly 60% of students reported texting or emailing while driving, the highest in the last 10 years, and over half said they use the internet or other cellular apps while behind the wheel.

On substance use, alcohol and smokeless tobacco are becoming less widespread. But 9% of students used cigarettes, a six-year peak. Marijuana use is virtually unchanged at 21% over the last 20 years.

But where alcohol use continues to be prevalent, it has a hold. Nearly 41% of Valley County students said theyve had 10 or more drinks in a row within a couple hours. That's sky-high compared with the statewide average of 4.5%.

Heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine werent reported to be used as widely as prescription pain medicines for non-medicinal reasons. About 14% of students said they were using prescription meds in this way, which is an increase since pre-COVID but down in the last decade.

Bullying continues to be a concern. After reaching its low point of 15.6% of students who said they experienced bullying in 2021, the number jumped to 25.3%. A lot of bullying takes place electronically.

Almost every county had more than 20% of students reporting they had been bullied on school property in the last year. Reported rates were highest in Choteau, Flathead, Sanders and Stillwater counties, topping 30%.

Sex and violence

Over 10% of students said they were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, the most since the question started being asked 30 years ago.

Stillwater County had the highest percentage of students who said they had carried a weapon on school property in the last 30 days at 23%. Richland County had the lowest at 5.4%.

Nearly twice as many students got into a fight on school property in 2023 as compared with 2021, and 12% of high schoolers said they didnt go to school because they felt unsafe on campus or while en route. Thats a significant jump from 6.6% in 2021.

Fewer students have had sex, and those who are having it are doing so with fewer partners. However, more people are having unprotected sex now than since 1997.

After remaining fairly steady for the better part of two decades, the percentage of students who reported being forced to have sexual intercourse has ticked up in the last few years from 9.8% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023. A declining share of students said they were physically abused by their dating partner.

Numbers were the worst in Missoula County. About 18% of students said they had been forced to have sexual intercourse against their will, the highest of any in the state.

Lifestyle behaviors

Health often reflects the cumulative impact of day-to-day living, so the survey asks about a number of lifestyle behaviors to gauge well-being.

A growing share of students are not eating vegetables regularly, and soda consumption increased for the first time since 2017. More high schoolers are not getting breakfast, topping 20% for the first time ever.

Physical activity has remained fairly consistent, but the percentage of high schoolers spending three or more hours per day on a screen unrelated to school work has shot up. In 2019, 56% of students said this characterized their digital behavior. In 2021 and 2023, that number remained steady at nearly 72%.

Almost 82% of students said they use social media one or more times a day.

Rates of obesity and being overweight jumped up, too. More than double the number of students are overweight as compared to 2021.

Teens are sleeping less. In 2015, nearly 33% got eight hours or more of shuteye on an average school night. This survey showed 26%.
MARION  The Marion man who allegedly threatened the lives of two men Saturday night at their home has now been charged with attempted murder.

Tyler Austin Messer, 29, of Marion, was taken into custody on Sunday and charged with assault by pointing a gun, two counts of trespassing and two counts of stalking.

On Thursday, the McDowell County Sheriffs Office charged Messer with two counts of felonious attempted first-degree murder and felonious attempting to discharge a weapon into an occupied dwelling. These charges are in addition to the original charges filed against him, according to a MCSO news release.

On the night of Saturday, March 23, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Deep Woods Drive near Marion about a male subject with a rifle on the victims back porch. Messer attempted to discharge the weapon into the residence but was unsuccessful, the release said. He fled the scene and deputies were unable to locate him at that time. With video footage from the victims home surveillance cameras and the help of the community, detectives were able to identify the male suspect as Tyler Messer. The investigation led detectives to the recovery of a rifle and other physical evidence belonging to Messer which led to the updated charges.

Messer was issued a $1 million secured bond, according to the news release. He is scheduled to appear in McDowell County Court on Monday for the original charges and appear again on Wednesday, April 17 for the additional and more serious charges.

The incident was first made public on Sunday when Billy Brooks and Preston McHone shared their home surveillance video on Facebook. It occurred Saturday, March 23 at 11:13 p.m. at their home in the Deep Woods development off Hankins Road. The video made with their home security camera shows Messer wearing camouflage clothing and pointing a gun toward one of their windows.

It was not a toy he brought to our home, McHone to The McDowell News. Its a rifle, but Im no expert on recognizing models. His intent was to murder us both. The main consensus at this moment is the weapon was loaded, but it either misfired, or from what I can tell, he forgot to chamber a round.

After he first pulled the trigger, Messer attempted to reload a round. At that point, McHone was already turning around in the kitchen and alerted Brooks that someone is outside their house. Their dogs started barking at the intruder.

Thats when he decides to leave, said McHone.

Brooks previously told The McDowell News that Messer had come to their house on three separate occasions within the last couple of years asking for his father. Each time, they told Messer that his father didnt live there.

What I want out there is I have absolutely no connection to him other than the house, Brooks told The McDowell News. His dad lived there before we purchased it in 2017.

A magistrate bail form about Messer states the defendant is mentally ill. Defendant stated to family that he was going to rid the world of sin. Defendant trespassed pointed an AR at victims, pulled the trigger but gun did not fire. Defendant is mentally ill has ability to get firearmsbelieves that victims kidnapped his father & are involved in sex trafficking. Defendant is very dangerous in current state of mind.

Brooks told The McDowell News he was told by two sources that Messer thinks that he and McHone, along with his dad, are running a child sex ring.

Hes obviously delusional and dangerous, Brooks added. He had come to my house on three separate occasions within last couple of years asking for his dad, Scott Cowart, each time telling him he didnt live here. Two years later hes still convinced.

Detective Kyle Gibson is investigating the case.
Preparations for China-U.S. military maritime consultative agreement meeting going smoothly: spokesperson

Xinhua) 09:19, March 29, 2024

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The preparations for a China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meeting are well underway, and relevant information will be released in due course, a Chinese military spokesperson said on Thursday.

The two sides are also in coordination on communication and exchanges in other areas, Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a regular press conference.

This year the Chinese and U.S. militaries have made concerted efforts to steadily resume dialogues and consultations on the basis of equality and respect, in a bid to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco, Wu noted.

The 17th China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks was held in Washington D.C. from Jan. 8 to Jan. 9, Wu said, adding that from Jan. 5 to Jan. 19, the Chinese side assisted the U.S. side in visiting Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Hunan Province to conduct site surveys in search of the remains of missing U.S. military personnel in China during WWII.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Wu expressed the hope that the U.S. side will earnestly respect China's core interests and work with the Chinese side towards the same direction to jointly promote the sound, stable and sustainable development of military-to-military relations.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
RALEIGH  As spring starts, the N.C. Department of Transportation is gearing up for its annual Spring Litter Sweep from April 13-27.

The Spring Litter Sweep, one of NCDOTs roadside litter removal initiatives, harnesses the power of community engagement to tackle the issue of roadside litter. During the two-week period, residents are encouraged to participate in local efforts to help clean up North Carolinas roads.

Were grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers who step up each year to participate in the litter sweeps, said David Harris, NCDOTs Roadside Environmental engineer. Their commitment to helping us keep our roadsides clean is truly commendable. Their hard work and passion contribute to a cleaner, greener North Carolina for generations to come.

In addition to volunteers, NCDOT maintenance crews devote one week of their time picking up litter and collecting trash bags that are filled by volunteers. People interested in volunteering during the Spring Litter Sweep can request gloves, safety vests and bags from their local county maintenance offices.

For those eager to lend a hand, simply reach out to your local litter management coordinator to get started.

Check out the Litter Sweep webpage for all the details.
I think the North Carolina General Assembly deserves loads of credit for making our tax code friendlier to growth, investment and freedom. In one respect, however, the state still imposes too heavy a load. It requires too many out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales taxes. Lawmakers ought to fix this problem when they reconvene April 24.

Yes, I know it may sound odd to prioritize a tax change that, by definition, wont benefit businesses based here. But hear me out. Our current filing threshold is unfair and out of step with that of most Southeastern states. Moreover, changing it will have only a modest impact on our future revenues.

First, some background. Until fairly recently, a state or local jurisdiction couldnt really compel a company to charge and remit sales taxes unless it was headquartered or had a substantial physical footprint in the jurisdiction.

The rise of online commerce rendered that standard increasingly hard to defend. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a pivotal decision in a case called South Dakota vs. Wayfair. Rather than requiring a physical presence in a jurisdiction to establish a nexus for tax purposes, the majority ruled that it would be enough to have a significant economic presence in the jurisdiction.

In other words, if a company in Oregon does a substantial amount of business with consumers in North Carolina, the company ought to be required to collect and pay sales tax to North Carolina. Otherwise, competing retailers in North Carolina have to shoulder higher compliance costs and charge higher prices (because theres a sales tax embedded in them).

Moreover, the argument goes, governments charge sales taxes in order to pay for public services. While it makes intuitive sense that businesses with a physical presence in a jurisdiction collect taxes to help pay for the services that make their operations possible, even remote sellers and their customers benefit from some public services (one example might be courts for adjudicating potential disputes) and thus ought to have a role in financing those services. Rightly or wrongly, the four-justice majority agreed.

Now, Wayfair doesnt allow governments to compel all retailers in the country to collect and remit sales taxes, regardless of how much business they do within a given jurisdiction. The justices ruled that small retailers ought not be unduly burdened, though they left it up to states to set the minimum thresholds that would trigger sales-tax liability.

Manish Bhatt, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, observed in a recent study that states with sales taxes have chosen three different solutions. Twenty-five states  including our neighbors South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia  use a minimum dollar amount of retail sales as the threshold. Another 19 states, including North Carolina, require that retailers with a minimum revenue or a minimum number of retail transactions in their jurisdictions collect and remit sales taxes. Finally, Connecticut and New York require both a minimum revenue and a minimum number of transactions to trigger sales-tax liability.

Bhatt argued that the transactions threshold should go. Establishing economic nexus through transactions alone is quite burdensome, he wrote, as compliance costs associated with collection and remittance requirements could be greater than the business transacted.

North and South Carolina illustrate the difference. Both states have set the minimum sales figure at $100,000 a year. But only North Carolina requires that out-of-state retailers with less than $100,000 in annual sales still file taxes if they conduct at least 200 transactions in the current or prior year.

This is preposterous. I admit that very few small retailers are likely to be caught in this net  but none deserves to be. If your company is doing less than $100,000 in sales here, your economic presence in North Carolina is minuscule. Our sales-tax rule may make you think doing business here a waste of your time.

Id rather let North Carolinians decide from whom they buy goods and services. Our state should adopt South Carolinas standard.
Josh Bryson of Atlantic Richfield/BP confirmed Thursday night that analysis to date suggests the Berkeley Pit is the preferred option for a repository to receive contaminated materials from Superfund sites in the Silver Bow Creek Corridor.

We want to put as much as we can in the Pit, as soon as we can, he said.

Yet he and others, including Mark Thompson of Montana Resources, emphasized that additional and complex analyses will be required in the months ahead to determine whether the Pit is a viable and feasible repository alternative and one that clears regulatory hurdles.

Bryson said transporting the wastes from the Silver Bow Creek Corridor to the Pit or other repository sites presents another knotty problem.

There are certainly challenges with the project being in the center of town, he said.

EPA, in consultation with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, will have the ultimate say about repository locations. And there will likely be more than one because even if the Berkeley Pit passes muster after geochemical and geotechnical studies there will be certain contaminants that must be deposited in a land-based repository, Bryson said.

Both he and Thompson are members of the Repository Site Screening Committee. The committee met Thursday and its deliberations were available for public viewing but not public comment.

J.P. Gallagher, another committee member, noted there will be opportunities for the public to ask questions and comment as the process advances. Gallagher is chief executive of Butte-Silver Bow County.

Another point emphasized repeatedly Thursday was that the siting process is on a tight schedule. Atlantic Richfield/BP hopes to begin excavating contaminated materials from one or more of the large project sites in Silver Bow Creek Corridor by May 2025. Those wastes need somewhere to go.

In addition, committee members said Thursday that the Butte community longs for the federal Superfund process to move forward.

Audubon magazine described the Berkeley Pit as a poisonous pool after its toxic waters killed thousands of migrating snow geese in 2016.

Now, the Berkeley Pit might serve a more constructive role for the Butte community.

Other potential repository sites mentioned Thursday included the Kelley Mine Area, the existing Butte Mine Waste Repository and a Shields Avenue location on Montana Resources property.

Officials have said the Butte Mine Waste Repository does not have the capacity to accept the anticipated volume of materials from sites within the Silver Bow Creek Corridor. The repository currently accepts wastes retrieved in Butte from residential yards and attics and that work is expected to continue and possibly even expand.

However, the Butte Mine Waste Repository could potentially receive hydrocarbon-contaminated soils from the corridor sites after a treatment at the repository using landfarming  a wastes treatment process where contaminated soils are mixed, tilled and aerated.

Atlantic Richfield/BP said a Shields Avenue repository on Montana Resources property could be used for disposal of other material not suitable for the Berkeley Pit. Those materials could include organic-rich soils, such as peats, and oversized materials that cannot be slurried, the company said.

Atlantic Richfield/BP provided a description before Thursdays meeting of how the slurry process could work.

Tailings, wastes and contaminated soils would be excavated, stockpiled and processed at each project site [in the Silver Bow Creek Corridor], the company said. Acceptable materials would be placed into a pug mill, a machine that would mix the material with water from the project sites and Horseshoe Bend effluent line, if necessary.

The Horseshoe Bend Treatment Plant treats water from the Berkeley Pit. Atlantic Richfield/BP and Montana Resources share responsibility for managing the Pit.

After mixing, the slurry would be pumped to the Berkeley Pit through high-density polyethylene pipe and discharged, Atlantic Richfield/BP said. Several booster pumps may be required along the entire pipe alignment.

As work progresses in the Silver Bow Creek Corridor, the pug mill would be relocated within the project sites, reducing the need to transport waste materials to a single, fixed location prior to slurry, according to Atlantic Richfield/BP.

As envisioned, the slurry transport of material could dramatically reduce haul truck traffic on Butte roads.

In March 2020, Atlantic Richfield/BP, EPA, Butte-Silver Bow County and the state announced they had abandoned consideration of Timber Butte as a wastes repository site after vigorous pushback from residents of the area.

In-mid October, Bryson outlined the possible use of the Kelley Mine Area for a wastes repository during a meeting at the Centerville Fire Hall attended by about 70 people. Centerville residents expressed concerns about the communitys potential proximity to a repository that would house wastes contaminated by heavy metals.

Jim Keane, a former legislator in Butte, raised the prospect of using the Berkeley Pit as a repository. Bryson initially dismissed the idea. He cited concerns about the safety of contractors operating heavy equipment on unstable slopes above the Pit.

But Atlantic Richfield/BP warmed to the concept.

Bryson said Thursday that the Berkeley Pit scored high on measures that pondered protection of human health and the environment, transportation safety, haul route feasibility and more.

If the area north of the Kelley Headframe is selected as one repository location, the haul truck route could theoretically pass behind the Montana Resources main office building, proceed on the haul road over the tunnel for the Berkeley Pit viewing area and then travel up to the repository.

One estimate has suggested roughly 850,000 cubic yards of material contaminated with heavy metals would be excavated from sites in the Silver Bow Creek Corridor, including areas such as Diggings East, Butte Reduction Works, Buffalo Gulch and Northside Tailings.

Atlantic Richfield/BP has said that both surface water and groundwater from the location north of the Kelley Headframe drain into the Berkeley Pit.

The Berkeley Pit holds about 49 billion gallons of contaminated, acidic water.

Dumping a total of 850,000 cubic yards or even 1 million cubic yards of mining and smelting wastes excavated and transported over a prolonged period from sites in Butte would likely have little effect on the Pits water level.

Thats according to Ted Duaime, a Butte-based hydrogeologist with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. He has monitored the Berkeley Pit for more than 40 years.

He said slumps and landslides in 1998 and 2012 that dumped somewhere between 500,000 cubic yards and 1 million cubic yards in dramatic one-time events resulted in water level rises between 1 foot and 3 feet.

Duaime has said he supports review of the Pit as a possible repository site.

Excavation of the Berkeley Pit began in 1955 as the Anaconda Co. moved from underground mining to open pit mining. In the years that followed the Pit swallowed Butte neighborhoods like Meaderville, East Butte and McQueen.

Atlantic Richfield acquired the Anaconda Co. in 1977, a purchase that carried profound environmental liabilities under the federal Superfund statute that became law in December 1980. In 1982, Atlantic Richfield announced suspension of Butte operations. And in April of that year it shut down dewatering pumps. The Pit began filling with acidic water.

Thompson has said the Horseshoe Bend Water Treatment Plant has flexibility.

Montana Resources is confident that the existing treatment facilities have ample capacity and are capable of removing any metals or metalloids (such as arsenic) that could add to the contamination of Berkeley Pit water, Thompson said.

The Berkeley Pits dimensions are about 1.25 miles from east-to-west and about 1 mile north-to-south. The Pits depth is about 1,000 feet.

EPA has said it will not sign off on the Pit as a repository until the agency is satisfied its an appropriate recipient of soils, sediments and other materials contaminated with heavy metals from historic mining and smelting.

The EPA has told both Atlantic Richfield/BP and Butte-Silver Bow that any recommendation regarding a repository location will need to be protective of human health and the environment, comply with CERCLA, the BPSOU decision documents, and the Consent Decree.

CERCLA is an abbreviation for the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, informally known as Superfund.

Those decision documents do not currently reference the Berkeley Pit as a potential repository.

EPAs two new remedial project managers in Butte, Emma Rott and Molly Roby, participated in Thursdays meeting. Bryson and Gallagher said it will be helpful if EPAs review of the Pit or other repositories could happen in parallel with technical review.

At some point, Bryson said, Atlantic Richfield/BP will need to know where things stand so it can begin assembling the equipment and materials necessary to proceed  including pipe and a pug mill if the slurry option is selected for wastes transport to the Pit.

Meanwhile, Atlantic Richfield/BP continues design work that will guide cleanup of sites within the Silver Bow Creek Corridor.

This year is going to be hectic, Bryson said.
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.
A former resident of a therapeutic group home in Powell, Wyoming, is suing its owners, alleging that they used the home to obtain free child labor to work on their ranch.

Residential programs for troubled teens across the nation and the West have faced criticism in recent years for lack of oversight and abusive practices. A civil case brought against a northwest Montana troubled teen program on similar grounds ended in a settlement in 2021.

This case, brought by Daniel Cheney, 20, against Heart Mountain New Beginnings (HMNB) and its owners, is one of three pending lawsuits against troubled teen ranches in Powell. The plaintiffs in the two other cases, against Trinity Teen Solutions and Triangle Cross Ranch, are represented by the same lawyers as Cheney.

Jon Carter, who owned and operated HMNB along with his wife, Gael, previously worked at Triangle Cross Ranch, according to court documents. Austin Waisanen, a lawyer representing the Carters, said Carter has not been in contact with the owners of that program for 20 years.

Both Trinity Teen Solutions and HMNB are now closed. Waisanen said HMNB closed because the Carters retired.

The lawyers arguing on behalf of Cheney and plaintiffs in the other cases argue that all three facilities used the teens in their care for manual labor under threat of punishment, in violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act which forbids procuring labor under means of coercion or threats of abuse.

The defendants believe that this labor is just tough love, said Nathan Nicholas, a Cheyenne-based lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the three cases. But forced labor laws dont consider motive. They might have thought they were doing the right thing but that doesnt mean they werent breaking federal law.

Ranch duties included running irrigation lines, picking rocks out of fields, setting fence posts, unloading trucks of hay, repairing barbed wire fencing, bagging grain, and tending to livestock, according to court documents.

Cheney and the Carters disagree about whether labor was the central part of the program  which cost $4,725 per month on top of a $2,500 admission fee  or was secondary to school and therapy.

We vehemently deny Cheneys false allegations that he did not receive any therapy or schooling in our program or that his occasional chores were 'forced labor,'  the Carters said in a statement from their lawyer.

Cheneys account of his stay, which lasted from May 2018 to May 2019, is different.

The plaintiff was made to labor from early morning until late at night, without pay, according to court documents.

Documents filed by the Carters include records of therapy sessions and credits from a distance learning program. Cheney believes that these aspects of the program were superficial.

School was oftentimes a privilege and not a right, Cheney said. If students were non-compliant, they would do work instead.

Carter was charged with child endangerment in 2021, after a resident sustained frostbite from shoveling manure in the cold.

Cheney said that Carter never physically punished the teens, but that they worked the ranch under the threat of disciplinary runs and a prolonged stay.

His deal was that you can not do the work, but if you dont, youre going to stay here until youre 18, Cheney said.

Most recently, the Carters lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case, on the grounds that it was filed in federal court in Colorado, a state that the Carters lawyers say they have no connection to.

Nicholas, Cheneys lawyer, said that the case could be filed in either Colorado or Wyoming, because Cheney was transported from his home in Colorado to Wyoming, meaning the trafficking began in Colorado.

If the judge rules in favor of the motion, Cheneys legal team will ask to have the case transferred to Wyoming, which is within the same federal court circuit.
A pretrial hearing and the trial for a Muscatine man who is charged with the burglary of the vacated Welch Apartments has been postponed.

According to court records, Miguel Salcedo, 53, requested the hearing be postponed until this summer  it previously had been set for March 22. The hearing is now set for June 7. The record said additional time is needed for plea negotiations and discovery.

The trial by jury, which was set to begin April 1, has not been rescheduled. Salcedo had previously demanded a speedy trial which would have to be before April 16. There is no report of him waiving that right.

Salcedo is charged with 13 counts of third-degree burglary, one count of trespass and felon in possession of a firearm. Third-degree burglary is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Felon in possession of a firearm is a Class D felony. Trespass is a simple misdemeanor.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Salcedo remains in the Muscatine County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Salcedo was arrested Jan. 10 after Muscatine Police officers were called to the Welch Apartments at 220 Iowa Ave. A contractor working inside the building reported that he noticed the keys to all the apartments were missing from the office. Officers searched the building and located Salcedo in apartment 306.

According to the arrest report, Salcedo was barricaded inside the apartment.

He was found in the bathroom of the apartment with a backpack containing multiple cards, jewelry and a firearm. During a city council meeting, Police Chief Tony Kies said many of the items discovered had been damaged or destroyed. He compared the damage inside the building to fire damage.

A news release stated investigators have been working closely with the displaced residents of the apartment complex to identify and return the property and to further criminal prosecution efforts. The investigation has been ongoing since the crime was discovered.

The Welch Apartments have been vacant since Aug. 23, 2023, when a structural engineer declared the building unsafe. According to a news release, the engineer had found bulging walls and walls pulling away from the floors. All 17 tenants were evacuated.

On Jan. 19, the Muscatine City Council gave official notice the building had to be stabilized within 60 days.

Third Street, outside of the building, was supposed to reopen March 13 but remains closed.

Where in the U.S. are homes most likely to be broken into? Where in the U.S. are homes most likely to be broken into? Pricey areas in the largest cities don't necessarily translate to the greatest risk
DES MOINES  Iowa bars, taprooms and restaurants that serve alcohol would face greater civil liability and insurance requirements if they also sell hemp-derived beverages under a proposed bill that advanced this week out of a Senate subcommittee.

Senate Study Bill 3195 would expand the states dram shop laws, which impose civil liability for selling alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or underage persons, to apply to consumable hemp products.

Dramshop insurance covers liabilities associated with the sale of alcohol, specifically for over service resulting in intoxication. The law allows people who were victims of someone's drunken behavior to file a lawsuit against bar owners and their employees if a patron is overserved and kills or injures others in crashes or other mishaps after leaving the bar. The bill would expand the applicability of Iowas dramshop act to include bars, restaurants and other establishments licensed to serve alcohol that also serve THC drinks or edibles.

Current law caps non-economic damages for pain and suffering awarded to a person injured by an intoxicated person who is overserved at $250,000, unless a jury determines there is a substantial or permanent loss or impairment of a bodily function, substantial disfigurement or death. Economic damages, such as compensation for lost wages or medical expenses, are uncapped.

The bill would increase the cap to $500,000 for those that serve consumable hemp products, such as a hemp-based THC-seltzer, to an intoxicated person who is overserved and hurts someone after leaving the establishment.

Sen. Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs who chaired the subcommittee, said he is concerned about how combining alcohol and THC-infused drinks can have a different effect on drinkers than those who consume just alcohol. Sometimes called crossfading, the mixing of the two intoxicants can intensify the effects of both.

It just seems appropriate that the establishments that are selling these types of products have a higher liability than the normal alcohol (establishment) out here, because they are selling a product that we don't have a whole lot of information on at this point in time right now, Dawson said.   This is a different product. There's a delayed reaction there. This works differently compared to (alcohol) so that the retailers have to have some liability on this if they're going to sell these.

Big Grove Brewery, Iowas top craft beer brand by sales, purchased a majority share in Climbing Kites, Iowas first cannabis-infused sparkling water. The brand, currently available at Big Grove Brewery taprooms and other retail locations in Iowa, gives consumers a new way to get a buzz without alcohol, thanks to its federally legal THC derived from hemp. The drink was launched in 2024 by Des Moines Lua Brewing team and co-founder, Scott Selix.

Eric Goranson, a lobbyist representing the Iowa Restaurant Association  which was founded the same year Prohibition ended initially to address the new dram shop liabilities  raised concerns over how establishments would provide training to detect if someone is intoxicated on THC, as well as the impact of the legislation on insurance premiums for Iowa bars, restaurants, taverns and the like.

We are hoping that this conversation matures and we don't have to reinvent the wheel, Goranson said. We'd like to see what other states are doing on this as far as, how does the current standard of training (for employees who) directly serve to visibly intoxicated person relate to this when there's so many more variables involved in THC and where it can be purchased and where and how it impacts the body?

We feel like we should be responsible for what we should be responsible for. With all the extra variables here, I feel like if we don't do this really well, we're going to be responsible for all kinds of behaviors that have nothing to do with what were doing.

Sen. Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo who served on the subcommittee, said he had mixed emotions about the proposed bill, citing potential impact on bar business from increased insurance rates and concerns about mixing THC and alcohol. Dotzler said hes tried a hemp-based THC drink and noted his family ran a bar for 40 years.

I didn't even know a thing about it until the last bill, Dotzler said of separate legislation to limit the potency of hemp-derived cannabis products sold in Iowa. So I went, got one and saw how it worked. And I was surprised, but I wasn't hammered, so to speak.

Dotzler noted the drink had a delayed effect, which can create an opportunity to consume more before it all hits you.

Hemp, legalized federally in 2018 by the passage of the Farm Bill, opened the door to commercial production of hemp-based products. Most drinks on shelves today offer THC in doses of 5 to 10 milligrams. While hemp is limited by its THC concentration, theres no limit on the number of milligrams an individual product can be made with.

House File 2605, which passed out of the House and is pending in the Senate, would set a limit of 4 milligrams of THC per serving and 10 milligrams per package on consumable hemp products sold in the state.

Threase Harms, a lobbyist with Consumable Hemp Advocates, urged lawmakers to clarify definitions of consumable hemp products to address intoxicating vs. non-intoxicating products that include non-psychoactive CBD and low amounts of THC, the main chemical in marijuana that causes the high.

Harms said most states have banned products over 10 milligrams per serving, and that the World Health Organization, National Institutes of Health and other organizations recognize that there is some therapeutic value in low-potency CBD products.

If you can provide definitions for these, then it can get to the issue of what you're trying to control, which is these high-potency drinks that are only THC, Harms said.

Leslie Carpenter, with Iowa Mental Health Advocacy, said the group supports the bill.

I feel that there needs to be a responsibility of anyone selling these products and making money on them, because too many people have no idea of the risks, she said.

She said in other states where high-potency THC drinks are legal, there have been increased incidence of impaired driving and car crashes, and people going into psychosis, people developing schizophrenia, even when they don't have a family history of mental illness in their family.

Dawson said he intends to amend the bill, but was still having conversations as to what that would entail. The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate Ways and Means committee.

Elijah Decious of The Gazette contributed to this report.
Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Randy Feenstra are asking the Social Security Administration to investigate the Sioux City field office after receiving a tip about long delays in claims processing at the office.

Ernst and Feenstra, both Republicans, sent a letter to SSA Inspector General Gail Ennis asking the agency to review complaints at the field office in Sioux City.

In the letter provided by Ernst's office, Ernst and Feenstra said the field office's response to routine requests often takes "weeks to months," and the office is "dismissive or provides no substantive updates" when presented with concerns.

The letter included an email that Ernst's office received from an organizational payee  an organization that manages social security payments  with concerns about wait times on intake forms.

The payee said in an email to a manager at the office that they had sent 12 intake forms to the office, some dating back to December, 2023, and had not received responses on them.

The Social Security Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While Ernst did not provide any evidence that the delays were caused by remote work at the office, she tied the complaints to her long-running push for federal workers to return to the office. The letter pointed to the low number of workers in the agency's D.C. headquarters and said the field office delays are "no surprise."

Iowans deserve a Social Security Administration that actually works for them. Im horrified by reports of the Sioux City Field Offices habit of ignoring Iowans, and Im fighting to get to the bottom of it, Ernst said in a provided statement. Whether its the UDSA, the VA, or the Social Security Administration, I want to see federal employees show up for taxpayers. Enough is enough.

In a statement provided by Ernst's office, Feenstra echoed the remote work concerns and said the office should be doing more to get benefits to people on time.

"However, the SSA office in Sioux City has failed to uphold its responsibility to taxpayers, with reports of serious delays and indifference to the needs and requests of Iowans," Feenstra said. "Its my concern that these delays are due, in large part, to the increase of remote work within federal agencies."

A June 2023 report on disability claim wait times in the agency pointed to telework during the pandemic as one of several causes of increased wait times. Other factors included the agency hiring new staff and losing experienced staff, and changes in policy and procedures.

Last August, Ernst asked the inspectors general at the 24 major federal agencies to investigate their remote work practices.

In a response to Ernst's August letter, Ennis said management of staff, including the loss of experienced workers, is contributing to the agency's challenges. She said some staff have left the agency to pursue jobs with a more flexible workload and remote work options.

The SSA "had challenges recruiting and retaining employees because its positions are complex and require more training compared to similar positions in private industry," Ennis wrote.

Most workers at the SSA, including field office workers, are required to work in person at least three days per week, Ennis said in the letter. She said the agency is reviewing the impact of remote work on productivity.

Ernst has previously raised concerns about remote work at federal offices. In December, she released a list showing that most of the major federal agencies were using less than 20% of their office space. The SSA, along with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, were using the least space, at 7%.
California wants Napa County and its five cities to build 3,844 homes and apartments through 2031  roughly three times the number of housing units in Yountville.

So far, it's roughly 500 building permits down and 3,000-plus to go, with accessory dwelling units proving to be a secret weapon.

California officials want to build 2.5 million homes statewide by decade's end to help ease the housing affordability crisis. Napa County and its cities each have assigned numbers of new homes to plan for between 2023 and 2031, called a regional housing needs allocation.

Napa County, American Canyon and the city of Napa recently discussed their state-required progress reports, and Yountville provided its report to the Napa Valley Register. St. Helena and Calistoga officials said they will provide their reports when available.

Jurisdictions must tally up building permits issued in 2023. They can add building permits issued in the last half of 2022. That counts toward their eight-year house-building target.

"This is kind of like a homework assignment from the state," American Canyon senior planner William He told the city council.

American Canyon in the south county is a growth hot spot with the new Watson Ranch community under construction. Its eight-year assignment is 622 homes and so far it has issued 173 building permits, or 28% of the target.

Thats a good start, He told the city council on March 19.

American Canyon must do more than make room for 622 new homes. Of these, 278 must be for low- and very low-income residents. So far, the city has issued building permits for only a handful of affordable units in the 2023-31 time frame.

City Councilmember Mark Joseph noted that the 186-unit Lemos Pointe apartments and 66-unit Napa Cove apartments are being built. But city officials said building permits were issued during the previous state mandate cycle, so they dont count toward the new mandate.

Rats, Joseph said.

"Rats" from the viewpoint of meeting state housing mandates. But American Canyon's community development director Brent Cooper pointed out another perspective.

In the big picture, people will have a lovely, safe, affordable place to live and be part of our community, he said.

American Canyon should soon be able to whittle down that 622-home mandate even further. It also gave land use approvals for 325 homes last year, though it didn't issue the building permits needed to be included in the count. This includes the Promontory subdivision in Watson Ranch, which is to have 216 homes.

The city of Napa is to make room for 2,669 homes over eight years. One year in, the city has issued 273 building permits, or 10% of that target. The city council heard a report on housing on March 5.

This is something thats always top of mind for us, for our residents, for people who work here but (also) want to live here, City Councilmember Liz Alessio said.

Napa issued 132 building permits in 2023, of which 51 were for accessory dwelling units, the add-on dwellings to existing homes commonly nicknamed "granny" or "in-law" units. It also received credit for 141 permits issued in the last half of 2022, for that total of 273.

Mayor Scott Sedgley mentioned starting to look at developing a 5-acre property the city owns along Lincoln Avenue near the Napa River.

The city bought the land in 2011 for $1.7 million with the intent of developing 120 to 130 apartments there. Potential flooding from the Napa River is a barrier. The next Napa flood control project is to be a flood wall in the area that could start construction in 2025, removing the flooding threat.

Napa County must make room for 106 new homes in the unincorporated county outside of city limits over eight years. The county Board of Supervisors heard a progress report on Tuesday.

The county has issued 53 permits, about half of them for accessory dwelling units. A county report said that as many as 140 affordable units anticipated to be built at the Napa Pipe site, recently renamed RiverSound, could be credited to the county by 2031.

All of that would seem to put the county in good shape for meeting its eight-year mandate for the unincorporated area.

Meanwhile, the county could make room in coming years for apartments at two sites. One is a state-owned 5 acres in the flat area of Skyline Wilderness Park, which the state has targeted for housing despite county objections. The other site is along Foster Road south of the city of Napa, though it too has critics.

Napa County had initially been assigned 1,014 homes for the unincorporated area. That posed a challenge, given the county emphasizes agriculture as a prime rural use and city-centered growth. The county shifted 908 units to cities, mostly Napa and American Canyon, under prior agreements.

Yountville has a target of 72 homes over eight years and has issued a building permit for one. It has applications for 19 units that could result in more building permits.

The state assigned 441,176 new homes for 2023-31 to the Bay Area, roughly equivalent to the number of units in San Francisco. The Association of Bay Area Governments then broke that number down among regions nine counties and 101 cities.

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I suggest that if it is possible to write with a subtitle, in red color that no one in Armenia has the right to hand over anything by law; it is prohibited by law. Secondly, the authorities of Armenia are not going to even discuss such a thing under any circumstances, in any territory of Armenia. National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan stated this on the air of the Public Television Company of Armeniaand referring to the topic of handing over four villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan.

"Thirdly, we have an example of this when there was talk about the so-called Zangezur corridor. We [i.e. Armenia] clearly said that if something is imposed on us under any circumstances, we will fight for it; we will fight until the end. And today the rumors that exist are base speculations because even in this case, whenever we say, yes, there is a danger that we are saying that we have suffered a failure quite recently in terms of war, if something is forced on us, the response of Armenias authorities but one: we will fight, and if we lose, they will take it, all the same, we will do it by fighting. And no one from the territory of Armenia is neither able, nor going to, nor ready to discuss anything," he said.

Also, Alen Simonyan showed a map that showed where the Armenia-Azerbaijan border line passes, according to the Alma Ata declaration of 1991, in the border regions of Tavush Province.

When asked if Armenia is handing over lands under threat, Simonyan said this is not being done under threat, but because Armenia needs it.

"When we say that Armenia should have a cadastre certificate, it cannot be something abstract," he added.

To the question that if these territories are handed over, Azerbaijan will recognize that it is the border, the speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia said: "What else should it do? Of course. When it recognizes our border, with that, it recognizes its own border. Here the border of Azerbaijan is also connected with our recognition. We are not going to concede anything on the condition that there will be no war, which is ours, there will be no such thing. I declare on behalf of the entire Armenian authorities: it is impossible. When we are at war in our territory, the whole world is ready to defend us, when we are at war in what is perceived as another territory, the whole world is silent."
National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan said during an interview on Public Television that Armenia will participate for the first time in the gathering of parliament speakers of the European Union (EU) countries, which will take place in Spain in mid-April.

"Armenia has been invited for the first time. And if I am not mistaken, no [other] post-Soviet country has such an invitation, even an aspirant country does not have that invitation, and the attitude in terms of work is at a very high level," said Simonyan.

When asked whether Armenia will become a candidate for EU membership, the parliament speaker said that Armenia as well as the people and democracy of the country have long passed and share the system of the European family and democracy, and the perception is such both abroad and in Armenia.

"It is obvious to me as well that for us [i.e. Armenia] it is the most correct and most desirable option that we should go with. The process is the problem; we have to know how we do that process, and it is not just by applying; we have to make many things conform to the European standards. Yes. That is the system of values we should strive and go for," said Simonyan.
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When [Armenian PM] Nikol Pashinyan was in the opposition and was leading the movement he created, which everyone knew was connected to the Soros Foundation, the slogan of his movement was "Exit;" exit from the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union. With this slogan, he brought crowds to the streets, demanded the election of the prime ministerat them the prime minister is elected by the parliament, at the same time announced that if these elections end with him not being elected, he will raise the people to their feet. Well, democracy in its highest manifestation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this in an interview to Izvestia daily.

"After becoming the Prime Minister, I remember very well, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin met with him several times, emphasizing in every way that we will not be guided by some previous [experience], but by how exactly the leadership of Armenia will build relations with Russia. In response, Nikol Pashinyan said that both the CSTO and the Eurasian Economic Union are fundamental organizations for Armenia, for the development of its economy, for preventing its isolation in the South Caucasus.

And it was in this direction that relations were developing all the years until 2020, when the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia flared up. And then Pashinyan turned to Putin, both as an ally of Russia and as a member of the CSTO, and you know how our president was negotiatingliterally nightly, tirelessly,, and sparing no effortwith the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop this war.

And then the tripartite agreements on the delimitation of borders, restoration of economic relations, unblocking of transport communications, normalization of relations, including the signing of a peace treaty; all this was agreed upon by our [i.e. Russias] active proactive role.

And parallel to this, the European Union was drawing in the Armenians and Azerbaijanis to its side, and Pashinyan was the main supporter of the idea of working on the platform of the EU and the USA. They went there on a regular basisto the detriment of the meetings that were planned in the territory of the Russian Federation," Lavrov added.

According to the Russian FM, when in Prague in 2022, at the European Political Community Summit, which, as per Lavrov, is also French President Emmanuel Macron's invention, they signed a document with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in the presence of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, " No one notified us," Lavrov added.

"Then Putin told Pashinyan during the next meeting: We were surprised that you decided that way. There were no explanations, as Pashinyan always asked us not to forget that in parallel with the efforts of the last three years, the issue of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh should be somehow resolved, and we were doing it.

But when he signed that this territory is part of Azerbaijan, the issue of status disappeared. And when [Armenian] people started leaving Karabakh, Nikol Pashinyan asked Vladimir Putin: Vladimir Vladimirovich, why did you abandon the people of Karabakh, leaving them to the whims of fortune? I'm sorry, for God's sake, it was you who decided that they are not citizens or claim some kind of citizenship of Azerbaijan," added Lavrov.

The Russian FM noted that he also communicated with Nikol Pashinyan when he went to Yerevan to participate in various meetings.

"It seemed to me that he still understands the benefits for Armenia from continuing allied relations with the Russian Federation, from cooperation within the CSTO, EAEU frameworks.

But now the Armenian officials, both in the Security Council and in the parliament of Armenia, directly say that we should rely more on the European Union, that the CSTO allegedly does not fulfill its obligations to the republic. That is, in essence, the circle is closing, and the leadership of Armenia begins to express such thoughts with which Pashinyan created his Exit movement.

I am convinced that this does not correspond to the to the Armenian people and our interests, from the point of view of historical friendly ties with Armenians, the huge Armenian diaspora living in Russia, and stability in the South Caucasus. The objective of those who are now luring the leadership of Armenia to the side of the West is clear: to not allow stability in the South Caucasus, to try to turn this region into a zone of their dominance, as the West is doing in Central Asia and in many other parts of our shared continent," the Russian FM concluded.
The Azerbaijani authorities aimed from the very beginning to completely de-Armenianize Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) so that people would have to leave the region, despite the thousand-year residence of their ancestors. Former Human Right Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia Arman Tatoyan stated this during a panel discussion at the American University of Armenia.

Tatoyan reminded that Azerbaijan started its blockade policy in December 2022, when fake Azerbaijani environmental activists blocked Karabakhs lifeline to Armenia.

"In fact, these were agents of the Azerbaijani authorities. As already mentioned in the report, these people had nothing to do with ecology, were funded either by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation or the [Azerbaijani president] Ilham Aliyev apparatus, and they were mostly former or current military personnel, as well as representatives of Turkey, as evidenced by the Turkish flag of some eco-activists," Tatoyan emphasized.

He recalled that after the 2020 war, four large settlements remained Armenian, and the goal of the September 2023 military aggression by Azerbaijan was to isolate them from each other, to cut off the water supply systems, which happened in Nagorno-Karabakh capital Stepanakert, when people had to drink the water flowing from the mountains.

During the Azerbaijani siege, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh went on foot to other settlements to find food, and Azerbaijanis were using that circumstance to intensify panic among the population at the time of aggression. The aggression began during the day when people were at work, looking for food, children were at school, and families were separated and trying to find each other while in isolation.

Tatoyan presented the actions of the Azerbaijani forces in each district in detail on the maps, when the Azerbaijani military literally "squeezed" the population of each district and mostly drove them from one village to another on foot.

The Azerbaijanis closed all the exits of Stepanakert and occupied the entrances of the capital of Artsakh.

"There are well-known cases of deliberate execution of civilians by Azerbaijanis," Tatoyan emphasized, in particular.

"The aggression was accompanied by artillery strikes on settlements and roads," Tatoyan added.

According to him, during the military aggression of September 19-20, 2023, unlike the previous aggression, the Azerbaijani armed forces, following the instruction of the Azerbaijani authorities, did not distribute videos of their "feats", limiting themselves to short videos, which complicates the work of monitoring groups.

"Azerbaijan's policy towards both Artsakh and Armenia is identical. In the case of Artsakh, it is more demonstrative, but generally identical. Terror, including at the highest level, isolation of water sources. The same thing is happening in Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, and Syunik [Provinces of Armenia]; people's normal life has been disrupted," Tatoyan said.

In conclusion, he showed a video of the situation in Armenias Nerkin Hand village, surrounded by Azerbaijani troops, where in February Azerbaijan had fired at the Armenian positions, killing four servicemen.
During the Azerbaijani military aggression of September 19-20, 2023, a total of 223 Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) residents were killed, of which 21 were civilians and 6 were children. This was announced by Artsakh Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan during a panel discussion at the American University of Armenia.

"Another 238 people were killed as a result of the explosion at the fuel depot near [Artsakh capital] Stepanakert, which, if not directly, is indirectly related to the [aforesaid] aggression and chaos," Stepanyan added, saying that the fates of 21 people after the military operations and of 20 people as a result of the explosion are still unknown. According to him, Azerbaijan rejects attempts to resume search operations at the site of the explosion, violating the agreements in every possible way, and Armenia does not raise these issues in the negotiations.

"For me, as an ombudsman, there are four important topics: social and humanitarian problems of displaced persons, work towards return, fate of [Armenian] prisoners [in Azerbaijan] and their release, preservation of the cultural and historical sites of Nagorno-Karabakh.

I would like to focus on one more matter. It is officially said that 102 thousand Artsakh residents arrived in the Republic of Armenia. Let me make it clear that so many people arrived after the aggression of September 19, 2023. Until the war of 2020, 145 to 150 thousand people lived in Artsakh. Basically, the rights of those who fled from Hadrut, Shushi, and [many] other [Artsakh] settlements are ignored.

Now there are [only] 20 Armenians left in Artsakh. We have information about the conditions they live in. In order to move in Stepanakert, they have to get permission from the Azerbaijani occupation forces; and police points have been placed near their houses to monitor them. This is what was awaiting the people of Artsakh and why they left their homeland," Stepanyan emphasized.

Regarding obtaining Armenian citizenship, Stepanyan noted that most of the displaced Artsakh residents are not inclined to obtain it for one reason or another, including the matter of returning later. Citing official data, the Artsakh ombudsman noted that only about 10,000 Artsakh residents have jobs in Armenia, and people with intellectual work are a minority, which will eventually lead to the outflow of Artsakh residents from Armenia, and the programs implemented by the Armenian authorities are extremely insufficient, as is the international aid given to refugees. In this regard, he proposed to hold a donors' conference, which will help the people of Artsakh to stand up on their feet again.

The Artsakh ombudsman underscored the importance of preserving the identity of the people of Artsakh.

"I especially want to emphasize that it is not about separatism [as Azerbaijan claims], but about the preservation of identity, for which no one can be blamed," explained Gegham Stepanyan.

And speaking about the preservation of cultural heritage in Artsakh, he noted that this is a serious problem, it is politicized, and the Azerbaijani authorities refuse to work together with international organizations in this regard.

"We can monitor the situation only through the satellite," added Stepanyan.
Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), international law expert Ara Ghazaryan stated during a discussion at the American University of Armenia.

Recalling the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) decision and the temporary revoking of the mandate of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, the lawyer emphasized that the universal law applies to Armenians expelled from Azerbaijan, both between 1988 and 1991 as well as later, during the last Azerbaijani military aggression and total de-Armenianization of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ghazaryan said that experts come to the conclusion that the return of Armenian refugees to Nagorno-Karabakh has the jurisdiction of customary law, especially since Azerbaijan has not said and cannot say that these refugees do not have the right to return.

"Of course, we know that Baku is a hypocrite and says one thing for the internal audience and another for the external audience," the lawyer added.

Reflecting on UN data, he noted that there are about 110 million refugees in the world, and about 3 to 4 million of them return to their places of residence every year, which means that the process is underway and there are mechanisms. So far, out of four dozen countries, only four countries have refused to ensure the return of refugees, said Ghazaryan.

The lawyer stressed that Azerbaijan should develop a whole system to ensure the safety of Armenians, in order to show the world its readiness to accept them; first of all, to abandon the politics of hatred. In other words, Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy, which it is not ready for, Ghazaryan continued, adding that the situation in general is such that Azerbaijan will need decades to change its policy. According to Ghazaryan, this was successful in the Balkans because there was an international presence. But only Russia was represented in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is why this was not possible, Ghazaryan believes.

The lawyer emphasized the inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to return to their homes because Nagorno-Karabakh is their homeland, bears many traces of Armenian cultural presence, and the Armenians of Artsakh have material rights as well to the rest of their property.

Speaking about Azerbaijan's demand to withdraw mutual lawsuits in international courts, the lawyer explained it with Armenia's successes.

"Our compatriots left state property, companies, many private properties in Nagorno-Karabakh," Ghazaryan recalled. And as an example of embezzlement, the lawyer mentioned the nationalization of refugees' property by the Turkish authorities of Northern Cyprus, which the European Court of Human Rights considered illegal.

"The right of return is definitely specified by international law, and we should make use of it," Ara Ghazaryan concluded.
Israel's Netanyahu approves new Gaza ceasefire talks

Muslims pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the third Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan in the Old City of Jerusalem. Photo: AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved on Friday new talks on a Gaza ceasefire, a day after the world's top court ordered Israel to ensure urgent humanitarian aid reaches people in the Palestinian territory.



But despite a binding United Nations Security Council resolution this week demanding an "immediate ceasefire", fighting continued on Friday, including around hospitals.



Regional fallout from the conflict also flared, with Israel saying it killed a Hezbollah rocket commander in Lebanon, and several Hezbollah fighters killed in Syria strikes that a war monitor blamed on Israel.



Netanyahu's office said new talks on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release will take place in Doha and Cairo "in the coming days... with guidelines for moving forward in the negotiations", days after they appeared stalled.



In its order, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague said: "Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but... famine is setting in."



Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, posted on X that the ruling was "a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man made + worsening".



The court had ruled in January that Israel must facilitate "urgently needed" humanitarian aid to Gaza and prevent genocidal acts, but Israel rejected the case brought by South Africa.



The latest binding ICJ ruling, which has little means of enforcement, came as Israel's military said on Friday it was continuing operations in Al-Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, for a 12th day.



Throughout the coastal territory, dozens of people were killed overnight, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said. (AFP)
Taylor Fabian, Shailey Park and Gifty Kinful, left to right, were the Celebrate Women: Honoring Inclusive Excellence Benefit for Womens Scholarships 2024 winners who were able to attend the 27th annual celebration event. Photo by Amihere Benson

Five SIU students win scholarships at Celebrate Women awards

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  The 27th annual Celebrate Women: Honoring Inclusive Excellence Benefit for Womens Scholarships at Southern Illinois University Carbondale was a time to celebrate women and their accomplishments and contributions.

The theme of the March 28 event at the SIU Banterra Center was No Limits: Women in Aviation. The goal was also raising funds for scholarships for current and future female Saluki standouts, and the evening included several special scholarship awards for current or incoming SIU female students.

An award-winning night

Taylor Fabian, an aviation technologies major from Oak Lawn, Illinois, and Sarah Michalak, an aviation management major from McKenry County, Illinois, both received the inaugural Loralei Ruiz Women in Aviation Scholarship. Organizers said the applicants were so impressive that the Carbondale Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) decided to present two scholarships this year in honor of longtime aviation faculty member Lorelei Ruiz, who recently retired as associate professor after more than 20 years at SIU, where she served as the longtime director of Summer Wings Aviation Camp.

Also winning Celebrate Women scholarships were:

Shailey Park, a first-year SIU law student from Carlinville, Illinois  Anna Morris Graduate Scholarship.

 Anna Morris Graduate Scholarship. Gifty Kinful, a masters student of sociology from Ghana  Joyce A. Kelly Graduate Scholarship.

 Joyce A. Kelly Graduate Scholarship. Toni Ridle, a Carterville, Illinois, native now residing in Zeigler, Illinois, who will be transferring to SIU from John A. Logan College and majoring in social work  the Leila Marvin Scholarship.

The evening featured remarks by SIU System President Dan Mahony and Christine Zoerlein Albertson, an SIU aviation management alumna and accomplished pilot who has served in the Air National Guard and has long flown commercial airlines (currently American Airlines).

The AAUW Carbondale Branch hosted the event.
PNN New Delhi [India], March 29: In Punjab's vibrant healthcare landscape, countless healthcare institutions deliver exceptional care to patients from Punjab and beyond its borders. The landscape is teeming with state-of-the-art hospitals and creative medical solutions, and CKOSMIC Health City stands out for its leading edge in weight loss surgery. Renowned as the best weight loss hospital in Punjab, the main primary facility is in Moga, Punjab, on Ludhiana-Ferozepur Highway. CKOSMIC Health City stands out as a revolutionary force in solving the weight loss problem, providing groundbreaking solutions and empathetic support to those undertaking the weight loss journey. CKOSMIC Health City is a symbol of excellence in bariatric surgery, led by the well-known Dr Amit Sood, recognized as the best weight loss surgeon in Punjab. Dr. Amit Sood has over sixteen years of experience and a track record of providing his patients with excellent results. His extensive expertise, coupled with the dedicated efforts of the CKOSMIC team of healthcare professionals, ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care throughout their weight loss journey. The dedicated CKOSMIC Health City team serves with the belief that obesity is not just a physical condition-it takes a toll on every aspect of a person's life. This reason lies behind the hospital's holistic approach to weight loss, addressing not only the physical challenges but also the emotional and psychological aspects of obesity. Dr. Amit Sood and his colleagues dedicatedly help patients achieve sustainable, long-term weight loss and improved overall health through individualized treatment plans, continuing support, and advice. Another reason that sets CKOSMIC Health City apart as the best weight loss hospital in Punjab is the state-of-the-art facilities and advanced medical technology. Leveraging the latest surgical equipment and infrastructure, Dr Amit Sood, the best weight loss surgeon in Punjab, and his team work dedicatedly, ensuring that patients receive the most advanced and effective treatments possible. From minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures to complex bariatric surgeries, the hospital offers a comprehensive range of options to meet the diverse needs of our patients. But perhaps the most crucial factor in CKOSMIC Health City's success as the best weight loss hospital in Punjab is the unwavering commitment to patient care they show with compassion, dignity, and respect. Embarking on a weight loss journey can be daunting, and the team supports the patients every step of the way. From the moment they walk through the doors of CKOSMIC Health City to their post-operative follow-up appointments, Dr Amit Sood, the best weight loss surgeon in Punjab, and the staff dedicate their efforts to ensure patients feel comfortable, informed, and empowered. In Punjab's healthcare domain, CKOSMIC Health City stands out as a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with obesity. Renowned for its commitment to excellence and bolstered by a team of top-tier healthcare professionals, it has earned the distinction of being the best weight loss hospital in Punjab. For those ready to embark on a journey towards a healthier future, CKOSMIC Health City offers the pathway to transformation. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The actor's wax statue was revealed at the Madame Tussauds Museum in Dubai on Thursday.

The statue features Allu Arjun's iconic 'Jhukega Nahi Sala' pose from the blockbuster film 'Pushpa: The Rise'.

The actor, who celebrates his birthday on April 8, attended the event in Dubai along with his family.

Allu Arjun took to his Instagram account to share the special moment. He posted a picture posing with his wax statue. He also expressed his gratitude on Instagram stories, calling it a 'milestone moment.'

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5EfhqeS7G9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Meanwhile, on the workfront, Allu Arjun, who played the titular gangster in 'Pushpa: The Rise,' will now reprise the role in the sequel, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule.' The film is set to be released in cinemas on August 15, 2024. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers & directed by Sukumar, the film also stars Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles.

Allu also received a National Film Award for his performance in the film.

After the National Film Awards list was announced in August, Allu Arjun took to social media and expressed his gratitude.

"A huge congratulations to all the national award winners across various categories and languages throughout the nation. Your accomplishments are truly commendable. & I would like to express my gratitude for the love and wishes pouring in from all corners of the country. Feeling honored and humbled by it all. Thank you for the love. Humbled," he wrote. (ANI)
Kriti Sanon's latest release 'Crew' with Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan is now running in theatres. From audience to critics, the comedy-drama featuring Kriti, Kareena and Tabu as air hostesses is being liked by many. Amidst all the love 'Crew' is receiving, Kriti took to Instagram and shared the images from the film with Tabu and Kareena. Kriti also penned a heartfelt note in which she shared her experience working with Tabu and Kareena. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5GUiwOxbnp/?hl=en&img_index=1 "This C R E W has my (heart). Have admired these two women for years and its been such a pleasure performing with the two most iconic performers our industry has ever had! Never felt like a junior on set(didn't behave like one too) !! It was always 3 individual women, 3 different actors coming together as a team to create CHEMISTRY you've never seen before while we had a blastttt," she wrote. "From @tabutiful ma'am's warm squishy hugs to Bebo's daily 'what did you eat for lunch?' @kareenakapoorkhan To @rheakapoor 's yummy ghar ka khana while she gave me the tiniest sexiest clothes @ektarkapoor 's 'We're gonna kill it' vibe and ofcourse the pilot of our plane @rajoosworld and his neverending jokes -- gonna miss this crew so much!! Loving the LOVE pouring in already. Our #Crew is Yours! See you in the theatres guys," she added. Created by Balaji Telefilms and Anil Kapoor Film & Communications Network is now released in cinemas. It is a story of three women and is touted as a laugh-riot, set against the backdrop of the struggling airline industry. However, their destinies lead to some unwarranted situations and they get caught in a web of lies. The film is directed by Rajesh A Krishnan. The film also stars Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma. (ANI)
Actor Alia Bhatt recently hosted her first charity gala in London. The actress organised the "Hope Gala" on Thursday evening to raise funds for underprivileged adolescents in India through the Salaam Bombay foundation. The event was attended by many renowned personalities. Musician Harshdeep Kaur, comedian Rohan Joshi and director Gurinder Chadha were also present there. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5GSs3jv6jS/?hl=en&img_index=3 Alia attended the event in a stunning ivory saree by designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. As per the designer's Instagram caption, the six-yard drape in a pristine ivory shade was tailored in 1994. The timeless silhouette featured deft resham work, embroidered with floral silk threads. Alia's desi look left fans in awe. "How gorgeous," a social media user commented. "Stunning," another one wrote. Alia also served another look at the gala. She was also spotted wearing an elegant gown with huge blue sapphire and diamond necklace. Hours after hosting the gala, Alia took to Instagram and shared glimpses from the important event. She also dropped an adorable video in which she can be seen singing 'Ikk Kuddi' song with Harshdeep Kaur. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5GSs3jv6jS/?hl=en&img_index=8 Throughout the evening guests were encouraged to take part in a silent auction to raise funds for Salaam Bombay, featuring coveted exclusive items and experiences including suite nights at various Mandarin Oriental hotels, Alia's jewellery worn at the Met Gala and a custom designed saree by ace Indian designer Manish Malhotra, as per a statement. Guests were treated to a culinary experience inspired by the best of Indian and British cuisines, created by Michelin-star chefs Vineet Bhatia and Jason Atherton, as well as dishes from Chef Francisco Hernandez, Executive Chef at the hotel. On hosting her first charity gala, Alia Bhatt said,"Hosting my inaugural charity gala in collaboration with the Salaam Bombay Foundation and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has been an incredible experience. I've long admired Padmini Sekhsaria's unwavering dedication to uplifting at-risk youth in India's slums, offering them hope and opportunity. I'm happy to have played a small part in helping these children reshape their narratives. Furthermore, holding the Hope Gala at such a prestigious venue is a genuine privilege, as I've always been a fan of Mandarin Oriental's exceptional hospitality. Today marks just the beginning of our efforts, and with the support of our generous contributors, I'm confident we'll make significant strides in empowering future generations." (ANI)
Actor Sooraj Pancholi is currently busy shooting for a biopic centred around the life of a legendary Indian warrior. While specific details of the project have not been disclosed yet, Sooraj recently took to Instagram and shared BTS image from the sets. "A truly magical experience! This film Can't wait to share with you all #RollCameraAction #OnSet #ComingSoon," he captioned the post. With this film, Sooraj is completely back in action. The film marks one of his first projects after a CBI Special Court acquitted him in the Jiah Khan case in May 2023. After the court's decision, Sooraj penned a thank-you note for "all those who have always supported and believed" in him during his legal battle. "Thank you to all those who have always supported and believed in me, only I know how I have lasted through all these years of suffering and pain. Your unconditional love prayers and duas have been my only strength...I could not have survived without you," he wrote on Instagram Story. The 25-year-old 'Nishabd' actor was found dead at her Juhu home in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. Police later arrested Sooraj on the basis of a six-page letter, purportedly written by Jiah, and booked him for abetment to suicide. Sooraj was in an alleged relationship with Jiah. Jiah's mother Rabia Khan alleged that her daughter was murdered. In October 2013, Rabia moved Bombay High Court seeking a CBI probe in the case, alleging that her daughter had been murdered. On the order of the Bombay High Court, the CBI took over the probe from the Maharashtra Police in July 2014. Rabia claimed that her daughter was in an abusive relationship with Sooraj. However, in May, Sooraj was finally cleared of all the charges by the CBI court in Mumbai. Sooraj also issued a statement to the press after his being acquitted in the Jiah Khan case, saying the last 10 years had been 'painful' for him and his family. "The verdict has taken 10 long and painful years and given us many sleepless nights, But today, I have not only won this case against me but I have also won my dignity and confidence back. It took a lot of courage to face the world with such serious allegations levelled against me. I hope and pray to God that nobody goes through what I have at such a young age," he said. He added, "I don't know who will give me these 10 years of my life back but I am glad that this has finally come to an end not only for me but, especially, for my family." Sooraj is son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab. (ANI)
After the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari due to cardiac arrest, Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari, claimed that his father was given poison in the food and said they would move to the judiciary. "We have full faith in it," he added. "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..." Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari, said. "Post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow, after that, they will give us the body. We will then follow with the further process (cremation)... My father alleged being given a slow poison... Around five doctors panel has been made (for carrying out the post-mortem)," Umar Ansari added. Meanwhile, the body of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has been sent for post-mortem at Banda Medical College Hospital, Banda. After the death of the five time MLA, several political leaders extended their condolences. On Thursday, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his grief in support of the family of Mukhtar Ansari. "I pray to Allah to forgive Mukhtar Ansari and give patience to his family and his loved ones. The people of Ghazipur lost their favourite son and brother. Mukhtar Saheb had made serious allegations against the administration that he had been poisoned. Despite this, the government did not pay any attention to his treatment. Condemnable and regrettable," AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi posted on X. Samajwadi Party leader Ameeque Jamei demanded a thorough investigation of Mukhtar Ansari's death. "We stand with the family of Mukhtar Ansari... Recently he said that he can be murdered anytime... Why he was not given a proper medical facility...We will demand a thorough investigation of the incident..." Congress leader Surendra Rajput also questioned the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari due to cardiac arrest. "Today Mukhtar Ansari's death in the jail raises a big question BJP-led UP Government...This should be investigated thoroughly so that everyone gets to know what is going on..." said Congress leader Surendra Rajput. The dreaded gangster was brought to the hospital around 8:25 PM, according to the official release from the hospital. A team of nine doctors attended to him before he died, the release added. Expressing condolences over the death of Mukhtar Ansari, the Samajwadi Party shared a post on Twitter that read, "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 sorrow. Humble tribute !". On Tuesday, he was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda after he complained of abdominal pain. He was then shifted to Uttar Pradesh's Rani Durgawati Medical College after his discharge on Tuesday. Ansari was elected as an MLA from the Mau assembly seat five times, including twice as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate. He had a strong influence in Ghazipur, his hometown. In April 2023, Mukhtar Ansari was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court. He was sentenced to life in prison on March 13, 2024, in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. 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. On October 15, last year, the Enforcement Directorate attached lands, a building and bank deposits worth more than Rs 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering investigation against Mukhtar Ansari. (ANI)
According to the police, it was informed to them that a passenger was found in the middle of the Visakhapatnam - Anakapalli route and the railway officials informed the police.

After checking, cannabis was found in the bag and it was found that the ganja was being transported from Visakhapatnam to Delhi via Vijayawada, the police said.

Earlier, on March 21, Andhra Pradesh Police seized 532 kilogrammes of Ganja in Koyyur's Daunuru Panchayat, where it was packed in 17 sacks, valued at Rs 26.60 lakhs, on Wednesday.

The operation led to the arrest of three individuals involved in the transportation of the contraband, while one suspect managed to escape. The police arrested three accused identified as Pangi Sundar Rao, Vantala Chinna, and Pangi Manikyam, and one accused is absconding.

Acting on intelligence regarding the transportation of ganja from Neredupalli near Orissa to Bachchenta of Koyyuru mandal via horses, the police initiated a vigilant operation.

Chintapalli ASP Pratap Siva Kishore disclosed that the raid targeted Bachinta village in Daunuru Panchayat, where the illegal stash of ganja was stored. The seized contraband, totaling 532 kg and valued at Rs. 26.60 lakhs, underscores the scale of the operation.

Chintapalli ASP Pratap Siva Kishore emphasised the detrimental effects of ganja on the youth, urging them to refrain from such activities and preserve their futures.

"The successful operation signifies the Koyyur police's commitment to combating illegal drug trafficking and safeguarding communities from the perils associated with narcotics." said police. (ANI)
The thirty-minute ceremony is held every Saturday. The ceremony is a military tradition in which guards and sentries at palaces, forts and defence establishments get changed periodically to enable a fresh body of troops to take charge.

At Rashtrapati Bhavan, situated at Raisina Hills, where the main functions of the Republic Day are held, the Ceremonial Army Guard battalion is responsible for providing ceremonial guards and sentries for the President of India.

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour conferred for exceptional service towards any field of human endeavour, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954.

Upon receiving the award, the recipient is presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The Bharat Ratna does not come with any monetary grant, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

In 2024, this award was announced for five eminent personalities: Karpoori Thakur, L. K. Advani, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and M. S. Swaminathan.

It is worth mentioning that no formal recommendations for Bharat Ratna are necessary. The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India. No Bharat Ratna Award has been given from 2020 to 2023. (ANI)
Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Binoy Viswam on Thursday hit out at the Congress party for fielding Rahul Gandhi in the Wayanad constituency to contest against its INDIA ally. Clearing air over Rahul Gandhi contesting as a member of INDIA alliance from Wayanad, Viswam said, "Somebody said, Rahul Gandhi is a candidate of INDIA alliance. I was astonished to see that. In no meeting of INDIA alliance, the candidature of Wayanad was ever discussed. It is very clear from the beginning that the fight in Kerala will be LDF Vs UDF". "In Kerala, nobody is contesting as a candidate of the INDIA alliance, that is the political reality of Kerala," he said. Hitting out at the Congress party, over Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, the CPI leader said that certain individuals around Rahul Gandhi are urging him to fight against the Left in Kerala. "Rahul Gandhi is a respectable man, I have personal regard for him. Certain people around him are pushing him to contest against the left in Kerala. When they compel him to fight from Wayanad, they should answer two questions. What is the main, focal point of this battle? The North India which has 200 plus constituencies or Kerala, which has only 20 seats in Lok Sabha. Who is the main enemy of Congress? RSS, BJP or their partner in the India alliance? The Left?" "They feel that Kerala is the focal point of this battle, which has only 20 seats. They forget to see the heartland of India which has 200 plus seats," the leader added. "Rahul Gandhi will be forced to answer by the people that how many times he visited Wayanad? What steps has he taken for the people of Wayanad to save them from their grievances and sorrows?", Viswam said. The Congress party, earlier this month, released its first list of 39 candidates. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal informed that senior party leader Rahul Gandhi will again contest from the Wayanad constituency, the seat won by him in 2019 against CPI leader P.P Suneer. The 2024 Lok Sabha battle in Wayanad will be witnessed between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and CPI leader Annie Raja. (ANI)
The solemn occasion of Good Friday is being marked by prayers and processions depicting the stations of the cross across the nation. In Thiruvananthapuram, devotees took part in the stations of the cross procession to Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Palayam. The stations of the cross mark Christ's suffering as he was crucified on Good Friday. The procession began early in the morning from the Palayam Saint Joseph Cathedral Church and was attended by Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor. Visuals show devotees carrying wooden crosses depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during the procession to Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Palayam. Commemorating the crucifixion of Christ, Good Friday services are being held in churches across the state on the day, marking the countdown to Easter Sunday. Meanwhile, devotees also offered prayers in the national capital on the occasion. Father Jolly from the CBCI Centre, Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Headquarters in Delhi elucidated the significance of 'Good Friday' for Christians. Speaking to ANI, Father Jolly said, "On Good Friday, Christians all over the world remember the passion and death of our blessed lord Jesus Christ. This is a memorial day for us to journey with the suffering and death of Christ on the cross." "By keeping this memorial, we sanctify ourselves, our households and purify our hearts and minds to join our lives with the life of Christ," he said. Adding further, he said, "The sufferings of the Lord Jesus, his cross also remind us that we are all in this world carrying our own crosses, our own sufferings of humanity. The way Jesus reconciled the world to his father, so also this is a day for reconciliation for humanity to join hands with each other and to uphold the values of human fraternity in the world." "We read the passages from the sacred scriptures that speak about the sufferings and death of our blessed lord Jesus on Good Friday. We also meditate on the sufferings of Christ and venerate the cross today," he said. The story behind 'Good Friday' is about the day when Jesus was crucified by Romans. A disciple of Jesus, Judas betrayed him which led to his capture by the Romans. The Governor of the Roman province of Judea at the time, Pontius Pilate, ordered the execution of Jesus. Jesus was made to carry his cross through Jerusalem to the place of crucifixion known as Calvary. The day of 'Good Friday' is followed by the celebration known as 'Easter', which refers to the event of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day of his crucifixion. (ANI)
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the BJP's candidate from Madhya Pradesh's Guna for the Lok Sabha elections, on Thursday said that he is 'spider' of the constituency as he has created a vast network of roads there. Scindia, while addressing a gathering of the Rawat community in Guna's Shivpuri, also asked people to ensure the BJP gets 370 votes extra in every booth when compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls so that Narendra Modi is elected as prime minister for a third term. "Twenty years ago when I resolved to walk on the path of dedication, I decided that if no one would solve your problems, Jyotiraditya Scindia would... I am the spider of Shivpuri. I have built a network of roads here, a network of substations, a network of irrigation facilities, and a network of progress and development for the people here..." he said. "To make Narendra Modi PM for the third time, we have to work on increasing (BJP) votes by 370 in each booth," he said. The minister further said that under the PM's leadership, several welfare schemes were underway for farmers, women, youth and the poor, including giving free rations to 80 crore people and the Ayushman Bharat health initiative. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the slogan of 'abki baar 400 paar'. Under his leadership, Article 370 has been abrogated in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee (Jan Sangh's founder) sacrificed his life for removal of Article 370. The PM is working to make India a developed nation by 2047," he said. The Congress is pitting former BJP leader Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav against Jyotiraditya Scindia. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Scindia, then a Congress candidate, had lost to K P Yadav. Scindia's defeat from his own turf by 1.25 lakh votes set in motion a series of events, including an internal party struggle, eventually resulting in Scindia's exit from the party in 2020. He took 22 MLAs with him, causing the collapse of the Congress government led by Kamal Nath that had come to power in 2018. The BJP brought Scindia into Parliament via the Rajya Sabha and made him a Union minister. The BJP has named candidates for all 29 seats in the state. The Congress is yet to announce names for Gwalior, Khandwa and Morena seats. Scindia has begun campaigning in the seat, which votes on May 7, before he was even officially declared the BJP candidate and has been attending important events of different communities. (ANI)
A joint team of crime branch and Flying Squad and Surveillance Team (FST) confiscated Rs 25 lakh cash from a car in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district on Thursday night, a police official said. The teams were checking vehicles near an overbridge located in the Account General office area, city centre in the district after the implementation of the model code of conduct in view of upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The man, who was carrying the amount, has been identified as Hari Krishna Singhal, a resident of Murar locality, Gwalior and claimed himself a businessman, the police added. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP, Crime Branch) Ayush Gupta said, "After the implementation of the model code of conduct in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, there is an instruction that if anyone carries cash above Rs 50,000 without any valid document, it has to be confiscated. A checking for the same was going on near an overbridge located at the AG office area in the city jointly by the FST team and the Crime Branch team." "During the checking on Thursday night, the team recovered Rs 25 lakh cash from a car and when asked the person carrying the amount for documents in this regard, he failed to provide valid documents for it. As a result of which, the team has confiscated the amount. This seized amount will be further handed over to a committee in the Collectorate and further action into the matter will be initiated by them," ASP Gupta added. Notably, 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)
Former DSP Shailendra Singh alleged on Friday that the Mulayam Singh government had wanted to protect the gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Asnari, who died at a hospital in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday. He also claimed that top-ranking police officials were "pressurised," and he was even made to resign within fifteen days when the Samajwadi Party was in power in the state. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "20 years ago, in 2004, Mukhtar Ansari's empire was at its peak. He would move around in open jeeps in areas where curfew was imposed. That time I recovered a light machine gun, no recovery was made before or after that. I even imposed (Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) on him..." "But the Mulayam government wanted to save him at any cost. He pressurised officials, IG-Range, DIG, and SP-STF were transferred, even I was made to resign within 15 days. But in my resignation, I wrote my reasons and put it before the people that this is the government you chose, which is protecting and working on the orders of mafias... I wasn't doing a favour to anyone. It was my duty...," he added. Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), OP Singh, said on Friday the allegations that Mukhtar Ansari was being "poisoned" to death are "absolutely baseless" and the "situation will become clear" after the post-mortem. "Accusing that he was being poisoned is absolutely a baseless allegation. The situation will become absolutely clear after a postmortem is done... Mukhtar Ansari was a criminal, a don, and a mafia, and his death should not be thought of extensively...," Singh told ANI. Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari, had claimed that his father was given poison in the food and said they would move to the judiciary. "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..."he said. Ansari was elected as an MLA from the Mau assembly seat five times, including twice as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate. He had a strong influence in Ghazipur, his hometown. In April 2023, Mukhtar Ansari was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court. He was sentenced to life in prison on March 13, 2024, in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. (ANI)
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote on Friday, "Today, on Good Friday, we remember the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May everyone find strength in the lessons of compassion and forgiveness it teaches us."

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, extended Good Friday wishes to the people.

"On the auspicious occasion of Good Friday, let's remember the supreme sacrifice and love that guide us towards compassion, love, forgiveness, and unity. May this Good Friday be a time of reflection, renewal, and grace for all," Kiren Rijiju said in a post on X.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also wished people on the solemn occasion of Good Friday.

"Wishing all my Christian Brothers & Sisters a graceful & blessed Good Friday. May this Holy Day of Penance, Prayers and Sacrifice inspire us all to live a life of compassion, love and peace," Mamata Banerjee wrote on X.

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge called upon the people to imbibe the spirit of humanity, kindness, and peace on Good Friday.

"Wishing you all a blessed #GoodFriday. May the spirit of compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice and empathy keep guiding our path. Let us imbibe the spirit of humanity, kindness, and peace, amongst us," Kharge said in a statement on X.

The solemn occasion of Good Friday was marked by prayers and processions depicting the stations of the cross across the nation. In Thiruvananthapuram, devotees took part in the stations of the cross procession to Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Palayam.

The procession began early Friday morning from the Palayam Saint Joseph Cathedral Church and was attended by Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor.

Meanwhile, devotees also offered prayers in the national capital on the occasion.

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Good Friday marks the beginning of the Easter weekend. (ANI)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed chargesheets against 20 Institutions and 105 persons, including several officials allegedly involved in multi-crore scam in grant of scholarships to schedule caste (SC), schedule tribe (ST) and other backward class (OBC) students of Himachal Pradesh, the agency said in a statement on Friday. The central probe agency also said that it has concluded investigations in the case. "CBI has filed chargesheets against 20 Institutions and 105 persons including owners of said Institutions, personnel of Directorate of Higher Education, Shimla, Bank officials and other private persons," the CBI said. It further said that during the investigation into the case, as many as 19 persons including employees of Directorate of Higher Education, Shimla, chairman, vice chairman, directors and employees of educational Institutes and Bank officials were arrested. The instant case was registered by CBI in the year 2019 on the request of the Himachal Pradesh government, against private educational institutions in the state for fake and fraudulent claims of scholarships of Rs. 181 crore (approx.) during the year 2013 to 2017. Thereafter, High Court of Himachal Pradesh also monitored the investigation of the instant case and accordingly status reports were filed periodically. The case pertains to alleged misuse of the scheme of scholarship and reimbursement of fees launched by the central government, implemented through the state governments to help the students of SC, ST and OBC categories. The scam was unearthed following reports that the students of government schools in tribal Spiti valley in Himachal's Lahaul and Spiti district had not been paid the scholarship for the last five years. The ED had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 419 (cheating by personation), 465 (forgery), 466 (forgery in electronic documents) and 471 (using forged document as genuine) of IPC on May 8, 2019. (ANI)
Election campaign is on in full swing in Tamil Nadu as all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state will go to the polls on April 19. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with Tamil Nadu BJP workers in a session titled "Enathu Booth Valimaiyana Booth" through the NaMo App at 5 PM. In a post on X PM also commended the hard work of BJP workers in Tamil Nadu for effectively communicating the party's good governance agenda. Taking to X, Narendra Modi said, "I look forward to 'Enathu Booth Valimaiyana Booth', an interaction with our hardworking @BJP4TamilNadu Karyakartas, through the NaMo App at 5 PM this evening. It is commendable how our Karyakartas in Tamil Nadu are working among the people and ensuring that our Party's good governance agenda is communicated effectively across the state." "It is equally true that TN is fed up with DMK misrule and is looking towards our Party with great hope," added the post further. Earlier, Tamil Nadu BJP chief and party's candidate from Coimbatore, K Annamalai on Wednesday said that there is a huge wave for PM Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu. "It is very clear there is a huge wave for PM Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu. We are extremely confident that on April 19, the people of Coimbatore, the people of Tamil Nadu will vote for PM Narendra Modi in an overwhelming fashion. June 4 will herald a new era where PM Modi and all the candidates working for him will win...BJP will get 60 per cent votes in Coimbatore," Annamalai told ANI. The voting for all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in the first phase on April 19. During the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which comprised Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, AIFB, registered a landslide victory by winning 38 of the 39 seats. The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a free-wheeling chat with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, said that the NDA government, if voted to power yet again, will allocate money for research in cervical cancer. The PM said that his new government will allocate funds to scientists for local research in cervical cancer as it wants to vaccinate all girls. "In the coming days, I want to talk about cervical cancer, especially for our daughters. I want to give a budget to our scientists in India. And I want to tell them to do local research on this as well and make a vaccine. And with very little money, I want to vaccinate all the daughters in my country. I am working in that direction these days. When my new government is formed, it will allocate funds to scientists for local research in cervical cancer because we want to vaccinate all girls," Modi told Gates. Recently global health donors had pledged USD 600 million towards eliminating cervical cancer . The World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF said that the funding would go towards expanding access to vaccination, screening and treatment worldwide. Study's say, Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, and continues to disproportionately impact women and their families in low- and middle-income countries. India reported over 14.13 lakh new cancer cases and 9.16 lakh deaths in 2022, according to the latest estimates released by the World Health Organisation's (WHO) cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The top five cancers among Indian women were found to be those of the breast, cervix, ovary, mouth and colorectum. The top five cancers among men were those of the oral cavity, lung, oesophagus, colorectum and stomach. PM Modi and Bill Gates also spoke about the messaging during the Covid Pandemic as Gates queries the PM on how he managed the communication with the people during the pandemic. "Firstly, I forced people to become educated about the virus that the fight against it is for everyone. This was my first philosophy that- this is not a virus versus government, but life versus virus. Secondly, I started communicating from day one, directly to the people of my country. I myself started following all the protocols publicly," the PM said. PM Modi further highlighted how trust was built between the people and the government due to his efforts. "I started taking everything publicly as an example in front of people. Then I told them to clang vessels, light the lamps. In our country, there was a great effort to make fun of it. But I had to take people into confidence that we had to fight this fight together. When this confidence was formed that we had to save our lives and the lives of others, a kind of mass movement was formed. In a democratic way, you can't work with a stick. You have to educate people, convince them, and take them along," the PM said. Upon being asked by Gates about what are some technological advancements that he was excited about, Modi said that technology can play a big role in agriculture, health and education sectors. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted his use of AI during the G20 summit for speech translation and delivering addresses in various languages at different events. He suggested leveraging technologies like ChatGPT for continuous self-improvement. Addressing the topic of climate change, Modi emphasised the necessity for global recalibration away from metrics such as electricity or steel usage to gauge development, deeming them environmentally detrimental. He advocated for embracing concepts like green GDP and green employment instead. (ANI)
A youth, who is a college student, has filed a complaint with the police in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district after transactions of Rs 46 crores occurred from his bank account, a police official said on Friday. The youth, identified as Pramod Kumar Dandotiya (around 25 years old), a resident of Gwalior, came to know about the matter when he received a notice from the Income tax and GST that a company has been registered through his PAN card which is being operated in Mumbai and Delhi 2021. Dandotiya said, "I am a college student in Gwalior. After the notice from Income Tax and GST, I came to know that a company has registered through my PAN card which is being operated in Mumbai and Delhi 2021. I do not know how my PAN card has been misused and how the transactions have been done." He further said that as soon as he got the information from the Income Tax, he talked to the department concerned. After that he tried to file a complaint to the police several times but no action was taken. On Friday again, he reached the office of Additional Superintendent of Police and lodged his complaint again. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shiyaz K M told ANI, "Today, an application has been received from a youth that transactions amount of more than Rs 46 crore has been made from his bank account. The documents in this regard are being checked. The PAN card has been misused, a company has been registered through it and transactions of such a huge amount have been done." The whole matter is being investigated, the officer added. (ANI)
"In a major breakthrough, SSOC (State Special Operation Cell) Mohali has effectively dismantled the criminal network led by USA-based Pavittar Chaura & Husandeep Singh of Chaura Madhre gang, by arresting their three key operatives: Lovejit Khakh, Gursewak Bamb & Bahadur Khan - along with seizure of one pistol, 15 cartridges and a Toyota Fortuner vehicle," Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X.

"All three were wanted in number of criminal cases including murder, attempted murders, dacoity, arms act, NDPS etc. They were living in Mohali by concealing their actual identities," he further said in a post.

Earlier on March 26, Punjab police busted a cross-border drug smuggling racket with the arrest of 12 persons and the seizure of 4 kilograms of heroin and Rs 3 lakh of drug money in Amritsar.

"Big Blow to Trans-Border narcotic network: Amritsar Commissionerate Police busts a cross-border heroin smuggling racket with the arrest of 12 persons and seizure of 4 kg Heroin and Rs 3 lakhs drug money," DGP Punjab Police said in a post on X.

Further, the post mentioned, "Drones used to transport drugs from Pakistan across the border in Tarn Taran area."

The police said that further investigation into the matter is underway.

"Investigations are ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages for more recoveries and arrests," it stated. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a road show in Chamoli's Tharali along with the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Anil Baluni and sought votes for him on Friday. Baluni is contesting from Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat. Later, addressing a rally in Tharali, CM Dhami listed the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government. "India's flag is flying high above the world. Several schemes, like Start-up India, Make in India, are helping the youth go ahead. India is also going ahead. Trains like Vande Bharat are operating, new railway stations are coming up, and 38 kilometres of road are being constructed on a daily basis," Dhami said while addressing the crowd. "After 2014, the foundation of 15 AIIMS was laid. In the history of independent India, it is the first time that 74 new airports have been constructed. Considering the entire country - the 140 crore people - his family, PM Modi is working for the upliftment of everyone," he added. Earlier, Baluni filed his nomination papers from the Pauri Garhwal seat in the presence of Union minister Smriti Irani, state BJP president Mahendra Bhatt and former chief minister and present MP from the seat Tirath Singh Rawat. 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)
Accusing the Income Tax Department of double-standards, Congress on Friday alleged that while it has been penalised for "a violation of Rs 14 lakh", the income tax authorities were completely silent on "Rs 42 crore violation" by the BJP and that the violations by the ruling party at the Centre entailed a penalty of Rs 4,600 crore. Addressing a press conference, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Ajay Maken said there was an attempt to stifle the party financially during the Lok Sabha polls. Maken said the Election Commission should ensure a level-playing field. "We have received notices from the time of Sitaram Kesari, from 1993-94... We have been demanded to pay Rs 53 crores from the time of Sitaram Kesari. A total of Rs 1823 crores has been made by the IT department from Congress," he said. "We have analysed all violations of the BJP using the same parameters they used to analyse our violations... BJP has a penalty of Rs 4600 crore. The income Tax department should raise a demand from the BJP for the payment of this amount," he added. Maken said that efforts are being made to weaken the Congress financially, by freezing the party's bank account before the Lok Sabha elections. "Our analysis reveals that out of the 1,297 individuals who donated to the BJP, their identities remain undisclosed with no addresses or evidence of contribution totalling Rs 42 crore, indicating a blatant breach of regulations. Additionally, there are 92 individuals whose names are absent from the list but they provided electoral bonds to the BJP," he said. The Congress leaders also attacked the BJP over the electoral bond scheme. Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of "hypocrisy" and its government of resorting to "tax terrorism". "Through the electoral bond scam, the BJP collected over Rs 8,200 crore as donation. There were different routes, there was a prepaid bribe route, there was post-paid bribe route, there was post raid group 'chanda-dhandha, raid-paid', and there was a shell company route," he alleged. Party leader KC Venugopal accused the Election Commission of being a mute spectator. "Notice, account freeze, notice, account freeze. That is the BJP's modus operandi of stifling INC financially. In a new bizarre notice, a penalty of Rs. 1800 crore has been imposed on INC.Is this how a fair election is supposed to be conducted? Is the idea of a level playing field only on paper? Why is the Election Commission a mute spectator to this?" he asked. "If the same treatment was meted out to the BJP, they should have to pay Rs. 4600 crore. But has there been any action on them? Have any of the authorities involved moved an inch against them? This is a blatant murder of democracy and we will protest across the country against this illegal action," he added. (ANI)
According to party sources, right after the release of the manifesto, two massive rallies will take place in Jaipur and Hyderabad on April 6.

The party sources mentioned that Sonia Gandhi will likely be present at the Jaipur rally.

Earlier, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara said that the manifesto would be announced in Jaipur on April 6.

The Congress had formed a manifesto committee for the Lok Sabha election in 2024.

The Convenor of the committee is the former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, TS Singh Deo. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, and Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are the other members.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who heads the Maniesfto committee, said that the party's manifesto for Lok Sabha polls will be a "people's manifesto" and apart from public consultations by party leaders, suggestions have been taken through e-mail and a website.

The party's electoral campaign revolves around the theme of 'five Nyays, comprising Bhagidari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Nari Nyay, Shramik Nyay, and Yuva Nyay. Congress had earlier announced that it will be giving 25 guarantees, five under each category.

Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases beginning April 19.

Nearly 96.8 crore people are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming polls at over 12 lakh polling stations. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. (ANI)
In the wake of the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, the entire Ghazipur district administration is on alert, said the district Superintendent of Police, Omvir Singh. Jailed Ansari died in a hospital in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday. "Since this news flashed last night, the entire district administration is on alert. We are in touch with the family and they have said that the last rites will be done after morning prayers," Omvir Singh told reporters here. The police officer warned that if anyone violated the Model Code of Conduct, which is in place for the upcoming general election, action would be taken against them. "Crowd is expected as people will come to pay tribute and the arrangements are made for the same. But I appeal to the people that the Model Code of Conduct is in effect for general elections and if it is violated by any means or statements made by anyone, action will be taken as per law," he said. Meanwhile, a three-member team will conduct a magisterial investigation into the death of Ansari. The Chief Judicial Magistrate Banda issued orders concerning the judicial probe. Officials said a panel of two doctors will do the post-mortem, which will be videographed. Mukhtar Ansari's body will be handed over to his son, Umar Ansari, following the post-mortem. Umar Ansari told ANI that he has written a letter demanding that the postmortem be done by doctors at AIIMS, Delhi. "It (post-mortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter saying that it should be done by doctors at AIIMS Delhi. We don't trust the medical system, government and administration here...You know why I am saying this. Panchnama is done. The district magistrate has to make a decision. Let's see what he decides. The postmortem has not begun," he said. "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," he added. According to the official release from the hospital, Ansari was brought to the hospital around 8:25 pm on Thursday. A team of nine doctors attended to him before he died, the release added. Sibgatullah Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari's elder brother, claimed on Friday that the administration did not inform him and he learned about his brother's death through the media. Speaking to ANI, Sibgatullah said, "I saw it in the media and came to know about it. The administration didn't inform me. He had been very unwell since March 18 and he was not being given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again. On March 25-26, his health was in a very bad condition, so he was brought to medical college for a few hours as a formality. He was sent back and it was said that he was stable. He was not given any treatment." In April 2023, Mukhtar Ansari was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP-MLA court. He was sentenced to life in prison on March 13, 2024, in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. (ANI)
Congress will stage a nationwide protest on Saturday against notices from the income-tax department, asking it to pay Rs 1,823 crore. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has instructed all state units to stage demonstrations at PCC and district Congress Committee headquarters tomorrow. "Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy," Venugopal said in a letter addressed to party workers on Friday. "Now in a patently illegal and undemocratic action, the Income Tax Department - has launched its next premeditated, diabolical campaign against the INC. Eight years of Income Tax returns of the INC have been reopened on baseless, manufactured grounds to levy patently illegal Income Tax Demand orders totalling thousands of crores of rupees. This is nothing but a blatant and naked attack on the very principals of democracy," he stated in a letter. "In light of this egregious attack on democracy and the imposition of tax terrorism on our party amidst the crucial Lok Sabha elections, All Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) are requested to hold massive public demonstrations at the State and District headquarters in their respective states tomorrow and the following day, involving senior leaders and party functionaries. Massive protest demonstrations shall be held in all constituencies, led by our party candidates. Protest demonstrations, including Mashal Juloos, shall be conducted in all districts by the District Congress Committees," he added. Earlier today, accusing the Income Tax Department of double-standards, Congress alleged that while it has been penalised for "a violation of Rs 14 lakh", the income tax authorities were completely silent on "Rs 42 crore violation" by the BJP and that the violations by the ruling party at the Centre entailed a penalty of Rs 4,600 crore. Addressing a press conference, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Ajay Maken said there was an attempt to stifle the party financially during the Lok Sabha polls. Maken said the Election Commission should ensure a level-playing field. "We have received notices from the time of Sitaram Kesari, from 1993-94... We have been demanded to pay Rs 53 crores from the time of Sitaram Kesari. A total of Rs 1823 crores has been made by the IT department from Congress," he said. "We have analysed all violations of the BJP using the same parameters they used to analyse our violations... BJP has a penalty of Rs 4600 crore. The income Tax department should raise a demand from the BJP for the payment of this amount," he added. Maken said that efforts are being made to weaken the Congress financially, by freezing the party's bank account before the Lok Sabha elections. "Our analysis reveals that out of the 1,297 individuals who donated to the BJP, their identities remain undisclosed with no addresses or evidence of contribution totalling Rs 42 crore, indicating a blatant breach of regulations. Additionally, there are 92 individuals whose names are absent from the list but they provided electoral bonds to the BJP," he said. The Congress leaders also attacked the BJP over the electoral bond scheme. Party leader KC Venugopal accused the Election Commission of being a mute spectator. "Notice, account freeze, notice, account freeze. That is the BJP's modus operandi of stifling INC financially. In a new bizarre notice, a penalty of Rs. 1800 crore has been imposed on INC.Is this how a fair election is supposed to be conducted? Is the idea of a level playing field only on paper? Why is the Election Commission a mute spectator to this?" he asked. "If the same treatment was meted out to the BJP, they should have to pay Rs. 4600 crore. But has there been any action on them? Have any of the authorities involved moved an inch against them? This is a blatant murder of democracy and we will protest across the country against this illegal action," he added. (ANI)
Following his address to the public, he was informed of the nearby residence of retired Honorary Captain Jayendra Singh Negi of Garhwal Rifles. The Chief Minister promptly visited Negi's residence to meet him and inquired about his well-being. He also honored Negi by presenting him with a shawl.

The Chief Minister said that he himself is also from a military family. In such a situation, meeting with any other military family and ex-serviceman is always a moment of pride for him.

Chief Minister Dhami highlighted the support provided by the Central and State Governments to soldiers and their families.

He also informed that a state-of-the-art military dham is being constructed in Guniyal village of Dehradun district. Along with this, honor ceremonies have been organized for Veer Naris and soldiers decorated with bravery medals in Garhwal-Kumaon. A member of the family of a martyred soldier is being accommodated in a government job in the state. The amount of Vishisht Seva Medal award has been increased manifold in the state. The amount of lump sum grant for gallantry medal award has been increased manifold.

Earlier in the day, Dhami conducted a road show in Chamoli's Tharali along with the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Anil Baluni. (ANI)
Jaipur Police arrested three people for duping foreign tourists on Friday. Commissioner Biju George Joseph said that after the information about fraud with foreign tourists was received through an email, the accused have been arrested. On the instructions of DCP North Rashi Dogra, a special team was formed under the leadership of Additional DCP Ranu Sharma, ACP Dr Hemant Jakhar and SHO Tourist Dharam Singh. This team took action and arrested three accused, including the kingpin. Biju George Joseph said, "On March 28, the complainant Saso Takeshi lodged a complaint through mail after reaching his native place in Japan that he had come to visit Jaipur on December 2, 2022, and was residing at Hotel Morbi Inn and he was deceived by three locals." He further said that on December 3, the victim had planned to visit Jaipur. "Outside the hotel, he met an auto driver whose name was Sharif. The auto driver spoke to Saso in Japanese and convinced him to visit Jaipur, after this, he deceived him. He took him to another location, where two people pretending to be police officers threatened to send him to jail and then took him to a showroom and purchased gold worth more than Rs 25 lakh using his credit card," the Commissioner further said. The Commissioner said that as soon as this complaint was registered, the police formed a special team and the three accused, Qayyum, Asghar, and Sharif, were arrested. He further said that other accused are also absconding in the case. The accused will be caught soon. (ANI)
Tourists visit Huangling scenic spot in Wuyuan County, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Sui Shangjun)

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.
Azad, a prominent figure in the social and political landscape, will be availing the Central security cover in Uttar Pradesh only.

The step is taken based on some specific threat inputs received from the intelligence bureau as Azad has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, in Uttar Pradesh and beyond. As the leader of the Bhim Army, he has garnered significant attention for his activism and vocal criticism of perceived injustices.

The decision to enhance Azad's security comes amidst concerns for his safety, especially in light of recent events and escalating tensions in various parts of Uttar Pradesh as well as considering the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

With security concerns looming large, the MHA has deployed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos to ensure Azad's safety across the state.

This move underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding individuals who are at risk due to their public positions or activism. It also reflects the growing significance of Azad's role in championing social justice causes and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.

With Uttar Pradesh gearing up for key political events and amidst ongoing socio-political tensions, the decision to provide enhanced security to Azad signals a proactive approach by the authorities to maintain law and order while addressing concerns for the safety of individuals engaged in public discourse and activism. (ANI)
Lok Sabha MP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Amravati, Navneet Rana met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi along with her husband Ravi Rana. "I am starting a new innings in life and I was here to seek his (Amit Shah) blessings. I conveyed to him on behalf of the people of Amravati that Amravati will definitely be one constituency which will contribute to PM Modi's dream of 'Ab Ki Baar 400 Paar'," Navneet Rana said speaking to ANI on Friday. Speaking about his first Lok Sabha win from Amravati, Rana said, "In 2019, when I contested the elections as an Independent, the people of Amaravati supported me despite the huge political wave and at a time when I did not do any work in my constituency, I think they had the confidence that their voice would be heard at the Parliament." The Amaravati MP said that she feels proud that the BJP has given her the responsibility to ensure the party's win in her constituency. "I have already said that I always considered PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as my leaders and I will not go against them. I am happy that for the first time, the lotus symbol will feature on the ballot box and I have been given the responsibility to ensure its victory," Rana said. Heaping praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rana said, "Only a person who has risen from the ground level through hard work can give credit and recognition to a worker like me." (ANI)
The Congress party in Madhya Pradesh suffered a setback on Friday as a sitting Congress MLA from Amarwada assembly in Chhindwara district, Kamlesh Shah joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Shah took the membership of the BJP along with his wife Madhavi Shah and sister Kesar Netam in the presence of CM Mohan Yadav, state BJP chief VD Sharma and others at CM House. After joining, CM Yadav told ANI, "The BJP legislature party meeting today was fruitful as Congress MLA from Amarwada assembly in Chhindwara, Kamlesh Shah has joined the BJP. Till now BJP did not have an MLA from Chhindwara district, now Kamlesh Shah has joined the BJP. We welcome him." Apart from this, a prominent person of Gondwana community from Chhindwara has also joined the BJP family and congratulations to him as well. Chhindwara has definitely become Modimay (impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi). It is the effect of it, CM Yadav further said. Meanwhile, after joining the saffron party, Shah said, "The reason for joining Bharatiya Janata Party is development. I come from the tribal assembly constituency and after becoming an MLA, the development that should have happened in our area has not happened. I have joined Bharatiya Janata Party for development." He further said that he was also impressed by the development policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and as a result of which he joined the BJP. When asked about whether there was any resentment with Kamal Nath, the MLA said, "There is no resentment at all towards Kamal Nath. I respect him, he is my respectable person. I will keep respecting him." Speaking about post and designation in the BJP, Shah said that he did not join the party for any post, there was no pressure and nothing like that. Notably, Chhindwara has been the stronghold of the Congress party. There are a total seven assembly seats in Chhindwara district and all the MLAs were from the Congress party. Now, the Congress party has six MLAs in the district. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to inclusive growth and criticized the current Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, accusing them of being disconnected from common people due to their "intoxication of power." Speaking at the induction of backward classes leaders to BJP in Ranebennur on Friday, Bommai said, "Ensuring a strong inclusive growth has been a guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister and deputy chief minister thought the state was under their control. Some great leaders would come out of control to ensure a change in the situation. The CM, deputy chief minister and others were not seeing people due to intoxication of power as they were surrounded only by sycophants. They would understand the reality after the announcement of the results. Those backward class leaders who joined the BJP would be treated with respect." Bommai noted that while other states had contrasting political situations, Karnataka's voters were mature. He cited examples from past elections to illustrate his point, emphasizing the electorate's ability to make informed choices. He said, "The situation was quite contrast in other states. But the picture was totally different in Karnataka as the voters were mature. The people did not support the state government led by Ramakrishna Hegde in Lok Sabha polls but he got overwhelming support in the subsequent Assembly election after he tendered resignation. In 2013, the Karnataka voters supported the Congress party but it was rejected in the parliamentary election held the next year and votes for Narendra Modi." Bommai said in the last ten years, the opinion about Bharath has changed in the world. Earlier, they would heard about terrorist attacks. When Pakistan attacked India, the then PM Dr Manmohan Singh wrote letter to the Pakistan counterpart alleging their country people attacked India. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi did the surgical strike and sent a strong message to Pakistan that they would be spared if they attack Bharath. The developed countries were facing recession but the Bharath has achieved 7 per cent growth. The BJP government has given 8 lakh houses to people and water and toilet to every house. The inclusive growth has been a guarantee given by Modi. Every citizen was given vaccine against Corona due to which all of them were healthy. The PM Kisan Sanman scheme started by the BJP government of giving Rs 4000 each had been stopped by the incumbent Congress government. As the state has been reeling under severe drought but funds had been released to mitigate the situation. They discussed the water crisis in Vidhana Soudha by drinking the aerated water. But the situation was quite grim in rural areas. No development works were going on in the state. This has been complained by the ruling Congress MLAs. The implementation of five guarantees has been tardy in the state, he added. The Congress which had announced to implement the backward classes commission report before the parliamentary election, has now become silent. They have done injustice to the backward classes. The funds earmarked for the SCs/STs had been diverted for guarantee implementation. The voters must vote the BJP for development. Former minister Byrati Basavaraj, B C Patil, District President Arun Kumar Pujar and others were present. (ANI)
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Friday said that if Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar is not taking a decision to join the Maha Vikas Aghadi, then it clearly means that he is helping the Bharatiya Janata Party. Prithviraj Chavan said that Congress votes will be divided if Prakash Ambedkar does not extend support to Maha Vikas Aghadi. "We have tried to bring Prakash Ambedkar's party within the MVA fold. We had many rounds of discussions where we asked him which seats you have the strength in, as it was not about only increasing the numbers of the party but winning. We sincerely want all those who are opposing PM Modi to not divide their votes as it gives an advantage to PM Modi. I think if he (Prakash Ambedkar) doesn't join MVA, then he is helping the BJP divide Congress votes," Prithviraj Chavan told ANI. Earlier, Prakash Ambedkar had announced on Wednesday the names of nine candidates for the upcoming elections, thus indicating that it would sever its ties with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra. The VBA has not yet formally announced its intention to sever its ties with the MVA in Maharashtra. The VBA had been pushing hard to forge an alliance with the MVA to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections. Maharashtra will vote in five phases for 48 constituencies in the upcoming general elections. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 would be held in seven phases, starting on April 19 and ending on June 1. The results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)
South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma has been barred from contesting upcoming elections scheduled for May, the electoral commission said, as reported by Al Jazeera. South Africa will hold its general elections on May 29 in what is expected to be the most competitive vote since the end of apartheid in 1994. Former President Zuma has been campaigning for the recently formed uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) (Spear of the Nation) party in an attempt to restart his career after he was previously in prison for contempt of court in 2021, according to Al Jazeera. "In the case of former President Zuma, yes, we did receive an objection, which has been upheld," Electoral Commission President Mosotho Moepya said. "The party that has nominated him has been informed," as have those objecting to the move, he added. The governing African National Congress (ANC) is on the verge of dropping below 50 per cent of the vote for the first time since it came to power in 1994, Al Jazeera reported. The party needs support amid a weak economy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Reportedly, if the ANC secures below the 50 per cent threshold, it will force the party, once led by Nelson Mandela, to form a coalition to stay in office. Notably, Zuma's tenure ended in 2018 with corruption allegations when incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa replaced him. He was later sentenced to 15 months in jail in June 2021 after refusing to testify for a panel that later probed financial corruption and cronyism under his presidency, as reported by Al Jazeera. His jailing prompted protests, riots and looting that left more than 350 dead. Later, he was freed on medical parole just two months into his term. An appeals court later ruled that Zuma's release was illegally granted and ordered him back to jail, Al Jazeera reported. But on returning to a correctional centre, he immediately benefited from the remission of non-violent offenders approved by Ramaphosa. The electoral commission said in a statement 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. Additionally, Zuma is also facing corruption charges in an arms procurement scandal in the 1990s when he was vice president. (ANI)
EAM Jaishankar was on a two-day official visit to Malaysia from March 27-28, followed by the ones in Singapore and the Philippines.

Jaishankar took to his social media X, and posted a video highlighting all his meetings and events in Malaysia.

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1773391531749392702?s=20

During his visit, he called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim. He expressed admiration for his vision aimed at fostering stronger ties between India and Malaysia.

During the meeting, Jaishankar also conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The External Affairs Minister also emphasised that this vision will serve as a catalyst for crafting a more ambitious agenda to advance the relationship between the two nations. Jaishankar noted that he benefited greatly from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's guidance and insights on regional developments during their interaction.

Following this, he also met with foreign minister Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan and discussed wide-ranging topics of bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

Jaishankar also held discussions with the Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo. In his meeting with the Malaysian minister, EAM discussed bilateral cooperation in the digital sector.

During the visit, EAM 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 to India-Malaysia ties.

Later, he also met with Tan Sri Vigneswaran, President of the Malaysian Indian Congress.

Jaishankar also interacted with the Indian community in Malaysia.

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)
In an apparent bid to avoid a retrial in the cypher case, the counsel for Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi endorsed the cross-examination of key witnesses by state-appointed counsel, Dawn reported. The move comes as a surprise, as it contradicts the stance earlier adopted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legal team, which has maintained that the Special Court set up to prosecute the case had rushed the process of cross-examination by appointing state counsel. In January, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnaat Muhammad Zulqarnain, cancelled the defence counsel's right to cross-examine the witnesses, citing "absence during two court hearings". Dawn reported that the move irked the PTI founder, who dubbed the trial a "joke" because "the prosecution team and defence counsels both belonged to the government." During previous hearings, PTI leaders' counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, claimed that the trial court-appointed state prosecutors cross-examined 21 witnesses within a very short span of time. Dawn reported that it is believed that the change in strategy by the council is aimed at avoiding a retrial in case the Islamabad High Court (IHC) sets aside the convictions. The IHC has already declared the proceedings illegal once and sent the case back to the court for a fresh trial. During the hearing on Monday, Barrister Safdar endorsed the contentious episode, saying that they "were not aggrieved by this cross-examination". He was arguing before an IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb Safdar, who also read out selected paragraphs of the cross-examination before the bench to substantiate his contention that the case against Khan was based on hearsay. According to him, the cypher was not produced before the court, and the text message--reportedly sent by a US diplomat--referred to as proof that the issue ruined Pak-US relations was presented in the court without recording the sender's testimony. The much talked about demarcation issued to the US was also not brought on judicial record, argued Safdar. The case's star witness, former principal secretary to PM Azam Khan, and other key witnesses, former ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan and then additional secretary in the Pakistan embassy, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, "did not support allegations against Khan." In his cross-examination, Azam stated that the former PM informed him that the cypher's copy had been misplaced and directed his military secretary and PM Office's staff to trace it, argued the counsel. Also, the ex-secretary didn't confirm if the document, waved by the ex-PM during a public gathering on March 27, 2022, was the original cypher, said Safdar, Dawn reported. He suggested that the court may play the recording of Khan's speech at the rally. Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the transcript of the speech was on judicial record. Later, the court adjourned further proceedings till April 2 with CJ Farooq announcing that the hearing would start at 1 pm and would continue till 4 pm. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on Friday met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, who is on an official visit to India and said that he is looking forward to discussions with the leader. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Welcome FM @DmytroKulebaof Ukraine to Hyderabad House. Look forward to our discussions today." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1773602109398671765?s=20 On Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba arrived in India for a two-day official visit at the invitation of EAM Jaishankar. On arriving in India, Minister Kuleba said he 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. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, on Friday, and discussed the bilateral relationship between the two countries. EAM Jaishankar said that he looks forward to the visit, adding that a certain momentum has been created in the bilateral relationship between two countries in recent months. He also said that India looks forward to hearing the Ukrainian perspective on their regional situation. In his opening remarks during the meeting, Jaishankar said, "We have been looking forward to this visit...In recent months, we have had interactions at various levels, I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created certain momentum in our bilateral relationship. Today, after this discussion, we look forward also to the meeting of the intergovernmental commission." "Your visit gives us an opportunity to understand the situation in your own region and I look forward to hearing your perspective on that. Our teams have prepared a very substantial agenda for discussions," he added. Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar said that the two leaders held open and wide-ranging conversation, focussing on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. "An open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukraine FM@DmytroKuleba this afternoon. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various initiatives in that context. Spoke as well on global and regional issues of interest to both of us. Reiterated our commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation," Jaishankar posted on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1773640266483999128?s=20 Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba arrived in India for a two-day official visit at the invitation of EAM Jaishankar. On arriving in India, Minister Kuleba said he will look to boost bilateral ties between the two countries and build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat in New Delhi. Following this visit, Kuleba is also scheduled to meet Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri. 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. (ANI)
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Russian Investigative Committee said Thursday that it has found evidence connecting terrorists from the Crocus City Hall attack in suburban Moscow with "Ukrainian nationalists."

This photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows the Crocus City Hall concert venue in suburban Moscow, Russia. [Photo/Xinhua]

"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.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to approach Pakistan's Supreme Court to challenge the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) ruling regarding the oath of KP Assembly lawmakers elected on reserved seats, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. In a statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Aftab Alam said, "We will challenge the Peshawar High Court's verdict in the Supreme Court." He further said that senior lawyers Salman Akram Raja, Hamid Khan, and Faisal Siddiqui have been included in the legal panel. Alam said that a "writ petition" has been prepared, which will be filed after two days. He stated that the oath of members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) elected on reserved seats for minorities and women will not be administered until the apex court's verdict comes on the matter. Subsequently, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will hold discussions regarding the expected postponement of the Senate election in the cabinet meeting set to be held today, according to Geo News report. Aftab Alam said that the government could also move the court over the expected deal in the Upper House poll. However, the cabinet will make a final decision on the matter. Speaking about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), merger with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) after the polls held on February 8, the provincial law minister called it "injustice" to ignore a political party with the highest number of seats during the allocation of reserved seats. He claimed that injustice was done with the PTI on the reserved seats issue just like the unjust moves of stripping the PTI of its electoral symbol, bat. Amid the issue of oath-taking on reserved seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in a seven-page verdict on Thursday, hinted at postponing the Senate election in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is scheduled to be held on April 2, Geo News reported. On Thursday, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) issued a seven-page verdict on the application regarding the issuance of orders for administering oaths to the lawmakers and the suspension of the Senate election till the administration of oaths to the extent of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The verdict issued by Pakistan's electoral body stated that the right to vote is a fundamental right and no voter cannot be deprived of this fundamental right, according to Geo News report. It further stated that the commission has adequate power to issue such directions and such consequential orders to ensure that polls are conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law. It further said, "Therefore, in case of non compliance of directions and order issued under Article 218(3) read with Section 4(1) and Section 8(c) of the Act, the Commission may in addition to any other action may extend the time for completion of the Senate election to the extent of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa till the administration of oath to members of the Provincial Assembly against the including the applicants." Earlier, opposition parties in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly sought the court's intervention on the issue of the oath-taking of members on the reserved seats, the report said. The members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in the petition requested the court to see that the members elected on the reserved seats are sworn in to be able to vote in the upcoming Senate polls. (ANI)
The students of Government Boys Degree College in Skardu staged massive protests by blocking roads while demanding uninterrupted power supply in the area. The students organised this sit-in on Friday to raise their voices, claiming that they have not had any power at the college or the hostel for more than a month. A science student complained that they were not able to perform the simplest of science practicals of their course. "We had taken the issue to the higher authorities and have waited a lot but if they take over a month to resolve this issue, then our studies will surely suffer a lot," he added. Another student belonging to the educational institution said that the biggest issue for them is "no availability of power." "We suffer a lot because of it, as our study schedule is all destroyed and we are not able to open and start our fasts during the ongoing month of Ramadan. And the upcoming exams have now become the biggest problem for us without electricity. We have raised the issue with the authorities but the situation has not improved so far," the student said. "We are not demanding a special line of uninterrupted power for us like the political leaders we are just asking that at least two to three hours of electricity be given to us just like the civil areas," he added. A local from the area complained that "we also don't get enough wattage for ourselves, we can't use any of the important electronics. Another issue being faced by the education fraternity in the region is the 'non-completion' of the University of Baltistan, Skardu. The locals are raising concerns because the road that was supposed to link the main road to the university remains incomplete even after the tender was released back in 2015. This has led to the incomplete road getting damaged and becoming dangerous for travel. Gulam Haidar, an engineer and the project director at the university, said, "If the connecting road is barely travelable for a small car, then how do we imagine that big trucks with construction can travel through that unfinished road?" "There are huge puddles on that road and hence the road becomes non-travelable. Every problem at the university is related to the university because of the ignorance of the authorities. The non-completion of these projects is also the result of the sheer irresponsibility of the contractors. We have decided to raise serious complaints and fine the contractors so that the job is completed and the university finally begins operations," he added. (ANI)
Themed "Shukraneeti: Navigating Turbulence, Turmoil, and Uncertainty - Defining India's Role as a Vishwamitra," the conference drew over 30 distinguished speakers from around the world, including ambassadors, military personnel, academicians, journalists, and students.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and with NewsX as the media partner, the conference provided a vital platform for discussing pressing global security issues.

During the conference, attendees engaged in insightful dialogues on contemporary global security threats, appreciating the efforts by the Usanas Foundation to foster collaboration and understanding among diverse stakeholders.

The inaugural session featured esteemed speakers like Anita Jain, Director of Usanas Foundation, along with notable ambassadors and dignitaries. Maharaj Kumar Vishwaraj Singh delivered a keynote address, emphasising Maharana Pratap's legacy and its relevance in contemporary geopolitics. Additionally, the event marked the launch of Abhinav Pandya's book, "Terror Financing in Kashmir," further enriching the discourse on security challenges.

Keynote addresses by prominent figures like MJ Akbar and Tejendra Khanna added depth to discussions on India's foreign policy dimensions and security challenges amid religious differences. Muktesh K Pardeshi from the MEA provided valuable insights into India's engagements in West Asia.

The conference delved into various topics, including regional realignment, terrorism, and India's rise as a civilizational state. Day two saw discussions on trans-Atlantic security architecture and India's outreach in Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus.

A highlight of the event was the session on multipolarity, led by Abhinav Pandya, where the evolving global power dynamics were analyzed. The conference concluded with moderated sessions ensuring a comprehensive exploration of geopolitical issues, leaving participants enriched with diverse perspectives.

The findings of the conference were forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs, aiming to contribute to policy formulation. The success of MPAGD 2024 underscores the significance of collaborative efforts in understanding and shaping global dynamics, with Udaipur serving as a vibrant hub for meaningful geopolitical dialogue. (ANI)
Nearly a dozen doctors on Friday held demonstration in front of the Israeli Embassy expressing solidarity with besieged healthcare workers Gaza. Doctors from Nepal's largest government hospital, the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) held a peaceful march from the hospital to the Israeli Embassy, holding placards and banners calling on Israel to stop the ongoing operation in the Palestinian area. The demonstrating doctors held the placards reading, "Stop the Genocide", "Save Gaza Hospitals", "Bombing ambulances is not self-defense", "Stop the conflict between Israel and Palestine" amongst others. "We organized this protest to condemn the atrocities of Israeli government against people of Palestine especially the health-care workers, numerous of them have been killed in this conflict. We wanted to convey that it is despicable, inhumane treatment of all Palestinians for several decades, we cannot withstand that, this needs to change and there should be a long-lasting peace in the middle-east and that can only happen once Israel change its behavior," Dr Arun Upreti, one of the demonstrating doctors told ANI. Nepali doctors and health workers have demanded an immediate ceasefire as more than 500 health workers have been killed in the attack that started on October 7. "Since October 7 More than 685 medical workers have been killed and thousands injured, and patients have been treated with the worst inhumanity. We also mourn the death of the courageous physician volunteers of Doctors Without Borders who were killed in Gaza while caring the wounded and sick," the protesting doctors under the banner of Physician for Social Responsibility (PSR) stated in a release. Since October 7 when the war between Israel and Hamas started, more than 31000 people have lost their lives, the majority of them women and children. The healthcare system in Gaza has collapsed as per the accounts shared by the doctors who visited the besieged Palestinian area since the start of the operation by Israel. The Israeli offensive has displaced nearly 2.3 million people, caused a starvation crisis, flattened most of the enclave, according to Gaza's health ministry. The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas carried out a massive terror attack against Israel on October 7, killing over 1200 people, taking around 250 people hostage and even committing sexual assault against civilians. In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive targeting the Hamas terror units in the Gaza Strip. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the war will continue until Hamas is "destroyed." A case is also underway at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) where South Africa has accused Israel of "committing genocide" in Gaza. The ICJ did not order an 'immediate ceasefire." However, it did ask Israel to take "every measure possible to avoid genocide" while also ensuring humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera reported. Israel denies accusations of genocide and has maintained that it is targeting Hamas, not civilians. It has accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields and says it has a right to defend itself. (ANI)
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

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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.

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Indiana State Police Sgt. Carey Huls held up a photo of Dejuane Ludie Anderson who has been charged in connection to the death of her son Cairo Jordan, who was 5 at the time, during a press conference at the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post in Sellersburg, In. on Oct. 26, 2022.

A court date has been scheduled for Dejuane Ludie Anderson, the mother of Cairo Jordan, the 5-year-old boy who was found in a suitcase in Southern Indiana, who was arrested earlier this month nearly two years after his body was found.

Anderson is set to be arraigned in Washington County Circuit Court in Salem, Indiana, on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., a day after she is expected to be extradited from a Los Angeles Police Department facility, Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller said.

Anderson was taken into custody without incident on March 14 by the U.S. Marshals Service in California and is facing multiple felony charges, including murder, Sgt. Carey Huls of the Indiana State Police said.

Cairo Ammar Jordan was found on April 16, 2022 in a heavily wooded area in Washington County, Indiana, approximately 25 miles northwest of Louisville. His body was inside a suitcase with "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada" painted on its shell.

The Washington County community held a funeral for the then-unidentified Jordan shortly following his death, with more than 100 people attending the service.

He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, his headstone having the inscription: "In loving memory of a beloved little boy known but to God." His full name was later added on a space left open at the time of his burial.

During a March 15 news conference, Huls said many people in the community have kept Jordan in their thoughts and continually asked investigators for updates since he was discovered.

"There's still flowers to this day that are placed at his gravesite, (with) people praying for him and his family and that justice will be done," he said.

More: Mother arrested in connection with 5-year-old Cairo Jordan death

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Cairo Jordan case: Arraignment date set for mother arrested in case
The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday morning has renewed interest in bridge conditions and aging infrastructure across America and Pennsylvania.

While the collision from a massive cargo ship against the bridge's support beam is an unpredictable catastrophe, bridge experts say the structure's quick collapse is like a glimpse into a long-standing infrastructure problem.

The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lies on top of the container ship Dali in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 27, 2024. Authorities in Baltimore were set to focus on expanding recovery efforts on March 27 after the cargo ship slammed into the bridge, causing it to collapse and leaving six people presumed dead. All six were members of a construction crew repairing potholes on the bridge when the structure fell into the Patapsco River at around 1:30 am (0530 GMT) on March 26. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Rick Geddes, an infrastructure policy expert and director of Cornell Universitys infrastructure policy program told USA Today that "this disaster reveals how exposed Americas critical infrastructure is to sudden and devastating accidents as well as intentional destruction.

Pennsylvania's deficient bridges

Roughly 45,000 bridges across the country were rated in poor condition by the Federal Highway Administration in 2022, according to a USA Today analysis of the FHA's National Bridge Inventory.

Iowa had more poor-rated bridges than any state in the nation (4,571), but Pennsylvania was second highest with 3,353 poor bridges.

According to current Pennsylvania Department of Transportation data, about 3,022 bridges in Pennsylvania have a poor rating by the federal highway's standards.

PennDOT estimates that about 15.7%, or 3,674 bridges in the state are at least in need of some kind of repair and about 13%, or 3,046 bridges are considered structurally deficient.

Edgely bridge plans on hold: Bristol Township gets $2M to repair, reopen Edgely bridge. Replacement will have to wait

About 144 bridges in Bucks County were estimated to be deficient in 2022, placing it the second behind Allegheny for the county badly in need of repairs.

Where's the Parx hotel?: Parx has OK to build hotel in Bensalem. Is the project stalled?

Bucks County is now down to 114 deficient bridges, placing it third behind Luzerne County (115 bridges) and Allegheny County (120 bridges).

Chris Ullery is the Philadelphia Hub Data Reporter for the USA Today Network. Reach him at cullery@couriertimes.com or find him on Twitter at @ulleryatinell.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse puts infrastructure under spotlight
Binghamton University will soon have access to state-of-the-art packaging equipment for its Nanofabrication Laboratory, part of the school's S3IP Center of Excellence.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced $1 million in funding to improve workforce training for advanced chip manufacturing and help 100 people receive job training each year.

The purchase of new equipment will allow electronics with sub-micron circuitry to be fabricated, analyzed, and tested by participants from across industry and academia, providing students with the hands-on training to prepare them for careers in semiconductor manufacturing and draw supply chain companies to the Southern Tier.

"With the semiconductor industry booming in Upstate NY, we need to start getting our students the hands-on training now," Schumer said in a statement, "to prepare them to fill these careers to ensure these projects will be a success."

Binghamton University's Center of Excellence is housed on Murray Hill Road in Vestal.

Semiconductor manufacturing in the Southern Tier

This funding is the latest in a steady string of boosts to a growing chip manufacturing industry in New York.

In October 2022, Micron, one of the worlds largest semiconductor manufacturers, pledged to spend up to $100 billion in the next 20 years on a semiconductor manufacturing hub in Clay.

More development news: With recycled glass, these Southern Tier teams are shaping the future of concrete

In July 2023, Menlo Micro announced plans to invest over $50 million to open its first U.S. fab facility in Lansing that is expected to create more than 100 jobs. The company specializes in hyper-efficient switches that have applications in aerospace, energy, communications, infrastructure and consumer electronics.

Gillibrand called investments in workforce training, like the funding for Binghamton University, "vital" to the industry's success.

The NLAB is part of Binghamton University's S3IP Center of Excellence, where 120 companies, 20 faculty members and 60 graduate students conduct technology research. Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said the investment's impact will stretch beyond the university campus.

Equipping our laboratories with the latest tools gives our students and our industry partners an important advantage," Stenger said in a statement. "I look forward to seeing our cleanroom serve as a learning space for our own undergraduates as well as high school and community college students from the region.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: NY's growing semiconductor workforce could start in Binghamton
 Flash

This photo from Facebook page of Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety shows a rescuer working at the site of a bus crash near Mamatlakala, Limpopo province, South Africa, on March 28, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]



A total of 45 people were killed in a bus crash that occurred Thursday in South Africa's northeastern province of Limpopo, the country's Department of Transport said.

The crash, which involved a passenger bus allegedly transporting people from Botswana to Moria, a town in Limpopo, killed at least 45 people and seriously injured one, the department said in a statement late Thursday.

"I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend," Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said.

The police will continue to provide updates as the rescue and recovery efforts unfold, and the precise cause of the crash is under investigation, according to the statement.

The 45 dead were worshippers, and they were killed after their bus went out of control, fell over a bridge, and caught fire on the mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken in Limpopo, the South African Broadcasting Corporation said in an earlier report Thursday.
Blossom, the resident goose at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, was on a search for love after being left widowed in 2023.

Blossom, the resident goose at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa, started staring at her own reflection after her partner, Bud, died in 2023. Staring at their reflection is a sign of loneliness in geese.

Blossom was noticeably lonely after her partner, Bud, died. She began staring at her own reflection, which is a sign of loneliness in geese. Noticing she was hurting, managers at Riverside Cemetery created a personal ad to find Blossom a new love.

How an appealing personal ad for a goose led to a messy meeting

Blossom's ad read: "Come share life with me at Riverside Cemetery, where you will enjoy swimming in the lovely lake, good food, numerous friends and peeking in the door of the office building at the strange but kind humans there who feed us lots of goodies. I'm youthful, adventurous and lively, and I've been told I'm beautiful."

Deb Hoyt, director of a horse rescue farm in nearby Runnells, Iowa, saw the ad at the perfect time. She also had a grieving goose, Frankie, who'd recently lost his mate. And, at the time, Hoyt was preparing to close her farm and move out of state.

Frankie and Blossom had at least one thing in common: They both were struggling after a recent loss.

The lovebirds were supposed to meet on Valentine's Day 2023, but Frankie had other plans after a stressful car ride. He took off running and was nowhere to be found for a day.

Two Iowa geese get a second chance at love

Frankie and Blossom greet employees at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown.

The very next day, Frankie returned to Riverside Cemetery, where he finally met Blossom.

It was love at first sight, and David Shearer, director at Riverside Cemetery, said they have been inseparable ever since.

Blossom and Frankie, taking a romantic walk in the rain this morning. Have a great day, everyone! Posted by Riverside Cemetery on Thursday, April 20, 2023

Now, Frankie and Blossom spend their days roaming the more than 90 acres of Riverside Cemetery. Shearer said it was named one of the top 10 most beautiful cemeteries in the nation at one point.

Plenty of other birds, swans, ducks and more, visit Frankie and Blossom often. A collective chosen family, if you will.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Riverside Cemetery's personal ad brings new love for widowed geese
A third lawsuit has been filed by an employee of the newspaper in Marion, Kansas, which was raided by police in August.

Office manager Cheri Bentz filed the federal lawsuit Friday, claiming she was unlawfully detained and interrogated, and had her cell phone seized.

The Marion County Records newsroom was searched on Aug. 11. The town of about 1,900 people is about an hour north of Wichita.

Defendants include the City of Marion, former Police Chief Gideon Cody, former Mayor David Mayfield, Acting Police Chief Zach Hudlin, Sheriff Jeff Soyez and detective Aaron Christner.

The lawsuit said Bentz was preparing the payroll that day when Cody and other officers entered the building. He made her leave her desk and personal belongings while the police department and Marion County Sheriffs office staged an unprecedented, retaliatory raid on the Record and its staff.

Hudlin read Bentz her Miranda rights. She explained to Cody that she was the office manager and not directly involved in reporting.

The newspaper had looked into Codys history with the Kansas City Police Department. He left the agency last April while under investigation for allegedly making sexist comments to a female officer. The paper also had a fraught relationship with Mayfield.

Bentz was caught in the crossfire of this retaliation and was harmed by it, the lawsuit claimed.

The Marion County Record newspaper offices.

Police executed search warrants that day at The Record, the home of Joan Meyer and her son Eric Meyer, who own the newspaper, and former City Councilwoman Ruth Herbel under the pretense that a reporter illegally obtained information about the DUI conviction of local restaurateur Kari Newell. That information was later confirmed by the Kansas Department of Revenue to be open to the public.

Joan Meyer died the day after the raid.

The warrants were withdrawn the next week because there was insufficient evidence that a crime had been committed, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey said at the time.

The raid, which drew international attention, was widely condemned. Cody resigned in October and Hudlin became interim chief. A new mayor was elected in November.

Bentzs lawsuit alleges the raid was based on defective search warrants.

It also alleges that Cody said, The search warrant covers us recovering everything, which was false.

He later told Bentz he thought she had very little involvement, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges Bentzs First and Fourth Amendments were violated in addition to the Privacy Protection Act, which protects reporters materials from seizure.

Interim city administrator Mark McAnarney declined to comment Friday on the lawsuit. Soyez and others did not respond to requests for comment.

Reporters Deb Gruver and Phyllis Zorn have also filed lawsuits.
Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on Tuesday morning, officials in Massachusetts have been scrambling to assess the safety and security of the dozens of bridges traversing navigable waterways statewide.

The $4.5 billion replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges looms on the horizon, raising questions about whether a similar collapse could happen to the pair of octogenarian bridges.

The Cape Cod Canal bridges were designed and built in the 1930s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which still owns and maintains them today. The bridges initially saw one million crossings annually, with that figure shooting up to nearly 38 million today, according to the Cape Cod Commission. That level of traffic is about the same as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, which is about six times the length and twice the width.

In a steady rain, a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat heads east Thursday through the Cape Cod Canal past the cement support columns for the Sagamore Bridge in Bourne. The support columns sit in the water at the edge of the canal.

Jonathan Gulliver, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Administrator, said in a Tuesday press conference the Canal bridges are of a similar design type to the Francis Scott Key but have very different support systems.

Similar to a number of other bridges that are (over) navigable waterways, the pier  so the structure got hit by that ship in Baltimore  was a pier that was in the navigation channel, Gulliver said. My understanding is both the Bourne and the Sagamore, as well as the Tobin, those piers are all outside of the navigation channel, and so a ship would run aground before they hit those piers and caused any structural damage.

The Tobin Bridge carries Route 1 over the Mystic River, connecting Boston and Chelsea.

Much like the Francis Scott Key bridge, the canal bridges do not have protective fenders sheltering their piers.

What happened at the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

Around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a cargo ship struck a column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, which carried Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the strike.

The ship sent out a "mayday" before the collision and gave officials time to stop cars from driving onto the bridge, according to USA TODAY. As of Wednesday afternoon, crews stopped searching for the construction workers believed to be on the bridge when it collapsed.

In a file photo, a marine traffic controller at the Cape Cod Canal, uses binoculars to look toward the railroad bridge that crosses the western end of the canal.

Has a ship hit a Cape Cod Canal bridge?

In 2016, a 131-foot-tall Norwegian cruise ship called the Viking Star clipped the railroad bridge in Buzzards Bay, on the western end of the Cape Cod Canal. The vertical lift bridge, which stands 135 feet above the water, was scraped by an antenna atop the cruise ship.

Although some paint was lost, all three Canal bridges  the railroad bridge and, to the east, the Bourne and Sagamore bridges  were inspected after the incident and found undamaged, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the time.

In a file photo from 2004, marine traffic controllers work inside a marine traffic control center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Buzzards Bay.

'Structurally deficient doesn't mean unsafe'

During a Tuesday meeting with state officials and various news agencies, Gov. Maura Healey said the Cape Cod Canal bridges have been deemed structurally deficient, a technical term meaning the bridges are safe to drive and traverse over but still have deteriorations or other flaws.

Structurally deficient doesn't mean unsafe, Healey said. Because what happens is when there is that designation there was work immediately done to ensure safe passage, but it doesn't take away from the fact that we actually need to have these bridges replaced.

What happened in Baltimore might be an extraordinary case, unlikely to occur on the canal, U.S. Representative William Keating, D-Massachusetts, said in an email to the Times.

A U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat heads east through the Cape Cod Canal past the cement support columns for the Sagamore Bridge in Bourne.

The most important thing to do now is allow the National Transportation Safety Board and other officials to determine why this specific incident happened and learn how to prevent it from ever happening again, Keating said.

Then we need to take whatever preventative measures, if there are any determined by the official investigation, and apply them in Massachusetts and across the country.

Walker Armstrong reports on all things Cape and Islands, primarily focusing on courts, transportation and the Joint Base Cape Cod military base. Contact him at WArmstrong@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jd__walker.

The Cape Cod Times is providing this coverage for free as a public service. Please take a moment to support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: How vulnerable are Bourne, Sagamore bridges to a ship strike?
A CIA officer stationed in Belgrade and her baby. Members of a U.S. intelligence tech team sent to Bogota. A female intelligence officer in Frankfurt.

These CIA agents, who are still active and whose details have not been previously reported, have been quietly receiving compensation for sustaining brain injuries associated with anomalous health incidents  the U.S. governments term for what has come to be known as Havana Syndrome.

Intelligence agencies have said it is unlikely that a foreign adversary has been attacking American officers around the world. They publicly said Havana Syndrome could be explained away by environmental factors, previous conditions or stress. At the same time, the CIA and other federal agencies are paying compensation to these officers precisely because they had the kind of brain injury that cannot be explained by any of those circumstances.

And it all happened when they were working in very different places around the world.

Victims of Havana Syndrome incidents, first happening in Cuba and later in several other countries, have reported feeling a strange noise or pressure coming from a specific direction and developed symptoms similar to a traumatic brain injury.

One case of an officer recently receiving compensation seems to push the Havana Syndrome timeline back to 2014  appearing first not in Cuba, but in Europe.

Sources familiar with the cases who asked for anonymity to discuss the matter told the Miami Herald the CIA officer received compensation for an anomalous health incident when she was working in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2014. The first recorded incident was previously believed to have happened in Havana in late 2016.

To receive the one-time payments, officers must comply with requirements in the Havana Act, a law passed by Congress in 2021, including providing medical records showing they sustained brain injuries while on duty.

One of the sources said there are several cases of CIA agents affected who were probably known to Russian intelligence because their work involved Russia or were stationed in places where Russian spies operate with relative ease, including Cuba, China and Europe.

Thats the case of a female officer stationed in Belgrade, Serbia, at the time of the incident in 2021 who previously worked on matters related to Russia. She and her months-old baby had to be evacuated, and both had brain injuries, the sources said. The Wall Street Journal reported the CIA evacuated an intelligence officer serving in Serbia for injuries in connection with the Havana Syndrome at the time but did not provide any details of the case.

Two CIA officers in a tech team who were sent to investigate reports of Havana Syndrome incidents in Bogota in 2021 and were themselves hit also received compensation, the sources said. They also won a long battle to obtain workers compensation from the Department of Labor. To obtain workers compensation, a program that covers medical treatments, the agency had to accept they suffered a traumatic brain injury at work.

Under the Havana Act, the CIA made one-time payments of up to $187,300 in 2022 or $195,00 in 2023 to officers injured in Havana, Moscow, Vienna and other places who demonstrated an inability to work, sustain relationships, perform cognitively or physically, or other factors indicative of severe brain injury, according to agency regulations. In 2024, compensation will be up to $204,000.

After this story was published online, a CIA spokesperson on Friday pointed to the Intelligence Communitys Annual Threat Assessment published earlier this month by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the latest evaluation of anomalous health incidents.

According to the report, the intelligence community still assesses that the symptoms reported by the U.S. personnel in connection to these incidents were the result of factors that did not involve a foreign adversary, though these findings do not call into question the very real experiences and symptoms that our colleagues and their family members have reported.

The report also said the intelligence community is still investigating these incidents, particularly in areas we have identified as requiring additional research and analysis..

We continue to prioritize or work on such incidents, allocating resources and expertise across the government, pursuing multiple lines of inquiry and seeking information to fill the gaps we have identified, the report adds.

More than seven years into the Havana Syndrome affair, the lack of timely diagnosis and study of the victims and the lack of information-sharing across U.S. government agencies have resulted in contradictory scientific research and government reports.

A team of University of Pennsylvania doctors who studied Havana Syndrome patients injured in Cuba and published the results in a 2019 paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association found significant brain anomalies in that group that were not a result of past traumatic brain injuries. But the authors of a recent National Institutes of Health study found no trace of brain injuries.

Intelligence officials first hinted in 2018 that they suspected Russia was a possible culprit. A study commissioned by the U.S. government found that commercially available technology using pulsed electromagnetic energy could cause the array of symptoms seen in Havana Syndrome victims. But in March 2023, analysts from seven U.S. spy agencies that put together an intelligence assessment said they could not attribute the incidents to a foreign adversary. However, they disagreed about how sure they were of the conclusions.

Despite that assessment, the U.S. Defense Department is still investigating the incidents, and the Defense Health Agency developed protocols to diagnose and treat Havana Syndrome in a way similar to how doctors treat concussions.

Tricare, a healthcare program managed by the Defense Health Agency for U.S. military personnel, regards anomalous health incidents as counterintelligence incidents.

Your supporting counterintelligence office will contact you for a debrief on the incident, its website advises those seeking care.

Though they appreciate their compensation, victims of the Havana Syndrome have told the Herald they cant understand why the government seems to be holding two opposing positions at once.

I point to Aristotles principle of non-contradiction, which suggests that opposites cannot be true at the same time, said Marc Polymeropoulos, a retired senior CIA official who was deputy chief for operations in Europe and Eurasia when he was injured in Moscow in one the incidents. He received compensation under the Havana Act for an injury in the line of duty.

This compensation was based specifically on a formal traumatic brain injury diagnosis from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which included the statement from my doctors that I did not have a pre-existing condition, he said. Yet the U.S. government continues to insist, from the various reports including from the Director of National Intelligence and now the National Institutes of Health, that, in effect, nothing whatsoever happened to me. This simply makes no sense.

Participants in the NIH study that found no traces of brain injuries in Havana Syndrome patients raised several complaints, including allegations of bias and mishandling of their medical data on the part of the NIH researchers. Dr. David Relman, a prominent Stanford University professor who led two other government-commissioned studies on Havana Syndrome, pointed out several limitations in the NIH research, including that some imaging and blood tests were after too much time had passed to show or measure the injuries.

A scientist involved in previous imaging studies of Havana Syndrome patients said the main problem with the NIH study is that it mixed groups of people who were injured in different countries at different times, and some even had already gone through rehabilitation.

The NIH group mixes people from everywhere and finds nothing, the scientist said. Its not scientific to do something like this.

The NIH study, the scientist said, misrepresents itself as a study trying to replicate the results from the one conducted at Penn with victims injured in Cuba, but only 28% of the sample of people they used correspond to the patients studied by the Penn team, and most of that 28% had received extensive therapy.

This one study doesnt change anything, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said of the NIH study. We must continue to fully understand what these Havana Syndrome victims experienced. I remain committed to ensuring these individuals have full access to the healthcare and compensation they deserve.

The House Intelligence Committee recently launched a formal investigation into how U.S. spy agencies handled the investigation of the Havana Syndrome. The Senate Intelligence Committee has also been gathering testimonies in recent months.

We need to determine why, how, who, or what is responsible for these possible directed energy attacks, Rubio said.

On Sunday, CBS News 60 Minutes will air a segment on the Havana Syndrome. According to a press release, For the first time, sources tell 60 Minutes they have evidence that a U.S. adversary may be involved.
Jill Baillie and Courtney Henley watch an annular solar eclipse in Torrey, Utah, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. A phenomenon known as the "ring of fire" was visible because of the way the sun's edges perfectly surround the moon. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The April 8 solar eclipse is expected to lure some 4 million people to the dozen-plus U.S. states that lie in the path of totality for the celestial event.

And that cavalcade of umbraphiles is expected to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the lucky communities that are best located for the roughly four-minute view of a total eclipse in the middle of an event that will take about two hours from start to finish.

The optimum viewing corridor follows an arcing path that begins in south Texas and ends its journey across the continental U.S. in northern Maine. Businesses of all types are looking for ways to leverage an opportunity that, while it has presented itself twice in the last seven years thanks to the last total solar eclipse viewable in the contiguous states in 2017, will not be seen again until August 2044.

Hotels, resorts, cruise operators and airline companies have all found innovative ways to capitalize on the event, and for those who havent already booked or reserved, you could be out of luck.

This is likely going to be the single biggest tourism event weve ever had, Michael Pakko, an economist at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, who is projecting a statewide windfall of $105 million, told the Washington Post. Obviously, its going to be a short duration  a long weekend  but for that concentrated period of time, its going to be a very big deal.

Everythings bigger in Texas

Texas has the biggest single metro area in the path of totality, Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as Austin and San Antonio that, combined, account for 13 million residents who wont have to go anywhere to view the event. Bulent Temel, assistant professor of practice and economics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, told the Texas Standard that a million or more eclipse watchers could be traveling to the state for the event and, the time the path of totality takes to travel through the state, will make it the most profitable event to ever happen in the state.

Well, this spectacle is going to take a total of 22 minutes in the state of Texas, Temel said. And its going to bring somewhere between $150 million and $603 million, in our estimates, to the state economy. So that is likely to be the most profitable per minute stimulation of the state economy in the states 179-year history.

Even tiny communities in the pathway are expecting eclipse windfalls next month.

Johnson County, Indiana, located just south of Indianapolis and boasting a population of about 165,000 residents is hosting a handful of eclipse-focused events and expects to see 100,000 or more visitors for the event. Ken Kosky, executive director of Festival Country Indiana, the tourism bureau of Johnson County, told the Daily Journal he estimates the economic impact of eclipse tourism and related spending could pump more than $10 million into the local economy and potentially as much as $25 million depending on the weather and other factors.

Delta Air Lines is flying two special eclipse flights, one each out of Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, that feature planes with extra-large windows that will allow maximum viewing on trips that will spend extended time in the path of totality on the way to Detroit. While Delta initially only intended to fly one eclipse special from Austin, the company added a second flight on an even larger plane after the first one sold out in less than 24 hours.

Holland America is operating a 22-day Solar Eclipse Cruise, the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park is hosting a Solar Coaster and a Vermont ski resort, Jay Peak, has been sold out since last spring, according to the Post. Some 8,000 are taking part in the resorts eclipse celebrations, which will include a Pink Floyd cover band playing Dark Side of the Moon as the eclipse begins.

Economists told Forbes total economic activity related to the April 8 eclipse viewing activities could easily surpass $1 billion with Ohio, Texas and Indiana set to see the most benefits.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

NASA scientists note safety is the top priority when viewing a total solar eclipse and encourage eclipse viewers to familiarize themselves with safety guidelines.

Some solar eclipse fun facts from NASA:

After the event on April 8, the next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

While earthlings typically arent able to see the suns outer atmosphere from their home planet, the corona becomes visible during a total solar eclipse and offers unique opportunities for study.

When the moon completely blocks the visible surface of the sun during a total solar eclipse, viewers can remove their eclipse glasses. NASA says a total solar eclipse is the only type of solar eclipse where the safety glasses can be momentarily removed.

At the point of totality, nocturnal wildlife sometimes wakes up, thinking its nighttime, according to NASA. And non-nocturnal wildlife may think its time to sleep.
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.
American history cannot be written or told without an accurate remembering and portrayal of the true South.

There are far too many unknowledgeable and bitter people attempting to rewrite history. Change what they will, but history cannot be undone. It is tantamount to trying to unring a bell.

The song of the South is forever there. The Congressional Record, the Smithsonian Institution, and history books all over the world will be there to accurately trace the American saga, and the role of the South. Forgetting the past only ensures that it will be repeated.

Elaine Harris Spearman

Anywhere you turn, an individual growing up in Alabama during the many years of strife, before any changes, has their own story to tell about the role they played, or the role someone in their family played.

Some of it is exaggerated, or simply made up to become a more relevant figure now or back then. The attempts to rewrite ones personal history are running rampant. Truth crushed to the ground will rise again.

Modern technology, artificial intelligence and screen shooting can cause people to actually have lying eyes. Are you seeing what you see? This rhetorical question provides the foundation for the actual preservation of what existed B.T.: Before Technology.

In Alabama, Gadsden is part of the Civil Rights Trail that runs across the South. Anniston is included in that trail of tears. Lest we forget, we must be (ever) mindful of Gadsdens pivotal role in the quest for equal treatment under the law, free access to public places and voting rights, which were among the rights denied.

This was the goal of the Central Carver Foundation Inc., an Alabama nonprofit incorporated in January 2004. The foundation maintains and operates the Central Carver Museum. Katheryn L. Barrett and Bettye J. Knowles were the architects of this major undertaking.

Carver High School sent graduates all over the world, not just the United States. Carver in Gadsden was the first of many schools in the state named in honor of the great scientist George Washington Carver. Built in 1936, Carver High School was Gadsden's first full 12-year public school for African-American students.

The Gadsden Board of Education closed Carver in 1971. It became a casualty of Gadsdens painful school desegregation, which had begun in 1969.

We are in the time of high school reunions. There still remains a lot of emotions and feelings about African-Americans finding themselves in unwelcoming schools and students in those schools being faced with people who they had no interaction with and only knew stories from family and friends. Many of those stories were inaccurate.

There are still discussions of Black graduates from those integrated schools refusing to participate in reunions because the vestiges of ill treatment and lack of understanding that remain to this day as to why some Black students decline to participate.

Though the Carver building was demolished, the grounds remain. Many Carver graduates consider the ground as hallowed. Those teachers who toiled there are forever there in spirit, and in pictures and other memorabilia housed in the Central Carver Museum.

That is the purpose of a historical museum. Modernization and digitalization are occurring in conjunction with the Gadsden Public Library and the Gadsden Art Museum.

In this the 20th year of existence of the Central Carver Museum, the board of directors, which oversees the museum, has revived the Central Carver Advisory Committee.

Under the boards approval, the Advisory Committee is going forward with the theme, Central Carver Foundation Inc.: Honoring the Past While Building for the Future.

The Central Carver Museum will be the highlight of the event. The Advisory Committee believes that it is important that the celebration of 20 years should be held in the footprint of the Carver home.

Claude Burnett, the board chairman, is very clear on the established goals of preservation of the heritage and legacy of Central Carver, and the creation of a broad community system that magnifies education, community development, and community partnerships.

We have a lot more to tell the community and Carver High School graduates about the 20th year coming home event.

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The views expressed are her own.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: ELAINE HARRIS SPEARMAN: Central Carver Museum to celebrate 20 years
Emotions are on the rise as the Poudre School District community begins to fully digest the districts options for consolidating and closing schools to deal with declining enrollment and subsequent budget reductions.

About 360 people showed up for a listening session with the Facilities Planning Steering Committee on Monday, March 25, at Rocky Mountain High School, 350 participated in an online session Wednesday night and about 260 were on hand Thursday night at Lincoln Middle School to share their thoughts. The first two listening sessions last week, on the day after the committees scenarios for discussion became public at a Board of Education meeting, drew about 50 and 80 participants apiece.

On Thursday night, parents and staff of schools that would be consolidated or closed in 2025-26 under some of the scenarios wore shirts and jackets in school colors bearing the names of their schools. When it was time to break out into smaller groups to share feedback on the plan with members of the steering committee, they appeared to make a conscious effort to split up to plead the case for saving their school to as many committee members as possible.

Some parents broke down in tears as they were speaking, unable to bear the thought of losing a particular school or program.

Increased feedback improves the process, committee members say

Still, Facilities Planning Steering Committee members Rebecca Everette, Lindsay Ex and Andrew Spain were pleased to have so many people willing to share their thoughts on what they all agree is a difficult process with no solution that will make everyone happy.

Id say it was extremely helpful with the high attendance, because there were a lot of schools represented, and people got to hear from each other, Everette said. So, theres kind of a dialog and understanding thats happening across the whole community rather than just a conversation internal to one school. 

The input is really helping to advance the conversation in a really productive way. This amount of input doesnt complicate the process; it makes the process better.

Spain said he would be a lot more concerned if people werent showing up, because that would mean nobody cared.

The fact that we have this level of engagement, we should be celebrating that, he said. Weve got to leverage that work together.

Participants generally seemed to appreciate the efforts of the 37-member Facilities Planning Steering Committee, as well, with many thanking the group moderators before voicing their specific concerns.

More: Poudre School District parents, staff weigh in on draft school consolidation scenarios

I thought it was a pretty simple process, and people listened to each other, McGraw Elementary School parent Adam Dillon said. I thought it was good to see a lot of engagement. Its tough, because a lot of people are just fighting their individual fight of where their kid goes. I dont want to do that. I wanted to rise above it.

McGraw Elementary would not be closed under any of the draft scenarios but would potentially gain students through consolidation from other schools that would be closed.

Parents, staff make passionate pleas for their schools

A crowd of about 260 people participated in a Facilities Planning Steering Committee listening session on Poudre School District consolidation options Thursday at Lincoln Middle School in Fort Collins.

Dillon's approach was a difficult one for many participants to take, particularly those whose schools would be consolidated or closed under any of the three scenarios the steering committee has presented. Those scenarios are far from final, steering committee facilitator Josie Plaut reminded the group as they were being presented at the start of Thursday nights meeting. Plaut, the associate director of Colorado State University's Institute for the Built Environment, is leading the steering committees work through her organization.

To emphasize the need that something must be done, Plaut told the full audience that the plan that would best maximize financial efficiency and building utilization would have resulted in the closing of 13 schools.

Thats how many empty seats we have in our schools, she said.

That plan was ruled out quickly, she said, because it was too drastic and would have eliminated many of the educational programming options PSD schools now offer.

At Thursday's meeting, Dunn Elementary School and Cache La Poudre Middle and Elementary schools were particularly well represented by people speaking out to share the unique qualities of each of their schools.

The case for Dunn Elementary

Dunn, those speaking out for the school noted, is operating at roughly full capacity with an unofficial January enrollment count of 399 while drawing the largest percentage of school-of-choice students (65%) of any neighborhood school in PSD. It serves a large population of international families who came to Fort Collins to study at Colorado State University, just two blocks away from the school. Its students were born in 50 different countries and speak 26 different languages. Dunn is an International Baccalaureate school, recently recertified for the fourth time by the IB programs accreditation board for another five-year period, and the primary feeder for IB programs at Lesher and Lincoln middle schools and Poudre High School.

Air conditioning is currently being installed at Dunn, as well, in a two-phase project that began in 2016 at a total cost of more than $3.2 million. And the projections for capital improvements the building would need over the next 20 years is the lowest of any neighborhood elementary school in the district, they said.

Dunn Elementary is a high-performing school that serves a lot of underprivileged, minoritized students and families, and if you shut that down, thats going to have significant fiscal and financial impacts on the district, said parent Janie Yoder, an associate professor in social work at CSU.

Should CLP elementary, middle schools be treated as mountain schools?

Cache La Poudre parents and staff argued that their schools are an integral part of the fabric of the Laporte community and an extension of the three mountain elementary schools that the committee intentionally left out of the consolidation discussion because of their geographic isolation and importance to their individual rural communities. CLP elementary and middle schools, they noted, serve historically marginalized populations as well as rural students who ride school buses for more than an hour each way each day.

More: Small enrollment, big impact: PSD mountain schools are hubs of three communities

They have always had smaller class sizes and smaller overall enrollment than schools in Fort Collins, and those numbers have remained relatively steady, they argued, though official enrollment data shows otherwise. The combined enrollment of 588 students in kindergarten through eighth grade at the two schools this year, according to the states October count, is down more than 100 from the 692 they had in 2018-19 and more than 140 from the 731 they had in 2008-09.

Beattie and Olander supporters speak up

Several parents and staff members spoke up on behalf of Beattie and Olander elementaries, as well. Both serve neighborhoods that dont have another elementary school nearby, so closing them would create school deserts, several parents said.

Beattie is in the growing area of Midtown Fort Collins, where the city has put considerable effort into encouraging people to walk and ride bicycles to school and work, utilizing the nearby Max bus service to easily get to CSU and Old Town. It also is the only school in PSD utilizing an open classroom concept with no walls or doors. Classes are large and team-taught by multiple teachers working collaboratively with students in multiple grades. CSU students studying education regularly visit the school to get a first-hand look at how open classrooms work.

Olander has a unique integrated services program that puts students with disabilities, including some with extreme disabilities, in regular classrooms alongside students with no disabilities as much as possible through curriculum modifications and adaptations. All staff members are trained to work with students with disabilities, and the inclusiveness and diversity of that integration, a fourth-grade student told her breakout group, makes us stronger.

Olander is also the only project-based learning school in PSD, teaching children at a young age how to collaborate with others while working on long-term, multidisciplinary projects. Many of the CSU students she teaches, one parent said, lack the critical skills Olander students learn through those projects.

Plenty of other concerns expressed

A number of other concerns were raised, as well.

Several participants questioned the validity of the data the steering committee was given to work with, which is all available on PSD's long-range planning website. The lack of financial transparency in the process was an issue for many, too, knowing that significant savings will only come from closing schools and eliminating the teaching, administrative and other jobs connected to those schools.

More: Enrollment declining slower than projected as Poudre School District weighs consolidations

Others were concerned about the larger class sizes that will be created by moving toward the districts goals for financial optimization of having at least 400 students in every elementary school, with as many as 25 students in a class, and at least 700 students in middle and high schools, with up to 30 in a single class. Larger schools and larger classes, they said, are detrimental educationally for many students and are likely to increase the mental health issues among students that PSD leadership has put so much emphasis on alleviating in recent years.

Several others wanted to know how school choice patterns would be affected by each of the proposed changes.

One parent wanted to know why PSD was building new schools in new neighborhoods when theres room in existing schools. Her neighborhood in northeast Fort Collins was incorporated into the boundaries of Lincoln Middle School when it was built, because thats where the district had room for more students, even though it was a long bus ride away.

Nehalem Clark, a parent with one child in elementary school and another at Lincoln, was concerned about the bigger picture of what is Fort Collins going to be? Do we want to provide neighborhood schools for our kids or not?

What comes next?

The Facilities Planning Steering Committees only remaining public listening sessions are geared toward families who dont speak English. Theres a session scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, for Spanish-speaking participants at the Future Ready Center at Foothills mall, 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Suite 510; and another planned for Monday, April 15, for Arabic-speaking participants. The time and location of the April 15 session have not yet been finalized, Plaut said.

People who were unable to attend a listening session, or those who did and want to ensure their voice is heard as the process moves forward, can submit feedback through an online questionnaire on PSDs long-range planning website that will be available through 10 a.m. Friday, April 5.

There are also two planned listening sessions involving the full Board of Education:

Tuesday, April 16 : 5:30-10 p.m. in the auditorium at Poudre High School, 201 S. Impala Drive

Tuesday, June 4: 5:30-10 p.m. in the auditorium at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way

The steering committee will provide an update on the feedback it has received to the school board at its April 23 meeting, then refine scenarios and recommend two to three options to the school board at its May 28 meeting. Plaut said the steering committee hopes to share the refined scenarios publicly in some fashion, too, before it makes its recommendations to the school board.

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the recommendations June 11.

No changes will take effect until the 2025-26 school year.

I feel like I was listened to, Clark said. I think the consensus in the group is the process is moving too quickly to be thoughtful.

Dig into PSD enrollment data

Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell compiled enrollment data, capital costs, program details and more for each of PSD's non-charter schools:

 See data for PSD non-charter elementary schools here.

 See data for PSD non-charter middle schools here.

 See data for PSD non-charter high schools here.

Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, x.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Emotions, crowds increase at PSD consolidation plan listening sessions
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington contains perhaps the nations most sacred wall, where the names of more than 58,000 U.S. military members who died in the war are etched on the polished black granite.

For 23 years, Houston-based funeral home company Dignity Memorial sponsored a three-quarter-scale replica Vietnam Wall that traveled throughout the United States to allow folks who couldnt travel to Washington to have a similar experience of mourning and appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice a citizen makes for their country.

The replica wall found a permanent home in 2014, when Dignity donated it to the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, adjacent to Fort Benning, which now is named Fort Moore.

But the replica wall wasnt granite. First, it was acrylic, then vinyl. Neither proved to be durable enough for the climate as the names faded.

It just was not able to stand up to the Georgia heat and sun, Janet Daly, communications director for the National Infantry Museum, told the Ledger-Enquirer. So the state of Georgia provided us with the funds to replace it with granite.

That $2.8 million grant in 2022 resulted two years later in the dedication of the new replica wall Friday at the museum.

We can keep the thousands of Vietnam veterans who cant make the trip to D.C. coming to our wall, Daly said, and now that its granite, people are able to do their rubbings on the wall, where previously they were unable to.

Ryne Wangler traces the name of his great-great uncle Lossy R. Wangler from the new Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, which was dedicated March 29, 2024, at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

The name of U.S. Army Maj. William F. Callinan is on the wall  at Line 53 of Panel 12E. He was a helicopter pilot, killed in action during the war in 1966.

Callinan died at age 36, leaving a widow with seven children. Columbus resident Margo Truett, who was 8 at the time, is one of them.

After attending Fridays ceremony, Truett gushed with gratitude for the state grant that turned the faded replica into gleaming granite.

To have this where its a touchstone for my family, to be able to come and see it and rub our hands on the etching of his name,  it means a lot to me that the state recognizes the importance, she told the Ledger-Enquirer, not only of my father but the military and Fort Moore being such an important part of who we are.

The state grant also paid for five additional panels that document the replica walls history, including how veterans were treated when they returned from the controversial war.

Were telling the story of how their welcome home was received back in the 60s, how they really didnt get their time, Daly said. Were really focusing on creating a home for those veterans.

Zema Laird points to her husbands name, Maj. Jerry Laird, on the new Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, which was dedicated March 29, 2024, at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

During the ceremony, retired Brig. Gen. Pete Jones, president and CEO of the National Infantry Museum Foundation, asked the Vietnam War veterans in the audience to stand.

After the applause subsided, he thanked them for their courage and tenacity in the jungles of Vietnam and helping to rebuild the U.S. Army when they returned home.

Then he asked the Gold Star family members to stand. After more applause subsided, Jones thanked them for their presence.

May God bless you, he said, and may God bless America.

Jones predecessor, retired Col. Greg Camp, told the audience how the wall ended up in Columbus.

It initially came in 2010 as part of the Dignity Memorial tour to celebrate the NIMs first anniversary. During that 18-day stay, the wall attracted thousands of visitors and more than 500 Vietnam War veterans.

We realized the power of this wall, Camp said.

In 2014, when NIM leaders learned the walls national tour would be finishing, they prepared a presentation and traveled to Houston to convince Dignity Memorials leaders to allow them to make a home for the wall at the museum.

Only one slide into the NIMs presentation, Camp said, the Dignity Memorial leaders said yes.

Even before the five-year lease expired, Dignity Memorial permanently donated the wall to the NIM in 2017. Sapna Hohman, the director of community engagement and social impact for Dignity Memorial, explained why.

Look at the wall right now, she told the crowd. You can see, beyond the names, your own reflection. And that is the coming together of the past and our present.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey gives the keynote address for the new Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, which was dedicated March 29, 2024, at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.

The ceremonys keynote speaker, retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, emphasized how different the present view of Vietnam War veterans is compared to the past.

Eighty-seven percent of the country now hold Vietnam veterans in high regard, he said, as they should.

In fact, he said, despite 2.6 million Americans actually serving in the Vietnam War zone, 9.5 million Americans claimed during the 1990 census they served there, and 13.8 million claimed during the 2000 census they served there.

So I just want to welcome home, McCaffrey said as the crowd laughed, the many who came home and the few who went.
 Flash

China urges the Republic of Korea (ROK) to stay prudent when it comes to the South China Sea issue, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to a media query about ROK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's biased and unfactual comments on the South China Sea issue over the past few days.

"China deplores this and has lodged representations to the ROK," Lin said, adding that the ROK is not a party to the South China Sea issue and what the ROK has done lately does not contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea, still less to China-ROK relations.

On March 23, the Philippines, breaking its promise once again, sent a supply vessel and two coast guard vessels to illegally intrude into the adjacent waters of Ren'ai Jiao in the name of sending supplies of daily necessities.

"We have made our position clear on the Philippines' resupply mission to Ren'ai Jiao. I would like to stress once again that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao and has always been China's territory," he said.

The fact is, the Philippines was not sending living necessities, but construction materials for repairing and reinforcing the illegally grounded warship, Lin said, adding that their goal is to set up a permanent outpost on the uninhabited reef that belongs to China in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao, which is illegal.

Lin said the Philippines has gone back on its own words, repeatedly broken its commitments made to China, and seriously violated Article 5 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

In response to the forced intrusion of Philippine vessels, China Coast Guard had to take necessary law-enforcement measures and their operation at the scene was justified, lawful, professional, restrained and beyond reproach, he said.

China asks the Philippines to immediately stop infringing on China's sovereignty and rights and stop making provocations, Lin said, adding that if it continues down this wrong path, China will take resolute measures to safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The spokesperson said that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never been an issue. Over 100,000 commercial vessels sail through those waters every year and none of them have encountered obstruction.
Mar 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Shayla Favor defeated two other candidates to win the Democratic primary race for Franklin County Prosecutor. If elected, she will be one of the few Black women prosecutors in the nation.

All she needed was the party

If elected, Shayla Favor will stay the soft-on-crime course set by Gary Tyack. And that ensures that Columbus continues to be riddled with crime.

She will use supposedly proven programs that purportedly reduce crime and eliminate or significantly reduce incarceration instead of actually pursuing and punishing criminals. In short, she will further undermine an already weakened prosecutors office.

More: Favor wins Dem prosecutor race 'for the next generation of little Black and brown girls'

Worse yet, Favor has no real trial experience whatsoever.

I mean, who needs that to be a prosecutor, right?

Given all this, what possibly could go wrong? But what the heck, in Franklin County merit and experience are not necessary for election success; all you need is an affiliation with the Democratic Party.

Willam Kloss, Dublin

Stinking sewage proposal shows logic rarely seen

Re "Ohio EPA decides not to give highest possible protections to Big Darby Creek," March 6: The recent reversal of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's permitting of "package" sewage treatment near the chip plant in Licking County is a turn from foolishness to intelligence rarely seen in Ohio government (will the folks that did it survive the backlash? Betting not).

Now development in the area of the chip plant can be based on sound planning, environmental care, engineering and economics.

The controlling government entities need to develop a wide-ranging plan for the area, deciding where to extend sewers, roads and water and other services.

And where to put major sewage treatment plant or plants.

Intel will add jobs to Ohio. Will costly project also dry wells and bring toxins, sickness?

Sewer layout is especially critical as sewers ideally follow drainageways to allow flow by gravity. To do otherwise involves large expenses and high utility rates.

This means local authorities should decide where development occurs, then proceed with the investment in needed infrastructure; not allow this, that and the other developer to grab up unconnected parcels and throw up unworkable developments with jury-rigged sewage systems doomed to be costly and fail.

David Pritchard, Columbus

Trump's religion is hypocrisy

Donald Trump, who, if not atheistic is certainly irreligious, is now selling Bibles to raise money.

The irony is almost beyond description. The best I can do is "opportunistic religious hypocrisy."

Neal Snyder, Columbus

We are becoming the grass

With so much animosity between the two political parties there is no room for compromise, cooperation or meaningful progress.

When a large number of House Republicans provided a budget proposal to address the potential insolvency of Social Security, Democrats immediately called the proposal extreme" without offering any proposal of their own. The top Democrat on the house budget committee called the proposed changes an attack on seniors, veterans, and the middle class."

However, the Republican proposal left all current Medicare recipients unchanged, would not impact those who will soon be on Medicare, and made modest increases in the current Social Security age of 62 for those years away from reaching this age.

Let us work until we die. Conservative pundit says retirement 'is a stupid idea.' I agree.

Republicans equally are unwilling to consider any Democratic proposals.

For example, efforts by the Biden administration to address immigration problems are met with immediate rejection with no Republican counter proposal. Republicans believe immigration is a winning campaign issue, and are determined not to have any resolution on Joe Bidens watch.

The losers, given both political parties' unwillingness to listen and consider the other side, are the American people. It is reminiscent of the African metaphor When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled.

We can only hope that the current divisive attitude will give way to reaching positive solutions sooner rather than later.

Bob Weiler, Columbus

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announces the indictments of two former Akron-based FirstEnergy executives and ex-Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

Oversight committee should study Yost's interest in all things Donald

Re "AG Yost files brief in Trump court case," March 22: Ohio Attorney General Yost has joined a paltry two other states (Wyoming and Alaska) in supporting Trump's spurious claim for immunity.

I would like to know how this is a legitimate use of Ohio taxpayer dollars and what the public benefit is for Ohioans.

One would think Yost, the highest law enforcement officer in the state, would support the Department of Justice to hold accountable those accused of participating in an insurrection.

This is not the first time Yost has used his office to support his political agenda and promote positions not supported by the majority.

More: Ohio AG Yost suggests test for Supreme Court to determine limits of presidential immunity

For example, his search for loopholes to limit abortion access despite a constitutional amendment approved by a significant majority of Ohioans, shows a total lack of respect for the laws he should be upholding. Given his actions that provide no value to Ohioans who pay for his salary and his office, a public oversight board should be appointed to ensure that he uses his budget to benefit Ohioans and not his ambitions.

Janine Migden-Ostrander, Westerville

LaRose laid a bad egg

Re Supreme Courts dangerous Easter egg lets states define insurrection," March 27: While Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose complained about an Easter egg contained in a recent U.S. Supreme Court action he laid an egg of his own.

The heavily conservative SCOTUS rejected the appeal of a New Mexico state officeholder who was disqualified from further public service due to his conviction for participating in the events of Jan. 6.

LaRose would characterize these events as a mere protest, but by leaving in place the states argument that an insurrection took place, SCOTUS has essentially confirmed that indeed it was an insurrection because, well, thats what it was: a violent attempt to stop the certification of the legally elected presidential candidate, resulting in deaths, hundreds of injuries and extensive damage to our federal Capitols property and security.

Frank LaRose: Supreme Court left dangerous 'Easter egg' in Trump presidential election case

To call January 6 anything other than an insurrection is the stinking, rotten egg some politicians have been trying to ignore for over three years now.

All citizens deserve to have elected and appointed officials who respect the law  and tell the truth.

Thankfully, the SCOTUS decision gives us a nod in that direction.

Bradford Colgate, Columbus

Powers that be increase cost of power for thee

I see from Thursdays Dispatch article titled in part Ohioans to pay more for electricity" that the powers that be have approved a rate hike for residential consumers and a reduction for businesses.

Will we all ever get the reduction long overdue from the largest scandal in Ohio history?I wonder.

John Wittmann, Columbus

Stop feeding the elephant in the room

Why do you continue to give this lying, cheating criminal (all of those are facts) oxygen? Cut him off and he will die like a weed.

The press has created a monster it now cannot control. And in your greed you keep feeding the beast to make money.

Have some common sense and decency.

I remember the apology to the Knight-Ridder papers for the true coverage of the Iraq war and the lying Bush administration.

It will take a generation to to control and deliver the truth about this indicted criminal.

Start now.

James G. Dalessandro, Shaker Heights

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Shayla Favor win shows experience doesn't matter in Columbus
Spring has arrived in Wichita, bringing with it a busy weekend and the Easter holiday, which falls on March 31 this year.

For those who might have forgotten to grab chocolate bunnies, or simply like to knock out the grocery shop early in the week, you might want to double check the holiday hours for your favorite store Sunday.

To help you out, weve rounded up a list of Wichita-area grocery stores closed for Easter, plus where holiday shoppers can go.

Wichita grocery stores closed for Easter

Target stores in Wichita, including the locations at 10800 E. 21 St., 2727 N. Maize Road and 7575 Maple, will close Sunday for the Easter holiday. Most locations should reopen at 7 a.m. Monday for regular business hours.

Costco Wholesales membership-only bulk warehouse at 9700 E. Kellogg will be closed Sunday in observance of Easter. It will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday.

Aldi, which has multiple Wichita locations, will close Easter Sunday. The chain will reopen Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Natural Grocers, with stores at 10520 W. 13 St. and 1715 N. Rock Road, will be closed Sunday. Regular hours resume Monday at 8:57 a.m.

With three Wichita locations, Sams Club, a membership-only bulk warehouse, will be closed Sunday for Easter. The warehouses, at 3415 N. Rock Road, 6200 W. Kellogg and 3084 N. Maize Road, will reopen Monday at 10 a.m., or 8 a.m. for Plus members.

In addition to some grocery stores, liquor retailers will be closed Sunday to observe the holiday. Under Kansas law, retail liquor sales are prohibited on Easter Sunday.

Wichita grocery stores open for Easter

Walmart supermarket and neighborhood market locations across Wichita will be open Easter Sunday. Check your preferred location for specific store hours.

Whole Foods Markets Wichita store, at 1423 N. Webb Road, will have modified hours Sunday for Easter, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular store hours resume Monday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Trader Joes, located in Wichita at 800 N. Rock Road, Suite 120, will be open normal business hours Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dillons, which has multiple locations across the city, will be open regular hours Easter Sunday, generally 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., though hours can vary by location. Check your specific store for details.
A vigil at the University of Georgia for Laken Riley, a nursing student who was killed Feb. 22 on campus while jogging, in Athens, Ga., Feb. 26, 2024. (Melissa Golden/The New York Times)

ATLANTA  Georgia lawmakers voted Thursday to tighten the states already strict immigration laws in response to the killing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, whose death became ensnared in the broader fight over immigration policy after a man from Venezuela who entered the country illegally was charged with her murder.

In the frenzied final hours of the legislative session, the states House of Representatives gave final approval to a measure that would require local law enforcement agencies to scrutinize the immigration status of people in their custody and to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The legislation was the result of a vow from Republican lawmakers to crack down after Rileys body was found last month in a wooded area on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Her death rattled the community that is the home of the states flagship university, roughly 70 miles from Atlanta.

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The case quickly reverberated beyond Georgia, with Republicans arguing that her killing exemplified a failure by President Joe Biden to adequately respond to an influx of migrants.

Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, a Republican, denounced an unwillingness by this White House to secure the southern border. Rileys death was also invoked during the State of the Union as Biden responded to heckling from Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, Biden said, veering from his script  a statement that prompted a backlash from liberal Democrats and immigration advocates, particularly over his use of the term illegal, which they condemned as a dehumanizing pejorative.

Proponents of tougher immigration laws have zeroed in on the case because the man charged in the killing, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was arrested by the Border Patrol for entering the United States illegally in 2022.

He was released with temporary permission to stay in the country through parole, a practice that the Biden administration halted last year. Officials said that Ibarra had been arrested by police in New York for driving a scooter without a license and with a child who was not wearing a helmet. He was arrested again, this time in Georgia in October, in connection with a shoplifting case and was released.

Lawyers representing Ibarra in the murder case have requested a jury trial. He remains held without bail.

Federal legislation named for Riley passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this month, with 37 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the measure that would mandate that migrants who enter the country without authorization and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody. The bill has little chance of advancing in the Senate, and critics have assailed the legislation as a craven exploitation of a tragedy.

In Georgia, the bill being sent to the governor would require local law enforcement officials to seek to verify the immigration status of any person in their custody who lacks documentation and to notify federal immigration officials when they detain someone who is not a legal resident. Local law enforcement agencies would also be required to routinely release data documenting the number of cases reported to federal authorities and the responses.

I think this truly is a common-sense measure, said state Rep. Houston Gaines, a Republican whose district includes Athens. What were talking about is individuals who are in the country illegally that have committed offenses, additional criminal offenses, and making sure that those individuals are held accountable.

The bill formalizes what has long been the standard practice of many law enforcement agencies in the state and adds penalties for failing to comply, like the loss of state and federal funds.

It is an expansion of the existing law, said J. Terry Norris, the executive director of the Georgia Sheriffs Association. It has more teeth.

The legislation has been criticized for having vague language and placing an unfair burden on local officials, who could face lawsuits. The bill has also spurred fears of increased racial and ethnic profiling by police.

Supporters of the measure contend that law enforcement officials have not been notifying federal authorities and that a more stringent requirement was necessary. Every sheriff must by law report when an alien is in his jail, said state Rep. Jesse Petrea, the Republican sponsor of the bill. Our concern is that not everybody has been doing that.

But Norris challenged that. He said that a statewide survey showed that the 142 sheriffs who operate jails all said they were already reporting that information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

By the conclusion of the session after midnight, lawmakers had failed to advance another measure prompted by Rileys death, this one essentially deputizing members of the public to sue local governments over policies that provide sanctuary to immigrants living in the country without legal permission.

That measure, which overtook a bill regarding penalties for passing stopped school buses, was meant to bolster long-standing state laws that forbid Georgia municipalities from becoming sanctuary cities providing safe harbor to immigrants who entered the United States illegally. Local government could lose state and federal funds if a judge were to find that the policies indeed violated state law.

Critics have attacked the legislation as an overreaction that took advantage of the anguish unleashed by Rileys death. The legislation also interferes with the authority of local governments  denying them of the ability to define their own approaches to immigration that work for each community, said state Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat.

I think reasonable people can disagree about how to do immigration policy, he said. But where the majority has really overreached with these bills is by making the penalties and requirements so severe that theyve essentially denied the ability of a local government to be its own independent government.

c.2024 The New York Times Company
A Hampton native is the first teenage federal officer to police a naval installation after the region lowered its age requirement to combat a personnel shortage.

Kursten Clark, 19, confidently strides in uniform through the halls of Naval Weapons Station Yorktowns police precinct.

I have always wanted to be a police officer, even since I was a kid, she said.

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, which spans 14 installations from Maine to Virginia and as far west as Indiana, is the first and only regional command to lower the age requirement of its federal officers from 21 to 18, said Teddy Smith, chief of security operations for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. The change occurred in January 2023.

Now more than a year later, the region is still working to fill around 50 vacancies in Hampton Roads, Smith said. He hopes the younger demographic will help fill the need.

Federal police officers are civilians hired by Navy Installations Command to enforce laws and manage base security. They often work alongside military police, master-at-arms sailors who are allowed to carry weapons at 18 years of age.

Whether they are not going to go to college or they are not going to join the military, this affords them the opportunity to work for the military and be a part of the military, but not actually be in the military, Smith said.

For Clark, who graduated from Kecoughtan High School last year, pursuing a career as a federal police officer was less about figuring out what to do with her life and more about fast-tracking her passion.

I saw a lot on the news when I was younger  all the good things that they (police officers) would do  and I just really wanted to do that, she said.

Clark was hired at age 18 by Navy Region Mid-Atlantic in late August. She left in October for Glynco, Georgia, to attend a three-month program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. She said she left the program with a new level of confidence in her abilities and her judgment.

You have to go into things confidently, Clark said.

Clark graduated Jan. 17 from the training center and joined Naval Weapons Station Yorktown as a certified federal officer. She said she is often tasked with patrolling or supervisory-type duties that support the security of the installation.

It is very proactive work, Clark said.

Hailing from a multigenerational Navy family, she is excited to be working alongside the branch.

Its nice to be working for the Navy and with them, but doing something different in my own special way, Clark said.

To reach more youth, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic connected with New Horizons Regional Education Center in Newport News where Clark was enrolled in a criminal justice program. The command is also working to host presentations at area high schools.

Despite the need, the recruiting process for 18- to 20-year-olds is rigorous, Smith said. It requires several interviews to ensure the candidate can handle the responsibility put on their shoulders.

It takes a special person to do it  a lot of dedication on her part, Smith said. We were really seeking out someone that had the intelligence and the drive and the maturity level to get through the program.

Clark wont be the only teenage federal police officer for long. Smith said another teen was recently selected as a candidate who will be placed at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach when he completes the onboarding and training process.

Those interested in applying to be a federal police officer with Navy Region Mid-Atlantic can do so by emailing DirectHirePolice@navy.mil. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, possess a valid U.S. drivers license, have no felony convictions and be able to obtain a security clearance. Starting pay can range from $40,770 to $65,654, and there is a hiring incentive bonus of up to $20,000.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
NELSONVILLE A small business incubator deal will soon have big payoffs for southeastern Ohios Hocking College thanks to a unique partnership with Black Diamond Brewery and Distillation, which is on Canal Street in Nelsonville.

Hocking College is a very entrepreneurial school, so a partnership like this is a good fit, said President Dr. Betty Young, who has served the school for nine years, and has experience with similar programs in other colleges. We have a lot of equipment for the programs we teach, but when its not in use for class, it sits idle. If we can make that available to small business owners to launch a business, its good for everyone.

Hocking College is a two-year institution that offers more 60 associate and vocational programs. Its frequently lauded for its often innovative and entrepreneurial-minded approach to learning. This isnt the first time the school has combined practical knowledge with business sensibilities. Their culinary program runs the Rhapsody restaurant, the dental program has a clinic, the sports management program runs a sports shop, heavy equipment students do construction work  the list is exhaustive.

And the crown jewel of Hocking College is its hands-on learning approach.

The whole concept that makes us unique is that we give students actual working experience, so they build not only a transcript but a resume before they graduate, Young said.

Black Diamond Brewery and Distillation is already working on adding a tasting room and bar. The brewery and distillery area can be seen beyond the bar, which is under construction.

The difference, however, between this new brewery deal and those programs, is who owns it.

Black Diamond is first incubator client

Most of the entrepreneurial ventures here at Hocking College are ones the college owns, Young said. But this deal with Black Diamond is the first step to create an incubator program that is accessible to the community and its small business owners.

In this case, the brewery that operated for five years under the fermentation science program, will now become a commercial brewery and distillery under Black Diamond, who will be the colleges first incubator client, according to Young.

You used to be able to start a business in your garage and grow it. But with all the regulations and equipment required today, it makes it difficult for any business to really start that way, said Young, who has served as a college president for more than 20 years in Texas, North Carolina, and now Ohio, across city, suburban, and rural environments. This is one way we can serve small business owners and help them launch, while also giving our students that entrepreneurial education, and growing the college while serving the community.

Hocking College President Dr. Betty Young

Under fermentation specialist, Brewmaster, Eric Hedin, students will still have the same access to the brewery as they did previously, but now with expanded educational opportunities to learn the business, sales, and marketing sides of running a brewery and distillery under a real small business venture.

Young said the college will also have a financial stake in the business as a partner, which also creates a residual long-term financial opportunity that will grow the business and benefit the college, particularly on a national scale.

This incubator client has a great plan for product development and marketing, said Young. Weve watched other distilleries and breweries grow with national prominence. Titos Handmade Vodka, Jackie Os  and we think this incubator client has a plan that will bring that same kind of attention to our part of the world.

Its a plan Black Diamond Development has been working on for quite some time now. The sister company of Black Diamond Brewery and Distillation, Black Diamond Development is a group of investors/developers from southeastern Ohio who are pouring money into development in southeastern Ohio. They started with the Shawnee area and now Nelsonville. It has spent significant time and money in growing southeastern Ohio and uniquely positioning it for tourism. From the historic Dishon buildings renovation in Shawnee, to this Hocking College incubator deal and the Eagles building restoration in Nelsonville, Black Diamond is intent on making southeastern Ohio a destination for travelers and locals alike.

The brewing and distillery equipment is in place and ready once Black Diamond's manufacturing and retail licenses are approved.

All the Black Diamond partners are from southeastern Ohio, said Black Diamond spokesperson Jazzma Quinn. This is what they love to do, and they have no plans of going anywhere. Its a testament of our commitment to southeastern Ohio. We see the need for revitalization, and were making it happen.

Black Diamond Development and Black Diamond Brewery and Distillation will utilize the beer, vodka, rum, cider, and bourbon products from this new partnership to serve at its several development locations, as well as at the Hocking College businesses, and prepare for distribution through multiple bars, restaurants, and retail outlets.

Its going to be more production, more products, and more to sell and promote, said Hedin. The new distillery equipment is going to make a very fine product. I cant wait to get started.

Hedin said the brewery will move from a one and half barrel system to a five-barrel system. Both systems will be used in the model, whereby students and Black Diamond will test pilot batches on the smaller Ruby Street system, and if they like it, move the product to the larger Maple Lawn system for retail distribution.

Were already selling the colleges product in (several local bars and restaurants), said Hedin. With Black Diamond, well simply expand the amount and types of products were able to offer.

The next step in the deal is for Black Diamond to secure its federal manufacturing license and its state liquor license. The company applied to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau earlier this month and expect their manufacturing license in brewing, distilling, and winery in 60 to 80 days.

They expect to secure their Tier A manufacturing and retail license from the Ohio Department of Commerce Liquor Control Board shortly thereafter.

The licenses will allow them to operate a newly renovated and constructed Brew Pub and Tasting Room within the current location.

The exterior of the new Black Diamond Brewery and Distillery, in partnership with Hocking College, will soon have a Black Diamond sign once construction is complete.

Growing business in Southeast Ohio

This new partnership really does offer a real-world experience for these students, said Quinn. By partnering with Hocking College, we can utilize their equipment and their students for our business purposes, while also giving educational opportunities to the school and job development and tourism opportunities to the community. Its truly a win all the way around by creating mutually beneficial experiences.

Its a trend that Young wants to continue. Her next stop? Cabinet making and fine furniture, especially once the college launches its first four-year degree in Natural Resource Management this fall.

Thats a business wed be really interested in finding an incubator client, she said. The equipment and that shop is so robust  wed like to see it used more.

She added the natural landscape of southeastern Ohio and the additional Hocking College programs to support such a business, like the tree harvesting program, sawmill, and lumber yard, would make it an ideal partner.

Why shouldnt we be making that in southeastern Ohio where we grow all the trees? she asked. We can create even more jobs for people, so they dont have to leave our region.

That attitude is the biggest reason why Young was so pleased to partner with Black Diamond.

Theyre very focused on being a true community member in southeastern Ohio, said Young. Theyre not trying to build a business thats going to move someplace else. We want to grow business in southeast Ohio and so do they. That makes them an excellent partner for Hocking College.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: College and investors launch commercial business brewery, distillery
Leesburg and Lady Lake and other communities around Lake County are recognizing the valor and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War in commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

March 29 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the departure of the last American troops from Vietnam on March 29, 1973.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration launched in 2012. This year marks a 13-year period of remembrance for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Reflecting on the solemn sacrifices made during the Vietnam War, town officials in Lady Lake are paying tribute to Mayor Ed Freeman,who served in the U.S. Army from April 1969 to May 1971. Freeman, with the rank of CW-2 (Chief Warrant Officer 2), bravely flew Hueys for an aeroscout company.

Mayor Freeman was honored at the Vietnam Veterans award ceremony held at Recreation Plantation.

The ceremony, sponsored by the Marine League and the Recreation Plantation Veterans, brought together more than 100 veterans, spouses, and widows. Col. Patrick Cramer and Major Gen. Edward Chrystal awarded a commemorative pin to Mayor Freeman and all veterans in attendance.

Col. Patrick Cramer, Lady Lake Mayor Ed Freeman and Major Gen. Edward Chrystal.

In Leesburg, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mary Ellen Robertson Chapter organized a continental breakfast and inspirational talks on Saturday at the Venetian Center at 1 Dozier Circle in Leesburg, featuring retired generals Timothy Sullivan (Fla. Army Nat'l Guard/former county commissioner) and David Coffman (USMC) and music by the Lake County Band; U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, Leesburg City officials, including Al Minner and Allyson Berry, and other government and fire department officials from throughout Lake County, honoring each Vietnam veteran a commemorative Vietnam War lapel pin.

The Civil Air Patrol Cadets the Leesburg High School JROTC and Boy Scouts have provided their assistance along with a visit from a surviving World War II veteran.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Recognizing bravery on National Vietnam War Veterans Day
BEIRUT  Israel carried out its deadliest strikes in months on northern Syria's Aleppo province early Friday and said it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, stepping up its campaign against Iran's proxies in parallel with its war in Gaza.

Israel has ramped up airstrikes in Syria against both the Lebanese Hezbollah militia and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps since the Iranian-backed Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel. In recent days its pilots have resumed regular practice for "deep" raids into Lebanon.

Tehran and its proxies have entrenched themselves across Syria, including around Aleppo and the capital Damascus.

The Israeli military said on Friday it had killed Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, deputy commander of Hezbollah's rocket and missiles unit, in an airstrike in the area of Bazouriye in Lebanon.

Israel said the slain commander was one of the Iranian-backed militia's leaders in heavy-warhead rocket fire and said he was responsible for conducting and planning attacks against Israeli civilians.

Israel and Hezbollah have also been trading fire across Lebanon's southern border in the biggest escalation since they fought a month-long war in 2006, as Hezbollah has tried to show its support for Hamas with volleys of rockets into Israel.

About a dozen Israeli troops and half a dozen civilians have been killed in northern Israel, while nearly 270 Hezbollah fighters and 50 civilians including medics, civilians and journalists have been killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.

Related: US strikes targets in Iraq and Syria after Middle East drone attack kills three soldiers

Israel has repeatedly struck international airports in both Damascus and Aleppo over the years to disrupt weapons flows to Iran's allies in the region, but strikes since Oct. 7 have been deadlier and prompted Iran to withdraw some of its top officers from Syria.

Syria's defence ministry said Israeli strikes hit several areas in the southeastern part of Aleppo province around 1:45 a.m. local time, killing a number of civilians and military personnel.

It said the airstrikes coincided with drone attacks carried out from Idlib and western rural Aleppo that the ministry described as having been conducted by "terrorist organisations" against civilians in Aleppo and its surroundings.

An Israeli soldier signs a bomb in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel as an artillery unit shells southern Lebanon on Jan. 4, 2024. Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against all-out conflict after Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi, in a visit to the Lebanese border, said troops were "in very high readiness."

The Israeli military declined comment. In a post on X, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Israel's attacks on Syria were a "blatant and desperate attempt" to expand the war, without saying if there were Iranian casualties.

Three security sources told Reuters that 33 Syrians and five Hezbollah fighters had been killed in the strikes. One of the Hezbollah fighters was a local field commander whose brother had been killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon in November, one of the sources said.

It represented the single highest death toll in Israeli strikes on Syria since Oct. 7.

Clashes continue on Israel-Lebanon border

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon on Friday killed a Hezbollah fighter, security sources in Lebanon said.

The head of the Iranian Republican Guards Corps' Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, met Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut in February to discuss the risk if Israel were to launch a full offensive against Hezbollah, and received an assurance that the group did not want to drag Iran into war with Israel, sources have said.

Hezbollah has said it would stop firing into Israel if a ceasefire was reached in Gaza. Israeli and U.S. officials, however, have said a ceasefire in Gaza would not automatically extend to Lebanon.

Israeli Air Force pilots have stepped up practicing long-range strikes across the northern border as normal training activities have resumed in recent weeks after being suspended at the start of the Gaza war, the military said this week.

"The training program will focus on increasing the IAF's readiness for war in the northern arena and in other arenas during prolonged combat," it said in a statement.

The drills include rehearsing for "massive, long-range strikes, flying deep into enemy territory", it added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel hit Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Syria.
A series of Israeli airstrikes targeting areas close to the Syrian city of Aleppo on Friday have led to casualties among both civilians and military personnel, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.

Thirty-eight people were killed, according to Reuters, including five members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. One of the Hezbollah fighters was a local field commander whose brother was killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon in November, Reuters said.

Israeli warplanes initiated an attack around 1:45 a.m., local time from the direction of Athriya, southeast of Aleppo, according to a military source quoted by SANA.

The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the attack.

Israel has previously launched attacks on Aleppo and the Syrian capital Damascus, including before the October 7 war, saying it feared that Iran would turn Syria into a base for aggression against the Jewish state.

Both Syria and Israel consider each other enemies and do not share diplomatic relations.

Fridays strikes are some of the deadliest since Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran-backed groups in Syria and others last year, following the October 7 attack on Israel by the Iran-backed group Hamas.

Following the Hamas assault, clashes between Iran-backed groups in the region and Israel have notably increased. Armed groups have also engaged in attacks with US troops backing Israel in the Middle East.

While the attack may not be qualitatively different from other attacks Israel has launched against targets in Syria, it may now be focusing those attacks on Hezbollah and its assets there, said Heiko Wimmen, project director for Iraq, Syria and Lebanon at the International Crisis Group, a conflict resolution and prevention organization.

Its probably a way for them to turn up the heat on Hezbollah outside Lebanon, Wimmen said, adding that Israels calculation could be that targeting Hezbollah assets in Syria amounts to a smaller step up the escalation ladder than doing so in the groups home country.

An Iran-backed Islamist movement with one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, Hezbollah has since October 7 been embroiled in intense cross-border fighting with Israel. Its involvement in the war has sparked fears that Israels war in Gaza could spill over into a wider regional conflict.

Hezbollah maintains a strong presence in Syria, having done so since the 2011 Arab Spring protests which in some parts of the Middle East spiraled into proxy wars. Hezbollah was an active participant, fighting alongside Iran-aligned forces in Syria and on behalf of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who brutally quashed the opposition.

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Supporters of Evan Gershkovich gather at Berlins Brandenburg Gate, near the Russian embassy, to call for his release on Friday (Bel Trew)

Joe Biden said he is working every day to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, a jailed Wall Street Journal reporter the US president said is being held by Russia as a bargaining chip, as the journalist marked one year behind bars.

Mr Gershkovich, 32, became the first US journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) last March during a reporting trip in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Despite being a fully accredited journalist, he was accused of spying for the US by the Russian authorities  an accusation that he, The Wall Street Journal and the US government vociferously deny.

His plight has sparked global uproar and concerns about the collapse of press freedom in Russia. It was even raised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Thursday, when the primate called for the world to pray for Mr Gershkovich over the Easter weekend.

Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter  risking his safety to shine the light of truth on Russias brutal aggression against Ukraine, Mr Biden said in a statement, vowing to work to free Mr Gershkovich and other US citizens locked up in Russia.

He added: We will continue working every day to secure his release. We will continue to denounce and impose costs for Russias appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips.

Gershkovich, 32, became the first US journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War (via Reuters)

No one knows exactly how many US citizens are being held in Russia. Another American accused of espionage is Paul Whelan, a corporate executive from Michigan who was arrested in 2018. He was sentenced two years later to 16 years in prison, on charges he also denies.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken condemned Russias actions, saying that in the last year, its already restrictive media landscape has become more oppressive and its authorities are targeting any form of dissent. He called for the immediate release of both men.

To date, Russia has provided no evidence of wrongdoing for a simple reason: Evan did nothing wrong. Journalism is not a crime. People are not bargaining chips, he added.

One year on from his arrest, Mr Gershkovich has not stood trial, nor have the Russian authorities revealed any details of the accusations or any evidence to back up the charges, his friends, families and colleagues say.

Instead, he is being held in pre-trial detention in a tiny cell in Lefortovo prison in eastern Moscow  and his confinement was extended by another three months on Tuesday. He has already made a dozen or so appearances in court, where his incarceration has been extended repeatedly.

Holding a huge banner reading Free Evan in front of the Brandenburg Gate in the German capital Berlin, the journalists close friends said they believe he is being held as a bargaining chip by Russia.

It is unimaginable. Lefortovo prison is designed to break people and cut them off from the outside world. He spends 23 hours in his cell. Its amazing he is still strong, said Francesca Ebel, a close friend and the Russia correspondent for The Washington Post, who told The Independent she communicates with Mr Gershkovich via letters he writes from his jail cell.

Part of his arrest was designed to crush what was left of journalism in Russia. It has had a very chilling effect, she added.

Fridays Wall Street Journal shows a mostly blank front page to mark the first anniversary of the imprisonment in Russia of its reporter (AFP/Getty)

Pjotr Sauer, another close friend and the Russian affairs correspondent for The Guardian, said Mr Gershkovich keeps himself busy replying to at least 5,000 letters that have come in from well-wishers across the world. He said Evan also plays chess with his father and friends via mail.

The world should not forget Evan. He was doing a public service by reporting on what was going on in Russia, shedding light on a country which is so hard to understand, he told The Independent at the gathering. It is not just about our friend, it is about press freedoms.

Mr Gershkovichs plight has drawn worldwide attention and cast a searing light on the lack of free speech in Russia, where the president, Vladimir Putin, has tightened his iron grip on the country, including securing a landslide victory a few weeks ago in a stage-managed election with no serious competition.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal left a giant blank space on its front page with an image at the top of the page of Mr Gershkovich in the newspapers signature pencil drawing and a headline that read: His Story Should Be Here.

Mr Gershkovichs family wrote a letter in the same edition, saying that it has felt like holding our breath.

Russia ranks within the bottom 20 countries in the world for press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which releases a report every year. The global press freedoms watchdog said that since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, almost all independent media have been banned, or blocked, and all others are subject to military censorship.

It is tantamount to state hostage-taking

Rebecca Vincent, director of campaigns at RSF

Several Western media outlets, such as the BBC, are no longer accessible in the country  and many Russian and foreign correspondents have been forced to flee.

RSF said that this month alone, six journalists in Russia have been detained, including a reporter who covered the trials of Alexei Navalny before the Russian opposition politician died in suspicious circumstances in an Arctic penal colony in February.

Rebecca Vincent, director of campaigns at RSF, said Mr Gershkovichs arrest and continued detention was tantamount to state hostage-taking.

[His] unjust detention for a full year now in Russia is a stark reminder of the dire press freedom situation in the country, which has deteriorated sharply since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she told The Independent.

Gulnoza Said, the Europe and Central Asia programme coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists, told The Independent it is clear that Russia is determined to keep him behind bars for as long as possible.

After February 2022, thousands of journalists fled. There is an unprecedentedly high number of journalists in Russian prisons. Until Evans detention, foreign correspondents were at risk but they thought they might be expelled or banned from entering Russia. With Evans case, a red line was crossed.
To the Editor:

Gov. Bill Lee and our elected officials in Nashville are proposing to give $7,075 to students who attend private schools. There is no good reason to support this preposterous legislation. There are many reasons to oppose it, some of which I list below:

Gov. Bill Lee delivers his State of the State address to the Tennessee General Assembly on Feb. 5.

1) This proposal creates an entitlement for the wealthy. It is a fact (based on decades of research) that 70% to 80% of parents who apply for vouchers were always planning to send their children to private schools!

2) Even worse, this proposal is fiscally irresponsible. About 155,000 Tennessee students are enrolled in private schools. If you do the math, you are quickly approaching a billion dollars in new expenditures each year.

3) Vouchers do not improve educational outcomes! There is legitimate research to support this claim. For example, Milwaukee started a voucher program in 1990 and after 22 years the voucher schools were not outperforming the public schools, according to researcher Diane Ravitch. In Tennessee, the students using the ESA (Education Savings Account) vouchers did not perform as well as their peers in public schools.

4) There must be accountability if taxpayer funds are being allocated. Any private schools who receive this voucher money must be required to evaluate their students using the same accountability system as the public schools. Legislators seem strangely reluctant to require this.

5) Legislators who favor this voucher proposal claim to believe that parents deserve choice in selecting their childs school. However, they ignore that the choice is really with the private schools. Public schools welcome all students; private schools get to pick and choose. They generally dont choose to accept students with learning difficulties or disabilities. Moreover, tuition at most private schools is generally quite a lot more than $7,000. Since each student must provide his/her own transportation to and from school, only those who are more affluent can realistically take advantage of this new entitlement.

Given all these negative facts about vouchers, I am pleased that our Anderson County elected officials (the Anderson County Commission, the Anderson County School Board, the Clinton City Council, the Clinton City School Board, the Oak Ridge Council, the Oak Ridge School Board) have all passed resolutions opposing this voucher legislation. But I find it disturbing that our elected state officials (Sen. McNally, Rep. Ragan and Rep. Butler) are ignoring the wishes of we the people to support these bad bills. If you agree, please contact your legislators and ask them to oppose all voucher bills. Their contact information:

rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-4400

rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-1260

lt.gov.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov, 615-741-6806

Marsha Livingston

Clinton

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Letter: No good reason to support Tennessee school vouchers
Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J. (pictured 2022), has introduced the Guarding the United States Against Reckless Disclosures Act, which would prohibit people charged or convicted of covered criminal charges from having access to security-related info. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

March 28 (UPI) -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., on Thursday announced a bill that would bar people such as former President Donald Trump and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez from accessing classified documents if they are deemed to be possible security risks.

Trump and Menendez have been battling multiple criminal charges in court concerning security-related matters.

The Guarding the United States Against Reckless Disclosures Act, would prohibit people charged or convicted of covered criminal charges, such as unlawful retention or disclosure of classified information, from having access to such information, even if the information received is part of their official duties.

Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and member of the Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that she has "zero tolerance for any betrayal of the public trust, especially when it comes to classified information and our national security."

"Nobody is entitled or legally obligated to classified briefings -- certainly not Trump, even if he is the Republican nominee for president," her statement read. "This legislation is urgent and should be considered by both parties as a necessary step to protect intelligence and ensure sensitive information doesn't get into the wrong hands."

Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday introduced a bill that would bar people such as former President Donald Trump from accessing classified information due to the 37 felony charges over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

The bill, if enacted, would apply to "covered persons" such as the president and vice president, members of Congress, candidates for federal office, federal employees and members of the armed forces.

Other criminal offenses covered under the bill include obstruction of an official proceeding, acting as a foreign agent or compromising the national security of the United States.

The GUARD Act would prohibit covered persons, such as New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, for accessing classified documents if they have been charged of convicted of criminal offenses such as acting as a foreign agent. Mendendez has been charged with abusing his position to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Going into the 2024 presidential election, Trump faces a looming federal court date over his alleged mishandling of classified information after an FBI raid of his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida uncovered boxes of classified documents he had retained from his time in office.

He has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony charges, including more than 30 violations of the Espionage Act.

Menendez, meanwhile, has announced he will not seek re-election as a Democrat amid charges that he abused his position to benefit the governments of Egypt and Qatar, as well as some New Jersey businessmen, in exchange for lavish bribes such as gold bars, cash and luxury cars.

His fellow Democrats have called for him to step down from the Senate in light of the allegations. He said he has not ruled out running again as an independent.
ROCHESTER  City Council President Brooke Carlson announced Thursday she'll step back from public service here in 2025 after only one term as an elected official.

Carlson said she had been considering her options but decided in recent months not to run for re-election. She said she hopes to focus on her family and find other ways to get involved in Minnesota's third-largest city.

"I'm really glad I had the opportunity," she said. "It's been such an honor."

Carlson faced increasing pressure as the head of council meetings over the past year as issues with colleague Molly Dennis came to a head. Dennis is suing Rochester over the March 2023 censure she received from the City Council.

Council members decided to censure Dennis in part due to a confrontation between Dennis and Carlson in a parking lot after a council meeting the week prior. Carlson declined to comment on Dennis or the ongoing lawsuit with the city Thursday.

Carlson is often the swing vote on contentious issues and presided over council meetings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also spearheaded changes to the council's public comment policy in the wake of increasingly toxic commentary from some of the city's critics as well as an incident in December where a virtual commenter made anti-Semitic comments.

She said she was proud of the work she's done with Destination Medical Center, as well as efforts to streamline the community's construction process to encourage more housing. Carlson said she hoped the council continued to focus on housing, homeless and environmental issues next year.

"Caring for those core values of our city is going to be important for the next person in this role," she said.

Mayor Kim Norton called Carlson a "skilled facilitator" who did well despite mounting challenges in recent months.

"I'm disappointed, but I understand," Norton said.

Council member Shaun Palmer announced earlier this month he would run for Council President, a city-wide position on the council. Dennis has also announced she will run again, though she'll face a primary as at least two residents are challenging her for her northwest Rochester seat.

The filing period for local office opens March 21.
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.

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PROVIDENCE  Under the Fourth Amendment, your home is supposed to be your castle, which means police can't just come in, or knock it down, without a warrant.

But what about when your home is a tent?

A bill in the House would codify protections for the state's growing unhoused population, "adding teeth" to the 2012 Homeless Bill of Rights by creating penalties for violations, expanding protections and requiring cities and towns to create written policies on how they deal with encampments.

"Here in Rhode Island, we've been experiencing some cold, wet and windy weather," bill sponsor Rep. Jennifer Stewart, D-Pawtucket, said. "Imagine experiencing those conditions while you're living in a tent. Then imagine having the police basically serve you with eviction papers to relocate you or face arrest and then having your tent destroyed and your belongings discarded."

"Then imagine having no recourse because you can't realistically file a lawsuit due to the instability and precariousness of your living conditions," she continued. "And this is why we need to strengthen our Homeless Bill of Rights."

Why demand grows: RI keeps adding shelter space for the homeless, but it's never enough.

What would House Bill 7967 do?

The bill would add a few rights, shore up Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure and let civil rights and advocacy organizations sue on behalf of unhoused people.

Page 1 of H7967 - Add teeth homeless bill of rights

Page 1 of H7967 - Add teeth homeless bill of rights

Contributed to DocumentCloud by Wheeler Cowperthwaite (The Providence Journal)  View document or read text

Repeated instances of unhoused people being targeted

Independent reporter Steve Ahlquist testified about his series of stories on Providence police detectives who ordered people at one encampment out of their tents, something the city repeatedly claimed never happened before reversing course and admitting, indeed, police detectives were there.

"According to the four people I spoke to and an outreach worker, two men in hoodies  undercover narcotics detectives with guns and badges  rousted people out of their tents on Monday morning and said to them, 'We don't need a warrant. You live in a tent,'" Ahlquist wrote on Dec. 6, 2023.

Unhoused woman's plight on RI's streets: Six months pregnant with nowhere to go

One of the people rousted reportedly told Ahlquist that the police detectives kicked the tent, where it was already ripped, before declaring they didn't need a warrant for anyone living in a tent.

"This is a sadly common human rights violation that happens on a daily basis," Ahlquist testified.

Then there's the case of Michael Neugent, arrested for "trespassing" on public land owned by the state. Department of Transportation workers threw away his possessions, including his birth certificate, identification card, bus pass, medical cards and writings.

Last August, unhoused people tried to clear out of the Charles Street encampment as a Bobcat skid-steer fitted with a forest mulcher mulched sleeping bags, tents, clothes and blankets. Advocates stood in the way to stop the operator, a Department of Transportation contractor, from running them, and a pregnant woman, down as they tried to leave the site, advocates said.

Provisions a result of recent events

The changes reflect what unsheltered people and advocates have been saying are needed.

Part of the problem is there are not enough shelter beds in the state.

The state had 1,417 shelter beds as of January, up from 1,125 in October 2023. Of those beds, 91% are being utilized, according to the latest data provided by the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. At the same time, the number of households on the waiting list is 590 (a total of 830 people).

While the state keeps adding shelter beds there, is not enough housing and therefore, nowhere for people to go when police force them to leave encampments.

Jacqueline Rodriguez in her big tent, given to her and her partner, Tom, by a friend.

"People are scattered, they don't have their outreach workers because they don't know where people have gone," Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project Director Eric Hirsch previously said. "How are they more safe unless offered a reasonable alternative?"

Rep. Thomas Noret, D-Coventry, West Warwick, fixated on private property rights during the hearing and was concerned that the bill, intended to deal with government workers, would be used against him "approaching" a homeless person living in a tent on his property because the homeless person could claim the property owner was trespassing.

The bill does not include any mention of the word trespass.

The Homeless Bill of Rights already includes the "reasonable expectation of privacy" in a person's property to the same extent as someone who is living in a permanent residence. The bill would add that a person living in a tent has "the same right to privacy in his or or temporary housing, including tents, as a permanent residence."

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer.

Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's Homeless Bill of Rights could be expanded
Rochester School Superintendent Carmine Peluso on Thursday proposed a $1.07 billion budget for the district with slightly more local funding a but significant overall cuts due to the loss of federal stimulus funding.

The budget would include a decrease of about 360 positions in the district's 5,680-person workforce, most of them people whose positions had been funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Those positions, and about $46 million in total spending, have mostly disappeared as the funding as lapsed.

On the other hand, there are dozens of additional special education and English language learner education positions, among other increases.

The budget counts on an increase of $26.4 million in state aid, a number will not be finalized until the state budget passes. The proposal uses $8 million from fund balance, which the state monitor, Jaime Alicea, said is the lowest proposed number of any large urban district in New York.

RCSD is helped by a return to regular transportation aid after the state declined to reimburse some expenses in last year's budget. That change means another $21 million of revenue in the budget proposal. The district is also earning much more money in interest  about $11 million  because of its greater fund balance, including federal stimulus funds.

The Rochester Central School District building .

On the expenditure side, RCSD will pay $127 million to charter schools educating Rochester residents, up from $114 million in 2023-24. About 8,100 students will attend charter schools next year compared to about 21,000 in RCSD.

District officials have been looking forward with trepidation to the loss of the federal COVID stimulus money. Those funds are sunsetting in June and districts across the country must decide whether to continue supplementary programs with their own dollars or to cut them loose.

RCSD's billion dollars will be dispersed very differently in 2024-25. Eleven schools and two programs have closed and five other schools are opening. There is a new tier of junior high schools throughout the city, meaning K-8 schools are having their upper grades lopped off.

The board's decision to let the East High School's partnership with the University of Rochester expire will not affect the 2024-25 budget, as that lapse doesn't take place until June 2025.

Alicea, the state monitor, praised the district for a more coherent budget development process this year. In a highly unusual departure from standard practice, though, the district never made a public presentation of its final proposal. Rather it posted the 324-page document on its website last week, and Peluso and his team had meetings with individual board members to explain what was in it.

There will be a public budget hearing April 10. The board is scheduled to vote May 7 before City Council gives final approval in June.

 Justin Murphy is a veteran reporter at the Democrat and Chronicle and author of "Your Children Are Very Greatly in Danger: School Segregation in Rochester, New York." Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CitizenMurphy or contact him at jmurphy7@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: RSCD superintendent proposes $1.07 billion budget in Rochester NY
Ryan Wallace had spent seven years preparing a 196-page dissertation, seeking to address the "informational and ideological gaps" between the public and journalists, at the University of Texas. He'd surveyed about 600 science journalists and 1,000 participants nationwide.

True to his form, Ryan Wallace found an optimistic twist to dismal news. His research aimed to help establish a foundational understanding to "guide more effective practicesas journalists and scientists face the challenge of communicating climate change and new threats in the future."

Mere weeks before he was to defend his doctoral research, he was killed in a crash involving a school bus and concrete truck in Bastrop on March 22. He was 33 years old.

Ryan Wallace's unrelenting style of research and multitasking ability were applauded among the faculty at the Moody College of Communication: It became his trademark. Prior to his time in Austin, Ryan Wallace, a native of La Verne, California, held several concurring part-time and full-time roles, serving as a science grant writer for the University of Southern California; the editor-in-chief of the Science Times; and founder and editor of Archaic Press Magazine, a fashion editorial  all while juggling a master's degree in biotechnology at California State University, San Marcos.

Ryan Wallace, 33, was remembered for a bright and warm personality that felt like sunshine to all those who knew him.

Achievements aside, Ryan Wallace was remembered for his radiating kindness and generosity and for having a highly sociable personality with the ability to bring people together.

"He was like sunshine. When you were around him, you could feel the brightness and enthusiasm," UT associate professor Iris Chyi said in an interview with the American-Statesman. "Among our graduate students, he was one of the most loving and the most loved students that our school had the privilege to have."

Circumstances of the crash on Texas 21

On the afternoon of March 22, Ryan Wallace was driving a 2024 Hyundai behind a Hays school district bus on Texas 21. A concrete truck headed in the opposite direction veered into the wrong lane and struck the bus, which then rolled over and landed on its side.

The concrete truck also struck Ryan Wallaces vehicle, and officials believe Ryan Wallaces vehicle did not make contact with the bus, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Deon Cockrell told the American-Statesman on Wednesday.

The DPS initially said that Wallaces vehicle had struck the school bus. The agency also misidentified the make and model of Wallaces vehicle in a media briefing the day of the crash.

The driver of the truck was Jerry Hernandez, 42, who told investigators that he had smoked marijuana the night before the crash, slept three hours and done a small amount of cocaine the morning of the crash, according to an affidavit for a search warrant. Hernandez had not been arrested as of Thursday afternoon.

'Ryan Wallace was a light'

Ryan Wallaces sister, Diana Wallace, described him as someone who was devoted to his friends and family and who loved the arts and fine foods. He was deeply committed to his education, she said; he traveled to Italy and Russia for ecological research and was already thinking about further education beyond his doctorate.

He was a program manager at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center in Los Angeles, a role that allowed him to merge his love for the sciences, passion for healthcare, and unique skills for writing and team management, Diana Wallace said in a statement. Ryan Wallace traveled frequently for work and school.

Ryan Wallace was one of the brightest minds and most shining personalities in any room from our hometown of La Verne, California to Moscow, Russia, the statement read. His life was cut short in an instant, and it breaks our hearts to know the world will no longer be blessed by his being. He will never take pictures in his cap and gown in the bluebonnet fields or see his niece and nephews go off to college as he has pushed for them to do. Ryan Wallace was a light. Please help us in never letting his name or memory fade.

Mary Angela Bock, a university professor and graduate adviser, remembered Ryan Wallace's joyous laughter and buoyant personality.

"He was really strong friends with other people in his cohort, showing up for their graduations and their events," she said. "People are mourning from all over the country."

Bock was sufficiently impressed with Ryan Wallace in her class on qualitative methods that she supported his application for a prestigious continuing fellowship, which provides financial support for full-time research.

Another professor recalled when he phoned Ryan Wallace, his former teaching assistant and research assistant, from a hospital gurney to ask him to cover his class.

"And the next day he was substituting for me," Rosental Alves said. "He was so reliable and so generous."

Chyi recalled seeing Ryan Wallace for the first time in a year, just two days before his death, after providing remote guidance with his dissertation. She said he excitedly discussed his upcoming dissertation defense and summer plans to travel. It was possibly his last day on campus.

Chyi had been responsible for his enrollment at UT, having recruited him into the doctoral program. She worked with him during his first year of enrollment, and his last.

"I think it was me who was lucky to have the privilege to work with him closely and help him reach this very important milestone," Chyi said. "And I enjoyed every minute working with him."

The doctorate committee will meet in April to evaluate Ryan Wallace's research and plans to set time aside to allow fellow doctoral candidates and students to share memories about him. Chyi said she believes his work merits the committee's evaluation and recognition, and that a posthumous doctorate will likely be recommended.

A memorial for Ryan Wallace is currently pending.

People can donate to Ryan Wallace's family through a GoFundMe campaign. Kathleen McElroy, a professor and former director of the UT journalism school, is also raising funds to help pay for expenses associated with his death.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT Austin scholar was within grasp of doctorate before fatal bus crash
A United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report published Thursday on the situation in Haiti, which is facing intense gang violence, found that sexual violence there is severely underreported.

The report said gangs in the Caribbean country have used sexual violence to spread fear, subjugate and punish the population.

Sexual violence remains severely underreported due to community stigma, the salient threat of retaliation by perpetrators, insufficiency of healthcare and psychosocial services for survivors, and lack of trust in the justice system, the report reads. Even when such incidents are reported, impunity for sexual violence is widespread.

In a press release, the OHCHR also referred to sexual violence in Haiti as largely unpunished.

The report stated the OHCHR registered the deaths of at least 4,451 people in Haiti in 2023 due to gang violence, with 3,801 of them being men, 538 being women and 112 being children. Between early January and late February of this year, 686 people not involved in the violent exchanges taking place were killed, according to the report.

Tackling insecurity must be a top priority to protect the population and prevent further human suffering. It is equally important to protect institutions essential to the rule of law, which have been attacked to their very core, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in the press release.

Haitis prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced he will resign from his position earlier this month as gang violence has raged in the country.

The government that Im running cannot remain insensitive in front of this situation. There is no sacrifice that is too big for our country, Henry said in a video statement, according to The Associated Press. The government Im running will remove itself immediately after the installation of the council.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Slovakias ruling party has been accused of falsely claiming to have killed the bear which rampaged through a town to boost its chances in next weeks presidential election.

A bear that injured five in Liptovsky Mikulas was successfully shot dead yesterday. A biometrics drone was used to identify it, said Tomas Taraba, the environment minister.

But on Thursday, opposition politicians insisted that the bear which was tracked down and killed after a 10-day-hunt was much smaller than the one which struck fear into the inhabitants of the town in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains.

The issue of bear attacks has become politically charged in Slovakia and opposition MPs accused the populist government of rushing to shoot the bear to win votes.

Michal Weizik, a member of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, said that documents drawn up by the team that shot the bear showed that it was a female that weighed 67kg.

But the bear that ran through the streets on March 17, causing panic and attacking five people, had been a large male weighing up to 100kg. He said he was certain that authorities had shot the wrong animal.

It was established that a male that weighed approximately 80kg to 100kg was the one that attacked in Liptovsky Mikulas, the MEP told Slovenian media.

Locals had stumbled on documents, apparently mislaid by the bear tracking team, which contained key information about the bear that had been shot.

The whole affair is a farce

To our great surprise, it turned out that it was not a male weighing 80kg to 100kg, as we all thought, but a female weighing 67kg, he said.

Describing the whole affair as a farce, he said the authorities had shot the wrong animal.

He demanded that Mr Taraba disclose exactly how the animal was identified before it was shot.

Mr Weizik wanted to know who, and on what legal basis, issued the order to kill her.

The bear attack earlier this month left five people injured, including a 10-year-old girl. Two people had to receive hospital treatment for wounds inflicted by the animal.

Video footage showed the large bear charging through the streets, lunging at passersby.

There has been an increase in bear attacks in Slovakia in recent years.

There were eight attacks in 2021 but around 20 in 2023, according to the environment ministry, and there has even been a recent fatality.

Earlier this month, a 31-year-old woman from Belarus died after being chased by a bear and falling off a cliff. She and a male friend were walking in a forested area when the animal began pursuing them.

The couple ran off in opposite directions. The man was later found, shaken but unharmed, at the top of a ravine. The womans body was found by sniffer dogs at the bottom of the ravine. She is thought to have died from the fall rather than an attack by the bear.

The countrys populist government has drawn up guidelines which make it easier for rangers, hunters and police officers to shoot bears if they pose a risk.

A man casts his vote during the first round of presidential elections on March 23. As no candidate won a majority, a second round will be held on April 6 - Robert Nemeti/Anadolu via Getty Images

Some MPs seized on the latest attack as a pretext to call for a watering down of EU laws which protect large mammals such as bears and wolves.

Rudolf Huliak, an MP for the right-wing Slovak National Party, said: This is a case where a bear has brutally attacked people. One person almost lost an eye.

There needed to be a solution to the excessive number of bears in Slovakia, he said.

Mr Taraba accused extremist ecological groups of promoting the protection of bears.

Filip Kuffa, the junior environment minister, claimed that historically, there has never been such an unprecedented number of bears attacking people.

Environmental groups dismissed claims that there has been a surge in the population of bears.

There are estimated to be around 1,300 wild bears in Slovakia, with the majority living in the Carpathian Mountains.

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